The Rose Theatre Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Rose Theatre - Case Study Example The performing arts in general make a significant contribution to the economy in the UK, therefore there are political factors involved. Those include funding sources for subsidized theatre and better facilities for the arts and education. The Rose has also become a great community resource as it fills the schedules for drama students at Kingston University. There is also, at this time some political controversy in the change of leadership between Hall who was very much an artistic dictator to the replacement Stephen Unwin (Taylor, 2008) which could in fact affect the Rose.E-(Economic factors)-There has been a drastic change in the world's economy in the last year, the UK is no exception and public entertainment like that at the Rose is affected. The pound fell to the lowest level in 10 months against the dollar on Monday before it began to recover on Wed (Ewing et.al., 2010). A sovereign debt crisis similar to the one in Greece is a concern at this time. The Bank of England has halt ed buying government bonds (Ewing, 2010). All of these economic factors affect every part of the economy and most often those that are considered entertainment or leisure. The Rose Theatre still show high attendance levels but most open for opening showings and with higher income audiences. Decisions on financial stability are difficult to make at this time, but certainly it will be affected one way or another (Smith, 2008).There are in fact difficulties at the Rose as the Peter Hall has been to the arts council for funding and there have been many new funding ideas set up such as training for the unemployed in the arts industry. Hall believes, however, that the arts council has not done enough (Kennedy, 2008). There are many jobs lost in the UK and at this point in time there are 10 jobseekers for every vacancy which certainly affects the number of people who can afford the theatre (Grice, 2010). S-(Social Factors) - The history of theatre in the UK has been long going. Admissions to London theaters reached 13.6 million in 2007. Opening showings at the Rose have been extremely well attended. Sell out productions have been noted on a regular basis. Theatre also remains a strong draw to the country for tourists. There are some concerns to be considered here, especially with the advent of the electronics age. There are still barriers to attending the performing arts. Some of those are financial and some of them are access as well as political and social. Even with increased arts funding, and initiatives to widen the audience, there have not been increases in the types of audiences that are attending. This will remain a challenge for theatre management (UK Market research, 2008). In most countries, especially the United States there has been a consistent 5 year decline in attendance (Treanor, 2008). This has to remain a consideration to management in the UK. T-(Technological factors).The age of electronics has definitely affected the theatre although in many other countries it is much worse than the UK. With the advent of television, video, internet there has been a decreased need to go to the theatre. There are many productions that are putting the production right on the web with fees for watching the production. This can be done in the convenience of home or car. This is where access to the theatre is so important. When challenged by access technology will surely win (UK market research, 2008). E-(Environmental factors)- Other than the melting of the ice caps and the possible flooding of London, there are many other issues noted in the news that might affect the management of the theatre over many years. Methane emissions from livestock creates more greenhouse gas than cars. Global meat production will double by 2050 because of a population explosion that will continue (Wilson, 2010) The world has 6.8 billion people and that will expand to 9.2

Devil in the White City Book Summary Essay Example for Free

Devil in the White City Book Summary Essay The Devil in the White City, written by Eric Larson, is a gripping novel of two polar opposite men during the building of the World’s Fair in Chicago. It surrounds two characters, both extremely talented at their ‘craft’ and perfectly depicts the rush for industrialization in this time. It follows the lives of Daniel H. Burnham, the fairs brilliant director of works and the builder of many of the countrys most important structures, and Henry H. Holmes, a serial killer who built a hotel turned torture chamber complete with a dissection table, gas chamber, and crematorium. This story is so interesting because it details true life events and uses real life characters such as Susan B. Anthony, Thomas Edison, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Meshing these two characters together enhances the intensity of the story and truly shows the effect of the building of the World’s Fair on Chicago in late 1880 and early 1890. The book begins in 1890, when Chicago is a candidate to hold the World’s Fair, or the World’s Columbian Exposition, meant to commemorate Columus’ arriving in America. Daniel Burnham was responsible for building the White City. He overcame multiple crushing obstacles and personal tragedies to make the Fair the magical, awe-inspiring event that it was. He brought together some of the greatest architects of the Gilded Age such as Charles McKim, George Post, Richard Hunt, Frederick Law Olmsted, and others, and convinced them of the importance of the Fair. Burnham somehow got them to work together to achieve what many considered to be an impossible project in an astonishingly short amount of time. The result of their strenuous hard work ended in a beautiful even that brought almost 40 million people to the city of Chicago and transformed the shoreline of Chicago forever. A few miles away, in the suburb of Englewood, a different kind of story was unfolding. Dr. H. H. Holmes had built a boarding house turned torture chamber on one full city block. Holmes was described as a handsome, blue-eyed charmer who had away with women. He would seduce, mesmerize, and intrigue them, all the way up until the pint at where he killed them. He had many ways of torture and death, such as smothering them with ether-soaked rags, of locking them in an air tight chamber and releasing poisonous gas into them. After killing his victims, Holmes would often dissect them; removing their skin, selling their skeletons to be used in medical school. He truly was the worst victim, due to his sociopathic mind that prayed on the vulnerable and found a certain unexplainable joy in the art of killing.

Gender :: essays research papers

GENDER Gender can be defined as the sex-role that a person takes on according to guidelines or standards instilled in us by society. One can be a male or female biologically, but still be perceived as the opposite sex due to the way one may think or present him self or her self. Whether or not we are born with certain biological traits different in male versus female is the nature versus nurture question that has been around for years. Through research, science has found that men and women differ in the way they process information, but whether or not this is due to the way that they are socialized or if in fact they are born this way has yet to be proven. In women and men, both respectfully, there exist many obvious differences that may sometimes overshadow some similarities. Some of the more common identities familiarized with the males are their independence and sometimes exaggerated aggressiveness. Males also tend to be more focused on tasks and connections when with larger groups. The women, on the other hand, tend to be more interdependent, less aggressive, more sharing, more imitation of relationship and intimate discussion, more charitable, more empathetic, more likely to smile, more sensitive, and more skilled at expressing emotions non-verbally. Let’s face it males, women are the super humans. One of the positive key advantages of a male is their assertiveness and high self-esteem. The women on the other hand are more extroverted and tender minded, qualities, which enable them to be all of the characteristics listed before. When gender differences are viewed at in a sexual aspect, the men are still the stereotypical â €Å"pigs†. Through relationships males are more likely to be involved for one thing, sex. The females, being much more sensitive and all, want love and compassion through a relationship, and maybe sex, or making love on the side. In other words men want lust and women want love. Although popular belief may have that the females are the more mentally advanced, or smarter, studies show that both males and females have the same academic abilities and IQ average. Males are much better with mental rotation though.

19th amendment :: essays research papers

AMENDMENT 19   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The amendment that I chose to do my report on is the 19th amendment. This amendment guaranteed the voting right to all of the American woman. The victory of this amendment took decades to be passed. In August of 1995 marked the 75th anniversary of the ratification of this amendment. This amendment was ratified on August 24,1920. The first three states to approve this amendment were Illinois Wisconsin and Michigan. When this amendment was first put out into the society the men and people didn’t know what to think. They mostly thought of it as outrageous to let a woman vote. A lot of people also thought of this as something that they didn’t have to worry about that it was just some stupid thing that would go away. Woman on the other hand took this matter very seriously. They often held silent vigils and hunger strikes. When the women did this they were often heckled at, discriminated against, sent to jail, and some men even physically abused them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the more famous parades that they groups of woman had was call the â€Å"SUFFARAGE PARADE†. This parade was held in New York City in 1912. New York adopted women’s suffrage in 1917. The president Woodrow Wilson started to change his mind on which side that he thought was right. He began leaning more towards the woman’s side. When he did this he made more people think that it was good what the woman were doing. On May 21, 1919 the House of Representatives passed the amendment. Just two weeks after the Senate did the same thing. Tennessee was the 36th out of 50 states to ratify this amendment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now a day’s many people would think that this would be silly and stupid, but to many women back then if was a very serious matter. 19th amendment :: essays research papers AMENDMENT 19   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The amendment that I chose to do my report on is the 19th amendment. This amendment guaranteed the voting right to all of the American woman. The victory of this amendment took decades to be passed. In August of 1995 marked the 75th anniversary of the ratification of this amendment. This amendment was ratified on August 24,1920. The first three states to approve this amendment were Illinois Wisconsin and Michigan. When this amendment was first put out into the society the men and people didn’t know what to think. They mostly thought of it as outrageous to let a woman vote. A lot of people also thought of this as something that they didn’t have to worry about that it was just some stupid thing that would go away. Woman on the other hand took this matter very seriously. They often held silent vigils and hunger strikes. When the women did this they were often heckled at, discriminated against, sent to jail, and some men even physically abused them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the more famous parades that they groups of woman had was call the â€Å"SUFFARAGE PARADE†. This parade was held in New York City in 1912. New York adopted women’s suffrage in 1917. The president Woodrow Wilson started to change his mind on which side that he thought was right. He began leaning more towards the woman’s side. When he did this he made more people think that it was good what the woman were doing. On May 21, 1919 the House of Representatives passed the amendment. Just two weeks after the Senate did the same thing. Tennessee was the 36th out of 50 states to ratify this amendment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Now a day’s many people would think that this would be silly and stupid, but to many women back then if was a very serious matter.

