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Out & About #564 | GOT7 Keep Spinning in Toronto

6/30/2019

I'm not sure whether it's been apparent or not, but I've been teetering on the edge of an ahga-identity crisis.

Too frequent were the instances that I found myself feeling exhausted and utterly unmotivated, so tired to the point where there was not a drop of energy to spare for the other tidbits of joy in my life, namely GOT7.
I fell behind on the PAGE videos, then the sporadic V Lives, and even some of their Twitter posts. There was a sense of foreboding from within, and I questioned whether the thought of retirement from the fandom had been spurred from fatigue, anxiety, or mere moodiness.

D-Day came, and was it ever hectic. After several pre-Canada Day errands, I sped downtown. Though I missed the signing of the Canadian flag and a handful of fansite giveaways, I managed to secure a navy tour t-shirt in time for the show.

A sugary Matcha Latte from McDonald's supplied us with energy to last till dinnertime.

A Junior Chicken later, and we filed through the security gates for floor entry.

Concert commencement was slated for 7:30 PM, but the lights continued to flicker until the forty-minute mark, until, finally, the venue went dark. A stunning VCR began playing on the triple screens before us.

View the full album HERE !

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Out & About #563 | Koh Lipe + Kensington

6/27/2019

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Sweltering days are upon us in the city, and the mercury levels are only emphasized on trips without shrubbery.

Occurring in parallel with harrowing humidity is construction work. Left and right are instances of road closures, asphalt paving, sawcutting, and more. A disposable face mask is the ideal method of combatting such detrimental changes to air quality, though it'd probably earn you a handful of questionable stares from passing onlookers.

I had made the grueling trip downtown for a two-part eating excursion: a send-off meet-up for an aspiring globetrotter and an evening get-together with the Thai ahgase and her crew.

The lunch destination of choice was situated in Baldwin Village in Kensington Market. Koh Lipe emerged triumphant after a compilation of Insta-research results. It supposedly specialized in Southern Thai food, offering up the fiery plates within a two-story non-air-conditioned building or on a patio deck as steamy as the dishes themselves.

I arrived around noon, and, after a bit of confusion, found my dining partner seated on the colourful first floor. Lining the walls were vivid murals of bold strokes and neo-tropical visuals. Intricate, dainty fixings such as framed wall art and wooden signs in Thai contributed a sense of uniformity. Both the interior and exterior quarters were hot, but a mild breeze somehow convinced me it was better to head outside. The hostess was very friendly, providing me with the flexibility of choosing between tables despite the oncoming lunch rush.
Our patio waitress, on the other hand, did not exhibit the same degree of cheerfulness, and instead expressed confusion when asked about the availability of chilled items on the menu. "All our dishes are served hot." She spat after several attempts of inquiry. "Nothing is served cold. Except for dessert." which, might I suggest, is pretty self-explanatory.

The patio area consisted of one large group table, shaded by the protruding roof of the establishment, followed by several small two- or four-seaters. These tables were less fortunate, only partially covered by the two patio umbrellas situated around them. And given the pre-existing material properties of the wooden benches, metal tables, and commercial grade steel utensils, the meal commenced on a toasty start.

Eventually we commenced the meal with Muek Yang, otherwise known as grilled squid with a side of tamarind lime dipping sauce. The tiny morsels were bland on their own, unsurprising given its plain appearance. The cross-hatching ensured even done-ness and improved texture, but otherwise didn't differ strongly from basic home cooking. While supposedly grilled, the product bore no deviation from a basic pan-frying procedure.

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Out & About #562 | Something About Simcoe DAY 4: Recap

6/23/2019

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The semi-annual trips up north are always a welcome addition to the mundane and occasionally slow periods of summer humidity.

And while I can't confidently exude my capability as a minimalist packer, I do thoroughly enjoy preparing for a weekend brimming with exciting outdoor activities.

