text:
PORTLAOISE (Pronounced [1]), or PORT LAOISE (Irish ) is the county town of County Laois, Ireland. It is located in the South Midlands in the province of Leinster. The 2016 census shows that the town's population increased by 9.5% to 22,050, which was well above the national average of 3.8%.[2] It is the most populous and also the most densely populated town in the Midlands Region, which has a total population of 292,301 at the 2016 census.[3] This also makes it the fastest growing of the top 20 largest towns and cities in Ireland.[4]

It was an important town in the medieval period, as the site of the Fort of Maryborough, a fort built by English settlers in the 16th century.

Portlaoise is fringed by the Slieve Bloom mountains to the west and north-west and the Great Heath of Maryborough to the east. It is notable for its architecture, engineering and transport connections. On the national road network, Portlaoise is located west-southwest from Dublin on the M7, north-east from Cork on the M8/M7 and east-northeast from Limerick on the M7.

It was once known for the manufacture of iron and steel buildings, tennis balls, rubber seals, tyres and electrical cabling. Today Portlaoise is a commercial centre, with the economy dominated by the service sector, and a hub of shopping, transport, and events for the surrounding catchment.

History

[Port Laoise Courthouse] The site of the present town is referred to in the _Annals of the Four Masters_, written in the 1630s, as _Port Laoighisi_. The present town originated as a settlement around the old fort, “Fort of Leix” or “Fort Protector”, the remains of which can still be seen in the town centre. Its construction began in 1548 under the supervision of the then Lord Deputy Sir Edward Bellingham, in an attempt to secure English control of the county following the exile of native Celtic chieftains the previous year. The fort's location on rising ground, surrounded to the south and east by the natural defensive barricades of the River Triogue and an esker known locally as 'the Ridge', greatly added to its strategic importance.

The town proper was established by an act of Parliament during the reign of Queen Mary in 1557. Though the early fort and its surrounding settlement had been known by a number of names, such as Governor, Port Laois, Campa and Fort Protector, the new town was named MARYBOROUGH (IPA [ˈmarbrə]) and the county was named Queen's County in Mary's honour. In about 1556, Port Laoise acquired its first parish church—Old St Peter's—situated to the west of Fort Protector. Although first built as a Catholic church, due to Queen Mary's re-establishment of Roman Catholicism, the church was used for Protestant services after the accession to the English throne of Mary's half-sister, Elizabeth.

The area had been a focus of the rebellion of Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha, a local chieftain who had rebelled and had lost his lands, which the Crown wanted to be settled by reliable landowners. For the next fifty or so years, the new English settlers in Maryborough fought a continual, low-scale war with the Gaelic chieftains who fought against the new settlement. The town had been burnt several times by the end of the 16th century.

[Ordnance Survey Map, 1839, showing Maryborough] Port Laoise was granted a market in 1567, and then in 1570, a charter of Queen Elizabeth I raised the town to the rank of borough. This allowed the establishment of a Corporation of the Borough, a body which consisted of a burgomaster, two bailiffs, a town clerk, and a sergeant at arms, as well as various other officers, burgesses and freemen. Until the Act of Union took effect in 1801 and the abolition of its franchise, the town returned two members to the Irish Parliament. The Corporation itself existed until 1830.

In 1803-04, a new Church of Ireland church was built to replace the Old St Peter's; it was the first building to be erected on the new Market Square. The building is attributed to architect James Gandon. Other notable buildings constructed in Port Laoise in the 19th century included the now-destroyed French Renaissance-style Town Hall on Market Square; the Court House on Main Street, built in 1805; the County Gaol built in 1830 to a design by William Deane Butler; and the neo-classical St. Fintan's Hospital, built in 1833 on the Dublin Road.

In 1929, a few years after the foundation of the Irish Free State, the town was renamed _Portlaoighise_ (later simplified to _Port Laoise_) and the county was renamed County Laois.[5]

Local government

[Bridge Street and Church of Sts. Peter and Paul] The town forms part of the Portlaoise Municipal District Local Electoral Area for elections to Laois County Council. This includes the urban Port Laoise area, Abbeyleix and Ballinakill and surrounding rural areas. Port Laoise's Town Council was abolished in 2014.

Port Laoise is twinned with Coulounieix-Chamiers in the Dordogne département of France.

Demography

Portlaoise is one of Ireland's fastest growing towns, with a 37.9% increase in population from 2006 to 2011. Non-Irish nationals accounted for 21.7% of the population compared with a national average figure of 12.0%. Polish (7%) were the largest group, followed by Lithuanians (2.7%).[6] The former Mayor, Rotimi Adebari, was the first person of African descent to become a mayor in Ireland.[7]

Portlaoise has the highest percentage of people under the age of 18 in Ireland. Due to rapid population growth (due in particular to immigration from Eastern Europe, especially Poland and Slovakia) and its location in the commuter belt, Portlaoise has seen the development of additional services, including a new fire station and a large swimming leisure complex. Portlaoise has three new secondary schools and five new primary schools. In the 2016 Census Portlaoise was again in the top 10 fastest growing regions, with the population of Portlaoise town and its suburbs exceeding 22,000.

Economy

Portlaoise has long been a major commercial and retail hub for the Midlands. Until the mid 20th century, the main industries of the town were flour milling and the manufacture of worsted fabric. Since their respective declines, among the largest employers are state-owned bodies such as the maximum-security Port Laoise Prison, which houses the majority of the Irish Republican political prisoners sentenced in the Republic, the Midlands Prison, the Department of Agriculture and the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. State-owned companies Córas Iompair Éireann (railways, with a National Traincare Maintenance Depot in Portlaoise), the ESB (utilities, with a training centre in the town) and also An Post are all major employers. In 2013 _MyPay_, a new central payroll system for 55,000 local authority employees across Ireland, was set up in Portlaoise.[8]

Due to its location and transport connections, the National Spatial Strategy chose Portlaoise as the location for Ireland's first “Inland Port”. This designation encourages the town to focus on the growth of distribution, logistics and warehouse uses. An Post operates the second largest mail centre in Ireland (after Dublin) at their depot in Portlaoise.[9]

[Midland Regional Hospital]

Retail

Major retail spaces include Laois Shopping Centre, The Kyle Centre, Parkside Shopping Centre, Shaws department store and retail parks in Kea Lew and on the South Circular Road.

Tourism

[Rock of Dunamase] Tourist sites in the area include the Rock of Dunamase, a hill-top castle which dates from the 12th Century. There is also a 12th-century round tower 12km away in Timahoe.

Also close-by is Fort Protector, a 16th century fort built to protect British colonists from Irish natives.

Emo Court is a large Georgian estate designed by James Gandon at nearby Emo.

Transport

[Port Laoise railway station] Portlaoise stands at a major crossroads in the Irish roads network (major roads to Dublin, Limerick, Cork) although construction in the 1990s of the M7 motorway, which bypasses the town, has reduced traffic congestion in the town centre.

Port Laoise railway station is one the busiest railway stations outside of Dublin, and is served by intercity trains between Dublin and Cork and by Dublin commuter services. Maryborough railway station opened on 26 June 1847.[10] It is the terminus of the Portlaoise Commuter Service, which stops at all stations to Heuston and runs hourly off peak and every 20/30 minutes during peak times. It is the busiest county town railway station in the Midlands Region, with up to 32 trains to Dublin (10 non-stop) and 30 trains from Dublin (9 non-stop) per day.[11] Córas Iompair Éireann opened a rail depot south-west of Portlaoise town centre in March 2008, with a maintenance and servicing facility for the 183 new intercity railcars and some facilities for outer suburban railcars serving the Kildare route.

Bus Éireann operates an intercity service between Dublin and Cork/Limerick which calls at Port Laoise. The town is also the terminus for Dublin-Portlaoise coach services operated by Dublin Coach, which is at James Fintan Lawlor Avenue.

Culture and community

Nightlife

Portlaoise’s central location within Ireland and its concentration of restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs around Market Square, Main Street and the Church Street area of the town centre and other nearby facilities such as paintball, golf, bowling and other amenities make it a popular destination for hen & stag parties and other weekend breaks. Portlaoise railway station is the closest station to Stradbally Hall where the Electric Picnic Festival is held each year.

Arts and festivals

Every year the town hosts the Old Fort Quarter Festival in June, the Halloween Howls Comedy Festival on the October bank holiday weekend and the Leaves Literary Festival in November.

The Dunamaise Arts Centre which comprises a cinema, performance space and exhibition space is located in the building which formally housed the Maryborough Gaol. The opening of the Arts Centre in 1999 coincided with the revival of the Laois Drama Group.[12]

Charity

Since 2008, Port Laoise has been the Irish base of Self Help Africa, formerly Self Help Development International, a development agency engaged in implementing rural development programmes in Sub-Sahara. Established at the time of the Ethiopian Famine of 1984, the organisation is the chosen charity of the Irish Farmers Association. [Emo Church of Ireland church to the north east of Port Laoise]

Sport

Portlaoise RFC, a local rugby club, is based outside the town at Togher. Portlaoise GAA is the local Gaelic Athletic Association club and the most successful GAA club in Leinster. Other local sports clubs include Port Laoise Association Football Club and Portlaoise Senior Basketball Club.

Sporting facilities in the area include Port Laoise Leisure Centre (which has a 25m pool, a gym, astro and soccer pitches, and a skate park) and Portlaoise Golf Club (which has an 18-hole course on the Abbeyleix Road).

Portlaoise AFC located on the Mountmellick road in Rossleighan Park.

Education

Portlaoise College[13] is situated just minutes from the heart of Portlaoise. Portlaoise College provides full-time education for over 300 students in Junior and Leaving Certificate Cycle.

Portlaoise Institute[14] offers further education courses, including QQI Level 5 and 6 Courses. These include courses and professional certification in beauty therapy, hairdressing, healthcare, nursing, business studies, information technology, and sports and leisure management.

