Rapper Q Tip From Hip Hop - 1470 Words

Rapper Q-Tip from hip hop group, A Tribe Called Quest famously conveyed in â€Å"Excursions†, a track from the 1993 album The Low End Theory, that music is cyclical, and jazz is the foundation for the new abstract in hip-hop just as hip-hop will be the new ground for whatever music the black community creates next. Even before the advent of the hip-hop genre, Jazz musicians participated in riff borrowing and sharing on standards. Simon and Garfunkel reused recordings of earlier songs in tracks they produced later. These uses can easily be considered an early form of sampling, a practice that utilizes pieces of a musical recording in another musical work as an instrument. As hip-hop grew in popularity, moving from the early reggae grooves over which emcee’s rapped to sampled songs, controversy over creative ownership also flourished in the music community. It wasn’t until the landmark 1991 Biz Markie copyright infringement case over his use of a Gilbert O’Sullivan sample on I Need a Haircut that the courts determined sampling constituted willful infringement. Record companies, realizing the cost of an infringement case, pushed artists to declare the use of samples in their works. However, with fear of incurring additional costs, companies and artists also embraced the possibility of being sampled as they often earned royalties for their contributions. Some publishing companies, namely Bridgeport Music, Inc. and TufAmerica Inc., took the profitability of copyright ownership evenShow MoreRelatedThe Undeniable Influence of Kanye West1451 Words   |  6 PagesThe Undeniable Influence of Kanye West Kanye Omari West, an icon of hip-hop, pop culture, fashion and music in general. Kanye Omari West, a person belittled against and a person subjected to a life of racism and hate. Born on June 8th, 1977, Donda West, West’s mother, always knew he was destined for greatness, but did she know her son would turn out to be the Kanye West, a man lacking the respect he deserves for transforming a big part of the music we listen to on this very day? West came ontoRead MoreRap Hop And The Hip Hop Essay1825 Words   |  8 Pages The hip hop community has gone through a number of discussions on the worth and merit of mumble rap across well opinionated youtube videos, long winded podcasts, as well as the vicariously living through celebrities who mimic the style, technique and overall aesthetic of artists associated with the mumble rap genre. Let s say, for the most part, the hip hop community has a problem with mumble rap. For the most part, it makes sense. Humans are prone to resist change, especially as overt asRead MoreThe Persona Of The Typical Mc Is An Act1760 Words   |  8 PagesThe persona of the typical MC is an act. Ice-T, one of the great American rappers said, â€Å"The MC possesses the great gift of communication. He has the ability to capture everybody’s attention with incredible displays of verbal acrobatics and the power to command a crowd† (â€Å"Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap†). An important character of art, different cultures and people are reflected in different styles. â€Å"It didn’t start out as a popular culture movement, it didn’t even have pop culture ambitionsRead MoreRap : The Flow Of A Disputed Artform3070 Words   |  13 Pagesactuality, when all of it’s parts are taken into context and judged subjectively, rap music is in essence a technically demanding art form and a raw, powerful musical genre rooted in hip-hop culture. Like other modes of art, rap has a deep history that still continues on today. From the early roots of RB and background in hip-hop, rap has taken on its own character defined by lyrics and rhyme. In the 1970s, rapping in the US first started out as a kind of street art, especially among African American teenagersRead MoreThe Power of Hip-hop in the Business World Essay2228 Words   |  9 PagesSince its conception, Hip-Hop culture has always been popular among young people. Now businesses are beginning to use Hip-Hop cultures popularity among the young people to increase the sales of their products. By advertising fashion, films and other miscellaneous types of products businesses use the hip hop culture to appeal to a target audience. Since the late 1970s, Hip-Hop fashion has changed significantly over the years. As the future approaches it has become a prominent part of the fashion

The Need for Mass Media Free Essays

Are there still mass media? The easy and immediate answer would be an absolute yes. However, the difficulty comes from substantiating the answer. For the purposes of this paper, mass media will be defined using Boeren’s (1994: 122-123) classification of media. We will write a custom essay sample on The Need for Mass Media or any similar topic only for you Order Now According to him, mass media refers to â€Å"all media that enable one to disseminate ideas to large audiences through technological/electronic means†. Included here are printed medium of communication (books, newspapers, magazines, posters, etc.), recordings, radio, television, film, cassette, video programs, and the most recent information-carrying technology—the internet. Mass media here was also differentiated by Boeren from other channels of communication. These are media generated by the human body (verbal language, facial expressions, body decorations and the likes), objects or substances used in transient communication (Morse code, horn signals, perfume, etc.), objects or substances used to deposit and express ideas (architecture, ornaments, paintings, etc.), and complex media that refers to rituals and the performing arts such as songs, puppet shows, theater and the likes. To support the answer posed above, there is mass media and it is here to stay.   This is on the basis of, first, mass media play an important role in a democratic society wherein â€Å"the welfare of an entire nation depends on the knowledge and good judgment of the majority of individuals† (English Hach 1968: 259). In support of this, the University of Washington (2000), in its article â€Å"What is the role of the media in the United States?† stated that media support democracy. This is done in a way wherein the media serve as a significant source of information. Through the information (and competing ideas) circulated by the media, people are then able to govern themselves or able to make their own decisions. Furthermore, mass media provide the general public â€Å"with the information it needs to function as a democracy† (Stay 1999). With this, it could be said that being a model country where its citizens enjoy democratic space, the United States of America will always consider media outlets as key structures or institutions for maintaining democracy in its ideal state. Second, there is a need to examine the role of mass media in a society. If those roles are still satisfied, then, it could be well validated that there is still mass media. For this paper, the roles of the media outlined by Voelker, F. and Voelker, L. (1978) were referred to. These are Informers or providers of information, Entertainers or providers of pleasure and enjoyment, and Persuaders or could be referred to as shapers of perception/public opinion and behavior. Mass Media as Informers News source for Americans has evolved over the past decades. Americans used to rely largely on print medium (mainly newspapers). Then the radio innovated how the public get their news from black and white printed paper. Then came television. And since then, it could be said that television has been the number one source of news compared to newspapers and radios. That TV is the primary source of news for Americans should not come as a surprise. In its study, the Arizona State University gave some data showing that TV sets are a fixture in American households (Arizona State University, n.d.). Data shows that 98.3% of households have TV sets, 65% have cable TV, TV sets are turned on for an average of 7 hours each day and that an average American spends 2.5 hours a day in front of TV. Aside from this access, news on TV is more available around the clock wherein we have early morning shows, noon newscasts, late night news and news breaks in between regular TV programs. In addition, TV is viewed as a source for international and national news while newspapers as source of local information. Meanwhile, with the advent of the internet, it is not yet defined whether this new technology has overtaken TV as the primary source of news. But data shows that over 2.5 million Americans are watching less TV this year compared in 2006 (Bauder c.2006). This decline has not been attributed to the internet replacing TV as a source of information (or other TV programs) but one of the factors being speculated upon is that more shows are either being downloaded or streamed. Mass Media as Persuaders With scores of discussion debating over the effects of media content, the point that mass media shapes individual or collective perception and behavior could not be disregarded. Gans (n.d.:236) stated that news, as an example of media content, â€Å"does not limit itself to reality judgments; it also contains values or preference statements.† With this, Gans forwarded that underlying the news lies â€Å"a picture of nation and society as it ought to be.† For example, a protest march pictured as a disruption to public order, would be considered more news worthy and placed in headline news. On the other hand, a family murder that claimed three victims is less news worthy would be placed in local news. The way how news stories are prioritized and presented in turn shapes the public’s perception on what social disorder is. On a different note, Klapper (1967:331-333) believes that mass media mainly strengthen the views the audience have. One factor leading to this situation is that generally, people lean to (watch, listen, read) materials that advocate the same views that they have. Similarly, people tend to ignore materials that are conflicting or opposing to their own judgment. Aside from the reinforcement power of mass media, Klapper also believes that the media is effective in creating opinion on new issues. He explained that when an individual has no predisposition on an issue, that individual would be vulnerable to adapt an opinion presented by any mass medium. That created opinion would be easy to reinforce and then hard to change. Now we go to the media as shapers of behavior. Some of the critics about media content pertain to their effects on the behavior of target audience particularly on issues such as violence, alcoholism and the likes. A research study by Atkin, Hocking and Block (1981:280-289) was used to support the idea that mass media indeed affect the behavior of its target audience. They used a correlational survey design to determine if advertising of alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine and liquor encourage non-drinkers to drink and encourage moderate drinkers to drink more. The questionnaires were distributed to 665 students from seventh to twelfth grades in the states of Michigan, California, New York, and Georgia. Over-all results of the study showed that the relationship between exposure to advertisements and liquor is strongly positive. Also, non-drinkers immensely exposed to alcohol ads expressed intentions of drinking when they get older. The difference between those who intended to drink and the opposite is a significant 26%. Mass Media as Entertainers Apart from its functions as providers of information and shapers of perception and behavior, there is no doubt that mass media also largely function as entertainers. Americans turn to different forms of mass media to enjoy, to relax or to simply spend leisure time. The expansion of leisure time in the twentieth century according to De Fleur and Dennis gave way to Americans’ â€Å"growing interest in various forms of recreation and entertainment: (1981:212). This could be attributed to reasons why most commercial TV shows (75%) are made for entertainment while the remaining 25%   accounts for the news and public affairs, educational and cultural programs and religious programs. They also classified entertainment programs that Americans watch such as dramas, situation comedies, variety and talk shows, personality and game shows, soap operas, children’s programs, movies, specials, sports and special events, and docudramas (1981:190-196). Aside from TV programs, it is also worth noting the movies or motion pictures as channels for entertainment. As early as the 1920s, Jowett (1976, quoted in De Fleur Dennis 1981:212) stated that the movies â€Å"had become the largest and most widespread commercial entertainment form the world had ever known†. By that time onwards, the movies have become a multi-billion dollar industry. Of course, the business would not have been that successful if it had not been for the millions of audience patronizing them. Meanwhile, the print media was never behind when it comes to its role as entertainers. Newspapers and especially magazines make space for materials that offer amusement to the audience. And to complete the package, there is the internet, which makes available online versions of print materials, music, music videos, TV shows, and movies on the World Wide Web. Of course, the internet also offers other types of entertainment that are not offered by the aforementioned mass media such as online games, social networking and others. So are there still mass media? Definitely. To conclude different channels of communication—mainly print media, TV, radio, and the internet—are still prevalent today. The roles or functions of mass media in American society are satisfied because the public has a need for them. Americans are hungry for news and information. They continue to seek information, which consciously or unconsciously reinforce their views on various issues. In addition, Americans continue to turn to mass media as a source of entertainment. No mass medium has been obsolete since it was introduced decades ago. Mass media technology continues to be sophisticated and in the near future, we might be introduced to new channels of communication. Bottomline is, mass media provide distinct social needs of the Americans and that is why these channels of communication are here to stay, up until the next century or even forever. List of References Boeren, A. (1994) In Other Words†¦ The Cultural Dimension of Communication for Development. The Hague: Centre for the Study of Education in Developing Countries (CESO) English, E. Hach, C. (1968) Scholastic Journalism. 4th ed. Iowa: The Iowa State University Stay, B. L. (ed.) (1999) Opposing Viewpoints: Mass Media [online] available Gans, H. J. (n.d.) ‘The messages behind the news’ In Media in Society: Readings in Mass Communication. ed. by Deming, C. J. Becker, S. L. Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company: 243 Arizona State University (n.d.) Mass Media Society: A Sociological Perspective on Media [online] available from http://www.public.asu.edu/~zeyno217/365/notes1.html [17 November 2007] Klapper, J. T. (1967) ‘Basic Research in Persuasion and Motivation’ In Mass Media: Forces in our Society. 3rd ed. ed. by Voelker, F. H. Voelker, L. A. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.: 331-333 Atkin, C., Hocking, J. Block, M. (1981) ‘Teenage Drinking: Does Advertising Make a Difference?’ In Media in Society: Readings in Mass Communication. ed. by Deming, C. J. Becker, S. L. Illinois: Scott, Foresman and Company: 280-289 De Fleur, M. L. Dennis, E. E. (1981) Understanding Mass Communication. USA: Houghton Mifflin Company Bauder, D. (c.2007) Data Says 2.5 Million Less Watching TV. [online] available from http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8P0F6RG0show_article=1 [17 November 2007] Pember, D. R. (1987) Mass Media in America. Science Research Associates, Inc.          How to cite The Need for Mass Media, Essay examples

