Human Trafficking And The United States Essay - 1475 Words

Human trafficking doesn’t happen in third world countries only. It doesn’t just happen to poor people and it certainly doesn’t solely happen to women. It is present here in the USA but it is hidden, and even worse, so are their victims. They are everywhere yet invisible. They are silently crying for our help through their eyes and smiles. According to Polaris, â€Å"†¦the prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States is still unknown, we do know that women, children, and men are being sold for sex against their will in cities and towns in all 50 states†. Human trafficking can happen to anyone even to Theresa Flores, the author of â€Å"The slave across the street†(â€Å"Sex trafficking† 2015). An average 15 year old American girl, coming from a privileged background and a respected family became a victim of sex trafficking and through her book, she convinces us that human trafficking doesn’t have a specific demographic. Theresa was a good catholic girl. Her faith was important to her. She went to mass on Sundays, her mom was very involved in the community and her dad had a very important job. Her family was the normal American family. Her dad’s job required them to move around a lot and because of that she never had true friendships. One day her family moved to Birmingham and her life changed dramatically. In her new school, Theresa had a crush on an older Chaldean boy named Daniel, little did she know that that this innocent crush will turn her life into nightmare. Chaldeans had aShow MoreRelatedHuman Trafficking And The United States1066 Words   |  5 PagesHuman trafficking has always been a though subject. Most Americans prefer to believe that this is a problem of the past, that it simply does not occur anymore. Others accept the fact that human trafficking exist, but in a far away reality, an incident homed only in poor, third world countries. This couldn’t be farther away from the truth. Human trafficking is a real and current problem in the United States, California being a hotspot for this issue, and with the Super Bowl in 2016 the problem willRead MoreHuman Trafficking And The United States1417 Words   |  6 PagesEach year about 17,500 individuals are brought into the United States and become victims of human trafficking. Every country has this problem and it has b ecome the 3rd largest illegal industry worldwide. Human Trafficking is the trade of humans mainly for sexual slavery, but also forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker and sometimes others who take part in this act. Human trafficking is also used for organs or tissues, including surrogacy, ova removal, or making theseRead MoreHuman Trafficking And The United States962 Words   |  4 Pagestakes for cases to be prosecuted and to gain protections is very extensive. Intensifying the existing laws to better defend human trafficking victims is critical.The United States Government, in 2000, certified the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. This act helps prosecute traffickers and support victims. Since then the number of recognized victims of trafficking has risen as well as trials and social service providers working with survivors. Because of this it gives researchers anRead MoreHuman Trafficking And The United States Essay1585 Words   |  7 PagesLooking the other way while close to 50% of the human trafficking in the United States end up in prostitution, what is going on in these states. The over sexed country does not help to stop it when we constantly promote sex in almost every aspect of life. People are losing their life to find a way to get to the United States through different forms of smuggling. Are these the people that we should be letting get in this country? Right under our nose the women, girls are being coerced into prostitutionRead MoreHuman Trafficking : The United States1740 Words   |  7 PagesHUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE UNITED STATES: WHY SOME STATES HAVE MORE HUMAN TRAFFICKING CALLS THAN OTHERS INTRODUCTION Human trafficking is a growing endemic affecting an estimated 35.8 million men, women, and children around the world annually, as reported by the Global Slavery Index (GSI). The United States is not immune to this problem and has successfully identified 21,434 cases of human trafficking through the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline since 2007. As with crimes of thisRead MoreHuman Trafficking : The United States1250 Words   |  5 Pagessomeone talks about child trafficking? Do you think of children from third world countries being kidnapped or sold into the black market of human trafficking? Most of us probably think of human trafficking as being an issue that poor countries just have but, that isn’t the case. Human trafficking is alive and sadly thriving in the United States. According to Trafficking Source Center, 5,544 cases of human trafficking were reported in the United States in 2015. With human trafficking being around for soRead MoreHuman Trafficki ng And The United States Essay751 Words   |  4 PagesFACT SHEET Human trafficking in the United States Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern day slavery, is an affront to the most basic of human freedoms. Human trafficking is a crime that strikes at the very heart of the American promise: freedom. In response to this abhorrent crime, government agencies and nongovernmental organizations have formed strong and growing partnerships aimed at ending this violation of fundamental civil rights and human dignity. 1. WhatRead MoreHuman Trafficking in the United States1603 Words   |  6 Pagesother countries to people in the United States. Imports and exports to and from the U.S include products as wide ranged as food, clothes, and even people. Human trafficking is a worldwide problem, including the United States. Currently, there are approximately 20.9 million people enslaved throughout the world with 2.5 million located in the United States. About 14,500 - 17,500 of foreign nationals are trafficked into the United States every year (Human trafficking statistics). These statistics showRead MoreHuman Trafficking in the United States2403 Words   |  10 PagesHuman Trafficking The United States has always been known for sticking their nose in places where it does not belong. America has been part of wars that could have been avoided, scandals that had nothing to do with the United States. Millions of lives over the years could have been spared if America would have just simply stayed where they belong. What if though, America feels like they have to get involved in forging affairs if they think it can cause or is causing a problem on American soil orRead MoreHuman Trafficking : The United States2136 Words   |  9 PagesHuman trafficking is a prominent problem within the United States that is often overlooked. The definition of human trafficking is, â€Å"Human trafficking - the illegal practice of procuring or trading in human beings for the purpose of prostitution, forced labor, or other forms of exploitation† (â€Å"Human trafficking†). People in the United States believe that human trafficking is a problem that occurs in other less dev eloped countries compared to the United States. What these individuals do not realize