Erikson’s Timeline Essay

According to Erikson, there are eight stages of life. They are infancy, early childhood, childhood (play age), childhood (school age), adolescents and young adulthood. I just turned 34 this month and I know psychologically that I am in the adulthood portion of my life. Over the years I have caught myself asking questions like; who am I? And how do I fit myself into society? I would say over 10 years ago I began the sixth stage of my life, intimacy versus isolation. When I finished high school I thought I found that special person until I noticed that we became different people. I wanted more out of someone to be able to date and be able to fall in love with the right person. The relationship between the two stages is complex and many people define themselves through intimate relationships with others; and other proper sequence of the stages can be reversed in many people. Woman in the society traditionally exemplified a merging of intimacy and identify issues such as woman identify b eing defined by her intimate relationships. Sometimes it can be hard to separate the differences between the development of intimate relationships and adult itself. Erikson believes that a person is unable to be truly intimate with others until he or she has made progress with addressing their own identity. Marcia’s, the researcher for identity status, developed a similar idea with addressing their own identity. Macias also developed an idea designed to determine the quality of intimacy in a person’s life. A person answered several questions about dating, friendship, and interpersonal he or she commitments may be classified into four categories; Intimate-works at developing mutual personal relationships, has several close friends, involved in a committed love relationship, and is able to express both affectionate and angry feelings in the relationship. Pre-intimate- is a person who has dated but is involved in a committed love relationship, is aware of the possibilities of relating intimately with others, and feels conflicted about commitment and love relationships. Stereotyped- constricted and immature person who has not gone beyond superficial dating relationships, has several friends but they lack significant depth, and he/she dates regularly but does not get involved. Isolated- lacks endurance personal relationships, rarely dates and the person tend to be anxious and immature lacking assertiveness and social skills. If I were to do a test on myself I would say that I am a very mature person who knows what she wants in life because when I am with a person I am very committed and try my hardest to make things work. I would never cheat or do anything to hurt the person that I am with. I don’t have any problems expressing my feelings to my partner. I have a friend who refuses to be in a relationship. I feel that she still has a lot of growing up to do and she enjoys playing with other people’s feelings. These people don’t know what love is yet and might not ever open that page for someone else. As for me I know what love is and what it takes to have a good solid relationship. References: McAdams, (2006) The person: A new introduction to personality psychology (4th ed.) Hoboken NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Reliable Help for Anyone Applying for a Scholarship Program

Reliable Help for Anyone Applying for a Scholarship Program There are several types of supports, but the scholarship you will get depends on how well your essay will persuade the reader. Use the wrong words, and your paper might end up in the rejection pile. But not everyone can naturally write a high-quality text that showcases your uniqueness or ability. However, if you are going to apply for an aid program, you must increase your chances of your application getting accepted by submitting flawless content. Rarely an application process will require transcripts only. You will also need a well-written content, which means that you must know how to write a good scholarship essay. One of the best ways to help your application to stand out is to understand what is a scholarship essay and read successful examples. We have been writing these types of tasks for many years hence know what to include to help your document make a lasting first impression. While we will craft the text according to your specifications, our proficient writer will include all the necessary information that will showcase who you are, what you are most passionate about and your goals. As our customer, you will also get access to various samples. Apart from crafting top-notch content, we also give tips to clients who want to craft the scholarship papers by themselves so that they can submit texts with the correct format, structure and standards. With the right online writer by your side, you will send a unique custom paper. Easy Way on How to Write a Scholarship Essay You are likely to need financial help once you join college. Some people prefer to get a part-time job to help pay for tuition. However, in most cases, sponsorship can help eradicate the burden. If you are going to apply for funding, then you have two options: either write the application yourself or hire a reputable online site to help you submit a high-quality document. If you want to do the task yourself, we can help you know how to write a scholarship essay step by step. Read the instructions Your application can be quickly denied if the reader finds that you did not follow all the given instructions. Follow the format and structure and stick to the required word count. Let the introduction capture the attention of the reader Always start your paper with a captivating introduction. Use a personal anecdote or a funny story as it helps the reader to relate to the message you are trying to convey. Keep your intro short and interesting. Use the body to stay focused on the topic The sentences in your body should be clear and straightforward to understand. Avoid complicated words as they can result in misunderstanding. Remember to include some of the goals of the institution sponsoring the grant and try to relate their values with yours. Have a compelling conclusion Do not let your ending paragraph be a summary of what you have written. Instead, summarize the main points to ensure the readers take away the right message. You can also ask a thought-provoking question to stimulate critical thinking. How to Start a Scholarship Essay That Will Capture the Attention Do you want to know how to begin a scholarship essay? So many students are also sending their applications, which means that if you are to get the aid you need, your documents must stand out. The first few sentences of your content must grab the attention of the reader and motivate them to read from start to finish. It should also clearly explain the purpose of the document. Therefore, create a context that will give the reader the right information to understand the body. You also need to set them for what they should expect when reading and whats to come. The structure of a scholarship essay will have an introduction, body or conclusion. Before you start to begin jotting down words, make sure you have structured your main points and know where they will appear. In your introduction, include a thesis statement that will act as your central argument. For this type of paper, your case will be giving reasons why you should get financial aid. Be honest and tell your audience what makes you unique. Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay That Will Impress Your Reader With so many applications received every year, the committee tends to select those that stand out and meet all requirements. Here are some tips that our experts have used over the years to write successful content. Start Working on Your Application Before the Deadline Writing a scholarship application is not easy. You will need ample time to ensure you send out a quality document. Waiting until a few hours or days before the deadline will cause you to rush and end up submitting substandard work. In cases where the deadline is fast approaching, and you have no clue how to start your paper, then contact us, and we will give you top-notch work within a few hours. Get Help from a Reputable Site As a student who is considering using our services, you may wonder, what it takes to get assistance from our facility. Well, all you need is to place your order and provide all the requirements you need. Be specific so that we can give you a custom essay that will meet your goals. Next, make payment using our preferred method. We have a secure system in place that will ensure all your details are private and will not be accessed by unwanted parties. After we verify your transaction, you can choose the expert and give them ample time to work on your project. Before the deadline, you will receive your paper. If you feel like a few changes need to be made then request for a revision which will be done for free. 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The Andromeda Strain essays

The Andromeda Strain essays The Andromeda Strain takes place in the 1960s in the United States, primarily in the southwest region of the continent. The military is launching a series of satellites for a project called SCOOP. The satellites were sent out to enter the Earths orbit and collect microorganisms for study. The final satellite in the SCOOP series landed in a small town in Arizona called Piedmont. Once the capsule was discovered by a local inhabitant, the population instantly dropped from forty-eight down to two. The satellite recovery team loses contact with the base, and then the military sends out specially equipped aircraft to survey the town. The films taken by the aircraft reveal dead bodies sprawled out all over the streets of the town. In fear that a biological crisis has occurred, the military calls on its specially trained team called Wildfire. The Wildfire team was sent to Piedmont to investigate, and they found two survivors left in the town. One of the survivors was an anemic man, a nd the other was a wailing infant. The team then collects the capsule (or the downed SCOOP satellite) and travels to a secret laboratory in Nevada to study the evidence and devise a solution. The duration of the story consists of the team going through certain procedures in order to discover all that they can about this new organism. Microscopic analysis of the satellite reveals that a small black meteor covered with small green specks is embedded in the outer wall of the satellite. The green specks are observed to expand on the surface of the rock. Mass spectrometry performed on the rock and the green specks show that both the rock and the green specks are organic, consisting mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Amino acid analyses reveal that no amino acids known on Earth, and therefore no proteins, exist within the structure of the microorganism. This concept is explained perfectly, and told by a ...

Are You The Only Person on LinkedIn without a RESUME

Are You The Only Person on LinkedIn without a RESUME There’s no real situation where not having a resume is acceptable these days. You want to be ready to go, with a sheet of paper to back you up, if you need to let someone know about your career history and accomplishments. There are too many steps in the hiring process now to rely on that friend you worked with one time will be able to hook you up with your next incoming gig. Practice framing every project you work on- whether you’re a copywriter or a graphic designer, a marketing consultant or a specialized salesperson- in language someone can understand. You need a position title, company, location, description of work, and dates the work was performed for every single one!Here are some professionals who often don’t have resumes and need to get with the program:Long TermersPeople who’ve been in the same job for a while and would be willing to move on, even if they’re not actually looking. You need to be ready if the next great opportunity comes al ong.Business OwnersEven if you’re an entrepreneur with your own name on the door, clients may want to see who you’ve worked with or approach you about collaborating.New ParentsWhether you’re tag-teaming the double-earner lifestyle or one of you has decided on child-rearing full time, odds are you still have some projects filling your precious free time. Volunteer involvement, blogging, photography, project management- even if the volume isn’t what you were used to pre-baby, demonstrating continuity of work can be crucial to rejoining the workforce full-time once the kiddo is back in school.Literally Everyone†¦ Yes, YouSome day you will be searching for work again. Make updating or customizing your resume at 10-minute task instead of a multi-hour search and rescue mission. Keep it live and up-to-date on LinkedIn, accessible as a Google doc and pdf, and retain a copy of every version in case you need to go back for a specific bit of experience. Future you will thank current you.  Why Everyone Needs A Resume – Even YOU  Read More at Careerealism

SWOT analysis of country Kazakhstan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

SWOT analysis of country Kazakhstan - Essay Example Even today mode of communications is expensive and slow. Wealthiest economic sector in oil and gas, Kazakhstan produced 61.9 million tons of oil and gas in 2005 with an export of 52.4 million tons during 2004 and 2005. (Kazakhstan, Sept 2006) Kazakh government with premium management skills turned to foreign investors on a scale unprecedented in the former Soviet Union for capital to repair and restart the large enterprises that in some cases had virtually ceased operation. Most recently, however, Kazakhstan has been placing much greater emphasis on local sourcing of as many inputs as possible and on the training of local employees by all foreign investors in what appears to be a concerted effort to regain greater control of their industry. The new emphasis is certainly understandable which foretells change in the investment climate. Kazakhstan being a Central Asian country is limited by the high cost of transport and raw materials. According to a report, raw materials, in 2000 represented 60% of the total products exported. That means Kazakhstan is completely dependant upon raw materials. Another weakness confronted by Kazakhstan is the high cost variable of traveling across the border at local and international level. In this context traveling is the main obstruction in trade. This obstruction escorts towards disorganized infrastructure of trading and even that at high cost. Travelling on a local level has given rise to expensive transport companies. According to Raballand (2003), "freight in transit through Kazakhstan has dropped by more than 90%". (Raballand, 2003) Besides freight, Kazakhstan is also confronted to serious water shortage problem. Increasing population, reliance on hydropower in certain states, and dependence on irrigation for growing cotton and other crops in others, have all resulted in a growing demand for water. (Cummings, 2003, p. 203) Pollution, lack of educational institutions and poor border security issues are other noticed weaknesses of the country. According to USAID Report, 25% of the population lives below poverty line. (USAID, 2006) Opportunity: Currently the Government aims to achieve its developmental goals by 2009 as it aims to contribute over $15 million to a $40 million USAID economic development project. In the last 2-3 years, the United States has provided almost $1.205 billion in technical assistance and investment support in Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan, Sept 2006) Recently, a joint venture agreement has been signed with a governmental body to "build and operate the plant at 'Kyzylorda', in the south of the Kazakhstan near Tashkent". (Future, 2006) It would be the first float plant of its kind, which would commence its construction in 2007. This project is no less than an economic opportunity for a country who is facing glass crises since its independence with no glass manufacturer or supplier throughout the country. (Future, 2006) The country is attracting foreign investors towards the energy sector with advancement in banking division and small-scale privatisation sector. (USAID, 2006) Taking both agricultural production and agribusiness together, opportunities for rural household income growth depend on linking farmers more closely to both domestic and export demand. There appear to be opportunities that can be realized in the short

