Out & About #1152 | Costco, Stray Kids the dominATE experience + Career Contemplations

By this point in time, I've mostly come to terms with how my work days will play out. This is, not to say, that the emotional rollercoaster has been integrated into daily routine - why, not at all! However, at the very least, I'm not astounded when the day begins to freefall from the unwanted involvement of a certain fatuous feculence.

​Maintaining positivity is an arduous task. Throughout the week, I struggled to keep my head above water. The responsibility matrix had been revised out of pure idiocy: an increased workload for me (which didn't even seem possible, but here we are!), the requirement to shift from an automated Excel tracker to the constrained format of a SharePoint list, and reinstatement of useless meetings that could assume format of a straightforward email. The apparent aim was to hinder progress by making more redundant work for everyone, eliminating written trails to prevent accountability, and exchanging words without advancing understanding.

I was even accused of being too prideful to ask questions - a claim to which I could only scoff and silently rage - in addition to being informed that I wasn't all-knowing. And although no one embraces fulsome knowledge about everything, I, at a bare minimum, can identify logical consistencies. As someone who is eager to learn, there is never a moment when I'm not seeking out additional details. But why would I need to ask questions when I simply have none? Why would I seek out vague, incomplete responses when I could obtain swift comprehensively using other methods? Why would I choose to be reliant when I have ability to be independent and productive?

It pains me to think that no one along the sidelines would see this: the insurmountable stress summoned by a selfish, incompetent manager.​

Throughout these ordeals, I've strived to find joy in the mundane.

Lunchtime chats with my Birthday Buddy was a healing exchange. Hearing her perspective affirmed a number of my suspicions, but also shed light on a different perspective: Many people would yearn to be in my position, even if the work itself wasn't fulfilling.
But I suppose I'm an ambitious character, or at least one that firmly believes obtaining a professional license wasn't to chip away at a cause that did not provide a sense of accomplishment or belonging. ​This was especially true when stifled by the reins of upper management.

Over the course of my ten months on the floor, an undeniable shift in food-sharing culture was witnessed. I relished in the exchange of gustatory opinions, and didn't hesitate to sneak away cookies of interest if spotted. Even senior members of staff had finally acknowledged my competence! "We might have gotten off on the wrong foot, but you're okay. You know your stuff. That's a compliment!"

These interactions were fleeting, yet nevertheless amounted to a supply of "small wins" that I frequently turned towards for support.

​On the second day of work the week, I lay low at home. While I'd normally venture towards the office, life had other plans in store.

A Costco run was executed in the early evening hours instead of pilates.

Constituting dinner was a Polish Hot Dog and thirty-five cent bottle of water. While in wait of my order, I gazed in the direction of the condiment section in a daze, wondering how on earth I'd be able to draw close without leaving my cart. It was then that I heard a "Boo!"; one of my colleagues happened to be shopping at the same time. She later told me that her daughter had marvelled at my hair for being "purple like Rumi's".
Again, the exchange was short-lived, but it confirmed I wasn't hated by all in the office, as much as my manager had endeavoured to construct the illusion.

One of my concert buddies joined me shortly after, enabling my escape for ketchup and relish. We then parted ways, resolving to meet at the cinema for the 7 PM showing of Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience. Miraculously, I managed an unplanned CoCo run and arrived to the bustling lot with several minutes to spare!

Due to a bathroom run, I missed the first two minutes of the show. When I returned, a handful of last-minute attendees were also just settling into their seats.

The 146-minute sequence was a hybrid of a concert capture, behind-the-scenes footage, and member-specific narratives. It definitely succeeded in showcasing worthy highlights from the LA show, but also enabled each member a platform to share a short story about their growth as an artist. Commencing the narratives was Felix, and ending was the one with the heaviest burden, Bang Chan.

Impressive was the vastness of the SoFi Stadium in LA, where the concert had been filmed from a variety of different angles using GoPros and drones in addition to commercial broadcast equipment. (Rogers Stadium need not apply.) I also found it amusing that each member sported different branded shirts for the encore (or pre-encore?), depending on sponsorships and brand partnerships. Felix was clad in dazzling LV, inclusive of LV patterned denim, while Hyunjin was in Versace and Changbin in Balenciaga. Chan and I.N donned Supreme, and Seungmin was spotted without logos. The plethora of global partnerships represented the profound feat that each member of Stray Kids had established themselves as artists in their own right.

The dominATE experience provided fans with a comprehensive view of the stage and performances, but also showed fan reactions and interactions from various levels of the stadium. By the end of the movie, I had confirmed that:

• I.N was no longer a baby: Now at the prime age of 25, he flexed bulging arms and abdominal muscles that did not pale in comparison to the group's resident bodybuilder, Changbin
• Seungmin's every appearance made me smile, and his voice also had me savouring its alluring tone.
• Lee Know was, in fact, so good-looking - subtly so, but attractive nevertheless. Photos circulating the web had not done him justice!

Unfortunately, I was also close to losing hearing in one ear due to piercing screeches from teenage girls in the rows behind. Although I could appreciate clapping after performances, the incessant screams, off-pitch squeals, and disruptive shouting was disrespectful as could be and wholly unwarranted. Concert venues are built to accommodate loud noises with high ceilings and well-ventilated areas, but movie theatres often provide a surround sound experience by concentrating audio within the small auditorium. Suffice to say, I could not hear most of the movie from the midpoint onward.
The excessive noise had also prompted security to stroll into the auditorium to monitor the situation. Shameless as could be, nothing would stop the girls from being a dramatic nuisance. For the next two days, my right ear throbbed with pain.

