Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Book Report Brave New World - 1144 Words
Book Report: #1 Frank Root Fiction 3rd Period 9-4-14 Brave New World Huxley, Aldous 259 pages, 18 Chapters Entry 1 8-28-14 Pages: # 1-29 I learn from the beginning that the story takes place in London,England. The year is A.F. 632 and the first character introduced is the Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning. He gives his students a tour of the Central London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre. Also I learn that people do not give birth to living people; they are created in this factory. There are different fertilization methods that create Alphas, Betas, Gammas,Deltas, and Epsilons. These humans have roles in this society, which is called the World State. The motto of this society is Community,Identity, and Stability. Another character is Henry Foster and he also works at this factory.Lenina Crowne is another worker whose job is to give vaccinations. There are nurseries and some of the babies get shocked to cause them to dislike books and flowers so they do not spend time on those objects. The director states that there is sleep teaching. Alphas and Betas are smarter than Gammas,Deltas, and Epsilons. Entry 2Show MoreRelatedBrave New World Book Report2378 Words à |à 10 PagesThe scene begins at the Central London Hatchery in the year 632 After Ford. A guided tour is taking place, explaining the process of how a human is made. Itââ¬â¢s a new age, and humans no longer are created by viviparous reproduction; in Brave New World, humans are made on an assembly line. People in this world are divided up into five social classes- Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Epsilons, ranging from the highest caste to the lowest, respectively. The fetuses are developed in little jars thatRead MoreBook Report : Brave New World 1144 Words à |à 5 PagesBook Report: #1 Frank Root Fiction 3rd Period 9-4-14 Brave New World Huxley, Aldous 259 pages, 18 Chapters Entry 1 8-28-14 Pages: # 1-29 IRead MoreComparison of Mustapha Mond from Brave New World and Captain Beatly from Fahrenheit 451772 Words à |à 4 Pagesof the people in the world need to be told what to do and how to behave (Arnold Schwarzenegger). I am Comparing and Contrasting 2 different Characters from 2 different books, Mustapha Mond from Brave New World and Captain Beatty from Fahrenheit 451. These 2 books are very similar and different in many ways. They both are similar because of the power or strength they have over people and the way they brain wash them. Captain Beatty somehow persuades people to believe that books are contain unpleasantRead More We Are Living in a Corporate Dystopia Essay1495 Words à |à 6 Pagesto the Brave New World. Ignoring this threat and treating it as either non-existent or only minimally significant is tantamount to inviting Huxleys dystopian vision into our own world. In so doing, we set ourselves up for a decidedly dark tomorrow. à To the uninitiated, the society of Huxleys Brave New World at first seems to be only pure science fiction with no visible ties to reality. After all, we have no government-controlled genetic engineering of human beings in our world. We doRead MoreComparing The Station Twelve And Brave New World By Aldous Huxley1112 Words à |à 5 PagesIn my report I have chosen to examine the four texts of ââ¬ËStation Elevenââ¬â¢ by Emily Mandel, ââ¬ËBrave New Worldââ¬â¢ by Aldous Huxley, ââ¬Ë1984ââ¬â¢ by George Orwell and ââ¬ËHarrison Bergeronââ¬â¢ by Kurt Vonnegut from the dystopian genre. Throughout these texts, I studied the two connections: the use of Shakespeare and the setting of a totalitarian government. The texts Station Eleven and Brave New World both use Shakespeare as a symbol of art and culture. In Station Eleven, Mandel uses this symbol to tell us how importantRead More Presentation of satire in Brave New World Essay examples811 Words à |à 4 PagesSavage in the hospital); discern presentation of satire and how it is wrought. In Brave New World Huxley is targeting consumer, materialistic attitudes that existed in his time (and still do today) and extrapolating, then projecting them into the world that is the World State, to serve as a warning to society of the consequences of these attitudes. The passage in question is from Chapter XIV of Huxleyââ¬â¢s Brave New World, and more specifically features the incident in which the ââ¬ËSavageââ¬â¢, John, visitsRead MoreA Story of Bravery: The 33 Chilean Miners1151 Words à |à 5 Pagesheart-warming as the story of the rescue of the 33 Chilean miners. These brave men, all of whom were trapped hundreds of feet below the surface in a harrowing 17-day wait game before they were found, and then another four months until they were rescued, proved to the world that there may be happy endings yet. The fantastic news coverage proved also that the world was unanimous in its support of these miners, as viewers tuned in not only for the news coverage throughout the fall of 2010, but also for the minersRead MoreAnalysis Of The Killer Angels 1171 Words à |à 5 Pagesbig difference in the outcome of a battle as this has been demonstrated in the book we read, The Killer Angels. Though sometimes bravery can also be a very foolish act, such as when you donââ¬â¢t make the best decisions for everyone as a whole. Foolishness when making important decisions can comeback and cost you later, possibly causing loss of lives and changing the momentum of a battle. There are some cases in this book, The Killer Angels, that prove bravery can be a good thing and that it can makeRead MoreA Brave New World and Island by Aldous Huxley1037 Words à |à 4 Pagesvisible proof is that of his wife dying of breast cancer and then a year later he marries another woman with no problem. This comes full circle and relates to both Brave New World and Island, where death is not an issue since it is controlled in some way. In addition, Aldous also had a tendency to use psychedelic while writing his books, there was a feeling that he admired while on these drugs. No one really knows what he felt that made him become addicted to drugs like mescaline and LSD. But, hisRead MoreThe Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion Essay856 Words à |à 4 PagesReading this book has been interesting and heartbreaking experience. A Year of Magical Thinking, a journey through the grieving process. While dealing with the death of her husband, she is confronted with the sickness of her only child. This book touches me, and it makes me think of what would happen if my loved one died. This paper is a reflection of my thoughts and feelings about this womanââ¬â¢s journey that has been explored by book and video. I will also explore the authorââ¬â¢s adjustment process
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 7 Free Essays
ââ¬Å"Get out,â⬠I said immediately. Yasmine and Vincent, finishing their breakfast at my table, looked up in surprise. Niphon gestured toward them. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 7 or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"I was invited in. I didnââ¬â¢t think itââ¬â¢d be a problem.â⬠Angel and human looked distinctly uncomfortable, and I could guess what had happened. Niphon had turned up, and theyââ¬â¢d let him inside, not knowing about our animosity. Theyââ¬â¢d probably figured he was a partner in evil which, in the most technical of ways, he was. Vincent hastily stood up and took his empty plate to the sink. Yasmine followed. ââ¬Å"Well,â⬠said Vincent. ââ¬Å"We should probably get going.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠agreed Yasmine, grabbing her coat. Fools rushed in where angels feared to tread, apparently. ââ¬Å"Great seeing you guys.â⬠They left so fast that they might as well have teleported out. I fixed my attention back on Niphon. ââ¬Å"Get out,â⬠I repeated. He leaned back against my couch, draping his arms over the back of it. ââ¬Å"Letha, Letha ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"And stop calling me that.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatever you like. And donââ¬â¢t worry, Iââ¬â¢ll be out of your hair soon. I just wanted to give you a Tawny update.â⬠Oh God. Tawny. Please, please let her have scored last night, I silently begged. Her attitude at the bar hadnââ¬â¢t really inspired confidence, but maybe me leaving with Jude had set a good example. ââ¬Å"She hasnââ¬â¢t taken a victim yet.â⬠Damn. ââ¬Å"Alright, thanks,â⬠I said, pointing at the door. ââ¬Å"You can leave now. And next time, itââ¬â¢s really okay if you call to give me an update. Preferably when youââ¬â¢re in the taxi thatââ¬â¢s taking you to the airport so I donââ¬â¢t ever have to fucking see you again.â⬠He rose from the couch, giving me a wounded look. ââ¬Å"Fine, fine. But there is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about.â⬠ââ¬Å"There is nothing at all I want to talk to you about.â⬠I was on the verge of growling. ââ¬Å"Oh, Iââ¬â¢m not so sure about that.â⬠His hand rested on the doorknob, but he showed no intention of actually leaving. ââ¬Å"I think youââ¬â¢ll be very interested. Itââ¬â¢s about your love life.â⬠ââ¬Å"No! We are not talking about this.â⬠ââ¬Å"Le ââ¬â Georgina, I just want to help you,â⬠he whined. ââ¬Å"I think itââ¬â¢s terrible that you two canââ¬â¢t fully express your love.â⬠ââ¬Å"We. Are. Fine. And donââ¬â¢t lean against the door. I donââ¬â¢t want your hair to leave an oil stain.â⬠Niphon straightened up and ran a solicitous hand over the back of his head. ââ¬Å"Look, I get why you donââ¬â¢t want to sleep with him. Itââ¬â¢s admirable. You want to protect his lifespan, not wipe him out, etc., etc. But what if that wasnââ¬â¢t an issue? What if I made it so that you could have sex without the dire side effects?â⬠ââ¬Å"Right. And youââ¬â¢d do that out of the kindness of your heart.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ He shrugged and spread his hands wide. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s always a price.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not worth it. Not worth Seth selling his soul.â⬠ââ¬Å"I could sweeten the deal. Give him a longer lifespanâ⬠¦longer youthâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"No. I swear to God, if you donââ¬â¢t leave now, Iââ¬â¢m calling Jerome.â⬠That was a bluff, seeing as Jerome was out of town. ââ¬Å"Like I said, just trying to help,â⬠Niphon said. ââ¬Å"Yeah, like you helped me?â⬠I asked, not bothering to hide the sarcasm. Suddenly, the mocking, teasing look vanished. Niphonââ¬â¢s face grew hard. Angry. Scary. ââ¬Å"I did help you, Little Letha. You were no one. No one at all. Some poor fishermanââ¬â¢s daughter in a shit, backwoods town. Some whore in a shit, backwoods town. You fucked up your life, and I fixed it for you. I made you who you are. Erased your problems. Saved your husband. Gave you eternal life and beauty. If anything, you owe me.â⬠ââ¬Å"It wasnââ¬â¢t worth it,â⬠I said, in a voice that matched his dark expression. ââ¬Å"It wasnââ¬â¢t worth it.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wasnââ¬â¢t it? Would you have rather watched your husband commit suicide? Would you rather have died an outcast and disgraced?â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t answer. I thought about the desperate look on my husbandââ¬â¢s face when heââ¬â¢d found out that Iââ¬â¢d cheated on him. Even after all these centuries, that expression still haunted me. Heââ¬â¢d been driven to such despair that heââ¬â¢d been on the verge of taking his own life. In selling my soul and becoming a succubus, Iââ¬â¢d struck a bargain with Hell that made him and everyone else I knew forget me. My husband had lived and gone on with his life, forgetting Iââ¬â¢d ever existed. Had it been worth it? Observing my silence, Niphonââ¬â¢s face turned taunting once more. He opened the door. ââ¬Å"Good-bye, Georgina. Let me know if you change your mind.