A positive outlook on weak Wi-Fi signals is the opportunity it creates for off-screen interactions. For many Canadians - especially central-east coast citizens such as myself, we crave for nothing more than to be able to embrace the great outdoors as weather conditions permit. After all, it won't be long until piercing gusts and ample snowfall strike again.

Cycling, rowing, hiking, stargazing, and swimming are only a handful of the activities we partook in during our past and present stays, however the options remain as vast as your heart is capable of conjuring.

Of course, we had to finish off the trip with a Wonton Chai run. Fried Fish Skin is back!!

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Out & About #561 | Something About Simcoe DAY 3: Lake Couchiching + Cafe Seoulista (Round 2)

6/22/2019

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The previous night's tossing and turning had left a scarring impression. Lowering the room temperature helped to offset this pattern completely, which had me feeling a lot less sloth-like when morning rolled around.

Majority of the rest of the party were still snoozing away, so another trip to the gym was made. I caught up slightly on Absolute Boyfriend before heading out again. Interestingly enough, we had yet to drop by Barrie at all, consequently resulting in a modified series title for the purpose of maintaining accuracy.

We returned to Orillia - Lake Couchiching, to be exact. Instead of taking following the 30-kilometre bike path though, we were on the lookout for something else: an aquatic activity whose true potential could only be unlocked at temperatures of twenty degrees Celsius and greater.

Last year's weekday afternoon rowing segment had been successfully executed with courtesy of Narrows Canoe. Having planned this season's retreat around the predicted climate conditions, the activity happened to coincide with a weekend, which introduced a significantly larger number of rental options and destinations.

The top contenders were: A Breath of Fresh Air in Orillia, Swift Georgian Bay in Waubaushene, and Bass Lake in Oro-Medonte. Swift's coordinates fell outside our geographic scope for the day, and also appeared to rent kayaks on a daily basis as opposed to the hourly we were considering; Bass Lake was fees were steep as could be at $30 per hour per individual kayak/canoe/paddle board. By process of elimination, A Breath of Fresh Air seemed most suited to our needs. That along with the fact that it wasn't far from Cafe Seoulista, a spot I desperately wanted to revisit before our departure. (I mean, it only seemed fitting to grab an icy, post-kayaking treat, right?)

A Breath of Fresh Air wasn't too difficult to find. Google Maps had specified a location north of the pop-up, though we were eventually able to locate Al and his kayaks by shifting our gaze to the
He warned us of the windy weather prior to waiver collection, even noting that the safest path was to travel along the shoreline and allow the waters to return us back to shore later onwards. We were also kindly provided the option of paying afterwards, such that our time on the water wasn't restricted.

The kayaks were vivid in hue, and much easier to control than the heavier ones present at Kayakity-Yak's stall at Tudhope Park. Most important to note was the price difference: only a mere nine dollars were charged per hour! For our ninety-minute session, the total came to fourteen per person; the half hour had been rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Along the dock were calmer waters; rougher waves met us as we inched north, but we persevered until just past Fittons Road, a point marked by a trio of luscious shrubbery, before turning back. Newly acquired for the return paddle were sore shoulders and a very discernible band-aid tan.

Clouds appeared to be copied and pasted across the sky: all very uniform. Almost reminiscent of those Windows XP window glitches, where dragging a frozen window across the screen would result in identical, translated images.

By the time we pulled into the sandy dock area, the clock read 2:30 PM. The fastest source of sustenance resided with the hot dog and hamburger shack just outside the parking lot, however other members of the party suggested heading directly to Cafe Seoulista in the name of time. We did just that, since any further detours would have delayed our suppertime.

The smiley couple welcomed us back into their cozy café. With a larger group in tow, they assisted us in combining a two-seater with their largest four-person table.