Training and Development Process at Qantas Airlines - Australia

Question: Describe about the Training and Development at Qantas Airlines? Answer: Introduction Qantas Airlines recruit the professionals and give them extensive training in centers for service excellence. The training and development skills in the staff of the airlines are refined by exceptional training programs arranged by the airlines. The report would cover analysis of training and development in Qantas Airlines in regard with the andragogy principle. The need to know It is essential for the staff and the aviation crew to know the gaps that are preventing in making them international and world leaders. The need to understand the relevance of professional training by the crew members drives the source of world class facilities provided at the centers of Qantas Learning. Learners as Self Directed The Qantas airlines provides various facilities to foster self learning providing a flexible space to learn. There are rotational facilities for the employees to choose their training methodology. The self assessment tasks, assignments and self evaluation techniques (Eiff, 1997) help the adults to actually dwell deeper into the level of their skills and capabilities and refine them with the help of further training. They are provided with a flexible and continuous platform to learn themselves and practice in real life to keep them motivated. The role of learners experience Based on the previous experience of the new recruits, the training and development programs are segregated into four of the main training domains and flying programs to meet up the present demands of the training. The sessions are divided into various stages based over the past experience of the employees. These experiences are pleasurably welcomed by the training center and based over it, groups are defined for further training. This helps in reducing the feeling of discrimination and further leading up to fruitfulness of the training program. Inter group debates, extempore, simulations, problem solving methodologies (Edkins, 2002) are arranged to keep those groups in pace with each other and hence finally come up with a unanimously trained team of qualified professionals. Readiness to Learn The present and future need for customer service in the airlines is what drives the employees to learn the same. Every airlines have different code of conduct which need to be understood by the new recruits in order to uphold and maintain the environment of the customer service in the airlines. The employees are encouraged and made ready to learn everything disseminated in the training program for their personal good and for the betterment of the airlines. Orientation to Learning The training and development cell not only focuses over the core subjects required in the aviation and customer service, but also train the employees for some real life complex challenges that they would face. This orientation towards learning multi faceted dimensions of the real life problems (Davies, 1971) and required knowledge would refine their personal and professional skill set. Motivation The motivation of the crew members of aviation industry as well as the ground staff operating in the offices is directly proportional to the work life balance they attain in their jobs. During the training they are made ambitious and team players to infuse passion and desire for excellent aviation and customer services. They are promised of their job satisfaction (Galusha, 1998) with the help of problem appraisal system present in the company. The time constraints and long shifts are compensated with vacation plans and other incentives given to keep up the spirit of work and keep the employees motivated for work. References Eiff, G., Ropp, T., Mattson, M. 1997,Using Target Performance Indicators as a Training and Evaluation Tool(No. 972618), SAE Technical Paper. Edkins, G. D. 2002, A review of the benefits of aviation human factors training,Human Factors and Aerospace Safety, 2, no. 3, pp. 201-216. Davies, D. G. 1971, The efficiency of public versus private firms, the case of Australia's two airlines,Journal of Law and Economics, pp. 149-165. Galusha, J. M. 1998, Principles of Training and of Adult Education: A Comparison.

Neonatal Jaundice free essay sample

Newborn jaundice Newborn jaundice is a condition marked by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. The increased bilirubin causes the infants skin and whites of the eyes (sclera) to look yellow. Causes Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created in the body during the normal recycling of old red blood cells. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool. Before birth, the placenta the organ that nourishes the developing baby removes the bilirubin from the infant so that it can be processed by the mothers liver. Immediately after birth, the babys own liver begins to take over the job, but this can take time. Therefore, bilirubin levels in an infant are normally a little higher after birth. High levels of bilirubin in the body can cause the skin to look yellow. This is called jaundice. Jaundice is present to some degree in most newborns, and is called physiological jaundice. We will write a custom essay sample on Neonatal Jaundice or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It usually appears between day 2 and 3, peaks between days 2 and 4, and clears by 2 weeks. Physiological jaundice usually causes no problems. Other types of jaundice that usually cause no harm include: Breast milk jaundice is probably caused by factors in the breast milk that slow the rate at which the liver breaks down bilirubin. Such jaundice appears in some healthy, breastfed babies after day 7 of life, and usually peaks during weeks 2 and 3. It may last at low levels for a month or more. Breastfeeding jaundice is seen in breastfed babies in the first week of life, especially in babies who are not nursing often enough. Breastfeeding jaundice is different than breast milk jaundice. Babies who are born too early (premature) are more likely to develop jaundice than full-term babies. Conditions that increase the number of red blood cells that need to be broken down, and can cause more severe newborn jaundice: Abnormal blood cell shapes Blood type mismatch between the mother and the baby Bleeding underneath the scalp (cephalohematoma) caused by a difficult delivery Higher levels of red blood cells, which is more common in small-for-gestational-age babies and some twins Infection Lack (deficiency) of certain important enzymes Conditions that make it harder for the babys body to remove bilirubin may also lead to more severe jaundice: Certain medications Congenital infections, such as rubella, syphilis, and others Diseases that affect the liver or biliary tract, such as cystic fibrosis or hepatitis Hypoxia Infections (such as sepsis) Many different genetic or inherited disorders Symptoms The main symptom is a yellow color of the skin. The yellow color is best seen right after gently pressing a finger onto the skin. The color sometimes begins on the face and then moves down to the chest, belly area, legs, and soles of the feet. Sometimes, infants with significant jaundice have extreme tiredness and poor feeding. Exams and Tests Doctors, nurses, and family members will watch for signs of jaundice at the hospital, and after the newborn goes home. Any infant who appears jaundiced should have bilirubin levels measured right away. This can be done with a blood test. Many hospitals check total bilirubin levels on all babies at about 24 hours of age. Hospitals use probes that can estimate the bilirubin level just by touching the skin. High readings need to be confirmed with blood tests. Tests that will likely be done include: Complete blood count Coombs test Reticulocyte count Further testing may be needed for babies who need treatment or whose total bilirubin levels are rising more quickly than expected. Treatment Treatment is usually not needed. When determining treatment, the doctor must consider: The babys bilirubin level How fast the level has been rising Whether the baby was born early (babies born early are more likely to be treated at lower bilirubin levels) How old the baby is now Your child will need treatment if the bilirubin level is too high or is rising too quickly. Keep the baby well hydrated with breast milk or formula. Frequent feedings (up to 12 times a day) encourage frequent bowel movements, which help remove bilirubin through the stools. Ask your doctor before giving your newborn extra formula. Some newborns need to be treated before they leave the hospital. Others may need to go back to the hospital when they are a few days old. Treatment in the hospital usually lasts 1 to 2 days. Sometimes special blue lights are used on infants whose levels are very high. This is called phototherapy. These lights work by helping to break down bilirubin in the skin. The infant is placed under artificial light in a warm, enclosed bed to maintain constant temperature. The baby will wear only a diaper and special eye shades to protect the eyes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding be continued through phototherapy, if possible. Rarely, the baby may have an intravenous (IV) line to deliver fluids. If the bilirubin level is not too high or is not rising quickly, you can do phototherapy at home with a fiberoptic blanket, which has tiny bright lights in it. You may also use a bed that shines light up from the mattress. You must keep the light therapy on your childs skin and feed your child every 2 to 3 hours (10 to 12 times a day). A nurse will come to your home to teach you how to use the blanket or bed, and to check on your child. The nurse will return daily to check your childs weight, feedings, skin, and bilirubin levels. You will be asked to count the number of wet and dirty diapers. In the most severe cases of jaundice, an exchange transfusion is required. In this procedure, the babys blood is replaced with fresh blood. Treating severely jaundiced babies with intravenous immunoglobulin may also be very effective at reducing bilirubin levels. Outlook (Prognosis) Usually newborn jaundice is not harmful. For most babies, jaundice usually gets better without treatment within 1 to 2 weeks. Very high levels of bilirubin can damage the brain. This is called kernicterus. However, the condition is almost always diagnosed before levels become high enough to cause this damage. For babies who need treatment, the treatment is usually effective. Possible Complications Rare, but serious, complications from high bilirubin levels include: Cerebral palsy Deafness Kernicterus brain damage from very high bilirubin levels When to Contact a Medical Professional All babies should be seen by a health care provider in the first 5 days of life to check for jaundice. Those who spend less than 24 hours in a hospital should be seen by age 72 hours. Infants sent home between 24 and 48 hours should be seen again by age 96 hours. Infants sent home between 48 and 72 hours should be seen again by age 120 hours. Jaundice is an emergency if the baby has a fever, has become listless, or is not feeding well. Jaundice may be dangerous in high-risk newborns. Jaundice is generally NOT dangerous in term, otherwise healthy newborns. Call the infants health care provider if: Jaundice is severe (the skin is bright yellow) Jaundice continues to increase after the newborn visit, lasts longer than 2 weeks, or other symptoms develop The feet, especially the soles, are yellow Prevention In newborns, some degree of jaundice is normal and probably not preventable. The risk of significant jaundice can often be reduced by feeding babies at least 8 to 12 times a day for the first several days and by carefully identifying infants at highest risk. All pregnant women should be tested for blood type and unusual antibodies. If the mother is Rh negative, follow-up testing on the infants cord is recommended. This may also be done if the mothers blood type is O+, but it is not needed if careful monitoring takes place. Careful monitoring of all babies during the first 5 days of life can prevent most complications of jaundice. Ideally, this includes: Considering a babys risk for jaundice Checking bilirubin level in the first day or so Scheduling at least one follow-up visit the first week of life for babies sent home from the hospital in 72 hours Alternative Names Jaundice of the newborn; Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia; Bili lights jaundice References American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation.

