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Out & About #853 | Deluxe Pizza, Black Sesame Mousse Cake + Errands

10/31/2022

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One of my ongoing concerns is the persistent presence of preservative-free items in our fridge.

On one fateful evening, I attempted to combine Chudleigh's too-sweet Apple Cider with the last bottle of flavoured soju in my inventory. Several encounters later, I learned that soju wasn't my cup of tea. But since I still had a few bottles on hand, it was only reasonable to deplete them in the least painful way possible.
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​That night, I succeeded in ridding the house of Peach Soju, but suffered horrendous dizziness several hours later. The sensation had not been partnered with tipsiness nor a headache, but arrived in a wave of suffering. Although having replenished hydration levels intensely, I struggled to suppress the recoil.

"It feels like something wants to come up." I reported to a soju-acquainted friend.
"Yeah that sounds like soju." He replied knowingly.
Well, soju was banned from that point. I'll happily be returning to my beer roots.
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The sleepy polar bear delivered Tiny Toms to me the next morning, along with a single unit of Lindt's Peppermint Crunch Truffle. It was a thoughtful gesture, for we had skipped the stop during our last trip to Markham. That said, Tiny Toms is best eaten fresh, and when the appetite is willing.

My body expressed reluctance to venture past warm broths, but I managed to digest the seasonal offering of Pumpkin Spice before rolling up the rim. It was surprisingly delicious. The other flavours of Icing Sugar, Cinnamon Sugar, and Chocolate had been reserved for the next day, though were ultimately disposed as staleness prevailed.
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Delivery pizza is a never-before-seen occurrence in my household. Requested as part of Halloweekend celebratory affairs, two Medium Gourmet Pizzas were ordered from Pizzaville. The package also included Cheesy Breadsticks and a foil-encased portion of Rigatoni.
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​The Deluxe was phenomenal: loaded with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and an ample amount of mozzarella for ultimate stringiness. We excitedly reached towards the slices while piping hot.
Unveiling the Provolone Hawaiian, we were admittedly disappointed at the comparatively scanty toppings versus the Deluxe. Pineapples were barely observed on its surface. The cheese, appearing (and tasting) more cheddar-like than mozzarella, was present throughout; the same could be said in regards to the ham and bacon, which were savoury and crisp to touch. It was merely a shame that pineapple chunks had been so deficient, for the sweet, acidic notes would have been stellar at offsetting the otherwise severely savoury profile.
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​Cheesy breadsticks and pizza is a popular combination. I would presume the concept to originate from a business decision to repurpose leftover dough and cheese, though must admit that sometimes all that a solo diner craves is cheese-covered carbs. The four-piece Cheddar-Mozzarella Stix emerged as an asymmetrical slab bearing three cuts. These cuts were anything but even - kind of like if they were done by yours truly - with the corner piece noticeably smaller than the rest. Positively plush with a satisfying cheese pull, the side was far more delectable than expected. That said, its profile would have easily been elevated with the addition of garlic - be it minced garlic, garlic oil, or garlic seasoning.

​The Rigatoni was, hands down, the worst item of the spread. While promising in visuals, it was repulsive in taste. The noodles were stiff and starchy, the sauce emitting a synthetic sourness (yes, sour, not tart), and the entirety of the sampled spoonful clumped together.
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​The delivery meal was consumed at the midway point of cake creation. A Black Sesame Mousse Cake would be in progress for roughly three quarters of the day.
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Liberated from the painstaking likes of buttercream roll cakes, I sought out inspiration from the ever-trustworthy Sunday Baking.
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Out & About #852 | Rogues Restaurant