Succubus Revealed Chapter 8 Free Essays

It was hard to believe that in only a couple of days I’d gone from doubting my transfer was real to suddenly signing on to be in a Las Vegas stage production. Things happened so fast that it was easy to get swept along, and Bastien and Phoebe’s gleeful encouragement just made things happen that much more quickly. Shape-shifting took care of my clothing problem, and Bastien soon left us, allegedly to go get a drink and try his hand at the blackjack table. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Revealed Chapter 8 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Once he left the theatre, though, Phoebe leaned over to me conspiratorially and whispered, â€Å"Here’s a wager for you. How much do you want to bet he comes back with a glow?† I laughed and whispered back, â€Å"I won’t take that bet. Are you sure you haven’t worked with him before?† Admittedly, an incubus looking to get laid wasn’t that far of a stretch, but I liked how adeptly Phoebe was able to pick up on my old friend’s personality quirks. â€Å"Nah,† she said with a smile. â€Å"I’ve just known his type.† Other dancers began trickling in. Phoebe introduced us as they arrived, and most were friendly and excited to have someone new in the group. They weren’t yet at their full number needed for the show, so everyone was anxious for that to happen. I brought them one step closer, though it surprised me they were still short. From my experiences, there were always groups of girls lined up to try to make it in show business. Phoebe confirmed as much. â€Å"Oh, yeah, tons have tried out. And you should have seen them at the beginning, when they first did the open casting. Matthias is just really selective, that’s all. Cornelia – the head choreographer – is just as bad.† â€Å"And yet he took me on a five-minute audition,† I pointed out. Phoebe grinned. â€Å"Sweetie, he just knows talent when he sees it. Besides, he’s in charge of this gig. If he says you’re in, you’re in.† Matthias wasn’t the only one running the show, of course. Along with the dancers came other management and staff, like the aforementioned Cornelia. Everyone had a part to play. The rehearsal was fast-paced and aggressive – but also lots of fun. Phoebe hadn’t been joking. The other dancers were good – really good. It had been a very long time since I’d danced with any sort of group, even longer since I was with one of such caliber. I was used to being the standout at anything dance related, and it was a surprise – a good one – to find myself surrounded by so many equals. I had to work to keep up with them on the first day, and even if I didn’t walk out as an instant star, I left confident that I’d held my own. Before I could go, one of the show’s costumers asked to take my measurements backstage. Phoebe told me she’d go hunt down Bastien and meet me at the casino’s central bar. The seamstress appeared with her tape measure, and I made a mental note of my height for future shape-shifting. Matthias came by, carrying his notes, and paused when he saw us. â€Å"You did really well today,† he told me. â€Å"It’s like you’ve been with us from the first day.† â€Å"Hardly,† I said. â€Å"I’ve still got a lot to learn. Especially in the fourth song. The steps are deceptively simple . . . but there’s a certain attitude you’ve got to hold to pull them off. No, maybe not attitude. Grace? Vibe? I can’t explain it, but the simplicity’s what makes it so genius. It seems like such a basic pattern, but how it’s executed is what truly brings out the beauty.† I was thinking aloud, just sort of rambling, and realized that I sounded kind of ridiculous. â€Å"Sorry. That probably doesn’t make any sense.† â€Å"No, no.† Matthias stared at me wonderingly. â€Å"That’s exactly it. That’s how I intended it. I was inspired by watching classical ballet, how all the moves are amplified by the emotion put into the routines. Cornelia said it was crazy to try to think that deep for a show like this, but it just felt right.† â€Å"It’s beautiful,† I said honestly. â€Å"I can absolutely see where you were going with it. Reminds me of something from La Bayadre.† â€Å"You know La Bayadre?† he asked, wide-eyed. â€Å"Of course,† I said. â€Å"It’s a classic. Who doesn’t?† â€Å"You’d be surprised.† I realized then that the seamstress had left, having achieved her goal. Matthias was still regarding me in amazement. Now that they weren’t focused on the clipboard, I was able to see how blue his eyes were. They were like the sky on a clear, crisp day. â€Å"Are you busy tonight?† he asked a few moments later. â€Å"Would you . . . would you like to go get dinner? Or even just a drink? I’d love to talk dance more with you.† For a succubus, I could be surprisingly na?ve sometimes. Because for half an instant, I almost accepted. I was so keyed up after the rehearsal and so excited to talk more about the show that I actually briefly thought that was all he wanted to go out for. Now, I don’t mean to imply that his motives were totally base either. He wasn’t using this as a ruse to simply get me into bed. But he also wasn’t treating this as a meeting of colleagues. Bottom line: he liked me. I’d peaked his interest, and he wanted to go out on a date. Normally, that wouldn’t have been a problem . . . except, there was something I sincerely liked about him. He was cute, and I found his passion for his work endearing. I loved how he kept getting wrapped up in it, totally consumed and distracted like – Seth. And there was the problem. This guy was the choreographer version of Seth. A one-night fling with some sleazy guy who meant nothing wasn’t cheating in the eyes of our relationship. But for me to go out with a guy I liked, that I found intriguing and attractive in the same way I found Seth . . . well. That was wrong, especially since Matthias was obviously interested in me. It was a strange situation to be in, one I hadn’t expected. â€Å"Oh, that would be great, but my friends and I already have plans,† I told him. â€Å"We’re trying to make the most of my trip since it’s so short.† â€Å"Oh.† His face fell a little, then brightened. â€Å"But you’ll be back for tomorrow’s rehearsal, right? It’d be great if you were able to get in the steps one more time before you left town. You know, give you something to practice.† â€Å"Sure,† I said. â€Å"That’d be great.† The rest of the evening went by in a blur of activity. Phoebe joined Bastien and me in a whirlwind tour of Vegas highlights, which included a lot of casino and club hopping. Phoebe and I both donned skimpy, glamorous dresses, playing up our succubus sex appeal to its maximum. We draped ourselves on Bastien’s arms, and he swaggered around even more than usual, smug with the envy he got over showing us off. After hours of this, I was ready for some downtime. Phoebe and Bastien had a quick consultation and decided that if we hurried we could make the late performance of a magic show they knew. â€Å"Magic?† I asked, more than a little tipsy from vodka gimlets. â€Å"Don’t we live a magic show?† â€Å"Damn near,† said Bastien. He was ostensibly still being gallant in offering me his arm, but it was unclear who was really holding whom up. â€Å"There’s something special about this show, I’ve heard.† There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. The three of us made our way to a modest, off-Strip hotel I’d never heard of. It still had alcohol and slot machines in its casino, which was probably all that mattered to most of its customers. Bastien bought us tickets to see The Great Jambini, and we hurried into the small theater – which was about half-full – just as the lights went down. A mediocre comedian did the warm-up act, and soon the star attraction himself came out. He had graying hair and a bright purple silk turban, along with a sequined cape that could have come straight from the wardrobe department at Sparkles. He kept tripping over its hem, which led to my first observation: he was totally drunk. A second observation soon followed, once I realized there were more immortal signatures in here than just mine, Phoebe’s, and Bastien’s. The Great Jambini was an imp. He started off with some standard card tricks, receiving half-hearted applause from the audience. These were followed by juggling, which I found remarkable simply because of the concentration it required from someone so obviously intoxicated. He didn’t miss a move. I think the other members of the audience shared my opinion because their applause warmed up. Inspired by this, Jambini then made a great show of setting his juggling pins on fire. This brought the applause to a standstill, and some of the people in the front rows shifted uneasily. â€Å"Is that a good idea?† I murmured to my friends. â€Å"It never is,† remarked Phoebe. â€Å"What do you mean nev – â€Å" Within thirty seconds after lighting the pins, Jambini had begun juggling . . . and promptly set his cape on fire. People gasped and screamed as he flung it off him onto the stage. Considering its cheap material, I was kind of surprised the cape hadn’t ignited faster. He stomped on it until the flames were out, and I saw a few stagehands on the periphery ready with fire extinguishers, just in case. Once the cape was a black, smoldering mess, he lifted it up. A dove emerged from underneath it, flying up into the air, much to the awe and delight of the spectators. â€Å"It was part of the show,† I breathed, equally impressed. â€Å"Yup,† said Phoebe. Jambini reached for the dove, which just barely slipped past him. It circled around the room, then swooped low into the audience. Along the way, it sideswiped a woman whose hair was elaborately French braided. The dove’s foot got tangled in her hair, and it soon became trapped, beating its wings frantically to escape as she leaped up and began screaming. â€Å"Was that part of the show?† I asked. â€Å"No,† said Phoebe in awe. â€Å"But it really should be.† Within seconds, the stagehands were out in the audience, where they were able to remove and confine the dove. They escorted the woman off as well, heads bent low as they murmured apologies. The Great Jambini made a flourish-filled bow, much to the delight of the crowd. Everyone loves a wacky mishap. He performed a few scarf tricks, most of which went off without a hitch, and then came to stand in the center of the stage, face grave. â€Å"For my next trick, I need a volunteer.† His eyes fell on our corner. â€Å"A lovely volunteer.† â€Å"Oh, he noticed us,† said Phoebe, with a sigh. She raised her hand, along with others in the audience. When I did nothing, she elbowed me until I raised my hand as well. After a great show of examining all the volunteers, Jambini strode up to our table and extended his hand to me. Bastien and Phoebe whistled and cheered, urging me up. I was a little nervous about being set on fire or attacked by birds, but it was hard for me to refuse an audience. I accepted Jambini’s hand and let him lead me up to the stage, while thunderous applause rang out around us. â€Å"Just shape-shift into any outfit that comes to mind,† he muttered in my ear, his breath heavy with the scent of gin. Once we were on center stage, he took the microphone and kicked into showman mode. â€Å"Now, my lovely assistant here . . . what is your name, lovely assistant?† I leaned toward the microphone. â€Å"Georgina.† â€Å"Georgina. What a lovely name. And so, lovely Georgina, all you have to do is allow yourself to be receptive to the awe-inspiring, truly mystical powers of my magic. If you do, wondrous transformations will occur.† I nodded in agreement, and more cheering ensued. Jambini walked over to his prop table and returned with a curtain attached to a hoop and a handle. When he held it up by the handle, the curtain hung down in a way that created an enclosed cylinder, completely concealing the person inside. I obligingly stepped forward, letting the folds of fabric hide me while Jambini gave a â€Å"magical countdown.† In those brief seconds, I shape-shifted my sparkly cocktail dress to the first thing that came to mind: my green foil elf dress. Jambini whipped the curtain away dramatically, revealing me in my new attire. People gasped and clapped with delight, and I gave a bow almost as showy as his. Encouraged by the response, Jambini declared, â€Å"One more time.† I stepped back into the curtained enclosure and changed this time into black jeans, a silver-sequined top, and a woman’s tuxedo jacket. When he pulled back the curtain, the applause faltered a little bit before increasing to a frenzy. I’d seen these types of tricks performed before among those not gifted with shape-shifting, and usually performers simply shifted between loose dresses, items easy to get on and off. My choice of clothing kind of defied the logic of those familiar with how the trick worked. But, hey. This was magic, right? â€Å"Show-off,† Bastien told me when I returned to my seat. â€Å"Hey,† I whispered back, watching Jambini attempt to swallow a knife. He’d gotten about a third of the way there before he started coughing. With a shrug, he finally gave up and simply bowed to delayed applause. â€Å"These people deserve something for their money.† Jambini – or Jamie, as I later learned he was really named – was much more appreciative of my performance. My group met up with him in the hotel’s drab bar after the show. â€Å"Switching to pants was genius,† he told me, knocking back a glass of gin. I had a sneaking suspicion that the show’s actual performance was the longest he went without a drink on a given day. â€Å"People are going to be scratching their heads over that one for days.† â€Å"Maybe too much,† warned Bastien. â€Å"You’ll make mortals suspicious.† I shrugged, unconcerned. â€Å"This is Vegas, baby. No one’ll question it. Besides, weirder things happen all the time.† Jamie was nodding along eagerly. â€Å"And that tacky holiday dress too? That was great. Really god-awful. You know, if you’re moving here, I could totally hook you up with a job as my assistant.† He chuckled. â€Å"People would probably get more out of seeing you than my tricks.† â€Å"That wouldn’t surprise me in the least,† said Bastien, straight-faced. â€Å"Well, thanks,† I said, â€Å"but I think I’ve got more jobs than I need. Phoebe already set me up with something.† â€Å"Poacher,† said Jamie. The other succubus laughed as she stirred cherries around in her cocktail. â€Å"Hey, I can’t help it if I – â€Å" A familiar aura spread through the room, and Phoebe fell silent. We all turned as one, watching as Luis entered the bar. Even mortals, who couldn’t feel him like we could, paused and watched him stride through the room. There was just something that powerful and compelling about his dark presence. â€Å"Boss man,† said Jamie, holding up his glass in a mock toast. â€Å"You just missed my amazing performance.† â€Å"I’ve seen your shows before,† said Luis, sitting down and beckoning the bartender over. â€Å"I don’t think I really missed anything.† â€Å"Georgina was his ‘lovely assistant,’ † teased Phoebe. â€Å"Oh?† Luis paused to place his order and then turned toward me. â€Å"Pray tell, what did you do to wow them? Set some scarves on fire?† â€Å"Just some run-of-the-mill shape-shifting,† I said modestly. Jamie started in on his second gin glass. He’d ordered two when we sat down. I guess he didn’t want to risk waiting the extra few minutes it would take to pour another. â€Å"That trick is always best with succubi. Even with a plant and a prepped costume, it never goes off quite as well. I used to have this girl who worked with me when I lived in Raleigh, and she did okay, but you could tell people knew how the whole get-up worked.† Alcohol was buzzing through me pleasantly, and I’d slowed down my consumption so as not to lose my head. Somewhere in that warm haze, Jamie’s words tickled a memory. â€Å"Raleigh . . . when were you in Raleigh?† â€Å"I moved from there a few years ago. I was there about . . . oh, I don’t know.† He took a sip of gin, perhaps to help his math skills. â€Å"Not that long. Twenty years. I did some good soul brokering, but really, my talents were better appreciated here, you know?† â€Å"When you were there, did you know a vampire named Milton?† I asked. Remembering my conversation with Hugh while I was in the middle of a cheap Vegas bar was weird – but no weirder than hearing Raleigh mentioned twice this week. â€Å"Milton?† Jamie’s eyebrows rose, and some of his good humor dimmed. â€Å"Yeah, I know him. Scary son of a bitch. Looks like – â€Å" â€Å"Nosferatu?† I suggested. Jamie nodded solemnly. â€Å"How anyone as blatantly vampire as him got by as a covert operative is beyond me.† Phoebe frowned. â€Å"Did you say ‘covert operative’?† The waiter appeared then with Luis’s drink. Luis motioned for him to stay and glanced around at the rest of us. â€Å"Refills? Another gimlet or cosmo? Jamie? You’re drinking Tanqueray, right?† Jamie looked offended. â€Å"Beefeater.† Luis rolled his eyes. â€Å"That’s ridiculous and disgusting. Bring him some Tanqueray.† â€Å"No!† exclaimed Jamie. â€Å"Beefeater. I’m a purist.† â€Å"You have no discrimination,† countered Luis. He looked back at the confused waiter. â€Å"Bring one of each. We’ll have a taste test.† The waiter looked relieved and hurried off before someone else contradicted the orders. â€Å"It’s a waste of time,† said Jamie. â€Å"No offense, boss man. You’ll see.† Luis was unmoved. â€Å"Beefeater’s for peasants.† â€Å"Jamie,† I tried, â€Å"about Milton – â€Å" â€Å"Peasants!† I don’t think Luis could’ve insulted Jamie more if he’d called his mother names. â€Å"Beefeater is a refined drink, for a refined palate. You know I have infinite respect for you, but clearly, despite your years of worldly experience . . . well . . .† Jamie drunkenly groped for an eloquent way to finish his speech. â€Å"You’re wrong.† Luis laughed, something I couldn’t help but think Jerome most definitely wouldn’t have done if one of his subordinates said he was wrong. â€Å"We’ll see, my friend. It’s a complex matter really, coming down to an analysis of both base ingredients and the distillation process.† â€Å"Jamie – † I attempted again. â€Å"That,† declared Jamie, â€Å"we can both agree on. And Beefeater is vastly superior in both.† â€Å"Give it up, Fleur,† Bastien told me in a low voice, eyes twinkling. â€Å"You can’t compete with gin. Better luck tomorrow.† I started to protest, but further listening to Luis and Jamie’s debate told me Bastien was right. Jamie was so fixated on defending his gin’s honor that I doubt he would’ve even remembered me asking about Milton. â€Å"Will he be sober tomorrow?† I asked skeptically. â€Å"No,† said Phoebe. â€Å"But he’s usually a little less drunk during the first half of the day.† The gin arrived, and Luis and Jamie became totally consumed with conducting â€Å"scientific† examinations on it, involving scent and surface tension. I didn’t really see how the latter made that much of a difference in a taste test, but they seemed to think it was a pretty serious matter. â€Å"Dear God,† I murmured, amazed. Bastien finished off his cocktail. â€Å"When things turn serious, it’s time for me to leave. What do you say, ladies? Would you like to go search out the clubs for some companionship ?† â€Å"I’ve got an early day tomorrow,† Phoebe said with regret. â€Å"I should probably just go home now. But you’ll be at practice tomorrow, right?† â€Å"I guess so,† I said. â€Å"I told Matthias I would.† Despite ostensibly being involved in liquor analysis, Luis glanced over at the sound of the company manager’s name. â€Å"Oh? Did you arrange the introduction?† I nodded. â€Å"Phoebe got me signed on.† Luis looked pleased. â€Å"Excellent. Are you happy with it?† The question surprised me, but then I remembered his earlier comment upon my arrival, about how he wanted happy employees. â€Å"I think so. I think it’ll be a lot of fun.† â€Å"Good. And what did you think of Matthias?† That one was really a surprise. â€Å"I thought he was nice. Do you know him?† â€Å"Only by reputation,† said Luis. I was about to use the interruption to ask Jamie about Milton again, but before I could, Luis effortlessly slipped back to gin science, effectively blocking me from the imp’s attention. Tomorrow, I decided. â€Å"You know,† said Phoebe slyly. â€Å"I could help you find Matthias if you wanted to see him tonight.† Even afloat on vodka gimlets, I still knew the right and wrong surrounding any sort of casual romance with Matthias. If I was going to hook up with anyone while I was here, it wasn’t going to be anybody I would ever consider seriously. I flashed her and Bastien my best saucy succubus smile. â€Å"Nah, too tame. I’m not here to settle down yet. Let’s find something wilder and do this Vegas weekend right.† Bastien whooped with joy and caught hold of my hand. As he led me away, telling me about â€Å"this perfect dance club,† I caught sight of Luis’s face. He was nodding at Jamie, still seemingly interested in their debate . . . but there was something about the satisfied, knowing smile on Luis’s lips that made me think it wasn’t just the gin he was so happy about. How to cite Succubus Revealed Chapter 8, Essay examples

