Thursday, August 27, 2020
Biography of John C. Frémont, Soldier, Explorer
History of John C. Frã ©mont, Soldier, Explorer John C. Frã ©mont (January 21, 1813ââ¬July 13, 1890) held a questionable and uncommon spot in mid-nineteenth century America. Called The Pathfinder, he was hailed as an incredible pilgrim of the West. While Frã ©mont did minimal unique investigating as he generally followed trails that had just been built up, he published accounts and maps dependent on his undertakings. Numerous exiled people traveling westbound conveyed manuals dependent on Frã ©monts government-supported distributions. Frã ©mont was the child in-law of a noticeable government official, Sen. Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri, the countries most conspicuous promoter ofà Manifest Destiny. In the mid-1800s,à Frà ©mont was popular as the living exemplification of westbound extension. His notoriety endured to some degree because of discussions during the Civil War, when he appeared to resist the Lincoln organization. Be that as it may, upon his passing, he was affectionately associated with his records of the West. Quick Facts: John Charles Frã ©mont Known For: Senator from California; first Republican contender for president; known for campaigns to open up the West to settlersAlso Known As: The PathfinderBorn: January 21, 1813 in Savannah, GeorgiaParents: Charles Frã ©mon, Anne Beverley WhitingDied: July 13, 1890â in New York,à New YorkEducation: Charleston CollegePublished Works:à Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Memoirs of My Life and Times, Geographical Memoir upon Upper California, anà Illustration of His Map of Oregon and CaliforniaAwards and Honors:à Namesake for schools, libraries, streets, etc.Spouse: Jessie BentonChildren: Elizabeth Benton Lily Frã ©mont, Benton Frã ©mont, John Charles Frã ©mont Jr., Anne Beverly Fremont, Francis Preston Fremont Early Life John Charles Frã ©mont was conceived on January 21, 1813 in Savannah, Georgia. His folks were entangled in embarrassment. His dad, a French settler named Charles Fremon, had been recruited to coach the youthful spouse of an old Revolutionary War veteran in Richmond, Virginia. The mentor and understudy started a relationship and fled together. Abandoning an embarrassment in Richmondââ¬â¢s groups of friends, the couple went along the southern outskirts for a period before in the long run settling in Charleston, South Carolina. Frã ©montââ¬â¢s guardians (Frã ©mont later added the ââ¬Å"tâ⬠to his last name) never wedded. His dad kicked the bucket when Frã ©mont was a youngster, and at 13 years old, Frã ©mont looked for some kind of employment as an assistant for a legal counselor. Intrigued by the boyââ¬â¢s insight, the legal counselor helped Frã ©mont get training. The youthful Frã ©mont had a partiality for science and space science, aptitudes that would later be exceptionally valuable for plotting his situation in the wild. Early Career and Marriage Frã ©monts proficient life started with work instructing science to cadets in the U.S. Naval force, and afterward dealing with an administration studying endeavor. While visiting Washington, D.C., he met the ground-breaking Missouri Sen. Thomas H. Benton and his family. Frã ©mont became hopelessly enamored with Bentonââ¬â¢s little girl Jessie and absconded with her. Sen. Benton was from the start offended, however he came to acknowledge and effectively advance his child in-law. The job that Bentons impact played in Frã ©monts vocation can't be exaggerated. In the decades prior to the Civil War, Benton applied incredible impact on Capitol Hill. He was fixated on growing the United States toward the West. He was seen as the countries most noteworthy defender of Manifest Destiny, and he was regularly considered as ground-breaking as the representatives in the Great Triumvirate: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun. First Expedition toward the West With Sen. Bentonââ¬â¢s help, Frã ©mont was given the task to lead a 1842 undertaking to investigate past the Mississippi River to the region of the Rocky Mountains. With the guide Kit Carson and a gathering of men selected from a network of French trappers, Frã ©mont arrived at the mountains. Climbing a high pinnacle, he set an American banner on top. Frã ©mont came back to Washington and composed a report of his undertaking. While a great part of the report comprised of tables of geological information that Frã ©mont had determined dependent on galactic readings, Frã ©mont additionally composed a story of extensive artistic quality (no doubt with significant assistance from his better half). The U.S. Senate distributed the report in March 1843, and it found a readership in the overall population. Numerous Americans invested heavily in Frã ©mont putting an American banner on a high mountain in the West. Outside forces Spain toward the south and Britain toward the north-had their own cases on a significant part of the West. Also, Frã ©mont, acting simply on his own motivation, had appeared to guarantee the removed West for the United States. Second Expedition toward the West Frã ©mont drove a second campaign toward the West in 1843 and 1844. His task was to discover a course over the Rocky Mountains to Oregon. After basically achieving his task, Frã ©mont and his gathering were situated in Oregon in January 1844. Instead of coming back to Missouri, the expeditionââ¬â¢s beginning stage, Frã ©mont drove his men southward and afterward west, crossing the Sierra Nevada mountain go into California. The stumble over the Sierras was amazingly troublesome and hazardous, and there has been hypothesis that Frã ©mont was working compelled to penetrate California, which was a then Spanish area. Subsequent to visiting Sutterââ¬â¢s Fort, the station of John Sutter, in mid 1844, Frã ©mont voyaged southward in California before traveling eastbound. He inevitably showed up back in St. Louis in August 1844. He at that point made a trip to Washington, D.C., where he composed a report of his subsequent undertaking. The Importance of Frã ©monts Reports A book of his two endeavor reports was distributed and turned out to be incredibly famous. Numerous Americans who settled on the choice to move westbound did as such in the wake of perusing Frã ©montââ¬â¢s blending reports of his movements in the incredible spaces of the West. Noted Americans, including Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman, additionally read Frã ©montââ¬â¢s reports and took motivation from them. Sen. Benton, as an advocate of Manifest Destiny, advanced the reports. Furthermore, Frã ©monts works made extraordinary national enthusiasm for opening the West. Dubious Return to California In 1845 Frã ©mont, who had acknowledged a commission in the U.S. Armed force, came back to California and got dynamic in defying Spanish guideline and beginning the Bear Flag Republic in northern California. For resisting orders in California, Frã ©mont was captured and seen as blameworthy at a court-military hearing. President James K. Polk upset the procedures, however Frã ©mont left the Army. Later Career Frã ©mont drove a pained endeavor in 1848 to discover a course for a cross-country railroad. Settling in California, which by then had become a state, he quickly filled in as one of its legislators. He got dynamic in the new Republican Party and was its first presidential competitor, in 1856. During the Civil War, Frã ©mont got a commission as a Union general and told the U.S. Armed force in the West for a period. His residency in the Army reached a conclusion from the get-go in the war when he gave a request liberating slaves in his region. President Abraham Lincoln alleviated him of order. Demise Frã ©mont later filled in as regional legislative head of Arizona from 1878 to 1883. He passed on at his home in New York City on July 13, 1890. The following day, a New York Times first page feature declared, The Old Pathfinder Dead. Inheritance While Frã ©mont was frequently up to speed in contention, he provided Americans during the 1840s with dependable records of what was to be found in the removed West. During quite a bit of his lifetime, he was considered by numerous individuals to be a courageous figure, and he assumed a significant job in opening the West to settlement. Sources The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. ââ¬Å"John C. Frà ©mont.â⬠à Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 8 Feb. 2019.FRÃâ°MONT, John Charles. Congress.gov.ââ¬Å"John C. Frà ©mont.â⬠à American Battlefield Trust, 1 Nov. 2018.
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Does Ineffective Leadership Affect the Functioning of an Organization Free Essays
Presentation: Pioneers are viewed as an essential asset in an association and it is regularly said that the leaderââ¬â¢s character and gauge influence the way wherein an association is overseen and the organizationââ¬â¢s generally speaking execution. The principle job of pioneers is to control, direct, and deal with the workers of an association and settle on basic and basic choices identified with the organizationââ¬â¢s activities. Hence, it is exceptionally significant for pioneers to have an assortment of basic aptitudes. We will compose a custom exposition test on Does Ineffective Leadership Affect the Functioning of an Organization? or then again any comparable point just for you Request Now A portion of the abilities that pioneers must have incorporate critical thinking methods, basic reasoning, brisk and effective dynamic, persistence and human asset the executives strategies, among other aptitude. Pioneers hold significant obligation regarding the manner in which they deal with their choices and the way in which they manage the representatives of an association. Missteps or carelessness to fundamental data can prompt deplorable effects for associations or a significant misfortune in incomes (Northouse, 2012). As needs be, it is significant for pioneers to have a legitimate arrangement for dealing with a firm and pioneers for the most part have a specific authority style. There are different authority styles that pioneers receive while dealing with an association and these administration styles incorporate the dictatorial initiative style, magnetic authority style, and situational initiative style among numerous others. A few chiefs like to manage an iron hand and are profoundly dictatorial in their administration style. Such pioneers are exceptionally legitimate and want to provide orders as opposed to accomplish the assessment of their subordinates. In any case, a few heads are exceptionally casual and associated with their position of authority and receive a magnetic style of initiative. Such pioneers like to include their workers in the dynamic procedure, incline toward a casual situation, and diminish obstructions to correspondence (Carmelli et al, 2010). Be that as it may, the proper authority style may fluctuate from association to association and from circumstance to circumstance. It is the leaderââ¬â¢s obligation to comprehend the sort of administration important for a specific circumstance and execute it successfully (Brown Mitchell, 2010). This examination paper will look to investigate how ineffectual initiative influences the working of an association and whether it has an exceptionally unfavorable effect upon the organizationââ¬â¢s execution. The paper will look to investigate themes, for example, unique administration styles, obligations of supervisors/pioneers, instances of ineffectual authority, and their sequential impacts on the working of the association. This layout will initiate with a short writing survey, development of research questions, explore strategy, and an end. Writing Review: Numerous researchers accept that insufficient administration prompts heartbreaking ramifications for an association. In a similar way, viable administration can likewise prompt profoundly valuable outcomes for an association and its representatives. There are different instances of exceptionally effective pioneers who have brought their organizationââ¬â¢s various advantages, for example, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and numerous others. These pioneers had the option to viably settle on choices in the midst of emergency, keep their workforce roused and productive, and structure viable advertising methodologies for the advancement of their association (Hind et al, 2009). Pioneers frequently have certain administration styles and it is respected that inadequate initiative happens due to the appropriation of the improper authority style. Consequently, pioneers who embrace an inappropriate initiative style or who have a character which can't adjust to specific circumstances are probably going to cause serious interruptions or wastefulness in the working of their association. Pioneers who embrace unseemly initiative styles or who are insufficient pioneers may cause issues, for example, expanding correspondence boundaries, disturb the best possible dispersal of data, be neglectful of essential data concerning the association, and lead to the de-inspiration of representatives. Models are found in associations where pioneers are profoundly definitive, believe their assessment to be right, and stay far off from subordinates and workers and therefore, representatives can't spread essential