Winter Dreams Essays - Hypocorisms, Judy, Television, Dexter

Winter Dreams The story Winter Dreams is the epitome of the saying "opposites attract". Just take a look at two of the main characters of the story; Dexter Green and Judy Jones. Judy who was born into wealth has had everything hand fed to her, for her entire life. And on the other hand you have Dexter, a boy from black bear, Minnesota with a dad that owns the second most successful grocery store in area. Dexter is a boy that comes from an upper class family, yet still knows the importance of working for riches and is fully prepared to do so. Two different people that are still drawn together by two things, Judy's loveliness and Dexter's gullable personality. First, let's look at Judy's personality. She is snobby yet refined, with an innocent demeanor that can be down right evil. She is also with out a care in the world. This personality of hers is best potrayed at the golf course when the gentlemen are playing a round of golf and all of the sudden here "fore". Mr. Hedrick is struck in the stomach with a golf ball that was hit by Judy. As she approaches the men Mr. Hedrick blurts out that her wild shot had hit him in the stomach, and Judy merely replies "Did I?" "I'm sorry. I yelled ?fore!' " (p 673) as nothing that had just occurred was out of the ordinary. Then she continued to look for her ball as she carelessly walks by the gentlemen, and after all that had just occurred she asked if they had seen where it went after striking Hedrick. Dexter on the other hand is completely different than Judy. He is a hard working boy, that is known and respected as one of the top caddies of the golf course in Black Bear. Dexter is a confident yet modest boy that has been schooled by the finest schools of the east. Meaning an ivy league school. He is smart and savvy yet extremely gullible to beauty, thus the reason for his obsession with Judy. His personality is best portrayed when he does not like the idea of the snotty little girl Judy bossing him around. He does not like it so without a hesitation he quits his job and goes home. As much as I liked Dexter and disliked Judy I found myself thinking that Dexter was a complete fool. He should have seen what Judy had been doing to all the other guys around him, and he should have left her. Yet he didn't and he hurt other people because of his foolishness. People like Irene, his bride to be whom he broke off his engagement to as soon as he got a hint of Judy showing interest in him. Woman can have that effect on men though and Dexter was only human so all could be forgiven of him. The only thing that puzzled me the most was the fact that after he had been told of Judy's ways he was extremely upset. Even after all the pain that was caused by the beautiful and wretched girl.

