The Musical Talents of Alexander Scriabin Assignment

The Musical Talents of Alexander Scriabin - Assignment Example It is important to note that the combination that brought the legato notes and staccato notes created the new performance in the Prelude Op. The notes make the tonal variation and rhythmic balances different from the Old Guard. Prelude OP. 11 is one of the admired pieces that many other composers have thought of performing because of the great composition that combined various components in music. Scriabin composition borrows its attributes from Beethoven and Mozart. Mozart and Beethoven projected short slurs with the rare crossing of lines (Chang 20). It is notable that Scriabin prolonged the slurs and crossed the lines to come up with a combination that was perfect. Critics have attributed the performance to Scriabin accident that led him to use the left hand more than the right hand (Damare 77). The notes played in the concerto are quite high and are unique because no composer or pianist had played such notes especially when using the left hand. The sterling tempo in the concerto Prelude 11 performance stunned many artists because it did not only increase its tempo towards the climax, but also the arrangement of note that created the effects. Critics observed that the tempo of the music often fluctuated but surprisingly remained stable without creating any disorder (Damare 79). The turbulent sound that streams due to the high notes played in the concerto did attract many viewers during Scriabin’s performances. Scriabin’s songs emulated Russian folk tunes, which had asymmetrical rhythms. The Preludes took the 5/8 motivic structures. Critics have observed that Scriabin concerto resembled the songs of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Igor Stravinsky, and Modest Mussorgsky (Chang 23). It is important to note that Scriabin did not perform his tunes the traditional way but incorporated the new ideas to sing notes that were higher than the traditional notes played on the piano. Scriabin used the piano to play his notes; although piano was not new to Scriabin or his audience, the concert music that he played had new notes which demonstrated a new style of performance. The Prelude OP. 11 comprises of new notes that his predecessors had not played. Scriabin’s childhood was very instrumental to his skills as a composer and a pianist. Born of a mother who was a pianist (though she died when he was one year old), Scriabin took piano lessons with Nikolai Zverev.  

Research Paper Essay Example for Free

Research Paper Essay Introduction Criticism is as old as creation. The writings of a great classical writers like Homer, Sophocles and Pindar contain hints of critical ideas. These ideas were later on developed by Plato and Aristotle into systematic principles of literary criticism. Thus, the true beginning of criticism is found in Greece in the writing of Plato and Aristotle. Later on Greco-Roman critics like Horace and Longinus added their ideas. The man aspect of Greek criticism was their mimetic or imitation theory. The views of these classical critics may be summarized as follows:- I. Critical view of Classical Critical Plato:- is a famous critic of the classical age. His view on art and literature are scattered all over his works which include Republic, Lon and various references made by him. His views on poetic inspiration, imitation and condemnation of poetry are of great historical significance. These views can be discussed as follows:- Plato was the first philosopher who systematically expressed his views on art and poetry. According to Plato, the poet writes because he is inspired frenzy. The poet is inferior the philosopher. He is dangerous for society. Poetry feeds passions, so Plato does not give place to poets in his ideal state. Being a product of inspiration. Poetry affect the emotion rather than reason. Plato condemns poetry for its lack of morality. It treats virtue and vice alike considering the function of poetry, Plato think that mere pleasure cannot be its only object. Plato further says that poetry is based on falsehood and so is harmful in its effect on people. Thus, Plato condemns poetry and praises reason or philosophy. Plato’s theory of art and poetry is based on his concept of imitation or mimesis. Plato says that the earthly things like beauty of goodness are only the copies of the idea beauty and goodness existing in heaven. So the imitation of the worldly objects which are imitation of ideal objects is nothing but â€Å" imitation of imitation† art and poetry are thus twice removed from reality. Plato explains this fact with an example of a carpenter. A carpenter makes a bed which is an imitation (bed in painting) of an imitation (bed created by the carpenter).  It is a copy of a copy. This view of Plato is late on criticized by Aristotle. Aristotle:- is the first scientific literary critic. His literary criticism is largely embodied in his treatise the poetics. The treatise contains Aristotle’s views on poetry, tragedy, comedy and epic. Aristotle has given his view on imitation also on poetry, comedy and epic. Also these views may be summarized as follows:- Aristotle’s views on property and imitation are remarkable. Aristotle did not invent the term imitation but the breathed into it a new and definite meaning. Aristotle remarks that poetic imitation is no longer considered mimicry. It is not servile copying. On the contrary, it is an act of imaginative creation. According to Aristotle, poetry and other fine arts are modes of imitation. They differ from one another in three aspects:- Medium of imitation, object of imitation and manner of imitation. Different forms of poetry has different means which include rhythm, melody and verse. Comedy and tragedy too can be called the means of poetry. As regards the objects of poetic imitation, Aristotle says that the objects of poetic imitation are â€Å" men in action† the poet may imitate â€Å" men as they are, as they were and as they ought to be†. Aristotle also speaks about the manner in which the objects may be used. For examples narration is one of such means which used by Homer. Aristotle refutes Plato’s view that poetry is the imitation of imitation or thrice removed from reality. He says that the poet does not copy the external world. On the contrary, creates a new world. The poetic truth is the ideal truth. Poetry is creative process. Aristotle further says that imitation is the artistic and representation of life. Thus, Aristotle theory of imitation of noteworthy and valuable. Aristotle has given his views on tragedy in detail. He define, tragedy as â€Å"an imitation that is serious, complete and of certain magnitude†. According to him tragedy has parts like plot, character, diction, song, and spectacle. As regards the function of tragedy, Aristotle says, the function of tragedy is to arouse the emotions of pity and fear and to affect the Catharsis of these emotions. Aristotle has given the qualities of a tragic hero also. Similarly he has spoken much about the unity of action and little of the unities of place and time. Horace and Quintillion Horace and Quintillion are the Greco-Roman critics. Horace was a poet and he formulated his own poetic theories. These are embodied in his work poetica.  Horace also has spoken about poetry, imitation and the role of imagination. Horace has laid down rules for poets for writing poetry. According to him mere imitation of life is not the whole nature of poetry. The looks upon activity as a process of invention. As regards the function of poetry. Horace says that poetry should both teach and delight. However, he gives more emphasis on reaching then on delight finally according to Horace, genius and inspiration are essential for the poet but they need Quintillion’s views on poetry are in line with those of Horace. He given importance to poetic style and choice of words. Quintillion has been considered the pioneer of comparative criticism. He compares Greek literature with Roman and Greek language with Latin. In short, Quintillion is a minor critic of the Greco-Roman period.

A Waste Of Talent :: essays research papers

On his tenth birthday Jim Walker was introduced to the game of basketball by receiving a basketball from his uncle Mark Walker. Jim acted as if he loved the gift to please his uncle but really expected more from him. Jim never really played basketball at this age because he would rather spend his time doing things most other ten year olds did like riding bicycles and playing with G.I. Joes. On the same birthday Jim’s mother, Althea gave him ankle weights. She gave him this because she realized her son had a talent, which was jumping high, hoping this talent would payoff for both of them in the future. Jim and his family were not very wealthy living in the Harlem projects were drugs and constant violence plagued the neighborhood so he didn’t really receive many other gifts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With these two gifts in hand he started playing basketball at the local parks developing his game. He would play and practice with the ankle weights on, realizing he like playing and was pretty good at the game. At the age of thirteen he was playing a full court pick up game at a local park with a group of older guys. While coming down the basketball court at the height of five feet four inches Jim dunked on one of the older kids he was playing with. Word got around neighborhood that there was a thirteen year old who could dunk on the standard ten foot basketball rim in the park. People started to respect Jim because of his basketball skills. He also started getting girls because of his skills and off the court began hanging out with a bad crowd doing drugs and not doing his schools work. Sometimes as a bet and to show off exactly how high he could jump he would snatch money that was placed on the top of backboard rims.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jim was then recruited by a very good New York City preparatory school. Jim and the other members of the basketball team were giving preferential treatment because of their good record. They were allowed to get away with murder. The coach of the basketball team made sure Jim’s work was done and showed him ways to cheat on tests. One day the track coach approached Jim and asked him to join the track team to high and long jump for him.

Final Exam Essay

INTRODUCTION 1.1 Title of the project Access Control Proposal Project 1.2 Project schedule summary The project will be a multi-year phased approach to have all sites (except JV and SA) on the same hardware and software platforms. 1.3 Project deliverables †¢ Solutions to the issues that the specifies location of IDI is facing †¢ Plans to implement corporate-wide information access methods to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability †¢ Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in current IDI systems †¢ Address remote user and Web site user’s secure access requirements †¢ Proposed budget for the project—Hardware only †¢ Prepare detailed network and configuration diagrams outlining the proposed change †¢ Prepare a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint assisted presentation on important access control infrastructure, and management aspects from each location. 1.4 Project Guides Course Project Access Control Proposal Guide Juniper Networks Campus LAN Reference Architecture 1.5 Project Members Members of the Technology Staff: Phil Kurutz, IT Architect and IT Security Specialist Nathan Gleed, Chief Information Officer (CIO) 1.6 Purpose This project is done as a part of fulfillment of the course IS404 (Access Control, Authentication, and Public Key Infrastructure). It is a proposal for improving IDI’s computer network infrastructure. This project is intended to be used by IDI’s information security team to developing a plan to improve IDI’s computer network infrastructure at multiple locations. 1.7 Goals and Objectives †¢ 1st Objective To assess the aging infrastructure and then develop a multi-year phased approach to have all sites (except for JV and SA) on the same hardware and software platforms. †¢ 2nd Objective The core infrastructure (switches, routers, firewalls, servers and etc.) must capable of withstanding 10 – 15% growth every year for the next seven years with a three-to-four year phased technology refresh cycle. †¢ 3rd Objective Solutions to the issues that the specifies location of IDI is facing †¢ 4th Objective Assessment of strengths and weaknesses in current IDI systems †¢ 5th Objective Address remote user and Web site user’s secure access requirements †¢ 6th Objective Prepare detailed network and configuration diagrams outlining the proposed change †¢ 7th Objective Prepare a 5 to 10 minute PowerPoint assisted presentation on important access control infrastructure, and management aspects from each location. †¢ 8th Objective A comprehensive network design that will incorporate all submitted requirements and allow for projected growth. †¢ 9th Objective: Final testing of all installed hardware, software, and network connectivity. †¢ 10th (Final) Objective: Initialization of the entire network and any last minute configuration adjustments to have the network up and operating within all specified ranges. 2 Risks and Vulnerabilities 2.1 Overall: There is a hodgepodge of servers, switches, routers, and internal hardware firewalls. Each of the organization’s locations is operating with different information technologies and infrastructure—IT systems, applications, and databases. Various levels of IT security and access management have been implemented and embedded within their respective locations. The information technology infrastructure is aging and many locations are running on outdated hardware and software. Also, the infrastructure is woefully out-of-dated in terms of patches and upgrades which greatly increase the risk to the network in terms of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. 2.2 Billings, Montana:   Logisuite 4.2.2 has not been upgraded in almost 10 years. Also, over 350 modifications have been made to the core engine and the license agreement has expired. Progressive upgrading to the current version will be required. As a result, renewing this product will be extremely cost and time-prohibitive. RouteSim is a destination delivery program used to simulate routes, costs, and profits. It is not integrated into Logisuite or Oracle financials to take advantage of the databases for real-time currency valuation and profit or loss projections.   IDI’s office automation hardware and software has not been standardized. Managers have too much liberty to buy what they want according to personal preferences. Other software problems include early versions of MS Office 5, WordPerfect  7.0, and PC-Write that are not compatible. Telecommunications has not been since the company moved its current headquarters 15 years ago. This has left many  of the new features for telecommunic ations lacking and not integrated with the customer service database to improve call management efficiency. The generic system was acquired from a service provider who is now out of business.   Policies for personal devices are being ignored by many of the executives who have local administrators install the clients on their unsupported, non-standard personal laptop computers and workstations that interface with the internet. These devices   The original WAN was designed by in the early 2000’s and has not been upgraded. During peak periods, usually between September and March, the capacity is insufficient for the organization resulting in lost internet customers which further reduces growth and revenue.   Telecommunications works through a limited Mitel SX-2000 private automatic branch exchange (PABX) that only provides voice mail and call forwarding. 2.3 Warsaw, Poland This is the largest office based on number of employees, strategically located to assist IDI for major growth in the Middle East and Asia, and the home portal for expansion and geographical client development, yet there is insufficient computing power to stay afloat on a day-to-day basis.   The primary freight forwarding application is almost 10 years old and does not interface with the McCormack dodge accounting and finance system   There are 6 Web servers (4 are primary and 2 fail during clustered load balancing) The cafeteria sponsors a public wireless network running WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) with no password protection.   Telecommunications is an 8 year old Siemens Saturn series PBX, some of whose features have become faulty. The desktop phones have not been replaced or upgraded during this time. There is a lack of separation of duties between the network operations and the accounts receivable department and there is evidence of nepotism and embezzlement. 3 Proposed Budget 4 IDI Proposed Solutions 4.1 Billings, Montana Consolidate 14 Hewitt-Packard (HP) UNIX servers to 1 UNIX server Upgrade 75 Microsoft (MS) Windows servers to Windows server 2008 R2 Upgrade MS exchange e-mail to latest version Find another software vendor to replace Oracle financials for accounting  and financial systems, Logisuite 4.2.2, RouteSim Hire developers to standardize the office automation hardware and software. Convert telecommunications system to a VOIP system Design and implement a new Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Upgrade WAN to a T1 MPLS to increase bandwidth 4.2 Warsaw, Poland Find a new proxy server to replace the IBM Infinity hardened served Hire a new in-house application developer Convert the Siemens Saturn series PBX telecommunications system with desktop phones to a VOIP system Enforce the current Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