Savoury options were minimal at the establishment, so the famished members of the party simply opted for a Croissant Sandwich (with a $1.99 side of organic greens). Turkey Breast or Ham acted as the main source of protein; fresh tomatoes, sliced cheese, and a light layer of dressing were the remaining constituents.
Airy and buttery were the croissants, and slightly moist rather than flaky. This precise texture paired well in a sandwich formation, all while eliminating the fallout commonly experienced with the fragile, fresh-from-the-oven renditions. Each individual component within could be tasted without fear of overpowering its partners; the inclusion of seasonings had been done tastefully as well - adequate amounts contributed depth of flavour instead of outright overkill.

< Pictured above and below: Ham Croissant Sandwich, Turkey Breast Croissant Sandwich, Brewed Coffee, Ice Cube Latte, Red Bean Latte, Honey Brick Toast, Banana Chocolate Bingsoo, Mango Bingsoo >

Brewed Coffee was presented in a muted mint mug, its no-nonsense appeal offset with a cute cat spoon.

My own choice of drink had bounced between the Korean Apricot Tea (otherwise known as "Green Plum/Apricot" or 매실) and Honey Oolong Iced Tea at first. It was later that my eyes fell upon the "Espresso Bar" section, in which the Seoulista Blend and Ice Cube Latte swiftly booted the less caffeinated options out of mind. The former was depicted as a Korean-style Double Double, bearing no more sweetness than that of Timmies' original. Considering my lack of fondness for the national concoction, I steered myself in the latter direction.

It wasn't my first time seeing an Ice Cube Latte, but Seoulista's variation instantly distinguished itself from the rest. Organic lactose-free milk is poured on top of several cubes of frozen espresso, intensifying in concentration over time as opposed to being diluted. As the coffee ice slowly disintegrated, a cool slushy effect was also witnessed.
An initial concern on my part was that the Ice Cube Latte was only available in one size: Large. However, I quickly grew to enjoy and savour the drink as it underwent its three stages of evolution. Bold, flavourful, and potent, it's easily a great choice for coffee lovers looking to extend the life of their typical iced latte on a scorching summer day. One also had the option adding sweetener or leaving it "Black" (my pick).

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Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 1): The Shack Eatery + Café Seoulista Preview

6/21/2019

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The first day had terminated with a restless night of overheating, terribly soft pillows, and maximum stuffiness. I awoke to a different issue every two hours or so, then eventually to the buzzing tune of Morning Flower.

There was no time to lose. Glancing outside at the sunny skies - with tufts of fluffy clouds like outstretched arms - I prepared a relatively familiar breakfast, in a relatively unfamiliar residence.

My participation in an AquaFit session spanned forty-five minutes. Water aerobics was an activity I hadn't tried before, especially not the morning classes with my sordid sleeping patterns. It was fun and engaging: a low-impact, resistance routine that felt like play time at the pool.

Feasting locations had been researched the night before, thus there was no hesitation towards our lunch destination. Such plans entailed a drive to Orillia, where we would reside for the remainder of sunlight hours.

The Shack Eatery had surfaced on my radar; depicted as a wonderful spot offering comfort food in the form of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, we inputted the address and off we went!

It was a shack, in the most literal sense. Even with the assistance of navigation technology, I had managed to zip by without batting an eyelash. There was a drastic difference between expectation and reality. Having said that, to dismiss the restaurant as a result of its gritty gravel parking lot or unassuming storefront would have been a loss on our parts.

Being located at the corner of a busy intersection (West Street S and Hwy 12) meant a solid scene capable of appealing to both travellers and workers of the nearby industrial businesses, and we were about to discover just exactly what the restaurant was capable of delivering.

The menu was straightforward - just as advertised on its website. Fuss-free "Shackwiches" and "Shack Plates" were the only two options available, and, frankly speaking, the only ones necessary in leaving an impact. Smoked Sausage, Pulled Pork/Beef/Chicken, and Smoked Ribs were the primary focus of these orders. Sandwiches could be ordered solo or in combo format to include a side and (soft) drink, while Plates included up to three sides.

