text:
A NETWORK-CENTRIC ORGANIZATION is a network governance pattern emerging in many progressive 21st century enterprises. This implies new ways of working, with consequences for the enterprise’s infrastructure, processes, people and culture.

Overview

With a network-centric configuration, knowledge workers are able to create and leverage information to increase competitive advantage through the collaboration of small and agile self-directed teams. For this, the organizational culture needs to change from one solely determined by a single form of organizing (e.g., hierarchy) to an adaptive hybrid enabling multiple forms of organizing within the same organization. The nature of the work, in an area, determines best the way its conduct is organized and the networked mediation of work activities affords interoperability among differentially-organized areas of work.[1]

A network-centric organization is both a sensible response to a complex environment and an enactor of sensibility on that environment. The business climate of the new millennium is characterized by profound and continuous changes due to globalization, exponential leaps in technological capabilities, and other market forces. Rapid developments of ICT are driving and supporting the change from the industrial to the information age.

In this world of rapid change and uncertainty, organizations need to continually renew, reinvent and reinvigorate themselves in order to respond creatively. The network-centric approach aims to tap into the hidden resources of knowledge workers supported and enabled by ICT, in particular the social technologies associated with Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0. Essentially though, a network-centric organization is more about people and culture than technology.[2] A useful survey of network organization theory appears in Van Alstyne (1997)[3]

Network-centric Organization Topics

Knowledge Work

There is a synthesis of thinking, learning and doing at the core of creative human activity that underpins the concept of knowledge work. Knowledge workers collaborate on tasks that are cognitively demanding, involving complex technical judgements, a high degree of professional and individual expertise and experience. The knowledge worker is astutely aware, not only of the means and purpose of their work, but also its political and social dimensions. Much of this knowledge is tacit and shared among the work group becoming embedded in its culture.

There is a broad expanse of uncharted territory between the real knowledge work that occurs in an organization and the formal organizational structure and espoused practices. The concentration on formal organizational programs aimed at the individual workers ignored the real nature of work practices that reside in a space between the organization and individual perspectives. This space often remains hidden from the organizational landscape, unappreciated and undervalued. Revealing the nature of this hidden space holds the key to understanding knowledge work and is critical to successful organizational outcomes and learning.

Hybrid Enterprises

Many enterprises are hybrids of hierarchical bureaucracies, heterarchic work groups distributed across organizational and spatial boundaries, and responsibly autonomous individuals where competition and cooperation coexist due to a strict division of work activities. Network-centric organizations locate the partitioning of work activities in the self-direction of individuals and work groups, rather than in the hierarchy.

Enterprises which have complex hybrid structures consisting of hierarchies and networks are more like organic eco-systems than machines.[4] The latter are likely to be exploitative and bureaucratic while the former can be networked and innovative. This reflects the tension between the natural tendency for disorder to increase while humans strive to impose order by developing ever more complex rigid structures and systems. It is quite a natural state of affairs that organizations can be part mechanistic and part organic with continual transformations among these forms. Network-centric organizations enact governance systems that manage these ongoing transformations.[5]

Sensible Organization

A complex environment presents an enterprise with too large a range and diversity of inputs to comprehend logically, so the sensible response is not to try. Attempts to deal with complexity are unsuccessful if they aim to either simplify or assert control over complex situations. It makes more sense to maintain and support the natural creative energies of complex environments, encouraging the emergence of innovative new forms of working.

Sensible enterprises will become agile, flexible and adaptable by incorporating more creativity and diversity into their structures, processes and human resources. The informality, interactivity and adaptability of small teams of people retains a space for what we traditionally call ‘common sense’ for both understanding and action amid the accountability and constraints of the formal enterprise. Sensible managers will relinquish some of their traditional control to knowledge workers in small self-directed teams. A network-centric organization will also have an increased need and reliance on data sensing, analysis, and closed-loop action driven by repeated application of “sense-and-respond” cycle.

Social Technologies

At the current time, a new civil digital culture has taken hold, in which so-called ‘social’ and/or ‘conversational’ technologies or social software are providing unprecedented opportunities for everyday user activities. The term Web 2.0 has entered the vocabulary to reflect the ongoing transition of the World Wide Web from a collection of websites to a full-fledged computing platform serving social web applications such as email, discussion forums, chatrooms, Weblogs and Wikis to end users. Constructivist learning theorists (Vygotsky, 1978;[6] Leidner & Jarvenpaa, 1995 [7] explained that the process of expressing knowledge aids its creation and conversations benefits the refinement of knowledge. Cheung et al. (2005) [8] maintains that conversational knowledge management fulfils this purpose because conversations, e.g. questions and answers, become the source of relevant knowledge.

Social technologies facilitate processes where knowledge creation and storage is carried out through a discussion forum where participants contribute to the discussion with questions and answers, or through a Weblog which is typified by a process of storytelling or through a Wiki using collaborative writing (Hasan and Pfaff 2006).[9] In the corporate setting, the term Enterprise 2.0 is emerging to reflect the use of freeform social software within companies to support work units and the individual knowledge worker. Gordon and Ganesan (2005) [10] advocate a different vision for knowledge management systems to one that is specifically targeted to the capture and use of the stories told in communities and organizations in the context of normal, spoken conversations.

Conversation and other types of human-human communication must be exploited in today’s knowledge management systems to harness the value of conversation in packaging and transmitting tacit knowledge. The attraction of these social technologies is their low cost, intuitive functionality and connectivity. Social technologies support new forms of network-centric interaction and activity between people, allowing and enhancing informal access to create and distribute information. These technologies empower ordinary people to have a global presence for business, political and social purposes. The new social technologies at the focus of this project are tools of a rising digital democracy.

One of the newest approaches on the horizon is worknetting. A worknet is a form of organization where stakeholders, individuals or institutions or both, can come together around a shared purpose. Whereas a network centres on the relationships between partners, a worknet centres on each partner's relationship with the shared purpose. In this way, the unique strengths and contributions of each partner can be optimized and enhanced, as they are situated in the context of the worknets common interest.

Power Shift in Traditional Organizations

Traditional organizations that favor a rigid hierarchical structure and ego-centric methods still employ the outmoded concept where the decision-making authority lies solely in the domain of its corporate headquarters. Changes resulting from developments in ICT and the growth of the Internet, have made it increasingly difficult to provide a platform for effective and efficient management and operations. As observed by De Vulpian (2005),[11] “we are in the process of moving from a pyramidal, hierarchical society to a single-story society where heterarchical relationships dominate”.

There is a tension between ego-centric thinking and network-centric thinking – the tension between the institutional power that emanates from an organization and the transactional power that inheres in its members' daily interactions. Progressive organizations are tending to refocus on supporting teams in community-style networks. There is a growing realization that if "decisions are allowed to move out of the corporate headquarters to individual business units, business units will in turn distribute power and decision-making to self-managed teams and profit centers (Allee 2003).” [12] This is the basis of the concept of knowledge work where workers have control over their own activities through knowledge acquired in the course of both training and experience.

Links to Network Centric Warfare

Network-centric warfare is a simple concept that involves the linkage of engagement systems to sensors through networks and the sharing of information between force elements. The early development of the concept evolved by connecting information systems and creating software applications that allow people to use the available data. McKenna, Moon, Davis and Warne (2006) [13] emphasise on the human dimension of NCW which is based on the idea that information is only useful if it allows people to act more effectively.

[1] Abrams, Robert S. 2009. “Uncovering the Network-Centric Organization.” Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Irvine, 2009.

[2] Hasan, H. & Pousti, H. 2006. “SNA as an Attractor in Emergent Networks of Research Groups”.

[3] Van Alstyne, M. (1997) “The State of Network Organization: A Survey in Three Frameworks” Journal of Organizational Computing 7(3) pp 88-151.

[4] Burns, T. and Stalker, G.M. 1961. [https://books.google.com/books?id=SFev_VZDlIUC&dq=burns+and+stalker&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s The Management of Innovation].

[5]

[6] Vygotsky, L.1978. “Mind in Society”, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

[7] Leidner, D. & Jarvenpaa, S.1995. “The use of information technology to enhance management school education: A theoretical view”, MIS Quarterly, Vol.19, No.3, pp.265-291.

[8] Cheung, K. S. K., Lee, F. S. L., Ip, R. K. F., & Wagner, C. “The Development of Successful On-line Communities”, International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management, vol.13, no.1, 2005, 71-89.

[9] Hasan, H. and Pfaff, C.C. 2006. “Emergent Conversational Technologies that are Democratising Information Systems in Organisations: the case of the corporate Wiki”, Proceedings of the Information Systems Foundations (ISF): Theory, Representation and Reality Conference, Australian National University, Canberra, 27-28 September 2006.

[10] Gordon,A.E. and Ganesan,K. 2005. “Automated Story Capture From Conversational Speech”, K-CAP’05, October 2–5, 2005, Banff, Canada.

[11] De Vulpian, A. 2005. “Listening to Ordinary People”, keynote address at the Society of Organizational Learning Conference, Vienna, September.

[12] Allee, V. 2003 [https://books.google.com/books?id=qw4NhpbogfAC&dq=&pg=PP1&ots=V0o5Ya7zs-&sig=bmvxnNGSydGjQh91T9xg3zX0d9I&prev=http://www.google.com.au/search%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DAllee%252C%2BV.%2B(2003)%2BThe%2BFuture%2Bof%2BKnowledge%253A%2BIncreasing%2BProsperity%2Bthrough%2BValue%2BNetworks%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch%26meta%3D&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title “The Future of Knowledge: Increasing Prosperity through Value Networks”, Butterworth-Heinemann, USA.]

