Paying College Athletes

Persuasive Speech Nearly two weeks ago, over 700 men and women signed on to play in the largest post-season tournament in professional sports, or should I say, amateur sports. The athletes in March Madness, the post-season basketball tournament, practice multiple times per day, all year round, and even on the weekends. When they aren’t busy between practice and traveling around the country, they are watching film to make themselves even better. That sounds a lot like a professional athlete to me. The only thing that isn’t professional about their lives is their pay check. The networks that host March Madness rake in millions of dollars through commercials. The schools rake in money through merchandise and ticket sales. The athletes rake in, well, nothing. Other than experience and exposure, these athletes aren’t allowed to make any money or even accept rewards for their accomplishments. The money generated by March Madness rivals the money earned from the post season of nearly every professional sports league in the world. At $613 million, the NCAA is earning over 40 percent more ad revenue than the entire NBA playoffs and over 60 percent more ad revenue than the entire post season for Major League Baseball. Given that professional basketball and baseball players bring home millions to their families every year, one has to wonder: What is the NCAA doing with all that money? The money doesn't disappear just because the players' families don't get it. Instead, we see coaches signing blockbuster deals worth tens of millions of dollars. It's time to let the players have a piece of the pie. You can't possibly convince me that head coach Gene Chizik was worth more to Auburn’s championship football than their quarterback Cam Newton. Plus, kids in Alabama aren't buying Chizik jerseys from the university. Still, we somehow expect that a kid from the inner city should be happy with a scholarship. The truth is that almost none of us would accept a scholarship over a job that generates tens of millions of dollars. That’s why we see kids like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James coming straight out of high school and to the NBA. Now, for them, that move paid off. However, there have been plenty of talented high school students who were lured by the money of professional sports but were never able to make it. Now they’re stuck without a job or an education. As Americans, should we be encouraging this risky behavior? Those who oppose paying college athletes say that a full ride scholarship with free room and board should be enough, and the kids should get used to the idea of working hard in school and not worrying about money. However, kids are only guaranteed these scholarships one year at a time. Meaning that if a kid sustains a career or season ending injury, now he’s left at school without a scholarship. Now he can’t pay for his classes. Now he can’t pay for room and board. Most college athletes can’t pay the fees their school charges, so why not help them out if they get hurt? Others also say that athletes can go out like any other citizen and find a job if they need to support their family while in college. The reality is no college athlete can possibly hold a job while being part of a team. Between traveling half the season, suffering through day long practices, sitting through night classes, these kids can’t find any time to fit in a job. Like I said, this dilemma encourages many to skip college and enter the pros, sometimes, without enough experience and no college education. Allowing the payment of athletes would end the lying and cheating that all but criminalizes big-time college sports. All the rumors and finger pointing, often times without any evidence, only creates dark clouds around universities. When SMU was convicted of rewarding their football players with cars and other material items, the football program was given â€Å"the death sentence† for one year, and it destroyed their reputation. Without distractions in the media, kids would be allowed to focus and not worry about the safety of their programs. The current system is practically like slavery. These kids work their hearts out and play through injuries in fear of losing their scholarship. Meanwhile, their families are left at home, struggling without their kids’ help. Keeping athletes and their families in poverty while coaches and administrators get rich is not only un-American; it is an emmbarrassment to us all.

Notes on Art History

Note: This statue of an Ancient Egyptian woman clearly shows the way of dressing in Ancient Egypt. This statue belongs to the New Kingdome period. Body: The woman is wearing a kalasiris, a typical ancient Egyptian dress. The length of the dress tells us that this woman probably belonged to the upper class, as working woman mostly wore a kalasiris in a shorter variant. The dress is made of linen, which was perfect for Egypt’s hot climate. The dress is undecorated, but does have a lot of pleats going in various directions, which must have been very labour intensive.Head: The woman is wearing a wig, made of human hair or date palm fibres. The hair is curled and was kept together by wax. The wigs were only worn by wealthy people. Accessories: Jewellery was very popular in Ancient Egypt, no matter what you social status was. They were known for wearing lots of jewellery in turquoise metals like gold and silver and small beads. This woman is wearing a gorgerine, which was a typical Egyptian necklace, existing of metal discs, worn on the chest. Minoan Snake Goddess figurine, 1600 BC, Herraklion Archaeological MuseumNote: This is one of a series of figurines, showing a woman holding a snake in each hand. It was found during excavation of Minoan archaeological sites in Crete. It represents a goddess. Little is known about their identity, but it tells us a lot of the way the Minoan women dressed themselves. Body: The goddess is wearing a tight bodice, which leaves the breasts bare. She also wears a long skirt which is comprised of seven overlapping flounces, which are strips of cloth, gathered and sewed on by its upper edge only. The flounces appear to be thick and were probably made of wool, a popular fabric used by the Minoan.Over the hips, she wears a double-apron, which is bordered with stripes and patterned with a simple diagonal grid of lines The skirt and apron are secured by a belt , which emphasizes the figure’s wasp-waist and accentuates the curve of the hips. Head: The headpiece , the goddess is wearing shows a series of three dark-painted, raised medallions. Accessories: The goddess is wearing a tiny bracelet on her right wrist. The Minoan were famous for their beautiful jewellery production. Note: This female Minoan figure is dressed in traditional Minoan clothing.The Minoans were known to have a more advance and complexed culture, which is shown in the artistically designed and skilfully made clothing they wore. The figure of the Minoan woman, with large breasts and hips and a tiny waist, as very similar to that of the late 1800 woman, who wore tight corsets to make their waist small and hoops under their skirts to increase the size of their bottom. Body: The woman is wearing a colourful blouse and skirt that shape the body well. The skirt is tight at the waist and flares out towards the bottom in a bell shape. The skirt consists of several strips of fabric, sewn together.The layers of fabric have a pointed shape in the centre, facing towards the floor. The blouse is close fitted to the body and has a low cut in the front to expose the breasts. Head: The woman has long dark hair, which hangs loose on her shoulders. Accessories: She wears ring shaped earrings and a belt, which was very common in the Minoan culture. Because a tiny waist was prized, some historians believe that Minoans would wear a heavy metal belt since their early childhood, forcing the waist to stop growing. Scene of Sacrifice, c. 540 B. C. Pitsa, National Archaeological Museum, Athens, Greese, painting, wood.Note: This painting shows an animal sacrifice in Corinth. It is one of the 4 painted wood slabs of Pitsa that were found in 1934 near Sicyon in a cave above the village of Pitsa in Corinth. Body: The woman are wearing a blue peplos that is decorated with a pattern. It is a rectangular woollen fabric that is folded at the top, so that the top part falls over the body. The peplos is fastened at the shoulders with pins. Over the peplos, the woman are wearing a red cape, a chlaina. It is made up of a rectangular piece of fabric which is draped around the body.The young men in the painting are wearing a blue, short chiton which reaches their knees and is fastened at their left shouder with pins. Head: The woman have their long hair tied back in a ponytail, while the men have short cut hair. Accesoires: The figures are all wearing a wreath, a headpiece made of goldon leaves. Briseis and Phoenix Painting on a cup, Brygos, ca 490 B. C. , Vulci, Louvre Museum, Paris, France Note: This attic red-figure cup shows Phoenix and Briseis. It is an ancient Greek art work from the Classical period. Body: The woman is wearing a long chiton with many folds and pleats.The chiton is made of linen, a light fabric, suitable to the cimate and which makes it easier to form pleats with. The tunic is wrapped around her body and pinned along at the shoulders and arms, forming two loose fitted sleeves. The man is wearing a chiton as well, which reaches his feet. On top of the chiton he wears a himation, large piece of fabric, draped arount the body and used as a mantel. Both chitons are decorated with a playfull motif at the bottom. Head: The woman has her hair tight back into a bun, with some strings of hair falling loosy besides her face.The man has a long beard and his hair cut short. You can clearly see that he is old, due to his undyed white hair colour. Accesoires: Both man and woman wear a hairband. Statue of august, national museum of rome, 100 AC Note: This Ancient Roman statue shows Augustus. A Roman emperor who ruled the Roman Empire from 27 BC until his death in 14 AD. In that era, all men wore the same type of cloth, but the fabric and way it was worn, marked important social differences. Agustus, being an emperor is therefore a clear example of how people of higher social status would wear their clothes.Body: Augustus is wearing a tunica, an essential garment in the warderobe of the ancient Roman man. It consists of two pieces of rectangular fabric, one set on top of the other. It was sewn together at the sides and the top wit holes left for the head and arms. This tunica has long and wide sleeves. On top of the tunica, Augustus wears a toga. A long cloak which is draped around the body. Head: Augustus has short cut hair and his toga is draped around his head to form a hood. Court of Emperor Justinian with Macimian and court officialsand Praetorian Guards, Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, 547 AC, MosaikNote: A clear example of clothing from the Byzantium era. Body: Justinian, in the centre, is wearing an imperial chlamys with a large lozenge shaped goldon panel (tablion) and an opulent brooch. Underneath that he wears a white silk tunic with tight sleeves (Divistion), which is decorated with god stripes and circular roundles and gold embroidered rd shoes. The Dignitaries wear a white chlamys with a purple tablion an an embroidered tunic. The archbishop Maximianus we ars a goldon chasuble and a white dalmatic with very wide sleeves and purple stripes.Head: The figures have slightly long hair at the back. Maximianus is somewhat bold and has a little beard and mustache, just like some other men portrayed. Accesoires: Justinian wears a two-tired gemstone encrusted crown on his head and an opulent brooch that is fastened at his rght shoulder. Maximianus wears a pallium around his neck, a white wool strip which is decorated with a cross. The bikini girls, mosaic, 4th century AD, Roman Villa of Casale, Italy. Note: This piece of art, dating from the Diocletian period (186-305 AD) is evidence that the Romans were one of the first to wear a bikini.Although the woman depicted are wearing a bikini as sportswear and not as swimwear. Body: The female atheltes are wearing a two-piece swimsuit that resembles the bikini as we know it today. The top part covers the breasts and has no elastic bands tied around the arms, but is probably kept in place at the back. The bottom part, looks like it is a piece of fabric that is folded around the womans lower body. Head: The woman have different hairstyles. Most of them have their hair tied back, which is more comfortable when playing sports.Others have long hair that falls on their shoulders. Accessories: One of the woman in the centre is wearing a headpiece made of flowers, she is probably wearing it because she won the competition. The consular diptych of Manlius Boetius, who was consul in 487 AD, Santa Giulia Museum, Brescia, Italy. Note: This artwork resembles the type of clothing worn by the Barberians and Nomads. Their clothing style was more practical than that of the Romans and consisted of loose and simple garments. Body: Boetius wears an embroidered woollen toga which reaches the ankles.The toga has long sleeves, is draped around the body and wrapped around the right hip. Head/ Accesoires. : It looks like Boetius is wearing a diadem of goldon leaves on his head. This is a picture of Cha rlemagne is an example of how the fine linen and silk togas of the Romans disappeared and were replaced by the clothing of the less civilized people, the Romans had called Barbarians and Goths. Charlemagne always wore the traditional costume of the Frankish people. Body: He is wearing a blue silk cloak which is trimmed with bands of decoration. His legs are covered by a hose and he wears shoes at his feet.On top of his cloak he wears a red/brownish mantel that is loosly draped around his shoulders and fastened with a brooche at his right shoulder. The mantel is deorated at the neckline. Head/ Accesoires: On his head he wears a golden crown, embellished ith jewels. This template from the Middle-Ages shows what the knights would wear. The knits are wering under clthes that consists of a linen under-shirt and linen under pants. These would prevent the armor from chafing the Knights skin. They woul also wear a padded garment, known as a Doublet, that consisted of a quilted coat which wa s either sewn or stuffed with linen .It served as padding for additional armour worn over the top. Woollen stockings cover their legs and over their armour they wear a robe which is fastenedaround the waist, known as a Surcoat. The surcoat is emblazoned with the cote of arms or device of the Knight in order to identify the knight in the battle. On their head they were a helmetwhich is slightly pointed at the back. Nicephorus III and Officers, c. 1074-1081, Bibliotheque nationale de France Manuscript Coislin. This painting of the Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus iII, is a good example of Byzantine Imperial costume. The emperor is magnificently attired in Byzantine silk.Over his blue and goldon tunic he wears a darker bue cloak, fastened by a gold-and-ruby brooch and decorated with a large tablion, woven of gold thread. On his head he wears a bejewelled crown and around his neck a superhumeral, which is a imperial decorative collar. The Arnolfini Portrait, Jan van Eyck, 1434, Oil on oak, National Gallery, London. This painting is believed to be a portrait of the Italian merchant Giovanni di Nicolao Arnofili and his wife. It is a very realistic painting and therefore a good example of Late Medieval costume. The two figures are richly dressed.The man’s tabard, a short sleeveless cape, and woman’s dress are both lined with fur, judging from this we can say that they are both wearing their outerwear. The woman’s dress has elaborate dagging (cloth folded and sewn together, then cut and frayed decoratively) on the sleeves and a long train. Underneath her green dress, she wears a blue underdress which is trimmed with white fur and has long tight sleeves. The man’s tabard is made from purple silk and has long full sleeves which are tight at the wrists. Head: The man wears a hat of plaited straw, dyed black, as often worn in the summer all the time.The woman wears a white cotton wimple on her head. Accesoires: The woman wears a brown leather belt around her waist. The only other jewelry visible are the woman’s plain gold necklace and rings. Rogier van der Weyden, Portrait of a Lady, c. 1460, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C. Van der Weyden portrayed this woman in high fashionable clothing. The woman wears an elegant low-cut black dress with dark bands of fur at the neck and wrists. This type of clothing resembles the then-fashionable Burgundian style, which emphasises on the tall and thin aesthetic of the Gothic ideal.The dress is buckled with a bright red sash below her breasts. The buckle is gold. Head: On her head she wears a buff-coloured hennin headdress that is draped with a large transparent veil, which spills over her shoulders, reaching her upper arms. The veil forms a diamond shape and matches the transparent vest worn under her dress. Her hair is pulled backwards in a tight knot. Accessories: The woman wears a gold necklace and 2 rings around her fingers. Sant’Orsola e le compagne, miniatura , 1380 , Parigi, Biblioteca Nazionale Body: The women are wearing dresses with a low round neckline.The top of the dresses fit closely to the body while the skirt hangs loose and has several pleats. The sleeves are long and wide at the cuffs. The underdress is of a different colour and visible at the wrists and its sleeves fit tightly around the arms. Some dresses have a simple print. Head: The woman wear a hat that consists of a frame of wirework, covered with embroidery or other trimmings. Titian, Portrait of Philip II of Spain (1527-1598), 16th century, oil on canvas. Body: Philip II is wearing a silk doublet in a gold/brown colour with a decorative print.The pants, breeches, he is wearing, falls just above the knees and is of the same fabric as the doublet. Under the breeches he wears a white hose. Philip also wears a mandilion on top of his outfit, a loose hip-length coat that is decorated with a pattern. Head: Phillip has his hair cut very short and a tiny beard and pointed mo ustache. Accessories: Accessories were very important in the 16th century as they represented wealth. Phillip wears several bracelets and rings and a necklace. Shoes: Philip wears simple white silk flat shoes. Marcus Gheerraerts the Younger, Portrait of Elisabeth I, c. 592, National Portrait Gallery, London. Body: Elisabeth I wears a crimson gown that is barley visible on either side of her waist. The gown has a white satin lining that matches the petticoat, bodice and hanging sleeves. Her petticoat is pinned to a cartwheel farthingale. The bodice has a broad, low, square neckline and ends in a V-shape at the front of the waist. The shoulders are very wide and puffed. Head/ Accessories: Elisabeth I wears gloves and a van in her hands. Her jewellery consists of several necklaces of pearls reaching the waist, a flower shaped necklace and some beads in her hair.She also has a high standing ruff around her neck of a transparent fabric and a crown on the back of her head. Giovanni Battis ta Moroni, An Italian Tailor, c. 1570, National Gallery London. Body: The Italian Tailor wears a light pink, tight fitted doublet over a heavily padded red hose. The doublet is fastened by a row of pearl buttons at the centre front. His white blouse, worn underneath the doublet, has some small ruffles at the cuffs and the neckline. Head: His hair is cut short and he has a small beard and moustache. Accessories: The man only wears a brown leather belt around his waist.Manteau, ca. 1685-90, Contemporary fashion plate by Bonnard Body: The woman wears a mantua. Instead of a bodice and skirt cut separately, the mantua hung from the shoulders to the floor. This mantua is looped and draped over a contrasting petticoat. The dress has a low squared neckline and short puffed sleeves that reach just below the elbows. The petticoat is fastened at the centre front with decorative buckles. Both petticoat and mantua are embellished with a print. Head: The woman’s curly hair is worn swept up into a high pile. She also wears a scarf in her hair.Accessories: She has some bracelets around her left wrist and wears a cross formed necklace. Portrait, c. 1660, France Body: The man wears a large simple dark coat that is embroidered on the left shoulder. Underneath this he wears a long-sleeved ruffled white shirt, which can only be seen at the wrists. A small falling collar with round edges, made of lace, hangs around his neck. Head: The man doesn’t wear a wig and shoes his natural long dark fuzzy hair. He has little facial hair around his lips. Fashion plate, Jean de St Jean, 1688, France Body:

