Dharma essays

Dharma essays Dharma is the world's most ancient culture and the religion of over one billion of the earth's inhabitants. It is often referred to as Hinduism, but more correctly know as the ancient vedic culture. The approximate meaning of Dharma is  ¡Natural Law. This term is not is open to alteration, just as the laws of gravity cannot be debated as it is an inherent law of nature regardless of whether one believes in the law of gravity or not, similarly the subtle laws of God transcend all worldly things. The Dharmic way of life has many facets. Dharma is a way of life that is deeply rooted in a sense of ethical concern. Among the many other virtues that Dharma seeks to instill in its followers is the principle of non-violence (ahimsa) towards all beings, and compassion for all life. This sense of love and compassion is directed toward animals and the Earth, as well as all of our fellow humans beings. As a result of these highly ethical standards, followers of Dharma are vegetarians and strongly pro-environment. The personal goal of every follower of Dharma is to live life in such a way that he or she harms none and benefits all whom he or she encounters. In addition, it is taught by Dharma that the spirit of service and selfless work for others (known as the principle of seva) bring one's consciousness closer to that of God. Consequently, it is quite common to witness Hindus engaging charitable activities. For the followers of Dharma, it is of paramount importance to study the anci ent Vedic scriptures (such as the famous Bhagavad Gita), temple worship (puja), ritual and personal purification (such as bathing in the ganges, the holy river). Yoga and Meditation are also essential aspects of Dharma- through these one can reach a higher state of consciousness. Being an Indian myself, I have been taught and experienced many of these teachings while growing up in Bombay. Most Indians are taught these principles when they are young so ...

Understanding Celibacy, Abstinence, and Chastity

Understanding Celibacy, Abstinence, and Chastity The word â€Å"celibacy† is typically used to refer to a voluntary decision to remain unmarried or to abstain from engaging in any sexual activity, usually for religious reasons. While the term celibacy is typically used in reference only to persons who choose to remain unmarried as a condition of sacred religious vows or convictions, it can also apply to the voluntary abstinence from all sexual activity for any reason. While they are often used interchangeably, celibacy, abstinence, and chastity are not exactly the same. Celibacy is generally  recognized as a voluntary choice to remain unmarried or engage in any form of sexual activity, usually in order to fulfill a religious vow. In this sense, one can accurately be said to be practicing sexual abstinence as a condition of his or her vow of celibacy. Abstinence - also called continence - refers to the often temporary strict avoidance of all forms of sexual activity for any reason. Chastity is a voluntary lifestyle that involves far more than abstaining from sexual activity. Coming from the Latin word castitas, meaning â€Å"purity,† chastity embraces abstinence from sexual activity as a praiseworthy and virtuous quality according to the standards of morality held by a person’s particular culture, civilization, or religion. In modern times, chastity has become associated with sexual abstinence, particularly before or outside of marriage or other type of exclusively committed relationship. Celibacy and Sexual Orientation The concept of celibacy as a decision to remain unmarried applies to both traditional and same-sex marriage. Similarly, the lifestyle restrictions implied by the terms abstinence and chastity refer to both heterosexual and gay sexual activity. In the context of celibacy related to religion, some gay people choose to be celibate in keeping with their religion’s teachings or doctrine on gay relationships. In an amendment adopted in 2014, the American Association of Christian Counselors banned the promotion of the largely discredited process of conversion therapy for gay persons, encouraging the practice of celibacy instead. Celibacy in Religion In the context of religion, celibacy is practiced in different ways. Most familiar of these is the mandatory celibacy of male and female members of the active clergy and monastic devotees. While most female religious celibates today are Catholic nuns living in residential cloisters, there have been notable solitary celibate female figures, such the anchoress - a female hermit - Dame Julian of Norwich, born in 1342. In addition, religious celibacy is sometimes practiced by laypersons or clergy members in a faith not requiring it out of devotion or to allow them to perform certain religious services. Brief History of Religiously-Motivated Celibacy Derived from the Latin word caelibatus, meaning â€Å"state of being unmarried,† the concept of celibacy has been acknowledged by most major religions throughout history. However, not all religions have acknowledged it favorably. Ancient Judaism strongly rejected celibacy. Similarly, early Roman polytheistic religions, practiced between about 295 B.C.E. and 608 C.E., held it to be an aberrant behavior and imposed severe fines against it. The emergence of Protestantism around 1517 CE saw a rise in the acceptance of celibacy, although the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church never adopted it. The attitudes of the Islamic religions regarding celibacy have also been mixed. While the Prophet Muhammad denounced celibacy and recommended marriage as a commendable deed, some Islamic sects embrace it today. In Buddhism, most ordained monks and nuns choose to live in celibacy believing it to be one of the prerequisites to reaching enlightenment. While most people associate religious celibacy with Catholicism, the Catholic Church actually imposed no requirement of celibacy on its clergy for the first 1,000 years of its