Night World : Huntress Chapter 18

Jez heard herself scream, but only faintly. There was a roaring in her ears as if the BART train was coming at her again. And a pain that engulfed her whole body, sending agonized spasms through her limbs. It centered in her chest, though, where something white-hot was lodged inside her, crushing her lung and dislodging her internal organs and burning right beside her heart. She'd been staked. What she had done so often to others had been done to her. She hadn't realized anything could hurt like this. She was glad none of her victims had lived long to keep suffering. The wood of the stake was poisoning her heart, she knew. Even if it were removed, she would die. No vampire could survive contact between living wood and its undead heart. Still, she would live for a little while-in unimaginable agony as the poison ate through her. A voice was screaming in her mind. Jez-JezJezJez†¦ Over and over, incoherently. Morgead, she thought. And she hoped he wasn't feeling any of what she was feeling through the silver cord that connected them. Hugh and Claire were sobbing. Jez wished they wouldn't. They had to stay calm; to think of a way to save themselves. Because she couldn't help them anymore. Over the sobbing she heard a shrill and angry voice. Lily. â€Å"What is wrong with you?† Lily was saying. â€Å"Don't you see what's happening to her? Don't you want to save her?† Through the red haze that filled Jez's vision, she felt dim approval. They were doing what she'd told them. Whichever of them was the Wild Power was suppressing it Good. That was what mattered. Although she couldn't really remember why any longer†¦. Suddenly a face broke through the red haze. It was Lily, bending over her. â€Å"Don't you understand?† Lily yelled. â€Å"You can stop this right now. Ill have him kill you cleanly-all the pain will be over. All you have to do is tell me who it is.† Jez smiled at her faintly. She couldn't breathe to answer, and she didn't want to try. Would you believe that I don't know? she thought. No, I don't think you would. †¦ The pain was getting less by itself. It was as if Jez was moving farther and farther away from it. â€Å"How can you be so stupid?† Lily was screaming. Her face was twisted, and to Jez's vision, floating in a scarlet mist. She looked like a monster. Then she turned and seemed to be screaming at someone else. â€Å"All right. Get the other vampire down here, too. Morgead.† She was looking at Jez again. â€Å"We'll just have to stake your friends one after another until the Wild Power decides to reveal itself.† No. No†¦ Suddenly everything was much clearer around Jez. She could see the room again, and she could feel her own body. There was still the roaring in her ears, but she could hear Claire's sobs over it. No. Lily couldn't mean it. This couldn't be happening†¦. But it was. They were shoving Morgead down on the floor beside her, and Claire and Hugh beyond him. The thugs with spears were getting into position. No. No. This can't happen. Jez wanted to scream at them, to tell the Wild Power to do something, because everything was lost now anyway. But she didn't have air to scream. And she felt so adrift and confused anyway†¦. Her universe had become disjointed. Her thoughts seemed to be unraveling at all once, past memories combining with flashing sensory impressions from the present, and with strange new ideas†¦. If it was involuntary, why didn't the Wild Power work magic more often? Unless there was some other requirement†¦. I can't let this happen. The dampness of blood spreading around her heart. †¦ Claire's nails digging into her arms. â€Å"When there's no physical way to escape †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Power in the blood. Claire on the floor there. Screaming and screaming†¦ Something building inside her, hotter than the stake. Morgead beside her whispering, â€Å"Jez, I love you.† Pierce with the stake over him. Morgead looking up unafraid†¦. Hotter than the heart of a star. Hugh in the distance saying almost quietly, â€Å"Goddess of Life, receive us; guide us to the other world. . . .† Hotter than the sun and colder and bluer than the moon, like fire that burned and froze and crackled like lightning all at once. Something that filled her with an energy that was past rage and past love and past all controlling and that she recognized in her soul even though she'd never consciously felt it before. It was swelling Jez to bursting, a pure and terrible flame that was never meant to be unleashed like this†¦. â€Å"Do it!† Lily shouted. And Jez let it free. It came roaring out from her in a silent explosion. Blue fire that streamed from her body and blasted in all directions, but especially up. It came out and out and out, engulfing everything, flowing from her in a never ending torrent. Like a solar flare that didn't stop. It was all she could see. Blue flames, streaked with blue-white lightning that crackled almost soundlessly. Just like the fire that had cocooned her on the BART tracks. Except that now she could tell where it was coming from, even if she couldn't direct it. She knew how to let it out, now, but once out it did what it wanted. And it wasn't meant to be used this way. That was the only thing she knew clearly about it. She'd been letting it slip out when she was desperately upset-when she was worried for someone's life, and she knew that she couldn't do anything else to save them. That was forgivable, because it had been unconscious. This wasn't. She was probably violating some law of the universe or something. The blue fire was only meant to be used in the last battle, when the darkness came and the Four were called to stand against it. I suppose that means I should try to stop now, Jez thought. She wasn't sure how to do it. She guessed that she needed to call it back, somehow, to draw it down into her body again. Maybe if I sort of tug†¦. She did-something. A gathering-up with her mind. It was harder than letting the fire go had been, but it worked. She could feel it returning, flooding back inside her, as if she were sucking it in. †¦ And then it was gone, and Jez could see the world again. Could see what it had done. The house had disappeared. Or most of it, anyway. There was about a foot and a half of ragged wall left all around, with charred insulation spilling out. Blue energy like electricity ran along the edges here and there, fizzing. Other than that, no house. Not even chunks of wreckage lying around. There were fine bits of debris floating down, making the sunlight hazy, but that was all. It got†¦ vaporized, Jez thought, searching for the right word. No Lily. No Azarius. No Pierce. And none of the ugly thugs. Goddess, Jez thought. I didn't mean to do that. I only wanted to stop them from hurting Morgead and Claire and Hugh. †¦ What about them? she thought in a sudden panic. She turned her head, painfully. They were there. And alive. They were even stirring. The cords they'd been tied with were lying on the carpet, sizzling with that same blue energy. It's so weird to have a carpet without a house to go with it, Jez thought fuzzily. She was going away again. And that was too bad, but at least it didn't hurt anymore. The pain was gone completely, replaced by a warm and sleepy feeling-and the sensation of gently floating outward. Her eyelids felt heavy. â€Å"Jez? Jez!† It was a husky whisper. Jez opened her eyes to see Morgead's face. He was crying. Oh, dear, that was bad. Jez hadn't seen him cry since†¦ when was it? Sometime when they'd been little kids†¦. Jez, can you hear me? Now he was talking in her mind. Jez blinked again, and tried to think of something comforting to say to him. â€Å"I feel warm,† she whispered. â€Å"No, you don't!† He said it almost in a growl. Then he looked behind him, and Jez saw Hugh and Claire crawling up. They were all shining with golden light. â€Å"You're so pretty,† she told them. â€Å"Like angels.† â€Å"This isn't the time for your weird humor!† Morgead shouted. â€Å"Stop it! Don't yell at her!† That was Claire. Claire was crying, too, lovely tears that shone as they fell. She reached out and took Jez's hand, and that was nice, although Jez couldn't exactly feel it. She could see it. â€Å"She's going to be all right,† Morgead was snarling. â€Å"She's lost blood, but she'll be okay.† Someone was stroking Jez's hair off her face. She felt that; it was pleasant. She frowned slowly at Morgead, because there was something important to tell him, and talking was difficult. â€Å"Tell Hugh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she whispered. â€Å"Tell Hugh your freaking self! He's right here! And you're not going anywhere.† Jez blinked with the difficulty changing focus. Yes, there was Hugh. He was the one stroking her hair. â€Å"Hugh†¦ the prophecy. I figured out what the two eyes watching were. They're the sun and the moon-get it? Two eyes†¦ for somebody who belongs to both worlds.† â€Å"The Day World and the Night World,† Hugh said softly. â€Å"You got it, Jez. That was so smart.† â€Å"And blood,† Jez whispered. ‘†Power in the blood'-that's why I couldn't do it anytime I wanted. Blood has to flow before you can let out the power. The first two times Claire was scratching me. And this time . . .† Her voice died off, but it wasn't important. Everybody could see the blood this time, she knew. Hugh's voice was thick. â€Å"That was smart, too, Jez. You figured it out. And you saved us. You did everything just right.† â€Å"No†¦ because there's only going to be three Wild Powers now†¦.† â€Å"No, there aren't,† Morgead raged. â€Å"Listen to me, Jez. There's no reason for you to die-â€Å" Jez couldn't manage a smile anymore, or a sentence. But she whispered gently, â€Å"Wood†¦ poison.† â€Å"No, it isn't! Not to humans. And you're half human, Jez. You're vampire enough to survive something that would kill a human, but you're human enough not to be poisoned by wood.† Jez knew better. She couldn't see much anymore. Only Morgead, and he was getting indistinct. It wasn't that the world was dimming, though-it was getting brighter. Everything was golden and shining. Four less one and darkness triumphs, Jez thought I'm so sorry about that. I hope they can manage it somehow. It would be so sad for everything human to be lost. There's so much good in the world, and so much to love†¦. She couldn't even see Morgead now. Only gold. But she could hear. She could hear Claire whispering to her in a voice broken by tears, and feel wetness dropping on her face. â€Å"I love you, Jez. You're the best cousin anybody could ever have.† And Hugh. He was crying, too. â€Å"Jez, I'm so proud to be your friend†¦.† And then, through the mist and the gold and the warmth and peace, came a voice that wasn't gentle at all. That was roaring in sheer outrage and fury. â€Å"DONT YOU DARE DIE ON ME, JEZEBEL! DON'T YOU DARE! Or I'll follow you to the next world and KILL you.† Suddenly, in the pretty gold mist, she could see something else. The only thing in the universe that wasn't golden. It was a silver cord. â€Å"You come back and you do it right now,† Morgead bellowed in her ears and in her mind. â€Å"Right now! Do you hear me?† The peace was shattered. Nothing seemed quite so warm and wonderful anymore, and she knew that once Morgead got into one of his Excited States, he wouldn't stop yelling until he got what he wanted. And there was the cord right in front of her. It was strong, and she could feel that the other end was somewhere in. Morgead's heart, and that he was trying to drag her back to him. All right. Maybe if I just grab on†¦. Somehow, she was holding on to it, and bit by bit, pulling herself back. And then the golden light was fading and she was inside a body that hurt and Morgead was holding her and kissing her and crying all at the same time. Claire's voice came from beyond him. â€Å"She's breathing again! She's breathing!† â€Å"I love you, you stupid human,† Morgead gasped against Jez's cheek. â€Å"I can't live without you. Don't you know that?† Jez whispered, â€Å"I told you never to call me Jezebel.† Then she fainted. â€Å"Time for a nice bath,† the nurse said. â€Å"And then we can have a visitor.† Jez eyed her narrowly. The woman was kind, but she had some mania for sponge baths, and she was always putting strange-smelling ingredients in the water. Which was actually not that surprising since she was a witch. â€Å"Skip the bath,† Jez said. â€Å"Let the visitor in.† â€Å"Now, now,† the witch said, shaking a finger and advancing with the sponge. Jez sighed. Being a Wild Power in a Circle Daybreak sanctuary meant that she could have pretty much anything she wanted-except that everyone was still treating her like a little kid. Especially the nurses, who spoiled her and flattered her, but talked to her as if she were about three. Still, she was glad to let the Circle take care of some things. Keeping her relatives safe, for instance. Although she was almost fully recovered, thanks to a strong constitution and a lot of healing spells from the witches, she wasn't up to that yet. Uncle Bracken and the entire Goddard family needed constant protection, since Hunter Redfern and the Night World Council were all undoubtedly after them by now. The Circle had imported some experts from back East to take care of it. A rival vampire hunter, of all things, named Rashel something. Plus her soulmate, a vampire-turned-Daybreaker called Quinn. At least they were competent. They'd gotten Jez's uncle Bracken, as well as the remnants of the gang out of San Francisco, a city that was going to be bad for their health for a while. Morgead was trying to get the gang to join Circle Daybreak for their own good, and he said that Raven, at least, was showing some interest. Val and Thistle were being stubborn, but that was hardly surprising. What was important was that they were alive. Pierce, on the other hand, was simply gone. No one had seen a trace of him or Lily or any of her people since Jez blasted them. Apparently they had truly been vaporized, and Jez couldn't bring herself to feel too badly. â€Å"All done!† the nurse said brightly, straightening Jez's pajama top. Which was just as well because at that moment a black head came poking in the door. â€Å"What is going on in here? You getting ready to go to the opera or something?† Jez raised her eyebrows at Morgead. â€Å"Maybe. Are you telling me I can't?† He snorted and came in as the nurse went out â€Å"I wouldn't dare tell you that. You're the princess, right? You can have anything.† â€Å"Right,† Jez said, with huge satisfaction. â€Å"So how*re Hugh and Claire?† â€Å"Claire's fine; she fits right in with the witches here. I think she's trying to get them to put up a Web page. And Hugh's just his same stupid self. He's off saving chipmunks from toxic waste or something.† â€Å"And how about the kid?† â€Å"The kid,† Morgead said, â€Å"is living it up. The Day-breakers are crazy about her; something about one of the oldest Old Souls ever found:-I dunno. Anyway, they're trying to talk her mom into letting her live here. She says thanks for saving her life and she's drawing you a picture.† Jez nodded, pleased. It would be nice if Iona came to live at the sanctuary; it meant Jez could see her a lot. Not that Jez planned to live here all the time herself-she and Morgead needed their freedom. They couldn't be penned in; they had to be able to come and go. She just hadn't gotten around to telling the Daybreakers that yet. With the people she loved taken care of, she could turn her attention to other matters. â€Å"Is that chocolate?† â€Å"It's the only reason you like to see me, isn't it?† Morgead said, allowing her to take the box. He sat beside her, looking tragic. â€Å"Nah,† Jez said with her mouth full. She swallowed. â€Å"Everybody brings 'em.† Then she grinned. â€Å"I like to see you for a different reason.† He grinned wickedly back. â€Å"I can't think what that could be.† â€Å"Hmm†¦ you're right†¦ maybe there is no other reason.† â€Å"Watch it, Jezebel,† he growled and leaned forward menacingly. â€Å"Don't call me that, idiot.† â€Å"You're the idiot, idiot.† â€Å"And you're-† But Jez never got to finish, because he stopped her mouth with a kiss. And then his arms were around her-so gently- and the silver cord was humming and everything was warm and there were only the two of them in the world. One from the land of kings long forgotten; One from the hearth which still holds the spark; One from the Day World where two eyes are watching; One from the twilight to be one with the dark. [The End]

