Describe a Sports Event That You Took Part in or Watched Essay

I love to play badminton especially in the summer time. It is a game I really enjoy, so play it whenever I can get a willing partner. It is a lot like tennis, but I can play badminton anywhere. I do not have to go to a tennis court to play and I can play in between classes without getting sweaty. Badminton is played with rackets that look a lot like tennis rackets, but they are much more delicate. You should have a net, which sits high above the ground, and a ball that is called a birdie. The birdie has a small rubber half a ball on one end, and it fans out with feathers on the other end to help it to fly. A badminton court has a net in the center that stretches from side to side. Each side of the net has a square that the team mates play in. It is ideal to play badminton with four people, but you can play one on one as well. You can also play without points or a net, but I do not think it is as much fun. It is a game that takes a lot of energy so you get plenty of exercise playing badminton. The main reason I like the game is that everyone, man or woman, has an equal chance to compete. There are so many sports that require height or strength to be good; it is refreshing to play one that I have an equal opportunity to win. Maybe that is why I get very competitive and energetic when I play. I love the game; it is fun and rewarding, and I feel alive when playing. Describe a difficult thing you did well. ä ¸â‚¬Ã¤ » ¶Ã©Å¡ ¾Ã¦ Å¾Ã¥ ®Å¡Ã§Å¡â€žÃ¤ ºâ€¹ Ã¥  ¯Ã¤ » ¥Ã¥ â€šÃ§â€¦ §Ã¤ ¸â‚¬Ã¤ ¸ ªÃ¤ ½  Ã¥ â€šÃ¤ ¸Å½Ã§Å¡â€žÃ¥ Ë†Ã¤ ½Å"é ¡ ¹Ã§â€º ® You should say: what it was and explain why it was difficult. or and explain how you felt after you did it. Difficulty is a very subjective term. What one person may find difficult the other may find rather easy. For me overcoming my glossophobia was a very difficult thing. I used to be very stage shy and could never speak in front of an audience. It so happened that once I participated in an environment fair held in my hometown. We were a team of four students – Mohit, Rohan, Ravi and I. We had to make a model on pollution. It was very difficult to collect ideas for the model, but our teacher, Mrs Promilla helped us. We collected all data from different sources like the internet, library, magazines and so on We presented all three types of pollution – air, water and noise pollution – on thermocol In this project we showed the causes, effects and ways to control pollution We had to speak turn wise on our model. I remember I was very afraid to speak. But my other friends gave me the confidence. I felt very good that I was part of that team. I spoke very well that time. Getting over my glossophobia was an accomplishment for me. I felt very good after that. We won the first prize in this competition. The judges specially mentioned that the first prize was mainly because of the verbal explanation of the model. This fair was covered by the local cable TV and so many people of the neighbourhood congratulated me the next day. Our photograph was also there in the local newspaper Jag Baani. Our school principal also appreciated us I cannot forget that day. All four of us were on cloud nine on that day. So, this was a difficult thing I did well. something useful you learn from family member Describe a person who taught you a certain skill, such as cooking or driving or swimming. Please say – Who is that person? – How did he/she teach it to you? – Why did you learn it? – Was this skill useful to you? I have learnt many skills from people around me in my life. Here I would like to talk about my mother who taught me a very useful skill of cooking. My mother is in her forties and she is very tall and beautiful. She has a gifted hand in cooking. She has her unique way of teaching us, I mean me and my sister, how to cook. She never made us feel as if she was teaching us. She just kept us involved in the kitchen while she cooked. We learnt a lot just by observing her. I learnt cooking because I too want to be able to cook like her. I also learnt cooking because it is a very useful skill in today’s time. Moreover, as I plan to go abroad for my higher education, this skill will be veryuseful. I will not face any food problems. I am a vegetarian and I have heard that veg. food outlets are very few in foreign countries. This skill has proved very useful because many times I have been able to attend to guests when my mother was not at home. My mother not only taught me simple routine cooking but also some Chinese dishes. She also taught me how to make pizzas in the electric tandoor. She also bakes excellent cakes. Whenever anybody in our neighbourhood celebrates a birthday, the cake is always baked by my mother. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and she has many of her own recipes which are quick and easy and at the same time very delicious. She also presents her dishes very well. She says that the look of the dish is as important as its taste. I am fortunate, I have a talented mother who has taught me this useful skill. something you saw or experienced that made you laugh Here I would like to talk about one when I really laughed from my heart. It was my cousins wedding two months ago and we were all dancing on the beats of DJ. The groom’s father that is my uncle had taken a few pegs of whiskey. He was dancing the maximum. His odd and weird dancing steps were very hilarious and everyone was laughing at him. But he was not at all perturbed. He was thoroughly enjoying himself. My aunt tried to stop him many times but he wouldn’t listen. He was wearing a silken dhoti kurta. Suddenly he tripped and his dhoti came off.That was the most hilarious moment of all. The bride and the groom also had a hearty laugh.The photographer captured it all very nicely in his video camera. Even today when we see that we all have a hearty laugh. So this is the situation when I laughed from my heart. Describe a special meal you would like to eat: What would it be? Where would it be? Whom would you like to share it with? Why it is special for you? I’ve had many special meals in my life. Some were special because of the quality of food. Others were special because of the occasion And some were special because of the people with whom I shared those meals with. Here I would like to talk about a special meal that I would like to have. It would be dinner at the Rangla Punjab section of Haveli which is a beautiful restaurant in the suburbs of my home town. I would like to share it with my best friend who is now studying in Australia but is coming next week to spend his winter vacation here. Actually his birthday next month and I would like to treat my friend to a dinner at Rangla Punjab. Dinner is very special at Rangla Punjab. It is accompanied by cultural programmes. They serve dinner with traditional Punjabi hospitality. First they serve buttermilk which is followed by salad and light snacks. Then they serve two to three types of green vegetables and some lentil curry and rice with various types of chapatti. During winter they also serve makki di roti and sarson ka saag. Makki di roti is a chapatti made of maize floor and sarson da saag is a dish made of mustard leaves to which spinach leaves can be added. In the end they serve rice pudding and after that some jiggery. I have had dinner several times at Rangla Punjab but I would love to have it again with my friend. This time his company would make the meal even more special. I know he has never been to Haveli so he would also love it. Describe your favourite way to communicate with someone. You should say: what it is and explain why this is your favourite way to communicate Man is a social animal. To survive in this society we need to communicate with others. We can communicate in many ways – such as through cell phone, e-mail, internet chatting or by face to face communication. My favourite way of communication is through cell-phone A cell phone is a very useful gadget. We can communicate with almost anyone, from anywhere and at any time. That is why it is my favourite means of communication. It has become an indispensable part of my daily life. I use it daily to stay connected with my friends and family. I can call them, send messages and even send and receive e-mails through my phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 model It is fully touch screen It has android operating system. It has its own application market through which we can download various applications according to our needs. I downloaded Talking Tom application which copies and speaks whatever you speak. I downloaded various games also. I have downloaded Sudoku which I play daily. My friends also play Sudoku and we compare our timings with each other. It has GPS facility through which we can search the desired location. Once I went to Delhi and through this GPS system I could locate my Uncle’s home easily. Otherwise it is very easy to get lost in Delhi. It has wi-fi facility. It has many inbuilt applications .It has a 12 megapixel camera. Describe a child you know. You should say: how you know him or her how often you see him/her what kind of person he/she is (= what his/her personality is like) and explain what you like about this child. I know many children but here I would like to talk about my niece, Gia, who is three years old. She is my cousin’s daughter and lives in my neighbourhood. She is very cute and I just adore her. She is a very chubby child. When she smiles, she has dimples on both cheeks which look very beautiful. I always feel like picking at her cheeks but she screams when anybody does so. She has curly hair and does not like getting her hair combed. Almost every day she comes to my house with my cousin. Then she comes to my room and messes everything up. Normally I don’t like if anyone messes up my things but with Gia I don’t mind at all. She loves chocolates and candies and I always keep some in stock for her. She is only 3 years old but she really knows how to twist everyone around her little finger. It is sometimes very amusing to watch her small pranks. She surely knows what she wants and gets it somehow. Recently, my cousin admitted her to a pre-nursery school called Petals. That school is in our neighbourhood and is very nice. She goes there happily and enjoys the three hours she spends there. She has learnt many nursery rhymes over there. Sometimes I go to pick her up from school as my cousin is busy in the household chores. I just love it when she comes running to me and hugs me tight. She has so much to share with me about her school and her new friends. May God bless her with a long and happy life. A job you would like to do My ambition is to become a teacher. I would like to teach small children i.e. primary level students. A bachelor’s in education degree is required to be a teacher. Nowadays, teaching has become a very lucrative profession. Moreover, I like being with young children. I am good at telling jokes and stories. Secondly, I am a very sensitive person. I am the first person to note if someone is sad or not feeling well. Since children don’t always say what they feel. My sensitivity would make me a good teacher. I am also a very organised person. Children need to be organised too So, I can instil these values in my children. I know that I don’t have a very high ambition but this is a very fulfilling ambition. I believe in enjoying what I do and at the same time I wish to do quality work. These children are our future. I aspire to would them to become good human beings tomorrow. I believe god has sent us all on this earth with a purpose. I hope I can fulfil this purpose by becoming a teacher. A gift you have given I have given and received many gifts in my life Here I am going to talk about a gift which I gave to my best friend on his eighteenth birthday. It was a mobile phone. He had always wanted a mobile phone. But his parents would not buy him one I saved all my pocket money for five to six months to buy this mobile It cost me Rs 2800 It is a small mobile – a Samsung X-210 model It is black rectangular and a folder type model It has many features like watch, calculator, FM radio, alarm, timer and a memory card to store phone numbers It does not have a camera but all the other features are very useful I saw an ad of this phone six months ago and immediately started saving money to buy it. Then, I used to get Rs 500 per month as pocket money. I was so fond of chocolates and candies that I used to spend all my pocket money on these things. But I remember I did not eat a single chocolate those six months. I was overjoyed to see the happy look on my friend’s face when I gave him the mobile phone. I honestly feel that there is more pleasure in giving than receiving. A childhood toy I had many toys in my childhood but here I am going to talk about my electric toy car. My father gifted it to me on my 11th birthday. I used to spend hours playing with it. I was greatly fascinated by it It is red in colour It worked with four pen torch batteries fixed in a box under the car. When I switched it on it would move in all directions If there was an obstacle on the way then the car could change directions Along with that it had lights which flickered at times. I was so fascinated by this car that I used to finish its batteries very soon. I used to show it to my friends with pride. None of my other friends had such a beautiful toy car. I just loved it when I saw the jealous look in their eyes. I remember, once I took it to school in my bag. When I came home I got a big spanking from my mother. I was very possessive about my car and never used to let anyone touch it. Even though I don’t play with the car any more I still have it in my room It brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood favourite time in a day The evening time is the best time of the day for me. It is the time when all my family members are together and we sit together and have our evening tea and chat with each other. We discuss all our day’s happenings with each other. During the day we all are busy and have no time for each other. In the evenings, sometimes, I go with my mother to do some shopping for grocery and vegetables. Once or twice a week I go out with my friends. There is a park near my house. Occasionally I go there also. All the children of my neighbourhood are there. I play some games like passing the ball with them. The elderly people of my neighbourhood are also there. It is a good time to interact with them and learn some values of life from them. There is a Mrs Sharma in my neighbourhood. Sometimes I meet her in the park. She has a great sense of humour. Ten or twenty minutes with her are really very refreshing. She is a lecturer in Kamla Nehru College, Phagwara. Sometimes, she guides me regarding studies too. Then I come home and take a nice cool bath. After that I watch TV for half an hour to one hour with my family over dinner. We all love watching some reality shows and sitcoms. Then I study or read something for an hour or two before going to bed. Describe a friend you haven’t been in contact with for a long time but who you would like to see again. ä ¸Å½Ã¥â€"Å"æ ¬ ¢Ã§Å¡â€žÃ© â€™Ã¥ °â€˜Ã¥ ¹ ´Ã¥ Ë†Ã¥ ¹ ¶ In our life we come across many people and make a lot of friends.I too made a lot of friends during my school and college days. Here I would like to talk about a special friend of my school days with whom I lost contact but would really like to meet again. His name is YINYANG. He joined my high school in 2nd when his father got transferred to my hometown.His father was teacherin my high school at that time.I remember, he was very shy by nature and used to sit next to me. In just a few days we became good friends.He was not very tall AVERAGE in terms of appearance with his curly hair and a dimple on his chin. He was very good at studies.I used to trouble him all the times as I always had problem with maths, but he was always willing to help. We remained very good friends for three years and then his father got a promotion and was transferred to Chandigarh. After that we lost all contact because we are busy with our study I always think of him and would really like to meet him as soon as possible. I made other friends but I could not get as intimate with anyone else as I was with him I could share all my secrets with him and be sure he would never tell anyone. He was so trustworthy.I think I will have to travel changchun province to reach him. I would like to share all my experiences which I had till now after we separated. It has been 3 long years and I am sure he would also be happy to see me or hear from me.I wonder what he is doing now. a decision made by others but wrong in your opinion You should say: who the person was what the situation was what decision they made and explain why you think it was the wrong decision. In our day to day life we all have to take a lot of decisions. Some decisions turn out to be very good and some turn out bad. Here, I would like to talk about a person who made a wrong decision. Actually he did not mean it to be wrong but it turned out to be wrong. This person is my cousin Ravi. He is in his mid thirties. He is not tall but looks very handsome. He is running his own business of readymade garments. He has a seven years old son Rohan, who is very naughty. He was fed up of his naughty pranks and to punish him he sent him to a boarding school in Shimla. He thought that a boarding school would teach him discipline but when Rohan came home from his boarding school everyone at home was shocked because he had become very stubborn and even more naughty. Now he answers back to everyone and does not show any respect or love for his parents. Actually, he knows that the boarding was his punishment. This was a mistake done by my cousin. Children are very sensitive and should be handled with care. My cousin should have told him that the boarding was necessary for him because the education there is very good. Then perhaps Rohan would have not felt bad about going to the boarding school. Now my cousin repents for his decision. He has decided to call Rohan back from his next session. We had a family meeting and there it was decided that it would be better if Rohan stay at home with all of us. Talk about a meaningful song I love music and I love listening to Hindi and Punjabi songs. Most of these songs are very meaningful. Here I would like to talk about a Punjabi song by a famous Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan The name of the song is Boot Polishan. It is from his album Boot Polishan It was released in 2008. The song gives the message that work is worship. Instead of begging for money a person should work and earn. It does not matter if the work is small. If a person works and earns he can always hold his head high. I heard this song about two years ago and since then it has become my favourite song. Actually Gurdas Mann is my favourite singer. He is a multifaceted personality. He is a singer, actor, director and a lyricist as well. He writes the lyrics of his songs himself. He has also acted in many Punjabi movies. All my family members also love his songs. When we go out anywhere together we play his songs in the car. All his songs have messages. He even performs in stage shows. There is a village near my home town where he comes every year and performs for charity. I went there last year. It was an electrifying experience. A thing make you relax Once I have accepted that there are unhappy issue impacting my life, it’s necessary to make room for relaxation amid all those busy things I am doing. Walking the dog can be one of the most effective ways to ease your mind. What I want to mentioned is that My pet is a very important part of life. Spend time with my pet is the most relaxing time for me. when I feel lonely, I turn to play with her. I will Talk to my pet about all the stress and anxiety I ‘ve been going through ,that makes me feel a lot better. I guess that Pet therapy is a genuine means for relaxing; you can also learn a lot from watching how the pet relaxes.

