Issue 003 August 2021
NOT JUST
ANOTHER
NEWSLETTER
Welcome! Hello and welcome to the August issue of Tamimi Gram. Here is your regular dose of getting to know your colleagues, feeling more connected and learning about each other.
In this issue, Randa Fakhoury answers her 21 questions and Dalia Hassan is in the “Meet at Tamimi” hot seat answering quick-fire questions. A colleague take us on a journey of where they’re from, and there are health and fitness tips from a former Latin Dancing Champion!! There’s more… This month we have two recipes for you, a delicious banana bread recipe and Vietnamese spring rolls, guaranteed to make you hungry. In our recommendations and reviews section we share with you a New Orleans playlist, and we are taken on a tour of Croatia. Happy reading J The Tamimi Gram working group
WHAT’S INSIDE 4
21 Questions with Randa Fakhoury
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Meet at Tamimi
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Did you know…
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Where I am from…
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New joiners and saying goodbye
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Health and fitness tips: Q&A with Janet Gooi
14 Tamimi Baking 17
Recommendations & review
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Extraordinary stories
20 My Travel: Croatia 22 Guess the jurisdiction / Lol
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This month in the 21 questions hot seat is Randa Fakhoury. Get to know Randa better, from her favourite movie, to what’s her morning routine. Randa was brave enough to face the camera and answer all her questions! These 21 Questions are worth a watch. Enjoy!
Randa Fakhoury Questions with
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What kind of music do you like? Classic Arabic Music. Do you have any hidden talents and hobbies? Excessive passion for reading in the Paranoiac Civilization. Are you a sports fan, who are your favorite teams? I watch various sports in general.
Have you ever met someone famous? Yes I have met Amr Diab in a university concert in the old days. What show are you currently binge watching? “Suits” series and thanks to Al Tamimi for this. Are you excited to move to Port Said? Did you visit the office there before? I am indeed excited for the new chapter of my life and career. The 1st reason why I need to relocate there is in the attached photo.
What’s something you find challenging about your work? Making the true change, although I have not been on a managerial position. Do you have any phobias? No.
I have not visited the office yet and can’t wait to do so.
If you could play an instrument, what would it be? I love the Guitar and never had the chance to play it, but I made this up with my daughter. She is now an amazing Guitar player. How would your friends describe you? Passionate.
Dalia Hassan Admin Assistant
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DID YOU KNOW THAT
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France’s longest land border is in Brazil No, it’s not that we’re bad at geography, but perhaps there’s a bit of a catch with this fun fact about the world. Brazil and France share a 673kilometre border thanks to French Guiana – something you probably didn’t know about these countries!
Going to prison for cheating during an exam The world is full of strange laws that may surprise you if you’ve never heard of them before. Did you know that cheating on an exam in Bangladesh is punishable by imprisonment? I’m sure this fun fact will make people think twice before taking a “cheat” test.
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Moon First, Luggage Second Hard to believe, but it's true. There was a man on the moon (1969) BEFORE there were wheels on a suitcase (1970).
Sudan has the most pyramids in the world (not Egypt)
Egypt and pyramids are almost synonymous, but did you know there are pyramids in Sudan too? Nubia, a region in Sudan, has 255 pyramids — twice the number in Egypt! After ruling Egypt’s 25th dynasty, the Nubian pharaohs fled to Sudan and formed the Kushite kingdom, incorporating the Egyptian culture in their new city. The Nubian pyramids aren’t as widely visited as those in Egypt. So chances are you’ll have the pyramids all to yourself!
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Birmingham by Shahida Khalid, Business Development & Marketing Manager
I am a born and bred ‘Brummie’ – that’s what us folk from Birmingham, UK are called however my origins lie within a remote part of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan called ‘Bagh’ so I thought I would do a 2-in-1 style segment to give you a snapshot of my two favourite parts of the world. Birmingham
Birmingham is often referred to as the second city of the United Kingdom. It is actually the second largest city and metropolitan area in England but also happens to be the greenest! We have over 600 parks and the largest urban park in Europe. Anyone that wants a balance between city life and country life surprisingly Birmingham is the answer.
