The On Video Clip ( S ) - 2073 Words

1. Other than what is stated in the lesson plan(s), what occurred immediately prior to and after the video clip(s) that is important to know in order to understand and interpret the interactions between and among you and your students? Please provide any other information needed to interpret the events and interactions in the video clip(s). Prior to the start of my video segment, my students had just come back from P.E class. Most of them were tired and sweaty and were having a hard time focusing. I allowed students to get drinks of water quickly before the bell rang and then started the period by correcting homework from the previous night. During the correcting process, students were expected to provide me with their answers and also a rationale as to why they solved that problem the way they did. Once all questions had been answered and students felt comfortable moving on, they were asked to take out their â€Å"focus sheets† to begin working on their warm-ups. Said focus sheets require students to write down a â€Å"focus† question about the unit and to record relevant vocabulary definitions from the section. On this particular day, there were no new vocabulary words. Typically, students are expected to write down the textbook definition of any vocabulary words, restate said definition in their own wo rds and draw a representation of such. Immediately after my video segment ended, the students were given their homework for the day. They then had about thirty seconds to collectShow MoreRelatedAnalyzing The Video Clip ( S ) Essay1483 Words   |  6 Pages1. Which lesson or lessons are shown in the video clip(s)? Identify the lesson(s) by lesson plan number. [ EdTPA Lesson plans 1 and 2 are shown in the video clips.] 2. Promoting a Positive Learning Environment Refer to scenes in the video clip(s) where you provided a safe, respectful, and organized learning environment. a. Describe how you provided a positive, low-risk emotionally and physically safe environment. [ I promote a positive, low-risk and emotionally and physically safe environment inRead MoreLessons From The Video Clip ( S ) Essay1888 Words   |  8 PagesWhich lesson or lessons are shown in the video clip(s)? Identify the lesson(s) by lesson plan number. [ EdTPA Lesson plans 1 and 2 are shown in the video clips.] 2. Promoting a Positive Learning Environment Refer to scenes in the video clip(s) where you provided a safe, respectful, and organized learning environment. a. Describe how you provided a positive, low-risk emotionally and physically safe environment. [ I promote a positive, low-risk and emotionally and physically safe environment in manyRead MoreLesson Plan For The Classroom Essay882 Words   |  4 Pagespage total. 1. Which lesson or lessons are shown in the clip(s)? Identify the lesson(s) by lesson plan number. Describe any changes in the lesson plans for the lessons shown in the clip(s) and the reasons for those changes. [ Lesson plan 1(one) is shown in the video. ] 2. If applicable, provide any additional information (beyond that provided in Planning Task 1) needed to understand the learning environment or interactions seen in each clip. a. Identify the district, school, cooperating teacher,Read MoreRationale And Hypotheses : Police Manuals : Criminal Deception And Deception1208 Words   |  5 PagesSpecifically, the participants saw 50 video clips of 50 different individuals (23 women and 27 men). 15 of the clips included suspects accused of crimes, like rape, murder, arson, and theft. 11 of the clips consisted of married individuals. 14 clips showed undergraduate and graduate students. The remaining 10 clips consisted of business owners. The individuals in the clips were all different, thus no one individual showed up more than once. The individuals in the video clips were asked to answer questionsRead MoreMy First Year Of An Infant s Gross Motor Skill1095 Words   |  5 Pagesare head control, segmental rolling, sitting, crawling, standing and walking. Each milestone is then broken down into phases to show the progression of the gross motor skill and when each phase typically occurs. Each milestone is accompanie d by a video clip that demonstrates the progression of the milestone. Why the topic was chosen I chose motor development in infants from birth to one year because I have always been interested infants. I also have two children age 1 and 2 which makes me even moreRead MoreLoftus And Palmer Reconstruction Of Eyewitness Testimony1647 Words   |  7 Pages1974 ‘Reconstruction of Automobile Destruction’ which tested the hypothesis that an eyewitness testimony can be altered by the type of language used. To test this, Loftus and Palmer designed two experiments where the participants viewed a series of videos portraying automobile accidents and were then asked to answer specially designed questions based on the events just witnessed. The first experiment consisted of forty-five students and were split into five groups who were all exposed to diverse conditionsRead MoreThe World Of Social Media Sites981 Words   |  4 Pagesapp; Instagram can only be downloaded from the IOS market or the android market. IG short for Instagram is a way to take photos and share your momen ts from your phone. Instagram allows the user to post photos and video onto their home feed so friends can view and like their photo or video. To get started with Instagram all you need is a email from any platform and a password, it’s one of the most simple apps you will find. Once you have an account, you can notify your friends straight from yourRead MoreTranscendentalism : Henry David Thoreau And Ralph Waldo Emerson847 Words   |  4 Pagesour video clips and music. We used clip converter to download our videos and music from youtube. The workload was split between us taking turns finding quotes, movie clips, and pictures. Jordan: Ethan and I did this project on freedom. We had struggles with getting the movie clips to download. This was the biggest problem of this project. My job in this group was to set up the first half of the imovie, putting in quotes, pictures, and movie clips. I think that we should have a few more videos inRead MoreAnalysis Of Coco Fusco And Gomez Pena s Satirical Piece Essay1524 Words   |  7 PagesCoco Fusco and Gomez-Pena’s satirical piece was designed to exhibit â€Å"[the] Western concept of the exotic, primitive Other[s]† and even implicitly demean how Westerners view the â€Å"Others†(143) . While Fusco’s live performance was the actual reactions of the audience, but Fusco’s video â€Å"The Couple in the Cage† had other factors that gave the watchers a different view of the satirical piece. But, Fusco does not examine the role of her editorial decisions which leading the watchers into her own bias viewsRead MoreInvestigating The Ability Of A Controlled Variable1055 Words   |  5 Pageswith transitivity as well as consistency. II. Rationale for the Study The authors pursued this study to experiment with a controlled variable. The authors suggested that presently there were three main research studies conducted to test children s ability to answer questions, but the experimental methods differed. As a result of these differences, the experiments could not be compared or determined to be reliable. The Matthews et al. (2006) study tested the children using a (â€Å"What happened?†)

How did pop art challenge beleifs in consumerism Essay

How did pop art challenge beleifs in consumerism Introduction: In order to discuss pop art I have chosen to examine the work and to some extent lives of Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol who were two of the main forces behind the American movement. I intend to reflect the attitudes of the public and artists in America at this time, while examining the growing popularity of pop art from its rocky, abstract expressionist start in the 1950s through the height of consumer culture in the 60s and 70s to the present day. Roy Liechtenstein, (fig 1) was born in 1923 into to a middle class Hungarian family living in New York, there was no artists on either side of his family and throughout Liechtenstein’s schooling there were no art†¦show more content†¦He continued his education at the Carnegie Institute in Pennsylvania graduating with a BA in Fine Art. Warhol moved to New York in 1948-49 where he started work as a graphic designer, creating adverts for fashion magazines such as Glamour, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. Andy Warhol shot to fame and soon became highly respected as a commercial artist. †Tina Fredrick, then art director of Glamour† says â€Å"She was thrilled by Andy’s drawings but could not find a commercial use for them. She told him his drawings were good, but Glamour could only use drawings of shoes at the moment. The next day Warhol came back with 50 drawings of shoes† footwear being an important part of his advertising career until the mid 1960s. In 1949 Harvey J Earl of General Motors pioneered ‘Planned Obsolescence’. He realised that by adding fashionable products when new trends come in older products would be discarded in favour of the latest fashion. This realisation changed consumerism forever and was the start of a consumer culture, which was to spread rapidly. In the 50s it was for the most part an American phenomenon due to the fact that they had the money and manufacturing productivity to make it possible, for example, â€Å"the affluence of America meant that almost every family owned a car† and food rationing was unthinkable while in Briton the opposite was

The Influence of Western Cowboys in America Free Essays

Have you ever seen a typical American Western Movie? If so, I think it’s not difficult to form an image of western cowboys in your mind. Then what do they look like? A boy, wearing felt hat and riding boots with dagger and handgun on the waist, press his two legs powerful which makes the horse speed away. In a word, west cowboys are the heroes on horsebacks. We will write a custom essay sample on The Influence of Western Cowboys in America or any similar topic only for you Order Now Because of the lifestyle and behaviors of them, western cowboys have become a sign of liberty, bravery and adventuresome. From the old cowboys make influences on American culture gradually which can be seen from not only work of art but also their paraphernalia and ideas on values. Apart from movies, songs and poetry are also vivid in describing their feelings and life. According to Harold Braverman in his article published on VOA, they just sang these songs as they rode on the saddles of their horses across the cattle lands which were very close to them. ( At that time, they fought against the deserted area and silence with the beautiful tunes and words. As Thin Lizzy sang in the song â€Å"Cowboy Song† in Live And Dangerous, â€Å"Riding in the rodeo /Roll me over and set me free†. This could explain why they are so fascinated by the riding life—they are longing for liberty, of course. Their riding with their free thinking in the wind gradually becomes a symbol which roots in American dreams about freedom. A noose, cowboy towels, clothes, cowboy hat, cowboy boots–modern cowboy costume hasn’t much difference from that in movies. Because everything has its existence value rather than is just decoration. For example, the noose is the most useful tool to control the herd. Once some cattle rush out the queue, cowboys use it to catch them which show their power and technique. The bandanna called cowboy towels is multipurpose which protect cowboys from sunburn, dust and chilliness. What’s more, the tall cowboy boots decorated with colorful leathers and spurs make it more efficient while working from horseback. I think it’s the rough and sharp surfaces that stimulate the horse to toe the line. Anyway, the wonderful images make a deep impression on ordinary people with the enthusiasm to catch the fashion dressing. To some extent, it also teaches people focus on the homemade or handwork without expensive materials. In the eyes of who advocate nature, these primary things can be just suitable. West cowboys are a group of people from all over the world who are looking for opportunities to become heroes. Most of them came from Mexico and South of America, where are close to the western America, but also are those from Nevada in Australia. To be a real cowboy, gift and acquired hard work are both required. Of course, tenacity is indispensable to a cowboy which contains too much meaning. First, he lives and accompanies with the herd. So they have self respect and show respects to the cattle at the same time for a better harmonious life. In Philip Ashton Rollins’s book The Cowboy: His Characteristics, His Equipment, and His Part in the development of the west, he mentioned that university of courage was an earmark of the cowboy’s trade. In fact, they face with the danger not only from the animals but also from the climate with Nature itself. They always stand hot, dusty, freezing weather conditions, the hard work and even damage deeply from inner alone. Most of the cowboys don’t seek fame or fortune, instead of their understanding and love of life. The cowboys have strong sense of justice, regard as a man of courage and daring, and stick to their own standards about rituals, laws and institutions outside. They are alone with the preference about the primitive life to modern urban life. But who really understand cowboy, understand their deep loneliness and magnificent? Understand they face west, grassland, herds of simple sentiment and ambitions? Perhaps, crowded cities in disgust and busy modern, more is the vast field and freedom. As traffic developed, arrived at the beginning of the 21st century, cowboy era finished. With the spread of the American culture, the cowboy culture with literature, film image, cowboy clothing, language, and the unique ballads, entertainment and so on influenced the whole world. Cowboys, with historical development and legend, become the important content of American culture, inspiring generations of America. Legend continues. How to cite The Influence of Western Cowboys in America, Papers

