Narration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Narration - Essay Example The physically challenged have also shown the rest of humanity that they can deliver beyond expectation. This paper will give a narration on which I tap my inspiration from, the individual’s life story and that incidence that made me choose them as my inspiration. Moreover, this paper will discuss the significance that this personality has in my life and in the lives of others in the realization of the goals and achievements otherwise perceived to be unattainable. Oprah Winfrey, the most powerful and influential woman in America is my source of inspiration. She is the owner of a vast business empire whose net worth estimation is in billions and billions of dollars. Not all this came easy as she built her economic empire through sweat and a lot of hard work. She was born Oprah Gail Winfrey on January 29, 1954 in Kosciussko in the state of Mississipi (Fry 1). Her love for books stated at a very tender age and the age of five, she could read the bible before starting kindergarten . She stayed with her grandmother, Hattie Mae Lee who in turn nurtured the book reading culture that Oprah had developed. In addition, her idea of one day becoming a great person was highly influenced by her love for television at the age of seven. However, her smooth childhood had it twists as her nineteen-year-old cousin who had to watch over her and her siblings defiled her. In the years after she was also sexually abused by her uncle and by a family friend. She kept silent over the abuses as the abusers told her to keep the incidences a secret. Despite the sexual abuse hurdles that she had to overcome, Oprah had an astounding performance in high school that led her into joining an all white high school. Ironically, her good behavior soon changed, as she got pregnant at the age of fourteen because of running away from home. Her mother, not knowing the reason for her rebellion, sent Oprah to her father in Nashville. Her early labor at the seventh month resulted in her delivering a boy who lost his life after two weeks of living. Surprisingly, this experience in her life made her change her ill ways and decided to concentrate on her books and her public speaking ability. Additionally, in 1971 she became the first woman of color to gain a beauty title. Her public speaking prowess also landed her a four-year tertiary institution scholarship while working as a part time newsreader. Later, she became a student at Tennessee State University and got an offer to work for a local television as a reader for evening news. Eventually, her star began to shine in 1976 when she shifted to Baltimore for a Major role in the media industry. She hosted her first talk show in 1984 after her move to Chicago and she has never looked back since then. She also exhibited acting ability and got her first acting job in the movie, The Color Purple, in the year 1985 (Fry 2). Currently, her business empire has made her become one of the richest women of our time. Though childless, she co nsiders the girls she helps educate by financing their needs as her daughters. Notably, she was the driving force behind President Barak Obama’s election bid in 2008. She also has a book club where she does book reviews with and for her worldwide audience. Exceptionally, she is an advocate for the girl child and her rights all over the continent.

Resourcing Plan to Resource the International Convention Centre Essay Example for Free

Resourcing Plan to Resource the International Convention Centre Essay The resourcing plan for the International Convention Centre is a recommendation for establishing the most accurate staffing requirements, timescales, cost attributes, and the internal/external phases for implementation of the key resources required. The findings of research of prior organizations building a strong community to house the Olympics revealed the necessity to recruiting a competent senior management staff to lead the priorities warranted. The Board of Trustees are to be open for bold and direct solutions to allow the building of the site area to achieve the overall objectives of the Olympic mission leading up to and during the 2012 start timeframe. The resourcing plan outlined the beneficial aspects for key senior positions of management that will solely focus on areas that strengthens the proposal from the Olympic Business Tourism Steering Group. The senior management team is recommended to b led by a committee Chief Executive Officer that provides analysis of the financial platform, human resources platform, tourism platform, maintenance, security, and East London Life surrounding business entities concerns and interests. The CEO has the power to redirect resources that can assist in achieving the overall goals of the Olympic Business Tourism Steering Group and the Board of Trustees. In doing so, the CEO will be the central contact person to answer questions and concerns during the leading up to and during the 2012 start of the Olympics. The implementation of the CEO and him/her primary responsibility provides the needed functional organization structuring to facilitate the streamline processes of building a strong foundation within the East London Life center area. The importance of organizational structuring in the resource plan empowers the recommended designated CEO to effectively diagnose situations related to the needs of the Olympic Business Tourism Steering Group and the East London Life for appropriate action and performance to marketing the games (Chitty and Barker and Shimp 2005:225). The organizational behavior is a critical aspect to assist the CEO in accessing the particular skills of the current and additional staff members within a functional organizational matrix (George and Jones 2005:129). The understanding of organizational behavior from a CEO perspective presents an in-depth conceptual, technical, decision making, and interpersonal skills that are required to successfully manage complex project teams such. The Time-Scales Identified The CEO is recommended to work with the Human Resources Director, Finance Director, Marketing Director, Facility Director, and Specialist Resourcing Strategy Consultant to identify core timetables needed to facilitate changes. These timetables play into the time-scales required in order to successfully outlining the criteria’s needed for the leading to the run up to the 2012. The current overall timeframe is 4 years until the lighting of the torch to start the 2012 Olympics; therefore, the main concern is accurate staffing and preferred options to securing such staffing. The available choices are already staff employees from the East London Life center area that are willing to commit to the run up to 2012 as well as during and after the Olympics. The collected research on available participants for the run up to 2012 averages around 1,800 already staff employees of the consortium. The commitment of the average of 1,800 employees to the requirements set forth by the Board of Trustees entailing a focus on great co-ordination skills, excellent human resources and effective supported services (Tousey and Mathison 2008:55). This focus will play a pivotal role in setting up a longtime goal of the Board of Trustees for establishing an opportunity on international branding for doing business in the area after the 2012 Olympics. Conversely, the timescale for within the 1st year is to confirm of the interested individuals on a voluntary basis that will bring the total amount to 4,500-5,000. Therefore, the completion of the overall staffing requirements under the senior management team will need to be at the end of the 12th month. This timeframe will present the senior management team to fully recruit, train, and reinforce the core attributes embedded in the organizational behavior structure to demonstrate a focus on great co-ordination skills, excellent human resources and effective supported services. The first 6-month timetable is to utilizing the hiring and processing of paperwork that entails outlining specific individual responsibilities, benefits, the pay rate, and security measures. The remaining 6-month timetable is to focus on extensive training on the primary objective to demonstrate desired skills. Within the first 2 years, the timescale is to focus on common theme of the East London Life center area that highlights the culture and theme of the 2012 Olympics. The commitment of the staff employees and volunteers will provide the required synergy to demonstrate a professional and creative experience for the Olympics. The two year timescale has the advantage to identify and present resolutions for any issues or problems discovered during the run up to 2012. The overall staff employee teams are more inclined to share ideas and restrictions to the senior management team within the desired organizational behavior structure required to reaching a successful point of reference to the start of the Olympics. The remaining two years are to focus on leading up to and during the 2012 Olympics. Therefore, the highlighting of securing short-term contracts with vendors is imperative for the second phases of the implementation of initiatives for the forthcoming event. The short-term contracts with vendors and sub-vendors contractors are essential to staying within the designated budget to ensure a well structured organization. The last two years are to show a commitment to including the business owners of the buildings that will occupy the Olympic committee personnel, senior management, and other related individuals or groups that displays a welcoming attitude through available resources. The Human Resource Director and Marketing Director The imperative positions of the Human Resource Director and Marketing Director provide the CEO to strategically direct the overall operations of the timescale section of the resource plan. The Human Resource Director primary objective is the leading representative to empower all staff members in the desired organizational behavior that instills the focus on great co-ordination skills, excellent human resources and effective supported services (Rachels 1999:78). The challenges in projects can create multiple tasks to reaching the goals outlined in the project scope. For instance, the team formation process is detrimental to moving through phrases of forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning to reaching the completion of the planned project (Johnston and Zawawi 2000:78). The Human Resource Director and Marketing Director is to present the primary role in understanding the functional project organization assists in identifying the organizational behavior within the context of team building to successfully moving through the phrases to create productive occupation of the 2012 Olympics (Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, and Sutton, 2008:117). The Marketing Director is to provide the required protocols that designated staff team to incorporate a two-fold approach of advertising the 2012 Olympics during the run up to and during the games (Pelsmacker 2006:49). The marketing approaches are to demonstrate the East London Life area culture themes and specialties relating to identifying the location area as well as the Olympics to solidifying the objective for broadening the international appeal. The utilization of the identified organizational behavior concepts of the team and the functional organization to apply appropriate human interpersonal skills for applied motivation, knowledge, decision making, change management, code of ethics, style of communication, and leadership direction (Cooper, Raymond 2005:199) The interaction between the Human Resource Director and the Marketing Director are stringent to formed strong interconnected relationship that strengthens the communication matrix to facilitate the primary objectives. The effort for sharing and receiving imperative information concerning the stages of the project criteria’s assist in reporting the appointed CEO of progress towards goal of 2012. Therefore, the organizational behavior presents a synergy to the effective communication matrix monitored by the Human Resource Director in lined with the Marketing Director to effectively channel all required policies and practices for staff members. According to David Hunger (2007), the organizational context methodology will determine the success of the planned resource project that defines and enforce the organizational behavior concept within the organization. The specialist Human Resource Strategist Consultant is to offer the resource planning an effective communication measure that balances the information and data between senior management and directors in human resources and marketing to successfully resource the international convention centre. According to Mantel, Meredith, Shafer, and Sutton (2008), the project consultant will have to implement the need for cooperation’s between all departments of interests that encourages the innovation and correlation reinforced the indentified organizational behavior concept (Hunger 2007:112). The Finance Director and Facility Director Cost Benchmark The expectations of the completed scope objectives of the 2012 Olympics are a formation of a productive overall team of professionals by minimizing costs to heighten projected profit along with brand identity (Wild, Wild, and Han 2006:28). The Finance Director primary criteria of the organizational context will need to focus on demonstrating good decision making (Saunders 2007:38). The Finance Director core objectives are identifying and recording the East London area organized efforts to staying on schedule and within budget. The recommended approach to a structured organizational concept is in relations to the Finance Director to direct any subjected overruns of expenses during the run up to the Olympics. Respectively, the Finance Director in most organizations play a pivotal role in balancing the allocation of funding at the appropriate time to reach desired project management goals of such magnitude of the Olympics to assure the project is moving in the desired direction (PMBOK, 204:121). The cost benchmarks are to not reach 20% of the confirmed budget for the run up to the Olympics and to not exceed 35% during the games. The Finance Director responsibility to work in cooperation with the Facility Director that guarantees the overseeing of internal and external costs related to hotel reservations, restaurants patrons, maintenance teams, Olympic merchandising, and entertainment (Schein 2004:95). The East London Life scope objectives identifies the required organizational culture environment to follow the policy of strict usages of products and services during the 1-2 years of run up to 2012 that streamline all projected costs. Some of the identified organizational policy problems that can halt the mission of the Finance Director and Facility Director is by the impacts of the staff employees and volunteer team members that fails to communicate senior management protocol of price controls, safety measures that could cause accidents, and approved Olympic Business Tourism Steering Group approved vendor materials and/products that overall assist in cost management. The transfer of information and deliverables between the Finance Director and the Facility contributes to the primary objective to reduce policy concerns illustrated by the senior management from the Board of the Trustees and the Olympic Business Tourism Steering Group for a clear understanding of the project needs. Essentially benefits all associated individuals to the progress of the team within the organizational culture framework (Samson 2008:101). Report Analysis of Potential Risks and Identified Solutions Several risks identified are security, lack of demonstrating the human relations protocols, conservation of resources and energy as well as adhering to timescales/timetables. The most significant risk for the project is the potential lack of demonstrating the human relations protocols that demonstrates the high levels of customer service and satisfaction from competent and helpful staff members will be the key to success for the resource plan objective of the international convention centre. The risk pinpointed in relation to the human relations aspects that underscore the potential for failure if not proven measures are implemented to the staff and/or volunteers (Kotter 1996:88). The senior leadership team of the Human Director, Finance Director, Marketing Director, Facility Director, and Specialist Human Resourcing Strategy Consultant must incorporate the core desired human relations outcomes both internally and externally to the staff members. If not, the potential risk can create substantial downturn in the Board of Trustees projected organizational behavior mindset of staff members for the run up to and during the 2012 Olympics. The solution for the identified risk is the implementation of the theory of motivation for the CEO to utilize in solidifying the management team to then reflect the desired organizational policy of behavior to the staff. In doing so, the coordinated effort to progress theory of motivation scientific approach tactics is critical for achieving the planned goals. References – 16 George, Jennifer M. and Jones, Gareth R. (2005) Understanding and Managing Organizational Behavior, Fourth Edition, Pearson, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Mantel, Samuel J. Meredith, Jack R. Shafer, Scott M. Sutton, Margaret M. (2008) Project Management In Practice, Third Edition, John Wiley Sons, Inc. Hunger, David J. (2007) Essentials of Strategic Management, Fourth Edition, Pearson, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Wouters, Marc and Wilderom, Celeste (2008) Accounting, Organizations and Society, Periodical, Proquest Doc. ID 1456200771, ISSN 03613682, Vol. 33, Iss. 4/5; pg. 488 Tosey, Paul and Mathison (2008) Human Resources Development Review, Gregory Bateson Theory Concepts on Organization Structure Behavior, Periodical, Proquest Doc. ID 1433203701, ISSN 154344843M, Vol. 7, Iss. 1; pg 13 Chitty, W. Barker, N. Shimp, T. A. (2005). Integrated Marketing Communications. Melbourne: Nelson. Johnston, J. Zawawi, C. (2000). Public Relations Theory and Practice (2nd ed). Sydney: Allen Unwin Pelsmacker, Patrick (2006) Marketing Communications: A European Perspective. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall; 3 edition Saunders, Mark (2007) Research Methods for Business Students. Financial Times/ Prentice Hall; 4 edition Schein, Edgar (2004) Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey Bass; 3rd Edition Samson, Danny (2008). Operations Management. Retrieved November 8, 2008 from http://www. cambridge. org/us/catalogue/catalogue. asp? isbn=9780521700771ss=toc Wild, John J. , Wild, Kenneth L. , Han, Jerry C. Y. , (2006). International Business, The Challenges of Globalization PMBOK Guide (2004) A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. Third Edition. PMI Global Standard Cooper, Dale and Raymond, G. , (2005) Managing Risk in Large Projects and Complex Procurements Kotter, John (1996) Leading Change. Harvard Business School Press Rachels, James. (1999). The Elements of Moral Philosophy, Boston: McGraw-Hill College.

