Tuesday, December 31, 2019

How College Students (and Grads) Can Gain Strategic Thinking Skills

Strategic thinking ranks high on almost every employer’s list of desirable traits. For example, recruiters in a Bloomberg Business report ranked strategic thinking as the 4th most important trait - but also one of the hardest skills to find in job applicants. In a Robert Half Management survey, 86% of CFOs considered the ability to think strategically to be important – with 30% listing it as â€Å"mandatory,† and 56% stating that it was â€Å"nice to have.† Unfortunately, the Robert Half survey also revealed that only 46% of employers provide any type of professional development. So, college students – and employees – need to take the initiative to develop these skills on their own. What is strategic thinking? The definition of strategic thinking may vary based on the person providing the explanation, but in its broadest sense, the term refers to the ability to identify critical situations, analytically and creatively evaluate relevant information, and determine the consequences of choosing a particular action. Dr. A.J. Marsden, an assistant professor of psychology and human services at Beacon College in Leesburg, Fla, tell ThoughtCo, â€Å"Generally speaking, strategic thinking is a cognitive process in which individuals think about, assess, view, and achieve success in their own and others’ lives.† She adds, â€Å"It is knowing how to assess a situation and pick the best option.† In a workplace setting, strategic thinking can help companies focus on what’s important. DeLynn Senna is the executive director of Robert Half Finance Accounting, and the author of a blog post on boosting strategic thinking skills. Senna tells ThoughtCo, â€Å"Strategic thinking involves finding ways to help the business prosper and going beyond the task level.† While some people erroneously assume that management and senior executives are responsible for critical thinking, Senna says, â€Å"It’s something that can impact every level of an organization, and is important for those entering the working world to develop early in their careers.† However, there’s more than just one component to strategic thinking. According to Blake Woolsey, executive vice president of the Mitchell PR firm, there are 8 characteristics that separate strategic thinkers from nonstrategic thinkers: Future-based vs. reactiveCurious vs. isolatedLong-term focus vs. short-term focusWilling to take risks vs. cautiousAble to prioritize vs. unable to prioritizeNimble vs. inflexibleLife-long learner vs. satisfiedCreative vs. predictable    Why strategic thinking is so important This trait helps individuals make better decisions so they can be successful on a personal and professional level. â€Å"Strategic thinking helps individuals focus, prioritize, and be more proactive in addressing specific issues and situations,† Marsden explains. â€Å"The main advantage to strategic thinking is that it helps people achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently -  it focuses on problem solving and creating a clear path to your goal.† Voltaire, the great French philosopher, once said, â€Å"Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. Strategic thinking also includes the ability to ask the right questions. Dr. Linda Henman, author of â€Å"Challenge the Ordinary,† and â€Å"How to Move Beyond Indecision and Good Intentions,† tells ThoughCo, â€Å"When we start with ‘what’ and ‘why,’ we can get to the core of the issue we need to discuss or the problem we need to solve.† However, she believes that starting with the â€Å"how† question can lead to being distracted by methods.   And using the what/why principle, Henman says there are five specific advantages of strategic thinking: Strategic thinking helps us zero in on the critical few as we put aside the trivial many.Strategic thinking helps us keep a global perspective, which in turn, leads to dispassionate, logical thinking, not emotional reactions.When we think strategically, we see patterns and anticipate consequences.We can prioritize better when we think strategically.Strategy keeps us focused on the future, not the present or past. It’s easy to see why companies want employees with these skills. An organization is only as good as its employees, and it needs workers with the ability to make a significant impact. â€Å"Employers want big-picture thinkers with strong business acumen,† Senna says. â€Å"Hiring managers look for professionals who can use their expertise to develop and execute strategies and projects to help the business grow, increase profits, and maintain costs.†    How to develop strategic thinking skills Fortunately, strategic thinking skills can be developed, and there are a variety of settings and situations that provide opportunities for growth in this area. Senna offers the following tips: Volunteer to lead a project team, including one with colleagues from other departments. This can help you gain diverse perspectives and exposure to different problem-solving techniques.Look for training opportunities offered by your company, an external organization, or even a college class or webinar on the subject. Professional industry associations can be a good place to start to find this.Pair up with a mentor who can walk you through different decision-making processes and help you present your ideas to department leaders. This step can be especially valuable for those launching their careers.Tap the power of data. Learn how to turn business intelligence into actionable recommendations for the business. Marsden includes four additional tips: Be proactive about researching and gathering information that will help you make decisions in the future.   Read journals and articles that will help you be more informed. And when you don’t fully understand something, ask questions.  Constantly question your own opinions.  How did they form? What influences them? Are they logical? Be open-minded to the opinions of others.Learn how to embrace conflict and how to use it to come up with a creative solution.   Surround yourself with people who have different worldviews. This gives you (and them) an opportunity to learn from each other.Be sure to take cognitive breaks and allow your brain to rest.  Take time off for a brain break and put yourself in a different type of environment. This will help you develop perspective.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

View, Imagery, And Tone - 990 Words

Bram Stoker utilizes point of view, imagery, and tone to illustrate Lucy’s pre-transformative phase through a diary entry, giving further context to various symbols in Chapter 11 of Dracula. In Chapter 10, Lucy undergoes multiple blood transfusions and is given an ample supply of garlic bulbs and flowers by Van Helsing to ensure her well-being, but without much explanation on his behalf. Chapter 11 begins with Mrs. Westerna removing the garlic flowers from Lucy’s room overnight, alarming Van Helsing, and leaving Lucy in need of another blood transfusion and rest. Bram Stoker, by way of narrator Lucy Westenra, introduces a serene and healing scene by stating, â€Å"Four days and nights of peace. I am getting so strong again that I hardly know myself† (Stoker 124). By utilizing first person point of view, he allows the reader to enter the mind of the Lucy, giving way to her developments and self-reflection concerning her physical state. She describes her time of sickness as passing through â€Å"some long nightmare† and waking â€Å"to see the beautiful sunshine and feel the fresh air of the morning† (124). This appeals to the senses, creating a vivid image that readers can connect with. Lucy goes on to recount the darkness she felt during times of unease and healing. She describes her episodes of obscurity as â€Å"long spells of oblivion†, defined in The Merriam-Webster Dictionary as â€Å"the state of something that is not remembered, used, or thought about any more† (124; â€Å"Oblivion†). TheS how MoreRelatedSylvia Plath Poetry Analysis1301 Words   |  6 PagesDickenson all express their views on life and death, however, do so in varying manners. Through imagery, Wright and Plath both consider life’s beginnings, however, Wright considers it to be a beautiful gift, whereas Plath views birth as an empty burden. Subsequently, through structure Dickenson and Wright each acknowledge life, expressing how in some cases it is difficult, yet in other circumstances it is celebrated. Finally, through tone, Dickenson and Plath convey their views on death, yet differ inRead MoreAn Analysis Of Irwin Shaw s The Girls 846 Words   |  4 Pageshusband. The story goes through refined changes of tone and mood in the dialogue; the narration is done from a dramatic perspective, which creates suspense and tension. The author lets the story advance through the characters’ conversation. In addition, the writer’s voice comes in to describe the emotional states, reactions, and tone of voice of the characters as this shift during the conversations. The dialogue attains a meaningful colloquial tone, which is mirrored in the dramatic dialogue. ThisRead MoreTheme Of The Poem From The Dark Tower By Countee Cullen1147 Words   |  5 Pageswhite boy called him the n-word. This revealed the theme that words are powerful. Both of these poems had a powerful tone and used figurative language to develop their themes. Cullen’s use of figurative language gives his poems a deeper meaning and helps the reader understand his poems better by painting a picture in the readers head. â€Å"Tableau† and â€Å"Incident† both contain imagery throughout; however, â€Å"Tableau† also contains similes and metaphors. An example of a simile in â€Å"Tableau† is â€Å"The goldenRead MoreSo Enchanting, Yet so Deadly: The Sirens Essay705 Words   |  3 Pagesreader in by making them feel pity for the speaker, who turns out to be a Siren. These two pieces of literature can be compared using poetic devices like tone, point of view, and imagery. Homer and Atwood use different tones in order to portray the same group of creatures. Homer uses an alert and tense tone when mentioning the Sirens. The alert tone is first sensed when the crew begins to pass the island: â€Å"We were just offshore †¦ when the Sirens sensed at once a ship / was racing past and burst intoRead MoreComparing Emily Dickinsons We Grow Accustomed to the Dark and Robert Frosts Acquainted with the Night646 Words   |  3 Pagesthe poets use imagery of darkness. The two poems share much in common in terms of structure, theme, imagery, and motif. Both poems are five stanzas long: brief and poignant. The central concepts of being accustomed to something, and being acquainted with something convey a sense of familiarity. However, there are core differences in the ways Dickenson and Frost craft their poems. Although both Dickenson and Frost write about darkness, they do so with different points of view, imagery, and structureRead MoreAnalysis Of Tableau A nd Incident By Countee Cullen726 Words   |  3 Pageswhich share a tone of power. The racial interaction between a black and white boy in the two poems both contradict and have similarities. Developing their separate themes comes with the comparison of the two races and how they treat one another. Countee Cullen uses figurative language and tone to formulate the themes of the two works of literacy. In the poem Tableau, the writer uses figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and imagery to represent a powerful tone. In turn, the tone does impactRead MoreThe Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain931 Words   |  4 Pagesmentality through outraged and haughty tones within the novel. The incident involving the lynch mob in chapter twenty-two demonstrates the senseless and maniacal aspect of mob mentality with an outraged tone. Outrage, the act of wanton cruelty, is exposed through three elements of tone: diction, imagery, and details. Twain’s careful choice of words embodies the tone element known as diction. Through diction, this passage is able to reveal the outraged tone that is concealed within the narrationRead MoreLegend or the Sleepy Hollow and the Masque of the Red Death757 Words   |  4 Pagesuse of tone in their works. Irving‘s use of tone in his stories are typically optimistic, yet dramatic. Poe’s uses of tone in his stories are filled with horror and are also dramatic. Poe and Irving use different techniques to develop a complex meaning in their short stories. For instance, elements such as imagery, tone, and irony are placed in these stories contribute to make these stories intense. Imagery is a way of walking a person through mental visualizations, both stories use imagery. IrvingRead MoreAnalysis Of The Box Man1242 Words   |  5 Pagesaccomplishes this by using her character the Box Man to represent the homeless people of America and to display how society sees the homeless. Barbara Ascher’s The Box Man utilizes thoughtfully chosen diction, precise negative and positive imagery, and effectively placed tone shifts to argue that the homeless, represented by the Box Man, are worthy of respect. Barbara Ascher makes the reader question stereotypes by using thoughtfully chosen diction to persuade the reader to realize the need to giveRead MoreThe Glass Castle, By Jeanette Walls754 Words   |  4 Pagesovercome the past through the use of tone, imagery, and pathos. Walls uses tone to convey her attitude and view towards a particular subject. For example, in the beginning of the book, Walls refers to when her and her family stopped in the middle of the desert and slept under the stars and says, We could live like this forever (Walls, 18). She says this to demonstrate her excitement as a child and how she loved that type of lifestyle. Through Walls joyful tone, the readers may infer that Walls