Economicsand Global Impacts Sri Lanka †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about theEconomics Global Impacts Sri Lanka. Answer: Introduction Tourism industry plays a major role to improve the economy of a nation. Tourism industry contributes in the economic growth and development of a nation. Along with this, it is assumed that, the tourism and hospitality sector may improve the economy of a nation. Sri Lanka that is located in South Asia has been declared a lower middle income economy by the World Bank. Moreover, the government of nation is thinking about the poverty alleviation within nation. The government is focusing on the tourism and hospitality sector to contribute to economic growth and to address the issues that are causing poverty within nations. This research paper is useful to suggest effective strategies or approaches from the tourism hospitality industry that may play a significant role in the positive economic growth as well as development of nation. Strategies/ Approaches Contribute To Economic Growth and Development For many decades, tourism hospitality industry is playing an important role in the economic growth as well as development of the nations. It can be considered a major source of economic growth for both developed and developing countries. Along with this, there are some major strategies or approaches related to tourism hospitality sector that the key stakeholders in Sri Lankan economy can adopt as well as implement for the economic growth and development of nation. For case, hybrid approach is a major approach that may contribute in the positive economic growth and development of Sri Lanka. This is an effective approach related to the tourism hospitality industry. In recent years, the hybrid approach has been emerged as an important tourism approach. The hybrid approach provides innovative business models and structures to improve the efficiency of the business (Aliu, Parlak Aliu, 2014). With the help of this approach, the government of nation may implement effective business mode ls to attract more and more international tourists. In addition to this, the hybrid approach is supposed as a new paradigm and multidimensional phenomenon in tourism hospitality industry. This is recognized as a new business model of twenty first century. This approach would also be beneficial to enhance democratic participation as well as interaction between industries and customers. Moreover, hybrid approach contributes in the growth of GDP and employment of nation (Ashley, De Brine, Lehr Wilde, 2007). The below chart is helpful to show an increase in the numbers of visitors in each and every year. An increase in the numbers of visitors/ arrivals contributes in the economy growth and development of Sri Lanka: (Source: MirrorBusiness. 2015). In the above graph, it is clear that, the numbers of visitors is increasing continuously. This is a positive sign of the economic growth of the nation. Moreover, the increased number of visitors would be helpful to improve the GDP, employment, and to reduce the poverty within nation. For case, the below graph is helpful to portray that tourism hospitality industry boosts the GDP of nation in a positive manner. (Source: Turner Freiermuth, 2016). The above graphs are helpful to demonstrate that the tourism industry directly contributes in the economy growth of a nation. The travel tourism industry improves the world economy. The increased world economy contributes in the positive economic growth of each and every nation. On the other hand, cross-sector tourism strategy is the other major strategy related to the tourism hospitality industry. This strategy is mainly beneficial for least developed countries. The cross-sector strategy offers investment incentives to tour operators. Moreover, with the help of this strategy, the tourism hospitality industry of Sri Lanka can build strong relationship with foreign tour operators; so they can motivate tourists to visit Sri Lanka at once (Saner, Yiu Filadoro, 2015). Under this strategy, the local service providers connect with global service providers. This strategy connects the local supply value chains with the global tourism industry. Cross-sector tourism strategy would be a beneficial strategy in the context of Sri Lanka. It is because of it will increase the job opportunities within nation; and consequently, there can be seen an increase in the employment of Sri Lanka. Moreover, the below graph is useful to depict that how tourism industry improves em ployment level of a nation: (Source: Turner Freiermuth, 2016). In addition to this, cross-sector tourism strategy will be beneficial to increase the earnings of Sri Lanka. The increased earnings will improve the economy GDP, and lessen poverty of nation. The below graph is valuable to show that how tourism industry increases earnings of Sri Lanka: (Source: MirrorBusiness. 2015). In the same manner, competitive strategy is one of the best strategies from the tourism hospitality industry that contributes in the economic growth and development of nation. Under this strategy, the industry becomes more competitive; and makes its possible efforts to gain the competitive advantages over the competitors (Maria, Madalina, Catalina Diana, 2008). Moreover, under this strategy, the policy makers make numerous effective initiatives to defeat their competitors. These initiatives would be advantageous to improve the productivity, efficiency, and profitability of the industry. In this way, the above discussed are the major strategies or approaches that contribute in the economic growth and development of nation. On the other hand, with the help of all these three approaches: hybrid approach, cross-sector tourism strategy, and competitive strategy, the travel tourism industry would be able to expand its business at local, national, and global level. Moreover, the growth of the industry will contribute in the economy growth and development of the nation. The positive growth indicates towards the prosperity of nation. The travel tourism industry makes a direct, indirect and induced contribution to GDP and employment of nation (Tsai, Song Wong, 2009). The below charts are helpful to portray the direct, indirect and induced contribution contributions of travel industry in the growth of employment and GDP of nation. (Source: Turner Freiermuth, 2016). Conclusion On the premises of the above analysis, it can be assumed that there are numerous strategies/ approaches such as: hybrid approach, cross-sector tourism strategy, and competitive strategy related to the tourism industry that contributes in the positive economic growth and development of nation. The key stakeholders of Sri Lanka must implement these strategies to fulfill their objectives related to economic growth as well as poverty alleviation. Along with this, all these strategies will not only improve the economy of nation; but will improve the GDP and employment level as well. On the whole, it can be said that, tourism hospitality industry of Sri Lanka will improve the economy prosperity and reduce the poverty for the positive economic growth as well as development of nation. References Aliu, A., Parlak, B., Aliu, D. (2014). Hybr?d structures ?n tour?sm ?ndustry: Innovative Models, Sociological Insights and Multilevel Approaches. Estudios y perspectivas en turismo, 23(4), 834-851. Ashley, C., De Brine, P., Lehr, A., Wilde, H. (2007). The role of the tourism sector in expanding economic opportunity. Cambridge: Harvard University. Maria, I., Madalina, T., Catalina, B., Diana, I. (2008). The factors of competitiveness in the hospitality industry and the competitive strategy of firms. Annals of the University of Oradea, Economic Science Series, 17(2), 213-218. MirrorBusiness. (2015). How important is tourism for Sri Lankas development? Retrieved From: https://www.dailymirror.lk/98445/how-important-is-tourism-for-sri-lanka-s-development#sthash.inFEh9k8.dpuf Saner, R., Yiu, L., Filadoro, M. (2015). Tourism Development in Least Developed Countries: Challenges and Opportunities. In Handbook of Research on Global Hospitality and Tourism Management (pp. 229-255). IGI Global. Tsai, H., Song, H., Wong, K. K. (2009). Tourism and hotel competitiveness research. Journal of travel tourism marketing, 26(5-6), 522-546. Turner, R., Freiermuth, E. (2016). Travel Tourism ECONOMIC IMPACT 2016 SRI LANKA. Retrieved From: https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic%20impact%20research/regions%202016/world2016.pdf

Opera free essay sample

Opera, starting out the Baroque period, stemmed from Humanism in the Renaissance era. Opera went back to wanting to make people have a emotional response to the music they were listening to through the musical devices that they used to write the music. They were becoming obsessed again with the Greek style of music however, they wanted to make it better and so they came up with some of their own new developments for example, one device they used was the stile representative. This is Italian for representational style.Stile representative was a Tyler of singing similar to Italian monody that was then used in the very first operas. This style was used to move the plot of the opera along, it was not a full blown song however; it was more musical than normal speech. Musically the stile representative is a vocal line that gets to move freely over a basso continuo. We will write a custom essay sample on Opera or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This style eventually turns Into our modern day recitative. Stemming off of the stile representative is monody which Is Just one voice singing with some type of accompaniment. This seems to be the basis for most of these early operas.Stemming if of both of the previous practices is the stile recitative which is pretty much the exact same thing as the stile representative. The difference between these two styles is that the stile recitative was more imitating natural speech inflections with music where the stile representative was not. Another development was known as prima practical, Italian for first practice. This referred to the style of the past, the ears perfecta or Renaissance polyphony. The pair to that Is the seconds practical, Italian for second practice. This refers to the modern style of music that was used in the singings of opera.This practical was more dissonant than the prima practical and they used such terms to distinguish the two different styles. Credit for the seconds practical goes to Claudio Monteverdi who also wrote the first major opera. The Florentine Camera was a group of elite musicians who were all associated with the royals. The Camera got together In order to figure out how to make music better and more emotional than it already was. The Camera promoted monody because one of their members, Gorillas Mel, wrote a book about the music of ancient Greece.From their promotion of monody came the other styles I discussed in the beginning of the paper. This group also gave way to intermezzi which are little musical plays and this group wanted the text to be super understandable. This eventually led to the flirts opera. Artful really did not Like the new style that came about through the beginning of opera and decided to give Monteverdi a piece of his mind. He wrote a published work describing how he felt. In this work he calls Monteverdi incompetent because of how he was writing the music. Artist wanted to keep all the rules of the prima practical intact and thought that it did not get any better than that. He believed that if they were not written in the style of the renaissance composers then they do not have a the second practice were going to make fools of themselves. Artist also says that this compositions are written by ignorant people and that these composers are kept in a state of intellectual darkness. Monteverdi responds to Artists statement by saying that he can over ride the rules because the most important thing is the text ND the expression of said words.He says that it is written in that style on purpose and not out of ignorance. Monteverdi pretty much responds with the baroque philosophy of music and that the goal was, what the article called imitation Della natural or the imitation of reality. Which did end up a huge success and he continues on to give an example of the emotion he wanted and how he planned on getting it. The elements above are conveyed in the opera LOreal through the music. Also a little bit through the emotion on the faces of the singers and through some word notating a little bit.I think that the word painting is effective and also the style. You can tell for sure that it is in the seconds practical style. However, when Just hearing the opera I think the aria and the recitative become less effective I think to a person not musically trained. I think that if someone was Just listening to the opera they Mould not be able to tell the difference between the two section of the opera. The music we have been listening to up to this point in time has been very polyphonic and very constant not put on stage. The music of LOreal is monadic although it does have a few polyphonic parts. This music also has a lot more dissonance to better create the darker moods and the people can not only listen to what the music is trying to portray but can also see it on the stage and understand everything better. They do not have to guess as to what is going on. It is all laid out in front of them or sis versa they do not have to guess as to what the people on stage are trying to portray because they have the simple music lines underneath them singing.

