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A practical guide to the way of life in Cuba

Life in Cuba has its fair amount of surprises! Read our guide and find out all about different destinations, healthcare, and accommodation in Cuba. That way, living in Cuba can be an amazing experience, with joyful, welcoming people and constant sunshine.

Need to move abroad? Organizing an international relocation is not something you should do on your own. As expats, we understand what you need, and offer the the essential services to help you move and live abroad easily. Contact us today to jump start your move, and begin the preparations with our free relocation checklist.

Life in Cuba

At a Glance:

-   For expats seeking employment, Havana may be the best choice.
-   The healthcare system, based on preventing diseases, is considered fairly efficient.
-   More than one tenth of Cuba’s GDP goes towards funding public education.

There is a lot about life in Cuba which drives expats to travel to this beautiful island. Some may instantly think about the famous Cuban cigars and Che Guevara murals, while others are reminded of the music of the Buena Vista Social Club. Either way, concepts of life in Cuba are often associated with a simple, yet romantic and happy way of life. But before you celebrate by lighting that thick Montecristo, read on for a brief overview of living in Cuba.

Destinations in Cuba: From Capital to Countryside

From big cities to rural villages, living in Cuba may take you everywhere, whether you’d prefer a more urban life or the less luxurious countryside. Everything is possible. Although this section is by no means extensive, below you will find a brief introduction to some of Cuba’s prime destinations.

Havana: The Cultural and Political Center

Havana is Cuba’s capital, located in the northwest of the island at the Gulf of Mexico. With just over 2.14 million inhabitants, it is also the largest city, not only in the country but also in the Caribbean. Havana, also known as the “Gateway to the Gulf of Mexico”, attracts expats and tourists alike. It is particularly famous for the colonial architecture that litters the Cuban landscape. The city is the cultural and political center of Cuba. Thus, many expats seeking employment in Cuba might find themselves settling in Havana.

Originally called La Villa de San Cristóbal de la Habana, Havana served as a center for trade and commerce in the 16th century. Today, Old Havana, the historic heart of the city, is the last relic of life in Cuba’s colonial past. If you ever tire of the mass of people, and the hustle and bustle of life on Parade Square, just travel out to Playa del Este. This long beach, which stretches 15km from Bacuranao to Guanabo, can feel like a different country. Just east of Havana, it’s one of Cuba’s best beaches, and the perfect place to just sit back, light a Cuban cigar and think the world away.

Santiago de Cuba: Come Here For the Carnival

Santiago de Cuba is considered the second-largest city in Cuba and also the one which is known to be the most “Caribbean”. Cuba’s southeast is influenced by trade and immigration, mostly from its neighboring countries. However, Santiago de Cuba is also famous for its colorful carnival, an annual celebration Cubans are particularly proud of.

The historic heart of Santiago is definitely worth a visit, not to mention Major General Antonio Maceo Revolution Square, where parades and meetings take place. Moreover, San Pedro de la Roca, located at the Bay entrance, bears witness to the long history of pirate attacks the city had to endure. Throughout your life in Cuba’s southeast, you will most likely discover even more places to see and things to do.

Trinidad de Cuba: The Island’s Most Popular Tourist Spot

Trinidad de Cuba borders the Caribbean Sea and, much like Havana, it is far from new. Looking back on 500 years of history, its ancient palaces and colonial-style buildings will take you back to the reign of the Spanish conquistadores. Today, life in Trinidad is mostly dominated by tourism, and the streets are just as filled with foreign visitors as they are with Cuban locals. However, the tobacco-processing industry is strong in this area as well.

To expats living in Cuba’s province of Sanctí Spiritus, this may not come as a surprise. After all, it has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site, together with the neighboring Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills). Aside from that, Trinidad’s beaches are what make life in Cuba particularly enjoyable. Most of them are located on Casilda Bay.

Healthcare and Education in Cuba

Healthcare in Cuba: In Spite of Underfunding Surprisingly Efficient

Contrary to what you might expect Cuba has an extensive public healthcare system, to which all citizens enjoy equal access. Particularly in the 1980s, Cuba’s healthcare system underwent several reforms and redevelopment. This is one of the reasons why, according to the WHO, Cubans not only have the highest life expectancy in the geographical region, but also place among the top five highest in the world.

Indeed, in 2014, the country was praised by Margaret Chan, Director-General of the WHO, as a world leader in the medical sphere, for not only the extent and quality of its care but also for the systems strong link with research and innovation.

As mentioned above, the public healthcare system in Cuba covers all citizens. Private hospitals, doctor’s practices, and other private medical facilities do not exist. Instead, all health-related facilities and services are run by the government. Universal vaccinations and other universal programs have almost eradicated diseases like polio, rubella, tuberculosis, or chicken pox.

Furthermore, the small budget means that Cuba had to invent a unique approach to healthcare. It consists of compulsory health checks in order to put an emphasis on prevention. In fact, preventing a disease, or catching it at an early phase, is less expensive for the public healthcare system. This means that every Cuban has at least one annual health check-up, which often is done at home by local doctors or nurses.

For decades, Cuba has been known to have a large staff of well-trained medical specialists at hand. The research sector is strong as well, particularly in the field of biotechnology or epidemiological studies on chronic diseases. An example of their achievements is that Cuba became the first country in the world to receive WHO validation that it successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV.

For years, medical tourism has played an important role in the Cuban economy. Brought to the fore in news media by former football star Diego Maradona’s drug rehabilitation in 2000, an ever-increasing amount of foreigners arrive on Cuban soil to take advantage of the medical service, both vital and cosmetic.

More than 2.8 million tourists travelled to Cuba in 2012. Although no solid figures can be provided for how many went for medical reasons, there are at least several thousand that did so just for this reason. Not only do many hospitals have special divisions and trained staff to serve the needs of foreign patients, but the government recently created Servimed, alongside CSMC, with the charge of promoting medical services to foreigners.

Since 2010, tourists and expats are obligated to secure health insurance which is valid for their stay in Cuba and approved by the Cuban government. However, even if you are covered, you need to keep in mind that medical facilities do not accept checks or credit cards. So make sure to bring enough cash when you visit a hospital or clinic.

Some Issues Remain in the Healthcare System

The fall of the socialist bloc and the tightening of the US embargo in the early 90s put a strain on Cuba’s economy. Its healthcare system threatened to collapse as the budget for medicine and medical equipment shrunk by 70%. However, the health of Cuba’s population remained stable. This is due to the fact that healthcare remained a high priority for the government.

Today, the lack of medical equipment still takes a toll on medical care. Particularly the specialized medical fields were harmed in the 1990s, when special equipment and medication was scarce and hard to come by. Although, medical professionals were widely available, they could not make up for the dire condition of Cuba’s healthcare facilities.

In 2004, Cuba’s government implemented a national program to renew the country’s 444 polyclinics. They even chose 52 hospitals and tertiary institutes to be remodeled to become “centers of excellence”. The first of these centers were completed in 2006. However, there are more to come, and Cuba still has a long way to go in living up to its reputation of having one of the best healthcare systems.

Education in Cuba: Public, Free, and Well-Funded

Ever since the Cuban revolution in the 1950s, the country’s education system has fundamentally improved. UNESCO rates Cuba as the best education system in Latin America, despite being one of the less developed countries in the region.

However, this is unsurprising, as, alongside the medical sector, the education sector lies at the center of the government ethos and it invests 13% of its GDP there (as of 2014). As is the case with healthcare in Cuba, education is public and free for all citizens and literacy is at 99.8%.

Before the big changes the revolution brought, it was particularly the rural population which did not have access to basic education. Today, a large school network provides education in all corners of the Cuban island.

Keep in mind that, because educational facilities are usually run by the government, international and private education is extremely scarce. There are very few international schools in Cuba: among them, the International School of Havana and the École Française de La Havana. They are very expensive (the tuition fee is 12,600 USD and 9320 USD for grades 11 and 12, respectively), so if you are unable to send your children to one of these schools, you should consider arranging for Spanish lessons in order to prepare them for the local schools.

As for university education, the government is planning to implement education reforms in 2016-2017. Their reforms’ objective is to improve undergraduate studies, which are deemed to take too long. They will be shortened to four years, as in a lot of other countries. The other objective is to test the students for their English language skills before graduating. In fact, a lot of Cuban professionals are not able to speak English fluently.

Accommodation and Safety in Cuba

Housing in Cuba: In Need of Renovation

We have already referenced the unique colonial architecture which exists in cities like Havana. Unfortunately, while the government put lots of effort into improving rural life, major cities were forgotten about. As a result, most buildings are rather run-down and can appear to be on the verge of collapse. Plenty of houses obviously need major repairs.

On the bright side, Cuba lacks the improvised shanty towns or slums in the same form or intensity of those found in many Latin American cities. Even the poor often seem to have some place to live with access to running water and electricity.

But there is no reason to worry for expats. Some areas in Havana and other major tourist destinations are being renewed. At the same time, private housing with a little bit more comfort is available as well. Expats with a bigger budget can still find an apartment or house to feel at home in. However, keep in mind that if you are US American, you cannot enter the Cuban real estate market, in accordance with the 1961 Trading with the Enemy Act voted by US Congress. However, relations between Cuba and the US are gradually getting better since Obama’s visit in 2016, and some people think it may be a matter of time until this law is removed.

To Rent or To Buy, That Is the Question

Both renting and buying property might prove to be viable options to expats living in Cuba. Which one you choose will highly depend on your living situation and the duration of your stay. Upon your arrival in Cuba, make sure not to buy a home straight away, even if you plan on a longer stay. Try to find temporary accommodation first, before you go on the apartment hunt. It is absolutely essential that you get acquainted with your new environment and the real estate market before settling for a property.

