On Teaching Adults

It takes a lot more patience and creativity to teach a new language to adults than children.

On Star Wars

Some people are so obsessed with the original Star Wars trilogy that they would refuse to watch or discuss any of the more recent/upcoming films.

(Yoda at the Star Wars exhibit in Ottawa)

On Art Galleries

More and more art galleries make profits from artists displaying work rather than on customers actually buying the art.

(Random art gallery in downtown Montreal, Canada)

On Birthdays

No matter how bad of a week/month/year one may be experiencing, birthdays have a way of wiping the slate clean.

(My birthday celebration last year in Montreal, Canada)

On Marriage Proposals

People in love can really do the most extraordinary things to keep romance alive.

(Unique marriage proposal on a wooden crate in Central London)

On Construction Sites

Although warnings can be made quite colorful and clearly visible, too many signs may lead to confusion and disobedience.

(Colourful construction zone in Central London)

On Smog

"Oh Beautiful for smoggy skies, insecticides grain,

For strip-mined mountain's majesty above the asphalt plain.

America, America, man sheds his waste on thee,

And hides the pines with billboard signs, for sea to oily sea."

-George Carlin, comedian.

(Cloudy, evening skies last autumn in Greenwich, London)

On Anti-Climb Paint

A special thick and oily type of paint exists that remains slippery in order to prevent intruders from gripping walls.

(Anti-climb paint by Southwark Park in London)

On Bike Security

There will always be places where solid locks and parking on a main road won't be enough to deter ambitious thieves.

(Random vandalised bike in Tower Hamlets, London)

On Impressions

While some people can be funny in their own rite, others can successfully bring laughter by imitating others.

On Making Decisions

There are many who would put their trust in horoscopes and fortune tellers rather than make their own decisions in life.

(Interesting dice at the British Museum in London)

On Downton Abbey

You know a television show is doing well when cats and memes start popping up everywhere.

(Cats posing as the Downton Abbey characters)

On Planets

Aside from knowing their names and order, one never knows when additional solar system trivia may come in handy.

1.  Mercury: The smallest planet with the largest range in temperature.
2.  Venus: The brightest planet and closest in size to Earth but full of CO2.
3.  Earth: Home to millions of different species, 70% water, and one moon.
4.  Mars: The red planet due to its high levels of iron oxide and two moons.
5.  Jupiter: The largest and heaviest bright gas giant with 67 moons.
6.  Saturn: The gas giant is the only ring-surrounded one with 62 moons.
7.  Uranus: The coldest planet made of ice and rock with complex clouds. 
8.  Neptune: The most dense planet and gas giant with 14 moons. 

(A planet Earth model at the Science Museum in London)

On Death

There are people so sensitive about death that even joking about it can seriously upset them. 

(The main cemetary in Ceske Budejovice, CZ)

On Amathophobia

In addition to those who are obsessive/compulsive cleaners, there are others who have a legitimate fear of dust.

(A dust cloth at the British Museum in London)

On Soulmates

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master..."

-Elizabeth Gilbert, author of 'Eat, Pray, Love'

(Horses made from driftwood at the Montreal Botanical Gardens)

On the Vikings

Treasures and relics are still turning up in museums, homes, and gardens thousands of years after their disappearance.

(The Sun Voyager sculpture in Reykjavik, Iceland)

On Geothermal Energy

Aside from being used in luxurious spa locations, it can heat homes, greenhouses, and certain types of food.

(Heated waters by the Blue Lagoon Spa in Iceland)

On Riots

People are capable of extraordinary feats, both positive and negative, when feeling like they've got nothing to lose.

On Casinos

Leaving credit and debit cards at home is a great way to avoid exceeding your budget.

(Random casino in Prague, Czech Republic last month)

On Treehouses

Just because a house was built around a tree, it doesn't mean it can't be more ergonomic than one built on land.

(An elaborate treehouse outside a home in Reykjavik, Iceland)

On Karate

Knowing the ranks of different coloured belts can mean the difference between a fair or unfair fight.

1. White
2. Yellow
3. Orange
4. Green
5. Blue
6. Red
7. Brown*
8. Black*

(Random ties on a mannequin in Iceland)

*More than one rank with these colours.

On Iceland

There are some countries where the unbelievably magnificent day/night skies truly spoil its population.

(Lovely evening sky one random evening in Reykjavik, Iceland)

On Suffering

"As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation - either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

(A view from Mont Tremblant from inside one of the ski lifts)

On Srirachi Sauce

Despite being a delicious staple for millions around the world, it causes a great deal of controversy for those living near the factory.

(Srirachi bottle in the Czech Republic)