A Technological Humanity Essay Example For Students

A Technological Humanity Essay The innovation encompassing everybody in current society influences ordinary exercises. Since the beginning of man, people have created thoughts to make life progressively pleasant and simpler. From Galileos telescope to Gatess PCs, individuals have created items to advance their regular daily existences. The mechanical headways since forever, influence humankind from multiple points of view. PCs contain data here and there undesirable by others. They impact minds in both great and awful ways, and permit individuals to share data that they would somehow or another be not able to achieve. Regardless of whether an individual doesn't claim a PC or Visas, data about anybody can be found through this mechanical progression. Innovation, quite recently starting to be controlled and bridled, is influencing the psyches of little kids and youths in manners that might get destructive. It likewise gives another type of correspondence and trade of data beforehand inaccessible. Anybody claiming PC can get to hostile material, for example, erotic entertainment or savage sites. With only a couple of snaps of a mouse, one can see a difficult that endangers the countries good and moral qualities. In many cases the youngsters getting to such sites in the internet arent even mature enough to comprehend the total significance of human sexuality. All the more frequently, the grown-ups getting to these sites, who do have a typical comprehension of sexuality, get misshaped perspectives on ordinary sexual conduct. Viciousness torment the roads of America today. In the event that children see criminals in Los Angeles carrying out drive-by shootings or the KKK consuming the cross, they get a misguided feeling of the real world. So as to spare our childrens guiltlessness and Americas virtues, the Internet ought to be carefully controlled. With the new online wave, minds of little youngsters, yet additionally teenagers and grown-ups become impacted by outside data. As the psyche creates, things, for example, erotic entertainment is not, at this point the fundamental concern. Presently, on account of the simple access to data, the fourteen years of age who has recently found that she bombed ninth grade can discover how to make a bomb out of family unit cleansers. The laid-off specialist, the dumped beau, and the unhinged psycho additionally find conceivably risky data at the tips of their fingers. What is to prevent people from utilizing weapons of mass pulverization as opposed to submitting less savage acts with this innovation within reach? Interest of humankind has prompted the advancement of changing sorts of vitality. Because of these new force sources, numerous results seen light. Sun powered vitality is an amazingly proficient strategy to create power. It is utilized in specific regions to charge things, for example, family utilities and lighting for turnpikes. This mechanical progression is very costly and space devouring. The revelation of Nuclear Fusion has delivered a forward leap in science: atomic vitality. To creation of this force is not so much exorbitant but rather more full of feeling. Be that as it may, the waste delivered after the fuel is scorched isn't recyclable. Atomic fuel is radioactive and can defile miles of land if not appropriately arranged. Before, Nuclear Plants have failed and caused incredible complaints with passings. Atomic Fusion has delivered atomic vitality as well as the most hindering mechanical forward leap ever. Through Nuclear Fusion, weapons, for example, the Atom bomb, have made it conceivable to totally devastate the outside of the Earth. Substance Weapons were first utilized in World War I, and still assume a disastrous job in the demolitions normal today. An ongoing occurrence including Americans and Chemical Warfare was from the Persian Gulf Conflict where US warriors were presented to synthetic weapons. From that point forward, numerous fighters have gotten sick with a peculiar Gulf-disorder that has been ascribed to Chemical Weapons subtly utilized by Iraq. .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .postImageUrl , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .focused content zone { min-tallness: 80px; position: relative; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:hover , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:visited , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:active { border:0!important; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .clearfix:after { content: ; show: table; clear: both; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 { show: square; change: foundation shading 250ms; webkit-progress: foundation shading 250ms; width: 100%; murkiness: 1; change: obscurity 250ms; webkit-change: haziness 250ms; foundation shading: #95A5A6; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:active , .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:hover { mistiness: 1; progress: darkness 250ms; webkit-change: obscurity 250ms; foundation shading: #2C3E50; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .focused content region { width: 100%; position: relative; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .ctaText { fringe base: 0 strong #fff; shading: #2980B9; text dimension: 16px; textual style weight: intense; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; text-enhancement: underline; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .postTitle { shading: #FFFFFF; text dimension: 16px; text style weight: 600; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; width: 100%; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0 .ctaButton { foundation shading: #7F8C8D!important; shading: #2980B9; outskirt: none; fringe span: 3px; box-shadow: none; text dimension: 14px; text style weight: striking; line-stature: 26px; moz-outskirt sweep: 3px; text-adjust: focus; text-improvement: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-tallness: 80px; foundation: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/modules/intelly-related-posts/resources/pictures/straightforward arrow.png)no-rehash; position: total; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:hover .ctaButton { foundation shading: #34495E!important; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd 94843dfc0 .focused content { show: table; stature: 80px; cushioning left: 18px; top: 0; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0-content { show: table-cell; edge: 0; cushioning: 0; cushioning right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-adjust: center; width: 100%; } .u1f871d68affd922cbd856dd94843dfc0:after { content: ; show: square; clear: both; } READ: Of Mice and Men Argumentative Essay Chemical Weapons are incredibly perilous and dangerous to life. Threat being their sole reason, substance weapons influence people and nature unimaginably. The impact of a compound weapon relies upon the sort utilized. Nerve specialists can cause demise. Alongside their deadly properties, Nerve specialists can be dreary, unscented, and boring. Other Chemical specialists, for example, mustard gas, can be utilized to render their casualties incapable to battle. Mustard gas causes tremendous rankles on the skin and has caused numerous causalities in war. Other substance weapons operators can be utilized to cause visual deficiency, mental .

Assigned a new project Ask your boss these questions ASAP

Doled out another undertaking Ask your supervisor these inquiries ASAP In the event that you’re focused on doing your absolute best grinding away every day and accepting each open door to show your supervisors and partners that you’re committed and genuine about your activity, at that point when you get doled out to another task you realize that it’s an incredible chance to show your stuff. You likely get energized by the chance of wasting no time and will remain determined to guarantee that each feature of the undertaking is totally fruitful. On the off chance that this sounds recognizable, at that point you realize that it typically takes a solid beginning for a task to end on a positive note. This implies you have to have a decent handle on the center, key parts of the task. You’ll need to launch your work investigating every possibility and no inquiry unanswered-in light of the fact that any waiting uncertainty or disarray toward the start can putrefy, develop, and spread, and make a fruitful consummation progressively le ss likely.Although the idea of work undertakings can fluctuate enormously, in view of a wide scope of variables (counting industry, size, and extension, to give some examples), there are some essential inquiries that you should pose and have replied before getting things moving. We recommend posing the accompanying inquiries at whatever point you’re relegated to another undertaking to help guarantee an effective result.â€Å"What are the objectives of the project?†Of course, knowing a project’s objectives is vital to being fruitful. All things considered, we can’t salute ourselves for building a helicopter (however amazing) if the objective was to assemble a pontoon, can we? We have to know the motivation behind the task and what it is relied upon to accomplish before we can start figuring out what a positive outcome even resembles. At whatever point you begin on a venture, ensure that whoever is in control obviously imparts to you the objectives of the t ask it’s the consistent beginning stage for the subsequent stage, which is deciding how to make those objectives a feasible reality.â€Å"What are the key objective dates?†Another vital bit of any undertaking puzzle is knowing the venture course of events this incorporates the last date for fulfillment just as all task achievements and expectations en route, particularly the ones you’re answerable for. When you recognize what is anticipated from you and when you’re expected to convey results, you can design accordingly.â€Å"What is my job in the project?†Getting clearness in advance in regards to your particular job for the task is pivotal. At the point when it comes time to convey, you need to be certain that there are no curve balls as far as what’s expected of you. This turns out to be particularly significant for enormous ventures with different partners and deliverable windows.â€Å"Who are different partners engaged with the project? †A essential segment for progress on numerous undertakings particularly huge ones with various segments is to ensure that everybody included knows the entirety of the other key task partners, and to set up an ordinary and proficient progression of correspondence. When you’re beginning on another task, consistently ensure you realize all the players in question and how best to stay in touch with them.There you have it, a couple of significant inquiries that you ought to find solutions to when you’re starting any new work venture. Obviously, you’ll likely have extra inquiries that are explicit to the venture you’re presently taking a shot at, however finding solutions to these major ones will help guarantee that your undertaking gets off on the correct foot, remains on target, and is eventually fruitful.

Hungering for Grass and Leaves Books About Nature and Wildness

Hungering for Grass and Leaves Books About Nature and Wildness It’s that time of winter (or winterish spring) when I’m nature-hungry. Chicago usually has harsh winters; going outside is not pleasant from November to March or even into April. Sometimes I’ll have that moment that makes me really yearn for those temperate months. I’ll smell dirt or see a patch of green (but very dead) grass that reminds me of picnics in the park and happy walks in the blossoming world. I miss birds twittering away in trees and fat bunnies on all the green spaces. To tide myself over, I read nature and animal books to help get me through this gray cold time. Were facing snow here tonight in Chicago as I type this. Below are some books about people’s contemplation and relationship with animals and nature. Some of the books about nature in particular feature very unusual takes on our relationship to the animals around us. A few authors focus on the thrill and danger of the African bush with elephants and other megafauna. The Elephant Whisperer/Babylon’s Ark/The Last Rhino by Lawrence Anthony, Graham Spence The Elephant Whisperer is the story of South African Lawrence Anthony rehabilitating very traumatized elephants. It starts with a phone call offering up a group of elephants to him. If he didn’t take them, they would all be shot. And thus begins the painful and beautiful story of his relationship with a herd of elephants. Babylon’s Arc, though written first, is Anthony’s struggle to rehabilitate the Baghdad Zoo after the most recent Iraq war. It’s an incredible reminder about the cost of war on everyone and everything around us. The last book is his work to try to save the rhinos in war-torn Congo. It ends up being an interesting look at the infamous Lord’s Resistance Army settled in part of the Rhino territory. I highly recommend reading these books in order. Wildness: Relations of People and Place edited by Gavin van Horn and John Hausdoerffer; City Creatures edited by Gavin van Horn, edited by Dave Aftandilian Wildness is a collection of essays about humans and our relationship to nature. What is the meaning of “wild” in the U.S.? In Enrique Salmon’s “No Word,” he discusses how there is no word for wild in his native language of Rarámuri. There’s no setting aside the world of human and the world of the wild. It’s a beautiful essay about the importance of how language divides and separates us. We are part of nature and nature is part of us. In Mistingutte Smith’s essay “Wild Black Margins,” she discusses the intersection between African Americans and land. She talks about what is perceived as wilderness and the complicated story of land in the U.S. City Creatures is another collection of essays that focuses on animals in urban environments. There are beautiful essays, photos, and comics about the animals that live amongst us. Full disclosure: I have published articles at the City Creatures blog for the Center for Humans and Nature. But it was the exhibition and book of City Creatures that drew me to the Center and Van Horns work. Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America by Jon Mooallem This book is one of my favorite books about nature. Mooallem focuses on three speciesâ€"the polar bear, Lange’s metalmark butterfly, the whooping craneâ€"to explore the U.S.’s changing perception of animals and humans. I didn’t know much about the origins of conservation in the U.S. The title is apt; the stories go from hilarious to tragic. One that sticks in my mind is about a scientist who lived with a whooping crane, a very endangered species. She had been raised by humans and had imprinted. In order to artificially inseminate her, one scientist lived with her and did bird things, like digging for bugs and nesting. When they did a mating dance, his assistants would rush in and inseminate her. After a few miscarries, she finally laid an egg. During the time, he was waiting to talk on the Lettermen show when he realized that he was about to be skewered for this experiment. But then he got a phone call saying that a coyote had broken into the habitat and killed both the crane a nd her offspring. H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald This memoir details Helen MacDonald’s experience training Mabel, her Goshawk, as a way to deal with the sudden death of her father. While she discusses the particulars about training a hawk, it’s a very psychological book, looking at the issue of death and grief.  She talks a lot about the author T.H. Whites chronicle The Goshawk where he details his attempt to train a goshawk and focuses on the author’s own complicated life. It won the 2014 Costa Book of the Year. Whatever You Do, Dont Run: True Tales Of A Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison In comparison to the other books, this book is a breeze. It details Peter Allison’s misadventures with elephants, water buffalos, and crocodiles while working as a safari guide. Most of his stories leave you wondering how he lived to tell the tale or how he stayed employed. The Urban Birder by David Lindo This book is about the birding life of David Lindo. His philosophy is simple: look up. He advocates for birding in the most unexpected areas: green spaces in the middle of the city. You never know what will happen. In addition to this wonderful philosophy, he talks about how he got his start as a birder and his experiences of being the son of Jamaican immigrants in England. Truly a book for aspiring birders. Unseen City: The Majesty of Pigeons, the Discreet Charm of Snails Other Wonders of the Urban Wilderness by Nathanael Johnson This was one of my favorite books of 2016. The inspiration for the book comes from Johnson’s tiny daughter who asks him questions about the nature he sees on their walks. So he writes the book, dedicating each chapter to an organism like pigeons, ginkgo balboa trees, and more. The pigeon chapter I thought was rather enlightening. Two words: pigeon milk. ?? Last Chance to See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine Oh Douglas Adams, how I love you so. This nonfiction book is about Adams and zoologist Carwardine traveling across the world to seek out endangered creatures. They look for the Yangtze river dolphin, the kakapo in New Zealand, the Komodo dragon on a Indonesian island, and much more. It ranges from funny to sad with all the wit of Douglas Adams at the helm. You’ll fall in love with the ridiculous kakapo just like Adams. Also twenty years later (and after the too-early death of Adams), Stephen Fry and Caradwine do a TV series to revisit some of the creatures. Again, funny and depressing all the same time. Being a Beast by  Charles Foster This has to be one of the strangest books I’ve read in a long time. It was mentioned in a This American Life episode in 2016 but it’s even weirder than the segment goes. Foster wants to really understand what it is like to be an animal. So he decides he’s going to try living and experiencing the world as five different animals: badger, otter, red deer, swallow, and urban fox. He talks about living in a hole with his son as they pretend to be badgers. Or hiding in the bushes in London to understand how a fox saw the world. Or he asked a friend with hunting dogs to have them chase him in the woods to see how far he could get. The books sometimes go places I didn’t expect but it’s certainly a unique read. I hope you enjoy these books about nature to help you get through the last few months of winter. Want more books about nature? Check out Rioter  María Cristina Garcia Lynchs Read Harder 2018: A Book about Nature or Gretchen Lidas 3 Nature Books by Women for My Brother.

