text:
Long ago, there was a beautiful winter day, the sun shone bright
and sparkling white snow lay undisturbed across the ground, silencing the
world which it covered. It was on this day that I decided to take a long
walk in the woods outside of the hustle and bustle of the city.
	As  I walked in the woods, I came upon an elder tree who had
lived a great many years and whose bark harbored a great number of
 wounds. I brushed the thick, gleaming snow off of the tree’s tangled
 roots, which spread far and deep in all directions. Unto the roots I
 sat, and the tree accepted me as a friend upon its lap, though he
 knew not who I was or of what nature my intentions were. Naught
else in this world would have ever accepted me so quickly and
 graciously, let alone trusted me so easily.
	For many hours there I sat, nurtured and nestled deep in the
ancient and deep-reaching roots. In my time sat comfortably upon the
 tree I asked in a hushed tone what the tree had seen and felt in his
 many years, seated forever upon the land where he stood. The tree
 answered in words of silence, and by it I was taught to listen with my
 eyes, not my ears.
	‘I have been built upon.’ said he with the rotting plank in his branches;
 with the scars in his skin he said ‘I have been wounded.’; ‘I have been
shelter for many lives.’ he said with the hole in his trunk and the abandoned
 birds-nest in his uppermost branch. He spoke very little, yet told very much.
	‘I have travelled far,’ I said in reply. ‘I have been very many places,
yet I fear I have seen less than you have, though you are rooted in this
 singular area. I have found little happiness to no avail, and I am plagued
 by my solitude which hangs over my head as a metal weight. I am not so
 wise as you are, my time is short on this planet and I, who has been born
 before you, is fated to die before you. I fear whether the choices I make
 in my life will be ill choices.’ I said, despair was shown so heavily in my voice.
	The tree listened well, and said nothing.
	‘I have no one on this earth who listens so well as you, tree.’
	The tree said naught, though I waited in vain for many hours.
	No advice was given to me that day, the tree never responded,
 but it held me tightly in its roots and I felt warm inside, despite the
 cold weather. The tree accepted me blindly, as nothing else would,
 or possibly ever will, it had done enough for me. Perhaps this tree
 had helped others, such as it had helped me; it had taken me in my pity.
	I walked to the woods that day with only the intention of feeling the
 cold air nip at my exposed skin; I left the woods that day enlightened,
 inspired by the kindness and unconditional love which the tree so openly
 gave out. I was changed, by something so simple as the comfort of a tree.
Love can be found in the simplest things, I learned that day, and we are
 never alone so long as we choose to see the life around us.

title: The Elder Tree

question: What is the moral of the story?

answer: You are never as alone as you think. Find another life on earth and you'll find solace.

question: How is the narrator able to see the answer to his question about the tree's life?

answer: The scars upon the bark and boughs tell tales of treehouses and burrowed holes and birds nests tell stories of nurture.

question: How has the narrator found solace?

answer: In speaking to the tree and unburdening his heart and mind, he is convinced that the tree listened to him as no other had before.

question: How does the narrator know that the tree accepts and trusts him?

answer: He bestows upon the tree human emotions and behaviour and sees in the tree's stoic silence an acceptance. He reads comfort from his own emotions as bestowed by the tree.

question: Write a ~13 sentence summary.

answer:
The narrator walks into the wood away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. He finds in the wood, an ancient elm. He cleans the snow from the widespread roots and sits upon the lap of the tree. The tree accepts trustingly this person it does not know.

The human sits for hours nurtured and nestled in the deep-reaching roots. He asks the tree what it had seen in its long life. The tree answers with silence so the human has to listen with his eyes. The scars on the tree tell a tale of treehouses, bird and animal sanctuary and the nurture of life.

The narrator replies that though he has travelled he has seen less than the tree. He tells how he is plagued by ill choices, his voice filled with despair. The tree listens in silence. The narrator leaves the wood inspired by the tree’s unconditional acceptance. He has learned that we are never alone as long as we choose to see the life around us.


split: train

text:
[] BIRDS' PARADISE is located in Tianma Village, Xinhui District, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China.[1] It is a unique tourist attraction which is known for its beautiful natural environment and rich bird life. The main body of Birds' Paradise is a small island with a thick banyan tree forest on it. In 1933, Ba Jin () happened to take a trip here, and was deeply impressed by its wonderful views, so he wrote a famous article, _Birds' Heaven_ to in memory of this special experience. In 1984, Ba Jin () inscribed the words 小鳥天堂, and since then, this place was named after Birds' Paradise (). In 2016, the local government decided to make Birds' Paradise a national wetland park.[2]

History

Its history can date back to the late Ming dynasty and the early Qing dynasty. It is said that a serious drought attacked the village around that time, so the villagers tried their best to dredge a river to water the farmland. However, the rich man in the village and the officers strongly disagreed with this, and they forced the villagers to block the channel, because they thought the river would destroy the geomancy (), which might become a threat to them later. Therefore, the villagers had no choice but to fill the river with soil, and thus a small island was formed. Someone inserted a branch into the small island, and the branch sprouted and grew into a banyan tree in the next year. Many years later that banyan tree had spread and developed into a forest, which gradually covered the island.

Biology and ecology

[Black-crowned night heron]

Animal

There are almost 40 species of birds inhabiting the forest in Birds' Paradise. Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola bacchus, Bubulcus ibis are the most common birds found on the island. In addition, there are also other species of birds like Ardea alba, Motacilla alba, oriental magpie-robin, Copsychus saularis, Turdus merula, Parus major, Pycnonotus sinensis, Pycnonotus jocosus.

[]

Flora

The thick forest on the island consists of many banyan trees. Among the forest, there is one especially large and ancient banyan tree, and it is so large that even ten people can not hold the tree. Besides, in order to make the environment more suitable for the birds to live, the staffs plant some other plants like Anubias, Salix babylonica, Hedychium coronarium, Nelumbo, Nelumbo nucifera and Argyranthemum frutescens, so that the ecosystem there can be more intact.

Tourist attractions

Water Channel (榕荫水道)

The water channel around the island contains many banyan trees on both sides. These provide shade for visitors who can take boat trips to enjoy the scenery, as well as listen to local folk tunes, sung by professional singers.[3]

Bird Museum (鸟博馆)

Covering an area of over 1500 square meters, the bird museum aims to share information about the site's avian fauna. Different kinds of bird specimens and pictures are displayed, whilst live bird shows are provided by trained staff.[4]

Waterfront Culture Pavilion (水乡风情展示馆)

This pavilion shows visitors the special waterfront culture in Lingnan area (). It contains exhibits relating to waterfront culture, including hand-tools, furniture, and old-styled clothing. Many items have been donated by the local people.[5]

Artwork

Ba Jin (巴金) – Birds' Heaven

Birds' Paradise was made famous by the passage _Birds' Heaven_, written by Ba Jin, a renowned Chinese writer. He visited the site in 1993 with friends, and was so impressed by the beautiful scene that he wrote about his trip. Many years later, this passage, _Birds' Heaven_, was listed into the textbook for primary school students. As a result of this article, many more people now know about this place.[6]

Wu Guanzhong (吴冠中) – Paradise for Small Birds

This picture is an ink painting painted by Wu Guanzhong in 1989. After hearing about Birds' Paradise, Wu Guanzhong looked forward to visiting because he thought the site might accord with his own ideal image of paradise.[7] When he finally arrived, he was so impressed by its scenery that he decided to draw it. In 1992, Wu Guanzhong donated this picture to the British Museum in London.[8]

[1] Birds' Paradise 小鳥天堂. Accessed 18 Oct. 2016

[2] 广东拟建10个国家级湿地公园 江门小鸟天堂占一席. Accessed 23 Dec. 2016

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6] 巴金：鸟的天堂. Accessed 20 Dec. 2016

[7] 吴冠中著名画作《小鸟天堂》的背后. Accessed 20 Dec. 2016

[8] Paradise for Paradise for Small Birds 小鳥天堂. Accessed 22 Nov. 2016

title: Birds' Paradise

question: What is the main body of Birds' Paradise?

answer: A small island containing a thick banyan tree forest

question: Who was the first to describe Birds' Paradise?

answer: Ba Jin, an author

question: What is available for visitors at the water channel?

answer: There is an abundance of shade due to the banyan trees, and visitors can take boat trips and enjoy local folk tunes sung by professional singers

question: When was the site made a national wetland park?

answer: 2016

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: Birds' Paradise is a national wetland park in Tianma Village, Xinhui District, Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China. It was first described in 1933 by Ba Jin, who wrote an article about its beauty. It is a small island containing a thick banyan tree forest. Almost 40 species of birds inhabit the forest there.


text:
The longest-serving Democratic member of the Federal Election Commission, expected to take over as chair in four months, and her top staffer are behind an anti-Trump and anti-GOP crusade, according to a new report from a critic.

In a series of blog posts, the Republican National Lawyers Association questioned the fairness of Commissioner Ellen Weintraub and her counsel, Tom Moore, and compared the attacks on Trump to the bias FBI officials showed to President Trump.

  Wow. Forget the other stuff. THIS tweet is some champion-class psychological projection. Who are we talking about here? https://t.co/3RqSgNzI4t

  — altFEC (@alt_fec) June 6, 2018

"All this political jousting indicates one thing: that Commissioner Weintraub started off with a clear bias against Donald Trump, his lawyer, and his administration," said one of the postings from RNLA Executive Director Michael Thielen.

Weintraub, he noted, has been harshly critical of Trump and his staff, including outgoing Chief Counsel Don McGahn, a former FEC commissioner. In the past, she has been criticized for supporting efforts to regulate conservative websites like the Drudge Report.

  Remember those claims of voter fraud in 2016? After @MESecOfState Matt Dunlap sued to get the files of the presidential commission he was frozen out of, all he found was a “Halloween ghost story.” https://t.co/vzCC6l6M01

  — Ellen L Weintraub (@EllenLWeintraub) August 4, 2018

In his first post, Thielen said that Weintraub’s anti-Trump bias is “pale by comparison” to the criticism leveled by former FBI official Peter Strozk. He cited her writings and tweets as evidence.

