Media Conglomeration Essay Example

Media Conglomeration Essay CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, UPN, Spike TV, TV Land, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Showtime, and Blockbuster Video. Â  These are just a few of the companies that media giant Viacom owns. Â   Viacoms website states that CBS is the most watched network on TV. Â  It also says that MTV is the most widely distributed television network in the world, Paramount Pictures is a leading distributor of motion pictures, and infinity broadcasting is one of the largest radio operators in the United States. Â  Viacom also owns book publishing companies, video stores, and even amusement parks. Â  There is no doubt that Viacom is one of the largest and most influential companies in the world. But does the quality of the media go down because of these large media giants? Â  Do companies care about the public being truly informed, or are they just out Beginning with thefirst of the mega media mergers, Capital Cities buying ABC in 1986, and then after the 1996 Telecommunications Act, which opened the floodgates, the trend has been for large corporations to buy media and broadcast companies. Â  According to the FCC there have been over 1000 broadcast deals in the last ten years. Â   But often the conglomeration of media outlets hurts consumers by taking choice out of their hands and putting it into the hands of corporations. The media giants have become neglectful in their duties to serve a public interest. Â  Instead they serve their own narrow interest. Â  These narrow interests do serve the stockholders, theoretically of which anyone can become, but this is not the traditional position that media outlets should hold. Corporate pressure to squeeze out every penny in earnings has forever changed the look of news reporting. Â  Gone are the days of respected newsmen such as Walter Cronkite and Edward R. Murrow. Â  Gone are the