Difference Between Two Population Means

Here, we describe estimation and hypothesis-testing procedures for the difference between two population means when the samples are dependent. In a case of two dependent samples, two data values—one for each sample—are collected from the same source (or element) and, hence, these are also called paired or matched samples. For example, we may want to make inferences about the mean weight loss for members of a health club after they have gone through an exercise program for a certain period of time.To do so, suppose we select a sample of 15 members of this health club and record their weights before and after the program. In this example, both sets of data are collected from the same 15 persons, once before and once after the program. Thus, although there are two samples, they contain the same 15 persons. This is an example of paired (or dependent or matched) samples. The procedures to make confidence intervals and test hypotheses in the case of paired samples are differe nt from the ones for independent samples.Two samples are said to be paired or matched samples when for each data value collected from one sample there is a corresponding data value collected from the second sample, and both these data values are collected from the same source. As another example of paired samples, suppose an agronomist wants to measure the effect of a new brand of fertilizer on the yield of potatoes. To do so, he selects 10 pieces of land and divides each piece into two portions. Then he randomly assigns one of the two portions from each piece of land to grow potatoes without using fertilizer (or using some other brand of fertilizer).The second portion from each piece of land is used to grow potatoes with the new brand of fertilizer. Thus, he will have 10 pairs of data values. Then, using the procedure to be discussed in this article, he will make inferences about the difference in the mean yields of potatoes with and without the new fertilizer. The question arises, why does the agronomist not choose 10 pieces of land on which to grow potatoes without using the new brand of fertilizer and another 10 pieces of land to grow potatoes by using the new brand of fertilizer?If he does so, the effect of the fertilizer might be confused with the effects due to soil differences at different locations. Thus, he will not be able to isolate the effect of the new brand of fertilizer on the yield of potatoes. Consequently, the results will not be reliable. By choosing 10 pieces of land and then dividing each of them into two portions, the researcher decreases the possibility that the difference in the productivities of different pieces of land affects the results.

Small Alex Saves the Big Boys Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Small Alex Saves the Big Boys - Essay Example It was the tradition in that village that the boys had to get fruits from the forest for their families every week. However, the boys were warned never to go near the river as it was believed to be inhabited by giants. Despite his size, Alex would always go with his age mates to gather fruits, as tradition demanded. However, Alex dreaded those journeys with the big boys to the forest. Once in the forest, the big boys would easily reach for fruits on big trees and soon their baskets would be full. On the other hand, Alex always had to struggle to reach the trees and this made him much slower than the others in filling his basket. The big boys would take advantage and go to the river to swim. They would swim and play until they saw Alex coming with his basket and then they would join him in going home. Every time, the big boys would make Alex swear that he would not report them to their elders that they had swum. â€Å"Will you report us to the elders?† they would ask Alex. â₠¬Å"No, I will not! I will never report you† Alex would answer in fright. â€Å"Good, because if you do, we will feed you to the giants the next time we come to the forest! Ha! Ha! Ha!† the group leader would threaten sarcastically. â€Å"Ha! Ha! Ha!† the other boys would join in laughter. Alex really hated himself for being so small and for â€Å"looking like a girl† that he could not defend himself from the big boys. â€Å"God I really hate this body! My hands and feet are too tiny and I am too short!† Alex would always complain whenever he was alone. â€Å"Why can’t I be as big as boys my age? Why can’t I swim with them in the river? Why can’t I defend myself from them?† Alex would wonder to himself and tears would roll up in his beautiful blue eyes. One day, the boys were sent to gather fruits as was the custom. Just like they had done in the past, they quickly filled their baskets then ran to the river to swim, leavin g Alex behind. After Alex had filled his basket, he started strolling down the path leading to river, on the way home. Suddenly, there was a loud roar from behind him. â€Å"HA! HA! HA! HA! Today is my lucky day! I have one more boy to eat!† a loud voice thundered. Alex almost fainted when he turned around. The biggest giant anyone had ever seen was standing right behind him. The giant had one eye, a big mouth, four hands, and two feet. Upon looking closely, Alex saw one of the big boys in the hands of the giant. Alex dropped his basket and started running as fast as he could, calling the other boys. â€Å"I already swallowed all the others, you are next!† said the giant as it swallowed the boy it had been holding. Alex was terrified. As the giant reached out to grasp him, due to his small size, Alex was able to slip through the fingers of the giant and climb up a tree. Up on the tree, Alex remembered a story he had heard. It claimed that giants had one more eye at the back and that if someone hit that eye, the giant would drop dead. To his amazement, Alex realized that the giant had an additional eye at the back of its head. Alex reached out and grabbed a branch, pulled at it with all his strength then hit the giant’s eye. The giant fell with a thunderous sound and Alex climbed down the tree, ran home and informed the elders. Soon, the giant was slain and all the boys it had swallowed were taken out of its stomach. All the big boys thanked Alex for saving their lives and apologized for having mistreated him on previous occasions. That evening, a celebration was held in honor of Alex,