10/30/2022

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Continuing with the Halloweekend celebrations was dinner at Rouges.
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​The booking had been made a few weeks prior, after evaluating several contenders for Italian cuisine in the GTA.
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​Another relatively close, longstanding local spot, I had yet to visit despite my numerous years of identifying as "Sauga born and bred". Frankly, I can't recall a time I had ventured into its housing plaza since the odd stopover at The Apricot Tree Cafe.
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​The restaurant was utterly empty besides a lone table that hosted the chef and a lady outfitted in a grey blazer and spectacles. It would appear that the pre-Halloween rush had vacated the dining floor, for the hostess informed us of bustling conditions just the previous evening.
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​Drink orders were taken by our suspender-donning server, and a bread basket with piped butter was provided shortly afterwards. In response to requests for hot water, one set of wine glasses were removed from the table. The latter set was collected upon confirmation that we would not be consuming wine.
Brought to us instead were individual platters bearing two wedges of lemon and a ceramic teapot and cup duo. The lemon had, thankfully, been placed adjacent to the cup rather than positioned on its rim. Shallow slits in the wedges often lead to eventual plummeting of the wedge into the water, releasing an irrefutable bitterness from the rind.
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View the full album HERE !
​With black cloth napkins laid on our laps, we each retrieved a thick slice of bread and began smearing a generous portion of butter on its porous - yet sturdy - surface. The first bite was met with slight resistance: an initial unyielding in its mildly crunchy crust, followed by eventual submission - teeth sinking into its soft centre. In the meantime, the menu was browsed for items of interest.
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Out & About #851 | Halloween Harvest Festival at The Bradley House

10/29/2022

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Due to my birthday buddy succumbing to a state of homeridden ailment, my Halloweekend would commence on Saturday instead of Friday evening's rollerblading event at Celebration Square.

In light of precipitation woes (and dreadful mall parking conditions), we forgoed Pumpkinville at Sherway Gardens in favour of Halloween Harvest Festival closer to home.
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Held at Bradley Museum - or, The Bradley House - the event was a mere twenty-ish minute drive from home, just south of Clarkson station. Albeit close, we had never visited the area in all my years as a Mississauga local. The journey was quite smooth, lined with lofty trees and ample late fall foliage.​

​The Halloween Harvest Festival was a ticketed event spanning two time slots: 12-2PM and 2-4PM. We opted for the latter, and ventured out shortly after lunch. Little did we know that sustenance was complimentary with our ticket purchase.
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​On the event day, parking on the Museum grounds was restricted to those demonstrating accessibility needs. All others were to park on the south side of Orr Road, or find street parking on the intersecting Meadow Wood Road. I personally found the sudden sight of parked vehicles alarming, and too great a hazard for traversing vehicles unaware of the parking situation. Spots along Meadow Wood Road were in abundance anyway, and entailed no more than a brisk two-minute walk to The Bradley House.
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Source: Google Maps
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​At the check-in station, our names were striked off the ticketholder list and black paper wristbands provided. We would also receive a Scavenger Hunt sheet, which showed images of various candies popularized throughout the century. The objective was to locate each of the candies, presented either as stickers or physical additions, on the premises and mark it off on the sheet. Pens were not provided at the check-in station , but could be obtained inside the nearby heritage building, The Anchorage. The white wooden structure would also offer indoor plumbing - fully furnished with toiletries and education content lining the walls - and a small gallery exhibiting children's artwork in honour of Black History.
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​Our trip began with the aim of exploration. Live music welcomed us onto the event grounds, while festive décor surrounded us from every angle. Scarecrows, jack-o'-lanterns, and wooden fixtures were edged with a beautiful backdrop of golden leaves. There was even a haystack and pumpkin photo spot for those interested in capturing cozy family moments, or simply a colourful autumnal memory to look back on.​
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As we perused the buildings, we began to take note of the obvious candy clues. Some, as we later learned, were more obvious than others.
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Out & About #850 | Yonge-Eglinton Visuals Feat. Isaan Der