  1/2 On Feb. 10, 2017, I called upon @POTUS to immediately share his evidence of voter fraud so that his allegations might be investigated promptly. 327 days and one failed Presidential commission later, we still have seen no evidence. pic.twitter.com/Tl1wGjYx3G

  — Ellen L Weintraub (@EllenLWeintraub) January 4, 2018

In a second, the Republican Lawyer blog turned to her counsel, Moore, giving him credit for the Twitter account “alt_FEC,” one of several “alt” sites that were created inside federal agencies to challenge the Republican administration after Trump’s election. Alt_FEC describes itself as “The unofficial #Resistance team of the U.S. Federal Election Commission.”

Hill reporter Rudy Takala identified Moore as one behind the alt_FEC account, said the blog.

That account has ripped Fox News, even suggesting that cable companies cancel carrying the channel.

  Here’s a question. The more people watch #FoxNews, the less well-informed they are about basic facts. Arguably, FOX is tearing at the fabric of our democracy. They have a 1st Amendment right to exist, but not to be carried by cable companies. So: Why do cable companies carry it? https://t.co/0Ttqvrl5EQ

  — altFEC (@alt_fec) January 30, 2018

It is unclear why Twitter allows anonymous "alt" sites run by federal agency critics of the president and his administration.

Neither Weintraub nor Moore responded to an email request for comment on the RNLA report.

Thielen asked in his second post, “How can Commissioner Weintraub's office be viewed as fair, neutral, impartial when such nasty ad hominem attacks at President Trump are being published by her personal staff? It simply cannot."

In that report, several anti-Trump tweets were cited. The account has described Trump as nasty and deranged. It has also backed proposals from Weintraub.

“Since President Trump took office, Weintraub's personal staff has been tweeting almost daily invective about President Trump and Republicans on the Twitter account altFEC, self-described as ‘The unofficial Resistance team of the U.S. Federal Election Commission.’ ‘Resistance’ means resistance to the Trump Administration,” wrote Thielen.

question: Who wrote the blog posts?

answer: The Republican National Lawyers Association.

question: What does the blog post claim?

answer: There is a biased attack against the President going on.

question: Who was accused of having a bias?

answer: The longest serving Democratic member of the Federal Election Commission.

question: What are Ellen L Weintraub's Tweets about?

answer: The failure of the Republicans to find voter fraud.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The article is about accusations of bias made by the Republican National Lawyers Association against Ellen L Weintraub based on her Tweets about the inability of the Republicans to find voter fraud in 2016.


text:
“My eye itches.”

“Well, then pull it out.”

Nathan struggled to get his fingers around the eyeball, and Jonas came around the back of him and pulled it out with one quick movement that left Nathan dumbfounded and staring blankly at the lake in front of him with one eye.

“That will be 200 dollars, please.” Jonas examined the eye and then flicked it out towards the lake.

A ripple ran across the water and then began to bubble and a mesh of algae flapped onto the beach like a wave and combed the sand until it reached the eyeball and then flapped back into the lake.

Nathan watched and then removed a small bag from inside his jacket. He counted out four gold pieces, while wiping blood from his cheek. “You got a hanky?”

“I have four. They will cost you 25 dollars a piece.”

Nathan shook his head and poured the bag onto the towel he was sitting on and rummaged for the silver.

“You know, we haven’t got long.” Jonas said. He looked around at the lake and the desert on both sides and towards their backs. “They will be here soon, and we’ll be left with death. Death in these bodies.” He ran his hand through his hair and it left a look of disgust on his face. “Already rotting.” His hand had pulled back skin and pus and he wiped it on his leg.

“They – the people who live here, used to believe in genies. These wizards that dwelled in pots or bowels or something would grant wishes and used pottery as bodies. We could do that.”

“We can’t do that. We need a charge. Anything. Something to return us to the Earth. Otherwise…” Jonas made a gesture with his hands that said “poof”. “I don’t want to die up here. 1000 years. 1000 years. No return. We were promised a return. We deserve it. And now all we need is a bolt of lightning.”

“Years back there were machines. We had all the machines in the world. All the return trips in the world.  Why didn’t we take them, Jonas?”

“We forgot. Didn’t remember where we were from.”

“I just thought we were vampires or something. Like genies. Make believe things…why do you want money? We haven’t got much time to live.”

“I don’t know. Habit, I guess.” Jonas poured his bag of gold and silver into Nathan’s lap. “There you go.”

Nathan picked through the gold and held a piece up to the sky and looked at it. “This one’s from 2004. It’s a quarter. Remember them?”

Jonas scanned the desert behind him and said “Yeah”.

“What do they want? I mean, the people that are coming? Why do they want to kill us? We’re already dying.”

“Most likely money. That’s usually why these people want to kill.”

“There’s hardly anything left to buy here.”

“I don’t think that was ever the point. Not the point at all. In fact, the history of this place could be defined by that. These people strived for nothing. A waste. Look around you at what they left.”

“There’s life still left.”

“Yes. That character over there in the lake that ate your eye. Fancy that as a riding companion. Or the creeping things left in the woods to the North. Lava. Lots of lava teaming with the very same Fire Walkers that are hunting us now. And even they want money. No, if there’s anything underground left alive, it’s better than this. This is the afterbirth. We were the kings. But I fear there may be nothing left below either. I used to…feel them.”

“You don’t feel them no more?”

“I don’t. I don’t even feel you. I feel nothing but this body. Even if there was a charge, I think it would just kill us. I’m walking into the lake.”

“Why?”

“Why not? See for yourself.” Jonas pointed out towards the desert where flames were moving in the distance. “That’s your death, otherwise. To be burned alive or drowned? I prefer drowning.”

“I can’t decide.”

“Then I will for you.” Jonas hunched down and picked up Nathan and dragged him down to the lake. “Just like the eyeball, boy.”

title: Just Like the Eyeball

question: Why did Nathan pull his eye out?

answer: Not answered.

question: What is the setting of this story?

answer: Unclear, it does not seem like they are on Earth.

question: Who is coming to kill the characters?

answer: Unclear, could be the Fire Walkers.

question: Who are the Fire Walkers?

answer: Unclear. They seem to originate from the lava.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: Nathan and Jonas are sitting near a lake. They contemplate their impending doom and their rotting bodies. Fire walkers approach them.


text:
There once was this girl who happened to be the most beautiful person that I’ve ever laid eyes on. In fact, beautiful would be an understatement when describing her. Think adjectives like: Stunning, radiant, and down right jaw dropping. The type of girl you would jump off a bridge for if given the command. This girl, with whom I have been chronically drooling over for the past few months, gave me the opportunity to take her out. So I did.

We went to watch the movie “up” which was, coincidentally  how I was feeling. Ecstatic, hyper, and adrenaline rushed to be specific. Also, the movie was sort of a blur because I was too busy deciding if I should hold her hand or pull the ol’ “Yawn trick” to pull her closer. It was a fun night. In the end, I take her home and escort her to her house. We speak our last words before finally departing, putting an end to what may have been the best night ever.

” I really enjoyed myself tonight,” she said.

Now, because I’m mesmerized by her beauty I lose track of the conversation and respond with a blatant “huh?”. However, that dumb response worked in my favor because she began to giggle. While doing so, she looked so innocent using her hand to mask her grin and staring at me with eyes that glistened like the ocean water under the moonlight.

“I’m glad you had fun,” I said.

And, right at that moment we were in complete ecstasy as we stared at each other. The electricity that we were experiencing could provide power to a small city for a week.

I softly whispered to her, “I want this night to end the best way possible.”

At which point, I lean in and I begin to feel my heart slamming on my chest as if I just ran a marathon. We lock lips. For those 12 seconds, those 12 brief seconds we shared together, felt everlasting. We were immersed in a state of complete mutal bliss, and to be honest, rocket ships could not even come close to the cloud that I was dancing on. Eventually I had to leave, but I left carrying the widest smile and the confidence of a champion.

The point that I am addressing is that the first kiss is always the best. I could try to recreate the moment, but nothing will ever top the first time I ever pressed my lips against hers.

title: "The First Kiss"

question: Describe how the narrator felt during his date.

answer: He was feeling hyper, ecstatic, and had adrenaline rushing through his veins.

question: What is the point trying to be made in this story?

answer: The first kiss is always the best.


text:
STEPHEN DOUGLAS CLARK (May 15, 1916 – January 5, 1997) was a Canadian politician. He served in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as member of the Liberal party from 1948 to 1952.[1][2]

[1]

[2]

title: Stephen D. Clark

question: How many years did Stephen D. Clark serve in the Legislative Assembly?

answer: For 4 years, from 1948 to 1952.

question: Where did Stephen D. Clark live?

answer: Probably in New Brunswick, Canada.

question: To which party did Stephen D. Clarke belong?

answer: He was a member of the Liberal Party.

question: At what age did Stephen D. Clark pass away?

answer: He was 81 years old.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: Stephen D. Clark was a Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick as a member of the Liberal party.


text:
As my eyes open, blinded by the light coming from the window, I drag myself from the cozy warmth of my bed and stagger to the bathroom. When I get to the bathroom I splash some water on my face and look at myself in the mirror. I look like I have been dragged through hell and back. As I’m looking in the mirror, I notice a shadow from behind the shower curtain.
“Jason? Is that you?”

No reply.

I approach the curtain and throw it aside. Standing in the shower is my roommate, his eyes bloodshot and swollen and teeth blackened from years of smoking and poor hygiene. Then I smelt and saw something terrible. His body had begun to rot away from his bones. My eyes widened as I realized what had happened. He had been infected.

It was at that moment that I knew I was in trouble.

