REFLECTION OF VALUES IN PRACTICE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

REFLECTION OF VALUES IN PRACTICE - Essay Example The scope of the work of a mental health nurse is vast and diverse. They can work in a number of settings like private homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and psychiatric wards. They have to coordinate their work and activities along with that of mental health specialists, workers, and therapists (Condon 14, 1992). My personal values deeply affect my work as a mental health nurse because of the reason that I have to care for patients who are suffering from chronic mental problems. I have to investigate and analyze the special needs of certain patients by solving their problems. I also have to ensure that services are provided efficiently and effectively to the patients. Respecting the patients involves the ability to create professional relationships with patients and their caregivers (Rassin 614, 2008). This can assist in the generation of trust and confidence between the nurse and patient (Pinch 372, 1985). Personal values can ensure the development of healthy relationships and mutual respect between the patient and nurses. Working in the team is very effective in developing my skills and knowledge as it allows the ability to deliver the correct treatment to the patients. It also ensures the rapid response to helping patients that suffer from depression and anxiety (Insaf 838, 2008). Approaching such patients requires patience and caution since they must not be threatened. Team work is essential for the mental health nurse because it allows the coordination and integration of activities which attempt to reduce or minimize problems or hazards faced at the work place. Therapy is a great tool for participating and working with groups as I believe it can reduce the emotional problems faced by many patients. As a team member, I also encourage the patients to engage in recreational or social events which help to develop their cognitive and social skills. It would also assist in the development of communication

Im the King of the Castle Essay Example for Free

Im the King of the Castle Essay (i) With close reference to the passage, give evidence to show how Hooper knew that locking Kingshaw in the Red Room would scare him. From the beginning of this chapter three, we have already been exposed to the fears of the despondent young boy Kingshaw. In this passage, Hooper welcomed the supposed to be honoured Kingshaw into the Red Room. When the door was opened wide for Kingshaw, he stepped a little into the room and then he stopped. While Hooper was standing beside the doors, the keys in his hand. With a tuck from Hoopers challenge to go on into the room and look around, Kingshaw stiffened and moved slowly towards the first of the glass cases and then drew in his breath sharply. Hooper was watching him intently waiting for the next chance to attack his prey. Kingshaw also gave his fear away when he stuttered upon asking, whowhere did they come from? while trying to act interested about the dead moths in that dark and dreary room. The despots wit took him nearer to his opportunity. He offered the small key to open one of the cases so that Kingshaw could touch them but Kingshaw was very overwhelmed by his fear that he replied Hooper with a straight No. four times. That only led himself deeper into the tyrants trap. Not only did Kingshaws answers betrayed himself, he also started moving backwards and only wanted to get out of the room. This incident in the room only brought Hooper to confirm his suspicion of Kingshaw having a fear for dead things. Hooper was first given an impression with his first attempt of scaring Kingshaw upon his first meeting with him. The young tyrant lied to the vulnerable Kingshaw about his grandfather dying in the room and on the bed that Kingshaw was about to use. At that time, the young boy was oblivious towards Hoopers tormenting words. Yet, his reaction said a lot about his inner being. Kingshaw upon knowing of the past of his new bedroom only went to the suitcase and squatted down. It was very obvious to Hooper that he was trying to act as if the fact that someone died in his room did not scare him at all. At ten years old, any young boy would have protested for another room and demand a confirmation from an adult but Kingshaw just kept mum. Hooper put Kingshaw to another test of a dead creature again after watching the boy being attacked by the life crow. He confronted Kingshaw about his fear You were scared. You were running away. The helpless Kingshaw then got reminded of his encounter with the scarlet red mouth of the carrion crow and was very agitated when he asked Hooper to Shut up, shut up. Kingshaw obviously didnt want to recall that terrifying incident again. However, the scheming Hooper placed a stuffed crow on Kingshaws bed at night. As Kingshaw was already very afraid of his room, as he believed Hoopers lie that his grandfather died in his bed, Hooper wanted to use the stuffed crow to make the terror of the attack of that crow return. Also, considering Hoopers devious mind, I believe he also placed the stuffed crow on Kingshaws bed in the night also to create an impression on him that it could be Hoopers dead grandfather. When Kingshaw saw the stuffed crow on his bed the next morning, he knew for sure that Hooper was behind it. He also developed a fear towards Hooper from this as he realized that that tyrant was capable of anything to scare him even more. Yet, Kingshaw was so afraid to put himself to shame if he ever did cry out for help as he remembered his father was laughing at him about his childhood fear of drowning. Kingshaw also knew that Hooper was waiting for him to scream and yell thus he decided to consume his fear so that he could get the overhand over this psychological battle against Hooper. Hence, we can see very clearly that Hooper did very careful planning and made specific interpretations about Kingshaws fear of dead things and yearns for the stronghold against Kingshaw and his emotions. Thus upon confirming Kingshaws fear, Hooper moves on to locking him in the Red Room with the dead moths and other stuffed animals with very dark surroundings enhanced by the rain and grey skies outside that creates a threatening mood in Kingshaw. (ii) Describe one other incident where Hooper preys on Kingshaws fears and discuss the effect of that incident on Kingshaw. Write with reference till where we stopped Chapter 6. One other incident apart from that of locking Kingshaw in the Red Room on that rainy night, I believe very strongly that the stuffed crow created a very deep threat in Kingshaws life in Warings and he was bent on running away from his greatest fear right now Edmund Hooper. Kingshaw was exceptionally traumatized from his attack of the living crow. It was like Hooper aggressive, territorial and left no space for him to escape. The crow caused him to scream in a queer, gasping sort of way which shows us how terrified of the crow Kingshaw was. The crow seemed to have a craving to hurt him and Kingshaw was left totally helpless and almost unable to make a sound because of his terror and shock. The vicious attack of that crow showed how trapped and isolated Kingshaw was in Warings. Hence when Hooper exploits Kingshaws fear of the crow and dead things, Kingshaw started to have a fear for Hooper grow in him. Especially when he realizes that Hooper used the stuffed crow to terrorise him and also to hint to him about himself being kept under close observation and can be defeated anytime by a click of Hoopers fingers. Although the living crow attacked Kingshaw physically, he knew very clearly that the stuffed crow was to attack him psychologically and that Hooper has had seen through his brave front. Kingshaw tried very hard to battle the fear inside him so that Hooper would not win him. However, after being locked inside the Red Room with all the dead animals, Kingshaw yearns for somewhere he can hide away from Hoopers supervision. He hates Hooper now. Kingshaw did find a room of his own, his personal space in Warings somewhere that Hooper does not hold control of. It was a small room that seemed never to have had any particular function of its own. Although the room was small, Kingshaw was not afraid of it. The author was trying to tell us that the claustrophia was towards being locked up and not of minimal spaces. Kingshaw was actually fine with the idea about locking himself in that room full of antique dolls as a way of defending himself against Hooper. He only panics when somebody else locks him in a room, against his own will. His secret room was a very little room compared to Hoopers confident Red Room. This tells a lot of Kingshaws insecurity and his sensitive and gentle character as the room was filled with a collection of female dolls. However, Kingshaws temporary sanctuary was not occupied for long, Hooper found his hiding place. His freedom was short-lived.

Al :: Essays Papers

Al â€Å"Alphonse Capone was born on January 17,1899 in Brooklyn New York to Gabriele, who was thirty years old, and his pregnant twenty-seven-year-old wife Teresina, his two-year-old son Vincenzo and his infant son Raffaele (Bergreen 1996 p.7).† Capone grew up in a rough neighborhood by the time he was eleven he was in two gangs one was the kids gang the brooklime rippers and the forty thieves juniors. Capone quit school in sixth grade at the age fourteen. Between scams, he was a clerk at a candy store, a pin boy at the bowling alley and a cutter in a bookbindery; later on he became part of the notorious five points gang in Manhattan. Capone was once a bouncer at the Harvard Inn for Frankie Yale. Capone got the nickname scar face from an incident he had at the Inn where he insulted a female patron and was attacked by her brother. The attack left a scar on Capone’s face. Capone met an Irish girl in 1918 named Mara (Capone nicknamed her Mae) at a dance. On December 4th Mae gave birth to their son Albert â€Å"Sonny† Francis Capone, and on December 30th they married (Kobler 1992 p.20). The first time Capone was arrested he was charged with disorderly conduct and the murder of two men, Capone was never tried for the murders. Yale sent Capone to work with his old mentor John Torris, who was working for his uncle, â€Å"Big Jim† Colisimo. Colisimo was a Chicago crime boss. When Colisimo forbade Torris from running a bootleg racket, Torris decided to eliminate his uncle. Torris saw Capone’s potential and soon Capone was helping Torris manage his bootlegging business. By 1922 Capone was Torris’s right hand man and became a full partner in his businesses, which included saloons, gambling houses and brothels. Torris was shot by a rival gang member and decided to leave Chicago. Capone became a major crime boss, the men trusted Capone and he proved to be a better business man and expanded his business holdings and now controlled night clubs, horse tracks, breweries, brothels and gambling houses there were reports that said his income was $100,000,000 a year. He also got a cleaning and drying plant chain in Chicago. The mayor also known as big bill Hale Thompson Jr said that Capone was bad for his political image so he ran him out of Chicago (Tully 1958 p. Al :: Essays Papers Al â€Å"Alphonse Capone was born on January 17,1899 in Brooklyn New York to Gabriele, who was thirty years old, and his pregnant twenty-seven-year-old wife Teresina, his two-year-old son Vincenzo and his infant son Raffaele (Bergreen 1996 p.7).† Capone grew up in a rough neighborhood by the time he was eleven he was in two gangs one was the kids gang the brooklime rippers and the forty thieves juniors. Capone quit school in sixth grade at the age fourteen. Between scams, he was a clerk at a candy store, a pin boy at the bowling alley and a cutter in a bookbindery; later on he became part of the notorious five points gang in Manhattan. Capone was once a bouncer at the Harvard Inn for Frankie Yale. Capone got the nickname scar face from an incident he had at the Inn where he insulted a female patron and was attacked by her brother. The attack left a scar on Capone’s face. Capone met an Irish girl in 1918 named Mara (Capone nicknamed her Mae) at a dance. On December 4th Mae gave birth to their son Albert â€Å"Sonny† Francis Capone, and on December 30th they married (Kobler 1992 p.20). The first time Capone was arrested he was charged with disorderly conduct and the murder of two men, Capone was never tried for the murders. Yale sent Capone to work with his old mentor John Torris, who was working for his uncle, â€Å"Big Jim† Colisimo. Colisimo was a Chicago crime boss. When Colisimo forbade Torris from running a bootleg racket, Torris decided to eliminate his uncle. Torris saw Capone’s potential and soon Capone was helping Torris manage his bootlegging business. By 1922 Capone was Torris’s right hand man and became a full partner in his businesses, which included saloons, gambling houses and brothels. Torris was shot by a rival gang member and decided to leave Chicago. Capone became a major crime boss, the men trusted Capone and he proved to be a better business man and expanded his business holdings and now controlled night clubs, horse tracks, breweries, brothels and gambling houses there were reports that said his income was $100,000,000 a year. He also got a cleaning and drying plant chain in Chicago. The mayor also known as big bill Hale Thompson Jr said that Capone was bad for his political image so he ran him out of Chicago (Tully 1958 p.