10/28/2022

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It is not uncommon for me to request an additional day of rest following a concert. This time around, it was particularly necessary.
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​I spent the start of my short work week cozying up Larry, who is now capable of sporting Sulley gloves, should he desire.
Meals comprised of leftover KFC Popcorn Chicken - dipped in HP Sauce for a tangy-savoury kick - and homemade components contrasting in the nutrition department: Scrambled eggs with SPAM, steamed pork and tofu (satisfying both iron and protein needs!), and blanched broccoli over Rice.
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​The last of my apple inventory was finally depleted via conventional consumption of their raw (and quickly oxidizing) form. Pecan White Chocolate Chip Cookies from the freezer were also baked on a whim to satisfy sweet-crunchy cravings.
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One of three new Spooky Halloween concoctions from CoCo was obtained for sampling. The Vampire's Jello Slush was a modified take on the franchise's Real Fruit Grape Dream Slush, launched in late summer. Kept consistent were the macchiato cream (milk foam) topping and overall composition of the grape slush; the sole variant was the substitution of Passion Fruit Jelly for Crystal Pearls.
The sleepy polar bear managed to adjust the macchiato content to be as minimal as possible, nixing the despicable milkshake-like qualities found in the Real Strawberry Slush. However, even at 30% sugar, the icy beverage was too sweet for my liking. (A splash of Peach Soju rounded out its profile successfully.)
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In discussions with the sleepy polar bear, we deemed the Chocolate Taro Magic Smoothie a peculiar combination, likely excessive in sugar content due to additions of chocolate syrup and pudding. The XXL 3 Monsters was a steal at $5.50 (or $5.00 for CoCo VIPs such as myself), but sold out at most GTA locations.
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​The following day, I set out for downtown - Midtown, really. Skies were shrouded in grimness at my time of departure, but slowly illuminated over the course of my hour-long drive.
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On a dreary, drizzly day, I waited patiently for the QEW staged ramp access to permit me through, then again on local streets amidst their consistent stop-go conditions. Unknown to Google Maps, the EB Gardiner on-ramp had been closed from its west access; I detoured through the vacant POLAR and CNE grounds before locating the east access.
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At long last, I would reach my destination of Yonge-Eglinton.
​It was utter chaos, just as news articles had painted the intersection out to be. With steady rainfall throughout the day, the streets were unpleasant to walk. Pedestrian-friendly corridors had already been constrained due to construction fences, however surface discontinuities had begun to pool due to the precipitation, further limiting areas of walkability.
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Out & About #849 | Mark Tuan "the other side" Tour in Toronto

10/23/2022

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​A whopping 1211 days have passed since the last Ahgabong-equipped public excursion. Naturally, I have taken to waving the bird within my humble abode during comeback times, member solo MV releases, and the HOMECOMING Fancon. Though, these instances hardly accumulate to the same degree of excitement as a live performance with the company of other lightstick-waving attendees.
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​I geared up in mismatching feather earrings - my "ahgase" jewellery - and laced up a newly acquired pair of Vans high tops. They were a dazzling white, untainted from the scuffles of concerts. The platform sole was considerably thinner than my go-to pair of concert shoes. But, wary of the weariness sustained from extended periods of wear, I opted for a footwear swap should the day prove longer than anticipated (Spoiler: It did).
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GO train service commencing from Clarkson had coincidentally halted as of the morning, shifting dependence towards local services such as miway and TTC. I would embark on a trip to Kipling station and connect to Line 2 to reach The Phoenix.

