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Chambers: Networking success demands more than technology

Cisco CEO John Chambers painted a picture of networking's future but said businesses must make some changes if they're going to effectively tap the technology.

ATLANTA -- The leader of the world's top networking company believes that, without business process changes, the...

potential of next-generation networking technology will never be realized.

Cisco Systems Inc. president and CEO John Chambers, who addressed attendees this morning at the CTIA Wireless 2004 conference, said that the IP networks of tomorrow will reach new levels of interoperability.

He said that wired and wireless devices, services and access methods will become transparent, and that resources like applications and storage will become so closely linked with networks that users won't be able to determine their network location -- be it a few feet or a few thousand miles away.

You have to have a total security defense, and that defense has to be network driven.
John Chambers, Cisco CEO,

Pervasive network connectivity will soon become the standard, Chambers said. For instance, it will be possible for a wireless device user to move between buildings on the Cisco campus, travel to the airport and take off on an international flight while maintaining continuous Internet connectivity.

This network transparency will create new revenue-generating scenarios for all types of companies, Chambers said. He offered up a scenario straight out of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film Minority Report, in which a consumer enters a retail store and is recognized immediately. He said that an intelligent network will then let a shopper review previous purchases made at that store and locate items that may be on sale or that may be of interest based on the customer's buying patterns.

However, Chambers said that, even if a company implemented the networking technology that would make that scenario possible, without business process changes, that firm would never realize the benefits. In fact, Chambers said it would take a step backward.

Citing the results of a Momentum Research Group survey conducted last year, Chambers said companies that implemented new business processes along with new technology on average realized productivity gains of between 400% and 500%. Those firms also enjoyed cost savings of 25% to 30%. Enterprises that did not alter their business processes after implementing new technology spent as much as 10% more.

Chambers said that next-generation networks will shorten the time it takes to transform an idea into an implementation, and that business rule sets must be refined to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of business changes.

Intelligent security

Chambers also focused on the need to make security an intrinsic part of the network at every level. "You have to have a total security defense, and that defense has to be network driven," he said.

That strategy, Chambers said, revolves around building intelligent security features into VPNs, firewalls, routers and switches so that those network devices can stop viruses as effectively as antivirus software. Also, he said Cisco is intent on building network devices that can be upgraded or replaced quickly without harming network security.

Chambers was bullish on the potential of new networking technology to drive economic growth. He said that the U.S. gross domestic product could grow as much as 3% annually going forward, and that yearly 5% growth isn't out of the question.

He emphasized the need for corporate leaders to strike new partnerships because, during the next five years, business relationships will help define which companies use next-generation networking technology to successfully add to the corporate balance sheet. Chambers said those relationships will be more dynamic than in the past; one partner may benefit more than the other in certain situations, and vice versa, but that both firms will ultimately benefit.

Attendee Larry Aisenbrey, vice president of operations with Viaero Wireless in Fort Morgan, Colo., said he had hoped that Chambers would address issues of interest to rural companies. Aisenbrey said that his company uses Cisco routers, but that it has had difficulty finding an affordable price for networking gear because it doesn't purchase equipment at the high volume of large enterprises.

Alan Jones, an attendee with CorrWireless in Oneonta, Ala., said he was interested in the specific products Cisco will be releasing in the near future, such as new routing schemes. He said that it's clear that the industry is moving to an all-IP backbone, but that questions remain as to how that evolution will take place.

Wireless is more widespread

Earlier addresses at the show also highlighted the rapid pace at which the wireless industry is moving. Steve Largent, the new president of CTIA and a former Congressman and pro football player, told attendees that the wireless phone industry is now an $87 billion industry. Its 160 million subscribers, on average, are paying $10 less per month for service, compared with 10 years ago, Largent said.

Largent also said that 75 million camera phones shipped last year, putting the devices on pace to surpass DVDs as the most rapidly adopted consumer technology in history.

Michael Powell, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said that his organization is cultivating the wireless broadband market so that the technology will soon be able to deliver content and services to homes and businesses just like telephone and networking wires do today.

Powell said the FCC is seeking out more spectrum to allocate for wireless broadband as a data platform and that it will maintain a hands-off approach to how that spectrum is used, so that vendors aren't limited in the way they develop customer offerings.

Sun Microsystems Inc. CEO Scott McNealy used his stage time to tout the growing influence Java is having on the wireless market, noting that there are now 300 different Java-powered mobile enterprise devices on the market today.

McNealy also wowed the crowd by demonstrating the capabilities of Sun's Java-based desktop GUI. Calling it a Windows-similar environment, he showed attendees how they could use StarOffice to edit documents created by Microsoft applications. McNealy also demonstrated also how the 3D "Windows-similar" environment allows application windows to be spun around and used as virtual scribble pads on their reverse sides, then rotated on an angle to reduce their size when not in use.

Best Web Links: Cisco press resource center

Article: Cisco makes strong move on power over Ethernet

Article: Hardware-upgrade fears stall wireless LAN plans

Face-off: Enterprise wireless LANs

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Manage Learn to apply best practices and optimize your operations.

The lowdown on PCI compliance

Putting aside PCI DSS hype, an IT security expert identifies key components of compliance and advises on vulnerability scanner choices. He covers how compliance effects business function, and which scanning tools produce valuable results.

Kevin Beaver
I don't know about you but I'm getting kind of tired of hearing about PCI DSS. Yes, an information security consultant who earns his living, in part, off of compliance is saying he's tired of big component of the compliance equation. Let me elaborate.

I'm really just tired of two things. First, all the marketing hype the vendors are putting out there about how their products are going to magically make you compliant with PCI DSS. Secondly, all the differing opinions about what it takes to be compliant with this regulation are getting old too. There are books, whitepapers, seminars, scanning services – you name it. If you need to comply with PCI DSS there's a self-proclaimed expert on every corner out there who wants to help.

Since you're reading this, PCI DSS probably affects you and your business in some way. As with many organizations, it's likely in the context of Web security. Well, if so, you're in luck. Here's the lowdown on what PCI DSS is all about. First off, there's this security scan requirement in PCI DSS that everything seems to be revolving around. In doing security scans myself I'm here to tell you that security scans aren't everything. I can't tell you how many businesses I come across that vouch they're secure or compliant just because they've had some PCI-certified scanning vendor to run a quick scan and tell them everything's OK. It's not that simple. I've used some of these very tools that the vendors are saying will find vulnerabilities in your applications and point out where you're out of compliance with PCI. I've seen them not find any flaws at all while, at the same time, another vendor's tool uncovers cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and so on. Do your homework before buying into companies that tout "Web scans for PCI compliance". If you show me a Web application out there that doesn't have any vulnerabilities I'll show you an application that hasn't been tested in the right ways.

Relying on scans alone is one thing. Hiring a PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) is something else. You'd think they'd find everything that counts but it's not that simple. Information systems – especially Web applications – can be extremely complex and even the best QSAs out there may not uncover everything that matters. Just ask Heartland Payment Systems. This is especially true if the people doing the assessments are just out of grad school and don't have a good mix of skills to know what to look for.

Another thing is that you're probably not going to have PCI police knocking on your door. No one's going to jail over failing to comply with PCI DSS. After all it's an industry regulation – not a law. That said all it takes is one breach of your payment-related systems to get your business in a real bind. A business that loses credit card processing privileges in today's world is destined to take a big hit.

Finally, PCI DSS is nothing more than a set of solid information security practices bundled up in a neat little package that's being pushed as yet another separate component of compliance you have to deal with. Don't fall for this. You shouldn't focus on PCI DSS in a standalone fashion if your business falls under the scope of other regulations such as HIPAA, GLBA, SOX, and so on. Odds are it does. Work with your compliance officer, or if you're like many other IT professionals and you are the compliance officer, try to get a handle on what other regulations your business is up against and focus on "information security" as a whole. This will allow you touch all of the important areas (risk assessment, policies and controls, visibility, automation, and so on) so you can kill two, or three, or four birds with one stone rather than addressing each regulation on its own. This is all the same stuff folks.

Getting your compliance priorities in order is absolutely necessary. Just don't pour all your energy and money into security for the sake of compliance. Even though PCI DSS is a regulation with explicit requirements, you have to temper it with some good old-fashioned common sense – for that's the stuff smart security consists of.

About the author: Kevin Beaver is an information security consultant, expert witness, as well as a seminar leader and keynote speaker with Atlanta-based Principle Logic, LLC. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kevin specializes in performing independent security assessments revolving around compliance and managing information risks. He has authored/co-authored seven books on information security including Hacking For Dummies and Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies (Wiley). In addition, he's the creator of the Security On Wheels information security audio books and blog providing security learning for IT professionals on the go. Kevin can be reached at

This was last published in August 2009

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So what will you do when family or friends come calling?

So what will you do when family or friends come calling?

 by Harriet from Australia

It is so easy to say that you’ll turn away someone when they come calling – until it happens. My daughter’s friend has issues. She is a walking disaster in many ways. She was a teacher until persuaded by her husband to go into business together in a restaurant. He had both restaurant experience and business experience so it wasn’t an unreasonable thing to do. But it didn’t work and they lost all the capital they had built up over the years. Under the stress her bipolar disorder flared. He couldn’t cope and started to beat her up. They separated and each took a rented place and shared custody of the children. He got adequate work and is able to support his lifestyle. She, with her mental health issues has had ongoing problems with employment.

