tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10436184265338832372023-03-16T23:35:57.469-04:00BRIAN KIMBrian Kim and his Pentax K-3 | Photography | Restaurant and Tech ReviewsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-21742525713886682342020-10-16T20:20:00.001-04:002020-10-16T20:23:53.972-04:00Bon Echo - Abes & Essens TrailWith the second wave of COVID-19 raging, it's getting harder to find things outside. My friends and I booked our first ever backcountry camping trip for Abes and Essens Trail at Bon Echo Provincial Park. <div><br></div><div>Being an inexperienced hiker, I estimated it would take us about 3-4 hours to get to our site. Having started in the mid-afternoon, we were racing against the sunset to get to our site. Luckily we made good time on the trail. Although uneven, the little elevation change worked in our favour and was able to get to our site and enjoy the spectacular view of the early fall sunset.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>The next morning we enjoyed the sunrise and hiked back to our car early in the morning which took a little longer than our hike in.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love burgers. I have seen many burger shops in Toronto rise and fall over the years, and I often prefer simple diners to fancy gourmet burger joints. Howie T's Burger Bar is no exception.<br />
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I came across it from my roommates who happened to walk in after grocery shopping. Living in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, I have learned that many businesses are closed on Fridays for Sabbath. The food here, undoubtedly, is certified Kosher.<br />
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The highlight of Howie T's is spicy fries. Even though I cycle through different menu items for burgers, spicy fries is a staple that will always accompany my burgers whenever I visit. Another menu item, that deviates from my usual classic burger, is the works burger, which comes generously topped with smoked meat.<br />
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I highly recommend you give Howie T's a try the next time you are in the area.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-50324376204448892672019-06-02T11:06:00.000-04:002019-06-02T11:07:36.030-04:00Travel Log: Inca Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voWSpVVTlLo/XPPTONyGxYI/AAAAAAAA9YI/mQ-uE_oIZ_w0keD_A9PIhfsn-3ayvlz7ACKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528924%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voWSpVVTlLo/XPPTONyGxYI/AAAAAAAA9YI/mQ-uE_oIZ_w0keD_A9PIhfsn-3ayvlz7ACKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528924%2529.jpg" /></a></div>More humility and less much hubris are the words that we should aspire to live by. As I ascended Inca Trail, those words echoed in my ears. I had borrowed trekking poles from my then boss but neglected to bring them, trusting that my legs would carry me on this journey.<br />
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We had picked Alpaca Expeditions based on stellar reviews, and they did not disappoint, the food was great, guides were professional, and the equipment was clean. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a guided tour to Machu Picchu.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4ZDxb_LpCE/XPPWMxwL3BI/AAAAAAAA9YU/QZXDz-03r9Il8oOi9Cy-Vig_VIW4UewSwCKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528499%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4ZDxb_LpCE/XPPWMxwL3BI/AAAAAAAA9YU/QZXDz-03r9Il8oOi9Cy-Vig_VIW4UewSwCKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528499%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My initial impression, as we approached the first ridge for a break, was that everything looked very high-definition, without any haze from air pollution.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_n3fe12Z5Y/XPPcWBiZNXI/AAAAAAAA9Y4/kgwy1pmB3_gdTWF3RnIyPONOcrpvpBkoQCKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528731%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T_n3fe12Z5Y/XPPcWBiZNXI/AAAAAAAA9Y4/kgwy1pmB3_gdTWF3RnIyPONOcrpvpBkoQCKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528731%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At times it felt like we were truly above the clouds, and I had glad to have brought a heavy DSLR strapped to my neck. I wish I had taken better notes or tagged the photos as soon as I got back because I cannot recall any of the names of the species of wildlife or the names of any of the ruins that we came across, but I guess that is what I get for taking 3+ years to actually go through the photos.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOL4wNNBFR8/XPPdrZrJvRI/AAAAAAAA9ZE/12S256vbhxo-OVKXwYpkcBitNqx_uq2zACKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528794%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOL4wNNBFR8/XPPdrZrJvRI/AAAAAAAA9ZE/12S256vbhxo-OVKXwYpkcBitNqx_uq2zACKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528794%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Geo and voice tagged photos would solve much of my problems as I often struggle to remember names, like our guide, whose name I cannot recall.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtFJJn3jxiU/XPPeu6XnCgI/AAAAAAAA9ZM/9glAgp8gNIsKLjshY9TvMLurXVoUWR7BQCKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528815%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtFJJn3jxiU/XPPeu6XnCgI/AAAAAAAA9ZM/9glAgp8gNIsKLjshY9TvMLurXVoUWR7BQCKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528815%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Toucan, whose name I had to Google by typing the words <i style="font-weight: bold;">birds of Peru</i>. By the time we finished at Wiñaywayna, night had fallen, and I had neglected to bring a headlamp with me on this little detour. I took a misstep while walking in the dark with a very little illumination, which could have resulted in my plummeting to my demise.<br />
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Our group determined to be the first one to arrive at Machu Picchu, began the next morning at around 3AM. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at Sun Gate, it was too foggy for us to see anything. Disappointed, we descended into Machu Picchu where the magic happened.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr6a01O-KHE/XPPiiJvqTFI/AAAAAAAA9Zk/sSKKOjjvaRoLK06f3BfIkpP8vaE6D9HpACKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528853%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tr6a01O-KHE/XPPiiJvqTFI/AAAAAAAA9Zk/sSKKOjjvaRoLK06f3BfIkpP8vaE6D9HpACKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528853%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After many countless photos to commemorate the successful journey, we began a slow descent towards the entrance where we got our passports stamped and headed towards Aguas Calientes where we shared a train with a group of Japanese tourists towards our next destination.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_ngjAi6Fg/XPPkfcMuGUI/AAAAAAAA9Zw/MdTYKIpjcL41r9DOJgdzeUs98FsXGFyawCKgBGAs/s1600/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528923%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LF_ngjAi6Fg/XPPkfcMuGUI/AAAAAAAA9Zw/MdTYKIpjcL41r9DOJgdzeUs98FsXGFyawCKgBGAs/s640/Peru%2Band%2BBolivia%2B%2528923%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One thing I wish I did on the trip that I did not get to do this time was to climb Huayna Picchu. If I have a chance to visit Peru again, I would definitely check it out, with our without the full Inca Trail.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com08680, Peru-13.1631412 -72.544962899999973-38.6851757 -113.85355689999997 12.3588933 -31.236368899999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-42260952747616507472019-05-27T21:11:00.000-04:002019-05-29T19:45:32.012-04:00Travel Log: Azumino, Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v63tbwn6Ga8/XOyEY0KzRyI/AAAAAAAA9S0/tN9KWr-sZesziIAT4ZjV7ljHR-3trm2owCKgBGAs/s1600/IMGP5578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v63tbwn6Ga8/XOyEY0KzRyI/AAAAAAAA9S0/tN9KWr-sZesziIAT4ZjV7ljHR-3trm2owCKgBGAs/s1600/IMGP5578.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Over the past few years, the mobile phone camera has made tremendous improvements. Gone are the days of grainy or flash-lit scenes at night, replaced by properly white-balanced and processed images produced by an engine that is often powerful enough to produce acceptable results.<br />
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Surely, from an optics and sensor design, mobile cameras will never fully be able to replace dedicated cameras. For an ordinary traveller who is looking to shed weight, however, there is no longer an urgent need to pack a DSLR with multiple lenses and a tripod, which is what I often find myself doing.<br />
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During my last year's travel to East Asia, I not only brought a DSLR with 3 lenses and a tripod, but also a GoPro, and a laptop for post-processing, hauling 2 backpacks totalling over 100 litres.<br />