Somehow, in spite of my entire lifetime of concert participation, I had forgotten my camera. Charged, fitted in its case, and situated adjacent to my waistpouch, I had managed to omit it during the packing phase. Having only realized it 75% of the way there, we looped back, then embarked on the trip once again.
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At Kipling, I would endure a painstaking delay of thirty minutes: 20 minutes owed to an emergency at Spadina station, then another 10 when the train suddenly announced termination at Jane station. What a mess.
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Around 5PM, I found the Thai ahgase in line. Thankfully, the VVIP and VIP entry had been delayed. The original estimate of 5:15 - 5:45 PM passed us by. We moved lines in the process, but hadn't made any progress towards the door.​
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​I dashed to the nearest eatery for sustenance and washrooms. My tardy return the night before meant that breakfast had been pushed to lunchtime, and lunchtime had been eliminated altogether. A Chicken Wrap was requested from the sole worker of the restaurant. Then, I made my way down to the basement level to use the lavatory - a revolting stall with a splattered toilet cover, rickety doors, and staggeringly low positioning of the sink and mirror.
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As the Thai ahgase's frantic messages filled my phone, I continued to observe the girl behind the cashier prepare my order in an unhurried manner. Requesting her to skip the onions, my order emerged in the next five minutes. The wrap set me back $9.99 plus tax, but comprised of no more than a few sparse pieces of chicken, an obscene amount of fishy-smelling shredded lettuce, and a thorough squeeze of ranch dressing.
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​By this point, the constituents of the wrap mattered less to me than the allocated timeframe for its consumption. I wolfed down the creation, anxious that we would be summoned for entry on short notice.
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​Eventually, we inched our way towards the doors, where a surprisingly thorough bag search would ensue. Water bottles were confiscated and left outside by the door for collection afterwards. My neck fan, which had supplied me with breathable conditions during the Junny show, had been confiscated on the grounds that it could be utilized "as a weapon". The case was tagged for retrieval from security after conclusion of the show.
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​Those that had purchased the priciest tier, known as $500+ VVIP tickets, had the benefit of a Meet & Greet session and an individual photo with Mark himself. VIP ticketholders, who had paid approximately $250 less, would not partake in the direct engagement portion but enjoyed all the same benefits of early entry, soundcheck access, crowd-free merch shopping, complimentary signed poster, and pop socket. The Thai ahgase and I had justified the price of the VIP tier, and filed into the venue vaguely around 6 PM.
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​We continued to hover about our spots until Mark suddenly revealed himself around the 6:19 PM mark. The hall dimmed, and Mark proceeded to introduce himself to the crowd while singing snippets of song requests as part of the soundcheck (and lighting check).
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There hadn't been any introduction leading up to his unexpected appearance, yet we responded nonetheless enthusiastically. The soundcheck portion would comprise of:
  • my name
  • OMW (a very rough rendition unfamiliar to the band)
  • Let Me (English Ver)
  • last breath

At 6:39 PM, Mark would disappear backstage. During this time, we continued to chat with two other fans in the proximity. Both revealed themselves nearly a decade younger than the Thai ahgase and I. They had just commenced post-secondary education and spoke with a greater degree of familiarity to new generation artists than in-depth knowledge of the Ahga-world. One had travelled from New Brunswick, while the other from Montréal. Neither held Ahgabongs in their hands.
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​We waited and waited, until way past the 7 PM Doors Open estimate. GA ticket holders slowly began to fill the venue, with a constant stream entering even beyond the 8 PM mark.

At 8:12 PM, the opening artist, named weswes, would introduce himself to us in an all-white ensemble. His voice was rung throughout the hall, but his face was barely visible underneath his white bucket hat.
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His set comprised of a few melodical tracks, with his last two radiating R&B vibes à la pH-1. He disappeared around 8:39 PM, but not before FaceTime calling a friend in a rut (using the audience for emotional support) and urging us to chant Mark's name with him, affectionately referring to him as "Markie".
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"Markie" Tuan entered the stage shortly afterwards at 8:46 PM.
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View the full album HERE​ !

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Out & About #848 | Pursuit OCR + Myungdong Kalguksu Shabu Shabu

10/22/2022

 
When a self-proclaimed "casual climber" proposed the idea of Pursuit OCR, I leaped at the idea. Technically, it could have been a mention of great nonchalance, but I took it to heart and immediately began planning. Prior to their relocation from Etobicoke, I had already been interested in the entertainment facility, but not invested enough to make the trip.