Repetition in Camus free essay sample

A discussion of Camuss view of the completion of tasks as seen in two of his works. The concept of a task to be completed as portrayed in literature is addressed through an examination of two of Camuss works, The Guest and The Myth of Sisyphus. The concept of a task to be completed in literature is one that is revered highly. Hercules, for instance, is immortalized by virtue of his labors: he is presented with challenge after challenge, and though he struggles at first, somehow he prevails despite weaknesses, betrayals and even the gods wrath. In Abraham Cahans The Rise of David Levinsky, the protagonist rises from poverty and discrimination to running his own successful business by the end of the novel. Camus, however, takes a different tilt on tasks. His view is that tasks and challenges endure and victory comes in how one deals with the daily repetition and lack of respite: the mettle of his characters is measured in their ability to deal successfully with tasks that persist despite all efforts to escape them. We will write a custom essay sample on Repetition in Camus or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page

Smashing Pumpkins free essay sample

I recently went, for the first time, to a concert and had the honor of seeing the Smashing Pumpkins. Waiting outside the New Haven Coliseum fueled my adrenaline rush. This was a feeling of excitement I never had encountered. The doors opened and the crowd rushed into the arena. My friends and I quickly located our seats and counted down the minutes until the Pumpkins performed. After the intermission between bands, the lights went out as the crowd roared to a deafening tone. Then the lights flashed on, and there stood the icon of alternative music. The concert was underway as the Smashing Pumpkins played many of their songs from the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album. The music sounded better live than on any sound system. The audience seemed to be synchronized in a jumping beat as Zero blasted from the speakers for their opening song. Everyone in the coliseum was jamming. We will write a custom essay sample on Smashing Pumpkins or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As the concert progressed, the selection of songs began to bore me. Many I had never heard before. Many great songs from their latest album were omitted, which was a great disappointment. When the Pumpkins came out for their first encore, the music was okay but barely got my attention. Their second encore was even worse as they just made noise instead of music. It seemed as if they were teasing the crowd as they spoke of playing Landslide, then said they would not. If I had been left to decide if the Pumpkins should have to put on an encore, I would have said No! Overall, I would have to give the concert a grade of a B because although they started off well, they ended the concert poorly

Nursing Accountability Vte Essays

Nursing Accountability Vte Essays Nursing Accountability Vte Essay Nursing Accountability Vte Essay Running head: NURSING ACCOUNTABILITY Nursing Accountability Sarah Redmond Grand Canyon University Professional Dynamics NRS-430V July 24, 2011 Nursing Accountability Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a disease that includes both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). More than 2 million Americans suffer from VTE each year, with over half of these individuals developing their VTE in the hospital or in the 30 days post hospitalization. In a large registry trial capturing more than 5,450 patients at 183 sites over a 6-month period, 50 percent (2,726) developed their VTE during hospitalization. Nurses are accountable in helping change the practice of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. There are many risk factors that can cause VTE including recent hospitalization, surgery, prolonged immobility, recent travel, trauma, and certain conditions including heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and clotting disorders. In our study, waist circumference was more predictive of a VTE than body mass index. We also found that heavy smoking predicted a VTE, whereas hypertension did not (Hansson et al. , 1999). There are pharmacological and non pharmacological ways to protect patients in the hospital setting. Using these in conjunction with each other is the overall safest method. Non pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include early ambulation, sequential compression devices (SCD), and compression stockings. Early ambulation promotes venous return and helps minimize length of stay in hospitals. Compression stockings and SCDs help prevent venous stasis. A recent systematic review found that graduated compression stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression devices, and foot pumps reduce the risk of DVT in surgical patients by two thirds when used in monotherapy and by an additional 50% when added to drug prophylaxis (Roderick et al. 2005). Pharmacological methods of VTE prophylaxis include anticoagulants such as low molecular weight heparin, unfractionated heparin, and vitamin k antagonists. These medications are given to prevent clot formation, not to actually dissolve the clots. It’s important to know which patients are at greater risk and which type of prophylaxis should be used. In most hospitals there is a VTE protocol that is followed to determine the risk level of patients and which prophylactic measure to implement. It’s important for medical personnel to help develop and implement these VTE protocols. These protocols should be mandated in every hospital at time of admission. Doctors need to review VTE risks for patients and order which prophylactic measure to use along with admission orders. In addition to the doctor’s risk assessment for VTE, nurses should assess their patients for risk factors and signs or symptoms. If prophylactic measures are not ordered, nurses can ask the doctor if they feel prophylaxis is warranted or make them aware. Quality improvement teams can be initiated throughout hospitals. Team members can help develop, improve, and review VTE protocols to make sure they are being ordered and are effective in prevention. There are many ways nurses can be accountable in the prevention of venous thromboemobolisms. Nurses can walk high risk patients often and help patients perform leg exercises without a physician’s order if not contraindicated. Proper measurement and correct application of compression stockings are essential to their performance, so helping the patients with this would be beneficial. There should be frequent assessments of patient’s skin integrity, pulses, and comfort when using compression stockings. Patient education is very important in the prevention of VTE. Nurses should make sure patients understand reasons for the different prophylactic measures and make them aware of signs and symptoms to watch for. Proper medication administration of anticoagulation agents is essential, as with any other medication. It’s important to have the patient’s exact weight, because even the slightest wrong dose of some of these anticoagulants can be very detrimental and even kill a patient. To make sure these medications have a purposeful effect, it is important to teach the patients how to take them properly. Nearly two-thirds of 9,675 medical patients at risk for venous thromboembolism received no inpatient pharmacologic prophylaxis, and more than 98% received no outpatient prophylaxis, a retrospective analysis showed (Wendling, 2010). Prophylaxis is the most important way to prevent these deadly venous thromboembolisms from forming. References Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2011). Retrieved from ahrq. gov/qual/vtguide/vtguideapa. htm Hansson, P. O. , Eriksson, H. , Welin, L. , Svardsudd, K. , Wilhelmsen, L. (1999). Smoking and abdominal obesity. Archives of Internal Medicine, 159(16), 1886-1890. Roderick, P. , Ferris, G. , Wilson, K. , Halls, H. , Jackson, D. , Collins, R. et al. (2005). Evidence based guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism. Health Technology Assessment, 9 Wendling, P. (2010). Many at-risk patients lack VTE prophylaxis. American College of Chest Physicians. Retrieved from chestnet. org/accp/article/chest-physician/many-risk-patients-lack-vte-prophylaxis