Immanuel Kant Essay

Introduction 1What does philosophy mean? -Everyone has a philosophy -We have ideas concerning things, people, the meaning of life, death, God, what is good and bad. -We may have certain attitudes to life, certain ways of looking at things. -For example: -I am an optimist. I can always see a positive side to most unhappy situations. -I don’t believe in worrying too much. I think about today. Tomorrow can take care of itself. -Although an individual claim this to be his philosophy and rightly so. But this is not philosophy as a discipline. It is too broad, vague, superficial, impersonal and unclear. It does not adequately describe the work of a philosopher. -We need to define philosophy more specifically. 2The word â€Å"philosophy†. -The Word â€Å"Philosophy†. -Philia (love) + Sophia (wisdom) = the love of wisdom. 3Definitions of philosophy a. The study of the nature and meaning of the universe and of human life Online Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. b. Philosophy is a rational attempt to look at the world as a whole. 4What does philosophy seek to do? -Philosophy seeks to examine fundamental questions about the universe and about ourselves with the hope of coming up with consistent principles by which we can understand and live. 5Human beings have always sought answers to certain fundamental questions – What are these fundamental questions? -What makes an action write or wrong? -What is my purpose in the world? -What is truth? -What makes a good life? -Is God important in our lives? -Where does knowledge come from and how do we know that our knowledge is true. -What is the relationship between mind and body? 6Why do we need philosophy? Why do we need philosophy when we have science and technology? -We have advanced so much in science and technology -We live in cities, we have conquered the air and have ventured into space? -Communication is so developed that distance no longer matters -We have immense power over nature -We are able to produce more goods and services than ever before -So, why do we still need philosophy? 7Yet all these advances cause us to be disturbed and anxious -There is a danger that the very technology we have developed could destroy us. -For example nuclear technology. -We seem to be unable to deal with the problems of war, famine, terror, distribution of wealth, pollution, the threatened extinction of wildlife, exploitation and oppression of the weak . -Knowledge and values appear to be divorced. -This is where philosophy comes in. It helps us to examine our lives as individuals and groups. -Philosophy may not be able to provide solutions to all the world’s problems. But it helps to examine issues clearly, consider options and help us to make informed decisions. -With poor, incomplete and shallow reasoning we cannot build an enlightened society -If we are unable to distinguish between valid and invalid reasoning, then we become victims of persuasive orators, cult leaders and unscrupulous political leaders. -Philosophy helps us to see more deeply and clearly into an issue. It helps us to question traditional and outdate beliefs so that we can make informed choices -Knowledge of ethical systems help us to live ethical lives at the personal and communitarian level. -Knowledge of what constitutes beauty helps us to appreciate and respect differences in individual and cultural concepts of beauty and art. -Being able to think critically will help us to be aware of any irrational and oppressive beliefs in religion. 8The traditional divisions of philosophy. a. Logic b. Metaphysics c. Epistemology d. Value Theory LOGIC aLogic. -The systematic study of rules to distinguish or recognize good arguments from bad. -In an argument, groups will give opposing views. -How do we know which argument is good and which is not good. -Logic helps us to do so by providing rules to recognize right argument from wrong argument. -It is concerned with tests to find out which arguments are valid. -Logic runs through all the other branches of philosophy. METAPHYSICS -bMetaphysics The study of the nature of being and of the world. -It is concerned with the fundamental nature of all reality, both visible and invisible. -It asks what reality is, why it is, and how we can understand it. Ontology That part of metaphysics that studies being or existence. EPISTEMOLOGY cEpistemology The study of the sources, nature and validity of knowledge. -It deals with issues like: -What are the sources of knowledge? (Origin of knowledge) -Where does genuine knowledge come from? -How do we know? -What is the nature of knowledge? (Appearance and reality) -Is there a real world outside the mind? -If so, can we know it? -Is our knowledge valid? (Truth/Verification) -How do we distinguish truth from error? Two traditional schools of thought have sought to answer the questions above: -Rationalism -Human reason alone can discover the basic principles of the universe -Empiricism -All knowledge ultimately comes from sense experience, and therefore our knowledge is limited to what can be experienced. There is a relationship between metaphysics and epistemology. Our understanding of reality (metaphysics) depends on our understanding of what can be known (epistemology). Our theory of knowledge (epistemology) depends on how we understand ourselves in relation to the whole of reality (metaphysics). VALUE THEORY dValue Theory The branch of philosophy that studies values. -It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. iethics: is concerned with morality; right or wrong behavior. -the three areas of ethics are : descriptive, normative and metaethics. -descriptive ethics (what is ) identifies motives, desire and intentions of human conduct and acts. It describes moral actions. -normative ethics (what ought to be) proposes the principles by which people ought to act and live. These are called ethical theories. – – -Meta-ethics(analysis) on how we understand, know about, and what we mean when we talk about what is right and what is wrong. It deals with the meaning of key concepts, techniques of reasoning and analysis, and linguistic conventions It deals with matters like what do moral terms mean? What sort of mental state is involved in accepting a moral claim – a belief, an emotion? Is there any sort of moral reality or facts? Is ethical knowledge attainable? If so, how? In fact, drawing the conceptual distinction between Metaethics, Normative Ethics, and Applied Ethics is itself a â€Å"metaethical analysis. † ii. Aestheticsis concerned with the theory of art and beauty. -Many philosophical problems in aesthetics involve critical judgements.? -It deals with concepts of concepts of beauty. Is beauty subjective or objective? iii. Social and political philosophyisconcerned with value judgments concerning society, the state and the individual’s relation to these institutions -It deals with issues like -Why should individuals live in society? -What should be the social ideals of liberty, rights, justice, equality and responsibility -Why should anyone obey any government? -Why should some individuals or groups have political power over others -Who should have political power over others? -What should the scope of political power be? -What are the goals of government? Glossary 1philosophyphilia (love) + Sophia (wisdom) = the love of wisdom 2logicThe systematic study of rules to distinguish or recognize good arguments from bad 3metaphysicsThe study of the nature of being and of the world 4epistemologyThe study of the sources, nature and validity of knowledge 5value theoryThe branch of philosophy that studies values. It can be subdivided into ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. 6rationalismHuman reason alone can discover the basic principles of the universe 7empiricismAll knowledge ultimately comes from sense experience, and therefore our knowledge is limited to what can be experienced 8aesthetics Is concerned with the theory of art and beauty.