“A Good Man is Hard to Find”: Comparing Flannery O’Connor’s Literary Te

â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find†: Comparing Flannery O’Connor’s Literary Technique to Grotesque Medieval Literature Upon initially reading Flannery O’Connor’s work, one would have no problem recognizing her use of shocking, violent, or despairing themes. It may not be as easy, however, to completely accept or understand her style. According to Patrick Galloway, one must be â€Å"initiated to her trademarks when reading any of her two novels or thirty-two short stories (1).In many of her works, she paradoxically uses styles that are grotesque and brutal to illustrate themes of grace and self-actualization. As O’Connor herself says, â€Å"I have found that violence is strangely capable of returning my characters to reality and preparing them to accept their moment of grace† (qtd. in Hawkins 30).Although at times disturbing, O’Connor’s paradox is an effective literary technique, deepening the meaning of her stories.Flannery O’Connor’s short story, â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find,† can be used as a tool to become ‘initiated’ to this unique style. Few critics would deny that â€Å"A Good Man† is a grotesque story: A grandmother and her son’s family on vacation are ruthlessly killed by an escaped convict.Some O’Connor critics are taken aback by this grotesque aspect because the family and elderly woman seem so innocent.People do not want to imagine their quiet and delicate, â€Å"gray-haired† grandmother standing in the face of a murderer, so they sympathize with O’Connor’s Grandmother as well (Bandy 2).This gruesome scene does not, however, serve as senseless violence.Beyond the disturbing imagery is a story that makes poignant religious and philosophical claims (Galloway 6).Pat Galloway analyzes this technique as the way O’Connor’s characters receive t... ...arterly 34 (Sum 1993): 383-397. Wood, Christopher. Albrecht Altdorfer and the Origins of Landscape. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1993. Works Consulted Bloom, Harold, ed. Flannery O’Connor. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Hagen, Susan. â€Å"Team Teaching Middle English Literature With Flannery O’Connor.† http://panther.bsc.edu/~shagen/oconnor.htm (10 Nov. 1999). McMillen, Jenny. â€Å"Short Story Reviews.†http://www.geocities.com?Athens/Troy/2188/reviews.html (10 Nov. 1999) Owens, Mitchell. â€Å"The Function of Signature in ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find.’† Studies in Short Fiction 33 (Wntr 1996): 101-106. Schilling, Timothy. â€Å"Trying To See Straight: Flannery O’Connor & the Business of Writing.† Commonweal 122 (Nov 3, 1995): 14-15. Sloan, Gary. â€Å"O’Connor’s ‘A Good Man is Hard to Find.’† The Explicator 57 (Wntr 1999): 118-120.

Greece Crisis: Analysis, Learnings and Takeaways Essay

Greek Crisis: Background Through this write up, we are trying to explain the circumstances which led to the sovereign debt crisis in Greece. European Union was established in the year 1992 through the Maastricht treaty. The purpose of formation was to create something powerful on the lines of the USA, The United States of Europe. Also, the idea was to establish and maintain peace in the turbulent regions. In the year 1999, Euro zone was formed and a common currency, Euro, came into being. Countries set aside the currencies they each were using previously and instead dealt themselves Euros. Greece undertook the same operation. It relinquished its drachmas and received an equivalent amount of Euros. Henceforth Greek firms and Greek citizens could buy goods and services anywhere in the Euro zone with their Euros. Greece has always been an overspending economy. It’s a leisure driven economy where the government always tends to spend more than its means. This trend went to a new level when the Greek government got access to cheap and easier financing. Due to the introduction of the common currency, they could borrow as easily as a strongly backed Germany. The government previously used to monetise its deficit by printing currency. Since the choice of printing currency was no longer available due to the introduction of the monetary union, the government now resorted to borrowing lavishly to meet its deficit. The debt to GDP ratio also increased during the period. During 2004-2009, output in the Greek economy increased in nominal terms by 40%, while central government primary expenditures increased by 87% against an increase of only 31% in tax revenues. Public sector wages rose by over 50% between 1999 and 2007. Greece lived under the helm of a welfare state, with excessive spending on wages and early retirement benefits. Greek Crisis: Consequences of sub-prime Tourism and shipping are the two biggest revenue generators for the Greek economy. Both the sectors were badly hit when the sub-prime crisis wrecked global economy. There was a significant drop in the government revenue due to the shrinking of earnings from these sectors. Also, tax evasion, which was always an area of concern for the country, took full shape during this period. This led to high fiscal deficit and even higher levels of debt. In October 2009, Fitch downgraded the sovereign debt of Greece to BBB+. This lead to widening of bond yield spreads and CDS spreads. In April 2010, Greek debt was further downgraded to junk status, which effectively closed the availability of capital market financing to the country. This all was a part of a large vicious cycle. Poor ratings and excessive debt led to higher yields. Tax revenues fall due to tax evasion and GDP shrinkage. This led to higher deficit which warranted borrowing more to finance the deficit, which led to even higher cost of debt. Greek Crisis: Troika steps in The European Commission, The European Central Bank and IMF are called the troika, the three pillars on which the Greek and Euro zone hopes are resting. Amidst concerns that Greece will default on its payments and might exit the Euro zone, the troika steeped in to bail out the country. Phases of bailouts were given, based on the following measures: Austerity measures to restore fiscal balance Privatisation of government assets worth â‚ ¬50bn by the end of 2015 Structural reforms to improve growth prospects Also, debt restructuring was carried out in Greece as part of the second bailout plan. Under this, private creditors holding Greek govt. bonds were to accept lower interest rates and a 53.5% face value loss. This led to a fall in the forecasted Debt t o GDP ratio of 198% in 2012 to around 160% in the same period. The aim is to reduce the ratio to 120% by 2020. From 2012-14, troika is to cover all Greek financial needs through restructuring and bailout packages. From 2015-20, financial needs are to be met partly by capital markets and partly by privatization of govt. Assets. In May 2012, a 2 year extension was demanded till 2017 to return to self financed situation. 2 key bills were passed in the Greek Parliament pertaining to this in the last week – ‘Labour market reform’ and ‘Midterm fiscal plan 2013-16’. Should Greece leave the Euro Area? Is a fiscally-challenged country likely to want to leave the Euro Area? The brief answer is no – quite the contrary: a fiscally weak country is better off in the Euro Area than outside it. The only argument for leaving the Euro Area is that the introduction of a new national currency (New Drachma, say) would lead to an immediate sharp nominal and real depreciation of the new currency and a gain in competitiveness, which would be most welcome. It also would not last. The key rigidities in small open economies like Greece are real rigidities, not persistent Keynesian nominal rigidities, which are necessary for a depreciation or devaluation of the nominal exchange rate to have a material and durable impact on real competitiveness. Unless the balance of economic and political power is changed fundamentally, a depreciation of the nominal exchange rate would soon lead to adjustments of domestic costs and prices that would restore the old uncompetitive real equilibrium. All other arg uments either favour staying in for a fiscally weak country or are neutral. As regards the existing stock of sovereign debt, in or out makes no difference. Re-denominating the old euro-denominated debt in New Drachma would be an act of default. A country might as well stay in the Euro Area and default on the euro-denominated debt. As regards new government borrowing, issuing New Drachma denominated debt would be more costly (because an exchange risk premium would be added to the sovereign risk premium) than new borrowing using euro-denominated debt as part of the Euro Area. There would be massive balance sheet disruption for banks, other financial institutions and other corporate with large balance sheets, as the existing stock of assets and liabilities would remain euro denominated but there would no longer be a euro lender of last resort. It may be possible for contract and securities internal to Greece, that is entered into or issued under Greek jurisdiction alone, to be redenominated in New Drachma, but cross-border contracts and securities issued in other jurisdictions could not be redenominated that way without this constituting a n act of default. There would be no fiscal-financial support from other Euro Area member states should a country leave the Euro Area. Leaving the Euro Area means leaving the EU. There is no such thing as a former Euro Area member that continues as an EU member. A current EA member wishing to leave the EA but continue as an EU member would have to leave both the Euro Area and the EU and then re-apply for EU membership. Under the Lisbon Treaty, there now is a procedure for leaving the EU. A country cannot be expelled from the Euro Area, or from the EU. The only real threat of the Euro Area breaking up comes from the possibility that one or more of the fiscally strongest and more competitive members (Germany) could decide to leave the Euro Area (and the EU), because of a fear of becoming the bailer-out of first resort for all would-be fiscally-insolvent Euro Area member states. The changing of the generations in Germany from Kohl to Schrà ¶der and then to Merkel has weakened the traditional umbilical link of Germany, and especially Germany’s political class, to the EU and the Euro Area, but not (yet) to the point that one can reasonably envisage Germany leaving the Euro Area and the EU. Alternatives * Wage increase, higher inflation in Germany Wage increase in Germany would fuel inflation in Germany that will lead to increase in cost of goods sold in the economy. This would accelerate industry expansion to other territories especially like Greece, Spain. Since Greece’s main economy driver has been the tourism industry and that is also seasonal. * Common Eurobonds Instead of having separate government bonds, common Euro bonds should be issued. This would never lead to the chain reaction that was led by the Greek government bonds. * Greece or other weaker nations leaving Euro zone Greece and other weaker nations should leave Euro Zone and back to their respective currencies. This would help adjust their monetary policy with their fiscal policy. * Fiscal Integration One of the major development areas is increased European integration giving a central body increased control over the budgets of member states Key Learnings * LESSON 1: Financial markets are prone to exaggerations, which amplify further the pro-cyclicality inherent in asset valuations In times of recession, when the degree of risk aversion increases and GDP growth contracts, asset prices tend to decline and risk spreads rise. Also during this period, the standard pattern of pro-cyclicality may be amplified by market exaggerations: investors tend to over-price certain types of risk and thus under-price the respective financial assets. Exaggerated pro-cyclicality of this type has hit the sovereign bond market during the crisis. Furthermore, in particular through the use of sovereign bonds as collateral, it has exerted adverse effects on other segments of financial markets, such as the funding markets for financial institutions. There are many ways to mitigate this pro-cyclicality of government bond markets. One way is to reduce the reliance of the financial, regulatory and supervisory framework on credit ratings * LESSON 2: Fiscal Policy Union along with Monetary Policy Union is important in order to keep countries with common currency on the same page Since Euro was a common currency, Euro Currency Board took charge of the common monetary policy for the nations, but the fiscal policies differed in each country, leading to a widening gap between each country’s financial statuses. One way to curb this problem is to facilitate fiscal integration of the organizations. This would ensure that no country is not overspending and will have limited budget to workout. * LESSON 3: Welfare of the masses is not in Transfer Payments but in Investment and employment creation in the country Austerity measures would only help in curtailing the massive expenditures done on Social welfare schemes such unemployment allowances. Nations should focus on increasing the investment in the nation and looking for opportunities, where it can generate employment for its masses. This would lead to long-term economic stability in the nation. Takeaways for India * While the Indian economy needs fund flows from different sources, it should exercise special caution while depending on the overseas debt India must not allow its public debt to increase any further, especially from the external sources which may play havoc with the country’s debt situation amidst increasing volatility rupee’s foreign exchange rate * India must focus on curtailing its fiscal deficit and should be very cautious in opening up its market and allowing foreigners to invest in government securities Per capita public debt is higher than the growth in per capita income, implying that the population borrowings are increasing at a much faster pace than their earnings. Hence population is being burdened with higher amounts of public debt. Per capita income and per capita debt both have increased over the years. While per-capita income increased from Rs. 26,015 in 2005-06 to Rs. 38,005 in 2011-12 the per capita debt increased from Rs. 13,276.87 in 2005-06 to Rs. 27,044.22 in 2011-12 * Interest Payments are absorbing about one-third of Central Government’s revenue, leading to increase in non-plan expenditure. Interest payments is the fact that not only are interest payment a large contributor to the non-plan expenditure but a large part of the total revenue receipts of the Central Government are also being used to finance them and raising funds from overseas as debt at present times poses several risks, the main problem being extra burden on redemption because of lowering of the rupee value.

