What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0249

12401.  Adding black sesame seeds to Rice Krispies treats gives them a nice Asian flavor/twist;

12402.  “Boys Noize” (i.e., Alexander Ridha) is German and Iraqi;

12403.  “Boys Noize” co-wrote Lady Gaga’s hit, “Rain on Me;”

12404.  Trent Reznor (of “Nine Inch Nails”) is 60. . . . He was born on May 17, 1965;

12405.  Nine Inch Nails is (essentially) EDM rock;

12406.  Trent Reznor says he doesn’t like talking in front of a lot of people/public speaking;

12407.  Trent Reznor has 6 children/kids;

12408.  Apparently, Schmidt likes to eat roses;

12409.  Roses are not poisonous to cats;

12410.  Bad news always gets worse with time;

12411.  George Washington was a surveyor.  He completed over 200 surveys in his lifetime including (surveying) Alexandria, Virginia;

12412.  Alexandria, Virginia, had an earlier name of Belhaven;

12413.  The moment in front of you is not bothering you, you’re bothering yourself about the moment in front of you;

12414.  I have my (own) back.  Even if I suck, I love myself anyways;

12415.  It’s not failure; it’s feedback;

12416.  Forgiving means letting go of the protective armor of blame and/or hatred that encases your heart;

12417.  Forgiving means never putting anyone, including yourself, out of your heart;

12418.  Forgiveness is the compassion that arises when we’ve brought full presence to the suffering of hurt and wounds;

12419.  Forgiveness is a process that unfolds over time;

12419.  Forgiveness is giving up all hope of a better past.  We cannot move forward if we’re still holding onto the pain of that past and wishing it was something else;

12420.  Forgiving does not mean we should deny or suppress our anger, fear, hurt or grief;

12421.  Forgiving is not condoning harmful behavior nor does it mean passivity or inaction;

12422.  When we forgive, we are in no way saying what you did is okay or that we’ll allow the behavior to continue;

12423.  While the energy of anger may catalyze us, it can’t sustain us in the long run.  We need forgiveness to go hand in hand with a deep dedication to social activism;

12424.  Forgiveness does not have to be done on our own;

12425.  Forgiving is rarely a one-shot or quick process;

12426.  Healing happens in stages;

12427.  For many people, blame and resentment are strongest in our closest, most significant relationships.  This means that we’re apt to be continually retriggered;

12428.  Self judgement or shame makes forgiveness more difficult;

12429.  You can’t will forgiveness, but you can be willing;

12430.  For your heart to be free, it needs to be inclusive not blaming.  From this place, you understand that you can’t truly be happy or feel loving if you’re holding onto anger and blame;

12431.  Our incapacity to forgive is directly related to our inability to feel joy in our life;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0248

12351.  Apparently, airlines waste a lot of food.  A stewardess told me, airlines throw out all of the (inflight) meals that aren’t eaten/served;

12352.  Apparently, black-eyed peas and collard greens, a classic Southern dish, are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day to bring luck and financial prosperity for the new year.  The black-eyed peas symbolize luck and general well-being.  The collard greens represent money/wealth because of their green color.  It’s often served with cornbread, which symbolizes “gold;”

12353.  The Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Hardywood.com) in Richmond, Virginia, is the first brewery in Virginia powered entirely by renewable energy (i.e., solar, wind & biomass);

12354.  Kuba Kuba (KubaKuba.info) in Richmond, Virginia, was founded in 1998 by Chef Manny Mendez;

12355.  You might run into Peter Bondra (formerly of the Washington Capitals) walking around the upper concourse of Capital One Arena;

12356.  I can say I’ve shaken Peter Bondra’s hand;

12357.  The craziest (ice) hockey game I’ve (ever) watched in person had 2 fights, 2 penalty shots, a hat trick (by Justin Sourdif) not by Alexander Ovechkin and 2 empty net goals (1 by John Carlson and 1 by Ovechkin).  The game was 1-0 (Anaheim) Ducks . . . then 5-1 (Washington) Capitals . . . then 5-4 Capitals . . . and finally 7-4 Capitals;