Case Study of Low Blood Pressure

Case Study of Low Blood Pressure Mr Jones has a BP of 90/60. Please name the appropriate health terminology in relation to his BP. Normal Range = Hypotension Low blood pressure is referred to as hypotension, especially in the arteries of the systemic circulation. Hypotension is generally considered systolic blood pressure less than 90 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic less than 60 mmHg. A person’s blood pressure reading appears as two numbers. The first and higher of the two numbers is a measure of â€Å"systolic† pressure or the pressure in the person’s arteries when their heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures â€Å"diastolic† pressure or the pressure in the person’s arteries when their heart rests between beats. A desired blood pressure is less than 120/80. In people who are considered to be healthy, low blood pressure without experiencing any symptoms is commonly not a concern and does not need to be treated. Low blood pressure may be a sign of an underlying issue, particularly in the elderly, where it might cause inadequate blood flow to their heart, vital organs, and brain. Fortunately, chronic low blood pressure without symptoms is rarely serious. Health issues may happen, however, when a person’s blood pressure suddenly drops and their brain is deprived of an adequate blood and oxygen supply. The condition may lead to light-headedness or dizziness. A sudden drop in blood pressure usually happens in a person who has risen from a prone or sitting position to a standing one. When this occurs it is referred to as, ‘postural hypotension’ or ‘orthostatic hypotension’. Another type of low blood pressure may happen when a person stands for extended periods of time. This is referred to as, ‘neurally-mediated hypotension’. Postural hypotension is considered to be a failure of a person’s cardiovascular system or nervous system to react appropriately to sud den changes. Usually, when a person stands up, some of their blood pools in their lower extremities. If this remains uncorrected, it would cause the person’s blood pressure to fall or decrease. A person’s body usually compensates by sending messages to their heart to beat faster and to their blood vessels to constrict, offsetting the drop in blood pressure. If this does not happen, or does not happen quickly enough, postural hypotension is the result. Blood Pressure and Aging The risk of low and high blood pressure commonly increases as a person ages due in part to changes during the aging process. The flow of blood to a person’s heart muscle and brain declines as a person ages, many times as a result of plaque build-up in their blood vessels. While the causes of low blood pressure may not always be clear, it might be associated with things such as: Heart arrhythmias Heart failure Heat exhaustion or heat stroke Hormonal issues such as an under-acti ve thyroid, diabetes, or low blood sugar Liver disease Pregnancy Some over-the-counter drugs Some prescription medications Widening of the blood vessels Causes of Sudden Drops in Blood Pressure Sudden drops in a person’s blood pressure may be life-threatening. A number of different things may cause this type of hypotension. The causes of sudden drops in blood pressure may include: A reaction to alcohol or medication Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction Heart muscle disease High body temperature Loss of blood Low body temperature Sepsis Severe dehydration from diarrhoea, vomiting, or fever People at Risk of Postural Hypotension Postural hypotension, or low blood pressure when a person stands up quickly, may happen to anyone for a number of reasons such as lack of food, dehydration, or simply being overly fatigued. It might also be influenced by a person’s genetic make-up, medication, aging, psychological factors, dietary ones, or acute triggers such as allergy or infection. Postural hypotension happens most often in people who are taking medications to control high blood pressure or, ‘hypertension’. It may also be related to strong emotions, pregnancy, diabetes, or hardening of a person’s arteries. Seniors are affected by postural hypotension in particular, especially seniors who experience high blood pressure or autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Hypotension after eating is a common cause of dizziness or even falls. It is most common after large meals containing a lot of carbohydrates. Medical science believes it is caused by blood pooling into a person’s vessels in their stomach and intestines. A number of medications are associated with postural hypotension as well. The medications may be divided into two major categories: Medications used to treat high blood pressure such as beta-blockers, diuretics, calcium-channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Medications that have hypotension as a side effect such as anti-psychotics, neuroleptics, nitrates, anti-anxiety agents, tricyclic antidepressants, sedative-hypnotics, and medications for Parkinson’s disease Some causes of naturally occurring postural hypotension exist. For example, dehydration and electrolyte loss might result from vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive blood loss during menstruation, or other conditions. A person’s age associated decline in blood pressure regulation is another example and is something that might worsen due to certain health conditions or medications. Some diseases may cause postural hypotension as well. Diseases such as Shy-Drager syndrome or, ‘multiple system atrophy,’ nerve issues such as peripheral neuropathy or autonomic neuropathy, cardiovascular disorders, nutritional diseases, or alcoholism may cause postural hypotension. Blood Pressure Ranges Listed below are the ranges for Low ( Table 1 ) Normal ( T able 2 ) and High ( Table 3 ) blood pressure respectively. Systolic pressure (mm Hg) Diastolic pressure (mm Hg) Pressure Range 90 60 Borderline Low blood Pressure 60 40 Too Low Blood Pressure 50 33 Dangerously Low Blood Pressure Table 1 Low Blood Pressure Range Systolic pressure (mm Hg) Diastolic pressure (mm Hg) Pressure Range 130 85 High Normal Blood Pressure 120 80 Normal Blood Pressure 110 75 Low Normal Blood Pressure Table 2 Normal Blood Pressure Range If one or both numbers are usually high, you have high blood pressure (Hypertension). Systolic pressure (mm Hg) Diastolic pressure (mm Hg) Stages of High Blood Pressure 210 120 Stage 4 180 110 Stage 3 160 100 Stage 2 140 90 Sta ge 1 Table 3 High Blood Pressure Range Figure 1Visual representation of Systolic and Diastolic Ranges       Age Systolic BP Diastolic BP 3-6 116 76 7-10 122 78 11-13 126 82 14-16 136 86 17-19 120 85 20-24 120 79 25-29 121 80 30-34 122 81 35-39 123 82 40-44 125 83 45-49 127 84 50-54 129 85 55-59 131 86 60+ 134 87 The average Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure is affected by age, as shown in Age Males (mmHg) Females (mmHg) 1 – 3 80/34 – 120/75 83/38 – 117/76 4 to 6 88/47 – 128/84 88/50 – 122/83 7 – 10 92/53 à ¢â‚¬â€œ 130/90 93/55 – 129/88 Table 4 Average Systolic and Diastolic Ranges of Neonates and Infants Table 5 Average Systolic and Diastolic Ranges of Children and Adults

Network Management & Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Network Management & Security - Essay Example The use of an Ethernet switch will allow quicker access to services and should handle all bandwidth issues. More switches can be added to accommodate more devices as they are added. There are three critical areas to consider when comparing Linux to Windows XP as a potential candidate for network operating system platforms: vulnerability to both attacks from outside the company's LAN/WAN and internally through security breeches, patch management with respect to the continual need to apply security patches, and availability and distribution of security information. Let's look at these security measures: Most Linux system have not been infected with a virus. This may be due to the fact that virus writers are not, at the moment, occupied with writing code to affect Linux machines based on the fact that it is UNIX based. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 9 contains all the components required for compliance with the Common Criteria Evaluation CAPP/EAL 4+, improving on the top-rated CAPP/EAL 3+ certification achieved in version 8. Windows patch management is well documented as a problem due to the amount of vulnerabilities that are present within the software itself. This is a large issue when calculating the TCO of an operating system. According to TechNewsWorld, "one major financial institution had to go to its board of directors to approve an additional $10 million to finish this patch. After MS Blast and the cost of patching that, it's, 'Here we go again,' as new vulnerabilities are found deeply ingrained in Microsoft systems." The article also mentions the plight of another financial institution that was forced to take down its IT system for three weeks to patch its Windows desktop machines. There is a continued weight the cost of continually patching Microsoft products when deciding which operating system to purchase. Availability and