â⬠He left, and I stared at the door for a long time before finally forcing my feet to start moving. The Seth soul-selling offer held no temptation for me whatsoever. That didnââ¬â¢t trouble me. But his other wordsâ⬠¦the reminders of my pastâ⬠¦ I sighed. I didnââ¬â¢t want to deal with that, not with everything else going on in my life right now. And speaking of whichâ⬠¦with two hours left until work, I decided to bite the bullet and again try to get more information about my dreams. From Dante. His store looked as bleak as the last time Iââ¬â¢d visited, but this time, he actually had a customer. She was a young woman, college-aged maybe, with layered brown hair and a gray sweatshirt. Seeing her, I started to step back outside, but he waved me in. ââ¬Å"No, no, itââ¬â¢s okay. You can wait here.â⬠Dante glanced at the girl. Both of them sat at the shabby, velvet-covered table. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t mind, do you?â⬠She barely spared me a glance. ââ¬Å"No! No! Hurry, go on. I want to hear more about the man.â⬠Dante produced a dazzling grin that seemed a bit fake to me but which I suspected was actually very effective on her. Taking a step closer, I realized he was reading her Tarot cards. Several already lay on the table. He flipped another over. ââ¬Å"Ah, the Hierophant.â⬠His voice held a mysterious, knowing note. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s that mean?â⬠she squealed. ââ¬Å"You donââ¬â¢t know? You donââ¬â¢t know anything about these?â⬠She shook her head. ââ¬Å"Nothing.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, the Hierophant is a great love card. It represents a romantic man, someone good-looking and charming who loves giving gifts and doing small gestures. You know the kind.â⬠ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t, actually,â⬠she said wistfully. ââ¬Å"All my boyfriends have been jerks.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, thatââ¬â¢s going to change,â⬠he promised. I knew quite a bit about Tarot cards, actually. The Hierophant represented tradition, wisdom, and organized religion. He wasnââ¬â¢t exactly a romantic figure, particularly considering he was usually depicted as a priest. ââ¬Å"Why is he dressed so weird?â⬠asked the girl. ââ¬Å"He looks like heââ¬â¢s in robes.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not weird,â⬠Dante said. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s opulent. Remember, the Tarot is an ancient system. A guy dressed like this represented the height of fashion back in the old days. You know, a real designer label kind of guy.â⬠I caught Danteââ¬â¢s gaze and rolled my eyes. He maintained his poker face and flipped the next card. ââ¬Å"Things are looking good,â⬠he declared. ââ¬Å"The Tower.â⬠The Tower was pretty much the worst card in the deck. ââ¬Å"This shows you guys have a promising future.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why is it on fire?â⬠she asked. ââ¬Å"And why are people falling out of the windows?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s all symbolic,â⬠he said hastily. ââ¬Å"And although things look really good for when you meet this guy, it means you have to be cautious and read the signs around you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, wow,â⬠she said. ââ¬Å"I hope I can.â⬠Dante gathered up the cards and stacked them neatly. ââ¬Å"Well, I can help if you want. I could give you a package set of readings at a discount. That way, youââ¬â¢ll have a guide as you go along. Youââ¬â¢ll be prepared for when you meet him.â⬠I sincerely doubted she was ever going to meet this mythical guy. ââ¬Å"How much?â⬠she asked hesitantly. ââ¬Å"Hmm, letââ¬â¢s see.â⬠Dante turned speculative. ââ¬Å"Well, theyââ¬â¢re normally fifty dollars. Usually, I give a five-dollar discount for packagesâ⬠¦but, hell. I really want to see this work. Iââ¬â¢m a romantic myself, you know? Itââ¬â¢s a stretch, but Iââ¬â¢ll do a set of six for forty dollars each. You can buy them now and then come in whenever you want to claim them.â⬠The girl deliberated, and I wanted to yell at her that it was a scam. But I needed Danteââ¬â¢s advice and didnââ¬â¢t want to get on his bad side. Not that I was necessarily on his good side right now. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want to pressure you,â⬠he told her gently. ââ¬Å"So, please. Donââ¬â¢t feel obligated. Just do whatever your heart tells you to do. I mean, if the cards have told us anything, itââ¬â¢s that you have to protect your heart now as you enter this important stage of your life.â⬠That sold her. ââ¬Å"Okay. Iââ¬â¢ll do it.â⬠I watched in disbelief as the two of them walked to his register. She handed over two-hundred-forty dollars ââ¬â plus tax ââ¬â and he gave her a Tarot punch card, not unlike what youââ¬â¢d get at a coffee or sandwich shop. ââ¬Å"You should be ashamed of yourself,â⬠I told him when she was gone. ââ¬Å"Succubus. Nice to see you too.â⬠ââ¬Å"That wasnââ¬â¢t a romance reading.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nope,â⬠he agreed, coming over to stand beside me. ââ¬Å"It actually suggested sheââ¬â¢d soon be having a sex change and joining a suicide cult.â⬠ââ¬Å"But you told her it was about love.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s twenty years old. Loveââ¬â¢s all they want to hear about at that age.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re going to Hell.â⬠ââ¬Å"I could have told you that. In fact, I did tell you that last time, didnââ¬â¢t I? Now. What can I do for you? You change your mind about the sex?â⬠ââ¬Å"No. Of course not.â⬠He looked offended. ââ¬Å"Of course not? Whatââ¬â¢s with the attitude? Iââ¬â¢m not that unappealing.â⬠ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I agreed. He looked like he still hadnââ¬â¢t shaved in a couple days, and there was something very sexy about that and the way his indigo T-shirt fit him. I hadnââ¬â¢t realized before what nice ab muscles he had. Probably the lack of business around here gave him lots of time to work out. ââ¬Å"But thatââ¬â¢s not why Iââ¬â¢m here. And honestly, if this behavior is just the tip of the iceberg, Iââ¬â¢m thinking your soul isnââ¬â¢t going to be worth my time anyway.â⬠He threw his hands in the air. ââ¬Å"She comes and insults me, then expects help. So what is it you want? Your dishwasher finally break?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, but I had the dream again. And there was more.â⬠I recapped it, and he listened, face unreadable. ââ¬Å"You sure you donââ¬â¢t want a new dishwasher?â⬠he asked dubiously. ââ¬Å"No!â⬠ââ¬Å"What about kids?â⬠ââ¬Å"What about them?â⬠ââ¬Å"You want them?â⬠I fell silent, and despite his lopsided smile, I could see Dante scrutinizing me. He might be a con artist, but he was smart. The best ones always are. People like him make their living reading people and exploiting little things ââ¬â like that girlââ¬â¢s longing for romance. ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t matter,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"You know that. I canââ¬â¢t have them.â⬠ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t ask that, succubus. I asked if you wanted them.â⬠I averted my eyes, studying the crystal ball. With the way the sunlight hit it, I suspected it was actually plastic. ââ¬Å"Sure. I did even when I was mortal. If I could have kids now, I would.â⬠He nodded, and for the first time, I got the impression he might almost be taking me seriously. Almost. ââ¬Å"And let me guess. You woke up without energy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes, and Iââ¬â¢d gotten a victim the night before. Just like last time.â⬠His face turned speculative. ââ¬Å"Interesting. It only happens when youââ¬â¢re charged up.â⬠ââ¬Å"What do you think it means?â⬠ââ¬Å"Dunno. Might not mean anything.â⬠ââ¬Å"It has to! Iââ¬â¢m losing energy for no reason at all.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re stressed,â⬠he argued. ââ¬Å"And youââ¬â¢re, like, one of the most uptight people Iââ¬â¢ve ever met ââ¬â immortal or otherwise. Youââ¬â¢ve spent centuries wishing you could get knocked up. You have this celibate boyfriend thing going on. And you work for that demon, right? The one who looks like Matthew Broderick?â⬠ââ¬Å"John Cusack,â⬠I corrected. ââ¬Å"He looks like John Cusack.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatever. Thatââ¬â¢s enough to tax anybody. Your dreams are manifestations of the woes in your life, coming out of your subconscious in vivid, energy-sucking ways.â⬠ââ¬Å"You are so unhelpful. Your dream expertise is a scam ââ¬â like everything else.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nah. Not everything I do is a scam. I know dreams. I know spells. And I know what could help you.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠He pointed to the counter. ââ¬Å"You and me. Up there. Naked. Horizontal.â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Wow, you really werenââ¬â¢t lying. You are a romantic.â⬠ââ¬Å"A pragmatist. And an opportunist.â⬠ââ¬Å"A sleazy guy, treating me like a cheap whoreâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Fuck, I havenââ¬â¢t been laid in months, and now this succubus shows up wanting my help. Youââ¬â¢d try to bargain for sex too.â⬠I eyed him warily. ââ¬Å"Is that what this is about? I have to sleep with you to get help?â⬠Dante shoved his hands in his pockets. ââ¬Å"Nope. Youââ¬â¢d be more fun if you were willing, I think. Besides, I have no other help to give.â⬠Disappointed, I made motions to leave. ââ¬Å"Okay. Thanks. Sort of.â⬠ââ¬Å"You know what else might help?â⬠he called after me. ââ¬Å"If it involves sex ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"A vacation. At the very least, a massage. Basic stress reliever things.â⬠Those were actually reasonable things, and I was pleasantly surprised to see his mind wasnââ¬â¢t always in the gutter. ââ¬Å"They can help,â⬠I told him. ââ¬Å"But I doubt a massage will fix the problems in my life.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe. Maybe not. But if you want a free oneâ⬠¦a naked free oneâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I left. Iââ¬â¢d already felt like my romance with Seth was some infinite loop tape reel. The rest of my life apparently was too. Have the same dream, go to Dante, get no help, go to work, and ruminate. Because thatââ¬â¢s exactly how my day was unfolding, just like before. I went through the motions of paperwork and customer service at Emerald City, all the while consumed by images of the little girl in the dream and the sweet fantasy of having a daughter. My heart ached to see her again, to see that smile. Everything at my job seemed so shallow and meaningless compared with her. When work ended, I brought Maddie back to my apartment to make good on my promise to get her a date. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re going to sell me?â⬠she exclaimed when I told her the plan. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s an auction,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"For a childrenââ¬â¢s charity. You donââ¬â¢t hate kids, do you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, no, but ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Then thisââ¬â¢ll be great. Here, try this on.â⬠I tossed her a BCBG shopping bag. She eyed it warily. ââ¬Å"Isnââ¬â¢t that a place for teenagers?â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a place for anybody with style,â⬠I assured her. She opened the bag and pulled out the knee-length dress Iââ¬â¢d picked up for her the other day. It was silk chiffon with a dark pink geometric print. The empire waist had a slightly gathered top, and the V-neck had a bow that tied underneath it. Fluttery cap sleeves finished it off. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t wear this,â⬠she said immediately. ââ¬Å"Why? Because itââ¬â¢ll look good?â⬠She shot me a glare. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s hardly anything there.â⬠ââ¬Å"What? Thereââ¬â¢s plenty.â⬠I owned lots of dresses that had ââ¬Å"hardly anything there.â⬠This was elegant and tasteful. Amish country compared to some of my clothing. ââ¬Å"Try it on, and weââ¬â¢ll see.â⬠She did, reluctantly, and I could have crowed with delight when she stepped out of my bathroom. Iââ¬â¢d totally nailed the size. It fit perfectly. ââ¬Å"There isnââ¬â¢t an extra inch here,â⬠she fretted, pulling at the fabric around the waist. ââ¬Å"Exactly.