Pumpkin Snacking Cake with Faux Cream Cheese Frosting was transported downtown accordingly for distribution.
Out & About #951 | Canadian Chroma at Eaton Centre + Mugwort Chiffon Cake with Cardamom Cream11/10/2023 Recovery from the previous week's chaos is still well underway. But, in-office attendance is, well, regrettably obligatory. Pumpkin Snacking Cake with Faux Cream Cheese Frosting was transported downtown accordingly for distribution. Over lunch, I would explore the Canadian Chroma exhibit at the Eaton Centre - the very spectacle I had accidentally walked into during the setup stages and gotten scolded by security. The colourful modules were interesting, but featured repulsively filthy touchscreens. On one hand, the varied displays and interactive attractions were amusing; on the other hand, they weren't particularly educational, nor did they incorporate innovative technological elements to elevate the user-guided experience. There was greater joy to be found elsewhere along my mall trek, namely in the fluffy yarn zip-ups at Uniqlo and bearded Christmas plushies at Indigo. It is also worth noting the prominence of fraudulent Wi-Fi networks in the wild. While perusing the grounds, I absent-mindedly connected to a network believed to be provided by Indigo, only to later realize the typo and absent browser verification prompt. After being the victim of a compromised credit card, alertness levels ought be improved for greater awareness. Taking advantage of Cotti Coffee's $2.50 in-app promotion before year-end, I routed to the Bay and Gerrard location just before heading back.
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One evening, when I was returning my baking tools to their rightful positions in a somewhat tipsy state, I spotted my copy of Smitten Kitchen Keepers. It was next to the Halloween chocolate and DIY vanilla extract bottles, partially covered in dust. Frankly, I wasn't surprised I had forgotten its existence - after all, my dire desire to move and reading hardly went hand in hand. Flipping through the semi-matte pages, recipes of deep dish quiche, strawberry cake, and more were discovered. "I should really start trying these!" I thought to myself. And for my next impromptu baking session, I did. 1) Pumpkin Snacking Cake Inspired by my coworker's pumpkin bread, I yearned for a second sampling of the seasonal creation. Instead of re-producing the exact specimen, I curiously took to the cookbook in question. Lo and behold, there was a pumpkin snacking cake! The only caveat was the word "vegan" in its introduction. Admittedly, I had my reservations towards the formula. A cake stripped of butter and eggs screamed dismal to me. However, I followed the recipe accordingly, trusting SK in her choice of including the recipe as a trustworthy "keeper". Its conceptualization had apparently originated from needing to construct a treat for a vegan diner. As such, oil - specifically coconut - was used in place of butter and chemical leaveners in place of aerated eggs. In my own rendition, coconut oil was substituted for canola and canned pumpkin puree for partially mashed butternut squash. That said, I adhered to the remainder of the ingredient list, proceeding with the specified quantity of coconut milk and even white vinegar, which I presumed was needed to interact with baking soda for maximum rise. Sprinkled on top was a generous handful of turbinado sugar to finish. Generally speaking, the cake wasn't bad. But it wasn't great either. Despite moist and springy, it was largely devoid of ̶p̶u̶m̶p̶k̶i̶n̶ squash (similar to the Pumpkin Bread) and essentially tasted just of the spices used. With each successive bite came disappointment, and a stark longing for the aromas of butter and airiness of eggs. Some parts were also noticeably bitter, a potential result of incomplete reaction of baking soda.
