Post World War Two :: WWII World War 2 Essays

Directly after World War II the US effectively shut the door on all commie nations. A red scare descended on the US as the iron curtain enclosed around Eastern Europe. Mistrust and misunderstanding led to decades of accouterments races and close calls with a people that helped us to defeat Hitler and Japan. Meanwhile, the open door in China was slammed in our faces by our own ignorance and suspicion. Though the confrontationist policy of the US may have been an effective tool to use in wartime while dealing with a dictator, it was not correct to use in peacetime. By misconstruing Stalins actions after World War II the US lost any chance of amiable relations. The US first misunderstood Stalins annexation of the Baltic republics. Moreover, a desire to have a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe was mistaken by the West as aggressive Communist imperialism along the lines of Hitlers pre-war expansion. Granted, Stalin did harbor desires to spread his ideology, as did we. However, his desire to defend the vulnerability that had been exploited so many times was the principle behind the occupation of Poland. Moreover, the United States history of ideological imperialism is much longer and more colorful than that of the Soviets. Anti-Communist sentiments in the US government as well as the population fueled by misinformation cost the US any type of association with the Soviets. The post-war was the perfect time to become friendly with the Soviets. The Russians were decimated by the war and mandatory all the help they could get. Stalins possible acceptance of accommodation, though only out of necessity, could have been used by the US to gain ground in Asia. However, like always, our own paranoia catalyzed by confrontationist propaganda cost us any hopes of a relationship. A history of anti-Communist feelings compounded by this type of ignorance also led the US to lose all relations with China. By making the assumption that Mao ZeTungs brand of commu nism was the same as that of the Bolsheviks, the US lost a potentially powerful ally. If the US had been more careful, if we had trusted those whose job it was to know, the division between the communism in Be-jing and the communism in Moscow would have been clear. up to now if mistrust towards the Soviets remained the US still could have had some type of relationship with Maos China.

Death And The Maiden - Film Vs Essay -- essays research papers

The Polanski film Death and the Maiden is a wonderful and intelligent interpretation of Ariel Dorfman&8217s human rights problem play. Polanski has produced, in this film, an exceptional piece of direction, in which his own personal, emotional input is evident. The main theme of the play is an extremely personal iodin for both playwright (and scriptwriter) and director. Both Dorfman and Polanski have had to face and flee the horrors of dictatorship and human rights violations Dorfman in Chile, under General Augusto Pinochet, and Polanski in Poland under the Nazis. But scorn this similarity in past experience, signifi johnt differences exist between the original play and the film. Apart from the specific techniques of lighting and composition, whose possibilities are greatly widened in the mean(a) of film, we see differences in both the different emphases and implied viewpoints on the various themes that the play touches on and, perhaps more meaning(a)ly, the way the characters a re portrayed.While the old fantasy of &8220whatever doesn&8217t kill you makes you stronger is present in both the play and the film (particularly in the characterisation of Paulina), it is much more prevalent in the movie. We potty see Paulina&8217s forcefulness from the start. As she strides confidently around the house and violently tears off a piece of chicken, the suggestion that she is unsuited to the national position which she has obviously been forced into by the side effects of her traumatic experience need not be made any clearer. Although possessing remarkable strength in both texts, the movie shows a much stronger, almost completely masculine Paulina. This Paulina has been almost entirely defeminized by her ordeal, physically, symbolised by the scarred breast and her proneness to &8220adopt a child, which also serves as a glimpse of the vulnerable element of womanhood in her character that still remains. Throughout the bout of verbal jousting that goes on in the op ening paroxysm Paulina is able to hold her ground much more firmly than she appears to do in the play. In Polanski&8217s version of the scene she actually manages to use her domestic role to gain power in the argument, fiercely flinging the dinner in the bin. Weaver&8217s powerful acting conveys the unadorned tension associated with an incredible amount of suppressed anger. I... ...0 For all the rage contained in the film (significantly more than the play), and its portrayal of Paulina, there is a certain helplessness to the film, and a disturbing truth in its unresolved ending. One might argue that Polanski &8211 in making Roberto give an overall much more genuine defense at the end of the film than Dorfman provides in the play &8211 is falling into the Hollywood trap of offering a simple resolution to its many moral conflicts and consequently making it accessible to a wider audience. I believe this circumstance serves a very important purpose, emphasized by its juxtaposition with the very last scene. It underlines this important impotence in the film&8217s ending the fact that despite her having faced her demons Paulina has been permanently changed by her ordeal. And although she may have &8220&8230reclaimed her Schubert&8230 in that she can now sit in a concert hall and listen to the music, the music will never be able to tell her the same things again. And withal if Roberto is not there in person (as he is in the final scene) he will always exist as a vague presence, a &8220phantasmagorical shadow on her soul.

The Virtuous Pamela of Virtue Rewarded Essay -- Virtue Rewarded Essays

The Virtuous Pamela of Virtue Rewarded Samuel Richardson began his literary career when two booksellers offered him the opportunity to amass a publication for unskilled letter writers. While preparing this volume, a small sequence of letters from a young lady asking her fathers counsel when endangered by her masters advances, entranced him. His enthrallment resulted in a dismission in his work. The result was the tome Pamela Or, Virtue Rewarded. The book has been subject to much inquiry. One such question critics ask is if the main character, Pamela Andrews, is truly virtuous or a convincing hypocrite. By understanding the character of Pamela, one must conclude Pamela is a truly virtuous young lady. First, Pamela regards her virtue very highly. In the premier(prenominal) letter from her parents, they write, ...the loss of our dear childs virtue would be a grief that we could not bear (46). Throughout many of their following letters, her parents continue to warn her to be on gu ard of her virtue. Furthermore, as a poor girl, Pamelas virtue was all she had to offer a future spouse. In one letter, she tells of an level with Mr. B. In this account she says, For heavens sake, your honour, pity a poor creature, that knows nothing, but how to cherish her virtue and good name I have nothing else to trust to (62). After escaping captivity, she contemplates taking her life sentence before renouncing her virtue. Moreover, Pamelas virtue stems from her being a devout Protestant Christian. Throughout her letters, Pamela refers to Scripture over thirty times. Furthermore, she calls upon God numerous times in prayer. Moreover, by and by kidnapping Pamela, Mr. B. detains her for six weeks. Throughout her captivity, Pamela laments n... ...arriage bed is a gift of God. She looks on the prospect of such an established man with joy and happiness. In conclusion, Pamelas virtue is a virtue of the very highest. She regards it very highly. Second, her virtue takes root in her Protestant Christian heritage. Thus, the Bible would guide her ethics. This high ethical standard manifests itself throughout the attacks of Mr. B. His attacks pain Pamela to a high degree. Outside of marriage, Pamela can never yield her innocence. Moreover, marriage seems impossible. Yet when Mr. B. humbles himself by giving his troth, Pamela becomes excited at the prospect of marriage. When married, she will no longer have any virtue to protect. She will marry as an unsullied bride. Work Cited Richardson, Samuel. Pamela or, Virtue Rewarded. 1740. Ed. T.C. Duncan Eaves and Ben Kimpel. Boston Houghton, 1971.

Terry Kays To Dance With the White Dog :: To Dance With the White Dog

The Power of Love in Terry Kays To Dance With the W doe DogTerry Kay said thither was a grand romance of life between his parents. (179). Kay captures his parents clippingless love and celebrates his family in his novel To Dance With the White Dog. Kay believes that his parents love still carried on, even after their death. Sam and Cora Peeks love is portrayed through the snowy dog that Sam aphorism drubbing up grease on his back porch. Strangely, the white dog looked just like a dog that Sam and his wife had when they first were married. Another chemical element that makes the occurrence of the white dog even stranger is that it did not show up at Sams house until after Cora died. Kay said that his parents had an undying love he uses his novel to express his parents love. Kay also notes that true love does not recognize the concept of time and can perchance carry on lasting for eternity. Whenever Sam Peek needed anyone, the white dog was there for him. The White dog would onl y show herself when she felt necessary. whiz night Sam Peeks hip was bothering him very bad. Sam got out of his chair to get a pain pill but hit the floor soon after. The white dog strangely opened the door and was running around the yard. Kate, one of Sams daughters, saw the white dog. The white dog was trying to protect Sam and was only there for him in times of crisis. The white dog was possibly Coras undying love extending from heaven. Cora cute to be there for Sam regardless of the boundaries and she was able to through the white dog. Later on in the book, Sam died from cancer. Sams youngest child, James, went to his parents grave. James walked into the plot, between the grave mounds of his mother and father, and he knelt. Then he saw them across the chest of sand on the grave of Robert Samuel Peek, he saw the paw prints, prints so light they could have been made by air. (178). Cora did not have to worry about Sam since he was finally with her in heaven. So as soon as Sam die d, the white dog disappeared.Terry Kay believed that there was an undying love between his parents. That was evident in the short time the white dog was with Sam.

A Smile Is Worth So Much More Essay -- essays research papers

When I asked my friends of a personal trait that best suits me, I received the same response from them all. The kindle feeling shared by each individual person showed how I looked in there eyes. Each person, as different as they were had said that I am too nice. This trait does not seem to me as large of an issue as my friends think that it is.Although they say I am too nice, I feel that I am not nice, just pleasant. I do not understand how a person can be too nice. I never found it a burden on whateverones personality to be nice. Of course creation nice has its advantages and its disadvantages, as do any other personality traits that a person would have. For example, a person could be vulgar and uncouth. Many good deal find this kind of behavior offensive of course, but some may find it relieving that a person could be so honest to how they feel by not holding back.In the matter of me being too nice, I have found that through high school and my time in college I continuously have been seen as the nice guy. Everyone has always seen me as the nice guy. abouttimes it is aggravating to be called that but I rather have that than some other name with a negative connotation. Some friends have introduced me to there friends as Alex the nice guy, which totally limits me in the very beginning of our relationship.It is true that I do care for most other peoples feelings and ideas. I just tr...

A Smile Is Worth So Much More Essay -- essays research papers

When I asked my friends of a someoneal trait that best suits me, I received the same response from them all. The overwhelming feeling shared by each individual person showed how I looked in there eyes. Each person, as different as they were had said that I am too practiced. This trait does not seem to me as large of an issue as my friends think that it is.Although they range I am too nice, I feel that I am not nice, just pleasant. I do not understand how a person can be too nice. I never found it a burden on anyones personality to be nice. Of course being nice has its advantages and its disadvantages, as do any some other personality traits that a person would have. For example, a person could be vulgar and uncouth. Many people induce this kind of behavior offensive of course, but some may find it relieving that a person could be so honest to how they feel by not holding back.In the matter of me being too nice, I have found that through high school and my time in college I for ever and a day have been seen as the nice guy. Everyone has always seen me as the nice guy. Sometimes it is aggravating to be called that but I rather have that than some other name with a negative connotation. Some friends have introduced me to there friends as Alex the nice guy, which totally limits me in the very beginning of our relationship.It is true that I do care for most other peoples feelings and ideas. I just tr...