​By the end of the movie, half of the audience began to stand and jump, imagining themselves at the very concert. Older fans continued to cheer while remaining stayed seated with their lightsticks off. Those without any shred of awareness had their lightsticks flashing uncontrollably, effectively ignoring the pre-movie warnings of dimming one's phone for courtesy. For reasons beyond me, attendees treated the show like an actual concert, disregarding normal movie etiquette and practices.

In sharing my recap, I learned that others experienced a comparatively tranquil scene in contrast. Should I attend another similar cinema event, earplugs will become my non-negotiable item.

My concert buddy and I hovered outside for a few moments longer before bidding farewell. The evening was warm, enabling us to catch up on talks before heading home. She commented that I looked "smaller", to which I responded with a lengthy, aggravating work rant. After an understanding nod came a defeated smile, for she too experienced the similarly unfair incident of being reported to HR and labelled a "bully", simply for attempting to rectify a coworker's actions and reinstate discipline amongst the team. It became apparent that favouritism and office politics were inevitable and present across all industries and workplaces - a conclusion that brought about more despair than comfort.

Pricey $18.99 Castella from Costco was unveiled as a late-night snack later that evening. Nostalgia stemmed from these soft, honey-tinged slices, for I was immediately transported to fond moments in my childhood. Castella wasn't the true source of this reminiscing, but rather the setting in which I was provided with the cake.

​Mercury levels have been quite forgiving recently, though perhaps I'm commenting out of ignorance since my daily routine rarely strays from short treks between the parking garage and four minutes outside going to the mall. While climbing up the stairwell towards the Civic Centre, the sight of a man lying on the landing area in the stairwell completely caught me off guard. It was a very Toronto sighting that prompted a stealthy 180.

Needless to say, I alerted security as soon as I was able.

​The day's lunch walk led me through the Jubilee Garden, which has reopened since the earlier two snowstorms. Mall walks paved the way to discovering spring Jellycats and new beauty items at Holt Renfrew, plus a slow introduction of spring transition cardigans at Uniqlo. While I have no shortage of clothing after two trips to Asia, I am convinced that a working woman can never have too many cardigans. Blazers exist to make a statement, while cardigans keep the environment casual and comfortable without compromising professionalism.

​The surging popularity of Hallyu, especially K-Pop and Korean beauty, is a recent phenomenon. Ten years ago, it would be unthinkable to find an album residing on the shelf of a major record store. These days, lightsticks and even fan goods can be found without much hassle. Besides being readily available at the local mall, some are even featured at the front of the store, right next to North America's most popular pop artists. Observations such as these are still surreal to me.

​Square One welcomed the Valentine's Day Market on the Friday before long weekend commencement. The selection of on-site vendors catered towards last-minute gift-seekers, offering flower arrangements from Blossom Moments, jewellery, and scented candles that had me sneezing nonstop.

Of the vendor lineup, The Night Baker caught my attention with their rendition of the Dubai Chewy Cookie. One glance at the astonishing price tag had me slowly baking away. Yet, I ultimately returned and relinquished $21 plus tax a trio adorned with a red satin bow. The price of convenience was steep.

The Dubai Chewy Cookie was interestingly savoury and not as sweet as envisioned. Its marshmallow casing could be described as somewhat mochi-like, while the interior simultaneously crunchy and creamy. Approximately the size of a golf ball, the specimen was undeniably satiating. While nowhere near as intense and the original Dubai Chocolate bar, severe satiation was experienced in the hours that followed. I could neither bring myself to move nor drink water.

The soft filling resulted in near-immediate condensation. By the next day, a pool of grease had puddled underneath the cookie. Swift transfer to the fridge had prevented moulding, though was unable to halt the process of osmosis. Sickening was the cookie on the second day, for the shell was now rigid and starchy and the filling cold and heavy. The Dubai Chewy Cookie was intended for same-day consumption in small quantities, and ideal for splitting between two to three people.

A detour through Saint Germain confirmed the most popular Lunar New Year menu contenders to be Osmanthus Jelly Cake (桂花糕) and Seafood Turnip Cake (蘿蔔糕). Classic Rice Cake, Ginger Rice Cake, and Seafood Taro Cake persisted in the refrigerated display, boasting an abundance of toppings and a colourful gift box.  Upon laying eyes on the spread, I became more determined than ever to succeed at Lavender New Year Cake.

Before heading back to the office, my coworker and I stopped by To Go Coffee. 

The interior boasted a fulsome assortment of horse-themed decorations, ranging from window pane stickers to wall art to lucky banners.

One of us took to a To Go Signature Latte, while the other a Pear Matcha. The latter had assumed my pick after reading positive online reviews. While I enjoyed the pairing of matcha and pear and appreciated the inclusion of finely diced pieces of the fruit, the compote was obnoxiously cloying and subtracted from overall enjoyment levels. To Go's matcha was decent, though their coffee was superior.

I awoke to a sore throat the next morning. Over the course of the day though, it slowly dissipated. Pilates could be performed as planned, but, I could sense that symptoms were steadily stewing away.