text:
“Where am I? Who are these people around me?” I thought to myself when I first woke up. I slowly lifted myself up and rubbed my eyes thoroughly as if there was something in them, but nothing was. I looked over; a lady kindly greeted me and handed me a folder. As soon as the folder was within my possession I knew what must be done; it was pure instinct. I immediately opened it up and read all of the information.
I remembered that my name was Bob Lamron. I am 23 years old, have neither children nor a wife; they were only given to you if you had proven yourself faithful and intelligent enough. I asked the women who handed me the folder where I was and what events had occurred that left me in this situation. She just looked at me and smiled.
Two rather large males, who appeared to be body guards disguised as physicians, led me out the front door. As soon as I walked out, a car appeared out of nowhere. From the car came a robotic voice; it addressed me by name and commanded me to enter the automobile. As I got in the car, the voice spoke again. It asked me what my home address was. I had no clue; I could not even remember if I had children 10 minutes ago. How was I supposed to answer the voice with details of my forget life? The women who had presented me with the folder, a nurse, that I had woken up next to, ran out of the building and handed me the same folder that I had left behind in the room. I opened it up and aloud, “2534 Egareva Rd.” As soon as the words had left my mouth, the taxi immediately sped off, presumably to the address.
As I saw the things I passed by I started to remember details, like I had never forgotten them at all. Trees, Birds, people, restaurants, fountains, everything! It was all flooding in as if there was a dam in my brain and it had just been ruptured without notice. We arrived at my house and I opened the front door. I walked into my room and sat down. I could not recall the events that had occurred before I woke up. It was like the dam of knowledge in my mind had been concealed. My mind had locked away any memories of the events and I could not do anything about it. The more I thought, the more my head hurt.
It felt like one of those moments when you are mid conversation with someone and another person, uninvolved in the conversation, calls your name. You stop talking in order to address the interjection of your name, but when you try to come back into the original conversation, you can’t remember what you were talking about no matter how hard you try. I sat there on my couch and tried as hard as I could to recall what had happened.
I then positioned myself so that I could see out of the window. I saw a grey, bleak world. Everything was so average, so normal. The only color people were given permission to wear were different shades of grey. The lighter your color, the higher up your social class was. I was just an average grey.
As I was thinking through all of this, my eyes were fixed upon a section of peeling paint in the right corner of my peripheral vision. For some reason I knew I was supposed to go over to it; it was like I had some kind of cosmic urge. My hand lifted from my side and I started to peel the paint. It came off fairly easily, far too easier than any paint should have, for that matter. Suddenly, I saw something concealed under the peeling paint. I knew I had to uncover it. As I tore the paint off a fit overcame me. Next thing I knew, I was tearing, ripping, and enjoying this more than anything I had enjoyed before. I was ripping everything in sight off the wall.
I stepped back and looked at my wall and there was writing everywhere. The memories started flooding back into my head of what had happened. I had uncovered something big. The government had been spiking everyone. Now they wouldn’t just bug a room, or a camera in a park to see what was going on, they were putting microphones in you. They had put chips in your brain so that they could see, think, hear, and smell everything you have ever come in contact with. Knowing I had just remembered this I knew they would be after me. I shut the blinds and closed the door in my room.
I lightly lifted a blind cover and looked out the window. I saw a slim, black, shiny car pulled up to the front of my building. The same two men who had accompanied me out of the hospital got out of the black car. I sat there shaking, wondering what I could do. The second I saw them barge in through the front door, I jumped out of my second story bedroom and landed on the pavement. My ankle buckled and I felt a sharp pain but I knew I had to get out of here and tell someone what is going on. I screamed names but no one would listen to me. I was living in a selfish world where people only cared about themselves. I gave up. I fell to the floor, my ankle throbbing, and looked at the door to my building, expecting the two men to walk through. I was doomed.
The two men eventually came out of my building and grabbed me. They didn’t say a word; all they would do is stare straight forward. Then they put me in the back of the car and drove off. It was the exact same route that led back to my house. I had only been out for an hour, at most and here I was, being dragged back.
When I got there the female nurse was sitting there with a needle filled with what appeared to be a sedative. As she inserted it in my vein, two doctors walked into the room. The first said, “Okay, begin sedation and we’ll get ready for the micro-chip reset.”
The other doctor responded, “Looks like this one didn’t turn out to well again like the last time.”
	As they finished their sentences I realized something. They have been resetting everyone until they get every single one of us to be perfect for their society. They don’t want people to have character or personality; they are just looking to create the most generic human being, like emotionless robots. As I thought this, I started to black out.
“Where am I? Who are these people around me?” I thought to myself when I first woke up. I slowly lifted myself up and rubbed my eyes thoroughly as if there was something in them, but nothing was. I looked over; a lady kindly greeted me and handed me a folder.

Criticism is why I'm here. Wrote for a creative writing class and would love some help.

title: Deja Vu

question: Summarize how the main character feels when he figures out what is happening to him.

answer: The main character, named Bob Lamron, realized too late what was happening to him. Before he gets sedated, one of the last thoughts he had was how the people sedating him were trying to make robots, people with no character or personality. They wanted to make people who would fit in their society and how he did not have a say in anything.

question: Summarize the sequence of events from when the main character woke up.

answer: When the main character woke up, he had no idea where he was or how he got there. A lady handed him a folder, which he read, and remembered his name and age. Then the main character went outside and a car appeared. The car spoke to the main character asking for his home address, and the narrator did not know. The main character went to look at his folder and found the address he was looking for. The main character went to his house, to just wake up and not be able to recall the events that has occurred before he woke up.

question: Will the main character be able to remember the events of his sedation more quickly each time he is reset?


split: train

text:
CONCORD ACADEMY, formerly named CONCORD FIRST ASSEMBLY ACADEMY (CFA ACADEMY, styled as “cfa Academy”) and FIRST ASSEMBLY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, is a private college preparatory Christian school in Concord, North Carolina. It was founded in 1976 as a part of the ministry of First Assembly Worship Center (now Multiply Church[1]). Continuing a close relationship with its home church, First Assembly Christian School became known as CFA Academy in 2013 and then Concord Academy in 2020. It offers pre-school daycare through 12th grade, with about 700 students.

In 2014, 120 churches were represented within the student body. The students come from surrounding cities such as Concord, Kannapolis, and Charlotte, and neighboring counties including Cabarrus, Rowan, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Stanly and Union County.

Curriculum

CFA Academy uses a variety of curricula to comprise its academics, including A Beka, Bob Jones, Saxon, Rosetta Stone, Cengage, Houghton Mifflin, Glencoe, and Prentice Hall. In the high school, a college-preparatory curriculum is taught in the traditional classroom setting under the leadership of certified teachers. High school students are required to take 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 4 units of Bible, 3 units of science, 3 units of social sciences, 1 unit each of health/PE and computer, and 3 units of electives for a total of 23 units for graduation. Advanced Placement and honors classes are also available for students. CFA Academy students regularly score above state and national averages on achievement and college entrance tests.

Class of 2013 graduates were accepted to several prestigious universities, including Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, University of Virginia, and Georgia Tech.

Campus

The school was located at Rockland Circle in the 1970s, though the Worship Center was relocated to its present location in 1978. The Educational Center was not completed until 1988, and the school was relocated to its present location in 1989. The current campus is home to separate elementary and high school buildings, a gymnasium, living center, worship center. 'Up the hill' is where the church, daycare, living center and lower school (K4-8th) is all located. The upper part has 3 floors. The first has a cafeteria, chorus room, reception room, an updated theater room, and a weight lifting room. On the second floor is where the daycare, chapel, a brand new café, band room, music room, and all of the elementary rooms. On the third floor there are the middle school rooms, science lab, resource center, and art rooms. The high school is located 'down the hill' on its own campus with two gymnasiums, performance stage, and a computer lab and science lab. The high school is capped around almost 300 students each year; and growing every year.

Fine arts

CFA Academy has middle and high school concert bands, a choral and drama department, and a visual art department. Students have competed in regional and national exhibitions, including the Northeast Medical Student Art Exhibit, Scholastics Art & Writing Awards, ACSI Art Shows, Band Competitions, All-County Band, All-District Band, All-State Band and the Blumey Awards.

Athletics

The sports teams of CFA Academy are called the Eagles. The school offers 12 varsity sports and also has junior varsity and middle school programs. The varsity boys basketball team has been particularly successful over some period of time, winning conference championships and state championships. The boys track team won the 2017 NCISAA 2A State Championship.

The school is a member of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association and the Metrolina Athletic Conference along with:

-   Gaston Day School – 2A
-   Northside Christian Academy – 2A
-   Gaston Christian School – 3A
-   Hickory Grove Baptist School – 3A
-   Metrolina Christian Academy – 3A
-   Southlake Christian Academy – 3A
-   Westminster Catawba Christian School – 2A[2]

CFA Academy has produced athletes that have gone on to play at NCAA Division I institutions such as Georgetown, San Francisco, Wake Forest, UAB, Toledo, UNC-Wilmington, Presbyterian, High Point, and UNC-Asheville, as well as various Division II and III and NAIA schools.

Notable alumni

-   Codi Miller-McIntyre, Adriatic League professional basketball player for KK Partizan
-   Rachel Reilly, contestant on _Big Brother 12_ in 2010 and winner of _Big Brother 13_ in 2011
-   Ish Smith, NBA professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards

Notes

Category:Christian schools in North Carolina Category:Schools in Cabarrus County, North Carolina Category:Private high schools in North Carolina Category:Private middle schools in North Carolina Category:Private elementary schools in North Carolina Category:Preparatory schools in North Carolina

[1]

[2] NCISAA Membership Information

title: Concord Academy (North Carolina)

question: What does the story say about Concord Academy?

answer: Concord Academy was formerly known as Concord First Assembly Academy. It was founded in 1976 as a part of the ministry of the First Assembly Worship Center. The students come from surrounding cities such as Concord, Kannapolis, and Charlotte, and neighboring counties including Cabarrus, Rowan, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Stanly, and Union County.

question: What does the story say about the curriculum in the CFA?

answer: CFA Academy uses a variety of curricula to comprise its academics, including A Beka, Bob Jones, Saxon, Rosetta Stone, Cengage, Houghton Mifflin, Glencoe, and Prentice-Hall. High school students are required to take 4 units of English, Mathematics, units of Bible, and 3 units of science, social science, and electives. They are also required to take 1 unit each of health/PE and computer.

question: What does the story say about the campus of CFA?

answer: The school was located at Rockland Circle in the 1970s. The Educational Center was not completed until 1988. The high school is capped around almost 300 students each year and growing every year.

question: What does the text say about running a school?


text:
HENRY RAYMOND SELDEN (1821–1865) from Vermont, was an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War, and in service on the frontiers and then in the Union Army during the American Civil War in New Mexico Territory.