Andersons View of The Grotesque

Anderson's View of The Grotesque In The Book of the Grosteques, the first story of his novel Winesburg, Ohio, Sherwood Anderson introduces the concept of the â€Å"grotesque.† This concept sets up the following stories in the novel, and can also be seen in other modernist texts following the publication of Winesburg, Ohio. Anderson specifically traces the birth of the grotesque back to a time when the world was pure, and a conglomeration of vague thoughts formed beautiful truths: â€Å"Man made the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great many vague thoughts. All about in the world were the truths and they were all beautiful† (Anderson 12-14). However, people began to take up these truths and attempted to make them their own. What resulted was a distortion of these truths: they were turned into lies, and the people themselves became grotesque upon attempting to own these truths. The moment one of the people took one of the truths to himself, called it his truth, and tried to live his li fe by it, he became a grotesque and the truth he embraced became a falsehood† (Anderson 15-17). In developing his idea of grotesqueness, Anderson not only provides a key into how to read Winesburg, Ohio, but also articulates a way to portray characters by reducing them to a single characteristic. Modernist authors following Anderson, specifically Virginia Woolf and William Faulkner, latched onto this notion and created characters who defined themselves by a singular truth. Although effective, the implementation of this type of character as one-dimensional and symbolic becomes problematic in its oversimplification. These characters represent particular aspects of humanity, but the humanity is lost on them due to their lack of complexity. There is a distance between the reader and the read, because they are not believable, organic characters only caricatures. In her novel Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf expands on Anderson’s notion through the character of Peter Walsh. Woolf’s approach differs from Anderson’s in that some of her characters are grotesque in order to display the complexity of other characters, such as Clarissa Dalloway. The juxtaposition of Peter Walsh and Clarissa Dalloway positions Peter as an inadequate foil. They are by no means equally represented; Peter’s follies and vanities are exaggerated. Instead of sympathizing with Peter, we are disgusted by him. Clarissa is allowed both faults and triumphs, and her character is constructed as a human being rather than as a gross distortion of a few human characteristics. To follow suit with Anderson, Peter Walsh â€Å"snatches up† the truths of romantic love and youth. His dripping sentimentality serves as a threat to Clarissa’s impenetrability. Because Peter’s grotesque character is created to embody these truths, readers begin to conflate romantic love with his portrayal. This leaves few alternatives for love in the world of Mrs. Dalloway. The reader spurns Peter in favor of Clarissa, who has no room for this type of love: â€Å"Peter is her version of that repulsive brute with blood-red nostrils, human nature, and of that sexual and spiritual defilement it demands—that passionate and penetrating and soul-destroying love† (Spilka 332). Peter vacillates between resenting Clarissa and loving her completely. Clarissa’s powerful yet subtle presence is able to bring proud Peter to his knees, despite his superficial background of â€Å"journeys; rides; quarrels; adventures; bridge parties; love affairs; work’ work, work† (Woolf 46). Clarissa’s maintenance of a private self is perceived by Peter as â€Å"coldness.† However, when Woolf gives us such limited options, between Peter’s maudlin love and Clarissa’s platonic, subtle love, we choose Clarissa each time, in fear of the penetrating and soul-destroying love† that Peter represents and in favor of Clarissa’s â€Å"privacy of the soul† (Spilka 332; Woolf 138). Peter’s constant self-aggrandizement creates an unflattering portrait of an older man in love who has not yet matured. One of his more unflattering moments occurs during his chase of the young woman dressed in black. During this chase he views himself to be â€Å"an adventurer, reckless, he thought, swift, daring, indeed (landed as he was last night from India) a romantic buccaneer, careless of all these damned proprieties†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Woolf 57). For the one-dimensional Peter, this woman is a one-dimensional symbol of his youthful fire, which he revels in. After nearly two pages of this illusion, Peter gives up the chase in order to revel in the fantasy. The reader experiences the predictable, appalling deflation: â€Å"The girl, silk-stockinged, feathered, evanescent, but not to him particularly attractive (for he had had his fling) alighted† (Woolf 58). This unrealistic, chauvinistic fantasy serves to appall the reader and reveal the capricious nature of Peter†™s affections. Peters idealization of youth and his pride in understanding youth suggest a resistance against the natural process of aging: â€Å"for he understood young people, he liked them† (Woolf 52). His marriage to Daisy exemplifies his desire to hold on to youth. His inner monologues are riddled with judgments. In â€Å"Notes on the Grotesque,† James Schevill explains, â€Å"the grotesque is often beautiful because it is openly human and exposed† (Schevill 235). Unlike Woolfs detestable Peter Walsh, William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury portrays a more beautiful kind of grotesque. In the beginning of his section, the troubled Quentin Compson evokes the reader’s sympathy in a way that Peter Walsh cannot. This is because we believe Quentin’s torment to be poignant and justified, and we are drawn in by his pain and eloquence. However, as his section progresses, Quentin’s behavior becomes more erratic and less beautiful. His discussions with his father, coupled with his attempt to lure his sister into death or incest expose Quentin as a grotesque, inseparable from his obsessive, skewed perceptions of morality. In Mrs. Dalloway, Peter’s one-dimensionality serves to position Clarissa as a more complex and balanced character. In the case of Quentin and Caddy Compson, Quentin actually narrows Caddy’s character, bringing her down into his distorted vision. Through Quentin’s eyes, we see Caddy and Caddy’s â€Å"sin† as one. The reality is carried through this conflation without objection until the momentum of Quentin’s grief is interrupted with a memory of a conversation with Jason Compson, his father. The father and son are discussing the worth of virginity. Quentin remembers his father’s justification for his son’s torment: And Father said it’s because you are a virgin: don’t you see? Women are never virgins. Purity is a negative state and therefore contrary to nature. It’s nature is hurting you not Caddy and I said That’s just words and he said So is virginity and I said you don’t know. You cant know and he said Yes. On the instant when we realize that tragedy is second-hand (Faulkner 116). Through Mr. Compson, Faulkner gives a more objective (yet cynical) view of Quentin’s obsession with purity. It is here that we begin to see the irrationality of Quentin’s actions and the distorted vicariousness of his pain. This distortion ultimately results in Quentin’s suicide, but long before this, he wishes for a double suicide on the day that Caddy loses her virginity: â€Å"I held the point of the knife at her throat/it wont take but a second just a second then I can mine I can do mine then† (Faulkner 152). Even once Caddy consents, Quentin cannot bring himself to kill his sister. He reaches for something just as tragic, leading Caddy to the ditch where Nancy’s bones lie. Nothing comes of this, but the bewildered reader looks on with uncomprehending horror at Quentin’s obsession. Quentin feels either form of â€Å"death† could baptize him and Caddy so intensely that they will both be made clean again. Unable to emerge from his eg o and his family, Quentin sees salvation as an immersion in his particular kind of love. Karl F. Zender sheds light on Quentin’s puzzling attempt to solve his moral dilemmas: â€Å"Clearly, Quentin wishes to understand his incest fantasies as asexual in origin and atemporal in effect. They are, he believes, a way of rescinding Caddy’s sexual initiation†¦and, by extension, of denying the descent of the Compson family and of the South into the modern age† (Zender 747).

Little Red Roaster (LRR) coffee outlets Case Study

Little Red Roaster (LRR) coffee outlets - Case Study Example This paper will therefore bring to the surface the weaknesses that prevent quick growth of the business due to managerial poor approach. It will also identify and discuss on those threats that arise from the external environment and thus outside control of the business. While doing so, this case report will also identify the strengths the business has achieved out of its current operating strategies and the opportunities available. Upon a critical analysis of the problem, it emerges that LRR faces more business development challenges in terms of expanding than mismanagement. The business is challenged with how best it can expand its current operating capacity to tap the improperly tapped coffee beverage market. The report analysis will also therefore endeavor to analyze the seemingly big problems related to room for expansion, outside catering and delivery of products. After identifying all these factors, this case analysis and report will review the alternatives available for a new course of action. In so doing, the case report will also discuss and elaborate on the reasons for adoption of such criteria. The adoption of any criterion will be based on the overall financial position of the Little Red Roast and the interplay of other external variables like availability of space and ready and reliable market. Alternatives are usually not necessarily the only choices to choose from by a business. Therefore the report will only identify the options and present them to the management for final decision-making. Recommendation for LRR will be based on the overall analysis and available options for the business. Rationale for such recommendation will be based on other aspects like the consequences of each one of them. Every new venture comes with its own unpredictable risks. This case report will therefore also do a forecast of possible risks that come with the available options. It will be up to the management to decide which option will be in the best interest for th e business given the prevailing circumstances and condition. Finally, this case report will come up with an action plan with critical Steps, potential problem identified above and a contingency plan for each step in the action plan. This will be tabulated for ease of analysis and better understanding of the scenario. It is of vital importance to note that all these are aimed at helping LRR expand its coffee business in the most profitable manner that is both customer friendly and management friendly. Situational Analysis LRR is a chain of small retail coffee shops that offer a variety of light foods and beverages. The business outlet started as a retail business in 1995. It is located in various places such as Byron, Covent Garden Market, London Central Library, and London Provincial Courthouse. It also operates in Springbuck, St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital, The renaissance and Wortley village. The business offers coffees, tea, gourmet beverages, breakfast, light lunches and snac ks. The company has been in business for eight years (seventeen years by now) and continues to

Direct Manipulation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Direct Manipulation - Assignment Example Video game is one of the best applications where the techniques of direct manipulation are very successful. At the present, the use of video games is increasing because of its entertainment and easy to recognize operations. In fact, people are able to build a variety of skills by playing video games. Additionally, the physical gestures of video games are straightforward and mistakes can be easily corrected depending on their severity; therefore error messages are needless. Similarly, these standards can also be implemented to office automation and personal computing and other arrangements (Huang, Miwa, & Cayabyab, 2013; Hundhausen, Farley, & Brown, 2009). The research has shown that the principles of direct manipulation can be used in video game controls for example game users always want to use games that are easy to use, system with better availability of feedback and much easier to learn than use. In addition, the principles of direct manipulation can also be employed for differing ones that lead to certainty as well as sense of control that system user needs much more. Moreover, another example of principles of direct manipulation is to have simple and intuitive action specification in video games (Sanderson, 1998; Shneiderman, Direct Manipulation A Step Beyond Programming Languages, 1983; Shneiderman, Direct Manipulation for Comprehensible, Predictable and Controllable User Interfaces, 1997). Interface design is believed to be one of the most difficult aspects of game development for that reason that it requires transferring huge data and instructions to the player as well as there is small screen space which has to be utilized for completing all these tasks that to do it. Hence, when the interface is less effectively designed, a good game idea can be minimized to an annoying user experience (Dev Mag, 2011). It is an admitted fact that with the passage of time and advancement of technology the real life applications are becoming easy to

God Loves Uganda Response Paper Essay Example for Free

God Loves Uganda Response Paper Essay I was aware of strong anti-homosexuality prejudice in Uganda from discussions with friends and some news coverage I saw on the internet. However, I was unaware of the influence of U. S. evangelical missionaries until I saw the documentary God Loves Uganda. The film’s director, Roger Ross Williams, illuminates how American missionaries in Uganda campaign to condemn homosexuality and ban condoms as part of their abstinence only education. Missionaries in the film hail from the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Missouri. They take direction from the charismatic Lou Engle, who is a prominent leader of the evangelical Christian right. Throughout the documentary, these missionaries speak candidly about their core religious beliefs without coercion or the trickery of film editing. The American pastor behind the anti-gay vitriol spread by these â€Å"well-meaning† IHOP missionaries is Scott Lively. It is important to note that Scott Lively is quite the conspiracy theorist and anything he says should be taken with a grain of salt. He co-founded the anti-gay group Watchmen on the Walls and authored books such as The Pink Swastika: Homosexuality in the Nazi Party, 7 Steps to Recruit-Proof Your Child, and The Poisoned Stream: â€Å"Gay† Influence in Human History (Scherr). Lively has forged relationships with Ugandan religious leaders, who preach his toxic message to their congregations. Two of the biggest myths that Lively and IHOP missionaries teach in Uganda are that homosexuality is a Western import trying to recruit children and that homosexuals can choose to be heterosexual. In Uganda, Same-sex relations have been deemed â€Å"unnatural† and laws against it have been in place forever. However, in 2009, anti-gay fervor reached new heights when the Ugandan Anti- Homosexuality Act was introduced to parliament. The bill criminalizes homosexual relations, which are punishable by life in prison or even death for serial offenders. Inspiration for the AntiHomosexuality Act directly stems from Scott Lively’s seminar titled, â€Å"Exposing the Truth Behind Homosexuality and the Homosexual Agenda†, which he presented before Ugandan Parliament. (Lapin) In conjunction with anti-homosexual propaganda, the missionaries preach that condoms should be banned, as abstinence is the key to lowering the HIV rate. The Ugandan government supports this flawed abstinence only policy. As a result, both hetero and homo sexual relations are stigmatized and condoms are not used. Therefore, disease continues to spread and wreak havoc on Ugandan society. Race and colonialism are not explicitly mentioned in the film but they are undeniable factors. Race has been beneficial to the missionaries. As ex-communicated, Bishop Christopher Senyonjo says of Ugandan’s relationship to the missionaries, â€Å"Because they are white, people believe them. † Colonizing of values is certainly happening. Africa has always been a place in which colonial aspirations come to fruition. Rather than exporting a way of governing to the colonies, missionaries are exporting religious governance. In addition to building orphanages and other good works, IHOP missionaries have exacerbated the anti-gay climate in Uganda. These people infiltrate Uganda in the name of God, demonize homosexuality as part of Biblical law, and then leave citizens to take the real law into their own hands. Consequently, LGBT people in Uganda fear for their lives. Now I must ask, is this what Jesus would want? Bibliography Lapin, Andrew. God Loves Uganda. The Dissolve. The Dissolve, 9 Oct. 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. Scherr, Sonia. U. S. Anti-Gay Activists Under Fire for Role in Uganda. Souther Poverty Law Center. Intelligence Report, Apr. -May 2010. Web. 23 Oct. 2013.

