text:
Nerd: an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit
	My place among the nerds was and has never really been defined; I’ve just always felt that I was one. It probably stemmed from the weird person I was in middle school who nobody really knew because I was shy, awkward, and didn’t have anyone who understood me. Now I realize that that was all of us, but of course no one told me until now. I never knew where my place was just that my attributes were smart, shy, funny, temperamental at times, loved everything comic books, and, most importantly, has a strong love for music. Music has always been a way for me to realize that I’m never alone because if I can relate my life to a song then someone else has been where I am. It only made sense to learn how to play an instrument and to make my own music.
Place #1: Band Geeks
	I’ve always loved that term. Band Geek. It just rolls off the tongue right? It was also a title and a group of people who felt like I did and wanted to belong somewhere. What most people don’t know is that even though band is a clique of it’s own, there are different sections within a band which you choose to join from day one. It begins with three words: Woodwind, Brass, or Percussion? This loosely translates into: Would you like to play an instrument that you have to constantly sink money into for reeds and repairs, one where you feel like your lips will fall off after playing, or do you have anger management problems/ADD and want to hit stuff? I first chose Brass, realized I couldn’t really play the trumpet AT ALL, and went back to choose Woodwinds. The next choice was: Which one? Clarinet was the definite answer because it was small, looked easy to play and fun. It’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made in my entire life because the clarinet section consisted of the coolest people I had ever met. We were the talented, smart, funny, socially awkward people that eventually become the awesomest people in high school. That was my home until I came out of my shell and met the greatest influence on my middle school carrier, Mrs. Gilchrist.
Place #2: Thespians
	Mrs. Gilchrist was the reason I joined the fall play. She was the new Drama/Choir teacher that year and she made middle school bearable for me. She also pushed me to do things that she knew I would love, but hadn’t had the guts to do yet because I was shy, like acting and singing in front of a crowd. I had the smallest part in the whole play, an old woman who ran a hotel with her two sisters, but she hadn’t prepared me for the shocker I found in the script.
	That’s right. Not only was I going to make my acting debut, I had to sing a song and make up the tune for it too. I was terrified! I had NEVER sung or acted for anyone, especially the whole school and their families. How did we know if I even COULD sing?
	Opening night finally came, my nerves were all over the place and my singing scene was coming up. I walked across the stage, sat down and right on cue sang the lullaby of my own creation. It was perfect and the crowd clapped and cheered for me, a new rush I had never experienced before that filled me up with adrenaline and happiness. I had caught the Thespian bug and could never go back. I had become an acting junkie who’s inner nerd desperately wanted people to see her for the loud, funny person she was. After that, everything was a whirl of acting, memorizing, changing lines, rehearsing, singing and getting that ultimate prize of the thrill of applause, the high of being complimented, and the feeling of being noticed. Finally noticed.
To Be Continued...

title: [RF] My Place Among The Nerds

question: Summarize the main tension in the story.

answer: The narrator has always felt like an outcast even as a nerd amongst fellow nerds. The tension in this story lies in their quest to find their place, utilizing their best efforts-they make attempts playing instruments amongst the band geeks; they try their hand at theatre. They take to both pursuits well and enjoy themselves, but as this story is to be continued, it's uncertain as to where their quest takes them, or where they end up.

question: Summarize the central theme of the story.

answer: The central theme of the story is belonging, and finding one's place in the world. The author undergoes a lot of change in order to locate their place. They take music lessons in more than one instrument before finding their strengths-uncovering their weaknesses along the way. They give theatre a try despite their reservations due to stage fright and discover they are a passionate thespian. It seems by the end of this inconclusive story they have determined that the journey is always worth the feeling of belonging-of being in the right place.

question: What might be a good career for the author and why?

answer: Since the author has enjoyed the pursuit of different kinds of adventures, and because they have thought to take the time to write this, perhaps they would excel at and find fulfillment in becoming some kind of a career counselor. Their diverse interests could serve there advisees well, and their spirit could encourage students of all ages to branch out and to not be afraid of failure. It seems that the author has a good deal of experience in exploring a multitude of paths, as evidenced by their span of pursuits as well as the promise that there is more to come.

question: Summarize the avenues the author might take next.


split: train

text:
Day 3. It’s a wonder the lights still work. After all, I never would have walked into this hell hole of a pizza parlor in the first place. It’s funny how the only reason I’m alive is that this archaic building from the early twenties happened to have a damp and abysmal basement that sheltered about twenty of us while everyone else in the city dropped dead.

“Repent!” he said repeatedly, “I warned you all this would happen! I told you!” That lunatic in the corner just won’t shut up.

“Maybe if you sacrificed yourself for your gods, this wouldn’t have happened,” I blankly stated. He glanced at me for a moment and then continued to scratch at the wall. I can’t wait to get out of this miserable shack. I haven’t seen anything outside for days. We used all the pizza dough in the storage room to fill the cracks in the windows and the doors. I’m fairly certain that the dough facing outwards was cooked through because of the radiation but I’m not even gonna bother trying. It probably doesn’t taste that great anyway.

We should have seen the warning signs coming but the people simply stopped caring. They were too distracted. They let themselves be distracted. And one thing led to another as a couple of guys in lab coats and business suits wiped out most of the human race. And here we are. In a two-star pizza parlor. Twenty of us packed like sardines.

Well, if there is an up-side to all of this, it would take the form of a girl. Catt. Catt Mondino. I never really would have even thought about talking to her before. I never really saw the reason to. Sure she looked nice and all, but I was able to survive just fine without her, wasn’t I? I didn’t realize until now, when I’m here surrounded by these people, that I always lived life as a loner. Again, I don’t see too much of a problem with that.

“You need some water?” Those were the first words she said to me. I shook my head. In truth, I did need some water. But why did I need her to get it for me? I easily could do so myself if I really wanted to. Anyways, she looked somewhat disappointed with my answer, and I really saw no good in leaving her in that state, so I went on. “You live in the area?”

“Well, I used to. The apartments not too far from here.” She pointed off to her left.

Those buildings probably aren’t inhabitable anymore. In my opinion, the building we were now sitting in was completely uninhabitable. I hate being around so many people all the time. They speak constantly in hushed tones. An incessant, annoying whispering.

“Well, that’s nice. If you don’t mind, I think I’m going to sleep for a while.”

“Oh, alright then,” she replied.

I wasn’t really going to sleep. I figured that it was about time I take matters into my own two hands. That’s just the way I’d done things before this mess, and that’s how I plan to get by now. If I could just sneak out through the attic, I could head west until I reach the mountains. I’ll nab some climbing equipment along the way and make it up to the top. I had nothing personal against these people. They really were nice, with the way they always asked each other if everybody was ok, or if somebody needed this, or if somebody could use some help with that. But that just isn’t my style.

It was a little past midnight (I think) when I headed towards the attic. Sleeping closest to the window was of course Catt. I thought back to when she asked if I needed some water. I didn’t realize it then, but there was something different about that particular instance. She genuinely reached out to help, unlike some others, who simply took to asking questions like that simply because it seemed like the thing to do after an apocalypse of sorts. They were parrots, really.

I whispered a goodbye and climbed out the window. It was worse than I thought. The smell was unbearable. A ghastly wind flowed through the empty streets. I dropped down to the ground floor and took a stroll towards Catt’s apartment, just to see what was left. That’s when the radiation started getting to me.

I started blacking out. I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going or why I even left. There really was nowhere else to go. I had to head back. Sure I would be back at the place I complained about without end, with those people. But still. I guess there is some good in looking out for each other. At this point, I didn’t care. By the time I got to the front door, I was barely crawling.

I reached up to knock at the door. And before I could even do that, I blacked out completely.

I woke up lying in the attic. Catt walked in. With a kind, warmhearted smile on her face, she asked "You need some water now?" I nodded, yes.

title: A short story me and a buddy wrote

question: What happened to everyone on planet Earth?

answer: They dropped dead. It is clear that it happened due to radiation. What is not clear is the exact cause. It is unlikely it was a nuclear war, because it appears that the narrator holds "a couple of guys in lab coats and business suits" responsible for "wiping out most of the human race." Whatever the cause, it was man-made, presumably scientific or technological, and lead to most of the world being bathed in radiation poisoning.

question: Where is the narrator sheltering from the radiation?

answer: The narrator is sheltering in a pizza parlor with 20 other people. In order to protect themselves from the radiation the inhabitants of the parlor have plugged the cracks in the building with dough. This prevents them from being bathed in radiation from outside. The narrator lives in the attic of the pizza parlor.

question: Who helps take care of the narrator in the attic?

answer: A girl named Catt Mondino, who helps the narrator survive. The narrator never talked with her before the disaster. But, in the new world of the disaster, the narrator realizes that previously they had lived life as a loner.


text:
A nation's Intelligence Agency released a 140 page report detailing the lack of food and water for the planet's growing population, the inevitability of climate change to keep elevating dangerous weather conditions, and the destined collapse of the current monetary system.  The whole nation was already full of unhappy people, a generation that had been fed the lie that if they worked hard they would eventually be prosperous and happy, were unemployed or held dead-end jobs where they were constrained, bored, underpaid and unappreciated.  They were furious at being mislead.  A generation of baby-boomers before them had stolen all of the prosperity from the nation and left a dying planet behind as their inheritance.

