Hw Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Hw - Assignment Example Project time management is another knowledge area and involves outlining and sequencing of involved processes and activities in a process, approximation of necessary time and resources for a project, and development and management of a schedule for implementation of involved activities in a project. Cost management involves estimation, planning, and management of involved costs while quality management involves planning, guarantee, and management of quality in a project’s processes and activities. Another knowledge area, project human resource management, entails outlining of a plan for human resources, and recruitment, development, and management of teams. Project communication management however determines necessary information in a project, mode of communicating the information, management of the information and mode of delivering the final report on a project. Project risk management however involves identification and management of risks while project procurement manageme nt entails processes for acquisition of commodities for implementation of a project (Pinto 24,

Submit a 3150-3850 word description of a new organizational paradigm Essay

Submit a 3150-3850 word description of a new organizational paradigm and analyze the ways in which an existing organization could operate within that paradigm - Essay Example 30% of all employees are Americans and 70 % of employees come form different cultures. The Bell group is specialized in hotel and resort services. It is expected that technology and knowledge will be the main issues changing the world over the next 5 yeas. The new organization paradigm will be based on innovative technologies and introduction of knowledge management initiatives. The division of horal and reports is based on traditional centralized structure. In order to keep control over the assets that are invested into these new business alliances, Bell Group establishes a hierarchical structure of formal control for them. This depends on the significance of the alliance and the potential danger associated with losing key internal resources. Control is an important factor which helps to integrator tasks across teams and has the potential for redesigning the entire organization in terms of job descriptions or promotion schemes, management frequently lacks the commitment to change the entire control structure of the organization. Thus, personal change was a crucial element of learning and organizational change. The potential lies in a reduction of the number of middle managers or a change in the authority structure. It is, however, only when the full potential of technology has been realized that organizational structure changes become more visible. It may therefore take time to notice the long-term effect of increased technology use on organizational design (Bolman and Deal 2003). The greater the degree of specialization, the greater the tendency to concentrate on individual functions while losing sight of overall federal objectives. Thus, conflicts arise among group, functional, and territorial politicians, even though all are preoccupied with the same policy and strategies. Today, decentralization of decision making varies among departments and employees (Hesselbein et al`1997). It is supposed that

Ethical Lens Essay Example for Free

Ethical Lens Essay My personal ethical viewpoint is that I like to weigh out the pros and cons of any situation. Also I believe in fairness and being open-minded. This allows me to look at other people point of views, than I am able to come up with some kind of solution to the subject, topic, or problem. After using the Ethical Lens Inventory, my result indicates that my preferred ethical lens is the Reputation Lens. The Reputation Lens defines â€Å"consistent with the habitual development of sound character traits including habits of thoughtful reflections, good intentions and noble human virtues. † The values that take place in this lens are integrity, justice, courage, and civility. My blind spot consist of â€Å"Unrealistic Role Expectations.† When I am given a task or a job, I try to achieve this goal to the best of my ability. It includes me being very disciplined, loyal, honest, and fair. The fact that I believe that a consistent process results in a just outcome for all, I sometimes trust the process too much. Also I tend to forget that unequal access gives rise to unjust outcomes, even when the process itself is fair. My Strengths are I am compassionate, tolerant, good-natured, considerate, and strong-willed. I am an individual who respects humanity and the rights of others. I am an optimist, generous, adaptable, and a leader. I want to do what is right and what is fair. My weaknesses are I am not good in math, I can use a little more practice with my spelling, grammar, punctuation. Also I am a perfectionist; this can be good and bad in some situations. I tend to come down on myself pretty hard when I do not live up to my expectations. My other weakness shows when I become self-righteous. When I lose my compassion, it can be a bad day for those who are close to me. I value â€Å"rationality and sensibility equally.† Also I value loyalty, honesty, and having a since of purpose in life. Having a clear understanding of why I value these things in my life is vital to me. This can result in good behavior for me in my courses, family, friends, and my career. When using my personal ethics to determine a course of action, this can allow me to have a positive outcome, by being honest, fair, loyal, and being open-minded. Also this can enhance the chances for me to have a better course of action I can take to be able to excel in everything I try to accomplish.

Passing Of The UK 1832 Reform Act

Passing Of The UK 1832 Reform Act The passing of the 1832 Reform Act (also knows as the Great Reform Act) and the consequent extension of the franchise was due to the culmination of several factors. It did not, in itself, make a great difference at the time but it certainly had an undeniable effect on what was to follow. It was rather the beginning of the satisfaction for reform; a way of opening the way for legislation that went further, than an achievement of this aim. Many MPs who voted for it saw it rather as a way of preventing further future change and avoiding revolution. At the time, only the land-owning class could vote. They represented areas of land as opposed to the actual people within. The lower classes were considered an uneducated rabble; they were seen to be unable to be trusted. Property and wealth determined who was able to vote. This essay will examine how the Act came to be passed and also the ways in which its passing affected British politics in the years to come. The issue of Catholic emancipation was arguably a factor in paving the way for the ability to reform. The Conservative government of the time was deeply against the issue of Catholic emancipation; ideologically, it was concerned with the preservation of tradition. As Robert Blake commented; The Tory party never tired of proclaiming its determination to uphold the traditional institutions of the United Kingdom, the monarchy, the House of Lords and the Protestant establishment, both its property and its privileges.  [1]   This became a problematic position. William Vesey Fitzgerald was obliged to resign as MP and stand for re-election after entering into the position President of the Board of Trade. Daniel O Connell ran against him for the seat of County Clare, and won. Due to his being a Roman Catholic, he could not actually serve if elected. Therefore, the Conservative government had a problem; the opposition of Catholic emancipation was a point of unity for the Tory Party. On the other hand, the Catholic Association could cause significant disruption if no action was taken. Catholic emancipation caused a severe split within the Tory party. It convinced many ultra-Tories to support reform. Eric J. Evans comments that it was in fact an ultra-Tory, the Marquis of Blandford, as opposed to a radical that called for reform regarding the issue of rotten boroughs- he called for the seats of rotten boroughs to be given to larger towns, among other reformations. The ultra-Tories believed that the increased voters would lend support to their opposition of Catholic emancipation.  [2]   Economic conditions also contributed to a desire for reform. The economy had largely been dependent on the war- when Britain went to war against France in 1793. When the war ended in 1815, the country entered into an economic depression due to the lack of demand in peacetime for that which the country had been producing during wartime. In 1829, the harvest failed and resultantly, food prices increased. Radicals used this as an opportunity; William Lovett and Henry Hetherington formed the National Union of the Working classes in April, 1831. The goal was suffrage for all adult males and it campaigned for that.  [3]   A new middle class emerged in England as a result of the Industrial Revolution- this was composed of factory owners and entrepreneurs. This new middle class believed, justifiably, that their inability to vote was unfair as they were creating wealth. Middle class desire for increased representation in the political system was leading to a greater support for reform on their part, and this in turn lead to increased collaboration with the working class. The middle class felt that they deserved more representation in parliament than they currently possessed; industry and commerce were becoming more important and legislation such as the Corn Laws was in the interest of the aristocracy, which controlled parliament, as opposed to that of the middle class. Hence, they desired greater political power in order to do something about this. In 1830, Thomas Attwood formed the Birmingham Political Union due to the awful economic conditions. He founded a General Political Union between the Lower and Middle Classes of the People'.  [4]  Attwoods Union was not the only one of its kind; the creation of others followed in various forms. Their activities -political rallies which were well-attended and organised- indicated that the middle class did indeed desire reform and was prepared to work towards such a goal. The effect of the economic distress; the political unions and the French revolution was to prove to parliament that reform was an unavoidable issue, lest a revolution occur. MP Thomas McAulay said, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦I support this measure, because I am sure that it is our best security against a revolutionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ã‚  [5]   Many politicians came to view reform in this manner; as a means of preventing revolution and greater change to the system at a later point. The reform act, once passed, meant that more populated areas received a more proportional representation. It changed the areas represented by MPs to better reflect the changes in population distribution caused by industrialisation. Middle class males were enfranchised; all householders paying a yearly rental of  £10 and, if they had been resident for a year, lodgers paying  £10 received the vote. This, however, meant that the working class was excluded from the vote. Those living in cities were still not adequately represented and MPs still did not receive a salary- they also had to own land to be able to stand. This brought to an end the alliance between the middle class and the working class. The working class was resentful of this; they were aware that without their pressure, the government would not have felt such an urgent need to reform. Chartism was a movement born of working class resentment at their exclusion from the newly expanded franchise. There were two types; moral force and physical force Chartism. The principle of moral force Chartism was that demonstrating that the working class was respectable and trustworthy (e.g. Chartist churches) was the way to achieve their goals. In contrast, physical force Chartism was the idea of a more forceful, direct manner. That is not to say there were two distinct groups; most viewed the physical force concept as a last resort. The Peoples Charter consisted of six demands: * Institution of a secret ballot. * General elections be held annually. * Members of Parliament not be required to own property. * MPs be paid a salary. * Electoral districts of equal size. * Universal male suffrage. The first meeting specifically organised for Chartism  [6]  took place on Kerstal Moor on 24 September. The message was that universal suffrage, as opposed to direct action, would achieve their aims. Chartism was closely linked to the present state of the economy; if the economy was doing well then demand was low. If it was doing badly, demand was high. Chartism did not last; its high point could be said to be 1848. After a meeting on Kensington common on the 10 April of that year, the Chartists presented a petition to parliament. The procession to bring the petition to the House of Commons was banned, some of the upper class having come to believe the Chartists intended revolution. Many of the signatures on the petition itself were later found to be forgeries. There was still, of course, a demand for reform after the act of 1832. The Great Act did not, in fact, do much to expand the electorate at all. However, it created a precedent- it could be said to have opened the door for further reform. In 1851, The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations took place. Thomas Cook took 165,000 people to attend it. There was a fear that the working class would damage/cause trouble in the city, but the concerns proved to be unfounded. In reality, they demonstrated interest and were peaceful. There was a growth in public libraries and such services- this can be traced from the principles of moral force Chartism. By the 1860s, the general feeling was that the working class had demonstrated sufficient respectability to gain the vote. However, the Liberal/Whig party was divided over the extent to which reform should go. Elements of the aristocracy were unsure, whereas radical members were very keen. The split of the Conservative party had a llowed the Whigs to come in. Disraeli desired to lead the party into power once more; he pushed through reform far more radical than the Liberals had envisioned in an effort to win popular support- as a result, the working class became the majority. This was the 1867 reform act, and enfranchised the urban working class. His was a pragmatic move; he was taking advantage of the Liberals split, and trying to demonstrate the Conservatives had the ability to lead. The factors leading to the passing of the 1832 Reform Act were myriad; for example, the French revolution inspired radicals, the middle class resented their exclusion despite their creation of wealth and also the restriction on the growth of industry and the working class desired power in order to improve their quality of life. However, the effects of it were very limited. It was still deeply restrictive; the working class still did not possess the vote after it. It was this very fact that led to the creation of movements such as Chartism; the reform act set a precedent and the working class campaigned in earnest for universal male suffrage.

