Romeo And Juliet Movie Versions Essay - 829 Words

â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† Essay Question: Both films of ‘Romeo Juliet’ display the values and attitudes of their contexts. Which is the better version? Justify your answer with references to the films and the plays. Answer: The two version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ that we watched were the 1968 Franco Zeffirelli version, staring Leonard Whiting, and Olivia Hussy, and the 1996 Baz Luhrmann version, staring Clair Danes, and Leonardo De Caprio. Within both of these versions the plot line is still the same, with Romeo meeting Juliet at her father’s party, and the two of them falling in love, getting married, and then killing themselves, both versions in which Romeo kills himself by drinking poison, but the differences that the two directors used are†¦show more content†¦The two actors that are cast in the 1968 version basically have not been seen in the cinemas before, giving the roles that they play a more realistic visualisation then the Baz Luhrmann stars Leonardo De Caprio and Clair Danes. Because these two stars have been in other movies before ‘Romeo Juliet’, and because the movie is supposed to be a Shakespeare play, they don’t give the roles a â⠂¬Å"real† vibe. Within the actual play, the characters all use iambic pentameter, which portrays an olden day’s feel to the movie. Within the Baz Luhrmann version of ‘Romeo Juliet’, when the actors use iambic pentameter, it clashes. Also, the setting of Verona, the way that the casting is dressed, and the rest of the â€Å"21st century look† of the movie really ruins whole effect, and creates a disillusioned feel to the movie. The other reasons why the Franco Zeffirelli version of the play seems to be better than the Baz Luhrmann version, is because of the way that the movie actually follow the pace of the play almost to perfection, though making the film longer, but with the Baz Luhrmann version, there are a number of places that the lines are cut, and the pace of the movie is so much quicker, and more action packed with a lot more violence than was needed, along with the very short few-second film shot techniques. To the modern day audience who probably prefer shorter speeches and more action, this movieShow MoreRelated Luhrmanns Movie Version of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Essay1095 Words   |  5 PagesLuhrmanns Movie Version of Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet All hopeless romantics get dreamy-eyed and sigh whenever the balcony scene from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet comes up in conversation. Juliet stands on her balcony, innocently murmuring about her meeting with Romeo while the very subject of her musings eagerly climbs the garden wall and trellis leading up to the object of his love, Juliet. Anyone viewing Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet will be sadly disappointed at first to see that theRead MoreShakespeares Romeo and Juliet and Baz Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet 1154 Words   |  5 PagesWilliam Shakespeares The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, set in 16th century Verona, Italy shares differences with Baz Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet, set in modern day Verona Beach. These stories contain the same characters and conflict, however major and minor discrepancies are galore in the story lines of both formats of William Shakespeares creation. Some major inconsistencies occur, such as Mercutio dying at a beach, portrayed as a hero, instead of being at a bar, looking like a fool, Friar LawrencesRead MoreRomeo And Juliet Movie Comparison Essay1055 Words   |  5 PagesIn the original play Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare in 1587, throughout the years there have been movies made trying to convey the message that Shakespeare had wanted. The movies that will be examined in order to compare the differences on whether they are similar to the original are Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet and Carlo Carlei’s 2013 version, Romeo Juliet. The movies are another version of the original play in terms of setting, tone and charactersRead MoreSimilarities And Differences Between Gnomeo Jomeet And Romeo And Juliet881 Words   |  4 PagesRomeo and Juliet is a very well known book that is loved by many. There numerous movies done on Romeo and Juliet like Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version and Gnomeo and Juliet. There are many apparent differences like using guns instead of swords and u sing gnomes instead of people. Although there are many similarities, the differences between Luhrmann’s movie and Gnomeo and Juliet compared to the play Romeo and Juliet are evident. The similarities between the movie and the play only go down to the plot andRead More Romeo and Juliet Movie comparison Essay650 Words   |  3 Pages Movie Compare and Contrast nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;There are many similarities and differences between the sixties version of Romeo and Juliet and the modern version of Romeo and Juliet. It is very easy to spot these differences considering the time period each movie was set in. There are some things in the play that totally got cut from both movies. There are also some things that they added to the movies that weren’t in the play. Let us get on to the similarities and differences. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;FirstRead MoreEssay on Comparing Romeo and Juliet Films1328 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Romeo and Juliet Films In this essay I intend to compare both the part scenes of Franco Zefferelli and Baz Lurhman movie. Franco’s film was screened in 1970; the actors who play the role of RomeoJuliet are Leonardo Whiting and Olivia Hussey. Baz’s film was screened in 1997. Leonardo Di Caprio played the role of Romeo and Clare Danes had played the role of Juliet. In this essay I will discuss the differences in both these film that tell the sameRead MoreRomeo And Juliet Comparison Essay1079 Words   |  5 PagesIn the movie â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† they show a lot more emotion. In the beginning of the original movie when the Capulet put his thumb to his mouth and told the Montague it wasnt toward them they understood and didnt get bothered. The reaction in the modern version is different than the original movie because they reacted by getting super upset. They were so upset that they start to scream which causes commotion. This helps to show us the difference between the two versions and how one shows way moreRead MoreRomeo and Juliet: A Text to Film Comparison Essay1036 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been modified numerous times and has been a source of inspiration for many playwrights and directors. Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann are examples of directors that use Shakespeare’s legendary tragedy as a basis for their films. In the Franco Zeffirelli version of Romeo and Juliet, produced in 1968, the setting is accurate to the times of when William Shakespeare wrote the play. In the last act of the film a few differences arose. In Zeffirelli’s production Romeo doesRead MoreLove Is A Smoke Made With The Fume Of Sighs1551 Words   |  7 Pages Romeo Juliet Reflection â€Å"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.† (RJ 1.1.181) The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has shown the readers the bitterness along with the passionate love. The messages which Shakespeare tried to bring to the readers made the play be a timeless classic for tragedy. It gives people similar but slightly unlike understandings from the particular point of views. The different movie versions and paintings take inspiration from the original play, butRead MoreContrast Essay: Romeo and Juliet906 Words   |  4 PagesContrast Essay: Romeo and Juliet Often times people say that William Shakespeare was and still is a legend. They are correct. It is amazing how Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet written centuries ago can be better than Franco Zefferellis movie production of Romeo and Juliet, which had much better technology to work with only decades ago. Although the movie appeared better, it left out some major parts. The play had better mood and plot details which made it much more dramatic and by far a

First Week of College Free Essays

Brad Campagna Kathy O’Rourke College has so far exceeded my expectations in a huge way. As a new member of the ice hockey team there were many uncertainties and worries, as well as tons of excitements and anticipations. Obviously the biggest part, school, was nerve wracking and exciting too. We will write a custom essay sample on First Week of College or any similar topic only for you Order Now In college hockey its very common that players take a few years off of school prior to attending, to play hockey in junior hockey leagues. This created a bit more nerves then excitement for the classroom aspect of school since i’ve only taken 3 college courses since graduating high school, making it a bit harder to get back into the swing of things. Besides getting back into school routine, being a hockey player in college has made the beginning of school an unbelievable experience for me. On move-in day while still in the process of getting everything together, my roommate and I met the first player on our team. Since my roommate is also on my team it was a huge relief to meet someone before our parents even left. Since then it’s been smooth sailing and have made number of friends on the team, many which I already know ill be very good friends with in the future. This was probably the biggest relief for me so far because I had no idea what to expect. I kept worrying about how the kids, especially the new recruits, would be and literally every one is an awesome person. I didn’t realize how much being on a sports team would help me make friends this fast, which I am extremely grateful for. We’ve all had so much fun already and we are just one week into school. On top of all of that, we are all at least 20 years old and up as freshman. I think this gives us a big advantage of transition for things like college because we are all at least two years more mature then we would have if we had gone right from high school. Now that is not to toot my or any of my friends horns, but I do feel as if the maturity level is definitely higher then it would have been by the overall way we carry and present ourselves as opposed to being 17 or 18. If the year is going to continue on like this, I can only imagine how much fun it’s going to be. This is also all going without mentioning the hockey part. Hockey hasn’t even started yet which excites me that much more. I think and hope we have a very good team that can do very well throughout the season. Now obviously college isn’t all fun and games. The school aspect of college hasn’t really sunk in yet since were not very far into the semester. It definitely concerns me somewhat, but I think I will end up doing well. I naturally have a good work ethic through hockey, so I plan on using that into the classroom. Sure it will be harder sometimes because of practices and games and whatnot, but thats what my teammates and the rest of the accommodations that Potsdam supplies for us are for. It’s a good start for me professor wise, since pretty much all of them seem to be very good at what they do. The only thing that has gotten me a little annoyed and anxious about is all the reading. Reading takes up a lot of time and that what most of college is. My time management needs to be very efficient if I’m going to do well this year. I hope my next four years here will just keep getting better and better as I meet new people and explore new things. There is still so much I haven’t done yet and so many experiences I have to look forward too as long as my school works stays up to par. When my career at Potsdam is over I hope I will have accomplished my goal of excelling in every way whether its school, hockey, friends, community status and more. Obviously I plan on having my degree whether I continue with my Business major or change to something else. I hope and expect to have good grades throughout the whole experience not just getting by. I also expect to do very well in hockey and hope to make an immediate impact on the team and carry it out through the whole four years here. I also hope to have my friends that I’ve already made be my best friends and friends for the rest of my life. Finally by the time I leave Potsdam I hope to have had a big impact on the overall community. The hockey team stresses a high importance of being active in the community and having a positive attitude in every place in every situation. So far there’s been much positivity here and I will be contributing to that as much as possible. If my whole time at Potsdam is going to be how this first week has been, then I anticipate having an extremely good experience here. How to cite First Week of College, Papers

Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

Question: Discuss about the Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management. Answer: Introduction: In a highly competitive world of today, it has become absolutely imperative for any organization to keep an eye over the process in which the business operations are being carried out in the company. In case an organization intends to increase its productivity by increasing employee efficiency, it must ensure that it has the most desirable work environment or proper capacity that can help the organization achieve long-term sustainability. Herein lies the importance of the organizational analysis of a company. A variety of management models are being employed for analyzing an organization and these models help the organization evaluate the effectiveness of the structure, leadership strategy or the employee performance of the organization. Burrell and Morgan is a sociological model that is very effective in determining the trajectory of an organization, and making necessary recommendations if necessary. Marks and Spencer (MS) is one of the most recognized British multinational organiza tions situated all over the world. The M S Singapore provides high quality fashion items and stylish home-ware that has helped it to achieve huge recognition among the Singaporeans as well. However, despite the huge recognition the organization has achieved, it should be noted that the organization is not free from competitors at Singapore as well. In fact, Group P.L.C and Next P.L.C are the names of some of the most eminent competitors of the organization in Singapore. Hence, it has been observed that if the organization intends to sustain itself in future, it must consider restructuring its structure, and re-formulating its leadership strategies. Hence, the organizational analysis of M S using the Burrell and Morgan model is highly important. Thus, the present task intends to discuss and explain the Burrell and Morgan model, and next aims to analyze the effectiveness of the organizational strategy, adopted by Marks and Spencer (Hassard Cox, 2013). Definition and Explanation of the Burrell and Morgan Model: The Burrell and Morgan model is actually a model, created and developed by Burrell and Morgan for explaining and classifying the sociological theories. Although this is a sociological paradigm itself, the theory has wide application over a variety of organizational theories. The particular model focuses on the four important aspects of the organization, which are being explained below: The model is being used for explaining the four important perspectives- Radical Humanist perspective, Functionalist perspective, Radical Structuralism perspective and the Interpretive perspective. The radical humanist perspective talks of a highly autocratic work environment, where the employees are being marginalized, and are not being sufficient freedom in ventilating their personal opinions. Again, the functionalist perspective analyzes the goals of the organization in the light of the shared civic values, while the radical structuralism perspective focuses on the importance of the organizational intervention in management decisions. Last but not the least, the interpretive perspective intends to analyze the present situation in the light of certain theories (Cronje, 2013). Functionalist Paradigm: Here, Marks and Spencer Singapore, is being considered, and the organization is being considered in the light of the Burrell and Morgan model. The functionalist paradigm is being adopted, as it is being observed that the management authority of M S Singapore follows an autocratic leadership style, wherein the employees are being prevented from reaching their full potential. As a result of excessive intervention on part of the authority, the employees are unable to retain their motivation, and express and utilize their innovative ideas, necessary for helping the company achieve organizational success (Powel DiMaggio, 2013). This paradigm intends to recommend radical change in terms of the organizational structure and culture, followed at Marks and Spencer. The Functionalist paradigm intends to explain the organizational issues of the selected company in the light of the pragmatic ideas of sociological positivism. Hence, the organizational behavior of the company will be done, with t he help of hypothesis testing. Background of the Organizational Structure and Culture Followed at M S (Singapore): M S follows a very poor and ineffective organizational structure. Moreover, the organizational culture is also not suitable, as it does not provide sufficient motivation to the employees working under the organization. Since the year of 2000, the organization in Singapore has been in the news for the fall in profit as well as the sales. The organizational structure of a company refers to the way the authority arranges and divides the work among its employees, so as to help in the accomplishment of the important goals and objectives. M S follows the traditional bureaucratic organizational structure that divides the organizational jobs according to the employees areas of specialization, such as sales and operation, logistics, Marketing and accounting (Brokaw et al., 2012). Since the functionalist paradigm is being adopted, it has been observed that the organizational values, and culture are highly responsible for the condition of the organization in the recent times. However, the deg ree to which the authority is distributed among the employees is very high. It should be noted that in case of a bureaucratic organizational structure, and an autocratic culture, the managerial head is required to regularly monitor and supervise the activities and performance of the employees, working in different departmental sections of the company. However, in case of M S, given the huge span of control required to monitor the activities of the innumerable number of functional departments, the managing authority fails to review and evaluate the quality of the employee performance (Gypteau et al., 2015). It should be noted that the centralization of power and authority tends to present innumerable disadvantages to the organization. One major disadvantage confronting the M S Singapore is that the pyramidal structure of management is not desirable for a large organization. The decision-making capacity as well as the managerial duties is confined in the hands of the President, who acts as the executive, in the company, and hence he fails to assess and evaluate the quality of the performance of the employees (Ashkenas et al., 2014). Besides, the President of the organization fails to visit the organization during regular periodical intervals, and communicate the strategies or changes to the employees. As a result, there is a wide gap of communication that has been developing among the employees and the higher management of the organization. The functional organizational structure followed by M S Singapore, is being explained below: As it is evident from the above diagram, the organizational structure followed at M S limits the power, control and authority to a single individual, who fails to pay, heed to each aspect of the organization (Pettigrew et al., 2014). The employees working at M S Singapore under the Marketing team claimed that they fail to express creativity, as they are expected to comply with the norms of the organization. As a result of the functionalist paradigm, it has been observed that the strictly hierarchical structure of the organization does not allow liberty and autonomy to the employees, working in the organization. Though a strong hierarchical structure is very organized, it does not necessarily have a positive impact on the minds of the employees. Due to the lack of effective communication, the employees fail to understand the organizational requirements, and hence the Human Resource team fails to introduce necessary changes in the organization. Besides, research studies suggest that the HR department itself has to comply with the legal and regulatory framework of the organization, as drafted by the top layer of the management of the organization (OReilly Tushman, 2013). It is recommended that the organization creates a large, interdisciplinary group, and distributes the power among the managers of each departmental section. This will enable effective communication of business plans and sm ooth operation of the business activities. Besides, the organization must replace its autocratic leadership style with the participative and flexible leadership style. A proper sense of collaboration and employee co-operation is absolutely needed, which is apparently missing at M S. It has been observed that due to the lack of proper communication, the organization, at recent times, has failed to conduct great business in Singapore, and hence the rate of profit has been going down. Excessive intervention at workplace also leaves the employees discontent and de-motivated, that leads to high turnover rates and low retention capacity. Hence, the organization should adopt a highly participative style of leadership and organizational management, so that the employees can also enjoy the power to communicate their innovative ideas, and contribute to the well-being of the organization (Goetch Davis, 2014). Besides, the organization must adopt the divisional organizational structure, as it is the most suitable structure for any large scale organization. The organization should confine the power of management authority to each sectional manager, so that there can be an equal division of power (Daft, 2012). The proposed organizational structure can be explained with the help of the diagram given below: The line organizational structure is the most desirable organizational structure meant for M S Singapore. The structure can help in simplifying and clarifying the authority as well as the job roles assigned to each employee, and also assists in promoting fast and efficient decision-making system (Cummings Worley, 2014). Background of the Organizational Culture Followed at M S: The organizational culture of M S should also be considered. The organizational culture is defined as the system of shared values, ideologies and beliefs followed by the employees of an organization. The culture at workplace is highly important as it determines the nature of relation of the employees among themselves, or the way in which the employees behave with the colleagues (McShaneGlinow, 2015). Marks and Spencer is in itself a reputed brand, and hence it must ensure that the organizational culture adopted by the company communicates the right message to the employees. Besides, there is no point denying the fact that the organizational culture of the company also helps in promoting healthy relation among the employees. The organizational culture can be of various kinds, such as the pragmatic organizational culture, academy culture, baseball team culture, club culture and fortress culture. However, M S follows a normative organizational culture, whereby the organization has a p redefined set of rules that the organization intends to follow (Lee et al., 2012). The employees working at M S are expected to follow the norms and the workplace guidelines, and to conform to the prescribed code of business and policies of the organization. As a result, the employees are unable to enjoy a sense of flexibility, and autonomy within the organization. The strict normative control within the organization is undesirable as it robs the employees of autonomy (Weaver et al., 2013). Though the organizational culture is strong, and imposes strict rules on the employees, the employee productivity is affected in a negative way. Since, there exists a structurally direct and inextricable relation between employee productivity and organizational culture, the performance of the employees gets affected. However, inequality or hierarchy is seen as an important part of any society, or an organization, the hierarchical structure and the normative organizational culture is being apprec iated in the organization. Besides, the organizations belief and