China Essay Example

China Essay Example China Essay China Essay Ask the ordinary businessperson on the street what is their impression of China, and two answers emerge. The first presents China as a vast and largely untapped potential market for Western goods, the ‘1 billion new customers’ approach which sees China as either a mecca or a minefield, depending on one’s attitude to the associated risks and obstacles (Barro 1995). The second sees China as a vast workshop, turning out low-cost consumer goods for both domestic consumption and export. China is the largest developing country in the world. The country has vast territories and abundant natural and human resources. The country has huge domestic markets of great potential. Through trade and economic cooperation, China can achieve resource complementarity and market sharing. Combining capital, technology, and management expertise with Chinas low-cost labour and huge domestic market will bring enormous opportunities of common interest to other countries. The expansion of th e Chinese economy is not a phenomenon that affects China alone, or even East Asia alone. All of us are touched by this growth, and will be even more affected by it in the future. If we wait for this phenomenon to reach its full form before discussing it, it may be too late and great opportunities will have slipped away. It is time to start thinking about the presence and impact of Chinese-based international and multinational businesses, even if the practical outcome may be long deferred. This paper will discuss how the political, economic and cultural issues may affect the attractiveness of China. The determinants of FDI for market-seeking investors are mainly related to market attractiveness, trade barriers, investment risks and the host countrys attitude to provide foreign investors with positive conditions for business activities. Market-seeking MNEs are attracted by the market potential (size and growth), the costs of market access (entry/participation), the governments control over supply, pricing and distribution, etc. Since European MNEs in China are strongly oriented towards RD intensive industries, intellectual property protection may also have a substantial impact on the entry path and on the type of resources committed by these firms. As trade barriers are often associated with other entry conditions such as the allowed degree of foreign ownership, the sectoral and geographic location requirements or incentives they equally influence the investment decisions by MNEs. The economic size of the Chinese market has significantly expanded since the end of the 1970s. The total GDP of China reached US$ 961 billion in 1998, which brought GDP at a per capita level at US$ 776. The average annual growth rate of Chinas GDP reached 9.8 per cent between 1977 and 1987 and 10.3 per cent during the period 1988-1998. The existing market size and its expected expansion are undoubtedly among the driving forces of the enormous FDI flows into China during the last decade (Chen 2001). The structure of the Chinese economy has changed tremendously. The proportion of the industrial and service sectors in the GDP increased, respectively, from 47 and 23 per cent in 1977 to 49 and 33 per cent in 1998. The increasing importance of the industrial sector, in particular manufacturing, resulted in the integration of China into the Asian production system and to a certain extent even in the global one. The exports of China increased from US$ 9 billion in 1977 to US$ 208 billion in 1998, an annual growth of 18 per cent during the period 1977-1987 and 14 per cent between 1988 and 1998. This economic performance, especially of manufacturing production and exports, largely explains the boom of Chinas economy (Kaufman 2001). The existence and the level of trade barriers, such as tariff duties and quotas, customs procedures and specific standards as well as all kinds of technical requirements, have been major determinants for market-seeking investors in China. China often uses prohibitively high tariffs in combination with import restrictions to protect its domestic industry. As import tariffs are much higher for finished goods than for upstream inputs, they result in a high effective rate of protection. Tariffs may range from 3 per cent on promoted imports to over 150 per cent on discouraged imports, such as automobiles. These tariff measures are often associated with a lack of transparency in customs procedures with regard to the necessary documents, registration procedures or licensing system. Chinas tariff and non-tariff barriers present major obstacles to foreign companies waiting to penetrate the Chinese market by way of exports. These trade barriers consequently encouraged many foreign companies to shift from exporting to local assembly and move on to a local production activity, especially when there are local content requirements. European MNEs producing in the automotive industry have typically followed such a sequence in China (Burkett 2004). Over the last 2-3 years, China has gradually reduced its tariffs in order to be admitted to the WTO. To facilitate negotiations for its membership requests, China already in 1996 cut its import duties on some 4,600 items, from an average rate of 35.9 to 23 per cent and scrapped a third of its import quotas (Chen 2001). While such reductions of import tariffs increased export opportunities for foreign companies, industries such as automotive and consumer electronics are still highly protected. A further reduction of import tariffs and the elimination of many non-tariff barriers by the Chinese government, as a result of its newly gained membership of the WTO, will also lower protection in a number of specific industries. As a result, the foreign MNEs that are producing in previously protected industries within China will be facing stronger competition from imported products. For these reasons, many European MNEs that moved into China at an early stage are rationalising their operations within the country by engaging into larger-scale operations and more specialised activities. A number of MNEs are reorganising their links with suppliers, especially by creating local sourcing capabilities and/or bringing with them suppliers from the home country into China. The lack of a well-structured and transparent legal system in China poses serious problems for foreign-owned firms. A clear and strict hierarchical system of norms does not really exist yet. Moreover, there are many diverse regulations issued by different ministries and offices of the central and local/regional governments. Western companies, especially SMEs, are often unable to find out which regulations exactly apply to them. In some cases, unpublished regulations may have precedence over officially published ones. Sometimes, the officially published and unofficially applied rules from the central and local governments are simply contradictory. However, since the liberalisation of FDI, the Chinese government has made great efforts to build up an appropriate business environment for foreign investors within the context of the transition of the Chinese economy towards a more market-oriented system. With regard to market-seeking foreign investors and their initiatives to expand their scale of operation and their specialisation based activities, the measures taken by the Chinese government mainly consisted of the introduction of market mechanisms that allow for a better resource allocation and product distribution. First, the foreign exchange restrictions that were the main barrier for foreign enterprises to sell in the domestic market were gradually lifted by the introduction of new regulatory and administrative measures. Also, the unification of the dual exchange rate system in 1994, through the elimination of the so-called Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs), which existed alongside the local currency Renminbi, was an impor tant step towards the convertibility of the Chinese currency. Second, the centrally controlled and unified pricing system was converted into a mechanism based on demand factors and production costs. The state plan for the supply of inputs and the distribution of products was gradually eliminated and replaced by market transactions. Market mechanisms such as stock exchanges and labour markets were established and a number of new economic institutions were set up and opened for foreign investors to facilitate transactions of capital, technology, labour and commodities. In 1995, the Chinese government allowed foreign companies to invest through the stock exchange and to set up foreign joint stock companies and investment-oriented companies. The introduction of such flexible investment forms not only improved the investment climate in general, but also allowed foreign companies to achieve a better co-ordination among their different activities in China and thus to operate more efficiently. Additionally, more intensive vertical and horizontal linkag es with Chinese domestic enterprises were fostered. Third, with the increasing use of the market mechanism for business transactions in China, the government introduced a set of regulations to explicitly facilitate market transactions and to stimulate efficiency. Also, the national regulatory framework was brought more into line with international standards, for example, in the areas of contract law, dispute settlement procedures, patent and trade mark protection, accounting systems and copyright protection. Between 1979 and 1994, the Chinese government promulgated more than 500 regulations and laws concerning foreign trade and economic co-operation, of which about seventy concerned FDI. China also signed bilateral and multilateral treaties to protect and promote FDI activities within its territory with no less than sixty-five countries (Child 1999). Most EU countries signed such bilateral treaties with the Chinese government during the 1980s. The most significant change in the Chinese business regulations for foreignowned firms was the introduction and improvement of intellectual property rights during the 1990s. The introduction of patent law has removed a major obstacle to attract foreign investment in high-tech sectors and has extended the perspectives for the development of industries with high RD investments and high specialisation. Yet, the full implementation of these regulations is not completed yet. In reviewing the development of the Chinese FDI policy and its impact on the attractiveness of Chinese LSAs for FDI during the last two decades of the twentieth century, three major characteristics can be identified. First, the liberalisation and upgrading process of LSAs by the Chinese government has been closely linked with the geographical extension of FDI incentives on the basis of special tax measures and administrative regulations. Second, China has gradually introduced a set of sectoral and performance requirements for FDI within the context of its economic development strategy that is based on import substitution, export promotion and technological upgrading. Third, the control about ownership/entry forms of FDI has been gradually liberalised with the improvement of the market mechanisms and expansion of the private sector. The specific FDI measures, which were introduced by the Chinese government to support its geographical and sectoral monitoring system, consist of the liberalisation and upgrading of local resources, the introduction of a market system to improve resource allocation and product distribution, the building-up of a legal system geared to market transactions, the decentralisation of macroeconomic management, the diversification of ownership control and the introduction of performance requirements. These measures will be briefly analysed within the geographical and sectoral dimensions of the Chinese FDI policy. China has emerged as one of the leading international traders of textile products. According to official statistics compiled by the WTO, China was the worlds largest exporter of both textiles and clothing in 1999, accounting for 9 percent and 16 percent of the international market, respectively. (Overall, China leads the world industry with a total market share of 13 percent) While China is not a big importer of clothing, it is the worlds second largest importer of textiles (many of which are reexported after processing), taking in 7 percent of total international sales in 1999 (Child 1999). By any measure, therefore, China has become a major player in the world industry. Indeed, textile trade is critical not just to the Chinese industry itself (e.g., exports account for slightly more than one-half of Chinas production of textiles and clothing by value), but to the entire Chinese economy, as well. While the share of textile and clothing products in Chinas total exports had declined t o 22 percent by 1999 from a high of 30 percent in 1994, it was still close to the 23 percent share recorded in 1980. This record is especially remarkable given the quantity-based restrictions placed on China under the MFA. Indeed, it suggests how successful the industry has been in moving upmarket. While the relative share of textile and clothing products in Chinas total exports has declined modestly over time, the absolute value of these sales has continued to rise steadily, reaching U. S. $43 billion in 1999. In fact, only in 1996 did the textile sector finally relinquish its leading position in Chinas export profile to the machinery and electronics sector. Rather amazingly, therefore, nearly U. S. $1 out of every U. S. $4 of Chinese exports is still earned from the sale of textiles and clothing, this despite the rapid growth of Chinese exports across an increasing number of industrial sectors (Hansen 1996). China has also made commitments to grant foreign companies foreign trade and distribution rights, which include wholesaling, retailing, maintenance, after-sale services, and transportation. American businesses can distribute imported products and products that are made in China, which will in turn provide export opportunities for American products. After China joined the WTO, the investment environment was further improved. Foreign investment in China was increased as a result of the increased attractiveness of the vast market. For some companies the rise of Chinese business can be seen as a threat, but for others prepared to think creatively, there will be plenty of opportunities. Important though Honda’s announcement that it will begin to build cars in China may be, an arguably still more important announcement was made later in 2002. The Chinese car maker Brilliance China is hooking up with a series of Western car makers in joint ventures in different areas. A BMW joint venture is allowing Brilliance to effectively become the BMW distributor for China, which should be good news for both parties as the market for luxury cars in China is growing. But Brilliance is also establishing technical joint ventures with Western car makers which will allow it to participate in RD projects and learn the latest methods of both designing and building cars. The global car industry is a tough one to enter; the barriers are high, and the investment required is substantial. Brilliance is taking its first tentative s teps in this industry by learning from its bigger overseas partners. More cogently, there is a tendency to think of China as a developing country, and of Chinese businesses as under-managed and inefficient. Once upon a time, yes, but the picture is rapidly changing. ‘Developing country’ is a label which many Chinese are beginning to question, regardless of the fact that certain parts of the country, at least, are still very much in an early industrial or even a pre-industrial mode. And the typical Chinese business is no longer the SOE, grossly over-manned and insolvent, its tens of thousands of workers housed and fed from the iron rice bowl, churning out its quota of goods regardless of market demand. The typical Chinese business today is a small to medium enterprise run by a close group of family or friends, perhaps graduates from the same university class, often young, conscious of the fact that they still have a lot to learn but acutely focused on a particular business opportunity and prepared to work until they drop to make it happen. These young Chinese managers are tough, flexible and determined. They know they have before them an opportunity which might not come around again. They are, in terms of intellect and commitment, our equals if not our superiors, and they deserve our respect. One of the biggest changes in China in the last few years has been the emergence of this new generation of entrepreneurs. Born at the tail end of the Cultural Revolution or early in the reform era, they were still at school at the time of Tiananmen Square. They are well-educated and used to living with Western influences. They are prepared to take on the world. In other words, they see us as a potential market very much as Westerners see them. In that common outlook, we should be able to arrange a meeting of minds on other issues as well. China, according to a series of reports in the Financial Times, is becoming the workshop of the world. With companies sourcing everything from toys to electronics components there, China is finding that its economic strength is turning from being a vast market (and occasional dumping ground) for Western goods to being a supplier of cheap retail goods and, increasingly, a supplier of labour and materials for the manufacturers of the West. And already, the trend towards exporting more sophisticated finished goods is beginning. The most important implication of all this is to repeat the comment that doing business with the Chinese is no longer just a matter of doing business in China. Chinese customers, partners and competitors are beginning to come to the West to do business on their own account, and are doing so with increasing confidence, competence and financial backing. More and more Western managers will end up doing business with, or in competition with, Chinese firms as the year s go by, and this without the Western side ever setting foot in China. This is all part of globalisation, of course, but it is part to which more thought must be given. We are accustomed to the triad America, Europe and Japan, though the last is steadily losing power and influence as its economic crisis shows no sign of ending running the show. The idea that China could be a new entrant into this power game is not always taken very seriously. But if current trends carry on, by 2020 maybe earlier China’s economy will overtake Japan’s and China will be the number 2 economic power in the world. It may be only a matter of time before it goes on to become number 1.