How Significant Factors Can Change People’s Opinions Essay

The essayâ€Å" In the Jungle† tells a story of a woman who is used to works under high pressure and takes a journey to the Ecuadorian Jungle, and near the Napo River she finds out that she is no longer stressed and depressed anymore. The peaceful environment changes her completely. This example shows how the physical environment can affect people mentally. The Essay â€Å"Our Animal Rites† tells a story of a woman who encounters a bear by an accident, and she realizes that where she is living now, the country used to be the home of the bear. This fact shocks her and she starts to wonder whether she is the one who has taken the bear’s home away from it. This example shows how physical environment can affect people emotionally. Besides these, the environment can change people physically too. There are some major changes I experienced after I came to the U.S by the way I dressed, the way I talked or treated people even my regular schedule. The physical environment and human beings change each other. When people come into a new environment that they have never been in, they will be affected, or changed physically, emotionally and mentally at different levels because people always have different reactions when they face different environments, and that is why they change. The physical environment can affect people emotionally because different environments can change people’s attitude about one specific thing or the point of view of the same situation. Dillard describes her journey in the jungle very specifically. After she reaches her destination, she realizes how peaceful and amazing that place is, â€Å"Each breath of night smelled sweet, more moistened and sweet than any kitchen, or garden, or cradle†(37). This quote shows she finds the jungle is much better than the place she used to live. Nothing can compare to the smell of nature, not even her expensive daily supplies because the environment she is currently living is cannot be replaced or faked. Nature calms her nerves and gives her time to reflect on her own life. During the vacation, she lets some little naà ¯ve girls play  with her hair, which is another thing that she never do before. â€Å"Later that night I loosed my hair from its braids and combed it smooth—not for myself, but so the village girls could play with it in the morning†(37) This is a symbol of her truly loose her pressure and face this world with another type of personality, which is who she really is, without any defense or pretending. â€Å"The Napo River: It is in the way, catching sunlight the way a cup catch poured water; it is a bowl of sweet air, a basin of greenness, and of grace, and it would seem, of peace† (40) From this essay, the mood of Dillard has some significant changes. She finds out that she is more peaceful inside. After she feels the calming environment of mother nature, she becomes more peaceful because the environment surrounding her changes, so her mood changes instantly too. The physical environment can affect people mentally because there are a lot of unexpected events that can change people’s attitude whether positive or negative. The essay â€Å"Our Animal Rites†, Quindlen mentions she starts to wonder if she took the bear’s home away from it after the encounter, and she cannot forget about this idea. â€Å"Sometimes I think it is because instead of feeling that the bear is trespassing on my property, in my heart I believe that I am trespassing on his†(33) Quindlen thinks she is the one who took land from the bear. This idea bothers her and cannot be eliminated easily, so she becomes suspicious and doubtful; she feels guilty about taking the bear’s territory even though deep inside she knows she had nothing with the whole situation. ‘Somewhere out there the bear is watching, picking his nits and teeth, breathing his raggedy bear breath, and if he could talk, maybe he’d say â€Å"I wonder they’re going back where they belong. (34) Quindlen humanizes the bear she encounters and exchanges the point of view with it to rethink the same situation from a different perspective. The physical environment also changes her mentally. People react differently when they face different environments or circumstances, and this change affects them mentally too. The physical environment can affect people physically too. Take me as example. Before I came to the U.S., I was an ordinary girl who went to school at 7 a.m. and was home at 5 and did all my homework on time, never  hanged out with my friends and did not know to put makeup on or fancy clothes due to requirements of my middle school. I did not listen to music that much because my teacher thought being a fan of some stars could have some negative effects on my grade. After I came here, I found out everything was totally different than I expected. Girls who were my age all have makeup and skinny jeans and nail polish to school. They had time to hang out with their friends after school instead of just going home and doing homework. They could also go out on Friday Night until midnight. That is something I could not even dream of. After a few months passed by, I started to get involved in school. I learnt the way they dressed, the way they talked and some places they would like to go to after class. I also started to learn how to put makeup on and abandoned all my old clothes for some new ones. It has been almost four years since I got here, and I think I am a completely different person now, not mentally, but physically because my parents and friends noticed the difference in different time periods which are when I was in China and when I am here right now. The environment can also affect people physically too. The physical environment can change people in various ways. The essay â€Å"In the Jungle† proves that the physical environment can affect people emotionally while â€Å"Our Animal Rites† shows how physical environment can affect people mentally. From my personal experience, the physical environment also change people physically too. Changing is like a double-edged sword. It can lead people to different paths. Some people lose themselves during the changing process while others can hold on the spirit of who they are and become better people.

Baking Class-Measurement and Weight Writing Assignment

Baking Class-Measurement and Weight Writing - Assignment Example Watching the baking process and practicing made me into an excellent baker. I have had several baking experiences, of them all, my favorite baking experience of all time is the Devil’s food cake. According to my bakery experience, this is the ultimate chocolate cake with a luscious frosting (Gisslen & Smith 978). This cake is very easy to prepare as all the ingredients are readily available, however accurate measurement is necessary for an excellent outcome (Sawyer 18). The recipe is fantastic, especially making the soft sticky frosting. The general texture of the cake is light and moist, with soft crumbs and a dark appearance brought about by the dark brown muscovado sugar and cocoa powder (Regier & Helmar 89). What makes this cake moist and tender is the use of vegetable oil at room temperature. This cake is not too sugary, just has the perfect balance of sweetness. Not only is the appearance of this cake perfect, but also has a rich chocolate flavor (Brown 479). This intense flavor is brought about by the concentrated presence of pure chocolate of the cocoa solids lacking dilution by milk or butter (Newtown 9). Baking this cake gives me a divine majestic feeling, bringing an immense satisfaction. This rich alluring cake despite the name is heavenly! Whenever I eat this cake, I feel as though I am in heaven. This gorgeous cake always turns out moist with a chocolate taste, smell, and appearance. This cake melts gracefully in my mouth, leaving a terrific feeling. The smell of this cake baking evokes memories of my childhood days, and mother’s fine baking skills.  

Gay Marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 7

Gay Marriage - Essay Example Though the country is democratic, rules and governing is determined by the majority vote which means that the principles of 76% of American people disregard the legalization of gay marriages. With the increasing divorce rate and other societal flaws gay marriage will only increase the flaws in the institute of marriage. This paper will illustrate the problems associated with gay marriage and show that it does not belong in our society. Nine states in America have recognized gay marriage as a legal binding of two individuals. In the other 41 states it is not legally and socially acceptable. Firstly, gay marriage is not a natural process. If same sex marriages were to prevail and out number marriages between opposite sexes, there would a huge decrease in the population. Hypothetically, this would result in the annihilation of the human race which further solidifies the fact that gay marriage is not a natural process. Two females or males are unable to biologically reproduce, which raises questions on the purpose of the subject matter. There is a misconception that individuals who oppose gay marriage are homophobic and perpetrators of hate. However, there are substantial reasons behind this opinion. Gay activists associate legalization of gay marriage with equal rights. In our society equal rights do not exist in this perspective. Some states have laws prohibiting the marriage of close relatives. There are also laws which prohibit individual from marrying minors, animals, multiple individuals and inanimate objects (Normandin, n.p). Hence, equal rights do not qualify as legitimate reason to legalize same sex marriage. Research has also shown that children brought up in families without a male figure usually engage in early sexual activity. Children living in same sex marriages are usually separated from their mother or father who can have adverse psychological effects in the future. It has also