12358.  Polenta is like a cross/mix between grits and mashed potatoes;

12359.  Christina is allergic to dolphin/dorado/mahi-mahi;

12360.  Mike Tomlin (the former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers) was born in Hampton, Virginia.  His father, Ed(ward) Tomlin, played (college) football at Hampton Institute from 1964-1968;

12361.  I can say I’ve eaten $105.00 bread (specifically the Olivieri 1882 classic panettone);

12362.  The Olivieri 1882 classic panettone (USA.Olivieri1882.com) is (really) tasty.  It maybe the best bread I’ve ever eaten/had;

12363.  Panettone is (actually) really good when it’s not dried out and hard;

12364.  The Old Bay wings at the Crystal City Sports Pub (CCSportsPub.com) in Arlington, Virginia, are tasty.  They’re crispy and flavorful without being greasy/oily;

12365.  I can say I’ve been to a gender reveal party;

12366.  There are families that (actually) get along, where the parents and children will buy and share a house together;

12367.  I can say I’ve seen Rick Steves (the travel writer) in person;

12368.  Rick Steves was a piano teacher;

12369.  Rick Steves’ travel company, Rick Steves’ Europe, (RickSteves.com) is based out of Seattle, Washington;

12370.  The butter lettuce salad (with no blue cheese, avocado, cherry tomatoes & champagne vinaigrette) at CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Wolfgangpuck.com/Restaurants/Cut-Washington-D-C) in the Rosewood Washington, D.C. is (really) tasty.  The champagne vinaigrette is great.  I can’t remember the last time I was so excited about a salad;

12371.  The 8 oz American Wagyu bavette (i.e., Kuroge Washu bloodline from Mishima Reserve) at CUT by Wolfgang Puck is (really) tasty;

12372.  The French fries/pommes frites at CUT by Wolfgang Puck are really crispy and crunchy;

12373.  You can get half off all handcrafted beverages at Capital One Cafés when you pay using a Capital One credit, debit or co-branded card that shows the Visa or MasterCard logo or any Discover credit or debit card that shows the Discover logo;

12374.  External success won’t fill your inner emptiness;

12375.  Define your vision or let the world define it for you;

12376.  Failure is growth.  Your ego is what holds you back;

12377.  Confront unhealed pain for true freedom and wholeness;

12378.  Courage is action before preparedness; confidence is earned;

12379.  Your inner circle determines your future trajectory;

12380.  Embrace vulnerability; hiding your true self destroys connection;

12381.  Comfort is the enemy of your true potential and growth;

12382.  Take ownership; no one else will rescue you from your life;

12383.  The baby smash burgers at Founding Farmers (WeAreFoundingFarmers.com) are tasty;

12384.  Wegmans’ pretzel bites are tasty;

12385.  If you hate being alone, it’s usually because you haven’t built a relationship with yourself( yet);

12386.  While it’s completely natural to crave love, it shouldn’t be your only focus – nor should it replace all the other important assets in your life.  Don’t lose yourself in your pursuit of finding someone else;

12387.  Trying to be chosen gives away your power.  When your decisions, appearance and behavior revolve around being desirable to someone else, you’re slowly abandoning yourself;

12388.  You want to be unapologetically self-centered during singlehood and make choices based on what you want for both now and your future emotional well-being.  When you choose yourself first, confidence and self-respect naturally follow;