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 20 Free Essays

string(59) " You guys have been the practice round before the big hit\." â€Å"My apologies for the abrupt transport,† Carter continued. â€Å"Jerome started freaking out that I’d left you alone for so long.† â€Å"I’ve never ‘freaked out’ in my life – er, existence, er whatever,† mused Jerome, strolling into the room. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Blues CHAPTER 20 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Studying him, I could believe his words. Dressed immaculately as ever, he held a martini in one hand and looked utterly at ease amid the disarray. â€Å"Nice place,† I told him, still aghast at the damage done to such beauty. â€Å"Fixer-upper?† The demon’s eyes flashed with amusement at my joke. â€Å"I do so love having you around, Georgie.† He sipped his drink. â€Å"Yes, it is a little rough around the edges right now, but no worries. It’ll clean up. Besides, I have other domiciles.† Jerome had always been very tight-lipped about where he lived, and I suspected it was only Carter’s intervention that allowed us to even remain here right now. The demon would have never invited us. Walking over to a large bay window, I beheld a magnificent view of Lake Washington, the Seattle skyline glittering beyond it. Based on the angle of my view, I would have wagered money we were in Medina, one of the more elite Eastside suburbs. Only the best for Jerome. â€Å"So what happened?† I finally asked when it became apparent no one else intended to broach the subject. â€Å"Was this a nephilim attack, or did you just throw a party that got out of hand? Because honestly, if it’s the last one, I’m going to be really pissed we weren’t invited.† â€Å"No such fears,† Carter told me, smiling. â€Å"Our friend the nephilim did a little redecorating, kindly flashing us when it was over. That’s why I abandoned you at Erik’s. I would have given you some warning, but when I felt it over here†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He looked meaningfully at Jerome. The demon scoffed in response. â€Å"You what? Thought I was in danger? You know that’s not possible.† Carter made a nondescript noise of disagreement. â€Å"Yeah? What do you call that?† He inclined his head toward the spray-painted symbol. â€Å"Graffiti,† responded Jerome disinterestedly. â€Å"It means nothing.† I walked away from the breathtaking window and its pricey view, looking the symbol up and down. I’d never seen anything like it, and I was familiar with a lot of characters and markings from all types of places and times. â€Å"It must mean something,† I countered. â€Å"Seems like a lot of trouble for nothing. Otherwise, he could have just written ‘you suck’ or something like that.† â€Å"Maybe that’s in one of the other rooms,† suggested Cody. â€Å"A punch line worthy of Georgie. You’re learning more than dancing.† Ignoring the demon’s attempt to change the subject, I turned to Carter for answers. â€Å"What is it? You must know what it means.† The angel studied me speculatively a moment, and I realized I’d never appealed to him before for serious help. Until our recent roommate stint, most of our interactions had been downright antagonistic. â€Å"It’s a warning,† he said slowly, not looking at his demonic counterpart. â€Å"A warning of impending disaster. The real phase of a battle about to begin.† Jerome’s finely suppressed control snapped. He slammed the glass down on an off-kilter table, face flushing. â€Å"Christ, Carter! Are you insane?† â€Å"It doesn’t matter, and you know it. Everything’s going to come out anyway.† â€Å"No,† hissed the demon icily, â€Å"not everything.† â€Å"Then you tell them.† Carter made a grandiose gesture toward the symbol. â€Å"You explain and make sure I don’t say too much.† Jerome glared at him, and they locked eyes in their usual way. I’d seen it happen countless times, but upon reflection, I felt pretty sure I’d never actually seen them at such odds with each other before. â€Å"It might have meant those things at one time,† Jerome admitted at last, exhaling in an effort to calm himself. â€Å"But not anymore. As I said, it’s meaningless now. An archaic scrawl. A charm which, without anyone to believe in it anymore, holds no power.† â€Å"Then why use it at all?† I wondered aloud. â€Å"More of the nephilim’s bizarre sense of humor?† â€Å"Something like that. It’s to remind me who we’re dealing with – as if there was any possible way I could forget.† Picking up his sloshed martini, Jerome finished it in one gulp. Sighing, suddenly looking tired, he glanced at Carter. â€Å"You can tell them about the other ones if you want.† The angel’s face registered mild surprise at the concession. He looked back up at the marred wall. â€Å"This symbol is the second in a set of three. The first is the declaration of battle – a way to sort of psyche out your enemy with what’s to come. It looks just like this but with no diagonal. The last symbol marks victory. It has two diagonals and is displayed after the enemy is defeated.† I followed his gaze. â€Å"So, wait†¦ if this is the second, does that mean you’ve seen the first already?† Jerome walked out of the room and returned a moment later, handing me a piece of paper. â€Å"You’re not the only one who gets love notes, Georgie.† I opened it up. The paper was the same kind used for my notes. Displayed on it, in heavy black ink, was a copy of the symbol on Jerome’s wall without the diagonal. The first symbol, the declaration, according to Carter. â€Å"When did you get this?† â€Å"Just before Duane died.† I thought back through the weeks. â€Å"That’s why you didn’t push me too hard when he died. You already had a good idea who was responsible.† The demon shrugged by way of answer. â€Å"Wait a minute then,† exclaimed Cody, coming to look over my shoulder at the note. â€Å"If this is the first warning†¦ are you saying that everything that’s happened – Duane, Hugh, Lucinda, Georgina – has been part of the ‘psyching out’?† The vampire grew incredulous when neither of the higher immortals responded. â€Å"What more can there be? What is this ‘real phase’? I mean, he’s already attacked or killed, what, four immortals?† â€Å"Four lesser immortals,† I supplied, suddenly catching on. I looked back and forth between Jerome and Carter. â€Å"Right?† The angel gave me a tight-lipped smile. â€Å"Right. You guys have been the practice round before the big hit. You read "Succubus Blues CHAPTER 20" in category "Essay examples"† He gave Jerome another pointed look. â€Å"Stop it,† the demon snapped back. â€Å"I’m not a target here.† â€Å"Aren’t you? No one spray-painted this on my wall.† â€Å"No one knows where you live.† â€Å"You’re not exactly in the yellow pages yourself. You’re the mark here.† â€Å"It’s a moot point. It can’t touch me.† â€Å"You don’t know that – â€Å" â€Å"I do know that, and you know it too. There is absolutely no way it can be stronger than me.† â€Å"We need backup after all. Call Nanette – â€Å" â€Å"Oh yes,† laughed Jerome harshly. â€Å"No one would notice if I pulled her from Portland. Do you have any idea what a red flag that would throw up? People would start noticing, start asking questions – â€Å" â€Å"So what if they do? It’s no big deal – â€Å" â€Å"Easy for you to say. What would you know about – â€Å" â€Å"Please. I know enough to know that you’re being overly paranoid about†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The two went back and forth at each other, Jerome adamantly denying there was any problem, Carter maintaining that they needed to take appropriate precautions. As noted earlier, I had never seen the two of them in such open disagreement. I didn’t like it, especially as their voices began to rise in volume. I didn’t want to be around if they came to blows or displays of power, having already seen too much of their strength in the last few weeks. Slowly, I backed up out of the living room toward a nearby hallway. Cody, catching my mood, followed. â€Å"I hate it when Mom and Dad fight,† I commented as we retreated away from the divine bickering, seeking a safer locale. Looking in doorways, I saw a bathroom, a bedroom, and a guest room. Somehow I didn’t imagine the demon hosted too many overnight guests. â€Å"This looks promising,† observed Cody as we turned in to an entertainment room. More leather seating surrounded a massive, absurdly thin plasma screen hanging on the wall. Sleek, beautiful speakers stood in strategic spots around us, and a substantial glass case displayed hundreds of DVDs. This room, like the others, had been sacked. Sighing, I threw myself on to one of the ripped chairs while Cody checked out the sound system. â€Å"What do you think of all this?† I asked him. â€Å"The new developments, I mean, not the entertainment setup.† â€Å"What’s to think? It seems straightforward to me. This nephilim character warms up with lesser immortals and now decides to take on the higher ones. Sick and twisted, but well, that’s the way it is. On the bright side, maybe we’re out of danger now – no offense to Jerome or Carter.† â€Å"I don’t know.† I tipped my head back, thinking. â€Å"Something still isn’t right to me. There’s something we’re missing. Listen to them in there. Why is Jerome being such an idiot about all of this? Why won’t he listen to Carter?† The young vampire glanced up from his perusal of the movies and gave me a sly smile. â€Å"I never thought I’d see the day when you advocated for Carter. You must have gotten really chummy this last week.† â€Å"Don’t get any romantic delusions,† I warned him. â€Å"God knows I have enough of that on my plate already. It’s just that, I don’t know. Carter’s not as bad as I used to think.† â€Å"He’s an angel. He’s not bad at all.† â€Å"You know what I mean, and you’ve got to admit, he has a point. Jerome should be taking appropriate measures. This thing trashed his place and left warnings – even if they’re obsolete charms or whatever. Why is Jerome so convinced he’s safe?† â€Å"Because he thinks he’s stronger than it is.† â€Å"How would he know though? Neither of them have gotten a good feel for it – even Carter didn’t the night he saved me.† â€Å"Jerome doesn’t seem like the type to dismiss things without a reason. If he says he’s stronger, then I’d – holy shit. Check this out.† His serious spiel melted into laughter. Getting up, I walked over and knelt beside him. â€Å"What?† He pointed to the bottom row of DVDs. I read the titles. High Fidelity. Better Off Dead. Say Anything. Grosse Pointe Blank. All John Cusack movies. â€Å"I knew it,† I breathed, thinking of the demon’s coincidental resemblance to the actor. â€Å"I knew he was a fan. He’s always denied it.† † Wait’ll we tell Peter and Hugh,† crowed Cody. He pulled Better Off Dead off the shelf. â€Å"This one’s his best.† I pulled out Being John Malkovich, my tense mood momentarily relaxed. â€Å"No way. This one is.† â€Å"That one’s too weird.† I glanced up at the plasma screen, a huge gash slashing across its surface. â€Å"Normally I’d suggest we have a showdown to settle the point, but somehow I don’t think there’ll be any viewings for a while here.† Cody followed my gaze and grimaced at the massacre. â€Å"What a waste. This nephilim’s a real bastard.† â€Å"No doubt,† I agreed, standing up. â€Å"It’s no wonder – â€Å" I froze. Everything froze. A real bastard. â€Å"Georgina?† asked Cody curiously. â€Å"You all right?† I closed my eyes, reeling. â€Å"Oh my God.