text:
Paulo crossed 12 countries to come to Canada to work. Then he was swept up into temp agency work and suffered a work accident that has left him unable to use his right hand.

[]

Paulo is a Haitian asylum seeker in Montreal, who was recruited by a temp agency when he hadn't yet received his work permit and suffered from a serious injury to his hand in a work accident. Now, he's trying to get workers compensation. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

It may have been a warm September last fall, but Paulo knew enough about Canada to know the weather would soon turn cold.

He woke up early one morning and took the Metro to Namur station, in the northwest of Montreal, to buy winter clothes for himself and his wife, says Paulo, a Haitian asylum seeker whose name has been changed.

As he exited the station, he was met by a group of people huddled on the sidewalk carrying lunch bags. They were about to get into several rickety vans headed for a meat-processing plant called Sherrington Meats.

"Someone said, 'Let's go to work, let's go to work. I need five people. I need six people,' Paulo said in Creole, recounting the scene.

He had applied for a work permit and hadn't received it yet, but the man rounding people up told Paulo he could work while he waited for it to arrive.

Paulo felt uneasy, but the sight of other Haitians in the van reassured him. Besides, he was desperate to start working so he could pay back the money he borrowed to get to Canada and to help his family beset by poverty in his homeland, aching from natural disasters and political instability. He got in.

-   ASYLUM SEEKERS CALL ON OTTAWA TO ISSUE WORK PERMITS

This is how Paulo was swept up in a shadowy industry of temp agency work that has stumped authorities and is being decried by labour advocates.

Three weeks after he hopped into that van, he suffered a work accident with a meat cutter that sliced the skin off the top of his right hand.

[]

Something as simple as boiling water to make rice has become nearly impossible for Paulo. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

He had to undergo an emergency skin graft. The healing process could take years.

Now he is filing a claim to Quebec's workplace health and safety board (CNESST) his lawyer hopes will provide compensation for the loss of his ability to work during treatment, as well as for some of his medical costs.

But the claim is complicated by the fact that the temp agency assigned him someone else's name and social insurance number. Paulo finally got his work permit about two weeks after he was hurt.

His lawyer, Richard-Alexandre Laniel, says he's heard of other cases of newcomers being told by recruiters they were entitled to work when, really, they were not.

"They are profiting off the ignorance of the workers," said Laniel, an attorney focusing on social justice issues, who believes his client's situation is a symptom of a larger issue.

"I think there is a problem here in Canada. I think there is a system in which we are using vulnerable people to do precarious jobs."

A fake identity

The van tore down Highway 15 at dawn as the group of workers sat in silence until, five minutes before their arrival, the driver pulled over. She handed everyone slips of paper with names and social insurance numbers that were not theirs and instructed them to fill in employment forms at the factory with them, Paulo says.

[]

For three weeks, Paulo was picked up at a Metro station by the temp agency before dawn to go to work at the meat-processing factory. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

Paulo started off stacking boxes and quickly became known as a fast and efficient worker. He was paid $10 an hour, he said, $1.25 less than the minimum wage.

The day of the accident, Oct. 11, 2017, just before lunchtime, he was sent to the meat cutting machines. He was to operate a device that shaves fat from pieces of pork.

"I was bothered. I said, 'I don't know the machine. It's the first time I see something like this,'" Paulo said. The supervisor showed him briefly how it worked and left, returning to check on him every once in a while, he said.

But Paulo says he was struggling, and something seemed wrong with the machine. The man dismissed his concerns and urged him on, he said.

Carefully, he carried on until moments later, Paulo says, his hand got caught in the hardware.

The pain was harrowing, like an electric shock, he said, wincing at the memory.

"Blood was coming out like someone was spilling water," Paulo said. "The whole time I was thinking, 'What am I going to tell my wife, what am I going to tell my wife?'"

Paulo and his wife met as teenagers in the small port city of Saint-Marc in Haiti. Together, they crossed the U.S. border in Lacolle, Que., last August, putting an end to a journey that took them through a dozen countries.

-   ACCEPTANCE RATE OF ASYLUM SEEKERS IS THE HIGHEST IN 27 YEARS

Canada presented endless opportunities and, they hoped, a future home for their eight-year-old son. Paulo hasn't seen him since he left Haiti to work in Brazil six years ago. A relative has been caring for the son.

Factory owner remembers accident

Paulo was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital before being transferred to the Montreal General. He received a 12-hour surgery to graft the skin of his right thigh to his hand.

The owner of Sherrington Meats, Luc Pilotte, says he remembers the accident at his factory well. It was only at that point, he says, that he learned that Paulo had been working without papers.

"I hope it's just one man because it's not in my interest to have people who don't have work permits working for me," he said.

[]

The meat-processing plant Paulo worked at, Sherrington Meats, is a 45-minute drive south of Montreal. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

He insists — either way — that Paulo was properly trained. Workers on that machine typically receive at least 30 minutes of training, he said.

Pilotte relies on temp agencies hiring newcomers to fill many of the 130 spots in the factory because they are jobs most Quebecers don't want, he said.

It is up to the agency to collect workers' information and make sure it is in order, he said.

Under Quebec's labour law, it's unclear who is responsible for a worker hired by a temp agency if an accident occurs. Advocates say that makes it easy for those people to fall through the cracks because it can be difficult to hold small agencies accountable.

A new bill released last week by the province's labour minister aims to make companies and the temp agencies they contract equally responsible for work accidents.

Quebec is the only province in Canada where companies are not required by law to declare all work accidents on their premises, according to a 2016 report by Montreal's public health office called "Invisible Workers."

[]

Paulo underwent a 12-hour emergency skin graft. Doctors cut a piece of skin from his thigh to use on his hand. (Submitted/CBC News)

In response to a CBC News request, the CNESST said it "intervened" at the Sherrington plant in 2015 following a complaint by a worker.

Then it was involved again again in 2017, following a work accident in December 2016. It could not reveal more details in time for publication.

A difficult work environment

A phone number for the agency Paulo worked for is linked to at least three companies run by a man named Hector Rodriguez. They operate under several names, but have one in common: YUL Embauche.

Its website declares it is "a placement agency that puts the people first."

A former worker, who preferred to remain anonymous because he is afraid speaking out could affect future employment, said he "never felt so uncomfortable in a job before."

The man worked at Sherrington Meats through an agency operated by Rodriguez. He described a difficult work environment, where supervisors constantly pushed temp workers to toil harder.

"It seemed like the only goal at the end of the day was just to get productivity higher," he said in an interview. He saw workers seemingly picked at random to do jobs that appeared to require more training than they were given, he said.

"I saw plenty of opportunities for people to get hurt."

[]

Paulo interacted with a man named Hector, who worked for the temp agency. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

Pilotte said everything in his factory is up to code. He acknowledged there is a high turnover of employees at his factory, but said it was because of the cold temperatures inside.

Paulo was told the agency stopped accepting workers without permits right after his accident. CBC News used a hidden camera to film the agency meeting with workers one morning at Georges-Vanier Metro station, where Paulo said most rides heading to Sherrington leave from.

We asked a man rounding workers up if they hired people without permits, but were told, "everyone here has papers, sorry."

Rodriguez sent an email to CBC News in response to a request to comment, acknowledging the accident took place.

He denies all allegations of hiring workers illegally.

"Our company does not recruit or hire immigrants who do not have a work permit," Rodriguez wrote.

Temp workers at higher risk of work accidents

CBC News and Radio-Canada found the person whose name and SIN Paulo was given. The man, who recently became a permanent resident, was visibly shaken when two reporters met with him.

He said he'd worked for a temp agency at a lumber yard near the Lacolle border crossing over the summer. The phone number he had for the temp agency matched the one Paulo has.

[]

Most of the rides Paulo would take to the factory left from Georges-Vanier Metro station at 6 a.m. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

It is not unheard of for temp agency workers without valid work permits to be given someone else's identity, according to Manuel Salamanca, a member of the Montreal-based Temporary Agency Worker Association.

-   WHY ARE THOUSANDS OF HAITIANS STREAMING INTO CANADA?

Salamanca's postgraduate research at McGill University focuses on immigrant workers employed by temp agencies.

"The conditions are terrible. I mean, really terrible," said Salamanca. Many, especially those without official documents, see the jobs offered by agencies as their only choice, he said.

CNESST estimates the risk of temp workers having a work accident is high to extremely high. The public health report found temp workers from visible minority communities are twice as likely to be the victim of a work accident.

Memories are impossible to escape

Paulo's life, more than six months after arriving in Canada, revolves around his injury. He splits his time between his small studio apartment in Montreal's east end and multiple occupational therapy appointments every week.

-   ASYLUM SEEKER RETRACES HIS 15,000-KM ODYSSEY TO CANADA

He goes for walks and to buy things at a nearby shopping centre, but memories of the accident and worries about his family back home have become impossible to escape.

Still, Paulo is always grinning.

"Every time I see him, I mean, he's the one who's actually uplifting me about what's happening," says Frantz André, who has devoted himself to getting Paulo back on his feet.

[]

Frantz André, who has been helping Haitian asylum seekers settle in Montreal, says he's developed a close friendship with Paulo. (Verity Stevenson/CBC)

André helped establish an advocacy group for Haitians without status three years ago and has been taking asylum seekers under his wing since the summer.

"I consider him to be my friend. He's a friend. He's not an asylum seeker in my heart, he's already a resident of Canada," André said. "This guy has spirit."

Once he's healed, Paulo says he looks forward to running marathons again — he's always had a yearning to take on new challenges — and taking French lessons.

"To me, Canada is the No. 1 country in the world."

