Category: - Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger

Out & About #663 | Week #26 Quarantine Update Feat. Manitoulin Souvenirs

9/13/2020

There are 52 weeks in a year.
"...why yes, there are." may be your initial response. But the reason behind my utterance of the blatant obvious to draw attention to its midway point. With the conclusion of the current, we have officially spent half of those fifty-two weeks amidst a global pandemic - whether thriving or surviving, I shall reserve that for individual judgement.

The short week began with yet another Meet Fresh run, subsequently succeeded by a McChicken (that had been purchased in the absence of hot dog buns at the nearby grocer). Even at 50% sugar, the Wintermelon Tea with Taro Balls was excessively sugary, though the Dalgona Grass Jelly - also requested at 50% sugar - hit all the right notes of milky and sweet.

I shall profess that returning (or arriving, rather) to a physical workplace outside my non-ergonomic, at-home workspace for the first time in six months (!!!) did not come without tremendous tremors. My duties remained consistent, though the routine had shifted. The very fact that the outcome of the visit(s) would be unpredictable had induced extreme anxiety.

Though, such emotions are more often manageable than not. Brisk walks about the asphalt lot - it's not downtown after all - and pick-me-ups in the form of an espresso-harbouring Green Tea Frappuccino and warm, crumbly Oatmeal Cookie.

The first of many non-work-from-home days was particularly lengthy, despite the reduced commute. Creations of the week were essentially nonexistent, and suppers had largely been sourced from leftovers and the rare takeout order.

Out & About #659 | Week #23 Quarantine Update Feat. Cookies Galore

8/23/2020

"I can't say I've seen too much of that, to be honest." I utter absentmindedly while en route to badminton.
"But how many times have you even left the house?"
"...not many." I admitted after a brief pause.

And, quite frankly, I haven't suffered any significant repercussions from the lack of outdoor engagement.

Periods of tranquility throughout the work week have evolved into erratic grocery runs and weekly cooking mayhem, ̶p̶e̶r̶h̶a̶p̶s̶ ̶ oftentimes supplemented by a mid-week meat dish undertaking. In spite of the drastically reduced counts of social engagement, my working (-from-home) situation oddly doesn't feel all that distant.

I shall allow creations of the week to take the lead on this post. Beyond the truly essential behaviours of the average human - don't worry, I obtain my fair share of fresh air from daily garbage disposal. - I've found myself comprehensively compliant with the COVID protocols set forth by our three tiers of government.

1) Chocolate Chip Cookies - the Epicurious edition

Maldon Sea Salt - its name has been strewn about the blogosphere as the fundamental emblem of flaky salt. And having finally bitten the bullet for a half-sized packet of its smoked variation, I proceeded with the precise formula that summoned it: Level 3 Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Simultaneously converting the U.S. measurements into more universal metric measurements, I began to compile an academia-approved array of cookies. With the sole substitution of plain ol' melted butter for its slow-smoked cousin, the remainder of the ingredient roster remained consistent.
There were some minor discrepancies between the ten-minute comparison video and written recipe: 275 F instead of 300 F, 11 ounces of flour instead of the doubled amount of 22 ounces, omission of the chocolate-chopping, and the list goes on. For the frequent baker, the details weren't too troubling to determine by intuition. Having said that, my first batch at the low temperature of 275 F proved pasty and pale, devoid of the coveted golden hue associated with cookies. Moreover, it was as if the Maillard reaction hadn't occured at all.

To avoid the emergence of dull, flat discs, I opted to test three of my frozen dough balls in a madeleine-esque baking format, hitting with high heat to induce rising, then gradually reducing to ensure doneness. The result garnered the instant appeal of sweet, caramel-like aromas and a thick, crunchy cookie. Further tweaking is in process at the time of writing, for the ideal cookie consistency is still at large.

2) Roast Whole Chicken

Assembling a mental montage of don'ts from my previous foray of poulty defrosting, buttering, and temperature-checking, I plucked a headless creature of lighter weight and exempted it from the default freezer-chucking. Weighing in at just over three pounds, it was closer to SK's so-callled "city-sized" chicken, albiet sported a significantly thinner (and consequently less crispy) skin.

In place of schmaltzy cabbage were soft onions and chunks of starchy yellow potato instead, both roasted beautifully while half-basting in delicious, chicken-y juices.

Out & About #657 | Week #22 Quarantine Update Feat. Perfect Hawaiian Pizza

8/16/2020

Frozen pizza, instant noodles, and freezer dinners are three items that were once forbidden in my household. A rule imposed by none other than yours truly, the coronavirus pandemic has since led to the loosening of said reins.

