Dracula Strengths And Weaknesses Essays - English-language Films

Dracula Strengths And Weaknesses I. Strengths A. Immortal 1. Speaks of history as if he was there 2. Legend in the story states that "un-dead" will go on for eternity 3. Dracula himself states "Time is on my side." B. Blood gives him strength and restored vitality 1. Dracula looks younger after consuming blood 2. Renfield explains what Dracula is doing to Mina C. Ability to heal injuries much faster that normal men 1. Throws himself through a window and emerges unhurt 2. This explains the difficulty involved with killing a vampire D. Has superior strength 1. Harker describes handshake as an "iron grip" 2. Seward's journal shows that Renfield exhibits great physical strength 3. Bars of a wolf's cage are found bent, probably Dracula 4. It is found that Dracula can actually handle his"boxes of earth" himself E. Supernatural powers 1. Crawls down the side of his castle 2. Seems to have some control over weather 3. Able to change himself into a mist and also create thick fogs 4. Shares psychic bond with victims F. Able to command the behavior and thoughts of animals and sometime humans 1. Wolves obey carriage driver's commands, actually Dracula 2. Dracula frequently summon wolves to do his bidding 3. Causes Harker to forget his time spent in Transylvania 4. Commands wolf to leave zoo and attack Lucy 5. Keeps Harker asleep while he attacks Mina G. Able to change form into animals 1. Large dog jumps off grounded ship 2. A "great bat" is seen quite frequently throughout the story H. Able to make others become Vampires 1. Causes Lucy to become a vampire 2. Process seems to be difficult and involved 3. Is almost not able to"convert" Lucy because of transfusions II. Weaknesses A. Activities limited to nighttime 1. Dracula can't be found by Harker during the day 2. Harker eventually finds Dracula asleep in his box during the day 3. Dracula is found to have no powers during the daylight hours a. The men find that Dracula cannot change his shape during the day b. In fact, Dracula loses a great deal of his strengths during the day B. Needs his "boxes of earth" to sleep during the day 1. Dracula takes great pains to bring his boxes with him to London 2. The men realize his need for these and begin to destroy them 3. The count will soon be unable to seek refuge in them so he must retreat. C. Shares a "bond" with his victims 1. Dracula has access to the minds of those he has victimized but they also have a limited access to his mind 2. Van Helsing hypnotizes Mina and she discovers that Dracula is on a boat D. Dracula has a "bloodlust" 1. Dracula needs blood to survive, it is his only sustenance 2. Dracula obviously needs to be around a steady supply of blood 3. Because of his need for blood, Dracula is forced to move to London 4. The sight of blood incites Dracula and fills him with a "lust" for it E. Does not cast reflections in mirrors 1. Harker notices that, oddly, there are no mirrors in the Count's home 2. Dracula does not show up in Harker's shaving mirror F. Holy Wafer 1. This is used by the men to repel Dracula and also keep him out of certain areas 2. They use this to "sterilize" his resting places, making them unusable 3. Used to protect people by making a circle of it around them 4. Will burn the skin of a vampire or any other "evil" being G. Crucifix or Holy Cross 1. Will also repel Dracula 2. May also have a calming effect on angry people 3. Also used in protecting people from evil, especially Dracula H. Garlic 1. Will repel Dracula when brandished or worn on body 2. Also used in protecting people from Dracula 3. May be vampire specific as far as its repelling quality goes I. Cutting off head 1. This may or may not be enough to kill a vampire, it is usually accompanied by other means 2. Stuffing garlic in the mouth of the head is likely to prevent regeneration J. Stake through the heart 1. A stake through the heart is very likely to kill a vampire 2. Again, this is usually accompanied by other means The history of superheroes and supervillains in literary works is long and well documented. The fact that almost all heroes and villains have one or more extraordinary

Ramifications of the Reconstruction Period essays

Ramifications of the Reconstruction Period essays The reconstruction of the south was the period during and after the Civil War where several different groups in the government tried to solve the economic, political, and social problems that arose as a result of the Civil War. It was a time of disorder and chaos. Southern whites rejected all forms of equality and blacks wanted nothing but full freedom and land of their own. This led to frequent and inevitable riots. Reconstruction lasted from 1865 to 1877 and was one of the most controversial periods in the nation's history. People still debate its successes and failures. Many people blames Reconstruction failure on black politics, calling it "Negro government." Even some newspapers that were in favor of Reconstruction blamed the black legislatures. Foner wrote, "Ironically, even as racism waned as an explicit component of the Northern Democratic appeal, it gained a hold on respectable Republican opinion, as a convenient explanation for Reconstruction's failure." Black politicians could have been the demise of Reconstruction. Another cause of Reconstruction could have been the Court's intervention. Foner stated, "Previously, the court had proved reluctant to intervene in Reconstruction controversies. The Compromise of 1877 between the Republicans and Democrats, occurring in January of that year, was the solution to the contested Presidential election of 1876 and furthermore brought an end to the period of Reconstruction following the Civil War. The banks could have also caused the failure of Reconstruction to speed up. The Freedman's Savings Bank went under with no money to pay its depositors. The bank held thousands of black's (Freedman) money. "In June 1874, with only $31,000 on hand to cover obligations to its 61,000 depositors, the Freedman's Savings Bank suspended operations." One of the main reasons for the failure of Reconstruction was the dropped prices of crops. Many farmers and sharecroppers could not live off what th...