Ventricular System of the Brain

Ventricular System of the Brain The ventricular system is a series of connecting hollow spaces called ventricles in the brain that are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The ventricular system consists of two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, and the fourth ventricle. The cerebral ventricles are connected by small pores called foramina, as well as by larger channels. The interventricular foramina or foramina of Monro connect the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle. The third ventricle is connected to the fourth ventricle by a canal called the Aqueduct of Sylvius or cerebral aqueduct. The fourth ventricle extends to become the central canal, which is also filled with cerebrospinal fluid and encases the spinal cord. Cerebral ventricles provide a pathway for the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid throughout the central nervous system. This essential fluid protects the brain and spinal cord from trauma and provides nutrients for central nervous system structures. Lateral Ventricles The lateral ventricles consist of a left and right ventricle, with one ventricle positioned in each hemisphere of the cerebrum. They are the largest of the ventricles and have extensions that resemble horns. The lateral ventricles extend through all four cerebral cortex lobes, with the central area of each ventricle being located in the parietal lobes. Each lateral ventricle is connected to the third ventricle by channels called interventricular foramina. Third Ventricle The third ventricle is located in the middle of the diencephalon, between the left and right thalamus. Part of the choroid plexus known as the tela chorioidea sits above the third ventricle. The choroid plexus produces cerebrospinal fluid. Interventricular foramina channels between the lateral and third ventricles allow cerebrospinal fluid to flow from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle. The third ventricle is connected to the fourth ventricle by the cerebral aqueduct, which extends through the midbrain. Fourth Ventricle The fourth ventricle is located in the brainstem, posterior to the pons and medulla oblongata. The fourth ventricle is continuous with the cerebral aqueduct and the central canal of the spinal cord. This ventricle also connects with the subarachnoid space. The subarachnoid space is the space between the arachnoid matter and the pia mater of the meninges. The meninges  is a layered membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. The meninges consists of an outer layer (dura mater), a middle layer (arachnoid mater) and an inner layer (pia mater). Connections of the fourth ventricle with the central canal and subarachnoid space allow cerebrospinal fluid to circulate through the central nervous system. Cerebrospinal Fluid Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear aqueous substance that is produce by the choroid plexus. The choroid plexus is a network of capillaries and specialized epithelial tissue called ependyma. It is found in the pia mater membrane of the meninges. Ciliated ependyma lines the cerebral ventricles and central canal. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced as ependymal cells filter fluid from the blood. In addition to producing cerebrospinal fluid, the choroid plexus (along with the arachnoid membrane) acts as a barrier between the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid. This blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier serves to protect the brain from harmful substances in the blood. The choroid plexus continually produces cerebrospinal fluid, which is ultimately reabsorbed into the venous system by membrane projections from the arachnoid mater that extend from the subarachnoid space into the dura mater. Cerebrospinal fluid is produced and reabsorbed at nearly the same rate to prevent pressure within the ventricular system from getting too high. Cerebrospinal fluid fills the cavities of the cerebral ventricles, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the subarachnoid space. The flow of cerebrospinal fluid goes from the lateral ventricles to the third ventricle via the interventricular foramina. From the third ventricle, the fluid flows to the fourth ventricle by way of the cerebral aqueduct. The fluid then flows from the fourth ventricle to the central canal and the subarachnoid space. The movement of cerebrospinal fluid is a result of hydrostatic pressure, cilia movement in ependymal cells, and artery pulsations. Ventricular System Diseases Hydrocephalus and ventriculitis are two conditions that prevent the ventricular system from functioning normally. Hydrocephalus results from the excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. The excess fluid causes the ventricles to widen. This fluid accumulation puts pressure on the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid can accumulate in the ventricles if the ventricles become blocked or if connecting passages, such as the cerebral aqueduct, become narrow. Ventriculitis is inflammation of the brain ventricles that typically results from an infection. The infection can be caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses. Ventriculitis is most commonly seen in individuals who have had invasive brain surgery. Sources: Purves, Dale. â€Å"The Ventricular System.† Neuroscience. 2nd edition., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11083/.The Editors of Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. â€Å"Cerebrospinal fluid.† Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, inc., 17 Nov. 2017, www.britannica.com/science/cerebrospinal-fluid.

What is the role of graduate education in preparing nurses to meet the Personal Statement

What is the role of graduate education in preparing nurses to meet the health needs of our society - Personal Statement Example A lot of diligence and ethical discipline is expected of them. A nurse therefore must have knowledge and skills that are geared towards to performing of duties diligently. Graduate education instills skills that enable a nurse to give care to the patient based on theoretical and practical knowledge. In addition, a nurse is a decision maker and skills attained from a graduate education enables the nurse to think critically in assessing patients and helps in the evaluation of the patient’s problem. In enabling the nurse to discern what is best for the patient, it helps in determining the best course of action. Communication between the nurse and the patient is crucial and barriers in communication can delay the healing process. Graduate education trains the nurse on ways to communicate effectively with the patient and the family members. These techniques can help in improving the healthcare environment. Moreover, graduate education teaches a nurse on how to play the role of teacher in educating the patient more about their health, illness, and medication (Grigg, 2007). As a teacher, the nurse teaches the patient on how to deal with the challenges that come with the illness and may need to instruct the family members on ways to care for the patient after being discharged from the hospital. Motivation of patients is a major focus that graduates education emphasis on. It trains nurses to stimulate, motivate, and to work as a team with fellow colleagues and with the patients. To devote time to listen to patients with a positive attitude and encouraging them assists with the healing process of the patient Furthermore, nursing is a sensitive field of profession; it requires the maintenance of good conduct and observance of the standard code of ethics as the core part of training in graduate education. It trains the nurse to prioritize the patients’ health first and to carry out the process of care giving diligently. It trains

Vanderbilt Law School debate on the Death penalty Essay

Vanderbilt Law School debate on the Death penalty - Essay Example Owing to the above details provided, the opponent of death penalty, Dr. Ken Haas, was more convincing in his argument (Haas and Marquis). Death penalty is not only about liberal or conservative politics but also about the moral choices of this nation. This dispels any notion that the death penalty debate is about conservative and liberal politics. The proponent of the death penalty elaborates that this form of punishment should only be utilized on the most heinous criminals. As such, most murder convicts would not face execution since the majority would not repeat their actions. Convicts such Mohamed who repeatedly killed innocent civilians should face such severe punishment. This is because they have proved clearly that they had the intent to commit the crime repeatedly. On a moral basis, this punishment is unacceptable owing to the sacred nature of life. However, the proponent reveals that this severe disciplinary measure has a deterrent effect on criminals. According to the resear ch cited, it reveals that the penalty saves hundred of innocent civilians. Overall, this punishment is immoral, but the justice system should have this option owing to some extreme scenarios that require measures. The death penalty is inappropriate but a legal necessity (Haas and Marquis). Death penalty has caused a lot of controversy even among judges. Subsequently, in 1985 some judges were deemed unfit to partake in court proceedings since their views would impede their ability to make fair decisions in line with the existing statutes. The opponent thinks that the research on the deterrent effect of execution is a culmination of defective research. The assumption in this kind of research is rationality. However, most criminal who will face such punishments as execution have limited options. The only possible punishment is a life sentence without a chance for parole. Therefore, both punishments are severe. Hence, it will have no deterrent effects. Additionally, the criminal who com mitted a heinous crime may fail to think rationally. Therefore, executions, especially those that receive high levels of publicity, will project a certain message to the society. The message projected is that violence is a means to resolve wrongdoings. Subsequently, executions may instigate further violence or contribute to a violent culture in the society. Death penalty is only a tough stance adopted against crime. However, research has revealed that it conveys an inappropriate message to the society. Overall, it is inappropriate (Haas and Marquis). Cases that demand such extreme punishment generate massive public and media concerns. As such, the justice system may play into the public gallery trap by seeking victory rather than searching for evidence that will pin the suspect to the crime. The law enforcers may fail to analyze vital evidence or make mistakes owing to public pressure. This will result in an unlawful conviction. Subsequent appeals may result in an acquittal owing to inadequate evidence. The initial proceedings in such cases may be unprocedural as authorities coerce evidence from witnesses. Revelation of such an event will result in the acquittal of convicts. Most cases that may result in execution witness major errors in the proceeding owing to medial or public attention. The enforcing authorities may cave in to such pressure as they pursue a conviction rather than seek the truth. The authorities