Developmental Autobiography

Even before a child was brought in the outside world, there are things which he can already do on his own. But of course, the full functionality of such motions is stabilized after he was given birth. The cycle of one’s life is a brief cruise and so events that are tantamount to the growth and maturity of a person should be remembered. The experiences one will be able to see is something that should be treasured because from there, a person may evolve to someone who he is ought to be. From the time of my birth, I have already been associated with different scenarios that involve my sensory and locomotion.For instance, I can feel and I know that it is time for me to eat my meal or drink my milk when I can sense that my stomach is crumbling. With this, my sensory skills are being put in to test and see if it will mature on the time it is designated to be. Accordingly, my locomotion skills are also honed at this early period. At two years old or even earlier, I learned how to cra wl, walk and run. These skills are constantly practiced everyday and sooner, I perfected it all and was allowed to be alone.Additionally, throughout my infancy years, I learned how to calculate every step that I make so that I will not hurt my self in the long run. With the help of my parents and other people around me that time, I began to slowly learn how to understand some of the little things that I know and show to them that I am gradually becoming independent from all their help. My emotions then are also satisfied and used as indicators of whatever I am feeling. When I cry, my mother would always be in a rush to give me food only to find out that I have spoiled my diapers.That is when I get to practice my emotional skills and make them better as time goes on. After being cradled for very long by different people and bring them trouble at first, I then began to be a little ease to them because of my ability to walk without the assistance of any body. And as part of growing up, I began to scratch my knee, my head and all other parts of my body because of my carelessness but of course, my parents does not blame me for this because they know I am just learning to do things on my own and I am prone to such wounds.Also, at two years, I have already learned to utter words which for my parents are their most ecstatic time. This is the first time that they heard me call them â€Å"mom† and â€Å"dad† and my simple words made them very happy because they know that in a short time, I will begin to ask them questions, to tell me stories and interrogate them after they have arrived from work. I guess hearing your son or daughter speak for the very first time is one of the most high time for a parent. Of course babies do not have the ability to speak clearly but at least, I am able to utter a nearly-sounding word in addressing my parents.This is also the same time that my parents have decided to enroll me to a preparatory school so that I could learn ab out things on the earliest days of my life. From there, I began to conceptualize about my own fantasy world. And at the same time make friends out of my own. I practiced independence from the time I entered school and little by little I came to polish my language and some of the talents which I haven’t discovered yet. After my preparatory school, I entered the formal school at age five.From then on, I already had the knowledge to identify my difference with the boys in the class and my similarities with the other girls in our class. During this time, I came to love Barbie and hate guns as toys. I realized that guns are not for me but for the boys. My clothes then mostly are patterned after that of Barbie and pants are my best enemy. Also during this time, I learned how to act for my gender and age. I began to identify which are the things that I should and should not do so that when Christmas time comes, I will be receiving a gift from Santa Claus. My group of friends started to build up this time.The peers I have are usually girls so that I could have someone to play Barbie with. The idea of entertaining boys into our circle did not cross our minds then and we consider them as our ultimate opponent in any kind of game there is known to us. On to middle childhood, I have already established a strong bond of friendship to other people. This time, I am open to having the opposite sex as my friends and that they are just the same as the girls are. I already have a deep sense of belongingness to the circle of friends I have had and that it is them who I turn to every time I am in a great trouble.At the onset of this stage, I was able to fully embrace the idea of having talents and other capabilities apart from those that are taught in school. At this point in time, I also began to rate my self depending on how I perceive it and the way I look in front of the mirror. This time, I am fully conscious of what clothes I wear, the style of my hair and the way I c arry my bag. Since then, I also tried to scrutinize my self in almost all aspects, this is also the time when I began to comparing the whole me to the other girls who are surrounding me.Subsequently, since I feel that I am mature enough to handle on things, I began to consider working with other as a team and play as the leader so I could exercise my power above them. This is the same time where I began to acknowledge the fact that there is always no ‘I’ in the word ‘team’. Since I have reached the ripe age of 18, my parents and other people surrounding me have this perception that I am already a mature person and so, I was allowed to take things on my own hand and whatever consequence it may bring me, I will have to answer it all.There is no need for me to seek the approval of my parents regarding the clothes I will wear and the kind of friends I will be joining with. The most important thing for me that time is my college degree and my future after finish ing secondary school. Also, during this time I was able to experience different sexual relationships with the opposite gender. This is a significant leap in my formative years because with that, I am able to understand what older people have always been telling me.At first I am reluctant to commit myself to such relationship due to the possibility that my parents would disapprove of the man and my other concern then was, the man’s intention of me and whether or not he will eventually break my heart. Emotions during this time are on a high because of the different kinds of phenomena that have transpired in my life. But these emotions, especially hatred, are kept with in my self because I am afraid that others will mock me for that. After graduating from college, I have formally gain independence from my parents and with that; I have to work so I could earn money for my own consumption.This independence entails a bigger responsibility for me to do and I was challenged with its every bit. Upon learning such, I even became more excited to go out in to the world and try my luck in securing my self financially. And of course, I have clearly and sternly identified my gender and how I should be acting to show the world who I really am. Coming from several relationships, I have fully established the way people should see me and I should continue to hone that in case there will be time when I am again confused of my gender identity.Another clear point that I have conceptualized that time is the path that I will take to become the person I want to be. This is the same time I have laid plans on which career I should be little by little achieving. I have programmed my self then that I am to become a writer. This is the only thing that I love to do and from that, I have long been dreaming to be known around the world as a wonderful writer. At this time I am still enjoying the kind of relationship I have with the opposite sex. More than the signature bags, dating boys after boys made me very happy.This went on until I finally realized that at one point, I should be looking forward to settling with somebody who I know will take good care of me and will provide for me when we decide to live on our own. For a short span of time, the thought on being a magnate consumed me but this same idea flew away from my head as fast it entered. At the onset of my late 20’s and early 30’s life was wonderful. It was that time when I had an intimate relationship and was able to bear a child for my own. This is also the same time when I began to build a family of my own together with the man I have truly loved for all these years.The happiness that I felt when I learned that I am to bear my first child is wonderful, I am almost speechless. Many thoughts lingered in to my mind and then came my fear on how to raise the child the way that my parents did with me. I should be responsible enough to handle all the things that my child needs to be able to gro w up so well. My lifestyle has also changed after I got married. Many twists and turns happen especially during the early stages of my married life because my partner and I have to adjust on things and be considerate with the feelings of each other.From the happy-go-lucky gal that I am, I became refined and more bound to go home straight after a tiring day at work. I would rather burn my hand while cooking dinner for my husband than to party all night and end being hooked with someone who I really do not want at all. Work then is not the kind I have dreamt of earlier, my work involves so much of my physical capability as well as the mental. I do not have the luxury to choose whatever work I want then because I know I have to help my husband to earn and save for our coming family.It was like being carried by a strong wind in to a new place because there is no recourse, I believe, when I have promised my self to a man who dreams of nothing but good fortune for me and the family. This is the time when I have the most exciting and at the same time nerve-wracking experiences because of the fact that soon, I will have to build a family and raise children to become better persons and the future of the nation. Despite the age, I have managed to rekindle the intimacy that my partner and I have experienced a few years back.There are times when I still date my husband and be left alone by our children. We take advantage of this time and make the best out of it. The feeling that we both have felt in our younger years was revived and the intimacy we subject our selves then are repeating despite the difference in physical features. Also, I tend to be more attached to my work and hold on to it until I am satisfied with the kind of results and performance I deliver. Even if there are times when I feel aches in my body, I still decide to report for work so that I can supervise the works that my subordinates render.This way I also became more hands-on to the work that I have an d not depend on the extent of my worker’s capability to do the job for me. I also try to become more attracted to work more than ever because the same work gives me a kind of superiority above my husband since I am earning money from my own hard work and this same money I use to finance the needs of the family whenever he is not around. Accordingly, I keep my self busy in fulfilling my role as a house maker to give my family a better place to live in and the environment are always conducive for their holistic growth.I make it a point that what my family receive is the best for them and that I should not settle them to second rate meals and house to live at. According to studies, life begins at 50 and with me, it is real. Life took its 360 degree turn when I reached the age and with that I saw things on a different perspective, color and understanding. Since then I began to prepare myself that sooner our little house will also be an empty nest just like the way it is for my pa rents when I decided to marry the man I ought to live forever with.On the later part of my life, I have managed to overcome the idea of caring for the relationship that I have established in the entire course of my longevity in this world. Then again, I also handled the kind of intimacy that my husband and I have long before felt which made us decide to start on building our own family. On the onset of my late adulthood life, I tend to become more fragile. I sometimes become a burden to my family for the time they have to take care of me every time I am sick. At this point, I also stopped working due to its complexities.My family has commissioned someone to look after me everyday and help me take my medicines to prolong my life. Also, I began to accept that life for me is almost over and I am in the twilight zone of my life. Since I am spending most of my time at home with my grandchildren, I have perfected a new role in their eyes. I soon became their guarding light and source of i nspiration. And it is also from them whom I draw courage and strength to proceed with life and accept the every day challenges that it has in store for me.Also with that, I became more accustomed to being the fountain of knowledge in the perspective of my grandchildren as they try to test my mental and intellectual ability by asking me certain things about life and all other things there is that they would want to know about. Because of my old age, at night I tend to surrender my self to God and ask Him to prepare me for the upcoming battles that I have to take. My prayer also comes with the intention of asking Him to make my self an epitome of someone who will have eternal peace in His arms when the time comes that He has to take me out of this world.All things that I need to surrender to God are all ready and that I am just waiting for His call to pick me up and give me the final rest that I have longed been waiting for. It is during this time when I ask Him to give me the courage to let go of everything that I have in possession including the family that I have built. This part of my life is devoted in intensifying the knowledge and memories that my family especially my grandchildren so that they would remember me even if I am not already with them.For my part, I know that I have imbibed to them the different learning I have acquired during my developmental years which made me a better person. It will also be during this time when I have to secure all the things I have so that I can show the family I will be leaving behind that I love them so much and with that, I did everything to provide them with all the possible material things available for human kind. Aging has come to its fullest. At the very brittle age of 75, there is no way for me to work, manage a career or ever revive a dead intimate relationship.With that comes the recognition of the physical changes that is attributable to my aging. White hairs and brittle bones have consumed me and I should b e ready to receive my eternal rest anytime soon. This is also the same time that I experience looking back on all the things that had happened throughout my life and compare it with the generation that the world has currently produced. The simplicity of life then would be incomparable to the complexities of today but the learning that I have acquired then is definitely one of the most treasured knowledge that I have.I always tend to look back on the things that make living then a happy and at the same time progressive life. Despite all the adversaries, I was able to come up with a different kind of perception to other people. I feel that I was able to leave a mark on their lives and this mark will forever be etched in to their minds that will not make them forget me. Life at that age does not need to be complicated and hard; instead it should be as memorable as possible so that memories will be stored in the minds of those who will be left behind. Life is beautiful and it is more be autiful if there are persons who make living each day worthwhile.