The nation’s news-media grew increasingly cynical, morbid and depressing every day.  Networks were purely out to make money and the dying nation, which felt helpless to help itself, ate up these stories and wallowed in its unhappiness.  As a result those with mental disorders such as antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy and narcissistic personality disorder, began to believe that they were in fact part of the majority, as people had forgotten long ago that TV was not a true representation of reality.  Such individuals became so convinced of their normalcy that they never sought out the mental counseling they so desperately needed, and as their self-assurance grew so did their boldness.

A few started openly killing innocents, and once made famous by the greed of the media, more joined in.  Soon even innocent children were not safe from the crossfire.  With every disaster that befell the nation its people, scared and delusional, gave up one civil liberty after another until the freedom the nation once held proudly over the heads of the rest of the world was nothing more than a distant memory.  Its citizens grew divided between the five stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance as though each stage were in fact an ideology to live by.

Only a small percentage of the population had made it to the final stage and the deniers were so desperate to believe that everything would be OK that they turned their back completely on science and reason, the two things that human beings prided themselves on the most.  The desperate actively ignored the evidence that came to light more and more every day, and lashed out at those who sought to end their ignorance.  These people controlled vital aspects of the government, and so the nation was locked in a terrible stand still, completely unable to deal with the current problems and imminent dangers of the future.

Only one solution seemed to remain; revolution.  A total revision of government and civilization.  But revolution was never to happen, too much of the nation had become convinced that they were completely helpless to influence the world, and reverted to total depression, complete apathy or a mix of the two.  Each time an uprising started it was never able to gain enough momentum to stop the government from quelling it, through military and police action, and more powerfully through clever manipulation of the press and propaganda.  People came to fear conflict more than anything, especially amongst themselves and so they created societal restrictions on which words they could say and which situations they could show in movies and on TV. In this stifling environment people became unable to think for themselves, and creativity and originality were snuffed out.  Suicides, murders and sickness grew.

Some began openly hoping for the end of their world.  Nature began lashing out in its death throes as the misery of money continued to strangle it.  Floods, droughts, blizzards, and terrible storms wreaked havoc across the planet.  Wars over resources broke out around the globe, and finally the government took total control of the nation through military and police supervision.  Each and every citizen was now a ward of the state, but even with strict laws in place limiting the production of more children the population had already grown too large to sustain.  Soon governments around the world began to consider something once thought to be unthinkable-nuclear war.

All it took was one missile, and all pandemonium broke out. No one can remember who made the first move, but it hardly mattered once a nuclear winter, an event which scientists had been warning about for decades, consumed the planet.  The access to food and water, already scarce, became virtually non-existent and the starving population bottlenecked.  The humans, plants and animals that managed to survive were plagued with genetic mutations and disease.  Extinctions on a massive scale ravaged the land and sea.  Eventually only a small niche of organic life remained, breeding and evolving over many thousands of years to create a new era.  Although some mutated form of the human genome survived, the human race is never again at the top of the food chain.

All information that humans had gathered and analyzed over the centuries was lost forever, for you see, the human race had been so distracted by war and money that they had never mastered space travel.  When the sun eventually went supernova, any existence of life on the planet Earth and possibly in the entire known universe was completely eliminated.  Doomed to revert to the stardust which had originally allowed for its creation.

The end.

This is my first time writing anything other than a research paper really, so I'm curious as to how other people view the style, and what you all generally think.  (It's ok if you don't like it!)

title: "I'm afraid that this story takes place in the not-so-distant future."

question: Summarize the central theme of the story.

answer: The theme of the story is revolution, and, more specifically, revolution in a dystopian society. The writer paints a picture of a world very lost and deconstructed due to greed and abuse of natural resources. The plant is full of unhappiness-Mother Nature is lashing out due to human-made problems like global warming that have devastated the earth.

question: Summarize how this set of issues is resolved.

answer: The issues were not so much resolved as the source of them was annihilated. A nuclear war essentially cleared out the human population as those who were not immediately terminated by the bombs and the violence succumbed to malnutrition and starvation-along with a host of life-threatening health problems-as a result of the immediate lack of resources to sustain both human and plant life. With the ecosystems virtually gone, all signs of life disappeared until a very long time in the future.

question: Explain what could have been done differently to ensure that humanity-and life on the planet-survived.

question: Summarize the tone of the story.

answer: The tone of the story is one of forewarning-a glowering look at the inevitability of our actions as humans refusing to take responsibility for our burden on this planet. The author says this is the not-too-distant future; indeed, one can draw many comparisons from the way the scene is set up on this dystopian tale to the world we inhabit contemporaneously. The balance has been tipped and not in the favor of survival.


text:
The HG 85 (_Hand Granate M1985_) is a round fragmentation hand grenade designed for the Swiss Armed Forces and still produced by RUAG Ammotec in Switzerland. HG 85 is the internal designation of the Swiss Army and replaces the HG 43 from WWII.

On detonation the steel body, containing 155g TNT, releases around 1800 fragments weighing on average 0.1 grams. UK grenade range safety data suggests the L109 - and by extension all live versions - may represent a danger at ranges up to 200 m.[1] Intended for use mainly when fighting in built-up areas, trench clearing, and wood clearing, it is effective against unprotected personnel up to away, and protected personnel up to .

Function

The grenade is spherical with a bushing on the top threaded internally to accept the DM 82 CH fuze mechanism.[2] Due to its specially constructed fuze and packaging, the grenade is considered very secure. It is designed to be effective against opponents wearing body armour, up to 20 layers of Kevlar and 1.6mm of titanium.[3]

A supplementary spring steel safety clip is clipped over the safety lever and bushing on top of the grenade preventing the safety lever from moving.

Variants

L109A1

In September 2000 a six-year contract with Swiss Ammunition Enterprise Corporation (a RUAG subsidiary) was announced, committing the UK to purchase around 363,000 grenades for combat and live training, first deliveries scheduled for March 2001.

The L109 is the British designation for the HG 85. It differs from the HG 85 in that it has a special safety clip (matte black in colour, which is similar to the safety clip on the American M67 grenade.[4]

The L109 is deep bronze green in colour with golden yellow stencilling, and a rough exterior comparable to light sandpaper, and a yellow band around the top bushing, and weighs 465gm.[5] Markings give the designation “GREN HAND HE L109A1”, a manufacturer marking “SM” meaning “Swiss Munitions”, and a lot number. (Markings on the safety lever give the designation and lot number of the fuze.)

Once the safety pin is pulled, the grenade is live but so long as the fly-off lever (“spoon”) is kept depressed while the grenade is held (and the grenade can be held indefinitely with the pin out) it can be safely returned to storage so long as the fly-off safety lever is still in the closed position and the safety pin reinserted. However, if thrown - or the lever allowed to rise - the protective plastic cover falls away and the striker, under pressure of the striker spring, begins to rotate on its axis. This causes the safety lever to be thrown clear, the striker continues to rotate until it hits the percussion cap, which fires and ignites the delay pellet. The heat of the burning delay pellet melts solder holding a retaining ring, allowing the detonator to move under the influence of a spring from the safe to armed position. The delay pellet continues to burn and after between 3 and 4 seconds burns out and produces a flash that forces aside a flap valve allowing ignition. When the flash reaches the detonator this initiates a booster charge which in turn initiates the main explosive filling.

L110A1

The L110 (Drill Grenade) is an entirely inert (no explosive content) version of the L109.

Identical in size, weight and shape, as the live grenade and is used for training purposes, specifically correct handling and throwing. It can be easily distinguished from the live grenade as it is dark blue with white markings [6] (see below).

The body is solid aluminium with a textured plastic coating made in the same form as the live grenade, the textured coating ensuring a good gripping surface. A hole drilled up from the bottom indicates an empty store as well as ensuring the drill grenade is of the same weight as a live grenade. A bushing on top of the grenade has a dummy fuze mechanism permanently attached with a slot for the pull ring to clip into to prevent it being accidentally pulled. The fuze mechanism, under the plastic cover is very similar in appearance to the American fuze mechanisms. Internally there is an extension on the striker to allow it to be re-cocked during training and there is a leaf spring safety that clips around the safety lever and neck of the grenade preventing the lever from rotating even if the safety pin is pulled.

The markings are 'GREN HAND INERT DRILL L110A1' and a manufacturers marking “SM” meaning Swiss Munitions. The fuze mechanism is marked on the wide bottom portion of the lever “HG2 DM 82 CH”.