Strategy Analysis and Choice Essay Example for Free

Strategy Analysis and Choice Essay A SWOT analysis is important as a clear basis is provided to examine the performance of a business. It is also very important for the products a company offers, as it is essential in the branding and marketing of the company products. This model helps in the understanding of the ‘firm and its surroundings’. SWOT analysis for Estee Lauder from four aspects, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats, they belong to Internal and External. At the internal of Estee Lauder also have strong brand name, research and development focus, strong distribution network, robust revenue and profit growth sales, weak liquidity position, customer concentration and weak performance in a few markets. At the external of Estee Lauder also have demographic trends in the United States, cosmetics markets in emerging nations, growing riches- rich getting wealthier, counterfeit products, intense competition and increasing regulations. Strengths The brand name, ‘’Estee Lauder’’ itself is strength. The name is linked to quality and luxury. The company is also a global licensee for other big brands like; Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karen, etc. Estee Lauder leads in each market segment in the industry as it develops new products, redesigns existing ones and identifies and considers consumer preferences. It has a large network of retail. This therefore increases the market penetration opportunities and creates closeness to target customers. It has a strong management strategic perspective, and is also having a great growth. It also has various innovations such as; offering shopping via the internet (it was the first major cosmetic firm to have offered shopping via the internet.) Weaknesses The company bargaining power could be lowered by it concentrating on a single biggest client. They also have a poor cost structure in some areas, . The company could be exposed to the debt market due to low liquidity levels, and this could thus affect the company growth. It is the Family members that have most of the power over the company. The company’s organisational structure is not easily distinguished. In America, there are particularly lower sales in the fragrance category. Opportunities Estee Lauder targets aged people and therefore make products to suit these people. Its revenues could be boosted by having a strong and great presence in its segments, thus also increasing growth. The cosmetics markets are doing good in emerging markets like India and China, as there are many beauty contests that take place. This cosmetics market is growing due to younger and middle aged women that are being more style conscious. Estee Lauder is also well positioned in these emerging markets. There is also a demand in the luxury goods. More money is spent on these goods. Therefore, the needs of these wealthy people are also taken into consideration, and products made to meet their needs and wants. Threats Many fake products are being sold, thus affecting Estee Lauders sales. This can lead to the company losing its exclusivity of the brand. This could thus harm the image of the company. Customers may also be dissatisfied with these products as the fake product may harm them, thus the company would lose out on customers. Many big brands such as; Revlon, L’Oreal, would increase competition in the market. The government may also impose certain rules and regulations on the products saying that the product has high levels of chemicals which are harmful to people. This may thus lead to an increase in the cost of developing the products and also in the launching of the products.

The Versatile, and Loved Cherry Tree :: Botany

The Versatile, and Loved Cherry Tree People all across the world enjoy cherries for their sweet flavor in pies, candies, and pastries. They have become one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the world. As reported by the Columbia Encyclopedia Online (2000), they can be found in home orchards all across the country. However, the cherry tree has many uses. Some varieties are valued for their beautiful flowers, others for the wood that can be made into high quality furniture. Whatever the variety or use, the cherry tree is an important plant in today's society. The cherry tree traces its origins back to the east. The earliest signs of cherry trees come from the area around Asia Minor, Persia, and Transcaucasia (www.botany.com, 2000). To this area of the world, the cherry tree has become almost a sacred plant, with many varieties of flowering cherry trees being cultivated into various forms all valued for their flowers. This has become so popular in the east that in Japan they have even instituted a national holiday around the time that the trees begin to blossom (The Columbia Encyclopedia Online, 2000). Cherry trees were introduced to Europe through both natural processes and human interaction. By 73 BC, the cherry tree had been introduced to most of southern and central Europe with the help of the Romans. Soon after, the plants started to appear in Great Britain, where they were able to flourish (MS Encarta Online, 2000). Now there are species of cherry trees all over the Northern Hemisphere with species and varieties that have adapted so well to the different environments that today you can find varieties of cherry tree in almost any region, from California to Japan, that have developed unique and prized characteristics (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1999). Cherry trees, like many fruit bearing trees, are members of the rose family. The scientific name for the family is Rosaceae. Cherries are in the genus Prunus along with apricots, peaches, and plums (The Columbia Encyclopedia Online, 2000). Cherry trees come in hundreds of varieties, but are derived from only a few species. There are two main species valued for their fruit, a couple of species are known for producing high quality wood or are grown as ornamentals. All species of cherry tree have varieties that are prized for their beautiful and aromatic flowers (www.botany.com, 2000). One of the cherries that bear edible fruit is known scientifically as Prunus avium.

