Self-Evaluation and Learning Needs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Self-Evaluation and Learning Needs - Essay Example I was able to detect my learning needs through the novice to expert theory. I found out my weaknesses through consultation with fellow employees and patients. In addition, the self-analysis in my profession helped me in detecting my professional faults that need tightening. After the evaluation, I have learnt that knowledge and experiences are all around us; it takes a good deep look into our selves to tap it. Self-Evaluation and Learning Needs Assessment Learning needs assessment is the identification of gaps in knowledge, attributes and skills of a specific discipline that need improvement for proper delivery of services. This usually involves change of performance in order to improve quality. Learning needs assessment has been seen as a vital point for personal and professional development of all individual and organisations of all disciples. As a nurse who is a graduate of an associate degree program with a 20 years experience in medical-surgical nursing, I have felt a necessity to evaluate and identify my learning needs in order to become a better nurse. I developed an urge to evaluate myself during my experience as a nurse to level up with the best nursing services offered. With the evaluation of over 20 years, my pedigree of learning needs has been established for continuous professional development. ... This was normal for just from university or college student because, like Benner (2001) says in her book, being novice, like I was, meant I had no experience, the rules to nursing were context-free and were applied universally. Over the years though, I started gaining experience as an advanced beginner. I was then able to recognise recurring meaningful care components and started formulating principles because of the experiences I had gained in the short time and was able to demonstrate acceptable performance. Practising as a medical-surgical nurse requires one to be clean, neat, responsible and organised at all times. I had learnt this in school but had no experience to actualise the theoretical information until I started working as the main nurse for all surgical operations. This is when I understood why surgical tools should be sterilised and not just because the books say so. I had advanced as a beginner. After a 3 year experience working as a nurse, I became very analytical in terms of my thinking and choice of the best action to be taken based on experience and also became much aware of my long-term goals. According to Wakley and Steve (2000), I became a competent nurse with proper organisation and greater efficiency. Being a clinical nurse specialist entails educating patients and staff on proper care giving, identification of patients’ needs that require referral for more specialized care and attention, providing primary care to patients. Changing my practice and improving quality meant that I had to diagnose the individual problems that I had observed in myself and training on them to ensure continuity of professional development as a

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Media Critics Beavis and Butt-head :: essays research papers

According to Douglas Rushkoff’s in his article Hating What Sucks, Beavis and Butt-head are media critics, instructing viewers on how to criticize music videos. I believe the way Beavis and Butt-head go about their criticism and commentary is undermining our value system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In TV’s Anti-Families: Married . . . with Malaise, Josh Ozersky states â€Å"no one who watches TV is going to stop because they see TV criticized.† He goes on to say that we feel flattered by this criticism and continue watching television anyway. Beavis and Butt-head can be seen in the same light when they criticize music videos on MTV. â€Å"In doing so they again demonstrate for us how to watch TV in the nineties,† according to Rushkoff.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I can only interject that when we watch TV being criticized by these characters we feel a sort of power from the knowledge their criticism gives us. But is this the only thing keeping our eyes glued to the tube? Ozersky writes, â€Å"TV has never shown us TV; rather, it shows itself to us as a laughable, absurd, and harmless entity, much like the characters on its shows.† The criticism of TV doesn’t go far enough to keep us from watching it. We feel that TV is harmless and this is what keeps us going back for more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Beavis and Butt-head qualify as being dysfunctional. So is this the kind of show you would find many cultural values in? Rushkoff argues that the show â€Å"promotes viewer awareness by allowing us to witness area where the characters’ own detachment has been compromised.† He says this in reference to Beavis watching an Aerosmith music video and lighting up a cigarette when the Aerosmith singer does. In this instance the author suggests he fell for the manipulation of the media. By the same token, Rushkoff contradicts himself and his pro-Beavis argument. Perhaps it is just a red herring, but by showing that the media manipulates Beavis it isn’t a very good argument for watching TV, much less Beavis and Butt-head.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In all reality, people do watch Beavis and Butt-head and other anti-family television shows. The power we feel in the act of criticizing and the seemingly harmless antics of these shows gives us a reason to keep watching and criticizing TV despite the irony of it. Because we know TV characters have no power to change their situations in the TV world we feel we are above them and can watch TV with harmless effects.