Early career

Henry Raymond Selden was born in Bennington, Vermont on March 14, 1821. He was appointed Cadet from there to the United States Military Academy at West Point from July 1, 1839, to July 1, 1843 when he graduated 31st of 39 in his class. Promoted in the Army to Brevet Second Lieutenant, 1st Infantry Regiment serving at his first post at Fort Snelling, from 1843 to 1846. Promoted Second Lieutenant, 5th Infantry Regiment, March 25, 1846 he went to Mexico, where he was engaged in the Battle of Monterey, September 21‑23, 1846, — and Siege of Vera Cruz, March 9‑29, 1847, and was promoted First Lieutenant, 5th Infantry, September 8, 1847. [1]

Antibellum service on the frontiers

He was assigned to the garrison at East Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1848, then on frontier duty at Fort Washita, Indian Territory from 1848 to 1851. While there he served as Aide-de-camp to Brevet Brigadier General William G. Belknap from May 20 to October 10, 1851. He next served at Fort Belknap, Texas, 1851‑52, then was on recruitment duty from 1852 to 1854.[2] Sometime during his time as Lieutenant he had married Mary Alice Selden who died at the age of 29, in January, 1854.[3]

Selden returned to Texas frontier duty at Fort McIntosh, from 1854 to 1855 and Ringgold Barracks in 1855, serving as Adjutant, 5th Infantry, from May 1 to October 18, 1855. From that date promoted Captain, 5th Infantry, he returned to Ft. McIntosh from 1855 to 1856. From 1856 to 1857 he was in Florida involved with hostilities against the Seminole Indians in the area around Fort Myers. Then he served in garrison at Jefferson Barracks, before joining the Utah Expedition and being on frontier duty in Utah from 1857 to 1860. In the autumn of 1860, the 5th Regiment marched south into New Mexico Territory for operations against the Navajos. Selden served at Fort Defiance, and Fort Fauntleroy, in 1860, Fort Defiance, in 1860‑61, in Edward Canby's Navajo Expedition and again Fort Fauntleroy in 1861.[4][5]

American Civil War in New Mexico

With the secession crisis in New Mexico Territory, resulting in the formation of Confederate Arizona, Selden was sent to command and defend Fort Craig with five companies of the 5th Infantry Regiment from August 14, 1861 to January 31, 1862. Fort Craig blocked the approach to Union held New Mexico from Confederate Arizona up the Rio Grande or Jornada del Muerto. It was a base for the operations of detachments of Mounted Riflemen and New Mexico Volunteers.[6][7] As Sibley's New Mexico Campaign began, Selden was made Captain in command of Regiment in Operations in New Mexico, from January 31, 1862 to September 23, 1863. He led a battalion of four companies of the 5th Infantry Regiment garrison of Fort Craig in the Battle of Valverde.[8] He was also in the Action of Pigeon's Ranch, March 28, 1862. Selden was involved in scouting the retreating Confederate Army, from March 31 to May, 1862 and was involved in the Action of Peralta, April 14, 1862, that forced the Confederate retreat down the relatively barren and waterless west bank of the Rio Grande.[9]

Selden was back at Fort Craig, from May to August 14, 1862, then at Belen, New Mexico, from August 31 to September 29, 1862 and finally at Fort Marcy, from 1862 to September 23, 1863. While at Fort Marcy he was promoted Major, of the U. S. Thirteenth Infantry Regiment on July 1, 1863 but remained in New Mexico Territory, appointed Superintendent of Recruiting Service and the Disbursing Officer for the Department of New Mexico, at Santa Fé, from September 1863 to April 25, 1864. On that later date Selden was promoted Colonel of 1st New Mexico Volunteer Infantry, Reorganized, in charge of Operations in New Mexico until February 2, 1865, the date of his death at Fort Union.[10]

Death and legacy

Selden died of an illness in at Fort Union, aged 44, on February 2, 1865.[11] He was first buried at Fort Union, and when that post was closed his grave was moved to Santa Fe National Cemetery. Fort Selden was named for him soon after his death when that fort was established.[12][13][14]

A cenotaph was also erected in Old Bennington Cemetery, Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont memorializing Col Henry Raymond Selden and his wife when he was a Lieutenant, Mary Alice Selden who died on January 15, 1854, aged 29 years.[15]

[1]

[2]

[3] Mary Alice Selden

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13] Col Henry Raymond Selden in the U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current from search.ancestry.com accessed December 21, 2016.

[14] Col Henry Raymond Selden from findagrave.com accessed December 21, 2016.

[15] [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Selden&GSfn=Henry+&GSmn=R&GSby=1821&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1865&GSdyrel=in&GSst=49&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=13245193&df=all& Col Henry Raymond Selden] from findagrave.com accessed December 21, 2016.

title: Henry Raymond Selden

question: Where was Henry Raymond Selden buried?

answer: He died at Fort Union and was buried there. When the post was closed his grave was moved to the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Fort Selden was named for him soon after his death when the fort was established.

question: Summarize all the information relating the Henry Raymond Selden's career before the American Civil War.

answer: Selden was deployed to Mississippi in 1848. He then moved to frontier duty at Fort Washita for 3 years. During this time he worked as Aide-de-Camp to General Belknap. Selden did recruitment service for 2 years. He returned to Texas in 1854 for frontier duty. He was promoted to Captain and returned to Fort McIntosh for 2 years. He then moved to Florida to join hostilities against the Seminole Indians. He joined the Utah expedition for frontier duty for 3 years. Afterward, in 1860, Selden served in Edward Canby's Navajo Expedition.

question: Summarize all the information relating the Henry Raymond Selden's career during the American Civil War.

answer: Selden was sent to command Fort Craig with 5 companies in 1861. He led a batallion of 4 companies in the Battle of Valverde. He was also in the Action of Pigeon's Ranch in 1862. Selden was involved in the Action of Peralta that forced the Confederate retreat down the Rio Grande. He moved to Fort Craig, then to Belen and finally to Fort Marcy. There he was promoted to Major. He was appointed Superintendent Recruiting Services and the Disbursing Officer for the Department of New Mexico in 1863. In 1864 Selden was promoted Colonel in charge of Operations in New Mexico until his death at Fort Union.

question: Was Henry Raymond Snelden married?

answer: Yes, he was married. Information is not given on how long he was married. His wife when she was 29 years old. Her name was Mary Alice Selden.

question: What is the relationship between Bennington, Vermont and Henry Raymond Snelden?

answer: He was born in Vermont, possibly in or close to Bennington. A cenotaph was erected in Old Bennington Cemetery, Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont memorializing Colonel Henry Raymond Selden and his wife Mary Alice Selden.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Henry Raymond Selden from Vermont, was an officer in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War, and in service on the Indian frontiers and then in the Union Army during the American Civil War in New Mexico Territory.