[13] McKenna, T., Moon, T., Davis, R. and Warne, L. 2006. “Science and Technology for Australian Network-Centric Warfare: Function, Form and Fit”, Australian Defence Force Journal.

title: Network-centric organization

question: What does the article say about the advantages of a Network-centric organization?

answer: A network-centric configuration enables knowledge workers to create and leverage information to increase competitive advantage through the collaboration of small teams. It is a sensible response to a complex environment. The network-centric approach aims to tap into the hidden resources of knowledge workers supported and enabled by ICT.

question: What does the article say about the power shift in traditional organizations?

answer: Traditional organizations favor a rigid hierarchical structure and ego-centric methods. Changes resulting from developments in ICT and the growth of the Internet have made it demand a platform for efficient management and operations. Progressive organizations start to support teams in community-style networks.

question: What does the article say about the disadvantages of a network-centric organization?


split: test

text:
EDDY SABARA (17 February 1927 – September 1995) was an Indonesian civil servant and military officer. He was the Governor of Southeast Sulawesi for twelve years between 1966 and 1978, and held acting governor positions in four other provinces due to his position in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Early life

Sabara was born in Kendari, then part of Dutch East Indies, on 17 February 1927. His father was a municipal police officer. Sabara was the last of seven siblings, and he began his education in Kendari before moving to Makassar for further education until 1946, where he attended school with future Indonesian nationalist figure Robert Wolter Monginsidi.[1][2][3]

Career

Military service

After completing his education in Makassar, Sabara joined a group of youths from Sulawesi who left for Java to fight in the Indonesian National Revolution, as the South Sulawesi campaign of Raymond Westerling was raging in Makassar and its vicinity.[4][5] Once in Java, Sabara joined a battalion in the nationalist government, having been before grown an interest in the military due to watching KNIL drills as a child.[6] In 1948, he was a first lieutenant in command of a reserve company which was about to be deployed to Sulawesi when his unit was attacked and disarmed by Communist militias during the Madiun Affair. Sabara was imprisoned and was apparently about to be executed before Army units from the Siliwangi Division defeated the Communists and freed Sabara's unit.[7] During his time in Java, he also enrolled in the Magelang Military Academy.[8]

After the revolution, he commanded units within the Hasanuddin Military Region, eventually becoming commander of its Regional Training Regiment by 1965. During his time at Hasanuddin, he participated in the campaign against Andi Aziz's rebellion. He had also commanded a reserve brigade during Operation Trikora in 1962.[9][10]

Governor and civil servant

On 14 October 1966, he was appointed as acting governor of Southeast Sulawesi, before being made full governor for two terms starting in 1967.[11][12] The previous civilian governor and the first elected governor of the province, La Ode Hadi, was forced to leave his position in 1966 before he had held it for two years following a wave of demonstrations during the transition to the New Order, allowing the popular Sabara (at that time a lieutenant colonel) to take over.[13]

Southeast Sulawesi was very sparsely populated at the start of his tenure, with little to no government budget, and Sabara opted to relocate locals (mostly nomadic farmers) alongside resettlement areas where roads were planned.[14] According to Sabara in a 1983 interview with _Tempo_, his wife initially believed that his appointment to Southeast Sulawesi was an exile of sorts.[15] He also drew in migrants from densely populated Java and Bali. Despite a lack of existing traffic at the time, he lobbied for the central government to fund key roads, especially between Kendari and Kolaka, believing that the road would attract agricultural settlers.[16] During his governorship, he also served in the People's Consultative Assembly as a regional representative.[17]

He was initially intended to serve just one term, and after its expiry in 1973 a lack of replacement candidates resulted in his term initially being extended by several months, and later a second term.[18] After the conclusion of his governorship in 1978, he was assigned in 1979 to the Ministry of Home Affairs as inspector general, and later became the director general of the ministry's regional autonomy directorate.[19] During his time there, he became acting governors for Jambi (1979),[20] Central Sulawesi (25 November 1980 – 1981),[21] and Aceh (15 March – 27 August 1981),[22] During his temporary governorships of Aceh and Central Sulawesi, he had encountered political gridlocks in the provincial legislatures during their attempt to appoint a definitive governor.[23]

In 27 October 1981, he was also again appointed acting governor of Southeast Sulawesi, the eighth time he was sworn in as Governor.[24][25][26] Afterwards, he was once more appointed as acting governor of Central Kalimantan (7 October 1983 – 23 January 1984).[27] Due to this track record, he was known by journalists as being the “acting governor specialist” in the early 1980s.[28][29] During his time in the ministry, he also revived the deputy governor position, based on his own experience as governor where a lack of a deputy often caused issues especially with the provincial legislature.[30] He was awarded with the Star of Mahaputera, 3rd class (_Bintang Mahaputera Utama_) during his time as inspector general.[31] In 1984, he was also appointed into the Supreme Advisory Council.[32]

He died in September 1995, due to his heart disease and kidney-related complications. He was buried in Jakarta.[33] At the time of his death, he held the rank of major general.[34]

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title: Eddy Sabara

question: What does the article say about Sabara's dictatorial tendencies?

question: Summarize Sabara's military duties.

answer: He joined the military in 1946 to fight in the Indonesian National Revolution. He became a first lieutenant of a reserve company in 1948, and his unit was captured by communists. The army units from the Siliwangi Division barely managed to save them before their execution. He commanded units within the Hasanuddin Military Region after the revolution and became commander of the Regional Training Regiment in 1965. He fought against the Andi Aziz's rebellion during that time. He was in command of a reserve brigade during Operation Trikora in 1962, which was his final military operation before becoming a governor.

question: Summarize Sabara's civilian service.

answer: While Sabara was never an elected official, he served civilian duties in his late military life. These began with his appointment as governor of Southwest Sulawesi in 1966, which he served for two terms. He managed to draw migrants from dense populations in Java and Bali after his petitions to the central government for roads to attract agricultural settlers. He became the inspector general of the Ministry of Home Affairs before becoming the director-general of the ministry's regional autonomy directorate. He became acting governor for several different districts, gaining a reputation for being the "acting governor specialist" in the 1980s. He was appointed to the Supreme Advisory Council in 1984.


text:
-   Brews directly into 1.9 to 3 liter airpots
-   Airpots sold separately
-   Up to 15 gallons per hour
-   Separate hot water faucet for soups & other hot drinks

-   [9 3/4 inch x 4 1/4 inch 12 Cup Coffee Filter (Bunn 20115.0000) - 1000/Case]

    9 3/4" x 4 1/4" 12 Cup Coffee Filter (Bunn 20115.0000) - 1000/Case

    plus $9.79 / Case

-   [Choice 3 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever]

    Choice 3 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever

    plus $20.99 / Each

-   [Choice 3.5 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever]

    Choice 3.5 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever

    plus $23.49 / Each

-   [Choice 2.5 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Matte Black Airpot with Lever]

    Choice 2.5 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Matte Black Airpot with Lever

    plus $20.99 / Each

-   [Choice 4 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever]

    Choice 4 Liter Stainless Steel Lined Airpot with Lever

    plus $30.49 / Each

-   [Bunn 02861.1006 Red Push Faucet Handle for Axiom Coffee Brewers]

    Bunn 02861.1006 Red Push Faucet Handle for Axiom Coffee Brewers

    $9.49 / Each

-   [Bunn 29845.0000 Wireform Pouch Pack Funnel Insert for Coffee Brewers]

    Bunn 29845.0000 Wireform Pouch Pack Funnel Insert for Coffee Brewers

    $6.79 / Each

-   [Bunn 35302.0000 Pouch Pack Keeper for Coffee Brewers]

    Bunn 35302.0000 Pouch Pack Keeper for Coffee Brewers

    $5.49 / Each

Heavy-duty with a large capacity and an efficient production rate, the Bunn 38700.0013 Axiom APS twin airpot coffee brewer is ideal for a wide variety of operations.

You never want to run out of coffee during the busy morning rush when facing caffeine-deprived customers! With this coffee brewer, you're sure to always have coffee on hand, thanks to the efficient brewing and twin design this unit boasts. Not only does this unit produce copious amounts of coffee, but it's easy to use! Thanks to its intuitive controls and easy-to-read LCD display, brewing coffee has never been easier.

-    [NSF Listed]

    NSF Listed

    This item meets the standards imposed by NSF International, which focuses on public safety, health, and the environment.

-    [UL Listed]

    UL Listed

    This item has been tested and meets safety standards imposed by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

-    [Hardwired]

    Hardwired

    This product must be hardwired; it does not plug into a standard wall outlet.

"Bunn Twin Airpot Coffee Brewer serves coffee as quickly as you would want. Fantastic quality that you expect and anticipate from Bunn. This is an extremely heavy duty coffee maker!"

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To keep with the high demand of coffee in your cafe, coffee shop, breakfast buffet, or office, this unit can brew up to 15 gallons of coffee per hour! Plus, because of its tall design, it allows you to brew directly into 1.9 to 3 liter airpots (sold separately).

Programmable digital temperature controls coupled with Bunn's innovative pre-infusion technology provide optimum flavor extraction and a consistent, quality product for your customers.

An LCD display makes it easy to monitor temperature settings and batch information. Electronic diagnostics and a built in tank drain make cleaning and servicing simple.

This unit features an independent hot water faucet, catering to the tea drinkers in your office or cafe. It's also great for making oatmeal, hot chocolate, and other hot, tasty dishes and beverages.

What type of electrical wiring is required for this model?

Items listed as 120/208V or 120/240V require 3 wire grounded installation and must be connected to a 208V or 240V service, respectively, in addition to a 120V connection. Items can be rated for both 120/208V and 120/240V and these items are commonly represented as 120/208-240V. This does not necessarily mean the item is dual voltage. Please refer to all specsheets and manuals for more details and specific installation requirements. Contact your electrician for help ensuring your equipment’s electrical specifications are right for your business.

Compare to Other Products

-   23 1/2 Inches

    120/240

    6,100 Watts

    4 1/4" x 2 3/4"

    Yes

    Yes

    Electric

-   22 Inches

    120 Volts

    1,650 Watts

    9 3/4" x 4 1/4"-4 1/2"

    -

    -

    Electric

-   21 11/16 Inches

    120/240

    4,000 Watts

    9 3/4" x 4 1/4"-4 1/2"

    Yes

    Yes

    Electric

-   29 1/4 Inches

    120/220

    5,050 Watts

    9 3/4" x 4 1/4"-4 1/2"

    Yes

    Yes

    Electric

OVERALL DIMENSIONS:

-   Width: 16 Inches
-   Depth: 18 Inches
-   Height: 23 1/2 Inches

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Customer Reviews

-   service coffee water brewer BUNN WARRANTY call equipment hot need

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    Having a startup cafe, we needed all equipment for our cafe and this one works like right for what we need it for. We liked the hot water temperature calibration so we can change the temperature of the water. The only con is that the instruction manual didn't match the item we actually received with the picture of the buttons so we have to figure out where the buttons are actually located and what it does.

