Sunday 31 March 2013

On Murphy's Sleep

Anything that can wake you up, will wake you up...
  1. Accidentally leaving alarm clock on
  2. Neighbors blasting loud music
  3. Pet needing affection
  4. Pet throwing up nearby
  5. Outside construction
  6. Phone call(s)/Text message(s)
  7. Ambulance/fire truck/car alarm 
  8. Frightening dream(s)
  9. Coughing/sneezing fit
  10. Pet digging in the litter box
(VAIO Sample photo)

Saturday 30 March 2013

On Changing Seasons

It is indubitably when we are most susceptible to getting sick so frequent hand washing trips and clean, healthy eating are more vital than ever.


Friday 29 March 2013

On Easter Chocolates

Unless necessary, do not buy them until a few days after the Easter holidays as their prices will drop significantly. 

*Also, in case it's a holiday you celebrate: Happy Easter!

(A unique flower from somewhere in Kyoto, Japan)

Thursday 28 March 2013

On Banquet Halls

The amount of people, time, and energy that it takes to execute a flawless evening is more, longer, and harder than most ever realize.

(Private party at Canada's National Arts Centre)

Wednesday 27 March 2013

On Braille

You never know when learning even the basics may somehow serve you well in the future.

(Braille alphabet in the Ottawa Museum of Science & Technology)

Tuesday 26 March 2013

On Larping

Live Action Role Playing is actually a recognized term where the participants physically act out their character's actions in the form of a game.

(A friend showing some impressive LARP moves)

Monday 25 March 2013

On Non-Perishables

They can withstand years of shelf life but are an unhealthy food option so limit your intake of canned goods unless in the middle of a hurricane or war.

(Canned goods on display at the War Memorial in Ottawa)

Sunday 24 March 2013

On Jurassic Pieces

They may be invaluable to archaeologists and scientists, but selling them on eBay does not fetch much money.

(Snail-looking piece that barely sold on eBay)

Saturday 23 March 2013

On Physics

"If, in some cataclysm, all of scientific knowledge were to be destroyed and only one sentence passed on to the next generation of creatures, what statement would contain the most information in the fewest words? I believe it is the atomic hypothesis that all things are made of atoms - little particles that move around in perpetual motion, attracting each other when they are a little distance apart, but repelling upon being squeezed into one another. In that one sentence, you will see, there is an enormous amount of information about the world, if just a little imagination and thinking are applied."
-Physicist Richard Feynman

(Two kids balancing on a surf board in Kastellorizo, Greece)

Friday 22 March 2013

On Winter's End

Although most anticipate spring's arrival with great enthusiasm, there are always going to be those who lament the arrival of warmer temperatures.

(A sad snowman in Ottawa)

Thursday 21 March 2013

On Lending a Hand

Even the strongest and most reliable vehicles/people around may need some sort of boost every once in a while.

(An Ottawa city bus getting towed)

Wednesday 20 March 2013

On Earth Hour

It is easier to execute a perfect hour (this March 23rd @8:30pm) if one knows exactly how many electricity-operated items need to be switched off ahead of time. 

Tuesday 19 March 2013

On Paths

Rather than lament on (Robert Frost's) "The Road Not Taken", focus on changing or improving the path you have chosen.

(A path in the woods in Diessen, Bavaria)

Monday 18 March 2013

On Ceramic Painting

It's a fun but delicate task as too few layers of paint create streaky lines while too many layers may cause cracks.

(The owl mug I painted at Mud Oven, Ottawa)

Sunday 17 March 2013

On St. Patrick's Day

It is probably the most suspicious day of the year to call in sick so make sure your alibi is rock solid and preferably planned far ahead of time.

(Popular St. Patty's gimmicks in Montreal)

Saturday 16 March 2013

On Loud Neighbors

Complaining to your landlord and advising the city will only get you so far; leaving a polite note in their mailbox can (sometimes) go a long way.

(My loud music-loving neighbors in Ottawa)

Friday 15 March 2013

On Accidental Gems

Never delete photographs without taking a proper look at them as you'll never know if one turns out to be an all-time favorite.

(Accidental moment between a dragonfly and its friend in S. Korea)

Thursday 14 March 2013

On Winter Biking

Don't leave them outside on cold, snowy nights as it causes rust, damages overall flexibility, and decreases traction.


(Random bicycle left outside overnight in Ottawa)

Wednesday 13 March 2013

On Loneliness

Two desolate quotes with one stone:

"A guy needs somebody- to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick." 
-John Steinbeck (Of Mice and Men)

"Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it's not because they enjoy solitude. It's because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them." 
-Jodi Picoult (My Sister's Keeper)

(A solitary duck in Trebon, Czech Republic)

Tuesday 12 March 2013

On Photograph(er)s

Everyone's a photographer in the digital era, but pulling off really good pictures still requires a degree of talent that few possess. 

(A unique photograph in Regensburg, Germany)

Monday 11 March 2013

On Overpopulation

Not sure what the lesson is here, but have a feeling that the world wasn't meant to sustain this many human beings at once.

(Population counter at the Ottawa Museum of Science & Technology)

Sunday 10 March 2013

On Limitations

Obstacles and challenges either have the power to stop us in our tracks or force us to find creative alternatives.


Saturday 9 March 2013

On Lester B. Pearson

Although his name has sadly become synonymous with a public school board in Montreal, the former Prime Minister was once a very peace-driven leader.

(Honored in Ottawa for being the only PM with a Nobel Peace Prize)

Friday 8 March 2013

On Traditional Classrooms

Unfortunately more and more classrooms in North America are disappearing due to online or hybrid versions which promise to include more students yet alienate many teachers.

(Canadian writer Theresa Kishkan reading to Czech students)

Thursday 7 March 2013

On Indoor Plants

Having indoor plants add a touch of beauty and can be great for your health provided you know which ones to choose from as some may do more harm than good.

(An abundance of plants at my mom's place)

Wednesday 6 March 2013

On the Mona Lisa

A 500+ year old painting is capable of attracting much more attention than many present-day celebrities.

(A crowd trying to catch a glimpse of the painting on any given day)

Tuesday 5 March 2013

On Unusual Aquariums

The most fascinating aquariums in the world do not necessarily have to contain any fish at all.

(Dancing jellyfish at a Korean restaurant in Ottawa)


Monday 4 March 2013

On Fake Fur

Watch out for real fur clothes and accessories parading around as fake ones to trick people into feeling better about buying it.

(A real fur purse that a friend bought thinking it was fake)

Sunday 3 March 2013

On Tranquility

"We don't realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace."
-Elizabeth Gilbert (Author of Eat Pray Love)

(Spirit Island in the Rockies)

Saturday 2 March 2013

On Driving Responsibly

Seeing massive signs like this only helps if one is actually paying attention to the road in the first place.

(Large warning sign in downtown Ottawa)

Friday 1 March 2013

On Plastic

Some places are actually starting to realize that it is truly one of the worst inventions of our planet.

(An office building in downtown Ottawa)