Justice Explored in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Essay

Justice Explored in The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne created themes in The Scarlet Letter just as significant as the obvious ideas pertaining to sin and Puritan society. Roger Chillingworth is a character through which one of these themes resonates, and a character that is often underplayed in analysis. His weakness and path of destruction of himself and others are summed up in one of Chillingworth's last sentences in the novel, to Arthur Dimmesdale: "Hadst thou sought the whole earth over... there were no place so secret, no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me, save on this very scaffold!" (171). This powerful line from Chillingworth holds three meanings. First, Dimmesdale can save himself only through confession in public. Secondly, it shows the true sin and suffering in Chillingworth himself. In this regard, the line is just as important in reiterating the sickness in Chillingworth as it is in showing the torment in Dimmesdale. Finally, this statement creates a parallel between Chillingworth's idea of justice and the Puritans'. The theme Hawthorne builds up in Chillingworth is not simply his pain and torment. It is a more important representation of the weakness in the values of the people in Puritan times, and how their perseverance for "justice" skewed their views on life and forgiveness. Because of his mindset, Chillingworth torments himself with his goal to destroy Dimmesdale just as much as Dimmesdale tortures himself for their seven years together. Chillingworth is ruining his own life and does not realize it, because he no longer sees the value in life as he tries to ruin one. The first foreshadowing we see of Chillingworth's obsession begins... ...h life because of that. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, faced Puritan torture under Chillingworth for the seven years without benefit of the release of guilt Hester had found by being in the public eye. Dimmesdale's only release from guilt was not the scaffold, but death itself. Hawthorne's statement through Chillingworth offers insight into Dimmesdale and Chillingworth along with a representation of Hawthorne's disapproval of the Puritan values. This disapproval is the driving force of the novel, and it underlies the relationship between Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and the prevailing greater justice of God. The contrast of the Puritans' justice and God's makes the message of the story greater than a love story or a story of a sin. With this theme, The Scarlet Letter becomes a comparison of the flawed justice of humans and the divine justice of God.

The Emperor’s New Clothes

The Emperor's New Clothes There lived a man; he should still be alive now, yet one would like to think that he had grown up a little. He fancied himself the ‘It Boy' of Western Super- Mare, he was the guy in the latest fashion, up to date hairdo's and always had this months Vanity Fair tucked under one arm. The fact that he was almost 38 and still lived in his parents three bedroomed semi-detached did not seem to deter him. Being a man of simple pleasures, and having never had the intuition to actually move into a place of his own and get a career, his daily routine had not changed much over the past twenty years. No later than 8.30am every morning, his doting and somewhat downtrodden mother would creep into his bedroom, careful not to wake the mountain of a son who lay snoring like a pig in his bed. She would place his plate of sausage sandwiches next to his bedside and then quietly leave closing the door gently behind her. At precisely 8.40am, he would take one last grotesque snore and then emerge from his top bunk, and haul his not so svelte figure down the two foot ladder that leant against the side, which screamed in distress every step he made in his descent. With one foul swoop his great hairy hand would shovel sausage sandwiches into his gawping mouth, two at a time. He would then make his way to the bathroom, where he spent about two thirds of his life. Who would have thought that a bathroom barely capable of fitting in a bathtub, wash basin and toilet, could hold the many different cheap brands of beauty products that he had acquired over the years? Two and half-hours later and he is all ready. † The better a man looks, the better a man is† He would bellow after flushing the toilet and bursting out of the bathroom with a quiff that no Elvis impersonator could compare to. He had a lengthy beauty regime that was absolutely vital that he stuck to. How else was he going to pass off being the most vain person in the whole of Western Super-Mare's history? One gets the impression that some of the hair that once belonged on the crown of his head had quietly crept to join the vast amount of hair that covered the rest of his body. As most middle-aged men do, he himself had acquired a rather prominent bald patch. This baldness did bother his small mind. But not enough so that he did not take ultimate pride in every other inch of himself. After bathroom time, it was dressing up time. To say that he took an interest in fashion would be a laughable understatement. His desperately small bedroom was not somewhere one could kick back and relax, purely due to the lack of space. He did have a lot of clothes, even the odd sarong and kilt. If someone famous had once worn it, or been seen in it, he would have it, or so he liked to make out. Expense simply does not matter when you are not paying for anybody but your conceited self. Rumour about the town was that he surely must have had ‘Superior Being' tattooed behind his ear, like the ‘666' in the Omen, but this guy was real. Once kitted out in an outfit that was about as un-flattering as he could possibly piece together, ‘Its next season darling, anybody can see that' he would sneer to anybody who dared to scoff at him. After blowing air kisses to his mother and father, he would head off to the seafront. When on the bus, he would lay out a designer tissue on which to perch his bottom on, and cross his legs curtly. One may imagine that seeing a middle aged bald man with the ghastliest fake tan and atrocious dress sense and perspiration problem, would be a humorous thing, but the locals were completely used to him, and paid him no attention whatsoever. In the city he would flounce around seemingly aimless, peering in at the most expensive shops and throwing lesser beings nasty looks. Then, he would go to his favourite cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, a low key seaside affair, that his Great Aunt happened to own. Here, he could get free coffee and cream cakes. This was a privilege he had been abusing ungratefully for as long as his great aunt could remember. He was definately not one to say no to something free (as his unlucky relative had realised). This was his critical downfall. It was a day like any other in the cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, when he was approached by a young woman complete with fake breasts, a fake smile, and an incredible amount of orange makeup on, a saleswoman. He glanced her up and down, his eyes did not stumble upon an expensive lable, therefore he returned to his article without bothering to utter a word. ‘Sir, sorry to disturb you, as you look like a very busy man†¦' At which point, his Aunt spluttered in the background. She continued, ‘My company are the newest in follicle technology, we deal in complicated science procedures, to bring men like yourself back smiling, with a full head of hair' Which was then her queue to throw him a dazzling smile with gleaming eyes. Luckily, she had his attention. â€Å"Men†¦like myself?' He growled ferociously, spraying her with saliva. The woman's smile did not crack. â€Å"I think it may interest you to know that we have a full waiting list of celebrities desperate to get their hands on this amazing product, I chose you, because you look like a person who knows what they want. And we are prepared to give you the full course, absolutely one hundred percent free!' There was a pause. Inside his head, cogs were turning slowly. Celebrities. Desperate. Free! He took a deep breath in, stood up proudly, his nose in the air and slammed his great hairy fist down on the table smashing four empty mugs and declared, ‘I'll do it' Quick as a flash, his details were down on paper and he carry on with his coffee, smug, with the prospect of a full head of hair. A month or so later, at 8.30am a parcel arrived next to his sausage sandwiches. At first sighting, the grown man inside of him let out a high pitched squeak of excitement. He dropped to his knees like an eager child, tearing away the packaging in glee. Minutes later, sat amdist a sea of bubble wrap, he cradling his new elixir. ‘Follicle SOS hair rejuvenator with added vitamins' He gasped in awe at this magical product and once again felt smugly aware that he had been hand picked to use it. After studying the instructions, here began the treatment. This is not the kind of treatment he had in mind though. One must bear in mind, that his peers were not very fond of him. Every day he applied the ‘magical' cream, and every night, he checked his bald spot for improvement. No such luck. In fact, he wasn't entirely sure, but it looked like his hair was getting sparser. After three weeks of applying the cream, he was not a happy customer. He had even stopped going out to the seafront for his regular coffee and cream cakes. For not only had his bald spot stayed bald, but to his horror it had increased in size. He rang the helpline. Sitting there in his mother's favourite chair, on hold, for most of an hour. Until the same lady who he had spoken to before answered. A whole string of violent abuse later, the woman replied, ‘The treatment has to get rid of the original hair, in order to work on the head as a whole, and produce shiny healthy looking locks. Because you sir, are worth it' She purred. Nothing like a cheap compliment to dampen his rage. So, religiously, he carried on applying it. Until the final day came, when he awoke one morning completely, outrageously bald, not to mention shiny. Alongside his sausage sandwich was a small letter. He opened it happily, ‘Popular as ever' he thought. Inside the letter, was a note written by hand. It read; ‘Have you never read the story about the Emperor and his new clothes? Oh, he and his bald head of Western Super-Mare†¦ Vanity is a highly un-attractive quality. Consider the lesson taught' On the back of the note, were the signatures of every person in his neighbourhood. Hands shaking, he laid down the note gently. Promptly strolled downstairs, leaving his sausage sandwiches behind, picked up the yellow pages and looked up, designer toupees.