Jack Ryan and Palisades Produce Essay

The workplace is littered with ethical dilemmas no matter where you work. For Pacific Trust the primary ethical issues that need attention are Jack Ryan’s negligent behavior toward his work with the Palisades Produce contract. His negligence caused him to be faced with lying to his superior or taking responsibility for his mistakes. The necessity for a course of action to help Jack comes partly from the underlying issue of Stephen Wood’s misconduct within the Middle-market Group. Jack Ryan had been closely working with Palisades Produce for over a year and in his excitement over finally landing them as a client, Jack did not closely read over the stipulations in the contract set forth by Gretchen Marks, Senior Banker in Risk Management. These stipulations were that Jack would obtain monthly Borrowing base reports from Palisades Produce. The Borrowing base reports show the bank how much collateral a company has to cover how much they are requesting to borrow from the bank. Without these reports, a bank could lend out money to companies that could not pay it back. Jack’s first step was to inform his boss, Stephen Wood, of the mistake he made. The response from Wood was for Jack to lie to Gretchen Marks by obtaining and submitting Borrowing base reports of the last four months at the current time as if Jack had always had them. This is clearly an unethical and unwise course of action for anyone to do. Since Jack has not seen the Borrowing base reports, he does not know if Palisades Produce has any flaws in their records or insufficient collateral. Such flaws would cause Pacific Trust to get into trouble by lending out money they could not get back. After leaving Wood’s office, Jack should have reported to Gretchen Marks to inform her about his mistake in not obtaining the Borrowing base reports. If Jack decides to follow the advice of Stephen Wood in order to maybe save his job, then he will most likely lose his job along with Stephen Wood. Covering up a mistake made in the business world can have dire consequences for any parties involved. The Borrowing base reports could be flawless; however, if there is an inconsistency at all with the reports, Gretchen Marks will inquire as to why Jack never brought such inconsistencies to her attention in the month they arose. This would immediately indicate that Jack had lied about when he obtained the Borrowing base reports, putting Pacific Trust and himself in a bad situation. Pacific Trust could not only fire but also sue Jack for his negligence if it did cause harm to the bank. In this case Palisades Produce would most likely leave Pacific Trust since Jack, the person responsible for courting the company, would no longer be with the bank. This course of action is definitely risky for Jack Ryan; he may lose his job either way. However, this is the only course of action likely to allow Jack to keep his job. Gretchen Marks could respect the honesty and responsibility of Jack and help him with the reports, allowing him to keep his job. The person partially responsible for Jacks ethically dilemma is Stephen Wood. Wood has been known to behave inappropriately in the workplace. Wood plays favorites and helps only those employees who do things his way. His use of derogatory language toward female employees on top of his temper issues should have been reported to a higher-up already. The attitude displayed by Wood shows that he is willing to make unethical decisions and having someone like this in your company is a liability. Jack does not have to reveal that Wood was going to help him with a cover-up, but Jack or one of the other subordinates of Wood should have filed a formal complaint on Stephen Wood’s behavior. Since Jack is a rising star within the company and Wood is highly regarded within the company, a complaint coming from Jack might carry more weight and consideration with the senior bank managers. This could sever the close relationship Jack has with Wood; however it would lead to a more effective and peaceful work environment. The reason Wood should be reported instead of being left alone is that since Wood was willing to do unethical things with Jack, he would probably attempt to do other unethical things if he has not already done so. These courses of action for the ethical dilemmas present in this case have the least negative impact. Jack taking responsibility will either hurt himself or hurt nothing at all if the Borrowing base reports are flawless. If they are not, Jack’s career and possibly Palisades Produce’s involvement with Pacific Trust will be damaged. Filing a report against Stephen Wood for workplace misconduct would allow all of the subordinates to work together in a more peaceful and effective environment because there would not be division amongst the employees based on loyalty.

Dr. Strangelove essays

Dr. Strangelove essays Dr. Strangelove (How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb,? (Colombia Pictures 1964) Cast: Peter Gellers, George C. Scott This movie's story takes place in the sixties in the present time in which it was made. The story begins when a United States Army General decides to bomb Russia. The attack is ordered without the authority of The United States of America's Congress and President. Twenty million Russian lives are at stake of being hit with an atomic bomb. Through out the movie it is a race against time to stop the U.S. planes from bombing Russia. In this movie woman are only portrayed as sex objects. The first time I noticed this type of sexual depiction was when a United States pilot was reading a Playboy magazine while on duty in the aircraft. An extremely blatant sexual portrayal of a woman was when General Turgeison's secretary and lover answered the phone in her under ware. This scene was rather long and drawn out. The filmmakers made sure that the audience had plenty of time to stare at her half dressed body. They also had the woman stand in front of a mirror to make sure the audience could see both her front and back side, therefore doubling the sexual presence. At the end of the movie Dr. Strangelove propositions The U.S. President and his cabinet about building a bomb shelter with ten women to each man. He says that they should be attractive women as well. Of course the men use the excuse that to ensure procreation this would be a necessary measure to take, but we all know that the men are really only inte rested in this idea for their own sexual pleasures. Most of the men in this movie are portrayed as tough, rugged, military persons. The smoking of the cigar seems to play an important part in showing male dominance. The insane General Jack D. Ripper is shown almost all the time smoking his cigar, and many of the men in the war room are doing so as well. ...

Rhetorical Analysis of Equiano, Olaudah The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African