Notable people

-   Arthur Jacob – Professor of Anatomy (Ophthalmologist)
-   Sean O'Rourke – RTÉ journalist and broadcaster
-   James Fitzmaurice – aviation pioneer
-   Pat Critchley – GAA dual player (Footballer & All Star winner at Hurling)
-   Pat Boran – poet and radio presenter
-   Bartholomew Mosse – founder of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin
-   Stephen Hunt – association football player, was born in Port Laoise in 1981
-   Pádraig Mac Lógáin – the only two-time President of Sinn Féin owned a pub on Main Street
-   Robert Sheehan – actor (_Misfits_, _Love/Hate_, _The Umbrella Academy_).
-   Zach Tuohy – Australian Football League player for the Geelong Football Club
-   TJ Doheny - Professional Boxer, former IBF World Super Bantamweight Title holder.
-   Brian Rigney - (born 22 September 1963) is an Irish former rugby union player who won 8 caps for his country between 1991 and 1992.
-   Damien Bowe - singer and former member of Irish boyband D-Side.
-   Anne Keenan-Buckley (1962-) - middle distance runner who was on the Irish 1988 Summer Olympics team.
-   Eoghan Masterson – professional rugby player for Connacht
-   Alison Miller – professional rugby player

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5] Port Laoise, Placenames Database of Ireland.

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]  Portlaoise College |url=http://www.portlaoisecollege.ie/ |website=www.portlaoisecollege.ie |access-date=27 February 2019}}

[14]

title: Port Laoise

question: Summarize Port Laoise's history.

answer: The port started construction in 1548 under the supervision of Lord Deputy Sir Edward Bellingham to secure English control of the county. The Parliament ordered the establishment of the town in 1557 and named it Maryborough, and named the county Queen's County, in Queen Mary's honor. The area was a site of rebellion, and the town fought a low-key war with the local chieftains for 50 years. Port Laoise was promoted to the rank of borough by Queen Elizabeth I in 1570, allowing the establishment of a Corporation of the Borough, which existed until 1830. After the formation of the Irish Free State, the town was renamed Portlaoighise (and later, Port Laoise) and the county was renamed County Laois.

question: What does the text say about the Irish potato famine?

question: How would a university student fare in Port Laoise based on the information in the article?

answer: There is no university in Port Laoise.

question: How would a teenager fare in Port Laoise?

answer: The Portlaoise College is in a central location with several options for additional education. The town has a large number of teens under 18, allowing for easier socialization. The prevalence of non-Irish people means ready availability of different cultures. The town's role as a nexus of trade and logistics would mean a variety of commercial and recreational products are available. The town has several shopping centers that could serve as meeting hubs. There are three festivals held each year, and the town has a cinema, performance space, and exhibition space in the Dunamaise Arts Centre. There are several options for nightlife available in the town, and it's a suitable destination for weekend parties. Finally, there are local sports clubs of rugby, association football, and basketball.


split: test

text:
SAMUEL M. WHITSIDE was a United States Cavalry officer who served from 1858 to 1902. He commanded at every level from company to department for 32 of his 43 years in service, including Army posts such a Camp Huachuca, Jefferson Barracks, and Fort Sam Houston, the Departments of Eastern Cuba and Santiago and Puerto Principe, Cuba, commanded a provisional cavalry brigade (consisting of the 10th and 5th Cavalry Regiments), a squadron in the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and a troop and platoon in the 6th Cavalry Regiment. The pinnacle of his career was serving as the commanding general of the Department of Eastern Cuba before retiring in June 1902 as a brigadier general in the U.S. Army.[1]

Most history books record three events during his career: the founding of Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the massacre at Wounded Knee, and his continued role as a battalion commander during the Pine Ridge Campaign of 1890–91. These events are arguably the most noteworthy in Whitside's four decades in the U.S. cavalry.

Joining the U.S. Army and Service in the American Civil War

S. M. Whitside was born on January 9, 1839 in Toronto, Canada. He grew up in that area attending Normal School, and later moved to New York where he attended Careyville Academy.[2]

He enlisted into the General Mounted Service in 1858 and served for three years at Carlisle Barracks, PA where he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. Corporal Whitside was assigned on July 27, 1861 to the 3rd Cavalry to fill a vacant noncommissioned officer position, and on August 1, he was promoted to sergeant major of the regiment. On August 3, Congress redesignated the 3d Cavalry as the 6th Cavalry Regiment.[3]

[Group of 6th U.S. Cavalry officers in camp at Snickers Gap, Va., in 1862, standing, left to right, 2nd Lt. Thos. W. Simson, 1st Lt. Albert Coats. Sitting, left to right, 2ND LT. SAMUEL WHITSIDE, Captain August Kautz.[4]] On November 1, three sergeants were offered commissions; among these was Sergeant Major Samuel M. Whitside. He accepted his appointment as a second lieutenant in the 6th U.S. Cavalry on November 4, 1861 and assumed the duties of a junior officer in Company K. His commander was Captain Charles R. Lowell.[5]

Lieutenant Whitside served with his company in the 6th Cavalry during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862 where he participated in the following battles: Williamsburg – May 5, Slatersville – May 7, New Bridge – May 20, Ellison's Mills – May 23, Hanover Court House – 27 to May 29, Black Creek – June 26, and Malvern Hill – August 5,.[6][7]

Whitside next served as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Major General Nathaniel Banks, and participated in the Siege of Port Hudson in Louisiana in 1863. However, Whitside suffered from a number of ailments—including smallpox—and was severely injured at the Battle of Culpeper Court House. After briefly serving as an aide to generals John H. Martindale and Alfred Pleasonton, he spent the remainder of the Civil War on recruiting duty in Rhode Island and mustering duty in West Virginia. He later received brevet promotions to captain and major for faithful and meritorious service.[8]

After the war, Whitside became a First Class Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States—a military society of Union officers and their descendants.

Service on the Frontier

Whitside served for the next 20 years with the 6th Cavalry commanding B Company at various posts throughout the West. [FOUNDER OF FORT HUACHUCA—CAPTAIN SAMUEL M. WHITSIDE, 6TH U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT, CA. 1876. Dissatisfied with the condition of Camp Wallen, on 3 March Whitside led the two companies, consisting of four officers and 127 troopers, approximately nine miles up into the Huachuca Mountains where they encamped near a spring in a heavily wooded area that offered excellent observation over the valleys below. Whitside realized this was the perfect location for the new camp. On 4 March, he ordered initial entries in a journal, identifying their location as “Camp Huachuca, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona Territory, Captain S. M. Whitside Commanding Officer.”[9]]

Texas, 1865–70

-   Austin
-   Lockhart
-   Sherman
-   Jacksboro
-   Livingston – Post Commander[10]
-   Fort Griffin

Missouri and Kansas, 1871–74

-   St. Louis, MO – Recruiting Duty
-   Fort Riley, KS
-   Fort Hays, KS
-   Kansas City, MO
-   Newport Barracks, KY

Arizona Territory, Colorado and Dakota Territory 1875–87

-   Camp McDowell, A.T.
-   Fort Lowell, A.T.
-   Camp Huachuca, A.T. – Founded post in March 1877 and served as first post commander until March 1881.[11]
-   Fort Thomas, A.T.
-   Washington, D.C., Rochester, NY, and Chicago, IL – recruiting service from 1882 to 1883
-   Fort Apache, A.T.
-   Fort Lewis, CO

After eighteen years as a captain and almost twenty-four years with the 6th Cavalry Regiment, Whitside was transferred to the 7th Cavalry Regiment in 1885 and promoted to major. The 7th was then serving in the Dakota Territory at various posts, including Fort Meade. In 1887 the regiment moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, and a more settled lifestyle. During the previous twenty-two years of service on the frontier, Whitside married and had seven children, four of which died in childhood, and served at over twenty posts, spending an average of ten months at any one location.

Wounded Knee Massacre

Whitside was the major of the 7th Cavalry at the time of the Wounded Knee Massacre in December 1890.

Spanish–American War service

Whitside served during the Spanish–American War as the lieutenant colonel of the 5th Cavalry.

Dates of rank

  Rank                    Date          Unit                          Component
  ----------------------- ------------- ----------------------------- --------------
  [] Second Lieutenant    1 Nov 1861    K Co., 6th Cavalry Regiment   Regular Army
  [] First Lieutenant     25 Jan 1864   A Co., 6th Cavalry Regiment   Regular Army
  [] Captain              20 Oct 1866   B Co., 6th Cavalry Regiment   Regular Army
  [] Major                20 Mar 1885   7th Cavalry Regiment          Regular Army
  [] Lieutenant Colonel   17 Jul 1895   3rd Cavalry Regiment          Regular Army
  [] Colonel              16 Oct 1898   10th Cavalry Regiment         Regular Army
  [] Brigadier General    3 Jan 1901    Volunteers
  [] Brigadier General    29 May 1902   Regular Army

Personal life

Whitside was married to Caroline P. McGavock of Nashville, Tennessee, for thirty-six years.[12] Of their seven children, three survived to adulthood.[13] Their eldest surviving son, Warren Whitside, became a Colonel in the Army Quartermaster Corps and his son, Warren, Jr.; served in the U.S. Navy as a Captain.[14] Samuel and Caroline's daughter, Madeline, married 1st Lt. Archie Miller, a cavalry officer and eventual Medal of Honor recipient.[15] Their daughter, Caroline, would marry Robert Whitney Burns, a future army lieutenant general.[16] Their youngest child, Victor, became a Major in the Army and commanded an infantry battalion during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive before dying in Germany of pneumonia at the end of World War I.[17]

[1] Adjutant General's Office, “Statement of Service,” (on file at the Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, Pension Application # 819.916, Certificate # 587.095, “Whitside Box”).