Now the friend has been away from teaching for so long she cannot get back into it for various reasons relating to registration and the local teaching culture. While the economy was good she was able to get work. Now it is tightening the work she used to get is no longer there. The government support only pays $10 a week more than the cost of her rent in one of the lowest cost suburbs so she is not paying her utility bills. It is only a matter of time before she has the power and water turned off and then is thrown out of her place for not paying rent (she is still paying it at the moment, but only just).

The stress is making her mental health condition much worse than it need be. She is difficult to tolerate for more than one day at a time, given her personality issues that she has been working hard on for years. There is no way my daughter wants to have her friend living with her but the friend’s father refuses to have her also and there is no other accommodation for low income families.

Now when the inevitable happens and this friend and her two young children are turned out of the house what is going to happen? She will turn up next door at my daughters place as her father is so unpleasant towards her.

We have already had a conversation about it and my daughter is prepared to put her up on a one day a week basis for a limited time. Then she will be hard hearted and send her around to her father’s place to sleep in the car outside his place if he won’t let them in. She has turned this friend away before when the demand was too great so I think this will be possible.

This is just the first step to things being difficult for so many. Apparently we have around thirty families in our immediate community who are living like this and who have to seek public assistance to eat. Part of me wants to be angry and blame them for getting into this mess in the first place through making bad decisions. Part of me is very aware that when jobs are difficult to get, and  “appropriate care” for children costs what this mother could get for working. As a society we no longer support such parents though we find money to remove the children and put them into foster care often in circumstances worse than they would be with a mother with mental health issues who is working. The court awarded custody to the father at weekends as he was “working”. So was she and she had to pay for child care so she could bring in enough to feed them and provide a bed, a shower and toilet during her days of care.

This is not yet a SHTF scenario, but it will be shortly as it already is for the 30 odd local families in this situation.

And as a society we have to live with the consequences of having children poorly fed and without housing. I don’t know where they go and I don’t want to know (yes, I know being ostrich-like with my head in the sand is not a good idea). I just know that as the economy worsens and as people with poor health no longer have social support that things will get more and more dire for so many.

I have made a decision that with so many poor people the best I can do is not to be one of them, using up the limited resources that are there. My husband and I have to pay off our mortgage and support our daughter and her two children who live next door. I’m here to make it easy for her to work at a reasonably well paid job by being the “slack in the system” providing child care when it is needed, looking after them when they are sick and helping out when things get difficult so she is able to continue to work. My husband was only five minutes away when someone smashed into our daughter’s car and he was able to support her to do all the things that needed to be done. We could also help to get her to the train station and back again while the insurance people took their time about paying out so she could get another car. Her work and hence her income was unaffected. Family resources made life much more manageable in a difficult week.

Frankly we don’t have the time, energy or resources to help every family in dire need in the community. By having strong bonds we can, however support our own family and make sure we are prepared for what is coming.

This is a rather rambling post. I feel torn that we cannot help this woman more. But we have to realistic and I think the friend will appreciate boundaries early on in the situation so she can have ongoing support. She is not unaware, having done a lot of personal work and she knows that the most that people can manage to have her around is about three days. I think she would appreciate having one day a week in a house with toilet and shower rather than four days and then be chucked out forever. But what when this is not an isolated incident, albeit number 31 in our district? What when the numbers and suffering become so great that something has to give and these people stop being reasonably polite?

© 2013, Seasoned Citizen Prepper. All rights reserved. On republishing this post you must provide link to original post.

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24 April 2010

Movements of the Human Heart

In the Gospel we’ll hear at this weekend’s liturgy (Saint John 10:27-30), Jesus says: ‘My sheep hear My Voice’. Every word in this Gospel passage is spoken by Jesus. When read slowly and meditatively, there is an encompassing sense of intimacy that cannot be expressed in words; and Jesus desires to have that intimacy with each and every one of us.

We are His sheep who hear His Voice and follow Him. Through prayer, sacred reading and charitable works it becomes vividly clear that if we so desire, Our Lord’s love will consume us; and He assures us that no one can take us away from Him. Christ's enfolding and loving embrace offers comfort in times of trial and also carries us into eternal life.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Saint Matthew 18:10-14) is a reassuring reminder that Jesus wishes all to be saved and desires not to lose any of His sheep. At Mass the Voice of Jesus is heard in the Liturgy of the Word; and the Word of God, the Bread of Life, nourishes our souls as Our Lord makes Himself present to us truly, really and substantially in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Anyone who lives in the Middle East might have a clearer understanding of what Jesus means when He says: ‘My sheep hear My Voice; I know them, and they follow Me’. Many of us have never witnessed a shepherd and his sheep interact.

Father Benedict Groeschel, a priest of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, as well as an author, psychologist, and well-known EWTN personality, once shared a story of his visit to the Holy Land in which he watched shepherds work with their sheep. He said that there were a bunch of sheep walking around, along with three shepherds. He said that the shepherds split up and each walked into a different direction, and then made a whistling sound with their mouths. The sheep, which were all bunched together, then began to divide and walk towards the direction of their own particular shepherd; each of them recognized their own shepherd’s whistle and followed him.

It is the human heart that hears the Voice of the Chief Shepherd. And He speaks to the heart in the silence and stillness of meditation and contemplation. The human heart is a living altar from which He Who sacrificed Himself, rests -- a Sacrifice which enabled Him to fulfil His own words: ‘I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish’ (Saint John 10:28). When we are able to remain in His Presence through prayer, Adoration and most especially in partaking of His Most Precious Body and Blood, then we have the necessary weapons to feel His Presence even in the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. And when we can do that, our very lives become a liturgy.


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Michigan's Mute Swans Need Your Help

July 20, 2015 | Mute Swans

Friends of Animals (FoA) needs your help to save Michigan’s mute swan population. Your calls and/or comments to the Waterford Township Trustees are needed by July 27, 2015.

Maceday and Lotus Lake in the Waterford Township of Michigan are home to a number of mute swans, but some local residents and the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources think that is too many.

FoA disagrees.

A resolution that will go before the Waterford Township trustees July 27 would give property owners and lake associations permission to control mute swan populations on lakes through the removal and destruction of eggs and mute swan euthanization.

“Watership Township doesn’t have a mute swan problem,” said Edita Birnkrant, campaigns director for Friends of Animals. “After speaking with Waterford Township Trustee Anthony M. Bartolotta, it became clear to me that the problem is a few intolerant residents who ride wave runners on the lakes and don’t understand that they must keep a respectful distance from swans while out on the lake. Wave runners are naturally frightening to swans, especially if they get too close to their babies or nests. The only thing Watership Township needs is a public education campaign so property owners who use the lake learn how to co-exist with mute swans and other waterfowl they share the landscape with.”

When Friends of Animals was alerted to the news that Waterford Township trustees were voting on the misguided resolution on July 13, Birnkrant reached out to the trustees, who tabled the resolution and postponed the vote until July 27 so they could have more time to research the issue. FoA also reached out to local residents to tell them to call trustees and say they do not support the resolution.

“I explained to Bartolotta that passing the mute swan kill resolution would set a disastrous precedent in allowing residents and lake associations to massacre swans at will, and would portray Waterford Township—and the trustees who vote to pass the resolution—as swan killers,” Birnkrant said. “Bartolotta said he doesn’t want the town to have that reputation, and that he would absolutely vote against the resolution. He also said that many residents appreciate and admire the mute swans.”

Please call the Waterford Township Trustees and urge them to vote NO on the mute swan kill resolution. Tell them mute swans deserve protection and to implement policies that promote co-existence with wildlife. Email addresses can be accessed here.

Gary Wall (Supervisor) (248) 674-6201;

Sue Camilleri, Clerk  (248) 674-6211;

Margaret Birch, Treasurer (248) 674-6217;

Anthony M. Bartolotta, Trustee (248) 980-4677;

Julie Brown, Trustee (248) 396-0864;

Karen Joliat, Trustee (248) 935-6133;

Donna F. Kelley, Trustee (248) 673-3681;

Please Attend the Waterford Township Trustee meeting to publicly speak in opposition to the swan kill resolution.

Date: July 27

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Civic Center auditorium, 5200 Civic Center Drive, off Crescent Lake Road, Waterford Michigan

Since when has it EVER been beneficial to kill populations of non-predatory animals, esp. Birds? Take a step back and think about this, Town of Waterford..

There is another way without murdering them.

please vote No on mute swan kill resolution

Shame on Michigan

Shame on Michigan.

we have church people slaughtering punching kicking pigs, we have dog meat festivals eating boiling millions of dogs and cats, we have severe horse and burro murders to extinction we have farm animals treated like dirt so intelligent are all these animals how do we stop elephant massacres rhino extinction and all the horrors we hear of daily then say we are any better than the unevolved countries? killing and culling makes more not less. are you daft? do you know how to manage anything? these animals mate for life like geese being wiped out. You have got to be a biologist or you cannot be in charge of these stupid stupid decisions. thats it. you are cruel barbaric and will suffer a fate befitting all murderers of souls you dont understand. more than unkind. you are mentally ill. no job should be yours if it involves animals obviously you have NO education just murder away in this earths 6th extinction that scientists say this time is OUR fault. stop. thinking foolishly and unkindly. think harder or call a biologist that can educate you.