ASDA Conclusions

In this enquiry I have spent approximately 4 months, with a lot of time, effort and energy, studying all the different perspectives, facts and opinions for the proposals made by ASDA for a new superstore to be located on the former West St Leonards School site, East Sussex. Therefore having studied this case for a considerable amount of time, I would see myself as having a reasonably in-depth knowledge of the case, and be perfectly justified and able to make a fair decision, whether the proposals, in my opinion, should go ahead. Near the beginning of this enquiry I have studied the views of the local community. From the residents surveys carried out your able to see that most people in and around the West St Leonards area appear to be largely in favour of the proposed developments. (Roughly 70%) But clearly other people also seem to be concerned for the welfare of the surrounding environment, wildlife, the impact the extra traffic may have and the construction jobs. In the second section to my enquiry I carried out surveys of the old West St Leonards school site. From my environmental quality survey and site analysis, it is evident that the environmental quality in and around the site previous to the development would be far greater than if the proposals were to take place. For the third part to my studies I carried out a traffic survey for the roads in the neighbouring areas to the site. This was to indicate whether the developments would generate any increase in traffic, and congestion. As you may have noticed from the links flows, the impact on the surrounding roads would generate a surprisingly low increase and flows and congestion. In the fourth area of this enquiry I investigated other sites considered and later rejected by ASDA; the silverhill site appears overall not entirely suitable for a superstore of this scale. This is largely because I believe the surrounding roads couldn't cope with the traffic increase. Where as the railways goods yard strikes me as more suitable, it is a very good and central location with excellent access for both cars and pedestrians (possibly having alighted from the very frequent public transport running very nearby.) But unfortunately this site would undoubtedly have competition from nearby Safeway's, and smaller convince store. Lastly I don't believe that the Bohemia road site is appropriate as the impact on the surrounding environment and roads would outweigh the advantages of the site. In my fifth and final section I have been looking at the already existing ASDA superstore in the crumbles Retail Park, Eastbourne. This ASDA, I think is in a very suitable location and scored well when I carried out a site survey. From my shoppers questionnaire, and task disk survey I have discovered that the store attracts some long distance visitors but overall it is primarily a local store. After investigating all the pros and cons for the old West St Lenoards school site, and considering possible alternatives, I believe that yes the proposed developments should get the ‘go ahead.' In my opinion it is the most appropriate site within the town, this is because it is by far the largest site. If these developments aren't to go ahead, some other development such as houses/flats would take its place, almost defiantly resulting in an equal, if not worse impact on the surrounding environment. As for the traffic, well from my research the increase of traffic on the surrounding roads would be minimal. Overall my opinion is the advantages convincingly outweigh the disadvantages, therefore, I believe the council would be justified in allowing the proposals to proceed.

Essay on Concussions is killer

Essay on Concussions is killer Essay on Concussions is killer Doheny 1 Amanda Doheny English 100 @ 8:50 am Professor Cosand December 4, 2013 Concussions are Killer The magazine I will be writing for is Sports Illustrated. This magazine is based on sport related news such has game highlights, athletes’ biographies, and controversies within the game to name a few. I chose to write about the science behind concussions and why they are dangerous to our youth. Mainly based upon high school and college athletes that compete in high contact sports such as football, soccer, water polo, hockey, and lacrosse. I believe that this subject is important to be aware of because of the horrific results it can have on young student athletes. My target audience is going to be student athletes that play high school or college contact sports, the coaches, and the people who enjoy watching them. A lot of people already know how players get concussions, but not all of them know what a concussion can anatomically do to a players’ brain and the long term effects of this type of neurologically injury. Not only does the lack of care for concussions affect the players’ body, but they could be rejected from their sport. If more people have the knowledge of this injury’s repercussions, the science of the injury, and how to prevent it then we can save more young athletes lives. Sports Illustrated Writer Amanda Doheny Doheny 2 Concussions are the most common injury among contact sport athletes. Most of the talk about concussions comes from the world of football, but other sports such as soccer, hockey and water polo also experience serve head trauma. It can leave players’ dazed, confused and nausea to name a few symptoms. Some player’s and coaches don’t even know what to look for when it comes to a concussion. "The doctor said that one more shot and I could be a vegetable†¦ "It's a tough thing. You never think about all that when you're playing... (Encina 1)† A young Ben Alford said after he was banned from playing on his high school team when he was 17. Coaches, players, and parents need to know what consequences can occur when a concussion happens and how school athletic programs can help prevent them. A concussion is when the brain receives a traumatic blow to head and the brain’s functions are disturbed. Some players cannot tell if they have a concussion or not and that is the scariest part of these injuries. The symptoms for a concussion can range anywhere from dizziness to loss of the senses (taste, smell, sight, hearing, touch). During a football practice researchers have found that kids are receiving more blows to the head then during a game. â€Å"Researchers placed instruments in the helmets of seven football players, ages 7 and 8, and examined a total of 748 impacts that they endured. They found that roughly 60 percent of all head impacts occurred in practice (Toproek 1).† When football teams practice, youth, high school or college, they were less protective gear then they do when they compete. The researchers performed 38 high impact drills, which were 40 or more the force of gravity, 29 took place during practice. â€Å"The study's authors suggest changing the structure of youth-football Doheny 3 practices to eliminate "high-impact drills that do not replicate the game situations." Instead, they suggest

Hospitality Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Hospitality Management - Essay Example As the discussion declares milk as animal products was fermented under natural conditions which resulted to sour milk products with acidity. The development of milk processes developed into natural preparation of yoghurt and cottage cheese. Over the years, the preparation of milk products has developed including coagulation of milk protein. This led to the need for preservation of milk products so that they would be stored for relatively long without spoiling. The intuition and creativity of man in the ancient times led to the innovation of various preservation techniques. These included storage of milk products in cellars and caves, salting and control of humidity. Nonetheless, processes such as salting changed the taste of the food products a challenge which motivated more innovation in food preservation. This paper stresses that developments such as dehydration and molding illustrate endeavors in the preservation of cheese products. These developments paved way for the modern introduction of various chemicals for the preservation of cheese and other milk products. The invention of refrigeration is a significant development in the food industry in general which also enabled cheese to be stored for a long time without decay. The use of various chemicals in food preservation has led to long shelve life of cheese. The most significant developments in cheese production include the possibilities which have enabled producers to maintain the flavor, texture and taste of cheese for a long time and thus making it appealing to the consumers for a relatively long duration .

Final Class Project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Final Class Project - Assignment Example Another element of ethics that nurses failed to observe is the principle of Non-malfeasance, which means shying away from causing any harm to the patients (Guido, 2010). Nurses are expected to illustrate a high level of competence in order to avoid any injures or suffering to the ailing patients. This principle also comprises the reporting of the nurses that fail to adhere to the ethics and laws of nursing, and, those suspected of going against the nursing rules are nullified. Nurses also failed to adhere to the rules of Autonomy. This principle deals with independence and the capability to have self- direction. This means that patients are given the right towards self-determination. In this case, patients have a right to know how they are fairing and therefore, have a right to either accept or deny treatment (Guido, 2010). The rights of the patients must be respected. Finally, according to the principle of justice, patients should receive treatment fairly and equitably. This means t hat nurses should spend ample time with patients and offer absolute attention to the satisfaction of the patients. In addition to the ethical issues, nurses had a legal obligation to this patient. The presence of law in nursing practice is to ascertain that both the nurses and patients are protected from any victimization or malpractices that may compromise their profession or health respectively. In other words, nurses show competence, safety and holistic care towards their patients. In addition, they are expected to render absolute care through principles of reasonable and prudence and show some clinical competency (Guido, 2010). Was there a deviation from the standards of care in this instance? Explain It is the role and responsibility of the nurses to ensure that patients receive maximum care in terms of their health. Based on this case, nurses seem to have deviated from the standards as prescribed by the principles of nursing and care. These nurses failed to show any concern on the patient yet he had admittance in their clinic. It is the responsibility of the nursing profession to owe similar duties to self and to patients, including the obligation to maintain integrity and safety, in maintaining competence and endure with individual and professional growth. However, the nurses expected to demonstrate care to the patients failed to show any sign of integrity and due care when they left the patient unattended to, and this may have led to his death (Ganske, 2010, Sept.). Another standard of care that nurses failed to adhere to is the standard of moral self respect. Moral esteem accords value and self-respect to every human being regardless their individual attributes or even circumstances in their lives. Nurses should extend such esteem towards themselves and also to the patients. In our case scenario, nurses deviated from demonstrating any form of integrity towards the patient and instead abandoned him to die in agony. As much as denying them self-esteem, such a behavior demoralizes their personal values and integrity in the nursing profession. What elements of negligence/ malpractice are demonstrated in this case? Explain Malpractice comprises the wrongful conducts demonstrated by a professional person. It also involves discharge of unacceptable professional roles or even the failure to adhere to the principle of proper care which

American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

American History - Essay Example The author writes in this context as a response to the augments made by these writers and in his view the most important efforts were done by Richard Powers (1994) and Ellen Shrecker. The political and cultural sitting at the time of the writing of the paper includes the fall of the Soviet Union and the collapse of international communism prompting. The writing of the article was also prompted by the reevaluation of the cold war era in America by different writers prompting the author to present the most important writers. The intended audiences for the article are students, scholars, and the public. The article is aimed at this audience as a measure of augmenting the understanding aspects of cold war era and demonstrating the various issues at play during the time. The article’s thesis is making a combination of two perspectives on anticommunism with the aim of seeking an evaluation of consequences of anticommunism and the mix of responsible and extremist elements. The study’s objective is achieved through an examination of the investigations by the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC) on the activities undertaken by the Communist Party of Maryland. In summary the article provides the controversies associated with the communism in the writings of Power and Shrecker but makes a point in showing that the two writers had some similarities in their view of the period. The similarity is that the two writers acknowledged that anticommunist protests were waged against mainly members and organizations tied to the Communist Party USA (CPUSA). Some of the arguments in the article include the fact that Power’s states the nature of anticommunism as complex, pluralist movement containing elements of responsible, principled, and conspiracy-based extremists1. On the other hand, Shrecker considers McCarthyism as having caused setbacks for labor, restriction of

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

Menopause - Essay Example M.T reports having experienced her last menstrual period 10.5 years ago with the periods having been irregular before they stopped. Social and family history: M.T works as a part-time bank teller. She is married with three children who are all adults and in good health condition. She equally has grandchildren whom she watches during the weekdays after school. M.T denies the use of illicit medications, but she reports a history of cigarette smoking of two and a half packets of cigarette every day from when she was fifteen until she was forty-five years. The patient reports occasional alcohol consumption coupled with ten to twelve diets of cock per day. The patient has attempted to follow a low salt and low cholesterol diet, but she admits this has been a challenge. The patient has increased her calcium-containing foods to three to four servings per day. The patient reported that the father died from presumed heart disease in his fifties while the mother died from complications related to motor vehicle accident at the age of seventy-five. The patient is the eldest of four sisters with the other sisters alive and well. The patient reports no family history of breast cancer. Genitourinary/rectal: presents with a case of dryness, itching, urinary frequency, and dribbing after voiding. The patient is gravida three para three, menarche at the age of 14. The patient is sexually active but experiences dyspareunia. According to the medical definition, menopause is a stage in life that occurs after 12 months after a woman’s last menstrual period. Menopause can happen in a woman’s 40’s or 50’s. Menopause is a natural biological process; nevertheless, it presents with physical symptoms as the patient, in this case, (M.T) experiences. The experiences of menopause are equally execrated by lifestyle condition, which may fasten or worsen the symptoms. Management of menopausal symptoms thus in cooperate lifestyle