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 9

When Matt, Meredith, and Bonnie were all on their way, Stefan was left with Elena, now decently attired by Bonnie in her â€Å"Night Gown.† The darkness outside was comforting to his sore eyes – not sore from daylight, but from telling good friends the sad news. Worse than the sore eyes was the slightly breathless feeling of a vampire who hasn't fed. But he'd remedy that soon, he told himself. Once Elena was asleep, he'd slip out into the woods and find a white-tailed deer. No one could stalk like a vampire; no one could compete with Stefan at hunting. And even if it took several deer to assuage the hunger inside him, not one ofthem would be permanently injured. But Elena had other plans. She wasn't sleepy, and she was never bored being alone with him. As soon as the sounds of their visitors' car were decently out of hearing, she did what she always did in this mood. She floated to him and tipped her face up, eyes closed, lips just slightly pursed. Then she waited. Stefan hurried to the one unshuttered window, pulled the shade down against unwanted peeping crows, and returned. Elena was in exactly the same position, blushing slightly, eyes still shut. Stefan sometimes thought that she would wait forever that way, if she wanted a kiss. â€Å"I'm really taking advantage of you, love,† he said, and sighed. He leaned over and kissed her gently, chastely. Elena made a noise of disappointment that sounded exactly like apurruping kitten, ending on a note of inquiry. She bumped his chin with her nose. â€Å"Lovely love,† Stefan said, stroking her hair. â€Å"Bonnie got all the knots out without pulling?† But he was leaning into her warmth now, helpless. A distant ache in his upper jaw was already beginning. Elena bumped again, demanding. He kissed her for slightly longer. Logically, he knew she was a grown-up. She was older and vastly more experienced than she had been nine months ago, when they'd lost themselves in adoration kissing. But guilt was never far from his thoughts, and he couldn't help but worry about having her competent consent. This time thepurrup was one of exasperation. Elena had had enough. All at once, she gave her weight to him, forcing him to suddenly support a warm, substantial bundle of femininity in his arms, and at the same time, herPlease? chiming clear as a finger swirling on a crystal glass. It was one of the first words she had learned to think to him when she'd woken up mute and weightless. And, angel or no, she knew exactly what it did to him – inside. Please? â€Å"Oh, little love,† he groaned. â€Å"Little lovely love†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Please? He kissed her. There was a long time of silence, while he felt his heart beat faster and faster. Elena, his Elena, who had once given her very life for him, was warm and drowsily heavy in his arms. She was his alone, and they belonged just like this, and he never wanted anything to change from this moment. Even the quickly growing ache in his upper jaw was something to be enjoyed. The pain of it changed to pleasure with Elena's warm mouth under his, her lips forming little butterfly kisses, teasing him. He sometimes thought she was most awake when she seemed half-asleep like this. She was always the instigator, but he followed helplessly wherever she wanted him to go. The one time he had refused, had stopped in mid-kiss, she had broken off speaking to him with her mind and floated to a corner, where she then sat among the dust and spiderwebs†¦andwept . Nothing he could do would console her, although he knelt on the hard wooden floorboards and begged and coaxed and almost wept himself – until he took her back into his arms. He had promised himself never to make that mistake again. But still, his guilt nagged at him, although it was growing more and more distant – and more confused as Elena changed the pressure of her lips suddenly and the world rocked and he had to back up until they were sitting on his bed. His thoughts fragmented. He could only think that Elena was back with him, sitting on his lap, so excited, so vibrant, until there was a sort of silken explosion inside him and he didn't need to be forced anymore. He knew that she was enjoying the pleasure-pain of his aching jaw as much as he was. There was no more time or reason to think. Elena was melting into his arms, her hair under his stroking fingers a liquid softness. Mentally, they had already melted together. The aching in his canines had finally produced the inevitable result, his teeth lengthening, sharpening; the touch of them against Elena's lower lip causing a bright flicker of pleasure-pain that almost made him gasp. And then Elena did something she never had done before. Delicately, carefully, she took one of Stefan's fangs and captured it between her upper and lower lips. And then, delicately, deliberately, she just held on. The whole world reeled around Stefan. It was only by the grace of his love for her, and their connected minds, that he didn't bite down and pierce her lip. Ancient vampire urges that could never be tamed out of his blood were screaming at him to do just that. But he loved her, and they were one – and besides,he couldn't move an inch. He was frozen in pleasure. His fangs had never extended so far or become quite as sharp, and without him doing a thing the razor edge of his tooth had cut into Elena's full lower lip. Blood was trickling very slowly down his throat. Elena's blood, which had changed since she had come back from the spirit world. It had once been wonderful, full of youthful vitality and the essence of Elena's living self. Now†¦it was simply in a class of its own. Indescribable. He'd never experienced anything like the blood of a returned spirit. It was charged with a Power that was as different from human blood as human was from animal blood. To a vampire, blood flowing down the throat was a pleasure as sharp as anything imaginable to a human. Stefan's heart was pounding out of his chest. Elena daintily worried the fang she had captured. He couldfeel her satisfaction as the tiny sacrificial pain turned to pleasure, because she was linked to him, and because she was one of the rarest of all breeds of humans: one who actually enjoyed nurturing a vampire, loved the feeling of feeding him, of him needing her. She was one of the elite. Hot shivers traveled down his spine, Elena's blood still making the world spin. Elena let go of his fang, sucking on her lower lip. She let her head drop back, exposing her neck. The head-drop was really too much to resist, even for him. He knew the traceries of Elena's veins as well as he knew her face. And yet†¦ All's right. All's well†¦Elena chimed telepathically. He sank twin aching fangs into a small vein. His canines were so razor-sharp by then that there was nearly no pain for Elena, who was used to the snakebite sensation. And for him, for both of them, there was the feeding at last, as the indescribable sweetness of Elena's new blood filled Stefan's mouth, and an outpouring of giving swept Elena into incoherency. There was always a danger of taking too much, or of not giving her enough of his own blood to keep her – well, frankly, to keep her from dying. Not that he needed more than a small amount, but there would always be that danger in trafficking with vampires. In the end, though, dark thoughts swam away in the sheer bliss that had overcome them both. Matt fished for keys as he and Bonnie and Meredith all crowded into the wide front seat of his rattletrap car. Embarrassing to have to park that next to Stefan's Porsche. The upholstery in back was in shreds that tended to stick to the derriere of whoever sat on it, and Bonnie easily fit on the jump seat, which had a jerry-rigged seat belt, between Matt and Meredith. Matt kept an eye on her, since when she was excited she tended not to use the belt. The road back through the Old Wood had too many difficult turns to be taken lightly, even if they were going to be the only travelers on it. No more deaths, Matt thought as he pulled away from the boardinghouse. No more miraculous resurrections, even. Matt had seen enough of the supernatural to last him the rest of his life. He was just like Bonnie; he wanted things to settle down to normal so he could get on with living the plain old ordinary way. Without Elena, something inside him whispered mockingly. Giving up without even a fight? Hey, I couldn't beat Stefan in any kind of fight if he had both arms tied behind his back and a bag over his head. Forget it. That's finished, however she kissed me. She's a friend, now. But he could still feel Elena's warm lips on his mouth from yesterday, the light touches that she didn't know yet weren't socially acceptable between just-friends. And he could feel the warmth and the swaying, dancing slenderness of her body. Damn, she came back perfect – physically, at least, he thought. Bonnie's plaintive voice cut into his pleasant reminiscences. â€Å"Just when I thought everything was going to be all right,† she was wailing, almost weeping. â€Å"Just when I thought it's all going to work out after all. It's going to be the way it wassupposed to be.† Meredith said, very gently, â€Å"It's difficult, I know. We seem to keep on losing her. But we can't be selfish.† â€Å"Ican,† Bonnie said flatly. I can, too, Matt's inner voice whispered. At least inside, where nobody can see my selfishness. Good old Matt; Matt won't mind – what a good sport Matt is. Well, this is one time when good old Matt does mind. But she chose the other guy, and what can I do? Kidnap her? Keep her locked up? Try to take her by force? The thought was like a dash of cold water, and Matt woke up and paid more attention to his driving. Somehow he'd already automatically navigated several curves of the pitted, one-lane road that ran through the Old Wood. â€Å"We were supposed to go to college together,† Bonnie persisted. â€Å"And then we were supposed to come back here to Fell's Church. Backhome . We had it all planned out – since kindergarten, practically – and now Elena's human again, and I thought that meant that everything was going to go back to the way it wassupposed to be. And it'snever going to be the same again,ever , is it?† She finished more quietly and with a little gulping sigh, â€Å"Is it?† It wasn't even really a question. Matt and Meredith found themselves glancing at each other, surprised by the sharpness of their pity, and helpless to comfort Bonnie, who now had her arms folded around herself, shrugging off Meredith's touch. It's Bonnie – just Bonnie being theatrical, Matt thought, but his own native honesty rose to mock him. â€Å"I guess,† he said slowly, â€Å"that's what we were all sort of thinking, really, when she first came back.† When we were dancing around in the woods like crazy people, he thought. â€Å"I guess we sort of thought that they could live quietly somewhere near Fell's Church, and that things would go back to the way they were before. Before Stefan – â€Å" Meredith shook her head, looking off into the distance beyond the windshield. â€Å"Not Stefan.† Matt realized what she meant. Stefan had come to Fell's Church to rejoin humanity, not to take a human girl away from it into the unknown. â€Å"You're right,† Matt said. â€Å"I was just thinking about something like that. She and Stefan could have probably worked out some way to live here quietly. Or at least to stay close to us, you know. It was Damon. He came to take Elena against her will, and that changed everything.† â€Å"And now Elena and Stefan are leaving. And once they leave, they'll never come back,† Bonnie wailed. â€Å"Why? Why did Damon start all this?† â€Å"He likes to change things out of sheer boredom, Stefan once told me. This time it probably started out of hatred for Stefan,† Meredith said. â€Å"But I wish that for once he could have just left us alone.† â€Å"What difference does it make?† Bonniewas crying now. â€Å"So it was Damon's fault. I don't even care anymore. What I don't understand is why things have to change!† â€Å" ¡Ã‚ ®You can never cross the same river twice.' Or even once if you're a strong enough vampire,† Meredith said wryly. Nobody laughed. And then, very gently: â€Å"Maybe you're asking the wrong person. Maybe Elena's the one who could tell you why things have to change, if she remembers what happened to her – in the Other Place.† â€Å"I didn'tmean that theydo have to change – â€Å" â€Å"But they do,† Meredith said, even more gently and wistfully. â€Å"Don't you see? It's not supernatural; it's – life. Everybody has to grow up – â€Å" â€Å"I know! Matt has a football scholarship and you're going away to college and then you're going to get married ! And probably have babies!† Bonnie managed to make this sound like some indecent activity. â€Å"I'm going to be stuck in junior collegeforever . And you'll both be all grown up and you'll forget about Elena and Stefan†¦and me,† Bonnie finished in a very small voice. â€Å"Hey.† Matt had always been very protective of the injured and ignored. Right now, even with Elena so recently on his mind – he wondered if he wouldever get rid of the feeling of that kiss – he was drawn to Bonnie, who seemed so small and fragile. â€Å"What are you talking about? I'm coming back after college to live. I'll probably die right here in Fell's Church.I'll be thinking about you. I mean, if you want me to.† He patted Bonnie's arm, and she didn't shy away from his touch as she had from Meredith's. She leaned into him, her forehead against his shoulder. When she shivered once, slightly, he put his arm around her without even thinking. â€Å"I'm not cold,† Bonnie said, although she didn't try to shrug off his arm. â€Å"It's warm tonight. I just – I don't like it when you say things like  ¡Ã‚ ®I'll probably die right' – watch out!† â€Å"Matt, look out!† â€Å"Whoa – !† Matt pumped the brakes, cursing, both hands wrestling with the steering wheel as Bonnie ducked and Meredith braced herself. Matt's replacement for the first beat-up old car he'd lost was just about as old and didn't have airbags. It was a miscellany of junkyard cars pieced together. â€Å"Hang on!†Matt yelled as the car skidded, tires screaming, and then they were all flung around as the back end swerved into a ditch and the front bumper hit a tree. When everything stopped moving, Matt let out his breath, easing his death-grip on the steering wheel. He started to turn toward the girls and then froze. He scrabbled to switch on the map light, and what he saw held him frozen again. Bonnie had turned, as always in moments of deepest distress, to Meredith. She was lying with her head on Meredith's lap, hands locked onto her friend's arm and shirt. Meredith herself was sitting, braced, leaning as far as possible backward, her feet stretched to push against the floor beneath the dashboard; her body bowed back in the seat, head flung backward, arms holding Bonnie down tightly. Thrusting straight through the open window – like a knobby, shaggy green spear or the grasping arm of some savage earthen giant – was the branch of a tree. It just cleared the base of Meredith's arched neck, and its lower branches passed over Bonnie's small body. If Bonnie's seat belt hadn't let her turn; if Bonnie hadn't flung herself down like that; if Meredith hadn't held onto her†¦ Matt found himself staring directly into the splintered but very sharp end of the lance. If his own seat belt hadn't kept him from leaning that way†¦ Matt could hear his own hard breathing. The smell of evergreen was overpowering within the car. He could even smell the places where smaller branches had broken off and were oozing sap. Very slowly, Meredith reached out to break off one of the twigs that was pointed at her throat like an arrow. It wouldn't break. Numb, Matt reached over to try it himself. But although the wood wasn't much thicker than his finger, it was tough and wouldn't even bend. As if it's been fire-hardened, he thought dazedly. But that's ridiculous. It's a living tree; I can feel the splinters. â€Å"Ow.† â€Å"Can I please get up now?† Bonnie said quietly, her voice muffled against Meredith's leg. â€Å"Please. Before it grabs me. It wants to.† Matt glanced at her, startled, and scratched his cheek against the splintered end of the big branch. â€Å"It's not going to grab you.† But his stomach was churning as he fumbled blindly for his seat belt fastening. Why should Bonnie have the same thought as he had: that the thing was like a huge, crooked, shaggy arm? She couldn't even see it. â€Å"You know it wants to,† Bonnie whispered, and now the slight shivering seemed to be taking over her whole body. She reached backward to undo her seat belt. â€Å"Matt, we need to slide,† Meredith said. She had carefully maintained her painful-looking bowed-backward position, but Matt could hear her breathing harder. â€Å"We need to slide toward you. It's trying to get around my throat.† â€Å"That's impossible†¦.† But he could see it, too. The freshly splintered ends of the smaller branch had moved only infinitesimally, but there was a curve to them now, and the splinters were pressing into Meredith's throat. â€Å"It's probably just that nobody can stay bent backward like that forever,† he said, knowing that this was nonsense. â€Å"There's a flashlight in the glove compartment†¦.† â€Å"The glove compartment is completely blocked by branches. Bonnie, can you reach to unfasten my seat belt?† â€Å"I'll try.† Bonnie slid forward without raising her head, fumbling to find the release button. To Matt it looked as if the shaggy, aromatic evergreen branches were engulfing her. Pulling her into their needles. â€Å"We've got a whole freakin' Christmas tree in here.† He looked away, out through the glass of the window on his side. Cupping his hands to see better into the darkness, he leaned his forehead against the surprisingly cool glass. There was a touch on the back of his neck. He jumped, then froze. It was neither cool nor warm, like a girl's fingernail. â€Å"Damn it, Meredith – â€Å" â€Å"Matt – â€Å" Matt was furious with himself for jumping. But the touch was†¦scratchy. â€Å"Meredith?† He slowly moved his hands away until he could see in the dark window's reflection. Meredith wasn't touching him. â€Å"Don't†¦move†¦left, Matt. There's a long sharp bit there.† Meredith's voice, normally cool and a bit remote, usually made Matt think of those calendar pictures of blue lakes surrounded by snow. Now it just sounded choked and strained. â€Å"Meredith!† Bonnie said before Matt could speak. Bonnie's voice sounded as if it were coming from underneath a featherbed. â€Å"It's all right. I just have to†¦hold it away,† Meredith said. â€Å"Don't worry. I won't let go of you, either.† Matt felt a sharper prickle of splinters. Something touched his neck on the right side, delicately. â€Å"Bonnie, stop it! You're pulling the treein ! You're pulling it on Meredith and me!† â€Å"Matt,shut up !† Matt shut up. His heart was pounding. The last thing he felt like doing was reaching behind him. But that's stupid, he thought, because if Bonnie really is moving the tree, I can at least hold it still for her. He reached behind him, flinching, trying to watch what he was doing in the window's reflection. His hand closed over a thick knot of bark and splinters. He thought, I don't remember seeing a knot when it was pointed at my throat†¦. â€Å"Got it!† a muffled voice said, and there was the click of a seat belt coming undone. Then, much more shakily, the voice said, â€Å"Meredith? There are needles shoved all into my back.† â€Å"Okay, Bonnie. Matt,† Meredith was speaking with effort, but great patience, the way they'd all been talking to Elena. â€Å"Matt, you have to open your door now.† Bonnie said in a voice of terror, â€Å"It isn't just needles. It's little branches. Sort of like barbed wire. I'm†¦stuck†¦.† â€Å"Matt! You need to open your doornow – â€Å" â€Å"I can't.† Silence. â€Å"Matt?† Matt was bracing himself, pushing with his feet, both hands locked around the scaly bark now. He thrust backward with all his strength. â€Å"Matt!† Meredith almost screamed. â€Å"It's cutting into my throat!† â€Å"I can't get my door open! There's a tree on that side, too!† â€Å"How can there be a tree there?That's the road!† â€Å"How can there be a treegrowing in here?† Another silence. Matt could feel the splinters – the slivers of broken branch – biting deeper into the back of his neck. If he didn't move soon, he would never be able to.