[2] Russell, Major Samuel L., “Selfless Service: The Cavalry Career of Brigadier General Samuel M. Whitside from 1858 to 1902.” MMAS Thesis, Fort Leavenworth: U.S. Command and General Staff College, 2002.

[3]

[4] Defense Supply Association, _The Quartermaster Review_, March–April 1934 issue, pages 53 and 73.

[5]

[6]

[7] _New York Times_, May 7, May 20 and August 9, 1862

[8]

[9] Cochran, Orville A. “Samuel Marmaduke Whitside: Trooper to Brigadier General, United States Cavalry 1839–1904 (A Biographical Resume of the Founder of Fort Huachuca, Arizona).” Fort Huachuca, 1964.

[10] Handbook of Texas Online, s.v. “,” https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bma19 (accessed June 23, 2010).

[11] [https://books.google.com/books?id=szUeAAAAMAAJ&q=Smith,+Cornelius+C.,+Jr.+Fort+Huachuca&dq=Smith,+Cornelius+C.,+Jr.+Fort+Huachuca&hl=en&ei=EyoiTMz0B6DhnQfw1aHADw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA Smith, Cornelius C., Jr. _Fort Huachuca—The Story of a Frontier Post_. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976], pages 23, 27 and 32.

[12] Fort Huachua Scout, Vol. 2, No. 17 _First White Woman to Live Here Was Wife of Capt. Samuel Whitside_, 6 Oct 1955, Fort Huachuca, Arizona

[13]

[14] Colonel Warren Webster Whitside Ancestry.com Military Pages

[15] Arlington National Cemetery Website, _Archie Miller._

[16] Arlington National Cemetery Website, _Robert Whitney Burns._

[17] Major Victor McDowell WHITSIDE Ancestry.com Military Pages

title: Samuel Whitside

question: Summarize the locations Whitside visited in his military career.

answer: Whitside spent most of his career on the move, spending an average of ten months in any given place. His posts include Camp Huachuca, Jefferson Barracks, Fort Sam Houston, the Departments of Eastern Cuba and Santiago and Puerto Principe. His military service began in Carlisle Barracks, PA, where he stayed for three years. After many battles, he served as an aide-de-camp to Major General Banks in Louisiana. From there, he moved on to recruitment duty in Rhode Island and mustering duty in West Virginia. His posts with the 6th Cavalry included many places in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado, and Dakota territory.

question: What does the text say about high ground advantage in military encounters?


text:
He stared at the floor. He had nothing better to do. He could have picked up a magazine or disappeared into his cell phone, but he didn’t want to risk making eye contact with anyone. He wasn’t feeling up for idle chit\-chat.

The carpet was depressing and he was having trouble labeling its color. It was unmistakably gray, but not entirely. There was a subtle tinge of brown laid overtop, like some sort of gloomy overcoat. Embedded in the mysterious shade were thin, tan stripes that raced horizontally across the floor.

The carpet now has his attention. He continued to stare at it intently, determined to brand the gray with brownish hue.

As he moved his head closer he noticed the fibers were woven from a variety of colors like, red, blue, and yellow. But as he pulled his head back he no longer saw the colorful strands. Instead, the colors blended together into the murky, grayish\-brown he was having trouble classifying.

To pass the time he experimented with this nearsighted phenomenon by calculating how far he had to dip his head until the colored fibers became visible. After a few dips and withdraws, he determined he had to lower his head to about chest height before he could see anything but gray with a sad smear of brown.

It was at that moment he also realized how foolish he must have looked to the others in the room. Normal people were occupied with their Instagram feed or a 6\-month old issue of Consumer Digest.

Why couldn’t I just be normal, he thought. Why couldn’t I be anywhere, but here, he thought. He picked his head up and rearranged his shoulders.

Now he stared at the administrator who was seated behind a sliding glass window. The glass window was closed and the administrator had his head down. Thank God, he thought, no eye contact.

Behind the administrator was a large, Master Edwards clock. It sat high enough that even if the administer were to sit upright, the entire clock face would still be visible to anyone on the other side of the sliding glass. Whoever mounted the clock must have considered the possibility that the administrator could obstruct the view of the clock face while sitting upright and therefore placed it at the appropriate height. These were his thoughts while he waited.

“Mr. Blocker?”

He heard his name, but didn’t move. He maybe thought he’d only imagined someone calling his name and didn’t want to appear anxious, so he sat still.

“Mr. Blocker? Are you Mr. Blocker?” the attendant called out. She was standing in an open doorway in the far righthand corner of the room. She was looking directly at him. Finally, he made eye contact with someone.

“This way please.”

He rose to his feet and stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets. He took his first steps toward the door, feeling a bit defeated by the carpet. He was still unclear on its color.

The attendant lead him down a white corridor. The walls were white. The ceiling was white. The floor was white, linoleum tile. The lighting was soft, fluorescent white. He decided to stop focusing on the color white and let his mind drift to something more pleasant, the lining of his trouser pockets.

He’d always been quite satisfied with the navy suit he was wearing. The shoulders fit him perfectly. The taper of the legs was trimming and made him look taller. But the lining of the trouser pockets is what pleased him most. The lining was a soft silky material that felt fine and glossy when he rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger.

“Right in here please”, the attendant directed. Her arm was outstretched, half of it inside of another room. This room was his room. This room was where he was supposed to go. He was sure of it. Not because the attendant declared it so, but because it felt right. He pulled his hands out of his pockets and entered.

In the middle of the room was a large desk. It appeared to be very old and extremely heavy. Probably oak, he thought. Behind the desk sat a man with wire\-frame glasses. The man was staring at a computer screen. The man was at least twice his age. He could see the glare of the screen almost entirely in the man’s glasses.

“Please Mr. Blocker. Have a seat.”

He did as he was told and took a seat in a chair on the opposite side of the desk.

“Mr. Blocker, we are going to have to make a very difficult decision today.”

He sat in his seat and listened.

“It’s my opinion that further treatments are not going improve your health.”

He extended his chin and began to nod his head. Not to appear as if he was listening, but to communicate that he understood the weight of the declaration the man in glasses had just made.

“You’ve been fighting this…we’ve been fighting this for almost ten years. After five surgeries and countless rounds of chemotherapy there has been only very little progress. Of course, we could continue treatment, but your quality of life would rapidly deteriorate and the burden of cost would fall entirely on your next of kin. I sincerely believe it would be best to begin getting your affairs in order. As of today, I would estimate that you may have only a few months left.”

He sat silently with his chin still pointed toward the man with glasses. He thought about his wife. He thought about his daughters and their children. He thought about his parents who had passed many, many years ago. He thought about the white corridor with the white ceiling, the white, linoleum tiles and the white, fluorescent lights. He thought about the lining of his trouser pockets. He thought about the carpet.

“Taupe!”

“I’m sorry Mr. Blocker. I don’t understand,” said the man with glasses.

“Gray mixed with a tinge of brown. Taupe.” he replied.

He couldn’t think of anything else to say. Instead he furrowed his brow, dipped his head, and regarded the taupe carpet with a newfound sense of familiarity and confidence.

He felt more comfortable now, having identified the mysterious color that had been eluding him. So, he lifted his hands to his face, covered his eyes with his sweat palms, and began to cry.

title: [RF] Taupe

question: What does the story say about Mr. Blocker?

answer: He's a middle-aged man in a navy suit that he likes, suffering from cancer for the last ten years. He goes to his doctor in the story and gets transfixed on the carpet in the waiting room, trying to figure out what its color is. He seems detached even after the doctor informs him about his new prognosis, that he's going to die soon. The moment he remembers the name of the color, taupe, he processes the information and starts crying.

question: What does the text say about bravery?


text:
January 16, 2014

This kind of thing parodies itself, and if you want a comprehensive take down of this nonsense, Ed Morrisseyhas a crackerjack of a post on the wisdom emanating from the lips of Christiana Figueres about the best political system to fight climate change.

Daily Caller:

  United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres said that democracy is a poor political system for fighting global warming. Communist China, she says, is the best model.

  China may be the world's top emitter of carbon dioxide and struggling with major pollution problems of their own, but the country is "doing it right" when it comes to fighting global warming says Figueres.

  "They actually want to breathe air that they don't have to look at," she said. "They're not doing this because they want to save the planet. They're doing it because it's in their national interest."

Uh-huh.

[]

Her logic is impecable - if you believe in socialist twaddle:

  Figueres added that the deep partisan divide in the U.S. Congress is "very detrimental" to passing any sort of legislation to fight global warming. The Chinese Communist Party, on the other hand, can push key policies and reforms all on its own. The country's national legislature largely enforces the decisions made by the party's Central Committee and other executive offices.

Leave aside the fact that one of the most dangerous jobs in the world is being a coal miner in a Chinese mine due to the paucity of safety and health regulations. Leave aside the fact that the Chinese refuse to join any UN treaties on climate change. The Communist system actually encourages air and water pollution, not to mention the burning of as much fossile fuel, as fast as possible in the name of economic development.

Ms. Figueres appears to be the perfect choice to head up the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

This kind of thing parodies itself, and if you want a comprehensive take down of this nonsense, Ed Morrisseyhas a crackerjack of a post on the wisdom emanating from the lips of Christiana Figueres about the best political system to fight climate change.

Daily Caller:

  United Nations climate chief Christiana Figueres said that democracy is a poor political system for fighting global warming. Communist China, she says, is the best model.

  China may be the world's top emitter of carbon dioxide and struggling with major pollution problems of their own, but the country is "doing it right" when it comes to fighting global warming says Figueres.

  "They actually want to breathe air that they don't have to look at," she said. "They're not doing this because they want to save the planet. They're doing it because it's in their national interest."

Uh-huh.

[]

Her logic is impecable - if you believe in socialist twaddle:

  Figueres added that the deep partisan divide in the U.S. Congress is "very detrimental" to passing any sort of legislation to fight global warming. The Chinese Communist Party, on the other hand, can push key policies and reforms all on its own. The country's national legislature largely enforces the decisions made by the party's Central Committee and other executive offices.