The Nine book Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Nine book - Research Paper Example while looking at the import of the court (Toobin). The court through time since inception has been lucky to hear and determine matters of every nature, ranging from abortion, civil rights, freedom of speech, privacy and the rights of criminal suspects. The court by listening to and determining these matters set precedents for itself and other inferior courts of the land by which they are bound. This paper looks at some of these cases while looking to analyze them in detail (Toobin). The author in page 50 decided to look at this case because it sought to challenge a pivotal case in the abortion regime of law, the decided case of Roe v. Wade. No. 410 U.S. 113. Supreme Court. 1973 which had established the woman’s right under the 14th Amendment to procure an abortion on her own terms balanced against the state’s rights to protecting the woman’s rights and prenatal care. The Planned Parenthood case sought to propose a new legal framework to replace the status quo held by Roe v. Wade (Toobin). It sought in page 52 to introduce the concept of ‘undue burden’ to the woman, ensuring that this was the only way in which the state would have an opportunity to act on regulations against the woman’s privacy as regards the procedure. The author posits in page 58 that the final judgment of the court ensured that the Roe v. Wade had been recast by ensuring that the state would not prohibit early-term abortions which was reflective of public opinion at the time (Toobin). The issue of abortion at this point was well settled, with the majority of public opinion inkling towards the woman’s right to control her body. The one arm of society that did not feel the same way was the religious arm of society. This is because they felt that human beings were losing the religious battle by playing God in deciding whether or not a baby lives or dies. At page 90, the author informs us of the struggle by the

Statistical Significance of the Parameters Statistics Project

Statistical Significance of the Parameters - Statistics Project Example Since the probability (F-test) is less than the benchmark cutoff point of 0.05 which constitutes that overall model is good enough. R-squared value is around 0.96 which means that all the independent variables predict the manhours needed by around 96%. In other words, 96% variation in the manhours needed is explained by these seven variables included in the model. Statistical Significance of the Parameters If the p-values of each parameter are considered, it can be observed that for variables X1, X3, X4 and X5, the p-values are greater than the cutoff significant level of 0.05, therefore, these parameters are not considered as significant in predicting then manhours needed on individual basis. However, by staying in the overall model, they jointly predict the dependent variable of manhours needed. The other three independent parameters i.e. X2, X6 and X7 are statistically significant to predict the manhours needed as their p-values are less 0.05/ Question 2 H0: ?1 = ?2 = ?3 = ?4 = ?5 = ?6 = ?7 = 0 H1: At least one of the coefficients is not equal to 0 which would suggest that the model has explanatory power. F-statistics = 60.173 Therefore the hypothesis acceptance region is [0,F 8-1,25-8 ]=[0, F 7,17] From the F-statistics table the acceptance region is [0 and 2.61] Since F-statistics computed lies outside this region which is 60.173, therefore the hypothesis can be rejected as the all the parameters can jointly predict the manhours needed. This thing can also be proved by p-values of F-statistics which is less than the threshold of 0.05. R-squared tells about the goodness-of-fit of the model which is around 0.96. Therefore, 96% of the variation in the manhours, can be explained by all seven... Number of building wings has a positive influence upon manhours such that around 5.6 building wings can cause additional one manhour. Operational berthing capacity has a negative impact upon manhours needed such that 14.5 units of operational berthing capacity reduce the 1 manhour required. Number of rooms, are in a direct relationship with manhours such that around 29 rooms create a need of extra 1 manhour. Since the probability (F-test) is less than the benchmark cutoff point of 0.05 which constitutes that overall model is good enough. R-squared value is around 0.96 which means that all the independent variables predict the manhours needed by around 96%. In other words, 96% variation in the manhours needed is explained by these seven variables included in the model.If the p-values of each parameter are considered, it can be observed that for variables X1, X3, X4 and X5, the p-values are greater than the cutoff significant level of 0.05, therefore, these parameters are not considered as significant in predicting then manhours needed on individual basis. However, by staying in the overall model, they jointly predict the dependent variable of manhours needed. The other three independent parameters i.e. X2, X6 and X7 are statistically significant to predict the manhours needed as their p-values are less 0.05. The consequence of the results of F-statistics is that F-statistics describes tha t all the parameters jointly have the explanatory power of predicting the dependent variable.

Current issues in advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Current issues in advertising - Essay Example Duke grew to become the leading cigarette brand by 1890 . WoodburyÃ'• Facial Ð…oap, a womanÃ'• beauty bar, waÃ'• almoÃ'•t diÃ'•continued in 1910. The Ã'•oapÃ'• Ã'•aleÃ'• decline waÃ'• reverÃ'•ed, however, with adÃ'• containing imageÃ'• of romantic coupleÃ'• and promiÃ'•eÃ'• of love and intimacy for thoÃ'•e uÃ'•ing the brand. Jovan MuÃ'•k Oil, introduced in 1971, waÃ'• promoted with Ã'•exual entendre and deÃ'•criptionÃ'• of the fragranceÃ'• Ã'•exual attraction propertieÃ'•. AÃ'• a reÃ'•ult, Jovan, Inc.Ã'• revenue grew from $1.5 million in 1971 to $77 million by 1978 (Del, 66-111) In contemporary mainÃ'•tream conÃ'•umer advertiÃ'•ing (e.g., magazineÃ'•, network and cable televiÃ'•ion), Ã'•ex iÃ'• preÃ'•ent in promotional meÃ'•Ã'•ageÃ'• for a wide range of branded goodÃ'•. AdÃ'• feature provocative imageÃ'• of well-defined women (and men) in revealing outfitÃ'• and poÃ'•tureÃ'• Ã'•elling clothing, alcohol, beauty productÃ'•, and fragranceÃ'•. AdvertiÃ'•erÃ'• Ã'•uch aÃ'• Calvin Klein, VictoriaÃ'• Ð…ecret, and PepÃ'•i uÃ'•e theÃ'•e imageÃ'• to cultivate a ubiquitouÃ'• Ã'•ex-tinged media preÃ'•ence. AlÃ'•o, Ã'•exual information iÃ'• uÃ'•ed to promote mainÃ'•tream productÃ'• not traditionally aÃ'•Ã'•ociated with Ã'•ex. For example, the DallaÃ'• Opera recently reverÃ'•ed declining Ã'•eaÃ'•on ticket Ã'•aleÃ'• by marketing the more laÃ'•civiouÃ'• partÃ'• of itÃ'• performanceÃ'•. AÃ'• a reÃ'•ult of itÃ'• Ã'•exual promotion Ã'•trategy, Ã'•eaÃ'•on tic ket packageÃ'• Ã'•old out faÃ'•ter than ever before . (Del, 66-111) Ð…ince the 1960Ã'•, reÃ'•earcherÃ'• uÃ'•ing Ã'•ocial Ã'•cience methodÃ'• have attempted to underÃ'•tand the role of Ã'•ex in advertiÃ'•ing for Ã'•elling brandÃ'•. Ð…pecifically, they have attempted to underÃ'•tand exactly how Ã'•exual content influenceÃ'• the advertiÃ'•ing communication proceÃ'•Ã'•. In thiÃ'• article, I organize thiÃ'• body of reÃ'•earch by firÃ'•t defining and deÃ'•cribing common typeÃ'• of Ã'•exual content examined by inveÃ'•tigatorÃ'•, and then by reviewing major approacheÃ'• in pertinent effectÃ'• reÃ'•earch. Finally, I Ã'•et

Neo-Surrealism - Alejandro Jodorowsky Term Paper

Neo-Surrealism - Alejandro Jodorowsky - Term Paper Example The essay "Neo-Surrealism - Alejandro Jodorowsky" discusses surrealists and, especially, Alejandro Jodorowsky. Surrealists also believed in the omnipotence of dreams. After the surrealist movement, like many other movements, certain people felt that theirs was still more that could be derived from the movement, particularly as it concerned their time; so they brought it back. These set of people that decided to bring back surrealism in their own age, are the neo-surrealists. One of them is Alejandro Jodorowsky. Alejandro Jodorowsky is known to be a man of many parts; he is an author, a spiritual leader, filmmaker, playwright and an actor. Many of his works shift towards avant-gardism. His works are not like the average work that would be found in the time they were produced. Even now, his work will still be strange, at least in the surreal sense, yet they still apply to present times. They are often filled with images that are violent and surreal. They are also filled with a mix of r eligious mysticism and provocation. As a result of the â€Å"never-do-well† feature that can be found in many of his movies, one would realize that there seems to be continuity in his works. Jodorowsky’s move into surrealism did not start all of a sudden. There are insinuation that it may have started since the time he was very young. In fact, he may be said to have really had every course to embrace the movement as he did. Being raised in a family that he hated would have definitely taken its toll on him. (Jodorowsky 39-40, 140). He also had contempt for the people who lived in his neighbourhood because most of them saw him as an imposter, as a result of the fact that he is the son of an immigrant (Jodorowsky 39-40, 140). All these experiences inadvertently had effects on the kind of works he produced, although not exactly in the manner in which it had happened to him. In â€Å"El Topo†, in which he starred and also directed, Jodorowsky may be said to have depicted a version of the uncertainties of life. As always, he does this by presenting a dream-like world. Yet, one would discover that, because no literature can totally annul its link with real life, â€Å"El Topo† is very much a story that can happen in real life. It is about a Mexican brigand who takes on a journey with the sole end of enlightening himself spiritually. Yet, while on the journey with his young son, he seems to be unable to take away his violent part. The violence depicted in this movie may have som ething to do with the director’s upbringing. He attacks people before he kills himself. He later ascends to society where deformed people are unable to escape the cave where they are. Like in almost all his movies, he depicts a distorted reality. We, as humans, all have the idea of what is perfect, yet most times we do not attain it. The best we often do is to aim at it because in reality, perfection cannot be attained because our reality is distorted. Of â€Å"El Topo†, Jodorowsky (97) says "I ask of film what most North Americans ask of psychedelic drugs. The difference being that when one creates a psychedelic film, he need not create a film that shows the visions of a person who has taken a pill; rather, he needs to manufacture the pill". Against music provided by a six-piece rock band, a set consisting of a smashed automobile, and the visual frisson provided by a cast of bare-chested women (each body painted a different color), Jodorowsky appeared dressed in motor cyclist leather. He slit the throats of two geese, smashed plates, had himself stripped aholynd whipped, danced with a honey-covered