Wonderful Guide to Rewriting Top Tips

Wonderful Guide to Rewriting Top Tips Top Tips on Rewriting The first thing to know about rewriting is that it is not especially easy. If you have ever rewritten and/ revised any rewritten texts you will know it is difficult. Sometimes, it can go very well, but at other times, you may find there are many things to learn. However, with practice and experience, you should acquire some valuable rewriting skills that serve you well. We would like to share the following tips, which we trust you will find helpful. The suggestions outlined below are a few things that should help if you get stuck. This is not a definitive list, and it is recommended you use only those techniques that work for you and discard the rest. However, remember, you have goals to achieve and these are well worth working for. Put your draft in your filing system and begin again This is a piece of advice that always appears in relation to rewriting. It is good advice and well worth noting. There is nothing shameful about putting a text aside and starting anew. Do not think of it as a loss. Whenever you begin the process of revision, save your previous draft, file it, and begin a fresh document. If there are any aspects of your previous draft you want to keep any language or good ideas paste these into your new document. However, in most cases, it is best to write from scratch. You should find this next version begins to flow more quickly and more cohesively. Any characters you have created will start to come to life, and any boring or irrelevant parts will remain filed away in your first draft. Some experts suggest the theory for this is that a writers brain is at first working overtime trying to figure out their script, develop their characters, and create the plot. Of course, all this work is interspersed with flashes of energy, inspiration, and enlightenment. However, these flashbulb moments can get lost in the very real task of developing the text you are working on in a manner your readers and yourself will be able to understand. Then, when you get to the next or second draft, these rules will have been ingrained in you so you can write more freely about the things that are now clearer to you. All this, of course, is time consuming, but very worthwhile. Doubt yourself by all means but trust in your goals A lot of writers really believe there are two elements within an unfinished written piece. These are:The goals to be achieved The writers own egoThe process of rewriting is about figuring out what is what and then discarding the egotistical elements. Everyone gets attached to the flowery descriptions they write, the parts of a plot that they manage to rework back into their text, and the cool words they have carried with them for many years. The fact is, however, that no matter how clever, descriptive and creative one might be, it does not matter if it does not achieve the end objectives. And that is what matters. Things to bear in mindTry not to put too much faith in adverbs and adjectives. Most characters soon start speaking in a unique manner and, usually, none of their voices sound identical. It is normal to have some doubts about various aspects of your work e.g. about whether you should add something new, change the gender of a character, and so on. The best answer here is to say try it. Then decide what you think about it. Do not hesitate to cut. Keep only what is vital. No one wants to get stuck in a time or situation that has already passed.Collaboration really helps One final thing worth mentioning about rewriting is that there should be more of it. People usually write alone so this activity is a solitary one. People also read and revise alone. When the work is done, it is handed in and the writer hopes it will bring the desired results. However, there is another option! This involves collaborating with others who can bring new angles and dimensions to your work. These people include tutors, friends, publishers, designers and directors. We are surrounded by such people. A piece of written work is often richer where there is collaboration. So, wherever possible, seek the input of those who can make your work better!

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter

What Pilot Studies Are and Why They Matter A pilot study is a preliminary small-scale study that researchers conduct in order to help them decide how best to conduct a large-scale research project. Using a pilot study, a researcher can identify or refine a research question, figure out what methods are best for pursuing it, and estimate how much time and resources will be necessary to complete the larger version, among other things. Key Takeaways: Pilot Studies Before running a larger study, researchers can conduct a pilot study: a small-scale study that helps them refine their research topic and study methods.Pilot studies can be useful for determining the best research methods to use, troubleshooting unforeseen issues in the project, and determining whether a research project is feasible.Pilot studies can be used in both quantitative and qualitative social science research. Overview Large-scale research projects tend to be complex, take a lot of time to design and execute, and typically require quite a bit of funding. Conducting a pilot study beforehand allows a researcher to design and execute a large-scale project in as methodologically rigorous a way as possible, and can save time and costs by reducing the risk of errors or problems. For these reasons, pilot studies are used by both quantitative and qualitative researchers in the social sciences. Advantages of Conducting a Pilot Study Pilot studies are useful for a number of reasons, including: Identifying or refining a research question or set of questionsIdentifying or refining a hypothesis or set of hypothesesIdentifying and evaluating a sample population, research field site, or data setTesting research instruments like survey questionnaires, interview or discussion guides, or statistical formulasEvaluating and deciding upon research methodsIdentifying and resolving as many potential problems or issues as possibleEstimating the time and costs required for the projectGauging whether the research goals and design are realisticProducing preliminary results that can help secure funding and other forms of institutional investment After conducting a pilot study and taking the steps listed above, a researcher will know what to do in order to proceed in a way that will make the study a success.   Example: Quantitative Survey Research Say you want to conduct a large-scale quantitative research project using survey data to study the relationship between race and political party affiliation. To best design and execute this research, you would first want to select a data set to use, such as the General Social Survey, for example, download one of their data sets, and then use a statistical analysis program to examine this relationship. In the process of analyzing the relationship, you are likely to realize the importance of other variables that may have an impact on political party affiliation. For example, place of residence, age, education level, socioeconomic status, and gender may impact party affiliation (either on their own or in interaction with race). You might also realize that the data set you chose does not offer you all the information that you need to best answer this question, so you might choose to use another data set, or combine another with the original that you selected. Going through this pilot stu dy process will allow you to work out the kinks in your research design and then execute high quality research. Example: Qualitative Interview Studies Pilot studies can also be useful for qualitative research studies, such as interview-based studies. For example, imagine that a researcher is interested in studying the relationship that Apple consumers have to the companys brand and products. The researcher might choose to first do a pilot study consisting of a couple of focus groups in order to identify questions and thematic areas that would be useful to pursue with in-depth, one-on-one interviews. A focus group can be useful to this kind of study because while a researcher will have a notion of what questions to ask and topics to raise, she may find that other topics and questions arise when members of the target group talk among themselves. After a focus group pilot study, the researcher will have a better idea of how to craft an effective interview guide for a larger research project. Further Reading If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of pilot studies, take a look at an essay titled  The Importance of Pilot Studies, by Drs. Edwin R. van Teijlingen and Vanora Hundley, published in Social Research Update  by the Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, England. Updated  by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Communication 270 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Communication 270 - Research Paper Example Religious intolerance has been quoted as one of the major factors facilitating the growth of terrorism in the twentieth and twenty first century. Indridi Indridason, a professor of political science, University of Oxford explains that terrorism has a great impact on domestic politics as well as international politics. Using terror groups to accomplish some mischievous mandates has been a common practice in many countries since the French revolution. Understanding how the terror groups work and the strategies they use in inflicting fear and intimidating citizens is important in learning the trends that terrorism has adopted and how sophisticated and uncontrollable it is of late. This research was done to understand the working of the terror groups and the methods they use to accomplish their political ambitions and interests. As stated earlier many terror groups constitutes of individuals who are against or resisting a given rule. To prove that the given government is failing to work for the people, they engage in activities such as killing civilians to show the failure in offering security to the society. In some cases an individual who did not participate in the planning or the execution of the terror activities uses the activities to benefit his quest to lead the people. For instance in 2001, there were twin attacks in New York and Washington DC which resulted in the loss of huge numbers of innocent citizens. In the elections that followed, Bloomberg used the issue to promise people security and address the issue of terrorism thereby earning himself the position of the mayor. George Bush in the elections that followed also embarked on the issue of terrorism as one of his key agendas in his manifesto. Since the people were totally scared and a repeat of such an attack was not anything anyone would like dreaming of, anyone offering a solution could earn cheap votes. Terrorism has evolved greatly to be what it is today. In the 19th century

