Category: Friends - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #582 | Partial September Visuals

9/13/2019

Ottawa posts will be delayed for some unspecified duration of time - though, that shouldn't come as a surprise anyway.
Work has resumed, thus opportunities to recount the trip's happenings shall be on the back burner in the interim. For now, let's review some recent happenings of the month.

1) Ice Q (Round 6)

I love Thai Tea, and there's just an undeniable speck of individuality in Ice Q's rendition that keeps me coming back for more, in spite of a fragrant blend I've (derived from the source and) stashed at home.

Two weeks ago marked their Grand Opening weekend, which I had originally planned to take part in with a fellow eating enthusiast. Unfortunately, those plans fell through due to extenuating circumstances; an early evening trip to Japan Fest took place in its stead.

Regardless, I managed to take advantage of the 20% off promotion on the second last day with a custom order of Black Sesame ice cream-topped Thai Tea - an unimaginably fantastic pairing. They have also affixed Korean-inspired "melts" to the menu, expanding their range of offerings to include savoury sources of sustenance.

2) Training sessions aren't so bad with treats and coffee

Out & About #581 | MaKen it Memorable

9/8/2019

The third and final wedding of 2019 for me was none other than stenoodie's.

Over a post-Christmas catch-up session in the seemingly not-so-distant past, she had recapped the proposal to me, recalling each stage in extreme detail, then subsequently requesting my attendance at the monumental moment itself. Suffice to say that September 8th had long been booked off in my calendar.

Her planning process was not without obstacles - that's for certain. Although the precise points of vexation are unknownst to me, I did catch a few frustrated outbursts leading up to the event. Upon stepping onto the premises, however, I knew that the situation had been ironed out (more or less) giving way to an extraordinary final product.

Paradise Banquet Hall in Vaughan was the venue of choice. Housing several standalone areas, there were quite a handful events taking place at my time of arrival. Between the numerous other wedding and baptism ceremonies, I managed to hunt down the MaKen couple to the Queen Anne building. It wasn't visible from the Doughton street entrance, but a member of staff managed to point me in the correct direction.

My star sign twin, whom I later learned to share twin-like qualities with in more than one aspect, quickly came to my assistance as well. She had attended the tear-jerking ceremony in all its glory, and proceeded to discuss its highlights as I settled into my new surroundings.

The reception area was brightly illuminated, making it appear more vast than it was in actuality. To one end were empty cups perched atop low tables lined with white tablecloths, presumably what had been remained from hors d'oeuvres hour (or prematurely put into place for later use). At the other were items that called for guest engagement: a photobook in which guests could leave heartfelt messages, a games station to guess the locations of the couple's previous travels together, and a glass capsule ready to be filled with "wise words".
Beside the photobook, which, might I add, contained some of the most stunning captures I have ever laid eyes on, was an LED monitor bearing a display generally unacquainted to weddings.

In place of your normal table map was an Arrivals board listing each attendee in alphabetical order, their point of origin, and their designated seating arrangements (by "destination country" and table number). The view prompted a flashback to the wedding invitations themselves, which had been designed to resemble upscale boarding passes. ("Upscale" since the average boarding pass bears no more than two colours at most.)
A distinct theme was in place. It wasn't until later that I discovered the significance of the table names: all the future travel destinations that assumed spots on the newlywed's bucket list.

Out & About #580 | A Fusion Dance Party

9/7/2019

My birthday buddy and I go way back.
Back to our awkward teen years and cringe-worthy webcam group projects, from spending break time discussing absolutely nonsensical topics to filming a self-choreographed segment to a then-popular Franco-pop track.

As the years passed, it was inevitable that the frequency of our meetups dwindled due to schedule and financial restrictions. Semi-annual gatherings transformed into annual appointments, with a few sporadic meals in between.

The quoted individual recently returned from a three-week trek and, though it was yet her turn to walk down the aisle, I had the opportunity of catching up with her over a celebratory affair.

With a freshly-washed mane - a rarity, I dare exclaim - a crush velvet gown, and heels (another sight to behold), she nearly towered over me, someone who always prioritizes comfort over charisma. The ensemble was fit for a wedding, especially that of immediate family.

