A literature review on the various roles of the HR manager Essay

A literature review on the various roles of the HR manager - Essay Example The practices of Human Resource Management have been integrated so that such an organisational culture could be designed in which the workers could identify their own success (Smith, 2006). The role of HR managers is becoming significant in organisations because ‘sophistication of human resource management practices can enhance the operational inefficiencies (Ijose, n.d.) and to remain operationally efficient having strong management team, designing the work according to successful strategy execution, retaining skilled people, designing the culture that may implement strategy critical activities and creating good policies and procedures that may support strategy execution are required (Higgins, 2005 cited in Ijose n.d.). A lot of research work has been done on the changing and various roles of HR managers in the organisations. In the new service paradigm, the HR managers are in the position to measure the pulse of organisation therefore; they have to be very responsive (Ulrich, Losey & Lake, 1997). The changes in the roles of human resources in organisations have significant implications not only for businesses but also for the HR functions and HR professionals (Bundy, 1997). The role of Human Resource managers is not limited to typical HR functions. Only determining the competencies cannot bring competitive advantage to the organisations unless the knowledge is integrated into the entire HR system therefore, HR managers should think systematically and strategically instead of thinking functionally and tactically about their area (Becker & Huselid, 1999). In a research on the impact of rapid change in Europe on HR managers by European Association for Personnel Management, it was found that nowadays, managers in Europe are required to give attention to traditional HR problems of line managers and they are also supposed to be specialised by line managers in various other functions so that they may get a broader business

Pyramus and Thisby Essay Example for Free

Pyramus and Thisby Essay In spite of that, Bottom considers his acting to be remarkable, so remarkable that he thinks he can play all the characters of Pyramus and Thisby. I will roar you as gently as any sucking dove; I will roar you an twere any nightingale. Bottom feels that he is fully capable of playing the role of a gentle, charming Thisby, and even that of a monstrously horrifying lion. This characteristic of his is very effective in generating hilarity as he very naively presumes that he alone can handle the production of Pyramus and Thisby. Contrarily, his performance as Pyramus alone is rather alarming. Now die, die, die, die, die. Bottom tries exceedingly hard to convince the audience of Pyramus death. The word die is repeated four times, implying how incessantly Bottom tries to assure the onlookers that he is unquestionably dead. This initiates some final mirth on Bottoms foolishly absurd identity. Bottoms transformation into a donkey is another very amusing part of the play. What makes this idiosyncrasy all the more entertaining is his nescience about it throughout the play. I see their knavery. This to make an ass of me, to fright me, if they could. Bottom never realises the radical change he has undergone and very potently amplifies the hilarity of the comedy since he leads all his actions normally, never comprehending how abnormal he looks. Also very effective in this dialogue of Bottoms is the usage of the word ass as a pun. He is completely unaware that at the precise moment that he is uttering the dialogue, an ass is literally what he looks. His declaration of the other workmen making an ass of him is also humorous since his name Bottom already signifies his existence as an ass. Furthermore, is the levity of Bottoms romance with Titania. Unfamiliar with the fairies, Bottom is far from apprehending why Titania confesses love for him. Methinks mistress, you should have little reason for that. And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together now-a-days. Bottoms statement is greatly suited to the moment, not only to describe his situation but also that of the four lovers. Like Lysanders immortal line, The course of true love never did run smooth, Bottoms opinion goes well with the obstacles and complications that have developed in the play. Despite that, it does not stop the ridiculousness of his and Titanias liaison from augmenting the humour of the Elizabethan comedy. O how I love thee! How I dote on thee! Titanias love for Bottom is entirely unreasonable. Being the queen of the fairies, she has one of the highest ranks in the play, while Bottom being a workman, has the lowest. The fairies also consider themselves to be of a much higher position than mere human beings. In the face of this, Titania loses both mind and body to an ass-headed and ugly Bottom, a low class workman. This efficiently illuminates the impediments that the love juice can bring about and the thoughtlessness that attaches itself to all that encounter it. The central figure of this Elizabethan comedy is Puck, the mischievous sprite. He conducts all the melodrama of the play; all the confusion, all the mischief, begins with him. What, a play toward! Ill be an auditor, An actor too perhaps, if I see cause. Even before watching any of the drama, Puck has plans to play a part in it. Apart from being Master of Revels to Oberon, Puck forms a schedule of his own; he always satisfies his interests and curiosities. This makes the audience more cognisant of the trickery and complexities going on in the play. Not being related to either the fairies or the lovers, the mechanicals have no reason to be a target of Pucks pranks. Correspondingly, his involvement in the disruption of their rehearsals proves how he has his independent diversions. The roles and traits of Theseus, Hippolyta and Philostrate are rather similar to those of Oberon, Titania and Puck. In theatrical performances of A Midsummer Nights Dream, the actors playing the roles of Theseus, Hippolyta and Philostrate often tend to play the roles of Oberon, Titania and Puck, respectively. In relation to this, Philostrate and Puck have analogous characteristics as Master of Revels. At the beginning of the play, Theseus tells Philostrate to spread celebration and joy of the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. Stir up the Athenian youth to merriments, Awake the pert and nimble spirit of mirth, Midsummers Eve was traditionally a time for celebrating with decoration, greenery and a sense of magic. Philostrate obeys the orders of Theseus as Puck obeys Oberon. Puck enters the play as a reflection of Philostrate, spreading magic and havoc with a mischievous side to all his intentions. Notwithstanding, Puck does make a critical mistake amidst his effervescent pranks. The highlight of the play is Pucks misunderstanding of Lysander for Demetrius. Did you not tell me that I should know the man By the Athenian garments he had on? Puck makes an easy error with the love juice. Asked to recognise Demetrius by his attire, he mistakes Lysander for him. This is sure to instigate some tension on the audiences part as they realise that something confusing can happen with the application of the love juice to the wrong person. It also potently marks an Elizabethan comedy because it opens the second phase of the play, where chaos is at its peak. The love juice is the key element of this romantic comedy. Love and friendship turn to hatred in a moment, and vice versa. Injurious Hermia, most ungrateful maid, Have you conspired, have you with these contrived, To bait me with this foul derision? Helena accuses Hermia of deliberately setting up Lysander and Demetrius love for her, to mock her and humiliate her. The love juice has unconditionally distorted the relationships amongst the four lovers. The purpose and positions of love and hatred have interchanged. The circumstances change over in a moment and later, go back to normal in the bat of an eye. This efficiently improves the prospect of a dream. The onlookers will themselves be forced to wonder if all that had happened was real, or just an illusion. Despite the fact that love and companionship instantaneously transfigure into repugnance, all the anger and vexation lacks asperity. Get you gone, you dwarf, You minimus, of hindering knot-grass made, You bead, you acorn. The bitterness amongst the lovers tends to be somewhat mild reflecting that past love has suddenly changed into enmity. The insults, although vociferated under strain and anxiety, do not come across as seriously as they are interpreted amongst the lovers. This helps in enriching the humour. The words dwarf, bead and acorn are tiny, pleasant things that have been used as objects of offence. Construed seriously amidst the characters, these insults are catalysts to laughter from the viewers as they hardly initiate any anger or humiliation. When the plays focus returns to the centre of civilisation in Athens, there is harmony, peace and the order of matrimony for all couples. Marriage itself is one of the chief traits of an Elizabethan comedy. During the Elizabethan era, comedies customarily followed the pattern of order and peace at the beginning, followed by extreme chaos, and ending in harmony with a marriage to mark the return of order. It can hence be concluded that A Midsummer Nights Dream is a thoroughgoing Elizabethan comedy. Yet, throughout the play, the lovers and their love is made fun of. Cupid is a knavish lad, All the love and its intricacies, the anxiety, loss, sorrow, bereavement and broken hearts are the exquisite ingredients of a first-rate tragedy. Nonetheless, A Midsummer Nights Dream is intentionally developed as a romantic comedy, with the disruptive elements to mark its midst. The viewers can efficiently see all the arcane aspects of love and devotion, and at the same time, enjoy the humour of romance. The ending of the play is greatly suited to finish off the confusion and misunderstandings of the past. In the epilogue, the actor playing the role of Puck steps out of character to accost the viewers. That you have but slumbered here No more yielding but a dream, The audience is addressed with an apology for any unsatisfactory or offending presentations. This helps in ending the show on a merry and cordial note. The mention of a dream creates the perfect theme for the epilogue; it relates back to the situations of the four lovers where complexities and discords were passed off as a dream. In my opinion, William Shakespeare has been tremendously successful in portraying this play as Elizabethan comedy. I liked the structure of order at the beginning, followed by despair and disorder and an ending with marriage to restore happiness for all. A Midsummer Nights Dream is by far the best play of William Shakespeare that I have read. I have loved the storyline and the humour as well the legendary characters.