Hp & Disney Alliance

Strategic Analysis on HP-Disney Alliance Introduction On October 9th 2003, Walt Disney Company, an international entertainment and media enterprise, and global technology provider Hewlett-Packard (HP) declared a ten-year strategic alliance for the purpose of developing innovative technologies and promoting Disney consumers’ experiences. The arrangement was achieved by jointly disclosing â€Å"Mission: Space† ride, which had been collaboratively designed and developed by HP and Disney employees for several years, reported by Business Wire (9 October, 2003). Mission: Space† was located in Walt Disney World Resort at Epcot theme park, Florida, including the following activities: Space Pavilion, Space Attraction, Space Advanced Training Lab and Space Cargo Bay. It was highly praised by Fiorina, then chief executive at HP, that the cooperation was based on both business expansion and technology development when HP wanted to recover from the business downturn and improv e its public image (Takahashi, 2003). Meanwhile, by using HP devices and technologies, â€Å"Mission: Space† ride provided Disney consumers with weightless simulations and consumers would feel like travelling in space (Takahashi, 2003).Company Profile Hewlett-Packard Company Hewlett-Packard, established in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard from Stanford University, was initially to produce an electronic instrument called audio oscillator. The Walt Disney Studio was HP’s first client who bought eight oscillators to create the movie â€Å"Fantasia†. It was HP and Disney’s first cooperation (Hewlett-Packard Company, 2012). HP, headquartered in California, is one of the world’s largest technology companies that provide software, services and technology products to its customers.During the economic recession in the early 2000s, numerous companies reported losses and it was essential for HP to seek opportunities to sustain its information technology advantages (Chen et al. 2011). The Walt Disney Company Walt Disney and Roy Disney founded Disney Brothers Studio in 1923 in California for cartoon production. In 1971, the first Disney World opened in Florida and several years’ later, theme parks and Disney MGM studio were set up subsequently. Then in 1986, the firm’s name was changed to The Walt Disney Company (The Walt Disney Company, 2012).Now it is a worldwide entertainment and media company by operating in five sectors: ‘theme parks and resorts, consumer products, media networks, interactive media and studio entertainment’. In the early 2000s, Disney expanded its business around the world by building theme parks, collaborating with Eastman Kodak, Bank One and Visa to attract more consumers. Consequently the ten-year alliance with HP was arranged for both technology and entertainment development (The Walt Disney Company, 2012).Alliance Design When Disney animation engineers first came up with the simul ation of space travelling – Mission: Space ride, they realized it was crucial to find a partner that could perfectly combine the classic Disney adventures with the technology of aerospace simulation (Disney + HP, n. d. ). HP then became Disney’s partner because it delivered a wide range of supports from Disney’s visual effect to animation tasks. Then a contractual alliance between HP and Disney was formed.HP first offered infrastructure to deliver digital equipment, then it manufactured devices and hardware that serving Disney’s consumers (Fried and Spooner, 2003). Not only did HP highlight Walt Disney in its $300 million advertisements, it also launched sweepstakes to push â€Å"Mission: Space† into public (Camp, 2004). In return, what HP benefited was that it could acquire consumers’ data for further developments and promotions. Even though the potential benefits for HP was hard to estimate, HP was still quite satisfied with the volume of visitors (Camp, 2004).Above all, the value – creation logic for this alliance can be categorized as co-specialization. Both parities in the HP and Disney alliance were focusing on their advantages. Disney initiated the thoughts and ideas for the projects because they knew what they would be doing and how they could achieve it. On the other hand, HP provided Disney with information technology support and technological products that help to build up the projects. Apart from the personal computers, web servers, relevant software nd 13,000 printers offered by HP, it cooperated with Disney to develop â€Å"Ears to the world†, which was a handset for non-English speaking consumers (Banke, 2003). As pointed out by Carly Fiorina, HP CEO, ‘every process is being digitized right now, every physical analogue process will become a digital one – every last one, and the alliance will focus on the creative process and content delivery’ (Sutton, 2003). It is obviou s that all HP and Disney desired for the alliance is the combination of traditional Disney elements and new information technology.Alliance Management HP and Disney started their relationship 73 years ago when Disney purchased oscillators for the movie â€Å"Fantasia† in 1939. Clarke and Columnist (2003) believed that now it was the power behind Disney that made HP offer ’13,000 printers, 10,000 servers and 70,000 personal computers to Disney’. They also estimated that of the USD 100 million cost on Mission: Space, HP will pay almost USD 50 million according to its 10 – year contract. So in the alliance each party negotiated to contribute equally on capital.Reported by Business Wire (11 September, 2007), Michael Mendenhall, who had been working in Disney as an executive for past 17 years, was employed as ‘senior vice president chief marketing officer’ by HP. From then on, Michael would be in charge of HP’s marketing operations as well as operations for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Therefore, the relationship between the two companies would be closer than ever as Michael was experienced in both industries, and the continuing cooperation of Innoventions Dream Home proved that the alliance was under well management (China Business Newsweekly, 11, February 2008).Alliance Performance As referred in The Walt Disney Company Annual Report 2004 (2004), the revenues in parks and resorts segment for the fiscal year was USD 7,750 million. It increased by 21% compared with year 2003. The report stated that the Walt Disney World Resort drove USD 609 million of the total increase, which was attributed to high theme park attendance, reflecting the continued success of Mission: Space as well as the success of the alliance (Appendix 1). Meanwhile, Hewlett-Packard Company Annual Report 2005 (2005) also eported a total net revenue increase in 2004, from USD 58,799 million in 2003 to USD 64,046 million (Appendix 2). Therefore, from financial perspective, both companies were successful during the following one to two years after they formed the alliance. From objective and perceptual aspects, the HP and Disney alliance was also successful. When Mission: Space ride first opened, the continuing promo attracted more than 1. 1 million tourists and the ride still drawing more and more customers every year (Camp, 2004).HP’s Karen Jones believed that the alliance was the greatest combination to two famous brands and it success was because of the effort and time that HP and Disney had put into (Camp, 2004). Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort, praised the cooperation and approved that HP was the perfect partner to present Disney’s ideas and thoughts into reality (Banke, 2003). Evaluation of the Alliance Personally I believed the alliance was a breakthrough for both companies, especially when the US economy was suffering recession in the early 2000s.The alliance started with a good design beca use HP and Disney knew what contribution each party could bring. In co-specialization, the alliance scope was well controlled and conflicts were reduced because each company shared their values and information on what they did best, thus increasing productivity and reducing research and development costs. Since HP and Disney had previous co-working experience (Hewlett-Packard Company, 2012), it would be easier for them to managing the alliance. By allying with each other, HP and Disney created a win – win situation.HP gave Disney the chance to realize its space travelling simulation and reinforced Disney being the world leading enterprise in the entertainment and media industry. On the other hand, Disney helped to strengthen HP’s place in the technology industry. Disney developed easier accesses to its consumers and HP obtained numerous consumer data for further promotions. In addition, they both benefited from the growth of revenues and market share. Above all, it can be concluded that the alliance is aligned with its performance. Future for the Alliance The future for the alliance is bright and of huge potential.Followed by the appointment of Michael by HP in 2007, HP and Disney were cooperating on more and more technological entertaining facilities thereafter. Despite of Mission: Space ride commenced in 2003, the alliance was focusing on new technology products in recent years, such as Innoventions Dream Home. In 2008, The Disneyland Resort reached another agreement with HP, Microsoft and Taylor Morrison for the framework of Innoventions Dream Home (‘Major Integrators Partner with Disney’, 2008). This project aimed to introduce new concepts of home by mixing technology elements into it.Innoventions Dream Home attempted to create a ‘high- tech, high-touch’ experience for its guests and illustrate how technology was involved in people’s life. The continuing alliance allowed HP to provide its newest products and s oftware to Disney (‘Major Integrators Partner with Disney’, 2008). As recommended by Ed Grier, president of Disneyland Resort, he believed that it was an inspiring alliance that brought Disney’s imaginations and HP’s technology together again (China Business Newsweekly, 11, February 2008). Reference List: Banke, J. 003, TalkDisney, Florida, viewed 14 October 2012, Camp, S. 2004, ‘Marketing Mission By HP and Disney’, Brandweek, vol. 45, no. 12, pp. 29, viewed 14 October 2012, ProQuest Central. Chen, C. , Lim, J. and Stratopoulos, T. 2011, ‘IT Capability and a Firm’s Ability to Recover from Losses: Evidence from the Economic Downturn of the Early 2000s’, Journal of Information Systems, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 117-144, viewed 11 October 2012, ProQuest Central.Clark, S. and Columnist, S. 2003, ‘HEWLETT-PACKARD ON BOARD AS SPONSOR OF EPCOT RIDE: [FINAL EDITION]’, Orlando Sentinel, 10 October, pp. C1, viewed 17 October 2012, ProQuest Central. ‘Disneyland Resort; Disneyland Resort Reaches Agreement with Microsoft, HP, Life/ware and Taylor Morrison on Innoventions Dream Home’, 2008, China Business Newsweekly, 11 February, pp. 191, viewed 18 October 2012, ProQuest Central, ISSN 1945-5984. Disney + HP, n. d. , HP Solutions, California, viewed 14 October 2012, < http://welcome. hp. com/country/us/en/msg/corp/htmldisney. html > Fried,

Government spending and tax legislation signed by the president

Government spending and tax legislation signed by the president Introduction Fiscal policies can be described as policies that governments implement to stimulate their economies. Every government tries to spend within its revenue limit. In fact, rarely do governments spend beyond their income. However, United States has been spending more than its revenue since 1969.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Government spending and tax legislation signed by the president specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is mainly because it pays interest on the loans. This paper will explore its spending and tax legislation. It will also explore the country’s fiscal policy and evaluate whether this is expansionary or contractionary. Finally, it will explore how American population can influence decision makers on fiscal policy (CCH Group, 2011). Summary of government spending and tax legislation The United States government has experienced increased government spending annually, as they try to settle both their international and internal commitments. This has led to increased spending, which exceeds its annual income. Since 1969, Congress has continued to make appropriations, which are way beyond its income. This has forced treasury to borrow a huge debt, which earns interest. The current national debt is estimated at $14.7 Trillion. This is quite massive. In fact, the president signed a new legislation in August that raised its debt limit. At the same time, he constituted a bipartisan committee, whose aim is to reduce deficit (Heakal, 2009). United States fiscal policy United States fiscal policy came into play after the great depression of 1930s. This led the government into managing its economic policies. During this period, US economy expanded. However, wars such as World War II caused great deficits to economy and the huge spending continued after 1969. Current fiscal policy forces the government to spend more that it earns. This is mainly because of factors such as military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, among others. Other factors include tax cut, and September attacks, as well as the dot-com bubbles (The Library of Congress, 2011). Is US fiscal policy expansionary or contractionary? US fiscal policy can be considered as expansionary. This is mainly because most of its expenses go to defense. Otherwise, the market is expanding. In fact, its performance during peaceful years has been impressive (The Library of Congress, 2011).Advertising Looking for essay on law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How American consumers can influence decision makers on fiscal policies American consumers have continued to increase budget deficit. This is mainly because they opt for cheap products from China. This has forced most manufacturers to seek cheap labor in china and India, among others. The result is low income for the government and increased unemployment. In order to influence decis ion-making, consumers should buy American products to improve government income. This will influence change in fiscal policy as more revenue is received (The Library of Congress, 2011). Has it has changed over the past 5 years Consumers are continually cutting on their expenses. This is mainly because of high health insurance, recession and cheap products from China, which provide alternatives to American products. This boosted China’s economy while the US deficit increases (The Library of Congress, 2011). Conclusion Every government tries to spend within its limits. In fact, rarely do governments spend beyond their revenues. Since 1969, Congress has continued to make appropriations, which are way beyond its income. This has forced treasury to borrow a huge debt, which earns interest. Moreover, American consumers continue to increase budget deficit. This is mainly because they opt for cheap products from China. In order to influence decision-making, consumers should buy Ameri can products. This will improve government revenue (The White House Emblem, 2011). Reference List CCH Group. (2011). CCH Tax Briefing: Budget Control Act of 2011. tax.cchgroup.com. Web. Heakal, R. (2009). What Is Fiscal Policy? investopedia.com. Web. The Library of Congress. (2011). Bill Text Versions 112th Congress (2011-2012) S.365. thomas.loc.gov. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Government spending and tax legislation signed by the president specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The White House Emblem. (2011). White House. whitehouse.gov. Web.

Annexation of Mexico essays

Annexation of Mexico essays That American annexation of Mexico would be mutually beneficial is nearly beyond dispute. The first is an ever-expanding "Land of Opportunity." The second is a troubled political and economic failure. The former stands as the economic success story capitalism. The latter crawls as a nation either unwilling or unable to utilize its own resources and, thus, languishes in economic collapse. While America sits to a small degree dismayed with the unethical maneuvering of her politicians, Mexico reels from the daily instability of a horrendous government system that bears no responsibility to the people it governs. In short, the bulk of the Mexican Republics major problems would be eliminated or, at least, alleviated by her annexation. With this in view, the most pressing question rears itself out of the mire of international policy: "By which means shall America gain Mexico?" The term "pressing" is used here sarcastically, for-though a few actually do consider this question a pressing on e-the means remain today as patently obvious as they were in the nineteenth century. Quite simply, the best method for the expedient annexation of Mexico-which most everybody deems both imminent and necessary-is that of invasion and subjugation. Please allow for the presentation of a scenario. Thirteen days after the first American battletank rolled across the border south of Santa Fe, Toms and his wife (with five children in tow) proceed to a mandatory convocation in the small towns square. An American announces in unbroken Spanish that Mexico and her states are now America and her states. It is a hot Mexican day. The American representative relates a brief summary of the twelve day incursion and how Mexico gave her rule over to the United States with few casualties (resultant largely from the American show of force). He goes on to explain that the former Mexico will be included in the free states of her captor with full rights and ...

How Insects Fly

How Insects Fly Insect flight remained something of a mystery to scientists until recently. The small size of insects, coupled with their high wing-beat frequency, made it nearly impossible for scientists to observe the mechanics of flight. The invention of high-speed film allowed scientists to record insects in flight, and watch their movements at super slow speeds. Such technology captures the action in millisecond snapshots, with film speeds of up to 22,000 frames per second. So what have we learned about how insects fly, thanks to this new technology? We now know that insect flight involves one of two possible modes of action: a direct flight mechanism, or an indirect flight mechanism. Insect Flight Through a Direct Flight Mechanism Some insects achieve flight through a direct action of a muscle on each wing. One set of flight muscles attaches just inside the base of the wing, and the other set attaches slightly outside the wing base. When the first set of flight muscles contracts, the wing moves upward. The second set of flight muscles produces the downward stroke of the wing. The two sets of flight muscles work in tandem, alternating contractions to move the wings up and down, up and down. Generally, the more primitive insects like dragonflies and roaches use this direct action to fly. Insect Flight Through an Indirect Flight Mechanism In the majority of insects, flying is a bit more complex. Instead of moving the wings directly, the flight muscles distort the shape of the thorax, which, in turn, causes the wings to move. When muscles attached to the dorsal surface of the thorax contract, they pull down on the tergum. As the tergum moves, it draws the wing bases down, and the wings, in turn, lift up. Another set of muscles, which runs horizontally from the front to the back of the thorax, then contract. The thorax again changes shape, the tergum rises, and the wings are drawn down. This flight method requires less energy than the direct action mechanism, as the elasticity of the thorax returns it to its natural shape when the muscles relax. Insect Wing Movement In most insects, the forewings and hindwings work in tandem. During flight, the front and rear wings remain locked together, and both move up and down at the same time. In some insect orders, most notably the Odonata, the wings move independently during flight. As the forewing lifts, the hindwing lowers. Insect flight requires more than a simple up and down motion of the wings. The wings also move forward and back, and rotate so the leading or trailing edge of the wing is pitched up or down. These complex movements help the insect achieve lift, reduce drag, and perform acrobatic maneuvers.