Leave aside the fact that one of the most dangerous jobs in the world is being a coal miner in a Chinese mine due to the paucity of safety and health regulations. Leave aside the fact that the Chinese refuse to join any UN treaties on climate change. The Communist system actually encourages air and water pollution, not to mention the burning of as much fossile fuel, as fast as possible in the name of economic development.

Ms. Figueres appears to be the perfect choice to head up the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

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question: What is the best model for fighting global warming according to Christiana Figueres?

answer: According to Figueres, Chinese communism is a better model than democracy for fighting global warming.

question: What is the opinion of the author about the prospects for Communism to help fight global warming?

answer: The author thinks that this idea is ridiculous and that the Chinese system is unjust.


text:
When Flip Saunders said he would address the team's needs on the wings in free agency, he was not kidding.

Saunders not only targeted basically every wing player on the market with a halfway decent three point shot, he actually walked away with two already...a historically unprecedented result in Wolves free agency. There is more still to come (I would be on at least one more fairly notable signing or trade, likely two), but what the team has locked up in Chase Budinger and Kevin Martin is already more than most of us were hoping for.

Chase, I think, most of us expected back. He was made a priority in free agency months ago, and the team was waiting for him right at 12:01 July 1st. If anything, I think a lot of us were a little surprised when he started generating so much interest from other teams. But the combination of good money ($5.3mil/year....just $300,000 over EiM's line. Don't think he's losing sleep over it) and Adelman made us the most appealing choice for him.

Kevin Martin, on the other hand, kind of came out of nowhere. Not that he wasn't a possibility before...he just didn't seem a likely one. It seemed like most teams (and most fans) just assumed he'd remain in Oklahoma; it wasn't until after free agency started that people began realizing the Thunder didn't actually have the money. But Martin knew, and had it worked out heading into the summer.

  "Minny was my first option outside OKC, so I've got to take it," Martin told USA TODAY Sports. "Especially being (with coach Rick) Adelman, and their starting lineup just needed a two-guard, so I feel like it's a perfect fit. I'm not one to play around. I know where my heart is."

So, like Chase, Martin was lured here by the idea of playing for Adelman again. This will now be the third time with three different teams that Martin and Adelman have worked together. Also factoring in: the chance to get back into the starting lineup, playing alongside Ricky Rubio (Martin quietly lobbied for Rubio ahead of Tyreke Evans when he was still with the Kings) and the number of years he could get (4, which was probably a year more than anyone else was willing to offer a 30 year-old)

Credit Saunders for getting the inside track here. He knew he could put an offer better than anyone else on the table, and he did.

The longstanding logic has been that the small market and cold would always keep the brightest stars away. We had a likeable coach in Saunders. We had a Hall of Famer in Kevin Garnett. And yet free agents avoided us like the plague. It had to be the location, right? Well, maybe not so much, it turns out. The combination of Rubio and Adelman has factored into a lot of free agents minds the last couple of summers...Nic Batum stated it, Alexey Shved stated it, Andrei Kirilenko stated it, now Kevin Martin...a great coach with a great system and a charismatic point guard who shares the basketball is something that sells.

And it does make me feel better to know it was important to Martin. I needed that after burning in the loss of JJ Redick to the Clippers because of Chris Paul and Doc Rivers.

[]

(But seriously guys. We were _this close_ to getting Redick.)

Anywho here's the real deal. While a lot of those media people are not-so-enthused about the deal...Martin is on the wrong side of 30, and has been in 'decline' for a couple of seasons now...I actually see this as a massive, massive shift for the Wolves future. Like, at a tectonic level. Whereas a week ago, the Wolves' fate was almost singularly tied to Pekovic returning (not a bad thing per se, but eggs in one basket and all that), now the team has the freedom to really go in any one of a dozen different directions.

This is because those media people have it wrong. Martin is not falling off the cliff.

First, let's look at Martin compared to the Wolves' past wing players' best year in 'Sota:

  ------------------- ------- ------ -------- ------ -------
  name                year    TS%    Usage%   PER    WS/48
  Kevin Garnett       99-00   .545   27.4     23.6   .172
  KEVIN MARTIN        12-13   .608   21.0     16.0   .157
  Wally Sizzlerbean   04-05   .595   21.5     17.1   .136
  Sam Mitchell        97-98   .539   19.7     15.8   .131
  Malik Sealy         99-00   .530   18.6     14.4   .111
  Anthony Peeler      99-00   .520   18.7     13.2   .094
  Ricky Davis         06-07   .566   21.9     15.9   .091
  Latrell Sprewell    03-04   .493   23.6     14.7   .088
  Doug West           91-92   .560   18.7     14.6   .086
  Isaiah Rider        95-96   .550   26.3     15.6   .063
  Randy Foye          08-09   .517   22.6     13.7   .059
  ------------------- ------- ------ -------- ------ -------

So other than Small Forward KG (and Fred Hoiberg, who I left off the list due to his extreme outlier Usg%), Martin, at 30 years old, still blew every other Wolf wing out of the gym. Even if he stays at this more limited level, he's easily the best 2/3 that has ever put on the uniform.

I think the AP guys look at his base stats the last two years and just assume he's declining because those number declined. But hey, guess what? He was injured one of those years, and put into a sixth man role the other. His usage% went from 30% in 10-11 to just 21% last season...he just had less opportunity to do stuff because he had to share with Durant and Westbrook.

Not only that, but he set a new mark for personal efficiency last year, with a career high in 3pt% (42%) and a career low in turnover% (10.2) The only real concern I see is his dropping FT rate, but even that could be attributed to a bad leg and Scott Brooks' tactical inflexibility (which went on full display in OKC's playoff bounce to the Grizzlies)

So it wasn't necessarily Kevin Martin's game that declined. It was his role. And given that he's back in the starting lineup, back in Adelman's system, and back to being at least the #2 option (maybe even #1) I don't see any reason why Martin can't go back to scoring 20+ points/game, getting to the line 5-6 times a night and generating Wins in the 6-8 range.

But even looking at just the season he had last year, Martin is a steal. Comparing wings in his Wins range, we get:

  ------------------- ------- ------ ------- -----
  name                Pts/P   PER    WS/48   WP
  Danillo Gallinari   0.7     16.7   .151    5.9
  KEVIN MARTIN        1.0     16.0   .157    5.9
  OJ Mayo             -0.2    13.9   .069    5.7
  JR Smith            0.1     17.6   .120    5.6
  Trevor Ariza        0.5     14.0   .102    5.5
  ------------------- ------- ------ ------- -----

Martin statistically is almost an exact match with Gallinari, but Gallo is paid $10-11mil/year, while Martin will be paid just $7.5/year...a salary that more matches Ariza, even though Martin trumps him across the board.

Further, if you believe...as I do...that Martin will get back close to the form of his 10-11 campaign, then his WP jumps up to 7, which puts him closer to guys like Tyreke Evans and Luol Deng, who are getting paid $11mil and $13mil (FWIW, Pek's WP was just 0.2 higher than Martin's, and he'll get paid at least $3mil/year more. Says a lot about the lack of quality big men in the league)

And while there are shooters that statistically trumped Martin last year that are getting paid less....Kyle Korver, Jared Dudley, Ray Allen....none of them are guys who can carry an offense (at least anymore). The Wolves need a guy who can score 20ppg and be a go-to option. Korver can't do that. Martin can. Of the wings in free agency this summer, only Martin has proven he can carry the offense and keep his efficiency intact.

So all things considered, a good argument can be made that the Wolves got a $12mil discount on Martin because circumstance made him appear to be less-good than he really is, which is still a top-notch NBA shooting guard. Because only the 'experts' can make drafting Bazz a good thing and signing Martin a bad thing.

[]

Where I'm going with this is I believe that the Wolves got a 'Big 3' player for a role player price, which opens up all sorts of possibilities the team did not have before. It makes overpaying Pekovic less troublesome and the possibility of losing him less scary. It makes the likelihood of losing Kirilenko less painful, and the need to rely on Bazz less imminent. It opens up more options in the debate between JJ and Luke. And builds a good bit of faith in the Saunders front office.

On the Pekovic front, you still bring him back if you can. But if there is a line in the sand financially that an offer sheet crosses (don't know if there is. Wouldn't surprise me either way at this point)....well, it would still be a cause for sadness, but not necessarily panic anymore. The team could trade him for another center. Or trade someone else for a center. Or test out Dieng (I do think he has legit Marc Gasol potential down the road) Or sign a one-year filler (Birdman?) then take a run at a 2014 class that includes Pau Gasol, Greg Monroe, DeMarcus Cousins and Andrew Bogut. Or you could trade for Bogut now (wouldn't cost much. Warriors are looking to firesale for Dwight)

It's not as imperative anymore for the center spot to be at Pek's level because a Love-Rubio-Martin core can compete for the playoffs either way. This gives the team latitude to be more selective in shaping the team's future with players it doesn't feel like it has to pick.

As for the wing situation, I think one more good move should be enough, but Martin takes the pressure off that move needing to be a game-changer.

One good option is tomake the Martin deal a sign-and-trade with the Thunder to free up enough space to bring back Kirilenko (at 32, he cares less about money and more about contract length. He opted out because he wants 3 year guaranteed) The other is to go to hell and back to sign Matt Barnes...a very good shooter and defender and another Adelman favorite. Those are the two things I would consider. Both would have the dual benefit of:

1.  Getting more bench firepower, as Chase would be the first wing off the pine instead of Bazz
2.  Getting any sort of defense into the starting 5, because a Rubio-Martin-Chase-Love-Pek lineup would give up like, 120 points/game (kidding. sorta....)

Both also have their advantages and disadvantages. Kirilenko is probably the better fit, both in terms of temperment and skillset. But Barnes is less injury-prone, and would preserve most of the trade assets that could be used later for a Pau Gasol deal or emergency trade for Bogut, etc.