With files from Jean-Philippe Robillard, Antoni Nerestant, Daniel Boily and Meeker Guerrier

question: Why do people travel across long distances to reach Canada?

answer: In order to find a good opportunity in life -such as a job or education, in a better country. The same is to be said of many first world countries.

question: Who is Paulo?

answer: The is a Haitian who has Travelled 15,000 kilometers to Canada. When he arrived, he managed to find work without a proper permit, but in a work environment that was not safe and he suffered a hand injury because of it. He is undergoing therapy for the injury.

question: How does one find work without a work permit?

answer: There are some small groups that will hire people in bulk without the need for proper background checks -they even provide fake identities. The work will almost always be in less-than-enticing environments and the pay will be low. According article, the company where Paulo had an accident did not know the man did not have a work permit, but this is mostly unproven.

question: Who runs these companies?

answer: The article investigates a man named Hector Rodriguez who is connected to three such companies. However, when interviewed, Rodriguez states that all the workers have papers.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The cold environment of Quebec may be discouraging for the locals to work in, but refugees are able to fill in this need -however, they are undocumented and not covered by labor laws, which means that when a workplace accident occurs, no one is responsible for helping them. For Haitian asylum seeker Paulo, this is one of the challenges he faced. Refugees take on high-risk, low-paying jobs because they have nothing else available to them. In Paulo's case, he took on 15,000km journey to Canada in the hopes of providing a good future for his family, thankfully, there are people such as Franz Andre who are actively trying to provide help for asylum seekers.


split: train

text:
MILOŠ ŠAKA (Serbian Cyrillic: Милош Шака; born 12 April 1994) is a Serbian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Slovenian club NK Aluminij.

Club career

After playing in the youth categories of Partizan, Šaka made his senior debut with Teleoptik. In the summer of 2013, he moved to Bežanija. After two seasons at Bežanija, Šaka left the club in the summer of 2015.

International career

In October 2009, Šaka made his Serbia under-17 debut in the qualification round for the 2010 UEFA European Championship.[1] In May 2011, he was part of the same team at the 2011 UEFA European Championship,[2] which the country hosted, but didn't make any appearance due to ankle injury.

[1]

[2]

title: Miloš Šaka

question: What nationality is Milos Saka?

answer: Milos Saka is from Serbia.

question: What position does Milos Saka play?

answer: Milos Saka is a midfielder.

question: When did Milos Saka make his Serbia under-17 debut?

answer: Milos Saka made his Serbia under-17 debut in OCtober 2009.

question: When did Milos Saka leave Bezanija?

answer: Milos Saka left Bezanija in the summer of 2015.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Milos Saka is a Serbian football player. He has played for many teams and clubs since his debut in 2009.


text:
Theater|Donald Trump and Michael Moore Quarrel Over Broadway Show

[Michael Moore in his solo show, “The Terms of My Surrender,” which recently closed on Broadway. Mr. Moore posted a lengthy response on Twitter after President Trump said Saturday that the show was a failure.]

Credit...Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

-   Oct. 28, 2017
-

Well, Michael Moore succeeded in getting the president’s attention.

On Saturday evening, six days after “The Terms of My Surrender,” Mr. Moore’s solo show decrying President Trump, closed on Broadway, the president took a gleeful jab at the liberal provocateur on Twitter.

  While not at all presidential I must point out that the Sloppy Michael Moore Show on Broadway was a TOTAL BOMB and was forced to close. Sad!

  — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 28, 2017

Mr. Trump’s assertion that the show “was forced to close” is incorrect. The show had been announced in May as a 12-week limited run, and it ran the full 12 weeks.

“Michael Moore’s Broadway show was always meant to be a limited engagement,” said Rick Miramontez, a spokesman for the show. “It closed, as planned, on Sunday, Oct. 22. It was not forced to close early.”

Mr. Trump’s assertion that the show was “a total bomb” is a matter of opinion, and in a barrage of tweets late Saturday, Mr. Moore declared his show a “smash hit” before touting his production and taunting the president.

Given the show’s limited run and modest grosses, neither the phrase “total bomb” nor “smash hit” seems to be a precise description of its financial performance. The capitalization costs are not public for “The Terms of My Surrender,” which was produced by IMG Original Content and Carole Shorenstein Hays. But it played to houses that were often about three-quarters full, and its weekly grosses ranged from about $260,000 to $460,000. It took in $4.2 million over all and was seen by 74,484 people, according to the Broadway League.

Of course, there are other ways to measure success, and earlier in the week Mr. Moore had issued a statement saying he was proud of the run.

“My 100 performances on Broadway represent perhaps the most fulfilling experience of my career,” he said.

“Broadway remains a powerful hub of American popular culture and I plan on being back — with both a new play and a new one-man show — soon,” he added. “As for ‘The Terms of My Surrender’ — there is no surrender! We’ll be taking our Broadway show on the road next summer!”

Most Broadway shows fail financially, as Mr. Trump well knows: His one venture as a producer, of the play “Paris Is Out” in 1970, was a flop.

Although Mr. Trump was a Broadway fan before he became president, “The Terms of My Surrender” is the second show he has tangled with since the 2016 election. Last November, after the cast of “Hamilton” challenged Vice President-elect Mike Pence from the stage, Mr. Trump criticized that show, saying he had heard it was “highly overrated.”

During the run of “The Terms of My Surrender,” Mr. Moore claimed to have set aside a box nightly for Mr. Trump. The Twitter spat on Saturday marked the president’s first engagement with the show.

question: Why are Michael Moore and Donald Trump arguing on Twitter?

answer: Donald Trump called Michael Moore's Broadway show a total bomb.

question: How many people total attended Michael Moore's show?

answer: 74484 people attended Michael Moore's show.

question: What is Moore's show about?

answer: Moore's show is a solo show decrying President Trump.

question: What play did Donald Trump produce?

answer: Donald Trump produced the play "Paris is Out" in 1970.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Donald Trump and Michael Moore exchanged barbs on Twitter after the Moore's solo Broadway show, "The terms of My Surrender" which decries President Trump, recently closed.


text:
"It's time to begin! This is it..." The lyrics pounded in my head as I stuck my head out the window feeling the wind in my hair. I breathed in smelling the world around me. I feel amazing. Brilliant, infinite, every word in the book. This is where I belong, traveling around, seeing the world. I have grabbed my two best friends, Jr and Katie and have set off for adventure. Don't ask me why, I'm still trying to figure that out myself. Jr seems content with doing this, he's always said that he wanted to see what's outside of this town and Katie...well Katie will take any excuse to get out of her hell of a home. Parents arguing, little sisters being manics, the minute I proposed this idea, she was on bored. This was our time. We were ready. And holy shit, we were scared.
It's four weeks after we have left and we have had some major highs and lows. At of this time, we have brought Katie's cousin, Ty along with us. He said he's coming to "protect us," but I know that he just wants out. He's quite the mystery. We started out in California and we're are still in California. It's talking longer than we thought. We have just entered San Fransisco and I'm in Heaven. I love it here. The smell, the sounds, the sights. I knew that going on this trip wasn't a mistake. We were stopping at every thing that seemed interesting and there was a lot. Pier 39, curvy streets, and spy shops. Yes. Spy shops.  Katie and Ty are having the time of their lives. I've never seem Katie hold a smile for that long and Ty just looks like a new person. This really is changing us
Seven weeks in and we're in Colorado. This is when shit really started going down. Jr got sick and couldn't drive so Ty had to take the wheel and Katie started to bicker with Ty and I had to help Jr not puke. (We're in a trailer home.) We were in some random town that I don't even know the name and everyone was feeling the heat. Katie was laying down and Ty came up and started to scream her down for not telling her.
"I can't fucking believe that you didn't tell me! I had to call your mom! How could you keep this from me? Is that why you were so aggravated with me?"
"Ty. Drop it. It's nothing." She responded, with her voice shaking.
"What's nothing?" I said, fearing the answer.
"Katie is doing drugs-"
"I was doing drugs, dumbass!" Katie interrupted him.
"Oh! And she's having withdraw! Isn't that just fucking great!?" Katie looked ashamed and I was just shocked. Katie was such a innocent girl. Always flinching at the word of anything dirty or illegal but here she is doing drugs.
"Um..Umm.." I was stuttering so bad, "We'll deal with it later. We need to get to New York."
"Okay." They both agreed, Katie seeming relieved while Ty still seemed furious. In the back of the trailer I heard Jr yell, "CAN YOU SOME OF BITCHES SHUT UP?" I wasn't sure if he was being serious or just trying to break the tension
Weeks and weeks past. The times we ran out of gas: Too many to count. Times Jr puked: 7. Times I had to pull Ty and Katie apart before they got into a full brawl: 3. But here it was. New York. Throughout all four of our lives, we have wanted to see this city and we were...amazed. Everyone seemed so busy, so important. We seemed so small compared to the skyscrapers. I started to have this anxious feeling in my stomach and I couldn't help but marvel at the crowds of people. It was all so huge. We rolled in and we blasted the music, we pulled our windows down and started to blast, "We are Young" by Fun. We felt amazing. We felt alive. We felt infinite. This was our time and we would fucking make it.

title: Hiya c: Here's a story. I like stories :D

question: What does the story say about where the adventure takes the characters?

answer: Four friends set off for an adventure starting in California. While it takes them longer than expected to leave the state, the narrator falls in love with San Francisco. Seven weeks later, they arrive in Colorado which is when things start to go downhill for the group. They argue along the way but finally reach New York. The group is amazed by the big city, making them feel alive and infinite.


text:
[Looking north across Caversham to Carisbrook, from the slopes of Forbury Hill] Carisbrook was a sports stadium in the New Zealand city of Dunedin. The stadium was used for international cricket matches between 1955 and 2004 after which the Otago Cricket Association moved to the University of Otago Oval, a ground which has since been used for international cricket. It was one of the venues for the 1992 Cricket World Cup and hosted both men's and women's international matches. The ground was the venue for 10 men's Test matches and two women's Tests as well as 21 men's and one women's One Day International (ODI) matches.