Capital Budgeting. Payback Period. NPV Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Capital Budgeting. Payback Period. NPV - Essay Example Another reason why these decisions are so important is that these decisions involve a large outlay of funds. Therefore, it is necessary that these decisions are taken with due diligence. These decisions cannot be reversed at a low cost. So, any mistake made is very costly to the firm. The capital budgeting process that a manager uses depends on a few factors such as the manager’s level in the organisation and the size of the project and the organization. The following steps are the typical steps followed by most managers. Step One: Generating Ideas Coming up with good investment ideas is the most important step in the capital budgeting process. Good ideas can come from anywhere in the organisation. It can come from managers from any level or from any department in the organisation or even from outside the organisation. Step Two: Analysing Individual Proposals This process involves collecting all the information to forecast the cash flows for each project and evaluating the pro fitability of each project. Step Three: Planning the Capital Budget Now the company has to organise the projects that are profitable so that they fit within the company’s overall strategy. Step Four: Monitoring and Post-auditing In post-auditing, the actual results are compared with the predicted results and the differences are explained. Post-auditing helps monitor the forecast, improve business operations and generate ideas for future investments. 2. Memo to Assertive Al One of the main drawbacks of using the payback method is that it does not take time value of money into account. For example a cash inflow of $2 million in the third year of the project is going to be less today. It also ignores all the cash flows beyond the end of the payback period. This can present a critical problem for the firm as some projects give higher cash inflows in later years (after the cut-off date). Discounted payback method can to some extent overcome the drawbacks of the payback method as i t considers time value of money into account. In a discounted payback period, the future expected cash flows are discounted by the project’s cost of capital. By discounting expected cash flows through the cost of capital, the discounted payback method considers the riskiness of the project into account. Similar to the drawback of payback method, the discounted payback method also does not consider cash flows after the discounted payback period. As there are flaws in the payback methods, these methods cannot be considered as most reliable in evaluating future projects. Hence in order to be more effective in evaluating projects, Net Present Value method is considered to be the most reliable and effective method in evaluating future projects. Unlike the payback methods, the Net Present Value method does take distant future cash flows into account (after the cut-off payback period). NPV rule is important as it takes time value of money into account as a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow, the reason being that the dollar today can be invested immediately to start earning interest. NPV also eliminates the time element in evaluating projects, as some projects start earning positive cash flows after a long period and the payback methods are not viable in evaluating such projects. 3. NPV Managers want to know more about a project than just its NPV because the NPV method also has certain drawbacks. The major drawback of the NPV method is that

Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Catheter Related Blood Stream Infection - Essay Example Guidelines for the prevention of (CRBSIs) have been formulated by CDC. These are targeted at the intensive care personnel who are involved in the insertion of these catheters and post insertion management and care of these catheters, particularly the nursing staff. It is proposed that in addition to the existing guidelines, this study will provide ample evidence for the use of PICCs in ICU setting to reduce the rate of CRBSI. Almost 12 years back, the use of PICCs was highly favored for cost and safety considerations by a study (Ng et al, 1997). The advantages of PICCs include ease of bedside placement, placement even by non-physicians and a relatively lower risk of complications. Complications of PICCs were studied in 351 patients and were identified to be infection related, phlebitis, vein thrombosis, PICC occlusion, broken or leaking catheter or dislodgement of the catheter (Walshe et al, 2002). However, even the authors concluded that because of their convenience and easily managed complications they should be continued to use. 200 prospective studies were analyzed systematically and it was determined that PICCs used in inpatients (2.1/ 1000 catheter days) had a slightly lower rate of CRBSIs than standard non cuffed and non medicated CVC s placed in subclavian or internal jugular vein(2.7 BSIs /1000 catheter days)(Maki, Kluger, & Crinch, 2006). Whereas, Safdar and Maki (2005) found that CRBSI with PI CCs was higher than some of the other CVCs. Thus, more studies are warranted to compare CRBSI rates of PICCs and CICCs and establish a lower rate of infection of PICCs. Study Design and Population The study utilized a central-line database retrospectively, one year prior to and 3 years after the introduction of hemodynamic monitoring with PICCs in a closed, medical-surgical, 20-bed intensive care unit and a 10-bed intermediate care unit of a tertiary-care academic medical institution. CRBSI rates were compared for a 12-month control period and a 36-month intervention period with open-ended PICCs. Thus, it was a retrospective analysis of an interventional study (Patel et al, 2007). 2,474 central vascular catheters were inserted in 1788 critically ill patients (21,919 catheter-days). ). A total of 6210 CICC catheter-days and 15,709 PICC catheter-days were analyzed (Patel et al, 2007). The primary outcome variable was the rate of CRBSI and this was defined as "isolation of the same organism (defined by species and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern) from the colonized catheter (>15 colony-forming units) and one or more peripheral blood cultures within 48 hours in a patient with no alternative source of bacteremia" (CDC, 2002). Since, the primary outcome measure was clearly defined, changes in the values were analyzed statistically and reliability was ensured. However, the blinding status so far as the group allocator or the body who assessed the results is not clear. What indicated the use of PICCs in most of the patients while some still had CICCs in the later years of the study is also not clear. Was

The Sixties Cultural Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Sixties Cultural Movement - Essay Example The 1960s was a significant period within modern history. It could be said that it was when society as a whole began to realize that there was individual freedom within humanity, that life need not be dictated by those who controlled us that life is a personal choice. It was also a time when America began seeing itself for what it is, their government policies especially their foreign policy was always based on profit and the American people understood that they needed to be more sympathetic to other people. It was a reawakening because previously during history the population could be recruited for whatever means to serve the government especially during times of war however, during the sixties many people fought and protested against war recruitment. It was a moment when humanity could re-examine themselves and their lives that society could be changed just like the efforts of the African-American people as a segregated minority. It was a time of possibility. In the 1950s America h ad great faith in their political system, America went to war with Korea and not many protested, McCarthyism was rampant and the people were led to believe in rampant anticommunism. From these roots of an anticommunist stance did the 1960s take place and the war against Vietnam was built on these reasons. Even within literature did the American beliefs penetrate there was a naà ¯ve impression of American anticommunism.... dictator, General The. Aside from the war policy of America against Vietnam there were other important events that took place in the 1960s that affected the world and America was at the center where there were many movements and protests against the formal government. Science & Religion in the Sixties There was an expansive surge on science during the sixties and if the details could be believed, man has landed on the moon. Neil Armstrong, an astronaut landed on the moon in 1969 after President Kennedy launched a space race between America and Russia. Earlier on in the fifties the USSR have managed to send several dogs in orbit in space to test whether it was feasible for man to travel there. Before Armstrong was able to reach the moon the Russians in 1961 was already orbiting space3. It could be said that the science of astrology and space travel during this time was reaching its all-new high. Satellites were being sent to orbit the earth and these weren't minor achievements. Satellites are what we use today to receive signals for our televisions, our wireless internet, our mobile phones, we use satellite technology today almost everyday. Science also reached its fictitious zenith where it came to the point that it could create its own religion. The Church of Scientology was founded in 1955 by a fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard. In the 1960s, as all counter-cultural movement goes, it developed its own stances to living daily life and cultures and created their own basic principles. Today, Scientology is no longer a completely 'New-Age' phenomenon as many people and celebrities begin to embrace its practices. Sixties and Politics When the settlers came to America they fought for a

Shakespeare's Midsummer night's dream Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Shakespeare's Midsummer night's dream - Essay Example The two woman are treated so differently because â€Å"the feminine either rebels against the restraining social order or presides in alliance with force that challenge its hegemony romantic love ,physical nature ,the love of pleasure in all its form .†Biana rebels quietly as Kate rages and use the masculine realm of language as a weapon. Biana’s rebellion is then not seen until her sister becomes silent. Hermia , white she openly challenges her father’s authority ;does not take on a masculine role as Helena are treated with distain because they directly challenge the masculine self by adopting its features Biana and Hermia instead embody the attribute of country love , because they are off limits. Biana is unattainable because her sister will not marry and Hermia because her father wants to marry one man and the heart belonged to another. This embodiment allows them to preside over the realm of romantic love which is outside the control of masculine social order (male gaze) (Natanson

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay Example for Free

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Essay I enjoyed reading â€Å"the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn† during my English class. The novel is about a young boy, Huck, searching of freedom and adventure. Through all the journeys in river, he meets Jim, and they become good at friends. From Jim, Huck learns a lot of lessons to improve himself as a decent person. Their friendship is so precious in the novel. Some say that there was deep racism with discrimination between black people and white people in the novel. Furthermore, some claim that the novel shows their discrimination to black slaves without sensing the slave’s humanity. However, the liberty, humanity, and respectability of black people are identified by the relationship between Huck and Jim. In â€Å"Selling Huck Finn down the river: A response to Jane Smiley†, Seymour Chwast demonstrates that Jim is a typical black character as â€Å"ignorant, superstitious, and passive† and exposes the racism in the novel. At the beginning of the novel, Jim’s superstitions sometimes lead to the essences of silliness . From this perspective, Jim seems stupid and ignorant, because he believes in some foolish superstitions that do not make sense at all. For example, Jim say that Huck killing a spider that would bring bad luck , and the hair-ball used to tell fates . Jim‘s superstitions slightly portray him as an inactive and stubborn slave. Jim is also considered as an object which can be sold and bought by the white people in the novel. According to this view, racism is clearly exposed through Jim. In â€Å" Say it ain’t so,Huck:Second thoughts on Mark Twain ‘s masterpiece†, Jane Smiley states that the word â€Å"nigger† is used over and over by Huck to call Jim. To this point, I think he means the white man such as Huck, or even Twain doesn’t feel sorry or have any excuse for prejudice against black people. Huck is a white person, and he was raised in white society, so he believes that black people were lower than white people. For instance, Huck used Jims status as a black slave against Jim in arguments over why French people speak differently than Americans. The use of word â€Å"nigger† is pointed out by readers who sense that Twain use the word too much or too freely. The readers feel uncomfortable when they clearly see the unfairness of Twain putting on character Jim, because Twain doesn’t really care about Jim’s aspiration for freedom in the introduction of the novel. In the other hand, some say that Twain is not a racist novelist because he uses Huck to get back the justice for Jim in later chapters of the novel. In the novel, we can clearly see Huck was against his society to help Jim escape. Huck knows that he is doing wrong according to the view of the whole society , but he does not care about that and keeps helping Jim until the end. My own view is that Huck has a pure heart, so he can easily see the injustice in his society. Chwast also claims , â€Å"Huck’s recognition of Jim’s humanity and dignity† to supports this view with his satisfaction . Huck slowly realized that Jim is as smart as the white people with his profound knowledge about the world. At first, his superstitions seemed to be foolish, but later it became true to the fact of the world. For example, Jim predicted that the bad luck would come to them after Huck killed the snake, and he was right about that, because the dead snake’s friend revenged for its friend by biting Jim. Jim used his comprehension to benefit both, and he rejected to let Huck see the body in the floating house, because that body is the body of Huck’s father. I think Jim is a kind-hearted person by caring and protecting Huck through that moment. He acted as a role of the father caring for his son. Therefore, Huck slowly admitted that Jim is an honest, moral and intelligent person. Their friendship became closer. Some say that their friendship is the foundation to break race barriers in the novel. According to this view, Jim shows the faithfulness to Huck in chapter fifteen. For example , Jim showed his happiness at seeing Huck alive after they are separated by fog. It is apparent that Jim will sacrifice himself to ensure Huck’s safety. However, Huck in that moment still had been thinking kind of unequal treatment against Jim. . Huck in that moment was not able to sacrifice himself to Jim’s safety. In fact, Huck deceived Jim about his dream that they were apart by fog. Later, Jim found out the truth that Huck had tricked him by seeing the leaves and rubbish on the raft. From that moment, Huck felt guilty for making Jim feel so bad . As Huck himself put it, â€Å"It made me feel so mean I could almost kiss his foot to get him to take it back. † In my own view, I think kissing Jim foot is a sign of apology. After that incident, I think Huck started to be aware about Jim’s feeling. He would never call Jim by the word† nigger† again and do such bad things to hurt Jim’s feeling . Smiley also gives credit to Huck by praising Huck ‘s recognition of Jim ‘s humankind and self respect that makes their friendship so cherished to transform the racism inside Huck to love and scarification for Jim’s safety later. To this point , readers think Huck no longer had the prejudice to Jim, and Huck did something against racism that would help Jim be free. , Huck can see the true equalities between white people and black people, regardless of what he may have been taught by society. Overall, I believe that Huck has a better understanding of race than the society around him, because he finally realized that what he did is not against the justice, fairness and equality. Huck gives the readers a view into that is against white American view about racism. The white man will help the black man if he deserves it. The black man will find a justice if he acts as good as Jim. There is a question against this perspective: what would have happened if Jim did not have a good personality? Did Huck company with Jim all the way and sacrifice himself to help Jim get back the freedom? Overall, some readers have judged Jim as being too passive in the beginning of the novel, but he remains all kinds of kindness than other characters in the novel. Jim can be described as a very decent person with a good personality who provides a practical and decent example for Huck to improve himself. Thus, Twain successfully uses the relationship between Huck and Jim to expose the racism against black people in the nineteen century. Therefore, the novel is a great novel that allows young people to see racism and learn how and why it is wrong.