All animals must be free

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Short 'N Sweet

Another thing I've had my eye on for a while is the Short 'N Sweet Bolero from the Stitch 'N Bitch book. I don't wear boleros but for some reason I have wanted to make this ever since I saw it. I thought I could give it to someone for Christmas but I'm not sure who yet because it turned out a bit too small for the person I had in mind. I used Caron Simply Soft Eco in Wine Country and an H hook.

This pattern was really fun and easy to do but it seemed to me that there might have been a simpler way to write it. Maybe I'm just spoiled on Doris Chan patterns but finishing off and adding another piece of yarn just to chain 3 and finish off again seems a bit retarded to me. Other than the few odd instructions it was a nice little project. It still needs to be blocked but it looks very cute on.

Hook and Weave Shrug

I have wanted a shrug for a while and have had intentions of making this one ever since I got this issue of Interweave Crochet way back in the Fall of 2007. Last month I finally pulled off the sticky note bookmark labeled "shrug" and got to work. The pattern is called Hook and Weave Shrug by Jennifer Orr. In the pattern you make the shrug a solid color and then weave a contrasting color through to make cute little stripes, hence the name "Hook and Weave", but I decided to make mine with stripes and get rid of some small balls of yarn I had lying around. I used Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather and Caron Simply Soft Eco in Black and Wine Country with an I hook.

The pattern is great, it's simple and fun and really easy to adjust for size. You could make a 2x or a toddler size, whatever you want by simply taking a measurement of the arm spread and adding a little extra for the cuffs to fold over. I will probably make a couple more of these for Christmas gifts.

I will try to get some pictures of me wearing it pretty soon but here are a couple I snapped this morning.

Cat Ear Hats and Scarf

I have been looking a long time for a good cat ear hat crochet pattern. I've tried several and they've never turned out to be what I wanted. This pattern is the closest I've ever come to finding what I want. It's still not exactly what I was looking for but it's definitely the cutest finished product. The pattern is called Holy Julie Newmar Batman! and is available for free at Gege Crochet.

I made this one using some Vanna's Choice yarn that I frogged from my Ridge Swing Cardigan that I gave up on after running out of yarn and never finding the same colors again. The colors are Taupe and Dusty Blue and I used a K hook for this one. After showing this picture to a friend he asked if I would make one for his son who is a skateboarder. Seems like a great hat for skateboarding to me. So I made a second hat using Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather and Caron Simply Soft Eco in Black and an I hook. I really liked the color combination so I made a scarf for myself using the same pattern. I still haven't mailed this to him but I promise I will before it gets cold enough to use it!


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Seeking Things Above

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1)

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Red Letter Theology

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righ teousness,
I was reading some blog comments the other day about Christianity and homosexuality. One of the comments in support of accepting the homosexual lifestyle as an acceptable Christian lifestyle was that Jesus never condemned homosexual behavior in the Gospels. The point being made was that since Jesus was silent on the issue, this overrides whatever may have been stated in the Old Testament or in Paul's Epistles.

I've seen this logic used more than once and it's been gnawing at me for the last couple of weeks. I think what bothers me so much about this errant view of the Bible is that I've used this logic myself in the past to justify my own sins. It's a favorite practice of Christians to lean on the parts of the Bible that agree with our views on life but not on the parts of the Bible that disagree with our own bias.

My point here is not to argue the homosexual issue (I've raised that issue in a couple of other posts and comments if your interested - God Loves Gays, Seinfeld, Comment). I'm not saying that there cannot be strong arguments on both sides of a particular interpretation of scripture. My point here, is that you should not use Jesus' silence on an issue in the Gospels to override other biblical principles and truths.

There are probably many positions on the scope of the authority of scripture. For my case against what I am calling "red letter theology" I'll just assume a couple of broad views. One view is that all scripture is the infallible, inerrant word of God. An opposing view would be that the Bible was written by men, highly spiritual men, but men that had a personal and cultural bias included in what they wrote. Therefore, the Bible is not without its faults and is not infallible and inerrant.

If you hold to the first view, then you cannot put more weight on the Gospels and less on the rest of the Bible. It is all God inspired and it is all God's words, whether written in red or black ink. There is a NewTestament  covenant that has replaced the Mosaic law. However, we know this because the Bible declares this. Not because there are issues in the Old Testament not addressed in the New Testament.

If Moses said it, God said it. If Paul said it, God said it. If you don't believe this then you have to admit that you do not hold to the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible.

The other broad view is that Bible is holy but not infallible and inerrant. However, even with this view, putting more weight on the Gospels than on other parts of the Bible is not logically sound. The Gospels were not written by Jesus. They were written by men that could have just as much personal and cultural bias in their accounts of what Jesus said as Paul has in his letters.

If you disagree with how a principle discussed in the Bible should be applied in our culture today, then do your homework and pray. God did not intend for His truth to be hidden from those that seek it. However, don't take the lazy way out by declaring everything is good that wasn't explicitly called out as evil by Jesus in the Gospels.

Let's not forget, Jesus made a point about speaking against man-made pharisaic interpretations of the Old Testament. If silence is to be given more weight to a particular view, then the case should be made that silence means agreement, not opposition.

Brad said...

Amen Tony! Great post. I have noticed many lately focusing intently on Jesus' words, which is great. I myself have found this helpful in my recent studies. I think it is helpful because it helps to take your focus off the church, us, and religion and put it on Jesus. But I fear some have been putting blinders on and ignoring what the rest of scripture says. Perhaps some have found it easier to accept following Christ if they ignore Paul, but as you point out ignoring Paul is ignoring the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Ignoring Paul is actually ignoring Christ Jesus.

I actually find it more challenging accepting Jesus' own words, like in the Sermon on the Mt. A high standard is set. Really too high. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." I need Paul to help me put this into perspective.

peace in Christ,

Tony Cathey said...

"If Moses said it, God said it. If Paul said it, God said it. If you don't believe this then you have to admit that you do not hold to the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible."

This is where a lot of Christians have a problem. They like to believe in the bible, but they don't believe that the Bible is inerrant and totally Inspired by the Holy Spirit. The books in the bible are not just literary masterpieces written by these guys random men (although they are masterpieces) But God individually chose these guys and "whispered" the words that they should pen.
Great Post!

Jena Isle said...

Hi Tony, how are you? This is a beautifully written article. I don't claim to be an expert in theology or the Bible, but I remember a line from the bible which says that man is made for woman and vice versa, wouldn't that be enough to know what God or Jesus would have wanted us to follow?

I am not judgmental,as Jesus emphasized love for EVERYONE and He, Himself demonstrate this, but isn't it clear what His stand would be in this issue?

I want to hear you more talk about this.

Tony said...

Jena - Good to hear from you, it has been a while.

You may be thinking of Genesis 2 where God talks about creating woman for man and how a man leaves his family to be joined with his wife.

Judging sin while loving people would be a good topic for a blog discussion. There is a balance that is needed. We need to go out and love people like Jesus did. On the other hand, we can't ignore sin in the world. In many cases, after Jesus healed someone, he would command them to sin no more. So sin needs to be addressed.

I've written a couple of posts mentioned above on homosexual behavior and the biblical view that the behavior is sinful but that the person is still loved by God and we should love them as well. However, this is such a charged topic today, I don't know if a blog post is the right forum to discuss and debate the topic. Written words are so often taken in the wrong manner that it is hard to make sure the love behind the words is being conveyed.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Tony,
I totally disagree with that point of view. Just because Jesus was silent on an issue does not mean that He approves the issue. Genesis said that God created man and woman (and never mentioned any other gender). The Bible also said that men have so corrupted themselves that they lust for their own kind. If you were born a homosexual or lesbian, that is never sinful. What becomes sin is when you engage in sex with the same gender. The Bible was so explicit in this. No amount of justification can overcome that. Either you live in this world (and become worldly) or live a holy and separate life walking in the ways of the Lord. There is no middle ground. Thanks for the enlightening post my brother. God bless you always.

The Natural State Hawg said...

Without commenting on the whole homosexuality issue, there's a good rule of thumb to use when dealing with a lot of these arguments -- people will try to "box" Christ for their own purposes.

You will, for example, here the left declare that Jesus was a liberal, thus completely ignoring his affirmation of "conservative" aspects of the laws found within the Old Testament. Fundamentalists, meanwhile, completely discount the "water into wine" episode and other bits of Christ's teachings that make them feel uncomfortable (don't even get me started on tithing and such).

The point is this -- people want to box Christ, but He evades such crude classification. I do believe every one of us would have a heck of a lot to change if we truly do want to follow Christ as He is...

Tony said...

I tend to agree - too far left or too far right and either way you fall off the cliff.