Contribution Margin and Break Even Analysis

Many factors come into play in determining business success. One of them is the financial factor. For a company to set financial goals it is crucial that its management know in detail the products or services they sale or provide. This is the analysis of two different scenarios at Aunt Connie's Cookies Simulation (University of Phoenix, 2011) and the financial performance of Jamestown Electric Supply Company (Heiter, et. al. 2008). During both analysis I applied concepts like fixed and variable costs, contribution margin, break-even point, indifference point, and operating leverage. Aunt Connie's Cookies Scenario Simulation  The Aunt Connie's brand grew successfully producing Lemon Creme and Mint cookies. Maria Villanueva is the current chief executive officer of this family-owned company (University of Phoenix, 2011). She faces critical decisions to make because both the lemon creme and mint cookies prices increased and sales volume decreased. Maria should apply several accounting concepts to reach her goal of increasing sales and revenue for the company. Some opportunities and challenges lined up for Aunt Connie's Cookies like large bulk orders and the buyout of a competitor's factory (University of Phoenix, 2011). A confectioner commissioned Aunt Connie's Cookies to fill a bulk order of one million packages of the Real Mint cookies delivered in one month's time. The stipulations of the order weights greatly on the company as the confectioner will only pay $1. 20 per package, which is much cheaper than the mass market selling at $1. 50 per packet. Rejecting the order may seem foolish as Aunt Connie's Cookies has the capacity to produce the order, and could be missing out on a good opportunity if she declines to fill the order (University of Phoenix, 2011). In deciding which cookie's production to reduce, Maria took into account the concepts of contribution margin, unit contribution margin, and operating profits. This decision was necessary to create sufficient capacity to accommodate the mint cookies bulk order. The contribution margin is the amount of money that remians from the revenue obtained after sales to pay for fixed expenses and to contribute to the operating profits after deducting variable expenses. Alternatively, the unit contribution margin of each unit sales, in this case each pack of cookies adds to profit. Finally, operating profit is the profit earned from a company's core business operations, also known as earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). Maria calculated the contribution margin and the unit contribution margin for each type of cookie, determined to reduce the production of lemon creme cookies and to increase the production capacity for the bulk order of real mint cookies. Maria can sell mint cookies at $1. 20 per package, below the selling price of $1. 50 because the real mint cookies provide a greater total contribution margin and that the lemon cream cookies provides a greater unit contribution margin. Maria knew that Aunt Connie's Cookies should produce more of the cookies with the greater contribution margin per unit to maximize the shop's operating profit. If the scenario changed, and the bulk order was for lemon cookies, Maria would have to turn over the order to the confectioner. The unit contribution margin for the lemon cookies is smaller and Maria would have to increase the production capacity to make the same operating profit as for the mint cookies, to the point of going beyond the factory's production capacity. Maria faced the opportunity to buy a peanut butter cookie plant. She could use this plant to make more lemon creme cookies because the near-term demand exceeded 600,000 packs. The challenge for Maria is to make a decision about going forward or not with this business (University of Phoenix, 2011). If the new plant has a break-even volume of creme cookies of 650,000 packs, Maria must ensure that Aunt Connie's Cookie shop sales the same amount of packs or more. If the business sales less, it will make a loss, if it sells more, it will be a profit. The break-even point in volume is the point where the plant's fixed expenses are covered. In the case that Maria considers Aunt Connie's Cookie shop cannot sell that much, she may ensure viability of the plant by (1) trying to reduce the fixed costs (e. g. renegotiating rent, reducing telephone bills, insurance, etc. ), (2) trying to reduce variable costs (e. g. purchasing at lower cost the ingredients used to make cookies), or (3) increasing the selling price of the cookies. Any of these strategies can reduce the break-even point in volume. In the worst of the scenarios, Maria should not buy the peanut butter cookie plant. Key Learning Points. During the simulation I applied several concepts such as contribution margin, break-even point, fixed and variable costs, indifference point, and operating leverage. All these concepts interrelate and form part of the cost volume profit analysis tool. The application of these concepts by managers help organizations attain good financial performance. Cost volume profit analysis (CVP analysis) is a powerful tool that can help managers in understanding better the relationship that exists among the cost, the volume, and the profit in a business. Managers can make good business decision if they concentrate in trying to understand the interaction that exists among (1) the prices of product or services, (2) the level of activity, (3) the volume of product , (4) the variable cost per unit, (4) the total fixed costs and (5) and the mixture of the product or services. Business decision may be about changes to company's pricing policy, selection of a marketing strategy to use, choosing which products to manufacture or services to provide, and even about the acquision of new companies. The break-even point (BEP) is one element of CVP analysis. BEP is the level of output at which the profit is zero. Break even analysis helps managers determine how far sales can decline before their companies start to lose money. The indifference point is the volume at which costs for both labor-intensive operations and equipment intensive operations are equal. When volumes increase, revenues increase. However, the presence of lower variable costs per unit in equipment-intensive operations ensures that the operating profits increase more significantly when compared to labor-intensive operations. Equipment-intensive operations have higher fixed costs and lower variable costs per until when compared to labor -intensive operations. Jamestown Electric Supply Company. Jamestown Electric Supply Company has been in business for 45 years. The company designs, manufactures, and delivers electrical supplies in various forms to different type of businesses. Jamestown invested heavily in research and development of automotive electronic technology to provide its customers with modern functionality, safety, and performance. Jamestown products have outstanding features that create competitive advantage to commodities that customers regard as standard features on all automobiles. Jamestown has hundreds of diverse contracts with different divisions and plants of each of the major automobile manufacturers. Most of the contracts show good gross profit margin on sales, but others do not show acceptable bottom-line profits or show no profit. Although Jamestown's sales, continue to rise, profit declined in the period under analysis from 2003 to 2007 as showed on Exhibit One. Jamestown top managers believe that if sales growth remained positive, the problems with the profit would resolve. Warehousing and shipping managers think that customer service expenses are out of control and causing significant cost increases for the company. Jamestown customer services include overnight delivery of electronic component products, just-in-time inventory deliveries to client's plants, warehousing of client parts, special part support services, and many other customer services designed to gain and maintain clients. Exhibit One. Jamestown Electric Supply Company Income Statements for 2003 to 2007. Electric Supply Company financial performance is in jeopardy and top management have to change its customer service policy and marketing strategy after carefully analyzing the information obtained after performing a CVP analysis. The focus of the analysis should be in understanding the relationship between product price, volume, per unit variable cost, and the mix of products sold by Jamestown Electric. Calculating the contribution margin on the products which Jamestown Electric sales will allow management to know more in detail how much each unit sale will contribute to the company profit. Calculating the break-even point will provide information about which products do not bring either profit or loss, and about how far sales can decrease before Jamestown Electric starts to lose money. James Electric product cost structure has a higher percentage of variable costs than in fixed costs, which involves less operating leverage or risk. One of he options management should consider is to closely monitor the variable expenses incurred by customer service in order to increase the company profits. Jamestown Electrical Supply Company management will definitely benefit from setting a regular schedule to analyze contribution margins either monthly or quarterly to track product margin performance more accurately. Conclusion Managers can help their organizations achieve a good financial performance when they apply basic accounting concepts in their business strategic plans. Knowing the existing relationship between these concepts contribute to ensure their organization's financial success.

Interior Design essays

Interior Design essays In their article, Interior design education within a human ecological framework, Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007) argue for an interdisciplinary model of interior design education that would incorporate the study of human ecology. Kaup, Anderson and Honey contend that such an approach would enhance the overall skill set of interior designers, allowing them to provide a greater benefit to businesses, homeowners and communities, while also addressing some of the perceived training gaps in current interior design education. While Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007) structure their article as an argumentative essay, they rely heavily on a literature-review format to help cement their points. To begin their argument, Kaup, Anderson and Honey define human ecology as the study of human beings, their environments and human-environment interactions from a holistic perspective (p. 45). Human ecology incorporates the science of human behavior study with the art of creating functional design to enhance how humans thrive in their environments. In short, the authors argue that students who study human ecology as part of their interior design curriculum will be exposed to such diverse fields as anthropology, archeology, architecture, biology, demography and more (p. 46). This would provide a more complete education than most interior design students are currently receiving at U.S. colleges, Kaup, Anderson and Honey contend. According to Kaup, Anderson and Honey (2007), state licensing of interior designers has been increasing steadily since the 1960s, and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation has established minimum standards that accredited colleges must adhere to in the construct and delivery of their programs. Those standards, however, leave colleges a fair degree of latitude in deciding which disciplines to align their programs with. For example, some colleges emphasize the artistic element of interior design, ...

About Glenn Murcutt, an Australian Way of Architecture

About Glenn Murcutt, an Australian Way of Architecture Glenn Murcutt (born July 25, 1936) is arguably Australias most famous architect, although he was born in England. He has influenced generations of working architects and has won every major architecture award of the profession, including the 2002 Pritzker. Yet he remains obscure to many of his Australian countrymen, even as he is revered by architects worldwide. Murcutt is said to work alone, yet he opens his farm to professionals and students of architecture every year, giving master classes and promoting his vision:  Architects thinking locally acting globally. Murcutt was born in London, England, but grew up in the Morobe district of Papua New Guinea and in Sydney, Australia, where he learned to value simple, primitive architecture. From his father, Murcutt learned the philosophies of Henry David Thoreau, who believed that we should live simply and in harmony with natures laws. Murcutts father, a self-sufficient man of many talents, also introduced him to the streamlined modernist architecture of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Murcutts early work strongly reflects Mies van der Rohes ideals. One of Murcutts favorite quotations is a phrase he often heard his father say. The words, he believes, are from Thoreau: â€Å"Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.† Murcutt is also fond of quoting the Aboriginal proverb  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Touch the earth lightly.† From 1956 to 1961, Murcutt studied architecture at the University of New South Wales. After graduation, Murcutt traveled widely in 1962 and was impressed by the works of Jà ¸rn Utzon. On a later trip in 1973, he remembers the modernist 1932 Maison de Verre in Paris, France, as being influential. He was inspired by the Californian architecture of Richard Neutra and Craig Ellwood, and the crisp, uncomplicated work of Scandinavian architect Alvar Aalto. However, Murcutts designs quickly took on a distinctively Australian flavor. The Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt is not a builder of skyscrapers. He doesnt design grand, showy structures or use flashy, luxurious materials. Instead, the principled designer pours his creativity into smaller projects that let him work alone and design economical buildings that will conserve energy and blend with the environment. All of his buildings (mostly rural houses) are in Australia. Murcutt chooses materials that can be produced easily and economically: glass, stone, brick, concrete, and corrugated metal. He pays close attention to the movement of the sun, moon, and seasons, and designs his buildings to harmonize with the movement of light and wind. Many of Murcutts buildings are not air-conditioned. Resembling open verandas, Murchutts houses suggest the simplicity of Farnsworth House of Mies van der Rohe, yet have the pragmatism of a sheepherders hut. Murcutt takes on few new projects but is intensely devoted to what he does, often spending many years working with his clients. At times he collaborates with his partner, architect Wendy Lewin. Glenn Murcutt is a master teacher;  Oz.e.tecture is the offical website of the Architecture Foundation Australia and the Glenn Murcutt Master Classes. Murcutt is proud to be the father of the Australian architect Nick Murcutt (1964–2011), whose own firm with partner Rachel Neeson flourishes as Neeson Murcutt Architects.   Murcutts Important Buildings The Marie Short House (1975) is one of Murcutts first homes to combine modern Miesian aesthetics with Australian wool shed practicality. With skylights that track the overhead sun and a galvanized corrugated steel roof, this elongated farmhouse on stilts takes advantage of the environment without harming it. The National Park Visitors Centre at Kempsey (1982) and the Berowra Waters Inn (1983) are two of Murcutts early nonresidential projects, but he worked on these while honing his residential designs. The Ball-Eastaway House (1983) was built as a retreat for the artists Sydney Ball and Lynne Eastaway. Nestled in an arid forest, the main structure of the building is supported on steel columns and steel I-beams.  By raising the house above the earth, Murcutt protected the dry soil and surrounding trees. The curved roof prevents dry leaves from settling on top.  An exterior fire extinguishing system provides emergency protection from forest blazes. Architect Murcutt thoughtfully placed the windows and meditation decks to create a sense of seclusion while still providing scenic views of the Australian landscape.   The Magney House (1984) is often called Glenn Murcutts most famous house as it integrates Murcutts elements of function and design. Also known as Bingie Farm, the architectural masterpiece is now part of the Airbnb program. The Marika-Alderton House (1994) was built for the Aboriginal artist Marmburra Wananumba Banduk Marika and her English husband, Mark Alderton. The house was prefabricated near Sydney and shipped to its location in the unforgiving Northern Territory of Australia. While being built, Murcutt was also working on the Bowali Visitors Centre at Kakadu National Park (1994), also in the Northern Territory, and the Simpson-Lee House (1994) located near Sydney. Glenn Murcutts more recent homes from the 21st century are often bought and sold, somewhat like investments or collectors items. The Walsh House (2005) and the Donaldson House (2016) fall into this category, not that Murcutts care in design is ever diminished. The Australian Islamic Centre (2016) near Melbourne may be the last worldly statement of an 80-year-old architect. Knowing little about mosque architecture, Murcutt studied, sketched, and planned for years before the modern design was approved and built. The traditional minaret is gone, yet the orientation toward Mecca remains. Colorful rooftop lanterns bathe interiors with colored sunlight, yet men and women have different access to those interiors. Like all of Glenn Murcutts work, this Australian mosque is not the first, but it is architecture that- through a thoughtful, iterative process of design- may be the best. I have always believed in the act of discovery rather than creativity, Murcutt said in his 2002 Pritzker acceptance speech. Any work that exists, or which has the potential to exist, is related to discovery. We do not create the work. I believe we, in fact, are discoverers. Murcutts Pritzker Architecture Prize Upon learning of his Pritzker award, Murcutt told reporters, Life is not about maximizing everything, its about giving something back- like light, space, form, serenity, joy. You have to give something back. Why did he become a Pritzker Laureate in 2002? In the words of the Pritzker jury: In an age obsessed with celebrity, the glitz of our starchitects, backed by large staffs and copious public relations support, dominates the headlines. As a total contrast,  our laureate works in a one-person office on the other side of the world...yet has a waiting list of clients, so intent is he to give each project his personal best. He is an innovative architectural technician who is capable of turning his sensitivity to the environment and to locality into forthright, totally honest, non-showy works of art. Bravo! - J. Carter Brown, Pritzker Prize jury chairman Fast Facts: The Glenn Murcutt Library Touch This Earth Lightly: Glenn Murcutt in His Own Words.  In an interview with Philp Drew, Glenn Murcutt talks about his life and describes how he developed the philosophies that shape his architecture. This thin paperback is not a lavish coffee table-book, but provides excellent insight into the thinking behind the designs. Glenn Murcutt: A Singular Architectural Practice.  Murcutts design philosophy presented in his own words is combined with commentary from architecture editors Haig Beck and Jackie Cooper. Through concept sketches, working drawings, photographs, and finished drawings, Murcutts ideas are explored in depth. Glenn Murcutt: Thinking Drawing / Working Drawing by Glenn Murcutt.  The architects solitary process is described by the solitary architect himself. Glenn Murcutt: University of Washington Master Studios and Lectures.  Murcutt has consistently conducted master classes at his farm in Australia, but hes also been forging a relationship with Seattle. This slim book by the University of Washington Press provided edited transcripts of conversations, lectures, and studios. The Architecture of Glenn Murcutt.  In a format large enough to display 13 of Murcutts most successful projects, this is the go-to book of photos, sketches, and descriptions that will introduce any neophyte to what the unwavering Glenn Murcutt is all about. Sources Glenn Murcutt 2002 Pritzker Laureate Acceptance Speech, The Hyatt Foundation, PDF at pritzkerprize.com/sites/default/files/file_fields/field_files_inline/2002_Acceptance_Speech_0.pdfAustralian Architect Becomes the 2002 Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, The Hyatt Foundation, https://www.pritzkerprize.com/laureates/2002

