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coffee is important to me. | Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, which are the seeds of berries from the "Coffea" plant. The genus "Coffea" is native to tropical Africa (specifically having its origin in Ethiopia and Sudan) and Madagascar, the Comoros, Mauritius, and Réunion in the Indian Ocean. The plant was exported from Africa to countries around the world. Coffee plants are now cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the Americas, Southeast Asia, India, and Africa. The two most commonly grown are the highly regarded arabica, and the less sophisticated but stronger and hardier robusta. Once ripe, coffee berries are picked, processed, and dried. Dried coffee seeds (referred to as beans) are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor. Roasted beans are ground and brewed with near-boiling water to produce coffee as a beverage. Coffee is slightly acidic and has a stimulating effect on humans because of its caffeine content. Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It can be prepared and presented in a variety of ways (e.g., espresso, French press, café latte, etc.). It is usually served hot, although iced coffee is an alternative way of the drink to be served.
Alondra: I didn't realize that coffee beans are actually the berries from the Coffea plant - are you a coffee drinker?
Haley: I am a coffee drinker. It's great! What is the Coffea plant?
Alondra: It's the plant that has the coffee beans on it - they are berries - it was exported from Africa to countries around the world.
Haley: I always see Arabica coffee beans on the packaging. What does that mean?
Alondra: Arabica beans are the most commonly grown and highly regarded and then there is the less sophisticated but stronger and hardier Robusta
Haley: Oh okay. I have seen that coffee is healthy for you. Is that true?
Alondra: It is slightly acidic and has a stimulating effect on humans - so too much cannot be good for you.
Haley: What is the ideal temperature for making coffee?
Alondra: I'm not sure of the temperature, except that proper brewing requires correct quantity, extracted to the correct degree, controlled by time and temp.
Haley: What is considered to be the most expensive or rarest coffee?
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my guilty pleasure is mcdonald s. | McDonald's is a fast food company that was founded in 1940 as a restaurant operated by Richard and Maurice McDonald, in San Bernardino, California, United States. They rechristened their business as a hamburger stand. The first time a McDonald's franchise used the Golden Arches logo was in 1953 at a location in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1955, Ray Kroc, a businessman, joined the company as a franchise agent and proceeded to purchase the chain from the McDonald brothers. McDonald's had its original headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, but has approved plans to move its global headquarters to Chicago by 2018. McDonald's is the world's largest restaurant chain by revenue, serving over 69 million customers daily in over 100 countries across approximately 36,900 outlets as of 2016. Although McDonald's is known for its hamburgers, they also sell cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, wraps, and desserts. In response to changing consumer tastes and a negative backlash because of the unhealthiness of their food, the company has added to its menu salads, fish, smoothies, and fruit. The McDonald's Corporation revenues come from the rent, royalties, and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants.
Peyton: McDonald's is my favorite place to eat
Jillian: Ronald McDonald, their mascot, used to scare me when I was a kid
Peyton: hahahah he is a little scary, i love their mcflury's the best
Jillian: I like a lot of things there. They have breakfast, wraps, chicken, among other items
Peyton: Do you know when mcdonalds first originated?
Jillian: In 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. It was located in California
Peyton: that is so interesting i din't know, how often do you eat at McDonalds?
Jillian: I eat there more often now that they have added items such as salads, fruit, and smoothies.
Peyton: I love to have breakfast from mcdonalds everyday before work, their coffee is amazing
Jillian: I am also a fan of Burger King. I love the whopper. it has been around since 1957
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my favorite food is pizza. | Pizza is a traditional Italian dish consisting of a yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven. It can also be topped with additional vegetables, meats, and condiments, and can be made without cheese. The term "pizza" was first recorded in the 10th century, in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italy town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, and the dish and its variants have since become popular and common in many areas of the world. In 2009, upon Italy's request, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed dish. "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), a non-profit organization founded in 1984 with headquarters in Naples, aims to "promote and protect... the true Neapolitan pizza". Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world and common fast food item in Europe and North America. Many independent or chain restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets offer pizza. Restaurants or chains specializing in pizza are pizzerias. Pizza delivery is common in some parts of the world. Pizza is sold fresh or frozen, either whole or in portions.
Sadie: i really enjoy pizza! its a very common dish that comes from italy. its made of yeast, sauce and cheese, then baked in the over.
Giovanni: I also love pizza it's my favorite! What did pizza originate?
Sadie: The only legit information I can find on the origin of pizza is back when ancient cultures would made these type of flatbreads and top them with various fruits and veggies.
Giovanni: That's so interesting! Is American pizza different than Italian?
Sadie: The modern pizza was invented in naples where the tomato was added to the focaccia in the 18th centruy
Giovanni: Is pizza the most popular food in the world?
Sadie: not really, it used to be mainly eaten only in italy and from the immigrants there.
Giovanni: Do you think pizza is a healthy food?
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my father used to work for microsoft. | Microsoft Corporation (, abbreviated as MS) is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface tablet lineup. As of 2016, it is the world's largest software maker by revenue, and one of the world's most valuable companies. The word "Microsoft" is a portmanteau of "microcomputer" and "software". Microsoft was founded by Paul Allen and Bill Gates on April 4, 1975, to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by Microsoft Windows. The company's 1986 initial public offering (IPO), and subsequent rise in its share price, created three billionaires and an estimated 12,000 millionaires among Microsoft employees. Since the 1990s, it has increasingly diversified from the operating system market and has made a number of corporate acquisitions—their largest being the acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in December 2016, followed by Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion in May 2011. , Microsoft is market-dominant in the IBM PC-compatible operating system market and the office software suite market, although it has lost the majority of the overall operating system market to Android.
Alejandro: I'm a fan of Microsoft. Their personal computers and services are quite important.
Carter: Me too. They have the most widely used computers
Alejandro: Indeed. I use them a lot for PC Games. Specifically Starcraft.
Carter: I see. which pc game do you like.
Alejandro: Many. I would say Guild Wars is among my favorites as well. In the 90's PC Games lost a little traction because of consoles, then came back in the 2000's.
Carter: Yes, but they do not have anything to worry about because they are into it as well
Alejandro: I agree. Microsoft has a large presence everywhere, and thus so do PC Games.
Carter: They are the maker of Xbox. I love using kinetics to play games too
Alejandro: The XBox was actually officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005.
Carter: I see. It is now an household game. Kudos to them
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my favorite food to harvest is carrots. | The carrot ("Daucus carota" subsp. "sativus") is a root vegetable, usually orange in colour, though purple, black, red, white, and yellow cultivars exist. Carrots are a domesticated form of the wild carrot, "Daucus carota", native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The plant probably originated in Persia and was originally cultivated for its leaves and seeds. The most commonly eaten part of the plant is the taproot, although the greens are sometimes eaten as well. The domestic carrot has been selectively bred for its greatly enlarged, more palatable, less woody-textured taproot. The carrot is a biennial plant in the umbellifer family Apiaceae. At first, it grows a rosette of leaves while building up the enlarged taproot. Fast-growing cultivars mature within three months (90 days) of sowing the seed, while slower-maturing cultivars are harvested four months later (120 days). The roots contain high quantities of alpha- and beta-carotene, and are a good source of vitamin K and vitamin B6, but the belief that eating carrots improves night vision is a myth put forward by the British in World War II to mislead the enemy about their military capabilities. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that world production of carrots and turnips (these plants are combined by the FAO) for the calendar year 2013 was 37.2 million tonnes; almost half (~45%) were grown in China.
Abigail: what class of food is carrot?
Liam: The carrot is considered a "root vegetable".
Abigail: What nutrients do they contain?
Liam: They have high quantities of of alpha and beta carotene and are a very good source of vitamin K and B6!
Abigail: Amazing, how are they cultivated?
Liam: You just sow the seeds and within 90 days or so, or sometimes 120 for slower-maturing it's ready to be harvested!
Abigail: Nice, which country first planted carrots?
Liam: It most likely originated in Persia and was originally cultivated for just it's leaves and seeds.
Abigail: Thanks for enlightening me about Carrots
Liam: No problem at all! Carrots are awesome in many different dishes!
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i only date people taller than me. | Dating is a stage of romantic relationships in humans whereby two people meet socially with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a prospective partner in an intimate relationship or marriage. It is a form of courtship, consisting of social activities done by the couple, either alone or with others. The protocols and practices of dating, and the terms used to describe it, vary considerably from country to country and over time. While the term has several meanings, the most frequent usage refers to two people exploring whether they are romantically or sexually compatible by participating in dates with the other. With the use of modern technology, people can date via telephone or computer or meet in person. Dating may also involve two or more people who have already decided that they share romantic or sexual feelings toward each other. These people will have dates on a regular basis, and they may or may not be having sexual relations. This period of courtship is sometimes seen as a precursor to engagement. Some cultures require people to wait until a certain age to begin dating, which has been a source of controversy. Dating as an institution is a relatively recent phenomenon which has mainly emerged in the last few centuries.
Katherine: Good Morning, what do you think about using technology to date?
Shelby: I'm married and so I haven't actually used it and don't know much about it, but it's interesting to me. I imagine my sons will be using it!
Katherine: I am married too. I met my husband over the computer and after a few weeks we met in person.
Shelby: Was there a particular website you met him on? What are the most common sites or apps that people are using to date these days?
Katherine: I actually can not remember the site we met on, but I know from friends that tinder is popular now. There are so many different ways to use technology these days.
Shelby: Yes, Tinder is very popular. I think it used to be used more for "hookups" but now it's more of a legit dating site. What other technology aspects are you aware of?
Katherine: Social networking is another way for people to reach out to each other. Do you use social networks?
Shelby: Yes, I use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn mostly. What about you?
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i have two full sleeves of tattoos. | A sleeve tattoo (or tattoo sleeve) is a large tattoo, or a collection of smaller tattoos, that has a unified theme, that covers most or all of a person's arm, usually from shoulder to wrist. There is a difference between an arm covered in tattoos and a sleeve tattoo. A sleeve tattoo has a unified theme, whereas an arm covered in tattoos may have many tattoos of different styles that does not have an overall unity. The term "sleeve" is a reference to the tattoo's size similarity in coverage to a long shirt sleeve on an article of clothing. In this manner, the term is also used as a verb; for example, "getting sleeved" means to have one's entire arm tattooed. The term is also sometimes used in reference to a large leg tattoo that covers a person's leg in a similar manner. Half-sleeves or quarter-sleeves are tattoos that cover only part of an arm, usually above the elbow, but can also be found below the elbow. A sleeve implies complete tattoo coverage of a particular area, so a half sleeve is a tattoo that covers the entire upper or lower arm. A "quarter sleeve" usually covers the area of skin from the shoulder midway to the elbow. Sleeve tattoos are a collaboration between a tattoo artist and customer to demonstrate a personal and unified artistic theme.
Braden: It's been so annoying lately because everyone is calling the recent tattoos I got a sleeve tattoo, when it's actually not a sleeve at all
Colby: When did people first start making tattoes?
Braden: For a long long time. At least since the neolithic times. Art and preserved mummy skin shows us this
Colby: What is used to make a tattoe?
Braden: Colored pigment into the skins dermis is the modern process via a tattoo needle
Colby: how long can a tattoe stay ?
Braden: Permanently, but they can be removed.
Colby: Thanks for enlightening me about tattoes
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i have four cats. | The domestic cat ("Felis silvestris catus" or "Felis catus") is a small, typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats when kept as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by various cat registries. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language. Cats have a high breeding rate. Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy.
Jose: Do you you have a cat by chance? I have a Siamese.
Jacqueline: Yes, I do. My cat is a great companion because she helps hunt small vermin around my yard.
Jose: What kind of cat? Does she leave the captured vermin on the doorstep or does she eat them?
Jacqueline: She is a polydactyl cat, though she's a mixed breed. She loves to eat the small vermin she finds.
Jose: What's a polydactyl cat?
Jacqueline: It's a cat with a physical anomoly that gives them an extra toe on their paws. So it looks like they have thumbs. Their paws look like mittens.
Jose: Wow! Like a person with six finger!
Jacqueline: Yeah, exactly. So my cat has 20 toes instead of the normal 18 due to her "thumbs."
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i sing barbershop and rap. | Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era (1930s–present), is a style of a cappella close harmony, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture. Each of the four parts has its own role: generally, the lead sings the melody, the tenor harmonizes above the melody, the bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone completes the chord, usually below the lead. The melody is not usually sung by the tenor or baritone, except for an infrequent note or two to avoid awkward voice leading, in tags or codas, or when some appropriate embellishment can be created. One characteristic feature of barbershop harmony is the use of what is known as "snakes" and "swipes." This is when a chord is altered by a change in one or more non-melodic voices. Occasional passages may be sung by fewer than four voice parts. Barbershop music is generally performed by either a barbershop quartet, a group of four singers with one on each vocal part, or a barbershop chorus, which closely resembles a choir with the notable exception of the genre of music. Female barbershop quartets are sometimes referred to as "Sweet Adelines quartets", in association with the organization of that name.
Jalen: Love barbershop music. It's normally performed by a quartet.
Preston: It's famous for it's ringing chords, produced by singing a combination of notes that are perfectly tuned.
Jalen: One of the things I really love about the sound is the harmony and the use of what's called "snakes" or "swipes".
Preston: It was developed by African Americans in the late nineteenth century.
Jalen: So many things were influenced by African-Americans. They constitute 1/3 largest racial and ethnic group in the United States.
Preston: When Edison's phonograph grew in popularity, the music genre did too.
Jalen: Edison is described as one of the greatest American inventors. He had an interesting middle name of Alva.
Preston: That is an interesting middle name. My grandfathers' middle name was Aden.
Jalen: Last names or surnames are interesting. They vary around the world with different laws and conventions surrounding them.
Preston: It would be interesting to know where a lot of them originated from.
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i love my parrot , todd. | Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 393 species in 92 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the Psittacoidea ("true" parrots), the Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and the Strigopoidea (New Zealand parrots). Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere, as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is in South America and Australasia. Characteristic features of parrots include a strong, curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. Most parrots exhibit little or no sexual dimorphism in the visual spectrum. They form the most variably sized bird order in terms of length. The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds, and other plant material. A few species sometimes eat animals and carrion, while the lories and lorikeets are specialised for feeding on floral nectar and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in tree hollows (or nest boxes in captivity), and lay white eggs from which hatch altricial (helpless) young.
Stephen: Parrots are really cool birds, they are so smart
Jacqueline: parrots are cool are there different kinds of parrots
Stephen: there is 393 species of parrots, really cool birds
Jacqueline: that many, do all parrots have the ability to talk?
Stephen: Not all parrots can talk, but talking birds are pretty uncommon
Jacqueline: what is the most common parrot?
Stephen: The most common is the cockatoo sub species, but the order is subdivided into three superfamilies
Jacqueline: what makes a bird a parrot, its beak?
Stephen: strong curved bills, upright stance, and clawed feet with lots of colorful feathers
Jacqueline: i think some parrots can live a long time
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i just moved to los angeles from tokyo. | Tokyo (, ), officially Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital city of Japan and one of its 47 prefectures. The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government. Tokyo is in the Kantō region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Formerly known as Edo, it has been the de facto seat of government since 1603 when Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu made the city his headquarters. It officially became the capital after Emperor Meiji moved his seat to the city from the old capital of Kyoto in 1868; at that time Edo was renamed Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943 from the merger of the former and the . Tokyo is often referred to as a city, but is officially known and governed as a "metropolitan prefecture", which differs from and combines elements of a city and a prefecture, a characteristic unique to Tokyo. The Tokyo metropolitan government administers the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo (each governed as an individual city), which cover the area that was the City of Tokyo before it merged and became the metropolitan prefecture in 1943. The metropolitan government also administers 39 municipalities in the western part of the prefecture and the two outlying island chains.
Kathryn: I recently moved from Los Angeles to Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. I love it here!
Jennifer: Tokyo seems like an amazing city!
Kathryn: It really is, and it's HUGE. It's the most populous metropolitan area in the world.
Jennifer: Wow, I bet there are so many different neighborhoods and cultural areas
Kathryn: It's a pretty big city, so there's definitely a lot of different neighborhoods. It's also the seat of the Emperor and the Japanese government, so it's pretty much the heart of Japan.
Jennifer: Oh yeah, I'd love to see the Emperor's palace
Kathryn: Yeah! Originally, Kyoto was where the Emperor's seat was, but it was moved in 1868 to Edo, which is now named Tokyo.
Jennifer: Oh wow, I never knew that!
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i like swimming. | Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985) is an American retired competitive swimmer and the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16). When he won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, Phelps broke fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Phelps had already tied the record of eight medals of any color at a single Games by winning six gold and two bronze medals. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four gold and two silver medals, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won five gold medals and one silver. This made him the most successful athlete of the Games for the fourth Olympics in a row. Phelps is the long course world record holder in the 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 400 meter individual medley as well as the former long course world record holder in the 200 meter freestyle and 200 meter individual medley. He has won 82 medals in major international long course competition, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and 3 bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships.
Angela: I think Michael Phelps is quite the swimmer. He is now retired as a competive swimmer however.
Ayden: Yes, I recall watching him at the Olympic Games. Do you know how many medals he has won?
Angela: He is actually the most decorated and successful Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals
Ayden: That's impressive. I remember watching him at the Beijing Games. How many did he win there?
Angela: When he was at the Beijing games he won a total of 8 gold medals! Isn't that amazing!
Ayden: Wow, he is a beast! What are some of the records he holds?
Angela: At the Beijing games he broke fellow swimmer Mark Spitz 1972 record of seven first place finishes at any single Olympic Games
Ayden: Do you know how many Olympic medals Mark Spitz has?
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i am a fruitarian. | Fruitarianism () is a diet that consists entirely or primarily of fruits in the botanical sense, and possibly nuts and seeds, without animal products. Fruitarianism is a subset of dietary veganism. Fruitarianism may be adopted for different reasons, including ethical, religious, environmental, cultural, economic, and health reasons. There are many varieties of the diet. Some people whose diet consists of 75% or more fruit consider themselves fruitarians. Some fruitarians will eat only what falls (or would fall) naturally from a plant: that is, foods that can be harvested without killing or harming the plant. These foods consist primarily of culinary fruits, nuts, and seeds. According to author Adam Gollner, some fruitarians eat only fallen fruit. Some do not eat grains, believing it is unnatural to do so, and some fruitarians feel that it is improper for humans to eat seeds as they contain future plants, or nuts and seeds, or any foods besides juicy fruits. Others believe they should eat only plants that spread seeds when the plant is eaten. Others eat seeds and some cooked foods. Some fruitarians use the botanical definitions of fruits and consume pulses, such as beans, peas, or other legumes.
Samuel: Fruitarianism is a diet where you only eat fruit. Sounds intense!
Micah: yes it does
Samuel: some fruitarians only eat fruit that has already fallen from a tree or plant, so they don't actually harm the tree itself
Micah: wow that is strict
Samuel: Indeed! Interestingly, fruitarianism is considered a subset of veganism
Micah: yes any more about it
Samuel: There are many different reasons people go for fruitarianism: ethical, religious, health, and more
Micah: yes i would understand that
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i have found the cure for the common cold. | The common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. The throat, sinuses, and larynx may also be affected. Signs and symptoms may appear less than two days after exposure to the virus. These may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People usually recover in seven to ten days, but some symptoms may last up to three weeks. Occasionally those with other health problems may develop pneumonia. Well over 200 virus strains are implicated in causing the common cold, with rhinoviruses being the most common. They spread through the air during close contact with infected people or indirectly through contact with objects in the environment, followed by transfer to the mouth or nose. Risk factors include going to daycare, not sleeping well, and psychological stress. The symptoms are mostly due to the body's immune response to the infection rather than to tissue destruction by the viruses themselves. In contrast, those affected by influenza can show similar symptoms as people with a cold, but symptoms are usually more severe. Additionally, the influenza is less likely to result in a runny nose.
Bradley: Hey, I was wondering if you knew anything about the common cold?
George: Is it making your nose itchy or affecting your upper respiratory?
Bradley: Defiantly my nose.It is very itchy.
George: That definitely sounds like a cold. Your throat may be itchhy soon too.
Bradley: oh no! is there anything I can do?
George: Well aside from using a cough drop, not really. It may be mild or severe for a few days.
Bradley: I hope so, what else should I know?
George: Halls cough drops always work for me.
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i drive a ford mustang. | The Ford Mustang is an American car manufactured by Ford. It was originally based on the platform of the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. The original 1962 Ford Mustang I two-seater concept car had evolved into the 1963 Mustang II four-seater concept car which Ford used to pretest how the public would take interest in the first production Mustang. The 1963 Mustang II concept car was designed with a variation of the production model's front and rear ends with a roof that was 2.7 inches shorter. Introduced early on April 17, 1964 (16 days after the Plymouth Barracuda), and thus dubbed as a "1964½" by Mustang fans, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A. The Mustang has undergone several transformations to its current sixth generation. The Mustang created the "pony car" class of American muscle cars, affordable sporty coupes with long hoods and short rear decks, and gave rise to competitors such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, AMC Javelin, Chrysler's revamped Plymouth Barracuda, and the second generation Dodge Challenger. The Mustang is also credited for inspiring the designs of coupés such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, which were imported to the United States.