STEVEN said...

Good discussion.

For more lively bible AND sabbath discussion ,join me at

See you there..God be with you…

Kelly W. said...

Come on, Jesus was as flippant and non-committal, and anxious to include just about anyone and anything into his dim-witted ranks as some modern politicians. That might not matter anymore - the idea that his logic overrides Old Testament has been also rendered groundless, since he never came back, his prophecies are bankrupt, his Church has shed millions tons of blood, and the Jews survived without him, and lived to found a state of their own again, with no help of his or his corrupt worshipers.

Only Spanish inquisitors would get excited and kill the artist who dunked the crucifix into a jar of urine. Nowadays X-ians have realized that Jesus loves anything - even things that are anti-Jesus and repulsive. Anything is beautiful, because morality is relative.

The man cursed a poor barren tree - how selfish could you get? This has been reinterpreted to whitewash the event- but why should this interpretation be believed, when the selfish man and his Church have invalidated the interpretative worth of Pharisees, where the selfish man could not get a passing grade. Just as the equally self-centered tantrum at the inn on the way to Egypt, the man's performance should finally illuminate the fan club and they should go the way of the Children of Noah.

Tony said...

Kelly - Thanks for sharing. The good news is, that despite your perceptions and yours and my own selfishness, this "selfish" Jesus died for you and me.

Peace friend.

Kelly W. said...

Talking about selfishness - the bottom line, the gist of his death is in his words borroed from Psalms - "Lord, why have you forsaken me?"
King David might have said that when feeling not in control of his situation, but alive. The crazy selfish Jew was about to die on the cross and was looking at th real death in its face. He was under the self-induced impression that he was the Son of God (but he forgot, or really felt that he self-righteously cancelled Mosaic Law and Bilam's observation-Num. 23'19 - God is not a man, he has no son, etc
This impression, however, shattered, when God, really never using anyone to die for the rest of humanity, saw a vagabond lunatic get executed. Nobody really knows God's personnel records he keeps on each of his creations.

Just another day, regardless of his devotional ecstasy, a respectable older gentleman got crushed to death by a church steeple. It is all puzzling, and impossible to explain. Nobody really knows our personnel records in Heaven.

You might feel comfortable with your peaceful tolerance of my message, but, in perspective, you are a great exponent of something else - American tolerance for religion that is the centerpiece of this country's social-political fiber.
Go mix with X-ians in other countries - in Spain I have seen Catholics ganging up Inquisition-style on a flagrantly demonstrating communists. In Oberammergau the Passion of the Dead Jew is reenacted and the 100% Aryan German who plays Caiaphas or some such is known to be hated and despised throughout the rest of the year.
In Moscow I have seen Russian clergy throw kitchen refuse at a group they obviously despised.
In Jerusalem, at the site of the vagabond's supposed sepulchral edifice, I have seen Armenian and other, hard to identify X-ian denomination's clergy go fisticuffs at each other, also using palm fronds.
He dies having made no difference, or worse, sowing bloodshed, hate, and evil.
As another disillusioned Catholic priest told me: Bible in the hands of Christians is like a hi-tech binoculars in the hand of a monkey. He laughed when I picked up the idea - the monkey has no clue how to use it, but manages to crack nuts, or heads.

Tony said...

Jesus quotes the Psalm as God turns His back on Him because He is bearing the sins of all of us. However, once He dies, it is over. He then proves He is the Son of God with the resurrection where sin and death are defeated.

He also asks God to forgive those that have just nailed Him to the cross and mocked him.

I am sorry that you have seen a lot of evil done in the name of Jesus. I assure you that these men were not acting on behalf of Jesus.

If you think I am tolerant in that you can believe what you want and in the end God will judge us all on our merit rather than whether or not we accepted His free gift of grace you are misinterpreting my attitude.

I am tolerant in that you have obviously seen some bad things and read the Bible from that perspective. I haven't seen what you have seen so I can't speak to that.

I know Jesus and His love personally. It's why I comment back with love and I am tolerant of your views. I'm sure that position sounds like I too am a lunatic.

When I read the Bible, I challenge myself to put aside my "church" background so I don't read with bias. I understand I can't do that 100% but I at least try.

I challenge you to do the same. Try reading the Bible setting aside your bias against Jesus going in.

Peace. Tony

Kelly W. said...

Here are some rhetorical questions:
-why would God turn away from anyone bearing sins of all of us? Does not make any "Bible" sense. Also zero sense in the concept of bearing sin - it is not to be found anywhere in the Prophetic-Mosaic writings. Anything after them, using faith or not, is a stretch of agreeing with a strong-sounding statement.
-you are not a lunatic for sure - you are exercising what has been written for humanity during Noah's times. It is obvious, without the need for anyone else, to understand that we need to give each other benefit of doubt, to walk in God's ways.
-I have been reading Bible for many many years, from many aspects, and greatful for God being patient with me when the screaming falsities I read in the X-ian New Addendum did not turn me away from the real Bible and ultimately, God.
Among many annoyances that I discussed with Catholic priests, Methodist, Presbyterian and Protestant fathers, preachers, and teachers - there is no Judeo-Christian way, really, to die for others without making a difference, since the act implies an obvious improvement, if not saving, or a longer-term salvation.
In our times, dying like this for others means staying behind on a sinking ship and locking a hatch so the others could make it out alive. It also means falling on a hand grenade so that others would not get killed. It may mean dying as a hostage as a condition of saving others.

Back then in the Roman Palestine, which is the Holy Land, there was no opportunity, certainly in that case of Jeshu, to die for the ragged masses, or for the extended people of Israel suffering under Romans, or for the sake of humanity, which could care less, and in the concept of worshiping the True God, was billion years behind the raggedy Jews - the Good Samaritan included (the demonstrative act for purposes similar to the Samaritans lobbying Cyrus to stop the Temple construction), even their corrupt circles, which affected each other, and never did any harm to the Humanity around them. Again, it is obvious, bias or not, that Jeshu had no more divinity than a simple Israelite that could enable him in a novel way to die for others, to bear sins, or to improve anything. Using this event as a marker, it is easy to see that Jeshu made it worse for everyone there, even for Pontius Pilate, he inspired more bloodshed, he deluded the masses, and inspired a group of followers to make false promises that never came to fruition, caused death of some of them, and, more tragic of all, served as an excellent tool for the evil of the arising Church to start shedding blood, and doing everything that the real God hates.

There was a time when I felt sorrow for Jeshu's suffering, until I visited Jerusalem. I recommend anyone to do the same - go to the Jaffa Gate of the Old City, visit any of the cafes there and hang around long enough and you will meet 2-3 Jesuses. Hand around a week, and you will learn that they have at least what's called the Jerusalem syndrome - Jews, Americans, French, Russians, Latinos - they all speak, look, and teach in an breath-taking manner, and each one in their own unique way. They all have their own large or small following. They all know
Bible, speak major languages, plus, pointedly, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic.
They are nothing new. Jesus has been invented already, by Paul and Peter. Who, as some people have even alluded, direct humanity onto the way of Noah (their writings do have a lot in common with Noah's laws). But if any of these Jesuses were to die over 2000 years ago, we would have faced 2000 years of Church forcing down our throat the religion of Randy from Manchester, for example.

Just remember what our folk wisdom taught us - the proof is in the puddin'

chadholtz said...

Hello. It sounds like you have seen and done much with your life. You raise some good questions. I'd be happy to chat with you about some of the questions you raise but may I first ask one of my own?

Of the many "messiah" figures that have come and gone for centuries around Palestine (you mention that this "Jesus thing" is nothing new), what happens to their band of followers after that figure is either killed or just dies off?
What happens to the teachings of that particular "Jesus" whom some if not many had put their faith in?

Grace and peace,
(a lowly Methodist pastor/student)

Tony said...

Kelly -

Thanks. I have one quick question about how you went from sorrow for Jesus' suffering to thinking he is extremely selfish. Is it just because other people also claim to be the messiah. Maybe that can be addressed when you answer Chad's question.

I appreciate the dialog.

Kelly W. said...

My job takes me places, making it convenient for pursuing such extracurricular activities such as hanging out with Jesuses :-)

I have felt genuine sorrow for the man and discusses his teachings with Catholics from a monastery Alabama to Poland, with open-minded Presbyterians from the Midwest to their missions in the middle of nowhere in Asia.

I could feel sorry for the man as a persecuted and misunderstood character (without having to resort to the Written-In Testament's character description) with unique prophetic visions. However, my analytical perceptions coincided with other Christians that I have mentioned above, and, being free, unlike them, to free myself from Jesus dogmas, I have understood, unopposed by the above activists, that his acts written in the Testament actually portray the man as a selfish, naive, shallow personage. The best ccount to support it - and I have heard many counterarguments heavily rationalized in his defense- is the cursing of the fig tree, and we don't need any other deed to drive the point any further. According to the principles of measure for measure, which actually have never been canceled in the O. Testament -i. e., the Only Testament -the man who poses as the Man of Compassion should have reined in his anger and ego, and blessed the tree instead. For this, he got his due - the death on a tree. We see God playing staright with people million tiems greater than Jeshu - Moses himslef - for displaying anger, which is not what God wants us to use.