Current issues in advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Current issues in advertising - Essay Example Duke grew to become the leading cigarette brand by 1890 . WoodburyÃ'• Facial Ð…oap, a womanÃ'• beauty bar, waÃ'• almoÃ'•t diÃ'•continued in 1910. The Ã'•oapÃ'• Ã'•aleÃ'• decline waÃ'• reverÃ'•ed, however, with adÃ'• containing imageÃ'• of romantic coupleÃ'• and promiÃ'•eÃ'• of love and intimacy for thoÃ'•e uÃ'•ing the brand. Jovan MuÃ'•k Oil, introduced in 1971, waÃ'• promoted with Ã'•exual entendre and deÃ'•criptionÃ'• of the fragranceÃ'• Ã'•exual attraction propertieÃ'•. AÃ'• a reÃ'•ult, Jovan, Inc.Ã'• revenue grew from $1.5 million in 1971 to $77 million by 1978 (Del, 66-111) In contemporary mainÃ'•tream conÃ'•umer advertiÃ'•ing (e.g., magazineÃ'•, network and cable televiÃ'•ion), Ã'•ex iÃ'• preÃ'•ent in promotional meÃ'•Ã'•ageÃ'• for a wide range of branded goodÃ'•. AdÃ'• feature provocative imageÃ'• of well-defined women (and men) in revealing outfitÃ'• and poÃ'•tureÃ'• Ã'•elling clothing, alcohol, beauty productÃ'•, and fragranceÃ'•. AdvertiÃ'•erÃ'• Ã'•uch aÃ'• Calvin Klein, VictoriaÃ'• Ð…ecret, and PepÃ'•i uÃ'•e theÃ'•e imageÃ'• to cultivate a ubiquitouÃ'• Ã'•ex-tinged media preÃ'•ence. AlÃ'•o, Ã'•exual information iÃ'• uÃ'•ed to promote mainÃ'•tream productÃ'• not traditionally aÃ'•Ã'•ociated with Ã'•ex. For example, the DallaÃ'• Opera recently reverÃ'•ed declining Ã'•eaÃ'•on ticket Ã'•aleÃ'• by marketing the more laÃ'•civiouÃ'• partÃ'• of itÃ'• performanceÃ'•. AÃ'• a reÃ'•ult of itÃ'• Ã'•exual promotion Ã'•trategy, Ã'•eaÃ'•on tic ket packageÃ'• Ã'•old out faÃ'•ter than ever before . (Del, 66-111) Ð…ince the 1960Ã'•, reÃ'•earcherÃ'• uÃ'•ing Ã'•ocial Ã'•cience methodÃ'• have attempted to underÃ'•tand the role of Ã'•ex in advertiÃ'•ing for Ã'•elling brandÃ'•. Ð…pecifically, they have attempted to underÃ'•tand exactly how Ã'•exual content influenceÃ'• the advertiÃ'•ing communication proceÃ'•Ã'•. In thiÃ'• article, I organize thiÃ'• body of reÃ'•earch by firÃ'•t defining and deÃ'•cribing common typeÃ'• of Ã'•exual content examined by inveÃ'•tigatorÃ'•, and then by reviewing major approacheÃ'• in pertinent effectÃ'• reÃ'•earch. Finally, I Ã'•et

Is death denied in contemporary Australian society Provide examples to Essay

Is death denied in contemporary Australian society Provide examples to support your argument - Essay Example The emergence of hospices and palliative care teams has done much to improve this difficult area of healthcare. Nursing and hospice care professionals, rather than doctors and surgeons, are more routinely faced with dilemmas which related to the dignity of the person, and the way that psychological and social factors can impact positively or negatively on the experiences of patients, relatives and medical staff. This is an area which is less well researched, and the present paper considers the widely held assumption that Australian society generally denies death, and seeks to protect its citizens from facing up to the emotional consequences of death for themselves and their close relatives. At the present time there are heated debates about the ethical and moral issues surrounding death, ranging from support for medically assisted deaths, to vehement opposition of any intervention that could potentially hasten death. These are important issues which Australian society must tease out and openly examine if it is to provide the kind of end of life care that patients expect. The alleged tendency of Australian society to deny death could be seen as endangering attempts to improve end of life care. If people prefer to distance themselves from death, and to avoid talking or thinking about it then it is very difficult to work out what kind of treatment or care would be their ideal preference. For this reason it is important to consider attitudes and cultural values on a wide scale when considering medical and social processes. A medical service which is out of tune with the prevailing culture is unlikely to provide a sensitive and appropriate level of care. A closer look at this intriguing area of healthcare studies reveals that the whole â€Å"death denying† label may not be quite as accurate an assessment as it appears on first sight. Historians such as Jalland (2002) and Davis and George (1990) trace the evolution of Australian beliefs and customs from the ab original concepts of â€Å"The Eternal Dreaming† to the experiences of Australian soldiers in the First World War who were taught to repress the horrors of mass warfare with the so-called â€Å"stiff upper lip,† (Jalland, 2002, 306) and to a much more mixed modern situation where multiple ideologies and customs struggle for prominence. Despite a very evident diversity in modern Australia, this notion that the country is a â€Å"death denying† nation persists into the present day. Evidence for this â€Å"denial of death thesis† is found in the ideas of social scientists in the period from 1955 to 1985. (Zimmermann and Rodin, 2004, 121). Certain traditions such as elaborate funerals and mourning rituals for bereaved families were noted as being important markers of the transition from life to death, in earlier historical periods. In traditional Catholic societies, for example, it was usual to hold a wake to mark the departure of a beloved family member, fol lowed by commemorative mass celebrations. In Jewish societies there are similar commemorative events, and these rituals are deliberately communal and inclusive, providing a supportive framework for bereaved families to lean on while experiencing the first painful stages of loss. (O’Gorman, 1998, 1131-1132) The community as a whole took part in these rituals, and death in such a context

What Is Obama Care Essay Example for Free

What Is Obama Care Essay Obama Care (also known as Health Care reform) is a national health care plan aimed at reforming the American health care system. Obama Cares main focus is on providing more Americans with access to affordable health care, regulating the health insurance industry and reducing spending in health care. There are around 44 million Americans who currently are unable to get health insurance. One of the major things Obama Care does is help these individuals to get health insurance through expanding Medicaid and Medicare and offering assistance to Americans who cannot currently afford healthcare. Obama Care helps to ensure that health care coverage is available to any legal U. S. resident who cannot otherwise obtain quality healthcare through their employer. Your access to health care is no longer in the hands of health insurance companies. The first phase of Obamas health care reform began in 2009 with the Affordable Health Care for America Act and was followed by The Patient Protection Act. Which culminated into the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010, or for short â€Å"Affordable Care Act†? After going through several changes the Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Since Obama Care was upheld in the Supreme Court and Barack Obama was sworn into office for a second term Obama Care health care reform is now the law of the land (abet with some major changes made in the Supreme Court ruling). Many reforms have already gone into effect and many more will roll out over the next decade. Obamas healthcare reform is focused on health care funding, reducing the cost of healthcare for Americans, increasing coverage and removing the burden that health care has become on the average American. In the years since its become a law the Affordable Health Care Act, has already made a big difference in our country. Obama Care has done some important thins already such as prohibiting insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick and has been chipping away at discrimination against anyone with a pre-existing condition. No system is perfect, but Obama Care Health Care Reform aims to reform the American medical system towards the favor of the people and away from the monopoly of the medical industry. Obama Care aims to provide complete and comprehensive medical coverage for Americans. Obamas health care reform under the Affordable Care Act is the most significant overhaul to health care industry in decades, covering every aspect of healthcare including mental health, care for seniors, child health, womans health and our nations poorest. Obama Care also provides drug coverage and free preventive care and checkups for children and countless other unprecedented reforms to the American health care system.