data to the pioneer and neglect to enable the pioneer to settle on bet ter choices (King, 2013). Be that as it may, there are additionally instances of associations where the definitive idea of pioneers is working for the organizationââ¬â¢s advantage as opposed to causing the association misfortunes. Subsequently, clearly the initiative style that must be embraced by a pioneer must differ as indicated by the organizationââ¬â¢s circumstance and the way in which the pioneer actualizes and passes on his/her message (Becker, 2009). This idea and different ideas identified with the impacts of insufficient initiative on the association will be examined in this examination paper. Research Questions: Does insufficient administration influence the working of an association? What administration styles are fitting for different hierarchical circumstances? By what method can inadequate authority be characterized and what are its results? Research Data: The exploration information that will be utilized will be both essential and optional in nature. The information and data that will be assembled will be subjective in nature and will be of exploratory so as to investigate the point inside and out. Information Sources: Essential information will be accumulated from the meeting while optional information will be acquired from diary articles, books, online sources, online databases, sites, papers, and other scholastic wellsprings of data Information Collection Method: In the wake of getting authorization from a particular association (yet to be picked), the director or pioneer of that association will be met. Other data for the examination will be gotten from auxiliary hotspots for which library access and access to online databases is basic. Information Analysis Method: As the information is subjective in nature, the information assembled through optional sources and the information accumulated from the meeting will be broke down through the technique for content investigation. The substance of the writing checked on will be contrasted with the substance of the meeting and afterward will be dissected for pertinence a the key focuses are separated from the two sources to direct the examination End: Initiative is one of the most significant subjects in the investigation of the board and through the examination of the information got, this exploration paper plans to perceive, break down, and assess the impacts of ineffectual authority on an association. References Becker, G. (2009) ââ¬Å"Moral administration in Business.â⬠Journal of International Business Ethics. Vol. 2:1 pp. 7-19 Earthy colored, M. Mitchell, M. (2010) ââ¬Å"Ethical and Unethical Leadership: Exploring New Avenues for Future Research. Business Ethics Quarterly. Vol. 20:4 pp. 583-616 Carmeli, A., Gelbard, R. Gefen, D. (2010) ââ¬Å"The significance of advancement authority in developing vital fit and upgrading firm performanceâ⬠. The Leadership Quarterly. Vol. 21:3 pp. 339-349 Rear, P., Wilson, A., Lenssen, G. (2009) ââ¬Å"Developing Leaders for Sustainable Business.â⬠Corporate Governance. Vol. 9:1 pp.7-20 Ruler, C. (2013) ââ¬Å"The Importance of Leadership and Management in Process Safetyâ⬠. Procedure Safety Progress. Northouse, PG. (2012) Leadership: Theory and Practice. Sage Publications. Instructions to refer to Does Ineffective Leadership Affect the Functioning of an Organization?, Essay models
Friday, August 21, 2020
ESL Essay Samples - A Good Way to Avoid Plagiarism
ESL Essay Samples - A Good Way to Avoid PlagiarismAn ESL essay sample could be your best defense against plagiarism. Of course, no one wants to hear about plagiarism when writing essays or college level English tests, but that is a fact of life. The last thing you want to do is appear unprofessional or that you are not capable of finishing your assignment on time.The most basic way to avoid plagiarism in English is to read your text in the original language and apply the grammar you see. Most academic institutions have native English speakers and writers who can help you. You may even find that English is spoken by the people at your school, such as your professors and staff members. Even if they don't speak English, they can still provide you with information about the right way to express yourself in English.Another important aspect of reviewing your text is to keep notes and to consult your textbook. Memorize your material so that you can refer back to it later on. In addition, re view your essay for spelling and grammar errors. If you find any, either write or revise your paper in an outline format and make sure that you proofread your work before you submit it. Often, students who are plagiarizing their own work are doing this because they don't proofread their own work.When you're looking for essay samples, be sure to only look at things you have actually used in your own work. You might think that a professor at your school or college would provide you with samples of their own work. It is not always the case though, so make sure that you check first.In addition, check out the website of a professional writing company, if you can afford to hire one. Writing companies have several sample essays written by people of all levels. Many of these companies will also offer writing advice to students who are just beginning to write. Thismay be a great way to practice your writing before you get a real assignment.If you feel that a student's essay samples are plagi arized, send them a letter to that effect. A formal letter may seem like an unnecessary step, but it is effective in a few cases. First, the head of the department or college you are writing for may be notified of the situation and may take the steps necessary to remove the work from your file. You may also have to pay a small fine or lose a point on your transcript.Many writing samples are also available online. Some websites allow you to view other students' work for free. Others charge a small fee to view their students' work. But the choice depends on how much time you want to spend and how much money you are willing to spend.Using free sample essays is another method of saving yourself from plagiarism. As with the paid sites, you have to be careful, though, because there is no guarantee that you won't be accused of plagiarism. Also, if the professor has flagged your paper as being suspicious or plagiarized, it might get deleted from your file.
Monday, May 25, 2020
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Plot Summary
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written in 1876, is one of the best-loved and most quoted works of American author Mark Twain (whose real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens). The novel, which sold slowly at first for the author, can be appreciated on multiple levels. Children can enjoy the adventure story, and adults can appreciate the satire. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Summary Tom Sawyer is a young boy living with his Aunt Polly on the banks of the Mississippi River. He seems to most enjoy getting into trouble. After missing school one day (and getting into a fight), Tom is punished with the task of whitewashing a fence. However, he turns the punishment into a bit of entertainment and tricks other boys to finish the work for him. He convinces the boys that the chore is a great honor, so he receives small, precious objects in payment. Around this time, Tom falls in love with a young girl, Becky Thatcher. He suffers under a whirlwind romance and engagement to her before she shuns him after she hears of Toms previous engagement to Amy Lawrence. He tries to win Becky back, but it doesnt go well. She refuses a gift he tries to give her. Humiliated, Tom runs off and dreams up a plan to run away. Its around this time that Tom runs into Huckleberry Finn, who would be the titular character in Twains next and most acclaimed novel. Huck and Tom agree to meet in the graveyard at midnight to test a scheme to cure warts involving a dead cat. The boys meet at the graveyard, which brings the novel to its pivotal scene when they witness a murder. Injun Joe kills Dr. Robinson and tries to blame it on the drunken Muff Porter. Injun Joe is unaware that the boys have seen what hes done. Afraid of the consequences of this knowledge, he and Huck swear an oath of silence. However, Tom becomes deeply depressed when Muff goes to jail for Robinsons murder. After yet another rejection by Becky Thatcher, Tom and Huck run off with their friend Joe Harper. They steal some food and head to Jacksons Island. Theyre not there long before they discover a search party looking for three boys presumed drowned and realize they are the boys in question. They play along with the charade for a while and dont reveal themselves until their funerals, marching into the church to the surprise and consternation of their families. Tom continues his flirtation with Becky with limited success over summer vacation. Eventually, overcome with guilt, he testifies at the trial of Muff Potter, exonerating him of Robinsons murder. Potter is released, and Injun Joe escapes through a window in the courtroom. The court case isnt Toms last encounter with Injun Joe, however. In the final part of the novel, he and Becky (newly reunited) get lost in one of the caves. Here, Tom stumbles across his archenemy. Escaping his clutches and finding his way out, Tom manages to alert the townspeople, who lock up the cave while leaving Injun Joe inside. Our hero ends up ââ¬â¹happy, however, as he and Huck discover a box of gold (that once belonged to Injun Joe), and the money is invested for them. Tom finds happiness andà ââ¬âà much to his distressà ââ¬âà Huck finds respectability by being adopted. The Takeaway Although Tom is, in the end, victorious, Twains plot and characters are so believable and realistic that the reader cannot help but worry for the easy-go-lucky boy (Tom) even though he rarely worries for himself. In Huckleberry Finn, Twain created a wonderful and enduring character, a chipper poor boy who hates nothing more than respectability and being sivilised and who wants nothing more than to be out on his river. Tom Sawyer is both a wonderful childrens book and a book perfect for adults who still are children at heart. Never dull, always funny, and sometimes poignant, it is a classic novel from a truly great writer.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Homeschooling A Beneficial Alternative - 1177 Words
Homeschooling: a Beneficial Alternative ââ¬Å"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration,â⬠are the words of Thomas Edison whom, after having his teacher claim he was not teachable, was taken out of school to be homeschooled by his mother. After some radical accounts of homeschooling gone wrong, Americans currently tend to believe this form of education is of lesser quality than to that compared of public schooling. However, this alternative option is actually a plausible choice and in some areas, could even be considered more beneficial in regards to the long run. Homeschooling has come a long way, and with the support of the government, it has offered a better choice for Americans that feel that the public school system canââ¬â¢t provide everything their children need. Assisted by online resources and ready-made homeschooling curriculum, homeschooling has become a popular choice with the number of students learning at home growing. Recently, many educated and qualified parents have been questioning the methods used by the public school system to teach their kids and have taken matters into their own hands. In 2008 the Californian government took measures insuring that the children being homeschooled would receive a quality education and enforced that all parents have the proper credentials to teach their children at home (Pacific Justice Institute-Michelle Malkin). These parents believe that by taking their children out of the public schoolShow MoreRelatedAdvantages and Disadvantages of Homeschooling1749 Words à |à 7 PagesHomeschooling In todayââ¬â¢s society, homeschooling is looked down upon. Many think the students involved will lack social skills. Some people are against it because they think it gives younger children a sense of authority by being able to plan their own schooling. Others are opposed to homeschooling just because it is uncommon in society and they do no want to be outcasts. To home school a child it does require much more attention and time than traditional schooling, but the results prove it can beRead More Home Schooling Essays1184 Words à |à 5 PagesAmericans. . But what exactly is the best form of education. Homeschooling has gradually made its way into the education field as an acceptable and controversial form of education. Homeschooling can simply be defined as educating children at home or the community rather than at school (Withrow, 1999; Cromwell, 1998; Lines, 1995). An alternative definition would be, parents choosing the schooling for their children (What is Homeschooling, 200 0). Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of Homeschooling1182 Words à |à 5 PagesHomeschooling has long been an alternate method for parents to educate their children. Homeschooling is a method where a child is being schooled at home by their parents, relatives or private tutors to educate their children from pre-k to 12th grade. Basically their whole childhood to their early adulthood. Homeschooling should be avoided by parents because it can cause their children to have a difficult time integrating into society because they have extremely limited interaction with their ownRead MoreHomeschooling1010 Words à |à 5 PagesHomeschooling is an education choice that allows parents to educate their children at home, but the efficiency of this system is questionable. ââ¬Å"Advocates say home schooling is the best way to assure a high-quality education and want it exempted from federal and state accountability requirements. â⬠¦. And school officials complain that when home schooling doesnt wor k, parents ââ¬Å"dumpâ⬠their children back in the public schools, which are then blamed for the home-schoolers poor performanceâ⬠(Home SchoolingRead MoreHome Education Vs. Public Schools Essay949 Words à |à 4 Pagesthat the school offers have some time allocated for physical education and sports and also have breaks in-between for meals. Recently, however, homeschooling is on the rise in most parts of the world. For so many years this system of education was a reserve for the royals who were not allowed to freely mingle with children of other citizens. Homeschooling also known as home education refers to the education of the children inside their homes as opposed to a formal setting of a private or public schoolRead MoreHomeschooling On The Adjustment Of College Students917 Words à |à 4 PagesHomeschooling In recent years is very common to hear the term homeschooling on television or in places near our homes, as more and more parents who do not agree with the form of education that takes place in schools. But what is special about homeschooling? Cynthia K. Drenoysky states on her article. The Impact Of Homeschooling On The Adjustment Of College Students, that homeschooling in a good education alternative to public school that has been increasing since the 1970s (Drenosky). After soRead MoreHomeschooling Is Becoming A Method Of Education1127 Words à |à 5 Pages Recent statistics indicate that homeschooling is increasingly becoming a method of education that is accepted and trendy. Homeschooling is now a fashionable choice for many of the young professional looking for the best education for their children. However, the question that arises is whether this form of education is right for our children. For parents, making the decision of instructing their children from home is not easy. The topic of homeschooling is controversial and involves issuesRead MoreEssay on Homeschooling1603 Words à |à 7 PagesHomeschooling The definition of homeschooling is to instruct a pupil in an educational program outside of established schools (www.Dictionary.com). Homeschooling is a good alternative to public schools because of certain religious issues, standardized test success, and variety of options for homeschool students, but in some states homeschoolers are having trouble with the school system. Homeschooling has been on the rise in the United States and its popularity continues to grow amongRead More Homeschooling Pros and Cons Essay1009 Words à |à 5 PagesHomeschooling Pros and Cons Homeschooling is a rising alternative in childrenââ¬â¢s education. As with any other major movement there have been doubts and debates as well as support and promotion for this educational approach. Homeschooling was once the norm in society before there was a public school system. But the parents involved in homeschooling feel very strongly about the positive outcomes that it has brought about in the lives and success of their children. It has once again surfaced and becomeRead MoreThe Culture Of The American Society903 Words à |à 4 Pagesmost recent counter-culture that is becoming popular among American society is homeschooling. Homeschooling is an ââ¬Å"alternative form of education in which children are instructed at home rather than at a traditional public or private schoolâ⬠In homeschooling, parents, guardians, or tutors become the teachers themselves and let the computer teach their children the material they would learn at a regular school. Homeschooling is a co unter-culture because it conflicts with the student actively interacting
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Jane Austens View of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice Essays
Jane Austens View of Marriage in Pride and Prejudice It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want if a wife This comment is humorous and satirical, but holds an underlying truth. The fact that Jane Austen opens the novel with such a comment on marriage evidences the importance of the theme in the book. Indeed the novel is all about marriage in society. Austen lived in a time when marriage was the only way out for some women, or they would be forced to become a governess and lose their independence. The way that this opening sentence is out provides another theme, satire. Austen sees the following marriages that she writes on as amusing but they are stillâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The fact that Mr Bennet knows that his marriage is unsuccessful is important. We know that he is conscious of it, as he warns Elizabeth against an unequal marriage, My child, let me not have the grief of seeing you unable to respect your partner in life This shows us that Mr Bennet knows he made a mistake marrying the prettiest girl all those years ago, and he wants to make sure that his favourite daughter doesnt make the same mistake. The marriage of Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins is one that Austen sees as an average one. It is similar to some of those at the time. It is most certainly a marriage of convenience. Charlotte is very cynical about marriage and love. She believes that happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance Jane Austen criticises Charlottes lack of romance and idealism, through Elizabeth but underlying that we know she understands her motives for marriage. Charlotte also says that a woman must let a man know that shes interested to make sure she snags him. She advises Elizabeth that Jane does this to ensure a marriage to Bingley. Charlotte is obviously not speaking from experience, because at 27 year old, she is practically an old maid and on the shelf. Nobody wants her, and soon she will be forced to become a governess if she cant find a husband soon. After Collins proposes to Elizabeth, Charlotte, knowing she needs a husband, jumps straight in with her tactics. She doesnt however treadShow MoreRelated Views on Pride, Prejudice and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice5150 Words à |à 21 PagesViews on Pride, Prejudice and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Pride pride n., v., 1. high (or too high) opinion of ones own dignity, importance, worth, etc. 2. the condition or feeling of being proud. 3. a noble sense of what is due to oneself or ones position or character; self respect; self esteem. prejudice n., v., 1. an opinion In the novel by Jane Austen, displays a severe contrast between Elizabeth and Darcy in the story. Jane Austen does thisRead MoreThe Influence of Regency England in Pride and Prejudice1604 Words à |à 7 Pagesfamiliarity [with those below in social rank was] a degradationâ⬠(137). One of Regency Englandââ¬â¢s most beloved writers, Jane Austen, continued the tradition of casting literature as a reflection of contemporary societyââ¬â¢s biases. Her novels brim with indicators of Regency Englandââ¬â¢s preconceptions. The characters in Austenââ¬â¢s novel, Pride and Prejudice, seek economic security through marriage, and cast a critical eye on those who divert themselves with lesser, frivolous pursuits, resulting in their effortsRead MorePride and Prejudice Values Juxtaposed Letters to Alice1228 Words à |à 5 Pagesââ¬Å"Pride and Prejudiceâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Letters to Aliceâ⬠contains many similarities yet some obvious differences even when considering the fact that they were written hundreds of years apart. Both texts pro vide strong perspectives on a variety of issues and are very blunt in their approach. The key issue throughout both novels is the ideology of marriage in the sense of whether one should marry for love or financial stability and standing. Both novels are written in an epistolary format providing a differentRead MoreJane Austenââ¬â¢s Novel Pride and Prejudice Essay874 Words à |à 4 Pagesmain theme of an advantageous marriage for the English novelist, Jane Austen. Her realism, biting irony and social commentary have gained her historical importance among scholars and critics (Southam). Austenââ¬â¢s major novels, including Pride and Prejudice, were composed between the years 1795-1815. During those twenty years England was at the height of its power facing many historical landmarks (Thomson). It is no coincidence that Jane Austenââ¬â¢s novel, Pride and Prejudice, coincides directly with theRead More Women and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice Essay examples663 Wor ds à |à 3 PagesWomen and Marriage in Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice And they lived happily ever after... Or did they? Pride and Prejudice, a captivating novel written by Jane Austen, is the story of Elizabeth and her adventure challenging society and ending up deep in true love. Pride and Prejudice takes place in a town outside of London called Hertfordshire, where the reader follows Elizabeth, her friends, and her family as they search for love in the nineteenth century. The author writes of ElizabethsRead More Explore Jane Austenââ¬â¢s attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice1671 Words à |à 7 PagesExplore Jane Austenââ¬â¢s attitude to marriage in Pride and Prejudice Looking at the social, historical and cultural context In the 19th century when Austen wrote ââ¬ËPride and Prejudiceââ¬â¢, the way in which marriage was viewed was very different. It would have been expected of a young woman to find a ââ¬Ësuitableââ¬â¢ partner for marriage before they were thirty, as after this they could be seen as an embarrassment to their family. By suitable, it does not mean in the way in which marriage is viewedRead MoreThe Austen Marriage1601 Words à |à 7 PagesThe females in Pride and Prejudice have their moral values reflected in their marriage. They each have a predetermined standard ââ¬â whether it is love or monetary gain, or superficial or complex ââ¬â of what constitutes a marital relationship. According to Zimmerman, ââ¬Å"the character from whose point of view much of the action is seen is Elizabethâ⬠(67). She is either the one being married or is the one giving opinion on anotherââ¬â¢s marriage. Jane Austen utilizes Elizabeth as the crux of the plotââ¬â¢s movementRead MoreClass In Pride And Prejudice Analysis844 Words à |à 4 Pagesembodiesâ⬠(17). Yet, while Jane Austenââ¬â¢s Pride and Prejudice sets out to challenge societal misgivings, it also suggests hints at a reinforcement of a patriarchal and capitalistic hierarchy. Therefore, one must ask if Austenââ¬â¢s work is readily attempting to challenge society an d transform it to match the more feminine and self-aware conceptions presented in the text through its protagonist, Elizabeth Bennet, and her experience. Ultimately, does Austen in Pride and Prejudice reinforce or challenge ââ¬Ëclassââ¬â¢Read MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1418 Words à |à 6 PagesMarriage is a fundamental topic in Jane Austenââ¬â¢s famous novel, Pride and Prejudice. Readers become invested in the lives of the Bennet sisters who are constantly dreaming of relationships. Still unknown, however, is Austenââ¬â¢s reason for writing this novel that is so extremely concentrated on marriage. Some critics believe that Austen wrote the novel to portray how different social classes affected the lives of women such as the Bennet sisters. Others, however, believe that the novel was writtenRead MoreJane Austen s Pride And Prejudice1211 Words à |à 5 PagesJane Austenââ¬â¢s Pride and Prejudice was greatly influenced by the time period in which it was w ritten, This novel follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters as they are faced with marriage proposals. The marriage and roles of women in this time period are shown throughout this story. During the time Austen was writing this novel, a womanââ¬â¢s role for her family changed. Daughters started to become a way for their family to achieve more money. Because their family depended on this financial
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Trust in Technology Enhanced Learning
