Category: - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #694 | Week #49 Quarantine Update Feat. Ssamjang-Honey Drumsticks + Almond Cookies

2/21/2021

Upon entering a New Year, we are often graced with words of advice, usually centred around the common themes of being humble, selfless, and considerate. Yet, too soon are these concepts forgotten by majority of the population.

To merely be alive, healthy and breathing, is a blessing in itself, yet time and time again am I reminded of innate human greed. For what reason(s) does a hollow longing draw benefit? Why is reality so clear, and so obscure at the same time?

The GTA has received two heavy rounds of snowfall this past week, accounting for a grand total of 50 cm (and more in the norther regions); more is anticipated, unsurprisingly.
My body regrets engaging in the arduous manual labour, with sprained wrists and and aching muscles reminding me of my physical limitations. However, avoidance is not an option, especially not when access to food is on the line. It is with gratefulness that I regard the climate thus far, for any conditions above -30 degrees is a delight to my cracking fingers.

Creations of the week included:

1) Steamed Taro and Black Sesame Buns

Using previously made taro-coconut milk paste and plain ground toasted black sesame seeds, two variations of steamed baos were born. The dough was sought from Bake for Happy Kids, naturally, and emerged perfectly plush: they were absolutely fluffy, even with my unscripted addition of coconut milk.

To replicate the material properties of a bamboo steamer, a tea towel was secured about the lid to maintain smooth, plump surfaces free from condensation. This additional step also assisted in keeping wrinkly, greyish surface tints at bay.

Due to inept wrapping skills - tangyuan déjà vu - the fillings were enclosed in the upper third of the bun, causing crack propagation during the steaming process. In hindsight, considering the path of heat permeation, I should have opted to situate the filling within the lower third instead. The sesame filling, unaltered with the exception of softened butter, was far too crumbly and bland, though the taro paste - too sweet on its own - served nicely in this composition.

2) Taco-Style Pork w/ California blend mixed veggies served over Chorizos La Abuela tortilla
Omitting chili powder and red pepper flakes for a milder mix of garlic powder, ginger powder, and paprika ensured a consumption process free of runny noses.

Out & About #688 | Week #44 Quarantine Update Feat. Savoury Shallot Buns

1/17/2021

In the past, I despised change. By no means do I encourage it in all its forms on a continual basis, but, suffice to say, I view it with less aversion.
There once was a certain irrationality about altering an existing system, one that functioned fine as is, though could have incorporated greater flexibility (not that I'd ever admit). It was with time that I adopted a desire for evolution - to contemplate possibilities beyond those presented in hopes of providing upgrades in efficiency and efficacy.

For this reason, it puzzles me that there are those opting to reverse the process, oversimplifying matters with no visible benefit to society while in complete disregard of accessible, proven information. As I formed this sentence, a few select individuals emerged in my mind, as several ought to have for any given reader; it's a common flaw to filter the facts that fail to align with the subjective ideal state.

Over the years, I've moderated the Blast with Sensory details. Beginning with over-mixed sweet potato cookies (I gag.) to the crafting of fanboards - bare of any knowledge on electrical wiring - to the recipes I now scale and adapt as needed, the Hero's Journey has fostered judgement, as well as its appropriate placement in varying circumstances.

Needless to say: It's an ongoing process.

1) Savoury Shallot Bun

As I munched on my final few Garden Spring Onion Pop-Pan Crackers, the idea of a savoury bun began to cultivate in my mind, rather abstractly I may add. These thoughts receded shortly afterwards as I grew distracted with 炒米餅 recipes, yet resurfaced at the sight of rotting shallots in the pantry.

Working June-style, I managed to salvage a small portion of the bulbs - an amount just decent enough for infusing into hot oil as my Pantry Quiche was setting. Some asymmetrical sections of luncheon meat had also been set aside during this process, diced finely, then pan-fried until crispy.

Out & About #686 | The Decade Turns One

1/1/2021

Happy New Year!

