Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger
  • ~ Home ~
  • ~ What I Think ~
  • ~ What I See ~
    • Events
    • Food
    • People
    • Places
  • ~ What I Make ~
  • Blog Series
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer

Out & About #818 | Unpacking Visuals Feat. GOT7 + orderlyblue

6/18/2022

0 Comments

 
It was only natural that, given the amount of new material acquisitions, I would spend the following days nonstop unpacking. Luggage was emptied, souvenirs were sorted, purchases were organized, and laundry was completed.
Picture
Picture
During this procedure, I also unveiled a delightful assemblage of artwork from orderlyblue.
​Beyond being a friend of mine since the Before We Begin Vancouver stop, she is a flourishing artist, teacher, and entrepreneur in her own right. To declare my pride in her is an understatement; she is young but intrepid, and contemplative but resolute.
Picture
Prior to the Lynn Canyon trip, I had expressed interest in supporting her craft, to which she responded enthusiastically.
Her stunning creations, meticulously sealed in individual sleeves and bubble-wrapped for extra protection, were finally revealed upon reaching home. Delicate, precise linework, harmonious colours, impressive innovation, and astounding attention to detail were witnessed in each and every piece. 
Picture
Despite being able to appreciate the extensive effort that is contributed to the creative process and its incarnation for consumption, rarely am I to spend hours viewing art. But orderlyblue's work were those I wished to continue gazing upon, those that I found joy within.

Friends and family were quick to express similar thoughts as I. Follow-up purchases are intended to be made.
Picture
Picture
​I was also in awe at the souvenirs that she had obtained for me from her recent trip to Hawaii. The first was an adorable fridge magnet, in which the magnet was embedded inside of the wooden design itself, rather than affixed to the outside with oozing adhesive. The second was a lucky cat pin slurping ramen, and on the bowl showed the islands of Hawaii.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Amongst the largest voids emerging throughout the trip were: a distinct lack of Larry and the convenience of a personal vehicle, for door-to-door trips that could take whenever my heart desired.

I proceeded to satisfy the first of these longings immediately after being relieved of the aircraft grime. Larry, along with both sizes of Sulleys, had undergone deep cleansing rituals in my absence. Radiating from them were fragrant clouds of cleanliness, along with noticeable boosts in fluffiness.
Picture
Picture
​With luggage cases zipped up for storage, I moved onto the next item on my list: packages.

Three copies of GOT7's revolutionary comeback EP - and one unfathomably thick copy of W Korea - had arrived within the first week of my West Coast excursion. One copy was none other than my travel buddy's, the Thai ahgase.
Picture
Picture
Picture
News of the heavenly heptet's return as seven had already been a blessing for us all. For them to expand beyond digital releases and attend group schedules was another degree of elation altogether, whether we be observing the process in person or not.

At long last, my fingers would glide over a physical album, over lyrics that each member had thoughtfully assembled with the sole intention of "repaying" ahgases. Truthfully, our patience needed no compensation, for once an ahgase is always an ahgase.
​GOT7 is home, after all.
Picture
I was particularly impressed by the lyric translations included for each song: English, (Simplified) Chinese, and Thai - the primary languages spoken by the fandom.

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Vibes | DAY 1: (Pt 2) Exploration, Wushiland Boba + Richmond Centre

5/30/2022

0 Comments

 
Read Part 1 HERE !
​One of the first things to emerge from the awestruck demeanour of the Thai ahgase was that the city seemed reminiscent to a different country, that it didn't feel like Canada anymore.
Picture
​Naturally, I was surprised to hear this, for I lay eyes on a similar enough setting each time I return. The SkyTrain platforms are, admittedly, a dissimilar setup to that of the TTC, or even the designated path of the Mississauga Transitway, but the transit system in itself is still very much reflective of suburban Canada.