Nonetheless, there are some advantages to buying instead of renting. First of all, property is quite affordable in Cuba) and you may be able to save some money in the long run. You should make sure to check with a trustworthy Cuban attorney, however, to figure out the red tape. As a foreigner, you may be restricted to buying property in tourist areas and reselling your house or apartment might prove difficult in the end.

Things to Keep in Mind

But whether you choose to rent or buy a place in Cuba, there are certain things to keep in mind. First off, you get a better deal if you are either fluent in Spanish or ask a native Spanish speaker to help with the communication. Unfortunately, foreigners are subject to “tourist prices” and are thus often charged more than local residents.

It is important that you visit the property and have a look around before signing any papers. The landlord should be able to answer any question you might have. Never rent or buy a house or an apartment without having seen it first.

If you are ready to buy, make sure that the person who is selling the property to you is really the owner. It is a common scam to sell a property you don’t own or to sell to several different people.

Ask your lawyer to check all the paperwork and figure out if the transaction is legitimate before exchanging money. Aside from that, make sure to shop around and compare prices. Other expats can probably tell you more about common obstacles when buying property in Cuba.

Safety and Security: Be Prepared for Tropical Storms

Information on crime in Cuba is sparse and difficult to obtain because the government does not release statistics and articles relating to crime are absent in the media. Although the debate over personal safety in Cuba rages on, with people such as Elias Carranza, a senior official with the UN Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders Institute, contending that Cuba is the safest region in the Western hemisphere, others argue that this is simply government propaganda.

Whatever the case may be, expats living in Cuba should still be alert and wary of common crimes such as theft. Be alert when you move about crowded areas and do not leave your belongings unattended. It is also wise to keep luxurious jewelry and large amounts of cash out of sight while you are in public.

As car-related muggings can happen, it is advisable to only take registered taxis. Private ones may not be on par with official regulations, or the driver could even rob you.

So-called _jineteros _(hustlers) or street jockeys specialize in scams and may target you as well, considering you are a foreigner. They may appear friendly, offering guided tours or cheap cigarettes, but you should stay away nevertheless. Many a foreigner has been robbed by _jineteros_.

Furthermore, you should keep the hurricane season in mind: it generally runs from June to November. Electrical power, water supplies, and communications can be disrupted in the aftermath of a hurricane. In this case, it is advisable to ask your fellow expats, or locals, what is the best way to prepare for an event like this.

Do you want to relocate? If you have never moved abroad, the process will be overwhelming, and if you have, you know the burden that lies ahead. Whatever stage you are at, InterNations GO! can help you with a complete set of relocation services, such as home finding, school search, visa solutions, and even pet relocation. Our expert expat team is ready to get your relocation going, so why not jump-start your move abroad and contact us today? Best to start early!

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Moving to Cuba

Are you curious about moving to Cuba? If you have fallen in love with this country, you can learn more about politics, v...

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Working in Cuba

Unfortunately, business life in Cuba is not always peachy. Read our guide on working in Cuba to learn about the economy,...

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question: What does the guide say about Santiago de Cuba?

answer: Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest city in Cuba and is famous for its colorful carnival. The historic heart of Santiago, Major General Antonio Maceo Revolution Square where parades and meetings take place, and San Pedro de la Roca which bears witness to the long history of pirate attacks are worth a visit.

question: What does the guide say about Healthcare in Cuba?

answer: Cuba has an extensive public healthcare system, to which all citizens enjoy equal access. All health-related facilities and services are run by the government. Private medical facilities do not exist. Universal vaccinations and other universal programs have almost eradicated diseases like polio, rubella, tuberculosis, or chickenpox. Every Cuban has at least one annual health check-up. Cuba has been known to have a large staff of well-trained medical specialists at hand. The research sector is strong as well, particularly in the field of biotechnology or epidemiological studies on chronic diseases. Medical tourism plays an important role in the Cuban economy.

question: What does the guide say about education in Cuba? The education sector lies at the center of the government ethos and it invests 13% of its GDP there. Education is public, well-funded, and free for all citizens and literacy is at 99.8%. A large school network provides education in all corners of Cuba. Educational facilities are usually run by the government, and international and private education is extremely scarce.

answer: UNESCO rates Cuba as the best education system in Latin America.

question: What does the guide say about housing in Cuba?

answer: Plenty of houses obviously needs major repairs because most buildings are rather run-down and can appear to be on the verge of collapse. Some areas in Havana and other major tourist destinations are being renewed. Private housing with a little bit more comfort is available as well. Both renting and buying property might prove to be viable options for those who want to live in Cuba.

question: What does the guide say about buying property in Cuba?

answer: Property is quite affordable in Cuba, but you should make sure to check with a trustworthy Cuban attorney as foreigners are often charged more than local residents. It is important that you visit the property and have a look around before signing any papers and make sure that the person who is selling the property to you is really the owner. It is a common scam to sell a property you don’t own or to sell to several different people.

question: What does the guide say about Cuban cinematography?


split: test

text:
Amanda was driving to her hometown. It has been months of hectic work, and she was finally happy to go home and relax. As she drove down the familiar route, her mind went on a journey of its own – down the memory lane. All her childhood years, all the events that made her the woman she was today, flashed before her eyes.

As she reveled in the memories, the flashing lights and wailing sirens pulled her from dreamland back into reality.

“What the hell” she spoke to herself. “I wasn’t speeding”

She was ready to give the officer a piece of her mind, when she realized that the car wasn’t after her. It was probably transported a convict to the prison, just a few miles down the road. She remembered how that prison was a curse on her hometown. Prisoners escaped all the time and their closest target would be her town. She glared at the prison as she drove past it.

She turned on the radio to take her mind off things. Music always made her feel better. Just as she crossed a signpost that said she was five miles from her destination, she saw a guy sticking out his thumb. He was muscular, and dressed in formals. He looked like he was probably in his early thirties. Amanda stopped the car, and rolled down the window.

“Hello there! I’m Joseph. My car broke down, and I need a ride. Would you be so kind to give me a lift?”

“Sure Joseph, hop in. I’m Amanda, by the way.”

Amanda liked picking up hitchhikers. She was always happy to have them in her car.

“So Joseph, where are you headed?”

“Vacation. I have a cabin around here. Just a mile before River Heights. We’re vacationing there for the weekend”

“Who’s ‘we’?” Amanda was curious.

“Me, my wife, and our kids. We wanted to go somewhere peaceful, and where be--”

“--better than River Heights?” She finished his line for him. “I was born and raised here. Welcome to our town, Joseph”

“Oh. You’re a native. My mother was from River Heights, so the place is always special to me”

They continued exchanging stories, as the car approached a small path that broke off the highway.

“That’s the way to the cabin” Joseph said, sounding excited.

As they drove down the dark path, an unsettling feeling came over Amanda. But she kept driving, as the path suddenly ended in the middle of a forest.
“Umm... Joseph? Where’s the cabin you--” A sharp blow to her face stopped the sentence in half.
Joseph got out of the car, pulled Amanda out, and shoved her on the ground. She tried getting up, only to get hit again.

“You know Amanda” he said, ripping off her shirt. “Picking hitchhikers around a prison is a foolish thing to do. They might turn out to be a killer. Lucky for you, I’m merely a rapi--”

He froze, as he felt a cold intrusion in his chest. He looked down to see blood dripping down the slit between his ribs. Amanda shoved him off and stood over him, with her favourite knife covered in his blood.

“Speaking of foolish things, you should never get in a stranger’s car, especially a stranger who grew up around a prison”, she said with a maniacal smile in her face. “Like you said, they might turn out to be a killer”

Joseph gasped, as the cold knife proceeded to taste more of his blood. It was going to be a long night.

title: [MS] The Criminal

question: What is the twist in the tale?

answer: Right from the start of the story, it seems pretty obvious that Amanda has picked up an escaped prisoner. So it's no surprise when he attacks her. What is surprising is that she is armed and seems to take delight in hurting the escaped prisoner.


text:
Gary Oldman is open to starring in a Marvel movie, he said during an appearance at Sunday's Screen Actors Guild Awards.

“Marvel hasn’t called me,” Oldman told PEOPLE. “But now that you mentioned it, if they’re tuning in, my son wants me to!”

Oldman is father to Alfie, born in 1989, and teenagers Charlie John and Gulliver Flynn.

Oldman won the SAG trophy for outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role for his performance in _Darkest Hour,_ where he portrays Winston Churchill. The role won the actor a Golden Globe earlier this month.

He famously portrayed do-gooder Commissioner James Gordon in Christopher Nolan's _Dark_ _Knight_ trilogy, a role that has since been filled by J.K. Simmons in Warner Bros.' revamped DC Extended Universe.

Though he admits he's yet to see any of the newer DC Comics movies, Oldman had high praise for Simmons, calling him a "wonderful actor" in an interview with ComicBook.com.

"Gordon was very good to me so I wish him a lot of luck," Oldman said. "I'm excited for him."

Simmons made his debut as Batman's longtime and trusted ally in November's _Justice League._

Oldman's appearance at the SAG Awards wasn't without controversy: his critically acclaimed role in _Darkest Hour_ and subsequent media attention resulted in backlash aimed at the actor on social media.

Twitter users referenced Oldman's past domestic abuse accusations, citing a specific incident of alleged spousal abuse against ex-wife Donya Fiorentino.

Hit-factory Marvel Studios boasts the shared Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has since crossed $5 billion at the domestic box office — the first franchise to accomplish the feat.

0comments
Marvel is known for attracting pedigree to its blockbusters: their films have seen supporting roles filled by veteran actors Jeff Bridges, Tommy Lee Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Robert Redford, Glenn Close, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whittaker.