-

    Are use this unit every day for my growing coffee shop of business. I would not use any other machine. It has been about three years and have had no complaints or issues with this product. You should get one too.

    PATRICK M. from THE POUGHKEEPSIE GRIND on 03/17/2019

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    This Bunn coffee maker makes the perfect pot of coffee each time! It brews hot, and have not had any issues with the product. I would recommend this item

    NAJAH R. from BLUE ZUCCHINI CATERING COMPANY on 01/02/2019

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    I HAVE USED BUNN coffee equipment for 25 years. IT WAS TIME TO UPGRADE and i'm a loyal customer. If you do me right, i will return. I RECOMMEND ONLY PURCHASING THE ANALOG brewing equipment from Bunn. We have had equipment problems with the AXIOM and the SERVICE company they sent us was absolutely lousy.(BEST BEVERAGE in NASHVILLE). When requesting service they demanded a credit card to send a person for WARRANTY work. (that should have been a hint). I informed them that i had gone through all the trouble shooting stuff listed in the manual and that the there was a problem. (low flow indicator on Left side and SLOW Heating on LEFT side). The service folks did the same trouble shooting i had done replaced a part that didn't need to be replaced, said it was fixed, and that there was no issues. Yet the following morning when i arrived not only was the problem still not fixed, but the calibrations were off and we got hit with an expensive service call. I tried to get a return service call , but BEST BEVERAGE /Bunn's preferred service provider couldn't figure out a way to give me a service window . I needed to be on property to watch them and their "problem solving skills" . Additionally, they had DEMANDED my credit card again to have them follow up from the 1st call. I REFUSED to give it a second time as BEST BEVERAGE had, in my opinion, LIED about the work they did the first time. I have since contacted another local COMPANY to do WARRANTY work, and they had no problem giving me a SERVICE WINDOW. Im sure i will have to fight them for the expensive service call. In addition, im gonna make it my mission in business going forward to try to STEER BUSINESS FOLKS AWAY FROM BUNNS poor quality product(s) and WARRANTY SERVICE that i have knowledge. In shorty BUNNS WARRANTY HAS SO FAR BEEN WORTHLESS AND THE DIGITAL BREWER HAS CONTINUING ISSUES. IF I COULD RETURN IT, I WOULD. GOOD LUCK IF YOU PURCHASE AND NEED WARRANTY WORK.... Read Less Read More

    MICHAEL M. from STAR BAGEL CAFE on 05/09/2018

    Thank you for your feedback! We’re sorry you did not prefer this product. For recommendations, please contact our Customer Solutions team.

    WEBSTAURANTSTORE CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

-

    Bunn Twin Airpot Coffee Brewer serves coffee as quickly as you would want. Fantastic quality that you expect and anticipate from Bunn. This is an extremely heavy duty coffee maker!

    SHAUN R. from HURRICANE CONCESSIONS & RENTALS, LLC on 03/05/2017

-

    This Bunn Brewer is perfect for our coffee shop. Not to big and can brew 2 air pots of coffee in under 3 minutes. Also can pull hot water while brewing. We have an air pot ready with hot water when we need a larger amount of water, but the water features works fine for a Americano or a tea.

    MARY M. from TYBEAN ART & COFFEE BAR on 02/04/2016

-

    I was a little unsure if this model was the right fit for my bakery...I knew that I wanted air pots, because I wanted to have the option of serving my customers, or self serve. I chose not to have a pour over model for convenience...I am so happy that I chose this brewer! I'm glad that I am not filling a tank with water all day! The ease of use, multiple brew options via the screen...and more make this brewer a fabulous choice.

    LISA U. from POLKADOTPOUNDCAKE on 04/13/2015

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question: What does the text say about the Bunn Axiom APS twin airpot brewer?

answer: The Bunn Axiom twin airpot coffee brewer is an ideal brand that ensures swift coffee production thanks to the efficient brewing and twin design. With this, you're sure to have a coffee ready to go. It produces an adequate amount of coffee and is easy to use. It also meets the NSF International imposed standards, focusing on the environment, public safety, and health. It has also been tested and meets safety standards by the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). The electronic diagnostics and built-in tank drain make servicing and cleaning easy, and the LCD display also makes it easy to monitor temperature settings and batch information.

question: What does the text say about a customer's complaints about the service from Best Beverage?

answer: A customer complained about equipment problems with the Axiom model of the Bunn airpot coffee brewer. They were sent a service company, Best Beverage in Nashville, to fix it. However, the customer was displeased with the service quality and was upset that they had to produce a credit card to send a service person for warranty work when requesting service. The service people were unable to fix the issue and instead replaced a part of the equipment that didn't need replacing and ended up causing the item to malfunction, which was worse than initially. Following this, the customer could not get a return service call from them. The company still demanded a credit card to follow up from their first call. Out of frustration, the customer refused to give them a second chance and contacted a local company to fix the issue.


text:
The guy I’m staring at is wearing a suit and tie. It’s pretty early in the morning, and it’s not surprising at all that he’d be hanging out at Starbucks for a few before going into work. His jacket’s front pocket has a golden round pin stabbed into it like one of those thermometers you stick into a steak to see if it’s ready to eat yet. It’s almost obvious that he stuck it in there because he had to for some corporate reason. I don’t care about it enough to try to read what it says or to get close enough to be able to do so in the first place. I DO wonder what kind of job he might have though.

I actually often wonder about what kinds of jobs office workers really do. I know they sit at cubicles or offices and type and enter information into a computer all day but that’s about it. Come to think of it, so many people simply call themselves an “office worker” but almost no one can truly explain what it is that they do. Do they, themselves, not fully grasp the nature of their own work? Are they spending 8 hours of the day doing things that they can’t even fully comprehend just because they’re getting paid and because it’s more respectable than working in retail or customer service?

Yeah, probably.

I just realized that I had zoned out while fixated on the man’s tie. I should adjust my eyes to see if I’m still awkwardly staring at the guy, but it actually looks like he’s already gone. He left his cup on table, as most people do when they have somewhere better to be. I might as well walk over and check if it’s full or not.

Empty.

Tossing it into the trash, I’m noticing that it just became much more crowded in here than it was about a minute ago. This must be the apex of the early morning rush where people are all shuffling around each other trying to get their drinks before everyone else in the hopes that they can make it to work early THIS time.

There’s a guy with headphones on in the line. Not the kind of headphones that office workers wear that are discreet little earbuds with a tiny microphone on the cord that is mostly used for sneaking in phone calls while on the job, but the kind that you use when you’re a DJ. It’s not really surprising since tons of people use headphones like that now. It became a trend somewhere to wear huge, colorful headphones almost as a representation of what kind of music you’re listening to. He’s also wearing a relatively thick hoodie, cargo pants and boots. I wonder what he could be doing in this early morning rush. He’s obviously not an office worker, or maybe he is and he changes at work for some reason.

Nah, no one does that.

There’s a sense of pride that comes with wearing formal wear to work. You work for a place that prides itself on at least LOOKING professional so you might as well flaunt it all the way to and from so that people can tell you’re not just some nobody out and about for no particularly important reason. As I say that though, this guy in the hoodie looks to be in much more of a rush than anybody else in here to the point where his leg won’t stop fidgeting. Maybe he has a job that’s more important than most of the people in here that are suited up at the moment. Then again, what REALLY makes a job important or worthwhile? Is it the pay, the satisfaction, the impact it has on the environment around you, the security of a stable life for you and your family, the potential for danger to hundreds of people if you screw it up? Does a job have to be fulfilling to be important? What rank of importance does a bus driver have whose job is to, potentially, get people to their own jobs?

Oh someone spilled a coffee on one of the tables. Good thing it was iced. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to help her clean it up. She’s kind of pretty and dressed rather fashionably so I’m probably just helping her because I subconsciously believe in the 1/1,000,000 chance that she’ll interrupt her busy day to try to start a conversation with me.

I think she barely drank anything because I’ve used about 10 napkins already mopping this up. That sucks, having to throw away a fresh coffee like that.

Well she was either in a rush, or really embarrassed because looking up from this mess, I can see that she’s vanished. I didn’t even hear her leave, though, to be honest, I doubt I could have picked anything out in this mob of energetic, yet unenthused people. Oh well, 999,999 more chances to go, yeah?

How long have I been in here? It feels like it’s been hours, but I think in reality, it’s only been about an hour. That’s a lot longer than it seems when you keep checking your phone for the time every couple of minutes. It’s almost like time slows itself down for you the more you pay attention to it. Like if it’s shy to move any faster while you’re watching.

Oh, the barista lady is motioning for me to come to the back. They must finally be ready for my interview.

title: [RF] A Great Job

question: Why is the narrator at the coffee shop?

answer: For a job interview.

question: Why is the narrator so focused on people's attire and job?

answer: Probably because he's there for a job interview. He's psychologically primed to notice and think such things more often than not.

question: Summarize the narrator's views about formal attire.

answer: He thinks there's a pride to wearing such clothes, working for a place that cares at least for looking professional.

question: Summarize the narrator's views about being an "office worker".

answer: He doesn't really know what office workers do in general. He wonders whether even they don't really know what they are doing, and that's why they talk in such vague terms about their jobs.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator stares at people wearing suits, thinking about what people do who announce themselves as an "office worker." He ruminates on people wearing formal clothes, wondering whether the people in a hurry have important jobs. A pretty girl spills her drink, and he helps her clean it up, thinking maybe there's a one in a million chance that they'd have a dialogue. She vanishes quickly, though. After about an hour of wait from the time he arrived, he's finally summoned by the barista for his interview.


text:
BUKOVEL is the largest ski resort in Eastern Europe situated in Ukraine, in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (province) of western Ukraine. A part of it is in state property. The resort is located almost on the ridge-lines of the Carpathian Mountains at elevation of above the sea level near the village of Polianytsia (Yaremche municipality) (about a half mile away). It is one of the most popular ski resorts in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains and is situated southwest of the city of Yaremche. In 2012, Bukovel was named the fastest-growing ski resort in the world.

History

The resort was pioneered in 2000 by a joint venture of Scorzonera Ltd. and Horizont AL as an all-year-round tourist and recreational complex. The research for potential ski fields and cableways of the first stage was conducted in cooperation with Plan-Alp, Austria, and Ecosign, Canada, who also finalized the master plan for the resort. By late 2001, a first 691-meter ski lift was launched at the Northern slope of Mountain Bukovel along with the projected chairlift ropeway at the Bukovel's north-western slope. The project was finished in Sept.-Oct. 2002 as a 1000-metre ropeway. In 2003, a second slope, 2A ski run with a chairlift was introduced, and in 2004 a 7A ski run with a surface lift started its operation.