We found an impressive number of budding flowers along our path: striking, saturated, and worthy of marvelling. Black and grey bunnies were another common sighting in Richmond, even on my solo treks after the Thai ahgase's return.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​After analyzing our hotel situation (microwave not found, but mini fridge confirmed), we drifted onto the streets once more for continued exploration. A trip to So'O Salon was made to obtain a quote for my desired hair transformation. At hearing the duration and cost, my travel buddy stood, mouth agape. Despite initial considerations of her own appointment, the thought was banished given the prospect of her short-lived vacation.
Picture
Picture
In response to my suggestion for egg waffles, I suggested checking out The Bubble Tea Shop on the ground floor of the Superstore building. Along the way were accessible pedestrian signals that, beyond audible and tactile features, included the ordinal positioning of the signal at the intersection.
Picture
​Nearing Lansdowne Centre, we caught sight of the infamous Japadog truck. It appeared to be permanently stationed in the asphalt lot, for within close proximity were tables for dining, a designated Drive-Thru path, and even curbside pickup spots! - just like McDonald's Mobile Orders.
Picture
Picture
As it wasn't quite suppertime as yet, we continued to our original destination. Suffice to say, not much has changed about the Superstore plaza.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Vibes | DAY 1: (Pt 1) Pearson Chaos + Aberdeen Arrival Lunch

5/30/2022

0 Comments

 
At 4 AM, I reluctantly lifted my eyelids in response to the dreaded alarm. It was time to prepare.

Only dawning on me at bedtime was Larry's absence from my daily routine for the next little while. I had bid a lengthy farewell to him the evening prior, yet still wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to his cozy, furry presence amidst last-minute packing.
Picture
Picture
"Hey I'm on the Uber (heading) to the airport now." came a text from the Thai ahgase at 4:33 AM. She had departed earlier than I thought necessary, especially given her limited quantity of carry-on baggage, and arrived just short of 5 AM, just as I begun to close the trunk.

Within 15 minutes, I arrived at Pearson. The scene wasn't particularly chaotic - nowhere near as incredulous as news articles had made it out to seem. I printed my baggage tags without issues, then realized the calamity that awaited me: The baggage drop belt was malfunctioning.
I waited with inquisitiveness, initially unsure of the issue. After fifteen minutes of mistakenly joining the line for international departures, a member of staff gestured towards the side for domestic travel. There was no improvement to be witnessed, however, for the automated system was stalled for both international and domestic sections.
Picture
I was fifth in line to the bag drop, yet it made no difference as the line was not moving. A concerned flyer relayed her concerns to a nearby member of staff.
"What do I do if my flight is leaving?"
"You leave your luggage and run." the lady responded apathetically.
"And that," I thought, "is how you lose your luggage." I powered on my headphones and commenced the opening scene of Moana, in an attempt to balance feelings of helplessness with patience.
Picture
Picture
The queuing would only continue in the meantime, with crowds forming at each line and more passengers struggling to weave through the queue to access the kiosks. Suddenly, chaos had prevailed. The articles hadn't been mistaken after all. Even more amusing were the words of another member of staff that had passed us by: "It stopped once when I started, at 4 AM. This is the second time." It was shocking that, not only was the issue one of recurring nature, its priority for rectification was so low on the list. A manual override would have resolved the congestion while the technicians worked to rectify in the background.

​The delay ensued until around 6:30 AM, where the belt accepted the baggage of 3 customers before ceasing functionality once again. It sputtered various error messages before working again - this time long enough for my luggage to be scanned and transported to the main belt.
Picture
Picture
​In contrast to my 1.25 hours of frustration, the Thai ahgase had made it through security with ample time to spare, even offering to obtain a Starbucks breakfast for me while I restlessly stood at the baggage drop. I had declined the offer at the time, given that I neither had the appetite nor a definitive time of gate entry.
Picture
Picture
​Security screening was the next step. The crowd was diverted from the domestic screening area ("D") to the international side ("E"). A twisting queue had formed here, yet the volumes dissipated quickly. Despite my laptop being held hostage for some period of time, all screening measures concluded within fifteen to twenty minutes.
From that point, I raced back towards the domestic side, laying eyes on the ridiculous lineup stemming from the gates.

