On Teaching

Finding unique ways to teach the new generation is becoming the norm in education.

(Creating "human rights" t-shirts in the classroom)

On Cheapness

Just because you may be a student on a budget it doesn't mean your university will serve you reasonable meal deals. 

(Pathetic $5 portion from uOttawa)

On Guide Dogs

It is potentially harmful to learn a guide dog's name as it may stray from its owner.

(A nameless guide dog in an Ottawa clinic)

On the Technology Loop

Taking a break from technology can be helpful from time to time if you don't want to spiral out of control.

On Leftover Cake

You don't have to eat the whole delicious cake just because it has your name on it.

(A former slice of birthday cake)

On Birthdays

Birthdays are good for your health; Studies have shown that people who have more birthdays live the longest. =)

-Anonymous.

(Former birthday balloons of mine)

On Killing Bugs

Teaching a child not to kill bugs is as important for the child's well-being as it is for the bug.

(A strange looking creature from South Korea)

On Extreme Cold

When it looks like your window is trying to tell you something, maybe it's better to just stay home.

(My window yesterday, during -36C temperatures in Ottawa)

On Sushi

Don't let one bad experience with raw fish prevent you from enjoying the visual and gustatory pleasures of this dish. 

(Sushi/sashimi at an elite Japanese restaurant in Montreal)

On the Cycle of Nature

"One hundred trout are needed to support one man for a year. The trout, in turn, must consume 90,000 frogs, that must consume 27 million grasshoppers that live off of 1,000 tons of grass."

-G. Tyler Miller Jr., author and environmentalist.

(Ships off the Mediterranean coast near Tartus, Syria)

On Bankruptcy

Some countries will do whatever it takes to avoid it, even if it means charging for ketchup and mayonnaise.

(McDonald receipt at Schipol Airport, Netherlands)

On Flowers

Some of the most magnificent flowers you'll ever see exist in places most may never visit so be sure to capture them.

(Breathtaking Wisteria flowers in Ashikaga Flower Park, Japan)

On Immigration

In some ways, immigrating to North America nowadays is much better than it was in the Pier 21 days.

(Pier 21 Museum in Halifax, N.S.)

On Spreads

Nutella and other nut butters do not have a monopoly on the world's most delicious/dangerous spreads.

(Speculoos; gingerbread-based spread taking over Europe)

On Vampire Energy

Leaving idle electronics plugged in all day increases CO2 emissions and your electricity bill.

On Being Gluten-Free

If you've ever had trouble losing weight, cutting wheat out of your diet is worth a try.

(Random food which mostly contains what)

On Bird Feeding

Although it may seem charitable, feeding certain types of birds may eventually cause their demise.

(Sign to avoid bird feeding in the Halifax Public Gardens)

On Graffiti Artists

Not all of them are delinquents, some are simply trying to bring positive messages to society.

(Random graffiti in the Glebe, Ottawa)

On Historical Sites

Don't carry high expectations since not all are as breathtaking as one would expect.

(The remains of Lucy Maud Montgomery's house in P.E.I.)

On Going Green

Be weary of companies going green just because it's trendy.

(Leaf-looking bug at the Montreal Botanical Garden)

On Internet Scams

Sometimes a simple, honest post advertising English tutor services on Craigslist can lead to an (attempted) scam.

Thanks very much for your quick reply and I'm so delighted to read from you. I was able to locate your contact details while I was surfing the internet for a teacher teach That Would my son When he arrives in Ottawa, Ontario ...  Meanwhile, I am giving you my words That I Have No Doubt about all what you Said in the e-mail. As for Where he will be staying, Have already made ​​arrangement for That you and I would Provide the address as soon as we agree on this, he will be staying aussi with a Caretaker That Would take care of him for 3-months and drives him Where will the lesson to take up gold Either library somewhere suitable for Both of you. The Caretaker will touch you with her ​​full house address. As for the lesson fee, everything is okay by me and I want to let you understand That Robert will be coming in time FEW weeks before the end of probably September 2012.  Concerning the payment arrangement, I am aussi Assuring you will not be That It a problem as one of my wife's business associate in Canada Would be paying you on my Behalf and my wife HAD Already spoken with her ​​about this and She has promised to forward the payment to you as soon as you Provide your details for payment and it will be in the form of Certified Check or Money orders cash-able (traveler's check) same day for the lessons fee and more so, I will be paying for two months lessons now and Robert will be paying you Directly Effective the first two months lessons.   So, I will be expecting to read from you with the Following information below so that i can forward it to the person That Will email out the payment:  Name to be on the payment:  House Address to receive payment:  City:  Province / State:  Post Code:  Contact Phone Number:  I wait to hear from you as soon as possible.  Best Regards  James Walker.

(An actual email I received in response to an ad)

On New Year Resolutions

By this point in the month, one can usually tell whether or not they will achieve their goals.

(Sample VAIO photo)

On Heat Pumps

Cleaning the filters biannually is crucial to maintaining a well-functioning system.

(Our heat pump, that breaks down every winter due to lack of cleaning)

On Surprises

Nothing starts the day off better than an unexpected gift in the mail.

(Belated Xmas gift from dad)

On Fame

Some celebrities do use their star power to attract attention to important social issues, while others simply want attention.

On Buses

Arriving on a later or earlier bus may mean getting the last seat in the back, near the toilet. 

(Sitting beside the only toilet on an inter-city bus)

On Car Rentals

Once in a blue moon, you actually get a nicer car than advertised.

(Received a Mazda 3 instead of a Chevy Spark)

On Customer Service

Always take down names and as many details as possible when attempting to get information over the telephone.

(VAIO Sample Photo)

On Salt Water Aquariums

They require infinitely more work than freshwater ones but are far more beautiful.

(A friend's saltwater tank in Montreal)

On Crowds

Defensive walking is just as important as defensive driving in highly populated areas.

(Leonard Cohen about to perform at Scotiabank Place, Ottawa)

On New Year's Day

It's the best day of the year to do absolutely NOTHING!

(My cat. doing what he does best)