history. Marriage remained a matter of choice for Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons until the Second Lateran Council of 1139 mandated celibacy for all members of the clergy. As a result of the Council’s decree, married priests were required to give up either their marriage or their priesthood. Faced with this choice, many priests left the church. While celibacy remains a requirement for Catholic clergy today, an estimated 20% of Catholic priests worldwide are believed to be legally married. Most married priests are found in the Catholic Churches of Eastern nations like the Ukraine, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. While these churches recognize the authority of the Pope and the Vatican, their rituals and traditions more closely follow those of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which had never embraced celibacy. Reasons for Religious Celibacy How do religions justify mandatory celibacy? No matter what they are called in a given religion, the â€Å"priest† is exclusively trusted to perform the sacred function of communicating the needs of the people to God or other heavenly power. The efficacy of the priesthood is based on the congregation’s trust that the priest is properly qualified and possesses the ritual purity necessary to speak to God on their behalf. Religions that require it of their clergy consider celibacy to be a prerequisite for such ritual purity. In this context, religious celibacy is likely to have been derived from ancient taboos that viewed sexual power as vying with religious power, and the sex act itself as having a polluting effect on priestly purity.   Reasons for Non-Religious Celibacy For many people who do so, choosing a celibate lifestyle has little or nothing to do with an organized religion. Some may feel that eliminating the demands of sexual relationships allows them to better focus on other important aspects of their lives, like career advancement or education. Others may have found their past sexual relationships to have been particularly unfulfilling, damaging, or even painful. Still others choose to abstain from sex out of their unique personal beliefs of what is â€Å"proper behavior.† For example, some people may choose to adhere to the morality-based tradition of abstaining from sex outside of marriage. Beyond personal beliefs, other celibates consider abstinence from sex to be the only absolute method of avoiding sexually-transmitted diseases or unplanned pregnancies. Outside of religious vows and obligations, celibacy or abstinence is a matter of personal choice. While some may consider a celibate lifestyle extreme, others may consider it liberating or empowering. Key Terms Celibacy is a voluntary choice to remain unmarried or engage in any form of sexual activity, usually in order to fulfill a religious vow. A person who practices celibacy is said to be â€Å"celibate.†Ã‚  Abstinence  is also called â€Å"continence† and is the often temporary strict avoidance of all forms of sexual activity for any reason.Chastity  -   from the Latin word castitas, meaning â€Å"purity† - embraces abstinence as a praiseworthy virtue according to the prevailing social standards of morality.

Marketing concept Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing concept - Assignment Example It will then examine why Beats Electronics used this particular concept and the extent to which it has been forced to accommodate changing trends in consumer trends and the resources that were deployed in marketing this concept and finally the analysis will consider how this concept enabled the firm to enhance on its business performance. Increasingly, firms are placing more emphasis on retaining their customers and often it takes a significant amount of effort, time as well as money in both attracting a new customer. Creating long term customers are seen as most beneficial (Gronroos & Voima, 2011). Relationship marketing is one of the theories which can be used to not only develop but also to liquidate the relationships that firms have with their customers in a manner that not only creates value, but also enhances on the firm’s level of competitiveness (Gronroos & Voima, 2011). Service quality is also another theory that seeks to explain customer value and here the quality of the provided service or product is exactly how the customer wishes it to be. In many instances, customers have a significantly wider speculation of quality which means that firms have to determine the quality in the same manner as their customers (Shamim & Ghazali, 2014). In the case of Beats Electronics, both Dr.Dre and Jimmy Iovine wished to provide the customer with similar headphones to the ones Apple had in the market but with better sound quality (Helm, 2014). Service quality in this instance is made up of two distinct parts which is the expected and perceived service. The perceived quality is made of two aspects: one is technical which is what the customer gets and customers often look to this aspect since it provides an overview of how the firm’s products can provide a technical solution to the problem (Shamim & Ghazali, 2014). The other aspect is functional which strives to examine the

International Business Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