In cricket a century is scored when an individual batter scores at least 100 runs in an innings.[1] This is considered a notable achievement.[2] West Indian Everton Weekes became the first batsman to score a Test century at Carisbrook when he made 123 runs against New Zealand in 1956. Bryan Young's score of 267 not out, made against Sri Lanka in 1997, is the highest international score made on the ground. Only two players made a double century at the ground. A total of 10 centuries were scored in men's Test matches on the ground and two in women's matches.

Five centuries were scored in One Day Internationals on the ground, the first by West Indian Viv Richards who scored 119 from 113 deliveries against New Zealand in 1987. The highest score achieved on the ground in an ODI was the 122 not out made by Nathan Astle against England in 2002. Astle is the only player to score more than one century on the ground.

Key

  Symbol   Meaning
  -------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  SCORE    The number of runs scored by the batter. A * after the score shows that the batter was not out
  BALLS    The number of balls the batter faced in their innings.
  DATE     Day the Test started or ODI was held
  INN      Innings in which the century was made
  RESULT   Result of the match

Test matches

A total of 12 centuries were scored in Test matches on the ground, ten in men's Tests and two in women's Test matches.

Men's Tests

  No.   Batter                 Score   Balls   Date   Team   Opposing team   Inn   Result
  ----- ---------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ --------------- ----- ---------------------
  1     Everton Weekes                 –                                     2     West Indies won[3]
  2     Graham Dowling                 –                                     1     India won[4]
  3     Mushtaq Mohammad               –                                     1     Pakistan won[5]
  4     Asif Iqbal                     –                                     2     Pakistan won[6]
  5     Desmond Haynes                                                       3     New Zealand won[7]
  6     Jeremy Coney           *                                             4     Drawn[8]
  7     Asanka Gurusinha                                                     3     Drawn[9]
  8     Hashan Tillakaratne                                                  3     Drawn[10]
  9     Bryan Young            *                                             1     New Zealand won[11]
  10    Romesh Kaluwitharana                                                 3     New Zealand won[12]

  : Centuries scored in Men's Test matches at Carisbrook

Women's Tests

  No.   Batter              Score   Balls   Date   Tean   Opposing team   Inns   Result
  ----- ------------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ --------------- ------ -----------
  1     Shanta Rangaswamy           –                                     2      Drawn[13]
  2     Barb Bevege         *       –                                     3      Drawn[14]

  : Centuries scored in Women's Test matches at Carisbrook

One Day International matches

Five centuries were scored in ODIs on the ground.

  No.   Batter            Score   Balls   Date   Team   Opposing team   Inn   Result
  ----- ----------------- ------- ------- ------ ------ --------------- ----- ---------------------
  1     Vivian Richards   119     113                                   1     West Indies won[15]
  2     Martin Crowe      104     135                                   1     New Zealand won[16]
  3     Jacques Kallis    100     117                                   1     New Zealand won[17]
  4     Nathan Astle      119     116                                   2     New Zealand won[18]
  5     Nathan Astle      *       150                                   2     New Zealand won[19]

  : Centuries scored in Men's ODIs at Carisbrook

Notes

[1] Rundell M (2006) _The Wisden Dictionary of Cricket_. London: A & C Black.

[2] Pervez MA (2001) _A Dictionary of Cricket_, p.15. Hyderabad: Sangam Books (India).

[3] 1st Test, West Indies tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 3-6 1956, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[4] 1st Test, India tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 15-20 1968, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[5] 2nd Test, Pakistan tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 7-10 1973, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[6]

[7] 1st Test, West Indies tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 8-13 1980, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[8] 3rd Test, Pakistan tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 9-14 1985, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[9] 2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Mar 18-22 1995, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[10]

[11] 1st Test, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Mar 7-10 1997, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[12]

[13] Only Test, India Women tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Jan 8-11 1977, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[14]

[15] 1st ODI, West Indies tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Mar 18 1987, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[16] 1st Match, Rothmans Cup Triangular Series at Dunedin, Mar 1 1990, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[17] 1st ODI (D/N), South Africa tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 14 1999, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[18] 5th ODI (D/N), Pakistan tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 28 2001, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

[19] 5th ODI (D/N), England tour of New Zealand at Dunedin, Feb 26 2002, CricInfo. Retrieved 2019-12-28.

title: List of international cricket centuries at Carisbrook

question: What was Carisbook used for?

answer: It was used for international cricket matches between 1955 and 2004.

question: In cricket, what is a century?

answer: A century is when an individual batter scores at least 100 runs in an inning.

question: How many centuries were scored in Test matches?

answer: 12 centuries were scored in Test matches.

question: When was Carisbrook opened?

answer: unclear, it began hosting matches in 1955.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This article is about Carisbrook, a sports stadium located in Dunedin, New Zealand. It was used for international cricket matches between 1055 and 2004.


text:
"Wake up, Timothy.....Timothy, dear, wake up!"

“Ugh...what?”

“Wake up! We're leaving soon!”

Timothy rose from his bead, still groggy. Beside him was his wife, already dressed. He glanced at his clock; 3:20 AM, it read.

“Margaret, what are you doing awake and dressed at three in the morning? Why are you waking me up?”, said Timothy, yawning.

“We're leaving soon!”

“Leaving where?”

“Oh...well, its a surprise, you'll just have to wait until Jeffery comes. Then we will leave!”, said Margaret. She seemed quite excited for this place they were going to.

“Who's Jeffery? Why do we have to wait for him?”

“Because he's the one taking us!”

“Margaret, I don't want to go anywhere. I want to sleep. I have work in the morning, how am I supposed to be on time if I don't get any sleep?”

“You don't need to worry about work, dear. Now get dressed! I'm going to go fix us some breakfast.”

Margaret left the bedroom, and headed towards the kitchen. Timothy could hear her humming to herself happily as she prepared their food. As reluctant as he was, he got out of bed and dressed himself. He didn't want to go anywhere; but Margaret had been quite distant lately; not herself. This was the first time in weeks he had seen her happy. He decided he'd go along with it, for her sake. As he walked into the kitchen, Margaret stood at the stove smiling, frying some eggs.

“How would you like your eggs, dear?”

“Runny.”

Timothy walked to the coffee maker, and began to make some coffee. He soon realized that Margaret had stopped humming; so he turned around. She was standing completely still, staring at him blankly.

“What are you looking at me like that for?”, he asked.

No response.

“Margaret, what's wrong?”

“Oh, what?”, she said, as she snapped back into reality.

“You were staring at me.”

“Oh, sorry. Silly me, I guess I'm still a bit tired!” She resumed cooking the eggs and humming.

Timothy finished brewing his coffee just as Margaret finished cooking the eggs. She prepared them plates, and they sat down to eat.

“So, where are we going?”, Timothy asked.

“I can't tell you, dear. Its a surprise.”

“What kind of surprise?”

“A special surprise, just for you.”

“A surprise? For me? It better be damn good if its at 3 AM in the morning. When are we leaving?”

“Oh, I don't know. As soon as Jeffery gets here.”

About a half hour had passed, and they had both finished eating. Timothy was in the living room, fiddling with the T.V.. Margaret sat next to him, reading a book.

“Margaret, did you mess with the T.V.? Its just fuzzy white noise.”

“No dear, I didn't touch it.”

“Whatever. There's probably nothing good on, anyway. Can we leave yet?”

“No, not yet. We need to wait 'till Jeffery comes.”

“I think this Jeffery guy is a bit late.”, said Timothy, mildly annoyed.

Another half hour passed, and at this point Timothy was laying on the floor, half asleep. His eyes became heavy, and soon the image of Margaret underneath the lamp had dimmed to blackness.

“Wake up, Timothy! Wake up! Timothy!”

Timothy opened his eyes. He was back in his bed, with Margaret sitting on the bed next to him, with a worried look on her face.

“Timothy, you were talking in your sleep, and you're sweating.”

“What? How did I get in my bed? Is Jeffery here yet? He glanced at the clock; 5:48 AM.

“Who's Jeffery, Timothy?”

“Jeffery, Margaret. You know, he was going to take us to the surprise, remember? You woke me up at 3 AM!”

“What? I don't know a Jeffery, and I didn't wake you up. You must have been dreaming, that's probably why you were talking in your sleep.”

“Maybe...Margaret, I had a very strange dream. You woke me up, and we were going to go to my surprise, but you said we had to wait for Jeffery, and-”

“Oh, honey! You're cold!”

“I'm what?”, said Timothy, confused.

“You're cold! But you're sweating! I'm calling the doctor.”

Margaret left the bedroom, and he could soon hear her talking on the phone with the doctor. He touched his forehead; it was cold. Stone cold. So was his arm, and his leg, and the rest of his body. Ice cold. He shivered. The doorbell rang.

“Wow, that was fast!”, exclaimed Margaret.

Timothy could hear her answer the door.

“Who are you? You're not the doctor.”

“No, I'm not,” said a man with a raspy voice. “I'm here for Timothy.”

“He's in the bedroom...but who are you? What do you want?”

“I'm Jeffery,” he said, “The undertaker.”

title: Wait 'till Jeffery Comes

question: Who is Jeffery?

answer: In Timothy's dream, Jeffery is someone who is coming to pick up Margaret and him. While in reality, Jeffery is an undertaker.

question: Where was Margaret taking Timothy?

answer: Margaret wasn't taking Timothy anywhere. The whole scene was Timothy's dream.

question: Was the whole scene a reality or a dream?

answer: It was a dream. Timothy was dreaming that Margaret was taking him out for a surprise.

question: Does Jeffery arrive at all?

answer: Yes, Jeffery does arrive but not in the dream. The Jeffery that comes, in reality, is in fact an undertaker.

question: Write a ~7 sentence summary.

answer:
Timothy dreams of his wife, Margaret, taking him out for a surprise. It's 3:20 A.M. and Timothy is woken up to get dressed and wait for Jeffery to arrive. Jeffery is supposedly going to drive them to the spot.