Where to go?
Birmingham has many fun things to do, there is the obvious choice of visiting the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, located in the famous Chamberlain Square. The architecture of the building alone is beautiful but it also boasts a great selection of fine art, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery and artefacts from the strong industrial background of Birmingham. For the chocolate lovers, Birmingham is also the land of Cadbury! A quick 13 minute train journey from Birmingham New Street station and you can go spend day at Cadbury World, which – you can have a tour of the chocolate factory, there is an amusement park inside and the most incredible chocolate shop. I have seen people leave with kilos worth of chocolate for less than 100dhs! 8
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Fan of Peaky Blinders? Then you must know that the popular show is set in post war Birmingham. You can actually go on a Peaky Blinders tour and visit up to 10 locations where the show is filmed. Shopping! We all know London is the one of the shopping hubs of the world however, central Birmingham offers 2 great malls, Bullring and Mailbox – all the major brands are their ranging from Primark all the way to Louis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols. All without having to tackle the underground. Now if you are in the market for something more sparkly, Birmingham city centre also has Europe’s largest cluster of jewellery businesses in the aptly named Jewellery Quarter. Surrounded by over 250 years of history with its 200 listed buildings, JQ offers access to 700 jewellers and independent retailers, so I would say is a must on any Brum visit.
Bagh Azad Kashmir
A stone’s throw away from one of the most conflicted borders in history (India/Pakistan), Bagh sits in ‘Azad Kashmir’, which literally translates to the ‘free’ part of Pakistanioccupied Kashmir.
What to eat?
Bagh district is located about 4 hours NorthEast of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It is a mountainous heavily forested part of the world, where in order to get to from one place to another you have to hike! Although there is road infrastructure, it is limited to the peaks of the hill areas to try to conserve the nature as much as possible.
Similar to Dubai, Birmingham is home to a very ethnically diverse population, which means we have access to some of the best cuisines in the world right at our doorstep. Birmingham (and its surrounding areas) is home to 10 Michelin stars, the most popular are Purnell’s, Simpsons, Carters, Opheem and – if you’re prepared to head just outside the city – Peel’s. A firm favourite of mine is Adam’s in New Oxford House on Waterloo St (again in the City Centre), which serves a contemporary British cuisine - I would recommend the blackened monkfish! On the other end of the scale, is a personal favourite (I am bias, John is my uncle), is Big John’s fast food chain, it sells British classics such as fish and chips, pies and burgers – all the things that taste fantastically greasy! Another great find is the Haberno Mexican food van (they’re opening a café soon) – they sell amazing burritos with the yummiest freshly made sauces. As it a food van, it travels so I would check their location on Twitter (@HabernoCafe)! Now let’s hop on over to the other side of the world.
Where to go?
A large part of my visits involves visiting family and friends however the beauty of this part of the world is unparalleled so sight-seeing and hiking is a must. I have always used Pakistan Tour & Travel to book my trips so would 100% recommend them.
Neelum Valley If you are in Azad Kashmir, you must visit upper Neelum valley situated alongside Neelum river! Located in the Neelum district, which is northernmost of 10 districts located within the Azad Kashmir. It is breathtakingly beautiful; you can visit the multiple peaks, waterfalls and lakes that run through the area. ‘Tao But’ is probably the last hill on most tours and remains the most untouched, the people who live there (in these modest wooden/thatched homes) are the most hospitable people I have come across in my life and so happy to be living their simple yet wholesome lives! If you go as a large group, there are water sport operators that offer boat tours and kayaking.
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Ganga Choti
Ganga Choti is a peak near Bagh, another area of lush green lands however due to its proximity to the ‘city’ and a relevant easy hike to get to the peak is a great spot for a family picnic/ BBQ. There are many houses and hotels that you can rent out for a reasonable rate and make it in to a staycation!