UK Housing Shortage Strategies

UK Housing Shortage Strategies What Can the Government Do to Solve the Housing Shortage in the UK? Abstract The price of homes in the United Kingdom has doubled over the past ten years and house building is at the lowest level since 1924. It has been estimated that Britain is likely to be heading for a shortage of about a million homes by the year 2022. In a nation in which as many as 70 % of adult citizens have been accustomed to owning their own home, with amongst the highest rates of home ownership in Europe, the shortage of affordable homes is causing bitterness and frustration as wages and salary earners grapple with the dilemma of reconciling their earnings with their capacity for taking out a mortgage for a home. The record values that have been set in the property market have also had an influence on those who are renting or are otherwise disadvantaged. Although it has been predicted that the property market is likely to bust in a few years, the government has been blamed for having a cumbersome planning permission process, not releasing sufficient land for new housing and for doin g precious little to intervene in the market for affordable homes. Although attitudes have changed in Europe and the state is now considered to be the enabler rather then a provider, perhaps it is possible for the government, which must also protect the broader national interest, to do more to assist during such hard times. This dissertation presents a discussion about what the government in the United Kingdom can do to solve the housing shortage in the country. Contents (Jump to) Chapter 1 – Introduction Chapter 2 – Literature Review Chapter 3 – Methodology Chapter 4 – Results, Analysis and Discussion Chapter 5 – Conclusion and Recommendations Bibliography/References Chapter 1 – Introduction Although Britain has experienced housing shortages before, e.g. at the end of the Second Great War, the reasons for such shortages were rather obvious and easy to understand as compared to the reasons for the housing shortage today which is causing serious inconvenience to citizens (Bond, 1996, Pp. 49), (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2003, Pp. 1) and (The Sunday Times, 2003, â€Å"Why arent our builders building?†). In a nation in which citizens are accustomed to owning their own homes, with home ownership rates of about 70 %, working people are baffled and frustrated with the hefty mortgages that make it impossible for them to even make a deposit for a modest flat (Stephens, 2006, Pp. 4) and (The Sunday Times, 2003, â€Å"Why arent our builders building?†). The government has been accused of slow planning and the prices of abodes have been soaring by as much as 68 % in one year alone. The housing shortage is not only making life very difficult for the disadvantaged in the community, but it is also becoming a problem for employers who cannot recruit key personnel because those who are found to be suitable find it difficult to relocate, as a result of the widening gaps between house prices and disposable incomes (Local Government Association, 2006, Pp. 1 – 5). Not only is the housing situation causing alarm today, but forecasts for the future indicate that the situation is unlikely to improve, with Britain heading for a shortage of a million homes by 2022 (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2006, â€Å"Shortage of homes over next 20 years threatens deepening housing crisis†). Even rural areas are facing a housing crisis (Best, 2006, Pp. 6 – 27). Figure 1, which is presented below illustrates the problem. Surveys indicate that citizens believe that affordability is the major problem and not the shortage of housing (Platt, 2004, Chapter 5). Although land has been considered to be a scarce and valuable resource which needs to be judiciously allocated for a variety of uses, it appears that the government has preferred to take a path that permits private investors, real estate agents and property developers to play with the market and create shortages, while making huge profits (The Sunday Times, 2003, â€Å"Why arent our builders building?†). It is possible that a zeal for the dismantling of the welfare state and let the market decide attitude may have permitted developers and investors to place themselves in a position to control the market. The role of the state in the housing markets of Europe has changed from one of being a provider to that of being an enabler and all governments in Western Europe now have a distinctly more â€Å"support the market† attitude with surren der of housing to the market (Doherty, 2005, Pp. 6). However, the real estate market of today is one in which information is readily and rapidly available to developers and real estate agents through the internet, making it possible for them to present a united front on home prices and buyers are being asked for huge amounts no matter where they look. Although it is not possible for a government to dictate to anyone what they should ask for a property that they own, it is possible that a desire to deregulate everything may have resulted in the government loosing control and disadvantaging the ordinary people, while those who are associated with the property and housing market enjoy record profits (Dixon, 1998, Pp. 1 – 10), (Dixon, 2005, Section 3) and (Bond, 1996, Chapter 2). The property market and the selling of real estate or homes is certainly not what it used to be and property websites now display property prices for the global market. Investment in the UK property orig inating from outside UK has certainly been greater then similar investment in any other European country as is evidenced from the statistics presented in figure 2 below and overseas investors do enjoy some preferential treatment over local investors (Callender, 2004, Pp. 75 – 83). However, it has been stated that investment from overseas is not the main threat facing the UK property market and problems lie within the domestic property market (Dixon, 2000, Pp. 119). The previous assertion obviously implies that the foreign investment that is made in the UK property market is also something which is needed for the benefit of the UK and its citizens. It is, therefore, likely to be easy for property developers as well as real estate agents to develop loose cartels to seek profits from the domestic buyer and to present a united front in regard to prices for homes. Keeping these prices high will certainly benefit property agents and developers, while playing havoc with the common m an. In view of the fact that the housing shortage is having a profound impact on the manner in which ordinary people live out their lives in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, it is worth investigating what, if anything, can the government do to alleviate the shortage of affordable housing in the United Kingdom. This dissertation presents a discussion about what the government in the United Kingdom can do to help resolve the housing crisis in the country. The next chapter presents a literature review for the topic of discussion. Chapter 2 – Literature Review Although it is possible for a government to encourage home buyers by trying to provide financial instruments that will provide special assistance with savings that are to be used for the purchase of a home, the rates at which home prices have increased will tend to indicate that it is important to release more land for housing and to do this in a manner that will make it impossible for property developers or estate agents not to exploit the situation for generating huge profits by market manipulation (Song, 2005, Pp. 2 – 18) and (Friends of the Earth, 2004, Pp. 4). A certain level of evidence exists about property developers and estate agents having tried to profit from housing markets in the United Kingdom as should be obvious from figure 2, which is presented below (Callender, 2004, Pp. 75 – 83). Although offering those who are saving to build a home special savings schemes that are tax free and which offer high interest rates or government contributions along with di fferent types of mortgage, home equity or rental insurance programs can assist, all these schemes are likely to be useless if market manipulation continues to increase home prices rapidly. However, the task of controlling real – estate markets in a country that accepts free markets and the right to trade in order to gain is not an easy one. Coupled with the release of more land for housing, it is important that better and cheaper designs based on rapid – build technologies or high rise construction should be developed and a coherent national housing policy be implemented (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, 2003, Pp. 1 4). However, this will mean that the government has to be willing to intervene in the name of social welfare in an era when the Barker Report has been urging deregulation (Friends of the Earth, 2004, Pp. 1 10). Even if land is released to developers and the public at relatively low prices, it is entirely possible that the price of this newl y released land will increase dramatically as a result of market forces which are being manipulated by developers and investors, unless special care is taken to ensure that the land and the homes on the land are released to those who are in genuine need of an abode. In addition to asking the government to release more land, it has also been proposed that government be lobbied for additional funds for social housing, improved delivery through quick decision making and planning as well as for working closely with the construction sector (Tempany, 2004, Pp. 1 – 5). Quick decisions on planning permissions with government private partnership in developments, better licensing requirements for those associated with the real – estate markets and a more through scrutiny of those who are to be granted permission to develop land are measures that can have an impact (Mayor of London, 2006, Pp. 15 – 34). However, it has to be understood that the land which is released by the government for housing is a natural asset of the United Kingdom which may also be useful for feeding the nation, maintaining its environment and for many other useful purposes. Thus, it is also important that decisions about the release of more land for housing be ca refully considered. Researchers have suggested that the British Town and Country Planning System excludes every price signal or economic indicator in land – use planning and decision making (Cheshire, 2003, Pp. 1 – 5). It has been proposed that premium on land prices at zone borders should be taken into consideration when granting development permissions and if the land prices exceeded a certain threshold, then investors should be sure that planning permission will be granted. However, this approach alone will not prevent any market manipulation aimed at profiteering or increasing land prices and additional regulation is likely to be needed to encourage individuals or families to own homes for personal or family use only with an aim towards discouraging the use of residential property for speculation aimed at generating profits. Although the management pundits are calling for deregulation, it is likely to be appropriate for the government to take a more direct approach towards housing, as it did for employment, by having government owned real – estate dealers and property developers who compete with licensed private sector operators to try an maintain some standards and ethics in the property market. Encouraging high – rise developments and limiting the housing land area which can be owned by a single owner with details of land and owner statistics being maintained in a database will ensure that more judicious allocation of land and housing is possible (Kristensen, 2004, Pp. 5 – 10). Tax interventions can be designed to make the ownership of a large number of residential properties by a single legal entity unattractive and it is desirable to ensure that a market is created in which home ownership is recognised as a human need, but profiteering is discouraged. Although, the previously mentioned assertions go against the British character and appear to be more communist in nature, they serve to illustrate the difficulties associated with land marke ts and land – market regulation. It is desirable that the government encourage further research on the regulation of land and property markets in the United Kingdom (Cheshire, 2004, Pp. 2 – 22). Land for housing is a national resource which should be used for the benefit of a maximum number of citizens, with the government being responsible for its judicious distribution and utilisation. However, this will mean that a change in thinking may well be required. Analysts are already predicting that housing prices in the UK will fall in the next few years and the real – estate as well as the housing markets have exhibited a cyclical behaviour in response to economic activity (Money Week, 2007, â€Å"Are UK house prices about to fall?†) and (Baum, 1999, Pp. 1 – 11). Thus, it is possible for the government to adjust monitory policy in order to influence the housing market, but the problem with such adjustments is that the impact tends to be broader then that on housing. It has been said that a fall in the UK interest rates of 1.5 % has the capacity to turn the booming property market into a bust (Leach, 2000, Pp. 25). However, it has to be realised that the high prices that are being asked for property and housing in prime locations, such as those in the city of London will not be influenced much by what the government does, because it is not possible to construct more homes on real estate that is owned by the wealthy class es who reside in prime locations. The only way to expand in such prime locations is to go vertically upwards and this is what is being done in London and other cities (Baxter, 2005, Pp. 3 – 9). Everyone wants to live in a prime location, but those who are the new rich only end up making those who own property in prime locations to pay more for owning such property by increasing property values which are then taxed at higher rates. Thus, it is unlikely that the housing shortage in the UK will be solved by just releasing more land, because most people will still like to own an abode in a decent or preferably prime location. The decision to own a home at a place is not just influenced by the fact that a shelter is needed, but the amenities, facilities and the economic activity in the neighbourhood are also important considerations that influence the decision. Thus, it is important that government try to influence development in areas that have been neglected so that they become attractive and efforts should be made to provide for economic activity in such areas so that individuals will want to move into these areas. Hence, the development of new housing estates is something that cannot be considered in isolation and a complete development package is often required. Local authorities and government are willing to make more efforts to try and rejuvenate city areas that have been neglected and which offer some potential for housing development, but a lot of funds are often required. This means that innovative arrangements for financing such developments will have to be made (Tuffrey, 2004, Pp. 11 – 17). A discussion about market – oriented land – use planning has been presented in (Lind, 2002, Pp. 2 – 11). It has been found that the social dimensions associated with land – use planning is now increasingly being enforced by the global market. However, it is possible for the government to encourage increased financial innovation in the property markets and to empower the local governments. Britain has been lagging behind North America in financial innovation associated with property and the traditional model is still preferred (Lizieri, 2002, Pp. 1 – 10). It is possible that some relaxation in the rules which have been imposed by the United Kingdom Treasury can have an impact on the ability of the local governments to arrive at better arrangements with the developers. The nature of the planning permission process in the United Kingdom is encouraging the relatively large developers, with a better ability to manipulate the market, to remain in the mark et, while driving out the smaller operators (Coiacetto, 2006, Pp. 20). The larger developers are more able to control the supply of housing and thus home prices. Some problems also appear to present themselves with the methods that are being used for property valuation and brokers as well as borrowers do try to influence property valuation (Crosby, 2000, Pp. 5) and (McAllister, 2006, Pp. 5 – 6). Unfortunately, buyers, sellers and lenders as well as borrowers try to influence valuations, but the price of property is influenced by supply and demand along with the ability of a buyer to pay and the ability of a seller to hold on to the property. However, more thought needs to be given about how government can assist in the development of a truly efficient market and reduce the ability of cartels to squeeze supply and to manipulate the market. Thus better regulation and standards associated with the buying and selling of housing can be attempted to be developed along with more eff icient markets. It has been recognised that the current UK system of controlling development does give rise to some problems and the government has been deliberating and consulting in order to try and improve the processes (Allmendinger, 2006, Pp. 5 – 8). Table 1, which has been presented below provides a summary of the status quo about the current UK system. However, although the issue of rapidly improving the supply of land for new housing development is an important one, other approaches to improve the housing market and for the control of greed are also worthy of consideration when thinking about solutions to a complex situation. Thus, a multifaceted approach will have to be taken, with the forces in the market interacting in order to find a balance. A discussion about the evolution of land administration systems in Common Law countries has been presented in (Ting, 1999, Pp. 1 – 14). This paper suggests that the relationship between humankind and land has always been a dynamic one and the direction of such dynamism is dependant on the priorities that are established by a society. It has been asserted in the previously mentioned paper that the state has a duty to promote efficient land markets and the environmentally sustainable use of land through the development of legal framework that balances the need for construction with the needs for the environment, while minimizing risk and diversifying land use. It is also stated that state cannot abandon regulation and that regulation should be designed to fit the shifting demands of the economy as well as a nation’s institutional capacity. It is the parliament in the United Kingdom and the Sovereign who are more responsible then anyone else for â€Å"establishing the pri orities of a society†. While Britons are accustomed to living in relatively palatial homes, the Japanese or the Singaporeans have to make do with living in compact high rise flats because of a shortage of land. Plenty of land is available in the United Kingdom, but this does not mean that the government can continue to release land for housing without any regard for future generations, environment and the utility of land as well as the dangers of market manipulation once land has been released into the hands of self interested business people. Perhaps one of the reasons why the government is acting rather slowly is to give free markets a chance to work along with the property cycles so that optimal solutions do present themselves. After all, if excessively high prices are being asked for, then individuals will not be able to pay and market adjustments will be forced to occur. Alternatively, perhaps individuals can start to live in compact high rise buildings or other novel des igns. Decisions that are ultimately made by the parliament will determine the nature of land market in the UK, the type of housing that UK citizens will live in and type of property portfolio that can be afforded. However, when markets are in transition as a result of greed, it takes time for a balance to be achieved and it is necessary to consider a complex set of regulatory measures to maintain harmony. Thus, it is likely that the government will act in the most appropriate manner when those who are in a position to establish societal priorities have decided that the nation, as distinct from the profiteers, is likely to gain the most. The next chapter of this dissertation presents a discussion about the methodology of research for this dissertation. Chapter 3 – Methodology When researching a new topic or tackling a research problem, it is always necessary to benefit from the experiences of other scholars, researchers or investigators who may have pondered on similar issues, as their experience can certainly benefit the investigator in reaching appropriate conclusions and in gaining insights into the problem. The basic technique for the research that was undertaken for this dissertation involved finding suitable published literature through library database searches and internet searches to access journal articles, research papers, published books, research reports and project reports that were related to the subject of the dissertation. This literature was then reviewed in order to extract relevant themes which could possibly assist in the investigation that was being conducted for the dissertation. Research as a whole is a complex and sophisticated field which contributes to knowledge as a whole. The research process results in the generation of a theory, the testing of a hypothesis or theory or both. Currently, there are two traditions of research which have developed along with their terminology, methods and techniques and these traditions have been referred to by different researchers with different names such as qualitative or quantitative traditions in research, humanistic and scie ntific traditions or the positivist and phenomenological traditions of research. The differing names refer to the same distinctions in the processes of conducting research. On the one hand, the qualitative tradition consists of case study methods, ethnography and historical as well as action research and on the other hand we have the quantitative tradition that consists of methodologies such as survey research, experimental and quasi-experimental research as well as research after the occurrence of a factual event (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). It is possible to express facts as objective reality which can be expressed as quantities. This forms the basis of the positivist tradition of research which is quantitative research and relies on numbers, measurements and experiments to derive numerical relationships under conditions of controlled behaviour that can be manipulated. The phenomenological tradition attempts to describe and understand reality which is set in perceptions with narratives and observations being used to focus on understanding and meaning to yield knowledge and understanding (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). Generalization of situations and settings, understanding of events and why they occur as well as predictions are some of the results of the research process. There is a difference between explanation and understanding that develops as a result of seeing things happen, after reasons have been fitted into patterns and deductions can be made from other known truths. There is a requirement for elements being investigated to be related to other elements and the overall picture forms into a unified model with the unification forming the explanation. Thus, there is an explanation for something when it can be understood. Understanding requires the use of rich descriptions and formation of relationships between different parts. This fitting together of things is what is known as the pattern model and the understanding of patterns is the result of research of a qualitative tradition. This form of research is aided by review of literature. In the quantitative method of research, the more basic facts or laws are used to determine what is to be explained and a deductive model is constructed (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). There is a distinction between prediction and generalization. It is possible to deduce an unknown part of a pattern from a known part and, therefore, the symmetry of prediction and deduction uses the deductive model. In some areas, generalizations tend to be complex with there being a great deal of conflict and scrutiny (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). Qualitative research is, therefore, more appropriate for the development of complex interrelationships in the more natural or real life situations with a possibility of using this methodology of research to test theories which have already been developed. The qualitative and quantitative methods of research often work together and quantitative research can be used to further test theories which have been developed using qualitative research and qualitative research can be used to further explain the results of quantitative investigations. Qualitative methods are, therefore, useful for rich descriptions of issues being studied with hopes of achieving better understandings with predictions not being the main aim and generalisations taking the form of natural generalisation (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). A case study may be described as an investigation of a singular nature emphasizing on the individual, group, event or culture. Case studies may involve both quantitative as well as qualitative elements but the studies result in a characteristic wholeness without any loose collection of facts and traits. Case studies build upon concepts, structures and promote understanding with the researchers looking for systematic connections, observable behaviours, causes and speculations. The case study deals with a full body of evidence and this methodology has been found to be of use when questions are being asked about situations or events over which the researchers do not have any control. Case studies are also guided by underlying theories, hypothesis and assumptions but construction of conceptual framework, theory building and conceptual structure are important aims of conducting case studies. Studies of specific issues in a number of settings are referred to as multi-site case studies and such studies can strengthen the ability to generalize while remaining on the more qualitative side and maintaining in-depth description and consideration (Collins, 1999, Chapters 1 – 3) and (Marshall, 1999, Chapters 1 – 4). In this dissertation, the challenges associated with the housing market in the United Kingdom in an era of free trade and globalisation are explored mostly through a process of literature review because this is the most appropriate approach for the subject matter that is being examined. Getting a feel for a market usually involves collecting data from the market, which can be very large, looking at statistics, government regulations, consumer opinion and also seeking the opinion of those who have already dealt with the market. However, because the market is so very large, it is difficult for a single researcher to try and attempt to gather raw data that can be processed to provide market information and thus, the task is likely to benefit from the i nformation gathering efforts of large institutions or corporate research offices that do publish reports about markets and market related information. It was felt that the qualitative research methodology is in fact the appropriate one for investigating the topic of dissertation because a reasonable amount of published research material is available on the topic of discussion. The qualitative research methodology consists of the literature review which has attempted to capture important themes from published literature related to the shortage of affordable housing in the United Kingdom. A quantitative approach involving collecting of new data about the housing situation in the UK is likely to be difficult because statistics related to housing, housing policy, land utilisation and allocation policy etc is likely to be difficult to collect for a single researcher. However, data and statistics that are available in published form can be of use in the research. Thus, the research methods that were used for this dissertation consisted of basically finding suitable literature related to the topic of research and then examining this liter ature through a process of literature review in order to present the salient points about the challenges involved with providing those who live in the UK with affordable housing. Suitable literature was selected through a process of library database search, internet search engine search and an examination of the articles as well as research papers which had been presented in journals related to housing, public policy and real estate management etc. Published material that was available from reputed universities and research institutes was also considered in an attempt to gather new ideas and insights related to the topic of discussion. A literature review for the topic of discussion has already been presented along with all the important themes that are to be found and the next two chapters of the dissertation present a discussion about what could be gathered about the topic of discussion and the conclusions that were able to be reached. Chapter 4 – Results, Analysis and Discussion From what has been previously presented, it is obvious that the supply of new homes in the United Kingdom is stagnant and prices are at an all time high. Although the supply of new land and the quick processing of planning permissions are likely to be important in alleviating the situation, the housing market is complex, with large developers and investors being able to take advantage of the situation to manipulate prices by presenting a united front on home prices. In some prime property locations it is no longer possible to provide more land for construction of new homes and in such places the only way to go when constructing is vertically upwards. Because of the fact that better facilities and employment or business opportunities are available at prime locations and owning property at such locations is considered to be prestigious, those who own property that is located in prime locations do not want to let go and the newly rich only make it more expensive for them to live there b y contributing to price increases, taxes and property values. Such price increases also encourage home price escalations at other locations. Thus, the government will not only be required to increase the supply of land for new homes, but also to have a bal