Market Entry Strategy from Ireland into the Germanic Cluster Essay

Market Entry Strategy from Ireland into the Germanic Cluster - Essay Example In 2005, DVD unit sales became so dominant, resulting to the remarkable decline in VHS sales. In Germany, there was 9.5% increase in DVD sales in the same year (European Video: The Industry Overview. 2008). Film Production Industry: In 2007, the German film industry was optimistic to have a better year as far as movie exhibit and distribution is concerned. In a report from the Federal Film Board (FFA) in Berlin, the market share of German movies remained at 19.5% over the past three years (Germany Film Industry Upbeat Again. 2007). On the other hand, distribution of blockbuster hits such as Harry Potter and Spiderman III contributed much to the industry, garnering 6.6M and 3.1M respectively. In home entertainment, the sales and rentals of video cassettes and DVDs reached 669-million-euro level during the first half of 2007. Germany’s Economic Condition: The tax policies in Germany allow foreign film production companies to enjoy huge profits, thus investors are able to write off the entire cost of producing a project. Profits come in the form of huge tax savings, and all the investors have to do is to find a German national to sell the rights of the film to. This is perfectly legal and is widely being done between Hollywood producers and local investors. The best way to enter the German Market at this point is through Licensing. Through this strategy, Tyrone productions will essentially allow a local company to use the properties of the Licensor in producing its products. These products are usually intangible such as trademarks, patents and production techniques. The licensee pays a fee in exchange for the rights to use the intangible property and possibly for technical assistance. Licensing requires little investment on the part of the licensor, thus it guarantees more profits for Tyrone in the distributorship of its DVDs. Furthermore, this scheme would enable Tyrone to take

Area of Employment Law in the U.K Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Area of Employment Law in the U.K - Essay Example Aside from the fact that it lacks consistency, the provision does not form anything like a coherent code (OCinneide, 2007). In fact, the provision was made up of various pieces of legislation which does not cover only pure employment and work equality issues. Rather than focusing only on workplace equality issues, there was a larger equality framework related to education or public authority benefits. The purpose of implementing the Equality Act 2006 was created to promote the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which aims to outlaw or dissolve other inadequate employment legislation such as the Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission, and the Equal Opportunities Commission. Specifically, the EHRC aimed to promote the importance of workplace equality with gender as a basis (Office of Public Sector Information, 2006). Aside from amending the previous Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, Equality Act of 2006 also provides the public with more straightforward provisions and imposed duties concerning work inequalities and discrimination based on religion or beliefs. Although Equality Act 2006 mentioned brief introduction concerning sexual orientation in the workplace, the problem with this particular Act is that the said UK employment legislation on workplace equality and discrimination is limited in terms of providing a more detailed rule concerning iss ues related to sexual orientation. As a common knowledge, UK is bounded to comply with the EU Directive which aims to develop a legislative provision that will protect employees on the ground of gender re-assignment.  

Analysis essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 8

Analysis - Essay Example From â€Å"as I perchance hereafter shall think meet/ to put a disposition on† (Act 1 Scene 5, Act 2 Scene 1). When Ophelia tells his father Polonius that there are some strange characteristics seen in Hamlet, we can see that Hamlet is not willing to let people know what is actually going on. In addition, when there is a group of people coming to perform in the palace, Hamlet comes up with a bright idea on how best to illustrate and expose his father’s murder and the responsible party. He directs a play that shows how the king died to see the king’s brother rise to kingship. This play is able to perfectly prove that Claudius is indeed the King’s murderer. â€Å"There is a play tonight before the king: which I told thee of my father’s death† (Act 3 Scene 2). From that, we can see that Hamlet really wants to know who the murderer of his father really is. Thirdly, when Polonius is talking to Hamlet, and use word to baffle frustrate. â€Å"My lo rd, the queen would speak with you, and presently/ do you see yonder clouds that’s almost in shape of a camel† (Act 3 Scene 3). However,  even though he tries to approach the issue with utmost moderation, "Hamlet" somehow fails and shows rash and impulsive behavior instead. It is amazing agility but little or no premeditation when he stabs Polonius through the curtain, he does not even take time to check to see who really is behind the curtain. He seems to step easily into the role of a madman, which is not his normal behavior, to disturb other characters with his wild speech and pointed innuendo.   After reading the whole play, it is Hamlet who one sympathizes with. Even though he is smart, he is controlled by fate to do some things that he does not intend to do, and a sense of powerlessness to resist his actions. In the play, Hamlet always reflects the spirit of such a tragedy. â€Å"To be, or not to be: this is the question: Whether it is nobler in the mind of suffer. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

Discuss the Relationship between form and function in the Seagram Essay

Discuss the Relationship between form and function in the Seagram Building, the Guggenheim Museum and the George Pompidou Center - Essay Example It was designed as the headquarters for the Canadian distillers Joseph E. Seagram's & Sons" (2007). The International Style in which this building was constructed was extremely influential on American architecture, one of its chief traits being to externally articulate the structure of the building. Mies wanted the structural elements of the building to be visible. This was not practical because of the American fire codes that required structural steel to be coated with fireproof material, "so Mies used non-structural bronze-toned I-beams to suggest structure instead. These are visible from the outside of the building, and run vertically, like mullions, surrounding the large glass windows. Now, observers look up and see a "fake and tinted-bronze" structure covering a real steel structure. This method of construction using an interior reinforced concrete shell to support a larger non-structural edifice has since become commonplace. The interior was designed to assure cohesion with the external features, repeated in the glass and bronze furnishings and decorative scheme." (Wikipedia 2007). Two of the most interesting design features of the Seagram building involve the window blinds in the building itself and the Plaza just outside. Mies disliked the disorderly position of window blinds at various heights, so he designed the blinds in the building to operate fully open, fully closed, or halfway. This allowed the building to keep its orderly form without losing too much function. Mies never intended the area in front of the building to become a gathering place for people, but it did nonetheless. The Plaza is another function of the Seagram Building, as is the Four Seasons Restaurant (Wikipedia 2007). Guggenheim Museum One of the best-known museums in New York City is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or as it is most commonly known by the locals, The Guggenheim. It was founded in 1937 and serves as a location to house and display modern artwork. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the new and current building in the year 1959 (Wikipedia 2007). "The distinctive building, Wright's last major work, instantly polarized architecture critics, though today it is widely revered. From the street, the building looks approximately like a white ribbon curled into a cylindrical stack, slightly wider at the top than the bottom. Its appearance is in sharp contrast to the more typically boxy Manhattan buildings that surround it, a fact relished by Wright who claimed that his museum would make the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art "look like a Protestant barn" (Wikipedia 2007). As far as form is concerned, the viewing gallery within is comprised of a spiral. The downside to its beauty is that the design takes away from the artwork that is displayed. Also, the exhibit areas are difficult to hang paintings in. "Although the rotunda is generously lit by a large skylight, the niches are heavily shadowed by the walkway itself, leaving the art to be lit largely by artificial light. The walls of the niches are neither vertical nor flat (most are gently concave) meaning canvasses must be mounted proud of the wall's surface. The limited space within the niches means that sculptures are generally relegated to plinths amid the main spiral walkway itself. Prior to its opening,

Intellectual Property Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Intellectual Property Law - Essay Example In today’s marketplace, IP is not an afterthought, but an issue at the management and the board level, since it has shareholder value consequences. The critical value of high quality IP strategies cannot be overlooked, since it has the capability of fostering innovation and giving an organization a competitive edge and advantage. Licensing of IP, at a time when companies are considering other technological and commercial models, as is the case in the energy sector where most companies are considering climate-friendly technologies, can help protect a business from unnecessary lawsuits and legal battles, and provide an important source of revenue. This paper offers Greentech Ltd, a low carbon technology, energy firm, advice with regard to the management of its Intellectual Property portfolio, and proposes an a high quality IP strategy the firm can rely on in the management of any future innovations, especially in the area of Low Carbon Technology. The proposed IP strategy is aim ed at enabling Greentech Ltd to maximize its Research Division innovative outputs. Additionally, the strategy is targeted at enabling the acquisition of innovative ideas and research outputs of persons who are not employed by Greentech Ltd, and facilitation of entry of such ideas and other new ideas into the market at a faster rate. The paper is divided into three parts; Part I offers a brief background of Greentech Ltd current IP holdings and status, Part II outlines recommendations with regard to how Greentech should manage its current Intellectual Property Portfolio, while Part III describes a high quality IP strategy that Greentech will rely on in the management of any future innovations, especially in the area of Low Carbon Technology. Part One: Background and Introduction Background Greentech Ltd at present has various Intellectual Property holdings; it has, over the years licensed various technologies, specifically, it holds 20 licenses, from other parties as a way of enhanci ng its research projects. The company continues to pay, as is contained in the licensing contracts, royalties for all the 20 licenses; however, some of those IP holdings are no longer needed. Greentech Ltd has in the past has licensed certain technologies to other firms without proper initial exploration and research of the market to ascertain how to strike a better deal for the firm. The company, as part of its culture, has always endeavoured to ensure that all its research outputs are patented, and that those patents are sustained. This it has done even in cases where some patents have failed to yield substantial returns. Currently, Greentech Ltd holds 10 patents, all of which were granted between the year 2000 and 2011. The firm has recently developed a new and a potential market-leading technology, that is patentable; however, given the estimated cost, ?10 million, of further development, the firm is unable to fund further development of the technology. The firm has very poorly drafted employment contracts, which is not strict on confidentiality issues; as a result the employees who leave are not in any way deterred from taking confidential information with them. Additionally, Greentech Ltd has failed, in some cases, to use non-disclosure agreements, or in some cases, has used them in a

Greed for Money Essay Example for Free

Greed for Money Essay Today, greed for money, together with greed for power, is one of the chief causes of human misery. No wonder our Lord put as his first beatitudes;† Blessed are the poor in spirit. † Poverty in spirit is the opposite of greed for money, for it means detachment from material things coupled with trust in God as the only Savior. People cheat other people for money. They betray friends for money. Members of the same family – sometimes parents and children quarrel and sue each other in court over money. Jesus was very well aware that money would rival God in the eyes of many people. That is why he warned â€Å"No man can serve two masters, you cannot serve God and money†. He himself was the victim of greed. In the end, He was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver by Judas. It takes real grace to see the seduction of money and the emptiness of its promises. Aspiring politicians have heard of the sad end of Ferdinand Marcos, and other dictators whose billions benefit only the Swiss banks but not those who robbed their own people. And yet given the opportunity, how many will resist the temptation to take advantage of one’s public trust? In the song Hello Dolly, it says â€Å"Money my dear is like manure. It is good for nothing unless it is spread around to make your things grow. † Many of us are rather more fascinated by the manure and love to store it, more than to share it.