Argumentative Essay against Capital Punishment Essay

Human life is sacred. This is an ideal that the majority of people can agree upon to a certain extent. For this reason taking the life of another has always been considered the most deplorable of crimes, one worthy of the harshest available punishment. Thus arises one of the great moral dilemmas of our time. Should taking the life of one who has taken the life of others be considered an available punishment? Capital punishment is immoral and a violation of natural rights. It is wrong for everyone involved: the prosecuted innocent, criminals, victims’ families, and our nation. We need to replace the death penalty and capital punishment with life without parole, a safer and more inexpensive option. The death penalty does not guarantee safety for innocent victims, it does not follow the goals and promises of our nation, it does not effectively deter crime, and it does not give closure to victims’ families. Nothing good comes of hate, and nothing good can ever come from capital punishment. It cannot continue to be accepted by a nation that claims to have liberty and justice for all. The death penalty is murder on the sly and it’s dead wrong. Capital punishment must not be implemented because it can lead to the possibility of wrongful execution. It is undeniable that there had already been many people sentenced of death penalty that were eventually executed even if they were truly innocent. Unfortunately, the crucial evidence that would have proven the innocence of these people was only obtained after their execution (McCafferty 71). It is because of wrongful executions that capital punishment must not be implemented in society. They only create doubts into the minds of the people that they cannot rely on the justice system especially once they badly need it. This is also hard to accept on the part of the families who already had members who experienced a wrongful execution as this is something that has a permanent impact. Obviously, the innocent people wrongfully executed can never be brought back to life anymore. Since the courts cannot be expected to make the best decisions all  the time with regard to the people who deserve conviction and acquittal, it is difficult to guarantee that wrongful executions can be completely stopped in countries that have death penalty. This is why capital punishment prevents the wrongfully accused people of the due process that they deserve to have in order to prove their innocence, something that is very unfair to them. There can be instances where the evidence that can prove their innocence is just so difficult to obtain so it takes a long period of time before it gets presented to the Court. However, because there is also a limited period of time to appeal for the death penalty sentence, it is usually the case that the wrongfully accused people are already executed before the evidence that could have set them free is discovered. This would not have happened if there is no capital punishment being implemented. Aside from this, another detrimental impact of capital punishment is that it only helps to send a message to the people that the justice system is an advocate of revenge particularly on the part of the people who got victimized by heinous crimes. The capital punishment sends a message to the people that the justice system is just there to help the families of the victims of the heinous crimes and not for the accused people who could also be innocent (Kronenwetter 36). This can also be interpreted as a punishment that does not provide any opportunity for the offenders to correct their mistakes. In this case, the justice system can be viewed as partial and biased as it only helps the victims and not the accused party. The lawyers of the accused party will then have to work extremely hard to gather evidence to spare their client from capital punishment. Finally, a society that values life does not intentionally kill people. The truth is that capital punishment is a traumatic case of homicide that has been approved by the government. This practically supports killing in order to impose a solution to the problems that are being faced by society (Mandery 58). This is something that is not very good particularly on the part of the youth who will grow up knowing that the government is approved of just killing people who violated the law. The funny thing is that  governments all over the world have tried to validate capital punishment by stating what they think are the advantages of death penalty would provide to the people. The advantages of death penalty can be considered as illusory, but the chaos and the eventual annihilation of the decency of the society are very true. Thus, there is no sense to implement capital punishment.

Parenthood is to give up yourself Essay

Parenthood is to give up yourself Essay Parenthood is to give up yourself Essay Parenthood is to give up yourself Money provides power, freedom and choices for individuals who work hard, focus and spend almost all their time working and socializing with their business partners. Where and how they want to live is up to them if they have good financial resources. Aside from the cost of basic needs such as food and shelter, the amount of money that a person needs is determined by what kind of life they want to live. Very wealthy individuals can play by their own rules and not the rules of others; they can manipulate people, markets and governments to gain high profits and increase their status. On the other hand, money might be a nightmare for many children whose self-centered and neglectful parents just seek higher status and wealth. Material possessions such as an expensive house, a brand new automobile and a place on Forbes rich list are more important to them than childcare. Maybe their children are disappointed with them because they value wealth over wellbeing. Money and status are importan t to support a family but they should not be the highest priority. Prioritizing time to build a strong relationship with your kids will allow them to grow healthy and happy. Strong family support gives them better chances to thrive than others who are psychologically affected by their parents’ absence. According to clinical and developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind, parenting styles can be divided into four groups. Authoritarian parents are those who control, and are over strict and unresponsive. In opposition, permissive parents are those who allow their child to do whatever they want. Authoritative parents are those who are firm, but warm at the same time. Finally, uninvolved parents are irresponsible and neglectful parents. They demand nothing because they do not care about their children. 1 Among the four styles, the uninvolved parenting style is the one, which leads children to feel overwhelmed, and it puts their well-being at risk by failing to give a proper example. This is the result of a lack of care and interest because everything unrelated to an uninvolved parent’s family is more important than the healthy development of their child. When I became father, by â€Å"accident†, it took me one second to realize that my whole life was going to change instantly. Being a parent made me vulnerable and responsible in ways I had not been before. It has challenged me as never before and it took my time and attention away from other things, including myself. I always worked hard, both before and after my daughter was born, to provide a healthy life for her. This is still going on in the same way after 5 years. However, some parents take too much time to realize their new responsibility to their kids. Some never realize this responsibility. It seems to me they are trapped in a materialistic, profit driven world of consumerism which wants them to remain in the capitalist market. My recommendation to them is to keep a Post-it on their laptop with two helpful reminders: the first one being; â€Å"If You Don’t Prioritize Your Life, Someone Else Will† by Mahatma Gandhi, and the second one being; â€Å"If you are constantly running, you are handing your child`s heart and time over to someone who does not know or care about your child as much as you do†2 by Dr. Kevin Leman. Think about it! When a parent is handing their child over to anyone else, for example a daycare, they are missing many opportunities to â€Å"imprint positive values on your child`s character†3. A daycare provides a safe place to play and a good place for social interaction. It also provides a basis for education. However, daycare workers cannot do the most important: nurture a lifetime relationship between irresponsible parents and their children. Well, they might ask me why I drop my daughter off at the daycare all morning, and I might say, â€Å"I do the same as you but in a different way. I provide care before and after work as well as during the weekend. What

Hyundai Strategic Analysis and its Business in South Africa The WritePass Journal