Emmanuel: i drive a ford mustang and i love it! do you like mustangs?
Jada: I do. I also enjoy variants of the Ford Mustang because they cater to more specific portions of the marketplace that are outside of the mainstream.
Emmanuel: What other types of cars do you like?
Jada: I like the Shelby Mustang, which is a variant that I referred to earlier. It was built by Shelby American from 1965 to 1968 and by For from 1969 to 1970.
Emmanuel: Neat! I don't know a lot of history of the brand.
Jada: Oh okay. Have you ever head of the Shelby Cobra? It's a sports car with a Ford v8 engine.
Emmanuel: i had heard of it but didn't know that much about it. sounds fast!
Jada: It is. A v8 engine is an eight-cylinder V configuration engine with the cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two sets (or banks) of four, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.
Emmanuel: I think i only have 6 cylinders in mine,
Jada: Oh! So that would be a V6 engine which has six cylinders mounted on the crankshaft in two banks of three cylinders.
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i was drafted last years by the minnesota wolves. | The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member club of the league's Western Conference Northwest Division. Founded in 1989, the team is owned by Glen Taylor. The Timberwolves play their home games at Target Center, their home since 1990. Like most expansion teams, the Timberwolves struggled in their early years, but after the acquisition of Kevin Garnett in the 1995 NBA draft, the team qualified for the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons from 1997 to 2004. Despite losing in the first round in their first seven attempts, the Timberwolves won their first division championship in 2004 and advanced to the Western Conference Finals that same season. Garnett was also named the NBA Most Valuable Player for that season. The team has been in rebuilding mode for the past decade since missing the playoffs in 2005, and trading Garnett to the Boston Celtics in 2007. Garnett returned to the Timberwolves in a February 2015 trade and finished his career there, retiring in the 2016 offseason. NBA basketball returned to the Twin Cities in 1989 for the first time since the Minneapolis Lakers departed to Los Angeles in 1960.
Hayden: Hi there what do you do for a living I play basketball for the Timberwolves.
Trinity: I wish I had a job like that. What state do the Timberwolves play for?
Hayden: Minnesota, it is very cold here, we are based in Minneapolis.
Trinity: MInnesota? I took a trip there once. Very beautiful. So I am guessing you travel a lot. I am a factory worker so not much fun
Hayden: Where are you located? I travel some. Have you ever read Motley's Crew?
Trinity: I am located in Missouri. I think I have heard of motley crew before. Arent they a band?
Hayden: Motley's Crew is an old comic strip that was in the paper. But there was a band as well.
Trinity: I have never read the comic strip. Sounds interesting . What was it about?
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i like country music. | Country (or country and western) is a musical genre that originated in the southern United States in the early 1920s. It takes its roots from genres such as folk music (especially Appalachian folk music) and blues. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with generally simple forms, folk lyric and harmonies accompanied by mostly string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros), and fiddles as well as harmonicas. Blues modes have been used extensively throughout its recorded history. According to Lindsey Starnes, the term "country music" gained popularity in the 1940s in preference to the earlier term "hillbilly music"; it came to encompass Western music, which evolved parallel to hillbilly music from similar roots, in the mid-20th century. In 2009, in the United States country music was the most listened to rush hour radio genre during the evening commute, and second most popular in the morning commute. The term "country music" is used today to describe many styles and subgenres. The origins of country music are the folk music of working class Americans, who blended popular songs, Irish and Celtic fiddle tunes, traditional English ballads, and cowboy songs, and various musical traditions from European immigrant communities.
Karen: I really don't much care for country music in general. But, there are a few artists and songs I like. Do you like it?
Courtney: I'm not much of a country music fan either, to be honest.
Karen: Yes, I know there are some great ones, especially many consider from the Grand Ole Opry, but I often don't like them either!
Courtney: Toby Keith is pretty good, though some of the other stuff that is more reminiscent of the early 1920's country music.
Karen: Yes, I agree. I do like some, and think they are great, but just not too many. I found country music makes me a bit too sad when I listen.
Courtney: I just can't get behind it compared to stuff like rock, especially since it has its roots from folk music and the blues.
Karen: Yes, I am all about some rock, classic rock, 80s, etc. I do like many pop and alternative songs. But, folk music and deep blues isn't much for me.
Courtney: I'm exactly the same, I really just don't like folk or blues or country at all. Especially with how it consists of ballads and dance tunes.
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i have 3 dogs and a parrot. | Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 393 species in 92 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three superfamilies: the Psittacoidea ("true" parrots), the Cacatuoidea (cockatoos), and the Strigopoidea (New Zealand parrots). Parrots have a generally pantropical distribution with several species inhabiting temperate regions in the Southern Hemisphere, as well. The greatest diversity of parrots is in South America and Australasia. Characteristic features of parrots include a strong, curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. Most parrots exhibit little or no sexual dimorphism in the visual spectrum. They form the most variably sized bird order in terms of length. The most important components of most parrots' diets are seeds, nuts, fruit, buds, and other plant material. A few species sometimes eat animals and carrion, while the lories and lorikeets are specialised for feeding on floral nectar and soft fruits. Almost all parrots nest in tree hollows (or nest boxes in captivity), and lay white eggs from which hatch altricial (helpless) young.
Leslie: I have two dogs and a crazy parrot
Spencer: Thats awsome. Can you believe parrots make up 393 species!?!
Leslie: I believe it my african grey has a 3000 word vocabulary
Spencer: Wow thats amazing! The greatest diversity of parrots is in South America and Australasia.
Leslie: They are very intelligent and loving pets
Spencer: Yes they are. And most are found in tropic regions!
Leslie: My grey is a dark grey with a bright red tail
Spencer: Most parrots have strong curved dill, strong legs, and clawed feet!
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i am a vegan. | Veganism is both the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of either the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan ( ). Distinctions are sometimes made between several categories of veganism. "Dietary vegans" (or strict vegetarians) refrain from consuming animal products, not only meat but also eggs, dairy products and other animal-derived substances. The term "ethical vegan" is often applied to those who not only follow a vegan diet but extend the philosophy into other areas of their lives, and oppose the use of animals for any purpose. Another term is "environmental veganism", which refers to the avoidance of animal products on the premise that the harvesting or industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable. Well-planned vegan diets can reduce the risk of some types of chronic disease, including heart disease. They are regarded as appropriate for all stages of life including during infancy and pregnancy by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the British Dietetic Association. The German Society for Nutrition does not recommend vegan diets for children, adolescents nor during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Stephen: After a long life of over eating meats, I've recently begun to try out being vegan, though I can't commit fully yet.
Gabriel: Really? Why?
Stephen: It was a personal choice I felt I had to make. I disliked how so many companies treat animals like a commodity instead of living creatures. I still support eating meat, but using humane practices in any animal made product.
Gabriel: Ok. Meat is good. I love steak
Stephen: I agree, steak if a fantastic food, but it isn't necessary for survival. In most developed countries meat is actually secondary to survival or health. We just really love the taste!
Gabriel: That is true.
Stephen: Another benefit of cutting meat in general is that it can reduce risks of some types of disease, such as heart disease. A salad and some exercise can really do your body good!
Gabriel: But do you eat fish?
Stephen: Fish is another controversial one for vegans. I can't deny that they are an important source of protein for many humans, both in history and in modern times. If you live on an island, you might have to eat fish sometime!
Gabriel: lol. That is true
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i only buy convertible cars. | A convertible or cabriolet (; ) is an automobile body style that can convert between an open-air mode and an enclosed one, varying in degree and means by model. Convertibles evolved from the earlier phaeton, an open vehicle without glass side windows that sometimes had removable panels of fabric or other material for protection from the elements. Historically, a retractable roof consisted of an articulated frame covered with a folding, textile-based fabric similar to that on an open carriage evolved into the most common form. A lesser seen detachable hardtop provided a more weatherproof and secure alternative. As technology improved, a retractable hardtop which removes and stows its own rigid roof in its trunk appeared, increasingly becoming the most popular form. A semiconvertible also known as a cabrio coach has a retractable or removable top which retains fully framed windows on its doors and side glass. A landaulet is a semienclosed convertible with a fully enclosed front cabin and an open rear, typically with a folding fabric top and roll-down glass all round. In the United Kingdom, all-weather tourer, a four-door car, and for a two-door car drophead coupé were used for high-quality, fully enclosed versions of the body style known as the "convertible" in the United States.
Ian: I love my convertible car, I prefer the open air mode with the top down to the enclosed mode.
Cheyenne: wow tell me more about convertible cars
Ian: Ok, come convertibles are considered coach convertibles meaning at one time they were enclosed cars that were made into convertibles.
Cheyenne: When were they first introduced ?
Ian: I'm not sure when they were introduced but they were most popular back in the late 70s and early 80s.
Cheyenne: what was the first convertible
Ian: I dont remember the exact brand or type but they evolved from the earlier phaton, an open vehicle without glass side windows that had removable fabric panels to protect it from the elements.
Cheyenne: Why are convertibles regarded as luxurious?
Ian: Because they're regarded as more expensive than other vehicles
Cheyenne: What else can you tell me about convertible cars?
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my favorite movie is titanic. | Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance-disaster film directed, written, co-produced and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS "Titanic", it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage. Cameron's inspiration for the film came from his fascination with shipwrecks; he felt a love story interspersed with the human loss would be essential to convey the emotional impact of the disaster. Production began in 1995, when Cameron shot footage of the actual "Titanic" wreck. The modern scenes on the research vessel" "were shot on board the "Akademik Mstislav Keldysh", which Cameron had used as a base when filming the wreck. Scale models, computer-generated imagery, and a reconstruction of the "Titanic" built at Baja Studios, at Playas de Rosarito in Baja California were used to re-create the sinking. The film was partially funded by Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox. It was the most expensive film ever made at the time, with a production budget of $200 million. Upon its release on December 19, 1997, "Titanic" achieved critical and commercial success.
Leonardo: Titanic is my all time favorite movie! Have you seen it?
Henry: I have and really enjoyed it as well. James Cameron did a fantastic job directing it.
Leonardo: Yes! And Leonardo DiCapprio was great, too. I loved everything about this movie.
Henry: I think it was Kate Winslet's breakout role.
Leonardo: I agree!! I can't believe it came out over 20 years ago, though
Henry: I know! And it was the most expensive films to make back then with a budget of $200 million!
Leonardo: I had no idea. I wonder what that $200 million would be today (with inflation). That had to be the highest budget around that time.
Henry: Not sure but The Hobbit trilogy was even more expensive at over $600 million.
Leonardo: I never saw that. Did it come out the same year? Wonder how much Titanic grossed.
Henry: I am not sure about the movie date but the original book was published in 1937.
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marduk is my favorite band. | Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first album in 1992. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon. Marduk was formed by Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson in order to form the "most blasphemous band in the world". Their musical style was that of a straightforward death metal influenced take on black metal music, but as the years progressed their style and imagery became more of a fast and intense form of black metal. Marduk's predominant lyrical topics are Satanism, anti-Christianity, Biblical tales, death, Third Reich history, and World War II. The latter two are a later addition to their lyrical/conceptual themes, stemming from their 1999 release "Panzer Division Marduk". Marduk have recorded further songs relating to those chapters of human history, such as "The Hangman of Prague" (moniker of Reinhard Heydrich - second in command of the SS - in his capacity as the "de facto" Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia), "Night of the Long Knives", "Deathmarch" and others. In a 1995 fanzine interview, the guitarist named Håkansson spoke out against immigration to Sweden in the name of the band and said he was proud that his grandfather had served as a German officer during the Second World War.
Ashlyn: I like to listen to the metal band Marduk. They are from Norrkoping, Sweden.
Bryce: Really? That's cool, I've never heard of them before. Are they an old band?
Ashlyn: They were formed in 1990 and released the first album in 1992.
Bryce: Wow, have you ever seen them in concert? Are they still around?
Ashlyn: They are still playing but I have never seen them in concert. They are named from the Babylonian god of Babylon.
Bryce: Interesting. How many people are in the band? Is there anything unique about them?
Ashlyn: There are 3 members of the band. They like to sing about Satanism and Biblical tales.
Bryce: Gee, that sounds a little heavy. I don't listen to music like that. Do they have lots of fans in Sweden?
Ashlyn: Yes, they are popular among metalheads. The founder wanted to make the "most blasphemous band in the world".
Bryce: Haha, that's pretty funny. So they are in it for the "shock factor".
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i live on a boat. | A houseboat (different from boathouse, which is a shed for storing boats) is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually "moored", kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities. However, many are capable of operation under their own power. "Float house" is a Canadian and American term for a house on a float (raft), a rough house may be called a "shanty boat". In Western countries, houseboats tend to be either owned privately or rented out to holiday-goers, and on some canals in Europe, people dwell in houseboats all year round. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, Amsterdam, London, and Paris. In Zimbabwe, specifically on Lake Kariba, houseboats have been in use since the creation of the lake in the late 1950s/early 1960s. A houseboat makes it easy to experience the Zambezi basin and all the associated wildlife, as a lot of game come down to the water for drinking and to cool down. There is a houseboat and fishing community on the southern side of Hong Kong Island known as Aberdeen floating village. There was also one such community in the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter.
Amelia: I think it would be awesome to live on a houseboat. Would you ever consider it?
Jason: Hi! I actually do live on a houseboat, and I love it! It's a boat that has been designed to be used primarily as a home
Amelia: Oh wow! I'm sure you know lots about it then. What can you tell me about it?
Jason: Well, they usually don't have a motor because they are kept stationary in order to be connected to utilities! I need my internet access and hydro!
Amelia: I always assumed they had a motor so they could be moved. I can understand that though. Have people been living on houseboats a long time?
Jason: They've been around for awhile - some are privately owned and some are rented out to those on holiday - I own mine, and it's all paid for!
Amelia: I'd love to rent one just to try it out. Are houseboats expensive? I'm sure they are
Jason: Well, they're not cheap! I live in Hong Kong in a houseboat community - it's known as Aberdeen floating village. It's beautiful!
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i spend my free time volunteering at nursing homes. | Nursing homes are a type of residential care that provide around-the-clock nursing care for elderly people. Twenty-four-hour nursing care is available. Nursing homes will provide short-term rehabilitative stays following a surgery, illness or injury which may require physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech-language therapy. Nursing homes offer other services such as planned activities and daily housekeeping services. Nursing homes may also be referred to as convalescent care, skilled nursing or a long-term facility. Nursing homes may offer memory care services or have a separate area specified for memory care. Starting in the 17th century, the concept of poorhouses (also referred to as almshouses) were brought to America by English settlers. All orphans, mentally ill and the poor elderly were placed into these living commons. These poorhouses gave a place where they could be given shelter and daily meals. Poorhouses continued to exist into the early 20th century despite the criticism they faced. Much of the criticism stemmed from the conditions of the poorhouses. The Great Depression overwhelmed the poorhouses as there were a lot of people that needed help and care but not enough space and funding in the poorhouses.
Jesus: i have a lot of free time, so i volunteer at nursing homes, where old people can get around the clock care.
Leah: You always hear about the bad ones in the news, do you volunteer at a good one?
Jesus: We take excellent car of our residents. i volunteer at a newer, small home that only has about 30 residents.
Leah: That sounds amazing, my daughter is contemplating working as a hospice nurse.
Jesus: Good for her! hospices began in Europe in the 11th century. There have been terminally ill patients all throughout history.
Leah: I have a lot of admiration for the people that take care of the patients in hospice. My father in laws hospice team was a true help
Jesus: Me too. When a person has only days or months to live, they should receive the most compassionate care possible.
Leah: Exactly - hospice nurses also help the family deal with it as well as take some of the burden off of them during that time.
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i like snowboarding. | Snowboarding is a recreational activity and Olympic and Paralympic sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope while standing on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the United States in the 1960s, became a Winter Olympic Sport at Nagano in 1998 and first featured in the Winter Paralympics at Sochi in 2014. Its popularity (as measured by equipment sales) in the United States peaked in 2007 and has been in a decline since. Modern snowboarding began in 1965 when Sherman Poppen, an engineer in Muskegon, Michigan, invented a toy for his daughters by fastening two skis together and attaching a rope to one end so he would have some control as they stood on the board and glided downhill. Dubbed the "snurfer" (combining snow and surfer) by his wife Nancy, the toy proved so popular among his daughters' friends that Poppen licensed the idea to a manufacturer, Brunswick Corporation, that sold about a million snurfers over the next decade. And, in 1966 alone over half a million snurfers were sold. In February 1968, Poppen organized the first snurfing competition at a Michigan ski resort that attracted enthusiasts from all over the country.
Brady: I really love snowboarding
Mckenzie: I have never tried it. It looks really fun though
Brady: I just recently became interested in the past year. It is a very popular sport although the popularity has been declining since it peaked in 2007.
Mckenzie: I wonder what makes it not as popular. I don't think I would have good enough balance to snowboard
Brady: I think because it is a little different than skiing, one of the sports inspirations. And it is also an alternate winter time activity for people whomlike skateboarding.
Mckenzie: Do you know any fun facts about snowboarding? You seem to know a lot about it
Brady: The birth of the sport was in 1965 when Sherman Poppen invented a toy for his daughter, tying two skis together and attaching a rope.
Mckenzie: That's cool it was a mix of a sled and skiing
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i have a rose tattooed on my right ankle. | A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos fall into three broad categories: purely decorative (with no specific meaning); symbolic (with a specific meaning pertinent to the wearer); pictorial (a depiction of a specific person or item). Tattoos have historically been regarded in the West as 'uncivilised', and over the last 100 years the fashion has been associated mainly with sailors, working men and criminals. By the end of the 20th Century many Western stigmas of the tattoo culture had been dismissed and the practice has become more acceptable and accessible for people of all trades and levels of society. The word "tattoo", or "tattow" in the 18th century, is a loanword from the Polynesian word "tatau", meaning "to write". The "Oxford English Dictionary" gives the etymology of tattoo as "In 18th c. tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian (Samoan, Tahitian, Tongan, etc.) tatau. In Marquesan, tatu." Before the importation of the Polynesian word, the practice of tattooing had been described in the West as painting, scarring, or staining. This is not to be confused with the origins of the word for the military drumbeat or performance — see "military tattoo".
Benjamin: Hello, do you like tattoos? a tattoo is a design is made by inserting ink, dyes and pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin
Thomas: I do like some tattoos. I don't have any myself. Does it hurt to get a tettoo?
Benjamin: Yes it hurts abit. tattoos are in 3 categories, decorative, symbolic and pictorial
Thomas: When were tattoos first started?
Benjamin: They have been existing for over a 100 years now and the westerners used to see them as uncivilized
Thomas: Aren't tattoos fairly mainstream now in society?
Benjamin: Yes they have been accepted. It would interest you to know that tattoo means to write
Thomas: I did not know that! What culture/language is that word "tattoo" from?
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now i also work at a bank. | A bank teller (often abbreviated to simply teller) is an employee of a bank who deals directly with customers. In some places, this employee is known as a cashier or customer representative. Most teller jobs require experience with handling cash and a high school diploma. Most banks provide on-the-job training. Tellers are considered a "front line" in the banking business because they are the first people who a customer sees at the bank. Being front line staff they are most likely to detect and stop fraudulent transactions in order to prevent losses at a bank (counterfeit currency and checks, identity theft, confidence tricks, etc.). The position also requires tellers to be friendly and interact with the customers, providing them with information about customers' accounts and bank services. Tellers typically work from a station, usually located on a teller line. Most stations have a teller system, which includes cash drawers, receipt validator/printers, proof work sorters, and paperwork used for completing bank transactions. These transactions include: In the United States, tellers held approximately 608,000 jobs in 2006. Of these, 1 out of 4 worked part-time. Median annual earnings as of May 2006 were $22,140.
Jayden: Hi! I'm thinking about becoming a bank teller. Do you know any? Are you one?
Alexandra: I don't actually know any. What made you decide to look in banking?
Jayden: I don
Alexandra: Tellers are considered a "front line" in the banking business so my hat's off to you for wanting to try it!
Jayden: Sorry, I hit send too soon last time! Yeah, I don't know why. I guess it would be the "front line" in banking!
Alexandra: Not a problem! I figured as much. Well, most banks provide on-the-job training so it should be easy to start!
Jayden: Well, I will give it a try, maybe I can get hired. This job economy is terrible, I have to switch careers as a middle aged person!
Alexandra: That's awful! At least there are jobs out there now to switch to though. I know in my area there are a lot of places hiring.