Business Law Assignment Essay

This essay will explain the following four questions. First, would readjustment with the southward be required for Dakota Gasworks securities? Second, Did Emerson violate Section 10(b) of the Securities metamorphose dissemble of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5? Third what theory or theories might a act use to hold Wallace liable for insider handicraft? Finally, under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, who would be required to certify the accuracy of pecuniary statements filed with the SEC? Would registration with the SEC be required for Dakota Gasworks securities? Why or why not? Reliant Energy has registered securities and faces a putsch attempt, or third party tender offer, then the SECs tender offer rules will apply to the transaction. The filings required by these rules provide information to the public about the person making the tender offer.The company, Dakota Gasworks, is experiencing the takeover so they must file with the SEC its responses to the tender offer. These rules set ti me limits for the tender offer and provide some protection to shareholders. Did Emerson violate Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5? Why or why not? Moreover, Emerson did violate rule 10b-5 of the Securities exchange act, in where it protects against insider trading which is the purchase or cut-rate sale by person with access to information not available to those whom with those they deal or general traders. The person passing the information of the takeover, Emerson, violated this rule by passing information that wasnt regularly available to general traders.What theory or theories might a court use to hold Wallace liable for insider trading? Furthermore, the theory behind the prohibiting insider trading is that is undermines investor confidence in the fairness and integrity of the securities markets. The SEC claims that finding and prosecuting insider trading violations is one of its enforcement priorities, and all investors need to be conscious of the danger in trading from spoken knowledge that is notpublicly known to people who base their trading on this information.Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, who would be required to certify the accuracy of fiscal statements filed with the SEC? Finally, the intent of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is to protect investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures made pursuant(predicate) to the securities laws, and for other purposes. The Act requires all financial reports to include an internal control report. This is designed to show that not only are the companys financial data accurate, but the company has confidence in them because adequate controls are in place to safeguard financial data.Year-end financial reports must channel an assessment of the effectiveness of the internal controls. The issuers auditing firm is required to attest to that assessment. The auditing firm does this after reviewing controls, policies, and procedures during a Section 4040 audit, conducted along with a traditional financial audit. Under Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the CEO and CFO of public companies are required to certify the accuracy of financial statements filed with the SEC.References1. Miller, Roger & Jentz, Gaylord (2010) Fundamentals of Business Law Summarized Cases 8th Edition, Cengage Learning. 2. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. (n.d.). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. Retrieved December 19, 2012 from http//www.soxlaw.com/

Cardinals wholesaler case

The pasquinade triangle is helpful in explaining motivation for employees to role player the telephoner Motive, Opportunity, and rationalization atomic number 18 the trigger for employees to perpetrate any companionship. Motive-incentive or pressure that drives an individual to ordain sham. This is caused by life pressures, illicit activities or lifestyles needs that realise personal financial problems. Opportunity-a condition or situation that allows fraud to occur. Both the design and effectiveness or internal controls play a key agency in this regard.Rationalization-is the attitude or mindset that enables the individual to rationalize the fraudulent act. notation Carter- an angry, ex-employee that felt unfairly fired. Bill felt pressure from financial responsibleness and the need to support his family after being fired. With debts totaling $38,000 and educational expenses for his oldest son, Bill felt desperate about his financial situation and grew angrier giving him a motive to commit fraud. Bill was the purchasing department manager and was aware of the weak internal control that existed in the confederacy.He knew that there was no segregation of duties in the go with because as a former manager he knew that the person who approved seller keep down also approved the payment. With this in mind we can see how fortune to commit fraud is present. His rationalization was that the company owed him for development him as a escape goat to prove their point and he also felt that a lucrative company as Cardinal would not miss a few thousand dollars. mike Smith-had large debts, a gambling problem and a lifestyles hard to maintain.He also felt he owe his friend Bill for accepting his position after he was fired. All this together gave him the motive essential to commit fraud. Now being the purchasing department supervisor he was in a position where he was capable of perpetrating the fraud because Bill had assured him that segregation of duty was not present in the company. He knew that he was the person in charge Of approving the marketer call as salutary as the payment. And lastly Mike rationalization was that this was the but way for him to pay- sullen his debts and make a fresh start.He also felt that he could always back off the scheme after his debts were all gone. Four areas of Fraud Bill Carter had been employed for 22 years with a Fortune 500 corporation where he was the purchasing department manager. He had been married and had three children with his oldest attending an Ivy University. Unfortunately due to an indiscretion Bill was fired and was worried that his fife would find out what had happen. With unless a two week severance pay he felt pressure to find a source of income to provide for his family.Consequently Bill decided to draw and quarter a seller scheme with the help of his friend Mike Smith. As I conducted a review of the seller list I revealed that they were six vendors suspect of fraud. I was able to identify the six vendors because they either had a post office box address, no phone number listed, and they either had an incapacitate assesspayer appellative number or were missing the number altogether. Also the invoices were created using an outmatch broadsheet invoice template which is a common characteristic of fictitious vendors.The await also revealed that Bill Carter created the vendor as easily as opened the bank account. Unfortunately for Bill one drunken night at a bar he revealed to a stranger what he had done. Vendor scheme was created by Bill Carter and Mike Smith In a fictitious vendor scheme the fraudster establishes a shell company in this case was Trig-State company. A shell company exists on paper only but provides no goods or services to the victim organization which the organization then pays for without having receive any goods in return.This scheme is only possible when the fraudster can place the shell company in the victims organization s ap proved vendor list, either through poor internal controls or an inside accomplice and Bill had both. Bill had Mike Smith as an accomplice and was aware of the lack of internal control that exist in the company. Shell company is not a legitimate concern so it has no employees, no physical location or address, no phone number and an invalid or missing appraise identification number. I realized that Trig-State truckage met all of the above.Lastly the scheme is easy to perpetrate when internal controls are cake. In this case figured out that Cardinals Wholesaler did not adequately segregated job responsibilities. Detection Bill Carter receives the check, endorses and deposits the property into the bank account of Trig-State hauling. Here Bill has unrestricted access to the fund and can spend the money any way he wants. Some red flags were found that help conclude Bill and Mike had created a fictitious vendor scheme. Trig-State Trucking had an invalid tax payer identification, a vali d tax id has nine digits and Trig-State only had seven.Trig-State had no physical address and was using a post office box. The invoices were created using an excel or word invoice template. All invoices for Trig-State had an even dollar amount with no tax included. Prevention society needs to implement stronger internal controls by segregating duties to different people. One person should place vendors on the approved vendor list, the other should prepare the payment vouchers, and the other should approve the payment vouchers. The company should performed background checks on any new vendors prior to placing them on the approved vendor list.A CAFE should be engage periodically to review the approved vendor list and look for any red flags. Identifying the fictitious vendors There are four groups of vendors. Those possessing three, two, one, or zero suspicious characteristics. The Company Cardinals Wholesaler has been a list for the company to identify any existent fraudulent vendors in the group. To take care of this task I decided to narrow down the vendor list by searching for red flags that would be evident to the data base. To do this I decided to call into question three data fields using the excel auto filter function.These data fields are tax payer id, address, and phone number. Using this strategy I can rank the vendors and see how some(prenominal) suspicious characteristics they assess. The more characteristics found the easier it is to identify a fictitious vendor without having to inspect every single invoice in the company. As finished my query was able to identify six suspicious vendors. Here are the six vendors found and the characteristic that led me to believe they are suspicious. PC One missing phone number and using a post office box as address S&B Foods, Inc. Avian a wrong tax payer number and missing phone number Stamen Floral Distributors missing phone number and using post office box as address Thresher Beverages having a wrong tax paye r number ND using a post office box as address Trig-State Trucking having a wrong tax payer id number and using a post office box as address The Connection having no tax payer id number and missing phone number As I reviewed the six suspicious vendors I found red flags that led me to believe that Trig-State trucking had the most suspicious characteristics.Trig- State trucking listed a post office box as its address Invoice number suggested Cardinal Wholesaler was their only client Vague description of goods or services received Balance due was an even amount with out taxes or shipping address disable tax payer identificationNo contact information provided on the invoice Invoice was created by an excel program Canceled checks showed no evidence of typical company expenses private items were paid using Trig-State Trucking bank account Checks made payable to Bill Carter and Mike Smith were signed by Bill Carter There are two types of schemes that are used to perpetrate a company Pass -through and fictitious. In a Pass-through scheme is a fictitious entity created with the sole purpose of committing fraud. With this scheme the company receives something in exchange for payment and the prejudice is the amount of the profit made by the fraudster.With a fictitious scheme the company has a fabricated send for with a post office box. In this scheme the company receives nothing in return from the fictitious vendor except the bogus invoice and the fraud loss is the total payment made to the vendor. As I review the files have determined that the suspicious vendor is perpetrating fictitious vendor scheme. As I review the bank Statements and the return checks noticed that the fictitious company named Trig-State Trucking is a fictitious company. The checks show that they were used to purchase personal items as sanitary as the fact that all the checks were sign byBill Carter the person who created the fictitious company. As I check the bank statements can also see that th e vendor on this account is also Trig-State company which is using a post office box. And lastly, the checks that are made for Bill Carter and Mike Smith are signed by Bill Carter which give the indication that these are the payment they are getting for the bogus invoices they have created. To prevent a fictitious scheme from occurring Research shows 93% of all fraud schemes involves cash. The prevention of fraud in the future depends on the development of adequate controls and procedures.Here are some recommendation to prevent this type of fraud in the future. Background checks should be performed on all new vendors Verify receipts of items/services before paying vendor invoices Segregate the duties of approving vendors and vendor payments A review of canceled checks and bank statements by a third person Periodic review of the approved vendor list for any red flags Company needs to implement a stronger system of internal controls Bill Carter, an angry, terminated employee and Mike Smith, Carters replacement joint together to perpetrate a fictitious vendor scheme against Cardinals Wholesaler.The scheme lasted five years were each perpetrator pocketed about $900,000. Cardinals Wholesaler was perpetrated when Bill Carter was fired and his friend Mike Smith became his replacement. Feeling loss and with no income Ben decided that all he requisite was to create a fictitious vendor to scheme the company. Bill knew that to pull this off he needed an accomplice. This is when he brought Mike Smith who accepted the proposal due to his large debts and gambling problems. They created a shell company where the company is trick into paying vendor invoices for which it receives nothing in return.I believe it happened because Ben Carter was humiliated after being fired after 22 years of service. He felt it was unfair and as a payback he decided to setup a fraud to get back what he thought was owed to him. Bill Carter and Mike Smith plan the fraud to last enough for Bill to g et back on his feet and for Mike to pay off his debts but after a while they noticed how well they were doing and how they were getting away with it. If it wasnt for Carters excessive drinking one night the scheme might have never been caught. I believe that what cause this to happen was how Bill was fired.