Alas, a whopping twenty-two weeks into the work-from-home situation, I have succeeded in devising a food storage freezer plan. In addition to a sustainable system of sustenance supply, I have scavenged the World Wide Web for reliable dinner concepts, including a reputable recipe for pizza.

By this point, I have several editions of SK's Lazy Pizza Dough, from the ultra-thick 6-hour dough to thin crust, 24-hour slabs of user-induced dampness to the most recent 22-hour optimal Hawaiian. Familiarity has been achieved with sticky doughs and the imminent need to bake off pizzas as they are assembled.

Best enjoyed alongside crispy, cheesy 'zzas are solid red ales such as the highly patriotic Laker Red or invigorating Kirin First Press.

On the day where mall errands coincided with a Stuffies' promotional period at Square One, we swung by our complimentary mini Vanilla Bears and Blueberry Fish pastries. The shop had replaced Eva's Original Chimneys in the shared Concept space. Love Me Sweet's stall had also been vacated to make way for Yang Tea Shop.

Adorning their menu were also sundaes (think SomiSomi's ahboong) and sweet and savoury croissant taiyaki (bookmarked for a later visit to contrast against Snowy Village)

Neither of the two freebie varieties proved memorable. The blueberry jam encased within the fish was runny, but passable; not a far cry from that of my own, the sauce could easily be replicated with frozen blueberries and my trusty ol' jam - er, bread-maker. The Vanilla teddies were soggy shells housing a watery filling that was seemingly custard in hue. Exuding a barbaric profile of granulated sugar and false vanilla essence, the goopy, yellow solution only furthered its already meek structural integrity.

Out & About #653 | Week #20 Quarantine Update: Cooking Madness (Round 2)

8/2/2020

Several urgent tasks have led to a drop in interactions with the outside world.

Creaking open the fridge door to emptiness prompted my first foray into the world of UberEats, a foundationless service for those with reliable vehicle access. Yet, unforeseen circumstances arise from time to time: famine demands fulfillment. Alas, time is limited in the working world.

I surrendered my $2.49 delivery fee in exchange for Chipotle delivered straight to my workstation, accompanying me as I remainded embedded in meetings.

Beyond a compact dash for yogurt and milk, scarcely a moment had been spent submerged beneath the sun's rays.

Smile Tiger's Thunder Peel fueled my mornings in the caffeine department, while their Espresso Chocolate Chip Scone and Flourless Almond Chocolate Fudge Cookie were stories I wished would never end.

I shall not deny a greater dependence on the colourful cans gracing my top shelf. Highlights of the week were Seagram's Craft Cider and Lake of Bays' Red Ale - the former delectable without being overly sweet, and the latter zesty with a mild introductory note of hops.

Out & About #649 | Week #18 Quarantine Update Feat. Korea House

7/19/2020

Everything in moderation.
Wise words they are, for the previous week's unsound intake was anything but, and I thereupon reaped the consequences of such actions.

Clear broths, congee with furikake, plenty of fluids, and even the rare mid-day recharging session ensured a rapid recovery. And to appease a returning appetite was Wonton Chai, in all its Dace Fish Ball and Fried Fish Skin glory.

By mid-week, my body had expressed the green light for caffeine again. Henceforth, a St. Lawrence detour was added to the itinerary.

Since my previous visit, Third Wave had added two housemade soft serves to the menu: Pistachio Cardamom and Saffron Hazelnut Black Tea. It was obvious that I had been itching to try the duo since laying eyes on their Insta-update, not forgoing the ever-essential Espresso Lemonade.

Out & About #648 | Albion Hills Conservation Park

7/18/2020

In keeping with the positive vibes acquired from Canada Day's Scenic Caves nature pursuit in Collingwood, I had proposed a subsequent hike with a fellow July baby (yes, another one). It was, coincidentally, another semi-annual meetup.

My original destination of Kortright - a name made familiar with while researching Maple Syrup Fest - was closed due to the pandemic, thus shifting the focus to other TRCA lands. Between the Nashville Conservation Reserve and Albion Hills Conservation Park, I settled on the latter out of consideration for its seemingly larger area of exploration.

High levels of humidity had been predicted for the day, though thunderstorms were, thankfully, at bay.

Setting out from opposite ends of the GTA, we converged at a nearby McDonald's for a late lunch (which was really intended to be "just lunch", but delayed due to tardiness to which I own complete responsibility). A McChicken and Spicy Habanero Chicken (not mine, clearly) later, we began the twenty-minute-ish drive north.