In other words, if a man calls himself a messiah of God, then he should pass the anger test easily - not get mad at a fellow, a neighbor, a barking dog, or even a lowly barren fig tree. The all-loving God wants us to love all. That could have never been canceled.
This is enough to lose faith in him.
The numbers that followed him surely indicate of his greatness, if that answers the questions above. The numbers never died off - as I have said, the Jesus faith is a convenient tool for leading the uncouth masses, greedy kings, and lust-filled clergy. The masses sure prospered, and used Bible as the proverbial monkey uses binoculars - to crack heads.

As the wisdom that Jesus plagiarized often - lust, greed and pride drive a man from this world. They drove him, for sure.

chadholtz said...

I have to admit that you are the first I have ever spoken with who looks at the whole corpus of the NT through the lens of the fig tree. You place a great amount of weight on that one prophetic utterance and I am still not sure why.

You no doubt have heard the explanations for this before yet you do not allude to them. I wonder why? Surely you have heard that this type of fig tree was generally without leaves at the time of Passover. Yet Jesus finds this one with leaves. It should have fruit, yet has none. Similar to Isaiah 5, this is a fitting emblem of the pretentious yet barren Israel. They revel in their appearance (their leaves) and yet lack the fruit. As such, Jesus' clearing of the temple and cursing of the fig tree are two symbolic and prophetic acts with one meaning - he was predicting the downfall of an unfruitful Israel. Not to say he was through with the Jews, but that in its place an international and everlasting kingdom would be established, a nation bringing forth not just leaves but fruits, and gathered from both Jews and Gentiles.

I wonder if you can answer my earlier question? What happens to the followers of those so-called Jesuses after their "messiah" dies or is killed off?

grace and peace,

Anonymous said...

I thought your previous question was different, but the answer would be the same - the same thing that happened to Jesus's followers. The early ones are killed off, and the later ones are the killers themselves (a la the Romans and the church)

The fig trees, as I have personally checked out also there, in Holy Land, start bearing fruit right before the Tabernacles holiday, which is way after August. In August they are still green and bitter.
The fig tree incident draws many explanations, yours the most typical of them, but it is rationalized. God tells JEws the same thing in Deuteronomy, and earlier on, in commanding the Jews to celebrate the holiday of the Tabernacles, when Gentiles are supposed to go to Jerusalem and ask the Jews to bring sacrifices together.

Predictions of downfall, the emptiness of the corrupt kingdom, but not of the Judaic people, is most obvious in the Prophets' and the Writings. You don't need to the Church or Jesus' prophecy recycling programs.

But to rationalize a typical interpretation of the fig tree, such a central exponent of Jesus's behavior, is to rely on that Pharisaic characteristic that Jesus himself deemed annoying (throughout the NT, childishly)strove to negate (that causing him to actually became a de facto Sadducee)the supposedly prophetic, or holy spirit-inspired explanation of every single verse in Moses' Book, and every single act of the Jewish forefathers. I have no choice but recognize and remain unimpressed by these unoriginal ideas recycled from Jesus' and Church so superficially hated Pharisees.

Again, the fig tree curse is diametrically opposite from Godlike behavior. Besides its worn out cliche rationalizations, holy, kind people do not curse, even while trying to make a point. That's the message God teaches us throughout the Only Testament - be nice when you're sated, and be nice when you're hungry.

Kelly W

chadholtz said...

I wrote a rather lengthy reply yesterday and when I tried to post it I lost it all. In my frustration I did not go back and re-write. Let me take a moment to just say briefly a few things and if you would like to discuss any of them further I would be happy to. If Tony would rather we continue this conversation elsewhere you can reach me on my blog.

1- The fig tree passage is at the time of Passover, not Tabernacles. At Passover it was far less likely to see this type of tree with fruit. Jesus, however, saw it full of foliage, a sign that it should have fruit. His prophetic utterance is not out of anger because he is hungry (do you really believe that it was?) but right in line with the clearing of the temple - it teaches in Rabbinic fashion how Israel is full of pomp and circumstance and no fruit. That is why Jesus is angry - not because he is hungry and the tree is bear.

2- Regarding the false Messiahs - the followers had two choices when their Rabbi was killed or died naturally - find a new "Jesus" or give up their dream of Messiahship and the future Kingdom. You are right to point out that there were many "Jesuses." However, we know little or nothing about them or their "religion" because they are dead. Not so with Jesus - something about him has made his life known by more people than any other life and has lasted 2000 years.

3- I am not sure why you call the interpretation of the fig tree a "rationalization" when you are offering your own by claiming that it was Jesus pouting because he was hungry. That is YOUR rationalization,and one that is only held by severe skeptics - not trained exegetes of Scripture and the historical context of Jesus' day.

4 - This is a curious statement: "Besides its worn out cliche rationalizations, holy, kind people do not curse, even while trying to make a point."

If God does not "curse" than what do you do with nearly half of the OT? Start with Gen. 3. I think you are confusing the God of Scripture with the God of humanism. Because God is God He can "have mercy on whom He will have mercy" and likewise curse whom God will curse.

The message taught through the OT has nothing to do with "be nice when your sated, and nice when your hungry."

Are you a Jew? What is your background?

grace and peace,

Tony said...

I'm enjoying the dialog. You can continue here or take it to your place. If you guys move over to Blooming in Bullock just let me know so I can check it out.

Kelly W. said...

of course I am Jewish, and thankful for the open mind and the continuous thirst for conquering life's puzzles, which is the gist of Pharisaic and Rabbinic masterpieces.

We can belabor point 1 of your reply til we are blue in the face, but I have heard so much faux-Pharisaic about Jeshu's deeds that maybe it's worthless now to explain the modern-day "exegetic", X-ian Pharisaic impostor-ish rendition of ancient realities. This is the stuff of the Only Testament that the Church has convinced everyone that has been canceled.

2. Because Jesus died, and, unlike other messiahs, his followers are around - this is nothing to impress discriminating minds, but crass, unwashed medieval masses. Sure X-ianity is around, in the resplendence of its multitudinous branches. Meanwhile, the Jew is dead, he has never come back, no prophet has arisen with updates on impending arrival, nothing.

3. The fig tree incident can also be belabored till we are blue in our screens, but I have discussed this deed with X-ians worldwide, as mentioned in my comments, and also with several notable ex-X-ians, one of whom is an ex-priest who has been preaching since 13 y.o.age, and attained the nationwide fame on CBN, till he could not stand the falsity of the institution, philosophy and the creeds. He understood that the only true faith for a Gentile is the Seven Commandments of Noah. The second clsoe friend is also an-ex priest, who foudn out he was a child of Jewish parents who escaped Holocaust by growing up in a Convent. Despite the status he enjoyed of rubbing elbows with Vatican's top brass and teh pope himself, he was relieved beyond tears that his Jewishness absolved him from having no choice but to belief in the Evil Fantasy.

Of course, blogs and chats never have all the space to discuss all the ruminations and mind-opening truths that I have learned from these utterly interesting people.

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Saturday, March 17, 2012

Cajun Eats and Sweet Treats

I have a few more yummy recipes to share today. The past two nights we have enjoyed some Cajun-inspired dinners and I also finally got around to baking some cookies that I have been wanting to test.

The first recipe is for Cajun Chicken Pasta. You can find the pin here. The recipe originated from Though I wasn't looking for "lighter" recipes when I was pinning, that is just an added bonus to this meal! This was an excellent pasta dish. So excellent, that I would pay money for it at a restaurant. Yep, it was that good. It's packed with so many yummy veggies and with the right spices, it packs the perfect amount of heat.

  • 8 ounces uncooked linguine (I used Barilla's whole grain)
  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into strips
  • 1-2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced (I used Baby Bella mushrooms)
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup fat free low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup skim milk
  • 1 Tbsp flour
  • 3 Tbsp light cream cheese (I used Philadelphia's 1/3 less fat)
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Cooking spray

Prep all of your vegetables. In a small blender, make a slurry by combining milk, flour and cream cheese. (I didn't use a blender, but instead mixed them in a bowl, heating the mixture in the microwave at 50% power to melt the cream cheese, so that it would mix easier). Set this mixture aside.

Season the chicken generously with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Prepare the pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Heat a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with cooking spray and add the chicken. Saute the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes or until done.

Set the chicken aside on a plate. Add olive oil to the skillet and reduce the heat to medium. Add the bell peppers, onions, and garlic to the skillet and saute for 3 to 4 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and tomatoes and saute for 3 to 4 more minutes or until vegetables are tender. (I also went ahead and added the scallions too at this point instead of leaving them just as a garnish). Season with 1/4 tsp salt, garlic powder and fresh cracked pepper to taste.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the chicken broth and pour in the slurry, stirring about 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet.

Adjust the salt and Cajun seasoning to taste, cook another minute or two until hot, then add linguine. Toss well to coat. Enjoy!

