1

Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California

Image: Aman

Los Angeles’ hellish traffic is world-famous and every experienced driver in this city has her or his own shortcuts to save time. But this one is a universal one for sure.

When driving through Hollywood, never take Hollywood Boulevard . Take, instead, Franklin or Fountain to get around the tourist mayhem. And, if you want to avoid the awful traffic of a Hollywood Bowl show, try Mulholland Drive.

2

Getting to the airport in Los Angeles, California

Image: Lukas Souza

Nobody likes missing a flight. Or, at least, most of us don’t care for that particular situation. And, when driving in the terrible Los Angeles traffic, that possibility is always looming in the background.

A sound advice from frequent flyers is to avoid the freeway altogether and take Crescent Heights until it dead-ends. Then, drive through La Cienaga to La Tijera all the way to the symbols that point to the airport.

3

Leaving New York is never easy, New York City, New York

Image: Matteo Catanese

Caught at the right time, New York City traffic can be as bad as LA traffic. And, as it usually happens, commute hours are the worst. The endless crowds and vehicles getting in and out of Manhattan through the different bridges and tunnels can create some serious delays.

Brooklyn Bridge, George Washington Bridge, and the Lincoln Tunnel are some of the most congested routes during rush hours. So, if you have no other options, make sure to schedule extra time just in case the traffic is as bad as it can be.

4

I-95, Miami, Florida

Image: Baron Alloway

Another city with legendary traffic is, without a doubt, Miami. And, as usual, commute hours can be a nightmare. I-95 is a major Interstate Highway on the East Coast and the Miami section is usually very congested . If you are trying to go south from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. or north from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., you have to expect delays, since those are the peak times for commuters who work downtown.

The High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes run from north of Miami to north Dade. You can only enter these lanes before 112/I-95 and you can only get off at the Golden Glades exit. Don’t take these lanes if you are trying to go anywhere between downtown and Northwest 183rd Street as there are no exits. Also, HOT lanes only accept SunPass as payment.

5

Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Image: Neal Kharawala

Continuing with another one of the monster-traffic cities of America, we can’t avoid the Windy City. Locals say that the city has two seasons: winter and construction , as the number of blocked streets, avenues, and roads can be nerve-wracking.

A shortcut locals use when driving through Lake Shore Drive to get off on Michigan Ave, heading southbound with a final destination past Illinois Ave, is to take Inner Lake Shore Drive and avoid the heavy congestion on Michigan Ave, as well as the occasional standstills on southbound Lake Shore Drive.

6

San Felipe instead of Westheimer, Houston, Texas

Image: Kevin Hernandez

Houston locals are familiar with busy Westheimer Avenue and know better than to fall into its trap during rush hour. They’d get stuck between multiple METRO bus routes, potholes, and never-ending construction sites.

The savvy drivers instead use San Felipe to get downtown or to the Galleria in a much shorter time.

7

Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, Phoenix, Arizona

Image: Nils Huenerfuerst

Even the widest highway will become congested once everyone finds out about it. We are looking at you, Los Angeles. But, for a while at least, new roads offer a smooth and quiet ride to the lucky few who discover them first.

This is the case with Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway. The 22-mile-long portion of the Valley beltway from 59th Avenue on the west side to Ahwatukee , which opened in late 2019, is a smooth drive. Rolling through a part of the Valley unspoiled by development, this freeway has light traffic and no, or very few, holes –for now.

8

San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California

Image: Justin Wolff

It may seem calmer compared to neighboring Los Angeles, but San Diego can have its traffic congestion, like any big city. Getting to the airport on time is always paramount and locals have tricks up their sleeves for this ride.

Drivers can take Washington Street to Pacific Highway and get to the airport that way, or they can also take Pacific Highway north to Barnett, then Lytton, then Rosecrans, then Nimitz, which can be better than going through Sassafras if there’s traffic.

9

LBJ interchange, Dallas, Texas

Image: Zack Brame

Dallas, Texas, is a major city with major traffic jams during rush hours. Trying to get to the LBJ interchange can be a recipe for disaster if you are in a hurry but there is a shortcut that can save quite some time.

If you are on the Central Expressway, you can get off at Coit Road , which will allow you to bypass the interchange. Instead, you'll wind around a corner and find yourself right back at the entrance ramps for LBJ. From there, you just wait for a light and merge back onto LBJ, having skipped over the whole mess.

10

I-35 alternatives, Austin, Texas

Image: MJ Tangonan

Texas’ hippest city, Austin has some major highways, including the I-35, Mopac Expressway (Loop 1), and Highway 183. These big highways can cause big delays if taken from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

But the city provides alternatives. Lamar Boulevard and Burnet Road provide time-saving options for I-35 . During rush hour and special events, knowing these lesser-used routes can save time.