Animals as Friends, not Scientific Experiments Essay

Animals as Friends, not Scientific Experiments - Essay Example As argued by philosopher David DeGrazia (1996), â€Å"The path to the ethical treatment of animals runs through their minds† (p. 76). His argument stress the value of taking into consideration animals’ mental being, such as their self-consciousness, intelligence, recognition, and ability to feel pleasure and pain, in evaluating the ethical implications of animal experimentation. If the wellbeing of animals rests in his/her emotions, and if such emotions are the mechanism of the mind, then all genuine moral debate over animal welfare should one way or another consider what is in the minds of these animals. DeGrazia (1996) argues, â€Å"What sorts of mental capacities we attribute to animals have a great deal to do with how we think they should be treated† (p.1). The argument of DeGrazia is compelling because it poses crucial and interconnected issues. First, is there truly a difference between the physical and the mental in animal welfare? Are hunger and pain, whi ch are primary concerns of animal welfare, truly associated with the minds of animals? Or are these welfare concerns physical, or a union of the mental and the physical? This paper begins with Albert Schweitzer’s perspective of animal welfare that does not depend on evaluating the mental capabilities of animals, to identify his contribution to the resolution of certain cases of animal experimentation. Albert Schweitzer suggested respect for life as a guideline for interacting with and relating to our environment. According to Schweitzer, an ethical man â€Å"does not ask how far this or that life deserves sympathy as valuable in itself, nor how far it is capable of feeling. To him life as such is sacred. He shatters no ice crystals that sparkles in the sun, tears no leaf from its tress, breaks off no flower, and is careful not to crush any insect as he walks† (Carbone 2004, 48). This statement is inspiring, but does it contribute to the resolution of the issue on how a nd when to research or test on animals? Could the ‘ethical man’ ethically inflict pain on animals for scientific research? Evidently, Schweitzer says yes to the latter question because he is not a critic of animal experimentation. He argues (Carbone 2004, 48): Those who experiment upon animals by surgery and drugs, or inoculate them with diseases in order to be able to help mankind by the results obtained, should never quiet their consciences with the conviction that their cruel action may in general have a worthy purpose. In every single instance they must consider whether it is really necessary to demand of an animal this sacrifice for men. And they must take anxious care that the pain be mitigated as much as possible. He proposed that life should be respected and valued, irrespective of its position on any human hierarchy. However, he acknowledged the special need to draw a line between when to save a life and give up another, but gave practically no instruction for these decisions. By placing his entire focus on the ethical man’s attributes instead on those to whom this ‘ethical man’ should pay moral attention to Schweitzer contributes insignificantly to the cases of animal welfare. Science and technology have their limitations and cannot resolve the ethical issues entrenched in nearly all animal welfare discussions. For example, not every suffering or pain can be presently cured with medicines. What degree of pain requires stopping a scientific resear

CARE OF CLIENT IN LABOR AND DELIVERY Essay Example for Free

CARE OF CLIENT IN LABOR AND DELIVERY Essay Within our care of the patient, we were able to identify several problems that correlated to affecting our client’s ability to carry out the labor and delivery process. We also have identified several risk factors that posed a danger to the client’s prenatal and postpartal state. Based on our analysis, problems such as fatigue related to labor and delivery process and deficient knowledge related to new condition, procedure, and treatment /delivery process. Not only have we identified problems such as the ones stated. We have also managed to identify that our client is noncompliant with regards to her health beliefs and value system, powerlessness related to inability to make decisions with respect to taking appropriate health actions and interrupted family processes related to conflict between family members. Characteristics such as this have managed to add an additional problem in affecting her health. Though we managed to provide nursing interventions on several problems, we had also identified several risks such as risk for inadequate tissue perfusion r/t decreased cellular components required for the delivery of oxygen or nutrients to the cells s/t anemia and another risk like anemia related to her ineffective health maintenance. In a time of in our care, all things identified were provided with an intervention. Interventions that are not merely dependent but also independent. And through evaluation, certain goals were met upon our care. Teenage pregnancy will always have higher risks for acquiring anemia. In our analysis of the case, Madam M’s noncompliance with taking recommended medications and inadequate prenatal check-ups may also be one of the factors that lead her to have anemia. That’s why we came up with how important the nurses’ roles are in educating the subject to being active and participative in every care of plan health workers and as well as the subject should mutually collaborate. We also have studied that her condition could have been prevented from being her current illness if only she had her adequate prenatal check-ups together with her proper diet. Although it will never be good for the nurses to coerce any individual to be obliged follow what is to  be done, but at least nurses should help the subject to realize the significance of each heath practices. We also have concluded that it will be best if the nurses should be a listener considering that the subject is a teenage r.

Behind the Scenes: The Effects of Acting on Personal Identity Essay

Scientists have found it most valuable to study the cases of twins in order to determine the relative contribution of genetics or environmental factors to intelligence. First off, it is important to have an understanding of the genetic distribution between the different groups. Identical twins share the exact same genetic material, giving them 100% genetic overlap. Secondly, all other first degree family members such as fraternal twins, siblings, and biological parents and children share 50% genetic overlap. Cousins have 15% overlap, and all other relationships share 0% genetic overlap. In twin studies, psychologists study a variety of different cases; identical twins raised together, identical twins raised separately, and fraternal twins raised together and separately. The reason for including these groups is to examine the correlation they have for intelligence. These studies have shown the intelligence correlation in identical twins is higher than in fraternal twins, even when the identical twins are raised apart. Examining these different groups helps to determine the influence both genetics and environmental factors have on intelligence. Other groups that have been included in these studies are: siblings raised together, siblings raised apart, biological parent and child that lived together, biological parent and child that lived apart, adoptive parent and child that lived together, and cousins that lived apart. These groups were included because comparing identical versus fraternal twins is not the only method to help determine the influence of genetics on intelligence. Because these other groups have varying degrees of genetic overlap with each other, they provide information that can contribute to understandi... ... person possesses is irrelevant. A person that is skilled in mathematics is intelligent, as is a person that has the ability to choreograph a Broadway dance routine. Everyone has a degree of intelligence in every subject; however, some people have a very high amount of intelligence in some particular areas compared to other areas. Both nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) make definite contributions to intelligence. The most accurate way to put the contributions together is to say that genetics allows for intellectual capacity and it is the role of nurturing to bring that capacity (â€Å"intelligence†) to its fullest capabilities. Without an enriched environment, a lot of intelligence may be put to no use at all. If a person has no outlet to channel the intelligence he or she has there is intellectual potential simply sitting there, but not being exercised.

Promotional Mix: Public Relations Campaign

ObjectiveTo stimulate PB awareness by participating with Make a Wish Foundation by donating a portion of sales from the PB holiday accessories line. Budget The PB holiday (value) line donations for the Make a Wish Foundation will be supported by a budget of $500,000 in the month of November and December from the total allotted $5 million per month marketing budget. Estimated costs are minimal as they will be included in a small card mailer each month and as an online pop-up with the web promotion.Message strategyTo promote donations and funding for the Make a Wish Foundation and raise local and national awareness for PB to support community engagement. The Make a Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. It is Pottery Barn’s hope to raise $500,000 for the organization in 2013 through companywide involvement in donations from staff, customers and sales of the holiday line. Media planThe Sales reports will be reviewed weekly to ensure the tar get of $500,000 is progressing as hoped. The purpose is aid the Make a Wish Foundation and to widen the reach of PB to its consumers by adding a personal level to the organization. Offering employees a monthly payroll deduction with matching incentive from the organization, a 10% proceed from the holiday line sales, and customer donations the entire PB family will have the opportunity to give back to their community this holiday season. The web banner promotion running on the Frontgate, Better Homes and Gardens will accompany a Make a Wish/ PB cobranded pop-up allowing shoppers to donate immediately and at the time of check out.The Make a Wish Foundation ad will run the same timespan as the holiday line, November 1st through December 24th, purchases over $50Â  will still featuring the free gift offer. User profile information on social networking sites will be utilized to target and align with the PB consumer profile. The value promotion will be reviewed weekly and broken down into daily sales for each product in the value line, financial contributions will be tracked to total sales from the holiday (value) line. Donation goals will be set in place each week by location and by sales staff member, including web traffic.Additional commissions will be paid to associates, including designers that cross sell holiday product in their design sessions that meet and exceed their sales goals directly related to the holiday (value) line. It will be important to track leads from each online source using tracking software, Facebook ad audience profiles, following pay per click metadata, print ads, etc. to review electronic profiles of consumers online. Integrating PB rewards using the consumers email at checkout and providing electronic receipts will also allow further access to better defining successful community campaigns in the future.