Iproject

MBA 504 Managerial Economics (W. Troost) * Case study about the iPad Mini by Justin Sellers Kimberly Gadsden Krista Pauly Marjorie genus Venus Baliog Paulus Mirtschink Rob Hicks I have read the Student Academic Code of Conduct and this Assignment complies with the Code. 8th November 2012 * Table of Contents Table of Contents2 List of Figures3 1INTRODUCTION4 2FIRM, BRAND, LIFESTYLE4 3IINDUSTRY5 4COST8 5CONCLUSION9 APPENDICES11 A. expense Comparison of Generic Android Tablets12 B. Price Comparison of Premium Brand Tablets2 BIBLIOGRAPHY3 * List of FiguresFigure 1 Monopolistical pricing10 Figure 2 Technology life cycle11 Figure 3 VMP and MC in the US comp ard with China12 * INTRODUCTION Apple has cl archaeozoic(a) established itself as a commercialize leader in the competitive market of consumer electronic overlaps. Recently, the company released a smaller sized mutant of its highly successful tablet the iPad. The unveiling has come under widespread criticism as more industry pun dits believe the pricing strategy may be incorrect and there are fears that the current reapingion allow cannibalize sales of opposite(a) merchandise.Even the late Steve Jobs was strong in his view that Apple would never offer a smaller tablet product to the market as he snarl it would provide less benefit to consumers. To properly assess whether or not Apple did in fact make the correct finish, the rationale behind the decision must be analyzed. As part of the analysis the market structure, cost factors, competitive position, nature of product demand, and strategic vision provide be scrutinized. FIRM, BRAND, LIFESTYLEUnder the committee of one of the most visionary CEOs of the modern era, Steve Jobs, Apple was able to completely revolutionize the way that consumer electronics are perceived, purchased, and manufactured. It started with a completely different concept of consumer preferences and has in the long run ended with the most valuable company in the world. Apple h as a long history within the computer industry with a focus on building units for sale to the consumer market prop. After success during the early 1980s with the launch of the Macintosh line of computers, the company failed to gain significant market share until the launch of the iMac in 1998.From the late 1990s Apple began a prolific campaign of acquiring other companies with specific technological expertise, which it began combining in both package and hardware components included in its subsequent line of products. Apple released the first of some(prenominal) important revolutionary products, the iPod, in 2001. The iPod became the quantum leap the company had long been song for and allowed the commemorateing of Apple as a company with the Apple logo to become an industry heavyweight. The advertising that Apple used helped to produce an emotional resolution that resonated with consumers.Being seen with the iconic white headphones became as much about fashion and image as it w as about the actual enjoyment of listening to mp3s on a face-to-face device. Due to the vertical integration between devices, software and design based on a platform of ease of use, the company began to create immense brand allegiantty. Once you go Mac, you never go back, is a phrase used to describe that once someone made the decision to purchase an Apple product (phone, computer, etc. ) the cost of switching becomes high.Apple intuitively created an opportunity cost for not purchasing newer Apple products because of the way their devices communicate with one another. Apple has gained much(prenominal) a significant brand following that demand for their products is much more inelastic than comparable firms. Demand for competitors products Demand for Apple products INDUSTRY in that location are significant numbers of manufacturers of tablet devices, but it can be argued that there are only several key players. The tablet marketplace is precise interesting because of the dominant effect that Apple, Samsung, Google, and Amazon have on consumer behaviour.There is a significant split, both from a consumer and producer standpoint, between the premium tablet devices and the generic wine devices. In effect, there are two different marketplaces in operation simultaneously. In the generic market it is a competitive market, firms are essentially set takers as what they are offering is a standard tablet with limited features. In the premium market however, there is an oligopolistic situation where the major firms dominate both, market share and brand recognition. Please see Appendix A and B for Price comparisons of generic and premium brand tablets.The pricing strategy for the premium products is thereof very different than for generics. In the premium market, the products are seen as more inelastic based on their brand power, and thus a higher terms can be charged in order to generate a higher economic profit. Apple uses the concept of prestigiousness Pricing f or its product line. Prestige pricing happens when a firm charges a higher price for its products in an attempt to be seen as a status item. Apple separates itself even from the other premium tablets by charging a price that is actually 2-5 times higher than some of its closest ivals. The reason that Apple has decided to launch at such a high price dates back to their theory of brand image and loyalty. With respect to the technology adoption lifecycle developed by Joe Bohlen et al. , Apple seeks to reward loyal customers by charging a high price so that only technologically conscious innovators and early adopters leave behind have the product for a period. It is valuable to the innovators and early adopters to have the newest Apple product ahead of the vast majority of people and price point is a way to discriminate between groups.Once a product has been on the market for a sufficient amount of time, Apple will then drop the price to gain a larger amount of consumers that are willi ng to pay for the product at the given price. Graph Rob Directly related to the high price point that Apple charge is its noncompetitive position within the industry. It is strategically beneficial from a firm standpoint to charge a price that causes the inter naval division of the marginal cost and marginal revenues when delineated graphically. Figure 1 Monopolistical pricing For Apple, they experience higher economic profits when they charge a higher price initially.Only when they are about to release an updated version of the product will they drop the price to gain the additional consumer demand. When considering the product lifecycle, Apple seeks to have a different product in each section of the cycle. Rather than having different versions of the same model, the company simply relies on releasing a newer product, but still offering the old product for a period. When considering their new tablet the strategy will be as follows 1) New tablet is released iPad mini 2) After a de signated amount of time, (typically 3-5 quarters) a new version will be released.Likely, it will be called the iPad mini S. 3) Following the same release schedule a bigger redesign will occur and the product will come out as the iPad mini 2. Figure 2 Technology life cycle Apple prices the tablet in 1 high in order to experience profits from the innovators and early adopters. By the time the newer version is announced, the company will drop the price in order to gain advance to the early majority. When the new product is actually released 2 it will have a premium price point to again gain access to the innovators and early adopters.Product 1 is moving from early majority to late majority as the price drop has opened up a wealth of consumers willing to buy. When product 3 is announced the price of both product 1 and product 2 will be dropped. By this time product 1 will be 2 editions old and is likely to be purchased by the tail end of late majority and laggards. Product 2 will take its place in the early majority and innovators will desire product 3. When considering Apples brand loyalty it is also likely that by the time product 3 comes out some people that purchased product 1 will deem that it is time to upgrade. COSTAnother major consideration in the pricing of Apples products is the associated cost of producing them. Each item has a large array of inputs ranging from hardware, software, development, advertising, testing, management, transport, and legal issues. Apple has sought out areas of the world where it is cheaper to assemble their units because the relationship between manufacturing and transfer of training costs results in higher profit. Figure 3 VMP and MC in the US compared with China Apple has formed a coalition of manufacturers that it uses to outsource many of the components that it uses within its products.In some cases the firms that manufacture parts for Apple are actually direct competitors within the same market. If you look at the decis ion to manufacture internally or outsource to another company it is very similar to the trade theories of competitive and comparative advantage. When considering the iPad mini, Apple had to decide whether to make the computing hardware themselves or have someone else make it for them. Apple deemed that they have a competitive advantage in software development and that Samsung and Intel have comparative advantages in toil of hardware, thus they made the decision to have the parts made for them.Each iPad that Apple sells generates a large amount of profit for the firm because their total cost is significantly less than the price point at which it is sold. Generally, Apple sells their products for at least 3 times as much as their total cost, resulting in a huge amount of revenue. You guessed it a graph What the fuck Justin?? CONCLUSION * APPENDICES Price Comparison of Generic Android Tablets Price Comparison of Premium Brand Tablets * BIBLIOGRAPHY *

Stages of Group Development

The Forming Storming Norming Performing is a model of group development, first proposed by Bruce Tuckman in 1965, who maintained that these descriptors atomic number 18 all told necessary and inevitable in order for the group to grow, to face up to challenges, to tackle problems, to find solutions, to computer program work, and to deliver results. Forming In the first stages of team up building, the forming of the team takes place. The individuals behavior is driven by a desire to be accepted by the others, and avoid controversy or conflict.Serious issues and feelings are avoided, and people focus on being brisk with routines, such as team organization, who does what, when to meet, etc. But individuals are too gathering information and impressions approximately each other, and approximately the scope of the task and how to fire it. This is a comfortable stage to be in, but the avoidance of conflict and threat content that not much actually creates done. Group members learn about each other and the task at hand. Indicators of this stage might include Unclear objectives, Uninvolvement, Uncommitted members, Confusion, Low morale, Hidden feelings, Poor listening, etc.The team meets and learns about the opportunities and challenges, and so agrees on goals and begins to tackle the tasks. Team members tend to behave quite independently. They may be motivated but are usually relatively clueless of the issues and objectives of the team. Team members are usually on their best behavior but very focused on themselves. Mature team members begin to model charm behavior even at this early phase. Sharing the knowledge of the concept of Teams Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing is extremely helpful to the team. Supervisors of the team tend to need to be leading during this phase.The forming stage of any team is important because, in this stage, the members of the team get to know one another, exchange some personal information, and make recent friends. This is also a good opportunity to see how each member of the team works as an individual and how they respond to pressure. Storming Every group give then enter the storming stage in which different ideas compete for consideration. The team takees issues such as what problems they are really supposed to solve, how they allow function independently and unneurotic and what leadership model they will accept.Team members open up to each other and confront each others ideas and perspectives. In some cases storming can be obstinate quickly. In others, the team never leaves this stage. The maturity of some team members usually determines whether the team will ever move out of this stage. Some team members will focus on minutiae to evade real issues. The storming stage is necessary to the growth of the team. It can be contentious, unpleasant and even painful to members of the team who are loath to conflict. Tolerance of each team member and their differences needs to be emphasized.Wi thout tolerance and patience the team will fail. This phase can become destructive to the team and will lower motivation if allowed to get out of control. As group members continue to work, they will engage each other in arguments about the social system of the group which often are significantly emotional and illustrate a struggle for status in the group. These activities mark the storming phase Lack of cohesion, Subjectivity, Hidden agendas, Conflicts, Confrontation, Volatility, Resentment, anger, Inconsistency, Failure.Supervisors of the team during this phase may be more accessible but tend to still need to be directive in their guidance of decision-making and professional behavior. The groups will therefore resolve their differences and group members will be able to participate with one another more comfortably and they wont feel that they are being judged in any way and will therefore share their own opinions and views Norming The team manages to have a one goal and come to a mutual plan for the team at this stage. Some may have to give up their own ideas and agree with others in order to make the team work.In this stage, all the team members takes the responsibility and have the ambition to work for the success of the goals of the team. Group members establish implicit or explicit rules about how they will achieve their goal. They address the types of communication that will or will not help with the task. Indicators include Questioning performance, Reviewing/clarify objective, Changing/confirming roles, Opening risky issues, Assertiveness, Listening, Testing new ground, Identifying strengths and weaknesses. PerformingSome teams will reach the performing stage. These high-performing teams are able to function as a unit as they find ways to get the job done smoothly and effectively without inappropriate conflict or the need for external supervision. Team members have become interdependent. By this time they are motivated and knowledgeable. The team memb ers are now competent, autonomous and able to handle the decision-making process without supervision. Dissent is expected and allowed as long as it is channeled through means acceptable to the team.Supervisors of the team during this phase are almost always participative. The team will make most of the necessary decisions. Even the most high-performing teams will revert to earlier stages in certain circumstances. Many long-standing teams will go through these cycles many times as they react to changing circumstances. For example, a change in leadership may cause the team to revert to storming as the new people challenge the existing norms and dynamics of the team. Groups reach a conclusion and carry out the solution to their issue.Indicators include Creativity, Initiative, Flexibility, Open relationships, Pride, Concern for people, Learning, Confidence, High morale, Success, etc. Adjourning Tuckman later added a fifth phase, adjourning, that involves completing the task and breaki ng up the team. Others call it the phase for mourning. A team that lasts may transcend to a transforming phase of achievement. Transformational management can produce major changes in performance through synergy and is considered to be more far-reaching than transactional management.

Interesting Sociology Essay Topics Essay

Sociology essays deal with the study of human social behavior in a society, thus, it is quite interesting for the students who are interested in human idea but boring for those who dont like studying their species.By and large, essays on sociology are mostly based on informative and argumentative modality of writing, the argumentative sociology essay demands to work on thesis while essays on the sociology of knowledge are mostly assigned to the students in the informative arena.Whether it is argumentative or informative essays, one has to develop a topic that can grab the attention of the reader in no time and this is not such an blue-blooded task. While developing a topic for sociology essay, on should remember the nature of the subject, that is it deals with human behavior, psychology, humanities and social science. Thus, the topic should be as such which revolves roughly these subjects.Following are some of the recommended sociology essay topic for the students who are not abl e to select a good topic for their assignment.1- Youth addiction to alcohol Causes and concerns2- Comparison between the children brought up in Filipino and Europe3- What is and should the role of politicians in socializing through campaigning?4- Merits and demerits of media for a society?5- How cross cultural media transformation destroys the culture of a particular society?6- Internet and its implications on a society.7- Diffusion of innovation in European culture.8- Critical comparison between sociology and anthropology9- Homosexuality crucial warning to our society10- Views about organ transplantation in our society11- What are the causes of increasing street crimes in our society?12- What does incriminate to be a single parent in a conservative society?13- Comparison between marriages and live-in?14- Life in rural areas and life in a metropolitan city15- Increasing materialism increases the depression in a society16- In spite of such an advanced means of dialogue people a re increasingly going for solitude.17- Adoption and its consequences for an adopted child18- How does divorce effects on the minds of the children19- Comparison between materialistic and a spiritualist person20- Living a life as an eternal bachelor21- Women empowerment in a conservative society22- Challenges a working women faces in our society23- Comparison between inferiority and superiority complex24- Living whole life in a prison25- Origin of sociology as a science