Ageism in the Workplace Essay Example for Free

Ageism in the Workplace Essay Ageism can happen to anyone, young or old. Many times when discussing Ageism or age discrimination, most people consider older generations as those affected, but the reality is that younger generations can be affected by Ageism as well. Ageism is growing in America today, and there are many significant issues that are being associated with this form of discrimination. The purpose of this paper is to define Ageism and who is being affected by it. Those affected are experiencing a wide array of issues that can ultimately have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Ageism is not something that cannot be cured, and there are definitely ways to overcome it. Ways to combat this problem, include education and mentoring. This paper will outline many different opportunities within these two areas and ultimately conclude with recommendations for organizational management to combat the growing issue of Ageism. Ageism Definition What is Ageism? In simple terms, ageism is defined as a form of discrimination targeting older adults, generally 55 years of age and older. Dr. Linda Woolf uses a definition by A. J.  Traxler to define Ageism as any attitude, action, or institutional structure which subordinates a person or group because of age or any assignment of roles in society purely on the basis of age. Ageism is different from other forms of discrimination in that an individual’s age is static unlike their race or gender (Woolf, 1998). What Dr. Woolf means by this is that a person’s age is constantly changing, and no one is exempt from experiencing ageism in some form. All of us at some point will be affected by Ageism, whether we stereotype others or we are stereotyped based simply on how old we are at that point in time. Ageism is slowly becoming a major issue within the workforce of America. Persons Affected Baby Boomers. There are some discrepancies in which period of time the Baby-Boomer generations actually begin and end, but for my research, the period is established as 1946 to 1964 (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). Baby-Boomers were born in a five to six year period immediately following World War II. The current age range for Baby-Boomers would be around 63 to 68 years of age. This generation is obviously within the prime age range to be affected by Ageism. The consulting firm, Age Lessons, lists 3 R’s as areas of concern for Baby-Boomers: redundancy, relevance, and resentment from younger co-workers (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). Boomers definitely have reason to be concerned about redundancy. In this day and age with so many layoffs occurring, many companies are looking at older employees, especially those within retirement age, as individuals to cut. The Boomer generation, having been around a while, most times is more expensive to retain than younger employees. Many older employees struggle to remain productive and relevant within the organization. They fear being left behind unless their employer offers them training opportunities (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). The final R, and maybe the harshest, is resentment from younger employees looking to grow and advance within an organization, but feel they are being held back by the Boomer generation. I have seen this type of resentment first hand, and it can and does often lead to an unstable work environment. Generation X. Who makes up Generation X? Well there are many different ranges of time given to define this group of individuals, but a good estimate is 1965 to 1980 (Jochim, 1997). The age range of this group is now around 33-48 years of age. That doesn’t seem very old, and one would wonder how Ageism could be affecting this group. They would seem to be in their prime working years. The reality is that as of 2003, more and more young workers feel they are being discriminated against because of their age (Armour, 2003). Revealing statistics support this belief among young workers. In an article for USA Today, Jennifer Armour reveals that in 2003 the unemployment rate for workers 25 to 34 was at 6. 9 percent, well above the 3. 9 percent for employees 55 and older. A more recent poll by Gallup, as of April 2012, puts the underemployment rate for adults 30 to 49 at 14 percent, still ahead of the 13. 6 percent for adults 50 to 64. Compare both of these with a 12. 7 percent rate for adults 65 and older, and you can see that ageism can affect all ages. This is a startling increase since 2003 and speaks to our current economy and the mindset of employers when determining who to retain and who to let go. With so many young adults underemployed or unemployed, they are unable to attain the experience and skills necessary to help them grow and attain better jobs in the future (Jacobe, 2012). These issues combined could lead to significant repercussions for the future of American business. Issues of Ageism Health There are many issues that lead to Ageism in the workplace. One issue is the health of the employee. Generally, organizations worry about the health of their older employees and how it may relate to work attendance. One stereotype is that older workers seem to be more fragile and are not able to physically perform as well as their younger counterparts (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). Issues of Ageism surrounding employee health are not only limited to physical requirements, but include mental aptitude as well. In fact, a 2001 survey conducted at Duke University found that nearly 80 percent of respondents age 60 and older experienced ageism such as people assuming they had memory impairments because of their age (Dittmann, 2003). Costs Many costs are associated with Ageism, but they are not all economic in nature. Costs to the elderly, costs to the younger generation, as well as social costs are a few that contribute to the problem. The discrimination of Ageism can affect individuals in many ways such as being denied employment or being passed over for promotion, just to mention a couple. One significant, yet subtle, blow can occur to the individual’s self-esteem (Palmore, 2005). The feeling of no longer being needed or wanted within an organization can have significant consequences to an elderly individual. It can lead to depression and a rapid deterioration of mental and physical skills. At the other end of the spectrum, is the much younger generation of workers. The costs of ageism can affect them as well. The costs to them are related to the topic of economic costs. According to Mr. Palmore, special programs that benefit only older persons, such as Medicare and Medicaid, are funded by the tax dollars of the younger employees within the workforce; the amount was greater than $300 billion annually in 1999. The final cost is the social cost to not only the elders, but the younger generation as well. The younger generation loses a significant wealth of knowledge to pull from while the elderly lose an opportunity for social interaction. Technology As time goes by, technology continues to progress at a rapid pace, and it is often difficult for individuals, as well as organizations, to keep up with the ever changing products. Many managers feel that older workers do not like change and lack the desire to learn new technology or simply have no valuable technical skills to offer (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). In my own personal experience in the technology industry, I have supervised older employees who had the minimal skills to succeed but did not want to put forth the effort to learn new skills in order to advance. Likewise, I have had supervisors who are â€Å"old school† and had no interests in keeping up with the technological advances. This led to younger employees actually having a greater knowledge base than their manager. Education Education of older employees is also a concern for managers in today’s constantly changing environment. The changes of the work environment have brought new knowledge, skill, and ability requirements for all workers (Lee, Czaja Sharit, 2009). The question that managers have to answer is, do older employees have the necessary cognitive abilities to learn and perform these new requirements. As I mentioned earlier, some older adults do not have the desire to learn new skills at such a late stage of their career, and this is an issue many managers are faced with. Attitude can play a large part in a manager’s decision to select older adults for the necessary training to keep those individuals gainfully employed. A negative attitude by older employees can lead to negative stereotypes and concerns about the trainability of such individuals (Lee, Czaja Sharit, 2009). Older adults, who display a desire and enthusiasm about learning new skills and abilities, have a greater opportunity to overcome the negative stereotypes and contribute significantly to any organization. Risks While efforts are being made to eliminate all forms of discrimination, it continues to occur today to many groups including older adults. Wendy Taormina-Weiss states, â€Å"Despite efforts to provide a level of protection that might be based upon compassion, ageism continues to lead to disempowerment of seniors in this nation. † The question becomes, what are the risks we are creating for seniors by discriminating against them because of their age? Poor health, reduction or loss of financial security, and social isolation are three major risks created by ageist beliefs (Taormina-Weiss, 2012). Many seniors have lived a long and productive life, and the need to make a contribution is important to them. By looking at them with these negative stereotypes and discriminating against them simply because of their age, the risk factors above can have severe consequences. Taormina-Weiss goes on to say that these risk factors can contribute to a lower quality of life, lower self-esteem, and ultimately a shorter life span. Combating Ageism Education Outsourced. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) prohibits age discrimination in the workplace for employees or potential employees 40 years of age or older. (Farrell, 2011). Assistance, such as Professional Employer Organizations (PEO), is available to employers to assist with understanding and compliance of the law. According to PEO Spectrum, one benefit of a PEO is that they co-employ with a client accepting half the risk of managing an organizations employees. Just as important, is the fact that PEOs provide training to supervisors and managers to not only improve employee communication and relations, but also to keep leaders up to date on applicable laws pertaining to age discrimination (Farrell, 2011). Other areas that PEOs offer training in is proper interviewing techniques, managing through a layoff, discrimination, and harassment (Farrell, 2011). Organizations should have liability protection insurance for a worst-case scenario such as a wrongful termination. The issue here is that liability insurance can be expensive. According to Farrell, most PEOs offer their clients coverage, but the cost can be as much as $5000 a year for a company with only 10 to 20 employees. However, with the proper training and education, such as that provided by PEOs, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of facing such a lawsuit. In-house. In a study conducted by several faculty members and students at Nova Southeastern University on the subject of Ageism, the authors recommended the TEAM approach in order to build diverse high-performing teams. The TEAM approach stands for team composition, education and training, awareness, accountability, and accommodation, and mentoring (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). Team composition is the first and most important step. When building the team, you should ensure to include employees across all age groups. Education and training are also vital to your employees. Diversity training has become very important along with opportunities for older adults to receive training to keep technical skills current. Research shows that the 2008 U. S. Presidential election was notable for many things, mainly the difference in how each candidate reached their constituents; one used email and text messaging, while the other did not (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). Organizations need to be aware of discrimination laws and ensure that all employees are aware of the requirements to be in compliance with said laws. The Human Resource department of an organization must be responsible for developing strategies to ensure that all employees, especially the Baby-Boomer generation, are given the same opportunities for performance and promotion (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). The final peace of the TEAM concept is mentoring. Mentoring can be a two-way street in any organization. Not only do the older adults have an opportunity to mentor and train the next generation of employees, but the younger employees have an opportunity to mentor and train older adults to keep them current on new technologies and techniques. Mentoring Management. There are many opportunities for mentoring members of an organization’s management team. Many professional services are offered as well as opportunities from within an organization to use firsthand experience and knowledge. As discussed in the previous section, mentoring can and should occur in both directions. Knowledge should be gained from those adult co-workers who have been with an organization or industry for multiple years and have unique ideas and insights. Conversely, the younger generation of leader may bring a fresh set of ideas and beliefs that could make the organization more efficient. Two key areas of opportunity for mentoring managers is the use of Senior Mentors and Peer to Peer mentoring. Senior Mentors. Our own U. S. military is a good example of using Senior Mentors to assist individuals in upper leadership positions. These mentors help conduct exercises and offer advice to their still-active colleagues (Vanden Brook, Dilanian Locker, 2009). The majority of these retired leaders has experienced what our new leaders are about to experience and can offer valuable advice on how to handle certain situations and what steps to take in certain scenarios. While I could not find statistical data to show that the program has been effective in the military arena, I have no doubt that having the insight of someone who has held the same position previously is nothing short of valuable. Many of the same principles applied in military circles can be applied in the business sector as well. Retired military leaders know all too well the issues of discrimination, no matter what form, and can help guide the next generation of leader in avoiding these pitfalls. In the military, we sometimes find Ageism pointed in the direction of the younger generation because of a lack of experience. This scenario is where Senior Mentors can advise leaders to listen to their younger leaders and avoid the appearance of prejudice against them simply because of their age. Peers. According to Judith Germain, peer to peer mentoring occurs when the mentor is not in a position of authority over the mentee. Peer to peer mentoring can be very valuable in a group setting because mentors are able to pass on knowledge based on life experience and professional experience gained in the business arena (Germain, 2011). Too often we think of a peer as someone similar in age, but in the business world it relates directly to job title. Putting peers together from different age groups to exchange information and ideas goes a long way in helping them understand each other and eliminating any stereotypes about each other. Germain goes on to say that in this group setting with such a diverse group of leaders, the learning curve for the business owner is greatly reduced. In the long run, peer to peer mentoring offers a relaxed environment among managers of all experience levels to pass on valuable life experience and information. Employees. Mentors use their leadership to advise and nurture their employees either voluntarily or involuntarily (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). As discussed earlier, managers and leaders need mentoring before they can mentor their employees. The information held by the leaders of an organization must be transferred to the next generation in order to assure continuity of key organizational functions (Gibson, Jones, Cella, Clark, Epstein Haselberger, 2010). When related to Ageism, managers must mentor their younger employees/supervisors concerning discrimination laws so that any issues with age discrimination may be avoided. Communication should be imperative in the mentoring process. With the proper mentoring program in place, valuable knowledge can be transferred, new and valuable friendships can be formed, and unnecessary litigation can be avoided. Conclusion Ageism is a rapidly growing form of discrimination. As we have learned, many Baby-Boomers today are experiencing or already experiencing this form of discrimination. Ageism is not limited to the Baby-Boomer generation, however, as many younger generations are experiencing this prejudice as well. Many factors have been discussed here including health related issues, social issues, and financial issues that arise out of this act of prejudice. These factors have a negative impact on employees of all ages and can have a significant negative impact on an organization if steps are not taken to correct any form of age discrimination. The good news for any organization is that there are ways to combat this growing problem. Organizational management should conduct an audit of policies and procedures to determine if they have allowed for any opportunities for this form of discrimination to occur. If so, they must take the necessary steps to correct the issue. Management should take advantage of every opportunity to educate their staff from top to bottom on applicable state and federal laws as well as internal policies and procedures related to any form of discrimination. Finally, it is recommended that management create and support a company mentoring plan. This plan should use outside resources, such as Senior Mentors, as well as current employees of the organization. With the proper policies, procedures, education, and mentoring programs in place, an organization can avoid any potential pitfalls of Ageism or other forms of discrimination.