Marvel will next release _Black Panther_, in theaters February 16, followed by superhero epic _Avengers: Infinity War_ May 4 and _Ant-Man and the Wasp_ July 6.

question: What awards did Oldman win for his performance in Darkest Hour?

answer: Oldman won the SAG trophy and also Golden Globe.

question: What movies has Oldman acted in?

answer: He acted in Darkest Hour where he portrays Winston Churchill and also in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.

question: Who took over Oldman's role in the Dark Knight trilogy?

answer: J.K. Simmons took for Oldman's role.

question: Which was Oldman's debut movie?

answer: This information can't be found in the article.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer:
Gary Oldman says he is open to working in a Marvel movie. He won the SAG trophy and also the Golden Globe for his performance in Dark Hour. Oldman also starred in Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy as Commissioner James Gordon.

Olman's appearance at the SAG Awards had controversy added to it. Twitter users referenced his past domestic abuse accusations.


text:
there once was a boy with knives stuck in his voice. No matter what he said, it hurt the people around him, the boy just couldn't help it. Even if he didn't say anything offensive to someone, it still hurt them, just the sheer noise produced, a high, cutting pitch, something never heard by the likes of man before, would make the inner workings of your ears bleed, if you listened to it long enough.

All he wanted was a little affection. just somebody, for once to actually love him. a mother, a father, a friend would have sufficed. he should have known the first time a whole village abandoned him in the middle if a woods; no one wanted him, or his foul remarks. but he didn't learn, he had the simple mind of a child. the boy would walk during the days, crawl in the darkness of night, just to find a home. but every town he found, just kicked him out again. but he didnt learn, he had the simple mind of a child.

his cry's pierced the silence of the forest at night, birds flew away in fear, his shrill scream lured hunters to him, believing it was an animal, dying in their traps. but all they could hear when they saw him was, just as ghastly as his voice.

the poor child, he was just an unidentifiable bulk. you could hardly call him a bulk though, he was nothing but a remnant of his former self. the boy hadnt eaten for days from the looks of it, his skin was peeling, hair grew in patches. his ribs, they were hypnotic, just watching them stretch the pale, brittle skin. scabs were beginning to form, at nearly every inch of his body.

the two hunters felt pity for the boy. they left some food for him, and then left as fast as they could, they were horrified of the grotesque child. if they really felt pity for him, they would've killed him.

the night the boy ate was the first night the forest heard true silence for so long, no one actually knew.that night the boy actually slept.

the dreams were the sweetest thing he had ever experienced. the dreams gave him a new feeling of life, he didn't have the will to death any more. or was that the food?

the boy learnt to fend for himself. he admired those hunters, he wanted to impress them, be like them. to him, they were to first people to show him any compassion. but the boy was as much a terrible hunter, as the villagers were terrible humans. he never learnt. his voice scared of every single one of his prey. except the fish.

the boy was expert in catching fish from a river. the joy on his face was unmatched, as he pulled his first fish out of the stream with his bare hands.

many nights passed after the night with the hunters, and many dreams accompanied them. the boy had found something to cherish. night after night he went to his den, night after night a scream let out, sounding so much like a childish laugh.

his den was a crude piece of art. tightly packed under the roots of a relatively young oak in the forest of elders, its roots resembled aching joints submerged in the depths of the river, the boy used grass for a simple beading. old fish bones were hung up from the tops of the roots. oh he was proud of his fish bones.

one day, the boy was out “fishing”. there was one fish he had his eye on. it was too fast for him, even heading upstream. up and up they  went, the boy wasn't going to give up.

before he knew it, night had fallen. the boy was scared, he had come a long way from his little den, so far upstream he was on a slope. that was the first night the forest had heard the boys crys for so long.

he didn't sleep at all, he was scared he just wanted to be home, to be loved again. after the progress the boy made, it was undone in just one single, sleepless night.

the following morning, he woke in a pile of golden red leaves. autumn had arrived. the ground was damp and boggy. he tried to set for home, following the river downstream.

the boy dragged his feet through the mud. for hours, he walked and walked and walked, still no where closer to home. he was surprised at the distance he traveled the day before chasing the fish.

Then he heard it, a scream,a cry for help. it was a sharp noise, but it didn't make the boy cover his ears, only pay more attention to it. at first he thought it was himself, but how could it be, if he was here, and the noise was over there.

the boys childish nature made him curious. step by step, he trekked through the mud. it soon began to dry out as he made it closer to the noise

the forest was thinning, the noise was increasing. he thought he could hear voices thrown in hear and there, laughing, tormenting.

the boy had reached a clearing on a plateau. it was most likely the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, or will ever see. the field had patches of scarlet poppy's in between patches of long white grass.

and in the middle of that, the noise. a black cloud, dancing around in a single fluid motion. the boy got closer and saw ravens, hundreds of them, words flying from their beaks, taunts and insults thrown to the centre of the mass.

and in the centre, a single carrion crow, half the size of the ravens, and not able to fully form words like them, but screams, the same screams that caught the boys attention.

he screamed. the child screamed, drowning out the noise of the ravens. the crow joint in. the boy started running in and out of the group, trying his best to scare the ravens off. but they laughed at his futile attempts.

this made him scream louder and run faster. eventually the crows got bored with picking on the crow, and lost all interest in the child, waving his arms about like a madman.

they were gone. it was just the boy with knives stuck in his voice and the crow that couldn't sing.

the screams lessened and lessened, until all you could hear was the far of call of the ravens caught in the wind, and the slow steady breathing of both boy and bird.

on closer inspection, the crow was actually much bigger, but in poor condition. still not as big as the others, it had fresh blood dripping from where the ravens talons took swipes at him. its feathers were torn out in patches. and it was weak, malnourished.

they boy tried to pick him up as gentle as he could, but the crow struggled. finally the boy got hold of him. the boy could see he was hungry, but he had no food.

he had the next best thing a carrion crow could wish for; living human flesh. the boy bit his finger, making it bleed, only with a small yelp of pain. he tried stuffing it into the crows face, but that didnt work.

at long last, the crow got the taste of blood, and pecked at the boys hand until he was satisfied, all the while, the boy screamed. but he tolerated the pain, not flinching his hand away during the feeding.

the path back to the river was a long and tiresome one, the boy was feeling faint. the crow wanted to stay with the boy, so he let it sit on his shoulder. they screamed at each other the whole way, having some strange conversation in the most bizarre of tongues.

he had finally found someone to love, and to love him in return.

the boys dreams had come true.

that night, he fell asleep with a smile on his face, and blood on his neck from success. a dreamless sleep soon fell upon him.

the boys body became entangled in the branches of a relatively young oak tree in a forest of eldars, its fingers submerged in the waters of the river. the crow was perched above. it flew down and landed on the corpse, pecking strips of flesh away from the bones of the bloated, floating body.

title: In Absentia

question: Summarize the difficulties the boy face prior to him finding a friend in a crow.

answer:
The boy with knives stuck in his throat tends to hurt the people around him. The boy did not hurt anyone by choice, however, his voice is such that whether he speaks or not, the noise coming from his throat makes people uncomfortable. No one wants to be close to him though the boy tried to be a good person to all.
With no human ready to acknowledge him, the boy finally left for the forest. He was hungry while in the forest until two hunters took pity on him and left him some food. With his newfound strength, the boy tried hunting for his food but was not successful. One day, the boy was out fishing and lost the track of time. Before he knew it, nightfall descended and the boy was unable to return to his base.

question: What caused the boy to have knives in his throat?


text:
there was a period of  a week or two when i wrote little story messages to a few frends on facebook. these were all 'spur of the moment' ones, here's my favorite one.

she sat in the chair with the black liquid lapping at her knees, as always. her hands folded into her lap as the candle sat on the table. the glow barely illuminating her face and hands, the glow doing nothing to alleviate the darkness of the unknown abyss beyond her table. it's ceaseless flame standing out in the ocean of darkness.
the soft and sickly yellow glow of the candle did little to help with the suffocating claustrophobia of her situation. when she first arrived she searched for hours upon hours to find something so simple as a wall or column. there was only the chair, table, the black liquid, the candle, and the winds.
the liquid used to sting her eyes and throat when she arrived, but after a while it dissapated. the cold winds however, they never left, their effects never dulled. they constantly dug their claws into her flesh, chilling her to the bone. the candle and its frail light did nothing to offset the frigid effects of the howling wind. the incessant howling of the wind, always there.
what seemed like months, though it could have been years, she just couldn't tell. the darkness never left, there was nothing here she could use to judge the passing of time. there was nothing here.
every passing second of her life was spent staring into the ceaseless flickering of that flame. trying ehr best to ignore those winds, even though no amount of huddling could dull its attacks.
minute after minute passed. minute after minute after minute.it was that flame that possessed her gaze.
then it happened. she didn't notice it at first. the winds died, the howling ceased. she didn't know for how long it had been gone. perplexed, she rose from the chair for the first time in many many years, or so it seemed. she slowly walked away from the safety of the glow. her footsteps sloshing through the liquid, echoing throughout the abyss. when she was several meters outside of the glow she stopped. listening intently, straining her eyes against the pitch black.
there was a soft splash mere meters away from her. frozen in sudden fear, a glimmer of reflected candlelight revealed itself for a fraction of a second moving backwards, followed by a faint splash farther away. standing there transfixed by fear, the howling wind returned with its frigid fingers. she quickly returned to the safety of her candle.
what seemed like years had psased. then it happened again. the wind died, the howling ceased. the icy chill of the wind dissapated and relative warmth spread through her body. she rose from the chair yet again. and approached the darkness. then she heard it. a low growl permeated the air. then foosteps in every direction, all converging on her position. then an inhuman howl, one of hunger. then another. fear filled her, with only one place to go, she ran back to her candle. then another screech. then something hit her leg. she fell into the liquid. pain radiated through her. her leg was covered in warm liquid. when she got back up, pain jolted from her leg, knocking her back down, forcing her to crawl to the sfaety of her light.
crawling through the thick black liquid, limping her way to the safety of the light. the screams of the unknown entities coming from everywhere. the splashing of their steps echoing through the dark abyss.
after minutes of crawling and countless of brushes with the entities. with them brushing their bodies against hers just to remind her they were there. she finally got to the table, grabbed her candle and hid under the tables, holding its flame close, while the creatures screeched and howled, jumping on and off the table. filling the abyss with their screams.
then silence. after a minute or two, she opened her eyes. right in front of here crouched no less than five of them. their red eyes shining with the lighted flames, their fangs glistening, their bodies pitch black, saliva drooling down out of their mouths. seconds of eye contact persisted, until obe of them lunged for her, and grabbed her throat with her teeth, digging them in, the pain unbearable, unable to scream her blood flooding down her chest. her arms lost function, dropping the beloved candle into the black liquid, setting it alight. an inferno engulfing everything in sight. the heat warming her for the first time in forever. her ragged gasps slowed, her eyes closed.
then her eyes opened to the brightest of lights, and outlines of people in blue standing over her. to the sounds of panicked demands, and saws. a blue hand grabbed her shoulder and a faceless blue thing peered into her face and whispered an unintelligible string of sounds to her in a most soothing voice. she started to get sleepy again, and closed her eyes.
she woke up sitting in a chair at a table with a solitary candle glowing on the table. howling winds chilling her to the bone. and a black liquid lapping at her knees.