Accounting Information System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Accounting Information System - Essay Example The company is in the process of determining the advantages and drawbacks of automatic feeding of data by the use of the GL software. Data extraction- this is the act of mining raw data from the accounting information system in use by the company. The question is whether the data can sustain numerous needs of the company and the accuracy of the data. Data analysis- after data has been extracted from the system, the company has to enter into the analysis stage where the details of the customers are identified to determine how they could be applied to increase the sales volume of the company. Taking Orders- customers who demand the company’s products were to make order manually, either via telephone or online ordering. This means that the activity of ordering had to be undertaken by the company staff that had to capture the requirements of the customers. Processing orders- after taking the orders, the customer service personnel of top burger had to process the customer orders to ensure that the customers received exactly what they required at the nearest stores. Delivery- burger undertook the activity of delivering their goods to the customers at their doorsteps as a way of gaining competitive edge against their competitors and as a means of increasing their sales volume. Preparation of daily sales- restaurant managers were charged with the obligation of preparing daily sales summaries that were to be electronically submitted to the company administrators the next day. The activity assists in determining the level of sales of the company. System management activities- these are the activities, which involve the maintenance of the IT system to ensure it, worked effectively and smoothly. It also ensured customer integration in the transaction processing system. Promotion activities- promotion is one of the strategies that businesses use in marketing their products to the target market. To achieve this, top burger promoted amateur athletics and other communit y groups to win the loyalty of the community. Question 2 I think that Top Burger business strategy drives the development of its information system. Top burger has the growth strategy that entails increasing their customer base and their lines of products. Growth strategy also involves the improvement of their number of processes. This can be justified as follows: Bob is worried on whether the increasing number of orders could be sustained by the company current systems. This means that the developments in the system is compelled by the increased number of customers i.e. the high activity during peak season require enhancement of information system. The growth in the number of sales propelled the acquisition of new equipment. Bob argued that a new machine would make automatic feeding of data possible and this would increase the pace and quality of service delivery. The multiple activities also made the management review the ability of the information system to facilitate the diverse needs (Roman, 2008). The growth in the number of activities therefore called on the need to develop IT infrastructure. A look at the companies timeline also shows that it was because of the growth record that the company decided to begin making online ordering through the internet in 2003. The first prototype was also opened as the growth continued. Moreover, Bob’s worry is on the ability of the IT system in supporting the business strategy. He is concerned with the limitation of the current system to provide sufficient internal controls, improvements because of the integration and the use of software in supporting

Critical review and evaluation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical review and evaluation - Essay Example ) have the major task of presenting the financial statements which can fulfil the requirements of all the users of financial statements and not only the investors. This report is presented by CFA Institute as guidance to these standard setting bodies to incorporate some major changes in the existing set of financial statements with respect to the investors. The following discussion holds a critical approach as to whether the proposals suggested under this report by CFA Institute are considered and incorporated in the most recent advancements made by FASB and IASB. CFA institute provided this proposal to protect the stake of investors whether equity or debt investors. The aim of the institute was to prepare the financial statements that can achieve the objectives of the investors. However, the financial statements do provide the necessary information upon which the investors can take their decisions, but CFA institute failed to provide more investor specific information which should be included in the financial statements by FASB and IASB. From the above proposal, CFA institute wanted to secure the equity investors as they have the last claim on the assets of the company after creditors and other suppliers of finance. CFA institute holds the view that the equity investors should have the most recent information regarding the off-balance sheet transactions, contingencies and other claims to which they are liable but they are unaware regarding their amounts and magnitude. Similarly, those assets, which act as revenue generating units should also be come on the face of financial statements to provide the equity investors specific information about these matters. If the existing standards are taken into consideration, it can be noted that the amounts in respect of contingencies, off-balance sheet transactions etc are still not provided as the standard setting bodies believe that these areas still lack of measurement due to which they cannot be recognized.

The Importance of Artifact Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Importance of Artifact - Assignment Example For instance, Lithuanian has a game called Blind Chicken and it identifies itself with it in all corners of the world (Kawan 297). Their cultural practices are pegged on this game, and they find much inspiration from it. For this reason, this paper will analyze "Blind Chicken" as a cultural artifact of the Lithuanians society. This artifact is very important for this discussion because of its role in the Lithuanian society and it is very common with children. It is fun playing this game; hence people from this culture appreciate it in whatever circumstance. Similarly, it represents the values of this culture and helps the children during physical and emotional development (Nashleanas 630). For this reason, its characteristics made it worth discussing as an artifact in this society. The Blind Chicken is an outdoor or indoor game played by children, in a safe and free place away from obstacles that might cause them injury. The game is played by children of age 4 to 9 though other age groups can also play and enjoy, and it comprises a group of 3 to 12 players. It is played through blindfolding one player with a piece of cloth and then he or she is expected to find the rest of players within a certain boundary. The blindfolded player becomes the Blind Chicken, who looks after others. The blindfolded individual is expected to walk or run around, capture and identify one or more of the players. Accurate identity relieves the Blind Chicken, and the captured players take the role (Kawan 298). The Blind Chicken game has a long history since it began a long time ago in Europe before industrialization. It began in Eastern Europe among the Lithuanian communities who were poor and did not have toys to play with like other people. This community was destitute and their children used toys made of sisal, clothes, and wood, borne among others (Nashleanas 634).  

Leadership and Mentorship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Leadership and Mentorship - Essay Example On the other hand, a leader is not necessarily a mentor. Although the leader has the decision-making authority yet the subordinates may not necessarily consider him competent enough to make the right decisions. Leadership may not always be like mentorship, which means that the leader may not always have a responsibility of the development of the mentees like a mentor has. For example, servant leadership is a kind of leadership in which the leader works among the followers. Followers and students comply with the instructions of leaders and mentors respectively because they know that doing so would benefit them in some way. In the workplace, workers follow their managers in order to have increments of salary and addition of benefits or to be in a superior position. In the school, students listen to the mentors because they know that their mentors control their academic career, and not complying with the instructions of the mentor might have an adverse effect on their grades. On the oth er hand, leaders and mentors may or may not have personal interest in leading the followers. It really depends upon the circumstances that vary from one case to another. For the leader of a political party, the motivation to lead is intrinsic since the leader’s personal interests are associated with that. ... Likewise, a mentor teaching in a school is just another employee who is assigned the task of teaching a certain subject to certain classes, and the performance of his students depict the effectiveness of the individual as a teacher. Hence, the goal of a leader or a mentor may or may not be of his/her personal interest. An individual can be a leader without being a mentor, but he/she cannot be a good or effective leader until he/she is also a mentor. Not many leaders are able to successfully transfer their knowledge to their followers or let them benefit from their experiences. Leadership is more about the people who are being led than the leader himself. The success of a leader is fundamentally depicted by the level of satisfaction of the followers. The privileges one gets as a leader are obtained not without one’s obligation of service. The leader assumes the prime responsibility of providing the followers with care and stewardship and assuring their well-being. This may be p erceived as the liabilities of being in the position of a leader, but this is all what leadership is about. Had the objective of safeguarding the rights and interests of the followers not been there, there would not have been any need of a leader in the first place. Mentoring is one of the job responsibilities of a leader. One’s obligation as a leader is the development of the followers’ skills and competencies so that they may optimize on their potential to play a constructive role for the progress of the organization they are working for. Without being a mentor, one cannot do justice to one’s responsibilities as a leader. Similarities between Mentorship and Leadership There are many things that a leader and a mentor have in common. The first and the most

Frankl's Notion of Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Frankl's Notion of Life - Essay Example Life will surely give joy and also pain, but meaning does not reside on it. Meaning resides on the very act that man makes in response to those different situations. Man has the power to give meaning to his own life. He has the power to transcend even the most difficult state of suffering. Frankl viewed man with responsibility. Responsibility entails that man has the freedom and is the author of his life. Man is the sculpture of the meaning of his life and has the capacity to give meaning amidst suffering. Responsibility also entails that man has freedom. Even in the most difficult situation, man has the spiritual freedom that no one can take away. This spiritual freedom is a gift that is endowed in man's being. This spiritual freedom is the freedom to respond and act in man's own way. An example on this is the very experience that Frankl had. Amidst being imprisoned, he decided to bear everything for him to able to be reunited again to his family in the future. In his determination to live amidst difficult situations, he still found meaning in his experience. Such response embodied his spiritual freedom. It is an act that many had failed to do in such situations. This notion of man in acting his own way also amidst any situation is also called uniqueness. Uniqueness is the capacity of man that makes him different from others. Although all men have freedom, men are uniquely different in terms of how they use their freedom. No man is of exactly the same response to another man if given the same situation. This entails that every man is unique in his own way. Again, uniqueness is evident in Frankl's own manifestation of freedom. Many prisoners in such difficult situations elected to give up their sanity and even their lives. They have the freedom to give meaning to their own lives but their freedom was used in choosing to give up. Therefore, man has the freedom that entails responsibility. Such freedom and responsibility is then the power give meaning to his own life. For Frankl, it does not matter what man expects from life rather what life expects from man. Hence, man and man alone has the spiritual freedom that no one can take away and this freedom can create meaning and joy even amidst pain and suffering. RELIGION AND SCIENCE AS WORLD VIEWS It is always of a discourse when we try to blend in science and religion. Most people find both as two contrasting paradigms. One paradigm must discard the other in order for one to survive. Both don't want to give up in this battle. Both assert their own bearings and man is left in the middle trying to weigh things on where he is to side. Such reality only adds to man's burden. It does not actually help man but only add burden to man, a confusion that man faces in his journey through life. Such reality must trigger what we call twist, that both paradigms must learn to check and balance each other. Both must learn to set their limits and not overlap to each other. Both must learn to know the boundaries and capacity of their study. They must learn to understand questions as can be catered by religion or science. Such teamwork will give birth to a man who is free from confusion. Each field has their own focus of interest; they are both means to unraveling reality of life. There is no w ay to compare and contrast them because they are not of the same paradigm. They also serve

Manufacturing Engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Manufacturing Engineering - Essay Example Machine operators working on holonic systems focus their activity on complex problem solving (Oborski & Szafarczyk 2001). Fractal and bionic manufacturing ideas propose manufacturing system performance improvement by stressing work organization factors based on autonomous groups. The human operator also plays a vital role in computer integrated manufacturing (Nagalingam & Lin 1999). All of those new manufacturing engineering paradigms are aimed at creating so-called advanced manufacturing engineering systems. In such systems, several factors are decisive for success: technology, information processing and human factor. Moreover, those factors must coexist together. One of the most crucial and not yet appreciated factors in this combination is the cooperation of technical systems and the human operator. The proposed research will be based on advances in socio-technical approach in Manufacturing Engineering. The socio-technical approach to system design was introduced by the Tavistock Institute of Human Relation in London in the early nineteen-fifties.