Mental Retardation in American Society Essay -- Mental Retardation Dis

Mental Retardation in American Society Mental retardation is a very serious illness, and most of the American population is ignorant regarding the subject. Approximately 3 percent of people in the U.S. are considered mentally retarded. With a percentage like this, the ignorance on the subject is bizarre. The nation has adopted slang terms such as â€Å"retard†, to insult others. Using this term is a way to call someone stupid. But there is a lot that people do not understand about mental disabilities. The study of the illness is actually a very complex topic. There are many parts that build up the subject. The definition of mental retardation is: significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period, that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Mental retardation is a term used when someone has limitations in their mental functioning. They also are limited in skills such as communicating, self-care, and social skills. These limitations cause a child to learn and develop slower than an ordinary individual. Children with mental retardation may take longer when learning to speak, walk, and take care of their personal needs such as dressing or eating. They are likely to have trouble learning in school. They will learn, but it will take them longer. There are usually things they cannot learn. There are many causes of mental retardation. They include; genetic conditions, pregnancy troubles, birth difficulties, and health problems. In some cases irregular genes inherited from the parents can cause mental retardation. Mental retardation can be the cause of baby not developing properly when in the womb. This could be the effect of the mother consuming alcohol or drugs during pregnancy. At birth, if a newborn does not receive enough oxygen, the result could be mental retardation. Many health problems are the basis for mental retardation. Numerous illnesses cause mental retardation. Also malnutrition and insufficient medical care are grounds for mental retardation. If a child is not receiving ample nutrition then negative effects will result. In addition, if an adolescent does not receive proper medicine, they could in result, develop a mental illness. Despite popular belief, mental retardation is not a disease. It is also not a men... ...s. People with mental retardation are highly misunderstood, but that is beginning to change more and more each year. People are starting to realize that people with mental disabilities aren’t stupid, and that they can learn and understand new concepts. People with mental retardation are fully capable of entering the work force and contribute to society. Individuals with mental retardation are still ostracized to some degree but it has become less and less over time. Soon people will become even more understanding of the mental disabilities that people contain, and hopefully most of the ignorance will vanish. Works Cited Brooks, Penelope H., Sperber, Richard, and McCauley, Charley. Learning and Cognition in the Mentally Retarded (1984): 56-230. Farber, Bernard. Mental Retardation: Its Social Context and Social Consequences (1968): 123-158 Zigler, Edward, and Balla, David. Mental Retardation, the Developmental-Difference Controversy (1982): 47-63. The Medem Network: Connecting Physicians and Patients Online. 3 Dec. 2004 Department of Mental Retardation. 3 Dec. 2004. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 3 Dec. 2004

Gate Sample Application Form

Zone/Scrutiny Code By Registered Post/Speed Post Only 6NP To GATE 2013 Chairman GATE Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur, 721302 From Nifal Rasheed Adam AN KHOSLA HALL OF RESIDENCE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR NEAR DOORDARSHAN KENDRA, OPPOSITE CMPDI SAMANTAPURI, BHUBANESWAR Orissa, 751013 148 J 871 Y 99380 59870 (Mobile No. ) Cut Here Instructions to the Applicant (GATE 2013) 1. This print out should contain the following pages. (a) This page: Address Slip and Instructions. (b) Application form, filled with the information you provided online. c) Bank Challan in Triplicate (available as a separate file for download from the GATE Online Application Interface), if you have chosen Offline Challan Payment (Not applicable for female candidates). 2. On the GATE copy of the Application Form, paste a 4. 5cm x 3. 5cm printed copy of the SAME color photograph you uploaded online. (a) Use good quality glue to ensure that the photograph does not separate from the app lication. (b) Do not pin, stapple, sign, or attest the photograph. 3. Read the declaration and put your signature in the box next to it. 4.If you are in the final year or you have a backlog after appearing for the final year exam, you must get your Principal’s or HOD’s sign and seal in the last portion of the application form. Submit the whole form to the Principal’s office without cutting it. 5. If you have opted for Challan payment, wait for 48 hours after your online submission to visit the bank’s branch. You can visit any branch of the bank printed on your challan. 6. The bank teller will verify the details printed on the challan with the data available on their computer and then accept the payment.The bank will retain one copy and give you back the remaining copies: one of which you have to send along with the printed application form and the other is for your reference. 7. Mailing Documents to GATE office. (a) Cut the Address Slip and paste it onto an A4 sized envelope (Do not fill address by hand or tamper the address slip). (b) Collect the supporting documents shown under Enclosure Checklist in the application form (if you have uploaded the soft copy of the documents online, you need not send a hard copy). Mark the check list boxes. (c) Do NOT FOLD the application form and Do NOT STAPLE or pin the documents to the form. d) Send the packet by Speed Post (preferably) or by Registered Post to the address mentioned. The application packet should REACH the respective GATE office on or before Monday, 8 October 2012. Note: Application ID – 148 J 871 Y. You should preserve this number for further correspondence. Zone/Scrutiny Code 6NP 148 J 871 Y (Full Name of Applicant) GATE 2013 Application Form Applicant's recent photograph 4. 5 cm x 3. 5 cm (Application ID) Nifal Rasheed Adam 148 J 871 Y 20 Aug 1990 (D. O. B) Male (Name of Parent) OBC-NC Do not Attest Do not sign on photo Indian National P Abdul Rasheed Communication Addr essAN KHOSLA HALL OF RESIDENCE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR NEAR DOORDARSHAN KENDRA, OPPOSITE CMPDI SAMANTAPURI, BHUBANESWAR Orissa, 751013 India GATE Exam Details ME (GATE Paper code) Bhubaneswar, OR (Exam City 1) Cuttack, OR (Exam City 2) Scribe Assistance Required: [email  protected] com 99380 59870 (Mobile No. ) No Qualification Details B. Tech Mechanical Engg. Graduated: No, Year of Graduation: 2013 INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR BHUBANESWAR Orissa, 751013 Zonal GATE Office Contact Chairman GATE Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur Kharagpur, 721302 Payment Details Online Rs. 1200. 00MSBI2813789700 21/09/2012 I hereby declare that all the particulars stated in this application form are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have read the Information Brochure and I shall abide by the terms and conditions therein. In the event of suppression or distortion of any fact in my application form, I understand that I will be denied the opportunity to appear in GATE 2013. Further, if any suppression or distortion of facts is found after appearing in the exam, any admission/degree acquired on the basis of GATE 2013 score is liable to be cancelled. Digital Fingerprint: b16140f109c2622e796613acd26a33dcDate: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ /†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ /†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Applicant’s signature inside the box in black ink Principal Certificate (For use as the eligibility certificate only for final year or backlog applicants) This is to certify that Nifal Rasheed Adam is a student enrolled in INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR, BHUBANESWAR. He is a student of the final year of B. Tech. He appeared in the final semester/year exam of the above degree, but has a backlog to be cleared from an earlier semester/year, and therefore cannot produce a course completion certificate. Date: Signature of Principal/ HOD Seal

Oras Na: Documentary Reaction Paper Essay

Oras Na, a GMA News and Public Affairs environmental documentary hosted by Richard Gutierrez gave us a 60 minute view of how our nature looks like in this new generation. Every minute, every hour of our own life, and the uses of out natural resources, this documentary showed us what we need to know – our nature’s deadline. Experts gave deadlines to our country’s natural resources. In 2025, trees in the forests of our country may possibly be gone. Same in this year, we will be suffering from low supply of clean water in the country. We could also suffer in low supply of fossil fuels in 2030. And in 2050, there’s no more fishes to eat. I’ve learned about the four main problem that we and the country will be facing in the future. One of the problem in the country is about the marine resources. It is shown in the documentary that there’s 7 billion people in the whole word who needs to eat and 90 million of the number is in the Philippines. 70% of the Filipino’s are having fish and sea foods as their daily food. And one of the biggest natural resources we have on earth is the sea which covers 77% of the planet. Fifty decades before is when we are fond of having plenty of aquatic resources. In Navotas Fish Port – biggest fish port in the country and one of the biggest in Asia, 400 tons of fish are delivered per day, it looks like it’s quiet a large number of deliveries but it doesn’t, compared to the tons of fishes delivered twenty years ago. One of the University in Canada said that not even before the year 2050, there are some places in the country which experiencing the loss numbers of fishes. Big fishes like tuna decreases its numbers also. It is said that 10% from their original numbers way back fifty years ago is what we have now. During 1970’s & 1980’s, 150 tons of tuna were delivered in General Santos Fish Port, which is the biggest tuna port in the world, and now it is down to only 50 tons. Because of this, Western and Cultural Pacific Fisheries Commission ordered to have a Tuna Ban which prohibits wide fishing of tuna  and only use handline instrument of fishing on big part of the international waters. By this order, some fishers are forced to grab fish/tuna where it is prohibited like in Indonesia. The reason for this decreasing number of fishes was studied by the UP Marine Science Institute. In the seven of the most productive fishing resource in the Philippines, it shows that the number of the fishers are over 50% compared to the sea’s capacity to increase the number of fish. Dr. Perry Alià ±o, a professor in UP Marine Science Institute, said that another reason is because 80-90% are overfish and some species are slowly being extinct in some areas which can happen and is already happening for some species right now. As the population in the country increases, the demand of fish as food also increases. As well as many fishes are being catch even though they are too small and too young to be sold in the public, not getting the chance to give birth to another specie. According to experts, the solution for this decreasing number of fishes is to reduce the fishing effort by 50%, for we are twice as it’s capacity to accommodate. Second problem in our country is having plenty supply of water. The cleanliest river in the country can be seen in Pandan, Antique. It gives water supply to over 3, 000 households in their town. And this kind of cleanliness in water can be seen in the rivers in our country way back Spanish time, even the Pasig river was said to be that clean. Water shortage can be experience right now in some places in Tawi-Tawi like Sitangkai which is the farthest island in the country, and in Bongao. In Tubigan, Bicol, people dig underground to have supply from the ground water and after 4 years, they will find other places to have their water supply as well as in Brgy. Bangkulasi, Navotas which their water is trusted to a water truck from other place. Water is the problem to this some places but there will come a time that it would be everyone’s problem according to Philippine Water Monitor of World Bank, year 2025, we’ll be experiencing a fresh water crisis. But before that, according to Pacific Institute for Studies and Development, Environment and Security, year 2020, estimated 77 million people in the world, mostly children will die because of diseases gain from contaminated water especially the ground water which is the main source of  water because of pollution. Third is the decreasing number of trees in the forest. The old growth tress which are aged hundreds can be gone in just an hour by cutting and if this will still continue, we can no longer see it by year 2020. Way back 1870’s, Philippines was covered by 70% of the forest but now the country has only 8% from its original number of forest cover. The reason is deforestation. Deforestation rate is directly proportional with population rate. By doing deforestation for our different needs and demands in the society and continuously cutting of trees, forests can be erase in the map by 2025. In Northwest Panay Peninsula, this problems starts to show where mountains of trees are put into fire to have a coal production and to plant crops. In Surigao del Norte, other part of the forest are used for mining. Lastly, about the Fossil Fuel supply. There are three sources of energy in the country; coal, natural gas and oil or fossil fuel. It was said that fossil fuel production started to decrease last 2012, which is three years before. According to International Energy Agency, we will experience 5 out of 10% of decrease rate production until 2030 where there’s no more fossil fuel to supply energy in the country. In this state, experts are finding alternative supply of energy like solar powers, wind mills, geothermal power and hydroelectric power. These problems was stated in the documentary and therefore became a way to open the minds of the people to be more attentive on their society. Nature, as how much it helps our lives also have their limits when it comes to the resources. And we, people, should also have the limit in using them and knowledge on how to use them in a right way. I, myself, was shocked to see how some of the places in our country is suffering from this problems and thinking that I am one of the lucky yet people who’s living with the resources and not minding any problem with those. Watching the documentary, I recalled how my parents always told me to waste water, food, and paper when I was a kid. And now I fully understand what’s that supposed to mean. That I, in that small way can help to slow down the decreasing rate of the natural resources we have. Documentaries always give its audience a learning in the end, and this one, Oras Na, is saying the people should at least conserve water and energy, lessen the catching of fishes, and stop the cutting of trees. Since we are living in an urban and centralized place, which we are one lucky people, we are not yet experiencing this problems unlike the places featured on the documentary, so it is easy for us to waste every time and opportunity that we are wasting any of these natural resources. As what I’ve said in the second paragraph, each are having their deadlines. And the deadlines set is going near. We should start taking care of what we have which we must have done before, before we regret and suffer from itself.

