text:
Consulate |
Bargaining for Gabriel
by Nyaboke Nduati
Once upon a time Mokeira talked about motherhood as though she had a right to it. She sat at the marketplace with other women and went on about how she hoped the children she bore would not be spoilt like other women's children. She bragged about her family's strong blood, and the good looks that were characteristic of her husband's bloodline. Once upon a time she spoke of children without shame. She even complimented other women's children without envy and bitterness tearing at her heart. Once upon a time, Mokeira could make love with her husband without hating her body so much she could barely feel it.
The thirty-five year old daughter of a priestess who in her lifetime bore nine sons and five daughters carried her childlessness like a cancer in her bones. She stooped under it, slumped over like a tired old woman as she walked around the compound, collecting small twigs with which to make a fire. Her hut was beginning to sag with neglect. It stood shame-faced to the right of the new stone house that her husband had recently built for himself and, as it was beginning to appear, for her co-wife, Gabrielle.
Mokeira could not bear to look at the stone house. She adamantly refused to go in there. When it was built, her husband, Misati Maina, said it belonged to all three of them, that each of them could walk in and out of it as they pleased. But after Gabby shed a few tears, Misati Maina would not take Mokeira in the matrimonial bed anymore. When it was her turn to have him, he came into her hut for a brief session and went back to sleep in the warm bed where Gabby lay in transparent lingerie. Misati Maina explained that his younger wife would not allow him to have another woman in the matrimonial bed. He repeated this every time, guilty for the absurdity of it, and every time, Mokeira wanted to turn away from him and deny him herself. But the intense hatred she felt for her co-wife made her give herself up to him with fierce abandon, praying harder and harder each time for a son.
She worked up a fire and put an old pot filled with dried maize and beans on top of it. When Misati Maina came home with his two friends from the Town Hall, Mokeira brought them each a plate of boiled maize and beans. The visitors, who were sitting on low stools just outside Mokeira's hut, took their plates on their laps and fell to the business of eating. But Misati Maina sat there looking at his plate. Mokeira avoided his eyes.
"What is wrong with this woman?" he said, addressing the men. "What in the name of heaven could be wrong with this woman?"
"Ah, Misati Maina," one of the men said, "This food is nothing but delicious. Don't pick on our poor wife for nothing." But even as he said it, the man winced as his teeth came into contact with a piece of stone.
"Why didn't you at least stew this food?" Misati Maina asked her, "Didn't you have even the slightest sense to pick the bad beans and pebbles out before cooking it? I haven't yet put a grain in my mouth but I can already taste the horror of it."
Mokeira kept her eyes on the red soil. She felt a kind of triumph listening to her husband scold her and she had to work hard to keep from grinning. Misati Maina went on to complain about her bad behavior and how he would be a dead man by now if he had not married Gabby, his second wife.
"There is simply no way to compare the two; one is sweet and humble, the other haughty and ill-mannered, one is intelligent like a normal person, the other stupid as the stones she prays to."
When Mokeira left her father's house to 'cook' for Misati Maina, she was a believer in the old ways of the tribe. While she held no strong opinions against Christianity, the tribal faith was for her the only way she truly knew, and therefore the only way she was willing to follow. Her mother had been the fierce priestess of the oracle of fertility for many years and all of her nine sons and five daughters had lived to adulthood. But because of the sweet talk and gifts of those that came preaching the new faith, the people had lost faith in the oracle. That, Mokeira was convinced, was the reason the tribe was now shunned by the gods. The oracle retreated into the forest and did not come out anymore when the barren woman sought her, or when the desperate man burned a rich sacrifice at her doorstep.
"Please don't insult my faith." Mokeira whispered. Misati Maina laughed.
Mokeira stayed true to the oracle. She held close to her chest the old faith of her people, believing even when her lamentations went unheeded that her prayers were not in vain. Her womb had stayed persistently aloof the nineteen years she'd been married to Misati Maina. Their first nights together had been filled with hunger and urgency, but as the years went by, intercourse became for them a chore. Misati Maina had in the early years prayed with her for a child. He'd spoken gently to the oracle of fertility. But when humility had failed to work, he'd resorted to cursing and insulting both the oracle and his wife.
"I wasn't stupid when you married me," Mokeira said.
"You see what I'm talking about?" Misati Maina said to the men, "Foul-mouthed like her mother,"
Mokeira went back to her hut. She knew she was going to get a sound beating as soon as the men left. But she no longer feared physical pain. She only pretended to cry and beg for mercy when her husband beat her because she knew it was expected of her. But her body was dead to the pain from his blows. All the pain she felt came from within.
After her husband dutifully beat her and she dutifully cried and begged for mercy that night, he went into the stone house where Gabby and her children sat watching television and swore never to step into her hut again until she learned civilized manners like a normal human being. Gabby made a half-hearted attempt to protest on her co-wife's behalf, but when they shut the door behind them, Mokeira could hear them laughing and teasing each other like adolescents.
Mokeira went into the forest every evening. The forest was dense and she walked in darkness most of the way. She was not afraid. Such was her belief in the oracle that she was completely assured of her protection.
Mokeira knelt by the mouth of the cave that once belonged to the oracle and raised her voice in prayer. For years now, the cave had been neglected. Shrubs grew carelessly at its mouth and spread in toward the shrine at the heart of the cave. Mokeira longed to go in and face the oracle. But she knew that she dared not. She needed a priestess to do that for her, or she would be blinded and possibly killed by the sight of this Supreme Being. Had her own mother lived, she might have been able to go in and intervene for her. But the clan no longer had any priestesses.
Mokeira wept to the oracle. She brought sacrifices and laid them at the dark opening of the cave. But her cries were met only with silence, and the oracle never came out to receive her sacrifices. She therefore dragged herself back home in the darkness, convincing herself that it was not over yet, that she would have better luck when the oracle was ready for her.
One particularly cold morning, Gabby showed up at Mokeira's door with her four children and some snack boxes.
"Has the day dawned well on you, my sister?" Gabby greeted her the traditional way, bowing slightly in acceptance of the older woman's seniority to her, both in age and in status in the institution of their marriage to Misati Maina.
Mokeira knew that underneath the younger woman's polite talk was spite and mockery. Whatever shows of politeness they both had to put on, each knew that given the right circumstances and opportunity, they were both capable of seriously harming the other.
"What can I offer you, my sister?" Mokeira said after mumbling a reply to the other woman's greeting.
"Our husband wishes for you to take care of the children while we are away."
Mokeira looked at the children. Gabriel, the oldest, was eight years old. He was tall for his age, with long athletic legs and neat hair that reeked of too much combing and oiling. It was almost as though his mother wished to make him appear like a girl. His sharp eyes looked straight into Mokeira's. She thought how shameless he must be to stare at his elders like that. The two middle girls, one a year older than the other, had large innocent eyes and perpetual smiles that Mokeira found rather annoying. They were dark-skinned with long straightened hair that was held back with bright colored bands in neat ponytails.
"I have a lot of work to do," Mokeira said and started to walk back into her hut.
"But Gabriel's father…."
"Are your ears blocked?" Mokeira retorted. The younger woman made a disgruntled sound and went back into the stone house.
Mokeira got a sound beating from Misati Maina soon afterwards. The children reluctantly carried their snack boxes into her house. Misati Maina threw the house keys at her and instructed her to open the door only when she needed to get a change of clothes for the children and when it was time to put them to bed. She was under no circumstances to sleep in the stone house, least of all in the master bedroom.
That evening, the children sat around the fire as Mokeira prepared their meal. She mumbled to herself as she stirred the food. An old song formed in her mouth, but she could not get it out without tears burning in her eyes and her nose beginning to run. Suddenly she let out a loud cry, threw the cooking stick across the room and repeatedly slapped her right thigh. The children, who were entertaining themselves with stories they'd been told at school, were startled into silence. They stared at her, amazed. She stared back at them for a moment, then her rage calmed and she dropped her gaze back to the boiling pot. Gabriel stood up slowly and fetched the cooking stick for her. She took it without looking at him and dipped it back in the pot.
"Why do you and your sisters go to school Gabriel?" she asked the boy, not taking her eyes off the fire.
The young boy considered the question carefully for a few seconds, then he said, "To be clever, Mama." Gabby's children called her Mama, and their own mother, Mother.
"Do you think you're clever now?" Mokeira asked, her voice calm.
"Maybe not very much, Mama. But I will be when I finish school."
Mokeira shook her head. "You are not clever, boy." She said. "You are not clever at all."
"How so, Mama?" the boy asked.
Mokeira did not answer. She went about her tasks expertly, serving the hot bean stew and Ugali for the older children and feeding the little one from her bottle. When the children were fed, she let them play on her floor until they started to doze off. Then she escorted them to the stone house to sleep in their comfortable wooden beds with thick mattresses. On her way out of the boy's room, she turned sharply and asked, "Why did your mother name you Gabriel, boy?"
"She says it's the name of an angel." The boy said with pride.
"No," Mokeira shook her head, "no, boy. She named you after herself. And that's taboo because male children are not supposed to take the names of their mothers."
"But my mother's name is Gabby."
"It is Gabriel. Ask her to tell you the truth." She spoke quietly, as though what she was saying was very important. She did not know why she was talking to the boy at all.
"Her full name is Gabrielle, with double `l' and an `e' at the end."
"Same difference. I tell you, boy, she named you after herself." Mokeira said. "What does she call herself Gabby for anyway? Doesn't she have a proper tribal name like everyone else? Or is she an English woman now that she and your father have become Christians?" Mokeira shot her mouth at the little boy as though he were her own age. The boy stared at her, totally amazed. She heaved, a small whistling sound coming out of her throat, and walked quickly back to her own hut.
The tin lamp was beginning to flicker out for lack of paraffin. She thought of going into the stone house to get some of Gabby's paraffin, but quickly dismissed the idea. She would sooner die than take anything that belonged to her co-wife. Despite the lack of sufficient food in her house, she would not take anything out of Gabby's refrigerator, even just to feed the children. She fed them from her own granary. She wanted the other woman to know that she was not suffering, even though their husband had built a stone house with electricity for her while Mokeira remained in the same mud hut that he'd married her into. He had been a poor man then. Her father had, out of the kindness of his heart, felt sorry for him and allowed him to take her with only a small fraction of the required dowry. But as soon as he'd gotten a job at the Town Hall, he'd decided to marry a new wife that he felt befitted his new status.
When the light from the tin lamp finally went out, she rose from the low stool next to the fire and went out into the darkness. It was freezing cold, but she did not seem to notice as she made her way down the path that led to the forest. Goose bumps formed on her skin. She held her lesso a little above the knees to keep it out of the way since she was walking fast. Her blouse hung loosely about her and having nothing underneath to support her fallen breasts, they flapped aimlessly, making little slapping sounds as they came into contact with her body.
The cave's mouth stood open in the middle of the forest. She cleared a spot among the shrubs by smoothing them to the ground and knelt down. The shrubs were damp and the ground wet. She folded the lesso up above her knees and started mumbling her prayers.
O great oracle, giver of new life, maker of all mortals
O great oracle that my own mother served from her maidenhood to the day of her death
See o great oracle, the years of my youth have deserted me
See, o giver of children, see my womb shames me
What did I ever do to you? Why let my heart ache so bad? Why this bitter longing for something you refuse to give me?
Who did I kill that I should be cursed with this shame?
She went on mumbling for hours, at first softly, then raising her voice pitch by pitch until it became one long continuous scream. Soon Mokeira exhausted herself and fell into disturbed sleep on the shrubs.
The feel of something warm and breezy on her neck startled her out of her sleep. She jumped with a little scream and was a good distance away before she turned to see what it was that had awakened her. The darkness was still intense, but it did not take long for her eyes to become accustomed to it. At the spot where she'd been sleeping, the figure of a man was struggling to rise to its feet. Mokeira wanted to turn around and keep running, but her fear soon turned to momentary annoyance when she saw it was Ndege, the witchdoctor who'd been hanging around her village for days. He was a short and stocky man, with long dreadlocked hair, which was quite strange, for the men of their tribe did not grow their hair long, let alone lock it. Around his waist was a small loincloth that covered only the front part of his nakedness, leaving his buttocks in full view. He had many rows of beads around his neck and they made small jingling noises as he took careful steps towards her.
"Why aren't wearing any clothes?"
"Look not at my nakedness. I'm here to help you."
"Did you follow me here?"
"I go where the spirit leads me."
Mokeira did not move. Far from being afraid, she felt a kind of excitement build up in her. The man stood close to her for a long time without speaking. She could feel the warmth of his body.
"I told you I don't believe in your kind of witchcraft."
"But you believe in the oracle. And I am her messenger," the man said. His breath was stale. She took a step back.
"Why would she choose you? I am the daughter of her priestess. Why would she choose you and not me?" Mokeira whispered.
"I don't know. Maybe you're too desperate to hear her."
Ndege stepped closer. Mokeira's heart pounded. Her husband had not been in her bed in a long time and the smell of a man so close shattered her defenses.
"I just want to be a mother," she whispered.
"I know," the man said. He took her hand and led her back to the spot where their bodies had flattened the shrubs. He made her get down on her knees and began mumbling in a strange tongue while dancing around her. The dance was slow at first, made in careful little steps, but as he continued to mumble and pray, his voice rose and he began to leap and throw his body about like one possessed with strange power. As the man shouted in passionate prayer, Mokeira began to cry. She resumed her lamentations to the oracle, begging, crying, and cursing. The louder she screamed, the more hysterical the man's dancing became. Suddenly, the man threw himself hard on the ground and lay there shaking. Mokeira stopped screaming and stood staring at him.
When he finally calmed down, the man opened his eyes as though he'd been to a different world and was just now returning.
"She spoke to me," he said.
Mokeira burst into tears. She put both her arms on her head and wept as she paced about the mouth of the cave. "You heard me! Oo mother of all mothers, you heard me!" She got hold of Ndege by the shoulders and shook him.
"What did she say?" she hissed. "Tell me what the oracle said."
"She wants a sacrifice,"
The witchdoctor explained that her sacrifices of chicken and pumpkin had been not only wrong, but also deeply upsetting for the oracle. Mokeira swore she would cut off her arm and give it to the oracle if that is what it would take for her to conceive. But the oracle did not want her arm. She wanted a boy. She wanted Mokeira to send a young, uncircumcised boy to the shrine deep in the cave. Only then would her prayers be heard.
"I don't have a boy. Where am I going to get a boy?"
"What about the child you left sleeping in your co-wife's house?"
Gabriel was due to be circumcised in a few months. Mokeira stared at Ndege for a moment. Seeing that he was serious, she pondered the idea. It would be easy to send Gabriel since he was presently in her care. That went against her policy of not touching anything that belonged to her co-wife, but Gabby had stolen her husband. She could steal her son for the night.
"I shall do it," she said and started up the path that led out of the forest.
She stood for a long time in front of the stone house when she got back to the compound. The house was like a god standing tall beside her little, decaying hut. Its windows and doors were made of glass and the roof of expensive tiles. Mokeira looked at the brown walls, the potted plants at the front porch and the luxury loveseat. Tears formed somewhere at the back of her eyes. She remembered the days of her courtship with Misati Maina. She'd been sixteen when he first expressed his interest in her. She'd made him work for her, shunning him when he followed her from the river all the way to the gate of her father's compound. The day the villagers had finally gathered at her father's compound to witness her being handed over to him, she'd dutifully cried, pretending, like she was supposed to, that she did not want to leave her father's compound. But the truth was, she wanted nothing more than to jump up and down for joy at winning the heart of such a good-looking man.
The years had passed. The lack of a child had come between them. As she stared at Misati Maina's stone house now, she knew that she had to do whatever it took to save herself from the painful longing that killed her soul a little every time she saw another woman's child.
Gabriel woke with a start. He sat up in his bed and looked at Mokeira, who was standing by his bed, her bloodshot eyes fixated on him.
"Mama?" he said.
"We have to go now," she said, reaching out to pull him out of bed.
"But where?"
"To save your soul." She and the prophet had thought up a story that would frighten the boy enough to make him come with her without fussing too much. "Your mother has brought a curse on you because of her wickedness. I must take you to the oracle so that your soul may be saved from doom."
She did not give him a chance to argue. He started to say something more than once but each time, she shushed him up and told him the spirits were listening to everything he said and any hesitation would cause him unspeakable punishment. She helped him dress up warmly and sneaked him out of the house. The girls were deeply asleep in the next room.
"Who is the oracle?" Gabriel asked as they made their way out of the compound.
Mokeira did not answer. Instead she took his hand and squeezed it gently, holding on to it as they went into the forest. Gabriel kept darting his eyes about, jumping at the slightest sound and dragging behind as though ready to turn back and run should anything appear out of the darkness.
"You must not fear." She scolded him. "You are a man now and you must not tremble like that or the oracle will be upset."
Ndege was waiting for them under a tree. He jumped up suddenly when they approached the spot, scaring the little boy so much he reeled back and burst into tears. Mokeira took him into her arms and soothed him as the witchdoctor laughed. Just as abruptly as he'd jumped up, Ndege cut out the laughter and grabbed the boy's face.
"Do you know why you are here, young man?" He asked.
"Yes," Gabriel sniffed.
"Good. Saves me a lot of trouble. Now, you must go into that cave," he pointed out the dark hole that seemed to lead to a place one never reached. His voice invited no questions. "Keep going deeper and deeper as you hear me sing. You must not come out until I call for you. Do you understand?"
Gabriel nodded. When he started whimpering again, Mokeira held him close to her chest, rocking him and assuring him that he would be perfectly safe, that she would be waiting for him at the entrance when he came out.
"He will come back out soon, won't he?" Mokeira turned to ask Ndege.
"Of course," he said.
"You hear boy, you go in there and hear what the oracle says to you, ok?"
"But I didn't do anything wrong!" The boy cried.
"No you didn't." Mokeira whispered. "But your mother did. She took away my husband and caused me to be barren."
"I don't want to go in there."
"Do you want your poor Mama Mokeira to be unhappy forever?"
"Then go in there and hear what the oracle says."
Gabriel sniffed. Mokeira rocked him some more. For that brief moment, he was her son. It did not matter that Gabby's blood ran in his veins. For that moment, he was as much her son as if he had come into the world through her own private parts.
Finally, the boy stopped crying. He closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath and walked quickly, almost running, into the mouth of the cave.
As soon as Gabriel was out of sight, the witchdoctor started singing. He sang in a strange tongue, occasionally breaking into lengthy prayers in Mokeira's mother tongue. She joined in, praying, crying and lamenting. She prayed that the oracle might look at her rival's son and take pity on her. She prayed for a son as healthy and as smart as Gabriel, a son that learned the new ways without forgetting the power of his own people's gods.
O oracle, my breasts have hungered to suckle a child since they sprouted
O take pity on me and give me a son
A daughter even, o oracle, if it is your will
The hysteria of their prayers rose. Ndege got hold of Mokeira and started praying and singing over her. He cursed the evil spirits that were blocking her womb. Mokeira soon dropped to the ground and started rolling about. She was a different person, completely separate from herself. She felt Ndege come on top of her as though in a different life. She did not resist. It felt like the most natural thing, like what she needed to be a woman again. The cries stuck in her throat as he came into her. He never stopped praying and cursing the evil spirits in her. When he was finished, she closed her eyes and lay limp like a corpse. He cuddled her and whispered in her ears until she fell asleep on the grass.
He was gone when she awoke. She was not sure she completely remembered, or understood, what had taken place. Streaks of sunlight were beginning to penetrate the top of the trees, lighting up the shrubs around her. She felt faint. Considering it had been pitch dark when she came into the forest, she thought she must have been asleep a long time. Remembering the witchdoctor, the prayers and the singing, she wondered if she had not dreamed it. Raising her head to look to her left, she saw a string of beads. They'd been around Ndege's neck.
She jumped to her feet when she remembered Gabriel. She did not recall him coming out of the cave like Ndege had promised. He was supposed to have come back out by now. Mokeira ran around looking for Gabriel. She looked all around the forest, in the bushes, behind trees, everywhere she could imagine. She even peeped into the cave but did not have the courage to go in. The more she searched for the boy, the more her fear rose. She called out his name, begging him to stop teasing her and come out of his hiding. The forest remained as quiet as though someone had died there.
Panic-stricken, Mokeira stood at the mouth of the cave shouting out for the boy. And when after calling for what seemed like hours the boy had not come out, she gave up her fear of the oracle and rushed into the cave.
The rocks beneath her feet were cold. She pushed her way forward, against the darkness, until she got to the place where the oracle resided. She had never in her life stood before the oracle, but she knew that this place must be her dwelling place. Mokeira's eyes soon became accustomed to the dark. She saw a large boulder shaped in a rough rectangle against the wall. Above it were many small carvings of animals and humans with bizarre features. Protruding out of the wall just behind the raised surface was a big carving that she decided must be of the oracle. It was beginning to chip off. In fact, the whole of her nose had fallen off and her mouth had become one large hole that seemed to go on and on into the wall. Gabriel was nowhere in sight.
Mokeira stayed in the forest looking for Gabriel until the sun set. When it became clear she could not continue the search on her own, she made her way home, praying that the boy would somehow be there when she arrived.
Misati Maina and Gabby were standing in the middle of the compound, surrounded by about a dozen villagers. One of them saw Mokeira coming up the path, said something to the rest, and they all turned to look at her. Gabby ran up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Where is my son?" she cried. "Where is my Gabriel?"
Mokeira did not answer. She gently took Gabby's hands off of her and walked quietly into her hut. Gabby's cries sounded distant to her, as though they were coming from a different homestead. Mokeira sat at a dark corner in her hut, thinking nothing, feeling nothing. After a short while, Misati Maina burst into the hut and grabbed her off the floor.
"Are you so stupid now that you leave the children alone and go wandering into the forest like a lunatic?"
"Leave me be, Misati Maina." She said.
"Leave you be?" Misati Maina said. "Do you hear yourself, or do the words just burst out of your mouth the way air bursts out of your anus?"
Mokeira buried her head in the palms of her hand and said nothing.
"Where is Gabriel?" Masati Maina asked.
Mokeira was silent.
"We left that boy in your care," he said, "Where is he?"
"I don't know, Misati Maina," Mokeira said, raising her head to look into his eyes. "I have been out looking for him."
"What do you mean you don't know where he is? Did he run away? Did you upset him?"
"I don't know Misati Maina. Please leave me be. "
People came out to help in the search for Gabriel. They searched all the villages in the clan, all the forests and all the caves. He was never found. Mokeira wanted to tell them about the witchdoctor, but she knew they would never understand. The events of that night would have to be a secret she took with her to her grave.
Mokeira kept going into the forest every night. The boy, Gabriel, became a ghost that lived in her head. She saw him when she was awake, just as vividly as she saw him in her dreams. He sought answers from her. She did not have any answers.
Gradually Mokeira began to feel as though something was not right with her. Her body ached. She no longer had the strength, or the desire, to get out of bed in the morning. Her husband barely spoke to her. Gabby burst into tears every time she saw her. Mokeira stayed in her hut all day and thought about Gabriel. At night she went into the forest and thought about him some more. She did not notice that her period had not come for months, or that her tummy was beginning to protrude.
When Mokeira's baby was born, she named him Gabriel. That was more than Gabby, frail from her grief, could take. She packed her daughters' clothes and announced that she was going back to her father's house. Mokeira stood at her door and watched as Misati Maina begged Gabby not to go. She felt sad to see her co-wife leave. Never before had she thought she would feel anything but pure joy if such a thing ever happened. But all she felt now was grief, and sadness. If she could, she would have named her son after one of the great people in her husband's family, or even her own family. That, however, had ceased to be a choice the moment Gabby's Gabriel went into the cave so Mokeira could conceive her own Gabriel.


