Et cetera, Re, and Sic

Et cetera, Re, and Sic Et cetera, Re, and Sic Et cetera, Re, and Sic By Maeve Maddox When the Latin-loving educated classes finally started taking English seriously enough to write their works in, they brought a lot of Latin terms with them. Some of the terms remain in the language, among them et cetera, re, and sic. Et cetera Commonly abbreviated etc., the Latin phrase et cetera is used at the end of a list to indicate things in addition to those already enumerated: When you go shopping, be sure to buy such staples as flour, rice, sugar, etc. In older texts, you may see it abbreviated as c. The symbol , called the ampersand, originated as a ligature for the Latin word et (and). Note: In writing and printing, a ligature is two or more letters joined together to form one character, like the letters e+t. Etc. is frequently misspelled as â€Å"ect† and mispronounced as [ek setera]. These errors can be avoided by noting that the first part of the phrase is et, not â€Å"ek.† The exact translation of et cetera is â€Å"and the others: et=and, cetera=the others. Re: Another Latin word commonly used in English is re. The Latin phrase â€Å"in re† means â€Å"in the matter of,† or â€Å"concerning.† Traditionally, the word has been written at the top of a letter, either in all caps or with an uppercase R and a lowercase e, followed by a colon: RE: Re: Until recently, Re: was understood as a way to announce the subject of the message to follow: Re: Your letter of May12, 2014 As is the case with many formerly familiar Latin expressions in English, the meaning of Re: has become blurred, and its use is shifting. Many web users believe that it is an abbreviation for regarding. Others use it in email subjects to mean â€Å"Reply.† Sic The Latin word sic in square brackets after a word in quoted material means that something in the quotation is in error. The writer quoting the material inserts [sic] to indicate that the misspelled word or inaccurate fact occurs in the original: The most usual use of [sic] familiar to the general reader is its use to signal a misspelled or word: According to the document, â€Å"Every store on Main Street has the responsibility to provide it’s [sic] own parking.† {Sic] is also used to signal an error of fact. For example: Simpson says, â€Å"In Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, that the young Arthur draws Excalibur [sic] from the stone and is recognized as the rightful king.† The error being flagged by [sic] does not point to a misspelling; it has to do with the fact that in Malory, the sword drawn from the stone is not Excalibur. Arthur obtains Excalibur much later, from the Lady of the Lake. Related posts on DailyWritingTips: Regarding Re: What Does Sic Mean? Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:36 Adjectives Describing LightExcited ABOUT, not "for" 50 Synonyms for "Song"

3 Cases of Insufficient Punctuation

3 Cases of Insufficient Punctuation 3 Cases of Insufficient Punctuation 3 Cases of Insufficient Punctuation By Mark Nichol Each of the following sentences is compromised by the lack of one or two punctuation marks, resulting in a potential for confusion among readers. Discussion following each example explains the flaw, and a revision demonstrates clearer sentence composition. 1. Move over millennials- this group is taking over the rental market. The imperative â€Å"move over,† followed by a word identifying who is to act according to the imperative to step aside, reads as if an unspecified audience is being told to change their location at a position above a certain demographic group. When a sentence begins with a directive and a modifier, separate the two sentence elements with a comma: â€Å"Move over, millennials- this group is taking over the rental market.† 2. This paper introduces a methodology based on industry-accepted frameworks that details all the steps firms need to take to conduct a comprehensive and compliant risk assessment. Here, the lack of agreement between frameworks and details signals that the verb does not apply to the noun, but their proximity still introduces a signal-to-noise obstacle, which would be amplified if the noun and verb did agree. To clarify that details pertains to methodology, not frameworks, bracket the modifying phrase â€Å"based on industry-accepted frameworks† with commas: â€Å"This paper introduces a methodology, based on industry-accepted frameworks, that details all the steps firms need to take to conduct a comprehensive and compliant risk assessment.† 3. Distribution and routes to market can be helped by implementing an automated digital portal although this is a bit more complex since it can have an impact on commission. This breathlessly barreling sentence benefits from a couple of inserted commas to signal nested subordinate clauses- the phrase beginning with since is subordinate to the one beginning with although, which in turn is subordinate to the main clause: â€Å"Distribution and routes to market can be helped by implementing an automated digital portal, although this is a bit more complex, since it can have an impact on commission.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Types of RhymeOne Sheep, Two Sheep, One Fish, Two Fish . . .Woof or Weft?

E-business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 3

E-business - Essay Example It has been apparently observed that despite facing various challenges and ethical issues associated with the e-business practice of enterprise system, this particular system contributes significantly in organisational management, which is further identifiable in terms of improved management decision-making and effective utilisation of the accessible resources. The prime intention of this report is to analyse an electronic business system, having a noteworthy contribution to organisational management. Theoretically, the notion of electronic business system, also acknowledged as e-business, is regarded as a set of innovative technologies, tools as well as systems that assist in conducting business through online or internet (Macmillan Publishers Limited, n.d.). The application of internet medium for conducting business online is typically viewed as one of the biggest forces, which has contributed in changing the 21st century business scenario drastically. It is worth mentioning that the notion of electronic business system not only deals with buying as well as selling of products through online but also plays a decisive role in serving customers globally, irrespective of geographic and economic hindrances and most vitally, collaborating with business partners effectively (Durbhakula & Kim, 2011). In this modern day context, wherein the enti re business environment is identified to be changing rapidly, the conception of electronic business system or e-business is observed to gain immense significance in the corporate world. It is widely embraced in various industry sectors making the business process smoother and effective (Alter, 2002; Braithwaite, 2002). It would be vital to mention that the notion of e-business has gained its momentum in this present day context amid the marketers due to its innovative features that extend beyond the traditional business functions. In this similar