Stylistic Analysis : “a Cup of Tea” by K.Mansfield

Written by ASUMAN BIRDAL STYLISTIC ANALYSIS A CUP OF TEA by K. Mansfield The common view that a literary schoolbook is likely to be comprehended better if it is studied in parallel with stylistic analysis which emphasizes the all-important(a) role of the linguistic features of the text contributes much to the development of literary criticism. M. A. K.Halliday is one of the text linguists who sees grammar as a network of systems of relationships which account for all the semantically relevant choices in language, which is the standpoint of the stylistic analysis as well. In the light of M. A. K. Hallidays discipline, I will try to analyse a piece of literary text written by Katherina Mansfield in the format of a short story titled A CUP OF TEA and try to criticise the text objectively in relation to its grammatical (functional) features .Before this , Id like to give a brief information nearly the content of the story. A. education ABOUT THE STORY Scanning the story first, we co me across with a rich couple named Rosemary and Philip leading an untroubled, desirable life and they seem to extol each other since- we have no implication whether they love each other for funds or not and everything goes well in their lives. Rosemary spends money without getting into trouble and giving no suit or excuse to her husband in doing this.Everyone in a society admires Rosemary not by chance for her beauty but for her remarkable features such as being interested in current movements from every aspects, seeming as an goodly young woman, discipline the modern books. Philip is not as bright as Rosemary but he makes himself realize as soon as he registers the story towards the end. obscure from the couple, there is a girl who meets Rosemary in a driveway by asking for money to have a cup of tea indeed is picked up by her to have a cup of tea at her home and begins to be directed by her.We infer this from the fact that whenever Rosemary wants her to enter the scene she is there but when, at the last scene, Rosemary is jealous of her, the girl is easily disappearad without giving no sign for us to stick the reason of her disappearance. And we have one more character having a part in the story the shopman. He is also under the effect of Rosemary we can extrapolate this from his polite behaviours which are made obvious in the text with circumstantial features. But he is the person also who utilizes by the weakness of her.He tries to prevail her attraction on the enamel box and succeeds it he promises her to keep the box for her because he knows her and he knows that she will come to buy it she has the power of money and gets some(prenominal) she desires without acconting for anything to anybody. Not only we encounter with her weakness in her dialogue with the shopman but also in her being jealous of Miss Smith when he utters harming words for this girl and behaves as it is predicted by Philip who knows directing her and makes her behave as h e desires taking advantage of her faulty character successfully.In that sense Philip is an intelligent man and effective on Rosemary who is also obviously the symbol of possessive female by being jealous of the girl she has met in the street so she has no self-confidence ,she is a little bit credulous. She asks directly-having no hidden meaning in her words- Am I PRETTY? , which ironically reveals her ex-behaviours to Philip unconstipated she supposes that Philip is not aware of the truth. B. ANALYSISWhen we look at the story from the point of transitivity functions included in the stylistic analysis which tell us about the language and its reflection on processes ,participants ,circumstantial functions we realize that main participant is Rosemary and most of the processes are acted by her. When we count all the sentences describing her or the ones in which she takes get we realize her dominancy at once. The other participants Id like to analyse on this text -apart from Rosemary- are the girl,Miss Smith, and Philip.Even though Philip hasnt got as many turns as Rosemary and Miss Smith, Id like to examine the processes of him in order to display the currents of events as a whole- he is the streamlined figure in the sequences of events in the story- in other words it is vital to handle it here to maintain the entirety of the text. To do this I will follow M. A. K. Hallidays process in which Ideational, Interpersonal, Textual Functions of language are daelt with in order to support all my commentations on Katherine Mansfields work.

Ilm M3.01 Solving Problems and Making Decisions

ILM prudence Course Shaun Barratt Work based dateM3. 01 Problem Solving The Joint serve well for Disabled Children is a partnership developed by Enfields Childrens trust. It comprises specialist, inclusive, voluntary, health and education returns to upkeep and promote opportunities for every incapacitate children and their families in Enfield. The dish up is open to any disabled children and young commonwealth who encounter significant global delay, autism or emotional state threatening conditions under the age of 18.In my role as inclusion development manager I am responsible for enabling disabled children and young people to access mainstream activities of their choice within the borough. I provide the resources, module and training for any universal activity to substantiate identified disabled children. This ensures that all disabled children and their families argon supported to take part in and enjoy local community sprightliness, whenever executable using local ch ildcargon facilities, leisure and recreational activities.I am too part of the management aggroup tasked with generating new ideas to improve the lives of disabled children and their families. It is this role that we were presented with the following problem Significant routines of parents choose presented to the religious help requesting everyplace night breakout ( inbredly a night a substance for their child at a recognised respite provider). The price of over night short breaks (respite) is highly significant in the serve overall budget, far in excess of any other service we provide, and eve a shrimpy increase would put a huge strain on resources.Far to a greater extent cost in effect(p) is to build support mechanisms around the child and family in their own homes. This is done by building packages of support which provide short breaks but without the huge cost of outside provider overnights. So in arrange to understand this issue more we firstly requisiteed to realise what it was about the overnight breaks which were so benevolent and see if we could find another come-at-able ascendent. We decided to utilise our parents forum to fuck off ideas.Understandably this generated a wide array of reasons for why parents valued over nights so highly, however in that location were significant threads and themes which consistently appeared and by far the most significant was that a high resemblance of parents identified the shoot for a full night kip, nighthing they are unable to achieve due to being disturbed by their disabled child. In addition when asked about factors which significantly affect their quality of life peacefulness deprivation was one of the most significant factors right across the spectrum of need and demographic.There is a wealth of evidence to support the notion that sleep problems are far higher in the disabled population than in mainstream families (Pahl and Quine 2004) The service holds an away day twice a year a nd part of the posing was given to a brain storming session around the issue of sleep problems and what we as a service should do to address them. By involving the team in this process this leave ensure that any ideas generated forget have team self-control.A number of ideas were put forward, but by consensus there were four battlefields which were felt up were appropriate responses to the issue of demand for increase in over night provision. pic The first option was for the team to think more laterally in terms of what we offer to parents. This could be done by identifying call areas in the day that parents were struggling with and identify spare support during these generation. This could be around bed times and waking times etc. nd in turn offering parents more support to charge batteries through offering additional short breaks (a short break is an activity such as playschemes or after school groups etc). Another solution would be to analyse what the service is spendin g in other areas and cut other budgets significantly to fund additional overnights and in a similar vein to task the team with finding more cost efficacious over night breaks by opening up to tender to find possible other cheaper providers.The final and most popular idea was to offer some form of sleep coun manageing to modify parents to gain back control of this part of their lives through behaviour management and support to change their childs sleep habits. A simple decision do grids illustrates how this might meet the main areas of need as identified by the parents. Decision making seat Criteria qualifying more diverse Sleep noise Offer increased over Find cheaper over night respite schedule night respite options Cost ( ( ( effective Parental approval ( ( ( extensive term sustainability ( Improved sleep ( ( ( opportunities in short term Improved sleep in the ( unyielding term Intuitively the sleep interpellation program is an appropr iate response as it directly responds to the parents need for their sleep deprivation to be addressed.Its more sustainable than the others and its focussed on the area identified and not just fire armed combat and therefore a potentially proactive way of working which is easier for faculty to identify with. Its cost effective with just the initial outlay and staff focus time. Its solution focussed with clear parameters on intervention times. Parents allow hopefully support something which gives them a long term solution to their problem and not just a short term solution which is offered by overnights. A potential sleep programme training course was identified which would involve cinque members of staff being identified to be trained to cash in ones chips sleep counsellors. They would work directly with the parents and enable the arents to change bedtime routines and behaviours in mark to improve sleep patterns in the child. Before presenting to the joint service steering gr oup we carried out an study epitome to anticipate issues which may be raised in the presentation. SWOT abstract of sleep program Please see appendix (1) The use of a SWOT analysis provides a methodical and honest assessment of our function strengths and weaknesses for carrying out a defined sleep program. It will also expose threats which may pose a threat to its sustainability and opportunities afforded by the process. The objective of the analysis is to ascertain whether the sleep program is a workable affordable, sustainable response to the need for a sleep intervention process.Strengths in more detail The major strength of the programme when functioning to its potential is its affordability and sustainability. Even a minor reduction in over nights expenditure will see the program more than pay for itself. The initial outlay of training could be offset against respite savings. The difficulty is that onus work is difficult to quantify and illustrate as it hasnt happened, but a reduction in the number of looked after children may be apply as a key indicator. The program all the way tackles the root make water of the presenting problem whereas overnights give short term relief to parents the sleep problem itself is hush up there in the future.There is plenty of evidence to suggest that improved sleep is positively fit with improved cognitive performance (The national Sleep Foundation 2004) This would also have significant rival on incidences of challenging behaviours, reducing it dramatically (Green et al 2010) and better quality of life indexes for parents of disabled children (Prosper, Mard and Beecham 2011), twain of which could act as markers for the success of the program. The practical applications of a sleep program can be use to other complimentary areas of work (Sleep Scotland 2001) such as home care and other counselling conditions. Weaknesses in more detail Identification of our weaknesses needed to be done as constructively as possible with no blame or finger pointing, however several key points emerged The first is can the staff hours be found to sustain a sleep program? How can we illustrate that time worn out(p) in the program will in the long term reduce hours in other areas. own the current staff group the necessary communication skills to make effective counsellors?As the sleep service grows there will become a need for additional staff time, resources as well as someone to coordinate the service administer the service and manage the new counsellors. A fundamental unbelief is it possible for the recruitment process to reflect the need for new workers to potentially add to the service. Marketing and stigmatization are also time consuming as the service grows. All these growth factors had to be factored in to produce a long term picture Opportunities in more depth There are opportunities to offer the counselling service to outside agencies with a cost attached. There is no other same service within the bo rough so this is a viable option.This could help in sustaining the service or even to expand it. The publicity afforded of a proactive response to significant and widespread sleep problems, identified by the parents of Enfield themselves, will help put the service in a positive light. This in turn will help our cause when decisions on future cuts are made. This is in turn wishing the move politically for parents to have more control over their lives. Pro active approaches are also always easier to sell to staff by addressing the cause rather than fire fighting the effects. In its favour additional accompaniment streams are available to those ideas generated and supported by parents and children.More effective use of cash and resources will also appeal to stakeholders. The positive outcomes of a sleep program such as improved concentration of children resulting in a reduction of incidences of challenging behaviour, and increased educational achievement is going to appeal to a numb er of partners, which may influence them to invest. Finally and most importantly, an effective service will put less military press on other related services resulting in economies for the stakeholders Threats in more depth The current frugal climate is going to have a huge bearing on the success or other of the labor movement. Given this there is a danger that parents may interpret this as a cost eluding whole step around over nights.Parents may still need overnights despite intervention making it a costly additional service. Research needs to be carried to ensure their isnt a larger service such as MENCAP that can deliver the sleep service more economically. Does the political economic downswing means that projects which offer projected savings are less attractive than short term cuts to services? In order for the service to grow future training opportunities are essential, is this going to be viable when its acknowledged that the first budgets to be reduced are training bud gets. Are the patronage streams used currently likely to remain as further cuts are deemed necessary?Will the outlay of utmost(prenominal) training be viable if staff retention is problematic? Could collaborative efforts for example coordinating approaches with medical checkup interventions i. e. use of melatonin in conjunction with psychological interventions be more cost effective? Inter path working is essential for the sleep program to succeed, is the communication system robust enough for multi agency support? Will cuts mean only front line services that are statutory in reputation be preferred over seemingly peripheral services such as a sleep counselling service? Will elements of the service be put out to tender and is this likely to be picked up in this?Given the threats outlined by the swot analysis it is clear that in order to present a convincing case to our steering group it is necessary to present an outline and be for how the service might develop. The main objec tive would be could we illustrate the effectiveness of the sleep program as an intervention? Could we illustrate parental satisfactions as a response to sleep issues? Therefore we identified a diverse number of partners to carry out a pilot project. With it being multi agency the strain on any one service could be portrayed as manageable. The SWOT analysis illustrated that there are major potential benefits to partner agencies so there involvement and investment was essential. We would carry out analysis of the success or otherwise of a sleep clinic with a small number of parents from diverse backgrounds.They would be asked to fill in a number of satisfaction questionnaires prior to and after the intervention. Feedback on behavioural changes from a previously obtained baseline would be obtained from partner agencies involved ie schools. We would need to highlight circumstances when the intervention could have most benefit i. e. care plans in child protection cases, complex issue chi ldren or families in other types of crisis. All of these will have great appeal to senior management teams. by and by the pilot parents and senior management would be invited to a presentation of the results. An exercise would be given to the parents whereby they become budget holders.They would be given the money that they are entitled to for their children. They would then be given the cost of all services available to them. By this means parents will be able to see for themselves the cost effectiveness of the intervention and the huge costs of over night respite. They would be empowered to know how they could have a substantial package of support around them for the cost of very few overnights. The issue of sleep programs would be shown to be a very cost effective tool in obtain a good nights sleep. Finally the sleep clinic team would present to all partner agency staff. Cascading of skills would be essential and appeals for constructive critisism of the scheme could be made.Ess entially there has to be a selling process and ownership of the service throughout the joint service. If it is then a viable option we would meet with managers to move the project forward Appendix 1 Strengths weaknesses (i) Affordability and sustainability (i) Is there sufficient availability of staff to undertake the (ii) Tackles root cause of presenting problem training (iii) Cognitive improvements as a result of better quality (ii) Staff accomplished enough to communicate at the highest level sleep in order to make venture victorious (iv) Improved Staff skills set (iii) Who has time to coordinate project? (v) cascading of skills will appeal to budget holders (iv) healing(predicate) change can be time consuming (vi) reduction in aggressive incidences which are as a direct (v) Does recruitment reflect the need for these particular result of sleep deprivation skills? (vii) additional resource to offer families in crisis child (vi) Who is going to market and brand the se rvice? protection etc (vii) submit for administrator and stats holder (viii) a new approach to empowering parents to enable them to take control of their own lives opportunities Threats (i) Outsourcing counselling service to other agencies if proved(i) Parents may interpret this as a cost cutting measure around successful over nights (ii) Response to significant and widespread sleep problems (ii) Parents may still need overnights despite intervention identified by the parents of Enfield themselves making it costly additional service (iii) Above (ii) compliments the move politically for parents (iii) Could a larger organisation undercut the sleep service? to have more control over their lives (iv) political economic downturn means (iv) addressing the cause rather than fire fighting the effects(1) long term savings options less attractive than short term (v) Additional funding streams are available to those ideas cuts generated and supported by parents and children (2 ) Training budgets are the first to be cut when money is (vi) More effective of money and resources will appeal to tight threat to future growth stakeholders (3) Service once offered will need to grow to meet need is this Improved concentration of children and young people resulting viable? in a reduction of incidences of challenging behaviour, and (4) Are there more cost effective services already in existence increased educational achievement that that Enfield could tap into instead An effective service will put less pressure on other related services motivating for more overnights and better quality of sleep Increase in overnights by moving other budgets Offer diverse options to support parents in coping Support parents in managing their sleep Seek out cheaper respite units

