Blog Archives - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #820 | Genmaicha Soufflé Cheesecake Revisited + Return to Work

6/26/2022

As I begin to re-learn my "old" ways - ways temporarily forgotten with a sudden swap of surroundings and resources - I'm dismayed to discover new areas of weakness and lower levels of productivity.

Perhaps it is an obvious consequence of time being invested elsewhere, but I had optimistically hoped not for my endurance to wither within such a short period. Returning to regular pilates sessions was not particularly difficult, though chills were frequently felt, as were moments of abnormal warmth. The mind and body were drained despite little engagement with the outside world.

Breakfasts consisted of: coffee, far more accessible than before with all equipment and roasts on hand, and items derived from a seemingly endless freezer stash. Buttermilk Eggos were a recent addition, unknown to me until my return; blue sky bran muffins and banana bread (marbled or unmarbled) welcomed me back in a toasty, cinnamon-laced embrace.

The first few meals back would comprise of congee (for detoxing), kale (for iron), and lean pork (for more iron). At times of weakness, Ensure was consumed for a boost of protein. However, nausea and a persistent headache refused to depart. An inability to obtain quality sleep was another telling exhibit of unwellness.

After unpacking, I began to tackle the next order of business: my medical appointments.

Walk-in clinics were far more accessible back home, making both securing an appointment and completing an x-ray simpler and speedier. The results of the diagnostic tests have yet to be relayed at this point in time, but, in the very least, the rapid antigen test device reads negative.

Out & About #819 | Failed Chocolate Mousse Cake + Yuzuki

6/19/2022

More unpacking ensued, reminding me yet again of the annoyances of travelling. Vacation is great. Travelling is not.

The sleepy polar bear emerged on my boulevard with a six-pack of mochi donuts - on his own accord, of course. Donuts have never been an item of fondness for me, and even those bearing limited knowledge of my preferences expressed surprise at the selection: "Not Gong Cha?" No, I would be served sugar instead of coffee jelly and luscious Oolong milk tea.

I had explicitly expressed no intentions of leaving my humble abode until all physical and digital content materializing as a result of the trip had been sorted thoroughly. Perhaps I ought to have vocalized that donuts weren't my style either, though it wasn't too difficult a deduction should critical observations been made.

While I would never have bothered to invest in such costly fad snacks, I will admit that the chewiness harnessed within offered better texture than regular donuts. That said, this chewy consistency was sustained only when fresh, with the cross sections revealing themselves stale and rigid the next day.
Obnoxiously sugary on the first day, I experienced an instantaneous headache. I wanted nothing more than to strip them of their colourful dip and solely munch of its base - the Old-Fashioned Plain Timbits are my go-to for a reason. They were acceptable the next day, with the Sea Salt Honeycomb proving the best overall. Hong Kong Milk Tea bore no resemblance whatsoever to the its name, while Ube was vaguely similar, albeit masked within sugariness.
Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate to pass them up next time around. It was an interesting taste, but not a comprehensibly enjoyable one.

The gift had been poorly timed, for little was it known that I had assembled a Chocolate Mousse Cake just in advance of the donuts' arrival.

With a penchant for curbing cravings from the evening prior, I proceeded to realize my true item of affection, starting from the base utilized in Sunday Baking's Rich Chocolate Mousse Cake.

To my dismay, the cake disintegrated upon touch. The gluten content was severely lacking, as it had also been in the seven-layer Pecan Chocolate Mousse Cake With Chocolate Ganache. I only realized later the absence of flour - neither all-purpose nor cake flour had been added, meaning that stability relied strictly on the inclusion of cocoa powder. I re-watched the video twice afterwards, just to confirm my understanding. Visually, the cake was identical to the slab shown in the video. On the other hand, the same degree of sturdiness was not to be witnessed. Consequently, any future chocolate cake layers shall revert to roll cake formulas - or maybe the inclusion of cornstarch? Brownies rely on aerated eggs and cornstarch after all.

Whipped cream and melted Surfin formed the middle layer of chocolate mousse, with a small portion of melted chocolate reserved for ganache. Alas, in my haste, I had omitted the heavy cream entirely, yielding a firm block of chocolate on the surface. It weighed down on the components underneath, causing the mousse to ooze and the fragile cake to crumble even further: Chaos.

