Automobile and Cycling Essay

Cycling is one of the oldest means of transport. Inventing bicycles was an enormous step in the history of transportation. Bicycles didn’t need horses or wains as a result transportation became much simpler and cheaper. Moreover the previously smelly and dirty towns turned into healthier and cleaner places. Nowadays, however, when there are several faster ways of travelling, is there any reason to ride a bicycle? Although in our more technologically developed days bicycle are rather old-fashioned way of travelling, it has certain advantages. To begin with, bicycles are much cheaper than cars and motorcycles so that a lot of people can afford to buy them. Moreover, cycling is a great, physically demanding sport. As a result it could be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle or even a balanced diet. If people used it only for go to work or school it would provide them enough movement to avoid weight problems. Finally cycling is very environmentally friendly because it doesn’t need fuel or electricity. On the other hand cycling as a mean of transport does have its disadvantages. It usually takes longer than other forms of travel. As a result it can be more tiring. In addition, riding a bicycle in the city can be a little unhealthy. Cities’ air is very polluted because cars and factories exhaust a lot fume and chemicals. Furthermore cycling can be dangerous also. In the heavy traffic violent and careless car drivers often cause accidents and if we aren’t enough careful we can easily get hurt. All things considered, although there are some disadvantages of cycling I believe it is healthier and more enjoyable than driving a car. It can be dangerous but it is a perfect method to keep ourselves fit. Furthermore, in our crowded cities travelling by bicycle often the fastest way to reach our destination.

Faculty Association Management System Essay

INTRODUCTION Nowadays, several universities or schools are in of what we called rapidly growing technologies in our industry and LSPU is one of them. The researchers are proposing the Faculty Association Management System to provide faculty members an up-to-date information about FA. Faculty Association is an association of rank file faculty members or those not holding any managerial or confidential functions. The members of the Faculty association are the faculty members of LSPU from all external and satellite campuses. The software engineers proposed this system called, â€Å"Faculty Association Management System† (FAMS) to inform the faculty members on what is going on about their association. The system includes update of PDS, messaging, list of officials, financial status of the organization, membership, updates, financial transparency, campus election and security. This system is not only for LSPU-Siniloan campus but also to all satellite and external campuses of LSPU. Only the members can view the said system because the researchers added the feature of what we called security it terms of no one can enter or log-in into the system unless otherwise, you are one of the members. If one member wants to be part of the association, he must undergo membership. The admin of the association is responsible for creating the initial account of the faculty in which the username and password are default. Then, the rest of the info will be answered by him. Afterwards, he is free to access the system right after agreeing in the license agreement. There is a note that will say you success or failed. There are lots of features inside the system that will surely help the members and don’t have to suffer from headache in facilitating the flow and growth of the association. Project Description The researchers will propose this project entitled, Faculty Association Management System to create a systematic management with the implication of ICT facilities through web and a website that manages faculty association interactively. Project Purpose including the Beneficiaries and Benefits A.To have an up-to-date faculty association management membership profile. B.To consolidate the faculty association members’ record of the different campuses. C.To set financial transparency among the members of the association. D.To disseminate information through the use of internet and accessible in multiple mobile platforms. Scope and Limitations The scope of the study will focus on the Faculty Association Management System only covering such processes such as renewal of membership, online messaging and chatting, list of officials, financial status of the organization, membership, updates, financial transparency and campus election. The member’s classifications are limited only to four (4) campuses of LSPU: Siniloan, Sta. Cruz, Los Baà ±os and San Pablo. It will be facilitated by the admin of the organization. Definition of Terms The different terms used in the study were defined conceptually and operationally to have a better understanding of the study, these were the following: Project Definition of Terms The following terminologies were operationally defined to fully understand the system: MySQL. It is the world’s second most widely used open-source relational database management system. It is named after co-founder Michael Widenius’s daughter, My. The SQL phrase stands for Structured Query Language. HTML. Stands for Hypertext Markup Language. A standardized system for tagging text files to achieve font, color, graphic, and hyperlink effects on World Wide Web pages. Flow chart. It is a graphical representation of a computer program in relation to its sequence of functions (as distinct from the data it processes). Diagram. It is a simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of  something; a schematic representation. Faculty. It is the teaching staff of a university or college, or of one of its departments or divisions, viewed as a body. Transparency. It is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. It has been defined simply as â€Å"the perceived quality of intentionally shared information from a sender†. XAMPP. It is a free and open source cross-platform web server solution stack package, consisting mainly of the Apache HTTP Server, MySQL database, and interpreters for scripts written in the PHP and Perl programming languages. Website. It is a location connected to the Internet that maintains one or more pages on the World Wide Web. Database. Is a collection of information about the subject organized in a useful manner that provides a base and foundation for procedure such as retrieving information and drawing calculation. PHP. Stands for Hypertext Preprocessor, an open source, server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynami c Web pages. Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES The researchers present some of previous related works relevant to the understanding of the problem. In order to gather information needed by the proponent used book and other capstone projects. Related Literature The researchers will present some of previews studies relevant to the understanding of the problem. In order to gather information needed by the proponent in online information and other thesis projects. Chapter 3 PROJECT METHODOLOGY On this project methodology, the proponents discussed the system guidelines and step by step procedure for the system proposal. Project Design The project design of this system is to establish an online management that will resolve and improve the existing manual transaction of Faculty Association to an updated, interactive and informative online process to prevent the miscommunication and delaying of transaction in informing meetings and activities of the association. Development Design System Design System Flow Chart Project Procedures In this phase, the researchers gathered all the data needed to put up a good flow of the system. They collected some forms such as registration form and financial status form. They interviewed their pilot client which is the Faculty Association of LSPU-SC. They asked some questions to the head of the association and answered some of it. They asked them if they are agreeing to make a project which is Faculty Association Management System that will help them improve the existing system. In building the system, the developers used PHP for web design and layout since it is compatible with different operating system, MYSQL for database process and JavaScript, jquery, ajax for other scripting functionality that could enhance the system process. The development of the system is based upon the needs and difficulties of the members who are part of the said association. The study was conducted to help the members communicate easily with each other and make computerized system. 1. Requirement Analysis The developers provide a good website wherein all members of FA will be updated about what is being announced and happenings in the association. 2. Designing the Software The developers went to the head of FA at LSPU-SC to gather some information needed to perform the study. They’ve list down some questions to answer by the head and will become the basis of the proposed system. 3. Building the Software After conceptualizing the design of the system, the developers focused on building the structure and functionality of the system. The developers used PHP for web design, MySQL for database process, JavaSrcipt for scripting functionality. 4. Testing the Software The developers did a lot of testing to be able to identify the bugs and other problems that may arise in using the system. They uploaded it in a domain to prove that it is working online and will be used by the users effectively. 5. Implementing the Software After a series of testing, the developers proved that the system they have made was efficient and effective. The developers together with the FA head run the system and see to it that it is working.

A Rose for Emily: the Metaphor Like the Fallen Monument Essay

Emily Grierson is described as small and fat elderly women. She seems to be angry and confused. She’s always been a lonely person, she never went outside much. She is a very mysterious character. Colonel Sartorisis the former Mayor of Jefferson. His is very generous because after Emily’s father died he does not force her to pay taxes. Tobe is Emily’s servant. He is African American, his voice is rusty for the lack of use. For years he took care of her and her needs. After Emily dies, He leaves and never returns. Judge Stevens is the Mayor of Jefferson. He feels bad for Emily, and he does not nother her with the complaints. He just sprinkles lime on her yard at night. Homer Barron was known as a funny man in the town, He helped with the construction. The townspeople said he was not a man to marry, but he took Emily out on buggy rides on Sunday Afternoons. He is killed by Emily. Part two: 1. The metaphor used in the first paragraph to describe Miss Emily is â€Å"A fallen monument.† 2. The house is personified in the second paragraph by when the author describes it as coquettish. 3. In 1894, Colonel Sartoris told Miss Emily that she did not have to pay taxes because her father had given money to the town. 4. On the next year the new generation of town leaders mailed her tax bills. 5. In the sixth paragraph, Faulkner describes Emily has a short, fat elderly woman with a cane. He describes her as bloated and pale with coals as eyes. 6. At the beginning of Part two, Emily’s father had been dead for about 30 years. 7. The neighbors are complaining about a gruesome odor. Judge Stevens said its probably from a rat or snake her servant killed. 8. Miss Emily told her visitors after the day her father died, that he was still alive. 9. Homer Barron started to date Miss Emily. He was in town for construction. 10. The townspeople thought she was going out of her class dating Homer, but in a way they were happy to see her with someone. 11. Miss Emily purchased a silver toilet with his initials on it and a night gown to convince the townspeople they were getting married. 12. The last tie the townspeople saw Homer Barron was when he is seen entering her house on evening. 13. The men had sprinkled lime around her yard in part two because they intended to get rid of the odor and thought the acids would help if there was something decaying in the yard. 14. In the sealed room that no one has been in forty years, the townspeople find Homer Barron’s decomposing body and the room is frozen in time. 15. Miss Emily poisoned Homer Barron with Arsenic that she bought to â€Å"kill rats.† I believe the author decided to leave a second pillow with a strand of Emily’s hair on it to leave the reader thinking about how the hair got there.