title: Here's a short story i wrote for a friend.

question: What is the source of tension in the story?

answer: The girl is sitting in a chair in a dark room. The only light source is a candle on the table near the girl. She rises from the chair and slowly walks away from the safety of the glow. Suddenly, she hears splashes. She is frozen in fear and returns back to the candlelight. She rises from the chair yet again and approaches the darkness. She hears footsteps in every direction, all converging on her position. Then she hears inhuman howls of hunger. The screams of the unknown entities are coming from everywhere. Then something hits her leg and she falls into the liquid. One of the creatures lunges for her and grabs her throat with her teeth.

question: What happens at the end?

answer: She wakes up and sees people in blue standing over her. She starts to get sleepy again and closes her eyes. Later, she wakes up sitting in a chair at a table with a solitary candle glowing on the table.

question: What does the story say about where the creatures come from?


text:
PUBLISHED January 11, 2018

[] article

Police in Atlanta are searching for a missing 41-year-old woman.

Natalie White was last seen in the 1300 block of Piedmont Avenue in the late morning of Jan. 5, according to the Atlanta Police Department. She was reported missing by her sister, investigators said.

White is described by police as being 5’7” tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with brown hair, and blue eyes.

Anyone who sees her should call 911.

question: Where does this story take place?

answer: Atlanta

question: How old is the missing person?

answer: 41

question: What is their gender/sex?

answer: Woman

question: Where was she last seen?

answer: Piedmont Avenue.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: A forty-one-year-old woman is missing in Atlanta. She was last seen at the 1300 block of Piedmont Avenue. Her sister reported her missing. She's is 5'7", weighs about 150 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.


text:
The POLICE UNION OF GERMAN STATES was the first known initiative for international law enforcement cooperation. Established in 1851 in response to the Revolutions of 1848, the organization served as an information exchange among the secret police forces of a number of German-speaking countries.

History

Background

In 1833 a centralized internal security service was established by the German Confederation.[1] Headquartered in Frankfurt, the Central Investigating Agency consisted of several former investigating magistrates tasked with gathering information on seditious and subversive organizations—as well as the press, publishers, and bookstores—obtained by the police services of the member states of the Confederation.[2] Information collected by the Central Investigating Agency was shared with the police of the German states concerned, as well as the Federal Convention.[3] The same year, Austria established the Information Office in Mainz, which performed largely similar functions.[4] The Central Investigating Agency and Information Office were both strictly intelligence agencies, with no police power of their own. The two institutions would occasionally exchange intelligence with each other.[5]

The successful suppression of seditious elements within German-speaking states led to the permanent suspension of the Central Investigating Agency in 1842, its services no longer needed.[6] [The Police Union of German States was established after an 1851 meeting of secret police chiefs in Dresden.]

Formation

During 1848 Europe was rocked by a series of revolts and revolutions with Austria, Prussia, Hungary, Bohemia, Sicily, and France all experiencing various levels of domestic unrest.[7] In response to the events of three years prior, in 1851, the police president of Berlin – Karl Ludwig Friedrich von Hinckeldey – sent letters to law enforcement officials in Hanover, Sachsen, Dresden and Vienna calling for cross-border cooperation in the policing of political radicals.[8] As a result of von Hinckeldey's letter, a conference was held on 9 April 1851 in Dresden attended by staff from the secret police services of the independent states of Prussia, Austria, Sachsen and Hanover.[9] Before the end of the year, these forces were joined in cooperation with those of Bavaria, Baden and Württemberg and the Police Union of German States informally created.[10][11]

Early proposals to expand the police union to include political and secret police agencies outside the German-speaking world ultimately did not bear fruit, though occasional instances of cooperation – usually through middlemen – with law enforcement agencies in Belgium, Denmark and Britain are recorded.[12]

Dissolution and legacy

The union was dissolved in 1866 with the outbreak of the Seven Weeks' War between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, the two dominant countries from which the Police Union drew its membership.[13]

The Police Union of German States has been described as the first known instance of formally institutionalized international law enforcement cooperation.[14][15]

Operations and activities

The union's activities were strictly focused on the maintenance of political order, with routine crime and criminals outside its area of interest.[16] Information on political radicals and subversive organizations were exchanged between officials of the member agencies at meetings held one to three times annually.[17] Between meetings, information would be disseminated about wanted political opponents among the member agencies through weekly magazines that would be published by the union for distribution to its participating forces.[18] The union also recruited agents in New York, London, Brussels, and Paris to gather intelligence on dissidents and radicals operating beyond the reach of its member agencies.[19]

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

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title: Police Union of German States

question: What does the text say about the union's formation?

answer: During 1848, Europe experienced a series of revolts and revolutions with Austria, Prussia, Hungary, Bohemia, Sicily, and France all experiencing various levels of domestic unrest. In response to those events, Karl Ludwig Friedrich von Hinckeldey, the police president of Berlin, sent letters to law enforcement officials in Hanover, Sachsen, Dresden, and Vienna calling for cross-border cooperation in the policing of political radicals. As a result of the letter, a conference was held later the same year, and the Police Union of German States was informally created.

question: What does the text say about the union's dissolution?

answer: The union was dissolved in 1866 due to the outbreak of the Seven Weeks' War between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia, which were the two dominant countries from which the Police Union drew its membership.


text:
**Bran**

"You know why I eat bran, Son?"

"It keeps you regular?"

"No. The methadone does that. I like bran because it tastes like war."

"How's that, Dad?"

"Emptiness. The emptiness of sitting in the jungle and staring at the sun, hoping your eyes fry out and you can go home. But you go home and there's nothing there, either. Like you went to war just to get a key to reality and the reality that's all around us is absolutely nothing." He started to cry.

"Dad, it's OK."

"Anyway, Happy Seventh Birthday. Here's a box WITH NOTHING IN IT!"

**Hobbies**

"Son, you need a hobby."

"OK, Dad. What's a good hobby?"

"I can't tell you that. What are you interested in?"

"I like to draw pictures."

"That is a stupid, stupid, stupid hobby. What else do you got?"

I started to cry.

"Crying should be your hobby."

**The War Part 2**

"Don't ask me about the war." Father sat gripping his beer and staring at Who's The Boss.

"OK, Dad. I'm just going over to Kevin's."

"You know I don't like talking about the war."

"I know, Dad."

"You know why?"

"Because you forgot what war you were in?"

"That's one reason. But the other - I can't talk about that."

"OK, Dad."

"OK, I'll tell you. I was bitten by an elephant. There. It's out there now."

"Were you hurt?"

"No. It kinda stung. But it didn't hurt. But that's not the bad part."

"What's the bad part?"

"It was a pink elephant." Then he threw a Scotch bottle at the TV and yelled "Tony Danza fucked your mother!"

**Wedding**

"Son, I'm so proud of you. You found a great lady. Treat her right." Then he handed me a dildo.

**Chores**

"Son, you are getting to be old enough to mow the lawn." I was 36.

"Yeah, do you need it mowed."

"That's right, son. I need you to fix the garage door, the toilet, and the beer situation as well."

"Anything else?"

"Wipe that smile off your face and do your chores."

"OK, Dad."

Then he threw pine cones at me while I mowed the lawn.

**Kindergarten**

"Son, it's your first day of school. I want you to make me proud."

I nodded and got on the bus. I opened my lunch pail and there was a beer and half a burrito.

**18**

"I can't believe it. You're a man now. I want you to have this."

It was a bag of screws again. "Thanks."

He began tearing up. "Finally, I can charge you rent."

Then he did an inspection on my room and handed me a bunch of coloring books that he called "a lease".

**21**

"Suppose you're going to go out drinking."

"No, Dad. I have to study for finals."

"Suppose I'll go out drinking for you."

"Sure, Dad."

"Suppose I'll blackout behind the wheel again."

"Not my problem, Dad."

"Suppose I'll raise your rent."

"OK, where do you want to go, Dad?"

"Suppose you're paying."

"OK. Where?"

"Suppose you'll just give me the money and study your finals."

"How much?"

"You're in college - how much does a gram of coke and a case of Schlitz cost?"

"I have no idea."

"Suppose I'll get the calculator."

**The Doors**

"Son, you ever heard of The Doors?" He was wearing a blindfold and was balancing a martini glass on his head while doing Jiu Jitsu.