â⬠ââ¬Å"Doesnââ¬â¢t it make me look fat?â⬠ââ¬Å"It makes you look great. If it were spandex or something, there might be a problem, but this is light and drapey.â⬠ââ¬Å"The necklineââ¬â¢s awfully low ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Oh, be quiet,â⬠I snapped. ââ¬Å"And letââ¬â¢s finish the rest of you.â⬠I did her makeup and arranged her hair down for a change. It shone like black silk when brushed out, and I thought it was a shame she wore it in a haphazard ponytail so often. Besides, everyone knows that in the movies, shy girls always become beautiful by letting down their hair and taking off their glasses. Maddie already wore contacts, but the principle was still sound. I finally finished her off with half-heeled shoes Iââ¬â¢d bought to match the dress. Higher ones would have looked better, but even I knew when not to press my luck. Satisfied with the results, we headed out to the auction. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re like my fairy godmother,â⬠she muttered as we walked into the hotel the event was being held at. ââ¬Å"But Iââ¬â¢m still a pumpkin.â⬠I elbowed her. ââ¬Å"How did you get so negative? You should start some angstful emo rock band to compete with Dougââ¬â¢s.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, yeah. Thatââ¬â¢d go over ââ¬â hey, is that Seth?â⬠We were cutting across the open room the auction would take place in, heading toward the volunteersââ¬â¢ area. Lots of people had gathered, filling most of the round tables facing the stage. I followed her gesture to where Seth sat at one of the few tables that wasnââ¬â¢t already full. Seeing us notice him, he held up his hand in greeting. ââ¬Å"He wanted to come support you,â⬠I told her. Actually, Seth had been appalled at me strong-arming Maddie into this and had attended mainly out of a perverse fascination at what he thought might end in disaster. But Maddie, not knowing his motives, was pleasantly surprised. She smiled, and I nearly swooned. ââ¬Å"That,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"That right there is what you need to do.â⬠The smile dropped. ââ¬Å"That what?â⬠Hugh practically skipped over when he saw us. ââ¬Å"I knew you didnââ¬â¢t hate kids. I knew youââ¬â¢d cave and come help ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Not me,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Maddie.â⬠I rested a hand on her shoulder. Hughââ¬â¢s face turned perfectly blank. ââ¬Å"Oh?â⬠Just then, a tall brunette in a black satin evening dress strolled over. The ââ¬Å"fucking fox,â⬠presumably. She extended her hand. ââ¬Å"Hello, Iââ¬â¢m Deanna, the coordinator. You must be Hughââ¬â¢s friend?â⬠ââ¬Å"Georgina,â⬠I said, shaking. ââ¬Å"But Maddie here is your volunteer. Sheââ¬â¢s a journalist for an important womenââ¬â¢s magazine.â⬠Deannaââ¬â¢s eyes lit up. ââ¬Å"Ah! We love celebrities. Let me take down your information.â⬠She led Maddie away. As soon as they were gone, Hugh turned on me. ââ¬Å"What the hell? I wanted Georgina, and you give me Georgy Girl.â⬠ââ¬Å"You are such an asshole. Thatââ¬â¢s a horrible thing to say.â⬠He shrugged, eyes on Maddie. ââ¬Å"I call ââ¬â¢em like I see ââ¬â¢em. Sheââ¬â¢s huge.â⬠My eyes were on Maddie too. She actually looked quite slim in the dress, but Hugh was one of those guys who liked bony types ââ¬â so long as their chests were big enough. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re the reason women have such horrible self-esteem issues. You tear them apart. Women, I mean. Not the issues.â⬠ââ¬Å"Look, Iââ¬â¢m sure sheââ¬â¢s not all bad,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"She probably gives good head.â⬠I rolled my eyes. ââ¬Å"Flatterer. Why do you say that?â⬠ââ¬Å"Fat girls always do. They have to. Only way they can get men.â⬠I punched him in the arm. Hard. ââ¬Å"Ow! Fuck, that hurt.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re a jerk,â⬠I told him. ââ¬Å"Maddieââ¬â¢s beautiful.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s okay,â⬠he said, rubbing his injured arm. ââ¬Å"And I canââ¬â¢t exactly have just okay tonight ââ¬â not with that liability already on deck.â⬠He pointed over to where some of the other volunteers waited. Immediately, I found what he referred to. It was easy because Tawny towered over the other women by about a foot. ââ¬Å"Holy Christ,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"How did that happen?â⬠He threw up his hands, looking miserable. ââ¬Å"She latched on to the idea when you mentioned it at the bar.â⬠ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t even think she heard me,â⬠I said apologetically. Hugh waved me toward the crowd. ââ¬Å"Too late now. Go have a seat, Brutus, so this disaster can get under way. Youââ¬â¢ve ruined the night. I donââ¬â¢t know why you hate kids so much.â⬠I gave him a parting glare and went off to find Seth. The vampires had joined him since Iââ¬â¢d come in. ââ¬Å"You guys here to get a date or a victim?â⬠I asked. ââ¬Å"Neither,â⬠said Peter. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢re here to see the Tawny Show.â⬠I sighed. ââ¬Å"This is supposed to be a charity event, and people are treating it like a freak show. Hugh already accused me of ruining it by bringing Maddie.â⬠Seth looked surprised. ââ¬Å"Why? She looks great.â⬠I pointed her out to Peter and Cody, who also concurred about her cuteness. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢ll be fine,â⬠said Cody. ââ¬Å"Tawnyââ¬â¢s going to be the one to watch. I havenââ¬â¢t really been able to see what sheââ¬â¢s wearing. I hope itââ¬â¢s up to her usual standards.â⬠ââ¬Å"Maybe her Secret Santa will get her some nicer clothes,â⬠said Peter. He glanced at me. ââ¬Å"You bought for yours yet?â⬠ââ¬Å"Huh?â⬠Right. Carter. Iââ¬â¢d completely forgotten. Buying something for that cynical angel hadnââ¬â¢t exactly been at the top of my priority list. ââ¬Å"I, um, have some ideas. Still thinking about it.â⬠ââ¬Å"What about a Christmas tree? You got one of those?â⬠ââ¬Å"Um, havenââ¬â¢t done that either.â⬠ââ¬Å"I didnââ¬â¢t know you wanted a Christmas tree,â⬠said Seth. ââ¬Å"Do you need help picking one out?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, I don ââ¬â ââ¬Å" The auction started, cutting me off. The auctioneer, Nick, was a young guy in his early thirties who probably had a second job doing minor modeling contracts that would never actually get him out of Seattle. He smiled non-stop and did a good job flirting with the women and making guy-jokes to the men. Bids flew fast and furious, and it was easy to get caught up in the excitement. ââ¬Å"Next up,â⬠said the auctioneer, reading from a card, ââ¬Å"is Tawny Johnson.â⬠ââ¬Å"Johnson?â⬠asked Cody. ââ¬Å"Kind of boring.â⬠ââ¬Å"She made up both her names,â⬠I said. Succubi often did. ââ¬Å"She probably didnââ¬â¢t have any mental energy left after choosing the first one.â⬠ââ¬Å"Ouch,â⬠said Seth. ââ¬Å"Whoââ¬â¢s being mean now?â⬠ââ¬Å"You havenââ¬â¢t met her,â⬠I warned. Tawny pranced up, wearing seven-inch high-heeled shoes that appeared to be made out of stainless steel. They looked like medieval torture devices but matched her super-tight, silver lam?à ¦ hot pants and jacket. ââ¬Å"She didnââ¬â¢t disappoint,â⬠said Cody, studying the outfit. Unsurprisingly, she stumbled the last couple of steps, and Nick reached out to steady her. ââ¬Å"Careful there,â⬠he said, flashing his brilliant white teeth. ââ¬Å"Men are supposed to fall all over you.â⬠It took her a moment to get the joke, and then she burst into small, high-pitched giggles. The noise grated on my nerves, but Nick seemed quite pleased to have someone appreciate his jokes. ââ¬Å"Why donââ¬â¢t you tell us a little bit about yourself, Tawny,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"It says here youââ¬â¢re currently unemployed. Does that mean youââ¬â¢re out looking for something right now?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, Nick, Iââ¬â¢m out looking for someone right now ââ¬â if you know what I mean.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh my God,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"That was kind of funny,â⬠Peter noted. ââ¬Å"No, it wasnââ¬â¢t.â⬠Nick apparently agreed with Peter. He threw back his head and laughed. ââ¬Å"Careful there, guysâ⬠¦we got a dangerous one on our hands. Tell me, Tawny, what is it youââ¬â¢re looking for in a man?â⬠She pursed her red-lacquered lips in deep thought. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m looking for heart, Nick. Heart and soul. Those are the most important things.â⬠There was a collective ââ¬Å"awwâ⬠from the audience. Beside me, Peter said, ââ¬Å"Okay, the soul thing really was funny. Only to us, of course, but still.â⬠Tawny then winked at the crowd. ââ¬Å"But stamina and a big checkbook can make up for that sometimes.â⬠Nick waited for the audienceââ¬â¢s laughter to fade. ââ¬Å"Okay, letââ¬â¢s start the bidding at fifty ââ¬â oh my God.â⬠Tawny had taken off her jacket, revealing a zebra-print bandeau top underneath. ââ¬ËTopââ¬â¢ was a dubious term at best, though. When wrapped around her enormous bust, it looked more like a rubber band and really only served to cover her nipples. Bids exploded from the audience, much to the astonishment of my friends and me. More surprising still was when Nick the auctioneer actually joined in. ââ¬Å"Folks, I know this is a bit unusualâ⬠¦but, well, I just canââ¬â¢t help myself. Three-hundred dollars.â⬠ââ¬Å"Three-fifty!â⬠ââ¬Å"Four-hundred!â⬠In the end, Nick was the one who ended up winning her, paying a startling five-fifty. ââ¬Å"Well, Iââ¬â¢ll be damned,â⬠said Peter. I would have made a joke about his comment if I wasnââ¬â¢t so shocked. When I finally found my voice, it was to say, ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦this is a good thing, right? That guy looks like heââ¬â¢d sleep with her right now.â⬠ââ¬Å"And,â⬠added Cody, ââ¬Å"it was all for the kids.â⬠Slowly, my astonishment faded into relief. This was an unexpected twist to the evening. The Tawny problem was fixed. Apparently, all weââ¬â¢d needed to do was essentially run an ad for her. Sheââ¬â¢d sleep with him, and Niphon would get off my back. One less thing for me to worry about ââ¬â which was good, because I certainly had plenty of other things. Like Maddie. It was her turn next. She walked out, face grim and set for battle. She looked both terrified and terrifying. In spite of that hard countenance, I still saw a few interested faces in the audience. ââ¬Å"Smile, smile,â⬠I muttered to no one in particular. ââ¬Å"Maddie Sato,â⬠said Nick cheerily. ââ¬Å"You write magazine articles. Anything Iââ¬â¢d know?â⬠ââ¬Å"Probably not,â⬠she said, still wearing that grimace. ââ¬Å"Not unless you read feminist publications.â⬠ââ¬Å"Feminist,â⬠he said, clearly amused. ââ¬Å"Next youââ¬â¢ll be telling us you hate men.â⬠She gave him a blank look. ââ¬Å"I only hate stupid men who donââ¬â¢t actually understand what ââ¬Ëfeministââ¬â¢ means.â⬠He laughed. ââ¬Å"You run into a lot of men like that?â⬠ââ¬Å"All the time.â⬠ââ¬Å"Really?â⬠ââ¬Å"Even as we speak, Nick.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh no she didnââ¬â¢t,â⬠said Peter. I groaned. It took Nick a full ten seconds to realize he had just been insulted. Then, for the first time that night, he stopped smiling. Turning to the crowd, he said flatly, ââ¬Å"Okay, letââ¬â¢s start the bidding at fifty.â⬠Silence met him. The interested faces no longer looked so interested. I swallowed a scream. No, this couldnââ¬â¢t be happening. Iââ¬â¢d promised her a date. This would destroy her. After what seemed like an eternity, I heard a voice in the back of the room. ââ¬Å"Fifty.â⬠Relieved, I craned my head and looked. The guy who had bid was about fifty years old and looked exactly like this pedophile Iââ¬â¢d once seen on a news special. ââ¬Å"Fifty,â⬠said Nick. ââ¬Å"Do I hear seventy-five?â⬠Silence. I turned to Seth. ââ¬Å"Do something!â⬠I hissed. He flinched. ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Going onceâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I elbowed him, and his hand shot up. ââ¬Å"Seventy-five.