And on the point guard front, I may be in the minority here, but I choose to keep Barea over Ridnour. I subscribe to the theory of sixth men shaking up the system, Ginobili style, and JJ is by far the better sparkplug for that. No one can game plan for the guy. Sometimes not even his own team. Sometimes not even himself. The stability in the wing situation means that Barea won't have to be singularly responsible for making shots from beyond 20 feet like he was at the end of last year. So when Good Barea is in the building, he can still gun us to a win. But when Bad Barea shows up, we won't have to just suffer his chucking because we'll actually have other options. And either way, the guy gives opposing defenses fits that Luke can't with quickness and creativity Luke doesn't have.

I mean, you just can't draw that up in a playbook! (but seriously. A 5'9" guy who can be a triple-double threat is a guy you keep)

The Wolves' destiny is again in their own hands, thanks to Martin putting on a team jersey. A hallway of necessary decisions has become an open field of options, and that's great. Saunders has had contact with both Kirilenko and Barnes. Pekovic is simply waiting for Dwight Howard to make a decision (I know I know...) But the Wolves' season is all but assured already. The rest is just stacking the odds even more at this point.

question: Explain the biggest surprise about Kevin Martin.

answer: Kevin Martin had been expected, by most teams and fans, to remain with the Oklahoma Thunder, however he surprisingly became a free agent. Contrary to the media's belief of Martin being on the wrong side of 30 and in decline, he is actually not falling off the cliff. His game hadn't declined at all, it was mostly his role. Martin became undervalued, giving the Wolves a steal for their money. He had appeared less-good than he really is and now the Wolves' destiny is in their own hands, thanks to Martin.


text:
SINGAPORE - A 16-year-old boy was playing a game of hide and seek with a friend on a rooftop garden just after midnight on Tuesday  (Jan 23) when he mistakenly hopped over a wall and fell 12 storeys.

Ng Jun Hui was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics, said the police, who received a call about the incident at about 12.30am.

His father, Mr Ritchie Ng, said the family were in bed and asleep when they heard an insistent knocking at the front door at about 1.30am.

He thought his son had forgotten his house keys, but it was the police who were at the door.

"My whole mind was blank and when my wife heard the news, she started shouting and crying, waking up my two daughters," said Mr Ng, 53.

Speaking to The Straits Times in the void deck of his Toa Payoh block on Thursday, the Grab driver he found out about what had happened from the only witness, Jun Hui's friend, who had asked him at around 10pm on Monday to go with her to the sky garden.

Both had been classmates at Guangyang Secondary School. Jun Hui had taken his O-level examinations late last year and was planning to start new studies at the Institute of Technical Education.

Neither lived at Block 79D in Toa Payoh Central, but Jun Hui had been to the sky garden a few times.

When he heard that his son was not at home, Mr Ng asked his wife, pre-school teacher Amy Wong, 47, to call and check on him as he had been out the whole day with friends.

"'Don't worry mummy, I'll come back for dinner, just keep the food for me' - that's the last thing we heard from him," recalled Mr Ng, while Ms Wong sat distraught throughout the interview, holding her head in her hands and rarely speaking.

The couple have two other daughters, aged 14 and 17.

Mr Ng was calm as he described his son as a "compassionate" person who would help his classmates if they needed it.

Jun Hui, who wanted to be a scientist, had planned to go to a junior college, even taking tuition for Additional Maths for a month after his O-level exams in preparation.

When he did not qualify for JC, he decided on electronic engineering at the ITE instead.

The family held a wake for him until Thursday.

Mr Ng hopes CCTV footage would shed light on how his middle child died.

He also plans to go back to the 12th-storey garden on Saturday to see if it is lacking in any "security and precautionary measures".

Mr Ng plans to alert the authorities at Guangyang Secondary and Beatty Secondary, as well as members of parliament and the HDB, if there are safety measures lacking, such as barriers, after viewing the CCTV footage.

He wants to prevent another tragedy.

"Hopefully this can help to save lives... it's really very painful to go through the whole thing," he added. "I don't want other parents to suffer the same fate and agony."

question: Did the boy die?

answer: Yes.

question: How old is the boy?

answer: Jun Hui was 16-years-old.

question: Who are the witnesses?

answer: The only witness was Jun Hui's friend.

question: Was the garden lacking any sort of safety measures?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: Write a ~6 sentence summary.

answer:
Ng Jun Hui, 16-years-old, mistakenly hopped over a sky garden wall and died. The boy had been playing hide-and-seek with his friend, who now happens to be the only witness of the tragedy.

The parents' minds went blank when they heard the news. The couple has two daughters. Jun Hui had decided on pursuing electronic engineering at the ITE.

Mr. Ng decides to go and check the 12th-storey garden for any lack of safety measures.


text:
-   Quiz: Your Baby's First Year!
-   10 Mistakes New Parents Make Slideshow Pictures
-   Parenting and Healthy Eating Slideshow Pictures

-   What is zinc oxide?
-   Why is zinc oxide prescribed to patients?
-   What are the side effects of zinc oxide?
-   What is the dosage for zinc oxide?
-   Which drugs or supplements interact with zinc oxide?
-   Is zinc oxide safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
-   What else should I know about zinc oxide?

What is zinc oxide?

Topical zinc oxide is a non-prescription (OTC) over-the-counter) mild astringent with weak antiseptic properties. It is a skin protectant that is used to treat and prevent various skin conditions including minor abrasions, burns, chafing, diaper rash, insect bites, and minor skin irritation.

What brand names are available for zinc oxide?

-   Ammens Original Medicated,
-   Ammens Shower Fresh,
-   Balmex,
-   Boudreaux’s,
-   Butt Paste,
-   Calmol 4,
-   Carlesta Skin Protectant,
-   Critic-Aid Skin Care,
-   Delazinc,
-   Desitin Creamy,
-   Desitin,
-   Diaper Rash Ointment,
-   Diaper Relief,
-   Dr. Smiths Diaper Ointment,
-   Johnsons No More Diaper Rash,
-   Novana Protect,
-   PNS Unna Boot,
-   Triple Paste,
-   Unna-Flex,
-   Vaginex Powder,
-   Yeast-X Powder, and
-   Znlin

Is zinc oxide available as a generic drug?

Yes

Do I need a prescription for zinc oxide?

No

Why is zinc oxide prescribed to patients?

Topical zinc oxide products are used to treat and prevent minor skin irritations associated with diaper rash, burns, cuts, scrapers, allergic reactions, and insect bites. Topical zinc oxide is available without a prescription.

What are the side effects of zinc oxide?

No significant side effects have been reported with the use of topical zinc oxide products. Minor skin sensitivity or irritation has been reported in some individuals.

What is the dosage for zinc oxide?

Topical zinc oxide products may be applied to affected areas several times daily as necessary. Do not apply to large areas or on blistered or broken skin. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

Which drugs or supplements interact with zinc oxide?

No significant drug interactions have been reported with topical zinc oxide.

[]
QUESTION

Newborn babies don't sleep very much. See Answer

Is zinc oxide safe to use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Zinc oxide when used topically on unbroken skin is not expected to be absorbed systemically to an appreciable level. Appropriate use of topical zinc oxide during pregnancy is generally considered to be safe.

Appropriate use of topical zinc oxide during breastfeeding is generally considered to be safe.

What else should I know about zinc oxide?

What preparations of zinc oxide are available?

-   Topical Cream: 11.3%, 12%
-   Topical Cream Stick: 11.3%
-   Ointment: 10%, 13%, 13.4%, 20%, 40%
-   Paste: 16%, 20%, 40%
-   Powder: 9.1%
-   Solution spray: 10%

How should I keep zinc oxide stored?

Zinc oxide products should be stored at room temperature between 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F). All products should be kept away from children and pets.

How does zinc oxide work?

Zinc oxide works by forming a barrier on top of the skin that protects the area from moisture and irritants.

Topical zinc oxide is available in various formulations including cream, ointment, paste, powder and solution spray. Zinc oxide paste is commonly used to treat weeping or oozing associated with poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Zinc oxide is also used with titanium dioxide in sunscreen products.

When was zinc oxide approved by the FDA?

Topical zinc oxide products have been available in the US before 1938.

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Summary

Zinc oxide topical (Ammens Original Medicated, Ammens Shower Fresh, Balmex, Boudreaux’s, Butt Paste, Calmol 4, Carlesta Skin Protectant, Critic-Aid Skin Care, Delazinc, Desitin Creamy, Desitin, Diaper Rash Ointment, Diaper Relief, Dr Smiths Diaper Ointment, Johnsons No More Diaper Rash, Novana Protect, PNS Unna Boot, Triple Paste, Unna-Flex, Vaginex Powder, Yeast-X Powder, Znlin) is an OTC product used to prevent and treat minor abrasions, burns, chafing, diaper rash, insect bites, and minor skin irriation. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to using this medicaiton.

Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes

Related Disease Conditions

-   [Burns (First Aid)]

    Burns (First Aid)

    Burn types are based on their severity: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are similar to a painful sunburn. The damage is more severe with second-degree burns, leading to blistering and more intense pain. The skin turns white and loses sensation with third-degree burns. Burn treatment depends upon the burn location, total burn area, and intensity of the burn.

-   [Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds]

    Cuts, Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds

    Cuts, scrapes, and puncture wounds are common, and most people will experience one of these in their lifetime. Evaluating the injury, and thoroughly cleaning the injury is important. Some injuries should be evaluated by a doctor, and a tetanus shot may be necessary. Treatment will depend upon the severity of the injury.

-   [Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac]

    Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac

    Poison ivy, oak, and sumac contain a substance called urushiol, which causes a rash on people who come in contact with them. Symptoms and signs include a red, swollen, itchy, blistering, bumpy rash. Treatment involves rinsing the exposed area with water, taking antihistamines and over-the-counter pain medications, using topical treatments such as calamine lotion, and applying cool compresses.

