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Out & About #869 | New Year's Eve Feat. Hotpot

12/31/2022

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One of my biggest goals was to finish the remainder of my Vancouver content, though I quickly realized the limitations of both my Premiere knowledge and index finger strength (for nonstop clicking). At the same time, it was impossible to resist some form of interaction with the outside world before the end of the year.
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​I proposed hotpot, a cuisine format I rarely dabble in, for supper, then partaking in countdown festivities at Celebration Square. The sleepy polar bear welcomed the idea, though noted that family matters may impact its execution.

Surely enough, their household's sluggish departure from London delayed our plans. Reminding the sleepy polar bear that we would need to undertake four stops in addition to washing, preparing, and cleanup procedures, the amount of allocated time was insufficient to proceed with the original agenda. Doing what I do best - if I must say so myself - I called for an urgent meeting, contemplating possible solutions within the constraints and outsourcing assistance as needed.
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We opted to maximize our team efforts: while the sleepy polar bear undertook the grand mission of procuring salmon, I would complete my own round of errands before venturing southeast to P.A.T. for beef and pork shabu shabu. Another member of the party would assume pickup duties for Haemul Pajeon and Kimchi Jeon from Myungdong Kalguksu; the arrival of the pancakes were scheduled to coincide with the hotpot start time, such that sogginess would be kept at minimum.

The setup process was a joint effort by the sleepy polar bear and yours truly, who had brought and donned her own for the task. Other attendees did not extend a helping hand by default and, even when asked, there was an unashamedly brazen one that simply declared, "I just came to eat!" before turning back to voice seemingly dreadful concerns of "having too much vacation" left over. That's one member that won't be invited again. House gatherings are team efforts, not maid-making opportunities.
While we commenced on washing the greens, mixing the broth, and roughly chopping half of a lavishly priced salmon fillet, the others were asked to assist with transferring ingredients to paper plates. Only one arose from the couch, first absentmindedly cutting the paper plate instead of cutting the packaging of the fish balls.

Eventually, at 7:09 PM, the food came together. We were, more or less, on schedule.
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I had brought along an exclusive makgeolli purchase for sharing. Kim's Soon Makgeolli (864) had actually been the reason for jeon acquisition. Albeit lighter and less chalky than the Jinro edition, I nonetheless suffered the same slow, crippling headache as my Albion hike on the following day. Korean liquor has not been proving to sit well with my body lately.

The party ceased consumption around the 8:15 PM mark, as per my expectations. Between 8:30 - 9:00 PM, the sleepy polar bear and I engaged in cleanup measures. Some brought bowls and plates to the sink; some twiddled their thumbs and yakked away.
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We then set out for Celebration Square. In review of road closures, the old Empire Studios parking lot was selected. For the first time in seven years, I'd be embracing the new year locally.
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Out & About #868 | Black Forest Cake + Commencing Homemade Vanilla Extract

12/30/2022

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Mini marshmallow-topped mochas were the default mid-day pick-me-up for the weeks leading into Christmas, and for good reasons. Extremely easy to formulate with exceptional return on investment, there was absolutely nothing to dislike.
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While discussing this composition with a coworker, camouflaged behind a screen but radiating the personality of a fellow food enthusiast, I began to contemplate a spiked edition.
Taking to the same base recipe of 1 NOMNOM stick and 2 teaspoons of Tim Hortons' hot chocolate, I opted to swap out 1 tsp of the latter for a whopping 1.65 oz. of Kahlua, keeping the mixture well below 173 F to ensure no loss of alcohol. The solution was far from my expectations, burning my throat without remorse and emerging utterly unharmonious with the other constituents. Moreover, it yielded a staggering sweetness level preventing addition of mini marshmallows. The original, non-spiked edition was superior: Stay sober. 
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Reduced daylight hours are arguably challenging to navigate. For late wakers like myself, skies are cloudy at the start of day, glaringly bright around noon, then recede to grim nothingness in the subsequent hours.
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​Recently, I've had the luxury of witnessing a rare multi-toned gradient. The conclusion of most workdays are spent with the curtains shut, for the blinding reasons mentioned earlier. With the decrease in emails as of late, I gazed up from my desk more often, admiring the cascading waves of indigo, rose, and coral in the cozy accompaniment of Mr. Buttons.
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With both my Mill Street small batch set and NOTL purchases gleefully depleted, I set out to explore other seasonal exclusives. I regret to inform of Crabbie's Original Ginger Beer's excessively sugary yet ginger-deficient profile.