I flee from the bathroom in a terrified frenzy, slamming the door behind me, and run to my room where I frantically get dressed and grab the survival kit I keep in the wardrobe. Hearing the noises coming from the bathroom, I leave the house and walk out onto the empty street. With nothing but my backpack filled with food and ammunition, my trusty sawn-off shotgun and my ever faithful baseball bat, I start walking away from my house, hearing it burn behind me.

After hours of walking, I finally get to the Pine Hills shopping Centre, as I enter the centre, I can feel the eyes of hundreds of people staring at me. My heart begins to pound and I can feel my adrenalin rising as I see that everyone is rotting away before my eyes. I panic and pull out my shotgun and begin to let loose. With each shot fired, I see mangled bodies drop to the floor, but each dead body that falls is replaced by multiple living ones. As the infected start surrounding me, I decide that it is time that I got out of here, so without thinking I run down the corridor, only to find that the infected are coming at me from both directions.  I draw my baseball bat from my back pack and make a mad dash for the exit, bodies crumpling in my wake. I finally make it outside, but I don’t stop running, I can’t stop, I have to get away from here.

After what feels like hours, I have to stop running and rest. Taking the last sip from my water bottle, I notice that it’s starting to get dark and that I need to sleep. After walking for about an hour, I find a house that looks deserted and decide to seek refuge in its walls. Warily I enter the house and walk to the nearest room, to my surprise there is a king sized bed with clean covers and a small fridge next to it. Looking in the fridge I find an unlabeled bottle of liquid, I open it and am instantly hit with a wave of sensory delights.  I smile to myself and take a swig of the bottles contents, its warmth travelling through my body and making my fingertips tingle. After emptying the bottle down my throat, I fall asleep.

Woken by the blinding light, I think I am home in my own bed, only to find that three large men in white uniforms are shining torches in my eyes. Ignoring my efforts to escape, they drag me almost effortlessly to their van and throw me into the back, my head hitting the steel seat inside and knocking me unconscious.

Once again by bright lights, I find myself strapped to a cold steel table in a white room. I can just hear the men in white talking from outside the door.
“According to his driver’s license, this guy’s name is Mitchell Cameron, He’s a Iraq veteran from Pine Hills, that little town a few miles away..” said the first man in white.
“I thought he looked familiar!” exclaimed the second man, “he was in the news a few months ago, apparently he had some sort of mental breakdown and set fire to his girlfriend’s dog.”
Hearing this sends me into a panic. I can feel the straps loosening as I struggle against them. After hours of struggling, I am free. I leave the white room, only to find myself in a white corridor, feeling extremely disoriented, I stumble down the corridor just to find myself at a dead end. I turn and see the three men in white at the other end of the corridor, one holding a large syringe and the others holding stun guns. I run at them. They yell “Sir you are having a mental breakdown! Please stop so we can help you!” but I know better, I can tell they are lying. As I get closer I see their rotting bodies and prepare myself for a fight. Unarmed, I am defenseless and outnumbered. The men pin me to the ground with ease and inject me with the purple liquid in the syringe. The room starts to spin and go black.
After what feels like years of sleep, I finally wake up, Strapped to the table once again. I can hear voices from the corridor. “Mitchell Cameron was found in a young couple’s house last night and has been charged with the murders of 83 men, women and children in yesterday’s Pine Mall Massacre.  He is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress and will remain here in the Northwood mental asylum until further notice.”
Not believing the lies of the infected scum, I free myself from my restraints, but instead of attempting to run down the corridor again, I have no other option but to find a different means of escape. I tip the table on its side and tie one of the restraints onto its leg. I then slip the loop around my neck and take my final breath.

title: Perspectives (998 words)

question: Explain what happens when the narrator goes to the bathroom and looks in the mirror.

answer: Narrator notices a shadow from behind the shower curtain.

question: Why was the narrator in trouble?

answer: His roommate was rotting away behind the shower curtain, he had been infected.

question: Explain what happens after the narrator flees his burning house.

answer: He goes to the shopping center and begins to shoot at as many infected people that he can. He finds a place to rest for the night and wakes up to three large men in white uniform that take him away.

question: Who do the men in white uniforms say the narrator is?

answer: They say he is Mitchell Cameron, an Iraq veteran that was found in a young couple's home and has been charged with the murders of 83 people in the Pine Mall massacre.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator flees his burning home after realizing his roommate has been infected. He enters a shopping center and sees that everyone is infected and rotting away so he starts shooting at them. Men in white uniform take him away and he wakes up in a white room. He overhears the men say that the narrator is Mitchell Cameron, an Iraq veteran who has been charged with the murder of 83 people in the Pine Mall Massacre. Unable to escape, Mitchell hangs himself.


text:
_SKY LIKE A BROKEN CLOCK_ is an album by American blues singer and guitarist Kelly Joe Phelps, released in 2001. It reached #8 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums charts.

History

_Sky Like A Broken Clock_ was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs. It is Phelps' first record to feature no traditional material, only his own original compositions. Phelps' first releases were essentially his voice and the voice of his slide guitar. He assembled a band and put aside the slide guitar to focus on his fingerpicking style for this release.[1]

Reception

Music critic Travis Draeset wrote in his Allmusic review "The result is a set of low-key, abstract story-songs about voodoo, sin, and prostitution, with “Worn Out,” the album's closer, having a lullaby-like quality. Phelps' guitar work on this album is fairly straightforward (unfortunately not featuring his signature acoustic slide)."[2] Minor 7th also noted the lack of Phelps' slide guitar and wrote: “The great news is that it's great music nonetheless, like discovering a brand-new artist... The abstractions that Phelps captures here are not those of musical notes, but of words forming oblique and cryptic, often dark, narratives.”[3]

Buzz McClain of _No Depression_ noted the spontaneity of the recording, writing “The result is understandably raw and primitive, evocative and emotionally effective, made the more so by Phelps’ weary voice and his precise fingerpicking, which is every bit as impressive as his slide... This is a mature piece of art, made all the more poignant by the pick-up nature of an ensemble that, somehow, sounds strikingly seasoned.”[4]

PopMatters critic Fred Kovey is equivocal, writing: “Phelps does everything right, but it isn’t quite enough. His style of Blues and Celtic influenced singer-songwriting has become so identified with adult contemporary that just being good isn’t enough to pull the casual fan from his torpor... Phelps is an excellent guitar player. More than anything else, his skill with an acoustic six string is what makes him special. But to appreciate his guitar playing you’ll have to listen to the songs over and over; fans may want to, but I doubt the same is true of casual listeners... It offers the pleasure of viewing a master craftsman at work, but that pleasure isn’t quite enough.”[5]

Track listing

All songs written by Kelly Joe Phelps.

1.  “Taylor John” – 5:43
2.  “Clementine” – 6:10
3.  “Sally Ruby” – 4:08
4.  “Beggar's Oil” – 3:24
5.  “Flash Cards” – 5:51
6.  “Gold Tooth” – 6:49
7.  “Tommy” – 5:28
8.  “Fleashine” – 5:31
9.  “Mr. My Go” – 6:52
10. “Worn Out” – 5:07

Personnel

-   Kelly Joe Phelps - vocals, guitar
-   Larry Taylor - bass
-   Billy Conway - drums, percussion
-   Tom West - Hammond organ
-   Dinty Child - pump organ, accordion
-   David Henry - cello
-   Jim Fitting - harmonica

Production

-   Produced by George Howard
-   Mixed by George Howard and David Henry
-   Mastered by Jeff Lipton

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

title: Sky Like a Broken Clock

question: What does the text say about what it takes to be a good acoustic guitar player?

question: What does the text say about Kelly Joe Phelps' album, Sky Like a Broken Clock?

answer: Sky Like a Broken Clock was released by Phelps in 2001. It was recorded live in the studio without overdubs. Sky Like a Broken Clock is Phelps' first record to feature no traditional material or the voice of his slide guitar. He chose to focus on his fingerpicking style for this release. All 10 songs in the album were written by Phelps, and the album reached #8 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums charts.

question: What does the text say about how Sky Like a Broken Clock was received by music critics Travis Draeset and Minor 7th?

answer: Travis Draeset wrote that the result is a set of low-key, abstract story-songs about voodoo, sin, and prostitution. The album's closing song, "Worn Out", has a lullaby-like quality. The guitar work is straightforward and missing Phelps' signature acoustic slide. Minor 7th noted the lack of Phelps' slide guitar but added that the album is great music nonetheless.

question: What does the story say about how Buzz McClain and Fred Kovey reviewed the album?

answer: No Depression's Buzz McClain noted the spontaneity of the recording and writing. He said the end result is raw, primitive, evocative, and emotionally effective. Phelps' fingerpicking is every bit as impressive as his slide. Fred Kovey of PopMatters wasn't too impressed. He noted that while Phelps did everything right, it just wasn't good enough to attract the casual fan.


text:
She wondered if Will would be OK with her dropping in like that. She hadn't seen her brother on months, and now she had to. Not that they had a complicated relationship with him, but rather that he had a complicated relationship with life. Right after rehab, he had moved way down south, and would visit only rarely, not even keeping up with holidays, our even calling for birthdays.

But now she needed him, and even when she had good friends back home, she couldn't trust no one more than she trusted her brother.

She wouldn't miss anybody. She was actually happy, because she would be now closer to her family, closer to her parents and childhood friends, who lived two towns over from her brother. Moving had never costed her much, but she knew that soon she would have to stop.

Closing down the shelter had been the hardest part. Leaving Lucy behind not fully recovered, a very small Border Collie that had only been brought to her a week previous, really bugged her. Undoubtedly, she would open a shelter wherever she was going, as she always had, in every town she'd live in. This time would be no different.

She had been long in the road now, more than half an hour away of the last gas station, and about six hours away from home. she was driving with her lights out, a mon so bright that she didn't need any to even see the horizon. There were no clouds, a full, close harvest moon, and the glow of the road.