Mentoring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Mentoring - Essay Example As the paper declares in several aspects, modern day relationships of mentoring are different from the past. In old times, the main objective of mentoring was just one-way transfer of extensive amount of information and awareness. The mentee used to be just a recipient and most of the times had little control or authority in this relationship. Their relationship used to last for certain days or months, and one mentee was only allowed to have one mentor. Moreover, Mentoring used to happen on only face-to-face basis. According to the report findings majority of the schools conduct number of extracurricular activities like swimming, baseball, football or soccer etc., there is no school with an extracurricular lab for computer having a computer coach to maintain it. The reactions towards various attempts to introduce mentoring for students of high schools have been spoilt with everything from lack of sympathy to opposition. An individual needs to have a teaching certificate in order to join a school as a teacher and not some new ideas or motivation. Another major barrier that female mentors come across everyday is gender barrier. From both physiological and social point of view female mentors are highly discouraged by the society. School districts with effective mentor programs actively seek accomplished veteran staff members to serve as mentors. Several stakeholders should discuss and contribute to the construction of a profile of the kind of person who would serve as a mentor. Several sources sug gest the kind of qualities to look for in a mentor.

The Implementation of the Critical Success Factors Case Study

The Implementation of the Critical Success Factors - Case Study Example After original implementation, a stabilization stage happens when implementation challenges are predetermined and organizational performance gets better. Ross comments that nearly all organizations stay in the stabilization stage for many months and occasionally years. The constant improvement of the procedure follows and lastly major process transformation is facilitated. Few organizations get to the transformation stage even though most prepare to. Ross observes that big ERP system implementations might engage different series through the procedure model for every separate unit in the ERP system. In another case study, Markus and Tanis designed a four-stage ERP implementation procedure model. The stages are chartering, plan, shakedown, and onward and upward. The chartering stage comprises expansion of the business case, the assortment of the ERP package, classification of a project executive, and endorsement of the financial plan and to-do list. The project and shakedown stages are very alike to the implementation and stabilization stage in the Ross model above. The onward and upward stage entails the continuous business development and transformation consequent to the very last two stages of Ross’s model. Environmental and cultural issues play a significant part in the ERP implementation achievement.Without a doubt, ERPs have also shown challenging to put into practice, even in Western organizations, frequently due to an underrated requirement for change management and the relocation of roles and their significance for actors. Most organizational practices are subjective not only by societal features but as well as by the reflections suitable within an organizational sector, public or private. Private organizations are different from public organizations at three separate levels.

Mississippi Burning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mississippi Burning - Essay Example As a result, the defendants were tried in state and local court systems, where local influences had a significant effect on the outcomes of the verdicts. In light of the nation's current legal status on domestic terrorism, and society's modern view of the intimidation of an entire population, the acts of the KKK in Mississippi Burning went beyond the line of mere criminal activity and would today qualify as domestic terrorism, while the FBI simply acted with a lack of ethical behavior. One of the ways to differentiate domestic terrorism from criminal activity is the motivation for committing the act, and the KKK in Mississippi Burning clearly fit the definition of terrorism from this aspect. The KKK was targeting the African-Americans' right to vote, a political right. They were not targeting an individual for revenge, or taking an action for economic gain. Their actions were designed to frighten a population and entire society out of exercising their constitutional right to vote. In one segment they expressed their anger at Jews, Catholics, Turks, and Orientals. When the Preacher gave his sermon in the church, he professed a declaration of war against a people. It was not the de-politicized act of a criminal, but was designed to inflict fear and incite violence against random targets in a larger population. By the modern definition, this would qualify as terrorism and clearly fits today's definition. Another aspect of the KKK's actions that qualified them as terrorists was the fact that it was perpetrated by an organized group that had terrorism as an agenda. The FBI has stated that "special interest extremism" has "emerged as a serious terrorist threat" (Jarboe, 2002). The involvement of a group increases the potential threat by giving individual members increased motivation, some degree of anonymity, and an escalated sense of moral justification. In Mississippi Burning, there were cases of blowing up a house, attacking a general store, and chasing the three victims at night with a violent convoy. These actions were taken as a group. Though the individuals were ultimately held responsible for their involvement, the group was guilty of encouraging and inciting the level of violence. When the FBI violated the rights of the citizens and terrorized the man in the barbershop, this was the act of an individual agent, and not authorized by the group. The further use of KKK sympathetic law enforcement officers to participate and chase the victims was another factor that defined it as terrorism. The fear and inability of the African-Americans to get protection or justice was increased by this factor. The involvement of law enforcement, the group mandates and proclamations, and the common agenda of the group all contributed to escalation of random violence directed at an entire people, and the terror that they inflicted upon innocent victims. Critics will contend that constitutional rights protect the KKK and its actions are pro-white, rather than anti-minority. They will argue that the KKK was simply responding to the pressure of the FBI and their tactics. White (2008) contends that "its acts of violence have tended to be retaliatory rather than symbolic". However, the lynching of an innocent man, their mandate of White Nationalism, and the random attacks of violence

Women Smoking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Women Smoking - Essay Example Due to the increased levels of smoking among women, the figure for deaths among women world-wide is set to double by 2020 (WHO, 1992). It is estimated that approximately 41,000 women die prematurely each year as a result of smoking in the U.K (Callum, 1995). Across the EU countries, the figure is estimated at 106,000. A total of 500,000 deaths per year is the estimated world total (WHO, 1992). A broad range of styles is offered to meet the expressed wants established as preferences by the different segments of the smoking population, for example women and these include taste, packaging and cigarette length, and these marketing strategies are targeted at women who are more concerned and worried about smoking but are less likely to quit. They look for more situational cues to smoke (Brown and Williamson, 1979). Smoking rates follow underprivilege, and these include the racial underprivilege. Statistics reflect that black women living in a society dominated by whites tend to have a higher smoking rate than their white counterparts. In America for example, the rates of lung cancer have increased faster among the black women than among white women.

Directors responsibility Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Directors responsibility - Coursework Example Another notable aspect is that the board acts as the epicentre of the organization and it links the investors and the individuals responsible for implementing the policies that make their respective organizations tick as well as ensuring accountability. Thus, corporate governance in this case refers to â€Å"rigorous supervision of the management of a company; it means ensuring that business is done competently, with integrity and with due regard for the interests of all stakeholders,† (Institute of Directors, 2014). Simply put, the Institute of Directors (2014) also posits to the effect that corporate governance relates to a combination of the following factors: legislation, non-legislative codes, self-regulation and best practice, structure, culture, and board competency. The operations of various organizations especially in the UK are guided by the legal framework obtaining in that particular country. Such laws are designed to protect the interests of different stakeholders with an interest in a business entity. McGregor (2000) aptly suggests that that corporate governance is practiced at different levels and the law is specifically designed to protect the interests of all the stakeholders involved. Duplessis (1999) concurs with this assertion when he states that the law overrides all individual interests. In as far as Company law is concerned in UK, it can be seen that the board of AstraZeneca acted in accordance to the laws. According to Company Law Solutions Limited (n.d), â€Å"the directors have such powers as are conferred on them by the articles of the company which are especially based on the Model Articles (companies registered post 1.10.2009.† This is promulgated by the Company’s Act 2006 which further stipulates that â€Å" the business of the company shall be managed by the directors who may exercise all the powers of the company....†

Thearatical model of integration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Thearatical model of integration - Essay Example Early behavioral approaches did not directly investigate the role of cognition and person centered processes in the development or maintenance of emotional disorders. Person centered therapy is based on the clinical application of the more recent, but now also extensive research into the prominent role of cognitions in the development of emotional disorders. The term ‘Person Centered Therapy’ (PCT) is variously used to refer to therapy based on the pragmatic combination of principles of person centered theories. New PCT interventions are keeping pace with developments in the academic discipline of psychology in areas such as attention, perception, reasoning, decision making etc. Person centered and/or client centered psychotherapists work with individuals, families and groups. The approaches can be used to help anyone irrespective of ability, culture, race, gender or sexual preference. Person centered and/or behavioral psychotherapies can be used on their own or in conjunction with medication, depending on the severity or nature of each client’s problem. The father of this school of thought was the infamous Sigmund Freud, who about a century ago changed the entire perspective on how humanity used to view the structure of personality. Though largely controversial, yet ironically the words his critics use to highlights defects in him, are also given to the scientific world by Freud himself. By far, his greatest of contributions to the science of psychology is the concept of ‘unconscious’, and his attempt to interpret dreams. Before him, for centuries, understanding behavior was considered to be the job of physiologists and philosophers. It was after him, that truly the birth of an individual science of psychology came into existent, which had concepts, theories and hypotheses, which were specific to the specialization of this science alone. â€Å"Traditional psychoanalysis is quite complex and time consuming,† (Brown, 2000, p. 121). The

Directors responsibility Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Directors responsibility - Coursework Example Another notable aspect is that the board acts as the epicentre of the organization and it links the investors and the individuals responsible for implementing the policies that make their respective organizations tick as well as ensuring accountability. Thus, corporate governance in this case refers to â€Å"rigorous supervision of the management of a company; it means ensuring that business is done competently, with integrity and with due regard for the interests of all stakeholders,† (Institute of Directors, 2014). Simply put, the Institute of Directors (2014) also posits to the effect that corporate governance relates to a combination of the following factors: legislation, non-legislative codes, self-regulation and best practice, structure, culture, and board competency. The operations of various organizations especially in the UK are guided by the legal framework obtaining in that particular country. Such laws are designed to protect the interests of different stakeholders with an interest in a business entity. McGregor (2000) aptly suggests that that corporate governance is practiced at different levels and the law is specifically designed to protect the interests of all the stakeholders involved. Duplessis (1999) concurs with this assertion when he states that the law overrides all individual interests. In as far as Company law is concerned in UK, it can be seen that the board of AstraZeneca acted in accordance to the laws. According to Company Law Solutions Limited (n.d), â€Å"the directors have such powers as are conferred on them by the articles of the company which are especially based on the Model Articles (companies registered post 1.10.2009.† This is promulgated by the Company’s Act 2006 which further stipulates that â€Å" the business of the company shall be managed by the directors who may exercise all the powers of the company....†