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i love pizza. | Pizza is a traditional Italian dish consisting of a yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven. It can also be topped with additional vegetables, meats, and condiments, and can be made without cheese. The term "pizza" was first recorded in the 10th century, in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italy town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, and the dish and its variants have since become popular and common in many areas of the world. In 2009, upon Italy's request, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed dish. "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), a non-profit organization founded in 1984 with headquarters in Naples, aims to "promote and protect... the true Neapolitan pizza". Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world and common fast food item in Europe and North America. Many independent or chain restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets offer pizza. Restaurants or chains specializing in pizza are pizzerias. Pizza delivery is common in some parts of the world. Pizza is sold fresh or frozen, either whole or in portions.
Jalen: Man do I ever love pizza, I love it so much that I study it for a living, IS there anything you'd like to know about it?
Tiffany: Yeah where did pizza come from? Is it an american food?
Jalen: Pizza actually was first recorded in the early 10th century, in a Latin manuscript to originate from a very small Southern Italian town called Gaeta in Lazio, located close to Campania.
Tiffany: Oh wow! I didn't know pizza was that old! I know I love cheese and pepperoni, but what's the official definition of pizza?
Jalen: Well pizza itself is just an Italian dish with yeast flatbread usually topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an fiery hot oven.
Tiffany: Ok so it's pretty basic. Are there any major differences between pizza in the U.S. and pizza in Italy?
Jalen: Not really buy ever since the introduction of pizza brands like Domino's and Pizza Hut, it has reached almost all classes of urban peoples. So its everywhere nowadays, And is more american.
Tiffany: Yeah that's all I think of nowadays when I think of pizza is franchises like that.
Jalen: Yep and my fave is Pizza Hut, they actually have over 16,000 locations worldwide as of today, Thats pretty wild.
Tiffany: 16000! That's crazy. I personally like Domino's better, but I know I'm in the minority.
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my parents met at woodstock. | The Woodstock Music & Art Fair—informally, the Woodstock Festival or simply Woodstock— was a music festival in the United States in 1969 which attracted an audience of over 400,000. Scheduled for August 15–17 on a dairy farm in the Catskill Mountains of southern New York State, northwest of New York City, it ran over to Monday, Billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music", it was held at Max Yasgur's dairy farm near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel. In Sullivan County, Bethel is southwest of the town of Woodstock in adjoining Ulster County. During the sometimes rainy weekend, 32 acts performed outdoors before an audience of more than 400,000 people. It is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history, as well as the definitive nexus for the larger counterculture generation. "Rolling Stone" listed it as one of the "50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll". The event was captured in the Academy Award-winning 1970 documentary movie "Woodstock", an accompanying , and Joni Mitchell's song "Woodstock", which commemorated the event and became a major hit for both Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Matthews Southern Comfort. Joni Mitchell said, “Woodstock was a spark of beauty” where half-a-million kids “saw that they were part of a greater organism.” In 2017, the festival site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tiffany: my parents met at Woodstock 37 years ago!
Owen: I don't know much about Woodstock, but my mom used to talk about it when reminiscing sometimes. I hear it is a Music and Art Festival?
Tiffany: Yes it is! I don't really know much about it either
Owen: I guess they only had it for one year, in 1969. Unfortunate that only 400,000 got to experience it once and then never again.
Tiffany: Wow! 400 000 people! That was a huge event!
Owen: Yes it was! I wonder how they came up with the location for it - in the Catskill Mountains, just northwest of New York City, on a dairy farm! So interesting.
Tiffany: I bet it was so much fun
Owen: I bet so too. I would have loved to experience it!
Tiffany: Me too! Maybe somebody will make an event like this again
Owen: Hopefully so. In 2017, the festival site was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Maybe I will go there to visit someday.
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i live down the street from miley cyrus and pnb rock. | Miley Ray Cyrus (born Destiny Hope Cyrus; November 23, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. After playing minor roles in the television series "Doc" and the film "Big Fish" in her childhood, she became a teen idol starring as the character Miley Stewart in the Disney Channel television series "Hannah Montana" in 2006. Her father Billy Ray Cyrus also starred in the show. She subsequently signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records, and her debut studio album "" (2007) was certified triple-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) having shipped over three million units. She released her second album "Breakout" and launched her film career as a voice actress in the animated film "Bolt" in 2008. Cyrus starred in the feature film "", and began cultivating a more mature image with her EP "The Time of Our Lives" in 2009. In 2010, she released her third album "Can't Be Tamed", which stands as the lowest-selling record of her career, and starred in the coming-of-age film "The Last Song". Cyrus focused on her acting career with several television and film appearances in 2011 and 2012. Her sexually explicit behavior generated widespread controversy while promoting her fourth album "Bangerz" (2013), her first under her recording contract with RCA Records.
Victoria: Miley Ray Cyrus was born Destiny Hope Cyrus, bet you didn't know that! Do you like her music?
Eva: I absolutely love Country music. I especially like her dad's song "achey breaky heart." How did you learn her real name?
Victoria: Oh, haha, I looked it up after watcher her start in the Disney Channel tv series "Hannah Montana" in 2006. Her dad plays on the show as well!
Eva: My step daughter loved that show! She watched it all the time. Do you know of any current shows like that one?
Victoria: Oh, I'm not sure, you can check with the Disney channel and see if they have anything similar on there
Eva: What is Miley Cyrus up to these days?
Victoria: Well, she's started showing sexually explicit behavior to help promote her 2013 album, "Bangerz"
Eva: I remember that. Isn't she on the voice or one of those shows?
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i give lessons on string instruments. | The violin, also known informally as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the family in regular use. Smaller violin-type instruments are known, including the violino piccolo and the kit violin, but these are virtually unused. The violin typically has four strings tuned in perfect fifths, and is most commonly played by drawing a bow across its strings, though it can also be played by plucking the strings with the fingers (pizzicato) and by striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow (col legno). Violins are important instruments in a wide variety of musical genres. They are most prominent in the Western classical tradition, both in ensembles (from chamber music to orchestras) and as solo instruments and in many varieties of folk music, including country music, bluegrass music and in jazz. Electric violins with solid bodies and piezoelectric pickups are used in some forms of rock music and jazz fusion, with the pickups plugged into instrument amplifiers and speakers to produce sound. Further, the violin has come to be played in many non-Western music cultures, including Indian music and Iranian music.
Angela: Where I grew up, a violin was called a "fiddle"! I didn't think of it as the kind of classical instrument I now do.
Jacob: I always thought they were different musical instruments, so they aren't/
Angela: I can see that, since the music played is so different. From chamber music and orchestras to country music and bluegrass!
Jacob: Exactly! It seems that the violin is very versatile. Isn't there a super pricey one maybe a Stratavarius?
Angela: Definitely -- Stradivarius is a name so many of us know, isn't it? A bit different than an *electric* violin, which is used in rock music and jazz fusion!
Jacob: There is an electric violin? I never realized that! I bet it sounds different.
Angela: Yes! Plugged into amplifiers and speakers and everything! Rock and roll(ish)!
Jacob: I've always thought that people that could play the violin have a lot of talent - and skill - if I could pick an instrument it would be that or a piano.
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i sing barbershop and rap. | Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the barbershop revival era (1930s–present), is a style of a cappella close harmony, or unaccompanied vocal music, characterized by consonant four-part chords for every melody note in a predominantly homophonic texture. Each of the four parts has its own role: generally, the lead sings the melody, the tenor harmonizes above the melody, the bass sings the lowest harmonizing notes, and the baritone completes the chord, usually below the lead. The melody is not usually sung by the tenor or baritone, except for an infrequent note or two to avoid awkward voice leading, in tags or codas, or when some appropriate embellishment can be created. One characteristic feature of barbershop harmony is the use of what is known as "snakes" and "swipes." This is when a chord is altered by a change in one or more non-melodic voices. Occasional passages may be sung by fewer than four voice parts. Barbershop music is generally performed by either a barbershop quartet, a group of four singers with one on each vocal part, or a barbershop chorus, which closely resembles a choir with the notable exception of the genre of music. Female barbershop quartets are sometimes referred to as "Sweet Adelines quartets", in association with the organization of that name.
Ashlyn: How about that Barbershop music? It's an interesting sound.
Levi: I agree, the harmonization is so nice to hear, don't you think?
Ashlyn: Indeed. I wonder what the largest Barbershop music group is.
Levi: I'm not sure, but there is a Barbershop Harmony Society that promotes the art.
Ashlyn: Oh cool. Do you know when the Barbershop Harmony Society started?
Levi: It was founded in 1938 in Tulsa Oklahoma.
Ashlyn: Do you know how many members the Barbershop Harmony Society currently has?
Levi: As of 2014, there are 23,000 men in the United States and Canada a part of the Barbershop Harmony Society
Ashlyn: Awesome. I noticed you said Men. Are there any women involved as well?
Levi: I don't believe there are women in barbershop music, actually.
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my favorite store is american eagle. | American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer, headquartered in the Southside Works Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by brothers Jerry and Mark Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company which also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear. The Silvermans sold their ownership interests in 1991 to Jacob Price of Knoxville, Tennessee. American Eagle Outfitters is also the parent company of Aerie. The brand targets male and female college students, although older adults wear the brand, with 949 American Eagle Outfitters stores and 97 stand-alone and 67 side-by-side Aerie stores. In 1977, the first American Eagle Outfitters store opened in Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Michigan. Some of the brand's popular products are jeans (especially the low rise jeans type), polo shirts, graphic T-shirts, sweatpants, henley shirts, vanity boxers, boxer briefs and briefs, outerwear, and swimwear. American Eagle's beginning was with the Silverman family, which owned and operated Silvermans Menswear. By the mid-1970s, two of the Silverman brothers—from the third generation of Silvermans in the family business—were running the family business.
Josiah: My favorite store is American Eagle Outfitters. In fact i prefer to go to their headquarter in the Southside Works Neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Gabriella: They are a good outfitter. I have bought clothes from them before.
Josiah: Jerry and Mark Silverman has good fashion sense for them to have created something like that. They were subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc
Gabriella: They did an amazing job. The clothes are nice.
Josiah: Have you been to Aerie as well. They have something to do with American Eagle Outfitters too
Gabriella: No, I have not even heard of them.
Josiah: Ok. Whenever you go to American Eagle Outfitters, what do you go their to buy, polo shirts, graphic T-shirts, sweatpants, henley shirts, vanity boxers?
Gabriella: I like T-shirts, and sweatpants. They are my kind of clothes.
Josiah: Everyone likes sweatpants because they are casual and intended for comfort or athletic purposes
Gabriella: I like them for athletic reasons. They are nice to skate in.
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i drive a prius. | The Toyota Prius () is a full hybrid electric automobile developed by Toyota and manufactured by the company since 1997. Initially offered as a 4-door sedan, it has been produced only as a 5-door liftback from 2003 to 2015, and then a 5-door fastback since 2016. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) rate the Prius as among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States based on smog-forming emissions. The 2018 model year Prius Eco ranks as the second most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the US without plug-in capability, following the Hyundai Ioniq Blue. The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, and was available at all four Toyota Japan dealerships, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000. The Prius is sold in over 90 markets, with Japan and the United States being its largest markets. Global cumulative Prius liftback sales reached the milestone 1 million vehicle mark in May 2008, 2 million in September 2010, and passed the 3 million mark in June 2013. Cumulative sales of one million were achieved in the U.S. by early April 2011, and Japan reached the 1 million mark in August 2011. , the Prius liftback is the world's top selling hybrid car with almost 4 million units sold.
Seth: Hey there, I drive an beautiful Toyota Prius, the full hybrid electric car. Have you ever been in one?
Brayden: No, never heard of it. When was it first manufactured?
Seth: It's been manufactured since 1997! Initially if was just offered as a 4-door, but now it's offered in the 5-door model. It's really sleek!
Brayden: What makes it so special?
Seth: Well the Environmental Protection Agency rates the Prius as one of the cleanest vehicles sold in the US. That's pretty good news!
Brayden: Wow, I might have to buy one. That's really neat. How many units have been sold?
Seth: They reached 3 million in sales back in June 2013 globally last time I checked. It must be way more than that now!
Brayden: That's crazy. Are there different versions of the vehicle?
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my favorite food is steak. | A steak () is a meat generally sliced across the muscle fibers, potentially including a bone. Exceptions, in which the meat is sliced parallel to the fibers, include the skirt steak that is cut from the plate, the flank steak that is cut from the abdominal muscles, and the famous Silverfinger steak that is cut from the loin and includes three rib bones. When the word "steak" is used without qualification, it generally refers to a beefsteak. In a larger sense, there are also fish steaks, ground meat steaks, pork steak and many more varieties of steaks. Steaks are usually grilled, but they can be pan-fried, or broiled. Steak is often grilled in an attempt to replicate the flavor of steak cooked over the glowing coals of an open fire. Steak can also be cooked in sauce, such as in steak and kidney pie, or minced and formed into patties, such as hamburgers. Steaks are also cut from grazing animals, usually farmed, other than cattle, including bison, camel, goat, horse, kangaroo, sheep, ostrich, pigs, reindeer, turkey, deer and zebu as well as various types of fish, especially salmon and large pelagic fish such as swordfish, shark and marlin. For some meats, such as pork, lamb and mutton, chevon and veal, these cuts are often referred to as chops.
Abraham: i love steak, specially medium well. A steak is a meat generally sliced across the muscle fibers
Vanessa: yeah, I love the rare to medium rare steak. Have you ever eaten that really expensive kind from Japan?
Abraham: no, can you tell me about it? i know that steaks can be eaither grilled,panfried or broiled.
Vanessa: It's called Wagyu Beef. It is much more fatty, tender and marbled. But comes at a much higher price tag. Maybe they give the cows massages and stuff too to tenderize the meat before killing them lol
Abraham: wow that sounds really delicious i bet it is really expensive as well. When the word "steak" is used without qualification, it generally refers to a beefsteak
Vanessa: Yeah. Although I've also had alligator steaks and ostrich steaks before!
Abraham: wow i did not know there was alligator steaks, In a larger sense, there are also fish steaks and also pork steaks.
Vanessa: Very interesting. What's your favorite kind?
Abraham: i wold say fish steak but i really love beef steak too, and over all i like them medium-well.
Vanessa: Have you ever had raw fish? Like sushi?
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i am a yoga instructor. | Yoga (; Sanskrit, योगः Listen) is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India. There is a broad variety of yoga schools, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Among the most well-known types of yoga are Hatha yoga and Rāja yoga. The origins of yoga have been speculated to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions; it is mentioned in the Rigveda, but most likely developed around the sixth and fifth centuries BCE, in ancient India's ascetic and śramaṇa movements. The chronology of earliest texts describing yoga-practices is unclear, varyingly credited to Hindu Upanishads. The "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" date from the first half of the 1st millennium CE, but only gained prominence in the West in the 20th century. Hatha yoga texts emerged around the 11th century with origins in tantra. Yoga gurus from India later introduced yoga to the West, following the success of Swami Vivekananda in the late 19th and early 20th century. In the 1980s, yoga became popular as a system of physical exercise across the Western world. Yoga in Indian traditions, however, is more than physical exercise; it has a meditative and spiritual core.
Melissa: Hey, I'm going to take my first yoga class tomorrow! I have no idea what to expect - I'm not very flexible!
Daniel: Don't worry, they're super welcoming in yoga classes. It's more of a meditation and spiritual experience thing than just raw physicality.
Melissa: Do I need any special equipment? Someone said to bring a yoga mat. I was just about to go shopping to see if I can find a good one!
Daniel: Yeah I would say at least a mat. Try Hugger Mugger, they're one of the oldest manufacturers of yoga gear. They'll fix you right up!
Melissa: Thanks, I'll do that! What about clothing? Should I get some of those yoga pants, or can I just wear shorts?
Daniel: Well if you're interested in wearing yoga pants when you're not doing yoga, I'd say yes pants. Just avoid Lululemon though. Bad corporate culture.
Melissa: You've been a big help! I'm a little less nervous now! I'll be bending like a pretzel in no time!
Daniel: Being nervous is SO not zen. You'll be fine! Just remember to breathe, friend. Namaste!
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i volunteer at the local humane society. | A humane society is a group that aims to stop human or animal suffering due to cruelty or other reasons. In many countries, the term is used mostly for societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals (SPCA). In the United Kingdom, it may also be a society that provides a waterways rescue, prevention, and recovery service, or that gives awards for the saving of human life (see: Royal Humane Society). The first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), based on the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), was set up in Victoria in 1871. This was followed by New South Wales in 1873; South Australia in 1875; Tasmania in 1878; Queensland in 1883; Western Australia in 1892; Australian Capital Territory in 1955 and Darwin in 1965. The Royal Warrant was given to the WA SPCA in 1920, followed by NSW SPCA in 1923, South Australia in 1937, Queensland in 1955, Tasmania in 1956 and Victoria in 1956. The national organisation, RSPCA Australia, was formed in 1981 to give a national voice on policy matters and advise the federal government on animal welfare issues. The first SPCA in Canada was the Canadian SPCA founded in Montreal in 1869. The other societies developed on a regional basis and now 123 societies are represented at a federal level by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.
Victor: I like to do volunteer work, so I volunteer at my local humane society
Victoria: That's so great! A humane society is meant to help the suffering or abuse of animals. What a noble cause!
Victor: I really enjoy it! It's heartbreaking sometimes when I see the injured animals, but helping them to recover is awesome!
Victoria: Other countries, consider the Human Society as societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, none (SPCA).
Victor: That's interesting! It's great that there are places like that all over the world to work towards keeping animals safe and protected!
Victoria: Exactly! The UK also has societies that give aid to waterway help, prevention and services in recovery. They will give awards to people that save human lives too.
Victor: Wow, good for them! Have you ever been to a humane society location?
Victoria: I haven't, have you? Canada didn't have an SPCA until it was founded in Montreal in 1869.
Victor: I've just been to the one where I do volunteer work - it's great that Canada has an SPCA!
Victoria: It is, the Australian RSPCA was created in 1981, so it could give voices on policy issues and advice the government on the welfare issues of animals.
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i read ebooks more than hardcopies. | The Amazon Kindle is a series of e-readers designed and marketed by Amazon. Amazon Kindle devices enable users to browse, buy, download, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines and other digital media via wireless networking to the Kindle Store. The hardware platform, developed by Amazon subsidiary Lab126, began as a single device and now comprises a range of devices, including e-readers with E Ink electronic paper displays, Android-based tablets with color LCD screens and Kindle applications on all major computing platforms. All Kindle devices integrate with Kindle Store content, and as of December 2017, the store has nearly 5.9 million e-books available in the United States. In 2004, founder and CEO of Amazon.com Jeff Bezos tasked his employees to build the world's best e-reader before Amazon's competitors could. Amazon originally used the codename "Fiona" for this e-reader. The "Kindle" name was devised by branding consultants Michael Cronan and Karin Hibma. Lab126 asked them to name the product, so Cronan and Hibma suggested "Kindle", meaning to light a fire. They felt this was an apt metaphor for reading and intellectual excitement. Kindle hardware has evolved from the original Kindle introduced in 2007 and the "Kindle DX" (with its larger screen) introduced in 2009.
Wyatt: I have an amazon kindle and I prefer e books over hardback, do you?
Hannah: I have an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle, but I much prefer hardback books.
Wyatt: Amazon Kindle has a daily deal and offers a couple of e books in each genre free every day
Hannah: I recently learned that Kindle has nearly 5.9 million e-books available in the USA!
Wyatt: Amazon Kindle has an awesome selection of e-books and very reasonably priced as well
Hannah: Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos made his employees build the worlds best e-reader before Amazon's competitors could. Looks like he was very successful.
Wyatt: I agree I imagine Amazon has made a fortune selling Kindles, I know I have bought a dozen or so as gifts over the years
Hannah: The Kindle was actually called "Fiona" at first as a codename.
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my favorite food is hamburgers. | A hamburger, beefburger or burger is a sandwich consisting of one or more cooked patties of ground meat, usually beef, placed inside a sliced bread roll or bun. The patty may be pan fried, barbecued, or flame broiled. Hamburgers are often served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon, onion, pickles, or chiles; condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, or "special sauce"; and are frequently placed on sesame seed buns. A hamburger topped with cheese is called a cheeseburger. The term "burger" can also be applied to the meat patty on its own, especially in the UK where the term "patty" is rarely used, or the term can even refer simply to ground beef. The term may be prefixed with the type of meat or meat substitute used, as in "turkey burger", "bison burger", or "veggie burger". Hamburgers are sold at fast-food restaurants, diners, and specialty and high-end restaurants (where burgers may sell for several times the cost of a fast-food burger, but may be one of the cheaper options on the menu). There are many international and regional variations of the hamburger. The term "hamburger" originally derives from Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city. In German, "Burg" means "castle", "fortified settlement" or "fortified refuge" and is a widespread component of place names.
Kyle: hi do you like hamburgers?
Allison: yes,i would like to the humburger
Kyle: i like mine with beef, lettuce, and cheese
Allison: oh.its very tasty.you about that tasty feeling
Kyle: yea , what do u like on your cheeseburger?
