What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0244

12151.  3,000 craftsmen worked on the Hassan II Mosque;

12152.  The Hassan II Mosque can accommodate 25,000 worshippers in the main floor/hall and another 80,000 worshippers in the plaza square;

12153.  The men are downstairs in the main floor/hall of the Hassan II Mosque, while the women are upstairs;

12154.  There are more than 8,000 LED lights in the Hassan II Mosque;

12155.  The doors of the Hassan II Mosque are made of titanium;

12156.  The roof of the Hassan II Mosque retracts creating an opening of 3,400 square meters;

12157.  (Walking in) the side corridor of the main hall of the Hassan II Mosque looks like some place in a science fiction movie to me( like the Fremen war council in “Dune: Part Two”);

12158.  Most people in Morocco work in agriculture;

12159.  Most people in Morocco use public transportation because automobiles/cars and gas/petrol are expensive;

12160.  Most families in Morocco don’t have cars;

12161.  In Morocco, sometimes 3-4 generations live in the same household;

12162.  In Morocco, daughters live with their husband’s family;

12163.  In Morocco, sons live in their parents’ house;

12164.  Apparently, a lot of Moroccans go/travel to the beach in June and July when the weather is hot;

12165.  Most Moroccan couples have 4-5 children/kids in the country and 3-4 children/kids in the cities;

12166.  There’s an IKEA in Casablanca;

12167.  Morocco grows a lot of wheat and barley;

12168.  Moroccans eat a lot of bread even more than the French;

12169.  Moroccans eat so much bread that they even import wheat;

12170.  Morocco’s economy is based mainly on tourism, manufacturing (i.e., automobiles and textiles), agriculture and exporting phosphate;

12171.  Morocco has the largest phosphate reserves in the world;

12172.  Morocco produces very little petroleum.  It imports 90% of its energy needs;

12173.  Moroccans eat a meat (and bread) heavy diet.  There are no vegetarians in Morocco;

12174.  Apparently, in Morocco, if you don’t provide a meat dish to your guests, it means you don’t want them to come back. . . . Fish is not considered meat;

12175.  Morocco generates electricity through coal, wind, solar and dams (i.e., hydroelectrical);

12176.  Most families in Morocco make their own olive oil;

12177.  Moroccans can go to University in Morocco for free;

12178.  Africans can also go to University in Morocco for free;

12179.  The capital (city) of Morocco is Rabat.  It was moved from Fes;

12180.  In Morocco, school attendance is compulsory up to the age of 13;

12181.  The Moroccan government makes small cash payments for girls to go to school in rural areas to compensate for them not helping out around the house;

12182.  In Morocco, most families have picnics in the woods instead of going out to eat;

12183.  In Morocco, if you go out to eat at a restaurant, you have to take the whole (extended) family out to eat;

12184.  Apparently, Moroccans in the countryside don’t celebrate (wedding) anniversaries or birthdays.  Moroccans in the countryside may not know the exact day they were born;

12185.  Morocco produces avocados;

12186.  Apparently, Moroccans bring a bottle of olive oil to other people’s houses instead of wine;

12187.  Moroccan coffee is made with a blend of spices, most commonly including cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and black pepper;

12188.  Apparently, a cappuccino in Morocco has chocolate/cocoa powder in it;

12189.  Moroccans drink thé a la menthe (i.e., green tea with mint) with a lot of sugar;

12190.  Apparently, to a Moroccan, tea without sugar is just hot water;

12191.  In the Moroccan countryside, donkeys and mules are used for work and transportation;

12192.  In the countryside, Moroccans will keep a couple of goats with their sheep flock.  Apparently, the goats will lead the sheep to new places to graze.  Dogs are used to keep the flock together;

12193.  In Morocco, all of the work in the Atlas Mountains is done by hand (and) not (by) machines;

12194.  Morocco reinstated compulsory military service/training for men (aged 19-25) in 2019.  It’s optional/voluntary for women and Moroccans living abroad;

12195.  Moroccans do not drink a lot of beer and wine (because of religious and cultural reasons);

12196.  Morocco exports wine and beer (i.e., Casablanca, Spéciale Flag and Stork);

12197.  The sugar in Morocco comes from (locally grown) beets and sugar cane.  Morocco also imports sugar to meet demand;

12198.  In Morocco, camel milk is popular;

12199.  In Morocco, they eat dates in odd numbers.  Eating dates in odd numbers is an Islamic tradition particularly when breaking fast on the day of Eid al-Fitr;