2. Chapli kebab This may not be Kashmir specific however super popular, it is essentially a flattened deep fried burger patty with the most incredible spice mix. The meat is quite fatty so the patty is extremely tender, a must try for a meat lover but definitely not one for a calorie counter.
In a recent visit, a local family has opened up a small horse riding club however I would only recommend this for those with some experience and I am not sure how qualified of an instructor the owners are!
3. Goshtaba Probably the most famous Kashmiri curry, and often served at Kashmiri weddings. It is a slow cooked meatball/kofta dish served in creamy yet spicy and usually eaten with a tandoor naan.
What to eat?
Everyone knows that Pakistani/Indian cuisine is popular worldwide therefore instead of restaurant recommendations; I would love to suggest certain foods that need to be tried when in Kashmir. Word of warning - although it’s full of greenery Kashmir is a vegans nightmare 1. Kashmiri Kulcha (with Kashmiri pink tea) Kashmiri Chai is the most famous beverage that comes from the Kashmir region, it has a distinct pink hue and is often slightly salty – it takes forever to make so I often stick to PG Tips. However, the one thing my mum doesn’t leave Kashmir without is 5kg of Kashmir kulchas. It is a dry pastry style biscuit that is broken in to a mug of tea and eaten with a spoon. Sounds bizarre, taste better than it sounds - most locals eat this for breakfast.
4. Daal Maash This is my favourite thing to eat when I cannot handle any more meat, always served in roadside traveler restaurants called ‘dhabas’. It is a quick and simple dish made ivory white colored lentil made with lashing of butter topped with coriander and onions. Funnily enough, locals usual enjoy this as a side dish to their chicken/ meat mains. I hope you enjoyed a tour of my two favorite places. Shahida
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NEW JOINERS SAYING GOODBYE AND
Al Tamimi & Company have a very spectacular image outside the firm’s boarders. Since day one in the UAE I knew that I would be very grateful if I found an opportunity here, and here we are! I joined the firm because this is the best team/environment ever which you can keep up your skills, learn and develop on a very crazy curve!
It was a great pleasure to join Al Tamimi & Company. One of my main motives for joining was my entire desire to develop my performance and work more professionally through a reputable organization that values and respects the work and the time value. In the beginning, I was having a little apprehensive because of the difference between the work system in Al Tamimi & Company and the places I worked in before. However, with time, this fear disappeared and I become able to deal with this difference and work more comfortably.. Hatem Elkatan Senior Associate
The first impression was just "WOW"! Am happy that am here really. Ahmed Nageeb IT Helpdesk Analyst
We also welcome the following to the firm: Omar Al Bakri, Associate (transfer from Jordan to Dubai) Jennifer Leader , Senior Associate Jessica Saleh, Human Resources MIS Administrator Mohamad Yassine, Secretary Mohamed Abdelazim Tawfik, Senior Associate
Farewell lunch was hosted for Ruta Gothoskar. We wish her all the best for the future.
Hana El Omla, Associate Kamal Nabil, IT Helpdesk Analyst Mohamed Abouakl, Associate (first few months in Egypt) MohamedJamal Elsourani, Bids Executive (Consultant)
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Health and fitness
Q&A with
Janet We understand that in a former life you tripped the light fantastic with very marked success – can you tell us more about that ? Before the lawyering life began, I was very much into competitive Latin dancing. I was the 9-time national Latin dance champion in Malaysia and represented Malaysia in many international Latin dance competitions. I won the bronze medal in the South East Asian Games, and also danced in the World Games (where all the non-Olympic sports were featured) and the Asian Indoor Games. More recently, we hear that you are a budding triathlete – how’s that going ? It’s going great - I finished top 12 in my age group in the most recent triathlon. Once the new triathlon season starts in the UAE, I’ll be looking to do longer triathlon distances, and eventually Ironman 70.3 races. I am always “tri”-ing (excuse the pun ;) ) to improve my personal bests! What other sports and fitness activities do you engage in ? I enjoy pure road cycling and trail running – nothing beats the feeling of freedom and adventure of being outdoors! To supplement my sports training, I regularly practise pilates, which is great for core strength and body alignment. 12
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Gooi Senior Associate, Tax
With such a varied and accomplished sporting background, and in particular juggling this with the rigours of your case load, what top 5 health and fitness tips would you recommend for your colleagues?
