A minimum of two in-office days has been mandated by corporate, much to my disgruntled distaste.
Monday was supposedly quieter than most days, thus anticipated to provide a peaceful working environment for my 8-hour-plus day. The setup procedure was tedious in itself: from locating one's assigned seating in the space, discovering variances from the online seating chart versus the in-office edition, and finding your deskmate already seated to relocating to a different numbered table and wiping away seemingly weeks of dust and tackiness, it all seemed utterly unnecessary for the commencement of work.
Beyond an additional thirty to forty minutes of commute time, unassigned seating and workstation preparations accounted for nearly thirty minutes more in delays. Let's also not forego monitor troubleshooting periods, which constituted fifteen minutes of unassisted issue resolution.
Monday was supposedly quieter than most days, thus anticipated to provide a peaceful working environment for my 8-hour-plus day. The setup procedure was tedious in itself: from locating one's assigned seating in the space, discovering variances from the online seating chart versus the in-office edition, and finding your deskmate already seated to relocating to a different numbered table and wiping away seemingly weeks of dust and tackiness, it all seemed utterly unnecessary for the commencement of work.
Beyond an additional thirty to forty minutes of commute time, unassigned seating and workstation preparations accounted for nearly thirty minutes more in delays. Let's also not forego monitor troubleshooting periods, which constituted fifteen minutes of unassisted issue resolution.
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To say that I was displeased would be an understatement, for I saw absolutely no value in entering the premises when neither time nor productivity was gained. Moreover, I was haggard, restless from inadequate sleep the night before.
I took to M Cha Bar's recently opened Mississauga outpost afterwards in an attempt to appease the soul. Having been shuttered for Taste of Asia, cravings had been suppressed since the Friday past. At long last, I would seek out the coveted Roasted Oolong Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly, but not without some difficulty.
The stall was located near the entrance of Ocean's, positioned within a section that housed other prepared foods. Operating as a standalone establishment, I was grateful to find their acceptance of credit card. I opted out of making purchases from the supermarket itself, in fear that I would be rejected without debit or cash on hand.
The stall was located near the entrance of Ocean's, positioned within a section that housed other prepared foods. Operating as a standalone establishment, I was grateful to find their acceptance of credit card. I opted out of making purchases from the supermarket itself, in fear that I would be rejected without debit or cash on hand.
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The Roasted Oolong Milk Tea with Coffee Jelly was as delectable as I recalled, on par with the Vaughan original and unlike the sickening creaminess of the Scarborough spot. A Mango Pomelo - taro balls removed - was requested for the sleepy polar bear. Even at 50% sugar, the beverage was underwhelming - bland, even. Strawberry chunks at the base of the cup was a welcome twist, though the distinct lack of mango depth was incredibly disappointing.
I Love Pho was secured for supper en route home.
I Love Pho was secured for supper en route home.
The spread consisted of:
Prices have surged since our last visit, escalating up to 20% markup in comparison to their online menu.
- #201 I Love Pho Special (Medium)
- #215 Lightly Fat Well-Done Beef & Tendon Brisket Pho (Medium)
- #501 Grilled Pork Chop with Steamed Broken Rice
- #701 Banh Xeo | Vietnamese Pancake with Pork, Shrimp, and Bean Sprouts
Prices have surged since our last visit, escalating up to 20% markup in comparison to their online menu.
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Before being introduced to I Love Pho, I had scoffed at any suggestions for the cuisine. Known not to be fond of noodles in soup (no ramen, thank you very much), nor sodium-laden broth, this authentic eatery prevails as an outlier. Their broth is flavourful without being excessive, while their noodles are soft without loss of chewy consistency. Continual sleep deprivation throughout the week contributed to a reduction in appetite, yet the pho soothed the stomach without adding strain (read: no bloating, discomfort, or nausea).
The pickled veggies were fresh, beef tender, and herbs fresh. Surprisingly, the mint remained dry even after several days of being encased within a plastic bag. The same can be said about the basil.
The pickled veggies were fresh, beef tender, and herbs fresh. Surprisingly, the mint remained dry even after several days of being encased within a plastic bag. The same can be said about the basil.