text:
***House of Ypres***

     Everything was falling apart; the walls were melting, the roofs were blown away, the ground was littered with decaying wood and the scent of burning flesh. The scene was devastating for all those who would come across it in the near future – though I didn’t suspect that anyone would vacation here anytime soon. I just sat there dumbfounded, and staring at the destroyed surroundings that vaguely resembled the life I had just yesterday. However fate was cruel, and so were the Angels.
     As I sat there on the verge of tears there was a noise. It was a soft, faint wailing coming from somewhere nearby. I could almost pinpoint the direction but the noise was far too quiet for me to be exact, so I just started walking in the approximate area of the sad sound. The noise stopped and I was about to turn around and start looking elsewhere until it started again.
     Maybe I shouldn’t say it started *again*. This noise was so completely different than the soft cries I heard just moments ago. This sound was terrifying and ear-piercing, and it almost seemed to be saying *hurry, why is it taking so long for you to find me?* Suddenly all my senses were sharp and strong and now the location of the loud, urgent sound became obvious. I rushed over to a pile of wood that had somehow managed to escape unburned, but torn beyond repair. I moved the top wooden plank and a bright lighted shined up at my unsuspecting face.
     This light was violet and warm. It reminded me of the caring embrace of a loved family member after not having seen each other for a long period of time.
     “What in the world…” I trailed off as the light shone brighter and started to move. It began to stir and shift as if it were some living creature that the light had created, and as it turns out, it was. A little silver feline with a black tipped tail emerged, and when it was completely free it jumped off of the pile of rubble and sat on the packed dirt. It looked at me simply, as if it hadn’t just come out of a floating ball of purple light. I turned my attention back to the light – and rightly so for it began to move, rising upwards until it was at eye level with me. Out of nowhere, and without any warning signs, the light flared up to what I had to assume was full brightness, and then started fading until it had fully disappeared.
     Totally stunned and unsure of how to proceed, I turned to the little silver cat who was still staring at me as if it were expecting something. This was all too weird so I had decided to start walking. I didn’t have anywhere to go and I didn’t even know which direction was north, but I didn’t really care.  I just wanted to be anywhere but here. Everyone I knew and everything I cherished had been blown to smithereens.
     I walked through a puddle, and heard something splash through it, a few paces behind me. With liquid rimming my eyes I turned around and furiously stomped my way over to the fragile looking animal that was no more than five feet away from me. With each footstep a cloud of dust surrounded my feet, and when I came to a stop, the dust settled.
     “What do you want from me, huh?” I practically screamed at the cat. “I can’t feed you or take care of you. I don’t even know what you are! So stop following me!”
     I had to stop, take a breath, and wipe away the tears that had fallen without my permission. I knew that the poor cat had nothing to do with the current circumstances of my village or myself but I needed someone or something to blame, something to scream at. *I just need someone to tell me that this feeling won’t last forever and that things will go back to normal soon*, I thought.
     “So basically you want someone to lie to you,” the cat responded in a somewhat uninterested fashion.
     “That’s not what I mea—” I stopped abruptly. That cat just *responded* to me. What’s more, it responded to my *thoughts*. It took everything I had not to pass out right then and there; I even grabbed my stomach thinking that I was definitely going to lose my lunch.
     “Oh stop being a wuss,” it mumbled under its breath. “My name is Sinister and I am one of the most highly respected female felines in the Kingdom.
     My head was spinning out of control; I had lost my tongue, and my ability to move and everything seemed so far away. I was too confused, too stunned by all of this that I couldn’t function in the slightest.
     “What’s wrong?” Sinister asked chuckling to herself. “Cat got your tongue?”
     Somehow that tasteless joke was what triggered my body to start again, though I was still a little shaky.
     “I’m dreaming,” I said softly. “That’s all.”
     “Oh, c’mon,” she chimed, “A dream? That’s so cliché. No dear, I’m real, and so are the Angels who sent me.”
     “Angels?” my head perked up. Finally something familiar, something I knew, although it wasn’t necessarily a good thing. The Angels are evil. *They bombed my village*, I thought angrily.
     “No, no, no,” she shook her head furiously. “You better be careful what you think dear, they hear it all.”
     I turned and started walking again. I didn’t care what ‘they’ heard, I was angry and broken and I would think whatever I wanted. Besides it would be indecent to look into others thoughts.
     “The Angels who sent me are the real Angels,” Sinister continued. “The ‘Angels’ here are nothing but humans with unique powers that create chaos and destruction and pass themselves off as immortals. It wasn’t a bad idea, only now the real Angels are upset.”
     For the umpteenth time today I was completely lost. The real Angels? There’s only one group of Angels, they ruled this place, and they’re evil. I thought I was so sure about this fact, so why did I suddenly doubt what I knew? I sat down on the hard ground and leaned on the side of a house that now, literally, only had one side.
     “Listen, that purple ball of light wasn’t just light, it was power,” she said quickly, obviously taking advantage of the doubt that she most definitely read in my thoughts. “I came out of it but I’m not the only thing it was carrying. They gave you a gift.”
     “No, they gave me a talking, mind-reading cat,” I threw back at her.
     “They gave you an *intelligent*, talking, mind-reading cat,” she corrected. “And that’s not all they gave you. I said the light was power, don’t you want to know where that power disappeared to?”
     I didn’t. I really didn’t want to know any more than I already did. This was far too much for me to handle alone – but who would I tell? Nothing was normal anymore, so maybe it would be better to adapt. I was also a little curious. I shook my head.
     “Where did it go?” I asked, clearly not actually wanting an answer.
     “The power went into you,” she said softly as if not to break the thin layer of calm that I wrapped around myself, and she was right to do so.
     I froze, also afraid of disturbing not only my mask of calm but my sanity which was currently hanging in the balance. *Power?* I thought, *but why?*
     At this the cat flicked her tail and gave me a smile that made me understand exactly why they called her Sinister, “For revenge of course.”

title: I'm a grade 10 art school student looking for some positive criticism on my short story about a cat.

question: What is the setting of the story?

answer: The story takes place in a village that has been bombed and destroyed by the Angels, humans with unique powers that create chaos and destruction.

question: What does the narrator see that cause them to say, "What in the world..."?

answer: The narrator sees a warm, violet light that contains a small silver cat.

question: What does the cat do?

answer: The cat has the ability to read the narrator's thoughts; the cat talks to the narrator. The cat informs the narrator that the real angels sent her to help. The angels also sent power for the narrator. The power is meant for revenge.

question: Is there conflict? Is it resolved?

answer: The conflict is that all of the narrator's loved ones have been killed by the Angels. The narrator receives power from real angels; she is to use the power for revenge.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator is the sole survivor of her bombed village. It was destroyed by the Angels, humans with unique powers that create chaos and destruction. A cat, sent by real angels, who has the ability to read the narrator's thoughts talks to the narrator. The real angels also sent power for the narrator. The power is meant for revenge.


text:
Your horse veers left only narrowly avoiding the rather large rosewood shrub.  Just in time it sees the scaredly defensive rattlesnake arching back and preparing to strike the horses legs.  Instinctively, and with no signal from you, the white mare jumps over the coil of snake.  Bang.  Bang.  Bang.  You free several rounds from their casings in the direction of the rustlers.

With look of stern grimace, you drive your spurs into the sides of your beast.  Harder.  Faster.  You push the horse, racing after the cattle thieves.  The warm air rushes past you.  It catches your broad brimmed hat and whisks it away onto the ground.  Never mind the hat, it’s gone.  You can’t see them for the palpable cloud of dust thrown into the air by their beasts but you know they number six.

Glancing back, you turn your head to see the two men on their mounts beside you.   That’s strange.  A look of combined adrenaline induced enthusiasm and fear is readily strewn across their faces.  Normally inexpressive masks, to make any poker player jealous, were characteristic of these old ranchers.  The fear, you decide, is likely the result of them thinking about the near off confrontation with the rustlers.  They are probably considering their wives and children back at their respective homes.
Not you though.  You’ve never had much time to take a wife.  Most of your time is spent lonesome as you wander the dirty, dusty plains of Texas.  It’s not that you’ve never thought about it, though.  There’s that one pretty young girl who works in town at the drug store beside the farriers workshop.  You often buy your tobacco from that drug store; even though it costs slightly more than if you were to purchase it from the saloon or the general store.  But you do it anyway because it’s not often a vagabond finds a reason to speak to such a pretty girl.  You can see her now.  With that long raven hair and those hazel eyes perched above her daintily freckled cheeks.  She flashes that shy smile every time you enter the store, the embodiment of perfection.

Bang.  Old John fires his pistol unnervingly close to your ear as he urges his beast past yours, and at a pace any sane man would consider too much for the sharp decline in the approaching ground.  But John doesn’t care.  Faster he pushes his horse, with reckless indifference to its or his own safety.  He was always crazier than a nesting pit viper in the middle of June, ole John.  You are going to put an end to the stealing and dealing of this gang once and for all.  Whether blood need be shed or not, this will end today.

The cattle bandits have yielded.  Side by side, the three of you take up arms and begin to exchange blasts as you blaze a wide circle around the six.  Knees locking the side of your horse, you fire shots from both of your double actions simultaneously.  One of the bandits falls from his still horse.  That makes five over three now.  But soon after John takes a shot to the shoulder, falls to the side of his mount and jerks the reigns pulling the tan beast around into a sharp stop.  Then falls the third rancher along with his horse, both of them riddled with lead.

Click.  Click.  Click.  You have expelled the final bullet from your pistols.  The bandits realize this and cease firing.  There's no rush.  The larger oafish one says something under his breath and two of them laugh as he awkwardly dismounts his beast.  You bring your horse to a stop, as you place the sixth bullet into your second revolver, about a hundred yards from the thieves.   You give the cylinder a small spin.  Click click click click click, and with an effortless flick of your wrist it snaps back into position.  Tick, one hammer is drawn.  Tick, the second hammer is extended.  You stare at your pistols.  Absolutely beautiful.  Those pearl white handles are something else.  Cost you a God damn fortune from that little shop way up in Utah, but that’s alright.  The magnificent craftsmanship was certainly worth it.

One hundred yards from the five remaining bandits.  An easy shot for a semi skilled rifle.  And young Billy was more than a semi skilled rifle.  Much more.  A God damn hawkeye the kid was.   Known throughout much of Texas and even up into most parts of Utah for his sharpshooting.  With a reputation stretches as far as that you know a man is good at what he does.  This punk kid, no older than twenty and riding with a no name gang of common cattle thieves lead by Sticky Pete.

He tilted the hat back, lifting the brim up out of his way.  You could just see Billy’s thumb rise, ever so slightly adjusting the vertical height of the rear sight of his Sharpe rifle.  His cheek rested timidly beside the thumb on the wooden stock.  Never before have you felt like this.  A completely indelible feeling of a sheer and utter lack of hope and power.

Bang.

title: Cattle Rustlers

question: Describe Billy.

answer: Billy is a teenager, known throughout the land for being a legendary shot. He is called a "punk kid" in the story. He happens to be riding with these random bandits. When the main character of the story sees the boy raise his rifle, he feels despair because he knows he is going to die.

question: What is the theme of perfection in the story?

answer: The narrator remembers a perfect girl he once knew. He describes her features in detail. Later the same imagery is used to refer to the rifles the narrator owns and which they went to great effort to get from a shop in Utah. This reflects an intertwined theme of love and death, and foreshadows the narrator's death at the end of the story.


text:
I am locked inside, imprisoned from a world I wish to discover, held captive by blood. Mountains of text and words barricade the path, and shackles of authority bind me to my cell. Windows close their eyes, blinded by a dim light that shadows dare to touch as time stands still, scribing years of solitude. Piercing pains grip my hand, struggling to write myself free, eyes dash around, desperate to replenish their colour, seeking salvation from the black and white hell. Ears evolve and adapt, adjusted to seize the slightest sound, only to be teased by the melody of silence.

I close my eyes, allowing darkness to shroud my mind. Tension magnifies, building a vice, gradually crushing my head. Legs of stallions race against my skull, conceiving earthquakes that ripple along the surface as veins drown in a relentless pulse, like a countdown to an explosion. Eye lids slowly rise, like curtains, lifting a blanket of darkness, inviting a flicker of light that penetrates the corner of my sight, causing my torso to pivot violently, like a predator hunting its prey, acting on instinct.