They both eventually pass out waiting for Jeffery when suddenly Timothy wakes up to Margaret calling him out. He tells Magaret about the dream. She calls the doctor and the bell rings. It's Jeffery, the undertaker, at the door asking for Timothy.


text:
_PLATYSACE COMMUTATA_ is a shrub that is endemic to Western Australia.[1]

The shrub typically grows to a height of . It blooms between October and April producing white-cream and blue flowers.

Often found among quartzite rocks on hill tops and summits it is distributed widely but with a scattered population from the Mid West down to the Great Southern region of Western Australia growing in sandy soils or granitic clays.[2]

The plant was first described by the botanist Nikolai Turczaninow as _Trachymene commutata_ in 1849 in the article _Decas sexta generum plantarum hucusque, non descriptorum_ in the journal, _Bulletin de la Société Impériale des Naturalistes de Moscou_ and later moved into the _Platysace_ genera by C. Norman in 1939.[3]

[1]

[2]

[3]

title: Platysace commutata

question: How tall does the shrub grow?

answer: This information is not mentioned.

question: Does the shrub flower?

answer: Yes, the shrub produces white cream and blue flowers.

question: Where is the shrub mainly found?

answer: The shrub is found among quartzite rocks on hilltops in Western Australia.

question: Who discovered the plant?

answer: It may be implied that botanist Nikolai Turczaninow discovered the plant.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer:
Platysace Commutata is a shrub found among quartzite rocks on hilltops in Western Australia. The shrub flowers between October to April and blooms with White cream and blue flowers.

The plant was first described by botanist Nikolai Turczaninow in 1849.


text:
It started when I first met Gabriel. The man called himself 'Gabriel', and refrenced the bible or some shit like that. He dressed like Morpheus from the fucking Matrix, complete with glasses, trench coat, and a voice that said, 'I understand the universe, not like you can comprehend what I am saying anyway.' He walked into the starbucks I was in. I was doing what coffee shops were made for: writing screenplays. Yes, I worked with Nickelodeon and helped make kid's movies. Better than my brother's moving company.
He sat down next to me and asked what I was doing. Scared the shit out of me. "I am sending a love letter to Kim Kardasian. The only way to make her love me is by stopping any good source of news that isn't about her." I turn to his face. He had a emotionless face.

I needed to let him know I was a fucking asshole, so I called a nearby girl who worked here. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING!?! GET SOME GODDAMN TEA, BITCH!" The whole store stared. Gabriel started talking.

"You do not belong here. You are from timestream 123. This is timestream 74."

Who the fuck did he think he is?
"I am Gabriel, messenger from God. Before I take you to your original timestream, you must understand what happened to you."
"In 1943, the U.S. government experimented with quantum technology to make a ship disappear. This was in timestream 1. The experiment caused the ship to travel through space and time, causing a new timestream to be created every time it teleported. The U.S. government kept experimenting, and created 151 timestreams, if you count mew. I don't know if a glitch timestream like missingno counts-"

"Get to the part where I give a shit."

"Well, timestream 74 and 123 have links to each other, where 123's get sent here to 74. The main difference between here and 123 is that 123 is full of assholes. Some common links from there to here can be found in Boston, Idaho, and your local high school." *Don't forget the DMV,* I thought to myself.

He then pulled out two pills. "After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, you stay an asshole. You take the red pill, I show you how deep my asshole goes." *Wait, what? That could mean two things: Either he was going to show me how much of an asshole he was, or he was literally going to show me his asshole. This is so confusing.*

"Inception," Gabriel said, like he could read my mind. Before he could keep talking the police came and arrested him for possession of LSD and roofies. He left the drugs with me. "Take the correct pill, and enter the gaytrix!"

I took a long look at the two pills. The blue one was LSD, the red one was a roofie. Isn't it the other way around in the movie?  Then I asked myself, do I want to be an asshole? Of course! I took the blue LSD and started writing. That is how I made the hit television show 'Keeping with the Kardashians.'
Go ahead. Watch Nickelodeon. It is on there.

---
Morale of the story: Only assholes get rich and famous off of terrible story ideas. Only assholes go to hell. Gabriel was actually an angel offering him salvation, but he refused. Either that or he actually was on drugs.

title: The Philadelphia Experiment

question: Where did the narrator work?

answer: Nickolodeon.

question: What is this story referencing?

answer: The Matrix.

question: How do we know the narrator did not work on Keeping up with the Kardashians and might now have worked for Nickolodeon?

answer: The narrator took the LSD pill, which would cause them to have a warped sense of reality.

question: Why does the author posit that perhaps Gabriel was an actual angel offering salvation?

answer: If the author hadn't taken the pills, they wouldn't have turned out to be an asshole. This is just conjecture.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The author is in a Starbucks when a man named Gabriel dressed up like Morpheus from The Matrix walks in. He introduces himself as a messenger from God and tells the author what happened to the author. He then offers a red pill and a blue pill. The author knows from having seen The Matrix that the blue pill is LSD so he takes that. He says this is how he ended up working on Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which he states was on Nickelodeon.


text:
Caregiving is tough. It's one thing to see a loved one in the dirty trenches of illness; it is a whole other to jump headfirst into that trench with them. Caring for a man who is suffering from depression can be even harder, because depression isn't often seen - it's felt.

NIH and CDC statistics explain that women have a higher likelihood of being depressed. Many experts disagree - noting that depression is just less diagnosed in men. This makes sense considering men commit suicide nearly four times more frequently than women due to their symptoms being overlooked and untreated. Even if the data is correct, there are still six million of my fellow men who are experiencing some level of depression at any given time. Six million fathers, husbands, boyfriends, brothers, and uncles living day by day wondering both when the pain is going to end and how to break through the crushing stigma of depression.

The truth of this can be seen in one man's story, and to keep his identity anonymous, I will call him John. Three years ago, John's son was killed, and understandably, he fell into depression. What is interesting is that John is a licensed clinical social worker (L.C.S.W) and has spent several years working with populations suffering from depression and a variety of other mental health conditions. He was no stranger to depression's devastating effects or coping methods but, as he found out, helping others isn't the same as helping yourself. During the time of his son's death, he was in a relationship with a woman who didn't know how to help him. She called family members asking "what is wrong with him?" She felt that the short period of 3-6 months should've been enough time for him to grieve and get over his depression. It was not, and their relationship ended. Eventually he beat the depression through the support of family and friends. Although, if his girlfriend would have handled the situation differently or had been more informed, things might have gone better for them and their relationship may have lasted.

My point isn't to paint a hopeless picture but rather to show there is immense opportunity for change even if it means that as a caregiver you could have to balance your way through a mine field of defensiveness, denial, anger, and despondence. Here are 4 tips to help you do it unscathed.

TIP #1 UNDERSTAND HIS DEPRESSION _"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds."_ ― Laurell K. Hamilton

One of the largest misconceptions about depression is that it is a feeling - which is part of the reason men are so reluctant to talk about it. Yes, it is a feeling but it is also much more. Not only does it effect people on an emotional level but it also drains them physically and psychologically. The chemical imbalance in the brain slowly causes the body to shut down. That is why if your partner is depressed, he will be lacking the motivation to hit the gym or to pursue a once cherished hobby. With this in mind, the first thing you can do to help is make sure he is eating a balanced diet and is exercising. Buy fresh food, avoid stocking the fridge with highly caffeinated products and booze, and see if he will go walking with you. These are all easy and are tremendously helpful, but won't necessarily combat the depression itself. For that, we go to Tip #2.

TIP #2 ACKNOWLEDGING HIS DEPRESSION _"Never ignore the elephant in the room. That's rude; play with it and introduce it."_ ― Donna Lynn Hope

Confronting his depression will be tough but is absolutely necessary if you are going to help reverse its course. What you're going to be doing here isn't confronting him and telling him he is depressed. Trust me, he knows he depressed or at least that something is wrong. The goal is to show him that you acknowledge he is going through something and that asking for help is okay. I've broken it down into
four steps -

1.  Approach him where he is comfortable, at home or maybe your favorite date spot. Make sure you have privacy and enough time to talk (at least an hour).

Tell him you noticed he has been "feeling down" lately. I would avoid using the word "depressed" because it could trigger the walls to go straight up. Bring up examples - but do so in a gentle way.

Explain your mutual goal - you BOTH want him to feel better.

Depressed men feel isolated in their pain and hopelessness. Explain that asking for help is a sign of strength not of weakness.

TIP #3 SELF CARE _"The Best Health Care Plan Is A Self Care Plan"_ ― Nina Leavins

"In the event of a decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your own mask first, and then assist the other person."

If you've ever been on an airplane you've likely heard some iteration these words. While growing up they confused me because it seemed like it would make more sense to help the helpless and vulnerable first, but with age I realized that if you are incapacitated you won't be of any help to anyone. The same goes for caring for a man with depression. You need to secure your own mental stability before you can help him.

The difference in a situation with male depression as opposed to other diseases is that the frustration and stress isn't going to come in the traditional way. You won't be stretched thin providing medical assistance to him or running back and forth from a hospital. But, rather the emotional connection you have with your partner will be taxed. Because of the nature of depression he won't be as connected or invested in your relationship as he was when he was healthy. He might become more combative or more withdrawn, depending on how the depression affects him. Don't get pulled into this or take it personally. Do what you need to do to stay healthy. Connect with friends, exercise, or shop - you have an identity outside of your relationship.

