CoffeeStudyTalk

I’ve tried enough wines to select a few for my revolving selection.  These are mostly fun, drinkable table wines for an affordable price.  Mostly from Trader Joe’s, Target and Costco. My tastes range from fruit forward slightly sweet reds to dry white wines.  Sometimes I like an earthy GSM or bourdeaux, but typically I prefer nothing too overtly of any taste profile.  I also like variety and mix things up. *BB - Bulk Buy Trader Joe’s Red Wines Rancho Viejo Reserva *BB La Sonriete - Garnache *BB Fruit forward. Campi  Rudi Appassimento Rosso Puglia IGT Passito   *BB Syrupy sweet.  Similar to Meiomi. B by Fonbadet Bourdeaux *BB Revelation - Cabernet Merlot Maison Barboulot - Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah Sweet. Patroferno Appassimento Puglia Primitivo Sweet. Javier San Pedro Randez - Tempranillo White Wines Revelation - Chardonnay Sweet with slight bitter aftertaste.  Drink first day only. Target Red Wines Meiomi - Pinot Noir Meiomi - Cabernet Sauvignon J Lohr - 7 Oaks - Cabernet Sauvi

Tried a new restaurant in Carrollton Dallas Texas called Saemaeul that specializes in BBQ Pork.  It’s quite good as it’s very tender and delicious.  They slice it thin and looks almost like beef tongue. The ban chan side dishes were excellent and I also tried the cheese & egg side dish, tasted amazing and was like a fluffy omelette with corn and cheese.

Embarking on a 3 night road trip to Waco, Austin and San Antonio.  Riding in the 2016 Toyota Highlander V6. Planned Itinerary: Day 1 - Monday - Waco, Austin 10:30 am - Dallas to Waco 1 pm - Waco (2.5 hrs drive) 1:15 pm - Magnolia Market 1:30 pm - Lunch - Club Sandwich Food Truck 2:30 pm - Waco to Austin (3 hrs drive) 5:40 pm - Austin 6 pm - Dinner - Ramen Tatsu-ya Day 2 - Tuesday - Austin, San Antonio 7:30 am - Breakfast Hotel 9 am - Umlauf & Downtown 11 am - Domain Shopping Center 12:30 pm - Lunch - Miyo Sushi 1:30 pm - Chi Cha Boba Tea 2:30 pm - Austin to San Antonio (2 hrs drive) 4:30 pm San Antonio 5 pm - Riverwalk Mall 5:30 pm - Dinner - Dave & Buster 6:30 pm - River Walk Day 3 - Wednesday - San Antonio 7:30 am - Breakfast Hotel 9:30 am - Alamo 11 am - River Walk Boat Tour 12:30 pm - Lunch - El Castillo 1:30 pm - River Walk Mall 4:30 pm - Dinner - Ostra 6 pm - River Walk Day 4 - Thursday - Austin, Dallas 7:30 am - Breakfast Hotel 9:30 am - San Antonio to New Braunfels - Bu

I have 7 jackets thus far: Track Jackets (60-70 degrees) Adidas - Red - DUO454 - 2019 Adidas - Navy - DUO461 - 2019 Adidas - Black - 2020 Light Jackets (50-60 degrees) North Face - Venture 2 Raincoat - Navy - 2021 Generic - Bomber - Green - 2023 Middle Jackets (40-50 degrees) Uniqlo - Puffer - Navy - 2021 Winter Jackets (0-40 degrees) North Face - Ski Jacket - Brown/Green - 2023 Temperature ratings also depend on other factors including if it’s raining, windy, sunny or overcast.  I could get away with a track jacket on a sunny day with no wind even if it’s 50 degrees. I typically layer and can wear a hoodie or sweater with my light jackets to add 10 degrees of warmth.  Winters don’t get colder than 0-10 degrees so I typically am fine with the puffer over a hoodie inner layer.  The North Face Ski jacket affords me options as it includes a puffer inner layer and a hard outer shell. Future Changes - 2025 After some thought.  I’m gonna hold off on purchasing new jackets until 2025.