I definitely think that the Cajun seasoning that you use for this dish could either make or break it. I had one in my spice cabinet that I decided not to use because I wasn't a huge fan of it. I bought another (Cajun Blackening Seasoning) while I was at the Fresh Market (it was in a baggie with their fresh spices). It was awesome! It has the perfect amount of heat and it gives this dish a nice kick. Perfect!

I made a loaf of French Bread in the bread machine to serve with this dish. I am so glad that I did because it was the perfect addition. We used it to help soak up the tasty sauce that was left in the bowl after we had eaten everything else! Delicious.

The next dish is Cajun Stuffed Peppers. You can find the pin here. This recipe originated from the Food Network. I will admit, I was a bit skeptical of this one as I was cooking it, but the end result was quite tasty. I do wish I had read the reviews of this one before I made it though, as I would have altered a few things. I like that this dish uses two grains instead of just rice; it is a nice change from my usual stuffed peppers recipe. The addition of the kale helps add more nutrients to the stuffing as well.

  • 1 cup long-grain brown rice
  • 1/3 cup quinoa
  • 2 large green bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded (I used 3 peppers)
  • 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1/4 pound andouille sausage, finely chopped (I used one link, it was 1/3 pound)
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped (I used 4 cloves)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Large pinch of allspice (optional) - I did not use this ingredient
  • Kosher salt
  • 1-14 oz can low-sodium diced tomatoes
  • 1 small bunch kale, stems removed, leaves chopped
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for topping (optional) - I did not use this ingredient

Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add the brown rice and boil for 10 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and cook until both grains are tender, about 15 more minutes. (I wish they had given an amount of water here. I did not use enough initially and had to continue to add water to the saucepan as both grains were cooking because the water was being absorbed too quickly. I ended up using probably ~3 cups total I think?). Drain well and set aside.

Meanwhile, drizzle the bell peppers with 1 tablespoon of water in a microwave-safe bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 10 minutes. (Had I read the reviews, I would not have nuked the peppers this long. They may have needed just 5 minutes, max. They definitely were pretty mushy after an entire 10 minutes. As one other reviewer suggested, I will probably broil them for a bit too next time I make this dish).

Heat the olive oil in a wide saucepan (I used a large skillet) over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes.

Add the sausage, garlic, thyme, allspice and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until the sausage is brown and crisp, about 3 more minutes.

Add the tomatoes and 1 cup water to the pan.

Pile the kale on top, cover and cook until the kale wilts, about 2 minutes. (Unfortunately, I didn't know what a "small bunch of kale" was, and I felt that the bunch I had bought was pretty big, so I just used 2 stems from the bunch. After seeing how much it cooked down, I probably would have cooked at least 2 more stems too).

Stir the kale into the sauce and bring to a simmer. Arrange the bell peppers on top, cover and simmer until the kale is just tender, about 8 minutes. Divide the peppers among plates. Stir the grains into the kale mixture and season with salt.

Spoon into the peppers. Top with parsley if you would like. We also found it tasty to sprinkle a little Cajun seasoning on top too. :)

I was excited because Ethan did a great job with eating this dish! He loved the rice and the "broccoli," as he called the kale. Haha! This was a great nutrient-dense dish that I will make again. I loved the idea of using the sausage instead of just ground beef, which is what I usually use for my stuffed peppers. As I mentioned before, I liked using both the rice and quinoa too. As another reviewer mentioned, it did take quite a bit longer to prepare and cook this dish than they say it will, but I think it was worth it in the end. I now have quite a bit of leftover kale, so I am going to try my hand at making some kale chips this weekend, as I have been wanting to do that for awhile now anyway. I'll let you know how that goes! :)

Update: The next time I made this dish, I used red peppers instead of green. I like the flavor of them better. I also increased the meat content by using 1/2 pound lean ground beef in addition to the 1/3 pound andouille sausage. With 3 hungry guys to feed, the increased meat was nice. :) I also used an additional can of tomatoes too. We were very happy with the results.

One more recipe tonight to satisfy your sweet tooth. This one is for Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies. This recipe originated from No worries guys, this recipe does not contain breast milk, as my husband first feared when he heard what they were called. And I'm pretty sure they aren't going to make you start lactating (haha), but due to the yeast, they are said to help breastfeeding moms increase or keep up their milk supply! So, for Noah's benefit, I thought I would give them a try. ;)

  • 1 cup butter (I used Blue Bonnet Light)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 4 Tbsp water
  • 2 Tbsp flax seed meal
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups flour (next time I want to try 1/2 whole wheat)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 cups oats
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (I used 2 cups of Toll House semi-sweet chips)
  • 2-4 Tbsp brewer's yeast (I used 3 Tbsp, but will use 4 next time)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flaxseed meal and water and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.

Beat the butter, sugar and brown sugar well.

Add the eggs and mix well.

Add the flaxseed mix and vanilla and beat well.

Sift together the flour, brewer's yeast, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mix. (I actually just added these right to the bowl instead of sifting them first).

Stir in the oats and chips.

Scoop (I use a small cookie scoop to try to keep them uniform in size) onto a baking sheet (I line mine with parchment paper to keep the sheets clean and easy to use over and over).

Bake for 12 minutes. Let set for a couple of minutes, then remove from the tray. Yuuuummmm...

This recipe makes a TON of cookies! I would consider halving it next time because, unfortunately, I don't really need that many cookies hanging out just waiting for me to eat them. :( Again, I do wish I had read the reviews before making these as instructed. As others found, the dough really spread out when baked, even using small amounts for each cookie, and the cookies ran into each other.

Since I just made them for us, it wasn't a big deal, but I would keep that in mind for the future if making them for someone else. Although the dough spread out so much like it was too moist/runny, the cookies themselves kind of fell apart easily and were a bit dry from all of the oats once baked. They may have also turned out kind of flat for me since I wasn't using a fresh box of baking soda. I need to start remembering to buy a fresh box before baking something! Next time, I would consider using less oats (maybe just 2 cups) and maybe substituting raisins for the chocolate chips and also adding some cinnamon. I think those would be tasty and a little "healthier," if that's possible with a cookie. ;)

So, although they don't look perfect, they are still a pretty tasty little cookie. Hubby wasn't a huge fan of them due to the texture of the oatmeal, which is odd given I am usually the one with texture issues. I like them and my cute little helper really does too! :)

I think that making up a mix of these for new moms would be a wonderful gift idea and something I would like to start doing. I've only been eating them for one day, so I can't attest to whether they are successful or not yet, but I am hoping that they are. :)

As always, enjoy, and let me know what you think if you try any of these recipes!

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Overwatch Server Errors Kick Free Weekend Off Bad

By   /   Sep 10, 2016

It’s been in the news for several weeks now that there will be a free play weekend on Overwatch to help you decide if you want to buy the game and get into the gaming market’s hot new team-based shooter. Unfortunately, Overwatch server errors have the weekend off to a bad start.

It doesn’t appear to be anything on Blizzard’s end that’s the problem, unless you call server overload a problem that’s their fault. Considering how popular Overwatch is, with even more players coming in than normal it would appear that they’ve overwhelmed the game’s servers and prevented them from being able to get into games.

The other Overwatch server errors players have been running across are matches not starting properly or players being kicked from matches mid-game, which could make it even worse considering Blizzard’s anti-rage quit protocols that might cause them to take an undeserved experience penalty.

Considering that the free Overwatch weekend we were promised around this time has started for most, this may end up being a public relations disaster for Blizzard if they can’t get their servers up and running again and take care of the Overwatch server errors.

However, at the same time there’s also the possibility that this isn’t a server issue, but instead yet another DDOS attack on Blizzard’s ability to conduct online play. Considering the great many Blizzard “fans” that were extremely salty at being kicked out for using hacks or aimbots, the possibility of some gypped player using a DDOS attack in order to get petty revenge isn’t that far-fetched.

Hopefully Blizzard will be able to fix the errors and the free weekend can roll out free of any problems for the rest of the weekend (and maybe Blizzard will even extend it as apologies), but for now Overwatch fans will have to watch and wait to see if the game gets fixed.

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SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Analysis – 8 January 2017

SSC CHSL Tier-I Exam Analysis – 8 January 2017

SSC CHSL Tier 1 Exam day 2 is over and as usual, we are ready with the detailed exam analysis.
As this exam was conducted online for the first time with the exam pattern similar to previous year.
There were four sections in the exams and the table below comprises of the overall assessment of the exam.

Section Good Attempts Level
English Language 16-17 Moderate-Difficult
Quantitative Aptitude 19-21 Easy-Moderate
General Intelligence 21-23 Easy
General Awareness 15-17 Easy-Moderate
Overall 79-82 Easy-Moderate

English Language

This section had the moderate questions with 4-5 reading comprehension passages. Students find error spotting test quite easy.
Topic No of Questions Level
Sentence Improvement 2-3 Moderate
Error Detection 2-3 Moderate
Idioms/Phrases 4-5 Easy-Moderate
Reading Comprehension  4-5 Moderate
Antonym/ Synonym 4 Easy-Moderate
One-word substitution 2-3 Easy-Moderate
Spelling check 2 easy
Fillers 5 Easy-Moderate
Total 25 Moderate-Difficult

Quantitative Aptitude

This section had some easy and some difficult questions as well. Students with strengthened
practice were not troubled but some students refrain themselves from solving some difficult questions because of the negative marking.