Examining Property Management Information Systems Information Technology Essay

Examining Property Management Information Systems Information Technology Essay To investigation how a Hotel or Property Management Information System will help the Palma Rima hotel on their day to day running of the hotel. To identify the impacts of a Hotel/Property Management Information System. To identify how convenient it would be for the customers of the Palma Rima hotel if a Hotel/Property Management Information System is introduced. 1.3 Rational As we are in the 21st century, the researcher has been inspired to carry a research on the effectiveness of a Hotel/Property Management Information System, if introduced at the Palma Rima hotel The Gambia which does not have one, but still using the traditional way of taking reservation, checking in and out of guest, taking payment, marketing of the hotel etc. 1.4 Structure of Report The report will first introduce the Palm Rima hotels, methodology used to carry out the research, a literature review on Hotel/Property Management Information System (MIS) and will then analyse the data using relevant methods and interpret the findings presenting the report using methods and style appropriate to the audience. 2.1 Research Approach In designing a research case study, there is the need to determine the research approach to be adopted. Theories are part of a research process and the ability to develop such theories and their testing will only be possible after a research approach is determined. In an inductive research approach, theory will follow data. In this case study, the research will use an inductive approach so as to gain an understanding of Introducing a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS) at the Palma Rima Hotel in The Gambia. Inductive research approach as noted by Saunders et al (2007) is more than just making a cause-effect link between particular variables but also enables the understanding of the way in which humans interpret their social world. Since the research using inductive approach is likely to be particularly concerned with the context in which events occur (Saunders et al, 2007), this research will therefore look at the effectiveness of a hotel or property management info rmation system for the Palma Rima Hotel. The five points below summaries inductive research emphasis as noted in Saunders et al (2007): a close understanding of the research context collection of qualitative and quantitative data a more flexible structure to permit changes of research emphasis as the research progress a realization that the researcher was part of the research process Concern with the need to generalize This research case study will use the above mentioned stages to arrive at a conclusion of how effective it will be to introducing a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS) at the Palma Rima Hotel in The Gambia. The fact that concepts in this research case study are operationalised made it easier to use an inductive approach 2.2 Data Collection Methods Data collection is a time consuming process and also require enormous amount of tolerance. However, in this research case study, one method is employed to collect data and that was telephone interviews and was the only methods to be used to gather primary data. The researcher bought two international cards costing Five Pounds each to interview the front office manager at the Palma Rima hotel. 2.3 Research Methodologies Each methodology represents a different approach to evaluation. The fact that there are so many approaches in common no single methodology is the best. Which one will be most appropriate depends on the type of questions framed. Seale, J. K. (2003) 2.4 Primary Research Primary research is any type of research that you go out and collect first hand data. The researcher collected primary data through participant, observation, interviews and surveys. Driscoll, L.D. (2006) 2.5 Secondary Research Secondary research occurs when a project requires a summary or collection of existing data. As opposed to data collected directly from respondents or research subjects for the express purposes of a project, (often called primary research), secondary sources already exists i.e. The researchers will used previous research reports from tourism academic books and journals. 2.6 Qualitative Method   It is a research that consists of interviews, observations and questionnaires. The researcher found this method flexible to perform data collection subsequent analysis and interpretation of collected information. 2.7 Method of analysis The researcher will use interviews to have knowledge of how useful it will be to PalmaRima hotel to introduce a Hotel/property Management System (MIS) 2.8 Reliability and Validity The physical telephone interview has significantly increased the response to this research. The front office manager was asked to give his candid opinion about a Hotel or Property Management Information System (MIS). However, the questions asked were guided as such to avoid falsification and exaggeration of the fact that the Palma Rima hotel does not have a Hotel or Property Management Information System hence the methodology has clearly achieved a degree of reliability and validity. 3 Introductions The use of information technology in the hospitality industry has grown tremendously over the past 20 years. This journey has not always been smooth, but it has become clear that information technology is now a critical competitive weapon in the industry. Brotherton B (2003:110). Information technology was first used in the hospitality industry in the 1950s, when multinational hotel chains began experimenting with the developing field of computer science. As in most other industries, the majority of initials applications focused on accounting and automating repetitive and time consuming tasks. Software was borrowed from other industries on the assumption that it could be easily adapted for use of hospitality companies. However, such conversions were usually only partially successful and a large number of changes to business processes and procedures were often needed to accommodate the requirements of the computerized system. Moreover, the expense and technicality involved in both dev eloping and running systems made the use of computerization economical only for the largest companies. (OConnor, 1999). Tourism is a very information intensive activity. In few other areas of activity are the generation, gathering, processing, application and communication of information as important for day-today operations as they are for travel and tourism industry (Poon, 1993). Unlike durable goods, intangible and variable tourism services cannot be physically displayed or inspected at the point of sale before purchasing, as tourism services are normally bought before the time of their use and away from the place of consumption. Tourism products are therefore almost exclusive dependent upon representations and descriptions, i.e. information in print or audio-visual formats. Often these representations are made by friends and relatives, as well as the travel trade, rather than tourism principals or destinations authorities. Communications and information transmission tools are th erefore indispensable to the global marketing of the tourism industry. (Sheldon, 1997). 3.1 Brief Background of PalmaRima Hotel in The Gambia Palma Rima hotel is a 3 star hotel in The Gambia and was opened to guest in 1989 on an undeveloped part of the coastline, between the Senegambia and kotu resorts, and 340 metres to kololi beach. The initial accommodation of larger than average sized bungalows of 23 which were dotted among the palms and trees, each of 4 double/triple rooms with shower and bath, colonnaded veranda and fan or a/c unit (supplemented). These units are now accompanied by a bathing area tenement block comprises of 3 floors. Of its 60 rooms half overlook the sandy through road used cattle and locals alike and the other half overlook the lopsided cloverleaf shaped swimming pool. The pool itself is among the largest in the country and is surely among the most beautiful and equipped there are spacious sundecks with parasols, giant chess, a banana shaped childrens swimming pool area; a blue and mustard Andalucà ­a Bar; a late rite fountain; a raised bar; an entertainment section and wooden African statues. From the moon light night club, stone sided watercourses crossed 3 min-bridges enter the bird garden. 4 Literature Review 4.1 Management Information System (MIS) The principle aim of this system was to increase management effectiveness and efficiency by satisfying organisational information requirements. It commence in the 1970s and it used local data processing linked to information resources to support decision making, information system were used primarily to address the needs of internal management and co-ordination. Emphasis was also given to administration and clerical functions, as purely accounting or inventory management, while delivering added value to customers was a lower priority (Strassman, 1995; Gamble, 1994a). The strategic information system (SIS) used by hotels was to improve competitiveness by changing the nature or conduct of business; integrated ICT networks were used to achieve organisational strategic objectives, to enhance performance, and to co-ordinate activities across functional and business units line as well as to support interaction with external entities, in pursuit of competitive advantage. Personal computers enable managers to manipulate data and create their own managerial reports, statistics and follow up mechanisms by using standard and fairly user friendly spreadsheets and statistical packages. It also helps them to forecast, budget and plan, using past data and simulate models, enhancing their ability to undertake strategic decisions. (Robson, 1997; Peppard, 1993; Mc Gee and Thomas, 1988; Earl, 1988, Jackson, 1989; Wiseman; 1985) The introductions of the internet, intranet and the extranet have revolutionarized communication in the global hotel industry and enable multilevel integration and effective collaboration. It also supported both centralized and distributed computing to maximize the performances of available resources. However, this system is gradually altering the competitiveness of the hotels in the global market place and reducing the significance of location and size in the product delivery process. ICTs are used as indispensable tools for almost all business functions from production to market as it facilitate: Quick communication, Reliable and timely information transfer and retrieval, Integration of the different divisions within the organisation, Flexibility of product specifications, Sharing of information; and Achieving of common objectives. ICT offers the opportunity to target the market segment of one, i.e. each individual customer. This is only possible because ICTs support flexible and responsive value-added chains and allow consumers to repackage products through endless combinations. On the hand, ICT becomes instrumental for cost management in the industry and particularly for distribution and promotion costs. Organizations around the world have reduced their costs by reducing commission to intermediaries, by trading directly from their web page, or by paying lower distribution fees to electronic intermediaries, or by cutting commission levels and fees. In addition, redesigning processes and eliminating repetitive tasks reduced costs and increase efficiency. (Buhalis, 1998). Perhaps more importantly for tourism, ICTs support the newly important element in generating competitive advantage, i.e. time. The later not only assists organizations to share information internally and with partners, and thus maximizes their efficiency, but also allows consumers to interact constantly with tourism suppliers. Consumers can undertake entire transactions from their office or home suing the internet, on a 24- hour, 365-days a year basis. Instant confirmation and purchasing means that consumers can also maximize their own efficiency and as a result appreciate the competitive advantage of organizations based on time. Increasingly, consumers will be able to interact through mobile devices and interactive digital television, developing their capabilities further as they will be able to be connected instantly through simpler equipment and interface without having to log on to their computer. (Puhretmair et al, 2001; Zipf and Malaka, 2001) 4.2 Fidelios OPERA Hotel Property Management System Fidelio was found in 1987 in Munich and emerged as one of the leading and most innovative international system integrator for the hospitality industries. Changing the way hotels computerize and operate its software is adaptable to changing business requirements and integrates both the ongoing technological developments of industry standard computer and software systems and the organizational change experienced. Fidelio allows hotels and chains of any size and type, restaurants, cruise ships and catering and conference operators to computerize their operations and to integrate major industry software products through analysing individual requirements and appreciating their uniqueness. The latest Fidelio product is the OPERA Enterprise solution. The OPERA Enterprise solution is fully integrated suite of products consisting of modules that can be easily added or expanded allowing effective and easy deployment from smaller operators to global, multi-brand hotel chain environments. OPERA can be deployed in any size environment from a single property with just Front Office to a large, full service hotel with Sales Marketing, Catering, Revenue Management, Quality Management, BackOffice, and Material Management. In addition, OPERA Enterprise Solution offers products for a hotel chains corporate office that includes a central reservations system (CRM) for both centralized guestroom and function space sales, and an enterprise information system, the customer relationship management (CRM) specially designed for the hotel industry. The system is also design for the use of hotel bedroom key cards replacing the traditional keys for the guest bed rooms. The system is programmed to instantly cut a key for a guest on arrival and can be cancelled if lost as soon as possible. The key cards are designed in way that some hotels are using the same card to insert on the lift to operate, which an additional security for the hotels, because without a key card one cannot go up in the r ooms. The additional security is who ever last open the room can be traced if there is any problem. However it has its own problems, because it is so light in weight that guests always lost it. The OPERA Property Management System (PMU) is designed to scale according to the requirement of any size hotel or hotel chain. The OPERA Back Office is a powerful financial software suit that provides hotels with a fully integrated, flexible financial and eBusiness solution. The OPERA Reservation System (ORS) manages the hotel inventory efficiently as it is integrated with the OPERA Property Management System and OPERA Sales and Catering system. The system emulates traditional CRS functionality. While at the same time integrating the bold new technologies shared in the OPERA Enterprise Solution. Including system access via web client or any Java enabled browser. With the power of the internet, ORS is easily deployable and globally accessible. The OPERA Revenue Management provides both property based and centralized yield management and is interfaced with the OPERA Sales and catering System to analyse the value of particular group business and maximize revenue. This system registers a ny consumptions made by guest from the