Free Essays on 180 Poems

back in the ladies face in a way. She tells him to give her orders and he’s okay then tell me to lift my right arm. Pretty much twisting what she says, but stilling doing what she says. It also portrays the idea of rather being a follower than being a leader. Showing it is easier to do what someone else tells you to than to think up your own ideas and telling them what to do. In the poem the lady was probably also testing his patience, by not saying anything and that’s why when he asks "what next" that’s why she says now its your turn to give the orders, showing him just to wait. In the end though the poem is simply about giving and taking directions. My deciphering of this poem shows you can look deep and see the many meaning or you can just look at the surface and just see the main point. It also shows that poems can be interpreted differently depending on the reader. Peter Cherches could have had totally different ideas about this poem. I like this poem because of it’s sense of humor and bit of saucy sarcasm. Many of the poems that I had looked at on this website had no depth, no hidden meaning, not saying this was an extremely deep poem. It was just more interesting than most of them. Another poem I also liked was "The Panic Bird" by Robert Phillips. It included symbolism and feelings. The feeling were of fear and panic which the author hates, yet they always come back. The bird symbolizes the fear, which he hates and he describes it in depth throug... Free Essays on 180 Poems Free Essays on 180 Poems Poems are a way to express people’s ideas and reflect on their feeling. They have many different depths and themes. Poetry can reveal a lot about the person writing it. It can show their sensitivity, sense of humor, what they have gone or their thoughts on life. The poem I choose from poetry 180 was "Lift Your Right Arm" by Peter Cherches. This poem uses the idea of giving and taking orders, but it turns it into something funny. It is funny because he is throwing the words back in the ladies face in a way. She tells him to give her orders and he’s okay then tell me to lift my right arm. Pretty much twisting what she says, but stilling doing what she says. It also portrays the idea of rather being a follower than being a leader. Showing it is easier to do what someone else tells you to than to think up your own ideas and telling them what to do. In the poem the lady was probably also testing his patience, by not saying anything and that’s why when he asks "what next" that’s why she says now its your turn to give the orders, showing him just to wait. In the end though the poem is simply about giving and taking directions. My deciphering of this poem shows you can look deep and see the many meaning or you can just look at the surface and just see the main point. It also shows that poems can be interpreted differently depending on the reader. Peter Cherches could have had totally different ideas about this poem. I like this poem because of it’s sense of humor and bit of saucy sarcasm. Many of the poems that I had looked at on this website had no depth, no hidden meaning, not saying this was an extremely deep poem. It was just more interesting than most of them. Another poem I also liked was "The Panic Bird" by Robert Phillips. It included symbolism and feelings. The feeling were of fear and panic which the author hates, yet they always come back. The bird symbolizes the fear, which he hates and he describes it in depth throug...

About horror movies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

About horror movies - Essay Example m the Japanese filmmaker called Miike, whose films provide prototypical examples of â€Å"Asia Extreme† other directors such as Kim Ki-duk and Park Chan-wook have expanded the category by rendering ultra-violet narratives set against serene portrayals of the troubled psyches of doomed protagonists. Following the success of magic lantern shows in the late 1890s, the first cinematograph was introduced into Japan in 1897. In 1899, the first Japanese film was shown at the Kabuki-za, Tokyo. Kabuki, one of the foremost traditional Japanese theatrical forms, would provide rich material for the burgeoning art of the visual image and would become the template for many Japanese horror films since. Tales of horror and monstrosity have long concerned themselves with notion of hybridity in their exploration of those regions where categories fail to maintain their integrity. Ghosts, for instance, are their very liminal entities negotiating the supposedly unbridgeable gap between the world of the dead and the realm of the dead. In addition, monsters are perpetual scramblers of social codes, often troubling the nebulous (Gladwin). There is always something nasty about horror movies that speaks instinctively and directly to humans. Evolutionary psychology that has undergone evolution for millions of years has caused the human mind to be ingrained to certain triggers of fears. For example, there has been fear of dark places where predatory animals might be laying waiting for the prey. There is also fear of animals that tend to have sharp teeth since they might easily make a meal out of us. Such fears have been engrained into the human developmental psychology to an extent that research shows that children can easily spot a snake on a computer’s screen compared to how they can spot a flower (Gladwin). This idea explains the shape of monsters commonly used in horror movies; that is, creatures that have sharp teeth or appear like snakes. The fear of being eaten alive has always

Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 4

Assignment - Essay Example There is an established communication between Adam (man) and God (divine). Adam is seen stretching his hand reluctantly and loosely to receive what God is presenting to him. God is trying to transmit some sought of divinity to man. This is being attempted by bringing their fingers as close as possible but it is clear the fingers do not establish a contact. This could be the impossibility of God and man being into contact. The story is biblical though and it has it that after Creation of Adam, God breathed life into him. In the bible there is nowhere we are told that there was a lot of resistance in the process. However, in the creation of man, the work presents an interesting fact (Kleetus, 2005). God is seen trying to reach Adam with all his might. He is stretching his index finger to touch that of Adam. It seems there is a resistance in form of a wind, which is trying to deny him a chance to communicate to his creation. The presence of a wind-like force is depicted in the direction of God’s legs and those of the angels surrounding him. The implication from the figure here is that God is trying with all his might to touch and transmit his mightiness to hid creation amidst a strong opposing force. On the other hand, dam does not seem to have the energy and effort to reach to God. Adam is relaxed and while God is using his right hand to reach him, Adam is using his right hand to support his lazily leaning body and reluctantly uses his left hand to respond to God’s attempt to reach him. The left hand has to be supported by his left leg knee for that case. Adam’s body is leaning against God and it seems he is not willing enough or putting enough effort to make the divine connection with God. The body language of the two is totally different and while one is responding with strength to establish a connection, the receiver is not so much putting an effort to receive. A closer look at the index fingers of the two subjects in

Social problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Social problem - Essay Example To address this issue, the paper will draw on a variety of different sources as well as give some personal opinions on the matter. There is little question that drugs can play a very positive role in our modern society. Drugs are often prescribed or taken in moderation to help our physical health, and in this respect one can consider drug use to be beneficial to our societal well being. According to the World Health Organization (1969) a drug is in its most basic terms, a substance that can be absorbed into the body to modify a bodily function. In this respect one could consider any number of chemically engineered and naturally occurring substances as being classified as a drug. However in a more common context and for the purpose of this paper, the focus will be on drugs that are taken for recreational purposes to the determent of one’s personal health (Or wellbeing) or to those around the drug taker in question. For the purpose of this paper the focus will be on more traditional drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, opiates, barbiturates, etc. It should be noted that many of thee drugs are legally obtained, either over the counter, or through prescription yet still maybe detrimental. There are many substances such as coffee which technically meet the definition of being a drug and may be detrimental to one’s health but in the broadest sense these substances are not as detrimental to society as a number of other more powerful narcotics. Why are drugs considered a societal problem? In many circumstances people can take drugs recreationally and not harm themselves. So it is the case that a drug such as alcohol in the hands of most people does not represent a serious threat to society or one’s health. However it is the case that some people do negatively respond to the stimuli brought about from alcoholic beverage consumption and engage in behavior that