"Yes. They are pretty good."

"You know, I know them."

"The Doors?"

"Yes. I was buddies with Jim."

"Wow. You must have some pretty good stories."

"Yep. One time we you know'd a circus seal."

"I don't know."

"You know."

"No. I don't."

"Fed it tacos and then watched Gilligan's Island. You know."

"No, I never heard of that."

"It was the 60s, Son. It was different times."

**Grape Soda**

"Why isn't grape soda considered a distinguished drink?" We were at the hospital. He hit another shuttle bus with his Datsun.

"I don't know, Dad."

"I bet if you just charged 50 bucks a glass, people would start drinking it with dinner."

"You're probably right."

"And why don't more drinks come in pails?"

"I don't know."

"Like 'Hey, waiter, get me a pail of martini'."

"It's something to think about."

"What about this - you serve food in toilets, flush it, and then make customers plunge it out in order to eat it."

"Why would anyone want to do that?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just a dreamer."

**Fences**

"Those neighbors are building a fence."

"Well, they've been complaining about all the Datsuns you have on the side of the yard."

"There's only five."

"They are under the impression that one is too much."

"Fences don't build good neighbors and neighbors don't build good fences."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you."

"I'm going to build a fence...around my heart." Then he started crying.

"Dad, don't be like that."

"Get my nail gun!"

**Bad Checks**

"Call me the Michael Jackson of check writing, son."

**Juice Box**

"What do you got there?"

"It's a juice box."

"Where'd you get it?"

"The fridge."

"Are there more?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmmm...."

"You want one?"

"No. I just want to know what the situation is."

**Snakes**

"One thing I'm afraid of besides your mother and talking about the war are snakes."

"I am too, Dad."

"Did I just hear that snake say 'me three'?"

"What snake?"

"We both know there's a snake in the room."

"There is?"

"Robbie! Come out!"

"Who's Robbie?"

"The snake."

"You have a pet snake?"

"I do now."

**Beating a Dead Horse**

There he was, out in the yard. I don't know where he got the dead horse, but...

**Monopoly**

"That Bell Phone - that's a monopoly. They're gonna break it up. That's America: finds a problem and fixes it. Like this room of yours - it's full of toys. That's a monopoly. A toy monopoly. Like that game there that says Monopoly. That's a monopoly. No competition. Toys take over the room. Make their own rules. Let the fat cat toys reign in blood. Blood. All over the room. All over the toys. Anyway, love you, goodnight."

**Ringo**

"Guess who my favorite Beatle is?"

"Ringo."

"Good guess."

**Playing My Records**

"I don't want you and your friends playing around the den when I'm playing my records. Kapish?"

"OK, Dad."

"It's when I like to think."

"OK, Dad."

"It's when I unwind."

"OK, Dad."

He turned and put a record on. Then he stared at me.

I walked out of the room.

Then he turned the record back off.

"GET IN HERE!"

I ran into the den.

He started the record again.

This went on all night.

**Cat's Cradle**

"The cat's in the cradle with some silver poon, Dad just drank himself right over the moon, when I'm coming back, I don't know when, but we'll get loaded on crack and hookers again, son, we're gonna have a good time then."

"Dad. It's midnight and I'm not supposed to use the Dorm phone unless it's an emergency."

"We're gonna have a good time then!"

**Rap Battle**

"Dimmie limmie jimmie jay"

"What?"

"Witchy what what?"

"Dad, you OK?"

"Kee kay ay day"

"You want me to call a cab?"

"Labby rab dab."

"A cab."

"Labby dab rab."

"Dad, your pants are wet."

"Witty wet wab."

"I'm gonna call a cab."

"Jabby wab dab."

"Do you have a credit card?"

"Frrrrrrrrrresshhhhhhhh."

"We're at the mall."

"Fresh for 89 ya'll."

title: [HM] Advice From My Dad: Revenge of the Father

question: Summarize the lessons and observations of the narrator's Dad.

answer: The Dad believes that reality is emptiness. He thinks drawing is a silly hobby. He is also looking forward to charging his son rent and loves taking from him to go drinking. The Dad believes expensive drinks are usually distinguished drinks and the only way to make a drink distinguished is to make it expensive. He also hates snakes.


text:
The boy had no idea how long he sat in the corner, waiting. It was cold, and even though he had a blanket, there was little it could do against the stony chill that seemed to emanate from every wall in the room. The food had come, cold porridge in a wooden bowl, through the slat at the bottom of the door. He hadn't even touched it yet. All he wanted to do was sleep, but it was too cold, to uncomfortable. Before, he had had a bed, an actual, real bed, and he would have given anything for that plain white room right then.

He sat shivering in the corner, the thin wool blanket wrapped around his shoulders, and let his mind wonder. If he could only get some sleep, maybe, just maybe, he could get away. After all, it was after he had changed things in his dream that he had found himself in the cell instead of the white room, and from the look of his clothes and the sporadic memories, or images, as he referred to them in his mind, he had been in the dank musty cell for some time.

For hours he sat, huddled in the corner, his only friend a rat who had found it's way into the cell somehow, and even the rat had barely touched the horrid porridge, and had left and not returned. It was a long time before anything happened at all, and when it did, it was not but the slat at the bottom of the door sliding open to reveal another bowl, and then sliding shut again. The boy realized that this was breakfast, and that he had stayed awake all night. Surely sleep would find him soon.

It did.

But he had no dreams.

He woke to a small tapping noise, like a birds beak on a window sill, and he took a moment to come to and get the sleep from his eyes and brain. Then he realized; he hadn't dreamed! How could that be? He always dreamed. Always. And always the same dream. So what happened? It was then that he realized the tapping sound. He sat very still for a moment, and began to notice a rhythm to the tapping; three quick taps, then two slow ones, then three fast, then four slow. He didn't know what they meant, but something about them lifted his spirits and he almost laughed out loud. But he didn't know why. The tapping seemed to be coming from the wall on his left, behind the cot, and he slowly crawled over to it, pushing the cot out of the way and putting his ear to the brick wall. Suddenly the tapping stopped. The boy pulled his head away from the wall and looked at it as though a face was going to appear in the cold smooth stone. For several minutes he sat crouched there, then he had an idea. It was so obvious, he kicked himself mentally for not thinking of it before. He scrambled back to the bowl of porridge and grabbed the spoon, then moved back to the wall. He hesitated only a moment, then he began to tap the same rhythm into the stone wall.

taptaptap. tap-tap. taptaptap. tap-tap-tap-tap. And repeat.

He did the whole sequence three times, then stopped. After a few seconds the tapping resumed from the wall, and the boy couldn't help but smile. There was someone there, someone on the other side of his wall, and they were trying to communicate. But what? Suddenly another thought came to him. A crazy, wonderful, brilliant, dangerous thought. But he needed to sleep. He needed to dream. And he hadn't dreamed the last time he slept. He need to sleep, and he needed to dream.

He spent the rest of the day tapping on the wall with the other person. He had decided it was another boy, probably his age, maybe even from the same orphanage, someone he might recognize. Hopefully one of the boys he had gotten along with, and not one of the bigger bullies.

That night, when the porridge came, he forced himself to eat some. After all, how was he to get any sleep on an empty stomach? Then he curled himself into as tight a ball as possible and wrapped the wool blanket around himself like a cocoon, and prayed that sleep would find him quickly, and that he would dream. He stared at the stone wall for a while, then closed his eyes and started counting to a thousand. And suddenly, he was back in the orphanage...

*The noise woke him, and he was ready for it. He quickly jumped off the bed and ran to great the two men coming to get him.

"I am coming with you," he said to the two men. He saw the looks of shock cross their faces, but they simply stepped aside and let him walk between them. The one on the left grabbed his arm as though to guide the boy, and he ripped his arm free.

"I can walk fine, thanks," he said as condescendingly as possible. The man did not try to grab him again. They made their way to the car outside and the boy climbed in the back. And the car began to drive...*

He snapped wide a wake, and had to squint at the light spilling through from the balcony. He let his eyes adjust a moment, then looked around... and his jaw fell to the floor.

He was in a huge room, quite possibly the largest room he had ever seen occupied by only one person before. The walls were a bright yellow, and there were paintings hanging sporadically across the walls. There was a door way that led out into the hall, he knew, from the memories rushing into his head, and the hall was one of many in the mansion. The sunlight was spilling through the balcony doors, and it fell warm on his face. the bed was a huge four-poster, with curtains pinned back on the posts so as the let in the light, and the mattress was so soft and warm, and the blankets thick and wonderful. He jumped off the bed and walked out onto the balcony. And this time he did laugh out loud.

He was standing on a cliff on the sea, and it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. The waves crashed against the base of the cliff and billowed in white and blue and green, and the sun was rising over the water, the bright yellow sun, and it warmed everything it touched. He simply stood there and let the warmth wash over him for moment. Suddenly he heard the shuffling of feet from the room behind him, and he spun around and almost screamed.

"Your breakfast for you, young master," said the Fat Lady. She held a tray of food in her arms, and the smell, a smell the boy could remember, but had never truly had. It was amazing. The sweetest, most mouthwatering smell ever. He walked into the room cautiously, eyeing the Fat Lady.

"Put it just there," he said, pointing to the small table by his bed. He knew this was where he always had her place the tray.

The fat lady put the tray on the table and made a small bow, then simply stood there.

"What do want?" the boy asked harshly. The Fat Lady flinched at his tone, and he had a memory, somewhere, and image. A very confusing, disturbing, image. Of them on the beach together, and he was laughing, and was sitting reading a book, and he felt something for her, felt that she could be something to him.

The boy pushed the images from his mind. He had seen what this lady could do, what she would become, had he not turned things around.