Rapidly cleaning up the edible catastrophe, I readied myself with my first outing since return. Donning freshly tinted treads, a new AIRism tank, recently acquired accessories, and a spritz of Maison Kitsuné x James Heeley's Note de Yuzu, I set off to re-familiarize myself with the conditions of 401 and the Gardiner after 3 weeks of involuntary dependence on Vancouver's up-and-coming Translink system and Uber.

The reservation at Yuzuki has made just three days before, and actually as a backup to Shinobu at Yonge and Lawrence. The York Mills sushi spot was discovered to operate a total of 13 hours over a seven-day span, making calling the establishment quite a challenge while still on a time difference. I opted for the cozy Yonge-Bloor destination instead, for it was responsive to calls and a receiver of consistently positive feedback.

Journeying downtown on a weekend was just as I recalled: a tad frustrating at times, given the increased number of weekend drivers, but otherwise decent. Parking was found at the Green P garage adjacent to Tokyo Kitchen. The neighbourhood was exactly as it had been several years ago: grimy, bustling, and questionable. Furthermore, places I had flagged as mediocre (Tokyo Kitchen) and despicable (TIKA, WISH) were still standing, shockingly enough.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #818 | Unpacking Visuals Feat. GOT7 + orderlyblue

6/18/2022

It was only natural that, given the amount of new material acquisitions, I would spend the following days nonstop unpacking. Luggage was emptied, souvenirs were sorted, purchases were organized, and laundry was completed.

During this procedure, I also unveiled a delightful assemblage of artwork from orderlyblue.

Beyond being a friend of mine since the Before We Begin Vancouver stop, she is a flourishing artist, teacher, and entrepreneur in her own right. To declare my pride in her is an understatement; she is young but intrepid, and contemplative but resolute.

Prior to the Lynn Canyon trip, I had expressed interest in supporting her craft, to which she responded enthusiastically.
Her stunning creations, meticulously sealed in individual sleeves and bubble-wrapped for extra protection, were finally revealed upon reaching home. Delicate, precise linework, harmonious colours, impressive innovation, and astounding attention to detail were witnessed in each and every piece.

Despite being able to appreciate the extensive effort that is contributed to the creative process and its incarnation for consumption, rarely am I to spend hours viewing art. But orderlyblue's work were those I wished to continue gazing upon, those that I found joy within.

Friends and family were quick to express similar thoughts as I. Follow-up purchases are intended to be made.

I was also in awe at the souvenirs that she had obtained for me from her recent trip to Hawaii. The first was an adorable fridge magnet, in which the magnet was embedded inside of the wooden design itself, rather than affixed to the outside with oozing adhesive. The second was a lucky cat pin slurping ramen, and on the bowl showed the islands of Hawaii.

Amongst the largest voids emerging throughout the trip were: a distinct lack of Larry and the convenience of a personal vehicle, for door-to-door trips that could take whenever my heart desired.

I proceeded to satisfy the first of these longings immediately after being relieved of the aircraft grime. Larry, along with both sizes of Sulleys, had undergone deep cleansing rituals in my absence. Radiating from them were fragrant clouds of cleanliness, along with noticeable boosts in fluffiness.

With luggage cases zipped up for storage, I moved onto the next item on my list: packages.

Three copies of GOT7's revolutionary comeback EP - and one unfathomably thick copy of W Korea - had arrived within the first week of my West Coast excursion. One copy was none other than my travel buddy's, the Thai ahgase.

News of the heavenly heptet's return as seven had already been a blessing for us all. For them to expand beyond digital releases and attend group schedules was another degree of elation altogether, whether we be observing the process in person or not.

At long last, my fingers would glide over a physical album, over lyrics that each member had thoughtfully assembled with the sole intention of "repaying" ahgases. Truthfully, our patience needed no compensation, for once an ahgase is always an ahgase.
GOT7 is home, after all.

I was particularly impressed by the lyric translations included for each song: English, (Simplified) Chinese, and Thai - the primary languages spoken by the fandom.

Vancity Vibes | DAY 5: Rainy Moving Day

6/3/2022

I awoke up to grey skies and customary Vancouver showers. The Thai ahgase had departed the premises strategically, tuning in for only sunny skies and dry grounds.

Checkout time was slated for 11 AM, thus I proceeded to undertake a last-minute trip to McDonald's just before finishing packing touches.