With mere 48,000 visitors in 2003, Bukovel welcomed 206,000 tourists in 2005-2006, 400,000 in 2006-2007 and 850,000 visitors in 2008-2009. The 2010-2011 winter season recorded 1,200,000 day visits with foreigners' amounting to 8-10% of all visitors. In 2012, the Bukovel was named the fastest-growing ski resort worldwide.

In December 2016, after the nationalization of PrivatBank, a part of the Bukovel resort became state-owned. In October 2018, the state-owned part of it was put up for sale.[1][2] On 7 March 2020 it was announced that portion of the resort that belongs to Privatbank will be sold.[3]

Ski Resort

[Ski runs] Bukovel currently boasts 16 ski lifts with roughly of pistes. There are 61 pistes sections of which 12 are Blue (beginners), 41 Red (intermediates) and 8 are Black (experts). The longest piste is 5K at .

There are 11×4-person chair lifts, 1×3-person chair lift, 1×2-person chair lift and 1×T-bar. The top elevation is on Mount Dovha at 1,372 meters and the base elevation is 900 meters above sea level, for a total vertical drop of 472 meters.[4]

There are five distinct mountains in the area:

-   Bukovel – 3,698 ft (1,127 m)
-   Chorna Kleva – 4,088 ft (1,246 m)
-   Babyn Pohar – 3,870 ft (1,180 m)
-   Dovha – 4,501 ft (1,372 m)
-   Bulchinokha – 3,770 ft (1,150 m)

On the other side of mount Babyn Pohar is a nature preserve “Gorgany”. Bukovel's ski season depends on climatic factors and is usually around the beginning of December to mid-April. Night skiing is available from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Bukovel is growing rapidly, and new equipment and runs are being added each year.

Recreation

[Four-seat lifts] [Hotels] [Snow Park] [Small lake with ecological heating system] [Larhe Bukovel's lake] The resort contains all facilities for sports, business, leisure and health

-   60 km of the ski runs equipped with snow cannons
-   63 ski runs of various difficulty levels
-   16 skilifts capable of servicing 34,700 people an hour
-   ski school that includes a school for children
-   ski rental shops
-   snow park
-   bicycle park

Accommodations

-   7 high-profile hotels
-   Capacity to host 1,500 people at the resort itself and 12,000 people in the vicinity
-   4- and 5-star chalets with a garage, swimming pool, sauna and a personal ski-in and ski-out

Entertainment

-   Buka Entertainment Centre
-   A lake with an eco-friendly heating and a beach
-   Rope alpine-park
-   A skating field
-   Bicycle park
-   Dog sleds riding
-   Horse riding
-   Quadracycling
-   Paintball/Airsoft
-   Extreme Sports Park
-   Walking tourist routes and tours
-   Rafting
-   Snowbiking
-   Kinder Club for children
-   Leopark Children's Entertainment Centre
-   Big-Airbag
-   Equipment rental (Zorb, Segway scooters, Quad cycles, Snowbikes, Snowtubing, Snowmobiles)

Health Facilities

Starting in 2008, the Bukovel has been developing as a health and balneotherapy centre for people with problems with musculoskeletal, digestive and urinary systems (as attested by the Odessa Institute for Baleotherapy and Resorts). Bukovel has a free-of-charge pump room to drink mineral water. The resort is also known for its baths of mineral water and herb extracts.

The Largest Artificial Lake in Ukraine

In the summer of 2014, Bukovel opened the largest artificial lake in Ukraine.

- area of 6,8 hectares

- dimensions of 750 x 140 m

- the beach stretching for 2 km

- the depth up to 15 m

The lake was the most ambitious resort project worth almost 150 mln UAH.

The lake shores have arranged deckchairs, recreation areas and beach cafes. And on the lake itself there is the whole range of water activities:

-   water - skis
-   wakeboarding
-   kayaking
-   business jet
-   jet - ski
-   waterslide
-   diving school

For the safety of tourists, all sites have experienced instructors and accredited lifeguards present. The areas for swimming and water activities are delineated.

The lake water is clear and warm up to 20-22 degrees. Among tourists, the lake has been called the “Carpathian Sea”.

Ski runs and lifts

[Snow Cannon] Bukovel comprises facilities situated at five mountains: Dovha (1,372 m), Bukovel (1,127 m), Bulchinekha (1,455 m), Babiy Pohar (1,180 m), and Chorna Kleva (1,241 m) thus giving it 60 km of ski runs of various difficulty levels.

All runs provide space for up to 15,000 skiers to ski simultaneously. The runs are on slopes with grass basis, equipped with snow cannons and protected from direct sun light. Three of the runs are lighted to provide skiing at night.

During season, the resort has 16 ski lifts capable in operation to service 34,700 people an hour.

There are 63 ski runs in total, from 300 to 2,350 m long and are classified as blue, red and black. Their height drop is 40 to 285 m.

The resort also has a professional giant slalom run and a mogul run 1A.

Ski resort has 16 ski lifts, including:

-   13 four-seat chairlifts (lifts 1R, 2R, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22)
-   1 three-seat chairlift (lift 3)
-   1 two-seat chairlift (lift 2)
-   1 T-bar lift (lift 6)

Besides, there are several surface lifts for beginners (rope tows and magic carpet).

Bukovel Ski School

Bukovel Ski School was set up in 2001 by the Bukovel Ski Resort and ski and snowboarding coaches. It trains people of all ages, as well as provides training grounds for professional sportsmen. The School promotes skiing and health programmes. During each season the Bukovel Ski Schools organizes over 30 ski and snowboarding events for children, amateurs, professional sportsmen and coaches. In the summertime the School holds a children's health and sports camp programmes and other leisure events for Bukovel's visitors.

The Bukovel Ski School co-sponsors several large-scale charity social projects among children, junior sportsmen and students of boarding schools to promote skiing. The School cooperates with the Ukraine's Ministry for Education and Science and Ministry for Youth and Sports, Ski Federation of Ukraine and Ukraine's National Olympic Committee. All coaches have qualified under ISIA, international standards for skiing and snowboarding instructors.

Bukovel Bike Park

Bike Park at the Bukovel Ski Resort has routes for various mountain biking disciplines (MTB):

-   Cross-Country
-   DownHill

The bike routes run for 46.7 km with 4.7 km for speed downhill biking. The Bike Park has 10 routes of various difficulty and length, from general tours to DownHill and SuperD.

Over 6,000 visitors came to the Park each season.

The Bukovel Bike Park organizes and hosts a number of biking events yearly, including the Bukovel Grand Bike Fest, Ukraine's National DownHill Championship and Bukovel DH.[5]

Bukovel Sport Weekends

In 2016, Bukovel held 4 sport events: Bukovel Sprint Triathlon Cup, Bukovel Mountain UltraSwim, Bukovel Triathlon Olympic Cup and Bukovel Endurance UltraTrail. The Sport Weekends concept became popular among Ukrainian sportsmen – they chose the hardest distances and the highest mountain competitions. Bukovel aims to become a sports capital of Ukraine. To attain this objective the resort has increased the number of competitions and distance options. Under the “Train and Compete in Bukovel” slogan in 2017 Bukovel Sport Weekends are to consist of:

-   20/05 – Bukovel Cycling Race
-   27/05 – Bukovel Sprint Triathlon Cup
-   11-13/08 – Bukovel 160 km UltraTrail
-   2/09 – Bukovel Mountain UltraSwim
-   9/09 – Bukovel Olympic Triathlon Cup
-   16-17 – Bukovel Endurance 55 km Trail
-   30/09 – Bukovel 1/2 Iron Triathlon

Winter Olympic ambitions

The local government announced in 2006 that the Bukovel ski and snowboard resort was expanding to in anticipation of Ukraine bidding to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The additional land will be used for the construction of several new ski lifts and service projects. Previously, the land was a government-managed forest preserve area.[6] Bukovel has also plans to build an Olympic winter stadium in preparation for a possible bid.[7] In 2008, the head of the Ukrainian NOC (National Olympic Committee), Serhiy Bubka, announced that even though Bukovel is a world-class ski-resort the talks of hosting the Olympic games are ridiculous as the town does not have the required infrastructure to host such a big event. The deadline for the Olympic bid was October 15, 2009, for which Bukovel was not prepared.

In the early months of 2010, the administration of Bukovel was involved in the government scandal around the dismissal of the director of the Gorgany Natural Preserve. Vasyl Kisliak was fired by the Minister for protection of the natural environment Filipchuk “for a low level of organizational skills” as the administration of Bukovel could not find a middle ground and cooperation with the director. The cornerstone of the argument became an infrastructural development of the resort and particularly a road that would connect Bukovel with Yaremche.[8]

In 2014, Ukraine dropped its 2022 Olympic bid for which it was considered a front runner along with Norway due to the War in Donbass.[9]

Gallery

Bukovel SkiResort lift.jpg Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (8).JPG| Bukovel Haski.jpg Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (6).JPG| Snowcat Bukovel.jpg| Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (5).JPG| Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (4).JPG| Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (3).JPG| Ukrainian ski- and spa-resort “Bukovel” 2012 (2).JPG|

[1]

[2]

[3] Privatbank is preparing to sell “Bukovel” (Приватбанк готується до продажу “Буковелю”). Zakarpattya Online. 7 March 2020

[4]

[5]

[6] Ukraine May Bid For 2018 Winter Olympic Games

[7] 2018 Winter Games – Sofia To Bid, Bukovel Prepares

[8] Value of the road at the Carpathian Preserve (BBC March 16, 2010)

[9]

title: Bukovel

question: What does the text say about Russia?

question: What does the text say about Bukovel?

answer: Bukovel is the largest and one of the most popular ski resorts in Eastern Europe. It is located in the Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast (province) of western Ukraine, almost on the ridgelines of the Carpathian Mountains and half a mile away from the village of Polianytsia (Yaremche municipality). In 2012, Bukovel was named the fastest-growing ski resort in the world. Part of Bukovel is state property after the nationalization of PrivatBank in December 2016 but was put up for sale in October 2018. In March 2020, it was announced that a portion of the resort belonging to PrivatBank will be sold.