International Business Environment - Essay Example Globalization has its benefits and challenges. However, it is almost inevitable and the global economy is expected to continue influencing operations of businesses. This paper â€Å"International Business Environment† addresses the question on whether globalization is good or not. The discussion will involve a brief explanation on how different schools of thoughts perceive globalization. Additionally the drivers of globalization, its implications on international business, the benefits, and challenges of globalization to the international society in general will be discussed.Globalization as Perceived by Various Schools of ThoughtInternational business entails any business activity conducted across national borders. The activities may involve sell of goods or services but must be done between two or more countries. Most multinational companies may have their management located in one country. However, they are international since they carry out business activities across more than one nation. International business has become a common phenomenon that influences decision in the political social as well as economic arena. International business operations are characterized by opportunities as well as challenges (Bray, 2003; Stefanovic, 2008).The term globalization means different things to different people. Some view globalization as increased worldwide interconnectedness in different aspects such as cultural as well as social ones. Hyperglobalists describe globalization as a phenomenon that exposes people.... International business operations are characterized by opportunities as well as challenges (Bray, 2003; Stefanovic, 2008). The term globalization means different things to different people. Some view globalization as increased worldwide interconnectedness in different aspects such as cultural as well as social ones. Hyperglobalists describe globalization as a phenomenon that exposes people to international market resulting in denationalization of economies. Skeptics consider globalization to be the economic interdependence resulting from economic integration. However, skeptics oppose hyperglobalist argument that globalization leads to denationalization. Conversely, skeptics claim that globalization leads to increased influence of national governments on the global economy (Bray, 2003). Transformationalists agree with the hyperglobalists’ argument that globalization reshapes social, political, and economic societies. However, transformationalist fail to agree with hyperglobalis ts’ argument that globalization leads to assimilation of the global societies into a single society. They argue that existence of a single business system does not mean that the global economic society is unionized (Bray, 2003). Drivers of Globalization Although the process of globalization has been going on for a long period, it has intensified in the recent past. There are several factors also referred to as drivers that are responsible for the increased pace of globalization. The main driver of globalization is technology. The economic world has made a great leap in technological advancement. Communication plays a major role in the business environment (Devemdra, 2009). This is because most business

Characters in Two Kinds Essay Example for Free

Characters in Two Kinds Essay Both, Madame Loisel and the daughter from two kinds, find themselves in similar situations. The situations seem different but in reality they arent, as both of them are expected to do certain things, the only different is that the daughter from to kinds in forced to do thing and Madame Loisel just feel like she had to do or to have a certain thing. The difference in the expectations between the two characters, is made by making one character want a certain thing, and the other to be forces to do something. So in other words one of the characters is wants to have certain thing and feels like the society expects the character to have these things. And the other one is made or forces by on other person or character from the story to do certain things, and is expected of certain things. The daughter is the forces character this is because the mother makes her do what she doesnt want to. Her mother tries to make he a wonder kid and to change the way the daughter is. The mother tries to make her daughter a wonder kid and the daughter starts to respond in a way that she just doesnt care. Then in some time the daughter be really tiered of the testes that the mother is making her that and the fact that the mother is trying to change her. And so, she starts to take short cut, and with the only intention to stay the way she it, the stops listening to her mother, doesnt pay intention at the piano lessens. On the other hand there is Madame Loisel, which is a character that just feels that it is her duty to be what the society expects of all women. She feels that she has to be in the high class, that she is worth a lot and that all because of her beauty should adore her. She also had an opinion that if she wants something she has to get it or it is the end of the world. In addition, her believe is that her just deserve, also for whom she is, expensive cloths, and expensive necklace. Both of the characters respond very similar to their pressures and expectation that they are faced in the story line. The daughter responds by not agreeing to her mother and by trying to do the opposite of what she is told to do and in addition, she doesnt listen nor try her best at the test that her mother makes her face. and a bit similar, Madame Loisel responds to  the expectations of society in a way that she just wants something and if she doesnt get it its the end of the world, as if she just is the centre of the world and that she deserves all. So in other words she believes that she is worthy of having the best of the best. Then furthermore, both of the characters change in the end of their own stories. Madame Loisel becomes more realistic about life and gets a true self-esteem for what she had actually achieved. And in addition she loses her opinion that everything that she gets or receives is granted. Then, the daughter listens to her mother in the end of the story and starts playing the piano. As a conclusion both of the characters result in the same position in other words both of the characters are dramatic characters. This is because their view and their characteristics change and became completely different in the end of the story. Madame Loisel changes in a way that she becomes more aver of life and stops taking everything for granted. The daughter also changes to the positive site as she in the end of the story starts playing the piano and in other words listens.