Hyundai Strategic Analysis and its Business in South Africa Introduction Hyundai Strategic Analysis and its Business in South Africa Introduction What is the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC)South Africa and consumer (Target Market)I20 Hyundai car (market offering)Primary data and Secondary dataWhat is the benefit of primary data?The conclusionBibliographyRelated Introduction In recent times, it is sure that the importance of marketing research has increased due to serious competition between companies. That is why there are a plenty of method for information research in order to understand the mind of consumer which can be useful to make the plans and strategy for producing of marketing offering needed by consumer. In addition, through the researching of marketing, the company can build up the priority way to be connected in terms of closes between company and consumer. Therefore, most of companies in the world have tried to concentrate on the marketing area by investing a lot of money to investigate for gaining specific information which affects to increase a profit. In this essay, Firstly, the organisation selected is the company of Hyundai Motor. Secondly, target market is South Africa. (sourse:www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/hyundai.jpg) What is the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) is one of the most competitive companies in Korea. From 1960s to the early 1980s, Korean government supported automobile industry through special policies and laws like Automobile Industry Protection Law and A Long term Plan to Promote the Automobile industry in order to boost the economy after the Korean War(1950-1953). While developing continuously with this support, HMC started to export their technique and products to other countries. Their first export was carried out in 1980s in Quebec, Canada. However, their first attempt was unsuccessful closing their plant rather early and struggled to succeed again in India in 1998. Now, HMC is a global company which could survive among other companies in competitive relation: KIA and DAEWOO during economic recession and has continued to develop from both inside and outside of Korea. (A review by Russell et al. 2006) South Africa and consumer (Target Market) According to the table it can be seen below, it show that the growth of rating of economy in South Africa has developed rapidly. It means that for motor company the South African can be consumer marketing area to get a profit.   (Source:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_Africa) In addition, South Africa has launched a programme called Black Economy Empowerment, since 1994. This programme is aimed at promote the Black People who have more disadvantages relatively under the circumstance of apartheid economically. Despite some criticism on this programme, it plays a crucial role in developing South Africas economy. To be concrete, it encourages companies being run by black owners, especially the Petroleum and Liquid Fuels (PLF) and Mining industry to achieve economic growth within some years. (A reviewed by Stefano Ponte et al 2007) With this series of economic strategy, South Africa has founded more growing economic system and increasing the black peoples right gradually. From this information, it can be known that the quality of life style of Black People in South Africa among Africa is developing due to policy of government which support Black People. As a result, the people supported by BEE policy might have became middle class who get a confidence economically and the ability to buy products. Briefly, it can be said that this group can be great market if the HMC is aimed at there. I20 Hyundai car (market offering) In mind of consumer, it is sure that the extent of safety of product is main issue. I20 is the motor produced which is one of the most safeties cars in Hyundai motor company. I20 contains of both the condition of safety and modern design including superb interior made from material which feel people comfortable. I20 is the prestigious European National Car Assessment Programme 5 star which proves the quality of safety. In addition, it is cheaper than other motor companies. (I20 may be required hyundai.com/in/en/Showroom/Flash/SRFOVERVIEW/DF_IN_SR_BJ_080313131438.html , no date) It will be able to have a competitiveness of product to survive in business market if it is sold in South Africa. However, the Hyundai motor company need to have other market strategy for getting more powerful endurance. One example is that they put specific brand image and soul into I20 by using advertisement and giving people t-shirt drawn the picture and logo of I20 to connect with consumer. In conclusion, it should reach on the target group who became middle class in South Africa who has economical ability because of BEE policy established in time of Nelson Mandela. In addition, it should be focus on group which has educated under parent affected by BEE. They get a sense of selecting the car designed as modern and up to date and elegant. (Source: Http://www.hyundai.com/in/en/Showroom/Flash/SRF/DF_IN_SR_BJ_080313131453) Primary data and Secondary data Generally, there are three types of information the company can obtain: Internal data, Marketing intelligence, and Marketing research. (The view proposed by Philip Kotler 2010 P.126-131).Three kind of information can be divided into two methods: Primary data, and Secondary data. Basically, the primary data is related to marketing research. Secondary data also is connected to marketing intelligence and internal data. When it comes to the principle of marketing, the mean of primary can be classified as ‘it consists of information gathered for the special research plan’. (Philip Kotler 2010 P.131) The secondary data can be defined as ‘it consists of information that already exists somewhere having been collected for another purpose’. Philip Kotler 2010 P.131) Secondary data can be consists of two sorts of source: internal source and external sources. Examples of internal source are company reports, previous company research, salesperson feedback and customer feedback. The examples of external source are the published research, trade organisation, syndicated research and government source. Primary data collection is divided into four types of collection: research approaches, contact methods and sampling plan and research instrument. (Philip Kotler 2010 P.133-142) Firstly, the research approaches consists of four types of researches: observational research, ethnographic research, survey research and experimental research. The observational research can be the technique to collect the primary data by observing the people in term of action and circumstance. The ethnographic research is to use the professional discover for understanding of natural the environment of consumer. The survey of research is generally the most useful skills for knowing of knowledge and attitude and preference. The experimental research is of collection general information. When it comes to contact method in a marketing research, generally, it is linked to the way of online to pick up the thought of consumer. The benefits of contact method by online are that it is cheap and speed. The representati ve examples of contact Methods are Mail and Telephone and personal interviewing. (Philip Kotler 2010 P.135) According to principle of marketing, the definition of sample can be determined as ‘a segment of the population selected for marketing research to represent the population as a whole.’ (Philip Kotler 2010 P.139) In order to use this tactics, first of all, the company should consider who people to be selected for survey are. In addition it should be took into account how many people will be research as well as how the people can be chosen. Furthermore, the research instrument is questionnaires that it is general way by using phone and online. (Philip Kotler 2010 P.139-142) What is the benefit of primary data? Basically, there are advantages and disadvantages both primary data and secondary data. Compared with primary data, there are a number of secondary data so that it can be of use for the company faced with problem, indicating a way for overcoming of problem with developing of the understanding of problem. (Illustrations of the Secondary VS Primary Market research can be found online. allbusiness.com/marketing/market-research/1310-1.html) However, there are some problems in a secondary data up to whether its information is relevant with problem of company or not. Therefore it is necessary for the company to consider the extent of relevant, accurate, up to date and impartial with the problem faced with company. (Philip Kotler 2010 P.133) On the other hand, the main benefit of primary data is to get the information for target group in the time of makeing new products, which affect the company get competitiveness for winning against competitive company. (Illustrations of the Secondary VS Primary Market research can be found online. allbusiness.com/marketing/market-research/1310-1.html) In addition, this method will become the protection of wall for loss of profit by preparing the situation carried out. From the primary data, the company can obtain fulfilling conditions of information in term of accurate, up to date, relevant.   (Source:http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~renglish/370/notes/chapt08/index.htm) The conclusion For company both secondary data and primary data should be need. Even though the cost of making of primary data is expensive but help the company to succeed against competitive company. (Illustrations of the Secondary VS Primary Market research can be found online. allbusiness.com/marketing/market-research/1310-1.html) For improving of marketing research skill, firstly, the company has to define what the problem is and the target marketing is. In addition, should   be created new idea what the market place is and the target consumer is as well as considering of which product the consumer want to buy. If company build up the creative strategy for specific target market with consumer, it will be able to succeed. Bibliography RUSSELL D. LANSBURY*, SEUNG-HO KWON** CHUNGSOK SUH (2006) ‘Globalization and Employment Relations in the Korean Auto Industry: The Case of the Hyundai Motor Company in Korea, Canada and India’ Vol. 12, No. 2, 131–147, EBSCO (Online), available at (assessed: April 2006) Stefano Ponte, Simon Roberts and Lance van Sittert (2007) ‘Black Economic Empowerment’, Business and the State in South Vol. 38, Issue 5, p933-955. 23p. EBSCO (Online), (assessed: ep2007) Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong 2010 Principle of Marketing, Thirteenth Edition, p 126-142.PEARSON allbusiness.com/marketing/market-research/1310-1.html (no date and Author) hyundai.com/in/en/Showroom/Flash/SRFOVERVIEW/DF_IN_SR_BJ_080313131438.html (No date and Author) http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~renglish/370/notes/chapt08/index.htm Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_Africa [/level-freee-rstricted]

5 Billboard Taglines That Advertise Errors

5 Billboard Taglines That Advertise Errors 5 Billboard Taglines That Advertise Errors 5 Billboard Taglines That Advertise Errors By Mark Nichol I strongly advise against employing billboards to teach you proper English grammar and spelling, but you can certainly use them to learn what not to do. Here are some pain-inducing billboard boo-boos: 1. â€Å"Are you in or out?† This tagline from the remake of Ocean’s Eleven won’t strike many people as erroneous, but the omission of a comma ruins the effect for me. Read as is, this sentence calls for upward inflection: Are you one of these? But the inflection should fall, and whether your voice catches instantaneously before your pitch falls after in or you don’t actually pause, a comma signals the difference: Are you this, or are you that? 2. â€Å"All day, everyday.† This error in an advertisement for a major chain supermarket went viral some years ago, and the English language hasn’t been able to shake the bug since. Make everyday two words, and call me in the morning. 3. â€Å"Name’s Mel-care to have a drink?† This confused come-on appeared in an advertisement for Tanqueray gin featuring a comely woman inviting the billboard viewer to join her for a cocktail. With a disregard for the visual esthetics of language endemic to the marketing industry, the copywriter puzzled readers with what appeared to be a non sequitur reference in a liquor ad to a variant of Medicare known as Mel-care. By separating Mel’s introduction from her invitation with a mere hyphen when a mighty em dash was called for (â€Å"Name’s Mel care to have a drink?†), this multimillion-dollar ad campaign cried out for a pocket-change fix. The ubiquitous unwitting use of hyphens in place of dashes is wrong, but, almost worse, it’s ugly. 4. â€Å"You provide the truck. We’ll bring the barbeque.† An ad for a pickup truck big enough to haul around an oil-barrel barbecue grill misspelled the last word. â€Å"But, Mark, we see it like that all the time!† Yes, you see it misspelled all the time. It’s an understandable error, extending from the slang abbreviation BBQ, and it may end up in the dictionary someday. But it’s not there yet. Honor the language. 5. â€Å"Don’t stare, you might miss your exit.† Come on, a comma is too weak to convey the cadence of this sentence. (It didn’t work in that sentence, either, did it?) There’s a definite break in the two parts of this sentence, and the rhythm cries out for an em dash or even a period after stare. Again, as in the first and third examples, the copywriter failed to use the nuances of punctuation to help upload the desire to buy a product or use a service to the consumer’s brain. This message is brought to you by DailyWritingTips.com: When you seek to sell, consider not only words but also punctuation in the sell’s structure. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Structure A Story: The Eights of Misplaced Modifiers

Homeless Children Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homeless Children - Research Paper Example They are inadequately protected and are vulnerable to exploitation, victimization and their economic and civil rights are at a high risk of abuse. These children are continually neglected and abused especially due to the existing international indifferences to this problem. Homelessness denies the children their rights, according to the Article 27 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child, which declares that every child has a right to mental, physical, moral, spiritual and social development (Kanth, et al., 1-3). Homelessness is common in urban areas, domestic violence being one of the major causes. This forces women to move to the streets with their young children. The HIV and AIDS epidemic together with civil wars have led to increased number of street children in Africa because many children have been orphaned. Poverty is also another factor that has forced many families into streets, especially in the developing countries. In addition to this, effects on economic, political a nd social crises of a country also contribute to increased street children, because these effects are more severe on children than on adults (Vostanis and Cumella, 18-19). According to USAID, homeless children can be divided into four categories the first one being that of ‘A Child of the Streets’. These are children who move from place to place and have no homes or support from their families. The second category belongs to ‘A Child on the Street’. These children have homes and they regularly visit their families but spend most of their days in the streets due family issues like poverty and physical abuse at home. Then there is the category of those who are ‘Part of a Street Family’. These children live with the rest of their family members in the Streets because of displacement from their home areas. This may be due to such factors as poverty, domestic violence, natural disasters or war. The fourth category belongs to children ‘In insti tutionalized Care’. These are children who were previously homeless, but have been placed under the care of certain institutions – they are at risk of going back to the streets (Kanth, et al., 3). As Hart points out, homeless children usually have more needs and problems as compared to other housed children. Since they live in insecure places, problems related to development and physical health is common among them. This leads to developmental delay. They also experience emotional and behavioural difficulties like, eating problems, anxiety, reacting more intensely when upset, over-activity, depression, self-harm, sleep disturbance and aggression. Their academic performance is poor as a result of both the circumstances of their homelessness and poor cognitive development. Hart further explains the health status of these children being at risk, hence suffering from health problems like increased rates of respiratory infections, infectious diseases, chronic, anaemia, and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, and stunted growth due to poor nutrition. They are also exposed to poor environmental factors, which contribute much to their poor health. Lead poisoning and asthma are some of the greater risks exposed to these children and with very severe symptoms as compared to their peers. Developmental delays are common in the pre-school children with about 75% of the children under the age of five years having this problem and mostly in the areas of speech or impulsivity (Hart, 4-6). As a result of stressful events, mental disorders become

Cross cultural marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Cross cultural marriage - Essay Example Although there could be some challenges associated with having to deal with a different culture, the experience can be very exciting, especially if the couple is compatible. You get to experience several new things, which can be interesting. This essay focuses on the reasons why cross-cultural marriages should be encouraged. Any marriage should be founded on trust, understanding, and mutual respect between the partners. The above can be enhanced in any marriage and they do not depend on cultural background. One’s culture cannot thus affect how well he or she can cope with the other partner. The capability of coping between partners mainly depends on their personalities. Since most marriages occur after a period of courting, the partners are able to learn how to interact and cope with each other irrespective of their differences (Ballard, 2006; Arnold, 2008). Cross-cultural marriages should be encouraged since they help bridge cross-cultural gaps. This is possible since cross-cultural marriages bring families or communities from the two cultures closer. This gives individuals from the two cultures a chance to learn from each other. Additionally, individuals from the two cultures are able to understand each other, which help in enhancing harmony. This is good for multicultural countries such as United States since it helps reduce negative stereotypes. Moreover, people get to understand and appreciate each other irrespective of their cultural differences, which are good and enables creation peace across the globe (Romano, 2008; Sitabud, Chantachon, & Pangsroy, 2011). Marrying a person from a different culture can be an interesting adventure. Bringing up children in an intercultural context will help broaden their minds and views regarding other cultures. Additionally, the experience of learning the other culture, language, eating habits, and other aspects of life is thrilling (Ballard, 2006).

