Nonfiction
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 2
In a previous incarnation, I worked as a hotel concierge. Although it’s a divisive topic in Australia, tipping is definitely part of this industry. Armed with the inside knowledge, through years of personal experience, I understand and often embrace the power of tipping when travelling. Unlike an exploitative bribe, it is best viewed as an exchange for above average service. If executed right, tipping is mutually beneficial for both the customer and worker. In saying that, it is more of an art than a strict set of guidelines. Our trip to Pakistan was a great real-world example of this craft in action.
By S. J. Leahy6 months ago in Chapters
Podunk
I didn’t want to get out of bed this morning. I wanted to lie on my side, knees curled up in the fetal position, and watch made-for-TV movies with the bedroom lit up through the blinds. My body wanted the rest, but my brain fought suffocating thoughts, so I went for a walk.
By Jeremiah Gardner6 months ago in Chapters
Karachi Chronicles Chapter 1
Years ago, returning from Europe, I was stopping over in Dubai airport. Exploring the cavernous terminal, I found myself needlessly gliding along a travelator, when something abruptly commanded my attention. Drifting across my field of vision, like a cloud blocking the sun in an otherwise vacant sky, was a group of guys draped in flowing white robes. Clad in black and sporting a large, messy afro, I was the shade behind the cloud. On the outside, we shared no resemblance.
By S. J. Leahy6 months ago in Chapters
Steps of Liberation: Paths to Wholesome Freedom - Part 3
There is a weight heavier than grief .. The weight of shame you were never meant to carry. After the dust of my divorce had settled and I’d begun to find my footing, I noticed something lurking beneath my progress. It wasn’t sadness. It wasn’t fear.
By Yvey Essen7 months ago in Chapters
Steps of Liberation: Paths to Wholesome Freedom
The first thing I noticed was the silence. Not the peaceful kind that wraps around you like a soft blanket - but the kind that echoes. The kind that reminds you of absence. The kind that sits across from you at the dinner table and dares you to say something. Anything.
By Yvey Essen7 months ago in Chapters
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: How Machines Are Changing Our World
Imagine someone showing you a video in which you appear to be doing something—but you know with absolute certainty that you were never there. What if someone sends you a photo of a person claiming to be themselves, and it looks completely real, but that person doesn’t exist at all? Or you upload a picture of your late grandfather into an app, and it starts talking back in his voice and style. These may sound like scenes from a sci-fi movie, but they are very real—and powered by one thing: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
By Taimoor Khan7 months ago in Chapters
John Gotti
John Gotti, also known as the “Dapper Don” and the “Teflon Don,” was one of the most notorious and charismatic figures in the history of organized crime. As the boss of the Gambino crime family, Gotti became a symbol of Mafia power and influence in the 1980s. His flamboyant style, high-profile persona, and repeated escapes from prosecution made him both a media sensation and a feared crime lord. However, his rise to power was matched by a dramatic fall, culminating in his conviction and life imprisonment. This article delves into the life, rise, reign, and eventual downfall of John Gotti.
By Gustavo Woltmann7 months ago in Chapters
The Gambino Crime Family
The Gambino crime family is one of the most infamous and powerful Mafia organizations in the history of the United States. As one of the “Five Families” that dominate organized crime in New York City, the Gambinos have played a central role in the American Mafia’s rise to power. This article explores the history, key figures, criminal activities, and eventual decline of the Gambino crime family, shedding light on the complex world of organized crime.
By Gus Woltmann7 months ago in Chapters