The Philosophy of James Patterson Essay -- James Patterson Description

The Philosophy of James Patterson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  James Patterson should be included in an anthology because he has mastered the art of description and plot. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s capable of creating lives in his books like no other author from past or present. He has created a fictional world inside of his Alex Cross series, where many fans of his like to live. With each new book he can fill a mind with unbelievable detail and imagery. A small two book series, nicknamed the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bird booksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, blew away many critics. With this mini-series he ventures into biotechnology and the worlds in its view on longevity. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s known for venturing off the normal path of writing. He goes where many authors donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t, into religion, romance/humor/history, and a womanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s murder club. A few examples are Letters for Nicholas, The Jester, Cradle and All, and the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“number booksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(1st to die, 3rd degree).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Patterson has been affected by many things in his life. The greatest thing was most likely his involvement in the company J. Walter Thompson, an advertising company. After his wife died in 1984, he focused all his energy into the company. Four years later he became CEO, then in 1990 he became chairman, and in 1994 he became the World-wide Creative Director (Author & Artists, page 209). He has said working for the company opened up his mind to bigger ideas in his books. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what helps him write the masterpieces we see today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pattersonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s main influence in the action/mystery genre is the Alex Cross series, but three other books stand out too. Besides the Alex Cross series, his other major bestsellers are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Thomas Berryman Numberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When the Wind Blowsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Lake Houseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. His first novel à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Thomas Berryman Numberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? won an Edgar award in 1977. It was critiqued as a wonderful change from the normal thriller, written with a faultless ear for real speech and an accurate eye for real people. Even now, it is still said that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the plot is subtle and provocative, the characters are complex and compelling, and Patterson's writing here makes it a pleasure to deal with every pageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (Amazon.com (2nd source), A reader). Then after some success with Alex Cross, he came out with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When the Wind Blowsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The La ke Houseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? a few years later. These books take a wild spin on bio-engineering, fusing wings into a human. It was met with some skepticism at first, but many rea... ...y have only made him stronger. He has also succeeded not only in writing but in the corporate business too. When asked what he is going to do after Alex Cross, he said that he had no idea and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s how he likes it. What a philosophy. By taking life as it comes he can give back the most spontaneous reaction. He says he looks forward to many more years of writing. So many people look forward to him in those years. Works Cited 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Author & Artists volume 25, contemporary author encyclopedia (no author), pages 209-213, Copyright 2004 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446600458/ref=cm_rev_sort/104-1297017-7468716?customer-reviews.sort_by=byExactRating_5&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&x=10&y=12, 2005, A reader 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446607657/ref=cm_rev_next/104-1297017-7468716?%5Fencoding=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=byExactRating%5F5&n=283155&customer-reviews.start=11&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER, 2005, Locke, Josephine Anna (1st review down) 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0316603287/ref=cm_rev_sort/104-1297017-7468716?customer-reviews.sort_by=byExactRating_5&x=11&y=5, 2005, Ufowriter (2nd review down) The Philosophy of James Patterson Essay -- James Patterson Description The Philosophy of James Patterson   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  James Patterson should be included in an anthology because he has mastered the art of description and plot. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s capable of creating lives in his books like no other author from past or present. He has created a fictional world inside of his Alex Cross series, where many fans of his like to live. With each new book he can fill a mind with unbelievable detail and imagery. A small two book series, nicknamed the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“bird booksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, blew away many critics. With this mini-series he ventures into biotechnology and the worlds in its view on longevity. Heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s known for venturing off the normal path of writing. He goes where many authors donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t, into religion, romance/humor/history, and a womanà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s murder club. A few examples are Letters for Nicholas, The Jester, Cradle and All, and the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“number booksà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(1st to die, 3rd degree).