Personal computer Essay

1. 1Introduction The spread of globalization entailed the emergence of the new type of society- information society, where knowledge or information has replaced the capital as the main driving force of economic growth. This, naturally, impacts everyday economic and social processes and structures. Knowledge-based economy relies on innovation and scientific research, which could not take place without highly qualified and sufficiently educated human resources. One of the main problems related with the development of the information society is the emergence of the digital divide. The digital divide refers to the gap in society between those individuals, households and enterprises who use the information technologies and those who do not. This results in the divide between the individuals who have access to information and those who do not. As information is becoming more indispensable, the gap is becoming even wider between those who use the IT and those who do not, and results in limited opportunities of the latter. As to Sri Lanka, it is important to analyze and compare the situation in the wider context of other countries as well as the situation within the country alone. Computer literacy is one of the key elements of the information society and one of the most important factors in reducing the digital divide. 1. 2Background An island nation in South Asia, Sri Lanka has a literacy rate of over 90%, which is one of the highest in the region. However, the digital literacy of the country fell far behind, at less than 20% in 2009, according to its Department of Census and Statistics. Therefore, it was imperative for the Government of Sri Lanka to find a quick but affordable solution to introduce basic digital literacy skills to state employees as well as to its citizens. Since the initiation of the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), the low rate of computer literacy in Sri Lanka has been a matter of major concern. With a mere 3% of rural households owning a computer, access to a computer and information is certainly a challenge for the predominantly rural population (70%). The highest computer awareness of 32% was reported from the Colombo district. The next higher percentages (18% – 29%) were reported from a belt of districts consisted of Matara, Galle, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Matale, and Ampara districts. Lowest percentages (4. 7% – 7. 7%) were reported from Mannar, Baticaloa, Nuwara Eliya and Monaragala districts. 1. 3SCOPE Is aimed at increasing Sri Lanka’s current low IT literacy, by enabling access to Information Communication Technology (ICT). This programme fosters the charter to ‘bridge the digital divide†. With the first stage of the project has planned to implement it to the region of the Uva. Because of The Badulla and Monaragala districts ware reported the lowest computer literacy rate of 3 percent. The project takes place in all 02 Districts throughout the Uva province of Sri Lanka in order to train more residents in small rural settlements. The education will take place in computer classes that will be leased out from secondary schools, vocational schools, and other educational institutions and provide adequate facilities as required by the project. In rural settlements, the education will take place in public internet Centers. 1. 4OBJECTIVES Followings will be the main objectives of this project to achieve when it comes to end. ?Knowledge of a personal computer system? Navigate within the Windows environment ?Operate a word processor ?Creating and Managing Files ?Sending & receiving emails ?Install software ?Download Acrobat Reader ?Download Google Talk ?Download Open Office ?Download Skype ?Connect to and surf the internet ?Printing ?Using Windows Live ? 2. CHAPTER TWO – PROPOSED SYSTEM 2. 1General definition Although the computers, Internet and e-mail have been around in households, work places, schools and universities in the country, no studies have been done on the level of usage of these facilities. Therefore, findings of this study can be used as baseline data for measuring e-readiness and by repeating this study at regular intervals preferably annually, impact of various interventions that had been implemented to take the country to the digital age can be evaluated and if necessary, corrective actions can be taken. It is hoped that the information compiled using data collected in this survey can bring about improvements in how these facilities should be introduced and used. Under the project, it is going to be implemented in four stages which are can easily introduce among the peoples. As we identified the main problem behind the situation, the fear to companion with new technology should be wacked out from their mentality. 2. 2First Stage – Introduce the importance of E-Literacy Much of the research work on information literacy has concentrated on skills and education for students or learners, however, a crucial area must be the information literacy levels of staff that are responsible for the development and implementation of e-learning. The technical expertise, knowledge and its services are not reached to the rural people. The reaching of IT wisdom is far dream of rural children or Adolescent Girls and Youth and particularly to illiterate men and women. Hence, the government is committed for to provide Computer Literacy and Information Literacy. Both skills are necessary to cultivate in emerging knowledge societies. In this context and in the process of Research & Development for an innovative project to provide the latest Information & Communication Technology (ICT) as well as to extend Innovative Sustainable  project at their door step and to Reduce the Cost, Time and Energy for overall empowerment & Development of Children, Youth & Women is the idea of this project. 2. 2. 1Objectives: ? To educate children in the e-literacy through schools to children. Three days in a week 02 hours per day from 1000-1200hrs. ?To give training to children above in the age of 18 years in computer typing, MSWord, Paint, MS-Excel, Power Point, Internet knowledge through the Vocational Training Centers. Every week days in week, 02 hrs per day from 1000-1200hrs. ?To provide e-literacy programme for youth and adolescent girls in MS office package. ?To provide teachers training for Inter / graduates in e-literacy classes. ?To train youth in spoken English and special courses. ?To train women functionaries and about community members make them aware about ICT & e-schemes. In this stage of the project is going to provide the basic knowledge about the; ? personal computer system ?Navigate within the Windows environment ?Operate a word processor ?Creating and Managing Files. Other than that the students can get the introduction to the field and importance of the E-Literacy. The total 18-hour e-literacy module on an auto-run CD explains to the users certain basics about how the computer is set up and designed. This includes basic tutorials on the history of computers, the various parts of a computer, and some basic interactive tasks. The training is not geared towards making users able to use computer applications, rather it is meant to give people an introduction to computers so that they can learn later. The method is going to be adopt to innovate the system is by using mobile Tele-centers, which is available with 5-10 PCs inside the vehicle. In this method we can access to the identified places as soon as possible without wasting time and money. As well as the plan is included with the cover it up places which is reluctant to have more gathering in and around area like towns, public libraries, etc. 2. 2. 2Facilities Included: All of the mobile Tele-Centers are fully equipped with 5-10 computers and peripherals ranging from printers, fax machines, scanners, web cameras and copiers to provide ICT services in rural and semi-rural communities. Internet access is provided with high speed broad band connectivity, using satellite technology. Two telephone lines with local and International dialing facility are also available at the centers that do not have fixed phone lines. Internet charges are kept to a minimum to allow people in the area to access internet at a lowest possible cost. Duration 01 Years 2. 3Second Stage – Upgrade the project through the Tele-Centers An essential step in the research process is implementing the access to basic environment which required enhancing the e-Literacy. Once it is found Information literacy is about peoples’ ability to operate effectively in an information society. This involves critical thinking, an awareness of personal and professional ethics, information evaluation, conceptualizing information needs, organizing information, interacting with information professionals and making effective use of information in problem-solving, decision-making and research. In this stage of the project is going to be covering it up the advance knowledge about the Information & Communication Technology by using the Tele-Centers which are located in the specified places of the region. In both the districts according to the suggestion of the project there should have 35-40 nos of Tele-Centers to help the process. Followings will be included for the period of the second stage. ?Sending & receiving emails ?Install software ?Download Acrobat Reader ?Download Google Talk ?Download Microsoft Office ?Download Skype 2. 3. 1Objectives ?To educate children in the advance knowledge about the Information & Communication Technology through Tele-Centers to children. Two days in a week 02 hours per day from 1400-1600hrs. ?To provide advance knowledge about the Information & Communication Technology for youth and adolescent girls. ?To provide teachers training for Inter / graduates. ?To train women functionaries and about community members make them aware about ICT & e-schemes. In the second stage of the project is planned to implement web accessed advance programmes which are related to e-mails and software installations. This stage totally depends with the internet access. With the consideration of the second stage the Tele-Centers must have to play a vital role to accomplish the aim of this project. There should be at least 20-25 PCs in a Tele-Center, other than there should be high bandwidth Internet access, printers, and Direct Telecom facilities. According to the demography, schools available, the total area and the number of students available considering all the matters at least there should be 35-40 Tele-Centers to continue with the project for the second stage. With respect to accessing government information on the websites, awareness on the availability of such government websites should be widely publicized. So far people use the Internet to access the gazette, exam results, general information, etc. Efforts should be made to encourage the downloading of applications and other relevant information. Government institutions should also publicize and encourage the public to use the information available on their respective websites. Duration 02 Years 2. 4Third Stage – Spread out the project with introducing the system using with their own PCs, Laptops, Palmtops, and Smart Phones. In the third stage as well as the last stage the peoples who are having their own accessibility they may allow to access to the internet and serf for the third stage. Though it is not able to do they are welcome to continue with the same method which they adopt during the second stage of the project. During this stage the students may have that opportunity to access the internet fully, get the knowledge about the printing of documents and using of live windows. ?Connect to and surf the internet ?Printing ?Using Windows Live Here, each and every student will provide with a separate user name and password to access the internet and participate the basic learning activities in online basis. They may allow to download learning materials related to this project at any time with accessing the own user name and password. Duration 06 months 2. 5Project requirements I. Preliminary data collection. Analyze & identifying potential villages / children, Youth and Women. II. Procurement of Training Building/ Premises on Hire. III. Procurement of infrastructure. Computers, furniture and electronic devices. LCD Projector and Internet connection and allied arrangements. IV. Procurement of Mobile Van to percolation of the center programmes and to create awareness by carrying K-YAN computer machine cum projector device. Imagine the audio visual medium perking up proceedings. It works like computer and uses a projector to beam lessons on the walls. The cost of the equipment is around 1. 10 lakhs. It stores lessons prescribed by the state government in both English, and Sinhala, transforming a mundane science class into one where lessons are taught using visuals and animation. It facilitates the mass communication media in the villages & train the community people with simple arrangements as well as in government schools also. V. Appointment of Faculty / Course teaching teachers. VI. Appointment of Volunteers cum motivators. One for each 2 villages / areas. VII. Appointment of Core staff & Driver. ? 3. CHAPTER THREE – DELIVERABLE ?It will enable children, youth and literate SHG women learn basic computer training & community members will get awareness about the programmes at their door step of villages itself. ?It will provide access to Internet facility to all rural people irrespective of age and gender. ?It will provide access to different knowledge, skills, vocational training programmes and communication skills at their door step. ?It will provide access to e-learning, e-commerce and other information is available to youth.? It will provide access to promote Information Management Center of village level, Encourage the documentation and Resource sharing of Indigenous knowledge information use and servicing among members. The center facilitate the needs assessment, Capacity building of the municipal level to Government and Nationally. ?It will provide access to e-Teacher Training porgrammes within the municipal level it saves their Time, Energy and Money and assured qualitative education as well they enable to procure local employment within their jurisdiction. ? 4. CHAPTER FOUR – SWOT ANALYSIS ? 5. CHAPTER FIVE – CONCLUTION In the paper, certain benefits of the project have been highlighted, which are hard to quantify in economic terms. While our data analysis shows results counter to the goals of mission, overall, on the issue of ‘continued use’ of Tele-centers by citizens, it is clear that even the slightly lower prices often offered by centers for computer training courses are highly valued even if respondents were not necessarily overly enthusiastic about enrolling for such classes. The key recommendations here are that the content and delivery of e-literacy should be changed significantly. While the initial goal of removing the fear of computers is very successful, we must ask what next – people have to stay interested in the course for the entire 15 hours once they pay for it. After the completion of e-literacy, the typical users should be able to do at least some basic tasks on their own. On the issue of service delivery, this is identified by the data as main concern. Clearly, creating and monitoring a project the size of it is a huge task and it is extremely difficult to monitor every aspect of the project. But a greater effort has to be made to ensure that the service delivery is either done through existing State agencies with experience in public spending projects, or through groups with good field credibility doing grassroots work. Finally, if it is agreed that e-literacy qualifies as a public good, the data from project presents strong evidence to uncouple it from Tele-centers.

