Category: - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #1097 | Hi-Five Again + LUNA Bakery Bingsoo

6/29/2025

When I announced that I'd be watching Hi-Five again, I wasn't kidding. Though, it should be obvious by now that anything GOT7-related is taken very, very seriously.

Commuting into North York took about 45 minutes - quicker than rush hour but nevertheless lengthier than a weekend morning visit ought to be. In fear of delays, I resorted to purchasing tickets online. The act was easier said than done, for navigating a webpage and entering credit card information isn't exactly easy once on the highway. Alas, 401 conditions enable such acts of distracted driving.

The second time around, the movie felt a tad shorter. Some scenes became less impactful this time, but the ending became clearer. Suffice to say, a handful of details were discovered during the second viewing.

Although the auditorium filled with a greater number of viewers, it was evident that none were ahgases. The appearance of Jinyoung did not incite the shared gasps heard on opening night; those in presence were primarily there for the sake of entertainment, rather than appreciation for Jinyoung's superb acting and exceptionally toned physique.

When the movie concluded just before the 3 PM mark, I was starving. After a stopover at Dollarama, I led the way up Yonge Street in search of sustenance.

Majority of the established on the west side of Yonge leading towards Churchill Ave were now vacant. We trekked a bit further and discovered Pine House. My ultimate decision would lay with Egg Club, however.

The outpost was impossibly small, operating strictly as a takeout establishment. I obtained my BLT was ready in about five minutes, then meandered towards a POPS in search of shade. Undertaking the brisk stroll from Empress Walk had already resulted in perspiration. To prevent further discomfort, I turned away from the picnic tables positioned along the east side of Yonge Street. A handful of girls with Korean corn dogs in their hands did the same.

I sank my teeth into the BLT, positively ravenous. The creation was found to be no more than a thick slice of porous brioche fitted with slimy tomatoes, wilted romaine, and an excess of ketchup-mayo. While the signature omelette centrepiece was fluffy and gratifying, the sandwich's other constituents were mediocre at best. Heavily saturated with sauce, the bacon and tomato slid between the toasted bread casing, making for difficult consumption. Especially warranting contempt was the brioche, which lacked the structural integrity necessary to keep the creation intact. All surfaces had been buttered and toasted, yet the slices themselves were barren of complexity. By the time its contents had been depleted, I was more than willing to dispose of the leftovers.
What a disappointment.

LUNA Bakery was identified as a stop on our way back. The Salted Butter Roll would be a mandatory purchase.

Out & About #1093 | Earl Grey Ganache Chocolate, Hi-Five + Konjiki Ramen

6/20/2025

Continuing with the success of the Matcha Ganache Truffle, the subsequent undertaking was an Earl Grey Ganache Chocolate Bar. The idea had stemmed from:

An availability of Twinings' Earl Grey Tea from the pantry
The depletion of T&T frozen BBQ Pork Buns from the freezer, and consequential availability of the plastic container
A desire to further my chocolate tempering journey

Earl Grey Ganache

The ganache base was practically identical to the formula posted in Sunday Baking's Strawberry and Lime Bonbons. Ingredient amounts were doubled to account for the larger mould sizes, while lime juice was omitted and lime zest replaced with four Earl Grey tea bags for infusion into the heavy cream.

Ingredients:

220 g white chocolate couverture
120 g heavy cream
10 g Earl grey loose leaf tea
20 g unsalted butter, cubed

Yield: 319 g ganache, or ~160 g per chocolate bar

Directions

Add tea leaves to heavy cream and gently warm to encourage infusion. The cream should gradually adopt a milk tea-like hue without forming a film on its surface. Strain the mixture and keep warm.
Melt white chocolate and fold in Earl grey-infused cream.
Add in unsalted butter and mix well.
Transfer to piping bag if desired. Set aside while preparing chocolate.