Couldn’t resist and picked up a pair of Air Force 1 ‘07 in larger Size 10 on sale for $65.  These feel so much better on my feet than the cramp Size 9’s and the mid sole support is a lot better than the Air Jordan 1’s. I’d prefer all white AF1’s but these are fine and will become my daily wear rotation with the AJ1’s 10.5  Next year I’ll pick up another pair of AJ1’s in Size 10.5 to complete my rotation set and leaning towards a pair of black & white’s or another two colorway combo.

Enjoyed the 22 oz Cowboy Ribeye at Al Biernat’s Steakhouse in Dallas, Texas.  Ordered it medium rare and for $70 it was worth the price. Was cooked to perfection and every bite was phenomenal.

Practicing with more white wines and champagnes and picked up for New Years a bottle of Veuve Cliquot. Tasting - Dec 2023 This was my first real champagne I’ve enjoyed outside of a wedding or major celebration and I’m liking it.  I can see now why people love it. For me it was dry like a sake or Pinot Grigio, yet had enough sweetness to make it pleasant.  It has to be served cold and a bit faster on consumption to enjoy the bubbly. Still much to learn but will add more champagne’s into rotation.

Enjoying a nice coffee weekend and stopped by the newest Summer Moon location in North Texas.  It’s getting chillier and enjoyed a very decent cappuccino.  Giving it a 7 out of 10.  Nice to find something like this outside of Deep Ellum. Another good option is Pax & Beneficia in Plano near Alma.

Giving the $10 Taco Bell Pass a try and it’s supposed to allow me 1 Taco per day for 30 days.  Sounds like a deal as it includes Taco Supreme’s for basically 33 cents each. Day 2 - Confirmed it works Not that I doubted it as it’s from their official app and have enjoyed my second discounted Taco Supreme.  By Day 4, I’ll have broken even. Day 23 - This was such a good deal! I’ve eaten too many discounted tacos 🌮.  It’s point of ridiculous.  Entering final week. I also scored at least 6 more free tacos from welcome gifts and other events.  By my estimate I’ve spent $10 to get about $90 worth of Taco Bell… Day 30 - And it’s done. Kinda sad but also relieved it’s over.  Getting tired of eating Taco Bell everyday.  I got my money’s worth.

I’m liking the Huntsman Victorinox 4 layer more and more.  I thought I’d prefer a Deluxe Climber/Tinker but the added height from the pliers make it debatable.  I also am oddly enjoying the Champion Plus for EDC pocket carry…it’s even larger than any 4 layer. I think what’s making me prefer the Huntsman is the wood saw.  It makes it ideal for true EDC. Outside of a Mountaineer, Angler, Fisherman and Deluxe Tinker.  I have most common 4 layers to choose from.  Doubtful beyond collectible only would I EDC the Fisherman/Angler.  Mountaineer sounds cool, but I’d prefer a discontinued Passenger or a Ranger instead.

Picked up another discontinued model that’s a bit more uncommon, a Deluxe Climber.  It’s almost identical to a current model Deluxe Tinker, except it has a corkscrew instead of a phillips. I’m debating on whether to sell this and get a Deluxe Tinker instead, but for now will pocket EDC this as I do like the pliers. This was a fair price of $26. Truthfully, this needs only the bit driver and it’s a Cybertool M.  If all I want is a phillips, I should splurge for the Cybertool.

Picked up a Champion Plus.  It’s a discontinued Victorinox Swiss Army knife model and the predecessor of the current Swiss Champ.  The one big difference it lacks the Pliers. I kinda like this 6 layer tool set, although it feels impractical for pocket EDC, I’ll try it.  Otherwise I’ll stick to my Huntsman or Deluxe Climber. As opportunities present themselves I’ll pick up discontinued models in good condition to add to my collection. Paid only $45 for this one, a decent price.