Teen Crime :: essays research papers

How safe are teens wherever they go? Despite many people's attempts, teen violence is something that hasn't completely come to an end. Recently, 59% of students in grades six through twelve knew where to get a gun if they wanted one, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The U.S. Surgeon General shows that each year, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol, perhaps the cause of many violent crimes committed by them. Northeastern University's College of Criminal Justice reports that from 1985 to 1993, murders committed by people between the ages of 14-17 increased 165%. Certain adult crimes on the other hand, have decreased. There are many organizations out there that help prevent teen violence, some which include the National Alliance For Safe Schools, Mothers Against Teen Violence, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and more. Is there anything else though, that we can do to prevent teen violence from escalating to an even higher level? The numbers are getting bigger and bigger. Since 1985, murder arrests of teens have jumped up 92%. In the year 2000, 2,369,400 youth arrests were made. Many which included violence towards others. In 2005, out of the 36,000,000+ inhabitants we have here in California, 2,503 were charged for murder, 9,392 for forcible rape, 114,661 for aggravated assault, and 692,467 for theft. Although crime here in California isn?t as high as it was around the ?90s, it is slowly increasing through the years. Statistics show that something needs to be done. Increasing crime varies on crime type. For instance, between 2000-2004, Larceny has increased. Also, from 1999-2005 vehicle theft and burglary have increased dramatically. On the other hand, forcible rape in recent years is slowly decreasing. This goes to show that crime is unpredictable. It can look as if it is being prevented for a while, and suddenly increase, touching lives everywhere in a negative way. By 1991, crime rate was 313% the 1960 crime rate. Chances of being a victim of crime in 1960 were 1.89%, where in 1996, the chances of being a victim raised to 5.079%. Overall, crime is increasing. It can be local, or even across the nation, but we know that it is there and is on the rise. Approximately 5% of the U.S. population are victims of crime each year. That?s around 13 million people and is unacceptable. But out of all these crimes committed, which ones are of adults and which ones are of teens? Teen Crime :: essays research papers How safe are teens wherever they go? Despite many people's attempts, teen violence is something that hasn't completely come to an end. Recently, 59% of students in grades six through twelve knew where to get a gun if they wanted one, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The U.S. Surgeon General shows that each year, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol, perhaps the cause of many violent crimes committed by them. Northeastern University's College of Criminal Justice reports that from 1985 to 1993, murders committed by people between the ages of 14-17 increased 165%. Certain adult crimes on the other hand, have decreased. There are many organizations out there that help prevent teen violence, some which include the National Alliance For Safe Schools, Mothers Against Teen Violence, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and more. Is there anything else though, that we can do to prevent teen violence from escalating to an even higher level? The numbers are getting bigger and bigger. Since 1985, murder arrests of teens have jumped up 92%. In the year 2000, 2,369,400 youth arrests were made. Many which included violence towards others. In 2005, out of the 36,000,000+ inhabitants we have here in California, 2,503 were charged for murder, 9,392 for forcible rape, 114,661 for aggravated assault, and 692,467 for theft. Although crime here in California isn?t as high as it was around the ?90s, it is slowly increasing through the years. Statistics show that something needs to be done. Increasing crime varies on crime type. For instance, between 2000-2004, Larceny has increased. Also, from 1999-2005 vehicle theft and burglary have increased dramatically. On the other hand, forcible rape in recent years is slowly decreasing. This goes to show that crime is unpredictable. It can look as if it is being prevented for a while, and suddenly increase, touching lives everywhere in a negative way. By 1991, crime rate was 313% the 1960 crime rate. Chances of being a victim of crime in 1960 were 1.89%, where in 1996, the chances of being a victim raised to 5.079%. Overall, crime is increasing. It can be local, or even across the nation, but we know that it is there and is on the rise. Approximately 5% of the U.S. population are victims of crime each year. That?s around 13 million people and is unacceptable. But out of all these crimes committed, which ones are of adults and which ones are of teens?

Wallerstein Articles :: Essays Papers

Reaction Paper: Wallerstein Articles The â€Å"After Arafat, Arafat II?† article discusses the dilemma that has occurred in the Palestinian Authority now that Yasir Arafat has died. Both Bush and Israel’s Ariel Sharon described Yasir Arafat as being an â€Å"insurmountable obstacle to peace.† Some wonder whether Mahmoud Abbas’s election as the president of the Palestine Authority will bring about positive changes to the Israeli-Palestine peace agreements. Although Sharon and Bush approve of Abbas, some still wonder whether or not this new appointment will provide new possibilities for the agreement between Palestine and Israel. Both sides have such strong fears. The Israelis are afraid that the Israel state as a Jewish state will be destroyed. The Palestinians fear that Palestine as a viable state will never be created. The lack of a solution is not due to the fact that there is an obstacle for one, but rather that there is an absence of one. Arafat failed to achieve a solution, so i t is up to Abbas to try and do what Arafat was unable to. I agree with the argument presented in Wallerstein’s article. Arafat did fail to find a peace agreement between Palestine and Israel, but condemning him as an â€Å"obstacle to peace† is extreme. Any Palestinian could just as easily argue that Israel and Sharon are impeding on their peace as a people. The fear that Abbas will become another Arafat is perfectly legitimate and understandable. At the same time I think it is a bit presumptuous to expect Abbas to establish the agreement between Palestine and Israel. In all the years that Arafat was president, he was unable to make these necessary changes. The only way that a peace agreement between the two can be reached is if both leaders agree with the terms. Currently, nobody wants to agree, and therefore there is no peace agreement. Neither Israel nor Palestine wants to compromise or sacrifice certain things in order for this agreement to happen. I think that bother leaders are in a lose-lose situation. If they are able to create an agreement between Israel and Palestine, somebody will be unhappy. It is nearly impossible to please both everybody without a compromise of some sort. More than likely, either leader will have to sacrifice something, which will then upset their people. Wallerstein Articles :: Essays Papers Reaction Paper: Wallerstein Articles The â€Å"After Arafat, Arafat II?† article discusses the dilemma that has occurred in the Palestinian Authority now that Yasir Arafat has died. Both Bush and Israel’s Ariel Sharon described Yasir Arafat as being an â€Å"insurmountable obstacle to peace.† Some wonder whether Mahmoud Abbas’s election as the president of the Palestine Authority will bring about positive changes to the Israeli-Palestine peace agreements. Although Sharon and Bush approve of Abbas, some still wonder whether or not this new appointment will provide new possibilities for the agreement between Palestine and Israel. Both sides have such strong fears. The Israelis are afraid that the Israel state as a Jewish state will be destroyed. The Palestinians fear that Palestine as a viable state will never be created. The lack of a solution is not due to the fact that there is an obstacle for one, but rather that there is an absence of one. Arafat failed to achieve a solution, so i t is up to Abbas to try and do what Arafat was unable to. I agree with the argument presented in Wallerstein’s article. Arafat did fail to find a peace agreement between Palestine and Israel, but condemning him as an â€Å"obstacle to peace† is extreme. Any Palestinian could just as easily argue that Israel and Sharon are impeding on their peace as a people. The fear that Abbas will become another Arafat is perfectly legitimate and understandable. At the same time I think it is a bit presumptuous to expect Abbas to establish the agreement between Palestine and Israel. In all the years that Arafat was president, he was unable to make these necessary changes. The only way that a peace agreement between the two can be reached is if both leaders agree with the terms. Currently, nobody wants to agree, and therefore there is no peace agreement. Neither Israel nor Palestine wants to compromise or sacrifice certain things in order for this agreement to happen. I think that bother leaders are in a lose-lose situation. If they are able to create an agreement between Israel and Palestine, somebody will be unhappy. It is nearly impossible to please both everybody without a compromise of some sort. More than likely, either leader will have to sacrifice something, which will then upset their people.