Another 365 (+1) days have passed us by, and we've arrived at yet another period of sappy recaps. (But is there even anything to recap?) The last nine months have likely been as vague for me as any other human requiring to interact with the outside world, with the COVID virus and its prominent, indefinite presence.

A time of reflection comes with each year's end, but rather than recounting those that rouse regret and resentment, the approach ought be constructive. Too soon have I noticed those on the interweb bidding riddance to the year of 2020; optimism should be carried forward, but not without comprehensive review of the year's happenings.

Over the course of the pandemic, the global community has been stretched with no expected end in sight. Majority of occupations were shifted to that of a virtual working environment, with the exception of the essential services that support our lives silently in the background. And the non-essentials, some of which I shall not deny contempt of, dissolved - either out of lack of need or lack of financial support. The shift towards electronic processes for municipal and provincial services were well overdue, yet materialized only in the wake of a crisis.

But, as a civilization, we are dynamic creatures, adaptable and resilient in the face of change. The show must go on.

I'll admit it:
I missed experiencing work life in the flesh, whether it entailed office-bound overtime or not.
I missed the opportunities to engage with members of my social circle, whether we were on tight terms or not.
I missed outings that didn't involve running back to the house because I had forgotten a mask.
I missed the potential trip to see GOT7's domestic anniversary concert.

Most importantly, I missed the daily activities we took for granted. Every instance was a privilege, from every step to every living breath. Mere survival is already an opportunity. COVID couldn't depict more clearly that having health is having wealth.

Throughout these "trying times", I blamed not once the incarnation of such a lethal bug. In a society employing the survival of the fittest, our fate alters only with the actions we choose to execute, irrelevant of third-party stimulants. We, as a species, are given two options: live to learn, or learn to live.

From here, the only way is up, up the knowledge chain on a quest to conquer coronavirus and re-instate the activities we loved and will love again.

Out & About #682 | St. Jacobs Farmers' Market

12/19/2020

Holiday markets are as customary of the Christmas season as hot chocolate with mini marshmallows.

I miss it all - even the subzero jitters and consequential chilly cheeks, even the trembling fingertips and joule-generating antics. Without these elements, winter festivities just seem...a little less festive.

Which I suppose is a fair declaration for the ninth consecutive month of COVID co-existence in the human realm.

Venturing beyond the boundaries of Peel, Toronto, and York, I suggested a trip northwest. The St. Jacobs Farmers' Market had been excluded from our Kitchener drive during the summer due to lack of time, yet was rightfully re-instated this time around. Fully compliant with provincial guidelines, the market enforced masking and further guided visitors using directional arrows both inside and out of the market buildings.

View the full album HERE !

Parking was complimentary and frankly quite close to the Farmers' Market and surrounding structures. We pulled in just after noon, at which point damp flurries began to descend.

Out & About #681 | Week #39 Quarantine Update Feat. In A Bowl

12/13/2020

Nine months into the coronavirus pandemic, it is likely for the population to have entered countless phases of highs and lows, with higher highs and lower lows in between: turmoil, followed by acceptance, adjustment, and compliance, then optimism, and ultimately the current phase of restlessness.

Even in the face of these fluid circumstances, perhaps you've registered one new skill (or even more!) onto your roster of capabilities. Perhaps you learned that technology is an enabler of equal opportunity, rather than an unspoken barrier buried within the generation gap. Perhaps you thank your local grocery store cashier now, for it's dawned upon you that their societal role is fraught with danger. And perhaps you've grown more modest, more humble, and more respectable.

Speaking from a personal note, I've conquered my fear of bread-kneading and raw meat-handling. I've explored a larger quantity of cookie recipes than I've ever had the luxury to in the past. I've established an effective method of communication with coworkers, where misunderstandings can be kept to a minimum even without facial expressions in play.

Without a doubt, I've learned more than enough about my own poor posture, all whilst conjuring innovative workarounds to technical travesties.