Bloodlines Chapter Six

TO BE FAIR, THE DAY STARTED OFF GREAT. Sunlight was streaming in through the windows when we woke up, and I could already feel the heat even though it was early morning. I chose my lightest ensemble from the uniform selection: a gray skirt, paired with a short-sleeved white blouse. â€Å"Simple jewelry† was allowed, so I kept the gold cross on. My hair was having one of its difficult days – which seemed to be more often than not in this new climate. I wished I could pull it in a ponytail, like Jill did with hers, but it had too many layers to do that neatly. Eyeing where they hit my shoulders at different lengths, I wondered if maybe it was time to grow it out. After a breakfast neither of us really ate, we rode the shuttle bus up to Central Campus, which was suddenly packed with people. Only about a third of the students were boarders. The rest were locals, and they had all turned out today. Jill barely spoke throughout the entire ride and seemed to be sick again. It was hard to say, but I thought she looked paler than usual. Her eyes were bloodshot once more, heavy with dark circles. I'd woken up once in the night and seen her fast asleep, so I wasn't entirely sure what the problem was. Those dark circles were actually the first flaw I'd ever seen in any Moroi's skin – it was always perfect, porcelain. No wonder she could usually sleep in late. She didn't have to bother with the powder and concealer I used. As the morning progressed, Jill kept biting her lip and looking worriedly around. Maybe she was just nervous about immersing herself in a world populated entirely with humans. She didn't seem at all concerned about the logistics of getting to the right rooms and completing work. That was the aspect that still scared me a little. Just get from one class to another, I told myself. That's all you have to do. My first class was ancient history. Eddie was in it too, and he practically ran me down when he saw me. â€Å"Is she okay? Have you seen her?† â€Å"Well, we share a room, so yeah.† We sat down at neighboring desks. I smiled at Eddie. â€Å"Relax. She's fine. She seemed nervous, but I can't really blame her.† He nodded but still looked uncertain. He gave his full attention to the front of the room when the teacher stepped up, but there was a restlessness about Eddie as he sat there, like he could just barely stop himself from springing up to go check on Jill. â€Å"Welcome, welcome.† Our instructor was a forty-something woman with white-streaked, wiry black hair and enough nervous energy to rival Eddie – and if her giant coffee cup was any indication, it wasn't hard to figure out why. I was also a little jealous and wished we were allowed to have beverages in class – particularly since the dorm cafeteria didn't serve coffee. I didn't know how I was going to survive the next few months with caffeine-free days. Her wardrobe favored argyle. â€Å"I am Ms. Terwilliger, your illustrious guide on the wondrous journey that is ancient history.† She spoke in a sweeping, grandiose voice that made a few of my classmates break into snickers. She gestured to a young man who'd been sitting behind her, near the large desk. He'd been watching the class with a bored expression, but when she turned to him, he perked up. â€Å"And this is my co-guide, Trey, whom I believe some of you may know. Trey is my student aide for this pe riod, so he'll mostly be skulking in corners and filing papers. But you should be nice to him since he may very well be the one entering your grades into my computer.† Trey gave a small wave and grinned at some of his friends. He had deeply tanned skin and black hair whose length flirted with the dress code's rules. The neatly pressed Amberwood uniform gave him the illusion of all business, but there was a mischievous glint in his dark eyes that made me think he didn't really take being an aide seriously. â€Å"Now,† continued Ms. Terwilliger. â€Å"History is important because it teaches us about the past. And by learning about the past, you come to understand the present, so that you may make educated decisions about the future.† She paused dramatically to let those words sink in. Once she was convinced we were awed, she moved over to a laptop that was wired up to a projector. She pushed a few keys, and an image of a white-pillared building appeared on the screen at the front of the room. â€Å"Now, then. Can anyone tell me what this is?† â€Å"A temple?† someone called out. â€Å"Very good, Mr. – ?† â€Å"Robinson,† the boy supplied. Ms. Terwilliger produced a clipboard and scanned a list. â€Å"Ah, there you are. Robinson. Stephanie.† â€Å"Stephan,† corrected the boy, flushing as some of his friends giggled. Ms. Terwilliger pushed her glasses up her nose and squinted. â€Å"So you are. Thank goodness. I was just thinking how difficult your life must be with such a name. My apologies. I broke my glasses in a freak croquet accident this weekend, forcing me to bring my old ones today. So, Stephan-not-Stephanie, you're correct. It's a temple. Can you be more specific?† Stephan shook his head. â€Å"Can anyone else offer any insight?† When only silence met Ms. Terwilliger, I took a deep breath and raised my hand. Time to see what it was like to be a real student. She nodded toward me. â€Å"It's the Parthenon, ma'am.† â€Å"Indeed it is,† she said. â€Å"And your name is?† â€Å"Sydney.† â€Å"Sydney†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She checked the clipboard and looked up in astonishment. â€Å"Sydney Melbourne? My goodness. You don't sound Australian.† â€Å"Er, it's Sydney Melrose, ma'am,† I corrected. Ms. Terwilliger scowled and handed the clipboard to Trey, who seemed to think my name was the funniest thing ever. â€Å"You take over, Mr. Juarez. Your youthful eyes are better than mine. If I keep at this, I'll keep turning boys into girls and perfectly nice young ladies into the descendants of criminals. So.† Ms. Terwilliger focused back on me. â€Å"The Parthenon. Do you know anything about it?† The others were watching me, mostly with friendly curiosity, but I still felt the pressure of being the center of attention. Focusing solely on Ms. Terwilliger, I said, â€Å"It's part of the Acropolis, ma'am. In Athens. It was built in the fifth century BC.† â€Å"No need to call me ‘ma'am,'† Ms. Terwilliger told me. â€Å"Though it is refreshing to get a bit of respect for a change. And brilliantly answered.† She glanced over the rest of the room. â€Å"Now, tell me this. Why on earth should we care about Athens or anything that took place over fifteen hundred years ago? How can that be relevant to us today?† More silence and shifting eyes. When the unbearable quiet dragged on for what felt like hours, I started to raise my hand again. Ms. Terwilliger didn't notice and glanced back at Trey, who was resting his feet on the teacher's desk. The boy instantly dropped his legs and straightened up. â€Å"Mr. Juarez,† declared Ms. Terwilliger. â€Å"Time to earn your keep. You took this class last year. Can you tell them why the events of ancient Athens are relevant to us today? If you don't, then I'm going to have to call on Miss Melbourne again. She looks like she knows the answer, and think how embarrassing that will be for you.† Trey's eyes flicked to me and then back to the teacher. â€Å"Her name is Melrose, not Melbourne. And democracy was founded in Athens in the sixth century. A lot of the procedures they set into place are still in effect with our government today.† Ms. Terwilliger clasped her hand over her heart dramatically. â€Å"You were paying attention last year! Well, almost. Your date is off.† Her gaze fell on me. â€Å"I bet you know the date democracy was started in Athens.† â€Å"The fifth century,† I answered immediately. That earned me a smile from the teacher and a glare from Trey. The rest of the class proceeded in much the same way. Ms. Terwilliger continued on with her flamboyant style and highlighted a number of important times and places that we were going to study in more detail. I found I could answer any question she asked. Some part of me said I should ration myself, but I couldn't help it. If no one knew the answer, I felt compelled to provide it. And each time I did, Ms. Terwilliger would say, â€Å"Trey, did you know that?† I winced. I really didn't want to make enemies on my first day. The other students watched me curiously when I spoke, which made me a little self-conscious. I also saw a few of them exchange knowing looks each time I answered, as though they were in on some secret I wasn't. That concerned me more than irritating Trey did. Did it sound like I was showing off? I was too unsure of the social politics here to understand what was normal and what wasn't. This was an academically competitive school. Surely it wasn't a bad thing to be educated? Ms. Terwilliger left us with an assignment to read the first two chapters of our textbook. The others groaned, but I was excited. I loved history, specifically the history of art and architecture. My homeschooling had been aggressive and well rounded, but that particular subject wasn't one my father had thought we needed to spend a lot of time on. I'd had to study it on my own time, and it was both startling and luxurious to think I now had a class whose sole purpose was to learn about this and that my knowledge would be valued – by the teacher, at least. I parted ways with Eddie after that and went off to AP Chemistry. While I was waiting for class to start, Trey slid into a desk beside me. â€Å"So, Miss Melbourne,† he said, imitating Ms. Terwilliger's voice. â€Å"When will you be starting up your own history class?† I was sorry Ms. Terwilliger had picked on him, but I didn't like his tone. â€Å"Are you actually taking this class? Or are you going to lounge around some more and pretend to be helping the teacher?† This brought a grin to his face. â€Å"Oh, I'm in this one, unfortunately. And I was Ms. T's best student last year. If you're as good at chemistry as you are in history, then I'm nabbing you for a lab partner. I'll be able to take the whole semester off.† Chemistry was a crucial part of the Alchemists' trade, and I doubted there was anything in this class I didn't already know. The Alchemists had arisen in the Middle Ages as â€Å"magical scientists† trying to turn lead into gold. From those early experiments, they'd gone on to discover the special properties of vampire blood and how it reacted with other substances, eventually branching out into the crusade to keep vampires and humans separate from one another. That earlier scientific background, and our current work with vampire blood, made chemistry one of the main subjects of my childhood education. I'd received my first chemistry set when I was six. When other kids were practicing the alphabet, my father was grilling me with acid and base flash cards. Unable to admit as much to Trey, I averted my eyes and casually brushed hair from my face. â€Å"I'm okay in it.† His gaze moved to my cheek, and a look of understanding came over him. â€Å"Ah. So that's it.† â€Å"What's it?† I asked. He pointed to my face. â€Å"Your tattoo. That's what it does, huh?† In moving my hair, I'd revealed the gold lily. â€Å"What do you mean?† I asked. â€Å"You don't have to play coy with me,† he said, rolling his dark eyes. â€Å"I get it. I mean, it seems like cheating to me, but I guess not everyone cares about honor. Pretty ballsy to have it on your face, though. They're against the dress code, you know – not that that stops anyone.† I shifted and let my hair fall back into place. â€Å"I know. I meant to put makeup on it and forgot. But what do you mean about cheating?