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Tuesday saw my first venture into downtown during working hours, specifically the morning rush.
Express trains have been removed from the train schedule altogether; it was unthinkable, to me, that GO would ever operate on thirty-minute intervals throughout the week, and on their busiest Lakeshore corridor as well. But one look at the parking situation cleared up my confusion. Where there was once more shiny, reflective surfaces than bare asphalt, Clarkson now boasted more parking spots than needed for the existing commuter group. I took to leisurely picking my spot in the lot connecting to the pedestrian bridge, which had previously been closed for maintenance.
Express trains have been removed from the train schedule altogether; it was unthinkable, to me, that GO would ever operate on thirty-minute intervals throughout the week, and on their busiest Lakeshore corridor as well. But one look at the parking situation cleared up my confusion. Where there was once more shiny, reflective surfaces than bare asphalt, Clarkson now boasted more parking spots than needed for the existing commuter group. I took to leisurely picking my spot in the lot connecting to the pedestrian bridge, which had previously been closed for maintenance.
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Since the removal of mask mandates, approximately only a handful of passengers on the train were seen with face coverings. Dividers remained installed on board, though, truthfully, weren't of great significance given the physics of air and particle circulation. I exited into the York Concourse, nearly forgetting to tap off until after coffee had been acquired.
Routing through the Bay Concourse, I observed a sparkly new Sephora, brilliant and bright as to command the attention of those traversing by. Decathlon was yet to be unveiled.
Exiting onto Bay Street, I was met with an unfamiliar scene: The chaos and construction gates had vanished. The above-ground connection for TTC, GO Transit, and Bay-Front pedestrians now looked much, much cleaner.
The downtown "office" was much less an office and more a collaboration space - a single room with a total of four tables, one shelf, one projection monitor, and a whiteboard. A shared kitchen space could be found around the corner.
Admittedly, the top floor view was very nice. However, the absence of monitors, stand desks, and space away from other employees was quite counterproductive. Loud phone calls, and even training modules without headphones, were shared with all users of the compact space, while work involving two screens could only be performed at a minimum. Furthermore, lugging a weighty laptop and all its accessories was no easy task.
Admittedly, the top floor view was very nice. However, the absence of monitors, stand desks, and space away from other employees was quite counterproductive. Loud phone calls, and even training modules without headphones, were shared with all users of the compact space, while work involving two screens could only be performed at a minimum. Furthermore, lugging a weighty laptop and all its accessories was no easy task.
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This brick, along with a packed lunch, tumbler, change of clothes, and other basic necessities, stayed with me into the evening hours, a perpetual burden on my shoulders and forearms.
I somehow survived the strenuous trek to The Underground. Upon confirmation of my downtown plans, I had excitedly signed up for a one-week trial. The $28 pass enabled participation of four classes within one week - a no-brainer choice for me.
I somehow survived the strenuous trek to The Underground. Upon confirmation of my downtown plans, I had excitedly signed up for a one-week trial. The $28 pass enabled participation of four classes within one week - a no-brainer choice for me.
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Waacking at 5:15 PM was my first pick. The style had caught my attention for being dissimilar to the likes of pop or hip hop, yet equally as challenging to master. Commonly paired with upbeat disco music and dramatic effects, the genre places exceptional emphasis on precision: timeliness of hand and arm movements and cleanliness of lines and shapes formed.
Additional applications of the style was made known to the general public via Street Woman Fighter, which had participants battling with one another using their dance genre of choice. Sometimes, waacking would be done to non-disco tunes, drawing further interest in the style and its versatility.
Additional applications of the style was made known to the general public via Street Woman Fighter, which had participants battling with one another using their dance genre of choice. Sometimes, waacking would be done to non-disco tunes, drawing further interest in the style and its versatility.
The Underground's classes were held across two buildings, 224 Richmond St W and 220 Richmond St W, sandwiching JaBistro in between. Waacking was held in the unit west of the Japanese restaurant, in a room called The Penthouse. As the name implied, it was located on the top floor. After checking in with facility staff, I, along with my painfully substantial load, climbed up four (or was it five?) flights of stairs to reach the top. No, there were no elevators.