business ideology can be summarized in the following way: Providing excellent service to each single client To strive for excellence Respect for each individual employee (Rowlinson et al., 2013) As it is evident, the organizational culture of M S primarily focuses on the benefits and well-being of the employees. However, it is recommended that the organization adopts a more employee centric culture. The organization has been overlooking the demand of its employees for salary hike and flexible work schedule. There is a lack of control and co-ordination between the management authority of the organization, and the employees working under it. The business activities of the organization are mainly operated under the control and guidance of the CEO of Steve Rowe, who fails to regularly supervise and monitor the Market performance of the company in the different outlets at Singapore (Ainsworth et al., 2015). Hence, this acts as a source of trouble. The promotional strategy adopted by Rowe, while launching the products in the Western countries, does not always prove best for the Singaporean Market. The consumers as well as the consumption behavior of the consumers largely differ a cross borders, and hence the organizational strategy chosen by Rowe is not always being accepted by the employees. This leads to organizational conflict and workplace clash, that affect the performance of the employees, and de-motivates them as well. The CEO of the organization does not reside in Singapore, and hence he fails to stay connected with the employees. As a result, there is a lack of acceptability among the employees, who often find the managerial skills questionable. It is recommended that the organization follows any one of the given alternatives: The organization should vest the management power of the Singaporean outlets, on a business manager who is a resident of Singapore The organization divides the business activities into various sections, whereby a divisional manger is being chosen for supervising and controlling the business activities o each section (Weaver et al., 2013). By following either of the two alternatives, M S Singapore, will be able to introduce a role organizational culture. In case of the role organizational culture, the structure is well-defined and the business operations are highly predictable. As a result, the manager of the organization will not impose rapid decisions and autocratic control on the employees. Another problem observed in the organizational culture of M S Singapore, is that the leaders of the organization follow an autocratic style of leadership, whereby the employees do not enjoy flexibility and autonomy in the decision making process (Senge, 2014). Yet it should be noted that the company could have still excelled in its operational activities, if it could organize regular meetings and interactive sessions, that could help the higher authority communicate the business strategies to the employees. In this case, the productivity rate of the efficiency rate of the employees are remaining the same, and yet lack of managerial control or insufficient knowledge about the organizational goals, are not letting the employees reach full potential. In order to improve the workplace culture, M S Singapore is required to ensure effective communication between the higher and the lower management level (Gyptaeu et al., 2015). Either the employees should be offered minimal right to parti cipate in the decision-making capacity, or the top level managers should interact with the employees at periodical intervals. As it has already been mentioned above, the organization is required to frame its culture keeping into consideration, the needs and expectations of the employees. The organizational culture should move from being consumer-centric to employee-centric. The employees, regarded as the human resources of the organization must be valued as much as the financial resources. Hence, the important attributes, such as employee integrity and fairness, learning opportunities, accountability, communication, and purpose, decision-making skills are some of the important attributes that must be incorporated by the organization in its organizational culture. In a highly normative organizational culture, M S needs to continually motivate its employees. However, the employees feel de-motivated and deprived of enjoying basic rights of taking managerial decisions within the organization. Excessive managerial intervention hampers the creative and innovative approach of the organization at Singapore. The promotional and Marketing team consists of Marketing managers, belonging to Singapore only, and hence the Marketing managers of Singapore can be provided with the opportunity of selecting the most effective promotional strategy. Although the organization recruits as much as 250 University graduates in UK, the number of Singaporean employees working in the M S outlet is indeed quite low. Consequently, the limited number of Singaporean employees often encounters issues of cultural diversity, as well as cross cultural communication problems. However, the management authority does not try to develop the intercultural competence of the existent e mployees, by offering sufficient training programs. The social and interpersonal relation of the employees must be improved to enable smooth connection between the logistics and operation department and the sales department. The organization however places too much emphasis on improving and enhancing the soft skills and the personality of the employees. The organization has been overlooking the problem of co-ordination that exists among the employees working in different sectional departments of the organization (Kacker, 2015). M S has been focusing too much on the tasks or the business deals, and have been dismissing the importance of developing personal relation of the employees. Recommendations: It is evident from the recent research reports that M S, Singapore is gradually losing its edge, and hence it will face great difficulty in sustaining itself in future, if it does not adopt any effective step. As the above organizational analysis has been done considering the functionalist paradigm, a radical change in the structure and the culture of the organization is being suggested. First of all, the organization, instead of vesting all the power and authority on the CEO and the managerial heads, must create a hierarchical structure, clearly defining the power and the authority of each employee. More importantly, the accountability as well as the role of each functionary must be explicitly stated. The organization must hire sectional managers, who will be holding regular meetings and interactive sessions, for communicating the immediate plans and strategies of the organization (Frederick, 2013). Besides, a more flexible work environment is required whereby each employee or at l east each sectional head can chalk out and implement his own business plan, for the respective department. Too much dependence on the higher authority slows down the decision making and strategy implementation process. Although a proper span of control is indeed required, yet it is advisable that M S Spencer allows proper flexibility and autonomy to the employees. As far as the organizational culture is concerned, the autocratic leadership style should be replaced by the participative leadership style, as it will motivate the employees to participate and involve in the decision-making process more actively. Besides, no organization can build a coherent culture unless the people are willing to embrace the inherent values of the organization. Hence, it is advised that the organization arranges workshops and seminars that can promote a sense of belonging and co-operation among the employees of M S (Retna Jones, 2013). Conclusion: M S Singapore has been doing well even in the recent past. However, at present, the business reports suggest that the organization has been suffering from the biggest downturn in last 10 years, owing to the inability to adopt the most effective organizational structure and culture. By applying the functionalist paradigm, it has been observed that the current dominant ideology, adopted by the organization is not the right one. Hence, the organization is required to adopt a change in the structure as well as in the culture. Reference List: Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., Wall, S. N. (2015).Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Psychology Press. Ashkenas, R., Ulrich, D., Jick, T., Kerr, S. (2015).The boundaryless organization: Breaking the chains of organizational structure. John Wiley Sons. Brokaw, L. (2012). Marks and Spencers emerging business case for sustainability.MIT Sloan Management Review. Chaudoir, S. R., Dugan, A. G., Barr, C. H. (2013).Measuring factors affecting implementation of health innovations: a systematic review of structural, organizational, provider, patient, and innovation level measures.Implementation Science,8(1), 1. Cronje, J. (2013). What is this thing called design in design research and instructional design.Educational Media International,50(1), 1-11. Cummings, T. G., Worley, C. G. (2014).Organization development and change.Cengage learning. Daft, R. (2012).Organization theory and design.Nelson Education. Frederick, C. D. (2013).An International marketing case study(Doctoral dissertation). Gharache, A. M. A., Nezhad, S. N. M. Y., Javaherian, E., Mehrabanfar, E. (2014).Feasibility of Codification and Using Human Resource Strategy with SRP Model.International Journal of Research in Organizational Behaviour and Human Resource Management,2(1), 177. Goetsch, D. L., Davis, S. B. (2014).Quality management for organizational excellence.pearson. Gypteau, J., Otero, F. E., Kampouridis, M. (2015, April). Generating directional change based trading strategies with genetic programming. InEuropean Conference on the Applications of Evolutionary Computation(pp. 267-278).Springer International Publishing. Gypteau, J., Otero, F. E., Kampouridis, M. (2015, April). Generating directional change based trading strategies with genetic programming. InEuropean Conference on the Applications of Evolutionary Computation(pp. 267-278).Springer International Publishing. Hassard, J., Cox, J. W. (2013). Can sociological paradigms still inform organizational analysis? A paradigm model for post-paradigm times.Organization Studies, 0170840613495019. Kacker, M. P. (2015). Internationalization of Retailing in the Asia-Pacific Region: Current Trends and Future Outlook. InProceedings of the 1997 World Marketing Congress(pp. 496-503).Springer International Publishing. Lee, S. M., Olson, D. L., Trimi, S. (2012). Co-innovation: convergenomics, collaboration, and co-creation for organizational values.Management Decision,50(5), 817-831. McShane, S. L., Von Glinow, M. A. (2015).Organizational Behavior 7/e. O'Reilly, C. A., Tushman, M. L. (2013). Organizational ambidexterity: Past, present, and future.The Academy of Management Perspectives,27(4), 324-338. Pettigrew, A. M. (2014).The politics of organizational decision-making.Routledge. Powell, W. W., DiMaggio, P. J. (Eds.). (2012).The new institutionalism in organizational analysis. University of Chicago Press. Retna, K. S., Jones, D. (2013).The learning organisation and Singapore culture.The Learning Organization,20(4/5), 338-351. Rowlinson, M., Hassard, J., Decker, S. (2014). Research strategies for organizational history: A dialogue between historical theory and organization theory.Academy of Management Review,39(3), 250-274. Senge, P. M. (2014).The dance of change: The challenges to sustaining momentum in a learning organization. Crown Business. Weaver, S. J., Lubomksi, L. H., Wilson, R. F., Pfoh, E. R., Martinez, K. A., Dy, S. M. (2013). Promoting a culture of safety as a patient safety strategy: a systematic review.Annals of internal medicine,158(5_Part_2), 369-374. Weaver, S. J., Lubomksi, L. H., Wilson, R. F., Pfoh, E. R., Martinez, K. A., Dy, S. M. (2013). Promoting a culture of safety as a patient safety strategy: a systematic review.Annals of internal medicine,158(5_Part_2), 369-374.