"Get out out," he snapped at her. He saw her look at him with a hurt, confused look on her face, but then she made the same small bow and left. He went over to the table and, sitting at the edge of his bed, began picking at the food. Then he checked himself. What was he doing? He was there on a mission, that was it, and he needed to get it done. Right? But how, really, and the food was just sitting there. What could it hurt to eat a bit of it.

The first bight was delicious, like heaven in his mouth, and he took his time chewing. then he swallowed. Then he took another bite. And another. Soon the entire tray was polished off, and he lay back on his bed a moment, and his eyes felt heavy. But he had just woken up, hadn't he? Why was he so tired? He had something to do, he couldn't go back to sleep, not now. Not now...

*The dream was different. He wasn't in the orphanage, he was in the house, with his imaginary parents, and the father sitting at the dinner table talking about his day, and his sister, sitting across from him, looked at him, and the question, the question he had never heard, came from her lips.*

*"Why?"*

*Why? That was it? Why? And the boy thought about it a moment, then replied, "Why not?", and a smile began to form on his sisters lips, and then he was smiling, but then the world was shaking....*

And they were gone, and there was a face above his own, a face he did not recognize, the face of an old man with not hair and a crooked nose, and he tried to move, but couldn't. He looked at his feet and hands and saw that they were clamped to the chair he was now sitting in, and he turned his head this way and that, taking everything in, trying to find a way out.

"You cannot escape, not here," said the old man, a cruel smile revealing crooked yellow teeth. "Here, you can't even sleep, so you can't change it."

The boy looked at the man, shocked. How did he know? Who was he? The boy tried to ask a question, but nothing came out of his mouth. He felt as though every fiber of his body was on fire, and sizzling for action, needing to move. He was awake. So awake. He felt as though he would never sleep again, and the thought made his heart fill with dread.

TO BE CONTINUED

title: The Boy Who Dreamed: Pt. 2

question: Why was the boy in solitary confinement with cold food and a cold room?

answer: It seems he must have done something horrible to his family.

question: How was the boy able to sleep with no food and bed?

answer: Unknown; he must have been tired from staying awake all night.


text:
Gleaming Hope

“It’s here!” exclaimed a young man. Alex took off his lab goggles and turned towards his enthusiastic colleague standing at the lab door. “What trinket did you buy this time Robert?” “Well it might just be the best issue of Time Magazine ever published!” Alex rolled his eyes and turned towards his laboratory equipment, placing his goggles back on. “Oh common! I just had to get a signed copy!” Robert picked up a scalpel from Alex’s desk and carefully dissected the yellow mailing envelope. Alex pretended to show no interest, but a sense of excitement was building inside him. “Woah! You look so dapper all dressed up like that.” Alex couldn’t resist, “Fine! Lets see it!”

Robert while using surgical gloves brought over the iconic Red magazine, glimmering in the lab lights without a scratch on its surface. Alex felt a rush of satisfaction as soon as he saw himself on the cover. He couldn’t help let his humility crumble for a brief second. “I guess I do don’t I, after all the Photoshoping that is.” Robert smiled and read aloud, “Alex Zane, Biological Engineer revolutionizes life in space.” While Robert read the title Alex couldn’t help feel accomplished by his hard work for NASA.

The magazine wrote: Alex Zane was a 27-year-old biological engineer working out of the Michigan Institute of Technology, better known as MIT. He was the top of his graduating class of 2040 and has been on a fast tracked career path ever since. Alex recently acquired a top-secret contract with NASA to solve the issues of bone degradation in zero gravity. Alex had a big break through and had been the talk of the scientific community ever since NASA allowed him to publish his results last year in 2046.

Alex lives with his husband, Blain and his adopted daughter Sarah just outside the institute. Blain is a writer who has sold a few top sellers and was featured on the popular daytime Television shows Dr. Albert.  Alex and Blain have been together for 10 years and adopted Sarah 3 years ago from Thailand. Sarah is now entering elementary school and is doing quite well according to her performance reports from the school. Alex loved his life and his family and is destined for great things.

“Well can you sign it?” demanded Robert. Alex pulled out a pen of his lab coat breast pocket and began to sign the cover of the magazine. Alex felt stupid doing it; he knew that it was just going to be another item among Robert’s hord of collectables. “Okay now let me get back to work Robert.” Robert with a smile took his newly signed magazine and left the lab. Alex shook his head and began to put his goggles back continuing his research on his bacteria cultures.

The lab was much cooler than the summer air outside because it was partially built into the ground; most buildings were constructed this way these days. The surface temperature in the summer could reach highs of 50oC, but not as high as the deadly heat wave of 2039 with a fascinating high of 67oC. At these awesome temperatures fires are a huge concern and architects found it cooler and safer for buildings to be constructed partially underground. With modern technology and the coolness of the earth, humanity moved from the tallest heights of glass skyscrapers to elaborate underground dwellings. One thing was clear to scientists, and Alex knew this, that humanities last years on earth where quickly approaching.

 *          *          *

Alex placed a glass tray full of bacteria cultures into his incubator oven. He commanded the computer to activate a force field and the oven began to glow with light. His current studies where commissioned by the North American Government on the survivability of essential bacteria in constantly high heated environments, simulating the current state of the global environment. Alex was startled by the computer voice announcing the arrival of a guest at his laboratory door. He never got many visitors unless it was Robert procrastinating and pestering Alex for entertainment. Alex asked the computer who it was and the computer announced in a soft feminine voice, “Special service Officer Grant and Special Services Officer Arthur Sir. Should I let them in?” Alex hesitated for a moment. What did the Special Service’s want with me, Alex thought in a panic. He didn’t have time to think so he command the computer to let them in.

The lab door slid open and two men in the late 30’s in perfectly white uniforms stood glaring. The men had stern faces and gave no sense of emotion. One of the men was taller than the other and had more medals on his chest. “How can I assist you gentlemen?” The taller officer gave a handshake with Alex and began to speak, “It is an honor to meet you Dr. Zane. Your work with NASA was outstanding.” The other officer followed and all three men took their seats around Alex’s glass desk.

“What causes you to come to my lab gentlemen?” The officer’s emotionless expression stayed constant. “We are here under orders of the United Nations to inform you of some grievous news.” Alex’s stomach sank but kept a straight face to match the officers. “I’m afraid we have reports from the orbiting solar station that there will be a massive solar eruption that we will not be able to avoid.” The Officer paused their news and Alex sank in his seat slightly letting the news settle in his gut. Alex was puzzled why he was being informed of this information and asked them why. “Dr. Zane you been a critical key in the survival in space and have been selected to be a member on the Gleaming Hope.”

The Officer reached into his pristine jacket and pulled out a glass device. The device displayed a large space ship. Alex instantly understood what he was being told. The vessel was an Ark, to save humanity. Just as Alex was relived for his own survival it was quickly filled with the desire to know about his family. Before Alex could ask, the officer spoke, “Dr. Zane you have a guaranteed spot but you must choose one other person to go with you.” Alex was crushed he could no longer keep a calm complexion, like the officers.

Alex was able to keep from a total meltdown but the thought of losing his family was a traumatic idea. The officers gave Alex a few moments before asking the question, “Who will be going with you doctor?” Alex protested, “I have to answer now?” The Officers lowered their heads and confirmed the deadline. Alex’s head raced. He filled his mind with calculations trying to rationalize his choice. The choice was obvious, Blain or Sarah? Alex’s heart was torn, he could not bring him self to make a choice.

“Dr. Zane we need an answer,” the officers insisted. Alex began to sweat while he calculated in his head. The officers grew more impatient and stood up from their chairs. “Doc….” Alex interrupted the officers, “Blain Doles!” The officers nodded and commanded the glass computer device of Alex’s choice. “I’m sorry Doctor I know it wasn’t easy. Officials are on their way as we speak to your home. They will take Blain to the Montgomery Space Elevator and aboard the Gleaming Hope. Your own transport will be here shortly.” The officers walk towards the exit and lower the heads, “We are so sorry.”

As the men left Alex collapsed into his chair and began to weep, he felt as if he just committed murder. Alex made a calculated choice and he would have to live with it for the rest of his life. One thing that wasn’t certain was how Blain would handle it. Blain was a very kind and loving man. Like Alex he had brown hair and blue eyes, and was a proud socialist. Alex always admired Blain for his ability to exercise ethics and care for others. But it was Alex who focused more on the family and making sure they always get out ahead. Without Blain there really was no point in living.

*          *          *

Alex trembled as he approached his quarters upon the Gleaming Hope. It was the first time he had met up with Blain since he had to make the horrible choice. The quarter’s barley deserved the name, as it was essentially a full-scaled house. The entire ship felt like a perfect town floating in space except this one was a giant ring like shape.  The ship was hidden behind the moon for total secrecy during its construction and had departed as soon as Alex had arrived. The ships manifest was full of thousands of brilliant minds and leaders. There where a few thousand common people but only those who where physically perfect. The ship was aimed at the closest earth like planet and began its journey a week before the sun would erupt.

Compelled in deep thought Alex was still waiting outside the house. He had no idea if Blain was even on board yet or if he even agreed to come. He pulled himself together and pressed his finger on a glass scanner beside the door. The doors slid open and Alex stepped inside. No one was there waiting for him.

“Computer, is anyone home?” Alex nervously asked. “Currently you are the only person in the building Sir.” Alex’s heart sank low and his eyes began to water. “Computer, where is Blain Doles?” The computer responded with a standard locating sound. “Blain Doles is currently in the bedroom Sir.” Alex was relieved and made his way to the bedroom still concerned over Blains reaction. As we walked up the stairs to the bedroom Alex could hear sirens outside, which sounded like medical bots.