Surfin would assume the casing of the chocolate bar. The first trial did not set to yield a matte finish, causing me to scrape the portion back into the bowl and temper once more. For my Lindt couverture, it was easier to use the seeding method as opposed to merely bringing the temperature up to 31 C and halting addition of heat. As with previous trials, the difference in consistency was an indicator of nearing the proper temperature.

I adhered to the same steps as the Matcha Ganache Truffle, waiting patiently for two days to pass. No effort whatsoever was required to remove the chocolate from the moulds. That said, I do not believe I had succeed in tempering perfectly, for the surface exhibited subtle streaks of non-uniformity, was not shiny, and retained a trail of fingerprints when touched. It snapped readily and remained intact at room temperature, leading me to believe that I had accurately executed most of the steps and was maybe off by half a degree or so.

Excess chocolate was transferred to a small bowl for later use, and tempered again to form a chocolate shell for ice cream. Who needs the drippy, melty mess of La Diperie, am I right??

Out & About #1092 | Jay B - TAPE: RELOAD in Toronto

6/15/2025

These days, I've found myself being less and less inclined to leave the house. If not for errands and mandatory office days, departing from my comfortable, air-conditioned - not to mention, expensive - abode emerges as being utterly unappealing. For starters, it requires an investment of time, especially when joined by the presence of others - for everyone moves ever so slowly. Secondly, any period away equates to a loss of functional time for chores and readying oneself, both physically and mentally, for the incoming stresses of work.

This mindset has, unfortunately, extended to attendance at concerts as well, for all-day activities that were once sources of enjoyment have now amounted to additional stressors: physical weariness prompting vacation requests, rescheduling of chores and duties, meal and logistics planning to curb expenses, and more.
Despite being acquainted with ticketing, navigating the venue and organizer tendencies never gets easier.

Digital tickets for Jay B's TAPE: RELOAD tour in Toronto were not circulated until one week before the show. Meanwhile, the schedule was distributed 2 days prior and final reminder the day before. The VVVIP agenda was utterly beyond my expectations, with badge distribution commencing at the ungodly hour of 2 PM and the final Q&A event at 11 PM. To make matters worse, neither food nor beverage was permitted on site. Being held on Exhibition Places grounds on a Sunday before CNE meant majority of the buildings were closed, making public bathrooms were impossible to find.

With my priority being adhering to budget, the undertaking would involve parking in Liberty Village then taking BikeShare towards Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
In the early afternoon hours, many of the stations had been vacated. It hadn't helped my case that weather was glorious either. I ventured a bit further to find a series of Classic bikes, proceeding to adjust the seat while a couple hastily shoved their bikes into the dock. The incessant beeping somehow hadn't prompted them to remove the bike and try again, but continuously shove without altering the approach. Both quickly ran out of patience and departed, leaving the dock beeping loudly. This was a prime example of why public infrastructure in North America is so poorly maintained and dirty compared to the likes of Korea: No one cares to be disciplined and respectful of shared facilities.

I hopped onto my bike and began pedalling away. The feeling was familiar, despite my seasonal absence. I traversed along Lynn Williams, connected to East Liberty Street, then turned south onto Strachan. The immediate ascent caught me off guard. An e-bike user swerved around me, allowing me to continue my struggle, undisturbed.

The plan was to turn west onto Manitoba and dock near the Exhibition streetcar loop. Besides the lack of signage within the internal road network of Exhibition Place grounds, the sole empty dock was out of service. I was running short on time by this point and quickly hopped back on to locate the nearest station.
One wrong turn and I somehow looped around the venue. There was still no docking station in sight. In the end, the closest station involved crossing Lake Shore Blvd.

While I had reckoned that it wouldn't be too treacherous to walk back, it only dawned on me after docking that the pedestrian crossing had been removed due to Ontario Place construction. Pedestrians and cyclists were forced to continue along the south side of Lake Shore until the next signalized intersection at New Brunswick Street. Let it be known that I was positively perspiring by this point and very, very uncomfortable.

The Thai ahgase had messaged me countless times and even called me during this period, providing a sense of urgency but no help otherwise. I had informed her that my arrival would be delayed. It was unfortunate that VVVIP badge pick-up relied on ID checks, though there was little I could do with navigation technical difficulties.

