Modern Simple Living

Food & Drink The Search for Mr. Brown Coffee Navigating the hunt for a canned classic 2 Locations checked 4 Flavors available 4 Cans purchased Section I The Quest for Availability Lately, I've noticed it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find Mr. Brown Coffee. In my area, I know of only two locations that still carry it. A friend mentioned a local specialty grocer that might have some in stock, so I decided to check it out. New Flavor Discovery At this new location, they offered four flavors, but instead of my favorite Cappuccino, I discovered a new option: Caramel Latte. Curious, I bought two cans of each flavor to give them a try.   Comparison of Recent Finds Flavor Verdict Cappuccino The classic favorite Caramel Latte A new, underwhelming discovery Disappointing Experience Unfortunately, the Caramel Latte didn’t live up to my expectations. While I appreciate trying new flavors, it seems my heart still belongs to the classic Cappuccino. Sticking to Favorites Going forw...

Feature Celebrating Five Years of Blogging Reflecting on a half-decade of writing, autonomy, and the digital detox 5 Years ~2.5 Hours Daily Saved 2013 Year Started Section I A Half-Decade Milestone It’s hard to believe that I started blogging back in January 2014—well, technically, it was November/December 2013, but who’s counting? Now, looking back, it’s been five years since I embarked on this journey. Time flies, and it feels like just yesterday when I first hit "publish."   A Shift from Social Media One of my primary goals when I began blogging was to wean myself away from social media. I’m happy to report that this effort has been successful. Blogging allows me to share whatever I want, whenever I want, without feeling the pressure or scrutiny from friends and family who might take offense to my thoughts. → Freedom of Expression — Sharing content without the pressure or social scrutiny of personal connections. → Semi-Anonymity — The ability to write about benign, mun...

Wine Review A Love for Johnnie Walker Black Label *Why consistency remains the ultimate hallmark of a great dram.* ~12 Countries 3 Weeks ~3 Months Duration Section I The Evolution of a Palate I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many different types of whiskies throughout the years. Growing up, I leaned toward the sweeter side with bourbons, primarily Jack Daniels. Over time, I graduated to the peat smoke of a good Scotch. However, no matter my preferences at any given moment, I always find myself returning to my all-time favorite: Johnnie Walker Black Label.   The Comfort of Consistency What draws me to a dram of JW Black? I can enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or even in a mixed drink, and I always find something pleasing about it. It has just enough of a taste profile to keep me intrigued. After several years of reflection, I’ve come to understand the primary reason I enjoy JW Black so much: consistency. This realization struck me when I purchased a new bottle of Macallan 12 from a r...

Feature Progress in Data Analytics Reflections on mastering the fundamentals of data warehousing 6 Months Duration 6 Chapters Completed 1 Upcoming Goal Section I Deep Dive into Kimball I’ve been working my way through Kimball’s 3rd Edition of Data Warehouse, and I just completed Chapter 6. This book is undoubtedly one of the best I’ve ever read in the Data Analytics domain. A Slow Yet Rewarding Journey I started this journey back in November 2018, and six months later, I’ve only managed to cover a portion of the book. The material is dense and packed with valuable insights, so I appreciate the time I’ve taken to digest it thoroughly. Aiming for Improvement Moving forward, I plan to improve my pace and tackle Chapter 7 on Sunday. Completing this book is a priority for me, and I recognize the need to focus on it in my life. Here’s to making steady progress and deepening my understanding of data warehousing. Task Status Schedule Chapter 6 Completed November 2018–Present Chapter 7 In Pro...

Gear Review The Versatility of White Sneakers Why classic white kicks are the ultimate wardrobe essential $60 Total Cost 2 Models Featured ~35 Seconds Daily Prep Table of Contents ① Building a Classic Collection ② Caution: Breaking In Converse ③ Sleek vs. Chunky ④ Which Ones to Choose? Section I Building a Classic Collection White shoes are an essential item in any wardrobe, much like blue jeans or a classic black or white T-shirt. While they do require more maintenance to keep clean, their versatility makes the effort worthwhile. Over the years, I’ve owned several pairs of white sneakers from brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and Reebok. However, I often only kept one pair, regardless of the color. Recently, I decided to remedy that and focus on building a basic collection of classic white sneakers. Two of the most iconic models I’ve added are:   → Converse All Stars — An iconic, slim canvas classic. → Adidas Superstar — A timeless, chunkier silhouette. These shoes come in ...