February Action †creative writing Essay

So, after my great holidays, back to reality. In this case, it meant moving flats. I moved out of my friends’ flat and in with two Mexican siblings, girl (spoilt acting student) and boy (pain in the ass lawyer student). (The statements in this part are highly influenced by later experiences with the two people, I got along with them and their family fine. ) And when I moved I found the flat under water. So the first thing I did was spend hours soaking towels. Apart from that the two were always nice to me, the guy was almost never there and the girl went home on weekends, so I had the place to myself a lot, which was great. The flat was on the ground floor, so despite great sunny weather outside, I lived in freezing conditions. But it was well-located for work and social life. My room consisted of a bed and a built in cupboard (already provided) and a very useful box (which I found on the street and stayed with me until I moved out). I started working too†¦ giving English classes in the Bank of Mexico, some 20 hours a week, all 1-1 classes with mostly enjoyable students. As I had already found a football team, it meant I had found friends who took me out, to the cinema and every sunday the PUMAS (one of the local teams) game was a must. I was introduced to the stadium, the anthem (!!!! ) and the during match entertainment (beer and crisps) and the after match entertainment (more beer, discussion of game, and strange activities like having electric shocks outside of the stadium). Although not completely my description of a great time, it was good fun nevertheless. I otherwise spent quite lazy weekends, enjoying the company of my friend Itziar and playing football. At the end of February, the football girls had a huge party, which was great great fun, a lovely, welcoming group of girls who know how to party. There I became better friends with a lot of them, which was very nice. The party was full of good food, dancing, dancing and dancing and when it ended, we decided to go to a friends’ house to continue the party, but we all ended up falling asleep there. So some good weekend action. I was invited by the family of my flatmates to Cuernavaca, which is the getaway for inhabitants of the big City. (btw, if New York City is the Big Apple, Mexico City must be something like the Big Papaya) I went out on the Saturday morning by bus and then spent quite a relaxed time in the house, which is quite a bit outside of the city center. We had a lovely meal and then they took me into the city center, where they, interestingly enough, put me on the tourist bus and I went around on that. Pity really, because the main square had some really interesting and fun dancing and singing going on, surrounded by people selling handcrafts and other oddities. So the bus ride was quite amusing, lots of historically interesting information that I forget while the guide is finishing the sentence. Cuernavaca is a nice city and the bus also took us on a walk through some park/ravine, which was also umm†¦ nice. Then in the evening I met the family to have supper at a very good Italian restaurant before we headed back to their house, where I fell right to sleep (tired from the party, obviously). Sunday just meant a long sleep, another nice meal and then the return journey back to the city. So I got a look at what Cuernavaca was like, which was enjoyable. Next time, I’ll just go by myself to see more of the place instead of seeing it wizzing by from the Touribus.

Role-playing

Mr. Justice Unreasonably, yesterday ordered that a 13 yearned Dutch girl who has lived for eight years with a Malay woman in Java and Malay should be given into the care of the Netherlands Congealers who, It Is understood, will return her to her parents In Holland. After the decision, the girl, Maria Hibernia Herzog, and Amino, the Malay woman, clung to each other for almost an hour outside the Supreme Court. They declined to enter a waiting car, sobbed and vowed they would not be parted.With tears streaming down her face, Maria shouted in Malay (the only language she can speak): â€Å"Amino is my mother. She has loved me, cared for me and brought me up. † Then looking at Mammal, the girl said, â€Å"Do you love me, mother? If you love me don't leave me. I don't want to go with this man (a Dutch consular official). † July 29 THE FULL COURT of Appeal In Singapore yesterday decided that Marl Herzog shall be given back to her fosterers, Chew Amino. The Appeal Court yesterd ay held that the proceedings before the ChiefJustice were, by reason of the in-service of the necessary parties, a nullity. When she heard that Marl would be returned to her, Mammal broke down and wept openly. But they were tears of Joy. Hugging and kissing Marl, she said brokenly: â€Å"l have never been so happy in my life. † Stumbling a little as she came out of the Court of Appeal, she shook hands almost convulsively, with friends and Wilshire who were waiting outside. Http://restore. Salsa . Com. So/luminescence/lifeline/amoral . HTML 1 OFF

Dramatic Techniques in “Oedipus the King” Essay

Sophocles was one of the most celebrated playwrights of his time, writing more than 100 plays to captivate and delight his ancient Greek audiences. Today, although only seven plays remain, his work continues to be enjoyed, evoking a variety of emotions and passions from his meaningful and disturbing tragedies, proving that he revolutionised the face of drama. One of Sophocles most legendary plays, Oedipus the King, demonstrates his outstanding writing skill, by the number of techniques he incorporates, such as dramatic irony, symbolism and his usage of the Chorus. Dramatic irony is a prominent device used in many tragedies. It allows the audience to feel a sense of privilege and engagement in the play and develops an alliance between the dramatist and the spectators, so that mere curiosity is not the only aspect keeping the viewers interested. Such tragedies containing dramatic irony include Othello, Romeo and Juliet and Time in the Conways by J.B. Priestley. In Oedipus the King, everyone in the audience knows from the beginning that Oedipus has killed his father and married his mother, not only from the prologue, but due to the fact that the basic story of Oedipus was a well known myth of the time. The tension of the play, then, builds up from Oedipus slow but foreseeable advancement towards this horrifying self-knowledge. Watching Oedipus fate unfold, the audience associates with the protagonist, vividly sharing the horror of the reversal he suffers and recognising the command that fate has. By relating with the audience, Sophocles accomplished the catharsis that Aristotle thought was so essential. One scene in particular illustrates an obvious example of dramatic irony, when Oedipus is addressing his people about the plague they are suffering. And while you suffer, none suffers more than I. You have your several griefs, each for himself;But my heart bears the weight of my own, and yoursAnd all my peoples sorrows. I am not asleep.(Lines 51-54)Oedipus relates that he suffers from the fact that his people are sick, however, the viewers know its double meaning, that, although he does not know it he suffers from another type of sickness- that of being contaminated with the crimes of incest and murder, and actually, in the end  he does suffer from the shame of his people, therefore carrying their grievances. Dramatic irony increases a sense of suspense among the audience as they wait for the inevitable, foreshadowing what is to be the climax of the story; that destructive moment of realisation which is the basis of most Greek tragedies. However, apart from their base knowledge of the Oedipus legend, the audience is unaware of the order and particulars of the play, therefore a medium is needed to relate between the audience and the drama on stage. In Greek theatre this comes in the form of the Chorus. The major roles of the Chorus are to commentate and to react fittingly to the events onstage. They provide the audience with clarification and reinforce the morals of the play, reacting in a way the ideal spectators should react. The Chorus in Oedipus the King are wise Theban elders who long for stability and composure among their society, advising Oedipus to Be merciful and learn to yield in order to keep peace between himself and Creon, and in lines 875-894 they essentially exclaim that man should not try to rebel against fate, law or the gods. They also tend to keep the continuity and urgency of the play alive by summarising and foreshadowing particular events; Why has the Queen, sir, left us in such deep passion? / I fear some vile catastrophe will out†¦ The Chorus is also a tool Sophocles used to influence and control the audiences reaction because the Chorus were, in terms of status, personality and attitudes and values, very similar to the audience therefore they felt implied to feel how the Chorus was feeling. In this respect, the spectators were taking part in the play since the Chorus represented their voice. In Oedipus the King the last words are spoken directly to the viewers by the Chorus; a final summary and confirmation of tragedy, they state that all men are to be wretched until the day they die. In this tragedy the Chorus is a symbol of the common ideologies of the time and other symbols aid in giving meaning to the drama and allowing viewers to delve deeper into the plot. Symbolism is a method of revealing ideas or truth through the use of symbols. In Oedipus the KingSophocles uses symbolism in a number of instances, proving his great ability as a playwright. As mentioned, symbolism gives depth to drama, and although symbolism may not have been evident to the  ancient Greeks when viewing the play, on reflection these clues may have come known, revealing a whole new outlook of the play. In this particular tragedy sight is a consistent symbol throughout the text and it occurs both literally and metaphorically. In the beginning, clear sighted Oedipus sees only what he wishes to and is blind to the grave truth of his past (and future). He seems to pity Tiresias physical blindness more than he marvels at his gift, treating it as a significant disability and using it against him. Living in perpetual night, you cannot harm me, nor any man else that sees the light. Consequently when Oedipus comes to know of the truth he blinds himself in order to escape the shame of his children. As soon as this happens we see a change in his character; he becomes more modest and although the chorus thinks only of the hurting Oedipus must be in- Foulest disfigurement that I ever saw! O cruel, insensate agony!(lines 1298-1300) -Oedipus makes no mention of physical pain. Another symbol is that of a crucial decisive moment in the play, the three cross roads where Laius is murdered. The symbol of the crossroads shows us how although Oedipus was destined to a certain thing he did have some free will- if his character had allowed him to stay calm in the situation with Laius, Oedipus may have been better off. A further symbol is Oedipus swollen feet and his name. The link between Oedipus name and his ankle is vital because it proves that Oedipus was the child that was left to die and therefore the one whom the oracles prediction was made to. It also gives a lasting physical proof in the form of his limp that he has had from birth. In addition to this feet are a symbol for humans in this play-the Sphinx riddle demonstrates this, therefore the meaning of Oedipuss swollen feet could also describe his flaw as a human being. Through the study of some of the techniques Sophocles engaged in his plays, his aptitude and flair as playwright has become apparent and have most definitely helped his plays succeed throughout history. Dramatic irony kept viewers interested in the plot and increased suspense, symbolism gave depth to the plot and the Chorus developed the plays ability to universalise, by enabling the audience to relate to the feelings of the Chorus and the protagonist. When it was written it was, in the opinion of Aristotle, one of the greatest tragedies. Today, although attitudes and values have changed,  it has the same effect and it is still said to be original tragedy from its universal techniques and morals.