† A real bastard. I thought then about the entire trail of nephilim events, how from the very beginning Jerome had been warning us away. Ostensibly, his actions had been to keep us safe, but there had been no reason not to explain nephilim to us, no real danger to us in understanding the nature of our adversary. Yet Jerome had stayed tight-lipped about it, growing irrationally angry when any of us got too close. When Cody had first posited the â€Å"rogue angel† theory, I had written the secrecy off to embarrassment from the other side. Yet, it wasn’t their side that had something to hide. It was ours. Click, click. Once started, the dominoes in my head tumbled forward in a rush. I thought about Harrington’s book: the corrupted angels taught â€Å"charms and enchantments† to their wives while their offspring ran wild†¦ Charms. Like the obsolete one on Jerome’s wall. It’s to remind me who we’re dealing with – as if there was any possible way I could forget, he had explained offhandedly. Carter had told me demons generally get into hunting down nephilim. Nanette had wanted to come and help with this one, but Jerome wouldn’t let her, thus minimizing those involved. Carter he had kept on hand for the kill, however. Wouldn’t Jerome want to do it himself? I had wondered, but the angel had evaded answering. Still the dominoes fell. Nephilim inherit a lot more than half their parent’s power, though they can never exceed it. Jerome’s words to us last week, again spoken casually, just after my attack. Only minutes ago, I had wondered at his confidence at being stronger than the nephilim, questioning how he could be so certain. But of course he could be. Divine genetics had already dictated the parameters. â€Å"Georgina? Where are you going?† Cody exclaimed as I strode out of the room, back toward the still-roaring argument down the hallway. â€Å"Look,† Carter was saying, â€Å"it won’t hurt anything to just – â€Å" â€Å"It’s yours,† I cried to Jerome, attempting to stare him down – difficult, since he was taller than me. â€Å"The nephilim is yours.† â€Å"My problem?† â€Å"No! You know what I mean. Your child. Your son†¦ or daughter†¦ or whatever.† Silence descended, and Jerome stared at me with those piercing black eyes, boring right into my soul. I expected at any moment to be blasted across the room. Instead, all he asked was, â€Å"So?† Startled at his mild response, I swallowed. â€Å"So†¦ so†¦ why didn’t you just tell us? From the beginning? Why such secrecy?† â€Å"As you can perhaps imagine, this is not a topic I enjoy bringing up. And contrary to popular belief, I do feel entitled to some privacy.† â€Å"Yes, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Now that it was out, I didn’t know what to say or think or do. â€Å"What will happen? What are you going to do?† â€Å"The same thing I’ve been planning on doing. We will find this creature and destroy it.† â€Å"But it†¦ he or she†¦ is yours†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I, who had so jealously and longingly watched Paige’s growing pregnancy and Seth’s bevy of nieces, could not even begin to fathom calmly announcing the murder of one’s offspring. â€Å"It doesn’t matter,† the demon said simply. â€Å"It’s a liability, a danger to the rest of us. My connection to it is irrelevant.† â€Å"You†¦ you keep saying ‘it.’ Are you so detached that you can’t even†¦ you know, call it by name or gender? What is it anyway? A son or a daughter?† He hesitated a moment, and I detected a faint trace of unease in that cool mask. â€Å"I don’t know.† I stared. â€Å"What?† â€Å"I wasn’t there when it was born. When I found out she†¦ my wife†¦ was pregnant, I left. I knew what would happen. I was neither the first – nor the last – to take a mortal wife. Plenty of nephilim had been born and destroyed by that point. We all knew what they were capable of. The right thing to do when it was born would have been to destroy it right then.† He paused, once more perfectly expressionless. â€Å"I couldn’t do it. I left, so I wouldn’t have to deal with it, so I wouldn’t have to make that choice. It was a coward’s way out.† â€Å"Did you†¦ ever see her again? Your wife?† â€Å"No.† Speechless, I wondered what she must have been like. I barely understood Jerome now as a demon, let alone before he fell. He hardly ever showed any sort of emotion or affection for anyone; I couldn’t imagine what kind of a woman would have so overcome him that he would turn his back on all he held sacred. And yet, despite that love, he had still left, never to see her again. She would have been dead for millennia by now. He had left to save their child, only to once again be faced with holding its life in his hands. The whole thing was heartbreaking, and I wanted to do something – hug the demon, maybe – but I knew he wouldn’t thank me for my sympathy. He was already too embarrassed at us finding out about all of this. â€Å"So you’ve never seen it? How do you know for sure this one is yours?† â€Å"The signature. When I feel it, I feel half of my own aura and half of†¦ hers. No other creature could have that combination.† â€Å"And you’ve felt that every time?† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"Wow. Yet you know nothing else about it.† â€Å"Correct. As I said, I was gone long before it was born.† â€Å"Then†¦ then it would make sense that you really are a target,† I told him, gesturing to the wall. â€Å"Even independent of all this. The nephilim has especial reason to be pissed off at you.† â€Å"Thanks for the unconditional support.† â€Å"I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant†¦ the nephilim already have good cause to be angry. Everybody hates them and tries to kill them. And this one†¦ well, people spend thousands of dollars on therapy to get over bad experiences with their fathers. Imagine what kind of neuroses would develop after several thousand years.† â€Å"Are you suggesting a family counseling session, Georgie ?† â€Å"No†¦ no, of course not. Although†¦ I don’t know. Have you tried talking to it? Reasoning with it?† I remembered Erik’s comment about nephilim just wanting to be left alone. â€Å"Maybe you could work something out.† â€Å"All right, this conversation is growing more absurd, if that’s possible.† Jerome turned to Carter. â€Å"You want to take them home now?† â€Å"I’m staying with you,† the angel stated flatly. â€Å"Oh, for Christ’s sake, I thought we settled this – â€Å" â€Å"He’s right,† I piped up. â€Å"The warning phase is over. I’m safe now.† â€Å"We don’t know – â€Å" â€Å"And besides, this wasn’t so much about my safety anyway as having Carter keep me from finding out the truth about your family problems. It’s too late now, and I’m tired of having a shadow. You keep him, and we’ll all sleep easy, even if it is overkill.† â€Å"Eloquently put,† chuckled Carter. Jerome still protested, and we bickered a bit more about it, but in the end, the decision rested in Carter’s hands. Jerome had no power to order him around; indeed, if Carter wanted to follow the demon indefinitely, there was nothing Jerome could do, not really. They weren’t going to wage any epic battles with each other, no matter how annoyed they currently seemed. Carter did agree to teleport us back, though I suspected it was more of a kind gesture to make sure Cody and I could never find Jerome’s place again. After he’d taken the vampire home, Carter transported me to my living room, hesitating before he disappeared again. â€Å"It is better this way, I think,† he told me. â€Å"Me staying with Jerome. I know the nephilim can’t be stronger than him†¦ but there’s still something weird going on. I’m not convinced you’re out of danger either, but whatever’s going on with you is something entirely different.† He shrugged. â€Å"I don’t know. There are a lot of hard calls here; I wish Jerome would let us get a little outside help. Not too much, of course. Just something. Anything.† â€Å"Don’t worry,† I assured him. â€Å"I’ll manage. You can’t be everywhere at once.† â€Å"Isn’t that the truth. I’ll have to ask this nephilim how it does it when this is over.† â€Å"You can’t question the dead.† â€Å"No,† he agreed grimly. â€Å"You can’t.† He turned as if to depart. â€Å"It’s weird†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I began slowly. â€Å"The whole idea of Jerome loving someone. And falling because of it.† He gave me one of those canny, creepy smiles. â€Å"Love doesn’t make angels fall, Georgina. If anything, love can have quite the opposite effect.† â€Å"So, what? If Jerome fell in love again, he could turn back into an angel?† â€Å"No, no. It’s not quite that simple.† Seeing my baffled look, he chuckled and gave my shoulder a quick squeeze. â€Å"Watch out for yourself, Daughter of Lilith. Call if you need help.† â€Å"I will,† I assured him as he blinked out, not that ever actually getting a hold of higher immortals was easy. Jerome could sense if I was hurt, but he was a lot harder to call for a casual chat. I went to bed shortly thereafter, fatigued by everything that had happened, too tired to worry about nephilim attacking me in my sleep. I worked the closing shift tomorrow, and it was my last day before another two days off. I needed the break. I woke up later the next morning, still alive. While walking into the bookstore, I ran into Seth, armed with his laptop, ready for another day of writing. Recalling the dance lesson with him put my nephilim concerns temporarily at bay. â€Å"Got my book?† I asked as he held the door open for me. â€Å"Nope. Got my shirt?† â€Å"Nope. I like the one you’re wearing, though.† His themed T-shirt today displayed the logo for the musical Les Miserables. â€Å"My all-time favorite song comes from that.† â€Å"Really?† he asked. â€Å"Which one?† â€Å"‘I Dreamed a Dream.'† â€Å"That’s a really depressing song. No wonder you don’t want to date.† â€Å"So what’s your favorite then?† I had asked Roman my stock question, but not Seth. † ‘Ultraviolet’ by U2. You know it?† We approached the espresso counter. Bruce was there, and he started making my mocha before I even ordered. â€Å"I know some of their other stuff, but not that one. What’s it about?† â€Å"Love, of course. Like all good songs. The pain of love juxtaposed with its redemptive power. A bit more optimistic than yours.† I remembered Carter’s comment from last night. Love doesn’t make angels fall. Seth and I sat down to talk, conversation now flowing smoothly between us. Hard to believe there had ever been any awkwardness, I thought. He was so comfortable. Finally, knowing I had to work sometime, I dragged myself away to check on the rest of the staff and then retreat to my office. I only intended to check my e-mail, however; I felt sociable today and wanted to work the floor. Tossing my purse on the desk, I started to sit in my chair when I saw a too-familiar white envelope with my name on it. My breath caught. So much for being off the nephilim’s radar. Trembling, I lifted the envelope up, opening it with clumsy fingers. Miss me? I imagine you’ve been kept pretty busy with your immortal friends, making sure everyone is safe and accounted for. I imagine you’ve been just as busy with your oh-so-fascinating personal life, barely sparing a thought for me. Cruel, considering all I’ve done for you. I wonder, though, do you worry just as much about the mortals in your life as you do the immortals? Admittedly, mortal deaths are so much less meaningful. After all, what’s fifty less years compared to the centuries of an immortal? Mortals hardly seem worth the fuss, yet you put on a good face of caring for them. But do you really? Or are they just a diversion for the long stretch of your own centuries? What about your boyfriend? Is he another toy, another hobby to pass the time? Does he really mean anything to you? Let’s find out. Convince me he does today. You have until the end of your shift to ascertain his safety. You know the rules – keep him in safe places, keep others around him, etc., etc. I’ll be with you, watching. Convince me you really care, and I’ll spare him. Make me believe. Fail – or involve any of your immortal contacts – and no amount of â€Å"safekeeping† will do him any good. I dropped the note, hands cold. What kind of fucked-up game was this? It made no sense. The nephilim told me in one breath to keep someone safe, yet implied in the next that it didn’t matter, that there was no safety. It was stupid, another stirring of the waters, shaking up the status quo just to watch what I’d do. Looking around uneasily, I wondered: Was the nephilim here now? Was Jerome’s disgruntled offspring lurking invisibly beside me, smirking at my distress? What should I do? Finally, and perhaps most importantly, just who the hell was my boyfriend anyway? How to cite Succubus Blues CHAPTER 20, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

