Mind Control Essay

Have you ever walked around a shopping mall intending to go to only one store, yet two hours later you’re still in the mall and you haven’t walked into the only store you planned to go into? What pulled you into the other stores? You were just walking down and all of a sudden you smelled a whiff of some good scent, so you walk into Abercrombie and Fitch. The smell hooked you in and then you began looking at clothes and the time just got the best of you and your money. Abercrombie and Fitch used a form of mind control to hook you in and get you to walk into their store and then buy their product. Today we will discuss the topic of mind control, how it affects us as students today, and how the media shapes our ideals and values with mind control. Mind control is defined in psychology as Social Influence. Social influence occurs every minute of every day. It’s the many ways in which people can manipulate other people’s perspectives beliefs and ethics. For instance, The Compliance Method is intent to make a shift in a person’s behavior, not in his perspective or belief. This is one of the biggest advertising campaigns that are being used so successfully today. It’s the â€Å"Just do it† approach. Persuasion, on the other hand, aims for a change in attitude, or â€Å"Do it because it will make you feel Blissful, Healthy, or prosperous.† Whereas the Education Method (which is called the propaganda method if you don’t believe what is being taught.) attempts to alter a distortion in a person’s beliefs, saying something along the lines of â€Å"Do it because you know it’s the right thing to do.† A common way that millions of people get brainwashed as young adults is as being students. Grading, humiliation, favoritism and other techniques, are used in most school systems to punish and reward certain behaviors and ideas. An abundance amount of kids learn in school for example, that t hey are secondary, stupid, inadequate, untalented , and failures thanks to absentmindedness or intended brainwashing done by teachers, who are commonly themselves brainwashed. Students furthermore learn not to be creative, not to question authority, not to be individuals or do things that differ from the mainstream way. Subconsciously they dread the disciplinary action and humiliation that came when they were in school years before. This is mainly the reason many adults  are afraid to ask their questions and thereafter never learn new things. This condition affects thousands worldwide and limits adult intellectual growth. Perhaps the most powerful, yet the least recognized form of brainwashing is in the media. The media affects our thought patterns, expectations, priorities and relationships. The advertising industry influences parents by making them feel that they can buy their children’s love. They accomplish this through linking love and guilt with the purchase of products. Instead of being a good parent, they minimize they’re guilt by buying their kid the newest product on the market. Parents spend approximately 16 hours a week with their children; while they’re children spend about 40 hours a week on any sort of media. This shocking statistic shows just exactly what is most influential in a child’s life. The media especially preys on kids and teens under the age of 24, because this is when they’re brains are most impressionable. You’ve probably noticed many teenagers imitating the dress and even the speech patterns of the rich and famous. Take the Kardashian’s for example, how many girls do you see trying to talk like Kim or look like Kyle? Isn’t it scary how easily influenced we are by what’s going on around us? Brainwashing happens every minute of every day. Whether it’s from the constant media were always hooked into, our upbringing or just the society we are living in today. Now that we are aware of what’s going on around us, we can make sure we agree with what is being fed to us and not just â€Å"do it† because were told it will make us feel a certain way, because it’s the right thing to do, or just do it because everyone else is.

Anthropology Book Report

This is a book review of, With No Direction Home: Homeless Youth on the Road and in the Streets written by Marni Finkelstein. The writer gives a voice to the homeless youth and highlights on their everyday lives, the condition in which they live and the experience they go though in the streets.Furthermore, the writer through her interviews obtained first hand experience and which she writes with logical honesty, the study which she took its ethnographic methodology for the reason that she combined qualitative interviews and direct observation. The writer defines who the streets kids are hence the reader get to know how they come to be streets kids.She describes the different reasons why most of them leave their homes to end up being street youths. Their life in the streets is well tackled in the book on how they socialize in the streets and form peer networks.   She explains on how peer groups formed makes them use and abuse substances. Their subsistence in the streets and their da ily lives as it is explained in the book gives an insight to the readers to understand them even more.Finkelstein discusses how the youths in the streets are prone to victimization by the society; they are ill treated, oppressed and discriminated the youths reiterate by being violent for them to survive the hostile environment in which they live. The book concludes with recommendations which would be adopted to ensure that the ever increasing numbers of youths in the streets would be reduced and eventually make them leave the streets.This study falls under social anthropology as the study is done with evidence of how the streets youths, who form a group of the society currently behave in social a group. Social anthropology investigation is an intensive field studies which include participant observation methods like the ones used in this book.The study done was how social organization of the youths in