â⬠There was a collective ââ¬Å"oohââ¬â¢ in the room. Apparently no one, including Maddie, had expected a bidding war for the belligerent man-hater. Her eyes widened in surprise. ââ¬Å"One hundred,â⬠said the pedophile look-alike. Then, either to end this quickly or because he felt sorry for Maddie, Seth said, ââ¬Å"Three hundred.â⬠More sounds of astonishment followed. The other bidder couldnââ¬â¢t compete; he must have spent all his money on bail. ââ¬Å"Sold to the gentleman in the Welcome Back, Kotter T-shirt.â⬠ââ¬Å"Nice,â⬠said Cody, as Maddie exited the stage. I reached out and squeezed Sethââ¬â¢s hand. ââ¬Å"Thank you.â⬠He gave me his half-smile. ââ¬Å"Anything for the kids.â⬠Nick flipped to his next card. ââ¬Å"And now we haveâ⬠¦Georgina Kincaid.â⬠My head shot up. Across the room, I saw Hughââ¬â¢s smirking face. ââ¬Å"Oh no he didnââ¬â¢t,â⬠I said through gritted teeth. Nick, puzzled, glanced toward where the other auctionees were. ââ¬Å"Georgina Kincaid?â⬠ââ¬Å"No avoiding it,â⬠Peter told me. ââ¬Å"Might as well go up there. Otherwise peopleââ¬â¢ll think you hate kids.â⬠ââ¬Å"That joke is getting old,â⬠I hissed. Vowing to slap Hugh later, I reluctantly rose from my chair. Upon seeing me, Nick turned on the supernova smile. ââ¬Å"Ah, there she is. Fashionably late.â⬠On the subject of fashion, I wished Iââ¬â¢d worn something as nice as Maddieââ¬â¢s dress. I might have just gotten tricked into this thing, but now I wished I could do it right. I still looked good; my normal sense of aesthetics would allow for nothing less. I had on a black skirt and a purple cashmere sweater, my hair in a ponytail. In tiny increments ââ¬â too slow and small for anyone to notice ââ¬â I tightened the sweater around my figure and made the neckline bigger. I put a saunter into my hips and pulled out my ponytail tie, shaking out my hair. It had worked for Maddie and countless nerdy movie girls. It would work for me because I suddenly had a serious issue at stake here. There was no way on Godââ¬â¢s green earth that I was going for less than Tawny. ââ¬Å"Georgina,â⬠said Nick, helping me onto the stage. ââ¬Å"My notes say you prefer Georgie.â⬠Yeah, Hugh was definitely getting slapped. ââ¬Å"And that you run a bookstore.â⬠If Iââ¬â¢d taken a victim recently and had succubus glamour on me, I wouldnââ¬â¢t have to do a single thing except stand there. I wouldnââ¬â¢t even have to smile. Now Iââ¬â¢d have to work a little. Quickly, I assessed this crowd. The kinds of guys who came to events like this tended to be white-collar professionals with disposable income. Some would be here simply because philanthropy was trendy and good for the image, and this was a stylish way to do it. Others, while perhaps not desperate, were nonetheless intellects and introverts who found this a good opportunity to meet women. These men all wanted smart, competent women ââ¬â women who were also pretty, of course. And witâ⬠¦wit always went over well. I gave Nick, then the audience, a heart-stopping smile. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s right. I organize events, bring in money, make sure everything looks good, and whip people into shape.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sounds like a lot of work,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"Or,â⬠I said, ââ¬Å"an excellent first date.â⬠There was no cymbal crash, but my punch line elicited the laughs Iââ¬â¢d hoped for. ââ¬Å"You have some high expectations,â⬠said Nick. ââ¬Å"Well, I think everyone should. Why settle? If a guy meets my expectations, Iââ¬â¢ll meet his. And in the end, itââ¬â¢s all about sense of humor and a conversation that wonââ¬â¢t put me to sleep.â⬠I realized I sounded vaguely like a Miss America contestant, but maybe there wasnââ¬â¢t much difference. I could see from the intrigue in the audience that Iââ¬â¢d made a good impression. ââ¬Å"This oneââ¬â¢s a keeper,â⬠said Nick. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s start at fifty for Georgie.â⬠I got my fifty and then some. Bids flew around the room. At one point, I glanced at Seth. Our eyes met, and I could tell by his expression that he was on the verge of bidding. I shook my head. He was the only one I wanted to go out with in this room, but I didnââ¬â¢t want to taint Maddieââ¬â¢s win. I wanted her to feel special. Besides, I also didnââ¬â¢t want Seth to blow that much money. I went for seventeen-hundred dollars. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t believe that,â⬠Maddie whispered to me afterward. ââ¬Å"I think youââ¬â¢re the highest one so far. The guy looked cute too.â⬠He had. Late thirties. Armani suit. Harmless. Nobody I planned on establishing anything meaningful with, but heââ¬â¢d do for a casual date. Maybe an energy fix if I decided to use this body. ââ¬Å"You brought in some money yourself,â⬠I teased. Her eyes found Seth, sitting across the room, and studied him speculatively. ââ¬Å"Seth probably did it because he felt sorry for me.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course not,â⬠I said quickly. She still looked skeptical. ââ¬Å"Well, it doesnââ¬â¢t matter. Iââ¬â¢d rather drink coffee and talk shop with him than go out with some sleazy guy. That other bidder reminded me of this sex offender I saw on TV onceâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ When the auction wound down, I exchanged contact info with my buyer for a future date. Hugh attached himself to Deanna and stayed as far away from me as possible. No worries. Iââ¬â¢d have plenty of time to deal with him later. Tawny, fortunately, also stayed away from me and clung to Nickââ¬â¢s arm. I watched them like a proud parent. Tonight was going to be a great night. How to cite Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 7, Essay examples
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Finance and Accounting Principles
Questions: 1) Why do companies with defined benefit pension and opebs plans account for gains and losses on pension plan assets and liabilities in their income statement? 2) Research how such gains and losses can be reported for pensions and opebs under the FASBs ASC. In what different ways can managers choose to measure them over time?3) Which method had Ford management used previously to measure its gains and losses? Examine the third quarter Form 10-Q for 2015, Fords most recent financial report filing before the change. What are the cumulative effects of using this method on the companys balance sheet?4) Now examine the tables from the Form 8-K Ford filed with the SEC. The tables provide income statement information for the most recent 3 years of the 5 years for which Ford retroactively restated its records to reflect the change in measurement.a. What impact did the retroactive restatement have on these 3 years incomes?b. What impact will it have had on Fords balance sheet (which Ford did n ot disclose)?5) How do you expect investors to react, from the following standpoints:a. To the overall impact of the change on the company?b. To the informativeness of Fords accounting and disclosures moving forward? Answers: 1. In case of pension plans, companies are responsible for reporting pension gain or loss in the income statement. A pension plan is considered as agreement in which employer provides employees with defined or estimated benefits in exchange for current or past services. The pension benefits are not provided to the employee currently rather they are form of deferred compensation and employees receive the benefits at the time of retirement of post retirement. So, certain expenses are incurred by an organization that must be reported in the income statement. Pension accounting is based on accrual accounting (Spiceland, Sepe and Nelson 2013). In case of calculation of pension expenses, the employers must report the effects of gain or losses in income statement. Market instability impacts on pension expenses. The gain or loss components related to pension benefits shows the changes in the employers projected benefit obligation and the market impact on plan assets. Such as prior service co st generally increases the employers pension expenses, but can decrease the expenses if the employer does not provide retroactive pension benefits. Service and interest cost always increase pension expenses. The rate of return normally decreases pension expenses, but can increase it if the assets incur a loss. So, companies need to recognize the gain or loss of pension and OPEB in the statement to show the true picture. 2. There are different approaches for measuring the pension plan gains or losses such as minimum gain or loss amortization using the Corridor Approach and expected versus actual return. According to corridor approach, the amount of gain or loss is calculated as follows: (i) Current year unexpected gain or loss = (Current year actual return Current year expected return) (ii) Current year amortized gain or loss = {Beginning of year accumulated other comprehensive income (Gain or loss) Corridor amount}/Average remaining service life Current year amortized gain or loss is the summation of current year unexpected gain or loss and current year amortized gain or loss. Corridor amount is equal to the 10% of the larger of both projected benefit obligation and plan assets (Weygandt, Kimmel and Kieso 2012). According to method of expected return versus actual return, the pension gain or loss is the difference between the expected return and actual return. This is also referred to as unexpected gain or loss. Asset gain occurs when actual return is greater than expected return and asset loss occurs when actual return is less than expected return, gain or loss is recorded in Other Comprehensive Income (Gain or Loss). Prior year Gains Losses are accumulated in the account, expected return reduces the pension expense divided between actual return and unexpected gain or loss, the other comprehensive income includes two accounts Prior Service Cost) other comprehensive income: Gains Losses (Miller-Nobles, Mattison and Matsumara 2014). 3. Ford management has used the corridor approach for recognizing the pension gain or losses. This method has significant impact on the balance sheet (such as retained earnings and accumulated OCI). It is common for companies to capitalize the compensation costs (including net periodic pension expense). So, it also creates effect on the certain items of balance sheet such as inventory and fixed assets. On the side, it creates effect on the in legal contracts and financial leverage ratios (such as debt equity ratio). 4. It has found that retroactive statement has created impact on the income and also EPS of Ford. In 2013, it can be seen that net income attributable to Ford has increased from the previous reported profit. On the other side, EPS has also increased due increasing attributable income. In case of 2014, it is opposite. Net income attributable to ford motor has decreased from previously reported income. In 2015, it has increased again. The retroactive statement has created impact on the Other assets and Other liabilities and deferred revenue. It has reduced other assets by $301 million and increased revenue by $481 million. 5. Investor can show both positive and reaction on the overall impact of the change of the company. They can thing that changing of policy can improve the performance of the company can generate more revenues and profits. Actions can be taken more effectively to improve the performance. On the other side, they can show negative reaction if the company does not able to show the improvement. But after reporting financial statements, it has found that the earnings of the company have increased. So, it can attract investors to invest in the shares. The company has applied new accounting concept which can help to disclose more clear information about the company (Hoggett 2012). The accounting concept is changing sue to cope up with issues. Most of the firms are trying to apply fair value accounting for generating more useful information to provide support in decision making process. Reference List Hoggett, J., 2012.Accounting. Milton, Qld.: John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd. Miller-Nobles, T., Mattison, B. and Matsumara, E., 2014.Horngren's accounting. Boston: Pearson. Spiceland, J., Sepe, J. and Nelson, M., 2013.Intermediate accounting. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Weygandt, J., Kimmel, P. and Kieso, D., 2012.Accounting principles. Hoboken, NJ: J. Wiley Sons.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Mcbeth Impact Of Hallucinations Essays - McBeth,