Federal Communication Commission and its role in Communication

Question: Describe about the Federal Communication Commission and its role in Communication? Answer: The Federal Communication Commission, its governance and role in Internet. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a self-governing federal agency. It constitutes of five members who are selected by the President, with a prior condition of approval from the Senate. The FCC came into existence from the Communications Act of 1934 and looks after the regulation of communication at interstate and international level. Communication includes communication by means of radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. The main aim of FCC is to make sure that the residents of America have at all times availability of quick, well-organized, country- and world-wide communication services, whether by radio, television, wire, satellite, or cable, without any difference or discrimination and at the minimum cost possible. FCC Governance The FCC is headed by five commissioners selected by the President. They are finally reassured by the Senate. The term of service of the Commissioner is of five years. One of the commissioner is appointed by the president as the chairman of the commission. None of the commissioners will have any financial interest in the working of the Commission. FCC Organization The work of FCC is conducted by 7 bureaus and 10 offices. The areas looked after the bureau are: Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Enforcement Bureau, International Bureau, Media Bureau, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Wireline Competition Bureau. FCC Tactical Strategy At present FCC is working on a five year plan which is from FY2014FY2018. The main aim of this strategy is divided into eight areas: To link America with fixed and mobile broadband for maximum use of internet at reasonable prices. The aim is to make broadband reach their lives on daily basis To make the most out of the advantages of Spectrum To safeguard and permit consumers to make the right choices and be safe from the damages in the communications market To encourage Invention, Improvement, Investment and Competition To ensure Community and Country security To improve Important Nationwide Drives To achieve Operative Quality by managing resources The Commission management on yearly basis makes targets and evaluates them with each goal so as to know where they stand and what the loophole is. Goals and methods are printed in the FCCs Performance Plan, given to the commissions yearly financial plan as demanded by the Congress (Figliola P., 2015). Today internet has become the necessity in the lives of people. From business, to social network to the government procedures all are working on the internet network. The e-commerce concept has also brought about a big boom in the economy. Very rightly defined by the author the definition of internet as The Internet is a vast network of networks that communicate with each other based upon a set of software protocols that direct traffic so that the information can pass among the networks. The growth at a global level can only happen when all the nations give boost to the internet growth. An approach of "hands-off" permits the Internet to grow openly from the loads of old regulatory tools. The policies framed by the government to regulate the telecommunication market have a direct impact on the growth and norms of internet by the users. It is necessary to have a strong infrastructure for increasing the usage of internet. To guarantee that the Internet is accessible to maximum people, the FCC has implemented a "hands-off" Internet strategy. As internet is in the initial stage of development so necessary precautions should be taken so that internet can be delivered and used to the maximum. The regulatory policies have a direct impact on the internet services. Basic transmission capacity is the physical foundation necessary for the operation of Internet services and e-commerce applications. As a result, telecommunications regulatory policies can have a direct impact on the development of the Internet. Experience indicates that market-oriented policies spur the development of affordable and available infrastructure required for Internet services and e-commerce to flourish. The various factors which need to be considered internet to develop are: Competition: There should be open and healthy competition in the market to innovate and decrease the rates. The demands of the consumers should be fulfilled by providing them with maximum number of services at the minimum rates. The new talent should be recognized and promoted. Investment: To get investment from the private sector is most beneficial as they help in establishment of the necessary infrastructure. For this private sector needs to be given advantageous investment inducements. Other than investment private parties all bring about innovation, new technology, skills and information. Technical Impartiality : It is very necessary that different technologies are given the same platform and there is no discrimination otherwise there will be no innovation. The people who will benefit with such policy will not be the network providers but the consumers who will get the latest technology at the best speed and cheapest rates (Kennard W., 1999). Telecommunications policy has a great effect on our economy and the way we live. Still the related issues still get bigger with time and seem unresolved. Jonathan Nuechterlein and Philip Weiser have stated the issues which the nation face in the telecom industry. They have given the key technological, economic, and legal expansions challenging communications legislators in the twenty-first century. There are regulatory magnitudes of rivalry in wireline and wireless telephone service; competition among rival platforms for broadband Internet service and video distribution; and the Internet's transformation of every aspect of the telecommunications industry, particularly through the emergence of "voice over Internet protocol" (VoIP). The legal issues are also governing the industry and rapidly changing technological and economic context in which these issues arise (Nuechterlein J., Weiser P., 2005). Conclusion Therefore, as internet holds such an important place in our lives FCC should continue working on its strategies to ensure that the nation and the whole world reaps the benefits from the internet. With the application of hands-off approach, favorable competitive policies and good regulatory system the global internet community will see a new era and bellowed e-commerce market (Kennard W., 1999). References: Figliola M., (2015), Federal Communication Commission and its role in Communication, Published by Congressional Research Service. Nuechterlein J. Weiser P., (2005), Digital Crossroads, American Telecommunications Kennard W., (1999), Connecting the Globe: A regulators guide to building global information community, Federal Communications Communication, Washington.