Amongst the many activities made possible during work-from-home days, I maximized the slow holiday period with a much-needed inventory restock trip to Costco. The day was commenced with an Iced Americano and toast with sweetened Pistachio spread.
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​In a likely attempt to cater towards the seasonal baking crowd, the shelves were lined with an abundance of nut butters, cocoa powder, and even whole vanilla beans. The club size Kirkland-branded vanilla extract was confirmed to ring in at $7.99 for a two-pack of 455 ml each. There is significance in noting this, as detailed further below.
​I retrieve a hefty round of Pork, Beef, and Veal Pie. The colossal specimen is priced at $17.99 - extremely reasonable given its portion size. The pie was flaky as well, but its fillings mushy and tasteless. It is advised to have a sauceboat of gravy on hand, or a tube of HP sauce nearby, to combat the lack of flavour.
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Upon returning home, I prepare to undertake my last big baking mission of the year: Black Forest Cake.

My go-to recipe source of Sunday Baking did not feature a Black Forest Cake on her channel. The original idea had been to utilize the dark chocolate cake sponge in her Cherry Mousse Chocolate Cake formula as the base. On the morning of, however, it was swapped for Cho Hanbit's Chocolate Genoise.
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Out & About #867 | Genmaicha Truffles, Chinguacousy Park + Gong Cha Brampton

12/27/2022

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White chocolate, which is truthfully less of a chocolate than it is cocoa butter, earns little affinity from me beyond its versatility in baking assignments.

Four white chocolate Lindt truffles remained in my gifted Wobble Tin. Reluctant to consume them in this obnoxiously sweet state, they were placed in a microwave-safe bowl with a handful of Blancor couverture, then a splash of heavy cream. 
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​The bowl's constituents were zapped until melted, and perhaps suffered too drastic of a temperature change. The cream had begun to boil. Stirring quickly, I eased the solution towards uniformity, at which point Paragon's Genmaicha powder was incorporated.

After chilling for two hours, Genmaicha Nama truffles emerged. These were more pliable than the typical nama-choco, which is often sliced into thin squares and infused with alcohol. As expected though, they offered superior flavour to plain white chocolate.
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​Three back-to-back days of clicking later, I was keen to escape my room for fresh air. It was time to tackle some errands.
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​Ill-fitting skates prompted a trip to the closest Decathlon location. Though I had the opportunity to visit Activate last month, this would be my first time stepping into the sporting goods retailer in the adjacent space.
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​Holiday tunes continued to play inside Bramalea City Centre. A lofty tree, sponsored by Decathlon, greeted us at the mall-side entrance of the store. A snaking lineup and toilet paper thinner than that of McDonald's greeted me at the washrooms - neither element would have been witnessed at Square One, mind you.
​For at least a year, I had bookmarked Chinguacousy Park as a destination of interest. The skate trail had appeared quite attractive when viewed on Google Maps.