Trekking back also became more arduous with each step. The blazing sun, in conjunction with a dire need for the bathroom, made for maximum discomfort. Access to Enercare Centre was restricted due to a Valorant event; meanwhile, pre-CNE Sundays meant that adjacent buildings were also closed to the public.

I resolved to grudgingly make my way towards Queen Elizabeth Theatre. In chancing by a free art gallery, I was saved. The facilities of the Withrow Common Gallery were clean and spacious, and most importantly, did not require access permissions.

In spite the Thai ahgase's frequent check-ins, VVVIP entry had been delayed - which was to be expected. Disorganization was a commonality of practically all North American concerts.

But the most shocking information was the removal of coat check due to the summer season. With my backpack and bike helmet in tow, this was tragic news, and totally inconsistent with the FAQ section posted on the venue website. My meticulous planning have been overruled by a simple "We don't have one." that seemingly did not require any apology to concertgoers that had bothered to familiarize themselves with the available information.

Out & About #1084 | The Pinnacle of Work Stress, Smile Cookies + Caramel Honeycomb Cake

5/4/2025

My third week on the job catapulted me into a series of training sessions, both virtual and physical. The former is comparatively forgiving, for, at the very least, I have the liberty of standing, stretching, and using the bathroom as required. The latter serves as a gradual decline of energy levels and attention span, for being bound to one's seat for extended periods of time induces restlessness, thus lessening the overall willingness to absorb new information.

With that said, I utilized every possible pocket to roam. Walking was vital to my overall disposition and wellness.

The return of Smile Cookies prompted many visits to my nearby Timmies. For this season, they would be raised to a price of two dollars per cookie and exempt from earning points via the Tim Hortons' app. While I was pleased with neither decision, the entirety of its earnings being donated to a local charity somewhat sufficed as justification. Ultimately, my intention to partake in the annual-turned-semi-annual initiative was not swayed.

A former Toronto colleague informed me of her cookie pulls. Donning deranged demeanours, she joked that they were reflective of the downtown community.

Meanwhile, my pulls were unquestionably tamer - adorable even!

The city's initiative to introduce magnolia trees to the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Garden and Celebration Square had also not gone unnoticed.

Despite the buds being oddly shrivelled, their rosy pink presence nevertheless brightened the gathering space in a way that announced the arrival of spring.

Of course, as far as Ontario weather goes, there is never such a thing as guaranteed spring.

Lunchtime would again see perusal of the mall.

Out & About #1081 | Toronto Zoo + Daigyo Matcha

4/12/2025

With my days of being a valid TPL cardholder coming to an end, I began to review outstanding destinations of interest on the TPL Map list. The Toronto Zoo surfaced as a candidate of value, given that no other known source would grant complimentary admission. (PRESTO perks would save 20% at best.)

I successfully reserved a Saturday spot prior to vacation, but, as the day of the planned visit drew near, I found fatigue overwhelming me. There were few days remaining until the job transition, and tirelessly had I slaved within the walls of my house to accomplish all the tasks outstanding.

Grudgingly, I went. Departing at the early hour of 9:30 AM had been my proposal, for risking loss of exercise time was not in the agenda. In the face of inadequate rest, I slid into the passenger seat reluctantly, eventually dozing off periodically with my head bobbing involuntarily over the course of the commute.

There was minimal traffic along our route. By the time we had pulled into the asphalt lot, it was just 10:16 AM.
"Let's leave at 2 PM." I announced.
My browsing partner had nodded in acknowledgement, however I knew it was too good to be true. The concept of time is finite for me, yet (regrettably) fluid for others. As expected, we wouldn't be able to depart until every section of the zoo had been covered. In this sense, it worked in my favour that not all sections were viewable by the due to climatic needs of animals.