Rhetorical Analysis of Equiano, Olaudah The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African Olaudah Equiano’s production, â€Å"The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African.† formed part of the publication of Classic and Contemporary Readings publication that was done in 1789. In this autobiographical production, Equiano is very categorical in his mission to basically to convince his readers of the existence of slave trade in the 17th century including the predicament and lifestyle of most of the slaves. Equiano has done well to bring out his life’s ordeal in a manner that makes all readers of this autobiography believe that the slaves faced a difficult lifestyles and subjects of their masters in all ways.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Rhetorical Analysis of Equiano, Olaudah The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is the challenges and hardships that Equiano went through in the hands of his slave masters that prompted him to share the ordeals of his life with his readers. With the audience targeted mainly being the American and British masters, Equiano has established ethos in this narrative by the use of several strategies which include, quotations or citations, contrast, comparison, exemplification, narration, process analysis, cause and effect analysis, and argumentation. In order to capture the attention of his audience towards the subject matter, Equiano has used intriguing narrations which outline his experiences as a slave bought from Africa. This can be seen in the introduction when he brings of vivid accounts of the African lifestyle and the cause of the black skin seen amongst the Africans. In this account, Equiano narrates about the customs, food, religious practices, and clothing of the Nigerian Africans before the beginning of slave period. This account of narration at the beginning of volume 1 of his autobiography is sign ificant since it gives the readers an opportunity to understand the lifestyles of the Africans before the slave trade. The readers automatically are made to know that the author is trying to convince them that the Africans had peaceful lives before the invasion of the slave masters from Europe and America. Equiano is making passing a bold message to the readers at this point that both American and European slave owners infringed into the human rights to the Africans by distorting their productive lifestyles. This is significant since it gives the readers a basis of judgment of author’s work making them be attentive to the use of evidence and other materials to prove his point. In order to win the trust of the readers fully, Equiano has used extensive descriptions to the African culture of the Nigerians. Contrast is another device that Equiano has used to enhance credibility and effectiveness of his autobiography. It is important to note that the author has used contrast exten sively throughout the article. Comparison has mainly been used to show the differences that exist between the Africans and the Jews as well as the brutality of slavery in the beginning of volume 1 of the narration.Advertising Looking for essay on literature languages? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This can be seen as Equiano states that â€Å"Let the polished and haughty European recollect that his ancestors were once, like the Africans, uncivilized, and even barbarous. Did Nature make them inferior to their sons? And should they too have been made slaves? Every rational mind answers, No, (Equiano 43). This comparison is significant in terms of helping the readers to understand the credibility of the African customs as well as the brutality that the slavery brought to Africans. As a matter of fact, Equiano’s intention and this point of the narration is to negate the intentions of the European and American slave owners. In addition, the author is making a statement of equality within the mankind species. Equiano is alerting the readers that all human beings were once primitive and had uncivilized culture and so none should discriminate against another. Process Analysis is another very useful device that Equiano has used in the autobiography. The author has engaged into instances of explaining various stages that characterized his life. Equiano has vividly staged his life’s process in categories to indicate how he maneuvered his ways to freedom. This is shown when he describes the process of his capture and being bought as a slave by Henry Pascal who was his first master. He also describes the process of his education, learning of Christianity and experiences with Europeans during the time he worked for his first owner. This is demonstrated when he says that I ceased to feel those apprehensions and alarms which had taken such strong possession of me when I first came among the E uropeans, (Equiano 111). The author goes ahead to give a description of how he was betrayed by his first master by being sold out to another master- James Doran and his complains about the situation. This is demonstrated when he says that could not sell me to him, nor to anyone else.  .  . I have served him.  .  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ many years, and he has taken all my wages and prize-money.  .  . I have been baptized; and by the laws of the land no man has a right to sell me, (Equiano 176-177). Equiano has used this device to win over the trust of his readers and improve the effectiveness of this autobiography. Equiano, Olaudah. The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. London: Modern Library Pbk, 2004. Print.

Get the Url of a Hyperlink in a TWebBrowser Document

Get the Url of a Hyperlink in a TWebBrowser Document The TWebBrowser Delphi component provides access to the Web browser functionality from your Delphi applications. In most situations you use the TWebBrowser to display HTML documents to the user - thus creating your own version of the (Internet Explorer) Web browser. Note that the TWebBrowser can also display Word documents, for example. A very nice feature of a Browser is to display link information, for example, in the status bar, when the mouse hovers over a link in a document. The TWebBrowser does not expose an event like OnMouseMove. Even if such an event would exist it would be fired for the TWebBrowser component - NOT for the document being displayed inside the TWebBrowser. In order to provide such information (and much more, as you will see in a moment) in your Delphi application using the TWebBrowser component, a technique called events sinking must be implemeted. WebBrowser Event Sink To navigate to a web page using the TWebBrowser component you call the Navigate method. The Document property of the TWebBrowser returns an IHTMLDocument2 value (for web documents). This interface is used to retrieve information about a document, to examine and modify the HTML elements and text within the document, and to process related events. To get the href attribute (link) of an a tag inside a document, while the mouse hovers over a document, you need to react on the onmousemove event of the IHTMLDocument2. Here are the steps to sink events for the currently loaded document: Sink the WebBrowser controls events in the DocumentComplete event raised by the TWebBrowser. This event is fired when the document is fully loaded into the Web Browser.Inside DocumentComplete, retrieve the WebBrowsers document object and sink the HtmlDocumentEvents interface.Handle the event you are interested in.Clear the sink in the in BeforeNavigate2 - that is when the new document is loaded in the Web Browser. HTML Document OnMouseMove Since we are interested in the HREF attribute of an A element - in order to show the URL of a link the mouse is over, we will sink the onmousemove event. The procedure to get the tag (and its attributes) below the mouse can be defined as: var   Ã‚  htmlDoc : IHTMLDocument2; ... procedure TForm1.Document_OnMouseOver; var   Ã‚   element : IHTMLElement; begin   Ã‚   if htmlDoc nil then Exit;   Ã‚   element : htmlDoc.parentWindow.event.srcElement;   Ã‚   elementInfo.Clear;   Ã‚   if LowerCase(element.tagName) a then   Ã‚   begin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ShowMessage(Link, HREF : element.getAttribute(href,0)]) ;   Ã‚   end   Ã‚   else if LowerCase(element.tagName) img then   Ã‚   begin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ShowMessage(IMAGE, SRC : element.getAttribute(src,0)]) ;   Ã‚   end   Ã‚   else   Ã‚   begin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(Format(TAG : %s,[element.tagName])) ;   Ã‚   end; end; (*Document_OnMouseOver*) As explained above, we attach to the onmousemove event of a document in the OnDocumentComplete event of a TWebBrowser: procedure TForm1.WebBrowser1DocumentComplete(   Ã‚  ASender: TObject;   Ã‚  const pDisp: IDispatch;   Ã‚  var URL: OleVariant) ; begin   Ã‚   if Assigned(WebBrowser1.Document) then   Ã‚   begin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   htmlDoc : WebBrowser1.Document as IHTMLDocument2;   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   htmlDoc.onmouseover : (TEventObject.Create(Document_OnMouseOver) as IDispatch) ;   Ã‚   end; end; (*WebBrowser1DocumentComplete*) And this is where the problems arise! As you might guess the onmousemove event is *not* a usual event - as are those we are used to work with in Delphi. The onmousemove expects a pointer to a variable of type VARIANT of type VT_DISPATCH that receives the IDispatch interface of an object with a default method that is invoked when the event occurs. In order to attach a Delphi procedure to onmousemove you need to create a wrapper that implements IDispatch and raises your event in its Invoke method. Heres the TEventObject interface: TEventObject class(TInterfacedObject, IDispatch) private   Ã‚   FOnEvent: TObjectProcedure; protected   Ã‚   function GetTypeInfoCount(out Count: Integer): HResult; stdcall;   Ã‚   function GetTypeInfo(Index, LocaleID: Integer; out TypeInfo): HResult; stdcall;   Ã‚   function GetIDsOfNames(const IID: TGUID; Names: Pointer; NameCount, LocaleID: Integer; DispIDs: Pointer): HResult; stdcall;   Ã‚   function Invoke(DispID: Integer; const IID: TGUID; LocaleID: Integer; Flags: Word; var Params; VarResult, ExcepInfo, ArgErr: Pointer): HResult; stdcall; public   Ã‚   constructor Create(const OnEvent: TObjectProcedure) ;   Ã‚   property OnEvent: TObjectProcedure read FOnEvent write FOnEvent;   Ã‚   end; Heres how to implement event sinking for a document displayed by the TWebBrowser component - and get the info of a HTML element below the mouse. TWebBrowser Document Event Sinking Example Download Drop a TWebBrowser (WebBrowser1) on a Form (Form1). Add a TMemo (elementInfo)... unit Unit1;interfaceuses  Ã‚   Windows, Messages, SysUtils, Variants, Classes, Graphics, Controls, Forms,  Ã‚   Dialogs, OleCtrls, SHDocVw, MSHTML, ActiveX, StdCtrls;type  Ã‚   TObjectProcedure procedure of object;  Ã‚   TEventObject class(TInterfacedObject, IDispatch)  Ã‚   private  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   FOnEvent: TObjectProcedure;  Ã‚   protected  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   function GetTypeInfoCount(out Count: Integer): HResult; stdcall;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   function GetTypeInfo(Index, LocaleID: Integer; out TypeInfo): HResult; stdcall;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   function GetIDsOfNames(const IID: TGUID; Names: Pointer; NameCount, LocaleID: Integer; DispIDs: Pointer): HResult; stdcall;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   function Invoke(DispID: Integer; const IID: TGUID; LocaleID: Integer; Flags: Word; var Params; VarResult, ExcepInfo, ArgErr: Pointer): HResult; stdcall;  Ã‚   public  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   constructor Create(const OnEvent: TObjectProcedure) ;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   property OnEvent: TObjectProcedure read FOnEvent writ e FOnEvent;  Ã‚   end;  Ã‚   TForm1 class(TForm)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   WebBrowser1: TWebBrowser;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo: TMemo;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   procedure WebBrowser1BeforeNavigate2(ASender: TObject; const pDisp: IDispatch; var URL, Flags, TargetFrameName, PostData, Headers: OleVariant; var Cancel: WordBool) ;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   procedure WebBrowser1DocumentComplete(ASender: TObject; const pDisp: IDispatch; var URL: OleVariant) ;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   procedure FormCreate(Sender: TObject) ;  Ã‚   private  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   procedure Document_OnMouseOver;  Ã‚   public  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   { Public declarations }  Ã‚   end;var  Ã‚   Form1: TForm1;  Ã‚   htmlDoc : IHTMLDocument2;implementation{$R *.dfm}procedure TForm1.Document_OnMouseOver;var  Ã‚   element : IHTMLElement;begin  Ã‚   if htmlDoc nil then Exit;  Ã‚   element : htmlDoc.parentWindow.event.srcElement;  Ã‚   elementInfo.Clear;  Ã‚   if LowerCase(element.tagName) a then  Ã‚   begin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines. Add(LINK info...) ;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(Format(HREF : %s,[element.getAttribute(href,0)])) ;  Ã‚   end  Ã‚   else if LowerCase(element.tagName) img then  Ã‚   begin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(IMAGE info...) ;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(Format(SRC : %s,[element.getAttribute(src,0)])) ;  Ã‚   end  Ã‚   else  Ã‚   begin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(Format(TAG : %s,[element.tagName])) ;  Ã‚   end;end; (*Document_OnMouseOver*)procedure TForm1.FormCreate(Sender: TObject) ;begin  Ã‚   WebBrowser1.Navigate(http://delphi.about.com) ;  Ã‚   elementInfo.Clear;  Ã‚   elementInfo.Lines.Add(Move your mouse over the document...) ;end; (*FormCreate*)procedure TForm1.WebBrowser1BeforeNavigate2(ASender: TObject; const pDisp: IDispatch; var URL, Flags, TargetFrameName, PostData, Headers: OleVariant; var Cancel: WordBool) ;begin  Ã‚   htmlDoc : nil;end; (*WebBrowser1BeforeNavigate2*)procedure TForm1.WebBrowser1DocumentComplete(ASend er: TObject; const pDisp: IDispatch; var URL: OleVariant) ;begin  Ã‚   if Assigned(WebBrowser1.Document) then  Ã‚   begin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   htmlDoc : WebBrowser1.Document as IHTMLDocument2;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   htmlDoc.onmouseover : (TEventObject.Create(Document_OnMouseOver) as IDispatch) ;  Ã‚   end;end; (*WebBrowser1DocumentComplete*){ TEventObject }constructor TEventObject.Create(const OnEvent: TObjectProcedure) ;begin  Ã‚   inherited Create;  Ã‚   FOnEvent : OnEvent;end;function TEventObject.GetIDsOfNames(const IID: TGUID; Names: Pointer; NameCount, LocaleID: Integer; DispIDs: Pointer): HResult;begin  Ã‚   Result : E_NOTIMPL;end;function TEventObject.GetTypeInfo(Index, LocaleID: Integer; out TypeInfo): HResult;begin  Ã‚   Result : E_NOTIMPL;end;function TEventObject.GetTypeInfoCount(out Count: Integer): HResult;begin  Ã‚   Result : E_NOTIMPL;end;function TEventObject.Invoke(DispID: Integer; const IID: TGUID; LocaleID: Integer; Flags: Word; var Params; VarResult, ExcepIn fo, ArgErr: Pointer): HResult;begin  Ã‚   if (DispID DISPID_VALUE) then  Ã‚   begin  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   if Assigned(FOnEvent) then FOnEvent;  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Result : S_OK;  Ã‚   end  Ã‚   else Result : E_NOTIMPL;end;end.