Gun Control And The United States - 957 Words

One of the most debated topics in the world today is the conflicting belief on whether people should or should not own and use guns. Gun control is generally defined as â€Å"laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms† (Gopink, 2012). The views and opinions of this situation vary across the world. Some territories set strict rules and difficult procedures to obtain weapons while others allow easy access. People are usually very opinionated about this subject, causing debates and conflicting reactions. Gun control is one of the most controversial topics with numerous approaches to how it should be handled. The United States alone has â€Å"88.8 guns per 100 people, or about 270,000,000 guns† (Cornell, 2015). This is the highest total number of guns per country in the entire world. 22 percent of Americans â€Å"own one or more gun† (Cornell, 2015). These statistics are overwhelming to some people, w hile others see it as completely normal, or even excellent. Many laws have been passed to regulate this procedure, and citizens often cast their vote for officials solely based off of their opinion on gun control and the way weapons should be handled. All in all, the statistics are debated due to the fact that no one can agree on this questionable matter. One of the leading viewpoints on gun control is that citizens of the United States should give up their guns and that only military should be given the privilege of operating aShow MoreRelatedGun Control Of The United States1698 Words   |  7 Pagesshootings that has happened throughout the Unites States has created a great divide among Americans on what should our nation do to prevent further shootings from happening. Many people believe that forcing new laws on how people purchase weapons should require background checks. Gun Control in the United States of America is a topic that has had lots of criticism and support by many c itizens. The critical people of this topic believe that the guns do not kill people, it is the people that kill peopleRead MoreGun Control And The United States1569 Words   |  7 PagesIn the United States gun control is a big controversy that has been blown out of proportion the last few years. Anything that has to do with guns in the news, reporters say it is the guns fault. Gun control laws are being changed and morphed for the new society that we live in today. What gun control really means is a group of laws to control the selling and use of guns.(1). Statistics have proven that most people want more control on guns. Many surveys have shown that the benefits of gun controlRead MoreGun Control Of The United States Essay1412 Words   |  6 PagesGun Control Proposal Gun control is a highly controversial topic in the United States. There are many people who are for gun control - people who want to have stricter laws to make it so criminals and other dangerous people can’t obtain a firearm. But, there are also the people who disagree with gun control laws and believe there should be a more lenient gun control to help people defend themselves during risky situations. Many gun control laws have been passed for many years. While many have beenRead MoreGun Control And The United States929 Words   |  4 PagesGun control has been a debated, revisited and revised issue for more than a century in the United States. Recently, after several mass shootings in the United States, gun violence issues are; yet again, renewed and in the forefront for the United States. This paper will consist of insight on gun violence in the United States and the newly imposed gun control policies by President Obama; along with, the arguments for and against the new policies and what roles both the formal and informal actorsRead MoreGun Control Of The United States1166 Words   |  5 PagesSince America’s birth, guns have played a large part in it’s society. Citizens of the United States have used firearms to protect the land they love, and their families. They even use them for engaging activities such as hunting and sport. Though firearms may seem to have a commonplace in society, weighing the rights and liberties of citizens against the safety and welfare of the public has always been a delicate process. In the United States, gun control is a of heated issue that has two sides.Read MoreGun Control And The United States988 Words   |  4 PagesGun Control Reassessment in the United States Imagine this: you are in World History class at your high school almost falling asleep learning about Ancient China. It is a normal day for you and your classmates, until you hear an announcement from the principal. You expect the typical lockdown drill, but this situation is far from typical. A man with a gun breaks into your school. BANG! Several of your classmates are killed before this man can be controlled. You survive, but live the rest of yourRead MoreGun Control And The United States1435 Words   |  6 PagesGun Control For gun control, there should be some requirements for the people to take in order to own a gun for themselves. Throughout the United States, gun control should allow people to still have guns; however, the citizens should go through some changes to ensure safety throughout the nation. Gun control has given some helpful ideals before that would help the people understand the responsibilities of their guns. They want to make sure that these laws maintain to progress as a better solutionRead MoreGun Control Of The United States1704 Words   |  7 Pagesshootings that has happened all through the Unites States has made an great divide among Americans on what ought our country do to keep further shootings from happening. Numerous individuals trust that forcing new laws on how people buy weapons should require background verifications. Gun Control in the United States of America is a topic that has had lots of criticism and support by numerous citizens. The critical people of this topic trust that the guns don t murder people, is that people kill peopleRead MoreGun Control in the United States1306 Words   |  6 Pages Gun Control in the United States has gone out of control. The United States should enforce laws to not allow any guns in a house hold in order to reduce violence and crime in the country. Reducing the rate of crime in the United States, controlling big weapons, taxing ammunition, and gun collection can help make this happen. Gun Control can make this country a safer environment to live in. Gun Control has obviously gone out of control in the recent years. Look around, they are everywhere. ReducingRead MoreGun Control Of The United States853 Words   |  4 Pagesbut also criminal sphere. Crime in the United States remains one of the main problems of the country. Every year, 6 million Americans become a victims of crime, murders occur every 24 minutes, rape occur every 5 minutes, robbery occur every 54 seconds. Life becomes dangerous and we need to be able to protect your family by yourself, your business, your property. Therefore so many people thinking about to buys guns and to have guns at home. In addition, the gun is freedom. We live in a free country

Three Words Improvisations

Student actors love improvs. This one generates a lot of original thinking in a short amount of time. If you focus the thinking of student actors on three words or phrases chosen at random to guide their creation of an improvised scene, you will free them to think far more creatively than if you told them to create a scene about anything at all. Although it sounds counter-intuitive, setting limits actually frees up creativity. This exercise gives student practice in quick collaboration, decision-making, and improvising based on a small amount of pre-planning. Detailed Instructions for facilitating this Improvisation 1. Prepare a number of words on individual slips of paper. You may prepare your own, or visit this page for lists  of words that you can download,  photocopy, cut, and use with your students. 2. Place the slips of paper containing the words into a hat, which, of course may actually be a box or a bowl or any other kind of bin. 3. Tell student actors that they will work in groups of two or three people. Each group will pick three words at random and meet together to quickly decide on the characters and context of a scene that will somehow employ their three chosen words. The individual words may be spoken within the dialogue of their improv or may merely be suggested by the setting or the action. For example, a group that gets the word villain may create a scene that features a character who is a villain without actually ever including that word in their dialogue. A group that gets the word laboratory may set their scene in a science lab, but never use the word in their scene. 4. Tell students that their goal is to plan and then present a short scene that has a beginning, middle, and an end. Every member of the group must play a role in the improvised scene. 5. Remind students that some kind of conflict within a scene generally makes it more interesting to watch. Recommend that they think about a problem that the three words suggest and then plan how their characters might work to solve the problem. Whether or not the characters succeed is what keeps audiences watching. 6. Divide students into groups of two or three and let them choose three words at random. 7. Give them approximately five minutes to plan their improvisation. 8. Gather the whole group together and present each improvised scene. 9. You may choose to have each group share their words before their improvisation or you may wait until after the improv and ask the audience to guess the groups words. 10. After each presentation, ask the audience to compliment the strong aspects of the improvisation. What worked? What effective choices did the student actors make? Who demonstrated a strong use of body, voice, or concentration in the performance of the scene? 11. Then ask the student actors to critique their own work. What went well? What would you change if you were to present the improv again? What aspects of your acting tools (body, voice, Imagination) or skills (concentration, cooperation, commitment, energy) do you feel that you need to work on and improve? 12. Ask the whole group--actors and audience--to share ideas for ways to improve the improvised scene. 13. If you have the time, its great to send the same groups of student actors back to rehearse the same improvised scene and incorporate the recommendations that they agree with. Additional Resources If you havent already, you may want to review the  article  Classroom Improvisation Guildelines and share it with your students. These guidelines are also available in poster form for older and younger students.