Free Essays on First Impressions Can Last Forever

In Various works of literature, marriage is a major focus in relation to the theme. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, marriage is an important role in relation to the different themes. The relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth was based on first impressions that were solely not true. Inside they loved each other, but Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice caused issues with them ever getting married. The pride that Darcy demonstrated was nothing compared to the first impressions on himself. The ladies though highly of Darcy, up until he began to speak. Austen writes, "The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which tuned the tide of his popularity; for he as discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend" (58). After they figured out the personality of Darcy, everyone’s impression went downward. He wasn’t the man they though he was. Darcy never wanted to meet anyone new. He was a proud man that looked upon anyone of lower class. No matter what the situation. Darcy hid his true feelings because his pride overcame him. As for Elizabeth, the same situation applies. Except her pride didn’t overcome hey. It was her prejudice towards Darcy and the way acted. Not only did his actions make her that way, but outside sources also contributed. Wickham told her many lies about Darcy, which helped to give Elizabeth the impression she had on Darcy. But most of all she was so blinded by what she had been hearing, that she didn’t realize the happenings around her. In the novel, realization became more obvious. Darcy and El... Free Essays on First Impressions Can Last Forever Free Essays on First Impressions Can Last Forever In Various works of literature, marriage is a major focus in relation to the theme. In the novel Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, marriage is an important role in relation to the different themes. The relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth was based on first impressions that were solely not true. Inside they loved each other, but Darcy’s pride and Elizabeth’s prejudice caused issues with them ever getting married. The pride that Darcy demonstrated was nothing compared to the first impressions on himself. The ladies though highly of Darcy, up until he began to speak. Austen writes, "The gentlemen pronounced him to be a fine figure of a man, the ladies declared he was much handsomer than Mr. Bingley, and he was looked at with great admiration for about half the evening, till his manners gave a disgust which tuned the tide of his popularity; for he as discovered to be proud, to be above his company, and above being pleased; and not all his large estate in Derbyshire could then save him from having a most forbidding, disagreeable countenance, and being unworthy to be compared with his friend" (58). After they figured out the personality of Darcy, everyone’s impression went downward. He wasn’t the man they though he was. Darcy never wanted to meet anyone new. He was a proud man that looked upon anyone of lower class. No matter what the situation. Darcy hid his true feelings because his pride overcame him. As for Elizabeth, the same situation applies. Except her pride didn’t overcome hey. It was her prejudice towards Darcy and the way acted. Not only did his actions make her that way, but outside sources also contributed. Wickham told her many lies about Darcy, which helped to give Elizabeth the impression she had on Darcy. But most of all she was so blinded by what she had been hearing, that she didn’t realize the happenings around her. In the novel, realization became more obvious. Darcy and El...

An Overview Of Sainsburys Plc

An Overview Of Sainsburys Plc Sainsburys PLC consists of Sainsburys a chain of 502 supermarkets and convenience stores-and sainsburys bank. Sainsbury’s Supermarkets is the UK’s longest standing major food retailing chain, having opened its first store in 1869. The Sainsbury’s brand is built upon a heritage of providing customers with healthy, safe, fresh and tasty food. Quality and fair prices go hand-in-hand with a responsible approach to business. Sainsbury’s stores have a particular emphasis on fresh food and strives to innovate continuously and improve products in line with customer needs. As per an article published on the BBC news website, Sainsbury was the market leader in the U.K until 1995 when Tesco took over the number one position. In July 2003 Asda took over sainsbury’s position to become UK’s second largest supermarket chain. As a marketing consultant appointed by Sainsbury PLC, through this document I shall lay down strategies which would enable Sainsbury PLC to secure its future, regain its momentum and emerge as a market leader in the times to come. It would be meaningful to begin our analysis through a current situations review. The purpose of analysis of our situations review is to primarily understand what may affect the enterprise in the future. In order to accomplish our objectives it would be worth assessing the external environment through: The super market retail industry in the UK is highly competitive. According to an article published by Research and Markets, under the heading â€Å"UK Food Retailing Market Forecast (2005-2010)†, large convenience stores dominate the retail markets in the UK. Seventy five percent of the total sales in the retail industry is attributed to the large supermarkets. Again seventy Five percent of the market share is held by four large players in the industry which include Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Morissons. The industry is projected to still witness enormous potential of growth, unlik e other developed regions in the world. According to an article published by the Oxford University press, â€Å"Michael Porter made one of the most thorough attempts to analyse the economic forces within an industry. Porter’s work had an important place in the positioning school which sees the fundamental role of strategy as positioning the enterprise for the future† Threat of new entrants: Threat of new entrant would be high when the industry appears attractive and the barriers to entry are low. The UK supermarket industry is rewarding and as discussed earlier is projected to see further growth. This makes the industry eye-catching. However there is no doubt that entry into the UK markets would require a huge amount of capital. Considering this it would be appropriate to expect entrants from developed parts of the world. I see a threat of entry from American retail giants keeping in mind the slowdown in the retail industry in the American markets. One cannot undermine the possibility of new entrants from other European regions. A recent example would include the entry of German supermarket giant Lidl which has opened up retail stores in major British cities.

Differentiating Between Market Structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Differentiating Between Market Structure - Essay Example Beachbody operates under a perfect competitive market whereby a number of a companies has been in the industry to provide this highly demanded product by the consumers. In this field, a number of firms are in operation to provide this demanded products by the customers. Similarly, many customers are lining up to get the best services from these firms in terms of their needs. When running such a business, the decision must be made to ensure the success of the business and maximization of the profits. Understanding the market structures and some of the fundamental economic principle that are in operational in such a market helps Beachbody to make informed decisions that have profound potential to impact all the processes of the business from sales to consumer retention. In reality, a perfectly competitive market rarely exists. In essence, the concept associated with perfect competition is used to provide a benchmark for analyzing this market structures. A firm is operating in a perfectly competitive market conducts business in a market with many buyers and sellers. The products in the market are almost identical with just a few differentiation and have very few barriers to market entry if any. The firms in such a market face an entirely horizontal demand curve. This translate to the fact that the firms act as the prices takers in the market. As long as any firm is in operation it can sell as much or as little as it wishes. However, the management must understand that setting up the prices above the market price will lose the customers to the competitors. The customer would purchase the exact product from another firm hence negatively impacting on the sales of the company. On this note, Beach body, having a number of competitors in the market such as Jenny Craig, Inc., Weight Watchers International, Inc. and Nutrisystem, Inc. need to set up the prices in a way that