TIP #4 INVOLVE THE PROFESSIONALS

Getting professional medical personnel involved is the most critical step as it is the most effective way to cure the depression. I understand it can be incredibly hard to get a guy to see doctor, for even the most routine of checkups, let alone getting him to see a therapist or psychologist for depression. Here are some ways to make it easier:

1.  Ask him to do it for you or your family. Tell him it will bring you peace of mind if he sees someone.

See the right doctor - Ask if you can set up an appointment with your family doctor so they can go over the problem. It will be an easier push for him to see a family doc as oppose to a "shrink."

Call ahead - Tell the doctor what his symptoms have been. Your testimony might bring up things your partner could miss or will neglect to share.

Depression is devastating, insidious, it can break up relationships and ruin friendships, but it doesn't have to. With the right tools and support, it can be beaten. Helping a man who is in the throes of depression is nothing to be laughed at; I applaud you and hope the tips above will be helpful.

_Also on HuffPost:_

[]

These Photos Perfectly Capture Mental Illness

question: Summarize the 4 tips the author shares for helping someone deal with depression.

answer: The author offers 4 tips for helping a man deal with depression. The first is to understand depression to better combat it. The second is to help him acknowledge his depression and face it head on. The third is to care for your own mental health before helping others. The fourth and final tip is considering involving professional help.

question: Summarize the statistics of depression in men.

answer: According to the NIH and CDC, women have a higher likelihood of depression than men, but that may be because depression is less diagnosed in men. This is backed up by the fact that men are four times as likely to commit suicide than women, potentially due to untreated depression. Based on current data, there are at least six million men experiencing some level of depression.

question: Summarize John's story.

answer: John was a licensed clinical social worker in a relationship with a woman. His son was killed and he fell into depression. The woman thought that he would be over it in 3-6 months, but he was not. They broke up, and John was able to get out of depression with help from friends and family.

question: Summarize the author's advice regarding professional help.

answer: The author recommends that getting professional help is the most critical step to curing depression. The author also recommends that you find the right doctor to help. You might also consider calling ahead of time to tell the doctor about his symptoms.


text:
Galahad ran through the hall to tell the professor of the scene in the market. He crashed through the doors of the classroom as professor Cosimo was deep into the first study of the season with his new pupils.

“Cosimo, come at once for your son Felix is proclaiming to denounce his worldly possessions and set the live stock of your estate free. He says all the animals on the sycamore cart he has brought to the marketplace are slaves!”

The professor slowly looked from the manuscripts of arithmetic and peered scornfully above his spectacles made of lead wire and uneven glass. He replied, “These matters I cannot tend to, Galahad.”

“Sir, he is giving away the family rabbits, cows and your prized chicken! This will be a hardship for your wife and daughter.” Galahad said as he tried to catch his breath.

“Teacher, shall we perhaps resume our study tomorrow so that you may tend to this matter?” a voice from the group of pupils asked.

“You shall address me as ‘professor’, this is not optional, for I profess unto you all.” Cosimo said through the small opening between his mustache and beard.

The pupils responded in unison with flabbergasted tones.

And with that the professor sent Galahad away with a net made of old flag fabric, wool rope and worn burlap sacks.

Cosimo explained to Galahad that he is to capture Felix and keep him bound until the evening when Cosimo could return home to correct his son.

As Galahad arrived in the market he saw no cart full of rabbits or the professors prized chicken. The two cows that were pulling the cart were nowhere in sight and the cart was being pulled away from the marketplace by a lazy donkey tethered to an old man.

“You, with the sycamore cart. WAIT!” Galahad announced as he hurried up the hill that the old man and his donkey had just conquered.

“Old man, where is the gentleman that you have acquired this cart from?”

The old man licked his dry lips with his dry tongue and cleared his voice in preparation to speak, “The boy said he was going south to the Mediterranean to find kinder women folk to marry. The young one was telling of a dream in which Diotima of Mantinea spoke to him of gentle women in that region.”

The old man then walked off and the donkey followed but was not lead as there was plenty of slack in the tether.

title: Felix away! [Fiction]

question: Was the reason behind selling the animals some sort of enmity between the father and the son?

answer: It may be implied that the son may have been upset with his father for keeping the animals at home and hence wanted to get rid of them.

question: Does Cosimo take his profession seriously?

answer: Yes, it may be implied that he takes his profession pretty seriously from the fact that he refuses to address a personal issue while teaching his students.

question: What emotions must Cosimo have gone through after hearing about Felix's doings?

answer: From the story, it is difficult to guess what feelings he may have gone through since he continues his work and refuses to address the issue until he is finished teaching.

question: Why does the title place importance on Felix?

answer: It may be implied that the title places importance on Felix because the plot of the story is created because Felix sells the animals.


text:
*My first post, and my first short story. It was made specifically to be JUST dialogue. Please, be brutal, be nasty, be honest.*

"Excuse me. Are you drinking two cups of coffee?"
"You noticed?"
"Yes. They *are* yours? You're not waiting for someone else?"
"No."
"Oh. But why two? Why not order-"
"-A double? No, no. I don't do that. It wouldn't be fair."
"What do you mean by fair?"
"Well you see, I have this theory that everything needs to come in pairs. In twos. All the time, everything."
"What do you mean?"
"Like when you wake up in the morning you put on a pairs of socks don't you? And a pair of earrings? Pair of shoes? Pair of gloves for the winter, right?"
"Right."
"Well there you go. What if your...say, bracelet, is watching you put on two earrings and yet he has to travel on your wrist alone? That's not fair. Also your left wrist, who is bearing the bracelet, looks over to your right wrist and feels guillty because-"
"-My right wrist doesn't get to wear a bracelet."
"Exactly. Coming in pairs is a universal trait. It all goes down to the simplest most basic components of life and the universe, since beginningless time. Do you know what I mean?"
"I know exactly what you mean. Even electrons come in pairs."
"That's it! And *hence*...my pair of coffees!"
"You know love too comes in pairs."
"Love?"
"Well whether it's man and woman or man and man, or whatever, love comes in pairs too right? A couple is a pair of lovers after all."
"Hey, you're right."
"OCD really can be a wonderful thing. We make quite a pair."

title: Grande Old Pair (very short, dialogue only)

question: What is the main character's theory about pairs?

answer: The main character believes that everything in life comes in pairs, like socks, earrings, shoes, gloves, and even coffee.

question: What does the main character state they have?

answer: The main character states they have OCD.

question: How does the title of this passage align with the contents of it?

answer: The title of the passage is quite apt because the story is about how the best things comes in pairs and attributes to the main character's OCD.


text:
Billy, Danny, and Michael, all students in Mr. Yeard’s third grade class, sat outside for lunch on the far picnic table in the courtyard, where they were approached by an out-of-solar-system guest, Yarou, who asked to join them. The kids kindly accepted his request and offered to share their lunches. Yarou graciously took half of the sandwich that Billy was straining to hold up above his head.

“Thank you very much. You are very kind,” he said. His voice was light in delivery and high in pitch but easily understandable. Yarou took a bite and a single chew. He suddenly froze and immediately spit the food out of his mouth and onto the table.
“What is in that food you gave me!?” Yarou yelled, raising his voice.
Billy, having brought his sandwich up to his open mouth, slowly lowered it and placed it on the table. He looked up at Yarou’s glaring eyes, which had begun to glow.
“That is a turkey sandwich,” Billy replied, starting to shake.
“What is turkey?” Yarou yelled again. Billy stared back, not knowing how to answer the question. Steam began to emerge from the pores on Yarou’s face. “Is it a plant? A tree? A species? A seed?” Yarou’s voice became louder and more threatening. The three boys were staring at the table, trying not to make eye contact.
“It’s a bird,” Billy said, almost crying.
Yarou walked over behind Billy, who still refused to look up. Yarou’s eyes were now bright red and steam flew from his face at a staggering rate. He raised his right arm and violently came down on Billy’s head with a thundering crack. In an instant, Billy’s body went limp and fell to the ground, after which Yarou proceeded to step on him. After several powerful kicks and stomps, Yarou looked up at Danny and Michael. His eyes dimmed in color, and the steam lessened. Then he spoke.
“Killing is wrong, especially for food. Let this be a lesson to you.”
Danny and Michael began to cry.

title: Lunch with Yarou (340 words)

question: Who is Yarou?

answer: Yarou is an alien from outside the solar system.

question: What type of food does Billy offer Yarou?

answer: He offers Yarou a turkey sandwich.

question: Why do Danny and Michael cry?

answer: Because Yarou has killed Billy.

question: Why does Yarou spit out the food?

answer: Because it contains turkey, and Yarou is disgusted that they have killed a bird.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Yarou, an alien, joins a group of schoolchildren for lunch. One of the kids, Billy, offers Yarou a turkey sandwich. Yarou spits it out and is appalled to learn that they have killed a living creature for food. In retaliation, he kills Billy.


text:
The ‘Man on The Moon’ Series

From 2008–10, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi) attained chart success and subtly pioneered his way to prominence. Amid a culture shifting musically, in terms of style and lyrical content, Cudi paved way for mental health’s inclusion in rap culture.

On __ his first album, _Man on the Moon: The End of Day__,_ Cudi delivered a dreamy, space-like persona that was introspective, honest, and somewhat revolutionary for the genre. Thanks to tracks like “Day n Nite,” “Pursuit of Happiness,” and “Soundtrack 2 My Life” Cudi rendered a composite of artless feeling among listeners world-wide.

Success continued for Mescudi on his bittersweet sophomore album, _Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager._ This project significantly shifted to a darker, more vulnerable tone due to tribulations of an intense drug addiction — the man had fallen into a black hole. The album acted as his psychedelic synopsis of misfortune, sorrow, and rage.

IT WAS AN OPEN CONFESSION TO SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND DEPRESSION.

Mescudi grew up an artsy, uncoordinated child in Cleveland, Ohio. On multiple occasions, he’s expressed moments in grade-school where he felt awkward and out of place. At times, Scott was bullied for being an outcast and, worst of all, his father died of cancer when he was 11 years old. His troubled disposition lead him to expulsion from high-school — he threatened to punch the principal in the face.