the street socializes among them selves and the public. Social anthropology explor es indistinctness and contradictions of social life, sociality patterns, conflicts and violence which forms social behavior of a group of the society. It also address diversity of positions and perspective found in a social group. This is what is addressed in Finkelstein book when discussing how the street youths socialize and form peer networks which abuse substance, being victimized and violent.The research method used is ethnographic methodology, by combining direct observation and qualitative interviews to provide descriptive study of a group of human society. The study done is about street youths which are a group of human society.The research has focused on sociology through close field observations of social cultural incidents. The research is focusing on a social group and is able to study their activities and how they affect them and the society at large. It is done by interviewing informants several times using information from previous informers to ensure that the informa tion obtained is accurate and dependable to support the writers arguments.The research is done by first selection of a culture and identifications of variables which are used to obtain information from informants and gather data inform of observation and interview recording. To be precise the research method used is Micro-ethnography because it’s the study of narrowly-defined cultural group which in this case it’s the youths in the streets.When the research was being done there was resistance by the street youths to willingly disseminate information which they were being interviewed. The street youths are victimized by the society and they felt that they are not worth hence they have a feeling that they are inferior and the research being done will not be of any use to them.Trustworthy of the information obtained is one of the challenges encountered in qualitative research. For the writer to obtain a reliable source of information, interviews are done to several of the street children with the same question and compare their responses to ensure that the facts are accurate.Obtaining a sample on which the research was to be done was a challenging, as none or very few who were willing to be interviewed. On such a social study one is not supposed to influence the informers either by giving them incentives to woo them to provide information because it will be biased and won’t reflect the actual scenarios under study. The interviewees are supposed to be voluntary which in this study volunteering was a problem.The youths in the streets are a subculture because they give a diversity of culture in the society. The group way of life and social phenomena is distinguishable with the normal cultural practices of a family setup where the youths are expected since they are kids to be brought up in a family setup where they are provided for until they are independent. Their social practices and ethics are far much below the set standards of a youth being brought up in their homes where the environment is conducive. Their practice is referred to as social fall out from the cultural setup acceptable by the society.The group is made up of diversified age ranges which include youth who are hard-core, refuges and immigrants, runways, squatters, young single mothers and those who are homeless because the entire family is homeless. The group lacks shelter and has difficult to obtain adequate food and they are at risk of nutritional and health problems.Even after being health wise challenged they don’t have access to medication this result to ailment which some times is life threatening hence they experience high mortality rate. The difficulties which they go through coupled with the drugs which they take makes them to be depressed and have mental disorders which makes them committee suicide and die due to drug overdose which have been registered as the leading cause of deaths among the street children’s.I have realized that s treet homeless youths they are a nomadic group of youths who ends up in the streets. After reading the book I come to realize that they are in the street and who they are due to circumstances which are beyond their control. Such as, the whole family being homeless or they are refuges or even single mothers. I understand that they abuse substances and are drug peddlers because of peer pressure.They are also discriminated by the society hence they are not employed to earn money this result them to be thugs, sex workers, drug dealers and participate in scams to earn so as they can sustain their livelihood. Most of them do not travel very far from their homes to the nearby cities. Travelling of the kids is not an easy task because they have little or no money so their main mode of transport is hitchhiking and train jumping which both of them are very dangerous.Most of them leave their households where there is an abusive environment or they are simply kicked out from their homes. Finkel stein stated in her book that most of them remain on the streets for a short period then they seek refuge in shelters and their underlying motives are substance abuse and sense of aimlessness.According to Finkelstein, most of the abused substances in New York is beer and heroin most of them had experimented the drug before they got out of their homes but they become serious addict after they have prolonged their inhabitance in the streets. The excuse they give is that they abuse them because they want to forget their trouble such as helplessness and poverty.This group of homeless youths exists in the society because they arose from disadvantaged families such as disrupted and dysfunctional families. Such families experience divorce, poverty, parental drug abuse, domestic violence and poverty. There is also high rate of Sexual, emotional, and physical abuse which result the children to run away from such environment. There are also a substantial number of the streets youth who run aw ay