† He simply shook his head in a way that clearly said I'd been dismissed. I sat there feeling helpless, wondering what I'd done wrong. Soon, my confusion was replaced by dismay as our instructor gave us an introduction to the class and its setup. I had a chemistry set back in my room that was more extensive than Amberwood's. Oh well. I supposed a little elementary review wouldn't hurt me. My other classes progressed in a similar way. I was on top of all my subjects and found myself answering every question. This got me in good with my teachers, but I couldn't gauge the rest of my classmates' reactions. I still saw a lot of rueful head shakes and intrigued expressions – but only Trey actually condemned. I didn't know if I should hold back or not. I ran into Kristin and Julia a couple of times, and they reminded me to join them for lunch. I did, finding them sitting in a corner table in East's cafeteria. They waved me over, and as I wove through the rows of tables, I did a quick scan, hoping to see Jill. I hadn't run into her all day, but that wasn't too shocking, considering our schedules. Presumably, she was eating over at the other cafeteria, maybe with Eddie or Micah. Kristin and Julia were friendly, chatting me up about how my first day had gone and imparting wisdom about certain teachers they'd had before. They were seniors like me, and we shared a couple classes. We spent most of lunch exchanging basic info, like where we were all from. It wasn't until lunch was winding down that I began to get answers to some of the questions that had been bugging me all day. Although it required wading through still more questions first. â€Å"So,† said Kristin, leaning across the table. â€Å"Does it just give you a super memory? Or does it like, I don't know, actually change your brain and make you smarter?† Julia rolled her eyes. â€Å"It can't make you smarter. It's gotta be memory. What I want to know is, how long does it last?† I glanced back and forth between them, more confused than ever. â€Å"Whatever you're talking about can't be making me smarter, because I'm so lost right now.† Kristin laughed at that. â€Å"Your tattoo. I heard you answering all the hardest questions in math. And a friend of mine is in your history class and said you were dominating there too. We're trying to figure out how the tattoo helps you.† â€Å"Helps me†¦ answer questions?† I asked. Their faces confirmed as much. â€Å"It doesn't. That stuff†¦ that's just, well, me. I just know the answers.† â€Å"No one's that smart,† argued Julia. â€Å"It's not that crazy. I'm no genius. I guess I've just learned a lot. I was homeschooled part of the time, and my dad was really†¦ strict,† I added, thinking that might help. â€Å"Oh,† said Kristin, toying with a long braid. I'd noticed she wore her dark hair in very practical ways while blond Julia's was always teased and tousled. â€Å"I guess that could be it†¦ but then, what does your tattoo do?† â€Å"It doesn't do anything,† I said. Yet even as I spoke the words, I felt a slight tingle in my flesh. The tattoo had a kind of magic in it that stopped me from speaking about anything Alchemist-related to those who weren't part of the inner circle. This was the tattoo stopping me from saying too much, not that there was any need. â€Å"I just thought it was cool.† â€Å"Oh,† said Julia. Both girls looked inexplicably disappointed. â€Å"Why on earth would you think the tattoo is making me smart?† I asked. The warning bell interrupted further conversation, reminding us all it was time to get to our next class. There was a pause as Kristin and Julia considered something. Kristin seemed to be the leader of the two because she was the one who gave a decisive nod. I had the distinct feeling I was being assessed. â€Å"Okay,† she said finally, giving me a big smile. â€Å"We'll fill you in more on everything later.† We set up a time to hang out and study later, then parted ways. My impression was that more socialization than studying would go on, which was fine with me, but I made a mental note to get my homework done first. The rest of the day went quickly, and I received a note in one class from Molly the advisor. As expected, I'd passed out of all of my language courses, and she wanted me to come by and discuss matters during the last period, when I technically had no class. This meant that my school day would officially wrap up with PE. I changed into my assigned gym clothes, shorts and an Amberwood T-shirt, and trekked outside into the hot sun with the others. I'd felt a little of the heat ducking between classes today, but it wasn't until I actually had to stand outside for any length of time that I really and truly appreciated the fact that we were out in the desert. Glancing around at my classmates, who were guys and girls of all grades, I saw that I wasn't the only one sweating. I rarely burned but reminded myself to pick up sunscreen to be safe. Jill would need it too. Jill! I peered around. I'd nearly forgotten that Jill was supposed to be in the same class. Except, where was she? There was no sign of her. When our instructor, Miss Carson, called attendance, she didn't even say Jill's name. I wondered if there'd been a last-minute schedule change. Miss Carson believed in jumping right into the action. We were divided into teams for volleyball, and I found myself standing beside Micah. His fair, freckled complexion was growing pink, and I almost wanted to suggest sunscreen to him as well. He gave me one of his friendly smiles. â€Å"Hey,† I said. â€Å"You haven't seen my sister today, have you? Jill?† â€Å"No,† he said. A slight frown crossed his forehead. â€Å"Eddie was looking for her at lunch. He figured she was eating with you over at your dorm.† I shook my head, a queasy feeling welling in my stomach. What was going on? Nightmare scenarios flashed through my mind. I'd thought Eddie was overreacting with his vigilance, but had something happened to Jill? Was it possible that, despite all our planning, one of Jill's enemies had slipped in and stolen her out from under us? Was I going to have to tell the Alchemists – and my father – that we'd lost Jill on the first day? Panic flashed through me. If I wasn't about to be sent to a re-education center before, I definitely was on my way to one now. â€Å"Are you okay?† Micah asked, studying me. â€Å"Is Jill okay?† â€Å"I don't know,† I said. â€Å"Excuse me.† I broke out of my team formation and jogged over to where Miss Carson was supervising. â€Å"Yes?† she asked me. â€Å"I'm sorry to bother you, ma'am, but I'm worried about my sister. Jill Melrose. I'm Sydney. She's supposed to be in here. Do you know if she changed classes?† â€Å"Ah, yes. Melrose. I got a note from the office, just before class, that she wouldn't be attending today.† â€Å"Did they say why?† Miss Carson shook her head apologetically and barked an order to some guy who was slacking off. I rejoined my team, mind spinning. Well, at least someone had seen Jill today, but why on earth would she not be attending? â€Å"Is she okay?† Micah asked me. â€Å"I†¦ I guess. Miss Carson seemed to know she wouldn't be in class but doesn't know why.† â€Å"Is there anything I can do?† he asked. â€Å"To help her? Er, you guys?† â€Å"No, thanks. That's nice of you to ask.† I wished there was a clock around. â€Å"I'll check on her as soon as class is over.† A thought suddenly occurred to me. â€Å"But Micah? Don't say anything to Eddie.† Micah gave me a curious look. â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"He's overprotective. He'll worry when it's probably nothing.† Also, he'll tear the school apart looking for her. When class ended, I quickly showered and changed clothes before heading to the administrative building. I was desperate to run back to the dorm first to see if Jill was there, but I couldn't be late for the appointment. As I walked down a hallway to Molly's office, I passed by the main one – and an idea came to me. I stopped in to talk to the attendance secretary before going to my appointment. â€Å"Jill Melrose,† the secretary said, nodding. â€Å"She was sent back to her dorm.† â€Å"Sent back?† I exclaimed. â€Å"What does that mean?† â€Å"I'm not at liberty to say.† Melodramatic much? Annoyed and more confused than ever, I went to Molly's office, taking comfort in the fact that even if Jill's absence was mysterious, at least it was sanctioned by the school. Molly told me I could either take another elective or engage in some kind of independent study in place of a language, if I got a teacher to sponsor me. An idea popped into my head. â€Å"Can I check in with you tomorrow?† I asked. â€Å"I need to talk to someone first.† â€Å"Sure,† said Molly. â€Å"Just decide soon. You can go back to your dorm now, but we can't have you wandering around every day during this time.† I assured her she'd have an answer soon and headed back. The shuttle bus didn't run very often during classes, so I just walked the mile back. It only took fifteen minutes but felt twice as long in the heat. When I finally reached the dorm room, relief flooded me. Hanging out in our room as if nothing strange had happened was Jill. â€Å"You're all right!† Jill was lying on the bed, reading her book again. She looked up morosely. â€Å"Yeah. Kind of.† I sat down on my own bed and kicked off my shoes. â€Å"What happened? I had a panic attack when you weren't in class. If Eddie knew – â€Å" Jill sat bolt upright. â€Å"No, don't tell Eddie. He'll freak out.† â€Å"Okay, okay. But tell me what happened. They said you got sent here?† â€Å"Yeah.† Jill made a face. â€Å"Because I was kicked out of my first class.† I was speechless. I couldn't imagine what sweet, shy Jill could have possibly done to warrant that. Oh, God. I hope she didn't bite someone. I was the one everyone expected to have trouble fitting into a school schedule. Jill should have been a pro. â€Å"What were you kicked out for?† Jill sighed. â€Å"For having a hangover.† More speechlessness. â€Å"What?† â€Å"I was sick. Ms. Chang – my teacher – took one look at me and said she could spot a hangover a mile away. She sent me to the office for breaking school rules. I told them I was just sick, but she kept saying she knew. The principal finally said there was no way to prove that's why I was sick, so I didn't get punished, but I wasn't allowed to go to the rest of my classes. I had to stay here for the rest of the school day.† â€Å"That's†¦ that's idiotic!† I shot to my feet and began pacing. Now that I'd recovered from my initial disbelief, I was simply outraged. â€Å"I was with you last night. You slept here. I should know. I woke up once, and you were out cold. How can Ms. Chang even make an accusation like that? She had no proof! The school didn't either. They had no right to send you out of class. I should go to the office right now! No, I'm going to talk to Keith and the Alchemists and have our ‘parents' file a complaint.† â€Å"No, wait, Sydney.† Jill jumped up and caught ahold of my arm, as though afraid I would march out then and there. â€Å"Please. Don't. Just let it go. I don't want to cause any more trouble. I didn't get any bad marks. I wasn't really punished.† â€Å"You're behind in your classes,† I said. â€Å"That's punishment enough.† Jill shook her head, eyes wide. She was afraid, I realized, but I had no idea why she wouldn't want me to tell. She was the victim here. â€Å"No, it's fine. I'll catch up. There are no long-term consequences. Please don't make a big deal out of this. The other teachers probably just thought I was sick. They probably don't even know about the accusations.† â€Å"It's not right, though,† I growled. â€Å"I can do something about it. It's what I'm here for, to help you.† â€Å"No,† said Jill adamantly. â€Å"Please. Let it go. If you really want to help†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She averted her eyes. â€Å"What?† I asked, still filled with righteous fury. â€Å"What do you need? Name it.† Jill looked back up. â€Å"I need you†¦ I need you to take me to Adrian.†