Creations of the week were few, given the looming work deadline ahead. For the most part, I resorted to simple snacks to refuel. Allocating a portion of dough from the Everything Bagel attempt and incorporating roughly chopped semisweet chocolate yielded a ready-to-bake batch of chocolate chip cookies. I've also grown particularly fond of Lindt's seasonal Peppermint Cookie truffles and Chocolate Mousse cups, which are constructed from two ingredients and nothing more.

My Black Friday order of couvertures included callets from Callebaut and hexagonal Lindt Piccoli plates. While I have yet to determine superiority, it can be concluded that both varieties are delicious and diverse, suitable for suitable for an assortment of applications.

Callebaut's Velcro-esque bag closure was an added bonus feature.

Alas, I have yet to confirm a foolproof formula for chocolate mousse. Stay tuned as I modify the ratios with each iteration.

Long, grueling hours on the laptop oddly spurred a desire for granola. Yet, with none available, I settled for a standard slice of toast then proceeded with its creation, haphazardly if I may add. The ceaseless vibrations and meeting alerts had me frazzled and led to the omission of a binder. In my haste, egg white had been forgotten; the result was crumbly and ridiculously greasy, with bitter, charred raisins to boot. Nonetheless, it was a crunchy batch - even passable, dare I say, when paired with vanilla yogurt.

To commend myself for yet another torturous period of report-compilation, I bestowed upon myself the opportunity for fresh air.

Out & About #678 | POLAR Drive at Pearson Airport

11/27/2020

Tradition and flexibility can go hand-in-hand. There's no reason why they shouldn't.
As far as celebrations are concerned, does it really matter that the exact same route isn't being taken to reach the same objective? Thinking rationally, a specific occurrence is a result of a plethora of factors, beyond the handful that are visible to the naked eye. Matter is constantless, so embrace the change and all that accompanies it.

Christmas festivities were cancelled this year due to the obvious reason that COVID-19 remains rampant in our community, as well as the entirety of the GTHA. For the first time in five years, I won't be making my annual trip to the Toronto Christmas Market, nor will my schedule be brimming with long overdue hangouts. My holiday itinerary is anticipated to be comparatively less hectic than other years, and, truthfully, for the sake of humanity, so should yours.

Outsourcing festive entertainment with those in one's immediate household isn't a challenging task though. Building off innovation and a smidgen of unconfined creativity, POLAR was born. The multi-level parking building on Viscount Road was re-purposed into a drive-thru light exhibit, open for scheduled visits on a per-vehicle basis. The lockdown status of Toronto and Peel Region had not hindered the event's operation, though it was assumed that those riding in the same vehicle belonged to one household. Driver's licences were not verified, only proof of purchase.

Absolutely enthralled at the opportunity to temporarily escape work and my all-too-familiar indoor surroundings, I had taken to purchasing Early Bird Tickets two weeks prior. Multiple email reminders filled my inbox leading up to the day of, inclusive of protocol/conduct reminders and the absence of on-site bathrooms.

Our visit was scheduled for POLAR's first day of operation. Upon exiting the highway, illuminated tunnels were visible from underneath the Hwy 409 bridge on Viscount Road. Signage was present as soon as the Google Maps navigation terminated.
Cars would file into the area, tickets would be checked, and visitors would be directed to four different queues. There, one would reside for nearly twenty minutes before being directed to a winding, single-file line to enter the premises. Our timed ticket had been specified for the period of 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, thus we joined the lineup at 5:45 PM, precisely making the fifteen-minute buffer suggested in the FAQ. It was later discovered that the time stamp barely mattered. "Everyone is just coming in and lining up." we were told by one of the staff members.

By the 6:10 PM mark, enough suspense had been sustained. We gradually inched closer to the gate, where 90.9 POLAR FM was activated and warning signs for attendees to remain within their vehicle at all times emerged. Around 6:20 PM, we entered the parking garage, cheering from the comfort of our vehicle in quite possibly the most enthusiastic manner one could ever exhibit while entering a parking garage.