from children protection services such as children’s homes or even run away to hind from the existing criminal justice systems.After being in the streets for long this group of youths develop self-reliant skills and abilities through networks of mutual supports and spirituality. Furthermore, most of them adapt to the hard environments they are exposed to enabling them to survive for years in dangerous circumstances.I was surprised to know that the street youths are not there by choice. I thought they were in the street as there choice of life. I came to realize that they have been pushed to be at the streets by hardships / factors which they have no control on. These unfortunate youths are really discriminated by the society who does not respect them hence they do not consider them for any form of employment. I was surprised on know this discrimination makes them revolt by being drug dealers, thugs and sex workers as they strive to survive.I thought that they are young you ths who are in street as a choice they have made willingly as a way of life and they are thugs or prostitutes. I thought that they choose to be in the streets so as to pursue their interest of being drug users and dealers which they could only do it more conveniently at the streets.Most of the homeless in the streets of New York are the minor who probably have suffered a lot of hardship which got them to the streets. These minors are not given money when they borrow because it’s discouraged; donations are only given out to worthy charities.This book has acted as a voice to the homeless youths by highlighting who they are, how they came to be whom they are and how they exist and coexist. It has formed a source of reliable information for the readers who would need to know about the street homeless youths.Self-reliance which grew with time by the youths being in the streets for long makes it difficult to eliminate or reduce them. Once they have been in the streets for long the form social groups and networks which enable them to have some sort of adaptation and building of skills which makes them survive for years in the hostile environment which they are exposed to.ReferencesFinkelstein, M. (2004) With No Direction Home: Homeless Youth on the Road and in the Streets, Belmont: Wadsworth

Accounting standards and principles Essay

In 1973, international accounting standards committee issued international accounting standards (IAS) which lasted till 2000 when they were replaced by IFRS. These are standard based principles, accounting practices guidelines, interpretations and framework adopted by the (IASB) (Epstein & Jermakowicz, 2010). In 2001, IASC was replaces by IASB which was mandated in setting international accounting standards. The objective of IFRS is to make companies financial statements to reflect truth and fair view of companies’ affairs as at particular date (Epstein & Jermakowicz, 2010). Generally accepted accounting standards are principles and accounting guidelines recognized by a given territory, jurisdiction or most countries especially the United States to supplement the role and objectives of IFRS. Financial statements should be presented, summarized and recorded based on particular generally convections, rules, ethics and standards in a certain jurisdiction i. e. GAAP. Formulation of GAAP and IFRS For consistency and fairness in financial statements which detail the performance of a company, certain rules and standards must apply. See more: Satirical elements in the adventure of Huckleberry Finn essay These are commonly referred to as â€Å"generally accepted† and all accounting professionals apply them as appropriate and ethical. Failure to apply them in accounting field result to agreed penalty by either body governing the practice or the territory restraining unethical practices to professionals. Various committees and bodies are put in places as setters which formulate and develop these accounting standards. International Financial reporting standards are developed and formulated by International Accounting Standards Board while Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are formulated by local financial reporting standards board. In the United States, the establishment and development are influenced by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) (Miller & Bahnson, 2002). All these bodies and committees have different roles and objectives which are agreed upon on influence to different accounting sectors profession generally accepted principles. International financial reporting standards are based in International Accounting Standards which are accepted globally. ISA changed its operations in 2000 and IFRS were added to cope with the changing dynamics of global accounting profession. Through discussions, contributions and comparison agreements, different bodies through their representatives contribute to the principles developed by IASB. Complete responsibility in all technical matters that include; preparation and issuing of international financial reporting standards, are based on the selected IASB (ISCF& IASB, 2007). Thus, the efforts of IASB involves, setting standards, formulating process of adopting standards ensuring the needs of different countries in the globalizing accounting profession (Mwaura & Nyaboga, n. d). Difference between GAAP and IFRS GAAP and IFRS have difference in their jurisdiction of usage, enforcement and the way these standards are formulated. International financial reporting standards are globally recognized accounting standards, which are set by IASC from 1973 to 2001 and from 2001 by IASB. GAAP are accounting standards recognized as â€Å"generally accepted† by the United States. In summarizing, recording and presenting accounting information within a nation, the process is dictated by rules and convection of GAAP in the United States. International accounting standard board does not directly set or control provisions of rules and convections adopted by GAAP. Standards set by this powerful