question: Summarize the history of Bukovel.

answer: A joint venture between Scorzonera Ltd. and Horizont AL in 2000 set the stage for the development of Bukovel as an all-year-round tourist and recreational complex. The JV sought the help of Plan-Alp Austria and Ecosign Canada when conducting research for potential ski fields and cableways for the first stage of the project. The companies (Plan-Alp and Ecosign) also finalized the master plan for the resort. The first 691-meter ski lift was launched at the Northern slope of Mountain Bukovel along with the projected chairlift ropeway at the northwestern slope in late 2001. A 1000-meter ropeway was added in September 2002 and the project was finished. In 2003, a second slope, 2A ski run with a chairlift was introduced. In 2004, a 7A ski run with a surface lift started its operation. Bukovel had 48,000 visitors in 2003, but the number kept growing each season. The 2010-2011 winter season recorded 1.2 million day visits, 8-10% of them foreigners.

question: What does the text say about recreational activities in Bukovel other than skiing and snow sports?

answer: Bukovel is home to the largest artificial lake in Ukraine, which opened in the summer of 2014 and cost almost 150 million UAH. The lake measures 750 x 140 meters, has a depth of up to 15 meters, and features a beach that stretches for 2 km. Water activities on the lake include water skis, wakeboarding, kayaking, and jetskis. There is also a waterslide and a diving school. Bukovel also features a bike park with various routes for mountain biking disciplines, including Cross-Country and DownHill. Other activities include dog sled riding, horse riding, quadra-cycling, paintball/Airsoft, walking tours/routes, extreme sports, Big-Airbag, and rafting. Children's activities include the Kinder Club and the Leopark Children's Entertainment Center.

question: What does the text say about Bukovel's Winter Olympics ambitions?

answer: In 2006, the local government announced that the Bukovel ski and snowboard resort was expanding in anticipation of Ukraine's bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Bukovel also had plans to build an Olympic winter stadium in preparation for the bid. In 2008, Ukrainian National Olympic Committee head Serhiy Bubka announced that the town didn't have the infrastructure to host such a large event, despite Bukovel being a world-class ski resort. The deadline for the Olympic bid was October 15, 2009, and Bukovel wasn't prepared for it. In 2014, Ukraine dropped its 2022 Olympic Bid again despite being considered a front runner due to the War in Donbas.


text:
This is my first attempt at writing so please keep that in mind. Any and all feedback is welcome. Just so you have an idea what this story is about, its set roughly around the year 2080. Russia has been building up its military silently while the Western European nations, along with the U.S. are busy dealing with issues in Korea and other parts of the world. In a blitzkrieg attack, the Russians capture cities along their Western border before many nations can even figure out what has happened. The United States, along with other nations like the U.K. and Germany quickly react and send their "Airborne" forces to slow the advance of the Russian forces into Europe. At this point in history, space travel had become more of the norm to a degree that colonies and bases had been established on the moon and on Mars. The ships, like the Myrimidon, are essentially HTOL (Horizontal Take Off and Landing) that are able to hover for short periods of time. I like to imagine something much larger than the Pelican from Halo when I think about them. Traditional Airborne units have been for the most part, removed, and replaced with this new age technology of incorporating high altitude wing suits capable of launching from a stable platform from the Mesosphere. Advances in Anti-Air weaponry has essentially forced jumps from this altitude, where the weaponry isn't as effective. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Skipping along the upper reaches of Earth’s Mesosphere in preparation for the initial drop, the Assault Transport Ship Myrimidon creaked and moaned under the immense pressures bearing down on the exterior hull. The ship had begun its initial approach over the drop zone. The steady muffled hum of the crafts eight SABER engines lulled me into a relaxed state. Having already taken my airsickness medication, and beginning my high-altitude breathing techniques, my heart began to race at the sheer notion of what was about to occur. This would be my first combat jump. Historically though, this would be the first large scale Mesospheric combat jump in history. The technology behind mastering jumps such as these had only recently been refined, at least to a degree that the military deemed it a reliable means of inserting troops into combat. Accidents still occurred, but for the most part, it was safe. At least that’s what I told myself as I was jostled around in my seat aboard the Myrimidon.

In an effort to ease my nerves I reached into the front pocket of my harness to get a stick of gum. Already wearing my heavy thermal gloves, it became a monumental task to retrieve a stick. I don’t know why, but fumbling with such a simple task started to make my heart race even faster than it had already been. A tinge of panic began to set in as I was unable to do even the simplest of things. I just wanted a damn piece of gum. As I freed the stubborn stick from the pocket, the contents poured out in front of me on the main walkway down the center of the corridor. My platoon sergeant, Albrecht Morrison, whom we affectionately called “Legs” due in part to the fact that he had lost both in the Korean War some twenty years prior. Since then, after multiple surgeries, and advancements in prosthetics, “Legs” had been given a new lease on life and outfitted with the latest bionic tech. Since the advancement of bionic tech, many disabled veterans had been outfitted and were finally able to get their lives back. Some of which, like “Legs” in this case, had a warriors spirit and wanted to get back into the fight. After all those years of watching events unfold all over the globe and feeling utterly useless, he could finally do something to make a difference. “Legs” was a warrior through and through. He was part of the core that made up the “Old-breed”, veterans of Korea and Turkey. Veterans of that era were a hot commodity in a modern military where most had never seen combat. Sure there had been peacekeeping operations and some limited engagements in Africa following the wars in Korea and Turkey, but never anything on this scale.

Legs made his way over to my seat, bracing himself due to the vibrations by gripping the bar that ran down the center of the corridor. He bent over and picked up some of the contents that had spilling out onto the floor. Some insta coffee packs I always liked to swipe from the chow hall, a small data player that I had placed some music onto, and then something I had almost forgotten was even in the pocket. Something I didn't want to think about. A picture of my wife folded in half and wrapped in a weather proof bag. Legs couldn't tell what it was that he had just handed me, but he could tell it stopped me in my tracks. Grinning, he looked down and mouthed “You’re gonna be alright kid”, there was no sense in saying it aloud, we hadn't turned on our comms units yet and the noise from the ship drowned everything out, almost everything. Thoughts were something that just couldn't be silenced. Legs made his way down the corridor, and left me with the immense weight that picture placed upon my heart. Never before had I been that scared in my entire life.

As I sat there, fighting my fears and contemplating life, I almost didn’t notice the subtle red glow that had begun to fill the bay as the pilot turned on the warning lights one by one. Bathed in the dark shroud of the warning lights, It began to sink it. This was happening. It wasn’t a training operation. This would be a combat jump. Legs began to make his way up and down the bay again, but now, with a stone cold expression. He made his way down the rows of soldiers deftly inspecting rigging, comms units, weapons, and palm thrusters, paying no attention to the person actually inside the suits he was checking. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for us, it was that this was his job. To keep us alive, and this was the best way he knew how, by ensuring our equipment worked when we needed it. The rest was up to us. There would be no helping us once we stepped off into thin air and began our supersonic descent towards the ground.

Once Legs had finished his checks, he took up his position at the back of the ship. At this point, all eyes were on legs. He signaled the hand motion to turn on our comms units by placing his right index and middle finger to his right ear. I thumbed the comms selector to the open position and could instantly hear the other forty-eight solders on board attempting to establish a steady breathing rhythm, some better than others. Over the wash of labored breathing filling our comms, Legs shouted “STAND UP!” Once on our feet, the soldiers began a practiced ritual of inspecting the gear of the soldier in front of them. After a brief moment to allow this task to be completed, Legs then yelled “SOUND OFF!” Starting at the back of the craft, the soldiers began to count off with their respective number, and “okay” to signify that they had all of their equipment and were ready to jump. The steady and methodical countdown began “Forty-six okay, forty-five okay, forty-four okay”… I was twenty third in line, and had begun to let my mind wander.

The prevailing thought that muffled the count filling my ears was “What was Beth doing right now?” I tried not to think of her, tried not to think of the promises I made her. That I would make it home to her and we could finally start a family. That didn’t seem even remotely likely now as I stood in a ship careening through the Earth’s atmosphere headed into hell. While I attempted to fight back the imagery of her lying on our couch in the living room busily typing away, responding to fan mail and publishers regarding her recent book, the steady hum of the ships engines interrupted by quick bursts of chatter brought me back to reality. “Twenty five okay, twenty four okay, TWENTY THREE OKAY…” I barely recognized that I had even counted off my own number. I guess practice makes perfect. The count continued for a few more moments until it reached Legs, our number one position. “ONE OKAY!” He shouted.

Silence filled the bay as our eyes collectively focused on the large illuminated red bar that spanned the width of the back of the ship. Not allowing my mind to be consumed by thoughts of home again, I turned my focus to the task at hand. I began doing one final glance over my gear. At this point my helmets visor had been dropped and locked into position, making it difficult to look down at my chest rig. I ensured that my rifle was still strapped to my left leg, and that my assault pack was firmly in place. I bent over slightly to be able to see under my assault pack, in between my legs to ensure that the webbing of my wing suit was zipped and laid out properly. While doing these checks, I was able to see that my winglets under my arms were in fact zipped and in place. Upon completing a quick glance over of my gear, my eyes resumed the ever watchful gaze upon the glowing red light.

Moments later, I could feel immense vibrations throughout the craft as it shuddered to a hover, the engine nacelles pivoting into the vertical position. Once stable, it would be mere seconds before we were out the door. A heavy roar filled the bay as the engines fought to keep the ship aloft, long enough for us to make the jump. A series of lights and alarms began to go off throughout the bay as the air locks at the back of the ship opened, releasing the door. In that brief moment, even twenty two soldiers back in line, I could see the Earth before me. The pronounced curvature was something I had been astonished by in my earlier training jumps. So peaceful, the serene silence of it all. That peaceful serene silence would be abruptly shattered.