Information System Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Information System - Research Paper Example However, the use information systems have been made more interesting with the emergence of social media platforms. These platforms include the facebook, twitter, LinkedIn, and instagram (Hu, et al., 2014). Social media as a whole has played a significant role in revolutionalising marketing strategies; however, instagram has the edge because of features and the ease that one can apply the platform in building the business (Das and Sahoo, 2014). Unlike other social media platforms, the Instagram adopts a unique way of telling stories. The platform uses pictures to convey the message (McCune, 2011). The use of pictures can be tailored to have captions that resonate with the message in the picture. The Instagram has a business blog that offers guidelines on how to use the platform for building business (Das and Sahoo, 2014). This business platform is called Instagram for business and appears as shown in the diagram below (figure 1). The instagram for business is an application that provides easy ways of enabling people exploit the platform to build their business. The strategies have to follow the simple steps that the application provides. It is such a simple way of enhancing business because the user does not have to have many years of experience in using the application to make the most from the application. Building a business brand will require massive following or better the interaction with a massive number of target customers. The best way to popularise a brand is by getting a gauge viewership. This can be a huge task especially when a created post does not have a large following (Aric, 2009). Therefore, the best way of beginning is to cultivate a following. There are several tips that can help an individual attain these objectives. The best way is to connect friends from other social media platforms like facebook and twitter (Das and Sahoo, 2014). This is the easiest way

Imagine being a leader in a small-to-mid company Assignment

Imagine being a leader in a small-to-mid company - Assignment Example e cost is not equal for all but largely depends upon lifestyle-related habits such as excessive liquor consumption, eating habits leading to obesity, smoking because such people needs additional healthcare giving rise to insurance costs. This raises the burden of employer because they need to pay at least half of the insurance cost for each employee as a contractual obligation while offering job to a prospective employee. It becomes imperative that some policy framework, in the matter related to insurance cost, needs to be prepared and implemented that distinguish employees based on their lifestyles. In a free-market economy, costs need to be shared judiciously - in line with the benefits derived by employees. Market can always adjust, while providing full healthcare benefits to workers, by providing lower wages to them so that the total cost to employer remains unchanged but that cannot be done due to minimum wage act in operation. Another alternative is to reduce the number of workers so as to keep the total wage bill constant. When wage rate is allowed to settle on its own without any external interference such as minimum wage act, these issues do not crop up. Quite often, economists have given their expert opinion that the minimum wage act creates market distortion in employment generation process harming weaker section of the society. Survival of the organization largely depends upon how fairly everyone is treated based on their contribution to the organization and the costs incurred on them. Usually, most employers do engage themselves in cost-benefit analysis while providing employment to any employee. The commercial wisdom entails that burden of health insurance cost must be shared appropriately – in proportion to the benefits garnered because lifestyle approach of each employee greatly differs. It will not be out of place to mention that giants such as IBM provides rebates to workers on insurance costs who follow healthy lifestyles and penalizes those

Discuss how attitude gender in Shakespeare's play Othello affect the Essay

Discuss how attitude gender in Shakespeare's play Othello affect the outcome of the play - Essay Example e bed is at the very heart of the tragedy of Othello; offstage but dramatically the center of attention in the first scene and again in the first scene of the second act, it is literally and symbolically at the center of the last scene and is explicitly hidden from sight at the conclusion. Whether the marriage is consummated, when it is consummated, and what the significance of this consummation is for Othello and Desdemona have all been an important source of debate about the play. Throughout its critical history, Othello, like the other problem plays, has generated passionate and radically conflicting responses--responses that are invariably tied to the critics emotional responses to the characters and to the gender relations in the play. Othello, Iago, and Desdemona have been loved and loathed, defended and attacked, judged and exonerated by critics just as they are by characters within the play. "Almost damned in a fair wife" is Leslie Fiedlers alternate title for his chapter on Othello in The Stranger in Shakespeare. In it he asserts of the women in the play: "Three out of four, then, [are] weak, or treacherous, or both." Thus he seconds Iagos misogyny and broadens the attack on what Leavis has called "The sentimentalists Othello," the traditional view of the play held by Coleridge, Bradley, Granville-Barker, Knight, Bayley, Gardner, and many others. These "Othello critics," as I shall call them, accept Othello at his own high estimate. They are enamored of his "heroic music," affirm his love, and, like him, are overwhelmed by Iagos diabolism, to which they devote much of their analysis. Like Othello, they do not always argue rationally or rigorously for their views and so are vulnerable to attacks on their romanticism or sentimentality. Reacting against these traditionalists, "Iago critics" (Eliot, Empson, Kirschbaum, Rossiter, and Mason, as well as Fiedler and Leavis) ta ke their cues from Iago. Like him, they are attracted to Othello, unmoved by his