Allison: you first tell about it
Kyle: i like cheese, lettuce, ketchup and sesame seed buns
Allison: then,
Kyle: burger can also mean meat patty on its own
Allison: oh.thank you for meaning
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i like to play video games. | Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. It represents a series of video game consoles developed by Microsoft, with three consoles released in the sixth, seventh and eighth generations respectively. The brand also represents applications (games), streaming services, and an online service by the name of Xbox Live. The brand was first introduced in the United States in November 2001, with the launch of the original Xbox console. That original device was the first video game console offered by an American company after the Atari Jaguar stopped sales in 1996. It reached over 24 million units sold as of May 2006. Microsoft's second console, the Xbox 360, was released in 2005 and has sold over 77.2 million consoles worldwide as of April 2013. The successor to the Xbox 360 and Microsoft's most recent console, the Xbox One, was revealed in May 2013. The Xbox One has been released in 21 markets in total, with a Chinese release in September 2014. The head of Xbox is Phil Spencer, who succeeded former head Marc Whitten in late March 2014. The original Xbox was released on November 15, 2001, in North America, February 22, 2002, in Japan, and March 14, 2002, in Australia and Europe.
Angelica: Xbox was such a great brand.
Ariana: I think we may have had one of those. I always liked Nintendo!
Angelica: I did too, but I loved the brand and console of Xbox.
Ariana: Did you like the game better? What types of games did you like? I always liked role playing.
Angelica: Oh yeah, I loved Halo 3 and other series of exclusives for the Microsoft Xbox.
Ariana: I haven't played video games in years, but I want to get something set up for the children. Do you still play it?
Angelica: I wish, but I loved Xbox Live and nobody plays Halo 3 on live.
Ariana: Everything seems to change every year. There's always something new! Now a lot of people just play things on their phones.
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i once lost a diamond at a debutante ball. | A debutante or deb (from the French "débutante", "female beginner") is a girl or young woman of an aristocratic or upper-class family who has reached maturity and, as a new adult, comes out into society at a formal "debut". Originally, the term meant the woman was old enough to be married, and part of the purpose of her coming out was to display her to eligible bachelors and their families with a view to marriage within a select circle. In Australia, débutante balls (or colloquially "deb balls") are usually organised by high schools, church groups or service clubs, such as Lions or Rotary. The girls who take part are in either Year 10, 11 or 12 at high school (i.e. aged between 16 and 18). The event is often used as a fund-raiser for local charities. The Australian debutante wears a white gown similar to a wedding dress. However, the dress does not come with a train on the skirt, and the debutante does not wear a veil. The boy wears a tux or other formal dress suit. It is customary for the female to ask a male to the débutante ball, with males not being able to "do the deb" unless they are asked. The débutantes and their partners must learn how to ballroom dance. Débutante balls are almost always held in a reception centre, school hall, the function room of a sporting or other community organisation venue e.g.
Erik: I once lost a diamond at a debutante ball!
Steven: Really? where you a debutant youself? or a partner for one of them? anyway do you know ballroom dance?
Erik: I got dragged to it, but I know a little bit of how to ballroom dance. Do you know anything about the balls?
Steven: I know that Ballroom dance is set of partner dances that are practiced socially and competitive around the world. But I don't know how to do it.
Erik: It is an elegant dance. If you can find people that can do it the right way.
Steven: It seem old-fashioned to me, like something you would do in 17th century English novel, but it is also practiced on stage, film an TV.
Erik: Yeah, seems like a southern thing maybe. But your right I read about it in a lot of novels set long ago.
Steven: The debutant dance also seem old-fashioned, but it is sometimes used as a fund-raising event.
Erik: I think they still do those kind of things down south. Like the coming out party when you turn a certain age into society.
Steven: Well yes, originally the term meant the woman was old enough to get marry.
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i enjoy deep sea diving. | Underwater diving, as a human activity, is the practice of descending below the water's surface to interact with the environment. Immersion in water and exposure to high ambient pressure have physiological effects that limit the depths and duration possible in ambient pressure diving. Humans are not physiologically and anatomically well adapted to the environmental conditions of diving, and various equipment has been developed to extend the depth and duration of human dives, and allow different types of work to be done. In ambient pressure diving, the diver is directly exposed to the pressure of the surrounding water. The ambient pressure diver may dive on breath-hold, or use breathing apparatus for scuba diving or surface-supplied diving, and the saturation diving technique reduces the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) after long-duration deep dives. Atmospheric diving suits (ADS) may be used to isolate the diver from high ambient pressure. Crewed submersibles can extend depth range, and remotely controlled or robotic machines can reduce risk to humans. The environment exposes the diver to a wide range of hazards, and though the risks are largely controlled by appropriate diving skills, training, types of equipment and breathing gases used depending on the mode, depth and purpose of diving, it remains a relatively dangerous activity.
Aubrey: I love swimming in the ocean especially deep sea diving or underwater diving.
Alyssa: Interesting, particularly because humans are not exactly built for the environmental conditions of diving!
Aubrey: Yeah. The professional free divers can hold their breaths for 5 minutes and longer I think.
Alyssa: Hmmm, I don't know a lot of free divers, but I think that more of the conern with diving is the pressure of the water.
Aubrey: Free diving is a professional sport where divers go down as deep as they can to win. But not every one can do this because of the water pressure and conditions that effect the body as you have stated.
Alyssa: That's right! Most of the divers who blackout are actually experienced and strong, in fit condition.
Aubrey: Have you attempted and deep underwater diving?
Alyssa: I haven't, but I have tried scuba diving. It's similar - you still use air - but it's not as deep in most cases.
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i prefer reading to sports. | A novel is any relatively long work of narrative fiction, normally in prose, and typically published as a book. The genre has been described as having "a continuous and comprehensive history of about two thousand years," with its origins in classical Greece and Rome, in medieval and early modern romance, and in the tradition of the novella. The latter, an Italian word for a short story to distinguish it from a novel, has been used in English since the 18th century for a work that falls somewhere in between. Ian Watt, in "The Rise of the Novel", suggested in 1957 that the novel first came into being in the early 18th century. Miguel de Cervantes author of "Don Quixote" (the first part of which was published in 1605), is frequently cited as the first significant European novelist of the modern era. The romance is a closely related long prose narrative. Walter Scott defined it as "a fictitious narrative in prose or verse; the interest of which turns upon marvellous and uncommon incidents", whereas in the novel "the events are accommodated to the ordinary train of human events and the modern state of society". However, many romances, including the historical romances of Scott, Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" and Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick", are also frequently called novels, and Scott describes romance as a "kindred term".
Michael: I have read many classic novels. I have even struggled through Don Quixote.
Sara: Ah, the man of the mancha! His windmills and donkey - LOL! I'm actually trying to go through some of the classics as an adult now - some are still hard to understand.
Michael: Yes! ol' Sancho Panza, poor fellow. Have you read much Dickens?
Sara: No, not much Dickens. I'd like to, but have only read bits and pieces. My daughter and I are trying to struggle through the Scarlet Letter right now.
Michael: I love the Scarlet Letter, although it is a bit dense at times. The exploration of the puritan morality of the era is fascinating. Have you read anything else by Hawthorne?
Sara: No, we are still struggling with this one - LOL!! But I have a list of ones she is to read this year, and some short stories also.
Michael: Is "The Catcher in the Rye" on that list? If not, it should be. I am currently re-reading it as an adult, and it is still good.
Sara: No, I have no added that as I have not read it personally so I was unsure about it. So you believe it would be good for a 16 year old?
Michael: I was 15 when I read it the first time. It is really popular with adolescents, as it deals with themes of teen angst. It's a good read.
Sara: Ah then I may add that one for her. Right now I have ones like Little Woman, House of Seven Gables, and a few more.
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i love sushi. | Sushi can be prepared with either brown or white rice. It is often prepared with raw seafood, but some varieties of sushi use cooked ingredients, and many others are vegetarian. Sushi is often served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. Daikon radish is popular as a garnish. Sushi is often confused with sashimi, a related Japanese dish consisting of thinly sliced raw fish or occasionally meat, and an optional serving of rice. Sushi originates in a Southeast Asian dish, known today as "narezushi" ( – "salted fish"), stored in fermented rice for possibly months at a time. The lacto-fermentation of the rice prevented the fish from spoiling; the rice would be discarded before consumption of the fish. This early type of sushi became an important source of protein for its Japanese consumers. The term "sushi" comes from an antiquated grammatical form no longer used in other contexts, and literally means "sour-tasting"; the overall dish has a sour and umami or savoury taste. Narezushi still exists as a regional specialty, notably as "funa-zushi" from Shiga Prefecture. Vinegar began to be added to the preparation of narezushi in the Muromachi period (1336–1573) for the sake of enhancing both taste and preservation.
Aiden: I love eating sushi!
Mckenzie: Sushi is great, you can eat it with white or brown rice
Aiden: What are the origins of sushi?
Mckenzie: Well, it first came from Southeast Asia. It was a dish called "narezushi" which means salted fish and it was stored in fermented rice for months.
Aiden: What does the term sushi mean?
Mckenzie: Well it came from the original word, but the fermentation of the rice prevented the fish from spoiling
Aiden: Is eating sushi healthy? I'm trying to cut back on unhealthy food.
Mckenzie: Yes, it can also be made with many ingredients other than fish!
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i can only see 200 feet in front of me. | Near-sightedness, also known as short-sightedness and myopia, is a condition of the eye where light focuses in front of, instead of on, the retina. This causes distant objects to be blurry while close objects appear normal. Other symptoms may include headaches and eye strain. Severe near-sightedness increases the risk of retinal detachment, cataracts, and glaucoma. The underlying cause is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include doing work that involves focusing on close objects, greater time spent indoors, and a family history of the condition. It is also associated with a high socioeconomic class. The underlying mechanism involves the length of the eyeball growing too long or less commonly the lens being too strong. It is a type of refractive error. Diagnosis is by eye examination. There is tentative evidence that near-sightedness can be prevented by having young children spend more time outside. This may be related to natural light exposure. Near-sightedness can be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery. Eyeglasses are the easiest and safest method of correction. Contact lenses can provide a wider field of vision; however are associated with a risk of infection.
Katie: I just had to put on my glasses because I have near-sightedness - anything in the distance is so blurry! I can see fine up close though, thank goodness!
Malachi: I wear glasses too, with progressive lenses. I hate wearing them.
Katie: I hear ya! First time I got them I thought I was going to be sick! I guess it's a hazard of getting old and needing multifocal lenses!
Malachi: Yes, it was really hard to adjust. I really want Laser surgery to correct my vision. It scares me though.
Katie: Me too! A sharp object in my eye? I think not! Unfortunately, uncorrected near sightedness can result in retinal detachment and cataracts - oh joy!
Malachi: Wow! I didn't know that. Does that mean if you don't wear your glasses your retina could get detached? If that's the case, I won't complain about wearing them anymore.
Katie: No, I mean by not getting laser surgery to correct it - I'm afraid we're still stuck with the increased possibility of detached retinas! So best to get an eye examination!
Malachi: Oh, gotcha. So it's what am I afraid of more, the surgery or a detached retina. That's a hard decision.
Katie: It sure is! Then there's headaches and eye strain to deal with - why couldn't I have been born with 20/20 vision?!
Malachi: You would think I'd be used to it by now since I've been wearing glasses since I was like 12 years old. Is nearsightedness genetic?
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i fell in love this summer. | Courtship is the period in a couple's relationship which precedes their engagement and marriage, or establishment of an agreed relationship of a more enduring kind. During courtship, a couple get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement or other such agreement. A courtship may be an informal and private matter between two people or may be a public affair, or a formal arrangement with family approval. Traditionally, in the case of a formal engagement, it has been perceived that it is the role of a male to actively "court" or "woo" a female, thus encouraging her to understand him and her receptiveness to a proposal of marriage. The average duration of courtship varies considerably throughout the world. Furthermore, there is vast individual variation between couples. Courtship may be completely omitted, as in cases of some arranged marriages where the couple do not meet before the wedding. In the United Kingdom, a poll of 3,000 engaged or married couples resulted in an average duration between first meeting and accepted proposal of marriage of 2 years and 11 months, with the women feeling ready to accept at an average of 2 years and 7 months. Regarding duration between proposal and wedding, the UK poll above gave an average of 2 years and 3 months.
Jason: Isn't love just amazing? Have you ever fallen in love with someone?
Ellie: I have, I am in love with my current girlfriend!
Jason: That is sweet, do you "woo" her as often as you can? Encouraging her to understand so you can propose marriage one day?
Ellie: I think about it, but I do not need t owoo her, she is already deeply in love with me :) But I still give it effort!
Jason: Women on average are ready to accept a proposal at 2 years and 7 months. How long have you all been together
Ellie: I have been dating her for 2 years and 4 months!
Jason: After being engaged it usually takes about 2 years til the wedding, on average. Do you wish to marry her someday
Ellie: I think so, but I could not see waiting 2 years ater proposal, maybe a year tops
Jason: I waited a year and 2 months after my proposal to get married. We done a small wedding with only immediate family as we are trying to buy a house. Anything is worth it though! It is such an amazing bond!
Ellie: I believe you, I want a house of my own too, I do not wan to move into an apartment
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i am a competitive ski racer. | The sport of cross-country skiing encompasses a variety of formats for cross-country skiing races over courses of varying lengths according to rules sanctioned by the International Ski Federation and by various national organizations, such as the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) and Cross Country Ski Canada. International competitions include the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, the FIS Cross-Country World Cup, and at the Winter Olympic Games. Such races occur over homologated, groomed courses designed to support classic (in-track) and freestyle events, where the skiers may employ skate skiing. It also encompasses cross-country ski marathon events, sanctioned by the Worldloppet Ski Federation, and cross-country ski orienteering events, sanctioned by the International Orienteering Federation. Related forms of competition are biathlon, where competitors race on cross-country skis and stop to shoot at targets with rifles, and paralympic cross-country skiing that allows athletes with disabilities to compete at cross-country skiing with adaptive equipment. Norwegian army units were skiing for sport (and prizes) in the 18th century. Starting in the latter part of the 20th century, technique evolved from the striding in-track classic technique to include skate-skiing, which occurs on courses that have been groomed with wide lanes for those using the technique.
Bryce: I love Cross-country skiing.
Jenna: the sport of cross-country skiing has a variety of formats that are put on display throughout the US and canada
Bryce: What kind of courses do these events occur on?
Jenna: races ocur over homogated, groomed courses along with freestyle type track events
Bryce: Do they just race or are there other elements to the competition?
Jenna: well there are different types of races, which include forms of a biathlon, where racers race cross-country and then stop to shoot at targets with rifles.
Bryce: That's so cool. When did Cross-country skiing become a sport?
Jenna: Well the norwegian army units began skiing for sport back in the 18th century!
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i think food trucks are awesome. | A food truck is a large vehicle equipped to cook and sell food. Some, including ice cream trucks, sell frozen or prepackaged food; others have on-board kitchens and prepare food from scratch. Sandwiches, hamburgers, french fries, and other regional fast food fare is common. In recent years, associated with the pop-up restaurant phenomenon, food trucks offering gourmet cuisine and a variety of specialties and ethnic menus, have become particularly popular. Food trucks, along with portable food booths and food carts, are on the front line of the street food industry that serves an estimated 2.5 billion people every day. In the United States, the Texas chuckwagon is a precursor to the American food truck. In the later 1800s, herding cattle from the Southwest to markets in the North and East kept cowhands on the trail for months at a time. In 1866, the "father of the Texas Panhandle," Charles Goodnight, a Texas cattle rancher, fitted a sturdy old United States Army wagon with interior shelving and drawers, and stocked it with kitchenware, food and medical supplies. Food consisted of dried beans, coffee, cornmeal, greasy cloth-wrapped bacon, salt pork, beef, usually dried or salted or smoked, and other easy to preserve food stuffs.
Shane: Hey! i love food trucks. I went to one last week.
Leonardo: Was it an ice cream food truck?
Shane: No, a burger one
Leonardo: Cool that sounds great! Did you get burgers and french fries?
Shane: Nah just a burger. I usually get too full if I order both. I ordered a can of soda though.
Leonardo: I've never been to a food truck, but I heard the Texas chuckwagon was a precursor to food trucks.
Shane: oh i didnt know that. you should go they are great
Leonardo: They're really popular here in Tampa.
Shane: I'll check it out next time i'm in tampa for sure
Leonardo: I'm definitely going to a check a food truck soon.
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my favorite color is blue. | Blue is one of the three primary colours of pigments in painting and traditional colour theory, as well as in the RGB colour model. It lies between violet and green on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when observing light with a dominant wavelength between approximately 450 and 495 nanometres. Most blues contain a slight mixture of other colors; azure contains some green, while ultramarine contains some violet. The clear daytime sky and the deep sea appear blue because of an optical effect known as Rayleigh scattering. An optical effect called Tyndall scattering explains blue eyes. Distant objects appear more blue because of another optical effect called atmospheric perspective. Blue has been an important colour in art and decoration since ancient times. The semi-precious stone lapis lazuli was used in ancient Egypt for jewellery and ornament and later, in The Renaissance, to make the pigment ultramarine, the most expensive of all pigments. In the eighth century Chinese artists used cobalt blue to colour fine blue and white porcelain. In the Middle Ages, European artists used it in the windows of Cathedrals. Europeans wore clothing coloured with the vegetable dye woad until it was replaced by the finer indigo from America.
Javier: I find Nlue to be the most interesting of colors
Chelsea: do you mean blue or is nlue a new color :)
Javier: Yeah i mean blue little misspell sorry, Blue is one of the three primary colors of pigments in painting.
Chelsea: I think there is only 3 primary colors
Javier: The eye percives blue when looking at light with a dominant wavelenght of aprox 450,495 nanometers.
Chelsea: so blue is i think consider a "cool" wavelength in the spectrum of wavelengths
Javier: i meant 450-496 nanometers, and over all i think blue is the most important color there is
Chelsea: why is that?
Javier: The clear daytime sky and the deep sea appear blue, imagine if they where a different color they would be so weird to look at.
Chelsea: i always find blue in nature very calming too
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i play basketball. | The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a men's professional basketball league in North America; composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada). It is widely considered to be the premier men's professional basketball league in the world. The NBA is an active member of USA Basketball (USAB), which is recognized by FIBA (also known as the International Basketball Federation) as the national governing body for basketball in the United States. The NBA is one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. NBA players are the world's best paid athletes by average annual salary per player. The league was founded in New York City on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league adopted the name National Basketball Association on August 3, 1949, after merging with the competing National Basketball League (NBL). The league's several international as well as individual team offices are directed out of its head offices located in the Olympic Tower at 645 Fifth Avenue in New York, NY. NBA Entertainment and NBA TV studios are directed out of offices located in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Basketball Association of America was founded in 1946 by owners of the major ice hockey arenas in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Canada.
Cameron: I play basketball and want to be in the NBA one day.
Erica: That's a great goal to have! It's the best men's professional basketball league in the world!
Cameron: What are some of the top teams in the NBA?
Erica: Out of the 30 team in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors are probably the best, but I'm a Miami Heat fan!
Cameron: Who started the NBA? or when did it start?
Erica: The league was founded on June 6, 1946 in New York City. It was known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) back then. It's hard to believe it's been around that long!
Cameron: Yes, that is a long time. Are they a good organization?
Erica: They are! They seem to really take care of their players. NBA athletes are the world's best paid athletes based on average annual salary per year.
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i have 2 cats. | The domestic cat ("Felis silvestris catus" or "Felis catus") is a small, typically furry, carnivorous mammal. They are often called house cats when kept as indoor pets or simply cats when there is no need to distinguish them from other felids and felines. They are often valued by humans for companionship and for their ability to hunt vermin. There are more than seventy cat breeds recognized by various cat registries. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with a strong flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small animals. They can see in near darkness. Like most other mammals, cats have poorer color vision and a better sense of smell than humans. Cats, despite being solitary hunters, are a social species and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and grunting), as well as cat pheromones and types of cat-specific body language. Cats have a high breeding rate. Under controlled breeding, they can be bred and shown as registered pedigree pets, a hobby known as cat fancy.
Cristian: I love cats. I adopted two shelter cats about five years ago. Do you have pets?
Grant: neat! How old are they? I have a dog, I like their unique interaction with human behavior.
Cristian: They are five years old and they are my babies. I also love dogs. I have had two shetland sheepdogs and a maltese. They are awesome pets.
Grant: Neat! Sheepdogs are interesting! They originated in the Shetland Islands!
Cristian: I think they are so smart and beautiful. They are known as herding dogs.
Grant: Yes! It is fascinating how they can be trained to act on a sound of a whistle or spoken word.
Cristian: I didn't know that. I knew they were intelligent and very protective.
Grant: Also, Dogs & Cats can often hear sounds that are too low or too high of a frequency for humans to hear.
Cristian: That is amazing. Why are they able to hear these frequencies?
Grant: I'm not sure. But, their hearing range is incredible! Other animals have different ranges as well.
