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

3/7/2025

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

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

2/21/2025

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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.
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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.
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​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
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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
  1. Line a 8 in x 8 in square baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 365 F.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Ensure chocolate-butter mixture has cooled to at last room temperature. Continue to let cool if still warm.
  6. Fold whipped egg mixture into chocolate-butter mixture. Combine well.
  7. Add in flour, cornstarch, and cocoa powder. Fold gently until no streaks of flour remain.
  8. Drizzle in olive oil and fold until homogenous.
  9. Transfer to lined baking pan, spreading the batter to the corners of the pan.
  10. 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.
  11. Let cool completely before slicing.
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Obvious differences were:
  1. Natural cocoa powder in place of Dutch-processed
  2. 52% chocolate coverture in place of 70% bittersweet/dark chocolate, chopped
  3. A small amount of olive oil in addition to melted butter
  4. Omitting the use of a hand mixer in favour of a good ol' wire whisk
  5. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.

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

2/2/2025

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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.
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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!
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​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!).
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​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.

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

1/21/2025

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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.)
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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.
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​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.

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Out & About #1054 | Errands + Potluck Prep Feat. Peppermint Brownies + Black Sesame Pound Cake with Matcha Glaze

11/23/2024

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With the annual office potluck is just over one week away, I deemed the weekend an appropriate period for testing out potential options. Technically, I could have skipped the experimentation altogether, for I realized afterwards that my creations would be enjoyed by members of the team regardless of how the products fared on my own rating scale.
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​14 eggs (or was it 15?), 4 hours of active labour, and 2 hours of dishwashing later, the day's mission was complete.
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1) Coffee Cupcakes

The recently uploaded Easy Chocolate Cupcake recipe had me lusting for the airiness of the Halloween Chocolate Cupcakes, a seven-year old formula that succeeded in inducing a wow factor even seven years later. Instead of chocolate though, I hankered for the toasty bitterness of coffee, concurrently seeking to deplete the remainder of my Nescafe Gold Espresso.
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Conceptually, the swap should have been as easy as the elimination of cocoa powder and dissolution of espresso powder into the specified quantity of hot water. Fuming due to familial dysfunction, I had forgotten to measure the precise amount of instant coffee used. Amidst my hot-headed state, I had likely also forgotten to compensate removal of cocoa powder with additional AP flour.

The modified ingredient list was as follows:
  •  ̶1̶2̶0̶ g  → 170 g AP flour
  •  ̶5̶0̶ ̶g̶ ̶c̶o̶c̶o̶a̶ ̶p̶o̶w̶d̶e̶r̶
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 100 g granulated sugar
  • 120 g hot water
  •  ̶1̶/̶2̶  → 3 tsp espresso powder
  • 120 g milk
  • 50 g oil * I used canola
  • 1 egg
​
Yield: 9 standard muffins
Sunday's recipe would supposedly produce 25 mini cupcakes. Adapting the formula for a standard-sized muffin tin, I achieved a total of nine cupcakes. These would baked at 375 F for 9 mins, then 350 F for 6 mins.

The absence of cocoa powder had initially spurred some reservations, for I was unsure whether the baking soda would have sufficient acid to aid in the leavening reaction. Then, in recalling that coffee is also acidic, these worries were buried promptly. The final products did not emerge alkalinic either - I was safe.
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A handful of the cupcakes featured pointy peaks beyond just the typical dome. These had likely been over-filled, causing raw batter to surge from the centre while baking.
The base of the cupcakes retained noticeable dampness even after baking and cooling, making the liners difficult to remove. In reviewing the cross-section, I'd observe the peculiar travel of air bubbles: the configuration was almost akin to the interior of Vietnamese honeycomb cake, being somewhat stringy instead of circular.
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​There was no hiding it: Coffee was lacking - nonexistent even. While the hue was appropriately brown, the profile was distinctly devoid of aroma. As anticipated, the cupcake itself was quite light, enabling elevation via addition of frosting (buttercream of ganache) or being maintained as a simple tea cake.
Excess matcha glaze did not overwhelm the creation, but nor did it create a cohesive profile. It merely flowed over the Halloween-themed liner, adhering to the exterior and shattering in any and all attempts to remove the inedible piece.

As far as production quality, I can confidently declare proper techniques and, consequently, proper visuals. Derelict is merely the presence of coffee - back to Sunday's roster it is.
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2) Peppermint Swirl Brownies

Variations of peppermint brownies is often a holiday favourite. Milder than candy cane-containing renditions, I set out to craft a two-toned specimen that could possibly constitute a candidate for the upcoming potluck.
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Frankly, Sunday Baking's Mochi Brownie recipe is too sweet for my liking. However, olive oil or neutral oil containing renditions aren't that much better. Having seen success in a swirled creation previously, I decided to formulate a Peppermint Swirl Brownie using Sunday's recipe as a guideline.