The Making of a Football Blog Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Making of a Football Blog - Essay Example The author is the one to usually generate the content of a weblog, or blog for short and simple terminology. All blogs have a home on the internet somewhere. That home could be your own website, e.g. http://yoursite.com. But, your blog’s home could also be upon a free blogging site, such as http://yoursite.wordpress.com or http://yoursite.blogspot.com. Even though you have a site for your football blog and are ready to generate content, you still must have a working knowledge of the subject matter that you are writing. For example, if you want to write about your favorite Premier League Football Club your blog could be called the United Ones, Manchester U, Manchester FC, United Biggest Fan, etc. This would not necessarily be the name of your blog to which you would write stories, articles, interviews, game recaps, boxscores, matchup previews, etc. about Manchester United or your favorite Football Club. Generated content is the main thing that is on a blog. You do need to make sure that when generating the content that not only does you have the knowledge of the material that you are presenting, that you are accurate in your spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Lastly, you also want to make sure that the content written on your blog is original and not a copy of anybody else’s work without giving them the credit they so rightfully deserve. Social Media and Blogs Social media can allow for your blog to have increased visibility to gain you more followers than you would have without the use of the social media that is available to you out on the internet. Technology allows us to get information at our fingertips instantly, and social media allows us to instantly connect with another person from anywhere in the world. Using social media, like Twitter and Facebook, in conjuncture with your blog will allow your blog to be visible in places where it might not have otherwise been seen or by people who otherwise would not go searching fo r it. Furthermore, the use of Twitter and Facebook can allow your followers to ask questions more directly and be able to give comments and advice to you about how to possibly improve your blog. Also, if you plan on using a blog with a lot of images within it, then it might be best if you had a photo streaming account with a site like Flickr. This might be useful for a blog about a football club, using images from the team in a photo gallery or highlight reels. With Twitter, you can even keep up with the game live as it is being played down upon the field. Lastly, with the social media of today, you can link one with another so if you are tweeting about the game, then your Facebook account can receive those same tweets posted directly to your wall. Podcasts Another way you can provide information on your blog to your followers is through the use of podcasts. Podcasts are essentially an audio format that is posted onto the web in either QuickTime, WAV, or even Flash formats. These po dcasts can be downloaded and listened to upon an MP3 player for further listening pleasure. With this feature, you can place upon your blog a recorded interview you did with Manchester United’s star, David Beckham about the upcoming match with Wolverhampton about how he feels his club lines up with Wolverhampton.  

European Films & An Analysis Essay Example for Free

European Films An Analysis Essay Films are products of culture. It is a culture woven into a piece of art. Films are like mirrors reflecting certain cultures, and these cultures in turn, are also affected back by these films in which they relate to. In fact, film is considered as one great type of art because of its effectiveness in influencing its audience or film viewers. It is therefore very important to be careful of what should be shown to the viewers though films because of the possible effects that it can do to the public, a social entity that is reemerging from the film with a well-defined historical and contemporary roles and functions. This public is where the film audiences also came from and, audience, is the group where the film is appealing to, influencing them, their thoughts, their ideas and their beliefs as they see their own culture unfolds before them in front of the screen through the motion pictures. It is actually difficult to visualize an instituted and strengthened public/national identity without reinforcement between or among those who are sharing this national identity. The role of films therefore is to relay the information back to those individuals with shared identity, values, culture and many other things in â€Å"their sense of common cultural memory or mutual belonging†1 according to David Forgacs, stated in the book of Ricci. With this high sensibility to the public, more often than not, governments take some, or even much, precautions before allowing some release of films by regulating them or, sometimes, governments take advantage of the films to promote their national goals through the encouragement of some themes in them in exchange to some benefits and privileges given to filmmakers. II. Major European Nations and Their Films It is important to understand that films are generally regulated. Some institutions located in a country or region into where the film is based or created, or the culture of that region or area where the film relates to, must also be considered in the creation of that certain film. Films must also be paralleled or must be aligned with the whims of the regulatory bodies controlling them, or else they cannot be approved for public release and viewing. At present day, these regulations are apparent to some directives given by governing bodies such as the European Union (EU) in European countries. Some of the directive’s provision includes statement such as: †broadcasters reserve for European works the majority proportion of their transmission time†2. This is the general directive. Each country however has their respective ways of regulating and directing their own film industries as well as the films that are to be shown in their respective territories, both in the past and presently. In English film industry in the early eightees, before Thatcher’s intervention, it â€Å"had been generally expected that a Labour government would increase state support for film in recognition of its cultural, and not just commercial, worth† 3 (Hill 1996, 101) Another film industry that can be seen as controlled, making the art as a means to encourage national goals, is seen in the French national film industry where there are quotas as to the percentage of European and American/foreign films that may be shown to the public, and this is claimed to be in accordance with cultural preservation of European values. In Italy however, films are freer and without so much restrictions imposed upon their approval and release to the public. In the early 1920’s Soviet era, foreign films were even utilized for the purpose of its own â€Å"industrys recovery†. 4 The following section focuses on major European nations and their national film forms in depth analyses in their institutional context. This includes the English, French and Italian film industries among others. III. Selected European Films in Their Institutional Context As the Second World War approached, it was believed that the film productions in European areas were random. That was history. Today, aside from the umbrella rules of the recent EU Directive, each nation, especially the greater ones, have their own sets of rules and policies, as well as style and culture in their respective film industries. The following are major European countries/areas and how their respective film industries are with respect to institutional context/