Mona Lisa By Leonardo Da Vinci Humanism

Mona Lisa By Leonardo Da Vinci Humanism The transition movement that took place between the 14th and 17th century in Italy is known as the Renaissance time or by definition rebirth. The philosophy that took place in the period is one of the humanism or the focus on the human being. One of the master artists of this time is Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) and one of the paintings that best represents the philosophy and art of this period is the Mona Lisa. The philosophy of humanism brought on a time where the focus was on the human being. The previous philosophy of the medieval time was more focused on biblical motivation, whereas humanism was not. Humanism stood for the; the emergence of the individual figure, in place of stereotyped or symbolic figure, greater realism and consequent attention to detail, as reflected in the development of linear perspective and increased realism of human faces and bodies (High Renaissance Art. (n.d)). The artist of the Renaissance time kept up with the spirit of humanism by portraying lifelike human forms with the realistic clothing, and expression and correct proportion. A new three-dimensional form was created with new techniques. The natural landscape began to appear as the background as a transition from the figures of heaven against a gold background. Realism and idealism are other concepts that were used in the Renaissance time and one could say that Leonardo Da Vinci mastered them. Realism or portraying subjects as they really were accomplished by: forms, colors, proportions, lights and shade effects, spatial harmony and composition. Leonardos background in science, drafting, sculpting and architecture all helped in every portion of his painting of the Mona Lisa (The Mona Lisa, (n.d.)). Idealism was the idea of portraying subjects, as they should be. The Mona Lisa was a painting that Leonardo Da Vinci was working on in between the years of 1503-1506; some believe the painting was still never finished by his death in 1519. The Mona Lisa clearly represents the philosophy of the humanism by representing the focus of the human being and realism. It also shows nature as shown in the background behind the figure in the painting. The main focus of the Mona Lisa falls actually on the person in the picture. In previous medieval art the figures in the portrait were pictured in profiles and were stiff. Mona Lisa is painted in a relaxed three-quarter pose and cropped in contrast to the norm of full-length portraits. Whereas pictures previously had the figure in the painting adorned with jewels and decorations the Mona Lisa is simple and free of any jewelry. The womans hair is smooth and only has a simple veil (which may be a symbol of chastity); her hands are relaxed and free of bracelets and rings. Only the folds of her robe or dress are present (Mona Lisa, painted from 1503-1507, (n.d.)) as well as the lace-topped dress she is wearing. The Mona Lisas main focus is on the face of the painting. The techniques of chiaroscuro, using lights and darks and sfumato (blending one tone to another) or the illusion of corners that allows the imagination to see the area in a different way, was introduced and used by Da Vinci in his painting (Mona Lisa painted from 1503-1507, (n.d.)). These techniques, that were achieved by using oil paints, were used on the face and the hands to make the person appear to be more real and almost as if she has movement. The smile that is so famous and adds to the mystery of her mood is also achieved by these techniques. While some viewers see the woman smiling others see her without a smile. The pyramid design, which was commonly used, also helps the viewer to focus on the women. It is believed that the pyramid gives a representation of giving tribute to the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Mona Lisas pose is that of a pyramid shape with her head, shoulders and hands (Mona Lisa, La Giaconda, (n.d.)). There is also a glow on the face, neck and hands that puts an emphasis on those. Leonardo painted a true representation of the women of the time. The womans face is free of facial hair including her eyebrows. At this time it was common for women of the time to pluck their eyebrows because some feel they were unsightly. When Leonarod did this it makes the person very real (Mona Lisa, La Giaconda, (n.d.). The woman seems to be seated in a chair on some sort of balcony. The pillars to the side of the balcony almost form a frame to the figure behind the woman is a landscaped background. The figure in the painting is emphasized by the light and dark tones of the wardrobe as well as the background. The face and body have lighter tones on them with smooth lines; gone are the days of outlined figures. The background does not reflect heaven or spiritual symbols but that of nature, which was another emphasis of the time. The curves in the background with the paths, rivers and mountains are a small reflection of the curves in her hair and clothes. It is believed that Da Vinci was working on some of his finest sketches of plant life and nature (Mona Lisa, painted from 1503-1507, (n.d.)), when he worked on the painting. Some hints of yellow and gold are used in the winding paths behind the figure. The landscape in the background showing mountains, trees and water are painted in cooler blues and greens. There is a sense of depth and form because the picture becomes hazier as the landscape progresses backwards. Also, with this technique, the figure in the painting appears closer to the viewer and puts more emphasis on her because of the scenery. Leonardo Da Vinci may be considered one of the greatest artists of all times. Leonardo was a true master of the Renaissance time reflecting the philosophy of the time that being humanism and the emphasis of the human being. The Mona Lisa is a painting that shows such a philosophy of humanism. With the colors used, the shading and blending of the paints, Da Vinci could make the viewer focus on the human. The woman is very simple with no elaborate clothes or jewelry to take away from her, with a reserved posture. The background is that of nature, which another focus of the time was. The landscape showing depth helps the viewer focus on the women. The Mona Lisa is a true masterpiece of the Renaissance time. With Leonardo Da Vincis use of his techniques of sfumato and chiaroscuro he was able to make his figure of the women truly reflect the philosophies of the time. Mona Lisa appears to be a real woman with both depth and movement.

Oppresive Force Essay -- essays research papers

â€Å"Oppressive Forces† Amy Tan’s â€Å"Mother Tongue† and James Baldwin’s â€Å"If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?† discusses the power in language and how it is defined as a tool for communication but is used to shape people’s perception of others. Both Tan and Baldwin state that language is used as an oppressive force that doesn’t properly acknowledge minorities and the lack of proficiency in â€Å"standard† English doesn’t allow them to participate with society equally. Within Baldwin’s essay he makes it clear that the black community is not accepted because of the language in which they speak. It isn’t the fault of the language but the role in which society refuses to acknowledge their history. He states, â€Å"It is not the black child’s language that is despised. It is his experience.† (pg 534) He is arguing that the reason Black English is looked past as being a language is not because of what he or she is says but what he or she represents. Language is directly linked to culture, refusing a language directly dishonors its culture. Baldwin argues that no matter what people say, they are judged on the way they speak. He firmly states, â€Å"Language, incontestably, reveals the speaker.† (pg. 532) This further explains the fact that the Black community is seen as unequal because of this barrier in unacceptable tongue. The word black itself is negatively correlated throughout language. For example blacklist, black humor, black hole, black cat, blackmailed, and the black mark... Oppresive Force Essay -- essays research papers â€Å"Oppressive Forces† Amy Tan’s â€Å"Mother Tongue† and James Baldwin’s â€Å"If Black English Isn’t a Language, Then Tell Me, What Is?† discusses the power in language and how it is defined as a tool for communication but is used to shape people’s perception of others. Both Tan and Baldwin state that language is used as an oppressive force that doesn’t properly acknowledge minorities and the lack of proficiency in â€Å"standard† English doesn’t allow them to participate with society equally. Within Baldwin’s essay he makes it clear that the black community is not accepted because of the language in which they speak. It isn’t the fault of the language but the role in which society refuses to acknowledge their history. He states, â€Å"It is not the black child’s language that is despised. It is his experience.† (pg 534) He is arguing that the reason Black English is looked past as being a language is not because of what he or she is says but what he or she represents. Language is directly linked to culture, refusing a language directly dishonors its culture. Baldwin argues that no matter what people say, they are judged on the way they speak. He firmly states, â€Å"Language, incontestably, reveals the speaker.† (pg. 532) This further explains the fact that the Black community is seen as unequal because of this barrier in unacceptable tongue. The word black itself is negatively correlated throughout language. For example blacklist, black humor, black hole, black cat, blackmailed, and the black mark...