Class commenced with the instructor's brief analysis of new and old faces, next a warm-up series and brief history on the style (including waacking being merely one constituent of punking). Waacking drills were also conducted at varying speeds on both arms, allowing all participants, old and new, to revisit the basics in advance of learning choreography.
It was a fabulous experience overall, serving to introduce newcomers such as myself to the style organically and without fear of the fast gestures. The drills also drew attention to muscle imbalances between the left and right arms, as well as core control for sharper movements. We were also provided tips to enhance our movements: "Think about how your pose looks from ALL angles, like if the camera is on ceiling. It should look good not just from the front, and it should be dynamic."
The instructor was extremely friendly; not only was she observant, but also adjusted her pace and provided clarifications as needed to support understanding. The choreography was tricky upon first glance, but less intimidating with repetition and explanation. Frankly, I was surprised I could even remember the choreography, let alone perform it at all. Despite lagging behind the regulars of the class, I was quite satisfied with my progression throughout the one-hour session. A bucket list item had been happily ticked off!
Class commenced with the instructor's brief analysis of new and old faces, next a warm-up series and brief history on the style (including waacking being merely one constituent of punking). Waacking drills were also conducted at varying speeds on both arms, allowing all participants, old and new, to revisit the basics in advance of learning choreography.
It was a fabulous experience overall, serving to introduce newcomers such as myself to the style organically and without fear of the fast gestures. The drills also drew attention to muscle imbalances between the left and right arms, as well as core control for sharper movements. We were also provided tips to enhance our movements: "Think about how your pose looks from ALL angles, like if the camera is on ceiling. It should look good not just from the front, and it should be dynamic."
The instructor was extremely friendly; not only was she observant, but also adjusted her pace and provided clarifications as needed to support understanding. The choreography was tricky upon first glance, but less intimidating with repetition and explanation. Frankly, I was surprised I could even remember the choreography, let alone perform it at all. Despite lagging behind the regulars of the class, I was quite satisfied with my progression throughout the one-hour session. A bucket list item had been happily ticked off!
For personal development, the waacking drills taught in class could be revisited at home while adjusting the tempo accordingly, and as needed to improve symmetry. When asked about a rough timeline for progression, the instructor took to asking fellow class participants rather than draw from personal experience. Most were regulars that partook in one class per week. Naturally, faster progression would be made with more consistent engagement in the style. It was, indeed, "muscle memory", after all.
For the class's final practices, the instructor prepared a skinny tripod and DJI camera for wide-angle filming. This enabled a stable, eye-level record of all class participants for their own record and review. Simply by sending her a message on Instagram, the original files would be provided through a WeTransfer link. As the link would expire after one week, she urged us to download the files before then. This truly couldn't have been a better experience. Too many times have I struggled to obtain even a reduced file format rendition of VyBE's videos, often taking to filming my own practices to eliminate hassle.
For the class's final practices, the instructor prepared a skinny tripod and DJI camera for wide-angle filming. This enabled a stable, eye-level record of all class participants for their own record and review. Simply by sending her a message on Instagram, the original files would be provided through a WeTransfer link. As the link would expire after one week, she urged us to download the files before then. This truly couldn't have been a better experience. Too many times have I struggled to obtain even a reduced file format rendition of VyBE's videos, often taking to filming my own practices to eliminate hassle.
The next class was Beginner Breaking/Top Rock, which was held in the unit east of JaBistro. The dimmer setting and below-ground floors were far more representative of the studio's name than The Penthouse. Situated at a lower elevation that the Richmond Street sidewalk, passerbys could gaze into class happenings. Unfortunately, it was also made for stuffier, warmer conditions as ventilation was minimal and windows were to remain closed.
Unlike the earlier session, there was no choreo. It instead adopted the format of a training session, where participants continually practiced specific movements until reaching the point of familiarity and perfection. The instructor was enthusiastic and very precise, observing the movements of each student and rectifying along the way. He even offered variations for progression, noting that no variation was coerced, and that one could choose his or her desired difficulty level.
Movements were more cardio-heavy, involving light footsteps along with bounce and accurate initiation. Fundamentals from a previous class I had not attended were "revisited"; these included moves such as "Hip Twist" and "Indian Step". After solidifying the footwork, arms and head movements were added for visual interest.