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Out & About #866 | Christmas 2022 Visuals

12/25/2022

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Airy sugar cookies adorned with sprinkles are an annual staple come Christmas time.
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But not just any cutout cookie recipe is deemed acceptable - the formula from Elegant Desserts by HP Books is our go-to. Strictly utilizing egg yolks and combining a pinch of cream of tartar consistently yields crunchy, buttery results. The cookies are the furthest from dense, and taste best after adopting golden edges.
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​This year's batch actually almost didn't materialize. With hectic in-office days planned and a constant inward stream of emails, I nearly couldn't muster the time for their construction. However, climate conditions worked in my favour: a nasty snowstorm cancelled commuting plans, enabling the opportunity for creative juices to flow within the kitchen.
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The first tray tends to burn, naturally so given the inconsistent oven temperature. Turning my head away from the oven momentarily to check emails, I returned to find deeply brown specimens staring back at me.
But, believe it or not, the cookies are, in fact, more delicious this way. They remained crisp instead of reeking of irrevocable charring, further radiating richer notes of butter.
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Within 48 hours, most of the colourful cutouts had vanished. I only partially assume responsibility for this development.
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Out & About #865 | Kosam + Bloom Cafe Christmas Lattes

12/22/2022

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I commenced my week by constructing yet another batch of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. In response to some negative commentary regarding peppermint-iness, the festive flavour was omitted this time around. Still adhering to my seemingly endless inventory of Callebaut, the batter was constructed and left to reside in the fridge as I pursued social activities.
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The cookies were baked the next day. Though nicely puffed when removed from the oven, each icing sugar-topped round began to deflate within minutes. Identical circumstances had been witnessed with the Peppermint Crinkles from the Holiday Cookie Box, though I couldn't quite figure out why.
Hummingbird High's Ube Crinkles had used baking powder, but SK had taken to baking soda, likely due to recipe's quantity of brown sugar. I recalled baking soda as an ingredient conjuring an instantaneous reaction, meaning that batters and doughs should be baked immediately after construction. The chemical leavener would also require some form of acid to initiate the reaction. In this case, it would be the molasses contained within the brown (or golden) sugar. While this wouldn't have proven problematic if the cookies were shaped and baked right away, it limits storage flexibility and prohibits staggered baking.
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​The holiday season is a time of intense indulgence. Beyond increased intake of chocolate truffles and rich, boozy beverages, dining out tends to take place more frequently. For the most part, I'm not very inclined to venture out into the cold, wait to be seated, wait for food, then return home two (or more) hours later. The sleepy polar bear, on the other hand, rarely adheres to a designated schedule and would much rather invest in permissiveness than active attainments.
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​Travels to J-Town led to the presentation of day-old products from Bakery Nakamura: A Yakisoba Bun, Keroppi-style Matcha Melonpan, and Strawberry Shortcake. The bun was revealed fluffier than expected, though satiating in its carbs-on-carbs construction. Kewpie mayo and a squeeze of wasabi alleviated such heaviness.

The Strawberry Shortcake, from which I had requested a mere half slice, was airy and, admittedly, delicious. That said, I'm not one to enjoy copious amounts of fruit cakes with whipped cream. The 3/4 inch slice was perfectly adequate.
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​I ventured towards midtown in the earlier half of the week, for schedules simply aligned better.​ The office was more or less vacant, yet I enjoyed my time nonetheless.
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​A southbound sojourn led me to Kay Gardner Beltline Trail.
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​A southbound sojourn led me to Kay Gardner Beltline Trail. The bridge, decorated with local art installations, overlooked Yonge at Merton Street as well as the TTC Davisville Yard and headquarters building.​

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Out & About #864 | Le Génie, Gingerbread House Construction + Karaoke

12/18/2022

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Just when I thought the sleepy polar bear's revulsion towards raisins were childish and abnormally choosy, the office crowd proved the popularity of this opinion, deserting a raisin-filled banana bread loaf in favour of the chocolate chip-containing rendition.
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​Typically, my in-office days of late have been spent exploring the cardinal directions of the intersection. When the need to undertake a mid-day venture downtown emerged though, I jumped at the opportunity to extend the lunch break and explore the unknown.
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​Boarding Line 1 southbound during the lunch rush made for an interesting trip. The train was noticeably less congested than the afternoon peak, yet busier than in the morning. As we pulled into Wellesley station, I caught sight of a filthy blanket entering my peripheral. Huddled underneath the grimy mess was a red paper cup and a mop of mental instability. I was fortunate enough to be far away enough to escape any potential interaction, though a girl who had found herself next to an empty seat was not so lucky.