Mcbeth: Impact Of Hallucinations # #Penapc Thursday, October 12, 2000 Shakespears The Tragedy of McBeth: Impact of Hallucinations I believe that the hallucinations viewed by McBeth played an important part in the whole story. It was one of those important factors that determined the outcome. McBeth as a leader should show only strength and no signs of weakness is acceptable. McBeth's judgment begins to deteriorate once he sees these hallucinations. When McBeth sees a dagger floating and hovering above his head he is viewed by the rest of the characters in the room as a lunatic. This is not a feature a great leader is distinguished by. McBeth is characterized as a tragic hero and a tragic hero is one who has the potential of being a great leader but causes his own downfall by his own weakness. This is who McBeth is. In the play, McBeth is supposedly a cold-blooded murderer who would do anything to protect his throne. He should dare to slain a child and walk away without remorse. When McBeth murdered his own, Banquo, he did not show any sentiments in killing him. Which depicts McBeth as an evil king with no heart. Later McBeth begins to see the ghost of Banquo. There in a room full of people he begins to speak to himself, or so the others think he is. Lady McBeth begins to think that her husband has lost it and when others see McBeth in this position they lose respect which brings McBeth to the ground. At the end McBeth reveals his weaker side at the battle when he confronts McDuff whom later slains McBeth. McBeth already saw his end coming as he had mentioned and I believe that McBeth could have won this battle if he wanted to. This is how these hallucinations affected McBeth and began to defeat him.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
How To Use Google Docs For Blogging And Marketing
How To Use Google Docs For Blogging And Marketing Google Docs is where I do my blogging. Iââ¬â¢ve mentioned it before, and listed my reasons, which include everything from interface to how it fits into my blogging workflow for both myself and freelance clients. Letââ¬â¢s not forget to mention that it is free. There are a lot of other places you can do your blogging (Evernote, OneNote, WordPress), and there are good reasons to use them. Some of those tools, such as WordPress, can be extended through plugins to get them to do all that you need them to. But now that you can easily attach your Google Docs into , letââ¬â¢s take a look at why Google Docs is a great place, from both writing and cooperative standpoints. How To Use Google Docs To Simplify Your Blogging And Marketing via @JulieNeidlinger The Writing Experience The experience you have when writing matters. This means the actual writing as well as everything else that goes into writing your blog post, such as research. The experience you have when writing matters. #bloggingLess distracting writing. I love, love, love distraction-free writing. The appearance of the tool Iââ¬â¢m using has an effect on how well I write. While Google Docs isnââ¬â¢t technically ââ¬Å"distraction freeâ⬠(it actually has a lot of formatting options available on the writing screen), there is a strong semblance to it. Google has been steadily adjusting all of its products across the board to a more consistent and user-friendly appearance, and Google Docs is no different. Part of removing the distraction of writing is removing the decisions you have to make to get to the actual process of writing. Google Docs, particularly if you are already a Google Drive or Google products user, makes it easy to get going on writing without having to deal with much beyond a few clicks. Portable writing and copy. Portability is more than a handy feature, especially if you are working either outside the geography of a typical office or outside of your blogging platform. Freelancers and those with writing clients, especially, have this experience. Not everyone is using the same blogging platform or wants to give access to their blogging platform to outside writers. There are two approaches to portable copy that I want to cover: working offline and flexible copy. Working offline:à Using Google Drive apps on your Chromebook or mobile device, you can write blog posts when you donââ¬â¢t have an Internet connection. I frequently write on my Chromebook in the offline mode on airplanes or in hotels without an Internet connection. While you wonââ¬â¢t have access to online research tools, you can get basic writing done. Flexible copy:à Yes, Google Docs can export your copy in several formats, but what youââ¬â¢ll probably do most often is copy and paste into a blogging platform. Google Docs does a good job of exporting clean HTML right into WordPress (save for adding the b tag to the h tags). Unless you get really fussy with your text styling, Google Docs has improved a great deal when it comes to copying and pasting text without excess formatting. Thereââ¬â¢s some additional good news regarding just how portable copy is for users, andà weââ¬â¢ll cover that at the end of the post. Write in Google Docs even when you're offline, then transfer to and into WordPress....Built-in research tools. While doing research with a search engine is easy enough, Google Docs has some tools that make it possible to do it all right from your Docs screen without having to hop into other tabs. Tools: Google Docs comes with a lot of built-in tools. You can access these from the main menu as well. The handy one is the ââ¬Å"researchâ⬠tool, which allows you to do sidebar Google searches. You can do a general search, or break down many specific kinds of searches (for example, just Google Images or just Google Scholar). If youââ¬â¢re doing all of your writing in Google Docs, you can even do a personal search of your own content on Google. Add-ons: You can grab add-ons from the main menu. Thereââ¬â¢s a pretty good selection depending on what you need. I have added a bibliography creator, document navigator (for the longer writing projects), one to manage workflows, and so on. Adding them to your Google Docs is done while in an actual document. Itââ¬â¢s not as if you canââ¬â¢t do these searches or find these tools elsewhere in standalone tools, but again, if youââ¬â¢re like me, you have enough tabs open at any given moment. Sometimes its nice to be able to do the research in the same place without always jumping back and forth. Thatââ¬â¢s part of simplifying your blogging workflow. Organizing Your Workflow And Your Work While research and writing tools are handy, Google Docs really shines when it comes to working with others. Whether with team members or with clients, it has both discussion and organizational tools that are helpful. Setting up folders. Google allows you to write a basic description of the folders and files found in your Google Drive. As a freelance blogger, I give each writing client their own folder. I then use the description of their folder to add notes about client requirements, such as word counts, contact information, and other copy specifications. This makes it easier to keep important information straight. For your blogging team, you might organize your folders based on blogging category, content campaigns, or workflow process (e.g. Ideas, In Progress, Review, To Publish). You can use the folder description to alert your team to what that category of content should be about, notes on the campaign from a team meeting, or the ââ¬Å"rulesâ⬠of using your workflow properly. Even if you are a solo blogger, using folders properly in Google Docs will keep your Google Drive from becoming a huge mess. You may have a folder for images, ideas, for research- whatever fits how you work. The descriptions on each folder are a great place for notes of things you need to remember for any content that goes inside. While Google Docs has a great search function, thatââ¬â¢s no excuse to be haphazard. How I Set Up My Folders: Being both a solo blogger and a freelance blogger, I put folders to work. I have the following top-level folders in regards to my blogging: Clients:à I changed the color to red for this folder so it stands out. Each folder inside of it is a client. The description of those individual client folders tells me, at a glance, word count and important client expectations. Blogging: This folder is for my own blogging. I have subfolders for actual blog posts, ideas (blog posts started or outlined but not yet written), and research (where I save PDFs of websites using the Ctrl-P and ââ¬Å"Save To Google Driveâ⬠option on my Chromebook). I also have, not in a subfolder, a few spreadsheets (analytics, headline ideas, etc.). I save research as a PDF because sometimes Web pages and ebooks disappear, and I want to be able to reference them in future blog posts. I have a few subfolders in the research folder to organize those PDFs by category so when it comes time to write on a related topic, I just have to hop in and see what Iââ¬â¢ve discovered while surfing the Web earlier. I also have a Google Doc in each subfolder where I save quotes and interesting snippets from books and magazines Iââ¬â¢ve read, with bibliography. In this way, when I find interesting content even while ââ¬Å"off the clockâ⬠, I can still help myself out later when it comes time to write. I just hop into the subfolder on the topic I need, find PDFs or quotes to build content around, and writing just got easier. Itââ¬â¢s similar to people using Evernote or Pocket, saving Web content for later. Working with your team. One of the big struggles when creating content with a team is the discussion around the content, versioning controls, and making necessary edits. Having that kind of discussion and activity happen alongside the actual content (instead of in an email with references to ââ¬Å"changes in the fourth paragraphâ⬠or something similar) is very helpful. There are four basic ways you need to work with your team when it comes to the actual content youââ¬â¢re all trying to create: Editing: The default setting, when you open or create a doc, is full-on editing. You can change this, though, to suggestions so that the actual edits donââ¬â¢t change the copy but suggest the changes. You can accept or reject those changes with a click. Commenting: By highlighting portions of copy, your team can ask questions and carry on conversations. General review: Sharing the Google Doc with your team is easy, whether you want to give them full-edit access, or just need to let team members in on the content but not have the ability to make changes. For example, your graphic designer and social media manager may need to see the copy but you donââ¬â¢t want them to be able to edit it. Revisions: You can always see or revert back to an old version by checking out past revisions. This control is found under File See Revision History. It will bring up a listing of revisions in the right sidebar, using color to show you what has changed since the latest version. Of course, youââ¬â¢ll need notifications when things happen on your document. Each document has notification controls (all notifications, only yours, or none) so you get an email when someone leaves a comment. You can alert specific team members by tagging them in your comments with @ or +theiremail@gmail.com, but youââ¬â¢ll have to have shared the doc with them, of course. If you havenââ¬â¢t, youââ¬â¢ll be asked to do so. You can also email collaborators on a specific document that youââ¬â¢ve shared with them earlier through the ââ¬Å"Fileâ⬠menu. 4 Ways To Use Google Docs To Turnà Your #Marketing Team Into Rock StarsWorking with clients. There are a couple of ways you can work with blogging clients who might need to approve your copy before it can be published. You can do it within the standard Google Docs setup, or you can use an add-on. Share and review: By sharing your finished blog post with your client, you can give them access. If it is read-only, they can preview it and offer feedback via email. If you give them edit access, they can leave comments on specific parts of your copy. Approval workflow: If you need more to your client approval workflow than comments and edit suggestions, there is another option. The add-on that you could put to use for a more standard client approval workflow is called ââ¬Å"Workflows.