Oil Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Oil - Essay Example Recently, there has been growing awareness that oil reserves and the amount of fossil fuel oil available in the world are running out. Renewable and more environmental friendly sources of fuel are also being explored as alternatives for fossil fuel oil. The research and development of solar power, geothermal, hydro-electric and wind energy has been growing due to those concerns. There has also been research on more ecologically safe fuel such as biodiesel and ethanol fuel types mainly for vehicles. While this has been a slow development, this has been growing as a trend and movement. OPEC sees the development of such alternative measures for fuel as a threat to their economic objectives. Inviglio (2010) said that â€Å"every hybrid, plug-in, and electric vehicle sold means fewer gallons of oil burnt. Over the past few years, political pressures have been propping up the emerging market for autos that use little gasoline. But if the gas price remains low for too long, consumers may not embrace the new technology, because its just so expensive†. For OPEC to monitor the limited supply of oil, it would need to adjust its oil prices and allocation basing on the needs of its various consumers and how much supply is needed to be

Explaining Labour Marker Inequality and Discrimination Essay

Explaining Labour Marker Inequality and Discrimination - Essay Example Social institutions, forces, and traditions that discriminate against race and gender influence the labour market. This essay is an attempt to identify the theory that best explains the embeddedness of discrimination and inequalities in employment. This essay also discusses the limits to law, equal opportunities policies and collective bargaining as remedies to labour inequality and discrimination. Labour discrimination implies that, other things being equal, members of a minority group, women, and even disabled people do not enjoy the same privileges and opportunities in the labour market as do Whites and men. Discrimination and inequality in the labour market may be classified into three, namely, (1) occupational segregation, (2) employment inequality, and (3) wage inequality (Ackerman 2000, xxxvi). Even though people of colour and women both endure labour discrimination, the shape it assumes for each group is not the same. Studies on discrimination in the labour market have report ed that the recognisable features of race and gender are the determinant of occupation and pay (Whalen 1996). According to Edwards (1985), discrimination against people of colour and women in the labour market is reinforced and renewed through the forming of wage differentials. Hence, to maintain a pool of low-wage labour, a number of employees are methodically segregated, on the basis of their racial affinity or gender, from high-wage sectors of the labour market. A Theory of Labour Market Discrimination and Inequality Theories that are strongly established and commonly recognised in labour research have five attributes in common, according to Solimano (1998). First, as regards to their analytical feature, they are neatly clear-cut and basic assumptions vulnerable to mainstream ideas and sentiments. Second, correctly interpreted these basic assumptions possess extensive uses producing practically valuable predictions or a semblance of truth that is vividly interesting. Third, they address issues of social policy. Fourth, established theories usually communicate several basic ideological predispositions that have a substantial tradition (Solimano 1998). Ultimately, remarkable theories hold research programmes that encourage scholars to focus on some aspects and not on others for better knowledge of major concerns. Theories of labour market segmentation have an institutional and historical inclination, arguing that â€Å"jobs cluster in segments that differ systematically by the skill and training involved, job security and attachment, opportunities for advancement, breadth of job definition, level of worker participation in decisions, and compensation† (Whalen 1996, 200). Most existing knowledge about these subject matters originates from historians and sociologists. The theory of segmented labour market is generally related to a leftist or Marxist analysis (Solimano 1998). In order to prove that the theory of segmented labour market is the best theory that explains the embeddedness of discrimination and equality in the labour market, it is important to restate an aspect of the core issue in this arena. According to Kirton and Greene (2010), substitutes to the neo-classical theory of labour market emerged in order to clarify actual phenomena not likely to be understood through traditional theory. These real phenomena are associated with unemployment, poverty, and

Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton - Essay Example A true educator will not say "I teach English, Math, German etc." but rather, "I teach children/pupils/students..." As Kathie Chipping puts it so well, "schoolmastering is so important, don't you think To be influencing those who are going to grow up and matter to the world..." (Hilton, 35). On the surface, the style and methods of the old teacher appear conservative and conventional, like all good educators, he is open to change, when it is for the good, and not merely for its own sake. By incorporating new ideas, using humor, gentleness and wisdom, better results are achieved. By earning respect and love, such a teacher then becomes an inspiration and finally finds contentment and self-worth in knowing they have done a good job. Evidence of this is shown in the achievements of his pupils, his 'boys': Conflict: The outward manifestation of the principal conflict is the passionate argument between Chips and Ralston, the young headmaster. The underlying differences are those of values and motivation. On one side, there is Ralston, efficient, ruthless, ambitious, 'modern' and materialistic. On the other, is Chips, representing years of tradition, old fashioned teaching methods, using a gentlemanly, timeless approach to what pupils should be learning, and with a genuine dedication to their personal development. Ralston's stance can be illustrated thus, when trying to get rid of Chips: "Your boys don't learn even what they're supposed to learn. None of them last year got through the Lower certificate." (Hilton, 75). In seeking to make money, and a reputation for himself, Chips perceived him to be "running Brookfield like a factory, a factory for turning out a snob-culture based on money and machines." (Hilton, 76). He detested the results of such activity, as "Vulgar..ostentatious...all the hectic rotten-ripeness of the age...no sense of proportion." (Hilton, 77). Their personalities and views on educational methods reflect opposing values. Ralston demands 'modernity', and changes which seek to show his perceived talents in a favorable light, not because it is better. Chips subscribes to the view that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', why make change for its own sake, certificates do not make better human beings. In the historical context, the conflict occurs in a period of social change. Victorian morality had given way to a frenetic, rich, Edwardian decadence. But a huge gap still existed between the rich and the poor. While Ralston courted the rich for their money and power, Chips, influenced by the socialist, idealist and democratic beliefs he had absorbed from Kathie, hoped for change which 3. would encompass education for all, "a

Effects of divorce on the mother - child relationship Term Paper

Effects of divorce on the mother - child relationship - Term Paper Example However, another striking finding is that it is possible to look at the effect of divorce on a more positive perspective such that mothers may actually develop certain strategies that would help them cope with the present situation, allowing them to experience a better relationship with their children. Introduction With the growing rates of divorce all over the world, it seems that the ceremony of marriage has lost its essence. Celebrities changing spouses almost as frequently as they change clothes become a part of everyday entertainment. In a highly liberated society, it does not come as a surprise when a couple separates even after years of marriage – in fact, it is almost anticipated. Several reasons have been identified, most of which, centered on the desire for freedom. As such, it appears as though freedom has become more valuable than love and stability. Indeed, in this modernized, less conservative world, marriage being a life-long commitment is already passe. However , it seems that many have overlooked the fact that more than just a ceremony, marriage is an institution which serves as a foundation of the family; hence, divorce not only breaks the marital bond but the family as well. The effect of divorce on children has become the focus of attention especially since their social and psychological development, in line with the socio-cultural learning theory of Vygotsky, is determined largely by their relationship with their parents, who serve as guides that shape their identity. When children grow up in the presence of both parents, they acquire traits and develop social skills that would equip them as they interact outside the home. As such, when a parent has to leave after divorce, the foundation is destabilized; thus, affecting the way that children interact with others. Nevertheless, perhaps, the most affected relationship in children’s life after divorce is that with their mother since most often than not, children are left in the cu stody of the mother after the couple separated. For this reason, many studies have been conducted on knowing the effects of divorce in mother-child relationship. These researches explored various facets of the relationship being influenced by the separation. Summary of Related Articles I. Brenner, J & Hyde, J. (2006). Parental divorce and mother-child interaction. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 45(3), 93-108. The study was conducted due to the predominance of researches which only focused on the negative effects of divorce in the interaction of mother and child, without adequate consideration of the perspectives of both individuals. Brenner & Hyde (2006) attempted to assess the behavior of both mother and child after divorce but unlike other studies on this matter they analyzed using a positive perspective. The previous research that led to their study is that of Gately and Schwebel, whose findings indicate that children of divorced parents actually improve in terms of maturity, c onfidence, empathy and sexual identity. This research gave them the idea that it is possible that divorce may be beneficial to mother-child relationship. Moreover, the researchers also utilize the concept of Vygotsky which serve as the theoretical framework in the analysis of results. The study made use of quasi-experimental design consisting of two groups of subjects: intact and broken families. The subjects consist of one hundred sixty pairs of

Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton - Essay Example A true educator will not say "I teach English, Math, German etc." but rather, "I teach children/pupils/students..." As Kathie Chipping puts it so well, "schoolmastering is so important, don't you think To be influencing those who are going to grow up and matter to the world..." (Hilton, 35). On the surface, the style and methods of the old teacher appear conservative and conventional, like all good educators, he is open to change, when it is for the good, and not merely for its own sake. By incorporating new ideas, using humor, gentleness and wisdom, better results are achieved. By earning respect and love, such a teacher then becomes an inspiration and finally finds contentment and self-worth in knowing they have done a good job. Evidence of this is shown in the achievements of his pupils, his 'boys': Conflict: The outward manifestation of the principal conflict is the passionate argument between Chips and Ralston, the young headmaster. The underlying differences are those of values and motivation. On one side, there is Ralston, efficient, ruthless, ambitious, 'modern' and materialistic. On the other, is Chips, representing years of tradition, old fashioned teaching methods, using a gentlemanly, timeless approach to what pupils should be learning, and with a genuine dedication to their personal development. Ralston's stance can be illustrated thus, when trying to get rid of Chips: "Your boys don't learn even what they're supposed to learn. None of them last year got through the Lower certificate." (Hilton, 75). In seeking to make money, and a reputation for himself, Chips perceived him to be "running Brookfield like a factory, a factory for turning out a snob-culture based on money and machines." (Hilton, 76). He detested the results of such activity, as "Vulgar..ostentatious...all the hectic rotten-ripeness of the age...no sense of proportion." (Hilton, 77). Their personalities and views on educational methods reflect opposing values. Ralston demands 'modernity', and changes which seek to show his perceived talents in a favorable light, not because it is better. Chips subscribes to the view that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it', why make change for its own sake, certificates do not make better human beings. In the historical context, the conflict occurs in a period of social change. Victorian morality had given way to a frenetic, rich, Edwardian decadence. But a huge gap still existed between the rich and the poor. While Ralston courted the rich for their money and power, Chips, influenced by the socialist, idealist and democratic beliefs he had absorbed from Kathie, hoped for change which 3. would encompass education for all, "a

Managing Change Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Managing Change - Assignment Example Every department of the company should be involved in the process of change. Human resource management plays a very important role in the process of organizational change. When the change is implemented there is always a necessity in personnel training. Human resources department provides expertise in coordinating change and organizes personnel training. HR managers help employees understand their new roles in the company that underwent change and influence their perception of change that is very important for every company: Reh states: â€Å"an individuals degree of resistance to change is determined by whether they perceive the change as good or bad, and how severe they expect the impact of the change to be on them. Their ultimate acceptance of the change is a function of how much resistance the person has and the quality of their coping skills and their support system† (Reh). The department implements personnel selection as the changes, which are implemented, usually demand hiring new specialists. Appropriate human resource management helps implement successful organizational