< Pictured above and below: Pulled Beef Bun and Pulled Chicken Plate >

Generously portioned between two halves of a soft kaiser bun were tender sections of slow-cooked, seasoned beef. The roll was lightly dressed with a mild sauce (though one could have opted for medium or hot), horseradish (optional), and the most mindblowing moiety of sweet caramelized onions. The Pulled Beef Bun hit all the right notes, leaving us feeling utterly satisfied.

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Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 2): Uhthoff Trail + Downtown Orillia

6/21/2019

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Read Part 1 HERE !

Because of the previous day's ceaseless rainfall, we had thought it a better idea to steer clear of gravel paths. A ridiculously informative website enabled me to select a trail that aligned most accurately with our needs, including time restrictions and location preferences.

Uhthoff Trail commenced in Orillia, then crossed Hwy 11 into the township of Severn. Categorized as an "Easy" thirty kilometres with parking available by Lake Couchiching, it was also listed to be part of the Trans Canada Trail. Curiosity piqued, we had loaded our bikes back into the car in preparation for a quick ride.

Two-way, paved bicycle lanes curved about the shoreline, just between Couchiching Beach and its several parking lots. We followed this path until Jarvis Street, where I took a daring turn into the woods instead of continuing on paved asphalt.

Contrary to our initial belief, the ground was not sodden at all. We swung onto Lightfoot Trail with ease, then followed its slope-less path to the next intersection. It remained sturdy underneath our wheels, while the trees diffused harsh UV rays from the skies above.

Past Wilson Point Road was Millennium Trail, which eventually turned to gravel and wound underneath Hwy 11.
We persevered until just past Division Road, then readily stopped for a break by a small creek.

The entire trail was largely devoid of elevation changes - and defining landscapes too for that matter. Uhthoff made for a rather uninteresting ride, but nonetheless a good escape from UV rays and muddiness. Trenches had been dug on both sides of the trails, presumably to assist with drainage of the main path.

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Out & About #559 | Something About Simcoe DAY 1: Amiche Restaurant

6/20/2019

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The start of another Barrie trip commenced with a disarray of last-minute packing. And by "last-minute", I mean scrambling to gather not only outdoor clothing, but also downsizing skincare essentials with the departure time ticking down to its final sixty minutes.

It was early afternoon as we made our way northwest. Lunch was skipped, naturally, due to the deadline that lay before me; instead, an Egg McMuffin, Iced Coffee, and Nature Valley Bar summed up the components of my mid-day meal.

The forecast had warned of precipitation, but little was I aware that the droplets would only increase in size and density with every passing minute. To say that it was merely pouring when we pulled in was an understatement: it was raining cats and dogs!

As such, we turned to indoor activities for the remainder of the day - namely a brief gym session (where I finally caught up with a bit of Absolute Boyfriend) followed by swimming. The events eased us into the evening, simultaneously leaving us ravenous yet uninspired to hunt for sustenance beyond a 10-kilometre radius.

Food delivery services were nonexistent, whether it be Foodora, UberEats, SkipThe Dishes - you name it. The luxuries of urban and suburban neighbourhoods could not be applied here. It was then that we bit the bullet and dove back into the car, taking no breaks until we arrived near the highway exit.

Amiche Restaurant had been passed by on several occasions, whether it be to visit Chelsea Chocolates or simply since it was situated at a busy tourist(y) intersection. For the duration of our visit, it wasn't too busy. Rather, guest volumes had seemed to slow with the angry patter, leaving both the asphalt lot and interior relatively quiet.

We were seated immediately, then shortly provided menus and our beverages of choice. The waitress batted not even an eyelash at my frizzy head of post-swimming waves - "volume" as orangecane calls it - which was something I greatly appreciated in my famished state.

The menu was scanned briefly, and items of interest were narrowed down accordingly. Primarily Italian with a few options for pub grub (this term never fails to bring a grin to my face), we settled two dishes: one carby and the other protein-heavy. As Bruschetta seemed to be a prominent side on quite a number of assortments, I suggested adding the nine-dollar appetizer to start. This was later revealed a very poor decision on my part.