Using two eggs, the ingredient list was easy to halve. That said, results are never guaranteed when introducing modifications.

Sunday's original ingredient list is as follows:
  • 2 eggs
  • 110 g granulated sugar
  • 170 g dark chocolate (58%)
  • 65 g unsalted butter
  • 20 g cornstarch
  • 10 g cocoa powder
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Out & About #1037 | IKEA Hej Days, Red Sail Boat Bakery + Pacific Mall

9/22/2024

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Even before embarking on the day, I knew a strenuous schedule lay in store for me.

Adorning ahga-attire was mandatory. Of my many merchandise tees on hand, I sought out comfort in my thoroughly worn Eyes on You t-shirt, pairing jeans and sneakers to account for the round of errands that would precede the concert. BamBam's AREA 52 cap, the beaded Jinyoung bracelet from my coworker, and asymmetrical feather earrings would seal the look. I was now ready.
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​The Thai ahgase and I had agreed on a 12 PM meet-up at Yorkdale.
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While I departed late but arrived sooner than expected, she was not only late but further requested stopping for Starbucks before continuing. Despite my ceaseless concerns of the kiosk being amongst the slowest of all locations, she insisted on coffee. Meanwhile, my plans for us to collectively obtain coffee from IKEA would be delayed/dismissed. Lo and behold: the Starbucks app estimate was wrong and we hovered about the kiosk for an additional seven minutes before gradually descending back to the parking garage
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​When the drink was finally delivered, I asked the barista for an empty cup, causing him to glance over at the Thai ahgase's drink, thinking that we'd be sharing the drink. He warily handed me a Tall cup, to which I grimaced but did not pry further on the basis of time. Frankly, the size assumption was not appreciated; other locations would hand you a Grande cup in the case of water requests or ask whether a preferred cup size exists.
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Yorkdale was a driving monstrosity for those that do not frequent the area. Departing the garage, I realized that the 401 on ramps had changed location. Detouring about Dufferin, I eventually found my way towards Sheppard and continued to IKEA on local roads.

​September 22nd, which coincided with Jinyoung's birthday, would mark the third and final instance of the Swedish homeware store's Hej Days promotions.
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Truth be told: I was none too keen about back-to-back weekend visits. However, I was irritated that the items I had just purchased had gone on sale! Hej Days was, in essence, both an instigator and act of redemption for more Rykta bins.

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Out & About #1037 | BamBam BAMESIS Showcase Tour in Toronto

9/22/2024

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Read Part 1 HERE !
​A schedule had been released ahead of time, though, given the organizer's treacherous lack of planning to date, we had reservations towards whether events were to follow through as planned.
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Lineup for entry was slated to take place as early as 5:30 PM. By the time we pulled into the asphalt lot of Global Kingdom Ministries around 5:50 PM, a decent-sized crowd had clustered about the entrance. There were well over 50 people, we noted, which meant that those huddled up front consisted not only of SVIP attendees. As predicted, most were dressed in black and red, as to maintain consistency with the album colours of BamBam's latest album.
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​There was an abundance of parking and, of course, no need to pay. I pulled into one of many spots in the lot while the Thai ahgase continuously expressed her anxieties. Suggesting that she determine the answers to her ceaseless inquiries about tier categorization and queuing, I'd hover near my trunk to source the Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun from Red Sail Boat Bakery. The sweet-savoury parcel would constitute my (exceptionally early) supper.
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​I quickly wolfed down the bun before 6 PM, then joined the lineup. The round was, peculiarly, still warm, despite being contained in my cooler bag for a few hours. Perhaps it was hunger, but the bun was perceived as quite the delicious bite. Plenty of cha siu was found within the specimen, then laced with a delightful cookie crust. Featuring a surface sturdier than Akko, I needed not worry if I'd lose the topping while eating on the go; the bun was similarly sturdy, yet far from dense. We had a winner!
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The schedule had noted an entry time of 6 PM. But, as expected, we weren't ushered inside until at least 6:10 PM. SVIP ticket QR codes would be verified at the door; meanwhile, proof of VIP tickets would be dismissed.
Moving single-file between the double doors to the reception desk, we were provided red wristbands, BAMESIS lanyards with SVIP designations, a tour poster, and BamBam photocard of choice. Being amongst last ones in the queue, our choice of photocards was limited to two. That said, my complaints are few, for the quality of the bonus items was of a good caliber.
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VRS Production was unapologetically Filipino in every way possible, with not a single team member not displaying the signature cheesy tendencies. Photographers and videographers would capture the entry process of the fans, as well as the transition to the upper level for the fansign event.
It was with much relief that I found clean, brightly-lit corridors and bathrooms on the both the upper and lower levels of the building. I had envisioned a layout to be akin to Notre-Dame, wherein the seats were uncomfortable wooden benches and indoor plumbing facilities were nowhere in sight. The Thai ahgase scoffed, clarifying that Notre-Dame was a cathedral and that churches indeed possess bathrooms.
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​The location for the SVIP Fansign was a space no larger than the standard classroom. A table and tour poster were set up at the front of the room, lights positioned on either side. Fabric-lined chairs would be arranged some distance away from the table, in five rows of ten chairs each. After all, the SVIP upgrade was limited to just 50 VIP ticketholders.
We found ourselves filing into the last row, eyes glazing over a tour poster with sticky note instead of the BAMESIS albums we were promised. The team had apparently "ran out" of albums, thus supplemented the last two rows with "partial albums" and tour posters. The "partial" albums involved "sharing" a single album between two people, in which the CD could be signed by one and the photobook by another. Needless to say, this sent the last twenty unlucky fans into an uproar. The SVIP upgrade had promised a benefit of two albums, leading most, if not all, fans to refrain from brining their own copy from home.