Question: Discuss about the Trust in Technology Enhanced Learning. Answer: Introduction Place of Trust in Technology Enhanced Learning The business and learning systems have fully embraced Technology Enhanced Learning. This therefore necessitates the building of a firm foundation in trust since most of the communication is virtual. Technology Enhanced Learning has benefitted its users because of its effectiveness in relation to finances, time and eliminating the problems of distance. This therefore calls for the need to enhance and build a trust in relationships between the parties concerned as this overcomes the issues of a lacking face-to-face communication (Short, 2014). Context The cultural authenticity of this text is informed from the development of the virtual world in todays global activities. This text is historically extracted from the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In view of the extent to which the virtual world misses the place of trust in relationships and the little research that has been dug into TEL, this article is set to align these and inform the involved parties. This is especially so in learning institutions and in the workplace. It addresses the need for further research to be employed in TEL and its reliance on trust. This will enhance the effectiveness of TEL and bring on board a whole new level of understanding that is capable of bringing a revolution. Taken from the literal understanding in which this text fits, any communication that lacks face-to-face effects such as the virtual communication employed by TEL, undermines the formation and development of trust in relationships. Structure It is important to note that the writer has developed her logic from the level where TEL seems to affect trust and the redundancies that have reduced its effectiveness. She goes on to build into the importance of TEL despite its limitations. Style The author has brought out the importance of trust in the virtual world in clarity of thought and experience and established credibility in doing so. This authenticity in experience in operating TEL under SMEs suits the discussion she presents. For all involved in distance learning and business operations, trust is indispensable and this text is therefore appropriate to them. Evaluation Importance of Trust and its Establishment The author has clearly brought the meaning of trust and how its presence or absence in the learning process affects relationships and effectiveness in learning. Defining trust as the deliberate willingness to show points of weakness and vulnerability to someone whose behaviour you cannot control. When a trainer yields some control, he/she is able to create a strong bond with the trainees as this makes them feel part of the process and needed rather than just around to take instructions. Through the learning process, students develop a need for trust and the process described above helps trust and relationships to form and grow among the trainees and between the trainer and the trainees. For this to happen, a student friendly and student-cantered environment has to be created. Thus, the author effectively covers the issue of importance of trust and how to develop and grow it in learning relationships. Trust in the Virtual World The author is able to show the development of the virtual world traceable since the 1990s with the development of network communication technology. This resulted to distance working which then led to virtual organizations due to the decrease in face-to-face communication. The writer asserts the difficulty in managing people in different locations and working together. This will be affected by a dynamic change in organizational thinkingespecially the culture and leadership style Different organizations have been known to undertake different leadership style inclusive of authoritative and supportive. In view of the virtual challenge of trust, organizations need to employ the supportive style where the participative style generates trust. Further, the members are intrinsically motivated to committed participation leading to success of the organization. Designers of interactive systems useful in the virtual world need to understand that technology is not enough but needs to be enhanced by the social aspect where trust is built. This will in turn engage communication skills and collaborative participatory activities. Trust and relationships must therefore be built in the virtual world because many may be reluctant to deal with people they have not met face-to-face. Trust Issues in TEL The article has clearly shown the issues that affect Technology Enhanced Learning and the solutions to be employed. This is because the lack of expectation that revolves around TEL inhibits development of trust and prevents students from establishing common ground. One main reason for this is that virtual communication lacks physical cues that affect interpersonal interaction that bring trust, warmth and attentiveness. Teamwork can also be enhanced where partners have previously interacted and built trust. This means that they are able to overcome the virtual issues, tackle problems together and take responsibility. Trust is also enhanced by interaction in learning process where students are able to learn more and trainers gain credibility. Virtuality also creates the problem of a tasking rather than relational relationship. TEL also creates isolation among students as there are no face-to-face meet ups. Conclusion It is therefore clear that trust is indispensible in any interaction, be it virtual or real. Though the article may not have addressed all the issues that concern building trust in TEL or offered all solutions, he/she has created faith in the ability of the system to succeed and enhance learning and business. References Short, H. (2014). A critical evaluation of the contribution of trust to effective Technology Enhanced Learning in the workplace: A literature review. British Journal of Educational Technology, 45(6), 1014-1022. doi:10.1111/bjet.12187
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Military Bearing free essay sample
Military bearing is ones outward appearance. The sharp uniform, perfect haircut, and their motivation and pride in their appearance. Military bearing is the way you take pride in your accomplishments and the majority of your experiences. It is also the way you maintain your composure and contain your emotions at all times. even when some might think it is neccessary to speak ones thoughts, that is where military bearing comes into play and maintains the composure of the soldier himself. Military bearing can also be described as doing the morally right thing wether somebody is watching you or not. Therefore leading into integrity which one takes upon himself to maintain the bearing at all times, and follow the orders of his given commands. To show ones military bearing is an importance in the military because it shows the respect one has for his senior enlisted at all times no matter the situation one may encounter. We will write a custom essay sample on Military Bearing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To take pride in military bearing distinguishes a level of respect. Self discipline plays a major role because it shows ones readiness for anything. Acting with confidence, poise, and reserve plays a large role in military bearing also. knowing what your rank can handle is important because it gives you your position in your state of circumstances. Military bearing encompasses ones level of professionalism when dealing with others, and ones approach to military situations. Self discipline is a key factor also, because it developes the entire underlying meaning of military bearing. Arguing with superiors, ignoring army standards and permitting to rule breaking are consisten with military bearing. A superior with military bearing does not yell at subordinates but calmly instructs them and helps rectify their mistakes. when talking to a superior, standing at the position of attention or parade rest are good encompany of military bearing. any action that would be considered disgraceful to the Army is not a good exgibition of propper military bearing. hen various situations approach you in your military career, having military bearing will help you make decisions that are standard to the military. dependability is a major aspect of military bearing. without dependability, one can neither performproperly in a workspace, and also can not be depended on by there equals, and chain of command to carry out their military duties adequately. A military member is required to be punctual and reliable. lack of this in a soldier hinders the duty of the command, and can also be negative toward the entire Army. ilitary bearing is a vast assortment of rules and ethics that govern our every day life. all military soldiers have an obligation to conduct themselves with dignity in such a manner to reflect credit on the military branch they are in. dignity exists only when one has the proper sense of there individual worth and of the worthiness of their cause. the person who posesses true dignity will also respect the dignity of others. when one respects his seniors and is guided by the example given to himself, it shows a true sign of propper adequate toward military bearing. e also respects his junior enlisted and provides an examle that they will be proud to follow. The United States Army is structured on several values and principles that it upholds, among these are military bearing, discipline and respect. These principles represents what the organization strongly believes in and governs the most basic customs and courtesies that all its members should abide by, otherwise legal repercussion and punishment is enforced that could ultimately result in separation from the organization. According to Field Manual 6-22, ââ¬Å"Military Bearing is defined as having or projecting a commanding presence and a professional image of authorityâ⬠. One is to observe a sense of calmness even in the most stressful situations, leaders of the United States Army should maintain their military bearing even in situations where it seems chaotic, out of control or a civilian would respond in panic. separation from the organization. The reason for this goes back to situations in where leaders, Non-Commisioned officers and officers would have to make swift decisions in the battlefield that may affect the lives of their soldiers. In a world of chaos, their subordinates are relying on their leaders to make the right decision and trusting that those big decisions made is the best out of all the options given. Leaders should be able to make these big decisions with all his confidence projecting out with his military bearing. A leader should look like a leader, disciplined, confident, and has the skills and abilities to persuade and provide their subordinates with the motivation, direction and purpose so as to accomplish a mission without being easily rattled by problems that arises. Troubleshooting in any given situation, may it be life threatening or not, should be handled professionally in a military manner in where even if you are not sure, you will act accordingly as if you are sure of your decisinon because if your subordinates senses the slightest fear or uncertainty with your decisions, then you just have lost the trust and confidence of them.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
A Pocket Full of Rye Essay Example
A Pocket Full of Rye Essay Example A Pocket Full of Rye Essay A Pocket Full of Rye Essay A Pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #1 (P. 1-24) What really stuck out to me as I was reading this, was the well, the obvious rye in Mr. Fortescues pocket. Why would something like that be there? I think maybe he feeds pigeons at a park or he might Just like rye, but still Now onto Inspector Neele. He seems fairly intelligent and hes able to get information out of people quite easily without them even knowing, as it shows on page 21, it states, Lance has got guts even if he did risk a criminal prosecution once- Oh dear, I oughtnt to have said that! This can allow the inspector to hopefully find the murderer. Anyway, I have a suspect in mind who could have been responsible for the murder. Im thinking Mr. Percival, his own son! That would be pretty cruel to murder your father. I think its him because recently theyVe been arguing due to, as it states on page 20, Well, Mr. Fortescue was doing a lot of things Mr. Percival thought unwise. You dont murder someone without reason, they alway s have a motive and that might be Percivals. Its still too early to make accusations, but its wise to keep him in mind. A pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #2 (P. 25-47) In these few pages we get bombarded with many new characters and with new haracters comes new suspects. I doubt it was the butler, Mr. Crump or the Chef, Mrs. Crump. I dont think it was the house maid Mrs. Ellen or Miss. Gladys. Miss. Dove is fairly innocent, but if she wanted she could have pulled off the murder. Shes a very efficient person as shes in charge of most things. She also does not really care for her employer, as it says on page 32, IVe no feeling of loyalty to my employers, so that might be a clue. In the end I think Miss. Dove most likely is innocent, but we cant be too sure. It could have also been anyone who was eating breakfast with Mr. Fortescue which includes, Mrs. Fortescue, Miss. Fortescue, and Mrs. Val Fortescue. That narrows it down, I dont think it was Miss. Fortescue or Elaine his daughter. It might be Mrs. Fortesuce, his wife whos thirty years younger and married for money or Mrs. Val who greatly despises him. Its hard to exactly pin point someone, but those are my main suspects as of now. A Pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #3 (P. 8-70) Finally we are introduced to Mrs. Fortescue. Shes one of my main suspects. Im thinking that she killed Mr. Fortescue. Her motive? The money. My logic is quite simple, she killed Mr. Fortescue so that she could inherit all his money, which is quite a lot. Thats Just what I think, theres