Importance of After-School Programs Essay -- Argumentative Childcare C

Importance of After-School Programs â€Å"There are approximately forty nine million children and youth, ages 6-17 living in the U.S.† (â€Å"Making the Case† 1). Children need care while they are in the initial stages of growth and development. Whether this care is provided by a mother, father, sibling, or other guardian, a child needs to be loved. When children turn a certain age, the care of the family is added to by caregivers in another institution. While attending school, children are shown care for the duration of the day by teachers, mentors, and other aids. This is a productive time for the children’s development because they are being nurtured in a well rounded, safe environment. This environment provides initial academic installment as well as nurture and growth. This safe, enriching, productive school time ends at about 3 p.m. What happens when the school bell rings? Where do the children go when they are forced to leave this institution? â€Å"The reality in America today is that forty four percent of families do not have safe, supervised places for their children to go after school on a regular basis, according to the Afterschool Alliance and sponsored by the JC Penney Afterschool Fund† (â€Å"Building and Sustaining† 1) . With that many children unsafe, it can be assumed that there is a need for somewhere for children to go once they are forced to leave their schools. Many other statistics imply a need for some kind of place to adopt unsupervised children during the after- school hours. About 7 out of 10 school age children are part of families where both parents are working fulltime, or the only parent in the household is working full- time (Newman 17). In addition, there are about eleven million children in Ame... ...Time (2005): 6 p. 5 Feb. 2005 . Newman, Sanford A., et al. â€Å"America’s After- School Choice: The Prime Time for Juvenile Crime, Or Youth Enrichment and Achievement.† Fight Crime: Invest in Kids 2000: 35p. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO Host. University of Denver Penrose Library, Denver. 5 Feb. 2005 . Ortmann, Dr. Rudider. â€Å"Anomie as a Consequence of Disturbances of Equilibrium in Case of Suddenly Occurring Social or Personal Changes.† (Nov. 2000): 14 p. 5 Feb. 2005 . Rinehart, Jen. â€Å"A New Day Begins After School.† Principal, Beyond the Bell 82.5 (May/June 2003): 19 pars. 5 Feb. 2005 . The Bridge Project Web Page. The Bridge Project. 5 Feb. 2005 .

To What Extent Would Sociologists Say the Nuclear Family

Today sociologists in Britain would not agree that nuclear families are the norm. This is because families aren’t like what they used to be. In the nuclear families today, the roles of the mother and father are no longer segregated conjugal roles. In the nuclear family today roles are changing and developing into integrated conjugal roles. Partners are becoming more egalitarian which is leading to the nuclear symmetrical family. Due to the symmetrical family developing socialists believe the idea of the ‘new man’. A man that shares housework and the responsibility of the children. There has been a dramatic increase in divorce over the last decade. The rise in divorce has been caused by many things, for example: the increase in lone parent families, teenage mothers and domestic violence. Instead of the nuclear family, other types of families can be said to becoming the norm. For example, reconstituted families are increase in Britain due to the rise in divorce. Cohabitation and single sex families have all started to become the norm in Britain today. Decades ago it was very rare to see any other family than a nuclear family. In Britain today there is much more diversity in families- this has party been caused by the different ethnic group population that are now living here in Britain- such as the: Asian families and the Afro Caribbean. However, on the other hand the nuclear family is still very popular in Britain today. The traditional nuclear family is always portrayed as the norm in Britain. Despite all the new family diversity, the traditional nuclear family hasn’t gone anywhere, it is still very common.

Airborne Express case Analysis Essay

1 Company Background: Airborne express is an express delivery company and cargo airline, which by1997 had 16% of the domestic express mail market share. They operate in a niche by targeting business clients located in the United States. Their main service is next morning delivery which is also the flagship of the industry. Airborne are Target Business clients  able to differentiate by holding a position as  primarly with next morning  delivery services  cost leaders while providing high quality  services, equal to that of their competitors. In addition, Airborne Express is perceived  as the flexible, solution orientated express  Provide  carrier. They possess the ability of adapting  Able to offer the  Flexible- solution  lowest price on  needs of business customers, without it  orientated  the market  express service  affecting the price structure of their services. Figure 1 Airborne’s wheel of success Competitive advantage: The mail express industry is characterized by a cost structure with high variable costs and relatively low fixed costs. Firms’ competitive advantage lies mainly in providing their service at the lowest possible cost. Airborn Express’ Infrastructure Marketing  and sales and  offer Inbound  logistics Sorting  operations Package Shipping Delivery services Figure 2: Airborne’s express value chain Marketing, sales and technology: ï‚ · Low advertising costs; sales mainly through a strong sales-force that establishes personal relationships with their clients. ï‚ · No research and developments costs in research and development. Ability to copy and integrate quickly when competitors’ adopt new successful innovations. Inbound logistics: ï‚ · Airborne express own its main hub (purchased at a very low price because of rural location) on which it collects its parcels. ï‚ · No landing fees, because of ownership, which substantially reduce their costs. Sorting operations: ï‚ · Sorting operation rely mostly on labor than machines, compared to competitors. As labor is none-unionized labor, it provides Airborne with cheaper labor force. ï‚ · Operations mainly situated in one location (sorting facility and warehouses), allowing a lower cost structure in addition to some economies of scale. 2 Package shipment: ï‚ · Fleet of 175 aircrafts, mostly McDonnell Douglas type, purchased used at low price. ï‚ · Deliveries mostly concentrated in top 50 US metropolitan areas, as most businesses are located in such areas, allowing high utilization rate of aircrafts (80%), and therefore some economies of scale. Delivery services ï‚ · Pickup and delivery services mostly operated by independent contractors (paid by the mile or parcel), 10% cheaper than company owned pickup and delivery services. ï‚ · More parcels per stop because clients are situated in mostly metropolitan areas. ï‚ · No retail service centers (little need as most clients are business clients), compared to competitors who are dependent on such service centers. Industry Analysis: Exhibit 1 gives an overview of attractiveness of industry. Positive for companies operating in this sector is: market for express deliveries is difficult to access. Capital requirements are high; market is saturated with established companies operating the industry. (To FeDex for example, has become synonym to overnight shipping). In addition there is little supplier power. Main suppliers are pickup and delivery service companies, and these are exposed to high competition which contributes to low bargaining power. On the other hand, it is a very saturated market. The market leaders, FedEx and UPS operate in most of the parcel markets (international, domestic, businesses, private †¦). The remaining companies target niche markets and are either direct competitors of either FedEx or UPS. What differentiates them is usually price and image. In general, the industry is characterized by strong competition between firms, as firms provide similar services, with a high degree of substitu tability. With a sector exposed to such competition, profit margins outsights are relatively low. Generic strategies: 100% 80% Market share 60% Airplane utilization rate Operating margins Price/ Performance – Next morning delivery 40% 20% 0% Fedex UPS Airborne Delivery quality Price/ Performance Next afternoon delivery Figure 3: graphs based on numbers from Exhibit 2 3 Operating Margin 10% 10% 9% 9% 8% Average price (all parcel types) $35 8% 7% $34 7% 6% $33 6% 5% $32 5% $31 4% $30 4% 3% $29 3% Average price (all Operating 2% $28 2% parcel types) – next 97% 98% 99% 100% 1% 96% morning Market deliveries 1% 0% Share 0% $25,00 0% 10% $30,00 20% 30% $35,00 40% 50% Both FedEx and UPS are currently looking for marginal revenue opportunities. History of industry has showed importance of innovation .Currently, UPS has adopted a new pricing strategy that has been followed by FedEx. The question is whether Airborne should adapt same pricing strategy as their competitors. Cost/ Benefit analysis Advantages of adopting new pricing system – Maintain pace of competitors, – Not to lose profitability and market share as a result of competitors’ overtaking shorter distance mail market due to lower pricing. – Market sensible to market innovation. Illustrated by the innovation war between FEDEX and UPS in the 90’s. – Brand known as flexible, so why not adopt a flexible pricing system? Disadvantages of adopting new pricing system – Imposing a new costly system – Increase costs and decrease profits if prices are  still lower than competitors in the overnight  morning delivery and in the lower weight  products. – Businesses are the clients, and services are  probably set by contracts and negotiations on volumes and not per unit. – Distance based pricing mostly influence  decisions of consumers rather than businesses. Maintaining the status quo – lose profitability and markets share; competitors’ overtaking short distance mail market due to lower pricing. – Long term effects: Airborne risks operating only on longer more costly transportation routes, and will largely influence profitability if only operating in specific markets. Airborne Express Adotping Not adopting Competitors Little worse This chart chose us the probable effects  of not adapting new pricing system  given that we already know they have  implemented the changes. Much worse Adopting Much better Same Much worse Not adopting Little worse Much better Same Figure 4: Game theory Recommendation The real risk of not following in competitors footsteps is that Airborne express might lose clients, especially smaller business clients. The effects would be the risk of operating in only long distance deliveries, which are also the most expensive. In addition, Airborne has an image of being flexible and solution orientated. Not implementing distance based pricing can dilute their brand image, especially in an industry where innovation is important. Given the risks, recommendations for Airborne Express (in order not to lose paste to competitors), is to implement distance based pricing. 4 Exhibit 1: Porter’s five forces analysis Threat of new Entrants (low) – Saturated markets – High capital requirements – Established brands – Some economies of scale – Low product differentiation Determinants of Supplier Power (Low) -Input, little dependent on suppliers: * aircraft carriers bought used *Pickup and delivery services companies are exposed to high competition, and therefore have little bargaining power. Rivalry among firms (high) – 3 big competitors and 6 second players: * Ups operate in all markets, * Remaining operate in niche markets. – Provide similar services. Fedex Determinants of buyer power (high) – Many suppliers – Low product differentiation – Low switching cost – High variable costs – Some brand loyalty – Low buyer switching costs – Competitive advantage through innovation – Discounts with volume – Price sensitive Threat of substitute products (High) – Low switching costs, unless contracts have been negotiated. – Similar product quality,(99% of package on time with UPS, FED and 97% with Airborne – Prices are similar, except Airborne has lower price for the industries flagship product – Other products such as electronic mail Exhibit 2: Numbers for radar Graph Companies Utilization rate Avg price overnight morning delivery, 1-10 lbs Avg price overnight next afternoon delivery 1-10 lbs Delivery quality Operating Margins (19961997) Domestic market share Fedex 65-70% 20,53 UPS 65-70% 21,54 Airborne 80% 18,55 21,65 18,52 16,63 99% 6.1% 99% 9.1% 97% 7.9% 45% 25% 16% 5