Bite Me A Love Story Chapter 5 Free Essays

5. The Further Chronicles of Abby Normal, Miserable, Broken-hearted Emo-ho of the Night ‘Kayso, who is outside my door but Baroness Buzzkill herself, the Motherbot, accompanied by those most crapacious homicide cops, Rivera and Cavuto. So I’m all, â€Å"Oh joy, does this caffeine fresh clusterfuck come with donuts?† Which it turned out, it didn’t, so really, WTF is the point of bringing cops? And the Mombot is all, â€Å"You can’t do this, and who is this boy, and where have you been, and you have no right, and blah, blah, blah, responsibility, worried sick, you’re a horrible, horrible person and you ruined my life with your platform boots and your piercings. We will write a custom essay sample on Bite Me: A Love Story Chapter 5 or any similar topic only for you Order Now † Okay, those weren’t her exact words, but the subtext was there. And in retrospect, I may have erred in using the â€Å"I’m sleeping over at Lily’s house† gambit for two months running, when I was, in fact, living in my own trs cool love lair with a mysterious love ninja. So I decided to turn the tables on her by asking questions, before she got in the rhythm of grilling me and heaping me with mom guilt. So I’m all, â€Å"How did you find me?† And the dark, Hispano cop steps up, and he’s all, â€Å"I called her.† So I rolled up in his grill. Well, up in the knot of his tie, because he’s taller than me. And I’m all, â€Å"I can’t believe you ratted me out. You traitorous fuck!† And the cop gets all chilly and he’s all, â€Å"I’m not a traitor because I’m not on your side, Allison.† Using my day-slave name, just to fuck with me. So I’m all thinking, Okay, cop, I can see that you believe that your shit cannot be shaken, and you are totally trying to come off all sly and badass in front of the Mombot so she might do you a good long time? I know-mating rituals of the ancient and crusty-makes you barf in your mouth a little, huh? So I go over to the big gay cop, and I’m all soft-spoken little-girl voice, â€Å"I thought we were on the same side because-well-because we know about the nosferatu, and all that money you got from his art collection. We’re not? I’m crushed.† Totally hand to forehead, fake-heartbreak fainting. I was going to cry a little, but my mascara was lined up like the spikes on the gates of hell, and I didn’t want it to go raccoon on me so early in the day, so only a sniffle. I wiped my nose on the big gay cop’s sleeve. And the Momster is all, â€Å"What? What? Nosferatu? What? Money? What?† And Rivera is all, â€Å"Excuse us a moment, Mrs. Green, we need to have a word with Allison.† So the Mombot starts to go into the bedroom and I’m all, â€Å"Oh I don’t think so. You can wait outside,† or something like that, because it turns out I didn’t want her to see the inner sanctum of our love nest, because she’s a nurse and seeing the dog collars, test tubes, centrifuge, and whatnot might give her the wrong idea. (Foo and I like to get our mad scientist freak on in the privacy of the boudoir.) So Mom steps outside. And Foo is all, â€Å"Owned, bitches!† And he did a pathetic imitation of my own superb booty dance of ownage, and I was, at once, touched by his support, yet embarrassed by his tragic lack of rhythm and booticuity. And Rivera is all, â€Å"Allison, how did you know about the money and the old vampyre and the yacht and you have no proof and blah, blah, I so can’t decide whether I’m the good cop or the bad cop, or if I’m going to still pretend to be badass or totally crap my pants from the verbal death grip you just put on my man sac, blah, blah.† And I’m all, â€Å"I know it all, cop,† popping the p in cop because it makes both of them flinch a little. â€Å"You need to exit and take the Mombot home or I will be forced to expose your evil shit to your masters, and not in the fun way.† And the Hispano cop was all chill, nodding and smiling, which harshed my confidence somewhat. And he’s all, â€Å"That so, Allison? Well, Mr. Wong here is twenty-one, and you are still a minor, so among other things, we can take him in for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, kidnapping, and statutory rape.† And he folds his arms all, â€Å"Take that, bee-atch.† Hip-hop superior. So I’m like, â€Å"You’re right, he is totally taking advantage of my innocence. Foo, you ginormous perve!† Then I slapped him, but for the drama, not because he might think I was a slut. â€Å"I should have known when you had me shave my va-jay-jay into the shape of a beaver!† And Foo’s all, â€Å"I did not!† â€Å"Pervy and redundant, don’t you think?† I asked the big gay cop, who wouldn’t know a va-jay-jay if it bounced up to him and sang the â€Å"Star-Spangled Banner.† (You ever notice that hardly anything besides the â€Å"Star-Spangled Banner† is spangled? There’s no, like, the Raisin-Spangled Scone, or the Flea-Spangled Beagle. I’m just saying.) So, I, like, start to pull up my skirt to further freak him out, like I’m going to flash the beav, which was a bluff, because I am totally trimmed bat-shape and dyed lavender and I was wearing my hot-pink fishnets, which are full-on tights and put the PG-13 on my no-no place. But instead of hiding his head and screaming like a little bitch, which is what I was going for, the big gay cop is across the room and has Foo in handcuffs in like seconds, cranking them down tight. So Foo is all, â€Å"Ow! Ow! Ow!† And I’m heartsick at his suffering, so I’m like, â€Å"Unhand him, you fascist-ass bear.† And Rivera is all, â€Å"Allison, we need to come to an understanding, or your boyfriend is going to jail, and even if the charges don’t stick, he can kiss his master’s degree good-bye.† Powned! I was forced to lower my skirt in defeat. Foo’s eyes were all anime-huge and started to get tear-spangled, and my noble love ninja looked all pleading to me like, â€Å"Please, do not abandon me, despite my obvious emo tendencies.† So I’m like, â€Å"We’ll give you a hundred thousand dollars to leave our love lair like nothing happened.† And Rivera is like, â€Å"We’re not interested in your money.† And gay bear cop is like, â€Å"Wait, where did you get that kind of money, anyway?† And Rivera is like, â€Å"Never mind, Nick, it’s not about money.† And I’m like, â€Å"OMG Rivera, your bad cop skills suck ass. It’s always about the money. Don’t you have a TV?† And he’s like, â€Å"What happened out there this morning?† And I’m all, â€Å"You know, vampyre kitties, meter maid sucked to dust, samurai in orange socks, Abby’s kung-fu of solar ass-kicking.† Then to Foo: â€Å"Foo, the jacket is the sickest shit ever!† â€Å"Which is a good thing,† Foo translated for the cops. And Rivera is all, â€Å"Vampyre cats? That’s what the Emperor said.† ‘Kayso, it’s clear that the cops have doubts, so I explain the whole battle, and Foo’s theory of how Chet is making vampyre kitties, and how we are pretty much fucked nine ways to Kwanzaa because it’s the end of the world and whatnot, and there are metric buttloads of kitties in the City, and only two fly, vampyre-frying solar jackets, mine and Foo’s, and we are being detained by law enforcement assbags instead of saving humanity. So Rivera’s all, â€Å"What about Flood and the redhead? You helped them, right?† Kudos to Inspector Obvious, we’re only living in their loft, spending their money, and hanging our damp towels on their bronzed bodies. I was all, â€Å"They left. All the vampyres left. Didn’t you talk to the Emperor? He saw them get on a boat at the Marina?† â€Å"The Emperor isn’t the most dependable witness,† Rivera says. â€Å"And he didn’t say anything about those two, but I find it hard to believe that a cat, even a vampyre cat, even a gang of vampyre house cats took down a full-grown parking enforcement officer.† So I was like, â€Å"Chet is not a normal vampyre kitty. He’s huge. More huge than normal. He’s getting huger. If you don’t let Foo work his mad science skills to cure him, by next week Chet might be dry-humping the Transamerica Pyramid.† Foo was nodding like a manga-haired bobblehead. He was all, â€Å"Truth.† The big gay Cavuto cop is all, â€Å"Can you do that, kid? Can you put this shit storm back in the box?† â€Å"Absolutely,† says Foo, when he totally has no clue how to catch Chet. â€Å"I’ll need some time, but leave the handcuffs on, because that’s how I work best.† Foo can be most sarcastic when faced with day dwellers less intelligent than himself, which is almost everyone. ‘Kayso, Rivera takes the sleeve of my jacket and starts turning it over, looking at it, all Neanderthal discovers fire face. And he’s all, â€Å"Can you make one of these in a leather sport coat? Forty long?† And I’m all, â€Å"Are you coming on to me?† And he gagged a little (which was mean), and he’s all, â€Å"No. I am definitely not coming on to you, Allison. Not only are you the most irritating creature on the planet, you are a child.† And I’m all, â€Å"A child?! A child?! Do these belong to a child?† And I pulled up my top and flashed him. And not just a flash, a full, glorious boobosity. And he didn’t say anything. So I turned my headlights on Foo and the big gay cop. And they’re all, â€Å"Um-uhr-uhr-um-â€Å" I’m like, â€Å"Et tu, Foo?† Which is Shakespearean for, â€Å"You traitor!† And I ran into the bedroom and locked the door. I was kind of wishing I’d taken a hostage, except really the only weapon I had was a jacket with little light warts all over it, so I was limited to being dangerous to vampyres and emos who get their feelings hurt really easily by my snarky wit. ‘Kayso, then I stared into the dark abyss that is the meaninglessness of human existence, because there was nothing on cable. And in searching the depths of my soul, I saw that I must stop using sex as a weapon, and that I must only use my powers of seduction for good, unless Foo wants to do something freaky, in which case, I can have him sign a waiver. Now, I realize that the only way for me to righteously explore my strength as a woman is to become nosferatu. And since the Countess and Lord Flood wouldn’t bring me into the fold, I must find my own way to the blood power. ‘Kayso, in a few minutes Rivera’s at the door all, â€Å"Allison, I think you’d better come out here.† And I’m all, â€Å"Oh no, Inspector, I can’t open the door. I’ve taken all these pills and everything’s all wiggly. You’ll have to break the door down.† Then Foo’s all, â€Å"Abby, please come out. I need you.† He used his I’m sad, wounded, and locked in the castle tower with all my powers gone voice, which I didn’t even know he had, but it was tragic and I had to come out and humble myself before the cops like a little bitch, despite my new resolve to partake of the dark gift. So I’m all, â€Å"What?† And Rivera is all, â€Å"Allison, we have an agreement with Mr. Wong. He will stay here and work on a solution to the cat problem, and in return for our not filing charges, you both will say nothing to anyone about our previous-uh-adventures, with Mr. Flood, Ms. Stroud, and any other persons of the blood-drinking persuasion. Nor will we mention any funds that may have changed hands, and who may be in possession of said funds. Agreed?† I’m all, â€Å"Sweet!† â€Å"And you have to go home and live with your mother and sister,† the evil Hispano cop continued. And I’m all, â€Å"No way!† And all three of them are shaking their heads at me. And Foo, who is out of handcuffs now, is all, â€Å"Abby, you have to go with them. You’re still a minor and your mom will chuck a spaz if they don’t bring you home.† â€Å"And if that happens, we’ll have no choice but to drop a hammer on Mr. Wong,† said Cavuto. And Foo’s all, â€Å"And to defend ourselves we’ll have to tell everyone about everything. So we’ll all be hosed and meanwhile, Chet the huge shaved cat will own the City, plus our relationship and stuff would be strained.† And by â€Å"and stuff,† Foo meant that we would lose the love lair and no one would take care of Tommy and Jody, and Foo would have to become love ninja to some big guy in prison. We were owned. I was all, â€Å"I blame my mother.† I offered my wrists to Rivera for the cuffs. And they were all nodding, and â€Å"Sure,† and â€Å"That works for me.† And â€Å"Yeah, I’m good with that.† But Rivera didn’t put the cuffs on me. And I’m all, â€Å"Can we have a minute to say good-bye?† And Rivera nods, so I start to lead Foo into the bedroom. And Rivera is all, â€Å"Out here.† So I unzip Foo’s pants. And Cavuto grabs my arm and starts to drag me away, so I was forced to give Foo only a minor good-bye kiss that brushed his lips like a breeze from the tomb and left a little bit of a black lipstick streak on his cheek. And I’m all, â€Å"I will never forget you, Foo. They may tear us asunder, but our love will endure for eternity.† And he’s all, â€Å"Call me when you get home.† And I’m all, â€Å"I’ll text you on the way.† And he’s all, â€Å"Abby Normal, you rock my stripy socks.† Which was totally romantic, because he doesn’t wear stripy socks. I cried and my mascara melted in sorrow. Then Cavuto’s all, â€Å"Oh for fuck’s sake.† And he starts to lead me out the door, but turns to Foo and goes, â€Å"Is that your tricked-out yellow Honda downstairs?† And Foo is all, â€Å"Yeah.† And Cavuto’s all, â€Å"You know it’s full of rats, right?† And Foo’s all, â€Å"Yeah.† And so I am a prisoner of the dreaded Motherbot and Foo faces the menace of Chet alone. Gotta jet, my sister, Ronnie, is asleep and I’m going to Magic Marker a pentagram on her shaved head. L8erz. RIVERA As they were walking away from delivering Abby Normal and her mother to the apartment building in the Fillmore, Cavuto said, â€Å"You know, if I’d had Allison there around when I came out to my dad, I think he would have understood a lot more why I like guys.† â€Å"If the vampire cats’ victims turn to dust, most won’t even be reported unless someone sees the attack,† Rivera said, hoping Cavuto’s train of thought would head on to the next station. â€Å"She’s so obnoxious,† said Cavuto. â€Å"Like a whole Saturday night drunk tank full of obnoxious packed into one little body.† â€Å"Maybe if we get a cadaver dog,† said Rivera. â€Å"Okay, but don’t bitch about how the car smells later, because I want chili and onions.† â€Å"What the fuck are you talking about?† â€Å"Cadaver dogs. You were saying we should go to the ballpark and get cadaver dogs for lunch.† â€Å"I was saying no such thing. I was saying we should get a dog that’s trained to sniff out cadavers to help us find the clothing of the victims.† â€Å"Oh,† said Cavuto, who didn’t want to think about vampires. â€Å"Sure, that makes sense. So, Barney’s Burgers for lunch then?† â€Å"You buy,† Rivera said, as he popped the locks on the unmarked Ford and climbed in. They drove eight blocks down Fillmore Street toward the Marina, before Cavuto said, â€Å"She’s right, you know? I am a bear.† Rivera put on his sunglasses and took a few seconds adjusting them on his face to buy time before he answered with a sigh. â€Å"I’m glad you decided to come clean about that, Nick, because observing your six-foot-three-inch, two-hundred-and-sixty-pound, growling gay personage for the last fourteen years would have never betrayed your true identity, given my dull, homicide detective powers of observation.† â€Å"Your sarcasm is the main reason Alice left you.† â€Å"Really?† Rivera had wondered. Alice had said because he was too much of a cop and not enough of a husband, but he had suspicions about her testimony. â€Å"No, but I’m sure it was on the list.† â€Å"Nick, in all our time as partners, have I ever indicated that I wanted to discuss your sexuality?† â€Å"Well, not beyond using it to threaten suspects.† â€Å"And have I ever offered to share the details of my sex life with Alice?† â€Å"I just assumed you didn’t have one.† â€Å"Well, that’s not really relevant. I’m just saying, I’m fine with you just the way you are.† â€Å"Mantastic, you mean?† â€Å"Sure, go with that. Although I was thinking more of large and furry, yet afraid of tiny girls.† â€Å"Well, you can’t hit her, she’s a kid,† Cavuto whined. They found parking in a garage near Barney’s. Rivera pulled into a no-parking spot (because he could) and shut off the engine. He sat back and looked at the wall in front of them. â€Å"So, vampire cats,† Cavuto said. â€Å"Yeah,† said Rivera. â€Å"We’re fucked,† said the big cop. â€Å"Yeah,† said Rivera. How to cite Bite Me: A Love Story Chapter 5, Essay examples