12200.  In Morocco, 7 is considered a lucky number;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0243

12101.  They have standalone (McDonald's) McCafés in Morocco;

12102.  In Morocco, McDonald’s sells fried (Gouda or chili) cheese bites;

12103.  Apparently, the standard (soft) drink size in Morocco is 12 ounces;

12104.  The blackberry McFizz at McDonald’s (in Morocco) is (really) tasty.  It’s better than the grapefruit one, but the grapefruit McFizz is still good;

12105.  There are a lot of feral/wild cats in Casablanca;

12106.  In Morocco, (fresh) fish is priced per 100 grams, but you have to buy/purchase the entire fish;

12107.  I can say I've had John Dory;

12108.  Getting a hand job in Casablanca . . . check . . . a blowjob . . . (double) check . . . sex . . . (triple) check;

12109.  (I can say) I got railroaded to an unsolicited walking tour in (the Old Medina/City of) Casablanca;

12110.  Casablanca reminds me of Istanbul;

12111.  Casablanca . . . the city where feral/wild chickens and dogs are friends;

12112.  You can buy live chickens in the Old Medina/City of Casablanca;

12113.  The argan tree only grows in Morocco;

12114.  Supposedly, a liter of (high quality) cactus oil can cost (up to) 3,000 euros;

12115.  Apparently, the (feral/wild) cats in Casablanca like (tagine) chicken skin . . . and cartilage;

12116.  Apparently, Mohammed V Square (in Casablanca) is the pigeon pickup spot;

12117.  There are white and black pigeons;

12118.  Apparently, Mohammed V Square (in Casablanca) is known as “Pigeons’ Square” to the locals;

12119.  Apparently, the architecture in Casablanca is a mix of Art Deco and Art Nouveau (i.e., Cas d’Art Deco);

12120.  Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with over 4 million people;

12121.  Originally, Casablanca was a modestly sized port with a population of about 20,000 people;

12122.  Morocco is a “quasi-democracy.”  The prime minister is elected( by the people), but there is a monarch;

12123.  The King of Morocco oversees foreign diplomacy, while the prime minister oversees domestic issues;

12124.  The King of Morocco appoints the prime minister from the political party that has won the most seats in the (parliamentary) elections;

12125.  The King of Morocco cannot appoint government ministers (the prime minister does), but he can dismiss/remove them;

12126.  There are 36 political parties in Morocco;

12127.  Apparently, only about 10% of the Moroccan population votes in local elections;

12128.  Apparently, some Moroccans are paid for their votes;

12129.  Casablanca is sometimes called Maghreb, which means “the west” or “the land where the sun sets;”

12130.  “Medina” means “city/town.”  When Moroccans say “medina,” they’re referring to the old walled city;

12131.  The souk is the market in the medina;

12132.  Apparently, there’s a 1,500 to 3,000 dirham (i.e., $150.00 USD to $300.00 USD) fine for feeding the stray animals in Morocco;

12133.  In Morocco, students receive a small stipend to attend University;

12134.  In Morocco, there is a historical decree from the French protectorate that only allows Muslims to enter mosques, Jews to enter synagogues and Christians to enter churches.  The only exceptions are the Tin Mal Mosque (which can be visited on days other than Friday) and the Hassan II Mosque (which offers guided tours to non-Muslims);

12135.  Polygamy is allowed in Morocco; however, the husband must get consent from the first wife;

12136.  Only about 5,000 out of 38 million people in Morocco have multiple wives;

12137.  Apparently, it’s not worth haggling over the price of food in Morocco.  The prices (generally) reflect the cost;

12138.  There’s a “Rick’s Café” (RicksCafe.ma) in Casablanca.  It’s a replica from the movie, “Casablanca.”  It was opened in 2004 by Kathy Kriger, a former American diplomat and commercial attaché in Morocco;

12139.  Apparently the grocery stores in Morocco don’t like to make change for big bills (i.e., 100 and 200 dirham bills);

12140.  In Morocco, you can be fined for not wearing your seatbelt;

12141.  In Morocco, you tip with the right hand and you’re supposed to hide the amount. . . . A tip is considered a private act between the two parties;

12142.  In Morocco, there’s a minimum of 10 dirhams for tipping;

12143.  In Morocco, any bathroom/restroom without an attendant or a bowl is free( to use);

12144.  In Morocco, a person typically pays 1 to 2 dirhams to use a public bathroom/restroom;

12145.  You enter a mosque with your right foot;

12146.  Bourbon/whiskey with pomegranate (juice) is pretty good;

12147.  The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the 13^th largest mosque (by capacity) in the world;

12148.  The 2 largest mosques (by capacity) in the world are in Mecca and Medina, respectively, both in Saudi Arabia;

12149.  The Hassan II Mosque (only) took 7 years to build/construct;

12150.  It took only 17 months to build the concrete superstructure of the Hassan II Mosque;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0242