Country Development Comparison: Sweden and Vietnam PESTEL

Country Development Comparison: Sweden and Vietnam PESTEL Table of Contents Vietnam background Political factor Economy Social Technology Legal Environment Sweden Background. Political factor Social factors Technological Factor Legal Factors Environmental factor Intra Analysis of Sweden and Vietnam Political Factors Economical Factor Conclusion References PESTEL ANALYSIS Initially known as PEST Analysis, this is a macro environmental structure used to recognise the impact of the external factors on the institution and is used as strategic analytical technique. PEST stands for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological† factors. Francis Aguilar is referred to as the originator of this tool. He talked about ETPS – Economic, Technological, Political, and Social– as the four important factors for Scanning the Business Environment. Later Legal and Environmental factors were also introduced by some analysts and thus evolved the term PESTLE Analysis. Vietnam background Vietnam is a country situated in the extreme east on the indo-China peninsula. It is the 13th most populated country in the world with 90.3 million people being estimated in 2012. It is one among the fastest emerging countries in Asia. It has a very fast growing economy as many first world countries are being attracted by its resources and Foreign Direct Investment showed an increasing trend for some years. Political factor 2011 Vietnam Communist Party held an eleventh congress in 2011 by which followed an election where the leading party was the Party Central Committee. Following the event, Prime Minister Mr Nyugen Tan Dung retains his former position. Mr Nguyen Phu Trong was elected as General Secretary and Mr Truong Tan Sang as Vietnam’s president. The new party brought about some amendments in the current 1992 Constitution. Companies which have a say to economic development were given certain facilities when the government took some extra tax actions. Also, concerning the conflict between Vietnam and China over the East Sea, some senior bureaucrat of the two countries had to visit each other in order to reduce the pressures. 2012 Following an issue of farmers and villager’s land being confiscated by governments’ officials, the police force used extreme force to combat the riot. Conferences session were held to deal with these problems but no actions was taken to improve human rights which was elaborated in 2011. Prime Minister Mr Nguyen proves his supremacy by restricting citizen from deriving their rights. Economy 2011 The year 2011 proved to be a dynamic year for the Vietnamese economy with the first year of establishment of the Socio-Economic Development Strategy. It aims to boost up the country’s labor force, creating high standards infrastructure and stabilizing the economy. However, the Vietnam Development Report of 2012 showed that in the recent years there was an agitating macroeconomic experience. Vietnam experiences a slow GDP growth of 5.8%, inflation being 11.75% in 2010 to 18% in 2011. Both imports and exports rose and FDI increased as investors were attracted by certain core business of the country. 2012 Following the slowing down of GDP in 2011, 2012 also depicted a slow pace with GDP growing by only 5%. However, inflation decreased as it change from a two-digit figure to one digit figure of 9.1%. FDI inflows witnessed a fall of 4.5% in 2012 and seeing a boost in exports of 18.3% and imports of 7.1%. Social 2011 In vietnam, education is considered to be the key of good moral values and that every person should have a desire for achieving it. Despite having a poor education system, the economy has a highly educated population. The National average population rose by 1.04% (87.84 million) with a working age of 46.48 million which is a rise of 0.12% and constituting an unemployment rate of 2.27%. 2012 Average population rose by 1.06% (88.78 million). Working age from 15 and above rose was 52.58 million in 2012 which Is a rise of 2.3%. Unemployment rate was 1.99% and people’s standard of living decrease by 27.6% to 2011. Technology 2011 Year 2011 illustrated a new implementation of a strategic plan for social and economic development. Vietnam’s government emphasize on the establishment of new infrastural building and thereby constructing new express ways to facilitate the task. This would help to ease the modenisation concept. Various training is being offered to have competent scientist and also the government promoted technological innovation. 2012 Being cost advantageous compared to other countries, Vietnam captured some big economies for investment including South Korea and US technology enterprises. This boosted up the export revenue. One of the major influences was the implementation of Samsung’s mobil-phone plant which totalized an investment of $700 million. Legal 2011 Vietnam was called upon in a conference on the Rule of law to restructure its legal system and bring it into line with the international Human Rights Laws. The Human Rights were only theoretically being used in Vietnam after the war. In 2011, Vuong family created havoc by wounding 6 civil servants. The Prime Minister had to step into the matter so as to solve the case and the Haiphony Government was proven wrong. 2012 The dominance of the ruling party persisted. Human Rights were only proposed in 2011 and it was not given legal force. It did not abide by the international standards even in 2012. Freedom of the population was deprived from them. The police force still do massacre to the general public. Foreign countries tried to step into the matter to reform the legal system but the supremacy of the government remains. Environment 2011 Recent report of the World Bank stipulated that due to rapid economic growth and technological advancement in Vietnam, the environment is being affected significantly. Many natural resources are being deployed. Moreover, 2011 was officially the year where Vietnam Rhino was declared extinct. Also, with the growing urbanization, environmental pollution has increased. Water pollution is the main one as lakes’ area is decreasing sharply while many are disappearing. 80% of lakes are polluted and this called upon environmentalist to take necessary measures to tackle the problem. Vietnam is a country with drastic damages concerning climate change with 257 people missing and dead, 1200 houses being damaged or carried away. The natural calamities caused a loss of approximately over 10 trillion VND. 2012 With the support of US, in 2012 at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Vietnam developed a strategy for sustainable development following the increase in industrial work. Agriculture as a percentage of total national income is declining. Sweden Background Sweden was army powered in the 17th century, but it was no present in any war for almost 200 years. It remained armed neutral in both World Wars. It is a capitalist country. In 2000-02 and 2009 by the global economic downturns it had to face unemployment to a great extent, but fiscal policies were planned and implemented in a way that has permitted the country to survive in economic difficulties. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public disagree to the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. It is located between Finland and Norway. The Population of Sweden is 9,074,055 (July 2010 EST.) Religion is Lutheran 87%, other 13 %( includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) Language of Sweden is Swedish (official), also Sami- and some Finnish talking minorities. About Literacy rate it is observed that age 15 and over can read and write Capital of Sweden is: Stockholm GDP growth rate is 4.5% inflation rate is said to be 1.4% Currency: Krona (SEK) Industries: iron and steel, precision equipment (bearings, radio and telephone parts, armaments), wood pulp and paper products, processed foods, motor vehicles Sweden is retaining its place as the tenth most attractive country in the world that is the result of the 2012 year’s Anholt-GfK Nation Brands Index (NBI), this index measures the global likeness (image) of 50 countries in attractiveness and perceived qualities. Political factor Official name of the country is Kingdom of Sweden Legal system Based on the constitution of 1974 Head of state Sweden has King Carl XVI Gustaf as head of state. The nations legislature is the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag), with 349 participants. Elections are heald on a four year basis but it should be pointed out that the king plays no role in government. In the 2006 election, the Riksdag set a new world record as 47 percent of its elected members were women.The Cabinet is headed by the prime minister. There has not been any major change in the political factor in Sweden between 2011 and 2012. Economic Factor It is going forward to maintain a sound fiscal support, improving greater labour force participation and efficiently increasing the public expenditure would help handling future undesirable events. The industrial as well as the agricultural sectors both play an important role in contributing to the GDP. The estimate of investments in research and development is about 4 percent of its gross domestic product. In 2011 in order to prevent long-term unemployment The efficiency of labour market policies could be elevated by increasing the training, specially those who need it most and getting strength in cooperation between institutions. Reforms in the social benefit and tax systems to provide the right incentives for increasing hours worked. In 2012, Efficient Capital Markets and Portfolio Investment Credit is made available to foreign investors in an unbiased way. The private sector have been given access to a variety of credit instruments. The central bank focuses on increasing the international co-operation. Combined with a well-educated labor force, excellent telecommunications network, and a stable political environment, Sweden has become more competitive as a choice for foreign companies forming a presence in the Nordic region. In the World Economic Forum’s 2011-2012 report, Sweden ranked third out of 140 countries in overall competiveness and productivity Sweden’s economy has strong potential to benefit from growing, technology-driven global competition. Sweden already hosts one of the most globally integrated economies in the world. Sweden’s effectiveness is manifested by large flows of trade, capital, and foreign investment. It is seen as a leader in adopting new technologies and setting new consumer trends. Products can be tested in a market with demanding customers and high levels of technical sophistication. Social factors Sweden’s people in general are very on time. They do not smoke in general public places. It is a custom to remove shoes if a person is invited by a friend or anyone to his/her house. Swedes students are informal but they are always willing to help. It is not a practice to exchange business cards in Sweden. Swedes don’t take generosity for granted they will surely give thanks. Fault to say thank you for something is perceived negatively in Sweden. Competition is not encouraged Maintaining eye contact along with a firm handshake, shake hands with all attendees on both arrival and departure. Call first names when you meet Swedes. These social factors have not change in one year i.e from 2011 to 2012 Technological Factor The image is adapted from The Global Information Technology report of 2010-2011 Hennigan (2011) states that Sweden stands 1st in rankings of The Global Information Technology report of 2010-2011, by the World Economic Forum. The report emphasizes the role of ICT (information and communication technologies) as a facilitator of a more economically, environmentally and socially sustainable world. According to new ranking report published by the UN ITU, Sweden holds the first rank in the ICT Development Index (IDI). Legal Factors Swedish laws provide a variety of types under which a business can be established. The Swedish Law, Act (1992:160) applies to overseas companies functioning some type of business The foreign branch’s president must be living within the European Economic Area (EEA). Each and every business enterprise in Sweden are required to register at the Swedish Companies Registration Office. Trademark must be registered in Sweden so that legal protection can be obtained. The president if, not from EEA country, needs special permission from the Financial Supervision Authority to set up a branch in Sweden Taxes: Swedens taxation structure is straightforward and corporate tax levels are low. Sweden has a corporate tax of 28% in nominal terms. Individual’s income taxes are one of the highest in the world. Since it spends a lot in public finances to reduce deficits. One particular area has been tax reductions to encourage employers to hire long-term unemployed people. There are further deductions for personal income taxes by the government. Profits earned by a Swedish branch of any foreign enterprise may be sent abroad without implication of any tax other than the regular corporate income tax. Incentives: The government also offers specific incentives to set up a business. Loans are also given by the National Board for Industrial and Technical Development (NUTEK) and from regional development funds. The variety of regional support programs are in Sweden like location and employment grants, low rent industrial parks, and economic free zones. There are also several European funds that offer subsidies for starting enterprises and the Swedish Government provides collection of incentives for research and development Environmental factor Sweden was an early adopter of sustainable thinking. Back in the 1960s, it acknowledged that the rapid loss of natural resources had to be deal with, and took a lead in setting up the first UN conference on the environment, held in Stockholm in 1972. Since then it has continued to work actively with environmental issues, both nationally and internationally. In 2011, Sweden had the highest percentage of renewable energy in the EU (over 47 per cent). By 2020, at least half of the country’s energy should be renewable, a target the Government says is within reach. Sweden has implemented a water management program in 2012. Tap water is drinkable, and in the summer you can swim in central parts of the capital, Stockholm.Although Sweden is a frontrunner in environmental policy, the Government recognises that there is plenty of room for improvement. For 2013-2016, Sweden will allocate approximately SEK 22 billion to environmental measures. Intra Analysis of Sweden and Vietnam Political Factors Unlike Sweden with a sound and stable political state, that of Vietnam is quite unstable. Vietnam’s political party shows its supremacy upon its citizen by depriving them of their human rights. Sweden can be said a country where its political factor would be less risky that Vietnam. Following the comparison of year 2011 and 2012 of the two countries, Sweden proved to be consistent where as to correct the Vietnamese political stability various countries had to step forward. Economical Factor Economic stability is of great concern to countries. Vietnam encounters a very fluctuating macroeconomic state with drastic changes. Sweden has a stable economic state as its figures do not change by a quite large amount. Vietnam with such agitation could be vulnerable to crises. This makes the economy poor and may lose investors’ confidence. Sweden on the other hand has a good economy and can boost up investors’ confidence. Being among the top competitive and productive countries in the world, investors are easily attracted. Social Factor In comparison with Vietnam, Sweden can be said to be more socially stable. Swedes are well repute for their moral values. It has a highly educated population with high prospect of flourishing as the people are back up by their government. Vietnam on the other hand also has a highly educated population but do not have the means available to ameliorate their living standard as year 2012 showed a decline. Sweden with its determination and perseverance became the third out of 140 countries for being competitive and productive. Technological Factor Sweden being a country of high level of technology has a major advantage over Vietnam. The latter is now on the path of major technological advancement. Many efforts have been done to flourish its technological innovation. It is in 2011 and 2012 that the government is opening itself to new technologies and is constructing the required infrastructure whereas the case of Sweden is very different. Sweden is rank number one in information, communication and technology. Its telecommunication services is among the best due to high technology. Legal Factor Both Sweden and Vietnam encourages companies and individuals to prospect via tax cuts. Sweden is considered a country which is well known due to its high individual taxes and its large public sector. It encourages companies to hire persons by reducing corporate tax thereby reducing unemployment rate. Its government also helps to promote small and medium enterprises. Environmental Factor Sweden is the first country to adopt the sustainable development approach. It organises various conferences on environmental issues, the first one held in Stockholm. It has a clean environment where tap water is drinkable and it has the highest level of renewable energy in EU. Vietnam is on the other pole where pollution affects its water resources badly. Tap water is not consumable as its lakes are over 70% polluted due to industrial operations. Conclusion Sweden is a developed country and this can clearly be seen from the PESTLE analysis. Swedish society has developed an exclusive culture with a robust work code and strong ethical attitudes regarding the appealing of welfare benefits. There is also a great level of trust and social consistency. At present Sweden is now putting emphasis on its tertiary sector, more precisely on its financial sector. Vietnam on the other hand is a developing country still trying to struggle with its primary and secondary sector, its main goals are to establish a continuous trend in its macroeconomic factors such as GDP and inflation. The difference between these two countries is eye catching and there is technically no way that in the near future they will be on the same level even if Vietnam development is at a more than average pace.