Business Management BA

Questions: Explain : - Part A BA Business management Work in corporate investment banker; management consultant; chartered management accountant. Interest in business; managing business and managing people and organisation. Part B BA Business management at Newcastle university LJMU and Newcastle university Part C Principle of marketing. Advertisement What the strategy Apple and Samsung follow to promote their products? Answers: Part A BA Business management- This program would provide me with a very strong grounding all across main fields of the business as well as will help me explore the key themes plus all emerging challenges that a business might face in an international context. Such a course is designed in a way that would prepare graduates like me for a very responsible and also professional role within both public as well as private sectors. Broader scope plus practical focus and emphasis of the degree is to make me capable of entering a very wide variety of careers within any business (Henley School, 2015). I will also go on for study of postgraduate degrees as well as professional qualifications after this course. Work in corporate investment banker; management consultant, charteredmanagement accountant Where to find job- The Business management opportunities for career varies in the level of accountability, responsibility, and also salary expectations, plus even in preparation needed. I can find a post of labor relations expert,office managerotherwise administrative expert job. Positions like business analyst, and account executive, management consultant as well as HR manager typically need this degree, named as BA within Business Administration and Management. I can also qualify for the executive-level post, likeMain executive officer, and senior consultant in management. Also I can apply for posts like director of the operations otherwisebrand manager, only if, I further attain advanced degree, like an MBA within Management otherwise an MBA with Marketing specialization (Brown and Guilding, 1993). Interest in business- Additional possible careers includes the management analyst, hospitality manager, manager at retail store, human resources manager and also small business supervisor. This course can be applied within fields like organizational behavior, strategic planning and human resources. I can also work in varied industries, counting manufacturing, medical as well as health, charities, computer, hotels, government, information system, chemical and computer, utilities plus construction, fashion, grocery and also advertising plus promotions. For me after this course opportunities will be seen in public, private as well as nonprofit segments. As this is an area with varied plus open-ended scopes, I will just need to consider my strengths while choosing a specialization within the course. As I enjoy handling people and dealing with them solely, human resources will be a very good fit (Liverpool John Moores University, 2015). Part B BA Business management at Newcastle university Differences Newcastle University Business School LJMU It has one of best records forthe graduate employment within UK. 93.7% of its 2013 graduates progressed towards employment. More than some three quarters which was 77% of the graduates that entered employment attained the position of graduate-level. This Business School in fact has a very great reputation which it has attained for helping the graduates secure proper professional employment. All its past students that have successfully attained this degree from the university have actually gone to start own business, otherwise have secured good careers within fields like marketing, retail, sales, finance, and also human resources as well as general management. This university has a very dedicated and responsible Placement Officer that helps students to find their work placement within their own field of interest. LJMU does not carry any such officer and students need to decide about their career on their own. Sources: (Ljmuisc.com, 2015), (Mavin, 1999) Similarities: Managing people and organization - Completing professionally-attributed BA in Business Management within the Liverpool John Moores University would give me knowledge, skills as well as experience to board on a varied range of the management careers as the university is versatile and also is engaged in providing varied business career (Northumbria University, 2015). Similarly Newcastle University also provides extensive variety of opportunities for all its students and also enables them to develop their personal, employability as well as enterprise skills in addition to giving them an original edge in employment market just after they graduate (Newcastle University, 2015). Contemporary Issues in management in different level- The Newcastle University provides a widespread variety of opportunities for all the students via an initiative named asncl+ that also helps them to develop their personal, employability as well as enterprise skills. This LJMU prepares students for success in wide range of the business careers right from working with some multinational till running own business Managing projects- Newcastle University supplies students with all the software and details that helps them in making and managing their projects and tasks. LJMU University provides software and skill development program. It has vast range of the core as well as option modules that covers subjects like Social Enterprise, Business plus Entrepreneur and also marketing Part C Promotion Strategy Principles of marketing- Marketing principle in both apple as well as Samsung involves a varied range of the processes linked with finding out things that consumers want, plus providing the sane to them. This also involves 4 major elements that are referred as 4Ps of marketing. Advertisement- It fact of both the firms draws attention towards their goods and services. It is designed by a proper designed sponsor within Samsung as well as in Apple. Ads appear on TV, radio, newspapers, hoardings and also on social sites, both firms are active everywhere. Apple- The promotional strategy of Apple is based on very extensive research as well as planning in order to expand its entire operations throughout the globe where this strategy can aim to promote some key elements for strengthening the firms brand image. Main brand elements in this strategy are superior quality, design, friendly usability and also trust plus reliability of product. The firm promotes its goods like a premium product with higher status symbol that not just provides ease to individual's life rather also supplies a very reliable and also cost effective answers to every problems of a buyer (Thackeray, Neiger and Hanson, 2007). There are some major components for the strategy that helps the firm to understand the people and then helps buyers to understand the product and also the way in which it is getting promoted in international market. General promotion strategy of this firm focuses upon the word of mouth or even buzzes advertising and at times also includes point of the purchase strategy in which consumers are encouraged to anyhow discover as well as try out product themselves. Samsung- Samsung generally uses the promotional pricing strategy for maintaining its proper competitive edge above some other leaders in the industry. Purposely designed for attracting customers, the price reductions, like ones available within the John Lewis stores, along with free home delivery as well as 5 year of guarantee plus an added care intended for all the Samsung TV, such promotions are generally available and is used at festive times for attracting customers at the time while their entire disposable income can be used for making more liberal purchases, including TVs and mobiles as well (Singh, n.d.). Strategies: 4PS APPLE SAMSUNG Product Servers, computers, laptops, Laptop accessories like mouse, keyboard, Bluetooth etc iPod, iPhone, iTunes, Printers, Cameras, Mobiles, Storage devices Variety of the TV sets Mobiles Gadgets related to mobile like Bluetooth, headphones and many more Price Apple is the premium brand that never attempts to compete when its about price Samsung has used strategy of competitive pricing for their products, devoting proper time towards comparing prices with those of their competitors such as LG otherwise Sony Place Apple's functioning segments actually are comprised of: Europe U.S. Australia South America Japan Samsung in fact places its products in best retail vendor locations within each of nations where it operate Promotion Offers extraordinary discounts at times Offers free shipping Pricing tactics Specifically designed goods are used to attract customers Festive offers are also given Discussion: Difference Between Theories Of Advertising Hidden message Shifting the loyalties Mediation of the reality Magic of the meaning Imitative desire This theory argues that the advertising is actually dangerous as it utilizes psychology towards creating emotionally-loaded but hidden texts and as these messages are hidden, viewers critical confrontation is also evaded as well as minimized. As per this theory advertisements play upon as well as reflect conflicted and also ever-altering loyalties. And on contrary ads attempt to cultivate very strong feeling of the brand loyalty, and also ads urge users to change the loyalties, and to try anything new, for denying old loyalty in support of the new good. This theory says that Ads just work in combination with some other media as well as environments where they are also embedded plus cannot be properly understood separately from the media and the environments. As per this theory Ads dont merely sell products rather infuse such products along with proper meaning for people that use these goods? And in this way, they influence peoples values as well as underlying beliefs This theory says that Ads play on publics tendency to the desire that others wish. It demonstrates that people often wish to become some other if other is in reality powerful and famous or even beautiful. Moreover it is actually impossible to anyhow become some other person. And such impossibility is maintained in peoples desire alive. Sources: (MacRury, 2009), (Jefkins and Yadin, 2000) Relation between advertising and marketing objective: Advertising is merely one element, or subset, for the marketing. Like, Public relations, and media planning, sales strategy, product pricing plus distribution, customer support, as well as market research plus community involvement also are the parts of complete marketing.Though, advertising is largest expenditure of most of the marketing plans, along with the public relations as well as market research including trinity of the cash outlay, advertising plus marketing might be same in few aspects, like both tend to attract and bring in as many customers as possible and objectives of both are to enhance sales and capture market (Rodgers and Thorson, 2012). Yet there are few differences like advertising is the paid communication otherwise promotion regarding a specific product otherwise service most particularly promoting the brand awareness but marketing is not always paid one. Yet main aim and objective of both facets is to create additional sales and enhance customer base. Pros And Cons Of Advertiesment Advantages Disadvantages There are certain products that have only a seasonal demand but ads can increase their demands in off seasons as well. Advertisements involve vast expenditure and thus increased cost of the distribution. Advertisements also help producers to properly reach the consumers fast Advertising is generally deceptive as well as misguides the consumers as several exaggerated as well as false claims also are made within advertisements. Source: (MacRury, 2009) How People Are Affected By Ads There are many types of ads, yet in common all of them aim to keep people away from thinking, instead, they make people buy choices on the basis of emotional response.Also advertising in a part of marketing that exists to inform people about the goods and services, but at times people get encouraged to buy goods that they do not even need (Jefkins and Yadin, 2000). Additional to encouraging the consumers to select products which are also worth for them, the advertising, as a minimum in the democratic countries, permits people to learn regarding wide range of the lifestyle plus political choices attainable to them as well as choose ones which they see as best. Conclusion: Producers find this easy to communicate the release of novel products to consumers in efficient as well as cost-effective method. Manufacturers later create trivial plus artificial differences within products to build brand loyalty via advertising.Yet ads are a major link amid producers and buyers. References Brown, R. and Guilding, C. (1993). A survey of teaching methods employed in university business school accounting courses. Accounting Education, 2(3), pp.211-218. Henley School, (2015). BA Business and Management - Henley Business School Undergraduate Degree. [online] Henley.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.henley.ac.uk/undergraduate/course/ba-business-and-management-nn12/ [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Jefkins, F. and Yadin, D. (2000). Advertising. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Liverpool John Moores University, (2015). Homepage | Liverpool John Moores University. [online] Ljmu.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/ [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Ljmuisc.com, (2015). University preparation courses in Liverpool UK. [online] Available at: https://www.ljmuisc.com/ [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. MacRury, I. (2009). Advertising. London: Routledge. Mavin, S. (1999). Newcastle Business School and Newcastle City Council: a developmental partnership. Industrial and Commercial Training, 31(6), pp.229-235. Newcastle University, (2015). Newcastle University Business School - - Newcastle University. [online] Ncl.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nubs/ [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Northumbria University, (2015). [online] Available at: https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/academic-departments/newcastle-business-school/ [Accessed 29 Jun. 2015]. Rodgers, S. and Thorson, E. (2012). Advertising theory. New York: Routledge. Singh, D. (n.d.). The High-Quality Low-Price Business Strategy of Samsung Mobile in Penetrating Competitive Market of India. SSRN Journal. Thackeray, R., Neiger, B. and Hanson, C. (2007). Developing a Promotional Strategy: Important Questions for Social Marketing. Health Promotion Practice, 8(4), pp.332-336.

8 Habits of Highly Effective Email Marketing Strategists

Just like starting a new workout regimen, maintaining an effective email marketing strategy requires some good habits. Getting into the right routine will not only help you keep your campaigns fresh, but will also help them stay on track. Not sure where to start? Fear not – I’ve rounded up the eight most critical habits of effective email marketers. 1. They Test Their Campaigns The secret to success in email marketing has little to do with luck – it’s all about testing. Get into the habit of A/B testing your campaigns to determine which elements have the biggest impact on your open rates. A few simple things you could test include: Subject lines Send times Call-to-action buttons Content 2. They Keep An Eye On Their Results Not only do the most effective email marketers test different elements of their campaigns, but they also carefully monitor the results. The interest and needs of your subscribers will change and evolve over time, which means that the most effective type of message will also change. Keep an eye on a variety of metrics: open rates, click rates and opens by specific devices. You’ll be able to figure out what type of content best hits the mark with your subscribers. 3. They Automate As Much As They Can Why do all the hard work yourself? Automating your email marketing can save you time and even boost your open rates. Research shows that automated email messages have about a 70.5% higher open rate than non-automated messages. There are plenty of email messages you can automate–welcome emails, thank-you messages, birthday greetings and more. Doesn’t it feel good when someone remembers your name or recalls some little detail about you? Getting an email that speaks to your interests and needs isn’t much different – that’s why the best email marketers make a habit of personalizing their emails as much as possible. Segmenting your list based on consumer behavior or demographic information is a good way to start. You can then use dynamic content to create super-targeted, highly personalized emails. 5. They Pay Attention To Their Email Copy Subject lines are vital for inspiring people to open your email messages in the first place, but don’t forget to put effort into the actual body of the email. Let’s face it – people don’t want to wade through long-winded walls of text, especially when they’re probably overloaded with emails already. Keep your emails short and sweet, and stay relevant throughout the message. If you have a lot of information to share, break it up with bullets, numbered lists and subheadings. 6. They Follow Best Practices For Email Design The look and feel of your email plays a big role in determining whether a subscriber keeps reading or simply deletes the message. Smart email marketers employ good design strategies in their emails, crafting reader-friendly messages with eye-catching colors and engaging images as well as making sure that emails look good on desktop screens as well as on mobile devices. 7. They’re Not Afraid To Experiment Don’t let the fear of making mistakes keep you from reaching your true email marketing potential. Sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone and take a chance. In most cases, the potential benefits of trying something new outweigh the risk of missing the mark with a handful of subscribers. There is nothing worse than sending an email and then realizing that you missed a typo or that a link is incorrect. Great content marketers will send test emails first to ensure that everything is correct and that images are displaying as they should on all browsers, devices and email clients. If your current email marketing software doesn’t give you control over one or more of these 8 habits, consider switching to one that better fits your needs. Success Comes From Consistency If you want to ensure that your email campaigns achieve the results you want, you need to emulate the habits of successful email marketers. It takes time to establish new routines, but if you can adopt these habits you’ll have a better chance of finding success in your email marketing.

buy custom Safety and Security Risk Management Essay Example

buy custom Safety and Security Risk Management Essay Example Safety and Security Risk Management Executive Summary Aviation industry has faced many challenges that need immediate attention to avert increasing fatalities. This paper provides an insight into main risks/hazards that face the industry with existing mitigation measures. The paper discusses mitigation measures whilst giving recommendations on how to improve security lapses within the circles of aviation. To help with the insight into the industry hazards, the paper discusses six main hazards that pose threat to airplanes and passengers onboard, including the crew. The risk of cyber-attack has been discussed in depth as it is an emerging threat that the industry is not fully prepared to handle. There are recommendations for the six problems in the second part that are in sequel with the problems, each paragraph detailing how to handle a particular problem. Recommendations are followed by the conclusion of the paper with a call for upping of the security apparatus in all ports of entry into the country.