Mirrors in the art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mirrors in the art - Essay Example Mirrors were used in European art with the development of Christianity. The symbols of beauty, inner-knowledge, vanity, and fertility of the mirror are expressed. As they became more popular and more accessible, mirrors were used in self portraits and in paintings. It is an important point to make that might not be clear. As the church became the controlling facture in Europe, there started to be sub-cultures. It can be explained with music. All pieces of music were written for the church. "Folk songs" were written with the same music but with different words. As with music, the mirror was used to show two aspects: one aspect done for the church and a second aspect done for the people. The symbols and position of the mirror will be looked at in the 15 and 16th century then it will be compared to the 19th 20th century where the church no longer controlled culture across Europe. Van Eyck's, Marriage portrait of Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife . The mirror, showing 180Â ° vision of the room, shows the full window and how bright it is outside. There is a third person in the mirror. Some say it is a self portrait of Van Eyck. The frame has the scenes of Christ. This is a perfect illustration of church, fertility, light, enlightenment and the mixture of society with the Church. Diego Velazquez, the Spanish painter born in 1656, painted the scene The Maids of Honor. It shows a group of children and their servants, the child of Philip IV, the king of Spain, is watching Velazquez paint an oil canvas. The viewer has to look carefully to find the secret of the painting. On the back wall, he can see the reflexion in the mirror of a couple. He notices that there are the children looking forward and someone in the hallway who is looking in. The man and woman in the mirror are the parents of the princess, the King and Queen of Spain. Philip IV was in the last years of his life and did not want to be painted. There is speculation as if it is the royal couple being painted. Ve rmeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring shows purity. Her earring is a sign of what is going on in her world. The women in his paintings are educated, knowledgeable and enlightened. The light displayed by the earring is bright as a mirror. One can imagine seeing his own reflexion. Most of the young women in his paintings wear pearl earrings. This one has a mirror like quality. Though Degas shows his danseurs in mirrors, he has not left the impressionist school in his later painting, At the Milliner, (Lazzari & Schlesier 60). It must be noted that the woman is looking into a mirror that we cannot see. We know it is a mirror because her friend is looking away. It would have

Film Critique Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Film Critique - Movie Review Example The three main women characters in the film are: Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock), Gertrude (Malin Akerman) and Grandma Annie "Gammy" (Betty White). One can easily identify that these female characters are different in their roles. For instance, Margaret Tate is dominating, Gertrude is down to earth, and Grandma Annie represents the upper crust. But Krevolin (2011), points out that â€Å"For an example of an energeiac structure that didn’t work, take the Sandra Bullock romantic comedy, The Proposal† (p. 69). This comment does not prove that the film was a flop within the film field. Margaret Tate, working as an editor in a book publishing company is the central female character in the film. One can easily identify that her life is fully immersed in the field of book publishing industry. Her role in the film is as a dominating character that is able to control all her subordinates including Andrew Paxton, her subordinate. Etaugh & Bridges makes clear that â€Å"Many women seek to achieve success and better their own lives through individual efforts† (p. 467). Her attitude towards her subordinates irritates them but she does not consider changing her attitude. In the film, her function is to be a bold lady with immense power to control her subordinates according to her will. Meanwhile, she came to know that the authorities are going to deport her to Canada. But she was not ready to give up and decided to seek the help of her subordinate, Andrew Paxton. But Etaugh & Bridges makes clear about gender equality that â€Å"As more and more women attain levels o f power currently held by men, gender equality will begin to affect other areas† (p.461). Later, she went to Sitka to prove that she is married to Andrew Paxton. This incident proves that Margaret Tate is ready to face challenges in her life. In the opening of the film, Margaret Tate is presented as an

How Pizza Hut Expand Their ICT Technology Information Technology Essay

How Pizza Hut Expand Their ICT Technology Information Technology Essay Thorough research of their ict system on store level rather than doing it on higher level to get in touch with customers and staff need, because the main reason for keep improving their systems is to get more customers and to get more sales. There are still some flaws in their system. Problems that needs sorting System doesnt update automatically if it does it takes really long time. Keep changing the functions of their systems every two months. Not enough training for staff. Conclusion Pizza hut has seen many changes, good and bad during its duration of the business. But they knew as long as their marketing is up to certain standard they will pull through with every challenge they face in marketing, they have an opportunity to improve their marketing style with the help of Ict. There is still a question mark over the technology that pizza hut uses. A time will come when they have think about changing their strategy and how they view their ict development. In order to keep up with todays environment. Objectives To find out how pizza hut, expand their ict technology in marketing and how it help them topple their competitors The purpose of this paper is to explore the role that ICT use in marketing plays in the processes of product innovation, as an element that strengthens the cooperation and communication among agents within the innovation project, reducing the difficulties to innovation and enhancing the development of differentiated products. Findings Two ideas stand out from the critical analysis of ict use in marketing. First, Intensive ICT use in marketing makes the company more innovative, as it shows that its usage breaks down difficulty to innovation and speeds up processes that in turn become more efficient. Second, Increasing ICT use in marketing encourages company tendency to act as a team with and join together particular agents within the business environment in the development of the innovation process, improving the amount of adaptation of the new product to market demands. BACKGROUND Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in their hometown of Kansas. By 1972, with 314 stores nationwide, Pizza Hut went public on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1978, Pizza Hut was acquired by PepsiCo, who later also bought KFC and Taco Bell. In 1997, the three restaurant chains were spun off into Tricon, and in 2001 joined with Long John Silvers and AW Restaurants to become Yum! Brands INTRODUCTION With annual sales of more than  £300 million, selling pizza and pasta is big business for Pizza Hut. With customers facing an ever-increasing choice of restaurants, all offering a variety of foods and competitively priced meals, Pizza Hut must remain flexible and customer focused to retain its market leading position. New product developments and continued growth of its 600 outlets are just two ways in which the company stays ahead. Pizza Hut also recognises the importance of IT to support the Business and invests in technology both to support its operations and to provide management information.   Benefits of ICT With the new system in place, Pizza Huts goal of improving the overall effectiveness of its crew has been achieved. Customers are now served more quickly than before; especially during peak times such as lunch when they have only limited time available. Pizza Hut can currently provide its main food servers with a mobile computer, while other personnel carry out supporting tasks, such as preparing drinks and serving dishes. Food servers with a PDA are now able to be much closer to customers and be of assistance when needed, keeping customers happy and satisfied. ICT SUPPORT COMPANY FOR PIZZA HUT   Since 1992 Pizza Hut has relied upon Sopra Group to provide daily support and strategic management services for their key financial and operational systems. By outsourcing the support and management of their main IT systems, Pizza Hut has noted definite signs of cost saving. Pizza Hut has renewed agreement on several occasions to get services from them due to the specialist skills and value for money provided. Since taking responsibility for Pizza Huts IT operations, Sopra Group also combined day to day systems support with development of new applications and strategic .consultancy. The Sopra Group provide technical and business skills to develop Pizza Huts Data Warehouse. The Data Warehouse holds details of food sales throughout the outlets and enables the restaurant chains business managers to analyse customer demands and preference to target special promotions and offers. ICT Managers remarks With Sopra Group we have access to a much wider technical knowledge base. We have the reassurance that for detailed and complex questions and programming requirements, we can call Sopra Group, freeing us to focus on the business. With their technical know-how and experience of managing our systems, we have confidence that the consultants can handle such a complex project. What does company cover? Sopras department doesnt just cover the head office its responsible for all the systems across all the restaurants too. From carrying out PC support, they are also covers all sorts of IT projects from setting up through to delivery. This might include looking at the processes surrounding bank reconciliations, maintaining pizza huts infrastructure or developing the company intranet as a business device, SYSTEMS THEY USE MICROS/EPSON PA962 PDA   TOUCH SCREEN MONITORS DNA/ONLINE ORDERING Before implementing its new wireless system, order-taking was rather time consuming and could lead to mistakes such as incorrect orders being served to customers. The food servers used to take handwritten orders while often also preparing and serving drinks at the customers table. Only after serving the table was food server able to deliver the handwritten order to the kitchen. And because these orders were often quickly written down, this could result in an order being wrongly made by the kitchen staff. In order for taking hand written order it was taking up more time was the fact that the cashier was required to key the orders into the system when customers were checking out. This procedure could also result in wrong items being entered, potentially resulting in a loss of business or a poor level of customer satisfaction. The new solution made it possible to take orders at the table using Unitechs PA962 wireless terminal. With the use of wireless communication, orders are sent from the PA962 via an intermediate server to the POS systems, as well as to the different work stations such as bar and kitchen for preparing appetizers and main courses. Each work station has its own network printer for printing the assigned order.   As everyone knows pizza hut is leading with continuous menu innovation and different type of pizzas. The system pizza hut was using since 1980 was showing was showing sign of age especially in its ability to do in store work properly and helping management decision making, thats why they had to change it to bring It up to date. To get an advantage over their rivals, they approached quite a lot of system providers with 6 short listed to provide them the system they can be comfortable with. At the end they decided to go for micros Fidelio. But there were some aspect that they had to change in order to fulfil that agreement they had with pizza hut. By 2005 all pizza hut delivery stores were using micros as their system and all the new restaurants. DNA/ONLINE ORDERING DNA is currently used to service 370 Pizza Hut restaurants across the UK. By utilizing DNAs report functions, the Pizza Hut marketing team has access to management information, which is also shared with other departments such as marketing and business development. Intranet Intranet is a secure way of communication between the head office and store level rather than compromising their security by using internet. Pizza hut intranet is very useful where you can find all the standards, contact details, new developments on marketing and plans for future. All the training of the pizza hut is on intranet rather then sending it by post they just post it on intranet so everyone can benefit from it. IMPORTANCE OF ICT IN MARKETING   As the growing demands of business and furious competition between competitors heats up everyone is trying to get an edge to persuade customers that they are value for money. In that kind of scenario ict plays a major role, because everyones busy in their life thats why fast food business is booming in recession as well. Customers dont want to spend really long on phones whilst the order takers take really long to process their order. Thats why an up to date and fast system requires satisfying customers need. ONE STOP FOR ALL Here are some examples that how pizzas hut is using their system to their full advantage. Scheduling/forecasting Determine peak and off peak season Balanced score card Leaflet distribution Performance management Product forecasting

Hurricane Andrew Essay -- essays research papers

Hurricanes are notoriously capricious. Andrew was a compact system. A little larger system, or one making landfall just a few nautical miles further to the north, would have been catastrophic for heavily populated, highly commercialized and no less vulnerable areas to the north. That area includes downtown Miami, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Fort Lauderdale. Andrew also left the highly vulnerable New Orleans region relatively unscathed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Andrew moved nearly due westward when over land and crossed the extreme southern portion of the Florida peninsula in about four hours. Although the hurricane weakened about one category on the during the transit over land, and the pressure rose to about 950 mb, Andrew was still a major hurricane when its eyewall passed over the extreme southwestern Florida coast. The first of two cycles of modest intensification commenced when the eye reached the Gulf of Mexico. Also, the hurricane continued to move at a relatively fast pace while its track gradually turned toward the west-northwest. When Andrew reached the north-central Gulf of Mexico, the high pressure system to its northeast weakened and a strong mid-latitude trough approached the area from the northwest. Steering currents began to change. Andrew turned toward the northwest and its forward speed decreased to about 8 kt. The hurricane struck a sparsely populated section of the south-central Louisiana on the 26th. The landfall location is about 20 n mi west-so...