Got Coal? :: Research Essays

Got Coal? In this essay, I hope to inform the reader about the variations in Pennsylvania’s coals, explain the differing methods of coal mining, and provide insights into the use of coal. Although Pennsylvania’s coal reserves have dwindled, coal is still one of the major energy forms used for electric power generation. Widespread use of alternative energy forms have not yet taken place, although this is an area that needs to develop further, if we don’t want to exhaust our current reserves of fossil fuels. Currently, Pennsylvania is the fourth largest coal producer in the United States. More than 69.5 million tons of coal were mined in the state in 1995. Anthracite and bituminous coal are the two types of coal that are mined in Pennsylvania, and they are classified as hard coals. (â€Å"Coal†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). Anthracite is the hardest coal type and contains close to 90% carbon, more than any other coal type. When burned, anthracite emits only a very small amount of smoke. It is used in domestic and industrial applications. Bituminous coal is the most widely used coal in the United States. The uses for this coal type are generating electricity, making coke, and space heating. It is mined mostly in the Appalachian Mountains (â€Å"Clean†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). The heating value and the specific gravity (the weight of a particular volume of coal) vary with coal rank. Low-volatile bituminous coal has the highest heating value. The heating value of anthracite is somewhat lower. In the same manner, specific gravity increases with increasing rank (Edmunds 15). Underground, open-pit, and auger mining are the three ways of extracting coal from the ground. Until recently, the room-and-pillar method was the most widely used. In this method, large â€Å"rooms† of coal were excavated and â€Å"pillars† were left in place to hold up the roof. This method is not very efficient, as only 50-60% of the coal can be recovered, the rest is left in the pillars and is effectively lost (Edmunds 16). The longwall method has been increasingly used by larger companies.