The Bronx Step, along with turns and lateral travelling, was our main focus of the class. Though, I opted to practice the Hip Twist a few more times to conserve energy, as I was already sweating profusely from Bronx Step iterations in the first half of class.
Music played continuously for students to make use of the beats and tempo. While the waacking instructor had paused music when her voice needed to be heard, this instructor continued to teach over the the speakers, projecting a powerful, tenacious voice.
Unlike the earlier session, there was no choreo. It instead adopted the format of a training session, where participants continually practiced specific movements until reaching the point of familiarity and perfection. The instructor was enthusiastic and very precise, observing the movements of each student and rectifying along the way. He even offered variations for progression, noting that no variation was coerced, and that one could choose his or her desired difficulty level.
Movements were more cardio-heavy, involving light footsteps along with bounce and accurate initiation. Fundamentals from a previous class I had not attended were "revisited"; these included moves such as "Hip Twist" and "Indian Step". After solidifying the footwork, arms and head movements were added for visual interest.
The Bronx Step, along with turns and lateral travelling, was our main focus of the class. Though, I opted to practice the Hip Twist a few more times to conserve energy, as I was already sweating profusely from Bronx Step iterations in the first half of class.
Music played continuously for students to make use of the beats and tempo. While the waacking instructor had paused music when her voice needed to be heard, this instructor continued to teach over the the speakers, projecting a powerful, tenacious voice.
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It had been interesting to witness the difference between students of both classes. Waacking had targeted a predominantly female customer base, clad classily in fitted attire; Top Rock/Breaking saw a 75% male turnout and 100% t-shirt-donning population. There were undeniable deviances in fashion choices.
Interestingly, the latter class also seemed to comprise of more beginners - participants looking to learn the fundamentals as opposed to elevating their craft with sequences (ie. most dance classes I've taken).
Once again, for personal development were the various steps taught in class. Much like pilates, the sequences can be practiced on one's own time, though form and accuracy ought be learned and rectified from a qualified individual.
Interestingly, the latter class also seemed to comprise of more beginners - participants looking to learn the fundamentals as opposed to elevating their craft with sequences (ie. most dance classes I've taken).
Once again, for personal development were the various steps taught in class. Much like pilates, the sequences can be practiced on one's own time, though form and accuracy ought be learned and rectified from a qualified individual.
Perspiring and utterly exhausted, I opted to Uber than suffer another twenty plus minutes of lugging my load throughout the downtown core on foot. Orangecane was notified of my slated arrival time from the minute I boarded my ride. The trip took slightly longer than expected, delayed several minutes by confusion with the Uber app and construction along Front Street. Eventually, I arrived, disembarked, and stood idle on her steps in wait of my body to be relieved of strain, famine, and dehydration.
A cabbage slaw "salad" and fresh pasta with vodka sauce served as sustenance. Overcooked was observed from the dining table, and conversations were had until the 10:40 PM mark.
A cabbage slaw "salad" and fresh pasta with vodka sauce served as sustenance. Overcooked was observed from the dining table, and conversations were had until the 10:40 PM mark.
Scurrying for 11:15 PM train, I somehow managed a 12 AM return and a 2 AM bedtime. The day had totalled roughly 20 hours of exertion; I was exhausted.
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From orangecane's travel companion, I had received a wooden Statue of Liberty magnet - my sole request from New York.
Fragile in its construction, the book are had broken off during travel. The statue's right, torch-bearing hand was also suffering signs of crack propagation. A squeeze of hot glue mended the figure, despite not offering the cleanest of finishes.
Fragile in its construction, the book are had broken off during travel. The statue's right, torch-bearing hand was also suffering signs of crack propagation. A squeeze of hot glue mended the figure, despite not offering the cleanest of finishes.
Meals of the week included leftovers of Pork Chop, crinkle-cut fries from Church's Chicken, and Haagen-Dazs to finish.