Biography Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biography - Assignment Example Samantha has always thought it’s very relaxing and relieving, while also efficiently preparing her body, mind and soul for daunting tasks ahead. Samantha enjoys biking too, alongside other hobbies such as camping. In addition, she loves to sit and enjoy a game of football, baseball, basketball, or hockey either live or on television. In the course of this affection, she has inadvertently fallen in love with a couple of sports teams whose matches she has lately found nearly impossible to miss. She loves cheering her teams on and reveling in the glory and ecstasy of a victorious duel. But nothing bites the heart like a favorite team getting a real hammering from the opponents. In addition, the banters from the opposing fans after such games usually tend to transform into stuff of nightmares for Samantha. Over the years, Samantha has come to appreciate the joy of a good read. According to her, books educate, books entertain, books inform and books increase one’s wisdom. She loves to explore a variety of genres, be it academic, fictional, poetry, short stories, history, real life – she will cherish them. She is the kind that takes their time with books, partly why she intends to have her own personal library collection in the comfort of her home in the future. She takes her time and patience to enjoy what the author is trying to say and the way in which they put their messages across and hence she can take even a whole month on a single novel against the wasteful habit of reading a great, once-in-a-lifetime piece in an unnecessary haste. She prefers hard copies as she finds e-books rather un-enjoyable and uncomfortable. Everyone would tell you that one of the greatest pleasures of life is travelling (travelling to new places, meeting new people, striking new relationships and sampling the beauty of the world). Samantha couldn’t agree

Requires..paraphrasing,,,grammar Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Requires..paraphrasing,,,grammar - Essay Example The researcher did not have enough time to formulate adequate questionnaire method that will cover a comprehensive picture in uncovering the defects that has the most significant impact in hospital maintenance. CHAPTER 6: Conclusion and recommendations Introduction This chapter presents the conclusion of the case study followed by a set of recommendations on how to reduce the impact of defective design on KFH maintenance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Conclusion Recommendations This case study has provided a number of valuable facts based on the interviewee’s answers on the questionnaires and subsequent validation of the applied literatures of the study. Based on the facts provided by the interviewees, some recommendations are presented in order to increase the effectiveness of maintenance efforts and to reduce the negative impact of defective designs on KFH maintenance in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This study presents the recommendation from two areas; namely, maintenance reco mmendation and maintenance and design recommendations. Maintenance Recommendation In order to implement better and an effective maintenance practice, several recommendations are hereby proposed to reduce the impact of maintenance issues of the KFH as summarized as follows; 1- There should be a continuous development of the training curriculum by MOH that would reflect the best maintenance practices. ... 3- To better manage the availability and cost-effectiveness in the acquisition of spare parts related to maintenance, it is highly encouraged that some spare parts are to be manufactured locally. 4- The documentation of standards of maintenance and its specification at the various levels of maintenance management should be officially encouraged. 5- Conferences that allow experts in the maintenance field to impart their know-how should be encouraged to increase the knowledge and expertise of managers in the maintenance field. 6- Standard of best maintenance practice should be established. This should be reinforced by giving awards to companies that achieves the best practice in the maintenance industry. 7- Total Quality Management Strategies should be implemented to reduce maintenance errors through documentation to avoid repetition in the future. 8- Allocations of budget for maintenance should be adequate and sufficient to cover maintenance processes in maintenance contracting. 9- Cr iteria on the selection of contractors should be based solely on their history, expertise and experience in the field of hospital maintenance as enumerated: Provides proper planning and scheduling to hospital maintenance. Provides qualified and specialised maintenance workers. Procures high quality material to the hospital. Provides adequate budget to cover the need for maintenance. Provides efficient administration. Ensures the availability of required equipment and facilities. The objectives behind that recommendation are: To reduce and minimize errors committed by workers by continuous trainings and workshops. To optimise the performance and control/monitor maintenance systems. To reduce the risk of breakdown of hospital services. To increase the interaction of mechanical

Teeens in concentration camps Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Teeens in concentration camps - Research Paper Example Cynthia Ozicks "The Shawl portrays the cruelties of Nazi concentration camp. Stories and narratives about the concentration camps demonstrate the unending brutality and wretchedness that the Jewish young children and teenagers faced during the reign of Hitler. In the concentration camps teenagers were recruited for the Nazis and forced to undergo heavy military practices. These teen soldiers had been educated for struggle, and most of the soldiers had hardly even heard of these concentration camps. In Nazi concentration camps the teen soldiers have met thousands of hungry and struggling populace including young children who had witnessed and observed assassinations, persecution, hunger and ravage they also had been dehumanized. Eleanor H. Ayer supports â€Å"They were murdered because they had Jewish blood, and nothing they could do could change that.† (Ayer 7-8). Teens who have been recruited in to the Nazi force also suffered from severe training programs and strict disciplinary activities. Many of them have escaped from these concentration camps because of dehumanization and other conditions which were beyond their power of endurance. During the time of Nazi movement in Germany, lots of the teens became rescuers when their parents choose to conceal Jews. The teenagers survived in the ghettos of Lodz and they also lived in Warsaw. In all there places they have had to sustain physical scarcity, mistreatment, and transportation to the death camp. The Jews who lived in these concentration camps were subjected to severe physical torturing and often killed. On the other hand, for nearly all prisoners, actual celebration was not possible. The book Liberation: Teens in the Concentration Camps and the Teen Soldiers Who by Tina Tito points out that â€Å"They built death camps occupied with the most sophisticated technology available in order to kill the Jews. With the assistance of collaborators (non-Germans who

Marketing Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing Process - Essay Example Marketing is a continuing ongoing process; its environment is always dynamic. This means that the market tends to change-what customers want today is not necessarily what they want tomorrow (Background, n.d.). Marketing issues are important in all areas of the organisation. In business organisations, marketing efforts (including such services as promotion and distribution) often account for more than half of the price of a product (Background, n.d.). From the time of the industrial revolution until the early 1920's, production concept was the idea that an organistion should focus on those products that it could produce most efficiently and that the creation of a supply of low-cost products would in and of itself create the demand for the products. The key questions that a firm would ask before producing a product were: can we produce the product can we produce enough of it During those times, the production concept worked well due to the fact that the goods that were produced were mo stly those of basic necessity and there was a relatively high level of unfulfilled demand. Virtually everything that could be produced was sold easily by a sales team whose job it was simply to execute transactions at a price determined by the cost of production. The production concept prevailed until the late 1920's before mass production become a norm (The marketing concept, 2005). During the early 1930's however, mass production had become commonplace, competition had increased, and there was little unfulfilled demand. During this time, business organisations began to practice the sales concept (or selling concept), under which companies not only would produce the products, but also would try to convince customers to buy them through advertising and personal selling. Before producing a product, the key questions were: Can we sell the product Can we charge enough for it The sales concept paid little attention to whether the product actually was needed; the goal simply was to beat the competition to the sale without paying attention to consumer needs and desire. Marketing was a function that was performed after the product was developed and produced, therefore, many people came to associate marketing with hard selling. Until today, most people use the word "marketing" when they really mean sales (The marketing concept, 2005). The Marketing Concept However, after World War II, the variety of products increased and hard selling no longer could be relied upon to generate sales. With increased flexible income, customers could afford to be selective and buy only those products that will exactly met their fast changing needs, and these needs were not right away known. The key questions became: What do customers want Can we develop it while they still want it, How can we keep our customers satisfied (The marketing concept, 2005) In reaction to these sensitive customers, firms began to adopt the marketing concept, which involves: Focusing on customer needs before developing the product, Aligning all functions of the company to focus on those needs, realising a profit by successfully satisfying customer needs over the long-term

STRATEGY consulting brief about Air Australia Essay

STRATEGY consulting brief about Air Australia - Essay Example Michael James joined Strategic Group in 2002 as an equal shareholder, alongside Shaun Aisen, and executive director. However, in 2011, Shaun Aisen exited the company resulting in Michael James becoming the sole owner. A few months later, other key members of staff, including the chief executive, commercial manager, and chief operating officer, left the company citing disagreements with Mr. James’ leadership as the main cause. On February 17, 2012, the company’s directors agreed that the company be placed into voluntary administration. Finally, in March of the same year, the company’s creditors voted, for Air Australia to be placed into liquidation. This was because the company could not be sold since nobody had expressed interest, and the company’s assets were not enough to cover the debts it had incurred. Air Australia’s main appeal was their cheap tickets since the company was a low-cost carrier. The budget airline provided affordable travel and, therefore, families could opt to travel short distances by air rather than spend several hours on the road. By providing low-priced, convenient, and frequent flights, Air Australia obtained its competitive advantage over its competitors. Air Australia competitive strengths also include the company’s superior customer service and capability to offer the lowest fares. Although, the company was knee-deep in debt, it had an unequaled customer service within the airline industry (Horst, 2011). Air Australia had debts amounting to an estimated $90 million but only had assets worth $1 million, since the company leased much of its equipment. The company had also been unable to pay aviation charges and fees to Air Services Australia, and owed both Melbourne Airport and Perth Airport vast amounts for terminal leasing. The company’s business had been ailing for a long time but had managed to survive, because it was cash

Mediation and intercultural communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Mediation and intercultural communication - Essay Example is to ensure the best performance of his duties, connected with finding an acceptable agreement between opposing parties. As far as mediation in Saudi Arabia is concerned, completely confidential and satisfactory for both parties resolution of the conflict should be meant, while mediation sphere in this country comprises one of the best professionals in this area. Mediators in Saudi Arabia are divided by the sphere of professional interest: for example, in order to solve dispute concerning employment agreement, it is necessary to contact with mediator in Saudi Arabia, who specializes in labor contracts. Other kinds of disputes, which can be handled by mediators in Saudi Arabia, include consumers, business, divorce etc. Saudi Arabia, being a multicultural country, faces disputes in which representatives of opposing cultural views are involved. Intercultural relations and communication are of the great importance in such cases, as it is tremendously necessary to tolerate opposin g parties in order to come to an agreement, which will satisfy both. In such cases mutual understanding and intercultural communications play an integral part and share each other’s thoughts and views, help to understand other opinions and to come to common solutions. To conclude, mediation in Saudi Arabia is a basic instrument in solving disputes and finding agreements. Intercultural relations and communication make it possible to understand opposing parties and to reach a common goal Seat, K. (2012, March 19). International Mediation Developments – November 2013.International Mediation Developments - November 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from http://www.mediate.com/articles/intlmeddevNo Zemanta, A. (2010, January 11). Virtual Mediation Lab.  Virtual Mediation Lab. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from