With ninety percent of eateries and retailers prohibiting plastic bags - or any other water-resistant carrying device, for that matter - I brought along my own paper bag. As droplets graduated into a full-on shower, I attempted to protect the bag from loss of structural integrity, using the inside of my windbreaker as a shield.

The journey comprised of no more than 2 kilometres, yet required a total of thirty minutes for the one-way trip. It was ridiculous to say in the least.

There, I hastily devoured a Fruit & Fibre Muffin and Iced Coffee (sans milk) before taking two Baked Apple Pies, Hash Browns, and a six-pack of Blueberry, Banana Chocolate Chunk, and Fruit & Fibre Muffins to go. They adopted little to no packaging, and were simply shoved into a large paper bag as opposed to being neatly arranged in individual pouches (as Mississauga would have done). The act aligned with the city's overall promise to reduce packaging on the basis of being environmentally-friendly, though fell short of preparations require for safe transport in the rain.

I plodded back along Alderbridge Way in search of the bus stop, and arrived back at the hotel around 9:10 AM.

In less than two hours, I would assemble the remainder of my electronics and inch my way towards the lobby, staggering my steps to facilitate one-man handling of two check-ins, one carry-on, one backpack, and one paper bag.

I just made the 11 AM checkout deadline, then arranged for an Uber to assist me on the 1.4 km route towards liberation. Gone were the days that I'd be pleading endlessly for toilet paper, tissues, and towels. Gone were the days I'd be relinquishing hard-earned funding for microwave-less living conditions and dry air. After four strenuous days in the wild, I'd be going home at long last.

Vancity Vibes | DAY 4: (Pt. 1) Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

6/2/2022

With the days leading up to the trip being exhaustive for the both of us, majority of our plans had stemmed from last-minute proposals (her) and quick Googling (me). The Thai ahgase and I had briefly discussed tourist destinations of interest. Her proposal of Lynn Canyon had originated from persuasion from friends, yet ultimately denied by yours truly, for I would going exactly one week later with a member of 2020's Van Nam Nation. She was disappointed, repeatedly expressing a desire for the Sea to Sky gondola, which was honestly too far to be enjoyable for two tourists without a car.

Costliness was another factor for consideration: the ticket and shuttle package for Sea to Sky was about a hundred before tax.

She accepted Capilano as the ultimate decision, and we called an Uber for her last full day in the province.

Given that we had received a five dollar voucher from spokes the previous day, we were keen to redeem it towards our park tickets. A quick call to the park confirmed that the voucher could only be used in-person. Without pre-paid arrangements made online, we were illegible for the complimentary shuttle service operating from the downtown district, though it hadn't mattered as we had planned to Uber anyways.

As she munched away at her long-awaited Starbucks breakfast sandwich and Chocolate Cream Cold Brew, I assembled the trio of cameras - excluding my smartphone in this instance - for the day's use.

Our ride request was answered around 10 AM, a navy Tesla that would take us 20 km north, into North Van.

Riding in a Tesla was a first for us both. The vehicle featured wireless charging accessible from the driver and passenger seat, and charging ports facing the back. The roof, while covered, providing a breathtaking view of the skies above by being transparent and tinted for UV ray filtration. It was an unexpectedly wonderful addition to our ride, especially when traversing over Lions Gate Bridge. Never before had I experienced a 360-degree view of the crossing! Further contributing to the excitement factor was the additional perspective since our two-wheeled adventure underneath the very bridge the previous day.

We arrived at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park just before 11 AM. Tickets were procured the desk at that point without issues. Then, we joined the lineup for touristy photos and commenced our adventure.

View the full album HERE !

Vancity Vibes | DAY 4: (Pt. 2) Yui Japanese Bistro + Earnest Ice Cream

6/2/2022

Read Part 1 HERE !

The shuttle would deliver us to three coordinates within downtown: The Blue Horizon on Robson, Hyatt Regency on Burrard, and Canada Place at Waterfront.

Source: Google Maps

We had originally agreed on the first stop, as we could venture along Robson Street in search of sushi. Due to construction, the driver had adopted an alternate route and stopped at Alberni and Bute instead. Rather than trekking to Ebisu, I proposed heading across West Georgia in the direction of my second choice, Yui Japanese Bistro.