mini bars in the rooms and will automatically add to the guest bill. The same goes for the restaurant as well, the restaurant staff will make put all bills through the system and a charge will be made to the guest main bill. The Customer information system collects and manages guest, travel agents, source group and company profile information from designated hotel properties in a centralized database. Guest stays with detailed revenue information are also collected. The system includes a whole range of interrelated modules, including, Opera Property Management System Opera Sales Catering Opera Back Office Opera Revenue Management System Opera Central Reservations System Central Reservation System (plus web engine) Opera Quality Management System Opera Materials Management System Opera Palm Customer Information system Enterprise Information System All of these are interrelated and interconnected, enabling hotels to use the system internally, (Intranet), externally with partners (extranet) and as a window on the world (internet). Buhalis D, (2002: 19). However, these few points are to be remembered when a hotel is operating using the OPERA system as system can fail at any time. Local backups need to be made by local staff and stored offsite. Web based and local based inventory need to synchronize regularly Local hardware to be maintained including UPS and air conditioning 4.3 Distribution of Information The industrys use of technology has moved beyond one of merely controlling operations towards a more strategic role. However, a variety of challenges still remain if the industry is to maximize the benefits it can potentially gain. The greatest lies in the effective use of the data collected during the day to day operations. Customer relations management (CRM), is a strategic orientation of offering individual services to guests based on their relationship with the hotel, is widely regarded as the managerial tool to achieve this kind of differentiation. Almost since the beginnings of the industry, luxury hotels have maintained comprehensive records of the preference and spending habits of their of their most frequent guests, known as history systems, such information systems were originally maintained on manually updated paper index cards and use to provide the exceptional personalized service for which such hotels were famous. (OConnor, 1999). The growth in the use of hotel computerized systems means that most of the guests transactions are now being recorded in electronic format. Developments in communications means that such data can be collected and consolidated, allowing a central database to be updated automatically as guest transaction occur. As a result, instead of just storing the guests name, c ontact details and basic information on their aggregate spending to date, there is an increasing trend towards full-folio storage, where details of each individual transaction are added to the central data warehouse for subsequent analysis. This potentially allows an accurate, in-depth picture to be built up of each guests likes and dislikes, which could subsequently be used to provide a more personalized service. This could be done across multiple units, increasing the consistency of service and the value of the brand. The database can also be analysed for patterns, both at the individual guest and aggregate levels- a process often referred to as data mining (IBM, 2001). For the individual guests. This should result in more closely customized offers than perhaps actually interest them instead of the usual mass market junk mail. Taking such a one to one marketing approach is acknowledge bringing benefits in term of lower costs and increasing customer loyalty. Hotel companies such as Starwood, Bass and Hilton are leading examples of the successful use of such database marketing techniques. Each uses analysis of their corporate database to improve the targeting of marketing and sales efforts, resulting in increased response rates and reduction in the costs of direct marketing (OConnor, 2001b). 4.4 Supply Chain Management A review of various trade journals suggests that electronic commerce (e-commerce) required a new business model that allows lodging companies to proactively gather the necessary intelligence for understanding customers expectations in real time. By combining these two objectives, a hotel company can gain a powerful position and differentiate its lodging service from those offered by market competitors. Such an approach can be accomplished by implementing technologies to the supply chain by integrating front end applications such as customer relationship management with back office activities such as e-procurement (Turban et al, 2002, p.656). A complete e-commerce model for SCM combines both the front end and the back end systems as shown in Fig. 1. E-commerce offer enormous business opportunities to increase revenue while reducing operating costs. The complimentary between e-commerce and SCM also has been supported by many scholars (Corsi and Boyson, 2003; Frohlich and Westbrooke, 20 01; Gurau et al., 2001; Lancioni et al., 2003; Skjott-larsen et al, 2003). However, studies in the tourism and hospitality industry have primarily focus on customer perspective (Heung, 2003). Front-end applications of e-commerce have been widely used in the lodging industry but not much has been explored on the back-end system or the operation side. SCM has been defined by (Cooper, 2000 Lambert et al., 1998) as the integration of key business processes from the end user through original suppliers that provides products, services and information that add value for customers and stakeholders. (Lambert and Cooper, 2000, p.66). For the lodging industry, the SCM concept or philosophy has been practiced to certain extend. The Aberdeen group (2000) characterized the US hotel sector as a highly fragmented industry, representing more than 50,000 hotel properties that purchased from more than 10,000 suppliers. With such fragmentized network vulnerable to the inefficient control of purchasing procedures, the lodging industry is facing significant challenges for managing procurement practices. To take on these challenges, the first step is to understand the core of SCM in the context of the lodging business. 4.5 The Procurement Process Another that has attracted much attention, due to its potential for creating efficiency gains, is that of procurement. Here focus on IT that enables external integration with partners in the value chain, rather than narrowly focusing on automated internal operations. Traditionally the hospitality sector has had an inefficient purchasing process. Multiple units, fragmented supply chains and inefficient business processes all adversely affected the purchasing process by creating inefficiencies and increasing costs. In general, unit level staff managed procurement, and there was a high frequency of low value orders to multiple suppliers, which resulted in high administrative costs. Even where contracts existed for specific products, the unpredictability of hospitality operations meant that Maverick purchases from unapproved vendors were, and still are, common, further increasing costs. Using technology to facilitate the purchasing process over-comes many of this problems while potential ly creating some others. By digitalizing the processes involved in purchasing, great efficiencies can be achieved when sourcing, specifying, ordering, tracking deliveries of and paying for, purchases. In effect e-procurement involves electronically managing the entire purchasing process from product identification through requisition to payment. The process requires extensive and accurate performance data. Not only will an e-procurement solution help to capture aggregate purchases by purchased product codes, but will also help to chronicle the derails in a suppliers performance record including delivery and quality level performance. 4.6 Communicating Information All telecommunications (telephone, telex and fax) have been used extensively throughout the tourism industry worldwide. Although telephone conversation is a personal and direct way of communication, linguistic problems, time zone differences and its prohibitive cost limit its international usage. Telex for years the most prominent communication method and has contributed greatly to communications in the tourism industry. As transmits text reliable and inexpensively without requiring the simultaneous availability of sender and receiver, it has been extensively used especially in regions with inadequate telephone networks. However as computer communications and faxes prevail, the telex is limited to communication with developing world countries with unreliable telecommunications infrastructures and it is gradually being transformed into a computer based system using a different communication network. The commercial introduction of the telefax in the 1980s allowed the transmission of im ages over phone lines and enhances the efficiency of tourism operations significantly. Although its operational is the same as transmission of readily available documents and graphics. Fax technology does not require technical skills or the simultaneous presents of sender and receiver, and therefore has penetrated the tourism market place very efficiently (Beckman, 2001). In the pre-internet era, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) used computer net-work to enable computer file interchange of standard transaction documents such as invoices bills or purchase orders between organizations. EDI transmits structured transactions with distinct fields, such as transaction data, amount, sender and recipients name. These assist organizations in exchanging information, order and invoices without human involvement. In tourism, for example, this can be used for travel agencies to transfer bookings to a tour operators suppliers. Invoices can be directed backwards and payment receipts can be generated automatically by the system. EDI therefore enhances communication efficiently and reduces labour transaction costs and encourages firms to continue doing business with their partners. Although EDI is still used for large amount of transactions mainly between large organizations, transactions and interchanges on the internet have replaced EDI with extranets and have also enable smaller players to take advantage of the efficiency that networking provides. (Laudon and Laudon, 2002; Reynolds, 1992) 5 Findings and Analyses This chapter will give the synopsis of the data collected from the interviews and later give discussions in relation to the research questions 5.1 Management Information System (MIS) Because the PalmaRima hotel does not have the Property Management System the hotel lacks a local data processing linked to information resources to support decision making, information systems are used primarily to address the needs of internal management and co-ordination. As there is no computer at the reception it makes it difficult for the front office manager to manipulate data and create his own managerial reports, statistics and follow up mechanisms by using standard and fairly user friendly spreadsheets and statistical packages. 5.2 Fidelios OPERA Hotel Property Management System In response to this point, it is noted from the data collected that all reservations, checking in and out guest, Marketing, Catering, Revenue Management, Quality Management, BackOffice, Material Management are all done manually. 5.3 Distribution of Information The growth in the use of hotel computerized systems means that most of the guests transactions are now being recorded in electronic format. Developments in communications means that such data can be collected and consolidated, allowing a central database to be updated automatically as guest transaction occur. This is not happening in the case of the PalmaRima hotel, which makes it very difficult for the front office to get their repeat guest profiles. 5.4 Supply Chain Management Based on the research the PalmaRima hotel cannot implement technologies to the supply chain by integrating front end applications such as customer relationship management with back office activities such as e-procurement. The Aberdeen group (2000) characterized the US hotel sector as a highly fragmented industry, representing more than 50,000 hotel properties that purchased from more than 10,000 suppliers. With such fragmentized network vulnerable to the inefficient control of purchasing procedures, the PalmaRima hotel is facing significant challenges for managing procurement practices. To take on these challenges, the hotel first step is to understand the core of SCM in the context of the lodging business. 5.6 The Procurement Process Using technology to facilitate the purchasing process over-comes many of this problems while potentially creating some others. By digitalizing the processes involved in purchasing, great efficiencies can be achieved when sourcing, specifying, ordering, tracking deliveries of and paying for, purchases. Not only will an e-procurement solution help to capture aggregate purchases by purchased product codes, but will also help to chronicle the derails in a suppliers performance record including delivery and quality level performance for the Palma Rima hotel 5.7 Communicating Information Computer communications and faxes prevail, the telex is limited to communication with developing world countries with unreliable telecommunications infrastructures and it is gradually being transformed into a computer based system using a different communication network. (Beckman, 2001). Based on research the PalmaRima hotel communicates internally by forms only but by introducing the MIS they will benefit by using the intranet to communicate internally and would be a great help to communicate externally by extranet especially to suppliers. 6 Conclusions In other for the hotels to strengthen the organisations business initiatives and maximise profit, they need to overcome the obstacles presented its legacy technology system. In the case of PalmaRima hotel they realised that their manual reservation system becoming more and more ineffective, primarily resulting in loss of financial controls and staff productivity. As a result, the way we live and work in most societies around the globe has been significantly altered. Automated industrial production has enabled a greater total output as well as better planning and quality control. Over the last few decades, the progress in information technology has revolutionalized both the global economy and enterprises. The development and application of computerised systems has accelerated rapidly and enabled their use in a wider range of functions and activities. Technological developments have also introduced a wide range of new tools for the strategic and operational management of organisations. Increasingly technological convergence integrates software, hardware and net ware and supports inter-operability and interconnectivity. In addition, the integration of the internet, extranet and intranets enables organisations to interact dynamically with different actors and stakeholder. The PalmaRima hotel can enhance their performance by empowering their strategic marketing and management efforts through supporting their functions with advanced ICTs. This will enable them to improve their networking and ultimately to improve their virtuality. Technological change alters jobs, creates new skills, makes occupations obsolete, and revises what employees need to learn and be trained to do. Sometimes, new technologies require new job designs. Technology can also be used for recruiting, training and maintaining database for employees. E-recruitment is b eing used by a lot more companies now, sinc