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The first time I took out my DSLR was on my way to Chihiro Art Museum in Nagano prefecture of Japan, when I came across a beautiful landscape in the distance with colourful flowers within reach.<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed the long walk from a train station to the museum, appreciating both the ruggedness and the lack of the bustle.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d12843.072001513983!2d137.844362!3d36.414808!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x1ab05a6889790c41!2sChihiro+Art+Museum+Azumino!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1559005793791!5m2!1sen!2sca" style="border: 0;"></iframe><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-90546825659909394082019-05-13T20:01:00.001-04:002019-06-01T14:30:36.926-04:00$#*! Brian Buys: Pixel 3a<div class="mobile-photo">
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I have been always frustrated with slow updates on Android devices. One sleepless night, I decided to buy the new Pixel 3a. With a promo of <span class="money">$150</span> from Google Store for accessories and future purchases, it was really a no brainer for me.<br />
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Image Source: <a href="https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/05/07/the-pixel-3a-is-on-so-many-carriers-and-there-are-so-many-deals/">Android Police</a><br />
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Sure, if I were to check off everything that's on my list (waterproofing, expandable memory, headphone jack, good camera, and project treble for guaranteed updates), I would be forking out closer to a <span class="money">$1,000</span> these days.</div>
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With the promo, the device came to be <span class="money">$400,</span> which I think is a good price point for a mid-cycle refresh. I will continue to use my Samsung Galaxy S9+ if I were to travel due to the laundry list of items I mentioned above. But for a daily driver, Pixel 3a so far does not disappoint. </div>
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I am also testing composing by email, as Blogger app is very out of date, and I enjoy Gmail app's smart compose feature. I just have to make sure I do not sign off on the post like I do in the emails. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-59215733892945345232019-05-07T19:22:00.000-04:002019-06-01T14:26:38.665-04:00Photo: San Francisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a quick test post to see how the new template will work with panorama type of photos. More content to follow.<br />
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I am editing some HTML/CSS on the fly to edit the Theme that I downloaded from <a href="http://www.themeswear.com/2016/05/gossip-blogger-template.html">Themeswear</a>.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comAlamo Square Park, Steiner St & Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94117, United States37.7763694 -122.43481914.409725900000002 -163.743413 61.1430129 -81.126225tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-49015446708482011952019-01-08T20:20:00.000-05:002019-06-01T14:31:04.503-04:00Travel Log: CuscoOh altitude sickness, how you hit me so hard without any early warning signs is unforgettable. The immediate lightheadedness followed by cold sweats and queasiness will not be missed.<br />
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After checking into our accommodation in Cusco, some of us, who were not affected by altitude sickness (i.e. everyone except me) went to explore the city. Only a few hours later they returned, with most of them suffering from delayed altitude sickness.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d15517.080200838835!2d-71.98676943537362!3d-13.519011891623565!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x3482bfb9596699aa!2sLa+Casa+De+Mi+Abuelo!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1546964551796" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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By evening, I was well enough to walk around and explore the city. With its mix of the locals and the tourists, the city really came alive at night.<br />
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It was not until the second day that all of us were well enough to explore the city to its fullest, with its vistas and cuisines that we have bookmarked while planning for the trip.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXFD4cvUQkM/XDVG62geGVI/AAAAAAAA3bI/nO9gjsVzZukKJPcG0a3mmtzYo46J_E7iwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMGP0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXFD4cvUQkM/XDVG62geGVI/AAAAAAAA3bI/nO9gjsVzZukKJPcG0a3mmtzYo46J_E7iwCLcBGAs/s640/IMGP0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When we left our accommodation, the roads were relatively flat, but the walk turned out to be very challenging for some of us who had not fully recovered.<br />
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After passing through the city centre, we soon came across a steep hill with steps that seemed unending. Many of us had to take frequent breaks to catch a breath, which is hard to do when the air is thinner. It is highly recommended that visitors to Macchu Pichu get acclimatized in Cusco before doing the Inca Trail, which was our plan.<br />
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After making up the hill, we got a good look at the city, with all its roofs unison in colour, which are often featured in postcards.<br />
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I also noticed this golden retriever sitting in front of a blue door, and I thought the colour contrast made a good photo at the time.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gALc0ZBlzYk/XDVG-tkyGtI/AAAAAAAA3bY/tLnqy9FRnWw4iZpojola8cFPFP8AyFIDgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMGP0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gALc0ZBlzYk/XDVG-tkyGtI/AAAAAAAA3bY/tLnqy9FRnWw4iZpojola8cFPFP8AyFIDgCLcBGAs/s640/IMGP0151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We ended our day back in the city centre, visiting landmarks including gardens, museums, and courtyards whose names I am having a hard time recalling nearly three years after the visit.<br />
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I will try to embed a map whenever I can. Next up: Inca Trail<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d337.96459343464966!2d-71.97535298830088!3d-13.52031350843579!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x916dd60accf73e25%3A0x699118adc425673d!2sQorikancha!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1546996181338" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-9302076774025520772019-01-06T18:37:00.000-05:002019-01-06T18:39:32.115-05:00Food Journal: Nobuya<b><i>Cross-posted to Google Maps and Yelp</i></b><br />
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I biked here all the way from North York after <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/metro-morning-food-guide-episode-47-1.4811859">hearing about it on CBC Radio</a>. I got there a few minutes before opening on a Friday evening and got to chat with the very friendly owner.<br />
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Having recently visited Japan, I had been disappointed with some of my regular ramen joints in Toronto, but Nobuya delivered!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVyhYYmLS-4/XDKOUzGwL8I/AAAAAAAA3Yg/pYlsvyNlMqUKoDYAuZ2wRQBbkSGlVxoNACEwYBhgL/s1600/20180928_175608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PVyhYYmLS-4/XDKOUzGwL8I/AAAAAAAA3Yg/pYlsvyNlMqUKoDYAuZ2wRQBbkSGlVxoNACEwYBhgL/s640/20180928_175608.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Takoyaki had some of the best batter consistency, and while they were served fresh off the plate, I could still taste the exquisite flavours akin to the ones I tried in Osaka. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcDS0BP6Jlc/XDKOUyubFDI/AAAAAAAA3Yc/huYXUk2S_rMXevqTjB4qui7iQsks-sd2gCEwYBhgL/s1600/20180928_181525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcDS0BP6Jlc/XDKOUyubFDI/AAAAAAAA3Yc/huYXUk2S_rMXevqTjB4qui7iQsks-sd2gCEwYBhgL/s640/20180928_181525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the ramen had rich and fatty broth with plenty of toppings, with some of them very unique to Nobuya. I usually tend to stay away from Shoyu ramen, but this was hands down one of the best I had. </div>
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I highly recommend that you go right at the opening as it gets really busy and you get a chance to chat with the owner.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d11554.469265292159!2d-79.4974026!3d43.614509!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x915bb9a08f13df18!2sNobuya!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sca!4v1546817273091" style="border: 0;" width="400"></iframe></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-41396616166284713852019-01-05T22:28:00.000-05:002019-01-05T22:28:49.263-05:00Changes: 2019 EditionIt is that time of the year when I promise grand changes that I will never follow up on. So I decided to get a jump start on a few things starting back in December.<br />
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1. Instagram<br />
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My #1 time-wasting app. Some days I post and keep refreshing to see how many likes/views I get. Some days I continuously look at other people's stories or Explore feeds, which are catered to my browsing activity. I went cold turkey once for a couple of months, so I am going to try again. I tried to delete my account and requested an extract of all my data, but Facebook/Instagram has been slow in processing my request.<br />