The play “Macbeth” Essay Example for Free

The play â€Å"Macbeth† Essay At the beginning of this exam we read through the play entitled â€Å"Macbeth† so we had an idea of the plot of the play I think this helped us all as most of the class had not read this play before and this made us want to learn more of Macbeth. Response Phase. Using still images and narration after we had read the play helped me to understand the play better than when I read it as you had a visual aid and could see exactly what was going on and having narration in Modern English made it easier to understand as we are used to Modern English. In order to create three still images with narration successfully we had to think about the relationships between characters within the play to make sure that the way in which we performed was as accurate as possible as then it made it easier for the audience to understand. When we performed the three still images with narration I found that putting emotion in your voice for the narration and using conscious movement when changing images was hard and we needed some more work on that however I feel that showing who we were acting towards other characters was easy and the audience knew who we were trying to act as. In the exam we did an exercise called â€Å"the mirror exercise† in this we got into pairs and had to stand facing each other and we had to copy our partner’s actions and movements to create an atmosphere and we compared this to characters in the play for example: When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are arguing about killing the king in our movement piece we showed how the control of the two switched until Lady Macbeth wins the argument and we showed her higher in this piece showing that she had won the argument. In act 1 scene 3 we learnt through the mirror exercise that Macbeth is easily lead by Lady Macbeth in which he is willing to kill the king to make his wife happy and to make him self king this also shows that he is a greedy man. This exercise reflected upon me greatly as I got to see a different sides to lots of characters which I fell gave our performances a little more and we could perform better having done this. Hotseating Macbeth helped my understanding of the character much more as you could ask any questions which are unanswered within the text and you could also develop more of a background to the character and that meant you knew more about Macbeth so you could add more into your performances and this was much better than just being told about the character. What we discovered about Macbeth as a result of hotseating: He is a greedy man. A power thirsty man. Looks out for him self. Trusts his wife. Is loyal to whom he chooses. Is very deceiving. In act 1 scene 7 we used thought tracking, soundscape’s and abstract movement to explore the thoughts and inner turmoil in Macbeth’s mind and I fell that all f these strategies helped my understanding as I could discover more sides to Macbeth’s character which enhanced my performance when I was in his role. I discovered in this that Macbeth is a greedy man as he wants to kill a friend and a loyal boss just so he can have more power and be crowned king. In groups of three we identified and marked the moment that represented the struggle in Macbeths mind, we identified this moment by reading extracts and finding that moment, we found it as it was significant as it showed Macbeth talking to himself arguing with his conscious not knowing what to do that’s why we chose this scene. Following on from this we all created a short movement piece without dialogue to highlight this moment this deepened my understanding and effectiveness of the piece without dialogue as you got to watch Macbeths facial expressions and how he felt reflected upon them also you got to think for yourself what he may have been thinking so this helps to understand. Within this whole exam I feel that â€Å"the mirror exercise† helped me most to gain an insight into the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. I think that this whole experience has helped me to understand the life and times that William Shakespeare wrote this as I can see that it is easy to get away with murders as there was no authorities like the police like we have today which shows it was a dangerous time and a lot has changed since then. Empathy to see and feel someone else’s point of view is so important not only for an actor but for society in general as if you do not always see eye to eye and you cannot compromise friction between people enter and this is when fights and disagreements all break out so it is important as you can then have a conversation and the tone of your voice can reflect upon that which helps keep the peace. Development Phase. We looked at act 1 scene 3, this is when Macbeth meets the three witches for the first time and also when he is told that he will be Thane of Cawdor and the king, here is how I think Macbeth would have felt about this, his thoughts on this life changing news: Thane of Cawdor? How can that be there is already a Thane of Cawdor. To be king wow that would be great but how do I achieve that? These women cannot speak truth there is no way this can come true, but what if they speak true and I can become Thane then king ? I must tell my wife! From the above in which I have just written I will now bullet point how I feel I would perform the extract above: My facial expression would be tense and confused. I would look down just glancing up every so often looking at people until the line beginning â€Å"These women† then look up. Once looking up stare at the three witches. Look at them angrily. Look out in the distance when â€Å"but what if† starts. Confused look again. Return to the atmosphere of the room quickly as you say â€Å"I must tell my wife†. We used drama to create our own version of act 1 scene 3 we used props symbolically within this scene for example: Drums to create the drum sound in the text, black cloth to show the darkness of the witch’s growing closer towards Macbeth. In this scene we tried to replicate Macbeths temptation when the weird sisters are telling him all him becoming Thane of Cawdor and king as in our group we felt that it was important to show his lust for the titles of Thane and King so we tried to show that the weird sisters are making his lust worse as they say he can be Thane and king so in a group we felt that the weird sisters were responsible for his temptation but also he controls this so in a way they are both responsible for the temptation towards the titles and thought that somehow they could be like a mirror to his own soul as he wants to be Thane and king but does not show it only deep in his soul so they are showing him this and he knows that it what he wants and what he lusts for in his soul. I feel that a twenty first century interpretation of the text would be very different to that of Shakespeare’s age when witch’s were considered to be real as today people would think nothing of someone saying that they would be Thane and king as there is no such thing as witches known in present times so Macbeth in present time would not be as spooked and as tempted as there is no fear in what they say today. If I could develop this drama through the use of costume, stage design, special effects and props I would have used lighting so that every so often when the witches finished a sentence they flashed so it gave the effect of lighting and mystery and to give the atmosphere of storm I would also use black clothes with were ripped and look dirty and for Macbeth I would wear battle clothes like armor as they had just come from battle in this scene. When creating this movement piece from act 1 scene 7 I feel it gave a great sense of how Macbeth was feeling and gave an idea of the thoughts going through his mind as he is drawn to what the witches are saying but backs away when in his mind he thinks it may happen and he becomes overwhelmed with the thought. I feel we could have developed this further by the speed in which Macbeths walks toward the witches and when he backs away as the tempo and rhythm of that could make the audience engage more with his thoughts, also using contrasts as in the stillness when Macbeth backs away to when he was all excited to hear he will be king when he is very active, using spoken language in this piece may have made this better as some members of the audience may not have fully understood what was going on within this piece. If we were to use our movement piece and turn it into a naturalistic role-play I would design the stage as a dark stormy sky as the witches bring storms and the blackness can symbolize evil being the witches. Within this role-play I would have to think about spoken language between the characters including gestures and how they should show how they really feel with body language and where the climax of the whole scene should be in order to make it work. Acting out the text using Shakespeare’s language was very challenging and difficult to master and I would need a lot of time to get it perfect. If I had a week to rehearse a scene I would pick the very first one in the play when you meet the witches for the first time as I think this sets the scene for the rest of the play, in this I would use my voice to project over the whole of the stage when needed to create a sense of the witches being mysterious and my body language would be very bizarre as the witches move like this to create a strange atmosphere.

Voting Behaviour in Nigeria

Voting Behaviour in Nigeria ETHNICITY AND VOTING BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIA ABSTRACT This paper tried to give a historical discourse about the relationship between ethnicity and voting behavior using Nigeria as its case study. Looking at the early evolution of Nigeria, after the amalgamation of both the northern and southern protectorates during the era of colonialism, one issue that has been mind boggling within the historic-socio-political discourse of Nigeria is the paradigm of ethnicity which many from the academia tend to see it as having a great impact in the way and manner elections are conducting which ultimately affects the voting pattern of the people as well. Using historic-descriptive method in which secondary data are mostly used in order to come up with this correlation between ethnicity and voting behaviour in Nigeria, the study noted that the former has significant impact in the way and manner political leaders are elected or recruited. Key Words: Ethnicity, Voting behaviour, Elections, Nigeria, Ethnic, Elites. INTRODUCTION: Ethnicity has been said to have had significant influence in the voting behaviour of individuals. This is mostly recorded in Africa and some part of Asia, where people tend to vote those who will govern them based on certain pseudo-socio and cultural make up. Hence this study will try to study the causal relationship between ethnicity which will be the independent variable and voting behaviour which is said to be the dependent variable and Nigeria will be the country used as the case for this study. According to scholars, ethnicity defines inequalities in our societies which is crucial to capture ethnic identities. Its attempts lead to influence the behaviors of others and the course of events in the organization in order to protect their self-interests, main priority is their own needs. For instance a voter would have to been of age, a citizen, had to be registered to vote and once their qualifications have been met. Then you have the honor to voting. Expanding on these ideas people assume that there candidate will just win even without leading their vote, which means if you do not vote don’t have the right to criticize your leaders. Political efficiency can be defined as one time influence and effectiveness on politics. So the lack of political efficiency is the thought that won’t make a difference. And to widen their own goals. Behaviour may be seen as political. Naming behavior as political, instead, usually implies a judgment that certain people are gaining so mething at the expense of others or the institution/organization as a whole. However a balance understanding of political behaviour and its consequence is needed. People seem to be self-centered and biased when crested actions as political behaviour. Employees may justify their own political behavior as defending legitimate rights or interests, yet call similar behavior by others ‘playing politics.’ RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The study seeks to ask the following research questions: How has ethnicity been able to influence voting behaviour? Are political parties ethnically aligned so as to influence voting behaviour? OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY: It is the desire of this study to be able to achieve the following objectives: To explain the causal relationship between ethnicity and voting behaviour pattern. To also know whether ethnic factors tend to affect voting pattern of individuals in the study. As an academic exercise it is the desire of the study to contribute to existing literature about the subject matter which is the causal relationship between ethnicity and voting behaviour. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: In other to come up with a causal relationship between these two variables, the study will rely on secondary data through which secondary sources such as books, articles, journals, reports from other think tank centers like freedom house, afro-barometer etc. in order to explain the correlation between these two variables. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS: To examine the extent to which ethnicity can influence voting behavior in Nigerians the study has come up with the following hypothetical statements: H1- Whether Ethnicity influences voting behavior (Thesis Statement) H2- If it does not influence voting behavior (Anti-Thesis Statement) CONCEPTUALIZATION AND OPERATIONALIZATION OF TERMS: Ethnicity: Can be seen as synonyms of races because the usual idea is biological category inherited from generation to generation. Ethnicity is a basic form of identity, talking about were your ancestors came from and ethnicity can be seen as a cultural trade, believes and language, or a group of people who share a common history, language, culture, ethnicity is really culture component that people share and has been developed as identity over time. Also ethnicity refers to shared cultural practices that set apart one group of people from another. Voting Behavior According to ‘Juma’ (2011:22) explains voting behaviour as a set of attitudes and beliefs towards elections at the national as well as, at the local level. They are basically three source political scientist look at in order to analyse why people or voter behave the way they do, why they vote the way they do and why they chose the parties that they do; looking at the result of the election (seeing whose voting for what or women/men voting or generation voting for what) survey work ahead doing some studies of political socialization which is the process by which people gain their political attitudes, political opinions of growing up process and how you want to be the people you are LÄ °TERATURE REVÄ °EW: The study will try to examine what other scholars have written about the two variables, i.e. Ethnicity and Voting behaviour. Ethnicity: Borrowing from Balliber and Wallerstein, who tried to examine the concept of ethnicity in their work regarding the theory of state formation, Bonila Silva, looked at the term ethnicity as a process where by one assert certain distinct attribute aimed at creating and achieveing a sense of communal way of life in the society. While Barth F. sees ethnicity as a situation in which people that live in a distinct community tend to create a distinct identity that differentiates them from other categories of people in the society as well. Horowitz, (1985) note that ethnicity is the core principle of politics within a state which either challenge or serve as a medium of cohesion amongst states in order to reduce the inherent tension within the international system. According Horowitz, ethnicity exerts a strong direct impact on electoral behavior in ethnically-segmented societies, through generating a long-term psychological sense of party loyalty anchoring citizens to parties, where casting a vote becomes an expression of group identity. By implications, other social divisions become subsumed as secondary to ethnicity. VOTING BEHAVIOUR: According to â€Å"Juma â€Å"(2011:22), the term voting behaviour, connotes a collection of attitudes, values and beliefs in which individuals of a given society have towards elections both at the local, national and international level. While Harrop and Miller, using a constructivist paradigm, explained voting behaviour as a pattern of political participation mostly taking place in democratic societies where people react to certain laid down values, principles and beliefs how they choose their leaders. These set of beliefs could be based on age, sex, ethnicity, religion and education. THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK: In order for this study to be able to explain the causal relationship between ethnicity and voting behaviour, the study will adopt the theory of constructivism in order to be able to study this synergy between both the independent and dependent variables. This theory tries to analyse events, issues and phenomena via a sociological perspective and socio-cultural vantage point. Relating this theory to my study, since both variables tend to toe towards studying socio-cultural phenomena, the study would look at how this variants of ethnicity affects voting behaviour. DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: This is the aspect of the study where the researcher will try to test his hypothesis in order to determine the degree of causality between his variables using relevant secondary data as well as information from think-tanks that can be able to measure his variables. After the analysis the researcher will be able to either vilify or corroborate his hypothesis. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: This is the last phase of the study, where the researcher will be able to come out with a testable statement and conclusion about the findings of his research, make recommendations where necessary and also make suggestions for further study. Drawing from the available data largely drawn from the reports of ‘Afro-barometer’ and ‘Freedom house’, there seem to be a causal relationship between ethnicity and voting behaviour in Nigeria. This is usually attributed to the diverse nature of the Nigerian society in which there are over 450 local languages, in which each ethnic group, wants a stake in the body polity. This ethnic divisions, played a latent role even in the composition of the various political parties in the country in which right from independence to date, none of the political parties actually, have a national outlook, but rather they are all structured and are operated towards ethnic and religious lines. Thus, with this type of party structures in the society, the ‘ethnic’ factor most often influenced, voter’s choice, because most Nigerians, tend to opt for candidates that represent their ethnic origin rather than vote based on merit, ability or to a candidate that w ould provide the needed dividends of good governance. REFERENCES: Allen, H. (2007), How do rules and institutions encourage vote buying, In Schaffer, (2007), The Causes and Consequences of Vote Buying, Lyinne Reiner Publishers, Colorado. Brusco, M. et al. (2004), Vote Buying in Argentina, Latin American Research Review, vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 65-88. Ibrahim, J. (2007), Nigeria’s 2007 Elections: The fitful Path to Democracy, Institute for Peace, Washington D.C. Ifidon, (2003), Transition from Democracy in Nigeria: Toward a Pre-emptive Analysis, African Journal of Political Science, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 109-128. Jega, A. (2007), Elections and the future of Democracy in Nigeria, NPSA, Lagos. Michael, B. Lewis, P. (2007), The Durability of Political Goods: Evidence from Nigeria’s New Democracy, Cambridge University Press, New York. Michael B. (2007), Who Votes? Implications for new democracies, available at: http://www.globalbarometer.net/publication.htm accessed: 30th April, 2014.