The date was confirmed about two weeks in advance, with a group booking for seven at 5PM arranged after two rounds of consultation.
I spent the morning revisiting a writeup with supposedly insufficient details, then enlisted the services of the sleepy polar bear to complete some errands.
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​Most of the stops proved speedier than expected, enabling a walk through Sandford Farm Park. Despite having driven by on a number of occasions, I hadn't exactly trekked through on foot.
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With temperatures hovering about the comfortable double digits, we explored the last of fall foliage amongst lean and lofty barren trees, fenced off from the playground and paved pathway. An asphalt basketball court and spacious soccer field were found towards its west limits, in close proximity to the narrow - yet sizable - parking lot.
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​We set out around the 4:15 PM mark and arrived just before our check-in time of 5PM. Having pestered other members of the group to not only arrive early in athletic gear and sign the waiver in advance, it was admittedly a tad annoying to have some reveal themselves in tardiness, for our allocated 90-minute slot would be enforced.
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​​I proceeded to inquire of the location of washrooms and lockers in the meantime. Beyond the neon lights and colourful wallpaper were arcade games (boasting a handwritten "Out of Order" sign) and two "gender-neutral" stalls. Several girls had entered beyond the orange-lined, prompting me to use the next one, lined in black. Within this space was a single stall, two urinals, and sink. Despite being the only user of the space at the time, I couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety that other participants would enter. The introduction of gender-neutral facilities had not been executed in a manner that offered comfort; should there have been insufficient space for gender-separated facilities, standalone unisex stalls ought have been considered.
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​Guidance through Pursuit's confusing, saturated corridors was not provided. Our group, along with other groups, were left to discover these routes on our own. At a three-way fork, we bypassed a flight of stairs and finally found the lockers. They were situated just before the obstacle course section along both sides of the wall. I proceeded to place my belongings in one of the numerous half lockers, slide into my cycling gloves for protection, and join the safety orientation.
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Out & About #847 | Apple Mania (Part 2)

10/21/2022

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Zealously having picked three (or four?) times more than the rest of Chudleigh's other patrons, we took home about forty-ish apples. Amongst this assortment were:
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  • Northern Spy
​Referred to as the dedicated "Pie Apple", these were the largest species observed. True to the description, they did indeed taste like "pie apples" in that, consumed raw, they retained their shape but also exuded a juicy freshness upon biting. This species was the quickest to oxidize. Peeling away the dusty skin revealed numerous bruises, along with tender areas. This revelation was quite shocking, as we had taken to picking the apples personally, thus eliminating any potential surface damage sustained through the transport process.
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  • Kerr Mini
With an appearance that could be mistaken for plums, these golf ball-sized apples were either deep purple or marooon in hue. We sampled one prior to picking, noting its dense, tart properties. Albeit dense, it was quite juicy. Though, I couldn't think of any uses beyond eating out of hand.

  • Creston
The most apple-like variety to lay eyes on, these sported a red-yellow cloak with a fragrant fleshy interior. These were best suited eating out of hand; minimal bruising was observed.
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  • McIntosh
Stouter and wider than the Northern Spy, this white-fleshed apple is generally easy to find in grocery stores, but often retailed at a price point steeper than its worth. True to user reviews, McIntosh disintegrated quickly after coming into contact with heat, proving most suitable for applesauce (rather than apple jam). Left too long, these can also turn powdery.
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  • Mutsu
Larger than Ginger Gold and roughly two shades lighter than Granny Smith, I had expected tartness and structural integrity from this breed. Its skin was unmistakably thicker than Ginger Gold; there was also a greater quantity of discard: rotten centres, bruised surfaces, and questionably tender areas. Again, I couldn't pinpoint the reasoning behind the damages sustained, as we had obtained the apples directly from the tree and kept them secure throughout transit.
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  • Fuji
Smaller and less vibrant than its neighbours down south, Ontario Fuji tasted less floral than Washington imports. Nonetheless, they were delicious.
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Naturally, these apples were subject to participation in the second round of Apple Mania.