Developing Reading Habits in Students

Developing Reading Habits in Students Nowadays, most students are less keen on developing their reading habits. Still, to be able to stand on the same ground as other leading countries, this habit should be instilled on the students. Many parties especially the government and teachers are concerned with the students declining reading habits. However, parents are unaware of this problem or choose to turn a blind eye towards it. Parents choose to leave this problem for teachers to handle. The government, teachers, parents and students have their own views on this matter and in this essay I will state and discuss their views so that I can decide for myself who is responsible on how Malaysia could enrich students reading habit. After approximately 11 years in formal education, majority of Malaysian students are able to read efficiently after finishing their secondary education. However, even equipped with literacy skills particularly reading skills, the reading habits of students are still at an unsatisfactory level. The Sunday Star newspaper (8th August, 1999:p2) reports that the poor reading habits among Malaysians was common knowledge but, in true Malaysian fashion, it took an official survey to jolt the education sector that something had to be done fast. There has been a debate on who is responsible for these students who are lacking in reading. Many parties are blaming parents on this matter as they lack the time to teach their children the basics of reading. They are prioritizing more on their career and making money rather than their childrens education. The government is very much concern on this matter. Based on the statistics issued by the National Statistics Department during the year 2002, Malaysian students only read two books a year. Studies in the past have shown that the exam-oriented educational system in Malaysia promotes routine learning and that there needs to be a standard shift in how we view education and about the way we teach (Chitravellu, 1997). The Education Minster, Datuk Najib Tun Razak, has frequently commented in the local media that most students read only to pass exams and do not read for pleasure. He has been instrumental in implementing many projects aimed at improving students reading ability in the country. Reading skills are important throughout our lifespan, particularly as we respond to new demands and changes in jobs and reading for pleasure or recreational has been found to improve reading comprehension, writing style, vocabulary, spelling and grammatical development (Krashen, 1993). The positive an d rewarding effects of recreational reading have been demonstrated in numerous studies (Burgess, 1994; Krashen, 1984, 1993). In other words, it is important that Malaysia must aim to re-evaluate the present education system, not to reverse it or simply oscillate forward and backward within the same unchanging parameters, without ever conducting a critical evaluation of where, how, and why things went wrong. The government must therefore set up an educational re-evaluation or reform program or a national enquiry committee to look seriously into the Malaysian education and develop a set of realistic, practical, and forward-looking ideas for improving the national education system in accordance with the requirements and ideals of Vision 2020. However, the more immediate task is to prepare the future human resource of the nation with the ability and intellectual skills to adapt to the expansion of the Malaysian economy and its globalization. Parents are the most influential people in the life of a child; students normally model the behaviours and attitudes of their parents after constantly observing them since they were in diapers. Logically, if the parents have positive attitudes the child will mimic and model after them. It goes the same if the parents have negative attitudes and behaviours. If the parents themselves do not make reading as a daily activity, they should not expect their child to cultivate reading as a daily activity. In this context, parents should be good role models to the students by including reading as one of their daily activities (Clark, 2007). Other than that, parents should allocate a small percentage of their monthly earnings to purchase books and suitable reading materials for their children. They should also designate a small section in the house specifically for reading. This allows their children to always have a place to read. If the child is still an infant or a toddler, allocate some pe rsonal time with and read a story book together. By the time child is starting his or her formal education, he or she will associate reading with not only for exams but also for pleasure. Parents also can bring their child to the local library and allow them to read books which discuss the topics of their interest. If the child is fond of cars then allow him to read a book regarding the anatomy of a car. By doing so, the child is reading for pleasure and personal interest. This can translate into good academic performance and personal development in the future. Other than parents, the school which is the primary educational institution of the society also has a crucial role to play in improving students reading habits. The school library is one of the usual facilities found in a public school. However, it is not fully utilised by the students. Students will seldom go and read at the school library unless it is for some special reading programme which is conducted once or twice a week by the school. This may be due to the schools library lacking certain attractive factors. The school should allocate some money to ameliorate the facilities of the schools library. Computers should be provided to enable the students to utilise the internet for research and also to locate online reading materials. Air-conditioners should be installed and quality chairs as well as tables should be provided in order to create a conducive reading ambience. The books available should be of variety of genre and topics to capture the many interests of the students. Th e school engender book publishing companies such as McGraw-Hill and Dawama in order to purchase suitable reading materials for the library. The elected student librarians and the teacher-in-charge should make an effort to promote the books available in the library to the student body. Most of the time students have no interest to go to the school library due to the absence of awareness regarding the books available there which may attract their interest (Clark, 2010). Lastly, the only people that can improve the students reading habit are the students themselves. It is futile to assist the students in improving their reading habits if they themselves have no intention of doing so. The student should be aware that reading is one of the primary key to success in the modern world. In our information-saturated globe, knowledge is constantly being updated and upgraded wherein previous information would deem obsolete or impractical. Moreover, with the advent and evolution of the internet, information can be transmitted throughout the whole world in the blink of an eye. Therefore, it is imperative for students to make reading as a pleasurable and continuing habit if he or she wants to stay abreast with the world and have the competitive edge. Students should realise that they will have to read continuously even after finishing their formal education. The knowledge that the students studied when they were sitting for their exams may have undergone signifi cant changes in the next five or ten years. In order to keep abreast with current development, students must read relevant publications. If the students do not hone this habit, they will not have the initiative to constantly read not only to improve their career standing but also for personal development in order to become a better and useful citizen. There are many reasons for the deplorable reading habits of Malaysian students either due to parental, school-related or personal habits. Even so, they are innumerable numbers of ways to improve the current reading habits of students. This requires the amalgamation of the efforts of many authoritative bodies such as the school and the government. Readings is one of the most essential language abilities. I am not implying that the other language skills are of lower standard but much of the knowledge within the society is disseminated through writing. For me, personally, even after just finishing school I still allocate some time to read books concerning my area of interest such as linguistics and novels. I read such books not for passing an exam later on but for reading itself. In conclusion, even though students are still passing exams, their reading habit is not continuous. Reading for pleasure is a far cry for Malaysian students as they are more exams oriented. Both the government and teachers have valid arguments to argue. Parents are the first teachers to children. However, parents fail to nurture their children in this habit while they are young. Thus, resulting in the situation we are nowadays. In my opinion, based on the current reading habit of the Malaysian students, Malaysia has a long way to go before it can compete with a reading and successful society such as Japan.

The Compiled Sync List of The Wizard of Oz :: The Wizard of Oz Movies Music Films Essays

The Compiled Sync List of The Wizard of Oz 001-Echoes 1) The first indicator that everything is going right is the change from "Speak to Me" to "Breathe" which coincides exactly with the fade-in appearance of the name of producer Mervyn LeRoy *Note: In the prologue the word "Time" (one of the songs on the CD) is written with a capital letter even though it isn't at the start of the sentence. Also you will find the word "Heart" capitalized in the middle of a sentence (a sound particular to "The Dark Side of the Moon"). 2) "Leave, but don't leave me ..." Auntie Em appears to say "... Leave ..." to Dorothy and then Dorothy turns to leave looking a bit down in the mouth. 3) Right after the words "... Look around ..." Dorothy looks around. 4) "... Smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry ..." Two men above (Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodsman) are smiling and the man below (Scarecrow) is crying. This one is sort of not on time but worth the mention. 5) "... All you touch ..." Dorothy touches the man (Cowardly Lion) holding a bucket on his arm. *Note: "All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be" Dorothy's life will only really be all she touches and all she sees in her Kansas home because Oz exists only in her pretty little head. 6) "... When at last the work is done ..." the man (Scarecrow) hits his finger with the hammer (to the beat of the drum no less) and is done with his work. 7) Right after "... Dig that hole ..." the farm hand (Scarecrow) points to the ground as if telling Dorothy to dig a hole. 8) "... Balanced on the biggest wave ..." Dorothy is balancing herself on the fence. 9) "... Race towards an early grave." is said at the moment just before Dorothy falls off the fence rail. ["... Down in the pig-pen sayin' 'keep on diggin' ..." Lyrics from "Pigs (Three Different Ones)" by Roger Waters on the "Animals" CD] *Note: "... Race towards an early grave ..." Perhaps a reference to Judy Garland's untimely death? *Note: Judy Garland died in 1969, the same year we put a man on the moon ... "I'll see you on the Dark Side of the Moon." 10) Song shifts from "Breathe" to "On the Run" at the same time (actually just slightly before) Dorothy falls off the fence.