General Electric Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

General Electric - Essay Example Understanding Groups Group is a collection of 2 or more individuals, who interact regularly, exert mutual influence and work in collusion with each other to achieve a common goal (Griffin & Moorehead, 2008). Purpose of a group forms its background and the process through which this is achieved makes it operational. Team is structured, requires coordinated interaction to reach the set goal and all the members stand responsible for its activities. A congregation of individuals qualifies to be called a group based on Kurt Lewin’s parameters, which specify that the members should interact, are interdependent, influence each other, the members feel belongingness, have a structure, work towards a common goal and are recognised as a group by others. Task and relationship-based interactions develop in groups, through which people connect and affect each other. Group Development Bruce Tuckman suggested 4 stages of group development, which consist of forming, storming, norming and perfo rming. Adjourning has been appended later (Griffin & Moorehead, 2008). a. Forming During this phase, individuals mingle with each other and communicate, in an attempt to arrive at their purpose of association. They assess their respective comfort zones. Leaders play a vital role in facilitating this understanding and walking them towards the next stage (Griffin & Moorehead, 2008). In this phase, as we have come from different departments and educational backgrounds, we questioned each other on the relevant details. We have also discussed the past work experience and project records of each of the members. This has helped us in gaining an understanding on the capabilities of every individual of the teams. As a leader, I saw that the team discussions at this phase are directed towards exploring each other, being polite, keeping the communication alive and coordinating them. These conversations created an idea on what would be the ideal roles for each of them within the team and we dec ided on them towards the end of the formation meeting. b. Storming Here, the members share their views, assemble with others sharing similar thoughts and socialise. Leader persuades them to open up and streamlines their ideas, differences etc towards the group goals (Griffin & Moorehead, 2008). This phase has been the challenging one, as the group members started to interact, the differences started to surface. The resource sharing and competition led to substantial friction. However, as a trained and experienced leader, I created the clarity on the jobs and responsibilities; the scope of every person in the team is highlighted. Thus, the importance of every member and his role is clearly understood even by the others and thus, the decision making powers and necessity of the resources to each of them is discussed. Further, the common goals of the team and the focus on productivity of the team, which is only possible through the concerted efforts of all the teammates is stressed. I h ad to support the views of some of the members of the team during such communication, which has planted a doubt in them that I am favoring those members, which was cleared in the due course as the actual work proved my support right. As the team members appreciate the roles and responsibili

Re-evaluation before the Development of Technology Essay

Re-evaluation before the Development of Technology - Essay Example Man required various tools for use in hunting, gathering fruits and tubers used as food, as well as weaponry for protection against the attack by animals. This led to the use of stone tools, which were shaped appropriately, then, to the wooden and later to the metallic tools, which required further systems of shaping and designing them for appropriate application (Berkman, 1962). With the need to shape the metallic tools, technological need arose, which would melt the metal and then shape them into various tools. Secondly, the need for locomotion started with forging rafters to be used for moving across streams, paving way for the development of masts to harness the wind and use it to propel the boats, and later the development of steam-powered engines. All these were steps in the technological development. b. Near past The controversy in the Near Past phase of technological development is the environmental degradation, the negative effects of the GMO food on human health and the une mployment caused by the replacement of the human workers by machines in industries and various business firms. The near past technological development counts for the period between the 20th and the 21st century, where technological advancement emerged in the form of development of road transport and the automotive industry, office work technologies, manufacturing and other business operational technologies, as well as advancement in air industry (Swaminatha, 2011). Further alternative sources of energy such as nuclear were exploited, while great strides were made in the agricultural sector with the development of the genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as various agricultural production technologies. Further advancements were made in the field of medicine and public health with organ transplants technologies evolving, as well as many other life-saving technologies. The communication technology further advanced with the arrival of mobile phones and other communication devi ces. c. Currently i. Current status of the issue The controversy in the current phase of technological development is the threat posed by the internet and cybercrimes on the welfare of the people, as well as the threat of the nuclear weaponry development, which is posing the threat of a third World War, which may have worst consequences, than any other war that has been experienced in the world. The current phase of technological development is marred with computer technology, internet technology and the nuclear weapon technology, all of which have made the fear of the worst war ever occurring. Through the internet and the computer technology, the threats of terrorism in the world have increased immensely, while the online frauds and financial scams have posed a great threat to the online business operations (Swaminatha, 2011). ii. Division in attitude towards the claim There are major supporters of the technological development due to the advantages it has brought to the modern wor ld such as the ease of communication through the mobile devices as well as the internet platforms such as social media, the ease of buying and selling commodities through online marketing platforms and the improved knowledge creation and sharing through the internet

The Identified Strategic Challenges Facing The Lego Company Marketing Essay

The Identified Strategic Challenges Facing The Lego Company Marketing Essay The identified strategic challenges facing the Lego Company is the pursuit to creating innovative product lines that instills interests of the companys brand. With more visual graphics toys that perform technology advanced entertainment, the Lego Group must reinvent original concept that is current to interests of the targeted demographic. In addition, the other challenge is balancing act managing pricing matrix due to the economy woes that occurs at leave every 4-5 years that impact purchases. Therefore, the Lego Company strategic planning is critical to apply appropriate applications that will sustain the status quo of sales but with a determinate 20%-45% of increase sales. The brand identity is critical to this assessment to reaching the targeted measure for a successful return in investment. The stated opportunities are the beneficial aspects to building the dedicated customers to a new revamping of the product line specifically geared towards each age group. The Lego Company was founded tradition and that is why in 1932 by Ole Kirk Christiansen, in which, the company has passed from father to son and is now owned by Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, a grandchild of the founder. In the past almost 80 years from a small carpenters workshop to a modern, global enterprise that the company is now, the Lego Company is the worlds 50th largest manufacturer of toys. Key recommendations The recommended strategic approaches to take advantage of the opportunities for further increasing the brand identity and brand equity is in the creation of the value for customers. In doing so, the customer will demonstrate loyalty and producing sales channels. The refocusing of the value that the Lego Company implements provides for a set target to identifying creative aspects of the current and new product line. Benefits and advantages of the recommendations The Lego Company benefits and advantages of the recommendations of implementing value by imposing advanced safety, creativity, and innovation as well as customer services to the product line produces brand equity. The Lego Company strategy for the period to 2010 is its core focuses on creating value that promotes the brand identity that produces quality products. In each new product design and concept the mission to infuse value systematic concerns supports the recommendations. The increasingly refine and improve product range strategically enable its new products to compete, for example, with the many electronic products on the target market. Aims to convince MD to read main report. The targeted aims to influential the demographic market is in the strategy that underlines the continued importance of focusing on profitability within the organization. Conversely, the situation facing all toy manufacturers at present is that they are tailored to focus from many quarters, such as, by consumers, customers and competitors. The Lego Company aim is to meet this challenge with a determination to unite and bind consumers, fans and retailers for an increasing the interests to the organization. The current challenges of todays toy products to attract and sustain customers with technology advanced precut, the Lego Company product line is the key attribute to present innovation. With over 79 years of toy business experience, the organization has the means to innovate the Lego bricks, PC Games, and Lego Land to heighten the demographic interest. Introduction The founding of the company since 1932, the strategic opportunities are the building of the LEGO brand that is more than simply our familiar logo brand but a new concept to transform technology product line. The targeted demographic needs for new interesting and innovate products that has a learning angle within its concept provides an exceptional opportunity. Therefore, the new branding of the companys products can provide a more strategic operational excellence for a dominate presences within the targeted market demographic. The refocus on the value will offer consumers a new vision for identifying Lego as the company to trust to demonstrate a safe purchase price and durability in the product line. The increase operational excellence is another strategic benefit and advantage for a profound measure to showcasing the Lego Company with the customer base. The products and services, and the accountability that is the LEGO Company brand identity is portrayed around the world that produces higher brand equity. In doing so, the benefits and advantages are more positive the brand will acts as a guarantee of quality and originality that shall achieve the mission by constantly focusing on a consistent strong brand. Main Body The Lego Companys strategy shared vision with the mission of the organizations presents the tangible strategy that is creating the required value for our customers to increasing the sales channels. In doing so, the pursuit for the building the brand identity leading to increasing brand equity is met to sustaining the manufacture known for producing the Toy of the Century. The marketing angle is the aim to making the foundation for a traditional interlocking principle for offering unlimited brand identity possibilities to emerge as the leader in manufacturing toys (Legos.com, 2009). The LEGO Company goal is to provide an improvement of issues that concern the product to create value for the child, parents, the retail shops, vendors, and society in general. The Environment SWOT/TOWS The strength identified is in the established brand identity with LEGO entails longetivity to foster a sense of trust of the product. The strength aspects present a vast measure of imprinting the feature of durability along with longevity with the product line. The Lego Company objectives feature a concept that reaches a wider demographic from age 1-6 and determines to expand this range (Ingram, Laforge, 2006, pp. 22). Therefore, the weaknesses identified are the needed ability to create innovated products such as the PC Games and Lego Land as well as reinventing the legendary Lego bricks to a new height. The lack there of will create a lesser share of the targeted audience compared to competitors. Respectively, the opportunity presents a means for creative toy manufactures to bring in key concepts to from remember able products that are long lasting for improving the brand equity standing. The threat is in the competitors; Coko, Tyco, and Mega Blocks, that are more apt towards pricing and innovated accountability that masters in the area of visual conceptual presentations. The competitors objective is to foster a new way of toy manufacturing that prides itself on a technical visual environment. In doing so, the Lego bricks are the foundation to counteract the threat of not creating innovated product lines, at least every other year. The opportunity is then presented to revolutionary the means for marketing the product that is the leading toy of choice. The weakness is then moved to a lesser degree because of the strategic marketing means for a desired results leading to strength for the Lego Company. The strength is presented for advancing the vision of the company to present value with innovation that is imperative. Strategic Capability The capacity to applying the strategic applications is to reaching the companys goals for leading sales 2-to-1 compared to competitors. The implementation of the company is through the means that perform its best to make a positive impact on areas such as working environment, environment that encourages innovation in the Research Development departments. In doing so, the marketing concept is reached with a directive to illustrate a primary aim to supply good, and healthy play product aspects (Savory, Butterfiled, 1998, pp.88). The strategic context to presenting the companys brand for having fun is the central concept within the marketing initiatives for reaching the desired results to the targeted demographic. The marketing initiatives are targeting the age groups of 1-6 as well as to 7-9 years old present an interesting concept to increasing the brand equity over the next 5 years. Business Idea The profound business idea is reinventing the original Lego bricks to an improved product line that advances the learning and playing experience that is remember for target group of age 7-9 demographics. The concept presents the business idea that builds on the foundation to foster a technology concept to drawing in the preference for Lego products rather than the competitors. The strategic move is a cost-effective approach that limits most marketing markets to a television and print ads combination. In doing so, the business idea is mastered perfectly to demonstrate a wiliness to compete with Nintendo and WII products more proactively. The concept is to reinvent the product line more geared to highlighting known entertainment in the demographic. Recommendations The recommendation is the investment of resources into the product line of Lego bricks, PC Games, and Lego Land that transform into a technology advanced ability and associated with current child entertainment venues. The similarities to Monopoly Games associating with Barbie, Sports, and now Disney version so Lego Company must consider branching out into similar avenues. The focused effort on the development to not only continues influencing kindergarten toddlers and schoolchildren but is to sincerely tap into the young teenagers to young-at-heart adults demographic. In doing so, the fascination of sports and cars are imperative to delivering the designed models for a creative Lego bricks that be performed on your computer by visiting the LEGO Factory website. In this retrospect, the recommendation is honing onto the strength identified for the Lego Company can build on the brand identity and brand equity. Conclusions In the pursuit for establishing a target market increase by 20% with the targeted age demographic of 7-9 as well as 10-14 for sales to improving an overall measure of global performance. The leading of plastic parts to create a new dimension of reality provides the opportunity to recreating a fascinating concept that improves the brand identity. The measure provides the brand equity to increase matching the sales projections for the next 5years due to manufacturing quality products. In doing so, the value target matrix is met accordingly to fulfill the strategic management planning goals with innovated products. The focus on mirroring the same concept as Monopoly Games strategy of paring up with popular entertainment venues and activities provides the Lego Company the same opportunity. Therefore, the targeted demographics are more likely to reinforce the primary vision of the organization as being the The Toy Manufactory in the current and next century by adapting to the times. Appendices Lego Company Weight Rating Weighted Score Products Weighted Comments Strengths Color 0.15 5 0.75 Bricks The variety of fresh ideas concept Shape 0.05 4 0.2 Land Always distinguish style Features 0.1 4 0.4 Theme Variety of features in the market Sizes 0.05 4 0.15 Bricks Measure component Diversity 0.15 3 0.45 Accessory Long lasting on adapting Weaknesses Acceleration Performance 0.05 2 0.1 Production Need to improve Limited in flexibility 0.05 2 0.1 Adaptability Not clear on concept in some markets Interior Design 0.2 2 0.4 Design No variety in standard 0.80 2.55 Table A. Table B. The reflection of the organization presents how the usage of invested resources to provide the innovated product line is critical to the success of Lego Company. The competitors strategy identifies to the mission for effective pricing to counteract the powerhouse of Lego Company. Therefore, the analysis presents the opportunity for the Lego Company to demonstrate a more diversified pricing matrix with the incorporation of value and quality. In doing so, the fundamentals of the recommendation to reinvent the product line of the Lego bricks, PC Games, and Lego land can be achieve successfully. The core vision of Lego Company is to provide an exceptional product in the international market place by proceeding to the next phase of developing an effective business initiatives outlining innovation. The recent analysis of the strengths and weakness of Lego Company focusing on the global market provided insight into the overall benefit for moving forward to rebranding the product line. The marketing strategy for a global integration is to accomplishing corporate initiative that outlines the profitability margin in effectiveness of the product brand (Armstrong Kotler, 2007, pp.11). The analysis on the weakness of Lego Company presented a concern with a proposed consensus on the needed invested resources capital to meet phases of implementation for a planned strategy, in order, to enter new technology products in the market. Therefore, the counteract impact of the Lego Company provides a vitality of the product that has been proven years pages record sales with PC Games. The entry proved from 1990s to current year a strong brand name in the current market for further research and development. Therefore, the need to receive approval from strategic for developing a business initiatives present the effectiveness of the product will remove concerns on initial estimation of capital required. The implementation of formulating the business plan will provide the usual focuses of the mission, purpose, management staff but as well as details on the three core strategic approaches. The three strategic areas are positioning, segmentation, and branding to infuse Lego Company in its initial launching efforts to secure a prestigious footing in the global market place. The positioning will provide the previous research on where the best location for the entry into the international market that will target the core children, school-aged, and teens consumer audience. The marketing positioning will play in sync with the segmentation marketing strategy, in order, to solidify the core vision of the parent company. In doing so, the focus is set to be of offering and providing an exceptional product that can be adapted to any specific international culture environment (Wild, Wild, and Han, 2006, pp. 45). Furthermore, the Lego Companys branding strategy will be highlighted in the business plan to outline the psychological theory that would be in play to capture the awareness of the product and brand identity. Moreover, the focused attention will be on the apathy theory as well as a child, the parent, and the vendors psychological theory concept to deliver the impact of a new awareness to the product and its profound capabilities (Best, 2006, pp. 28). The entrance into the international market must have the means to effectively construct the vision of Lego Company for the short-to-long term goal; hence, a concise effort to instill a communication model has already been established. The marketing strategy for Lego Company already established communication model outlines the short-term goal to the global market with the implementation of strategies within twelve months. The long-term goal measuring will take place in the ninth to twelfth month to secure a footing for long-term efforts that synergize the companys marketability. The long-term goal is to roll-out 3 upgraded version of the product line associated with Disney, Sports, and Learning Visuals within the next 1 to 4 years. The additional long-term goal is to recoup the initial capital investment required at the start of launching globally and to start marking a profit by year 2. The time for Lego Corporation to enter the global market is right now with any delay due to the ramifications can result in losing a hefty share in the consumer market. The outcome can presents a more dramatic entry into the market due to the brand identity established. The research study presents the investigation of the correlation between various marketing strategies on successfully popular products that are online gaming features for the worldwide web (George, Jones, pp. 18). The identification of the product marketing strategy bringing traffic to the brand identity for equity advancement creates an effective measure to tapping in to the targeted demographic. The built by a website designer to increase the popularity in the search engine, hence a review of the three main search engines specifications to avoid rejection in the ranking level. The marketing methodology approach seems to display how the creative features of original product can improve by strategies focusing on current trends (Gobe, 2001, pp. 12). The mission of the organization to focus on a refine associated with the products as well as the PC gaming web technology aspect accomplishes in the desired outcome marketing strategy. The popularity of the Lego Company creativity and durability proves to being the established foundation to meeting the targeted demographic needs for innovation and interest. Respectively, the mission for a value concept incorporated into the strategy provides for a strong effort to compete with manufactory to increase the share in the market.