â⬠Its aim is to establish read-only versions, send emails to those you need to approve the content, and stay on top of the approval process. It isnââ¬â¢t a perfect solution, by any means, but if you arenââ¬â¢t using any other app or system for such approvals and youââ¬â¢re already doing your work inside Google Docs, it may be an option for you. For most clients, the share and review process is enough, particularly if youââ¬â¢re using an app like where things like tasks and discussion are also happening. If you arenââ¬â¢t using , Google Docs also integrates with most of the popular project management tools (Trello, Asana, Zapier, etc.) and much of that workflow can be handled there. Why Use Google Docs? Why not just use WordPress instead of writing in Google Docs? All your writing in one place:à As a possible control freak, it lets me keep a copy of everything Iââ¬â¢ve written in one place. I also downloaded the Google Drive app to my computer so that it is backed up for offline access, too. Easy to rework content:à If my content isnââ¬â¢t locked inside WordPress, I can easily turn it into an ebook or something else. Google Docs is more portable. Flexible for multiple clients:à Freelancers are going to discover that each client uses their own project management tools. Using Google Docs has helped me cut through the hassle of creating content to fit so many tools since most have Gmail and are familiar with Google Docs. A clientââ¬â¢s WordPress may or may not be an option to you, depending on the access you are given. Multiple people working at once:à WordPress wisely only allows one person to edit a post at once. Gone are the days of lost copy because someone else was in a post. Google Docs lets you all in, notifying everyone who is in there and coloring your cursor to pinpoint your location in the document. You all can edit live. Cleaner interface:à This is a personal opinion, but Iââ¬â¢m not keen on the new distraction-free WordPress. The latest version does not allow for the ââ¬Å"quick saveâ⬠of the old, but instead refreshes the whole page (as well as some other annoyances). Google Docs saves as you go. Better editing experience:à The editing tools and ability to accept or reject suggested edits right there in the copy is a huge help. No one will miss the agony of long email chains or conversations held in places away from the actual copy, causing you to jump back and for from tab to tab to make the changes. 6 Reasons To Use Google Docs For #Blogging And #MarketingGreat News For Users now integrates with Google Docs as part of an all-in-one editorial calendar feature! You can write your posts- and any other kind of content- in Google Docs, and sync it with . now integrates with Google Docs for your all-in-one #marketing calendar! With this integration, Google Docs is combined with the great workflow tools available in . Freelancers can still manage and organize their content from their end, but easily send that finished copy right to without having to manually copy and paste. Thatââ¬â¢s exciting stuff! And if this sounds like something you'd like to try for yourself, make sure to download your free 'How To Use Google Docs For Blogging And Marketing' infographic to remember the takeaways from this post.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Changes in the Business Environment of Shell and Subsequent Strategy
Changes in the Business Environment of Shell and Subsequent Strategy The main objective of this assignment deals with business environmental changes of ââ¬Å"Shell Companyâ⬠(Petroleum Company) from last 5 years. PESTEL analysis was applied in the following assignment, in order to present Shell Companyââ¬â¢s present status in all aspects and the changes that have taken place in the company. Moreover, the various types of strategies formulated were outlined and discussed. Introduction An organization is an entity that provides goods and services to consumers who need or want them and it does not function in isolation. Therefore, it is imperative to identify and understand all the factors within its environment that could potentially affect it. The environment of a business is normally divided into two categories, the micro environment and the macro environment. Below we shall discuss in details what each category means. Micro-environment: Internal factors like suppliers, competitors and employees are volatile and influence transformation of a business process and often it leads to undermining the current balance within the system. Suppliers: A supply chain is a system of organizations, people, technology, activities, information and resources involved in moving a product or service from supplier to customer. www.overstockuniverse.com http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/A_company%27s_supply_chain_%28en%29.png/300px-A_company%27s_supply_chain_%28en%29.png Company should have a social responsibility towards their suppliers, as they transform the natural resources and raw materials into finished goods which are delivered to the end consumers. They also play a vital role during product shortage. They are the combination of all types of business practice and ethics. www.overstockuniverse.com Customers: Aà Client, buyer or purchaser, is usually used to refer to a current or potential buyer or user of theà productsà of an individual orà organization, called theà supplier,à seller, orà vendor. Slogans for the Customer: ââ¬Å"the customer is kingâ⬠or ââ¬Å"the customer is godâ⬠or ââ¬Å"the customer is always right. www.rajputbrotherhood.com Competitors: Competitionà is aà contestà between individuals, groups, nations, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. Competition arises whenever two or more parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Humans compete forà wealth, prestige, andà fame so that they met deep rivalries often arises over the pursuit of. Business is often associated with competition as most companies are in competition with at least one other firm over the same group of customers. Macro-environment: Decision making by managers are influenced by many factors that constitutes the macro environment in a business. The examples for the macro environment are Tax changes, trade barriers, demographic change and government policy changes. http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199296378/01student/additional/page_12.htm The fo llowing factors are: Political factors: Political environment is an unpredictable element which effect specific organizations badly due to instability in government and rules passed by the political parties. Factors like political stability in the country, party in power, ideology of government and foreign policy greatly influence the business in political environment of the country. Example: Indian Government restricted coca-cola sales during late seventies following policy of restricting the growth of multinationals in Indian markets. But coco-cola was allowed after some years under the New Industrial policy of 1991. Under this new policy, government liberalized licensing, imports and exports, inflow of foreign capital and technology on more liberal terms.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Slave Trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Slave Trade - Essay Example The slave-exporting states such as Virginia engaged in adversarial relationships with slave-importing states in their roles of seller and buyer. Moreover, as the slaves went farther south, the lower South states deduced that the upper South was beginning to change its perspective on slavery. This difference provoked a deep debate over the reopening of the African slave trade. (Deyle, 2004) The areas of the Deep South saw that new imports would allow Virginia to remain a loyal slave state. However, Virginia did not want newly-arrived slaves to diminish the value of its existing human property. Perceiving that slavery was under attack and fearing the loss of Virginia to the free states, the lower South decided to seced. The Deep South forced Virginia into secession. At that time, Virginia had no desire to deprive itself of the revenues from the domestic slave trade. Southern cotton supported the textile mills of England and the American North. Market forces dominated the growth and traffic of slave trade. Slave traders were demanding entrepreneurs who were fully absorbed in a highly competitive business" (Deyle, 2005). Slave traders acted as conduits of market values into the South, who then paved the way to consumerism and speculation and enhanced modern business practices to the other regions. Slaveholders denied that they sold slaves willingly and insulated themselve s from complicity in the human traffic. (Deyle, 2004). The slave trade has myriad dimensions. Southern farmers, planters, and speculators carried their human chattel with them whenever they move from Alabama to Virginia. Moreover, many slaveholders wanted to increase their enslaved workforces. The experience of being sold to slave traders and to a landowner was the most soul-rending experience most African Americans endured, aside from bodily punishments. An ex-slave Ben had recounted to interviewer Mary White Ovington in 1910 that every fall, the slaves would be sold in the same way that cattle was sold.Slaveholders would transfer them from one place to another as if they were mules or horses. Families would be split without consideration for husbands, wives and children. Those who had been sold to new masters never knew what to expect and they never had an inkling of what type of new master they would encounter in their new plantation. (Jewett and Allen, 2004). When Samuel Townsend, a slave owner from Virginia, needed more slaves, he bought them from traders in Richmond. This movement of slaves from the Upper South to the Gulf states presented possibilities for profitable speculations. Thousands of slaves born in Virginia showed up in Alabama during from 1820s to 1840s. Groups of slaves moved from Virginia and the Carolinas each fall. Montgomery was Alabama's largest slave sale site. Blacks being transported but encumbered by foot irons and chains were a pitiful sight on the roads. After railroads had been built in Montgomery with the Upper South slave markets, particularly during the 1850s, more traders and speculators used the railroads to move their human cargo (Jewett and Allen, 2004). Uncle Tom's Cabin converted the North to the cause of the slave. The book brought home to the heart of the North, and of the world, that the slave was a man. The book was instrumental in conveying the fact that the slave is linked to mankind by human love and aspiration and anguish but devoid of the rights of man. (Merriam, 1970). Uncle Tom's
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Cause and effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2