Edinburgh Tram System Project

Edinburgh Tram System Project Abstract Tram systems offer a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to providing public transport to city residents while also serving to reduce traffic congestion. The Edinburgh tramway project, which forms the basis of this paper, was initiated for the same reasons.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Edinburgh Tram System Project specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The paper presents an analysis of this project in terms of its description and management with references to theories that have been established to address the subject of project management. The project turned out to be one of the most controversial tramway projects in England. It was characterised by massive delays and changes in the project’s cost estimates. Political matters took the centre stage, with different politicians taking advantage of the controversy that surrounded the project to achieve their interests. Interest in the pro ject was mainly from the Scottish population and politicians. Scotland’s government was the main financier. The whole project was divided into several contracts that focused on specific sections and phases of the project. Other similar projects in the UK have some connection with the Edinburgh project. As the paper confirms, they offer great lessons on the management of any project. Introduction The Edinburgh Tram Network Project is located in Scotland in the United Kingdom. According to Boateng, one of the reasons for the initiation of the project was to support the region’s local economy in terms of improvement of accessibility of various places within it1. Secondly, the project intended to promote sustainability whilst minimising significantly the level of environmental damage that resulted from heavy traffic. Another purpose was to solve the problem of traffic congestion in Edinburgh. Issues such as safety and security of the transport system were also a major conc ern in the initiation and implementation of the project. Moreover, the project was expected to have immense social benefits to the residents of the areas that the rail line served.Advertising Looking for report on railway transport? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the project’s scope, the tramline constitutes of a double track that connect the city centre to Edinburgh Airport. The track also links areas of development in West and North Edinburgh. With this hint about the project, this paper begins by providing its brief description. It also analyses the project’s management process with reference to salient theories that are applicable in project management. Lastly, the paper also provides some key lesson that project managers can learn from this development. Project Description Edinburgh Trams, which is run by Transport for Edinburgh Company, is a rail line that stretches from York Place to Edinburg h Airfield. The stretch that covers a distance of about 14 kilometres has 15 areas of offloading and loading of passengers. According to Lowe, work in the project started in the mid 20082. However, the project was marred with many controversies that led to delays in its official opening. As Crowther reveals, work on a section of the tramway was halted at the start of 2009 because of contractual disputes between BSC and TIE following the former’s request for an extra funding of 80 million pounds3. The Edinburgh Council felt that the contractors were short-changing it, given that the contract was based on fixed price terms. Much negotiations followed shortly thereafter with the contractors agreeing to resume construction work before mid 2009 whilst operating within the original budget, regardless of the witnessed disputes. Later, in August of the same year, TIE instituted legal proceedings against BSC over delays in its handling of the project. In most of the disputes, BSC foun d favour in the court. It received an award of 90% of the additional costs. As McKie confirms, the initial cost estimate of the development was 375 million pounds4. However, Lowe confirms that during the signing of the construction contract, the initial cost figures had risen from 375 million pounds to 500 million pounds5. The closing expenditure is estimated at 1 billion pounds, a figure that was arrived at after considering the settlement of the incurred interest charges.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Edinburgh Tram System Project specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The interest was accruing on a 30-year credit that the committee had taken to cover a shortfall in the project’s funding. The tramway began operations in May 2014 after being behind schedule for more than five years. Management of the Project Various stakeholders were involved to help in achieving the project’s deliverables. Hence, their participation in this project had different impacts at different levels. These stakeholders included the government, contractors, politicians, courts, and the Scottish population6. As the main stakeholder, the government provided funding for the project. The government was also involved in the supervision and monitoring of the project. The project was divided into a number of distinct contracts. The various contracts were let to different companies or contractors. The contractual framework consisted of System Design Services (SDS), Joint Revenue Committee (JRC), vehicle maintenance, and supply (TRAMCO), provider of infrastructure and maintenance (IFRASCO), and MUDFA (Multi Utilities Diversion Framework Agreement). Courts also became part of the stakeholders who came in handy to settle conflicts that arose between the two main contractors. In several instances, the court ruled in favor of the development and continuation of the project. Contractors were at the heart of the witnessed delays and controversies. Change in technology raised the cost of project implementation, which in turn resulted in conflicts in terms of the need for extra funding7. Conflicts between contractors led to court battles that took time to be ruled. However, contractors also played a crucial role in the actual implementation of the project. Project planners were also to blame for the delays. The management of the project as a whole seems to have had serious challenges. To start with, the management did not do a proper cost analysis for the project.Advertising Looking for report on railway transport? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A constant review of the project’s cost raised many questions regarding the validity of the methods that the group that was managing the project was using in arriving at figures, which kept on changing. The inconsistencies served to raise doubts over the abilities of the project managers in handling the project while questioning their intentions in altering the figures. The planners had carried out an incorrect project analysis and estimations, which resulted in variations in cost and the need for supplement budgets to complete the project. The scope of the project was also cumbersome to manage. Variations in the role and part that depended on different stakeholders also resulted in delays. Delays in one facet resulted in interruptions in others. The issue of close monitoring of the project was also not well managed. The laid out structure for managing the project at different stages was faulty as it was evidenced in the swaying of support at different levels. Communication b reakdown between stakeholders also led to conflicts and delays. Project Management against Theory The management of the project, especially in relation to many disputes that arose, seemed to be in line with some models of the game theory. A good example is the standoff that was observed between BBS and TIE. The two firms were staring at each other. The first party to back off was expected to be the loser. The real disaster is imminent if none of the parties backs off. This scenario resembles the ‘chicken game’ in the game theory. Such a game assumes that both parties to the game move simultaneously as Osborne confirms8. However, the actions that were adopted by the two sides were chronological whereby each side acted in rejoinder to the effect that was taken by the opponent side. If the solution to the disagreements ends up taking an unnecessary duration, the implication is the anticipated risks will be heightened. This situation was evident between the Scottish governm ent and the project managers. In the event of the adoption of the nuclear position that involves the cessation of the agreement, with the service provider choosing to present the issue to judges, there is a higher probability of each side being defeated. However, thoughts by each party that its opponent might be crazy enough to take the dispute to such extent may persuade both of them to settle the scour. The project managers seem to have thought that the Edinburgh council would have caved in at some point in time. They held on to its position in terms of seeking more funding for the project. This situation reveals the long standoff that existed between the two sides. It resulted in a court battle that helped to solve the circumstances that were becoming an increasingly expensive affair with each passing day. At some point, speculations were rife that a compromise deal was in the offing that would have seen BBS eliminated from certain sections of the project. However, the project ad ministrators would have been given the opportunity to finish the sections that they had been working on at that moment. Lessons Learnt From Similar Projects and Their Links to the Tram Project The United Kingdom has had numerous other tramway projects that offer important lessons when it comes to project management. All of them have had varying challenges that were solved in different ways. As such, Docherty and Shaw say that they can offer a great insight in terms of approaching such projects9. A good example is the Nottingham Express Transit that is located in Nottingham, England. The project took 15 years to be completed. The project’s cost was determined in advance. Hence, issues of increased costs were rare. The best bidders were chosen to carry out the project. This plan helped to ensure that the project went on smoothly from its initiation to its completion. Another unique feature of the Nottingham tramway that contributed to its success was that it involved a public-p rivate partnership. Such kind of partnership in public projects has always shown higher degree of success compared to projects that are run or handled entirely by the government. The private sector has a sense of accountability since it bases its activities on adherence to strict business rules. It takes into account prudent use of resources and maximisation of benefits that arise from any endeavour that it is involved in. The concept of profit maximisation that is advocated when it comes to private entities plays an immense role in ensuring the best possible use of the available resources by avoiding any unnecessary wastage. Further, the private sector always looks for the best specialties when it comes to running its operations. It does not rely on political affiliations or ethnicity in hiring its personnel. This strategy helps to avoid the negative influence that politics may have in the successful implementation of public projects. Involvement of the private sector into the Nott ingham tramway project helped in availing more funds to the project as Transport Scotland reveals10. This move had the effect of eliminating the need for borrowing large amounts of money for the project. Such huge funds have the effect of attracting large interest rates that serve to increase the overall costs of the project. Successful projects such as the Nottingham Express Transit offer great lessons for the Edinburgh tramway project. One of the main lessons is the separation of politics from such projects. This criterion helps in keeping away politicians who tend to use such projects as platforms to advance their political interests. As Rodger asserts, another lesson is on the importance of including the private sector in the design, funding, and implementation of such projects11. The private sector brings with it efficiency in terms of time management and prudent management of projects. This plan ensures not only timely completion of projects but also proper use of public funds to avoid unnecessary wastage of public resources. Tramway projects such as Tramlink, Metrolink, Midland Metro, and Nottingham Express Transit among others all bear some similarity with Edinburgh project. They have a link in the sense that they were intended to connect various places across different cities. The UK Tram is an organisation that represents the interests of all stakeholders and industry players in the tram industry. The projects were also intended to lessen traffic jams that were experienced in these cities while also providing a better alternative in efforts that were aimed at minimising the emission of greenhouse gases by cars. Conclusion The Edinburgh project was surrounded by lots of controversies in relation to costs, delays in completion, and political influence that slowed down the project while hurting taxpayers. It can borrow lessons from other similar projects. The project is located in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom. It was meant to connect York place and E dinburgh to reduce traffic congestion by motorists. The project managers deviated from the project’s contract that recognised it as a fixed-cost contract by demanding additional funding. This cost implication was the cause of all other controversies that followed in the course of the project. There are great lessons that Edinburgh project can learn from other similar projects that have had significant success. Nottingham Express Transit serves as a perfect example. Lessons from it can help to find ways of avoiding issues that haunted the Edinburgh tramway project. Recommendations There is a need for more public-private partnerships to be deployed when carrying out projects of this magnitude. Such projects involve heavy investments whose implementation has an immense direct impact on taxpayers. Such partnerships will bring greater efficiency since the private sector is known for conducting its affairs with greater professionalism compared to the public sector. Elements such as expertise and extra funding that are provided by the private sector are bound to see better and more successful implementation of public projects. Governments also need to hold contractors accountable in the implementation of projects as opposed to curving into the outrageous demands by contractors who do not fall within the postulations of the contracts. Bibliography Audit Scotland, ‘Edinburgh Trams Interim Report’, The Accounts Commission [website], 12 February 2011, audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/central/2010/nr_110202_trams.pdf. Boateng, P., Megaproject Case Study, Edinburgh Tram Network Project, Edinburgh Publishing Company, Scotland, UK, 2008. Crowther, G.L., National Series of Waterway, Tramway and Railway Atlases, G.L. Crowther, Preston, 2013. Dalton, A., ‘135 Changes, Â £16m Bill: Latest Trams Furore’, Scotsman [website], 12 April 2010, scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/135-changes-163-16m-bill-latest-trams-furore-1-798991. Docherty, I., Shaw, J., Traffic Jam: Ten Years of sustainable Transport in the UK, Policy Press, Bristol, UK, 2008. Lowe, J.G., Edinburgh trams: a case study of a complex project, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Leeds, UK, 2010. McKie, R., ‘Edinburghs tram system opens – Â £375m over budget and three years late’, The Guardian UK, 1 June 2014, theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/01/edinburgh-tram-system-opens. Osborne, M.J., Rubenstein, A., A Course in Game Theory, MIT Press, Boston, 2005. Rodger, R., The Transformation of Edinburgh: Land, Property and Trust in the Nineteenth Century, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004. Transport Scotland, Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance Version, The Scottish Government, Edinburgh, 2008. Footnotes 1 P. Boateng, Megaproject Case Study, Edinburgh Tram Network Project, Edinburgh Publishing Company, Scotland, UK, 2008, p. 9. 2 J.G. Lowe, Edinburgh trams: a case study of a complex project, Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Leeds, UK, 2010, p. 1289. 3 G.L. Crowther, National Series of Waterway, Tramway and Railway Atlases, G.L. Crowther, Preston, 2013, p. 12. 4 R. McKie, ‘Edinburghs tram system opens – Â £375m over budget and three years late’, The Guardian UK, 1 June 2014, para. 6, theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/01/edinburgh-tram-system-opens. 5 Lowe, p. 1291. 6 Crowther, p. 33. 7 A. Dalton, ‘135 Changes, Â £16m Bill: Latest Trams Furore’, Scotsman [website], 12 April 2010, scotsman.com/news/scotland/top-stories/135-changes-163-16m-bill-latest-trams-furore-1-798991. 8 M.J. Osborne A. Rubenstein, A Course in Game Theory, MIT Press, Boston, 2005, p. 12. 9 I. Docherty J. Shaw, Traffic Jam: Ten Years of sustainable Transport in the UK, Policy Press, Bristol, UK, 2008, p. 56. 10 Transport Scotland, Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance Version, The Scottish Government, Edinburgh, 2008, p. 11. 11 R. Rodger, The Transformation of Edinburgh: Lan d, Property and Trust in the Nineteenth Century, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2004, p. 33.