no real evidence yet. Also as it states on page 53, On her lips was a very faint smile. So Adele or Mrs. Fortescue Just might be the murderer. We ca nt be too sure yet though. Im confused as to why Percy or Percival is reluctant to tell Inspector Neele of the argument. Maybe it has something to do with the murder? It can be Percivals motive, but to kill your own father? Thats a bit outrageous. Im wonaerlng I T Ms. RamsDottom Is sane. sne seems qulte alrlgnt, all she does is stay in her room. Surely she has nothing to do with the murder? She does despise Rex (Mr. Fortescue) though. It seems like everyone hates Rex as of now. Ms. Ramsbottom, Mrs. Val, Percival, etc. Very shortly Lance the other son will be coming. I think hell be a big help in discovering the murderer. A Pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #4 (P. 71-98) Well this part was full of surprises. I mean, Adele Fortescue has been poisoned! Cyanide to be exact. I thought she might have been a suspect. I casted her as a murderess, but I guess not. Another death was of Gladys the housemaid. Two deaths already? Right after Mr. Fortesuces! This was rather surprising, I thought the deaths would have ceased as the inspector is in the house. Whoever it is, they are certainly cunning to be able to pull it off. I infer that Vivian Dubois might have something to do with the murder, but Im not too sure. This narrows down the suspect even further, yet it seems more puzzling. Another part that puzzled me was on page 98, it states, There was a clothes peg clipped on her face. Is this some kind of twisted Joke from the murderer? This reminds me of the Joker, twisted, but not broken. A pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #5 (P. 99-132) This part has certainly probed my thoughts about the murderer. Obviously he was basing it off the nursery, Blackbirds. I doubt its all a coincidence. It all fits together perfectly, the king in his counting house, the scones and honey, and the clothes peg. Miss. Marple seems quite intelligent to be able to fgure that out. I predict that she might be the one to crack the mystery instead of the inspector. After all it is called a Miss Marple Mystery, so she maybe more than Just an ordinary character. One thing thats quite curious is Vivians behavior. Hes quite cautious much like Percival. Speaking of Percival, he hasnt been around much recently which is quite convenient for him. Could this be a clue? Or is this Just all a fluke? Another thing is the marmalade. Mr. Fortescue was the only one who used it which caused his death as the marmalade had taxine. It had been tampered with, but I wonder who it is? Clearly that would have made the murder much more efficient. I guess well Just find out further on. A pocket Full of Rye: journal Entry (P. 133-160) Why was Mrs. Val so nervous at the mention of blackbirds? Does she have something to do with putting the blackbirds on Mr. Fortescues desk? The blackbirds in the pie also sparked my curiosity. Who would do that? Im thinking whoever put the blackbirds are also related to the murders. It could be a possibility. Another curious character at the moment is Vivian. He seems very likely to be the murderer. From his point of view, he killed Mr. Fortescue so he could have Adele, then maybe he killed her then to obtain the money. You never know, they are very unpleasant people. But theres a fatal flaw, as states on page 159, Adele would not inherit the money if she didnt survive one month. Maybe it isnt Vivian. Who could it be? Also about Mr. Fortescues illness, GPI would have put his firm under the rocks. Percival has always been a cunning and sly fellow. Hes very passionate about economics and his money. Mayoe ne took out Mr. Fortescue In order to restraln nlm ana save tne Tlrm? Mayoe, thats definitely a possibility. I can certainly imagine him planning it all out. It seems to become more puzzling as the story progress, but Im sure everything will be clear soon. A pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry #7 (P. 161-190) Regarding Mrs. MacKenzie, shes definitely in the asylum for a reason. Shes almost scary carrying her book with names in it. It reminds me of the show Death Note. I wonder, where her children are. According to her, he died and she doesnt have a daughter. Apparently she erased her completely. Maybe her daughter is the one responsible for everything? It seems to have become even more complex than before. Also on page 190, how can Miss. Marple be sure that therell be no more murders? Does she know something that the inspector doesnt? She does seem fairly intelligent, but then again so is the inspector. One thing that Im surprised about is Lance going into the business. He doesnt seem like the type to wear a suit and go to work in an office every day. Mentioning that, why is Percival so against Lance Joining him? Shouldnt he be happy he now has extra help? Then again he does despise Lance, but I can shake off the feeling that Percival may have something to do with this hole scenario. You never know, he seems like a slippery fellow. A pocket Full of Rye: Journal Entry (P. 191-239) First things first, I cant believe it was Lance! Its crazy, I never even suspected him! I thought he was going to be the good guy in this story and his brother Percival was bad. Lancelot Fortescue murder Rex Fortescue, Gladys Martin, and Adele Fortescue all so that he could obtain money. That is very wicked and as they say, wickedness wont go unpunished. Who would have actually thought that he would be the suspect? I do admire his bravery to go and commit such a thing and his intelligence to actually lan this all together. A mastermind wouldnt even be able to come up with a devious plan like this. It Just shows how intelligent Miss. Marple is to be able to come up with this. I underestimated her abilities. I do feel bad for Pat and Gladys though. Pat really loved Lance, but will she after she finds out about all of this? Also Gladys, she was well not entirely innocent, but she didnt deserve to die! He basically used her to complete his scheme. Even though Lance committed all of this, I cant really look at him as being evil. Maybe its respect, I mean I wouldnt have ever thought it was him. Hes truly an evil genius.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
Issues in the Management of Human Resources Essay
Issues in the Management of Human Resources - Essay Example Towards this purpose, there can be several strategies that can be used and the best of those are highlighted in this report. The first strategy which can be recommended is to make work and project teams which are geared to the diversity of the client. Brown (2005) discussed this strategy as it was applied by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which was seeking a more diverse clientele and started with creating diverse teams for the sales force. The company quickly discovered out that attracting diverse clients requires diverse leadership and a diverse workforce as well. Simply targeting minorities in advertisements and billboards is not a guarantee for a diverse clientele since the human resources of the company at all levels must be made out of a diverse population (Torrington et. al., 2002). The president of MBA is reported to have said that diversity is not merely about connecting with a new customer market, it is a requirement for survival in the upcoming markets. Brown (2005) acknowledges that diversity programs and initiatives often fail because if used incorrectly, they can potentially waste time, money and other resources for the company. Therefore, if our company finds the client coming with a diverse team, the individuals which are selected to deal with the client should be selected with diversity in mind. DuPont is seen as a radiant model of a company which has managed to enlarge its customer base considerably by embracing diversity as a business tool. The company takes diversity as a business essential which is vital for the renewal of business and strategic competitiveness (Lockwood, 2005). This philosophy is made very clear by the variety of strategies used for creating and maintaining diversity at the company. DuPont emphasised its process of diversity with three elements, the first of which is accountability. Accountability for the leadership of a company has been mentioned by Yuki (2006) as a vital aspect of creating commitment to a
Thursday, February 6, 2020
The Legislative basis for the assessment of the Smiths needs; Essay
The Legislative basis for the assessment of the Smiths needs; provision of service; and types of services available - Essay Example The standards include the concepts of; dignity; privacy; choice; safety; realizing potential; and equality and diversity. In conjunction with the Regulation Act, the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 seek to promote equity, choice and dignity among clients like the Smiths, by shifting the focus from institutional care and promoting a collaborative approach by health and care services. However, there have been concerns voiced by critics that some of the objectives of these Acts are undermined in terms of discriminatory practices, especially toward elderly citizens. It appears that age discrimination is widespread across health and care services, present in day-to-day language where it is considered 'benign' and evident in beliefs, values and attitudes that perceive the older person as characteristically different from the rest of society. This view is reflected in the chronic under funding of social care for older people. The Smiths, like many elderly within the population of Scotland, have ongoing health care costs, the need for social support, the need for education and up-to-date information pertinent to their social welfare and health needs, as well as idiosyncratic personal needs and expectations, such as assistance and support with their son going to court (Sim, 2005). In this respect, there is a critical need for a review of social and health provisions to the elderly who are living at home. Provision of Services The Scottish Ministers ensure that the provision of services meets a high standard of quality service by regularly reviewing the national care standards that apply to care services, and this includes the delivery of services to the elderly. To enable the optimum provision of services, the standards and services are continuously evaluated with the inclusive consultation of those who are the end users of the services; such as the Smiths. The Scottish Social Services Council's codes of practice are also taken into consideration. The code states the responsibilities of employers when regulating the activities of social service workers. As a code of practice, a list of expectations of social service workers details standards for professional conduct and practice. The code ensures a standardisation of care services across the Scottish community.Hence, an employer must ensure that a competent social worker is part of the services workforce, and this means they must understand the responsib ilities of their role. Policies, procedures and protocols must exist in hard document form to enable social workers to meet the code of practice standards. Training and ongoing professional development opportunities must be made available to social worker staffs. Policies must address issues of discrimination and dangerous or exploitive behavior. And finally the code must be promoted among social workers as well as the wider community. Types of Service For a couple like the Smith's several service care options are available; housing support services (which provides assistance, advice, and counseling) to support the elderly to live within their home; home care services; an independent health care service; a nurse agency; respite care;
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
United States Declaration of Independence and British Soldiers Essay Example for Free