Leadership lessons from the movie “Invictus” Essay

Invictus is a biographical film based on the book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation. The story of the film revolves around Nelson Mandela’s efforts and strategy to unite the South African society that is torn apart by apartheid. Upon being elected as the first black President of the nation amidst severe opposition from the whites, Mandela faced an enormous challenge to reconcile the nation and build a democracy in the country devoid of racism. The 1995 Rugby World Cup hosted by South Africa became an unlikely opportunity for Mandela to restore harmony in the country. The blacks in South Africa despised the Springboks, South Africa’s rugby team as it was a symbol of white oppression. Only the whites supported the Springboks, whereas the blacks always supported the opposition team. By inspiring Francois Pienaar, the captain of the poor-performing Springboks to win the World Cup, Mandela was successful in inching towards his goal of racial h armony in the country. Invictus serves as a good lesson on leadership by portraying two characters, Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar as successful leaders, however, with different leadership styles. Nelson Mandela exemplifies transformational leadership. His ultimate goal of reuniting a nation torn by racial discrimination was a major transformation that would change the face of the nation globally. He shaped a strategic vision of a realistic and attractive future of the nation and was very efficient in communicating his vision since the beginning of his mandate. On his first day as the President, Mandela observed that all employees of the previous government were leaving their jobs. He organized a meeting with them to communicate his vision and encourage them to stay back if they shared his goal. When his black security guards were unhappy about being forced to work with white counterparts, he informed them about his goal of a racially united country and persuaded them to work together as a single unit. Mandela set up a perfect example of modeling his vision by incorporating both blacks and whites in his personal security unit. He not only spoke about his vision but also enacted upon it; this is a perfect example of â€Å"walk the talk†. He believed that the nation would trust him if they saw consistency in his words and actions. A transformational leader  tends to face several external and internal challenges on the path towards his goal. Self-confidence, strong conviction in the vision and commitment to lead from values help face these challenges. These qualities were a significant part of Mandela’s leadership style. Despite facing resistance from his black security guards, he changed the ethnic representation of his personal bodyguards to teach them racial harmony. This proved to be a right move because by the end of the movie both the black and white bodyguards worked efficiently as a single unit and supported the Springboks together. Mandela strongly believed in the virtue of forgiveness and pardoning the whites for their past behavior. He demonstrated this himself and persuades his people to also forgive the whites. Despite a consensus amongst blacks to change the name and emblem of Springboks as a revenge for years of oppression by the white population, Mandela persuaded the committee to forgive the whites, reconsider their decision and re-vote. On receiving minimal support, Mandela decided to retain the Springboks ensuring that the whites were not punished for the past (example of participative leadership). Being aware that his decision would make his supporters unhappy, he stood by his decision because he believed in leading from values. An effective leader would strive to incorporate principles into people’s passion. Mandela exhibited both people-oriented and task-oriented leadership. His warmth, mutual trust, respect, appreciation and gratitude for his subordinates impressed Francois. In a rugby match, Mandela personally interacted with some of the viewers at the game. During their first meeting, Mandela appreciated Francois’s job as captain of Springboks and acknowledged the challenges as a captain of a national team. Mandela also demonstrated a high level of emotional intelligence and created a positive work environment which made him earn trust, respect and love from his employees. He made an effort to strike a personal chord with his subordinates. For instance Mandela quietly memorized the names of each of the Springboks players so he can give them each a personal greeting. Mandela was an excellent motivator. This is visible when he inspired Francois to win the World Cup. Towards the end of their meeting, it seemed like Francois realized a significant change in his outlook and shared Mandela’s vision about the importance and meaning of a Springboks win to South Africa. Mandela believed in leading by example and by inspiration from the work of others. He found motivation and drive to  excel from the Victorian poem ‘Invictus’. Mandela’s philosophy of leadership was to inspire others not only to be their best, but to become even better than they thought they could. Francois Pienaar is another character in the role of a leader. He was the captain of the underperforming Springboks. Francois exemplifies transactional leadership. His role was to motivate and inspire the team to deliver their best performance and regain the confidence of the country in his team. His leadership ideology was leading others by example to improve team performance. In one scene when the team was exhausted after extensive physical training, Francois was the first one to continue exercising despite the fatigue, hence inspiring his team-mates not to give up. After his meeting with Mandela, Francois was motivated to win the World Cup and believed in Mandela’s vision about the importance and meaning of a Springboks win to South Africa. Despite encountering initial opposition from his own team-mates, Francois had confidence in his vision and persuaded his team-mates to provide rugby training to poor black kids. His confidence and faith in the vision was too strong to be affected by his family’s dislike for Mandela. Francois came across more as a task-oriented and achievement-oriented leader than a people-oriented leader. Depending on the situation, Francois slightly altered his leadership style. He was an autocratic leader when he directed his unwilling team mates to provide training to the black kids. In another scene, when his team mates were least interested in learning the national anthem, he did not use force but persuaded them to sing it meaningfully by explaining what it meant. The team’s visit to Robben Island, where Mandela was jailed, boosted Francois’s inspiration and belief in the poem ‘Invictus’. In the end, Francois proved to be a successful and efficient leader when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup.