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my wife and i like to go scuba diving. | Scuba diving is a form of underwater diving where the diver uses a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) which is completely independent of surface supply, to breathe underwater. Scuba divers carry their own source of breathing gas, usually compressed air, allowing them greater independence and freedom of movement than surface-supplied divers, and longer underwater endurance than breath-hold divers. Open circuit scuba systems discharge the breathing gas into the environment as it is exhaled, and consist of one or more diving cylinders containing breathing gas at high pressure which is supplied to the diver through a regulator. They may include additional cylinders for decompression gas or emergency breathing gas. Closed-circuit or semi-closed circuit rebreather scuba systems allow recycling of exhaled gases. The volume of gas used is reduced compared to that of open circuit, so a smaller cylinder or cylinders may be used for an equivalent dive duration. Rebreathers extend the time spent underwater compared to open circuit for the same gas consumption, they produce fewer bubbles and less noise than scuba which makes them attractive to covert military divers to avoid detection, scientific divers to avoid disturbing marine animals, and media divers to avoid bubble interference.
Gianna: I am going on vacation next year and have been looking into scuba diving. Found out that its underwater diving that uses a breathing apparatus to breathe underwater. Not too sure if I want to or not.
Lilly: I think scuba diving is so fun! It is a magical experience.
Gianna: Oh good, so you know more about it than me. I know that you carry your own compressed air breathing gas to have free movement in the water but I'm worried about getting anxious under the water.
Lilly: I got pretty anxious when I went. I felt like I was suffocating every time I went under, but after attempting it numerous times, I was able to calm down and go.
Gianna: I am looking into take multiple classes until I feel better about it but nothing matches the point where you have a shark swim by and you hyperventilate. ha ha. They also offer surface-supplied diving with the breathing gas on the boat but that doesn't seem much better or maybe worse.
Lilly: I did not see any sharks, but I did see a very suspicious looking fish that was larger than me and the only thing that made me panic was that I could not talk underwater to ask someone what it was.
Gianna: I would be like that too. Of course when I read a pamphlet for diving safety and it said "the underwater environment can possibly bring about severe physical and psychological stress on a diver and is mostly beyond their control"...it didn't help me feel any better. ha ha. Guess they have to have a disclaimer for a crazy fish or something.
Lilly: Oh wow I do not think I ever read anything like that.
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i love rock music. | Rock music is a broad genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States in the early 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later, particularly in the United Kingdom and in the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, a style which drew heavily on the African-American genres of blues and rhythm and blues, and from country music. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical styles. Musically, rock has centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass and drums and one or more singers. Typically, rock is song-based music usually with a 4/4 time signature using a verse–chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political. By the late 1960s "classic rock" period, a number of distinct rock music subgenres had emerged, including hybrids like blues rock, folk rock, country rock, raga rock, and jazz-rock, many of which contributed to the development of psychedelic rock, which was influenced by the countercultural psychedelic and hippie scene.
Amber: I love rock music! Rock music is a broad genre of popular music that originated as "rock and roll" in the United States
Grant: I'm not all that familiar with rock music! Who's your favorite rock band?
Amber: I think Slayer is the best! But rock has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll,
Grant: That's really interesting! What kinds of instruments are featured in rock music?
Amber: I think the guitar is the center piece but Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk
Grant: That makes sense to me! A lot of classic rock seems kind of bluesy! Is rock music still very popular today?
Amber: It is as strong as it ever was! Musically, rock has centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group
Grant: I love the sound of the electric guitar! I think I'll give rock music a try! What else should I know before I start listening?
Amber: Well I have heard that By the late 1960s "classic rock" period, a number of distinct rock music subgenres had emerged! So you have some options to pick from
Grant: Oh wow! I think I'll start with classic rock and work my way through! Thanks for the recommendation!
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i like watching ufc fights. | The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada, that is owned and operated by parent company WME–IMG. It is the largest MMA promotion in the world and features the top-ranked fighters of the sport. Based in the United States, the UFC produces events worldwide that showcase eleven weight divisions and abide by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. As of 2017, the UFC has held over 400 events. Dana White serves as the president of the UFC. He has held that position since 2001; while under the leadership of Dana White the UFC has grown into a globally popular multibillion-dollar enterprise. The first event was held in 1993 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. The purpose of the early Ultimate Fighting Championship competitions was to identify the most effective martial art in a contest with minimal rules between competitors of different fighting disciplines like boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, sambo, wrestling, muay Thai, karate, and judo. In subsequent competitions, fighters began adopting effective techniques from more than one discipline, which indirectly helped create an entirely separate style of fighting known as present-day mixed martial arts.
Rylee: Do you follow the UFC? They are the largest MMA promoters in the world and feature several top-ranked fighters.
Miranda: I do follow the ufc i love watching that show especially the ppv fights
Rylee: I love the big ppv events! It's hard to believe that UFC has hosted over 400 events since it inception!
Miranda: Thats so many considering they haven't been around for that long
Rylee: The first event was held all the way back in 1993, but UFC didn't really take off until Dana White took over in 2001.
Miranda: Very interesting , i cant believe what Dana white has turned the ufc into such a good guy
Rylee: The best move UFC could have ever made was making Dana White president in 2001! Do you agree?
Miranda: Yes i do agree !
Rylee: I would love to go see a fight in Las Vegas one of these days. I think it would be so exciting to see the fight live! UFC is actually based in Las Vegas, maybe that's why they have so many fights out there.
Miranda: I would also enjoy that i have not had the chance yet but it is on my to do list !
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i go to a catholic high school in new england. | New England is a geographical region comprising six states of the northeastern United States: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and north, respectively. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east and southeast, and Long Island Sound is to the south. Boston is New England's largest city as well as the capital of Massachusetts. The largest metropolitan area is Greater Boston, which also includes Worcester, Massachusetts (the second-largest city in New England), Manchester (the largest city in New Hampshire), and Providence (the capital and largest city of Rhode Island), with nearly a third of the entire region's population. In 1620, Puritan Separatist Pilgrims from England first settled in the region, forming the Plymouth Colony, the second successful English settlement in America, following the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia founded in 1607. Ten years later, more Puritans settled north of Plymouth Colony in Boston, thus forming Massachusetts Bay Colony. Over the next 126 years, people in the region fought in four French and Indian Wars, until the British and their Iroquois allies defeated the French and their Algonquin allies in North America.
Catherine: Boston is the biggest city in New England! I never knew!
Lindsey: Hmm, that is interesting. Is Baltimore a part of New England also?
Catherine: I don't think so, Maryland isn't a part of New England I believe!
Lindsey: Okay, I'm not as familiar with the East Coast states. Boston does have a lot of sports teams!
Catherine: They sure do! The Yankees and Red Sox rivalry is legendary.
Lindsey: That is a classic rivalry! Who would you consider to be the New England Patriots' biggest rivalry team?
Catherine: Definitely the Jets! Things get fierce between those two.
Lindsey: That's interesting. Watching sports can be fun, but also raise your blood pressure!
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i like snowboarding. | Snowboarding is a recreational activity and Olympic and Paralympic sport that involves descending a snow-covered slope while standing on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the United States in the 1960s, became a Winter Olympic Sport at Nagano in 1998 and first featured in the Winter Paralympics at Sochi in 2014. Its popularity (as measured by equipment sales) in the United States peaked in 2007 and has been in a decline since. Modern snowboarding began in 1965 when Sherman Poppen, an engineer in Muskegon, Michigan, invented a toy for his daughters by fastening two skis together and attaching a rope to one end so he would have some control as they stood on the board and glided downhill. Dubbed the "snurfer" (combining snow and surfer) by his wife Nancy, the toy proved so popular among his daughters' friends that Poppen licensed the idea to a manufacturer, Brunswick Corporation, that sold about a million snurfers over the next decade. And, in 1966 alone over half a million snurfers were sold. In February 1968, Poppen organized the first snurfing competition at a Michigan ski resort that attracted enthusiasts from all over the country.
Martin: I like snowboarding but I also like skiing
Kelly: Snowboarding is now an Olympic sport and involves going down snow covered hill with the board attached to feet
Martin: Yes. It is more difficult than skiing in my opinion with one board and no poles
Kelly: Snowboarding was inspired by skiing, surfing, sledding & skateboarding
Martin: Yes. There is some great snowboarders in the Olympics
Kelly: Its not as popular in the US as it used to be equipment sales have declined since 2007
Martin: That is interesting. I prefer snow skiing myself
Kelly: An engineer in Michigan developed the first snowboard as a toy for his daughters, I thought that was cool
Martin: That is a neat idea. It is challenging to learn to do - it is more difficult than skiing I think
Kelly: The first snowboard was called a snurfer, (snow & surfing) and was hugely popular with young kids
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i do community theater when i am not in school. | Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities—its usage includes theatre made by, with, and for a community. It may refer to theatre that is made entirely by a community with no outside help, or to a collaboration between community members and professional theatre artists, or to performance made entirely by professionals that is addressed to a particular community. Community theatres range in size from small groups led by single individuals that perform in borrowed spaces to large permanent companies with well-equipped facilities of their own. Many community theatres are successful, non-profit businesses with a large active membership and, often, a full-time professional staff. Community theatre is often devised and may draw on popular theatrical forms, such as carnival, circus, and parades, as well as performance modes from commercial theatre. Community theatre is understood to contribute to the social capital of a community, insofar as it develops the skills, community spirit, and artistic sensibilities of those who participate, whether as producers or audience-members. It is used as a tool for social development, promoting ideas like gender equality, human rights, environment and democracy.
Alexandra: Have you ever gone to your local community theatre? I work there when I'm not taking classes in school
Abigail: I have not but Community theatre refers to theatrical performance made in relation to particular communities
Alexandra: yes - do other communities have similar theatres or are they different depending where you live?
Abigail: It should be base on community. It also refer to theatre that is made entirely by a community with no outside help,
Alexandra: yes - we produce everything ourselves! The ticket prices are a lot less than 'real' theatre, too
Abigail: Community theatres range in size from small groups led by single individuals that perform in borrowed spaces to large permanent companies
Alexandra: what's the smallest size? We've had 5 people once!
Abigail: It differs, Many community theatres are successful, non-profit businesses with a large active membership
Alexandra: yes we are non profit, too -just doing it for the love of theatre!
Abigail: Community theatre is often devised and may draw on popular theatrical forms, such as carnival, circus, and parades, as well as performance modes
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my favorite music artist is isaiah rashad. | Isaiah Rashad McClain (born May 16, 1991), is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Rashad began taking rapping seriously in tenth grade, where he and his friends would record on laptops. He spent the next few years recording at local recording studios. His first big break would be touring with rappers Juicy J, Joey Badass and Smoke DZA among others, on the 2012 Smoker's Club Tour. He is also a founding member of the Chattanooga hip hop collective The House along with fellow Chattanooga rapper TUT and a member of the Chicago hip hop collective The Village along with artist Kembe X, Alex Wiley and more. In March 2013, Rashad signed to Carson, California-based independent record label Top Dawg Entertainment. On January 28, 2014, he released "Cilvia Demo", his first extended play, via digital distribution. "Cilvia Demo" was met with widespread acclaim from music critics and debuted at number 40 on the US "Billboard" 200. Off the buzz from the release of the EP, Rashad was named to the 2014 "XXL" freshman class. On September 2, 2016, he released his debut studio album, "The Sun's Tirade", to widespread critical acclaim. The album peaked at number 17 on the "Billboard" 200.
Tanner: One of my favourite hip hop music artists is Isaiah Rashad.
Madison: Oh I love hip hop! What kind of hip hop does is he?
Tanner: He does a lot of rap, he even went on tour with Juicy J and Joey Badass. Who do you like?
Madison: I like Post Malone and some of Drake's work.
Tanner: Yes, I like Post Malone. Especially his album 'Stoney'.
Madison: Oh yeah 'Stoney' was great. Is Isaiah on tour right now?
Tanner: No, but his album from 2016 'The Sun's Tirade' is a good listen.
Madison: I'll have to check it out. I am listening to Kendrick Lamar right now.
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i am disabled and cannot walk. | A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy and sleep disorders. Prenatal disabilities are acquired before birth. These may be due to diseases or substances that the mother has been exposed to during pregnancy, embryonic or fetal developmental accidents or genetic disorders. Perinatal disabilities are acquired between some weeks before to up to four weeks after birth in humans. These can be due to prolonged lack of oxygen or obstruction of the respiratory tract, damage to the brain during birth (due to the accidental misuse of forceps, for example) or the baby being born prematurely. These may also be caused due to genetic disorders or accidents. Post-natal disabilities are gained after birth. They can be due to accidents, obesity, infection or other illnesses. These may also be caused due to genetic disorders. Mobility impairment includes physical defects, including upper or lower limb loss or impairment, poor manual dexterity, and damage to one or more organs of the body. Disability in mobility can be a congenital or acquired problem, or a consequence of disease.
Evan: I'm a disabled war vetern who has lost the use of both of my legs.
Angelina: I have so much respect for you. This can influence mobility, dexterity, and stamina. I'm sorry you lost both your legs.
Evan: Thank you very much. It's not your fault I can just blame those IEDs that were littered around there.
Angelina: I can't believe all the other impairments that came about from war such as Respiratory disorders, blindness, and even sleeping disorders. How long did you fight for?
Evan: Yeah there's so many other things that can happen to people. I guess I'm lucky to be alive. You can't rate pain on a scale though. I was there for 2 years.
Angelina: Some disabilities are due to disease, substance exposure during pregnancy, and develop from accidents.
Evan: Yes that's true life is always unpredicitable and lots of times there's really nothing you can do to prevent whtat will happen from happening.
Angelina: Prenatal disabilities are acquired right before birth. I think those are so harsh to just be born with it right before birth. Due you have prosthetic legs?
Evan: Yes I do have prostethic legs now. I've become very agile with them. It's really kind of surprising how well they work.
Angelina: I want some one day because I have rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and feet it's hard. Post natal disabilities are gained after birth
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i also enjoy reading the game of thrones series books. | A Song of Ice and Fire is a series of epic fantasy novels by the American novelist and screenwriter George R. R. Martin. He began the first volume of the series, "A Game of Thrones", in 1991 and had it published in 1996. Martin, who initially envisioned the series as a trilogy, has published five out of a planned seven volumes. The fifth and most recent volume of the series published in 2011, "A Dance with Dragons", took Martin six years to write. He is still writing the sixth novel, "The Winds of Winter". "A Song of Ice and Fire" takes place on the fictional continents Westeros and Essos. The point of view of each chapter in the story is a limited perspective of a range of characters growing from nine, in the first novel, to thirty-one by the fifth. Three main stories interweave a dynastic war among several families for control of Westeros, the rising threat of the supernatural Others in the northernmost reaches of Westeros, and the ambition of Daenerys Targaryen, the deposed king's exiled daughter, to assume the Iron Throne. Martin's inspirations included the Wars of the Roses and the French historical novels "The Accursed Kings" by Maurice Druon. "A Song of Ice and Fire" received praise for its diverse portrayal of women and religion, as well as its realism.
Rylee: A song of fire and ice is awesome.
Zachary: I am not familiar with the series. I see the first of the series was "A Game of Thrones" and I know the TV show with that name is very popular
Rylee: yea its a good show
Zachary: The author oriitinally meant for the series to just be a trilogy but currently has made that into seven volumes.
Rylee: hes taking his time on the latest book.
Zachary: I believe that is the 6th novel, "The Winds of Winter". Have you read all of them?
Rylee: no ive only seen the show
Zachary: The author's inspiration was the War of the Roses (which is very awesome) and a French novel "The Accursed Kings"
Rylee: oh thats really cool.
Zachary: One other interesting fact is that "A Song of ice and Fire" was praised for it's portrayal of women and religion
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i have a severe phobia of wide open spaces. | Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives the environment to be unsafe with no easy way to get away. These situations can include open spaces, public transit, shopping malls, or simply being outside the home. Being in these situations may result in a panic attack. The symptoms occur nearly every time the situation is encountered and last for more than six months. Those affected will go to great lengths to avoid these situations. In severe cases people may become unable to leave their homes. Agoraphobia is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The condition often runs in families, and stressful events such as the death of a parent or being attacked may be a trigger. In the DSM-5 agoraphobia is classified as a phobia along with specific phobias and social phobia. Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. Those affected are at higher risk of depression and substance use disorder. Without treatment it is uncommon for agoraphobia to resolve. Treatment is typically with a type of counselling called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Ayden: Agoraphobia, or the anxiety from wide spaces, is really interesting.
Wesley: Oh really? What is interesting about it?
Ayden: Well it is where the person perceives the environment to be unsafe with no simple way to get away from it.
Wesley: When you say "the environment" do you mean like in the forest or nature or that kind of thing? Or just outside?
Ayden: Any environment, whether its outside or inside. As long as it seems unsafe for them.
Wesley: So then how do they function in society? You're basically telling me that they don't go outside at all, right?
Ayden: They do go outside, but it just has risks involved, like panic attacks.
Wesley: Is there something they can do to alleviate these panic attacks?
Ayden: Not really as far as I know. The symptoms can last up to six months or longer and occur in nearly every time they are in this scenario.
Wesley: I can't imagine risking having a panic attack just by being in any enviroment. That sounds awful.
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my favorite sport is soccer. | Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball. It is played by 250 million players in over 200 countries and dependencies, making it the world's most popular sport. The game is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The object of the game is to score by getting the ball into the opposing goal. Players are not allowed to touch the ball with their hands or arms while it is in play, unless they are goalkeepers (and then only when within their penalty area). Other players mainly use their feet to strike or pass the ball, but may also use any part of their body except the hands and the arms. The team that scores the most goals by the end of the match wins. If the score is level at the end of the game, either a draw is declared or the game goes into extra time or a penalty shootout depending on the format of the competition. The Laws of the Game were originally codified in England by The Football Association in 1863. Association football is governed internationally by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA; ), which organises World Cups for both men and women every four years.
Riley: I like to watch American football, but my son really enjoys playing soccer. He is a goal keeper.
Reagan: He's not alone! Over 24.4 million people play soccer in the United States.
Riley: The world cup this summer was great fun to watch! I was rooting for Sweden, but France played well!
Reagan: I'm sure the World Cup helped further popularize the sport in the US. I know a lot of people watched it. It's already the third most-played sport in the US, behind only basketball and baseball.
Riley: It is frustrating that the US team didn't qualify for the cup this time. The women are much more successful in international play!
Reagan: I know, it's a bummer. But it's fun to see all the other countries. Soccer it played in over 200 countries -- it is the world's most popular sport. Maybe because it's pretty cheap to play.
Riley: Yes! Even on playgrounds at recess all around the world, all you need is a ball and some space. But those who develop real skill are in a league of their own!
Reagan: Yes, in theory it is a very simple game, but in reality there are many skills and tactics that are needed to play well.
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i live on a boat. | A houseboat (different from boathouse, which is a shed for storing boats) is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home. Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually "moored", kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities. However, many are capable of operation under their own power. "Float house" is a Canadian and American term for a house on a float (raft), a rough house may be called a "shanty boat". In Western countries, houseboats tend to be either owned privately or rented out to holiday-goers, and on some canals in Europe, people dwell in houseboats all year round. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, Amsterdam, London, and Paris. In Zimbabwe, specifically on Lake Kariba, houseboats have been in use since the creation of the lake in the late 1950s/early 1960s. A houseboat makes it easy to experience the Zambezi basin and all the associated wildlife, as a lot of game come down to the water for drinking and to cool down. There is a houseboat and fishing community on the southern side of Hong Kong Island known as Aberdeen floating village. There was also one such community in the Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter.
Rachel: I live on a houseboat which is a boat that's been changed to be used primarily as a home.
Caleb: Wow that's really cool! What are they like?
Rachel: It is pretty cool. Most houseboats aren't motorized so they usually just stay still at a fixed point on dock but it is still shaky at times.
Caleb: So there are some that are motorized then?
Rachel: Yes, based on what people prefer, houseboats are still capable of operation from power.
Caleb: That would make sense, otherwise it might as well not even be a boat you know?
Rachel: That's true. I know that there is even a community of fishing and houseboats on the southern side of Hong Kong Island which is also known as Aberdeen floating village. I would like to go there one day.
Caleb: That's really interesting, maybe I might go there too!
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my parents are divorced. | Divorce, also known as dissolution of marriage, is the termination of a marriage or marital union, the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving the bonds of matrimony between a married couple under the rule of law of the particular country or state. Divorce laws vary considerably around the world, but in most countries divorce requires the sanction of a court or other authority in a legal process, which may involve issues of alimony (spousal support), child custody, child visitation / access, parenting time, child support, distribution of property, and division of debt. In most countries, monogamy is required by law, so divorce allows each former partner to marry another person; where polygyny is legal but polyandry is not, divorce allows the woman to marry another person. Divorce should not be confused with annulment, which declares the marriage null and void; with legal separation or "de jure" separation (a legal process by which a married couple may formalize a "de facto" separation while remaining legally married) or with "de facto separation" (a process where the spouses informally stop cohabiting). Reasons for divorce vary, from sexual incompatibility or lack of independence for one or both spouses to a personality clash.