I was sadly not seated at Table 7, but my tablemates and general positioning within the hall compensated for that. Before each plate was a dainty butterfly cut-out, crafted in a similar manner to the glittery wedding invitation I had belatedly received from my birthday buddy. Glasses filled to the halfway point with champagne were set before each plate; ceramic tea cups and empty wine glasses beside it.
Seating was spacious, for the dining hall was vast. I was nestled between a few foreign faces near the dance floor, which meant a stellar view of the evening's happenings.

The menu was presented in both Chinese and English, thoroughly depicting a classic Chinese dinner lineup. It wasn't my style, but my insider informed us that the decision had been owed to familial preference.

Out & About #579 | Collective August Visuals Feat. Japan Festival + The Night Baker

8/29/2019

Summer is drawing to a close, and, with its departure, should humidity excuse itself accordingly. The past two weeks have proved cooler than the predicted seasonals - not that I'm grumbling about that, of course.

Nevertheless, chilly mornings are the stealthy culprit of summer colds, as made evident by those around me falling victim to summer colds, one by one like dominoes on a playing board. A compact cardigan goes a long way, my friends.

Moving on to our regular run of feasting snapshots:

1) The Night Baker's insufficient grassy Mistachio prompted the seventh iteration of an old recipe on a relatively quiet Sunday afternoon.

Roasted peanuts remained an essential element in the dough, but white chocolate chips had been swapped for semi-sweet ones due to availability. This modification yielded a sweeter core, while the accidental increase in beaten egg resulted in overall softness.

2) Ice Q (Round 5)

Affogato is one the newest items to ease their way onto the menu, following closely after the café's introduction of crepe-and-coffee pairings. Having ordered an Americano to go in my past, as well as a Thai Iced Tea with a (pricey) shot of espresso, I didn't think twice about the quality of their espresso. It was surely better than whatever disappointing ration Archtop had offered.

The order included two scoops of vanilla ice cream - plain, in the absence of vanilla bean; a delicate drizzle of chocolate drizzle glazed the surface of the top orb, with dark chocolate curls dispersed for an added dose of texture.

Presented separately was a small pitcher of "Italian espresso", an aromatic presence of fine surface bubbles and minimal crema. Acidity was mild, though it mattered moderately, given the pre-existing profile of the ice cream and sugary profile of chocolatey condiments.

The combination was a match made in heaven: the fruit of bitter grounds gradually penetrating icy, sugary mounds, then finished with the tinge of semi-sweet crunch. I finished the creation with glee, foregoing any and all woes about becoming ridiculously roused for the remainder of the day. My surroundings appeared heavily saturated - and sharp, almost to a digitally enhanced degree - in the subsequent hours, which was a first for me. Thankfully, these stimulated perceptions of the world diminished during the later hours, enabling a restful evening of uninterrupted sleep.
All factors taken into consideration, this would be an option I wouldn't hesitate to order again, especially alongside a nectarous bowl of ice shards.

Out & About 578 | Canadian National Exhibit (CNE) 2019

8/23/2019

I can't identify with the CNE being an annual tradition.
Rumour has it that the August-limited venture warrants a visit from Ontarians near and far every single year. And that is, personally speaking, an occurrence that would spur greater stress than joy.

Scorching temperatures, draining energy levels, public transit chaos, obnoxious lineups, and pricey, off-tasting fare characterized my first visit. It's been five years since then - half a decade, in other words; the expedition garnered a lasting impression, flourishing with enough negativity to recall several years later.

This recount then poses the question: So why visit again?
Because I was looking for a post-work hour activity that could be easily accessed by all members of the party. At the same time, everything deserves a chance for redemption.

I renounced the grueling door-to-door trip on transit in favour of driving then commuting along the Lakeshore West corridor. By the time 4 PM rolled around, I was ready to head over, but due to staggered work times, the trio didn't assimilate until closer to 6 PM.