The entrance of the zoo was different from my recollection, likely since ongoing construction resulted in pedestrian detours. Traversing from the parking area to the entrance involved meandering about construction fences at dedicated pedestrian crossings. Signage was ample, thankfully so, as the crossing was situated at the parking egress area, just before the toll gates.

Parking was charged at a flat rate of $20. Visitors had the option of paying via QR code or upon exit with the assistance of a staff member.

The entrance area was bustling with families with young children even within the attraction's first hour of operation. That said, I found the bathroom facilities quite pristine; whether or not it was owed to the early hour and comparatively lower visitor volumes is uncertain. Kitschy and inviting was the underwater theme. I also appreciated the hooks along the counter for placing bags while handwashing and a hand-drying mechanisms built into the counter, one allocated per faucet and soap dispenser set.

Maps were positioned throughout the facility: one providing an overall view of the zoo grounds and another providing a detailed view of the area in which one was standing.

I was utterly indifferent to our itinerary, given that my presence was to enable entry (presentation of library card and reservation email; no ID required) and accompany my browsing partner in the leisurely browsing of animals. Had I been visiting for the first time, my approach may have been different, and my response energetic instead of lax.

Australia was up first, primarily due to its proximity to the entrance/"Discovery Zone".

View the full album HERE !

Korea DAY 2: (Pt. 3) Bukchon Hanok Village Feat. Wonder Cookies, Acorn Caricature + N Seoul Tower at Night

3/14/2025

Read Part 2 HERE !

Apparently, a recently introduced tourist curfew would come into effect for Bukchon Hanok Village and the surrounding districts beyond the hours of 10 AM to 5 PM.

I had urged my browsing partner to hurry, only to later learn that our area of interest lay with the retail side of the village. Residing just outside the curfew zone, this strip was distinctly more modern than heritage.

Making our way through the village, our gaze fell upon a Baskin Robbins and Madang collaboration set within a hanok, yet another museum (the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul), an O-Sulloc outpost, and even a Blue Bottle location.

My eyes shone with wonder as we chanced across hoddeok and bunggeoppang stalls. Neither sparked the same reaction from my browsing partner. Regrettably, the former could not be consumed due its peanut-based filling, while the latter succeeded only in enticing one of us (me).

We opted to browse nearby shops instead, where I surrendered my first bill of Korean won for a mini knitted tote intended for my coworker.

Rounding the corner of Bukchon-ro 5-gil at Bukchon-ro, we encountered a staggering number of protests. Police buses had lined the length of the street, seemingly positioned in place for the long term.

A few steps away was the storefront of Wonder Cookies, appearing precisely in the configuration shown online by Hanbit Cho.

The storefront gave the illusion of an old-fashioned music box with its partially Serif font and robin's egg blue accents. Artificial garden elements were also arranged outside surrounding the seating area. Given the external conditions though, it was far too noisy and chilly to sit comfortably for extended periods of time.

Upon pulling open the double doors, we were greeted warmly by the sole member of front line staff. Baking operations had evidently ceased for the day, though one could make out at least two members of staff assisting the pastry chef himself in the back room.

The front of the store housed two areas: a vestibule with baking-related replicas (countertop oven, cookbook, cookies, etc.) on display and a compact seating area with benches and backless chairs. Past this section were the product display shelves, labelled "Pop-Up, "Cookie", and "Order" respectively. It was presumed that "Pop-Up" items were introduced on a rotational basis, while "Cookie" indicated fixed selections.

By the time of our mid-afternoon visit, many varieties had already sold out. Amongst the remaining assortment were: Levain, White-Macadamia, Apple Pecan, Red Velvet, Fig Marshmallow, Lotus Marshmallow, Matcha Marshmallow, and Earl Grey Peach. I automatically dismissed the varieties containing fruit preserves, for they were likely to accumulate moisture quickly. Flavours of Red Velvet and S'Mores spinoffs were also largely unappealing to me, leaving me to lean towards Levain and White Chocolate Macadamia - the arguably classic cookies profiles.