Overwhelmed There’s a Way Out

Overwhelmed There’s a Way Out Last week I received for my review and editing an 84-page document from the company implementing my Infusionsoft program. The document consisted of poorly-written drafts of multiple email messages that will be going to both customers and writers at The Essay Expert. The messages cover situations such as clients who have not turned in their questionnaires; people who fill out a contact form and don’t respond to our calls; assignments of clients to writers; and much more. The language in the emails was too informal for my company’s brand, and there were spelling and grammatical errors in pretty much every one. Not a single email was written in a way that I would want it to appear to my clients. Although my assistant had done some editing on the document already, there was a whole lot left to do. How would you feel if you received an 84-page document like this to edit? Does â€Å"overwhelmed† describe it sufficiently? For me, â€Å"overwhelmed† was a fairly accurate description, which I identify as a combination of anger and fear. As I went through the first 15 pages, however, I began to realize that I did not have to be overwhelmed by this project – at least not now. Patterns began to emerge in the errors that had been made, and I suddenly had a big insight: I could delegate editing this document back to my assistant! I wrote a list of four tasks for her that, once completed, would make my job a lot easier. My feeling of overwhelm suddenly subsided, and although I might experience it again when I receive the next draft, I have reduced my stress level significantly. The feeling of overwhelm has, no surprise, surfaced in my business before. I experienced it when I started getting dozens of LinkedIn invitations per week and â€Å"had to† respond to all of them myself. I experienced it when I was entering my own bookkeeping data. I experienced it when I was posting my blog article to WordPress every week and finding images to insert. I experienced it when I was creating screenshots for my e-book. And I experienced it while organizing my leads and conversions each month, pulling from multiple email folders to create a complete list. In every one of these cases, I managed to let go of doing the task myself, figure out what I was doing so that someone else could do it, and hand it over. None of this was easy for me, as I am rather controlling and want things done right. I had to make a shift in thinking from â€Å"I’m the only one who can do this† to â€Å"I can teach someone else how to do this.† The benefit of successful delegation has been my freedom. My business has grown, and yet I have more time to do things I want to do for myself: cook, do yoga, spend time with friends, and concentrate on my personal growth. I am now regularly on the lookout for signs of overwhelm because I know that it means it’s time to expand, let go, trust, and create freedom in a way I might not have believed was possible. Where in your life are you experiencing being overwhelmed by a project? How can you enroll others to make it look more doable? I’d love to hear about the challenges you’ve experienced, solutions you’ve implemented, and any new ideas you have for approaching big tasks so you can thrive.

Beatrices words Essays

Beatrices words Essays Beatrices words Essay Beatrices words Essay Task: Then we all belong in the garbage. You, and me too whatever happened we all done it, and dont you ever forget it, Catherine. (Page 61)  Explore the implications of Beatrices words and say to what extent you agree with her assessment of what has happened.  There are many relationships within the Carbone family, one being between Eddie and Beatrice, husband and wife. At the beginning of the play you can tell that Eddie and Beatrices relationship is not warm and affectionate at the moment. There is a sense of love between them but they seem distant in some respect. They argue over Catherines job opportunity, where at first Eddie disagrees about her having the job and is concerned about her and Beatrice encourages Catherine to take the job because it is a new experience for her. Beatrice gets annoyed with Eddies actions easily as evident in this exchange: BEATRICE: Listen, if nothin happened to her in this neighbourhood it aint gonna happen noplace else. (She turns his face to her.) Look, you gotta get used to it, (He turns his head away.) You hear me? (She is angering.) I dont understand you; shes seventeen years old, you gonna keep her in the house all her life?  Here you can see that Beatrice is getting annoyed with Eddie and tries to make him see that he cant protect her all her life, he has to let her go. You can see that there is more than what meets the eye in this situation from how Eddie and Beatrice react to each other, yet Catherine doesnt have a clue about whats going on except for the fact that they are talking about her job. As we read on there are more signs of trouble in the relationship between Eddie and Beatrice quoting, She hurries out. There is a slight pause, and EDDIE turns to BEATRICE, who has been avoiding his gaze.  EDDIE: What are you mad at me lately?  BEATRICE: Whos mad? (She gets up, clearing the dishes.) Im not mad. (She picks up the dishes and turns to him.) Youre the one is mad. (She turns and goes into the kitchen as CATHERINE enters from the bedroom with a cigar and a pack of matches.)  The second relationship within the Carbone family is between Eddie and Catherine, uncle and niece. This relationship is one that exists on more than one level, many surfaces and the way that they behave towards each other is often intamate:  CATHERINE: Here! Ill light it for you! (She strikes a match and holds it to his cigar. He puffs. Quietly) Dont worry about me, Eddie, heh? EDDIE: Dont burn yourself. (Just in time she blows out the match.)  You better go in help her with the dishes.  CATHETINE: (turns quickly to the table, and, seeing the table cleared, she says, almost guiltily) Oh! (She hurries into the kitchen, and as she exits there) Ill do the dishes, B.!  Alone, EDDIE stands looking towards the kitchen for a moment  Here there is a sort of flirting going on, when a girl lights the cigarette, or a cigar in this case, for the guy there is a bit of sexual seductiveness to it. The two are uncle and niece and Eddie is more of a father figure to Catherine yet there are also hints of a sexual tension between them. He is very protective over her and doesnt want her to work:  Its not wonderful. Youll never get nowheres unless you finish school. You cant take no job. Why didnt you ask me before you take a job? He gives several reasons but eventually gives in to the idea to make Catherine happy.  Lastly there is the relationship between Catherine and Beatrice, the aunty and the niece. At the beginning of the play Beatrice stands up for Catherine a lot; when Eddie says she cant have a job she argues with him for Catherines sake:  (with sympathy but insistent force) Well, I dont understand when it ends. First it was gonna be when she graduated high school, so she graduated high school. The it was when she learned stenographer, so she learned stenographer. So whatre we gonna wait for now? I mean it, Eddie, sometimes I dont understand you; they picked her out of the whole class, its an honour for her.  Even though Catherine isnt present right then Beatrice is sticking up for her so that she can do what she wants to do; work. Also Beatrice is aware of the sexual tension between her husband, Eddie, and her niece, Catherine, and gradually her loyalty shifts to her husband when she realises that he is becoming isolated. Once her cousins arrive Catherine is more interested in Rodolfo so Eddie is feeling left out, unwanted and isolated.

Convicted Murderer Sharee Miller to Wed

Convicted Murderer Sharee Miller to Wed Sharee Miller is a Michigan woman who is serving a life sentence for murder for her role in convincing an ex-cop she met online to kill her third husband. Now, Miller has plans to marry husband number four, Michael Denoyer. Conviction Miller, 36, was convicted in 2000 of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and second-degree murder for the November 1999 shooting death of her husband, Bruce. Evidence revealed that Miller met ex-policeman Jerry L. Cassaday on the internet, had an affair with him, and convinced him to kill her husband, who was allegedly abusing her. However, the abuse allegations were found to be untrue. Prosecutors said when Cassaday discovered he had killed an innocent man, he committed suicide. Cassaday left behind enough information to convict Sharee Miller at trial. The case has been the topic of a best-selling book and a television movie. It has also been the subject for several real-crime television shows, including the one Denoyer saw. New Romance Michael Denoyer, 56, first saw Miller on an episode of Snapped on the Oxygen Channel and was smitten. It was something about her eyes, Denoyer said. However, the new couple has some hurdles in their way. Miller will not be eligible for parole until the year 2055, when he would be 103 and she would be 83.

Divorce as a stressor leading to family crisis Essay

Divorce as a stressor leading to family crisis - Essay Example Divorce is identified to be under different psychological stressors that adversely affect the lifestyles, health along with attitudes of the divorced couples. In this regard, the ABCX Model is used as an important tool based on which family stressors and family functioning procedures are identified during stress situations. It also depicts the procedures in accordance with which families can cope with stress, which is associated with divorce. Contextually, the essay emphasizes applying the topic of divorce in relation to four elements of ABCX model in order to have a better understanding of the implications of the stressor in an individual life. Divorce generally changes the social life of the individuals due to the loss of supportive aspect. In this respect, divorced couples witnessed to possess lower level of well-being and psychological conditions due to different stress situations that they undergo. In this regard, the ABCX model is used as an effective measure of coping with suc h stress situations. The stresses associated with divorce are related with the components of ABCX model in the following section. According to the article of Rosand et al. (2014), in the present societal scenario, divorce is determined to be increasing specifically in the Western societies by a considerable extent due to various factors that include relationship dissatisfaction, emotional distress and inadequate education programs among others.