The Origin of Gender Roles Essay -- Essays Papers

The Origin of Gender Roles The root of all gender issues which presently exist in society may be traced back to The Creation Story in Genesis. This crucial chapter of the Bible provides evidence supporting that God intended for man and woman to exist as equals, yet he assigned gender roles once Adam and Eve disobeyed him by eating the fruit from the forbidden tree of good and evil. Thus, men have been characterized as the â€Å"breadwinners† and women as â€Å"child bearers and housekeepers† since the beginning of humanity. The story of Lilith as Adam’s supposed first wife suggests Adam took on a patriarchal role from the beginning, yet Lilith refused to accept his assumed superiority. She initially challenges him, and then leaves him; she represents a rebellious, yet independent woman. Although these two stories on the first man and woman are significantly different, the two convey that men and women have been trapped in certain roles since the beginning of time, and have always had a power struggle between them. Gender issues have not evolved over time; they have always existed. â€Å"Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man† (Gen. 2:22). The order of human creation in Genesis calls into question whether it was intended for a hierarchy to exist between genders. Since Eve is created from Adam’s rib, and as his helper, it is argued she is created merely to support him, and that she derives from him. These claims have connotations of inferiority. However, other evidence in the Bible proves God did not intend for man to be put above woman. He created both in his image, from the earth, and with the intention they would come together to form one flesh. Therefore, sinc... ... patriarchal text. It argues for women’s presence in the Bible, and deeply explores the stories of prominent female biblical characters. Swidler, Leonard. Biblical Affirmations of Woman. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Westminster Press, 1979. Swidler compares the status of women from the biblical period to that of women from the post-biblical period. The author also evaluates the positive and negative aspects of Jewish and Christian biblical traditions, yet puts more effort into exploring the positive elements of the biblical tradition as far as women are concerned. The Bible. This is the King James Version which is most commonly used and analyzed. It is the core to many religions, and narrates the stories of all prominent biblical figures from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

1720s and 1820a :: American History

In the 1720’s to the 1820’s there were several events, changes, and processes that occurred in America. The three events I am choosing to analyze are: The Great Awakening, The Revolution, and The Market Economy. Each one of these events had a cultural, social and economic aspect. Each one of these events had different impacts and was manifested in several different ways. The first event I will be analyzing is The Great Awakening. â€Å"The Great Awakening cut across lines of class, status, and education† (Boyer â€Å"Bonds of Empire†, P. 86). â€Å"The American Protestantism was split† (Boy â€Å"Bonds of Empire†, P. 87). â€Å"In 1741 Old and New Light Presbyterians formed rival branches that reunited in 1758 when the revivalists emerged victorious† (Boyer â€Å"Bonds of Empire†, P. 87). â€Å"Members of Anglican churches started leaving and going to New Light Presbyterians and Baptists† (Boyer â€Å"Bonds of Empire†, P. 87). â€Å"The Great Awakening stimulated the founding of new colleges unscarred by religious wars† (Boyer â€Å"Bonds of Empire†, P. 87). With the Great awakening for the cultural effect was that they found different churches for others to go to and enjoyed more. They also found colleges that are really well-known colleges today. The next event I chose to ana lyze is The Revolution. During the Revolution, there were social changes that affected several different races, classes and genders. The four groups that the Revolution had an effect on the social changes were: white men, White women, Black Americans, and Native Americas. With the Revolution effecting the white men by â€Å"wearing homespun clothing in support of boycotts of British goods (Boyer, â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, p. 128). When the Virginia planters organized militia companies in 1775, they wore plain hunting shirts so that they didn’t embarrass the poorest farmer for his clothes so that they could enlist† (Boyer, â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, p. 128). While men were out in the war the â€Å"women stayed home and managed families, households, farms and businesses on their own† (Boyer, â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, P. 129). For the Black Americans, it started to show others that slavery was not a good thing. â€Å"The war, nevertheless, presented new opportuni ties to African-Americans† (Boyer, â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, P. 130). â€Å"The slaves were even trying to escape as all the confusion that was going on and pose as a freeman† (Boyer, â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, p. 130). Even though the Revolution showed new opportunities to the African-Americans it â€Å"didn’t end slavery nor brought equality to free blacks, but it did begin a process by which slavery could be extinguished† (Boyer â€Å"Defining Nationhood†, p.

Death of a Salesman Willy Loman’s Mental Breakdwon Essay

In Death of a Salesman Willy Loman was a man made of false dreams. Willy Loman was a man who destroyed himself with his false hopes and dreams. Throughout his whole life he was trying to become a Salesman like his father and he thought he would die a rich and successful man. Willy Loman was a man who tried so hard to achieve the American dream but failed to do so due to the multiple circumstances throughout his life. Environment around Willy Loman has had a huge affect on him which is causing him to be instable. Willy is not only destroyed by his own ideals but destroyed by his own two children Biff and Happy and Howard firing him also broke him down even more. Willy Loman is destroying himself trying to achieve the American Dream and trying to become a salesman like his own father but is failing to do so. He wants to own his own business. Willy also wants to be â€Å"bigger† then Uncle Charlie and that is why he never takes a job under Uncle Charlie even after getting fired. He wishes to die the â€Å"Death of a Salesmman† where many people to mourn for him and remember him as a great salesman. Willy has spent his whole life trying to achieve all these dreams of his but he still hasn’t really achieved any of them which is causing him to have a mental breakdown. However Willy aims in life have been useless as he hasn’t really achieved anything. Willy Loman is constantly lying to himself and his family to escape from being a failure. He is constantly trying to achieve his dream of becoming a great salesman but is lost in reality and is running out of time. In the play Charlie said to Willy â€Å"When are you going to grow up. † Even though Charlie was made fun of by Willy he still is his only friend and cares for him and even offers him a job after Willy gets fired by Howard but Willy refuses to take the job because of his high standards and his dreams which he hasn’t be able to accomplish yet. Willy knows he hasn’t accomplished anything yet and that is why he is guilty and starts lying to himself and to his family and even goes on and has an affair with another woman. He has the affair with the other woman to give himself a â€Å"boost† or to go into another world because he feels he has been a failure at not achieving the â€Å"American Dream. † Having an affair also caused Willy to breakdown because Biff caught him cheating and Willy feels guilty about it. Willy put in his whole life for his sons, Biff and Happy and they turned their backs on him. Willy always loved Biff and thought he would be an amazing business man but after Biff saw Willy cheating it tore Biff apart. Biff failed math and went to Boston to get his dad to talk to his math teacher but at that time he caught his father cheating which made him not get along with his dad for the rest of his life. Willy knows deep down it his fault that Biff never became a successful business man. The fact that he feels guilty is also a huge factor in his mental breakdown. The psychoanalytic theory describes how the environment around a person has an effect on the person. In Willy’s case it his sons and his failiures in life which is causing him to be unstable. From the multiple causes of Willy’s mental breakdown the biggest thing that broke him down was when Biff at the end of Act II shows him the rubber tube he found and explains to him that he was never what Willy wanted him to be. After all that Willy realizes his sons actually do love him even though they aren’t successful businessman. When will realizes he is almost finished is when Biff says â€Å"Pop, I’m nothing! Im nothing Pop. Cant you understand that? There’s no spite in it anymore. Im just what I am, that’s all. † Biff also says â€Å"Will you let me go for Christ’s sake† Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens? After this situation Willy realizes he has not accomplished much in life and his life is almost finished but Biff does love him. Willy has been chasing the American dream for ever trying to follow his father but has never succeeded which has caused him to fail throughout his whole life because he never really did what he was good at which was using his hands. After Willy committed suicide biff tells us what Willy could have been which could have made him successful. Biff says â€Å"Charley, there’s more of him in that front stoop than in all the sales he ever made. † This shows that Willy was never a salesman but was good with his hands. The played concluded with Willy committing suicide so his sons could collect the insurance money and because he had realized he was a failure in life but still wanted his children to be happy and successful. The multiple complications lead to the destruction of an American Dream. Willy wanted a dream that seemed materialistic and unimportant which caused his own life and destruction of his kids. Willy trying to chase the American dream and trying to be better then Charley and trying to be like his dad caused him to be a failure and eventually take his own life. Him not being able to achieve his dreams throughout his life caused him to be a failure and destroying his kids as well.

Bob Ewell Character Analysis Essay Essay

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee emphasizes the horrors of prejudice that allows one man to destroy another based solely on skin color. Lee portrays Bob Ewell as an embodiment of racial hatred and lack of moral integrity. The story takes place in a small southern town where prejudice is a way of life. When faced with the possibility of his daughter wanting a black man, Ewell beats her out of enmity towards the black race and blames the man for Ewell’s own actions. Bob Ewell suffers no guilt for the lies he spreads due to his abusive behavior, unprincipled mindset and prejudiced outlook. Bob Ewell’s behavior is characterized best when Miss Stephanie explains â€Å"this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life’. Ewell’s initial reaction to seeing Atticus is to disrespect him and spit on him. This reflects deeply on his character, as it shows that he is probably abusive and disrespectful to everyone no matter what their background is. Fischler 2 Ewell lived without a conscience and made immoral decisions without a hint of guilt. Ewell demonstrates his unscrupulous mindset when he attempts to kill Atticus’ children* to get revenge on Atticus for defending a black man, even though Ewell won the trial. Of every one of Ewell’s malevolent traits, his prejudice is his most predominant. Ewell clearly states his racism when he says â€Å"He stood up and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson. ‘I seen that black negro yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!'† He refers to Tom as an animal by using the term â€Å"ruttin’† and uses vulgar language to further show his disgust in people different than him. In the story, Bob Ewell gets a man sentenced to prison/death not because of his wrongdoings, but because of his ethnicity. I believe this morally wrong and that being able to show your hatred publicly and acting on it should be stopped at all costs. This book is a prime example of why.