STRATEGY consulting brief about Air Australia Essay

STRATEGY consulting brief about Air Australia - Essay Example Michael James joined Strategic Group in 2002 as an equal shareholder, alongside Shaun Aisen, and executive director. However, in 2011, Shaun Aisen exited the company resulting in Michael James becoming the sole owner. A few months later, other key members of staff, including the chief executive, commercial manager, and chief operating officer, left the company citing disagreements with Mr. James’ leadership as the main cause. On February 17, 2012, the company’s directors agreed that the company be placed into voluntary administration. Finally, in March of the same year, the company’s creditors voted, for Air Australia to be placed into liquidation. This was because the company could not be sold since nobody had expressed interest, and the company’s assets were not enough to cover the debts it had incurred. Air Australia’s main appeal was their cheap tickets since the company was a low-cost carrier. The budget airline provided affordable travel and, therefore, families could opt to travel short distances by air rather than spend several hours on the road. By providing low-priced, convenient, and frequent flights, Air Australia obtained its competitive advantage over its competitors. Air Australia competitive strengths also include the company’s superior customer service and capability to offer the lowest fares. Although, the company was knee-deep in debt, it had an unequaled customer service within the airline industry (Horst, 2011). Air Australia had debts amounting to an estimated $90 million but only had assets worth $1 million, since the company leased much of its equipment. The company had also been unable to pay aviation charges and fees to Air Services Australia, and owed both Melbourne Airport and Perth Airport vast amounts for terminal leasing. The company’s business had been ailing for a long time but had managed to survive, because it was cash

Organic Chemistry Aricle Critique - New Compound Synthesized Research Paper

Organic Chemistry Aricle Critique - New Compound Synthesized - Research Paper Example The compound is an aromatic ketone having a phenyl group directly attached to the carbonyl group; its chemical formula is C9H10O and its structural formula is COCH3C6H4CH3. Reduction occurs either by metal hydrides such as LAH or by hydrogen; ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols. The statement in the article is arguable because reduction and not oxidation occurs with either compound yielding a secondary alcohol. Catalytic hydrogenation or reduction by hydrogen is synonymous names for the same reaction; which is valid. Tollen's reagent is a reagent used to distinguish between aldehydes and ketones. Ketones do not react with the reagent which the author failed to demonstrate. P-methyacetophenone reacts to form a tertiary alcohol with ethylmagnesium bromide; this point is accurate. The compound reacts with Grignard reagent giving magnesium alkoxide which then yields the tertiary alcohol when water is added to it. All in all, p-metyacetophenone is a compound used in perfumes and its synthesis is of great importance for the chemists. Calibrated Peer Review (CPR) Site. 31 Nov. 2000. The National Scrutinizer. Volume 88, Number 9. A New Compound Has Been Synthesized! 04 Mar. 2009.

Texting and Driving vs. Drunk Driving Essay Example for Free

Texting and Driving vs. Drunk Driving Essay Texting and Driving vs. Drunk Driving Over the last century, technology has helped society move forward, making things faster and easier. Having a vehicle has allowed people to reach a destination faster than they would if they had to ride a bike or even walk. Also the ability to now text using a cell phone speeds up the communication process even more. With all the new technological advances you have to many people taking advantage of it; by texting while they are driving to make business or personal communications even faster. On the other hand you have a new technological advance combined with the alcohol that has been around for ages. Drinking brings out a different side in every person. You have some people that are happy, outgoing, or funny drinkers. Then you have some people that are mad drinkers that want to fight any body that makes a joke about them. Last but certainly not least you have the stupid drinkers; these are the type of people that after drinking decide to get in their car and try and drive and put not only their selves, but many other people in danger. Both texting and driving, and driving under the influence are very dangerous, considering that you could not only kill yourself, but many more people also; but which is worse? The low number of scientific studies may be indicative of a general assumption that if talking on a mobile phone increases risk, then texting also increases risk, and probably more so, 89% of U. S. adults think that text messaging while driving is distracting, dangerous, and should be outlawed. (â€Å"Verifiabilityâ€Å")The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has released pol ling data that show that 87% of people consider texting and e-mailing while driving a very serious safety threat, almost equivalent to the 90% of those polled who consider drunk driving a threat. †. So why do people continue to text and drive and drive while intoxicated. With all test that have been conducted and the scary results, I don’t understand how people could stand to put their own lives at risk everyday. Another test conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory in London took it a step further. It found that drivers who sent a text had slower response times, and were more likely to drift in and out of lanes compared to drivers who were intoxicated. The study found that reaction times for those who sent a text while driving were 35 percent worse than when they drove without any distractions at all. When driving while intoxicated, the reaction time was only 12 percent worse than when the driver was sober and driving without any texting distractions (â€Å"Neiger†). The third test showed; At 35 miles an hour, Mr. Alterman’s average reaction time was . 57 seconds, but while texting it rose to 1. 36 seconds, more than twice his average reaction time of . 64 seconds while under the influence. Mr. Brown fared better, but his average reaction time of . 45 seconds rose to . 52 seconds while texting, worse than his average time of . 6 seconds while driving drunk. The results of the tests at 70 miles an hour were better in terms of reaction times. But at highway speeds, the extra distance traveled before coming to a complete stop was much greater. For example, Mr. Alterman traveled an average of four feet farther while driving drunk and an average of 70 feet farther while texting(â€Å"Changâ€Å"). As a research shows, texting and driving is much worse than driving while drunk. When you drive drunk it makes your reaction time a little slower and throws your balance off a little bit. But on the other hand texting and driving is much worse because, when you send or read a text you are taking your eyes completely of the road. Taking your eyes off the road can result in a very fatal car crash if you were to drift into the other lane, or if someone just decides to pull out in front of you; how would you know about it? Even though drunk driving is better than texting and driving, neither one of the two need to be done because you never know what could happen, and how many people you can hurt.

Essay --

The term masculinity can be defined as the set of traits or characteristics typically for men. There are arguments to the word ‘Masculinity’. It is independent of the understanding that man is connected to masculinity. Like men can be feminine, women can be masculine. It is the nature of masculinity is what makes someone masculine, not their gender. (Masculinity movie) Masculinity can be divided into degrees of comparison- more masculine or most masculine. ‘Crisis of Male Identity in ‘Father, Son and Holy War,’ Rustam Barucha in Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 30, No. 29, July 1, 1995. BIBLIOGRAPHY Man, manhood, masculinity the terms are closely related to each other. Does one ‘become’ a man or is he born one? Are ‘men’ necessarily masculine? â€Å"Indeed is explained that some men may reject their masculinity on ideological or sexual grounds. It is often assumed that homosexuals for example are not men they are feminine. Yet gay and homosexual cultures, however unofficial, are marked by strong masculine codes. So masculinity in these cases becomes a style or representation? Thus to answer the relationship of masculinity to other nouns of man and manhood the basic element of purusatva applying to Indian men should be considered. This aspect can/ should be speculated from multiple dimension of socially and politically that develops into specific ways that is patriarchal intrusion.† (Barucha, 1995) Predominant masculinity The relation of Lord Rama and Hanuman can also be woven as an example of man to man relation. Hanuman is considered as the passionate devotee of Lord Rama. Though Lord Rama was the king of Ayodhya, he was in constant need of Hanuman. Hanuman considered himself subordinate of Lord Rama. But the relation that buil... ...nd/father. Law is equal for both man and woman. But the reason for grant of divorce by the plea of woman beds on the fact of more cruelty and crime against woman. The cases of domestic violence ingrain the law to take stringent actions against the men of the society. Under Section 354 in The Indian Penal Code, 1860 The law says, â€Å"Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty. -- Whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will there by outrage her modesty, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.† This explains the crisis man face under the Indian jurisdiction. Though powerful, a man is bound by the laws. The same judicial system raises the hierarchy of woman in the eyes of the law.

Hardys Presentation of Bathsheba and Fannys Experiences in Far from t

Hardy's Presentation of Bathsheba and Fanny's Experiences in Far from the Madding Crowd How does this novel reveal the social reality of the time? In this essay I will look at Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd' in the first section, I will look at the different ways Hardy portrays Bathsheba and Fanny's experiences. Since Hardy based this novel in the 1840s, and being true to history, it does reveal a lot about the social reality of the time. However, Hardy could have a different perspective, as he is writing in the 1870s, which may have affected his view on the 1840s social ideal. Fanny is offered almost as a complete contrast to Bathsheba Fanny wants to get married (though this could possibly be because she is pregnant), she has no money, no home and no family, while Bathsheba has everything (except the family) that Fanny doesn't have, including her boyfriend too, Troy. Bathsheba at the beginning represents a very rare kind of Victorian woman, one who is proud, strong and independent. While Fanny is the naÃÆ'Â ¯ve and 'fallen' woman. As you progress through the novel, you see a peculiar change coming over both women, they seem to change their characters, Bathsheba becoming more like Fanny, and Fanny becoming more like Bathsheba. Fanny shows her strength as she almost pulls herself down the road by the will of her mind, 'holding onto the rail she advanced, thrusting one hand forward, then the other, leaning over it whilst she dragged her feet on beneath' a lesser woman would have just sat down and given up, but she shows us her strength of character as she tricks her body into making the steps, that would take her ever nearer, to her death, so to speak.. Bathsheba however, allows herself to b... ... Even through the action of the characters, especially the males, you can see how difficult it was for a female in the 1840's society, the stir Bathsheba cause when she walks into the farmers market 'for at her first entry the lumbering dialogues had ceased, nearly every face turned towards her' and again at the farmers market your attention is brought to the fact she is the only woman there 'the single one of her sex that the room contained' a sign that woman were not readily accepted in the farming world, or any place that had money as its bases. So in conclusion to be a woman in 1840's based on Hardy's description would have been a very trying experience, a woman's role was to be dressed up in pretty clothes and displayed, never to do anything but sit at home and do the needle work, never to go and try something different. To be seen and not heard.

Case Study question

The task that Eileen and Jack are doing on a separate level has set up what seems to be a personal relationship with each other. Jack uses Eileen more like an assistant or peer than one of the regular employees. Although Eileen is t the same level as the other workers she does different tasks as them. The interaction between Eileen and Jack is what is causing the rest of the team to have a negative sentiment towards Jacks leadership. They do not see Jack's behavior as appropriate or worthy Of their trust.If the two Of them continue to separate themselves from the rest of the team, it will cause the other workers to lower their work performance since they will feel unappreciated and that their work is not being noticed. Another problem that could arise is that they could report Jack to Human resources and accuse him of unfair retirement since Eileen is getting time off and preferential treatment. Applying Path-Goal and Attainment-Schmidt Continuum of leader behavior Jack needs underst and he is causing the resentment towards Eileen.He needs to develop every team member with the style that is best for them. Jack seems to be using an Achievement-oriented leadership style with Eileen, and wants the others to just be more like her. Believe Jack needs to be supportive in finding out why the other resent Eileen, by doing this he will discover that they feel he is giving preferential treatment to Eileen. Then he will be able to identify where his team is and change his leadership behavior according to the individual member.According to Attainment and Schmidt, Jack should be more democratic in his decisions. If he wants the group to work like a team then he should be less authoritarian and more democratic. This could limit the preferential treatment given to any employee in the group. Jack will be able to clarify the goals that need to be achieved and explain that Eileen is the best to stay late, or the team will be in agreement another team member would be better for th e task.