Religious Influence on Japanese Art Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Religious Influence on Japanese Art - Term Paper Example Japanese art spans a wide range of media and styles including ancient pottery, wood and bronze sculptures, silk and paper calligraphy, ink painting and performing arts (Nobutaka 52). Japan has historically been subjected to invasions by new and alien cultures, ideas and religions. As the Japanese assimilated and imitated the foreign cultural and religious elements, their forms of art also took a shape influenced by the changes (Tsutsui 104). Although a majority of Japanese people are not exclusively identified as adherents of a certain religion, the strongest indigenous religion is Shinto (Sokyo 89). Buddhism and Confucianism strongly influenced prehistoric Japanese art. It was a representation of nature in a spiritual perspective unlike the secular perspective of scientific realism (Abe 64). Shinto, a form of nature worship has existed from ancient Japan (Sokyo 89). It means the way of the gods. A kami is a Shinto deity (Sokyo 90). Through Shintoism, the Japanese worshipped spirits thought to inhabit in natural phenomena like waterfalls, rocks and mountains. The kami were not initially represented symbolically, but rather, their perceived habitats were demarcated. However, with the adoption of the developed Buddhism and Confucianism styles of art, the Japanese people were prompted to introduce art into Shintoism, creating Shinto sculptures and paintings (Sokyo 101). They also created artifacts used in worship that symbolized kami. These were mostly in the form of protective items and amulets. The protective items and amulets used in the ancient Shinto religion were also a form of art (Sokyo 101). They used small wooden plaques called Ema to write and draw pictures of their wishes and placed them in shrine grounds for the wishes to be fulfilled by the deities (Abe 55). Of uda were religious talismans curved out of wood or formed from paper and metal, with names of kami inscribed on them for delivery of good luck. Paper modeling may also be traced back to daruma, which are paper doll representations of Bodhidharma, an Indian monk (Sokyo 101). The Shinto faithful used them to forward wishes to the kami. Another form of paper modeling is the inuhariko, a paper dog used to pray for good births. The Shinto also molded earthenware bells in the form of zodiacal animals called dorei, for use in prayers for good fortune. In Shinto architecture, the earliest shrines constructed to house ancestral spirits are a suggestion of the outline of single dwelling homes in ancient Japan. Similar to the ancient Japanese domestic homes, the shrines were entirely wooden (Sokyo 102). Japan’s relationship with Korea and China paved the way for the infiltration of artistic techniques and styles (Tsutsui 111). As Buddhism moved from Korea to Japan with it came artistic influences such as Buddhist texts, architecture and icons (Sugimoto 230). Art and craft specialists also migrated to Japan from China and Korea and participated in creating the new arts. With the introduction of Buddhism in the mid 6th century, Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines began to incorporate the same architectural designs. The structure of the Shinto shrines got more elaborate under the Chinese and Korean influence (Sugimoto 230). Since shrines also reflected family dignity, the designs were commissioned by noble families and many more structures were built in Nara and Kyoto cities (Sugimoto 231). Buddhist art in Japan is categorized into periods or eras. It shaped Japanese art from the 6th to the 16th century (Tsutsui 109). The Amida sect of Buddhism laid the foundation of Buddhist art in Japan. Prince Shotoku encouraged Buddhist art in the Suiko period while Emperor Shomu encouraged it in the Nara period of 645 to 784. In these eras, indigenous Shinto arts were taking the shapes of Buddhist arts and architecture, and the demand for Buddhist paintings increased among the wealthy Japanese

Causes of Obesity and Strategies for Obesity Prevention

Causes of Obesity and Strategies for Obesity Prevention Introduction Nutrition and health are closely intertwined. Childrens growth as well as the adults as it is being said what you it is what you become and what you will be, you will be the product of what you are eating, as we all know composition of healthy body means strong physique, mentally, emotionally, as well as spiritually healthy. A good nutrition is the most basis of good health, eating the right amount of nutritious food helps our body to be healthier, There are some factors that could lead to obesity, The lack of practice sport regularly for children and their tendency to sit either because of laziness or a lack of encouragement and guidance by their parents to practice physical activities may result in healthy children is suffering from obesity and excessive. Eating habits of the child as well as the quality of the food covered by a role in the occurrence of obesity. For example the child to eat more than necessary amounts of foods with high calories instead of eating healthy foods, or eat without the child to starve or eat while watching TV or homework, all this leads to obesity. The final outcome of eating unhealthy foods at the same time the childs life style characterized by laziness is to increase the caloric intake of the child and the lack of proportion burned. What is Obesity? Obesity is a kind of disease that also can be called malnutrition it is a pathological phenomenon in a developing countries, where we can consider that any change in quantity and quality of meal can be one factor of obesity, such as fatty foods. Obesity is to increase the percentage of fat more than 30% of total body weight as a result of the accumulation of fat in it, and this accumulation results from an imbalance between energy intake from food and energy consumed in the body. Considers obesity a chronic disease and complex, such as: diabetes and high blood pressure and obesity in every sense of the worries and troubles of the victims from social problems, psychological, and the end of the Series, diseases that do not cut off such as heart disease and arthritis and varicose veins and sugar and there is a misunderstanding of the causes of the disease What are the causes? 1 Feeding style Where it is certain to devour the food high thermal exchange with non- caloric, this leads to the accumulation of fat in the human body knowing that fat has a higher efficiency of carbohydrates and proteins in the bloc in the fatty tissues of the body . The best example of this that the spread of so-called junk food rich in calories in Western countries and other countries led to the prevalence of obesity and associated diseases in many parts of the world were not appear before. If we are to be honest with ourselves, its why the first and most importantly, the only cause in 90 % of cases of obesity. 2 Lack of activity and movement It is well known that obesity is rare in people movement or who require their constant activity, but you must also know that the lack of volume of activity alone is not sufficient reason for the occurrence of obesity. There is no doubt that the activity and movement of great benefit in improving human health in general can be summarized activity and movement in one word, is a sport. 3 Psychological factors This situation prevalent in women than in men, when subjected to severe psychological problems is reflected in the image of gorging on too much food. 4 The genetic causes Research confirms that modern genetics occupies 60-80 % of the causes of disease and obesity asked about the genes in the body and has been the discovery of more than 200 genes responsible for obesity in laboratory animals, but most are still under research for humans. And genetic causes include: the way the distribution of body fat burning rate of the body and how to convert fat into energy and the activity of certain enzymes depends on some genes. 5 Gender There are some races are more likely to be obese than the Mediterranean region and the Americans of Mexican descent and Black American, While less between races such as the Far East, Japan and China, and white races in Europe and America. 6 Age And obesity rates increase with age and the more advanced age and increased weight is acceptable to increase the rate of weight (2-4 kg) every 10 years. For example: a woman in her twenties, weighing 60 kg is acceptable to be: 62 64 kg at the age of thirties 66 68 kg in the forties 68 72 kg in the fifties 72 75 kg in the sixties These natural increase with advancing age have benefits, especially among females they protect against osteoporosis where the nor epinephrine hormone estrogen fat as it reduces the appearance of wrinkles in the face and neck and hands. It is known that children with obesity are at risk of becoming obese for life. 7 Hormones and glands There are critical periods for the disease, obesity and the most important period of puberty, pregnancy, lactation and menopause. It is known that periods accompanied by disturbances in the bodys hormones and hormones, especially femininity and therefore Infection with obesity for females weak men. What is the diagnosis? How to estimate the degree of obesity: Regularly can make some simple methods to estimate the degree of obesity has, among these methods are as follows: (1) Belt test : This test for men, which uses a belt around the normal waist circumference and chest circumference , if the length of the longest waist circumference of chest circumference is evidence possible to increase the fatty tissue and there is a saying the longer the belt Palace age. (2) Mirror test: can an individual to see for himself the true picture of his body in the mirror without courtesy there is nothing wrong and is the best way to show status and body weight. (3) Test Procedure: This is done by lying on the back and put a ruler over the area of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹the abdomen towards the head and feet, if not touching the sides of the ruler body is evidence of increased adipose tissue. (4) Test the grip of the skin: and this is in the region of the upper arm ( ulna ) from the side or rear area above the waist and using the thumb and forefinger If the distance is more than one inch is possible to increase the guide adipose tissue . (5) Balance: This method is always used by the balance of the ordinary and it must be a week, and at the same time with the clothes and make sure of the safety of balance and position just above the ground and not over the carpet. There are also various scientific methods to estimate the degree of increase in body weight due to the accumulation of fat and adipose tissue are the most important methods used in scientific studies accurate method of measuring the thickness of the fat layer by layer by fatty holder and a special method of measuring the density of the body and the weight of the individual under the water. The account that is strictly for the purpose of differentiating between whether an individual or obese, an increase in muscle mass in the body, What are the symptoms? it takes into account age as well as weight and height, defines a way the average body weight (ABW) if the weight of women at least 75 % of the (ABW) has not animate nervous loss of appetite. Health problems caused by obesity Whether obesity occurred as a result of a medical reason or because of the lifestyle, the obesity in children is not something which should be taken lightly. The child, who suffered from obesity excessive, is more susceptible to certain health problems such as asthma, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Psychological problems A psychological pressure faced by the child, who is suffering from obesity is also a problem, which often includes ridicule from his colleagues. Well there are many other situations that exposed these children and make them feel that their mistake, for example, when go out to buy clothes and have no size for them, etc. . Mothers and fathers should use moral support of your children at the same time encourage them to be healthier. What are the treatments? To reduce the fat in food can cook meat or roasted instead of fried in fat , as you must remove the chicken skin to have a high percentage of fat and cholesterol , and when you prepare the meat must remove all visible grease . Drinks such as coffee, tea and other sugar-free or with a small amount of sugar. Remember that nuts and seeds are rich in fat do not overfed addressed. Stay away from fads and beliefs wrong food -related obesity. Not to resort to surgical procedures to eradicate fat from the body, because there are many health complications may occur as a result of these operations. Do not use drugs mitigating appetite this may have undesirable health complications. Must abstain or minimize as much as possible about eating: Butter, cream, whole milk and low-fat products sufficiency and also to avoid ice cream, pastries and pies. Jam, honey, black and white. Dried fruit. Nuts and peanuts. Sugary soft drinks. Behavioral change in our habits of eating: The behavioral change not only helps in weight loss but also helps in maintaining the continuity of the lost weight, and the most important tips for behavioral change in dietary habits, which have proved successful in weight reduction programs, are as follows: Drink a glass of water or eat salad before eating. At the time of eating food should be placed in small dishes, and the food is placed in those dishes in the kitchen and not to bring food in large containers or large dishes on the dining table. Eat slowly and chew well, and the development of eating utensils (fork and spoon and knife) on the table between the quid and the other so do not forget to address the food quickly. Eat in one room and not busy with any other work such as reading or eating while watching TV. Once you leave the table quickly finished eating. Do not go shopping and buy food in the case of hunger, and not to buy foods so as not to be blocked off for the difficulty to resist. Store food away from the vision. Practicing and exercises: Must practice any sport light on a regular basis as it helps to burn fat , and the most suitable sport is walking , and Ive found that walking for an hour a day at a rate of 4 kilometers at a rapid pace resulting in the loss of 300 kcal . Sports and beside it consumes energy, they lead to a reduction of tension and boredom associated with the system when you do lose weight and to get out of the individuals home away from eating as well as improve the efficiency of the blood. How can it be prevented? are there any changes in lifestyle or eating habits that are needed? List nutrients that may help to prevent this disease and their effect (function) Have your priorities your system balanced food. Ways to avoid getting obese and maintain proper nutrition: Encouraged your child to exercise regularly. Take to your child regularly to the Club or to any public park where can play and running freely with the rest of the children. Limits critical situation for the time spent in front of your childs daily TV or the computer or play video games on. share your children in planning for meals and in shopping when buying groceries. Eat together at the dining table as much as possible. Avoid eating in front of the TV. Ate healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh juices, Yogurt, low-fat cheese, eating these foods is better than eating candies and chocolate. Do not use food as a reward or punishment. Mothers sometimes used candies as a way to reward children and this makes children more loving it. The causes of obesity, a suffering of women who look in the mirror when they feel their weight getting heavier to a great extent , in fact, more than 55 % of women exceed their weight ideal weight by more than 20 % . UAE statistics- what % of people are obese, any other data, tables, graphs, etc. Write a concluding paragraph including how we can solve the problem of obesity in UAE I concluded that avoiding the use of diets or lists of diets in books and trade magazines to lose weight, you should take the food program of specialized sources ( a dietitian or a doctor who specializes in nutrition ) and the Centers Fitness in many Arab countries do not provide lists of healthy diet , and there is no by specialists in nutrition , its best not to rely on these centers in nutrition. After consulting a doctor and taking the required laboratory tests must engage in aerobic exercise, such as aerobic exercises, walking, swimming, preferably after exercise at least two hours of eating the main meal. Eating foods rich in dietary, fruits and wheat bran, whole grains, these foods as well as a few calorimetric need longer to digest and give a sense of satiety. The reduction of fatty food and the use of different kinds of fat in the kitchen. Limit the intake of foods that contain sugars and processed sweets chocolate, canned fruits, jams, soft drinks and others. References WHO 2000 Haslam DW, James WP (2005). Obesity.Lancet366(9492): 1197–209. Kushner, Robert (2007).Treatment of the Obese Patient (Contemporary Endocrinology). Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. p.158. Retrieved 2013. Adams JP, Murphy PG (July 2000).Obesity in anaesthesia and intensive care.Br J Anaesth85(1): 91–108. Imaz I, Martà ­nez-Cervell C, Garcà ­a-Alvarez EE, Sendra-Gutià ©rrez JM, Gonzà ¡lez-Enrà ­quez J (July 2008). Safety and effectiveness of the intragastric balloon for obesity. A meta-analysis.ObesSurg18(7): 841–6. Barness LA, Opitz JM, Gilbert-Barness E (December 2007). Obesity: genetic, molecular, and environmental aspects.American Journal of Medical Genetics143A(24): 3016–34. Woodhouse R (2008).Obesity in art: A brief overview.Front Horm Res. Frontiers of Hormone Research36: 271–86. Pollack, Andrew (June 18, 2013).A.M.A. Recognizes Obesity as a Disease.The New York Times. Archived fromthe originalon June 18, 2013. Weinstock, Matthew (June 21, 2013).The Facts About Obesity.HHN.American Hospital Association. Retrieved 2013. Sweeting HN (2007).Measurement and Definitions of Obesity In Childhood and Adolescence: A field guide for the uninitiated