Monday, November 25, 2019

The Duties and Objectives of Elementary School Teachers

The Duties and Objectives of Elementary School Teachers The role of a teacher is to use classroom instruction and presentations to help students learn and apply concepts such as math, English, and science. Teachers prepare lessons, grade papers, manage the classroom, meet with parents, and work closely with school staff. However, being a teacher is much more than just executing lesson plans. In todays world, teaching is a multifaceted profession; teachers often carry the roles of a surrogate parent, class disciplinarian, mentor, counselor, bookkeeper, role model, planner, and many other related roles. Elementary school teachers play an important role in the development of students. What students learn in their formative years can shape the men and women they will become. The Third Parent The role of a teacher is clearly more than just planning and executing lesson plans. In some senses, because the teacher spends so much time with the students, she or he can become the students third parent. Teachers can be a constant positive role model for their students, particularly for children that lack a solid family foundation. Of course, the teachers role as a semi-parent depends to a large extent on the age and grade of the children they teach. The kindergarten teacher develops basic skills in her children that are necessary to excel and progress to the next year, while a teacher in the intermediate grades teaches specific information about a particular subject. A Teachers Role in Todays World Teachers roles today are considerably different than they used to be. Teachers were once issued a specific curriculum to teach, and a set of instructions on how to teach it, using the same methods for all students. In todays world, a teachers role is quite multifaceted. Their job is to counsel students, help them learn how to use their knowledge and integrate it into their lives so they will become valuable members of society. Teachers are encouraged to adapt learning methods to each individual students learning, to challenge and inspire them to learn. The modern teaching profession is also about taking on broader roles to promote education. Teachers often: Work with politicians, colleagues, and community members to set clear and attainable standards for their studentsParticipate in the decision making that helps to deal with the problems that affect the students learningMentor new teachers to prepare them to teach the youth of today Teacher Duties Duties of elementary school teachers include: Planning lessons that teach specific subjects, such as math, science, and EnglishTeaching lessons in whole-group or small-group configurationsAssessing and evaluating students abilities, strengths, and weaknessesPreparing students for standardized testsCommunicating student progress to parentsDeveloping and enforcing classroom rulesSupervising children in extracurricular activities (such as lunch, playground)Conducting in-class activitiesPlanning field trips Teacher Standards In the United States, standards for teachers are set by state and federal law and supported by state and national teacher organizations such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. In addition to regularly scheduled parent-teacher conferences and open-houses, many schools have parent-teacher organizations, in which parents have an opportunity to discuss their concerns about the roles of teachers in schools today. Resources and Further Reading â€Å"Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers.† Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, 8 May 2019.Ryan, Mary, and Terri Bourke. â€Å"The Teacher as Reflexive Professional: Making Visible the Excluded Discourse in Teacher Standards.† Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, vol. 34, no. 3, 24 Aug. 2012, pp. 411-423.Taack Lanier, Judith. â€Å"Redefining the Role of the Teacher: Its a Multifaceted Profession.† Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 1 July 1997.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Vermont State Health Policy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Vermont State Health Policy - Term Paper Example Single-payment will be funded from tax collections, diversion of financial aids from Federal governments and hence, it will be based on equitable financing and 100% of healthcare of Vermonters will be met by Vermont State.   Vermont’s governor Shumlin conceived the single -payer system, and he promised all the 620,000 Vermonters with a gift of $3,225 each and every year to pay for free healthcare by Vermont State. However, Shumlin has not come out with his plans how he is going to fund the same. Only time has to tell us whether Shumlin dream project is going to stand as a model for all the remaining states in the USA or going to drain out the state’s exchequer’s resources.   As per United States Census Bureau, as of 2013, Vermont population was estimated at 626,011.This indicates a growth of 0.004% as compared to 2010 census. About 67.7 people were residing per sq. mile as of 2013. (Quickfacts.census.gov 2014).   From the following figure, we can understand that Vermont State spent $2210.9 million or $2.2 billion on human services (which includes healthcare expenses also) which is equivalent to 41.8% of the aggregate of the expenses of Vermont during 2013. Human service expenses include health care, food stamps, Child protective and housing services.   Medicaid: This offers insurance coverage for kids, adolescents under age 21, pregnant women, caretaker relatives, parents, disabled or blind people and those aged 65 or above. For qualifying under this, the income level should be below the protected income level† (PIL) or below the Federal Poverty Level. (FPL)†. The Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP): This scheme is available to those adolescents above the age of 18 and older who are not eligible under Medicaid program and those who are having income below 150% of FPL.   

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Legal Environment Surrounding Sale and Purchase of Goods Essay

Legal Environment Surrounding Sale and Purchase of Goods - Essay Example According to Crose & Miller (2011), in any legal undertaking it is good to understand about what is legally right and what is legally wrong in any kind of legal issue. Therefore, it is advisable that Winston understand where his rights were infringed and where he might have failed during contract signing so that he can lay out a base for his legal arguments. This would enhance his chances of winning the case and thus enabling him to obtain compensation. As a plaintiff in this case he also need to understand the courts that will be involved if the case reaches litigation stage and the procedures involved in this stage so that he can prepare adequately. This paper plays a very significant role in explaining these issues and thus it would be of great assistance to Winston. Any kind of legal environment or undertaking is influenced by various factors. According to Meiners et al (2011), some of the factors that influence the legal environment are the needs and demands of the business comm unity, consumers, and the government. In this paper, we start by explaining the issues surrounding these factors. These issues are like the difference between express and implied terms, sales of goods act, difference between consumer and non-consumer sales, and process and procedures involved in the litigation stage of a case. ... These terms are rigid and cannot change to implied term whatever the case that interpret them. They also do not have further categories and we cannot have very many of them in a contract. However, each contract must have several of those terms clearly understood by both parties before signing. All other terms found in a contract, which are not express term, are regarded as implied terms. Unlike the express terms, these terms are subdivided to those implied primarily by factual circumstances of the agreements and those implied primarily by the law (Klass 2010). Also unlike the express terms, the terms implied by the factual circumstances of the agreement can change to express terms depending on the situation that interpret them. They are also found in larger number in any form of a contract. However, these two terms have one similarity, which is that they have to be included in any form of a contract and each party must read and understand them before signing the contract. According t o Klass (2010), when interpreting a contract, a court gives more priorities to express terms as compared to implied terms. This is merely because of their characteristics and their ability to explain the contract and the situation in which the contract was made. The express terms can also reveal some of the factors that made either of the parties to sign the contract. Therefore when signing any form of a contract one should be very careful with the express terms because they can play a very great part in making a case ruled to your advantage in case of any dispute arising from the contract. Sales of goods act The sales of goods act deals mainly with the sales contract

Monday, November 18, 2019

Systems of New Knowledge Production and Management of Innovative Research Paper

Systems of New Knowledge Production and Management of Innovative Development - Research Paper Example The term "lifelong learning" reflects hopes, which society assigns to education, and also opportunities, which should be necessary given to every single person for the development of his/her potential. Notwithstanding the long evolution of the concept of â€Å"lifelong learning†, there is no one general definition of this term. This notion can be defined as the realization of purposeful actions on learning, both formal and informal, undertaken continually with the aim to improve own knowledge, skills, and competencies. According to Edwards, Miller, Small, & Tait (2002), the life-learning concepts advocated today have grown out of the â€Å"lifelong education’, ‘permanent education’, and ‘recurrent education’ plans proposed in key documents several decades ago, many of the principles espoused still apply today, even though the contexts and the concepts themselves have changed in certain ways (see e.g. Tuijnman, 1994; Hasan, 1996). Nowadays huma nkind has become a witness and a direct participant of great changes. The development of communication networks, digital technologies and genetics, trade and culture connections, and general globalisation of civilization give everyone a variety of possibilities on the way of self-improvement. People get more and more freedom in choosing their behaviour and the way of life in general, however, everyone should understand that such freedom involves certain responsibilities. In such circumstances, the distance between those, who do first-rate on the labour market, and those, who have hopelessly fallen, behind become more and more obvious.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Assessment of Ureteroscopy During Pregnancy