The rear ramp dropped and without a moment to gather my thoughts, soldiers were running down the ramp and into nothingness. Legs was the first one out of the ship, yelling “LETS GO BOYS!” as he cleared the ramp and disappeared into open sky. The rest of us began a steady jog towards the ramp as one by one, soldiers jumped out of the ship following Legs’ example. As we neared the edge, I began to notice other ships in the sky, hundreds of them, hovering like baskets, spilling their contents down unto Earth. Steady streams of what looked like black dots poured from the surrounding vessels. Reaching the edge of the ramp, I closed my eyes and leaped from the Myrimidon. At first it felt as if I was weightless, like I might float out into space. Air, although incredibly thin at this altitude surged by me, ensuring that I was in fact falling, and fast. I immediately established a steady diving position, locking my arms and legs so that the drift ratio of my wing suit would be maximized. We were eighty kilometers up, and forty kilometers from our target.

title: [SF] WIP Short Story Idea: Futuristic Airborne Soldier

question: Summarize what is happening around the year 2080.

answer: The story is set around the year 2080. Western Europe and the U.S. had been busy dealing with issues in Korea and elsewhere, seemingly unaware of Russia silently building up its military. Due to this, Russia is able to capture cities along their Western border before other nations figure out what's going on. The U.S., U.K., and Germany react and send their Airborne forces to slow the Russian forces advances into Europe. By 2080, space travel is typical with colonies and bases set up on Mars and the moon. There are now Horizontal Take Off and Landing ships that can hover for short periods of time, and people in high altitude wing suits can launch from them. The suits are necessary since Anti-Air weaponry advances.

question: Summarize how fear is incorporated into the main conflict.

answer: The main conflict revolves around the narrator's anxiety before jumping from the hovering ship Myrimidon in a wing suit. Alongside the act of jumping, the narrator also has to go into the combat as he does this. As the ship reaches higher altitudes, his heart races at the idea of what's about to occur. He thinks of the logistics of combat jumping, and how accidents can occur. Even his inability to get things from his pocket due to heavy thermal gloves causes him panic. The idea that he could die and leave his wife due to the combat jumping causes him even greater fear as they continue to go higher.

question: What does the text say about Legs' background?

answer: Legs is the platoon sergeant on this combat jumping mission. His real name is Albrecht Morrison, but his troops affectionately call him Legs. This is due to the loss of both his legs in the Korean War. He was part of the core that made up the "Old breed", veterans of Korea and Turkey. Due to advances in prosthetic technology, Legs was able to get a new lease on life with bionic legs. These legs allowed him to decide to get back into the fighting spirit and make a difference in the world.

question: Summarize what happened to the United States at the end of the story.


text:
[A respiratory pressure meter measures the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures that a patient can generate at either the mouth (MIP and MEP) or inspiratory pressure a patient can generate through their nose via a sniff manoeuvre (SNIP|thumb|269x269px] A RESPIRATORY PRESSURE METER measures the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures that a patient can generate at either the mouth (MIP and MEP) or inspiratory pressure a patient can generate through their nose via a sniff manoeuvre (SNIP). These measurements require patient cooperation and are known as volitional tests of respiratory muscle strength. Handheld devices displaying the measurement achieved in cmH₂O and the pressure trace created, allow quick patient testing away from the traditional pulmonary laboratory and are useful for ward based, out patient, and preoperative assessment as well as for use by pulmonologists and physiotherapists.

The principal advantage of volitional tests is that they give an estimate of inspiratory or expiratory muscle strength, are simple to perform, and are well tolerated by patients.[1]

Causes of respiratory muscle impairment

Impairment of (inspiratory and expiratory) respiratory muscles is a common clinical finding, not only in patients with neuromuscular disease but also in patients with primary disease of the lung parenchyma or airways.[2]

Patients with neuromuscular, or metabolic diseases are at risk to develop skeletal and respiratory muscle weakness. In neuromuscular diseases close attention should be paid to the involvement of both the inspiratory and the expiratory muscles. In patients with multiple sclerosis for example, abdominal (and hence expiratory) muscle weakness is a hallmark of the disease, and is related to clinical problems, such as mucus retention. In lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and COPD, inspiratory muscle weakness is often present. When patients are malnourished or exposed to corticosteroids, weakness of the respiratory muscles is also seen in these diseases.

[Impairment of (inspiratory and expiratory) respiratory muscles is a common clinical finding, not only in patients with neuromuscular disease but also in patients with primary disease of the lung parenchyma or airways.]

Measuring respiratory muscle strength is a long established, method of assessing the mechanics of breathing. Respiratory muscle dysfunction (i.e. reduced strength or endurance) is to be distinguished from lung function abnormalities and should be measured separately. Measurement of respiratory muscle function is important in the diagnosis of respiratory muscle disease, or respiratory muscle dysfunction. It may also be helpful in the assessment of the impact of chronic diseases or their treatment on the respiratory muscles.[3]

Types of tests performed

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), also called PImax

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) MIP, also known as negative inspiratory force (NIF), is the maximum pressure that can be generated against an occluded airway beginning at functional residual capacity (FRC). It is a marker of respiratory muscle function and strength.[4] Represented by centimeters of water pressure (cmH2O) and measured with a manometer. Maximum inspiratory pressure is an important and noninvasive index of diaphragm strength and an independent tool for diagnosing many illnesses.[5] Typical maximum inspiratory pressures in adult males can be estimated from the equation, MIP = 142 - (1.03 x Age) cmH₂O, where age is in years.[6]

This test is performed at RV (Residual Volume) patient exhales fully in preparation for performing the test and then inhales as hard and as fast as possible with maximal sustained effort for longer than 1 second, the inhaled pressure is the highest achieved over 1 second average.

Maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), also called PEmax

Performed at TLC (total lung capacity) patient inhales fully in preparation for performing the test and then exhales as hard and as fast as possible with maximal sustained effort for longer than 1 second, the exhaled pressure is the highest achieved over a 1 second average.

Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP)

Short, sharp voluntary inspiratory manoeuvre through one or both unoccluded nostrils. The tests are performed at FRC (functional residual capacity – end of tidal expiration. The measurement recorded is the peak pressure. This test appears particularly suited to neuromuscular weakness because it obviates the use of a mouthpiece and because it is easily mastered by the vast majority of patients.[7]

[1] ATS/ERS Statement on Respiratory Muscle Testing. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 166. pp 518–624, 2002

[2] Diagnostic methods to assess inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength. J Bras Pneumol. 2015;41(2):110-123. Pedro Caruso et al.

[3] Respiratory muscle assessment. Eur Respir Mono 2005, 31, 51 – 57. T. Troosters, R Gosselink, M Decramer

[4] Page 352 in:

[5]

[6]

[7] Sniff nasal inspiratory pressure: simple or too simple. Eur Respir J 2006; 27; 881 – 883. J-W Fitting

title: Respiratory pressure meter

question: Summarize the different tests for respiratory strength.

answer: PImax involves measuring the centimeters of water pressure breathed out in order to measure a patient's diaphragm strength. PEmax is a measure of total lung capacity, by having a patient breathe out as fast and hard as possible before asking them to inhale again. SNIP (Sniff Nasal Inspiratory Pressure) measures via the nostrils, one's respiratory strength through short sharp exhalations.

question: What might a patient wish to test their respiratory strength for?


text:
_THE CYRILLO-METHODIAN ENCYCLOPEDIA_ is a 4-volume specialized and sectoral edition of the Institute of Literature at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences from 1985 to 2003. It contains thematic articles on Cyrillo-Methodian Studies.[1]

The focus is on Old Bulgarian literature and paleoslavistics.[2]

Contains articles from a number of areas of public and cultural medieval life in the Bulgarian lands, as well as those in the Serbian, Wallachian, Moldovan and Great Russian. Its articles include related topics in the fields of history and archeology, architecture and fine arts, applied arts and music. The information transmitted is in the context of the Christianization of Bulgaria and the Slavic world in Southeastern and Eastern Europe, as well as of Bulgarian-Byzantine relations.

The information summarizes Cyril and Methodius studies from the leading schools in Sofia, Veliko Turnovo, Belgrade, Skopje, Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as from those outside Eastern Europe - Vienna, Munich, Leipzig, Brussels. [3] The English-speaking world does not have scientific centers specializing in Cyril and Methodius studies, a kind of medieval biblical studies.

[1] Cyrillo-Methodian Encyclopedia.

[2] Cyrillo-Methodian Encyclopedia article in Bulgarian Book (in Bulgarian)

[3] BULGARIAN CYRILLO-METHODIAN TERMINOLOGY.

title: Cyrillo-Methodian Encyclopedia

question: What are Cyrillo-Methodian studies?

answer: They are a kind of medieval biblical studies.

question: What can you find in the Cyrillo-Methodian Encyclopedia?

answer: Articles from areas of public and cultural medieval life in the Bulgarian lands and those in the Serbian, Wallachian, Moldovan and Great Russian.

question: What are some of the topics found in the Encyclopedia?

answer: History, archeology, architecture, fine arts, applied arts, and music.

question: What is the context in which the encyclopedia was written?

answer: The Christianization of Bulgaria and the Slavic world in Southeastern and Eastern Europe, as well as of Bulgarian-Byzantine relations

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The article is a description of the Cyrillo-Methodian Encyclopedia and it contains hematic articles on Cyrillo-Methodian Studies.


text:
Jacques Cartier}} The PETIT LAC JACQUES-CARTIER is a freshwater body that flows into the rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud, in the unorganized territory of Lac-Jacques-Cartier, in the La Côte-de-Beaupré Regional County Municipality, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, in province from Quebec, in Canada.

Petit lac Jacques-Cartier is located in the Jacques-Cartier National Park.

This small valley is served by some secondary roads serving this area for the needs of forestry, recreational tourism activities[1].

Forestry is the main economic activity in the sector; recreational tourism, second.

The surface of Petit Lac Jacques-Cartier is generally frozen from the beginning of December to the end of March, but safe circulation on the ice is generally made from mid-December to mid-March.

Geography

The main watersheds neighboring Petit Lac Jacques-Cartier are:

-   north side: rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud, rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest, Charles-Savary Lake;
-   east side: rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest, Jacques-Cartier River, Rocheuse River;
-   south side: Gregory Lake, Tourilli River, Sainte-Anne River;
-   west side: rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest.

  Enclosed between the mountains, the Petit lac Jacques-Cartier has a length of , a width of and an altitude of . This lake has two small islands and a central island which is aligned in a north-south direction with two peninsulas. This lake is mainly fed by the outlet of Collins, Poitevin and Mesy lakes, the outlet of Haltère and Garneau lakes, the outlet of Lairet lake and the outlet of Doux lake.   Located at the bottom of a small bay to the northeast, the mouth of this lake has a dam. This mouth is located at:

-   south-west of a curve of the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest;

-   west of the confluence of the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest and the Jacques-Cartier River;

-   south-east of the confluence of the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest and the rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud [2].