Top 5 health and fitness tips 1.
Do what you love! Staying fit doesn’t have to be a chore. Whether it’s hitting the gym, yoga by the beach or playing football, you’re more likely to stick to your workout when you are enjoying yourself. Dancing is my passion – there was never a moment I’ve dreaded when dancing.
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Find out your “why” – What is your motivation for working out? Setting realistic goals and achieving them goes a long way in keeping yourself focused on your health and fitness journey.
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Consistency is key - Make it a priority to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise every day. It’s better than doing one long rigorous workout only once a week. I know – it’s easier said than done, especially when our jobs are so demanding. I usually try to work out early in the morning and find that I’m more productive and instantly energised after that.
4. Work out with your friends / community – Dial up the fun by working out with your friends, colleagues or a local sports community. It is a great way to bond and socialise! I have made many lifetime friends through my dancing and cycling circles. 5.
Eat, hydrate and sleep well – You are what you eat! On top of the obvious health benefits, having the right nutrition and hydration will boost the performance of your workout. Sufficient sleep is important recovery for your body.
Call to action!! Your exercise stories
We all know the benefits of regular exercise. Sometimes it is hard to find a balance between work and sports but the balance is important for many obvious reasons. Some people are very good at keeping a healthy exercise routine and some need a little push in the back. In every edition of Tamimi Gram we focus on fitness and give you tips on the things you can do to keep fit. In this edition we actually have a challenge and a call to action to get as many people as possible moving with us. For next month’s newsletter, we would like to feature YOUR exercise stories. What do you do to keep fit, how and how often do you do it? Send us pictures of your yoga poses, of you drinking your favorite protein shake, cycling across the track, swimming in the ocean or pool, running, tennis, dancing, golf, etc. Anything that keeps you fit we would like to feature to inspire others. Don’t feel embarrassed about sharing pictures, we’re all doing the same and it’s not a beauty contest, but inspiring others to move with you.
The fitness groups are set out below:
Football Tennis
Basketball Golf
Please share your pictures with tamimigramwg@tamimi.com before 15 September. In addition to these fitness stories we also call sports enthusiasts to come forward if they have an interest in any of the below exercise groups. Depending on the interest for this, we will help to bring people with likeminded sports interests together to exercise together and perhaps even enter competitions. This will be across the region.
Running
Cycling
All you need to do is: 1.
send an email to tamimigramwg@tamimi.com
2.
select your fitness group (you can select more than one)
3.
share your desired location (locations in which we have offices)
4. we will collate the responses and share the result and next steps with you.
Swimming
Walking
Other, please name
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Tamimi
Baking
by Areen Quraishi Talent, Resourcing & Engagement Manager
Banana Bread
Ingredients
Preparation
3 ripe bananas 75 g melted butter 85g – 100 g cup sugar 1 egg (beaten) 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda 185g cup all-purpose flour Pinch of salt ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate) also good with peanut butter chips. • ½ cup chopped walnuts or Pecans
• Preheat oven to 180C and grease a loaf pan • In a bowl mash the bananas with a fork until smooth. • In a mixer/ bowl cream the butter and sugar • Add in the mashed bananas and combine • Add in the vanilla, baking soda, salt , flour & egg and mix until the batter is smooth. I prefer alternating the flour and egg so the mixture doesn’t split/curdle • Fold in the chocolate chips & nuts until combined • Pour mixture into greased loaf tin, top with chocolate chips/nuts (optional) • Bake for 50 – 60 minutes until toothpick comes out clean • Cool before serving if you can I prefer having a warm slice with a cup of coffee!