Definition and Examples of Interior Monologues

Definition and Examples of Interior Monologues In both fiction and nonfiction, an interior monologue is the expression of a characters thoughts, feelings, and impressions in a narrative. An interior monologue may be either direct or indirect: direct, in which the author seems not to exist and the interior self of the character is given directly, as though the reader were overhearing an articulation of the stream of thought and feeling flowing through the characters mind;indirect, in which the author serves as selector, presenter, guide, and commentator. (W. Harmon and H. Holman, A Handbook to Literature, 2006) Interior Monologues in Fiction   I looked into the reception room. It was empty of everything but the smell of dust. I threw up another window, unlocked the communicating door and went into the room beyond. Three hard chairs and a swivel chair, flat desk with a glass top, five green filing cases, three of them full of nothing, a calendar and a framed license bond on the wall, a phone, a washbowl in a stained wood cupboard, a hatrack, a carpet that was just something on the floor, and two open windows with net curtains that puckered in and out like the lips of a toothless old man sleeping.The same stuff I had had last year, and the year before that. Not beautiful, not gay, but better than a tent on the beach.(Raymond Chandler, The High Window, 1942)How much better is silence; the coffee cup, the table. How much better to sit by myself like the solitary sea-bird that opens its wings on the stake. Let me sit here for ever with bare things, this coffee cup, this knife, this fork, things in themselves, myself being m yself. Do not come and worry me with your hints that it is time to shut the shop and be gone. I would willingly give all my money that you should not disturb me but let me sit on and on, silent, alone. (Virginia Woolf, The Waves, 1931) Interior Monologue in Tom Wolfe's Nonfiction [I]nterior monologue is appropriate with nonfiction, provided theres fact to back it up. We cant get into a characters head because we suppose, or imagine, or deduce thats what he or she would be thinking. We have to know!See how Tom Wolfe does it in his book about the space program, The Right Stuff. At the outset he explained that his style was developed to grab the readers attention, to absorb them. . . . He wanted to get into the heads of his characters, even if this was nonfiction. And so, at an astronauts press conference, he quotes a reporters question on who was confident about coming back from space. He describe the astronauts looking at one another and hoisting their hands in the air. Then, hes into their heads: It really made you feel like an idiot, raising your hand this way. If you didnt think you were coming back, then you would really have to be a fool or a nut to have volunteered at all. . . . He goes on for a full page, and in writing this way Wolfe has transcended usual nonfiction style; hes offered characterization and motivation, two fiction writing techniques that can bring the reader in lockstep with the writer. Interior monologue provides a chance to see inside the heads of characters, and we know that the more familiar a reader is with a character, the more the reader embraces that character. (William Noble, Writing Nonfiction- Using Fiction. The Portable Writers Conference, 2nd ed., ed. by Stephen Blake Mettee. Quill Driver, 2007) Stylistic Characteristics of Interior Monologue Sentence fragments may be treated as interior monologue (direct speech) or regarded as part of an adjoining stretch of free  indirect speech.Interior monologue may also contain traces of non-verbal thought. While more formal interior monologue uses the first-person pronoun and finite verbs in the present tense, He [Stephen] lifted his feet up from the suck [of the sand] and turned back by the mole of boulders. Take all, keep all. My soul walks with me, form of forms. [. . .] The flood is following me. I can watch it flow past from here. (Ulysses iii; Joyce 1993: 37; my emphasis) In Ulysses James Joyce conducts more radical experiments with the form of the interior monologue, especially in his representation of the thoughts of Leopold Bloom and his wife, Molly. He eschews full sentences with finite verbs in favour of incomplete, often verbless syntagms which simulate Blooms mental leaps as he associates ideas: Hymes jotting down something in his notebook. Ah, the names. But he knows them all. No: coming to me. - I am just taking the names, Hynes said below his breath. What is your christian name? Im not sure. In this example, Blooms impressions and speculations are confirmed by Hynes remarks. (Monika Fludernik, An Introduction to Narratology. Routledge, 2009) Stream of Consciousness and Interior Monologue Although stream of consciousness and interior monologue are often used interchangeably, the former is the more general term. Interior monologue, strictly defined, is a type of stream of consciousness. As such, it presents a characters thoughts, emotions, and fleeting sensations to the reader. Unlike stream of consciousness more generally, however, the ebb and flow of the psyche revealed by interior monologue typically exists at a pre- or sublinguistic level, where images and the connotations they evoke supplant the literal denotative meanings of words. (Ross Murfin and Supryia M. Ray, The Bedford Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms, 2nd ed. Bedford/St. Martins, 2003)

Enzyme Linked Assays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Enzyme Linked Assays - Essay Example hydrogen donors in equation 2 and 3 is quite low, as a result AH2 can be a variety of compounds, and many different bindings or linkings are possible. In this way antibodies are conjugated to enzymes in order to amplify the signal via the catalytic properties of the enzymes. HRP conjugates are ideally used for ELISA or enzyme- linked immunosorbent assays. HRP has a fast catalytic rate and can generate more products in shorter incubation time, allowing for greater sensitivity. HRP-labeled antihuman IgG can be used to bind to target antigen in an assay system to localize even trace amounts of biomolecules. This biomolecules produce dityrosin bonds by reaction with HRP to produce (Adopted from Rob, P.M. et al. 2002). When used for an assay this will give rise to a reaction like Different types of linked assays and their properties: There are mainly two types of ELISA assays. 1. Sandwich. 2. Competitive. Sandwich: This is also known as two-antibody sandwich ELISA. This is used for determination of antigen concentration in unknown samples. With a purified antigen standard, it can determine absolute amount of antigen in a sample. This requires two antibodies, capture and detection, that bind to epitopes that do not overlap. Two monoclonal antibodies that recognize discrete sites on the antigen or two polyclonal affinity purified antibodies are used. The capture antibody is purified and bound to the solid phase. Antigen is added, and antigen-antibody binding occurs. This creates a sandwich. Quantification of the assay is then made by measuring the amount of labeled second antibody bound to the matrix by the use of a colourimetric substrate (Please see the picture). Competitive: Nonpurified primary antibodies may be... Kay,E., Leland, M. S., and Lew, J. Y., (1967). Peroxidase Isozymes from Horseradish Roots, Ii. Catalytic Properties, The Journal Of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 242, No. 10, Issue Of May 25, Pp. 247lbz473,

Characterize the role of ICTY in developing international criminal law Coursework

Characterize the role of ICTY in developing international criminal law - Coursework Example A few years ago the concept of the establishment of international war crime tribunal seemed unrealistic but now ad hoc tribunals for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda have been established and the development of permanent international criminal court (ICC) is expected soon2. This paper will analyze the role of International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). ICTY was formed under chapter VII of the UN Charter. Under article 39 of the Charter, the Security Council found threat to the international peace and security therefore it was decided to establish a subsidiary unit that assures law enforcement to maintain security and peace internationally under article 7(2) and 41. The tribunal operates independently of political and Security Council considerations3. The United Nations set up ICTY for prosecuting those who were held responsible for committing serious crimes during the war in the former Yugoslavia and put perpetrators on trial for their actions. The purpose of establishing ICTY was to deter military and civil officers in the former Yugoslavia from committing more violent incidents. It was also intended to give a message internationally that those who attempted crimes would meet justice4. The international criminal tribunal (ICTY) was meant to maintain security and peace internationally. Case studies from Yugoslavia, Cambodia, and Rwanda showed that international tribunals have significantly contributed towards the international law and retributive justice. It can further help in reconciliation in other forms of justice and establishing peace. The impact of ICTY on the local public protest also signifies the disparity between local and international perspectives on justice. In Nuremberg and Tokyo practice of the victors’ justice, the role of ICTY has been very significant. It is also asserted that the practice of ICTY is and will continue to