L111A1

This practice grenade has a small simulation charge (flash/bang) that imitates a live grenade for training purposes. It is distinguishable from the wholly inert L110 by being a much lighter blue and is fitted with a distinctive gold/orange plastic cap and safety lever.[7]

The body of the L111A1 is made of steel and is covered in a textured plastic material with and has the word 'PRACTICE' embossed near the top of the body, near a top portion is larger than the bushing on the live grenade. Like the L110 there is a large aperture in the bottom of the grenade which demonstrates it is not a live grenade but in the L111A this aperture allow gas from the practice fuze to escape. Consisting of two parts, a grey reusable striker mechanism and an L162 practice fuze (which has a blue body with a brown base and is fitted with a silver washer) the practice fuze is fitted into the bottom of the reusable striker mechanism then the entire assembly is screwed into the top of the grenade. In this version the safety lever is attached by a plastic strap to prevent loss, the entire unit, apart from the expended L162 practice fuze, being reused.

Markings, again in white, include 'GREN HAND PRAC L111A1', a manufacturers mark 'SM' meaning Swiss Munitions, and a lot number.

Nr300

The Nr300 is the Dutch designation for the HG 85. It is exactly like the L109. There is also the Nr330.[8][9]

Users

HG 85 entered service in the Swiss Army in 1985. It is also used in a number of other European armies and armies in the Middle and Far East.

-   -   -   -

Notes

There is another HG 84 from Arges in Austria, which is designed to other specifications and has a plastic body.[10]

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/138240/JSP403_Vol2_Chap22_DLRSC.pdf

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

title: HG 85

question: Describe the L109A1 variant of the grenade.

answer: This is the version of the HG 85 grenade for the UK. It differs in that it has a special safety clip, similar to the option on the American M67 grenade. The L109 is deep bronze green in color with golden yellow stenciling.

question: Describe everything in the article relating to safety clips.

answer: The safety clip is clipped over the safety lever. Brushing on top of the grenade, and the safety clip, prevent the safety lever from moving. The British version of the grenade, the L109, has a more elaborate safety pin  more similar to the American grenade.

question: Describe the shape of the grenade.

answer: The grenade is described as round. But, in addition to being round, the grenade is also spherical. It has a brushing on the top to accept the fuse mechanism.

question: Which countries use variations of this grenade

answer: The article explicitly describes Austria, Britain and the Netherlands. However, it also mentions that many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East use this grenade, without naming them. It mentions as well that the fuse mechanism is similar to the American fuse mechanism, although it is not clear whether it has any relation to American arms manufacture.


text:
KOESTER is an unincorporated community in St. Francois County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.[1]

History

A post office called Koester was established in 1893, and remained in operation until 1917.[2] The community has the name of C. E. Koester, the proprietor of a local mill.[3]

[1]

[2]

[3]

title: Koester, Missouri

question: When was Koester established?

answer: Koester was established in 1893.

question: When was Koester closed?

answer: Koester was closed in 1917.

question: Who was the community Koester named after?

answer: The community Koester was named after C. E. Koester.

question: Who was C. E. Koester?

answer: C. E. Koester was the proprietor of a mill in St. Francois County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: A post office called Koester was established in 1893 in St. Francois County, in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is an unincorporated community.


text:
TOMASZ SCHUCHARDT (born 18 September 1986) is a Polish actor.[1] He has appeared in more than twenty films since 2007.

Selected filmography

  Year          Title              Role    Notes
  ------------- ------------------ ------- -------
  2011          _Suicide Room_
  2012          _You Are God_      Fokus
  2014          _In the Name Of_
  _Warsaw 44_   Kobra
  2015          _Karbala_
  2016          _Demon_

[1] 1

title: Tomasz Schuchardt

question: Who is Tomasz Schuchardt?

answer: A Polish actor.

question: What nationality is Tomasz Schuchardt?

answer: Polish

question: What 2015 film did Tomasz Schuchardt appear in?

answer: Karbala

question: How many films has Tomasz Schuchardt appeared in, according to the article?

answer: More than twenty.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Tomasz Schuchardt is a Polish actor who has appeared in more than twenty films since 2007.


text:
At first glance, the queues for 2016’s hot-ticket holiday item, Snapchat Spectacles, might not have looked all that different from the round-the-block lines that formed for the Tickle Me Elmo craze of 20 years ago. But a closer inspection reveals how the simple act of shopping has been quietly transformed during that time.

Rather than waiting at the mall to make their purchase, Snapchat’s hopeful customers were lining up to buy specs at Snapbot vending machines in exotic locales such as the Grand Canyon, the Rose Bowl and Big Sur.

Harley Finkelstein wearing Snapchat Spectacles. Photo credit: Ashley Fraser

From limited releases of hot products sold in the unlikeliest of places to personalized shopping experiences that meld the online and offline world, the world of retail is poised to get even more interesting in the year ahead. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

STORES ARE OUT, EXPERIENCES ARE IN

Ten years ago, walking into a cool boutique to see a DJ spinning was novel. Today, it’s about the least a store can do to keep up with the times. Brands that are standing out are pulling out the stops to turn shopping into a rich and immersive experience.

Back to Snapchat, for example: selling those specs via vending machines was a quirky touch, but the real genius was in putting them in oddball locations. By doing that, Snapchat turned the simple act of shopping into a treasure hunt and adventure — even for those who didn’t manage to snag a pair before they sold out.

Similarly, brick-and-mortar outlets are also upping their game. Now that anyone can buy anything online, stores that are staying relevant are offering highly curated and immersive experiences. Whether it’s yoga classes and running clinics at Lululemon or grabbing a haircut and an espresso at Frank + Oak’s flagship Toronto store, we’ll see stores become less about being a place to consummate a transaction than a place to immerse yourself in a lifestyle.

FORGET FACELESS BRANDS, CONNECTION IS KEY

Back in the day, you had a personal connection with the shops on Main Street. Malls and big-box stores changed all that. These days, however, we’re no longer content to buy from faceless — even if well-known — brands, and smart retailers are using creative tools to build a personal relationship with would-be buyers.

Currently, nowhere is this trend more pronounced than in the world of celebrity. Last year, for example, the likes of Drake and the Weeknd extended their personas into popup shops and full-scale brand lines that give fans more of what they want: direct ways to connect with their favourite personalities.

Meanwhile, Kith NYC designer Ronnie Fieg recently used Instagram to create a real-time window into a product launch event in Aspen. What we’re seeing in all of these cases is online sellers leveraging technology to humanize and personalize a transaction — emphasizing the link between maker and user — which is a far cry from the kind of shopping experience you get in a big-box store.

EVOLUTION — AND DEMOCRATIZATION — OF THE FLASH SALE

Flash Sales are a time-honored tradition in the world of retail. But enter the Internet and things get a lot more interesting.

Kylie Jenner Pop-up Store. Photo credit: Shopify

These days, putting a time limit on a product or price isn’t just a means to unload overstock, it’s become standard practice for product launches. Celeb cosmetics queen Kylie Jenner has expertly employed this technique, with her limited edition birthday and holiday collections flying off the virtual shelf.

But, of course, bots and resellers have also infiltrated the online sales space, with everything from Kanye West’s Yeezy sneakers to Hatchimals winding up on eBay for several times the retail price. In the year ahead, you can expect smart companies to come up with ways to ensure the right people — actual customers and fans with a history with the brand — are being ushered to the front of the queue. (Shopify launched one product aimed at solving this problem this year, which allows buyers to check out with one tap and sellers to handle thousands of orders per minute.)

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER TAKES A BIGGER PIECE OF THE RETAIL PIE

This holiday season, US shoppers spent as much online as they did in actual stores. But behind that headline is an even more interesting story: the direct-to-consumer revolution. From Michael Kors to Oreo, more companies are sidestepping the middleman. Ditching department stores in favour of selling directly to consumers will continue to be a powerful force transforming the way we shop in 2017.

Why? Selling straight to customers creates an intimate and immediate feedback loop that leads to a better customer experience. Companies like AYR, Bonobos and DSTLD jeans are pioneering a highly responsive approach: using sales data and customer feedback to adjust their styles, cuts and size runs in real time. A reality where your favourite store is never out of your size or preferred style is right around the corner.

SHOPPING GETS MORE SOCIAL

Imagine browsing your social media feed and buying any product that catches your eye with the swipe of your thumb. In 2017 this will become a widespread reality. Social media platforms like Pinterest, Houzz, Twitter and Instagram are already breaking the browse/buy barrier with options for in-app impulse buying. Now add to that streamlined pay systems like Apple Pay, which is poised to go from a niche payment option to a mainstream expectation, and ordering that eye candy will become almost dangerously easy.