Strategy For Sustainable Construction 2008

Strategy For Sustainable Construction 2008 According to OGC Guide (2003), sustainability includes environmental, social and economic factors, and construction affects all three areas. HM Treasury launched a three-year Sustainability Action Plan in June 2000 which sets out how the government client would take forward the sustainable development agenda through better procurement of new works, maintenance and refurbishment. The Strategy for Sustainable Construction aims to achieve sustainable construction through procurement, good design, innovate the construction process, continuous professional development of people, better regulation, climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation; reduce per capita consumption of water, enhancement of biodiversity, reduction of construction waste to landfill and using materials having least environmental and social impact. (HMG, 2008) According to Glover (2008), the following points should be taken into account while drafting construction contracts Identify the client and principal contractor; Identify who is responsible for complying with the regulations and drafting and updating the SWMP; Decisions in relation to sustainability provisions; Identify the different types of waste that will be produced in the course of the project and describe what waste management action will be taken; Identify who is responsible for removing the waste Construction Projects and contracts are already subject to certain sustainability provisions like clause 4.18 of the FIDIC Red Book entitled Protection of the Environment. Similarly, clause 16 of the JCT 2007 form states that the provider will assist the employer and the other project participants in exploring ways in which the environmental performance and sustainability of the Tasks might be improved and environmental impact reduced, for instance, selection of materials and adoption of construction techniques which result in reductions in waste. The wording of Clause 16 of the JCT 2007 form is similar to paragraph 56 of JCT Framework Agreement Guide. The government has introduced a number of legislative provisions like Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008, Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2008, Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, Landfill Tax and Code for Sustainable Homes 2008. (Glover, 2008) Having identified sustainability as a key issue, the JCT conducted preliminary discussions with senior industry figures. As a result of those discussions, the JCT launched a consultation, to deal with sustainability in construction contracts and ultimately the issue of how sustainability should be addressed in JCT contracts. The findings of the consultation were published in a guidance notes called Building a sustainable future together. It revealed that detailed requirements should be contained in the project specification rather than in the contract. The guidance notes also sought to address the feeling amongst participants that guidance was needed for tackling sustainability in contractual documentation. (Law-Now, 2009) The incorporation of suitable provisions in guidance notes or clauses in construction contracts offers the clients to incentivise to improve sustainability. Areas for possible inclusion under the heading of sustainability, are: sustainability targets, desired levels of energy, and water use; targets for waste minimisation and recycling; requirements for use of materials that come from sustainable sources; targets for health and safety of the workforce on site; targets for training and appropriate skills levels; requirements for use of up-to-date integrated supply chain methods including improved logistics and use of logistics plans; and targets for improved working conditions for staff both on and off site. Considerations on the transport side, both for bringing staff on site and bringing materials to the site will also be important to the overall carbon footprint of the project. (JCT Consultation Paper, 2008) Sustainability Objectives have to be reflected in the employers requirements and carried through into contract drafting. There are already a number of existing contractual provisions in many standard form contracts which can be tailored to address sustainability, for example, clause 2.15 of JCT 2005 Design and Build regarding Changes of law. A mechanism similar to liquidated and ascertained damages can be an effective means of ensuring delivery of sustainable requirements. Use of clear objectives and deliverables linked to a compensation mechanism is the key to delivering sustainable development through contract drafting. (Douglas and Oats, 2008) The principal purpose of Revision 2 is to recognise the increasing importance of sustainability and to provide a flexible framework. The sole alteration has been the insertion of the new Seventh and Eighth Recitals (Framework Agreement and Supplemental Provisions). Entries are provided against the references to them in Part 1 of the Contract Particulars. The default position for each Supplemental Provision is that it applies unless otherwise stated. (JCT Guide, 2009) The sustainability wording encourages the contractor to suggest economically viable changes to the works, which might result in environmental benefits to the works and requires the contractors to provide the employer with information on the environmental impact of the materials they select and use. (Law-Now, 2009) JCT SBC 05 has fall-back provision regarding sustainable development, which is according to clause 2.1 which deals in compliance with the contract documents, the construction phase plan and the statutory requirements. The key to sustainable construction is that the sustainability provisions are incorporated in the design and specification. In sustainability terms (as with any contract), there are two questions that need to be asked which are, what is the loss and what are the ordinary standards applicable when asked to incorporate sustainability provisions. (Glover, 2008) Under the Society of Construction Law Delay and Disruption Protocol, it is possible to build sustainability provisions into the definition of practical completion i.e. a project is not complete unless certain sustainability standards have been achieved. The contractor might require the addition of a new relevant event under clause 2.29 of the JCT Standard Building Contract to account for the risks of such provisions. Clause 2.29.12 already deals with the risks of a change in the law i.e. the introduction of new environmental regulatory provisions. The client and the contractor have to decide who carries the risk for increase in prices of commodities for sustainable construction. (Glover, 2008) According to Glover (2008), the collateral warranty in terms of sustainability can be stated as The consultant warrants and undertakes to the employer that it has and will continue to use reasonable skill and care that it shall endeavour at all times to specify for use materials from the BRE Green Guide to Specification. To conclude, the JCT seems to be deciding between Aspirational clauses and specific obligations. The key to incorporating sustainability provisions into your contract lies with getting your specification right. When it comes to enforcing that specification, there are two options. Firstly, monitor the performance of the contractor through the use of Key Performance Indicators, which must of course be agreed in advance. Secondly, make sure that the achievement of practical completion is linked to the achievement of the sustainable goals you want incorporated into your project. (Glover, 2008) 2. According to NEC3 clause 10.1, the Employer, the contractor, the project manager and the supervisor shall act as stated in the contract and in the spirit of mutual trust and co-operation. This is similar to JCT 05, Schedule 8 (Eighth Recital) paragraph 1, which states that the parties shall work with each other and with other project team members in a co-operative and collaborative manner, in good faith and in spirit of trust and respect. In the NEC3, when Option C, D, E F are used, Clause 20.3 states that the contractor advises the project manager on the practical implications of the design of the works and on subcontracting arrangements. Clause 20.4 states that the contractor prepares forecasts of the total defined cost for the whole of the works in consultation with the project manager and submits them to the project manager. According to NEC3 clause 25.1, the contractor cooperates with others in obtaining and providing information which they need in connection with the works. According to NEC3 clause 40.3, the contractor and the supervisor each notifies the other of each of his tests and inspections before it starts and afterwards notifies the other of its result. These clauses illustrate the collaborative working environment. (Telford, 2008) JCT SBC 05 contains an express undertaking to comply with the statutory requirements and Construction Phase Plan in clause 2.1 which covers Health and Safety legislation. According to clauses 3.23 and 3.24, the contract also makes provision with respect to the CDM Regulations and a CDM Co-ordinator as well as a Principal Contractor is appointed by the Employer. The Part 2 of the CDM Regulations sets out the duties of clients, designers and contractors. According to JCT 05 Schedule 8 (Eighth Recital) paragraph 2, the parties will endeavour to establish and maintain a culture and working environment in which health and safety is of paramount concern. This supplement provision adds an obligation to comply with non-statutory HSE and HSC codes. (JCT Guide, 2009) This is similar to NEC3 clause 27.4, the contractor act in accordance with