Brown had snuck his way into my bag, prepared to ventilate the vicinity when summoned. However, this year's visit was nowhere near as sweltering as the 2014 run. Weather conditions were stellar throughout our entire visit - totally unlike the sticky, humid obscenity from before. In spite of the incredulous amounts of foot traffic, neither a fan nor a sleeveless, strappy top was critical to my overall sanity. An occasional breeze was felt here and there.
Sundown paved the way for stooping mercury levels, prompting the need for either a cardigan or thin jacket.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #576 | Partial August Visuals Feat. Ice Q (Round 4)

8/11/2019

Indoor rock climbing was observed to be a trend since the first quarter of this year - "Suddenly everyone was scaling a wall", as artist Dami Lee calls it. Another observation was the general shift to a healthier lifestyle amongst my immediate circle. Gym memberships, yoga studios, and sore muscles were key words that rapidly infiltrated daily conversation.

I'm rarely one to enjoy perspiring in the presence of others, with the exception of badminton, so it took quite a while before my favourite fangirl could convince me to take advantage of her gym's one-time day pass. Truthfully, it sparked due to over-indulgence the day prior by means of boozy brunch at Pray Tell and devilishly decadent stuffed cookies from The Night Baker.

We stayed for a solid four hours, then hunger hit. When the nearby Freshco denied me of a readymade salad, I turned to foodora. A limited-time voucher prompted a late lunch at Basil Box; featured on the side is a refreshing, albeit slightly sugary, Pomegranate Mojito, which is retailing for two dollars till the end of summer.

One dollar Iced Coffees from McD's are a godsend. Even more so are the customization options; my go-to is: no liquid sugar and substituting milk for cream.

Outtakes from the aforementioned downtown excursion can be found below as well.

Resuming our routine format:
1) Homemade Cold Brew from my favourite fangirl (and her gifted pack of Albuquerque beans)
2) Blueberry and Lavender Honey Butter Chips proved underwhelming in profile, despite their fantastically floral fragrance.

Out & About #574 | Wonderland Feat. Yukon Striker + Planet Snoopy

8/5/2019

The best way to tackle amusement parks in the summer is by travelling light, which is definitely easier said than done.
Arguably the furthest from minimal, changing my own habits for a day was quite the challenge.

Swapping my daily travel backpack for a fabric cross-body helped to ease pressure off the neck and shoulders, simultaneously enabling tanning on the backside. Downsizing the essentials - such as carrying individual wet wipes intead of a family pack - was another strategy.

For your purposes and mine, I have compiled a list for quicker planning. The following items have assumed a status of utmost importance, collectively constituting the Wonderland Survival Kit:

1) Water Bottle
The average adult requires eight glasses of water per day, which roughly equates to 2 L. When on the go, it's easy to overlook regular fluid consumption, so carrying a small reusable bottle is a good reminder to staying hydrated. Moreover, plastic water bottles are likely to be marked up 200% in the park. Take advantage of the numerous fountains and refill for free instead.

2) Wet wipes
This one shouldn't come as a surprise. Amusement parks are popular summer go-to destinations for people of all ages, shapes, sizes, and origins. Synonymous with such high quantities of traffic are grimy entertainment facilities, plastic seats tainted with butt sweat and handlebars made greasy from the anxiety of roller coaster riders. So wipe those hands, because brow dabs and poutine pokes happen subconsciously.

3) Handheld fan (optional)
Humidity can easily bring out the grossest of us. This is an optional inclusion, but don't say I didn't provide a preventative measure against melting makeup (and sweat patches). Long lineups under direct sunlight are inevitable. To combat this, a light, portable fan is more than sufficient in keeping B.O. at bay.

4) Non-perishable edibles
Rules forbidding outside food are commonly imposed in amusement parks, with the exception of medication and specialty items. However, whenever possible (read: not against the rules), I'd recommend bringing a handful of non-perishable snacks. Low-sugar granola bars, pumpkin seeds, and trail mix are great examples of dry food that promote the slow release of energy.

5) Sunglasses and sunscreen
Again no-brainers amidst the sweltering season, keep these two handy for the ceaseless afternoon lineups to protect oneself from the elements. A little Vitamin E never hurt anyone, but the effects of sun damage can be both acute and chronic.