Assessment of Ureteroscopy During Pregnancy INTRODUCTION Urolithiasis during pregnancy is an infrequent condition, with an incidence of 0.026 to 0.531 percent in the medical literature (1). Renal colic is the most common presentation of urolithiasis, as well as the most common nonobstetric cause of hospitalization during pregnancy and a predetermining factor of premature labor especially if accompanied by urinary tract infection(2,3). In approximately 70 percent of the cases the stone is passed spontaneously with the use of analgesics and hydration. (4-7) In other cases the onset of infection, fever and refractory ureteral colic require a variety of endourologic actions such as stent placement treatment(8). The diagnosis of ureteral calculi in pregnant women is often difficult because of the serious risks presented by radiation exposure, especially during the first trimester. As such, the diagnosis is best based on clinical data, urinalysis and ultrasound examinations; however, ultrasound does not always provide a clear diagnostic picture, even though at times color flow Doppler ultrasound may be useful (9). Further diagnostic efforts are indicated when the patient has intractable pain or upper urinary tract infection, or if renal function is decreasing for which a more precise diagnosis aims at specific treatment. In this situation ureteroscopy was considered a useful option, since it combines the diagnostic procedure with definitive treatment(10). Because of the recent advances in the techniques and technology in the field of ureteroscopy, the new and thinner semirigid and flexible ureteroscopes have allowed easy access to the ureter without any need for dilation and with minimal manipulation. (11) Ureteroscopy can be performed successfully for ureteral calculi in pregnant women and stones can be removed with the stone basket or fragmented with ultrasonic ballistic or laser lithotriptors under sedation-analgesia (12-14). Ureteroscopy can be performed with greater care when the patient is under sedation-analgesia than if spinal or general anesthesia is used, since the patient can collaborate during the procedure. Therefore, sedation-analgesia may be preferred when ureteroscopy is performed in pregnant patients (15,16). For reasons mentioned above, we have started use of minureteroscopes for managing pregnant patients with complicated stone disease not responding to medical measures and herein we present our experience with 15 p atients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 2000 and 2005 we performed ureteroscopy and ureterolithotripsy on 15 pregnant patients 21 to 32 years old. All patients underwent extensive diagnostic evaluation including urinalysis, urine culture and antibiogram, complete blood picture, bleeding and coagulation times, renal and liver function tests as well as, complete abdomino-pelvic ultrasound, and an accurate obstetrical examination to evaluate the fetal condition. The women were placed on the operating table in an oblique position with the left side down when necessary to decrease the pressure of the pregnant uterus on the inferior vena cava. Sedation-analgesia with 2.5mg midazolam and 50 mg pethidine intravenously was used in the first 7 patients. In the following 8 cases 10 mg nalbuphine HCL was used in addition to midazolam. Prophylactic therapy with ampicillin/ sulbactum 1.5gm was administered before the procedure. Ureteroscopy was performed with ultrasound monitoring. The use of ionizing radiation was avoided before, during and after the procedures. Constant obstetrical monitoring was available throughout the procedures. All patients underwent ureteroscopy with thin rigid 7.0F ureteroscopes without dilation of the ureteral meatus. We used either the micro-six ACMI ureteroscope or Karl-Storz 6.9 F semirigid ureteroscope. Floppy tip guide wire 0.035 was inserted over a 6 F open tip ureteric catheter through the 22 F cystoscopy. The wire was advanced first to the collecting system where it has been fixed. In cases with difficult guide wire insertion through the cystoscope, direct ureteroscopy was then performed and a safety wire was inserted through the ureteroscope. Then the ureteroscope was advanced alongside the wire and visualization of the whole ureter was done. Once a stone is visualized a decision was made in regard to the best means of extraction. Factors, such as size, amount of speculation, degree of impaction, location within the ureter and condition of the distal ureter, were considered. Our method of choice was the use of the stone basket under direct vision. If the size of the stone preclu ded the use of the basket technique, we elected to disintegrate the stone using pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy. At the end of the procedure, a double pigtail ureteral stent or external ureteral catheter was placed in the ureter to avoid partial urinary obstruction and flank pain due to mucosal edema. If external stent was used, it is tied to a Foley catheter. The Foley and ureteral catheters were removed within 1 to 2 days. The operating time, hospital stay, perioperative and postoperative complications, outcome of the pregnancies and deliveries, and condition of the neonates postpartum were all recorded. All women underwent PUT and abdomino-pelvic ultrasound 6weeks after delivery. RESULTS The mean age of our patients was 25.3 years (range 21-32 years) and the mean gestation time was 28 weeks (range16-32 weeks). The main presenting symptoms and indication of surgical intervention were recurrent ureteric colic not responding to analgesics, fever, recurrent UTIs, and hematuria (table1). Urine culture was positive for ampicillin-sensitive strains of E-coli and proteus vulgaris in 3 patients. Macroscopic hematuria was found in 3 patients while microscopic hematuria was present in in 2 patients. Leukocytosis was found in 2 patients. Ultrasonography showed dilation of the renal pelvis in all cases and stones were identified in 8 cases. Upper ureteral stones were found in 3 patients while lower ureteric stones were diagnosed in 5 patients. The mean stone size diagnosed with ultrasound was 0.6cm (range from 0.5-1.2 cm). Ureteroscopy was done for all cases with the entire ureter examined without the need for ureteric orifice dilatation. Stones were extracted from the lower ureter by Dormia basket in 7 patients. Stone fragmentation with the pneumatic lithotriptor was used for stones above the iliac vessels in 6 cases and no stones have been found in 2 patients (table 2). A double pigtail ureteral catheter was inserted in 8 cases (6 patients with fragmented calculi and the 2 cases with no confirmed stone) and ensured to be in the proper position by watching its distal end in the bladder and monitoring of the upper end curling in the renal pelvis through ultrasound examination. In the 7 patients with extracted calculi, a 6 F ureteric catheter was inserted for one or two days postoperatively. Duration of the procedure ranged from 15-30 minutes and obstetric monitoring showed no signs of fetal distress or pre-term delivery. No complications encountered and convalescence was uneventful. Patients who had pain were improved remarkably and fever disappeared within the next 24 hours after the procedure. Patients were discharged home 72 days after the procedure and the external ureteric catheter was removed. Patients with double J stenting had their stent removed after labor in the two patients with negative ureteroscopic finding while patients underwent stone fragmentation had stent withdrawal after 3 weeks. All pregnancies progressed to full term delivery. Five patients had an elective Cesarean section as they had a history of previous section and no fetal abnormalities were detected. The follow up PUT and U/S performed 6 weeks postpartum revealed disappearance of renal pelvis dilatation and no calculi were found in all patients. DISCUSSION The first publications on ureteroscopic diagnosis and management of ureteral calculi during pregnancy appeared in 1988.12 The differential diagnosis of ureteral calculi versus physiological dilatation in pregnancy was rendered possible by this procedure with great assistance in management. Using ureteroscopy and stent placement, under ultrasound monitoring, was an important step forward in stone manipulation during pregnancy (12,13). It was supposed that anatomic distortions caused by the fetal presence would not allow the introduction of the rigid ureteroscope and this procedure could be of high risk to the pregnancy. However, it was proved that the natural ureteral dilation in pregnancy facilitates the introduction of the ureteroscope and the procedure could be performed easily by following the usual rules, except for the use of fluoroscopy (17). The diagnosis of ureteral calculi in pregnant women is often difficult because of the serious risks presented by radiation exposure, especially during the first trimester(9). Several investigators have highlighted the problems related to the exposure of the pregnant patients to x-rays in regard to the incidence of tumors in children who were irradiated during fetal life(9,18). Therefore, the use of x-ray for the diagnosis or management of stones during pregnancy remains controversial (19). Ultrasonography is the main diagnostic method in these cases, because besides its non-invasive nature, it does not use radiation, and is universally available (3,8). However, Ultrasound does not always provide a clear diagnostic picture, even though at times color flow Doppler ultrasound by using resistive indices may be useful (10). In our study, we avoided the use of x-ray for the diagnosis of stones during pregnancy and we depend mainly on clinical diagnosis and ultrasound examination. Renal pelvic dilatation alone or combined with calyceal dilatation was diagnosed by U/S in our patients and ureteral stones were found in 8 (61.5%) out of 13 ureteroscopically confirmed stones. Although U/S is safe under all circumstances of pregnancy, its utilization in diagnosing obstruction is of limited value owing to its sub-optimal view of the ureter and presence of hydroureteronephrosis as a physiologic concomitant of pregnancy. Hematuria, both macro and microscopic, is a frequent sign, but is not specific (4, 8, 20) while urinary tract infection is present in 20 to 45% of the cases of calculus during pregnancy (1,21-22). Among our patients, hematuria was present in 5 (33.3%) patients and asymptomatic bacteriuria was detected in 4 (26.7%) patients while pyelonephritis complicated 2 (13.3%) pregnant women. In the early protocols for stone management in pregnant patients, the double pigtail catheters were used to treat renal dilatation and in cases of failure, an ultrasound guided nephrostomy was preferred over the risks inherent with ureteroscopy (19). Stents and drains may have many disadvantages including accidental dislodgment, obstruction or bladder irritability and unpleasant symptoms (1). In addition, incrustation on double pigtail stents with resultant obstruction is frequent in pregnant women and it is advised that stents should be changed every few weeks during pregnancy. The repeated insertions of tubes and stents may have potential risks that may be comparable to the risk associated with ureteroscopy performed as a single procedure. (11-14). In the present series, we have used the 7F semirigid ureteroscope, without need of dilating the ureteral meatus in any of the cases. In fact, this procedure is simpler than it was supposed in the past. It was suggested that pregnant patients with ureteral calculus and fever should be treated with antibiotics and drainage by a double-J catheter. The advantage of this method is that it is an efficient and less invasive method. Ureteroscopy was not advised in these patients because ureteral manipulation and liquid injection under pressure in the excretory system may lead to bacteruria and dissemination of the infection (23). However, stent should be left until the end of pregnancy, which can be a predisposing factor to infections and may cause vesical discomfort in most patients. We have used ureteroscopy in 2 pregnant patients with pyelonephritis and obstructing ureteral calculi and stones were removed and double J stents were inserted for 3 weeks without complications. Those patients were given antibiotics according to culture and sensitivity test prior to the procedure and during ureteroscopy fluid pressure was kept at minimum and non-refluxing double J stents were used. A further advantage of ureteroscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic option is that general anesthesia can be avoided during pregnancy. With the application of mini-ureteroscopes and small instruments, general anesthesia was replaced by sedation analgesia among our patients. This aspect has already been highlighted by others who reported on flexible ureteroscopy (12). In conclusion, ureteroscopy during pregnancy can be performed safely under sedation analgesia for diagnosis and removal of ureteral calculi in cases of failure of conservative management in experienced centers with the use of miniureteroscopes and without using fluoroscopy.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