Topic No of Questions Level
S.I, Profit/Loss and Percentage 5 Easy
Mensuration 2-3 Easy- Moderate
Trigonometry 4-5 Easy-Moderate
Algebra 3 Easy-Moderate
Time and Work 2 Easy
Geometry 4-5 Moderate
Speed and Distance 1 Moderate
Average 1 Easy
DI  2 Easy
Total  25 Easy-moderate

General Intelligence

This section gave a relaxing feeling to the students because the questions were not too difficult and no question took more than 2 minutes to be solved.

Topic No of Questions Level
Logical 3-4 Easy
Matrix 1 Easy
Non-Verbal (water image/mirror image) 1 Easy
Odd one out 2-3 Easy-Moderate
Direction Sense Test 3 Easy-Moderate
Series (Number/Alpha Numeric) 10-12 Easy-Moderate
Miscellaneous 5 Moderate
Total  25 Easy

General Awareness

This section again was quite easy for the students and they were happy because this section is going to secure a lot of marks for them.

Topic No of Questions Level
History 2-3 Easy – Moderate
Geography 2-3 Moderate – Difficult
Polity 3 easy
Economics 3 Moderate – Difficult
General Science  5-6 Moderate – Difficult
Current Affairs 5-6 Easy – Moderate
Miscellaneous 5 Easy – Moderate
Total 25 Easy – Moderate

Overall the exam was not too tough and we wish all the aspirants a very good luck for the results.

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Sell your Car in the UAE without Making these Mistakes

Sell your Car in the UAE without Making these Mistakes

Selling a car in the UAE may not be a walk in the park. If sellers need a good deal and a worthy price against their used car, they would have to be vigilant and careful about the decisions they make immediately. Even though the used car market in the UAE is quite advanced and growing, but due to the increasing competition and various types of sellers and buyers, it can become a challenge.

If you are an individual who wants to sell your car in the market for the first time, you are bound to make certain mistakes. This is a common practice as people are not fully aware of the kind of situations they might just have to encounter, resulting in some monetary loss or no sales.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to avoid such mistakes. Careful planning and a little bit of sharpness are the key to avoiding major mistakes and sell your car in no time.

Here are some of the most frequent mistakes automobile sellers make and can easily be encountered.

Not getting your Car Prepped Pre-Sale

It is a tried and tested practice by buyers that they will always go for a product that has a nice aesthetic appeal. Similarly with cars, if they are going for a used one, they would rather lay their eyes on the one that appears brand new and then scrutinize the other aspects of the vehicle.

Keeping this in consideration, it’s important for sellers to get their vehicles washed and prepared before putting it up for sale. It also gives the buyer an impression that the owner takes care of the car, thus implicating a better performance and condition. Before you know, the buyer would actually be willing to offer more than what you might have expected against your used car.

So what aspects should you consider while getting the car prepared? First, get all that unnecessary rubbish out of the interior and thoroughly clean the insides. Get it smelling divine and the buyers would never want to let it go.

Next, give it to car maintenance checkup at a reliable auto mechanic shop. Make them to check all its vital components including the brake pads, engine oil, air filters and other such components that may help in making a significant impact on the vehicles performance.

Follow this with a car wash and make sure that the exterior is waxed in order to hide any imperfections. Furthermore, if you want your car to be immaculate during the sale process, you should consider detailing your car. It will ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Going to an Automobile Dealer Directly

Going to a dealership may be a viable option to sell a used car only if you yourself want to trade-in your car and know how to handle it. Other than that, they have a reputation for ripping off the customer through their clever tactics.

Most of the dealers prefer to lure the seller into getting a trade-in option, because they can maximize their profit. They would either offer a higher price for your used car along with lowering the price of the new car, or they will offer a higher discount on the new car while devaluing the price of the used car. With these methods, the car dealers are at an advantage as they are earning profit.

It’s critical to always keep the sale of a car separate from a purchase of a one. This way you will know how much you will be getting from the sale of your used car and how much you can negotiate the price.

Also read: How to Sell a Car Privately and Increase Your Profit

Using Online Classified Car Selling Websites

One of the popularly used method of selling a used car in the UAE is the online classified websites method. Despite its popularity, it’s the most common mistake first timers do. Although there are certain advantages of using these classifieds like free advertisement, it is still the most risky method that one can use.

High chances of risk involved is majorly due to the fact that these classified are mostly public forums. Any information provided on these websites is exposed to misuse. Also, you may encounter different types of fraudulent buyers that may appear genuine but at the end they may double cross you, without your knowledge.

If you really want to sell your car through the online method, it’s important that you consider the place and the way that you want to see your potential buyers. Never meet them alone or at an isolated place or even at your home address.

The highest risk involved in selling your used car through online classified websites is the payment risk. People offer numerous types of payment methods, not all of them may be secure enough or reliable enough. With the lack of check and balance, buyers can get away with such payment frauds and you are left with nothing.

Wrong Valuation of the Price

One of the most important aspects of selling a used car is getting it evaluated and setting a price at which you want to sell it. At times sellers set a wrong price against their car; its either too overvalued or undervalued resulting in no sales. What they usually do is take the asking price of a similar car from classified websites or ask dealerships to set a price that is often times devalued.

These mistakes are quite common among the sellers when it comes to setting a price for their used car. They fail to acknowledge the fact that each car has their own components that play a crucial part in setting their individualistic price.

In order to get a price for your car, you can always opt for an online car valuation calculator or take it to a car valuation specialist that can give an accurate depiction of your used car price.

Risky Payment Options

Last but not the least is the mistake of opting for unreliable and risky payment options. While selling a car in the UAE, it’s important that you make you settle for a buyer who is willing to transfer your dues immediately – no credit, and transfer the money through interbank transfer. Never consider taking cheques, cash installments or third party online payments as they are prone to default.

These are some of the common mistakes observed among car sellers who sell their car in the UAE along with the tips of how to avoid them and sell your used car smoothly.

If you are planning to sell your used car, remember that you can sell any car in any condition without any hassle to

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Friday, 31 October 2014

Electric Motors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019

The global electric motors market is expected to reach a value of $120.68 billion by 2019, at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2013 to 2019, according to a market research report "Electric Motors Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019". The report is published by U.S.-based market intelligence firm Transparency Market Research.

Browse the full Electric Motors Market (AC motors, DC motors, Hermetic motors) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019 report at

Worldwide, countries understand the importance of saving electricity, and thus invest heavily in the electric motors market. The global demand for energy efficient electric motors is increasing to high and premium efficiency motors. Various countries implement strict policies and regulations to deploy highly deserving electric motors for different applications. Also, along with the shift in trend, an increase in revenue towards investing in this market has highly motivated participants and other key manufacturers globally.
This research report studies the highlights, dynamics, and current trends encouraging and affecting the growth of this market. It also provides in-depth detailed information about the current trends and other efficient standards impacting the development of the electric motors market.

The market for electric motors is rising globally mainly due to the introduction of rising electricity prices and exacting electricity consumption standards. Additional factors driving the growth of the market are home appliances, rising production of vehicles, and other electric motor driven systems. Moreover, factors improving the efficiency of electric motors are standards implemented in designing and manufacturing energy electric motors. Nevertheless, high initial purchase cost and lack of awareness regarding the benefits of energy efficient electric motors are the prominent restraining factors cited in this market.

The electric motors market is segmented into AC motors, DC motors, and hermetic motors. Of the three, the AC motor segment is considered to be the largest product segment accounting for more than 80% of the total market shares in 2012. In succession to this segment, hermetic motor is the next rapidly growing market with approaching revenues through the estimated forecast period. The key element stirring the growth of this market is the rising demand for HVAC equipment. However, a rapid growth is also seen from the Integral horsepower (IHP) segment as industrial users are increasingly replacing conventional electric motors with energy efficient motors. Fractional horsepower motors are another class of electric motors that are utilized in applications consuming low voltage power (less than 1hp). In 2012, this motor segment accounted for nearly 70% shares in the overall market. The use of FHP motors is most commonly applicable in heating, low voltage automotive applications, office machinery, ventilating and cooling, and other industrial applications.

Furthermore, considering the electric motors market in terms of applications, the industry mainly includes HVAC equipment, aerospace, motor vehicles, industrial machinery, other transportation equipment, as well as commercial and home appliances and other service industries. Countries such as the U.S. and Europe are encouraging the use of IHP motors in industrial sectors and also influencing an early replacement of less efficient electric motors in the market.

According to the geographical analysis discussed in this report, Asia-Pacific is the fastest and the largest regional market in the global electric motors market. It accounted for about 66% of market shares in 2012, owing to rise in production of electric motor systems such as HVAC equipment, motor vehicles, and other household appliances. The major countries in Asia-Pacific including India, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea are primary contributors to the growing global electric motor market.

Nonetheless, Europe and North America are predicted to witness slow growth in the near future. This is because electronic appliances and motor vehicles manufacturers are shifting their manufacturing industries to emerging countries in Asia, especially in China and India.