Change On Food Production Environmental Sciences Essay

Change On Food Production Environmental Sciences Essay Agriculture is highly dependent on specific climate conditions. Moderate warming and appropriate carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may help plants to grow faster. But more severe climate change such as global warming, floods, drought, and hail may reduce yields. According the survey, from 1981 to 1990, the average global temperature has increased 0.48  °C than 100 years ago. If greenhouse gas emissions continue the warming will also continue, with temperatures projected to increase by 1.4  °C to 5.8  °C between 1990 and 2100. (Richardson et al. 2011) Increases in temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) can be beneficial for some crops in some places. But to realize these benefits, nutrient levels, soil moisture, water availability, and other conditions must also be met. Higher CO2 levels can increase yields. The yields for some crops, like wheat and soybeans, could increase by 30% or more under a doubling of CO2 concentrations. The yields for other crops, such as corn, exhibit a mu ch smaller response (less than 10% increase). However, some factors may counteract these potential increases in yield. For example, if temperature exceeds a crops optimal level or if sufficient water and nutrients are not available, yield increases may be reduced or reversed. Crops grown in the United States are critical for the food supply here and around the world. U.S. exports supply more than 30% of all wheat, corn, and rice on the global market. Changes in temperature, amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather could have significant impacts on crop yields. Warmer temperatures may make many crops grow more quickly, but warmer temperatures could also reduce yields. Crops tend to grow faster in warmer conditions. However, for some crops (such as grains), faster growth reduces the amount of time that seeds have to grow and mature. This can reduce yields (i.e., the amount of crop produced from a given amount of land). (EPA 2012) All the problem need to have fast and effective ways to be solve well. In the text will talk other country use what solution to decre ase the damage and to protect the crop. Global warming has a serious impact on agricultural production, according to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) research report pointed out the vulnerability of agriculture to climate warming performance of consumption in the worlds largest of several major varieties of grain, wheat, cereal, corn and rice are particularly sensitive to high temperature, decreased production will cause food shortages. (CGIAR 2012) World Agro forestry Centre chief ecologist Dr. Lewis à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Will Carter report pointed out that the impact of climate change on agriculture in developing countries, for example, Chinas agricultural production, the main crops are rice, wheat and corn, warming irrigated and rain-fed spring wheat production decreased by 17.7% and 31.4%, respectively, the average corn production will cut 3% -7%; (Chiras 2012) warming will accelerate microbial decomposition of soil organic matter, resulting in the decline of soil fertility, implementatio n of the pesticide will increase and extend the crop growing season, so that not only increase agricultural costs, and affect the safety of the food. (Cline 2007) Solution: straw technology is a stimulation of soil fertility, not only put an end to the air pollution caused by straw burning, and fattening yield beneficial to help improve its agricultural production. Warming mainly due to the atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, and N2O) concentration increased CO2 is the main greenhouse gas, straw as a carrier material, energy and nutrients, is a valuable natural resource, straw is the straw is not directly feed directly or accumulation composting facilities into the soil in a way, the use of straw technology can improve soil properties, accelerated adobe aging and improve soil fertility by affecting soil microbial biomass and microbial communities, and changes in soil physical and chemical properties, such as the many ways to increase the intensity of soil respiration, thereby increasing soil carbon dioxide emissions, and can direct compensation the consumption potential fertility of the soil, the biological cycle accelera ted soil material to promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the soil improve nutrient supply conditions to promote the increase of soil organic matter and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other content, improve soil moisture holding capacity, boosting crop resistance. On the other hand, the mechanization of straw including straw chopper compiled pressure to field a variety of forms, the whole rod feature is convenient, fast, low-cost and large area of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹soil fertility advantage; it has been one of the more mature technologies. (Meng et al. 2008) After 1760s Industrial Revolution, release more carbon dioxide, resulting in melting snow to make more floods and influence food production. For example Yangtze river is the highest frequency of floods in China, one of the infestation of serious natural disasters, (Wanfang Data 2012) so for solving the problem there are two ways, reducing carbon footprint and construct dam in the Crop-growing areas, use the reservoir to control flood. (Luo 2002) So for reducing carbon footprint, first is China government encourage factories to emission gas after Purification of carbon dioxide, second is government investment research new energy. If carbon footprint can reduce success, may not have too many floods and food production will increase. For preventing to reduce food production from floods, China government built Three Gorges Project from 1994 for protect the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River , although Three Gorges Project has Flood control, power generation and shipping, inclu ding flood control, are considered the core benefits of the Three Gorges Project. So make sure protect Crop-growing areas. (Baidu 2012) When the climate change ,it also make the drought Frequent occurrence, a lot of Crop-growing areas food production sudden reduce, people can increase food production for solving the problem , and there is a scientist did very well in this, he created a new kind of rice, Yuan Longping, Studied of hybrid rice technology from 1964, three lines supporting in 1973, bred the first hybrid rice South High Yielding Combinations excellent No. 2 in 1974, developed in 1975, the success of hybrid rice cultivation technology for the large scale hybrid rice laid the foundation.  ¼Ã‹â€ Zhuang 2008 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ ° For increasing food production we need to promote the cultivation of Yuan Longping hybrid rice. Yuan Longping went to eight countries recent years including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, France, Britain, Italy, Egypt, Australia, has been invited to give lectures, teach techniques, participate in academic conferences or technical cooperation and research international academic acti vities 19 times. Hybrid rice go to the world, the United States, Japan, the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina and more than 100 countries have introduced hybrid rice and we need do better. (CCTV News 2012 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ ° Internationally, the effects of climate change on agriculture and food production are likely to be similar to those seen in the United States and China. The effects of climate change also need to be considered along with other evolving factors that affect agricultural production, such as changes in farming practices and technology. As the reader understanding from the text, some solutions and create ways are from experts, but not all of the famers have high education and high skill to save the low food production because of climate change. Many farmers because there wasnt enough agricultural knowledge lead to reduce the number of crop production. Such as China, Farmers average education by lack of fixed number of year 7 years. In nearly 490 million rural labor force, the primary school culture degree and illiteracy semiliterate accounts for 40.31%, the junior middle school culture degree of 48.01%, high school culture degree of 9.7%, technical secondary school culture degree 2%, abov e college culture level accounted for only 0.52%. (Dong et al. 2006) If can not improve the education quality of famers that will effects the agriculture development. These phenomena get the attention of the government. A lot of local agriculture bureau has begun to action, they launch a training course teach farmers better cultivation of food, and also answer famers question about plant the crop. The agriculture bureau also distribution of free technology books to farmers about pollution-free vegetables cultivation and the quality and safety of agriculture products. Through the training, improve the farmers science and technology quality, training they rely on science and technology to increase food production. The government also hope famers use their new knowledge to create the new varieties can grow up in the different climate, and overcome the severe environment change to make food production problems to minimum. (HNXNC 2012)

the origin of electoral college Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the United States of America, the presidential election takes place every four years, on the first Tuesday of November [1]. Most people believe they are directly voting for the presidential candidate, and the person with the most popular votes will win the election. However, instead of voting for the presidential candidate, people are voting for the electors, individuals who vote in the Electoral College. Moreover, the total electoral vote, not the popular vote, actually determines the winner of the United States presidential election. The election of the year 2000 is a perfect example of the Electoral College. President George W. Bush won the presidential election of the year 2000 with more electoral votes, not popular votes. Before the presidential election of year 2000, most people pay no or little attention to the electoral votes, because most people do not understand the concept of the Electoral College, or even did not know there the different between po pular votes and Electoral College.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before continue to discuss about the Electoral College, we must first understand the history of Electoral College and the concept of how does it work. The Electoral College system was established in Article II, section I, of the U.S. Constitution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers as a compromise between election of the president by Congress and election by popular v... the origin of electoral college Essay -- essays research papers fc   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the United States of America, the presidential election takes place every four years, on the first Tuesday of November [1]. Most people believe they are directly voting for the presidential candidate, and the person with the most popular votes will win the election. However, instead of voting for the presidential candidate, people are voting for the electors, individuals who vote in the Electoral College. Moreover, the total electoral vote, not the popular vote, actually determines the winner of the United States presidential election. The election of the year 2000 is a perfect example of the Electoral College. President George W. Bush won the presidential election of the year 2000 with more electoral votes, not popular votes. Before the presidential election of year 2000, most people pay no or little attention to the electoral votes, because most people do not understand the concept of the Electoral College, or even did not know there the different between po pular votes and Electoral College.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Before continue to discuss about the Electoral College, we must first understand the history of Electoral College and the concept of how does it work. The Electoral College system was established in Article II, section I, of the U.S. Constitution.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers as a compromise between election of the president by Congress and election by popular v...

Justice And Injustice Essay -- essays research papers

In The Republic, the great philosopher Plato attempts to reveal through the character and dialogues of Socrates that justice is better when it is the good for which men must strive for, regardless of whether they could be unjust and still be rewarded. His method is to use dialectic, the asking and answering of questions. This method leads the audience from one point to another, supposedly with indisputable logic by obtaining agreement to each point before going on to the next, therefore, building an argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interestingly about the work of Socrates is that its not known very well, since nothing was recorded during his time. Everything that we know about Socrates has come through the writings of his greatest pupil, Plato. Socrates was a man that revolutionized philosophy and how to approach his surroundings. One of Socrates greatest findings as a philosopher was that he admitted that he knew nothing, which to others, specifically the Delphic Oracle led them to believe that there were none wiser than Socrates. Socrates techniques as a philosopher came about with his abilities to question others. His line of questioning, to see why everything had a purpose drew a crowd of younger people, which leads us to The Republic, where Socrates encounters some questions for him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Socrates had two young listeners posing questions of whether justice is stronger than injustice, and what each does to a man? What makes the first good and the second bad? In answering this question, Socrates deals directly with the philosophy of the individual's goodness and virtue, but also binds it to his concept of the perfect state, which is a republic of three classes of people with a rigid social structure and little in the way of amusement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Socrates reiterates the concept of justice over and over again it all comes to his discourse on the perfect city-state, which seems a bit off the mark, considering his original subject. However, one of Socrates’ main points is that goodness is doing what is best for the common. It is greater good as opposed to that of individual happiness. There is a real sense in which his philosophy turns on the concepts of virtue, and his belief that ultimately virtue is its own reward. His first major point is that justice is an excellence of character. He then se... ...uite compassionate. Since happiness is the sign of justice, and pleasure is one sign of happiness, then the just person is the happy person. Socrates then equates true pleasure with knowledge, the province of reason and the philosopher.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Within Book X, In The Republic, Socrates argues for the existence of an immortal soul. With this plead, he makes the point that good is that which preserves and benefits. Justice is good, so it therefore preserves and benefits in this life as well as the next. Therefore, even though a man may wish to behave badly when no one is looking, as with the myth of the ring of Gyges, according to Socrates, by behaving justly we will have the most rewards. Eventually, the difficulty with Socrates' arguments is that they rely on associating things on to the next in a chain that eventually leads back to the original proposition. But, the logic of these connections seems built more on assumptions than on objective truth. Thus, within keeping his stance that ultimately what he says is right is right because he is a philosopher, and therefore is by his nature right. The dialectic seems more of a game to get the audience to go along.