board are based from agreements and suggestions from various local accounting boards e. g. Kenya accounting board (KAS). Various nations will try to incorporate the set standards within the GAAP in their country. FASB in America has a mandate to set accounting rules, convection and standards that are later adopted by the US GAAP (Mwaura & Nyaboga, n. d). This means that the role of formulating and developing the rules and standards principally lie to the local accounting boards. Various nations have made it compulsory for their accounting practice to adopt IFRS rather than developing jurisdiction GAAP (Mwaura & Nyaboga, n. d). In addition, differences on the implementation and formulation exist in financial presentation between GAAP and IFRS. These differences are commonly in consolidation, statement of income format, inventory valuation and recognition, earning per share calculations and development cost recognition in financial statement. For example, in United States, consolidated financial statements are prepared on risk and reward models while international financial reporting standards prefers control based model where consolidation is done on the percentage of control and influence in subsidiaries and associates (Forgeas, 2008). Risks and rewards is more complicated since risk are subjective valued. Extraordinary items such as depreciation and amortization are included in the income statements under IFRS and in the US GAAP are accounted for after net income. This means extraordinary expenses are not taken to contribute net profits (Forgeas, 2008). Under the US GAAP, companies have option to use either LIFO OR FIFO methods of inventory valuation while in IFRS, LIFO method which is historical valuation method is recommended. When computing for earning per share under IFRS average on interims calculations are not included whereas in the US GAAP, computation requires that individual interim increase in shares be done averagely (Forgeas, 2008). Capitalization on development expenditure is done under IFRS and recognized as fixed asset while in the US GAAP; capitalization is not done on development expenditure but is accounted for in income statement as expenses (Forgeas, 2008). Another difference between GAAP and IFRS is how transactions are interpreted to mean. It is commonly argued that GAAP within a nation is rule based and IFRS is principle based. This means that transactions are interpreted based on the stated rules and standards. Ruled based interpretations lies with the professional judgment on certain transaction treatments in account. For principle based interpretation, the IFRS provide on more judgmental way to interpret transactions. This implies that principles are there to the interpretation of transaction and in rule based is on the professional judgment. The problems arise on whether judgment is accurate professional judgment or guessed professional judgment to transactions treatment (Forgeas, 2008). Benefits of GAAP and IFRS Uses of standardized procedures to financial statements summarizing, recording and presentation to the users bears a number of benefits to both the reporting entity and the user such as shareholder, lenders, creditors or the government taxation organ. Adoption of GAAP in the US and IFRS by other countries gives significant economic and financial benefits to decision making. Both approaches give consistency in managing companies and it is easy to compare companies using the same standards. Both standards put strict measures on deviation from the rules and ethics in a particular standard. In most countries for a company to trade public GAAP and IFRS must be followed and they require all financial statements be subjected to an independent audit and opinion thereby be given on the applicability of standards in the company. These independent accountants (auditors) must certify financial statements and any notes to financial statement have been prepared and to be presented in accordance of either of the standard. These two provide adequate explanations and definitions to transactions, provide needed assumptions to these transaction and methods applied in either computations or accounting for the transaction. By this, companies are able to follow the requirements year by year enhancing comparisons/benchmarks between companies and consistency in business operations. Valuation of various assets and liabilities both at the start and at the end of the year would be different between companies giving hectic time in comparison and auditing. These two standards enhance transparence and uniformity of valuation procedures of assets. For example, valuation of assets like investment and stocks unrealized profits can be ambiguous if such standards are not in place. Conclusion To make financial statement present a true and fairly performance and position of the business at a particular date, financial accounting standards are needed. High quality standards need to be set for reliable information that is adequate and useful to investor or creditor. These high quality standards and enforcement will provide transparency in business operations and promote full discloser to financial information which gives consistent application making statement user perform comparison of year by year and among competing companies.

Storm Born Chapter Twenty