CHuman Performane Improvement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

CHuman Performane Improvement - Essay Example HPT is a combination of three main processes. These processes are: performance analysis, cause analysis, and intervention selection. Performance analysis, which is the first stage of the HPT involves comparing the performance that the program wishes to create and the performance as it is at the moment. This can be summarized as the process through which the performance that is desired is compared to the performance that is being experienced at the moment. As a result the analysts are supposed to come up with the performance gap. During the process of analyzing the performance it is always important to consider the goals of an individual, group, or organization. There should also be consideration of the environmental context in which the job will be done. The most important aspects to be considered during the analysis are the work that is supposed to be performed, the environment in which it is supposed to be performed, and the individuals who are supposed to do the work. Despite the fact that there might be a slight difference in the terms used, there is a common agreement that the presence of performance gap can be attributed to the work, environment of working, and the individuals doing the work. Different individual usually has different characteristics, what needs to be improved in one individual might not be what should be improved in another. Therefore, the people involved in a Human Performance Technology are very important because they are the main contributors to the current performance. It is the collective attributes of workers in an organization or group that adds up to the performance of the organization or group. Workers are also of high importance to this process because they are the same people who are expected to bridge the performance gap. Their willingness to improve on their shortcomings and perfecting their strengths will be of high importance in improving their performance. The other

Pantomime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pantomime - Essay Example t she doesn’t fit the demands and definition of what is expected of women in a corset and crinoline world.She struggles both biologically and psychologically with the notion of both having two genders in one body.Inaddition,stemming from his past in dealing with his present circumstances,he finds that he has to properly handle his sexual feelings as pertains to his fellow aerialist Aenea and the white clown Drystan.They realize that there was nothing perturbing about a person being intersex and that there was more to it than was thought.This realization dawned on them both- Micah and Gene,when they had made the decision to lead their own lives as they were, and when the mysterious secrets of the world suddenly opened in 10,860. Pantomime is a story about two different people trapped in the same body but who in their own different ways have impacted onto each other’s lives significantly.Moreover,whilethe intimate manner in which the author has treated sensitive issues generally associated with intersex people to be deeply moving and empathichowever,it is not clear if the author precisely sought out the real information and experience from intersex people inspite of the fact that through the story,she appears to acknowledge rather than defend a lot of uncertainties existing by default between the two genders.But she brings out the point clearly when Micah and Gene question themselves in order to find out exactly whether their attraction is matter driven by the masculine or feminine nature.Thus, in as much as anybody is who they are,but could a person’s biological sexuality really be the yardstick of defining who they are? Pantomime as a story,alternates between past and present and narrates Gene and Micah’s history as composed of elements of both shame and acceptance-especially from the brother Cyril,the unpleasant experiences with doctors and potential suitors,and in addition the need to keep secrets.Throughout the story,it is clear that there is a close

How do you Evaluate the Role of the Communist Party among California Essay

How do you Evaluate the Role of the Communist Party among California Farmworkers - Essay Example Before the intervention of the communists, the Mexican farm workers staged a short-lived cantaloupe strike in 19281 in the Imperial Valley that showed that the workers were incapable of bridging the ethnic divide that existed amongst them and of organizing their ranks. Later on, when the Lettuce farm workers rose up demanding better wages, the Communist Party of United States, propelled by the wave of communism spreading half the world away in Russia, sent its workers to help the protesting farm workers in 1929. The Communist Party formed the Traders Union Unity League (TUUL). According to Daniel E. Cletus, who chronicled the role of the communists in the strikes of 1930s, the involvement of the communists in the lettuce strike of 1930 ‘marked the beginning of a new period of conflict in agricultural labor relations in California’2. Though the communists were at this point spurred more by opportunism than any genuine concern for the welfare of the workers, and the strike itself deteriorated due to the arrest of the communists and the harsh repression tactics employed by authorities, the strike was the first of many, more effective strikes involving communists to come later on. About forty agricultural strikes took place between the years 1930 to 19323, before the TUUL gave way to the Cannery and Agricultural Workers Industrial Union (CAWIU), also organized by the Communist Party. The CAWIU sought to organize workers in canneries for mass picketing, but after several arrests of the strikers, the employers’ determination to quell the protests won through and the modest demands of the workers failed to get a hearing. The failure of the CAWIU in organizing an effective campaign disillusioned the workers and many of them returned to work. It is worthy to note, however, that the CAWIU began to provide experienced leaders to the workers who would organize the undisciplined masses in to a much more synchronized entity that would later achieve much m ore victories than defeats. Before the peach strike of 1933 began, the Dust Bowl Immigrants ensured that a surplus of labor, in addition to the Mexican and Filipino workers already present, existed at all times. The wages were shamefully minimal, and the lack of jobs ensured that regardless of how unsatisfied the workers were, they could not leave their jobs. The discontent produced what Kushner describes as one of the two ‘important CAWIU-led strikes in August 1933 also helped set the stage for the cotton strike’4. The peach strike was one of the first victories of the union, having won 25 and 27 ? cents per hour after four days of protesting. The extent of the involvement of the American communists in the strikes of the Californian Farm Workers became obvious when the Cotton Strike broke out. The Cotton Strike is unarguably the most significant of the 1930s’ agricultural strikes, and was also the most violent and lasted longer than the other strikes. The commun ists had by then learned many bitter lessons, and were realizing the futility of trying to direct unplanned, volatile protests that kept breaking out. The success of the Peach Strike had taught them the importance of organization. Another notable feature of the protests organized by the CAWIU was that they were devoid of any violence, and hence, impelled

Analyse and design a small database application based on the given Coursework

Analyse and design a small database application based on the given case study - Coursework Example Mechanics-I also interviewed mechanics for one of the branches for Mercedes Company and obtained the following information, there is a chief mechanic whose work is to issue jobs at the garage; he can issue a service job to one or many mechanics at the garage depending on the magnitude of the job. There sometimes when some Mechanics are off duty thus they are not issued any job. A mechanic records parts to be bought and the actual cost of labor and notifies the customer care department so that the department can contact the relevant customer. Customer care – after a service has been done, the customer care depart contacts the owner and sends him/her and invoice as per the service done. Brainstorming I would hold a meeting which would have the representation of all the parties, stakeholders and departments involved. The meeting would have a director from the Mercedes Company, a few customers from different branches of the Mercedes Company, a few mechanics, chief engineers and cu stomer care employees from different branches of the Mercedes Company. We would brain storm on how we want the system work in order to fully satisfy the needs of the involved people. Secondly I may issue questionnaire to the people in the meeting so that they fill so as I get to know how each person who works in the service wants his/her work simplified. After interviewing the involved parties and brainstorming I should research for on similar garage databases and obtain the requirements that are behold the user’s perception. Question 2 Find the diagram attached in another file. Question 3 Customer table Table name Attribute Data type Length Domain Primary key Foreign key Null customer CusNo int 10 yes no customer FirstNames varchar 50 no customer LastName varchar 50 no customer Location varchar 100 no customer Mobile varchar 100 no customer Email varchar 100 yes customer passportNo varchar 50 yes Customer S.CenterNo int 10 yes Car table Tablename Attribute Datatype Length Do main Primary key Foreign key Null Car RegNo varchar 50 yes no Car carname varchar 100 no Car model varchar 100 no Car Make varchar 100 no Car Datepurchased date no Car showroomNo int 10 yes no Car cusNo int 10 yes no Showroom table Tablename Attribute Datatype Length Domain Primary key Foreign key Null Showroom roomNo int 10 yes No showroom roomName varchar 50 No showroom location varchar 100 No showroom telephoneAddress varchar 100 No Company details Tablename Attribute Data type Length Domain Primary key Foreign key Null company companyNo int 10 yes No company name varchar 50 No company logo image 16 No company location varchar 100 No company webSite varchar 100 Yes company EmailAddress varchar 100 Yes company imageFile varchar 250 No Garage details Tablename Attribute Data type Length Domain Primary key Foreign key Null Garage GarageNo int 10 yes No Garage name varchar 50 No Garage logo image 16 No Garage location varchar 100 No Garage telephoneAdd varchar 100 No Garage EmailAddr ess varchar 100 Yes Garage RoomNo int 10 yes Service details Tablename Attribute Data type Length Domain Primary key Foreign key Null service ServiceNo int 10 yes No service DateofService date 50 No service TypeOfService varchar 200 No service PartsReplaced varchar 100 yes service Labourcost varchar 100 No service partsCost varchar 100 yes s

Carpooling apps marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Carpooling apps marketing plan - Essay Example The target market will be students as this is relevant for this course as these groups seeks to exploit cost minimization approach in their daily expenditure. Segmentation is equally exhibited by this app as various social classes share rides and donates differently with their comparatively average earners (Crawford, et al. 56). The positioning of this marketing plan is strategic and competitive since it works on the basis of cost saving to the commuters and offers a considerable discount on the overall recurrent expenditure on transport among the students. Consider strategic fit with host organization Carpooling apps is likely to gain much market coverage due to its integration of technology in the growing transport sector. With 511 and LYFT as the main products and San Francisco state university as the host organization, it is worth to note that the technological application by the firm is likely to be sustainable with its internal management structure. The external environment which can be attributed to the increasing adoption of technology by the young generation is a recipe to its sustainable operation performance in the market (Crawford, et al. 256).

Sexual behavior since the AIDS Epidemic Research Paper

Sexual behavior since the AIDS Epidemic - Research Paper Example There is need to understand the use of contraceptive among college students. Such knowledge will help in ensuring that there is enough education to these students on the use of contraceptives. The incidence of unintended pregnancy and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased since the 1980’s (Lundgaard, 2010). Many studies that have been done in the past show that there is a high rate of unintended pregnancies. It is in the US that higher incidencecs of unintended preganancies are found but now days it is a replication all over the globe. However, European teens are more likely to use contraceptives than United States teens therefore lower pregnancy rates that in U.S. (Kaye, 2009). This shows that there is no proper use of contraceptives among college students in the United States. This therefore calls for a study to what could be the cause of such behavior and attitude of contraceptives among college students in the United States. Thesis Statement Many people do not use contraceptives because of misconceptions about contraceptives, negative attitude about contraceptives, failure to recognize the risk of pregnancy, inability to communicate with their partners, disapproval by partners and worry about side effects.