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Enjoy! *tips if you see the mixture split, add in a tablespoon of flour until smooth again. Do not over beat/mix the mixture. 14 Tamimi gram
Vietnamese Fresh spring rolls by Judy Maung Secretary, Corporate Commercial
I have always enjoyed Vietnamese food and the amazingly fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn) are one of my favorites. They are healthy, easy to make and full of flavor. Preparation time
Preparation time
Ingredients
Instructions
• 2 ½ ounces rice vermicelli
1.
Prepare and chop all vegetables and herbs
• 10 x rice paper/rice wrappers for the outer shell of the spring rolls (Banh Trang brand) (8.5 inch diameter or whichever size you prefer) • 8 large cleaned shrimp, cut in half
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Boil the rice vermicelli noodles for about 5-8 mins until cooked thoroughly Cook the shrimp in boiling water, have them cool down in a bowl of ice or at room temperature
30 mins for 10 servings
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves • 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro • 3 leaves chopped or bite size lettuce • 2 medium julienne size cucumbers • 2 medium julienne size carrots • Finely chopped chills (if you like it spicy)
5 Mins for the Shrimp and rice vermicelli
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4. Work with 1 rice wrapper at a time, dip it in warm water enough to cover whole rice wrapper for only 1-3 seconds max (just until soft enough). Lay wrapper on a flat work surface. The water must always be warm so you will need to change water when it becomes cold. I. Lay a lettuce leaf horizontally on the bottom half of the moistened rice wrapper. II.
III.
Dipping Sauce • 3 tablespoons of hoisin sauce (flying goose Vietnamese brand preferred) • 2 tablespoons of finely chopped peanuts • 1 tablespoon peanut butter • 3-4 teaspoons Apple cider Vinegar
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Place several strands of noodles, cucumber, mint, basil, cilantro, lettuce, carrots and some green chilli (if you like it spicy). Try to balance up horizontally. Remember not to overstuff the rolls, otherwise the wrapper will tear. Fold in the sides of the rice paper, lift the bottom edge of the rice paper, carefully place over the noodles and other ingredients, then put 2-3 halves shrimps on top, then roll to form a tight cylinder.
Place the prepared rolls, seam side down, on a platter and garnish the plate with any remaining herbs.
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My Playlist: New Orleans by Michael Citrome, Senior Associate, Tax
Founded in 1718 as a French colony, New Orleans, Louisiana did not become part of the United States until 1803, and has maintained a distinct culture that gave birth to not just Jazz music, but also distinct and influential styles of the Blues, R&B, Hip Hop and more. It’s impossible to compile a playlist of essential New Orleans music, because the songs would run into the hundreds, but here is a dirty dozen of my favorites, across decades and styles.
The Crave
Jelly Roll Morton (1923) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkGjDbKauVo : Born Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe to a mixed-race Creole family around 1890, Jelly Roll legendarily began his music career playing piano in bordellos, a secret he kept from his religious grandmother. He’d go on to bridge ragtime into jazz, with a “Spanish tinge” drawn from Cuban music. He died in 1941 from complications from a stabbing 3 years earlier. Most of his recordings have been re-released by the Library of Congress, despite suggestive lyrics that are still raunchy a century later.
Potato Head Blues
Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five (1927) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udWB3OKV9 _k : It’s not an exaggeration to say that Louis Armstrong may have invented jazz in the 1920s. A trumpet player with a distinctive gravelly voice, Armstrong’s career spanned decades and was a prominent Black celebrity at a time when America was deeply segregated. Improvised solos and scat singing are among Armstrong’s innovations. His earliest recordings, made in Chicago and New York, still sound fresh today and continue to influence musicians.
I’m a King Bee
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Slim Harpo (1957) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWLvm11MAaM: Slim Harpo sang the blues and played the harmonica. His recordings were commercially-successful, but his influence on UK rock bands like the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Yardbirds and Them was far greater than his own audience. I’m a King Bee was the basis for the Saturday Night Live sketch that became the Blues Brothers franchise. Unable to making a living from the blues, Slim Harpo left music to go into the trucking business and died at 46 of an apparent heart attack in 1970 before ever touring Europe.