text:
By Pauly
Los Angeles, CA
Here's a trio of videos to keep you sedated as you inch towards the weekend. The first video is Lacey Jones and Darvin Moon on ESPN's Inside Deal. Because I went T&A route today, I had to counteract that selection with an intelligent discussion about string theory. And yes, it goes without saying that the
Happy Friday.
Original content written and provided by Pauly from Tao of Poker at www.taopoker.com. All rights reserved. RSS feeds are for non-commercial use only.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In Silicon Valley, it's an accepted fact that the march of technology outstrips modern concepts of what technology ought to be able to do. It is, for example, the case that there are already bionic "people" in the world, whose artificial processes include fake circulatory systems; working mechanical organs; even silicate skin that can repair itself when torn. They're not real, in the sense that they weren't once humans who have now been made bionic – but working models of what are basically bionic men and women do exist.
This is a quick and easy way to illustrate the fact that the computers we use now are unlikely to represent the last word in current computer technology. Take ELO touchscreens as an example. The brand uses an advanced version of the acoustic wave technology common in modern touch screen usage, which aims to deliver much more precise information to its processors about exactly where and how its screen is being manipulated. If it can do that on general sale, there is a strong chance that something even more sophisticated is well into its testing phase too.
The concept of planned obsolescence must be noted here. In any conversation about the march of technology, and certainly one where the central theme is that there's already a lot of technology out there that we can't even imagine yet, you have to pay attention to the fact that what we use now is, in a sense, already old news. The latest smartphone has the potential to be obsolete in terms of what else the industry has already developed but not released yet. And the same is true of the ELO touchscreen, or indeed of any touch screen product developed by an industry whose core product is currently the heart of modern communication.
There's an interesting avenue to explore here, which has to do with whether the touch screen will be the apogee of communications evolution. In theory, devices you don't even need to prod and poke should be the next stage of the development of personal communications and information equipment. The question, really, is whether the user interface environment for an animal that communicates with the world using fingers (that's us) could ever be anything other than something you hold in your hand.
There are already rumblings in the scientific world that suggest a next-level development: the ability to interface with communications and information technology with direct use of the brain. This apparently sci fi scenario has in fact been in place for some time. "Brain computer interfaces" have been publically available in a workable form since the late 1990s: and recent research has shown that it is now possible for a person in one country to get a robot arm to pick up an object in another country simply by thinking about it. It is even potentially possible to deliver sense information to the thinker's hand by way of a two-way interface between the robot arm and the neural net.
The real information technology in the human world is the brain itself. This is where we experience, research, understand the world and ultimate code our sent and received communications. So while the touch screen is a step on the road to a more fluid way of interacting with separately strode information, it seems likely that its future is in the brain.
About Author : Eva Holmes is a computer engineer. She has written several books on the history of interfaces, including one recent one on elo touchscreens.