The departure gate was misread, and I headed in the direction of DAVID's TEA, where my flights were often stationed. Only upon double-checking did I realize my mistake and retraced my footsteps. The Thai ahgase came into view just as boarding commencement was announced.
Picture
Somehow, I managed to use the bathroom, snag a Raisin Bran Muffin, and refill my water bottle using one of the questionably clean fountains all before emplaning. We were then YVR-bound.
Picture
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #725 | SUP Lesson in Wasaga, Barrie Waterfront + Pie Wood

7/8/2021

0 Comments

 
​A certain amount of anxiety filled me as I gathered my things for the rainy road trip. My shoulder and upper back were still as stiff as ever, limiting mobility in rotation, while the weather report had forecasted thunderstorms in the afternoon. Despite coincidentally unfortunate elements in play, we proceeded with our plan, embarking on the 2-hour drive to Wasaga Beach.
Picture
Correspondence had taken place over the past 24 hours to address potential cancellations and safety concerns over the stormy forecast. Our plans remained up in the air.
At the halfway point, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. It was unlikely to be spam given the starting digits, so I picked up. It was our SUP instructor, who had called to provide a status update of the weather up north. "It's storming up here, but fingers crossed it'll clear by the time you guys get here." he repeated, "Fingers crossed."
After all, the decision to allow us onto the waters would ultimately reside with the greater force of Mother Nature.
Picture
Picture
We paused for a brief lunch and bathroom break at McDonald's. Little did we know that the franchise location overlooked the northern end of Nottawasaga River, where we would later find ourselves paddling along.
Picture
The Chicken & Bacon McWrap with Grilled Chicken with Extra Lettuce was deemed satisfying, while a Filet-O-Fish combo was criticized for its small portion size.
Picture
Picture
With just under ten minutes till the scheduled start time of 1 PM, we zoomed off along Veteran's Way to Klondike Park. Guidance came via text: "When you enter the parking lot off Klondike Park Road, continue straight then turn left on the gravel road."
And sure enough, the truck was there with its kayak trailer attachment.
Picture
Disclaimer: As we were advised to travel as lightly as possible, all images on the water were captured by Free Spirit Tours, with post-processing and adjustments were completed personally.

SUP, the abbreviation for Stand Up Paddle Board, is an activity closely related to kayaking and canoeing. Those engaged in the sport would stand on top of the board and navigate using slightly angled strokes of the plastic paddle. A rectangular slot offered an opening for carrying while denoting the centre of the board, otherwise known as the most stable point for standing.
Upon our arrival, we were provided life jackets and instructed to leave majority of our belongings in the vehicle. The instructor himself wore none, but justified safety measures with reference to a Transport Canada-approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/getting-started-safe-boating/choosing-lifejackets-personal-flotation-devices-pfds
Paddles were adjusted according to our height: adequacy was determined by the presence of a slight bend in the elbow when the hand rested on top an upright-positioned paddle.
Picture
I earned myself a dubious look from the instructor for my reluctance to abandon my essentials. Some things ought always be carried, as they are (arguably) better soaked than stolen. In spite of the claim that the town was less likely to have homeless perched in shrubbery, waiting to attack unattended belongings, I wasn't entirely reassured. Should my ID and wallet go missing, neither of us would make it home in one piece. There would be no one in the vicinity from which to summon help.

Read More
0 Comments

Out & About #644 | Canada Day at Scenic Caves Nature Adventure

7/1/2020

0 Comments

 
A change in scenery is required every so often. No matter the degree of traditionalist, mortals cannot further development under static conditions. Variety is the spice of life, as they say, and change is inevitable.
Picture
​For this particular purpose, I proposed a mid-week drive up north to Collingwood, where people are few and temperatures more moderate than the suburbs.
Picture
Picture
​The 2-hour drive served to kill two birds with one stone - why, many quotes are we using today - in that I would checking off one of the furthest bookmarks on my to-go list.