-   [How to Stop Anal Itching]

    How to Stop Anal Itching

    Anal itching is the irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, accompanied by the desire to scratch. Causes include everything from irritating foods we eat, to certain diseases, and infections. Treatment options include over-the-counter medications, using moist pads, and gentle cleaning and drying of the anus.

-   [Yeast Infection vs. Diaper Rash in Infants, Toddlers, and Children]

    Yeast Infection vs. Diaper Rash in Infants, Toddlers, and Children

    Diaper rash in infants, babies, toddlers, and children is caused by Candida, the most common type of fungus. Signs and symptoms of diaper rash is red, elevated skin that may be visible under and in the creases of the skin, groin, or anus. Yeast diaper rash is not painful. Treatments for diaper rash include antibiotic creams, lotions, natural home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, and oral antibiotics. Yeast infections in infants, babies, toddlers, and children can cause diaper rash, thrush. Signs and symptoms of thrush include thick, white lacy patches on top of a red base can form on the tongue, palate, or elsewhere inside the palate. Treatment for yeast infections caused by Candida fungi are similar to the treatments for diaper rash. If Candida gets into the blood stream of an individual they may get sick with or without a fever. If the Candida infection spreads throughout the body up to 45% of people may die. Even with common mouth thrush can cause critical illness and may be more resistant to normal treatment.

Treatment & Diagnosis

Prevention & Wellness

[]
SLIDESHOW

Healthy Eating for Kids - Recipes and Meal Ideas See Slideshow

[FDA Logo]

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

_Medically Reviewed on 7/25/2019_

References

NIH. Zinc Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

CONTINUE SCROLLING FOR RELATED SLIDESHOW

question: Why is spreading zinc oxide over a large skin area dissuaded?

answer: It is probably to reduce the chance of excessive skin irritation in people susceptible to since oxide's side effects.


text:
So the other day I was at home, bored, and the phone rings, I'm pretty sure it's a telemarketer so before I answer the phone, I decide I'm going to have a bit of fun.

I answer, sure enough, it's Rex Williams, telemarketer. I let him sell me his speel, but after a while I start to give him the wrap up, in the nicest way possible. But he's consistent, so I start my fun.

We get into a conversation about living life on a minimum wage as a telemarketer, and I give him advice, "To get a new job with better pay, and that God will be with him". The conversation goes for about 10 minutes and I leave him on his way, telling him I'm not interested.

Next day I get home, and there is a message on my answering machine. It's Rex Williams! He informs me that he has quit his previous job and has got a new one, which pays much more; all thanks to me!

Not two seconds after finishing the message the phone rings. You guessed it REX WILLIAMS!!! He answers with Hello Ben (not my real name)! Seeming overjoyed to hear from me! He tells me about his new job, (at a new call centre, probably the same one to be honest, I'm not an idiot!), and continues to try to sell me ANOTHER SPECIAL DEAL!

This time I have to turn him away, but Rex, I hope your life continues to get better and I'm glad I could help!

title: My New Indian Friend: Rex Williams the telemarketer

question: How did the narrator and Rex William meet?

answer: Rex Williams is a telemarketer that called the narrator and tried to sell him something.

question: What's the new job Rex Williams found?

answer: The narrator assumes it is a job at another call center.

question: Is the narrator going to befriend Rex?

answer: No.

question: Are they going to speak again?

answer: Yes, on another telemarketing job.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Rex Williams is a telemarketer that calls the narrator, trying to sell him something. They get into a more serious conversation and the narrator convinces him to find a new job. The next day he has a message on the machine, it's Rex letting him know he found a new job. Later he calls again and tries to sell him something.


text:
Being reported by SBC This Week and other sources on social media:

  BREAKING: Dr. Paige Patterson has withdrawn from the convention sermon and evangelism task force report. #SBC18 #SBCAM18

  — SBC This Week (@SBCthisWeek) June 8, 2018

Scott Coulter, Patterson’s former chief of staff, said on Twitter a full statement will release shortly and that the move was “in an effort to bring full harmony to the Southern Baptist Convention.”

We’ll update this post with the statement when it’s released.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

_Update: 11:25 Statement is posted at the Southern Baptist Texan Website. Full text follows:_

Dear Southern Baptist Family:

On May 22 the trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary met together in a board meeting called at my request. At that meeting, in which I briefly participated, I was asked to assume the position of President Emeritus of Southwestern, and I accepted this reassignment. One week later, May 30, the executive committee of the board met, though this time I was not asked to participate and was unable to address or answer questions for committee members since I was in Germany for a preaching assignment. While in Germany, I received a phone call informing me I had been relieved of all responsibilities with and compensation from the Seminary effective immediately.

Since much has been reported and written about these matters in recent weeks, I wanted to address briefly a few points. It is not in my spirit or my heart to debate or revisit the decisions of the trustees to whom I was accountable as president of Southwestern, other than the brief comments that follow.

Recently, I have been accused, publicly and privately, of a number of things—none of which I acknowledge as having done in the way portrayed, and others that I am confident I absolutely did not do. I’ll just speak to several examples. First, a poor choice of words has occurred, in and out of the pulpit, over decades of ministry.  I regret each case in which my heart and message were not clearly presented.

On the other hand, I take exception to accusations that I ever knowingly ignored or failed to follow appropriate protocols in cases of reported abuse of women, students, or staff at any institution where I have served. Indeed, the Southwestern trustees confirmed as much in their public statement of May 23, 2018: “The board affirmed a motion stating evidence exists that Dr. Patterson has complied with reporting laws regarding assault and abuse.”

For my words, demeanor, sentiments, or disposition to have been twisted to suggest the very antithesis to who I am and the biblical message I have presented over half a century not only is crushing to me and my family but also inevitably proves hurtful to others in the process.  I have never sought to inflict hurt upon a woman or man.

For the last 43 years, through service in three institutions, I have attempted to prepare pastors and missionaries academically, evangelistically, and spiritually for kingdom endeavors. Today, on behalf of my sweetheart Dorothy, who has labored faithfully by my side through both sorrows and triumphs, and on behalf of my children and grandchildren, I want to express my gratitude to God for Southern Baptists. You have often encouraged our hearts. You have prayed for us in a multitude of ways. I would ask of no one of you more than you have given. What I have given back is a pittance compared to your kindness to me.

I wish further to thank the faculties and administrators who have held high my arms during both calm and raging waters. I love you all. To all of my students, including nearly 10,000 graduates whose diplomas I have personally signed, I thank you for your uncommon love for me, and more important, your unwavering devotion to our Lord.

To those who have ever opposed me or have embraced a different vision, I would be remiss if I did not thank you also. Your opposition kept me on my face before God, reminded me of just how very human I am, and outlined in tantalizing colors the mercies of God, which I have received in profusion from our Lord. I pray for heaven’s kindness for each of you.

At age 75, while my occupation has changed, my calling and passion have not been disturbed. Soon Southwestern will have a new president. I am riding off into the setting sun—but with a Bible in my hand and a witness from my heart until He comes for me individually or for us all in the air. I ask Southern Baptists to hold the new president of Southwestern before God in earnest prayer. He will be a great man, but the level of his attainment will be dependent to a large degree on your concert of prayer. I know that you will not fail in this endeavor.

In a few days, for the first time in 66 years I will not attend the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention – having begun attending when I was nine. As many of you know, I was elected in 2017 to deliver the 2018 annual convention sermon, but I have now respectfully requested to be released from this high privilege because I do not want my role as a preacher to detract in any way from the important business of our convention and because my desire is to work toward biblical harmony at our annual meeting. Many messengers have implored me to carry out this assignment, but this convention is not about me, and I have every confidence that this decision is best and right.

Now, may I just leave you with a challenge?  I have with stumbling step, limited ability, and stuttering tongue desired to bequeath to the world an orthodox denomination with a heart and message for a world of lost people. My part is small in the amazing history of the people we call Baptists. But as insignificant as it may be, I will be praying every day that you will cling to the whole Bible as the Word of the living God and at the same moment give that Word to every lost person on this globe, knowing that Christ died for all and that every man, woman, boy, and girl who comes to the Lord Jesus in saving faith will be saved. Would you join me in that endeavor? Please link your hearts with Dorothy and me in expressing thanksgiving to our Lord for His abundant mercies to us all.

question: State the reason behind Dr. Patterson's withdrawal.

answer: According to Patterson's former chief of staff, the move was an effort to bring harmony to the Southern Baptist Convention.

question: Who are the people who opposed Patterson?

question: How did Patterson come to know of getting relieved of his responsibilities?

answer: After being appointed as the President Emeritus of Southwestern, Patterson was in Germany for a preaching assignment. During this time, the executive committee of the board had a meeting after which Patterson received a phone call informing him that he was being relieved from all his responsibilities immediately.

question: What does Patterson tell the people who opposed him?

answer: Patterson thanks those who opposed him. He believes that their opposition kept him on his face before God and also reminded him of how very human he is. Paige also prays for each one of them.


text:
My name is Emily Serim, I am 35 years old.  Until yesterday I was the happy mother of two children, a son Duncan and a daughter Raine.  I was happily married to my husband Michael for fifteen years.  We met when I was twenty years old.  He was so odd when I first laid eyes on him at a college dance.  He was sitting watching everyone dance with amusement, but there was something so serene about him.  I had to get to know him.

We ended up dating for only a few weeks before we got married, some may have thought that was way too quick but when family and friends saw us together they knew we were meant to be.  Our relationship was a happy one filled with passionate love making and many nights cuddled together on the couch watching television. When I was 25 we welcomed our first child.  We named her Raine for the dreary day in which she was born.  I will never forget the labor pain I endured with her, Michael was there holding my hand and whispering encouragement into my ear.  My mother was on my other side telling me to push while my father was in the waiting room with an unlit cigar in his mouth and a look of fresh new grandparent joy spread across his thin lips.  He had been a great father and would be an even greater grandfather.