1

Babe Ruth

Image: Jose Francisco Morales

To become one of the best in baseball history, you must not only be a talented and dedicated athlete but also a wise person. Babe Ruth was a perfect example of this. This baseball legend inspired us when he said, "Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Often, we let fear win out by imagining worst-case scenarios before making a decision. But as Babe Ruth taught us, we shouldn't let that fear hold us back. If you dare to play the game, you might find that things turn out even better than you expected! You know, the next time you hesitate to take a chance, give it a try!

2

Vince Lombardi

Image: Melissa McGovern

If being an excellent athlete is difficult, imagine managing a team full of them. Knowing how to lead a group of talented people to the greatest victories is not for everyone, but it is for Vince Lombardi, one of the most iconic coaches in American football history.

Lombardi shared his vision of success when he said, "Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." This simple but powerful phrase carries a very important message: To achieve our goals, it's vital to know what we want and how deeply we want it. Even if you don't win every game, you should always begin with a winning attitude as a guide to success!

3

Billie Jean King

Image: John Fornander

Some people say the key to being a winner is never giving up . Keep going until you make it! This is what Billie Jean King, one of the greatest players and a pioneer in women's tennis, conveyed when she said, "Champions keep playing until they get it right."

Billie Jean King never gave up, even when some people told her to. With her powerful message, BJK redefines the idea of a champion. She sees the long-awaited victory as the final step in a journey that a champion has been pursuing for a long time. Inspiring!

4

Michael Jordan

Image: Markus Spiske

The incredibly talented Michael Jordan didn't hold back when telling the secret behind his success in sports: "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

While it's true that watching these spectacular athletes may feel like witnessing magic, their excellence is actually the result of countless hours of hard work , moments of failure, and the perseverance needed to overcome all that and achieve glory.

5

Serena Williams

Image: Mario Gogh

How do you handle tough situations? Whether it's in sports or in life, it's important to get back on your feet, recover from mistakes or defeats, and keep moving forward.

But what do you do right after a setback or defeat? Well, this is precisely what Serena Williams was referring to when she said, "I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall." Common wisdom tells us that we can see a person's true character during hard times . According to Serena, our response to huge challenges or troubles also defines who we are.

6

Tom Brady

Image: Dave Adamson

In difficult times, the words of the wise can be incredibly helpful. And who better to inspire us than a true champion ? Someone who led his teams to win 7 Super Bowls surely knows things, right? You guessed it: we're talking about the incredible Tom Brady!

This great athlete said, "Nothing happens to you; it happens for you." At first, it might not be entirely clear, but this quote has a powerful message. Shifting our perspective to change the way we see negative events can be the key to overcoming challenges and reaching our goals. With Tom Brady's mindset, every inconvenience becomes an opportunity to be better every day. Go for it!

7

Shaquille O'Neal

Image: Patrick Fore

How we live each day, our actions, choices, the way we handle situations, and the people we interact with are the things that define us. Shaquille O'Neal, a basketball legend, once said, "Excellence is not a singular act but a habit . You are what you repeatedly do." And it's clear that Shaq embodied this excellence!

With this powerful quote, Shaquille O'Neal reminds us that reaching our goals and becoming who we aspire to be depends largely on our daily habits rather than on a unique major act. It's something to remember every day: we are what we do!

8

Magic Johnson

Image: jesse orrico

Magic Johnson is undoubtedly one of the greatest names in basketball. He's someone who achieved incredible success, not just because of his natural talent and skills but also due to his dedication and respect for every member of his team .

In this sense, Magic Johnson once said, "Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates ." Echoing JFK's famous 1961 quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," Magic reminds us that success often requires setting aside ego and individual interests to focus on collaboration and support for others.

9

Muhammad Ali

Image: Johann Walter Bantz

Dreaming about our goals is just the beginning; it is also necessary to work a little bit every day to achieve them. Making the most of our time to grow and improve different areas of our lives is always time well spent.

That is probably what Muhammad Ali meant when he said, "Don't count the days, make the days count." Instead of letting anxiety or worry get the better of you while waiting for something to happen, it's far better to take action and make it happen! Muhammad's words are an excellent way to encourage us to keep trying and never give up.

10

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Image: MontyLov

The great and successful basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is credited with the phrase, "One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team." A great message about collaboration and companionship.

In sports, as in life, knowing how to work as a team is critical. Where would we be without those who stand by us every day? Family , friends, coworkers, classmates, and even pets, all help us through life's challenges and joys. The same goes for every sports team, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar understands this perfectly.

1

National Nothing Day

Incredibly, National Nothing Day is a real, unofficial observance celebrated every year on January 16. It all began when columnist and publicist Harold Pullman Coffin proposed the idea in 1972.