United States Declaration of Independence and British Soldiers Essay 1. Examine the factors that led to the coloniesââ¬â¢ declaration of independence from England. Make sure to explain WHY the colonies decided to break from their mother-country as well as any risks that doing so might have entailed. Also include your interpretation of whether or not breaking away from England was a good idea for the colonies. After the French and Indian War, Great Britain gained lots of territories but lost lots of money. Great Britain did not want to quickly occupy this territory so they decided to make the Quartering acts. The first quartering acts basically said that British Soldiers can board free at inns and stay at abandon houses. In order to make up for the loss of money. Great Britain put lots of taxes on imports and exports as well as other laws that limited Port Cities like Boston from making money off their ports. Taxation without representation was the main factor which led the American colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain. The Sugar Act was the first in the series of British Colonial taxation acts that provided fuel for revolutionary mood in American colonies. Shortly thereafter came the British Stamp Act. This time the new tax burden took form of official stamps that colonists had to purchase and that were required for legal contracts, newspapers, and other official paperwork. The protests in the colonies started as the news broke. This led to the creation of The Sons of Liberty. Under John Adams they organized riots and violent attacks to intimidate tax collectors. The Sons of Liberty decided to harass a couple of British Soldiers Stationed at Boston. The Soldiers had no choice but to fire on the crowd killing a few people, this was called the Boston massacre. Later a British Official decided to confront John Hancock for smuggling tea. Later the sons of liberty destroyed an entire shipment of British tea. This Caused Great Britain to bring in even harsher laws. These included the following, British soldiers and officials are to be tried in a British Court and not in the colonies. British Soldiers are to quarter any houses they want and board in them without the permission of the owner. The Colonies were prohibited from having their own town council meetings. This caused the Colonist to form the Continental Congress. John Adams, who represented Massachusetts, tried to convince the rest of the colonist to fight but he had trouble convincing other colonies, mostly Pennsylvania. A few meetings later with the help of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, Thomas Jefferson Wrote the Declaration of Independence. After years of fighting the Parliament and the King finally recognized the colonies as their own separate country. Although, breaking from their mother-country would make The British Empire, the largest in the world at the time, become their enemies, the Colonies would be free of obeying any laws set out by the British, could create their own democracy and get France as an ally.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Delegation :: essays research papers
PAPER ON DELEGATION à à à à à Introduction on the inside view in the Wireless industry, from the management point in delegating part of their management responsibilities. Explain how delegation could be used more effectively in planning, organizing, leading or controlling within the wireless industry. Also I will describe what skill are necessary for effective delegation and how to structure delegation. Structuring Delegation ââ¬Å"The first step is to assess what decisions are made and who makes them, using not just your own judgments but the opinions of key managerial people and, more importantly, clerical people. Clerical people are the conduit through which most all-organizational information flows. If there are logjams, bottlenecks, or other problems keeping the organization from maximum effectiveness, they know. Ask in which areas you are helpful and in which areas you are part of the problem. You will be surprised at the perceptive responses. Some of them will directly confront your management style. Be objective and open to ideas in this step. Don't dismiss an idea too quickly because it involves the possibility of you having to change. Next, negotiate a small scope of delegated authority to a key person. Don't do this in five minutes. Take time to think it through as if you were the employee to which the authority was delegated. How would you like it to work?â⬠www.strategicdevelopment.com/georgesmartaugust2000.htm à à à à à In my store the manager has a chain of command that we follow in how we delegate responsibilities. Including an Assistant Store Manager, Operation Manager, Senior Sales Representative and Key holder, which is a senior representative that can perform al the duties above and act as the manager on duty when there is no manager around. I am going to explain some of the delegated duties of each position. The assistant store manger: Coach, develop and prepare sales team to meet and exceed defined sales, retention, quality, and service objectives. Manages the daily activities of all store staff, including sales, customer service, and inventory control. Design and implement initiatives and methods/procedures that will drive customer perception of company as the market leader in the wireless industry. The operation manager: responsible for managing and maintaining all inventory within the retail store, including phones, accessories, parts, and marketing materials; ensure physical and cycle count inventories are accurate and equipment is ready for issue on a first-in, first-out basis. The senior sales representative: serves as a multi-skilled member of the retail sales team. This position serves in a leadership capacity by meeting and exceeding sales and retention objectives.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Succubus Heat CHAPTER 9
I was starting to envy the teleportation that higher immortals used. I'd always complained about it in the past (it tended to be a bit disorienting), but suddenly, a spot of dizziness seemed trivial compared to doing the Vancouver-Seattle drive yet again. Annoying or not, I was anxious to talk to Jerome, so as soon as Cedric gave me leave to go home the next day, I hit the road back to the States. Isabelle had seemed convincing enough in denying her role in the Army's shenanigans, and both Carter and Cedric seemed certain she wasn't involved either. I couldn't dismiss any leads here, however, not when my permanent return to Seattle was on the line and certainly not when someone was actually messing with Seattle itself. Isabelle might truly be innocent, but I wasn't going to shut the door on this until I'd run it by Jerome. ââ¬Å"It seems like you're here more than you are there,â⬠noted Hugh when I called to tell him I was back in town. ââ¬Å"Doesn't really seem like you're being punished all that much.â⬠ââ¬Å"Punishment's subjective. Do you know where Jerome's at?â⬠ââ¬Å"Last I knew, he was meeting someone.â⬠ââ¬Å"The Cellar?â⬠ââ¬Å"Mmm, noâ⬠¦that new bar in Capitol Hill. Clement's.â⬠ââ¬Å"Is he going to be mad if I show up while he's at a lunch meeting?â⬠ââ¬Å"If he doesn't want to be interrupted, you won't be able to find him.â⬠Fair point. Without going home, I drove straight to Capitol Hill, finding street parking that wasn't actually too far from Cody and Peter's apartment. Clement's was a new place that had gone in recently, a bit sleeker and trendier than the Cellar, which was a divey haunt in Pioneer Square we immortals often frequented. Clement's had the same upscale feel and designer drink menu that Mark's had had, and I had a hard time convincing myself that a drink probably wasn't the best idea while I was here in the midst of demonic business. I spotted Jerome right away. He was at a back table, facing the doorway. His eyes met mine as I approached, my signature declaring my presence, just as his came through to me. Only, his wasn't the only immortal aura there. I recognized the bearer's identity before the woman seated across from him even turned around. Nanette. I came to a stop by their table, speechless more from surprise than fear. Jerome and Nanette together? When had this come about? There was a sly smile on her face, like she was in on some joke the rest of us weren't. She had on another cute sundress, lavender silk that looked great with her blond hair, though the spring weather didn't quite seem warm enough for it yet. Of course, when you were a demon, I supposed the fires of Hell kept you warm. ââ¬Å"Georgie,â⬠said Jerome, not unpleasantly, ââ¬Å"it seems like you're here more than you are in Vancouver.â⬠ââ¬Å"Cedric sent me home. He doesn't seem to want me around if I'm not doing something specific.â⬠Nanette chuckled and paused to take a drink of what looked like a Lemon Drop martini. ââ¬Å"I imagine so, after that spectacle yesterday. Brilliant work, I might add.â⬠I grimaced, deciding to out myself and risk losing Jerome's regard. ââ¬Å"I actually didn't have anything to do with that. They did it without telling me.â⬠Jerome didn't seem to mind. ââ¬Å"That footage is all over YouTube. I've watched it a hundred times.â⬠This whole thing was so confusing. Jerome ostensibly wanted me to help Cedric unravel the cult, yet my boss clearly took great pleasure in seeing the progress stall out. Again I felt like I was missing a piece of the picture here, making me even less secure about my position. ââ¬Å"Look,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"I don't want to interrupt your drinks. I'd just been hoping to chat with Jerome, but I can find you later.â⬠Nanette downed her martini and stood up. ââ¬Å"No, no. We're finished here. Have my seat.â⬠I was hesitant, but she was insistent, and Jerome didn't appear to be too put out at her departure. She walked out of the bar like a normal human, not bothering with any elaborate teleportation-at least not while others could see her. He gestured toward her chair, and I sat down. ââ¬Å"So, what can I do for you, Georgie?â⬠Jerome was drinking brandy, something more suited to a night by the fire than a Sunday afternoon. ââ¬Å"You were hanging out with Nanette?â⬠I asked, momentarily putting Isabelle on hold. ââ¬Å"As you saw.â⬠ââ¬Å"I told you about her meeting with Cedric.â⬠ââ¬Å"And?â⬠ââ¬Å"And, doesn't it seem weird that she's meeting with each of you behind the other's back?â⬠ââ¬Å"It's not behind anyone's back,â⬠he countered. ââ¬Å"I know she met with Cedric, and she knows I know.â⬠Isabelle was moving farther and farther to the back burner of my mind. Suddenly, it all seemed perfectly obvious. Isabelle had denied being the angel because she didn't want her situation to change. Nanette, however, did want change. She wanted to stop feeling like Cedric and Jerome were eyeing her territory and squeezing her between them. She'd claimed her meeting with Cedric was defensive on her part, yet I couldn't help but wonder if she might be more on the offensive than any of us realized. ââ¬Å"Georgie,â⬠said Jerome dryly. ââ¬Å"I can see those wheels in your head spinning. What are you thinking?â⬠Starting with the meeting at Tim Hortons, I gave Jerome a full report of my experiences with the Army and the theories I'd put together about the Angel of Darkness being a literal angel-Isabelle. ââ¬Å"Ridiculous,â⬠said Jerome. ââ¬Å"It's not her.â⬠ââ¬Å"You sound just as certain as Cedric did.â⬠He shrugged, almost looking embarrassed to have agreed with his rival. ââ¬Å"Because she's not running any cult. I've met her. She's not the type.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, I'm actually starting to agree.â⬠I took a deep breath and pushed forward. ââ¬Å"I don't suppose it's occurred to either of you that Nanette could be the one behind this?â⬠Jerome's face grew even more incredulous. ââ¬Å"Nanette? Georgie, this is out there, even for you.â⬠ââ¬Å"What, demons eyeing each other's territories? Come on, Jerome. That's not out there at all! It's what you and Cedric were-maybe still are-doing for each other. If something blows up, Nanette's in a far better position to benefit from it than Isabelle would. Nanette's running to both of you, claiming she's worried about the other when really, she's playing you both off each other.â⬠Jerome rolled the brandy in his glass. ââ¬Å"And let me guess: she's blond too, like this alleged golden-haired angel.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wellâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ He sighed, took a last swig of the brandy, and set the glass down hard. ââ¬Å"Not that I have any reason to explain our goings-on to you, but here it is. Nanette doesn't have the balls to try something like that. Oh, sure, some of your points are correct. This wouldn't be unreasonable demon behavior, particularly one feeling threatened. But not her. She might want to do something like this, but she won't. She's a lot of talk but not much on action.â⬠I didn't usually get answers that detailed from Jerome and was a bit taken aback. ââ¬Å"You're certain?â⬠ââ¬Å"I am,â⬠he said firmly. A waiter delivered a new glass of brandy. ââ¬Å"Leave her and Isabelle behind. Find some other reason for what this absurd group's doing. Barring that, disband them like you're supposed to. And barring that , do give me some credit that I can take care of my affairs without a succubus' help.â⬠I left not long after that, leaving Jerome to drink alone. As I pushed the door open, I glanced back and studied him. His face was momentarily unguarded, troubled as he stared into the depths of his glass. He seemed very alone, literally and figuratively, despite his bold words. I felt a strange pang in my chest, a bit of sorrow over what was undoubtedly an eternity of torment made worse when complications like our current ones ensued. But then, maybe these bursts of demonic drama helped break up the monotony. I considered errands after that but decided heading straight home sounded best. My phone rang just I stepped into my apartment. I kicked the door closed with my foot while my free hand dug through the depths of my purse. Doug's number showed on the caller ID. ââ¬Å"Is everything okay?â⬠I asked as soon as I answered. ââ¬Å"You know what's sad here, Kincaid? You aren't asking if I'm okay. You saw my number, assumed there was some crisis at work, and want to know if the store's okay.â⬠ââ¬Å"Your point?â⬠ââ¬Å"The store's fine. I wanted to know if you're in town. Maddie made it sound like you can cross time and space now and be everywhere all the time.â⬠ââ¬Å"I wish I could, but yeah, I'm at home. What's up?â⬠ââ¬Å"You going to Casey's party?â⬠ââ¬Å"Casey's what?â⬠Even as I spoke the words, I remembered Casey pulling me aside in the store and asking if I'd attend her graduation party. ââ¬Å"Ugh. That's today, isn't it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yup. You want me to pick you up?