A handle smiles, its gleam so seductive, enticing me to touch. I raise my hand, clutching its cold metal skin, turning my wrist mindlessly. Hinges scream as light slowly intrudes, scaring the shadows and flooding the floor. I look for the source and find a television, shouting through the living room, painting pictures of blood, its crimson curse smeared over the streets, people howling and squealing, tears leaking like waterfalls, drowning in misery, attempting to wash the sorrow, with fear stitched into wounds and the glistening lights of the city lost under the wings of eclipse.

Visions of what I could encounter. The dangers, even the illuminating shine of justice’s medal cannot stop, tainted with the blood of innocence. Documentaries of cities, illustrating their magnificence, while having neglect for the poor, propel puncturing wounds that shred my humanity, victims of the night, feasting on their body heat as they mourn over isolation, only to be comforted by a street lamp that donates a golden coat upon their back, revealing valleys of shadows along their body and the imprisoned bones that try to escape, strangled by skin.

Leaving my room, I felt freedom, its sweet taste striking my heart like a heavy drum, echoing throughout my body, ricocheting to every muscle. Yet I was afraid. Afraid of what I had witnessed, afraid of consequences, the judgement I would receive if I were to be caught, an eternal sentence, stretching time itself. Sweat began to crawl down my face, creating rivers, alarming the hairs on my body to flee, left standing on ends, anchored and trapped by goose bumps. A drop of sweat leaped off the edge of my chin, shattering on the ground, a guillotine, severing the heart beats, silencing the drums.

Soft voices drag me towards them, like a marionette, unable to control my movements. I stop before two sets of eyes, their bitter gaze condemn my soul. Immobilised, frightened, too scared to run. Thousands of words can be heard being bashed into my ears, but not a word was said. The suffocating pressure locked and tightened every limb, trapping a breath of air that twisted my lungs with every second. I cringed in anticipation.

Delicate arms wrapped around me, followed by two adamant pillars. Their warmth became embedded into my body, releasing the strings and thoughts, creating an empty vessel. My muscles relaxed, dropping their weight like a feather, ready to dance with the wind, held to the ground by the warm embrace. I felt light.

The purpose of my confinement came clear, and with it the lost feeling that I learnt to forget, crippling my emotions and posture, bestowing tears that quenched the thirst of my desert brown eyes, the realisation of what I was a part of, the protection I was too blind to see, a mother, a father, a family that loved.

I am locked inside, protected from a world I wish to discover.

title: Locked Inside

question: Summarize the main source of tension in the story.

answer: The main character feels like a prisoner in his home, being protected by his mother and father. The purpose of this confinement is to keep him safe from the atrocities happening outside. Although the narrator feels suffocating pressure and a bitter gaze when his parents look at him, when they hug him he feels light and grounded by the warm embrace.

question: Summarize what the story says about this family unit.

answer: A mother and father live with their growing son and protects him continually more from the outside world. They learn frightening things on television and use this to keep their son locked inside. He desperately wants to experience the world outside and sees his living situation as a prison that he cannot escape from. When he looks in his parent's eyes he sees a bitter gaze, but when they hug him his muscles relax and he feels grounded.

question: Summarize how the main character changes over the story.

answer: The main character is being held captive by blood, by mountains of text and words, and authority. He writes to feel freedom but his hand aches; he closes his eyes and his mind starts to race. He opens his eyes, and opens the door to see the television playing scenes of mass destruction in the living room. He feels afraid of the consequences and the lifetime sentence that he could receive. His mother calls him and he goes to meet her. He feels his parents' bitter gaze and becomes frightened, but when they hug him he relaxes. He realizes the purpose of his confinement is to protect him.

question: Summarize all the information relating to the mother and father in the story.


text:
“Nine steps down the road and turn left at the old house.”  I kept repeating those words in my head.  It was like a song or a rhyme that bounced around my head refusing to leave through any of the normal channels.  “Nine steps down the road and turn left at the old house.”  Who said that?  I might be able to remember but those damn words are too distracting.  The echo is deafening and trying to think about anything else just makes it even louder.  “Nine steps down the road and turn left at the old house.” If I could just remember where I heard that, I might be able to…

The car smashes against my body and my body against the car, as much as a car would care about a few hundred pounds of flesh, water, and crunchy bits stuff in an odd looking package whacking against it‘s metal construction.  My gut immediately registers the damage, followed by the quick and utter collapse of my spleen.  I’m fairly certain it was my spleen at least,  I am not horribly good at anatomy and a car crash seems an inappropriate time for brushing up on the subject.  The fact I am broken is quite clear, if not from the pain, then perhaps from the blood exiting my body from the hole in my stomach or perhaps the blood spraying on my vehicular executioner when I cough. The car stopped.  Did I mention the car stopped?  The driver sure was nice to stop for me.  Would have been nicer if it occurred before I started bleeding, but it’s the thought that counts.  Oh god, it hurts.  I’m supposed to be in shock.  When you get hit by a car and have a giant hole in your stomach, you get to go to your happy place where all the Playboy bunnies bring me drinks and tell me how I was always better than Hugh, but I can still feel the pain.  There isn’t pain at the Playboy Mansion, but I’m not at the Playboy Mansion.  I’m in the middle of the street.  I’m in the middle of the street and I’m dying.  I can see people around me, sirens in the distance.  I wonder if they will save me.  I think the man who hit me is standing over me but everything is a bit blurry.  I would try to talk but my body has prioritized coughing up blood ahead of casual conversation.

The man leans over me and I think he is smiling.  He can’t be smiling.  He hit me with a car.  He doesn’t get to smile.  I don’t care if I was an idiot for cross the street when there was traffic, you don’t get to smile at me!  The sirens have gone silent.  Did I go deaf? I’m losing my grasp on everything.  Ah.  I see the shock has kicked in and I don’t feel anything now.  I can’t hear, I can’t feel, and unless it became night really quickly I think I might be losing my vision.  My body doesn’t want me to know I’m dying.  It doesn’t want to die.  I don’t. I don’t want to die.  I just keep thinking…keep thinking…I remember now. Nine steps down the road and turn left at the old house.  Nine steps down the road and turn left at the old house.  Nine steps down the road….

title: Nine Steps

question: Describe the personality and character of the narrator.

answer:
The narrator, having been involved in a major and fatal accident, is reacting very candidly to the event. As such, the dialogue given in the narrative can be used as a reliable indication of their personality.

First off, the narrator is male who has the sense of trying to humor himself in the midst of a crisis. He questions not being in his happy place, and actually talks about what it is in detail, in stark contrast to the reality that his mind has not gone to a happy place to spare him from the pain of the accident. In addition to this, he is the kind of man who thinks being pampered by girls in sexy bunny outfits is a nice thing.

The narrator is also inclined to mildly sarcastic humor, as seen in how he interprets the facial expression of the man who leans over him. The narrator's reaction to the smile, his self depreciation at blaming himself for the accident, and even the way he expresses self-awareness regarding what is happening show that he has a funny and pointed way with words.

His reaction to the realization the he is truly dying is a juxtaposition of being in denial and bitter acceptance. He wants to hold on to life, to not die, and this makes him very much any living thing that is trying to survive.


text:
A ESTRADA is a municipality of the Pontevedra province in Galicia in northwestern Spain. It is located some southeast of Santiago de Compostela.

Etymology

The name comes from the Latin word _strata_, with the meaning of _trodden earth, where one walks, I walk_. In fact, two paths crossed in the main square: from south to north up a path from Terra de Montes, Ourense and Portugal, where the herdsmen and pilgrims going to Santiago de Compostela passed; and east to west, from the lands of Deza, Trasdeza and the interior of Galicia, where herdsmen headed to the coast.

History

Tabeirós jurisdiction stems from the days of the Swabian King Miro in the sixth century and is mentioned in the Chronicon Iriense as belonging to the diocese of Iria. In the twelfth century, the archbishop of Santiago Gelmírez and King Alfonso VII of Castile exchanged land between Tabeirós, Tabeirolos and the Faro fort, passing the first into the possession of the Compostela miter. This jurisdiction covered the whole current City of A Estrada, except for the parishes of Vea, until 1840. This is the year in which the City Council and the judicial district of A Estrada were created (now the capital of the judicial district comprises the municipalities of A Estrada, Forcarei and Cerdedo).

Three years earlier, because of the clashes between absolutists and liberals, the town hall of Tabeirós moved from Cereixo to the site of A Estrada, formed by four houses at a crossroads between the parishes of Figueroa, Ouzande and Guimarei.

In the early 20th century, the town was described as follows:

  [A Estrada] is the chief town of a densely populated mountainous district; its industries are agriculture, stockbreeding, and the manufacture of linen and woollen cloth. Timber from the mountain forests is conveyed from Estrada to the Ulla River, 4 miles north, and thence floated down to the sea ports on Arousa Bay. There are mineral springs at A Estrada and at Caldas de Reis, 11 miles west-southwest.[1]

[1]

title: A Estrada

question: What does "etymology" mean?

answer: It means the origin of a word.

question: To which diocese fors Tabeiros jurisdiction belong?

answer: It belongs to the diocese of Iria.

question: What is the topography of the landscape of Estrada?

answer: It is a mountainous area.

question: Are there a lot of people in Estrada, per area?

answer: It is said to be densely populated.


text:
    “Hey Ricky, can I have the last of the Oreos?”

    “As long as I can have the last Twinkie.”

    “It’s a deal!”

Jon bit down into the last of the delectable little morsels, savoring its sweet and creamy inside. The cookie was sweet and beautiful, a delicious respite from the chaos outside. He knew damn well it was likely to be the last Oreo he would ever taste.

Although their sweets were running low, their supply of other foods was another story. Living inside of a Wal-Mart had its benefits. And its own set of problems…

    The door, a gateway to the outside world and all its disgusting
                               remnants.

Ricky was preparing for his morning jog outside of Aisle 12. Regardless of what conditions were like outside, staying in shape was always a good idea. As he stretched, Jon came shuffling over in a lethargic state. Wearing nothing but boxers and a white t-shirt, you could never have guessed he was standing in the middle of a Wal-Mart at the end of days. His common and relaxed demeanor ceded nothing to the knowledge of the apocalypse in which they were now living.