Entry on the first level was controlled by two grim-looking members of staff sporting hi vis vests and traffic advisor light bars, one positioned at each end of the first tunnel. As the car in front of us disappeared from view, we were permitted to traverse through the fairly dim first segment lined with promotional banners.
Rounding the corner, we caught sight of the first attraction: a spectacular tunnel with illuminated with bold light strands along its inner perimeter. With each step of the way, the lights would flash - sometimes white, sometimes blue - yielding a different perspective.

At the conclusion of this attraction was another member of staff, from whom we awaited direction prior to advancement. The next attraction featured a serene cobalt theme with winter wonderland-esque installations such as carousel horses and faux snow-decked trees.

Out & About #673 | Dave & Busters Oakville + Chi-Mac by Song Cook's

10/27/2020

One of my fondest childhood memories involves Pokémon - the original 150(+1) to be exact. I owned not a single handheld gaming console, though was an avid enthusiast of the N64 system renowned amongst 90s youngsters. Further positive flashbacks can be derived from the Mario Kart mini-games, where shell-throwing and ramp-racing constituted perfectly normal acts in the quest for balloon accumulation.

This affection for games later led to fascination with RPG games in my tween years and frequent arcade visits post days of license acquisition. Impromptu Playdium visits were not uncommon practice in my regular hangouts, but at-home gaming was no longer a pastime I found myself investing in. It seems the opposite effect has affected the masses amidst the coronavirus pandemic; yet, in-person face-offs remain the most appealing for me. Human interaction is scarce these days, and I shall eagerly latch onto the opportunities that chance me by.

In response to Peel Region'sreversal into a modified Stage 2 and Halton's maintenance of Stage 3, my extremely belated birthday plans were shifted towards the west end of the GTA, where Dave & Buster's replaced The Rec Room for our dose of friendly arcade competition.

The Oakville location appeared larger than the Vaughan outpost, or appeared in such a manner given the spacious arrangement of the games floor. Much like The Rec Room, attendees were required to complete a sign-in sheet with name and phone number details, though were not subject to symptom screening. Labelled glasses were used to distinguish between "used" and "clean" pens for peace of mind; disposable gloves and sanitizer were also situated at various stations throughout.

We strode past relatively densely-populated dining booths before finding ourselves amongst the flashing displays of simulation and redemption games. Noteworthy was the sheer variety of available attractions: beyond the inclusion of both DDR (malfunctioning at our time of visit) and Pump It Up platforms, D&B was also home to several games I had yet to witness in other establishments. Among these was a single-player module employing a VR headset, which we opted against trying for obvious health reasons.

Bathrooms were pristine and wait times were essentially nonexistent. Admittedly, the price per ticket is atrociously steep. This, presumably, bears a direct correlation to the quality of goods within the prize cabinet. Two visits' worth of points would have been adequate in earning oneself an avocado-shaped wireless charger at D&B, yet the equivalent of a dusty pack of Nerds at Playdium.

As it neared the 8:30 PM mark, we declared that dinner could wait no longer.

Prior to the incarnation of the space, I had visited Song Cook's on a handful of occasions. The most prominent in my memory are the dim ambience and partitioned dining floor. Returning to the tiny storefront nearly six years later, it dawned upon me that the restaurant had undergone extremely few modifications. The interior was precisely have I had remembered, as was the layout. Perhaps the only departure from the original Song Cook's was dual title of "Chi-Mac", which consequently broadened the menu with several saucy Korean fried chicken options. Naturally, the change summoned an advantage over nearby eateries such as The Fry and Sikgaek, which also offers indulgent, modern Korean cuisine.

Out & About #672 | Week #32 Quarantine Update Feat. Halloween Cookies

10/25/2020

With cooler weather upon us, it is only natural to drift in the direction of warm, cozy lattes and steaming mugs of cider. Naturally, cold brew production has also lessened, either being substituted with pourovers hot espresso-based beverages or acting to supplement mid-day cookie cravings.
The opportunity has, in turn, enabled me to try my hand at microfoam art, yet again witnessed with minimal success.

