Rue Joseph-Nolin in Montreal

 Rue Joseph-Nolin in Tetreaultville,Montreal is named after Joseph Nolin(1863-1948),a prominent dental surgeon and co-founder of the Universite de Montreal's faculty of dental surgery in 1904.

Academic anhedonia a driving factor

 Academic anhedonia may be a driving factor in the elevated high school dropout rate in Quebec and many places.

           Many students find academics boring and are more interested in sports ,cars or entertainment.As artificial intelligence replaces more jobs in the workplace an increasing number of students may also question the value of formal education in this day and age.

Academic anhedonia

 Academic anhedonia refers to a significant loss of interest, motivation or pleasure in educational pursuits,commonly manifesting as apathy,boredom and reduced effort in studies.Often driven by high academic pressure,burnout,or mental health issues,it creates a cycle where previously enjoyable learning feels draining,leading to lower academic performance.

Mansuetude

 Mansuetude (noun)-gentleness,tameness or mildness.

This lawyer died unusually

 Garry Hoy,a 39 year-old Toronto lawyer fell to his death in July 1993 after throwing himself against a 24th-floor window to prove it was unbreakable -a stunt he had done many times before.The glass held,but the window frame popped out.

Iran's national bird

 The common Nightingale,Iran's national bird is famous not for its appearance but for its incredibly rich,melodious song.So powerful that it has inspired centuries of Persian poetry,where it's often portrayed as a devoted lover singing to the rose.

A song from Mariah Carey that I like

 Dreamlover-song by Mariah Carey.

Lawyer fell to his death while doing a safety demonstration

 On July 19,1993, Garry Hoy(January 28,1954-1993),a well-known Toronto lawyer died after falling 24 stories from the Toronto Dominion Centre.The 39 year-old was the strength of the building's glass to law students,a stunt he has performed previously ,but the entire window frame gave way.The glass did not break,but the frame failed,causing him to fall.

African proverb

 If you praise a blind man too much,he may end up throwing away his guiding stick!-African proverb 

A mammoth candy heist

 In March 2026,someone stole an entire truck carrying 413,793 kit kat bars -12 tons of chocolate somewhere between Italy and Poland.The truck,the thieves,and every single bar are completely missing as of April 1,2026.Nestle responded by saying " We appreciate the criminals' exceptional taste." Nobody has been caught.The world's most delicious heist remains unsolved on April 2,2026.

Indian Americans in the motel industry

 Indian Americans own about 40% of all hotels and motels in the US in 2025.Most owners are from Gujarat,India and 70% share the last name Patel.This is why it is called " the Patel Motel Cartel."

When capybaras are relaxed

 Capybaras allow birds and monkeys to sit on them as part of relaxed social tolerance.

Matamata turtles

 Matamata turtles resemble fallen leaves so convincingly fish swim directly toward them.

Streets I walked on Wednesday, April 1,2026

 On Wednesday,April 1,2026,I walked along the entire length of tiny rue Guilbault from rue St.Urbain to rue St.Dominique,passing Clark street and Boulevard St.Laurent.Rue Guilbault is lined with several vintage houses and a couple of beautiful vintage buildings at the intersection of Clark street.Then I walked on rue St.Dominique from rue Guilbault to Duluth Avenue.All in Plateau Mont Royal.

Retired gardener discovered a massive treasure trove

 In 1992,retired gardener Eric Lawes went out with a metal detector to help find a lost hammer.Instead,he uncovered the Hoxne Hoard,a giant Roman treasure trove with about 14,865 coins,later received $1.75  million for the find,shared it with farmer Peter Whatling,and yes,the hammer was found too.

        Sometimes people stumble upon a bonanza when they go looking for something else.Always keep your eyes peeled.

Arable land is scarce in the Middle East

 In many Middle Eastern countries,only about 4% to 7% of the land is arable.So whenever you see green farms, they're surviving in a place where heat,deserts and water shortages make growing food really difficult.

The Middle East is not that crowded

 The Middle East may look crowded,but with just 450-500 million people in 2025, it's far smaller than India alone which has more than 1.4 billion people.Nearly three times more people in a single country.

A song from 1998 that I like

 Never Say Never(1998)-song by Brandy.

In Hong Kong

 In Hong Kong,some residents live in extremely small "coffin-sized" apartments.The cost of living is very high in Hong Kong.

Quote from Ray Bradbury

 Books turn walls into stories.-Ray Bradbury 

Russian proverb

 Every sandpiper praises his own swamp.-Russian proverb

Rwandan proverb

 The rich man never dances badly.-Rwandan proverb 

Portuguese proverb

 The sooty oven mocks the black chimney.-Portuguese proverb 

Filipino proverb

 A clear conscience is more valuable than wealth.-Filipino proverb

Persian proverb

 With a sweet tongue of kindness,you can drag an elephant by a hair.-Persian proverb 

Quote from Jane Austen

 Books are the comfort of quiet evenings.-Jane Austen