Jack of All Trades

â€Å"Mom can I have a dog? † I cannot tell you how many times those six words came out of my mouth, almost everyday since about second grade I asked my mom for a puppy. Once when I was in fifth grade, my mom let me take home one of my aunt's dog's puppies. But at the end of the day she made me take it back. I was so close to getting what I had wanted for years. I had named the dog and everything, and as you can tell it still upsets me to this day. You're probably thinking, â€Å"Eh, every child wants a dog or some sort of pet, it's really not that serious. Oh but it was, I became obsessed with the idea of a puppy, every time I saw someone else with a new puppy or even an older dog I became jealous to the point of tears. It's not like I never had a dog, when I was born we had two, Buster, and Sheena. But they both died of old age by the time I was seven. We also had cats, and birds, and fish. But all of a sudden there was nothing left, it was me, my mom, and my dad, being an only child was always hard, but at least I had my animals to keep me company. Yeah, yeah, here it comes, being an only child isn't hard, you're spoiled, you get everything you want, and tons of attention. But have you ever thought of the hardships of being the only thing your parents have to focus on, or maybe the not having anyone to play with, you can only play dress up and school with yourself for so long before it gets extremely boring. Okay but I'm getting off topic, actually I've kind of been rambling on about nothing for the last couple of sentences, but I promise this will all have a point. My freshman year of high school, I began having a lot of issues with being alone, and not having anyone to talk to or keep me company. I began to struggle with my schoolwork, and everything began to spin out of control. I met James, he was amazing, but that's a completely different story for a completely different time and space. Now the wanting of a dog had kind of went away for a little, but now in my time of loneliness, and need, I think my mom finally realized how much I truly not only wanted but needed a dog to keep me company, because that year around my birthday my mom began to talk of getting a dog, (it might have also been because Simone's mom let her have a dog, and my mom felt bad because that's all I could talk about, so thanks Sandy. So we talked about getting a dog, and decided on a female Jack Russell, oh my, we were not aware of what we were getting into. We were told numerous times that these dogs were crazy, but we just said it couldn't be that bad, all puppies are hyper. We planned to keep her in a squared-off area in the basement, oh boy, were we mistaken. We ordered her from a farm in Missouri, the breeder seemed nice, and told us that she had a lot of energy, we got her at eight weeks, the breeder had named her Kayla, but we knew from the pictures that this name was just unbefitting. We decided on either naming her Sage or Zoi, and the second we picked her up from the airport we knew Zoi was the perfect name for her, she ran out of her crate right into my arms, while all the other puppies were hiding in the back corner of their crates, afraid of their new owners. It was raining but she wasn't afraid, the entire walk to the car she wiggled and squirmed eager to see everyone and everything around her. That first night, Simone and I figured it'd be a good idea to sleep downstairs with her, just in case, but we were in for a rude awakening, quite literally, she whined and cried every minute she was alone. Simone and I ended up staying up the entire night with her; this squared off corner in the basement was just not enough for this tiny little dog. The next night we tried keeping her in her crate, then a bigger cage, needless to say neither worked and she now sleeps in bed with my mom and dad. This dog was a handful; she chewed on everything, dirty underwear being her favorite snack. Her energy never seemed to end. She jumped played and barked all day, she was a very happy dog. Yet it just seemed like she was lonely, she carried this tiny stuffed puppy with her everywhere, and carried chew toys over to her favorite stuffed tiger. She'd whine and cry when it wouldn't play with them, maybe it was our imaginations, but it just seemed that the only way to tame her energy was to get her a companion. First we looked at the pound, but decided anything bigger might just hurt Zoi, so we ended up on the search for another Jack Russell, this time a male. We looked and looked, the first one we decided on ended up being sold already, so we finally decided on another dog, he was from Texas, and named KC. He came from a puppy mill, and when we got him he just didn't seem right, we were worried. At the airport we expected him to run right out into our arms like Zoi, but that's not quite what happened. He hid in the corner of his crate and cried, he seemed so afraid, we walked him to the car and I cuddled him in my arms, it was late, almost midnight, and I was worried how him and Zoi would react to each other. He didn't seem like a social type dog. When we got him home and put him down, he wiggled and squirmed, him and Zoi sniffed each other and from that second they were inseparable, but Dash (which is what we named him, after a character in the Disney movie, The Incredibles,) just still wasn't right, he had a swollen bee sting on his arm, and after taking him to the vets we discovered he had three different typed of worms in his belly. His nickname had been Wiggle-Butt, how appropriate. He was incredibly unhealthy, and we were thankful that we had saved him from that place he had called a home, no wonder he was so afraid. It was strange that these two dogs that were said to be the same exact breed were so completely different, but maybe that's why they got along so well. After Dash was nursed back to health, he slowly began to come out of his shell. These dogs were a handful alone, but together, oh my. Zoi was clearly the boss, and she let it be known. There were times when she beat the living daylights out of him, but he still followed her around, and whined and cried when she was gone. Dash was quite the interesting dog, he'd growl and bark at other people and dogs, but then run and hide behind you if you put him down. The two would chase each other around in circles around the house and yard, it's like they both had this endless amount of energy, I couldn't imagine Zoi would have lasted long at any other household. She ate everything, beat up Dash, ran away, jumped all over people, and scratched like crazy. Once we got Dash and Zoi, it was like having newborn babies, we had baby gates in every doorway, so that they couldn't get in and chew things, you couldn't open the door without holding them back or you would be in for a jog. Every time they got out it was a good twenty-minute journey to get them back. They'd run up to everyone that was outside, bark at other dogs, run into everyone's yard, and you'd have to jump and dive in order to catch them, it is not a fun thing to do. My favorite story would have to be the time my little cousin let Zoi out and my 40-year-old uncle chased her around in the January snow, eventually jumping, sliding, and diving only to miss her by an inch. These dogs were quite the handful. Nobody could come into the house without being jumped all over, and barked at. And you couldn't leave if you didn't give Zoi her treat first. Actually you still can't. You think after two years she'd be a lot calmer, well she's a little calmer. We tried obedience classes, yeah did not work to well, actually now she'll sit, bark, and play dead on command†¦ but other than that†¦ yeah. A few months after we first got them, we went away on vacation. We left Dash and Zoi with a family friend who raised and watched dogs for a living. I remember him saying, â€Å"Oh, I'll have her trained by the time you get back. † Yeah, not so much. Not even the man who watched ten dogs a day, could tame her. He's raised tens of dogs from puppies, all his dogs listen to his every command, but not Zoi, she'd run around take stuff, even beat up the larger dogs. The second we got back home we went to pick up our puppies, and you could tell that Jay (the man that had watched them) had had quite the time watching those two. He couldn't get rid of them quick enough. Zoi loves the water, but Dash is afraid of it. Zoi will jump right in the pool and swim around but Dash wouldn't go near it for anything. Zoi jumps in and climbs right out. She chases the hose when my dad is watering the lawn, tries to eat the backwash water from the pool. Another thing that she loves to chase is the vacuum, Dash once again is afraid, but Zoi chases and barks like always. Sometimes, they're too predictable. Another one of my favorites is when Zoi decides to take things for ransom. Her favorite I think is the remote control for the television. I can't tell you how many times I've seen her running around with that remote in her mouth waiting for her treat. It's not like she really wanted it, she'd drop it in front of you as soon as you reached for the bone box. And of course Dash reaps the benefits, so I think he encourages her to steal things. But after all of this, the second you sit down on the couch, or lay down in bed, they're both right there, lying on your lap. Dash will nudge and nudge until you let him under the blanket. They love, love, love to cuddle. Which is good, because so do I. They keep you warm in the winter, which is good since Zoi chewed the wire to the heater on the blanket, and the couch, so neither work. Okay two crazy dogs†¦ the point of this is? I'm getting to it, I'm getting to it, promise. These dogs have actually kept me sane. I'd have the longest day ever, but I know I could come home and have two amazing dogs jumping on me and kissing me. No matter what I need, I can turn to my dogs, if I need to play, or just cuddle. Zoi is like the dog version of me she can be hyper, loud, loving, all at once. She'll be angry one minute and kissing and loving you the next. She can't stay mad, kind of like me. Having these two amazing dogs has kept me sane. I'm no longer alone and bored all the time. They may be a pain sometimes fighting to leave in the morning, eating underwear, stealing socks and remotes. But I know at the end of the day I have two creatures that love me unconditionally.