How Does Smart Ass: How A Donkey Challenged Me End?

I've sent short stories and essays out into the wild more times than I can count, and when people ask me about 'The New Yorker' and simultaneous submissions, I usually give the same practical scoop: yes, they accept simultaneous submissions — but it's an honor-system affair that rewards courtesy and good record-keeping. In my experience, editors at top-tier magazines expect you not to ghost them; if another place accepts your piece, you should let everyone know immediately. That means if you have a handful of simultaneous sends, stay on top of your inbox and be ready to withdraw a submission the second another outlet says yes. What I do now is treat simultaneous submissions like a careful juggling act. I limit how many places I send to at once (I aim for a small, prioritized list rather than blasting everywhere), keep a simple spreadsheet with dates and any promised response windows, and put a reminder in my calendar to follow up after a few months. For 'The New Yorker' specifically, they'll want exclusive rights once they accept, and they move slowly sometimes — so if you're impatient, be mentally prepared for long waits. Also, never enter a piece into contests or submissions that explicitly forbid simultaneous sends while you're submitting elsewhere. Beyond the logistics, there's a tiny etiquette layer that matters: a short, polite withdrawal email when something else is accepted goes a long way. Editors are people, and I've been on both sides — the grateful submitter who got their dream placement, and the embarrassed one who forgot to withdraw a story promptly. Either way, managing simultaneous submissions well keeps relationships intact and your reputation tidy. For me, the small extra effort in tracking and communication is worth the peace of mind and the chance to land in a big magazine like 'The New Yorker' — it still feels like a little win every time.

Visiting Karachi and ducking into a Gloria Jean's for an afternoon caffeine fix, I usually expect to be able to pay with an international Visa or Mastercard — and most of the time that expectation is correct. In my experience the bigger, busier outlets (think major malls and popular Clifton or DHA branches) run modern POS terminals that accept chip-and-PIN and contactless payments from foreign-issued cards. That said, acceptance isn’t guaranteed everywhere: smaller franchise locations or standalone kiosks sometimes rely on older machines or even cash-only setups, especially if there are connectivity hiccups. If you plan to use an international card, a few practical tips have saved me from awkward moments. Let your bank know you’ll be using the card in Pakistan so transactions aren’t flagged and declined. Bring a backup option — another card or some Pakistani rupees — because intermittent network outages can force staff to switch to cash-only temporarily. Watch for dynamic currency conversion (you might be offered to pay in your home currency; usually the rate is worse). Also expect small service fees from your card issuer for foreign transactions unless your card waives them. Overall, I've had pleasant, smooth experiences paying with international cards at Gloria Jean's in Karachi most of the time, but I always carry a little cash just in case — and honestly, it keeps things relaxed when I’m in a rush or craving a quick pastry too.

My take is practical and a little geeky: a map that covers the high latitudes separates 'true north' and 'magnetic north' by showing the map's meridians (lines of longitude) and a declination diagram or compass rose. The meridians point to geographic north — the axis of the Earth — and that’s what navigational bearings on the map are usually referenced to. The magnetic north, which a handheld compass points toward, is not in the same place and moves over time. On the map you’ll usually find a small diagram labeled with something like ‘declination’ or ‘variation’. It shows an angle between a line marked ‘True North’ (often a vertical line) and another marked ‘Magnetic North’. The value is given in degrees and often includes an annual rate of change so you can update it. For polar maps there’s often also a ‘Grid North’ shown — that’s the north of the map’s projection grid and can differ from true north. I always check that declination note before heading out; it’s surprising how much difference a few degrees can make on a long trek, and it’s nice to feel prepared.

It’s fascinating how stories can weave in truth and fiction, isn’t it? In the case of 'Perfect Revenge,' it leans more towards the fiction side, creating an intriguing narrative that many can find relatable or even cathartic. The plot revolves around the nuances of vengeance and justice, exploring the psychological depths of its characters in situations that echo real-life frustrations but remain firmly planted in an imagined world. The author beautifully constructs scenarios that feel both exaggerated and familiar, balancing the art of storytelling with the emotional weight of betrayal. You might find it mirrors some aspects of reality, such as the feeling of wanting to reclaim one’s power after being wronged, but the way it unfolds is entirely crafted for dramatic effect. It’s interesting to consider how fiction allows us to process feelings like anger and disappointment. 'Perfect Revenge' gives us a safe space to engage with these intense emotions, dissecting them in ways that real life often doesn’t allow us to. So, while it isn't based on a true story, it certainly taps into universal themes that resonate with many.