Importance of Organic Foods Essay

The definition of organic agriculture is farming with the use of synthetic chemicals. After World War II, larger and increasingly automated farms, known as â€Å"factory farms,† put the synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides developed in the 1920s into widespread use. They found that more crops could be produced mass produced. What they did not realize were the dangers of using these chemicals and the effects they would have on the environment and human health. The USDA must approve all products claiming to be organic and there are many strict guidelines farmers must follow. Farmers must abstain from the use of prohibited materials (pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and sewage sludge) for three years prior to being certified organic and then continue these practices throughout their organic license. They must employ positive soil burning, conservation, manure management and crop rotation. They must provide outdoor access and pastures for livestock and refrain from the use of antibiotics and hormones in their animals, while sustaining livestock on 100% organic feed. Farmers may not use genetically modified organisms or irradiation. Organic products are grown in healthier soil and contain higher levels of nutrients and non-organics. Many organic may even taste better. Food irradiation is worse than the radiation from a television or microwave. The ionizing radiation processes used on food break up molecules and deplete food of essential vitamins and enzymes. Many pesticides are linked to diseases. An example is glufosinate, which is commonly used on sugar beets and canola, has been shown to cause birth defects. Chemical companies influence the government to raise the acceptable levels of chemicals in foods so that they can make more money on their product without concern for the environment and the safety of people. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is encouraging the use of biosolids (human waste) to be used as fertilizers in order to solve the problem of there being too much waste than they know what to do with. They problem is that industrial waste and toxic chemicals get mixed in. Many toxins such as PCBs, DDT, asbestos, dioxins, and toxic heavy metals are being used in the cultivation of food. Yuck. Another problem we face is the use of hormones and antibiotics in our livestock. Bovine growth hormones end up in our dairy products, and those BGHs and linked to prostate and breast cancer. The ingestion of antibiotics can damage the balance of beneficial bacteria in our bodies and create drug-resistance, so that if we really get sick, antibiotics may not work anymore. Many people may try to eat healthier by cutting down on fast-foods and processed foods by eating more fruits and vegetables, but this can even defeat itself. For example, non-organic spinach contains for pesticide residue than any other fruit or vegetable. The twelve most contaminated crops are: strawberries, green and red bell peppers, spinach, cherries (US), peaches, cantaloupe (Mexico), celery, apples, apricots, green beans, grapes (Chile), and cucumbers. More than 90% of all pesticides used don’t even reach the desired plant they were used on! There are many reasons to buy organic foods. You will protect future generations- decrease the cancer causing pesticides in foods. You will prevent soil erosion- soil is the foundation of our food chain, and chemicals fertilizers deplete healthy soil. You will protect water quality- water makes of three-fourths of the planet, and the EPA has estimated that pesticides contaminate the ground water in over thirty-eight states. You will save energy- modern farming uses more petroleum than any other industry, but organic farming is based mainly on labor intensive practices and uses green manure to build up soil. You’ll keep chemicals off of your plate- the EPA considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30% of insecticides carcinogenic. You will protect farm worker health- over one million people are poisoned annually by pesticides, and farmers exposed to herbicides have a six times greater risk of contracting cancer. You’ll help small farmers- most organic farms are small and independently owned, and the US has lost more and 650, 000 family farms in the past decade. You’ll promote biodiversity- insects become genetically resistant to insecticides, and soil is left lacking natural minerals and nutrients if chemicals are used. And the number one reason to buy organic- your food will taste better and contain more essential vitamins and nutrients! Pittsburgh Organic and some helpful websites: East End Food Co-op 7516 Meade Street PGH, PA 15208 412-242-3598 E House Company 1511 East Carson Street PGH, PA 412-488-7455 www. eastendfood. coop www. nascigs. com -request a free carton of smokes! www. cleanvibes. com www. organicconsumers. org www. odemagazine. net www. organickitchen. com www. sare. org www. themeatrix. com.

Nostalgia in the 1950s essays

Nostalgia in the 1950s essays The decade of the 1950s represents an era that is already gone for many Americans where life was balanced, simple, and innocent. A time in American history where a high school education promised a comfortable living and where family values were presented to audiences through television shows like Father knows Best an Ozzie and Harriet. But according to Stephanie Coontz, author of What We Really Miss About the 1950s, the simplicity and innocence that the people who lived in this time period enjoyed came at a high price. Coontz states that many of those who felt that the 1950s was the best time for children to grow up would show their dislike to the treatment of women. They also would add that they wouldnt particularly enjoy living with the most of the fathers they knew in their neighborhoods. She also points out the economic and social reasons why the 1950s is so appealing to many people. The low divorce rates, federal economic expansion programs, corporate tax programs, and the high number of children living with both parents. Even though there are many positive factors which in fact makes the 1950s one of the best eras in American history, Stephanie Coontz in the essay What We Really Miss About the 1950s argues about racial and sexual discrimination, repression and abuse that depict that America is better off today. Americans continue to appreciate the 1950s not only for the optimism people had about their familys future, but for the success of the periods economy. During the 1950s, there was active government assistance to families. For example, according to Coontz research, government backed home mortgages, financed many of the new family homes, and the minimum wage was set high enough to support a family of three above the poverty level. Also, corporations and the wealthy were taxed at high rates to support high levels of spending ...

Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make

Seven Grammar Mistakes Even the Pros Make Language is, and has always been, an evolving form. It changes along with societal shifts and is a dynamic concept that is often dependent on context, formality (or the lack thereof), setting, and audience. The concept of grammar and grammar rules attempts to give form and consistency to the dynamic nature of language, but even within that set standard, there are changes that occur over time. Keeping up with those changes can be a full-time job within itself.That being said, it is almost impossible for a person to learn every rule of grammar and the current accepted usage. Even the pros who work in the publishing industry or in academic research tend to make mistakes with some of the simplest grammar rules, which is why they always hire their own copyeditor or editor before submitting a final draft for publication.Thankfully, technology has introduced amazing tools like spellchecker and online editing to assist professionals with all things grammar in their day-to-day communication. However, despite these advances, and despite the availability of copyeditors and editors, the pros still make mistakes sometimes and here are their most common ones.What do to with those seasons...Many people still assume that seasons (such as winter, spring, summer and fall) need to be capitalized in every instance as proper nouns. This is incorrect. The seasons are generic nouns and are only capitalized when forming part of a proper noun with another word. See the following examples:The spring season is perfect for participating in outdoor sports and recreation.If you like winter sports, Colorado is a great place to live.However, when a season is used as a title, it then becomes a proper noun and should be capitalized. See the below examples:The Spring 2014 semester started off well this year.I have enjoyed watching the Sochi Winter Olympics very much.Who and WhomWho is a nominative pronoun (as is he, she, it, we, and they). Whom is an objective pronoun (as is him, her, us, and th ey). Therefore, when you are choosing between who and whom, always ask yourself if it is the subject or the object of the sentence. If the needed word is in the nominative (or subjects) position, use who. If it is in the objective (or objects) position, use whom.Which and ThatTo say that which qualifies and that restricts doesnt make the choice between these two words any easier for most people who dont want to sit and think about the words usage in the sentence. Without a lesson in restricting pronouns and relative clauses, just remember that which introduces a clause that isnt essential to the meaning of the sentence, whereas that provides information that is necessary for the sentences meaning. Heres an example:The concert, which is sold out, will be held in Madison Square Garden.While its nice to know that the concert is sold out, whether or not there are tickets left is irrelevant to the fact that it will be held in Madison Square Garden. In other words, the clause which is sol d out contains extra information that isnt essential to the sentence. However, consider this example:To our knowledge, the Earth is the only planet in the solar system that sustains life.Without the clause that sustains life, this sentence would lose its meaning and be illogical, since the Earth isnt the only planet in the solar system. In this case, that introduces a restrictive clause that is essential to the meaning of the sentence.The correct use of MootHow often have you heard someone say thats a moot point, intending the expression to mean that point is superfluous? The widespread misuse of the word moot to mean superfluous is a mistake even made by the pros. The correct definition of a moot point is a point that is arguable or open to discussion. If its a debatable point, its moot.Farther and FurtherWhen you are going farther, you are going a measurable distance. When you are going further, that distance cant be quantified. Take the following sentences as examples:I can run f arther than she can. (This is a measurable distance.)Dont antagonize me any further. (This is not measurable.)The use of the word AnxiousHave you ever said, Im anxious to get away for vacation? If so, you were saying that youre afraid of getting away, since being anxious of something is to be frightened about it or having dread about it. Instead of being anxious, most people actually mean to say that they are eager.Bring and TakeWhile seemingly inconsequential, there is a difference between bring and take, and different contexts in which each should be used. Even the pros get this one wrong often. In order to get it right, the speaker or writer needs to know which direction the object is being moved in relation to the person speaking or writing- either toward them or away from them. If the object is being moved toward them, then the action of the sentence will include bringing, such as Bring me a doughnut for breakfast. If the object is being moved away from the writer or speaker, t hen the action of the sentence will include taking it, such as Take this note to Stacy and see what she says about it.