Meanwhile, online sellers are also teaming up with services like UberRUSH and Postmates to solve the delayed gratification problem posed by buying online. (Check out this video for a glimpse of how this works in New York City.) Teaming up with innovative services gets products into the hands of customers on the day they buy and contributes to a shopping experience that’s faster and more convenient.

With the retail world in the midst of a reinvention powered by technology, one thing’s for sure: the only limitation today’s merchants face is their own creativity. The bar for retail was raised in 2016 and it’s set to go higher in the year ahead. The good news for consumers: there’s never been a better time to be a shopper.

question: What does the text say about the current trends in online shopping?

answer: Shoppers are spending as much online as they do in actual stores. Online sellers are using technology to personalize transactions to emphasize a link between the maker and user. With that said, brick-and-mortar outlets are now offering immersive experiences to keep up with the online competition and to stay relevant.


text:
I had a home. It was such a lovely sight. It was a home for the entire world to see, but a home just for her and I. We had planned, arranged, blueprinted, and constructed an exquisite, splendid little home. It filled us with hope for a brighter future, for a better to-morrow. That future never came, and that to-morrow was ever elusive. Nevertheless, we had a home – I had a home.

We were to live out our lives, our years, in that home. Those years would be filled with hardships, with grief and sorrow. Our sweet little home was merely an idyllic facet of our otherwise melancholic lives. It was through no fault of hers, or my own… it was merely life.

Our home was located in an otherwise unremarkable field, a few miles from a small town. It was peaceful. There was not the cacophonous bustle of a city, or its night-sky quelling light. The location was perfect, for the most part. She loved our home; she loved me too. I loved our home; I loved her too.

Our home carried us through our years, not seeming to care, but all the while keeping her safe. Outside our home, the world was a very dangerous place. It was dangerous for her, not for me. Her body was not capable of protecting her from the outside; I wish it could, not for my sake, but for hers.

Her home had been meticulously planned to be completely insulated from the outside. She loved it, but the outside always called to her. Softly, the breeze would whisper, and she would ignore it. The outside was not for her, this place – our home – was.

Within our home we abandoned the outside. For years our home kept us – her – safe from that outside world, and for years we lived in what we called peace. It wasn’t peace, though, and life was difficult; yet it didn’t matter. Within our home we had each other.

I had a home – a home for her and I. The trees, the birds, and all manner of outside things became things of interest, and after time, she gave in. She had to explore. Years of being inside had made her restless; under the cover of night, she stepped outside. She stepped, and stepped, and stepped, until she could step no more.

Our home was far behind; she stood, basking in the pale light of the moon. She stood, listening to the quiet of the night. She stood, with the soft breeze against her face. The grass called, and she answered, laying in it, still bathed in that pale moon light. She closed her eyes, and she slept. Under a blanket of stars, she slept. Her adventure was over.

In our home, I awoke to no one beside me. I was scared, more so than I had ever been. She was always there. Our home never had just one. It was her home, and it was my home – it was our home, and we were always in it.

I found her, in a field not far from our home. She lay in a field of un-cut grass, and she looked peaceful – more so than she had throughout life. I lay in that field beside her, and I cried. Tears glistening in the early morning sun rolled gently down my face; I lay beside her for the last time. In that field, she was buried, her funeral attended only by me.

I had a home. I had a home that was not meant for just me, or just for her, but existed for her and I. That home was where I lived out most of my years, and where she lived out most of hers. That is not my home anymore. Without her, it is not a home, but merely a house. It is a house in an otherwise unremarkable field, a few miles from a small town.

title: Home

question: Who are the people in the story?

answer: The gender of the narrator is never revealed, though it could be inferred that the female companion isn't human.

question: What parts of the story suggest the female isn't human?

answer: The narrator states that the outside was not saf for her body, yet the outside world called to her. She goes outside to die in a field of uncut grass, and the narrator buries her in the same place that he found her.

question: What is the importance of the home?

answer: The narrator built it themselves. They consider it a safe place to live and they feel a real attachment to it.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The story of two companions and the home that they had built. The narrator recounts their life in this perfect place until the death of his companion.


text:
CLINTON “BÄR” MCKINNON (born 24 December 1969) is an American musician, perhaps best known for being a saxophonist in San Francisco based band Mr. Bungle.

Bär, pronounced “bear”, is a childhood nickname, given to him by his older sisters. In 1989 Bär joined Mr. Bungle and studied music at Humboldt State University, where he met Trevor Dunn and Trey Spruance.[1] His primary instrument is the saxophone, but he plays a number of other instruments including flute, keyboards, guitar, drums, percussion, bass and other assorted woodwinds.

He was a member of Mr. Bungle from 1989 to their disbandment in 2000, and has written and performed with Secret Chiefs 3, Dieselhed and Humboldt County hip hop/reggae/rock fusion band Lakota. He has also appeared on the Melt-Banana album _Charlie_, on the Carl Hancock Rux album _Rux Revue_, on the Ray's Vast Basement album _On the Banks of the Time_, on the Eyvind Kang's album _The Story of Iceland_ and on the Barefoot Hockey Goalie album _One Part Thomas Edison_. Bär McKinnon is currently gigging around Melbourne with a band called Umläut.

Mr. Bungle

Mr Bungle's lead singer Mike Patton had by the start of the 1990s achieved success in mainstream rock and metal with his other band Faith No More, which ultimately helped secure Mr. Bungle a record deal with Warner Bros. The band released a self-titled album (produced by John Zorn) in 1991, followed by the highly surreal _Disco Volante_ in 1995. Their third album was _California_. As a multi-instrumentalist, Bär provided a distinct style both as a player and songwriter, most notably on _California_. The album takes inspiration from Burt Bacharach and The Beach Boys, influences close to Bär's heart. The album allowed more freedom for all members of Bungle in the songwriting process. _California_ blended lounge, pop, jazz, funk, thrash metal, Hawaiian, Middle Eastern, kecak and avant-garde music.[2] The band did 5 tours to support this record. For the most part, perhaps with the exception of the Sno-Core 2000 tour where they were often booed, the band did have success attracting an audience.[3][4] The main three members of Mr. Bungle (Patton, Spruance, and Dunn) reunited in 2020 to record a fourth album, which McKinnon did not take part in.[5]

UMLAUT

UMLAUT is an experimental progressive band based out of Melbourne, Australia. It is the culmination of years of work for McKinnon. Umlaut’s eclectic musical stylings reside in the same vein as McKinnon’s previous bands Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3- injecting an energetic and whimsical blend of pop, jazz, avant-garde metal, symphonic atmosphere and electronica into its sound.[6]

When Mr. Bungle officially disbanded, Bär was left with a mountain of material he had written for the band, so he decided to apply it towards a solo venture.[7]  Many of his Umlaut bandmates found him based on his prior music affiliations.  According to McKinnon: "Melbourne is a very hip place as far as music and musicians and there’s no shortage of good musos so I’m super lucky that I ended up here, it just made the most sense. Musos sought me out, perhaps on the back of Bungle’s notoriety, I mean who knew a Mr Bungle member was living in Melbourne?”[8]

Despite seeing many incarnations and line-up changes through the years, Umlaut has found a comfortable niche in the Melbourne music scene and continues to attract dedicated fans both locally and internationally.

The band has accompanied comedian Neil Hamburger as well as Secret Chiefs 3 on their various tours in Australia.[9]

BAND MEMBERS

-   Bär McKinnon- tenor sax, flute, clarinet, keyboards, guitar, lead vocals
-   Angus Leslie- guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
-   Olaf Scott- keyboards
-   Hudson Whitlock- drums, percussion
-   Julian Langdon-bass
-   Shane Lieber- bass
-   Gareth Thompson- drums
-   John Myatt- bassoon
-   Rob McDonald- vibraphone
-   Pieta Hextall- bassoon

GUEST PERFORMERS:

-   Mike Patton- vocals (2009 album track “Atlas Face”)
-   Matt Lieber- drums (2009 album)
-   Jeff Lieber- guitar (2009 album)[10]

Studio albums

_Umlaut_

Release Date: 10 October 2009 Label: Orchard

The album’s single “Atlas Face” features Mike Patton, Faith No More frontman and fellow Mr. Bungle bandmate, on lead vocals.