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Upon my request, the sleepy polar bear had obtained a Mulberry Collagen Tea with Bear Jelly from Gotcha Tea. The establishment was situated not far from home, in the same up-and-coming plaza as Mount Sinai (814). Its profile was interesting: fruity albeit a tad sweet even at 30% sugar, indicating direct inclusion of simple syrup. A soft jelly layer could be found at the bottom, along with bits of fruit. A sense of wellness was felt while consuming the costly cup, though the tea was evidently over-steeped. Opaque bear-shaped jelly contrasted nicely against the raspberry hue.
A Mango Macchiato was also obtained, though was not sampled personally.
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I was also presented Hattendo's Matcha Almond Tofu Pudding. Harnessing a more delicate consistency than expected, there were faint traces of matcha amidst a barely-set milkiness. Unlike the typical pudding, it wasn't exactly creamy, nor was entirely smooth either. This profile may have been owed to the presence of almond tofu, which is normally grittier than custard-based formulas.
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Creations of the week included:
1) Ube Hawaiian Butter Mochi
One half of orangecane's early birthday gift took the form of Trader Joe's branded Ube Mochi Pancake & Waffle Mix, an American exclusive. Shortly upon its receipt, I chanced across a recipe for Butter Mochi using the precise box mix. Halving it and distributing across mini muffin tins allowed me to reserve the mix for a second experiment and reduce the baking time for the first.
1) Ube Hawaiian Butter Mochi
One half of orangecane's early birthday gift took the form of Trader Joe's branded Ube Mochi Pancake & Waffle Mix, an American exclusive. Shortly upon its receipt, I chanced across a recipe for Butter Mochi using the precise box mix. Halving it and distributing across mini muffin tins allowed me to reserve the mix for a second experiment and reduce the baking time for the first.
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The brownie-like specimens rose quite a bit in the oven, though cooled to lightly browned concave pucks. Served warm, they were neither ube enough, nor mochi enough. Once completely cooled, however, the bite-sized pieces was scrumptious. With a crisp surface, buttery aroma, and subtle chewiness, I was believed to devour up to five in one sitting. The addition of ube extract and coconut milk had elevated the box mix to delectable new heights. That said, I wouldn't be averse to greater depth of flavour and improved texture.
2) Ube Mochi Pancakes
Ube Mochi Pancakes were constructed on a whim using the box recipe, an unmeasured amount of butter, and additions of glutinous rice flour, vanilla extract, and ube extract.
Ube Mochi Pancakes were constructed on a whim using the box recipe, an unmeasured amount of butter, and additions of glutinous rice flour, vanilla extract, and ube extract.
The first emerged entirely burnt, not alarmingly. Larger pancakes were found to be softer and more pliable, while smaller rounds were dry to touch - crisp at the edges yet chewy within. They were neither rubbery nor flat like regular pancakes (sans buttermilk); a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk rendered fabulous for munching on during any time of day.
I've since depleted my Trader Joe's mix, but am equipped with the confidence to to recreate the base from scratch using common household ingredients:
- Glutinous rice flour for chewiness
- Butter in place of oil for a crisp finish
- Ube extract for depth
- Cornstarch for crunchy surface (like brownies!)
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (or a combination of the two) for a boost in flavour
My last group-turned-private session would proceed in a similar fashion to the previous week. I had departed a few minutes later than planned as a result of chores-doing, but, seeing that the instructor's earlier session had run over, timing had worked out.
Instead of hamstring and hip stretches on the Ladder Barrel, we commenced standing on the Cadillac. I was instructed to thread one foot through a fuzzy strap hanging from its frame, square my hips towards the raised food, and gently lunge into the strap for a dynamic stretch. It was significantly less risky than last week's ill-advised static warmup, and lengthened muscles that had been compressed during the eastbound drive. Rotating the body to face perpendicular from the mat, I conducted an inner thigh stretch in a similar manner, easing into the fuzzy contraption, then returning to the starting position. Lying down on the mat, the arms were brought above the head, circled about the trunk, then brought back to one's sides. These rotations were performed in both directions, placing emphasis on chest stretching and shoulder mobility.