Liver Functions, Anatomy and Diseases

Liver Functions, Anatomy and Diseases Sandra Marais Nikita Wiggil Charne Scott Chante Wiese   Sue-May van der Westhuizen Stephanie Willows Contents (Jump to) Introduction The Anatomy and function of the Liver Definition and description of the disease Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY OF FATTY LIVER DISEASES: Treatment and prevention Introduction The Anatomy and function of the Liver Anatomy is the science of the structure and shape of entities. It is important for the knowledge of hepatic anatomy and surgery. The liver is one of the largest organs of the human body after the skin it is the second largest. The liver is the largest gland in the human body, with an average weight of 1500g. The transverse measurements ranges between 20 and 22,5cm, its vertical measurements (close to its right/lateral surface) between 15 and 17,5cm and its antero-posterior diameter between 10 and 12,5cm. Its measurement, from opposite the vertebral column, is reduced to roughly 7,5cm. It is found underneath the diaphragm -in the right upper abdomen, mid abdomen as well as in parts of the left upper abdomen. The shape of the liver generally has the form of a wedge or a prism. According to Synington the shape resembles that of a right-angled triangular prism with the right angle rounded off. Its base faces the right and its apex to the left, the colour of the liver is dark reddish brown it has a soft degree of density, it contains a large amount of vessels and is very brittle. In an adult, it is smaller than in a fetus. In the later (side) it contributes roughly one thirty-six of the body weight. In the former (side) it contributes roughly one-eighteenth of the body weight. The liver has three surfaces namely the superior (Facies superior), inferior (Facies inferior/ visceral surface) and posterior (Facies posterior). The posterior surface is divided from the superior surface by a sharp margin. The superior surface attaches itself to the diaphragm as well as the anterior abdominal by the falciform ligament (ligamentum falciform hepatis). The falciform ligament separates the liver into a right lobe (lobus hepatis dexter) and a left lobe (lobus hepatis sinister). The right lobe is larger than the left. Five fossae divide the inferior and posterior surfaces into four lobes. The fossae are arranged like the letter ‘’H’’. The left limb of the H is divided into what is known as the left sagittal fossa (fossa sagittalis sinistra/longitudinal fissure) consisting off the fossa of the umbilical vein and the fossa for the ductus venosus. The right limb of the H consists of the fossa for the gall-bladder (fossa vesicà ¦ felleà ¦) and th e fossa for the inferior vena cava (fossa venà ¦ cavà ¦). The two limbs of the H surfs as a transverse fissure- the porta (porta hepatis/transverse fissure). The superior surface is part of is part of the left and right lobe. This surface is convex. The middle part is found behind the xiphoid process and it makes contact with the abdominal wall. It is entirely concealed by peritoneum, with the exception of the line of attachment of the flaciform ligament. The inferior surface is concave. It is aimed downward, backward as well as to the left. The surface is infused in peritoneum- the only parts that are without it, is where the gall-bladder and the liver attaches as well as at the porta hepatis. The posterior surface has a curved surface and is broad on the right, but narrow on the left. The diaphragm is attached with a triangular and coronary ligament that intertwine connective tissue, it leads to the intimate connection of the inferior vene cava that is connected with hapatic veins that holds up the posterior part of the liver. The abdominal viscera full the abdomen, where the muscular walls are in a state of tonic contraction. The superior surface of the liver fits under the diaphragm surface, so that the pressure is enough to hold the diaphragm. The lax falciform ligament creates no support for the lateral displacement and the latter creates negative pressure that is held up in the thorax (Gray, Henry. Anatomy of the Human Body. PHILADELPHIA: Lea Febiger, 1918; Bartleby.com, 2000. www.bartleby.com/107/. [DATE of Printout].) Functions of the liver The liver receives blood from two main sources: 30% is received from the hepatic arteries and 70% is received from the hepatic portal vein. The hepatic portal vein receives blood from the stomach, intestines, pancreas and spleen; which is then carried to the liver through the porta hepatis. All nutrients are absorbed by the small intestine, all nutrients reaches the liver by this route except for lipids. Arterial blood bound for the liver exists the aorta ant the celiac trunk. These arteries deliver oxygen and other materials to the liver. (SALADIN, p. 975-977) Digestion Liver produces bile; which is a mixture of water, bile salts, cholesterol and pigments of bilirubin. Bile is produced by hepatocytes in the liver. Bile passes through the bile ducts and is stored in the gallbladder. Fats are emulsificated by bile. Large fat clumps are turned into smaller pieces which makes it easy for the body to digest. Old worn oud red blood cells are destroyed by Kupffer cells in the liver. Kupffer cells pass their components to the hepatocytes. Haemoglobin is the red oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells, haemoglobin is metabolized into heme and globin components. Energy for the body comes from globin protein. Metabolism Liver is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates , lipids and proteins into biologically useful materials. Blood entering the liver through the hepatic portal vein is rich in glucose from digested food. Some of this glucose is absorbed by hepatocytes. The glucose is stored as the macromolecule glycogen. Homeostasis is maintained by the absorption and release of glucose by the hepatocytes, it helps protect the body from spikes and drops that can be dangerous in the blood glucose level. Hepatocytes absorb and metabolise fatty acids to produce energy in the form of ATP. Through gluconeogenesis the hepatocytes convert glycerol and other lipid components into glucose. Cholesterol is a lipid which can also be produced by hepatocytes and gets excreted from the body as a component of bile. Amino acids is a component from dietary proteins. Amine groups are removed from the amino acids, by the hepatocytes, which is further converted into ammonia and urea. Urea can be excreted in urine as a waste product. Urea is less toxic than ammonia. Detoxification Hepatocytes cells of the liver monitor the contents of the blood and toxic substances are removed before they reach the rest of the body. Alcohol and drugs are metabolised into their inactive metabolites by the enzymes in hepatocytes cells. Storage Nutrients, vitamins and minerals obtained from the blood passing through the hepatic portal system are stored in the liver. Homeostasis of blood glucose is maintained by the storage of nutrients. Vitamins such as A, D, E, K and B12 is stored in the liver. Minerals such as iron and copper are stored in the liver. Production Vital protein components of blood plasma such as prothrombin, fibrinogen and albumins are produced by the liver. Prothrombin and fibrinogen proteins are factors involved in the formation of blood clots. Albumins maintain the isotonic environment of blood. Immunity Bacteria, fungi, parasites, worn out red blood cells and cellular debris are captured and digest by Kupffer cells. Large volumes of blood are cleaned very quickly by Kupffer cells due to the large volumes of blood passing through the hepatic portal system. (www.innerbody.com/image _digeov/card10-new2.html) American journal of Physiology: Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology : physiology and pathophysiology of apoptosis in epithelial cells of the liver; pancreas and intestine. By Blake. A. Jones ; Gregory. J. Gores. Published 1 December 1997 (vol.273. no.6, G1174-G1188) Definition and description of the disease Fatty liver disease â€Å"Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a clinical and pathological syndrome.† (Zeng, et al., 2008) The main feature of NAFLD is the swelling of the (liver cells) hepatocytes because of pathological factor, alcohol excluded, that injure the liver. NAFLD is ranged from fatty liver alone to steatohepatitis, steatonecrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepartitis (NASH). (NASH) is only a stage in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. NAFLD may have the potential to progress into cirrhosis and liver failure.† Liver –biopsy features include steatosis, mixed inflammatory cell-infiltration, hepatocytes ballooning and necrosis, glycogen nuclei, Mallory’s hyaline and fibrosis.† (Angulo, 2002) According to Jansen (2004) NASH is an under diagnosed liver disease characterized by steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis. NASH can possibly develop into cirrhosis and hepatic cellular carcinoma. NASH incorporate mixed acute and chronic lobular inflammation, zone 3 perisinusiodal fibrosis and ballooning (Brunt, et al., 1999). Alcoholic liver disease. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) includes a variety of spectrum of injury that can be from simple steatosis to frank cirrhosis. There are 3 groups of histological stages of ADL. Fatty liver or simple steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis and chronic hepatitis with hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. ALD can be caused by different types of factors including dose, duration and type of alcohol consumption and risk factors like obesity iron overload ect. Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease causes no signs or symptoms that can be noticed but when it is noticed, it show signs of: Fatigue Pain in the right upper abdomen Weight loss. Inflammation and scarring of the liver Possible progression to liver failure. Symptoms consists of four (4) stages namely Simple fatty liver disease ( steatosis), Non-alcoholic Fatty liver Disease (NAFLD), Fibrosis And Cirrhosis. Simple fatty liver (Steatosis)- There are no clear symptoms and it can only be discoverd by an abnormal blood test result. Non-alcoholic Steotohepatitis (NASH)- It is the most aggressive form of this condition, it causes the liver to become inflamed creating a dull or aching pain in the top right abdomen, covering the lower side of the ribs. There may be no signs of any symptoms at all and it can only be discovered by specialized testing. Fibrosis- Constant inflammation in the liver which leads to the formation of scar tissue. Cirrhosis- Over a long period of time, it creates inflammation which can lead to the loss of liver function- which may lead to creating primary cancer. ALCOHOL-RELATED (ARLD) It shows no symptoms until the liver has already been severely damaged and it causes symptoms such as: Feeling sick, weak or tired Loos of weight Loss of appetite Jaundice- the yellowing of the eyes and skin The swelling of the stomach and ankles Confusion or drowsiness The excretion or the vomiting of blood. Alcohol related fatty liver disease is constantly diagnosed because of other conditions or other tests. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND ETIOLOGY OF FATTY LIVER DISEASES: Fatty Liver Disease encompasses two over head segments, namely Alcoholic Liver Disease and Non Alcoholic Liver Disease. ALCOHOLIC LIVER DISEASE (ALD) Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) encompasses the manifestations of the liver that is caused by the over consumption of alcohol (ethanol). It includes Fatty Liver, Alcoholic Hepatitis, and Chronic Hepatitis with liver cell fibrosis or cirrhosis.*1 Ethanol metabolization takes place in the liver. There are two main pathways of alcohol metabolism, namely alcohol dehydrogenase and cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2 E1. The first pathway works as follows: Firstly ethanol is metabolized by Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) into Acetaldehyde in the cytoplasm. The second phase occurs in the smooth Endoplasmic reticulum of mitochondria, where Acetaldehyde is further metabolized by Aldehyde dehydrogenase into acetate. Acetate is then finally oxidized into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. CYP 2E1 also converts ethanol into acetaldehyde (OShea, et al., 2010). Liver damage occurs in a few mutually related pathways: Acetaldehyde can form hybrid-adducts with reactive residues acting on proteins or small molecules, mediating lipid peroxidation and nucleic acid oxidation. (French, et al., 1984) During further metabolization of alcohol, Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) is reduced. This causes a shift in the NADH/NAD ratio. A higher NADH (reduced form of NAD) concentration increases the production of fatty acids, while lower concentrations of NAD result in decreased fatty acid oxidation. This altered ratio impair the metabolization of carbohydrates and lipids, resulting in the diversion from gluconeogenesis to ketogenesis and fatty acid synthesis. The liver cells compound the fatty acids to glycerol to form triglycerides. These accumulating triglycerides result in fatty liver. This leads to oxidative stress, which plays a pivotal role in ALD development. (French, et al., 1984) Furthermore, Acetaldehyde interacts through covalent binding with reactive residues of proteins found on the membranes of liver cells. This binding results in the formation of stable protein by-products which have been shown to be immunogenic. Tissue damage and ALD may be caused by this, because the neo-antigens may induce an immune reaction with anti-body production. CYP 2 E 1, when exposed to chronicle alcohol use generates free radicals through the oxidation of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) to NADP (OShea, et al., 2010). This exposure activates hepatic macrophages, also known as Kupffer cells, which leads to Tumor Necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased by the mitochondria, which in turn was induced by the TNF-alpha. This also promotes oxidative stress, which leads to hepatocytes necrosis and apoptosis. Many alcoholics have a condition of malnutrition. The deficiency in anti-oxidants, such as vitamin E, only worsens the necrosis and apoptosis. Free radicals initiate the oxidative degradation of lipids, which causes inflammation and liver tissue becomes scarred. Although the over consumption of alcohol is the primary cause of ADL, it is not always a pre-requirement for ALD development. It is important to understand the mechanisms of liver damage. When liver cells are exposed to alcohol, ATP synthesis is reduced and the activity of mitochondrial complexes is depressed. This causes energy metabolism of liver cells to be severely weaker and results in tissue damage. Metabolization of ethanol takes place in the centrilobular area of the liver lobule. Hypoxia alters energy metabolism, therefore centrilobular hypoxia can also be responsible for liver injury. The pathophysiology of alcoholic liver disease is very complex and further in depth investigation to understand the disease and how to treat it is being done. NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE (NAFLD) Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease is an over arching term for a variety of conditions associated with fat depositions in liver cells. NAFLD ranges from Simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The first stage of NAFDL is simple fatty liver or steatosis. It is considered harmless and only consists of a fat build up in the liver. The second stage, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is more serious, but not many individuals progress to this state from simple fatty liver. Two liver insults may lead to the development of NASH. With the first insult or hit, macro-vesicular steatosis (abnormal retention of lipids within a cell) occurs as a result of an excessive amount of triglycerides accumulating in the liver. The cause of triglyceride accumulation can result from excessive importation of free fatty acids from adipose tissue.*5 The accumulating lipids in the liver cells seem to be caused by insulin resistance. Insulin resistance leads to changes in the livers enzymatic pathways that control free fatty acid uptake, synthesis, degradation and the secretion of free fatty acids. A crucial paradox arises: the liver maintains its liver lipid metabolization, but carbohydrate metabolism is weakened or damaged. Hepatic steatosis caused by these factors can result into diminished hepatic free fatty acid oxidation, more hepatic lipogenesis or fewer lipids are secreted from the liver. Along with insulin resistance, obesity plays an important role in the development of NAFLD. These alterations make the liver sensitive for the second insult or hit, which is an inflammatory response and further liver damage (Carey, et al., 2013). Toxic inflammatory proteins are secreted by the cytokines in the liver.*6 Hepatocyte apoptosis, an organized form of cellular death, is a leading component of the second insult of NAFLD progression. Oxidative stress and resulting lipid peroxidation are involved in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. The term â€Å"oxidative stress† is frequently used to describe the imbalances in redox couples. *7 This metabolic reaction produce too much reactive free radicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS). This process usually occurs in the mitochondria. Lipid peroxidation can lead to changes in the cell membrane fluidity and these alterations cause tissue damage. Fibrosis is the third stage of NAFLD. NASH develops to form fibrosis if it is not treated. Fibrosis occurs where chronicle inflammation in the liver results in the formation of fibrous scar tissue around hepatic cells and blood vessels. The liver still functions normally, because there is still enough healthy tissue. The forth and most severe stage of NAFLD is cirrhosis. During this stage lots of scar tissue develops. This causes the liver to shrink and change morphologically. The damage caused by cirrhosis is permanent and cannot be saved or reversed. The progression of cirrhosis is slow, but it ultimately causes the liver to stop functioning.*8 Treatment and prevention Basic therapy: you have to work out a strategic plan of the intake of calories and adjustment of diet constitution. Medium aerobic exercise and the changing of some life styles and behaviour. Weight reduction: The most important fact of weigh reduction is not the amount of weight loss but how the weight is lost. Losing weight rapidly may increase portal inflammation and fibrosis. A relatively safe goal is to lose about 1.6kg per week. Liver transplantation: For some patients liver transplantation is recommended. Metabolic states should be examined before the transplantation. A BMI >40kg lm2 is a contrain dication (Zeng, et al., 2008) Abstinence: This is a very important therapeutic intervention for patients that have ALD. Abstinence helps to decrease portal pressure and lower progression to cirrhosis.