    The door, hastily welded shut and barricaded with simple grocery
                                carts.

Ricky lay silent in his makeshift bed, his mind cramped and hazy. As he stared off into space, he could hear the sounds of trees slapping the sides of the grocery store. The wind was howling, and as the rains buffeted the parking lot outside, a crash of thunder could be heard, somewhere far off in the distance.  The rain and the wind created a dull humming, both broad and low. Ricky hadn’t been able to sleep properly in weeks. Jon, on the other hand, seemed calm and stable. He fell asleep just moments after his head smashed into his pillow. Ricky lay there awake, thinking about life. About survival. About the door.

    The door, the breaking point of their defenses against the world
                                outside.

    “30….31…..32….33 boxes of cereal ”

    “Got it.”

    “1…..2……3….4….5…6….7….8….9…10….11 boxes of nutra-grain bars.”

    “Kay……got it.”

    “1……2…..3…..”

    The door, thin panes of glass across its surface.

Jon was refilling the gas in the generator when he heard it. The sound of breaking glass followed by a guttural moaning. They had come.

    The door, the breaking point of their spirits.

The apocalypse had come to greet them. Death awaited with open arms.

    The door.

title: Mundane

question: WHy hasn't Ricky been able to sleep properly?

answer: He is anxious about the ongoing apocalypse and their safety.

question: Why are the supplies of Twinkies and Oreos not replenished?

answer: Because there is an apocalypse going on outside.

question: How long would Ricky and Jon have survived if the door hadn't broken?

answer: Until they ran out of food.

question: What made Wal-Mart an ideal place for Ricky and Jon to stay during the apocalypse?

answer: The ready supply of food and other provisions.


text:
BLASCO DE GARAY (1500–1552) was a Spanish navy captain and inventor.

De Garay was a captain in the Spanish navy in the reign of the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. He made several important inventions, including diving apparatus, and introduced the paddle wheel as a substitute for oars. In the nineteenth century, a Spanish archivist claimed to have discovered documents that showed that de Garay had tested a steam-powered ship in 1543.[1] However, these claims have been discredited by the Spanish authorities.[2]

Biography

There is no record of Blasco de Garay's birth or of his familial connections except for the mention in his memorial of an older brother, a Diego de Alarcon, who lost his life as an army captain in Italy. At the time there were several people of the Garay name who distinguished themselves in letters and in the military service who seem to have been from the minor nobility in the Castilian city of Toledo. That his brother's name was in the Castilian form “Diego” (James) supports a Castilian origin. The most plausible account is that he was an impoverished minor nobleman, educated in letters, who out of necessity went into the King's service but, as he wrote, dedicated himself to the sciences and invention.

Inventions

Garay himself sent the emperor a document setting out eight inventions which included:[3]

1.  A way to recover vessels underwater, even if they were submerged a hundred fathoms deep, with only the aid of two men.
2.  An apparatus by which anyone could be submerged under water indefinitely
3.  Another device to detect objects on the seabed with the naked eye.
4.  A way to keep a light burning underwater.
5.  A way to sweeten brackish water.

Steamship controversy

The attribution to Blasco de Garay of the testing of a steam engine made on a boat in the port of Barcelona was claimed in 1825 by Tomás González, director of the royal archives of Simancas, to the distinguished historian Martín Fernández Navarrete. González stated that in a file he had found, there is documentation endorsing a test conducted June 17, 1543[4] by the Naval Captain and Engineer of the navy of Charles V of a navigation system with no sails or oars containing a _large copper of boiling water_. Navarrete published González's account in 1826 in _Baron de Zach's Astronomical Correspondence_.[5] The letter from González to Martín Fernández Navarrete is as follows:

    "Blasco de Garay, a captain in the navy, proposed in 1543, to the Emperor and King, Charles the Fifth, a machine to propel large boats and ships, even in calm weather, without oars or sails. In spite of the impediments and the opposition which this project met with, the Emperor ordered a trial to be made of it in the port of Barcelona, which in fact took place on the 17th on the month of June, of the said year 1543. Garay would not explain the particulars of his discovery: it was evident however during the experiment that it consisted in a large copper of boiling water, and in moving wheels attached to either side of the ship. The experiment was tried on a ship of two hundred tons, called the _Trinidad_, which came from Colibre to discharge a cargo of corn at Barcelona, of which Peter de Scarza was captain. By order of Charles V, Don Henry de Toledo the governor, Don Pedro de Cordova the treasurer Ravago, and the vice chancellor, and intendant of Catalonia witnessed the experiment. In the reports made to the emperor and to the prince, this ingenious invention was generally approved, particularly on account of the promptness and facility with which the ship was made to go about.
    The treasurer Ravago, an enemy to the project, said that the vessel could be propelled two leagues in three hours that the machine was complicated and expensive and that there would be an exposure to danger in case the boiler should burst. The other commissioners affirmed that the vessel tacked with the same rapidity as a galley maneuvered in the ordinary way, and went at least a league an hour.
    "As soon as the experiment was made Garay took the whole machine with which he had furnished the vessel, leaving only the wooden part in the arsenal at Barcelona, and keeping all the rest for himself.
    “In spite of Ravago's opposition, the invention was approved, and if the expedition in which Charles the Vth was then engaged had not prevented, he would no doubt have encouraged it. Nevertheless, the emperor promoted the inventor one grade, made him a present of two hundred thousand maravedis, and ordered the expense to be paid out of the treasury, and granted him besides many other favors.”[6][7][8]

    “This account is derived from the documents and original registers kept in the Royal Archives of Simancas, among the commercial papers of Catalonia, and from those of the military and naval departments for the said year, 1543.” Simancas, August 27, 1825, .[9][10]

Steamboats were in fact not introduced to Spain until 1817.[11] _Real Fernando_, launched in 1817 and which plied the Guadalquivir River from Sevilla to Sanlucar, was probably the first steamboat built in Spain. She was joined by PS _Hope_, built at Bristol in 1813.[12]

The belated claims made on behalf of Blasco de Garay have since been discredited by the Spanish authorities.[13]

The failure to find documentation confirming that letter led to a controversy between French and Spanish scholars.[14] The issue gained such popularity that Honoré de Balzac wrote a comedy, made of five acts,[15] with the theme as an argument entitled _Les Ressources de Quinola_[16] which premiered in Paris on March 19, 1842 and which tended to be sympathetic to the Spanish claim.[17][18]

[1]

[2] Museo Naval, Catálogo guia del Museo Naval de Madrid, IX edición, Madrid, 1945, page 128.

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11] M.M.del Marmol. “Idea de los Barcos de vapor”, Sanlucar, 1817.

[12] G.E.Farr,“West Country Passenger Steamers”, London, 1956, page 14.

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

title: Blasco de Garay

question: What are the greatest accomplishments of Blasco de Garay?

answer: Blasco de Garay lived from 1500 to 1552. He was an inventor as well as a navy captain. As an inventor, he made several valuable inventions, the greatest of which was introducing paddle wheel as a substitution for oars. Garay planned other inventions (some of which were never realized) like: how to sweeten Brackish water as well as a way to keep light burning under water. Garay was said to have been the first to create a steam engine for ships in the 1500s, but that claim has been discredited by the Spanish authorities.


text:
_SUPERIOR DONUTS_ is an American sitcom television series based on the play of the same name by Tracy Letts that aired on CBS from February 2, 2017 to May 14, 2018. The series was produced by Daily Productions, Goldman-Donovan Productions, Teitelbaum Artists in association with CBS Television Studios, with Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan serving as showrunners.

On March 23, 2017, CBS renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on October 30, 2017.[1][2] On November 27, 2017, CBS ordered an additional eight episodes for the second season, bringing the total to 21 episodes.[3] On May 12, 2018, CBS cancelled the series after two seasons and 34 episodes.[4]

Synopsis

The series revolves around the relationship between donut shop owner Arthur Przybyszewski (Judd Hirsch), his new young employee, Franco Wicks (Jermaine Fowler), and the shop's various patrons in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. With the donut shop struggling financially, Franco makes suggestions for improvement and modernization to the sometimes reluctant Arthur. Superior Donuts' supportive regulars include loyal patron Randy (Katey Sagal), a cop whose late father was Arthur's best friend; in season one only, her over-eager rookie partner, James (Darien Sills-Evans); Tush (David Koechner), a colorful customer who uses the shop counter as a makeshift office where he keeps tabs on a variety of odd jobs via fax machine; in season one only, Maya (Anna Baryshnikov), a privileged grad-school student working on her Ph. D; and Sweatpants (Rell Battle), Franco's longtime friend who's willing to dress as a donut to help drum up more business. Looking to cash in on the urban renewal is Arthur's over-caffeinated neighbor, aspiring real estate capitalist Fawz (Maz Jobrani), who pushes Arthur on a daily basis to sell the building to him. Season two introduces Sofia (Diane Guerrero), a food truck owner whom Franco befriends quickly.