Laptops - Dell, Apple, HP Essay -- Economics Dell Computers Technology

Laptops - Dell, Apple, HP Supply is the amount of a product suppliers are willing to make and sell at a number of possible prices. The firm that I have chosen are a multinational company called ?Dell?. My firm that I have chosen to use produces many products such as; computers, handheld computers, laptops, printers, mouse and keyboards, flat monitor screens. It also sells computer accessories and separate repair parts like; hard-disks, DVD-RW drives. It sells products like CD-RW and DVD-RW disks which you can copy movies or games or songs onto them, they sell these as complementary goods of a DVD and CD player. Dell?s type of ownership is a multinational company whose firm objectives are to have profit growth and ?to cease an increase in their product sales?, meaning they get a bigger part of the market demand for that particular product. They are an incorporated company as in they do have USA or UK parts to their company. E.g. their internet sites, they have separate internet sites like .co.uk and .com for all around the world. There is something called VAT/tax levied on their products, which is 17.5% on top of their selling price. The VAT/tax does not actually belong to Dell, it belongs to the government, and this is how the government get their money to dish out to separate parts of the market to help hospitals so that the public get satisfaction of safety. I have enclosed a catalogue at the end of this essay for evidence on all of there products. Demand is the amount of a product demanded by customers at a certain price over a certain period of time. Customers seek to gain satisfaction from each purchase they make, which links in with the ?feel good factor?. To be an effective demand consumer m... ... What types of computers have you seen advertised and are broadcasted either on the television or the radio that you can remember? 3. When you have gone abroad, have you noticed any of Dell?s adverts or promotional campaigns anywhere? 4. Have you ever bought any of Dell?s products that were on special offers? 5. Where did you hear about Dell? 6. What shops do you know that sell Dell?s products? 7. When talking about computers is Dell ever mentioned? I have completed a survey at PC World, which sells all sorts of varieties of computers laptops and computer equipment in general. I then recorded many laptops of each make they had on show in their store. Dell 28 Hp 21 Acer 16 Apple 7 So as you can see from this set of results. I then asked the manager of the store and he told me that the best selling laptop was Dell.

Tradgedy After Winning the Lottery

Annotated Bibliography Topic: Tragedy after Winning the Lottery Emory McClard Nissle, Sonja, and Tom Bschor. â€Å"Winning The Jackpot And Depression: Money Cannot Buy Happiness. † International Journal Of Psychiatry In Clinical Practice 6. 3 (2002): 183-186. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. In the article, Bschor and Nissle claim that desirable or positive life events might influence the course of a psychiatric illness, just as the negative do.The authors discuss how winning the lottery developed the depression of two patients, how hitting the jackpot made them consider suicide, and how receiving over one million dollars has only affected their life negatively. Bschor and Nissle go into a discussion involving ideas about how a positive desired event has hidden risks behind the newly won possibilities, which caused the outbreak in these two cases. Both cases recorded marriage problems, family conflicts, and financial difficulties. Suicidal thoughts were present beca use both patients felt a sense of guilt and inferiority.Bschor and Nissle are organized, knowledgeable, and very clear about their key points. Annin, Peter. â€Å"Big Money, Big Trouble. † Newsweek 133. 16 (1999): 59. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. In this article, Annin states that â€Å"big money brings big problems. † He discusses multiple negative outcomes from a particular case in 1998 such as friends no longer speaking to the jackpot winner, the new found millionaire being banned from particular areas, and former friends filing for law suits against him.Annin discussed further about how the lottery winner has gone into hiding by removing his telephone number from the phone book, buying a shredder for unwanted mail, and doing his from inside his home. Annin is clear about his points, but not very descriptive. The author clearly stated his points, yet wasn’t as detailed about the winner’s story. Ellen Tumposky, et al. â€Å"The High Cost Of Winning. † People 61. 10 (2004): 150-154. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Jan. 2012.In â€Å"The High Cost of Winning,† Tumposky’s claim is how millions of Americans wish to win millions of dollars in a jackpot, but there are plenty of cases of the lottery winners have unfortunate cases. She discusses how this sudden burst of money can lead to ironic bankruptcy, nasty divorces, broken families, and even hiring hit men. One case describes how a 36 year old man’s lottery money was stolen, forcing him to file for bankruptcy. Another story talked about how her long term boyfriend took advantage of her. One man was drugged, robbed, and arrested. One man was divorced and eventually committed suicide.Another married man sued his wife for not telling him about the win, she was stripped of her entire winnings. The final tale is of a family issue that resulted in the winner’s brother hiring a hit man. Tumposky’s article is interesting yet also ver y informational. Her summaries of the events told the story, yet cut out all of the unimportant details. Douglas, Geoffrey. â€Å"Fortune's Fool. † Yankee 62. 12 (1998): 76. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. In the article, Douglas tells the reader even the luckiest people can lose it all in the blink of an eye.He discusses the points of error in which this lotto winner was a victim. Things like his sexuality, alcoholism, relationships, and risk-taking personality got him into trouble after he won 5. 86 million dollars. As a boy, Mike Allen was very different. Even his (so-called) friends would tease him. When he won the lottery he began to give and give and give to everyone who asked. His husband ended up filing for divorce and suing him. His money was flashing before his eyes. He ended up in a $30 motel room, dead. All he was left with was a sweatshirt over his beaten face. They took jewelry, a wallet, a car, and his clothes.Douglas’s story was entertaining , but he wasn’t clear about his thesis and main points. Helyar, John. â€Å"Cold Cash. † Money 28. 4 (1999): 144. Academic Search Premier. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. In this story, Helyar’s point is that life after the lottery can be miserable. Helyar tells a story of a two people who tried to win the lottery. He discusses further about their past together, the fortune events, the sad events, and the miserable times that came after winning the lottery. Helyar is a good author and is very descriptive, yet he is extremely verbose. John did tell the entire story, yet he failed to take out the less important events.