Italy Essays - Italy, Republics, Pula, Free Essays, Term Papers

Italy Essays - Italy, Republics, Pula, Free Essays, Term Papers Italy Location and Population Italy, is a boot shaped country in south-south eastern Europe. Italy, also known as the Italian Republic, is one of the seven most industrialized countries in the world. This lineup includes: United States, Russia, Germany, England, Japan, China and Italy. Italy is about the size of North Carolina and it has a population of around thirty-seven million people as of 1991. An interesting fact about the population of Italy is that it is neither growing nor shrinking. During the last decade, Italy's population hasn't exceeded a .9% increase or decrease in population. Of the 37 million inhabitants of Italy, many work as farmers, and factory workers. Climate The climate of Italy is mild. Along the coastal areas, there is a long hot summer, with a short mild, and windy winter. Italy much of the time is cold and wet especially in the winter. The yearly average temperature is 40 degrees. Main Industries/

Measurement essays

Measurement essays Reliability can be established empirically by means of repeated trials. In other words, the selected measuring procedure is subjected to a number of trials, and if the results are the same for each trial, reliability is established (Kiefer, 1997). This also means that persons other than the initial researcher can replicate the measuring procedure and still produce the same results. There is therefore no doubt that any conclusions, theories or claims emanating from the research are based upon Although reliability can be established in empirical terms, Kiefer (1997) warns that inherent difficulties may still arise with this aspect of measurement. The ideal is to measure exactly the issue at the heart of the experiment. The difficulty arises when such focus becomes challenging with the introduction of elements other than those being measured. This frequently occurs when the study area is situated in a natural or social setting. When the focus of study and measurement is for example something as complex as human behavior, it is unlikely that exactly the same result will be obtained each time. In this case the measuring device is the researcher's observations. Because the researcher is human, such observations are subject not only to flaw, but to multiple interpretations. Thus, although more consistent and more empirical than validity, reliability still offers its own set of challenges to the measuring Validity is a still more difficult concept to pin down. Whereas reliability is concerned with the processes and instruments by which research is conducted, validity is concerned with the finished research. The question here is therefore focused more broadly, and concerns the accuracy with which a study reflects the concept being studied. Validity therefore aims to establish the success of measurement, while reliabili ...

Tables of Regular Italian Verb Endings

Tables of Regular Italian Verb Endings While there are many irregular verbs in Italian (not pointing any fingers at you,  Ã¢â‚¬Å"essere† or â€Å"avere†), a vast number of them follow a pattern that can be memorized and then applied on the spot. Below you’ll find tables with verbs endings for regular first-, second-, and third-conjugation verbs. INDICATIVE/INDICATIVO Present/Presente ENDING ARE ERE IRE I singular o o o/isco II i i i/isci III a e e/isce I plural iamo iamo iamo II ate ete ite III ano ono ono/iscono Mangiare - to eat io mangio noi mangiamo tu mangi voi mangiate lui, lei, Lei mangia Essi, Loro mangiano Credere - to believe io credo noi crediamo tu credi voi credete lui, lei, Lei crede Essi, Loro credono Partire - to leave io parto noi partiamo tu parti voi partite lui, lei, Lei parte Essi, Loro partono You may notice that in the third-conjugation section (-ire), there are two options- â€Å"-o† and â€Å"-isco.†Ã‚  So how do you know which one to use? The verbs that end in â€Å"-isc† are a part of a special group of third conjugation Italian verbs (verbs ending in –ire). One good example of such verbs is finire (to finish). PRESENT INDICATIVE //  finire - to finish io finisco noi finiamo tu finisci voi finite lui, lei, Lei finisce Essi, Loro finiscono Note that the â€Å"-isc† needs to be added to the stem of all three singular (io, tu, lei) and the third-person plural (loro) forms in the present subjunctive tenses, as well as the second and third person singular and the third-person plural forms of the present imperative tense. Other verbs that need the -isc- suffix and are conjugated similar to finire include  capire  and  preferire. Unfortunately, there is no way to know which third conjugation verbs are isc verbs beyond memorizing them. Imperfect/Imperfetto ENDING ARE ERE IRE I singular avo evo ivo II avi evi ivi III ava eva iva I plural avamo evamo ivamo II avate evate ivate III avano evano ivano Mangiare - to eat io mangiavo noi mangiavamo tu mangiavi voi mangiavate lui, lei, Lei mangiava Essi, Loro mangiavano Credere - to believe io credevo noi credevamo tu credevi voi credevate lui, lei, Lei credeva Essi, Loro credevano Partire - to leave io partivo noi partivamo tu partivi voi partivate lui, lei, Lei partiva Essi, Loro partivano Past absolute/Passato remoto ENDING ARE ERE IRE I singular ai ei/etti ii II asti esti isti III /ette I plural ammo emmo immo II aste este iste III arono erono/ettero irono Mangiare - to eat io mangiai noi mangiammo tu mangiasti voi mangiaste lui, lei, Lei mangi loro, Loro mangiarono Credere - to believe, to think io credei/credetti noi credemmo tu credesti voi credeste lui, lei, Lei cred/credette loro, Loro crederono/credettero Partire - to leave io partii noi partimmo tu partisti voi partiste lui, lei, Lei part loro, Loro partirono Note that the past remote tense isn’t as commonly used in daily conversation in the center and the north of Italy. It’s used, but if you’re a beginner or intermediate student, it makes more sense to stick to the tenses you’re going to need to have a flexible and fluid conversation, like the other three listed as well as il passato prossimo. Future/Futuro semplice ENDING ARE ERE IRE I singular er er ir II erai erai irai III er er ir I plural eremo eremo iremo II erete erete irete III eranno eranno iranno Mangiare - to eat io manger noi mangeremo tu mangerai voi mangerete lui, lei, Lei manger loro, essi mangeranno Credere - to believe io creder noi crederemo tu crederai voi crederete lui, lei, Lei creder loro, essi crederanno Partire - to leave io partir noi partiremo tu partirai voi partirete lui, lei, Lei partir loro, essi partiranno

Ebola Outbreaks in Sudan and Zaire

Ebola Outbreaks in Sudan and Zaire On July 27, 1976, the very first person to contract the Ebola virus began to show symptoms. Ten days later he was dead. Over the course of the next few months, the first Ebola outbreaks in history occurred in Sudan and Zaire*, with a total of 602 reported cases and 431 deaths. The Ebola Outbreak in Sudan The first victim to contract Ebola was a cotton factory worker from Nzara, Sudan. Soon after this first man came down with symptoms, so did his co-worker. Then the co-workers wife became sick. The outbreak quickly spread to the Sudanese town of Maridi, where there was a hospital. Since no one in the medical field had ever seen this illness before, it took them awhile to realize that it was passed by close contact.  By the time the outbreak had subsided in the Sudan, 284 people had become ill, 151 of whom had died. This new illness was a killer, causing fatality in 53% of its victims. This strain of the virus is now called Ebola-Sudan. Ebola Outbreak in Zaire On September 1, 1976, another, even more deadly, outbreak of Ebola struck - this time in Zaire. The first victim of this outbreak was a 44-year-old teacher who had just returned from a tour of northern Zaire. After suffering from symptoms that seemed like malaria, this first victim went to the Yambuku Mission Hospital and received a shot of an anti-malarial drug. Unfortunately, at that time the hospital did not use disposable needles nor did they properly sterilize the ones they used. Thus, the Ebola virus spread through used needles to many of the hospitals patients. For four weeks, the outbreak continued to expand. However, the outbreak finally ended after the Yambuku Mission Hospital was closed down (11 of the 17 hospital staff having died) and the remaining Ebola victims were isolated. In Zaire, the Ebola virus had been contracted by 318 people, 280 of whom died. This strain of the Ebola virus, now called Ebola-Zaire, killed 88% of its victims. The Ebola-Zaire strain remains the most deadly of the Ebola viruses. Symptoms of Ebola The Ebola virus is deadly, but since the initial symptoms can seem similar to many other medical issues, many infected people may remain ignorant of the seriousness of their condition for several days. For those infected by Ebola, most victims begin to show symptoms between two and 21 days after first contracting Ebola. At first, the victim may only experience influenza-like symptoms: fever, headache, weakness, muscle pain, and a sore throat. However, additional symptoms begin to manifest quickly. Victims often suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and a rash. Then the victim often starts bleeding, both internally and externally. Despite extensive research, no one is yet sure where the Ebola virus occurs naturally nor why it flares up when it does. What we do know is that the Ebola virus is passed from host to host, usually by contact with infected blood or other bodily fluids. Scientists have designated the Ebola virus, which is also called Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), as a member of the Filoviridae family. There are currently five known strains of the Ebola virus: Zaire, Sudan, Cà ´te d’Ivoire, Bundibugyo and Reston. So far, the Zaire strain remains the most deadly (80% death rate) and the Reston the least (0% death rate). However, the Ebola-Zaire and Ebola-Sudan strains have caused all the major known outbreaks. Additional Ebola Outbreaks The 1976 Ebola outbreaks in Sudan and Zaire were just the first and most definitely not the last. Although there have been many isolated cases or even small outbreaks since 1976, the largest outbreaks have been in Zaire in 1995 (315 cases), Uganda in 2000-2001 (425 cases), and in the Republic of the Congo in 2007 (264 cases). * The country of Zaire changed its name to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in May 1997.