I became merely mortal the next morning, the last lingering memories of magic recalled only in theory, not in feeling. I wanted to try to explain the dream-memory to Kiyo, how I'd at last recalled what happened between Storm King and me before Roland killed him. But I didn't know how to explain it. I barely understood magic at all and found recapturing that terrifying yet glorious feeling nearly impossible. Besides, I had other things to worry about today. It was Beltane Eve. I found myself busy almost from the crack of dawn. Beltane – or May Day – ushers in the return of life to the year; many western European cultures consider it a peak day for fertility and conception. Apparently many Otherworldly creatures do too. Like Halloween – or Samhain – the gates between the worlds open, facilitating passage between humans and the Otherworldly alike. Midnight on May 1 was the ultimate opening, but the passages steadily increased throughout the day on April 30. Since my presence at Dorian's party tonight was common knowledge, many must have decided to get in their chance before I left the human world. Fortunately, most of these same gentry and assorted creatures were those who could not have passed through under normal circumstances. This meant they were considerably weaker and hence easier to banish or destroy. Unfortunately, when they came in a steady stream, they also became a huge and exhausting annoyance. I got home around dinnertime, not long before I was supposed to show up in the Otherworld. Hastily, I shed my sweaty clothes and took the world's fastest shower. Afterward, I managed a makeup job rivaling the last one, but it cost me time. With minutes ticking away, I threw on the dress Lara had procured and ran a quick brush through my damp hair. There was nothing else to be done with it. I threw a little mousse into it to avoid frizz, and then I was off to the desert. Dorian had wisely put my Slinky anchor in a more secure place than a flimsy table. I appeared in a small chamber where a servant had awaited my arrival. He gave me a polite bow and then took me straight to Dorian's room. Inside it, I found pandemonium. Male and female servants ran in and out, doing God only knew what. Dorian stood in front of a giant mirror, checking himself out in an azure blue robe. A stout man hovered nearby with about a dozen other robes weighing down his arm. It was the same man, I realized, whose place I'd taken in croquet. â€Å"Eugenie Markham,† announced my escort. Dorian gave me half a glance. â€Å"Lady Markham, so nice to – sweet gods. She's wearing beige.† I looked down. Lara had found me a clingy silk dress in a shade she termed â€Å"champagne†: a warm ivory tinged with gold. I wouldn't have thought the color worked for me, but she apparently knew me better than I did. The strapless bodice was gathered and decorated with a bit of iridescent beading meant to imitate buttons down the middle. From the waist down, the skirt cascaded in smooth, shining folds. It fit snugly against my silhouette, flaring slightly only when it hit my ankles. â€Å"It's ‘champagne,'† I corrected. â€Å"And what's wrong with it?† â€Å"Nothing. It's lovely.† He turned back frantically to his valet. â€Å"It's not going to match any of these, Muran. What else do we have?† Muran bit his lip. â€Å"There's the green velvet, your majesty. Its trim has that shade in it. Paired with an ivory shirt, it would look quite stunning.† Dorian made a face. â€Å"Silk or satin would be better. Grab it anyway, and see if there's anything else we're missing. Oh, and send someone to do Lady Markham's hair.† â€Å"What's wrong with my hair?† â€Å"Nothing, were you sprawled in my bed after a night of passion.† A young woman hurried forward, and he jerked his head in my direction. â€Å"See to her, Nia.† Nia, a tiny thing with olive skin, curtsied to me and led me to the parlor where Dorian and I had first chatted. I couldn't see what she did, but her fingers worked as deftly and intricately in my hair as Dorian did when tying the cords around me. I'd only once had my hair done by a stylist, and it had been for a wedding in which a cruel friend had required me to wear orange taffeta. The event still woke me with nightmares. A slight tingle occasionally brushed my skin as Nia worked, and I realized she used magic in the styling. I supposed it was handier than a curling iron, but geez. What a disappointment to discover you had the magical equivalent of cosmetology when other gentry got healing and the ability to tear buildings apart. â€Å"There you are, my lady.† She took me to a mirror, nervously assessing my reaction. Scattered braids ran toward the back of my head where the rest of my hair had been gathered up into a high ponytail. She'd smoothed and curled most of that hanging hair, but a few tiny braids hung in it here and there. Long, smooth locks framed my face, curled slightly at their ends. Violets and dark ivory sweetheart roses adorned some of the braids. â€Å"Wow,† I said. Nia wrung her hands. â€Å"My lady likes?† â€Å"Very much.† She beamed. With her petite frame and smooth face, she looked about sixteen but could probably actually boast a century. â€Å"I didn't know how humans wore it.† I smiled and gave her arm a small pat. â€Å"It's wonderful.† She looked ready to swoon with joy, and I recalled how eagerly Dorian's staff always jumped to obey his commands. Was I inspiring that kind of loyalty? Or fear? Dorian swept into the room then, resplendent in a forest green robe made of silk. The edging contained an intricate pattern of ivory, russet, and gold, set off by the black slacks and ivory shirt underneath. â€Å"Much better,† he said, taking my hand. â€Å"Come, we're late.† Muran and a few others followed as we headed for the throne room. Dorian didn't actually run, but an urgency underscored his movement. â€Å"Why the rush?† I asked. â€Å"Don't they wait on your every pleasure?† â€Å"Certainly. But I have to be in there before the other monarchs arrive, or we'll create a complication of etiquette. Everyone will bow when we enter, but the other monarchs don't have to. If they're in there before me, it'll be awkward.† â€Å"What do you mean by ‘bow'? Does that mean – â€Å" A herald hurled open the double doors and announced in a booming voice: â€Å"His royal majesty, King Dorian of the House of Arkady, caller of Earth, protector of the Oak Land, blessed of the gods.† â€Å"Whoa,† I breathed. Dorian squeezed my hand. † – with Eugenie Markham, called Odile Dark Swan, daughter of Tirigan the Storm King.