The Knight's Tale and The Wife of Bath's Tale Essay

The Knight's Tale and The Wife of Bath's Tale - Essay Example ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’ has a prologue where one woman talks about the five husbands she has had and in relation to her husbands, she encompasses in the conversation, topics like love, sex, religion, pleasure, gender roles, culture, society, beauty, jealousy and marriage. She talks about how these factors have remained interconnected with her life but in an almost sarcastic and humorous way. Of her five husbands, four loved her immensely and were docile to her wishes. They laid their life, love and wealth at her feet and praised her day and night and sought her attention and love. She had loved none of her first four husbands because they were old and had just married them for their money. However, if they satisfied and pleased her she let them have their way with her sometimes; she had their reigns in the palm of her hand. The Wife of Bath’s fifth husband was a man much younger than she and she loved him dearly. This is where she explains that women only love what they cannot have, and since this husband was â€Å"cool† to her affections she coveted him. But soon, aided by her clever shenanigans the lady of Bath had him in the palm of her hand too. He happily granted her authority over him and succumbed to her. The actual tale of the lady of Bath tells the story of a knight who was overcome by lust and raped a young girl in court. As punishment he was given a year to find out what women really want and if he found correct, his life would be spared, otherwise he would be killed. He had no success until the last day; he met an old woman who gave him the correct answer. What truly makes women happy is to have utter control over their lovers and husbands. Later, the old woman asks the young knight to marry her in return of her favor. He complies, but is unhappy because she is old and ugly. She gives him a choice; she can either be a good, faithful, ugly wife or an unfaithful but beautiful one. He leaves the decision at her discr etion. Made truly happy by her control over him, she turns into a beautiful and faithful wife. In sum, ‘The Wife of Bath’s Tale’ talks of a love that is selfish and riddled with coy plots and plans. In comparison, ‘The Knight’s Tale’ talks of a love that is pure and the things men do to attain their beloved. Through the progress of this story we learn that Palamon and Arcite are willing to risk their lives and freedom just to get to their beloved. Their love is blind and fearless and knows no bounds and they are willing to put everything that is most precious to them to be able to marry and possess the love of Emelye, with which the both are in love. In a way these tales are biased accounts of the topics of love, marriage, passion and desire for they confine each gender to a role and motive of an extreme, when in reality the truth is far from this. There are countless men who plot and scheme for love and when it comes to it, love only for self ish reasons and there are just as many, if not more women in this world who love blindly and faithfully regardless of how beautiful they are. However, there is much to learn from them too. Each defines a stereotype that exists in these settings, and even if the factor of gender roles is removed from the equation, most of the subject matter still rings true. In essence, the two stories talk about love from the perspective of the two different genders and

Leader Ship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Leader Ship - Essay Example It is very important for any leader to understand what motivates him/her or his/her co-workers (19-21). As a leader I am privileged to poses empathy skills; the ability that helps understand other people’s perceptions and feelings by putting one ‘self in their shoes. It has also helped me understand how change will affect people, and as such helping in making informed decision before making any changes. The other strong leadership skill that I possess is social skills; a very important skill that has enabled me to socialize with other people including my colleagues. Usually, I take interest in my subject’s and colleagues interests including their loved ones and families since they are critical in their lives. There are certain sets of leadership skills that I wish to develop. First, I would wish to develop skills in teaching and coaching since it is very important for a leader to be concerned with the growth and development of his followers or subjects (Leatherman 77). I also wish to develop delegating skills which ideal in understand how to best delegate duties to my co-workers. This is important since it helps create a more confident and comfortable relationship my followers (Leatherman

Causes Of Bent Grass And Effect Of Soil Compaction On Turf Recovery Coursework

Causes Of Bent Grass And Effect Of Soil Compaction On Turf Recovery - Coursework Example Analyses were conducted to determine the greatest height attainment by grass transections, and the correlation towards soil conditions; particularly soil compaction. While there is abundant research evidence that soil compaction due to foot traffic impedes grass growth in many ways, in this case there was insufficient correlation between height and compaction to conclude a detriment to turf grasses.Even the most cursory of observations within a well-traveled outdoor area reveals the apparent lack of ground cover plants in areas of high foot traffic. Regardless of whether the traffic is human or animal origin. An obvious trail of bare dirt illustrates the way grass and other forms of plants that serve as ground cover are restricted in their growth through trampling. While it is apparent that heavy traffic can kill or impede grasses, a thorough understanding of botany requires the elucidation of the extent to which this is true; how much data can be gathered regarding how much grass is restricted by what amount due to a particular level of human or animal foot traffic? A significant body of research already exists relating to this topic in addition to the data presented herein. Studies of this sort have a great value in terms of the conservation of natural resources. This is especially true pertaining to the unification and maintenance of Parkland in suburban settings. Where groundcover is in danger, adequate resource planning in addition to architectural and design strategy are helpful in terms of the preservation not only a wilderness areas, but of groundcover existing at schools, universities, and other public places. Over time, the consequences of traffic can cause problems in agriculture as well. Vehicles used to till the soil may at the same time diminish that soil's ability to defuse nutrients unless special care is taken. (Reintam et al. 2005) Sports fields and golf courses must also seriously consider and the impact of human foot traffic upon it. On thes e sorts of fields or fairways severe damage in the form of turf removal can occur, the sort of removal can also be known as a divot. The implications of wear and tear on the turf grass essential for the appearance they wish to cultivate. Harivandi describes the genetic tolerance of turf grasses to withstand foot traffic as wear tolerance. (Harivandi, 2002) vehicular traffic may also be a concern if it is consistent, and localized to a specific, narrow region of groundcover. Wear tolerance reflects the ability of a particular turfgrass to survive pressure that can compress or crush the stems, or leaves of grasses and other types of plants. In essence, the result is two primary challenges posed by foot and vehicular traffic: damage to the plants themselves, as quantified by wear tolerance of the grasses – and soil compaction, which affects the soil itself and its ability to support life and to provide the fertile ground for new growth; under dry conditions. (Brosnan et al. 2005 ) High traffic areas, if left unattended can be sorely defaced through the additional process of soil displacement. This is a topic of concern upon wet soils especially. Under these conditions increased damage to various forms of turfgrass and higher levels of the root system can be severe. (Harivandi, 2002) Kentucky bluegrass tends to be the most common form of turfgrass used for athletic fields. (Puhalla et al. 1999) Over time, the damage from considerable foot traffic has the potential to become a cumulative. As the soil grows increasingly compact, the viability and fertility of the area in terms of plant

Has the UK government engaged in the politics of panic over counter Essay

Has the UK government engaged in the politics of panic over counter terrorism If so, how has this affected its counter terrorism policy - Essay Example Even though the Irish republican army was suppressed by the UK government, its repercussions are now started to develop. Moreover the government is also faced with a challenging task to tackle the rising Islamic terrorists. The armed forces of UK have gained valuable experience and expertise in counterterrorism activities through three decades of fighting the Irish republican army. This involvement was quite surprising because the understandable preoccupation with terrorists in Northern Ireland diverted the attention of British intelligence agencies from international terrorism. Before the bombing of the Pan Am flight over Lockerby, the British agencies were only engaged in dealing with the Irish nationalist. But after the indictment of two Libyan nationals, the agencies reach and scope has drastically widened. During the mid 1990’s, the UK intelligence agencies and the police were quite sure that their land was used as a base by individuals and groups for promoting, funding, and planning terrorism. However these individuals were not found by the agencies as a threat to UK. Therefore they were left to continue their activities. This policy caused wide spread anger among many foreign governments including allies of the UK government. By giving low priority to international terrorism, the British authorities did not fully understand the threat from Al Qaeda. The failure of the British intelligence agencies including that of other western agencies led to the 9/11 attacks on US soil. The Al Qaeda with its deadly networks has caused headaches for the UK authorities in recent years. The threat from AL Qaeda has increased because of the participation of UK in Afghanistan and Iraq. The UK intelligence agencies have also played a major role in destabilizing the networks of the terror organiz ation as well as blocking its funding. The counter terrorism policy