With such a loving home I am at a loss to explain what my daughter had become. The evil, the lies.  How could she have hidden this all from us?  My son Duncan was born on my 30th birthday.  It was an easy pregnancy and delivery.  He was born on a day of fresh spring air and sunlit beauty.  He was a child of pure innocence.  Although he was born two months early he was strong and adapted to the world quickly.

Raine took to being a proper good sister and even at the tender age of five she did all she could to help with the care of her little brother and the upkeep of the house.  I used to laugh when she would try and sweep the floors for us.  It was adorable.  This little girl trying to use a broom three times her height.  She tried so hard, she was a constant joy.  Was it an act?  Was she like this from the beginning?  When did she fall? No. No child could be that deceptive from such a young age. Could they?

When the detectives explained their case and the evidence they had uncovered I could not bring myself to look and when I finally did I was in denial that the images of my daughter with the butchered and disfigured bodies of multiple men.  The pictures looked so mundane at first glance.  Just a smiling child, but that was all.  Upon closer inspection you could see that what she was sitting beside was a gruesome and almost hellish scene.  It was as if someone had photoshopped my daughter into some suicide bombing scene in Iraq.  At first this is what I had believed had been done but the detectives assured me that was not the case.  There was my perpetually happy daughter sitting in a scene of absolute carnage as if she was on a trip to the park.  This picture alone was not enough to convince me of the evil monster I had given birth to.  This could not be her.  This could not be my Raine.

They took the time to explain to me what was happening.  I could hear them but they were like muffled voices a long way off, I just kept staring at the picture they had showed me.  I did not notice one of the detectives had taken out an Android Tablet and began setting it up on the table.  He smelled of spearmint gum and cigarettes.  He looked as if he never showered and shaved only about once a week.  My home felt invaded and even as I sit here in my socks typing this on an old typewriter sipping coffee I still have that feeling.  This is what a rape victim must feel like.  Exposed, scared, alone.  I am alone now in this house.  It seems so much bigger when it’s empty.

The pungent detective brought me back to the reality of my situation as he set the tablet before me with a video queued up. The picture was still, an image of Raine, she wore a face I had never seen before, and it was one of exquisite evil, the type of look that would haunt a person for the rest of their life.  The play button hovered over her face.  He eyes seemed so dark, empty, soulless.  The detective told me to press play whenever I was ready.  I wish I could have sat there permanently.  I never wanted to press that button.  The image of my daughter on the screen mocked me, I tried many times to reach for the screen but I pulled my hand back unable to bring myself to cross the threshold of ignorance into understanding.  Finally the detective felt he had waited long enough, his restlessness became apparent as you could begin to hear the tapping of impatient fingers on the wood grain of the kitchen table.  He reached for the tablet but before he could press the button my finger darted to the screen and pressed play.  It felt as if a force had used me to do that.  I felt outside myself.  As the setting sun began to sink below the hills and the magic hour light faded from my kitchen the video began to play.

The video began with Raine standing there looking into the camera, it was obvious someone else was there as well, holding the camera for her.  “Are you ready?” she asked the person behind the camera and to my astonishment the voice of a child not an adult answered back.  “Yes, I think so.”  It was the voice of another little girl, a little girl I was very familiar with.  She was Hannah, a playmate of my daughter.  The two were joined at the hip when it came to school but in everyday life they seldom played together.  I was not aware of Hannah having been here in at least two months, despite the video clearly showing a date of one week ago.

“Move the camera around so our audience can see our lair.”  My daughter spoke eloquently, far advanced of her tender years, she sounded like another person, the stumbling bubbling speech of a child had been replaced by that of a cold and calculating monster.  The tempo of her voice was soft and even, there was no emotion in the tone.  It was as if something had possessed this child,  but this was reality and I could see the familiar glint of my daughter, this was her true self, the deception was who she presented to her family.

“Why are we making a video Raine?”  Hannah asked meekly.  It was clear Hannah was the subordinate one.

“I want a memento of this day, to watch when I get bored.”  She said with a chilling smile to the camera.  “My mom won’t be home until six so we have a few hours.”

It was clear this event was taking place in my basement.  But I frequently went down there and never found anything to be amiss.  After a moment the reasoning became all too clear.  Our house was an old one and there are some place in old houses that only children knew about.  She watched as the camera followed Raine to a spot under the stairs. In the corner was a small door which she disappeared through, a moment later the camera followed her in.  When the camera adjusted to the dimmer light a room became apparent on the video.  It was a room built underground off the house, it must have been used long ago to store food items to save them from the summer heat.  I had not been aware that this room existed but was not surprised, it was tucked away beneath the stairs.

Inside the room, was a bed, a dresser and a small table in the corner.  There was no covering on the wall and the beams looked like ribs painted a dusted white that gave the whole room an ethereal look.  Everything appeared just a bit too small for a normal person, the ceiling was low, an adult would have to stoop down to navigate the room.  This was a place designed for a child.  The camera panned around and I was able to see more of the room.  There was a mirror on the opposite wall by the door.  A dirty rug that had the obvious browned stains of blood was frayed on the corners with an image of a child playing in a garden embroidered on it. This room was like something from another world, something you would see in a nightmare or a horror movie, I could not believe this place had been beneath my feet for months, and who knows how much longer.  Raine had lived in this house her entire life but there had never been any indication of her disappearing down here or anything out of the ordinary for that matter.  I didn’t want to see anymore, I didn’t want to see what my daughter was going to do down here.  I wanted to run from the house but I couldn’t move I was transfixed on the screen, the whole world had disappeared leaving only me and this video, the images consumed me, drawing me in.

“Ok set the camera up over there, he won’t be able to see it there and we’ll be able to capture everything.”

“Did Allie do this for you last week?”  I could hear Hannah ask as the picture went crazy with the fiddling she was doing.

“Another girl was involved in this?”  I asked the detective.

“It appears she had at least three other girls beside her were involved in this.  All have been taken into custody and will be questioned later when things calm down a bit.  The media is going haywire about this.”  He had said.

The jerking movement of the camera stopped and the whole of the room was now in full view of the camera.  “Where should I go?”
“Just wait at the top of the stairs until I call you ok?”

I could hear Hannah leave and a moment later I could hear the quiet shuffling of her feet on the stairs but the door did not open or close so it was obvious she was sitting at the top of the stairs just out of sight but within ear shot.

When Hannah was gone Raine went to the camera and looked into the lens, her eyes were wide and crazed like a rabid animal.  These were not the eyes of a child anymore but those of a predator.  After inspecting the camera she smiled into it as if nodding to a future audience.  “Enjoy the show.” She said.  She then walked over to the bed and sat down.  She remained there motionless and silent for the next fifteen minutes until a knock on the door brought her out of her own head and back into the world.  She glanced at the camera before getting up and walking out of the room, a few minutes later she came back in but she was not alone.  There was a man accompanying her now, he was about 5’10 but that was hard to tell because he had to stoop over in this child’s secret room.  He was thin and at least between forty and fifty years of age with a short gray haircut.  He wore khaki pants and a blue and white plaid shirt.  She took him by the hand and escorted him to the bed.

“I didn’t think you were real.”  He said as he sat down on the bed and she stood in front of him holding his hands in hers.  “I can’t believe this is real, I’m so glad I answered your message online.

 My daughter pushed him gently back on the bed until he was lying down crossways with his legs planted on the floor.   Even in the dim room you could tell the man was aroused and he was expecting a taste of forbidden fruit.  Raine stepped away from him and walked across the room as the man began to unbutton his shirt preparing to indulge in the festivities yet to come. As he was busying himself Raine was opening the dresser drawer.  From the angle of the camera I could see a strange looking knife she had taken from the top drawer of the dresser.  It looked to be a jagged blade with a bone handle, I had never seen anything like it.  She hid the knife behind her back as she turned back toward the man now lying on the bed shirt open and pants unbuckled.  Raine walked toward him moving seductively hiding the blade behind her back.  She walked up between the man’s legs that were still hung over the bed planted on the floor, the man reached for Raine still thinking this was his lucky day.  As he reached for her, he hand moved in a flash from behind her back, the fingers that had been reaching for the forbidden flesh of a child were instantly severed, before he had time for a reaction Raine had turned the blade and thrust it into the man’s chest right below the sternum.  A blood curdling cry filled the small room and Raine looking right into the old man’s eyes pulled the jagged knife, slicing from sternum to groin.  This silenced the man as he went into shock and the only noise escaping from his mouth now was a gurgling sound of him drowning in his own blood.

I was shocked, horrified… sick.  I jumped from my chair and rushed to the sink.  The vomit was thick and smelled of coffee and bile.  When I was done I turned on the faucet to try and wash it down the sink.  I couldn’t watch anymore, the detectives seemed to understand this and put the tablet away.  They told me the rest of the video was my daughter bringing Hannah back in and having her help clean up,  she had convinced the neighborhood girls that what they were doing was a good thing by riding the world of men who would prey on children.  She had them thinking they were doing God’s work.  These girls thought their parents would be proud of them.  Hannah was clearly shaken by what she had seen and done I knew she would be traumatized for life, but they explained Raine had just been humming away as she began wringing a sponge and wiping away the blood.  They said they had never seen anything so disturbing especially from a child.
I could no longer think, I had no idea the response expected from me or if I would have to defend myself against accusation of my complicity in my daughter's actions.  There is no possibility of people feeling sympathy for me because there is no one who could believe I knew nothing, I would not even believe it myself if I were not the one to experience this horror myself, my daughter had been so cunning and absolute in her deception that forever people would ask when exactly did I know that Raine had fallen into evil?

