Modern Simple Living

Tools & Productivity Rediscovering Fountain Pens for Serious Note-Taking Why analog tools matter for Machine Learning studies Table of Contents ① The Problem With Long Sessions ② Returning to Fountain Pens ③ Why They Work Better ④ Durability & Longevity ⑤ Maintenance & Upgrades ⑥ Impact & Ink Stats Introduction As I've been writing a lot of notes for my Machine Learning studies, I've started to notice the physical toll of long writing sessions. On a typical day, I'm putting down 10–15 pages of notes. While reliable, regular gel pens like my Zebra Sarasa Clip 0.5 begin to feel uncomfortable over extended use. The pressure required and narrow grip add up quickly, turning note-taking into a strain rather than a flow. Section I Returning to a Familiar Tool It had been a while, but I recently refilled one of my Pilot Metropolitan fountain ...

Machine Learning  ·  2026 Study Goals ML Fundamentals Annual Goal  ·  2026 A structured path from vocabulary to working models 35h Weekly Target 30 Weeks Planned 8 Sections 3 Phase Sprints One of my main study goals for 2026 is to gain a deeper understanding of Machine Learning. It was previously a sub-discipline of AI, but has become synonymous with it — the impetus behind the latest breakthroughs like ChatGPT. Table of Contents ① Training Setup ② ChatGPT & Vibe Coding ③ Online ML Courses ④ Math Fundamentals ⑤ Statistics ⑥ Python ML Projects ⑦ MLOps + ML Systems ⑧ Learning Plan & Schedule Sec...

Nespresso · Seasonal Review 2025 Nespresso Holiday Flavors: A Quick Take Festive Collection Highlights 130 Pods Stocked $1.12 Per Pod ~6 mo Supply at 5/week Section I This Year's Vertuo Holiday Lineup This year's Vertuo Holiday lineup brings three seasonal releases, along with a Barista Creations addition that fits right into the festive spirit. → Cinnamon & Candied Tamarind — A warm, spiced seasonal release from the Vertuo Festive Collection. → Sweet Almond & Hibiscus — Sampled in-store and genuinely enjoyable: balanced, not overly floral or nutty. → Double Espresso — Looks especially promising for dark-roast fans; hoping for similar depth to last year's Pierre Hermé edi...

Gear & Lifestyle · EDC December 2025 Everyday Carry Simple, lightweight, and pocket-friendly — a setup that's stayed remarkably consistent since 2024 Section I Current EDC Items My Everyday Carry has stayed remarkably consistent since 2024, with just one major update: I now use the iPhone Air as my daily phone. The biggest shift actually happened back in March 2024, when I switched from a full-size wallet to the Coach Card Wallet . That change made a noticeable difference in comfort and pocket space — as long as you keep it snug in your pocket . I'd hesitated to use a card wallet before because I'd had it fall out more than once, but after adjusting how I carry it, it's been trouble-free. Since then, my EDC setup has remained simple, lightweight, and pocket-friendly. → Apple iPhone Air — Current daily driver; t...

DIY Garage · Car Maintenance DIY Car Maintenance: My Plan to Start Small and Level Up Starting with oil changes, building toward brakes, fluids, and beyond ~$400 Upfront Tool Cost 8 Oil Changes to Break Even ~2 yrs Payback Timeline Table of Contents ① Why I'm Starting DIY ② Cost & Break-Even ③ Mechanic Tools ④ Building Skills Step by Step ⑤ Ramps vs. Jack Stands ⑥ What I Can Already Do ⑦ What I'm Adding Next Section I Why I'm Starting DIY Maintenance I've decided to take on my own basic car maintenance. The plan is to begin with oil changes and gradually work up to brakes, fluids, and eventually anything I feel confident doing. Beyond saving money, learning these skills just feels empowering. ...

Wine · Collection Review 2025 State of Wine Collections From Trader Joe's to Costco — a cellar refined by value, consistency, and a few happy discoveries 31 Bottles on Hand $393 Collection Value ~20 Planned Additions Table of Contents ① The Gigondas Discovery ② Red Wines — Current ③ White Wines — Current ④ Sparkling Wines — Current ⑤ Future Additions Section I The Gigondas Discovery Finding a few bottles of Kirkland Gigondas 2023 for just $14.99 prompted a reflection on how much this wine journey has evolved over the past few years. French GSM blends have long been a favorite, and learning that Gigondas borders Châteauneuf-du-Pape — a region whose wines have also earned appreciation from Costco's shelves — only deepened admira...