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Eric Kim, a renowned street photographer, has shared a few articles on his blog, which I will link below.<br />
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<a href="http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2018/04/16/why-you-should-delete-your-instagram/">Why You Should Delete Your Instagram</a><br />
<a href="http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2017/12/17/why-i-am-happier-after-deleting-my-instagram/">Why I am Happier After Deleting My Instagram</a><br />
<a href="http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2019/01/03/how-to-achieve-happiness-through-photography/#more-124396">How to Achieve Happiness through Photography</a><br />
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Funny story - I actually randomly ran into him when I was on Tokyo. More on that later.<br />
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I actually deleted Instagram, only to come back a couple of days later to join a group chat. Few days without Instagram were great, so I went ahead and just deleted the app from my phone for the time being.<br />
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2. Flickr<br />
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It got bought out by SmugMug, and 1TB storage limit got reduced to a disappointing 1,000 photos. When my Western Digital Harddrive died, I was grateful for two things: Flickr, and my laziness. I had not formatted my SD cards, so most of the RAW files were still intact. I also uploaded full-size JPEGs to Flickr for sharing with my friends, so thank you Flickr!<br />
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I have completed a download of all my data and deleted my account. It has been a few years since I have been active on Flickr, so I have very little to lose.<br />
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3. Google Plus<br />
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Apparently, there have been security incidents, so <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/8/17951890/google-plus-shut-down-security-api-change-gmail-android">Google announced that they will be shutting it down.</a><br />
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4. My Scratch Map<br />
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It is powered by Google Fusion Tables, which is, unfortunately, shutting down. I will have to look for an alternative, which is actually a blessing in disguise because I will need to update it and fix the issue with Taiwan.<br />
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With all that being said, I will need to redesign some elements of this blog (social links, etc.). Perhaps an overhaul is necessary with a new theme. I will do some more research to make this my #1 platform for journaling my journey towards a more joyous life.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-43482115786492950752019-01-03T13:59:00.000-05:002019-01-03T13:59:43.082-05:00On Cycling2018 for me was the year of cycling. I biked over 1,000 miles outdoors. The earliest highlight in the season was Ride for Heart, an annual charity ride on a stretch of Don Valley Parkway and a part of Gardiner Expressway.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1614847215/embed/d8a9a0303497f00260381b00faa8ff9885cacc9a" width="590"></iframe><br />
Not having climbed much, I was a little worried going into the ride. To my surprise, the climbs over the long distance were manageable, although I often found myself grinding on the lowest gear possible whenever I approached the hills.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d20XFlAjibs" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Near the end of 75km ride, I was getting exhausted and my legs were getting numb. Just as I was about to pass the very last turning point only with a few kilometres to go, I hit a narrow pothole and got my first flat tire, which I managed to fix after struggling for a few minutes while a few concerned cyclists passed by asking if I was in need of any help.<br />
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Just as I started pedalling again, I heard a low hiss that I had feared, which meant that I accidentally ripped the only spare inner tube while putting it on. I accepted my fate and decided to walk the next couple of kilometres. If you have ever tried a pair of cycling shoes with cleats, you will know that the shoes are very hard to walk in.<br />
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After I waved on a few concerned cyclists, a very kind man about my age got off his bike and offered to replace the inner tube while I stood idly by. Thanks to him, I was able to complete my ride with my head held high.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjGKyG5XQ20/XC5ZR-fmG7I/AAAAAAAA3VE/GURNKg3bzsooYSP-203-FkVLU37yoQgdACLcBGAs/s1600/20180603_103437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="781" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OjGKyG5XQ20/XC5ZR-fmG7I/AAAAAAAA3VE/GURNKg3bzsooYSP-203-FkVLU37yoQgdACLcBGAs/s640/20180603_103437.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-91586942722516518022018-03-02T22:43:00.000-05:002018-03-02T22:43:54.530-05:00$#*! Brian Buys: In Search of a New TelevisionCurbing my social media usage has been one of the most beneficial things I have done for my mental health in 2018 (mostly Facebook and Instagram). For the better part of past few months, checking Instagram and Facebook was the first thing I did in the morning and also the last thing I did at night. Whenever I would post a new content, I would be consumed by the relentless need to check the counts for the view, likes, or comments.<br />
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In 2018, I have come across numerous articles exploring the direct/indirect correlation between social media usage and mental health. Having been down on this road before (<b><i>I am not on my first Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts</i></b>), <i>I knew what had to be done. </i><br />
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The changes I made is simple: by deleting apps from my phone, I introduced a layer of inconvenience to my daily ritual. Originally I tried signing out of apps, but because I have Facebook sign-in enabled for multiple accounts, I found it hard to resist the urge to check Facebook out of habit. The main change I made this time is that I didn’t go completely cold turkey, meaning that I am still using Facebook/Instagram on my computer, which I am sitting in front of less and less these days.<br />
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Another app that I deleted from my phone, which I would not have been able to live without for the past few months, is RedFlagDeals. Over the years, I have contributed enough in the RFD community that I have gained a Sr. Member status, but in doing so, I have also developed a habit of buying things that are not necessary. I still have SSDs that are uninstalled; hours of video games that sit unplayed; and copies of Blu-rays that remain wrapped. Many items I have sold for the amount I paid, but it’s otherwise money that I could have saved towards a down payment.<br />
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I did, however, replace my unhealthy habits with something a little more productive and provide utility, which is to go through the backlog of video games that I have accrued over many Steam and PSN sales. Sadly my TV died on last weekend, and I haven’t been able to continue my quest for unlocking that next trophy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: https://imgur.com/gallery/bc7z9</td></tr>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2Fbnr2G">Horizon Zero Dawn</a> has been by far one of the best looking game I have played, and it was also the first game I played in 4K HDR. The story was <b>SO GOOD </b>that this was also the first <i style="font-weight: bold;">real </i>platinum that I accomplished.<br />
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<a href="https://psnprofiles.com/hjkimbrian"><img border="0" src="https://card.psnprofiles.com/2/hjkimbrian.png" /></a></div>
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As much as I like Sony electronics (headphones, PlayStation, car deck), having a TV die on me only within the first 15 months of use has been frustrating. I found the lack of customer support for Sony in Canada appalling, as social media channels have been non-responsive, and phone and chat support have been completely unhelpful.<br />
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Fortunately for me, the credit card that I used for the purchase extended the warranty on the TV, and the technician that came to provide the quote for the repair has advised that it would be more economical to have the TV replaced in its entirety.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Sony-XBR43X800E-43-Inch-Ultra-Android/dp/B01MZFJWOS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&linkCode=li3&tag=hjkimbrian-20&linkId=d9a299e9dba22d57ead60bf29487c40b" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01MZFJWOS&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=CA&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=hjkimbrian-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hjkimbrian-20&l=li3&o=15&a=B01MZFJWOS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