Business Law - Contract Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Law - Contract - Essay Example As a general rule, contracts are binding regardless of their form as long as the essential requisites are present. However, there are those contracts that should be in certain form, for example, should be in writing, to be enforceable. A contracting party who violated the terms or conditions of a contract may be sued for breach of contract in a trial court. Breach of contract may be committed if there is a valid or binding contract or when a contract was already formed. The guilty party is ordered to pay damages capable of pecuniary estimation to the aggrieved party. A person who is in good faith or who is innocent cannot be sued if there is a breach of contract. Likewise, a third party who has no participation or connection in the formation of the contract cannot be sued. A contract may be bilateral or unilateral. A bilateral contract is one in which both of the contracting parties formulated and agreed upon the terms and conditions of the contract. Thus, the contracting parties have reciprocal obligation to perform their promises and the contract is already binding and enforceable immediately after a valid consent was given. In a contract of sale for example, the buyer promised to pay the seller of a piano the amount of $1,000 if the seller had delivered the piano in the house of the buyer. If the seller does not deliver the piano, the buyer has no obligation to

The Argument for and Against Gun Laws Essay Example for Free

The Argument for and Against Gun Laws Essay There are many issues in the media related to gun control laws. With the large number of shootings that have taken place this year and the recent shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that claimed the lives of 20 children and 6 adults many people say that we need tougher laws when it comes to purchasing a gun. Gun laws are different from state to state, but immediately following the devastating school shooting in Newton, Conn. there is a great division between pro-gun advocates and those that are for stricter gun laws. I feel that there should be stricter laws when it comes to purchasing a weapon due to the devastation they can and have caused over the years. When the Constitution was first created in 1787 it included the right to bear arms for good reason. At that time in our history there was no established military nor was there established law enforcement. Therefore, citizens were responsible for their own safety and did not have a choice when it came to owning a gun. Today, however, not only do we have the four branches of the military along with the Coast Guard and Reserves, but we also have established law enforcement in every city and town. Many pro-gun activists like to hide behind the constitution whenever the subject of gun control comes up. They do not think about the devastation that has been caused over the years by guns since their invention. There have been a countless number of murders as well as accidental shooting that have occurred in the United States alone. Many also try to get away with murder by claiming immunity under laws such as the â€Å"Stand Your Ground Law† in Florida. Today, the military is also well established. Not only do we have the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, but we also have the Reserves as well as the Coast Guard. Within these military branches we also have Military Intelligence and Homeland security in place. This does not include the numerous other departments within the military. The established law enforcement across the country is one is the most  important reasons why it is unnecessary for everyday American’s to own high powered weapons. Not only do we have local law enforcement, but state and federal as well. Every town or city has a regular Police Department or Sheriff’s Office to protect its citizens. This is why it is unnecessary for citizens to own high powered weapons. In conclusions, with events such as shootings at Columbine, â€Å"The Dark Knight Rises† premier and the shooting of Trayvon Martin guns in the hands of everyday citizens is and can be deadly. The Constitution was created at a time when there was no true established military or law and is the reason why it was necessary for Americans to carry a weapon for protection. Now, however, this is not the case and with people not only purchasing handguns, but automatic weapons it is a scary situation of many of us. There should be a more stricter law about who should be able to own automatic and high powered guns because not only are these guns in the hands of criminals, but in the hands of children as well. That is why there needs to be tougher gun control laws. References Wood, J. (2013). Interpersonal communications: Everyday encounters. (7th ed., pp. 100-103). Hartfield, E. (2012, December 24). In gun control debate, arguments for tougher background checks, better state reporting. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Politics Myers, R. (2012, December 5). Gun control debate: How owning a gun changes the dynamics of conflict. Retrieved from http://www.policymic.com Clark, H. (2012, December 24). Could U.S, gun control debate benefit from Australian model?. Retrieved from http://www.alaskadispatch.com

Child Development Case Study Essay -- Child Development Theory

From the video observation, the two three-year old children, Thomas and Riley set off on a bus journey along with their childminder; it is observed that both the children speak about their journey, in which they are able to identify various features, which include the passengers; various buildings and different types of buses. Both children observe many of the features by taking photographs to highlight what they have observed on their journey. From observation, the video looks at the way the childminder plans the experience from a child-initiated stance, which directs the children’s learning in addition with assisting them with role-play and symbolic play, which is shown towards the end of the video. Thus, this essay will focus on the importance of early physical development within the Early Years framework, as well as the influence of the family with reference to the children along with the childminder. I shall link theory to practice from observation, by recounting both the boy’s bus journey, using a number of hypothetical methods, as well as emphasising the social and emotional development equally with cognitive development. However in particular, I will address the cognitive development, by doing so, a whole approach is required regarding both the children’s development, as children are seen as individuals and that each area of their development cannot be divided into different sections. So in order to accentuate the whole approach, it is imperative that the two boy’s development is seen from a holistic perspective. Furthermore, not only does the children’s development depend on their own developmental process, additionally the family, as well as the child minder will have an influential effect on the relationship of both ch... ...Early Childhood. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications. Bruner, J. (1986) Actual Minds, Possible Worlds. USA: Harvard University Press. Department of Education (Dcfs) (2010) it’s child’s play Early Years Foundation Stage [online]. [Assessed 7 December 2010]. Available at: . Keenan, T. and Evans, S. (2009) An Introduction to Child Development. 2nd ed. London: SAGE publications. Malim, T. and Birch, A. (1998) Introductory Psychology. London: MACMILLAN Press. Penn, H. (2008) Understanding early childhood. 2nd ed. Berkshire: Open University Press. Piaget, J. and Inhelder, B. (1969) The Psychology of the Child. London: Routledge. Smidt, S. (2007) A Guide to Early Years Practice. 3rd ed. Oxon: Routledge. Woodhead, M and Oates, J. (eds). (2007) Attachment Relationships. Milton Keynes: The Open University.