Frankly, their fist-sized appearances had deterred my appetite slightly, as I would be sampling them solo. Since the cashier could not guarantee against potential cross-contamination with the peanut-containing doughs, my browsing partner erred on the side of caution. The cookies would largely be reserved for my consumption, while a slice of Basque Cheesecake was shared.

"Ade" is a persistently prominent drink choice in Korea. Composed of carbonated water and fruit compote or jam, the beverage is served over ice and remarkably popular during the sweltering summer months. For those hailing from cold countries - ahem, us - it would serve as a wonderful late afternoon pick-me-up in place of coffee.

Wonder Cookies' signature Citron Grapefruit Ade and Plum Ade set us back 5,500 KRW and 5,900 KRW respectively. Meanwhile, the cookies rang in at 5,900 KRW each and the Basque Cheesecake at 7,400 KRW. Visually pleasing cafés are hardly budget-friendly, though one could confirm that Korea was charging a hefty markup from North American prices on all items except the Basque cheesecake, which is usually priced between five to seven dollars before tax.

Our cashier strived to communicate with us in English, taking care to double check our orders to prevent misunderstandings. When it came to entering the Ades into the POS system, I simplified the task by pointing to the menu and reading the Hangul out loud. While expressing allergies wasn't the easiest task, I was glad that being literate in food terminology facilitated the ordering process.

Out & About #1078 | Decoding the Decadent, Geste Croissanterie, and Pre-Vacay Madness

3/7/2025

Reverse engineering a packaged product is a feat only Claire Saffitz can pull off in 24 hours. Devoid of a culinary school background but brimming with ideas and intense, offbeat cravings, I decided that attempting to recreate President's Choice The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie would bring me closer to two goals:

Having crunchy chocolate chips on demand - since I've succeeded at many crunchy-chewy variations
Economic freedom - should I successfully crack the code, I'd be free from constantly investing in a product subject to inflation

1) The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookie - Trial Batch #1

The idea was not dissimilar to my seemingly endless quest for brownies - which, of course, I've yet to conclude a winner to parallel (or better yet, overthrow) the fudgy, delectable Farmer's Market Two-Bite Brownies.

I'd start by reviewing the ingredient list on the packaging, in particular noting their sequence. My assumption was that each ingredient was slotted by quantity. Surprisingly, chocolate chips was first. This was the singly easiest element to tackle, for I already had a 1 kg pouch of The Decadent Chocolate Chips in my inventory!

The next step was to determine the ever-critical ratio of butter to sugar to flour. Forming the foundation of all cookie recipes, this trio would not only determine the resulting texture, but colour and shape as well. By reviewing a handful of SK's sturdier cookie recipes, I'd find ones that involved chilling and slicing ("log" cookies), egg-less (shortbread), and barren of baking soda. The Decadent was none of these, but the ingredient quantities served as a good starting point for Test Batch #1.

© Quirky Aesthetics, 2025

Ingredients

125 g unsalted butter
60 g granulated sugar
80 g brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
180 g AP flour
15 g milk powder
210 g chocolate chips
0.5 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt

As with most cookie recipes, softened butter is creamed with granulated and brown sugar until airy. Next, egg and vanilla are whisked in. Finally, dry ingredients (flour and leavener, if any) and mix-ins are folded into the dough.

Given the high flour content, I had no qualms that this dough would be sturdy and even a bit difficult to mix. Much to my surprise, it wasn't excessively difficult to portion. This was likely the first indicator that more flour was needed.

The rounds portioned using my 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop retained its textured edges even after baking. Asymmetrical mounds settled into a moderately domed cookie with faint ripples along its circumference. Meanwhile, the rounds that had been scooped then rolled into spheres emerged smoother and flatter. The interiors differed minimally, if at all.

Perhaps the external differences could be owed to baking in the middle of the oven versus the lowest rack. With the finnicky nature of my oven though, I doubt placement would induce dramatic differences. The apparatus can't even maintain heat properly!