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Raya is a premium matchmaking app that helps famous people find potential mates. With the growing popularity of online dating, a number of niche apps have emerged to help all different kinds of people find love. The latest romance-oriented app helps celebrities date discretely.
The new app is modeled in the same way as popular dating platform Tinder. However, Raya offers more advanced privacy settings and a unique pool of exclusive daters. In order to join, Raya members have to meet specific criteria based on Instagram followers, personal recommendations and mutual connection with other Raya users. For those who meet the strict criteria, the premium matchmaking app provides a discrete platform for connecting with other famous daters. The app is perfect for high-powered celebrities looking for a way to connect with equally successful people.
This Premium Matchmaking App is Like Tinder for Famous People
Katherine Pendrill — August 18, 2015 — Tech
References: itunes.apple & bustle


text:
slips off their tongue
accompanied by a chuckle
and no realisation that they're
a dick.
"It's obvious you don't have a boyfriend."
"You'll understand when you're in a relationship."
"Time is running out."
My response;
simple and direct
my own little smile and fuck you attitude
"I am happy being me,
I don't need someone to be completed,
I can wait for a
can you say the same thing?"
They're confused,
what could the single girl possibly mean?
The couples know love and that means they're happy
"You just don't understand," they defend in the name of true love.
I keep my smile;
and the secret of love that
that isn't classified, quantified, possessed
a love for all is one.