Reflecting On Practice in Professional Experience Essay

Reflecting On Practice in Professional Experience - Essay Example With lofty ideals, its vision is to produce thinking, articulate and enriched young adults through the facilitation of an excellent teaching staff and state of the art facilities and equipment. The school maintains harmonious relationships between the teachers, students, faculty and the parent community which is one key to stimulated learning in the students because stakeholders cooperate to provide students with productive learning experiences (from school website). Apart from delivering high quality education, students are encouraged to develop their potentials to optimum levels with several opportunities in various school events, clubs and other extra-curricular activities. Their learning is well-invested into, and on my first day, I was already impressed with the provisions for the students: â€Å"Overall, from what I have observed on the first day, this school seems to have more funding due to the large number of students they have here. The school were very multi-cultural due to the surge of the migrants to this area. There were too many students that some classes are being held in the library. There are many newly-built portable classrooms and most of which are the smart, eco-friendly classrooms. This is to cater for the booming population in this area. I could also see that they are installing some new LED TVs in a lot of classrooms too. They had also had a brand new VCE Centre for senior students to study there with some new computers, a tearoom equipped with oven, microwave, dishwasher as well as two BBQ stoves outside.† (Journal notes, Day 1). However, much of what the students will learn will greatly depend on the quality of the teachers and the education they provide. Teachers need to be adept in knowing the students as learners and how they learn and thrive within various social contexts. They also need to have an understanding of the subject matter which they teach and the skills that their students need to develop as well as an understand ing of how to teach the content and adapt it to the learners’ context. This, they learn from assessing the students and supported by a conducive learning environment (National Academy of Education Committee on Teacher Education, 2005). The specific learning context of the class I taught was for a Year 10 LOTE (Language Other Than English) – Chinese class. These students in this class were all from Asian backgrounds but learn Chinese as their second language. Most of them grew up in Australia and have limited opportunities to speak the Chinese language or Chinese dialects with their family. Most of the students come from middle-class families. Their parents’ occupation and attitude have great impact on the students’ personalities and behaviour. I have observed that some students with parents working in more corporate settings and exposed to multicultural workmates tend to be more eager to learn Chinese in order to survive in an increasingly globalized worl d. Table 3: Students as Learners. Section 2: Planning and Teaching Planning The tasks planned were for a Year 10 class of mostly sixteen year old adolescents, It was for a LOTE subject with Chinese language as the learning area. Veering away from more traditional strategies such as reliance on textbooks, recitation, quizzes and examinations, I have designed some learning tasks that incorporated the use of ICT and involved active learning experiences on

Training Need Analysis and Evaluation of Training Effectiveness Essay Example for Free

Training Need Analysis and Evaluation of Training Effectiveness Essay To assess how the organizational objectives will be realized through the delivery of a staff training programme that will focus on improved and/or changed skills, knowledge and/or attitudes of those directly involved or affected by the ‘change’ †¢To understand the process and importance of measuring training effectiveness in the organization †¢To measure the expressed needs of training effectiveness at work place from the individual †¢To find out the obstacles in the proper utilization and increase the effectiveness of Training programs and try to suggest remedial measures wherever possible. To decide what specific training each employee needs and what will improve their job performance. To differentiate between the need for training and organizational issues. Performing a training gap or needs analysis involves comparing what a person knows with what they need to know in the context of their particular job functions. Performing a gap analysis helps to eliminate over and under training and in so doing increases training effectiveness and efficiency. Measuring Training Effectiveness will help the organization Have a well-structured measuring system in place which can help the organization determine where the problem lies. This will provide the organization with an idea of where it sits in terms of training system effectiveness and in giving it the structure the administration need to construct a roadmap for improvement. This project will help in finding out the obstacles in the proper utilization and increase the effectiveness of Training programs and try to suggest remedial measures wherever possible. BHEL has always been ahead with their innovating HR practices. Thrust to develop and nurture the participative culture in the Company has continued since long. Human Resource Development has always been the focus area in BHEL. Workshops have been conducted from time to time for Supervisors and Executives on Enhancing Organisational Effectiveness. The objective of the workshop was to bring about better understanding and appreciation of the issues being faced both by the Company and the employees. The Training system at BHEL has always been exemplary. During 2002-03, 40466 participants were exposed to different training programs in various training Centers at Units as well as at apex level in NOIDA. Besides, 3700 Act Apprentices and 1300 Technician Apprentices were also provided with training at BHEL’s Units, as part of fulfillment of its social obligation towards the society. Also, towards its ongoing efforts for higher customer satisfaction, around 1100 customers personnel were provided training inputs on its products at Training Centers in the Units. Thus an opportunity to study at BHEL will be both enlightening and enriching. An organization either Business or Industrial Enterprises, needs many factors for its growth, further development and for its very survival. The most important factors are Capital, Materials, Machineries and Human Resources as the success or failure of any organization depends on the effective combination of these factors. Managing all other factors are comparatively easier than managing Human Resources. The Human Resources are most important and need to be handled carefully. Since all the other factors are handled by the human resources, they have to be trained in a effective manner to utilize the resources at optimal level to get the desired output and thereby to reach the organization goals. The effective combination of all these factors results to way for success. Training is defined as learning that is provided in order to improve performance on the present job. A persons performance is improved by showing her how to master a new or established technology. The technology may be a piece of heavy machinery, a computer, a procedure for creating a product, or a method of providing a service. Oliver Sheldon says ‘No industry can rendered efficient so long as the fact remains unrecognized that the in principally human – not a mass of machines and technical process but a body of men. If manpower is properly utilized it causes the industry to run at its maximum optimization getting results and also work for as an climax for industrial and group satisfaction in the relation to the work formed. Competitive advantage is therefore depend on the knowledge and skill possessed by employee more than the finance or market structure by organization. The employee training not only serves the purpose to develop their employers but also safe guard organizational objectives of survival and success through competitive advantages. The training function now popularly called as Human Resource In recent years, the scope of Training and Development has broadened from simply providing training programs to facilitating learning throughout the organization in a wide variety of ways. There is increasing recognition that employees can and should learn continuously, and that they can learn from experience and from each other as well as from formally structured training programs. Nevertheless, formal training is still essential for most organizations or teach them how to perform in their initial assignment, to improve the current performance of employees who may not be working as effectively as desired, to prepare employees for future promotions and increased responsibilities. The Computer Application Training and New Employee Training are most popular training topics. Various Management and supervisory skills such as leadership, performance appraisal, interviewing, and problem solving were also commonly taught. Many organization provide ‘Train-the trainer’ courses for superiors or peers who will in turn provide on-the-job training to others. Besides being one of the most important HRM functions, Training and Development is also one of the most expensive. Meaning and Definition: After an employee is selected, placed and introduced, he or she needs to be provided with training facilities. The training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skill of an employee for doing the particular job. Training is a short term educational process and utilizing systematic and organized procedure by which an employee is learned the technical knowledge. Definition: Staimez: defines ‘Training is a short term process utilizing a systematic and organized procedure by which non-managerial personnel to learn technical knowledge and skill† Mamoria: defines â€Å"Development covers not only the activities which improve job performance, but also those which b ring about growth of personality, helps individual in the process towards maturity and actualization of this potential capacities so that they become not only good employees but also both good men and women. S. P. Robbins: Defines â€Å"Training is a learning process which seeks a relatively permanent change in behavior that occurs as a result of experience. Dale Yoder: Defines â€Å"It is that deals with the effective control and use of manpower as a distinguished from other source of man power† Training is part of Human Resource Development. It is concerned with concerned with training, development, and education. Training has been defined as an organized learning experience, conducted in a definite time period, to increase the possibility of improving job performance and growth. Organized means that it is conducted in a systematic way. Although learning can be incidental, training is concerned with the worker learning clear and concise standards of performance or objectives. Training is the acquisition of technology which permits employees to perform their present job to standards. It improves human performance on the job the employee is presently doing or is being hired to do. Also, it is given when new technology in introduced into the workplace. Principle of Training: 1. Training Plan: This must be well planned, prescribed and ably executed effective implementation depends to great extend on planning. Organizational objectives: T D program must meet objectives of the Organization 3. Equity and fairness: T and D program must enjoy equal opportunity to drive benefit out of such training and must have equal chance to undergo such training. 4. Application specification: Training content is balanced between theory and practical. It must be ‘Application specification’/ 5. Upgrading information: T and D program is continuous reviewed at periodic interval as order to make them updated in terms of knowledge and skill. 6. Top Management support: Top management support is essential to make Training and Development effective. 7. Centralization: For economy of effective uniformity and efficiency, centralization of training department is found more common and useful. 8. Motivation – Training and Development have motivation aspects like better career opportunity, individuals skill development etc. , Importance of training in recent years: Recent changes in the environment of business have made the Training and Development function even more important in helping organization maintain competitiveness and prepare for the future. Technological innovations and the pressure of global competition have changed the ways organizations operate and the skills that their employee need. The tight labor market has increased the importance of training in several ways. First higher employee turnover means that more new employees need training. Second, it has been suggested that frequent and relevant development experiences are an effective way to gain employee loyalty and enhance retention of top-quality staff. Need for Training: Training must be tailored to fit the organization’s strategy and structure. It is seen as pivotal in implementing organization-wide culture-change efforts, such as developing a commitment to customer service, adopting total quality management, or making a transition to self-directed work teams. Pace-setting Human Resource Development departments have moved from simply providing training on demand to solving organizational problems. Trainers see themselves as internal consultants or performance improvement specialists rather than just instructional designers or classroom presenters. Training is only one of the remedies that may be applied by the new breed of Human Resource Development practitioners. In an age of network organizations, alliances, and long-term relationships with just-in-time suppliers, leading companies are finding that they need to train people other than their own employees. Some organization offer quality training to their suppliers to ensure the quality of critical inputs. Organisations with a strong focus on customer service may provide training for purchasers to their product.