Given its title of a "Social House", I had anticipated orders to be received, processed, and delivered at a leisurely pace. Perhaps it was due to the low flow of traffic, but the Bruschetta emerged without much delay, and the entrées followed after a mere ten minutes of its complete consumption.

< Pictured above and below: Bruschetta, Seafood Linguine, and Brie and Asparagus Stuffed Chicken >

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Out & About #558 | COWS NOTL + Niagara Drive

6/16/2019

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Waffle cones and ice cream are the representative summer treat, especially when accompanied by the sticky scent of sugariness and a waterfront walk.

Father's Day was quite the low-key celebration this year - no Diana's, no buffet brunch, but oysters present nonetheless.
Upon waking, climate conditions were observed to have deviated from the predicted periodic showers to generally grey skies and a light drizzle here and there. As such, we set out for the west just after lunchtime. The ultimate destination was COWS, though a few detours were also made.

Navigation tools had guided me along Niagara Stone Road, a section of the region known as the "Winery Route". Perched at each and every corner was a different name - all wineries of varying magnitudes. With arguably the grandest presentation in sight, the Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery drew us in for our first detour.

The spot was an unsurprising tourist spot for both locals and vacationers alike. Guided tours, wine and whiskey tastings, and private gatherings were not uncommon at this irrefutably Canadian establishment.

Beyond the vineyard and all-too-frequent "99" inserts were several patio and lounge areas, a gift shop retailing monogrammed household items, and a separate gift shop specializing in beer and consumer-level brewing equipment. Even the father of Wayne Gretzky himself had appeared on the property, gladly posing for photos with those that took advantage of the opportunity.

We paused for a moment to roam, then resumed the drive without further interruption.

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Out & About #557 | Weekly Roundup: A Week of Feasting

6/15/2019

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Another week concluded is yet another burst of sporadic sun/rainfall segments.
On days representative of June temperatures, the bike was brought out; others witnessed heavy reliance on umbrellas, enclosed vehicles (read: windows up), and indoor parking buildings.

1) Sikgaek

My default destination for Korean food in the city has recently revamped their menu. Back on offer is Spicy Squid - which I wasn't quite bold enough to try this time around - and some minor cost adjustments. Majority of the items remained unchanged in presentation and price, with the exception of a dollar added to both Samgyetang styles.

Nonetheless, all items were absolutely scrumptious! The Hot Stone Beef Bulgogi Dupbap was a new foray for us, and yielded ultimate satisfaction. Cheese GyeRanMale featured an impeccable combination of textures: encased within silky smooth layers of egg were bite-sized chunks of melted stringy cheese. Contrasting nicely was the coarse exterior of the roll. My sole suggestion would be to lighten the portion of ketchup-and-mayo-decked cabbage slaw on the surface, since it did become a tad overbearing.

< Pictured above and below:

Hot Stone Beef Bulgogi Dupbap (돌솥불고기덮밥)
Egg Soup (Mini) (계란탕)
Cheese GyeRanMale (치즈계란말이)
Makgulli (막걸리) >

2) Tim Hortons has taken Starbucks' lead: bottled Iced Capps can now be located at your local grocer.

3) Biking in balmy yet breezy weather
4) A snippet of my Journey to Health: Fibre-heavy All Bran, Corn Flakes, a dash of strawberry jam, and a handful of roasted pumpkin seeds
5) Breakfast consisting of an Iced Latte and Toast à la orangecane/thekitchn

6) Why hello again, old friend.
7) Some all-too-familiar commuting visuals
8) Mos Mos' Fitness Cookie was the next best thing to a steamy bowl of hearty oatmeal first thing in the morning.