As I wait for my insurance claim to be settled, I am in search of a new TV with similar specifications as the one I had before. The one linked above is only iteratively better than the one I currently have, and I am not so sure of Sony's quality control anymore. 4K and HDR are a must, and I have a size limitation of about 43" as I will also be using this as a monitor for my computer. Based on <a href="https://www.android.com/tv/">Android TV</a> page, seems like my options are very limited if I were to insist on having Android TV features built-in. It seems like smaller TV sizes are not a popular space among the major manufacturers so I may have to consider a dual monitor set up for the time being.<br />
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Do you have any suggestions? Please let me know in the comments section below.<br />
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Disclaimer: <i>We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-42851578868537001352018-02-10T18:25:00.000-05:002018-02-10T18:27:52.729-05:00Blogging Tips (2018 Edition)Do you remember the days when you had to get a referral just to get a Gmail account? I had to get to the end of my Sent items folder to find one of the earliest messages sent from Gmail. I cannot believe that was 13 years ago <i>(for me)</i>. I came across some very cringe-worthy emails that I had sent back in high school, and apparently, I was also very terrified of parking at Surrey Central late at night.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94MIRvdCQV0/Wn9_o-P2MjI/AAAAAAAAj-Q/GMyJZnL3NvIFP0-Vn3aGSypSFTbscwnRQCLcBGAs/s1600/TdHiS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="547" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-94MIRvdCQV0/Wn9_o-P2MjI/AAAAAAAAj-Q/GMyJZnL3NvIFP0-Vn3aGSypSFTbscwnRQCLcBGAs/s640/TdHiS.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://i.imgur.com/TdHiS.jpg</td></tr>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Why did I choose Blogger (over Wordpress or Tumblr)</u><br />
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For me, it came down to cost/customizability. When I got into blogging, I came across many Wedding Photographers whose website/blogs were running on Wordpress <i>(note: not the same as Wordpress.com)</i>, which would incur not only the cost of the domain but also the cost of hosting as well. This, for me as a student, posed a huge barrier to entry.<br />
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Blogging originally started as a journal for writing down my angsty thoughts as a Nanotechnology Engineering student who was <b><i>LOST</i></b> <i>(I have not delisted any of my old posts if you feeling exploring the blog a bit more)</i>. If I could send an email back in time to my younger self 13 years ago, it would go something like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>- Don't go to university so far away from home and alienate yourself from your old friends.</li>
<li>- Don't narrow yourself down to a specific discipline.</li>
<li>- There are people that are smarter than you; don't let that get you down.</li>
</ul>
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<b>I digress.</b> Back to the point - the blog turned into a gallery of sorts to feature some of my photos, to complement my then-active <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hjkimbrian">Flickr</a> activities. Fresh out of school, struggling to find a full-time job (<i>I again managed to pigeonhole myself by working only cushy government GIS jobs</i>), I purchased the domain <a href="http://briankim.ca/">briankim.ca</a> in December 2012 and started working on my personal branding, as a photographer, food aficionado, and a sustainability professional. </div>
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<b>SO WHY DID I ACTUALLY CHOOSE BLOGGER?</b></div>
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Blogger is owned by Google, and I thought that it was most unlikely to go under. Tumblr was bought out by Yahoo (ew) and got sold <i>(I did have a Tumblr blog at one point when I was active in the food scene in Ottawa)</i>, and with Wordpress, I just could not justify additional hosting costs or reliability of hosting service providers. <i>(Wordpress.com does not offer much in terms of customizability)</i>. </div>
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I learned that Blogger is just as customizable using CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, and there were a plethora of pre-built themes for me to tweak with. After hours/days of research, tutorials, and Code Academy modules, I arrived at the final theme that it is today. Many elements were taken from a few themes developed by a front-end developer/web designer <a href="https://iksandi.com/">Iksandi Lojaya</a> based out of Indonesia, which I have given him a full credit for.</div>
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<b>What's new on the blog?</b></div>
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First of all, you may have now noticed that briankim.ca is available over HTTPS, which is good news because <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/8/16991254/chrome-not-secure-marked-http-encryption-ssl">Chrome will soon warn users of HTTP websites</a>. There is still quite a bit of HTTP content linked from other sources <i>(pictures, for example). </i>But for now, avoiding a warning message when trying to access my blog is a big win. </div>
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Another thing that you may have noticed is a higher resolution image of the <i>Popular Post</i> widget which is on the main page of the blog. It was a lot simpler fix that I expected, <i>(basically, it was a small thumbnail that was stretched to fit the widget)</i>.</div>
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And lastly, because I pretty much now live and breathe Google, I will recommend a book that I really enjoyed when I was working at my first co-op job, called Planet Google. A lot has changed since the book came out, but I think it captures the essence of the company, and you can find out for your own to see if Google has stayed true to its mission and vision. I might pick up a copy myself again, to find out on my own.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001FA0W6Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B001FA0W6Q&linkCode=as2&tag=hjkimbrian-20&linkId=e3ce0c2f855613f47d7fe9889781d6ba" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=CA&ASIN=B001FA0W6Q&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=hjkimbrian-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hjkimbrian-20&l=am2&o=15&a=B001FA0W6Q" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-48420149471972667712018-02-05T21:20:00.000-05:002019-01-03T14:11:27.423-05:00Travel Log: LimaOn my new job, I get to work with some people who are in or from Peru. Working with them has brought back fond memories from my trip to Peru, which has encouraged me to write a follow-up post on my Peru series of posts.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5OpfgWF-II/WnkCDZQFehI/AAAAAAAAj4c/mvbutXIBS_cO5IN0pg1yS0ob22L7_rJuwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMGP9915-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5OpfgWF-II/WnkCDZQFehI/AAAAAAAAj4c/mvbutXIBS_cO5IN0pg1yS0ob22L7_rJuwCLcBGAs/s640/IMGP9915-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We booked an AirBNB in Miraflores, which is one of the more affluent neighbourhoods in the city. Upon arriving in Miraflores, I could immediately notice the paragliders ready to soar through the sky, just I had seen in many videos while researching for the trip. Had I more time, this is something I likely would have tried, as I tend to seek thrill every chance I get.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svsYa3isHJk/WnkCDibKA3I/AAAAAAAAj5E/bhrCAfsDfX0KpMwqmWvqvz2Z2tQ-ui_nwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP9954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svsYa3isHJk/WnkCDibKA3I/AAAAAAAAj5E/bhrCAfsDfX0KpMwqmWvqvz2Z2tQ-ui_nwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP9954.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We then slowly made our way through Lancomar, which is the mall right on top of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. There were many stores that you would come across in US and Canada, and we settled for a cheap Peruvian fast food and started heading towards Barranco.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh1YSX99gjw/WnkCEHb0r0I/AAAAAAAAj5E/sfCD_UQOhgo9BAKgsxUzO_pqg43Yjb0EACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP9969.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh1YSX99gjw/WnkCEHb0r0I/AAAAAAAAj5E/sfCD_UQOhgo9BAKgsxUzO_pqg43Yjb0EACEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP9969.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The walk to Barranco wasn't long, but it gave me enough time to stop at places to appreciate the lush vegetation covering the canyons.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xK7Hf8Y5b5w/WnkCE0kGUjI/AAAAAAAAj48/42t_j12tR2k2Shjfd_SIvdpjmpSNh9PbACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP9972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xK7Hf8Y5b5w/WnkCE0kGUjI/AAAAAAAAj48/42t_j12tR2k2Shjfd_SIvdpjmpSNh9PbACEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP9972.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