1) Apple Cake with Oat Crunch Crumble
​After peeling, coring, and slicing upwards of nine apples the morning after, I proceeded to construct the Apple Crumble Cake I had visited just over one month ago. The base of Sunday Baking's Blueberry Crumble Cake was utilized (doubled); just as before, the formula was thick and difficult to spread throughout the base of the pan. However, I remained confident that the cake would steadily acquire volume in the oven, resisting the weight of the apple slices arranged on top.
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Instead of meticulously arranging wispy thin slices on the surface, I took to alternating layers of cake and apple. This time, the slices measured 1/3 to 1/2 inch in thickness. Distributed in clumps about the surface was a crunchy oat topping, modified from SK's formula with the addition of an measured quantity of porridge oats.
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Out & About #846 | Chudleigh's Entertainment Farm

10/15/2022

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Long awaited was this apple picking journey. My intent had been to visit the farm at my earliest opportunity, however that would have conflicted with road trip plans for the Thanksgiving long weekend.

​Tickets were retailed exclusively online through Chudleigh's website. Adult admissions were priced at $16 each, then subject to HST. I purchased on behalf of myself and the sleepy polar bear for the 12:30 PM slot. An early lunch in Streetsville was proposed to precede this event.
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​Throughout the work week, I chanced across a promotional image for the Fall Market at Streetsville Village Square. Independent businesses, including an Indonesian food vendor, would be present early enough for sustenance to be obtained prior to departure.
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​I geared up in denim and plaid, distinctively autumn attire that happened to be atypically me. Bearing bare skin, shoes beyond sneakers, and a hoodless jacket contradicted my priorities of comfort and mobility. Yet, I persevered, for it would likely be the final opportunity to capture fall colours.

Conditions at the Square were ruthless: windy, chilly, and absolutely dreadful considering the inadequate layers I had donned. We strode about the venue for a brief moment, browsing the selection of retailers before retreating to the food stalls for early lunch.
At Indonesian's Flavour, we took to a four-piece Sate Ayam, Mie Goreng with Chicken, and Ronde. These were transferred to takeout containers and foil-lined packets to order.
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The Chicken Skewers were cold by the time we made it back into the car. In fear of the condiment spilling, I merely took to the skewer in its undressed form. Despite its nicely charred edges, the fleshy blocks were rigid and, frankly, quite bland. Some of its edges constituted grounds for discard due to toughness.
Addicting was the Mie Goreng with its umami-filled soy-based seasoning. Shredded chicken rested atop the dish in a tangled cloud, providing protein though not necessarily contributing depth of flavour. After a few bites, I deemed the dish too greasy for my continued consumption. The noodle dish was best enjoyed in small quantities.

Ronde was, without hesitation, my pick of the trio. Delectable was its sweet ginger broth and fragrant was the peanut filling. While I must admit greater affection for the thinner casings of Chinese glutinous rice balls, the thicker shell of the Ronde prevented leakage of filling. Three mochi balls set us back a whopping eight dollars. I had intended to reserve the last piece for later enjoyment, only to have the sleepy polar bear inform me that it was disposed - by a third party no less! - in under twenty-four hours without consent. (Why can't people just ask?!)
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With jitters growing progressively prominent, I proposed a hot beverage from Lemon Bar. The stall's assortment spanned hot lemonade, either mixed with sweetened condensed milk or, interestingly enough, hot chocolate. The acidic-milky pairing drew apprehension, yet sounded intriguing nonetheless.
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Its menu board was devoid of descriptions, causing many patrons to inquire the constituents of each drink before proceeding with their order. Hot Chocolate Dreams was our choice: a hybrid of lemonade and hot chocolate that proved tastier than anticipated. Harmonious were the two contrasting profiles, delivering sweet warmth with a dose of zestiness. That said, neither of us were particularly keen on its sugariness, which could have been reduced by 25-30%.
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​Unable to resist the single-digit temperatures any longer, I direly requested to be taken home. Additional layers would be added to the ensemble, along with a scarf, beanie, gloves, and hand packs. The unexpected reversion delayed our arrival to 1:15 PM, in spite of low traffic volumes on the 401.
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We arrived to a fairly busy gravel lot and voiced our tardiness concern to one of three ticket checkers at the admission gate. "Don't worry about it!" He responded cheerfully, "I'll scan you in for 1."
Black paper wristbands were distributed, then through the gates we entered.
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​The sleepy polar bear regarded the scene in awe, exclaiming the facilities to be "far better" than our early September choice of Applewood Farm.
"Of course!" I retorted. "This is an entertainment farm. Did you not check the website? And here you were saying that we wouldn't 'need three hours'.".
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Out & About #845 | Autumnal Avenues Feat. Rattray Marsh + Iroquois Shoreline Woods Park