Review from Consequence of Sound: "Sporadic bursts of circus-themed noise. The sludgy guitar grind of heavy metal. Unpredictable blasts of horn instruments. There’s no denying the influence of Mr. Bungle in every note of Umlaut's self-titled album, and how can comparisons not be drawn when the band is the musical venture of Mr. Bungle's saxophonist Clinton “Bär” McKinnon. But though it's easy to see where McKinnon is drawing from, the Australian-based Umlaut is a wholly original project that takes a proven, experimental concept and makes it all its own".[11]

_To Your Poverty Quietly Go_

Release Date: 29 August 2014 Label: Romero Records/ Orchard

From MusicTrust: “Unlike the many other bands that seem bent on simply reveling in mad energy generated by constantly shifting and juxtaposing interludes and sections within the one 'song', there is a much higher level of compositional delicacy at play here. It’s obvious that Umlaut has thought long and hard about what should and shouldn’t go into the cauldron. The creation of multilayered textures on 'To Your Poverty Quietly Go' is something lacking in much of the music that gets made using a similar chop and change sensibility”.[12]

_Arunachala_

Release date: 19 April 2019

Label: Romero Records.[13]

From Romero Records: “A very festive new EP from Umlaut, the brainchild of Bär McKinnon (Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3), 'Arunachala' is equal parts circus jazz, oddball pop and melancholic soundscapes. Sonny Rollins meets Brian Wilson, Pennywise the Clown and the Easter Bunny?”[14]

_KINTSUGI_

Release date: 31 October 2019

Label: Romero Records

From Romero Records: "Just six months after their Easter-themed EP 'Arunachala', more new music from Umlaut... and this time it's Halloween!

Meditative and charmingly addictive forays into experimental pop from the mind of Mr Bungle saxman Bär McKinnon, with some help from Melbourne legend Angus Leslie (Sex On Toast).

'Kintsugi' is more of a vocal affair than Umlaut's previous releases, think Bungle with a bit of Beach Boys, Beatles and Badalamenti."[15]

Discography

Mr. Bungle

-   1988 – _Goddammit I Love America!_ (demo)
-   1989 – _OU818_ (demo)
-   1991 – _Mr. Bungle_
-   1995 – _Disco Volante_
-   1999 – _California_

Secret Chiefs 3

-   _First Grand Constitution and Bylaws_ (1996, Amarillo Records)
-   _Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws: Hurqalya_ (1998, Amarillo Records)
-   _Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame_ live album (1999, Web of Mimicry)
-   _Book M_ (2001, Web of Mimicry)
-   _First Grand Constitution and Bylaws Remastered_ (2000, Web of Mimicry)
-   _Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws: Hurqalya Remastered_ (2000, Web of Mimicry)

Umlaut

-   _Umlaut_ (self-titled) (2009)
-   _To Your Poverty Quietly Go_ (2014)
-   _Arunachala_ (2019)

Songwriting credits

-   1991 – _Mr. Bungle_
-   1995 – _'Disco Volante_

1.  Untitled[16]
2.  “After School Special” (words: Dunn/McKinnon/Patton, music: McKinnon) – 2:47
3.  “The Bends” (music: Patton/McKinnon/Spruance) – 10:28
    1.  “Man Overboard”
    2.  “The Drowning Flute”
    3.  “Aqua Swing”
    4.  “Follow the Bubbles”
    5.  “Duet for Guitar and Oxygen Tank”
    6.  “Nerve Damage”
    7.  “Screaming Bends”
    8.  “Panic in Blue”
    9.  “Love on the Event Horizon”
    10. “Re-Entry”

-   1999 – _California_

1.  “The Air-Conditioned Nightmare” (words: Patton music: Patton/McKinnon) – 3:55
2.  “Goodbye Sober Day” (words: Patton music: Patton/McKinnon) – 4:29

-   2009- _Umlaut_ (Self-Titled) (words/ music: McKinnon)
-   2014- _To Your Poverty Quietly Go_ (words/ music: McKinnon)
-   2019- _Arunachala_ (words/music: McKinnon)

Guest appearances

-   Ray's Vast Basement – _On the Banks of the Time_ (1998)
-   Carl Hancock Rux – _Rux Revue_ (1998)
-   Melt-Banana – _Charlie_ (1998) (with Mr. Bungle)
-   Eyvind Kang – _The Story of Iceland_ [Tzadik] (2000)
-   Barefoot Hockey Goalie – _One Part Thomas Edison_
-   Rhymes, Rituals & Rhythms – Lakota (1994)
-   The Ribbon Device – Saturation Day (2006)
-   Glasfrosch – “If You Go Far Enough into The Sky You'll Come Out Underwater” [Anon Islet Records] (2011)
-   Twelve Foot Ninja – _Silent Machine_ (2012)

[1] http://www.faithnomorefollowers.com/2016/08/bar-mckinnon-mr-bungle-25th-anniversary.html

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16] This song is often titled “The Secret Song” (the working title of the song) or “Spy” (the title that appears on various concert setlists). Credits: words: Dunn, music: Uncredited (but assumed to be Patton/McKinnon/Spruance). Bungle Fever FAQ

title: Clinton McKinnon (musician)

question: How popular is the band Mr. Bungle?

answer: Only a little, they seemed to struggle to capture an audience.


text:
*Briiiing! Briiiiiing! Briiii--*
"Hello?", he said from the other end of the phone.
"Hi, Dave. It's Sarah," she said, without expression.
"Hey babe, good to hear from you. I wanted to call, but I've got no long distance minutes and you still haven't told me where I can send you a letter. I've missed you so much, University isn't what I thought it'd be."
"Yeah... I know what you mean. That's kind of what I wanted to talk about."
"Uh oh, I know that voice. What's wrong, babe?"
"Dave, I'm sorry, I really am," her voice cracked and she took a deep breath. "It's just, well, I thought I could do it Dave. I really did. We're only 3 hours away, but now that I'm here that seems like miles and miles..." Her voice trailed off and he could hear a sniffling noise in the receiver.
"Babe, it's fine, we knew it would be hard to stay together going into this. It'll be fine, no use getting worked up. My dad lives in St. Catherine's, remember? I'll be heading up to visit him anyways, we'll see each other lots. I love you babe, I miss you, too."
"Dave, that's not it. I'm really sorry, Dave. But... But I met somebody. In St. Catherine's."
"Oh." Dave's face went pale. He didn't know what to say, so he just let her drone on about how hard long distance relationships were and how he was bound to meet somebody in one of his classes or in his residence.
"I'm really sorry, Dave. They're not a student here, but I think something might actually start between us. I didn't want to do this over the phone, and nothing has happened yet, but I promised myself I would... I would break things off with you before anything did."
Dave could hear a muffled voice through the receiver. His heart sank. "He's there with you now, isn't he?"
"Yes, Dave. That's why I had to call, see? I had to contact you before anythi--"
*"Sarah, are you nearly finished in there?"*
Even though he hadn't heard it in nearly 3 months, Dave recognized the rumbling voice and he froze. "Dad?!"
"I'm sorry Dave, I've got to go."
"But Sarah! Wait! What is going on! Dad! How could yo--"
*Click.*

title: First attempt at flash fiction: Long Distance Relationship

question: Where is Sarah?

answer: Sarah is at St. Catherine's.

question: Why did Sarah call Dave?

answer: Sarah called Dave to end their relationship.

question: Why does Sarah live 3 hours away?

answer: Sarah lives 3 hours away to go to University.

question: Who did Sarah find?

answer: Sarah found Dave's dad.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Sarah calls Dave to end their long distance relationship, saying she found someone else. Dave hears his father's voice, and Sarah hangs up the phone.


text:
I woke up feeling surprisingly normal. There were none of the usual aches and pains that I felt sometimes, and my mind was oddly clear. I figured that I might as well take advantage of my peculiar situation, so I reached over to my nightstand and tried to pick up my iPad so I could read the morning news. Then I saw my hand.

I leapt out of the bed, recoiling in terror. Only too late did I realize that I had never hit the ground. Eyes wide, I chanced a look down. Instead of the familiar confines of my tiny bedroom, I saw the floor of the apartment above mine. My right leg was floating half in, half out of the brown-speckled tile, and I was further surprised to see it whole. I had lost it below the knee in combat ten years ago, but it was all there, despite the fact that I could feel none of it. I testily moved the limb, and it silently emerged from the floor. I was forced to stifle another shout of alarm when, out of the corner of my left eye, I saw the occupant of the apartment. She was sleeping, her slight back to me. I tried to stand, only to find that I slowly floated upwards. Desperately, I stared at the floor, and I sank down, landing silently. I couldn't help it. Before I realized what I was doing, I grunted in satisfaction at my minor accomplishment. Horrified, I literally melted into the wall. I could still see inside, however, and noticed that the woman hadn’t even stirred, and was still sleeping soundly. Emboldened, I stepped back into the apartment. I cleared my throat, and said, “Oi! Can you here me?” The woman continued sleeping. “Hey!” I practically shouted, growing more terrified. Nothing happened. I impulsively stepped towards the bed, reaching for the woman’s shoulder. My hand went straight through. I pulled it away, and fell back into the floor. With a silent flash, everything went white.