Instead of hamstring and hip stretches on the Ladder Barrel, we commenced standing on the Cadillac. I was instructed to thread one foot through a fuzzy strap hanging from its frame, square my hips towards the raised food, and gently lunge into the strap for a dynamic stretch. It was significantly less risky than last week's ill-advised static warmup, and lengthened muscles that had been compressed during the eastbound drive. Rotating the body to face perpendicular from the mat, I conducted an inner thigh stretch in a similar manner, easing into the fuzzy contraption, then returning to the starting position. Lying down on the mat, the arms were brought above the head, circled about the trunk, then brought back to one's sides. These rotations were performed in both directions, placing emphasis on chest stretching and shoulder mobility.
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Performed were a series of exercises similar to that of the previous week: core work with a foam roller placed beneath the spine and upper back lifts and tricep add-ons. Worth noting was the instructor's attentiveness in maintaining correct alignment. Tilting and rotation in the pelvis often goes unnoticed in my daily life; this lack of awareness made it difficult to even identify issues as they arose, let alone correct them with consciousness. For the first time, I would learn of imbalances even while lying on the foam roller (likely the cause of one hip clicking and cracking). My "neutral" spine was not where I had thought, for the instructor noted that my pelvis should, in fact, be tilted forward to relieve tension in the low back. While lying down, it was also relayed that my tailbone should be tucked, core braced, ribs pulled in, and lower belly lifted off the mat while performing exercises that involved being face-down.
Glute bridges were executed slowly, initiated by tucking the tailbone to lift, and rounding through the spine to lower down. "Your knees should be pressing away!" urged the instructor. "Think of your ribs sucking into your back." Channeling energy through the glutes was not unfamiliar direction, but hearing this description was truly unique; it served to solidify the form reminder through imagery. In addition to glute bridges with the feet at hip distance, the legs were lifted alternately to test stability of each side.
Glute bridges were executed slowly, initiated by tucking the tailbone to lift, and rounding through the spine to lower down. "Your knees should be pressing away!" urged the instructor. "Think of your ribs sucking into your back." Channeling energy through the glutes was not unfamiliar direction, but hearing this description was truly unique; it served to solidify the form reminder through imagery. In addition to glute bridges with the feet at hip distance, the legs were lifted alternately to test stability of each side.
For the final circuit, we navigated not towards the Reformer, but the Pilates Chair. After stretching out both sides of the waist, I was instructed to step onto the panels for calve stretches. Next, one foot would be placed on the seat while the ball of the other maintaining tension on the panel, heel raised. From this point, the standing leg would be used to lift the body upwards, then return to the starting position, all while maintaining a slight bend in the knee. This move targeted the hamstring and gluteus maximus, particularly of the standing leg.
A second variation involved keeping the standing leg slightly bent, drawing the panel towards the body, then pushing back out to the halfway point. This move was intended to replicate a narrow lunge, sustaining tension in the lower leg. The third variation lifted the bottom leg off the panel and into the air. Balancing strictly on the standing leg and hands gripping the handlebars, one was tilt the body forward while keeping the lifted leg raised. When viewed from the side, the body would appear as one straight line. These exercises were then repeated on the other leg, making for an extremely sore derrier for days.
A slow, standing rolldown concluded the class.
A second variation involved keeping the standing leg slightly bent, drawing the panel towards the body, then pushing back out to the halfway point. This move was intended to replicate a narrow lunge, sustaining tension in the lower leg. The third variation lifted the bottom leg off the panel and into the air. Balancing strictly on the standing leg and hands gripping the handlebars, one was tilt the body forward while keeping the lifted leg raised. When viewed from the side, the body would appear as one straight line. These exercises were then repeated on the other leg, making for an extremely sore derrier for days.
A slow, standing rolldown concluded the class.
Future sessions at Studio Bon have not been booked at this point in time. With consideration to slated five-day site work, my willingness to drive is withering. Gas prices assume another critical factor in the decision-making tree.
To commemorate my last visit to York Mills in the foreseeable future, a fellow classmate and I opted for a quick lunch excursion. My proposal for thairoomgrand was received positively. In advance of the date, I had received a promotional code for online orders. And, despite my poor experience with the Mississauga outpost, I decided to try again.
The mobile site was no less user-friendly than last time. I wasn't kicked out of the portal, thankfully, and the promo code applied as expected. A confirmation email was received immediately after order placement, but revealed no further details on the delivery time
The mobile site was no less user-friendly than last time. I wasn't kicked out of the portal, thankfully, and the promo code applied as expected. A confirmation email was received immediately after order placement, but revealed no further details on the delivery time
I took to confirming my order personally with the restaurant, but received responses shrouded with uncertainty.