Maximizing the harvest season is admittedly exhausting as someone who endeavours to capture and document each individual experience. Three consecutive weeks of investigating the external environment later, I was overwhelmed with fatigue that, unfortunately, transitioned into my day-to-day routines, limiting my productivity as a consequence. Yet, over-exerted as I felt, these outcomes did not diminish my spirit for all things autumn. On a mission to prevent disappointment, a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte was crafted. While I had originally thought to test a limited-time variation from a nearby café or fast food chain, it dawned upon me that the "pumpkin spice", in reality, contained no pumpkin at all. Furthermore, espresso and milk were readily accessible components in my household. "Why not just make it myself?" so I thought. And I did. Meals of the week comprised of: leftover Mystic North from Pie Wood, Aloha Pulled Pork over Gai Lan and Steamed Rice, Scrambled Egg w/ Pickled Turnip + Steamed Pork + Choy Sum over Steamed Rice, and Chunky Beef Stew + Shredded Romaine over Rice (to quench desires for a Mexican Steak Bowl). Takeout from Trithis would round off the end of the week. Three months later, I would eventually recall the existence of takeout S'mores packs from Gyu-Kaku. Torching would only succeed in charring the perimeter, while baking rendered the graham crackers sodden; toasting for about four minutes was the best alternative to mimicking grill conditions. I also enjoyed a canned Brown Sugar Milk Tea. Proving too sugary on its own, a single stick of G7 Espresso was its ideal partner in achieving harmony. Creations of the week included: 1) Apple Crumble Cake My recollection of last year's Apple Mania trials are muddled, simply due to the sheer quantity of experiments. However, I did recall fondness towards an apple-containing variation of Sunday Baking's Blueberry Crumble Cake. Having reserved three Golden Delicious for the creation, I was surprised to find just two awaiting me in the fruit basket. Only after slicing and baking was the third located, just two feet from the others. In hindsight, the error was preventable, but overlooked amidst my haste.
The end of an era always brings about an indescribable sense of apprehension. It is not quite worry and uncertainty, yet also not quite excitement and anticipation. Abstract recollections solidify themselves into filmstrips, flashing through the mind in milliseconds. These memories may be filled with fondness or frustration, delight or despair. Stepping beyond them into unfamiliar territory may be uncomfortable, but remaining stationary results in a perpetually vicious cycle. After many weeks of contemplation, realization, and acceptance, Arctic Aquarium was concluded to have run its course. The decision had not been an easy one, and spanned many strenuous days and nights. The once dire hope that the sleepy polar bear would stay by my side was replaced with an urge to do the exact opposite: only by being apart could both sides prevent further damage. Honestly, it was as many of my longtime companions has pointed out: "You're just so different." And I couldn't agree more:
Tensions amassed, and were untreated in the face of stress and withering energy levels. It was simply just too hard. Loss of trust ensued, as did loss of joy. The situation grew unhealthy. All came crashing down with a final blow: my straightforwardness. Perhaps we may have left these issues unspoken had I not be upfront in communicating. Perhaps we may not have come to an understanding that growth would be necessary on both sides to progress. Perhaps the outcome would have proved more dramatic had it been left to brew for a longer duration. (Do you wonder, do you wonder, do you wonder like I do?) We held a formal discussion, probably our most mature exchange to date. The visit was accompanied by a single slice of Apple Pie and Ube Crinkle Cookies from the freezer (the longer you freeze, the less they expand). Then I retrieved my belongings, at last pointing to the enmusubi (縁結び) obtained at Japan Festival just over a month ago. "Do you know what this symbolizes?" I posed the question.
"Love?" "No, fate." My weekly routine changes minimally from week to week, though each period seems to bring about new revelations and discoveries. Visits to the gym informed that my stair-climbing endurance still perseveres, despite lack of regular training, along with a bug bite of unknown origin. (I didn't even go hiking!) Tuesday afternoon marked my first Mat Pilates class at the Hurontario-Eglinton location. The instructor had noted thirteen years of yoga experience and five years of pilates, then engaged in further discussion with the class regarding the original "Eastern" teachings of yoga for spiritual benefits versus the modern "Western" approach of fusion fitness (HIIT, rhythmic, etc.). Those dedicated to yoga practice urged to keep things "Eastern". At that moment, I recalled why I steered clear of yoga: physical benefits and form and alignment corrections did not reside at the core. In contrast to the fast-paced, perspiration-inducing sequences at the Vega location, the Hu-Eg instructor commenced with gentle pelvic tilts then transitioned into a HIIT format instead: three rounds of full-body exercises with a one-minute rest period between each round. Some of the exercises were combination moves, involving rotation of the upper body while lunging back. For the most part, the moves were derived from fundamentals of pilates, but modified for a smaller range of motion and lower difficulty level. Naturally, I took to a larger range of motion in the latter rounds, along with inclusion of the pilates ring where possible. I was commended for my form at the end of the class, and encouraged to join again. For the next seventy minutes, I would remain in the vacant, well-ventilated studio for streaming of my own Well+Good conditioning routine. Again unlike Vega, the Wi-Fi connection was astounding; I could actually load videos! Becoming acquainted with wine profiles has been a new venture as of late. I'm less intrigued by red and more eager to explore the world of white - and maybe rosé later on. Emerging as my priciest alcohol purchase to date - beyond Grey Goose for vanilla extract, a project which failed miserably - was Cave Spring's 2019 Riesling Ice Wine. Luscious and luxurious the formula was sweet, yet far from cloying, and smooth with a delicate tanginess at the end. It was a costly investment, however a wholly justified one. The 375 ml bottle ought be savoured steadily, rather than downed for instant gratification, as beer is often consumed.