Parents for Public Schools Essay -- essays research papers

Parents for Public Schools   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today, the push for more accountability of student performance changed how assessment will be measured and judged in public schools. Not only will students be assessed through test scores, but also through attendance, school work, and observations. Parents hold the schools responsible for the advancement of their students’ knowledge. Different tests are given to measure their intelligence level which is either used to compare one student to another or measure their performance based on a pre-existing body of knowledge. The scores from the tests help the schools determine the advancement of a student from grade to grade, additional educational help, and graduation. Accountability needs to apply to everyone, including the administrators, teachers, and students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Schools are put under the pressure of meeting standards that maintain the students’ current level of intelligence. When placed in a classroom of varying levels of knowledge the teacher must teach at a level that all students can understand. The government and higher administration hold the schools responsible for the advancement of a student’s intelligence, while the teachers hold the students responsible for their performance. Yet, the state and district also hold the students responsible for their grades, courses, school work, test scores, and attendance. Therefore, a student is held accountable for their education from all aspects.... Parents for Public Schools Essay -- essays research papers Parents for Public Schools   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Today, the push for more accountability of student performance changed how assessment will be measured and judged in public schools. Not only will students be assessed through test scores, but also through attendance, school work, and observations. Parents hold the schools responsible for the advancement of their students’ knowledge. Different tests are given to measure their intelligence level which is either used to compare one student to another or measure their performance based on a pre-existing body of knowledge. The scores from the tests help the schools determine the advancement of a student from grade to grade, additional educational help, and graduation. Accountability needs to apply to everyone, including the administrators, teachers, and students.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Schools are put under the pressure of meeting standards that maintain the students’ current level of intelligence. When placed in a classroom of varying levels of knowledge the teacher must teach at a level that all students can understand. The government and higher administration hold the schools responsible for the advancement of a student’s intelligence, while the teachers hold the students responsible for their performance. Yet, the state and district also hold the students responsible for their grades, courses, school work, test scores, and attendance. Therefore, a student is held accountable for their education from all aspects....

Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front †An Accurate Des

Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front – An Accurate Description of the Honors and Horrors of War Ellen Glasgow said, "Violence commands both literature and life.† Violence commands Erich Maria Remarque’s literature in his novel All Quiet on the Western Front. Remarque accurately depicts both the physical and mental repercussions of war. All Quiet on the Western Front should be read by all members of the Armed Forces for several reasons. First, the novel describes in detail the worst case scenarios associated with war. By being exposed to such a portrayal of war, unprepared citizens would be able to make better decisions regarding enlisting. Second, those citizens who do decide to enlist would be better prepared mentally for the mental horrors that occur after war. Finally, All Quiet on the Western Front sets a standard for the patriotism needed to serve one’s country and the consequential honor that comes with that patriotism. Perhaps the biggest argument for not mandating the reading of All Quiet on the Western Front is the possible decline in enlisting in the Armed Forces. Such an argument is moot, though. All Quiet merely depicts war as it actually is. In All Quiet, Remarque describes a moment of war by writing, â€Å"Everywhere wire-cutters are snapping, planks are thrown across the entanglements. . . the earth shudders, it crashes, smokes, and groans, we stumble over slippery lumps of flesh, over yielding bodies† (Remarque 117). The possibility of war is manifest in the duties of the military. Gulf War Veteran Alan Parks asserts, â€Å"If a man is going to be deterred from the military by the occurrences of war, he is not the type of man [one] would want defending [one’s country]† (Parks). By reading All Quiet ... ... feels after a war by saying, â€Å"While in the ‘spotlight,’ it is the single greatest feeling anyone could ever imagine† (Parks). Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front accurately describes both the horrors and honors of war. If the Armed Forces would require this novel to be read, more men would be better prepared for the feelings that await them in the military. By telling of the negative aspects of war, Remarque’s novel could successfully weed out those whom the army does not suit. By telling of the positive aspects of war, Remarque’s novel could encourage more men to join the military. Whether a man decides to join or not to join, Remarque’s novel can provide guidance in making the choice. Works Cited Parks, Alan. Personal interview. 3 April. 2001. Remarque, Erich Maria. All Quiet on the Western Front. New York: Ballantine, 1956.

Dell in Brazil

1. Why did Dell decide to invest in Brazil? Dell decided to invest in Brazil because of its strategy to expand internationally. Dell had operations in many countries but did not have any manufacturing plants in Latin America, which was the fastest growing market for computers. Brazil was the ideal place for its manufacturing plant in Latin America because it presented a huge potential market for Dell since it was Latin America’s largest country with over 170 million people. Dell felt that the only way to dominate and become effective it the Brazilian market was to have its own manufacturing plant in Brazil.In addition, Brazil contained high import tariffs which would cut away at Dell’s profits if it had to export products from the U. S. into Brazil. Also attractive was Brazil’s membership in Mercosul. This would be beneficial for Dell because any company producing 60% of a product in a Mercosul country would be exempt from all tariffs when exporting to other coun tries associated with Mercosul. These countries associated with Mercosul included Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Boliva, and Brazil. Therefore, Dell would have an advantage when exporting its products from Brazil to any of these other Mercosul countries. . What were the pros and cons of the five short-listed states for Dell’s investment in Brazil? Why did Dell select to invest in the state of Rio Grande do Sul? The 5 short listed states for Dell’s investment in Brazil included Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, and Minas Gerais. Some of the pros that were common in all of these states were adequate levels of education, a sufficient pool of qualified labor, a steady supply of electricity, and sufficient telecommunications and transportation infrastructure.Beginning with the pros for Sao Paulo, this state contained the largest market for personal computers in Brazil due to its large population. It also had a huge supply of skilled labor. Sao Paul o presented two attractive locations for the plant in the cities of Sao Jose dos Campos and Campinas. The cons for Sao Paulo included the mannerisms of the state government officials who seemed indifferent to Dell’s specific needs and concerns. Sao Paulo’s investment promotion agency did not seem catering to Dell’s selection team since the state did not have any problems attracting foreign investment.In addition, Sao Paulo did not offer Dell any special financial incentives to attract their investment. Next, Rio de Janeiro had several pros common to all 5 states as previously mentioned. However, the state offered Dell very few financial incentives with the intention of receiving a counter offer from Dell. Dell responded negatively to this initial low offering of incentives and did not return to renegotiate. Parana also contained the same pros that were common among the 5 states. On the other hand, the main negative of the state included the amount of financial i ncentives that the government was offering.These financial incentives did not compare to the financial incentives that other states such as Rio Grande do Sul offered. In addition, the state and its promotional agency did not seem determined to attract Dell’s investment. Dell was given a general presentation that did not address the company specifically. Aside from the common pros listed above, Minas Gerais greatest advantage was its investment promotion agency INDI. The agency was very qualified and catering to Dell’s concerns. The INDI even set up meetings for Dell’s selection team to meet state government officials.The state also offered favorable financial incentives that included a 70% reduction in ICMS tax for 10 years and a loan of R$20 million to be paid back in a 4 year period with a 4 year grace period. The state also offered free land for the plant to be built on. However, the cons of Minas Gerais centered around the region being highly industrialized. The Dell selection team felt that the state was a â€Å"heavy-industry, rust-belt, region. † Because of this, Dell felt that the government would not be able to satisfy Dell’s specific needs as a high-technology company.The last state was Rio Grande Do Sul, which was most attractive to Dell. The biggest plus of this state was its independent, non-profit investment promotion agency, Polo. Polo was very helpful in addressing Dell’s concerns and even went to Dell’s office in Texas to give a presentation. The Polo was eager to seek high technology investment and was determined to attract Dell’s investment. For other pros, Rio Grande do Sul had an adequate infrastructure and had one of the most efficient telecommunications infrastructures in the country.This would create huge cost savings for the plant. The state also posed few security concerns as its roads were much safer than roads in other states such as Sao Paulo. Rio Grande Do Sul’s capita l, Porto Alegre, was the ideal location of the plant. This city specifically made Dell feel at ease since the crime rate was very low. Other pros included existence of many established universities, a huge pool of skilled labor, and a high standard of living among the population.Most of all, the government offered Dell the most favorable incentives out of the 5 states. It offered a 75% reduction in ICMS tax for 12 years, and R$20 million loan with a 5 year grace period and a 10 year payback period. The main negative of Rio Grande Do Sul was the recent change in its state government creating an uncertainty in political views toward foreign investment. Olivio Dutra had just been voted into office and was greatly opposed to the deal and the financial incentives that had been previously offered to Dell by the state.This change in the political environment was a huge negative as Dell’s new deal was now discarded. Dell eventually decided to invest in the Rio Grande Do Sul mainly be cause of its investment promotion agency, Polo. As described above, the Polo was very catering to Dell’s specific needs. Polo was very well prepared when the site selection team came to visit. The agency arranged private interviews with business leaders and state officials. It even took Dell’s selection team to a local bar that resembled the atmosphere of Texas.This local microbrewery contained well educated and friendly people, which convinced the team that there was certainly qualified, personable, and articulate people that could be hired at the new plant. Polo’s determination and quick, thorough preparation won the attention of Dell’s selection. In addition, the state offered Dell the most favorable financial incentives out of the 5 states. 3. Why didn’t the new governor Olivio Dutra approve of the deal that former governor Britto had negotiated with Dell? Olivio Dutra was part of the socialist Workers’ Party.He did not approve of the de al because he was opposed to the government giving multinational corporations special incentives and benefits. By offering these corporations special benefits, the multinational corporations could play each state against each other for their own self interest. Many felt that these corporations were already extremely wealthy and did not need to be seeking tax advantages from poor states. Throughout his campaign against governor Britto, he focused on criticizing the excessive benefits that Britto had given these multinational corporations.Therefore, when Dutra finally took office, he had to follow through with his words and take action. This then led to Dutra rejecting Dell and Ford’s deals by suspending the loans granted to these corporations and refusing to offer tax incentives. 4. Given the changed terms of operation, which of Dell’s options seems most plausible to you: (a) Leave Brazil entirely? ; (b) Move the plant to another state? ; or (c) Try to renegotiate with Governor Dutra? I believe that Dell should first try to renegotiate with Governor Dutra. Dutra’s actions had already cause the state to lose Ford’s investment.Losing another huge opportunity for investment in Rio Grande Do Sul would be horrible for Dutra’s reputation as the new governor. Therefore, I believe Dutra would be willing to be less strict concerning its â€Å"no incentives† policy. As the case states, Dutra was even willing to renegotiate with Ford after hearing that it was moving its operations to another state. However, Ford had already made their decision to move and was not going to renegotiate. Therefore, I believe Dutra would not also risk losing Dell’s investment and would be even more willing to renegotiate with the company.It would not hurt Dell to see what Dutra will offer during renegotiations. If Dutra still maintains a strict stance on providing few incentives, then Dell should move its operations to Minas Gerais, which had a lso offered favorable financial incentives. Although the company may be concerned over the political policy uncertainty of Dutra, Dutra has had a reputation for his honest and effective ways. For this reason, if he does grant Dell financial incentives, he would stay true to his words so Dell would not have to question the future political environment. 5) In your view, which factor was decisive for Governor Dutra’s new relaxed policy towards Dell? The decisive factor for Governor Dutra’s new relaxed policy was Ford’s decision to move its operations out of the state to Bahia. The loss of Ford’s investment was detrimental to Rio Grande do Sul because Ford’s operations in the state could have improved its economy and provided thousands of jobs for its residents. For this reason, this lost opportunity was very bad for Governor Dutra’s political reputation in the eyes of Rio Grande do Sul’s people.If Governor Dutra also let Dell’s in vestment slip away, this could ruin Dutra’s political status and eliminate his chances of ever being reelected as governor. Therefore, Dutra probably learned from his mistake in the Ford renegotiations of being too strict with his â€Å"no incentive† policy. Dell could easily move its operations to another state such as Minas Gerais, who also offered Dell similar incentives. This would be easy to do since Dell had not yet started to build its plant in Rio Grande do Sul. This certainly caused Dutra to have a more relaxed policy towards Dell with the intention to not lose Dell’s investment as well.