Body Language :: essays research papers

What is Body Language?Definition: Body Language is communication through gestures or attitudes. (<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=pcZ8g7DjAzA&offerid=6424&type=2&subid=0&url=http%253A//search.borders.com/fcgi-bin/db2www/search/search.d2w/Details%253F%2526mediaType%253DBook%2526prodID%253D3805147" >Webster's Dictionary<IMG border=0 alt=icon width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=pcZ8g7DjAzA&bids=6424&type=2&subid=0" >, 1997)Why is it important for teachers to know and use?Most people remember more of what they see than what they hear. We retain vivid images of facial expressions and body behavior.Body language usually dose not lie. We can build trust with our students by showing them that our actions will be in sync with our words.Alert teachers watch their students' movements, actions, and emotions and use what they see to adjust their teaching methods to be effective with their l essons.By being alert to student behaviors, teachers can more easily predict and deter inappropriate behavior before it becomes a problem. Teachers need to be able to control their own body language so they can be in charge of the message they want to portray to the students. They can send out positive body language messages to promote positive interaction between her/himself and the students and between students and other students.Modeling positive body language is important because body language can be very contagious.Issues that contribute to one's use of body language:culture physical size gender mood past experiences age position Examples for the classroom:</bAlways observe the students' body language and be able to detect boredom. By being alert to students' body language messages you are more likely to meet their needs and interests even if they may not verbalize them. Use direct eye contact with your students. This is one of the most important nonverbal teaching skills. L ook directly at the student (not at their hair, shoulder, what they are wearing). Looking any place else is too distracting for them. Do not make it a habit to stay behind or around your desk all of the time. Whether they realize it or not, some teachers use their desk as a wall of protection or symbol of authority in the classroom.

A Christmas Story essay

A CHRISTMAS STORY A Christmas Story is an American comedy and family movie. The release date of the movie is 18 November 1983 in the United States of America. It’s about the child, Ralphie Parker who wanted to get a Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot range model air rifle from Santa in the Christmas and got the respond of â€Å"You'll shoot your eye out,† from his parents. It was directed by Bob Clark. In addition, the movie is based on the novel â€Å"In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash† which is written by Jean Shepherd.Jean Shepherd is narrator of the movie and he voiced Ralphie’s adult voice as well. In the movie there are three actors that were starring in the movie. The most prominent character is Ralphie (Peter Billingsley). I think Peter Billingsley played his role in the movie; because he seemed like the most wanted thing that he wanted was Red Ryder. Also, Peter Billingsley is a member of Hollywood so he played in many movies. Ralphie’s fa ther called The Old Man (Darren McGavin), and Ralphie’s mother (Melinda Dillon) were starring in it.In the movie, Ralphie, his brother and his friend was tortured by Scut Farkus (Zack Ward) and his friend Grover Dill (Yano Anaya). A day, Miss Shields who was the teacher of Ralphie wanted to write an essay about what they wanted to get in Christmas. Ralphie wrote an essay about Red Ryder bur he got C+ from his essay. In the one of the most important events in the movie, for unusual Ralphie’s mother wanted Ralphie to help his father to change a flat tire. While Ralphie was helping his father, he dropped screws of the tire and he said a bad word and he was punished.In the other event Scut Farkus threw a snowball to Ralphie and Ralphie beat him up instead of running away but he could not to be punished because of his mother. At the end of the movie, â€Å"I can’t say what happened at end of the movie, watch and see,† say the writer of this essay. If you want to know is that movie if worth for watching or not, this movie is shown 24-hour in the Christmas day by TBS which is a cable channel of the USA. Watch and have a good time with your family.

Age of American Imperialism essays

Age of American Imperialism essays During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, America decided to throw its hat in the ring for expansion. It pursued an aggressive policy of expansionism, extending its political and economic influence around the world. That era in the history of the United States is called the Age of American Imperialism. Many countries were continuing to set up colonies on islands currently occupied by barbarians, heathens, and cannibals. These countries believed that they had the god given right to take over their lives and force them into Christianity. After being commanded to give up all of their traditions and their way of life, they were put to work in factories for minimal wages and zero respect. America somehow saw this as a good thing and decided to take control of the Philippines, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. The United States was selfish and thought that they and only they knew what was best for those countries. So because America was stronger than others it ran over their nations and reformed them to their own liking. This is how countries were formed and unformed, so does this mean that you can take a toy from your little brother just because you are bigger? Yes, but just because you can doesnt mean you should. The United States made excuses for starting the war to justify their taking over of the little nations. But when you look back at it it seems like they were looking for a reason to go to war. The need for expansion was in their blood and they couldnt look past the greed and see the lives of the people in the way of their conquest. In my opinion, the United States thought it was bigger and better than every other nation, even though it was still one of the youngest countries. America had grown selfish and conceited, it saw what it wanted and did whatever it took to get it from its rightful owners. They even broke their own treaty, the Monroe Doct ...

Free Essays on Roman Buildings

Roman Architecture by Ryan Huguenin During the 2nd century BC the Romans, in conquering North Africa, Greece, Anatolia, and Spain, absorbed the architectural traditions of those areas (most significantly that of Greece), to which they added the constructional skills of the Etruscans, their immediate neighbors in central Italy. The most significant achievements of the Romans were in their technology of building, their use of a much wider range of materials (including concrete, Terra-Cotta, and fired bricks), and their refinements of the arch, vault and dome, all of which had been pioneered by the Etruscans. Roman temples generally remained modeled on those of Greece, with the common addition of a high plinth (base or platform) and the frequent omission of the side and rear columns. Roman civic monuments included a number of building types of unprecedeted size and complexity, which could not have been built using the Greek beam-and-column construction system. The aqueduct, thermae, basilica, theater, triumphal arch, amphitheater, circuses, and palaces involved enclosing much larger spaces or bridging much greater distances than could be achieved by the use of timber or stone beams. The Roman use of domed construction in mass concrete is best represented by the well-preserved Pantheon in Rome (constructed AD 120-24), which subsequently became a Christian church. Later Roman or early Christian churches, however, generally took their form from the basilica, whose central nave, side aisles, Triforium, and apsa became characteristic features of the Romanesque and Gothic church. Emperor Constantine I built huge basilican churches at all the major Christian sites in the Roman Empire in the 4th century, thus firmly establishing the basilica as the predominant form of Christian church architecture. (Ward-Perkins, 1977). According to much of my pertinent research, probably the clearest picture of Roman architecture can... Free Essays on Roman Buildings Free Essays on Roman Buildings Roman Architecture by Ryan Huguenin During the 2nd century BC the Romans, in conquering North Africa, Greece, Anatolia, and Spain, absorbed the architectural traditions of those areas (most significantly that of Greece), to which they added the constructional skills of the Etruscans, their immediate neighbors in central Italy. The most significant achievements of the Romans were in their technology of building, their use of a much wider range of materials (including concrete, Terra-Cotta, and fired bricks), and their refinements of the arch, vault and dome, all of which had been pioneered by the Etruscans. Roman temples generally remained modeled on those of Greece, with the common addition of a high plinth (base or platform) and the frequent omission of the side and rear columns. Roman civic monuments included a number of building types of unprecedeted size and complexity, which could not have been built using the Greek beam-and-column construction system. The aqueduct, thermae, basilica, theater, triumphal arch, amphitheater, circuses, and palaces involved enclosing much larger spaces or bridging much greater distances than could be achieved by the use of timber or stone beams. The Roman use of domed construction in mass concrete is best represented by the well-preserved Pantheon in Rome (constructed AD 120-24), which subsequently became a Christian church. Later Roman or early Christian churches, however, generally took their form from the basilica, whose central nave, side aisles, Triforium, and apsa became characteristic features of the Romanesque and Gothic church. Emperor Constantine I built huge basilican churches at all the major Christian sites in the Roman Empire in the 4th century, thus firmly establishing the basilica as the predominant form of Christian church architecture. (Ward-Perkins, 1977). According to much of my pertinent research, probably the clearest picture of Roman architecture can...