Character Analysis of Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart

In the novel Separation of the fall, Okonkwo is portrayed as a respected and decisive figure, and his fatal flaw will eventually work for him. Throughout the novel, he is obsessed with the idea of ​​becoming his father, so readers have been shown that Okonkwo has many of these features. This made him jealous, which banished him and made it difficult for him to adapt to his village changes. Okonkwo is drawn in various forms as a respectable figure. The main character 's main character Okonkwo of things also has its own characteristics. Over the tragic events in Chinasa Ceve, the hero's Okonkou proved to be a tragic person in confronting the task of overcoming the challenge between himself, the society, and his own destiny. One of the biggest civil wars Okonkwo fought was not that everyone he met was considered a masculine person. In the process of the novel, Okonkwo has a very advantageous existence. Each character of Things Fall Apart has its own character. The leading role of Things Fall Apart is okonkwo. He can change his character according to his situation. Okonkou learned these bad habits from my father. The character of Okonkou changed in the whole story of collapse of things. Unoka, the father of Okonks. Unoka is very lazy. He was troubled to plant crops on new fertile land, was at home to play the flute, drinks palm wine, and likes to have to borrow money to maintain this lifestyle, and never You will not be able to repay it. Unoka is at home and does not give any power for her family. In response, Okonkwo completely rejected his father. Since he did not want to become a great wrestler or warrior like his father in his tribe, he started to serve his family since very young, started a new farm and began to raise wealth. Okonkwo is the hero or hero of Chinua Achebe 's Fall Fall Apart. Okonk's father, Unocha is drunk who owes money to anyone. Unoka is not a good supplier, his wife and children often go hungry. As a result, Okonkwo was ashamed of his father, exceeded his growth experience, decided to be a successful citizen and a brave warrior. Okonkwo first asked for wealthy Nwakibie to subsidize his first harvest. Okonkwo explained that when most people are still smoking their mothers, I started supporting myself. If you give seeds of yam, I will not give up. Yukikawa praised Okonko's ambition and gave eight hundred mountains. I learned to use my thread, but I can trust you, Nwakibie said. As our father said, you can see mature corn from its appearance.