Iko Iko
The Dixie Cups (1965) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuC519ni1aE: A “Girl Group” from New Orleans that had chart-topping hits produced by Phil Spector in the early 60s, The Dixie Cups were lightweight pop in a Motown mold, and didn’t know they were being recorded when they sang Iko Iko a capella, punctuated by moans, which overdubbed with sparse bass and percussion, was a major hit despite its incomprehensible-to-mostpeople lyrics. Also known as Jock-a-Mo, Iko Iko is a traditional song about Mardi Gras Indians, secret societies who mock-battle on Mardi Gras in elaborately-beaded and sequined costumes. Iko Iko was later a hit for the Belle Stars and Cyndi Lauper and remains a pop standard.
Right Place
Wrong Time – Dr. John (1973) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zPqgQ67yo Born Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. and known as the Night Tripper, Dr. John made several albums of psychedelic-rock-flavored R&B with a voodoo theme in the 1960s. In 1973, he released In The Right Place, an album produced by legendary New Orleans songwriter, performer and arranger Allen Toussaint, and backed by the Meters, the band synonymous with New Orleans funk, the top musicians of the era. It was a hit, and Dr. John performed songs from it in Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz concert documentary.
Buona Sera
Louis Prima (1956) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwDP_NYYa4c Between the middle of the 19th century and the first world war, tens of thousands of Sicilians immigrated to Louisiana. Louis Prima was the descendant of Sicilian immigrants, and his distinctive New Yorkish “yat” accent was pure New Orleans. His recordings in the 1950s and 1960s were major hits, and accompanied by sax player Sam Butera defined a style of Italian-influenced improvised R&B that’s part tarantella and part juke joint. Prima unforgettably played King Louie in Disney’s animated The Jungle Book (1967). He was married five times and died in 1975 at 67 after decades of performing in Las Vegas, sometimes in the company of Frank Sinatra.
Tootie Ma
Preservation Hall Jazz Band (2012) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfGyIOUGkrM The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has played daily in its eponymous 19thcentury French Quarter building since the 1960s. Some of the rotating cast of musicians are in their 80s, and the music is exclusively acoustic traditional jazz, sometimes called Dixieland. This live performance of Creole Jazz standard Tootie Ma features the son of the band’s founder Larry Borenstein on tuba. Singer-songwriter Tom Waits previously performed and recorded this same song accompanied by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band in 2010 – it was released exclusively on a 78 RPM phonograph record.
The Fat Man
Fats Domino (1949) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIz1cPfTRW4 With his piano-playing skill, genial demeanour and soulful voice, Fats Domino was an early superstar of rock and roll, deeply influencing the Beatles, and with his music’s shuffling beat, sowing the seeds for Jamaican Ska and its offshoots Rocksteady and Reggae. The Fat Man sold over a million copies, and may be the first rock and roll single, even if at that time it was just rhythm and blues. Despite its comedic tone, the song is an adaptation of the traditional song Junker Blues, first recorded by barrelhouse blues pianist Champion Jack Dupree – in the lingo of the day, a junker was someone who used hard drugs, and the original refers to needles and cocaine.
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Ooh Poo Pah Doo
Jesse Hill (1960) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qhxE5z9xRI A wild R&B single produced by Allen Toussaint and based around an intro by bandleader and arranger Dave Bartholomew, this Mardi Gras classic sold over 800,00 copies and was recorded by engineer Cosimo Matassa, who was in the booth for almost every significant New Orleans R&B record from the 1950s to his retirement in the 1980s to run his family’s grocery store business. Covered over 100 times, Ooh Poo Pah Doo was the template for the sound later to be called garage rock – its writer and performer, Jesse Hill, died of heart and kidney failure at 63 and was buried in a pauper’s grave.