I opened my eyes, and found myself in the basement of my building. I tried to stand, but once again, I floated through the ceiling. The floor above was the lobby, and I came up just in front of the reception desk. I expected the people in the lobby to recoil at the sight of my scarred visage appearing from the floor, but no one seemed to notice me. This was starting to seem like a trend, so I began to walk towards the door. I found that, if I concentrated, I could prevent myself from falling through. I stepped right through the glass doors, flinching as my feet hit the sidewalk. It was then that I realized that I was dressed in nothing but my boxers. While I seemed to be invisible, my embarrassment won out and I decided to return to my room. I turned to face the building, and jumped.

I flew up much faster than I had earlier. My apartment was on the ninth floor, and I reached its window within a second. I reached out and grabbed the balcony, my hand passing right through a potted plant. Focusing, I was able to stand on the cracked concrete and look through my window. I walked through the screened glass door into my small kitchen. I went into my room via the wall, and noticed that I was lying on the bed. I looked surprisingly serene, but the fact remained that my dead body was lying less than ten feet in front of me, and I was standing there looking at it. I took the news that I was dead pretty well, considering the circumstances. Death had been around the corner for me since I joined the Service, and I was almost glad that I had gone while I was sleeping peacefully, as opposed to, perhaps, having a knife shoved through my gut. I turned, shrugged my shoulders, and opened my closet. I grabbed a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt, and a leather jacket and found that, as I put them on, they became translucent, allowing me to see the floor through the fabric. I walked over to my nightstand and pocketed my phone, wallet, and pocketknife. I took one last look at my apartment, and then I jumped through the ceiling and left.

I came out on the roof, squinting in the morning Los Angeles sunlight. The view from my building’s roof was spectacular, with the Pacific Ocean easily visible on the horizon. The wind was blowing, but I didn’t feel it like I normally would. The air passed through me, leaving behind only the soft feeling of a light breeze. The smog, normally the most dominant smell in the air, was even worse than average. I decided to get away from it, and jumped again. The roof of the building receded in a flash, and I was above the clouds. I threw my arms apart, slowing my upward momentum and eventually stopping me. I looked down, and could see the entire city. The cars on the 101 were like ants, crawling along with the speed of molasses. The Port was bustling, with enormous container ships plying the shining blue carpet that was the water. I could see LAX, with what looked like toy planes taking off, landing, and disgorging their human cargo into the airport. As I gazed out over the great city, I heard approaching engines. I whipped my head around, and saw the blue nose of an airliner hit me in the chest.

I shot downward, but it was too late. I phased through the plane’s aluminum skin and entered the cargo compartment. I focused on stopping my tumble, and forced my hand to grab onto a navy-blue suitcase. Having slowed down sufficiently, I let go of the suitcase, and sat on the floor of the plane. Despite the air moving past at 500 miles per hour just inches from my rear end, I felt nothing. Despite my long career in the field of clandestine operations, I had somehow never found myself in the cargo compartment of any passenger jet, much less a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737. I figured that, seeing as I was dead, I could afford to get away from things a little. I settled in between a bulkhead and some odd-smelling luggage, concentrated on not falling through the plane, and wondered where I was flying off to.

title: A Slightly-Different Morning

question: Who is the main character?

answer: A retiree from the black ops who was probably forced to stop due to losing a leg.  He died in his sleep and became a ghost.

question: How did the man become a ghost?

answer: No direct reason given -no supernatural reasons or sci-fi intonations given in the narrative. It is implied that he is a ghost and this is not some form of extended out-of-body experience as the man identifies his former body as dead instead of just sleeping.

question: What can the ghost do?

answer: See visible spectrums of light, pass through solid objects, defy gravity, have a degree of interaction with solid matter, feel tactile sensations such as wind, have emotional reactions to stimuli, process logical thinking, recall previous memories from life and retain new information, and cannot be perceived by sight or sound by the living.

question: Where is the 737 heading?

answer: No information given, though the un-concluded part of the story will probably address it.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Man from a former military ops dies in sleep and becomes a ghost. shortly after getting oriented with being able to phase through matter and gravity, he shoots through the skies and ends up sitting in the cargo hold of a Boeing 737 midflight.


text:
Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu flew kites, led a roadshow and spoke effusively about their friendship during a day-long visit to Gujarat in a public show of top-level backing for the fast growing ties between India and Israel.

Netanyahu said his country seeks to cooperate with India "in every field" and praised Modi for "revolutionising" his country. In turn, the Indian leader said he waited for "my friend" to visit India so they could together inaugurate an entrepreneur incubation centre for start-ups.

The bonding between the two leaders notwithstanding India voting in favor of a UN General Assembly resolution rejecting the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was on full display at the very start of Netanyahu's visit to Modi's home state.

Modi received Netanyahu, who was accompanied by his wife Sara, at the airport with a bearhug, and then the three set off on an 8-km roadshow to the 'Sabarmati Ashram', the abode of Mahatma Gandhi for many years.

The road to Sabarmati Ashram was lined with people on both sides, with some carrying Indian and Israeli flags, as folk artists from several states sang and danced on stages erected at vantage points.

However, unlike last year's roadshow that Modi held with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe where they travelled in an open jeep, clicking pictures and waving at cheering crowds, today's event was a heavily guarded affair, with the leaders seated in SUVs, apparently due to security reasons.

Once at the Ashram, the prime minister was in the role of a guide, showing the visiting couple around the place where they tried their hands Gandhi's spinning wheel, wearing garlands of handspun cotton yarn. The wheel had become emblematic of Gandhi's non-violent resistance to the colonial rule and underpinned his vision of self-reliance.

Later, the two leaders addressed young entrepreneurs at Deo Dholera after dedicating International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), a public-private partnership (PPP) venture set up to nurture entrepreneurs by providing them funds, space, mentors and other facilities.

"Prime Minister Modi is changing India, by the force in vision of his leadership. He is revolutionising India. He is catapulting it into the future, and as one of the world's great powers. And he is doing it through the power of innovation," Netanyahu said.

"I want young Israelis to come to India, not just with the backpack, but with a laptop. This is essentially a boundless potential and that's why I have come here, to encourage young innovators from our two countries to work together," he said, adding Israel seeks cooperation with India in every field.

Friendship was the constant theme as the two leaders acknowledged the immense potential for further cementing the bonds between the two nations.

"I thank Modi for his vision and for his friendship, and for recognising the immense potential of our partnership" the Israeli leader said.

Underscoring the vast scope of pertnership between the two countries, Netanyahu said he wanted cooperation in areas as diverse as water conservation and agriculture to cyberspace, and life sciences.

"Today, I have a simple message. I want young Indians to know that Israel wants to form partnership with you in technology, in water, in agriculture, in cyber, in drones, in health, in life sciences, in every field. We are your partner," he said.

Modi voiced happiness over the inauguration of iCreate in the presence of Netanyahu.

"When I went to Israel last year, I made up my mind that this foundation should have stronger relations with Israel. Since then, I was waiting for my friend Benjamin Netanyahu to come to India. He is here and now we are inaugurating this foundation," Modi said.

The work for setting up 'iCreate' was launched in 2011 by Modi when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.

"We are working towards making entire system in our country innovation-friendly. Curiousity produces intent, whose power leads to innovation that will make new India," he added.

Innovation, he said, plays a major role in bringing together the people of India and Israel.

"People of Israel have proved that it is not the size and shape of a country but the determination of its citizens which takes it ahead," he said.

Impressed by some of the innovations put on display at iCreate, Netanyahu said, "The world knows about iPods, they know about iPads, but there is one more 'i' the the world needs to know about - iCreate."

As cordiality punctuated the engagement of the two leaders, the entire house burst into guffaw when Netanyau called both himself and Modi young.

"As you all know, I am sure you have noticed, Prime Minister Modi and I are both very young and very optimistic.

We are young in our thinking and we are optimistic about the future," he said, as Modi was seen breaking into a hearty laugh.

The Israeli leader wrapped up his speech with chant of 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat, Jai Israel' (victory be to India and Israel).

Netanyahu also gifted a Gal-Mobile water desalination and purification jeep to Modi that the latter dedicated to people of Suigam village in Banaskantha district.

The two also visited the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Vadrad village of Sabarkantha district set up in 2015 with Israeli collaboration.

-   Gujarat
-   Israel
-   India
-   Benjamin Netanyahu
-   Prime Minister
-   AHMEDABAD
-   UN General Assembly
-   Indo-Israel

question: What does the text say about India-U.S. relations?

question: What does the text say about the relationship between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Benjamin Netanyahu?

answer: The two leaders appear to be close friends. There seems to be a personal relationship between Modi and Netanyahu because a "bearhug" is not traditionally a way leaders greet each other. The leaders have bonded over the years, which likely started when Modi visited Israel the year before.

question: What does the text say about the purpose of Netanyahu's visit to India?

answer: Netanyahu wanted to forge a stronger partnership and cooperate with India in every field. His visit was meant to show that the fast growing ties between India and Israel came from the top (him and Modi). Netanyahu was also in India to help Modi inaugurate iCreate.

question: What does the text say about iCreate?

answer: The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology or iCreate, is a public-private partnership (PPP) venture set up to nurture entrepreneurs by providing them funds, space, mentors and other facilities. It basically an entrepreneur incubation center for startups. Modi helped launch iCreate in 2011 when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.


text:
VICTORIA - With the arrival of higher temperatures and drier conditions, wildfire danger ratings are climbing in many parts of the province.