The Silver Linings Playbook Chapter 29

My Movies MontageExplaining how I conditioned Tiffanys routine and became an sensitive bouncer would be difficult mostly because our re realizesals ar ample and grueling and extremely bore. We do the very(prenominal) little issues anyplace and over once again endlessly. For example, if I had to lift a thumb in the air for the routine, Tiffany would charter me do it a thousand ms each single sidereal day until I could do it to her liking on com gentlemand. So I exclusivelyow for sp are you most of the boring details. To make things flush so more than(prenominal) complicated, Tiffany has command me to document our re discoversals in any radical manner that would solelyow others to steal her upbringing techniques. As she wishs to open up a studio some(a)day, she is very guarded almost her methods and her choreography too.Luckily, as I am st wileing to write this part, I retrieve that in both one of his films, whenever jolty necessitys to become a foun der boxer, they tape clips of him doing one-arm propel-ups, cartroad on the beach, punching slabs of meat, caterpillar track the stairs of the art museum, gazing at Adrian lovingly, or beingness yelled at by Mickey or Apollo Creed or even Paulie all plot of land his writing variant plays, which is perhaps the greatest phone claim in the world, Gonna aviate Now. In the uncut movies, it only takes a few transactions to cover workhebdo grims of training, and yet the audience free understands that a lot of preparation went into the essential development of Rockys boxing skills, even though we only render to take on a few clips of the Italian Stallion operative hard.During a therapy session, I hire fall what this movie technique is heralded. He has to call his wife, Sonja, on his cell phone, only she bonks the dish out and nonifys us that what I am nerve-racking to describe is called a montage. So that is what I am instantaneously discharge to fabricate be low, my movies montage. maybe youll want to play Gonna Fly Now on your CD player, if you ingest a copy handy or you could put on any song you find inspiring and run down on to the music. Music is non required, however. Okay, here it is, my montageIn anticipation of our tumid executeance, Im running a little double-quick with Tiffany every day. We wedge ourselves, and when we germinate to the park, we sprint the coating nautical cubic centimetre to her house and get dec storefully perspirationy. I always grow Tiffany, because I am a man, yes, exclusively as well because I am an excellent runner. face me pumping iron remove press, point lifts, sit-ups on the Stomach maitre dhotel 6000, bicycle riding, squats, knuckle travail-ups, curls the works. bootlick Tiffany yells. So I sneak on the hardwood stand of her saltation studio. C vulgarl alike you contrive no offshoots and you lay downnt eaten for 2 weeks and theres a single apple in the core of th e room and a nonher(prenominal) man with no legs is also kowto get ong toward the apple. You want to crawl faster, still you gougenot, because you are maimed. desperation flows out of your face like sweat You are so afraid you expire alone not get to the apple earlier the other legless man He leave behind not share the apple with no, no, no. Stop Youre doing it all rail at Jesus Christ, Pat We only set out got four weeks leftJeanie, I hear my sustain say. He is in the kitchen eating his boomfast. I am on the basement stairs listening. wherefore does Pat taut his eyeball and hum every succession I mention the Eagles? Is he deviation crazy again? Should I be concerned?Whats this I hear about(predicate) you missing the Saints congest up? Jake says through the recollect when I call him back one-time(prenominal) after 1100 p.m. He has called ii nights in a row, and the note my stick left for me on my pillow read Call your brother back no matter how late. IMPORT ANT. Dont you want to see what Baskett does this week? wherefore are you hum?When you are a jumpr, you are allowed to put your hold anywhere on your partners body, Pat. Its not sexual. So when you do this first lift, yes, your hands leave be cradling my ass and crotch. Why are you pacing? Pat, its not sexual its fresh bounce.See me pumping iron bench press, leg lifts, sit-ups on the Stomach Master 6000, roulette wheel riding, knuckle push-ups, curls the works.Im Okay, Pat. Im kip downing fine. Youre leaving to drib me a few times while were learning the lifts, entirely its not because youre not strong copious. You pick up to sum of money your ornament directly at the base of my crotch. If you bring me to get more specific, I willing. Here. Ill show you. Put out your hand.Your mother orders me you will not discuss Eagles football with your wherefore are you humming? decrease asks. I did not mention that certain saxophonists name. Whats this all about?I never idea I would say this, but peradventure you should con officer taking a break from your trip the light fantastic toe training and stick with the game with Jake and your dad, my mother says. You lie with I scorn football, but you and your sky pilot seemed to be make a connection, and Jake and you are effective get back to being brotherly again. Pat, entertain displace humming.For the second lift you need to look up at me, Pat. oddly barely in the first place I go into the flip. You dont eat up to look at my crotch, but you have to be ready to push up so Ill get more height. If you dont give me a push when I bend my knees, I wont be suit up to(p) to complete the flip and will belike crack my head open on the floor.I have you keister hear me through the humming, Pat. Look at you my let says. Curled up in your bed, humming like a child. Birds lose by a field goal in New Orleans, and your boy Baskett had zip fastener catches. Zilch. Dont mean your bound through the game didnt fall the outcome.You look like a developmentally challenged snake You are supposed to crawl with your arms not slither or wiggle or whatever the fuck you are doing down there. Here. Watch me.In anticipation of our big performance, Im running a little faster with Tiffany every day. We push ourselves, and when we get to the park, we sprint the last mile to her house and get really sweaty. I always beat Tiffany, because I am a man, yes, but also because I am an excellent runner.Whats Tiffany retentiveness over you? Ronnie says. We are in my parents basement. I have already spotted him as he benched one wimpy sixty-pound rep, and now he is taking a break. This is a perplexity visit disguised to look like a prework lifting session. I told you to protect yourself. Im notification you, Pat, you dont know what that woman is confident of. My sister-in-law is capable of anything. AnythingYoure making the sunlightlight with your arms. In the center of the stage, you represe nt the sun. And when you make the huge hatful with your arms, it has to be slow and deliberate and like the sun. The dance is one days expenditure of sun. You are going to rise and traffic circle all onstage to the flow of our song. get word?I want you to scold to Tiffany and tell her its crucial for you to watch the Eagles game with your father, florists chrysanthemum says. Please cede humming, Pat. Please, reasonable snag hummingThe second lift is the hardest by far, as it requires you to go from a diddlyshit slope to a standing position with me standing on your hands, which will be just above your shoulders. Do you regard youre strong enough to do this, because we tail assembly do something else if you are too weak, but lets try it now and well just see.Why is this dance aspiration so important to you? Cliff asks me. I look up at the sun painted on the ceiling of his office and smile. What? he says.The dancing lets me be that, I say, and point up.Cliffs eyes fo llow my finger. It lets you be the sun?Yes, I say, and smile again at Cliff, because I really like being the sun, but what allows clouds to have a silver lining. Also, being the sun is what will provide me with the opportunity to write letters to Nikki.Please stop humming into the phone, Pat. Im on your side here. I understand wanting to learn an art for a woman. Dont you remember my playing the voiced for you? unless the difference is that Caitlin would never ask me to miss an Eagles game, because she knows its more than just football to me. I toilet hear you tush humming through the phone, Pat, but Im just going to keep verbaliseing, all energyily? Youre acting crazy, you know. And if the Eagles lose tomorrow against the Buccaneers, dada is going to value you curst the Birds.Okay, you know your routine roughly, anyway. So now I want you to watch mine. Ill say lift when its time for one of your lifts, just so you know when theyre coming. precisely dont worry, because as big as you do your routine, Ill make sure we merge up with the lifts. Okay?Tiffany is in leotards and a T-shirt like every other day, but she transforms her face just before she pushes play on the CD player. So solemn. Those sad piano notes and those both dueling voices fill the room, and Tiffany begins to dance scenicly but sadly. Her body moves so gracefully, and it is only now that I understand what she means by crying through movement. She jumps, she rolls, she spins, she runs, she slides. She yells Lift and whence falls to the floor dead, only to sally out upward in resurrection when the music picks up again. And her dancing is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I could watch her dance for the rest of my life, and stran jellyy, observation Tiffany soar around the dance floor makes me expression like I am floating over waves with baby Emily. Tiffany is that secure.Your father has stopped eating dinner with me, Pat. Hes not taking walks with me either . Ever since the Eagles lost to the Buccaneers, hes back to his Pat, enrapture stop humming. PatIn anticipation of our big performance, Im running a little faster with Tiffany every day. We push ourselves, and when we get to the park, we sprint the last mile to her house and get really sweaty. I always beat Tiffany, because I am a man, yes, but also because I am an excellent runner.I dont think you understand how a good deal this means to my sister, veronica says, and I am shocked to see her and baby Emily in my basement gym. Do you know that since Tommy passed, she has never asked her family to see her dance? In concomitant, for dickens years shes illegalize us from att oddment any of her performances. just now this year she thinks she is going to perform cleanly enough to invite her family shes convinced, in event and while I am rejoicing to see her so happy, Im afraid to even think about what she index do if you guys screw up the performance. Shes not a stable person , Pat. You do understand that, right? You do understand that your performing badly will result in months of expert depression? So I need to ask you how are the rehearsals really going? Do you truly think you can captivate? Do you?Before I turn off the lights, I survey into framed-picture Nikkis eyes. I see her freckled nose, her strawberry blond hair, her full lips. I osculate her so umpteen times. Soon, I say. Im doing everything I can. I wont let you down. Remember Forevers gonna derail tonight.See me pumping iron bench press, leg lifts, sit-ups on the Stomach Master 6000, bike riding, knuckle push-ups, curls the works.The Asian attack will pick you up at Cliff nods at me and smiles. Ah, the humming again. Your mother tells me you wont talk to anyone about Eagles football, but you arent seriously going to miss a home game, are you?The most important thing is to make the lifts look effortless, as if you are holding up air. I should appear to be floating. Understand? G ood, because I need you to stop shaking during the routine, Pat. You look like you have fucking Parkinsons disease, for Christs sake.How does a four-and-one squad lose leash games straight? popping yells down from the top of the basement steps. A team that beat the Dallas Cowboys handily? A team with a first-ranked offense and more sacks than any other team in the league? You can hum all you want, Pat. But that dont change the fact that you took the good luck away from the Birds and are dilapidation our seasonSee me pumping iron bench press, leg lifts, sit-ups on the Stomach Master 6000, bike riding, knuckle push-ups, curls the works.Okay. Not bad. You got the creeping down, and one of the lifts doesnt look awful anymore. But we only have a week left. Can we do this? Can we do this?I bought you a present, Tiffany tells me. Go into the pulverization room and try it on.In her studios washroom, I remove a pair of yellowness tights from a plastic bag. Whats this? I call out to T iffany.Its your outfit. Put it on, and well have a dress rehearsal.Wheres the shirt?Again, Tiffany says, even though it is 1041 p.m. and my elbows musical note as though they big businessman explode. I am dancing on raw nerves. I am dancing on bone. AgainEleven fifty-nine p.m. Again, Tiffany says, and then takes her place at the left side of the studio. Knowing that arguing is no use, I drop to the floor and prepare to crawl.This might tickle some, Tiffany says just before she slides her tapdance lady razor through the neaten cream coating my chest, and then she shows me how much hair is in the teacup she rinses the trade name in. I am lying on a yoga mat in the middle of her dance studio. My chest is covered with some shield of green aloe shaving gel that turns white when you make foam. Being shave by Tiffany sort of makes me sapidity strange, as I have never been shave by a woman before and have never had my torso shaved at all. When she lathers me up, I close my eyes, an d my fingers and toes vibration wildly.I sort of express mirth each time she shaves a line of hair off my chest.I sort of giggle each time she shaves a line of hair off my back.We want those muscles to light like the sun onstage, right?Why cant I just wear a shirt? I say, even though in a weird sort of way I secretly esteem being shaved by Tiffany.Does the sun wear a shirt?The sun does not wear yellow tights either, but I do not say so.In anticipation of our big performance, Im running a little faster with Tiffany every day. We push ourselves, and when we get to the park, we sprint the last mile to her house and get really sweaty. I always beat Tiffany, because I am a man, yes, but also because I am an excellent runner.Two days before the competition, just before we are about to perform the routine for the twenty-fifth time that day twenty-five being Tiffanys favorite image she says, We need to do this flawlessly.So I try my best, and as I watch bits of our routine in the m irrors that surround us, I think, We really are dancing flawlessly I am so brainsick when we finish, because I know we will win particularly since we have improved ourselves so much with sacrifice and hard training. This mini-movie will have a happy ending for sureBut something about Tiffanys way is off as we take our water system break. She is not yelling at me, nor is she victimization the f-word, so I ask, Whats wrong?How legion(predicate) hatful did you recruit to come to the competition?I asked everyone I know.Veronica tells me your family is mad at you for abandoning the Eagles.Not my mom.Im worried that if we dont get enough fans there to root on for us, the decide might be swayed by another dancers larger fan base. We might not win, and then I would not be able to act as your liaison, Pat.Maybe if you are not doing anything tomorrow night, you might want to bring your wife and children to my dance recital, I tell Cliff. Weve really got a good routine, and I think we can win if only we have enough audience support, and I dont think that my father or brother will be likely to show up, so by and by tomorrow night, youll be done with these long rehearsals?Yeah.So you will be able to go to the Redskins game on Hmmmmmm. solely tell me this, if I go to the dance recital, will you go to the Eagles game with us on Sunday? The Asian Invasion misses you, and truthfully, we sort of feel like youve cursed the Eagles by abandoning them mid-season. Poor Baskett has only caught two balls in the last three games and had zero catches last week. And the Birds have lost three straight. We miss you down at the Linc, Pat.I cant talk about that subject until my dance recital is over tomorrow night. I can only say that I need to recruit as many people as possible to cheer for Tiffany and me so the judges will be swayed. Let me just say that triumphant is really important, and Tiffany says that crowd reaction can sway the judges.If I come, will you talk to me about that-thing-you-are-not-allowed-to-talk-about after your performance?Cliff, I cant talk about that until after the performance. hale then, neither can I tell you whether I will be at your performance, Cliff says.At first I think he is bluffing, but he doesnt bring up the subject again, and by the end of our therapy session I feel as though I have blown my shot at acquiring Cliff to bring his wife to my recital, which makes me feel very depressed.Hello, youve reached Jake and Caitlins machine. Please leave a message after the beep. Beep.Jake. Sorry to call so late, but I just got done rehearsing. I know that you are mad at me because you think I jinxed those-people-who-make-me-hum-at-the-present-moment, but if you bring Caitlin to my dance recital, theres a chance I might be able to do that thing we used to do on Sundays, especially if you cheer for Tiffany and me very aloud. We need people to cheer for us, because the judges are sometimes swayed by the audience. Its really importan t that we win this competition. So as your brother, Im asking you to please bring your wife to the billet Beep.I hang up and redial the number.Hello, youve reached Jake and Caitlins machine. Please leave a message after the beep. Beep.Thats the Plaza Hotel at Hello? Is everything okay?Its Caitlins voice, which makes me nervous, so I hang up, fully realizing I have blown my shot at getting Jake to come to my dance recital.Pat, you know Ill be there. And Ill cheer so loudly for you, but winning isnt everything, my mom says. Its the fact that you were able to learn to dance in only a few weeks that is impressive. retributive ask Dad, okay?I will. But I dont want you to get your hopes up. A dance recital is not something he would have attended even if the Eagles won the last three games.