International aviation law Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

International aviation law - Coursework Example Aeronautics Act enacted in June 1938 created the Civil Aeronautics Authority (with mandate over the economic and passenger matters), the Air Safety Board (has power to investigate accidents) and the Administrator of Civil Aviation (concerned with the infrastructure construction and airway system maintenance. 1 The Civil Aeronautics Authority was reorganized and renamed Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), and absorbed the functions of the Air Safety Board which was abolished. CAB enforced a rigid system that restricts growth and mergers. Thus, the Airline Deregulation Act was enacted in 1978 that would allow â€Å"maximum reliance on competitive market forces†. 2 The Act stripped the CAB regulatory powers in 1984 but government regulation of the industry is still performed through the Federal Aviation Administration. The precursor to the Chicago Convention is the 1919 Paris Convention, otherwise known as the Convention Relating to the Regulation of Aerial Navigation. 3 This Convention, signed by the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, Poland and other countries, allowed innocent passage of aircraft in other territories during peace time, required the registration of aircrafts in a state and grants aircrafts a nationality, and prohibited explosives and firearms inside the aircraft. 4 The Convention established the International Commission for Air Navigation to settle international disputes. 5 The signatories and other countries (which were not signatories) revised their local laws according to the provisions of the 1919 Convention. 6 The first to enact a law was England with the passage of the Air Navigation Act 1920 that declares â€Å"full and absolute sovereignty and rightful jurisdiction of his Majesty †¦ over the air.† 7 The United States adopted the same notion of sovereignty to the air above its territory in the Federal Aviation Act of 1958. 8 Under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, all rule-making power was vested upon the Federal

OFF ROAD COMPETITION 4X4 CLIMB HILL TRUCK Research Paper

OFF ROAD COMPETITION 4X4 CLIMB HILL TRUCK - Research Paper Example The only identified drawback of the sport is that it maintains potential to jeopardize the sustainability of environmental regions where these competitions occur. This project identifies the social, cultural, economic, and environmental concerns associated with the sport to identify off road racing’s long-term viability and safety. Furthermore, the paper explores how the sport is sanctioned and regulated as a means of understand how the sport has evolved over the last 40 years. Off road racing competitions are a form of motorsports that differ from other motor vehicle competitions, such as NASCAR, which involve racing competitions utilizing paved roadways and asphalt-based tracks. Off road competitions, utilizing 4x4 vehicles, are established for hill climbing in forested regions or sand dunes by which competitors must adhere to particular rules and regulations regarding competitive activity. Though the specific rules for off road racing differ depending on the nature of the competition, the volume of competitors, and the particular sanctioning body responsible for controlling and standardizing the competitions, off road racing has become a rather widespread racing phenomenon across the United States and many other nations around the globe. When examining off road race competitions, it becomes necessary to examine the historical developments in racing to fully understand how contemporary competitions have evolved into the dynamic and challenging racing structures it is today. Furthermore, a well-developed technological infrastructure supporting off road racing has evolved that improves not only safety in off-roading, but also durability of the 4x4 vehicles utilized for competition to make the events more viable for long-term competitive entry by combatants. This paper further examines the economic issues involved with off road racing and the cultural perspectives associated with those who are engaged and fascinated by such competitions, as well as the

Girl Child Education Essay Example for Free

Girl Child Education Essay Girl Guides are organised into units/troops averaging 20-30 girls under guidance of a team of leaders. Units subdivide into patrols of about six Guides and engage in outdoor and special interest activities. Units may affiliate with national and international organisations. Some units, especially in Europe, have been co-educational since the 1970s, allowing boys and girls to work together as Scouts. There are other programme sections for older and younger girls. Contents 1 Naming 2 Key points 3 Unit affiliation 4 Uniforms 5 Lones 6 See also 7 References Naming Robert Baden-Powell was a famous soldier who fought in the Boer War in South Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. During the Siege of Mafeking, when the town and British soldiers were besieged by Boer soldiers, B-P noticed how the young boys made themselves useful by carrying messages for the soldiers. When he came home, he decided to put some of his Scouting ideas into practice to see if they would be any good for young boys and took 21 boys camping on Brownsea Island, near Poole in Dorset. The camp was a success, and B-P wrote his book Scouting for Boys, covering tracking, signaling, cooking etc. Soon boys began to organize themselves into Patrols and Troops and called themselves Boy Scouts. Girls bought the book as well and formed themselves into Patrols of Girl Scouts. In 1909 there was a Boy Scout Rally at Crystal Palace in London. Among all the thousands of Boy Scouts there was also a group of girls from Pinkneys Green, in Berkshire, who spoke to B-P and asked him to let girls be Scouts. B-P decided to take action. Eerste Nederlandsche Meisjes Gezellen Vereeniging (First Dutch Girls Companions Society), 1911, first Dutch Girl Guides In those days, for girls to camp and hike was not common, as this extract from the Scout newspaper shows: If a girl is not allowed to run, or even hurry, to swim, ride a bike, or raise her arms above her head, how can she become a Scout?[1] B-Ps career had been in the British Army. There was an Indian regiment called the Khyber Guides who served on the north-west frontier of India. B-P persuaded the girl Scouts that Guides was a very special name of which they could be proud. So, in 1910 the first Girl Guides began. Since 1910 Guides have spread and there are now millions of Guides worldwide. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) was formed to link together Guides. In some countries the girls preferred to call themselves ‘Girl Scouts’. (Reference: The Guide Handbook, London: The Guide Association, 1996) The first Guide Company was 1st Pinkneys Green Guides (Miss Baden Powells Own), who still exist in Pinkneys Green, Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire.[2] Polish Girl Guides by the monument to Small Partisan in Warsaw Key points Things that are shared amongst all Guide Units are:[3] The Guide Promise Girls become Guides by making their Promise. Each country has its own Promise but all have the same 3 parts: duty to God or to your religion; duty to your country; keeping the Guide Law. The Good Turn each Guide tries to do a kind thing for someone else, without payment and without being asked, every day. The World Badge this can be worn on uniform or ordinary clothes. The three leaves of the trefoil stand for the threefold Promise. The vein in the centre is a compass needle, pointing the way and the two stars stand for the Promise and the Law. The colours stand for the golden sun shining over all the children of the world, from a blue sky. This badge is a guiding symbol that can be recognized all over the world. The World Flag this is in the same colours as the World Badge and can be carried or flown by any member of the movement. It is often used as the Unit Flag. The three yellow blocks represent the threefold Promise and the white corner represents the commitment to peace of all WAGGGs members. The Guide Sign the three fingers stand for the three parts of the Promise. The Guide sign is used when making or renewing the Promise and can be used when meeting other Guides. It may also be used when receiving a badge or at the end of meetings. The Motto Be Prepared This means that Guides are ready to cope with anything that might come their way.