Business Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Economics - Essay Example Euro crisis is supposed to result in negative growth for the next upcoming six months. Apart from US, the British are encountering the problem of double dip recession (Winnett, 2011). Currently OECD is giving warning to the US government about an emerging economic slowdown that the country might have to encounter soon. OECD claims to derive such a result from the composite index of the leading indicators. Such alerts have been issued for the seven major economies. It is mostly using CLI instrument to get early signals of downturn from the upswings and downswings within the periodical growth cycle. Such an instrument will surely help OECD to send out early alerts to the economies (Major economies globally heading towards slowdown: OECD, 2008). Symptoms for such a slowdown will be continuous fluctuations in business cycles. Such fluctuations will linger for a long period of time. Slowdown in the euro zone will lose out the confidence of investors especially in the financial markets. Th is could be the main reason behind output contraction in the major economies. United States is already experiencing cyclical slowdowns. Such a trouble had not touched US economy in the last 10 years (Major economies globally heading towards slowdown: OECD, 2008). Preannounced liquidity shocks have been hitting the US economy. Due to such shocks US economy is undergoing unexpectedly large price changes. In recent times jumps in US treasury bonds have been identified (Jiang and George, 2011). Earlier in 1999, OECD had predicted much slower growth in the overall industrialization process for the United States. Accordingly there has a decrease in the short term rate of Federal Reserve Board (Wessel, 98). As per OECD, such a slow and weak growth for the United States is likely to continue till 2013. This will continue along with high unemployment (Winning and Parussini, 2011). The current economic crisis and the Federal government: There are two schools of thought on how the USA governme nt should deal with its current economic problems. One thought deals with the policy of significant deficit reduction that the Greek and Irish governments have implemented. And the other one deals with the substantive Keynesian stimulus package. The later aspect includes a reform of the tax system in order to make taxation more progressive (Kitromilides, n.d.). Policies of deficit reduction: Policies: During the financial crisis and huge debt crisis situation, governments of Greece and Ireland have taken some policies to surmount those crises. In the face of the huge accumulation of budget deficit, debt crisis, in 2010, the both the governments have taken policies to reduce these crises. At first both the governments have taken steps to reduce public expenditures and increase tax rates. This was a policy of fiscal consolidation plan. Along with this both the governments have asked for the financial assistance to IMF and EU. At the same time these governments have taken steps to init iate long-term structural reforms, such as, increasing competitiveness of the economies by improving employment and growth scenarios, enhancing private sector investments, and most importantly boosting the R&D sector of the economies (Kitromilides, n.d.). Explanations on effectiveness: These policies are still under the scrutiny, but they have been successful in the short term. The policy of reducing public expenditure

Oaxaca Arts Analysis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Oaxaca Arts Analysis - Term Paper Example The Oaxacan art identifies itself with the mountainous region in southern Mexico. Art was made, in the form of ceramics, carvings from wood and in textiles. Examples of some of the iconic pieces include Frida, Kahlo and the famous Zapotec themes. Mexican art is related to their cultural functions. The art is also themed according famous days in the Mexican calendar, for example, the day of the dead and other important days, since in Mexico art goes correlates with culture (Giordano, 1994). Ceramics Ceramic art is an integral part of the Oaxacan Art. The region has a type of clay that is black in color. This is the reason why the ceramics in Oaxacan Art are black in color. The color of the clay made the ceramic the perfect canvas for an artist to use their imaginations on since the color makes it possible for the use of a wide range of colors on the ceramics. The distinguishing feature of Oaxaca art is the black pottery painted with vibrant colors. The ceramics included pottery and ce ramic figurines. Another form of pottery that was common was green pottery, which was created by glazing. The final product was pottery with a glaze that was green. This is an illustration of Spanish persuasion in Oaxacan art since the Spanish settlers favored this method. The green poetry was commonly used for cooking and as utensils. The figurines created by ceramics included figures of the Virgin Mary, Frida, Kahlo. Figurines were also created for celebrations like the Day of the Dead and Zapotec (Ward, E. S., Ward, W. E., and Cleveland Institute of Art, 1986). Woodcarvings Oaxacan art is also renowned for its woodcarvings. These carvings are known as Alebrijes a term coined by a great Oaxacan artist Pedro Linares to describe his work that involved Paper Mache art. In the Oaxacan carvings, the trees commonly used by artists include the cider tree and an indigenous tree the Tzompantli but the favorite wood for the artists is the Copalillo wood. The carvings are usually carved into animal figures and shapes.  Ã‚  

Quality of life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Quality of life - Essay Example Most medical decisions, however, fall somewhere in between these boundaries. Reflections on these decisions were articulated in the language of ordinary and extraordinary means. The expression "quality of life" has been used by the proponents of practices such as abortion, assisted suicide, and euthanasia; indeed "quality of life" has become a rallying slogan for those who favor such practices. There is an understandable tendency in some of these Episcopal statements to avoid any public formulation that might suggest endorsement of that kind of quality - of - life ethic. In the public context, these bishops tend to speak in language that portrays life as an absolute good and to eschew language about the quality of life. Such statements sometimes convey the impression that the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means can be worked out in fairly objective terms (e.g. benefits of treatment, the proximity of a patient to death). In fact the language of benefit vs. burden ratio or proportionate vs. disproportionate treatment lends itself to images of a mathematical measurement. But this does not retain all the nuances of traditional teaching. While t here are objective elements, such as whether or not a treatment is available or will be physiologically useful, the history of the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means makes it clear that its deployment turns on the prudent judgment of the patient with the help of family and physician. The patient is the one who weighs risks, burdens, and benefits in light of a treatment's probable impact. The distinction depends upon the patient's quality - of - life judgments. The Pennsylvania bishops' statement on nutrition and hydration illustrates the tendency both to objectify the judgment about ordinary and extraordinary means and to misrepresent traditional teaching. For example, the bishops write that "the patient in the persistent vegetative state is not imminently terminal (provided that there is no other pathology present). The feeding--regardless of whether it be considered as treatment or as care--is serving a life -sustaining purpose. Therefore, it remains an ordinary means of sustaining life and should be continued." The bishops of the Maryland Catholic Conference also wrote that "[a] medical treatment should not be deemed useless, however, because it fails to achieve some goal beyond what should be expected." For them, medically assisted feeding and hydration is useful as long as the patient is capable of absorbing the nutrients delivered by the treatment. These kinds of statements reflect an erosion of the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means. There are a number of ways in which the traditional teaching is being lost. First, it should be noted that the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary means traditionally has not been limited only to those patients who were considered to be terminal. In creating such a restriction the bishops are being quite innovative in their interpretation of the distinction. Pope John Paul II seems to limit the distinction's application to those who are close to death; in Evangelium vitae he distinguishes euthanasia from withdrawing aggressive treatment and, in so doing, appears to limit the dis

Business and Ethic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Business and Ethic - Essay Example Members of different groups traditionally have been underrepresented and disadvantaged socially, politically, and economically. Also, critics distinguish social categorization processes; the nature of evaluative, conscious, and affective issues that are elicited; and the sign of stereotypes and differentiated emotional changes (Gilbert et al 2001). Discrimination and prejudices are unethical because they violate constitutional rights and freedoms, they are illegal and unlawful. Social and individual differences have a great impact on human relations and discrimination issues and lead to such problems as low motivation and poor communication, unequal treatment, unfair labor relations and aggression. Thus, the constitution and modern society is based on freedom of expression and freedom of speech. every individual has a right to express different attitudes and opinions, have certain religious beliefs and belong to a particular culture. In spite of these issues, the main cause of discrimination is different attitudes caused by social variations and backgrounds. Complicating the interpersonal dimensions of dealing with competence, of course, is the competitive atmosphere, both within and among firms. In order to avoid discrimination and prejudices, definitions and descriptions of competent work must be clear, consistent, and fairly applied.

Group report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Group report - Essay Example Working together on a group project however, one learns that the success of the project is not due to the abilities of one man or one woman and that everyone must work together in tandem in order to ensure the smooth and successful operation of the project. This is new for many of us and we must resist our individualistic urges and sacrifice or self-centered individualism for the betterment of the group. While working on a group project, communitarianism reigns supreme and we must work together in harmony. Seeking to address the ways in which group work can be successful, this brief research paper will explore in holistic fashion the ways in which groups work best together. Accordingly, we turn to our ever important research question which asks, â€Å"Despite all the hype and myths about the nature of groups and teams, is it simply a question of ensuring the right mix of skills and that all the members of the group co-operate with each other. Or is this an over-simplification?† The preceding question will guide our analysis as we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of group dynamics and how groups work best together. Our assessment will aim to answer the research question above and provide a thorough analysis about our experiences with group work. Working together on a group assignment is not always easy and it takes negotiation and a willingness to compromise in order to be successful. As Americans we guard our individualism and sometimes do not work well with others. What we understood very early on is that organizational is key to any group assignment and that while it is important to ensure that the right mix of skills are present within the group it is also imperative that we are organized and plan appropriately in order to ensure that the work progress is smooth, streamlined and on target. We do not know if there is a philosophy of sorts for group projects but we found early on that