American football and Hard Work Essay

He was born to play football, someone who is 270 pounds and five percent body fat and only 19 years old and could go anywhere to play football. He went to a big ten college, Michigan. Now Elwood Reid was a man of hard work and discipline and would never give up. He worked hard ever single play from whistle to whistle. Even when he was in server pain he would never give up because he didn’t want to be called a quitter. Now there were two parts to Reid, one part of him wanted to belong or fit in with the team or be one of the â€Å"fellas†. Reid went to parties and he drank beer and liquor and did all the bad stuff just to fit in. The second part of him loved to read books and enjoyed going to class but never want to be himself. He ended up beating his body to the end and could no longer play. So after college he moved to Alaska to get away from football and start a new life, Therefore, Football is the best way to learn self discipline and character. Football Is also is a great way of learning what hard work means and in order to put hard work in you have to be able to put your body on the line. Now don’t think football is just a sport for hitting people and putting your body in pain, you can also make friends for the rest of your life and it also teaches life lessons. From the age of three years old I was brought up with the idea that football is everything. My dad had me in the backyard throwing a football that was bigger than my head. From the first time I ever stepped out on the practice field I was always told â€Å"boys, now in order to be a notable player you have to have discipline, show hard work and have character†. That saying stayed with me to this day and now I’m in college playing football and it will be there all my life. You have to have discipline when listening to what your coach teaches you what you have to learn to be great player. You have to have discipline watching the ball and not jumping off sides. Hard work ties in with discipline as well, I would stay after practice to catch balls and run routes because I wanted to be the best. Even on the weekends when nothing was going on I would be at some field running and getting better. â€Å"Domination through hard work man† for the coach of the big ten school. I have this one saying as well and it goes â€Å"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender†. Basically this makes me work hard and do the things I’m suppose to do while on and off the field. If everyone on a team has discipline, character and hard work you can have a successful team full of champions. Now I somewhat agree with Reid, but sometimes things go way too far. This has to do a lot with character. My old high school coach school would say â€Å"what are you doing when nobody is looking†. I would go to a party and wonder sometimes, â€Å"dang I wonder what Coach Ru would say right now†. See now, Reid, when he would go to a party he always thought† I should be doing this right now†, I should probably leave†, but then he wouldn’t be part of the â€Å"fellas†. Now this is where its wrong just because someone else is doing it doesn’t mean you have to do it too. This is basically saying if Billy jumps then I will. When I was out somewhere and something felt wrong I was always thinking what would happen if I got in trouble it could affect my family and my team. I mean I went out and partied but did it under control. The point I am trying to make is just do what feels right to you and be yourself. You throw on your shoulder pads, put on your helmet and tie your shoes and your ready to play, hit and get hit. Reid was right about everything, you play with pain because if you don’t you will be called a quitter. I’ve learned to play with pain because football is a sport in which you’re going to get hurt. You’re throwing your body into people, getting knocked down. For example here at Catawba College there is always someone getting hurt during practice. Either it’s a hurt shoulder, hurt knee or getting the wind knocked out of them. But one thing that Elwood is wrong about is that when you get hurt things are more serious here. Coaches don’t call you quitters and team mates don’t make fun of you. When you get hurt here, it’s taken seriously you’re looked at, you have to be in the training room everyday twice a day. My point here is that football is a pain sport but you just have to live with it and except that there is going to be rough times but you just have to get through it. As you can see after what you read about Reid, getting a scholarship to college isn’t easy. But for me it was basically the same thing, I started out my freshman year on junior varsity. I was the starting wide receiver; I made awesome catches and was the best one on the field. I wasn’t the biggest, but have always been the tallest, but what made so good was all the hard work and discipline I had. But the last couple games of the season I got moved up to varsity which was awesome. The next year, my sophomore year, I finally got moved up to varsity at the beginning of the year. I really wasn’t playing so I worked my butt off in practice and it finally came through, by the start of our conference I was starting. Until then I never thought football would take me to college, but after that I was confident. My junior year came and I was all-conference, all-Mecklenburg and my coach was making highlight films and coaches were coming to see me and I was going to camps to showcase my talents. Senior year came and scouts were coming and one coach who really caught my attention was Coach Nick Toth from the Citadel. Citadel would have offered but I got screwed when a five year senior decided to return. It really made me mad, but when adversity is put in your way, you just have to stomp right over it. So here I am at Catawba now, on a full scholarship and I love everything about it. I am proof that you can be an individual and do what you love at the same time.