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Patterson has been affected by many things in his life. The greatest thing was most likely his involvement in the company J. Walter Thompson, an advertising company. After his wife died in 1984, he focused all his energy into the company. Four years later he became CEO, then in 1990 he became chairman, and in 1994 he became the World-wide Creative Director (Author & Artists, page 209). He has said working for the company opened up his mind to bigger ideas in his books. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what helps him write the masterpieces we see today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pattersonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s main influence in the action/mystery genre is the Alex Cross series, but three other books stand out too. Besides the Alex Cross series, his other major bestsellers are à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Thomas Berryman Numberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When the Wind Blowsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Lake Houseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. His first novel à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The Thomas Berryman Numberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? won an Edgar award in 1977. It was critiqued as a wonderful change from the normal thriller, written with a faultless ear for real speech and an accurate eye for real people. Even now, it is still said that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the plot is subtle and provocative, the characters are complex and compelling, and Patterson's writing here makes it a pleasure to deal with every pageà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (Amazon.com (2nd source), A reader). Then after some success with Alex Cross, he came out with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“When the Wind Blowsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The La ke Houseà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? a few years later. These books take a wild spin on bio-engineering, fusing wings into a human. It was met with some skepticism at first, but many rea... ...y have only made him stronger. He has also succeeded not only in writing but in the corporate business too. When asked what he is going to do after Alex Cross, he said that he had no idea and thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s how he likes it. What a philosophy. By taking life as it comes he can give back the most spontaneous reaction. He says he looks forward to many more years of writing. So many people look forward to him in those years. Works Cited 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Author & Artists volume 25, contemporary author encyclopedia (no author), pages 209-213, Copyright 2004 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446600458/ref=cm_rev_sort/104-1297017-7468716?customer-reviews.sort_by=byExactRating_5&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&x=10&y=12, 2005, A reader 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0446607657/ref=cm_rev_next/104-1297017-7468716?%5Fencoding=UTF8&customer-reviews.sort%5Fby=byExactRating%5F5&n=283155&customer-reviews.start=11&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER, 2005, Locke, Josephine Anna (1st review down) 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0316603287/ref=cm_rev_sort/104-1297017-7468716?customer-reviews.sort_by=byExactRating_5&x=11&y=5, 2005, Ufowriter (2nd review down)

A Game of Thrones Chapter Five

Jon There were times—not many, but a few—when Jon Snow was glad he was a bastard. As he filled his wine cup once more from a passing flagon, it struck him that this might be one of them. He settled back in his place on the bench among the younger squires and drank. The sweet, fruity taste of summerwine filled his mouth and brought a smile to his lips. The Great Hall of Winterfell was hazy with smoke and heavy with the smell of roasted meat and fresh-baked bread. Its grey stone walls were draped with banners. White, gold, crimson: the direwolf of Stark, Baratheon's crowned stag, the lion of Lannister. A singer was playing the high harp and reciting a ballad, but down at this end of the hall his voice could scarcely be heard above the roar of the fire, the clangor of pewter plates and cups, and the low mutter of a hundred drunken conversations. It was the fourth hour of the welcoming feast laid for the king. Jon's brothers and sisters had been seated with the royal children, beneath the raised platform where Lord and Lady Stark hosted the king and queen. In honor of the occasion, his lord father would doubtless permit each child a glass of wine, but no more than that. Down here on the benches, there was no one to stop Jon drinking as much as he had a thirst for. And he was finding that he had a man's thirst, to the raucous delight of the youths around him, who urged him on every time he drained a glass. They were fine company, and Jon relished the stories they were telling, tales of battle and bedding and the hunt. He was certain that his companions were more entertaining than the king's offspring. He had sated his curiosity about the visitors when they made their entrance. The procession had passed not a foot from the place he had been given on the bench, and Jon had gotten a good long look at them all. His lord father had come first, escorting the queen. She was as beautiful as men said. A jeweled tiara gleamed amidst her long golden hair, its emeralds a perfect match for the green of her eyes. His father helped her up the steps to the dais and led her to her seat, but the queen never so much as looked at him. Even at fourteen, Jon could see through her smile. Next had come King Robert