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So Sunday morning we started with about 14 lbs of pork shoulder and 6 lbs of bacon. Yeah, I bought too much meat. Ooops! But we were charging forward. As I made the Guacamole Football Field, Eric started cutting the meat into cubes.
I mixed the spices together, making a few measurement mistakes along the way (1 Tablespoon, NOT 1 teaspoon! ack!) I am not the best at following recipes. Our seasoning mix consisted of the following:
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Sea Salt
- Ground Sage
- Ground Rosemary
- Ground Coriander
- Ground Marjoram
- Ground Caraway
- Dry Mustard
- Black Pepper
- Cayenne Pepper
Eric read that grinding partially frozen meat is often easier, so we decided to mix 1/2 of the seasoning in to the meat and bacon chunks before freezing it.
We slipped the tray into the freezer and waited about an hour. Unfortunately because there was such a large pile of meat, we knew it wouldn't freeze well. So, we pulled it from the freezer and got ready to start grinding the meat. I forgot to add the parsley to the seasoning mix, so we decided to just send it through the grinder with the pork.
The meat grinding started off slow, but then eventually picked up speed. We figure it the meat had been partially frozen, it would have went through the grinder faster.
We decided to make half of the batch normal, and the other half spicy. I added the left over chopped jalapenos (from the guacamole) to the ground pork, as well as jalapeno powder. We put the ground meat back in the freezer to keep it cold until we got the sausage stuffer ready.
Next was the sausage casing. I'll spare the explanation of what it is, but I have to admit, I was intimidated by this part. Thankfully Eric is not as much of a wimp. You have to put the casing on the sausage attachment like, well, a really long condom. Yes, I went there.
Actually, our friends started arriving around this time, so there were A LOT of jokes going on during the sausage stuffing process. Which was a good thing, because this was turning into a very tedious process and we needed the laughs! We fried some of the ground meat and adjusted the seasoning until we were happy with the results. The crowd was stuffing themselves with guacamole, and other yummy foods that people brought along. I was glad they weren't starving, because the sausage stuffing went slower than we imagined, again, maybe because the meat wasn't cold enough.
Eric said that he saw that it was easier to "twist" the sausage into links after we were done stuffing the casings. There were a few issues with air getting trapped inside, but nothing too bad. We had issues with some of the casings breaking open, but overall, I think they turned out ok! Some of the ends were coming undone, so we tied them off with kitchen twine.
So, 4 hours later, it was finally time to start cooking. We were surprised it took so long. The game had already started and fortunately our kitchen, dining room and living room are pretty much one big area, so Eric was able to watch the game from the kitchen and everyone else was able to pop by and make a joke about me holding Eric's meat. Nice. Gotta love our friends!
Eric filled a giant pot with beer, Coors Light, well, because he's classy like that. We added yellow onions and dropped 1/2 of the sausages in.
He let them boil for about 15 minutes then took them out and put the next batch in.
Some of the twists had come undone, so we just used more twine to tie them off. Eric took them over to the grill to work his magic.
The sausages turned out really good - Everyone enjoyed them! By the time we were done with everything, the game was nearly over - ack. Like I said, it was tedious! I think it was well worth the experience, but I will leave the sausage making to Eric from now on. I am sure it will be no time before he has refined the recipe and made one of his own! Of course, if he ever needs help, I'm game! Thanks for the experience Eric!


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Miri, Sarawak
The Old Fish Market, located in the old town center, is the oldest fish market in Miri.
Miri Open Air Market, or Miri Central Market is located at the heart of the old town center. This is a market place with sections that offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, tofu and pork for morning shoppers.
Sarawak Laksa is essentially vermicelli rice noodles (bee hoon), cooked in a shrimp-based broth that is made to thicken with coconut milk.
Located near Kuala Baram River Mouth (previous Ferry Terminal), a pleasant scenic coastal drive along Miri-Kuala Baram Road from Miri will take you to the Crocodile Farm in 20 minutes. The first and the largest Crocodile Farm in the northern region of Sarawak.
Please also check out Food Centers in Miri.
Whether you prefer fine dining, country cooking, vegetarian, Japanese shashimi, pizza, fried chicken, noodles or Thai tom yam, Miri has something to tempt you.
Cosmopolitan Miri offers just about every type of dining experience available in Asia. Exclusive and opulent hotel restaurants compete with trendy bistros, seafood cafes, food centres and beachfront stalls. In the Kelabit Highlands you can feast on wild venison cooked with coriander flowers, and the Orang Ulu people of Baram serve tasty meals of jungle greens, river prawns and freshly-caught fish.
Miri City Medical Center primary & secondary care private hospital, complete 30-beds wards that is located at the city center at Hokkien Road.
Morsjaya Pedestrian Bridge is the second of three pedestrian bridges utilizing similar design in Miri which connects Morsjaya over Miri-Bintulu Road to Merdeka Mall & Suites.
Sarawak Pepper is a popular ingredient in sauces, seasonings and condiments. Sarawak pepper is native to Borneo.
Bahasa Sarawak, or Sarawak Language is a common language used by most Sarawakians. English is widely spoken and understood, along Mandarin & major chinese dialects. Miri is proud to boast racial harmony amongst a population of 2.1 million who adhere to a variety of traditions, practices and religions. Sarawak is secular.
Episo is a unique office tower located in between Pelita Commercial Center and Faradale Commercial Center at Jalan Bulan Sabit with a design that stands out on its own.


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Angel Covers is dedicated to providing the world's orphaned and destitute children with access to proper health care, education, nutrition, and housing through a holistic approach. The organization works in Kenya to provide funding support to established schools and group homes. It also ensures the daily provision of fresh fruit to several group homes, sponsors teacher salaries, and runs a program to provide orphanages with chickens and supplies to establish a self-sufficient source for nutrition. Angel Covers additionally has programs and distribution channels in non-African countries worldwide.
• Humble Hearts School and Angel Cottage: Through fundraising and student sponsorship, Angel Covers supports this school - primarily for the deaf, but also accepting other needy and orphaned children - in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization's efforts help to provide safety, nutrition, sanitation, and shelter to students, including through the Angel Cottage residence for the deaf.
• Chicken Projects: This project distributes chickens and husbandry supplies to orphanages in Angel Covers project areas so that they may move toward self-sufficiency in feeding their children.
• Classroom Sponsorship: Teachers working with orphans and poor children are often unpaid or under paid. This project aims to retain teachers and sustain education for these children.
• Fruit Project: With $25 a week, Angel Covers provides fresh fruit for children in a number of group homes in Nairobi.
• Fundraising Internship: The Fundraising Intern will aid in the development and implementation of an annual giving program and focus on organization, coordination and marketing of special events. A commitment of 3-6 months is preferable due to the long-term nature of planning a special event and follow up for an annual campaign.
• Executive Assistant Internship: The Executive Assistant will assist the Executive Director with organizing and logging inventory, maintaining records, and general administrative tasks, while experiencing the nuts and bolts of non-profit management.
• Social Media Internship: The Social Media Intern will be in charge of maintaining Angel Cover's social media outlets, sending out eNewsletters, creating a Flickr page, and aiding the fundraising and development program.
Kari Fillmore, Executive Director | [email protected]
Hope Shines is an international nonprofit focused on enhancing and improving the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Rwanda, Africa. We create unique and tailored programs in education and health care that organically empower these youth to rise up out of poverty. A holistic approach to breaking down barriers to success is our goal.
• Life Empowerment & Academic Development (LEAD) program: A year round program in Rwanda whereby students meet at our Academic Center once a week to learn subjects in Science, English, Life-Skills, and Career Development. Primary and Secondary school kids learn a curriculum designed by US and Rwandan educators that aligns with the country's education priorities. Qualified
students in this program also earn a stipend that covers school fees and supplies.
• Summer Camp program: A core program for Hope Shines, volunteers from the US spend up to 3 weeks working with Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Rwanda through our Summer Camp program. Unique activities are taught by volunteers and Hope Shines staff, which also include local Rwandese mentors. Children learn through arts & crafts, sports/play activities, health & hygiene education, and career development workshops. Additionally, volunteers can assist in health check-ups while working alongside a US doctor. Volunteers in this program truly immerse in the culture by working alongside local mentors and translators as well as by spending a full day at the 'Cultural Experience' day trip at the end of camp.
• Internships: Intern as a Communications Coordinator or Fundraising Coordinator
• Volunteer: Apply to be a volunteer for our next Summer Camp program in Rwanda or help us with our next event or fundraiser
Dan Gladden, Executive Director| [email protected] | 720-388-0531
Address: 1031 33rd St, Suite 174, Denver CO 80205
Saving Moses is a global humanitarian organization helping babies (5 and under) everyday by meeting the most urgent and intense survival needs where help is least available. We are our own 501c3 with our headquarters in the Denver Tech Center. Saving Moses currently works in Angola with plans to expand to other African countries over the next 3-5 years.
• Malnutrition Feeding in Angola Africa: we provide therapeutic milk to several clinics in Angola, Africa. This formula is essentially "milk on steroids" and alleviates severe malnutrition in babies. We have seen great success with this formula with a 75% cure rate.
• NightCare®: we offer NightCare centers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. These centers shelter the babies of sex workers at night when they are most vulnerable. Babies are often abused by their mothers' clients, exposed to their mothers' work, or left locked in a room unsupervised.
• Midwives: we provide funding for midwives in several rural clinics in Afghanistan to support healthy birthing practices.
Saving Moses provides a range of internship opportunities for students. These include research projects to support expansion, developing donor services to enhance our community, and short term projects to support our mission. We accept internship applications on a regular basis and offer flexibility on the internship term length.
Heidi Cortez, Executive Director | [email protected] | 303-729-1310
Address: 8081 East Orchard Rd. Suite 140 Greenwood Village, CO 80111