She would turn the lights when she spot a car, but this hadn't happened for over an hour. Even the station had been close, and she had helped herself and then passed through an envelope with the money under the door.
The desert road streched curveless for about 400 kms with no town our settlement, across a landscape so monotonous and boring, that way over half the accidents reported had been attributed to people falling asleep on the wheel.

"it looks like God slashed it with a samurai sword" Tom had said, when she showed him in the map where they would go through next.

Now he slept, over the luggage, the back seats retracted so that he would sleep fully layed down.
She had been in an accident, a long time ago, and was uneasy about her or anybody traveling without a seat belt, let alone laying down, but she knew this was a low transited road, and that if Tommy was sleeping in the back seat, she would never fall asleep.

"Mom I want to pee".

Said Tom's sleepy voice from the back seat.

"Of course, I need a strech"

She pulled over, killed the engine and left the lights on, and they both went into the night.

She walked around a bit.

Tom was taking too long now. She wasn't worried as much as curious, since the kid was a bit of an explorer, and always went out of his way for rocks, plants and insects he had never seen.

"Tom?" She said simply, letting him now with that that they should keep going now.

"Come here, please" her son requested.

She tracked his voice and found him bent over something on the floor.

"I think it's dying".

She moved towards him. A wolf cub layed on the floor, eyes closed, breathing heavily through his mouth.

He didn't say anything else. He knew he didn't need to. Over the course of his short life, he had had close to a dozen pets, all stray dogs and cats. Her mother would nourish them, feed them, take them to good health, and then find them families. Their apartment was too small, so they couldn't keep them, but any animal in distress would be rescued, his mother being unable to let anything suffer.

"Okay, go to the car, take some cardboard and prepare a bed so that if he pisses himself, he doesn't stain our clothes."

She was in the process of lifting him up, when she heard a growl, too close by not to be worrisome. She lifted her head and saw the mother of the cub, looking at her, staring at her.

Both mothers stood in the desert, measuring each other, without moving, conscious only of each other and of their breaths.

Tom came back, too fast for her to stop him.

"Mom, it's rea..."

She held him back, protected him, covered him with her body.

And that, the wolf saw. Ears down, resting tail, she moved, ever very gently, towards her cub, resting in the woman's arms. She knelt down and showed her the cub. The snout sniffed eagerly, and sensed that the little creature was still moving.

The wolf stared at the woman, a desperate plea in her eyes.

"Come" she said, and went back to the car. Slowly, unsure of itself, keeping its distance, the wolf followed them.

She tooked her toolbox out and examined the cub. She was amazed at how much close the dogs to these animals still were. Everything was the same, absolutely everything. She didn't took too long to find out the probable cause for the suffering. The cub was in cetosis, his body was consuming his little body, hungering away. She looked at the mother, and noticed for the first time that its ears were too long.

"Feed the wolf, tom, give him our sandwiches"

Tom went to the front seat and took out all the food he had. The wolf adeptly ate what she was given, and stayed back.

"Mom, can the puppy eat?"

"No, not yet".

She tried to feed him with some liquid nutrient phials she found, but she knew this wouldn't be enough.

For a long time, they stayed there, by the road, waiting. For a long time, both the kid and the wolf left the woman alone.

"Okay, I'm ready"

"He'll live?"

"I don't know. We have to wait."

They stayed the night. Mother and son rested inside the car, and the wolf and its cub rested by the car, in the middle of the night.

The blazing sun woke them up, hot as ever in the desert, and they heard the puppy howling faintly. Tom gve a sigh of relief, and chanted victory, but stopped when he saw her mother's seriousness: "If he stays, he dies".

"Then we have to take him with us, mum. We have to."

"No, Tom. He has his mother. We can't take him away. We have to leave him here."

"But he dies."

"I know."

She took some food out of the car, and left it by the wolfs. She then proceed to pack everything. All was ready, they were about to leave. Tom was crying, and crying hard. Her mother asked him to go into the car, and he did as he was told, as he sobbed and excused himself for not being able to stop his sobbing.

She was already seated, seat belt on, engine started, trying not to look back, when the wolf caught her eye:

Big, enormous, it was standing over the door, scratching the door and the window, with the puppy hanging by the neck in its snout.

She opened the door, and the wolf gently left the puppy on her lap.

"What is it?" asked Tom, and didn't insist, because he knew that something was happening, and that he had no part.

Both women were staring into each other's eyes, and a favor was being asked. A favor and a promise.

She stepped down, open the trunk, and took all the food she found. She had to take the luggage away, and then put it back, but everything they had to eat, she gave it to the wolf. They'd shortly be home again, albeit a new one, and they wouldn't starve.

The morning sun was already quite high when she started the car again, and the temperature had rise close to it's peak. The wolf stayed by the food, and, cub in her lap, she moved the car a bit forward. Through the rear mirror, she was staring at the wolf, that did nothing. She moved a bit forward, and the wolf didn't move. She was hoping that it would, that it was a mistake. She was hoping that what she thought it meant was not for her to take the kid away. But it was all too clear that this was precisely what it was.

She sped up as fast as she could, watching the wolf through the mirror, trying to leave the night behind.

When the wolf was a tiny little spot, she heard its howl.

The little cub still with his closed eyes, stood up shaking. And still with his eyes closed, howled back.

title: I'll improvise it...

question: Why was the female character excited about going home to see her brother?

answer: Because she needed to be around him since he was the only one she trusted very much, and she needed to be closer to family.

question: Why was Will in rehab?

answer: It is not stated.

question: Why did she always run a shelter in every town she lived in?

answer: It appears she was a lover of animals, and she had a penchant for rescuing stray dogs and cats.

question: Why was she very uneasy about letting anyone fall asleep or not wear a seatbelt in the car while travelling?

answer: She once had an accident.

question: Where were mother and son travelling to?

answer: They were on their way to the south to see her brother Will.

question: Why did she try to rescue the little wolf cub they found by the roadside?

answer: Because it's not in her character to let anything suffer, she took pity on the creature.

question: What gesture did she make toward the wounded cub that made its mother comfortable enough to let her take her cub?

answer: She was kind and nurturing toward the cub, and she fed the mother wolf all the food they had in their car.

question: What did the howling between mother wolf and baby wolf mean?

answer: It could be for affection.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: The female character and her son, Tom, were on their way to the south to see her brother Will, who had just got back from rehab when they encountered an injured wolf puppy by the roadside at night. Being a guardian over stray animals and always running shelters in every town she moved in, she was naturally inclined to take care of the puppy. At a point, the cub's mother appeared, and the female character fed her all the food she had in her car while nurturing the wounded cub. By morning, after realising mother and son were not a threat, the mother wolf allowed them to carry her cub with them, hoping that they would look after it.


text:
"This, incidentally, is what happened after World War I, when Congress refused to approve US participation in the League of Nations."

US Secretary of State John Kerry testifies before a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the Iran nuclear agreement in Washington, July 28, 2015.

(photo credit: REUTERS)

In a little less than a month we shall know whether the US Congress will prevent President Barack Obama from signing the nuclear agreement with Iran. At the moment it doesn’t look as if two thirds of the representatives and of the Senators will vote against the agreement and thus override the president’s veto on a decision by a majority of less than two thirds to reject the agreement.

Should the unexpected nevertheless occur, this will lead to the US not joining the agreement, which will nevertheless go into effect once the other participants in the negotiations sign it.

This, incidentally, is what happened after World War I, when Congress refused to approve US participation in the League of Nations after the war by a majority of over two thirds, even though president Woodrow Wilson had been one of the architects of the new organization. Since Wilson had insisted on linking the approval of the Treaty of Versailles (the peace treaty between the Allies and Germany) with the approval of the League of Nations Covenant, the US ended up not joining either of these agreements, which nevertheless went into effect without it.

Parliamentary oversight of the government’s foreign policy is part of the power of oversight which the legislature has over the executive branch. However, as is the case with regard to oversight in the sphere of defense policy, this oversight is much weaker than that in other policy spheres. The reason for this is that foreign and defense policies are generally regarded as prerogatives of the government, frequently requiring secrecy and rapid decisions.

Despite the overall weakness of parliamentary oversight over foreign policy, it is considered more effective in presidential systems than in parliamentary systems, due to the fact that there is a more clear-cut separation of powers, and because in the presidential system one can have a situation in which the majority in the legislature does not support the president.

Nevertheless, since the end of the Cold War and spread of the phenomenon of international peace-keeping forces intervening in conflict arenas all around the world, even in some parliamentary systems foreign policy oversight has become more effective. Thus we have the example of the UK parliament rejecting, in August 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron’s declared threat to send military forces to Syria to deter the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar Assad. Cameron abided by parliament’s vote, even though he was not obliged to do so constitutionally.

And what about the situation in Israel? In Israel parliamentary oversight over foreign affairs and security matters is even weaker than in other parliamentary democracies.

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In the sphere of security this is understandable, given Israel’s unique security situation. In the sphere of foreign policy this is a little less understandable or justifiable, even though part of Israel’s foreign policy is linked to security considerations.

The weakness of foreign policy oversight manifests itself in the fact that Knesset is probably the only democratic parliament that doesn’t have a separate foreign affairs committee. The Knesset has a Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which spends very little time dealing with foreign affairs issues per se, for which there is a designated sub-committee that meets on average once a month.

The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, including all its subcommittees, is shrouded in a thick layer of secrecy.

It is the only Knesset committee whose minutes are not published; since the new Knesset wing was opened in 2008, entrance into the committee’s compound is severely restricted; and it is the only committee which has its own research team that is completely separated from the Knesset Research and Information Center, and whose research papers are never published on the Knesset website.

While there might be justification for all of this with regard to defense issues, it is certainly not justified in the case of most foreign affairs issues.

All attempts to establish a separate foreign affairs committee have failed, even though this failure never resulted from an overt rejection of the notion that foreign affairs deserve a separate committee, but rather from all sorts of administrative excuses.