It was a familiar name to me, or perhaps a common-sounding name evoking a sense of familiarity. Entering the office building, we roamed about until locating its entrance. Little had I known of its compact quarters: the eatery was no more than a cashier, kitchen and inventory area, and a series of bar stools along a corridor-facing side.

The Thai ahgase was initially hesitant, for space seemed too limited for good sushi - a reasonable impression given the statistics of similarly furnished Toronto eateries.

She soon warmed up to the hospitable service, as well as the variety of mix-and-match options

Vancity Vibes | DAY 3: (Pt. 2) Stanley Park + Robson Street

6/1/2022

Read Part 1 HERE !

The 19 bus would somehow whisk us back to downtown west end in record time, allowing for a 3 PM arrival at Spokes.

We crossed to the southwest corner of Denman and joined the queue for bike rentals. I opted for a mountain bike, for I had grown accustomed to thicker tires and deeper treads with my own cycling trips back home. The Thai ahgase's cruiser included a basket for her crossbody pouch. Meanwhile, I proceeded with my backpack slung over my body.

Spokes operated in a most systematic manner: The desk attendants were speedy and precise, guiding visitors through the bike selection and deposit-placing process swiftly. Simultaneous was the filling of e-waivers on nearby tablets. Following pamyent, we were gestured outside of the shop, where other members of the team would assist us with the bikes, as well as any adjustments required. Folding locks were included as part of our rental fee, but being quite tricky to use, and the ride about Stanley Park not particularly long, we didn't end up having to deploy our learnings from the two-minute tutorial.

The loop about Stanley Park was quicker than I had recalled. My recollection insisted that I had commenced the paved pathway from a different point of entry - one that looped about the a few of the city's many mid-/high-rise residential complexes. But the route I had led the Thai ahgase to traverse was a perfect loop, one that would commence and conclude from the same point.

My last adventure had involved the Mobi Bikes provided by Shaw. They were similar to Toronto's Bike Share program, with various return locations throughout the city. That said, they were far less grimy albeit weighty and difficult to maneuver.

Majority of my observations still held true. Delineation between pedestrians and cyclists was a blessing, and sustained clear pathways for the enjoyment of all road users.

Vancity Vibes | DAY 3: (Pt. 1) Dosanko

6/1/2022

The next morning, I woke up later than the past two days for certain.
Before the lights dimmed, I had struggled to form words for correspondence with the Thai ahgase, ultimately surrendering to irrefutable fatigue

With the previous days' activities said and done, one ought to have thought that I'd enter into a phase of effortless, deep slumber, just like my travel buddy. But drawing the curtain on a day's journey atop foreign furniture has its downsides: rest is never that restful.

Having learned of the utterly lacking gym facilities, I skipped the thought altogether and instead headed outside. My first step on the concrete sidewalk was met with sharp ankle pain and overall muscle fatigue in the lower body. The next bus wouldn't arrive for a while though; I persevered onwards, for the trip would span equal amounts of time regardless of by transit or by foot. The general vicinity was quite quiet, for only a handful of shops had commenced operations for the day.

Slightly overcast yet nonetheless sunny, I drifted towards Kam Do for breakfast.

There, I obtained a pineapple coconut bun, coconut bun, butter crust egg tart, puff pastry egg tart - half of which for the Thai ahgase's eventual waking. The buns priced at $2.25 each, and the egg tarts $2.10 apiece. As with most Chinese establishments, they operated on a cash-only basis.

My next planned stop was London Drugs, but it wasn't open yet.

With the assistance of Google Maps, I discovered that the Shoppers Drug Mart within Richmond Centre operated around the clock (24 hours!). Retracing my steps and dodging the homeless resident by the entrance, I acquired a pre-washed spring greens mix of kale, swiss chard, and spinach. Bottled cold brew was not to be found.

Slowly navigating back to the hotel, I stopped by the Sheraton Starbucks once more. An Iced Americano filled the void for morning caffeination, pairing nicely with the chewy, plus Pineapple Coconut Bun.

WHAT DOES "QUIRKY AESTHETICS" MEAN?

Quirky = a term that commonly refers to something/someone distinctly different and unique
Aesthetics = the visual aspect of things

Together, Quirky Aesthetics refers to the things, events, and happenings seen and perceived by this blog's creator - quirky perspectives in a visual form.

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