As I am writing this post and retracing my steps, I came to a realization that I don't have a lot of photos from Barranco for a couple of reasons:<br />
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<ol>
<li>1. It was dark (I didn't take out my camera after dark for personal safety - Peru seemed to me like a very safe place, but I didn't want to take any chances so early into my trip)</li>
<li>2. I got a sudden onset of a stomach cramp, which was too bad because we went to <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowUserReviews-g294316-d1206575-r99731720-Tio_Mario-Lima_Lima_Region.html">one of the best places for Antichuchos in Barranco</a> (think meat skewers), and all I could really eat were Peruvian corn and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicha_morada">chica morada</a>.</li>
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The next day, we decided to explore the more central part of Lima; but first, we decided that it was time to get a SIM card for emergency use, which didn't turn out so well because it barely worked.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNkzAPqCPWU/WnkCFIeJcOI/AAAAAAAAj5E/PI8xRLqzPLcSWFLvPz1xDJlSMerDJ4-jQCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP9982-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vNkzAPqCPWU/WnkCFIeJcOI/AAAAAAAAj5E/PI8xRLqzPLcSWFLvPz1xDJlSMerDJ4-jQCEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP9982-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were a lot of parades when we were in Peru, and in every city that we visited (Lima, Cuzco, Arequipa, and Puno) we would have come across one had we stayed long enough.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDwk5zzmYho/WnkCFsr0Q4I/AAAAAAAAj5A/Es36YQ9pRhgtBawrT0rFxPIvdOK6VKThwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP9986.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rDwk5zzmYho/WnkCFsr0Q4I/AAAAAAAAj5A/Es36YQ9pRhgtBawrT0rFxPIvdOK6VKThwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP9986.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Plaza de Armas, which in present-day translates into the main square. has colonial heritage and could be found in all the cities that we went to. We were lucky enough to witness the change of the guards at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Palace_(Peru)">Government Palace</a> seen in the background. </div>
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Plaza Mayor, which is another name for Lima's Plaza de Armas, also has other architecturally interesting building, including the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_Palace_(Peru)">Archibishop's Palace</a> shown in the photo above.<br />
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Our last stop in Plaza de Armas was the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_of_San_Francisco,_Lima">Monastery of San Fransisco</a>, which did not allow photos inside. There was a catacomb underground, with remains of people whose names history and time have forgotten.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_huhEYQfNU/WnkCC-4sCLI/AAAAAAAAj44/CgjzDBHkcKQAK_BlIVjqfS5YrTEZUvgDACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMGP0049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b_huhEYQfNU/WnkCC-4sCLI/AAAAAAAAj44/CgjzDBHkcKQAK_BlIVjqfS5YrTEZUvgDACEwYBhgL/s640/IMGP0049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We finished our visit to Lima at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larco_Museum">Larco Museum</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huaca_Pucllana">Huaca Pucllana</a>, exploring history and culture of Peru, which is befitting because the next post will be on Cusco, the historic capital of Inca Empire.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-21338270106920785472018-02-03T20:44:00.000-05:002018-02-03T20:44:28.189-05:00I made a scratch map!I've been working on this a while, but I managed to finally make a scratch map. At my old co-op job back in 2011, I used Google's Fusion Table, which I then assumed would soon be deprecated. After many years, I realized that it still exists in its primitive form which remained unchanged.<br />
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See <a href="http://www.briankim.ca/p/scratch-map.html">Scratch Map here</a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRSp8_REul4/WnZib-l4syI/AAAAAAAAj3I/QGQhVo_HVCUbvAHJ9_hQKmc1OaG1YRIEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Capture.PNG"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="1085" height="401" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRSp8_REul4/WnZib-l4syI/AAAAAAAAj3I/QGQhVo_HVCUbvAHJ9_hQKmc1OaG1YRIEQCLcBGAs/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Using what knowledge I have left of GIS, and working with basic tabular/vector data, I managed to combine a few XML files showing Canadian Provinces, US States, and the rest of the world. The biggest challenge was downloading and cleaning a half decent XML file.<br />
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During the process, I realized that Google has a tendency to avoid geo-politically sensitive issues, as my attempts to repeatedly draw polygons around the island of Taiwan failed (zoom into Taiwan and you will see)<span style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit;">.</span><br />
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<span style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit;">I also managed to finally get rid of the sidebar on the static page, increase the width of the post body, and improved the looks of Contact page as well. It was just a few simple tweaks in HTML/CSS, but I definitely needed a refresher. </span><br />
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<span style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit;">I will eventually work on updating the map with relevant information (right now it contains whatever information that came with the XML files). I also definitely hope to get across the Atlantic later this year or sometime next year and start scratching some countries off my list. </span><br />
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<span style="color: inherit; font-size: inherit;">I will be going to Korea, Japan, and Taiwan in a couple of months, which I am really excited about. I will be travelling alone, so if you know anyone in the area, give me a shout!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-63887780882240230962018-01-13T12:02:00.000-05:002018-01-13T12:10:13.880-05:00$#*! Brian Buys: OnePlus 5TI have a confession: I am an online shopaholic. With credit card information saved on my Amazon account, it's really easy for me to make an online transaction. An active member of RedFlagDeals, I am always lurking on the forums, sometimes posting deals that I find enticing. At my previous work, I had <b><i>SO MANY</i></b> Amazon packages delivered to me.<br />
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When it comes to digital media, I am a bit of a hoarder, and I used to be the guy in university residence with access to music, movies, and tv shows. My steam and console game library continues to grow, with no time for me to actually play any games.<br />
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With all that being said, I am going to start writing about the things that I buy, whether impulsively or purposefully. For me, the concept of ownership has changed drastically. I don't buy things for the sake of owning, but rather just to try it out for a while. Some things do not lose value lose over time (e.g. camera lenses), which I can often sell for the same price that I buy at. However, other things (cars, for example), depreciate very quickly within the first few months of purchase.<br />
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One prime example of this is phones. Since leaving BlackBerry Bold 9700, I have gone through many phones for personal and work use.<br />
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Samsung Galaxy S4 (Personal)<br />
Sony Xperia Z3 (Work)<br />
Nexus 5X (Work)<br />
Nexus 6P (Work)<br />
LG G4 (Personal)<br />
ZTE Axon 7 (Personal)<br />
OnePlus 5T (Personal)<br />
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You will notice a trend of moving away from Korean/Japanese manufacturer to Chinese manufacturers for the last couple of personal devices. Chinese smartphone manufacturing has closed the technological gap over the past few years with the traditional industry leaders. Dual SIM devices, offered by ZTE and OnePlus by default, have been tremendously helpful at my previous job and once at a border crossing. Sure, cameras in these phones may have left something to be desired, but at a fractional cost of other flagship devices, I am not complaining.<br />
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Unless there is a technological breakthrough this year, I will hold onto my OnePlus. It's by far the fastest phone that I used. Although this is the first personal device without a MicroSD slot, I can leave without it since I no longer carry my entire MP3 library with me everywhere I go.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60W9rF4Zb9Y/Wlo9ViHHcoI/AAAAAAAAhNM/5JBCEU88WMYJYKmxIEgunLozuc5xsIfHQCLcBGAs/s1600/OnePlus5T001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60W9rF4Zb9Y/Wlo9ViHHcoI/AAAAAAAAhNM/5JBCEU88WMYJYKmxIEgunLozuc5xsIfHQCLcBGAs/s640/OnePlus5T001.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: https://articles-images.sftcdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/12/OnePlus5T001.jpeg</td></tr>