Strangely enough all the more recent proposals to establish a separate foreign affairs committee came from women MKs: Collete Avital (Labor), a former Foreign Ministry employee with the rank of ambassador; Amira Dotan (Kadima), a former army officer with the rank of brigadier general; and Einat Wilf (Labor, Atzma’ut), a former intelligence officer in Unit 8200, with a PhD in political science, who was last to raise the issue, in the course of the 18th Knesset.

Wilf pointed out that especially in a period in which there is growing delegitimization of Israel in the world, it is important that foreign policy should be dealt with as a separate issue to security, and that parliamentary scrutiny in this sphere ought to be upgraded.

Since Wilf made her proposal things have just gone from bad to worse. Today it is Prime Minister Benjanim Netanyahu who is acting foreign minister on a part-time basis, with a deputy minister – Tzipi Hotovely – who believes that Israel’s foreign policy should be explained on the basis of God’s promises to the People of Israel. The Foreign Ministry itself seems to be in a state of advanced disintegration as a growing number of issues have been removed from its responsibility and handed over as tribute to disgruntled Likud ministers.

De facto Israel’s foreign policy is today totally controlled by Netanyahu, who simply acts as he pleases, apparently with little serious consultation with non-partisan, professional experts, or scrutiny by the Knesset.

It is impossible to get an effective debate going on how Israel should contend with growing delegitimization around the world, which has any chance of affecting Netanyahu’s foreign policy activities, especially if it concerns the question whether Israel itself might have contributed to this delegitimization through its policies and activities.

Even in those cases in which there are no serious differences of opinion regarding goals – as in the case of the nuclear agreement with Iran – Netanyahu is totally unwilling to seriously listen to criticism of the “how,” even though the long-term consequences of his chosen modus operandi – like his last speech to Congress – are liable to be catastrophic to Israel. In short, Netanyahu regards any criticism of his foreign policy as no more than irritating background noise.

There is also the problem of some of Netanyahu’s embarrassing ambassadorial appointments. No one denies that he has a right to appoint a certain number of ambassadors, however no one, including the Knesset, has the power to review the suitability of those appointed.

Among the more scandalous appointments have been that of American-born Ron Dermer, who is associated with Republican neo-liberal circles, as ambassador to Washington, at a time when there is a Democratic president in the White House (he is effectively persona non grata there); of Danny Danon, who Netanyahu simply wanted to rid himself of for personal political reasons, as ambassador to the UN; and of Fiamma Nirenstein , a member of the Italian Assembly of Deputies in the years 2008-13, on behalf of Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom Party, as ambassador to Rome.

In the US such appointments would have had to be approved by the Senate, and would most likely have been thrown out. In Israel it is doubtful whether the sub-committee on foreign affairs as much as deliberated on them.

Maybe if Netanyahu were to appoint a horse as ambassador, someone would wake up to the seriousness of the absence of parliamentary scrutiny.

_The writer is a political scientist and former Knesset employee._

question: Why didn't the U.S. participate in the League of Nations after World War I despite President Woodrow Wilson being one of the architects of the new organization?

answer: Because Congress refused to approve U.S. participation by a majority vote of over two-thirds.


text:
In geometry and combinatorics, a SIMPLICIAL (or COMBINATORIAL) _D_-SPHERE is a simplicial complex homeomorphic to the _d_-dimensional sphere. Some simplicial spheres arise as the boundaries of convex polytopes, however, in higher dimensions most simplicial spheres cannot be obtained in this way.

One important open problem in the field was the G-CONJECTURE, formulated by Peter McMullen, which asks about possible numbers of faces of different dimensions of a simplicial sphere. In December 2018, the g-conjecture was proven by Karim Adiprasito in the more general context of rational homology spheres.[1][2]

Examples

-   For any _n_ ≥ 3, the simple _n_-cycle _C__n_ is a SIMPLICIAL CIRCLE, i.e. a simplicial sphere of dimension 1. This construction produces all simplicial circles.
-   The boundary of a convex polyhedron in R³ with triangular faces, such as an octahedron or icosahedron, is a simplicial 2-sphere.
-   More generally, the boundary of any (_d_+1)-dimensional compact (or bounded) simplicial convex polytope in the Euclidean space is a simplicial _d_-sphere.

Properties

It follows from Euler's formula that any simplicial 2-sphere with _n_ vertices has 3_n_ − 6 edges and 2_n_ − 4 faces. The case of _n_ = 4 is realized by the tetrahedron. By repeatedly performing the barycentric subdivision, it is easy to construct a simplicial sphere for any _n_ ≥ 4. Moreover, Ernst Steinitz gave a characterization of 1-skeleta (or edge graphs) of convex polytopes in R³ implying that any simplicial 2-sphere is a boundary of a convex polytope.

Branko Grünbaum constructed an example of a non-polytopal simplicial sphere (that is, a simplicial sphere that is not the boundary of a polytope). Gil Kalai proved that, in fact, “most” simplicial spheres are non-polytopal. The smallest example is of dimension _d_ = 4 and has _f_₀ = 8 vertices.

The upper bound theorem gives upper bounds for the numbers _f__i_ of _i_-faces of any simplicial _d_-sphere with _f_₀ = _n_ vertices. This conjecture was proved for polytopal spheres by Peter McMullen in 1970[3] and by Richard Stanley for general simplicial spheres in 1975.

The _G_-CONJECTURE, formulated by McMullen in 1970, asks for a complete characterization of _f_-vectors of simplicial _d_-spheres. In other words, what are the possible sequences of numbers of faces of each dimension for a simplicial _d_-sphere? In the case of polytopal spheres, the answer is given by the _G_-THEOREM, proved in 1979 by Billera and Lee (existence) and Stanley (necessity). It has been conjectured that the same conditions are necessary for general simplicial spheres. The conjecture was proved by Karim Adiprasito in December 2018.[4][5]

[1]

[2]

[3] McMullen, P. On the upper-bound conjecture for convex polytopes. Journal of Combinatorial Theory, Series B 10 1971 187–200.

[4]

[5]

title: Simplicial sphere

question: What is Simplicial D-Sphere?

answer: In geometry, simplicial d-sphere is a simplicial complex homeomorphic to the d-dimensional sphere.

question: What is the difference between simplicial spheres in higher dimensions and those in lower dimensions?

answer: Simplicial spheres can arise as boundaries of convex polytopes in lower dimensions but not in higher ones.

question: Who proved the g-conjecture in 2018?

answer: Karim Adiprasito proved in the more general context of rational homology spheres?

question: What is the unique feature of the g-conjecture formulated by McMullen in 1970?

answer: It asks for a complete characterization of f-vectors of simplicial d-spheres.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer:
The simplicial or combinatorial d-sphere is a simplicial complex homeomorphic to the d-dimensional sphere. In lower dimensions, Simplicial spheres can arise as boundaries of convex polytopes. This is not so in higher ones.

In December 2018, Karim Adisprasito proved the g-conjecture in a general context of rational homology spheres.


text:
THE HOTEL INDUSTRY HAS HAD TO ADAPT TO A NUMBER OF CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY SOCIAL MEDIA IN RECENT YEARS, WHICH HAVE SEEN A SHIFT IN POWER FROM BRAND TO CONSUMER.

Customers are better informed: sites like Tripadvisor and Airbnb have given consumers choice and left them more knowledgeable about their options.

Consumers are also more empowered, holding influence over businesses with the ability to send a single tweet that could reach thousands of people.

These changes have disrupted the industry.

Brands can no longer simply display a brochure and dictate a price. They have had to adapt their approach to marketing. With the right strategy, hotels on social media are better placed to adapt to the changing landscape and to help mold the conversation.

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

The impact of Tripadvisor and Airbnb

The impact of review sites is illustrated in a report published by Cornell University that shows that if a hotel increases its review score by one point (on a five-point scale) it can increase its prices by 11.2 percent and still maintain the same occupancy rate and market share.

According to a study by StrategyOne (commissioned by TripAdvisor), 93 percent of travelers worldwide say their booking decisions are impacted by online reviews, and 51 percent have written an accommodation review after returning from a trip.

Meanwhile, as Airbnb continues to grow, another study has shown that despite the belief of some hoteliers, and the claims of Airbnb itself, the growth of peer-to-peer lodgings has indeed impacted on the revenue of hotels.

[Social Media for hotels - airbnb]

The study states that in areas where Airbnb is most popular, the revenue of the most vulnerable hotels had decreased by up to 10 percent over five years.

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

Social media for hotels: the rise of peer reviews

Our familiarity with online peer reviews has amplified our reliance on them.

The rise of these sites has had an influence on the types of hotels people are willing to book with. Whereas in the past travelers may have erred on the side of caution and stayed with the big name brands, they can now rely on peer reviews to try smaller hotel brands.

[Hotels on social media - gray street]

This phenomenon then has a knock-on effect for business owners. Negative reviews must be responded to, as even one bad review can have a disastrous effect on reputation, particularly with the reach that social media can sometimes provide.

Travelers tend to be a risk-averse group, responding to negative reviews more strongly than to positive ones. A negative review can fill travelers with dread that they will also have their special trip away ruined by a rude waiter or cockroach in the shower.

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

How to deal with negative reviews

Luckily the effect of bad reviews can be mitigated.

An internal Tripadvisor study shows that the more reviews management responds to, the higher their average rating and the more page views and booking inquiry clicks earned. Even one response can increase engagement by 17 percent, and this percentage increases with more responses offered.

In addition, negative reviews can be used as market research. If specific issues continually arise, real world changes can be made where necessary.

[Social Media for Hotels - reviews]

This also facilitates action based responses to negative reviews.

It is not sufficient for most people to simply apologize for a poor experience: explaining what is being done to fix the issue is a more powerful response, and potential future guests will appreciate the proactive stance.

Social listening tools can provide real-time alerts to negative reviews as they are posted, notifying different teams or locations for the appropriate action to be taken.

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

Discover conversations across the web

The size of Tripadvisor, Facebook and Twitter mean that virtually all hotels are engaging their audiences on these channels. To get the edge over competitors, brands need to find the smaller, niche sites where relevant conversations are taking place.