Cast

Main

-   Judd Hirsch as Arthur Przybyszewski, the 75-year-old owner of the donut shop which he founded, with his now-deceased wife, in 1969. Arthur is an old-fashioned and sometimes grumpy widower.
-   Jermaine Fowler as Franco Wicks, the 28-year-old aspiring artist and Arthur's new and energetic but naive employee, who sees him as a mentor and friend and vows to help Arthur with his struggling donut shop. He and his father had visited Superior Donuts and bought a box of donuts regularly when he was younger.
-   Katey Sagal as Officer Randy DeLuca, a police officer, daughter of Arthur's best friend, and James' partner. In season 2, she gets promoted after passing the detective exam.
-   David Koechner as Carl 'Tush' Tushinski, a laid-off factory worker who now works odd jobs to make a living and uses Arthur's donut shop as his 'office'. He is one of Superior Donuts' loyal customers, though the episode “Wage Against the Machine” reveals he has run up a tab.
-   Maz Jobrani as Fawz Hamadani Farooq Al-Shahrani, a wealthy Iraqi real estate developer and Franco and Sweatpants' landlord. He owns the dry cleaners next door and wants to buy Superior Donuts and tear it down, despite the fact that he always gets coffee there. In addition to the dry cleaners and apartment buildings, Fawz owns “Rub-A-Dub Sub” and one-eighth of a Quizno's.
-   Rell Battle as Sweatpants, Franco's roommate and friend who helps Arthur drum up business.
-   Anna Baryshnikov as Maya (season 1), a college graduate student from an upper-class family who is frequently doing school work in the shop. She has a crush on Franco. The season 1 finale reveals that Maya was studying the donut shop employees and patrons for her doctoral dissertation. She doesn’t appear after season 1.
-   Darien Sills-Evans as Officer James Jordan (season 1), Randy's geeky younger partner. In the season 2 premiere, it was revealed that he transferred to another police station.
-   Diane Guerrero as Sofia (season 2), a young Colombian-American gentrifier who parks her food truck that serves healthy, socially conscious breakfast foods in front of the donut shop.[5] She grew up and attended college in Wisconsin. Franco develops a crush on her. The episode “Friends Without Benefits” reveals she reciprocates those feelings.

Guest

Production

Developed and filming

The pilot was originally developed for the 2015–16 television season, but was not picked up, and was put in redevelopment by CBS. In May 2016, a new pilot was ordered, for consideration at midseason. On September 21, 2016, CBS ordered the pilot to series.[6] On December 15, 2016, it was announced that the series would premiere as a “special preview” on February 2, 2017, following _The Big Bang Theory_ and premiered for its regular Monday at 9:00 p.m. timeslot on February 6, 2017.[7]

Casting

On February 10, 2016, _Crashing_ actor Jermaine Fowler joined the cast as Franco Wicks, a buddy/employee for Arthur, in the pilot. On August 1, 2016, _Taxi_ star Judd Hirsch was cast as Arthur. Katey Sagal from _Married... with Children_ and _Sons of Anarchy_ was cast as a female lead for the pilot on September 8, 2016. On September 2016, it was announced that Anna Baryshnikov was cast as Maya; she was upgraded to a series regular role on October 6, 2016. On August 25, 2017, it was announced that Diane Guerrero would play Sofia in a regular role, to replace Baryshnikov.[8]

Cancellation

On May 12, 2018, it was announced that CBS officially cancelled _Superior Donuts_, along with _Kevin Can Wait_, _9JKL_, _Living Biblically_, and _Me, Myself & I_. The combination of factors, including declining ratings, CBS's desire to have an ownership stake, and the network needing to clear space for three new sitcoms in the fall 2018 schedule, led to the show's demise.[9]

Episodes

Reception

Critical response

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the series an approval rating of 62% based on 21 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, “While _Superior Donuts_{{'}} talented cast impressively delivers, the annoying laugh track and stale jokes leave a hole in the middle of a crusty — albeit topical — narrative.”[10] On Metacritic the series has a weighted average score of 56 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating “mixed or average reviews”.[11]

Ratings

Home media

The first season of Superior Donuts was released on DVD on January 22, 2018.[12] The second season will be released on June 9, 2020.[13]

[1]

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[13] https://www.deepdiscount.com/superior-donuts-season-two/810044713633?fbclid=IwAR11othFWL2WaKaP3GOJX4aRd_gLNj5qf6FjUF1fenzgK0fFmctyP7z7PQw

title: Superior Donuts (TV series)

question: What is Superior Donuts?

answer: Superior Donuts is a short-lived US TV sitcom that aired from February 2017 to May 2018.

question: Why was the show canceled?

answer: The viewer ratings were declining and since the network had three new sitcoms, a show whose ratings are low is likely to be removed. Another factor was that CBS wanted an ownership stake.

question: What is Superior Donuts about?

answer: The show centers around a donut shop that is struggling financially in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. It centers mostly around the shop owner, his new employee, and the shop's regulars.

question: Did the audiences enjoy the show?

answer: Based on the declining viewership and the show's scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic, it appears that the series failed to impress its target audience.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Superior Donuts was a sitcom that aired on CBS from 2017 to early 2018. It featured a struggling donut shop's owner, employee, and their regulars. The show was cancelled for being unable to retain viewership and CBS had new sitcoms it could air.


text:
“SYNCHRONICITY” is the 17th episode of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series _Grimm_ and the 61st episode overall, which premiered on April 4, 2014, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by Michael Duggan from a story by Duggan and Michael Golamco, and was directed by David Solomon.

Plot

OPENING QUOTE: “In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.”

Nick (David Giuntoli) tells Hank (Russell Hornsby) that he is unsure about attending Monroe's (Silas Weir Mitchell) wedding as the Wesen could recognize him as a Grimm and decides to tell him that he can't go because of the risk of getting exposed. In Switzerland, Adalind (Claire Coffee) and Meisner are still running from the Verrat.

Meisner leaves Adalind to go after the Verrat. However, Adalind is intercepted by the Verrat and taken to a car. Then, the Verrat agents are killed by Kelly (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), who was told to save her. Meisner takes Adalind and Kelly to a plane that will take them to Portland but he stays behind and notifies Renard (Sasha Roiz) that Sebastien is dead and that he could go into hiding. Nick visits Monroe and Rosalee (Bree Turner) to tell them that he can't attend the wedding because of the risk of exposure. Monroe then suggests using sunglasses during the wedding as the Wesen can identify the Grimms from their eyes. They test the sunglasses and they state that it works.

Back in Vienna, Viktor (Alexis Denisof) is upset about Adalind's escape and has his associate Gregor (Gene Freedman) killed for his failure. He then has Marcus Rispoli (Philip Anthony-Rodriguez) named the new leader of the Verrat and they both deduce that Adalind must have returned to Portland. While on the plane, Kelly has flashbacks of when she had to leave Nick years ago. They land in Portland and steal a man's truck for safety as he threatens to call the police.

They arrive at Nick's house but Nick and Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) instantly recognize her. A discussion ensues and it causes the baby to make a tremor and break things in the house. Despite her issues with Adalind, Juliette decides to take care of the baby in the room. While she takes care of the baby, Kelly explains that the baby is so powerful that if she falls into the wrong hands, she will do something evil. Adalind uses her powers to leave the house with the baby and escape in the man's car. Nick deduces that since Adalind mentioned Renard, she would go to his apartment. Adalind arrives at Renard's apartment and presents him with the baby, causing him to smile at the baby.

Reception

Viewers

The episode was viewed by 4.89 million people, earning a 1.4/5 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale, ranking third on its timeslot and second for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind _Last Man Standing_, _Hawaii Five-0_, _Blue Bloods_, _20/20_, and _Shark Tank_.[1] This was a 15% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 5.71 million viewers with a 1.5/5.[2] This means that 1.4 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 5 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. With DVR factoring in, the episode was watched by 7.31 million viewers with a 2.3 ratings share in the 18-49 demographics.[3]

Critical reviews

“Synchronicity” received positive reviews. The A.V. Club's Kevin McFarland gave the episode a “B” grade and wrote, “One of the reasons _Grimm_ needs its episodic structure is that right now, with only a handful of purely serialized installments, the show doesn't really know how to craft a parcel of plot into a compelling structure. There's some information from the past the audience didn't know, a tidbit about Wesen/Grimm interaction that fills in a gap that never seemed like a giant mystery, but mostly this is just an episode that gets all the pieces back to the one location they need to be in to bounce off each other. It serves that function well, with one of the more memorable confrontation scenes in the history of the series—and it doesn’t even feature violence.”[4]

Nick McHatton from _TV Fanatic_, gave a 4.4 star rating out of 5, stating: “It's been three years in the making, but thanks to _Grimm_ Season 3 Episode 17, all sides are beginning to come together in Portland as the royal baby makes her presence known. This installment was incredibly satisfying.”[5]

MaryAnn Sleasman from _TV.com_, wrote, “The two concurrent stories running through this episode are where the hour got its name: 'Synchronicity' is the apparent relationship between two or more events that otherwise have no connection. Monrosalee's nuptial arrangements comes off as quaint and cute, a domestic break in all the running and hiding and slaughtering of Royals, but when you look at it in the context of the rest of this season, their wedding-planning woes are just as high-stakes as Grimm's more intense storylines.”[6]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

title: Synchronicity (Grimm)

question: What is Synchronicity?

answer: The 17th episode of season 3 of Grimm, a supernatural drama television series.

question: Summarize everything relating to Kelly.

answer: Kelly is played by Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. She kills the Verrat agents who intercept Adalind. On the plane to Portland, she has flashbacks of when she had to leave Nick years ago. Nick and Juliette instantly recognize her when she arrives at Nick's house. Kelly explains that their baby is so powerful that she will do something evil if she falls into the wrong hands.

question: When did Synchronicity air?

answer: April 4, 2014

question: What channel did Synchronicity air on?

answer: NBC

question: Describe the critical reception of Synchronicity.

answer: The episode received positive review, including a B from the A.V. Club's Kevin McFarland and a 4.4 star rating from TV Fanatic's Nick McHatton.

question: How many people viewed Synchronicity?

answer: 4.89 million people.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Synchronicity is an episode of the TV show Grimm. It premiered on April 4, 2014 on NBC. The article contains a summary of the episode's plot. The episode was viewed by 4.89 million people are received positive reviews.


text:
Mar. 23 --

TUESDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDay News) -- She has won a Golden Globe (for _Alias_) and the heart of husband Ben Affleck. But actress Jennifer Garner's big concern this flu season is to protect the health of the couple's 2-year-old daughter, Violet.

"One in three children get influenza, and more than 100 children die every year from this disease -- these are facts that no mother or parent wants to hear," said Garner, 35.

She spoke to reporters in New York City on Monday as the new national spokeswoman for the American Lung Association's _Faces of Influenza_ education campaign.