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Is CCIE is an addiction?CCIE, CCIE consultancy, Cisco, Network
Generally it's observed that most of CCIE's always attempt for their second CCIE Certification in another track and they are successful in obtaining the second CCIE certification. What does this mean? Its been well said by boss " CCIE is an addiction" He himself is a CCIE but not dual like me.
I feel most us are carried out by the success of first CCIE and the thought of having second CCIE, never goes of the mind. So most of them attempt for their second CCIE in different track and so on.
What makes one to attempt the second /third /forth /fifth on so on CCIE certification attempts?
The question has many answers I left this to dual, triple or penta CCIE to answer.
Well there are many certifications which are as valued as CCIE, yet most of the CCIE's fail to embrace them. The question is when is one does get satisfied? What value does a dual CCIE adds to one?
As far as the feedback from the dual CCIE they didn't experienced a drastic change in their pay. Nor they got the special recognition? Yet they peruse.
When I think of seriously about second CCIE certainly I will ask myself the same questions which asked when I started the journey of CCIE,
- Why do I want to be a CCIE ?
- What is stopping me from becoming a CCIE ?
- What extra mile I can go to over come my obstacles to achieve my CCIE?
- What resources I should choose to pass the CCIE?
- Who else in my professional group are interested in CCIE ?
- What impact will have on me after CCIE ?
- What is the time line I am looking for to complete CCIE ?
If its worth certainly I will peruse but not for the sake of fame or addiction.
Cisco's Hackathon is hereCisco, firewall, IPS
Cisco is currently conducting couple of challenges in the month of April -2015; one of the challenge Cisco is conducting is called Security Challenge. Cisco is teaming with HackeRank to conduct this contest from April 9 -2015 to April 11-2015.
Basically Cisco is challenging everyone to break their new ASA firewall or IPS, which are powered by Firepower. With introduction of Firepower into their ASA's, Cisco is aiming to provide the features of Next Generation Firewall like visibility, continuous control, and advanced threat protection.
This happens to be a litmus test for both Cisco and the contenders. Cisco is rewarding the successful contenders with MacBook pro and much more gifts. More details can be found from Cisco Security Challenge home page. Best of luck to those who really want to prove themselves.
A review for "Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT) Foundation Learning Guide: (CCNP TSHOOT 300-135)"CCNP, Certifications, Cisco, Cisco Press
First and foremost I would like to thank my Professional friend Jamie Shoup for providing me the copy of this book. When it comes to preparations for Cisco certifications Cisco Press books are awesome. Cisco Press titles are written based on the blue print and topics covered for the exam. The Cisco Press title "Troubleshooting and Maintaining Cisco IP Networks (TSHOOT) Foundation Learning Guide: (CCNP TSHOOT 300-135)" is crafted for the CCNP TSHOOT exam 300-135.
This title consists of 10 chapters covering following topics
- Chapter 1 Troubleshooting Methods
- Chapter 2 Structured Troubleshooting
- Chapter 3 Network Maintenance Tasks and Best Practices
- Chapter 4 Basic Switching and Routing Process and Effective IOS Troubleshooting Commands
- Chapter 5 Using Specialized Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tools
- Chapter 6 Troubleshooting Case Study: SECHNIK Networking
- Chapter 7 Troubleshooting Case Study: TINC Garbage Disposal
- Chapter 8 Troubleshooting Case Study: PILE Forensic Accounting
- Chapter 9 Troubleshooting Case Study: Bank of POLONA
- Chapter 10 Troubleshooting Case Study: RADULKO Transport
The author is quite smart in discussing the troubleshooting approaches in chapter 1, this really gives a good understanding of troubleshooting approach one could adopt in any given situation. Personally I liked the chapter that deals with the Network Maintenance best practices as the author discusses every aspect of troubleshooting including the most neglected part like documentation and policy.
The case study chapters are quite interesting and prepares a CCNP aspirer to think out of the box at times to troubleshoot the problems reported in day to day network operations and also now you have the liberty of downloading the typologies and diagrams from the Cisco press website for your own reference.
To conclude a good title, quite easy to understand what the author is trying to express, the only suggestion Cisco might consider is offering Virtual labs for the cases mentioned in this book or at least share the VIRL typologies so that one can have good hand on before appearing for the CCNP TSHOOT exam 300-135
Being CCIE is an ultimate thing in life?CCIE, Certifications, Cisco certifications, Networking
Recently I received a message in LinkedIn, asking about CCIE, the question put forward to me was as follows
"I'm just curious about network technologies. There is a lot of hype about CCIE; it is said once you pass CCIE lab there are plethora of opportunities waiting for you. Some even speculate starting salary of 25k SAR in KSA. Is CCIE a global certification which is accepted worldwide even in North America?
Do you agree with aforementioned assertions? Please share some insights."
Many of the Networking or non-networking professionals have certain beliefs related to CCIE, some of them are
- CCIE is an ultimate certificate.
- Once one passed the CCIE lab, he conquered the world.
- Companies around the World will approach to him with amazing 3 digit offers.
- A new horizon will open for him; he will be welcomed everywhere
Well all these things are wrong beliefs. Certainly it does adds value to one's career, but at the same time he /she should justify the CCIE certificate he/she posses.
Recently trends are changing even college graduates with no networking experience started to prepare for CCIE labs and they are successful in passing the lab. Does this justify that; they have the same caliber of the experienced Network Engineer, certainly not. At one end this is a good sign, this shows how CCIE is valued in the professional world. But at the same time CCIE is losing its value due to huge increase in the number of CCIE s.
I believe experience and knowledge is what matters, not the certifications. Many people have a wrong perception towards CCIE; they think by passing the CCIE lab they can conquer the world. Well this is obsoletely wrong.
Wisdom and experience cannot be replaced by certifications, certifications does add value to those, who already posses good experience in the field. Yes CCIE is one of most prestigious certification and accepted world wide, yes CCIE does offer a good remuneration provided that you are experienced and can justify your CCIE.
Virtual resources for Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam preparationsNetworking
When it comes to Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam preparations, options are quite minimal in terms of virtual resources. As discussed in my previous post one can either relies on Palo Alto PA -200 firewall or their Palo Alto VM 100 firewall, you may need to contact your local Palo Alto team to get the trial access with license.
If you got hold of Palo Alto VM 100 firewall then preparing the lab scenario using Unified Networking Lab is quite easier.
You can find out more details about Unified Networking Lab by visiting their web site and I recommend you to download the unetllab from their website. Still it's in beta version yet it is more powerful. You can simulate scenarios using many vendors' virtual products.
Once you downloaded and installed the Unified Networking Lab do follow the instructions mentioned in this blog by Andrea the creator of Unified Networking Lab. This blog shows you how to copy the Palo Alto VM 100 firewall into Unified Networking Lab
In the next post I will show how to create the topology recommended by Palo Alto for the Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam.
Palo Alto should consider offering virtual labs for Palo Alto certification preparationsCisco, F5
When it comes to preparations for any Certification exams, it is key to have an access to the appliance either in Physical or Virtual form. When it comes to Palo Alto certification preparations its quite challenging to find the virtual resources. Palo Alto recommends to practice their Firewall Installation, Configuration, and Management: Essentials I -Lab Manual on PA – 200 firewall which is a hardware appliance not a virtual appliance.
Palo Alto recommends the below shown topology for preparations of Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam – PAN-OS 6.0
Source: Palo Alto Firewall Installation, Configuration, and Management: Essentials I -Lab Manual
Well I believe the same topology can be created on the virtual environment especially when Palo Alto is marketing their virtual firewalls. Like F5 they can offer a trial license of 30 days purely for study purpose or certification purposes or like Cisco's VIRL which can be bought at very nominal price. When it comes to preparations of much advance Palo Alto certifications like Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE), one has to purely rely on either on Official Palo Alto training or hands on experience
It would be worth Palo Alto give a serious thought on coming out with a solution for their certification preparations especially when they are growing and trying to dominate the Next Generation Firewall world.
What is Palo Alto Fuel?Network, Security
Palo Alto launched a Fuel community in 2014 is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is managed by a headquarters staff
Basically Fuel is created for those professionals who are responsible for securing information and critical infrastructure, Fuel gives an opportunity to create a professional community and its members are empowered to influence and shape the future of security through meaningful online and in-person engagement with peers and industry experts.
Any one can be part of Fuel community and can be part of any local Fuel Chapter; Fuel also gives an opportunity for Security professionals to enhance their leadership qualities by heading a local chapter in their area. If you don't find a Chapter in your Area you can approach Fuel team to create a Local Chapter in your area and you are fully supported by the Fuel Team.
Some of the benefits you can availed being part of Fuel Local Chapter are
Connect on member forums that are specific to a topic, industry, region or interest area. Learn best practices, ask questions and discuss challenges and solutions with other members.
Fuel's file library contains all recent and past webcasts, presentations, technical papers and articles regarding cybersecurity. Fuel's year-round training resources allow members to keep current within their role and industry.
Exclusive and early access to Palo Alto Networks News
Be in the know. Fuel members receive exclusive Palo Alto Networks product information and news first.
I strongly recommend you to access Fuel Website to see more details.
Good news for Saudi Palo Alto lovers is,a local chapter has been created and named as Saudi Arabia User Group. So be part of Saudi Arabia User Group to avail all the benefits of Fuel and do spread the word among your peers.
Two books one should consider while preparing for CCIECCIE, Cisco, Network, Networking
When it comes it comes to CCIE lab preparations most of us talk about the technical resources one should refer, hardly I see some one talks about the non-technical part of preparation. Well I am not trying to reinvent the wheel, yet would like to suggest two titles that will keep you motivated and help you to build a complete CCIE journey strategy.
There was great initiative by two gentlemen Dean Bahizad and Vivek Tiwari both of them are CCIE's, they understood the pain and come out with an amazing title called "Your CCIE Lab Success Strategy: The Non-Technical Guidebook"
An amazing title, which serves as a personnel coach to some one who is preparing for the CCIE lab, they have crafted their journey in an interesting fashion and does offer lots of tips and strategies one could imagine of. So I certainly recommend to have this in your book self. This book offers a lot and its quite simple and a small book, which can be read in a week's time.
Its been observed we give up the things even before starting the CCIE journey, we are afraid of failure, incompetency, no self confidence, no motivation to move forward, negativity, laziness and much more, in order to over come all these trials once could refer to Tony Robbins " Awaken the giant with in "
Both these titles are quite helpful and will be your best friends for the journey of CCIE.
Does CCIE track selection needs counseling?CCIE, Cisco, Cisco certifications, Network
When it comes to choosing a CCIE track most of the CCIE aspirers are confused, everyday I encounter at least one CCIE aspirers approaching me for an advice. Some times I petty them but there are in need of guidance, so I morally try to support them and guide them to best of my ability.
Why are most of them are confused in choosing CCIE tracks?
Its been observed that most of them are confused at the step 1 of CCIE, they struggle to choose a CCIE track for them, some of them try to meet instructor after instructor of different tracks to select the CCIE track, this makes them more confused. Even I have seem some people start with a CCIE track A for few months and then again they change their track to track B, this is not a good sign for some one who already started the journey of CCIE.
I believe most of them want to choose a CCIE track for different reasons like
- Which CCIE track is in more demand?
- Which CCIE track is easy to pass?
- Which CCIE track offers me more remuneration?
- Which CCIE track is easy to simulate?
- Which CCIE track costs less?
So and so forth, well these are not the valid reasons to select a CCIE track. I strongly believe there should be strong desire and passion towards a particular track, which comes out when you ask the series of questions which mentioned in the article " The Journey of CCIE – Series 1". Yet some people may need some sort of Pre CCIE counseling in selecting a CCIE track and planning their journey.
Well as per my knowledge no one is offering such service, if some one wants to seek any guidance they can reach me out I can assist them in choosing their passions. Yes CCIE is a passion and can be only achieved when some one gives more than 100%. Please do feel free to reach me out, I will more than glad to help you.
What is Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam – PAN-OS 6.0 Version exam ?configuration
Yesterday I passed the Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam – PAN-OS 6.0 Version, the exam was quite easier provided you have hands on experience on Palo Alto firewall.
The Palo Alto Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam – PAN-OS 6.0 Version is an entry-level exam of Palo Alto Certifications, which tests your knowledge of the core features and functions of Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls. The ACE exam is web-based and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. The exam is not timed, and you can retake it as many times as necessary to earn a passing score.
Those who wants to be an Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam – PAN-OS 6.0 Version, they just need to visit Palo Alto education website and get registered. Once done with registration, one can straight away attempt the Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam provided he/she has the through knowledge of Palo Alto firewall. If not the best way to master ACE concepts is to register for Firewall Installation, Configuration, & Management (EDU-101 or EDU-201), EDU-101 is available at no cost as a self-paced online learning experience. EDU-201 is instructor-led with lab exercises and is offered through Palo Alto Network Authorized Training Centers (ATCs).
I took Firewall Installation, Configuration, & Management (EDU-101) self-paced online course which is about 6 hours long. The course is quite informative and the instructor has done an amazing job in explaining the concepts in simple language.
Certainly the Firewall Installation, Configuration, & Management (EDU-101) gives any one a good understanding of the concepts, but what about the hands on experience? You can certainly use the Firewall Installation, Configuration, and Management: Essentials I -Lab Manual for this purpose provided you have an access to any Palo Alto firewall which is not under production. Palo Alto recommends PA -200 firewall for this lab, however if you don't have physical appliances one can make use of Unified Networking Lab for the preparation of the Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) Exam. In the upcoming post I will try to shed some light on Unified Networking Lab and how you can make it as your source of preparation.