Seth: Divorce is SO common in the United States. Currently, my husband and I are going through a divorce.
Gabriella: I'm sorry to hear that. That is very stressful and upsetting I hope you will find peace.
Seth: Thank you, that means a lot. It is very hard. I had no idea my husband was not happy in our marriage.
Gabriella: I am so sorry. You know reasons vary.
Seth: yeah, I think his reasons were dumb reasons though. We tried marriage counselling, but I don't think he actually wanted the marriage to work.
Gabriella: Well, he may not have. Reasons vary. It could be he's just not a very nice guy and you'll be better off ultimately!
Seth: Yep! I think that is the case! People keep telling me it gets better and I will be happy again. It doesn't seem like there is a light at the end of this really, really dark tunnel! I appreciate everyone's kind words though. They make me feel better if only for a minute!
Gabriella: I'm glad and listen to those other people. Reasons vary and you may have no idea what his actually are. Things WILL GET BETTER!
Seth: You're totally right! Thanks so much!!! <3
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i like to get involved in politics. | Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental reform or stasis with the desire to make improvements in society. Forms of activism range from writing letters to newspapers or to politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing businesses, rallies, street marches, strikes, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. One can also express activism through different forms of art (artivism). Daily acts of protest such as not buying clothes from a certain clothing company because they exploit workers is another form of activism. Research has begun to explore how activist groups use social media to facilitate civic engagement and collective action. The "Online Etymology Dictionary" records the English words "activism" and "activist" (in the political sense) from 1920 and from 1915 respectively. Activists can function in roles as public officials, as in judicial activism. Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., introduced the term "judicial activism" in a January 1946 "Fortune" magazine article titled "The Supreme Court: 1947". Activists are also public watchdogs and whistle blowers, attempting to understand all the actions of every form of government that acts in the name of the people: all government must be accountable to oversight and transparency.
Adrian: i'm a republican
Devin: That's interesting! Did you vote for Trump in the election?
Adrian: yes
Devin: What did you like of President Trump's first 100 days?
Adrian: he did some of the things he said he'll do
Devin: I enjoyed that Neil Gorsuch was made an Associate Justice.
Adrian: yes trump made a good choice
Devin: He is the youngest sitting justice in recent memory.
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i drink a lot of tea. | Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the "Camellia sinensis", an evergreen shrub (bush) native to Asia. After water, it is the most widely consumed drink in the world. There are many different types of tea; some, like Darjeeling and Chinese greens, have a cooling, slightly bitter, and astringent flavour, while others have vastly different profiles that include sweet, nutty, floral or grassy notes. Tea originated in Southwest China, where it was used as a medicinal drink. It was popularized as a recreational drink during the Chinese Tang dynasty, and tea drinking spread to other East Asian countries. Portuguese priests and merchants introduced it to Europe during the 16th century. During the 17th century, drinking tea became fashionable among Britons, who started large-scale production and commercialization of the plant in India to bypass the Chinese monopoly. The term herbal tea refers to drinks not made from "Camellia sinensis": infusions of fruit, leaves, or other parts of the plant, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos. These are sometimes called "tisanes" or "herbal infusions" to prevent confusion with tea made from the tea plant.
Raymond: Do you enjoy drinking tea? After all, it is the second most consumed drink in the world after water.
Jayden: I do. I am a sweet tea drinker. I never realized it is drank that much.
Raymond: Nice, tea actually originated in Southwest China as a medicinal drink.
Jayden: Do people still use it as medicine?
Raymond: I know that people use tea to relax and some teas have a calming effect, but not sure about other medicinal aspects.
Jayden: That is very interesting. Tell me more about the history and fun facts about tea, please.
Raymond: One interesting nugget as that in order to compete with China the British actually introduced tea production and tea consumption to India.
Jayden: Wow. I forgot how much tea was involved in British history - but I guess that's how the British Tea Party happened.
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i am a great baker. | A muffin is an individual-sized, baked product. It can refer to two distinct items, a part-raised flatbread and a cupcake-like quickbread. The flatbread is of British or European derivation, and dates from at least the early 18th century, while the quickbread originated in North America during the 19th century. Both are common worldwide today. Quickbread muffins (known in Britain as “American muffins” or simply as “muffins”) originated in the United States in the mid-19th century. They are similar to cupcakes in size and cooking methods, the main difference being that cupcakes tend to be sweet desserts using cake batter and which are often topped with sugar frosting. Muffins are available in both savory varieties, such as cornmeal and cheese muffins, or sweet varieties such as blueberry, chocolate chip, lemon or banana flavours. Muffins are often eaten as a breakfast food. Coffee may be served to accompany muffins. Fresh baked muffins are sold by bakeries, donut shops and some fast food restaurants and coffeehouses. Factory baked muffins are sold at grocery stores and convenience stores and they are also served in some coffee shops and cafeterias. Recipes for quick bread muffins are common in 19th-century American cookbooks.
Derek: I love baking muffins, especially the quickbread kind and not the flatbread kind.
Alondra: I like muffins, although, I've never baked them.
Derek: Baking is so much fun, you should try it once. Though I can't blame you because fresh baked muffins are sold so commonly and are so convenient.
Alondra: I've never baked once in my life actually. My mom used to bake all kinds of things, freshly baked meals are often so satisfying.
Derek: They are, and baking is great because you can get a nice firm dry crust and a soft center taste into your baked goods.
Alondra: Yeah, the thought makes me hungry. I love chocolate chip cookies the most and of course cake. Those are both things I really enjoy freshly baked.
Derek: Chocolate chip cookies are great to, and have such an interesting history, being developed way back in 1938 sort of randomly.
Alondra: I did not know that. That is interesting. It is sort of hard to imagine a world without chocolate chip cookies.
Derek: Yeah I guess we got lucky. A man named Ruth Wakefield had some pieces of a left over Nestle bar and decided to add them into a cookie, and the idea was born.
Alondra: I certainly appreciate the discovery. I think you can add chocolate chips to anything and it has a good chance of being better. For muffins too.
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my son plays on the local football team. | High school football is gridiron football played by high school teams in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both countries. It is also popular amongst American High school teams in Europe. High school football began in the late 19th century, concurrent with the start of many college football programs. In the late 19th and early 20th century, many college and high school teams played against one another. Other traditions of high school football such as pep rallies, marching bands, mascots, and homecomings are mirrored from college football. No true minor league farm organizations exist in American football. Therefore, high school football is generally considered to be the third tier of American football in the United States, behind professional and college competition. It is the first level of play in which a player will accumulate statistics, which will determine his chances of competing at the college level, and ultimately the professional level if he is talented enough. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) establishes the rules of high school football in the United States. Two states, Texas and Massachusetts, use NCAA playing rules except as shown below.
Julia: One thing I do miss about high school is those Friday night games.
Eva: I'm assuming you mean football?
Julia: Yes football lol it was very popular at my high school.
Eva: What happens when they win the championship?
Julia: When the two teams play off at the championship the winner would be ranked one of the top teams and it gives a good chance for the players to go off to play college level.
Eva: I see, and what are some of the rules of high school football?
Julia: Lie most schools they players have to have good grades and a certain G.P.A. to play on the team make practice and integrity. They also play as one in pep rallies and all games.
Eva: Is it popular only in the United States or in other countries as well?
Julia: No It is popular in Canada as well as in Europe.
Eva: Can you watch high school football on television?
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my favorite food is pizza. | Pizza is a traditional Italian dish consisting of a yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven. It can also be topped with additional vegetables, meats, and condiments, and can be made without cheese. The term "pizza" was first recorded in the 10th century, in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italy town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, and the dish and its variants have since become popular and common in many areas of the world. In 2009, upon Italy's request, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed dish. "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), a non-profit organization founded in 1984 with headquarters in Naples, aims to "promote and protect... the true Neapolitan pizza". Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world and common fast food item in Europe and North America. Many independent or chain restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets offer pizza. Restaurants or chains specializing in pizza are pizzerias. Pizza delivery is common in some parts of the world. Pizza is sold fresh or frozen, either whole or in portions.
Andrea: Pizza is an amazing dish! Almost everyone loves it! And it dates back to the 10th Century!
Natalie: I love pizza too, but only cheese!
Andrea: Cheese pizza is amazing! And its all thanks to the Italian immigrants of the 20th century!
Natalie: That is so neat. It is hard to imagine it being that old
Andrea: Also, the most popular cheese used is Mozzarella, then provolone, and then cheddar!
Natalie: I love mozzarella and cheddar. I hate provolone. I prefer Romano and mozzarella both on my pizza.
Andrea: Cheddar cheese is the second most popular cheese in the US only behind Cheddar, seems like you fit the bill of a true American.
Natalie: Yes I probably do because I am not at all into fancy cheeses.
Andrea: Correction, mozzarella is the most popular.. However Cheddar is the most popular in the UK!
Natalie: I probably belong in the UK then because I put cheddar on everything!
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my favorite band is the rolling stones. | The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London, England in 1962. The first stable line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Mick Jagger (lead vocals), Keith Richards (guitar, backing vocals), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), and Ian Stewart (piano). Stewart was removed from the official line-up in 1963 but continued as a touring member until his death in 1985. Jones left the band less than a month prior to his death in 1969, having already been replaced by Mick Taylor, who remained until 1974. After Taylor left the band, Ronnie Wood took his place in 1975 and has been on guitar in tandem with Richards ever since. Following Wyman's departure in 1993, Darryl Jones joined as their touring bassist. Touring keyboardists for the band have been Nicky Hopkins (1967–1982), Ian McLagan (1978–1981), Billy Preston (through the mid-1970s) and Chuck Leavell (1982–present). The band was first led by Brian Jones, but after developing into the band's songwriters, Jagger and Richards assumed leadership while Jones dealt with legal and personal troubles. The Rolling Stones were at the forefront of the British Invasion of bands that became popular in the United States in 1964, and identified with the youthful and rebellious counterculture of the 1960s.
Seth: I love The Rolling Stones! Have you heard of them?
Nicholas: Yes and I love them as well! They are the English rock band who formed in London in 1962.
Seth: Wow, they've been around for a long time! Are they still around today?
Nicholas: I believe they do concerts every now and then. Though they are not all still alive anymore sadly. For instance, Ian Stewart passed away in 1985. Though he was removed from the official line-up in 1963.
Seth: Oh no. The remaining members must be very old now! What were their most popular songs?
Nicholas: Oh man, there are so many! Back in 1965 they became very popular in the United States with hits like Time Is On My Side.
Seth: I think I've heard that one! Do they play any other genres other than rock?
Nicholas: They've been known for songs in different genres, namely Blues and Blues Rock to name a couple.
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i am a vegetarian. | Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, and the flesh of any other animal), and may also include abstention from by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism may be adopted for various reasons. Many people object to eating meat out of respect for sentient life. Such ethical motivations have been codified under various religious beliefs, as well as animal rights advocacy. Other motivations for vegetarianism are health-related, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic, economic, or personal preference. There are variations of the diet as well: an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet includes both eggs and dairy products, an ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs but not dairy products, and a lacto-vegetarian diet includes dairy products but not eggs. A vegan diet excludes all animal products, including eggs and dairy. Some vegans also avoid other animal products such as beeswax, leather or silk clothing, and goose-fat shoe polish. Packaged and processed foods, such as cakes, cookies, candies, chocolate, yogurt, and marshmallows, often contain unfamiliar animal ingredients, so may be a special concern for vegetarians due to the likelihood of such additions.
Breanna: I am thinking about becoming a vegetarian. What do you think about it?
Addison: I think it's great! Would you do it for health, political, cultural or environmental reasons?
Breanna: I think more for health. Isn't it better for you to not eat meat?
Addison: Certain meats can be high in fat and cholesterol so it may be wise to avoid them. You have to decide if you want to be on an ovo-lacto or ovo-vegetarian diet.
Breanna: What is the difference between ovo-lacto and ovo-vegetarian?
Addison: An ovo-vegetarian diet includes eggs, but not dairy. An ovo-lacto diet includes both dairy and eggs. Or you could go completely vegan, which would be no eggs or dairy!
Breanna: Oooo. That is a good question. I really like eggs, so I may need to keep those on the menu! I hope they are not too bad for me!
Addison: They aren't, especially if you only eat the egg whites. After you become a vegetarian, make sure you pay close attention to labels on cookies, candy and cakes. A lot of them contain unfamiliar animal ingredients!
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one child has autism. | Autism is a developmental disorder characterized by troubles with social interaction and communication. Often there is also restricted and repetitive behavior. Parents usually notice signs in the first two or three years of their child's life. These signs often develop gradually, though some children with autism reach their developmental milestones at a normal pace and then worsen. Autism is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include certain infections during pregnancy such as rubella as well as valproic acid, alcohol, or cocaine use during pregnancy. Controversies surround other proposed environmental causes; for example the vaccine hypotheses, which have been disproven. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this occurs is not well understood. In the DSM V, autism is included within the autism spectrum (ASDs), along with Asperger syndrome which is less severe, and pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Early speech or behavioral interventions can help children with autism gain self-care, social, and communication skills. Although there is no known cure, there have been cases of children who recovered.
Jonathan: I've been dealing with my child's autism and I can tell you it's hard.
Gabriel: sorry to hear that :( i have a friend with autism. he is socially awkward but he is such an amazing friend! And he knows so much
Jonathan: Yeah they're having troubles with social interaction and communication. But people with autism are very amazing too.
Gabriel: they are! I feel like he is the most caring and kind friend i have. he is so sincere. Do you know how autism is diagnosed?
Jonathan: Parents usually notice signs in the first two or three years of the child's life. After that it's time to go to the specialist.
Gabriel: interesting. Is there any treatment? Like therapy or support groups?
Jonathan: Well yes there is constant therapy, although there isn't that much that can be done it can get better. Autism is caused by both genetic and environmental factors.
Gabriel: what environmental factors could cause autism/
Jonathan: infections during pregnancy for example, such as rubella or valproic acid, alcohol intake, or cocaine use during pregnancy.
Gabriel: oh i didn't know that. thank you for the info!
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i have a few pet iguanas. | Iguana (, ) is a genus of herbivorous lizards that are native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The genus was first described in 1768 by Austrian naturalist Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in his book "Specimen Medicum, Exhibens Synopsin Reptilium Emendatam cum Experimentis circa Venena". Two species are included in the genus "Iguana": the green iguana, which is widespread throughout its range and a popular pet, and the Lesser Antillean iguana, which is native to the Lesser Antilles and endangered due to habitat destruction. The word "iguana" is derived from the original Taino name for the species, "iwana". In addition to the two species in the genus "Iguana", several other related genera in the same family have common names of the species including the word "iguana". Iguanas can range from in length, including their tail. The two species of lizard within the genus "Iguana" possess a dewlap, a row of spines running down their backs to their tails, and a tiny "third eye" on their heads. This light-sensing organ is known as the parietal eye, visible as a pale scale on the top of the head, and cannot make out details, just brightness. Behind their necks are small scales which resemble spokes, known as tuberculate scales.
Makayla: I always wanted to get a pet iguana. They are herbivorous lizards from Central America.
Isabel: Wow, that's an exotic pet! How big do iguanas get?
Makayla: They can range in length depending on species. The biggest ones can be almost six feet!
Isabel: Whoa! I can't imagine! And they are herbivorous, so no meat? I wonder what their favorite thing to eat is.
Makayla: That is correct they are herbivorous lizards. They like all kinds of greens such as kale and lettuce.
Isabel: Oh I seem to remember a kid I knew years ago had an iguana and they fed him lettuce. I wonder if they are very interactive with humans when they are kept as pets.
Makayla: The green iguana is a popular pet and does interact with their owners. Especially when they know they are getting fed.
Isabel: Ha, funny how the food brings them around. Do iguanas come in different colors? I think I have only seen green ones.
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i love the beach. | An ocean (, the sea of classical antiquity) is a body of saline water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere. On Earth, an ocean is one of the major conventional divisions of the World Ocean. These are, in descending order by area, the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern (Antarctic), and Arctic Oceans. The word "sea" is often used interchangeably with "ocean" in American English but, strictly speaking, a sea is a body of saline water (generally a division of the world ocean) partly or fully enclosed by land. Saline water covers approximately and is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas, with the ocean covering approximately 71% of Earth's surface and 90% of the Earth's biosphere. The ocean contains 97% of Earth's water, and oceanographers have stated that less than 5% of the World Ocean has been explored. The total volume is approximately 1.35 billion cubic kilometers (320 million cu mi) with an average depth of nearly . As the world ocean is the principal component of Earth's hydrosphere, it is integral to life, forms part of the carbon cycle, and influences climate and weather patterns. The world ocean is the habitat of 230,000 known species, but because much of it is unexplored, the number of species that exist in the ocean is much larger, possibly over two million.
Nicole: I just love going to the ocean and the beach!
Alex: Me, too. Have you ever been to Ocean Beach? It's a neighborhood on the Pacific coast of San Diego, California.
Nicole: I haven't but I have been to Huntington Beach. It is nice?
Alex: It must be. There were 189,992 living there, as of the 2010 census. And it has the highest population of any beach in Orange County.
Nicole: Wow, I haven't heard of it before but I should check it out.
Alex: You can also check out the Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, Seal Beach, and Newport Beach. Those are all nearby.
Nicole: Oh, Newport Beach is really nice and fancy!
Alex: That region used to be considered Indian lands, and you can find many relics there.
Nicole: That's interesting. I would never have thought about it being Indian land.
Alex: Me, neither. I'm not sure what tribes were there.
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i use to compete in beauty pageants. | A beauty pageant or beauty contest is a competition that has traditionally focused on judging and ranking the physical attributes of the contestants, although some contests have evolved to also incorporate personality traits, intelligence, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria. The term almost invariably refers only to contests for unmarried women such as the Big Four international beauty pageants. Similar events or competition for men or boys being called by other names and more likely to be bodybuilding contests. The organizers of each pageant may determine the rules of the competition, including the age range of contestants. The rules may also require the contestants to be unmarried, and be "virtuous", "amateur", and available for promotions, besides other criteria. It may also set the clothing standards in which contestants will be judged, including the type of swimsuit. Beauty pageants are generally multi-tiered, with local competitions feeding into the larger competitions. For example, the international pageants have hundreds or thousands of local competitions. Child beauty pageants mainly focus on beauty, gowns, sportswear modelling, talent, and personal interviews.
Ricardo: I used to have a friend that did beauty pageants but I never saw the thrill in them.
Briana: Yeah the ranking and judging of physical attributes is a bit trivial. Although some contests have added personality, intelligence, and talent into their shows.
Ricardo: Do you know a lot about beauty pageants?
Briana: I know quite a bit about beauty pageants. They are competitions for unmarried women but there are similar contests for children.
Ricardo: I never knew it was for unmarried woman. Is there a reason for that?
Briana: Well, mostly unmarried women. The majority of the women are unmarried. Organizers of each pageant set the rules. The rules can restrict anything from the contestant's age to their marital status.
Ricardo: Just still seems so shallow and trivial. What other interesting facts do you know?
Briana: There are actually even similar events for men and boys. They are just called by different names or are more likely to be bodybuilding contests.
Ricardo: I've watched bodybuilding shows with my ex. They are entertaining if nothing else.
Briana: I find the lineups where they perform poses and the individual posing routines kind of funny to be honest. But people who participate in them take it very seriously.
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i take great care of my skin. | Skin care is the range of practices that support skin integrity, enhance its appearance and relieve skin conditions. They can include nutrition, avoidance of excessive sun exposure and appropriate use of emollients. Practices that enhance appearance include the use of cosmetics, botulinum, exfoliation, fillers, laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, peels, retinol therapy. Skin care is a routine daily procedure in many settings, such as skin that is either too dry or too moist, and prevention of dermatitis and prevention of skin injuries. Skin care is a part of the treatment of wound healing, radiation therapy and some medications. Skin care sits at the interface of what is commonly thought of as personal care products, such as cosmetics, and dermatology, traditionally a medical discipline in which medical doctors diagnose and treat skin diseases; there is some overlap with each of these topics. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics as products intended to cleanse or beautify (for instance, shampoos and lipstick). A separate category exists for medications, which are intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease, or to affect the structure or function of the body (for instance, sunscreens and acne creams), although some products, such as moisturizing sunscreens and anti-dandruff shampoos, are regulated within both categories.
Kaylee: Do you want any tips to have a looking skin ? The best is to avoid the sun.
Maxwell: How do you avoid the sun if you have to go outside? I guess live in alaska?
Kaylee: You could use a sunscreen daily, and with other creams you could avoid conditions like dermatitis
Maxwell: What kind of sunscreen would you suggest?
Kaylee: There is lot of type of sunscreen: Lotion,spray, gel. It depends on your activity.