Causes Of Bent Grass And Effect Of Soil Compaction On Turf Recovery Coursework

Causes Of Bent Grass And Effect Of Soil Compaction On Turf Recovery - Coursework Example Analyses were conducted to determine the greatest height attainment by grass transections, and the correlation towards soil conditions; particularly soil compaction. While there is abundant research evidence that soil compaction due to foot traffic impedes grass growth in many ways, in this case there was insufficient correlation between height and compaction to conclude a detriment to turf grasses.Even the most cursory of observations within a well-traveled outdoor area reveals the apparent lack of ground cover plants in areas of high foot traffic. Regardless of whether the traffic is human or animal origin. An obvious trail of bare dirt illustrates the way grass and other forms of plants that serve as ground cover are restricted in their growth through trampling. While it is apparent that heavy traffic can kill or impede grasses, a thorough understanding of botany requires the elucidation of the extent to which this is true; how much data can be gathered regarding how much grass is restricted by what amount due to a particular level of human or animal foot traffic? A significant body of research already exists relating to this topic in addition to the data presented herein. Studies of this sort have a great value in terms of the conservation of natural resources. This is especially true pertaining to the unification and maintenance of Parkland in suburban settings. Where groundcover is in danger, adequate resource planning in addition to architectural and design strategy are helpful in terms of the preservation not only a wilderness areas, but of groundcover existing at schools, universities, and other public places. Over time, the consequences of traffic can cause problems in agriculture as well. Vehicles used to till the soil may at the same time diminish that soil's ability to defuse nutrients unless special care is taken. (Reintam et al. 2005) Sports fields and golf courses must also seriously consider and the impact of human foot traffic upon it. On thes e sorts of fields or fairways severe damage in the form of turf removal can occur, the sort of removal can also be known as a divot. The implications of wear and tear on the turf grass essential for the appearance they wish to cultivate. Harivandi describes the genetic tolerance of turf grasses to withstand foot traffic as wear tolerance. (Harivandi, 2002) vehicular traffic may also be a concern if it is consistent, and localized to a specific, narrow region of groundcover. Wear tolerance reflects the ability of a particular turfgrass to survive pressure that can compress or crush the stems, or leaves of grasses and other types of plants. In essence, the result is two primary challenges posed by foot and vehicular traffic: damage to the plants themselves, as quantified by wear tolerance of the grasses – and soil compaction, which affects the soil itself and its ability to support life and to provide the fertile ground for new growth; under dry conditions. (Brosnan et al. 2005 ) High traffic areas, if left unattended can be sorely defaced through the additional process of soil displacement. This is a topic of concern upon wet soils especially. Under these conditions increased damage to various forms of turfgrass and higher levels of the root system can be severe. (Harivandi, 2002) Kentucky bluegrass tends to be the most common form of turfgrass used for athletic fields. (Puhalla et al. 1999) Over time, the damage from considerable foot traffic has the potential to become a cumulative. As the soil grows increasingly compact, the viability and fertility of the area in terms of plant

Rebranding to Queens Museum of Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Rebranding to Queens Museum of Art - Essay Example The paper tells that despite housing the current Queens Museum, the New York City Building has served numerous purposes including housing the first United Nations General Assembly headquarter between 1946 and 1950. Afterwards, the building was remodeled for reasons of accommodating the New York City Pavilion at a different World’s Fair. For most New Yorkers, the southern half of the New York building has great memories as it was the place they took their first skating lessons like I and most of my friends did. Since 1952, the southern half occupied an ice-skating rink that has served generation after generation. For the Queens Museum of Arts, the foundation year was 1972 and the museum has been occupying the Northern half of the New York City building. The museum’s growth is mostly attributed to the World’s Fair attractions and proudly incorporates the original fair exhibits. From the 1964’s Fair, the four prominent and still standing attractions to the Mu seum are gigantic steel sphere, towers seemingly capped with flying saucers and two rocket ships. According to Harpaz, each of the landmarks has a meaning. For the two rocket ships, they represent an era during which NASA had the great quest for space exploration and have man landing on the moon’s surface. These rocket ships are found outside the New York Hall of Science in Queens. The steel sphere of the globe or the Unisphere is a globe made from steel and comprising 12-stories. The Unisphere is located in Flushing Meadow’s Park outside the museum. The towers seemingly topped with flying saucers form the New York State Pavilion. Founded by Phillip Johnson, the Pavilion was established to embody the world’s hope for the future as well as for New York State to be a cultural and Technological Center. In 1964-1965, The United States of America was anticipating having a man land on the moon but these ambitions tampered news like an assassination of President John F Kennedy, Vietnam Casualties, and turbulent civil rights clashes. This monumental concrete structure comprised of a theatre, 100-foot high open-air egg-shaped ring, and three surveillance towers.

Police Brutality Essay Example for Free

Police Brutality Essay Most of us have seen the videotape of police officers savagely beating Rodney King. But how typical was this behavior? The Rodney King incident is not representative of most police officers around the country. Television shows, newscasts, and written media exacerbate the problem when they do not focus on the criminal as the root of the problem. [C]urrent images of the police are drawn largely from television programs bearing little resemblance to reality (Delattre 29). Police brutality is a matter of serious concern, but it is not as prevalent as the media would have us believe. Police brutality is not a national crisis. Rodney King has become synonymous with police brutality. But what is police brutality? Bornstein states that [p]olice brutality is the use of excessive force by police officers (39). Most police are trained to use only the minimum amount of force necessary to control a given situation. The decision to use force is often made on a split second basis usually under difficult circumstances. The boundaries between justified and excessive force can sometimes be blurred under these circumstances. Under one set of circumstances, a particular action might be considered justified, but under differing circumstances, the same action might be considered brutality. Most cops do not like to hurt people; cops sometimes use unnecessary force. They also use extraordinary restraint (Sulc 80). Many police officers feel anguish after using fully justified force; few take pleasure in it. There are great strains on individual police officers: competing responsibilities, values, temptations, fears, and expectations. Police officers are called on to be patient mediators, skilled therapists, effective admonishers, daring crime fighters, obedient members of paramilitary agencies, etc. In the midst of these requirements is the violence inherent in police work. Police officers often witness women battered by husbands and boyfriends, children burned and broken by parents, pedestrians maimed by drunk drivers, teachers raped by students, and innocent strangers savaged by predators in  our streets. Even so, most police do not have a bunker mentality. They go on the force knowing what they will have to encounter. They like their jobs and are ready and able to stand the pressureusually. Some police adjust poorly to the pressures of police work. They become cynical from the danger, the perceived failure of the system, and the repetitiveness of their work. Some police officers despair over the violence, suffering, hopelessness, and ignorance they encounter every day. Even so, the majority of police officers continue the performance of their duties without resorting to brutality. In spite of the seriousness of the publicized incidents, far more serious than police brutalit y is the frequency of assault and murder perpetrated against the police. According to the U.S. Department of Justices Police Use of Force, 44.6 million people, or 21% of the population had face to face contact with police during 1996. Police contacts that resulted in the use of force or the threat of force totaled only five hundred thousand, or one percent of the total. Often times the use of force was preceded by some provocative action. Criminals often threaten the officer, assault the officer, argue or interfere with an arrest, posses a weapon, try to escape, elude, or resist arrest. After accounting for justified use of force, which is inherent in police work, less than one quarter of one percent of police contacts resulted in questionable use of force. This is hardly an epidemic. Given the small number of cases, a preliminary conclusion that could be drawn is that use of force is rare in police-citizen contacts and it is often accompaniedby some possibly provocative behavior (Police 14). On the flip side, if the media cares to report the flip side, 46,695 police officers were assaulted in 1996 (United States 65), resulting in 14,985 injuries and 55 deaths (United States 3). The statistics show that police officers are brutalized three thousand seven hundred and sixty times more frequently than criminals are. Americans are well served with professional dedication and with frequent instances of physical courage. The people who stand between violence and the public are the police. Sometimes criminals do not want to cooperate, but police are still expected to arrest them. Most police officers abhor  violence and despise fellow officers who use excessive force. Police brutality is not the epidemic we are led to believe it is. Let police do their job, if they violate the law, prosecute them as individuals without condemning every police officer in the country. Works Cited Borenstein, Jerry. Police Brutality. New Jersey: Enslow, 1993. Delattre, Edwin J. Character and Cops: Ethics in Policing. Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute of Public Policy Research, 1989. Police Use of Force Bureau of Justice Statistics Website. 22 November 1998. Sulc, Lawrence. Police Brutality Is Not a Widespread Problem. Policing the Police. Ed. Paul A. Winters. San Diego: 1995. 79. United States. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted. Washington, DC: GPO, 1997