Twilight 12. BALANCING

12. BALANCING â€Å"Billy!† Charlie called as soon as he got out of the car. I turned toward the house, beckoning to Jacob as I ducked under the porch. I heard Charlie greeting them loudly behind me. â€Å"I'm going to pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Jake,† he said disapprovingly. â€Å"We get permits early on the rez,† Jacob said while I unlocked the door and flicked on the porch light. â€Å"Sure you do,† Charlie laughed. â€Å"I have to get around somehow.† I recognized Billy's resonant voice easily, despite the years. The sound of it made me feel suddenly younger, a child. I went inside, leaving the door open behind me and turning on lights before I hung up my jacket. Then I stood in the door, watching anxiously as Charlie and Jacob helped Billy out of the car and into his wheelchair. I backed out of the way as the three of them hurried in, shaking off the rain. â€Å"This is a surprise,† Charlie was saying. â€Å"It's been too long,† Billy answered. â€Å"I hope it's not a bad time.† His dark eyes flashed up to me again, their expression unreadable. â€Å"No, it's great. I hope you can stay for the game.† Jacob grinned. â€Å"I think that's the plan – our TV broke last week.† Billy made a face at his son. â€Å"And, of course, Jacob was anxious to see Bella again,† he added. Jacob scowled and ducked his head while I fought back a surge of remorse. Maybe I'd been too convincing on the beach. â€Å"Are you hungry?† I asked, turning toward the kitchen. I was eager to escape Billy's searching gaze. â€Å"Naw, we ate just before we came,† Jacob answered. â€Å"How about you, Charlie?† I called over my shoulder as I fled around the corner. â€Å"Sure,† he replied, his voice moving in the direction of the front room and the TV. I could hear Billy's chair follow. The grilled cheese sandwiches were in the frying pan and I was slicing up a tomato when I sensed someone behind me. â€Å"So, how are things?† Jacob asked. â€Å"Pretty good.† I smiled. His enthusiasm was hard to resist. â€Å"How about you? Did you finish your car?† â€Å"No.† He frowned. â€Å"I still need parts. We borrowed that one.† He pointed with his thumb in the direction of the front yard. â€Å"Sorry. I haven't seen any†¦ what was it you were looking for?† â€Å"Master cylinder.† He grinned. â€Å"Is something wrong with the truck?† he added suddenly. â€Å"No.† â€Å"Oh. I just wondered because you weren't driving it.† I stared down at the pan, pulling up the edge of a sandwich to check the bottom side. â€Å"I got a ride with a friend.† â€Å"Nice ride.† Jacob's voice was admiring. â€Å"I didn't recognize the driver, though. I thought I knew most of the kids around here.† I nodded noncommittally, keeping my eyes down as I flipped sandwiches. â€Å"My dad seemed to know him from somewhere.† â€Å"Jacob, could you hand me some plates? They're in the cupboard over the sink.† â€Å"Sure.† He got the plates in silence. I hoped he would let it drop now. â€Å"So who was it?† he asked, setting two plates on the counter next to me. I sighed in defeat. â€Å"Edward Cullen.† To my surprise, he laughed. I glanced up at him. He looked a little embarrassed. â€Å"Guess that explains it, then,† he said. â€Å"I wondered why my dad was acting so strange.† â€Å"That's right.† I faked an innocent expression. â€Å"He doesn't like the Cullens.† â€Å"Superstitious old man,† Jacob muttered under his breath. â€Å"You don't think he'd say anything to Charlie?† I couldn't help asking, the words coming out in a low rush. Jacob stared at me for a moment, and I couldn't read the expression in his dark eyes. â€Å"I doubt it,† he finally answered. â€Å"I think Charlie chewed him out pretty good last time. They haven't spoken much since – tonight is sort of a reunion, I think. I don't think he'd bring it up again.† â€Å"Oh,† I said, trying to sound indifferent. I stayed in the front room after I carried the food out to Charlie, pretending to watch the game while Jacob chattered at me. I was really listening to the men's conversation, watching for any sign that Billy was about to rat me out, trying to think of ways to stop him if he began. It was a long night. I had a lot of homework that was going undone, but I was afraid to leave Billy alone with Charlie. Finally, the game ended. â€Å"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?† Jacob asked as he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold. â€Å"I'm not sure,† I hedged. â€Å"That was fun, Charlie,† Billy said. â€Å"Come up for the next game,† Charlie encouraged. â€Å"Sure, sure,† Billy said. â€Å"We'll be here. Have a good night.† His eyes shifted to mine, and his smile disappeared. â€Å"You take care, Bella,† he added seriously. â€Å"Thanks,† I muttered, looking away. I headed for the stairs while Charlie waved from the doorway. â€Å"Wait, Bella,† he said. I cringed. Had Billy gotten something in before I'd joined them in the living room? But Charlie was relaxed, still grinning from the unexpected visit. â€Å"I didn't get a chance to talk to you tonight. How was your day?† â€Å"Good.† I hesitated with one foot on the first stair, searching for details I could safely share. â€Å"My badminton team won all four games.† â€Å"Wow, I didn't know you could play badminton.† â€Å"Well, actually I can't, but my partner is really good,† I admitted. â€Å"Who is it?† he asked with token interest. â€Å"Um†¦ Mike Newton,† I told him reluctantly. â€Å"Oh yeah – you said you were friends with the Newton kid.† He perked up. â€Å"Nice family.† He mused for a minute. â€Å"Why didn't you ask him to the dance this weekend?† â€Å"Dad!† I groaned. â€Å"He's kind of dating my friend Jessica. Besides, you know I can't dance.† â€Å"Oh yeah,† he muttered. Then he smiled at me apologetically. â€Å"So I guess it's good you'll be gone Saturday†¦ I've made plans to go fishing with the guys from the station. The weather's supposed to be real warm. But if you wanted to put your trip off till someone could go with you, I'd stay home. I know I leave you here alone too much.† â€Å"Dad, you're doing a great job.† I smiled, hoping my relief didn't show. â€Å"I've never minded being alone – I'm too much like you.† I winked at him, and he smiled his crinkly-eyed smile. I slept better that night, too tired to dream again. When I woke to the pearl gray morning, my mood was blissful. The tense evening with Billy and Jacob seemed harmless enough now; I decided to forget it completely. I caught myself whistling while I was pulling the front part of my hair back into a barrette, and later again as I skipped down the stairs. Charlie noticed. â€Å"You're cheerful this morning,† he commented over breakfast. I shrugged. â€Å"It's Friday.† I hurried so I would be ready to go the second Charlie left. I had my bag ready, shoes on, teeth brushed, but even though I rushed to the door as soon as I was sure Charlie would be out of sight, Edward was faster. He was waiting in his shiny car, windows down, engine off. I didn't hesitate this time, climbing in the passenger side quickly, the sooner to see his face. He grinned his crooked smile at me, stopping my breath and my heart. I couldn't imagine how an angel could be any more glorious. There was nothing about him that could be improved upon. â€Å"How did you sleep?† he asked. I wondered if he had any idea how appealing his voice was. â€Å"Fine. How was your night?† â€Å"Pleasant.† His smile was amused; I felt like I was missing an inside joke. â€Å"Can I ask what you did?† I asked. â€Å"No.† He grinned. â€Å"Today is still mine.† He wanted to know about people today: more about Ren? ¦e, her hobbies, what we'd done in our free time together. And then the one grandmother I'd known, my few school friends – embarrassing me when he asked about boys I'd dated. I was relieved that I'd never really dated anyone, so that particular conversation couldn't last long. He seemed as surprised as Jessica and Angela by my lack of romantic history. â€Å"So you never met anyone you wanted?† he asked in a serious tone that made me wonder what he was thinking about. I was grudgingly honest. â€Å"Not in Phoenix.† His lips pressed together into a hard line. We were in the cafeteria at this point. The day had sped by in the blur that was rapidly becoming routine. I took advantage of his brief pause to take a bite of my bagel. â€Å"I should have let you drive yourself today,† he announced, apropos of nothing, while I chewed. â€Å"Why?† I demanded. â€Å"I'm leaving with Alice after lunch.† â€Å"Oh.† I blinked, bewildered and disappointed. â€Å"That's okay, it's not that far of a walk.† He frowned at me impatiently. â€Å"I'm not going to make you walk home. We'll go get your truck and leave it here for you.† â€Å"I don't have my key with me,† I sighed. â€Å"I really don't mind walking.† What I minded was losing my time with him. He shook his head. â€Å"Your truck will be here, and the key will be in the ignition – unless you're afraid someone might steal it.† He laughed at the thought. â€Å"All right,† I agreed, pursing my lips. I was pretty sure my key was in the pocket of a pair of jeans I wore Wednesday, under a pile of clothes in the laundry room. Even if he broke into my house, or whatever he was planning, he'd never find it. He seemed to feel the challenge in my consent. He smirked, overconfident. â€Å"So where are you going?† I asked as casually as I could manage. â€Å"Hunting,† he answered grimly. â€Å"If I'm going to be alone with you tomorrow, I'm going to take whatever precautions I can.† His face grew morose†¦ and pleading. â€Å"You can always cancel, you know.† I looked down, afraid of the persuasive power of his eyes. I refused to be convinced to fear him, no matter how real the danger might be. It doesn't matter, I repeated in my head. â€Å"No,† I whispered, glancing back at his face. â€Å"I can't.† â€Å"Perhaps you're right,† he murmured bleakly. His eyes seemed to darken in color as I watched. I changed the subject. â€Å"What time will I see you tomorrow?† I asked, already depressed by the thought of him leaving now. â€Å"That depends†¦ it's a Saturday, don't you want to sleep in?† he offered. â€Å"No,† I answered too fast. He restrained a smile. â€Å"The same time as usual, then,† he decided. â€Å"Will Charlie be there?† â€Å"No, he's fishing tomorrow.† I beamed at the memory of how conveniently things had worked out. His voice turned sharp. â€Å"And if you don't come home, what will he think?† â€Å"I have no idea,† I answered coolly. â€Å"He knows I've been meaning to do the laundry. Maybe he'll think I fell in the washer.† He scowled at me and I scowled back. His anger was much more impressive than mine. â€Å"What are you hunting tonight?† I asked when I was sure I had lost the glowering contest. â€Å"Whatever we find in the park. We aren't going far.† He seemed bemused by my casual reference to his secret realities. â€Å"Why are you going with Alice?† I wondered. â€Å"Alice is the most†¦ supportive.† He frowned as he spoke. â€Å"And the others?† I asked timidly. â€Å"What are they?† His brow puckered for a brief moment. â€Å"Incredulous, for the most part.† I peeked quickly behind me at his family. They sat staring off in different directions, exactly the same as the first time I'd seen them. Only now they were four; their beautiful, bronze-haired brother sat across from me, his golden eyes troubled. â€Å"They don't like me,† I guessed. â€Å"That's not it,† he disagreed, but his eyes were too innocent. â€Å"They don't understand why I can't leave you alone.† I grimaced. â€Å"Neither do I, for that matter.† Edward shook his head slowly, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling before he met my gaze again. â€Å"I told you – you don't see yourself clearly at all. You're not like anyone I've ever known. You fascinate me.† I glared at him, sure he was teasing now. He smiled as he deciphered my expression. â€Å"Having the advantages I do,† he murmured, touching his forehead discreetly, â€Å"I have a better than average grasp of human nature. People are predictable. But you†¦ you never do what I expect. You always take me by surprise.† I looked away, my eyes wandering back to his family, embarrassed and dissatisfied. His words made me feel like a science experiment. I wanted to laugh at myself for expecting anything else. â€Å"That part is easy enough to explain,† he continued. I felt his eyes on my face but I couldn't look at him yet, afraid he might read the chagrin in my eyes. â€Å"But there's more†¦ and it's not so easy to put into words -â€Å" I was still staring at the Cullens while he spoke. Suddenly Rosalie, his blond and breathtaking sister, turned to look at me. No, not to look – to glare, with dark, cold eyes. I wanted to look away, but her gaze held me until Edward broke off mid-sentence and made an angry noise under his breath. It was almost a hiss. Rosalie turned her head, and I was relieved to be free. I looked back at Edward – and I knew he could see the confusion and fear that widened my eyes. His face was tight as he explained. â€Å"I'm sorry about that. She's just worried. You see†¦ it's dangerous for more than just me if, after spending so much time with you so publicly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He looked down. â€Å"If?† â€Å"If this ends†¦ badly.† He dropped his head into his hands, as he had that night in Port Angeles. His anguish was plain; I yearned to comfort him, but I was at a loss to know how. My hand reached toward him involuntarily; quickly, though, I dropped it to the table, fearing that my touch would only make things worse. I realized slowly that his words should frighten me. I waited for that fear to come, but all I could seem to feel was an ache for his pain. And frustration – frustration that Rosalie had interrupted whatever he was about to say. I didn't know how to bring it up again. He still had his head in his hands. I tried to speak in a normal voice. â€Å"And you have to leave now?† â€Å"Yes.† He raised his face; it was serious for a moment, and then his mood shifted and he smiled. â€Å"It's probably for the best. We still have fifteen minutes of that wretched movie left to endure in Biology – I don't think I could take any more.† I started. Alice – her short, inky hair in a halo of spiky disarray around her exquisite, elfin face – was suddenly standing behind his shoulder. Her slight frame was willowy, graceful even in absolute stillness. He greeted her without looking away from me. â€Å"Alice.† â€Å"Edward,† she answered, her high soprano voice almost as attractive as his. â€Å"Alice, Bella – Bella, Alice,† he introduced us, gesturing casually with his hand, a wry smile on his face. â€Å"Hello, Bella.† Her brilliant obsidian eyes were unreadable, but her smile was friendly. â€Å"It's nice to finally meet you.† Edward flashed a dark look at her. â€Å"Hi, Alice,† I murmured shyly. â€Å"Are you ready?† she asked him. His voice was aloof. â€Å"Nearly. I'll meet you at the car.† She left without another word; her walk was so fluid, so sinuous that I felt a sharp pang of jealousy. â€Å"Should I say ‘have fun,' or is that the wrong sentiment?† I asked, turning back to him. â€Å"No, ‘have fun' works as well as anything.† He grinned. â€Å"Have fun, then.† I worked to sound wholehearted. Of course I didn't fool him. â€Å"I'll try.† He still grinned. â€Å"And you try to be safe, please.† â€Å"Safe in Forks – what a challenge.† â€Å"For you it is a challenge.† His jaw hardened. â€Å"Promise.† â€Å"I promise to try to be safe,† I recited. â€Å"I'll do the laundry tonight – that ought to be fraught with peril.† â€Å"Don't fall in,† he mocked. â€Å"I'll do my best.† He stood then, and I rose, too. â€Å"I'll see you tomorrow,† I sighed. â€Å"It seems like a long time to you, doesn't it?† he mused. I nodded glumly. â€Å"I'll be there in the morning,† he promised, smiling his crooked smile. He reached across the table to touch my face, lightly brushing along my cheekbone again. Then he turned and walked away. I stared after him until he was gone. I was sorely tempted to ditch the rest of the day, at the very least Gym, but a warning instinct stopped me. I knew that if I disappeared now, Mike and others would assume I was with Edward. And Edward was worried about the time we'd spent together publicly†¦ if things went wrong. I refused to dwell on the last thought, concentrating instead on making things safer for him. I intuitively knew – and sensed he did, too – that tomorrow would be pivotal. Our relationship couldn't continue to balance, as it did, on the point of a knife. We would fall off one edge or the other, depending entirely upon his decision, or his instincts. My decision was made, made before I'd ever consciously chosen, and I was committed to seeing it through. Because there was nothing more terrifying to me, more excruciating, than the thought of turning away from him. It was an impossibility. I went to class, feeling dutiful. I couldn't honestly say what happened in Biology; my mind was too preoccupied with thoughts of tomorrow. In Gym, Mike was speaking to me again; he wished me a good time in Seattle. I carefully explained that I'd canceled my trip, worried about my truck. â€Å"Are you going to the dance with Cullen?