the health and safety requirements stated in the works information. It is necessary to include in the contract any particular requirements which the employer has and are in parallel with statutory requirements. These requirements may include such matters as the safety regulations of the factory, a health and safety plan for the whole site, submission of safety policies and which party is responsible for maintaining areas used by several contractors in a safe condition. (Telford, 2008) Also, clause 91.3 of NEC3 deals with the termination of the contractor in substantially breaking a health and Safety Regulation. For further reading on Health and Safety issues, there is a guide on Health and Safety in the Achieving Excellence suite which identifies how client decisions and activities impact on health and safety. (OGC, 2003) According to NEC3 clause 16.1, the contractor and the project manager give an early warning by notifying the other as soon as either becomes aware of any matter which could increase the total of prices or impair the performance of the works. Also, the intention of clause 16.3 in NEC3, regarding risk reduction meeting is to take action or make decisions which avoid or mitigate the effects of identified risks on cost, quality and time which helps in saving cost. The concept of Contractors share is used in Option C D of NEC3. The purpose of the Contractors share is to encourage effective management control of the final Price of Work Done to Date relative to the target i.e. for saving cost and value improvements. (Telford, 2008) The clause 63.10 of NEC3 deals with the reduction of price if the effect of the compensation event is to reduce the total defined cost. Similarly, the intention of clause 63.11 is to encourage the contractor to apply value engineering principles to the works inf ormation and save cost and improve value. (Telford, 2008) This is similar to JCT 05 supplement provision Schedule 8 paragraph 3, according to which, the contractor is encouraged to propose changes to designs and specifications for the works and to the programme that may benefit the employer in the form of reduction of cost of the works. It is during the pre construction phase that most value improvements are derived by value engineering exercises. Further opportunities for value engineering exercise arise in context of variations where cost saving can be done. (JCT Guide, 2009) For further reading, there is a guide on Whole-life costing and cost management in Achieving Excellence Procurement Guide suite which provides advice on producing whole-life cost models and explains what needs to be done to keep costs under control at key stages in the project. (OGC, 2003) Sustainability Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (Glover, 2008) According to JCT 05 supplement provision Schedule 8 paragraph 4, the contractor is encouraged to suggest economically viable amendments to the works which may result in an improvement in environmental performance in the carrying out of the works and the contractor shall provide all such information that the employer requests regarding the environmental impact. According to clause 2.3 and clause 2.9, the JCT has taken an active role in establishing the importance of proper information being available on the environmental impact of materials and goods selected by the Contractor. (JCT Guide, 2009) Also, JCT SBC 05 has fall-back provisions regarding sustainable development, which is according to clause 2.1; the contractor shall carry and complete the Works in a proper and workmanlike manner and in compliance with the contract documents, the construction phase plan and the statutory requirements. This is similar to NEC3 Option X2 regarding Changes in the Law. Any legislation or regulation by the government regarding sustainable development can be incorporated in the NEC3 through this clause. As well as Option Z can be used in NEC3 to incorporate sustainable construction in the contract by adding additional conditions to the contract. Performance can be measured by Standard Key Performance Indicators, Post-project implementation reviews and Client performance surveys. The Improving Performance: project evaluation guide as well as benchmarking can be used to measure performance throughout the life of the project. (OGC, 2003) According to NEC3 Option X20, the contractor reports to the project manager his performance against each of the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) stated in the Incentive Schedule and if the target is not achieved then the contractor submits a proposal to the project manager for improving his performance. If the target is achieved or improved then the contractor is paid the amount stated in the Incentive Schedule. Also, the employer may add a Key Performance Indicator and associated payment to the Incentive Schedule. (NEC3, 2008) This is similar to JCT 05 supplement provision Schedule 8 paragraph 5, according to which, the employer shall monitor and assess the contractors performance by reference to any performance indicators stated in the contract particulars and where the employer considers that the target may not be met, he may inform the contractor who shall submit his proposals for improving his performance. Another feature of NEC3 Option X17 is that, if a defect included in the defects certificate shows low performance with respect to a performance level stated in the contract data, the contractor pays the amount of low performance damages stated in the contract data. The performance of the contractor is certified by the supervisor following a specified performance test to be carried out between completion and defects date. (Telford, 2008) In JCT 05, according to Section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act (HGCRA) 1996, a construction contract should enable a party to give notice at any time of his intention to refer a dispute to adjudication. If a dispute arises, the parties should consider whether to allow a reasonable period for negotiation before recourse to adjudication or other external means of resolving the dispute. (JCT Guide, 2009) This is similar to NEC3 which has also incorporated HGCRA 1996 in Option Y (UK) 2. According to NEC3 clause 13.7, a notification which this contract requires is communicated separately from other communications. In NEC3, Dispute Resolution is dealt using two options namely Option W1 which is used in international contracts outside UK and Option W2 which incorporates HGCR Act 1996 and is used in UK. According to NEC3, Option W1, disputes are notified and referred to the Adjudicator in accordance with the Adjudication Table. While in case of Option W2, a party may refer a dispute to the Adjudicator at any time. According to clause W2.3, a party gives a notice of adjudication to the other party with a brief description of the dispute. Within seven days of a party giving notice of adjudication he refers the dispute to the Adjudicator, provides information and send a copy of the information to the other party. If the subcontract allows, the contractor may refer the subcontract dispute to the Adjudicator at the same time. The Adjudicator may review and revise any action or inaction of the Project Manager or Supervisor, take the initiative in ascertaining the facts, instruct a party to provide furt her information or instruct a Party to take other action. The Adjudicator decides the dispute and notifies his decision and his reasons within twenty eight days. If a party is dissatisfied by the decision of the Adjudicator, he may notify the other party within four weeks that he intends to refer it to the tribunal. The tribunal has the power to reconsider any decision of the Adjudicator. The parties can settle the dispute through arbitration as well. (NEC3, 2008) According to JCT 05 clause 9, the parties can settle the dispute in four ways i.e. through mediation by using a third party to assist the negotiation process(Clause 9.1),refer disputes to Adjudication (Clause 9.2) and the procedure is similar to NEC3, refer disputes to arbitration (Clause 9.3 to 9.8) and litigation (Article 9). According to JCT 05 supplement provision Schedule 8 paragraph 6, each party shall promptly notify the other of any matter that appears likely to give rise to a dispute or difference. The senior executives nominated in the contract particulars shall meet as soon as practicable for direct, good faith negotiations to resolve the matter. In the case of the sixth Supplemental Provision (Notification and negotiation), there is a further entry for nominated employees. (JCT Guide, 2009) Word Count: 2862 References: Issaka Ndekugri and Michael Rycroft, 2009, the JCT 05 Standard Building Contract: Law and Administration JCT Consultation Paper, 2008, Sustainability JCT 05 Standard Building Contract Guide, 2009 JCT (2009), Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2005 Jeremy Glover, 2008, Sustainable Development in the Construction Industry, Retrieved from: http://www.fenwick-elliott.co.uk/files/Sustainable%20Development%20in%20the%20Construction%20Industry.pdf (Accessed on 25th January, 2010) Law-Now, 2009, Construction industry body embeds sustainability in its standard form contracts, Retrieved from Blackboard NEC3 (2008), Engineering and Construction Contract 2005 Simon Oats and Tom Douglas, 2008, Sustainability Contracts Strategy for Sustainable Construction, 2008, retrieved from: http://www.strategicforum.org.uk/pdf/1381-Report.pdf (Accessed on 25th January, 2010) Sustainable construction, Retrieved from: http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/construction/sustainability/page13691.html (Accessed on 25th January, 2010) Thomas Telford, 2008, NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract 2005 Guidance Notes