My Ten Year Life Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

My Ten Year Life Plan - Research Paper Example Guangzhou is a relatively big city, one of the biggest in China in fact. It was here when I was born, raised and spent my early years in education up until I finished high school. Life was on the fast lane, given that we lived in the city. I was able to build a vision of my future, seeing myself engaged in trade and commerce, having been raised in an environment where entrepreneurship is a common activity. My parents had a thriving business, and I was encouraged to take part in managing and running its operations. As early as my teenage years, I had a good hands-on experience when it comes to managing a business. This is where my interest in Business Management took off. I became very interested in financial management in particular, hoping that someday I will be able to take care of my own business venture as well. My future is a mixture of nervous anticipation. Five years ago, our family was given an opportunity to migrate to the United States. Five years is a relatively ample time to get used to the environment, make new friends and adapt to the new culture. It was not a walk in the park for me, who was in the middle of my teenage years at that time, to find my place in the sun, so to speak. At first, I even wanted to get away. One of the first challenges was to overcome the language barrier. To address this, I enrolled in an ESL course. It actually took a lot of getting used to communicating with other people using a language that I didn’t grow up with. It’s as basic as eating and sleeping, having to tell people your thoughts and feelings, your needs and demands, using words that are exact and applicable to situations. It’s the first step to getting by, and I am proud to say I am way past that stage. I have embraced this new life that I have now. My present is actually one long list of to-dos. I have carefully planned my action steps in the next few years to ensure that I am right on track towards the fulfillment of my dreams. With the skills I innately have, and those that I was able to acquire, I am planning on embarking in a journey that would ultimately hone my business management skills. I want to be a successful entrepreneur one day, perhaps managing a restaurant or a cafe in California, eventually expanding to my homeland China. The road towards learning is long, and the challenges are abound. But somehow I am confident, with the love and support of my family, that I can tackle all the challenges entailed for me to reach my goals. I am known for my perseverance, for always being focused once I set my mind on anything. I am results-oriented by heart, and I have the right mix of patience and drive to push myself further for me to attain my goals. THE EDUCATION PLAN Three years ago, I resumed my plans to fulfill my dreams to become a skilled entrepreneur by enrolling in a Business Management Diploma Course at the De Anza College in Cupertino, California. Prior to that, I have already immersed myself to local t rade, having worked as part of the operations team for two establishments in the area. I was able to look at my plans from a different perspective. I knew then that the United States is the place where I have to shape up my dreams and take action steps towards the achievement of my vision. Being in De Anza was the first step that I took, with the goal to eventually transfer to the

Organizational Culture in Multinational Corporations Research Paper - 1

Organizational Culture in Multinational Corporations - Research Paper Example The culture in general and broad-spectrum comprises of assumptions, beliefs, values, norms, customs, artifacts, and several other components, likewise organization also have its norms, values, principles and policies that makes up a characteristics of the organization. In the view of many experts and theorists, culture can come under illustration and distinguish itself on three levels (Schneider, 1988). Behavior and artifacts are considerably the most obvious and manifest level as it encompasses the behavioral structure of the populace of a particular culture. Values or the principles are the subsequent level that motivate, inspire, and figure out the actions of the people. Assumptions, hypothesis, values and attitude are the distant and rooted level and considerably the most vital and imperative level to apprehend (Schneider, 1988). In order to understand the effective functioning of the organization, it is pivotal to identify with the culture first as it is a complete experience of the happenings and circumstances that encircles the entire population of the world (Alvesson, 2002). With the emergence of the multinational corporations that managed their operations in a number of countries apart from the parent country, a new concept also came under development that came under the explanation as organizational culture. Organizational culture is one of the foremost and primitive facets that are cumulative endeavors of the workforce of the enterprise and their actions and conduct (Alvesson, 2002). Although organizational culture has come under analysis and study from a wide variety of aspects, yet it does not have a solitary and distinct definition as it is complicated and tricky to articulate in a noticeable or apparent manner. Some schools of thought even refer the organizational culture as a system where the key in elements are the response and opinion from various

Business ethics dilemma that you have faced, either as an employee or Essay

Business ethics dilemma that you have faced, either as an employee or a manager - Essay Example In late August two years ago, I saw a problem with the way Kevin handled the other employees in our department. I noticed that he was being cruel to them like giving them too much work despite the busyness of their schedules and worse, without any extra compensation. The number of employees complaining about Kevin’s harsh policies was increasing to the point that they were all voicing out to me what they believe I should do. Everyone of them was telling me that I should report Kevin to the higher superiors of the company, and they believed that it would lead to my promotion as the next manager. Word has reached the CEO that something was going wrong in the department although Kevin denied all of these allegations. However, since the CEO did not completely buy what Kevin had said. He called for a closed-door meeting between the other employees who were somehow implying aggrieved status as well as me, being second in line for the position of manager. When the CEO and his assistant entered, they reminded us of two things – our allegiance to them, thus implying that they expect the truthfulness of our testimonies, and the urgency of the situation, since several employees have been voicing out their grievances over social media. Moreover, they underlined the fact that the purpose of the meeting was to determine the truth and to determine the proper measures to mitigate or eliminate the problem. However, what happened was that the CEO noticed that everything seemed hesitant to say anything during the closed-door meeting. Thus, the employee issued a report to be written by me within 24 hours. I was therefore left with three choices. The first was to tell the truth about the matter while at the same time risking my friendship with Kevin and risking my own reputation too since he would therefore reveal to the CEO my past misdemeanors. The second choice was to deny the allegations of the other employees, thus risking my popularity among them and

Assess the hierarchical structure of the court system in England and Essay - 5

Assess the hierarchical structure of the court system in England and Wales. To what extent does the common law doctrine of binding precedent engage with this structure - Essay Example Chadwick (2011) asserts that English legal system is found in common law that among other factors advocates for an organised court system. Courts in England and Wales observe a rigid hierarchy as a consequence of hierarchy of judicial precedents. An important function of the English courts is operating two distinct systems of justice namely the criminal and the civil justice system (Chadwick, 2011). There exists a fundamental distinction between the two systems of justice. The criminal justice system concerns with enforcing criminal law in criminal courts employing its unique criminal procedures. Criminal law is known as the law of the state and falls under public law. Criminal law is meant to protect the public by prohibiting specific forms of conduct and punishing the offenders (Chadwick, 2011). Cases that have a criminal element are heard first in the crown court or the magistrates’ court. The civil justice system is designed to handle matters that are civil in nature in ci vil courts. Civil law is the law among individuals that are essentially private law. Civil cases are principally tackled in the high court and county courts. The size and complexity of a particular matter determine where the matter will be heard. Gillespie (2013) observes that courts in England and Wales adhere to a specific hierarchical order. On the top most of the hierarchy is the supreme court of the United Kingdom. This is a modern supreme court established by constitution reform act of 2005, and it replaced the House of Lords. It is constituted by 12 professional judges appointed by members of the House of Lords (Gillespie, 2013). The court is the highest appellant court and court of the last resort in all matters under the English law, Wales’s law as well as Northern Irish law. The court bears authority over criminal cases in Scotland. In addition, the court has jurisdiction over appeals from the

Business ethics dilemma that you have faced, either as an employee or Essay

Business ethics dilemma that you have faced, either as an employee or a manager - Essay Example In late August two years ago, I saw a problem with the way Kevin handled the other employees in our department. I noticed that he was being cruel to them like giving them too much work despite the busyness of their schedules and worse, without any extra compensation. The number of employees complaining about Kevin’s harsh policies was increasing to the point that they were all voicing out to me what they believe I should do. Everyone of them was telling me that I should report Kevin to the higher superiors of the company, and they believed that it would lead to my promotion as the next manager. Word has reached the CEO that something was going wrong in the department although Kevin denied all of these allegations. However, since the CEO did not completely buy what Kevin had said. He called for a closed-door meeting between the other employees who were somehow implying aggrieved status as well as me, being second in line for the position of manager. When the CEO and his assistant entered, they reminded us of two things – our allegiance to them, thus implying that they expect the truthfulness of our testimonies, and the urgency of the situation, since several employees have been voicing out their grievances over social media. Moreover, they underlined the fact that the purpose of the meeting was to determine the truth and to determine the proper measures to mitigate or eliminate the problem. However, what happened was that the CEO noticed that everything seemed hesitant to say anything during the closed-door meeting. Thus, the employee issued a report to be written by me within 24 hours. I was therefore left with three choices. The first was to tell the truth about the matter while at the same time risking my friendship with Kevin and risking my own reputation too since he would therefore reveal to the CEO my past misdemeanors. The second choice was to deny the allegations of the other employees, thus risking my popularity among them and

The New York Public schools and New York Charter Schools Dissertation

The New York Public schools and New York Charter Schools - Dissertation Example Although there is a perception (generally) that the education in charter schools are vastly different than those in public schools, this research seeks to understand whether there is a difference in New York schools. The research will also review the beginning aspects of charter schools and draw a comparison of the positives and negatives of both charter and public schools.... As an example, California initiated a law to in 1992, showed how their charter schools would stay accountable. The Charter School Act for New York State passed in December 1998, allowed for the production of independent self–governing public schools. The law essentially stated that New York charter schools would meet state standards, regent’s requirements, state, health, safety, civil rights, and student assessments just like all public schools (About Charter Schools, 2010). Positive and Negative Aspects of Charter Schools vs. Public Schools One of the largest differences between public and charte r schools is that children are allowed to go to charter schools regardless of where they live. This gives parents and students a choice of schools and they are able to choose a school that they feel is the best choice for their children. In some ways, this action creates a need for public schools to develop more challenging The public schools limit their students to those who live within their specific districts. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) (2011) many charter schools will help to reform public schools but they are limited in scope so they will not be able to foster and entire public school system (NCSL, 2011). When looking at the positive and negative aspects of public schools, it is important to point out that public schools are free and the provide transportation to and from school for the children. Because the school is in the neighborhood, children will attend with their friends. This can also be a negative attribute for public schools if t heir friends include gang members or people who would get them into trouble in some way.

Divorce Essay Introduction Essay Example for Free

Divorce Essay Introduction Essay When one spouse does not agree with a decision made by the other spouse, then an argument can occur, and result by one or both parties sharing a feeling of resentment against the other. Lack of communication in all areas of the marriage, can cause strain on the relationship. It is common for many couples to subject themselves to the distractions of everyday life, therefore leaving very little time for communication. This can cause marital problems to be over looked, triggering a range of feelings to explode in the marital relationship, and result in divorce. Another common cause of divorce is money. Many people say, â€Å"Money is the root of all evil,† as in a marriage it can be the root of all problems. When one spouse makes all of the financial decisions, and For the last decade, the issue of divorce and increased divorce rates in modern society have been a focus of public attention and discussions in all mass media. As a serious social problem, divorces cause numerous effects on our social life, especially on modern young generation. Students of high schools and colleges are very often asked to write academic essays on divorce and its effects on children as a great opportunity to research the topic, analyze it and do everything possible to prevent this kind of thing happening in their own life. Undoubtedly, divorces cause a lot of negative effects, some of which are short-term and less harmful, but some can be very lasting and very harmful causing serious health problems, development and behavioral problems in children, leading to a lack of academic or other success, as well as inability to feel happy and pleased with this life. According to the latest statistics, children of divorced parents are less likely to finish schools or graduate from colleges with high grades, find a good job and be satisfied with own career or personal life. Parents’ divorce always causes great impact on children, which can in no sense be positive or  inspiring. Start your work with choosing an appropriate topic of your research. If analyzing the general effects of divorce on children in modern society seems to you too broad or too hard to deal with, you can choose a topic like analyzing divorce rates and tendencies in modern inter-race marriages, or analyze the divorce rates among Americ an families of Hispanic origin, etc. You can study the influences of religious beliefs on divorce rates in various society, or research how such factor as the number of children in the family is linked to divorce rates in modern America society. When working on your academic essay on divorce, it is very important to gather a great deal of statistics in order to support your thesis statement and point of view. A great deal of various data related to the topic of divorce can be found online, but it is necessary to use only the most recent statistics taken from official and reputable online sources. It can be great to show the data in the forms of graphs, diagrams, pictures, or use other visual illustrative materials. For all essays on divorce, operating with current divorce rates statistics (with respect to race, gender, type of marriage, time of occurrence, the place where the family resides, etc. etc.) can be of a great help and support for the writer. There is plenty of factors related to divorce which should be discussed when analyzing the topic of divorce effects on children. They should include financial, economic, social, emotional, psychological, behavioral, academic, and all other issues related to child’s development and growth. When working on your essay on divorce, do not forget to follow usual essay structure: starting your essay with a good introduction with a thesis statement, followed by the body and conclusion. Pay proper attention to referencing and formatting your paper, as well as following the chosen writing style. Proofread and spell check your paper before submitting it to your instructor.