Maxwell: any specific brand?
Kaylee: Any brand would be OK, it depends on what you do, you have the physical sunscreens and the chemical sunscreens. they have differents means of action.
Maxwell: What is chemical sunscreens?
Kaylee: Chemical sunscreens abord UV light, as opposed to physical which reflect light.
Maxwell: okay. interesting
Kaylee: Also chemical UV filters were used in photography, to protect the film. It was before digital cameras.
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my wife and two kids camp with me. | Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent. Generally participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment. To be regarded as "camping" a minimum of one night is spent outdoors, distinguishing it from day-tripping, picnicking, and other similarly short-term recreational activities. Camping can be enjoyed through all four seasons. Luxury may be an element, as in early 20th century African safaris, but including accommodations in fully equipped fixed structures such as high-end sporting camps under the banner of "camping" blurs the line. Camping as a recreational activity became popular among elites in the early 20th century. With time, it grew more democratic, and varied. Modern campers frequent publicly owned natural resources such as national and state parks, wilderness areas, and commercial campgrounds. Camping is a key part of many youth organizations around the world, such as Scouting, which use it to teach both self-reliance and teamwork. Camping describes a range of activities and approaches to outdoor accommodation. Survivalist campers set off with as little as possible to get by, whereas recreational vehicle travelers arrive equipped with their own electricity, heat, and patio furniture.
Ryan: My family would love to go camping, but I've never been - I have a fear of bugs!! What should I know about camping?
Ayden: Camping is an outdoor activity where you pitch a tent and stay overnight.
Ryan: Do you have any pointers on how to handle wild animals when out camping - or bugs and snakes?
Ayden: I would stick to frequently visited places such as national parks and commercial campgrounds. Don't go in the woods by yourself.
Ryan: Oh, I wouldn't do that! I need to have a restroom and shower close by - LOL! I don't even know how to cook on a campfire - do you have any pointers on that?
Ayden: In that case I would recommend getting a recreational vehicle. You will have electricity, heat, and even a bed!
Ryan: Ah, a bed!!! That is a big thing with me also - I don't wanna sleep on the cold, hard ground! Who thought that was fun??
Ayden: Although survivalist campers would scoff at you in your RV. As long as you are enjoying camping I saw do it in style!
Ryan: Well those survivalist guys can go ahead and eliminate in the woods and get poison ivy in some sensitive areas all they want - give me the heat and air and bathroom and bed anyday!
Ayden: Camping only recently became popular as a recreational activity. I credit the Boy Scouts with developing the love of it!
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i am a vegan. | Veganism is both the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products, particularly in diet, and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. A follower of either the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan ( ). Distinctions are sometimes made between several categories of veganism. "Dietary vegans" (or strict vegetarians) refrain from consuming animal products, not only meat but also eggs, dairy products and other animal-derived substances. The term "ethical vegan" is often applied to those who not only follow a vegan diet but extend the philosophy into other areas of their lives, and oppose the use of animals for any purpose. Another term is "environmental veganism", which refers to the avoidance of animal products on the premise that the harvesting or industrial farming of animals is environmentally damaging and unsustainable. Well-planned vegan diets can reduce the risk of some types of chronic disease, including heart disease. They are regarded as appropriate for all stages of life including during infancy and pregnancy by the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the British Dietetic Association. The German Society for Nutrition does not recommend vegan diets for children, adolescents nor during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Breanna: Do you know much about Veganism?
Derek: I know that veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal products in diet. I know it also applies to a philosophy that rejects using animals as a commodity. Are you vegan?
Breanna: No, I don't know how I'd give up steak! Do people do it for religious reasons also?
Derek: I know there are certain religions that do not eat meat. There are distinctions made between the different types of veganism.
Breanna: What are the different types?
Derek: Dietary vegans not only abstain from eating meat but they also will not eat eggs or consume dairy products.
Breanna: What about fish?
Derek: I don't believe they eat fish either. There are also ethical vegans who not only follow a vegan diet but they extend the philosophy to other areas of their lives and oppose the use of animals for any purpose.
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i like going to the beach. | A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or cobblestones. The particles can also be biological in origin, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae. Some beaches have man-made infrastructure, such as lifeguard posts, changing rooms, and showers. They may also have hospitality venues (such as resorts, camps, hotels, and restaurants) nearby. Wild beaches, also known as undeveloped or undiscovered beaches, are not developed in this manner. Wild beaches can be valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature. Beaches typically occur in areas along the coast where wave or current action deposits and reworks sediments. Although the seashore is most commonly associated with the word "beach", beaches are also found by lakes and alongside large rivers. "Beach" may refer to: The former are described in detail below; the larger geological units are discussed elsewhere under bars. There are several conspicuous parts to a beach that relate to the processes that form and shape it. The part mostly above water (depending upon tide), and more or less actively influenced by the waves at some point in the tide, is termed the beach berm.
Oliver: I love going to the beach. The warm water and sand makes me happy. Do you?
Oliver: I absolutely love the beach. I actually live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We have a beach about 10 minutes away called Las Olas.
Oliver: I used to live in Clearwater, FL. Clearwater beach has the most beautiful sand.
Oliver: I heard Clearwater has beautiful beaches. Our beach is very crowded in the summer, but I love it anyways. Nothing like seeing the ocean. It's endless, it seems.
Oliver: Yes it is pretty beautiful. I love seeing the sunsets too. Clearwater Beach has become so commercialized now. Now there's a pier, rides and people selling lots of crafts. I get it, but so different from the 90's. So much infrastructure now.
Oliver: I only moved to Florida about 8 years ago, and our beach has always been commercialized. Very tourist oriented. I still enjoy it though!
Oliver: It's hard not to enjoy any beach. I agree with you. The wild beaches with all their untouched beauty and preserved nature are my favorite types of beaches.
Oliver: I can't say I've ever been to a beach like that, but it sounds amazing. Maybe one day!
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i like to use candles instead of lights. | A candle is an ignitable wick embedded in wax or another flammable solid substance such as tallow that provides light, and in some cases, a fragrance. It can also be used to provide heat, or used as a method of keeping time. A candle manufacturer is traditionally known as a chandler. Various devices have been invented to hold candles, from simple tabletop candle holders to elaborate chandeliers. For a candle to burn, a heat source (commonly a naked flame) is used to light the candle's wick, which melts and vaporizes a small amount of fuel (the wax). Once vaporized, the fuel combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to ignite and form a constant flame. This flame provides sufficient heat to keep the candle burning via a self-sustaining chain of events: the heat of the flame melts the top of the mass of solid fuel; the liquefied fuel then moves upward through the wick via capillary action; the liquefied fuel finally vaporizes to burn within the candle's flame. As the mass of solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle becomes shorter. Portions of the wick that are not emitting vaporized fuel are consumed in the flame. The incineration of the wick limits the exposed length of the wick, thus maintaining a constant burning temperature and rate of fuel consumption.
Collin: I really enjoy candles and the ambiance the light creates compared to electric lights.
Courtney: It is a really soft and relaxing light! Some people even use candles as a method of keeping time.
Collin: Really? Who are these people and why would they have to use candles as time keepers?
Courtney: I'd imagine it was a long time ago, when we didn't have any better methods of telling time. Now it's used for aesthetics or producing heat.
Collin: Candlelit dining is the best. There isn't anything to compare. I don't think I would want to use candles as a heating source. Would need a lot!
Courtney: Oh yes, I agree! Candle manufacturers are traditionally known as a chandler.
Collin: Did not know that fact. I know scented candles are a big deal too. I only like light scents and not when eating.
Courtney: I can imagine why, it'd be a little weird while eating! Also, candles have a long history, they were made by Romans around 500 BC.
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i have high speed internet. | Internet access is the ability of individuals and organizations to connect to the Internet using computer terminals, computers, and other devices; and to access services such as email and the World Wide Web. Various technologies, at a wide range of speeds have been used by Internet service providers (ISPs) to provide this service. Internet access was once rare, but has grown rapidly. In 1995, only percent of the world's population had access, with well over half of those living in the United States, and consumer use was through dial-up. By the first decade of the 21st century, many consumers in developed nations used faster broadband technology, and by 2014, 41 percent of the world's population had access, broadband was almost ubiquitous worldwide, and global average connection speeds exceeded 1 Mbit/s. The Internet developed from the ARPANET, which was funded by the US government to support projects within the government and at universities and research laboratories in the US – but grew over time to include most of the world's large universities and the research arms of many technology companies. Use by a wider audience only came in 1995 when restrictions on the use of the Internet to carry commercial traffic were lifted.
Crystal: I love my high speed internet! I use it for gaming, streaming tv, and general internet use.
Lilly: Me too!I am glad to have internet access to the world wide web and email!
Crystal: DO you have high speed internet, or just normal speed? Do you stream video?
Lilly: high speed! I remember having MSN Dial-up for an internet service back in the day though!
Crystal: Oh, man. I definitely remember dial-up! How did we survive those slow speeds?!? Is your internet cable, fiber optic, or telephone?
Lilly: Fiber optic! Yeah the faster broadband technology is neat! 41 percent of the world have access to these high speeds now!
Crystal: I wish I could get fiber optic! I would have thought the percentage of people with access to internet would have been higher.
Lilly: Yeah! It used to be a rare privileged too. I think it will continue to grow rapidly!
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i grew up on a large farm. | A plantation is a large-scale farm that specializes in cash crops. The crops grown include cotton, coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar cane, sisal, oil seeds, oil palms, rubber trees, and fruits. Protectionist policies and natural comparative advantage have sometimes contributed to determining where plantations were located. A plantation house is the main house of a plantation, often a substantial farmhouse, which often serves as a symbol for the plantation as a whole. Plantation houses in the Southern United States and in other areas were often quite grand and expensive architectural works. Among the earliest examples of plantations were the latifundia of the Roman Empire, which produced large quantities of wine and olive oil for export. Plantation agriculture grew rapidly with the increase in international trade and the development of a worldwide economy that followed the expansion of European colonial empires. Like every economic activity, it has changed over time. Earlier forms of plantation agriculture were associated with large disparities of wealth and income, foreign ownership and political influence, and exploitative social systems such as indentured labor and slavery. Industrial plantations are established to produce a high volume of wood in a short period of time.
Angela: I grew up on a plantation until I moved to the city for school.
Nevaeh: Me too. We used to grow apples on ours.
Angela: My favorite thing to do with apples is have them in Hard Apple Cider. Do you like cider?
Nevaeh: Yes, I love adding alcohol to mine to make it "hard cider:
Angela: What kind of alcohol do you add to your cider?
Nevaeh: Usually from the fermented juice of the apples.
Angela: What is your favorite Hard Cider brand?
Nevaeh: It would have to be Woodchuck Hard Cider. It is gluten free because it is made from apples only.
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i collect stamps. | Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is related to philately which is the study of stamps. It has been one of the world's most popular hobbies since the late nineteenth century with the rapid growth of the postal service. Stamp collecting proved to be an almost perfect hobby for collectors because there was a never ending stream of new stamps as each country sought to advertise its distinctiveness through its stamps. Stamp collecting is generally accepted as one of the areas that make up the wider subject of philately, which is the study of stamps. A philatelist may, but does not have to, collect stamps. It is not uncommon for the term "philatelist" to be used to mean a stamp collector. Many casual stamp collectors accumulate stamps for sheer enjoyment and relaxation without worrying about the tiny details. The creation of a large or comprehensive collection, however, generally requires some philatelic knowledge and will usually contain areas of philatelic studies. Postage stamps are often collected for their historical value and geographical aspects and also for the many subjects depicted on them, ranging from ships, horses, and birds to kings, queens and presidents.
Garrett: I love collecting stamps! It is actually one of the worlds most popular hobbies!
Amelia: You collect them by travelling or buying them?
Garrett: I collect them by travelling. Hong Kong is a great place to collect stamps because it is such a common practice among retail outlets there!
Amelia: I collect coins. I assume stamps are pretty cheap.
Garrett: That is pretty cool! Yeah I collect stamps because it is pretty cheap and it is fun to look at all the different types of photos on them, plus there is a never ending stream of new stamps
Amelia: How many stamps do you have, and how do you store it?
Garrett: I have over 500 stamps, I store them in my stamp binder, made specifically for stamp collectors. I love organizing them by country from where I get them because each one shows a unique historical and geographical aspect of the country on them.
Amelia: Thats alot. I assume you have alot from the same country.
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i am on a diet. | Dieting is the practice of eating food in a regulated and supervised fashion to decrease, maintain, or increase body weight. In other words, it is conscious control or restriction of the diet. A restricted diet is often used by those who are overweight or obese, sometimes in combination with physical exercise, to reduce body weight. Some people follow a diet to gain weight (usually in the form of muscle). Diets can also be used to maintain a stable body weight and improve health. In particular, diets can be designed to prevent or treat diabetes. Diets to promote weight loss can be categorized as: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, very low calorie and more recently flexible dieting. A meta-analysis of six randomized controlled trials found no difference between low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and low-fat diets, with a 2–4 kilogram weight loss over 12–18 months in all studies. At two years, all calorie-reduced diet types cause equal weight loss irrespective of the macronutrients emphasized. In general, the most effective diet is any which reduces calorie consumption. A study published in "American Psychologist" found that short-term dieting involving "severe restriction of calorie intake" does not lead to "sustained improvements in weight and health for the majority of individuals".
Autumn: I've been Dieting the last 6 months. I've got a kid on the way and I don't want to be a fat dad. Have you been on a diet in the past?
Tristan: In the past yes and I'm currently expecting a baby in another month so I will be back to dieting, the key is to eat healthy and work out.
Autumn: I'm an athlete so I'm always hungry. I compete in the Highland Games and Surf. I have trouble with the restriction of the diet. I'm always hungry.
Tristan: Have you ever considered doing protein shakes they are good for diets as well and great for staying on track because it makes you full and not want to eat.
Autumn: Yea, the run through me. I wish I was like my dad he has to diet to gain weight.
Tristan: Try just eating much healthier food it will be the start like baked chicken, do salmon and cut out sweets and starch.
Autumn: I don't want diabetes so I use that for motivation to prevent diabetes.
Tristan: That is a kind of scary but I guess a reliable way to stick to your diet lol you can do it plus doing sports it won't be hard for you.
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i was adopted. | Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents, and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents. Adoption can be done by a couple or an individual person but children have to be 14 years younger and the adoptive parents can not have been legally incapacitated. Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young, adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status and as such requires societal recognition, either through legal or religious sanction. Historically, some societies have enacted specific laws governing adoption; where others have tried to achieve adoption through less formal means, notably via contracts that specified inheritance rights and parental responsibilities without an accompanying transfer of filiation. Modern systems of adoption, arising in the 20th century, tend to be governed by comprehensive statutes and regulations. While the modern form of adoption emerged in the United States, forms of the practice appeared throughout history. The Code of Hammurabi, for example, details the rights of adopters and the responsibilities of adopted individuals at length.
Jasmin: Hey there! Adoption is great, dont you think?
Ryan: Yes it is a really good thing.
Jasmin: Yeah! The requirements are interesting, the child or children have to be at least 14 years younger and the person or people adopting cannot be legally incapacitated!
Ryan: I did not realize there only had to be a 14 year difference.
Jasmin: Yes this is mainly because unlike other systems such as guardianship, adoption is designed so that it can effect a permanent change in status
Ryan: I wonder what the adoption requirements are for foster kids.
Jasmin: Fostering Im not too sure about, but some societies have specific laws governing adoption when others have attempted to do adoption in a less formal process
Ryan: Okay. Thanks for the info!
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my favorite food is hamburgers. | A hamburger, beefburger or burger is a sandwich consisting of one or more cooked patties of ground meat, usually beef, placed inside a sliced bread roll or bun. The patty may be pan fried, barbecued, or flame broiled. Hamburgers are often served with cheese, lettuce, tomato, bacon, onion, pickles, or chiles; condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, or "special sauce"; and are frequently placed on sesame seed buns. A hamburger topped with cheese is called a cheeseburger. The term "burger" can also be applied to the meat patty on its own, especially in the UK where the term "patty" is rarely used, or the term can even refer simply to ground beef. The term may be prefixed with the type of meat or meat substitute used, as in "turkey burger", "bison burger", or "veggie burger". Hamburgers are sold at fast-food restaurants, diners, and specialty and high-end restaurants (where burgers may sell for several times the cost of a fast-food burger, but may be one of the cheaper options on the menu). There are many international and regional variations of the hamburger. The term "hamburger" originally derives from Hamburg, Germany's second-largest city. In German, "Burg" means "castle", "fortified settlement" or "fortified refuge" and is a widespread component of place names.
Brooke: My favorite food is hamburgers. Do you like hamburgers?
Jillian: I love Hamburgers! I actually like cheeseburgers, but I consider them to be the same thing.
Brooke: When did people start eating hamburgers?
Jillian: Not too long ago, the Hamburger appeared around the 19th or early 20th century.
Brooke: Was it born in Germany or America?
Jillian: That's a topic of large debate. The meat portion came from Germany, but most Americans say they were the first to put the meat between the slices of bread.
Brooke: When did hamburgers become mass produced?
Jillian: I'm actually not sure, but it became mass-produced when the working and middle class wanted affordable food outside of the home.
Brooke: After that happened it became proliferated around the world.
Jillian: Yep, they're sold at all types of restaurants--fast food chains, fancy restaurants, and even diners. I could use a hamburger right now!
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i play the violin. | The violin, also known informally as a fiddle, is a wooden string instrument in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the family in regular use. Smaller violin-type instruments are known, including the violino piccolo and the kit violin, but these are virtually unused. The violin typically has four strings tuned in perfect fifths, and is most commonly played by drawing a bow across its strings, though it can also be played by plucking the strings with the fingers (pizzicato) and by striking the strings with the wooden side of the bow (col legno). Violins are important instruments in a wide variety of musical genres. They are most prominent in the Western classical tradition, both in ensembles (from chamber music to orchestras) and as solo instruments and in many varieties of folk music, including country music, bluegrass music and in jazz. Electric violins with solid bodies and piezoelectric pickups are used in some forms of rock music and jazz fusion, with the pickups plugged into instrument amplifiers and speakers to produce sound. Further, the violin has come to be played in many non-Western music cultures, including Indian music and Iranian music.
Faith: I have always loved the violin but never had the chance to learn.
Alexa: same here, interestingly the violin is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in regular use.
Faith: I wish it can used more in rap music because I like rap. tell me more interesting facts just as u just did about the violin
Alexa: the violin has four strings, which can be played by drawing a bow, or my personal favourite plucking them with your fingers (pizzicato) i think that syncopated with bass would sound awesome in rap
Faith: Amazing, do you think robots can be programmed to play the violin?
Alexa: the violin has a hollow wooden body, which makes it quite light. I guess this would help a robot in learning to play one??
Faith: If only they have pizzacato like you right called it. Anyways, nothing is impossible these days with technology
Alexa: maybe we could have a robot playing double bass aswell to form a robotic modern symphony orchestra. The double bass has a brilliant low register.
Faith: awesome. You seem to be a tech person. lets do it :)
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i have a shopping addiction. | Shopping addiction is defined as the deficiency of impulse control which appears as the eagerness for constantly making new purchases of unnecessary or superfluous things. It is a concept similar to "compulsive buying disorder" and "oniomania", although these terms usually have a more clinical approach, related to a psychological individual disorder of impulse control. The phrase “shopping addiction” usually has a more psychosocial perspective . or it is placed among drug-free addictions like the addiction to gambling, Internet, or video-games. There are three kinds of behavioural manifestations of shopping addiction, with different repercussions. These can be displayed together or independently and in more or less intense ways. Nevertheless, they are closely related and appear joined in people who seriously suffer from this disorder. First is the attraction towards the consumer stimulus, which is the addiction to purchasing as a leisure activity. This is about the uncontrolled and excessive draw to use shopping as a leisure activity, usually in an exclusive and overwhelming way. While activities such as window-shopping, visiting shops or spending time in commercial centres is a common and socially accepted desire activity, an addict is differentiated as one in whom this excessive attraction to purchase interferes with the normal development of life and damages their relationships with others, becoming an obsessive and uncontrolled activity.
Liliana: Shopping addiction is a really scary addiction that can leave victims broke and helpless.
Zoey: Yeah I know that shopping addiction is often described as a deficiency of impulse control
Liliana: Do you think you can control your impulses? Such as just buying less at a time.
Zoey: I think I can control my impulses more or less but I think everyone has a bit of an addictive personality. We all have those personality traits that lead to addictions just some more that others.
Liliana: Do you consider shopping addiction to be a disease?
Zoey: Only in as much as addiction is a disease, it is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive shopping.
Liliana: Are all diseases considered genetic in their roots? Or are they acquired.
Zoey: There are some psycho social factors but most are of a biological nature.