The sound got louder and Alex began to have a sick feeling. He demanded, “Computer is Blain Doles alive?” The medical sirens grew even louder until it sounded like they where just outside the front door. The computer delayed and finally, “Blain Doles is currently…” the sound of the sirens overpowered the computers voice and its response could not be heard.

By: David Longpre
www.davidlongpre.ca

title: [SF] Gleaming Hope

question: What is the Gleaming Hope and why was it built?

answer: The Gleaming Hope is a space vessel that will take select people from earth into outer space to save them from danger. Andy has been selected for evacuation on the Gleaming Hope because there is a massive solar eruption that will destroy the earth in a week. He may take one other person with him.

question: Describe Andy's personal life

answer: Alex Zane is a 27-year-old biological engineer. He graduated top of his class in 2040. He works at MIT. He lives with his husband Blain and adopted daughter, Sarah. Blain is a writer who has sold a number of best sellers. The two men have been together for ten years and adopted Sarah from Thailand three years ago. Alex loves his life and his family.


text:
	We owned the bottle the whole time we lived there, from the day we moved in. Nobody used it much; Devon and I have the basement to ourselves so we get our own fridge. He uses ketchup only with fries twice a month or so, while I myself am a Sriracha man. The thing most people don’t immediately realize when they move out of home is that the kitchen, a once magical and generous place that gratified you with instant food and satisfaction, on your own becomes a burdensome, dark and dingy room whose contents are always scarce and incompatible. Well, it was like that for us. We didn’t cook much, and we weren’t inclined to spend much time competing with the bugs for space in our cramped kitchen. We found out through the grapevine that our landlord was in fact a stubborn sort of miser who gutted, wired, and walled the house without any help. Help costs money to a man with no friends. In those slanted rooms we stood when we decided to thusly rename him slumlord.
	I clearly remember once being a more naive high school version of my self, dreaming of the day life granted me autonomy, as if that somehow includes the skills necessary to live on one’s own. Those days, I imagined credulously that I would teach myself to cook great things once I had my own place. But too soon into university did work and school brandish their heavy burdens. In the sparse moments of freedom and idleness, time was a ration; something to be used on preservation rather than sacrificed on expansion (although I did get a build a sweet aquarium over the year, but that’s another story). As a result, neither of us cooked so much as grazed. For a whole week I ate raw hot dogs and carrots before I forced myself to buy apples and soup. No kind of gourmet, organic, free-range food of any sort tastes better than the apple that ends the drought of raw hot dogs. The lonely contents of our fridge were primarily condiments and take-away meals. There were all the compliments and additions we needed for a meal, but no meal itself. We had every colour of paint, but no brush.
	One recurring disturbance that arose from the stochastic rearranging of our fridge’s contents  confused and frustrated me and Devon. Often without warrant, the kitchen door would refuse to stay shut. What seemed like a simple problem was mysteriously adamant. There was no resistance, no visible obstruction. No; this was a more subtle and cruel refusal, one that allowed the magnetic trim of the door to first kiss that of the refrigerator unit, then slowly pry the door away from its lover. The door would tease us by feigning closure, then mockingly swinging open.
	The fridge drove us insane. We took out the drawers and the shelfs and readjusted the magnetic strips. Nothing worked. For poor students, keeping food from waste was a priority. Expiry dates no longer counted; in poverty and squalor, one’s nose becomes the sole and executive arbiter of food safety. Keeping the fridge closed and cool was more important to us than any homework we did that year. But no matter what we tried, the fridge would recurrently, as if on it’s own volition, switch its magnetic strip to repel mode. For the longest time we had no idea why or how the fridge door would patently remain open. The fridge seemed to have a mind of its own and, to some degree, we respected it. Accepting the fridge’s perseverance, we would concede defeat by wedging the broom against the wall and the door in a rocky cease-fire between the fridge’s will and our own. It was one of the things that made me apt to spend a little more on the place I’m living next year.
	Nevertheless, for majority of the year the adamancy of the problem overcame us. It was not until later in second semester that my housemate figured out the cause. This happened on some otherwise unremarkable day in a week during which the fridge again decided to gape open. Excitedly, as one should when they solve some complex and demanding problem, he burst into my room. The width of his smile suggested that he won some sort of Nobel Prize. “Matt,” he managed, almost panting. “It was the ketchup.”
	Bemused, I followed Devon to the kitchen to witness his solution. Talking with a mixture of excitement and relief, he explained: “When the ketchup sits inside the door, it pushes the door away if it’s turned horizontally. We have to keep it parallel with the door,” he said, and enacted his description in order to exhibit the difference.
	What a marvel! I was beyond words. Such an easy solution to such a complex problem. It was certainly a relief, a simple fix to a pervasive and pestering issue. For the rest of the year, we lived in harmonious cohabitation with that fridge, albeit at the price of a few sour milk cartons and rotten oranges. However, throughout the constant reshuffling of cold cuts, hot dogs, cream cheese and yogurt, one item has been left unperturbed.
	The ketchup bottle, resilient and proud, stands proudly in claimed territory, a spot on the inside railing upon which it remains parallel to the door. It has earned the spot, through rigid victory over it’s supposed owners. It controlled harmony and restored balance to our kitchen on many occasions. It’s happiness controlled us. It was omnipotent. In the squalid darkness of our kitchen, we found a light in the Ketchup God, and we obeyed it.

title: [RF] Ketchup God

question: How did the ketchup bottle achieve victory over its owners?

answer: By causing the fridge door to keep opening.

question: How many fridges are there in the house?

answer: At least two

question: Why didn't readjusting the magnetic strips work?

answer: Because the magnetic strips weren't responsible for the door opening; the ketchup bottle was.

question: What is meant by "we found a light in the Ketchup God, and we obeyed it"?

answer: It means that Devon and the protagonist respect the ketchup bottle for getting the best of them for such a long time.


text:
_MERI GUDIYA_ is an Indian television fantasy drama series which premiered on 16 December 2019 and is telecasted on Star Bharat.[1] A remake of the Tamil serial _Neeli_, which inturn is a remake of Kannada serial Neeli, aired on Star Suvarna, it stars Aalisha Panwar, Jinisha Bhadhuri, Vineet Raina and Gaurav S Bajaj.[2]

The production and broadcast of the show was indefinitely halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India in late March 2020. But despite having High TRP, it was announced that the show will not be brought back after the lockdown bringing the show to an abrupt ending.[3]

Plot

It showcases the unconditional love of a mother for her daughter. The story revolves around the Gujral family who lives in Shimla. Raghvendra Gujral is a successful businessman who runs his ancestral business of coffee plantations, his wife Madhuri who is an extremely protective mother and their 7-year-old daughter Avi.

Cast

Main

-   Aalisha Panwar as Madhuri Gujral— Avi's mother and Raghav's wife[4] (2019–2020, dead character)
-   Jinisha Bhaduri as Avi Gujral— Madhuri and Raghavendra Daughter (2019–2020)
-   Vineet Raina as Rahu— The Main Antagonist In The Show (2020)
-   Gaurav S Bajaj as Raghavendra “Raghav” Gujral— Avi's father and Madhuri's husband (2019–2020)

Recurring

-   Vidisha as Ratrita “Ratri” Arora (2019–2020)
-   Nishigandha Wad as Parvati Gujral– Avi's grandmother, Raghav and Shaurya's mother (2019–2020)
-   Rahul Singh as Dr. Rudraksh Kaushal (2019–2020)
-   Samvedna Suwalka as Piya— Raghav's secretary (2020)
-   Sagar Parekh as Shaurya Gujral— Raghav's younger brother (2019–2020)
-   Jasmeet Kaur as Adhrika Arora— Ratri's sister (2019–2020)
-   Surendra Pal as Rajendra “Guruji” Sherawat (2020)

Production

The first promo of the series was released on 13 November 2019 where Aalisha Panwar and Jinisha Bhaduri were introduced. [5]

Talking about the series, Star Bharat spokesperson said, “With the launch of Meri Gudiya, we want our audiences to witness the undying affection and concern of a mother for her daughter." [6]

Anirudh Pathak, the show's producer, said, “Audience has seen many shows on the mother-daughter bond but the unique concept of the show ‘Meri Gudiya’ revolves around a doll depicting the role of a mother. It's a show that will portray the eternal bond a mother shares with her child even after her death." [7]

[1]  Media, Entertainment, Showbiz, Brit, Events and Music|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-14}}

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

title: Meri Gudiya

question: How original is the series Meri Gudiya?

answer: It is a remake of another series.

question: Why was the series cancelled?

answer: The COVID-10 pandemic halted the production in March 2020, and it was announced that the show will not return.

question: Who plays the mother in the series?

answer: Aalisha Panwar.

question: What is the significance of the doll in the series?

answer: The doll represents the daughter's late mother.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The text is about Meri Gudiya, an Indian television series.


text:
There is no official diagnosis called "mild autism," yet the term, along with "high-functioning autism" is still used in some cases. What exactly do people mean when they use this term?

Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell

 History of Terminology for Mild Autism

Back in 1980, "infantile autism" was defined, in all cases, as a severe and disabling disorder. No one with an autism diagnosis would be expected to succeed in school, make friends, or hold down a job.

In 1994, "Asperger's syndrome" was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Those with Asperger's syndrome were characterized as bright, verbal, and highly-functioning, while also demonstrating some autistic behaviors.

In 2013, the diagnostic criteria were changed again when the DSM-5 was published. Asperger's syndrome is no longer a diagnosis. Instead, the manual provides just one diagnosis for all people with autism—autism spectrum disorder (ASD). People with autism spectrum disorder may or may not have severe speech delays, sensory processing challenges, specific types of behaviors, or other symptoms.

While people with autism spectrum disorder typically have problems with social communication, these problems range from the extreme (non-verbal with aggressive behavior) to the relatively mild (problems with reading social cues such as vocal intonation and body language).