His objective was to create an "un-event" , reminiscent of the Mad Hatter's "un-birthday" celebration in Alice in Wonderland , giving people permission to celebrate, observe, or honor absolutely nothing. It was meant as a pushback on a growing list of commercialized commemorative days. Finally, a holiday with no to-do list.

2

National Toilet Paper Day

Now here’s a holiday that covers a truly essential household item . That’s why National Toilet Paper Day is a completely real unofficial holiday celebrated annually on August 26. Before you take your next roll for granted, remember: it has quite a history.

In 1857, entrepreneur Joseph Gayetty began selling commercially manufactured toilet paper in the United States. His product came in flat sheets, not rolls, and was marketed as "Gayetty’s Medicated Paper." This bathroom staple has a surprisingly fascinating backstory.

3

National Talk Like a Pirate Day

Ahoy! International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a real, globally recognized unofficial holiday celebrated every year on September 19.

John Baur and Mark Summers invented International Talk Like a Pirate Day in 1995 as a joke while playing racquetball in Oregon. They chose September 19 because it was Summers’s ex-wife’s birthday, and the idea remained a private joke for years. In 2002, columnist Dave Barry promoted the holiday in his newspaper column, turning it into a worldwide phenomenon, and the rest is pirate history.

4

National Tooth Fairy Day

The Tooth Fairy has been an important part of childhood for generations, so it's only fitting that she has a day of her own. Amazingly, she not only has one but two national days.

The holidays land biannually on February 28 and August 22. Some say the intention was for it to match dentists’ recommendation for semi-annual checkups. The Tooth Fairy herself is said to have originated in 1920s health education campaigns that used imaginary fairies to encourage kids to eat vegetables and brush their teeth.

5

National Soft Ice Cream Day

Who doesn’t love soft serve ice cream? Some would say it was inevitable for this dessert to have its own commemoration, and luckily, that’s the case. National Soft Ice Cream Day is celebrated yearly on August 19. Now the question that remains is: why does it refer to the "soft" type?

One popular story dates the rise of soft serve ice cream to 1934, when ice cream vendor Tom Carvel reportedly got a flat tire in Hartsdale, New York, over Memorial Day weekend. Forced to pull over, he noticed his ice cream stock was melting and started selling the softened product to passing motorists, who apparently loved the softer texture. That’s how Carvel went on to develop equipment for serving soft serve ice cream and eventually built a business around it. Talk about turning a breakdown into a sweet opportunity .

6

National Rubber Ducky Day

National Rubber Ducky Day is celebrated every year on January 13 to honor the iconic yellow bath toy. The date comes from a 1973 Sesame Street calendar that designated January 13 as the birthday of Ernie’s famous bath-time companion, Rubber Duckie.

Ernie first sang the hit song "Rubber Duckie" in February 1970, and the song went all the way to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. Surprisingly, the earliest versions of the toy in the late 19th century were made of hard, solid rubber and were meant as chew toys rather than floating bath accessories. That’s one bath-time fact you probably didn’t see coming.

7

National Pickle Day

National Pickle Day is a completely real unofficial observance celebrated every year on November 14.

While it sounds like something made up by internet foodies, it was actually popularized by the National Pickle Packers Association (now known as Pickle Packers International) in 1949 as part of a public relations push to celebrate the crunchy, briny snack . In the United States, more than 2.5 billion pounds of pickles are consumed every year, making it more than worthy of its own calendar slot. That’s a whole lot of pickles and a pretty good reason to celebrate.

8

National Left-Handers Day

It’s well known that the majority of people are right-handed, but left-handed people have a day of their own: August 13.

First established in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell (the founder of Lefthanders International, Inc.), the day was created to celebrate the uniqueness of left-handed people while raising awareness about the everyday challenges of living in a world designed largely for right-handed people. If you’re a lefty, this is your day to shine.

9

National Waffle Day

While National Waffle Day might sound like a corporate marketing stunt, the day actually marks a specific milestone in history.

On August 24, 1869, a New Yorker named Cornelius Swartwout received U.S. Patent No. 94,043 for an improved waffle iron. While waffles had been enjoyed for centuries in Europe, Swartwout’s invention was a hinged, flippable iron designed to sit over a coal stove, making it easier to prepare waffles at home . Turns out your breakfast has a patent.

10

National Bubble Bath Day

Love a long, relaxing soak? This one has your name on it. Celebrated on January 8, National Bubble Bath Day encourages people to slow down , relax, and enjoy a warm, bubbly bath.

Its origin is unclear, but its popularity has increased as an opportunity to promote self-care, especially during the cold winter months. No complicated celebration required; just add bubbles.