Admission fees were but a small chunk of Scenic Caves' at $6.50 per adult. That said, signage was extremely minimal - near nonexistent, really - and so were members of park staff. I pulled into the first parking lot to appear, with my partner-in-crime following suit. The supposed "Trail Access" vanished with the departures from our respective vehicles. Hopping back into the driver's seat(s), we proceeded to travel upon other barely labelled routes, eventually reaching staff-only areas and a dead end. It wasn't until we accidentally pulled onto the campground area that directions were obtained from two friendly cyclists.

Nearly thirty minutes following our arrival, the starting point of one trail was found at long last. It wasn't the trail I had planned to undertake, though it mattered not by this point; I was merely glad to finally disembark and start the adventure.

Source: Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Albion Hills Summer 2020 Trail Map
File Size:	622 kb
File Type:	pdf

The dusty gravel lot housed only a handful of vehicles. Surrounding the area were several picnic tables, all sufficiently distanced. For the vast majority of our trek, not a single human was witnessed. Accompanying us on the journey instead was the force of Mother Nature: agonizing dry heat, obsolete tree cover, unkempt paths laden with weeds, and as many flying/skittering/crawly creatures as fathomable.

Even at the early point of entry, our fate had been foretold.

The burdensome weight on my back had been in vain, for views were dismal and insects were rampant. Maneuvering at arguably peaceful speeds rendered us targets for blood-sucking, and halting for swift snapshots was far worse. Commencing at marker no. 45, we plodded along the narrow grooves, constantly searching for indication that we had not strayed from the proper path. Much like the start of our journey, signage was extremely minimal; black and yellow arrows affixed to stout wooden poles served to guide us, though there was more than one occasion where a fork in the road coexisted with only one sign.

We headed in the direction of a river, which ultimately reared itself as an incredibly still strip of murkiness - an opaque beige of filth and other organic compounds. Stumbling upon a shaded strip of shrubbery, we somehow managed to catch a glimpse of a blueish reflective surface - water. Beyond the a barbed wire fence was a wider section of the river, and beyond that a single accomodation and connecting grade-separated roadway.

Out & About #643 | Week #15 Quarantine Update Feat. Third Wave + Mall Runs

6/28/2020

A gustatory experience is a sensory undertaking - one that ought to be anticipated, savoured, and then relished in the subsequent moments.

The act of devouring corresponds to the presumption of pleasure, oftentimes boasting an inversely proportional relationship to rate of consumption.

Imagine a world without appetite.
Devoid of desire, dereft of drive, and dearth of delight - the mere contemplation renders shudders down my spine.

To succeed as an entity offering fare for the people, one must first define a niche market. The next step is to grasp an understanding of the demographic, their baseline, and inclination towards dispense of disposable income. In today's class of Basic Business, we shall review a case (study) of two cafés - one notably new to the St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the other established in East York.

mon K is a longtime occupant of its primarily residential district, offering Japanese-inspired French pastries in a cozy coffee shop context. Parking is an anxiety-inducing nightmare for driving disciplines, and, while available, is subject to payment by the meter. The patisserie is as renowned for their elaborate cakes as their dissent of credit cards; cash and debit are the preferred methods of money exchange, though e-transfer is also offered (no PayPal here).
The pastry selection is quite vast, spanning from macarons to complex dome desserts. A similar approach was adopted for the beverage menu, though it sufficed to say that there was but a single row that succeeded in instigating appeal.

Service was lacklustre on both occasions, as was the quality of the $2.95 twelve-ounce cups containing what couldn't possibly be Iced Coffee, the meek paper straws, abhorrent abundance of ice, and weak, watery profile indicative of the staff's commitment to customer satisfaction. Regrettably, the bakery items revealed no distinct difference: overpriced, soggy, and bearing atrociously minimal filling was the Pistachio Custard roll; relentlessly sugary to a fault was the $5.95 Mont Blanc. T'was indeed an 이불킥 moment for yours truly.

As the sole physical retailer for Momo Tea, I had considered bestowing upon the patisserie second chance, yet it was just one more than deserved. The experience was anything but endearing, leaving behind an unequivocally negative impression.

Stomachs filled but contentment levels unquenched, an alternative named Third Wave Coffee was sought out.

Out & About #639 | Week #12 Quarantine Update

6/7/2020

I'm an advocate of simplifying matters. You know, like math. Drama fits best in media productions, dispensable in daily life and enjoyed as a form of entertainment instead. I also believe in unique opinions. Everyone can have opinions; whether you choose to voice them is up to one's own discretion. Silence is not synonymous with a lack of awareness, and furthermore warrants no personal attacks. Neither one to condemn expression or suppression, it is my belief that sharing opinions in the absence of agreement is absolutely fine.