Childhood was not one of ease or popularity for the young artist.

  His struggle and bereavement had notable effect on his personality and subsequently his music.

Majority of Cudi’s impact stems from his willingness to express the pain and emotion he’s felt in his life; it’s been a cornerstone of his sound since the beginning.

Contrary to rap’s narrative of “money, cars, and hoes,” Mescudi changed the game by filling a void in virtue. Through his authenticity and readiness to reveal himself, he’s manifested a sense of connection and understanding with fans. He’s always felt his purpose had meaning beyond just “making music.”

[Image for post]

Interview with Arsenio Hall — Source: YouTube
  Kid Cudi made it okay to feel sad, lonely, and depressed.

Since success, he’s recognized his responsibility to help others cope with mental illness. By transmitting his own struggles through music, he’s able to commiserate with listeners from all ages and backgrounds.

He’s changed the way kids address disorder of the mind.

Other Voices in Hip-hop

Scott Mescudi is not the “one-and-only” ambassador for concern of loneliness, self-destruction, and internal confusion. Since the inception of hip-hop, emcees such as 2Pac, Notorious B.I.G, and Nas have expressed sentiments of suicide and depression.

  However, no one has matched the grandeur of Cudi’s impact.

On the cusp of internet and hip-hop prominence, Kid Cudi’s message had a never-before-seen cascade effect. By the grace of timing and technology, Mescudi resonated with _millions_ of adolescents and young adults around the globe. For many, it was the first time hearing subject matter of it’s kind — for all, it was the first time hearing it expressed so vividly and honest.

[Image for post]

“Kid Cudi on Steve’s iMac” — Apple Keynote Event (2009)
Inevitably, Cudi has influenced musicians superseding him, too.

It’s worth mentioning Cudi’s correlation to luminaries in hip-hop culture, Kanye West and Drake. 2008 was a special year — it permanently changed the soundscape for hip-hop and rap.

The mixtape debut, _A Kid Named Cudi,_ dropped in mid-2008 which caught the interest of none other than Kanye West, who flew young Cudi out to Hawaii to work with him. The two collaborated on Ye’s latest album; one that would incorporate more melody and melancholy, something Mescudi owned at the time. _808s & Heartbreak_ released later in ’08 — in hindsight, a prominent influence for a new wave of thematic content among the genre.

Drake followed this mixture of singing and introspective rap on his break out tape _So Far Gone_, which released in early 2009. Without the previous upsurge of “new-found style” from Cudi and Ye, it’s hard to say Drake would have made a project so on par with that vibe. Smash hits such as “Best I Ever Had” and “Successful” arose from such sound and launched Drake into the musical stratosphere where he continues to move today.

  Cudi, Kanye, and Drake — a brain trust of sonic influencers — forever changed the course of hip-hop. They opened so many avenues for artists to rightfully express themselves and their state of mind.

Today’s “new-age” rappers have built off of similar undertones in their music, as well. Rap culture is affluent with hints and references to psychological disarray.

Artists like Vic Mensa, Lil Uzi Vert, and XXXTentacion have openly expressed suicidal urges — it’s commonplace to incorporate notions of sadness and despair. The doors have opened for performers to let their emotions ring true.

Moreover, plenty of people in and around hip-hop have expressed their respect for Kid Cudi’s contributions. Travis Scott and Pete Davidson have both stated on camera “KID CUDI SAVED MY LIFE.”

In 2017, Logic released the biggest song of his career, “1–800–273–8255;” a song titled after a suicide prevention hot-line. On Logic’s third album, _Everybody,_ the 28-year-old touches an array of mental health issues spanning from anxiety and derealization to suicide and depression.

Can you guess one of Logic’s biggest inspirations?

[Image for post]

“Logic holding up a Kid Cudi album” Source: YouTube

Difference Maker

What makes an artist like Kid Cudi so special is _not_ simply the fact he’s open about his woes. The real reason he’s revered and regarded as a hero is because he makes all the struggle and emotion come full-circle — he’s a beam of hope.

Majority of the current artists rapping about poor mental health conditions do not come with the same level of gratitude as Cudi. It’s difficult to distinguish who’s truly battling a mental disorder and who’s putting on an act. Much of the newer artists appear to shout precarious claims for the sake of sounding precarious.

“Edgy” is very popular at the moment.

But, Mescudi handled it differently. He carried his troubles authentically and rewarded kids who listened. Kid Cudi didn’t just deliver dead-end motifs; he came with justification, which is largely why he’s different.

He delivered his distress and emotion with an aim for higher ground. Although hurt, as a listener, you felt a sense of redemption through his music; like there was light at the end of the tunnel. Even though tracks like “Heart of a Lion” and “Mr. Rager” revolve around internal strife, they give the impression contentment will return, despite how much fight it might take to get there.

  Above all, Kid Cudi empowered and emboldened young minds to conquer intense mental convictions — not run from them.

He made it okay to _feel_ those dark emotions deep down. He made it okay to _say_ nightmarish thoughts out loud. He made it okay to _fight_ for __ the will to live another day.

“KID CUDI SAVED MY LIFE.”

A Tribute to Scott:

_Long before we know ourselves, our paths are already set in stone._

_Some may never figure out their purpose in life and some will._

_There are a lot of us who are caught up in this hell we all live in, content with being blinded by rules and judgment._

_We live in a world where it’s more okay to follow than to lead._

_In this world being a leader is trouble for the system we are all accustomed to._

_Being a leader in this day and age is being a threat._

_Not many people stood up against the system we all call life._

_But toward the end of our first ten years into the millennium we heard a voice._

_A voice who was speaking to us from the underground for some time._

_A voice who spoke of vulnerabilities and other human emotions and issues never before heard so vividly and honest._

_This is the story of a young man who not only believed in himself, but his dreams too._

_This is the story of The Man On The Moon._

_— “In My Dreams” Intro to Kid Cudi’s debut album_

question: Who is Kid Cudi?

answer: Kid Cudi is a rapper who has paved the way for mental health's inclusion in rap culture.

question: What was an open confession to suicidal thoughts and depression?

answer: Kid Cudi's sophomore album Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager.

question: What is Kid Cudi's first album?

answer: Man on the Moon: The End of Day

question: How has Kid Cudi changed the way kids address disorder of the mind?

answer: He made it okay to feel sad, lonely, and depressed. He also able to commiserate with listeners of all ages and backgrounds through the transmission of his own struggles in his music.

question: Who are some other voices in Hip-hop?

answer: 2Pac, Drake, and Kanye West

question: How is Kid Cudi a "difference maker"?

answer: The author says that Kid Cudi is a difference maker not because he is so open about his struggles, but because he makes the emotions come full circle, representing a beacon of hope. They also say that Kid Cudi has empowered and emboldened young minds to conquer intense mental convictions, not run from then.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: The author discusses rapper Kid Cudi and his contributions to including mental health into rap culture. They discuss Kid Cudi's music, life, other voices in hip-hop, and the differences he's made.


text:
your style, your way

Briers is your local Vancouver furniture & decor store since 1996

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We love our community and support local-owned businesses

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Custom Canadian made sofas, sectionals, accent chairs

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Fresh, fashionable on-trend contemporary furniture + decor

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Shop our Collection

Decorate with Cherie

Decorate with Cherie

Lead Buyer + Interior Decorator

Cherie is the Lead Buyer and Top Seller of our award winning store for the past 18 years. She is a member of the Canadian Gift and Tableware Association (CGTA) and the Canadian Furniture Show (previously known as TCHFM – The Canadian Home Furnishings Market)

Cherie’s best attribute is her ability to help customers find furnishings that complete their space. She is touted for coining the phrase “Contemporary Cozy” during the 2013 Interior Designer Show in Vancouver.

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Decorate with Dave

Decorate with Dave

Owner + Curator + Stager

After 20 years with Briers, Dave Issar has become a Professional Interior Decorator. In addition, he is the president of business development, chief financial officer and head of warehouse operations. Dave has interior decorated many homes across Greater Vancouver and has worked on grand projects such as the Shaughnessy Gold and Country Club.

Finding furniture, accessories, and art work that complete a client’s ultimate vision is delivered efficiently and effectively by David’s ability to present multiple products at multiple price points fitting each client’s specific needs. Dave’s focus on customer preferences and details completely sets him aside from other representatives in this sector.

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Design with Missy

Design with Missy

Interior Designer + Stager

A graduate of Ryerson and Sheffield School of Design, Missy brings years of experience to our customers. She assists with defining their style and giving direction to create functional spaces that embrace the customer's everyday life. With commercial and hospitality projects in her portfolio, Missy is known to keep within budgets and share original ideas.

Missy specializes in the newest designs, colour schemes and functional layouts for home or business.

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What our clients are saying about us

Briers has everything in furniture that you can find! Along with great staff, David and Cherie have run the place for 20 years. A great neighbourhood shop.

We purchased a sofa, love seat and ottoman from Briers. Missy was fantastic and took time to look at photos of our space and make suggestions for what we needed.

Bought a fabulous, modern coffee table. Great service. Cherie was friendly and knowledgable. Will definitely return for more! Wonderful things for any occasion.

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Decorating and Staging homes in Greater Vancouver

02.

Support small businesses. Shop Local~ Shop West 4th

03.

We care and strive to provide the best service possible.