12051.  Jim Morrison (the lead singer of “The Doors”) graduated from George Washington High School (now George Washington Middle School) in Alexandria, Virginia(, in June 1961);

12052.  Jim Morrison’s father, (Rear) Admiral George (Stephen) Morrison, was in charge of the United States naval forces in the Gulf of Tonkin incident(, the leading pretext used to justify the Vietnam War);

12053.  Delacey said she’s been to Washington, D.C. many times, but her first time performing was on September 25^th, 2025 at the Lincoln Theatre( opening for X Ambassadors);

12054.  Delacey is a Billie Holiday fan;

12055.  Apparently, Billie Holiday used to perform at the Lincoln Theatre( in Washington, D.C.);

12056.  Sam (Nelson) Harris (the lead singer for “X Ambassadors”) brings a lot of energy to his performances/singing;

12057.  Dan Reynolds (the lead singer of “Imagine Dragons”) helped get “X Ambassadors” signed to a record contract/deal;

12058.  Casey Harris (of “X Ambassadors”) plays the keyboard with his eyes closed;

12059.  Casey Harris (the keyboardist for “X Ambassadors”) is Sam (Nelson) Harris’s (the lead singer for “X Ambassadors”) brother;

12060.  Apparently, you have to have a beard to be in “X Ambassadors;”

12061.  Apparently, Casey Harris (the keyboardist for “X Ambassadors”) is blind;

12062.  Seeing Luray Caverns (LurayCaverns.com) in Luray, Virginia, will ruin/spoil any experience at another cavern;

12063.  If you’re a fan of “Route 11 Potato Chips,” (Rt11.com) you can visit their factory in Mount Jackson, Virginia.  They have free samples of all of their chips and you can watch the frying process;

12064.  Apparently, “Route 11 Potato Chips” processes 50,000 pounds of potatoes per day;

12065.  “Route 11 Potato Chips” fry their chips in sunflower oil;

12066.  Apparently, it takes 4 pounds of potatoes to make 1 pound of finished chips (i.e., potatoes have a lot of water in them);

12067.  The cornbread salad (with romaine lettuce, black beans, fire roasted corn, crumbled cornbread, cheese, green onions & ranch dressing) at “The Apple House”/“The Bushel Pub” (TheAppleHouse.net) in Linden, Virginia, is tasty.  The crumbled cornbread adds a nice sweetness to the salad;

12068.  “The Apple House’s” apple butter (cinnamon) doughnuts are good, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to get them;

12069.  Research shows couples with prenuptial agreements often have lower divorce rates and greater stability.  Not because the prenup magically prevents divorce, but because the process forces transparent communication about finances and expectations.  Those are the exact things that build long-term satisfaction and reduce conflict;

12070.  Pies will last (way) longer if you refrigerate them instead of leaving them out on the (kitchen) counter. . . . We’re talking (over) a week v. a few days;

12071.  The Wawa soft pretzel is (pretty) tasty. . . . I never thought I’d say that about a pretzel;

12072.  “Bruin,” which means “brown” in Dutch, is an English folk term for (a) brown bear;

12073.  It feels strange/weird riding in a train without a seatbelt( on);

12074.  Philadelphia(, Pennsylvania,) is 20 minutes from Wilmington(, Delaware,) by train;

12075.  Reading Terminal Market (ReadingTerminalMarket.org) in Philadelphia is worth a visit. . . . There’s so much to try/eat. . . . Unfortunately, it’s only open until 6:00 PM( daily and opening at 8:00 AM);

12076.  The United States Mint, currently, has 4 operating mint facilities.  They are located in Philadelphia(, Pennsylvania), San Francisco(, California), Denver(, Colorado,) and West Point(, New York);

12077.  The first United States Mint (facility) was in Philadelphia;

12078.  There’s another gold bullion depository (besides Fort Knox) at the West Point Mint;

12079.  Peter (Jefferson) was a bald eagle, who lived at the Philadelphia Mint.  He was allowed to fly around the mint during the day and was let out at night to fly over the city always returning by morning;

12080.  After Peter( Jefferson)’s death, he was taxidermized and has been on display at the Philadelphia Mint;

12081.  Peter (Jefferson) served as the model for the Gobrecht silver dollar and the Flying Eagle cent;

12082.  The United States Mint makes most of its income by selling its coins at face value to the Federal Reserve Banks;

12083.  The United States Mint also makes income from producing (and selling) numismatic coins, commemorative coins, national medals and bullion( coins);