These obvious frustrations prompted an interim resolution: Somehow from somewhere, more albums would emerge. Each SVIP ticketholder would be compensated with one full album; the second album would supposedly be shipped out after the show, though further details were not provided.
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Pens and sharpies would circulate the room to allow fans to write down their name for the fansign. We were informed that BamBam would copy the name - and/or message - on the sticky note onto the chosen page for signing. Also discussed was the procedure: Each SVIP ticketholder would be entitled to one minute of interactions with BamBam. Upon nearing the end of the time slot, a "15 seconds left" sign would be raised. This sign would then be flipped to reveal "Times Up" at the end of the sixty-second period.

"Wow!" I turned to the Thai ahgase with shock, "A whole minute!!"
​
Shortly after settling our album concerns, BamBam strode into the room without warning. By this point, it was 6:30 PM.
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​Each row would be summoned in sequence and instructed to queue along the side of the room. Then, one by one, the fans would be gestured towards the table and the timer would be started. Members of staff and local security hovered about the perimeter of the room, yet none invaded into the signing zone. In stark contrast to previously attended events, staff did not situate themselves between the artist and fans, nor did they touch/push/shove aggressively. One member of staff hovered next to BamBam, but the scene was otherwise very intimate and exclusive.

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Vancouver Ventures | DAY 4: Mango Cream Cake, Parker Place + BGM K-Pop Class

6/5/2024

 
Constructing celebration-worthy cakes while in vacationing has emerged as a priority over the recent years. Striving to craft a better product than my Layered Birthday Cake of instant coffee-infused sponge and Swiss meringue-stabilized whipped cream two years ago, I brought along a spatula and scraper.
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Approximately thirty minutes would pass before I had assembled all the tools in the kitchen. From the mini rechargeable scale to Pyrex mixing bowls to cooling rack, not a single item had evaded being wrapped in a plastic bag or plastic wrap - or both! 
Already accessible was the hand mixer I had procured during the last trip. The rest of the starting procedures merely involved readying my workstation - a step entirely omitted back home due to regular instances of baking.​

The aim was to outdo La Patisserie's airy mango cream cake using the tried-and-true formulas and techniques established since its sampling.
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The base would be none other than the "Perfect Chiffon Cake" from Sheldo's Kitchen. Tested throughout the years for layering and snacking purposes, it established its position in a recent execution of Mango Cream Cake that earned extravagant praise far and wide.

​A straightforward Chantilly cream, stabilized with just enough roux (read: an unmeasured amount likely averaging a tablespoon), would serve to frost the insides as well as the exterior.
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​Surprisingly enough, preparing the mangoes constituted the most challenging segment. Three ripe mangoes were peeled, diced, and shaved in advance of assembly. While this would often require no more than five minutes in my own kitchen, the roster of tools available to me were not suited towards heavy handling of produce. I would find myself switching between two dull peelers, a spreading knife and pointed paring knife duo, and a mini cutting board while fumbling with loose working gloves acquired from OOMOMO.