Instagram Feed

question: Who is Cherie?

answer: The lead buyer and top seller at Briers for the past 18 years.

question: Who is Dave?

answer: A professional interior decorator and president of business development.

question: Who is Missy?

answer: A graduate of Ryerson and Sheffield School of Design and a designer and stager.

question: Where is Briers?

answer: Vancouver.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: Briers is a top furniture and decorating business in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, since 1996. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable. Cherie is the lead buyer and she loves to help customers find furnishings that complete their space. Dave is head of business development, but he also has worked on grand projects such as decorating the Shaughnessy Gold and Country Club. Missy is a graduate of Ryerson and Sheffield school of Design who is talented at creating beautiful spaces within a client's budget.


text:
The PENGHU TIANHOU TEMPLE is a temple to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, the deified form of the medieval Fujianese shamaness Lin Moniang. It is located at 1Zhengyi Street , Magong City, Penghu, Taiwan. It is usually accounted the oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan and, despite the present differences in characters, is the namesake of the surrounding city of Magong. It is open from 7:00am to 5:30pm daily.[1]

Name

The original name of the site was the NIANGMA TEMPLE (“Temple of the Honorable Mother)”. It was renamed the TIANFEI TEMPLE (“Temple of the Princess of Heaven”) following its rebuilding in the 16th century. The present Chinese name of the temple followed Mazu's elevation by the Qing and translates as the “Palace of the Queen of Heaven” and is sometimes romanized as the Its English name is also sometimes transcribed as the

History

[The Mazu Temple .] The temple claims to be the oldest in Taiwan,[2][3] possibly dating to the early Ming in the 15th century. It was supposedly destroyed by “Japanese” pirates and rebuilt in the 16th century. It was enlarged following Yu Dayou's 1563 victory over the pirates at Putian and again after another imperial victory in 1592, a date sometimes given as its foundation.[4][5] Alternatively, its construction is credited to the Hoklo in 1593 or 1604.[6][7] A 1604 stele recording the ultimatum Yu Dayou's son Zigao gave to the Dutch to abandon Taiwan was discovered at the temple in 1919.[8] In 1622, the Dutch seized the area and erected a fort; following their conquest by Yu Zigao's forces two years later, the temple was again remodeled.[9]

Magong grew up around the temple and was named for it.[10] Under Japanese rule, the port of Magong was a major base of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Its characters were changed in 1920 but it retained the same pronunciation in Japanese and English as before. In Mandarin, however, the names no longer match, since the tone of the first syllable shifted from first to third. The present temple is largely the result of a 1922 renovation,[11] mostly employing Tangshan,[12] Guangzhou, and Chaozhou artists.[13]

Architecture

The temple complex consists of a front, main, and back temple with an extra row of houses (“guarding dragons”) on either side. It is built on the slope of the hill, with the temples rising from front to back. The front temple is also known as the Shanchuan Temple.[14] The temple has a high and sweeping “swallowtail” roof.[15]

Artwork

The temple is filled with wood carvings in the Chaozhou style. The name plaque on the front temple is surrounded by three dragons. The swastikas on the main hall's door panels are taken to represent eternal prosperity; wealth and happiness are also symbolized by the doors' flowers and birds. The columns have lion and paired rabbit bases.[16][17]

The main idol of Mazu is said to be more than 700 years old, carved from a single piece of solid wood weighing about .[18]

Legacy

The temple is one of the landmarks of Taiwan turned into _moe_ figures in artist Chih Yu's _We Stay, We Live_.[19]

Gallery

File:澎湖天后宮整修中.JPG| Entrance (2013) File:Penghu Tianhougong 20150618.jpg|Entrance 2015 File:澎湖天后宮｜鯉魚雕塑.jpg|Roof decoration: carp and water (clay) File:澎湖天后宮｜雙龍剪粘之一.jpg|Roof decoration: four-fingers dragon (clay ) File:澎湖天后宮 澎湖縣 國定古蹟寺廟 Venation 10.jpg| Wall decoration dragon beside entrance File:澎湖天后宮｜石鼓.jpg|The Entrance of the Hall File:澎湖天后宮｜水車堵.jpg|Wall decoration: 【Chinese folk story: Legend of the White Snake (白蛇傳)】Buddhist monk called Fahai (法海) uses her powers to flood the temple and drowns many innocent people. File:2008 Penghu Tianhougong charm face.jpg| Charm from the temple File:澎湖天后宮樑上的裝飾.jpg| Ceiling decoration File:澎湖天后宮｜沈有容諭退紅毛番.jpg|沈有容諭退紅毛番韋麻郎等 (1604) Shen Yourong expelled Dutch Wijbrant and his people

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title: Penghu Tianhou Temple

question: What is the Penghu Tianhou Temple?

answer: It is a temple to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. It is located in Magong City, Penghu, Taiwan and is usually accounted to be the oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan.

question: What does Niangma Temple mean?

answer: It means "Temple of the Honorable Mother".

question: Describe the architecture.

answer: Built on the slope of a hill, the temple consists of a front, main, and back temple with an extra row of houses on either side. The temple has a high and sweeping "swallowtail" roof.

question: What is the temple's legacy?

answer: The temple is one of the landmarks of Taiwan turned into moe figures in artist Chih Yu's We Stay, We Live.

question: Describe the main idol of Mazu.

answer: It's carved from a single piece of solid wood and is said to be more than 700 years.

question: How old is the temple?

answer: The temple claims to be the oldest in Taiwan, possibly dating to the early Ming n the 15th century.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This article describes the Magong City's Penghu Tianhou Temple's history, architecture, artwork, and legacy. It is a temple to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, and is said to be the oldest Mazu temple in Taiwan.


text:
[Trump wants to privatize air traffic control]

President Trump took credit Tuesday for "the safest year on record" for U.S. air travel, touting zero deaths in 2017. But there actually haven't been any deaths on a U.S. passenger airline  in nearly nine years.

Still, the president took credit for the safety record in a tweet.

"Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news -- it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!"

There were fatal crashes of commercial planes last year, but they all involved non-U.S. carriers operating overseas. Even after taking those crashes into account, 2017 was still the safest year on record for air travel worldwide.

  Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news - it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!

  — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 2, 2018

The last fatal accident involving a commercial U.S. passenger airline flight was in February 2009, when Colgan Air 3407 crashed in wintery conditions while on approach in Buffalo, killing 49 aboard and one person on the ground.

"President Trump has raised the bar for our nation's aviation safety and security," said deputy White House press secretary Raj Shah when asked about the tweet. "Last year, the President announced his initiative to modernize Air Traffic Control and under his leadership, the Department of Homeland Security released enhanced security measures to ensure safer commercial air travel. The President is pleased there were no commercial airline deaths in 2017, and hopes this remains consistent in 2018 and beyond."

Here are the specifics of what the Trump administration did for air safety in 2017.

LAPTOP BAN: In March, the administration banned electronics larger than smartphones from the cabins on certain international flights to the United States. The ban was put in place due to concerns that terrorists would use laptops or tablets to smuggle bombs onto planes. But those restrictions were lifted later in the year after additional screening measures were introduced at the affected airports in the Middle East and Africa.

FAA AND NTSB LEADERSHIP: It just so happens that the term of the current FAA administrator, Obama appointee Michael Huerta, expires this coming Saturday, and Trump has yet to nominate his pick to replace him.

Without a nomination, Trump's pick for deputy administrator, Dan Elwell, will become acting administrator on Sunday.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates crashes and comes up with safety rules, normally has five members. Currently it has only four, with one slated to retire at the end of January. Trump has nominated Bruce Landsberg as a member of the board, but his nomination has yet to come up for confirmation vote. And even if Landsberg is confirmed, there will still be a board vacancy.

Related: Flying in 2017 was safer than it's ever been

Landsberg stance on a key flight safety rule has stirred opposition in Congress, led by Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth. At issue: Landsberg opposes a 2013 rule that requires the second pilot on a regional flights to have at least 1,500 hours of flight time. The rule was instituted in the aftermath of the 2009 Colgan crash. At a hearing in October, Landsberg said he believes that "setting an arbitrary number" of flight hours for pilots isn't right.

That rule has been widely criticized by the industry, and has been blamed for the recent shortage of qualified airline pilots. But advocates say the stellar U.S. safety record is thanks at least in part to the regulation.

PROPOSAL TO PRIVATIZE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: The Trump administration announced in June a proposal to privatize the nation's air traffic control system. At the time Trump announced that the plan would result in "cheaper, faster and safer travel."

Other countries have already privatized their systems, including Canada, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, and Switzerland. The FAA would continue to oversee flight safety, but the system would be operated by a private company. The proposal has support of a number of players in the air travel industry, including most of the nation's airlines and airline labor groups. But the idea has faced opposition, especially from some Democrats, and the proposal has not advanced in Congress.

 CNNMoney (New York) First published January 2, 2018: 3:07 PM ET

question: When was the last time there was a death on a U.S. passenger airline?

answer: The last fatal accident involving a commercial U.S. passenger airline was in February 2009.

question: What has President Trump done for aviation safety and security in the US?

answer: The President hopes to modernize and privatize air traffic control in the US.

question: Who will become the FAA administrator?

answer: Dan Elwell will become the FAA administrator.

question: Why does the Trump administration want to privatize air traffic control?

answer: The Trump administration believes that privatizing air traffic control would result in cheaper, faster, and safer travel.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: This article is about Trump's proposed plan to privatize air traffic control in the U.S., arguing that it would make travel safer, faster, and cheaper.


text:
Given that the 3DS console has been on sale worldwide for nearly a year now, the desolate wastes of its almost non-existent software library have finally blossomed into a variety of must-have titles. But there’s one Nintendo property that’s still criminally under-represented on the handheld: Pokémon. The franchise has already began its show of force on 3DS with the decent Pokémon Rumble Blast, and the 3D novelty of Pokédex 3D.

For the true Pokémon fan, however, these are surely nothing more than palate cleansers. Neither title truly delivers on what the franchise is all about: roaming around an expansive world while collecting, training, trading and battling Pokémon, while trying to be the best in the world. Indeed, die-hard fans don't have anything concrete to look forward to in the near future as far as 3DS releases are concerned: only the inevitable announcement and eventual release of another duo of releases — named after colours, no doubt — in the next few years.

