Modern Simple Living

Feature Reflecting on My Technical Path: The Art of the Pivot Learning to embrace the journey of stopping, starting, and evolving 6 Years 10+ Technical Domains 5 Completed Studies Section I Understanding My Technical Journey In regard to my technical domains, I've encountered quite a few 'dead ends' where I chose to quit at some point or have taken considerable time to complete my studies, often stopping and starting. This is not necessarily a bad thing; it demonstrates my ability to recognize when to pivot and change paths. Whatever insights I can glean from these studies remain valuable, even if they don’t reach the levels of depth I initially desired. Conversely, my non-technical domains are thriving. I have read numerous books over the years to keep my mind fresh and stimulated, as purely technical pursuits can become repetitive and dull.   Section II My Past Study Patterns 2014–2016: Early Foundations → T-SQL Pro — Quit → MCSA - SQL Server — Stop/Start for years ...

Gear Review The Longevity of the iPad 2: A Tech Retrospective *Testing the limits of hardware sustainability over fourteen years* 14 Years 85% Battery Health 3-5 Years Expected Remaining Life Table of Contents ① The Reliable Classic ② Update — August 2023: Digital Photo Frame ③ Update — December 2025: PDF Reader Section I The Reliable Classic I am quite impressed that my original iPad 2, purchased seven years ago in 2011, is still going strong. I recently checked the battery health, and it is at 85% useful life, which is quite impressive. The iPad 2 is likely one of the oldest pieces of technology that has survived and continues to work as designed. While it is a bit laggy compared to my more modern laptops and iPhones, it remains fully functional. I rely on it for its size, weight, and form factor, which are unparalleled for reading PDF documents, especially with the handy bookmarking feature.   → Battery Performance — The tablet lasts for several days between charges, making...

Feature Redefining the Data Science Roadmap Shifting from platform-specific coding to a theory-based mastery of data ~2,000 Pages 3 Certifications ~2+ Years Duration Table of Contents ① The Data Science Paradigm Shift ② Eventual Skillset ③ Domain Study Materials ④ Certification Roadmap ⑤ Goals ⑥ Project Updates Section I The Data Science Paradigm Shift One of the biggest eye-openers in my journey has been the realization that Data Science fundamentally revolves around Statistics. There’s a well-established college major focused on statistics, and data science isn't entirely new; it’s a combination of traditional statistical methods with modern computing technologies, utilizing software like R and SAS for analysis. To truly grasp data science, it's essential not only to learn programming languages but also to understand the underlying principles. As such, I've decided to revise my study plan for 2019, shifting from a language/platform-specific focus to a more theory-base...

Gear Review Inventory Strategy & Value Estimation A deep dive into the collections that define my everyday carry 92 Total Items 4 Core Categories ~12 Years of Accumulation Table of Contents ① Inventory Strategy & Value Estimation ② Audio & Technology Breakdown ③ Watches & Writing Instruments ④ Spirits & Wardrobe Section I Inventory Strategy & Value Estimation I currently have about 92 items in my primary collections. By treating them as "collections," I can focus on carefully selecting which items to add, replace, or keep. It’s surprising how much money I’ve spent over the years accumulating these items, especially since it amounts to just 91 pieces. Reflecting on this, I realize that none of these are my "primary" expenditures. I spend significantly more on food, housing, and transportation each year. My car expenses alone—including insurance, registration/taxes, gas, maintenance, and parking—add up to several thousand dollars. In some w...

Style Minimalist Wardrobe Journey From 175 articles down to a focused, intentional collection 175 → 45 Item Reduction 3 Core Colors 70% Core Color Share 48 2019 Target Several years ago, I adopted a minimalist wardrobe approach, reducing my clothing collection from 175 articles to under 38 pieces. Since then, I have been fine-tuning that number and currently own 45 items as of 2018, with a plan to increase to 48 items in 2019.  The Process Transitioning to Minimalism My initial focus was on reducing the total count of clothing items. Now, I am in the process of fine-tuning my wardrobe by identifying specific colors and types of clothing. This ensures a balanced and versatile wardrobe ensemble.   The Palette Core Colors I have settled on three core colors: Black, Blue, and White. These colors constitute roughly 70% of my total wardrobe. In ...

Gear Review Beats Urbeats vs. Klipsch R6i: An Honest Comparison A surprising turnaround for a brand once written off. ~50 Price 2 Models 9mm Driver Table of Contents ① Sound Quality Comparison ② Build Quality ③ Comfort ④ Sound Performance ⑤ Overall Impressions ⑥ Update (4/30/2020) Section I Sound Quality Comparison I recently scored a pair of Beats Urbeats Earbuds from a friend who switched to Bluetooth-only headsets. Initially, I was skeptical since I had previously owned a pair of Series 1 Beats Studio headphones and was disappointed with their performance. However, after trying on these earbuds, I was surprised and impressed by their sound quality. The bass on the Beats Urbeats was toned down, which is unusual for Beats products, while the mids and treble were tuned to be a bit brighter. I had to compare them against my Klipsch R6i earbuds to see how they measured up.   Environment → Sound Source — iPhone 6s → Volume — 50% Klipsch R6i Specs → Drivers — 6.5mm → Frequency R...