Lost Dreams :: essays research papers

Lost Dreams   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Remember as a little child, and all those dreams you had? You did anything to make those dreams come true, only to find out in two minutes everything could change. The dreams were gone, the struggle it took to get there seemed futile, and the life that was once organized was useless. Less than a year ago, I found out what exactly what that meant; all the hard work, the planning, and the dream were gone in two minutes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The sun was bright and sunny that April morning, Florida seemed to always start spring right. It was my first time in Florida and Walt Disney World. I liked the weather and, most of all I was happy to be there to cheer. As a senior in high school, it was my last year to cheer with the girls I have cheered with since I was seven, and if that was not enough it was my last year on an all-girl team. I was going to attend Florida State University in the fall of 2004 and cheer on a co-ed team. The Florida State University coach and the high school coach were there to see me perform. By the morning of the competition, I was ready to prove myself to the coaches and my team. We crammed into an old school bus to ride us to the competition at Walt Disney World. When we got to the competition, I had to register in my individual event. After registration, the team got ready to perform.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The smell of hairspray overwhelmed us as the representative of the National Cheerleading Association said, â€Å"Maryland Twisters, you may take the floor.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  My body got cold for the first time in seven years. I was scared of a two-minute routine that I had practiced a thousand times. When I stepped onto the stage, I could feel my heart as it rapidly pumped. I was scared, as we set for the routine. The first task to complete was a standing tumbling. â€Å"Come on Michelle, jump!† I screamed inside my head. â€Å"You have to pull your legs around.† I landed. â€Å"Good, next was running tumbling.† As I moved to the next spot to start my running tumbling, everything seemed to move in slow motion. I was the last tumbler to go. â€Å"six†¦five†¦four†¦three†¦two†¦one† It was my turn. My legs started to run; my hands hit, then my feet. So far, I was okay.