12389.  Cats (and dogs) can eat butter lettuce in small, moderate amounts;

12390.  Schmidt likes butter lettuce;

12391.  Start your day without your phone to reclaim your attention;

12392.  Build self-respect by moving and facing uncomfortable truths;

12393.  Identify/name your feelings to prevent burnout and make better decisions;

12394.  Protect your energy by setting clear boundaries and not avoiding conflict;

12395.  Align your actions with your vision to avoid drifting through life;

12396.  Choose empowering inputs to shape your thoughts and your future self;

12397.  Train your mind to see the good and shift from scarcity to awareness;

12398.  Implement a shutdown ritual for rest and embrace new daily standards;

12399.  Dogs can eat sesame seeds, marshmallows (although not good for them) and popped rice/Rice Krispies cereal;

12400.  Dogs can eat (plain) whipped cream( as an occasional treat);

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0247

12301.  Camel owners will (sometimes) tie their camels’ front feet together so they can’t walk as fast and run away;

12302.  Apparently, some camels will keep walking and won’t come back;

12303.  In Morocco, it costs around 30,000 dirhams (i.e., $8,150.00 USD) for a camel;

12304.  Apparently, camel is a popular meat in southern Morocco;

12305.  The smell of rose water reminds me of an aya(huasca) ceremony;

12306.  Moroccans keep horses for fun and for racing;

12307.  Moroccans don’t eat donkeys.  Islam forbids the eating of (domesticated) donkeys;

12308.  Moroccans don’t eat horses;

12309.  Moroccans don’t eat mules;

12310.  Berber carpet/rugs come from the Amazigh/Berber people of Morocco;

12311.  Moroccans will sell goods, snacks and coffee/tea out of the trunks of their hatchbacks;

12312.  Morocco was the first country to recognize the United States in 1777;

12313.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in Ouarzazate like fried chicken gristle;

12314.  The name of the hotel at Atlas Studios in Ouarzazate, Morocco, is the “Oscar Hotel;”

12315.  Apparently, you can make drawings/paintings with sugar water, tea and cardamom water( . . . and a flame);

12316.  The beef with prunes and almonds tagine at the Amal Center’s restaurant (AmalNonprofit.org/solutions/the-restaurant) in Marrakech is (really) tasty;

12317.  The chicken tagine at the Amal Center’s restaurant in Marrakech is (really) tasty.  It maybe the best orange chicken I’ve ever had;

12318.  If I’m ever in Marrakech again, I’d go out of my way to get a meal at the Amal Center’s restaurant;

12319.  There is no fast food outside of the (big) cities in Morocco;

12320.  The tallest building in Marrakech is the minaret tower of the Koutoubia Mosque;

12321.  In Morocco, if a woman has henna on her hands and feet, it means she’s married;

12322.  In Morocco, if a woman has henna only on her hands, it means she’s single;

12323.  Apparently, people use snail mucus/mucin for skincare.  Supposedly, it can hydrate, smooth and promote skin healing with benefits like reducing fine lines/wrinkles and dark spots and helping with acne;

12324.  (I can say) I've put snail mucus/mucin on my face;

12325.  Apparently, real saffron is always red.  It smells earthy and bitter.  When water is added to saffron, it turns yellow.  Saffron can last 10 years in a glass jar at room temperature;

12326.  Supposedly, saffron is good for arthritis, tinnitus and high blood pressure.  2-3 times a month, you’re supposed to take a pinch of saffron, let it steep for 15 minutes in boiling hot water and drink it;

12327.  There are not a lot of handrails in Morocco;

12328.  In Morocco, the riads in the countryside and in the small towns/cities don’t have telephones and televisions in their rooms;

12329.  The Mabrouka Rooftop & Sky Bar has a great view of Jemaa el-Fnaa (i.e., the main square) and the cityscape of Marrakech;

12330.  Getting a hand job in Marrakech . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12331.  If you (ever) get lost in the streets of the medina (quarter) in Marrakech, just ask the shopkeepers where/which way the big square is;

12332.  I’m (a little) disappointed by ZaaZaa;

12333.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in the Marrakech Menara Airport like cake;

12334.  Failure is a speed bump on the way to success.  If you convert it to learning, there is no failure.  Failure is you thinking it should work every time;

12335.  Apparently, I went to college with Virginia’s first female governor (i.e., Abigail Spanberger then Abigail Anne Davis, majoring in French in the College of Arts & Sciences ’01);