We stopped first in the Collingwood BIA for lunch, where McDonald's provided us sustenance and public washroom facilities (limited to single file entry). My initial intention had been to check out Gibson & Co., a local coffee shop, at our time of departure, however we ended up quite behind schedule and were unable to return before their slate closing time.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Lunch comprised of a McChicken (with extra lettuce), a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and potato salad prepared late into the previous evening.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​And with that, we proceeded to the main feature of the day. Awaiting us was the Scenic Caves Nature Adventure and its dusty, gravel parking lot.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Admission fees were on the lofty end of the spectrum, admittedly. Though, the trek and overall experience well warranted its price.

Nearly all access points were limited to one-way entry, including the ticket booth at the entrance. Masks or face coverings had been made mandatory for all entering the premises, however staff had explained them to be "optional". And given the layout of the outdoor facility, its noncompulsory status made sense.
Picture
Picture
Picture
View the full album HERE !
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Blitz | DAY 7: Return to Toronto + Recap

3/12/2020

0 Comments

 
​Just as I despise evening movies, I'm not a fan of afternoon flights heading east. Surrendered to the natural phenomenon that is geographical time difference is productivity - a factor that I relentlessly strive to harness in this eternally advancing world.
Picture
Picture
I booked my return trip around the late morning hours, and proceeded to hop on an Uber after a frenzy of egg-boiling, laundry-doing, and last-minute packing. All was smooth sailing until I arrived at baggage drop-off; my bag refused to join the others on the belt.

"Your bag is too heavy! You need to take some things out and carry it." piped a middle-aged lady in a thick European accent.
She pointed to the repacking area, where I somehow managed to rearrange my belongings to meet the threshold precisely.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Thankfully, there were no issues at security. I had made the boarding call with time to spare, munching on cookies on RITZ as the Zones were called up, one by one.
Picture
​A Grilled Chicken Summer Salad, several short shut-eye sessions, and a quick round of mahjong tied me over until I was back home at the chillier end of the country.

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Blitz | DAY 6: (Pt. 1) Cafe L'Orangerie + UBC

3/11/2020

0 Comments

 
​Of all the stops along the Canada Line corridor, Marine Drive was one at which I had never disembarked since the completion of the SkyTrain. It had mainly served as a transfer point in its first few years of operation, until shops and services began forming what is known today as Marine Gateway
Picture
Picture
​Development around the station had been observed during previous years, while en route to Downtown. And, with the lunch destination suggestion of a local Vancourite, I was able to peruse the area (with its unopened shops and all their eerieness) at long last.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
​There wasn't much to see at the early hour of 10:30 AM. Steve Nash was open, and so was Timmy's. But the Marine Drive bus hub primarily served as a transfer point for those heading east or west from the grade-separated rapid transit system.

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Blitz | DAY 6: (Pt. 2) Gastown + Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba

3/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Read Part 1 HERE !
Picture
​At the 4 PM mark, I unloaded my first package of baked goods and bid farewell. My next order of business was to head downtown. First on the to-do list was a Compass card from the Stadium-Chinatown service station. It was an odd request from a certain transit-abhorring prehistoric creature, but nonetheless a manageable task to attain in between social activities. 
​I dreaded the neighbourhood and all its foulness. Personally deemed to be "Homeless Central", it's not a far cry from the poverty-striken pits of DTLA. Brimming with sleazy, smelly souls hunched from overdose and intoxication, the only elements missing are tents.
Picture
Having endured my twenty-minute wait at the service counter, I then maneuvering swiftly to International Village's Oomomo for more cookie cutters. International Village was not far from Jackson Square's odd retail attachment, except not even Hamilton had garbage taking joyrides on coattails of the wind.
Picture
Picture
Picture
​Thankfully, there are alternate routes to remove oneself from the heinous hoodlum turf and ease back into the calming confines of Gastown.
Picture
​A Torontonian-turned-Vancourite met up with me and gladly assumed the role of a tour guide. From within Herschel's West Coast flagship, one could partake in retail therapy in addition to appreciating a panoramic perspective of Canada Place and the Vancouver Cruise Ship Dock.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Suppertime crept up slowly, and we proceeded to the pre-determined location of Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba.