The Foreign Policy Decision Making Politics Essay

The Foreign Policy Decision Making Politics Essay Politic like any other concept in the social science can be defined in various ways and also politics can be said to be universal meaning politics is very were. According to Aristotle man is a political animal. To him every human being belonged to a state and no man could be self-fulfilment outside the state. Individual, when isolated he said is not self-sufficingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ But he who is unable to live in society or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself must be either a beast or a god (Somervill J. and Santoni R. E, 1963, 61,62). As men find themselves in a society they have to make decision for them self or take decision from other making them act in a political manner. One can say that poltics happen in every environment even in the bedroom were the man or the woman has to take certain decisions there. Many scholars try to define politica in their own way, in the book of Robert Dahl Modem political Analysis (1976, 1-12), Harold D. Lasswell defined politics as who gets what, when and how, to David Easton another scholer scholar of poltical science said the discipline concerns itself with the authoritative allocation of values whiles Max Weber a German sociology defines politics as a relationship of power, rule and authority. The common element in these and several other definition of politics and political activity is that they all agree with Aristotle that every society consists of rulers and the ruled. Therefore in every human community there is the present of power, authority or rule. A policy is typically described as a principle or rule to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. The term is not normally used to denote what is actually done; this is normally referred to as either procedure or protocol. Policies are generally adopted by the Board of or senior governance body within an organization whereas procedures or protocols would be developed and adopted by senior executive officers. A policy can be considered as a Statement of Intent or a Commitment. For that reason at least, the decision-makers can be held accountable for their Policy. A policy maker is a person with power to influence or determine policies and practices at an international, national, regional, or local level. It can be said to be the actions and inaction of government, what the government planned to do or not to do. Polity,is used to described a political institution or stureture such as those institution responsible for making the policy or those that the policy pass through before they actual become policies, these include the ministry, department and agancies of a state or government. It can be used to also described a potical system. The process of making policies is some kind of the activity of the granding mill that is how the granding mill operates. We have the machine were u will but your millet or corn inside it for it to grand and it will come out not as millet or core but as flour and when it is well not granded u will put it back into the mill again to grand it until you get a well granded flour. The same apply to policies, here the millet or the corn will be the bill which is influenced mostly by politics and the machinc will be the polity that is the various institution who work on the bill before it becomes a policy and the flour which is the final product will be the outcome that is the policy itself. Just like the granding will machine when the policy is not well done or does not achieve it aim it has to go through the machine again until it suit the country and the people. In the process of making a policy it is affected by several factors such as interest groups, public opinion, media and so on. These factors can be grouped into two forms that is the internal and external environment. These two forms of the environment affect the outcome of a policy or shape the policy outcome. Foreign policy decision making According to Chanan (2002, 2), three main models will be used to built a general model into which the role of the media can be seen. The focus of these models is recognizing the environment as major input of foreign policy decision making processes. In explaining these three models chanan made used of scholarly work. According Snyder et al. (1969:203), Decision makers act upon and respond to conditions and factors that exist outside them and the governmental organization of which they are a part. Setting has two aspects: external and internal. . Setting is really a set of categories of potentially relevant factors and conditions that may affect the action of any state These authors describe the internal setting as a human environment composed of culture and population and include public opinion (Snyder et al., 1969:201; 203). If we adopt a revised perspective on this setting, the media may be a major component of this environment. It can be described as the tool which expresses the non-governmental interpretations and expectations of the various members or groups of the society as described in Snyders model (Snyder et al., 1969:204), as well as a tool to express government policy in state-owned or dominated media. Michael Brecher developed a much more detailed framework for foreign policy decision-making analysis, and he incorporated the media explicitly as the communication network within the political system which enables the flow of information about the operational environment to the incumbent elite (Brecher, 1972:11; 183-207). Brechers framework is environmental in its design, and he believes that: The foreign policy system comprises an environment or setting. The operational environment defines the setting in which foreign policy decisions are taken. The concept of setting refers to a set of potentially relevant factors and conditions, which may affect a states external behaviour. The operational environment thus sets the parameters or boundaries within which decision-makers must act. (Brecher,1972:2-4). But Brecher, like the other authors, does not incorporate the media explicitly as one of the input variables of the foreign policy decision-making process. By input variable I mean an external factor, part of the international environment. Perceiving the media as an input variable means understanding its role in influencing society and politics, in agenda setting and in constructing reality. Brecher and the other scholars of foreign policy see the media in a narrower way, as a channel through which the operational environment can have an impact on the foreign policy process. This impact exists only to the extent that it is communicated to the elite. Information may be communicated in a variety of ways: the mass media press, books, radio, and TV (Brecher, 1972:10). Brecher and Snyder (et al.), and later Papadakis and Starr perceive the media as an internal component of the process, a channel to deliver messages from the diplomatic-political-security environment to the leaders. Such media, as information channels, have a minimal role in influencing leaders and their decisions. The broader perspective, which does not exist in the international relations literature, suggests that the media are part of the external-international environment which influences policy, and perceives the press and TV as external components or sources, as an input variable which drives decision processes as the other external input variables of the environment (i.e., regional power structure, other actors economic capabilities, etc.). In a more subtle way, the media may be seen not only as part of the international environment, but also as part of the internal environment of the state. In the state the media are not just information channels, they form a communication network influencing policy from within the state, as well as the party system, interest groups or the socio-economic stratification of society. A third environmental foreign policy decision-making model was developed by Papadakis and Starr (1987) to analyze the process in small states, but it is relevant to dealing with other states as well. The environment which forms the input for the policy-making process is described as a structure of opportunities, risks, and potential costs and benefits, constraining the decision makers (Russett and Starr, 1992:21). The authors did not incorporate the mass media into their model, neither as forming part of the societal level of environment, nor as part of the opportunities or constraints internally influencing a government in its foreign policy decision-making process it should be noted that all these models see the role of the image as an important mechanism in the decision-making process which is also strongly influenced by the media (Brecher, 1972, 11-13; Elitzur, 1986;Vertzberger, 1990). The image is a the total cognitive, affective, and evaluative structure of the behavior unit, or its internal view of itself and the universe (Boulding in Brecher, 1972:13). According to Chanan (2002,6) The media have a twofold role in the environment., they first provide input into the process as an independent variable added to environments described in the former models of Snyder et al., Brecher and Papadakis and Starr. Here the leaders react to the perceived reality as constructed by the press and take it into consideration. The second one is that it is part of the environment which foreign policy makers try to affect or influence by making their decisions. This implies that these leaders who perform in an environment which includes the media take political decisions to solve problems, but at the same time they try to make such decisions that will improve their image or develop a campaign that will affect the media dealing with the relevant international events and interactions. This is he said is the output environment component of the environment. The effect of the media on foreign policies Making The effects of the media on foreign policy decision making can be seen in two (2) fold or it is a double-enged saw. At one enged or side the media is seen as an input variable influencing foreign policy decision making process and at the other enged or side it is seen as an output variable, which compels leaders to relate to it in their decisions ( chanan 2002:7) One way through which the media effect foreign policy decision making process is through agenda settings. Paul Lazarsfeld and Robert Merton (1971) in their work gave the social role of the media as Status-Conferral function. To Lazarsfeld and Merton ( 1971:560-561) this role means the mass media confer status on public issues, persons, organizations, and social movements. Common experience as well as research testifies that the social standing of persons or social policies is raised when these command favorable attention in the mass media. The mass media bestow prestige and enhance the authority of individuals and groups by legitimizing their status In trying to look at the role of the media in foreign policy decision process, Bernard cohen (1963) made used of this idea. To Cohen ( 1963:12-13), It is here, in the description of the political environment and the suggestion of the policy alternatives that give the best promise of managing the environment, that we shall find the press playing such an important role in current thinking about foreign policy. This map-making function of the press is so central to the real impact of the press in the foreign policy field that a few words of elaboration may be appropriate. . Cohen (1963, 177) went on to say that For most of the foreign policy audience, the really effective political map of the world that is to say, their operational map of the world is drawn by the reporter and the editor, not by the cartographer. The press.. may not be successful much of the time in telling people what to think, but it is stunningly successful in telling its readers what to think about. The last statement is the basis for agenda setting approach, which is mostly related to Maxwell McCombs (1972; 1981). McCombs (1972;177) stated that, While the mass media may have little influence on the direction or intensity of attitudes, it is hypothesized that the mass media set the agenda for each political campaign, influencing the salience of attitudes toward the political issues McQuail (1994:356-357) presented this approach as a four-fold hypothesis: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Public debate is represented by salient issues (an agenda for action) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ The agenda derives from a combination of public opinion and political choice. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Mass media news and information reflect the content and order the priority of issues à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ This representation of issues in the mass media exerts an independent effect on issue content and on relative salience in public opinion. The mass media is greatly relied upon to keep the public and government apprised of crucial developments and events on the world stage as they unfold. Most times, the only source of information available to the public is the media and as such, the media forms the basis of views and opinions on world events and issues as it massively influences public opinion thereby setting the agenda for government policy. The media has become an instrument of power that influences government policies and can surpass national boundaries; the media through agenda setting makes issues somewhat important to the public, and the policy makers to take action (Tumber and palmer, 2004). The rise in the availability of real-time news cause policy makers to react swiftly than before to public opinion. This influence of the media on the public or government could be achieved by either impacting on the public who in turn will put pressure on the governments to make certain decisions considered therefore as an indirect influence on policy making, or by creating an impression on the policy makers themselves thereby prompting them to action. The media played a role in influencing the war in Iraq. Saddam Husseins ability to acquire and produce weapons of mass destruction (WMD), his cruel and inhumane acts to his own people, using chemical agents on his people is enough evidence to prove his ability to use WMD on an enemy or opponent (Mazarr, 2007). However, this was not the only reason the United States relied on to take a unilateral decision to invade Iraq and oust the dictator. Certainly, the media played an important role in conveying the message to the public. It easily used information concerning Saddam Hussein atrocities to prompt US public opinion and defend President Bushs stand to wage war against Iraq. The congress of the United States was also influenced by the information transmitted by the media as the resolution to go to war with Iraq was deliberated in front of millions of viewers. The presidents decision to go to war was justified by the media through the messages communicated to the public. Although it could be argued that the decision was already made in advance, but the media was used to capture successfully the deliberations of the US congress. The media made sure that the American public saw and heard continuously about the evil to be confronted so as to enhance the safety of the world. Framing The media construct reality with another tool, called framing. This technique is important, since any political conflict centers on the struggle over interpretive frames (Wolfsfeld, 1993, xiii; Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 13-30, 31-35, Scheufele, 1999,103-122). In this process, the media transform the nature of events through formats, which constitute ideological or value perspectives in which the media focus on story lines, symbols, and relevant stereotypes (Entman, 1991; Entman and Rojecki, 1993; Entman and Page, 1994; Iyengar and Simon, 1994, 171). The evidence indicates that individuals views of national issues are altered by the way in which television news frames them (Iyengar, 1994, 141). Therefore, in the competition over media frames some relevant factors should be analyzed, such as the ways in which political actors are referred to; and nuances of the use of language (e.g., in headlines) (Roeh and Nir, 1993, 178-180; Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 49). Finally, framing is the process in which the media create the images that reflect and filter reality in the foreign policy decision-making processes. The media as an output environment We are now going to look at the media as an output variable. We are going to see the role of the media as part of the environment which foreign policy makers try to affect or influence when making decisions. To chanan (2002;8) this means that leaders who perform in an environment which includes the media make political decisions to solve problems, but at the same time try to make decisions that will improve their image or develop a campaign that will affect the media that deal with the relevant international events and interactions. The media management How do the leaders (and their media advisors) join foreign-policy decisions with considerations that take into account the media environment? How do they try to affect the media to reflect a favorable attitude, or to frame their side of the story in an international conflict? This is achieved by media management (MM), defined with the common term spin. The processes of utilizing the media are varied and apply to national as well to foreign policies (Gergen, 1991; Ben Eliyahu, 1993; Cook, 1998; Kurtz, 1998; Paletz, 1998; Pfetsch, 1998). These policies can range from initiating coverage to government-arranged censorship; from classifying information and data to pooling journalists (see figure 4). Moreover, journalists may be restricted in their movement, accredited selectively, or favored by leaders according to their positive-supportive coverage. Administrations and governments who need the media to cover their political activities and their foreign policy should promote give and take relations with the press. Who is in Charge? In managing the media covering decision-making, governments use professionals, public relations specialists or marketing professionals. These professionals work together with the ministerial level and alongside the spokespersons in charge of media relations in the relevant offices. Furthermore, they consider allowing these spokespersons and even some of the professionals to be present at the decision-making process. The optimal method is allowing them to be involved in the processes and contribute their professional input. MM or spin techniques are used on the diplomatic front to promote peace processes, as well as in times of conflict and war. When foreign policy decisions are made, or peace policies are adopted, governments may accompany these policies with threefold PR strategies toward the media. Foreign policy officials (and their media advisors) can disregard or ignore the press (e.g., not convey any message to the media); they can try to develop a spin (as explained earlier); or they can adopt a policy that is only media-oriented (e.g., only publishing public announcements without any real political action). By choosing any of these options, a government influences the media by regulating the flow of information. It is trying to affect the political environment through the media while competing with the opposing political powers, who try to influence the media as well. When governments succeed in taking control of diplomatic events and enjoy a high degree of public consensus, the news media become supportive, and the role of the PR professionals is intended to preserve and promote this support. But when a government loses control over the political-diplomatic process, the media become independent and critical (Wolfsfeld, 1997a, 25; Wolfsfeld, 1997b, 30-34). In this negative political environment, the role of MM professionals is more complex, and they try influence the media to change their attitude and be less critical, more understanding and even supportive. In the diplomatic-cooperative arenas of international relations, leaders use the media to keep options open and at the same time to build consensus (Ben Eliyahu, 1993; Cook, 1998; Kurtz, 1998; Paletz, 1998; Pfetsch, 1998). Here, the media, by setting policy agendas and stimulating popular support for policies, provide tools for leaders to assert control. Moreover, a leaders staff can utilize the media to deliver specific messages to specific audiences (Gergen, 1991, 55-56; OHeffernan, 1991, 62-67, 105-112; OHeffernan, 1994, 242). In addition, the medias role as a promoter of public debates on policy issues can be used as a tool to gain support and tilt public opinion (Hindell, 1995; Powlick and Katz, 1998, 29-61; Weiman, 1994, 291-307). In order to achieve the best results in these processes, leaders and their MM professional advisors may use various diplomatic channels with regard to the media. They can decide to keep diplomatic interactions secret, hidden behind closed doors or made public (Gilboa, 1998a, 211-225; Gilboa 1998b,56-75) and work with the media accordingly.