Discrimination in fairytales

What do you think about fairytales? Do you think about a pretty little princess waiting for her prince or a dark sensual world of make-believe that revolves around violence? I seriously doubt it's the latter. This is because fairytales have drastically changed over the centuries. The modern versions we know today were preceded by a much darker kind of story, one that played heavily on the ideas of superstition, the devil and violence. Genders weren't as heavily criticised. Heroines used to save themselves and others too, usually with brains or charm opposed to brawn. But at least they were trying. An example of this could be â€Å"Sleeping Beauty†, Perrault's version, where the Princess saves herself and her two children from her husband's evil stepmother, by cooking a goat; instead of one of the children as the ogress requested. Her husband then comes in to save her. She played a crucial part in the story: saving her children from the cannibalism of their father's step-mother. Cannibalism is certainly frowned on in society, but is in fact actually a rather common theme in fairytales: Red Riding Hood also originally included cannibalism. The Wolf left the Grandmother's blood and meat for the girl to eat. After she unwittingly cannibalises her grandmother, she sometimes strips for the wolf and gets into bed with it. He then either eats her or ties her to a piece of string. She usually escapes using her own cunning. This is quite different from the grandma-loving biscuit-carrying Red Riding Hood of today. It actually comes across as a story more about child molesting, or at the very least, lust. The story is sometimes seen as a parable of sexual awakening. The red cloak symbolises the blood of the menstruation cycle or the hymen, although earlier versions of the tale do not state the cloak is red. The anthropomorphic wolf can symbolise a lover, a seducer, a rapist, or a molester. This is clearly a rather different take on the Red Riding Hood than we're used to. It seems to be a rather mature disturbing tale. I don't think it's necessarily something we would want our children exposed to. But that was how they were originally written. At least until they were bowdlerised by the Grimm brothers. Fairy stories were originally gothic tales and scary stories about what might come and take you in the night; they were far removed from the Disney classics. The Grimm brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm, were born in Germany in the late 18th century. In an effort to preserve Germany's heritage and promote cultural unity, they collected a vast array of folk and fairy tales from their fellow Germans-mostly middle- and upper-class friends. Although their original intent was to preserve the stories exactly as told, one edit led to another, and soon they had given the stories a literary style and released them as Kinder- und Hausmirchen (Children's and Household Tales. ) Because their intended audience included children, the Grimms selectively bowdlerised the tales they published, notably removing evil mothers and replacing them with step-mothers (as in the case of †Snow White†), and removing implications of sex and pregnancy (as in †Rapunzel†). However, because standards of child-friendliness have shifted in the past 200 years, some of the Grimms' stories are now considered family unfriendly and the deaths written in them are considered to be shockingly violent. This was not the view at the time. So basically they took a fornicating girl in a tower, and turned her into a damsel in distress. This was not quite the same idea. This gave rise to the dependent needy princesses and maidens that feature so heavily in today's fairytales. These are characters that belittle everything that women fight and give their lives to achieve. And ironically it is the past stories that show less anti-feminism even though people were actually more sexist in that period. At least those women had some self-respect and the ability to plot, and in rare cases, use weapons. The blonde stereotype of women in modern fairytales is unparalleled. From a young age, it's almost as if we are being trained to indulge in the ideals of vanity and sexual dependence. Well excuse me†¦ but I'd rather not. It seems to me that this is the start of young girls' urge and desperation for ‘the look': this is something that many women will diet and exercise to achieve. Although as girls age they graduate off pretty princesses and onto fashion icons and models. I'm completely against this idea, partly because I'm a perpetrator of wanting ‘the look' myself, and the fact that I will never achieve it. In other fairytales, a heroine is willingly bound by a spell, whereas a male character may be cursed because he has refused to yield something, for example shelter, in ‘Beauty and the Beast'. If the female character is cursed unwillingly, she is cursed by a malignant character that is as ugly as her personality. This is the exact opposite of the maiden who is cursed. This amplifies the idea that beauty is idyllic and good and ugliness is evil and unforgivable. This isn't a very good role model for children and I find this interesting because it seems to reflect our desire for beauty. However, the reality is that women are not all beautiful and if they aren't, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are nasty unpleasant people. Some villains do have a sort of beauty, but this is usually a sharp-featured frightening beauty that terrifies the younger generation. A wronged women in a fairytale may take the form of a particular animal to escape an evil stepmother or an unwanted marriage. The animal they take is usually reflective of their main traits. For example a graceful and delicate woman may take the form of a swan or a doe. These are animals that are considered to be beautiful. Their fellow animals will provide some company and will somehow help the character to regain what they have lost. This animalistic form gives the character a connection to nature and separates them from society. They become wilder and less sophisticated, embracing a more instinctual kind of beauty. So characters have also gone from blonde to beast, the opposite of the current situation-where blondes prevail far more than beasts. Beastly women, however, are often considered to be connected the Devil, like ‘wild woman' who is the devil's offspring. Lots of hair or fur seems to show some relation to evil, perhaps as it isn't very attractive. This can be compared with the Elizabethan saying ‘Bush natural more hair than wit' which means that people with lots of hair or fur are supposed to be primitive, inferior, sexual and beastly. These weren't exactly desirable traits either at the time or now. Nowadays there seems to be a teeming population of blondes in fairy stories. An example could be â€Å"La Belle aux cheveux d'or† who had hair ‘finer than gold' that was ‘marvellously wonderfully blonde' and was ‘curly and fell to her feet'. This is a rather pleasing image: a beauty with long wondrously blonde hair. The story claims ‘you couldn't look upon her without loving her'. A rather amazing claim: that a woman or man may just gaze upon her and find themselves desperately in love with her, whether in a sexual way or not. This seems to be an illustration of the power possessed by mere appearances. The word blonde comes from the Latin ‘blandus' meaning charming. So in the past it had no implications of sex or great femininity. It also comes from the Medieval Latin ‘blundus' meaning yellow, which only serves to describe the colour not the appeal. In the 14th century, Chaucer began to use the word ‘blondinet' or ‘blondin', which was an affectionate diminutive. In fact it was mainly used for boys. Nowadays we don't think of boys being blonde in the same way girls are. Blonde began to become exclusively female and suggested sweetness, charm and youthfulness: everything a young princess would desire. Only in the 30's and 40's did the word acquire ‘hot' vampirish undertones and begin to be desired almost obsessively. The word blonde symbolises femininity and beauty; things that women crave beyond reason. However, the reality is that it's just a hair colour and that there are women of all hair colours- black, brown, red, grey†¦ white, if you count albinos- that are as beautiful as blondes. More disturbingly perhaps, in recent years the word blonde has been yoked with ‘dumb' to depict a particular character type. Not only is the heroine nearly always blonde, but she is always young. This seems rather ageist to me and isn't the sort of idea that we would want our children brainwashed with. Do we want them to idolise the youthful and not respect that the elderly can achieve things themselves? No. They should understand from a young age that you can't use people and that OAP's are not a step of the stairway of success, as people is fairy stories often do. The heroine never possesses great wisdom and seems to get things and assistance by flicking her hair and batting her eyelashes. Wow†¦ that's very useful. I don't think that that should be something that children aspire to be like. Intelligence and knowledge are more important than beauty, and fairytales seem to miss this. So the prince can slay a dragon, but can he win a game of checkers? I wouldn't count on it. It seems to me that in fairytales, only the villains seem to possess a decent IQ, as they're the only characters that use their brains or cunning to conjure up a scheme. Heroes rely on courage. I think it's almost sad that in the stories strength and beauty are idolised and seem to triumph over intelligence. This is similar today, however, if we think about how the bullies of the world act all big and tough, but aren't the brightest bulbs around. They tend to pick on the weak, so in today's world that would be the geek. Rather sad, don't you think? The stereotype of a maiden in fairy stories is dependent, needy and waiting for her happily-ever after. This is not exactly an image to aspire to. After all why would a woman need a man? She could get on perfectly well on her own. As the feminist saying goes, â€Å"A women needs a man, like a fish needs a bicycle. † However, I think this is a little extreme. Perhaps this dreadful stereotype of women could be remedied if half the time the women went out to save the men. Perhaps it would ruin the men's egos, but at least the women could be portrayed with a little self-respect and not a day-dreaming ditz who has the attention span of a goldfish. The 90's Disney movies tried desperately to do this. Ariel, Belle and Mulan who rush to the aid of their lovers are the examples of this. I decided to write about fairytales because there are so many issues surrounding them. I remember them with fondness from my childhood, and I would want to read them to my children and grandchildren. I think gender discrimination is a serious issue. Just because someone has an X and a Y chromosome or two X's, it doesn't mean they are any better than the other. I think feminism is a step too far in the other direction however. Being co-dependent isn't necessarily a bad thing. Men need women too. Fairytales show both sides of this as well. The prince rescues his princess as he can't live without her and the maiden loves the man because†¦ well who can resist a man on a white horse? Not me! They are simple stories that are debated hotly because of the context of them. Are they too violent? Are they too idealistic? Are they too perfect? Fairytales are all about love and romance. They are about good triumphing over evil in a series of unlikely events. They tell us of deeds of valour and bravery in a time that we can only imagine. They show us how a poor little maid can fall in love and become a princess. The characters may be seriously flawed and have many issues, but they are stories. Wonderful stories. Stories that we read time and time again so that we can dream of being that brave knight or that damsel in distress. I think that my childhood would not have been the same without Chicken Licken or the Princess and the Pea. I think that even though they are unrealistic and give people impossible expectations and dreams, they are a part of our culture. To edit them, as the Grimm brothers did, would destroy a time long-forgotten. I think that they still exist today. The royalty of today is the celebrities-actors and models. We look at them and wish we were like them, just as the people of the Renaissance would have looked at a princess and thought ‘I wish I was her†¦ ‘ Dreaming is in our nature and to change that for the sake of a few misconceptions would be unforgivable.