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The only complaint that I might have is OnePlus' aggressive release calendar. I am already hearing rumors of OnePlus 6 being released in Q2 of 2018. I will keep my eye out for more details as this year unfolds.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-24605202764902342342017-09-02T21:25:00.000-04:002019-01-03T14:11:15.638-05:00Travel Log: Huacachina<a href="http://www.briankim.ca/2017/08/travel-log-paracas.html">After our brief visit to Paracas</a>, we headed to Ica by bus where we checked into our hotel, stretched our legs for a bit, and took a much need shower before heading out to Huacachina, which was a short taxi ride away.<br />
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Huacachina is a small town located by an oasis in a desert, which thrives own tourism. There are numerous tour agencies that offer dune buggy excursions, so it's best to shop around and negotiate for a deal. I am not much of a thrift shopper myself (other than doing advance research), so I left all the negotiating to my friends who drove a hard bargain and got us an amazing deal.<br />
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Once you are on the dune buggy, the driver/guide will take you to up and down the sand dunes with plenty of stops for photos. The ride can be quite bumpy, so you would need to fasten any loose items, and hold the railing in front for support. I was trying to take a video of the ride, but my attempt was not very successful.<br />
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I cannot pose for photos, and this is why I am usually the one behind the camera. Also, why did nobody tell me to take off my hat in the photos? I look very stupid and cannot use <u style="font-weight: bold;">ANY</u> of the photos for new profile pictures that are much needed to boost my <i style="font-weight: bold;">interestingness</i><i>.</i><br />
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After you've had a chance to explore the village, it's a good time to go for a dune buggy ride, especially near twilight hours for a couple of reasons:<br />
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1. It's a bit cooler. Remember that you're in a desert and there is barely any shade unless you are sitting on the shadier side of the sand dunes.<br />
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2. The contrast between light and dark become very pronounced with the shadows, and the sunset is very popular among tourists.<br />
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I would agree this was by far one of the most spectacular sunsets I had ever seen or photographed in my life. Having grown up in Korea and Vancouver, most of the sunsets I had seen were over bodies of water, this was one of my first sunsets over a very rugged terrain which created for an intersting foreground.<br />
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And the moon came out too as the sun was setting.<br />
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The top of the sand dunes illuminated by the setting sun provided an interesting backdrop for silhouettes of my friends. Having snowboarded for a numbere of years, I was able to go down the sanddunes with ease and would wait for my friends who would work their way down. Being punctual and always ready to go with a moment's notice, I would soon find a pattern in our group dynamic.<br />
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Next stop: LimaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comHuacachina, Peru-14.0874587 -75.762586-14.0913092 -75.7676285 -14.083608199999999 -75.7575435tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-22970067729804758062017-08-31T19:03:00.000-04:002017-08-31T19:03:23.903-04:00Food Journal: North Town Korean RestaurantIf my friends have a craving for good Korean seafood soup, I know just where to take them. Now having been there twice, I am confident in both the quality of the food, and the level of service provided at the restaurant.<br />
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Seafood stew we ordered (pictured below), priced at $39.99, serves about 2-3 people with generous amounts of seafood (squid, octopus, shrimp, mussels, crab, etc.) and vegetables. You can order additional vegetables, rice, and noodles if you're hungry.<br />
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The ingredients are fresh, and when the restaurant is not busy, the owner (who is really nice and talkative) will come to your table and help cut the food into bite size and plate it at the table. This is the perfect spot for a cold day, as my first visit had been after a day of snowboarding. This place also has one of the best pancakes served as a side dish. If you would like a larger portion, try to order Seafood Pancake that's listed on the menu!<br />
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The only downside is that English name for the restaurant is too generic. Korean name's so much better, which is 엄마해물탕 (UmMa HaeMoolTang), which translates to Mom's Seafood Stew - I have capitalized each syllable in case you are learning to read Korean.<br />
<a href="https://www.yelp.ca/biz/north-town-korean-restaurant-vaughan-2"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.yelp.ca/biz/north-town-korean-restaurant-vaughan-2">North Town Korean Restaurant on Yelp</a> (not North Korean Restaurant)<br />
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p.s. Does anyone have experience with Zomato? After Urbanspoon got bought out, I completely stopped writing about food, but it looks like the old Spoonback system still exists.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7368 Clark Ave W, Thornhill, ON L4J 7Y6, Canada43.807283354263326 -79.42292139947517243.806925354263328 -79.423551899475171 43.807641354263325 -79.422290899475172tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-27426352403145867032017-08-29T20:45:00.000-04:002019-01-03T14:11:49.685-05:00Travel Log: Paracas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is Part 1 of a long-overdue posts for a trip down to Peru and Bolivia last year. Since I am terrible with names, I will try my best to hyperlink <span style="background-color: yellow;">to</span> TripAdvisor page where appropriate, so it may serve as a guide for future travellers who may want to venture down south.</div>
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We took a late afternoon flight out of Toronto Pearson airport and landed in Lima, and took the <a href="http://www.cruzdelsur.com.pe/">Cruz Del Sur</a> bus from the city straight to Paracas, where we had a tour guide waiting for us. </div>
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Led by a <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g445063-d1771568-Reviews-Emotion_Tour_Peru_Day_Tours-Paracas_Ica_Region.html">local tour guide</a>, whose name I cannot remember (keeping up with travel diary only lasted a day for me), we were taken to landscapes so foreign, that I felt like I ended up on another planet.<br />
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The high winds and the aridity in the area left salt to be hardened over time. (Paracas means "sand rain" in Quechua according to Wikipedia and the tour guide) The roads are made of hard-packed salted, rather than being paved by machines.<br />
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There were a lot of vultures in the area, with the one sitting atop a sign that warns tourists to not throw any garbage into the sea.<br />
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Our tour guide pointed out that Paracas was once a lively town with diverse economy (I'm paraphrasing a bit here with no source to back this up), but was damaged in 2007 earthquake. Now most of the economy is based on tourism.<br />
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For my trip, I brought a <a href="https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-18-135mm-F3.5-5.6-ED-AL-IF-DC-WR.html">general purpose lens</a>, but I only realized on the trip that not only was the front element of the lens scratched, but also that I am terrible at using circular polarizer and probably better off without it. The photos are mostly not touched (because I am lazy), but corrected for exposure, contrast, and framing where I see fit.<br />
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On photos with large depth of field (small aperture, large F-stop), you may notice some loss of contrast somewhere in the middle of the frame, depending on the subject and lighting conditions. I had to drive in the middle of a snow/sleet storm all the way to Hamilton on a toll road, just to pick up this lens, along with another DSLR and my second or third <a href="https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-50mm-F1.4-Lens.html">50mm f/1.4 lens</a>.<br />
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I have now sold most of my gears except for some of the APS-C prime lenses. Having lost much of my interest in photography, I did not think it would be necessary for me to move on to 35mm (full frame) at a significantly greater cost.<br />
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How did these rocks arranged themselves like this? Other tourists? I am sure there was an explanation but it's hard to recall small details over one year after the trip.<br />