Materialism in “Fifth Business” by Robertson Davies Essay

Life embodies those whose dreams are involve success. For this definition in Shoeless Joe, by W.P. Kinsella, Ray lives a fulfilled existence by following his dreams and pursuing the idealistic path. He helps others fulfill their meaning of life by traveling miles to find them and to bring them back to his field of dreams. He risks his fortune to do so, ultimately being successful. On the other hand, in the novel â€Å"Fifth Business†, by Robertson Davies, Boy Staunton believes that he will be very successful and will get what he wants if he is rich. Although boy succeeds in getting money and living a life of luxury, he is never truly happy. He always tries to reach his vision, but never seems to achieve it because he does not live in a way that makes his vision a possibility; Boy lives the life he wants. Throughout the novel, the rich possesses a sense of carelessness and he believes that money yields happiness. His neglectful view of money and his materialistic attitude, even tually lead to the destruction and downfall of his character. Authors, W.P Kinsella and Robertson Davies contrast materialistic and idealistic values in their novels. ?At the beginning of the novel Shoeless Joe, W.P Kinsella portrays the protagonist Ray as a good father and husband with an ambitious image. Ray Kinsella is called upon by forces left unknown to the readers and himself, to go on both a physical and heart-felt journey. â€Å"If you build it he will come† (Kinsella, 3). When Ray first heard the voice he knew that it had a special meaning and it was telling him to do something. At the beginning it seemed to Ray that the voice is just his own imagination, but when the voice constantly repeated he knew that it was real. From that moment Ray knew that his goal would be to build a baseball field and ‘he’ referred to Shoeless Joe. Throughout the novel, Ray Kinsella starts to believe more and more in his dream. Initially, it seemed almost impossible, but as his belief grew, he realized that it might soon be a reality. This idea of believing in one’s dreams is integral to the novel and is shown ideally in Ray’s character. In opposition, Robertson Davies characterizes the antagonist Boy Staunton as a materialistic individual who only cares about him self. When Percy Boy damaged Mary Dumpster’s brain, which caused premature birth, he quickly moved on and forgot about the incident. After many years, he was asked about recognition of Mrs. Dempster and he replied:† Not at all. Why should I?†(Davies,261). He focused on the negative aspects of his life. Boy is still finishing school and in the  process of stealing Dunny’s girl while he was away. By avoiding problems in his childhood Boy became a successful materialist. ?Ray Kinsella’s journey began when he left his family and risked his fortune to fulfill other people’s dreams. At the end he succeeded in accomplishing his goal, but did not expect any award. â€Å"I did it all. I listened to the voices, I did what they told me, and not once did I ask what’s in it for me† (Kinsella 230). He was not doing anything to please himself, but thought of others instead. He spent a lot of money to build the field and treated other men like guests. â€Å"This is my corn. You people are guests in my corn.† He proved that in order to be happy there is no need to have a lot of money and material objects. He chose an ideal path rather than a material one. While Ray is in a search for inner truth and idealism, Percy is searching for outer beauty and satisfaction with his appearance. Boy is more concerned with increasing his great wealth and all the possessions money can buy, rather than his ideal well – being. There is nothing more important for Boy than himself and his success. He is an egoist. â€Å"We looked into each other’s eyes and I knew that he was afraid, and I knew also that he would fight, lie, do anything rather than admit what I knew. And I didn’t know what in the world I could do about it.† He believes that he can control life by exerting his willpower. He does not clutter his mind with useless information, and also never forgets what is useful to his advance through life. He knows women only as sexual objects, and thinks only in terms of the surface appearance of things. ?† I feel rotten†¦ I’ve done just about everything I’ve ever planned to do, and everybody thinks I’m a success†¦ But sometimes I wish I could get into a car and drive away from the whole damned thing.† PIOTREK! Daj tu citation!! As he gets older he realizes the sterility of acquiring more things, but unfortunately doesn’t do anything in order to change. In the book Shoeless Joe, W.P. Kinsella wrote about how some people were missing something in their lives, but they found what they had been looking for when they arrived at Ray’s field. Ray built a baseball field to fulfill his unfulfilled dreams of the past. Ray’s father died when he was a teenager, so Ray did not get to spend much time with him. Ray had always longed to see his father again and this dream came true when he built the field. Others had unquenchable dreams like Ray. Archibald Graham never got to bat in the majors, and that was what was missing in his life. â€Å"Well, you know I†¦ I never got to bat in the  major leagues. I would have liked to have that chance. Just once.† (Kinsella, 165). When Archie Graham came to Ray’s field, he found the thread that tied the meaning of his life. Eddie Scissons also had an unrealized dream, all his life he had lied about himself being the oldest living Chicago Cub, but he was only looking for the recognition that he had always dreamt of having. When he came to Ray’s field, he no longer had to lie about himself being the oldest living Chicago Cub, for that’s exactly what he became. Ray’s field of dreams helped fulfill the dreams of other men besides himself, and it made all the men very happy to finally find what they have been looking for all their lives. On the other hand, in Fifth Business, Boy’s materialistic values destroyed his marriage and lead to his downfall. â€Å"To him the reality was of life lay in external things, whereas for me the only reality was of the spirit – of mind. â€Å"(Davies, 114) Percy wants everyone, and everything in control, in his control. He is not able to form warm, lasting human relationship. When Boy realized that his wife is not what he wants he decides to abandon her. When Leola commits suicide Boy’s guilt became so great that he could no longer face it. When Boy realized that his acquisitive way of living destroyed his family and lives of others, suicide was the only way out. â€Å"He was killed by the usual cabal: by himself, first of all; by the woman he knew; by the woman he did not know; by the man who granted his inmost wish; and by the inevitable fifth, who was the keeper of his conscience and keeper of the stone.† (Davies, 237). Both authors R.W. Kineslla and Robertson Davies contrast ideal vs. material values in their novels. They show that life based on material values is shallow and unrewarding, while believing and never giving up on dreams is the only true path to happiness.