The Host Chapter 31: Needed

I froze and then looked quickly over my shoulder to see if someone was behind me. â€Å"Gladys was his wife,† Jamie whispered almost silently. â€Å"She didn't escape.† â€Å"Gladys,† Walter said to me, oblivious to my reaction. â€Å"Would you believe I went and got cancer? What are the odds, eh? Never took a sick day in my life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His voice faded out until I couldn't hear it, but his lips continued to move. He was too weak to lift his hand; his fingers dragged themselves toward the edge of the cot, toward me. Ian nudged me forward. â€Å"What should I do?† I breathed. The sweat beading on my forehead had nothing to do with the humid heat. â€Å"†¦ grandfather lived to be a hundred and one,† Walter wheezed, audible again. â€Å"Nobody ever had cancer in my family, not even the cousins. Didn't your aunt Regan have skin cancer, though?† He looked at me trustingly, waiting for an answer. Ian poked me in the back. â€Å"Um†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I mumbled. â€Å"Maybe that was Bill's aunt,† Walter allowed. I shot a panicked glance at Ian, who shrugged. â€Å"Help,† I mouthed at him. He motioned for me to take Walter's searching fingers. Walter's skin was chalk white and translucent. I could see the faint pulse of blood in the blue veins on the back of his hand. I lifted his hand gingerly, worried about the slender bones that Jamie had said were so brittle. It felt too light, as if it were hollow. â€Å"Ah, Gladdie, it's been hard without you. It's a nice place here; you'll like it, even when I'm gone. Plenty of people to talk to-I know how you need to have your conversation†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The volume of his voice sank until I couldn't make out the words anymore, but his lips still shaped the words he wanted to share with his wife. His mouth kept moving, even when his eyes closed and his head lolled to the side. Ian found a wet cloth and began wiping Walter's shining face. â€Å"I'm not good at†¦ at deception,† I whispered, watching Walter's mumbling lips to make sure he wasn't listening to me. â€Å"I don't want to upset him.† â€Å"You don't have to say anything,† Ian reassured me. â€Å"He's not lucid enough to care.† â€Å"Do I look like her?† â€Å"Not a bit-I've seen her picture. Stocky redhead.† â€Å"Here, let me do that.† Ian gave me the rag, and I cleaned the sweat off Walter's neck. Busy hands always made me feel more comfortable. Walter continued to mumble. I thought I heard him say, â€Å"Thanks, Gladdie, that's nice.† I didn't notice that Doc's snores had stopped. His familiar voice was suddenly there behind me, too gentle to startle. â€Å"How is he?† â€Å"Delusional,† Ian whispered. â€Å"Is that the brandy or the pain?† â€Å"More the pain, I would think. I'd trade my right arm for some morphine.† â€Å"Maybe Jared will produce another miracle,† Ian suggested. â€Å"Maybe,† Doc sighed. I wiped absently at Walter's pallid face, listening more intently now, but they didn't speak of Jared again. Not here, Melanie whispered. Looking for help for Walter, I agreed. Alone, she added. I thought about the last time I'd seen him-the kiss, the belief†¦ He probably wanted some time to himself. I hope he isn't out there convincing himself that you're a very talented actress-slash-Seeker again†¦ That's possible, of course. Melanie groaned silently. Ian and Doc murmured in quiet voices about inconsequential things, mostly Ian catching Doc up on what was going on in the caves. â€Å"What happened to Wanda's face?† Doc whispered, but I could still hear him easily. â€Å"More of the same,† Ian said in a tight voice. Doc made an unhappy noise under his breath and then clicked his tongue. Ian told him a bit about tonight's awkward class, about Geoffrey's questions. â€Å"It would have been convenient if Melanie had been possessed by a Healer,† Doc mused. I flinched, but they were behind me and probably didn't notice. â€Å"We're lucky it was Wanda,† Ian murmured in my defense. â€Å"No one else -â€Å" â€Å"I know,† Doc interrupted, good-natured as always. â€Å"I guess I should say, it's too bad Wanda didn't have more of an interest in medicine.† â€Å"I'm sorry,† I murmured. I was careless to reap the benefits of perfect health without ever being curious about the cause. A hand touched my shoulder. â€Å"You have nothing to apologize for,† Ian said. Jamie was being very quiet. I looked around and saw that he was curled up on the cot where Doc had been napping. â€Å"It's late,† Doc noted. â€Å"Walter's not going anywhere tonight. You should get some sleep.† â€Å"We'll be back,† Ian promised. â€Å"Let us know what we can bring, for either of you.† I laid Walter's hand down, patting it cautiously. His eyes snapped open, focusing with more awareness than before. â€Å"Are you leaving?† he wheezed. â€Å"Do you have to go so soon?† I took his hand again quickly. â€Å"No, I don't have to leave.† He smiled and closed his eyes again. His fingers locked around mine with brittle strength. Ian sighed. â€Å"You can go,† I told him. â€Å"I don't mind. Take Jamie back to his bed.† Ian glanced around the room. â€Å"Hold on a sec,† he said, and then he grabbed the cot closest to him. It wasn't heavy-he lifted it easily and slid it into place next to Walter's. I stretched my arm to the limit, trying not to jostle Walter, so that Ian could arrange the cot under it. Then he grabbed me up just as easily and set me on the cot beside Walter. Walter's eyes never fluttered. I gasped quietly, caught off guard by the casual way Ian was able to put his hands on me-as though I were human. Ian jerked his chin toward Walter's hand clasped around mine. â€Å"Do you think you can sleep like that?† â€Å"Yes, I'm sure I can.† â€Å"Sleep well, then.† He smiled at me, then turned and lifted Jamie from the other cot. â€Å"Let's go, kid,† he muttered, carrying the boy with no more effort than if he were an infant. Ian's quiet footsteps faded into the distance until I couldn't hear them anymore. Doc yawned and went to sit behind the desk he'd constructed out of wooden crates and an aluminum door, taking the dim lamp with him. Walter's face was too dark to see, and that made me nervous. It was like he was already gone. I took comfort in his fingers, still curled stiffly around mine. Doc began to shuffle through some papers, humming almost inaudibly to himself. I drifted off to the sound of the gentle rustling. Walter recognized me in the morning. He didn't wake until Ian showed up to escort me back; the cornfield was due to be cleared of the old stalks. I promised Doc I would bring him breakfast before I got to work. The very last thing I did was to carefully loosen my numb fingers, freeing them from Walter's grasp. His eyes opened. â€Å"Wanda,† he whispered. â€Å"Walter?† I wasn't sure how long he would know me, or if he would remember last night. His hand clutched at the empty air, so I gave him my left, the one that wasn't dead. â€Å"You came to see me. That was nice. I know†¦ with the others back†¦ must be hard†¦ for you†¦ Your face†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He seemed to be having a difficult time making his lips form the words, and his eyes went in and out of focus. How like him, that his first words to me would be full of concern. â€Å"Everything's fine, Walter. How are you feeling?† â€Å"Ah -† He groaned quietly. â€Å"Not so†¦ Doc?† â€Å"Right here,† Doc murmured, close behind me. â€Å"Got any more liquor?† he gasped. â€Å"Of course.† Doc was already prepared. He held the mouth of a thick glass bottle to Walter's slack lips and carefully poured the dark brown liquid in slow drips into his mouth. Walter winced as each sip burned down his throat. Some of it trickled out the side of his mouth and onto his pillow. The smell stung my nose. â€Å"Better?† Doc asked after a long moment of slow pouring. Walter grunted. It didn't sound like assent. His eyes closed. â€Å"More?† Doc asked. Walter grimaced and then moaned. Doc cursed under his breath. â€Å"Where's Jared?† he muttered. I stiffened at the name. Melanie stirred and then drifted again. Walter's face sagged. His head rolled back on his neck. â€Å"Walter?† I whispered. â€Å"The pain's too much for him to stay conscious. Let him be,† Doc said. My throat felt swollen. â€Å"What can I do?† Doc's voice was desolate. â€Å"About as much as I can. Which is nothing. I'm useless.† â€Å"Don't be like that, Doc,† I heard Ian murmur. â€Å"This isn't your fault. The world doesn't work the way it used to. No one expects more of you.† My shoulders hunched inward. No, their world didn't work the same way anymore. A finger tapped my arm. â€Å"Let's go,† Ian whispered. I nodded and started to pull my hand free again. Walter's eyes rolled open, unseeing. â€Å"Gladdie? Are you here?† he implored. â€Å"Um†¦ I'm here,† I said uncertainly, letting his fingers lock around mine. Ian shrugged. â€Å"I'll get you both some food,† he whispered, and then he left. I waited anxiously for him to return, unnerved by Walter's misconception. Walter murmured Gladys's name over and over, but he didn't seem to need anything from me, for which I was grateful. After a while, half an hour maybe, I began listening for Ian's footsteps in the tunnel, wondering what could be taking him so long. Doc stood by his desk the whole time, staring into nothing with his shoulders slumped. It was easy to see how useless he felt. And then I did hear something, but it wasn't footsteps. â€Å"What is that?† I asked Doc in a whisper; Walter was quiet again, maybe unconscious. I didn't want to disturb him. Doc turned to look at me, cocking his head to the side at the same time to listen. The noise was a funny thrumming, a fast, soft beat. I thought I heard it get just a little louder, but then it seemed quieter again. â€Å"That's weird,† Doc said. â€Å"It almost sounds like†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, his forehead furrowing in concentration as the unfamiliar sound faded. We were listening intently, so we heard the footsteps when they were still far away. They did not match the expected, even pace of Ian's return. He was running-no, sprinting. Doc reacted immediately to the sound of trouble. He jogged quickly out to meet Ian. I wished I could see what was wrong, too, but I didn't want to upset Walter by trying to free my hand again. I listened hard instead. â€Å"Brandt?† I heard Doc say in surprise. â€Å"Where is it? Where is it?† the other man demanded breathlessly. The running footsteps only paused for a second, then started up again, not quite as fast. â€Å"What are you talking about?† Doc asked, calling back this way. â€Å"The parasite!† Brandt hissed impatiently, anxiously, as he burst through the arched entry. Brandt was not a big man like Kyle or Ian; he was probably only a few inches taller than me, but he was thick and solid as a rhinoceros. His eyes swept the room; his piercing gaze focused on my face for half a second, then took in Walter's oblivious form, and then raced around the room only to end up on me again. Doc caught up with Brandt then, his long fingers gripping Brandt's shoulder just as the broader man took the first step in my direction. â€Å"What are you doing?† Doc asked, his voice the closest to a growl I'd ever heard it. Before Brandt answered, the odd sound returned, going from soft to screaming loud to soft again with a suddenness that had us all frozen. The beats thudded right on top of one another, shaking the air when they were at their loudest. â€Å"Is that-is that a helicopter?† Doc asked, whispering. â€Å"Yes,† Brandt whispered back. â€Å"It's the Seeker-the one from before, the one who was looking for it.† He jerked his chin at me. My throat was suddenly too small-the breaths moving through it were thin and shallow, not enough. I felt dizzy. No. Not now. Please. What is her problem? Mel snarled in my head. Why can't she leave us alone? We can't let her hurt them! But how do we stop her? I don't know. This is all my fault! Mine, too, Wanda. Ours. â€Å"Are you sure?† Doc asked. â€Å"Kyle got a clear view through the binoculars while it was hovering. Same one he saw before.† â€Å"Is it looking here?† Doc's voice was suddenly horrified. He half spun, eyes flashing toward the exit. â€Å"Where's Sharon?† Brandt shook his head. â€Å"It's just running sweeps. Starts at Picacho, then fans out in spokes. Doesn't look like it's focusing on anything close. Circled around a few times where we dumped the car.† â€Å"Sharon?† Doc asked again. â€Å"She's with the kids and Lucina. They're fine. The boys are getting things packed in case we have to roll tonight, but Jeb says it's not likely.† Doc exhaled, then paced over to his desk. He slouched against it, looking as if he'd just run a long race. â€Å"So it's nothing new, really,† he murmured. â€Å"Naw. Just have to lay low for a few days,† Brandt reassured him. His eyes were flickering around the room again, settling on me every other second. â€Å"Do you have any rope handy?† he asked. He pulled up the edge of the sheet on an empty cot, examining it. â€Å"Rope?† Doc echoed blankly. â€Å"For the parasite. Kyle sent me out here to secure it.† My muscles contracted involuntarily; my hand gripped Walter's fingers too tightly, and he whimpered. I tried to force it to relax while I kept my eyes on Brandt's hard face. He was waiting for Doc, expectant. â€Å"You're here to secure Wanda?† Doc said, his voice hard again. â€Å"And what makes you think that's necessary?† â€Å"Come on, Doc. Don't be stupid. You've got some big vents in here, and a lot of reflective metal.† Brandt gestured to a file cabinet against the far wall. â€Å"You let your attention wander for half a minute, and it'll be flashing signals to that Seeker.