A marketing report and analysis of Nestle

A marketing report and analysis of Nestle Nestle is the leader in food and beverage industry with wide range of products which accompany consumers live from birth through adulthooh, from breakfast to dinner, at home and elsewhere. This, day by day, represents them as a great responsibility and commitment to quality, taste and nutrion across all their products, to touch lives in a positive way and earn customers trust. They have joined into nutrion, health and wellness strategy with three fundamental beliefs: Pleasure and health: Nutrion have great taste if it is a part of healthy balanced diet. Eating with moderation and balance: Nestles products are designed to a variety of choices for every moment of the day and for all company members. Transparent communication: Transparent is the best way to win customers trust. All ingredients used to produce Nestles products are included on the label. With long term commitment is to enable customer an informed choices about diets and lifestyle, helping them care for themselves and their families, Nestle is really a leader in nutrion, health and wellness area. Business generates the most revenue Nutrion, Health and Wellness generates the most revenue for Nestle. In the recent year 2010, Nutrion, Health and Wellness confirms Nestles strategic direction, with main products is Food and Beverages creat 103.722 CHF millions in revenue equal to 94.53% in Total Revenue. Nestle, 2011, Strong 2010 performance press release, http://www.nestle.com/Common/ NestleDocuments/Documents/Library/Events/2010-full-year-results/Press_Release_EN.pdf Nutrion, Health and Wellness market, which is 100 percent right as determining from Nestles Board of Management in 2007, is a massive market for growing. Over 5 year operating, the industry keep fastest growing rate and contribute most revenue for corporate. This industry has been opened for Nestle S.A in 2007 by Brabeck Letmathe Nestle Groups Chairman when he produce Nestle Roadmap a strategy to transform corperate from traditional business into Nutrion, Health and Wellness with slogan Good Food, Good Life . Business generates the most profit Nutrion, Health and Wellness is the area that brings in for corporation the most profit. In 2010, with EBIT rate of 13.4% equal to 13.898 CHF millions, Food and Beverages main range of products in Nutrion, Health and Wellness area creats main income in total for corperation. Nestle, 2011, Strong 2010 performance press release, http://www.nestle.com/Common/ NestleDocuments/Documents/Library/Events/2010-full-year-results/Press_Release_EN.pdf Business will drive grow in the next decade These are 4 areas provide Nestle exciting prospect for continuos growing in the next decade: Nutrition, Health and Wellness Emerging markets and PPP Out-of-home leadership Premiumisation Nestles Successful Transformation from traditional business into a nutrion, health and wellness company, that brings them to No.2 player all over the world. Efficiently investing in value-added category. Stronger finance and credit. Flexible reaction to changing in strict health care standard and unfair competing. Their global strategy and local execution help them reach almost targets in recent years. Corperate Responsibility. In recent years, to become a successful corperation nowadays, these are their vital programs, which have contributed not only for society but also for themself as listed: Essential Program Context Action Achievement Rural Development Creat positive impact on argriculture area (provide local employment, technical transforming), and evironmental development Provide 200.000 local employments For Nestle: profitable growth, better quality in raw material, raw material supplying guarantee Improve standard of living, increase productivity in rural and economic in general In 2009, they provided microfinance in amount of CHF 48 millions For Customer: more qualified and healthier products for consumer Minimize impact of climate change and sometime is social issues For Society: higher quality for crop, more technical assistance, developping employment and environment, lower natural resources use, larger in yield help lower producing cost. Creating for themsef a stable, protected and qualified raw material to guarantee shareholder value-added Technical assistance and knowledge transfer Water and environmental Sustainability Produce tasting products that also have more and more lower environmental footprint by improving operational efficiacy They have already invested over CHF 220 millions in sustainable programs during 2009 For Nestle: reduce risk concerning health care standard, reduce cost, creat long term availability of resources, profitable growth Reduce use of water, some non-renewable energy and resources with target to reduce CO2 emissing performance and other evironmental affects Launch more projects to reduce greenhouse affect, eliminate waste in operation For Society: better standard of living Promote with supplier to help them a sustainable practices in supply chain Human Resources Dovelopment Long term investment in training Offer more comprehensive training, more opportunities for career For Nestle: skilled workforce, improve performance Continuous improving environmental and occupational health and safety management For Society: more employment, better standard of living, higher worhplace safety standard. Global and diversify Corperation developing Improve health and safety performance Increase Nestles engagement, employee health and wellbeing, reduce accident in workplace Creating an ethical and responsible workplace Climate Change Solution Reinforce Nestles role and plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Directly controlling operation For Society: lower environment impact Improve through supply chain Helping Nestles consumer Crisis Management Food and beverage market is changing everyday, customers need put producers into circumstance that whether they adapt to new trend or left behind on the race with other competitors. Nestle is an outstanding example in transforming their traditional managing operation into Health, Nutrion and Wellness management with Roadmap to Good Food, Good Life a unique flexible strategy that brings them to number 2 largest company all over the world. In Management and Strategic segment, I am pleased to express: Strategy Nestle Roadmaps success and Nestles solution for Melamine incident in China. In the Crisis management, Melamine scandal in China is outstanding example. On March 15th,2008, Chinese authorities informed that their over 20 Chinese milk companies was launching products contained Melamine this toxic has caused at least 4 babiesdeath and other 1253 Chinese children have fallen ill. Suppliers have been believed to add Melamine to milk to make it higher in protein. There was some ranges of Hong Kong Nestles products using Chinese milk powder. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7623037.stm After that, some press report in Hong Kong claimed a Nestle growing milk containing Melamine. Immediately, Hong Kong government requested Nestle to withdraw all their products that have been found to contain Melamine. The problem could have pushed them into a long-lasting downturn and other consequence concerning reputation. However, commented on this scandal, Peter Brabeck Letmathe Nestle Groups Chairman said: Sales in China are rather being favouredà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Its rather positive than negative ( Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; editing by Sue Thomas ) Ref Reuters Sep 26th, 2008 http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/26/nestle-idUSDEL31014820080926 How did they react? Yes, it is fantastic that Nestle today, after 3 years from this scandal, did not failed and become the leader in food and beverage area, the number 2 largest corperation all over the world. The first step in chain of resolving incident was complying with authorities request in showing all ingredients and formular used to produce milk, they were also withdrawing some kinds of products in Hong Kong as authorities requests as in line with Nestles Corperate Business Principle. In the mean time, they sent their samples of milk to honour testing center like Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre Ltd., Food Industry Research and Development in Taiwan, etc. This action was conducted at places where their products have presented. The third step, they announced governments reports and confirmation that their products have been 100 percent safe and exact with things printed on their products label. The final step in this chain, they have combine Research and Development department and Maeketing department in communication with consumer on their producing standards, products quality that 100 percent safe and good for health as confirm from authorities. With this action, they have been not only winning back customers belief on their products, but also underlining that Nestle is the No.1 food and beverage producer all over the world with best quality and healthy products, as their slogan Good Food, Good Life . This is really a key turning-point to help Nestle successful as today. Strategy Nestle Roadmap. Source: http://www.nestle.com/Common/NestleDocuments/Documents/About_Us/Nestle_Roadmap.pdf Nestles strategy is being considerred the leader in Nutrion, Health and Wellness, and reference for financial performance. That is combination between their opportunities competitive advantages, internal strength operational pillars, focused segment growth drivers. This is a simple but right-targetting product from Peter Brabeck Letmathe Nestle Groups Chairman. Three major elements in their strategy including: Internal strength Operational pillars: Innovation and renovation ( from active and creative workforce ) Wherever, whenever, however ( supplying capability ) Consumer communication ( one of RD activity ) Operational efficiency These areas will help accelerate Nestles operation in all key areas with excellent achievement in execution. Focused segment Growth drive: Nutrion, Health and Wellness Value-add ( a massive market for healthy product ) Emerging markets and popularly positioned products the lower end. ( in 2011, growth scenaro in emerging market is around 170 billions US dollars ) Out-of-home consumption Differentation Premiumsation the high end This areas provide exciting prospect for growing. Opportunities Competitive advantages: Unmatched product and brand portfolio Unmatched research and development capability Unmatched geographic presence People culture, values and attitude This competitive advantages come from the value chain over decades, the link between great products efficient RD, great people strong value, broad geographic entrepreneurial spirit. This combination day by day is creating Nestles motivation on the road to leader in Food, Health and Wellness. In general, Roadmap is created from the combination between competitive advantages and their own strength and a right targeting market. Roadmap is almost following three major steps in building strategy for corporate. Analysis: determining the current position ,situation, performance and aspirations of the organisation and its members. Herein, that is competitive advantages. It help them regconize potential opportunities, their right strength that would make drive growth for Nestle in the future. Choice: determining possible courses of action, their possible consequences, problems and difficulties, benefits and advantages. Decision making is the most important step in every company, a wrong choice means a foresee failure. On roadmap, that is drivegrowth, corperate has been right when they choose emerging markets and popularly positioned products to be their motivation in growing in the next strategic years. Implementation: committing the organisation to pursue one of the possible future courses of action. Herein, operation pillars is a group of process to implement a lack or a small failure in the overall strategy. Vision, Mission, Goal. Nestles Vision: By bringing together all of its global RD resources, Nestle is able to provide high quality, safe food solutions for consumers worldwide whether this is in terms of nutrion, health, wellness, taste, texture or convenience. Above all, Nestle brings to consumers products that are of the highest quality. And safety is non-negotiable. Werner Bauer, Chief Technology Officer, Nestle S.A. Innovation, Technology and Research Development Nestles Mission: Their mission is creating value for shareholder and society. CREAT SHARED VALUE Reduce Poverty + Improve Health + Empower People SUSTAINABILITY Protect the future COMPLIANCE Laws, Business Principles, Codes of conduct Nestles Goals: Being recognized the leader in Nutrion, Health Wellness, and the industry reference for financial performance. But how they have been motivating their employees over decades to be the leader. Performance Compliance All Nestles employees have a good knowledge that here or there, we must have responsibility for down performance in the organization. Company have a good reward and recognization tied to performance. Culture Building Sustaining a high performance environment. Maintaining and evolving Nestles culture based on their own principle. Source: Creating successful future Jan 2008 Comment.