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Out & About #556 | Hub Markham Feat. Oomomo + Gyugyuya

6/13/2019

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It's been a while since I've started climbing, albeit not complying with a regular schedule. Admittedly, this could be owed to a lack of climbing buddies - a crew willing to commit to the sport and meet up regularly as a form of social and physical activity. A handful of friends have been persuaded to come with, but single day pass and rental fees are far from a bargain.

About three months into dabbling - or rather, dangling - in the sport, a climbing date was finally arranged with orangecane. Well-versed in the ways of personal protection in bouldering, she accepted my proposal; the condition was that it take place at a facility within closer proximity.

A total of sixty-five minutes on the highway later, I arrived in the northeast end of the GTA, damp and not particularly pleased at my 401 travels. After a brief exchange of morning happenings, we set off to our scheduled first stop: Oomomo.

The First Markham Place location was newer and supposedly larger than the franchise's first foray into the province. Commonly compared to Daiso, the Japanese dollar store retailed a similar array of household items, along with several pieces from its competitor - is this purely an Ontario concept?
Product quality was on par with Miniso, while price points were a bit lower. Similar to Daiso at Aberdeen, majority of the items on the shelves could be obtained at a sheer toonie, and those that failed to fall within this range would be marked otherwise with a sticker.

On a personal preference, I'd take Daiso over Oomomo any day given its current performance. Our journey did not commence easily, as parking is known to be scarce in the FMP plaza to start. Aisles were narrow and bore absolutely no labels whatsoever, making it a challenge to maneuver between the middle-aged aunties and elderly locals while in search of specific items.
Staff members on the floor were friendly and helpful, though the checkout line was absolutely chaotic. Oomomo operated on one story, with only two members of staff situated behind the cashier. A seemingly more senior attendant assisted here and there, but took no steps to provide relief to the lineup by opening his own register.

Another aspect I cannot ever grow accustomed to is the additional charge for plastic bags. (Perhaps even Daiso in Vancouver has implemented this change, however five to twenty-five cents for a flimsy carrying device can never be warranted in my books.)

Several pairs of slippers, two canvas pouches, and a few other knickknacks later, we returned to the car, meticulously dodging puddles in the pavement on our way back.

Hub Markham opened at noon - a whopping three hours before the Mississauga location. While I was in favour of this earlier operating time, I could only frown at the parking situation before me. The gym was situated in a commercial area and shared its lot with a handful of other businesses during work hours, which limited the total number of spots to forty or less. Trudging along the perimeter of the building in search of its only access in heavy downpour was far from enjoyable either.

Once inside, it was immediately obvious that the original outpost was bouldering-centric. Routes were interesting, well distributed throughout the facility, and, most importantly, diverse in nature. On an overall note, there was more padding underneath the routes, eliminating the fear of falling and rolling onto the concrete floor.

In contrast, the belay section was incredibly small, assuming just under 25% of the wall space. It consisted of twenty auto-belay sections and only five toprope routes, which were slated to be removed and replaced wit auto-belays shortly. The walls were essentially the same height as the Learner's Area back home, with majority of the routes extending past the pulley at their peak. Triangular volumes were added in an attempt to create grading along the wall, as inward/outward sloping was very minimal. With the exception of the "racing route", an average of two courses were arranged beneath each pulley.

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<<Previous

Out & About #564 | GOT7 Keep Spinning in Toronto

Out & About #563 | Koh Lipe + Kensington

Out & About #562 | Something About Simcoe DAY 4: Recap

Out & About #561 | Something About Simcoe DAY 3: Lake Couchiching + Cafe Seoulista (Round 2)

Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 1): The Shack Eatery + Café Seoulista Preview

Out & About #560 | Something About Simcoe DAY 2 (Pt. 2): Uhthoff Trail + Downtown Orillia

Out & About #559 | Something About Simcoe DAY 1: Amiche Restaurant

Out & About #558 | COWS NOTL + Niagara Drive

Out & About #557 | Weekly Roundup: A Week of Feasting

Out & About #556 | Hub Markham Feat. Oomomo + Gyugyuya

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