Low Cost and Scheduled Airlines Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Low Cost and Scheduled Airlines - Case Study Example The core benefit of this service is that it's a cheaper way to travel and it began in the USA mainly to maintain a low cost structure compared to the competitors. Their main aim is to have the lowest cost structure and they charge for the food ordered during the flight. The actual product includes the packaging, branding, quality, features and design. The low cost airlines are a service so it does not have packaging but branding is essential for any company to instigate brand loyalty and to attract customers. Branding is essential to create high brand equity in the market since the more powerful and valuable a brand is the more will increase the market share. Quality can be an issue in this case because all they provide is a safe flight and food that might not be up to higher standards. When they do not provide passenger services then quality is of question here but people mainly come to them for cheap fares and they are not concerned with the other services. These airlines provide s ingle passenger class only. Finally, the augmented product includes delivery, warranty and after sales services. Low cost airlines deliver at cheap prices without much of services to attract the masses and they do not provide much of the after sales services but the delivery of the product is equal to the expectations of the consumers since they want cheap fares. On the other hand, scheduled airlines are e... e core benefit of this service is the choice of traveling in comfort with innumerable choices to be in luxury and bliss, plus it also allows people to travel on a cheaper price compared to business class and it provides lesser services or choices to travel in luxury. They charge enough on the ticket to provide food and other luxurious services. The actual product is about branding without which these airlines can not survive and make a name in the market. They need high brand equity to achieve a huge market share. They have to maintain good quality to maintain high brand equity. The augmented product is about delivery and after sales services. They deliver according to the customer's expectations and they do give after sales services like car service on landing in the destination. The Price The low cost airlines provide low fares. Their main pricing goal is current profit maximization. In this case they estimate what demand and costs will be at different prices and they choose the best option to attract more customers and earn high profits. But they also aim to achieve market share leadership through lowest costs, lowest prices and highest long-run profits. They have mainly stressed on competition based pricing that is setting prices based on what the competitors charge. The main aim is to have a lower cost structure compared to competitors in order to attract more customers. The scheduled airlines provide expensive fares that range between business class and economy class. These airlines have product quality leadership as their main pricing goal. They charge high prices to cover high performance quality and other costs. These airlines have value-based pricing approach that is setting prices based on the buyer's perceptions of value rather than on seller's cost.

BS (Britsh standard) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 3

BS (Britsh standard) - Essay Example British Standard for the vocabulary of terms in design management system is being presented through BS 7000-10 so that there could be better understanding of terms used while managing design and coordinating the work of various professionals who forms the design development team. All the terms and related definitions that are basically the found in various other parts of the BS 7000 series have been collated into this BS 7000-10. Apart from these, this standard contains many other terminologies that have got a very common presence in design practice and management. The compilation has been the most useful as well as eloquent reference in all discussions in the domain of design. This BS 7000-10 defines vocabulary that has got its use in design and its management including those that are being used in different areas with particular meanings in industry as well as commerce. The scope of this BS 7000-10 has been quite wide and actually covers all terminologies that have some use in the design management irrespective of the sectors. It might be the government, industry, business & commerce, services providers and the public sector enterprises. It has equivocally been applicable to all range of areas that includes technical, services, software, production and design. The terminology related to Intellectual property Rights and other rights have also been given due space in the compilation. In short one can easily figure out that this BS 7000-10 is meant for an able assistance to those who have the responsibility or an interest in design and its management. But at the same time, it is also meant for assisting those who are basically meant for providing a helping hand to the main designers but have no familiarity with the terminologies that are often used by the designers. British Standard Series is a clear example of one understanding according to which one can

Maynard Constructs A School Web Page Case Study

Maynard Constructs A School Web Page - Case Study Example administration can develop new websites and technologically relevant platform for the communication with the participant community and the stakeholders under flexible and friendly circumstances. The effective and full implementation of this approach will ultimately lead to the improvement of the administration of the institution and the improvement of the general performance of the respective institution. The case gives an in depth blend of how the approach combines tacit knowledge and a wealth of effective theoretical approach for the development of successful means of communication with entities both internal and external to the institution, means of building and maintaining stable relationship with the political and social capital and the best means of translating the above stated values into positive changes in the school set up and for the purpose of development and improvement(Kowalski, 2004). Through the exploration of the above themes the case looks into how the development of new and effective technologies can help in the success of an institution. The study has comprehensively factored in issues that affect the real world and ensured that for the development of a successful module in the institutions, the best practicable approach and technology has to be applied. In conclusion, the case has ensured that there is the need of harnessing technology to meet the needs of the public and the comprehensive factoring in of collection of data, public opinions and regular

Liberal Art Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Liberal Art Studies - Essay Example In a professional setting, resisting the majority does not have the dramatic consequences that resisting the State does because the State is capable of punishing a person more severely. However, there can be unwanted consequences, such as being fired, for going against the majority rule of a corporation. Many positive results have come from resisting the majority and this has been proven in the professional realm as well. This is especially true when the truth and other creative pursuits are repressed and discouraged by the majority. It would definitely seem that Thoreau’s ideas would be easier to implement in a professional setting. However, resisting in both situations can bring about punishment. A corporation does indeed have a conscious as long as conscientious people are running the particular corporation. It is important that those running a corporation do not suppress ideas and opinions or mistreat employees, although this does happen frequently in the business world. C orporations should, as Thoreau believes, employ â€Å"conscientious men† that act accordingly to make sure that corporation acts in an ethical manner. Also, as Thoreau states, corporations (as well as the government) should â€Å"encourage its citizens (workers) to be on alert to point out its faults† (1849).

Analysis of Lily in The Secret Life of Bees Research Paper

Analysis of Lily in The Secret Life of Bees - Research Paper Example The Boatwright’s own a successful honeybee farm and make â€Å"the best honey in the state†. Another woman, Rosaleen also lives in the home. Rosaleen was Lily’s housekeeper and caregiver in her home prior to their arrival at the Boatwright’s home. Lily has been wracked with guilt because at the age of four, she accidentally killed her mother when her mother and father were fighting. Her mother was going to shoot her father to stop him from hurting her, but she dropped the gun. Lily picked up the gun, and in an attempt to help her mother, fired the gun; unfortunately, her mother was killed instead of her father. Lily stayed with her father who was abusive to her. As an example, when she would do something against his rules, he would make her kneel on grits for up to an hour for her punishment. On her 14th birthday, Lily asked her father to tell her more about her mother, and he states that her mother left them and wanted nothing to do with her. Lily did not want to accept this information and after her father is particularly abusive, she runs away, taking Rosaleen with her. Lily has spent several months with the Boatwrights and she has seen many things happen. Lily lives in South Carolina in 1964, which was a tumultuous time for black people. Because the three sisters are black, and because Lily does not agree with the way that the southern people treat blacks, she has seen two other traumas in her life. The first was when Rosaleen poured tobacco juice on a white man’s foot and then would not apologize. They beat Rosaleen and arrested her, putting her in jail. During the time she was in jail, she was also beaten and sent to the hospital. It was at that point that Lily finds Rosaleen and they leave. The second traumatic event was when Lily went to the movies and sat in the black section with her friend Zack. Because Zack is black, he was taken out of the balcony for sitting with a white girl, beaten and then he disappeared; even tually he was brought back to the Boatright’s with some of his spirit broken. Another trauma in her life happened when May Boatwright learned about Zach’s disappearance; she committed suicide. Lily has taken all of these incidents as proof that she is a bad person and that she â€Å"brings the bad things in.† The Boatright’s and Rosaleen are concerned about this and have brought Lily to counseling to help her move forward with her life. Lily is a very loving child and she is looking for someone to love her. She does not feel that her father T Ray loves her because of his mistreatment of her. Presenting Problems When Lily came to the Boatwright’s she was hiding the information about her mother because she knew that these women may have known her mother. Lily asked for a place to stay and to work so that she and Rosaleen could go to an Aunt’s house; she also said that they she was an orphan. Lily reports that she often has flashbacks (she call s them dreams) about her mother’s death. She says that she can have these dreams during the day or at night and that they happen when she is feeling stressed or when something happens to trigger these dreams. As an example, when she was asked if she wanted some grits, she quickly says no because she only knows them as a punishment. Although Lily is consumed by guilt for killing her mother, she is also feeling abandoned by her mother at the same time, because of what her father, T Ray has told her. She does not feel that she is loved by anyone, and she goes to the Boatwright’s to see if they know whether her mother loved her. Lily firmly believes that she took her mother away from her when she killed her. In her words, "I killed my mother when I was four years old, that’

The importance of worldviews in determining national interests Assignment

The importance of worldviews in determining national interests - Assignment Example The worldview can further be explained at a realist point of view and in this case the realists are arms advocates. Realism relies on the concept of balance of power to generate a theory or hypothesis concerning international stability and the likelihood of war and battles between states. On the contrary, the balance of power solely depends on a common foundation for power in which all dimensions can be coherently aggregated. Arms advocates believe that attaining the national interests on the basis of the worldviews is achieved through the use of weapons. That implies going to wars rather than choosing other ways such as diplomacy and negotiations to safeguard their interests (Findlay 2013). On the other hand, the worldviews can be achieved through liberalism policies basically arms control advocates. Liberalism is concerned with the restoration of peace as opposed to war. Therefore, arms control advocates postulate that the national interests can be achieved through peaceful negotiations and diplomacy, which in turn leads to treaties with mutual benefits between states. It is a good approach because it avoids war and vast destruction of property and economic downturns. However, at times it is difficult to achieve when different states have deferring ideologies (Findlay 2013). On the other hand, there exists disarmament advocates that state that nations should disarm for instance, deter themselves from embarking on nuclear weapons programs. Basically, most countries believe that they should have an arsenal of weapons to achieve national interests and the worldviews but disarmament advocates believe otherwise. However, disarmament could be a good approach if and only if every state would implement the exercise without raising false alarms yet they retain weapons. Disarmament could lead to attaining the worldviews while attaining national