  From the mouth of Petit lac Jacques-Cartier, the current flows in the following segments:

-   towards the north following the course of the rivière Jacques-Cartier Sud;

-   to the east down the rivière Jacques-Cartier Nord-Ouest;

-   towards the south following the current of the Jacques-Cartier River, to the northwest shore of the Saint-Laurent river[3].

Toponymy

Jacques Cartier (Saint-Malo, France, 1491 - Saint-Malo, 1557), explorer and navigator, made three trips to Canada between 1534 and 1542. He ventured to the New World in 1534, charged by François I with finding and a passage to Asia. He explored the Anticosti Island, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and, on July 24, he erected a cross in the bay of Gaspé as a sign of appropriation of the site. During his second trip, in 1535, Cartier went up the St. Lawrence River to Hochelaga (Montreal) and spent a difficult winter in Stadaconé (Quebec). Finally, in 1541, under the orders of Roberval, Cartier attempted to establish the first French colony in America. It settles at the mouth of the Cap-Rouge river which it names Charlesbourg-Royal. Cartier left the colony in June 1542, while Roberval was on his way to Canada. They meet in Newfoundland, and Cartier chooses to return to Saint-Malo. First cartographer of the St. Lawrence, he recognizes that the gold and diamonds found turn out to be iron pyrite and quartz.

The toponym “Petit lac Jacques-Cartier” was formalized on December 5, 1968, by the Commission de toponymie du Québec[4].

Notes and references

External link

-   Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

[1] Open Street Map - Accessed January 6, 2020

[2] of Canada from the Department of Natural Resources Canada - Characteristics extracted from the geographic map, the data bank and the instrumentation of the site - accessed January 6, 2020.

[3]

[4] Commission de toponymie du Québec - Petit lac Jacques-Cartier - accessed January 6, 2020

title: Petit lac Jacques-Cartier

question: How long did Jacques Cartier live?

answer: 66 years.

question: How many of the main watersheds neighboring Petit Lac Jacques-Cartier are mentioned in the passage?

answer: 10 watersheds.

question: How long did Jacques Cartier live in the first French colony in America?

answer: One year.

question: How many months of the year is the lake frozen?

answer: Usually 4 months.


text:
FRÉDÉRIC PERRENOT (1536–1600), lord of Champagney, baron of Renaix, was a soldier and diplomat in Habsburg service.

Life

Perrenot was born in Barcelona on 3 April 1536, the fifth and youngest son of Nicole Bonvalot and Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle, a close adviser to Charles V.[1] His studies at the University of Padua were cut short by his father's death in 1550. He served at the Battle of Renty (1554).[2] In 1559 he accompanied Philip II to Spain, then returned to the Low Countries, where he was aligned with his oldest brother, Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle. He served against the Dutch Revolt under the command of Fadrique de Toledo, before returning to Burgundy to command the garrison at Besançon. In 1571 he was appointed Governor of Antwerp.[3]

In a memorandum to the Duke of Medinaceli in 1573 he criticised the policy of terror that had been pursued by the Duke of Alva, the arrogance and tyranny of Spanish soldiery, and the infringement of ancient customs and liberties. Between 1574 and 1576 he was much away from Antwerp on diplomatic missions. Returning to Antwerp in the summer of 1576, he several times wrote to the Council of State warning of the mounting dangers of the situation there.[4] At the Sack of Antwerp in November 1576 he sought refuge in Middelburg.[5] His house in Antwerp was looted by the mutineers. He was a supporter of the Pacification of Ghent, agreed later the same month, but while criticising royal policy he remained loyal to the king. In 1578 he was imprisoned in Ghent by the rebels, and several times threatened with death. In June 1579 he briefly escaped but was recaptured.[6]

While in captivity, he wrote pamphlets against the rebels, including _Advis d'ung bon bourgois de la ville de Gand_, clandestinely printed in 1583, which elicited a reply from Marnix of Saint-Aldegonde.

After the reconciliation of Ghent on 17 September 1584, Perrenot was liberated through a prisoner exchange. He was appointed commander of Ghent citadel, with a garrison of Walloon troops. In September 1585 he was again appointed governor of Antwerp, where he negotiated the rebuilding of Antwerp Citadel with the city council, but was removed from office the following year.[7] He became a vocal critic of Alexander Farnese, who on 14 October 1592 ordered him to leave Brussels and return to his native Burgundy. He settled in Dole, dying there in 1600.[8]

Writings

-   _Recueils contenans par quels moyens les gens de guerre Espaignols ammenez es Pays Bas par le duc d'Alve, s'estans mutinez en iceux diverses fois, entrerent en Anvers_ (Lyon, 1578).[9]
-   _Advis d'ung bon bourgois de la ville de Gand_ (1583).[10]

[1] A.L.P. de Robaulx de Soumoy (ed.), _Mémoires de Frédéric Perrenot sieur de Champagney, 1573-1590_ (Brussels, 1860), p. vi. On Google Books.

[2] Ernest Gossart, “Perrenot (Frédéric)”, _Biographie Nationale de Belgique_, vol. 17 (Brussels, 1903), 46-59.

[3]

[4] J. Van Vloten, Brieven van F. Perrenot de Champagney (julij-october 1576), offprint from _Bijdragen tot the Oudheidkunde en Geschiedenis, inzonderheid van Zeeuwsch-Vlaanderen_, 5 (1860), pp. 238-273.

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9] https://books.google.com/books?id=3r9NAAAAcAAJ

[10] https://books.google.com/books?id=voFbAAAAQAAJ

title: Frédéric Perrenot

question: Where did Perrenot study?

answer: Perrenot studied at the University of Padua. He could not finish his education due to his father's death.

question: When did he become the Governor of Antwerp?

answer: In 1571.

question: What did he write in the memorandum to the Duke of Medinaceli?

answer: Perrenot criticized the policy of terror that had been pursued by the Duke of Alva, he also wrote about the tyranny of Spanish soldiery, and the infringement of ancient customs and liberties.

question: What did he do while in captivity?

answer: Perrenot wrote pamphlets against the rebels.

question: Write a ~9 sentence summary.

answer:
Frederic Perrenot was a soldier and diplomat in Habsburg service. He served at the Battle of Renty. In 1571, Perrenot was appointed as the Governor of Antwerp.

He was a supporter of the Pacification of Ghent. In 1578, he was imprisoned in Ghent. A year later he escaped but was recaptured. While captive, he wrote c=pamphlets against the rebels.

After the reconciliation of Ghent, Perrenot was appointed commander of Ghent citadel. And in 1585, he was again appointed as the Governor of Antwerp but was removed from the office the following year.


text:
[Mark Zuckerberg]
In an interview with _Wired_ magazine, Mark Zuckerberg revealed Facebook’s political agenda — he wants to curb free speech and free expression on the platform in exchange for “safety.”

From the Wired interview:

  I think at the heart of a lot of these issues we face are tradeoffs between real values that people care about. You know, when you think about issues like fake news or hate speech, right, IT’S A TRADEOFF BETWEEN FREE SPEECH AND FREE EXPRESSION AND SAFETY AND HAVING AN INFORMED COMMUNITY. These are all the challenging situations that I think we are working to try to navigate as best we can. (_Emphasis added)_

Zuckerberg’s “trade-off” confirms Facebook’s long-suspected agenda: to take the platform away from first amendment principles, towards a European understanding of speech, in which elites determine what ordinary people can and cannot say, based on vague, flexible terms like “hate speech” and “fake news.”

Similarly to YouTube’s lurch towards censoriousness, this is a massive bait-and-switch. Silicon Valley promised users open platforms where they would be able to air their views on an equal playing field, without interference from corporate media, political elites, and gatekeepers.

Now Zuckerberg wants to install himself as the ultimate gatekeeper, presiding over the speech and expression of the platform’s 2 billion users. In order to ensure “safety” and an “informed community,” he is going to decide what information is allowed to spread on the platform, and what information is going to be suppressed.

We are already seeing the results of this approach. Facebook’s recent changes to users’ newsfeeds have caused engagement on conservative media and on President Trump’s page to plummet, while left-wing and corporate media has received a boost.

By taking on an editorial role, Facebook may be violating the justification for Communication Decency Act’s safe harbor provision, which grants online platforms legal immunity from content posted by their users.

Facebook’s decision to take a top-down, editorial view on the information shared on its platform was recently confirmed by the company’s head of news partnership’s Campbell Brown. Speaking at Recode’s annual conference, Brown said:

  This is not us stepping back from news. This is us changing our relationship with publishers and emphasizing something that Facebook has never done before: IT’S HAVING A POINT OF VIEW, and it’s leaning into quality news. … We are, for the first time in the history of Facebook, TAKING A STEP TO TRY TO TO DEFINE WHAT ‘QUALITY NEWS’ LOOKS LIKE and give that a boost. (_Emphasis added_)

At a Senate hearing in January, Sen. Ted Cruz called out representatives from Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter over censorship of conservatives. Cruz told the representatives that if their platforms did not remain politically neutral, they could lose legal immunity for user content under the provisions of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Without this protection, social media companies would be legally liable for all content posted on their platforms – an existential threat to their business model.

_ALLUM BOKHARI IS THE SENIOR TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT AT BREITBART NEWS. YOU CAN FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER, GAB.AI AND ADD HIM ON FACEBOOK. EMAIL TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS TO ALLUMBOKHARI@PROTONMAIL.COM._

question: Which organization published this article?

answer: Breitbart News.

question: Who authored this article?

answer: Allum Bokhari, a senior technology correspondent at Breitbart.

question: Who is the subject of the article?

answer: Mark Zuckerberg.

question: What sources does the article reference?

answer: Mark Zuckerberg's Wired interview, Campbell Brown's comments at the annual Recode conference, and Ted Cruz's comments at a Senate hearing (which reference the Communication Decency Act).

question: What is the subject of the article?

answer: The executive decision to take on a more qualitative role in how information is shared on Facebook.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Allum Bokhari, a senior technology correspondent at Breitbart, criticizes the executive decision to take on a more qualitative role in how information is shared on Facebook.


text:
This is it. This is the moment that I end my own life. I’m on the rooftop and I think I’m ready. People are going to say that they had no idea. That they never would have guessed that I would do something like this. That might be true, if they’d ever truly talked to me before or really knew me. I’ve had depression for a long time but nobody seemed to notice.