Disadvantage of democracy Essay

The primary disadvantages of democracy are a general lack of accountability, the prospect of personal interest becoming the predominant factor in decisions, and negative financial implications. A democracy lays the power to make decisions in the hands of the majority. This, ironically, places an emphasis on both individual and group power. A group controls the decision-making process, but an influential individual can control the group. The issue with democracy, in spite of the power of the people to control the decision-making process, is that there is no sense of accountability when the group makes a decision that turns out to be a bad one. Even particularly influential individuals in the group who may have persuaded the majority to vote for what led to the bad decision is free from blame because, ultimately, everyone in the group is responsible for his or her choice. In this way democracy, although a group-oriented approach, can become very much about what individuals believe is best for themselves and not for the majority. This type of decision-making also can be very expensive and have negative financial implications. First, a considerable amount of money can be spent in persuading voters to support an idea or cause. Second, voters may embrace an idea or cause, such as lowering taxes, because it sounds ideal when, in practice, it could lead to financial disaster. Disadvantages of Democracy Making the wrong choice In a democratic country, it is the common man who has the supreme right to choose their legislature and their prevailing authorities. As per a general study, not all the people are completely conscious of the political circumstances in their nation. The common masses may not be acquainted of the political matters in their society. This may lead to common man taking an erroneous selection during election. Authorities May Lose focus As the government is bound to changes and modification after each election tenure, the authorities may function with a interim objective. Since they have to go through an election procedure after the conclusion of each tenure, they may lose focus on functioning effectively for the citizens and  instead might concentrate on winning elections. Hordes Have Influence A further disadvantage of democracy is that hordes can manipulate citizens. People may vote in support of a party under the pressure of the bulk. Constrained or influenced by the ideas of those around, an individual may not put across his/her accurate judgment. Democracy averts radicalism and encourages teamwork and synchronization. It also slows things down, stops those in authority doing what they wish regardless of the majority’s desires. Since the military incursion into the Nigerian political scene on January 15, 1966, all the woes of this country are placed on the military. Most Nigerians do not want to hear the word â€Å"military†. They see the military as synonymous with evil. But does the military symbolize evil? Colonel Muamma Gaddafi is a military officer who seized power from the Libyan Monarch in 1969. Colonel Muamma Gaddafi as a military leader, was able to transform Libya to the envy of the world so much that other nationals including Nigerians are queuing at the Libyan embassy for her visa. Under a military leadership in Libya, Nigerians are rushing to the country on a daily basis because the country has a lower inflation of 1% than that of Nigeria which is 20% and a per capita of $8,400 while Nigeria’s per capital is $50. If military regime is synonymous with evil, why are Nigerians running from a country that is under civil rule to a country which is under a military leader? Ghana, our neighbouring West African country was also transformed from a corrupt and poverty stricken nation it was, to a transparent and an accountable nation by a military officer, Flight lieutenant, John Jerry Rawlings. At the moment, Nigerians are running to live in Ghana because the country has improved tremendously in terms of economy and infrastructural development. Ghana has also attained democratic growth and stability having transited from one democratically elected government to another two times. However, let us now compare and contrast the difference between military and civil rules in Nigeria. Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960. Out of the 50 years of Nigeria’s existence as an independent  nation, the military has ruled the country for 29 years. Within the 29 years the military ruled the country, 3 years were used to prosecute the Nigerian civil war, between 1967 to 1970, this means the military actually spent 26 years to rule the country. Out of the 50 years of the nation’s existence, civilians have ruled for 21 years. So, the difference between the years the military have ruled the country and those of civilians nine years. The questions one is asking are, if the military has destroyed the country within the space of 29 years as claimed by the civil leaders, can’t the civil leaders repair it within a space of 21 years? How long does it take to repair what is damaged? What has the civilian leaders be able to remedy since they have been ruling the country? Since Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, we are still hearing the same old song by politicians, â€Å"You know the military have destroyed the country and you know that it is not easy to repair what has been destroyed†. I find this excuse unacceptable to the Nigerian people because something that was destroyed can be repaired. For instance, Germany, France, Austria etc were devastated during the first and second World War but today they have rebuilt to enviable status. Of all the things the military destroyed, which of them has the civilian leaders been able to put right? Some politicians who are out to deceive the poor masses will say that â€Å"the worst civilian regime is better than military regime.† But is it always true that the worst civilian regime is better than military regime? Politicians are also quick to say that â€Å"at least we can talk now that we are in a civilian regime and that we could not talk during the military administrations.† I found this argument very amusing because our mouths were not muzzled by the military during their administrations. I make bold to say that we spoke more during the military administrations than we do today because then we all saw the military as our common enemy and were united to fight against them. There were so many civil society organizations such as National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which was headed by late Pa Adekunle Ajasin, Campaign for Democracy headed by late Dr. Beko Ransom Kuti, Civil Liberties Organization headed by former President of Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Afenifere, the Yoruba socio- cultural group headed by late Pa Abraham Adesanya, Association of Senior Staff Union of Uni versities, headed by the INEC Chairman, Professor Atahiru Jega, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN ), headed by Chief Frank Ovie Kokori etc. These civil society groups spoke openly against the ills of the military and sent them back to the barracks. At that time too, journalists engaged in revolutionary journalism which made the press very vibrant and added impetus to the voice of the masses. During the military era, television and radio stations were mostly owned by both states and the federal governments. DAAR communications, owner of African Independent Television and Ray power Radio station and Minaj television and FM radio station which started in 1994 were the only privately owned broadcast organizations in the country, the rest belonged to both the states and federal governments. Would the governments have allowed the masses to use their media to criticize them? There is no government that allows such a thing in any part of the world. Let us assume that we did not talk during military administrations, what have we achieved since 1999 that we have been talking? Have those who claimed to be representing us both in th e State Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly ever taken our advise? We said the National Assembly should pass the Freedom of Information Bill into law, have they done it since it was introduced into the house? We said the Justice Mohammed Uwais recommendations on Electoral Reform be adopted by the National Assembly, have they adopted them? The Federal Government has earmarked #6.6 billion towards the celebration of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary, which the masses condemned in totality, yet the Federal Government is bent on wasting such amount of money on the celebration of failure. Will the States and Federal Governments ever listen to the masses? We said the huge allowances our so call representatives are receiving should be reduced, did they agree to reduce their allowances? A senator receives #45 million allowance quarterly, while each member of the House of Representatives receives #27.2 million allowance quarterly. Each senator receives #500 million constituency development allowance yearly which is not accounted for. Their salaries and other benefits are not included these allowances. Is there justification for such huge allowances considering the fact that they sit for 180 days in a year? Can we say with a sense of pride that the lives of Nigerians have improved positively since we returned to democracy in 1999? Let me make it clear that democracy is not just about having freedom to talk, it goes beyond mere talking. Democracy is about quality leadership that translates  into accelerated development and growth in all areas of human aspirations. Democracy goes beyond just having civilians in government. Any administration, be it military or civil government that cannot better or improve the lives of the people is a monumental failure. The main purpose of governance is to coordinate and harness the wealth of the people for an effective development that will enhance the standard of living of the people. Have we seen such achievements and development since 1999? Let us compare and contrast civil administrations since 1999 till date and military administrations from 1985 till 1999 when the military handed over the reins of power to civilians. We shall start this comparison with the economy. Before the civilians took over government in 1999, a 50 kg bag of rice was sold for N2,500, today it is selling for N8,000. A small bag of beans that was sold for N1,800, now sells for as much as N7,000. Is this not outrageous. Before the commencement of the Obasanjo’s regime in 1999, Nigerians were able to eat twice daily. Morning and night, which was popularly called one –zero-one. At present, most Nigerians eat once daily, which is popularly called zero – one- zero. Is this not regression? If the agricultural sector is well funded and productive, why are prices of foodstuffs on the increase? The unemployment rate has gone up drastically because many industries are closing down while some are relocating to our neighbouring countries due to lack of regular supply of electricity. The Obasanjo’s regime in 1999, inherited 3,500 megawatts of electricity from the military, today it has reduced to a mere 2,500 megawatts for a population of 150 million people. The problems of industries and other organizations that consume large quantity of electricity are compounded as a result of the high cost of petroleum products such as petrol and diesel. These products are used to power generators which provide alternative power for industries. As at the time Nigeria return to democracy in 1999, the prices of petroleum product were cheap. But before ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, who also doubled as petroleum minister, left office in 2007, he had increased the prices of these products eleven times. A litre of kerosene that cost N9.00 in 1999, now sells for N125.00. Petrol that cost N11.00 at that time, now goes for N65.00 while diesel that cost N10.00 then now sells for N120 per litre.