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Another side note - I nearly lost <b>ALL </b>my photos including the ones taken with my camera and the ones taken with my phones because:<br />
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1. My Western Digital hard drive had a catastrophic failure. Luckily I had small versions of the photos backed up to my Flickr, and also I don't take much photos any more, so my memory cards were largely unformatted. (I was asked to shoot a proposal at High Park and was promised payment for my time, and payment never came. Maybe the <b><i>client</i></b> really didn't like the photos. I had to shoot from a stealthy location with very limited equipment, on extremely short notice, and with little to no location scouting. I probably needed a 300mm or even a 500mm lens, which I would never use.) Thankfully the photos that were lost were from the tail-end of the trip when I got really sick.<br />
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2. My LG G4 <b><u>died</u> </b>on me not too long after the trip. The phone had known boot loop problems, and now there is a class action suit against LG for this. I was able to get this repaired under warranty (after I had already spent time and resources to get it repaired on my own) and sell the phone, but the boot loop problem corrupted my MicroSD card, resulting in loss of photos, videos (not backed up), music, and other media that I had on my phone. This along with the whole Samsung Galaxy Note 7 debacle made me lose faith in Korean electronics a bit, and has deterred me from purchasing the new devices.<br />
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I remember thinking that I was in Dorne from A Song of Ice and Fire series (or Game of Thrones) when I took some of these photos. It was too bad that the friends whom I travelled with were not avid watchers as I was.<br />
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The gastronomical highlight of the trip was the food we had on this private tour. We were taken to this <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g445063-d10212376-Reviews-Restaurante_Tia_Pily-Paracas_Ica_Region.html">restaurant by the beach</a> that was completely empty except for the owner. We were worried that we might be getting ripped off, but the ceviche we had here was of exceptional quality amongst other food that we had tried there.<br />
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Another thing that this restaurant offered was the unobstructed view of the ocean with the wildlife right in front of you. What better way to start your morning than with fresh ceviche surrounded by nature! If I could, I would like to go back to Paracas and spend some more time exploring the area.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comParacas, Peru-13.8409149 -76.250830399999984-13.9025869 -76.331511399999982 -13.7792429 -76.170149399999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-36087851596598890402017-08-12T16:06:00.000-04:002018-02-10T18:33:46.900-05:00Lost & FoundIt's been a while since I posted anything on the blog. It's been a busy couple of years with work and other priorities, and writing a new post took a backseat. I have accumulated a large number of photos to share, some of which were lost when my Western Digital Hard Drive failed unexpectedly. Luckily I had web-sized versions uploaded to <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hjkimbrian/" target="_blank">my Flicker</a>.<br />
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On the other hand, I have started exercising more: playing softball weekly, riding a bike almost daily, and running occasionally. I just completed my first 5km run today. My pace was a bit all over the place because my heart was overworking for the most part, and I needed to take a break.<br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://www.strava.com/activities/1129986100/embed/797587a9c2af41afe6eef02aded8faff804848ac" width="590"></iframe><br />
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Exercising, so far, has been a good avenue of collecting my thoughts because when I am stressed or anxious, I tent to get myself hurt, or lose things. The other day, I misplaced my <a href="http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/jaybird-jaybird-x3-wireless-in-ear-bluetooth-sport-headphones-black-985-000580/10510605.aspx" target="_blank">Jaybird X3</a> earbuds at the gym which I only used a handful of times, since getting it a couple of months ago. Losing things bums me out, and being bummed out makes me lose things. It's a spiral that I can never get out of.<br />
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My wallet has racked up quite a bit of mileage when it first disappeared at Toronto Pearson Airport and reappeared a few weeks later, having travelled to God-knows-where. Air Canada staff could not give me a definite answer on where the wallet was found, and how the wallet made itself back to the Lost and Found, weeks after it was originally lost.<br />
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Accepting the fact that something is lost early on is sometimes the best course of action because there is not really much that I can do to find what is already lost. I got into a somewhat-serious cycling accident a couple of weeks ago when I slipped on a slick pavement marking and fell over the handlebars. I suffered a mild concussion, possibly a fractured clavicle, and a badly scraped knee. I simply accepted that I got injured, and I have been working on rehabilitating ever since, slowly increasing my exercise load.<br />
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I will not commit to any particular posting schedule at this time, I will just go at my own pace, not worrying about readership or any other metrics that are considered an extrinsic motivator. I will need to go through a large library of photos, and photo editing is probably my least favourite part of photography. If anyone wants to keep in touch with me, I am on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/briank.im/">@briank.im</a>.<br />
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p.s. I have also been reading more now that I finally bought a Kindle.<br />
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Book recommendations:<br />
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<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0399169474/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=0399169474&linkCode=as2&tag=hjkimbrian-20&linkId=7f6f4ed90bc4ec8389b88b4de6848668">The Happiness Equation: Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything</a><img src="//ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hjkimbrian-20&l=am2&o=15&a=0399169474" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br />
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0062641549/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=0062641549&linkCode=as2&tag=hjkimbrian-20&linkId=a7bfa968d8830fe825b032dc7fdfff0e">The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life</a><img src="//ir-ca.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hjkimbrian-20&l=am2&o=15&a=0062641549" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-12411569679888437362016-07-10T22:47:00.000-04:002016-07-10T22:49:24.954-04:00Portland 2015Road trip is something that I do not do often enough. Last summer, I took my family down to Portland, Oregon and we stopped by Seattle on the way. Most of our destinations consisted of culinary explorations and photo ops that are often featured heavily in postcards and brochures about the places that we were planning on visiting.<br />
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We stopped by Pike Place market in Seattle where we stopped for a quick bite at the very well-known Pike Place Chowder. The line ran out the door, and the tables were bustling with lunch time crowd composed of locals and tourists. We then checked out the gum wall which has since then been cleaned up.<br />
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Once we got into Portland, we checked into an an <a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/213228" target="_blank">AirBNB apartment just outside of the city along the MAX line</a>, which was very convenient to get to downtown. During our short stay in the city, we explored Powell's bookstore, food carts, plus coffee roasters (<a href="https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/" target="_blank">Stumptown</a> and <a href="http://www.heartroasters.com/" target="_blank">Heart</a>) that the city is well known for.<br />
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We also visited picturesque Multnomah Falls just outside of the city, where we were able to sit down and relax away from the the city. I always thought the two waterfalls reminded me of Rivdendell from LOTR.<br />
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On the way back to Vancouver, we wanted to visit the famous Oregon Pacific Coast, and went on a detour to see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haystack_Rock" target="_blank">Haystack Rock</a>. Despite the overcast sky, the beach was busy with large crowds. We managed to find a parking in an adjacent local park and took a long stroll on the beach where tourists were enjoying the afternoon on recumbent tricycles.<br />