6) Tissue
For runny noses, inexplicable sources of dampness, and bathrooms devoid of TP, have a pocket pack of Kleenex within reach.

A duo of travel-sized hand cream and lip balm also prevented one from being affected adversely by the disgustingly drying commercial(industrial?) liquid soap installed in the mirrorless washrooms. And, last but not least, keep your wallet in a zippered pocket. Having cash handy also enables one to participate in roller coaster pachinko on a whim.

Because, that's precisely what I did.

Strategically positioned by the two most popular roller coasters were ten-dollar pachinko games, though, if my memory still serves me correctly, they had only been five dollars a drop previously. Players would drop a white puck at the top of the structure; the puck would trickle down to one of the many slots at the bottom, each corresponding to a different ride in the park. A Fast Lane pass (for two riders) for whichever ride the puck landed was the prize.

Out & About #573 | Pray Tell, The Night Baker + Pilot Ossington

8/3/2019

Repeat after me: Do NOT contemplate venturing downtown on Caribana weekend.

The GO train WILL be loud and rambunctious.
The passenger car WILL reek of the newly-decriminalized plant, to an extensive degree.
The streetcars WILL be delayed from Exhibition Station.
The countless road closures WILL result in needless traffic chaos and an excruciating return commute.

Now, with that said and done, let's proceed with our regular gustatory programming

Pray Tell has assumed a spot on my downtown radar since December of last year, around the same time I discovered the fabulous Café Cancan. Alas, their unavailability of weekday brunch and late opening hours automatically ruled out the Dufferin Grove establishment for an early afternoon get-together.
The opportunity for analysis finally rolled around with much warmer weather and an ambitious brunch buddy; it worked out well, since their "secret" backyard patio was now in operation as well.

A day prior, we - or rather, I - secured a reservation via Bookenda, the eatery's alternative to OpenTable. My arrival was delayed, naturally, due to extenuating circumstances, but the restaurant was more than happy to accommodate our last-minute decision to switch to the patio from our window seat in the street-facing dining room. Three amiable members of staff serviced the interior and exterior dining areas, with occasional support from the bartender and kitchen staff.

Our migration to the great outdoors was greeted with a jug of ice water, along with new sets of napkin-wrapped utensils. Menus were also shifted for our perusing needs. Revealed within a hardcover bi-fold booklet were entrées, cocktails, and coffee/tea choices; an extension of the alcohol section was found in a smaller paper menu.

After some contemplation, we settled on the Very Nice Mimosa and Justice Beaver to start. A shareable sweet-and-savoury combo of Mr. & Mrs. Benny Hopes and Bad & Boujee French Toast ensued. Bottomless Mimosas at $33 per person were also available for a duration of two hours. Considering that each individual order was priced at nine dollars, it would have easily evened out should we been able to exhaust two glasses each over the course of consumption. Doing the math, we arrived at the conclusion that our tummies were unlikely to feature such a capacity.

View the full album HERE !

Out & About #572 | Weekly Roundup: Sang-Ji Fried Bao + Coffee Runs

8/2/2019

Due to the frequency of Weekly Roundup posts, the monthly issue of Collective Visuals shall be suspended for this period, naturally. Please find the a short collection of late July/early August snaps below, which are not to be bereft of the series' regular food-centric feelings.

1) The discovery of coffee pod machines, in conjunction with the purchase of an ice cube tray, has enabled the creation of Iced Lattes right in the office.

2) JAWS-inspired OLG Pachinko?
3) I spotted the Honda Indy GO Bus!

4) Two Nine Tea (formerly Palgong)

Palgong has officially evolved into Two Nine Tea - a name potentially owed to its popular $2.99 milk tea. The interior and menu remains consistent with my last visit.

My only lamentation is in regards to the bathroom facility: a tiny space featuring both a toilet and urinal alongside cleaning supplies. A pitcher of water was provided to compensate the malfunctioning faucet. I'll take this as a better quick fix to a lack of running water than completely nixing the resource altogether.

We also stopped by Vava and its ever-adored wall of (knockoff) plushies.