Browse all Semiconductor & Electronics Market Research Reports @

About Us
Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We are privileged with highly experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information.

Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Thursday, November 30, 2006

Ideas and Attention:

It used to be about getting your "15 minutes of fame"

Now it seems like its all about making your point in "30 seconds of attention"

I found a great site called Presentation Zen. Very useful for site design, presentations, video, etc.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Messaging: Part II Community Around Communication

In Part I, I talked about the nature of our symbolic communication. And the origins of our messaging. Well, there is also a set of communication that imparts feedback and context to a communication and to a conversation.

This set of communication is the sense that others are involved with us in real time in the communication. Some startups are addressing this opportunity through embeddable widgets. That's probably why MyBlogLog is rumored to be in talks with Yahoo to be acquired.

Right now, the web and blogs and social media feel somewhat asynchronous. There's real opportunity on making the experience a shared social experience. Right now, most blog/social media experiences for users, just like you reading this right now, give the user a somewhat alone experience.

In our effort to expand out of connected aloneness, its important to do that. The current experience is like going to a concert or sporting event and watching the stage but looking at it through a straw with barriers that shut out the other audience. You know there's other people around but you can't sense them.

Take a look at this recent video. Which is quite funny! And notice the effect of the "laughtrack" on its effect on your experience.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Messaging: Part I Communication and Language

I've been thinking about the nature of the internet and communications. I've got a lot of stuff to post. But I am going to break it down into a series of posts. This is my first in a multi-part series on messaging and humans.

Part I Communication and Language

When I was an undergrad at MIT, I had a "humanities" minor in computational linguistics. It was really interesting. Noam Chomsky led the thinking about linguistics at MIT. Noam's ideas about linguistics and politics seem to be uncorrelated. But they are one in the same. Another thought leader in communications, Jaron Lanier, was my boss at VPL Research, where he coined the term virtual reality. I had lots of interesting discussions over years with Jaron about symbolic communication.

Basically, symbolic communication has to do with the observation that all spoken and written language are composed of symbols. Symbols that represent the physical, visceral, conceptual and emotional human experiences. These experiences have components that tend to repeat and be shared across humans. We share these components by physically producing them as sounds and written words. In effect, these words and language as symbolic communication are a form of a lossy compression algorithm. That's right. This post. You talking to a friend. Language is just a lossy compression algorithm to represent these experiences.

Human culture has driven lots of microcultures. Each with their own language. Each with their own lossy compression algorithm. Over time, languages are subject to Darwinian competition, just like physical organisms. Just like companies in a capitalistic society. Capitalism has spread English as the business dominant language. It's basically the dominant protocol/format for the algorithm.

How did this start? First, as humans we used sounds which were probably composed of 1 or 2 sounds. Basic sounds to represent basic experiences. These sounds were probably utterances that we used to communicate with our tribe members. And they were short in order to get the point across and not be confused. Over time, syllables and phonemes were added to these utterances to build longer words and more narrow experiences. Perhaps narrow experiences shared by a subset of people.

And then with the advent of writing and print, written language took off.

Why are the most popular website domain names a few syllables? Probably because they are easy to remember. And communicate. Just like those early utterances.

So, in essence all of our written and spoken language is a sequence of symbols. Like the ones you are reading right this instance. And you can now see that language is basically a lossy compression algorithm for communicating experiences. Maybe that's why it is so easy to misunderstand what people say. And why its so powerful to have the internet now. Because our symbolic communication can be shared with 6 billion humans.

Thinking of langauge has also helped me see that distinct terminology can be used almost like codewords to identify who is in your tribe. And who isn't. Maybe that's why its so important to certain groups of people to make their members speak like they do. And enforce the correct usage of those symbols. Basically, language is being used as code for group formation of individuals. And to identify with a group. And to identify who is in the group. And who isn't. New groups need new codewords so that the members feel distinct and part of a new self-contained group. These new groups form from the burgeoning need of humans to continue to form identity and differentiate from each other. This leads to the constant creation of new words. New slang. New terms. Forever.

Everyone has had the experience of hearing a word that they are not used to. And wondering what it is. A lot of people call that slang. A lot of people call that terminology. And then when you hear an explanation of what that term or slang means, its a pretty simple concept that was just symbolically compressed into that word, which sounds like a codeword for a group that you don't know.

So, language as a lossy compression algorithm to share experiences. Language as a code to build "tribes."

In my next post, I'll write about how language has been used in different hubs over the millenia. And how we are at the biggest change in communication since we first started speaking to one another in our own local tribe.

Thursday, November 02, 2006

CRV QuickStart: Clarity on What it is

My firm Charles River Ventures announced yesterday a program to help entrepreneurs get a cool idea off the ground called QuickStart.

There's been a tremendously positive reaction. We also noticed that there was some confusion about what it is. So let me clear things up a bit.

1) What is QuickStart?
QuickStart is a seed funding program whereby CRV will invest $250K in a promising new startup in the form of a loan to the starutp.

2) What kind of a loan is it? And who is the loan to?
The loan is a convertible note made to the entrepreneur's company. It is unsecured debt. If the company goes out of business, the entrepreneur is not personally liable in any way. The purpose of the loan is to get the entrepreneur up and running and proving out their concept quickly

3) Why is it a loan?
Well, because entrepreneurs started asking us for their seed funding to be a loan. The advantage of the loan is that it allows the entrepreneur to keep the entire equity of the company for themselves as they prove out their concept. There is no equity dilution for taking the loan.

It is also a simple 2 page loan that is easy to understand. And it is fast. There is no need to go out and convince and negotiate the "valuation" of the company for the entrepreneur. This allows for the entrepreneur to quickly get operating and prove out the concept in a stealthy way.

4) If the entrepreneur wanted the seed funding of QuickStart to be seed equity instead of seed loan could they do that with CRV?

YES, totally up to the entrepreneur. We are just offering another option.

5)Why is CRV doing this?
Because entrepreneurs kept asking us for this and we realized the whole startup funding market was entering a new long term trend. A trend where with $250K an entrepreneur could build out and prove a concept.

We believe that there is heightened experimentation on the part of entrepreneurs and we want to support as broad a landscape of entrepreneurship in these projects that are "capital light." We realize that QuickStart could be viewed as disruptive to the business model of seed equity angel investors who traditionally ask entrepreneurs to dilute their stock during the seed phase. We didn't set out on purpose to disrupt anyone's business model. All we are doing is moving in the direction of the entrepreneurs' needs to get concepts out and tested quickly in a way that is palatable to the entrepreneur.

6) If this is so great for entrepreneurs, what is the benefit to CRV? In exchange for giving $250K as a loan to the company what does CRV get?
Very simply, CRV gets the right to participate equally with other equity investors IF and WHEN the entrepreneur decides they want to raise a Series A equity round.

7) Assuming the entrepreneur accepts the $250K QuickStart convertible loan, what are their obligations to CRV?
The obligation is a right for CRV to participate in the first EQUITY round (Series A) with other investors on an equal basis. On our website, we state that we have a right to participate in 50% of the Series A equity round. Frankly, we said that as most Series A investments have 2 venture firms as investors. And we'd like to be 1 of the 2. Thus 50% of the Series A round. But if the entrepreneur wants more than 2 firms, all we are asking for is the right to participate equally with other investors in that first Series A.

8) Who controls the size, timing, valuation, etc. of the Series A equity round? The entrepreneur does. CRV claims no right at all here. We believe that the entrepreneur has the right to go to the free market and suggest the size of Series A they want to raise. At the time they want to raise it. At the valuation they are seeking. From whatever investors they want.

9) Will CRV help me in raising Series A?
If the entrepreneur asks us to, we are happy to introduce the company to quality investors that we know and trust.

10) Why is CRV charging interest on the loan?
Because we have to per IRS rules regarding loans. We have ZERO desire to operate as a bank. We are not in business to make money directly on these loans. Our hope is that the company does super well and we can convert the loan into equity. And participate in the growth of the company. That's what we'd like to do.

11) What is the "discount" on the seed loan mean?
The discount is a discount on the conversion price of the seed loan. That discount would get applied only if and when an equity round is raised. And the discount is only applied to the seed loan portion ($250K) of the future series A equity round. The example on QuickStart shows an example of this. It is definitely not interest and does not get paid out if a Series A equity round is never raised.

11) What happens if the company never raises a Series A and is acquired before raising equity?
That's ok with us. We ask that the loan be paid back at the time of acquisition.

12) Can the entrepreneur include other investors in the seed round?

Yes. We are happy to include other investors in the seed round if the entrepreneur wants to include them. We aren't doing this to block other investors out. We are doing this to participate in new, really exciting concepts that are sprouting all over. So if inclined, other investors including angel investors can join in the seed round if the entrepreneur wants.

13) Will CRV continue their traditional venture investing?
Yes. All we are doing is extending our offering to cover the new reality and new marketplace.

The benefit to CRV is that CRV will get to participate in a lot of really exciting startups in a way that is good for CRV and good for the entrepreneur at the same time. We are just evolving and changing with what the market needs and wants. That's why we are doing this!