12084.  Elfreth’s Alley (in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia) is known as the nation’s oldest, continuously inhabited residential street.  It features 32 houses built between 1703 and 1836;

12085.  Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in a rented room on the second floor of a brick house at 700 Market Street in Philadelphia;

12086.  The (traditional) roast pork (sandwich) at DiNic’s Roast Pork (TommyDiNics.com) in Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia needs a sauce/mustard without (sharp) provolone;

12087.  (The) Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia is (pretty) nice. . . . It’s spacious and well-designed . . . and way nicer than Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.;

12088.  Marcus Mumford (the lead singer of “Mumford & Sons”) plays the drums;

12089.  The song, “Ditmas,” by “Mumford & Sons,” is named after the neighborhood in Brooklyn(, New York), where the band recorded the album Wilder Mind. . . . It’s a breakup song about a relationship ending, reflecting on the changes and accusations that led to the breakup;

12090.  I can say I saw “Mumford & Sons’” first live performance of “Rubber Band Man”( at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Tuesday, October 14, 2025);

12091.  “H&M” is an abbreviation for “Hennes & Mauritz;”

12092.  Philadelphia is very cash heavy city;

12093.  The (regular) soft pretzel at “Miller’s Twist” (MillersTwist.com) in Reading Terminal Market is tasty. . . . It’s bready with a slight sweetness to it;

12094.  The pepper steak (sandwich) (with mixed bell peppers) at “Jim’s South Street” (JimsSouthStreet.com) in Philadelphia is tasty;

12095.  You are an opportunity not a sale;

12096.  I can say I’ve been to Africa;

12097.  There are a lot of new, empty office buildings in the suburbs of Casablanca;

12098.  It’s a long drive from Casablanca (Mohammed V International) Airport to the Old Medina/City of Casablanca;

12099.  They have McDonald’s, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC and Pizza Hut in Casablanca;

12100.  Apparently, Moroccan businesses will accept/take U.S. currency;

What I've learned since moving to D.C. (some of which should be obvious): 0241

12001.  The (pork) soup dumplings at Kungfu Kitchen (KungfuKitchenVA.com) in Alexandria, Virginia, are tasty;

12002.  The chicken sando/sandwich at Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings (HangryJoes.com) is (pretty) tasty;

12003.  The position of patent examiner was created by the Patent Act of 1836 signed on July 4^th.  The law introduced a new patent numbering system, required the examination of patents before granting them and established a corps of professional patent examiners to do so;

12004.  Others are often too preoccupied with themselves to notice the things you feel insecure about;

12005.  Perfect is unattainable in any facet of life.  Be kind to yourself;

12006.  The Cuban sandwich at Colada Shop (ColadaShop.com) is tasty;

12007.  Landon Barker is looking/ready to party;

12008.  Landon Barker is Travis Barker’s son (the drummer for “Blink-182”);

12009.  “The Strike” sounds like an 80’s yacht rock band;

12010.  Joe King (the cofounder and guitarist for “The Fray”) said they wrote “The Fray’s” debut album, “How to Save a Life,” in their parents’ houses in 2005;

12011.  Apparently, Isaac Slade left “The Fray” on March 12^th, 2022 after a series of onstage panic attacks.  He was the lead singer, main songwriter and cofounder of the band;

12012.  Astro Beer Hall in Shirlington has a great late night special.  Every day from 9:00 PM until last call, you can get an Apollo smashburger (i.e., 2 Pat Lafrieda beef burgers, American cheese, sauteed onions, pickles & special sauce on a toasted Brioche bun) or an Asteroid chicken sandwich (i.e., spicy fried chicken breast, bib lettuce, pickles, jalapeno coleslaw & Astro sauce on a toasted Brioche bun) with French fries, tater tots or a side salad for $5.00;

12013.  The (pork) Shanghai soup dumplings at Tiger Dumplings (Tiger-Dumplings.com) in Clarendon are tasty;

12014.  From 1841 until 1876, the Declaration of Independence was on display at the first Patent Office (now the National Portrait Gallery) along with other historical artifacts from the United States’s founding;

12015.  David Besonen via Instagram sent Ben Rector a saxophone cover of one of his songs.  Ben thought it was good, replied “Cool” and thought that that was the end of it.  When Ben was putting a tour together, he realized he needed a saxophone player and asked David via Instagram if he wanted to go on tour with him.  David replied “Yes.”  At the time, David hadn’t finished his (college) degree in computer science yet and asked Ben if that was a problem.  Ben replied “No.”  While on tour, David took classes and submitted his work online and finished his degree while on the bus;