Maybe they did and I didn’t notice. That doesn’t matter now.

Climbing up onto the ledge, I stare down into where my final moments will be. People will most likely say it was unplanned since I didn’t leave a note or anything and for the most part it’s true. All I did was research a couple of buildings with rooftop access that were high enough for my needs. Had to be sure the fall would kill me. No paralysed from the neck down, waist down or going into a coma for me. No I expect to be dead on arrival with that piece of pavement down there. It’s early morning so there’s hardly anyone except the odd car driving by. Hopefully I don’t traumatise anyone.

Well this is it. I try to step off then try to jump but I stop myself every time. I’ve been up here too long. I’m too calm and my brain is hardwired to survive. I try to remember all the things that have led up to this decision here. Suddenly I can hear someone talking. I look around and notice that there’s a man with his back to me on the opposite side of the rooftop. “In life and death I will continue to be clear sighted and know the truth. That there is no point. The days of misery and mediocrity in this life are no more. So suck it world” he said. I shout over “hey!”

“ahh” he jumps back startled then looks over at me, running his eyes up and down assessing me. “I’m already committed to this, you can’t stop me” he says turning back around getting ready to jump. “I don’t want to stop you. I’m here for the same reason” I call over. He turns back to face me a second time then charges at me full speed, his eyes flashing angrily. I wonder if he’s going to push me over so he doesn’t have to listen to me talk. He stops just short of me and I take a good look at him. He’s wearing a dark suit and looks to be only a year or so older than me. He looks at me and simply says “no” as if in answer to some unspoken question. I wait for him to elaborate. Both of us standing there patiently waiting for one to understand the other. The guy runs out of patience quickly “didn’t you hear me, get out of here!”

“Ok just give me second” I said turning back round ready to jump. “No!” he shouts grabbing my arm and pulling me back off the ledge. “This is my spot ok go find somewhere else to die” he says shoving me away. “What no way I was here first” I say outraged.

“It doesn’t matter. This has been my spot for over a week and I’m not sharing.”

“why does it even matter we’re both going to be dead” I say incredulously.

“Of course it matters. I don’t want people thinking we’re part of some gay suicide pact!”

“ok i’ll pin a note to myself saying ‘I don’t know this corpse’

He shakes his head “that won’t work people will just think your ashamed of it. You have to find another rooftop”

“I was here first you have to find another rooftop”

“No this is my spot”

“why does it even matter?”

He grabs my arm and pull me over to where I first saw him. “look down there” he said. I look down and just see the pavement and road. “no no over there” he says pointing to across the road to a gym where the walls are just glass windows. “All those flabby house mums who just want to have sex again are going to see some reality fall in front of them when I go splat”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing “that’s not a reason to kill yourself!” He smiles as if he expected me to say that. “what I’m about to do is gonna stay with them for the rest of their lives. I’ll have left a permanent mark on their psyches.”

Oh god, he's insane. I mean I guess you have to be to kill yourself but still. "Ok fine this is a good location for you thats great but I was here first and I just want to get it over with. So move" I said.

"no"

"fine" I say and head off to another rooftop edge. He chases after me and jumps in front of me.

"ok ok. Look how about we play for it?" He asks and at this point I just want him to leave as fast as possible. "What did you have in mind?" I asked.

“Got any change? We could flip for it"

"No I didn't think I'd need change in the afterlife" I said sarcastically.

"so you think there's an afterlife?"

"yes... no, look what else have you got"

"rock paper scissors.” I looked into the eyes of a man who was going to duel me with rock paper scissors with the grand prize of death to the winner and I said yes to that insanity.

"this is crazy" I say getting my hand out ready.

"ok 1... 2 .... 3"

"wait your supposed to go after 3"

"What are you talking about everyone knows you go on 3" he says irritably.

"It's one two three and then you go" I explained.

"fine we'll do it your way. ok 1 2 3 go, ha rock beats paper"

"ok now your just fucking with me right?"

"I had rock you had paper so I win" he said.

"Paper covers rock"

"and rock smashes through paper" he said triumphantly.

"what... no it's... fuck its exhausting talking to you"

He smiled "off you go now it’s killing time" and then louder he shouted "Dead man walking" as he approached the edge. I hadn't moved, in fact I was actively watching him transfixed by a morbid curiosity. He soon noticed this too and said "I thought you were leaving."

"don't worry I'm not going to jump. You know gay suicide pact thing and all"

His eyes narrowed "why don't you just find another rooftop"

"that’s what I'm going to do" I said surprised

"no you said you weren't going to jump. At all."

"Of course I'm going to do it why else would I be up here?"

"maybe originally you were going to but now you seem... unsure"

"I guess doing all this shit with you. I mean if I really wanted to end my own life I'd have just ignored you to begin with and just did it" I said.

He nodded as if he understood "maybe I'm just depressed" I offered.

"maybe. Well two audience members are better than one"

"now I’m the confused one"

"you've been the confused one this whole time" he joked.

I ignore it and press on "who's the other audience member" I ask wipingthe smile off of his face.

He turns round back to facing the ledge "it doesn't matter"

I get up onto the ledge with him and follow his line of site back to that gym. I see one woman in her mid forties exercising vigoursly on a stationary bike. "Is that your mum?"

"yep"

"Jesus, you shouldn't kill yourself because you hate your mum."

"what would you know. You said it yourself your just depressed" he snarled

"aren't you? Aren't you angry and sad all the time like me?"

"You see that post there?" he said pointing next to the gym. I nodded

"that's where I'd stand when I was little and mum had to exercise"

"so what you had to wait outside for an hour every once in a while when you were little?"

"It might have been that way a few times but mostly she'd find some guy and she'd disappear for the rest of the night and if she came back and I wasn't right where she left me at that post as soon as we got home she'd just start hitting me saying things like she wished she'd bought condoms that week." I didn't know what to say to that.

"sometimes if the guy came home with her she'd have him do it for her while she got ready in the bedroom"

Ok now I knew what to say "so what?"

his eyes flashed angrily "didn't you hear a word I said"

"yeah and you know what fuck her"

"what?"

"fuck her. don't let that bitch win. You don't have to take that shit any more. just walk away from her. Fuck her"

He shook his head "I've left before and it always ends with her calling the police or me running out of money"

"your what 17?"

He nodded "so you graduate in like 6 months then. You only need to hold out till then"

"I got kicked out. For fighting."

I smiled "that's what other schools are for"

I could see that he starting to come around "I've got nowhere to go though"

"6 months will go by pretty quickly" I said.

He shook his head firmly and lifted up shirt to reveal a large bruise running down his side. "Her latest boyfriend. I can't stay there"

"You could stay with me then. All I know is you shouldn't kill yourself because of her. Fuck her now you say it"

"Fuck her"

"louder"

"FUCK HER!"

we both laughed  headed back off of the edge towards the door "hang on one sec" I said. I went back over to that edge and peered over. If this were film or something all of our problems would be solved by now. But it isn't and they’re not. That guy who was abused as a kid who I think I can call a friend now after nearly dying with him was still abused and I'm still well... me. I don't want dive into my issues now it’s not a competition.

I look back and the roof’s empty. Panic sets in. Did I just hallucinate him? Did this fucking cliché really just happen to me where the apparition shows the man the truth thus saving him from himself. Am I schizophrenic now? Maybe I should ju... “hey you coming?” he pops his head out from behind the door. Immediately relieved “yeah let’s go”

“Christ your slow” he mumbles as we head down the steps.

title: Suicide is Solitary

question: Summarize why the narrator wants to end their life.

answer: The narrator wants to end his life because he is depressed. He's had depression for a long time, and believes nobody ever seemed to notice. He vaguely mentions that there have been things that have led up to this decision, but he doesn't go into them. He didn't even leave a note for people to find.

question: Summarize the story's resolution.

answer: Both the narrator and the 17 year old fight over their right to have the spot on the rooftop to himself. Both want to kill themselves there. This resolves after the two boys discuss why the 17 year old wants to kill himself. The reason is due to his abusive mother, but the narrator finds that it's something the boy can get through since he only has 6 months left of school. The boys' argument turns into friendship and they both opt not to end their lives.

question: Summarize the 17 year old's relationship with his mother.

answer: The other boy on the rooftop with the narrator reveals that he's chosen this rooftop because his mother will end up seeing him kill himself. He hates his mother for a few reasons. She would always exercise and leave him standing on a corner as a child. Sometimes she would find a man while she did this and end up leaving him there for the rest of the night. When she'd finally take him home, she would start hitting him and alluding to wishing he'd never been born. All of this seems to be the reason he's decided to end his life.

question: What does the text say about games?

answer: In an effort to get the narrator away from his planned suicide spot, the 17 year old suggests they play for the spot. He first brings up flipping a coin, but the narrator doesn't have one. He then suggests "rock paper scissors". When they play, they argue over the rules but ultimately the 17 year old wins the game and the spot.

question: What does the text say about the narrator's mother?


text: Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s longtime personal attorney, will invoke the 5th Amendment in the civil lawsuit brought by former porn actress Stormy Daniels in California, according to a new court filing. The documents cite the ongoing criminal probe against Cohen in New York, where his office and home were raided earlier this month by the FBI. Daniels is suing Cohen and Trump in California, alleging that the non-disclosure agreement about an alleged affair with Trump is invalid because the president never signed it. The suit also accuses Cohen of defamation, claiming that the lawyer's denial of her affair with the president “meant to convey that Ms. Clifford is a liar.”

question: Who is Michael Cohen?

answer: former personal attorney to President Donald Trump

question: Who is Stormy Daniels?

answer: A former porn actress involved in a lawsuit against Donald Trump and Michael Cohen.

question: Why did Stormy Daniels sue Donald Trump and Michael Cohen?

answer: Daniels alleges that an NDA she signed concerning a supposed affair between herself and Donald Trump was never signed by Trump, and that claims otherwise are "meant to convey that [she] is a liar."

question: What is the 5th Amendment?

answer: The 5th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees protection against self-incrimination.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Michael Cohen, longtime personal attorney of President Donald Trump, will invoke the 5th Amendment in the civil lawsuit brought by former porn actress Stormy Daniels.