William Shakespeares The Tempest, was first performed in 1611 and was the last play that Shakespeare wrote Essay Example For Students

William Shakespeares The Tempest, was first performed in 1611 and was the last play that Shakespeare wrote Essay William Shakespeares The Tempest, was first performed in 1611 and was the last play that Shakespeare wrote. The main character, Prospero is thought to be a representation of Shakespeare as he controls all of the characters in the play just as Shakespeare controls the characters in his scripts also at the end of the play, Prospero asks the audiences permission to leave the stage in the epilogue, this could be seen as Shakespeare announcing his retirement: Let your indulgence set me free. The play suggests many differences between the primitive Caliban and the civilised Prospero. We see these on a number of occasions throughout the play as the two, very different personalities clash. Caliban is a portrayed as a primitive man, He acts on instinct and his basic urges to eat, sleep and reproduce. We see this when we learn why Prospero keeps Caliban as a slave. The audience would empaphise with Caliban, as he is very innocent although bestial. We will write a custom essay on William Shakespeares The Tempest, was first performed in 1611 and was the last play that Shakespeare wrote specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Whereas Caliban has no urge or desire for material possession or power, Prospero does. Prospero ideally sums up the civilised as he is educated and knows right from wrong. Prospero has lived in a world governed by laws whereas Caliban has only ever known his island, where there are no rules. Calibans first appearance on stage is in Act 1 Scene 2. As, he approaches Prospero; he immediately curses him using an image taken from nature. This shows the audience of the hate between Prospero and Caliban. We know this because Prospero previously calls Caliban a tortoise, so he is referring him to an animal, and the curses that Caliban uses: A south-west blow on ye, And blister you all oer. For Elizabethan times, the curses that Caliban directs to Prospero would be very severe and insulting. All of the curses are images taken from nature as Caliban refers to the wind, wildlife and dew on the ground. These images show that Caliban lives in harmony with nature and the island, and loves everything about wildlife: As wicked dewà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ravens feather. Prospero responds to Caliban by punishing him by threatening to order his spirits to hurt him in his sleep. Prospero treats Caliban, as a worthless creature that he feels should have no liberties, for what he tried to do to his beautiful Miranda. Even before this event though, Prospero didnt treat Caliban as equal, although he taught him about the world, he kept him as a pet. Now Caliban is forced to be a slave to Prospero who dismisses all curses Caliban and returns his own dehumanising insults: Hag-seed, henceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Abhorred slave Caliban has lived on the island all of his life as he was born there. His mother, Sycorax, who was a wickedly evil witch used to rule over the island but has since passed away. Caliban is also said to be the son of the Devil. This is why  Caliban has a disfigured appearance and has no idea of rules and boundaries. After Sycorax died had died, Caliban had become the ruler of the island, as there was just him and the spirits living there in harmony. When Prospero arrived on the island he used his magic to demand power and with this usurped the position of leader of the island from Caliban, much to the anger of the native. At first, Prospero taught Caliban language and how to understand life. Caliban was treated as if he was a pet: And teach me how to name the bigger light. As Miranda grew up there were no real clashes between Caliban and Prospero until Miranda reached her early teens. Calibans primitive, instinctive urges led him to attempting to rape Miranda. Prospero was enraged by this and ever since has forced Caliban into being a slave using the spirits to taunt him if he disobeys. Caliban is forced to live in a dark cave and has to collect food and wood for Prospero and his daughter. Caliban would feel very bitter about his and that he has lost his island: .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .postImageUrl , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:hover , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:visited , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:active { border:0!important; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:active , .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136 .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u9177faf987d70b310af9ed2d770c6136:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Romeo and Juliet is about two people who love each other but, because their families are enemies, they cannot be together EssayThis islands mine by Sycorax my mother. Prospero views himself as the beautiful white European and as Caliban is indigenous, he is looked upon by Prospero as ugly and different as he is not the same as Prosperos ideal. A reason for this is colonial arrogance. During the time this play was performed many British explorers were venturing to new shores around the world and setting up new colonies using the natives as labour or use them to help themselves. Prospero is just like these explorers who tries to utilise the skills of the indigenous people. I would cast Caliban as having dark tanned skin being played by a beautiful attractive man, just to emphasise the prejudice of Prospero: Freckled whelkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Filth as thou art Caliban would wear gowns made of natural materials. E.g leaves bark. He would also wear a shawl of what once was Prosperos, to show the audience that Prospero once respected him: Thou strokst me, and made Much of me. When Caliban has a soliloquy he would speak clearly and gently, to show his sensitive side but in the presence of Prospero his anger would engulf him and he would growl and snarl. Hen would walk with a slight limp, a sign of when the spirits hurt him, and crouched, as his cave is very small and cramped: Caliban snarling Caliban cowering Caliban would always look innocent to gain sympathy from the audience. After the Tempest, the crew of the ship became washed up on the shore of the island in a number of small groups. Stephano and Trinculo believe that they could make some money out of the being back in Europe: Were I in England now As I once was  And had this fish painted: not a holiday Fool there but give a piece of silver. Shakespeare is poking fun at the Elizabethan desire for spectacle and hard-heartedness. Caliban would be in awe of the two strangers especially Stephano as Caliban views him as his new leader and as his God, who has been sent from heaven Hast thou not droppd from heaven? Caliban would throw himself at the feet of Stephano in awe as if he is a God, and Caliban a forever-loyal servant. This shows how gullible he is and Shakespeare implies how Elizabethans believed in myths and legends. Caliban would circle Stephano and distance himself from Trinculo. He would hang on Stephanos every drunken word and spit at the ground where Trinculo has stood. Trinculo feels ashamed that he was scared of the savage and now he is jealous of Caliban that Stephano is paying more attention to Caliban. Stephano feels very special and important when Caliban is being very sycophantic towards him: Ill kiss thy foot. Caliban uses imagery connecting them to the heavens as he refers to Stephano as a brave God, or deity and he views the alcohol as if it has been sent from the heavens: celestial liquor. Caliban offers his only gift to Stephano in showing him the island. He offers himself to Stephano and curses Prospero: A plague upon the tyrant that I serve. The word tyrant, implies that Prospero exercises power in a harsh, cruel manner. Caliban sings and rejoices at the thought of no longer having to be a servant to Prospero. We know that Caliban loves the island because of his knowledge of the island and the imagery of nature that he uses. We can see that he is grateful that can finally show his love for his home. In Act 3 Scene 2 Caliban plots with Stephano and Trinculo to usurp Prospero from power and leadership of the island. As this takes place though, Ariel, Prosperos spirit servant plays a trick on the scheming group. I would stage this scene as the group on one side of the stage in a huddle with Trinculo nonchalantly leaning up against a tree mimicking Calibans comments in a jealous way. On the other side of the stage there would be a large rock. Ariel would hide behind this and when he would speak he would peek his head over the top so that the audience realise that it is Ariel. Ariel would call Caliban a liar, hide behind his rock and laugh with the audience at the unfolding events. This would be a joke between Ariel and the audience but the other three wouldnt have any idea what is going on. This is effective use of dramatic irony. We learn even more of the hatred of Prospero by Caliban in this scene. Caliban calls Prospero a tyrant and claims that he cheated the island from  him. Caliban describes Prospero to Stephano and Trinculo as an evil sorcerer and he intends to kill Prospero and help Stephano to claim the island. .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .postImageUrl , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:hover , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:visited , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:active { border:0!important; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:active , .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712 .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ued8dee7947a5e8057a6779384edb1712:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, 1564-1606 EssayI would stage Caliban as when he talks about Prospero to talk with bitter anguish in his voice and act very aggressively and perhaps he could punch a tree as he describes the ways that they could kill Prospero in his sleep: Batter his skull, or paunch Him with a stake, or cut, His wezand with thy knife. These acts of violence emphasise the deep hatred that Caliban has for Prospero, he even believes that the spirits dislike him. Saying this could help get the audience on Calinbans side by trying to portray Prospero as a bad person. We learn about Calibans personality in this scene as the audience are shown of his intelligence when he tells the others of the best time and way to kill Prospero, by seizing his magic books. Caliban thinks Prospero is nothing without his magic and would stand no chance against the three men. He detests how Prospero can enchant the spirits into serving him through blackmail and false hope in the case of Prospero telling Ariel he would be free from duties. Towards the end of the scene, Ariel plays a tune on his tabor and pipe. This scares Stephano and Trinculo as they can hear music that is played by nobody. Caliban reassures the men that it is normal on the island to hear delightful music and gives a speech about it using imagery of soft sleep and dreaming along with beautiful instruments and light clouds to show his sensitive side and how he lives in harmony with the island as he often enjoys the delicate sounds of the spirits. The speech shows that the island is a very beautiful, fascinating place that is full of magical goings-on. Even with Prospero ruling over the island. In conclusion, I feel that Caliban has been the most interesting character in the play through the way Shakespeare has used Calibans language use and innocence to portray a good indication of what a tamed, savage being would be. I admire Caliban as he has not lost faith in his beautiful island and he will fight for what he believes in/against, even when it involves being subjected to physical pain. He even shows how sensitive and intelligent he can be even if he is usually aggressive and can sometimes act bestial: I cried to dream again. I think that Prospero was wrong to treat Caliban as a slave and although Caliban tried to rape Miranda, Prospero treats him badly and unfairly, as Caliban knew no better than to rely on his basic, primitive urges. I agree that Caliban should have been punished so that he can learn what is right and wrong, but on not such a severe scale. Prospero views him as a Devil who cannot be changed, but  when Prospero arrived on the island he must have thought differently because he taught him the ways of life: A devil, a born devil. Caliban realises that he has chosen to worship the wrong person when Stephano is only interested in possessions where Caliban is unmaterialistic and he does not want to hurt anyone or cause suffering, he just wants his island. The Tempest, raises the issue of colonial arrogance, which is relevant today, just as it was in Elizabethan times. Still, today, there are many Prosperos, who visit different cultures and believe the natives are different and therefore do not give them or their culture a chance. We learn in the end that the prejudiced people in the world will get what they deserve as in this case, the audience sees Prospero as quite a manipulative figure.

The Crucible and Hale Essays

The Crucible and Hale Essays The Crucible and Hale Paper The Crucible and Hale Paper Essay Topic: The Crucible The Crucible Guided Viewing Questions KEY Who are Reverend Parris, Betty, and Abigail? What is their relationship? Rev. Parris is the minister of Salem, Betty is his daughter, and Abigail is his niece. Who is Tituba? What is her relationship to the family? Tituba is the Parris’s slave from Barbados.   What is wrong with Betty? Betty is unconscious after being caught by her father dancing in the woods with other girls from Salem.   Why does Parris suggest calling in Reverend Hale? Rev. Parris thinks the Devil has entered Salem and turned the girls into witches. Who are Ann and Thomas Putnam? What do they suggest is Betty’s problem? What is their motivation for suggesting this? The couple who lost all but one child, Ann. The Putnams believe that Betty is being controlled by the Devil and is suffering the same symptoms as their daughter Ruth related to withcraft.   Who is Ruth? What is her relationship to the Putnams? What is wrong with her? How do the Putnam’s tie her problem to Betty’s? Ruth is the Putnams’ daughter; she is the other girl who is unable to wake after doing black arts in the woods with Tituba.   Who is Mercy Lewis? What is her relationship to the Putnam’s? The Putnams’ servant.   What does the conversation between Abigail, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren, and Betty reveal about their recent activities? The girls are making the idea of witchcraft up to avoid getting punished for dancing in the woods. Who is John Proctor? What is his relationship to Mary Warren? What is his relationship to Abigail? How does he feel about his relationship with Abigail? John Proctor is a landowner and a farmer, who separates him self from the town. Mary Warren is the Proctors’ servant; she replaced Abigail Williams, with whom he had an affair. Who is Elizabeth Proctor? What does Abigail think of her? How might this affect the outcome of the play? Elizabeth Proctor is John’s wife. Abigail despises Elizabeth because she dismissed her and brought suspicion on her. Abigail targets Elizabeth because she wants to take her place in John’s life.   Who is Giles Corey? Why is he introduced into the play? Giles Corey is an illiterate farmer who is a friend of John Proctor. His wife, Martha, reads books at night, and he says he â€Å"can’t pray.   Who is Rebecca Nurse? What is her role likely to be in the play? Rebecca Nurse is an elder in the town, married to Francis Nurse, who says that the â€Å"witchcraft† is just the girls’ foolishness. All of her children and grandchildren are all still alive.   Why is the issue of Parris’s salary raised? Rev. Parris required that he be given the deed to the minister’s house; he is concerned with temporal, earthly things seemingly more than heavenly things. ? 14. What is the Putnams’ grievance over land? What significance might this have in the play? Thomas Putnam feels as if he was cheated out of land by his father and is always   What do the Puritans think of books other than the Bible? How do you learn about this in Act One? Books other than the Bible are folly and possibly evil.   How does Hale confuse Tituba? What is the significance of their conversation? Hale’s questioning is loaded with biased questions – assuming Tituba’s guilt as a witch which confuses Tituba; Hale also is beating Tituba as he questions her.   How and by whom are the other villagers accused of witchcraft? What is the motivation for the girls’ accusations? What is the significance of the scene between Elizabeth and John Proctor? What does it reveal about their relationship and about each of their characters? Elizabeth and John Proctor have a strained relationship and a â€Å"cold† home due to John’s affair with Abigail. John has not forgiven himself.   What is the gift Mary Warren gives to Elizabeth? Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet, a rag doll. 20. What information does Mary provide about the trials? Why does John forbid her from attending? Elizabeth’s name has been mentioned in connection witchcraft. Mary Warren is an â€Å"official of the court. † John forbids Mary from attending the trial because he knows that it’s a sham because Abigail told him that she made the â€Å"witchcraft† up.   Why does Reverend Hale come to the Proctors’ home? What does this scene reveal about Hale’s role in the trial? Hale visits the Proctors to test the Christian character of the home. Hale is the investigator trying to find the truth.   What relationship does Hale suggest exists between the church and the court? Hale believes that the relationship between the church and the court is too close together – that justice is impossible.   What does Proctor tell Hale about why the children were ill? How does he claim to know? Proctor tell Hale that the children/girls are making the â€Å"witchcraft† up; Abigail told him.   What is the point of the discussion between Hale and the Proctors about whether or not they believe in witches? The Proctors do not believe in witchcraft, this going against what the church says. What does Giles report to the Proctors? What is the significance of his revelations? Giles reports that his wife, Martha, has been arrested.   What event begins to change Hale’s opinion about the arrests? How does he feel about the court? Elizabeth Proctor is arrested based on possession of a poppet that has a needle in its body (Abigail simultaneously stabs herself with a needle). Mary Warren says she made the doll while sitting in court.   What role does Cheever play? What is revealed about his character? Cheever is the arresting officer. He says he has been ordered to do so (he does not question his orders). What do we learn about why Mary Warren gave the poppet to Elizabeth? Why is Elizabeth arrested? On what grounds? What do we learn about Mary Warren’s motives at the end of the scene? How do Proctor, Francis, and Giles plan to use Mary Warren’s testimony to prove that â€Å"Heaven is NOT speaking through the children†? What is the significance of Proctor plowing on?