Cause and effect - Essay Example This paper explores the causes and effects of high rate of divorce. The causes of high divorce rate include but are not limited to changed gender roles in marriage and change in laws whereas some of the effects of high divorce rate include distorted family system, single parenthood, and depression. Gender roles in marriage have changed under the influence of media and this has caused an increase in the divorce rate. The soaps, commercials, and movies have inculcated the concept in the minds of the audience that in order to be modern and successful, it is imperative that both members in a couple work. The media has especially placed emphasis on the work of women. More job opportunities have been created for women in order to make it easy for them to find work. As a result, women have started paying more attention toward their careers and professions than their homes. In the past, men worked and assumed the responsibility of earning bread for the family whereas women stayed at home and took care of the children. ââ¬Å"Women feel caught in the middle, burdened by increased demands from both work and familyâ⬠(Clarke-Stewart and Brentano 34). More and more women are giving up in their struggle to strike a balance between family and work and are eventually heading for divorce . Before 1970, couples needed to justify their attempt to seek divorce by proving at least one of the partners guilty of something or being at fault. Reasons that made divorce seem justified in the eyes of the law included but were not limited to cruelty, abandonment, intoxication, cheating, and adultery. However, some states introduced the option of no-fault divorce in the 1950s. Under the changed law, the need for couples to prove one of the partners being at fault was obviated. Instead, they could simply state that their marriage was not working. Nearly all states had allowed no-fault divorce by 1970. In the past,
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Preparing To Conduct Business Research Essay Example for Free
Preparing To Conduct Business Research Essay Introduction In conducting business research for the NFL organization instruments to collect data and conduct interviews will need to be used. The appropriate sampling and research methods will also be discussed for this research process. The NFL organization will see great benefits from conducting this research to reach the right conclusions about the problems they are facing as of late with their players violating the leagueââ¬â¢s personal conduct and substance abuse policies (2014 NFL Fines/suspensions Tracker, 2014). Their players have also been a part of many domestic violence arrests. (Morris, 2014). Sampling/Research Methods For this particular research, this study will require purposive sampling. The participants will have to be chosen arbitrarily for their unique characteristics, experiences, attitudes, or perceptions. Then as conceptual or theoretical categories of participants develop during the interview process, new participants will be sought out to challenge emerging patterns (Cooper Schindler, 2014). The first two groups will have to be NFL players who have a history of being involved in personal conduct and substance abuse violations, and those who do not. Individual interviews will have to be conducted face to face during the playerââ¬â¢s practices or other down time they may have. If they choose to participate in the study, individual interviews will allow each player to feel more comfortable sharing truthful information about themselves and their possible involvement in personal conduct and substance abuse violations. The interviews will be semi-structured in nature because semi-structured interviews develop a dialog between interviewer and participant, and use the skill of the interviewer to extract more data and a greater variety of data, and can achieve greater clarity and elaboration ofà the participantââ¬â¢s answers (Cooper Schindler, 2014). Instruments to Use to Collect Qualitative Information The instrument that will be used to collect this qualitative information will be survey via personal interview. This is because the depth and detail of information that can be secured is greater. The interviewer has the ability to improve the quality of information collected with this technique over any other methods. This is because the interviewer has the ability to observe the participants and see if they are having a hard time understanding questions and make it so that the participants can relate to them and feel more comfortable overall responding to them considering the nature of the questions that the NFL players will be answering (Cooper Schindler, 2014). Appropriate Sample Method The appropriate sample method for this research is a probability sampling because personal records of the players are already on file and they can choose narrow down the candidates for the survey to determine the best ones. Although with all the care taken for the survey ââ¬Å"some people will refuse to participateâ⬠(Cooper Schindler, 2014). Due to players refusing to participate ââ¬Å"sampling error is likely to riseâ⬠and the researchers would take that into account when determining the sample method (Cooper Schindler, 2014). Sampling Frame The sampling frame that would be used for this research study would be drawn from the roosters of the current players that are currently held by the coaches. To increase the sampling group this would also include previous players that had been involved with the league (Cooper Schindler, 2014). The researchers would pull from a ââ¬Å"larger population and then use a screening procedure to eliminate those who are not members of the groupâ⬠that the team wishes to study (Cooper Schindler, 2014). Players have been accused of the infraction in the past or currently have a case pending will not be included in the survey. The players will be assigned numbers and chosen at random to be surveyed. Appropriate Sampling Size ââ¬Å"How large a sample should be is a function of the variation in theà population parameters under study and the estimating precision needed by the researcherâ⬠(Cooper Schindler, 2014). Due to the variance that could arise within the population the sample of the research would need to be larger to account for the variance (Cooper Schindler, 2014). The sampling size will also be large due to the smaller error range needed to determine the punishments for the players that commit break the player code of conduct set by the league. Cost considerations would not affect the size of the sampling because the current and former players will not be compensated for their survey. Sample Size The sample size regarding this particular experiment will be determined as followed: the first sample group will be NFL players known for having a history in being involved in personal conduct and substance abuse violations and the second sample group will be NFL players who do not have a history in either of those regards. As of now in the 2014 season, 41 NFL players have been suspended for substance abuse or personal conduct that can be interviewed in the first group and the remaining 1,655 players to choose from in the second group (2014 NFL Fines/suspensions Tracker, 2014). Qualitative Methods Being Used The qualitative method being used in the experiment is survey by face-to-face interview. The benefit to a face-to-face interview is being able to observe and record nonverbal as well as verbal communication (Cooper Schindler, 2014). It is believed that this method will produce the most honest, truthful data and in a study like this it is important to make your samples feel comfortable in opening up. Statistical Tests Being Used A powerful statistical test is recommended for this experiment. The number of players who have been suspended is too low, so itââ¬â¢s important to make sure the sample size will give enough data to make the experiment valid against the interviews done in the second group. Results and Conclusions The individuals that are in charge of gathering the data that is needed to create new policies for off-field incidences is going to make sure that they get everything they need to make new policies. They are going to want theseà new policies to stay intact and not change every year. From the results, the NFL should be able to answer the original research question, ââ¬Å"What should the off-field punishments be based on what the incident was?â⬠In conclusion, the NFL was made aware that the policies for punishment of off-field incidences wasnââ¬â¢t strict enough. The NFL had to start by conduction interviews with players that were open to sharing information. The instrument that was used is qualitative information. The appropriate sample method for this research is a probability sampling because personal records of the players are already on file and they can choose narrow down the candidates for the survey to determine the best ones. Once all the information was gathered, the NFL was able to share the data by creating new policies for off-field incidences. References 2014 NFL Fines/Suspensions Tracker. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.spotrac.com/fines-tracker/nfl/2014/suspensions/ Cooper, D.R. Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods (12th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Morris, B. (2014, July 31). The Rate of Domestic Violence Arrests Among NFL Players. DataLab. Retrieved September 26, 2014, from http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/
Thursday, November 14, 2019
The Problem of Teenage Suicide :: Teenage Suicide Essays
The Problem of Teenage Suicide Most everyone at some time in his or her life will experience periods of anxiety, sadness, and despair. These are normal reactions to the pain of loss, rejection, or disappointment. Those with serious mental illnesses, however, often experience much more extreme reactions, reactions that can leave them mired in hopelessness. And when all hope is lost, some feel that suicide is the only solution. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, scientific evidence has shown that almost all people who take their own lives have a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder, and the majority have more than one disorder. In other words, the feelings that often lead to suicide are highly treatable. Thatââ¬â¢s why it is imperative that we better understand the symptoms of the disorders and the behaviors that often accompany thoughts of suicide. With more knowledge, we can often prevent the devastation of losing a loved one. Now the eighth-leading cause of death overall in the U.S. and the third-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, suicide has become the subject of much recent focus. U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, for instance, recently announced his Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, 1999, an initiative intended to increase public awareness, promote intervention strategies, and enhance research. The media, too, has been paying very close attention to the subject of suicide, writing articles and books and running news stories. Suicide among our nationââ¬â¢s youth, a population very vulnerable to self-destructive emotions, has perhaps received the most discussion of late. Maybe this is because teenage suicide seems the most tragicââ¬âlives lost before theyââ¬â¢ve even started. Yet, while all of this recent focus is good, itââ¬â¢s only the beginning. We cannot continue to lose so many lives unnecessarily. Some Basic Facts In 1996, more teenagers and young adults died of suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia and influenza, and chronic lung disease combined. In 1996, suicide was the second-leading cause of death among college students, the third-leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 24 years, and the fourth- leading cause of death among those aged 10 to 14 years. From 1980 to 1996, the rate of suicide among African-American males aged 15 to 19 years increased by 105 percent. It is a hopeful sign that while the incidence of suicide among adolescents and young adults nearly tripled from 1965 to 1987, teen suicide rates in the past ten years have actually been declining, possibly due to increased recognition and treatment.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Federal government of the United States Essay