Personal Narrative - Russias Communist Society and its Government :: Russian History

Lenin promised peace to the Russian people, but it was an illusion that never came, for the country where my great-grandfather remained with the majority of my family soon sunk into civil war. Untouched by man, the snow lay still and smooth, cloaked in white purity. Guilt filled my every step as piles of snow crumbled helplessly under my heavy feet. At the door I paused to look upon the path my footsteps had made only to become discouraged at the beauty I had destroyed. Silently, she sat by the drafty window in her dimly lit apartment. Her long, silver hair fell in frantic, unruly curls about her face, yet she made no attempt to brush them aside. When she spoke, it was not as if she was directing her words toward me, or anyone else in the room. Instead she spoke to the window and the winter winds blowing feverishly outside. She asks if I ever noticed how one could feel and smell a snowstorm hours before the first flakes begin to fall. The harsh Russian winters of her youth had left her with a sixth sense in predicting oncoming blizzards. Slowly she lets out a shallow sigh as she remembers how her family could feel the oncoming revolution months before 1917. The Bolsheviks' climb to power was a slow and involved process, much like the time it takes for a few snowflakes to turn into a blizzard. She tells how the smell of revolution was powerful enough to encourage the majority of her family to escape Russia before it was too late. Her father, however, was a Cossack, a royal officer to the Tsar and a servant to Russia. Despite the Bolsheviks' increasing power and the threat of revolution, her father remained close to the Tsar, putting himself in constant danger. For the first time, tears fill her eyes, and she tells me the sad horror that the Revolution inflicted upon her family. Like an unstoppable force of nature, the Russian communist party not only tore apart the government of 1917, but also divided families and destroyed the lives of many Russians. The woman sitting in the chair revealing her life story to me is my grandmother. Although the memories are painful for her to recall, she states how important it is to know one's heritage. As a child, I was weaned on the stories of my Russian ancestors, and in school I had read textbooks discussing the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Iron Crowned Chapter 16