â⬠ââ¬Å"Doug, I don't think I can go. In fact, I even told her I couldn't.â⬠ââ¬Å"Right. Tell me right now, immediately, what you have to do instead.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, I, uh-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Too slow. You have nothing going on.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm just not in a party mood.â⬠ââ¬Å"The beauty of that is that when people aren't in party moods, that's actually when they need a party the most.â⬠ââ¬Å"Doug-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Come on! How can you not acknowledge the achievements of some brainiac math major who's graduating early, for fuck's sake?â⬠ââ¬Å"Latvian.â⬠ââ¬Å"What?â⬠ââ¬Å"Math and Latvian. Dual majors.â⬠ââ¬Å"You're making my point for me. It would be sad and wrong if we didn't help her celebrate. She overcame a life of adversity, coming to this country in the hopes of making a better life for herself and her family.â⬠ââ¬Å"Doug, she's, like, fourth generation. Her dad's a neurosurgeon.â⬠ââ¬Å"Come on! Maddie's gotta stay and close, so I have no one to go with. That, and it's kind of creepy how I've been going to social events with my sister lately. I need you to make me look like a man again.â⬠ââ¬Å"Doug-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"See you in five minutes, Kincaid.â⬠I knew how Doug could be in these moods. He wasn't kidding about showing up in five minutes, and he was also right that I had nothing else to do. With so little time, I simply shape-shifted into a plain gray skirt and black blouse that seemed appropriate for a graduation party. While rustling around for a blank card that I could stick a check into, I dialed Dante to let him know I was in town and to see if he wanted to come with us. Like usual lately, I went to his voice mail. What was it with me and unreliable men? I'd had trouble getting a hold of Seth when we dated because he was always caught up writing. Now I had trouble getting a hold of Dante becauseâ⬠¦well, because he was unreliable. I left Casey's address with the message and hurried to get ready. I'd wanted to wear Dante's watch but couldn't find it before Doug showed up-honestly, it had been more like four minutes-so I ended up just running out the door without accessories. Casey's family lived over in Clyde Hill, a beautiful lakeside suburb befitting a neurosurgeon's family. The party had been going on for about an hour when we arrived, and we found their expansive backyard filled with music, food, and people. Dusk was falling, and the soft glow of lanterns strung along trees and the fence line gave everything a sort of elfin mystique. We paused at the yard's entry, assessing our surroundings and looking for others we knew. ââ¬Å"This is kind of wholesome for me,â⬠Doug noted. ââ¬Å"There are kids here.â⬠ââ¬Å"Of course there are. This is a graduation party, not one of your after-show keggers.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, hey,â⬠he said brightly. ââ¬Å"There's a bartender. Looks like this'll be tolerably wholesome.â⬠Casey found us getting drinks and threw her arms around both of us in a massive double hug. ââ¬Å"Oh! You guys came! Thanks so much.â⬠She was aglow with excitement and energy and could barely stay still. She accepted my card with another hug, told us to let her know if we needed anything, and then dashed off when she saw her great aunt from Idaho arrive. ââ¬Å"Wow. All this kind of makes me wish I'd stayed in college,â⬠Doug mused. A few of our coworkers waved at us from the far side of the yard, and we began winding our way toward them. ââ¬Å"Yup. You could have had all this fun waiting for you after school.â⬠He grimaced. ââ¬Å"The problem is, I was having all this fun during school.â⬠The other bookstore staff were happy to see us, and we all fell into comfortable conversation that varied from the party itself to shop talk from work. Casey's family had spared no expense, and waiters came around with various types of finger food. None of us had eaten dinner, so we practically devoured the trays and probably looked like savages in our corner. I was contemplating a second drink when Beth suddenly said, ââ¬Å"Oh, hey. Seth and Maddie are here.â⬠I stiffened. One of the reasons I'd answered the door when Doug came to pick me up was that he'd said Maddie was closing. Knowing I'd get a reprieve from her and Seth had made this prospect bearable, but apparently, there'd been some sort of incorrect intel afoot. I did an immediate 180, hoping I had misheard Beth. Nope. There they were: Seth and Maddie. Worse, Seth's little niece Kayla was with them. She was the youngest of his brother's girls, four years old with blue eyes and a mop of blond curls. I'd recently discovered that Kayla had the makings of a psychic and was able to sense the unseen world, much as Dante or my friend Erik could. She was a long way from having their skills or having any idea what they meant yet. For now, she was just a happy little girl-albeit a very quiet one-and seeing her with Seth and Maddie jerked painfully at my heartstrings. ââ¬Å"I thought you said she was closing,â⬠I hissed to Doug. He didn't notice the upset tone in my voice and read it as surprise. ââ¬Å"I thought so. Maybe she got Janice to do it. I know she's been giving her more and more responsibility. Makes me wonder about my own job security.â⬠The bookstore gang greeted the newcomers with cheering. Kayla broke from her guides and, to my astonishment, ran over to me. ââ¬Å"Georgina!â⬠I scooped her up, and that dark, angry serpent within me settled down a little. Not only had Kayla sought me out, she'd also spoken-a rarity. I hugged her to me, and with her in my arms, it suddenly seemed as though all had to be right in the world. ââ¬Å"You've got a fan, Kincaid,â⬠laughed Doug. He winked at her. She gave him a shy smile in return and then turned back to me and rested her head on my shoulder. ââ¬Å"She spoke,â⬠said Maddie in wonder. Maddie knew I'd been friends with the Mortensens and thought nothing of me knowing the girls. ââ¬Å"An entire soliloquy,â⬠I laughed. ââ¬Å"We're watching her while the others are at a school play,â⬠explained Seth. ââ¬Å"This party's unreal,â⬠said Maddie, gazing around at all the fanfare. ââ¬Å"Does anyone know why she dual-majored in Latvian?â⬠ââ¬Å"Blow-off major?â⬠suggested Beth. ââ¬Å"Anthropology and Women's Studies are blow-off majors,â⬠said Doug. ââ¬Å"Not Latvian.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠said Maddie, elbowing her brother. She often wrote freelance articles for feminist magazines. ââ¬Å"Hey, don't take it out on me. I'll never forget you taking that class called Evolution of the Dress.â⬠ââ¬Å"It was harder than you think!â⬠The rest of us watched the Sato siblings with amusement, and to my dismay, so did Seth. I guess I'd kind of hoped he'd be shooting furtive, longing glances at me. Instead, he watched Maddie almostâ⬠¦fondly. Like he found her smart and funny-which she was, of course. He was watching her the way any guy would watch his girlfriend. ââ¬Å"Hey,â⬠I said to Doug. ââ¬Å"Why don't you stop annoying your sister and go get us a refill?â⬠ââ¬Å"You're a bad role model for the kid,â⬠he warned. But he took my cup anyway and headed for the bar. If anything, it seemed me holding Kayla gave Seth and Maddie a chance to be more affectionate. They held hands. So, I paid more attention to Kayla, snagging novel appetizers as they went by and explaining to her what quiche and brie were. Once Doug returned with my drink, I took it down pretty rapidly, still conscious of the fact that I held a child. When I'd finished my third, I knew enough to hand her off. Maddie took her by the hand and led her to look at a koi pond on the far side of the yard. This left me alone with the others, and whether it was alcohol or succubus charisma or just a desire to show up Maddie, I found myself coming to life. I joked and talked to everyone, making sure each person was included in the conversation. I saw them all light up, caught up in the aura of comfort and good cheer I created. Maybe I had ulterior motives, but despite that, I actually enjoyed myself. It had been awhile since I'd been able to just have a fun, effortless social encounter. When Maddie returned, however, I decided it was time for my fourth drink. I headed across the yard, graceful in spite of the alcohol. While waiting in line, the guy behind me struck up conversation. ââ¬Å"I've seen you somewhere.â⬠I glanced up at him. He was tall, late thirties, and had bronzed hair. I gave him a winning smile. ââ¬Å"That's a very bad pick-up line.â⬠ââ¬Å"No, I'm serious.â⬠He frowned. ââ¬Å"In the paperâ⬠¦were you in some sort of date auction?â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh my God. You do recognize me.â⬠Through Hugh's machinations, I'd participated in a charity date auction last December. I'd ended up going for an obscene amount of money and had made the paper. ââ¬Å"If I remember, you did a lot for that charity.â⬠ââ¬Å"What can I say? I love kids.â⬠Our turns came, and we each got new drinks. Stepping off to the side, we continued our conversation. ââ¬Å"I don't suppose,â⬠he said, ââ¬Å"that I'd have to pay that much for a date?â⬠ââ¬Å"You're asking me out?â⬠ââ¬Å"Seeing you in person? Yeah. I kind of understand the price now.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wow, you don't waste time on formalities.â⬠He shrugged. ââ¬Å"I don't have time to. Too busy with work.â⬠Ah. One of those guys. I didn't have Hugh's ability to see souls, but something told me I wouldn't get an enormous energy fix from this guy. Of course, just then, it didn't matter. I was drunk and distressed and a sleazy guy seemed just like what I needed right then, no matter how inappropriate the setting. In fact, the inappropriateness kind of added to it. ââ¬Å"No, not that much. Though to tell you the truth, I'm kind of busy myself. I don't like to waste time on something that's going to fizzle out. I'm sort of a try-before-you-buy girl.â⬠He studied me very carefully, face serious. ââ¬Å"What exactly do you have in mind?â⬠I inclined my head toward the house. ââ¬Å"They must have a bathroom in there.â⬠As expected, he didn't take much coaxing. The house was wide open to anyone who needed to get in there, and we passed wait staff moving in and out as we sought one of the house's many bathrooms. We finally ended up at a small one on the second floor that was adjacent to a guest room. It didn't look like it saw much use, and as soon as we shut the door, we were all over each other. He'd told me along the way that his name was Wes and that he had some sort of corporate position in a bank downtown. I'm not sure why he was trying to impress me, seeing as I'd made this painfully easy for him, but I appreciated the weak effort anyway. My biggest concern was his relationship to the family, but it turned out he was a friend of a friend of a business associate, so I had little worry about this getting back to Casey. My skirt came off almost immediately, followed by a rapid unbuttoning of my blouse that pulled off a button. It skittered across the floor, lost forever. He left the blouse itself on, simply hanging open, and ran his hands over my body, taking in the black lace bra and matching panties. ââ¬Å"Good God,â⬠he breathed. ââ¬Å"You might be worth more than that auction price.â⬠ââ¬Å"I'm not a call girl,â⬠I snapped, irritated for some reason I couldn't entirely understand. ââ¬Å"And make this fast. My friends are going to be waiting for me.â⬠Wes seemed a little surprised that I wasn't fawning all over him, but he didn't argue. His pants and briefs came off next, and he grabbed a hold of my hips, tilting me so that I sat on the edge of the counter, with my body at an angle and my head and shoulders against the mirror. The counter and his height lined up perfectly, and a moment later, he was in me, neither rough nor gentle, just somewhere in the middle. It was a little boring, actually, like he couldn't quite make up his mind and take a stand. But as he gripped my ankles and held my legs up, the pace steadily increased, and I saw sweat break out along his brow. The life energy seeping into me was moderate, just like everything else about this tryst, but compared to Dante, it was fairly significant. That energy made up for the rest of it, and when he came with a primal sort of grunt, that burst of life coursed into me in its entirety. Like fine tendrils of light, it raced through my body, reinvigorating me and making me strong. He staggered back, and I hopped down off the counter to quickly put my clothes back on. ââ¬Å"Wow,â⬠he gasped. ââ¬Å"That was-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Do not say worth the money,â⬠I warned. ââ¬Å"Particularly since you didn't pay.â⬠He shut up, and I smiled. With a quick kiss on the cheek, I moved over to the door. ââ¬Å"Thanks,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"It was fun.â⬠He fumbled for his underwear. ââ¬Å"You want to go out sometime?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nope.â⬠I left him to get dressed, discreetly closing the door behind me and remembering to take my drink with me. No one was upstairs, so our encounter had gone unnoticed-or so I thought. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I nearly walked right into Seth. ââ¬Å"Oh my God,â⬠he said, giving me a once over. ââ¬Å"You really did it?