The best use of social media for hotels will involve social listening to discover new channels, highlighting previously unknown avenues to respond to negative reviews.

However, a good social strategy shouldn’t just rely on damage limitation. Using social listening means brands can find new avenues to generate business.

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

Generating new business

These tools could highlight football forums where fans are asking for recommendations on where to stay for an away match, or poker forums where players are discussing the best hotels for an upcoming tournament.

By finding these smaller sites, brands can enter the conversation and generate new business where opportunities arise.

[Social Media for Hotels - forums]

Even on the biggest social media sites, the granular data resulting from social media listening may provide other opportunities.

There could be a large volume of posts discussing a particular newspaper article, providing an opportunity to target that audience with a print ad or a partnership of some sort.

An alert brand can find a stream of business by listening to the right kind of conversations outside of their owned profile. Using a tool like Brandwatch to alert them to posts or tweets expressing a desire to get away, brands can respond with the exclusive offers or helpful travel tips.

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

Staying a step ahead

With 93 percent of travelers stating that online reviews impact their choice of hotel, the need to engage with these sites is obvious. Their prominence means that many hotels realized this long ago, so while it is still necessary it has become a minimum requirement.

To stay one step ahead, marketers need to discover other channels in which to manage their reputation and generate new leads. Social media listening tools like Brandwatch are an important weapon in this battle, and their adaptability means there are many ways they can improve business.

If you would like to learn more about how social media listening can help drive business for your hotel, download our free report into the Travel & Hospitality industry.

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

question: What does the text say about the best practices in hotel management?

question: What does the text say about the impact of Tripadvisor and Airbnb on the hotel industry?

answer: Cornell University's report on the impact that reviews sites have on hotels shows that if a hotel increases its review score by one point (on a five-point scale) it can increase its prices by 11.2 percent and still maintain the same occupancy rate and market share. Another study conducted by StrategyOne (commissioned by TripAdvisor) showed that 93 percent of travelers worldwide say their booking decisions are impacted by online reviews. Fifty-one percent have written an accommodation review after returning from a trip. The growth of Airbnb and peer-to-peer lodgings has impacted the revenue of hotels. A study states that in areas where Airbnb is popular, the revenue of the most vulnerable hotels had decreased by up to 10 percent over five years. Sites like Tripadvisor and Airbnb have given consumers more choices and left them more knowledgeable about their options.

question: What does the text say about how online social media peer reviews affect hotels?

answer: The rise of online social media peer reviews has had an influence on the types of hotels people are willing to book with. In the past, travelers may have erred on the side of caution and stayed with the marquee brands. Because of peer reviews, they can now try smaller hotel brands. This phenomenon has made business owners more aware that they need to respond to negative reviews as even one bad review can have a disastrous effect on their reputation. Travelers are a risk-averse group and respond to negative reviews strongly than to positive ones.

question: What does the text say about how hotels can stay a step ahead of the competition?

answer: Since 93 percent of travelers have said online reviews impact their choice of hotel, brands need to engage with these sites. Marketers need to discover other channels to manage their online reputations and generate new leads, such as smaller niche sites. A Tripadvisor study shows that the more reviews management responds to, the higher average rating they get (booking inquiry clicks and page views). One management response can increase engagement by as much as 17 percent, and this percentage increases with more responses offered. Negative reviews can also be used as market research to stay ahead of the competition.


text:
There was once a little boy who lived with his grandpa because his mom and dad had gone away for a very long time. They did a very bad thing to the boy. The little boy loved his grandpa very much but he didn't know it. Grandpa knew the little boy loved him very much and he loved him back, even more than he loved himself. The little boy's favorite food was macaroni and cheese. His grandpa was very good at making macaroni and cheese and he made it every night and the boy was happy. He went to school and learned about big animals that live very far away and he loved to read. He read mystery books and funny books and comic books. He loved Superman.

It was his birthday and grandpa was making him macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas, that was his favorite dinner. He put a pan of water onto the stove and the peas in the microwave. Grandpa bought the boy a new issue of Superman that the boy wanted very badly. The boy would always take the bus home because his grandpa didn't have a car. So the grandpa put the boys favorite movie into the DVD player and waited for the boy.

The water started to bubble and boil over so grandpa turned the oven down and poured the macaroni in. The microwave beeped so grandpa turned it off and let the peas cool down. He drained the macaroni and stirred the cheese and mixed in the tuna and peas. The bowl was very hot so grandpa put a paper towel underneath it. He didn't want the boy to burn himself. The TV asked grandpa if he wanted to play the movie but he didn't want to because the boy was not home.

Grandpa waited and waited for the little boy and the macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas wasn't hot anymore. He started to watch the movie and became very sad. Grandpa was very worried about the boy and so he got his cane and coat and walked out into the cold. He walked until he got to the boy's bus stop and it was very dark now. He did not see the boy at the bus stop and there were no cars on the road. He sat down on the bench and started to shiver and breathe faster than he should have. More snow started to fall and now grandpa almost couldn't see anything at all. The boy was not around. Grandpa couldn't cry because it was too cold. But he wanted to and he sobbed for a very long time.

The boy's head hurt and he was very cold but he finally got home after a long walk. He had to take a different way because the other mean boys told him he couldn't take the bus anymore. The boy picked up the front door key and opened the door. The house was very dark like it was outside and so he turned on the light. He saw his favorite food on the table, macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas. There was a comic book on the table and his favorite was on the TV and the funny animals were there talking to each other and the boy sat and watched and called for grandpa. But grandpa was not there and the boy could not find him. He looked in the bathroom and the kitchen and his room and grandpas room but he was not there.

He was hungry so he ate the macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas. He looked at the comic book and it was the new issue of Superman that the boy wanted so badly and so he read it. Grandpa wrote on the inside of how much he loved the boy and he hoped he enjoyed the comic book. The macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas was cold but it was still very good. Grandpa loved cooking for the little boy and the little loved grandpa's cooking because it made him feel comfortable and warm and he loved grandpa very much but he didn't know it.

Grandpa had dropped his cane and he was feeling very cold and tired so he fell asleep. He thought about the boy and how he loved the boy very much, even more than he loved himself. And he fell asleep. A man came by and asked grandpa if he was okay but grandpa didn't answer.

The boy waited and waited for grandpa and he fell asleep on the table and he heard the funny animals talking to each other and it made him feel good. Grandpa tucked him into bed and covered him up in warm blankets and he told the boy he loved him very much and he would make him macaroni and cheese tomorrow.

title: I'd be grateful if anyone took a look at my short story The Little Boy and His Grandpa

question: Describe the relationship between the little boy and grandpa.

answer: The two seem to have a very loving relationship. The boy doesn't know how much he loves his Grandpa.

question: What is the main event of the story?

answer: The main event of the story is when the boy doesn't come home so Grandpa goes to look for him. The boy then comes back to a home without Grandpa.

question: Why does the boy's head hurt?

answer: It's not clear, but it may be implied his head hurts due to his long walk.

question: Where does this story take place?

answer: The story seems to take place at Grandpa's house in a nondescript town.

question: What is the tone of this story?

answer: The tone of this story is supposed to be heartwarming.

question: How does the story end?

answer: The story ends with Grandpa returning home and tucking the boy into bed, promising to make macaroni and cheese in the morning.

question: Write a ~4 sentence summary.

answer: A loving grandfather makes his grandson his favorite meal for his birthday, but the little boy doesn't come home after school. The grandfather goes out to look for him and can't find him anywhere. The boy returns home and can't find his grandfather. The grandfather eventually comes home and tucks the boy in bed and promises to make him macaroni and cheese the next day.


text:
Every two years, the Olympics give Americans a chance to feel good about themselves. In the summer, U.S. swimmers and track stars consistently reign superior — and its gymnasts are usually right there, too. The American basketball team, now borrowed from the NBA, often seems like it could sleep through the first half and still coast past most of the other countries. Because of this, the U.S. has finished atop the medal table for every Summer Games since 1996.

In the winter, the U.S. has grown accustomed to a similar degree of success, albeit not with nearly the same level of global domination. Since the U.S. hosted the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the Americans have finished no lower than second on the medal table, with the 2010 Vancouver Games providing a high-water mark of 37 medals. So far in Pyeongchang, Team USA has won eight medals through Thursday, and five of those medals were golden.

But for anybody old enough to remember the Cold War, American success in the winter may seem a little odd. For decades, the U.S. was pretty, well, meh — never bad enough to get shut out, but more often than not looking up at the Soviets, Austrians and Norwegians. So what changed? The answer is obvious: It’s flying through the air, performing a chicken salad or a double Michalchuk.

Since the 1990s, Americans have retained their stranglehold on sports you might see in a Mountain Dew ad. Freestyle skiing aerials were introduced in the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, and snowboarding came along four years later in Nagano, Japan — with more individual events added in these sports each winter cycle.

From 1994 to 2014, the U.S. racked up 34 medals in those two disciplines, 18 of which came on the halfpipe alone.¹ The U.S. has been on the same track so far in South Korea. A pair of 17-year-olds named Chloe Kim and Red Gerard — who claimed Olympic gold in women’s halfpipe and men’s slopestyle, respectively — have been the emerging stars. Shaun White, meanwhile, avenged his forgettable performance in Sochi and returned to the top of the men’s halfpipe podium; Jamie Anderson snagged a gold in women’s slopestyle; and Arielle Gold stood next to teammate Kim on the halfpipe podium, a bronze slung around her neck.

With those five freestyle medals in the bag, Team USA is well on its way to matching the 11 it won in Sochi. But even when you get away from the halfpipe, the U.S. has capitalized on other newly introduced events as well, such as two-woman bobsled, women’s ice hockey and skeleton.²

In which new Olympic events does the U.S. shine?