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Since 1973, RBR has been designing and manufacturing oceanographic instruments in Ottawa, Canada. From the ocean abyss to the polar ice cap; lakes, ri...
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Challenging the rules of Digital Asset Management
Everything you thought you knew about content is about to change. Companies across every industry are competing on digital experience, putting content at the heart of the fight, and rethinking their approach to DAM at a furious pace.
This webinar will cover the 7 trends in DAM that are changing how companies manage their digital assets and which game changers will determine the market leaders.
What are the 7 Digital Asset Management Trends for 2018?
- Automated content creation will go mainstream
- Machine learning and AI will accelerate throughput and effectiveness of content
- Content will finally bust through organizational silos on the back of APIs
- Content will be more ephemeral, but valuable longer
- Legacy system replacements will accelerate
- Companies will go to the movies: learning from the major studios, they'll create end-to-end digital supply chains
- The emergence of DAM 3.0
Want to find out what DAM 3.0 is? Or hear more about the lessons to be learned from Hollywood? Or how AI can accelerate throughput and improve effectiveness?
Watch this video!


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Whether you need a tooth replacement or to touch up some minor flaws or injuries to your teeth, Kneib Dentistry has you covered with affordable dental implants for anyone living around our office in Erie, PA.
What are Dental Implants?
If you are missing one or more teeth, you'll want a tooth replacement that looks as natural as possible. If dentures don't work for you, consider dental implants. Unlike dentures, which can be removed, this option for tooth replacement is permanently anchored into the jaw itself, in which it acts as the tooth root. Dental implant surgery gives you the closest option available to having your natural teeth back again.
To qualify for dental implant surgery, you'll need to have healthy oral tissue and jawbone ridges that are in good shape. For people with a thinner or smaller jawbone, a CAT scan is typically needed to determine whether an implant is possible. In some cases, bone grafting is needed to add bone mass to the jaw. When the tooth replacement is inserted into the jaw, a chemical and mechanical bond is formed, and the jawbone actually grows into the implant. It generally takes around six months for the tooth replacement to successfully fuse with the bone.
Once the implant area is fully healed, an abutment is placed on top of the implant. The purpose of the abutment is to hold the crown. The implant crown is finally placed and it looks as if you have your tooth back again.
Dr. Robert W. Kneib is one of only a few general dentists in the Erie area that places dental implants.
The following image is a panoramic x-ray taken of a patient who had six tooth replacements, all crowned with porcelain. This panoramic image below shows the final restoration.


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The Benefits of Green Cleaning
Posted on 24th May 2013 by JMS Cleaning
Whether it is the increase in global temperatures leading to melting of the polar ice caps and consequently causing flooding in many parts of the world, or the decline in the bee population threatening to reduce pollination which could lead to global starvation, very few of us can now not be aware of the green issues which are increasingly moving up the political agenda.
Naturally, some of these issues can only be resolved at governmental and international level, and to some degree we may feel powerless to help the very environment in which we live, but there are things that can be done as individuals or companies to help to slow down and possibly even prevent catastrophes such as these.
One of the simplest ways is to use green cleaning products in the home and office. These eco-friendly products contain no chemicals that will harm the environment but are made entirely from natural ingredients. In most cases, the container in which the products come will also be biodegradable or recyclable, and will not therefore contribute to the ever growing landfills of our wasteful society.
Individual Benefits
As well as not harming the environment which, of course, is of benefit to everyone, using green cleaning products also has a beneficial effect for the people using it. In an enclosed space such as a room or office, for example, any chemicals released into the air may cause issues with health. This is especially likely with the use of aerosol based products which may cause throat and chest irritations which may be problematic for those with asthma and related problems.
This is especially relevant in an environment where young children are present, such as nurseries. A child's immune system is not fully developed and they may therefore be more susceptible to any issues caused by chemical products. There are also potential long-term risks in using chemical products with some studies showing that exposure over a period of time to some of the chemicals used in them may be carcinogenic.
Many traditional cleaning products also have a odour that, although often disguised with fragrances, is not especially pleasant and can have a very 'bleach like' smell. Natural green cleaning products have none of this and are much more likely to have a natural smell or be relatively odourless.
Because of the nature of the product and its use of natural ingredients over chemical ones, there is little chance of damage to furniture and fittings. Some chemical products may cause deterioration in fabrics over a period of time, and natural products are more likely to help to protect them than damage them.
Effectiveness and Cost of Green Products
Whilst it may be true that the first eco-friendly cleaning products were not as effective as chemical ones, this is no longer the case, and advances in research and technology have enabled cleaning products to be produced that perform equally as well as – and often better – than traditional products.
Cost is a factor sometimes aimed at green cleaning products, and whilst it is true that they can be a little more expensive, often they can be bought in bulk or the container simply refilled, which helps to keep down the cost.
For more information about green cleaning, speak to the team at JMS Cleaning Services today.
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255th ACS National Meeting & Exposition
This month I attended the 255th American Chemical Society National Meeting & Exposition, along with some 11,000 to 13,000 chemists. Held in New Orleans, the conference was an absolutely wonderful opportunity to meet likeminded professionals and get a bit of sun. I presented on the topic "Gibbs Ensemble Monte Carlo Simulations for Additive Loading in Surfactant Bilayers." It was great to hear about the groundbreaking chemical research others are performing, and I felt renewed in my own work. I was even lucky enough to have a bit of spare time to explore the lovely city of New Orleans and try out my first beignet at Cafe du Monde! Look for me at the next conference held in my own home state: Massachusetts!