Moving onto a lighter note - as should we all with negative news popping up left and right - allow me to present several creations of the week:

1. Egg Salad with Pickled Celery

I shall forewarn about my auntie-esque attributes: Scoring two stalks of celery for $2.59 was my most glorious grocery-running moment last week. This boast-worthy endeavour was then quickly put to use with none other than the first recipe to emerge under SK's "celery" category. Shallots were an unexpectedly wonderful touch; Dijon mustard was swapped for wasabi and boiled potatoes were added for substance.

2. Matcha Madeleine w/ Milk Chocolate Matcha Glaze

French pastries adopt very precise shapes, with very specific contours, which, in turn, demand very particular apparatus. At the mention of brown butter, my mind tends to drift towards financiers (Third Wave's financier, to be exact), then to my own attempt, and then to the possibility of crafting financiers in madeleine molds (how sacrilegious! I know, I know.)

Of course, the traditional madeleine does not employ brown butter as a staple ingredient, but rather baking powder and a decent amount of patience - an aspect I cannot pride myself with possessing. The need for uniform portioning and additional wait time for glaze-setting were other elements that led to pastry's hedgehog-back demise.

At least, there was pizza to save the day (feat. a pizza paddle acquired nearly half a decade prior and promptly forgotten upon its entry into the house).

3. Ginger Blueberry Soda w/ Homemade Blueberry Jam

This was enjoyed while hermitting indoors, unboxing a much-needed package from Nature Republic and securely shielded from the repulsiveness that is thirty-degrees-plus-humidity weather.

4. Soy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Out & About #635 | Interpreting DAY6 "Zombie"

5/15/2020

Monday comebacks, with the exception of GOT7's, prove tricky acts to support. The influx of emails, paired with abrupt realization of imminent meetings, tend to prevail over 8 AM live showcases. My roster of Not By The Moon promotions remain unresolved, while indulgence in ASTRO's Knock activities are slowly but surely underway.

Prior to the release of third instalment in The Book of Us, DAY6 announced a hiatus from promotions due to health and anxiety issues. The situation was unforeseen, especially given that the news had circulated within 24 hours of the drop of "The Demon".

Five days of on-and-off screenwork later, I finally had the opportunity to familiarize myself with Zombie.

It was dark.
Dark red makeup with bluish undertones to replicate bruised flesh.
Dark and tiny was the ̶s̶e̶t̶ room, seemingly teeming with torturous tension.
Dark was the aura emitted from the hallucination-like post-production effects.
But darkest of all were the lyrics to the song - radiating one's deepest, dreariest deliberations towards living, or the mere thought of not.

Zombie depicted emptiness in the eeriest way thinkable, as if the world no longer held happiness.

"Though I want to just dream on. / 꿈꾸도 싶어도"
"Tomorrow will be no different. / 내일도 다를 것 없이"
"Give me back my tears, they’ve run dry. / 마른 내 눈물을 돌려줘"
"I live counting the time 'til I close my eyes. / 그저 잠에 들기만을 기다리며 살아"

Out & About #634 | Mother's Day 2020

5/10/2020

Precision of the mind is not interchangeable with precision of the body.

I've never had issues with numbers or simple plug-and-chug formulae, and am proud to declare that even differential equations made sense at one point. Physical dexterity, however, is a different beast altogether.

Dainty decorations and steady handiworks are regular endeavours of orangecane and other like-minded artfolk, whose acquired aptitudes prove handy in situations demanding patience and painstaking meticulousness.

I won't hesitate to admit that I missed the cake preorder dates for Mother's Day. Although, I also didn't hesitate to offer an alternate in the form of a request fulfillment. "A buttercream cake - with loads of cream and plush portions of sponge" was the presented challenge.

"Ideally coffee-flavoured" was my last instruction notice.

Consulting the "divine ruler of the kitchen" - orangecane's words, not mine - I proceeded to assemble my baking pans for a tri-layer treat. It was, undoubtedly, my most extravagant undertaking since the ultra-dense, six-layer potluck tower four months prior.

The 1-2-3-4 cake was simple enough, especially after I had taken the liberty of converting to metric units (for the sanity of my digit-dominant brain). My sole deviation from the formula was a generous sprinkling of Maxwell House, because "too much coffee" is not a statement to rear its head in my household.

Layered Mocha Cake (A Rough Recipe)
File Size:	292 kb
File Type:	pdf

Cakes cooling and dinner prep completed, I began whipping up the frosting - in the most literal sense possible.
Buttercream would have proved pipeable, for those looking to decorate dramatically. But butter is rare to come by these days. And there was enough butter in the cakes.

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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