Remnants of the previous week's Oatmeal Bread and Pigs in a Blanket were devoured promptly. A Coconut Cream Einspänner reared its head in response to leftover AROY-D, much to the approval of orangecane.

CoCo was acquired from the location nearest me. New masks were tested by Larry.

Halloween fast approaching, I took upon the mission of obtaining black cocoa powder for undecided creative endeavours. Any previous attempts to locate Dutch press cocoa powder at the local grocer had been in vain; seeing that Amazon seemed even less economically-prudent for the ingredient, I sought out a local wholesaler in the east end of the city.

McCall's was further from any POI than I could have anticipated. Firmly nestled in a series of brick-and-mortar commercial buildings, which were, interestingly enough, not that far from the paintball destination of nearly two years prior, was their extremely modest side entrance and "parking lot".

Out & About #668 | Apple Factory (COVID-19 Edition)

10/5/2020

We ultimately could not forego the annual Apple Factory visit. Despite the worries surrounding staggering case counts in the northern parts of Peel, we proceeded with the tradition, vowing to dash in then dash out.

On an early Monday afternoon, both the roads and store interior proved relatively peaceful. We pulled into an asphalt lot that was, without a doubt, the least festive it's ever been in the past four plus years. From the entrance had the haystack and scarecrow display vanished. Even the Apple Jamboree had taken a "Social Distancing" break for the time being.

Only a handful of customers were spotted within the store, primarily stationed in the checkout line and separated by the length of shopping cart. Social distancing stickers were placed along the pie counter, though arrows had not been deployed to promote one-way movement.

Ticking off the items on the list, we maneuvered first to the produce section. Evaluating the apple varieties on display, a couple proceeded to enter our zone of safety and remain within it, oblivious to raised, furrowed eyebrows. Their constant presence persisted throughout our visit, seemingly pausing to poke at various items for the sake of dallying. Beyond backtracking their steps, the duo had navigated uncomfortably close to us at several instances. This lack of awareness and commonplace pandemic etiquette came across as shocking, especially as residents from a comparatively safer district of the region.

We secured a 3L jug of Apple Cider, as per the norm. The Apple Factory's produce is atrociously pricey, however I insisted on some Cortland apples to take home. At $9.99 per bag, it was a reasonable fee to compensate the proposed social distancing apple-picking trip that never happened. And, as suspected, pie-making is the ultimate rationale for this splurge.

Out & About #667 | Week #29 Quarantine Update Feat. Autumn Attributes

10/4/2020

Fall hath befallen in the GTA with decidedly toasty temperatures last week, discouraging lunchtime walks altogether. As we inch towards Thanksgiving weekend, temperatures have plummeted, and with it came dull, grey skies and dreary rainfall.

Much to my pleasure, skies remained clear during my in-office days. Gentle breezes also yielded conditions suitable for speed walking.
From a distance, I gazed at the huddle of red-orange-tan nestled between the unkept shrugs and azure, You Are-esque skies, anticipating the arrival of upcoming hikes.

Combatting a global pandemic is no simple task, as it has been displayed clearly over the past twenty-eight weeks. Those that abide the law as respectful citizens carry on with their everyday business, simultaneously searching for alternatives in the face of obstacles. Unsurprising is the fact that many have engaged more frequently in indoor activities - be it cooking, cleaning, or home renovations. With the sudden increase in usage, I found my household appliances to grow weary at an unpredictable pace. The abrupt breakdown of my ice maker prompted temporary reversion to silicon trays, while kettle issues led to immediate investment of a replacement. Thankfully, online shopping exists in the age of technology and information.

One of my first purchases of the week was the Jumbo Taro Milk Shaved Ice from Meet Fresh. The fifteen-dollar dessert had consistently occupied a spot in my mind since its introduction, thus I set out for procurement of the exclusive item, along with their coveted Herbal Tea.

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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