After what seemed (yet another) a whirlwind of a weekend, I ventured back downtown for another Monday in the office. Traffic conditions were light, thankfully, as were GO train volumes. In my haste, I had forgotten my hand cream once again, but was graciously offered a travel-sized tub of Vaseline from a coworker. Even at the early hour of 8 AM, a handful of workstations were already occupied. It was the day of the potluck, and, slowly but surely, various food items were spotted being transported to the kitchen and lunchroom. Large-scale dining events hadn't been personally experienced since the holiday potluck of 2019, so I was very much enthralled upon receiving the calendar invite. Between the bustle of weekend chores and preparing banana bread, I began to fret over the assortment of food to be assembled: Would there be enough? As the noise levels surged around the 11:30 AM mark, I grew increasingly more excited - for not only was there more food than the lunchroom tables could handle, the variety was absolutely stunning! There was ample selection of both sweet and savoury dishes, and extreme diversity as well! We had Mediterranean salads, Biryani, japchae, Brazilian empanadas, Singaporean vermicelli, lasagna, and more! The team has truly outdone themselves, even bringing their own mixing bowls, cling film, and serving vessels for the optimal experience. Regular potluck contenders of Caesar salad, fruit and vegetable trays, and shrimp cocktail rings were present, however the number of homemade dishes far exceeded pre-packaged varieties. A few local items also made it to the table, including original Uncle Tetsu, Swiss roll cakes from Bake Island, and four styles of thin-crust pizza from Pizzaiolo. My first plate consisted of japchae, Mediterranean barley salad, homemade Baba ganoush and guacamole on pita, lasagna, shrimp cocktail, and fruit. The creator of the japchae had, impressively, brought all ingredients in compartmentalized containers for mixing on-site. Sesame seeds and salt were transferred to small zip lock bags; even soy sauce and tongs had made their way downtown from suburbia. I had found the stir-fried Shiitake mushrooms and excessive dusting of untoasted sesame seeds peculiar, as they didn't particularly contribute to complexity. The noodles were of a nice, chewy consistency, though the combination lacked sesame oil. Nonetheless, it was a delicious - and laborious! - take on the vegetarian noodle dish, despite not entirely authentic. Baba ganoush and guacamole had both been regarded fondly at first, having conjured my fondest recollections of the dips. They were found to be of a looser consistency than desired, and far less potent in profile. Meanwhile, the pita was flat and tough, rather than pillowy and eager to be dunked. On the other hand, the Mediterranean salad was amazing - alluring from the first bite, and scrumptious to the point where its inclusion of finely chopped red onion no longer mattered to me. (Little had I known the recipe was also SK-derived!!) The fruit trays were also of great quality, with juicy chunks of pineapple and sizable lobes of ruby red strawberries.