A Day of Happy Moments

Pleasure is something which satisfies our senses but happiness is something deep seated. It is something which is much nearer to our soul. A hot cup of coffee on a chilly day would surely bring pleasure and not happiness. Now I shall say when I was very happy. Even from my early days, I used to take interest in games. My elder brothers used to take me to the sports and matches. Whenever I saw the victors receiving trophies, I eagerly wished that I must be on the victory stand one day. As I came to the secondary school, I took interest in long distance running. With some boys of my class, I used to take to the track and run. In one of the inter-school competitions I came first in the one kilometer race. This gave me not only satisfaction but also encouraged me to put in more and more effort. I was regularly on the track practicing. I learnt the techniques from my physical instructor. From one kilometer I Learnt slowly to run two kilometers within three minutes. The day when I can do it, is still far-off. Still unceasingly I practice long distance running. The Inter-district Sports Meet of the schools came and I was selected for 1000 meter race. It was a red letter day in my life. The event was announced and along with five others, I was standing on the track. Hundreds of people were looking at us. We were set on the mark and the gun went off. I started steadily and knew that I must have spare energy for the last lap. It was a three round business. In the first two rounds, I kept myself the second or third. In the third round, Picked up speed and was running like a colt, left others far behind and breasted the tape in the record time. The excitement was so much that I was almost unconscious for a few minutes. Then I ran to the victory stand. My joy knew no bounds when my name was announced first and I took the salute. It was the glorious day and I enjoyed boundless happiness.