â⬠ââ¬Å"Did what?â⬠I asked in a saccharine voice. ââ¬Å"You know what. You've got that-that glow. That, and you're missing a button.â⬠I glanced down at the guilty gap in the blouse and shape-shifted it to its former state. ââ¬Å"There. Good as new.â⬠He shook his head, keeping his voice low so we wouldn't be overheard. ââ¬Å"I didn't really believe you'd do it. I saw you walk off with him and thought, ââ¬ËNo, she wouldn't. Not here.' So I came over and-ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"You what? Came to stop me?â⬠I couldn't help an incredulous laugh. ââ¬Å"Seth, what I do or don't do is none of your business.â⬠ââ¬Å"What about Dante? You just cheated on him.â⬠ââ¬Å"I cheat on all my boyfriends. Did you forget? It's what I do.â⬠ââ¬Å"You didn't need the energy fix. I could tell.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but I wanted the energy fix. What are you, jealous?â⬠ââ¬Å"What happened to you?â⬠he demanded, evading my question. ââ¬Å"How did you change so much? You're better than this.â⬠ââ¬Å"I've always been like this. You were just too starstruck to notice.â⬠I turned and left him, heading back out to our friends, making sure I neatened up my appearance in tiny increments as I walked. The alcohol was really kicking in at this point, but I was pretty sure I still managed to walk without looking obviously drunk. When I reached the group, Kayla gestured to be picked up again. I was a little hesitant, but she seemed so insistent that I handed my drink to Doug and lifted her into my arms again. Mercifully, I didn't fall over. She studied me with those big blue eyes, and I wondered what she sensed. Something about her gaze affected me in a way that Seth's chastising hadn't. I felt bad for what I'd done. Dirty. Cheap. ââ¬Å"She sure does like you,â⬠said Maddie. ââ¬Å"And you're great with her too. You should have kids of your own.â⬠I ran a hand over Kayla's fine hair, recalling the dreams Nyx had sent me while she'd stolen my energy. They'd all shown an impossible future, me with a daughter and husband. ââ¬Å"Can't,â⬠I said. ââ¬Å"Doug would be lousy at child support.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, be quiet,â⬠he snapped back good-naturedly. I think he'd been drinking as much as me by now. Seth returned just then and touched Maddie's arm, his expression grim. ââ¬Å"We should head off. Terry and the others will be back, and Kayla's probably getting tired.â⬠Maddie's face fell a little. ââ¬Å"Already?â⬠It was the first time in their idyllic relationship that I'd ever seen signs of clouds. ââ¬Å"We need to get her back,â⬠Seth reiterated mildly. ââ¬Å"And I've got a chapter to write.â⬠She rolled her eyes. ââ¬Å"Ah. Now the truth comes out.â⬠Interesting. Maddie had to put up with the same stuff I had. ââ¬Å"Stay,â⬠Doug told her. ââ¬Å"I'll give you a ride.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, like I'd trust you behind a wheel right now.â⬠ââ¬Å"Then you drive me and Kincaid home, and Mortensen can go now.â⬠They all finally decided that was a good idea. As Seth and Kayla were about to go, Maddie suddenly did a double-take. ââ¬Å"Oh! Wait. You have to give Georgina her present.â⬠I blinked. ââ¬Å"Present?â⬠Seth's face turned almost- almost -mischievous, though he was still clearly bothered by what had taken place in the house. ââ¬Å"Uh, yeah. I just got a box of advanced copies of the next Cady and O'Neill book and wondered if you wanted one.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I stopped, unsure what to say. Maddie laughed. ââ¬Å"You've been the belle of the ball all night, and this is what makes you speechless?â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey, it's not that easy. I meanâ⬠¦this is Cady and O'Neill. You know how I feel about them. I've sort of accepted that I wouldn't get to read their next installment until October. If I get it now, my whole universe will be thrown out of whack.â⬠ââ¬Å"So you don't want it?â⬠asked Seth. ââ¬Å"Oh, I want it. Just seemsâ⬠¦I don't know. It feels like cheating.â⬠ââ¬Å"They're in the car right now,â⬠teased Maddie in a singsong voice. ââ¬Å"Sure you don't want one?â⬠I looked at Seth's smile, and something weird passed between us. I could hardly believe that minutes ago, we'd been fighting in the house. The looks we exchanged, the way I feltâ⬠¦it was almost like it used to be. I hastily turned away. ââ¬Å"Yes,â⬠I groaned. ââ¬Å"Of course I do.â⬠Seth said good-bye to the rest of the bookstore gang and tried to find Casey, but she was surrounded by a throng of relatives. Giving up, he led me out of the yard to where he'd parked a block or so away. Kayla was still in my arms. None of us spoke, and it was just as well because my feelings were all tangled up. Every post-breakup interaction between us had been angry or painfully tense lately. Yet, in these last few moments, things had become almost comfortable again. Was it possible we'd ever move past this phase? Could the pain I'd gone through with him really ease up so quickly? He unlocked the car and got the book for me. I hoped I didn't gape like a schoolgirl when I saw it. All Fools Night . The cover showed the skyline of Washington, DC, blurred like a Renoir painting and overlaid with dark indigo. All sorts of warnings about it being an advanced copy and not for sale were on it, but I paid those no heed. I didn't want to sell it. I wanted to read it. Now. When I dragged my eyes up from the cover, Seth regarded me with happy amusement. ââ¬Å"I can't believe you're really that excited.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why wouldn't I be? And why are you surprised? Lots of people love your books.â⬠He shook his head. ââ¬Å"Yeahâ⬠¦but it's still surreal to think that I can write something-create something-that affects people so strongly that they get an emotional involvement with what I've pulled from my head. And to realize that someone I know personallyâ⬠¦knowing it affects you like thatâ⬠¦well, like I said, surreal.â⬠The sweet, earnest look in his eyes was making butterflies dance in my stomach, so I hastily looked back at the cover. I almost wished we'd start fighting again. ââ¬Å"Sethâ⬠¦whyâ⬠¦why are you doing this?â⬠ââ¬Å"Giving you the book?â⬠He was puzzled. ââ¬Å"No, I meanâ⬠¦being nice. And worrying about me back there.â⬠ââ¬Å"You don't think I'm normally nice?â⬠I looked back up and sighed. ââ¬Å"You know what I mean. We've been avoiding each other since New Year's, and when we have been together, it's been disastrous. Yet, here you are bringing me thisâ⬠¦I just don't understand it. Was it Maddie's idea?â⬠He stared at me for a long time, or at least it felt like it. A chill ran down my spine, and for a second, I felt disoriented, like I was in this time and another, reliving the same moment over again. ââ¬Å"No. I did it because hate shouldn't last forever,â⬠he said finally, voice soft. ââ¬Å"Because eventually, you have to forgive. You can't just stop caring orâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ He didn't finish the phrase. ââ¬Å"I think we'll always have a connection, no matter where we go or what we do. And if so, I'd like us to be friends.â⬠For the second time that night, I was speechless. There were a hundred things that would have made good responses. Telling him I agreed. Telling him I forgave him. Telling him I wanted us to be friends too. Yet, I couldn't muster those words, and I never had a chance to ponder exactly why because Kayla suddenly jerked in my arms, coming awake with wide-eyed alacrity. ââ¬Å"Hey,â⬠a voice called to us. We turned. Dante was about half a block away and walking toward us. With each step, Kayla recoiled further and further from his approach. Dante's lifetime of power-seeking and wicked deeds had left a taint on him, one that Kayla could sense the way she could sense my aura. I didn't entirely know what it felt like for her, but it couldn't be good. ââ¬Å"Here,â⬠I said to Seth. ââ¬Å"Trade me.â⬠Kayla went to him eagerly, and he handed over the book just as Dante reached us. He put an arm around me and kissed my cheek. ââ¬Å"Got your message and thought I'd come by. Hey,â⬠he said, by way of greeting to Seth. Seth nodded back, and whatever fragile companionship he and I had been rebuilding disappeared. Eager to distract, I employed the conversational gift I allegedly had. ââ¬Å"Seth was leaving and just had to get this book for me.â⬠I held it up as explanation. ââ¬Å"How was work?â⬠Dante kept his arm around me in a way that was almost proprietary. He'd always regarded my past with Seth nonchalantly, but I think me being so deeply involved with someone bothered him sometimes. His eyes lighted on Kayla for a moment. She was trying so hard to keep away from him that she was practically crawling off Seth. Mortal magic and abilities varied considerably, but I imagined Dante must be able to sense her too. A ghost of a smile crossed his lips, and then he turned his attention back to me. ââ¬Å"Slow, as usual. I did get a couple of high teens wanting Tarot.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh, lord. Your favorite kind of teens.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yup. Never questioned the price. I don't even know if they comprehended the fortune, to be honest.â⬠ââ¬Å"You didn't tell them about tree frogs, did you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Tree frogs?â⬠asked Seth. ââ¬Å"Yeah, Dante had these kids on acid come in once, and as part of their reading, he told them to beware of tree frogs.â⬠Grinning, Dante shook his head at the memory. ââ¬Å"Shit, that freaked them out. You should have seen them when they left the store. They were practically crouching on the ground, looking up everywhere, peering at every window and telephone wire. That would have almost been compensation enough.â⬠The image always made me laugh. ââ¬Å"But not this time?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nah, this group was just sluggish and out of it. On the bright side, they paid me ten dollars for a bag of Doritos I had sitting around. Gotta love kids spending their allowance.â⬠Dante and I were both amused by his clients' antics, but glancing over, I saw that Seth was not. Something cold clenched inside me, and I could suddenly see us through his eyes. He didn't really find taking advantage of teens under the influence of drugs funny, whether it was monetarily or psychologically. When I'd first met Dante, I'd actually been appalled by the charlatan side of his business. When had I come to accept it? When had I come to enjoy it? I felt ashamed all of a sudden and hated what Seth must think of me. Then, I became angry for feeling that way, for letting myself feel judged. He had no power over me anymore. It didn't matter what he thought. The last of the coziness between us shattered, and I felt my icy exterior slip into place. I moved closer to Dante, and Seth's body language told me he'd seen the transformation I'd just undergone. ââ¬Å"Well, you guys probably need to go,â⬠I said abruptly. ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠Seth said uncomfortably. ââ¬Å"I guess we'll see you later.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thanks for the book.â⬠He merely nodded and then turned to put Kayla into her car seat. Her eyes met mine and I waved a good-bye, but the look of horror on her face never faltered. I knew it was for Dante, not me, but it hurt nonetheless. Dante wanted to head home and had mostly come to give me a ride. By that point, I felt weary and emotionally disoriented. Home sounded good. We went back inside to drop off my glass and tell Doug I was leaving. Doug looked about as thrilled to see Dante as Seth had, but he said nothing that wasn't in his usual jovial style. On the drive home, I stared vacantly out the window and ran my hands over the book's cover. ââ¬Å"You were kind of chummy back there,â⬠noted Dante. ââ¬Å"Huh?â⬠ââ¬Å"With Mortensen. I felt like I was interrupting something.â⬠ââ¬Å"Oh. No. I just got kind of giddy over the book. You know how much I like them.â⬠We came to a red light, and he glanced down at the cover. ââ¬Å"Advanced copy? We could make a lot of money on eBay.â⬠ââ¬Å"Dante!â⬠ââ¬Å"Just a joke, succubus. Well, kind of. If you ever wanted to work your wiles on him and get more books, you could start a little side business.â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't need any extra cash. And my wiles are no good. Things are done. He and Maddie are happy.â⬠ââ¬Å"That doesn't mean anything. You don't think he still wants you? You don't think he'd sleep with you if he could?â⬠ââ¬Å"Why do you assume the worst about everyone?â⬠ââ¬Å"Because it's always true. I'm trying to break you of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses.â⬠He paused while we merged onto the freeway and headed back toward the city. ââ¬Å"And he can want you all he wants. I don't care, as long as you don't want him back.â⬠ââ¬Å"There you go again, acting jealous.â⬠I tried to keep my voice teasing in order to deflect how close he'd hit to home. ââ¬Å"I thought you didn't care who else I slept with.â⬠ââ¬Å"I don't. Just so long as you don't like them better than me.â⬠I laughed and left that as my response, indicating how foolish a notion I thought it was. And yet, as we rode back in silence, I found myself hugging the book closer and closer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)