A Rescue at U.N. Headquarters Essay Example for Free

A Rescue at U.N. Headquarters Essay In their article, A Rescue at U. N. Headquarters, as Other Wait and Hope, Thompson and MacFarquhar illustrated the attempt of the United Nations to save the lives of those still trapped victims of the earthquake in Haiti as well as the condition of the people of Haiti whose homes had been devastated. A week after the earthquake, Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations secretary general, visited Haiti for the first time on Sunday (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). Thompson and MacFarquhar (2010) described that day as â€Å"one of trials and triumphs for the agency†. A missing United Nations official was pulled alive after five days of being trapped in the ruins of Christopher Hotel (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). A Danish employee, Jens Kristensen, was also rescued that day. Still, the families of those who are still missing urged Mr. Ban to hasten the search, â€Å"Everywhere he went during his six-hour visit here, he was greeted by people who urged the United Nations to do more, act faster and plan more carefully (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). Nieves Alvarez, a staff member, not only asked to speed up the operation but also expresses her dismay because of the obvious nationalism showed by the Chinese rescuers who left after finding some of their people’s bodies as well as American rescuers who left after sometime (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). Food and shelter is also a great problem. Civilians in the food distribution site are even complaining about the scarcity of the supply. Sally Lazard, 37, said â€Å"We need more than cookies. You see where we live? We have no water, no toilets, no food†¦. If people go too long without food, they will fight for it† (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). â€Å"Water supply is so scarce that taking a bottle off someone’s desk can lead to hurtful confrontations† (Thompson MacFarquhar, 2010). Civilians also feared of being attacked by gangs in the street and asked for protection form the United Nation staffs after the first few days of the earthquake. Reference Thompson, G. MacFarquhar, N. (2010, January 18). A Rescue at U. N. Headquarters, as Others Wait and Hope. The New York Times.

Impact of Employee Relations in Banks

Impact of Employee Relations in Banks Employee relationship management find conflict among employees as major drawback for organization to progress with its endeavors. Most of the time conflicts occur due to different cultures that people come from and less knowledge on Johari window way by the theory help people to work through their stereo types. Another reason for conflict is the of work, for example some employee are task oriented and other have artistic view and people oriented i.e. task oriented employee would want to finish the job in whatever manner but an artistic employee would prefer to do the job in particular manner or include certain individual. Employee performance and motivation problems Performance of the employee can play a major role for success or failure. Employees under performing would cost the organization fortune especially in a banking industry where competition is increasing every day. Employee poor performance could be caused by two main issues, first, is the employee skilled enough to handle the task? has the company motivated the employee in question enough to handle pressure the task present? and is the employee capable to do the job? Secondly, another cause is the system to do the task for instance managerial behavior, effect of coworkers behavior and resource distribution. http://performance-appraisals.org/faq/causesproblems.htm Unmotivated employee will not positively influence the performance of the banks. To bring about good performance everyone has to give all the effort to the organization and more importantly they should be motivated. Employee becomes unmotivated because the banks processes are too ambiguous hence providing a lot hardship, the bank is experiencing continuous conflict and behavior effect. Turnover and retention concerns This is another employee relation challenges that also especially banks encounter. Generally turnover causes are economic issue and labor market condition they affect significantly the turnover rate. But also non-competitive compensation, poor fit of employee and the job, very poor working condition and monotony increases employee turnover. Employee more often may seek for better green pasture to improve their living standard. Sometime some employee find the job to be too monotonous hence their morale goes down and as result affect the performance of the organization. Turnover cost for many banks are very high which include direct cost such as recruitment, selection and training of the new employees. Indirect cost include reduced productivity, increased of workload for remaining employee as they have to cover and overtime expense for the colleague. http://www.romeroconsulting.com/example_employee_relations_issues.htm Overcoming employee relations challenges For turnover and retention problems most banks conduct training on their employees so that for example the job becomes less monotonous and challenging. Banks that have low employee turnover they are said to be employee oriented and they come up with well compensation package they always hire the right people for the job. An interaction with the employees regularly is required so that the manager can understand they core problems. Distribution of right resource to perform task can increase performance of employees and reward systems can always boost morale of employees. The employer should come with new approaches and practical tips for the banks success. Employee relations in collaboration with human resource management can avoid conflict before they happen by understanding and identifying the strength and weakness of the employees. Employers should assign jobs to employees that fit their skill sets. For team conflict employer should pick a team leader who is capable to handle pressure that teammate present. Banks should see if the employees who are involved in conflict are affecting the performance and productivity of the organization, once the parties involved in the conflict are identified then it will be easy to solve problems. http://www.ehow.com/how_2076427_address-poor-employee-performance.html Advantage of maintaining good employee relation in banks There are advantages for organization good relationship with its employees apart from increase the general performance; the company will also enjoy the following. Reduced Absenteeism For many banks in Tanzania, they have managed their employees with authoritarian style whereby absenteeism of the employee will not be tolerated. This is because many banks in Tanzania are privately owned hence even the unions cannot bring total impact on any companys wrong doing. Therefore good employee relation will bring benefits to the bank by reducing the cause that mounts absenteeism such as continuous employee conflict and job satisfaction. Improving motivation and morale A good employee relation in banks would be able to increase motivation and morale. A motivated group of employee would be able to bring very beneficial result that most banks are always relishing to accomplish. By avoiding things that would discourage motivation this is a hard-working process but very crucial to the success of the business. We have witnessed most banks in Tanzania have provided their employees with a positive working environment. Also personal incentives always do trick of raising employees motivation and morale. Loyalty is increased Most banks in Tanzania have managed to gain loyalty from their employees as most banks have been able to install good procedure that suit employees specification. Employees would not be certain if they leave what they experience from other banks. Bank that trains its employees more often will be able to increase confidence of employees and hence increase their loyalty to the company. The bank would be able to get competitive edge if employees are engaged. Engaged employees would take less sick day as they know they influence in the organization. Reducing turnover Good employee relation will reduce the employee turnover as the employee issues that contribute to employee turnover are eliminated. Skilled employees who are not paid well would want to move on, but a good employee relationship management will not let that happen. The employee will be given what he/she needs since they are crucial to the banks performance. Employee relationship management would be able to have saved recruitment and selection cost that would come as result of high rate employee turnover. Losing the most skilled employees to competitors its like giving out your own gun to be shot with. Introduction of easy working practices Committed employees would feel unchallenged on the on the repetitive job each and every day. Monotonous working practice would reduce the performance of the employee as they do not feel motivated well enough. A good bank employee relation would introduce new and easy working practice more often. By doing this the bank would be able to increase the banks output. Additionaly, the new practice would be able to consider not waste companys resources. Hence employees will be more committed thus affecting the quality of service from banks and reduces rejections. http://www.citehr.com/1324-advantage-maintaining-good-employee-relations.html#axzz1BRG1N0zU Disadvantage of incompetent employee relation in banks Sometime most banks fail to tackle problems that relate to employee relation due to the following reason: Employee relationship management letting the union to get a lot of power would deprive the banks ability to succeed as the unions would control the organization position. After the company has realized what is happening then it will be too late. As we have learned that some trade union bring political agenda that they want to champion so that the society can recognized that there is a problem. Therefore employee relation should not union grow its power to influence the fortune of banks but acquire mutual interest for all parties involved. Banks that have set up employee relationship management will incur extra cost from the department. Sometimes employee relation does not live to the expectations in such a way that the problems that should be solved by it are still roaming within the organization. The division is supposed to monitor workplace challenges before the union does and solve them before they become a nuisance to the organization. Therefore any failure to tackle means unnecessary costs have been incurred by the banks. Single employer bargaining can be expensive because of the need to maintain a centralized employee relation. For single employer bargaining, there is inflexibility and makes it hard to accommodate difference in production systems, the service markets, labor market and technologies within centralized bargaining systems. It could also be hard to integrate new businesses within employee relation systems. For employee relation to be effective it requires very effective communication in company. The level of management decision making will increase if the employee relationship management work independently as a result reducing the employee commitment to these decision and local management. (David Farnham, pg 236) For workplace bargaining, it employee relationship management complicates labor cost control. As this is a bargaining that occurs between the management and union representatives, there are high chances of increasing the danger of wage parity by the unions. Also it requires management to put its best people who have negotiation skills to neutralize the effort of union to have an upper hand on the outcome of negotiation. Conclusion In this second easy we have taken analytical view towards employee relation and its real impact on banking sector in the case of Tanzania where we dont have many of public owned bank where union can also have an impact. We gave seen how globalization has also brought some problems and fortune to the banking industry. New venture have realized due to globalization for instance the transfer of banking technology to Tanzania form abroad is one factor that globalization has inspired banking industry to progress. On the other hand, the coming of technology would raise concerns over employee job security. The aim of banks to bring new technology is sometimes to cut down cost in the long-run, so this will obviously raise concerns towards employee who fear for their job. The essay went further to look on the recognition of unions in Tanzania banks and we realized that in Tanzania they very less banks that can be influenced by trade union since many of them are privately owned. The only trade union that employee relations have been able to interact with is Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) where bank such as Tanzania postal bank employee can real much on TUCTA. The impact of trade unions in banking industry profitability is very high. So banks should come with approaches that would manage the unions in a way that they do not impact negatively on the performance of the organization. We have look on approaches such as Unitarist, pluralist, Marxist and adversarial approach. It is also indicated that employee relation should much be governed by agreements, rules and regulation to handle unions. As we have realized that not only external factor that are important to organization success but also internal constraint are also crucial to the companies and therefore they should be managed very well using appropriate management styles. It seemingly appears that privately owned banks use authoritarian way of managing to handle internal issues affecting the banks. Other management styles include opportunist and Paternalistic. Recommendation This is very important aspect of business and especially in banking industry. Banks should consider taking employee relations very seriously as employees are part and parcel of the organization success or failure. New innovative ideas should be brought forward so that business process and practice could be made simple thus improving organization performance. Employee relationship management in collaboration with human resource they should come up with ways that will resolve dispute in more modern way even without involvement of trade unions. The management should assess employee relation future trend and research on the potential findings that can be applied in third world countries e.g. Tanzania. The influence of technology should not be left untouched as technology will play a big part in the future employee relation success. The employee relation view should be much flexible to tackle issues that have not been resolved yet with management. Employee relation should help in avoiding unnecessary problems such poor working condition. These are problems that union is working to abolish them but on the other hand they problems that increase unnecessary cost than if they had been tackled beforehand. Employer should engage employee in activities or even during decision making process so that they can be more motivate and very loyal to the org anization this should incorporate they payment structure and other compensation packages which seem to be the most coveted things by employees.