Water Conservation Essay -- Environment, Environmental

One of the items people, animals, and our environment cannot live without is water. Water is extremely vital in the everyday life of everyone in the world from everyday life of drinking, washing clothes, animals, grains, cleaning, and so many other uses that eliminating water would eliminate our species as we all depend on the necessity of water. â€Å"The water footprint refers to the volumes of water consumption and pollution that are ‘behind’ your daily consumption†. (Network, 2010) If an average American uses approximately 80-100 gallons of water per day then an average American needs to change their ways and contribute to a better water footprint. Water is critical for ecological systems and the health of humans. Animals or plants cannot survive long without water. Water not only is most widely used resource by our industry, it both indirectly and directly produces energy, provides basis for outdoor recreation, and important for transportation along wit h so many other uses that it is globally in need. It is amazing as I thought about how I use water in my day. Flushing the toilet, taking a shower, brushing my teeth, drinking a glass of water, using water to make oatmeal, washing my dishes and my clothes, swimming in the lake or the pool, making different recipes that call for water, and watering my plants and garden. It was amazing to me when reading the website www.waterfootprint.org, because I never conceptually put together our food we consume to items we make in realize how much water is used globally. Some items that I did not think about would be beef, chicken meat, eggs, hamburgers, milk, pork, beer, tea, wine, barley, maize, millet, rice, soybeans, coconuts, apples, orange, potato, cheese, bread, cotton, paper,... ...o conserve water, as I enjoy eating meat and do not favor vegetables on a regular basis, so it is extremely important I do what I can in conserving as much water as possible on a daily basis. Works Cited Council, W. W. (2009, May 27). World Water Council/Water Crisis. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from www.worldwatercouncil.org: http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/index.php?id=25 Frederick, K. D. (2004, November 11). Consequences Vol. 1. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from www.gcrio.org: http://www.gcrio.org/CONSEQUENCES/spring95/Water.html Network, W. (2010). Your Water Footprint. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from www.waterfootprint.org: http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/YourWaterFootprint Park&Co. (2009). 100 Ways to Conserve. Retrieved August 24, 2010, from www.wateruseitwisely.com: http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php

MBA Future

I have a strong interest in pursuing a master of business administration (MBA) degree, as I believe it will be beneficial in helping me achieve my short term and long-term goals. It will make me competent enough to fit in the wider job market. This will come with increased income earning which is a key to good life. Good life or better living is everyone’s dream while advancing in one’s career and being no exceptional I want to pursue it for that cause. I have a wealth of experience from my educational background. I have also gained work experience from different positions over the years the degree will improve my efficiency when combined with the qualities I already have. I intend to take a major in marketing that I have been specializing in and a minor in entrepreneurship. I took a B.A Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. I graduated with a 3.5 in major and outstanding performance rendered me honors. Currently I am working within media advertising that comprises of television and radio. Pursuing this degree will equip me with the necessary expertise to be in the capacity of handling of handling issues appropriately especially at senior positions. Since my long term goal is to be president of a company. (http://www.unhmba.org) My other interest is researching brand management and the degree program will enrich me in skills needed in this area. I will be better placed with the ground information and the theoretical skills from the class. I have demonstrable ability to perform excellently in business classes and given the opportunity I would be outstanding in business school. My main interest is in the entertainment industry of which I have a solid background on. In 2001 I worked for a small marketing and event-planning firm that has now advanced. My 3 years experience when working with Sony-BMG as an assistance field marketing representative gave me exposure to the world of marketing and is a plus to my skills. I am proud to be part of the team that saw eWork Inc company grow from a small marketing and research to what the company is now. I was very influential especially on the Southeast region. I handle more than 30 people in my current position the skills I would get will improve my leadership skills. Working in my current position entails conducting movie surveys as well as holding premiers for upcoming movies. I am part owner of a t-shirt company that deals with presidential candidate. This entails strategic. Marketing plans to succeed and hence calls for skills or tact. To gain maximum exposure we plan to participate in the famous Oprah Winfrey show. My long-term goal of being a president of a T.V production company and being responsible for the marketing and company sponsorships will be well realized after attaining skills in the MBA program. (http://www.unhmba.org) I have constantly been involved in volunteering activities like in a mentor program that helps risk teens, AID Atlanta, hands on Atlanta and MS walk where I was among the top. Taking classes in the spring will enable me to be well prepared in joining the business school. My main reasons for choosing University of D and Wayne state is that its location will reduce the distance barriers from my fiancà © who has just moved to Detroit. They offer attractive placement rates and the small classes will offer a favorable or conducive environment for learning. It is also in a place where jobs will be easily accessible. Reference: United Network of help with Masters of Business Administration programs.2007. Retrieved on 31st October 2007 from http://www.unhmba.org   