Medals won by the United States in events that have been added to the Winter Olympics since 1994

We really only have to go back to Sochi 2014 to see how this has affected the medal table. In Russia, Team USA won 28 medals, which was roughly 10 percent of the total medals awarded that year — just one behind the Russians for the overall lead.³ But if you were to eliminate events that were introduced in Lillehammer ’94 and beyond, the Americans would have finished with just 11 medals, or roughly 7 percent of the total medals awarded that year in those longer-term sports.

With their medals in X-Games sports, Team USA were very nearly on top of the Winter Olympics world in 2014. Without those medals, they would have finished in a relatively pedestrian tie for sixth place.

[]
Look at Team USA’s overall performances from 1964 through 1992, and this follows: They finished in the top five in terms of overall medals only twice in eight tries. Calgary ’88 was a low point — American athletes won just six medals. But all that mediocrity has been flipped on its head as the list of events grows.

It should be said that the big air crowd aren’t the only American athletes responsible for this recent stretch of Winter Olympic team success (or who’ve benefited from events added to the games in the past three decades): Speedskaters like Apolo Anton Ohno and Shani Davis have had brilliant careers, and their achievements on ice also helped to augment Team USA’s recent medal hauls.

To be sure, more traditional Winter Olympians like skiers Ted Ligety, Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin — and their predecessors like Tommy Moe, Picabo Street and Bode Miller — have assured that Team USA remains a threat in the Alpine events. The Americans aren’t exactly Austrians on the slopes, but they’re not exactly Bulgarians, either. But outside of the Alpine realm, don’t expect the Americans to impress in the more historic events: They’ve captured just one medal each in curling, ski jumping and cross-country skiing, and they’ve won exactly zero medals in biathlon.

The cynical take is that this stuff looks really good on TV, and it’s all a big ratings grab for NBC, which has owned the U.S. broadcasting rights for the Winter Olympics since 2002. Whatever the impetus for adding new sports, and especially new _extreme_ sports, the Americans continue to capitalize. It should be noted here that Canada has had a similar windfall: While the U.S. has totaled 64 medals in the events introduced in 1994 and beyond,⁴ Canada has captured 55.

The Americans aren’t at the top of the medal table right now, but they still have events like ski aerials, ski slopestyle, ski halfpipe and the debut event of snowboarding big air — the most X-Games-y of X-Games-y sports — so there are plenty more opportunities to do what they do best. Now if only they could figure out how to slide a rock across a narrow sheet of ice toward a bullseye, they’d really be onto something.

question: How is the reader supposed to feel about America's performance?

answer: It may be implied that as a reader you would feel that America has been performing well in the field of sports consistently which also means that they are putting in more efforts as a country to push sports.

question: Which other countries happen to be America's major competitors?

answer: It may be implied that Russia was one of its major competitors.

question: What could be the reason behind America winning so many medals?

answer: It may be implied that there is more funding provided to sports to bring out better sportsmen and also to give them the right environment to practice in.

question: What is the theme of this article?

answer: It may be implied that the theme of the article is sports in the U.S.


text:
Dec 10, 2012

-   []

    Joe KaiserESPN Staff Writer

    Close

    -   Fantasy basketball, NBA analyst for Insider
    -   NBA, MLB analyst for Rumor Central

_EDITOR'S NOTE: This is Insider's weekly series that identifies and analyzes tendencies or trends exhibited by five players._

Earlier this season, Basketball-Reference.com's Neil Paine penned a story for ESPN Insider that shed light on some well-known players around the league whose reputations as elite defenders weren't in line with what the numbers indicated.

Included were familiar names like Kobe Bryant, Arron Afflalo and Tayshaun Prince. All in all, Paine's findings were downright eye-opening.

That isn't always what we're trying to accomplish here with Trend Watch, but this week includes at least one such example of a player who may be on the verge of busting a reputation that has followed him through his first six years in the league.

This week, Trend Watch takes a look at two top veterans and three up-and-coming players to uncover some compelling aspects of their games.

question: Who wrote the earlier story for ESPN Insider?

answer: Neil Paine wrote the earlier story for ESPN Insider.

question: Who was written about in Paine's findings?

answer: Kobe Bryant, Arron Afflalo, and Tayshaun Prince were written about in Paine's article.

question: Who is being looked at in this week's Trend Watch?

answer: This week's Trend Watch is going to look at two veterans and three up and coming players.

question: Who wrote this article?

answer: Joe Kaiser wrote this article.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: This article talks about a recent article in which Neil Paine talked about several popular basketball players. The article goes on to discuss what will be talked about in next week's Trend Watch.


text:
Updated June 19, 2018 13:16:48

Polar bears and crocodiles at first glance may not seem to have much in common, but a Northern Territory politician says they both provide trophy hunting options for Indigenous people and are a sustainable way to make a living.

During parliamentary estimates hearings in Darwin on Tuesday, independent Member for Nelson Gerry Wood pointed to the viral video released last week of a huge number of crocodiles sunbathing on the banks of the Daly River.

"I think people are concerned about the numbers and whether that can have a balance between people's safety and preserving crocodiles, I'm not after the pre-1970s [number of crocs]," he said.

"But I still think, having travelled to Canada and seen the sustainable harvest of polar bears, which might scare people, that is done with the traditional owners and science and gives people work, and employment, and gives them an economic livelihood.

"I wonder if we should do more work in that field for our traditional owners, especially in areas where employment is low and there's not much other opportunity for economic development."

However, Dr Alaric Fisher, assisting Environment Minister Lauren Moss, said that was not a financially viable option.

"One of the issues with that idea, unfortunately, is that crocodiles harvested from the wild are not worth very much money, simply because the skin quality now doesn't compete with redskins, and the costs involved in transport from large distances mean the value is very low," he said.

  "It's actually quite hard to set up a significant industry based on the harvest of wild crocodiles."

Politically in the NT, allowing traditional owners to run safari hunting of crocodiles on Aboriginal land has bipartisan support, with both the Labor Government and Country Liberals Party senator for the NT Nigel Scullion on board.

However, the Federal Government vetoed the plan and crocodile safari hunting remains banned in Australia.

Concern croc numbers are climbing: Wood

The current five-year crocodile management plan allows for the harvesting of up to 1,200 large animals and 90,000 viable eggs from the wild to support the NT's crocodile farming industry, which is worth about $100 million per year.

There are currently thought to be up to 100,000 wild crocodiles in the Top End, the number of which has rebounded significantly since hunting up until the early 1970s reduced numbers so much they became a protected species.

"There is a general concern the numbers are increasing … do cull numbers go up proportionally with the increase in the population of crocodiles?" Mr Wood asked Ms Moss.

Dr Fisher said that the most recent crocodile management plan increased the number of animals that could be harvested by 40 per cent.

"If that total number was actually taken that would be about 10 per cent of the large crocodile population in the Territory, but people don't apply for that, they only apply for something like half the number that's available for permit," he said.

  "The issue is always the problem crocs… culling doesn't necessarily deal with the problem crocs," Ms Moss said.

TOPICS: animals, environmental-management, environment, environmentally-sustainable-business, darwin-0800, australia, nt

First posted June 19, 2018 12:56:37

question: What do crocodiles and polar bears have in common?

answer: They both provide trophy hunting options to Indigenous people and are a sustainable way to make a living.

question: Are traditional owners allowed to run safari hunting crocodiles?

answer: No, it is banned in Australia.

question: How many crocodiles need to be harvested to support NT's crocodile farming industry?

answer: Currently, the crocodile management plan allows the harvesting of up to 1,200 large animals and 90,000 viable eggs from the wild.

question: Does the number of animals that can be harvested remain the same?

answer: No, the most recent crocodile management plan increased the number of animals that could be harvested by 40 percent.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer:
Crocodiles and Polar Bears provide trophy hunting options to Indigenous people and are a sustainable way to make a living. Parliamentary member Nelson Wood has recently pointed out if there could be a way to balance people's safety and preserving crocodiles.

The federal government has vetoed the plan and crocodile safari hunting remains banned in Australia. Currently, the crocodile management plan allows the harvesting of up to 1,200 large animals and 90,000 viable eggs from the wild. The most recent plan has increased the number of animals that can be harvested by 40 per cent.


text:
It was an eerie autumn night. She sat in the house alone, she always did, she had no friends left in this world. As she listened to the wind howl and a branch scratching an upstairs window she was sure tonight would finally be the night, her last ever night in this oversized old lonely house. She was being hunted and knew once caught it would be the end of her. How could this not be the night? She thought to herself. In truth it was just a bad feeling she had because of the eeriness of the night, the sounds and shadows from outside.

She woke. It was 09:02. She made it through the night she realised with great relief. The relief was short lived. Now she was confused, soon she would be angry. She remembered back to last night, she could recall it being about 5am, she must have drifted off then. She had spent the night watching come dine with me. She could remember watching the first three episodes but not the fourth. That means she missed the results. If I didn’t see the results, what was the point in watching the first three episodes she thought to herself raging? She threw a spoon at a window, luckily neither were hurt.

She had to leave this place, they will look here soon she knew. She had no mode of transport, her only option was to hitchhike. This was the countryside, cars were few and far between and the people driving them were likely dangerous. The countryside seemed to bring out the worst in people. The isolation, the questionable gene pool, farming; all ingredients that often produced monstrous results, murderous people at worst. Animal fuckers at best. And hitchhiking was never safe for a young attractive female travelling on her own. Fortunately she was ugly, and middle aged. She may have been younger, her age didn’t matter anyhow. It was her ugly face that may save her. Still she was a woman and travelling alone, so the danger was there.

30 minutes had now passed and she still stood with thumb out. Not one car had passed yet. All she could think about was Dave. She hated Dave. She really hoped Dave didn’t win. Dave was one of the contestants on last nights come dine with me and she hated him, he had stupid plates. “Fucking cunt,” she shouted. It was unrelated to Dave and his stupid plates, she has Tourette’s syndrome.