The world of Lee Child's ‘Jack Reacher’ series is such a captivating blend of suspense and action, right? While ‘Without Fail’ isn’t directly based on a true story, there are elements within the narrative that feel incredibly grounded and believable. The character of Jack Reacher is this wonderfully crafted hero who operates with a strict moral code, taking on impossible situations. I find it fascinating how Child has researched a lot of real events, military operations, and law enforcement practices to flesh out his plots. The thrill of reading about Reacher's exploits often feels like we're just one step away from reality, especially given how many conspiracy theories and unsolved cases exist in real life. For instance, in ‘Without Fail,’ the plot revolves around an assassination attempt on the President, which, while fictional, resonates with historical events and the real-life tension surrounding political figures. With the intricate planning Reacher and his allies engage in, there's a genuine sense of realism that pulls me in. The themes of justice and morality also bring it closer to home, as many of us grapple with the notion of doing what’s right in a flawed system. It's the blend of reality and fiction that makes Child's work so fascinating. A lot of readers like to imagine what if scenarios that often intertwine with our current affairs. If you think about it, many thriller novels often draw inspiration from the shadows lurking in our world. ‘Without Fail’ taps into that, giving readers a rush that feels uneasily close to real life. That might not be an actual event, but it definitely leaves a lasting impression, making you question how thin the line between fiction and reality can be!

Planning a team outing or a wild night with friends? I've found that rage rooms in Lahore generally do accept group and corporate bookings, and they actually encourage them. When I organized a small office blow-off last year, we booked out a private slot for about 12 people — the place gave us a safety briefing, helmets, gloves, and plastic shields, and they staggered our turns so the room never felt crowded. Most venues ask for advance notice (usually 48–72 hours) and a small deposit to reserve the block of time. If you want it to feel more like an event, ask about packages. Many spots offer team-building modules, longer sessions for bigger groups, and weekday discounts for corporate bookings. Don’t forget paperwork: you’ll likely sign liability waivers for everyone and some venues enforce age limits and footwear rules. Personally, I loved how freeing it felt, and the staff’s attention to safety made the whole thing relaxed and fun.

I get excited about this stuff, so here's the long take: WITS Smart Dining does integrate with POS systems, but not as a mysterious plug-and-play black box — it hooks into the restaurant stack in a few practical ways. Typically, integration is handled through APIs and pre-built connectors to major POS vendors so menu items, modifiers, orders, and payment events can flow between systems in near real time. That means online orders or tablet kiosks pushed through WITS can show up on the POS kitchen screens or printed tickets, and sales and shift data can sync back for reporting. You'll also usually find support for kitchen display systems (KDS), printers, and payment routing so things like tips, refunds, and tax calculations stay consistent. In my experience watching restaurants adopt products like this, the magic is in the implementation: mapping item codes, handling modifiers and combos, testing split checks, and validating PCI/security practices. When it’s done right, it feels seamless and cuts down chaos during rushes. I think it’s one of those upgrades that actually makes service feel less stressful.

I get a kick out of hunting down real-life menu examples, so I started by looking where institutions tend to publish theirs. If you mean the University of the Witwatersrand's dining program, check the Wits student services or campus housing dining pages on the university website — they often post weekly menus, special-event menus, and nutrition notes as PDFs. University newsletters and bulletin boards (digital or physical) are also goldmines for snapshots of rotating menus. Beyond campus sources, I dig into design and template sites for polished examples: Canva, Envato Elements, and Creative Market have ready-made menu layouts that emulate 'smart dining' aesthetics (QR-ready, photo-friendly, clear allergen icons). For live, interactive examples, search restaurant tech providers like OpenTable, Toast, or SevenRooms; they showcase client case studies and digital menu flows that illustrate how a smart dining experience is structured. When I need quick inspiration, Pinterest and Behance give me mood boards and high-res images to reverse-engineer layout, typography, and pricing strategies. I always end up adapting a mix of a campus PDF and a sleek template for the best results — feels both authentic and modern to me.