The Dream Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Dream   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the early twentieth century, film maker and producer Adolph Zukor met Jesse Lasky, owner of Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. The two men admired each others previous work and, in 1916, decided to combine forces. They created Paramount pictures and had one of the most familiar slogans in the film industry, â€Å"If it’s a Paramount Picture it’s the Best Show in Town†. Proving their slogan true they started turning out more than two pictures per week. During it’s peak in the silent film making era, Paramount was making 5 million dollars a year more than other production companies such as Warner, Fox, and Universal.(Paramount)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Paramount Pictures has come a long way since the silent film era. Now owned by Viacom, they have expanded their enterprise from simple movies to state of the art motion pictures, television shows, and other forms of home entertainment such as VHS and DVD. They have been an important driving force in film and television, and have been impacting our entertainment industry for almost 90 years. Paramount engages in many activities, and has influenced telecommunications and films through these. Paramount is comprised of three separate entities, which work together and individually to produce revenue for Paramount and Viacom. Paramount has increased its revenue by profiting from all of its many sources of income, which have helped the company to remain a leader in the film industry.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Paramount’s many activities, including movies, television shows, home entertainment, and theme parks have rocketed Paramount to huge success. Some of Paramount’s box office hits include Titanic, which is the all time box office leader, Mission Impossible, Ghost, Forrest Gump, and many film collections such as The Godfather and Indiana Jones. Paramount also teamed up with other Viacom owned companies such as Nick Movies to produce Rugrats in Paris: the Movie and Snow Day.(Viacom) Paramount did not only focus on movies, it branched out and stirred up the television industry also. Paramount’s Television history is â€Å"Home to award-winning comedies, the most successful franchise in syndication history, and a library of classic shows† (Viacom) and boasts over 55,000 hours of programming. The Paramount Television group has also created hits such as Melrose Place, Beverl... ..., and make into something everyone wants. Paramount has mastered the art of amazement with their skilled writing, acting, and movie making and their ability to continue to stretch the limits of telecommunications and film. Paramount is not just about money, it’s about people. One man had the dream, now everyone can experience it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Huettig, M.D.(1946). Economic Control of the Motion Picture Industry. Philadelphia: University   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  of Pennsylvania Press. Mirabile,L.(Ed.)(1990)Telecommunications and Film in International Directories of Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Histories(Vol. II, PP.154-155).Chicago: St. James Press. PBS.(2005).Retrieved February 28, 2005, from Public Broadcasting Station.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Website:www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/Hollywood/business/rev.html Viacom.(2004). Retrieved February 26, 2005, from Viacom Home Page.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Website:www.viacom.com Youngerman,J.(1995). My Seventy Years at Paramount Studios and The Directors Guild Of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  America. Los Angeles, CA: a Directors Guild of America Publications.