Give Me Liberty

A Response to Issue 1 Following the Civil War there was a rapid progression of the role of African Americans in the unify States. Reconstruction had given African Americans their freedom along with their rights to vote, own land, and even hold positions in office. Many historians would before long report about the peachy success Reconstruction made in the United States for the African American race in obtaining their civil rights. Even though America had created a ball club where all men were twin in the eyes of the law, great racism still lingered within umpteen another(prenominal) dust coats.The lack of protection against racial crimes upon the African American race became very apparent as white supremacy began to rise. Massacres took place, slaying dozens of black men for peacefully doing what the U. S. g everyplacenment clearly permitted them to do. I mean Reconstruction did fail, due not to racism of the country as a whole, but to racism in some white citizens who were reluctant to allow change in the social standing of the black man. African Americans began to gain equal standing in politics and were holding positions in office all over the United States.As this happened, many white men started to rally against the Negro Rule, forming white supremacy clans that would soon rise up against all African Americans alike. The largest of these clans was known as the Old Time Ku Klux Klan which began to revolt against the stem Reconstruction of the United States. In many cases the KKK killed law abiding black land owners. In bingle case an African American man was even reportedly peacefully building a make do around his land when the men shot him dead. The clansmen were known to then make haven in the African Americans homes, exhaust all supplies of food and resources and then ride on to their next destination. In the town of Colfax, Louisiana the Grant Parish courthouse became the site of the largest racial massacre in United States history. Here a g roup of men decided to make a stand against the clan. After much anticipation the Ku Klux Klan adjoin the courthouse in battle-like formations, and shortly after, the battle began. The group in defense of the courthouse were outnumbered and out armed.The clan reportedly disjointed the defense with cannon fire, at which time many of them retreated into the courthouse. One African American that was captured during his start to flee was held at gunpoint and forced to light flame to the roof of the courthouse in which his fellow defensemen had bunkered in retreat. Some captured African Americans were hung while others forced to retrieve men from the burning courthouse. All of the men that were captured were lastly killed, and some reported various cruel acts to the dead mens bodies and family members.To this day, no greater racial killing has ever taken place. This account is a prime, even though somewhat extreme, example of the great amount of racism that persisted throughout the Un ited States during Reconstruction. Even though the law allowed African Americans to have equal civil rights as white men it did not protect them from the racism that was directed towards them. Due to this many white men sought out to strip the black man of their unalienable rights, many of which succeeded.

Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Four

Poor Sheeb, still locked in half(a)-hu human race form, Jezebel teased. I remember how good e very social function spirits all the date. Ugh. And the temperature Do the reality collect to looseze forevery slenderizeg with their wretched air-conditioning?Shebas casing was smooth n atomic number 53, controlled. I overreach by. Theres plenty of misery to go close to.Thats the spirit Just an separate a few(prenominal) centuries, and youll be in the monolithic- clock with me.Sheba allowed a smirk to curl her lips. Or maybe non quite so long.One erosive shopping centrebrow arched high once morest Jezebels white forehead, raising almost to an ebony horn.Is that so? Got something discovericularly evil up your sleeve, little sister?Sheba didnt answer, tensing once again as Jezebel sent her call for thoughts snaking invisibly through the crowd inside the ballroom. Sheba locked her jaw, ready to strike derriere if Jezebel tried to undo both of her schemes. al unmatchable Jezebel conscionable computeed, touching nothing.Hmm, Jezebel hummed to herself. Hmm.Shebas fists clenched hard as Jezebels search touched Cooper Silverdale, unless(prenominal) again, Jezebel that observed.Well, well, the horned monsteress murmured. Wow. Sheeb, Ive got to say it, Im impressed. You got a gun in. And a motivated hand- luxuriant of alcohol to weaken his free allow The dodderinger terasess s cubic centimeterd with something that get a lineed strangely wish well sincerity. This is really evil. I humble, sure, a middle demon working homicide or mayhem or maybe riots could set something exchangeable this up at a amble, but a human-form child on misery detail? What be you, cardinal, three hundred?Just genius-eighty-six at my belong spawn day, Sheba answered brusquely, still wary.Jezebel whistled a tongue of flame through her lips. genuinely impressed. And I butt joint agree that you atomic number 18nt neglecting your assignment, either. Thats one miser able crowd in on that point. Jezebel laughed. Youve nullifyed nearly every promising relationship, low-down a few dozen lifelong friendships, do new enemies three, four, five fights brewing, Jezebel counted, her mind with the humans. Youve rase got the DJ audience to you Such attention to detail. Ha-ha I john count on one hand the humans who arent completely wretched.Sheba smiled grimly. Ill get to to them.Ghastly, Sheeb. Seriously nasty. You do our name proud. If every prom had a demoness wish well you involved, wed own this world.Aw, Jez, youre fashioning me blush, Sheba utter with heavy sarcasm.Jezebel laughed. Of course, youve got a little help.Jezebels thoughts twisted in a circle about Celeste, who had just twisted herself around a new boy. Jilted girls cried, while the boys Celeste carelessly tossed aside flexed their fists and glowered wrathfully at their competition burning with lust, each was determined that Celeste was finishing the night with him.Celeste wa s doing half the work tonight.I use the tools available to me, Sheba said.What an ironic name What an evil mind Is she fully human?I passed her in the hall, just to check, Sheba admitted. Pure, clean human scent. Revolting.Huh. I would stick out sworn she had some demon in her ancestry. entire chance on. exclusively, Sheba, asking a date? Pretty amateur, involving yourself physically that way.Shebas chin jabbed upward defensively, but she did not answer. Jezebel was salutary it was crude and time-consuming to use ones human form rather than ones demon mind. However, it was the results that counted. Shebas timely interference had kept Logan from discoering his true love.Well, it in no way diminishes your accomplishments here tonight. Jezebels tone was conciliatory. You pull this one move out, and theyll put you in the baby demons textbooks. give thanks, Sheba snapped. Did Jezebel really think she could flatter Sheba into letting her guard vanquish?Jezebel smiled, and her mis ts curled up on the edges, mirroring the expression.A tip, Sheba. Keep them conf apply in on that point. If you tidy sum get Cooper to pull the trigger, then you ability addle some of these wannabe gangsters think theyre under fire. Jezebel shook her head in wonder. Youve got so often(prenominal) potential mayhem here. Of course, theyll bring in a riot demon if it really gets hot but youd still get some of the credit for stirring it up.Sheba grimaced, and glimmers of red flashed at her ears. What was Jezebel doing? Where was the trick? Her mind ran over and over the humans she was assigned to torment, but she could find no trace of Jezebels distinct brimstone sea tangle in the ballroom. There was nothing but the misery Sheba had caused herself, and the few little pockets of repellent happiness that Sheba would assist to shortly.Youre certainly helpful tonight, Sheba said, creation deliberately insulting.Jezebel sighed, and there was something nigh the way her mists rolled stern in on themselves that made her look embarrassed. For the first time, Sheba felt a hint of doubt some her assumptions. neertheless Jezebels motives had to be malicious. Thats the still pleasant of motives demons had.With a rueful expression on her face, Jezebel asked quietly, Is it so impossible to conceptualise that I might regard you to get promoted?Yes.Jezebel sighed again. And again, the way her mists writhed in chagrin made Sheba uncertain.why? Sheba demanded. What do you get out of this?I know its all wrong-or rather right-for me to be giving you advice you nates work with. not very evil of me.Sheba nodded cautiously.Its in our nature to trip up everyone, demons, humans- level stumble angels if we get the chance. Were evil. of course were passing to vertebral columnstab, whether it hurts our side or not. We wouldnt be demons if we didnt let envy, greed, lust, and wrath rule us. Jezebel chuckled. I remember-how many another(prenominal) age ago was it? Lil ith almost got you booted back a few grades, didnt she?Red fire smoldered in Shebas look at the memory. Almost.You handled it better than most. Youre one of the very worst working misery right now, you know.Flattery again? Sheba stiffened.Jezebel twisted her mists up with a finger, and then circled that finger so that the mists drew a smoky roll against the night sky.Theres a bigger picture, though, Sheba. Demons wish Lilith cant feel past the evil at hand. alone theres a whole world out there, full of humans making millions of decisions every minute of the day and night. We can only be there to sway a fraction of those decisions. And sometimes, well, from where Im standing, it feels analogous the angels are getting nominal headwards provided, Jezebel Sheba gasped, shock breaking through her suspicion. Were winning. Just watch the intelligence information-its obvious were winning.I know, I know. But still with all the wars and destruction its odd, Sheba. Theres still an aw ful lot of happiness out there. For every mugging I distort into a homicide, across town some angel has a bystander jumping another mugger to continue the day. Or convincing the mugger to give up his wicked ways Ugh. Were losing ground.But the angels are weak, Jezebel. Everyone knows that. Theyre so full of love that they cant concentrate. Half the time the stupid birdb rainwaters fall in love with a human and administer their wings for a human body. Though why hitherto an idiot angel would exigency this Sheba scowled down the length of her human form. So limiting. Ive never really understood the point of having to wear these around for half a millennium. I guess its probably just to torture us, isnt it? The dark lords must enjoy reflexion us squirm.Its more than that. Its to make you really hatred them. The humans, I mean.Sheba stared at her. Why would I deficiency a suit? Hate is what I do.It happens, you know, Jezebel said slowly. The angels arent the only ones to give it all up. There are demons whove traded their horns for a human. nary(prenominal) Shebas eye widened, then nailed in disbelief. Youre exaggerating. Now and then a demon shacks up with a human, but its just to torment them. Just a bit of malicious fun.Jezebel winced, swishing her mists into check eights, but she didnt argue back. Thats what made Sheba realize she was serious.Sheba swallowed hard. Wow.She couldnt imagine that. Taking all this delicious evil and throwing it away. large-minded up a hard-earned pair of horns-horns that Sheba would destroy anything to lead right now-and getting stuck with a weak, fully virulent body in return.Sheba eyed Jezebels g audience onyx horns and frowned. I dont understand how anyone could do that.Remember what you said about the angels? Getting distracted by love? Jezebel asked. Well, hate can be a distraction, too. Look at Lilith and her spiteful good deeds. Maybe it starts out with sticking it to the lesser demons, but who knows where it go away lead? sexual abstention corrupts.I cant believe a few tricks against another demon could make you as stupid as a birdbrain, Sheba mumbled under her breath.Sheba, dont underestimate the angels, Jezebel chastised. You dont mess with them-you observe? Even a strong middle demon like me knows better than to lock horns with the feather-backs. They steer fall of us, and we steer clear of them. Let the Demon Lords conduct with the angels.I know that, Jezebel. I wasnt spawned this decade.Sorry. Im being helpful again. She shuddered. I just get so prevent sometimes smashingness and fallible on every sideSheba shook her head. I dont search that. disappointment is everywhere.Happiness is, too, sis. Its all over the place, Jezebel said sadly.It was silent for a long moment as Jezebels wrangle lingered in the air. The sticky breeze washed across Shebas skin. Miami was no hell, but it was comfortable at least.not at my prom Sheba retorted with sudden fierceness.Jezebel smiled wi dely-her teeth were black as the night sky. Thats just it-thats why Im being so un-damnedly helpful. Because we need demonesses like you out there. We need the worst we can get on the front lines. Let the Liliths of the underworld mess around with petty tricks. Get me the Shebas on my side. Get me a honey oil Shebas. Well win this fight once and for all.Sheba considered that for a moment, weighing the fierce purpose in Jezebels enunciate. Thats evil in such a strange way. It almost survives like good.Twisted, I know.They laughed unneurotic for the first time.Well, get back in there and destroy that prom.Im on it. Go to hell, Jezebel.Prom Nights from hellhole Chapter FourSibby Cumean started prateing as soon as they got out of the airdrome.How long have you been driving betray around? she asked Miranda.A year.Did you commence up here?No.Do you have any brothers?No.Any sisters?N-no.Do you like driving?Yes.Do you have to wear that deadening black instance?Yes.How old are yo u?Twenty.Um, not.Fine. Eighteen. gift you ever had sex?Miranda cleared her throat. I dont think that question is appropriate. She hear herself earphone like Dr. Trope, the confederate head of domesticate, with the voice he used to set up her he wasnt auditory sense to another excuse about why she was late getting back to campus, rules were made for a reason and that reason wasnt so she could inspire them for her amusement and speaking of late, did she plan at some point to influence what she was outlet to do near year or just irresponsibly forfeit her place at the several top-tier colleges shed been accepted to, making the school look bad and herself look worse and really he didnt know what had gotten into her recently, where was the Miranda Kiss who was going to be a doctor and save the world, who was a credit to the school and herself, rather than the one who was on her way to being expelled-is that what you really want, young lady? A voice she knew well since she realise med to have been auditory modality it at least once a week since early November.Youre a virgin, Sibby announced, like she was confirming a sad fact shed long suspected.Thats not-Do you at least have a boyfriend?Not at this-A girlfriend?No.Do you have any friends? Youre not really very good at conversation.Miranda was beginning to understand why the girls relatives hadnt come to the airport for her.I have dozens of friends.Sure. I believe you. What do you do for fun?Answer questions. interest never try to be funny again. Sibby leaned forward. Have you ever thought of wearing some black eyeliner? It would be an improvement.B complaisant give thankss. dismiss you pull up?Um, were at a take leavelight.Just go forward a fiddling-perfect. feeling in the side mirror, Miranda saw that Sibby had rolled down her window and was propensity out, saying now to the computerized axial tomographys in the jeep next to them, Where are you boys going?The guys answered, A little synodic month su rfing. Want to come, goddess?Im not a goddess. Do you think I look like one?I cant tell. Maybe if you take off your shirt.Maybe if you give me a snog.Miranda hit the button to roll up the window.What are you doing? Sibby demanded. You could have broken my hand.Put your lav belt on, please.Put your seat belt on, please, Sibby mimicked, slumping back into the seat. Oh my gods, I was just hard to be sociable.Until we get to your destination, no more socializing.Have you listened to yourself recently? You sound like youre eighty, not eighteen. She scowled at Miranda in the mirror. I thought you were a driver, not a jailer.Its my commerce to make sure you get where youre going in a riskless and timely manner. Thats printed on the visor youll find in your seat pocket, by the way.How is kiss some boys going to make me unsafe?A million polar ways. What if they have an invisible babble fungus? Or DeathLip.Theres no such thing as DeathLip. ar you sure?Youre just jealous because I kn ow how to have fun and you dont. Virgin.Miranda rolled her eyeball but kept quiet, listening to cell retrieve conversations from the cars basis them, a woman state psyche that the gardener was on his way, a guy saying in a mystical voice, I see a mysterious rum access for you, I cant quite tell if its a man or a woman. Another man talking to someone about how he wanted to take that kicking out of the will and it didnt involvement if she was his mothers favorite dog-She was interrupted suddenly by Sibby shouting, Inn-Out Burger We have to stop.B suitMiranda agreed to let Sibby shape her own at the drive-through, then regretted it when she heard the girl saying to the guy taking the order, Do I get a discount if I let you kiss me?Okay, seriously, were you increase on Crazycake? Why do you want to kiss all these guys you dont even know? Miranda asked.There arent that many boys where I come from. And what does learned them have to do with it? Kissing is great. I kissed four boys on the airplane. Im hoping to make it twenty-five before the end of the day.She added the two working the drive-through lane when she got her burger.Are all hamburgers that delicious? she asked when they were on the road again.Miranda glanced at her in the rearview mirror. Youve never had a burger before? Where do you live?The mountains, Sibby answered quickly, and Miranda picked up a slight rise in her softheartedness rate, suggesting that she was lying and not used to it. Which faceed hugely unlikely-the not-used-to-it part-for someone who had a case of acute son Crazy like this girl. Her parents couldnt possibly let her run around-Oh So Very Much Not Your Problem, Miranda reminded herself. B discreet.Sibby tried to solicit kisses from four other guys as they drove. They were a mile from the drop-off point and Miranda was sentiment that the ride could not be over soon enough when Sibby shrieked, Oh my gods, a doughnut store Ive always wanted to try doughnuts, too. Can we stop? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease?They were already almost an hour late but Miranda couldnt abandon anyone a doughnut. Even someone who said, Oh my gods. But pulling in, she saw a group of guys sitting at a table inside and find outd that it would be dangerous to let Sibby near them if she wanted to get out of there in under forty minutes. Ill go in and get them, you mollify here.Sibby had seen the guys, too. No way, Im coming in.Either your butt stays in the car, Kissing Bandit, or the doughnuts stay in the store.I dont think thats a nice way to talk to customers.Feel free to use my phone to file cabinet a complaint while Im inside. Do we have a deal?Fine. But will you at least roll down the window? Miranda hesitated. Sibby said, Look, Grandma, I promise Ill restrain my butt in the car, I just dont want to suffocate. Gods.When Miranda came out, Sibby had wedged herself in the window with her body and legs exterior the car and her rear intermission back into it, and was d eeply involved in kissing a redheaded guy.Excuse me, Miranda said, tapping the guy on the shoulder.He turned around shape of hazy, looked her up and down. pitfallo, dream girl. You want a kiss, too? I could do something really special with lips like yours. You wouldnt even have to collapse me a dollar.Thanks, but no. looking for at Sibby now. I thought wed agreed that- my butt would stay in the car. Where, if you bothered to look, you would see it is.Miranda turned away so Sibby wouldnt see her crack up.She handed Sibby the doughnuts and slid into the drivers seat. at one time Sibby had wiggled back through the window, Miranda caught her eye in the rearview. You were paying guys to kiss you?So what? Sibby glared. Not all of us can get kissed for free. much glaring, then, You barely have boobs. My boobs are bigger than yours. It makes no sense.Sibby got quiet, not even eating her doughnut. From time to time shed sigh dramatically.Miranda started feeling a little sorry. Maybe she had been acting like a grandma. She looked at How to Get-And Kiss-Your computed axial tomography on the seat next to her. Maybe youre jealous shes four geezerhood younger than you but has already kissed more guys in one day than youll probably date in your whole life even if you get a boob job and live to be two trillion.Shut up, U-Suck channel.She should be nice, make conversation. How many kisses is it total now?Sibby kept her eyes on her lap. Ten. Looking up to add, But I only paid six of them. And one of them I only gave a quarter.Nice work.Miranda saw Sibby look up suspiciously, like she thought she was being made fun of, decide she wasnt, and start picking at her doughnut. After a while she said, Can I ask you a question?Youre asking liberty now?For real, just please stop trying to be funny. Its painful.Thanks for the hot tip. Did you have a question or-Why didnt you want to kiss that boy back there? The one who wanted to kiss you?I guess hes not my part.Whats your ty pe?Miranda thought of Deputy Reynolds-blue eyes and cleft jaw and ungroomed blond copper, getting up every morning to go surfing. The openhearted of guy who always wore shades or looked at you with his eyes half closed and was too cool down for smiling. Then pictured go away with his dark, maple-syrup-color skin, short curly hair, huge boyish smile, and abs that rippled when he stood talking, shirtless, with the other players after lacrosse practice, body glimmer in the sun, his laugh ringing out and making her feel like she felt when she saw cover melting on perfectly cooked Belgian waffles.Not that she routinely jumped up onto the roof of the marine biota lab when no one was looking to watch this. (Weekly.)I dont know, its more a feeling than a type, Miranda said finally.How many boys have you kissed? A hundred?Uh, no. ii hundred?Miranda felt herself flush and hoped Sibby couldnt see. Keep guessing.They pulled up to the address shed been given, an hour and fifteen minutes afterwards than they should have, the first time shed ever dropped a client off late.When Miranda undetermined the car door for her, Sibby asked, Is kissing a boy whos your type really different than kissing just any boy?Its complicated. Miranda was surprise at how relieved she was that she wouldnt have to go into it more, admit to this girl that, genuinely, she had no idea.The place looked more like a government safe domicile for witnesses than a home, she thought, walking Sibby to the door. It was like the dictionary definition of nondescript, sandwiched surrounded by a house with carbon White and the Seven Dwarves enacting the Nativity on the front lawn on one side, and one with a pink-and-orange devolve set on the other. The only thing you noticed about this house was that there were thick curtains interruption in the front windows so you couldnt see in, and a six-foot-tall solid woodwind instrument fence blocking off the backyard so you couldnt get in. The street was fi lled with noises-Miranda heard BBQs sizzling, conversations, someone watching Beauty and the Beast in Spanish-but this house was silent, as though it had been soundproofed.She registered a low humming coming from the side, like an air conditioner but not quite. Glancing up, she saw that none of the power lines connected to this house. None of the phone lines, either. A generator. Whoever lived here was animated off the grid. All in all, the whole place was really informal, if cozy meant creepy and cultish.And the woman who opened the front door? Exactly what youd expect of someone creepy and cultish, Miranda thought. She had graying hair pulled back in a loose bun and was wearing a long skirt and kind of shapeless sweater. She could have been anyplace from thirty to sixty years old, it was impossible to tell because she was wearing a pair of huge bifocals with unflattering square frames that magnified her eyes and covered half her face. She looked completely harmless, like a sch oolteacher whod sanctified her life to caring for an aging relative and whose one indulgence was a secret crush on Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre.Or almost like that. Like that was the look shed been going for. But there was something wrong, some tiny thing that did not quite match, one tiny detail that wasnt right.So. Not. Your. Business.Miranda said good-bye, took her $1.00 tip-Because you were really quite late, in effect(p)-and drove away.She was half a block away when she slammed on the brake system and sprinted back to the house.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter FourSibby Cumean started talking as soon as they got out of the airport.How long have you been driving people around? she asked Miranda.A year.Did you grow up here?No.Do you have any brothers?No.Any sisters?N-no.Do you like driving?Yes.Do you have to wear that boring black suit?Yes.How old are you?Twenty.Um, not.Fine. Eighteen.Have you ever had sex?Miranda cleared her throat. I dont think that question is appropriate. She heard herself sound like Dr. Trope, the assistant head of school, with the voice he used to tell her he wasnt listening to another excuse about why she was late getting back to campus, rules were made for a reason and that reason wasnt so she could flout them for her amusement and speaking of late, did she plan at some point to decide what she was going to do next year or just irresponsibly forfeit her place at the several top-tier colleges shed been accepted to, making the school look bad and herself look worse and really he didnt know what had gotten into her recently, where was the Miranda Kiss who was going to be a doctor and save the world, who was a credit to the school and herself, rather than the one who was on her way to being expelled-is that what you really want, young lady? A voice she knew well since she seemed to have been hearing it at least once a week since early November.Youre a virgin, Sibby announced, like she was confirming a sad fact shed long suspected.Thats not-Do you at least have a boyfriend?Not at this-A girlfriend?No.Do you have any friends? Youre not really very good at conversation.Miranda was beginning to understand why the girls relatives hadnt come to the airport for her.I have lots of friends.Sure. I believe you. What do you do for fun?Answer questions.Please never try to be funny again. Sibby leaned forward. Have you ever thought of wearing some black eyeliner? It would be an improvement.B polite Thanks.Can you pull up?Um, were at a stoplight.Just go forward a tiny-perfect.Looking in the side mirror, Miranda saw that Sibby had rolled down her window and was leaning out, saying now to the guys in the jeep next to them, Where are you boys going?The guys answered, A little moonlight surfing. Want to come, goddess?Im not a goddess. Do you think I look like one?I cant tell. Maybe if you take off your shirt.Maybe if you give me a kiss.Miranda hit the button to roll up the window.What are you doing? Sibby demanded. You could have b roken my hand.Put your seat belt on, please.Put your seat belt on, please, Sibby mimicked, slumping back into the seat. Oh my gods, I was just trying to be sociable.Until we get to your destination, no more socializing.Have you listened to yourself recently? You sound like youre eighty, not eighteen. She scowled at Miranda in the mirror. I thought you were a driver, not a jailer.Its my job to make sure you get where youre going in a safe and timely manner. Thats printed on the card youll find in your seat pocket, by the way.How is kissing some boys going to make me unsafe?A million different ways. What if they have an invisible mouth fungus? Or DeathLip.Theres no such thing as DeathLip.Are you sure?Youre just jealous because I know how to have fun and you dont. Virgin.Miranda rolled her eyes but kept quiet, listening to cell phone conversations from the cars behind them, a woman telling someone that the gardener was on his way, a guy saying in a mystical voice, I see a mysterious st ranger coming for you, I cant quite tell if its a man or a woman. Another man talking to someone about how he wanted to take that bitch out of the will and it didnt matter if she was his mothers favorite dog-She was interrupted suddenly by Sibby shouting, Inn-Out Burger We have to stop.B accommodatingMiranda agreed to let Sibby order her own at the drive-through, then regretted it when she heard the girl saying to the guy taking the order, Do I get a discount if I let you kiss me?Okay, seriously, were you raised on Crazycake? Why do you want to kiss all these guys you dont even know? Miranda asked.There arent that many boys where I come from. And what does knowing them have to do with it? Kissing is great. I kissed four boys on the airplane. Im hoping to make it twenty-five before the end of the day.She added the two working the drive-through lane when she got her burger.Are all hamburgers that delicious? she asked when they were on the road again.Miranda glanced at her in the rearv iew mirror. Youve never had a burger before? Where do you live?The mountains, Sibby answered quickly, and Miranda picked up a slight rise in her heart rate, suggesting that she was lying and not used to it. Which seemed hugely unlikely-the not-used-to-it part-for someone who had a case of acute Boy Crazy like this girl. Her parents couldnt possibly let her run around-Oh So Very Much Not Your Problem, Miranda reminded herself. B discreet.Sibby tried to solicit kisses from four other guys as they drove. They were a mile from the drop-off point and Miranda was thinking that the ride could not be over soon enough when Sibby shrieked, Oh my gods, a doughnut store Ive always wanted to try doughnuts, too. Can we stop? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease?They were already almost an hour late but Miranda couldnt deny anyone a doughnut. Even someone who said, Oh my gods. But pulling in, she saw a group of guys sitting at a table inside and decided that it would be dangerous to let Sibby near them if she wanted to get out of there in under forty minutes. Ill go in and get them, you stay here.Sibby had seen the guys, too. No way, Im coming in.Either your butt stays in the car, Kissing Bandit, or the doughnuts stay in the store.I dont think thats a nice way to talk to customers.Feel free to use my phone to file a complaint while Im inside. Do we have a deal?Fine. But will you at least roll down the window? Miranda hesitated. Sibby said, Look, Grandma, I promise Ill keep my butt in the car, I just dont want to suffocate. Gods.When Miranda came out, Sibby had wedged herself in the window with her body and legs outside the car and her rear hanging back into it, and was deeply involved in kissing a blond guy.Excuse me, Miranda said, tapping the guy on the shoulder.He turned around kind of hazy, looked her up and down. Hello, dream girl. You want a kiss, too? I could do something really special with lips like yours. You wouldnt even have to pay me a dollar.Thanks, but no. Looking at Sibby now. I thought wed agreed that- my butt would stay in the car. Where, if you bothered to look, you would see it is.Miranda turned away so Sibby wouldnt see her crack up.She handed Sibby the doughnuts and slid into the drivers seat. Once Sibby had wiggled back through the window, Miranda caught her eye in the rearview. You were paying guys to kiss you?So what? Sibby glared. Not all of us can get kissed for free. More glaring, then, You barely have boobs. My boobs are bigger than yours. It makes no sense.Sibby got quiet, not even eating her doughnut. From time to time shed sigh dramatically.Miranda started feeling a little sorry. Maybe she had been acting like a grandma. She looked at How to Get-And Kiss-Your Guy on the seat next to her. Maybe youre jealous shes four years younger than you but has already kissed more guys in one day than youll probably date in your whole life even if you get a boob job and live to be two trillion.Shut up, U-Suck channel.She should be nice, ma ke conversation. How many kisses is it total now?Sibby kept her eyes on her lap. Ten. Looking up to add, But I only paid six of them. And one of them I only gave a quarter.Nice work.Miranda saw Sibby look up suspiciously, like she thought she was being made fun of, decide she wasnt, and start picking at her doughnut. After a while she said, Can I ask you a question?Youre asking permission now?For real, just please stop trying to be funny. Its painful.Thanks for the hot tip. Did you have a question or-Why didnt you want to kiss that boy back there? The one who wanted to kiss you?I guess hes not my type.Whats your type?Miranda thought of Deputy Reynolds-blue eyes and cleft jaw and shaggy blond hair, getting up every morning to go surfing. The kind of guy who always wore sunglasses or looked at you with his eyes half closed and was too cool for smiling. Then pictured Will with his dark, maple-syrup-color skin, short curly hair, huge boyish smile, and abs that rippled when he stood talk ing, shirtless, with the other players after lacrosse practice, body glimmering in the sun, his laugh ringing out and making her feel like she felt when she saw butter melting on perfectly cooked Belgian waffles.Not that she routinely jumped up onto the roof of the marine biology lab when no one was looking to watch this. (Weekly.)I dont know, its more a feeling than a type, Miranda said finally.How many boys have you kissed? A hundred?Uh, no.Two hundred?Miranda felt herself blushing and hoped Sibby couldnt see. Keep guessing.They pulled up to the address shed been given, an hour and fifteen minutes later than they should have, the first time shed ever dropped a client off late.When Miranda opened the car door for her, Sibby asked, Is kissing a boy whos your type really different than kissing just any boy?Its complicated. Miranda was surprised at how relieved she was that she wouldnt have to go into it more, admit to this girl that, actually, she had no idea.The place looked more li ke a government safe house for witnesses than a home, she thought, walking Sibby to the door. It was like the dictionary definition of nondescript, sandwiched between a house with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves enacting the Nativity on the front lawn on one side, and one with a pink-and-orange swing set on the other. The only thing you noticed about this house was that there were thick curtains hanging in the front windows so you couldnt see in, and a six-foot-tall solid wood fence blocking off the backyard so you couldnt get in. The street was filled with noises-Miranda heard BBQs sizzling, conversations, someone watching Beauty and the Beast in Spanish-but this house was silent, as though it had been soundproofed.She registered a low humming coming from the side, like an air conditioner but not quite. Glancing up, she saw that none of the power lines connected to this house. None of the phone lines, either. A generator. Whoever lived here was living off the grid. All in all, the whole place was really cozy, if cozy meant creepy and cultish.And the woman who opened the front door? Exactly what youd expect of someone creepy and cultish, Miranda thought. She had graying hair pulled back in a loose bun and was wearing a long skirt and kind of shapeless sweater. She could have been anywhere from thirty to sixty years old, it was impossible to tell because she was wearing a pair of huge bifocals with unflattering square frames that magnified her eyes and covered half her face. She looked completely harmless, like a schoolteacher whod dedicated her life to caring for an aging relative and whose one indulgence was a secret crush on Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre.Or almost like that. Like that was the look shed been going for. But there was something wrong, some tiny thing that did not quite match, one tiny detail that wasnt right.So. Not. Your. Business.Miranda said good-bye, took her $1.00 tip-Because you were really quite late, dear-and drove away.She was half a b lock away when she slammed on the brakes and sprinted back to the house.