12336.  Gargling with warm, salt water does (actually) help with a scratchy/sore throat;

12337.  You can get a shot of Tullamore D.E.W. and a Union Craft Brewing Zadie’s Lager for $10.00 (all day every day) at O’Shaughnessy’s Sports Bar in (Old Town) Alexandria;

12338.  Jimmy John’s “Picklewich” isn’t worth the hype;

12339.  I can say I’ve been in a suite at the MGM National Harbor;

12340.  I can say I’ve seen Tej Parker (i.e., Ludacris/Christopher Brian Bridges) in concert;

12341.  Ludacris (i.e., Christopher Brian Bridges) says he flies his own (private) jet to his concerts;

12342.  I can say I’ve eaten in (Gordon Ramsay’s) Hell’s Kitchen;

12343.  REI (REI.com) makes a cat tent (i.e., tiny half dome tent);

12344.  Shelli’s cousin (i.e., Robert Newton) played baseball for the University of Virginia.  He was an infielder;

12345.  There are Highland cows in Earleville, Maryland;

12346.  In (the basement suite of) a lake house (in Earleville, Maryland,) . . . check;

12347.  It’s not hard to make a pot pie, but it is a lot of work;

12348.  “(Monty Python’s )Spamalot” is (pretty) funny.  It’s based on (the movie,) “Monty Python and the Holy Grail;”

12349.  Charlie (Dog) likes green beans;

12350.  The DiGiorno (Detroit-style crust) “Thanksgiving Pizza” (with roasted turkey, green beans, crispy onions, dried cranberries and gravy drizzle) is (pretty) good;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0246

12251.  The ski resort town of Ifrane was built by the French in the 1930s.  It was founded in 1929 and was designed to look like a Swiss village with high-pitched roofs and chalet-style buildings.  Ifrane was conceived as a “hill station” or colonial settlement for French families during the protectorate era.  It’s becoming known as Africa’s “Little Switzerland;”

12252.  Ifrane is also home to Al Akhawayn University;

12253.  Apparently, the monkeys in the Atlas Mountains are the same kind of monkeys in Gibraltar;

12254.  There are turkeys in Morocco;

12255.  There are a lot of feral/wild dogs in the Atlas Mountains;

12256.  In Morocco, religion and politics are separate;

12257.  In Morocco, religion is considered private between you and God;

12258.  In Morocco, the government owns the forests and the tribes have rights to the grasslands;

12259.  There are cedar, oak and juniper trees in the Middle Atlas Mountains;

12260.  In Morocco, it costs between 10,000 to 15,000 dirhams (i.e., $1,000.00 USD to $1,600.00 USD) for a mule;

12261.  In Morocco, “kasbah” means “fortress” or “large house;”

12262.  There are 4 watchtowers in a kasbah; one in each corner;

12263.  “Riad” means “garden;”

12264.  Riads have a central courtyard with a garden and fountain;

12265.  “Dar” means “house;”

12266.  In Morocco, most of the highways are (only) 2 lanes;

12267.  In Morocco, lamb/sheep meat (generally) costs more than goat( meat);

12268.  “Sudan” means “land of the blacks” in Arabic;

12269.  Supposedly, the white camels in Morocco are from Algeria and Mali;

12270.  Supposedly, the white camels in Morocco are faster and cheaper( than the brown and black camels);

12271.  Supposedly, the brown and black camels in Morocco are from Morocco and are stronger and more expensive( than the white camels);

12272.  The Sahara (Desert) is getting bigger every year;

12273.  The Sahara is the 3^rd largest desert in the world;

12274.  The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world;

12275.  The Sahara covers 9.2 million sq km (i.e., 3.6 million sq mi);

12276.  Apparently, if it gets windy in the Sahara( Desert), you should stay/stick with the locals and the camels;

12277.  There is a ban on desert camps in the Merzouga region of the Sahara( for environmental reasons), resulting in no (desert) camps in the middle of the desert and only camps on the (outer) edges( of the Sahara);