Now, a diagnosis of ASD includes a "level of support" from 1 to 3, with 3 describing people who need the most support. However, describing someone as having "Level 1 autism" has not really caught on. Many people have continued to use the term "Asperger's syndrome," but even this term doesn't correlate exactly to high-functioning or mild autism.

 Mild Autism Symptoms

Certain symptoms must be present in order to qualify for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Even people with mild autism, therefore, may have significant developmental and sensory challenges that are severe enough to get in the way of normal activities and relationships.

While these symptoms must be present before age three, it's often the case that milder symptoms go unnoticed until a child is a bit older, especially for girls. If the symptoms appear for the first time after a child is three years old, they will not qualify for an autism diagnosis. They may, however, be diagnosed with the less severe social communication disorder.

If a child is truly autistic, their symptoms will include:

-   PROBLEMS WITH BACK-AND-FORTH COMMUNICATION that may include difficulty with conversation, body language, eye contact, and/or facial expressions.
-   DIFFICULTY IN DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS, often due to difficulty with imaginative play, making friends, or sharing interests.
-   PREFERENCE FOR REPEATING THE SAME ACTIONS, ACTIVITIES, MOVEMENTS, OR WORDS over and over again, even if there is no obvious reason for doing so. (Lining up toys over and over again is a classic example.)
-   RESTRICTED INTERESTS COMBINED WITH IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE. An autistic child, for example, might be fixated on a video game about which he knows everything there is to know.
-   HYPER- OR HYPO- REACTIVITY TO SENSORY INPUT, in which a person doesn't notice or is overly sensitive to sound, light, smells, pain, or touch.

 When the Mild Autism Term Is Used

So, what does a practitioner, teacher, or parent mean when they say a child has mild autism? Since there is no official definition of the term, every person using it has a slightly different idea of what it means.

Sometimes the term is used when an individual is clearly autistic, but also has significant spoken language and other skills. The term may also be used to help explain treatment decisions.

Furthermore, a person with "mild autism" may have advanced communication skills and academic abilities, but have very delayed social skills, severe sensory issues, and/or extreme difficulties with organizational skills . If and when these manifest may also depend on the specific environment or situation.

 Diagnostic Criteria

The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD eliminate strict age criteria that say delays in social interaction and communication must be apparent before age three to diagnose autism. Instead, they require that symptoms must be present at an early age, but may not fully manifest themselves until it is clear that a child cannot keep up with social demands of his age group.

DSM-5 includes three functional levels to describe the severity of autism. People who are "mildly" autistic are generally considered to be level 1, meaning they need relatively little support to function appropriately. However, some people with "mild" autism may need a great deal of support depending on the situation.

For example, a person with "mild" autism may have sophisticated verbal skills but have difficulty reading another person's body language or emotions.

 Treatment

As with any type of autism, appropriate treatments include:

-   Behavioral therapy: This type of therapy uses rewards to teach expected or preferred behaviors.
-   Play or developmental therapy: This therapy uses play-based activities to build emotional and communication skills.
-   Drug therapies: There are medications that treat symptoms such as anxiety and mood disorders which may be associated with mild autism.
-   Speech therapy: With milder autism, speech therapy is usually related to conversation skills and body language.
-   Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy is often helpful for sensory issues.
-   Physical therapy: Many children with autism have low muscle tone or are physically awkward.

Some children with autism may also benefit from treatments from associated problems such as seizures, gastrointestinal issues, sleep disorders, and issues such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. These problems are not part of autism per se, but they are more common among autistic children.

 A Word From Verywell

The bottom line is that the term "mild autism" is not especially elucidating, though it is still used. Getting a thorough evaluation from a psychiatrist or other doctor who is highly knowledgeable about ASD is the best way to understand how your child is affected by the disorder and to address their specific challenges.

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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1.

    American Psychiatric Association. Highlights of Changes from DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5

2.

    Autism Speaks. DSM-5 and Autism: Frequently Asked Questions.

3.

    Neggers YH. Increasing prevalence, changes in diagnostic criteria, and nutritional risk factors for autism spectrum disorders. _ISRN Nutr_. 2014;2014:514026. doi:10.1155/2014/514026

4.

    Faras H, Al ateeqi N, Tidmarsh L. Autism spectrum disorders. _Ann Saudi Med._ 2010;30(4):295-300. doi:10.4103/0256-4947.65261

5.

    Autism Speaks. Autism Diagnosis Criteria: DSM-5

6.

    Mandell DS, Novak MM, Zubritsky CD. Factors associated with age of diagnosis among children with autism spectrum disorders. _Pediatrics_. 2005;116(6):1480-6. doi:10.1542/peds.2005-0185

7.

    Wiggins LD, Robins DL, Adamson LB, Bakeman R, Henrich CC. Support for a dimensional view of autism spectrum disorders in toddlers. _J Autism Dev Disord._ 2012;42(2):191-200. doi:10.1007/s10803-011-1230-0

8.

    Weitlauf AS, Gotham KO, Vehorn AC, Warren ZE. Brief report: DSM-5 "levels of support:" a comment on discrepant conceptualizations of severity in ASD. _J Autism Dev Disord._ 2014;44(2):471-6. doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1882-z

9.

    Defilippis M, Wagner KD. Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children and Adolescents. _Psychopharmacol Bull._ 2016;46(2):18-41.

10.

    Pfeiffer BA, Koenig K, Kinnealey M, Sheppard M, Henderson L. Effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study. _Am J Occup Ther_. 2011;65(1):76-85.

11.

    Cohen S, Conduit R, Lockley SW, Rajaratnam SM, Cornish KM. The relationship between sleep and behavior in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a review. _J Neurodev Disord._ 2014;6(1):44. doi:10.1186/1866-1955-6-44

 Additional Reading

-   Faras H, Al Ateeqi N, Tidmarsh L. Autism spectrum disorders. Ann Saudi Med. 2010 Jul-Aug;30(4):295-300. doi: 10.4103/0256-4947.65261.
-   H azen, EP et al. Sensory symptoms in autism spectrum disorders.  Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2014 Mar-Apr;22(2):112-24.
-   Reaven, Judy. "The treatment of anxiety symptoms in youth with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: Developmental considerations for parents". _Brain Research_. 2011. 1380: 255–63.

question: According to the passage, can you summarise ways in which mild autism might manifest in a young or old person?

answer: People with mild autism have problems with communication. especially in a social setting. They might also have difficulty controlling their anger as well as being unable to read social cues. Other manifestations include sensitivity to sound, light, smells, pain, or touch and difficulty in maintaining relationships.


text:
General JAMES ABERCROMBIE or ABERCROMBY (1706 – 23 April 1781)[1][2] of Glassaugh, Banffshire was a British Army general and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1734 to 1754. He was commander-in-chief of forces in North America during the French and Indian War, best known for the disastrous British losses in the 1758 Battle of Carillon.

Biography

Abercrombie was born in Glassaugh, Banffshire, Scotland,[3] the eldest son of Alexander Abercromby, also MP for Banffshire, and his wife Helen Meldrum. He was appointed an ensign in the 25th Regiment of Foot at age eleven. He married Mary Duff (sister of William Duff, 1st Earl Fife) and they had one daughter. At the 1734 British general election, he was returned by his brother-in-law, William Duff, later Lord Braco, as Member of Parliament for Banffshire. He voted regularly with the Government.[4]

Abercrombie was promoted to captain in 1736, and by 1739 was lieutenant-governor of Stirling castle. He was re-elected MP for Banff at the 1741 British general election.[5] In 1742, he purchased a major's commission. He was promoted to colonel in 1746 and served in the Flemish Campaign of the War of Austrian Succession.[6] He was quartermaster general under General James St Clair at the Raid on Lorient in 1746 and was wounded at Hulst in 1747. At the 1747 British general election, he was returned unopposed as MP for Banff as an Old Whig, but stood down in 1754 in favour of Lord Braco’s son, now of age.[7]

With the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756, Abercrombie was promoted major general and ordered to America as second in command to Lord Loudoun for the upcoming campaigns against the French.[8] Abercrombie commanded a brigade at Louisbourg in 1757 and became Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in North America after Loudoun's departure in December.[9]

In the summer of 1757, Abercrombie was ordered to lead an expedition against Fort Carillon (later known as Fort Ticonderoga), to prepare to take Montreal.[10] Abercrombie was a genius at organization but vacillated in his leadership to the point where, after his defeat, he was called _Mrs. Nanny Cromby_. He managed the remarkable feat of assembling fifteen thousand troops and moving them and their supplies through the wilderness. Then, after losing George Howe, 3rd Viscount Howe, his second-in-command, in a skirmish on 7 July while reconnoitring, he directed his troops on 8 July into a frontal assault on a fortified French position, without the benefit of artillery support. More than two thousand men were killed or wounded. Eventually his force panicked and fled, and he retreated to his fortified camp south of Lake George.[11]

This disaster caused in September 1758 Abercrombie's recall to Great Britain and his replacement by General Jeffery Amherst.[12] Despite his failure, he was promoted to lieutenant general in 1759, and general in 1772.[13]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11] Parkman, Francis: “Montcalm and Wolfe”

[12]

[13]

title: James Abercrombie (British Army general)

question: Summarize how Abercrombie ended up in America.

answer: James Abercrombie was bornin in Glassaugh, Scotland. He was the MP for Banffshire and was promoted to Captian in 1736. By 1739 he became the lieutenant-governor of Stirling Castle. He purchased a major's commission in 1742 and was promoted to colonel in 1746. The outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756 saw Abercrombie promoted to major-general and told to go to America as second in command to Lor Loudon for the campaigns against the French.

question: Why was Abercrombie promoted despite his ineptitude?

answer: Unknown.