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As a small and cozy spa, Camden is the perfect size to accommodate couples. Whether for Valentine's Day, a birthday or a weekend getaway, our team of trained professionals will help you unwind with your partner in a soothing and comfortable environment.
The prices below are for two people to receive the same service from two practitioners, in the same space and at the same time. Please note that availability of couples services can vary depending on the day of the week.
*NEW* Couples Massage
We've recently refreshed our space to accommodate two massage tables in one room. For our couples massage, two of our Registered Massage Therapists will perform a Swedish massage on you and your partner.
$170.00 for two | 30 minutes
$210.00 for two | 45 minutes
$250.00 for two | 60 minutes
$290.00 for two | 75 minutes
$330.00 for two | 90 minutes
Couples Classic Manicure
$55.00 for two | 45 minutes
Couples Spa Manicure
Our spa manicure adds a hand and arm massage and paraffin wax treatment to the Classic Manicure.
$75.00 for two | 60 minutes
Couples Classic Pedicure
$90.00 for two | 60 minutes
Couples Spa Pedicure
Our spa pedicure adds a foot and calf massage and paraffin wax treatment to the Classic Pedicure.
$100.00 for two | 75 minutes
Couples Classic Manicure and Pedicure
$145.00 for two | 1.75 hours
Couples Spa Manicure and Pedicure
$170.00 for two | 2.25 hours


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Early fall when the temperature has cooled, but is still warm outside, is an ideal time to seed a lawn. The plethora of summer weeds are on their way out, posing little to no competition to your grass seedlings. Besides, early autumn's mild weather requires less water to keep the seeds hydrated for germination and the seedlings thriving. Prepare the soil for your new lawn and broadcast the seeds by the beginning of October.
Remove all vegetation and debris from the seedbed. Collect a soil sample and submit it to your cooperative extension office for a nutrient and pH analysis. Contact the staff to find out the procedure they want you to follow to gather the sample. The lab report identifies what nutrients and amendments your soil needs to support your new lawn. Not only do you get a list of what's necessary, but also of how much to apply of each item.
Till the area to a depth of 6 inches and incorporate the fertilizer and amendments recommended in your soil test report. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost, manure or other organic matter over the bed and work it into the ground to improve air and water circulation.
Rake the soil surface to smooth it out. Run a lawn roller over it to firm the planting bed.
Fill a seed spreader with half the seeds you need to broadcast. Sow it back and forth in one direction. Broadcast the second half of the grass seeds by walking perpendicularly to the first route you took. If you first moved in a west-east direction, walk from southwest to northeast the second time.
Rake the seeds gently to cover some of them lightly with soil. Run a lawn roller over the seeded area to push the seeds into the soil surface for adequate contact.
Water the seedbed to a depth of 4 to 6 inches at planting. Allow the area to dry slightly before watering it again. Turn the water off when puddles appear. Let the soil surface dry somewhat before irrigating the seeds again. Stop the water as soon as you seed puddles. Keep repeating this step until germination.
Things You Will Need
- Hoe
- Shovel
- Pickax
- Rototiller
- Compost
- Rake
- Lawn roller
- Seed spreader
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- Plant Grass Seed in Spring
- What Should I Put Down First: Fertizer or Grass Seed?


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Convert More Leads with a Faster Response Time
Quick Response
Waiting to call back a lead after a meeting can be the difference between securing a client and never hearing from them again. Phone and email leads are immediately contacted for screening before being sent to you!
Lead Screening
We'll sort the serious buyers and sellers from the lookie-loos by asking the kind of questions you would ask.
Persistent Follow Up
If for some reason we are not able to reach a lead on the first try, we will make multiple attempts to reach them, so you don't have to.


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About Reimagining Our Future
I created Reimagining Our Future as a space for conversations and collaboration on improving ourselves and our surroundings. I believe that we often fall short of living our best lives because we fail to challenge ourselves to stretch personally and professionally, and to dare others to do the same.
This space was created to ensure every person in our region, beginning with the path of children, will thrive. This means committing to every child succeeding, every adult being self sufficient, every family being strong, every older adult being independent, every individual being healthy, and every neighborhood being safe. It starts with believing that every person has potential and sometimes we all need a little help to realize the ultimate purpose for our lives.
I encourage people from every walk of life, from every sector of business, from all 16 counties in our region and nation, to use their imagination to explore and discuss new methods to move the needle on stubborn issues that have plagued our communities for generations. I believe if we don't do this together, if we don't inspire each other, we will fall short in mobilizing and harnessing the collective energy that our combined thinking and action can possess.
About Orvin Kimbrough
Orv serves as the president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. Growing up in the Missouri foster care system and having witnessed tragedies far beyond his years, including drug use, abuse and the death of his mother, Orvin credits his faith, determination and a strong support system in helping him build a career and passion for helping people.
One of his strongest passions now is to help people in the St. Louis region succeed to live their best possible lives. Orv has worked with a number of nonprofits including serving as the executive director for Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls prior to joining the fifth largest United Way in the nation. He joined United Way in 2007 and helped grow the organization's major gifts division at a faster rate than any other giving.
Orv is a frequent speaker and lecturer on issues pertaining to youth, nonprofits and the St. Louis region. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master's of business administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a master's of arts in theology from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. He also serves on the Board of Governors of Missouri State University, and is a former adjunct instructor at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.


text: Recipes Cupcakes & Muffin Recipes Muffins Pecan Muffins Back to Muffins Pecan Muffins Total Time 40m Prep Time 15m Bake Time 25m Serves 12 Skill Level Easy 0 Reviews No ratings yet Save Save this recipe Share The muffins are beautifully moist and have a warm honey colour and creamy fudge flavour, offering a toffee richness to this recipe. Method Sift the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Beat together the eggs, milk and melted butter and pour into the dry ingredients. Add the pecans to the bowl and stir quickly until just blended - the mixture will look lumpy but it's this that makes the muffins light. Spoon into buttered muffin tins or paper muffin cases, filling them two-thirds full. Bake for 20-25 minutes 200°C, (180°C fan, gas mark 6) until risen and golden. Leave to cool in the tins for 2 minutes then finish cooling on a wire rack. Let's Bake The easiest way to follow a recipe Reviews Unfortunately there are no reviews for this recipe yet! Leave Your Thoughts Unfortunately reviews are not permitted to non-registered users. Please Log in to leave your review or ask us a question. Ingredients Metric 110g Unrefined light muscovado sugar 350g Plain white flour 2 tsp Baking powder ½ tsp Salt 1 tsp Cinnamon (ground) 250ml Milk (whole) 2 Egg(s) (free range) 50g Butter (unsalted) 75g Pecan nuts (roughly chopped) Recipe Alternatives Calorie conscious blueberry muffins Calorie conscious blueberry muffins Total 30m Serves 12 Skill Easy Diet Rating No ratings yet White chocolate and raspberry ripple muffins White chocolate and raspberry ripple muffins Total 45m Serves 12 Skill Easy Diet Rating 5 star rating Simnel Muffins Simnel Muffins Total 55m Serves 12 Skill Easy Diet Veg Rating No ratings yet


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Forget hotdogs and halal carts. Street food has experienced a revolution over the past few years here in New York City. Gourmet food trucks that serve everything from pulled pork tacos to organic veggie burgers to olive oil ice cream are one of the decade's biggest food industry fads. And with over 3,000 licensed food vending trucks here in the city, the possibilities for mobile munchies are practically endless.
Here are the ones I've spotted and couldn't resist:
My pick: Light'n crispy Brussels wafel smothered in bananas and nutella.. $5.
To find awesome flights to New York go here.
My pick: Chicken & Thai Basil dumpling with spicy peanut sate dip and a side of chilled edamame. $9.
My pick: Croissant with dulce de leche filling and a coconut macaroon. $5.
My pick: Lamb cigars and a side of Belgium fries. $5.50.
My pick: The Gobbler: vanilla ice cream, pumpkin butter, crushed graham crackers, whipped cream and Craisins.
To find awesome flights to New York go here.
My pick: cod schnitzel with braised sauerkraut, roasted beets & feta salad, and ginger, scallion & garlic relish. $10.
Track down many of the trucks via Twitter, or visit FindNYCFoodTrucks.com for all of the Twitter pots in one place.
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Seven years' jail for man whose 'despicable' act ruined Heather's life
In a courtroom, events of unimaginable sadness are often played out in front of just a handful of observers.
While gangland murder trials involving underworld celebrities pack the public galleries, normal victims and abnormal offenders have their lives and actions judged in near anonymity.
That was the case yesterday in the Morwell County Court, when Judge Michael Tinney sentenced Paul Allan Miller, 24, for running down Dr Heather Hunter's bicycle as she cycled along a country road more than two years ago.
He said it was a horrible accident. Police believe it was a deliberate act. The middle ground put to the court was that it was criminally negligent.
She is now in a Sale nursing home, unable to dress or feed herself and left with a fractured memory that will not mend.
There to hear yesterday's sentence was her husband, Dr John Jarman, who has now become her carer, a group of loyal friends and the two Melbourne police who investigated the case.
As Judge Tinney clinically summarised the evidence, it would have been easy to forget the consequences of Miller's actions until you noticed Dr Jarman quietly sobbing in the front row.
At the back of the court, the offender showed no emotion as he sat in the dock, flanked by two police.
Even his own lawyer had told the court at the plea hearing a week earlier that Miller's intelligence had tested in the bottom few per cent.
The judge was there to sentence him over negligently causing serious injury, failure to render assistance and theft.
It was clear the judge was not going to swallow any claims Miller, 24, was sorry for his actions or that he would change his ways any time soon.
"I have concluded that there was no remorse and that you have poor prospects for rehabilitation.'' It was a winning argument, as just a year after smashing into Dr Hunter, Miller jumped bail, stole another car and committed a further 17 offences.
Judge Tinney quietly explained the law before coming off the long run, describing Miller's decision to flee the accident scene leaving his victim fighting for life as "despicable conduct''.
"There is a real need to protect the community from you,'' he said, staring from the bench at the offender who looked blankly back.
Local police who have watched Miller grow from troubled adolescent to adult sex offender swear he has the potential to become one of the state's worst sex criminals.
Long before he destroyed Dr Hunter's life, one of those police privately predicted Miller, then just a teenager, would kill.
And it is only Dr Hunter's superb level of fitness and ingrained will to fight that ensured that he hasn't - at least not yet.
When she arrived in hospital on October 10, 2009, with a broken back, multiple internal injuries and massive brain trauma doctors did not expect her to survive.
But she defied the odds and lived, although she continues to pay a terrible cost.
Now 58, she is unable to walk, practise medicine or remember much of her past.
Dr Jarman visits her three or four times a day and can now only work part-time.
As a colleague said, Sale lost not one, but two of its best doctors when Miller hit her while driving a four-wheel drive ute. He had stolen it to escape from police, who were to charge him with yet another sex offence.
He did more that day than steal her quality of life - he robbed her of the right to choose.
In his victim impact statement delivered to the court Dr Jarman wrote that long before the accident, ''She had discussed with me her end of life wishes and how she never wanted to be in a nursing home and be dependent …
''If she could fully comprehend her situation, I know what she would want. This is not the life for her and if possible she would end it today.''
Rarely has the contrast between victim and offender appeared so stark. Before Miller pushed Dr Hunter into a perpetual fog she was a passionate advocate for country medicine who filled her life with meaning.
She met her life partner when they were Adelaide University medical students and they married a year later shortly before they were to graduate.
They took to rock'n'roll dancing and competed under the show names CJ and the Babe, becoming Victorian state champions. She took to bodybuilding finishing runner-up in the Miss Bendigo final. She learned pilates, finally becoming an instructor and competed in marathons before taking up cycling to protect her knees. She remains much loved, respected and admired.
Miller is an aimless drifter, an unemployable substance abuser, and a serial sex offender who is incapable of forming any relationships and remains detested even by fellow inmates.
Police say Miller didn't accidentally hit Dr Hunter and believe it was much more sinister.
They claim he intended to nudge her off the road then abduct her - a plan that failed when another motorist pulled up to help the injured cyclist.
As Dr Hunter has no memory of the collision and there were no eyewitnesses, the abduction theory remains just that.
Courts deal with evidence and cannot make judgments on police speculation of what Miller was planning, only on what he did.
Judge Tinney yesterday stressed Miller would be sentenced on the facts before the court, not speculation outside of it.
At that plea hearing Chief Crown Prosecutor, Gavin Silbert, SC, recommended a sentence at the upper end of eight years with a minimum of five.
This despite each charge carrying a maximum term of 10 years - a theoretical total of 30.
And while Silbert could have played to the gallery and asked for a monster sentence he was all too aware of the shadow of the Appeal Court.
From bitter experience, prosecutors know there is no point in a long jail sentence if it is halved on appeal. Better to shimmy under the bar than fall trying to clamber over it.
Judge Tinney eventually settled on seven years with a minimum of five. But as Miller has already served 600 days he will be eligible for parole in July 2015. He will be 27.
Throughout the hearings, Dr Jarman has carried himself with dignity, representing himself and his wife, who remains too ill to attend.
Some of his friends hope the sentencing of the man who destroyed their future will bring him some "closure".
It is an expression rarely used by victims of crime because they know you can't close what you have already lost.
"This is just a signpost on this journey,'' he says.
"There will be many more.''