Essay --

Intorduction What is leadership?. If I look at my life, how I see leadership, what impact did something or somebody have on my life. What characteristic do I have or does a person need to make you a good leader?. Furthermore what is my role of being a good leader and am I successful in this role as a good leader or do I have gaps?. How do I close the gaps to become a great leader?. Can I say at the end I am a good leader in what I’m doing or am I on the right track of becoming a good leader. What is leadership Leadership is all around us, there are leaders at schools, at home, at work, on the sport field, in the government. The word leaders have many meanings, it can be somebody leading others by guiding them in a direction, showing them where to go, and then you have leaders who control or rule a group a good example is president. A leader can be somebody specific to a group; this could be the general manager of a company. Therefore, we can see leadership is everywhere. Where do leadership start for me? If I have to look in to my history from child wood until now, was there any leadership fundamental in me. I’m oldest of three brothers in the family, with a 7 year gap between us. So I would say as the elderly brother I always look out for them in a protective kind of way leading them away from harm and danger. As the year go on the focus of leadership change, I had to think of my way forward and not so much in holding their hands. For me at that time it was all about vision and passion, what impact I could have on the team. When I play sport I went out and gave 120% because of my passion and proudness, I think this has to do with me not having any support from my parents, I had to proof to them that I have something in me to ... ...art of my success is that I had a couple of dreams; one was to becoming somebody in sport and the other was to be somebody from whom others could learn. As for the rest of it is there, but still need to work on them, bringing them together so that they can work as one. With dreams you have to have a vision, how you going to make this dream become a reality. Share your vision with others, your team wants to work with you to complete the vision. Ownership, make them believe it is there goals and vision. Communication, you need to have a good, effective communication with the right attitude. Furthermore, you need to be flexible, open-minded, thinks outside the box, and know that not all problems have the same solution. Conviction, a strong vision, and the willpower to see it through, because your team will not support or respect your vision if you don’t believe in it.

The History of Welfare in America Essay -- Origins of Public Welfare P

Welfare has been a safety net for many Americans, when the alternative for them is going without food and shelter. Over the years, the government has provided income for the unemployed, food assistance for the hungry, and health care for the poor. The federal government in the nineteenth century started to provide minimal benefits for the poor. During the twentieth century the United States federal government established a more substantial welfare system to help Americans when they most needed it. In 1996, welfare reform occurred under President Bill Clinton and it significantly changed the structure of welfare. Social Security has gone through significant change from FDR’s signing of the program into law to President George W. Bush’s proposal of privatized accounts. The increase in industrialization in the U.S. during the 1820’s caused a rise in homelessness. Women made up the majority of the homeless population. During the beginning of the nineteenth century, private charities helped provide food and shelter for the homeless. Towards the end of the nineteenth century men became the majority of the homeless population. The federal government created â€Å"mother’s pension laws† which were protective labor laws that assisted poor women and children. Shelters required a work test for men to enter and only allowed them to stay for a limited amount of time. Charities did not help men in the nineteenth century (Homelessness in the United States). On October 29, 1929, the roaring twenties ended. The U.S. stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Those who had invested in the stock market for retirement saw their investments disappear. President Franklin Roosevelt’s â€Å"New Deal† focused first on providing employment for the... ...for Children and Families. 6 Mar 2009. . â€Å"Medicaid Home Page.† 16 Sept 2004. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 6 Mar 2009. . Shields, Mark. â€Å"Messing with Social Security.† Cnn.com. 7 Mar 2009. . â€Å"Bill of Rights in Action.† June 1998. Constitutional Rights Foundation. 6 Mar 2009. . â€Å"Food Stamp Program.† 4 Feb 2005. Food and Nutrition Service. 6 Mar 2009. . â€Å"Women, Infants, and Children.† 1 Jan 2004. Food and Nutrition Service. 6 Mar 2009. . â€Å"The Future of Social Security.† Mar 2005. Social Security Administration. 6 Mar 2009. .

Around The Way Love :: essays research papers

Around the Way Lover This is story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down I like to take a minute just sit right there, Ill tell you how I became in love with the girl around the way. In the summer of 1995, I met this beautiful Mexican girl that just moved on my block. I was only in 5th grade and she was in 6th and 1year  ½ older than I was. I met her threw my friends that I played with everyday on my block. When I walked outside one day I saw this unfamiliar girl coloring with my friends on the sidewalk. I asked my best friend Brian who she was and he told me she was the new girl on the block. When Brian and I walked over, to go talk to our friends, I sat down right next to the new girl and asked her what her name was. She said Bianca but In a really shy voice. Through out the whole summer I talked to her and got to really know her. Then when the school year started I remember always getting home and trying to get all my homework done just so I could go outside and talk with her. Then about 4 months after meeting unfamiliar face, I told my friend’s, that I liked Bianca and I wanted to go out with her. But all my friend told me was to go and ask her out myself. So about a month later I finally got the guts to ask her while I was walking her home from our friend’s house. I remember I was so scared while I was asking her and she could tell I was because I was pretty much stuttering while talking to her. Then finally she spoke out saying, â€Å"are you trying to ask me out?† Then I said, â€Å"yes.† She said she doesn’t know because her mom doesn’t want her to have a boyfriend and she would tell me the next day. Then I went back and told all 5 of our friends that she said she would tell me the next day. The rest of that night we were outside all I could think about is what her answer would be. Then the next day about 12:30p.m. my friend called me up and said that she talked to Bianca and she was going to say †no,† because I was younger than she was.

Gender Roles in Society

Gender roles have a very dominant place in our society. Different families and cultures emphasize different roles for men and women. However, masculinity seems to dominate throughout the world. Women’s role in society is always changing but femininity never seems to rise above its masculine counterpart. Gender asymmetry has been a struggle for a long time because of the uncertainty of how we learn such roles. How to act like a boy or a girl is not something biological we are just born with. These roles are learned through our interactions with family and peers, starting as early as birth.The first and one of the strongest influences on a person's gender role is their parents. Parents are our first teachers and role models . They don’t just teach us such basic skills like talking and walking, but also of attitudes and behavior. Most parents still hold traditional definitions of masculine and feminine and what kind of activities are appropriate for each. Parents tend to b e more concerned with the safety of little girls. Where as, boys are expected to be rough and tough at an early age. Most of the time parents are not even aware that they are teaching their kids some of these roles.As discussed in the beginning of the text book, we are taught that our gender differences are due to our biology. We â€Å"tend to equate aggression with biological maleness and vulnerability with femaleness†. This tendency to assume that biology is the cause for gender differences is know as â€Å"the pink and blue syndrome† (Spade and Valentine p. 4). Starting at birth we are put into certain colors and given specific gendered toys to play with. Sometimes these norms don’t fit with every little boy or girl. Some girls prefer to play rough and with more masculine toys, and some boys prefer pink and princesses.However, when boys engage in activities that are normally deemed girly they are called a sissys. On the other hand when girls do things that wo uld normally be boy activities they are considered a â€Å"tomboy† and praised for this. We looked at this more closely when we read Kane’s chapter, â€Å"No Way My Boys are Going to be Like That! † Parents often encourage there daughters to aspire to take on male roles feeling as if it makes them a stronger person later in life. Fathers seems to be more concerned and often discourage boys in engaging in female roles, fearing they may be homosexual.Mothers, on the other hand, more often feel that their sons knowing how to cook and clean makes them more well rounded. Even mothers seem to be kind of cautious and lake enthusiasm when speaking to there sons about these â€Å"iconic feminine items, attributes, or activities†(Kane p. 179). Overall, parents seem to be aware of gender as something that they must shape and construct, especially with their sons. Some parents even feel as if masculinity is something they must work on with there sons starting at a ve ry young age.In order to make a change we must â€Å"broaden normative conceptions of masculinity and challenge the devaluation of femininity, an effort that will require participation by heterosexual fathers to succeed† (Kane p. 183). Another very important group to consider that can have a strong influence on gender roles are peers. Peer pressure is another means of reinforcing a culture's traditional gender roles. It can come in the form of taunting or teasing a child who does not fit the traditional gender roles that other children in the peer group have come to expect. Peers react more positively to children who fit traditional gender roles.We explored this teasing a bit more when we read the article â€Å"‘Dude, You’re a Fag’: Adolescent Masculinity and the Fag Discourse†. Pascoe discusses how masculinity can function as a regulatory mechanism of gender in American adolescent boys. It has been found that the word ‘fag’ is not nece ssarily directed at a homosexual boy, but has taken on a new meaning in school age boys. It is being used as a disciplinary mechanism to police certain behaviors â€Å"out of fear of having the fag identity permanently† (Pascoe p. 330). This kind of teasing and harassment can temporarily be place on any boy who shows signs of weakness or femininity.The high schoolers in the study told Pascoe that calling someone a fag was like telling them they were nothing or stupid (Pascoe p. 335). Boys could be called a fag for anything that he did that was opposite of masculine, even when it had nothing to do with his sexual preference. The fag discourse seemed to be just another way for the contest of masculinity to take place. With such strong enforcement of gender roles in children it is not surprising that these masculine dominated attitudes carry over into adulthood. Over the past few decades, great strides have been made by women in the workplace.This increased number in women in th e workplace does not mean equality however. Even with equal qualifications and achievements, women are still not given all the opportunities that men have. The chapter in the textbook, â€Å"Gender at Work†, shows us more of these inequalities in the workplace. Such inequalities cause gender segregation of jobs and can be linked with the pay inequality in the labor force. Even in jobs that are predominantly filled by women, men earn more than women. Women are often stereotyped as being family focused and not as able to travel, therefore they tend to get passed up for promotions (Garson p. 353).This invisible barrier that keeps women from moving up the executive ladder is referred to as the â€Å"glass ceiling† (Baxter and Wright p. 346). Women also tend to do more domestic work, or unpaid labor and caregiving. This extra unpaid work is referred to as â€Å"the third shift† and is largely rested on the shoulders of women (Gersel p. 352). Consequently, this seems to be one of the biggest things holding women back from taking on jobs that are normally considered male dominated. These shifts in gender roles over the years have been huge. With the drastic changes, men and women are still trying to sort out what these new roles mean to them.Although women are no longer expected to be the soul keepers of the house, in reality, they still are in most families. Although men generally seem to be open to the successes enjoyed by the women they share their lives with, some still find it hard to celebrate a woman's achievements because they feel it diminishes their own masculinity. These patterns will continue as long as our society keeps pushing the importance of gendered roles and the dominance of masculinity. However, today's parents have the opportunity to show their children that they don't have to be violent to be strong, and being sensitive is not necessarily a bad thing.