The Dangers and Risks of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases

The Dangers and Risks of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases Introduction The dangers and risks involved in handling flammable and combustible liquids and gases call for extra vigilance in the processes of packaging and transporting. Since harmful effects associated with careless handling are irreversible and longs of Storage Tanks Fixed roof tanks Fixed roof tanks are categorized as cone roof columns and dome roof tanks. These tanks are used for the storage of flammable liquids, and are designed with internal pressures of up to 1 bar. However, they can be used for storage of non-volatile or inflammable substances including water, pulp, and acids among others. Internal and Open-top Floating Tanks These tanks are provided with protection seals and emission control devices, which improve safety while handling flammable storage substances. Internal floating tanks are manufactured using steel, aluminum, or synthetic materials, and are easy to manufacture, erect, as well as maintain. On the other hand, external tanks are made of welded steel in ord er to sustain the high pressures from storage liquids. Other vessels Other than storage tanks, there exist other storage facilities such as container and portable storage facilities (National Fire Protection Association 11). However, only approved containers are used so as to maintain high levels of safety. Types of hazards and security measures An excellent plan for safety when using flammable liquids must feature some components, which include control of ignition sources, proper storage, fire control, as well as safe handling. Fire While proposing for security measures, one should first understand the causes of fires, and establish the best safety measures to follow. Ignition Sources Static electricity Formation of static electricity is dangerous since the tank can explode or a fire can start as a result of the electrostatic energy (â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety† 20). As such, it is important to prevent static energy from producing sparks: This requires that st orage containers are grounded or bonded to prevent sparking. Open flames As a regulation, storage areas are strictly nonsmoking zones because cigarette smoking is a source of open flame. Welding, lighting, and hot surfaces are also other sources of open flames (â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety† 32). Such activities must be a safe distance away from the operating environment of flammable liquids.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Electrical Spark On several occasions, sparks occur as a result of minor electrical faults such as short circuits, and may ignite other sources of energy. There are several sources of electrical spark generation such as in welding facilities, faulty electrical gadgets, and battery cells. As such, fire regulations stipulate that flammable liquids must be stored in airtight vessels that will protect flammable liquids from ignition. Suppression Systems Fire suppression systems are designed to control the spread of broken out fires. This minimizes on the destructive effects of fire since such fires are controlled and extinguished before they are fully grown. The following shows an example of fire suppression system for floating roof tanks. Figure 3: Fire Suppression systems Common Tank-type Hazards The following table shows the incidences of fire hazard with the use of various types of storage tanks. Figure 4: Common tank-Type Fire Hazards Overfill fires – Occur due to spillag es resulting from tank overfill. Vent Fires – Occur as a result of vent failure or blockages. Rim Seal Fires – Occur as a result of broken tank seals. Full Surface Fire – Occur due to surface ignition of storage liquids. Case Study Place: Delaware, USA. Date: July 17, 2001. Cause: Spark from maintenance work. Type: fixed roof. Losses: 8 injuries and 1 death. Outcome: Significant offsite environmental impact. Lesson Learned Intense procedures must be followed before conducting periodic maintenance works. Risk assessment should be conducted. Training and competence of personnel should be done. Elimination of flammable atmosphere should be done including isolation, purging, gas testing, as well as control of ignition sources. Adherence to minimum separation distances given in codes and standards. Adequate separation from tanks to site boundary, process equipment, loading areas, and buildings should be provided. Health hazards Many of these liquids are corrosiv e and undergo multiple reactions if exposed to other chemical components like oxidizing agents or when stored improperly. Therefore, people handling these liquids must be physically present and wear protective clothing (â€Å"Environmental Health and Safety Executive† 3). Eye contact with such liquids may result in a burning sensation, irritation and possibly eye damage (â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety† 10). Similarly, repeated exposures may result in target organ toxicity, which may result in the failure of such organs or death. Environmental hazards Spillages are a key pollution that threatens the ecosystem where the quantities are high enough. The liquids may result in chronic toxicity whereby they cause adverse effects on aquatic life when exposed in an aquatic ecosystem (â€Å"Environmental Protection Agency† 7). Improper disposal or accidental spillages are causes of soil and air pollution. General Use and Storage Considerations It is of paramou nt importance to understand that the handling of these liquids is not restricted to specialized firms or individuals. The substances are produce for use by the public, as well as other unspecialized individuals; therefore, safety regulations need to consider this factor (â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety† 22). In connection, protection from ignition sources is crucial during important processes like extraction, centrifuging, and grinding (â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety† 16). Conclusion As established, liquids are essential in the daily lives, but also pose a significant level of risk in people’s lives, as well as the environment. Therefore, it is important that all such risks are controlled so as to have a safe environment that is free from hazards associated with storage of liquids. In conclusion, liquids can be hazardous to both individuals and the environment; hence, it is necessary to take appropriate measures for preventing the creation of hazards. â€Å"Environmental protection Agency (EPA).† Release: 40 CFR 302. 116.4 (2010): n.pag. California Fire Code: Chapter 27. Web. Health and Safety Executive: Storage of Flammable Liquids 2002. Web. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Code 30 2006. Web. â€Å"UNL: Environmental Health and Safety.† Environmental Health and Safety 402. 472  (2000): n.pag. UNL. Web.

List of Free Online Oklahoma Public K-12 Schools

List of Free Online Oklahoma Public K-12 Schools Oklahoma offers resident students the opportunity to take online public school courses for free. Below is a list of no-cost online schools currently serving elementary and high school students in Oklahoma. In order to qualify for the list, schools must meet the following qualifications: classes must be available completely online, they must offer services to state residents, and they must be funded by the government. Virtual schools listed may be charter schools, state-wide public programs, or private programs that receive government funding. List of Oklahoma Online Charter Schools and Online Public Schools Oklahoma Virtual High School (off-site link) About Online Charter Schools and Online Public Schools Many states now offer tuition-free online schools for resident students under a certain age (often 21). Most virtual schools are charter schools; they receive government funding and are run by a private organization. Online charter schools are subject to fewer restrictions than traditional schools. However, they are reviewed regularly and must continue to meet state standards. Some states also offer their own online public schools. These virtual programs generally operate from a state office or a school district. State-wide public school programs vary. Some online public schools offer a limited number of remedial or advanced courses not available in brick-and-mortar public school campuses. Others offer full online diploma programs. A few states choose to fund â€Å"seats† for students in private online schools. The number of available seats may be limited and students are usually asked to apply through their public school guidance counselor. (See also: 4 Types of Online High Schools). Choosing an Oklahoma Online Public School When choosing an online public school, look for an established program that is regionally accredited and has a track record of success. Be wary of new schools that are disorganized, are unaccredited, or have been the subject of public scrutiny. For more suggestions on evaluating virtual schools see: How to Choose an Online High School.

French Revolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

French Revolution - Essay Example Very early in the course of activities that unfolded during the revolution, the revolution lost its impact. This can be supported and said on the basis of the fact that entities like Reign of Terror came into existence(Lutz and Lutz, 194). Reign of terror, as the name would imply was one outright reactionary, and non elected entity. It was completely violent in its outlook and it worked on principles of revolt and reactionary mindset. Revolutionary measures and not evolutionary measures was the cry and manifesto of Reign of Terror. The initial troubles faced by France in form of offensives by Prussia and Austria termed it another failure at hand, given the fact that the country and its people were faced with the problems from inside, least to solve and spare out resources for the external aggression. The only democratic entity that came into power was the Directory. It lasted from 1795 to 1799, however it was marred by plethora of flaws and shortcomings in its own. It was faced with challenges of corruption, inability on behalf of the elected members, the lack of institutions and various other elements that make or break a democratic institution and organization. Hence from this perspective as well, the French revolution may not be termed as the successful story. The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power marked the severe blow towards the entire activity of the revolution. He was a military man who had taken over the power in Brumaire coup, and later on paved his way towards the life long Emperor of France (Scott, 2). Hence, the revolution that was initiated for the purpose of bringing about democracy in the country ended up providing a platform for a usurper like Napoleon Bonaparte to enact his own empire and declare himself the emperor. This hawks naked and wide into the eyes of those who declared the revolution a success. The final blow was suffered by French Revolution in the wake of the