Understanding Arrays in PHP

Understanding Arrays in PHP An array is a systemic arrangement of objects. Hum, what does this mean? Well in programming an array is a type of data structure. Each array can hold several pieces of information. It’s sort of like a variable in that it stores data, but not at all like a variable in that instead of storing one bit of information it can store many pieces of information. Let’s start with an example. Let’s say that you are storing information about people. You could have a variable that stored my name â€Å"Angela†. But in an array, you could store my name, my age, my height, my In this sample code, we will look at storing two bits of information at a time, the first being somebody’s name and the second being their favorite color. ?php $friend[0] Kevin; $friend[1] Bradley†; $friend[2] Alexa; $friend[3] Devin; $color[Kevin] â€Å"Teal†; $color[Bradley] â€Å"Red†; $color[Alexa] â€Å"Pink†; $color[Devin] â€Å"Red†; print My friends names are . $friend[0] . , . $friend[1] . , . $friend[2] . , and . $friend[3]; print p; print Alexa ‘s favorite color is . $color[Alexa] . .; ? In this example code, you can see that the friend array is sorted by number, and contains a list of friends. In the second array, color, instead of using numbers it uses strings to identify the different bits of information. The identifier used to retrieve data from the array is called it’s key. In our first example, the keys were integers 0, 1, 2, and 3. In our second example, the keys were strings. In both cases, we are able to access the data held in the array by using both the array’s name, and the key. Like variables, arrays always start with a dollar sign ($array) and they are case sensitive. They can not start with an underscore or a number, you must start them with a letter. So, to put it simply, an array is kind of like a variable with lots of little variables inside of it. But what exactly do you do with an array? And how is it useful to you as a PHP programmer? In practice, you will probably never create an array like the one in the example above. The most useful thing you can do with an array in PHP is to use it to hold information you get form somewhere else. Having your websites information stored in an MySQL database is not uncommon. When your website needs certain information it simply accesses your database, and wha-laa, on demand data. Let’s say you have a database of people who live in your city. You now want to search that database and print out records for anyone named â€Å"Tom†. How would you go about doing this? You would read through the database for people named Tom, and then pull their name and all the other information about them from the database, and place it in an array inside of your program. You are then able to cycle through this array, and print out the information or store it to use elsewhere in your program. On the surface, an array might not look that interesting to you, but when you do more programming and start storing more complex data structures you will find you are often writing them to arrays when they need to be used.

Summary of the law of accelerating returns Essay

Summary of the law of accelerating returns - Essay Example According to the article, ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’ evolution relates to constructive feedbacks relating to a phase of evolutionary progress is used to form the next phase. Therefore, the rate of advancement in an evolutionary process escalates exponentially over a period, which highly influences the ‘Law of Accelerating Returns’ that involves rapidity, cost-effectiveness and complete "power" of a procedure. The second phase of exponential development occurs when higher resources are organized in the direction of further advancement. ‘Biological and technological evolution’ can be referred as evolutionary processes. For an instance, transistors are incorporated within a circuit to create powerful computers, which in turn provides a prospect for exponential growth until the computers become powerful. This induces a paradigm shift, which ensures that the process of exponential growth keeps persisting at a rate, which doubles in each decade (Ku rzweil, â€Å"The Law of Accelerating Returns†). The Singularity is the technical revolution, which is so prompt as well as intense that the rate of exponential growth has become infinite and technology seems to be mounting at limitless speed. Therefore, it can be considered that the Singularity will transmute different facets of our lives socially, sensually and economically. Advanced technologies in the present day context, has been subjected to law of accelerating returns. ‘Moores Law of Integrated Circuits’ came into existence, which was highly recognized in the public as a paradigm for exponential progression in computers. The overall speed of computers has doubled each year, which has given rise to flat chips used in computers. Moores Law has extended to such a level in terms of computational power due to which exponential progression has not been viable. Thus, ‘Moores Law’ can be considered as S curve. In agreement with the

The Equality Act 2006 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Equality Act 2006 - Essay Example They are aimed at making the most of the talent in the workforce – rather than excluding or marginalizing sectors of the workforce, which was happening universally prior to government intervention in the 1970s and since: â€Å"The general duty places a proactive responsibility upon all public bodies to ensure that their services, practices and policies are developed with the different needs of women and men in mind. This will lead to a more inclusive society with high quality contemporary services - targeted to meet the specific needs of men and women.†2 Interestingly, this Act has already brought legal challenges. On 21 March 2007 the House of Lords refused to remove the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007, which came into force on 30 April. Catholic adoption agencies had routinely refused to place children with gay couples. The government gave the Catholic adoption agencies an additional 21 months to prepare, but as Baroness Andrews told the House: â₠¬Å"At present there are 116 separate pieces of equality legislation in force - 35 Acts, 52 statutory instruments, 13 codes of practice, and 16 European Commission directives and recommendations. They come with 2,500 pages of guidance.†3 It is expected that a forthcoming European Union Directive will require further legislation that will seek to provide redress for those discriminated against in the provision of goods and services on the grounds of gender reassignment. "Even the most well-intentioned businesses, and there are an awful lot of them, dont know when theyve complied [with the existing laws]. Its almost impossible unless you have vast armies of bureaucrats." 4 Mr Phillips alleged that many businesses resented the waste of time and money involved in being taken to an Employment Tribunal.