​The mangoes were discovered on the tart side of the spectrum, thus were soaked in a sugar syrup while other components were underway. Due to the length of the mangoes, two layers of shavings would be summoned to cover the entire cake. Exposed areas at the bottom were left as is, though later investigation informed me of the bakery tactics used to camouflage the gaps, namely piping cream along the circumference in the form of star-tipped trails.
​Cake scraps and leftover mango pieces were formed into scoop-able "sidekick" cakes. The sponge layers would be dressed with the simple syrup used for soaking, which had become mango-infused in the process. These containers would chill for significantly less time than the main cake, and were ready for consumption within the hour.
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​Most of the day had been spent baking, with only an intermission of frozen pizza for lunch.
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Out & About #1007 | P1Harmony [P1ustage H: UTOP1A] Tour in Toronto

5/24/2024

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My younger self would have scoffed at having to debate whether one should attend a concert or not - the answer was "obviously" yes.
But present-day me can no longer echo the strong opinion. I'm tired, derelict of rest, and burdened with far too many tasks to tackle in a humanly possible time frame. For every concert I'd choose to skip, I'd be conserving funds, relieving myself of the treacherous commute, and restoring time for completing chores and errands. And, as an added perk of declining GA shows, I'd no longer suffer from feet, shoulder, and back pain afterwards.
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​I won't lie: Leading up to the day of P1Harmony's UTOP1A tour stop in Toronto, I found myself dreading yet another commute downtown, instead of anticipating with enthusiasm. The sheer existence of the event had actually escaped me entirely; had it not been for my fellow concert-goer, I would have forgotten until reviewing my list of never-ending calendar appointments.
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​Just as I had planned to start preparing for the drive to the GO station, a phone call caused the process to come to a grinding halt. My attention was urgently needed to facilitate home happenings. Naturally, this delayed my departure by at least forty minutes.

Horrendous rush hour traffic posed another hurdle. With a high likelihood of missing the train, I opted to swerve into the closest plaza for an early dinner (and indoor plumbing facilities instead).
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​Located within the plaza was Tim Hortons, Rexall, Dollarama, cannabis shop, and gas station. At its southeast corner was the quietest of Subway locations. I entered to find empty tables, forceful gusts of air conditioning, and just two customers requesting takeout.
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​My pick would adopt a 6" Chimichurri Steak Sub utilizing a toasted Multigrain bun, melted cheese, pickled, tomatoes, black olives, and, of course, chimichurri sauce. The wrapped package would be presented to me in a matter of minutes, unsurprising given the nonexistent customer volumes.
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The meal was tasty, but nothing to write home about. Rather, I was more impressed with the washroom stalls. My observations could be biased given that the staff had just finished cleaning, but spotless, queue-free stalls were a much-appreciated feature, for I knew concert venues would not offer the same.
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​Crossing my way over to Clarkson, I learned of an intersection collision that had spurred chaos earlier. A tow truck was now on site. It seemed that a vehicle had attempted to turn left into oncoming traffic instead of working its way around a signalized intersection.
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​My arrival at Exhibition GO was not all lonely, for fellow K-Pop fans followed closely behind.

Coca-Cola Coliseum was a brief walk from the transit stop - and covered for the most part. Much to my relief, temperatures had returned to seasonal conditions: high teens with plenty of sun and breeze. Nevertheless, my concert attire would comprise of full-length pants (for I am neither a fan of rashes nor fellow transit riders brushing against bare knees) and a fleece-lined hoodie to combat venue and GO train A/C.
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​Entry into the facility was far swifter than I could have ever imagined! The entrance was fully staffed, yet not particularly menacing. After verifying my digital ticket, I was waved through security, skipping the bag check entirely. The security gate persisted with green lights, allowing me to bypass the inspection altogether. I needed not fret over my "oversized" choice of bag, nor whether I'd be given a hard time for the point-and-shoot nestled within it

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Out & About #988 | Oomomo Don Mills, Dal Pilates Session #4 + Pizza Maru

3/24/2024

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​Alternating at-home recovery and errand-running has proven somewhat sustainable for my Sunday schedule, particularly since sleeping early always seems ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ to be denied.

The first half of the weekend had been allocated towards chores, including cleaning until nearly midnight. Perpetually perplexing to me is how even the grandest efforts appear to bring about few physical improvements to the area, but I digress!
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My forever helper is not attuned to operating on EST, which usually results in delayed arrivals, and further delays due to my lack of punctuality.
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Shops at Don Mills had been designated as the first destination on the itinerary. We arrived at the asphalt lot just before 2:30 PM, at which point I exited from the vehicle to find surprisingly mild conditions and close to no residual ice masses after the previous day's heavy snowfall.
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​The two objectives of the visit had been The Body Shop's liquidation sale and Hazukido x Daan Go's collaboration space. When the fair trade beauty giant was discovered shuttered and vacated, we ventured along the other corridors within the retail plaza, noting new openings and persistent presences.
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​Hazukido and Daan Go's collaboration space was discovered far more compact than envisioned. The location was supposedly a dedicated facility for workshops and special events, though the limited number of tables, stacks of boxes along the perimeter of the seating area, and nonexistent selection of exclusive items deterred from a longer stay.
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​With little else of interest, we continued on our way following use of their indoor plumbing services.
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​Although a logistically odd choice, the Barber Greene Plaza had intentionally been planned as the second stop, in fear that my browsing partner would exceed my anticipated browsing period.
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    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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