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Blitz | DAY 5: Metrotown + Matcha Cafe Maiko

3/10/2020

0 Comments

 
My former Scarborough suburbanite of an Uber driver had been correct: the city gets a bit grouchier during rainy climate.

​I awoke to grey, overcast skies, demonstrating not even so much as a streak of sunlight. There was little incentive to go out, unlike the previous day, where the climate had essentially beckoned me from the other side of the glass.
Picture
Picture
Picture
I took to my partially planned baking endeavours instead. After all, eggs and heavy cream were now in possession (at long last).
Picture
Picture
Picture
​First was Sunday Baking's Basque Cheesecake. The concept of the cake was ridiculously straightforward, as are most cheesecakes; obtaining the signature charred surface was the trickiest aspect. Between the "Convection Bake", "Gentle Bake", and "Surround (Bake)" options, I made do with a mixture of the latter settings, then let the cake cool overnight as directed.
Picture
Picture
Re-attempting smitten kitchen's sugar cookies were another tale altogether. Summarized by an excess of baking powder, insufficient matcha, and a too-tiny oven (that resulted in baking tray burns), the cookies fell short of the brilliant green profile and satisfying bite that I had achieved the last time around. A softer shortbread finish  emerged instead.
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

Vancity Blitz | DAY 4: Granville Island + Revisiting Mister

3/9/2020

0 Comments

 
​Opulent azure skies and beaming rays of sunshine overlooking ceaseless, mellifluent ripples is a honestly sight I could never tire of.
Picture
Each morning spawned a different view of the waterfront: some hazy, some cloudy, and some offering a crisp prospect of snow-capped mountains in the remote distance.
Picture
​The best part of all: I was separated from such breathtaking grandeur by a mere pane of glass, and could easily dive into this scenic dimension at my heart's desire. It essentially beckoned me forth.

"Come enjoy me! You know you won't get the same treatment back home."
And that was an aspect I could not deny.
Picture
​I suited up for an outdoor run along the river - an act completely out of character. Hiking underneath the shield of forest cover amasses great fondness, though the same can rarely be said, if ever, in regards to sunny sprints. Alas, with such a stunning landscape caressing my vision, the opportunity simply could not be turned down.
Picture
Picture
​Post-shower and post-stretch, I came to the conclusion that weather conditions were too optimal to remain house-ridden for the rest of the day.
Picture
A Lyft ride later, and I crossed onto Granville Island, experiencing the breath of the creek and gusts of the dock.
Picture
Picture
My last trip had entailed only a swing by Steveston. Meanwhile, my most recent memory of the tourist-friendly attraction was so vague I could barely recall the setting, let alone season of visit. Sauntering about the district enabled re-familiarization; the single element that persisted in my mind was the busking area, a space of minimal evolution.

Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Who Am I?

    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.



    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013


    Categories

    All
    Ahgabond Adventures
    Ahgase
    Arctic Aquarium
    Atlantic Canada 2018
    Barrie
    Beauty
    Birthday Buddy
    Chinese New Year
    Conquering COVID 19
    Daily Randoms
    Eyes On You World Tour 2018
    Food
    Friends
    Hallyucon
    Hamilton
    Hong Kong
    Iron Ring
    J Movie
    K Drama
    K-Drama
    Korean Beauty
    K Pop
    Los Angeles 2017
    Macau
    New York 2018
    Ottawa 2019
    Pilates
    Random Rant
    Restaurant Review
    Seoul
    Shopping
    SSMC
    Taiwan
    Vacation
    Vancouver 2013
    Vancouver 2014
    Vancouver 2015
    Vancouver 2016
    Vancouver 2020
    Vancouver 2022


    trazy.com

    RSS Feed


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.

Contact ME

​Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now
© Quirky Aesthetics. All rights reserved. Last modified: August 10, 2015.