"I just placed an order via the website." I started, "Did you receive it on your end? I have the order number."
"We should have. When did you place it?"
"Just now."
"Ummm if you received the confirmation, then it's fine." was the first example of questionable reliability.
"What is the anticipated delivery time?" I followed up with the most important question.
"About forty-five minutes." She replied, resulting in a shared bewildered exchange.
"Forty-five?!" I reacted, utterly shocked. "The delivery location is not that far though - it's a park."
"I'm not exactly sure, but that is usually how long it takes."
"Will I receive another email when the delivery is arriving?"
She dodged my inquiry entirely. "Did you receive the confirmation email?"
My dining partner looked over at me. "No email." she said in a hushed tone.
Patience running low, I thanked the girl on the phone and noted the forty-five minute window.
"I just placed an order via the website." I started, "Did you receive it on your end? I have the order number."
"We should have. When did you place it?"
"Just now."
"Ummm if you received the confirmation, then it's fine." was the first example of questionable reliability.
"What is the anticipated delivery time?" I followed up with the most important question.
"About forty-five minutes." She replied, resulting in a shared bewildered exchange.
"Forty-five?!" I reacted, utterly shocked. "The delivery location is not that far though - it's a park."
"I'm not exactly sure, but that is usually how long it takes."
"Will I receive another email when the delivery is arriving?"
She dodged my inquiry entirely. "Did you receive the confirmation email?"
My dining partner looked over at me. "No email." she said in a hushed tone.
Patience running low, I thanked the girl on the phone and noted the forty-five minute window.
We decided to head to Fairview first, such that I could complete errands before routing back. Nearly five minutes of being within the mall, I received a call. Our delivery driver had arrived at Mossgrove Park within twenty minutes of order placement, completely in contrast to the information provided by the restaurant. He kindly offered to fulfill another delivery in the area first, and would then return to the designated location to wait for us.
A second call was received from the restaurant, informing me that "their driver had attempted contact". By this point, I was stunned and beyond irritated. Did the restaurant operate independently of the online ordering system?! We sped back to the delivery address, where our order awaited us.
A second call was received from the restaurant, informing me that "their driver had attempted contact". By this point, I was stunned and beyond irritated. Did the restaurant operate independently of the online ordering system?! We sped back to the delivery address, where our order awaited us.
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The ordeal affirmed issues with thairoomgrand's online ordering platform: it was not user-friendly (requiring scrolling with each cart update), technologically unstable (cart timeout), and inadequate in ensuring accuracy of information transfer.
Alas, our meals were great. It pained me to admit it, but my orders of Signature Pad Thai and Green Mango Salad were delicious. Portion sizes were reasonable and flavour complexity gratifying - the meal induced mixed reactions as a consequence.
Alas, our meals were great. It pained me to admit it, but my orders of Signature Pad Thai and Green Mango Salad were delicious. Portion sizes were reasonable and flavour complexity gratifying - the meal induced mixed reactions as a consequence.
I proposed a stopover at Dollarama for discount Canada Day goods. While finding none at bargain value, I found much enjoyment in the fluffy bodies of monkey dog toys.
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CoCo's Emerald Forest was my chosen thirst quencher after the scorching lunch.
It bore a likeness to Lemon King, but with greater zestiness, less tang, and a bit of honey jelly at the bottom. Absolutely refreshing, I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase the limited-time beverage - if it wasn't so pricey, and if I could swap out green tea for water.
It bore a likeness to Lemon King, but with greater zestiness, less tang, and a bit of honey jelly at the bottom. Absolutely refreshing, I wouldn't hesitate to repurchase the limited-time beverage - if it wasn't so pricey, and if I could swap out green tea for water.
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Heading back, another calamity awaited me at the pump. Cheaper rates had prompted extensive use of the machines, causing lagging and several failed attempts at earning (and redeeming) Optimum points.
Much like the Pearson chaos, consumers ought be quick to acknowledge that sudden surges entail higher probability of malfunction.
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