Positive Effects of Conservation Tillage Essay -- Agriculture Farming

Positive Effects of Conservation Tillage For centuries farmers have used plowing as a tool for weed control, and in some cases to promote plant growth. At first man had used animals to pull plows and other equipment, with the invention of the tractor work that would normally be done with animals could be done more easily and quickly. Although plowing has been a common and widely used tool for managing weed control, there are many negative impacts associated with this method. Conservation tillage is a method where some of crop residues, if not all of crop residues, are left on the surface of the soil. Conservation tillage methods have become popular in many areas around the world, and while many of the effects of conservation tillage are still under research, many farmers have found that it helps to not only protect the health of their fields, but also that it saves both time and money. Research shows that conservation tillage has many beneficial effects such as the reduction of soil compaction, increases in biodiversity, higher crop yields, decreases in erosion, reductions in fuel requirements and other capital inputs for machinery, and up to a seventy percent reduction of preharvest labor. Researchers are not the only ones that are noticing that conservation tillage has a promising future which combines low labor requirements with low erosion rates (Giere, 2002). In America, eighteen percent of crop fields are managed using conservation tillage methods, and in Paraguay ninety percent of fields are managed with conservation tillage methods (Karasov, 2002). Though the percent of conservation tillage in the United States may not be as high as other areas in the world, it is projected that nearly eighty ... ...2004, October). To Plow or Not To Plow: Balancing Slug Populations with Environmental Concerns and Soil Health. Agricultural Research, 16- 17. Durham, S. (2003, March). Drought Survival with Conservation Tillage. Agricultural Research, 22. Giere, J.P., Johnson, K.M., & Perkins, J.H. (1980). A Closer Look at No-Till Farming. Environment, 22(6), 15-20, 37-40 Karasov, C. (2002, February). Spare the Plow, Save the Soil. Environmental Health Perspectives, 22(2), A75 Machado, A.F.L., Jakelaitis, A., Ferrriera, et al.(2005). Population Dynamics of Weeds in No-Tillage and Conventional Crop Systems. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, B40, 119-128. Runion, S.B., Prior, S.A., Reeves, D.W., et al.(2004). Microbial Responses to Wheel Traffic in Conventional and No-Tillage Systems. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 35, 2891-2903.

Effects of Globalisation on India China Relations Essay

There is a shift in the nature of the relations between India and China from a purely territotial perspective in the post-independence period to the economic perspective in the post globalization and liberalization period .This has resulted in both positive and negative ramifications because of both state and non-state factors. TRADE: The trade between the two countries has been increasing since the 1990s and has reached $67 billion in the current fiscal. Because of this , many people who are directly and indirectly involved in the trade have benefitted . Mainly the export of primary articles like agricultural products have benefitted the marginal farmers. Globalisation has helped offset the losses incurred during reduced domestic demand and also because of higher profit margins in the international market. MULTI POLAR WORLD: The importance of developing and industrialized countries after the globalization have increased their bargaining power in the international arena like climate change conferences, reforms in the U.N, reform of quota allocation in the IMF which were dominated by the developed world before.. In all these stages, India and China have acted together against the stance of developed countries and have helped other small countries and island nations collectively put forth their obligations. SECURITY: Free movement of labour , capital and enterprise across the world demands better universalized security infrastucture.Both India and SCO are against the three security related problems-terrorism, extremism and separatism. India wants to use the Regional Anti-terrorism Structure of the Beijing dominated-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation . Also China can make use of the India’s banking sector for their proposed SCO banking structure. As both countries are interesred in Afghanistan’s mineral reserves, there is a need for both countries to chart out an emergency plan for dealing with civil war like situation after the exit of US and NATO in 2014. Both countries are also involved in maritime security in the Indian ocean and gulf area to protect their trade ships in the high seas from Somali pirates. All this has reduced the importance of territorial border problems in the dialogue between the two countries which is now dominated by concentration on areas with mutual interest s. NEGATIVE IMPACTS: BALANCE OF TRADE: Though the trade between the two countries has been increasing, it is highly skewed in favour of China. The trade deficit has reached a high of $27 billion this fiscal. Also many of the sectors like pharmaceutical and micro and small industries are not allowed to do business in China. The fruits of globalization is not being shared equally by all the sectors since it resorts to trade barriers and provision of cheap subsidy to its electronics sector which unfavourably helps them in the international market. TERRITORIAL PROBLEMS: Though there is less border related issues as such, globalization and foreign investments increases the territorial problem in the other areas like high seas. Investment by an Indian company in partnership with Vietnam in the south China Sea has resulted in regional territorial clashes among China, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan. SECURITY PROBLEMS: The vulnerability of the state and the people to cyber terrorism and cyber espionage has increased due to the presence of Multi national companies. Recently Huawei and ZTE have been prevented from entering countries like US and Australia due to their indulging in cyber state-sponsored espionage. The security of the India is compromised due to the libealization and globalization. Both should ensure eachother of all possible security related measures during the defence ministers dialogue. Though Globalization has negative ramifications, it has turned the relations between India and China from negative to positive and has made them cooperate and coordinate on various fields and sectors.The opurtunites provided by new leadership change should be made use of by India to strengthen its interests and relations with China. . As skepticists say, both political and economic considerations are important and both should mutually drive India –China relations to the benefit of both sides.

Influence Of The Media In Forming Negative Body Image Among Females

We set out in this paper to explore the influence of the media in forming negative body image among females. In the course of the research, we also looked at the influence of media—primarily TV watching—on males just to compare the two groups and their responses to media images. Our findings reveal that although distortions in body image are growing among both males and females, females are especially vulnerable to body-image messages and respond to them with distorted behaviors around dieting and with lowered self-esteem or self-image.These conclusions are supported further by some of the work of Garner, Garfinkel, and Olmstead (1983) who claim that media exposure to stereotypes of very thin women models and reinforces the association between thinness and the characteristics such as physical attractiveness, desirability, personal self-worth, and success. This can lead to internalization of a thin ideal stereotype by females, which can result in distortion of the mental image of themselves (Downs & Harrison, 1985; Ogletree, S.M. , Williams, S. W. , Raffeld, P. , Mason, B. , & Fricke, K. , 1990; Salmons, Lewis, Rogers, Gotherer, & Booth, 1988). Indeed, Myers and Biocca (1992) claim that only 30 minutes of TV watch a day can alter a young woman’s perception of body shape. Why is this important? First, of all the effect of pervasive media influence, such as extensive TV watching and the reading of women’s magazine which are full of diet programs, are distorting the image of females’ perceptions of their ideal body image.Whereas, in some eras in history a â€Å"Rubenesque† or plump figure was considered a favorable body type, in this period of time the ideal type is an emaciated look. This distortion can lead to behaviors that create unhealthy dieting and exercise patterns that have the potential to seriously affect a young woman’s long-term health outlook and can lead to diseases such as Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia . A second consideration is the role of self-image. It appears as something of a chicken-and-egg issue. That is, do media images cause lowered self-esteem and lead to unhealthy dieting and exercise behavior.Or does the practice of consistently unhealthy behaviors that don’t lead to the distorted image that is imagined by some women cause lowered self-esteem? In an article on the Media Awareness Network, it is claimed that all this media barrage leaves the message that women are always in need of adjustment so that whether it starts with the chicken or the egg the woman is going after a mostly unattainable goal of extreme thinness and thus can’t win and will ultimately end up with a lowered self-image.The third point is that the media benefit from the constant message that women are inadequate. The article on the Media Awareness Network cites the fact that the diet, cosmetic, and plastic surgery industries are direct beneficiaries of women’s feelings that their b ody images are inadequate. They state that, â€Å"By presenting an ideal difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet product industries are assured of growth and profits. And it’s no accident that youth is increasingly promoted, along with thinness, as an essential criterion of beauty.Such women are more likely to buy beauty products, new clothes, diet aids, and memberships to health clubs. Obviously, this is a situation where a need is created, a consumer is convinced of the need, and services and products are introduced to fill the need. What are some of the considerations that exist that are trying to address and disrupt this unhealthy contract? The article on the Media Awareness Network states that â€Å"There have been efforts in the magazine industry to buck the trend.For several years the Quebec magazine Coup de Pouce has consistently included full-sized women in their fashion pages and Chà ¢telaine has pledged not to touch up photos and not to include models less than 25 years of age. † There was also significant attention to the models for Dove cosmetic products, who were average-sized women. These ads appeared in magazines and on TV. An informal scan of TV ads and programs might show some average-sized women, but they are still few and far between. Our unfortunate conclusion is that the fantasy image of a super-thin woman still sells products.