Kiyo asked no questions when I called Enrique back and told him I'd be out of town and out of contact for a while – but that I trusted him to carry on. Really, Kiyo said little at all as we hurried back to my house. Within minutes, I had a small satchel packed, and then we were off to the Otherworldly crossing. No matter what ups and downs had occurred in our relationship, he knew me well. He knew I had to act on this immediately. The questions began once I reached my castle. â€Å"How the hell,† I began, â€Å"did this happen?† I was in one of the receiving rooms, Kiyo by my side as I stared down Shaya and some of the soldiers who manned the grounds. Rurik was with them, which gave me mixed feelings. I was glad he was back from Dorian's. I trusted him more than any other military guy around here. That being said, there was a petty part of me that held him responsible. How could someone as capable as him have let this happen? He grimaced, as though guessing my thoughts. â€Å"A small group sneaked onto our grounds, overpowered her guards †¦ and took her.† He hesitated. â€Å"She only had two with her, Your Majesty. As you'll recall, her escort was lightened. Still. There is no excuse.† I hadn't witnessed this kind of diplomacy and respect from Rurik since †¦ well, actually, I'd never really witnessed it. With Dorian? Yes. Not with me. Jasmine's abduction had really gotten to Rurik, no question. I was pretty sure he was taking it personally. But I'd also caught the slight meaning in his carefully worded comment about her lightened guard. That had been my call. I had done it in response to her good behavior and had let her outside more. I'd known it was a potential security risk – but not one that involved her leaving against her will. â€Å"We're at war,† I said. â€Å"Regardless of her guard, this whole place should have been under lock-down.† He nodded, face growing grimmer. â€Å"As I said, there's no excuse. I take full responsibility.† I waved a hand dismissively. â€Å"It's too late now. I know you're doing your job. Don't lay yourself out for the slaughter. Volusian said there was a note?† Shaya handed me a piece of rolled parchment. Kiyo leaned over my shoulder as I read it silently to myself: To Eugenie, Usurper Queen of the Thorn Land, Daughter of Tirigan Stormi, King: As you no doubt know by now, I have your sister within my custody. If you wish her returned to you alive, you and the Oak King will surrender unconditionally to me. You will cease hostilities immediately, withdraw your armies, and cede your lands. Additionally, you will turn over the alleged Iron Crown to me. If you do not comply with these terms, your sister will be executed at noon, three days from the receipt of this letter. For now, she is alive, and I have given her into the keeping of my nephew Cassius. I await your response. Sincerely, Katrice, Queen of the Rowan Land, Beloved of the Gods I looked up at the many watching eyes. â€Å"‘Given her into the keeping of my nephew Cassius.' Does that mean what I think it does?† Shaya grimaced. â€Å"That is the nephew she wanted you to marry.† â€Å"Why execute Jasmine then?† I demanded. â€Å"Why not marry her off to Cassius? Isn't that a waste of one of Storm King's daughters?† â€Å"Katrice hates you,† said Kiyo softly. â€Å"At this point, she probably doesn't even care about the prophecy. She wants to get back at you, hurt you, and if that means killing Jasmine, then it's probably an acceptable loss – especially if she tries to then give you to Cassius after this ‘surrender.'† â€Å"So I'd get to live?† Kiyo shrugged. â€Å"Longer suffering.† â€Å"Why choose her as a hostage though?† I didn't know why I was arguing the logic here. None of it mattered. Only the outcome did. â€Å"Everyone knows we don't get along.† â€Å"Everyone also probably knows that's been changing a little,† said Kiyo. â€Å"You brought her to Dorian's.† â€Å"And,† added Shaya, â€Å"a royal family member usually makes the best hostage in these situations.† These situations. For a moment, I nearly swayed on my feet, wanting to close my eyes and pass out. It had nothing to do with the heat. It was this. All of this. This situation always repeating itself. Me and Jasmine, cursed by our blood, always to be used and captured as possessions in a greater game. I'd hated Aeson, but at least he'd lured Jasmine into some pretense of love before taking advantage of her. But what about this Cassius? He'd make no attempts at kindness. This was all about punishment and revenge, after all. Had he already raped Jasmine? Was he doing it now? A sickening memory of Leith came to mind, one sharp and clear in spite of the drugged state I'd been in during my ordeal with him. Moments later, it was replaced by an image of this faceless Cassius lowering himself over a cowering Jasmine†¦. I pushed my weakness aside, steadying myself and bringing the world back into focus. I turned to Rurik. â€Å"How far are our armies spread out? How soon could we get them together and march on her? I want to raze that bitch's lands and burn her castle to the ground! I want to have the fucking wrath of heaven rain down on her and – â€Å" I cut myself off, as startled at my words as the others were. Where had that rage come from? Well, the situation, obviously. I wouldn't want anyone thrown to Katrice's nephew before facing execution. But it occurred to me in that moment that my reaction was also †¦ personal. Somewhere, in the ups and downs of our dysfunctional family, I'd come to care about Jasmine. My anger came from the loss of her. â€Å"Easy, Eug,† said Kiyo, resting a hand on my arm. There was a nervous note in his voice, mirrored by the others' expressions. I'd once been told that when I was angry, I resembled my father. I took a deep breath and pushed back any further outbursts. â€Å"Leading a massive army in – while deserved – wouldn't be †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Rurik was still treading lightly, still choosing words carefully. â€Å"Well, Katrice was already in wartime mode, heavily guarded. After this? The lands outside her home probably have triple the guard they did before.† â€Å"But if our force was large enough †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began. Rurik nodded. â€Å"True. It's possible. Especially if †¦ especially if my lord Dorian's armies were involved.† He looked uneasy at mentioning Dorian, but I could see a considering look on Rurik's face. I had a feeling we shared the same puzzle. Would Dorian lend forces to help me? Possibly not, not if his anger overrode any devotion to me. On the other hand, Dorian was still in this war, and I knew him well enough to think he might welcome a full-out march on her castle. Rurik knew that too. â€Å"With his forces, it's possible,† Rurik said at last. â€Å"But Katrice's would be defending. It would be bloody. It would be ugly.