END part 2

title: [SF] I Never Knew Raine Fell, part 2

question: Summarize Raine's transition (from Emily's perspective) from an adorable daughter to an evil monster.

answer:
Emily Serim and her husband have two children - Raine and Duncan. The name Raine was given to the girl because of the dreary day she was born. Duncan was born when Raine was five years old. Raine was quite adorable and took her task of being a good sister seriously. She took care of Duncan and would even help clean the house by using a broom three times her height to sweep the floors.
On the day detectives came to Emily to show her what her daughter had been up to, she saw Raine orchestrate the torture and killing of pedophile men who she lured into a room on the promise of sex. Emily was horrified and revolted as she rushed away from the video been shown by the detectives, vomiting into the sink and trying to process what she just saw.

question: What caused Raine to start taking revenge on men?


text:
It was dark, not late, but dark. I looked over at the clock that hung above the side door in the kitchen, I strained to see it since the only light in the room emanated from the TV, constantly changing with every scene.
I walked into the kitchen and saw the microwave time said ‘8:04’, I turned my head and looked at the oven clock, which read ‘7:04’. I didn’t know which one was right so I flicked the light switch on, the bulb lit up for a second before popping and turning the room dark again. I flicked the light switch back off and stood for a moment.
	I forgot about the time and opened the cupboard underneath the sink, where we kept spare light bulbs, and took the right one out and checked it was fine. I carried a chair over from the dining table over to the kitchen and placed it underneath the blown bulb. I can do it without the chair, I thought, but the lampshade is fidly, even in the daytime. I struggled with the lampshade, while trying to be quiet, as not to wake the baby who I’d left to sleep on the couch. I replaced the bulb and lampshade and then carried the chair back to the dining table and slid it into its space.
	I flicked the light switch and the bulb lit up, letting me read the clock, which now read ‘7:06’. I heard the baby cooing and thought I should turn the light off and go back to the couch, to comfort him.

The baby was nearing three months old and usually gave no problems during the night. I left him to sleep next to me on the couch since he’d wake when I picked him up, he wasn’t usually like this. On a normal night he could be taken to his bed and put to sleep there without a problem. Maybe it’s because I’m the one doing it and not his mother.
	A part of me isn’t yet comfortable around him. whenever he looks at me I don’t see a son, I see a baby. My Wife is enamored with him, “Isn’t he beautiful?”, she’d say. I’d agree with her despite thinking he looked like every other baby I’ve seen before.
I stood over the couch, looking down at him, thinking about my wife.

The room was quiet, I heard the refrigerator humming and the room got brighter. I forgot where the glowing light came from, I turned to its source and remembered I had the TV on. It was on silent, that’s why I didn’t hear it. I took a seat in the middle of the couch, next to the baby, and fiddled with the remote for a minute until I found the subtitles option, I turned them on and read as I let the baby grip the index finger of my right hand. He began to make more noises which progressively got louder and louder.
“Hey now little one,” I said. “It’s all right, Mama will be home soon, I’m sure of that.”
His little blue eyes stared back at me and seemed to glow a little from the TV light. He let go of my finger and started to wriggle around. I leant down and picked him up, cradling him in my arms. The smell that he gave off was not one I enjoyed, my Wife and everybody else who’d held him disagreed. He made another cooing sound, I was sure he was about to cry.
I stood up with baby in my arms and headed back into the kitchen, where I got a bottle of milk out of the fridge and put it in the microwave.
I looked out of the kitchen window at the front lawn and the street. I’d cut the grass two days prior and noticed a bit I’d missed, then I saw a line of garbage cans at the end of driveways all down the street. Ours was missing from the driveway as it was still parked up against the side of the garage, waiting to be walked down. That’ll have to wait ‘til my wife gets home, I can’t leave the baby alone in the house and I can’t take the garbage out with him in my arms.
I saw a light come on in the kitchen of my neighbors home across the street. I saw the silhouette of a man moping around the kitchen, the silhouette stopped in front of the window, in much the same position as myself. The curtains twitched slightly before being pulled to the side a little. I saw his face peering out into the street, across his lawn, across everybody elses. He lifted his eyes and scanned the front of the houses and stopped when he got to our house, I think he saw me but I stayed still so he wouldn’t think I was there. He let go of the curtains and the silhouette walked away, then the light went out.
The baby kicked his leg out and hit my bicep. I looked down at him in my arms and he was blinking slowly.
“What were we doing?” I asked him. “You’re not gonna to be much help.” I said.
I remembered the microwave. I turned and looked at it, the timer had stopped and beeped without me knowing. Then I remembered what my wife said
	“Don’t put the milk in the microwave, it’s no good.”
	I took the milk from the microwave and left it on the side. The baby was falling asleep again. I’m not even sure if he wanted milk. I don’t think I’d ever be able to raise this baby by myself.
	I walked to the baby’s room and put him down in his cot, I sat for a moment in a rocking chair by the window to see if he’d settle or wake up. I refrained from rocking as the chair would occasionally knock into the wall behind and echo through the room, that would surely wake the baby, I thought. That’s a job I need to add to my list, find a new place for the chair or put something on the wall to stop it knocking.
	My thoughts were interrupted by the shine of car headlights reflecting off our neighbors windows and onto my face, the light only comes in that way if someone is pulling onto our drive. My Wife is home at last. I didn’t get up and open the door, I just waited in the rocking chair. I heard the door open and the sound of my Wifes keys jangling around in her hand until the cacophony of metal as she dropped them into the bowl we keep keys in. I heard her handbag drop onto the couch and after that came footsteps which got louder and louder. I got up and took a step out of the doorway where I saw my Wife walking towards me.
	“Baby alright?” She asked.
	“Fine,” I whispered “Just put him in his bed.”
	She kissed me on the cheek and rubbed her right hand on my chest as she passed me and went into the baby’s room. She leant over the crib and looked down at the baby, she stood back up and walked over to me.
	“Any problems?”
	“I put some milk in the microwave, I forgot I shouldn’t.”
	She looked up at me and began to walk to our bedroom.
	“That’s fine, where is it?”
	“I left it out on the side, to cool down. I didn’t know what to do with it after.”
	“I’ll take care of it,” She said. “Why’s the TV on silent?”
	“I didn’t want to wake the baby.” I began to wander back to the living room, where the TV still emanated its glowing light. “The grass.” I murmured to myself.
	“What?” My Wife called out.
	“Nothing.”

	In the living room I turned the TV off and turned the light on in the kitchen. I moved the bottle of warm milk into the sink. I unlocked the side door and walked outside, I’d forgotten to put shoes on, but the ground was warm and smooth so I wasn’t bothered much.
	I made my way to the back of the house, where our garage and garden were. The side door of the garage was unlocked and I made a mental note to lock it. Inside the garage I pulled the lawn mower out, still grassy from when I previously used it, I left a trail of grass cuttings on the concrete floor.
	On the front lawn I unraveled the cord and walked the plug to the side of the house where we had an outside socket. I plugged it in and walked back to the lawn mower.
	The light from my kitchen illuminated our lawn and the piece of grass I’d missed. I was reminded by the row of trashcans that I had still neglected to put ours out. I walked back up to the side of the garage to where we kept the trashcan and wheeled it down to the end of the driveway. The pattern of trash cans was complete on our street, every single one was out and at the end of the drive.
	I moved the lawnmower over to the patch of grass I’d missed, not ontop of it but in front of it. I pulled the lever on the handle and the mower came to life, whirring and vibrating, the sounds bounced down the street and came back to me. I moved the mower over the uncut grass a couple times and after I checked it was cut I moved to the edge of the grass, to make sure it was neat.
	A light came on in the house next door and the front door opened. My neighbor, a man in his fifties, came out in his pyjamas, he had a look on his face that was a cross between anger and confusion. He walked over and onto my driveway. I let go of the lawnmower lever and it came to a halt.
	“What the hell are ya doin’?” My Neighbor asked.
	“I missed a spot.” I said, motioning to the freshly cut grass.
	“It’s nighttime.”
	“It is dark.” I said, looking up at the clear sky.
	“Yeah, it’s late.”
	“I guess it is.”
	“It is.”
	“Okay.”
	My neighbor looked at me, at the lawnmower, and then at the grass.
	“Why are you doing this now?”
	“Because I missed a spot.” I said, again motioning to the lawn.
	“But why couldn’t you do it in the daytime?”
	“Because I can’t do it with the baby, I need to keep an eye on the baby.”
	“Yeah, I forgot about your kid.” He brought his hands to his hips and sighed a little “How is he?”
	The Neighbor seemed more relaxed now.
	“He’s finally sleeping. He’s been up all day. He didn’t sleep much last night.”
	“You’re tired, Joe.” He said to me. He gave me the same look my father gave me when I did something wrong. “Go back inside and get some sleep.”
	I looked at the lawnmower and the grass.
	“The grass can wait ‘til tomorrow.” He said.
	“I guess it can.”
	“Goodnight, Joe.” He started walking back towards his front door.
	“Night, Phil.”

I unplugged the lawnmower and wound the cord up. I pulled the mower back up the drive, leaving a new trail of grass back to the garage, where I returned the mower. I went back inside the house, turned the kitchen light off and went into our bedroom, where my Wife was sitting on the bed.
	“What was that noise? Was someone mowing their lawn?”
	“Yes,” I said. “I was.”
	“Why on earth were you mowing the lawn? It’s night time.”
	“Because I missed a spot.” I said.

I went to sleep and didn’t wake until eleven hours had passed.

title: [RF] And The Lights Came On

question: Summarize what the narrator feels about their son.

answer: The narrator might be doing the things that are expected of him in terms of his role in the family, but emotionally, he does not see anything special of feel anything important in regards to his infant son. This feeling does not seem to be limited to just the narrator's child, as he seems either apathetic about everything else, so in that regard, it can be said that the narrator is not particularly apathetic towards their child, but is just not interested in anything in the world.

question: How does the narrator earn money to provide for his family?