12278.  I can say I’ve ridden a camel in the Sahara( Desert);

12279.  I can I've been glamping in the Sahara( Desert);

12280.  Getting a hand job in the Sahara( Desert), while glamping . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12281.  Apparently, it’s very windy in the Sahara (Desert) at night;

12282.  When glamping, you should get the tents closer to the front.  Apparently, the water will be hotter;

12283.  Apparently, camels can carry people at the age of 7;

12284.  In Morocco, camels can live for 25 years;

12285.  Apparently, date (palm) trees begin to bear fruit between 4 and 8 years after planting;

12286.  Date (palm) trees can live for 100 years;

12287.  In Morocco, there’s a popular avocado smoothie called ZaaZaa.  It’s mainly avocado blended with milk and sweetened with dates, honey or sugar.  It’s typically served in layers including sliced fruit (like bananas and kiwi), syrups (such as chocolate, caramel or strawberry), nuts (such as almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts), treats (like crushed Oreos or pieces of Kit Kat bars) and whipped cream;

12288.  You can use compressed air to dust yourself off and your scooter/motorcycle;

12289.  In Morocco, children in the countryside typically go to school Monday through Saturday for 4 hours/day either in the mornings or afternoons or a combination thereof.  Children in the cities typically go to school Monday through Friday for 4 hours/day for both the mornings and (the) afternoons;

12290.  In the Sahara region of Morocco, if a woman wears a sari/saree, you can determine/identify her (Amazigh/Berber) tribe by the color of her sari/saree.  Each (Amazigh/Berber) tribe has a different color or colors;

12291.  In the Sahara region of Morocco, a woman’s tattoos describe her family lineage.  So two women with different tattoos means they are from different (Amazigh/Berber) tribes;

12292.  In Morocco, women typically don't cut their hair.  Long hair is considered beautiful;

12293.  In Morocco, a man and a woman cannot live together if they are not married( to each other);

12294.  In Morocco, the husband is usually older than his wife;

12295.  The (Amazigh/Berber) tribes have historically inhabited the rural and mountainous regions of Morocco;

12296.  In Morocco, you marry in the same tribe;

12297  Moroccan Muslims pay a zakat.  It’s a mandatory payment of 2.5% of their income/savings as well as 10% of their crops.  It goes to the poor, needy and other designated charitable causes;

12298.  In Morocco, they have pineapple, mojito (i.e., lime and mint) and orange-flavored Schweppes;

12299.  Morocco has wild sheep and goats;

12300.  Apparently, donkeys will roam around on their own and, at the end of the day, will return to their owners( because they know their owners will feed them);

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0245

12201.  Most people in Morocco don’t have bank accounts.  They (just) don’t trust banks.  They’ll (usually) borrow money from family (members) and friends without having to pay interest.  The charging of interest is forbidden by Sharia law;

12202.  Most Moroccans are Muslim.  And because of last prayer, Moroccans can eat dinner very late.  Sometimes at 10 o’clock to 11 o’clock at night depending on the time of year;

12203.  Dacia is the cheapest and most popular automobile/car in Morocco.  There’s a Dacia (manufacturing) plant in Casablanca;

12204.  Apparently, in Morocco, only people in the cities pay taxes.  The people in the countryside don’t pay taxes.  The people in the countryside (usually) don’t have bank accounts so it’s hard to determine someone’s income there;

12205.  Apparently, the round stickers on automobiles/cars with the number, 90, in them mean the person in the car is a new driver and that that is the maximum speed (in km/h) s/he is allowed to drive.  The person has the sticker for 6 months;

12206.  In Morocco, arranged marriages are more of a suggestion than a command/demand.  The potential husband or bride can say “no;”

12207.  In Morocco, the mothers/moms arrange the marriages/make the wedding suggestions (i.e., “Mother Tinder”). . . . After the wedding, they’ll be spending more time with their daughters-in-law than their sons will;