Spring blossoms are a limited-time occurrence - as brief as transitional seasons in Ontario and as timely as the ripening of avocados. The breathtaking, rosy buds I had laid eyes on just a week ago had vanished within a matter of 48 hours. White buds, which were spotted along Burnhamthorpe leading to Winston Churchill had also succumbed to the same fate with the dreary descent of rainfall. A visit to LA Fitness was in advance my final Beginner Reformer session at The Pilates Body, for the sole purpose of maximizing my membership. Arriving just before 6PM led to an annoying parking situation - which, honestly, could have been worse - and lack of vacant cardio equipment in the Ladies' Fitness Room. Four of four treadmills were taken, the single functioning Stairmaster was being occupied, and one of three elliptical machines bore an error message. I heaved a sigh, then quickly jumped onto the last functioning elliptical and powered through for five minutes. My fifth and final class at The Pilates Body took a turn for the positive - it was, surprisingly somewhat challenging! My spot in the studio was sunlit from from the UV rays penetrating the glass windows. This warmth was especially obvious when doing jumps on the Cardio Tramp; thankfully, the studio's A/C kicked in fairly quickly. The variations on the device included:
For the upper body and back, we mainly utilized the tension straps and did not use the Reformer Box for any lying exercises, which was greatly appreciated as I had already executed a few before arriving. Threading the hands through the tension straps and crossing the straps to form an "X", we pulled the elbows back while keeping the shoulders down and elbows about shoulder height. Many other students were noticed to have lost their form over the rep count. I particularly enjoyed an exercise that involved threading the hands through the tension straps and, while keeping the palms open and minding wrist hyperextension, twist to one side while rolling down and extending the arms outwards, then slowing rolling up while sequencing through the spine. It was, admittedly, as therapeutic as the instructor had made it out to be, though other class participants had trouble coordinating the movement while maintaining fluidity. The same issues were also observed on the Cardio-Tramp, when some attendees kicked without restraint, causing the Reformer to shift by at least three feet. Beyond tugging back at one's body, the Reformer offers a great deal of external feedback when control is insufficient. We transitioned into crunches and oblique twists on the Carriage, then slowly incorporated the Cardio-Tramp for single leg jumps using one white spring to maximize the duration of engagement. True to her words, the movement did mimic jumping in slow-motion, humorously. Towards the end of the session, we transitioned into one of my favourites: standing thigh abductions with one foot on the platform extender and one on the Carriage. The termination of the Beginner Reformer classes brought about some degree of relief to me, as my weekday evening schedule for the next upcoming weeks are nothing short of unpredictable. Having to adhere to the same routine week by week was slightly annoying, knowing that there was flexibility to join classes on other days. Thus, when the idea of continuing the program at the same time and transitioning it to an "Essentials" class was mentioned, I revealed hesitation, along with a desire to explore the studio's other classes. The instructor clarified that "Essentials" would bridge the gap between "Beginner" and "Intermediate", though assured me that I'd "be fine in any of the classes" in a hushed tone. "You are fine and have great body awareness." The praise was motivating, and, frankly, I did crave a deeper burn - one that would deter me from entering LA Fitness to compensate for loss of productivity on the same night. Across the street was Blaze Pizza. Now equipped with compliments and the Thai ahgase's feedback, I decided to pop in. A half build-your-own pizza and Pesto Cheesy Bread set me back $15.95 before tax, while a small Blood Orange Lemonade quenched thirst at a reasonable $2.59. After tax, the meal came to a grand total of $21.36. It was unthinkably scrumptious, and, like the Thai ahgase had noted, the Original thin crust was phenomenal! In hindsight, a whole pizza may have resulted in better value, as one could pile on as many toppings as desired. From ricotta cheese to basil to Italian meatballs and kalamata olives, the combinations were truly limitless! However, I happened to be hankering for cheesy bread, and wavered between the Original and Pesto versions before finally settling on the latter. The member of staff taking down my order was exceptionally pleasant despite my indecisiveness. I opted to dine on the patio, shielded from the setting sun with bright orange umbrellas. Though temperatures were quite comfortable without a jacket, I hadn't accounted for the breeziness. Napkins were curled up by the wind and tossed onto the grass. The lid of the pizza box nearly slammed into my face, had my raised palm not prevented the calamity. Hurriedly, I devoured the half pizza before its cheesy strings seized. The pesto bread was plush and even cheesier, with a thick, uniform layer of mozzarella; while not nearly as potent as I had expected, the herby drizzle contributed chroma difference without providing contrast in flavour.