A Need For Education :: essays research papers

The Once And Future King by T.H White is a four part book of magic, love, death, war and medieval tales. The book tells the tale of how the Wart (Arthur) becomes king and how he goes about life. The need for education is very important; the lessons Arthur learns and his application of them later in life demonstrates this importance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The lessons Arthur learns as a child is taught to him by various animals. On the signs over each ant tunnel was a notice which read,† Everything Not Forbidden Is Compulsory† (122). In the life of a worker ant there is no free thought allowed. The worker ants also have no free will; they do only what they are told to do and nothing else. Another good example is the view of Lyo-lyok the goose; â€Å"There are no boundaries among the geese† (170). Lessons learned from the geese are those that teach leaders take charge when a leader is needed. The geese also teach Arthur why war is unnecessary. In those lessons Arthur learns that Communism is oppression, is war, and Lyo-lyok teaches that war is not the only thing one should depend on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Later in Arthur’s life, he uses his education to form ideas of using might for right. For example, Arthur rhetorically inquires, â€Å"Why can’t you harness might so that it works for right† (248)? Asserting his idea Arthur decides to fight the battle at Bedegraine in hopes of stopping people from thinking of war as he once did. With that idea in mind Arthur wishes to use might to show people what is right. Arthur then decides to enforce his idea of might for right by creating a league of knights (The Knights Of The Round Table); this idea leads to a genius proposal in when he states, â€Å"Then we can have a circular table† (265). Arthur’s round table idea prevents jealousy and competition among the knights.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Maslow Hierarchy Speech

Topic: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Specific Purpose: The purpose is to allow the audience to understand how true happiness, or self-actualization, can be achieved. Introduction Attention Materials: Many times I have wondered what is true happiness. Is there such thing as true happiness? Can it even be attained if there is such a thing? Is it more of fulfilling desires, or satisfying psychological needs? Every person attempts to realize happiness in its fullest essence. It seems like today people are too busy trying to get rich. Nowadays it is believed that happiness lies in that new mansion, or a nice Ferrari.People are mistakingly assuming that wealth will bring to them a personal significance in which they will achieve happiness. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs actually limits the relationship between happiness and material possessions. Abraham Harold Maslow is a humanist psychologist who taught at Brandeis University, Brooklyn College, New School for Social Research and Columbia University. He stressed the importance of focusing on the positive qualities in people, as opposed to treating them as a â€Å"bag of symptoms. † It is believed that happiness, or self-actualization as Abraham Maslow calls it, is more of a mental and psychological thing.If you’re a psychology major you probably heard the term a couple of times, but I’d like to expand a little more about it. Thesis Statement: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs explains that happiness is achieved through a series of steps. Preview: We will look through the steps suggested by Abraham Maslow in order to achieve true happiness. (First, lets talk about the first step of the hierarchy, the most basic of human needs. ) Body I. Maslow’s Hierarchy consists of five levels. A. Physiological needs, which are basic human needs such as hunger, thirst, and avoidance of pain. . For the most part, physiological needs are obvious – they are the literal requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body simply cannot continue to function. 2. Physiological needs are the most prepotent of all the other needs. Therefore, the human that lacks food, love, esteem, or safety would consider the food the most important. B. Safety needs, such as the need for secure housing and protection from weather. 1. With their physical needs relatively satisfied, the individual's safety needs take precedence and dominate behavior. 2.In the absence of physical safety – due to war, natural disaster, or, in cases of family violence, childhood abuse, etc. – people experience post-traumatic stress disorder. 3. This level is more likely to be found in children because they have a greater need to feel safe. C. Love and Belongingness, such as emotional intimacy, friendships, and social connections. 1. After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the third layer of human needs are interpersonal and involve feelings of belongingness . 2. People have an emotional need that they need to fulfill, and without this there will be a gap in the persons psychological wellbeing.D. Esteem Needs, such as the need for the respect of one’s peers, status, or approval. 1. All humans have a need to be respected and to have self-esteem and self-respect. 2. People need to engage themselves to gain recognition and have an activity or activities that give the person a sense of contribution, to feel self-valued, be it in a profession or hobby. E. Last, but not least, Self-Actualization, which is the fulfillment of ones individual potential. 1. Since no two people are exactly alike, the drive for self-actualization leads people in different directions. . For some, self-actualization may mean creating works of art; for others, striving on the playing field, in the classroom, or in the corporate setting. 3. Not all of us climb to the top of the hierarchy; we don’t all achieve self-actualization. II. However, our needs may not be ordered in a fixed manner, as Maslow would suggest. A. An artist might go for days with little if any nourishment in order to complete a new work. B. People may limit constrain their social life to focus their energies on seeking status or prestige in their careers. C.Maslow might counter that eventually the emptiness of their emotional lives would motivate them to fill the gap. D. Despite its limitations, Maslow’s model leads us to recognize that human behavior is motivated by higher pursuits as well as satisfaction of basic needs. (Transition: Now what does this all mean? ) III. This means that in order to actually attain happiness, a person must achieve psychological, as well as physical needs to the fullest extent of their capabilities. A. Most of us college students are in the Esteem level. 1. We all have our group of friends that we meet up with after class, or on the weekends. . And we are working on this college degree, which would one day hopefully lead us to a satisfying career. 3. What are we here for? We are here to gain prestige and achieve as much as we can to prove to others and ourselves that we are fulfilling our potential. B. When we get that position we are looking for or have a job that brings status as well as stability to our lives, then we can move on to achieving the highest level of happiness. 1. After you start a family and have a stable career to support your family with, you can begin to look for the next level of the hierarchy. 2.That next level of hierarchy is actually realizing that you are at that level. 3. Looking back at your life realizing that you have all the other levels satisfied brings peace to your mind. 4. Bringing yourself to the highest level you can as a human being, or fulfilling your potential is what brings you that ultimate happiness. 5. Knowing that you did the most you can, as a human being will allow you relax and achieve that happiness. 6. After all, all this work and efforts your putting into school is really just in order to reach a point in life where you are satisfied with what you have done.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Drug testing in the Workplace