Bling Bling
B.G. f. Big Tymers & Hot Boyz (1999) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FnRnKHS5ds Baby Gangsta, born Christopher Noel Dorsey, grew up in a shotgun house in the 13th ward of New Orleans. He began rapping as a teenager and was signed to Ca$h Money records, a local label that defined the dirty south style of hip hop. Although B.G. didn’t invent the phrase “Bling Bling”, which is onomatopoeia of the imaginary sound of light reflecting off ostentatious diamond jewellery, he popularized it enough with the song he recorded at 18 that it entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2002. In 2012, B.G. was sentenced to 14 years in prison for gun possession and witness tampering.
Big Chief
Professor Longhair (1964) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbolafCdcqY Born Henry Roeland "Roy" Byrd, the Professor Longhair, first recorded his personal style of Latin-influenced piano blues, incorporating whistling and kicking the piano for percussion, under the inexplicable pseudonym of the Shuffling Hungarians. Legend has it that he learned to play on an instrument missing keys, leading to his unique sound. “Rediscovered” in the 1970s after abandoning music to become a school janitor, he toured and recorded extensively until his sudden death in 1980 at 61. Big Chief, one of his best, is another Mardi Gras Indian-themed composition.
Marie Laveau
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Papa Celestin’s New Orleans Band (1954) https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Z5FIV5kmSe0 By the time it was recorded, this bone-chilling classic about a “conjure lady” and “voodoo queen” was already an antiquity, rooted in the Dixieland style of a few decades earlier. With a long career that began with pre-Jazz traditional brass bands, but relatively few recordings, Oscar Phillip “Papa” Celestin was an enormously popular nightclub bandleader on Bourbon Street. A raucous dirge, few recordings compare to this one, ending with a matter-of-fact spoken “that’s it” - Celestin died months after and 4,000 people marched in his funeral parade.
Coffee with His Highness
Extraordinary stories by Saquib Malik, IT Security Manager
Long before joining the firm, I read a book written by His Highness (HH) the ruler of Dubai called ‘My Vision’. I finished that book and was privy to a small typo in the book. If I ever met HH, I would share my views on the book and with know-it-all-ish smugness point out the typo, maybe even be appreciated for the eagle-eyed reviewer that I was. The lucky moment presented itself around 7:30PM one a weekday when I saw HH make his way towards gate 5. What do you say to the ruler of Dubai when you meet him? I managed to say ‘Hi’ while closing in from his right side. All the praises I had, for the way this emirate had developed and continued, rushed to my mind, but wait! I had also read his book, and there was the thing (the typo) I knew, which probably, no else one knew. In those fleeting microseconds, my beautiful mind short-listed messages, picked one, compressed it from “I read your book and I loved everything about it. Some of the changes to Dubai mentioned in it were experienced by me first-hand. There was a mistake in the book but it actually did not change anything” to a very brief version and clicked ‘upload’.
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What came out was: “Err your book, it was a mistake.” HH turned to look at his right side but not at me, indicating the conversation was over. I wake up sometimes, in the early hours and play this entire memory differently every time, suppressing what actually happened. Sometimes my feedback is appreciated over a cup of coffee but mostly, I am happy with an ending where I do not embarrass myself by forgetting how to speak…Idiot!!
The Republic of Croatia (officially known as Republika Hrvatska) is a member of the European Union located in the Balkans in Southeast Europe on the stunning Adriatic Sea. Almost 90% of the population is Croat and there are also Serbian, Bosnian, Hungarian and Italian minorities. Tourism is a major component of the Croatian economy and its easy to see why given the stunning scenery and touristic sights across the country. One of the unique things about Croatia is the high proportion of family owned guest houses, apartments and bed and breakfast establishments that offer tourists are more unique and local option compared to the usual Hotel chains typical across most of Europe. Probably the most stunning feature of Croatia is the extensive coastline stretching over 4000 km that incorporates huge array of islands, cliffs and amazing beaches. The Adriatic Sea glistens with crystal clear turquoise water that is perfect for beach activities and island hopping. If you are a fan of football, Croatians take great pride in their national football team.