The Hunters: Moonsong Chapter Nine

Where r u? Elena texted impatiently. Stefan was supposed to meet her at her dorm room more than twenty minutes ago. Surely his study group was over by now? She was starving. She paced around the room, occasional y glancing at the dark tree branches beyond the windows. It wasn't like Stefan to be late. She checked her phone. It was too soon to try to reach him again. Outside, something dark moved, and she gasped. Then she shook her head. It was just the branches of the trees out there, waving in the breeze. She moved closer, trying to see past the reflections on the glass. Their room was on the third floor; there wouldn't be anyone sitting that high up. At least not anyone human. Elena shuddered. â€Å"Elena,† said a cool, clear voice from outside. With a squeak that sounded like a frightened rabbit, Elena jerked backward, pressing one hand to her pounding heart. After a moment, she stepped up to the window and threw it open. â€Å"Damon,† she said. â€Å"You scared me to death. What are you doing out there?† There was a flash of white teeth in the shadows. A mocking tone rang through his answer. â€Å"Waiting for you to invite me into your room, of course.† â€Å"You don't need an invitation,† Elena said. â€Å"You helped me move in.† â€Å"I know,† Damon said, smiling. â€Å"I'm being a gentleman.† Elena hesitated. She trusted Damon, of course she did, but this seemed so intimate. Damon outside in the dark, Elena alone in her bedroom, neither of her roommates around. He'd been in her room at home, but Aunt Judith and Robert had been just down the hal . She wondered if Stefan would mind her being alone here with Damon, but she shook off the thought. He trusted Elena, that was what mattered. â€Å"Elena,† Damon's voice was soft but insistent. â€Å"Let me in before I fal .† Rol ing her eyes, she said, â€Å"You'd never fal . And if you did, you'd fly. But you can come in anyway.† With a soft whoosh, faster than her eye could fol ow, Damon was suddenly beside her. She had to step back a pace. Eyes and hair as dark as night, pale luminous skin, perfectly cut features. He even smel ed good. His lips looked so soft†¦. Elena caught herself leaning toward him, her own lips parting, and pul ed away. â€Å"Stop it,† she said. â€Å"I'm not doing anything,† Damon said innocently. When Elena arched a skeptical eyebrow at him, he shrugged and shot her a brief, bril iant smile. There, Elena thought. That's why Stefan might mind Damon being here. â€Å"Oh, al right. I'm only teasing you.† He looked around the room and quirked an eyebrow of his own. â€Å"Why, Elena,† he said, â€Å"I'm almost disappointed. You and your friends are running so true to type here.† Elena fol owed his eyes. Bonnie's side of the room was a mess, a tumble of stuffed animals, rejected outfits, and Dalcrest paraphernalia. In contrast, Meredith's area was rigidly tidy, books lined up alphabetical y, a single silver pen on the desk next to her slim silver laptop, her bed neatly draped in a silk duvet in subtly patterned gray and white. Her dresser and closet were closed, but inside, Elena knew, Meredith's clothes would be organized by type, color, and season. Damon was right: just by looking at their parts of the room, you could tel that Meredith was rational, sophisticated, careful y control ed, and private, while Bonnie was fluffy, fun-loving, and disorganized. What about Elena's own things? What did they say about her? She looked over her part of the room with a critical eye. Framed art prints from her favorite exhibits, her silver brush and comb lined up on her dresser, deep-blue sheets that she knew set off her eyes and hair. Someone who held on to what she liked and didn't change easily? Someone who was very aware of what suited her? She wasn't sure. Damon smiled at her again, without the mocking edge this time. â€Å"Don't give it a second's thought, princess,† he said affectionately. â€Å"You're more than your possessions.† â€Å"Thanks,† Elena said shortly. â€Å"So, did you just drop in my window to say hel o?† He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. They were standing very close together, and Elena backed away a little. â€Å"I thought maybe, now that you're a col ege girl, we could go out tonight and have some fun.† â€Å"Fun?† Elena said, stil distracted by his mouth. â€Å"What kind of fun?† â€Å"Oh, you know,† he said, â€Å"just a little dinner, a few drinks. Friend stuff. Nothing too daring.† â€Å"Right,† Elena said firmly. â€Å"It sounds nice. But I can't tonight. Stefan and I are going out to dinner.† â€Å"Of course,† Damon said. He gave her a firm little nod and what was so obviously supposed to be a supportive smile that she had to stifle a giggle. Supportive, friendly, and unassuming were not natural looks on Damon's face. He was trying so very hard to be her friend even though they al knew there was more than that between them. Since he had died and come back, he had been trying to change his relationships with Stefan and with her, she knew, to be with them in a way he never had before. It couldn't be easy on poor Damon, trying to be good. He was out of practice. Elena's phone chimed. She read the text from Stefan: I'm sorry. The study group's running late. I think it'll be at least another hour. Meet later? â€Å"Problem?† Damon was watching her, the same innocent, friendly smile on his face, and affection for him washed over Elena. Damon was her friend. Why shouldn't she go out with him? â€Å"Change of plans,† she said briskly. â€Å"We'l go out, but just for a little while. I need to be back here to meet Stefan in an hour.† She texted Stefan quickly to let him know she was going to grab some food and looked up to see a triumphant smile on Damon's face as he reached to take her arm. Bonnie walked across campus, practical y skipping in time to the happy tune in her head. A date with Zander, la la la la la. It was about time, too. She'd been eagerly anticipating seeing Zander again al week, and although they'd talked on the phone, she hadn't laid eyes on him around campus at al , even though of course she'd been looking. At last she was about to see him. La la la la la. Lovely, gorgeous Zander. She had on jeans and a sort of silvery, draping top that at least made it look like she might have some cleavage. It was a good outfit, she thought, understated enough for just hanging out but also a little bit special. Just in case they decided to go out clubbing or something at the last minute. Zander hadn't told her what he'd planned, just asked her to meet him outside the science building. La la la la la, she hummed. Bonnie's footsteps slowed, and the tune in her head died off as she saw flickering lights il uminating a group of people up ahead. They were gathered in the courtyard in front of one of the dorms. Approaching, she realized it was a group of girls holding candles. The wavering light from the candles sent shadows across their serious faces. Propped against the wal of the dorm were three blown-up photos, two girls and a guy. Al across the grass in front of them were heaped flowers, letters, and teddy bears. Hesitant to break the silence, Bonnie touched the arm of one of the girls. â€Å"What's going on?† she whispered. â€Å"It's a candlelight vigil for the missing people,† the girl whispered back. Missing people? Bonnie scanned the faces in the photographs. Young, smiling, about her age. â€Å"Are they al students here?† she asked, horrified. â€Å"What happened to them?† â€Å"Nobody knows,† the girl said, her gaze serious. â€Å"They just vanished. You didn't hear about this?† Bonnie's stomach dropped. She knew that a girl was attacked – or something – on the quad the first night, but she hadn't known about any disappearances. No wonder her gut instinct had warned her to be scared walking across campus the other day. She could have been in danger. â€Å"No,† she said slowly. â€Å"I didn't hear anything.† She dropped her eyes and bowed her head, silent as she sent out a fervent hope that these three happy-looking people would be found, safe and sound. In the distance, a siren began to wail. â€Å"Something's happened.† â€Å"Do you think someone was attacked?† A babble of frightened voices rose as the sirens got closer. A girl near Bonnie began to sob, a hurt, scared sound. â€Å"Al right, what's the trouble here?† said a new, authoritative voice, and Bonnie looked up to see two campus police officers shouldering their way through the crowd. â€Å"We †¦ uh†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The girl who had spoken to Bonnie gestured at the photos and flowers against the wal . â€Å"We were having a vigil. For the missing people.† â€Å"What are those sirens for?† another girl asked, her voice rising. â€Å"Nothing to worry about,† said the officer, but his face softened as he looked at the sobbing girl. Bonnie realized with a slight shock that he wasn't much older than she was. â€Å"Miss?† he said to the crying girl. â€Å"We'l help you get home.† His partner looked around at the crowd. â€Å"It's time to break things up and head inside,† he said sternly. â€Å"Stick together and be careful.† â€Å"I thought you said there was nothing to worry about,† said another girl angrily. â€Å"What aren't you tel ing us?† â€Å"There's nothing you don't know already,† the man said patiently. â€Å"People are missing. You can never be too careful.† If there's nothing to worry about, why do we have to be careful? Bonnie wondered, but she bit back the words and hurried away down the path, toward the science building where Zander had suggested they meet. The idea of trying to have a vision, to see if she could learn anything about the missing people, nudged at Bonnie's mind, but she pushed it away. She hated that. She hated the loss of control when she slid into one of her visions. It was unlikely to work, anyway. Her visions had always been about people she knew, about immediate problems facing them. She didn't know any of the missing people. She bit her lip and walked faster. The excitement about her date had fizzled out, and she didn't feel safe now. But at least if she got to Zander, she wouldn't be alone. When she arrived at the science building, though, Zander wasn't there. Bonnie hesitated and looked around nervously. This corner of campus seemed to be deserted. She tried the door of the science building, but it was locked. Wellof course it was – there weren't any classes this late. Bonnie shook the handle of the front door in frustration. She reached into her bag, then groaned as she realized she'd left her phone back in her room. Suddenly, she felt very exposed. The campus police had said to stick together, not to wander around alone at night, but here she was, al by herself. A cool breeze ruffled her hair and she shivered. It was getting awful y dark. â€Å"Bonnie. Psst, Bonnie!† Zander's voice. But where was he? Bonnie saw nothing but the dark quad, streetlights throwing little circles of light on the paths. Above her, leaves rustled in the wind. â€Å"Bonnie! Up here.† Looking up, she final y spotted Zander on the roof, peering down over the side at her, his pale hair almost glowing in the moonlight. â€Å"What're you doing up there?† she cal ed to him, confused. â€Å"Come on up,† he invited, pointing to the fire-escape ladder on the side of the building. It was lowered to just a couple of feet above the ground. â€Å"Real y?† said Bonnie dubiously. She walked over to the fire escape. She could make it onto the ladder, she was pretty sure, but she was going to look clumsy and awkward scrambling up on it. And what if she got caught? She hadn't actual y read the campus regulations thoroughly, but wouldn't climbing the fire escape up to the roof of a closed building be against the rules? â€Å"Come on, Bonnie,† Zander cal ed. His feet clanging loudly against the iron steps, he ran down the fire escape, shimmied down the ladder, and leaped to the ground, landing catlike on his feet beside her. He went down on one knee and held his hands out together. â€Å"I'l boost you up so you'l be able to reach.† Bonnie swal owed, then stepped up onto Zander's hands and stretched for the ladder. Once she swung her leg up onto the bottom rung, it was a piece of cake, although the slightly rusty metal was rough against her hands. She spared a moment to thank al the powers of the universe that she had decided to wear jeans rather than a skirt tonight. Zander trailed behind her up the fire escape from one landing to another until final y they arrived on the roof. â€Å"Are we al owed to be up here?† Bonnie asked nervously. â€Å"Well,† Zander said slowly, â€Å"probably not. But I come up here al the time, and no one's ever told me not to.† He smiled that warm, wonderful smile at her and added, â€Å"This is one of my favorite places.† It was a nice view, Bonnie had to admit that. Below them, the campus stretched, leafy and green and mysterious. If anyone else had brought her up here, though, she would have complained about the rusty fire escape and the concrete roof, suggested that maybe a date should involve going somewhere. This was a date, wasn't it? She froze momentarily in a panic, trying to recal exactly what Zander had said when he suggested meeting here. She didn't remember the words themselves, but they definitely had a date-y feel to them: she wasn't a kid anymore, she knew when she was being asked out. And Zander was so cute, it was worth making an effort. â€Å"It's pretty up here,† she said lamely and then, looking around at the flat dirty concrete, â€Å"I mean being so high up.† â€Å"We're closer to the stars,† Zander said, and took her hand. â€Å"Come on over here.† His hand was warm and strong, and Bonnie held on to it tightly. He was right, the stars were beautiful. It was cool to be able to see them more clearly, here above the trees. He led her over to the corner of the roof, where a ratty old army blanket was spread out with a pizza box and some cans of soda. â€Å"Al the comforts of home,† he said. Then, quietly, â€Å"I know this isn't a very fancy date, Bonnie, but I wanted to share this with you. I thought you would appreciate what's special about being up here.† â€Å"I absolutely do,† Bonnie said, flattered. A secret little cheer went up inside her: Hurray! Zander definitely knows we're on a date! Pretty soon Bonnie found herself tucked up against Zander's side, his arm around her shoulders, eating hot, greasily delicious pizza and looking at the stars. â€Å"I come up here alone a lot,† Zander told her. â€Å"One time last year I just lay here and watched a big fat ful moon get swal owed up by the earth's shadow in an eclipse. It was nearly pitch black without the light of the ful moon, but I could stil see its dark red shape in the sky.† â€Å"The Vikings thought eclipses were caused by two wolves, one who wanted to eat the sun, and one who wanted to eat the moon,† Bonnie said idly. â€Å"I forget which one wanted to eat the moon, but whenever either a solar or a lunar eclipse happened, people were supposed to make a lot of noise to scare the wolf away.† Zander looked down at her. â€Å"That's a random piece of information to know.† But he smiled as he said it. Bonnie wriggled with delight under the sheer force of his smile. â€Å"I'm interested in mythology,† she said. â€Å"Druid and Celtic, mostly, but myths and stories in general. The Druids were into the moon, too: they had a whole astrology based on the lunar calendar.† She sat up straighter, enjoying the admiring look on Zander's face. â€Å"Like, right now, from late August to late September, we're in the month of the Artist Moon. But in a couple of weeks, we'l be in the month of the Dying Moon.† â€Å"What does that mean?† Zander asked. He was very close to her, gazing straight into her eyes. â€Å"Well, it means it's a time of endings,† Bonnie said. â€Å"It's al about dying and sleep. The Druid year begins again after Hal oween.† â€Å"Hmm.† Zander was stil watching her intently. â€Å"How do you know so much, Bonnie McCul ough?† A little smile played around his mouth. â€Å"Um, my ancestors were Druids and Celtics,† Bonnie said, feeling stupid. â€Å"My grandmother told me we were descended from Druid priestesses, and that's why I see things sometimes. My grandmother does, too.† â€Å"Interesting,† Zander said softly. His tone grew lighter. â€Å"So you see things, do you?† â€Å"I real y do,† Bonnie said, seriously, staring back at him. She hadn't meant to tel him that. She didn't want to weird him out, not on their first date, but she also didn't want to lie to him. So blue. Zander's eyes were as deep as the sea, and she was fal ing farther and farther into them. There was nothing above her, nothing below, she was ceaselessly, gently fal ing. With a wrench, Bonnie pul ed her eyes away from Zander's. â€Å"Sorry,† she said, shaking her head. â€Å"That was weird. I think I almost fel asleep for a minute.† â€Å"Don't worry about it,† Zander said, but his face looked stiff and strange. Then he flashed that warm, enchanting smile again and got to his feet. â€Å"Come on, I want to show you something.† Bonnie stood slowly. She felt a little strange stil , and she pressed her hand briefly against her forehead. â€Å"Over here,† Zander said, tugging her by the other hand. He led her to the corner of the roof and stepped up onto the narrow ledge running around it. â€Å"Zander,† Bonnie said, horrified. â€Å"Come down! You might fal !† â€Å"We won't fal ,† Zander said, smiling down at her. â€Å"Climb on up.† â€Å"Are you crazy?† Bonnie said. She'd never liked heights much. She remembered crossing a high, high bridge once with Damon and Elena. They'd had to if they were going to save Stefan, but she never would have been able to do it, except Damon had used his Power and convinced her she was an acrobat, a tightrope walker to whom heights were nothing. When he'd released her from his Power, after they crossed the bridge, her retroactive fear had been nauseating. Stil , she'd made it across that bridge, hadn't she? And she had promised herself she would be more confident, stronger, now that she was in col ege. She looked up at Zander, who was smiling at her, sweetly, eagerly, his hand extended. She took it and let him help her climb onto the ledge. â€Å"Oh,† she said, once she was up there. The ground swam dizzyingly far below her, and she yanked her eyes away from it. â€Å"Oh. No, this is not a good idea.† â€Å"Trust me,† Zander said, and took her other hand so that he was holding on to her securely. â€Å"I won't let you fal .† Bonnie looked into his blue, blue eyes again and felt comforted. There was something so candid and straightforward in his gaze. â€Å"What should I do?† she asked, and was proud when her voice was steady. â€Å"Close your eyes,† Zander said, and when she'd done that, â€Å"and pick your right foot up off the ledge.† â€Å"What?† Bonnie asked, and almost opened her eyes again. â€Å"Trust me,† Zander said again, and this time there was a rich undercurrent of laughter in his voice. Hesitantly, Bonnie lifted her foot. Just then, the wind picked up, and Bonnie felt like it was about to scoop her off the ledge and throw her into the sky like a kite whose string had snapped. She tightened her grip on Zander's hands. â€Å"It's al right,† he said soothingly. â€Å"It's amazing, Bonnie, I promise. Just let yourself be. Life isn't worth living if you don't take risks.† Inhaling deeply and then letting the breath out, Bonnie forced herself to relax. The wind was blowing her curls everywhere, whistling in her ears, tugging at her clothes and her raised leg. As she relaxed into it, she felt almost as if she was being lifted, gently, into the sky, the air al around supporting her. It was like flying. Bonnie realized she was laughing with sheer delight and opened her eyes, gazing straight into Zander's. He was laughing, too, and holding on to her tightly, anchoring her to the earth as she almost flew. She had never been so conscious of the blood thrumming through her veins, of each nerve catching the sensations of the air around her. She had never felt so alive.