Individual Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Individual Project - Essay Example ransactions between the fifty states in the USA; the provisions in the Constitution under Article 1, section 8 may be seen to have achieved the same objective. For example, Section 8 specifically seeks to â€Å"regulate commerce with foreign nations and among several states and with the Indian tribes†. (www.topics.law.cornell). Moreover, it also sets out the distribution of powers among the centre and the states, by setting out the arming and disciplining of the militia as the province of the central government while the appointment of the officers and the training of the militia are to be reserved by the States. In this way, this part of the Constitute sought to provide some form of overall regulation of trade and commerce occurring between the different states. Since this section also sets out the principles of borrowing and coining money as well as fixing standards and providing for punishments of illegal commerce activities such as counterfeiting of money, it did provide a n overall system of governance in the area of commerce, which makes it the effective precursor of specific legal provisions such as the UCC and UCITA. 2. Article 2 of the UCC specifically deals with the rules regulating the formulation of contracts and the procedures association with the repudiation of contracts and any breach that occurs (Rumbaugh, 2004). As opposed to this, the UCITA is specifically formulated to regulate e-commerce and computer associated transactions. The UCC also has a more pervasive role because it deals with a much wider range of issues that have been found to be relevant in contract and have been applied over the years, such as consideration, breach of contract, the battle of forms and similar issues, which allows it to play a more pervasive role. As opposed to this, the UCITA poses an entirely different set of regulatory issues which arise in the context of the technological environment. These issues are still developing, such as software piracy, difficulties in

DISSERTATION--what motivation methods are used in the hotels in Essay

DISSERTATION--what motivation methods are used in the hotels in Sheffield to motivate part time university students who work in the frontline - Essay Example The insinuation of this add to is further indestructible as international students, when spoken as a amount of the total number of students enrolled in hospitality course universities in Sheffield, rose from5.5 percent in 1991 to 9.6 percent in 1997 (Ballard, B. and J. Clanchy 1997). Throughout this period so, universities in Australia, Canada, USA, UK experienced an internationalisation of their action; together in terms of the number of worldwide students studying intercontinental higher education programmes, and an add to in the width of international students, with around one in ten of the total enrolment make overseas. Frequently, the prevalence of international students that study for an Australia, Canada, USA, UK requirement start from Asia. Dobson et al. state that: Moreover, for part time university students studying human resource management (HRM) as a core subject, chapter will serve as a textbook at higher levels of undergraduate study and postgraduate/Masters study. For business management students studying HRM as a core subject or an option, this text will serve as secondary/further reading for motivation methods. As a sectoral source it builds upon introductions in organizational behaviour, people management or employee relations, and will be useful at higher undergraduate and post-graduate/Masters/Masters in Business Administration (MBA) levels. Social science students may also be interested in the research, as industrial relations and the employment relationship of part time students with motivation are very important dimensions of the sociology of work. For them this text will represent a rich source of information on contemporary characteristics of service sector work that can exemplify theoretical sociological perspectives, such as fragmentation and feminization of labour, and inform debates on labour process theory. Here the chapter will provide secondary/ further reading on optional courses (Barron, P. and C.

Hinduism paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hinduism paper - Essay Example (Brodd, 2003) Interestingly, Hinduism differs from the other dominating religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc due to a number of factors. Firstly, unlike abovementioned religions, Hinduism does not offer a uniting belief system, which has often been criticized by scholars of comparative religious studies. However, despite of such lacking, this religion has been able to unite its followers socially, as well as, culturally. (Michaels, 2004) In other words, Hinduism can be deemed as a cultural and regional platform for moral development, rather than a religious notion. One of the most significant factors that unite members of Hindu religion is its region. Unlike other religions where a religious scholar can bring a non-religious person into his religion, only individuals that born in the sub-continent are allowed to be a part of Hinduism, which is one of the most significant factors of uniting members of the Hindu community. Generally, it is a misconception that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion; however, Vedas are the most recognized sacred scriptures of Hinduism that pronounces monotheistic concept of God. In practice, Hindus worship different deities and idols, which are considered as attributes to one God, Brahma, and idolatry is an important practice of Hinduism that has kept its followers united in a cultural manner. (Brodd, 2003) Thirdly, social structure described in sacred scriptures of Hinduism has played a vital and crucial role in maintaining balance in the Hindu society. Although social classes of such system, such as Brahmin, Kshat riya, Vaishya, and Shudra have been used politically as well; however, it has organized the society in an effective manner. Cultural aspect of Hinduism has played a significant role in influencing the social and cultural practices of people living in the sub-continent. Devotional literature and traditions have provided an aesthetic touch to

Christian Apologist Essay Example for Free

Christian Apologist Essay Included in the 10 most influential Christians of the 20th century alongside Karl Barth, Pope John XXIII, Martin Luther King Jr, and Billy Graham, the Christian History magazine named him the atheist scholar who became an Anglican, an apologist, and a ‘patron saint’ of Christians everywhere. He was also dubbed as an â€Å"apostle to the skeptics† because he resolutely answered frequent objections individuals had when it came to accepting Christ as their Savior (christianodyssey. com). Born into a Protestant family in Ireland on November 29, 1898, C.   S. Lewis was the son of A. J. Lewis, a solicitor, and Flora Augusta, a promising mathematician. He bore a lonely and unhappy childhood. Especially crushed by the death of his mother due to cancer when he was nine years old, Lewis was left disheartened with God (christianodyssey. com). Lewis came to reject Christianity at an early age, becoming an affirmed atheist. He reasoned that Christian myths were mediocre and that the Christian god must be a sadist (about. com). Whilst being inquired about his religious view, C. S.  Lewis labeled the worship of Christ and the Christian faith as one mythology among many. (christianodyssey. com). Lewis was married to Helen Joy Davidman. She was a Jewish American with two children of her own. Davidman was good-natured and shared her husband’s joy in argument. Sadly, she died of cancer in 1960 (kirjasto. htm). After a prolonged period poor health and sporadic recovery, Lewis himself died on November 22, 1963 (christianodyssey. com). Fondly called Jack by his loved ones, Lewis was a well-known professor at both Oxford and Cambridge. Lewis’ 25 books on Christian topics include Mere Christianity (1952), The Problem of Pain (1940), Miracles (1947), The Screwtape Letters (1942), Surprised by Joy (1955) and The Great Divorce (1945). The Pilgrim’s Regress (1933) was about his own experience while on his way to conversion (christianodyssey. com). In The Problem of Pain (1940), it is asked, If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain? Here, Lewis reasoned that the wrong choices people tend to make usually account for the suffering they are eventually faced (kirjasto. htm). Here we see that Lewis is trying to give rational answers to queries people have without completely basing it on blind faith. Critics usually look for an understanding based on the cause-and-effect principle. The Chronicles of Narnia has turned out to be the most lasting of Lewiss novels. It retells the story of the Creation, the fall and redemption of humanity and also includes other Christian themes in allegorical form. The portal to Narnia, a version of Paradise, is a wardrobe through which four sibling children enter this secondary world. In the first story the bad Witch is destroyed in a battle. The final books deal with Narnias beginning and end. In the last Armageddon story, with its death-and-resurrection theme, the struggle was between a king and the forces of evil (kirjasto. htm). We need to understand here that if readers can understand the mechanics of Narnia and how the plot of this story works with the inclusion of certain Christian themes, they can better understand Christian beliefs from a more objective point of view and accept it. The same point of view they read and understood The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis presented the basic teachings of orthodox Christianity — teachings he labeled â€Å"mere Christianity† (inplainsite. rg). Lewis went on British radio between 1942 and 1944. His discussions during those years were on what he called mere Christianity, that is, the universal and most doctrinal beliefs of the faith. This very collection of radio talks were later tied together in one of Lewis’ most influential books, Mere Christianity (christianodyssey. com). Lewis’s project in this book was to defend â€Å"mere Christianity,† or the most essential basics of the Christian faith, against unbelievers. (leaderu. com) Lewis based his defense of Christianity on an argument from morality. The Moral Argument states that there is a universal â€Å"moral conscience† amongst all human beings. Everybody possesses an internal sense of moral obligation to realize the difference between right and wrong and choose to do what is right. Lewis ascertains that the existence of this common â€Å"moral conscience,† can only be the consequential result from the existence of a god who created all humans. (about. com). C. S. Lewis disputed for reason-based Christianity as opposed to faith-based Christianity. This is a questionable decision on Lewis’ part because conventional Christianity is indisputably faith-based. Lewis’ principal readers were supposed to be skeptics and atheists rather than current believers. Skeptics doubt for lack of reason and evidence; therefore, only reason and evidence is more likely to draw their reconsideration. In his book, Mere Christianity, Lewis writes: â€Å"I am not asking anyone to accept Christianity if his best reasoning tells him that the weight of the evidence is against it. † (about. com). One of Lewis’ most-often-quoted statements is from Mere Christianity, where he uses reason and logic to introduce three possibilities to us (often known as the Lewis trilemma). According to this trilemma, either Jesus really was God and intentionally lying, or was not God but reckoned himself to be (which would make him a lunatic). Mere Christianity goes on to say that the latter likelihood is not consistent with Jesus character and it is, therefore, most likely that he was being truthful A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. - Mere Christianity (christianodyssey. com). As mentioned earlier in this paper, C. S. Lewis’ readings are mostly meant for critics and unbelievers of the Christian faith. It is not designed for Christians who have accepted Lord Jesus as their Savior because they do not need to be convinced through reason-based writings about Christianity. Lewis was very interested in presenting a reasonable case for the truth of Christianity. I chose C. S. Lewis for my Apologetics term paper because I had always known this personality as the author of my favorite books. Years later, I was overwhelmingly surprised the depth of these novels in correlation to Christian concepts of Creation, Paradise and Armageddon. The applications of Lewis’ teachings can be seen in his Christian writings. They all lean towards reason, approaching Christianity as a religion that has factual grounds in addition of those relying on faith. C. S. Lewis believed the best apology for Christianity was the life of a believer and the way we live our lives. Non-Christians are more likely to be attracted to Christianity through the non-verbal acts and conduct of our life. However he also believed in verbal apologetics. Lewis believed Christianity was rational but at the same time was ultra-rational, i. e. that it was supernatural and divine and went way beyond the limits and scope of rationality (thatimayknowhim. o. uk). Lewis even believed in theistic evolution. In The Problem of Pain he wrote, â€Å"If by saying that man rose from brutality you mean simply that man is physically descended from animals, I have no objections†¦. For long centuries God perfected the animal form which was to become the vehicle of humanity and the image of Himself. He gave it hands whose thumbs could be applied to each of its fingers, and jaws and teeth and the throat capable of articulation, and a brain sufficiently complex to execute all material motions whereby rational thought is incarnated. The creature may have existed for ages in this state before it became man†¦. We do not know how many of these creatures God made, nor how long they continued in the Paradisal state† – The Problem of Pain (svchapel. org) The uniqueness of Lewis’ writings is fairly obvious. In comparison to other apologists, Lewis appealed to the reader’s emotions and sense of imagination. He, therefore, wanted to write about the essence of Christianity by reflecting upon its poignant, visual and imaginative side in its rational coherence. He wanted for the reader to taste the beauty of the faith; to draw the reader into the magnificent story of God’s salvation, to submerge him/her into the universe of Christianity. Many Christians testified that they started to seek heaven only after reading Lewis’ works. The way he is able to depict heaven and the spiritual world enabled the reader to truly understand the gift of Heaven that awaits us (euroleadershipresources. org). It is from C. S. Lewis that we need to learn that the kind of language used to explore God and the content of Christian faith is a matter of epitome importance. The human language has the potential to mediate feelings and understanding on an extremely poignant level. If implemented correctly Christian apologists need to be excited for themselves because of the relationship they are in with God. This very excitement on such a personal level will only help them better to find the right words and literary expressions needed to present the Christian faith. In this way, thanks to C. S. Lewis, Apologetics will become an effective personal testimony of God’s salvation (euroleadershipresources. org).