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 17

â€Å"Should I put up Lorelei Biljan's posters now? Or wait until after E. J. Putnam's gone?† I looked up from the invoices on my desk. I'd just reread the same line of numbers about five times without comprehending any of it, and I was having only a little better luck parsing Tammi's question. I rubbed my eyes. â€Å"Why†¦would we wait?† She shrugged. â€Å"Dunno. Just seems kind of rude to be advertising one author during another one's signing.† My mind moved slowly, probably because only 5 percent of it was actually here at the bookstore. The rest of my brainpower attempted to muddle through the disaster that was my life. â€Å"Um†¦no, it doesn't matter. Put them both up. They're only a week apart, and we want Biljan to get a fair shot at publicity too. Besides, I don't think authors really get worked up over competition like that. They're pretty low-key.† Tammi ran a hand through her short red hair. â€Å"I don't know. They're famous and artistic. Seems like that's a bad combination. Temperamental and stuff. Not all writers can be like Seth. In fact, I bet when he gets angry enough about something, he could really let someone have it.† â€Å"Anything else?† I asked, a sharp note of dismissal in my voice. â€Å"Otherwise, just put up all the posters, okay?† She gave me a startled look and left the office. When the door closed, I put my head down on the desk and groaned. Tammi, in her blissful adolescent na §?te, had no idea how close to home she had hit. Like her, I too believed Seth could display a lot of anger if given enough cause. Like, say, his girlfriend cheating on him. True, Bastien had been right in saying Seth and I had loose definitions of â€Å"cheating,† but even I knew what did and did not qualify. There was no gray area here. No mutability. I had fucked up hard-core. I'd known it too, lying there in that unholy union with Bastien. After my sleepless night, I'd left him around dawn and took a cab back to Queen Anne, my body still aching. I hadn't wanted to talk to him. He'd slept so heavily, he hadn't heard me leave. No guilt weighed him down. But me? My cup of guilt was runnething over. Not only that, I still had to make the next decision in this mess: to tell or not to tell? That was what had really bothered me all day at work. The past was over; I could only worry about it for so long. My attention now focused on how to proceed with the future. Fortunately, Seth had worked from home today, which helped a little. He and I eventually had plans to meet up in the evening, but until that happened, I still had time to come up with something. Anything. Yet when I walked home at the end of my shift, I was no closer to an answer than I had been at the beginning of the day. Miserable, I pulled up a chair at my kitchen table and sat down with pen and paper. Aubrey jumped up on the table's flat surface and lay down to watch me, half of her sprawling on the page. I slid her off and made the following list: DONT TELL SETH Pros: status quo resumes, he won't be upset Cons: my own gnawing guilt, totally blowing the honesty thing I considered the list for a moment, surprised that neither the pro nor con side had more items. It was just that simple. Moving farther down the paper, I wrote up the reciprocal list. TELL SETH Pros: right thing to do Cons: admitting I'm an idiot, painfully emotional blowout, inevitable breakup, a literal eternity of heart-wrenching sorrow and regret I held the pen and looked back and forth between both lists. â€Å"This isn't really clearing things up, Aubrey.† In an effort to relieve my frustration, I hurled the pen somewhere into my living room. She watched it sail off with interest and then darted off to confirm the kill. â€Å"What do you need to tell Seth?† â€Å"Jesus!† I yelled, practically jumping ten feet in the air. Carter had appeared out of nowhere and now stood beside the table, looking casual and laconic. He wore a black T-shirt over a gray thermal shirt and the same jeans I swear he'd had on for the last couple decades. â€Å"Don't do that, okay? Knocking isn't a lost art.† â€Å"Sorry.† He pulled a chair out and straddled it, so his long arms draped lazily over the back. Flipping his stringy blond hair out of the way, he gestured toward my list. â€Å"Didn't mean to interrupt.† â€Å"You're not,† I muttered, crumpling up the paper. I tossed that into the living room too, so Aubrey could have more to hunt. â€Å"Anything you want to talk about?† he offered. I hesitated. Of all the people I knew, only Carter had been a steadfast believer in Seth and me having a serious relationship. He was the only one who hadn't treated it as a joke. In some ways, that might have made him a good confidante, yet it also disqualified him. I could not confess to the one person who had believed in me just how seriously I had messed things up in a weak moment. â€Å"No,† I said brusquely. â€Å"But I assume you have something to talk about.† He eyed me a moment, like he might push me on what I clearly held back, but then he let the matter go. â€Å"I have something for you.† He extended a balled fist. When he opened it, I found a small pouch lying on his palm. I picked it up and stroked the material. I had no idea what it was, but the cloth's smooth texture felt like a flower petal. I started to open it. â€Å"Don't,† he warned. His commanding tone instantly made me stop. â€Å"You'll break the spell.† â€Å"What spell?† â€Å"The one that masks what's inside the pouch. And the one that masks your immortal signature. â€Å" I nodded with understanding. I might not know what to do with my own love life, but immortal conspiracies I could follow. â€Å"To hide me and this from Alec's supplier.† The angel nodded in return. I held up the pouch and waggled it at him. â€Å"So do I get to know what's in there?† â€Å"It's a†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, not from a reluctance to tell me but to search for the right word. â€Å"It's a dart, I guess. Or maybe†¦like, an arrowhead. But that sounds weird. Nah, let's call it a dart. It's only about an inch long. A dart that looks like a small wooden arrowhead.† â€Å"Um. Okay. Got it. And what do I do with this darting arrowhead thing?† â€Å"You pierce the other immortal's heart with it.† â€Å"Whoa. Like†¦staking a vampire?† â€Å"Uh, not entirely. You'll sort of have to see when the time comes. The key is to move fast. As soon as you open the pouch, he'll know what you are and what's in there. You don't want to give him time to react because it won't be pretty if he does. Act fast, and don't second-guess yourself.† â€Å"How is a small piece of wood going to solve all our problems?