himself, with Lady Stark on his arm. The king was a great disappointment to Jon. His father had talked of him often: the peerless Robert Baratheon, demon of the Trident, the fiercest warrior of the realm, a giant among princes. Jon saw only a fat man, red-faced under his beard, sweating through his silks. He walked like a man half in his cups. After them came the children. Little Rickon first, managing the long walk with all the dignity a three-year-old could muster. Jon had to urge him on when he stopped to visit. Close behind came Robb, in grey wool trimmed with white, the Stark colors. He had the Princess Myrcella on his arm. She was a wisp of a girl, not quite eight, her hair a cascade of golden curls under a jeweled net. Jon noticed the shy looks she gave Robb as they passed between the tables and the timid way she smiled at him. He decided she was insipid. Robb didn't even have the sense to realize how stupid she was; he was grinning like a fool. His half sisters escorted the royal princes. Arya was paired with plump young Tommen, whose white-blond hair was longer than hers. Sansa, two years older, drew the crown prince, Joffrey Baratheon. He was twelve, younger than Jon or Robb, but taller than either, to Jon's vast dismay. Prince Joffrey had his sister's hair and his mother's deep green eyes. A thick tangle of blond curls dripped down past his golden choker and high velvet collar. Sansa looked radiant as she walked beside him, but Jon did not like Joffrey's pouty lips or the bored, disdainful way he looked at Winterfell's Great Hall. He was more interested in the pair that came behind him: the queen's brothers, the Lannisters of Casterly Rock. The Lion and the Imp; there was no mistaking which was which. Ser Jaime Lannister was twin to Queen Cersei; tall and golden, with flashing green eyes and a smile that cut like a knife. He wore crimson silk, high black boots, a black satin cloak. On the breast of his tunic, the lion of his House was embroidered in gold thread, roaring its defiance. They called him the Lion of Lannister to his face and whispered â€Å"Kingslayer† behind his back. Jon found it hard to look away from him. This is what a king should look like, he thought to himself as the man passed. Then he saw the other one, waddling along half-hidden by his brother's side. Tyrion Lannister, the youngest of Lord Tywin's brood and by far the ugliest. All that the gods had given to Cersei and Jaime, they had denied Tyrion. He was a dwarf, half his brother's height, struggling to keep pace on stunted legs. His head was too large for his body, with a brute's squashed-in face beneath a swollen shelf of brow. One green eye and one black one peered out from under a lank fall of hair so blond it seemed white. Jon watched him with fascination. The last of the high lords to enter were his uncle, Benjen Stark of the Night's Watch, and his father's ward, young Theon Greyjoy. Benjen gave Jon a warm smile as he went by. Theon ignored him utterly, but there was nothing new in that. After all had been seated, toasts were made, thanks were given and returned, and then the feasting began. Jon had started drinking then, and he had not stopped. Something rubbed against his leg beneath the table. Jon saw red eyes staring up at him. â€Å"Hungry again?† he asked. There was still half a honeyed chicken in the center of the table. Jon reached out to tear off a leg, then had a better idea. He knifed the bird whole and let the carcass slide to the floor between his legs. Ghost ripped into it in savage silence. His brothers and sisters had not been permitted to bring their wolves to the banquet, but there were more curs than Jon could count at this end of the hall, and no one had said a word about his pup. He told himself he was fortunate in that too. His eyes stung. Jon rubbed at them savagely, cursing the smoke. He swallowed another gulp of wine and watched his direwolf devour the chicken. Dogs moved between the tables, trailing after the serving girls. One of them, a black mongrel bitch with long yellow eyes, caught a scent of the chicken. She stopped and edged under the bench to get a share. Jon watched the confrontation. The bitch growled low in her throat and moved closer. Ghost looked up, silent, and fixed the dog with those hot red eyes. The bitch snapped an angry challenge. She was three times the size of the direwolf pup. Ghost did not move. He stood over his prize and opened his mouth, baring his fangs. The bitch tensed, barked again, then thought better of this fight. She turned and slunk away, with one last defiant snap to save her pride. Ghost went back to his meal. Jon grinned and reached under the table to ruffle the shaggy white fur. The direwolf looked up at him, nipped gently at his hand, then went back to eating. â€Å"Is this one of the direwolves I've heard so much of?† a familiar voice asked close at hand. Jon looked up happily as his uncle Ben put a hand on his head and ruffled his hair much as Jon had ruffled the wolf's. â€Å"Yes,† he said. â€Å"His name is Ghost.† One of the squires interrupted the bawdy story he'd been telling to make room at the table for their lord's brother. Benjen Stark straddled the bench with long legs and took the wine cup out of Jon's hand. â€Å"Summerwine,† he said after a taste. â€Å"Nothing so sweet. How many cups have you had, Jon?† Jon smiled. Ben Stark laughed. â€Å"As I feared. Ah, well. I believe I was younger than you the first time I got truly and sincerely drunk.† He snagged a roasted onion, dripping brown with gravy, from a nearby trencher and bit into it. It crunched. His uncle was sharp-featured and gaunt as a mountain crag, but there was always a hint of laughter in his blue-grey eyes. He dressed in black, as befitted a man of the Night's Watch. Tonight it was rich black velvet, with high leather boots and a wide belt with a silver buckle. A heavy silver chain was looped round his neck. Benjen watched Ghost with amusement as he ate his onion. â€Å"A very quiet wolf,† he observed. â€Å"He's not like the others,† Jon said. â€Å"He never makes a sound. That's why I named him Ghost. That, and because he's white. The others are all dark, grey or black.