The Greatest Happiness Principle

The Greatest Happiness Principle John Stuart Mill a born utilitarian, dedicated all his life explaining the teachings of his father, James Mill and Jeremy Bentham. He studied Greek, Arithmetic, Latin, Logic, Philosophy and Economic theory from a legal official to a writer and philosopher to a parliamentarian; he enjoyed a position of an original thinker. His major work includes, system of logic, Principles of political economy, Essays of liberty, and Consideration of representative government, utilitarism and an autobiography and 3 essays on religion. PHILOSOPHY He defended and found an ethics which would elaborate and define the utilitarian principle of Bentham that the object of morality is the promotion of the greatest happiness of the maximum number of members of society and that happiness is a balance between pleasure over pains. Unlike Bentham he does not believes in quantification of pleasures plus he adds that mental pleasures are superior then physical pleasures. He tries to formulate a bridge between individual psychological hedonism to universal psychological hedonism, by introducing the concept of sanctions. He says that sanctions come for with in and pleasure felt when the moral law is obeyed and pain felt when it is violated. Thus by virtue of these sanctions Mill bridges the psychological hedonism theory with the moral hedonistic theory that is everyone desires his own happiness with that every one ought to do so to act in public interest. TEACHINGS / EXPLANATIONS. Doctrine of utility / greatest happiness principle: Actions are right as they tend to promote happiness, and wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. Quantification of pleasures is not important but quality does matter. Mental pleasure are superior to physical facilities. Pleasures of the higher faculties are preferable to lower faculties. Choosing a lower pleasure then the light mental pleasures involves lack of access, time or availability nevertheless it does not drop the worth of higher pleasures then the lower. Greatest happiness principle, ultimate end is to attend the greatest of pleasures and the least of pain, secured to all mankind and not to one alone. Main constituents of a satisfied life and tranquility and excitement. Each individuals happiness is equal to any other person self sacrifice are worthy of being good as they promote general happiness although they may deny individual happiness. Greatest happiness principle rule judges sanction the conduct but is not a motive for conduct. Feeling for humanity provides sanction for the principle of utility which is the internal sanction and a powerful and sound basis for utilitarian mortality. Summary: The Greatest Happiness Principle John Stuart Mill From Great Traditions in Ethics by Albert Denise Peterfreund LIFE IMMANUEL KANT, 17TH century philosopher lived singularly by a strict routine all his life remained in Kongsberg, East Prussia. The Kant family was religious and Kant was thus sent to prepare for the ministry. He developed interest in philosophy and natural sciences. He was appointed professor at the university in 1770. His writings General History and theory of the heavens critique of pure reason, critique of judgment, the fundamental principles of the metaphysics of moral and the critique of practical reason prove him to be a critical philosopher, who tried to explore scientific principles and their foundations. He also took interest in American and French revolutions. PHILOSOPHY Kant gives the principle of causality as one of the categories of understanding. A valid moral principle must be independent of the empirical data of morality if it is binding upon all man. Universal obligations and moral laws should have consistency, i-e: they should be able to apply on all individuals without discrimination. Categorical imperative is the only basis for determining duties. Reason prescribes duty and moral law holds whether or not mean actually follow it. TEACHINGS According to Kant, all good things should have a basic foundation of, good will to make them good. A good will should not be a means to achieve good but the sole motive behind every good. Reason does not destine happiness but only good will. Good will lead human action is morally worthy and duty guided by good will rather then inclination and self interest is morally correct. Difference between praise worthy behavior from moral actions or duty, is inclination derives a person for an actions targeting some self interest, while duty only targets good will. 1st ethical proposition: duty defines a moral act. 2nd proposition: duty is not result oriented. Definition of duty: Duty is done out of reverence from the law. Categorical imperative rational beings would always by guided by ethical principles. Categorical imperative: not destined to particulars consequence. Hypothetical imperative: destined to particular consequences. Categorical imperative: needs the principle of consistency, i.e. implied to everyone. Categorical Imperative: A two told test requiring. There should not be a contradiction of a moral action universally with logical reasoning and consistency for all, judges, the action right. Human beings should not be treated as mere means. Actions, not universalized without contradiction are inconsistent with the idea of humanity. Pure moral philosophy: reason cannot be corrupted with empirical consideration. Summary: Duty and reason By Immanuel Kant From Great Traditions in Ethics Albert Denise Peterfreund

Dropping the C-bomb Essay -- Feminism

It’s one of the oldest idioms that inevitably the majority of us have heard as a youth on a playground: â€Å"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.† Unfortunately, this old phrase isn’t entirely true—it doesn’t define which words are hurtful, the context they are used in, or its historical context. In fact, words can be powerful. There are a number of words in language, that are both negative and offensive, that have been used to oppress a specific group. Their history has produced such a negative symbolic power and creates such a stigma, that they possess the ability to harm or injure. â€Å"Cunt† is such a word. The word â€Å"cunt† used in modern language carries a heavy offensive potency in just one syllable. Saying phrases such as â€Å"You’re a cunt!† â€Å"Stop being such a cunt† or â€Å"You fucking cunt† for those with more gusto for its use, reveals the misogyny that the word possesses. After all, â€Å"cunt† is another, albeit derogatory, word for vagina and (most) females have a vagina; and the vagina is the central powerful symbol for femininity. What does it mean then to essentially be a â€Å"vagina† (read cunt)? Furthermore, as a woman, what does it mean to have such a pejorative word aimed towards you with the intent to offend, harm, and essentially oppress one’s own femininity? Yet, as British journalist Zoe Williams states, the word â€Å"vagina† is not used to insult women; however, cunt† is. To be called a â€Å"cunt,† then, suggests that the offender is attempting to dishonor this very symbol of womanhood, by scandalizing the word in attempt to claim and perpetuate its pejorative power, thus diminishing the woman, and inadvertently her power. Attitudes towards the usage of the word â€Å"cunt† reveal its pejorative power and the ... .... . Hunt, Matthew. "Cunt: Etymology." The Works of Matthew Hunt. Web. Dec. 2010. . Muscio, Igna. "Cunt: A Declaration of Independence." Share Book Recommendations With Your Friends, Join Book Clubs, Answer Trivia. Web. Dec. 2010. . "TV's Most Offensive Words | Media | MediaGuardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 25 Nov. 2005. Web. Dec. 2010. . "Zoe Williams: The Feminist Mistake | Comment Is Free | The Guardian." Latest News, Comment and Reviews from the Guardian | Guardian.co.uk. 14 June 2006. Web. Dec. 2010. .