Out & About #1075 | Brownies & Butterscotch Chip Cookies Feat. The Wild Robot, NESTFEST Restream

2/21/2025

As one would expect, I wasn't about to let my freshly procured ̶b̶a̶t̶c̶h̶ haul of Hershey's Unsweetened Natural Cocoa sit untouched for long.

Powered by an objectively nourishing and comparatively healthy breakfast of oatmeal and raisins, I readied the kitchen for a pan of brownies.

1) The Brownies To End All Brownies

NYT Cooking's Triple Chocolate Brownie video had dropped just four days ago, and had been lingering in my mind since. Suffice to say, I headed straight to the YouTube video I had sent to my baking coworker. Sunday Baking's Mochi Brown was my undeniable go-to, however I was intrigued about the impacts of brown sugar and espresso powder.

The original ingredient list reads as follows:

113 g unsalted butter
113 g bittersweet (70%) chocolate, chopped
1 tsp instant espresso powder
150 g granulated sugar
110 g dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp kosher salt
64 g AP flour
47 g Dutch-processed cocoa powder
4 ounces chopped milk chocolate
4 ounces chopped white chocolate
Flaky sea salt

Yield: 16 brownies, 2 in x 1.5 in

Relieving was the list of ingredients in metric units. I lined a pan of similar size, then proceeded to arrange my tubs of sugar along the counter. I had anticipated a handful of tweaks, including a reduction in sugar, however it wasn't until I dumped the remainder of my stick of butter into the bowl that all amounts were roughly scaled up by 5-7%.

Ingredients:

̶1̶1̶3̶ ̶g̶ ̶u̶n̶s̶a̶l̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶b̶u̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ → 128 g unsalted butter
̶1̶1̶3̶ ̶g̶ ̶b̶i̶t̶t̶e̶r̶s̶w̶e̶e̶t̶ ̶(̶7̶0̶%̶)̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶,̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ → 135 g 52% chocolate couverture
1 tsp instant espresso powder
̶1̶5̶0̶ ̶g̶ ̶g̶r̶a̶n̶u̶l̶a̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶s̶u̶g̶a̶r̶ → 120 g granulated sugar * reduce by 25%! (effective 120 g)
̶1̶1̶0̶ ̶g̶ ̶d̶a̶r̶k̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶s̶u̶g̶a̶r̶ → 95 g dark brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
̶6̶4̶ ̶g̶ ̶A̶P̶ ̶f̶l̶o̶u̶r̶ → 30 g AP, 30 g cornstarch
̶4̶7̶ ̶g̶ ̶D̶u̶t̶c̶h̶-̶p̶r̶o̶c̶e̶s̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶c̶o̶c̶o̶a̶ ̶p̶o̶w̶d̶e̶r̶ → 60 g cocoa powder
̶4̶ ̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶i̶l̶k̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
̶4̶ ̶o̶u̶n̶c̶e̶s̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶p̶p̶e̶d̶ ̶w̶h̶i̶t̶e̶ ̶c̶h̶o̶c̶o̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
̶F̶l̶a̶k̶y̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶ ̶s̶a̶l̶t̶ * should have added this
22 g olive oil

Directions

Line a 8 in x 8 in square baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 365 F.
Place diced unsalted butter and chocolate couverture in a large, heat-proof bowl. Gently melt in bursts in a microwave until just fluid. Do not subject the chocolate to prolonged periods of high heat.
Dissolve instant espresso powder in the chocolate-butter mixture. Add in vanilla. Mix well and set aside. Let cool to at least room temperature before using.
Combine eggs, sugars, and pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Thoroughly aerate using a whisk until thickened and pale in colour. The mixture should be able to form loose ribbons in the bowl, then vanish within seconds. A hand mixer is not necessary; this consistency should be able to be achieved by manually whisking with a wire whisk.
Ensure chocolate-butter mixture has cooled to at last room temperature. Continue to let cool if still warm.
Fold whipped egg mixture into chocolate-butter mixture. Combine well.
Add in flour, cornstarch, and cocoa powder. Fold gently until no streaks of flour remain.
Drizzle in olive oil and fold until homogenous.
Transfer to lined baking pan, spreading the batter to the corners of the pan.
Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes. The surface should be set with signs of crack propagation, while the centre slightly moist but not runny.
Let cool completely before slicing.