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i love the smell of leather. | Leather is a durable and flexible material created by tanning animal rawhide and skin, mostly cattle hide. It can be produced at manufacturing scales ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry. People use leather to make various goods—including clothing (e.g., shoes, hats, jackets, skirts, trousers, and belts), bookbinding, leather wallpaper, and as a furniture covering. It is produced in a wide variety of types and styles, decorated by a wide range of techniques. Several tanning processes transform hides and skins into leather: Leather, usually vegetable-tanned, can be oiled to improve its water resistance. This currying process after tanning supplements the natural oils remaining in the leather itself, which can be washed out through repeated exposure to water. Frequent oiling of leather, with mink oil, neatsfoot oil, or a similar material keeps it supple and improves its lifespan dramatically. In general, leather is produced in the following forms: Today, most leather is made of cattle skin, but many exceptions exist. Lamb and deerskin are used for soft leather in more expensive apparel. Deer and elkskin are widely used in work gloves and indoor shoes. Pigskin is used in apparel and on seats of saddles.
Molly: I like leather's smell.
Oliver: That's interesting. So, you probably prefer a car that has leather interior?
Molly: Yes like the Alfa Romeo GTV made in 1995.
Oliver: I'm not familiar at all with the Alfa brand. Is that like a luxury automobile?
Molly: It is actually one of two sports cars made by Alfa Romeo.
Oliver: So how much do the GTV cost?
Molly: I can't say for sure but being a sports car probably a lot.
Oliver: I can imagine that it is very expensive just by the name of it. Do you like leather coats?
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i like to do all my shopping at walmart. | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., doing business as Walmart, is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, the company was founded by Sam Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969. It also owns and operates Sam's Club retail warehouses. Walmart has 11,703 stores and clubs in 28countries, operating under 59 differentnames. The company operates under the name Walmart in the United States and Canada, as Walmart de México y Centroamérica in Mexico and Central America, as Asda in the United Kingdom, as the Seiyu Group in Japan, and as Best Price in India. It has wholly owned operations in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Canada. Walmart is the world's largest company by revenueapproximately US$480 billion according to the Fortune Global 500 list in 2016as well as the largest private employer in the world with 2.3million employees. It is a publicly traded family-owned business, as the company is controlled by the Walton family. Sam Walton's heirs own over 50percent of Walmart through their holding company, Walton Enterprises, and through their individual holdings. Walmart is one of the world's most valuable companies by market value and was the largest U.S. grocery retailer in 2016.
Sadie: Hello, are you an avid shopper at Walmart?
Ivan: Yes, I actually work at Walmart, which is an American multinational retail corporation.
Sadie: Oh really? That's interesting! What do you work as?
Ivan: I work as an analyst, headquartered in Bentonville.
Sadie: I see. What does your job entail within the corporation?
Ivan: It entails that I analyze who owns and operates Sam's Club retail warehouses.
Sadie: That's quite interesting to know. Walmart's actually my favorite supermarket to shop at so it's interesting that I met someone who works there.
Ivan: Hahah yes, but remember that Walmart operates under different names, such as the Seiyu Group in Japan!
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i am going to school to get a degree now. | An academic degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, normally at a college or university. These institutions commonly offer degrees at various levels, typically including bachelor's, master’s and doctorates, often alongside other academic certificates, and professional degrees. The most common undergraduate degree is the bachelor's degree, although in some countries lower qualifications are titled degrees (e.g. associate degrees in the US or foundation degrees in the UK) while in others a higher-level first degree is more usual. An early type of academic degree was the ijazah, issued at madrasahs in the medieval Islamic world since the 8th century. The modern system of academic degrees later evolved and expanded in the medieval university, spreading across the world as the institution did. The origins of the doctorate ("licentia docendi") can be traced back to the "ijāzah al-tadrīs wa al-iftā'" ("license to teach and issue legal opinions") in the medieval Islamic madrasah education system. The ijazat was equivalent to the Doctor of Laws qualification and was developed during the 9th century after the formation of the "Madh'hab" legal schools.
Joseph: Hey! I'm going to college to earn my Bachelors Degree.
Payton: That's awesome! I understand that the bachelor's degree is the most common degree - is that what you are aiming for?
Joseph: A B.S in Sports Management with a minor in Mathematics.
Payton: That sounds exciting! I'm aiming to earn the Master of Accountancy or the Master Science Accountancy!
Joseph: That so cool! My mom actually earned her Masters in Accounting! Its a great career path with a lot of job opportunities.
Payton: I'm hoping to join the ACCA when I'm done - it has a network of over 100 offices worldwide.
Joseph: That's an amazing goal to have! Do you have to obtain your MBA to qualify for that job?
Payton: I'm not that familiar with it yet - I do know it is a global professional accounting body that was founded in 1904
Joseph: That's a long time! It must be one of the most established organizations in Accounting.
Payton: I believe it is! CIMA has been around a long time as well, founded in 1919 as The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants!
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i am a financial analyst for a brewery. | A brewery or brewing company is a business that makes and sells beer. The place at which beer is commercially made is either called a brewery or a beerhouse, where distinct sets of brewing equipment are called plant. The commercial brewing of beer has taken place since at least 2500 BC; in ancient Mesopotamia, brewers derived social sanction and divine protection from the goddess Ninkasi. Brewing was initially a cottage industry, with production taking place at home; by the ninth century monasteries and farms would produce beer on a larger scale, selling the excess; and by the eleventh and twelfth centuries larger, dedicated breweries with eight to ten workers were being built. The diversity of size in breweries is matched by the diversity of processes, degrees of automation, and kinds of beer produced in breweries. A brewery is typically divided into distinct sections, with each section reserved for one part of the brewing process. Beer may have been known in Neolithic Europe and was mainly brewed on a domestic scale. In some form, it can be traced back almost 5000 years to Mesopotamian writings describing daily rations of beer and bread to workers. Before the rise of production breweries, the production of beer took place at home and was the domain of women, as baking and brewing were seen as "women's work".
Cody: So, interested at all in breweries? I'm a financial analyst for one and I help with the equipment that makes the beer commercially!
Julian: I do have an interest in brewiers.
Cody: Yeah, it was kind of hard not for me to get into them. We're surrounded by them where I live, especially since there's like 3,000 of them in the US
Julian: Where do you live?
Cody: Milwaukee! Yeah, my dad thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to get into them. I'm glad it's changed from the old days where only women worked in them while they baked and made beer.
Julian: I love Milwaukee, one of my favorite cities.
Cody: Yeah, I love it here, especially since it helped me find my passion in breweries. I just think it's so neat how they have so many different processes and automated functions to produce all these kinds of unique beers
Julian: What is your favorite type of beer?
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i like lizards. | Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 6,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic as it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia which are also squamates. Lizards range in size from chameleons and geckos a few centimeters long to the 3 meter long Komodo dragon. Most lizards are quadrupedal, running with a strong side-to-side motion. Others are legless, and have long snake-like bodies. Some such as the forest-dwelling "Draco" lizards are able to glide. They are often territorial, the males fighting off other males and signalling, often with brightly colours, to attract mates and to intimidate rivals. Lizards are mainly carnivorous, often being sit-and-wait predators; many smaller species eat insects, while the Komodo eats mammals as big as water buffalo. Lizards make use of a variety of antipredator adaptations, including venom, camouflage, reflex bleeding, and the ability to sacrifice and regrow their tails. The adult length of species within the suborder ranges from a few centimeters for chameleons such as "Brookesia micra" and geckos such as "Sphaerodactylus ariasae" to nearly in the case of the largest living varanid lizard, the Komodo dragon.
Alex: Lizards are great pets to have.
Tyler: Oh yes, but lizard could mean a lot since lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles
Alex: Yeah that's true, they could even be Komodo dragons which are massive.
Tyler: Yeah, but not many people keep them as pets due to their size. They mostly reside on the Indonesian islands of Komodo
Alex: Yeah the komodo dragons are really aggressive too.
Tyler: Yeah, but they only got that way since no other carnivorous animals fill the niche on the islands where they live.
Alex: That's really interesting!
Tyler: Oh yeah, and like most lizards they're also quadrupedal
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i love the beach. | A beach is a landform alongside a body of water which consists of loose particles. The particles composing a beach are typically made from rock, such as sand, gravel, shingle, pebbles, or cobblestones. The particles can also be biological in origin, such as mollusc shells or coralline algae. Some beaches have man-made infrastructure, such as lifeguard posts, changing rooms, and showers. They may also have hospitality venues (such as resorts, camps, hotels, and restaurants) nearby. Wild beaches, also known as undeveloped or undiscovered beaches, are not developed in this manner. Wild beaches can be valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature. Beaches typically occur in areas along the coast where wave or current action deposits and reworks sediments. Although the seashore is most commonly associated with the word "beach", beaches are also found by lakes and alongside large rivers. "Beach" may refer to: The former are described in detail below; the larger geological units are discussed elsewhere under bars. There are several conspicuous parts to a beach that relate to the processes that form and shape it. The part mostly above water (depending upon tide), and more or less actively influenced by the waves at some point in the tide, is termed the beach berm.
Isaac: I live in Florida, and I just love going to the beaches around here!
Jade: I love sandy beaches. The onces made from rock, shells, and pebbles I don't like as much.
Isaac: Me too! I think those are more common in the Pacific. The beaches here are like white sandy powder. You should check out Siesta Key, Florida.
Jade: That's part of Sarasota Count, right? I went there years ago and loved it. Sand was very white.
Isaac: Yep! It's in Sarasota County. Siesta Key was rated number 1 beach in the U.S. at one point. Anna Maria Island is also really great, but that's in Manatee County.
Jade: Anna Maria Island is only about 7 miles long, right? I didn't get to visit it, though.
Isaac: Yep, it's not a very extensive beach, but it's still beautiful. Nothing beats Siesta Key beach though! The sand is so powdery that it doesn't even get hot from the sun.
Jade: Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage. Did it hit Siesta Key?
Isaac: It hit, but not too bad. I do remember there being a lot of debris laying everywhere. It wasn't safe to drive :( The water wasn't as blue after the storm hit too.
Jade: A friend of mine told me the sand there is 99% pure quartz. I wonder if that contributes to it being cool, as well.
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my newest car is a chevy. | Chevrolet ( ), colloquially referred to as Chevy and formally the Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company, is an American automobile division of the American manufacturer General Motors (GM). Louis Chevrolet and ousted General Motors founder William C. Durant started the company on November 3, 1911 as the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. Durant used the Chevrolet Motor Car Company to acquire a controlling stake in General Motors with a reverse merger occurring on May 2, 1918 and propelled himself back to the GM presidency. After Durant's second ousting in 1919, Alfred Sloan, with his maxim "a car for every purse and purpose," would pick the Chevrolet brand to become the volume leader in the General Motors family, selling mainstream vehicles to compete with Henry Ford's Model T in 1919 and overtaking Ford as the best-selling car in the United States by 1929. Chevrolet-branded vehicles are sold in most automotive markets worldwide, with the notable exception of Oceania, where GM is represented by its Australian subsidiary, Holden; Chevrolet announced a return to the region beginning in 2018 after a 50-year absence. In 2005, Chevrolet was relaunched in Europe, primarily selling vehicles built by GM Daewoo of South Korea with the tagline "Daewoo has grown up enough to become Chevrolet", a move rooted in General Motors' attempt to build a global brand around Chevrolet.
Robert: Chevrolet make some nice cars.
Victor: They do. Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant started the company in November 1911 as the Chevrolet Motor Car Company.
Robert: Wow that's got to be one of the older car companies then.
Victor: Durant used the Chevrolet Motor Car Company to acquire a controlling stake in General Motors with a reverse merger in May 1918 (he was previously ousted)
Robert: Hmm cool, you must know a lot about their history.
Victor: I do - my dad used to work there. Chevrolet cars are sold world wide except Oceania, where GM is represented by its Australian subsidiary, Holden
Robert: Wow that's really interesting then!
Victor: It relaunched in Europe, selling cars built by GM Daewoo of South Korea with a funny tag line: "Daewoo has grown up enough to become Chevrolet. I thought that was clever
Robert: That must've been a fair amount of time ago.
Victor: It relaunched in Europe, selling cars built by GM Daewoo of South Korea with a funny tag line: "Daewoo has grown up enough to become Chevrolet. I thought that was clever
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my newest car is a chevy. | Chevrolet ( ), colloquially referred to as Chevy and formally the Chevrolet Division of General Motors Company, is an American automobile division of the American manufacturer General Motors (GM). Louis Chevrolet and ousted General Motors founder William C. Durant started the company on November 3, 1911 as the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. Durant used the Chevrolet Motor Car Company to acquire a controlling stake in General Motors with a reverse merger occurring on May 2, 1918 and propelled himself back to the GM presidency. After Durant's second ousting in 1919, Alfred Sloan, with his maxim "a car for every purse and purpose," would pick the Chevrolet brand to become the volume leader in the General Motors family, selling mainstream vehicles to compete with Henry Ford's Model T in 1919 and overtaking Ford as the best-selling car in the United States by 1929. Chevrolet-branded vehicles are sold in most automotive markets worldwide, with the notable exception of Oceania, where GM is represented by its Australian subsidiary, Holden; Chevrolet announced a return to the region beginning in 2018 after a 50-year absence. In 2005, Chevrolet was relaunched in Europe, primarily selling vehicles built by GM Daewoo of South Korea with the tagline "Daewoo has grown up enough to become Chevrolet", a move rooted in General Motors' attempt to build a global brand around Chevrolet.
Michael: Have you ever driven a chevrolet?
Autumn: Yes, I have owned several Chevrolet Impalas
Michael: I've never owned a Chevy, did you like it?
Autumn: Yes, I love them. Do you know the first models came out in 1958?
Michael: I didn't know that, what else can you tell me about them?
Autumn: The are the most expensive of the sedan models and are often used as official government vehicles.
Michael: Still? I know I have seen a lot of Ford model government vehicles.
Autumn: True, however, whatever model is chosen, it must meet certain requirements. Criteria includes adequate security, capability and stateliness.
Michael: Yeah that makes a lot of sense, that way government officials are safe!
Autumn: Most, if not all, government agencies use American model cars. The vehicle serves as an automotive symbol for the country.
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i play a lot of video games. | Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer online first-person shooter video game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It was released in May 2016 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. "Overwatch" assigns players into two teams of six, with each player selecting from a roster of over 20 characters, known in-game as "heroes", each with a unique style of play, whose roles are divided into four general categories: Offense, Defense, Tank, and Support. Players on a team work together to secure and defend control points on a map or escort a payload across the map in a limited amount of time. Players gain cosmetic rewards that do not affect gameplay, such as character skins and victory poses, as they play the game. The game was initially launched with casual play, with a competitive ranked mode, various 'arcade' game modes, and a player-customizable server browser subsequently included following its release. Additionally, Blizzard has developed and added new characters, maps, and game modes post-release, while stating that all "Overwatch" updates will remain free, with the only additional cost to players being microtransactions to earn additional cosmetic rewards. "Overwatch" is Blizzard's fourth major franchise and came about following the 2014 cancellation of the ambitious massively multiplayer online role-playing game "Titan".
Logan: I was so excited when Overwatch came out in 2016!
Landon: I was too, I felt as though it was going to be a great game!
Logan: I love how the story takes place on a futuristic Earth, it makes it so much easier to put myself in their shoes.
Landon: I completely agree, I've only played a few times, but I feel like I really want to get into it more. Do you have any suggestions?
Logan: Maybe you should consider looking into some of the rewards for your character! I love changing up mu skins while I'm playing the game.
Landon: That would be a good place to start! Do you play any other games like Overwatch?
Logan: Not yet! But I'm super interested in finding some other games from Blizzard Entertainment. Do you have any suggestions?
Landon: I play a lot of World of Warcraft, I find the world to be extremely immersive. I also enjoy Starcraft 2, I played a lot of Starcraft when I was younger, and I really enjoy the Real Time Strategy genre in general.
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i read sci fi space adventures with a passion. | Science fiction (often shortened to SF or sci-fi) is a genre of speculative fiction, typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life. Science fiction often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations, and has been called a "literature of ideas". It usually avoids the supernatural, unlike the related genre of fantasy. Historically, science-fiction stories have had a grounding in actual science, but now this is only expected of hard science fiction. Science fiction is difficult to define, as it includes a wide range of subgenres and themes. Hugo Gernsback, who suggested the term "scientifiction" for his "Amazing Stories" magazine, wrote: "By 'scientifiction' I mean the Jules Verne, H. G. Wells and Edgar Allan Poe type of story—a charming romance intermingled with scientific fact and prophetic vision... Not only do these amazing tales make tremendously interesting reading—they are always instructive. They supply knowledge... in a very palatable form... New adventures pictured for us in the scientifiction of today are not at all impossible of realization tomorrow...
Jake: I read a lot of sci -fi fiction about time travel, what do you like to read?
Paul: I like sci-fi as well. What's your favorite sci-fi book?
Jake: I like the Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith, the tv series doesn't do it justice
Paul: I've never read the books but I've seen the tv series. Do you like comic books as well?
Jake: Yes! I have read nearly every single Superman comic, I read a lot of other DC comics as well
Paul: How many superman comics were made?
Jake: I'm not certain, there has to be hundreds, but the origin of Superman is the most fascinating one, he's essentially a human who crash landed on Earth
Paul: Really? That's interesting! Where is he from?
Jake: He was born on the planet Krypton before coming to Earth and starting work as a superhero
Paul: Did he live a normal human life here on Earth or did he live as a superhero full time?
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i am a georgia resident. | Georgia ( ) is a state in the southeastern United States. It began as a British colony in 1733, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. Named after King George II of Great Britain, the Province of Georgia covered the area from South Carolina down to Spanish Florida and New France along "Louisiana (New France)", also bordering to the west towards the Mississippi River. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788. In 1802-1804, western Georgia was split to the Mississippi Territory, which later split to form Alabama with part of former West Florida in 1819. Georgia declared its secession from the Union on January 19, 1861, and was one of the original seven Confederate states. It was the last state to be restored to the Union, on July 15, 1870. Georgia is the 24th largest and the 8th most populous of the 50 United States. From 2007 to 2008, 14 of Georgia's counties ranked among the nation's 100 fastest-growing, second only to Texas. Georgia is known as the "Peach State" and the "Empire State of the South". Atlanta is the state's capital, its most populous city, and has been named a global city. Georgia is bordered to the south by Florida, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean and South Carolina, to the west by Alabama, and to the north by Tennessee and North Carolina.
Grace: Ive been wanting to move to georgia but dont know too much about it, Have you been there before?
Danielle: Well, it's a fast-growing state; 14 of its counties are among the nation's 100 fastest growing, so you won't be lonely!
Grace: Wow thats crazy, Whats the population there anyways?
Danielle: The population of the Peach State is a little under 10 and a half million as of 2017.
Grace: Wow I had no idea, I guess I wont be so lonely after all, What are some of the best cities to live in Georgia?
Danielle: I'd go with Atlanta. Largest city in the state, it's the state's capital, and it's been named a "global city," so a fair bit of diverse culture.
Grace: OK thanks I'll consider that one then. I have been really curious, What kind of fun things are there to do in Georgia?
Danielle: You could visit the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola museum, you could climb Stone Mountain, or you could walk the Rock City Gardens trail.
Grace: Those all sound fantastic, I heard they even filmed the walking dead in Georgia, thats really cool. Any other good Georgia facts I need to know?
Danielle: It was the last of the former Confederate states to be restored to the Union, on July 15th, 1870.
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my favorite food is pizza. | Pizza is a traditional Italian dish consisting of a yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven. It can also be topped with additional vegetables, meats, and condiments, and can be made without cheese. The term "pizza" was first recorded in the 10th century, in a Latin manuscript from the Southern Italy town of Gaeta in Lazio, on the border with Campania. Modern pizza was invented in Naples, and the dish and its variants have since become popular and common in many areas of the world. In 2009, upon Italy's request, Neapolitan pizza was registered with the European Union as a Traditional Speciality Guaranteed dish. "Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana" (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), a non-profit organization founded in 1984 with headquarters in Naples, aims to "promote and protect... the true Neapolitan pizza". Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world and common fast food item in Europe and North America. Many independent or chain restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets offer pizza. Restaurants or chains specializing in pizza are pizzerias. Pizza delivery is common in some parts of the world. Pizza is sold fresh or frozen, either whole or in portions.
Camila: i love traditional italian dish consisting of a yeasted flatbread typically topped with tomato sauce and cheese and baked in an oven aka pizza!
Aidan: Yea sounds like you are a pizza lover like me
Camila: of course, sometimes you can top them with vegetables, meats and condiments!
Aidan: When was the word pizza coined?
Camila: it was first recorded in the 10th century, in the southern italy town of Gaeta in Lazio
Aidan: How many types of pizza do we have?
Camila: well the modern pizza was invented in Naples adn the dish has many variants that have become popular in many areas in the world
Aidan: What kind of equipment is needed to make modern pizza?
Camila: many of the restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets use Pizza ovens!
Aidan: Thanks for enlightening me about Pizza
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Subsets and Splits