Baroque study guide

Baroque Dates: (1600-1750) 1 . What does â€Å"musical style† mean? Different types of musical compositions developed throughout different eras 2. What was going historically during this era? What was life like? New ideas and art was being introduced everywhere. It was a time of personal expression and drama. There was controversy between Catholics and Protestants which caused long periods of religious war. It was also a time of scientific research and astronomical studies. 3. Was did the term Baroque originally mean? Odd, irregular,rough, or uneven 4. Why did early baroque composers favor homophony?It was a new concept in texture, a melody in one voice supported by a harmony in the others 5. What texture did late baroque composers prefer? Homophony 6. The musical style of the Baroque era began in what country and then spread throughout Europe? Italy 7. Church modes gradually gave way to what? The major and minor scales 8. Did instrumental music become Just as important as voc al music? Yes 9. What are some characteristic traits of baroque rhythms? Fast harmonic, often continuous, made up of repeating patterns 10. What are some characteristic traits of baroque melodies? Often are elaborated and ornamental.They give the impression of dynamic expansion. A characteristic often found in baroque melodies is a short opening phrase followed by a longer phrase with an unbroken flow of rapid notes. 11. What are the dynamics like in Baroque music? Abrupt shifts from loud to soft achieved by adding or subtracting instruments. 12. Were chords becoming more important? Yes 13. What voices or parts become more important? The outermost voices (bass and soprano) acquired a dominant position. 14. What is the basso continuo? What instruments play it? A strong, supporting, continuous bass line played by a cello, bassoon, or string bass 15.What was a baroque orchestra like? Basically string ensembles with a few wind instruments 16. What family of instruments were the most imp ortant? The violin family 17. What is a movement? Did baroque compositions often consist of multiple movements? A movement is a semi-independent section within a work, in baroque compositions there were many enlivenment works 18. What is the primary or most important way that the movements might contrast one another? They should contrast in tempo, key, material, texture, and timbre, but cost importantly, only one mood should be expressed 19.What is opera? What does it include? Where was it invented? The opera is a musical drama that tells a story and is sung throughout. It began in Greece. 20. What is the libretto? The texts that early operas were composed to. 21. What is an aria? A song-like vocal piece, more concerned with music than with text, and accompanied by an orchestra. They often have soaring melodies, metered rhythm, and formal design 22. What is a recitative? It is a style of delivery much used in operas in which a singer is allowed to adopt the withy's of ordinary speec h.It does not repeat lines as formally composed songs do. It resembles sung ordinary speech more than a formal musical composition. 23. What is a dad capo aria? A form with an ABA design. The first and second sections contrasting in mood, melodic material, and key, are presented; then the singer repeats the first section adding vocal embellishments 24. What is the ground bass aria? Composing a piece over a bass station. The bass pattern recurs throughout the piece, supporting the melody and harmonies above it 25. What is the first significant opera? Monteverdi L'Oreal 6. What is an oratorio?A vocal dramatic work conceived for entertainment based on a religious subject often with a story derived from the Old Testament 27. What is a passion? A passion is a special oratorio telling the story of Chrism's crucifixion. Includes recitatives, arias and choruses 28. What is a chorale? A Lutheran congregational hymn tune 29. What is a church cantata? A enlivenment vocal dramatic work often ac companied by an organ and a small orchestra 30. What is a sonata? What are the different types? A enlivenment form for one or more solo instruments accompanied by a basso intuition.The different types were Sonata dad camera (concert performance) and Sonata dad cheese (church performance) 31 . What is a fugue? A polyphonic composition with two to six melodic lines or voices 32. What is a prelude? A brief keyboard piece that may be either an independent composition or the introduction to another piece or set of pieces 33. What is a suite? (often called a Baroque or dance suite) A enlivenment piece composed for the lute or keyboard with the style, tempo, and rhythmic patterns of a particular dance 34. What is a confusion? Any of several forms usually of Italian origin.It refers to orchestral introductions to operas and cantatas. 35. What is the concerto gross? A solo concerto? How many movements does it have? A concerto gross is small group of solo instruments that accompany a string o rchestra. A solo concerto is instead only one instrument. They both generally have three movements 36. What is the arteriole form and how does it work? A retooling is the form that typically begins a movement. Retooling form focuses on a contrast between two musical ideas. The idea presented in the retooling will be revisited many times again in the song. 37.What is a toccata? Form for lute or keyboard exploiting technicality and brilliance. It has a flexible rhythm and elaborate embellishment of the melody lines. 38. What are terraced dynamics? Moving hands from one keyboard to another, abruptly, causing changes in dynamic level Composers: Please include the following for each (l need to be able to tell that you read about them and did not Just Google them or use Wakefield, etc. And copied and pasted-read your textbook please) a. Dates b. Nationality c. Importance/major contribution d. Types of compositions e. Extra little tidbit 39.Claudio Monteverdi 1567-1643) Was an Italian comp oser who referred to the two styles of compositions as the â€Å"first† (Polyphonic texture, music dominates text, Church music) and â€Å"second†(Homophobic texture, text dominates music, Secular songs) practices of music. He wrote his madrigals in the new expressive style (second practice) observing specific tonal principles. His opera L'Oreal was considered the first great opera. He also served as the choirmaster for SST. Marks in Venice for thirty years 40. Henry Purcell (1659-1695) An English composer known for his mastery of composing over a ground.He composed moving arias and operas. He was also an organist and wrote chorale music, keyboard works, and instrumental music. 41. Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) He was an Italian Baroque composer, teacher, and priest. He traveled all over Europe as a guest conductor of opera and orchestral performances. He wrote choral and orchestral compositions along with operas. His most famous composition is his set of four violin con certos, The four seasons. 42. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist. Bach's compositions were mainly performed for the church.He produced a read amount of choral music and two large oratorios called Passions. He wrote mainly for practical purposes such as to teach or to compose music for the church. He also composed a beautiful Mass which contained some the most well known music ever written. 43. G. F. Handel (1685-1759) Was a German composer known for his successful operas and later for his oratorios. His works had much dramatic flair. He is best recognized for his oratorio, Messiah which included the well known â€Å"Hallelujah† chorus. He considered this work to be divinely inspired and composed it in only about three weeks.

Baroque Architecture

Baroque Architecture Works of famous architects and sculptors What is Baroque Architecture? A Style originating in late 16th Century Italy Consists of complex Architectural plan shapes, often based on the oval. Dynamic opposition and inter penetration of spaces were favored to highlighted the feeling of motion and sensuality. Other characteristic qualities include:- Grandeur – Drama and Contrast – Courageousness – Twisting elements – Gilded statuary He was the son of a stonemason and began his career as a stonemason himself. He soon went dominant study and practice his craft.He moved torment 1619 and started working for Carlo Modern, Bromine's real name was Francesco Castillo. Once he had become established in Rome, he changed his name from Castles' to Bromine, He worked within Lorenz Bernardino the design of the fundamentalist's. Peter Basilica , the two later became bitter rivals. Francesco Borrowings the master of curved-wall architecture. He was influe nced by the architecture of Michelangelo and the ruins of Antiquity. His architecture employs manipulations of Classical architectural forms, geometrical sensational with symbolic meanings behind his buildings. Ђ Classical architectural forms, geometrical rationales in his plans and symbolic meanings in his buildings. Famous works of Bromine Architecture San Cairo alley Squatter Fontanne Sandal's all Seaplane, 1660 Colleges did Propaganda Fide Santiago SE in Agony The Sandal's all Oratory Sapience and Palazzo die Filipino Assonant area dell Fretter Barbering San Carlo alley Equator Fontanne Falconer Spade San Giovanni in Lateran San Cairo alley Squatter Fontanne Bromine's first independent commission This tiny church, along with its Rudyard, is one of the most important monuments of the baroque style in Rome.

