KFC's Korean spicy chicken. The temptation to eat it is killing me, but you know I can't keep sabotaging my own diet plans. Till next time then. :(
Let's backtrack a little to Simba's birthday. We went to the National Geographic's 50 Photographs Exhibition, as Simba is a fan of National Geographic and I want to see artistic photographs taken with remarkable and almost backbreaking efforts. I'm deeply sorry for laughing at Joanne for being a fan of the Discovery Channel and National Geographic years ago but I now realise that these channels are awesome with a capital A, due to Simba's and his ex-roommate's influences. His ex-roommate has keen interests in nature and animals, so apart from showing us videos to inspire us to care for our planet, his snapshots of birds were used in photography contests were also presented to us with great enthusiasm. :D
The Chop House, the Steakhouse which originated from Hong Kong and has an average rating of 85% (though rated by a small sample size of 13 people) from hungrygowhere.com, became an alternative for us to dine in since Simba got off late from work and Jamie's Italian was full house. Attracted by the impressive reputation of the restaurant, we decided to give it a try.
A small birthday gift that I bought for him from KSL's Factory Outlet Store (FOS). I was initially hesitant to buy it since the small prints (somemore squirrel prints) are considered too loud for him, but TW who helped me try it out actually looks good in it, so I just had to buy it.
The beer I couldn't finish.
Long time since I drank some beer
(as it dawned on me one day that I should be a healthy individual for like a month lol).
Pasta is always my first choice for any menu which has it,
but Simba's loud protests stopped me in my tracks.
The sausage was too deep fried for my liking, so I couldn't put myself through another bite.
3 sauces to go with the course.
Simba who "gave me face" went to put on the tee before dinner was served.
His Chop House Steak Burger, which he, the activist against food waste, painstakingly finished it.
What's a birthday without a birthday cake?
I ordered Bailey's cheesecake only to find out that we can't judge a book by its cover. Don't be deceived by its professional presentation; it is only mediocre and without any hint of Bailey's.
Ambience was there to make up for immense lack of satisfaction in the taste.
We were indeed baffled by the fantastic reviews but since they were based on mostly steaks and chops, we could only blame ourselves for being too adventurous and not listening to others' recommendations.
The weekend following his birthday, we were ready to view photographs that tell of individual stories behind them at ArtScience Museum.
We headed to the museum with a deliberate plan to view just the National Geographic's 50 Photographs after getting daily reminders from the advertisements at Serangoon MRT station. But we fell for the "gimmick"as Simba's friend likes to call it, and bought tickets to 2 exhibitions at a cheaper price as compared to buying for 1 separately. Hence this became how we had to divvy up our time for EAMES and 50 Photographs (cos I spent a ridiculously long time at any 1 exhibition).
EAMES Exhibition:
Charles and Ray Eames were a couple who lived in the 1900s and pioneered the movement from traditional furniture designs to more modern and sophisticated ones. They owned Herman Miller Inc., a reputable furniture making company and were known also for their photography arts and board games' designs.
Having seen and read about their marvellous designs through this exhibition, I think they were so good at what they were doing!
Eames Hang-It-All Coat Rack.
They ditched the idea of building a traditional standing coat rack and designed something that is small, practical and fun. From his website, I read that Ray Eames designed a wide range of whimsical toys and furniture specifically for children because of a simple reason - he wanted to give them to his grandchildren.
Did I say they loved photography too?
These photographs which gave prominence to individual components that make up the furniture were so brilliantly taken.
A box of toys that were part of their toy collection.
I love how vintage they look!
Designers have exceptional taste when it comes to decorating their house. These toy trains were exhibited in the display cases of the Eameses'.
Swivel chairs and children's coffee tables were a big part of their design scope.
Designer's cupboard. I love the Lego brick-like design on it
and its cleverly blended colours with the same hue!
Eameses' metal chairs that were great for patios and as a matter of fact, great for picnics in these patios.
The Eameses were always intrigued by the Indian culture and so upon exploration, they invented designs that had elements of the culture. What he was holding up is what they call the leaf plate to hold food as part of their notion to being eco-friendly.
Mathematicians, Astronomers, Scientists and Inventors who lived during the 1700s and 1900s.
As many mathematical methods were named after their creator, we could recognise a few of the Mathematicians.
Issac Newton
Pierre-Simon Laplace
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Leonhard Euler
Among all others, I think Galileo Galilei's work in astronomy was honourable as he was one of the first to delve into knowing more about our universe, including observing planets for the first time through the telescope he constructed.
The Eameses cleverly used monochrome on their adverts to attract potential customers back in the days and now you can still see posters whose designs improved from this displayed in shops of Singapore and they still look contemporary and cool.
Look at how the chairs fit in with each tile design and how the integration of every little detail can make the whole poster look very compelling.
When you look in through the lens of this 3-D View Master Reels, you will see stereo photographs taken by the Eameses themselves.
"House of Cards", a game that captured many kids' hearts.
The six slots on each card enable the player to interlock the cards so as to build structures of myriad shapes and sizes.
This photograph was staged to look as if it was taken candid and so, it would explain my stiff shoulders and arm gesture.
Lounge chair for big bosses.
During World War II, bulky, uncomfortable metal leg splints were used for soldiers who suffered from leg fractures, but were of course inefficient. Thus, the US Navy called upon the Eameses to create a lightweight, inexpensive leg splint. The resulting design is a wooden, highly sculptural yet function device that could be mass-produced and being modular, conveniently and inexpensively transported.
(from: http://www.metmuseum.org/)
Near the end of the exhibition hall were an open space where some of the Eames' furniture was on display.
My kind of chair. Somehow it jogged my memory of the illustration in which Alice met the King and Queen of Hearts and their soldiers after the tea party in Alice in Wonderland.
Another designer's metal chair with leather coated on the parts where your shoulder and butt need support.
The Eames Lounge Chair, first chair that the Eameses designed for the high-end market.
The checkered sofa is a classic example of Pop art,
as it comprises of metal industrial grid for legs and a bold, multi-coloured sofa cover.
Toy ducks to float with bubbles in your bathtub.
Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
Relentless, bold designs like this, even without consideration on its practicality are my preference.
You can still find some of these Eames sofas from Herman Miller and on eBay.
A humorously written marriage proposal from Charles to Ray.
People in the past proposed using love letters which is a simple but sincere way to express your love. Though I must say if it were me, a person living in the present modern world, at the receiving end, I would demand at least a decent dinner! :D
Thanks for reading! :D