Analysis If Homeward Bound :: essays research papers

Homeward Bound Homeward Bound is a satiric play, which attacks the socially accepted standards of today’s society. This play is known as a comedy of manners; defined as light social satire. Homeward Bound also consists of amusing characters that the audience can relate to. This type of play appeals to mostly sophisticated audiences and actors because the play consists of clever use of language and brilliant conversation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Elliot Hayes’ use of satire in Homeward Bound plays an important part in the telling of the story. His use of satire expresses how the characters feel about each other and their situations. There were many parts of the play that had satire in them. The scene where the mother is talking about her gay son and his partner is an example because it was a mockery of how “normal people'; handled the touchy subject of homosexuality. Another satiric scene is where Norris told her family about her affair, but the circumstances were that she had the affair with Nick’s gay partner and she was bearing his child. This is a very unusual example of satire because this sort of thing usually does not happen to a middle class society (or at least not that I have heard of). The family’s reaction to this newfound information is very humorous because they act almost opposite as to what is expected. Hayes is almost ridiculing the middle class’ mentality and their views on life. Hayes also satirizes when Bonnie reveals Donna’s little secret of her indecent behavior when she was a little child. This was totally unexpected and it revealed Donna’s character as being loose. Even though the characters did the opposite of what was expected and were quite amusing, the audience could relate to them because, before all the surprises were revealed the audience saw the characters as ordinary people. Once the “skeletons'; came out of the closet, the audience realized that euthanasia, homosexuality, alcoholism and affairs are problems that all levels of class face. This realization brings the audience closer to the characters and the circumstances presented on stage. This play appeals more to a sophisticated and mature audience because of the clever use of language and brilliant conversation. There was a lot of slang and colloquialism used. Usage of swears was interesting; it is a normal assumption to make that middle class families are not so crass. This was effective because it provided more realism by showing how people would talk in these serious and yet humorous situations.

Lesson Vocabulary

They related one Of the disease Symptoms such as memory loss to her forgetting to take out the trash. Menopause- the time of natural cessation of menstruation. On the popular television show 19 kids and counting, the mother had went to her doctors office questioning whether or not she was able to have more children. The doctor had went trough numerous questions, one of which included whether she has gone through menopause as this would indicate that her body is not able to carry any more children.Cross-sectional study-a study in which people Of different ages are compared with one another. As was listening to the radio one day, there was an advertisement looking for people aged 10-65, in order for them to compare how the brain reacts to different stimuli as the brain ages. This is an example of a cross-sectional study as there is a group of people within a large range of ages in order for them to be compared to one another. Institutional study- research on which the same people are r estudied and retested over a long period of time.A study in which children who are given medication to treat a disease, and are tested then and every five years in order to see the development with the ewe drug(whether it is working,etc) is an example of a longitudinal study as the same people are being tested for the medication and are having to be retested in order to reassure the medication is working. Adolescence- the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extended from puberty to independence.When conversing with a coworker who is above the age of twenty five and is living on their own, settled down with a family, and has a stable job, you are more than likely to consider this individual to have gone through adolescence as they are now quite independent and have had many years after starting puberty. Primary sex characteristics- the body structures that make sexual reproduction possible. If a female were to lack ovaries, she would be lacking a primary sex characteristic , as without ovaries, natural reproduction is impossible.Secondary sex characteristics- non-reproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair. While working down the street, you notice a striking young man, with a trimmed beard, well dressed, and a low voice. You are attracted to his secondary sex characteristics as you like his beard, which is a secondary sex characteristic, as well as his deep voice. Social clock- the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.During the renaissance, if you were not married by the age of 15, you were considered to be a witch, as only one of the dark side would have this flaw. This can be seen as an extreme formation of a social clock as they believe one must be married by a certain age. Menarche, the first menstrual period. When a child enters the third grade many times they are asked if they would like to take a sex deed class. In this class they will disc uss numerous topics, one which may include menarche as many females will be unaware of this at this GE in order to educate the young females that it is just a sign of their bodies functionally properly.Fluid intelligence- our ability to reason speedily and abstractly. Having fluid intelligence is quite necessary as a teenager because decisions are made quickly and you must be able to sort the complications as well as the advantages Of doing an activity. Crystallized intelligence- our accumulated knowledge and verbal skills. If one were to speak of a book they read last year and discuss what occurred in the book, they are using crystallized intelligence as they are pulling information from a later date.

Extended Marketing Mix Essay

Launched on 3rd of October 2009 by the McLaren’s Group which has been a name with great passion towards improvement of motor sports in Sri Lanka, Speed  Drome (Pvt) Ltd. is every Pro/Go-karter’s heaven on earth. Located amidst green pasture in close proximity to the parliament complex and Buddhadasa play ground in Battaramulla, Speedrome is a fully equipped and professionally fitted race track which includes 19 go-karts, computerized timing and scoring systems, professionally trained staff, designated spectator areas and air-conditioned VIP gallery, all for the sake of providing their customers with the best experience that they can offer. Go-karting may be Speed Drome’s main product but they haven’t stopped there as far as the entertainment aspect is concerned, with a sports bar and a luxurious lounge. These two additional services are provided for customers to host parties or any corporate events. Speed Drome also has taken an initiative in providing a swimming pool to cater to discerning corporate executives and high profile lifestyles. As for the little kids, Speed Drome has taken the liberty of creating a kiddies race track as well. To put it simply, Speed Drome aims to be not only an attraction for Pro/Go-kart lovers everywhere but also to provide the entire family with leisure activities and entertainment. Speed Drome has gained much popularity ever since its launch, with an exhibition kart race in which the participation of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Aravinda De Silva the former cricketer who is a keen fan of motor cars along with the lady racer S.A. Lakshika and Jackson Anthony were noted. Karting championships such as â€Å"Speed Drome All Island Karting Championship Rounds 1-3 † show off exactly what Speed Drome is all about as many professional formula one drivers take part in these competitions exhibiting the real skill involved in Go/Pro-karting, while attracting even more potential customers and leading to other karting championships. Finally the major plus point for Speed Drome is the fact that it is the one and only Go/Pro-Karting facility in Sri Lanka as yet and with its added assets Speed Drome’s future seems very fruitful with all the necessary standards being maintained. The Extended Marketing mix 1. Product In a service organization, the product is referred to the service being delivered to the consumer which is intangible, inseparable, variable and perishable. The speed Drome (Pvt) Ltd. (Appendix 1) offers a variety of  services which can be explained in terms of entertainment, leisure and experience. Their main focus is on providing their customers with the experience of real Pro-Kart racing (Appendix 2) and in addition to that other entertainment and leisure services are also provided such as the Kiddies track, (Appendix 3) the sports bar (Appendix 4) and the swimming pool (Appendix 5) along with the Luxurious Lounge (Appendix 6). The nature of the service in terms of: Intangibility: True services are intangible. Therefore when you leave Speed Drome there is only one memory or the experience that remains, which is riding a pro-kart at the only available place in Sri Lanka. Some elements are tangible such as the karts used, the swim pool etc., but the core benefit of the purchase is not, and that is the sheer experience of riding a pro-kart and feeling its speed. Inseparability: The service provided by Speed Drome is inseparable as the physical presence of a customer is essential in this service. However, with the help of its physical resources the overall service takes place when only the consumer that is the person interested in riding a pro-kart meets the service provider. Perishability: Karting or any other service provided by the company must be consumed when offered. It cannot be produced now for consumption at a later stage / time nor can they be held or stocked because the value of this service exists at the point when it is required. Variability: This service is highly variable because Speed Drome is the only service provider for kart racing in Sri Lanka currently. It has its very own standardized quality which cannot be competed with another form of entertainment service, as it provides a unique and an incomparable experience. The above mentioned characteristics define the services they provide which attract youngsters and veteran drivers alike. 2. Price Pricing is one of the most important marketing mix decisions and it is the only marketing mix variable that generates revenues. Speed Drome (Pvt) Ltd. is a profit and cost oriented organization. Their main objectives are to: * Maximize their profits, * Achieve a target return on investment, * Recover investment costs over a particular time period And to, * Generate volume so as to drive down costs. Speed Drome doesn’t pursue the status quo or sales oriented objectives as it is the only organization specializes in this certain industry in Sri Lanka. Due to the same reason Speed Drome follows the price skimming strategy. Their prices for all the services are relatively high (even though they don’t have competitors in the same industry) compared to the other entertainment forms in the market. This is due to the service quality, image and to prevent competitors enter the market easily. The following are the current prices attached to the services being provided by Speed Drome: * Pro-Karting/ Go-Karting (10 minutes) – Rs. 750 * Happy Hours Karting (every Tuesday 3pm-8pm) – Rs. 500 * Swimming pool charges (unlimited) per person – Rs. 450 * Membership Benefits: * Membership free Rs.15000 * Rs. 750 tickets for Rs.500 * Kart trainer amount Rs.1500 for Rs.1000 * Members can use pool free, additional guest with members charged only Rs. 250 each * 10% discount for corporate package with fully use of pool and entertainment area. Additionally the race fees, special event fees and training programme fees are charged. 3. Place The place part of the marketing mix is where the customer receives the service or where the service is located. Speed Drome is Located in close proximity to the Parliament Complex and Bhuddhadasa Play Ground, in Battaramulla. It has situated itself around major cities such as Colombo, Rajagiriya, Nugegoda and Pitakotte which are all highly residential areas have all been thought out very carefully by Speed Drome management prior to construction. This is to boost their target market which is basically the upper class of community because although the cost for riding a Go-Kart (which is something very rare to do in Sri Lanka) seems reasonable as far as the cost for maintaining the Karts and equipment needed go, Unfortunately  though for the majority of Sri Lankan’s the price to pay for such an experience is highly unreasonable. The area in which the Arena (or facility) has been built on is extremely large and compliments the Track very well and to add to this the lush scenery surrounding the Speed Drome gives this track a unique feel to it. Speed Dome’s location has one more major benefit which is that it’s just a drive away not only from the cities surrounding it but also from other major cities in the district like Colombo and Dehiwala etc. Over all the decision to build Speed Drome where it is an extremely well thought and strategic move which has shown and is yet to keep bringing in results. 4. Promotion Promotions have become a critical factor in the service marketing mix. Services are easy to be duplicated and hence it is generally the brand which sets a service apart from its counterpart. As mentioned under the topic ‘Place’ Speed Drome’s marketing mix carters to a selected segment, which is known as Niche marketing. Its service is all about providing entertainment for those who desire the ‘need for speed’. What better way to communicate about this sheer experience which can be gained at only one place in Sri Lanka other than promoting the service? The obvious competitive advantages Speed Drome possesses are: * Service Differentiation The only facility that provides karting experience in Sri Lanka. * Image Differentiation Karts which are only available at Speed Drome in Sri Lanka and the unique logo itself distinguish the service provided. How Speed Drome gets through to the customer The main objective of Speed Drome is to make the potential customers well aware about their new service. Hence the following methods are mainly used to promote their service- * Weekly offered special karting hours * ‘Happy Hours’ Every Tuesday from 3pm-8pm (Rs.750 tickets at Rs.500) (Appendix 7) * Karting competitions * Thank God its Race Day Competition (Appendix 8) * All Island Karting Championship (Appendix 9,10) * Exhibition kart races of celebrities (Appendix 11) * Publications * News Paper advertisements Ex: Daily Mirror, Sunday Times, Sunday Observer * Magazines Ex: Things to do in Colombo, Esteem, Hi etc. * Online Advertising * Social network groups Ex: The official Facebook Group with latest updates. Twitter etc.