British Columbians need to exercise caution over the Canada Day long weekend to help prevent human-caused wildfires.

Campfires are currently permitted in all of the province's six fire centres, but Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are prohibited in many parts of British Columbia to reduce wildfire risks and protect public safety. A poster explaining the different categories of open burning is available online.

Detailed information about current burning restrictions is available on the BC Wildfire Service website.

Local governments could also have their own burning restrictions in place, so also always check with local authorities before lighting any fire of any size. The use of fireworks is also prohibited in many areas of British Columbia.

So far this season, the BC Wildfire Service has responded to 427 wildfires, 288 of which were caused by people. Human-caused fires are completely preventable and unnecessarily tie up firefighting resources that could be used to deal with naturally occurring wildfires.

Here's some important information about campfire safety:

-   Have a shovel or at least eight litres of water available nearby to properly extinguish your campfire.
-   Campfires can not be larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide.
-   Do not light a campfire or keep it burning in windy conditions. Weather can change quickly and the wind may carry embers to other combustible material.
-   Maintain a one-metre fireguard around the campfire. This is a fuel-free area where all flammable materials (grass, kindling, etc.) have been removed.
-   Never leave a campfire unattended.
-   Make sure that the campfire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area for any length of time.

Anyone operating motorized vehicles in the backcountry must also exercise caution, since the heat from an exhaust pipe - particularly in tall, dry grass - could ignite a wildfire.
The government's Natural Resource Officers and Conservation Officers conduct regular patrols throughout British Columbia, monitoring high-risk activities and looking out for potential damage. These officers also work closely with BC Wildfire Service staff to investigate the cause of wildfires and any improper use of fire when an open burning prohibition is in effect.

This is an ideal time of the year for homeowners to take simple steps to reduce wildfire risks on private property by using FireSmart principles. Information about fire prevention and the FireSmart program, including the newly updated FireSmart Homeowner's Manual, is available online.

QUOTE:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Anyone planning to go camping or head into the backcountry this weekend must be extremely careful with any use of open fire. Campfires must be completely extinguished and the ashes must be cold to the touch before you leave the area."

QUICK FACTS:

-   Anyone found in contravention of a fire prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.
-   The provincial government thanks the public for its help in preventing wildfires. To report a wildfire, an unattended campfire or an open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or call *5555 on a cellphone.

LEARN MORE:
For up-to-date information on current wildfire activity, conditions and prohibitions, call 1 888 3-FOREST (1 888 336-7378) or visit: bcwildfire.ca

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE LATEST WILDFIRE NEWS ON:

Twitter
Facebook

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kevin Skrepnek
Chief Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 312-3051

Connect with the Province of B.C.

question: What does the text say about safety precautions for campfires?

answer: When starting a campfire, one should have a shovel or at least eight liters of water available nearby to extinguish it. One should ensure the fire is never larger than half a meter high by half a meter wide. One should never light a campfire in windy conditions, or keep it burning if the wind picks up. One should keep a one meter fuel-free area around the campfire, and never leave it unattended. Finally, before leaving the fire site, one should make sure the fire is completely extinguished and the ashes are cold to the touch.


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WHEN GLOBAL GRAPEVINE’S AILSA AND ALEX TOURED PHILLIP ISLAND, THE PENGUIN PARADE WAS HIGH ON THE LIST OF TO-DOS. NOT SO FLY ISABELLA’S LIZ STARK, WHO DECIDED TO SHUN THE (ADMITTEDLY TOURISTY) APPEAL OF A GAZILLION LITTLE PENGUINS IN FAVOUR OF SEARCHING OUT PHILLIP ISLAND’S BEST WALKS.

I’ve been travelling in Australia for 6 weeks now – not working for 7 – and weekdays are blissfully merging into weekends. Jack is working 5 days a week, starting early and done by mid-afternoon, so similarly the chopping and changing of shifts is creating a whirl of a week for both of us.

This week found Monday and Tuesday completely free so we spontaneously rented a car (day rates and petrol are cheap here), swung by Kmart for a bargain tent and sleeping bags, stocked up some BBQ goodies from Coles, and travelled south to Phillip Island – famously home to lots of little penguins. More on them later…. This is a great trip: check out below for things to see and do, as well as some of Phillip Island’s best walks.

3 THINGS YOU REALLY CANNOT MISS:

BERRYS BEACH | this has to be one of my favourite spots I’ve visited in Australia. And it’s my sister’s nickname, so extra special! The deep bay sweeps round to red cliff faces to the East (one of the Phillip Island best walks is along this cliff top path to PYRAMID ROCK), the water is crystal clear, the rock pools sparkle under the sun, the sand is soft and clean. It’s a surf beach so I’m not sure how safe it would be to swim, but it’s a really quiet and absolutely beautiful spot.

Berrys Beach

WOOLAMAI BEACH | another fab spot, although we caught it in the morning before the clouds had blown away. I felt like I was at home in Cornwall: pounding surf, sand dunes, empty beaches, and questionable weather! There weren’t many surfers, and supposedly this is a spot for only the pros.

COWES BEACH | this is a little gem of a North facing bay side beach (versus Berrys and Woolamai above, which face the ocean). We pitched our tent 5 metres back from the white squeaky sand and crystal water – on this stretch it feels positively Caribbean (definitely not Cornwall!).

Also check out: Cowes is the main town on Phillip Island. It’s pretty tiny but has got the usual selection of fish and chips and fast food shops.

3 THINGS WORTH A SNOOP:

THE NOBBIES | is an ECOTOURISM CENTRE located in the south-west corner of Phillip Island, past the Penguin Parade (walking between the two takes about an hour). 1.5km offshore is Seal Rocks, home to the country’s largest Australian Fur Seal colony – unfortunately you can’t see them from this distance with the naked eye. There’s a boardwalk that promises killer views and takes you past individual penguin homes. The crazy little fellas nest in burrows remarkably far up the cliff sides, and we saw several still snuggled inside.

Also check out: There are 3 marked koala reserves on the island. We chose to try a short green loop of a Phillip Island walk to the OSWIN ROBERTS RESERVE, but alas, no koalas. We did see loads of wallabies though.

Berrys Beach Rock Pool

Trees without koalas

CHURCHILL ISLAND | yet another worthwhile stop, this island (connected by road) is home to Victoria’s oldest working farm that has been in operation since the 1850s when the British settled here. You can pay to go and see this, but instead we did the easy North Loop Trail from where you can see Rhyll on Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula in the distance, and French Island. There’s tonnes of birds for birdy folk. Still no elusive koalas though.

INVERLOCH | we figured as we had the car we may as well explore on the way back. Inverloch is a pretty spot with very little going on (in a good way), unless you have a fishing rod on you: fishing off the pier seemed to be the most popular pastime.

Also check out: we tried a couple of stops at Koonwarra (teeny tiny with a popular FOOD STORE), Korumburra (free OLD MINE CENTRE, closed when we were there) and Loch (brewery and distillery, also closed Tuesdays!) along the South Gippsland Highway.

Inverloch

3 THINGS TO STEER CLEAR OF:

SCRIMPING ON THE GEAR | all the gear, no idea. Actually make that: none of the gear, still no idea. That was us. The absolute amateurs on the campsite, dwarfed by all the mega camper vans towering over our tent made for hobbits. We invested a whopping $15 AUD on a 2 man tent from Kmart…. I’m not sure how many adventures this paper-thin home will last us, but at least we can be confident we’re saving money versus an Airbnb.

BIG4 CARAVAN SITE | doing our impromptu research for camping on Philip Island only two main contenders regularly appear. This one is marginally cheaper per night ($31 versus $40) and has good reviews, but didn’t appear to be in a great location at Newhaven – right by the bridge from mainland Victoria – versus our beach side option at COWES CARAVAN PARK. (OK – small technicality, we had to walk through a hedge. But some of the spots do look straight out to sea).

PENGUIN PARADE | I can’t comment on the PARADE itself: we didn’t go. As per many natural points of interest in Australia, there is a tendency to be charged for visiting privileges and we felt unanimously frustrated that the home of these little guys had been turned in to a quasi-theme park. The amphitheatre seats up to 3,800. Ridiculous. I just can’t imagine that’s a ‘next to nature’ experience, or that you get up close without a bunch of selfie sticks obscuring the view.