Drama Evaluation Example

On 12th of December we went to Stifford Clays Primary and performed our piece to 180 year 4’s and 5’s. When we got there we had to straight away bring in our set and therefore had to quickly work out our staging. We all agreed to have the boards on a slant so that we could get changed and await our queues without the children seeing us as if they did it would ruin the illusion. We did this and got changed into our costumes in 20 minutes which I thought was really good and professional.As a group the performance went really well, we all knew our queues and our lines and worked really well together, the costume changes were done in time and nobody came out of role, there for a bit of empty staging but I think this was due to the fact that we were in a new performance space and were not use to it. People were not coming off the right side and therefore ended up having to cross the back of the stage, but it was not obvious as it was in character.As an individual I think the performance was ok, the children booed as I came on as the teacher as they thought I was still the Wicked Witch, I think I did change each characters characterisation but the costume wasn’t different enough and I think they thought I was the Wicked Witch in disguise. Also when I did come on as the Wicked Witch they did not stop booing me, according to the video they booed me for a full minute.I was not expecting such a huge reaction and I just did what I thought my character would do and tell them to ‘be quite’ and ‘shut up’ I also did hand gesture of them talking, it was really tough to deal with as every time I went to talk they just started booing again. I then decided to stand there and wait for them to calm down which they eventually did. Although it was annoying I think the booing was a good sign as they believed in my character and really hated me as much as they were supposed to. As the teacher I think I did well in adopting a different role and I changed my voice and body language making everything precise.The audience interacted with everything and more and seemed to have a lot of fun. When Catherine and I did the chase scene the children loved the water gun being fired, as I ran through they grabbed my cape which I had to react to again in the way the Wicked Witch would I told them to ‘Get off before I turned them into frogs’ from this I learnt that my teacher character needs more of a disguise, that I need to hold onto my cape while running through the crowd and to react to the boo’ing at first but then stand there and wait or them to quieten down. When I melted as the Wicked Witch I melted to the side of the stage and therefore had to stay there for a little while, which I didn’t mind as I needed to catch my breath anyway, I had to pick the right time to move off the stage and therefore picked the time when Sophie and Jess were running as I though the audience’s attention would be on them, it turned out it was and I did pick the right time to slip off.When we were at the performance we had forgotten the limbo poll and the camera and therefore had to improvise with the limbo poll and use another poll at the school, we also used Catherine’s phone to record the performance. I think as an individual and a group we met the assignment brief as we engaged, entertained and educated, We engaged the audience as they interacted with all points possible, they were entertained as they all were shouting and reacting and they were educated as when the fairy god mother asked questions they knew the answers. Over all I think the performance was really good and went really well.

Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty-Eight

â€Å"Oh,† I said lamely, stepping aside so that he could enter. â€Å"I thought you were someone else.† â€Å"Someone in a velvet dress shrieking at the top of her lungs?† he asked. He moved past me in that graceful way of his, and I noticed he was careful to keep a healthy distance between us without being asked, as though he suspected my aversion to touch. â€Å"Something like that.† I shut the door. He shrugged and immediately found the room's wine. â€Å"She won't bother you anymore,† he said, pouring a cup. â€Å"I'm sending her away.† â€Å"Yeah, she told me. You know, I feel kind of bad for her.† â€Å"Stop,† he ordered. â€Å"She's none of your concern. She should have had no expectations about her relationship with me.† â€Å"Yeah, well, she kind of did.† â€Å"Again, one angry person is none of your concern-not with everything else going on.† I grimaced. â€Å"I suppose not, though it sure seems like a lot of people are angry at me-oh. God. I nearly forgot. Do you have Volusian?† Dorian was setting his sword and cloak down. He didn't look happy at the reference. â€Å"Yes†¦I enslaved him to me.† â€Å"Can I†¦can I have him back?† He eyed me. â€Å"Are you sure that's what you want? It'd be better if we banished him together.† I hesitated, recalling Volusian's hands on my throat and knowing what would happen if I ever lost control again. I wouldn't, though. I would stay strong, and I needed him for what was to come. â€Å"Yes,† I said firmly. â€Å"I want him back.† Dorian shrugged. â€Å"Then I'll summon him later. Let's not ruin the moment just yet. He's quite depressing, you know.† Dorian strolled toward the window and bent over, picking up the dress I'd dropped. â€Å"This is lovely.† â€Å"I was going to put it on, but†¦but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I swallowed and nodded toward the window. â€Å"There's a, um, army out there.† He neatly laid the dress on the chair and glanced out the window. â€Å"Yes. Yes, there is. Yours and mine. Well, part of them.† â€Å"I can't believe this happened.† â€Å"Hiding from them won't make them go away.† â€Å"I kind of hoped it would.† He said nothing but gave me an expectant look. Something about it drew me out, and steeling myself up, I approached the window again, staring out at the wide, sandy stretch in the back of the castle. There were so many more than I'd expected-and this was only allegedly a portion of the soldiers that would be fighting Katrice. My small army in their mismatched attire stood in formation on one side. Dorian's â€Å"reserves† stood beside them, much more sharply dressed in deep green shirts under their leather armor and golden oak emblems. So many†¦and again, still not the whole force. More of his soldiers would join up, and then my numbers would grow when the call went out throughout the land when I went to Highmore-if I went there. â€Å"All of this,† I murmured, â€Å"all of this because of a chain of decisions. Me refusing Leith, him kidnapping me, you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I couldn't finish the words, but Dorian and I both knew what I'd been about to say. â€Å"Do you regret it?† he asked. â€Å"What I did?† He sounded as cool and confident as ever, but I could have sworn there was a tiny note of fear in his voice-fear that he'd done something I hadn't wanted. Kiyo's words about how I would regret all this came back to me, and I kept wondering if it was really worth it, all these men and women who might die†¦for what? For my honor? My revenge? I could still respond to Katrice's message, tell her I'd marry her nephew and make peace†¦. A knot formed in my stomach, and I knew that wasn't an option. I could never be with anyone in that family, not without thinking of Leith, of his hands and his body. I could never let her or anyone else think I or my people could be pushed around. After all, Leith hadn't just taken advantage of me. Those girls had suffered too. I was the protector of my people. I was the Thorn Queen and the Thorn Land both. An image of Dorian running his sword through Leith returned to my mind. Probably I should have found it gruesome. Instead, it brought me†¦peace. â€Å"No.† I turned and looked straight into Dorian's eyes. â€Å"I don't regret it. I†¦I'm glad you did it.† My voice wavered a little. â€Å"I'm so glad you did it.† His face transformed somewhat, filled with a type of wonder. I think he'd grown so accustomed to my usual style, my human way of being rational and merciful†¦Well, I think he'd been long bracing himself for my wrath. My earlier suspicion about the worry in his voice had been correct. He'd probably expected a reaction similar to when he'd given me the Thorn Land. The look on his face made me flustered and confused. I turned back to the window and admitted, â€Å"But I†¦I'm scared. I don't want to wage a war. I certainly don't know how to.† Dorian came to stand beside me, still careful to maintain a buffer between us. â€Å"It's in your blood,† he said. â€Å"Storm King was the greatest tactician in centuries.† â€Å"I'm not him. I don't want to be like him.† A nasty voice spoke in my head: But you called yourself Storm Queen, according to Kiyo. â€Å"You can inherit his genius without his cruelty,† said Dorian. â€Å"I suppose, but still†¦I still don't know what to do. Will you help me?† We turned to look at each other, and again, his face seemed to be lit from within. â€Å"Of course. You're not the only one Katrice is after. I'm the one who killed the poor bastard, remember?† The light faded from his face a bit at the reference to Leith. He leaned toward me, eyes intense. â€Å"I'd do it a thousand times over, if I could. War or not.† That earnestness in voice, that fierceness-it sent a shiver down my spine. â€Å"You only say that because we haven't gone to war yet. You don't know what's going to happen.† â€Å"Ah, Eugenie. I know. We will be victorious, you and me. We're the strongest monarchs in this world. Katrice knows this but is blinded by her grief and rage. You and I will lead this army, and we will conquer the Rowan Land. We'll split it between us, adding on to our own kingdoms†¦and from there, we can go anywhere. We could rule half this world together-all of this world-you and me. Kingdom after kingdom would fall to us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stared him, almost caught up in his vision. The apprehension I'd been holding began to lift as I imagined us destroying her forces and me summoning up storms that made the world tremble. I laughed uneasily, alarmed at the way my thoughts had gone. â€Å"One kingdom's enough,† I said, the human part of me bringing me back to earth. â€Å"You say that now, but I tell you, it's in your blood.† He looked down at me intently, and those rapture-filled eyes seemed to be every shade of green and gold in the world. I fell into them. I felt beautiful in them. Like a goddess. â€Å"Eugenie, you're going to be a warrior queen the likes of which no one has ever seen. Your name will live on when Storm King's has faded to dust. You will lead your armies on-powerful, fearless, and beautiful. Katrice's ‘war' is but a skirmish you'll stamp out underneath your boot.† I had a disorienting moment then, recalling a vision I'd had in the Underworld. My soul had been seeking Kiyo's, but it was Dorian I'd seen in a dream-like state, with the two of us standing on a cliff before armies, both of us radiant and majestic. There'd been a baby in my arms and a crown on my head. I'd never told anyone about that. It had been a test, not a vision of the future. Trying to keep things light with Dorian, I asked, â€Å"And where will you be in all of this? Somehow I don't think you'll be lurking in the shadows.† â€Å"My sweet Eugenie,† he said, back to his flippant, gallant self, â€Å"there you go, always suspecting ulterior motives.† He straightened up, affecting a dignified air. â€Å"I, of course, shall be by your side.† I laughed. Dorian would always be Dorian. â€Å"Sharing in that glory and power, no doubt.† â€Å"A little, certainly.† His mirth vanished, and he grew serious once more. â€Å"But also there to keep you safe. Whatever battles you engage in, whether you choose to conquer this world or simply go back to exorcising ghosts†¦what happened with Leith will never, never happen again. Not while I live. I swear it. I will always keep you safe.† He moved forward but was still careful not to touch me. The vehemence in his voice was so strong, however, that it was practically tangible. â€Å"Always.† My smile was gone. I studied him for a long time and realized I believed him. Kiyo had failed me. Dorian would not. And I realized then that I'd been an idiot to keep trying to push Dorian away. Did I entirely trust his motives? No. I did trust him to protect me, though. I'd realized just before my capture that I loved both him and Kiyo, loved them just as my blood and soul were also split in two. The two halves of my nature would always war with each other. And right now, I didn't need the cautious human half that would rationally seek peace. I needed the part of me that wasn't afraid to unleash all the power I had, to charge forward with no restraints. I needed Dorian right now. It was his love that was going to allow me to be strong and unafraid of what was to come. Slowly, hesitantly, I reached out and caught hold of his hand. It was monumental. I think he knew it was, too. I hadn't been able to stand anyone except my mother touching me these last couple of weeks. I certainly hadn't been able to handle any man doing it. His eyes widened slightly at my contact, and I realized he was holding his breath, afraid for me. I held his hand, feeling its warmth and the long, smooth fingers. There was so much power in connecting with another person, in having physical closeness. With just as much care as I'd used to touch it, I moved his hand to rest on my hip and stepped forward. Dorian swallowed, and for the first time since I'd known him, he looked timid. â€Å"Eugenie-â€Å" I pressed a finger to his lips and then stood on tiptoe to kiss him. His mouth opened instantly to mine, warm and eager. I pushed myself closer to him, but when I put his other arm around me, he pulled back slightly. I could feel and see the desire all over him, but he shook his head. â€Å"No, no†¦it's too soon†¦.† â€Å"I'm the one who says when it's too soon.† I kissed him again, harder, and was surprised at how quickly the lust burned through my body. Despite what I'd just said, I had believed until this moment that I would never want another man. But being near Dorian, feeling that electricity and power crackle between us†¦it brought forth all the old desire I'd been fighting recently, the desire that had nearly made me give in to him in that little village, back when I'd still been committed to Kiyo†¦ But I had no such commitments now. He returned my kiss with equal intensity, his hands running along my hips. The passion was seizing him, he was starting to lose himself in it. Then, like before, some reasonable part of him slapped him to attention one more time. I think the world would have been shocked to know the Oak King had such a conscience. He broke away again, but this time, I didn't let him speak. â€Å"Do you want my most recent time to be with him?† I demanded. â€Å"Do you want Leith to be the memory I carry with me of the last time I had sex?† My fingers moved to the buttons of my short-sleeved cotton shirt and unfastened them all. Catching hold of his hands, I brought them toward my chest, spreading the shirt apart and making him touch my breasts. I'd gone braless today, and his hands felt warm where they stroked my bare skin. â€Å"Make this my memory,† I said huskily, with a bit more command in my voice than I'd intended. â€Å"Make it good. Make this be what I think of when I think of sex. Finish what you started that day†¦.† His hands no longer needed my urging. He cupped my breasts, fingers dancing around my nipples. At the same time, he pushed me toward the bed, laying me out on my back. His mouth crushed me with its kiss, and then his lips moved down my neck and to my breasts, taking one of my nipples in his mouth. He sucked gently at first, tongue darting back and forth, but then his lips grew more urgent. His teeth nipped at me while his hands deftly slid my jeans off. After they were on the floor, he sat up a moment, surveying me and all the bare skin before him. Not having him touch me was agony, and I reached up, unfastening the bejeweled belt and his pants. He backed off the bed, standing up so that he could push his pants down the rest of the way. His shirt came off next, and then he stood there naked before me for my inspection, the perfect, marble god he'd been once before. Looking over the leanness of his muscles, how strong and hard he was, I felt my own body respond urgently. I'd complained to Kiyo before about foreplay, but right now, I wanted none with Dorian-though I had no doubt he would have given me hours of it, armies be damned. â€Å"Don't wait,† I begged him as I pushed my panties down over my hips. â€Å"Don't wait.† He caught hold of the panties and pulled them the rest of the way. I thought he'd join me on the bed, but instead he remained standing. He caught hold of my ankles and pulled me toward him until my ass just rested on the bed's edge. Still holding my ankles, he brought my legs up so they were nearly straight in the air, almost leaning on his shoulders. Then he leaned forward and pushed into me, moaning at the warmth and wetness he found there. I threw my hands over my head, arching my body up and watching as he thrust back and forth. His eyes were on me too, taking in every part of me. There was something special about sex in the daylight, particularly with him standing over me like that so we could both fully see each other. There was no hiding. Everything was exposed. Vulnerable. It's easy to feel insecure in such moments, but I didn't, not with the way he looked at me, not with just lust-but with awe and adoration too. He buried himself in me over and over, hard and forceful without being painful. It was such a lifetime away from what had taken place at Art's house that I realized nothing there could even be considered sex. Having Dorian in me felt good and right. My body was brimming with need, and he felt like fire where he moved between my thighs. That heat intensified within me, and I felt a spark of aching pleasure grow stronger and stronger, fueled with each thrust. I cried out, feeling my body on the verge of orgasm, and when it came, it was like an explosion of me, of the world†¦pure ecstasy and elation bursting from between my thighs to the tips of my fingers and toes. He set my legs back flat on the bed and then lay on top of me, never breaking stride. If anything, he pumped more forcefully, nearing his own climax. That glorious hair rained down on my face, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in the silken strands. His own arms wrapped around my body, encircling me like a cocoon as his hips moved harder and harder. Then, he exclaimed loudly, words that had no real form, and pressed his face against my neck as he came, his body spilling into mine. I held him close as he breathed heavily against my neck, his heart racing. Minutes passed, and his body finally calmed, though I continued to hold him. Finally, without breaking from my embrace, he lifted his head and brushed the hair from my face. â€Å"I told you, Eugenie. I told you the world would be reborn when we were together. It will be reborn, and we will conquer it all†¦.† I brushed his lips with my fingers. â€Å"Don't get carried away. We're just settling a grudge here.† The look in his eyes told me he believed a lot more would come of that, but he wisely said nothing. Rolling over, he settled beside me on the covers, and we both lay there, our fingers interlaced. â€Å"I suppose,† I said at last, â€Å"I should go talk to all those people out there, seeing as they're going to risk their lives for my honor.† â€Å"It's more than just your honor,† he said. â€Å"It's the land's too. You are the land, and when they see you, they will gladly fight for you.† I sat up, my eyes falling on the silk dress. â€Å"I guess I've got to play the part. Too bad there's no crown.† Dorian sat up as well. â€Å"Isn't there?† He walked over to the table he'd set his sword and cloak upon when entering. I'd been too distraught to notice at the time, but there was a small cloth-wrapped bundle there too. He brought it over to me, and I found myself holding my breath. I suddenly knew what it was, and I was afraid. â€Å"What's wrong?† he asked when he held it out to me and I didn't take it. â€Å"I†¦I had a dream†¦.† I couldn't explain that vision from the Underworld to him, that one where we'd stood on the hill together. When we had, I'd accepted Storm King's crown-or, well, a feminine version of it-and that's when I'd found myself looking down upon all those soldiers waiting to fight for me. â€Å"What kind of dream?† â€Å"It's hard to explain.† Not waiting for me, Dorian unwrapped the bundle himself. My heart lurched as I braced myself to see it again, an elaborate work of platinum, laden with diamonds and amethysts†¦ But it wasn't. The crown he held was gold and very, very delicate. I hesitantly took it and studied the fine details of it. There were little roses etched into it-roses with lots of thorns. Tiny emeralds-nothing too overwhelming-were scattered amongst the golden leaves. It didn't resemble Storm King's crown at all. â€Å"This is Girard's work,† I said with certainty. â€Å"It is,† Dorian agreed, running a finger down my bare arm. He seemed relieved that I had taken the crown. â€Å"You aren't the only one who can commission projects.† â€Å"But he works for Katrice.† â€Å"Not anymore. Remember that day you met him? I told you then he was an opportunist. He's rolled the dice and decided we're the side to align with-which, of course, we are. He'll come in very handy for weapons, I think.† My eyes were still on the crown and its beauty. I couldn't explain how relieved I was that it was nothing like the crown from the vision. Hesitantly, I lifted it and rested it on top of my head. I looked to Dorian for confirmation. â€Å"What do you think?† He smiled, reaching out to straighten it and arrange my hair slightly. â€Å"Go see for yourself.† Climbing out of bed, I walked over to the full-length mirror and surveyed myself. I was still naked, all that pale skin contrasting with the red of my hair and the glitter of the crown. My hair didn't have the blond that Jasmine's did, but it had the occasional gold highlight, and the crown made those locks gleam as they rested just past my shoulders. The emeralds were subtle, not gaudy, but vivid enough to further set off my hair and eyes. â€Å"So what do you think?† Dorian asked. I glanced over at him, still sprawled on the bed and watching me with amusement. I turned back to the mirror, studying my naked, crowned self. I smiled. â€Å"I think it looks good on me.†