Christian Symbolism in the Old Man and the Sea

Christian Symbolism in The Old Man and the Sea Christian symbolism, especially images that refer to the crucifixion of Christ, is present throughout The Old Man and the Sea. Hemingway’s novel can be construed as an allusion to the Bible and the struggles of Jesus. Told simply and sparely, the contest between the old Cuban fisherman Santiago and a giant marlin is often seen as emblematic of human endurance and bravery against nearly overwhelming odds. A man can be destroyed but not defeated', Hemingway maintained. Santiago's story mirrors Christ's insofar as both men suffer greatly and it is, primarily, through the use of crucifixion imagery that Hemingway creates a symbolic parallel between Santiago and Christ, an analogy that elevates Santiago's trials. Hemingway seems to include small, yet noticeable details that allow the reader to relate the novel with the Gospel’s. â€Å"In the first forty days a boy had been with him.But after forty days without a fish the boyâ⠂¬â„¢s parents told him that the old man was now definitely and finally salao, which is the worst form of unlucky† (Hemingway 5). To the religious layman, the latter may represent nothing special; however, for those looking for representations of the Bible, this is viewed as the first example in The Old Man and the Sea. Along with the reference of a fish, which the novel is largely centered on, as an ancient Christian symbol, the number forty holds special meaning in holy writings.Such examples of the number forty in reference to religion includes, the Great Flood of the Old Testament which lasted forty days, forty days is also â€Å"the length of time it took Christ to subdue Satan in the desert†, â€Å"fasting and repentance in preparation for Easter† lasts forty days for Christians (â€Å"Lent†). One can easily relate these examples to what occurs in the story. Santiago remains in the sea for forty days once with the boy and again without him, just as N oah did. Christians fast just as Jesus did for forty days which is meant to represent the forty days Santiago has gone without catching a fish since the boy left him.Other numbers that Hemingway uses that are significant in the New and Old Testament are three and seven. â€Å"The Old Man’s trial with the great fish lasts exactly three days; the fish is landed on the seventh attempt; [and] seven sharks are killed†. All throughout the book the old man wishes for salt, a staple seasoning in the human diet. He is a fisherman, similar to Christ's disciples. Hemingway says that Santiago is not a religious man, but he seems to have some faith as shown by his offers to say his â€Å"Hail Marys† and praises if he catches the marlin.He also promises to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin De Cobre if he catches the fish. Pictures of both the Virgin De Cobre and the Scared Heart of Jesus are the only adornments in Santiago’s shack. The pictures were the relics of the lat e wife of Santiago. During the old man’s battle with the marlin, his palms are cut by his fishing cable. Santiago comments on this. â€Å"You’re feeling it now, fish†¦. And so, God knows, am I. † When his hand cramps, he starts to worry about the possibility of sharks and his suffering is evident.Given Santiago’s suffering and willingness to sacrifice his life, the wounds are suggestive of Christ’s stigmata, and Hemingway goes on to portray the old man as a Christ-like martyr. This image of his bleeding hand, in conjunction with his suffering at sea, recalls the image of the hand of Jesus Christ bloodied by the nails used to crucify him. As soon as the sharks arrive, Santiago makes a noise one would make â€Å"feeling the nail go through his hands and into the wood. † And the old man’s struggle up the hill to his village with his mast across his shoulders is evocative of Christ’s march toward Calvary.Santiago’s mast , and the cross carried by Jesus are strangely similar in appearance and seem to be synonymous for most critics of the novel: â€Å"[Santiago] started to climb again and at the top he fell and lay for some time with the mast across his shoulders†(90). Santiago would fall four more times before reaching his home; an eerie similarity to the struggle Jesus went through while carrying his cross to Golgotha, the place of the skull. Even after his three days of brutal fishing the old man dutifully carries his mast on his back, Christ-like, before reaching his shack and falling into a deep sleep.One of the final correlations, of Christ’s crucifixion with Santiago is the position Santiago takes in his bed once returning from his quest on the sea: â€Å"[Santiago] slept face down on the newspapers with his arms out straight and the palms of his hands up† (91). One can see a similarity between Santiago’s body position in bed and that of Jesus’ on the cross. When the boy walked into Santiago’s shack the next day, â€Å"he saw the old man’s hands and started to cry† (91). This situation corresponds to how the women and Apostles wept when they saw the holes in Jesus’ hands after he had risen from the tomb.Crucifixion imagery is the most noticeable way in which Hemingway creates the symbolic parallel between Santiago and Christ. Hemingway employs these images in order to link Santiago to Christ, who exemplified transcendence by turning loss into gain, defeat into triumph, and even death into life. In order to suggest the profundity of the old man’s sacrifice and the glory that derives from it, Hemingway purposefully likens Santiago to Christ, who, according to Christian theology, gave his life for the greater glory of humankind.