Coyote Blue Chapter 32~33

CHAPTER 32 A Doctorate in Deception According to Pokey, at the time the white men came, there were seven sacred arrow bundles. Each had been made by four medicine men who had the same vision at the same time. Once the bundles were made, the medicine men vowed never to gather again, afraid that if their combined power were stolen by one, he would become invincible and abuse the power. These bundles contained the most powerful of warrior medicine, able to protect the carrier from an enemy's weapon, give him the ability to travel swiftly, and escape to the Underworld in an emergency, to return later, unharmed. Of the original seven bundles, two had been destroyed by fire, two by flood, two were locked away in museums in Washington, and the last to leave the reservation was in the hands of a private collector in Billings, who had bought it from a family who had been converted to Christianity and thought the bundle might jeopardize their salvation. At first Sam suspected Pokey's story. His choice finally to believe it was based more on heart than logic. Whether the story of the bundles was true or not didn't matter as much as the hope it inspired. Action based on hope just felt better than the paralysis of certainty. When Sam came through the door of the Hunts Alone house, Cindy hardly recognized him. When she had first met him he seemed weak, wasted, and without reason to live. Now he was moving and talking with purpose. Sam said, â€Å"Cindy, I'm sorry about before. I don't want to impose.† â€Å"You're family,† she said, and that was all the explanation needed. â€Å"Thanks,† Sam said. â€Å"We went to see Pokey. He's doing fine.† â€Å"Did they say when he can come home?† â€Å"We're bringing him home tonight, if things go the way they should. Can I use the phone?† Cindy waved toward the kitchen table, where the phone sat amid a stack of cereal boxes and bowls. Sam checked on Grubb, found him sleeping, and went to the phone. The first call went out to the Museum of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Yes, they knew a serious collector of Indian artifacts in Billings; they had bought several pieces from him over the years. His name was Arnstead Houston. The next call was to his office in Santa Barbara. â€Å"Gabriella, I need you to take the key I gave you and go to my house. In my closet there's a corduroy jacket with suede elbow patches. Load it in my garment bag with the khaki pants, a flannel shirt, and that goofy Indiana Jones hat that Aaron gave me for Christmas. Put in my blue pinstripe suit – shirt, shoes, and tie to match. Then grab my briefcase and get it all on the next plane to Billings, Montana. Buy a seat for it if you have to. Put it on the corporate card. And run the name Arnstead Houston through all our companies' client files – go to the Insurance Institute if you have to. It's a Billings address.† He waited while Gabriella put the name through the computer and came back with the name of Houston's home-owner's insurance carrier. â€Å"Give me the agent's number.† Sam scribbled it down. â€Å"Call me back at this number as soon as you confirm the arrival time of my stuff in Billings.† He gave her the Hunts Alone number. He dialed the number of Houston's insurance agent in Billings and spoke in an Oklahoma accent. â€Å"Yes, I'm interested in insuring some valuable Indian artifacts. Arnie Houston recommended you.† Sam waited. â€Å"I didn't figure you handled that sort of thing. Do you remember who you referred Arnie to? Boulder Casualty? You got a number for them? Thanks, pardner.† Sam hung up the phone and it rang immediately. â€Å"Hello. Five today? That's the earliest? Thanks, Gabriella. Oh, I forgot – call and reserve a car at the Billings airport. Something with four-wheel drive. A Blazer or a Bronco or something. White if they have it. I'll pick it up at five. Yes, the corporate card. Fuck Aaron. Tell him I'm on a hunting trip. And Gabby, you are incredible, you really are. I know I've never told you that before. Because it was time I did. Take care.† He disconnected and dialed another number, waited, then spoke with an English accent. â€Å"Yes, Boulder Casualty. This is Samuel Smythe-White with Sotheby's, London. So sorry to bother you, but we've a bit of a problem that you may be able to help us with. It seems we've recently acquired some Red Indian items – a bit unusual for us – and we're at a loss as for someone to authenticate them. The owner, who must remain anonymous I'm afraid, has suggested that you insure this sort of thing and might know of an appraiser. Yes, I'll wait.† Sam held the phone aside and lit a cigarette. â€Å"No, no, location is not a problem. Sotheby's will fly him to London.† Sam scribbled something. â€Å"Jolly good. Yes, thank you.† He disconnected and dialed Arnstead Houston's number. â€Å"Hello, Mr. Houston. This is Bill Lanier. I'm the new head of Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. Yes. The reason I'm calling is that I just got a call from Boulder Casualty. It seems that there is an item in your collection that has been severely undervalued and they'd like us to take a look at it to make sure the schedule of coverage is in line. Of course, the new appraisal would increase the price if you should ever want to sell it.† Sam paused and listened. He continued, â€Å"A Crow medicine bundle. Yes. This one's a cylinder, a hollowed-out cedar log. That's right. Well, sir, we'll need to take a look at it in person. We happen to have a tribal expert visiting the campus right now. We could be in Billings by five thirty tonight. No, I'm afraid he has to fly to a dig in Arizona tomorrow. It will have to be tonight. Yes, I have your address. Thank you, sir.† Sam hung up, sat back, and let out a long sigh. The whole process had taken less than five minutes. When he turned around both Cindy and Coyote were staring at him. Cindy's mouth was hanging open. â€Å"What was that?† Coyote asked. â€Å"You,† Sam said, â€Å"are now working, indirectly, as an artifacts expert for the Boulder Casualty Insurance Company and I am now a professor of anthropology at the University of Washington,† â€Å"I've been looking for a job,† Cindy said, shaking her head. â€Å"They always make me fill out an application.† Coyote looked at Cindy. â€Å"He has shifty eyes, don't you think?† -=*=- Arnie Houston sat in his den looking at the arrow bundle on the coffee table before him: a hollowed-out log full of junk. But there was nothing quite so exciting as turning junk into money, and he was so excited now he could have peed his Wranglers. God bless archaeology. God bless museums. God bless historic preservation. God bless America! Where else could a piece of oil-field trash with a fourth-grade education be living in a twenty-room house with a new Corvette in the garage, wearing thousand-dollar sea-turtle-skin boots and two pounds of silver and turquoise jewelry? And all of it from buying and selling Indian junk. God bless every eggheaded, gopher-hearted anthropologist that ever wrote a paper or dug a hole. Damn! Arnie got up and went over to his bar, where he poured himself a snifter of Patron tequila – thirty bucks a bottle, but the finest cactus juice ever burned hair off your tongue. And it calms you down. Can't let them think you're in it for the money, the dumb shits: most of 'em could say howdy in thirty-seven dead languages, tell you the time a day a shaman shit two hundred years ago plus the ritual that went with it, but couldn't tell a nickel from a knothole when it came to money. They always went to the tribal council or a medicine man when they wanted to buy something – that was their big mistake. You got to do your research. Find out what family's got something and then find the one in the family who drinks the most. When he's feeling his firewater, you be there with the cash. Presto, you got yourself a priceless Indian artifact for dirt cheap. Arnie had just picked up a whole basket of heirloom beadwork over at the Yakima res – a hundred bucks. The Yakima were just getting into crack cocaine and Arnie was in on the ground floor with investment capital. The beads had been in the families for hundreds of years and he'd already had an offer of ten thousand for them from the Museum of the West – upon authentication, of course. Anthropologists, here's to 'em! Arnie thought. He toasted the fish in the aquarium by the bar and tossed back the Patron, then took a gamble by looking out the front window. A white Blazer pulled into the circular driveway and two men got out, both of them tall – one, an Indian in a suit, and the other in a corduroy jacket and khakis: the anthropologist. The Indian must be the expert he talked about on the phone. City Indian: making a living off of being Indian, going on about exploitation and such. Worthless troublemakers: wouldn't shoot one if I needed to unload my gun. Arnie stashed the snifter under the bar and went to the front door. He brushed back the sides of his hair with his fingers – careful not to disturb the five strands combed over the top – and opened the door. â€Å"Mr. Houston, I'm Dr. Lanier from the University of Washington. This is Running Elk, the gentleman I mentioned on the phone.† The Indian nodded. â€Å"Come on in,† Arnie said, waving them into the tiled foyer. â€Å"I took it out of the safe and put it on the table for you.† He didn't really have a safe, but it sounded good. He led them into the den and stood by the coffee table. â€Å"Here she is.† The Indian moved to the fish tank and peered in. The professor walked around the table looking at the log, as if he were afraid to pick it up. â€Å"Have you opened it?† Arnie had to think. What was the best answer? These fellows liked playing detective, finding their own clues. â€Å"No, sir. The fella I got it from told me what was inside, though. Four arrows, an eagle skull, and some, er†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Damn, how do you describe it? It was just brown powdery shit. â€Å"And some sacred powder.† â€Å"And who did you get it from?† â€Å"Fellow on the res. Old family, but he didn't want me to say. He's afraid of the Traditionals getting revenge on him.† â€Å"I'm going to have to open it to determine the value.† â€Å"Quite so,† the Indian said, still looking in the fish tank. The anthropologist shot him a nasty look. What was up with these two? An Indian who talks like a Brit; if that didn't just beat the ugly off an ape. â€Å"It's okay with me,† Arnie said. â€Å"Looks like them ends just come off like bottle caps.† That's exactly how they had come off when he opened it. â€Å"Jolly good, old chap,† the Indian said. â€Å"The fish say that it's been opened before.† â€Å"Thank you, Running Elk,† said the professor. He seemed kinda ticked. He set his briefcase on the table next to the bundle, snapped open the lid, and removed some white cotton gloves. â€Å"We don't want to disturb the integrity of the contents,† he said, slipping on the gloves. â€Å"I'd prefer to do this in the lab, but I assure you I'll be careful.† You can blow the damn thing up for all I care, Arnie thought, as long as the price is right. But what was the deal with the Indian and the fish tank? The professor removed the end of the wooden cylinder and placed it on the table. He removed one of the four arrows and studied its length. When he looked at the point his face lit up. â€Å"My God, Running Elk, do you see what I see?† â€Å"What? What?† Arnie said. Was this good or bad? The Indian looked up from the fish tank. â€Å"Oh, capital! He's promised them one of those plastic bubbling scuba divers if he sells it.† â€Å"What?† Arnie said. The professor scowled at the Indian and held the arrow up for Arnie to see. â€Å"Mr. Houston, you see this arrow point?† â€Å"Uh-huh.† â€Å"This is a small-game point, and the flaking is not the pattern you find on Crow points from the buffalo days.† â€Å"So?† â€Å"So, I think this bundle is from the time before the Crows split from the Hidatsa. If that's the case, this bundle may be priceless.† Arnie saw a swimming pool appearing in his backyard, with a whole shitpot of girls in bikinis sitting around it, rubbing oil on his back. â€Å"How can you be sure?† â€Å"I'll have to take it back to the university to have it carbon-dated.† The professor put the arrow back into the bundle. From his briefcase he pulled out a sheaf of forms. â€Å"I hope you'll understand, Mr. Houston, the university can't bond something like this for its full value, but I could write a guarantee of perhaps two hundred thousand until the return.† The professor waited, his pen poised over the form. Arnie pretended to think about it. In fact, he was thinking about the new swimming pool. Now it was indoors and had a big hot tub full of dollies. â€Å"I guess that will be all right,† he said. The professor began writing on the form. â€Å"We should have it back to you within the week. I'll see to it personally that it's handled carefully. If you'll just sign here.† He pushed the form over to Arnie. There it was, $200,000.00 in big black numbers. It was all he needed to see. Arnie signed and pushed the paper back to the professor. The professor closed his briefcase and got up. â€Å"Well, I'd like to get this back to the lab by tonight and start the work on it. I'll call you as soon as we know for sure.† He picked up the bundle and headed for the door. â€Å"You take care now. Thanks,† Arnie said, holding the door for them. â€Å"No, thank you, Mr. Houston.† â€Å"Cheerio,† the Indian said as they climbed into the Blazer. â€Å"Oh yes, your mates said they'd like a Flipper video and a bit of brine shrimp to eat.† Arnie watched the Blazer pulling away. Boy, the old professor was sure giving Running Elk hell for something. Eggheads. He wondered for a minute why the Blazer had mud on the license plates when it was so clean everywhere else. Hell with it, it was time to celebrate. A buddy had given him the number of a little dolly who for two hundred dollars would come over in her cheerleader outfit. He'd been saving it for a special occasion and it looked like it was time to dig out that ol' number and see if she really could suck the furniture out of a room through the keyhole. -=*=- As soon as they were out of sight of Arnie's house, Sam took the Indiana Jones hat off and smacked Coyote with it. â€Å"What were you thinking? You almost blew it.† â€Å"The fish said he tricked someone to get that bundle.† â€Å"And what did we just do?† â€Å"That's different. It was a Crow bundle.† â€Å"You wanted to blow it, didn't you? Why didn't you just hump his couch or something? Why didn't you just tell him the truth?† â€Å"Well,† Coyote said, â€Å"if your trick worked it would make a good story.† â€Å"I'll take that as as compliment.† Sam was no longer angry. They had the bundle; now it was time to think about the next part of the plan. He believed what Pokey had told him about the power of the bundle, and all Pokey had ever asked of him was to be believed. He said, â€Å"Coyote, will you help me get Pokey out of the clinic?† â€Å"Another trick?† Coyote asked. â€Å"Of sorts.† â€Å"I'll help, but I won't go to the Underworld with you.† CHAPTER 33 Doors Some of the color had returned to Pokey's face and someone had taken the braids out of his hair and brushed it. He opened his eyes when Sam entered the room. â€Å"You got it?† Pokey said. â€Å"It's in the car,† Sam said. Coyote came in behind him. Pokey grinned. â€Å"Old Man Coyote.† â€Å"Howdy,† Coyote said. â€Å"How many times you died now, old man?† â€Å"A bunch. It's plumb wearing me out,† Pokey said. â€Å"The medicine man got tired of singing the death song and went home. I think he got scared.† Pokey pulled a cassette out from under his covers and held it up. â€Å"I got it on tape for the next time.† Sam said, â€Å"Pokey, we have the arrow bundle. What do we do now?† â€Å"Ask him,† Pokey said, pointing to Coyote. â€Å"I ain't going,† Coyote said. â€Å"He has to go alone.† â€Å"Samson needs a medicine man to sing the bundle song.† â€Å"That's why we're here,† Sam said. â€Å"You want me? I didn't think you believed I had medicine, Samson.† â€Å"Things change, Pokey. I need you.† â€Å"Well then, get me out of here.† Pokey started to sit up. Sam pushed him back. â€Å"I don't think you should be walking.† â€Å"Samson, I done told you, I had my death vision. I don't die in no hospital, I get shot. Now help me get up.† He struggled to a sitting position and Sam helped him turn so his feet hung off the bed. â€Å"You're right, I don't think I can walk.† Sam turned to Coyote. â€Å"You promised to help.† -=*=- The clinic was officially closed for the day, but the skeleton staff of two nurses was still on. Adeline Eats sat in the waiting room with her six children, who were all green with flu, insisting that she wasn't going anywhere until they got treatment, even if she had to wait all night. For the twentieth time, the nurse at the window was explaining that the doctor had gone home for the night, when she heard the hoof beats on the stairs. She dropped her clipboard and ran out of the office to see a black horse coming down the stairs, an old, half-naked man bouncing on its back. She ducked back into her office to avoid being trampled and looked up in time to see a man in a corduroy jacket running behind the horse out the front door. The nurse ran out into the waiting room to the front door, which dangled in pieces on its hinges. She watched the horse stop beside a white Blazer and rear up. The old man, his gray hair streaming in the wind, let out a war whoop and fell into the arms of the man in corduroy. Then, as she watched, the horse started bubbling and changing until it was a man in black buckskins. The nurse stumbled back in shock. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she jumped a foot off the ground. She came down holding her chest. Adeline Eats said, â€Å"You got room for my kids now, or what?† -=*=- Riding in the Blazer, Pokey said, â€Å"Old Man Coyote, how do I send Samson to the Underworld?† â€Å"Just open the bundle and sing the song. He will go.† Sam said, â€Å"What happens then? What do I do?† â€Å"My medicine ends when you get there. You will see the one that weighs the souls. Don't be afraid of him. Just ask him if you can bring the girl back.† â€Å"That's it?† â€Å"Don't worry about the monster. The Underworld is not what you think.† Coyote rolled down the car window. â€Å"I have something that I want to do. I'll be there when you return.† Coyote dove out the car window, changing instantly into a hawk and flying off into the night sky. â€Å"Wait!† Sam said. â€Å"What monster?† He stopped the car. Pokey giggled like a child. â€Å"A horse and a hawk in one night. Samson, do you know how lucky we are?† Sam leaned forward and put his head against the wheel. â€Å"Lucky wasn't the world that came to mind, Pokey.† -=*=- Pokey had called Harlan and the boys down from Hardin. While they prepared the sweat, Sam stood at the door of the Airstream trailer trying to make himself open it. For the first time in years he was aware of his childhood fear of the dead and unrevenged ghosts and he hesitated. Since Pokey had given him hope of bringing Calliope back, he hadn't really thought of her as dead. He wanted to see her before he went to the Underworld, but he was afraid. Strange, he thought, after all these years of selling the fear of death, talking about it every day, now I'm afraid. She's not dead, not really. He threw the door open and stepped into the trailer. Calliope's body was lying on the built-in cot by the door amid camping equipment and fishing rods. Coyote had covered her with a blanket, leaving her face exposed. She could have been sleeping. Sam sat on the cot by her and brushed a strand of hair away from her face. She was cold. He looked away. â€Å"I wanted you to know†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He didn't know what to say. There was no face to put on to meet this face. If she would just open her eyes. He swallowed hard. â€Å"I wanted you to know that I would do anything for you. That all this craziness was – will be – worth it if I can bring you back. I've been hiding out for my whole life, and I don't want to live that way anymore. Anyway, I wanted you to know that Grubb will be okay. My family will take care of him. I'll be with you, one way or another.† Sam leaned over and kissed her. â€Å"Soon,† he said. He got up and walked out of the trailer. Across the yard, the fire crackled and licked the sky, heating the rocks for the sweat. Pokey sat on a lawn chair, the arrow bundle in his lap, his eyes glistening orange in the firelight. Harlan was carrying rocks from the fire to the pit inside the sweat lodge. Sam stood by with Harry and Festus, watching. After the initial surprise that Sam was still alive, Harry and Festus simply fell into their normal roles of listening to their father argue with Pokey. Sam noticed that they had the lean, muscular frame of their father, the same square-set jaw. Harlan was a little thinner now, and his hair had gone gray, but otherwise, to Sam, he seemed the same. â€Å"The boys and me have to go to work in the morning,† Harlan said. â€Å"We can't stay late, Pokey. No drinking.† â€Å"I ain't going to drink,† Pokey said. Harlan dropped a hot rock into the pit and wiped sweat from his forehead. â€Å"I can't believe that doctor let you come home. Just yesterday he was puttin' your death on my hands for not moving you to the hospital in Billings.† â€Å"He's a pissant,† Pokey said. â€Å"How's it coming?† Harlan scraped another rock out of the fire and scooped it up with the pitchfork. â€Å"This ought to do it.† He unbuckled his pants and began to get undressed. The others followed his lead, hanging their clothes on Pokey's chair. Sam took the bundle from Pokey and put it in the sweat lodge, then helped the old man out of his hospital gown. Pokey crawled into the sweat lodge, where the others sat in a semicircle facing him. â€Å"Before I drop the door, I got to open this here bundle. It's a real old one, so no one knows the right song. I'm going to have to make it up as I go along. Okay?† Pokey held up the bundle and sang a prayer song, thanking the spirits for the gift of the sweat. He laid out a square of buckskin for the objects in the medicine bundle. â€Å"I don't know what's going to happen here, but Harlan, you and the boys got to pray that Samson has a safe journey. He's going on a kind of vision quest, but he ain't going to the Spirit World.† Pokey looked at Sam. â€Å"You've seen her since you got here, right?† â€Å"Yes,† Sam said. â€Å"And she's still in the trailer?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Who?† Harry asked. â€Å"Never mind,† Pokey said. They hadn't told Harlan and the boys about Calliope or Coyote. â€Å"Here we go.† He threw a handful of sage onto the stones. When the smoke rose he held the bundle in it, then took off the cap. He began singing as he took each object from the bundle and set it on the buckskin. Sam closed his eyes and concentrated on going to the Underworld and what he had to do there. â€Å"Heya, heya, heya, an arrow. Heya, heya, heya, another arrow Heya, heya, heya, another arrow Heya, heya, heya, the last arrow. Heya, heya, heya, an eagle skull. Heya, heya, heya, some brown stuff.† â€Å"Some brown stuff?† Harlan said. â€Å"Well, I don't know what it is,† Pokey said. â€Å"It looks like brown stuff to me.† â€Å"Whatever it is, it's working,† Festus said, pointing to Sam, who was shivering, even in the heat of the sweat lodge. His eyes were open but rolled back in his head, showing no pupils. â€Å"I'm dropping the door,† Pokey said. â€Å"Now pray for his return like you never prayed before.†