12208.  The mothers/moms get to know the girls at the hammam (i.e., public bath) and can pick girls they think will be a good match for their sons.  The mothers/moms also get to see the girls’ bodies when they bath( at the hammam);

12209.  In Morocco, boys are not friends with girls and vice versa.  They do not talk, play or interact with each/one other outside of school.  The boys are friends with boys and the girls are friends with girls;

12210.  In Morocco, it is common for boys to hold hands with boys and for girls to hold hands with girls, but boys do not hold hands with girls;

12211.  In Morocco, you can marry your first cousin;

12212.  In Morocco, it is easier to get a divorce before you have children;

12213.  In Morocco, the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is considered a holy place.  It’s the site of the tomb of Idris I;

12214.  Idris I was the first ruler of the Idrisid dynasty;

12215.  Idris I was a descendant of (the Islamic prophet,) Muhammad;

12216.  Volubilis was the most western city in Africa of the Roman Empire;

12217.  Apparently, a population of 20,000 people qualifies as a municipality in the Roman Empire;

12218.  In Morocco, there are usually 3 coffee shops next to each other;

12219.  In Morocco, 80-90% of coffee shop patrons are men;

12220.  In Morocco, men go to coffee shops, women (and children) go to parks;

12221.  In the past, the jobless (men) in Morocco would go to coffee shops and sit there all day;

12222.  Moroccan chicken pie (i.e., chicken pastilla) is like a slightly sweet, curry chicken in puff pastry. . . . It reminds me of a curry chicken empanada or a curry chicken pasty, but (made) with puff pastry;

12223.  The biggest and most famous Moroccan Royal Palace is in Fes;

12224.  The Royal Palace of Fes encompasses over 83 hectares;

12225.  There are 7 gates entering into the Royal Palace of Fes;

12226.  There is a 9-hole golf course within the walls of the Royal Palace of Meknes;

12227.  (Pitted) dates (stuffed) with walnuts are delicious. . . Who knew?

12228.  Apparently, you can make bread out of couscous;

12229.  The medina in Fes is the oldest medina in the world;

12230.  The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fes is the oldest, continuously functioning university in the world.  It was founded in 857;

12231.  There are over 300 mosques in Fes;

12232.  Fes is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco;

12233.  Green is the color of Islam;

12234.  The world’s oldest, operating tannery (i.e., Chouara Tannery) is in Fes;

12235.  Mint is a natural air freshener;

12236.  There is camel (skin) and goatskin leather besides cowhide leather;

12237.  Apparently, real leather will not burn when (you) put (it) to a lighter;

12238.  Goatskin leather is very lightweight, camel (skin) is heavier and cowhide is the heaviest;

12239.  Apparently, (real) leather made with all natural materials will not smoke when (you) put (it) to a lighter;

12240.  You can make fabric from cactus fibers (i.e., agave silk). . . . Who knew?

12241.  Historically, every neighborhood in a medina has a mosque, a hammam, a public oven and a public (water) fountain. . . . Nowadays, they also have a public school and the public fountain has been replaced with piped water;

12242.  A wood(en) arch indicates you’re entering a different/new neighborhood (with a different family) in the medina(s);

12243.  Apparently, some houses in the medinas have donkey garages/stables;

12244.  In Morocco, it costs between $300.00 USD to $400.00 USD for a donkey;

12245.  In Morocco, the trash is taken out by donkey in the medinas;

12246.  In Morocco, the Mid(dle) Atlas (Mountains) is/are known for growing apples and cherries;

12247.  Moroccans don't eat pig/pork, but Morocco has a lot of wild boars/pigs;

12248.  Moroccan farmers wait for the first rain before picking olives;

12249.  If it rains for 2 days, Moroccan farmers will wait 2 days before picking olives.  Apparently, the (olive) oil will go back to the fruit from the tree limbs after 2 days;

12250.  You can ski in Morocco;