Drug testing in the Workplace Free Online Research Papers Testing employees or job applicants for drug or alcohol use invokes a controversial area of policy and law that is still establishing its parameters. Today, in many industries, drug testing has become a everyday business, just like a job interview for example. Drug testing at the workplace is up 277 % since 1987 ( American Civil Liberties Union ) and as a result Employee Privacy is becoming increasingly an issue, not only for employees and employers but also for lawyers and unions. While increasingly employers have to ensure that their employees are fit for duty the use of drug and alcohol testing is becoming more and more an controversial issue. On the one hand, drug abuse is a serious problem especially in the US, where 5 % of the worlds population consumes 60 % of the entire worlds supply of illegal drugs. Nine percent of current employees and 12% of job applicants test positive for illegal drug use, the U.S. Department of Labor has reported. Given these numbers, and the fact that drug abuse is estimated to cost business $100 billion per year in lost profits, it is no wonder that many businesses are considering drug testing. On the other hand for many employees drug testing can seem unnecessary, disruptive and a violation of privacy. Drug testing opponents also claim that drug testing is often inaccurate and unproven as a means of stopping drug use. Given those facts the question arises if drug testing for job applicants as well as for current employees is the best option to choose for employers. The topic has gotten more and more attention during the last years and the drug and alcohol testing laws are still changing rapidly. In addition they vary tremendously from state to state. A number o state courts have set out rulings defining when and why drug tests may be given. Considering all the states and their particular laws cant be undertaken in this paper. Therefore, the considerations are of general character and are not to be distinguished between different states. The right to privacy is the right to be left alone. It is highly valued in the U.S society that employees have privacy rights at work, subject to some limitations. The US and state constitutions give the employees a right to privacy, but it does not apply in the employees relationship with his employer. Many states sanction some sort of drug testing in the workplace but many do not regulate it much. In these states it is a employers right to ask for a drug test without a warrant or a particular reason. The can choose employees randomly just by drawing a name.However, this applies only for the private sector. In the public sector the workers have additional protections. Specifically, the Fourth Amendment to the US constitution prohibits the government from searching or ordering a search of a persons bodily fluids without a proper reason to do so. For the government to legally require drug testing, it must have a need to drug test that is so strong that this need outweighs an employees constitutional right to privacy. Otherwise the test violates the fourth amendment, prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures.Companies cannot usually conduct blanket drug tests off all employees or random drug tests. However, the courts have generally ruled that companies may test for drugs among employees whose actions could clearly cause human injury or property damage if their performances would be impaired by drugs, and in cases where there is good reason to think that employees are using drugs. Additionally there are a number of employees who, because of their specialized positions or type of work, can be tested more freely for drugs and alcohol use. For example the Department of Transportation requires drug testing for some critical positions, such as Airline Pilots and other high risk jobs. Another factor that has to be considered is if the company or government uses reasonable and accurate procedures to test. If they do drug testing of public employees is usual ly legal. Furthermore it has to be distinguished between testing job applicants and testing existing employees. It is more common to test job applicants for traces of drugs and just a few requirements have to bee fulfilled to legalize the test. These requirements include: The applicant knows that such testing will be part of the screening process for new employees All applicants are tested similarly and a state-certified laboratory administers the tests Besides those requirements there has to be a reasonable suspicion of drug use based on the following facts: -direct observation of drug use or of physical symptoms -abnormal conduct behavior while at work or significant deterioration in work performance -a report of drug use reported by a reliable and credible source or any kind other evidence drug possession usage or selling Once the decision to drug test someone there are several actual drug testing procedures. Although there are a lot of different methods the vast majority of drug testing procedures is either urine analysis or hair testing. Blood tests for drug purposes are very unusual because those tests can detect drugs only for a very short period of time, usually not even a day. Other methods such as the saliva and sweat testing are often discussed but it is still not clear how accurate they are. Among the two most popular methods, urine analysis and hair testing, employers usually choose the urine analysis. Even though, hair testing is more accurate and can detect drug use for months or even years after use, it is common to pick the cheaper method which is urine analysis. Nevertheless, urinal tests can detect drugs for a couple of weeks at the most. The urine drug testing is broken down into two basic types:the urine drug screen and the urine drug test. Neither of these tests actually test for drugs in the urine. They are looking for drug metabolites. A drug metabolite is what is left over of the original psychoactive molecule after the body breaks it down and passes it through the system. Drugs, in order to be detected in the urine must be absorbed, circulated in the blood and deposited in the bladder. This process takes approximately three hours for most drugsexcept alcohol which can take only 30 minutes. Thus, an individual who was tested just 15 or 20 minutes after using drugs would probably (but not always) test negative unless he was a chronic user who would have identifiable drug residue in his/her urine at all times. Chronic users of marijuana, for example, may test positive for marijuana use several months after use of the drug. A nice illustration of the actual drug testing procedure is given on the BBC Sports Homepage for the UEFA ( European Football Association ) . Every single step of the procedure is described and one extract states, Having washed their hands, the athlete takes the pot and produces the sample. Their midriff and genitals must be clearly visible so the testing officer can see the urine going directly from body to pot. This reveals how serious drug tests are considered not only in Business companies but as well for any kind of athlete. Once someone is tested positive there are several scenarios and consequences that could occur. If the person is a current employee the employer might have legally-justifiable reason to fire or deny a promotion, while potential employers might justifiably refuse to hire the person. If someone is fired for failing a drug test or injuring himself and then test positive, state or local drug testing laws (or other laws) might even allow the employer to deny the unemployment, workers compensation or disability benefits. As previously stated drug testing laws vary by municipality and state. Additionally, by example, the Feds encourage treatment and rehabilitation verses punishment. Lastly, not every employer and state has a mandatory zero-tolerance policy. So, there might be a second chance.This chance could mean that instead of firing the employer might offer an employee assistance program or ask to attend a drug treatment program. Usually both parties benefit from those kinds of solutions because it costs employers a lot of money to fire employees and hire replacements. So, treatment programs might be a cheaper alternative and produce sober, grateful, more-dedicated employees. However if a person refuses treatment after failing drug testing, he or she is likely out of a job even if it is a responsible, recreational drug user who doesnt really need formal help. Even by accepting treatment the employer might be under no obligation by law to give time off or sick leave pay. Persons who does not want to submit drug tests do not have to, that is their right but they might face the same consequences as someone who failed the test. Those persons are essentially proven guilty. The worst possible consequence of drug use is imprisonment but it is not likely. . There is still too much controversy over privacy invasion and drug testing accuracy and as previously indicated the Federal Courts encourage treatment and rehabilitation, not arrest. After providing the facts concerning this controversial issue the next section of the paper focuses on the alternatives o drug testing, the pros and cons as well as the authors own opinion in some parts. The first and major question is, if it is any business of anyone no matter if employer or government what the employee does in the time out of work. Drug testing is not done in the employees home. Testing is always done while the employee is on the job, about to start work or immediately after work. Nevertheless it is the employers business when drug abuse, even though done in private life, will effect performance or safety on the job. The employer should have the right to be concerned about an employees substance abuse at home if it may adversely impact on his business production and on his or others workplace safety. Everyone should have the right for a healthy and safe workplace environment. Nevertheless, employees also still have rights to privacy and accuracy in testing. Employees that will be tested should get a notice before the test is administered. Furthermore it should be guaranteed that accredited laboratories advise the tests. Lastly, the test results must be treated in t he same manner as other confidential personnel information. There are categories of employees who will need to be drug tested regarding to security and safety concerns. The first category would be the employees working with weapons such as in the military or police departments. These people are in charge of the public safety and they need to be drug free, because they need all their potential and skills to be able to do their job as they are supposed to do. Another category that should be tested is firemen, doctors and even nurses. For example, firemen have one of the most dangerous jobs. They have to fight against natural forces, and their job is about saving lifes. They cannot do their job properly and it is even dangerous for their own safety if they use drugs. In the same way, doctors (and nurses, the ones that are directly connected to the patients) are not allowed to make mistakes. One example is prescribing medicine or a wrong diagnosis. This can really hurt the patient, and even kill him. Also, employees driving a vehicle or flying aircrafts should be submitted for drug testing. They are responsible for other people’s lives and it would make sense that these people agree to be tested. For example, it is important that a bus driver or pilot agrees to be drug free. A study was conducted at Stanford University in which airline pilots smoked relatively weak government- issued marijuana cigarettes for the test. Each pilot was then tested on computerized flight simulators. The testing resulted in simulated airline â€Å"crashes† right after the marijuana use. (ohsinc.com/what_every_employer_should_know_part2.htm) More alarming was the fact that it also resulted in â€Å"crashes† a full 24 hours later, after every pilot reported no residual effects and each had stated they had no reservations about flying. Another category for drug tests is employees that work for the government. The main reason is not because of the public safety, but more because of the illegality of drugs. They have to respect the laws and be examples in being drug free. Drug users are approximately three times more likely to have an accident, one-third as productive, and have a much higher rate of being tardy and absent than other workers. Another study by the U.S. government found that those who illegally use drugs are 3.6 times more likely to injure themselves or another person in a workplace accident. Also they are 5 times more likely to be injured in an accident off the job which, in turn, affects their attendance and/or performance on the job. But there are also limitations to drug testing. False positive drug-test results can occur after eating a lot of poppy seed or drink herbal teas made from coca leaves. These are cross-reactants that look exactly the same to the laboratory as illegal drugs. But if the test is done properly, a second test is conducted using a different testing process that serves to confirm whether or not the first analysis was accurate. Additionally, the employee always has the right to explain the false result. There are voices that say that drug testing has nothing to do with impairment and everything to do with discrimination and is a violation of human rights. They argue that drug testing deters highly qualified workers from applying, discriminates against medical marijuana patients and hat there is no differentiation between responsible use and abuse. As a matter of fact, drug testing can lead most likely to a higher unemployment rate. Looking at the numbers of employees that are involved in drugs and that would test positive, this is an issue for the government. To reduce this number, drug-abuse prevention programs in companies could be undertaken. As a result, some of those who do apply would probably stop using drugs because of fear of being caught, and some who are later â€Å"caught† could undergo treatment and go straight. The U.S. Navy had a decrease to fewer than 4% down from 28% of its active personnel engaged in illegal drug use since the 1980 ´s. This is specifically due to the implementation of a comprehensive drug-abuse prevention program, including random drug testing of all active and reserve duty personnel. Additionally to these programs, company wide anti-drug abuse policies, drug awareness programs and employee assistance and rehabilitation programs can be adopted and implemented. To conclude, I would say that I definitely agree with alcohol and drug testing. Moreover, I think that not only specific categories should be tested, but all employees. There is no need to distinguish between categories, because it is a fact that in the United States.drugs are illegal and taking a closer look at the issue reveals that almost everyone using drugs can hurt someone else when the performance is influenced. Even athletes who just compete for themselves affect their performance and this has consequences for a many people. People who bet on them or spectators who paid money to see a good performance are betrayed in a certain way. The number of drug users is shocking and the government and employers have to react to this fact accordingly. A recent national Gallup survey shows that even employees demonstrated an increasing intolerance among drug abusers and an acceptance of employers taking strong steps to provide drug-free workplaces. 28% of employees who were asked what they thought was the greatest problem facing the United States today answered â€Å"drugs†. 22% of employees whose companies have drug-testing programs feel it is â€Å"not strong enough†. Lastly, 97% of employees favor drug testing in the workplace at least under some circumstances. I strongly believe that addicted people can have a bad influence on their job environment and non-users should absolutely have the right to work in a safe working environment and to not have their jobs and benefits undermined by drug abusers. Research Papers on Drug testing in the WorkplaceThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationStandardized TestingThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresResearch Process Part OneTwilight of the UAWPETSTEL analysis of IndiaNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesGenetic Engineering

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

The Naysayers Make the Most Noise

The Naysayers Make the Most Noise A writer wrote me about how distraught he was at the negativity about becoming a writer. He professed to being an introvert, and he felt I would understand his concerns because I profess to being an introvert. So we chatted. He has made his way through life via his writing more so than his verbal repartee. Oh boy, I can really relate to that. Every success I ever had in my life somehow originated from the written word. He fought to find his way in this writing mayhem out there, to see how he can make a partial living from his writing. Â  However, what upset him was the deluge of negativity. = Most people dont edit well enough to sell. Â   = There are too many writers so dont expect to sell much. = The agents take advantage of you. = The publishers take advantage of you. = Editors dont understand writers. = Vanity presses rip you off. = Editors rip you off. = Contracts rip you off. I could go on for the entire newsletter with that list. All the racket on the internet warns writers to watch out, be careful, demons await you around every turn and in every click to a how-to website. Well, let me tell you something, my sweethearts trembling in the shadows . . . those that screw up usually make the most noise. The people who struggled with their book and made no sales, who were taken advantage of Like I tell people in my classes . . . do your homework before publishing. Dont listen to the screamers who were taken advantage of or made bad decisions. Usually they are still uninformed, still stinging from being duped, and only have revenge in their sights. Dont get sucked into the drama. Take your time writing, then take your time editing, then take your time publishing. Know your options and know them well. I speak to writers each and every day about slowing down and educating themselves. But I can only shake my head at the ones who then reply (often sharply): = I found this one publisher who sounds good and wants my material (yet the writer cannot tell me if they are traditional or indie). = I trust this. (Sorry, but you dont trust a publisher . . . you have a business relationship sealed in a negotiated contract and you are NOT friends.) = The publisher will edit this for me. They wont let bad stuff get published. (Then I hear its a vanity press.) = I cannot afford an editor, website, or time to promote; so Ill put it up on Amazon and see what happens. = Im writing this book now, and my plan is to have it published = Im not writing/promoting/blogging like everyone else, so the rules dont apply to me (two of those this week). The noise isnt always the place to run too. Sometimes its what you run from.