5) Sang Ji Fried Bao

As esteemed in the North York food scene as Juicy Dumplings (520) in Chinatown, this hole-in-the-wall space had held a spot on my radar for over half a year. My first attempt was executed in vain, for it occurred on the single day of their closures: a fatefully snowy Monday.

However, it was a Tuesday this time; I was determined to succeed.

The establishment was far from spacious, as are many along the strip. Similar to Naniwa Taro a few doors down, the interior consisted of nothing more than a menu board, a combined kitchen and cashier area, and a handful of seats. The differences lay in the cuisine style, presence of outlets in the seating area, and payment policy; Sang-Ji accepted none other than physical monies.

The Sang-Ji Bao(s) were reminiscent of soup dumplings (the beloved "XLB"/xiaolongbao) but sturdier in appearance - think a gym rat versus a marathon runner. The thin wrapper utilized in the original Shanghainese version was swapped for a denser variation - one commonly seen in Northern Chinese cuisine such as Beef or Chive Pancakes. Denser and tougher, it enabled the undersides of the buns to crisp nicely upon contact with a well-greased wok.
Found inside the buns was a super succulent - and, dare I say, bewitching - pork filling. Needless to say, unexpected bursts of scalding broth was an aspect not to exempt from the experience. Potentially inflicting harsher burns to the tongue than its Shanghainese counterpart, Sang-Ji's namesake dish proved its popularity with unrivalled freshness and intense insulation.

A sprinkle of toasted white sesame seeds, shriveled bits of green onion, and (entirely optional) splash of Chinese dark vinegar ensured complexity in aromatic profile.

Service was essentially nonexistent, besides the curt "Ok bye" we received in response our dish return gesture. Most patrons had opted for multiple takeout orders instead of dining in. During our short stay, the outflow of Styrofoam boxes never seemed to halt at all.

At $6.99 for a set of four, the eatery's signature wasn't bad at all. In large quantities, I can imagine the costs to accumulate rapidly, however it satisfied our desire for a small, pre-dinner snack.

Out & About #571 | Tim Hortons Innovation Cafe

8/2/2019

New downtown openings in the city are essentially synonymous to winding lineups. Whether it be a fleeting fad or an up-and-coming startup, the queuing never seems to cease.

Hopping on the bandwagon after Starbucks' more upscale Reserve locations is the Tim Hortons Innovation Café. Claiming to be the solution to generating interest (read: stimulating business) amongst the younger generations, the venture has expanded Tim's original selection to include over-the-top donuts, exclusive (and arguably pretentious) caffeinated options, and supposedly premium sandwiches (think Caprese with focaccia), foregoing the typical glazed donuts and tried-and-true Fruit Explosion. Like Second Cup's King and John flagship, a brew bar is found towards the end of the counter, just adjacent to the drink pickup area.

I persuaded my favourite fangirl, who has recently found herself in the core not too far from myself, on a lunchtime adventure. We scoured The PATH in search of the outpost, eventually confiding in the directory to guide us to the ground floor of the Exchange Tower. Contrary to our suspicions, it was not on the lower level of First Canadian Place. Street access could be found on Adelaide at southeast corner of York and Adelaide.

The lineup extended outside of the store, which we joined without much hesitation. Inching in with every passing minute, the red decor, not-yet-operative self-serve kiosks, and downtown-exclusive menu slowly came into view.
Greeting us first was the donut display; the colourful, sugary treats could be purchased as singles or dozens (half or full). Next along the ordering path was the cashier, where drink orders were placed and names were taken, inaccurately might I note, for the cups. The pickup process didn't differ too greatly from Starbucks, but it felt oddly less personal than the Seattle java giant.

Cleanliness level did not vary vastly from any other Tim Hortons: sticky counters, coffee splatters, a disoriented utensil area, and stained delivery slips possess a consistent presence. The addition of name tag-bearing drinks is a recent introduction - likely to appeal to the urban masses. Seating may be more sophisticated in comparison, with a wooden communal table and velvety finish sofas along the north perimeter, but I found neither inviting due to the tables' overall filth and clutter.

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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