† â€Å"There are still direwolves beyond the Wall. We hear them on our rangings.† Benjen Stark gave Jon a long look. â€Å"Don't you usually eat at table with your brothers?† â€Å"Most times,† Jon answered in a flat voice. â€Å"But tonight Lady Stark thought it might give insult to the royal family to seat a bastard among them.† â€Å"I see.† His uncle glanced over his shoulder at the raised table at the far end of the hall. â€Å"My brother does not seem very festive tonight.† Jon had noticed that too. A bastard had to learn to notice things, to read the truth that people hid behind their eyes. His father was observing all the courtesies, but there was tightness in him that Jon had seldom seen before. He said little, looking out over the hall with hooded eyes, seeing nothing. Two seats away, the king had been drinking heavily all night. His broad face was flushed behind his great black beard. He made many a toast, laughed loudly at every jest, and attacked each dish like a starving man, but beside him the queen seemed as cold as an ice sculpture. â€Å"The queen is angry too,† Jon told his uncle in a low, quiet voice. â€Å"Father took the king down to the crypts this afternoon. The queen didn't want him to go.† Benjen gave Jon a careful, measuring look. â€Å"You don't miss much, do you, Jon? We could use a man like you on the Wall.† Jon swelled with pride. â€Å"Robb is a stronger lance than I am, but I'm the better sword, and Hullen says I sit a horse as well as anyone in the castle.† â€Å"Notable achievements.† â€Å"Take me with you when you go back to the Wall,† Jon said in a sudden rush. â€Å"Father will give me leave to go if you ask him, I know he will.† Uncle Benjen studied his face carefully. â€Å"The Wall is a hard place for a boy, Jon.† â€Å"I am almost a man grown,† Jon protested. â€Å"I will turn fifteen on my next name day, and Maester Luwin says bastards grow up faster than other children.† â€Å"That's true enough,† Benjen said with a downward twist of his mouth. He took Jon's cup from the table, filled it fresh from a nearby pitcher, and drank down a long swallow. â€Å"Daeren Targaryen was only fourteen when he conquered Dorne,† Jon said. The Young Dragon was one of his heroes. â€Å"A conquest that lasted a summer,† his uncle pointed out. â€Å"Your Boy King lost ten thousand men taking the place, and another fifty trying to hold it. Someone should have told him that war isn't a game.† He took another sip of wine. â€Å"Also,† he said, wiping his mouth, â€Å"Daeren Targaryen was only eighteen when he died. Or have you forgotten that part?† â€Å"I forget nothing,† Jon boasted. The wine was making him bold. He tried to sit very straight, to make himself seem taller. â€Å"I want to serve in the Night's Watch, Uncle.† He had thought on it long and hard, lying abed at night while his brothers slept around him. Robb would someday inherit Winterfell, would command great armies as the Warden of the North. Bran and Rickon would be Robb's bannermen and rule holdfasts in his name. His sisters Arya and Sansa would marry the heirs of other great houses and go south as mistress of castles of their own. But what place could a bastard hope to earn? â€Å"You don't know what you're asking, Jon. The Night's Watch is a sworn brotherhood. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons. Our wife is duty. Our mistress is honor.† â€Å"A bastard can have honor too,† Jon said. â€Å"I am ready to swear your oath.† â€Å"You are a boy of fourteen,† Benjen said. â€Å"Not a man, not yet. Until you have known a woman, you cannot understand what you would be giving up.† â€Å"I don't care about that!† Jon said hotly. â€Å"You might, if you knew what it meant,† Benjen said. â€Å"If you knew what the oath would cost you, you might be less eager to pay the price, son.† Jon felt anger rise inside him. â€Å"I'm not your son!† Benjen Stark stood up. â€Å"More's the pity.† He put a hand on Jon's shoulder. â€Å"Come back to me after you've fathered a few bastards of your own, and we'll see how you feel.† Jon trembled. â€Å"I will never father a bastard,† he said carefully. â€Å"Never!† He spat it out like venom. Suddenly he realized that the table had fallen silent, and they were all looking at him. He felt the tears begin to well behind his eyes. He pushed himself to his feet. â€Å"I must be excused,† he said with the last of his dignity. He whirled and bolted before they could see him cry. He must have drunk more wine than he had realized. His feet got tangled under him as he tried to leave, and he lurched sideways into a serving girl and sent a flagon of spiced wine crashing to the floor. Laughter boomed all around him, and Jon felt hot tears on his cheeks. Someone tried to steady him. He wrenched free of their grip and ran, half-blind, for the door. Ghost followed close at his heels, out into the night. The yard was quiet and empty. A lone sentry stood high on the battlements of the inner wall, his cloak pulled tight around him against the cold. He looked bored and miserable as he huddled there alone, but Jon would have traded places with him in an instant. Otherwise the castle was dark and deserted. Jon had seen an abandoned holdfast once, a drear place where nothing moved but the wind and the stones kept silent about whatever people had lived there. Winterfell reminded him of that tonight. The sounds of music and song spilled through the open windows behind him. They were the last things Jon wanted to hear. He wiped away his tears on the sleeve of his shirt, furious that he had let them fall, and turned to go. â€Å"Boy,† a voice called out to him. Jon turned. Tyrion Lannister was sitting on the ledge above the door to the Great Hall, looking for all the world like a gargoyle. The dwarf grinned down at him. â€Å"Is that animal a wolf?† â€Å"A direwolf,† Jon said. â€Å"His name is Ghost.† He stared up at the little man, his disappointment suddenly forgotten. â€Å"What are you doing up there? Why aren't you at the feast?