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter FourI laughed.But you girls go on, knock yourselves out, he said. Ive actually got an errand to run.Youre leaving? Yun Sun said.What about the pizza? I said.He opened his wallet and laid a twenty-dollar bill on the coffee table. Itll be here in thirty minutes. My treat.Yun Sun shook her head. And again I say Youre leaving?. Youre not even staying to eat?Theres something I need to do, he said.My heart constricted. I ached to keep him here, even if just for a little longer. I darted back to the kitchen and pulled Madame Zs corsage-no, my corsage-out of my bag.At least wait till Ive made my wish, I said.He looked amused. Fine, wish away.I hesitated. The den was warm and cozy, pizza was on the way, and I had the two greatest friends in the world. What else did I truly want?Duh, the grasping part of my brain told me. Prom, of course. I wanted Will to ask me to prom. Maybe it was selfish to have so much and still want more, but I pushed that line of reasoning away.Because look at him, I thought. Those kind brown eyes, that lopsided smile. Those ridiculously angelic curls. The entire sweetness and goodness that was Will.He hummed the Jeopardy content song. I raised the corsage.I wish for the boy I love to ask me to prom, I said.And there you have it, folks Will cried. He was far too euphoric. And what boy wouldnt want to take her to prom, our fab Frankie? Now well just have to wait and see, wont we, whether her wish will come-Yun Sun cut him off. Frankie? Are you alright?It travel, I said, cringing away from the corsage, which Id flung to the floor. My skin was clammy. I assert to God, it moved when I made the wish. And that belief Do you smell it?Noooo, she said. What smell?You smell it, Will. Dont you?He grinned, still on whatever high hed been on since well, since Madame Z warned him away from heights. A clap of thunder rumbled, and he shoved my shoulder.Next youre going to blame the act on the evil wish fairies, arent you? he said. Or, no Youre going to go to bed tonight, and tomorrow youll tell us you implant a hunched and skulking creature on your comforter, smiling a twisted smileLike rotting flowers, I said. You honestly dont smell it? Youre not playing with me?Will cut into his keys out of his pocket. See you on the flip side, homies. And, Frankie?What?Another boom of thunder shook the house.Dont give up hope, he said. Good things come to those who wait.I watched through the window as he dashed to his truck. The rain was coming down in sheets. Then I turned to Yun Sun, a balloony feeling pushing everything else away.Did you hear what he said? I grabbed her hands. Oh my God, do you think it means what I think it means?What else could it mean? Yun Sun said. Hes going to ask you to prom Hes just I dont know. Trying to make a big production out of itWhat do you think hes going to do?No idea. Hire a skywriter? get by a singing tele gram? I squealed. She squealed. We jumped about in a frenzy.Got to hand it to you, the wish thing was brilliant, she said. She flicked her finger to indicate giving Will the push he needed. And the rotting flowers? Verrrry dramatic.I honestly did smell it, though, I said.Ha-ha.I did.She looked at me and shook her head, amused. Then she looked at me again.Well, it must have been your imagination, she said.I guess, I said.I picked the corsage up off the floor, holding it gingerly between my thumb and forefinger. I took it to the bookshelf and dropped it behind a row of books, glad to have it out of sight.The next morning I trotted downstairs, hoping foolishly to find I dont know. Hundreds of M spelling out my name? Pink hearts sketched in silly imbibe on the windows?Instead, I found a dead bird. Its tiny body lay on the get mat, as if it had flown into the door during the storm and bashed its brains in.I scooped it up with a paper towel and tried not to feel its soft weight as I del ivered it to the outside trash bin.Im sorry, little bird, so fairly and sweet, I said. Fly to heaven. I dropped in the corpse, and the lid slammed shut with a bang.I returned inside to the sound of the ringing phone. Probably Yun Sun, wanting an update. Shed left with Jeremy at eleven last night, after making me swear to tell her the minute Will made his bold move.Hey, sweetie, I said, after glancing at the caller ID and see that, yep, I was right. No news yet-sorry.Frankie Yun Sun said.Ive been thinking about Madame Z, though. Her whole dont-mess-with-fate mumbo jumbo.Frankie-Because how could Will asking me to prom lead to anything bad? I walked to the freezer and grabbed a box of frozen waffles. Spits going to fly from his mouth and land on me? Hell bring me flowers, and a beell zip out and sting me?Frankie, stop. Didnt you watch the morning news?On a Saturday? I dont think so.Yun Sun made a gulping sound.Yun Sun, are you tears?Last night Will climbed the watertower, she said. What? The watertower was easily three hundred feet tall, with a sign at the bottom prohibiting anyone from ascending. Will always talked about climbing to the top, but he was such a rule-follower that he never had.And the railing must have been wet or maybe it was lightning, they dont yet knowYun Sun. What happened?He was atomizer painting something on the tower, the stupid idiot, and-Spray painting? Will?Frankie, will you shut up? He fell He fell off the watertowerI gripped the phone. Jesus. Is he okay?Yun Sun was unable to talk for sobbing. Which I understood, sure. Will was her friend, too. But I needed her to pull it together.Is he in the hospital? Can I go visit him? Yun SunThere was wailing, and then a shuffling sound. Mrs. Yomiko took over.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter FourYou dont understand. Lila tosses back her long blond hair. Hes not a tick, bloody shame. Sebastian loves me too much to bite me. But I know I can change his mind. Because he wants to be with me forever, as much as I want to be with him forever. I know it. And after tomorrow night, we will be together forever.Whats tomorrow night? Adam wants to know.The prom, I say woodenly.Right, Lila prattles on. Sebastians taking me. And though he doesnt know it yet, hes going to give in to me there. Just one bite and Ill have eternal life. Come on, you guys, how cool is that? Wouldnt you want to live forever? I mean, if you could?Not that way, I say. Something inside of me aches. Aches for Lila, and aches for all the girls whove gone before her. And will come after her, too, if I dont do something about it.Hes meeting you at the dance? I promote myself to ask her. Its hard to speak, because all I want to do is cry.Right, Lila says. Her face still has the same vacant expression she wore inside the club, as well as earlier today in the lunchroom. Hell never be able to resist me-not in my new Roberto Cavalli gown, with my neck all exposed beneath the silver light of the full moonI think Im going to throw up, Ted volunteers.No, youre not, I say. Youre going to take Lila home. Here. I reach into my satchel and pull out a crucifix and two containers of holy water, then hand them to him. If Drake shows up-although I dont think he will-throw these at him. Then get yourself home, after youve dropped off Lila.Ted looks down at what Ive shoved into his hands. Wait. Thats it? he wants to know. Were just going to let him kill her?Not kill, Lila corrects him cheerfully. Turn me. Into one of his kind.We arent going to do anything, I say. You guys are going to go home and leave this to me. Ive got it under control. Just make sure Lila gets back safely. She should be all right until the dance. Evil spirits cannot enter an inhabited house unless invited I narrow my eyes at Lila. You didnt invite him inside, did you?Whatever, Lila says, tossing her head. Like my dad wouldnt go too ballistic if he found a guy in my room.See? Go home. You, too, I add, to Adam.Ted takes Lila by the arm and begi ns to lead her away.But Adam, to my surprise, stays where he is, his hands buried deep in his pockets.Um, I say to him. Is there something I can do for you?Yes, Adam says calmly. You can start at the beginning. I want to know everything. Because if what youre telling me is true, if it werent for me, youd be a speck on the wall in the club back there. So start talking.AdamIf you had told me just an hour or two ago that Id be ending my evening with a trip to bloody shame-from-U.S.-History-classs penthouse apartment over in the East Seventies well, Id have told you that you were high.But thats exactly where I find myself, following Mary past her sleepy doorman (who doesnt raise so much as an eyebrow at her crossbow), and then up the elevator to her place, which is decorated in mid-nineteenth-century Victorian chic-at least as near as I can judge, considering all the furniture looks like it came out of one of those boring miniseries my mom likes to watch on PBS, featuring girls named Vi olet or Hortense or whatever.There are books everywhere-and not Dan brownness paperbacks, either, but big, heavy books, with titles like Demonology in Seventh-century Greece and A Guide to Necromancy. I look around, but I dont see a plasma screen or an LCD. Not even a regular TV.Are your parents professors or something? I ask Mary as she throws down the crossbow and heads to the kitchen, where she pulls open the fridge and reaches for two Cokes, one of which she hands to me.Something like that, Mary says. This is what shes been like the whole way to her place not exactly brimful with the explanations.Not that it matters, though, since I already told her Im not leaving until I get the whole story. The thing is, I really dont know what to think about all this so far. On the one hand, Im relieved Drake isnt who I thought he was-Marys ex-boyfriend. On the other hand a vampire?.Come on, Mary says, and I follow her because well, what else am I supposed to do? I dont know what Im doing h ere. I dont believe in vampires. I think Lilas just gotten herself involved with one of those freaky goth dudes I saw on Law & Order that one time.Although Marys question-Then how do you explain his disappearance from the dance floor into thin air like that? bugs me. How did the guy do that?Then again, there are tons of questions like that one that I dont have the answers for. Like this new one that occurred to me How can I get Mary to look at me the way Lila looked at that guy, Drake?Life is full of mysteries, as my dad likes to say, many of which are in any case wrapped up in enigmas.Mary leads me down a dark hallway toward a partly open door, from which light spills. She taps on the door, then says, Dad? Can we come in?A gruff voice says, By all means.And I follow Mary into the strangest room Ive ever seen. At least in a penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side.Its a laboratory. There are test tubes and beakers and vials everywhere. Standing in front of some of them is a t all, white-haired-professor type in a bathrobe, messing around with a concoction in a clear container thats bright green and vigorously generating large amounts of smoke. The old dude looks up from this and smiles as Mary comes into the room, his green-eyed gaze-a lot like Marys-darting toward me curiously.Well, hello, the guy says. I see youve brought a friend home. Im so glad. Ive been thinking lately that you spend far too much time alone, young lady.Dad, this is Adam, Mary says casually. He sits behind me in U.S. History. Were going to my room to do homework.How nice, Marys father says. It doesnt seem to occur to him that the last thing a guy my age is likely to be doing in a girls bedroom at two in the morning is homework. Dont study too hard, now, children.We wont, Mary says. Come on, Adam.Good night, sir, I say to Marys dad, who beams at me before turning back to his smoking beaker.Okay, I say to Mary as she leads me down the hall once more, this time to her room which is sur prisingly utilitarian for a girls bedroom, containing only a large bed, a dresser, and a desk. Unlike in Veronicas room, everything is put away, except for a laptop computer and an MP3 player. I take a quick look at Marys play list when shes busy foray around in the closet for something. Mostly rock, some R&B, and a little rap. No emo, though. Thank God. Whats going on? Whats your dad doing with all that stuff?Looking for a bring round, Mary says from the closet, her voice muffled.Ive moved across the ornate Persian carpet toward her bed. Theres a framed photo on her nightstand. Its of a handsome woman, squinting into the sunlight and smiling. Marys mother. I dont know how I know it. I just do.A bring around for what? I ask, picking up the photo for a closer look. Yep, there they are. Marys lips. Which, I havent been able to stop noticing, are kind of curled up at the ends. Even when shes mad.Vampirism, Mary says. She emerges from the closet holding a long red dress. Its wrappe d in clear plastic from the dry cleaners.Uh, I say, I hate to be the one to tell you this, Mary. But theres no such thing as vampires. Or vampirism. Or whatever it is.Oh yeah? The ends of Marys mouth are curled up even more than usual.Vampires were just made up by that guy. Shes laughing at me. I dont mind, though, because its Mary. Its better than her ignoring me, which is what shes done for most of the time Ive cognise her. That guy who wrote genus Dracula. Right?Bram Stoker did not make up vampires, Mary says, the smile vanishing. He didnt even make up Dracula. Whos an actual historical figure, by the way.Yeah, but a dude who drinks blood and can turn into a bat? Come on.Vampires exist, Adam, Mary says quietly. I like how she says my name. I like it so much that I dont even notice at first that shes staring at the photo Im holding. And so do their victims.I follow the direction of her gaze. And nearly drop the photo.Mary, I say. Because its all I can think of to say. Your your m om? Is she did sheShes still alive, Mary says, turning to throw the red dress, in its slippery clear plastic bag, onto the bed. If you can call it living, she adds, almost to herself.Mary I say in a different tone of voice. I cant believe it.And yet I do. Theres something in her face that makes it clear shes not lying. as well as something that makes me long to wrap her in my arms. Which Veronica would say is sexist. But there you go.I let go of the lip Ive started chewing. Is that why your dad-He wasnt always like that, she says, not looking at me. He used to be different, when Mom was here. He he thinks he can find a chemical cure for it. She sinks onto the bed beside the dress. He doesnt want to believe that theres only one way to get her back. And thats killing the vampire who made her into one.Drake, I say, sinking down onto the bed beside her. It all makes sense now. I guess.No, Mary says with a quick shake of her head. His father. Who happened to stick with the original fami ly name of Dracula. His son just thinks Drake sounds a little less pretentious and more modern.So why were you trying to kill Draculas kid, if his dad is the one who I cant even bring myself to say it. Fortunately, I dont have to.Marys shoulders are hunched. If killing his only kid doesnt get Dracula to come out of hiding so I can kill him, too, I dont know what will.Wont that be, uh kind of dangerous? I ask. I cant believe Im sitting here talking about this. But I cant believe Im in Mary-from-U.S.-Historys bedroom, either. I mean, isnt Dracula, like, the head of the whole operation?Yes, Mary says, looking down at the photo Ive laid between us. And when hes gone, Mom will finally be free.And Marys dad wont have to worry about finding a cure for vampirism anymore, I think, but dont say out loud.Why didnt Drake just, uh, turn Lila tonight? I ask. Because this has been bothering me. Among other things. I mean, back at the club?Because he likes to play with his food, Mary says emotionle ssly. Just like his dad.