Sunday had been rainy, ironically. With the new work week, the cloudy curtains were withdrawn to reveal ample sunshine and brilliant blue skies. It would be my first time heading into downtown during the morning rush in almost five years. Instead of trekking south of Union Station towards the glorious waterfront, I headed northwest instead. Roy Thomson Hall was the defining landmark of the intersection, doubly serving as the divine conjurer of DAY6 memories. Upon my arrival, I was informed of two unfortunate circumstances - beyond the temporary lack of benefits and vacation days:
The pending relocation was supposedly for the benefit of staff: a newer space with improved connectivity within the division. Though I couldn't refute the 90s hardware and stained carpets, I was quite fond of the building, along with the memories I had made within it. My lunch walk led me to Assembly Chef's Hall, for I was curious about Palgong's recent opening. Alas, the once-bustling dining facility now housed more vacant stalls than customers. Notable names such as Tachi have closed since my last visit; the only familiar spot was Lost Coffee. Palgong was situated by the entrance of the connecting office building, their menu positioned before the counter just like their Finch location. In consideration of my hankering for milk tea instead of a Mint Chocolate Smoothie though, I swiftly exited and began my trek towards CoCo.
As my PTO days wither away into the abyss of unrecoverable time and space, I often find myself questioning whether I've completed any task of value with my paid period of freedom. A friend of mine once pointed out that the concept of productivity isn't always one of maximized potential. But, for me, it very much is, and will continue to be. My diet continues to consist of "soft" foods for eased digestion. Udon replaced white rice, while lightly seasoned pork continues to serve as my primary source of iron. T̶h̶e̶ ̶y̶e̶t̶-̶t̶o̶-̶b̶e̶-̶n̶a̶m̶e̶d̶ ̶C̶o̶w̶ ̶P̶i̶g̶ Ferra observes all household happenings from afar. With Monday comes another Beginner Reformer class at The Pilates Body. I departed much earlier than necessary, and made the impromptu decision of swinging by LA Fitness. Time was limited, but any activity would be better than sitting in the waiting area idle. The Stairmaster was revisited for the first time since my CN Tower Climb training. Climbing up to speed - no pun intended - was much easier than the first time (884), and I'd like to think that I'm adapting better to the machine due to seldom instances of toe clipping. Ten minutes of stairs at a relatively quick pace assisted in raising internal body temperature and doubling as a pre-pilates warmup. I had taken to the Ladies Only area once again, and made the consistent observation of only one of two Stairmasters being functional. The other simply bore an error message and was left unreported by gym-goers that attempted usage. Compared to my previous 7 PM visit, the early evening hours also saw higher volumes of traffic, namely high schoolers or local university students. Rainy grey skies had cleared to yield azure and sunshine in a matter of twenty minutes. Pulling into the asphalt lot of The Pilates Body, I took a quick glance at the new signage before dashing inwards. But, of course, the class did not commence on time. Supposedly advertised as one-hour sessions, I've repeatedly noticed that class tends to start late and end early. The format of the third session was essentially identical to last week, to the point where I questioned whether the instructor had referred to the wrong set of notes. "Setting up for footwork" automatically ascertained three red springs and the stopper in second of third position, depending on body length. However, most students merely slouched onto the Reformer Carriage upon entry, barely budging until the instructor declared any announcement.