She was so deep in thought trying to work out who may have won come dine with me that she nearly didn’t notice the car stop. It was a pick up truck, and in truth had seen better days. So had the driver. A lone male, in his 50s, thin wiry hair, crooked yellow teeth, covered in boils, and breath that could kill. “Where you headed lady? He asked. “I need to go to Dukenbury, its about 22 miles from here. Please take me as close as you can”. Dukenbury was remote, it was unlikely he would be passing through to drop her off but anywhere close would be better than here. “As ‘appens, that is where I’m headed lady, I can take you all the way”. Perhaps she should have realised something wasn’t right at this point, but she didn’t. She knew the way to Dukenbury and she knew they had just gone past a right turning that they should have taken. That’s when she knew something was wrong. It was the drivers sat nav, must have been an old one without the new routes programmed in. She was gutted; she knew it would add at least 3 minutes to the journey. They arrived at Dukenbury safe. But 3 minutes later than she would have hoped.
She knew she couldn’t avoid her hunters forever, the hunted will get caught. But if she could just do this one last thing in Dukenbury it wouldn’t matter. She wouldn’t mind being caught then. It would mean the end of her life, but she would have achieved all that wished to anyway. First though she was tired and needed to rest for the task at hand. She checked into a bed and breakfast. It was 15:06 when she put her head down on the pillow. As she woke up she realised that she hadn’t been asleep, it then dawned on her that she hadn’t woke up. It was still 15:06 because literally nothing has happened; she just sketched out a little is all.

As she woke up she chuckled as she remembered earlier when she thought she had woken up but hadn’t even been asleep. She could be stupid some times she thought to herself, although not as stupid as Dave’s plates. That pleased her.

The cafe was only a two-minute walk from the bed and breakfast. Her daughter should be there, she worked there. If she could just find her daughter everything would be OK. As she approached the café however she realised she was being followed. “No not now” she thought, “I’m nearly done, you can’t take me yet”. She burst into a run, so did the pursuer. She ran into the café, the chaser was only a meter behind her now. But there she was, she could see her daughter. “All I have to do is avoid capture for another second” she thought as she sprinted towards her daughter. Her daughter was facing the other way so the woman called out, her daughter turned around, A split second later the woman drove a 7 inch carving knife through her throat. It was brutal.

The woman had been caught now but it didn’t matter, she had done it. She had murdered 10 people. She had always wanted to murder 10 people and finishing with her daughter made it perfect.

title: The Woman

question: Who is the woman avoiding?

answer: The Hunters.

question: Why does the woman decide to hitchhike?

answer: She has no mode of transport.

question: What's the reason given for the woman's insomnia?

answer: She is only three episodes in and wants to know if Dave was eliminated on some show.

question: Where is she headed?

answer: Dukenbury

question: Write a ~12 sentence summary.

answer:
The unnamed woman can't sleep because she has only seen three episodes. She gets up from bed with the intention to head 22 miles away to Dukenbury, but she doesn't have a mode of transport. She decides the hitchhike. After thirty minutes, a lone male in his fifties picks her up.

They arrive at Dukenbury three minutes later than she'd have liked. She knows her hunters are after her, but she check into a bed and breakfast, where she promptly passes out.

The woman wakes up and heads to a cafe where her daughter works. En route, she thinks someone is chasing her. She sees her daughter and sprints toward her. She cuts her throat with a knife. The women has completed her tenth kill. She had always wanted to murder 10 people and finishing with her daughter makes it perfect.


text:
*This was inspired by a dream i had. I woke up and decided to write it down as true as I could to my dream. What do people think? I'm no writer, but any comments would be appreciated*

“I’m no hero” he said as he remembered picking Cpl. Glasser’s brains out of his hair. As he remembered the thunder of the pistol as it scattered blood and bone and skin and hair all over the boiler room. As he remembered the thump of the lifeless body hitting the metal floor. Blood squirting from the crater on the cpl’s head as the heart clamored for life.

“I’m no hero”, tears began to streak down his face, he contorted as he sobbed uncontrollably. He remembered scurrying into the corner behind the engine as he saw shadows slide by and the metallic beat of footsteps. Flashlights glazing over the boringly painted room. Voices of some strange dialect.

“I’m no hero”, he was still in the corner. Crashing inside his chest, looking down he was struck by the way he could visibly see his heart beating. The engine of the ship had long been turned off, but his own engine had been awakened by primordial fear. Fear of the shadows. Fear of the footsteps. Fear of the gunshots he could hear coming from distant corners of the battleship.

He remembered blackness. Then other voices. Lights swam in his eyes as frantic, not confident footsteps, began to surround him. Shouts. Hope. Cheering. The rhythmic swatting of helicopter blades against the virgin ocean air. Then blackness again.

Three years passed. Over his heart which once nearly tore itself out, over the tailored military dress suit now were adorned medals for bravery. Citations and medals of honor. Everywhere he went he was celebrated. On sticky summer days on the boardwalk his face obligated children to salute and their parents to nod.

He was content to mask his internal trauma with a smile and waving. Feigning interest in what other people had to say about his ordeal.  The air conditioned auditorium that smelt of learning and childhood brought some serenity. He pointed at hands in the sea of bright faces, and whoever he pointed nearest to would stand up and belt a question at him. This was fine. Was fine.

“Mister, are you a hero?”

title: I'm No Hero

question: Who is "he"?

answer: A veteran.

question: What is the setting of the story?

answer: A ceremony is being held for veterans.

question: Why is he claiming he isn't a hero?

answer: He thinks he was a coward during battle.

question: Who asked him if he was a hero?

answer: A child from the ceremony.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: A veteran recalls how cowardly he was during battle and claims he is no hero. Three years pass and a recognition ceremony is held for veterans. He tries to hide his internal trauma by feigning happiness.


text:
[Situation of Skovgårde Voldsted in Sønderhald Hundred; northeast corner of the map, almost by the sea: a village _Skovgde_ (Skovgårde), a short distance west-north-west of it, an X, and the text “Ruin”.] SKOVGÅRDE VOLDSTED is an ancient monument in Nørager Parish, Norddjurs Municipality, Denmark. The site contains the archaeological remains of the old SKOVGÅRD MANOR.

History

In the late 15th century Skovgård manor was owned by Jens Madsen Munk of Viborg (died ~1501).[1] His daughter Ellen (died after 1511)[2] was married to Hans Lykke on the nearby manor of Rugaard,[3] and through her the manor came into possession of the Lykke family. Lady Ellen held Skovgård as a widow, but then it was inherited by her son Erik Lykke (dead before 1536).[4] During her grandson's, Erik Eriksen Lykke, ownership, Skovgård burned down in 1541, but was later rebuilt. Erik Lykke junior's son Falk Lykke, sold it in 1619 to Dorotea Juul (died 1644),[5] widow of Jørgen Kaas, and through her the manor came to her nephew Captain Hans Juul (died 1697) ,[6] who sold it in 1648 to Just Høeg (died 1649).[7] In a few years Skovgård then changed hands several times, before it came into the possession of Otto Kruse (died 1699),[8] who joined it with the manor Østergård in the nearby Fjellerup parish. The two manors were then conjoined as a production unit until 1789, after which it has been a small hamlet, Skovgårde, with originally three farmsteads. The archaeological site became a protected ancient monument in 1884.[9][10]

Archaeological remains

[Skovgårde Voldsted, south wing seen from the west.] The remains of the manor consist of a rectangular embankment of 70 meters x 43 meters, with protruding stonework bastions in the corners, raised about 3.5 meters over a now drained moat. There is paving, and foundation remains of a three-winged building; in the south wing made of bricks, with a height of up to two meters.[11][12]

[1] “Jens Madsen Munk (Vinranke), til Visborg.” _Skeel-Schaffalitzky._ Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[2] “Elne Jensdatter Munk (Vinranke).” _Skeel-Schaffalitzky._ Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[3] “Hans Lykke, til Havnø og Rugaard” _Skeel-Schaffalitzky._ Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[4] “Erik Lykke, til Skovgaard.”_Skeel-Schaffalitzky._ Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[5] “Dorte Ovesdatter Juul”. _Skeel & Kannegaard Genealogy._ Retrieved 2016-12-22.

[6] [http://skeel.info/getperson.php?personID=I8182&tree=ks “Hans Frandsen Juul”. _Skeel & Kannegaard Genealogy.]_Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[7] “Just Jacobsen Høeg, (Banner)”. _Skeel & Kannegaard Geneaology._ Retrieved 2016-12-22.

[8] “Otte Tygesen Kruse”. _Skeel & Kannegaard Genaology._ Retrieved 2016-12-22.

[9] Trap, J.P. & Weitemeyer, H. (1906). _Statistisk-topographisk Beskrivelse af Kongeriget Danmark._ Copenhagen: G.E.C. Gad, vol., 4, p. 936. Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[10] “KHM 1462 Skovgårde”. _Kulturhistorisk Museum Randers_. Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[11] “Skovgårde Voldsted”. _Den Store Danske, Gyldendal._ Retrieved 2016-12-21.

[12] “Skovgårde Voldsted - senmiddelalderligt voldsted.” _Danske fortidsminder._ Retrieved 2016-12-22.

title: Skovgårde Voldsted

question: Where is Skovgårde Manor located?

answer: Denmark.

question: Explain Erik Eriksen Lykke's connection to Skovgårde Manor.

answer: He is the grandson of Jens Madsen Munk of Viborg, who owned Skovgårde manor in the 15th century. Erik Lykke is the grandson of Jens Madsen Munk. Lykke's ownership of the manor, it burned down but it was later rebuilt.

question: What is the latest year mentioned in this text?

answer: 1884 in the body of the text. 2016 in the bibliography.

question: Is Skovgårde Manor still standing?

answer: Parts of it are still standing but it is in ruins.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: This text briefly overviews details of Skovgårde Voldsted, a monument in Denmark. Even though the text's title is the name of the monument, most of the body of the article covers information about Skovgårde Manor, the residence near the monument, and its ownership. The manor was built before the late 15th century but is now in ruins.