Collision Theory

Collision Theory The theory proposes that molecules must collide in a particular way with a certain amount of energy to ultimately form a new product. This is because only a select portion of molecules during a reaction have enough energy and the correct orientation to break any existing bonds to form new ones at the moment of impact with other reactants. The very minimum amount of energy needed for this process to occur is referred to as activation energy.Collision theory explains why reaction rates differ for alternate reactions and also how chemical reactions occur in the first place. During a reaction, collision theory states that the higher the concentration of the reactants, the faster the rate of the reaction. More reactants leads to more effective collisions between the particles to create a new product whereas a higher concentration of products is associated with a slower reaction rate. An increase in temperature can also speed up the reaction rate.Temperature is a measure o f the average amount of kinetic energy in a system so a higher temperature leads to a higher average kinetic energy of the molecules in the reaction, therefore, more collisions occur; a faster rate of reaction. However, there is a limit in some reactions as some reactants/products can be destroyed or denatured by a temperature that exceeds its optimum conditions. In reactions involving a gas, pressure becomes a factor. Increasing the pressure will increase the chance of molecules colliding as there will be less space for them to move thus speeding up the rate of reaction.Pressure has the same effect on reactions as concentration because both factors alter the density of the particles in the reaction – the higher the more dense. In reactions involving solid reactants, to increase the rate of reaction, they should be ground up into smaller pieces (powder) as it will increase its surface area; exposing more particles to the other reactant. As more particles are exposed, the reac tion rate will escalate as more collisions can occur.

Anonymous – Creative Writing

The powerful low winter sun illuminated the seemingly endless road. The glass glistened like walls of diamonds; the highly polished doorknobs that led to the place of ones dreams were glowing like hot molten lava that had just erupted from the brittle and frozen pathway. The place would have been perfect if it weren't for the thick yellow lines that ran parallel with the crisp frozen pathway and the people who waltzed up and down it with no time to stop and look at the wondrous beauty, to time to stand and talk and no time to care about other people. Berny took one long deep breath of the cool refreshing air and filled his lungs with courage, for he knew he was going to need a lot of it. He stepped out onto the frost-covered pavement and immediately became one of those people. Yet secretly, he was taking in all of the smells of this beautiful street. He was secretly admiring the way the glass glistened and the doorknobs glowed. He wondered if he would ever be able to visit this wonderful place again and if so why. He reached the end of the street he loved so much. He knew this because there were now cars, vans and big red buses ploughing through the wide streets that were full of even more people that only cared about themselves. Berny started tapping his feet as he waited for the eyesore that changed the speed of the mercurial vehicles to tell him it was now safe to cross. Safely across the energetic and hectic road Berny opened the door of the inconspicuous Lexus that was parked waiting for him. As he slipped inside the nondescript, matt black box he was greeted by three men who he had never met. Although he had never met them he knew their names, well what they were called anyway. Even they probably couldn't remember their real names anymore. No one spoke as they were going through the dense traffic. The only sounds were that of buses stopping with a hiss or ambulances flying past with their sirens on; other than that there was nothing except for the heavy breathing of the three men he had the pleasure of travelling with. Whilst adjusting himself for the third time on the luxurious cream leather seta, he got a whiff of the man in front of him, the driver. He was obviously a bit of a chain smoker and it showed, as around his mouth there were wrinkles so deep Berny was sure he could see dust in the great canyons between them, or perhaps it was ash from the little white sticks he put in his mouth. He had tried to cover up the fact he was addicted to the little white sticks, by covering himself in a strong fragrance, it was too strong, he had probably got it half price in Superdrug. Berny despised cigarettes and felt no pity for the people who put them in their mouths and then complained of lung disease or some other illness caused by them. There was one reason for this; Berny's father had been a heavy smoker and died of cancer as result when Berny was still young. The only memory of his father was the strong smell created by the toxic smoke. Berny had blamed his fathers death for ruining Berny' life and getting him in to such a mess. A single tear had appeared from the bottom of his right eye. The salty liquid was stinging his eye and made it feel like he had been hit. He turned his head to the one-way window and right on cue the saturated tear ran down the harsh, bold contours of his face; over the faded ink scar he had been given by an energetic broom handle. He made no effort to stop the acidic liquid and it fell to the floor like a snow onto ice. He turned to face the person next to him; it was Knuckles, very original, so called because he had none. He was a thug and he looked like one, he had a shaved head, a prominent brow and very heavy shoulders. He looked uncomfortable in his pin-striped suit, and would have probably preferred to be wearing a leather jacket. As Berny looked at him, Knuckles' jaw twitched quite sporadically, his jaw seemed to be having a fit. Berny chose to ignore it and returned to looking out of the window. They had stopped at another ghastly set of poles with lights on when a police van containing enough policemen to storm The Ritz pulled up beside their box on wheels. This seemed to make the three men nervous, as far as Berny knew they had no reason to be, as they weren't in any trouble and hadn't done anything wrong, yet. The lights changed and the car and the threatening van went their separate ways. They were reaching the edge of the crowded and over populated city when Knuckles' phone rang. It was one of those really annoying tones Berny loathed, but everybody else seemed to love. Knuckles brought the inconspicuous brick out of his jacket pocket and put it to his ear. He did not talk, he just listened. Towards the end of the conversation, he spoke softly into the mouthpiece and said â€Å"Yes that's fine, see you tomorrow†. Berny had never heard him speak before. He had a timid but clear voice that would have been more suited to a poet rather than a football hooligan. â€Å"The plan's changed Bob† Knuckles said softly. â€Å"Where to now then?† Bob, the driver bellowed in a coarse Northern accent, which would have suited Knuckles much better than his existing one. â€Å"The barn† he replied as if he had rehearsed it. â€Å"K† was the acknowledgement he gave back. Berny sat thinking, the barn? He didn't know of any barn, was it actually a barn or was it code for something? He'd know soon enough. As they left the smog of the city behind them the eerie tension lifted also. â€Å"Alright chaps?† Al the man in the front passenger seat asked. Of all of the men he was travelling with Berny liked Al the best, he did not know why, he just did, perhaps it was because he was he was older than the other three and reminded Berny of his father. Knuckles gave a squeak that Al seemed to understand as â€Å"Everything is fine†. â€Å"Good† was Al's reassurance. â€Å"How you doing Berny? Long time no see mate† Berny didn't quite know what this meant as he had never seen Al before, he had spoke to him, many times they had spoken on the telephone and on internet chat rooms. In fact they knew each other so well it did feel like they had known each other for a very long time, they knew each other well but not too well as there were things they did not want to know about each other, these things were never discussed. â€Å"I'm fine. Still not sure what we're meant to be doing.† Replied Berny. Berny had dropped that question in as he did not want to confront Al directly about it. â€Å"We're going up North to see someone who would like to talk to you† was the answer to his cleverly disguised question. They were on a motorway now. The fields either side were empty except for the thin layer of ice that was preventing the rich soil underneath from being exposed to the harmful rays of the sun. they were going slower than the other polluting vehicles. This gave Berny a chance to get his bearings. The land was flat with small rolling hills. The clouds were lightly spread and presented no threat, allowing the powerful rays of the sun to shine off anything that was stupid enough to get in their way. Bob broke the silence â€Å"Off here Al?† â€Å"Yep† was the well thought out reply. Berny couldn't see anywhere to turn off. But Bob found the small lane and directed the car down like a heron swoops in on a fish. The lane was bordered by a hedge, which had lost all of its leaves and was now just one big mess of tangled branches. There was one on both sides. They grew over the road and touched once or trice in the middle. This place must look really beautiful in the summer or early autumn when the leaves are crisp and brown. Berny wished it wasn't winter, because now the mess of twigs were bare, they looked evil, each one trapping itself around the other starving it of the precious light there was. The peaceful little lane had now turned into a spiralling labyrinth of sharp bends and deep gully's. Berny leant to his left so he could see out of the front windscreen. Left right left again, the bends were getting closer together. Some of them you couldn't tell which way they went until the last second. Bob must have been a rally driver in a past life. Bob was now accelerating on every bend. It was as if he wanted to tip the car over. He was making it very hard for himself. Perhaps he liked a challenge. Everyone else started looking worried. It wasn't just Berny who thought Bob was taking the corners too fast. Al screamed to Bob â€Å"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?† Bob didn't hear, or didn't want to hear. He was in a trance. It was knuckles turn now â€Å"SLOW DOWN YOU'RE GANNA KILL US ALL!† This provoked no reaction either. Berny felt obliged to have a go â€Å"BOB STOP IT NOW† Bob must have heard this but it did not prompt the response they were all looking for. Instead it made Bob speed up even more. The corners were getting sharper, the speed was getting faster. There was nothing they could do except hold on and hope Bob would come to his senses. Bob was now finding it hard to see the corners. He was leaning forward. He was squinting to get a better look. His breathing was shallow and very fast. His arm started first. Then his leg, his hands and finally his neck. Bob had no hands on the wheel. He curled into a ball against the side of the car and started rocking like a pendulum going three times faster than it should. A thick froth had formed at his mouth and was now coming out of every hole on his body, including the tiny holes in his skin. Berny knew what was going to happen. He saw it first. It was a great oak. The most beautiful and overpowering tree he had ever seen. It did not feel like he had imagined it would. He was slammed into the seat in front of him. His legs hurt the most, there was a loud hiss. He was alive, well he thought he was. It was hard to tell. He looked at his legs, they were still there. He looked around him. Knuckles was covered in blood and stuck between the two seats. Berny did not even try to see if he was still alive and if he was what kind of life would he be able to live as his neck was at an angle that should b impossible to put it in. Where were Bob and Al? They weren't there, they couldn't have got out. Where they would have been sitting was now just a mess of tangled metal. The door opened first time, Berny slipped though the small inviting gap and found himself in a pool of liquid. As he inspected the liquid he found some of it was petrol and the rest a deep scarlet of red blood. Whose blood he did not know, he did not care either. The petrol and the blood did not mix, the blood sat in the centre surrounded by the strong smelling, flammable fuel. Berny pulled himself away from the wreckage. He sat in the road covered by blood and fuel. The birds sang almost as if trying to comfort him. Berny tried to take in what had happened. Was it his fault? What should he do now? Where will he go? Before he had time to answer any of those questions a face appeared in the wreckage. It was Al. He smiled and winked. His pleasant face was now a blur of deep red and pale yellows. Berny rushed over as fast as his crippled legs would take him. He was halfway when he heard it, a loud click. He was pushed back by the heat of the monstrous flames. Berny sat watching the overpowering flames take over the wreckage. He sat in his pool of fuel and blood and a single tear formed in his right eye.