12016.  There is no going forward without a death of some kind: a death of who we thought we were and were supposed to be; a death of a map of the world we thought worthy of our trust and investment; a death of expectations that by choosing rightly we could avoid suffering;

12017.  Making an espresso martini with Stoli(chnaya) vodka (actually) does make a difference.  It’s smoother and harder to notice the alcohol;

12018.  Art(hur) Fry received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota;

12019.  Art(hur) Fry worked for 40 years at 3M (originally Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company);

12020.  Art(hur) Fry coinvented Post-it Notes in 1974;

12021.  There are 600 or so Post-it Notes products sold in over a 100 countries;

12022.  In “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” the title characters, Romy and Michele, claim to have invented Post-it Notes;

12023.  Art(hur) Fry (kind of) looks like a wizard;

12024.  In 1974, Art(hur) Fry was singing in the church choir.  During one sermon that wasn’t particularly interesting, he became frustrated with his bookmark falling out and thought to himself he needed a bookmark that would stick to paper, but wouldn’t tear it apart;

12025.  The adhesive for Post-it Notes is a layer of sticky microspheres;

12026.  The first test markets for Post-it Notes were Tampa, Florida, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Richmond, Virginia, and Denver, Colorado;

12027.  It took 5 years from the invention of Post-it Notes to its commercialization;

12028.  Post-it Notes were never patented, but kept as a trade secret.  Only the adhesive was (ever) patented;

12029.  Art(hur) Fry celebrated his 94^th birthday on Tuesday, August 19, 2025;

12030.  There is such a thing as white Bordeaux. . . . Apparently, it’s primarily a mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon;

12031.  When you make a fist and your thumb is wrapped inside of your fingers, you’ll (most likely) break your thumb if you punch someone/something;

12032.  When you punch someone/something, you’ll (most likely) break your fingers and/or your knuckles;

12033.  When you strike someone/something, use the heel of your palm.  You can deliver forceful blows with less potential for hand injury( compared to other hand strikes);

12034.  In an active shooter situation, do not go to your office’s rally point.  Most active shooters are fellow employees and will know the emergency procedures;

12035.  In an active shooter situation, duck down and run away in an irregular, zigzag pattern;

12036.  In an active shooter situation, do not use the elevator.  You do not want to be trapped in a confined space;

12037.  In an active shooter situation, once you flee the building, call 911/the police.  Don’t assume someone else has.  Also the police want updates on the situation like where the shooter(s) is/are;

12038.  In an active shooter situation, once you flee the building, follow the building’s walls and keep moving away.  A shooter can still hit you 60 yards away;

12039.  There’s a difference between cover and hiding.  Cover means you’re protected from bullets/fire.  Hiding only means they can’t see you;

12040.  In an active shooter situation, lock yourself in a room and hide behind solid core doors.  If the shooter breaks in, use the (solid core) door as a weapon and slam into him/her.  You might be able to injure and/or disarm the shooter;

12041.  Don’t buy over-the-counter medication and vitamins from CVS.  Even with a 40% off coupon and/or B(uy )O(ne )G(et )O(ne) free promotions, CVS is still more expensive than Amazon, Target and Walmart;

12042.  Between what is said and not meant and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost;

12043.  Life hack: If you want a quick and easy way to vacuum your car, open your car’s doors and use a(n) battery-powered/electric leaf blower;

12044.  At Trader Joe’s, you can buy a single can of their drinks( including alcoholic drinks).  You’re even allowed to open packaging to get a can.  At the (cash) register, the cashier will charge you a proportional amount of the (entire) price for the can;

12045.  Christina’s favorite dessert is pumpkin caramel Danish Kringle;

12046.  The Hollensbury Spite House(, located at 523 Queen Street in (Old Town) Alexandria, Virginia,) is only 7’ 6” wide.  It’s often called the skinniest house in the United States;

12047.  “Cat” in French is “chat(te).” . . . “Cat” in Turkish is “kedi;”

12048.  (Shocker,) pumpkin butter is like apple butter, but made with pumpkin;

12049.  The “C(entral )I(ntelligence )A(gency) Patents Board” is an internal(, agency) board (consisting) of 6 voting members that determines the rights of individuals and the agency to inventions made by (agency) employees and contractors;

12050.  The Bold Rock “Paradise Orchard” (seasonal,) hard cider tastes like a nectarine;