Obvious differences were:

Natural cocoa powder in place of Dutch-processed
52% chocolate coverture in place of 70% bittersweet/dark chocolate, chopped
A small amount of olive oil in addition to melted butter
Omitting the use of a hand mixer in favour of a good ol' wire whisk
Baking continuously within the range of 330-360 F, without removing the tray halfway and banging on the countertop

The batter was awfully thick, should you ask me, and didn't require the 2h cooling period that the recipe had specified.

After about 1h of cooling was enough to provide the slab with a sense of sturdiness. They did not resist the pressure of a serrated knife, though premature sampling definitely confirmed the need for extensive cool time.

When sampled at room temperature approximately sixty minutes after being removed from the pan, NYT's recipe was horribly cloying. My first takeaways were that: there was far too much sugar, followed by an absurd amount of flour/dry ingredients. Moreover the use of a hand mixer for a basic recipe hardly ever translates well. Of course, I alluded the tooth-achingly sugary qualities to my choice of natural cocoa and 52% chocolate, noting that further sugar reductions could likely take place for a more palatable outcome. I achieved a modest surface crackle, but nothing like the wispy shards of Sunday's edition, which strictly utilized granulated sugar and not a drop of molasses.

Dark brown sugar contributed noticeably nutty, caramel tones, but could potentially be swapped for light brown sugar as to preserve moistness without overwhelming the chocolate-forward profile. I wouldn't eliminate molasses altogether though, for the moistness achieved was rather splendid.

Using a small amount of olive oil also helped to create a pliable, fudgy cross-section. The interior was glossy and inviting, and even retained subtly herbaceous notes of the oil of choice. Those unfond of olive oil can opt for a neutral-tasting alternative, but steer clear of canola at all costs.

I appreciated the lightly fruity aura of natural cocoa, but can see the value of Dutch-processed in the face of sweetened chocolate chips or substantial chocolate shards. Although the cocoa choice ultimately boils down to personal preference, the acidic component of natural cocoa should be noted when adjusting the recipe for pH variations.

A sprinkle of flakey salt is often recommended if readily available. To prevent the addition from masking the inherent qualities of the formula though, I opted to omit it for this trial.

All in all, I was generally pleased with the turnout, which yielded sixteen sizable squares worthy of a cookbook cover page. Visually speaking, this may have been my best batch yet. That said, it was not the most aromatic, despite easily achieving a high score in terms of gustatory pleasure. Maybe I'll take greater care to fully dissolve the instant espresso next time.

Out & About #1070 | NESTFEST + CNY Visuals Continued Feat. Snake Installations

2/2/2025

When GOT7 hinted - then readily provided spoilers - for their long-awaited comeback, many ahgases had speculated the possibility of a concert. While most of us yearned desperately for a world tour, the likelihood of seven members aligning their schedules for an extended period of time was low. At the very least, a domestic show would occur - this was later announced to be the two-day event known as "NESTFEST".

Tickets rapidly sold out, prompting the boys to add a third show as well as an additional livestream. International fans could take part virtually on either February 1st or 2nd via the Beyond LIVE portal, which apparently supported streams for other popular artists such as Taeyang and NCT. As the site notified ticketholders that streaming capabilities would only be possible for Windows users through Edge and not Chrome, I prepared accordingly, setting up my laptop and replacing batteries in my Ahgabong Version 3 in the designated viewing room well in advance of the 4 AM start time.
However, there was no way to predict a black screen blocking off viewing capabilities and a horrifically irritating, stuttering connection. My laptop was a recent acquisition with minimal usage, but the Beyond LIVE site quickly sent it to the grave of blue screens. I was left with no other option than to download the mobile app. Despite missing the first six minutes of the show, the rest thankfully progressed without interference.