The Indigo Spell Chapter Fifteen

MS. TERWILLIGER WAS WAITING in the lobby when Julia and I returned to the dorm. â€Å"Seriously. Do you have a tracking device on me?† I asked. Julia took one look at our teacher's serious expression and quickly made an exit. â€Å"Just excellent timing,† Ms. Terwilliger replied. â€Å"I understand you have news.† â€Å"Surprisingly, yes.† Ms. Terwilliger's face was hard as she led me back outside to more privacy and yet another top secret outdoor meeting. These days, she hardly resembled the scattered, hippie teacher I'd met when I first started at Amberwood. â€Å"Tell me the news,† she ordered. I told her about Alicia's call, and her dismayed expression didn't really inspire me. I'd kind of hoped she'd reveal some amazing, foolproof plan she'd secretly been concocting. â€Å"Well, then,† she said once I'd finished. â€Å"I suppose I'll have to go out there.† â€Å"I'll go out there,† I corrected. She favored me with a small smile. â€Å"You've done more than enough. It's time I step up and deal with Veronica.† â€Å"But you sent me to that place before.† â€Å"When we weren't even sure where it was or what she was doing there. This time, we have an eyewitness confirming she's there right now. I can't waste this opportunity.† She glanced at a clock near the door and sighed. â€Å"I'd go tonight if I could but haven't made the necessary preparations. I'll start working on them now and go in tomorrow evening. Hopefully I won't miss her again.† â€Å"No.† The defiance in my voice surprised even me. I didn't contradict teachers – or any kind of authority – very often. Okay, never. â€Å"She eluded us before. Let us scout it out. You don't want to tip your hand yet, just in case something goes wrong. You'll be ready tomorrow night? Then let us go in the day . . . I mean, provided someone could get me out of school. . . .† A little of that tension faded, and she laughed. â€Å"I suppose I could do that. I hate that I keep putting you in danger, though.† â€Å"We passed that point a long time ago.† She couldn't argue against that logic. I made arrangements for Adrian to pick me up the next day – after first scolding â€Å"Jet† for giving out â€Å"Taylor's† number. When morning came, Ms. Terwilliger was true to her word. I'd been excused from classes for a â€Å"research trip.† The thing about being a star pupil was that none of my teachers had any problems with me skipping classes. They knew I'd get the work done. I probably could've taken the rest of the semester off. During the drive, I told Adrian that I'd managed to score a trip to St. Louis in order to pursue Marcus's daunting task. Adrian's expression grew darker and darker, but he stayed silent on the matter. I knew what a conflict it was for him. He didn't like Marcus. He didn't like me taking on this potentially dangerous mission. However, he also trusted me to make my own decisions. Contradicting me or telling me what to do wasn't in his nature – even though he secretly may have wanted to. His only comment was one of support. â€Å"Be careful, Sage. For God's sake, be careful. I've seen you pull off some crazy shit, but this is extreme, even for you. You're probably the only one who can manage this, but still . . . don't let your guard down, even for a moment.† When I told him about how I was hoping to use Ian to get more in-depth access, Adrian's troubled look turned to one of incredulity. â€Å"Hold on here. Let me make sure I'm following this. You're going to seduce some guy to help you with your espionage.† Seduce Ian? Ugh. â€Å"Don't jump to conclusions,† I warned. â€Å"I'm just going to try to use his feelings for me to get what I want.† â€Å"Wow. Cold, Sage. Very cold.† â€Å"Hey, now.† I felt a little indignant at the accusation. â€Å"I'm not going to promise to marry him or something and then dump him later. He wrote me about going to dinner when I'm there. We'll have a nice time, and I'll try to talk him into letting me tour the facility. That's it.† â€Å"And ‘talking him into it' doesn't involve putting out?† I glared at him and hoped he could see me in his periphery. â€Å"Adrian. Do I really seem like the kind of person who'd do that?† â€Å"Well – † He stopped, and I suspected he'd held back from some snarky comment. â€Å"No, I suppose not. Certainly not with a guy like him. Did you get a dress?† Here we were again, Adrian randomly jumping topics. â€Å"For dinner and the service? I've got plenty.† â€Å"I guess that answers my question.† He seemed to wage a great mental battle. At last, he said, â€Å"I'm going to give you some advice.† â€Å"Oh no.† He looked over at me again. â€Å"Who knows more about male weakness: you or me?† â€Å"Go on.† I refused to directly answer the question. â€Å"Get a new dress. One that shows a lot of skin. Short. Strapless. Maybe a push-up bra too.† He actually had the audacity to do a quick assessment of my chest. â€Å"Eh, maybe not. But definitely some high heels.† â€Å"Adrian,† I exclaimed. â€Å"You've seen how Alchemists dress. Do you think I can really wear something like that into a church service?† He was unconcerned. â€Å"You'll make it work. You'll change clothes or something. But I'm telling you, if you want to get a guy to do something that might be difficult, then the best way is to distract him so that he can't devote his full brainpower to the consequences.† â€Å"You don't have a lot of faith in your own gender.† â€Å"Hey, I'm telling you the truth. I've been distracted by sexy dresses a lot.† I didn't really know if that was a valid argument, seeing as Adrian was distracted by a lot of things. Fondue. T-shirts. Kittens. â€Å"And so, what then? I show some skin, and the world is mine?† â€Å"That'll help.† Amazingly, I could tell he was dead serious. â€Å"And you've gotta act confident the whole time, like it's already a done deal. Then make sure when you're actually asking for what you want that you tell him you'd be ‘so, so grateful.' But don't elaborate. His imagination will do half the work for you. â€Å" I shook my head, glad we'd almost reached our destination. I didn't know how much more I could listen to. â€Å"This is the most ridiculous advice I've ever heard. It's also kind of sexist too, but I can't decide who it offends more, men or women.† â€Å"Look, Sage. I don't know much about chemistry or computer hacking or photosynthery but this is something I've got a lot of experience with.† I think he meant photosynthesis, but I didn't correct him. â€Å"Use my knowledge. Don't let it go to waste.† He seemed so earnest that I finally told him I'd consider it, though I had a hard time imagining myself wearing anything like he'd described. My answer satisfied him, and he said no more. When we reached the bed-and-breakfast, I put on the brown wig so that we could be Taylor and Jet again. I braced myself as we approached the door. â€Å"Who knows what we're walking into?† I murmured. I'd been very brave while speaking to Ms. Terwilliger, but the reality that I might be going right up to an evil sorceress was sinking in. I had yet to develop the ability to sense magic in others, so I could very well be taken by surprise if she had a way to hide her appearance too. All I could do was have faith that Adrian's spirit and Ms. Terwilliger's charm would mask me. If Veronica was there, we'd just seem like an ordinary couple. I hoped. Alicia was reading another magazine when we walked in. She still sported the same hipster glasses and clutter of gaudy necklaces. Her face lit up when she saw us. â€Å"You're back.† Adrian's arm immediately went around me. â€Å"Well, when we heard Veronica was in town again, we wanted to come see her right away. Right, honeydew?† â€Å"Right,† I said. At least he was going with healthier nicknames today. â€Å"Oh.† Alicia's sunny smile dimmed a little. â€Å"She just left.† â€Å"You have got to be kidding,† I said. How could our luck be this bad? â€Å"So, she checked out?† â€Å"No, she's still renting out the Velvet Suite. I think she was just running errands. But. . . .† She turned sheepish. â€Å"I may have, uh, ruined the surprise.† â€Å"Oh?† I asked very carefully. I felt Adrian's hold on me tense, but there was nothing romantic about it. â€Å"I couldn't resist. I told her she might have some unexpected visitors soon. Good visitors,† she added. â€Å"I wanted to make sure she didn't stay out too long.† â€Å"That's very nice of you,† said Adrian. His smile looked as strained as mine felt. In trying to â€Å"help† us, Alicia might very well have ruined everything. What did we do now? I was saved from an immediate decision when a middle-aged woman walked through the door. â€Å"Hello,† she told Alicia. â€Å"I wanted to get some information about hosting a wedding here. For my niece.† â€Å"Of course,† said Alicia, glancing back and forth between all of us. She looked a little flustered over who to help, and I was quick to jump in. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"Since we're here, can we look at the Bunny Suite again? We can't stop talking about it.† Alicia frowned. â€Å"I thought you were going to the coast for your anniversary?† â€Å"We were,† said Adrian, following my lead. â€Å"But then Taylor was thinking about Cottontail the other night, and we thought we should reconsider.† I had to give him credit for jumping in and going along with the story I was making up on the spot. Of course, you'd think he'd remember the name of the fake rabbit he had created. â€Å"Hopper,† I corrected. â€Å"Is the Bunny Suite still vacant?† he asked. â€Å"We can just take a quick peek in while you help her.† Alicia hesitated only a moment before handing over a key. â€Å"Sure. Let me know if you have any questions.† I took the key and headed toward the stairs with Adrian. Behind us, I could hear the woman asking if it'd be okay to set up a tent in the backyard and how many hot plates the inn could hold before it became a fire hazard. Once we were on the second floor and out of earshot, Adrian spoke. â€Å"Let me guess. You want to go prowl through the Velvet Suite.† I rewarded him with a grin, pleased that he'd guessed my plan. â€Å"Yup. Pretty good idea, huh? Hopefully Alicia will be distracted for a while.† â€Å"I could have just compelled her,† he reminded me. â€Å"You're using too much spirit already.† I found the Velvet Suite and put the key in the lock, hoping Alicia had given us the master key and not one specifically for the Bunny Suite. When she had shown us around last time, she'd only used one key. A click told me we'd lucked out and wouldn't have to use any metal-burning chemicals today. We'd seen the Velvet Suite during our last visit, and for the most part, it looked the same. Velvet bedding, velvet-covered furniture, and even velvet-textured wallpaper. Only, this time, the room wasn't in the pristine and unoccupied state as before. Signs around the room showed recent use. The bed was unmade, and the scent of shampoo from the bathroom indicated a shower not too long ago. â€Å"Alicia might have been wrong about Veronica checking out,† said Adrian. He opened drawer after drawer and found nothing. In the closet, he discovered high-heeled shoes tucked into a corner and a belt on a hanger – things that might be easily missed with frantic packing. â€Å"Someone left here in a hurry.† My hopes plummeted. In accidentally revealing our â€Å"surprise,† Alicia had apparently scared Veronica into skipping out on the room. We found no sign that Veronica would actually return, and as Adrian had said, she seemed to have taken off quickly, based on the kinds of easy-to-forget things that were left behind: a razor in the shower, a bottle of perfume on the bathroom counter, and a stack of takeout menus on the nightstand. I sat on the bed and sifted through the menus, not really convinced they'd tell me much. Chinese, Indian, Mexican. Veronica had diverse tastes, at least. I reached the bottom of the stack and threw them on the ground. â€Å"She left,† I said. I couldn't hide from the truth any longer. â€Å"That idiot Alicia tipped her off, and now we've lost her again.† Adrian sat down beside me, his face mirroring my dismay. â€Å"We'll find her. We've slowed her down by hiding the others. Maybe it'll buy us time until the next full moon so you can scry again.† â€Å"I hope so,† I said, though I wasn't optimistic. He brushed aside the wig's hair and turned my face toward him. â€Å"Everything's going to be okay. She doesn't know about you.† I knew he was right, but it was hollow comfort. I leaned my head against his shoulder, wishing I could fix everything. That was my job, right? â€Å"All that means is that someone else could suffer in my place. I don't want that. I need to stop her once and for all.† â€Å"So brave.† He gave me a small smile. His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of goose bumps appeared. How did he keep doing this to me? Marcus – who made every girl in the world swoon – had zero effect on me. But one whisper of a touch from Adrian completely undid me. â€Å"You could give Castile a run for his money,† he added. â€Å"Stop that,† I warned. â€Å"Comparing you to Castile?† â€Å"That's not what I'm talking about, and you know it.† His hands were too dangerous, as was being with him on a bed. Terrified I might be kissed again, I jerked away, and the sudden movement caught him by surprise. His fingers got tangled in my hair, as well as in my two necklaces, which resulted in him snapping both chains and nearly pulling off the brown wig. I quickly caught the garnet before it could fall off, but the cross slipped away. Thank God I'd kept the important one on. â€Å"No more kissing,† I warned. I refastened the charm and straightened the wig. â€Å"You mean no more kissing unless it's a romantic place,† he reminded me. â€Å"Are you saying this place doesn't scream romance?† He nodded around to our tacky velvet surroundings. He then picked up the small cross and held it in the air, growing thoughtful as he studied the way the light played off the gold surface. â€Å"You gave this to me once.† â€Å"And you gave it back.† â€Å"I was angry.† â€Å"And now?† He shrugged. â€Å"Now I'm just determined.† â€Å"Adrian.† I sighed. â€Å"Why do you keep doing this? The touching . . . the kissing . . . you know I don't want it.† â€Å"You don't act that way.† â€Å"Stop saying that. It's obnoxious. Next you'll be saying I'm ‘asking for it.'† Why did he have to be so infuriating? Okay . . . I hadn't really sent a clear message back at the sorority. Or Pies and Stuff. But this time I'd done better. â€Å"I just pulled away. How much more direct do I have to be?† â€Å"It's not your actions, exactly† he said. He still clutched the cross in his hand. â€Å"It's your aura.† I groaned. â€Å"No, no, not that. I don't want to hear about auras.† â€Å"But I'm serious.† He shifted over and stretched out on the bed, lying on his side. He patted the bed near him. â€Å"Lie down.† â€Å"Adrian – â€Å" â€Å"I won't kiss you,† he said. â€Å"I promise.† â€Å"How stupid do you think I am?† I said. â€Å"I'm not falling for this.† He gave me a long, level look. â€Å"Do you really think I'd assault you or something?† â€Å"No,† I said quickly. â€Å"Of course not.† â€Å"Then humor me.† Warily, I lay down on my side as well, facing him with only a few powerful inches between us. An enraptured, slightly distracted look appeared in his eyes. He'd given himself over to spirit. â€Å"Do you know what I see in you now? The usual aura. A steady golden yellow, healthy and strong, with spikes of purple here and there. But when I do this. . . .† He rested a hand on my hip, and my whole body tensed up. That hand moved around my hip, slipping under my shirt to rest on the small of my back. My skin burned where he touched me, and the places that were untouched longed for that heat. â€Å"See?† he said. He was in the throes of spirit now, though with me at the same time. â€Å"Well, I guess you can't. But when I touch you, your aura . . . it smolders. The colors deepen, it burns more intensely, the purple increases. Why? Why, Sydney?† He used that hand on me to pull me closer. â€Å"Why do you react that way if I don't mean anything to you?† There was a desperation in his voice, and it was legitimate. It was hard for me to talk. â€Å"It's instinct. Or something. You're a Moroi. I'm an Alchemist. Of course I'd have a response. You think I'd be indifferent?† â€Å"Most Alchemist responses would involve disgust, revulsion, and holy water.† That was an excellent point. â€Å"Well . . . I'm a little more relaxed around Moroi than most Alchemists. Probably this is just some purely physical response driven by hormones and years of evolution. My body doesn't know any better. I'm as susceptible to lust as anyone else.† There was probably a book about that or at least an article in Cosmopolitan. The hint of a smile played over his lips. He was fully in tune with me again. â€Å"No, you aren't. I mean, you are, but not without reason. I know you well enough to realize that now. You're not the kind of person who's ‘susceptible to lust' without some emotion to back it.† He moved his hand back to my hip, sliding it down my leg. I shuddered, and his face moved closer to mine. There was so much in his eyes, so much desire and longing. â€Å"See? There it is again. My flame in the dark.† â€Å"Don't kiss me,† I whispered. It was the only defense I could muster. If he kissed me, I'd be lost. I closed my eyes. â€Å"You said you wouldn't.† â€Å"I won't.† His lips were only a breath away. â€Å"Unless you want me to.† I opened my eyes, ready to tell him no, that it didn't matter what my aura allegedly said . . . this couldn't keep happening. There was no emotion backing this desire, and I tried to cling to my earlier argument. I was so comfortable around Moroi now that clearly some primal part of me kept forgetting what he was. This was a base instinct. I was simply having a physical reaction to him, to his hands, to his lips, to his body. . . . He caught hold of my arm and rolled me over. I closed my eyes again and wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt his lips touch mine, not quite a kiss, just the barest brush of – The door opened, and I flinched. Alicia stepped inside, gasped, and put a hand up over her mouth to cover a shocked squeal. â€Å"O-oh,† she stammered. â€Å"I'm so sorry . . . I . . . I didn't realize . . .† Adrian and I jerked away and sat up. My heart was ready to beat out of my chest, and I knew I was blushing. I quickly patted my wig and was relieved to feel it was still in place. He recovered his voice more quickly. â€Å"Sorry . . . we kind of got carried away. We started checking out the other rooms and decided to, uh, try them out.† Despite his sheepish words, there was a smug look on his face, the kind you'd expect from a guy who'd just made a conquest. Was it part of the act, or did he really think he'd gotten away with something? Alicia looked as uncomfortable as I felt. â€Å"I see. Well, this room's occupied. It's – † She frowned and did a double take. â€Å"It's Veronica's. It looks like she left.† I finally managed to speak. â€Å"That's why we thought it was empty,† I said hastily. â€Å"There was nothing in here.† Alicia thankfully seemed to have forgotten about our compromising position. â€Å"That's weird. She didn't formally check out. I mean, she paid in advance in cash, but still. It's so strange.† We made a hurried escape of our own after that, once again feeding Alicia lines about how we'd be in touch. Neither of us spoke much when we got in the car. I was lost in my own thoughts, which were equal parts frustration over Veronica and confusion over Adrian. I refused to acknowledge the latter, though, and opted for my usual tactic. The sooner that moment was forgotten, the better. I was pretty sure I could keep telling myself that. Some part of me – nearly as snarky as Adrian – suggested I pick up a book on denial the next time I was in the self-help section. â€Å"Another dead end,† I said once we were on the road. I texted Ms. Terwilliger: V's gone. No need for action. Her response came a few minutes later: We'll keep trying. I could practically feel her disappointment through the display on my phone. She wasn't the only one. Adrian seemed particularly melancholy on the drive back. He responded whenever I spoke, but it was clear he was distracted. When he dropped me off at Amberwood later that night, I found everything mercifully quiet. No crises, no dangerous missions. It felt like it had been ages since I had a moment to myself, and I curled up on my bed, taking solace in the ordinary tasks of homework and reading. I fell asleep with my face on my calculus book. I experienced one of those nonsensical dreams that everyone has. In it, my family's cat could talk, and he was driving Adrian's Mustang. He asked me if I wanted to take a road trip to Birmingham. I told him I had a lot of homework to do but that if he wanted to go to Fargo, I'd consider it. We were in the middle of negotiating who'd pay for gas when the dream suddenly dissolved to blackness. A cold feeling swept over me, followed by a feeling of dread that rivaled the time Adrian and I had faced down Strigoi in his apartment. A woman's laughter rolled around me, foul and sickening, like some sort of toxic smoke. A voice came out of the darkness, echoing in my mind. She's kept you well hidden, but it can't stay that way forever. You can't conceal power like yours forever. I've caught your trail. I'll find you. Hands suddenly reached out of the darkness for me, wrapping around my throat and cutting off my air. I screamed and woke up in my own bed, surrounded in books. I'd left the light on, and it chased some of the dream's terror away. But only some. Sweat poured off me, making my shirt stick to me. I touched my neck, but there was nothing wrong with it. The garnet hung in place but not my cross. No need to fear a dream, I thought. It didn't mean anything, and really, with everything going on lately, it was a wonder I didn't have nightmares more often. But thinking back on it, I wasn't so sure. There had been something so terrible and real about it, a horror that seemed to reach into my very soul. I didn't want to sleep after that, so I made a cup of coffee and tried to read again. It worked for a while, but somewhere around four, my body couldn't take it anymore. I fell asleep on my books again, but this time, my sleep stayed dream free.