Air France-KLM as Low-Cost Airline Across Europe Essay Example for Free

Air France-KLM as Low-Cost Airline Across Europe Essay Abstract Airline is an important industrial in European economy, with the liberalization and deregulation of European market, it is filled by a number of small-sized and large-sized airlines, recently, the model of low cost carriers is widely spread from America to Europe, the success attracts rivals to adjust business models to enter this market. Air France-KLM also attempts to adopt this strategy. This essay will use PESTEL and stakeholder theory, as well as corporate social responsibility (CSR) concept to analyze general environment and specific environment including customers and suppliers. Main ideas are Air France-KLM (FK) should concern CSR behavior especially including social and environmental perspective to conduct low-cost strategy rather than only consider economic perspective which is short-term financial performance, because it could not bring a sustainable development for company. Furthermore, FK should have operational resilience and strategic resilience under the uncertainty of dynamic environment, and integrate CSR as a organization culture which will become a competitive advantage. The general environment analysis could provide reference for other companies, and analysis of stakeholder theory and CSR concept will give a guidance for sustainable development of companies. Air France-KLM is owned by French airline (Air France) and Dutch airline (KLM). It is the largest airline company in the world, while the profit is continually decreasing in Europe within recent 5 years (Market Line 2014). It is positively seeking a path to maintain competitive position in European airline market. Two largest competitors are Ryanair and EasyJet in Europe who operate low-cost strategy which learn from Southwest in US, and they rapidly capture market share. Air France-KLM is planning to use same strategy to compete with them. Environment is a significant indicator that influences the operation of business. It is dynamic and complex, different elements are interrelated and interacted that bring different influence for present and future activities  of companies. Analysis of environment usually is divided into macro-environment and micro-environment, they separately cover the general environment and specific related environmental factors such as customers, suppliers and regulators (Kew and Stredwick 2005). As Europe is located in a low valley suffering debtor crisis, new business model is encouraged to stimulate the economy and transfer risks for government. This essay will evaluate and discuss the low cost strategy Air France-KLM will adopt, firstly, it will analyze the general environment using PESTEL tool, and using Five Forces model and stakeholder theory further seek the issue and factors that can help company to succeed in a long term. Especially, it will explain the importance of corporate social responsibility in business operation. Finally, it is to find the opportunities and threats that company should notice for future success to combines different factors. Air France-KLM is holding by Air France and KLM which is a Dutch airline, the alliance was formed in 2004. The headquarter is located in Paris, and it obeys the French law. Subsequently, it became the largest airplane company in terms of revenues in Europe, even over the world. However, the operating profit to Air France-KLM (FK) continually decreased from 2012 (MarketLine 2014). Air France-KLM is exploring another strategy to survive in the competitive airline industrial. As BBC reported Alexandre who is CEO of FK claimed company will adopt the Low cost carriers (LCCs) strategy to recover and sustain competitive position in airline industry (Clark 2014). Environmental analysis is an inevitable step to help company identify issues, flexibly and innovatively solve problems, also assist the strategist to improve the decision making process (Kew and Stredwick 2005). The internal and external environment analysis will be required in order to explore fitness of strategy within the whole business environment and internal capabilities; in addition, the analysis on competitive structure of industrial environment and stakeholder will deeply explore the important factors for the sustainable development rather than short-term success, especially CSR concept includes social and environmental perspective instead  of simply economic perspective which presents financial profits (Button 2014). FK will better understand the opportunities and threats under the business environment analysis. The characteristics of Low cost carriers are presented on maximum utilization for facilities and economically provide service that customers themselves need. Usually, it has a high seating density, single class configuration, point-to-point services; it frequently uses second-tier airports on cost saving (CAPA 2014). It also keeps a low maintenance and training costs, as well as eases scheduling and takes advantage of bulk purchases to obtain discounts from manufactures (Budd et al 2014). It generates profits from ancillary revenue such as meal, snack and luggage (Budd et al 2014). This model started from America Southwest Airline in 1978. Nowadays, LCCs as a strategy is widely adopted in Latin America and Europe. The combining analysis between the environment and characteristics above will evaluate the low cost strategy of Air France-KLM. PESTEL as a macro-environment analysis tool helps to understand the complex trend of environment. PESTEL includes political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental. The analysis concerns the longitudinal and cross-sectional changes in time line. Firstly, liberalization events in US market significantly impacted other countries (Fu and Oum, 2014). France has high liberalized operating environment that enable companies to flexibly run any legal business model, it provides environment that FK can practice low cost strategy instead of the whole service provided with high cost (Budd et al 2014). Liberated market will be an advantage for innovation of business and increase the market power of company. It is big opportunity that companies can expand their network, as FK is an alliance to share strengthen and risks between French and Dutch airplane company (Fu and Oum, 2014). However, high-degree liberalization inevitably bring fierce competition. Additionally, the business model of public-private partnership is dominating the European airlines (Cruz and Marques 2011), especially the privatization process of European airlines is salient, government decreased the stake for business,  as French government hold a 16% stake on FK (Stothard and Bryant 2014). As a result, company will obtain less financial support from government, government is able to bear less risk of deficit. Secondly, to considering economic factors, German and France as primary strength motivate the economic recovery of Europe, French government is gradually putting effort to diagnose economic ills (Barber 2014). European countries still have maintained the high unemployment rate since financial crisis occurred in 2008, although it slightly fell in 2014 compared to last year (Statista 2014). Inflation rate had a slight fall in November than that of October, it will be a danger for debtors due to less revenue from sales, incomes or taxes, and debt problems is serious; energy price is falling as well (BBC Nov 2014). The important social indicators is consumer behavior is gradually changing. The increasing number of customers choose the high-speed train for a short journey instead of the airplane as a result of the punctuality and similar price on same time consuming (Dobruszkes 2011). In addition, the strength of unions in this two countries is very high, labour union has strong power such as pilots or crews. The impact of technology is significant, as the big data time is coming (Mark 2014), companies own the large number of data information about consumer, which will rapidly push the innovation of business, if company can dig and utilize the meaning of data. For the most important environmental and legal analysis, climate change is as one of themes in previous G20 conference and future UN conference will hold in 2015, and it will concentrate on a new set of Sustainable Development goals and emphasize the multilateral co-operation on a range of vital issues (FT 2014), which implies France should contribute to same goal, and perhaps the more strict regulation will be adopted, for example, CO2 emission. Additionally, the terrorism is serious problem airplane companies is facing.  In macro-environment, five forces model can identify and analyze the  competitive structure of industrial environment. Forces in relation to stakeholders can be discussed upon priority. The opportunities and threats will be identified further. Firstly, the intensity of rivalry is high, the large number of competitors in Europe is divided into two strategic streams, one is the large-size airplane such as Lufthansa and British Airway which are seeking path to compete in Europe; other representative group is LCCs including Ryanair and EasyJet. Various business models are emerging under the motivation of liberalized market conditions and globalization, airline companies could seek partner including other airlines companies and airports to form network for enhancing market power; additionally, each European country can operate and switch route freely (Fu and Oum, 2014). In contrast, LCCs provide service for customers who have high elasticity for price, it rapidly captured the market share as a result of low switching costs for buyers. To considering new entrants, 77% small-size companies failed which learn from LCCs to enter market, because the established companies with strong reputation and first mover advantages, and their size do not enable them to create the economies of scale (Budd et al 2014). Stakeholder theory claims companies should notice the interests of other groups, not only do companies focus on the interests of shareholder which is financial performance (Jensen 2001). Customer have highest power and interests for company, company usually prioritize them into first post; employees second, managers third, and shareholders last, according to the hierarchy of interests (Kew and Stredwick 2005). Customers have the most power and the highest interests to organization. From production side and demand side of economic perspective, as the analysis of business environment above shows the supply is over than demand, the number of fragmented airlines is more than customers (Budd et al 2014), so that the bargaining power of buyers is powerful, also switching cost is low between airlines. Low-cost strategy of FK is not lucrative in a market with high intensity of rivalry. However, business environment is along uncertainty and dynamics, the growth of Euro area will enable companies to earn the financial obtains as economic perspective. In fact, demand-supply economic perspective is narrow, the increasing demand of LCCs will lead to tragedy of the common for suppliers, because suppliers only consider the economic returns compared to inputs, and plunge themselves into price battle ignoring value creation, the more followers will emerge, obtained profits from one unit of input will be gradually decreased with the increasing rivals, and tragedy probably occur. So only economic perspective can not achieve success. CSR thoughts will benefits the long-term development of companies. It takes account of social and environmental perspective for a sustainable success, maximizing social welfare is an important measure under social perspective, and industrial success is based on sustainable development (Button 2014). Resources is limited in the world, when managers make decisions, they should consider to increase the long-run value for firm rather than a short-run financial performance including equity, debt and stock. Ryanair cancel safety cards stuck on the back of the seats, the legal proceeding is debatable. It requires trade off through time, also among different constitutions. When companies give up present cost of a unit for receiving that at some time in the future. As costs of input come from different resources including labour, capital or material purchased. The company with CSR can attract and retain talents and establish the brand image and reputation for companies. The power of suppliers as one force represents inputs, simultaneously, they consist of important stakeholders including suppliers, employees, aircraft manufactures and fuel as well as airports. Firstly, employee as the most important internal stakeholder has high bargaining power within industrial. It is reported from BBC, the pilots of FK struck due to the reduction of their salary when low cost strategy adopted (Stothard and Bryant 2014). As above mentioned, company should not save cost from input to create short term profit, it impaired the interests of employees, employees will bring less output; on the contrary, if company can give them more care and welfare, they will create more value, such as  company can provide training and individual deportment planning to maintain enough talent pool for future development, employee also will return to company through high qual ity of services and improve the satisfaction of customers. Setting an adverse example, Foxconn as a large manufacturer adopted military management to employees and ignored their normal needs for reducing cost, as a result, employee suicide and reputation of company was impaired, likewise talents are not willing to work here under abnormal management. CSR could be employee and employer relationship, while Legal utilization for employee is only the lowest level of CSR, Low cost strategy with CSR should not only obey legal behavior, but also pursue ethical, economic and philanthropic behavior (Carroll 1991). Aircraft manufacture is another stakeholder group, low cost strategy may squeeze their price and change manufacture process, as FK wants to reduce the weight of seats and increase the intensity of seat. They should â€Å"co-production† with them rather than simply ask them to achieve requirement, otherwise, suppliers will be reluctant to change manufacturing process for FK only. For instance, IKEA uses flat-package for products from manufacturing to selling as core competitive advantage, it desires suppliers of China to satisfy the flat-package manufacturing process, it not only help to upgrade production technology, but also provide training programme for employee (Inge and Claes 2011). IKEA maintains the good relationship with suppliers. These ethical and economic CSR behavior will increase the wealth of stakeholders, simultaneously, it improves itself production efficiency in value chain. For philanthropic behavior as the highest level, company donates to communities for local better development. Company can collaborate employees to contribute this, such as employee regularly participate volunteering activities for 20 hours each year. Also, as environmental and legal analysis above, CSR perspective can stimulate the innovation and initiative of company. For low-cost strategy, FK can try to innovate new technology or operational methods, such as the use of biofuels and the improvement of CO2 emission disposing. The last force is the threat of substitute, the prevalence of high speed rail as substitute has advantages for a short route. Especially, for business  group, they can use telecommunications on high speed train, and company also spend less on business trip. So the business passengers is decreasing. The noisy and pollution are comparative less than airplane. As German Airplane adopts corporate with high speed rail to compete with LCCs. Based on analysis above, Air France-KLM (FK) adopt low cost strategy, the opportunities and threats can be identified. Liberalized market environment and rapid privatization process provide a favourable condition for development of new model, while they also achieve a high competitive market. It represents other large-sized company also can adopt this model to enter the market. Also, existed competitors with first mover advantages and rich experience, and high speed train as substitutes whose advantages are salient gradually capture the market share for a short-route trip. The pressure of legal environment on CO2 emission and labour union is heavy for operation of FK on low cost strategy. Compared to Ryanair, it ignored the CSR behaviour no matter what level about legal, ethical and philanthropic behaviour. It will be a path for long-term sustainable development for FK. CSR more concern social and environmental value that FK could create, it as a large airline company will explore and represent a new and correct path bearing CSR rather than the short development for financial performance, because it will cause tragedy of the common for the whole society, it will more take account of the interests of stakeholders. In detail, it can use biofuel and decrease the CO2 emission, also maintain good relationship with customers and employee, as well as suppliers. Catching the development of technology, FK should utilize the big data to dig needs of customers to innovate the business model. Under the turbulence of terrorism, European countries can corporate together to resist it for the whole society. French domestic CSR policy as a national competitive advantage will support this business model of FK (France Diplomatie 2014), as investment in CSR while it is difficult to receive profit in short-term, so perhaps FK could reduce the short-term financial pressure from support of government. So the policy of government is consistent with corporate strategy will be helpful. A differentiated low-cost strategy could be adopted by FK. CSR can be a culture of company as a competitive advantage to position itself in market, so that it will always stimulate the innovation and learning of organization, and maintain effective human resources management such as attracting and retaining talents. Organization should consider the knowledge management through technology to advocate CSR concept to every internal and external stakeholders in order to better achieve CSR activities. In addition, FK as one of large-size companies, it has enough experience and strengths to compete with other LCCs, even though they have first mover advantages in terms of reputation and economics of scale. On the other hand, as a large-size company has solid organizational institution and vested interested group so that the strategy change of organization is not easy. As the growth of Euro area with uncertainty lead to bigger risk FK will face (Cadman and Giles 2014), it indicates FK should concern the operational resilience and strategic resilience, once it suffers the unexpected adversity. In conclusion, under the analysis of complex and dynamic environment, Air France-KLM should adopt a differentiated low cost strategy. The economic and political market environment with high-degree liberalization and privatization will provide conditions for the development of business model, also increase the market competition due to a large number of rivals emerging under deregulation. Ryanair and EasyJet with first mover advantages have captured the large market share, also they have accumulated more experience, but the weakness of rivals and trend of environment such as regulation on CO2 emission and sustainable development indicate FK should bear responsibility to seek another path, which more concern the interests of stakeholders, CSR behaviour and activities to create long-term value such as the use of biofuel. At the same time, FK can integrate CSR as a culture, also a competitive advantage in order to continually motivate itself to innovation and learning, also improve the effectiveness of human resources management. The development of technology will require FK to utilize data to dig needs of  customers to innovate the business model in big data time. European countries also need to corporate together to resist it for common society under the turbulence of terrorism. Uncertainty of environment also require company have operational resilience and strategic resilience, once it suffers the unexpected adversity. References: Air France-KLM S.A. company profile, (2014) Market Line [Online] Available from: http://0-eds.b.ebscohost.com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=172f9c2f-747f-4b99-9c37-34a375aa6a06%40sessionmgr110vid=1hid=114 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] BBC 2014 Eurozone inflation rate falls to 0.3% BBC 28.Nov. 2014 [Online] Available from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30243113 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Barber, T., (2014) France shows courage in diagnosing its economic ills, FT, 22,Dec, 2014 [Online] Available from: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a364d628-86cd-11e4-8a51-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=uk#axzz3Nmt1hzwF [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Button, K., (2012) Low-cost airlines: a failed business model? Transportation Journal, Vol, 5. No.2, pp197-219 [Online] Available from: http://0-muse.jhu.edu.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/journals/transportation_journal/v051/51.2.button.html [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Budd et al (2014) Grounded: Characterising the market exit of European low cost airlines Journal of Air Transport Management Vol, 34, pp78-85 [Online] Available from:http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/science/article/pii/S0969699713001129 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] CAPA 2014 [Online] Available from: http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/hot-issues/low-cost-carriers-lccs [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Cruz. C.O., and Marques. R.C., (2011) Contribution to the study of PPP arrangements in airport development, management and operation. Transport policy Vol.18 pp392-400 [Online] Available from http://0-www.sciencedirect.com.pugwash.lib.warwick.ac.uk/science/article/pii/S0967070X10001460 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Carroll, A., (1991) The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility. Business Horizons, 42: 39-48 Kew. J. and Stredwick J. (2005) Business environment: managing in a strategic context. London: The Cromwell Press Clark. N 2014 Air France-KLM Restructuring Puts New Focus on Its Low-Cost Airline The New York Times 11. Sept. 2014 [Online] Available from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/12/business/international/air-france-klm-restructuring-puts-new-focus-on-its-low-cost-airline.html?_r=1 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Dobruszkes F. (2011) high-speed rail and air transport competition in western Europe: a supply-oriented perspective. Transport policy Vol.18 pp.870-879 Fu. X.W., Oum, T.H., 2014 Air Transport Liberalization and its Effects on Airline Competition and Traffic Growth – An Overview In The Economics of International Airline Transport. Vol, 4 pp11-44 [Online] Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/S2212-160920140000004000 [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] France Diplomatie 2014 [Online] Available from http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy-1/economic-diplomacy/corporate-social-responsibility/france-s-domestic-csr-policy/ [Accessed: 15 Dec 2014] Inge, I and Claes, G.A., 2011 Upgrading in global value-chains: a case study of technology-learning among IKEA-suppliers in China and Southeast Asia Journal of Economic Geography 11 (2011) pp. 731–752 Jensen. M.C., (2001) Value maximization, stakeholder theory, and the corporate objective function European financial management Vol.7 No.3 pp297-317 [Online] Available from