† â€Å"It's special wood,† he replied with a grin. â€Å"Oh, yeah, that explains everything.† â€Å"Are you close to meeting him?† â€Å"Terribly close, actually. I probably could have met him yesterday if I'd wanted. Alec was very keen on introducing us.† Carter frowned, turning this over in his mind. â€Å"Hmm. Odd.† â€Å"Should I be worried?† â€Å"No more worried than you already should be at the thought of attacking an immortal.† â€Å"But I'll be fine if I just act fast and don't overthink it, huh?† â€Å"Right. I imagine that's pretty common for you anyway.† â€Å"Anything else I should know?† â€Å"Well†¦let's see. Yeah. One thing. Don't actually do it until there's provocation.† â€Å"What?† I stared. â€Å"Being a bastard who pushes addictive substances that destroy mortals isn't provocation enough?† â€Å"Oddly, no. You have to be threatened in some way.† Annoyed, I tossed the pouch onto the table. This was so typical of Carter and Jerome. A bizarrely complex scheme with ridiculous nuances and loopholes. â€Å"Threatened? How can he threaten me? He can't unless†¦wait, he's not an immortal who could kill me, is he?† â€Å"No, of course not. But he could make things very†¦uncomfortable for you. Anyway, there's a lot of ways to threaten a person. If he hurts you†¦or you feel vulnerable†¦like he could abuse his power over you, then that'll work. He's a stronger immortal than you. Preying on you – especially when you belong to Jerome, so to speak – is a big no-no. You would be justified in protecting yourself. But, if you attack wantonly, you'll get in trouble from the powers that be for targeting other immortals. You'll also get us in trouble for arming you.† â€Å"This sounds kind of like entrapment.† â€Å"That's an ugly word. Let's just keep it in terms of self-defense.† â€Å"So, you think things are going to get rough enough that I'll actually need self-defense?† He hesitated. â€Å"I don't know. I just don't know.† â€Å"Yeah, but then, if this guy's perfectly nice and just sells me a stash of ambrosia, I can't do anything? We've wasted the trip?† â€Å"Like I said, I don't know. Really. But honestly†¦if they're making it this easy to find him, I have to think something weird is going on. Just be careful, okay?† His face was all seriousness now. â€Å"You're smart. You can pull this off.† â€Å"And I don't suppose, at any point in this, you're going to tell me who this guy actually is?† â€Å"I believe ignorance is bliss.† I threw my hands up, not knowing what else to say. Carter traded a few more jokes with me and then rose to go. Hesitating, he gave me a curious look. â€Å"You sure you don't want to talk? You've obviously got something bugging you. â€Å" â€Å"I do. But I've got to deal with it on my own.† â€Å"Fair enough. See ya.† An eyeblink later, the angel disappeared. Seth showed up about an hour later, a little blue paint smudged on his face. â€Å"Terry and Andrea are painting the kitchen now.† I smiled at him, swallowing all the churning emotions within me. â€Å"How can you get so messy when you don't even do the painting?† I found a washcloth and dabbed at his face in a fruitless effort to clean him up. Standing so close, I suddenly had a flashback to last night. His hands stroking my breasts. Feeling him inside of me, filling me up. Our bodies moving together. His lips parting slightly when he came. â€Å"It won't come off,† I said abruptly, jerking away. â€Å"Oh. Okay.† I stayed moody and silent for the rest of the night, stiff and distant at any sort of touching. Seth picked up on the vibe right away and let me have my space. We walked a few blocks down the street to a theater that only showed Oscar nominees and artsy, independent films. We saw one of the latter, and I have to admit, it did take my mind off my love life, if only for two hours. Sitting at an Italian restaurant afterward, I let him draw me into a discussion of the film's merits. It amazed me that my mouth could keep up with the conversation while the rest of me was in an entirely different world. Over and over, I replayed what had happened last night – and not just the sex part. I analyzed everything, the events that had led up to it. Why had I done it? What had made me give in? Had it really been an altruistic attempt to fix Seth and me by removing the temptation? Had it been an aching desire to take comfort in Bastien? Or, most likely, had it been something selfish on my part? A burning desire to touch what I wasn't supposed to have – not because it might help our relationship, but because I just wanted to do it. I had wanted that pleasure. I had craved his body and simply gave in to the hedonism I longed for. I was a creature of hell, after all. I had observed before that we weren't exactly known for our self-control. Yet none of that changed the fact that it had happened. It had happened, and I had to do something about it. Or†¦did I? Seth sat across from me, looking happy and content as we talked. Ignorance really is bliss sometimes. I thought back to the lists. If he never found out, the truth couldn't hurt him. We could go on as we had. The only problem would be that I knew the truth. I had to live with this betrayal, not only of our physical relationship but also of our attempts at honesty and openness. One more entry on the list of dark and nasty secrets I already kept. â€Å"You with me, Thetis?† he asked suddenly. â€Å"Huh?† He gave me a small, sweet smile and moved his hand over to hold mine. I squeezed it back. â€Å"You look like you're miles away. â€Å" I gave him a half-smile in return. Apparently I wasn't as subtle as I thought. I looked at him, studying those beloved features, and shook my head. I couldn't do it. I couldn't tell him. Not yet. â€Å"Just tired,† I lied. We shared a dish of gelato and then returned to my apartment. We had just set up the Scrabble board when I felt immortal signatures approaching. I groaned, not wanting to deal with this. â€Å"Hail, hail, the gang's all here.† Seth looked puzzled until we heard the knock at the door. I opened it, letting in Hugh, Peter, Cody, and Bastien. â€Å"You are alive,† said Peter cheerfully, smothering me in a hug. â€Å"We tried calling you tonight.† â€Å"And I've been trying to get a hold of you all day,† added Bastien pointedly. I was perfectly aware that he had called me many times. I had purposely not answered my phone. â€Å"Sorry,† I said to all of them. â€Å"Hey, Seth,† said Cody, clapping the writer on the back. The vampire and the rest of the immortals spread themselves out around my living room like they lived there. I gave their giggling and careless behavior a withering glance. â€Å"You guys been barhopping?