How Realistic Is Free Trade in the Real World? Essay

Nowadays, virtually almost every country in the world has once engaged in trade activities due to the obvious benefit it can bring. Besides, free trade activities are also being encouraged in all over the world. However, along with these benefits, free trade in fact brings plenty problems, especially for the developing countries. This paper will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of free trade in developing countries, and provide a pessimistic point of view in the global growth and development in the future. It is nothing but a simple activity that involves two or more countries engaging in the exchange of goods and services. Such exchanges of goods or services can be between two parties or several parties. Based on trade, people in many countries could have a great number of opportunities to select a wide range of products and services originated from every country around the world. Additionally, it improves not only the terms of trade but also the economic health of each country. Most academic economists agree and accept the obvious theory that trade benefits both parties involved in the transaction. Trade is a concept that exists largely due to the differences in the cost of production of some tradable commodity in the various locations (Zaidi, Kadiwala). Nevertheless, a few countries do not believe in the benefits of trade, they keep pursuing conservative policy and isolate itself from global integration such as North Korea. Along with Trade, there is another term which needs to be clarified: â€Å"Free Trade†. According to Athony Carter, Free trade refers to the right to sell goods and services around the world without any hindrance. With free trade the only thing determining the price of items will be  supply and demand factors. As well as goods and services, free trade can also refer to the ability of labor to move freely around the world. The main aim of free trade is to carry out development to improve the human welfare. With free trade, the production will have the lowest cost and the consumption will have the cheapest price. Hence, there are enormous benefits of free trade such as increase in economic growth, competitive advantage, economics of scale, etc. However, along with these benefits, free trade in fact brings plenty problems, especially for the developing countries (M. Suparmoko 2002). Although developing countries have become more integrated significantly into the trade world recently, their integration is still not in right directions, has failed to provide many of the expected benefits. Competing perspectives about the role and impact of trade in developing countries Admittedly, Free trade is an issue of great importance for those in business and consumers around the world. The issue of free trade is a highly contentious one, and both sides of the debate can provide persuasive arguments for their position (Anthony Carter). The existence of free trade around the world is hindered in many different ways. Most countries will have tariffs on at least some imports, and this tax can make these good less competitive. The usual reason why a government will impose this type of tax is that they want to protect local industry or dissuade people from purchasing certain products – the governments also use tariffs to raise funds. Of course there are also a lot of limitations on the free movement of labor (Anthony Carter). Fundamentally, there are three main schools of thought which will approve for the both sides of the debate; Neoclassical approach, Structuralists, and Dependency Theory. This essay will apply the three theories mentioned above in order to demonstrate the two arguments for and against Free trade in developing countries. While Neoclassical theory suggests that all free trade is eventually mutually beneficial to everyone welfare, Dependency Theory advocates argue that free trade is a destructive force and a threat to the Developing World or the Least Developed Countries. Structuralists make their position in the middle ground and acknowledge that while there are gains from free trade to be made for the Least Developed Countries and Developed Countries alike, free trade is potentially harmful to developing economies and needs to be managed appropriately (James Lawrie). Neoclassical Theory: Basically, Neoclassical principals can be traced back to the three models: Adam Smith’s Absolute advantage theory, David Ricardo’s theory of Comparative advantage and Hecksher-Ohlin model as well. Adam Smith explained that all trade is mutually beneficial through Absolute advantage and David Ricardo’s theory of Comparative Advantage. These ideas were effectively built upon by the Hecksher-Ohlin model. The H-O model explains how free trade between nations enhances a populations welfare by allowing a nation to employ its various factors of production (land, labour & capital), more effectively (James Lawrie). According to James Lawrie, The H-O model assumes that through the combination of specialization in the production process and free trade between nations, the participating nations can raise their consumption beyond their domestic Production Possibility Frontier, thus increasing the overall welfare of said nations populations. This happens due to the fact that specialization in goods that a nation has comparative advantage in means that this nation can produce them at a lower opportunity cost than that of its trading partners. According to Neoclassical theory, the LDC’s (least developing countries) should specialized labors intensive goods. Because these countries have high abundance of cheap labour more than other factors endowment. These countries can use labour intensive goods to exchange and traded capital intensives goods from developed countrie, typically Western nations. Both of two countries also mutually benefits from trade. In addition, another supporting argument of the H-O model, for LDC’s adopting free trade, is the predicted effects of Factor Price Equalisation. The costs of the abundant factor within a nation should rise as demand for this factor increases. As a result, the wages for workers will gradually rise, eventually leading to domestic and international equality. H-O model such as the tool to help LDCs to apply export orientated industrialisation (EOI) as a means for development (James Lawrie). Nevertheless, in practice, H-O model has neglected several crucial factors, such as: improved resource allocation† due to the price mechanism, â€Å"access to better technologies, inputs and intermediate goods†, â€Å"economies of scale and scope† and â€Å"greater domestic competition† as benefits of a free and open market place. 2. Dependency Theory In contrast with the Neoclassical theory, Dependency Theory provide a number of convincing arguments against Free trade in developing countries. One bvious criticism is that Neoclassical theory has been built and developed almost entirely by Western economists who have a bias towards every problem from a western point of view. For instance, in the past, the British Empire and its colonies achieved growth through exporting, but the same conditions are not in common nowadays. As well as this, according to this theory, LDC’s and Developing countries do not have access to technological advance originated from Developed countries, typically, Western countries and United States of America. Take Cambodia as an illustration for this point of view, this country has a automobile-making industry, which means they can manufacture automobile; however, these cars are produced under old-fashioned technology. It represents the fact that, they can produce as many cars as they want, but these cars can not keep up to the latest advanced technology prevailing in the world. Besides, there are other several factors which can have negative impact on LDC’s and Devloping countries if they engage in free trade activities. For example, the Developed countries would also benefit from a greater deal of political and economic muscle when negotiating terms of trade (James Lewris). In addition, Dependency Theory finds free trade cause unequal exchange and uneven development, arguing that without extensive state support the dual economy will only widen. MNC’s are of particular concern to Dependency Theory for this reason as they repatriate the profits made by their activities in foreign countries – much like BP drilling for oil in the Niger Delta. Dependency Theory discovers a â€Å"trickle up effect†, which means, money flowing from poor countries to the richer Developed countries. Moreover, Dependency asserts that Developing nations has to suffer from environmental damage caused through such operations and workers from Developing countries endure a lowering of health and safety standards, whereby nations must lower regulations and standards to remain their competitive position (James Lewris). 3. Structuralists theory: After examining the two schools of thought mentioned above, this paper will deliver the last theory, which is considered to be developed in the middle of the two theories. It is not in favor of every benefit coming from free trade, but it is not against entire free trade. It suggests that import substitution industrialization (ISI) is the stepping stone simple manufactured goods; the next step is developed to export orientated industrialization (EOI). It believes that free trade is good but free trade needs to be processed and managed in a proper manner. IV- Why we might be pessimistic about the prospects for global growth and development in the future? According to Wenglert & Rosen (2000), the research shows that people tend to be more pessimistic from their views on the world status. Political and social instability, climate change, frequent financial crises, natural resources exhaustion, between countries and widening income inequalities are significantly serious problems that the world are facing. A number of academic researchers attempt to find out the causes of these concerns in order to establish the most effective solutions. However, the facts and figures originated in every study appear to be far from expectation. First of all, significant problems facing the world today are climate change and alternative energy. High speed of industrialization and urbanization has raised environmental pollution and the degradation of natural resources. Natural disasters are seen more often and more destructive with more floods, less rain due to global climate change which caused by environment pollution. According to World Resources Institutes, in 2000, the world emitted more than 9,000 million tons of CO2 but it is estimated to increase by 57% to over 14,000 million tons by 2025. Air pollution and greenhouse gas make global temperature changes to rise and ice cracking in North Pole together with sea-level rising are disappointing results of global warming. This graph will demonstrate the considerable rise in sea level from 1870 to 2010. Climate change has led to increasing natural disasters in many countries which have killed millions of people and caused huge amounts of economic losses for this decade: earthquake in China, Chile and the most recent case is in Japan, tsunami in Thailand, Indonesia and so on. Simultaneously, the current pattern of unsustainable use of natural resources has seriously threatened the growth prospects in the future. Price of energy products such as oil, gas, coal etc. ecomes higher and higher. It means industrial products, mainly from developed countries, more expensive and people in developing countries fail to afford. Besides, social issues have become increasingly complicated and resulted in a wide range of serious concerns for not only related countries but also the world as a whole. For instance, we should take into account hunger, poverty, health care, and education as major problems. In the twentieth century, the world population has grown drastically (from 1. 6 billion by 1950 to 6 billion by 2000). Most of the increase was in developing and poor countries, creating severe constraints on their growth and development because more people require more provision of primary goods and public services (World Bank, 2010b). Moreover, â€Å"poverty itself is a barrier to development† because of limited capacity of credit and insurance markets (Rodrik, 2009b). Additionally, poverty usually comes together with poor healthcare, limited access to education, widening inequalities of living standards and social, even political instability. Furthermore, economic and financial crisis happens more frequently, threatening global growth and development. Since the early 1990s, the world has witnessed a series of financial and economic crises such as in Thailand, Korea, Turkey, Argentina (Salvatore, International Economics), and most recently in the five high-income EU countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain) in 2010. The reason of the most recent fiscal crisis is attributed to the very high government deficits and debt levels (115% of GDP in Greece in 2009). Severely, the crisis has caused great volatility in global financial and commodity markets. The steep decline in stock markets worldwide have shown market nervousness concerning the uncertainty of developments in Europe. Fortunately, it is reported that developing countries have not been affected much by the crisis as they are still growing with great expansion of industrial production and trade. Lastly, failure of Doha Round is a clear evidence for pessimistic futures of global growth and development. Large countries attempt to persuade developing countries to open their economies but they still want to keep their own benefits and do not want to share their wealth. The conflict benefit between developing countries and developed countries made Doha round stopped. Doha agenda is ill – conceived from the start. V – Conclusion: In brief, the expected result of free trade is very good in theory, but in reality it can be a tragedy of the developing countries. Free trade or globalization can be possible if countries do not establish their overriding goal as protecting themselves, so in fact real free trade may be a myth. In ddition, with many risks and serious issues mentioned above, the global growth and development will encounter a slowdown process or even non-existence in the future if unexpected incidents take place continuously.