You Suck: A Love Story Chapter 19~20

Chapter Nineteen Our Dead Homeys The vampires sat side by side on the bare futon frame, watching as a five-legged bug limped up the big front window of the loft. Tommy thought that the rhythm of the bug's steps made a for a danceable backbeat – thought he might be able to set music to it, if he knew how to write music. Suite for Angst and Limping Bug, he'd call it. â€Å"Nice bug,† Tommy said. â€Å"Yeah,† Jody said. We should save it for Abby, Jody thought. She was feeling guilty about having bitten the girl – not so much because of the violation, because obviously the kid had been willing, but because she felt as if she really didn't have any choice. She had been injured and her predator nature told her to survive, whatever the cost, which is what bothered her. Was her humanity drifting away? â€Å"The Animals are going to come for us now,† Tommy said. He was feeling angry, betrayed by his old crew, but most of all he felt separate from them now. He felt separate from everyone. Tomorrow was Christmas and he didn't even want to call his parents because they were a different species now. What do you buy for an inferior species? â€Å"It's just the Animals,† Jody said. â€Å"We'll be safe.† â€Å"I'll bet that's what Elijah thought, too, and they got him.† â€Å"We should go get him,† Jody said. She imagined Elijah Ben Sapir, standing in the full sun by the Ferry Building, tourists passing him, wondering why someone would put a statue there. Would the brass protect him? Tommy checked his watch. â€Å"We'd never get there and back in time. I tried that yesterday.† â€Å"How could you do that to him, Tommy? He was one of us.† â€Å"One of us? He was going to kill us, if you remember. He kind of did kill us. I resent that. Besides, if you're covered in bronze, what does it matter if you're underwater? I was just trying to get him out of sight so we could think about our future without him being part of it.† â€Å"Right. Okay,† Jody said. â€Å"Sorry.† Future? She'd lived with a half-dozen guys, none had ever willingly talked about the future before. And she and Tommy had a supersized buttload of future ahead of them as long as someone didn't catch them sleeping. â€Å"Maybe we really should leave the City,† she said. â€Å"No one would know about us in a new city.† â€Å"I was thinking we should get a Christmas tree,† Tommy said. Jody looked away from the bug. â€Å"That's a thought, or we could put some mistletoe up, put on Christmas carols, and stand outside waiting for Santa until the sun comes up and incinerates us. How's that sound?† â€Å"Nobody appreciates your sarcasm, missy. I'm just trying to get a handle on normal. Three months ago I was stocking groceries in Indiana, looking at community college, driving around in my crappy car, wishing I had a girlfriend, and wishing that there was some potential for something to happen beyond getting a job with benefits and living the same life as my dad. Now I have a girlfriend, and superpowers, and a bunch of people want to kill me, and I don't know how to act. I don't know what to do next. And it's going to be that way forever. Forever! I'm going to be scared out of my mind forever! I can't deal with forever.† He'd been barking at her, but she resisted the urge to snap back. He was nineteen, not a hundred and fifty – he didn't even have the tools for being an adult, let alone being immortal. â€Å"I know,† she said. â€Å"Tomorrow night, first thing, we'll hire a car, go get Elijah, and pick up a Christmas tree on the way back. How's that sound?† â€Å"Hiring a car? That sounds exotic.† â€Å"It'll be like prom.† Was she being too patronizing? â€Å"You don't have to do that,† he said. â€Å"I'm sorry I'm acting like a weenie.† â€Å"But you're my weenie,† Jody said. â€Å"Take me to bed.† Still holding her hand, he stood, then pulled her up into his arms. â€Å"We'll be okay, right?† She nodded and kissed him, feeling for just a second like a girl in love instead of a predator. She immediately felt a resurgence of shame over feeding on Abby. The doorbell rang. â€Å"Did you know we had a doorbell?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"You can't beat a dead whore in the morning,† said Nick Cavuto cheerfully, because apparently, everyone loves a dead hooker, despite what certain writer types might think. They were standing in the alley off Mission Street. Dorothy Chin – short, pretty, and whip-smart – snorted a laugh and checked the thermometer probe she'd stuck in the deceased's liver like a meat thermometer into a roast. â€Å"She hasn't been dead four hours, guys.† Rivera rubbed his temples and felt his bookstore slipping away, along with his marriage. He'd known the marriage had been going for a while, but he was feeling a little brokenhearted about the bookstore. He figured he knew, but he asked anyway. â€Å"Cause of death?† â€Å"Toothy blow job,† Cavuto said. â€Å"Yes, Alphonse,† said Dorothy with a tad too much sincerity, â€Å"I'd have to concur with Detective Cavuto, she died of a toothy blow job.† â€Å"It just pisses some guys off,† Cavuto added, â€Å"a professional without skills.† â€Å"Guy just snapped her neck and took his money back,† said Dorothy with a big grin. â€Å"So a broken neck?† said Rivera, mentally waving goodbye to a whole set of first-edition Raymond Chandlers, ten-to-six workdays, golfing on Mondays. Cavuto snorted this time. â€Å"Her head's turned around the wrong way, Rivera. What did you think it was?† â€Å"Seriously,† Dorothy Chin said, â€Å"I have to do the autopsy to be sure, but offhand that's the obvious cause. I'd also say she's probably lucky to go that way. She's HIV positive and it looks like the disease had developed into full-blown AIDS.† â€Å"How do you know that?† â€Å"See these sarcomas on her feet.† Chin had removed one of the hooker's shoes – she pointed to open sores on the corpse's foot and ankle. Rivera sighed. He didn't want to ask, but he asked anyway, â€Å"What about blood loss?† Dorothy Chin had done the autopsies on two of the previous victims and cringed a little. It was a pattern. They'd all been terminally ill, they'd all died of a broken neck, and they'd all shown evidence of extreme blood loss, but no external wounds – not even a needle mark. â€Å"Can't tell out here.† Cavuto had lost his cheery manner now. â€Å"So we spend Christmas day canvassing dirtbags to see if anyone saw anything?† At the end of the alley, uniforms were still talking to the grimy homeless man who had called in the murder. He was trying to get them to spring for a bottle of whiskey – because it was Christmas. Rivera didn't want to go home, but he didn't want to spend a day trying to find out what he already knew. He checked his watch. â€Å"What time was sunrise this morning?† he asked. â€Å"Oh, wait,† Cavuto said, patting down his pockets, â€Å"I'll check my almanac.† Dorothy Chin snorted again, then started giggling. â€Å"Dr. Chin,† Rivera said, tightening down now, â€Å"could you be more precise about the time of death?† Chin picked up on Rivera's tone and went full professional. â€Å"Sure. There's an algorithm for the cooling time of a body. Get me the weather from last night, let me get her back to the morgue and weigh her, and I'll get you a time within ten minutes.† â€Å"What?† Cavuto said to Chin. â€Å"What?† This time to Rivera. â€Å"Winter solstice, Nick,† Rivera said. â€Å"Christmas was originally set at the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. It's eleven-thirty now. I'm betting that four hours ago the sun was just coming up.† â€Å"Uh-huh,† Cavuto said. â€Å"Prostitutes have shitty hours – is that what you're saying?† Rivera raised an eyebrow. â€Å"Our guy didn't travel far after sunrise, is what I'm saying. He's going to be around here.† â€Å"I was afraid that's what you were saying,† Cavuto said. â€Å"We're never going to get the bookstore open, are we?† â€Å"Tell the uniforms to look anywhere it's dark: under Dumpsters, in crawl spaces, attics – anywhere.† â€Å"Getting warrants on Christmas day might be a problem.† â€Å"You won't need warrants if you get permission from the owners – we're not looking to bust anyone living here, we're looking for a murder suspect.† Cavuto pointed to the eight-story brick building that composed one wall of the alley. â€Å"This building has something like eight hundred ministorage units in it.† â€Å"Then you guys had better get started.† â€Å"Where're you going?† â€Å"There was a missing person report on an old guy in North Beach a couple of days ago. I'm going to check it out.† â€Å"Because you don't want to go Dumpster diving for v – â€Å" â€Å"Because,† Rivera cut him off before he could say the V-word, â€Å"he had terminal cancer. His wife assumed he just wandered off and got lost. Now I'm not so sure. Call me if you find anything.† â€Å"Uh-huh.† Cavuto turned to the three uniforms who were interviewing the bum. â€Å"Hey, guys, have I got a merry Christmas detail for you.† The Animals decided to hold a small memorial service for Blue in Chinatown. Troy Lee was already there, as was Lash, who wouldn't go home to his apartment until Blue's body was removed, and Barry, who was Jewish, would be coming there for dinner with his family, as was the tradition in his faith. Plus, the liquor stores in Chinatown were open on Christmas, and if you slipped some money under the counter, you could get firecrackers. The Animals were fairly sure that Blue would have wanted firecrackers at her funeral. The Animals stood in a semicircle, beers in hand, on a playground off Grant Street. The deceased was being honored in absentia – in her place was a half-eaten pair of edible panties. From a distance, they looked like a bunch of wastrels mourning a Fruit Roll-Up. â€Å"I'd like to start, if I may,† said Drew. He wore a long overcoat and his hair was tied back with a black ribbon, revealing the target-shaped bruise on his forehead where Jody had hit him with the wine bottle. Out of his coat he pulled a bong the size of a tenor sax, and using a long lighter designed for lighting fireplaces, he sparked that magnificent mama-jama up and bubbled away like a scuba diver having an asthma attack. When he could hold no more, he raised the bong, poured some water on the ground, and croaked, â€Å"To Blue,† which came out in a perfect smoke ring, the sight of which brought tears to everyone's eyes. â€Å"To Blue,† everyone repeated as they placed one hand on the bong and tipped a bit out of their beers. â€Å"To Broo, my nigga,† said Troy Lee's grandma, who had insisted upon joining the ceremony once she realized there would be firecrackers. â€Å"She will be avenged,† said Lash. â€Å"And we'll get our fucking money back,† said Jeff, the big jock. â€Å"Amen,† the Animals said. They had decided on a nondenominational ceremony, as Barry was a Jew, Troy Lee was a Buddhist, Clint was an Evangelical, Drew was a Rastafarian, Gustavo was a Catholic, and Lash and Jeff were heathen stoners. Gustavo had been called in to work that day because someone had to be in the store as long as the front was only boarded up with plywood, so in deference to his beliefs, they had bought some incense and holders and placed a picket fence of smoldering joss sticks around the edible panty. The incense also worked within Troy and Grandma's Buddhist tradition, and Lash pointed out during the ceremony that although they have their differences otherwise, all gods like a good-smellin' ho. â€Å"Amen!† said the Animals again. â€Å"And they're handy for lightin' firecrackers off of,† added Jeff as he bent over an incense stick and set a string cracking. â€Å"Hallelujah!† said the Animals. Each offered to share some kind of memory of Blue, but all of their stories quickly degenerated to orifices and squishiness, and no one wanted to go there in front of Troy's grandma, so instead they threw firecrackers at Clint while he read from the Twenty-third Psalm. Before they cracked the second case of beer, it was decided that after dark, three of them – Lash, Troy Lee, and Barry – would take Blue from Lash's apartment, load her into the back of Barry's station wagon, and take her out in the middle of the Bay in Barry's Zodiac. (Barry was the diver of the bunch, and had all the cool aquatic stuff. They'd used his spearguns to help take down the old vampire.) Lash braced himself as he opened the apartment door, but to his surprise, there was no smell. He led Barry and Troy into the bedroom, and together they wrestled the rolled-up rug out of the closet. â€Å"It's not heavy enough,† Barry said. â€Å"Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit,† Troy said, trying furiously to unroll the rug. Finally Lash reached down, grabbed the edge of the rug, and whipped it up over his head. There was a thudding sound against the far wall, followed by the jingle of metal, like coins settling. The three Animals stood and stared. â€Å"What are those?† Asked Barry. â€Å"Earrings,† answered Troy. Indeed, there were seven earrings settling on the hardwood floor. â€Å"Not those. Those!