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It's tennis time Upper East Siders! Probably you are thinking "what?Tennis?" but yes..you have read well… today i gonna talk about tennis because tennis has a lot to do with fashion! Nowadays tennis players are really obsessed with the outfit for the matches and I not talking just about girls but also boys. The tennis outfit look more like evening dress than sportwear!
Today tennis is absolutely about fashion! Look at the dresses worn by Maria Sharapova, they are amazing, fashionable and they can be used not just on tennis court! Nike realize for her special dresses, different for each tournament! Adidas instead has a partnership with Stella McCartney for different sporty collections. The tennis lines of Stella McCartney is absolutely adorable, I'm a huge fan of her tennis dresses, and as you might have already understood, i'm a tennis player and i love tennis so much!
Here you can find some pictures about the dresses of Maria Sharapova and some of the line from Stella McCartney , hope you enjoy and let me know what you think about tennis mixed with fashion!


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Writers Tears Pot Still Cask Strength Irish Whiskey (700ml)
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Writers Tears is a vatting of Pure Pot Still and Single Malt (proportions are a closely guarded secret). It's the creation of Writers Tears proprietor, Bernard Walsh, who enjoys privileged access to the warehouses of certain Irish distillers from where he selects the casks for his own labels. Some years ago he came up with this entirely 'new' type of whiskey: a blend of malt and pure pot still (PPS) whiskeys (all other Irish blends contain some proportion of Coffey still grain whiskey). The Pure Pot Still is a style that was once known as the "Champagne of Irish Whiskey" and was traditionally a favourite of Irish writers suffering from writer's block. Rather poetically, they drank so much of it, some were reputed to have cried tears of whiskey when inspiration finally hit. Although the Pure Pot Still style was once widespread in Ireland, a number of historical factors including the The Irish War of Independence, the Irish Civil War, and prohibition in the United States led to a drastic reduction in the number of Irish distilleries. With this reduction in Irish whiskeys available came the loss in recognition abroad of the pure pot still style itself. The majority of the surviving distilleries began to produce blends and single malts to the detriment of the Pure Pot Still.
This beautifully presented cask strength edition was limited to only 1200 bottles. Not only a terrific whisky in its own right, but one for the consideration of collectors.
Other reviews..."sometimes seems a rabble of whiskey with the flavours and shapes never quite deciding where it wants to go. But the randomness of style is also a strength as you are entertained from first to last... 53% Alc./Vol.
90 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2012
Click here to learn more about Irish Whiskey


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In 1998, Ron Carey was exiled from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters of which he was an exalted leader, first as a local union president and then as president of the international union. In ancient times, among the worst penalties imposed upon a Roman citizen was exile. Sadly, the Teamsters Independent Review Board visited the same form of suffering on Carey--ruling he could not associate with his lifetime Teamster friends or participate in any way in the union--after finding him guilty in a scheme to use the union treasury to help finance his campaign for reelection the presidency of the Teamsters.
Because the FBI could not find any real evidence to pin him directly to the funding scheme and because he repeatedly insisted in sworn testimony before federal grand juries and the Independent Review Board that he was innocent, Carey was charged with perjury.
AND THEN three years later in the fall of 2001, Carey was cleared of the perjury charge at a trial in the New York U.S. District Court.
The testimony of a single witness, who claimed that Carey okayed the rip off of the funds during a 15-second-long phone conversation, was the basis of both the Independent Review Board decision and the criminal charges.
Fortunately for Carey, he went into the trial with two of the nation's foremost white-collar criminal defense lawyers, Reid Weingarten and Mark Hulkower of the Washington, DC firm of Steptoe & Johnson representing him. In addition, Bob Hauptman, Carey's former Special Assistant for Management and Budget, served as the defense team's researcher and analyst of the documents used in evidence.
The defense team proved that the crucial 15-second phone conversation never happened. Weingarten in his summation said without challenge from the federal prosecutors that their witness had been proven to be "a completely dishonest, untrustworthy, little thief." My detailed account of the trial, The Exoneration of Ron Carey, can be accessed at the Teamsters for a Democratic Union website.
Right after Carey—still in exile--died at age 72 in December 2008,a member of his home local, Queens-based Teamsters Local 804, asked me for my thoughts on how this great union leader could be honored. After mulling the possibilities, including a statue in Union Square in Manhattan or a scholarship, I have reached the conclusion that perhaps the best way to keep the memory of Carey's reputation and achievements alive might be to create an annual Carey Teamster Award to be given to a Teamster official or member whose activities best reflect what he tried to do for union members in his lifetime of service. The organization best suited to confer the award—whether it be a simple piece of paper or a medallion—would be Teamsters for a Democratic Union, which has been struggling for more than three decades to make the Teamsters into a better union.
One side effect of an annual Carey Teamster Award could be to provide a stage for which a potential reform candidate for international president of the union.
A suggestion: my novel, THE TRUCKERS, has been
described as a fun read. It is serious and tragic too. Try it free on Kindle,
Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, or Apple.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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I'm in the process of a divorce. Have been for a while, if you weren't already aware of it.
Very few of you know the whole story, and if you don't, please don't expect to find the entire story here. Such stories are better shared over coffee or a beer than by writing about such life-altering things on a blog or on Facebook. Though I admire the people who publicly write openly about such things, I'm not sure that I'll ever do it.
What's been on my mind, lately, is how others have been reacting to things.
I understand the hope and desire of so many for things to work out… family, friends, and fellow saints all hope to see what is "best" for the situation. Yet when someone has dealt with something for so long, must accept reality for what it is, and has done so through peace and grace, it does little good to quote scripture and push obligations onto that person. Especially when they've been required to walk a path that meant letting go of their own prior beliefs and principles about such things.
Making the shift from an incredulous husband into a forgiving and helpful ex has been both peaceful and incredibly freeing.
I've learned a lot of things over the past couple of years.
- I've learned that as much as we're called to forgive completely, cheap forgiveness is related to what Bonhoeffer called "cheap grace" – which is forgiveness without repentance, without true confession or a resolve to recommit and repair. Such forgiveness does not build up a relationship. It may allow it to continue, but it continues on with a weaker foundation, not a stronger one.
- I've learned that even the wisest of people can be completely wrong and misguided in foundational ways.
- I've learned that religion has a tendency to make people feel empowered and entitled to tell you precisely how you should act and respond in any given situation.
- I've learned that the New Covenant of Christ is far more concerned with the way we treat others than it is with legalistic concerns.
- I've learned that our greatest strengths are directly tied to our greatest fears and weaknesses.
- I've learned that I've been as guilty as anyone for viewing others who have gone through divorce with eyes of judgement and condemnation.