The Hunters: Phantom Chapter 16

He walked for a long, long time, though it seemed his surroundings never changed. The same dim light filtered through a constant cloud of ash. He plodded on through grime, through mud, through ankle-deep pools of dark water. Occasional y, he unclenched his fist and gazed again at the locks of hair. Each time, the magic liquid cleaned them a little more, changing a scrap of fibrous blackness to two locks of shining hair, red and gold. He walked on. Everything hurt, but he couldn't stop. If he stopped he would sink back below the ash and mud, back to the grave back to death. Something whispered around the edges of his mind. He didn't know quite what had happened to him, but words and phrases spun in his head. Words like abandoned, words like alone. He was very cold. He kept walking. After a while, he realized he was mumbling. â€Å"Left me al alone. They'd never have left him here.† He couldn't remember who this him was, but he felt a sick sort of satisfaction from the glow of resentment. He held on to it as he continued his march. After what felt like an unchanging eternity, something happened. Ahead of him he could see the gatehouse he had imagined: spired like a fairy-tale castle, black as night. He walked faster, his footsteps shuffling through the ash. And then the earth opened suddenly beneath his feet. In the space of a heartbeat, he was fal ing into nothingness. Something inside him howled, Not now, not now. He grabbed and clawed at the earth, his arms holding him afloat, his feet swinging into the emptiness below him. â€Å"No,† he moaned. â€Å"No, they can't†¦ Don't leave me here. Don't leave me again.† His fingers slipped, mud and ash sliding beneath his hands. â€Å"Damon?† an incredulous voice roared. A great muscular figure stood above him, silhouetted against the moons and planets in the sky, his chest bared, long, spiraling tangles of hair spil ing over his shoulders. This statue of a man reached down and grasped him by the arms, lifting him up. He yelped in pain. Something beneath the earth had latched onto his legs and was pul ing him back down. â€Å"Hold on!† The other man grunted, muscles rippling. He strained and heaved against whatever was clinging onto Damon – Damon, the man had cal ed him, and that felt right, somehow. The other man gave a great tug, and final y the force below released him, and he shot out of the earth, knocking his rescuer backward. Damon lay panting on the ground, spent. â€Å"You are supposed to be dead,† the other man told him, climbing to his feet and holding out a hand to steady Damon. He pushed a long lock of hair away from his face and gazed at Damon with serious, troubled eyes. â€Å"The fact that you are not†¦ wel , I am not as surprised as I should be.† Damon blinked at his savior, who was watching him attentively. He wet his lips and tried to speak, but his voice wouldn't come. â€Å"Everything has been disturbed here since your friends left,† the man said. â€Å"Something essential has shifted in this universe. Things are not right.† He shook his head, his eyes troubled. â€Å"But tel me, mon cher, how does it come to be that you are here?† Final y Damon found his voice. It came out rough and quavering. â€Å"I†¦ don't know.† The man immediately was al courtesy. â€Å"I think the situation cal s for some Black Magic, oui? And some blood, perhaps, and a chance to clean up. And then, Damon, we must talk.† He gestured toward the dark castle ahead of them. Damon hesitated for a moment, glancing at the emptiness and ash around them, then trudged after him toward the open doors. After Stefan swept out of the room so suddenly, everyone could only stare after him as the front door banged, signaling that he had left the house just as quickly. Bonnie hugged her arms around herself, shivering. A little voice in the back of her head told her that something was very, very wrong. Celia final y broke the silence. â€Å"Interesting,† she said. â€Å"Is he always so†¦ intense? Or is it a vampire thing?† Alaric chuckled dryly. â€Å"Believe it or not, he's always seemed very low-key and practical to me. I don't remember him being so volatile.† He ran a hand through his sandy hair and added thoughtful y, â€Å"Maybe it was the contrast with his brother that made him seem so reasonable. Damon was pretty unpredictable.† Meredith frowned thoughtful y. â€Å"No, you're right. This isn't the way Stefan usual y acts. Maybe he's emotional because Elena's threatened? But that doesn't make sense†¦ she's been in danger before. Even when she died – he was heartbroken, but, if anything, it made him more responsible, not wilder.† â€Å"But when Elena was dead,† Alaric reminded her, â€Å"the worst thing he could imagine had already happened. It's possible that what's making him so jumpy is that he doesn't know where the threat's coming from this time.† Bonnie took a sip of tea, zoning out as Meredith hmmmed thoughtful y, and Celia raised one skeptical eyebrow. â€Å"I stil don't understand what you mean when you say Elena died. Are you suggesting she actual y rose from the dead?† â€Å"Yes,† said Meredith. â€Å"She was turned into a vampire, then she was exposed to sunlight and physical y died. They buried her and everything. Later – months later – she returned. She's human again, though.† â€Å"I find al that very hard to believe,† said Celia flatly. â€Å"Honestly, Celia,† said Alaric, throwing up his hands in exasperation. â€Å"With everything you've seen since we got here – your scarf nearly choking you, then spel ing out a name, Bonnie having a vision, Stefan practical y flying to save you – I don't know why you're drawing the line now and saying you don't believe a girl could come back from the dead.† He paused and took a breath. â€Å"I don't mean to sound harsh, but real y.† Meredith smirked. â€Å"Believe it or not, it's true. Elena came back from the dead.† Bonnie wrapped one long red curl around her finger. She watched as her finger turned white and red against the strand of hair. Elena. Of course they were talking about Elena. Everyone was always talking about Elena. Whether she was with them or not, everything they did or thought centered on Elena. Alaric turned to address the whole group. â€Å"Stefan seems convinced that ‘he wants you' means Caleb, but I'm not sure that it does. From what I've seen of Bonnie's visions, and what you guys have told me, they're hardly ever about what's right in front of her. Caleb's appearance – if it even was Caleb – could have been a coincidence. Don't you think so, Meredith?† Oh, don't bother to ask me about the visions, Bonnie thought bitterly. I'm only the one who has them. Wasn't that the way it always was, though? She was the one everyone overlooked. â€Å"It could be a coincidence,† Meredith said doubtful y. â€Å"But if it's not Caleb she was talking about, who is it? Who wants Elena?† Bonnie glanced under her eyelashes at Matt, but he was staring out the window, apparently completely detached from the conversation. She could tel that Matt stil loved Elena, even if no one else knew. It was too bad: Matt was awful y cute. He could date anyone, but it was taking him a long time to get over her. But then, no one ever seemed to get over Elena. Half the boys at Robert E. Lee High School had gone around gazing wistful y after her, as if she might suddenly turn around and fal into their arms. Certainly most of the boys Elena had dated had stayed a little bit in love with her, even after Elena had more or less forgotten their names. It isn't fair, Bonnie thought, twirling her hair more tightly around her finger. Everyone always wanted Elena, and Bonnie had never even had a boyfriend for more than a few weeks at a time. What was wrong with her? People always told her how cute she was, how adorable, how fun†¦ and then they looked past her to Elena, and it was like they couldn't see Bonnie anymore. And while Damon, amazing, sexy Damon, had been fond of her, sometimes, when she wasn't trying to kid herself, she knew he hadn't real y seen her, either. I'm just the sidekick, that's my problem, Bonnie thought glumly. Elena was the star; Meredith was a hero; Bonnie was a sidekick. Celia cleared her throat. â€Å"I have to confess I'm intrigued by the appearance of the names,† she said stiffly. â€Å"It does seem like they point to some kind of threat. Whether or not Bonnie's purported vision comes to anything† – Bonnie shot her best nasty look at Celia, but Celia ignored it – â€Å"we should definitely investigate any background or context we can find for the unexplained appearance of the names. We should find out if there's a recorded history of this kind of thing happening before. The writing on the wal , if you wil .† She gave a thin-lipped smile at her own joke. â€Å"But what would we investigate?† Bonnie said, finding herself unwil ingly responding to Celia's teacherlike manner. â€Å"I wouldn't even know where to start looking for something like this. A book on curses, maybe? Or omens? Do you have anything like that in your library, Mrs. Flowers?† Mrs. Flowers shook her head. â€Å"I'm afraid not, dear. My library, as you know, is mostly herbals. I have a few more specialized books, but I can't recal anything that might be helpful with this problem.† When she mentioned â€Å"more specialized books,† Bonnie's cheeks got hot. She thought of the grimoire on communication with the dead, stil tucked under the floorboards in her bedroom, and hoped Mrs. Flowers hadn't noticed it was missing. After a few seconds, her cheeks had cooled enough that she dared to glance around, but only Meredith was looking at her, one elegant eyebrow raised. If Meredith thought something was up, she wouldn't rest until she got the whole story from Bonnie, so Bonnie gave her a bland smile and crossed her fingers behind her back for luck. Meredith raised her other eyebrow and looked at her with deep suspicion. â€Å"Actual y,† Celia said, â€Å"I have a contact at the University of Virginia who studies folklore and mythology. She specializes in witchcraft, folk magic, curses, al that kind of thing.† â€Å"Do you think we could cal her?† said Alaric hopeful y. Celia frowned. â€Å"I think it would be better if I went up there for a few days. Her library isn't as wel organized as it could be – I suppose it's symptomatic of the kind of mind that studies stories rather than facts – and it might take a while to discover if there's anything useful there. I think it would be just as wel for me to get out of town for a while, anyway. After two brushes with death in two days† – she sent a pointed glance toward Meredith, who blushed – â€Å"I'm beginning to feel that Fel ‘s Church isn't the healthiest place for me.† She looked at Alaric. â€Å"You might find her library of interest, if you'd like to come with me. Dr. Beltram is one of the best-known experts in her field.† â€Å"Uh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Alaric looked startled. â€Å"Thanks, but I'd better stay here and help Meredith. With her sprained ankle and everything.† â€Å"Mmm-hmmm.† Celia glanced at Meredith again. Meredith, who had been looking steadily more delighted every second since Celia had announced she was leaving, ignored her and smiled at Alaric. â€Å"Wel , I suppose I should give her a cal and get my things together. No time like the present.† Celia stood up, smoothed her sundress, and walked out the door, head high. As she passed, she brushed against the table near Mrs. Flowers's chair, sending her knitting to the floor. Bonnie let out a breath as Celia left the room. â€Å"Wel , real y!† she said indignantly. â€Å"Bonnie,† said Matt warningly. â€Å"I know,† said Bonnie angrily. â€Å"She could have at least said ‘excuse me,' right? And what was that with asking Alaric to come with her to UVA? He just got here, practical y. He hasn't seen you for months. Of course he's not going to leave again with her right now.† â€Å"Bonnie,† said Meredith, in a strangely choked voice. â€Å"What?† said Bonnie, catching the oddness in her tone and looking around. â€Å"Oh. Oh. Oh, no.† Mrs. Flowers's knitting had fal en from its table, and the skein of yarn had rol ed across the floor, unwinding as it went. Now, in the curls of soft pale pink, they could al clearly read one word written across the carpet: bonnie