† â€Å"Yup,† said Hugh with pride. â€Å"You – both of you – could have joined us.† â€Å"Fortunately, the night is still young,† declared Bastien. He strolled around the living room, arching an appalled eyebrow at the Scrabble board. â€Å"When you didn't answer, we decided to come issue an invitation in person.† â€Å"We're going to go shoot pool,† explained Cody happily. â€Å"Over at that place in Belltown. You guys should come along.† He gave Seth a conspiratorial grin. â€Å"Georgina's a wicked pool player.† â€Å"Thetis is good at everything,† Seth murmured automatically. I could tell by his body language he wasn't comfortable with a bunch of drunken immortals in the room. I also knew he didn't want to go out. â€Å"Sorry, guys,† I told them. â€Å"We've already been out. We're staying in.† This earned snide remarks and groans of disapproval. â€Å"Oh come on,† begged Hugh, trying to get Aubrey's attention with a cat toy on a string. She didn't fall for it and hissed at him instead. â€Å"We always get better service when you go with us.† â€Å"Besides,† said Bastien nastily. â€Å"It doesn't look you're doing anything else exciting. You should be grateful we came along. We're giving you something. Something you couldn't otherwise get.† I remained calm, but I think the others picked up on the sudden tension in the air. â€Å"Sorry,† I repeated. â€Å"We're staying in. You guys can hang out for a little bit, but then I've got to kick you out. We're doing our own thing. â€Å" â€Å"I wasn't aware you guys did anything at all,† muttered Bastien in a voice only I heard. Maybe the vampires too, with their superhuman hearing. â€Å"You got anything to drink?† asked Peter, gently nudging me toward being a good hostess. I was still locked in a battle of wills and eye contact with the incubus. â€Å"Yeah, I just bought a six-pack of Smirnoff Ice.† â€Å"Oh,† said Cody. â€Å"Score.† He and Hugh raided my refrigerator, passing out bottles of prissy malted beverage to everyone except Seth and me. We abstained. Lounging around, conversation on silly topics soon ensued, although Bastien, Seth, and I did not participate. Seth stayed quiet because he always stayed quiet in such settings. Bastien and I stayed quiet because we were pissed off at each other. I excused myself for the restroom and found Bastien waiting outside the door for me when I finished. â€Å"Alcohol runs right through you, huh?† I asked, pushing past him. He blocked my way, backing me up against the wall. â€Å"What the hell's wrong with you?† he demanded in a low voice. â€Å"Nothing. Let me go.† â€Å"Bullshit. I left you like a hundred messages. You're avoiding me.† â€Å"So? It's my prerogative. Just like that song.† He snorted. â€Å"Let me guess. You're having some sort of melodramatic moral crisis over what happened last night. That's so typical of you lately.† â€Å"Don't talk to me about last night. You shouldn't have done what you did.† â€Å"Is houldn't have? My God, Fleur ,don't act like you're the victim here. Nobody forced you. You more than consented. In fact, I daresay you enjoyed it.† â€Å"It was a mistake.† â€Å"And so avoiding me is going to fix it? Don't delude yourself. It wasn't a mistake. It was good for you. I helped you. I gave you something you would have never gotten otherwise. You'll remember it for the rest of your life.† â€Å"Gee,† I said, dripping sarcasm. â€Å"How kind of you. Because that's really all there was to it, wasn't there? You only did it to help me. Nothing more. You certainly didn't do it just because you could. Because I was ‘beautiful and I was wonderful and you wanted me.' â€Å" â€Å"Listen to me – â€Å" â€Å"No. You listen to me. If I want to avoid you, let me avoid you. Don't show up at my house drunk and try to force your way into a dialogue. It makes you more of an asshole than you'd be otherwise. I don't want to talk to you. Not anytime soon. Maybe not ever.† â€Å"Forever's a long time.† He leaned closer, one hand on my arm. â€Å"Don't you think you're overreacting to one fuck? Besides, you can't cut me off. You've got to help me with Dana.† â€Å"No,† I declared icily. â€Å"I do not. You're on your own with that. And if you get sent to Guam, then it's your own fucking fault. Maybe it'll give you some time to think about your relations with women outside of business.† â€Å"Damn it – â€Å" â€Å"Georgina?† We both turned and saw Seth standing in the hallway. Bastien and I were close – too close – but not romantically close. Anyone with half a brain could tell we were locked in a dispute. Our postures radiated it, as did our expressions. The grip Bastien held on my arm was not friendly. â€Å"Are you okay?† Seth asked carefully. His words came out low and measured, but I saw something unfamiliar in his expression. Not anger, but something else kindling in his eyes. He had told me once he chose his battles carefully, and I wondered then what he would do if he thought the incubus was a real threat to me. â€Å"We're fine,† I said. I broke from Bastien's grasp, and he didn't fight it. â€Å"Yes,† he agreed with a cold smile. â€Å"We're fine.† He walked past me but stopped when he was even with Seth. â€Å"You should be flattered,† Bastien told him. â€Å"Most women invoke God during sex, but Fleur yells your name. One would have thought you were a deity, considering how many times she paid homage to you last night.† He continued on to the living room, and I didn't even stick around to see Seth's reaction. I stormed after Bastien. â€Å"Get out,† I told him. I looked over at the other immortals. â€Å"All of you, get out now.† Peter, Cody, and Hugh stared at me in astonishment. I'd kicked them out a number of times, but none of them had ever heard me use this voice on them. Consequently, they heeded it. They scrambled out the door in under a minute, Bastien shooting me a dark glance as he left. When they were gone, I took a deep breath and turned to Seth. Anger and despair boiled inside of me. â€Å"Let me guess. You want to know what he meant.† His face was unreadable. â€Å"Honestly, I don't know.† He suddenly sounded tired. â€Å"I don't know if I want to.† â€Å"Yeah, well, I'll tell you anyway.† The words tore at me while coming out, but I really didn't want to hold onto the secret anymore. Not only because Bastien had given it away but also because I knew I wasn't going to be able to stand having it fester inside of me. It hurt too much. Talking to the incubus had made me realize that. So while I didn't mention the pictures, I told Seth everything else. Everything. When I finished, he didn't say anything. He stared at some nonexistent spot in the air, face blank once more. After a couple of minutes of aching silence, he finally turned back to me. â€Å"So. How was I?†