American Alligators essays

American Alligators essays The American Alligator is one of the largest reptiles in the world weighing from 450 to 500 pounds. The length of an adult varies from 13 to 18 feet. The tail is about half of the length. The alligator and the crocodile are very similar in appearance but there is a difference. The crocodile has a different jaw structure and habitat. The American alligator has a stockier build and broader head and facial features. They have large scales, prominent eyes and nostrils and are almost black in color. The average lifespan is fifty years. Babies feed on insects, shrimp. Tadpoles, frogs, and fish, while adults eat turtles, fish, raccoons, birds and dead animals. They live in shallow lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, and rivers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Carolinas (southeastern U.S.). The breeding season for American alligators is between April and May. The female will lay 25 to 60 eggs. After the laying, the female covers the eggs with a layer of vegetation. The sun helps them grow and they hatch within 9 weeks. In Florida, raccoons are a large egg predator. The alligators are ready to hatch in mid-August through mid-September. Eighty percent of the young become victims of birds, raccoons, bobcats, otters, snakes, and large bass and even other alligators within the first two years of their lives. ...

Health-related program for HLP Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Health-related program for HLP - Assignment Example Notably, this gives the user an opportunity to work out their muscles when they are taking a break from the running sessions. During this time, on can do a few reps with the dumbbell as he or she catches breath after having run on the treadmill. Its structure consist of a usual treadmill machine with an extension on the front where one can use to place the dumbbells A user gains various benefits from the multifunctional treadmill such as: strengthening the heart of the user thus lowering his or her blood pressure, improving the circulation of blood in the body as well as protection from blood vessels and heart diseases. It may also be used by diabetic patients on a regular basis to reduce the blood sugar levels. The one outstanding advantage that comes with using the multifunctional treadmill is that it enables the user to acquire and maintain a good body shape. The heart needs to be kept in good condition and status as it is argued to be the most important muscle of the body. Other parts or tissues of the body, however, should not be left out during exercise. The muscle tissues of the arms, as well as legs, should be well maintained to maintain a good stature. The facility has some programmes that enable a user to achieve an improved or maintained health condition in as far as health and exercise are concerned. These programmes are as follows: first it has time location for the warm up period. Therefore, this enables a user to warm up before commencing on the actual exercise. It is an allowance of one minute that the user gets before he or she starts the exercise. Secondly, it has a speed control that enables a user to set his or her desired speed. Thirdly, it has an inclination control which one uses to adjust the treadmill to an inclination that they desire either steep or slope as the extremes. Fourthly, it enables a user to choose the type of exercise he or she wishes to do and

Electrical Principles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Electrical Principles - Assignment Example In this way, each series circuit will have a series protection resistor. We will calculate the amount of current in each parallel circuit by adding the individual currents taken by the each series circuit. Lest suppose we have 2 series circuits in parallel connection then the current will be +. Use a combination of truth tables and Karnaugh maps to design a logic circuit to control the compressor Credit will be given for creating an efficient circuit using the smallest possible number of logic gates. There is no need for the microprocessor in this process, as the microprocessor will have more losses as compared to that of the logic gate ICs. Moreover, if microprocessor is used for the process it will require excessive cooling. Microprocessors are fast and rapid in processing various type of information. It is only the fact and advantage of the microprocessor in this application. Calculate the required rotational speed in Hz for the generator to produce a voltage whose average magnitude is 12V. You may assume that the flux witnessed by the coil drops to zero momentarily each time it leaves the field. Calculate the maximum amount of energy which can be harvested when a vehicle slows from 40km/h to a standstill. Assume the vehicle mass is given by 1XX0 kg where XX are the last two numbers of your student number. A bank of 100 supercapacitors is to be used to store the energy. Each supercapacitor has a capacitance of 1.5F. Assuming 80 percent of the available energy is captured, and assuming that the capacitors have an initial voltage of 12V, determine the voltage to which they must be charged to store the captured energy. You should specify how the capacitors are connected and justify your