† He didn't sound opposed to that, per se. He was a military man; ugly battles were the way of the world. But we all knew that wasn't ideal. My mind spun. Part of me wanted that large force to beat on Katrice because I thought she deserved it. This was about more than revenge, however. It was about Jasmine. I needed to go with the plan most likely to get her back, and an invading army wasn't it. It would take a smaller group, just as she'd no doubt sent here, one that could slip in. We were heavily guarded, but with the assorted petitioners and refugees always coming and going, it was no wonder Jasmine's kidnappers had slipped in. Katrice undoubtedly had a similar stream of people coming to her in these times, but she'd probably be on high alert with them too. â€Å"Imanuelle,† I said, realizing too many moments of silence had passed. â€Å"Can you get me Imanuelle?† It was this, finally, that took the group's eyes off me – because they all exchanged astonished looks. Kiyo's face grew troubled. â€Å"That's your plan?† Kiyo asked. â€Å"Assassinate Katrice? Eugenie, you're better than that.† He'd apparently heard of Imanuelle. â€Å"I am,† I agreed. â€Å"And smarter. Get her for me.† That was to Shaya, who nodded and then shot a look at a hovering servant. He gave a hasty bob of his head and darted out of the room. â€Å"Ready to repeat history?† I asked Kiyo. â€Å"It'll be like raiding Aeson's all over again.† â€Å"You're going †¦ No. Eugenie, you can't go there.† I gestured to Rurik and began moving for the exit. â€Å"You heard him. We can't get in with a large force – not easily.† â€Å"Yes, I get that,† said Kiyo, following after me. â€Å"But you can't go.† â€Å"I have to go,† I countered. Rurik had hurried along after us. â€Å"He's right. Send someone else. I'll go. We'll sneak in and take her.† I came to an abrupt halt, nearly causing both men to run into me. â€Å"I'm going. This is my responsibility. Besides, who else around here can match me magically?† I peered back and forth between their faces, daring them to challenge me. â€Å"Even so,† said Rurik, â€Å"if you're discovered, you'll be outnumbered. And you're an enemy queen. In wartime. Walking right into your enemy's stronghold. I can't allow this.† â€Å"It's not your place to allow me to do anything!† I snapped. â€Å"Or you either.† I turned to Kiyo for that, guessing his words. â€Å"We won't be discovered. Not if Imanuelle's as good as she claims.† I was so tired of men telling me what I could and couldn't do. I left them and stalked off down the hallway toward my bedroom. Neither followed me right away, but I just barely heard Rurik mutter to Kiyo, â€Å"Well, if she's caught, she will get a massive army descending on Katrice, at least. My lord Dorian wouldn't permit anything less.† The flaw in my plan, as it turned out, was waiting on Imanuelle. After our last meeting, she'd left my kingdom, and finding her wasn't easy. You couldn't just openly summon a famed assassin. Girard was at my court, however, and apparently had secret ways of sending messages to his sister. I didn't ask any questions about his means, so long as she showed up. Waiting for her gave us time to plan strategy. Once my advisors grudgingly accepted that I'd be going personally – and once Rurik accepted that he would not be accompanying me – they fell in line to pool their knowledge about Katrice's castle. I'd joked earlier to Kiyo about this being like our break-in to Aeson's †¦ but really, it was true. This time, we had no guide personally to take us in. We had to rely on anecdotal knowledge from those who had been there and could make best guesses at where Jasmine might be held. And that was presuming Katrice was actually keeping her on-hand. Perhaps the most surprising part of all of this was Kiyo's acquiescence. I'd expected protests about my safety or perhaps a diplomatic solution. But, no. He realized the importance of saving Jasmine. And he too knew this was probably our best shot – at least on such short notice. â€Å"You should know,† Rurik told us later, â€Å"that you aren't going to be able to bring Volusian.† He, Kiyo, Shaya, and I were in my bedroom, which I'd made my makeshift war headquarters. â€Å"Why not?† I asked. That was a surprise. I'd been counting on his muscle, something I had to admit I'd missed while fighting for the crown. What was the point of an undead minion if I couldn't put him to good use? â€Å"He can go in with us invisibly.† Rurik shook his head. â€Å"Everyone knows about him. Katrice does. She'll have people on-hand who can sense him. She'll also probably have those with the power to banish him. Enough of them united together could.† â€Å"You have a lot of faith in her,† I noted dryly. Volusian was hard to banish – I couldn't do it – but Rurik had a point. Get enough magic-users together, and they could eventually pull it off. He gave me a twisted smile. â€Å"She's not stupid. And she has advisors. Not as good as yours, of course, but they would have thought everything over before kidnapping Jasmine.† A knock on the door interrupted any response I might have made, and after I called entry, a servant showed Imanuelle in. â€Å"Finally,† I said. She swept in, clad in billowing red silk pants and a matching, midriff-showing top. The assassin arched an eyebrow and gave me an amused look as she put her hands on her hips. â€Å"I don't wait around on your every command, Thorn Queen. And last time we spoke, you made it pretty clear, you didn't want me around. Have you finally come to your senses? From what I hear, now's a pretty good time to get rid of Katrice.† Imanuelle paused carefully. â€Å"Although, getting rid of her before now would have been even better. Would have saved you and your sister a lot of trouble.† I bit off any snide remarks. â€Å"We can't have Katrice killed. I'm pretty sure the instant her people found her dead, Jasmine would be next. I need you to sneak in and get Jasmine out of there.† Imanuelle's cocky smile dropped. â€Å"That's not what I do. I kill. I don't rescue.† â€Å"I'll do the rescuing. You need to get me and Kiyo in. Disguise us with this so-called power you keep bragging about. Or is masking more than one person out of your skill-set?† â€Å"I can do it,† she said, narrowing her eyes. â€Å"But it'll cost you.† â€Å"We can afford it,† I said, trying to ignore the pained look crossing Shaya's face as she no doubt added up mental ledgers. Imanuelle said nothing for several moments as she pondered it all. â€Å"Just you two?† â€Å"Yes. And you, of course,† I added. â€Å"Do you have any idea where you're going in there?† she asked. Kiyo and I exchanged looks. â€Å"Kind of,† I said. â€Å"Kind of.† Imanuelle snorted. â€Å"Fine. I'll do it. But I'm only there to disguise you. I'm not fighting if you get caught.† â€Å"You don't have to,† I assured her. â€Å"We'll protect you.† This brought another scoff and a haughty curl of her lip. â€Å"If they detect us, I can get myself out of there, believe me. You'll be on your own.†