I exited at College station, first out of intent and second out of contingency; I was not looking forward to any further happenings in that passenger car.
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​The trip had been centred about Le Génie, a bakery that I learned of for nearly one year, yet never visited due to its inconvenient coordinates.

Gargantuan pastries and elaborately decorated cakes filled the display case. These specimens were larger than the typical puff pastry, yet also exponentially pricier.
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​Beyond their impressive assortment of baked goods, Le Génie also served espresso-based beverages and wine, complete with a wine fridge against one wall of the asymmetric establishment.
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​My first pick was the Vanilla Flan. Reminiscent of an egg tart, the $7.38 delicacy contained a semi-viscous custard speckled with vanilla within wispy thin layers of puff pastry. I had been expecting a looser consistency to fill its cavity, along with more widespread fragrance to be perceived.

The buttery, flakey shards were lovely, but the filling left a little to be desired.
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Niagara Weekend Getaway | DAY 2: (Pt. 1) Inn on the Twenty

12/11/2022

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​The next morning, I awoke to haziness. A thick layer of cloud cover hovered about, foreshadowing the dreary weather that was to befall on southern Ontario.
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I reluctantly pulled above the covers; having engaged in sporadic periods of sleep the previous night, I was less than excited to enter a new day while partially recharged. The inconsistent room temperature had resulted in a fitful night. My legs burned, then my neck, until I ultimately rearranged the blankets to expose my fuzzy pajama pants only.​
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​To combat sluggishness, the sleepy polar bear acquired an Americano for my caffeination needs. My eventual trip down to the lobby was met with a Blueberry Muffin. Despite its depressing visuals, the voluminous, oil-based profile was surprisingly decent.
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Hustling between my various carrying cases, I was simultaneously folding clothes, charging electronics, and checking to make sure any personal items has been safely stowed away. Removing my camera from the foot of the bed, I was utterly appalled to discover questionable diarrhea-hued stains on the sheets. Revolting was this revelation. We added this observation to the hairy pillow concerns from the previous night.
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Few establishments were open on Sunday, leading us to eliminate the planned detour through Saint Catharines.
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The main agenda  event was hiking Ball's Falls, yet there was but one McDonald's within the five-kilometre radius. RPM Bakehouse emerged as a reasonable brunch/lunch destination within proximity to the falls, thus I punched in the address without hesitation.​

​Our path would be lined with a multitude of local wineries, including the infamous Inniskillin.
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​After securing a spot in the expansive asphalt lot, we proceed to explore an art retailer, jeweller, hat shop, and independent clothing store. Destinations of interest were few along Main Street, for me at least. The sleepy polar bear grew somewhat intrigued by the checked scarves in one shop, but I found the snow-covered installations along the elevated, cobblestone walkway much more remarkable.
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Niagara Weekend Getaway | DAY 2: (Pt. 2) Ball's Falls + Niagara Bench Lands Winter Winefest

12/11/2022

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Read Part 1 HERE !
Eventually, we made our way to Ball's Falls.
Little did we know that our chosen weekend for hiking had coincided with the Niagara Bench Lands Winter Winefest.
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​A member of security greeted us at the entrance, and informed us of potential hiking restrictions due to the event. The asphalt lot had been allocated as reserved parking for the Winter Winefest, though it was hinted that there wouldn't be penalties for utilizing it for our intended objective.