à © 2010 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved. The Carnegie Endowment does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented here are the authorââ¬â¢s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Endowment, its staff, or its trustees. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Carnegie Endowment. Please direct inquiries to: About the Author Nathaniel Ahrens is a visiting scholar in the Carnegie Energy and Climate Program, where his research focuses on climate, energy, and sustainable development issues in China. He is the president of Golden Road Ventures Ltd., a business development and strategic advisory firm that provides expertise and support for critical projects in China, including sustainable development, government procurement, agriculture, and media. Previously, Ahrens was senior product manager and director of international sales for Intrinsic Technology, a Shanghai-based telecommunications software provider. He also founded Shanghai Pack Ltd., a luxury-brand packaging company based in Shanghai and Paris. Ahrens is a member of the National Committee on U.S.ââ¬âChina Relations, the Asia Society, and serves as an honorary ambassador for the State of Maine. Indigenous innovation1 has become the greatest immediate source of economic friction between the United States and China. This trend is not unique to these two countries; policy makers globally are actively trying to stimulate domestic innovation. The burgeoning markets for biotech and environmentrelated products and services and, potentially even more important, countriesââ¬â¢ efforts to emerge from the global economic slowdown all reinforce this trend. Mindful of this global scene, China has made indigenous innovation one of the core elements of its attempt to make a structural shift up the industrial value chain. Recently, however, indigenous innovation has been tarred with a protectionist brush. In both China and the United States, there have been increasing calls for buy-local stipulations and the erection of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. In China, these measures primarily take the shape of government ââ¬Å"local contentâ⬠mandates and through the preferential treatment given to products officially classified as ââ¬Å"national indigenous innovation productsâ⬠(NIIP) in the government procurement process. In the United States, they have taken the form of buy-local provisions and efforts to shut out foreign companies. The conflict has been escalating dangerously. In the run-up to the recent Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the U.S. business community ranked indigenous innovation in China as its number one policy concern, above even the currency issue. As of this writing, the key points of contention remain unresolved. Yet despite the loud cries of protest against it, the global trend toward ââ¬Å"homegrownâ⬠innovation is a healthy, positive development. Without innovation, countries cannot continually raise wages and living standards.2 Government procurement should play an important role in stimulating innovation, but maintaining open markets and international linkages is critical. But instead of following its current approach of short-term product substitution and picking winners by protecting them from competition, China should focus on proven, market-friendly ways of stimulating innovation. Government procurementââ¬â¢s primary roles should be market signaling, de-risking R&D, bridging the finance gap, and stimulating demand. The United States would also benefit by refocusing its government procurement policies along the lines indicated in the key findings of this paper, especially concentrating on facilitating more open markets and elevating the importance of sustainable procurement. The following set of specific recommendations for China will stimulate innovation through open markets and the effective use of government procurement
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Linguistics for Elementary Teachers Essay
After reading the first and second chapters, in How Linguistics are Learned, I am interested by what Lightbown and Spada (2006) argued. The authors claimed that ââ¬Å"The development of bilingual or second language learning is of enormous importanceâ⬠(p. 25). They argued also that acquisition of more than one language in our new global world is rewarding for bilingual individuals socially and economically. The authors stated that most children nowadays are exposed to more than one language during their early childhood and schooling time. Some may learn two languages at the same time ââ¬Ësimultaneous bilingualsââ¬â¢ while others may learn the other language later ââ¬Ësequential bilingualsââ¬â¢. There are situations where children are cut off their family language while they are very young. They may stop speaking their family language. This might represent a reason for concern. Researchers have recently devoted a considerable amount of their time and energy to investigate childrenââ¬â¢s abilities to learn more than one language at early age. The goal is to help students to learn a second language at early age and facilitate that for teachers and educators. This subject matter is interesting and challenging to me personally because it is connected to my experiences as a teacher and principal of multicultural schools environment with language learning /acquisition and education. My first language is Arabic; English is my second language. I started learning English while I was at Middle school; I was 12 years old. I have been all my life in education. I worked a teacher and principal. I worked in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, Canada and the US. I have worked with students from different countries speaking different languages in multicultural schools environment. My current school is Annoor Islamic School (AIS) in Wichita, KS. It is a private school, Pre-K through 8th grade. Students enrolled are 157 from 20 countries and 90 % of them are bilingual or trilingual. Students speak more than five different languages at their homes in addition to English. Due to the fact that our school is an Islamic school all our students are Muslims. AIS provides higher quality of education for students. They learn, in addition to public schoolsââ¬â¢ curriculum: Al-Quran al-Kareem, Islamic Studies and Arabic Language. Teaching Arabic for the non-native Arabic speaking makes them trilingual. It may look difficult for students, but in reality they want to be able to read Al-Quran. Al-Ksareem. They are highly motivated to learn more about their religion and read Al-Quran Al-Kareem in the Arabic Language. Based on my experience and observations all these years as a teacher and principal, I found that my bilingual students have higher academic results compared to their non-bilingual counterparts. The same conclusion was confirmed by developmental psychologistsââ¬â¢ research as Lightbown and Spada (2006) stated. I also found that bilingual studentsââ¬â¢ skills are transferrable. The skills and knowledge that bilingual students know through their first language are transferrable. They can present these skills knowledge in their new second language easily. At my current school AIS, students startlearning anther language at age 3-4 years old. I found it is important to start young students learning a language other than their own from at an early age. Thatââ¬â¢s when they pick up a language the fastest. It is important because we need to know more about other nationsââ¬â¢ cultures and history to improve world relations.
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Eminem...His life and music essays
Eminem...His life and music essays Marshal Mathers, also known as Eminem, has been creating a stir in the music industry over the past few years. Many people feel affended and intimidated with him while he uses his freedom of speech and expresses himself. His rapping and hip hop lyrics are raw, explicic and very offending to many different types of people. There are many reasons for the type of music Eminem makes. There are many reasons why his music is the way it is. Eminem, A.K.A. Slim Shady, made Many people do not understand where Slim Shady comes from. As a child, he had no father, his mother was an alcoholic and a drug addict. Also Eminem moved back and forth from Kansas city to urban Detroit. While growing up, he was picked on and beaten by people all the time. He would get jumped and beat by his mother. All of these instances lead to the type of music he makes today. To add to all of this, his closest relative and best friend, comitted suicide when Slim was in his The song I selected is off of Eminems most recent album, The Marshal Mathers LP, and it is titled The Real Slim Shady. I chose this song for many reasons. This song mocks the mainstream artists and songs of the time. He makes a pop song which becomes mainstream, in order to show everyone how easy it is to make pop music. Also, his lyrics rhyme and make sense and i think it is amazing how his signing and music just flows perfectly. Eminem has explicic lyrics which help to press the issue at hand and show how strong his feelings are towards this. There is a very simple and defined rhythmic pattern to this song. If you listen to the first few bars without music you will definatly hear the beats. The song is in regular four beat format, also, parts of the song follows the twelve bar patter as well in some instances. The beat is constant throught the peice and rarely changes. They sometimes use a little stutter in order to let the lyrics flow. ...
Monday, November 4, 2019
Article summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1
Article summary - Essay Example Results suggested that smoking during pregnancy has adverse impact on the fetal growth and is also linked with low socioeconomic indicators and other risk behaviors. The research drew a comparison between the birth outcomes of heavy smokers and non-heavy smokers and found that the former were exposed to substantially more health risks than the latter. Every variable other than the older maternal age was found to be a risk factor for smoking during pregnancy. Self-reports of smoking at least 10 cigarettes a day during the early stage of pregnancy can lead to numerous unfavorable birth outcomes. However, there is subjectivity about the extent to which the adverse birth outcomes can be attributed to heavy smoking alone as other factors like socioeconomic status and psychological stress also contribute to them. The research supports the strategies for quitting smoking, yet a broader focus is required to study the underlying factors that cause adverse birth
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Reading summaries Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Reading summaries - Assignment Example This article has been authored by Rodrik and in this article the researcher states that policy reforms are not the only tools that can help a developing nation in increasing development. The author states that in order for policies to take effect, institutions that are in the backdrop are ill structured and thus any policy can only have a long lasting effect if the institutions are solid in nature. The author states that various policies such as the policy of trade liberalization cannot work effectively if there is lack of fiscal institutions and similarly if there is lack of a proper capital market then funds will not be allocated to those areas that need to be expanded (Rodrik 978). This is a discussion paper authored by Finn Tarp and in this paper the author argues that it is not necessary that foreign aid only works in those countries where good policies have been implemented. This is because Tarp believes that impact of foreign trade should not assessed in connection with good or bad policies because the policies that might be good might provide misleading information because it is not necessary that in developing nations there are institutions that are implementing these policies properly. In this article the researcher, Ravallion, identifies a new way of doing economics as identified by Banerjee as well as Duflo and according to this new way, decisions regarding economy should be based on randomized control trials or tests. The author states that performing randomized tests in order to conduct research related to economics is not new but these tests have provided surprising results. These tests are considered as important in order to identify causal relationship between different economic variables because these tests are easy to conduct as well as easy to explain. Another reason of these tests being good to perform causal study is that the
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