† I sucked in a shocked breath; it was loud in the still room. â€Å"See?† Brandt said. â€Å"Guessed its plan in one.† I wanted to bury myself under a boulder to hide from the bulging, relentless eyes of my Seeker, yet he imagined I wanted to guide her in. Bring her here to kill Jamie, Jared, Jeb, Ian†¦ I felt like gagging. â€Å"You can go, Brandt,† Doc said in an icy tone. â€Å"I will keep an eye on Wanda.† Brandt raised one eyebrow. â€Å"What happened to you guys? To you and Ian and Trudy and the rest? It's like you're all hypnotized. If your eyes weren't right, I'd have to wonder†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Go ahead and wonder all you want, Brandt. But get out while you're doing it.† Brandt shook his head. â€Å"I've got a job to do.† Doc walked toward Brandt, stopping when he was between Brandt and me. He folded his arms across his chest. â€Å"You're not going to touch her.† The throbbing helicopter blades sounded in the distance. We were all very still, not breathing, until they faded. Brandt shook his head when it was quiet again. He didn't speak; he just went to the desk and picked up Doc's chair. He carried it to the wall by the file cabinet, slammed it to the ground, and then sat down hard, making the metal legs squeal against the stone. He leaned forward, his hands on his knees, and stared at me. A vulture waiting for a dying hare to stop moving. Doc's jaw tightened, making a little popping noise. â€Å"Gladys,† Walter muttered, surfacing from his dazed sleep. â€Å"You're here.† Too nervous to speak with Brandt watching, I just patted his hand. His clouded eyes searched my face, seeing features that weren't there. â€Å"It hurts, Gladdie. It hurts a lot.† â€Å"I know,† I whispered. â€Å"Doc?† He was already there, the brandy in hand. â€Å"Open up, Walter.† The sound of the helicopter thumped quietly, far away but still much too close. Doc flinched, and a few drops of brandy splattered on my arm. It was a horrible day. The worst of my life on this planet, even including my first day in the caves and the last hot, dry day in the desert, hours from death. The helicopter circled and circled. Sometimes more than an hour would pass, and I would think it was finally over. Then the sound would come back, and I would see the Seeker's obstinate face in my head, her protruding eyes scouring the blank desert for some sign of humans. I tried to will her away, concentrating hard on my memories of the desert's featureless, colorless plain, as if I could somehow make sure she saw nothing else, as if I could bore her into leaving. Brandt never took his suspicious stare off of me. I could always feel it, though I rarely looked at him. It got a little better when Ian came back with both breakfast and lunch. He was all dirty from packing in case of an evacuation-whatever that meant. Did they have anywhere to go? Ian scowled so hard he looked like Kyle when Brandt explained in clipped phrases why he was there. Then Ian dragged another empty cot beside mine, so that he could sit in Brandt's line of sight and block his view. The helicopter, Brandt's distrustful watch, these were not really so bad. On an ordinary day-if there was really such a thing anymore-either one of these might have seemed agonizing. Today, they were nothing. By noon, Doc had given Walter the last of the brandy. It seemed like only minutes later that Walter was writhing, moaning, and gasping for breath. His fingers bruised and chafed mine, but if I ever pulled away, his moans turned to shrill screams. I ducked out once to use the latrine; Brandt followed me, which made Ian feel like he had to come, too. By the time we got back-after nearly running the whole way-Walter's screams no longer sounded human. Doc's face was hollow with echoed agony. Walter quieted after I spoke to him for a moment, letting him think his wife was near. It was an easy lie, a kind one. Brandt made little noises of irritation, but I knew that he was wrong to be upset. Nothing mattered beside Walter's pain. The whimpers and the writhing continued, though, and Brandt paced back and forth at the other end of the room, trying to be as far from the sound as possible. Jamie came looking for me, bringing food enough for four, when the light was growing orangey overhead. I wouldn't let him stay; I made Ian take him back to the kitchen to eat, made Ian promise to watch him all night so he wouldn't sneak back here. Walter couldn't help shrieking when his twisting moved his broken leg, and the sound of it was nearly unbearable. Jamie shouldn't have this night burned into his memory the way it would surely be burned into Doc's and mine. Perhaps Brandt's as well, though he did what he could to ignore Walter, plugging his ears and humming a dissonant tune. Doc did not try to distance himself from Walter's hideous suffering; instead, he suffered with him. Walter's cries carved deep lines in Doc's face, like claws raking his skin. It was strange to see such depths of compassion in a human, particularly Doc. I couldn't look at him the same way after watching him live Walter's pain. So great was his compassion, he seemed to bleed internally with it. As I watched, it became impossible to believe that Doc was a cruel person; the man simply could not be a torturer. I tried to remember what had been said to found my conjectures-had anyone made the accusation outright? I didn't think so. I must have jumped to false conclusions in my terror. I doubted I could ever mistrust Doc again after this nightmarish day. However, I would always find his hospital a horrible place. When the last of the daylight disappeared, so did the helicopter. We sat in the darkness, not daring to turn on even the dim blue light. It took a few hours before any of us would believe the hunt was over. Brandt was the first to accept it; he'd had enough of the hospital, too. â€Å"Makes sense for it to give up,† he muttered, edging out the exit. â€Å"Nothing to see at night. I'll just take your light with me, Doc, so that Jeb's pet parasite can't get up to anything, and be on my way.† Doc didn't respond, didn't even look at the sullen man as he left. â€Å"Make it stop, Gladdie, make it stop!† Walter begged me. I wiped the sweat from his face while he crushed my hand. Time seemed to slow down and stop; the black night felt unending. Walter's screams got more and more frequent, more and more excruciating. Melanie was far away, knowing she could do nothing useful. I would have hidden, too, if Walter hadn't needed me. I was all alone in my head-exactly what I had once wanted. It made me feel lost. Eventually, a dim gray light started to creep in through the high vents overhead. I was hovering on the edge of sleep, Walter's moans and screams keeping me from sinking under. I could hear Doc snoring behind me. I was glad that he'd been able to escape for a little while. I didn't hear Jared come in. I was mumbling weak assurances, barely coherent, trying to calm Walter. â€Å"I'm here, I'm here,† I murmured as he cried out his wife's name. â€Å"Shh, it's okay.† The words were meaningless. It was something to say, though, and it did seem that my voice calmed the worst of his cries. I don't know how long Jared watched me with Walter before I realized he was there. It must have been a while. I was sure his first reaction would be anger, but when I heard him speak, his voice was cool. â€Å"Doc,† he said, and I heard the cot behind me shake. â€Å"Doc, wake up.† I jerked my hand free, whirling, disoriented, to see the face that went with the unmistakable voice. His eyes were on me as he shook the sleeping man's shoulder. They were impossible to read in the dim light. His face had no expression at all. Melanie jolted into awareness. She pored over his features, trying to read the thoughts behind the mask. â€Å"Gladdie! Don't leave! Don't!† Walter's screech had Doc bolting upright, nearly capsizing his cot. I spun back to Walter, shoving my sore hand into his searching fingers. â€Å"Shhh, shhh! Walter, I'm here. I won't leave. I won't, I promise.† He quieted down, whimpering like a small child. I wiped the damp cloth over his forehead; his sob hitched and turned into a sigh. â€Å"What's that about?† Jared murmured behind me. â€Å"She's the best painkiller I've been able to find,† Doc said wearily. â€Å"Well, I've found you something better than a tame Seeker.† My stomach knotted, and Melanie hissed in my head. So stupidly, blindly stubborn! she growled. He wouldn't believe you if you told him the sun sets in the west. But Doc was beyond caring about the slight to me. â€Å"You found something!† â€Å"Morphine-there's not much. I would have gotten here sooner if the Seeker hadn't pinned me down out there.† Doc was instantly in action. I heard him rustling through something papery, and he crowed in delight. â€Å"Jared, you're the miracle man!† â€Å"Doc, just a sec†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But Doc was at my side already, his haggard face alight with anticipation. His hands were busy with a small syringe. He stuck the tiny needle into the crease at Walter's elbow, on the arm that was attached to me. I turned my face away. It seemed so horribly invasive to stab something through his skin. I couldn't argue with the results, though. Within half a minute, Walter's entire body relaxed, melting into a pile of loose flesh against the thin mattress. His breathing went from harsh and urgent to whispery and even. His hand relaxed, freeing mine. I massaged my left hand with my right, trying to bring the blood back to my fingertips. Little prickles followed the flow of blood under my skin. â€Å"Uh, Doc, there really isn't enough for that,† Jared murmured. I looked up from Walter's face, peaceful at last. Jared had his back to me, but I could see the surprise in Doc's expression. â€Å"Enough for what? I'm not going to save this for a rainy day, Jared. I'm sure we'll wish we had it again, and too soon, but I'm not going to let Walter scream in agony while I have a way to help him!† â€Å"That's not what I meant,† Jared said. He spoke the way he did when he'd already thought about something long and hard. Slow and even, like Walter's breath. Doc frowned, confused. â€Å"There's enough to stop the pain for maybe three or four days, that's all,† Jared said. â€Å"If you give it to him in doses.† I didn't understand what Jared was saying, but Doc did. â€Å"Ah,† he sighed. He turned to look at Walter again, and I saw a rim of fresh tears start to pool above his lower lids. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I wanted to know what they were talking about, but Jared's presence made me silent, brought back the reserve I rarely felt the need for anymore. â€Å"You can't save him. You can only save him pain, Doc.† â€Å"I know,† Doc said. His voice broke, like he was holding back a sob. â€Å"You're right.† What's going on? I asked. As long as Melanie was going to be around, I might as well make use of her. They're going to kill Walter, she told me matter-of-factly. There's enough morphine to give him an overdose. My gasp sounded loud in the quiet room, but it was really just a breath. I didn't look up to see how the two healthy men would react. My own tears pooled as I leaned over Walter's pillow. No, I thought, no. Not yet. No. You'd rather he died screaming? I just†¦ I can't stand the†¦ finality. It's so absolute. I'll never see my friend again. How many of your other friends have you gone back to visit, Wanderer? I've never had friends like this before. My friends on other planets were all blurred together in my head; the souls were so similar, almost interchangeable in some ways. Walter was distinctly himself. When he was gone, there would be no one who could fill his place. I cradled Walter's head in my arms and let my tears fall onto his skin. I tried to stifle my crying, but it made its way out regardless, a keening rather than sobs. I know. Another first, Melanie whispered, and there was compassion in her tone. Compassion for me-that was a first, too. â€Å"Wanda?† Doc asked. I just shook my head, not able to answer. â€Å"I think you've been here too long,† he said. I felt his hand, light and warm, on my shoulder. â€Å"You should take a break.† I shook my head again, still keening softly. â€Å"You're worn out,† he said. â€Å"Go clean up, stretch your legs. Eat something.† I glared up at him. â€Å"Will Walter be here when I get back?† I mumbled through my tears. His eyes tightened anxiously. â€Å"Do you want that?† â€Å"I'd like a chance to say goodbye. He's my friend.† He patted my arm. â€Å"I know, Wanda, I know. Me, too. I'm in no hurry. You get some air and then come back. Walter will be sleeping for a while.† I read his worn face, and I believed the sincerity there. I nodded and carefully put Walter's head back on the pillow. Maybe if I got away from this place for a little bit, I'd find a way to handle this. I wasn't sure how-I had no experience with real goodbyes. Because I was in love with him, no matter that it was unwilling, I had to look at Jared before I left. Mel wanted this, too, but wished that she could somehow exclude me from the process. He was staring at me. I had a feeling his eyes had been on me for a long time. His face was carefully composed, but there was surprise and suspicion in there again. It made me tired. What would be the point of acting out a charade now, even if I were that talented a liar? Walter would never stand up for me again. I couldn't sucker him anymore. I met Jared's gaze for one long second, then turned to hurry down the pitch-black corridor that was brighter than his expression.