1 THING I WISH I’D DONE:

THE PINNACLES | I fell victim to my own lack of research with this one: we were so close when we stopped at Woolamai surf beach, but too lazy to WALK TO CAPE WOOLAMAI. I didn’t realise this was home to the much photographed Pinnacles, accessible on a 4km round trip and supposedly one of Phillip Island’s best walks.

AND KNOW THIS: There are 17 species of penguins, all found in the southern hemisphere. Phillip Island is home to an estimated 32,000 little penguins whilst the total little penguin population is around one million. Naw.

READ MORE OF LIZ’S AUSTRALIAN TRAVEL POSTS
READ MORE OF LIZ’S WORLDWIDE TRAVEL POSTS
FIND MORE THINGS TO DO & VISIT IN AUSTRALIA

question: According to Liz, what are the places or activities to avoid while travelling through Australia?

answer: According to the passage, Liz had a few days free and decided to see some sites in Australia alongside Jack. After a few days of travel, she recommends her readers to avoid doing a few things while travelling on her route. Firstly, she says to prepare thoroughly by buying appropriate gear. She also does not recommend people visit the Penguin Parade as it was too expensive and does not provide a close and personal touch.

question: According to the passage, what advice did Liz offer to those travelling through Australia?

answer: Liz and Jack have been travelling for 6 weeks within Australia. After visiting many sites and places, Liz tells her readers what to look out for and things they might enjoy if travelling to Australia. For example, she says Berry Beach, Woolamai Beach, and Cowes Beach are places that offers good spots and many things for tourists to love. She especially advice visiting an ecotourism center called The Nobbies for its "killer views".


text:
STARLAN was the first IEEE 802.3 standard for Ethernet over twisted pair wiring. It was standardized by the standards association of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as 802.3E in 1986, as the 1BASE5 version of Ethernet. The StarLAN Task Force was chaired by Bob Galin.

Description

An early version of StarLAN was developed by Tim Rock and Bill Aranguren at AT&T Information Systems as an experimental system in 1983.[1] The name StarLAN was coined by the IEEE task force based on the fact that it used a star topology from a central hub in contrast to the bus network of the shared cable 10BASE5 and 10BASE2 networks that had been based on ALOHANET.

The standard known as 1BASE5 was adopted as 802.3e in 1986 by members of the IEEE 802.3 standards committee as the Twisted Pair Medium Access Control sublayer and Physical Signalling sublayer specification in section 12.[2] The original StarLAN ran at a speed of 1 Mbit/s.

A major design goal in StarLAN was reduction in Ethernet installation costs by the reuse of existing telephone on-premises wiring and compatibility with analog and digital telephone signals in the same cable bundle. The signal modulation and wire pairing used by StarLAN were carefully chosen so that they would not affect or be affected by either the analog signal of a normal call, on hook and off hook transients, or the 20 Hz high-voltage analog ring signal. Reuse of existing wires was critical in many buildings where rewiring was cost prohibitive, where running new wire would disturb asbestos within the building infrastructure, and where the bus topology of coaxial bus Ethernet was not installable.

The wire positioning called _T568B_ in the standard TIA/EIA-568 was originally devised for StarLAN, and pair 1 (blue) was left unused to accommodate an analog phone pair. Pairs 2 and 3 (orange and green) carry the StarLAN signals. This greatly simplified the installation of combined voice and data wiring in countries that used registered jack connectors and American wiring practices for their phone service (connecting both to the same cable was a simple matter of using a pin-pin RJ45 splitter or punching down the same wires to two ports). This arrangement prevented harm to private branch exchange (PBX) equipment in the event that a StarLAN cable was plugged into the wrong device.

Since 1BASE5 reused existent wiring, maximum link distance was only approximated at 250 m; depending on cable performance up to 500 m were possible. Up to five chained hubs were allowed.[3]

Parts of the StarLAN technology was patented by AT&T,[4] and initially was part of a wider vision from AT&T, where it would link their UNIX-based AT&T 3B2 minicomputers to a network of MS-DOS PCs.[5]

StarLAN 10

In 1988, AT&T released StarLAN 10, which operated at 10 Mbit/s. The original StarLAN was renamed to StarLAN 1, reflecting its speed of 1 Mbit/s.[6]

It was adopted by other networking vendors such as Hewlett-Packard and Ungermann-Bass. Integrated circuits were introduced starting in 1986 that reduced the cost of the interfaces.[7]

StarLAN 10 and SynOptics LattisNet provided the basis for the later 10 megabit per second standard 10BASE-T. The 10BASE-T task force was chaired by Pat Thaler, a member of the StarLAN task force. 10BASE-T used the basic signalling of StarLAN 10 and added link beat. Some network interface cards such as the 3Com 3C-523 could be used with either StarLAN 10 or 10BASE-T, by switching link beat on or off.[8]

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[3] IEEE 802.3 Clause 12.1.4

[4]  Patent “Local area network” William L. Aranguren, Mario A. Restrepo, and Michael J. Sidney, Filed October 6, 1986, issued June 16, 1987.

[5] “_Although expensive and slow, the system allows minis and PCs to share data_”, 27 Oct 1987, p229, PC Mag

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title: StarLAN

question: What was one of the factors driving StarLAN's design?

answer: Financial factor - the engineers wanted StarLAN to reduce ethernet installation costs.


text:
thumb|right |1991–2017 Dodge Viper engine

A V10 ENGINE is a ten-cylinder piston engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft.

V10 engines are much less common than V8 and V12 engines. Several V10 diesel engines have been produced since 1965, and V10 petrol engines for road cars were first produced in 1991 with the release of the Dodge Viper.

Design

The V10 configuration does not have perfect engine balance, since an unbalanced rocking couple is caused by each cylinder bank functioning as a straight-five engine. Therefore, balance shafts are sometimes used to reduce the vibrations in a V10 engine.[1]

Diesel engines

One of the first known V10 engines was used in the 1936 _Busch-Sulzer ICRR 9201_ prototype locomotive, of which three examples were produced in the United States.[2]

The 1965–1984 Leopard 1 armoured tank was powered by the _MTU MB 838 CaM 500_ V10 diesel engine.[3][4]

The 1983–present Tatra 815 truck is available with a V10 engine.

The Volkswagen V10 TDI is a turbocharged V10 engine which was produced from 2002–2010 for use in the _Volkswagen Phaeton_ luxury sedan and _Volkswagen Touareg_ SUV.

Petrol engines

Production vehicles

thumb |2005–2010 BMW S85 engine V10 engines are less common than V8 and V12 engines, however they have been used in several luxury cars, sports cars and commercial vehicles. An early V10 petrol engine was used in the 1987 Lamborghini P140, however this prototype sports car did not reach production.[5]

Examples of petrol V10 production engines include:

-   1994–2003 Chrysler Magnum V10
-   1997–present Ford Triton engine
-   1991–2017 Dodge Viper engine
-   2003–present Lamborghini V10[6]
-   2003–2007 Porsche Carrera GT engine
-   2005–2010 BMW S85
-   2006–present Audi V10 FSI[7]
-   2008–2010 Audi V10 TFSI
-   2009–2012 Toyota 1LR-GUE[8][9][10]

Motor racing

One of the first known V10 engines designed for motor racing was a prototype Formula One engine built by Alfa Romeo in 1986.[11] Originally intended for the Ligier Formula One team, this partnership collapsed without the engine being used in any races. Alfa Romeo fitted the engine to two Alfa Romeo 164 Pro Car prototypes in 1998, however these cars also did not compete in any races.[12]

The most widespread use of V10 engines has been in Formula One racing. Following a ban on turbocharged engines after 1988, the first V10 Formula One cars were the 1989 McLaren MP4/5 and Williams FW12. By 1996, V10 engines were used by the majority of teams by the 1996 season, following reduction in displacement from . The V10 seem the best compromise between the lower weight of a V8 and the higher power of a V12. Renault F1 used a flatter 110° angle in 2002 and 2003, but reverted to a more conventional 72° following the change in rules which dictated that an engine must last two race weekends. In a further change to the rules, V10s were banned for the 2006 season onwards in favor of 2.4 liter V8s.

In sports car racing, the first V10 engine was used by the Peugeot 905 in the two final races of the 1990 season. This was followed by the Judd GV10 engine being used by several teams during the 1991 season and the Toyota TS010 that debuted in the last race of the season. The Audi R15 TDI was a Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racing car that used a turbocharged diesel V10 engine and competed in various endurance races in 2009 and 2010. In 2010, the Audi R15 TDI set the current distance record for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Commercial vehicle use

The Blue Bird Corporation offers its Vision school bus with two V10 engine options, both Ford Triton units.[13]

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title: V10 engine

question: Who would benefit the most from learning about the V10 engine?

answer: People who are very interested in cars and learning about different types of engines would benefit the most from reading this article about the V10 engine. Mechanics would also benefit from reading this article.

question: For what purpose was the V10 engine made for?

answer: The V10 engine was designed for motor racing.