It wasn't the first time I had voluntarily subject myself to sleep deprivation for KST-favouring livestreams. From the 7 for 7 Showcase in 2017 to the HOMECOMING Fancon in 2022, I thought I had grown accustomed to these odd-hour airings. But age is not a aspect to be argued with. Even just two years has made a difference in terms of exhaustion levels.

I could barely bring myself to execute the fanchants and strived intensely to remain awake for the entire duration of the show. NESTFEST would proceed for a whopping FOUR HOURS - a period in which some of the members would excuse themselves for the bathroom at least once. By the point of ending ments, I must have dozed off, for I awoke to Mark's tearful, heartful message to fans and the supportive group hug that would assist him in completing his speech. Jinyoung's and Jackson's ments were wholly excluded from my memory. Thank goodness for the upcoming re-streaming session!

The boys performed a wonderful combination of timeless classics, new releases (PYTHON and OUT THE DOOR!), solo hits, and transitioned into an encore segment led by Encore. Eleven years into their musical career, the heptet reinvented beloved title tracks of Girls Girls Girls, A (original and Remix), and the ever-humourous 하지하지마/Stop Stop It and furthered the musicality of Playground, 따라와/Follow Me, and 너란 Girl/Magnetic. FISH was tossed out unexpectedly by Mark as one of the encore tracks chosen on the spot, but ultimately excluded due to hesitation from the leader. Throughout their unfiltered ments and playful performances, it dawned on me that I not only knew every single song, but the lyrics and era from which they derived. GOT7 answered to the burning desires of both long-time and new ahgases, even extending fanservice to the second floor of the venue during the encore.

Approximately three years will pass before another comeback, but, as our selfless, courageous leader had assured in his ending ment, GOT7 will return when the opportunity is right. The small bird within me nods with every ounce of energy in her, in spite of my body expressing exhaustion at the treacherous time difference (3:40 AM to 7:55 AM!).

I collapsed into a fitful slumber on the couch for roughly three to four hours, awaking around noon to immediately delve into chores. Adulting must resume.

Out & About #1067 | GOT7 Winter Heptagon, Car Complexities Again + Fast Dining Finds

1/21/2025

It should come as no surprise that, as the obvious ahgase I've made myself out to be, GOT7's comeback has been the topic of greatest concern since its initial announcement with Jinyoung's discharge. (That event in itself summoned plenty of ecstatic wails and relieved sighs, of course.)

One of my first Black Friday purchases were sticker sets and notepad from AhgaseBaby. Due to the Canada Post strike though, this package did not cross the international border until early into the new year. Not long ago, the package finally found its way into my hands.

The set included a handful of freebies, including purple heart stickers bearing GOT7's rebranded, post-JYPE logo in a lovely lavender gradient. My main order consisted of an Encore sticky note pad, MBTI ahgase sticker sheet, and an IGOT7 heart sticker. The timing of its arrival could not be more ideal, for there was just a few days left before the official release of WINTER HEPTAGON.

Words could not wholly describe the experience of witnessing the first OT7 release since 2022. PYTHON was everything ahgase could have wanted but never expected: GOT7 had succeeded in reinventing their sound as a unit, but remaining true to their core. The track showcased overwhelming charisma, evident through a "flex yet wholesome" (termed by yours truly) storyline, and furthermore exhibited the incredible growth of each member in their solo pursuits. The undeniable uniqueness and simultaneous harmony of it all re-affirmed the analogy of the group being a rainbow: individually discernible yet completely cohesive.

In spite of the wintry, bone-chilling conditions accompanying my office commute, the journey was far from dreary and lonely. For the first time in a long time, I experienced happiness that originated from the soul - a sense of pure bliss and inner peace, seamless and unattainable in any other endeavour. Limited are the joys that the external world can provide, even with the elimination of disruptions incited by one's surroundings. But the impacts of GOT7 are everlasting and eternal, therapeutic, restorative, and invigorating in ways that only ahgase can appreciate.

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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