The Train

The blistering cold numbed my eyes as I stumbled through the biting snow, dragging a dull, faded suitcase overloaded with necessities behind me, leaving a train in the deadly, ice snow. â€Å"All abroad! † a man in a bright red suit, a funny red hat and an equally crimson nose called, his voice straining to be heard over the howling wind. I struggled up to him and handed over my ticket, which was faded from sweat, tears and the bitter snow. Then man, whom I safely assumed was the train conductor, glanced briefly at the ticket, then smiled at me slightly. Terrible morning isn't it? † he commented. I did not reply. â€Å"In for a long ride, I see! † he added when he saw my ticket. I gave no response as I checked my heavy bag. He beamed wider as he said, â€Å"Welcome aboard the Windows Express, ma'am! † I tried to smile back, but my scarf was bundled around my nose and my mouth, so I nodded instead. â€Å"Thank you. † My voice was barely audible over t he gusty breeze as I stepped off the platform and boarded the train. The front compartment was crowded, packed like sardines. I squeezed past the numerous bodies to get to the next train ar, which was where I was to be seated. Even though the warmth there was comforting, I hoped it was not too stuffy in my car. I finally broke free from the crowd, swinging the car door open and entering a considerably cooler car. I removed my scarf from my face. My skin was raw with cold, but I barely felt it. I glanced around. This car was deserted, the seats along its aisle empty. I checked the number of compartment I had been assigned then opened the door to it. There was a small bunk bed in the corner, with a little closed off area I guessed was the bunk. I lanced out the single window, but there was nothing to be seen through the fog and slat than plummeted so hard against the glass it felt like hail. Feeling slightly claustrophobic in the narrow compartment, I briskly threw off my jacket and e xited, walking back into the aisle. I noticed a door at the back of the car and decided to check it out. I made my way down the aisle and slid the door open. It led into the next car. This one did not have seats, but little booths lined up neatly along either side. There was a bellboy near the back, tending to a little refreshment stand. His eyes were bored, even as he attempted to reet me pleasantly. â€Å"Hello, ma'am, welcome to the lounge. Would you like anything? Some pie, perhaps, or a cup of coffee? † Uninterested, I declined politely, just as another door caught my eye. Without thinking, I flung it open. There was nothing in the room except a door with a window fixed into it, and a shiny red handle. â€Å"This is where you'll be disembarking,† the bellboy informed me. â€Å"That there's the emergency brake,† he added, pointing at the handle. â€Å"You're perfectly welcome to pull that at any time. † Taken aback, I spluttered on my Coke. â€Å"Wha t? I wouldn't. That's ridiculous.Then how will I get to where I am going? † I demanded incredulously. The bellboy shrugged. â€Å"Sometimes you can't rely on trains to get you to where you want to go. † I stared openly at him. Quickly dismissing him as crazy, I turned away and hastily returned to my compartment. Once safely inside, I lay on my bed, thinking to myself about my destination, a place I had never been and a face I had not seen for so many years it hurt to think about it. Flashbacks began to attack my once- peaceful mind, invading my would be calm pondering. At four years old, my hands pressed tightly over my ears, rying in vain to block out the sounds of heated arguments over nothing. Seven years old, an empty bottle crashing over my head as I tried to escape the debris of broken plates. Thirteen years, bruises covering my face, blood on my hands, a broken ankle, pain enveloping my body. Sixteen, my broken ribs causing me to shake as I slammed the front door behind me and limped as fast as I could into the night, my mother screaming for me to come home and my father's threats chasing after me†¦ I jerked awake, nearly falling out of bed. My head felt heavy, and my eyes groggy, as if I had not slept or days. Sluggishly, I checked my watch, which still hung from my wrist. My eyes snapped wide open as they read the time, then relaxed again. My watch had stopped at around the same time I boarded that train. I got up, feeling tired, and felt my stomach growl. I stood up, stretched, brushed my hair and hurridly with my fingers and left my compartment. I was about to go to the lounge to eat when I noticed another girl sitting on a seat in the aisle, next to the window. She was clothed very thinly for the morbid weather, and her long locks of auburn hair poured over her shoulders.I approached her slowly. â€Å"Hello,† I said, and she jumped in surprised. â€Å"Sorry for startling you, but do you have the time? † She looked up at me, and I saw a thin ragged face that would have been pretty if not for the exhaustion consuming it, and the melancholy sadness in her eyes. â€Å"Oh hello, its quite alright. Let me check. † She lifted her mobile phone from her pocket, glanced at it, then shook her head apologetically. â€Å"Strange. It seems to have died. I could've sworn I charged it yesterday. † I thanked her anyway, and asked her where she was going. She looked even weary when I questioned her. I'm going to see my long-distance partner for four years,† she said, in an almost rehearsed answer. â€Å"I think he may propose to me, but I doubt I'm ready for such a change. † She drifted off, her voice trailing away, then came to her senses and asked me where I was headed. â€Å"I'm going to see my father. I haven't seen him for nearly a decade,† I said quietly. â€Å"I can't say I'm looking forward to it. † She agreed with me, and we made small talk for awhile longer befo re I excused myself and when to the lounge. The bellboy was not there anymore, and I breathed an inward sigh of relief.The batty guy had freaked me out. I saw someone sitting down in one of the lounge booths. Hidden behind stacks of paperwork and a newspaper sat a middle aged man in an impressive suit and tie, muttering to himself in what looked like disgust. I walked over to him. â€Å"Hi, sorry to bother you, but do you know what time it is? † He glanced up and stopped grumbling. â€Å"Hmm? Oh, yes. † he shot a look at his fancy wristwatch. â€Å"Well, what is this? My watch isn't working! † He began to mumble again. I found it strange that nobody knew the time, so I stole a glimpse of the watch, and sure enough it ceased to ick. â€Å"That’s a shame,† I said good-naturedly, and asked him what he was doing. â€Å"Its for a case I have,† he replied. I must have looked puzzled, because he elaborated. â€Å"I'm a lawyer, you see, and I'm abo ut to defend the biggest drug cartels of all time- then again, I probably shouldn’t have told you that. † I was about to leave him in peace when he continued on. â€Å"In my defense, my client is one of my oldest friends. I owe him my life and he's gotten me out tons of scraps. I really have no choice. I began to feel a little uncomfortable, and averted my gaze to rest on the window.To my surprise, evening was over-the sun was rising on another day! Had I missed my stop? I was supposed to be off the train by dusk, yet here was dawn, a new day beginning right before my eyes! Panicking, I ran back to my car and asked the girl still sitting on he seat, â€Å"What time did you get on? Which state are you going to? † Bewildered, she told me the details of her travel. I calculated in my head. â€Å"But what would only take you a few hours! You should have arrived by now,† I said, unable to keep my voice from getting louder. She seemed indifferent. Maybe we made a few stops along the way. I wasn't awake the whole time, you know. † But I had it all figured out. The pieces of the puzzle were coming together, forming an unbelievable picture in my head. I ran back into the lounge, and flung open the door at the back of it, where the emergency brake ws. The lady came racing after me, asking where I was going. â€Å"Look, it’s the emergency brake. If we pull it, we'll be able to get out of here! † I exclaimed. She looked at me the same way I had looked at the bellboy- as if one of us had gone bonkers. â€Å"What? Are you crazy? Why? Its ridiculous.Then how will I ever get to where I'm going? † I smiled at the distinct resemblance her words had to mine. Reaching over, I grasped the red handle in my right hand and pulled as hard as I could. The train screeched against the metal of the tracks. I pushed against the exit door, and it opened easily. I leaped off the train. The ground was icy and cold beneath my feet, and the cold wind cut my uncovered face like a knife. I became aware that I did not even have my jacket with me as the cold began to envelope my very being. â€Å"What are you doing? You'll freeze to death! † the girl cried next to me. You don't even have your suitcase with you. † I vaguely recalled my stuffed baggage, filled with things I suddenly realized were of no importance to me. And just like that, suddenly, I felt free. Free of all my emotional baggage, free of everything that weigh me down, free of guilt, pain and sorrow. A sense of warmth, a beautiful feeling, filled up my body, and I no longer felt the chill. I turned back to the train, smiling for the first time in years. â€Å"Why don’t you come with me? † I asked the girl. She shook her head, eyes wide. And then the train door slammed shut, and began to move again.Free of doubt, I turned from the sight of the train slowly resending out of sight until it vanished, and began to trudge through the snow , in the direction of my destination. Sometimes we are weighed down by the pain, grief and guilt. We go through life day by day, merely existing, not living, and time stands still. Those days we live, so burdened by emotions, are meaningless and pas by without notice of purpose. If we could just let go of it all, forget our troubles for a few seconds, and look around us, perhaps we would see the beauty we are meant to see, and the wonder we would feel if we only let go.