Problem solving

Problem solving We use the problem solving steps in our everyday lives. There are a total of 6 steps in the problem solving steps.Step 1: Identify the problem; this is the first step toward solving a problem. You cannot solve a problem until you know what you are trying to solve.Step 2: Understand the problem; You must understand what is involved in the problem before you can continue toward the solution. This also includes understanding the knowledge base of the person or machine for which you are solving the problem for. Knowing the knowledge base is very important since you cannot use any instructions outside of this base. You need to understand what is involved because you cannot write a set of instructions involving calculus if you do not know calculus yourself. If you do not understand the problem, you will not know where to begin solving the problem.TRIZ process for creative problem solvingStep 3: Identify alternative ways to solve the problem; this list should be complete as possible. You ma y want to speak with other people to find other solutions then those you have identified. Alternative solutions must be reasonable ones. The more solutions you identify the better chance you have of picking the best solution possible.Step 4: Select the best way to solve the problem from the list of Alternative solutions; in this step, you need to identify and evaluate the pros and cons of each possible solution before selecting the best one. In order to do this, you need to select criteria for evaluation. These criteria will serve as the guidelines for evaluating each solution. While you can solve the problem without selecting the best solution, you only make your life more difficult.Step 5: List instructions that enable you to solve the problem using the selected solution; these...