jesse jackson, jr :: essays research papers

Representative Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. began service in the United States House of Representatives on December 12, 1995, as he was sworn in as a member of the 104th Congress, the 91st African American ever elected to Congress. Representative Jackson currently sits on the House Appropriations Committee, serving on the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education as well as the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs. Prior to his congressional service, Representative Jackson served as the National Field Director of the National Rainbow Coalition. In this role, he instituted a national nonpartisan program that successfully registered millions of new voters. He also created a voter education program to teach citizens the importance of participating in the political process, including how to use technology to win elections and more effectively participate in politics. Having been born in the midst of the voting rights struggle on March 11, 1965, Representative Jackson spent his twenty-first birthday in a jail cell in Washington, D.C. for taking part in a protest against apartheid at the South African Embassy. He also demonstrated weekly in front of the South African Consulate in Chicago. Representative Jackson had the privilege of sharing the stage with Mr. Nelson Mandela during his historic speech to the world following a 27-year imprisonment in Cape Town. In 1987, Representative Jackson graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina A & T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. Three years later, he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Theology from the Chicago Theological Seminary, and in 1993, received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law.

God Is love Essay

Love is the air. We breathe this air and so it is in us to love. Just like the involuntary need to breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide we need to love and be loved. It is near impossible to ignore that the presence or absence of love in someone’s life as it plays a magnificent role in all things regarding that person. God has created us diligently and therefore he has by default bestowed upon us his greatness – his loving nature. We are born with the ability to receive love, reciprocate it and the true deep desire to do both. God made us to love and I mean two things when I say that. Firstly, we were made to comprehend the love God has for us. He wants us to feel the love he feels towards each and every one of us which explains our senses. We can see the darkness, hear the depression, feel the disconnect, smell the rotting and taste the bitterness of a love deprived place. God made us to love us and so it only makes sense we try to serve our purpose. We are not here on earth to serve him as he does not require anything to continue to be himself. The beautiful construction of humans the way our minds work with our hearts allows us to receive love and understand it. For example; your mom wakes up early every morning to give you a kiss before you go to school and you take that kiss as her love. In the same way, everything you have been blessed with you can see and understand that it is God’s love. When we understand that we are truly loved, reciprocating becomes easy. Secondly, it is in our nature to reciprocate love. A simple example of how I believe reciprocation is nature; someone helps us with your homework we will most likely help them with theirs if they ask. Couples consist of two people the love each other, meaning reciprocation is happening and that is the case for almost all couples. Now in regards to the Almighty, he made us to bless us, to love us. We often assume that we were created to serve, love, and worship him. These are good and holy actions, but they are just the responses to God’s initiating act of love. He does not need anything we have to offer. A lot of us do feel this strong desire to love God back. It is evident in a lot of the things we do; religion class, going to church, being grateful, understanding the emphasis put on helping others and abiding by his rules even though we may not understand the reasons behind each. When we are aware someone loves us we cannot help but feel the need to love them back. Finally, beyond the fact that love is such a natural thing and the fact that it is something we do without much thought it is something we personally desire to do. The importance of love in life is beyond the logic of give and take. I can say everyone I have come across is on the pursuit of happiness; everyone desires to feel good regardless. Something we know, even if it is knowledge buried deep inside, is that love is blissful. We meet that bliss in our mothers’ arms, in our fathers’ words and in our lovers touch. The feeling of loneliness bugs each and every one of us at some point and we realize it is not a way we enjoy feeling. Loneliness sometimes does not leave us alone even while we are with others, however love is something that keeps us company even when we are alone. A lot of us have this void within we spend our lives trying to fill. Quite like the Prince who ran around with Cinderella’s glass slipper searching for the one who fits it perfect. Love fills our voids perfectly. We can take love, we can give it back and the essence of life is the craving to do so. God is everywhere, God is love and so love is the air. If you can breathe you can love and if you need to breathe you need to love.

Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 25

I'd sworn I'd never go back into my bedroom, but just then, I needed my bed. I spent the rest of the day in it, curled up in the proverbial fetal position. Much like when I'd made Seth leave, I didn't feel anything. I was dead inside. There was nothing left, nothing in my life, nothing to keep me going. Some wise part of my brain said I should cry. I knew there was grief inside of me, grief that would eventually explode. But I was blocking it for now, afraid to acknowledge that all of this was real or face the consequences. This, I realized, was why Yasmine had screamed. It was a terrible thing to be cut off from something you loved so much. To be cut off from the thing that gave your existence meaning. Hours passed, and light and shadows moved across my bedroom as the sun began its descent. My room grew dark, but I didn't bother flipping on the lights. I didn't have the energy or motivation. I don't know how much time passed before I heard the knock. At first, I wasn't even sure that's what it was. Then, it sounded again – definitely someone knocking on my front door. I stayed in bed, not wanting to see or talk to anyone. What if it's Seth? Some small part of me clung to that hope, that maybe he'd changed his mind. The rest of me didn't believe it. I'd seen the look in his eyes. The resolve. He wasn't coming back. And if he wasn't coming back, then there was no point in being social. My visitor knocked a third time, louder still. Beside me, Aubrey turned her head toward the living room, then toward me, no doubt wondering why I wouldn't put a stop to the noise. With a sigh, I crawled out of bed and stalked toward the front of the apartment. Half-way there, I stopped. It wasn't Seth. â€Å"Georgina!† wailed a twangy soprano voice. â€Å"I know you're in there. I can sense you.† I'd sensed Tawny too, of course, which is why I'd stopped walking. I sighed again, wondering if it would be possible to ignore her. Probably not. Even if I didn't answer, she'd probably stand out there all day, now that she knew I was here. I opened the door, expecting to be barreled into with tears and fanfare. Instead, I found Tawny standing calmly outside my door, hesitant to enter. Her eyes were wet after all, but she seemed to be trying very hard to rein herself in. The trembling of her lip suggested that wasn't going to be easy. And she had a glow. â€Å"C-can I come in?† she asked. I stepped to the side and waved her in. â€Å"You want me to take you out for a drink to celebrate your conquest?† That was it. She lost it. Sobbing into her hands, she sank down on to my loveseat. Still numbed from the Seth fallout, I had no mental energy to deal with this. Not enough energy to hate her, not enough energy to pity her. I was living apathy. â€Å"Tawny, I – â€Å" â€Å"I'm sorry!† she interrupted. â€Å"I'm so, so sorry. I didn't want to. I didn't want to do it. But he told me if I did that it'd pay off for both of us, that he'd pull strings to get me faster advancement and that I'd – â€Å" â€Å"Whoa, hang on,† I said. â€Å"Who's ‘he'? Niphon?† She nodded and produced a pack of tissues from her purse. At least she traveled prepared now. She blew her nose loudly before going on. â€Å"He told me to fake it – fake being bad. I mean†¦well, actually, I am kind of bad. Okay, a lot bad. I can't flirt like you. And I really can't dance.† She paused a moment, as though this caused her particular pain. â€Å"But you were right in saying it was impossible for me to not get sex from someone. I did. I just lied and said I couldn't.† It was just as I'd suspected for a while now, but hearing her confirm it didn't really cheer me up. It was yet another reminder of all the miserable things in my life these last couple of weeks. Staring at her, I still couldn't bring myself to feel angry at her. Partially because I was still drained of feeling and partially because it just wasn't worth it. Niphon had used her to play me, but he'd played her too. â€Å"You're a good liar,† I told her finally. â€Å"I could never be sure if you were telling the truth or not – but you seemed to be. I'm usually good at reading people.† Tawny smiled, just a little, with something almost like pride. â€Å"I hustled people a lot when I was mortal. Worked some con jobs.† The smile disappeared. â€Å"Until that asshole dumped me for a cheap blond whore. She had no idea what she was doing, but did he care? No. Dick. He's sorry now. They both are.† I blinked. I hadn't expected to hear that. I wasn't sure I wanted to hear that. Suddenly, Tawny's initial desire to make men everywhere suffer made a lot more sense – as did the reason she might have sold her soul in the first place. I hoped her current appearance wasn't some weird bastardization of the cheap blond whore. Because that would just be kind of creepy. â€Å"Well, um, I'm†¦sure they are. And you know, the skills you need to hustle and con aren't that different from seduction.† Maybe it was the moving and talking, but as I sat there, my sluggish brain began to stir to life and analyze the situation. â€Å"Tawny, why are you telling me this? If you're working for Niphon, he's probably not going to appreciate you blowing his cover.† â€Å"You're right. He doesn't know I'm here. But†¦but I was afraid. I know it'll all come out if you tell, and I don't want to go down with him! I thought if I came and talked to you and told you what happened that maybe†¦maybe you could forgive me. I'm starting to like it here. I don't want to leave. And if they punish him, they'll punish me too and – â€Å" â€Å"Wait, wait. Stop again. Punish him for what? For getting you to lie?† I frowned. â€Å"And what is it I'm going to tell?† Tawny was so surprised that she forgot to sniffle. â€Å"About her.† â€Å"Her?† â€Å"That – that hag. The one who came into my dreams†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Nyx? Oh. That really is how you hid your glow. Hugh was right.† â€Å"I hated it,† said Tawny vehemently. â€Å"Every time he made me go to her so she could suck me out. And then I'd have such weird dreams.† Think, Georgina, think! It was all coming together here if I could just put my own romantic disaster off to the side of my mind for a moment. â€Å"You†¦went to Nyx willingly? To have your energy sucked out so I wouldn't find out that you were lying?† Tawny nodded. My brain hurt. â€Å"And he – Niphon – made you, and – † I stopped. â€Å"Niphon knew about Nyx. You both did. And how to find her.† â€Å"He's the one who got her to come here when she escaped. Promised her two succubi,† sniffed Tawny. She gave me a puzzled look. â€Å"I thought†¦I thought you knew all that? I heard you were there when they captured her†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tawny looked a little nervous, like she was wondering if maybe she'd done the wrong thing in betraying Niphon. As for me, I was suddenly reliving the battle back in my bedroom and Nyx's offer to help me get revenge on the one who'd sent her after me†¦. Niphon. â€Å"Niphon?† I exclaimed. â€Å"Niphon sent a crazy chaos goddess after me? Why? Why does he hate me that much?† Tawny's eyes went wide, no doubt surprised at my sudden outburst. â€Å"I†¦I don't know. He just said that he wanted to make things difficult for you. Screw up your life. Maybe get you sent away.† Hugh's words came back to me. All I know is that when an imp shows up and is going to this much trouble over something, the evidence suggests it's big. My heart raced, and I grabbed hold of her hand. â€Å"Tawny. Did he ever say anything about my contract? Any contract at all?† She shook her head frantically, tousling her blond curls even more than they already were. â€Å"No, not while I was around.† â€Å"Are you sure? Think! Think of anything, anything at all he might have said to explain why he did what he did.† â€Å"No, nothing!† She broke her hand away. â€Å"I'm telling you the truth this time. He just made it sound as though†¦well, like he didn't like you. He wanted you to be unhappy. Suffer. I don't know.† Niphon. So many things could be laid at his feet. According to Tawny, he'd used her to make me look like a bad mentor (which I was, kind of) and possibly get sent away. The imp had also talked to Seth about selling his soul – despite my warnings. Seth's decision to leave me had been his own, true. But, I realized, Niphon had played a role in getting Seth to think about such things. The distraction Nyx had caused – which apparently Niphon had brought about too – had cut me off from spending time with Seth. Realizing how close he'd been to selling his soul had driven Seth away. The fear of how that would affect him and me both had been too strong – strong enough that he chose to walk away from me. â€Å"Georgina?† I made a decision then. It wasn't going to change what had happened with Seth and me, but it was going to make me feel better. â€Å"Georgina?† repeated Tawny, peering at me. â€Å"Are you okay? You aren't going to get me sent away, are you? Georgina?† I rose from my chair, surprised at how my muscles had become kinked. No longer wanting to be dressed up, I shape-shifted out of the dress and into jeans and an empire cut sweater. Black. Like my mood. I glanced over at Tawny. â€Å"You want to go to a party with me?† I drove us over to Peter and Cody's, where the â€Å"evil† holiday party was taking place. I barely noticed that it was raining again. I walked up the building's stairs like one going to her own funeral, grim and purposeful – and with enough speed that Tawny had to scurry to keep up in her stilettos. When I felt the immortal signatures within the apartment, smug relief flooded me upon discovering Niphon was still there. Peter opened the door before I finished knocking. He wore a red sweater with an appliqu? ¦ Santa on it. It matched his tree, of course. â€Å"Look at this,† he said sarcastically. â€Å"She deigns to show up and join us lowly – â€Å" I strode past him without a word. He gaped. Moving through the room, I was vaguely aware of the others there. Jerome. Cody. Hugh. But I didn't want any of them. Niphon, standing with a glass of wine, regarded me with curious amusement as I headed straight for him. Considering I usually avoided him if it all possible, my approach undoubtedly astonished him. But not as much as when I punched him. I didn't even need to shape-shift much bulk into my fist. I'd caught him by surprise. The wineglass fell out of his hand, hitting the carpet and spilling its contents like blood. The imp flew backward, hitting Peter's china cabinet with a crash. Niphon slumped to the floor, eyes wide with shock. I kept coming. Kneeling, I grabbed his designer shirt and jerked him toward me. â€Å"Stay the fuck out of my life, or I will destroy you,† I hissed. Terror filled his features. â€Å"Are you out of your fucking mind? What do you – † Suddenly, the fear disappeared. He started laughing. â€Å"He did it, didn't he? He broke up with you. I didn't know if he could do it, even after giving him the spiel about how it'd be better for both of you. Oh my. This is lovely. All your so-called charms weren't enough to – ahh!† I'd pulled him closer to me, digging my nails into him, and finally, I felt an emotion. Fury. Niphon's role had been greater than I believed. My face was mere inches from his. â€Å"Remember when you said I was nothing but a backwoods girl from some gritty fishing village? You were right. And I had to survive in gritty circumstances – in situations you'd never be able to handle. And you know what else? I spent most of my childhood gutting fish and other animals.† I ran a finger down his neck. â€Å"I can do it for you too. I could slit you from throat to stomach. I could rip you open, and you'd scream for death. You'd wish you weren't immortal. And I could do it over and over again.† That wiped the smirk off Niphon's face. Behind me, the rest of the room had come to life. â€Å"For fuck's sake,† yelled Jerome. â€Å"Get her off him.† Strong hands pulled me back, Cody and Hugh each grabbing one of my arms. I fought against them, struggling to get back to a cringing Niphon. My friends were too strong. I couldn't break free and didn't have the life left to shape-shift added bulk. â€Å"Get rid of him, Jerome!† I yelled. â€Å"Get rid of him, or I swear to God, I really will rip him apart. He set me up to fail with Tawny. He brought Nyx here, for fuck's sake! Get rid of him!† I saw my boss's face. He didn't like being yelled at or ordered around – particularly in front of others. His face was hard and angry. I could tell he was about to tell me to shut up, and then something in his expression shifted. He turned his attention back to Niphon. â€Å"Get out,† the demon said. Niphon stared open-mouthed. Very fishlike, actually. â€Å"Jerome! You can't just – â€Å" â€Å"Get out. I know what you were trying to do, but you shouldn't have done it behind my back. Go back to your hotel, and be out of town by tomorrow.† Niphon still wanted to protest. But then, he looked at Jerome, looked at me, and then looked at Jerome again. Swallowing, the imp scrambled to his feet and grabbed a briefcase sitting on the couch. With one more glance back at me, he ran out the door. Jerome's gaze fell on Tawny, who was pressing herself against the wall in a futile effort to disappear. â€Å"It's not her fault,† I said quickly. â€Å"Don't punish her.† Jerome studied her a few more moments before sighing impatiently. â€Å"Later. I'll deal with you later.† I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, but the fact that he hadn't smote her on the spot was a positive sign. Judging from the grateful look on her face, she agreed. Cody and Hugh still had a death grip on me, but after several moments, they released me. I sagged with exhaustion, surprised to see I was breathing heavily. Tension filled the room. Finally, Cody said, â€Å"Where did you learn to throw a right hook?† â€Å"You don't live through the Dark Ages without learning stuff like that,† mused Peter. He glanced at the spilled wine and sighed. â€Å"Club soda's not going to get that out.† â€Å"Georgie,† said Jerome in a rumbling voice. â€Å"Do not ever speak to me like that.† I steadied my breathing and swallowed back the bloodlust coursing through me. I met Jerome's dark eyes defiantly. â€Å"Noted,† I said. Then, unable to handle my friends' looks of both astonishment and concern, I ran out of the apartment. I made it down one flight of stairs before collapsing and sitting on the landing. I buried my face in my hands and started sobbing. The grief had finally won. A few minutes later, I heard footsteps on the stairs. Hugh sat down beside me and put his arms around me. I pressed my face to his chest and kept crying. â€Å"You'll get over this,† he said quietly. â€Å"No. I will never get over this. I'm alone. I wish I was dead.† â€Å"No, you don't. You're too wonderful and have too many people who love you.† I lifted my head and looked at him. I'd never seen his face so compassionate, so serious – except when he'd yelled at Seth during poker. I sniffed and ran a hand over my wet eyes. â€Å"We broke up. This is what you wanted. You didn't want me and Seth to be together.† Hugh shook his head. â€Å"I like Seth. I want you to be happy. If you could be together without all the heartache, I'd send you on with my blessing. But I don't think that's possible. I think this is best.† â€Å"You told him the only way I'd let him go is if he hurt me, if he was an asshole. Do you think that's why he did it? Slept with Maddie? Because only something drastic would drive me away?† Hugh looked surprised at the reference to Maddie. â€Å"I don't know, sweetie. I don't know what he was thinking.† Sighing, I leaned back into him. â€Å"I will never get over this.† â€Å"You will.† â€Å"It's going to take a lot of time.† â€Å"Well, you have a lot of time.†