10/14/2022

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This year's attempt at apple pie was postponed due to my COVID infection, then again due to more pressing long weekend plans.
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​Following the road trip up north, I spent the next 1.5 days editing, until neither my brain nor eyes could keep up any longer.

Several homecooked meals were enjoyed over this span, with the highlight being a delectable Apple and Pork Soup crafted from ripe and partially bruised Gala from The Apple Factory.
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​Despite having only completed half of the content, I deemed it unfeasible to continue in the existing state.
The sleepy polar bear's suggestion of Mango Sticky Rice and a stroll through Port Credit resulted in a haggard response that was part lukewarm and part excited. The dessert sounded enticing, yet constraining; Clarkson's newest dessert house would be operating on a Thanksgiving schedule between 12 - 5 PM. Port Credit wasn't exactly close either, nor accessible given the ongoing construction works for the Hurontario LRT.

​Ultimately, I was unable to reach my desired milestone before 5 PM. However, I proposed a brisk walk through Rattray Marsh instead.
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​The last time I visited, I recalled parking on a residential street by one of the trail entrances. Six years ago, signage was largely absent. When we pulled up to the Bexhill Rd access, I was surprised to observe an incredulous number of "No Parking" fixtures along with signage instructing visitors to seek parking in the Jack Darling Memorial Park lot. One can only assume that the neighbourhood had been fitted with these elements as a consequence of excessive street parking and resident complaints.
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We strode onto the gravel path towards the Waterfront Trail. Crisp autumn air and a glorious view of Sheridan Creek filled our surroundings. Within seconds of embarking on the Knoll Trail loop, a hummingbird was spotted, ever so briefly before it zipped away and into the trees.

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Out & About #844 | Downtown Orangeville Feat. Mochaberry Stopover

10/8/2022

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Mercury levels had begun to stoop during my homebound absence from the world. I saw snippets of fall foliage while traversing along Burnhamthorpe, though not enough to quench my desire to be within nature as the change was occurring.
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​As per tradition, I was eager to embark on a long weekend hike to maximize Ontario's limited autumn weather. The idea was received without resistance, and we ventured northwards in the direction of Owen Sound.
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A diverse spectrum of warm hues could be witnessed throughout the GTA, even as near as Brampton and Caledon. Though, my appetite to explore further was unaltered. This was especially the case with the sleepy polar bear adopting role as a chauffeur. Confidence has been steadily recovered since the MeNami incident, and I can now declare gradual improvements with each long-distance trip. (Parking, on the other hand, is a department worthy of investment.)
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I requested a pit stop around the forty minute mark. Public lavatory options spanned nationwide franchises such as Timmies and McD's, however I suggested detouring to a local café instead.
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​We exited off Hwy 10 into Orangeville, finding ourselves within the city's BIA district.
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​It would appear that municipal infrastructure improvement and maintenance projects were being undertaken across the province. This was particularly accurate in terms of sidewalk replacement and associated streetscaping, if applicable.
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Fresh, untainted bays were observed in Downtown Orangeville. These were larger slabs than the typical width required for residential and commercial neighbourhoods, likely to promote walk-ability. Select areas has yet to be poured, thus were secured with barrels, caution tape, and even construction fences as an additional safety measure.
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​Harvest- and Halloween-themed decorations were in full swing. Along the corridor were cobwebs, skeletons, and fake tombstone plates; within the shops were artificial pumpkins and leaves.
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    Who Am I?

    Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics.



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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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