Second Foundation 2. Two Men without the Mule

The ship was in near-readiness. Nothing lacked, but the destination. The Mule had suggested a return to Trantor – the world that was the bulk of an incomparable Galactic metropolis of the hugest Empire mankind had ever known – the dead world that had been capital of all the stars. Pritcher disapproved. It was an old path – sucked dry. He found Bail Channis in the ship's navigation room. The young man's curly hair was just sufficiently disheveled to allow a single curl to droop over the forehead – as if it had been carefully placed there – and even teeth showed in a smile that matched it. Vaguely, the stiff officer felt himself harden against the other. Channis' excitement was evident, â€Å"Pritcher, it's too far a coincidence.† The general said coldly: â€Å"I'm not aware of the subject of conversation.† â€Å"Oh- Well, then drag up a chair, old man, and let's get into it. I've been going over your notes. I find them excellent.† â€Å"How†¦ pleasant that you do.† â€Å"But I'm wondering if you've come to the conclusions I have. Have you ever tried analyzing the problem deductively? I mean, it's all very well to comb the stars at random, and to have done all you did in five expeditions is quite a bit of star-hopping. That's obvious. But have you calculated how long it would take to go through every known world at this rate?† â€Å"Yes. Several times,† Pritcher felt no urge to meet the young man halfway, but there was the importance of filching the other's mind – the other's uncontrolled, and hence, unpredictable, mind. â€Å"Well, then, suppose we're analytical about it and try to decide just what we're looking for?† â€Å"The Second Foundation,† said Pritcher, grimly. â€Å"A Foundation of psychologists,† corrected Channis, â€Å"who are as weak in physical science as the First Foundation was weak in psychology. Well, you're from the First Foundation, which I'm not. The implications are probably obvious to you. We must find a world which rules by virtue of mental skills, and yet which is very backwards scientifically.† â€Å"Is that necessarily so?† questioned Pritcher, quietly. â€Å"Our own ‘Union of Worlds' isn't backwards scientifically, even though our ruler owes his strength to his mental powers.† â€Å"Because he has the skills of the First Foundation to draw upon,† came the slightly impatient answer, â€Å"and that is the only such reservoir of knowledge in the Galaxy. The Second Foundation must live among the dry crumbs of the broken Galactic Empire. There are no pickings there.† â€Å"So then you postulate mental power sufficient to establish their rule over a group of worlds and physical helplessness as well?† â€Å"Comparative physical helplessness. Against the decadent neighboring areas, they are competent to defend themselves. Against the resurgent forces of the Mule, with his background of a mature atomic economy, they cannot stand. Else, why is their location so well-hidden, both at the start by the founder, Hari Seldon, and now by themselves. Your own First Foundation made no secret of its existence and did not have it made for them, when they were an undefended single city on a lonely planet three hundred years ago.† The smooth lines of Pritcher's dark face twitched sardonically. ‘And now that you've finished your deep analysis, would you like a list of all the kingdoms, republics, planet states and dictatorships of one sort or another in that political wilderness out there that correspond to your description and to several factors besides?† â€Å"All this has been considered then?† Channis lost none of his brashness. â€Å"You won't find it here, naturally, but we have a completely worked out guide to the political units of the Opposing Periphery. Really, did you suppose the Mule would work entirely hit-and-miss?† â€Å"Well, then† and the young man's voice rose in a burst of energy, â€Å"what of the Oligarchy of Tazenda?† Pritcher touched his ear thoughtfully, â€Å"Tazenda? Oh, I think I know it. They're not in the Periphery, are they? It seems to me they're fully a third of the way towards the center of the Galaxy.† â€Å"Yes. What of that?† â€Å"The records we have place the Second Foundation at the other end of the Galaxy. Space knows it's the only thing we have to go on. Why talk of Tazenda anyway? Its angular deviation from the First Foundation radian is only about one hundred ten to one hundred twenty degrees anyway. Nowhere near one hundred eighty.† â€Å"There's another point in the records. The Second Foundation was established at ‘Star's End.'† â€Å"No such region in the Galaxy has ever been located.† â€Å"Because it was a local name, suppressed later for greater secrecy. Or maybe one invented for the purpose by Seldon and his group. Yet there's some relationship between ‘Star's End' and ‘Tazenda,' don't you think?† â€Å"A vague similarity in sound? Insufficient.† ‘Have you ever been there?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Yet it is mentioned in your records.† â€Å"Where? Oh, yes, but that was merely to take on food and water. There was certainly nothing remarkable about the world.† â€Å"Did you land at the ruling planet? The center of government?† â€Å"I couldn't possibly say.† Channis brooded about it under the other's cold gaze. Then, â€Å"Would you look at the Lens with me for a moment?† â€Å"Certainly.† The Lens was perhaps the newest feature of the interstellar cruisers of the day. Actually, it was a complicated calculating machine which could throw on a screen a reproduction of the night sky as seen from any given point of the Galaxy. Channis adjusted the co-ordinate points and the wall lights of the pilot room were extinguished. In the dim red light at the control board of the Lens, Channis' face glowed ruddily. Pritcher sat in the pilot seat, long legs crossed, face lost in the gloom. Slowly, as the induction period passed, the points of light brightened on the screen. And then they were thick and bright with the generously populated star-groupings of the Galaxy's center. â€Å"This,† explained Channis, â€Å"is the winter night-sky as seen from Trantor. That is the important point that, as far as I know, has been neglected so far in your search. All intelligent orientation must start from Trantor as zero point. Trantor was the capital of the Galactic Empire. Even more so scientifically and culturally, than politically. And, therefore, the significance of any descriptive name should stem, nine times out of ten, from a Trantorian orientation. You'll remember in this connection that, although Seldon was from Helicon, towards the Periphery, his group worked on Trantor itself.† â€Å"What is it you're trying to show me?† Pritcher's level voice plunged icily into the gathering enthusiasm of the other. â€Å"The map will explain it. Do you see the dark nebula?† The shadow of his arm fell upon the screen, which took on the bespanglement of the Galaxy. The pointing finger ended on a tiny patch of black that seemed a hole in the speckled fabric of light. â€Å"The stellagraphical records call it Pelot's Nebula. Watch it. I'm going to expand the image.† Pritcher had watched the phenomenon of Lens Image expansion before but he still caught his breath. It was like being at the visiplate of a spaceship storming through a horribly crowded Galaxy without entering hyperspace. The stars diverged towards them from a common center, flared outwards and tumbled off the edge of the screen. Single points became double, then globular. Hazy patches dissolved into myriad points. And always that illusion of motion. Channis spoke through it all, â€Å"You'll notice that we are moving along the direct line from Trantor to Pelot's Nebula, so that in effect we are still looking at a stellar orientation equivalent to that of Trantor. There is probably a slight error because of the gravitic deviation of light that I haven't the math to calculate for, but I'm sure it can't be significant.† The darkness was spreading over the screen. As the rate of magnification slowed, the stars slipped off the four ends of the screen in a regretful leave-taking. At the rims of the growing nebula, the brilliant universe of stars shone abruptly in token for that light which was merely hidden behind the swirling unradiating atom fragments of sodium and calcium that filled cubic parsecs of space. And Channis pointed again, â€Å"This has been called ‘The Mouth' by the inhabitants of that region of space. And that is significant because it is only from the Trantorian orientation that it looks like a mouth.† What he indicated was a rift in the body of the Nebula, shaped like a ragged, grinning mouth in profile, outlined by the glazing glory of the starlight with which it was filled. â€Å"Follow ‘The Mouth.' † said Channis. â€Å"Follow ‘The Mouth' towards the gullet as it narrows down to a thin, splintering line of light. Again the screen expanded a trifle, until the Nebula stretched away from â€Å"The Mouth† to block off all the screen but that narrow trickle and Channis' finger silently followed it down, to where it straggled to a halt, and then, as his finger continued moving onward, to a spot where one single star sparked lonesomely; and there his finger halted, for beyond that was blackness, unrelieved. â€Å"‘Star's End,'† said the young man, simply. â€Å"The fabric of the Nebula is thin there and the light of that one star finds its way through in just that one direction – to shine on Trantor.† â€Å"You're tying to tell me that-† the voice of the Mule's general died in suspicion. â€Å"I'm not trying. That is Tazenda – Star's End.† The lights went on. The Lens flicked off. Pritcher reached Channis in three long strides, â€Å"What made you think of this?† And Channis leaned back in his chair with a queerly puzzled expression on his face. â€Å"It was accidental. I'd like to take intellectual credit for this, but it was only accidental. In any case, however it happens, it fits. According to our references, Tazenda is an oligarchy. It rules twenty-seven inhabited planets. It is not advanced scientifically. And most of all, it is an obscure world that has adhered to a strict neutrality in the local politics of that stellar region, and is not expansionist. I think we ought to see it.† â€Å"Have you informed the Mule of this?† â€Å"No. Nor shall we. We're in space now, about to make the first hop.† Pritcher, in sudden horror, sprang to the visiplate. Cold space met his eyes when he adjusted it. He gazed fixedly at the view, then turned. Automatically, his hand reached for the hard, comfortable curve of the butt of his blaster. â€Å"By whose order?† â€Å"By my order, general†- it was the first time Channis had ever used the other's title -â€Å"while I was engaging you here. You probably felt no acceleration, because it came at the moment I was expanding the field of the Lens and you undoubtedly imagined it to be an illusion of the apparent star motion.† â€Å"Why? Just what are you doing? What was the point of your nonsense about Tazenda, then?† â€Å"That was no nonsense. I was completely serious. We're going there. We left today because we were scheduled to leave three days from now. General, you don't believe there is a Second Foundation, and I do. You are merely following the Mule's orders without faith; I recognize a serious danger. The Second Foundation has now had five years to prepare. How they've prepared, I don't know, but what if they have agents on Kalgan. If I carry about in my mind the knowledge of the whereabouts of the Second Foundation, they may discover that. My life might be no longer safe, and I have a great affection for my life. Even on a thin and remote possibility such as that, I would rather play safe. So no one knows of Tazenda but you, and you found out only after we were out in space. And even so, there is the question of the crew.† Channis was smiling again, ironically, in obviously complete control of the situation. Pritcher's hand fell away from his blaster, and for a moment a vague discomfort pierced him. What kept him from action? What deadened him? There was a time when he was a rebellious and unpromoted captain of the First Foundation's commercial empire, when it would have been himself rather than Channis who would have taken prompt and daring action such as that. Was the Mule right? Was his controlled mind so concerned with obedience as to lose initiative? He felt a thickening despondency drive him down into a strange lassitude. He said, â€Å"Well done! However, you will consult me in the future before making decisions of this nature.† The flickering signal caught his attention. â€Å"That's the engine room,† said Channis, casually. â€Å"They warmed up on five minutes' notice and I asked them to let me know if there was any trouble. Want to hold the fort?† Pritcher nodded mutely, and cogitated in the sudden loneliness on the evils of approaching fifty. The visiplate was sparsely starred. The main body of the Galaxy misted one end. What if he were free of the Mule's influence- But he recoiled in horror at the thought. *** Chief Engineer Huxlani looked sharply at the young, ununiformed man who carried himself with the assurance of a Fleet officer and seemed to be in a position of authority. Huxlani, as a regular Fleet man from the days his chin had dripped milk, generally confused authority with specific insignia. But the Mule had appointed this man, and the Mule was, of course, the last word. The only word for that matter. Not even subconsciously did he question that. Emotional control went deep. He handed Channis the little oval object without a word. Channis hefted it, and smiled engagingly. â€Å"You're a Foundation man, aren't you, chief?† â€Å"Yes, sir. I served in the Foundation Fleet eighteen years before the First Citizen took over.† â€Å"Foundation training in engineering?† â€Å"Qualified Technician, First Class – Central School on Anacreon.† â€Å"Good enough. And you found this on the communication circuit, where I asked you to look?† â€Å"Yes, Sir.† â€Å"Does it belong there?† â€Å"No, Sir.† â€Å"Then what is it?† â€Å"A hypertracer, sir.† â€Å"That's not enough. I'm not a Foundation man. What is it?† â€Å"It's a device to allow the ship to be traced through hyperspace.† â€Å"In other words we can be followed anywhere.† â€Å"Yes, Sir.† â€Å"All right. It's a recent invention, isn't it? It was developed by one of the Research Institutes set up by the First Citizen, wasn't it?† â€Å"I believe so, Sir.† â€Å"And its workings are a government secret. Right?† â€Å"I, believe so, Sir.† â€Å"Yet here it is. Intriguing.† Channis tossed the hypertracer methodically from hand to hand for a few seconds. Then, sharply, he held it out, â€Å"Take it, then, and put it back exactly where you found it and exactly how you found it. Understand? And then forget this incident. Entirely!† The chief choked down his near-automatic salute, turned sharply and left. The ship bounded through the Galaxy, its path a wide-spaced dotted line through the stars. The dots, referred to, were the scant stretches of ten to sixty light-seconds spent in normal space and between them stretched the hundred-and-up light-year gaps that represented the â€Å"hops† through hyperspace. Bail Channis sat at the control panel of the Lens and felt again the involuntary surge of near-worship at the contemplation of it. He was not a Foundation man and the interplay of forces at the twist of a knob or the breaking of a contact was not second nature to him. Not that the Lens ought quite to bore even a Foundation man. Within its unbelievably compact body were enough electronic circuits to pin-point accurately a hundred million separate stars in exact relationship to each other. And as if that were not a feat in itself, it was further capable of translating any given portion of the Galactic Field along any of the three spatial axes or to rotate any portion of the Field about a center. It was because of that, that the Lens had performed a near-revolution in interstellar travel. In the younger days of interstellar travel, the calculation of each â€Å"hop† through hyperspace meant any amount of work from a day to a week – and the larger portion of such work was the more or less precise calculation of â€Å"Ship's Position† on the Galactic scale of reference. Essentially that meant the accurate observation of at least three widely-spaced stars, the position of which, with reference to the arbitrary Galactic triple-zero, were known. And it is the word â€Å"known,† that is the catch. To any who know the star field well from one certain reference point, stars are as individual as people. Jump ten parsecs, however, and not even your own sun is recognizable. It may not even be visible. The answer was, of course, spectroscopic analysis. For centuries, the main object of interstellar engineering was the analysis of the â€Å"light signature† of more and more stars in greater and greater detail. With this, and the growing precision of the â€Å"hop† itself, standard routes of travel through the Galaxy were adopted and interstellar travel became less of an art and more of a science. And yet, even under the Foundation with improved calculating machines and a new method of mechanically scanning the star field for a known â€Å"light signature,† it sometimes took days to locate three stars and then calculate position in regions not previously familiar to the pilot. It was the Lens that changed all that. For one thing it required only a single known star. For another, even a space tyro such as Channis could operate it. The nearest sizable star at the moment was Vincetori, according to â€Å"hop† calculations, and on the visiplate now, a bright star was centered. Channis hoped that it was Vincetori. The field screen of the Lens was thrown directly next that of the visiplate and with careful fingers, Channis punched out the co-ordinates of Vincetori. He closed a relay, and the star field sprang to bright view. In it, too, a bright star was centered, but otherwise there seemed no relationship. He adjusted the Lens along the Z-Axis and expanded the Field to where the photometer showed both centered stars to be of equal brightness. Channis looked for a second star, sizably bright, on the visiplate and found one on the field screen to correspond. Slowly, he rotated the screen to similar angular deflection. He twisted his mouth and rejected the result with a grimace. Again he rotated and another bright star was brought into position, and a third. And then he grinned. That did it. Perhaps a specialist with trained relationship perception might have clicked first try, but he'd settle for three. That was the adjustment. In the final step, the two fields overlapped and merged into a sea of not-quite-rightness. Most of the stars were close doubles. But the fine adjustment did not take long. The double stars melted together, one field remained, and the â€Å"Ship's Position† could now be read directly off the dials. The entire procedure had taken less than half an hour. Channis found Han Pritcher in his private quarters. The general was quite apparently preparing for bed. He looked up. â€Å"News?† â€Å"Not particularly. We'll be at Tazenda in another hop.† â€Å"I know.† â€Å"I don't want to bother you if you're turning in, but have you looked through the film we picked up in Cil?† Han Pritcher cast a disparaging look at the article in question, where it lay in its black case upon his low bookshelf, â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And what do you think?† â€Å"I think that if there was ever any science to History, it has been quite lost in this region of the Galaxy.† Channis grinned broadly, â€Å"I know what you mean. Rather barren, isn't it?† â€Å"Not if you enjoy personal chronicles of rulers. Probably unreachable, I should say, in both directions. Where history concerns mainly personalities, the drawings become either black or white according to the interests of the writer. I find it all remarkably useless.† â€Å"But there is talk about Tazenda. That's the point I tried to make when I gave you the film. It's the only one I could find that even mentioned them.† â€Å"All right. They have good rulers and bad. They've conquered a few planets, won some battles, lost a few. There is nothing distinctive about them. I don't think much of your theory, Channis.† â€Å"But you've missed a few points. Didn't you notice that they never formed coalitions? They always remained completely outside the politics of this corner of the star swarm. As you say, they conquered a few planets, but then they stopped – and that without any startling defeat of consequence. It's just as if they spread out enough to protect themselves, but not enough to attract attention.† â€Å"Very well,† came the unemotional response. â€Å"I have no objection to landing. At the worst – a little lost time.† â€Å"Oh, no. At the worst – complete defeat. If it is the Second Foundation. Remember it would be a world of space-knows-how-many Mules.† â€Å"What do you plan to do?† â€Å"Land on some minor subject planet. Find out as much as we can about Tazenda first, then improvise from that.† â€Å"All right. No objection. If you don't mind now, I would like the light out.† Channis left with a wave of his hand. And in the darkness of a tiny room in an island of driving metal lost in the vastness of space, General Han Pritcher remained awake, following the thoughts that led him through such fantastic reaches. If everything he had so painfully decided were true – and how all the facts were beginning to fit – then Tazenda was the Second Foundation. There was no way out. But how? How? Could it be Tazenda? An ordinary world? One without distinction? A slum lost amid the wreckage of an Empire? A splinter among the fragments? He remembered, as from a distance, the Mule's shriveled face and his thin voice as he used to speak of the old Foundation psychologist, Ebling Mis, the one man who had – maybe – learned the secret of the Second Foundation. Pritcher recalled the tension of the Mule's words: â€Å"It was as if astonishment had overwhelmed Mis. It was as though something about the Second Foundation had surpassed all his expectations, had driven in a direction completely different from what he might have assumed. If I could only have read his thoughts rather than his emotions. Yet the emotions were plain – and above everything else was this vast surprise.† Surprise was the keynote. Something supremely astonishing! And now came this boy, this grinning youngster, glibly joyful about Tazenda and its undistinguished subnormality. And he had to be right. He had to. Otherwise, nothing made sense. Pritcher's last conscious thought had a touch of grimness. That hypertracer along the Etheric tube was still there. He had checked it one hour back, with Channis well out of the way. Second Interlude It was a casual meeting in the anteroom of the Council Chamber – just a few moments before passing into the Chamber to take up the business of the day – and the few thoughts flashed back and forth quickly. â€Å"So the Mule is on his way.† â€Å"That's what I hear, too. Risky! Mighty risky!† â€Å"Not if affairs adhere to the functions set up.† â€Å"The Mule is not an ordinary man – and it is difficult to manipulate his chosen instruments without detection by him. The controlled minds are difficult to touch. They say he's caught on to a few cases.† â€Å"Yes, I don't see how that can be avoided.† â€Å"Uncontrolled minds are easier. But so few are in positions of authority under him-â€Å" They entered the Chamber. Others of the Second Foundation followed them.