Maynard Constructs A School Web Page Case Study

Maynard Constructs A School Web Page - Case Study Example administration can develop new websites and technologically relevant platform for the communication with the participant community and the stakeholders under flexible and friendly circumstances. The effective and full implementation of this approach will ultimately lead to the improvement of the administration of the institution and the improvement of the general performance of the respective institution. The case gives an in depth blend of how the approach combines tacit knowledge and a wealth of effective theoretical approach for the development of successful means of communication with entities both internal and external to the institution, means of building and maintaining stable relationship with the political and social capital and the best means of translating the above stated values into positive changes in the school set up and for the purpose of development and improvement(Kowalski, 2004). Through the exploration of the above themes the case looks into how the development of new and effective technologies can help in the success of an institution. The study has comprehensively factored in issues that affect the real world and ensured that for the development of a successful module in the institutions, the best practicable approach and technology has to be applied. In conclusion, the case has ensured that there is the need of harnessing technology to meet the needs of the public and the comprehensive factoring in of collection of data, public opinions and regular

Liberal Art Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Liberal Art Studies - Essay Example In a professional setting, resisting the majority does not have the dramatic consequences that resisting the State does because the State is capable of punishing a person more severely. However, there can be unwanted consequences, such as being fired, for going against the majority rule of a corporation. Many positive results have come from resisting the majority and this has been proven in the professional realm as well. This is especially true when the truth and other creative pursuits are repressed and discouraged by the majority. It would definitely seem that Thoreau’s ideas would be easier to implement in a professional setting. However, resisting in both situations can bring about punishment. A corporation does indeed have a conscious as long as conscientious people are running the particular corporation. It is important that those running a corporation do not suppress ideas and opinions or mistreat employees, although this does happen frequently in the business world. C orporations should, as Thoreau believes, employ â€Å"conscientious men† that act accordingly to make sure that corporation acts in an ethical manner. Also, as Thoreau states, corporations (as well as the government) should â€Å"encourage its citizens (workers) to be on alert to point out its faults† (1849).

Exceptionalism, Isolationism, and expansionism with reference to Essay

Exceptionalism, Isolationism, and expansionism with reference to videos and assigned readings - Essay Example An examination of a developed country’s foreign policy such as America is essential in determining the importance of an effective foreign policy. A critical analysis of the American foreign policy portrays an interconnection of exceptionalism, isolationism, and expansionism. A manifestation of this interconnection is clearly seen during the Mexican - American War. This is because the war arguably marks the first steps of America’s rise to a global power. The Mexican – American War revolved around territorial disputes between America and Mexico. This implies that the entire Mexican – American War can be considered to be based upon American expansionism. This is because America sought to expand its territories into Mexico in areas considered to have some significance. America claimed that the border was at Rio Grande while Mexico argued that the border was at Nueces River. A border at Rio Grande meant that Mexico would lose a significant portion of land to America. In 1945, President Polk sent American troops under the leadership of General Zachary Taylor to the Nueces River to take over the disputed land. Polk’s actions can be considered to have been facilitated by his position as provided by America’s foreign policy where the president is recognized as the commander in chief of the army and navy. America’s presence was met by opposition from the Mexican troops at a time that saw the death of 11 Ame rican soldiers and imprisonment of several more (The Mexican American War, 2006). However, this was followed by a series of other conflicts in Mexico in which the American troops occasionally emerged victorious and consequently the occupation of Mexico City by Americans. In addition to increased expansion interests to the South, America also had keen interest in expanding the Northern borders such as California. This period that saw increased concentration on expansion can be considered to have marked America’s first attempts of becoming a

Summary of May the circle stay unbroken Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summary of May the circle stay unbroken - Essay Example iteness† is frequently portrayed in visual formats but never discussed as an actual component with relevant racial positioning within society (Chidester, 2008). Chidester also addresses how the â€Å"whiteness† has assumed a strong racial position that is able to preserve a critical role in present-day American racial political arenas because it remains an unspoken subject (2008). This summary will highlight the major aspects of Chidester’s arguments as presented within the article and factors that the author believes has or will disseminate the air of invisibility that has historically cloaked the concept of â€Å"whiteness† (2008). The article continues to point out the historical implications of this concept in that the invisibility of the concept also empowered it and carried an assumption of privilege that may not bear the scrutiny of a public outing (Chidester, 2008). It is postulated that visual conceptualization of the concept will help minimalize the political power structured around it, which may fixate it and diminish its overall power (Chidester, 2008). Chidester continues to argue that visual media tends to represent â€Å"whiteness† as a moniker of privilege and reinforces the concept’s claim to the right to uphold its core sense of â€Å"purity† against other races by limiting and regulating contacts with the â€Å"racialized Other† (2008, p.160). The role of Friends as an example of a consistent portrayal of â€Å"whiteness† despite the absence of any racial context is highlighted as an example of the absence of â€Å"whiteness† through rhetoric (Chideste r, 2008). The consortium of racially and socio-economically homogenous cohorts despite being set in one of the most racially diverse cities in the world is emphasized throughout the sitcom through reinforcement of the closed circle, which symbolizes the exclusivity or â€Å"whiteness† without ever mentioning the concept (Chidester, 2008). NBC’s partnering of Friends with Seinfeld in their

Descriptive Essay Example for Free

Descriptive Essay Time The living room, or family room, is generally considered the main gathering area in most homes due to the television being located there. However, this is not the case in the more than one hundred year old, light grey, two story home in which I live. The main attraction of this particular living room is the comforting atmosphere and warm fires that take place in the wood-burning fireplace. Upon entering the living room, the golden honey colored hardwood floor creaks underfoot and the fireplace stands out from the roughly textured, earthy green walls that rise up to the textured white ceiling. The long narrow boards that make up the beautifully maintained hardwood floor run lengthwise making this room look even bigger than it actually is. The textured ceiling was done in multi-directional, sweeping, fan patterns that resemble seashells. Hanging in the center of the room is a fifty-two inch brass-trimmed ceiling fan with five dark wood colored blades. Below the fan blades are three frosted glass, bell shaped covers which shade the light bulbs. The massive, seven foot wide, brick fireplace juts outward from the wall as if in attempt to invade the room. Leading to, and as wide as, the fireplace are three rows of eight inch square, red brick colored tiles set into the hardwood floor. The dark brownish red bricks that form the fireplace surround are staggered uniformly, rising five feet high to the white painted wood mantle. The jet black mortar that fills the void between each brick and each tile ties them together. The opening, or firebox, is fitted with a brass frame that holds a pair of glass bi-fold doors. In front of the fireplace doors is a freestanding, flat black painted, tri-fold, wire mesh screen protecting the floor from the popping embers of a hot burning fire on those cold winter nights. To the right of the wire mesh screen are the tools used for tending to the fire and cleaning out the fireplace. They are black wrought iron and hang on a metal rack that matches the screen in front of the fireplace. On the mantle above the fireplace are two matching, and evenly spaced, square ‘infinity’ candle holders, as well as a glass, cone shaped reed diffuser. The candles above the fireplace give off an illuminating glow creating dancing shadows on the wall and ceiling in the evening hours, adding to the natural warmth of the room. The reed diffuser has bright red apple scented oil in it that can be smelled halfway across the room. One of the most interesting things in the room is also on the mantle and that is a nearly rocket shaped, fourteen inch tall by two inch diameter glass Galileo thermometer. Against the wall to the left of the fireplace is the large, grey trimmed, fifty inch screen television which resides atop a five foot long by two foot tall wood stand. The television and stand sits with its back to the front windows of the house that look out to the heavily trafficked Campbell Street that leads into town. On the front of the dark honey colored stand are two oak trimmed glass doors, that neatly frame the open center section, dividing it into thirds. The open middle area holds the black dvr and a dull silver colored surround sound system. On display behind the glass doors, on either side of the electronics, are several video games and movies standing as soldiers in formation. Hanging behind the television are a set of long sheer white curtains that shadow the matching white blinds. The standard horizontal blinds are recess mounted between the wide, off white painted window trim that wraps around the windows. The bright white trimmed, four year old, double pane windows take up about two-thirds of the wall, allowing an abundance of sunlight to come flowing in during the early daytime hours when the blinds are open. On both sides of the windows hanging on the wall, in plain dark wood frames, are family photos that captured happy and joyful times that often bring about stories that surround those times and people. The most favored seating area and best viewpoint for the television and entertainment stand is directly across the room against the opposing wall. This is where the large, three cushioned, cream-colored, smooth and soft feeling micro-fiber couch sits. This thing really looks like it means business when it comes to comfort and relaxation. The overstuffed cushions sink just enough to make accidental napping very easy. The padding in the outward arching arms have the feel of memory foam, soft enough to not reach for a pillow when lying down after a long day at the office or at school. Holding the couch about three inches above the floor are four, black, square, plain looking feet. On each side of the couch, tucked against the wall are a pair of small, somewhat ordinary, dark stained, wooden end tables. Further complimenting the space on the end tables, are a few decorative candles in tall holders. Also on the table to the right side of the couch is a bouquet of brightly colored silk flowers in a short, square, clear glass vase. All of the things in this particular living room are only a part of what makes this house feel like home. It is an area where stories are told, laughter is heard, entertainment is had, and cozy fires are enjoyed by friends and family. The living room is not just another room in the house, it is a place where memories are made.