† I didn't think I'd ever get used to being titled, but my astonishment over that faded compared to what happened next. Everyone in the room turned toward us and fell to their knees, heads bowed. Dead silence followed. Slowly, almost in a glide step, we walked down the center aisle, and I tried to look straight ahead and not at the sea of obeisance. Civilizations rose and fell in the time it took us to reach the throne. When we did, Dorian turned us around to face the assembly and made a small, nondescript gesture. I don't know how the others saw it with their heads so low, but they all rose and the drone of life and music promptly returned. People moved again, mingling and laughing. Servants scurried to and fro with drinks and trays. It could have been any human party, save for the occasional troll and wraith sipping wine. The men dressed in variations of the Renaissance look Dorian seemed to favor, but the women's gowns ran the gamut of bell sleeves and velvet to Grecian wraps and gauze. â€Å"And now, my dear, we must part ways.† I jerked my gaze away from the assembled throng. â€Å"What are you talking about?† He waved his hand. â€Å"These are the greatest nobles in my kingdom, not to mention the other kingdoms. I must mingle, listen to their simpering, act like I care. You know how it is.† Panic seized me as I looked back at all those gentry faces. â€Å"Why can't I go with you? I mean, we coordinate and everything.† â€Å"Because if I keep you on my arm all night, I'll look possessive and insecure. Leaving you on your own shows I have absolute confidence that you'll leave with me tonight, regardless of other solicitations.† â€Å"Oh, my God†¦I'm going to be hit on all night.† He laughed. â€Å"Don't worry, that's all they'll do – unless you wish otherwise. Anyone who touches you against your will would incur the wrath of my entire guard, not to mention most of the guests. It would be a shocking insult.† â€Å"And yet I could apparently go off with anyone if I wanted to.† â€Å"Of course. You're free to choose as you like.† â€Å"Wouldn't that be an insult to your manhood or something?† â€Å"A bit. But then I'd just take five or so women to my bed and redeem myself fairly quickly.† â€Å"Whoa. I feel like I'll be holding you back.† â€Å"Don't worry. I'll recover once you're gone tomorrow.† I swallowed and looked around, the jokes unable to allay my anxiety. â€Å"I don't even know anybody.† He turned me to him and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I had to consciously work to keep my body relaxed. It was still a shock each time he did that. â€Å"You'll just have to meet them, then,† he said. He strolled off toward the first group of people he saw, and I heard a flurry of exuberant greetings at his approach. Feeling stupid and awkward, I wondered where I should go and whom I should talk to. I didn't really do big parties. Too much of my time was spent in solitude to really know how to interact in a group like this. That wasn't even taking into account that these were all Otherworldly residents. Two of my deepest phobias combined into one long evening. â€Å"Wine?† asked a servant who had suddenly appeared at my side. â€Å"Yes, please.† I seized one of the goblets from her proffered tray and took a hasty gulp of a sweet, fruity red. Picking a direction at random, I took five steps and was immediately intercepted by a tall gentry in scarlet velvet. He had black hair and a neatly trimmed beard. â€Å"Lady Markham,† he oozed, taking my free hand and kissing it. â€Å"It's a pleasure to meet you at last. I am Marcus, lord of Danzia in the Rowan Land.† â€Å"Hi,† I said, knowing I would never again remember his name once he left. He kept holding my hand and let his eyes run over me from head to toe. I suddenly wished the dress wasn't so tight or the neckline so low. â€Å"I must say,† he murmured, â€Å"I'd heard reports of your beauty, but they are paltry things compared to the reality.† â€Å"Thanks.† I tried to take back my hand, but he held on to it. â€Å"My family's nobility extends all the way back to the migration to this world. We are renowned for our fierce warriors. Magic runs strong in our blood, usually calling to one of the elements. My own inclinations run toward control of the air.† As if to emphasize the point, I suddenly felt the slightest of breezes blow against my arms. â€Å"My heirs will inherit a vast estate. My house has always served in an advisory capacity to royalty. Even now, I am a close personal friend of Katrice, the Rowan Queen. She is a powerful ally.† I realized then he was laying out his pedigree for me, quickly and efficiently, much as a breeder might show off a prize dog's papers. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him I wasn't interested, but he just kept going. â€Å"Some men would fear having a warrior consort. They would seek to control you and seize the power for their own uses.† He inclined his head ever so suggestively toward where Dorian conversed with a tall, dark-skinned woman. â€Å"Not me. I would not use you to further my own ends. You would rule by my side as an equal, sharing in the guidance of our children.† Yikes. This wasn't even our first date. I managed to break my hand free of his. â€Å"Thank you, but this is all kind of sudden. It's been really great talking to you, though.† Anxiousness flooded his face. â€Å"But I haven't even told you about my famed reputation as a lover – â€Å" â€Å"I've got to be somewhere right now. Sorry.† I took two steps back, turned, and practically ran into another man. Beyond him, a few others attempted to linger inconspicuously. In fact this one, I realized, had simply been waiting for me to reject Marcus. He gave me a dazzling smile. â€Å"Lady Markham, it's a pleasure to meet you at last†¦.† I sort of lost track of time after that. I never got much farther than that spot and my wine remained forgotten and undrunk. Listening politely to each guy's sales pitch, I amused myself by considering just how much I could push the limits of the hospitality rule before getting in trouble with Dorian. Yet, no matter how annoying each guy got, I squashed my rebellious instincts and kept to good behavior. After a couple hours, I caught sight of Shaya, the black-haired woman who had captured me that first night. She walked alone through the room. Brushing off my current suitor, I broke free of the next contender and hurried over to her. â€Å"Hey, Shaya, how's it going?