With the 3DS gaining some impressive momentum in recent months, we can only assume that Pokémon Black & White will be the last entries in the core Pokémon RPG series to appear on the DS before Nintendo and Game Freak shift their focus. But what can we expect to see in the sixth generation of core Pokémon games (which we'll refer to from now on simply as Pokémon 3DS) when they do finally surface? One thing's for sure: since the US release of Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998 — with the European release following a year later — the core series hasn't evolved all that much. Apart from a few tweaks and admittedly ingenious innovations, Pokémon has stubbornly rested on its laurels. How could the series innovate or evolve to take advantage of what’s possible with the 3DS?

  _Apart from a few tweaks and admittedly ingenious innovations, Pokémon has stubbornly rested on its laurels._

Gotta catch ‘em all!

Remember the good old days of wandering through the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue, when the Pokédex consisted of a mere 151 creatures? Back in the late 1990’s, finding a fellow player with the alternative version of the game was relatively simple, and catching every Pokémon in the game — except the elusive Mew — was perfectly feasible through engaging in some mutually exclusive trading. Nowadays though, the new additions in Black and White mean that there are a staggering 646 species knocking about. Attaining every last one involves owning multiple games over no less than two generations of Nintendo handhelds, while a handful can only be legitimately owned by attending events in which these super rare Pokémon are handed out to ravenous hordes of completionists.

Of course, you could always use illicit means to get your hands on every Pokémon, but it should never have come to that in the first place. Pokémon 3DS really needs to go back to basics when it comes to completing the Pokédex, regardless of how many new monsters are added. Just give us two versions with every Pokémon acquirable either through trading between the two games or sinking enough time into training or breeding. As it stands, the amount of hoops that need to be jumped through in order to accomplish this mammoth task makes a mockery of the series’ motto. Gotta catch ‘em all? Well at least give us a chance!

Delicate transactions

While we’re on the subject of collecting and trading Pokémon, there are significant improvements that could be made in this area in a potential 3DS instalment. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl introduced a fantastic trading mechanic: players were able to deposit unwanted Pokémon in a server and request a specific Pokémon, provided they’d already encountered it in-game, so you could drop off a monster and come back days later to find you’d initiated a successful trade. Having the ability to trade with anyone in the world was a massive leap up from requiring two people to be in the same room and linked via a cumbersome cable. Why not extend this idea to StreetPass? 3DS owners can already receive ghost data in Mario Kart 7 or new challenge rooms and items in Super Mario 3D Land, so why not include the ability to exchange Pokémon while on the go? If it's satisfying to get the green light for StreetPass Puzzle pieces, imagine opening up your 3DS after a long commute to find that you’d finally managed to acquire a particularly elusive monster.

War! Huh! What is it good for?

Well, quite a lot actually when it comes to Pokémon. In fact, arguably a core pillar of Pokémon’s gameplay involves taking a team of six Pokémon — moves customised, stats buffed, hand-picked to complement each other and form a formidable and meticulously trained unit — and pitting them against friends who have poured in an equally absurd amount of time, blood, sweat and tears honing their own teams. However, other than bragging rights for the victor, neither combatant gains any tangible rewards in doing so.

How about a system that lets gamers gamble in-game money or — even better — Pokémon, with the winner staking claim to the prizes? Not only would that provide an extra incentive for trainers to take extra care in ensuring their teams are infallibly polished before taking on the world, but it could also add a further shot of excitement to the battles themselves. Being able to set up actual tournaments or further customise the parameters of the battles would be great as well.

Actually, while we’re at it, why can’t Pokémon gain experience whenever they battle against other human players? Obviously, there’s potential for the less honest and principled gamers to constantly grind against the same person non-stop just to achieve a team of level 100 Pokémon: that’s nothing a cap on how many times you can fight against the same person in a 24-hour period couldn’t fix.

Never-ending story

  _The storyline in Pokémon games has become, let’s say, somewhat formulaic._

The storyline in Pokémon games has become, let’s say, somewhat formulaic. A 10-year old kid gets to choose one of three Pokémon from a friendly neighbourhood professor and — for some strange reason — his or her mother allows their only child to wander halfway across the world, talking to countless strangers of questionable character along the way. Now, by all means let that tradition live on, but it could be infinitely more refreshing if there’s the option to buck that trend and carve out a new path and experience.

We’re already able to personalise our Pokémon to a certain degree — governing what moves they learn, whether they evolve or not, etc — so why not let us enter our actual age into the game and have it construct a basic template of a character, which we could then customise and subsequently follow an age-range specified story?

Naturally, any potential story deviations should always culminate in the player becoming Pokémon League Champion, but once that’s achieved it’d be great to defend that title. For example, while you’re out and about further exploring the region and hunting down every single species of Pokémon, you could be contacted and summoned back to the Pokémon League to fight various AI opponents who desire to take the title for themselves, with the experience levels and aggression of the challengers gradually increasing with each subsequent defence of your status as champion.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil

Arguably, Pokémon games haven't been technically impressive since POKÉMON GOLD AND SILVER arrived on the Game Boy Color. Even when the series graced the Game Boy Advance and DS — both capable of far greater feats of visual wizardry than their predecessors — Pokémon has clung onto the same zoomed-out top-down view, with minimal increments in graphical prowess. Likewise, the idea of sparsely animated sprites stiffly bobbing up and down in every battle is one that was wearing thin for some gamers nearly a decade ago.

A large chunk of a revitalising wow factor could be achieved were Pokémon 3DS to take a leaf out of the same book as some of the home console spin-offs. Gamecube entries, POKÉMON COLOSSEUM and POKÉMON XD: GALE OF DARKNESS both featured fully realised 3D environments to wander around in, brimming with character and aesthetic variation, rather than limiting players to moving in four directions amidst the same sprites of houses, gyms and Pokémon centres. Likewise, these games exhibit the kind of grandiose spectacle during their heated battles that the core series on handhelds has perpetually lacked. The 3DS has proven itself more than capable of emulating this level of graphical proficiency and thus Pokémon 3DS should aspire to raise the bar, with visuals that make the next generation of Pokémon games a duo of bombastic, visually appealing extravaganzas that more closely match the animé.

Speaking of which, many Pokémon fans know what they're meant to sound like, right? Accomplished sound design can make or break a game and Pokémon has such a rich history in TV and film that it’s frankly baffling why no one has thought to further intertwine the two; to have Pokémon actually sound like they’re _supposed to_. It could help to maintain a stronger connection with these elemental killing machines, plus we’ll actually be able to switch the volume up without having our ear drums pierced by uncharacteristic screeches.

What do you think? Are you happy for Pokémon to retain the time-honoured traditions it has adhered to for the last decade and a half? Would you like to see some or all of the above suggestions come to pass, or do you have entirely different ideas as to how a potential 3DS instalment should evolve and innovate? Let us know in the comments below.

question: What is the narrator's main gripe with the Pokemon franchise?

answer: The narrator believes the story has become formulaic.


text:
-    PMID: 12262584

 B T Urlanis. Popul Bull. 1980.

Abstract

PIP: The birth rates of the USSR within its present boundaries are reconstructed for the period 1918-1940 on the basis of incomplete data and taking into consideration several changes in frontiers. Estimates for the years 1941-1945 are derived from data on school attendance during the 1949-1954 period, as well as from data provided by the censuses of 1959 and 1970 concerning cohort survival. Deriving an "effective fertility rate," which adjusts for the mortality wastage of young children, discussion focus is on fertility trends until 1976 and the changes in age patterns of reproduction at the national level and in the various republics. During the 1918-1940 period, the birth rate in the USSR never fell below 30/1000 and never exceeded 45/1000. There was a significant drop in the birth rate in the 1931-1936 period, and this is attributable to the problems of the period of collectivization and to the large-scale processes of migration involved in the country's industrialization. After the late 1940s, the overall birth rate in the USSR stabilized at a level of 25-27/1000, but from 1960 onwards, there was a steady decline in the rate. The level reached its lowest in 1969 and then rose somewhat. This increase reflects the transient influence of changes in the age-marriage structure of the population and in the "timetable" of births. A comparison of the present fertility level with the level in the 1920s indicates that the birth rate has declined by a factor of approximately 2.5, but in evaluating this decline the sharp decline in mortality, particularly infant mortality, must also be considered. The child mortality level in prerevolutionary Russia was very high. The overall mortality rate for the 20 provinces of European Russia in 1920-1922 was 33.2/1000, namely, 1/4 higher than it was before the Revolution. In subsequent years infant mortality continued at a high level and was 18.2% in 1940. In the last 25 years mortality in children under age 5 has markedly declined. In 1976 the overall birth rate was 18.5/1000 and the "effective" birth rate was 18.0/1000. The practice of birth control in families is spreading in various ways. In some cases the proportion of married couples using family planning is increasing, while in other cases couples already using birth control are beginning to use it after the birth of a child lower in birth order. In most areas of the country birth control is being practiced predominantly in such a way as to keep families down to 1 or 2 children. For the whole of the USSR in 1973-1974, the gross reproduction rate was 1.178, while the net rate was 1.118. Although there is ample population replacement in the country as a whole, in a number of republics even mere replacement is threatened.

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-   [Chilean history of infant and maternal mortality, 1940 -1985].

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question: Can it be said the birth rate in the USSR in the 1940s stayed between 30/1000 and 45/1000?

answer: It might be implied.

question: What was the cause of the significant drop in birth rates between 1931-1936?

answer: Problems of the period of collectivization and the large-scale processes of migration involved in the country's industrialization.

question: How well informed are families about the use of birth control?

answer: That information is not known.

question: Why was the child mortality level in prerevolutionary Russia very high?

answer: It is not stated.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The article highlights the birth rates, child mortality rates, and usage of birth controls in families in Russia between 1918 and 1976.