Entry onto the Holiday Trail was designated via bulb lights along the path. They would line the weaving Switchback Trail, then diverge onto Cataract Trail over the channel.
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I had paused momentarily to hunt for washroom facilities, only to discover the horrendous fate of the conservation building being locked. It was to be anticipated, though there weren't exactly any other plumbing facilities, indoor or outdoor, in proximity.
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Opting to make haste, I stepped over the bulbs and traversed onto the south portion of Cataract Trail. Given the morning's mixed precipitation, the trail was not as user-friendly as that of Albion Hills following peak snowfall.
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​The uphill sections had been dampened by a rain-snow mixture, causing the rocky surface to become slippery. At the very least, the surface has not frozen over, since temperatures hovered about the positive single digits with minimal gustiness.
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​We passed by The Woolen Mill, a cute little photo spot overlooking the teal-beige waters beneath. Alas, given uncertainty of the ground conditions, I decided against venturing down for a closer view.
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View the full album HERE !
​Upper Ball's Falls likely assumed the shortest hike of life, with even the sleepy polar bear declaring it be more reminiscent of a "walk". This was, in fact, a relief to me and my urgent washroom needs.
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Niagara Weekend Getaway | DAY 1: (Pt. 2) The Tunnel at Niagara Parks Power Station

12/10/2022

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Read Part 1 HERE !
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​The Niagara Parks Power Station was situated just west of Horseshoe Falls. Flat-rate parking would set visitors back $30, securing one's position in the asphalt lot until 12 AM. The online rate of $26.55 could be unlocked at the time of ticket purchase for access to The Tunnel, for which adult admissions were individually priced at $28 or bundled in a two-pack for $55.50.
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The district's Winter Lights exhibit extended to just before the entrance building, where a blue LED tunnel resided. We resolved to check out the nearby installations afterwards, for natural illumination was waning.
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​Once inside the Power Station building, I came to learn of its impressive height and curated "museum-style" components: info board-accompanied equipment to illustrate the various equipment utilized in the power station over the course of history. There was even a gift shop, seating area, and live performance stage, complete with backdrop and speakers.
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Niagara Weekend Getaway | DAY 1: (Pt. 3) Clifton Hill + Winter Festival of Lights

12/10/2022

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Read Part 2 HERE !
Following our departure from the Niagara Parks Power Station, we meandered through the southern section of the Winter Festival of Lights, catching glimpses of the exhibit that we would later survey on foot.
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​Eventually, we arrived at our accommodations for the evening. A lofty Christmas tree resided in the lobby of DoubleTree Fallsview, bordered by withering poinsettias and seasonal patterned cushions.
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​At check-in, two individually packaged cookies were bestowed upon us - they were warm too! Bellboy services were not offered by the hotel. As such, I took to arranging my multiple bags on the triangular luggage cart after requesting a water refill from Moose & Squirrel. Disposable water bottles, as learned from my stay in Vancouver, were no longer provided to guests during their stay.
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​The room, situated at the north corner of the floor, granted an unobstructed view of the Skylon Tower, yet not a particularly clear view of either Falls. Exceptionally spacious, the H-shaped arrangement comprised of a TV-equipped living room (that could be utilized as a second bedroom) and master room (inclusive of an office setup). These spaces were connected via a corridor housing the drink preparation area/mini fridge, closet, and bathroom. I was admittedly impressed by the efficient allocation of space, and gleefully expressed the room as more comfortable than the pricier alternative chosen by myself and the Thai ahgase. Moreover, the luggage rack had already been setup at our time of arrival; concierge services had been amicable as well.
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​Throughout my mandatory disinfecting procedures, the facilities were deemed relatively pristine. The Lysol wipes emerged mildly grey, instating some degree of faith in the hotel's cleaning procedures.
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The sleepy polar bear, much like orangecane, couldn't withhold evident frustration.
"The pillows have hair!"
"So what are you going to do?" I responded, matter-of-factly. "Are you going to complain and that's it? Let's just call concierge and request new pillows."
Amidst flares of fury, the sleepy polar bear approached the phone without any plan for the subsequent steps. "What's the number for concierge?"
Recalling information received from the girl at the check-in desk, I repeated her exact words: "Dial 0 for 24/7 concierge."
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​Without a moment's hesitation, I suggested dining downstairs. The proposal would serve to meet our collective needs of efficiency and economics.
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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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