The warm-up series was identical to the first and second sessions, engaging the thighs, ankles, and calves with extension/contraction followed by pulses. While the order of upper body and glute were switched, we executed the exact exercises as last time: upper and mid back extensions while lying face down on the Long Box, internal and external rotation with the elbows affixed to one's side, and upper rotation while facing perpendicular to the Carriage. There was, frankly, little to no progression in terms of complexity nor speed. Out & About #890 | The Pilates Body Session #1, Genmaicha Financier + The Worst Stomach Flu4/21/2023 In-office days are known to interrupt my weekly happenings. A five-day period exempt of travelling into Toronto is truly a blessing, though the opportunity often emerges out of illness. The start of the week had been progressing well: Monday saw the concoction of an effortlessly exquisite Thai Tea-Espresso beverage. Crafted from Rico Thai Tea (about 3/4 cup), Lover Boy Espresso (about 80 ml), and a splash of evaporated milk, the drink was satisfying and sweet, serving as the ideal mid-day pick-me-up. Later that evening, I would venture to the Oakville/Mississauga boundary. A five-week Beginner Reformer session awaited me at The Pilates Body. The class spanned just seven participants, as it was limited to the number of Reformers available in the space. Upon arrival, we were instructed to remove our shoes by the entrance (maybe I ought bring slippers next time?) and complete double-sided intake forms. The first side asked of medical history and past injuries, while the back fitness goals and existing workout routines. The group class space was fitted with seven Reformers with towers, a basket of props, and even Chairs along the edges of the wall. This was a surprising observation, for the standard group class was normally limited to Reformer use only, while semi-private and private classes explored an extensive collection of equipment. Beyond the group class space was a separate room containing the Cadillac and Barrel. An accessible bathroom and office space was also found in this room, along with a back entrance to the green space shared between all units of the building. Being relatively new, the studio was incredibly pristine and well kept. The walls and ceilings were a spotless white, while the back room still boasted a relatively new smell. Once settled, our instructor commenced with a lengthy introduction on the Reformer itself. Different from Sum Pilates and Studio Bon, students were introduced to the varying stopper settings based on height and/or leg length. The second position was recommended for those between the heights of 5' 2" to 5' 7", unless one required more space due to leg length, in which case the stopper would be moved into the next (third) position. The Reformer used by The Pilates Body was different in that there were slope settings for the headrest, which could be adjusted for those requiring incline during core activation exercises. We also discussed spring tensions: 3 red (strongest), 1 blue (1/2 red), and 1 white (1/4 red). It was interesting to learn of these tensions and their possible combinations, for I had never been made known of their relative tensions previously. We then transitioned quickly into breathing and pelvic movements. For the warm-up, the instructor started off quite high on the spring tension, instead of starting low to build up (or using the Cardio Tramp). A shocking three red springs were used for guiding the body back and forth, awakening the inner and outer thighs as well as the ankles. Frankly, this spring tension was very hard on my left knee, but surprisingly not too hard on ankles. I am undoubtedly more accustomed to commencing with a lower spring tension, then building up where possible; the approach would also be preferred for those with multiple injuries, such as myself. While lying down, we also executed several exercises in bridge, emphasizing articulation of the spine and activation of the hamstrings. We did not engage in side-lying exercises at all. Turning to face the tower, both legs would be laid on top of the headrest and hands threaded through the straps. Starting off with a red spring for the upper body was, again, quite surprising. I adjusted accordingly using a combination of blue and white. In fact, the instructor, while making her rounds about the space, actually recommended modifying appropriately to fit one's abilities; she noted the most important aspects being breath and the movement itself, rather than heavy spring loading. The instructor gave off the impression of a seasoned lecturer: while the imagery associated with pilates movements was still present, her aura was ultimately educational. Embedded within her were layers of knowledge and teaching experience, likely incapable to be captured within a single session. Periodically throughout the class, I observed those around me: the other class attendees did not have a lean image - one appeared to lift weights, though many did not exhibit the fluidity displayed in regular practitioners of dance or yoga. Some students had enrolled in both Monday and Thursday sessions, which I presume to be for the sake of repetition and externally-applied discipline. Prior to my arrival at the studio, I had already taken it upon myself to complete one Taylor Toned video, knowingly expecting the first class to reside on the more foundational side than effective exercise. I zipped over to LA Fitness afterwards for a 12-2.5-25 workout, seeing as a friend had repeatedly informed of attempting the 12-3-30. The numbers translated into walking on a treadmill with a 12 degree incline, at a speed of 3 miles per hour (approx. 4.83 km/h), for 30 minutes. Twenty-five minutes at the near-full-speed was enough to boost my step count without resulting in perspiration.
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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
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