"I want to help make sure that all moms across the country understand that influenza is serious and that vaccination should be a family priority," said Garner, who moved to big-screen stardom in films such as _Daredevil_, _13 Going on 30_ and _Catch and Release_, and is currently debuting on Broadway opposite Kevin Kline in _Cyrano de Bergerac_.

Garner is just one of a number of Americans, famous and non-famous, who are lending their voices to the _Faces of Influenza_ campaign. Actor Dean Cain, 41, who soared to fame as TV's Superman in _Lois & Clark_ in the 1990s, was also on hand to urge people to get the flu shot this year.

Cain, a former pro footballer, said even healthy adults can be laid low by the virus. He's especially vulnerable, because he also has asthma, he said.

"Asthma puts me in a high-risk group, because if I were to get the flu, guess where it's going -- right to my lungs," Cain said. A prior bout of flu once left him unable to work for almost two weeks, he said, but "my number one concern is the health of my family" -- specifically, son Christopher, age 6.

That's because children, particularly those between 6 months and 5 years old, remain especially vulnerable to flu, according to Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer at the American Lung Association. Other high-risk groups include the elderly, but all Americans over 50 are urged to get an annual shot, as are people with chronic illnesses, Edelman said.

Add to that the people who come in close contact with either the very young and/or elderly, and that means that two-thirds to three-quarters of all Americans -- about 220 million people -- should get vaccinated against the flu, he said.

"But we don't reach anywhere near that," Edelman noted. "We have perhaps just one-quarter to one-third of Americans who get the flu shot."

One common myth: That if you don't get the shot by Thanksgiving, it's already too late. "It only takes about two weeks for the flu shot to become effective, so if the flu shot has just come to your neighborhood and will be around for a month or so, it still makes sense to get a flu shot," Edelman said.

Still, it's best to be prepared. "Immunization lasts about six months," Edelman said, "so earlier is always better, because you'll be protected, and you won't have to rush off when the flu hits your area." The flu season typically begins in the fall and peaks in February but can continue well though March.

Another myth: You can get sick from the flu shot. "A lot of people will get the flu shot and then maybe catch a cold, so they blame the flu shot for it, but they are not related," Edelman said. The shot itself is a standard injection in the arm, typically with little or no lingering soreness, he said.

Cain, who was set to get his own jab Monday morning at the event, agreed. "It doesn't really hurt," he said.

Getting immunized is not a guarantee that you won't get the flu, however, because each year scientists formulate the vaccine based on a highly educated guess of what influenza strains will dominate.

"The flu shot is probably about 85 to 90 percent effective in younger people, and in older people -- because their immune systems don't respond as well to the vaccine -- it may be closer to 65 percent effective," Edelman said. Still, "it's advisable to always get the flu shot, because there will always be at least partial immunity," he said.

On the other hand, the price of _not_ getting vaccinated can be steep, especially for the very young or elderly. According to the lung association, 36,000 Americans die every year from influenza and about 226,000 are hospitalized. When combined with pneumonia, flu remains the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

Unlike the 2004-2005 season, when production troubles caused a shortfall in available vaccine, there should be plenty of doses to go around this year, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

"This year, we have already distributed 103 million doses of vaccine, and that's more than we distributed the entire season last year," she said. "By the end of December, it could be up to 132 million doses, which is more than 10 million more than we have ever produced. So, we're pretty optimistic."

Garner believes she and other moms are key to helping flu-vaccination efforts reach their targets.

"I understand the important role mothers play in our families' health and well-being -- it is our natural instinct to take care of our families and keep them protected," she said. "This includes talking to our doctors about whether influenza vaccination is right for ourselves and our loved ones."

MORE INFORMATION

To find a flu vaccine clinic near you, and for more information on influenza, visit the American Lung Association.

SOURCES: Nov. 12, 2007, press conference, American Lung Association, New York City, with Jennifer Garner, actress; Dean Cain, actor; Norman Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer, American Lung Association; Anne Schuchat, M.D., director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta

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

[ABC News]

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

question: Why is the influenza disease such a big deal?

answer: It kills 36,000 people annually and hospitalizes 226,000.

question: Who are most vulnerable to the flu?

answer: The very young and the old, under 5 and over 50.

question: What does Jennifer Garner have to do with this?

answer: She's the national spokeswoman for the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza education campaign.

question: What happened in the 2004-2005 influenza season?

answer: Production troubles caused a shortfall in available vaccine.

question: Write a ~7 sentence summary.

answer: Speaking to reporters as the national spokeswoman for the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza education campaign, actress Jennifer Garner sought to spread awareness of the flu's deadly potential. The flu hospitalizes 226,000 people and kills 36,000 annually. Those under 5 years of age or over 50 are especially vulnerable. Only 1/4 to 1/3 of Americans get the flu shot. It's advised that everyone get the flu shot for at least partial immunity. Unlike the 2004-2005 season, more vaccines are available. Garner hopes moms across the country help efforts to reach vaccination targets.


text:
[]

Getty Images

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas grabbed some attention for his activity on Twitter after last Monday night’s win and he’s also been fined by the league for his activity during the game.

Thomas was penalized for taunting Washington players after a 62-yard touchdown catch by Tre'Quan Smith in the second quarter of the game. That play also pushed Drew Brees into first place on the all-time passing yards list.

PFT has confirmed with the league that Thomas has been fined $10,026 as a result.

Thomas took to Twitter to respond to word of the fine on Saturday. He wrote “child support,” which was a more circumspect response than the ones he had for Washington cornerback Josh Norman after the game.

question: What was Thomas's motivation behind the taunt?

answer: This information can't be found.

question: How was the amount of the fine determined?

answer: This information can't be found.


text:
[Rue Lhomond in 1913] RUE LHOMOND is a street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. It is located in the quartier du Val-de-Grâce and has existed since the 15th century. It was once known as _rue des Poteries_ after its Gallo-Roman pottery workshops (re-discovered in the 18th century), then from around 1600 as _rue des Pots_ and finally _rue des Postes_.[1] It was given its present name in 1867 after the priest, grammarian and scholar Charles François Lhomond (1727-1794).

History

The street has housed several Catholic seminaries and convents, along with a British seminary established at number 22 by permission of Louis XIV of France in 1684 and active until 1790.[2]

Rue Lhomond features in the Georges Simenon novel ′Maigret Takes a Room′. In the novel Maigret takes a room in a boarding house to discover who shot his subordinate Janvier.

Buildings

[1] _Dictionnaire historique des rues de Paris_, Jacques Hillairet, éditions de Minuit, pp. 42-44.

[2] _Dictionnaire administratif et historique des rues de Paris et de ses monuments_ de Félix et Louis Lazare, facsimilé de l'édition de 1844, pp.570-571.

title: Rue Lhomond

question: How far back does Rue Lhomond's history date?

answer: It exists since the 15th century.

question: Where is Rue Lhomond?

answer: Rue Lhomond is a street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. It's in the quarter du Val-de-Grâce.

question: Why was the arrondissement known as Rue de Poteries in the past?

answer: There were Gallo-Roman pottery workshops there, re-discovered in the 18th century.

question: What significance does the arrondissement's name have?

answer: It's given after the priest, grammarian, and scholar Charles François Lhomond (1727 - 1794).

question: What notable highlights does the street have in the present or its history?

answer: The street housed several Catholic seminaries and convents in the past, including a British seminary established by permission of Louis XIV in 1684.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Rue Lhomond is a street in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, France. It used to be known as Rue des Poteries after its Gallo-Roman pottery workshops until it received its current name in 1867 in honor of the priest, grammarian, and scholar Charles François Lhomond. The street housed several Catholic seminaries and convents in the past.


text:
thumb|250px|Sirinthep Building of Sacred Heart Convent School in 2014

The SACRED HEART CONVENT SCHOOL () is a private, Catholic college preparatory school in Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand.[1]It is a private school that is located in the center of downtown Bangkok. It is an all-girls school.

The school was established on 28 February 1934 and was officially approved on 10 January 1937. It initially offered Grades 1 to 4. In 1975, the school opened a kindergarten program and used a 2-storey wooden building as a classroom. In 2002, The English Program (EP) was introduced.

History

Sr.Seraphine de Marie Lutenbraker, SPC is a religious nun of Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres. She is from Alsace, France. As a religious nun she was assigned by her congregation to Saigon, Vietnam. She was transferred to Siam to be the rector of Saint Louis Hospital, Bangkok and then She was appointed as rector of the religious sisters assigned to the St. Francis-Xavier Catholic Church, Samsen in 1903.

In 1924, René-Marie-Joseph Perros (Apostolic Vicar to Bangkok) was convincing the religious sisters assigned to the St. Francis-Xavier Catholic Church, Samsen to join the Congregation of the Sisters of Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bangkok and he appointed Sr.Seraphine de Marie Lutenbraker as rector.

In 1934, Sr.Seraphine de Marie Lutenbraker opened the first school of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Bangkok and named it “Couvent de Sacré Coeur”.

During the early days of this School, it used a Thai and French name and used Thai and French Language as the medium of instruction in School but now has changed French to English.

School symbol

“H” comes from 8H which stand for Heart, Holy, Honest, Honor, Humble, Hospitality, Hope, and Home. H is supported by branches. The green leaves represent the people while the limb is the society which are dependent on one another. H in the circle means that it is the center of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus in Bangkok that unites the administrators, teachers, and students.

SCHOOL COLORS Red and white are the school colors which symbolize love of humanity, following the example of Jesus. Red represents love which mirrors the love of Jesus. White represents purity, optimism, benevolence, absolution, and goodwill towards others.

At present

Sacred Heart Convent School has three sections: Kindergarten (3–5 years old), Primary (grades 1–6) and high school (grades 7–12). The Active Conversation English Program (ACE) studies English with IDEAL teachers two hours a week. It provides for kindergarten and primary sections. The Intensive Program (IP) studies English with IDEAL teachers five hours a week. It provides for primary and high school sections. The ASEAN Program (AP) studies English with IDEAL teachers two hours a week and Chinese two hours a week. It provides for primary and junior high school (grades 7–9) sections. The English Program (EP) provides teaching and learning in English in all subjects except Thai and social science with IDEAL teachers. It provides for all sections.