TRA
Croa
by Judy Maung, Secretary
Recommendations Zagreb – the largest and most populated city in Croatia. Zagreb is a city with a rich history dating from the Roman times. There is an upper and lower town in Zagreb. Its Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is a network of little streets that stretch between two hills: Kaptol and Gradec. This is where most of the cities tourist sights and charm are located, such as an array of eateries and coffee shops and points of interest including the central old town square (Trg Jelacica), the historic Dolac market where local producers and farmers sell amazingly fresh food (try the incredible cherries), St Mark’s Church, Kamenita Vrata (Stone gate), and the cathedral (Kaptol). Zagreb's Lower Town is devoted to businesses, art and spacious parks. Most Zagreb hotels and shopping are in the Lower Town. Tip: Stay in the charming upper town.
An easy two hours’ drive from Zagreb lies the UNESCO World Heritage site - the astonishing Plitvice Lakes. The lake system incorporates a series of interconnected lakes at differing levels, connected by cascading waterfalls and surrounded by lush, green and dense forest. The upper lakes were formed on impermeable dolomite rock and are larger, with more indented and gentler shores than the Lower Lakes. The Lower Lakes were formed in permeable limestone substrate, cut into a deep canyon with steep cliffs. The lakes end in the impressive waterfalls with the Korana River springing under the base of the falls. The entire park is surrounded by a wooden boardwalk allowing visitors to easily walk around the lakes and get up close to the many cascades and waterfalls. There is also a ferry and bus within the park (included in the ticket price) making access between the lakes quick and efficient for those with less time. Tip: Buy tickets online ahead of time.The Gate 2 entrance point is usually quieter and a quicker access point compared to Gate 1. There are various hotel options inside the park, but for an even more beautiful and local experience, stay in one of the many guest houses in the surrounding area for a full “lost in nature” experience.
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A must do activity in Croatia includes a visit to one of the many islands located along the glistening Adriatic Sea. Hvar Island is one of the biggest and most easily accessible islands, reachable via ferry from various points including Split (1 hour) or Dubrovnik (3 hours). It’s also possible to bring a hire car on one of the car ferries from the mainland. The island of Hvar offers beautiful views overlooking the Adriatic Sea with a mild Mediterranean climate and beautiful turquoise beaches. Hvar is known to be the most attractive tourist centers and the sunniest spot in Europe. There are several towns and villages scattered across the island to suit various interests, with Hvar Town being the largest town. Tip: Indulge in fresh seafood. Enjoy the spectacular bays and beaches, including Dubrovica Beach and Milna Beach. Rent a private boat and be your own captain (only a vehicle license is required) and tour the nearby Paklinski Islands, 15 minutes by boat from Hvar Town. Bring home the lavender based aromatic oils and soaps (Hvar is often called the "island of lavender").
Any Game of Thrones (GOT) fans? If so, Dubrovnik is your destination! You can explore on your own or book a GOT tour to fully experience the famous spots of this series. A walk on top of the magnificent 13thcentury City Walls and experience the ever-changing perspectives over the terracotta rooftops of the Old Town and out to sea will take your breath away. It takes around 90 minutes to complete the full walk. Wander the narrow cobble stone streets of the old town and enjoy the many restaurants and cafes. Check out Fort Loveijenac for a stunning sunset and view of Dubrovnik. This fort is also a Game of Thrones filming site where the tournament was held on King Joffrey’s name day.
When to visit? The peak season stretches from June to August due to the wonderful sunny weather, perfect for beach activities. The low season runs from November to April, where you can witness snow covered hills in the central regions. Croatia is easily accessible from the Gulf Region, with plenty of connections into Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik.
Tip: Book your hotel accommodation inside the pedestrian only walled city to fully immerse in the majestic and historical vibe of Dubrovnik.
What to eat? Lots of seafood, including fresh Adriatic calamari, tuna, shrimp and scampi. Most restaurants, particularly along the coast have fresh stocks of local seafood delivered every morning. Truffle pasta from the Istrian region, made using local truffle and Fusilli pasta is another must try.
Low season: November to April Peak season: July to August
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