The Best Jobs For Antisocial People

The Best Jobs For Antisocial People So you hate people, and you’d rather not interact with them all day every day. Like at most jobs, right? Well, you’re in luck. You can still be a functioning member of society, hold down a proper career, be successful- all without having to spend too much time in the company of others. So stop beating yourself up for not being a â€Å"people person.† Here are 10  of the best jobs for introverts, misanthropes, awkward people, and the antisocial among us who would prefer to do our work on our own, thank you very much.1. EconomicsSpend your work time conducting research, analyzing data, and formulating economic plans. Most of this requires you to be hunched over your computer in fierce concentration. No conversation necessary.2. PotteryIf you have any talent for pottery, you can retreat to your studio, wheel, and kiln, and then make money off your wares. You could even get someone else to sell them, or set up a shop online.3. Watch RepairIt’s just you and t he cogs. Hide out in some back workroom fixing and cleaning and adjusting watches for a living.4. Agricultural Equipment OperatorA big farm machine, the open field and sky, and no conversation required- it’s too loud to hear anyone talking anyway, even yourself. Plus, it’s vital work that feeds the world.5. Animal CareLike animals more than people? Spend your workweek taking care of them in a shelter, pet store, or veterinary office. It doesn’t pay terribly well, but it’s bliss.6. ArchivistHole up in a solitary corner of a museum or auction house and catalogue or restore items of immense value to a few scholars. You’ll spend your days in silence and make a decent salary.7. Court ReporterYou’ll be in the middle of the action, but you’re a mere fly on the wall; you won’t have to interact with anyone. Just sit there and let your mind wander and your fingers fly.8. Social Media ManagerIt may seem ironic that you can conduct immense ly social marketing business from a little cubicle somewhere and never have to speak to anyone. But it’s true! You’ll have to spend a lot of time online, just by virtue of the position, and you’ll hardly have much time in your workday to be, you know, actually social.9. Tax Accountant/Actuarial AccountantYour contact with clients will be infrequent. You’ll spend most of your day analyzing numbers, dealing with data, and researching. And there are subspecialties in the field that will carry you even further from daily human interaction.10. Transportation Equipment PaintersYou probably didn’t even know this was a job. But surfaces of transportation equipment like buses, trucks, trains, boats, planes, etc. all require painting. So put on your haz-mat suit and enjoy the sound of your own thoughts.

Expo 67 (1967 International and Universal Exposition) Essay

Expo 67 (1967 International and Universal Exposition) - Essay Example er of visitors that toured the general exhibition fair, as well as the entertainment, different Expo pavilions elected by different countries and the wonderful La Ronde, which represented everything that an amusement park should be (10). The theme of Nationalism was pronounced the loudest during this fair, than in any other event of the Canadian history. Nevertheless, the success of the 1967 Canadian International and Universal Exposition did not occur without challenges, and the success was only achieved through the sacrifices, determination, commitment and hard work of various key individuals (). Nevertheless, despite the wave of nationalism that was created by the Expo 67 general fair, the concept of male dominance is reflected in the buildup, construction and planning of Expo 67, where all the major players in the preparation of the Expo happened to be men (). Additionally, while the event is one of the major nationalism pronounced event, the nationalism, patriotism and loyalty of the Canadian business community was put into question during this major event. Therefore, this discussion seeks to analyze the Canadian 1967 International and Universal Exposition as a major Canadian nationalism pronouncement event, wh ile still assessing the concept of male dominance in Canada in 20th century, as represented by this major event. The accomplishment and success of Canadian 1967 International and Universal Exposition did not come easy, and it took the strong will of a group of men who later came to be known as the ‘Les Durs’, interpreted to mean’ the tough guys’ (). Jean Drapeau, a key figure in the planning, construction and launch of the Expo 67 was the mayor of Montreal at the time, and his commitment to the success of the project still stands as a great show of nationalism. Jean Drapeau did no6t only have a vision for the Expo 67, but also for Expo 68, 69, 70 and so on, by seeking to use the Expo 67 infrastructure as the fairground that would fulfill its

How to Achieve New Heights for Industrial Jones Essay

How to Achieve New Heights for Industrial Jones - Essay Example The resources of the organization such as the land and the finance arranged through the overdraft facility can be utilized only through careful budgeting. The targets set in the budget will guide the business operations and help in overcoming problems and analyzing the future. The budget shown here will be very useful for coordination of the various activities such as the production, sales and purchases. The sales budget shown here is the guidance for formulating departmental plans. Estimates have to be done for departmental requirements to achieve the targets. After the budgets for the various activities are formulated and agreed upon , the amounts specified in the budget become the desirable limits of spending. The materials usage, labour utilized, purchases made and the overheads realized will all have to be done with the budgeted figures as the basis. After the budgeted period, the actual expenditures and the budgeted figures will be compared. This comparison will be the basis for judging the performances and fixing the responsibility for deviations. Hence, to make this budget a success the organization has to ensure that the objectives and policies are designed properly. What is going to be the Vision, long term objectives and short term goals of the organization has to be decided. Based on these objectives and goals the policies for the general operations have to be formulated. The budgeted estimates have to communicated to the other members of the organization so that if there is any changes or modifications to be made, the suggestions are incorporated. The other members of the organizations have to acknowledge that the budget is the authority/ target for the activities concerned. For example the usage of labor for the production should be within the limits specified in the budget and likewise for other activities. When an employee has to decide on an issue which in voles flow of money then the budget will be the main guide for his decisions. The employees should understand clearly the importance of the budget in the development of the organization and their job evaluation.