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Looking through the photos, I realize that sunnier weather would have made better pictures on the beach. With that being said, I am very grateful to have spent time with my family whom I do not see very often. I look forward to the next vacation with my family when we can catch up and spend quality time together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-61643828306387963042015-12-27T11:57:00.002-05:002016-01-16T07:18:40.677-05:00Vancouver 2015My family and I don't get to spend a lot of time together since we are scattered across Canada. This year, I decided to coincide my vacation with my sister's, so our family could spend some time together.<br />
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My girlfriend bought me a voucher for bungee jumping in Whistler, which I have been wanting to do for the past few years. Once I was on the bridge, I jumped without hesitation. Accelerating during my descent was exhilarating, and just as I was starting to feel any sense of fear, the elasticity of bungee cord flung me back up in the air.<br />
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On the way back, I stopped by the picturesque Brandywine falls, which had been overlooked in my previous trips to Whistler in favour of <a href="http://www.briankim.ca/2009/07/my-favourite-photo.html" target="_blank">Shannon Falls</a>.<br />
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On our way back from Whistler, we stopped at Porteau Cove, which is one of our favourite spots to stop by on Sea-to-Sky Highway. Despite increase popularity over the years and subsequent difficulty in finding parking, there is a sense of serenity that can be found there.<br />
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Being able to get away from city life so easily that is unique to Vancouver that I have not been able to find in Toronto. I sometimes wonder whether the success of indoor activities in Toronto (board game cafes, escape rooms, archery tags, bubble soccer, etc.), albeit fun, can be attributed to lack of getaways within a short driving distance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-29607085283142191052015-12-18T22:50:00.001-05:002015-12-18T22:50:09.276-05:00Wrapping up 2015<p dir="ltr">2015 was a slow year in blogging for me, but busy year overall in my offline life. Recently moved in with friends in a house where there are actually common spaces other than the kitchen and the laundry room, and my responsibilities at work Co tinge to grow with no signs of them slowing down. </p>
<p dir="ltr">One of my roommates supposedly knows someone that can high quality photos for free, so I will be going through my catalogue to see if there are any that are worth being printed and/or framed. So I expect the frequency of posting will increase in the near future. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Quite frankly, I've been spending too much time on other social media (<i>namely Instagram</i>), which I am trying to cut back a little in the coming year. In exchange, I will continue to document my thoughts to keep in my creative mind and sanity in check. <br></p>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-71233848998549680482015-05-18T21:10:00.000-04:002015-05-18T21:16:02.876-04:00Autumn in New York Pt. 2<u>Disclaimer: This post contains <i>touristy </i>images.</u><br />
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The last leg of my sister and my trip to NYC began with
the cruise around Manhattan island. We began our day at a pier near
Brooklyn bridge, which we were able to sail under to get a breathtaking
view of rays of sunshine coming just over the bridge. <br />
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We then circled around the island, which brought us to the Freedom
Tower, which we had seen from earlier days of our trip. It was
nonetheless quite the sight to see the symbolic building stand so tall
at the site of such tragedy. <br />
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Our boat then set sail to Libery Island where the Statue of Liberty stood. If we had more time on our<br />
trip, I would have liked to gone on the island itself to get a closer look at another iconic landmark of New York.<br />
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After grabbing smoked meat sandwich for lunch, we head to Central Park for a bike ride. The perimeter of the park felt a little smaller than I had anticipated. However, it was a perfect size for a novice bike rider such as myself. </div>
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Right after the bike ride, we went to the Museum of Modern Art to cool down. Having been to smaller galleries such as National Gallery of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario, I was overwhelmed by the size of the collection as well as its rich history and cultural significance.<br />
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Looking back at the trip, I can't fathom how my sister and I were able to squeeze such tight itinerary into short number of days. There was significant amount of walking in our trip, and our routes could have been better optimized. If I can find a good deal on flight and accommodation, I would not hesitate to go back and visit some of the areas that I may have missed on this trip. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-17947256275642138212015-02-07T21:33:00.002-05:002015-02-07T21:33:56.584-05:00Autumn in New York Pt. 1Back in November, my sister and I went on a trip to New York City, which I have never had a chance to visit before. We landed at LaGuardia Airport and took the subway into Manhattan before dropping off our bags at our hostel in Upper West Side. By nightfall, we dragged our exhausted bodies out of the bed back into the heart of Manhattan for a full night of tourist experience.<br />
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On our first day, we walked around Wall Street, visited the Freedom Tower, had Shake Shack and Halal Guys, went to Times Square, and went up to the observatory deck of Empire State Building. It was an exceptionally tiring but rewarding day to have visited so many tourist destinations in such short time frame.<br />
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At Times Square, however, there were people dressed up in costumes as various characters from different film and videogame franchises, who would force themselves upon tourists to take a picture with them, and demand for tips in outrageous amounts. This was a very unpleasant experience, and I would advise anyone to be aware.<br />
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Our second day began at the observatory deck of Rockefeller Center, where we had a clear view of Manhattan. On our flight into the airport, we had a closeup aerial view of the city, as our plane had to circle around the island while waiting for the runway to be cleared.<br />
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We did some shopping during the day, as I was underdressed for cold November weather. In the afternoon, we were so exhausted that we went back to the hostel and took a nap. Our second day ended in Brooklyn, where we had pizza from Grimaldi's and cold milkshakes from Shake Shack, despite having complained about cold weather only hours prior.<br />
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Having eaten so much in just two days, we decided to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan. On this trip, we walked enough to wear the soles off my sister's shoes, that she had to buy a new pair.<br />
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Days 3 & 4 of the trip to follow in a separate post.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1043618426533883237.post-45079223711273055892014-11-13T21:53:00.004-05:002014-11-15T00:21:34.797-05:00Niagara Falls & TorontoA couple of months ago, a friend of mine visited from out of town, and we decided to go to Niagara Falls for a day. Having driven to Niagara region a few days prior, I was relieved when my friend offered to drive for the whole duration of the trip.<br />
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Although it was my second time in Niagara Falls, many sights were unfamiliar, as my last visit was during the winter when most things were still iced up. It was great to see the falls in its full glory without having to worry about myself turning into an icicle.<br />
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After doing the Journey Behind the Falls, we headed back to Downtown Toronto in a very heavy traffic with Don Valley Parkway being closed for the weekend. I understand the importance of highway maintenance, but to shutting down the highway for the entire weekend must have inconvenienced <i>A LOT</i> of people.<br />
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After grabbing a quick, but a little disappointing bite in Koreatown, we head to distillery district for a drink at Mill Street Brewery. I had been to the distillery district before on a few different occasions, but I never had a chance to explore its roots - beers. As I consider myself to be a self-proclaimed beer connoisseur, not being acquainted with one of the most iconic Toronto beers was a little embarrassing.<br />
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I had always wanted to capture a good night time skyline of Toronto from a vantage point along Lake Ontario. I managed to cross that off my bucket list when I walked to Polson Pier from Distillery District.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com