† Barry nodded toward two clear, cantaloupe-sized, gelatinous lozenges that quivered on the floor like stranded jellyfish. Lash shivered. â€Å"I've seen them before. My brother used to work in a plant in Santa Barbara that made them.† â€Å"What the fuck are they?† Said Troy, squinting through a drunken haze. â€Å"Those are breast implants,† Lash said. â€Å"What are those wormy things?† asked Barry. There were two translucent sluglike blobs of something stuck to the rug near the edge. â€Å"Looks like window caulk,† said Lash. He noticed that there was a fine blue powder near the edge of the rug. He ran his hand over it, pinched some on his fingers, and sniffed it. Nothing. â€Å"Where'd she go?† asked Barry. â€Å"No idea,† said Lash. Chapter Twenty It's a Wonderful Life Gustavo Chavez had been born the seventh child of a brick maker in a small village in the state of Michoacan, Mexico. At eighteen he married a local girl, the daughter of a farmer, herself a seventh child, and at twenty, with his second child on the way, he crossed the border into the United States, where he lived with a cousin in Oakland, along with a score of other relatives, and worked grueling, twelve-hour days as a laborer, making enough to feed himself and send more money home to his family than he could possibly have made in his father's brickyard. He did this because it was the responsible and right thing to do, and because he had been raised a good Catholic man who, like his father, would provide for his family and no more than two or three mistresses. Each year, about a month before Christmas, he would sneak back across the border to celebrate Christmas with his family, meet any new children that might been born, and make love with his wife, Maria, until they were both so s ore it hurt to walk. In fact, the vision of Maria's inviting thighs would often begin haunting him around Halloween and the hapless night porter would find himself in a state of semiarousal as he swung his soapy mop, to and fro, across fifteen thousand square feet of linoleum every night. Tonight he was in the store alone, and he was feeling far from aroused, for it was Christmas night, and he could not go to mass or take Communion until he confessed. He was feeling deeply ashamed. Christmas night and he hadn't even called Maria – hadn't spoken to her for weeks, because like the rest of the Animals, he had gone to Las Vegas, and had given all his money to the blue whore. He had called, of course, after they'd first taken the vampire's art and sold it for so much money, but since then, his life had been a fog of tequila and marijuana and the evil attentions of the blue one. He, a good man, who cared for his family, had never hit his wife, had only cheated with a second cousin and never with a white woman, had been undone by the curse of the blue devil's pussy. La maldicin de la cocha del diablo azul. This is the saddest, loneliest Christmas ever, thought Gustavo as he dragged his mop past the canvas doors leading into the produce-department cooler. I am like the poor cabrn in that book The Pearl, where by simply trying to take advantage of some good fortune, I have lost all that I care about. Okay, I did get drunk for a week and my pearl was a blue whore who fucked the chimichangas out of me, but still, pretty sad. He thought these things in Spanish, so they sounded infinitely more tragic and romantic. Then there came a noise from the cooler, and he was startled for a second. He wrung out his mop, so as to be ready for anything. He didn't like being in the store by himself, but with the front windows broken out, someone had to be here, and because he was far from home, had nowhere else to go, and the union would see that he was paid double time, Gustavo had volunteered. Perhaps if he sent home a little extra, Maria might forget the hundred thousand dollars he'd promised. There, something was moving behind the plastic doors of the cooler, which were waving slightly. The stout Mexican crossed himself and backed out of the produce department, swinging his mop now in quick swaths, leaving barely a hint of dampness on the linoleum. He was by the dairy case now, and a stack of yogurts fell over inside the glass doors, as if someone had shoved them out of the way to look through. Gustavo dropped the mop and ran to the back of the store, saying a Hail Mary peppered with swearwords as he went, wondering if those were footsteps he heard behind him, or the echoes of his own footfalls resounding through the deserted store. Out the front door and away, he chanted in his head. Out the front door and away. He nearly fell rounding the turn at the meat case, his shoes still wet from the mop water. He caught himself on one hand and came up like a sprinter, while reaching back on his belt for his keys as he went. There were footfalls behind him – light, slapping – bare feet on linoleum, but fast, and close. He couldn't stop to unlock the door when he got there, he couldn't look back, he couldn't turn to look – a second of hesitation and he would be lost. He exhaled a long wail and ran right through a rack of candy and gum by the registers. He tumbled over the first register in an avalanche of candy bars and magazines, many of which displayed headlines like I MARRIED BIGFOOT, or SPACE ALIEN CULT TAKES OVER HOLLYWOOD, or vampires hunt our streets, and other such nonsense. Gustavo scrambled out of the pile and was crawling on his belly like a desert lizard scrambling to get across hot sand, when a heavy weight came down on his back, knocking the air out of him. He gasped, trying to get his breath, but something grabbed him by the hair and yanked his head backwards. He heard crackling noises in his ear, smelled something like rotten meat, and gagged. He saw the fluorescent lights, some canned hams, and a very happy cardboard elf making cookies as he was dragged down the aisle and through the doors into the dark back room of the deli like so much lunch meat. Feliz navidad. â€Å"Our first Christmas together,† Jody said, kissing him on the cheek – giving his butt a little squeeze through his pj bottoms. â€Å"Did you get me something cute?† â€Å"Hi, Mom,† Tommy said into the phone. â€Å"It's Tommy.† â€Å"Tommy. Sweetheart. We've been calling all day. It just rang and rang. I thought you were going to come home for Christmas.† â€Å"Well, you know, Mom, I'm in management at the store now. Responsibilities.† â€Å"Are you working hard enough?† â€Å"Oh yeah, Mom. I'm working ten – sixteen hours a day sometimes. Exhausted.† â€Å"Well good. And you have insurance?† â€Å"The best, Mom. The best. I'm nearly bulletproof.† â€Å"Well, I suppose that's good. You're not still working that horrible night shift, are you?† â€Å"Well, sort of. In the grocery business, that's where the money is.† â€Å"You need to get on the day shift. You're never going to meet a nice girl working those hours, son.† It was at this point, having heard Mother Flood's admonition, that Jody lifted her shirt and rubbed her bare breasts against him while batting her eyelashes coquettishly. â€Å"But I have met a nice girl, Mom. Her name is Jody. She's studying to be a nun – er, teacher. She helps the poor.† It was then that Jody pantsed him, then ran into the bedroom giggling. He caught himself on the counter to keep from tumbling over. â€Å"Whoa.† â€Å"What, son? What's the matter?† â€Å"Nothing, nothing, Mom. I just had a little eggnog with the guys and started to feel it.† â€Å"You're not on the drugs, are you, honey?† â€Å"No, no, no, nothing like that.† â€Å"Because your father has rehab benefits on you until you're twenty-one. We can have one of those interventions if you can find a cheap flight home. I know that Aunt Esther would love to see you, even if you are strung out on the crack.† â€Å"And I her, and I her, Mom. Look, I just called to say Merry Christmas, I'll let you – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, honey, your father wants to say hi.† † – go.† â€Å"Hey, Skeeter. Frisco turned you into an ass bandit yet?† â€Å"Hi, Dad. Merry Christmas.† â€Å"Glad you finally called. Your mother was worried sick about you.† â€Å"Well, you know, the grocery business.† â€Å"You working hard enough?† â€Å"Trying. They're cutting back on our OT – union will only let us work sixty hours a week.† â€Å"Well, as long as you're trying. How's that old Volvo running?† â€Å"Great. Like a top.† The Volvo had burned to the wheels his first day in the City. â€Å"Swiss sure can build some cars, can't they? Can't say much for those little red pocketknives they make, but sonsabitches can build a car.† â€Å"Swedes.† â€Å"Yeah, well, I love the little meatballs too. Look, kid, your mother's got me deep-frying a turkey out in the driveway. It's starting to smoke a little. I probably oughta should go check on it. Took an hour to get the oil up to speed – it's only about ten degrees here today.† â€Å"Yeah, it's a little chilly here, too.† â€Å"Looks like it's starting to catch the carport on fire a little. Better go.† â€Å"Okay. Love you, Dad.† â€Å"Call your mother more often, she worries. Holy cats, there goes the Oldsmobile. Bye, son.† A half hour later they were sipping coffee laced with William's blood when the doorbell rang again. â€Å"This is getting irritating,† Jody said. â€Å"Call your mom,† Tommy said. â€Å"I'll get it.† â€Å"We should get some sleeping pills – knock him out so he doesn't have to drink all that booze before we bleed him.† The doorbell rang again. â€Å"We just need to get him a key.† Tommy went to the console by the door and pushed the button. There was a buzz and the click of the lock at street level. The door opened – William coming in to settle on the stairs for the night. â€Å"I don't know how he sleeps on those steps.† â€Å"He doesn't sleep. He passes out,† said the undead redhead. â€Å"Do you think if we gave him peppermint schnapps the coffee would have a minty holiday flavor?† Tommy shrugged. He went to the door, threw it open, and called down. â€Å"William, you like peppermint schnapps?† William raised a grimy eyebrow, looking suspicious. â€Å"You got something against scotch?† â€Å"No, no, I don't want to mess up your discipline. I was just thinking of a more balanced diet. Food groups, you know.† â€Å"I had some soup and some beer today,† William said. â€Å"Okay then.† â€Å"Schnapps gives me mint farts. They scare the hell out of Chet.† Tommy turned to Jody and shook his head. â€Å"Sorry, no way, minty farts.† Then to William again: â€Å"Okay then, William. I gotta get back to the little woman. You need anything? Food, blanket, toothbrush, a damp towelette to freshen up?† â€Å"Nah, I'm good,† William said. He held up a fifth of Johnny Walker Black. â€Å"How's Chet doing?† â€Å"Stressed. We just found out our friend Sammy got murdered in the hotel on Eleventh.† Chet looked up the stairwell with sad kitty eyes, which he sort of always seemed to have since he'd been shaved. â€Å"Sorry to hear that,† Tommy said. â€Å"Yeah, on Christmas, too,† William said. â€Å"Hooker got killed across the street last night, same way. Neck was snapped. Sammy has been sick for a while, so he splurged on a room for the holiday. Fuckers killed him right there in bed. Just goes to show you.† Tommy had no idea what it went to show you. â€Å"Sad,† Tommy said. â€Å"So how come Chet's stressed but you're not?† â€Å"Chet doesn't drink.† â€Å"Of course. Well then, Merry Christmas to you guys.† â€Å"You, too,† said William, toasting with his bottle. â€Å"Any chance of a Christmas bonus, now that I'm a full-time employee?† â€Å"What'd you have in mind?† â€Å"I'd sure like a gander at Red's bare knockers.† Tommy turned to Jody, who was shaking her head, looking pretty determined. â€Å"Sorry,† Tommy said. â€Å"How about a new sweater for Chet?† William scowled. â€Å"You just can't bargain with The Man.† He took a drink from his bottle and turned away from Tommy as if he had something important to discuss with his huge shaved cat and couldn't be bothered with management. â€Å"Okay then,† Tommy said. He closed the door and returned to the counter. â€Å"I'm The Man,† he said with a big grin. â€Å"Your mom would be so proud,† Jody said. â€Å"We need to go see about Elijah.† â€Å"Not until you call your mom. Besides, he's waited this long, it's not like he's going anywhere.† Jody got up and came around the breakfast bar and took Tommy's hand. â€Å"Sweetie, I need you to play what William just said back in your mind, really slowly.† â€Å"I know, I'm The Man!† â€Å"No, the part about his friend being killed by a broken neck, and how he has been sick, and how someone else was killed the night before, also by broken neck. I'll bet she was sick, too. Sound like a pattern you've heard before?† â€Å"Oh my God,† Tommy said. â€Å"Uh-huh,† Jody said. She held his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. â€Å"I'll get my jacket while you fluff up your little brain for traveling, ‘kay?† â€Å"Oh my God, you'll do anything to get out of calling your mom.†