† She looked at me in astonishment, not surprising considering I hadn't spoken to her since my capture. Her gown was midnight blue velvet with a full skirt, tight sleeves, and a high collar. I didn't entirely understand her whole background, but apparently she was the younger daughter of some noble and had ended up in a military career as part of Dorian's guard. â€Å"Lady Markham,† she returned. Mild curiosity showed on her face. â€Å"What can I do for you?† â€Å"Oh, nothing. Just thought we'd†¦you know, talk.† One delicate eyebrow rose. She glanced over at the eager throng of men and turned back to me with a half-smile. â€Å"It seems like you have plenty of guests to talk to.† â€Å"Please,† I whispered. â€Å"I know we aren't friends, but just talk to me like we are. Just for a minute. I can't stand it. I need a break. I'm so tired of hearing about how big each guy's estate is†¦not to mention other things.† She laughed, the sound rich and sweet. Linking her arm through mine, she led me idly around, like we were indeed friends. â€Å"I've heard stories about the things you've faced down. And yet, in the end, it's a group of desperate nobles who undo you.† She allowed me a few minutes' solitude, and we talked about trivial things. As we did, I realized something: She was really funny. And intelligent. And†¦nice. I'd dismissed her upon our first meeting as a prissy gentry bitch, my attitude fueled partially by my capture and partially by the antagonism at dinner. But here she was, hanging out with me like any other person would, her comments both witty and astute. â€Å"I have to go. Rurik's looking for me,† she said at last, letting go of me. She smiled again, amused and compassionate. â€Å"Put up with them a little longer. They're nothing more than a nuisance.† I shook my head. â€Å"They're so blunt and straightforward. It's strange.† Kiyo and I had once mocked the pretenses in dating, but right now, a little less honesty had its appeal. â€Å"Then be blunt back. If you're too nice, they'll think they have a chance and will try another time. Most now consider you a high-ranking noble; arrogance is expected. They won't think you're rude.† I thanked her and watched her leave, just as a hand tapped my shoulder. I sighed. Time to face the wolves again. Or fox, as it turned out. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"Nice threads.† Kiyo stood before me in a beautifully tailored tux, its clean black and white lines standing out in sharp contrast beside the flowing colors of the other men. â€Å"I wore it for you. Figured you might like a change from velvet and silk. And as for you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His smoky eyes did a quick assessment of me. â€Å"I've been hearing a lot of guys drool over your dress tonight.† â€Å"You've been here for a while? And didn't come talk to me?† He grinned. â€Å"You looked pretty busy.† â€Å"Well, stay with me now. Maybe they'll leave me alone if they think I'm occupied with someone.† We found a two-seated bench against a wall, padded with brocade-covered cushions. I sighed and leaned my head against his shoulder. He put an arm around me. â€Å"I wish I was out patrolling like I usually do tonight. Fighting spirits and whatnot isn't half as exhausting as this.† â€Å"And so Tucson goes undefended, eh?† â€Å"Roland's on it, much to my mother's dismay. I just hope I've drawn a lot of the action here instead of back there.† We sat quietly for a while, watching the party. It reminded me of the bar. Alone but not alone. Like any other party, people were getting more drunk as the night progressed. That unabashed sexual contact popped up more and more frequently, and a number of people danced wherever they found room. They moved in graceful strides, reminiscent of ballroom styles I knew. â€Å"I've been thinking†¦about last night.† I looked up at him. â€Å"Yeah. I've thought about that a few times myself.† â€Å"You were†¦I don't know. I've never seen you like that. Not that we've done it all that much, but†¦wow. You marked me up pretty good.† â€Å"Is that a bad thing?† He smiled. â€Å"No. I don't think so.† His fingers brushed my chin and tipped my face up. â€Å"But what was going on? How'd a nightmare bring that on?† I turned my face away. â€Å"It wasn't exactly a nightmare.† â€Å"What, then?† â€Å"Just a dream†¦or a memory. It was about my father. And magic.† â€Å"What happened?† â€Å"I†¦well, it's hard to explain.† â€Å"Eugenie – â€Å" I kept my demeanor light and playful. â€Å"Forget about it. For tonight at least, okay? It isn't the right time. We can talk later.† He hesitated, then nodded. I moved my face closer, and he brushed his lips against my forehead, down to my cheek. I closed my eyes and sighed, luxuriating as his lips moved delicately down the side of my neck. We turned toward each other, our mouths drawn by some unseen force. And as we kissed, I forgot all about the crazy propositions tonight. There was only this. Me and Kiyo. â€Å"No groping,† I warned, seeing his hand slyly move toward forbidden areas. â€Å"I don't care how many other people are doing it. Or how much attention we don't draw to it.† â€Å"Then let's go somewhere private,† he murmured, trailing kisses along my shoulder. â€Å"I can't. You know I have to leave with Dorian. Nothing's going to happen,† I added, seeing him open his mouth. â€Å"It's just for appearances. We can get together tomorrow.† He considered and nodded. â€Å"All right. But I'm giving you a good sendoff tonight.† He moved back, and we continued our kissing for a bit until a voice said, â€Å"The gods know I've seen some strange things in my life, but never did I expect to find a kitsune trying to make himself ruler over all of us.† We looked up in surprise. I hadn't expected another suitor while clearly busy with Kiyo. Aeson stood there.