Facts

School Address:

-   94 Sunthornkosa Road, Klongtoey,Bangkok 10110 Thailand

School Abbreviation:

-   S.H.C.

Type of School:

-   Private Girls' School

School Motto:

-   Honest, Kind, Knowledgeable, Love and Honor Integrity

Director:

-   Sister Dr. Patchara Nantajinda

Grades:

-   1- 12

Campuses

-   Phraharuthai Nontaburi School
-   Phraharuthai Donmuang School
-   Phraharuthai Sawankhalok School
-   Phraharuthai Patthanaves School

Alumnus

-   Rhatha Phongam: singer, actress
-   Chanidapa Pongsilpipat: actress, model
-   Ungsumalynn Sirapatsakmetha: actress
-   Jarinporn Joonkiat: actress
-   Nathathai Saengphech: singer

[1] Home. Sacred Heart Convent School. Retrieved on 6 March 2013.

title: Sacred Heart Convent School (Thailand)

question: When was the school established?

answer: February 28, 1934

question: What language is used for instruction at the school?

answer: Thai and English

question: What grades does the school teach?

answer: Kindergarten through high school

question: Who is the school's current director?

answer: Sister Dr. Patchara Nantajinda

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The Sacred Heart Convent School is an all-girls private, Catholic, college preparatory school in Khlong Toei District, Bangkok, Thailand. It was established in 1934 and teaches all grade levels from kindergarten through high school.


text:
//This is the first short story I've ever written, so I will be eternally grateful to get some feedback and comments on it.

--

She said, there go the birds again.

They would cry before the break of dawn perching on our window sills  while making our home their shelter.

I have never really taken notice of them. Their incessant cries in the mornings have always been just ‘part of it’, as were many other things. When I was little, Father used it to trap little sparrows with promises of fresh fruits; Mother even trapped a fruit bat once. It was exhilarating. However, we always let them go regardless of what they were.

The trap remained empty after two weeks. This time, Mother’s intent was to make an example of these flighted vermin.

Then came one.

(The question)

“What are you waiting for?”

It kept its steady gaze on me, even as its head stuck out of the trap at an awkward angle, looking like a disjointed puppet.

“You know, I'm the one who is trapped here,” it said, “so what are you waiting for?”

At any other time, this conversation may have been a sign of delirium. But sometimes, it takes a new and unbiased perspective to put things back into perspective.

“I’m not waiting for anything.”

It knew at once that this was a lie and more. I was on my guard and I knew that it was simply trying to gain my trust and regain its right to freedom.

“I can help you. I know you, I’ve watched you for a while and shared your pain. I’ve hear your thoughts even when you think that no one is listening.”

Its sleek feathers were gently moving under the afternoon breeze. A dark cloud overhead threatened to bring rain, which would be fine for most people; we were safe under a warm roof but birds of its feather were vulnerable to the elements.

“I do not think that you would care for a minute about a being like me, but I too feel the same as you do. Like I said, we share your pain, we know your thoughts, all you need to do is to believe and listen.”

(The Confession)

I realized then that I was holding my breath all this time, listening as the stranger spoke.

“My mind, body and soul are not my own. I have lived my life in the shadows of others. I’ve moulded myself at the whims of those around me; my being exists for the convenience of those whom I hold dear. I am lost and I don’t know how to change.”

The bird tipped its head and looked straight into my staring eyes.

“And then what? Are you just going to continue making excuses for the rest of your days?”

Excuses? Excuses… They were not excuses. These were the reasons that had moved me when I thought there was nothing else ahead. The driving forces behind a life that was once thought forsaken. But somewhere along the line it seemed, someone else took the reins. A wall had been erected and instead of protecting what was fragile, it contained what was meant to flourish. An infallible personality, loved and accepted, all done to blend in and move with the tides.

Listening with a slightly bemused expression, the bird saw beyond the wall and into the core. It saw tears and blood, but they were empty. They were not shed from pain nor happiness, regret nor contentment.

“What is it you really want? You cannot change what has already happened, and everything that had happened, did for a reason. You cannot seek the light unless you are already in the darkness; you cannot reach for the sky, if you have not already fallen to the ground. What you are bound to is only your own reflections of what you think need to be fulfilled. No one else owns the responsibility to you. If you want to fly, set yourself free.”

A bird of far too many thoughts and far too many words. I slide the triggered catch and pulled.

It did not move.

title: perched.

question: Why did the family trap birds and other animals?

answer: It appears they trapped the birds and bats just for fun.

question: Is the bird really talking to the narrator?

answer: No, because the bird appears to be dead and the narrator is either delirious or imagined the entire conversation.


text:
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THESE STATS ON WOMEN’S CONFIDENCE WILL SHOCK YOU

[]

This June, I’m excited to be participating in Alexa Bigwarfe’s _Write, Publish, Sell_ online summit where I’ll give my insight on how you can develop confidence and be BOLD in your business (see below for details!).

Confidence is a popular topic in today’s media, and for good reason. It’s also a subject I write a lot about, so today, I thought I’d share some stats that demonstrate why confidence is a key topic we should _all_ be talking about.

Confidence issues affect all areas and phases of a woman’s life, including:

SELF-IMAGE:

-   Dove®’s latest research found that just 4% of women worldwide consider themselves “beautiful”.
-   Over half of women agree that they’re their own worst beauty critic.
-   By the time girls reach the tender age of 17, 78% will be “unhappy with their bodies.”
-   The Dove Self-Esteem Project found 47% of girls aged 11-14 refuse to take part in activities that might show their bodies in any way.

IN THE WORKPLACE:

-   Women’s confidence actually _declines_ (yes, _declines_) with experience: 27% of new female employees are confident they can reach top management; this drops to a mere 13% in experienced female employees.
-   In a KPMG Women’s Leadership study, 67% of women said they needed more support building confidence to feel like they can be leaders.
-   Further, women lacked the confidence to: pursue a job opportunity beyond their experience (73%); ask for a promotion (65%); request a raise (61%), or request a new role or position (56%).
-   HP once found that male employees were likely to apply for promotions when they felt they met 60% of the qualifications listed, while its female employees stayed away unless they believed they met 100% of the job qualifications.

WOMEN MAKE UP 50.8% OF THE US POPULATION, THEY’VE OUTNUMBERED MEN ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES SINCE 1988, AND THEY CONTROL 80% OF CONSUMER SPENDING IN THE US.

Yet, consider these stats:

-   % of female Fortune 500 CEOs: 4.6
-   % of females holding F500 board seats: 16.9
-   # of female CEOs in financial services industry: 0
-   # of female CEOs in health care and social assistance: 0
-   % of female creative directors in advertising: 3

The statistics are shocking – after all, this _is_ 2016. While there is no single approach to improving confidence, at least one thing is true: self-confidence starts with YOU. If confidence has been a struggle for you, I have a great free e-series to help jumpstart your journey.

While it’s important to build up your own confidence so you can make BOLD moves in your life and your career, don’t forget to reach out and encourage young women around you to develop their confidence, too!

I’d love to have you join me for

WRITEPUBLISHSELL: GROW A BUSINESS BEYOND YOUR BLOG

45 EXPERTS SHARE ADVICE & TOOLS FOR FEMALE BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE DIGITAL REALM

WHEN: JUNE 13TH – 19TH, 2016 – 100% ONLINE! VIEW AT YOUR OWN PACE.

CLAIM YOUR SPOT

Alexa is focusing on the business side of blogging and writing, providing useful information so you can take your unique area of expertise beyond blogging to launch a profitable career, build your brand, grow a targeted audience, AND effectively market to that audience.

_Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net _

_Image courtesy of mrsiraphol at FreeDigitalPhotos.net_

[]

COLLEEN SLAUGHTER, PROUD EXECUTIVE COACH TO THE UN WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, THE 2020 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER

As the Managing Partner of Authentic Leadership International (ALI) & a Women’s Leadership Coach, my highest intention in the business realm is to help women in positions of high influence to understand their worth at a profound level.

Supporting women leaders to truly thrive and step into their greatness, while succeeding in male-dominated industries and spaces is my native genius.

My technique and approach show you how to achieve incredible career success without compromising any part of who you are and what makes you magnificent.

Recently, my perspectives were featured in an article on the International Coach Federation’s website here.

Leave a comment

__

question: Summarize everything relating to self image.

answer: Women's self image can be affected by confidence. Dove's research found that only 4% of women see themselves as beautiful, and half of women believe they're their own worst beauty critic. Additionally many women are unhappy with their bodies, and many young girls refuse to partake in activities where they may have to show their bodies. Self image and confidence is only something that can start with the individual.

question: What does the text say about women and the workplace?

answer: In the workplace, women are statistically in less of a position of power than men, and their confidence can be seen to drop through their experience in the workplace. They initially are more confident they can reach top management, but that feeling drops as time goes on. Women also need more support building confidence to feel like leaders and request certain positions in their workplace. For example, women struggle asking for promotions much more than men.

question: Summarize any advice in the text.

answer: The author says there's no single approach to improving confidence, but advises that it always begins within a person. They suggest those who struggle with confidence to look at an e-series they're providing. They also advise encouraging other young women to develop their confidence.

question: What does the text say about confidence in dating?


text: A strange scenario it was when the thoughts "let's play like a ninja" and "lets eat soup" competed inside of his six-year old mind to detmine which of the two would first come to fruition. They collided and came out with a kung-fu inspired scream of the expression of adrenaline, a karate-chopped table, a broken wrist, and a flying bowl, silenced with a crash and the sound of the alphabet hitting the wall with a sloppy soupy slap.

title: Ninja Soup

question: Who is screaming?

answer: A six year old.

question: Where did they learn kung-fu?

answer: He did not learn kung-fu anywhere.

question: Whose wrist got broken?

answer: The six year old broke his own wrist.

question: Why are they attacking someone?

answer: The six year old was acting out and broke their own wrist.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: A six year old tries to eat soup and play ninja at the same time and breaks their own wrist.