Self Awareness Essay Example

Self Awareness Essay Example Self Awareness Essay Self Awareness Essay And moral judgment Attitudes Cognitive style (towards change) Developing adaptability and responsibility Determine information acquisition and evaluation Interpersonal style Determine preferences and interaction patterns (Carbolic 2005) Preserving face Known to self to others Arena know to others Facade Not known to self Blinds Unknown Dwyer (2000) Communication in Business: Strategies and ask Self perception ; Think about the image you have of yourself. Quickly Write the first 6-10 words that come to mind ; Of these words write the words that are in your Arena and those in your facade. ; Give examples Of each Work with partner ; What image do they project? Write the first 4 words that come to mind. ; Discuss your findings. One at a time! Remember ; Any discrepancy between perceptions can serve as a learning opportunity for both ; What have you learnt of your bloodspot or facade? Perceptual distortions Stereotyping generalizing ; Halo effect trait dominates sloppiness ; Central tendency averages everything ; Contrast effects evaluations affected ; Projection ; Perceptual defense called upon to preserve our self-perception (Wilson 2010) In groups concepts used ; Did you mostly use adjectives which tend to be evaluative nouns which tend to be neutral verbs which tend to be behavior oriented ; What have you learnt of your perceptual filters? What perceptual distortion do you mostly use? Lessons to be learned Ones perceptions can never be totally accurate ; Rephrase what is said ; Question your conclusions of others judging others has life implications ; The greater self-understanding the easier not to make extreme judgments.

Marajuana essays

Marajuana essays Marijuana, the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States, has four million regular users. Hemp, the plant that the drug marijuana is derived from, scientifically known as cannibas sativa, was first grown in 1611. The practice of smoking marijuana, however, did not begin until the 1920s, during a very intolerant time period of Americas history where the prohibition of alcohol was being considered. The first marijuana users happened to be the same users of opiate, mainly immigrants. Because of the negative connotation of immigrants, marijuana immediately became classified as a narcotic. A narcotic that possessed a psychological dependence, initiated crime, and caused insanity. For these reasons in 1937, congress established marijuana as an illegal drug in all fifty states. Surprisingly, not once was any research performed on marijuana and its effects during this time period (www.angelfire.com). For the past decade, the prohibition of marijuana has proved to be a c olossal failure; therefore, a new approach needs to be taken. Marijuana has even now surpassed corn as Americas cash crop. Judge Whitmann Napp stated, After twenty years on the bench I have concluded that federal drug laws are a disaster. It is time to get the government out of drug enforcement. (New York Times, May 14th, 1993). Medical uses, its safety compared to other drugs, and its legal benefits require its immediate legalization. Through research, doctors have found that marijuana possesses multiple medical uses. Prohibition is limiting its medical capabilities. Research demonstrates that marijuana contains therapeutic uses, including the ability to reduce nausea and vomiting, stimulate an appetite, promote weight gain, and diminish intraocular pressure from glaucoma. THC, Tetrahydrocannabino, the active ingredient of marijuana, decreases muscle spasticity and lessens tremors from spinal cord injuries and multiple scler...

Excellent Communicator Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

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Twinkies, the Undead Snack Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

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