How Can We Show

In anything we do, there must be a force that drives our action and speech. Let's have a look at Romans 8:6 and examine what kind of mindset we should cultivate. Read. As the scripture points out, being a spiritual person is not Just a matter of personal preference. It is a matter of life and death. So then, let us look into a few ways we can show we that we are minding the spirit. Since the Bible itself is a product of God's spirit, what better way could there be than to read it daily.We must diligently study the Bible. By doing so, God's spirit can influence our mind and heart and we will develop a spiritual inclination and attitude. Thus our mindset will be controlled and impelled by His active force. However, it is important to note that knowledge of God's word is not enough. Remember King Solomon. He knew Jehovah standards very well. But then what happened? He came to have many foreign wives. And soon he was following after their gods. In fact, he practiced some sort of interfa ith Just so that he could please his wives.If he was minding the spirit, would he have done so? Yes from his example, we learn that we must obey Jehovah wholeheartedly. Another way is by displaying godly qualities. What are they? Let's find out at Galatians 5:22, 23. Read. How do we manifest the fruiting of the spirit in our life? If we have love, it will move us to forgive one another freely. Besides, love for neighbor moves us to share the kingdom good news with other. We will thus be motivated to have a fuller share in the kingdom preaching work.In addition, we would avoid a competitive spirit in the congregation. There shouldn't be such thing as: I put in more hours in the ministry than you so I'm better than you, or I am a pioneer and you're not. Brothers will avoid viewing privileges of service as a position of authority. Such kind of behavior is of fleshly origin. If we are to mind the spirit, we will view privileges in the congregation as a meaner to minister to others. Fina lly, it is important to set spiritual goals and work to attain them.Examples of parietal goals we can set include: improving our study habits, increasing our share in the ministry, or perhaps reaching out for a privilege of service in the congregation. Why are spiritual goals important? When we work to attain our goals, our minds will be occupied with spiritual interests and we are better able to resist temptations. To sum it up, minding the spirit is the course of wisdom, for this world and its desire is passing away. We will experience inner peace and also enjoy a peaceful relationship with Jehovah. How Can We Show By Consecrations

A College Graduate as a Candidate Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A College Graduate as a Candidate - Assignment Example Graduates are the ones who are more exposed to different areas and attained a specific level of knowledge. It gives you more confidence about the business and assigning them to a certain task. An exam and a face-to-face interview are some of the best ways to assess the qualities of the job seeker. The exam can come in different forms; written or oral, personality tests, academic and logical. Exams can be a good reference of the quality of their skills while an interview can give you a hint on what characteristics a candidate have through the flow of the conversation. It also gives you the chance to know his goals and emotional state, on how much he can carry responsibilities of his job. Specifically, skill assessments can be a powerful tool to enhance the jobseeker’s potentials and hidden talents for upcoming tasks. It will open the opportunities to both parties (job seeker and recruiter) and will eventually pay a great dividend. A recruiter may put the jobseeker in a mock situation where he could foresee what awaits in the position and through this, skills might be shown and the recruiter could have the chance to evaluate such skills. A high salary is important because it strengthens the productivity of an employee. Recruitment-wise, a high salary serves as the basis of how much standard a job has and how important the position in a company is treated. Of course, a potential hire would go for a job that pays well. It is necessary to treat money as the major compensation an employee gets a job well done. A salary should match the job description, as well as the qualities of the employee. It is a powerful motivator to affect the behavior of a person and reach through the incentives of his goals. Thus, potential hires should be offered a high salary to get the best quality of work and have a high productivity (Rynes et al., 2004). A great manager knows how to handle all the areas.

Software as a Service (SAAS) as It Pertains to Enterprise Architecture Essay

Software as a Service (SAAS) as It Pertains to Enterprise Architecture - Essay Example The concept and notion of architecture date back to the prehistoric times. Originating in the design and architecture domains, the concept has been invariably associated with the principles of structure, symmetry, functionality, and harmony. Rapid advances in technology during the 20th century gave an impetus to the development of new, enterprise architectures; the latter remain the most complex, challenging but nonetheless desirable elements of productive business functioning. The Software as a Service (SaaS) model marks a new stage in the evolution of enterprise architecture and paves the way for the smooth integration of various EA frameworks with the principal business operations and functions. In contemporary business environments, the choice of SaaS is justified by the need to consolidate IT applications and models and reduce the costs of IT management at all levels of organizational performance. It is through SaaS deployment that organizations can easily achieve the desired fu ture state of technologies where computing is integrally linked to communication, and seamless integration of technological efforts into end user-centered frameworks precipitates the creation and sustained usability of cost-efficient and flexible IT models. Software as a Service: A Brief Introduction Understanding the SaaS model is important for understanding its place and role in enterprise architectures (EA). â€Å"SaaS is software deployed as a hosted service and accessed over the Internet†. ... Software as a Service: A Brief Introduction Understanding the SaaS model is important for understanding its place and role in enterprise architectures (EA). â€Å"SaaS is software deployed as a hosted service and accessed over the Internet† (Carraro & Chong, 2006). Actually, it is due to the rapid expansion and accessibility of the Internet that SaaS is gradually becoming a fundamental ingredient of many enterprise architectures. Thousands of end-user organizations move to adopt SaaS frameworks and applications, in order to automate front and back-office business operations, enhance accessibility of data, and guarantee security of information (SaaS, 2011). The Software as a Service model is: Loosely coupled services and components – that SaaS avoids tight coupling characteristic of earlier models means that the framework has a potential to reduce the costs of maintenance and integration. Configuration over programming – the SaaS framework depends on smaller compo nents, which are coupled and shared to create business solutions based on minimal codes. Agnostic to databases – the choice of relevant databases is usually left to the needs of the SaaS provider. Agnostic to topologies – most enterprise architectures and computing topologies constantly involve, but the use of SaaS guarantees applicability, seamless integration, and deployment of various SaaS elements in any topology. GUI agnostic – enterprises using the SaaS frameworks have the free choice of GUI technologies, including performance and firewall issues, and makes it easier to integrate and design loosely coupled architecture elements, including Flex user interfaces. Agnostic to data sources – the SaaS