† he asked, suddenly sulky. â€Å"No, I'm not going to the dance at all.† â€Å"What are you doing, then?† he asked, too interested. My natural urge was to tell him to butt out. Instead, I lied brightly. â€Å"Laundry, and then I have to study for the Trig test or I'm going to fail.† â€Å"Is Cullen helping you study?† â€Å"Edward,† I emphasized, â€Å"is not going to help me study. He's gone away somewhere for the weekend.† The lies came more naturally than usual, I noted with surprise. â€Å"Oh.† He perked up. â€Å"You know, you could come to the dance with our group anyway – that would be cool. We'd all dance with you,† he promised. The mental image of Jessica's face made my tone sharper than necessary. â€Å"I'm not going to the dance, Mike, okay?† â€Å"Fine.† He sulked again. â€Å"I was just offering.† When the school day had finally ended, I walked to the parking lot without enthusiasm. I did not especially want to walk home, but I couldn't see how he would have retrieved my truck. Then again, I was starting to believe that nothing was impossible for him. The latter instinct proved correct – my truck sat in the same space he'd parked his Volvo in this morning. I shook my head, incredulous, as I opened the unlocked door and saw the key in the ignition. There was a piece of white paper folded on my seat. I got in and closed the door before I unfolded it. Two words were written in his elegant script. Be safe. The sound of the truck roaring to life frightened me. I laughed at myself. When I got home, the handle of the door was locked, the dead bolt unlocked, just as I'd left it this morning. Inside, I went straight to the laundry room. It looked just the same as I'd left it, too. I dug for my jeans and, after finding them, checked the pockets. Empty. Maybe I'd hung my key up after all, I thought, shaking my head. Following the same instinct that had prompted me to lie to Mike, I called Jessica on the pretense of wishing her luck at the dance. When she offered the same wish for my day with Edward, I told her about the cancellation. She was more disappointed than really necessary for a third-party observer to be. I said goodbye quickly after that. Charlie was absentminded at dinner, worried over something at work, I guessed, or maybe a basketball game, or maybe he was just really enjoying the lasagna – it was hard to tell with Charlie. â€Å"You know, Dad†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began, breaking into his reverie. â€Å"What's that, Bell?† â€Å"I think you're right about Seattle. I think I'll wait until Jessica or someone else can go with me.† â€Å"Oh,† he said, surprised. â€Å"Oh, okay. So, do you want me to stay home?† â€Å"No, Dad, don't change your plans. I've got a million things to do†¦ homework, laundry†¦ I need to go to the library and the grocery store. I'll be in and out all day†¦ you go and have fun.† â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Absolutely, Dad. Besides, the freezer is getting dangerously low on fish – we're down to a two, maybe three years' supply.† â€Å"You're sure easy to live with, Bella.† He smiled. â€Å"I could say the same thing about you,† I said, laughing. The sound of my laughter was off, but he didn't seem to notice. I felt so guilty for deceiving him that I almost took Edward's advice and told him where I would be. Almost. After dinner, I folded clothes and moved another load through the dryer. Unfortunately it was the kind of job that only keeps hands busy. My mind definitely had too much free time, and it was getting out of control. I fluctuated between anticipation so intense that it was very nearly pain, and an insidious fear that picked at my resolve. I had to keep reminding myself that I'd made my choice, and I wasn't going back on it. I pulled his note out of my pocket much more often than necessary to absorb the two small words he'd written. He wants me to be safe, I told myself again and again. I would just hold on to the faith that, in the end, that desire would win out over the others. And what was my other choice – to cut him out of my life? Intolerable. Besides, since I'd come to Forks, it really seemed like my life was about him. But a tiny voice in the back of my mind worried, wondering if it would hurt very much†¦ if it ended badly. I was relieved when it was late enough to be acceptable for bedtime. I knew I was far too stressed to sleep, so I did something I'd never done before. I deliberately took unnecessary cold medicine – the kind that knocked me out for a good eight hours. I normally wouldn't condone that type of behavior in myself, but tomorrow would be complicated enough without me being loopy from sleep deprivation on top of everything else. While I waited for the drugs to kick in, I dried my clean hair till it was impeccably straight, and fussed over what I would wear tomorrow. With everything ready for the morning, I finally lay in my bed. I felt hyper; I couldn't stop twitching. I got up and rifled through my shoebox of CDs until I found a collection of Chopin's nocturnes. I put that on very quietly and then lay down again, concentrating on relaxing individual parts of my body. Somewhere in the middle of that exercise, the cold pills took effect, and I gladly sank into unconsciousness. I woke early, having slept soundly and dreamlessly thanks to my gratuitous drug use. Though I was well rested, I slipped right back into the same hectic frenzy from the night before. I dressed in a rush, smoothing my collar against my neck, fidgeting with the tan sweater till it hung right over my jeans. I sneaked a swift look out the window to see that Charlie was already gone. A thin, cottony layer of clouds veiled the sky. They didn't look very lasting. I ate breakfast without tasting the food, hurrying to clean up when I was done. I peeked out the window again, but nothing had changed. I had just finished brushing my teeth and was heading back downstairs when a quiet knock sent my heart thudding against my rib cage. I flew to the door; I had a little trouble with the simple dead bolt, but I yanked the door open at last, and there he was. All the agitation dissolved as soon as I looked at his face, calm taking its place. I breathed a sigh of relief – yesterday's fears seemed very foolish with him here. He wasn't smiling at first – his face was somber. But then his expression lightened as he looked me over, and he laughed. â€Å"Good morning,† he chuckled. â€Å"What's wrong?† I glanced down to make sure I hadn't forgotten anything important, like shoes, or pants. â€Å"We match.† He laughed again. I realized he had a long, light tan sweater on, with a white collar showing underneath, and blue jeans. I laughed with him, hiding a secret twinge of regret – why did he have to look like a runway model when I couldn't? I locked the door behind me while he walked to the truck. He waited by the passenger door with a martyred expression that was easy to understand. â€Å"We made a deal,† I reminded him smugly, climbing into the driver's seat, and reaching over to unlock his door. â€Å"Where to?† I asked. â€Å"Put your seat belt on – I'm nervous already.† I gave him a dirty look as I complied. â€Å"Where to?† I repeated with a sigh. â€Å"Take the one-oh-one north,† he ordered. It was surprisingly difficult to concentrate on the road while feeling his gaze on my face. I compensated by driving more carefully than usual through the still-sleeping town. â€Å"Were you planning to make it out of Forks before nightfall?† â€Å"This truck is old enough to be your car's grandfather – have some respect,† I retorted. We were soon out of the town limits, despite his negativity. Thick underbrush and green-swathed trunks replaced the lawns and houses. â€Å"Turn right on the one-ten,† he instructed just as I was about to ask. I obeyed silently. â€Å"Now we drive until the pavement ends.† I could hear a smile in his voice, but I was too afraid of driving off the road and proving him right to look over and be sure. â€Å"And what's there, at the pavement's end?† I wondered. â€Å"A trail.† â€Å"We're hiking?† Thank goodness I'd worn tennis shoes. â€Å"Is that a problem?† He sounded as if he'd expected as much. â€Å"No.† I tried to make the lie sound confident. But if he thought my truck was slow†¦ â€Å"Don't worry, it's only five miles or so, and we're in no hurry.† Five miles. I didn't answer, so that he wouldn't hear my voice crack in panic. Five miles of treacherous roots and loose stones, trying to twist my ankles or otherwise incapacitate me. This was going to be humiliating. We drove in silence for a while as I contemplated the coming horror. â€Å"What are you thinking?† he asked impatiently after a few moments. I lied again. â€Å"Just wondering where we're going.† â€Å"It's a place I like to go when the weather is nice.† We both glanced out the windows at the thinning clouds after he spoke. â€Å"Charlie said it would be warm today.† â€Å"And did you tell Charlie what you were up to?† he asked. â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"But Jessica thinks we're going to Seattle together?† He seemed cheered by the idea. â€Å"No, I told her you canceled on me – which is true.† â€Å"No one knows you're with me?† Angrily, now. â€Å"That depends†¦ I assume you told Alice?† â€Å"That's very helpful, Bella,† he snapped. I pretended I didn't hear that. â€Å"Are you so depressed by Forks that it's made you suicidal?† he demanded when I ignored him. â€Å"You said it might cause trouble for you†¦ us being together publicly,† I reminded him. â€Å"So you're worried about the trouble it might cause me- if you don't come home?† His voice was still angry, and bitingly sarcastic. I nodded, keeping my eyes on the road. He muttered something under his breath, speaking so quickly that I couldn't understand. We were silent for the rest of the drive. I could feel the waves of infuriated disapproval rolling off of him, and I could think of nothing to say. And then the road ended, constricting to a thin foot trail with a small wooden marker. I parked on the narrow shoulder and stepped out, afraid because he was angry with me and I didn't have driving as an excuse not to look at him. It was warm now, warmer than it had been in Forks since the day I'd arrived, almost muggy under the clouds. I pulled off my sweater and knotted it around my waist, glad that I'd worn the light, sleeveless shirt – especially if I had five miles of hiking ahead of me. I heard his door slam, and looked over to see that he'd removed his sweater, too. He was facing away from me, into the unbroken forest beside my truck. â€Å"This way,† he said, glancing over his shoulder at me, eyes still annoyed. He started into the dark forest. â€Å"The trail?† Panic was clear in my voice as I hurried around the truck to catch up to him. â€Å"I said there was a trail at the end of the road, not that we were taking it.† â€Å"No trail?† I asked desperately. â€Å"I won't let you get lost.† He turned then, with a mocking smile, and I stifled a gasp. His white shirt was sleeveless, and he wore it unbuttoned, so that the smooth white skin of his throat flowed uninterrupted over the marble contours of his chest, his perfect musculature no longer merely hinted at behind concealing clothes. He was too perfect, I realized with a piercing stab of despair. There was no way this godlike creature could be meant for me. He stared at me, bewildered by my tortured expression. â€Å"Do you want to go home?† he said quietly, a different pain than mine saturating his voice. â€Å"No.† I walked forward till I was close beside him, anxious not to waste one second of whatever time I might have with him. â€Å"What's wrong?† he asked, his voice gentle. â€Å"I'm not a good hiker,† I answered dully. â€Å"You'll have to be very patient.† â€Å"I can be patient – if I make a great effort.† He smiled, holding my glance, trying to lift me out of my sudden, unexplained dejection. I tried to smile back, but the smile was unconvincing. He scrutinized my face. â€Å"I'll take you home,† he promised. I couldn't tell if the promise was unconditional, or restricted to an immediate departure. I knew he thought it was fear that upset me, and I was grateful again that I was the one person whose mind he couldn't hear. â€Å"If you want me to hack five miles through the jungle before sundown, you'd better start leading the way,† I said acidly. He frowned at me, struggling to understand my tone and expression. He gave up after a moment and led the way into the forest. It wasn't as hard as I had feared. The way was mostly flat, and he held the damp ferns and webs of moss aside for me. When his straight path took us over fallen trees or boulders, he would help me, lifting me by the elbow, and then releasing me instantly when I was clear. His cold touch on my skin never failed to make my heart thud erratically. Twice, when that happened, I caught a look on his face that made me sure he could somehow hear it. I tried to keep my eyes away from his perfection as much as possible, but I slipped often. Each time, his beauty pierced me through with sadness. For the most part, we walked in silence. Occasionally he would ask a random question that he hadn't gotten to in the past two days of interrogation. He asked about my birthdays, my grade school teachers, my childhood pets – and I had to admit that after killing three fish in a row, I'd given up on the whole institution. He laughed at that, louder than I was used to – bell-like echoes bouncing back to us from the empty woods. The hike took me most of the morning, but he never showed any sign of impatience. The forest spread out around us in a boundless labyrinth of ancient trees, and I began to be nervous that we would never find our way out again. He was perfectly at ease, comfortable in the green maze, never seeming to feel any doubt about our direction. After several hours, the light that filtered through the canopy transformed, the murky olive tone shifting to a brighter jade. The day had turned sunny, just as he'd foretold. For the first time since we'd entered the woods, I felt a thrill of excitement – which quickly turned to impatience. â€Å"Are we there yet?† I teased, pretending to scowl. â€Å"Nearly.† He smiled at the change in my mood. â€Å"Do you see the brightness ahead?† I peered into the thick forest. â€Å"Um, should I?† He smirked. â€Å"Maybe it's a bit soon for your eyes.† â€Å"Time to visit the optometrist,† I muttered. His smirk grew more pronounced. But then, after another hundred yards, I could definitely see a lightening in the trees ahead, a glow that was yellow instead of green. I picked up the pace, my eagerness growing with every step. He let me lead now, following noiselessly. I reached the edge of the pool of light and stepped through the last fringe of ferns into the loveliest place I had ever seen. The meadow was small, perfectly round, and filled with wildflowers – violet, yellow, and soft white. Somewhere nearby, I could hear the bubbling music of a stream. The sun was directly overhead, filling the circle with a haze of buttery sunshine. I walked slowly, awestruck, through the soft grass, swaying flowers, and warm, gilded air. I halfway turned, wanting to share this with him, but he wasn't behind me where I thought he'd be. I spun around, searching for him with sudden alarm. Finally I spotted him, still under the dense shade of the canopy at the edge of the hollow, watching me with cautious eyes. Only then did I remember what the beauty of the meadow had driven from my mind – the enigma of Edward and the sun, which he'd promised to illustrate for me today. I took a step back toward him, my eyes alight with curiosity. His eyes were wary, reluctant. I smiled encouragingly and beckoned to him with my hand, taking another step back to him. He held up a hand in warning, and I hesitated, rocking back onto my heels. Edward seemed to take a deep breath, and then he stepped out into the bright glow of the midday sun.