† â€Å"Too hot, too noisy, and I'd drunk too much wine,† the dwarf told him. â€Å"I learned long ago that it is considered rude to vomit on your brother. Might I have a closer look at your wolf?† Jon hesitated, then nodded slowly. â€Å"Can you climb down, or shall I bring a ladder?† â€Å"Oh, bleed that,† the little man said. He pushed himself off the ledge into empty air. Jon gasped, then watched with awe as Tyrion Lannister spun around in a tight ball, landed lightly on his hands, then vaulted backward onto his legs. Ghost backed away from him uncertainly. The dwarf dusted himself off and laughed. â€Å"I believe I've frightened your wolf. My apologies.† â€Å"He's not scared,† Jon said. He knelt and called out. â€Å"Ghost, come here. Come on. That's it.† The wolf pup padded closer and nuzzled at Jon's face, but he kept a wary eye on Tyrion Lannister, and when the dwarf reached out to pet him, he drew back and bared his fangs in a silent snarl. â€Å"Shy, isn't he?† Lannister observed. â€Å"Sit, Ghost,† Jon commanded. â€Å"That's it. Keep still.† He looked up at the dwarf. â€Å"You can touch him now. He won't move until I tell him to. I've been training him.† â€Å"I see,† Lannister said. He ruffled the snow-white fur between Ghost's ears and said, â€Å"Nice wolf.† â€Å"If I wasn't here, he'd tear out your throat,† Jon said. It wasn't actually true yet, but it would be. â€Å"In that case, you had best stay close,† the dwarf said. He cocked his oversized head to one side and looked Jon over with his mismatched eyes. â€Å"I am Tyrion Lannister.† â€Å"I know,† Jon said. He rose. Standing, he was taller than the dwarf. It made him feel strange. â€Å"You're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?† Jon felt a coldness pass right through him. He pressed his lips together and said nothing. â€Å"Did I offend you?† Lannister said. â€Å"Sorry. Dwarfs don't have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right to dress badly and say any damn thing that comes into my head.† He grinned. â€Å"You are the bastard, though.† â€Å"Lord Eddard Stark is my father,† Jon admitted stiffly. Lannister studied his face. â€Å"Yes,† he said. â€Å"I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers.† â€Å"Half brothers,† Jon corrected. He was pleased by the dwarf's comment, but he tried not to let it show. â€Å"Let me give you some counsel, bastard,† Lannister said. â€Å"Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.† Jon was in no mood for anyone's counsel. â€Å"What do you know about being a bastard?† â€Å"All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes.† â€Å"You are your mother's trueborn son of Lannister.† â€Å"Am I?† the dwarf replied, sardonic. â€Å"Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he's never been sure.† â€Å"I don't even know who my mother was,† Jon said. â€Å"Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are.† He favored Jon with a rueful grin. â€Å"Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs.† And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.

A Critical Analysis of the Arthurian Tale Sir Gawain and The Green Knight in the context of Literary Theory

This story is in the tradition of Arthurian stories about the Legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. This is a alliterative poem belonging to the romantic genre of Arthurian legends.The author is anonymous and is simply referred to as the Gawain poet or the Pearl poet and is dated Ca. 1340-1400 from West Midlands in England, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight tells a tale of how Sir Gawain, a member of the esteemed Knights of the Round Table in King Arthur’s court at Camelot, accepted a challenge from a mysterious stranger, referred to as the Green Knight, who suddenly barges in on a merry feast in King Arthur’s Court.The story contains points, both in a Feminist and in a Marxist reading, that exhibit both positive and negative symbolisms, thus, inevitably furthering the contention that this is also very Deconstructivist; which is another literary theory and reading of the story. Certain symbolisms, themes and tones in the story show this is so, by being capable of having both pro and anti- Feminist and Marxist elements, which would be discussed in a more detailed manner in the following pages.FEMINISIT READINGâ€Å"Women are systematically degraded by receiving the trivial attentions which men think it manly to pay to the sex, when, in fact, men are insultingly supporting their own superiority.† (Wollstonecraft, 1759)Much can be gleaned when giving this piece a feminist reading. To start with, this belonging to the classic Medieval Age Romance and it being one of the Arthurian Legend makes it a very easy target for being tagged as anti Feminist.The very concept of the Medieval Age, and the mere mention of Arthurian Legends is in itself enough subject of anti Feminist repartee’s. The very fact alone that this era is characterized by patriarchal dominance and machismo is a strong enough qualification to label this outright as an anti Feminist story, without even going to the analysis of the story. The most obvious of a ll is the general tone and obvious patriarchal system of the story.There is a King who is high and mighty, and he rules over his subjects. The most loyal, admired and feared heroes are the Knights of the Round Table, whom, are all men. The Queen Guinevere is described as if she was a wall flower in all these brave bold display of masculine superiority, and is even deemed to be quiet, and not to say anything. In some translations of the story she is even said to sit beside Gawain, and not beside his supposed husband.The mention in the text that she presides over the festivities is merely titular, if at all, a token too trifle. With such a patriarchal system, it follows that the story also shows phallocentrism. If Camelot, the supposed Utopia is all patriarchal, what more could be expected of in the ‘real’ world?When Sir Gawain left on his quest to fulfill his vow to the Green Knight, he came upon a castle, where the lord of the castle, Bertilak of Hautdesert told him to give to him whatever he gets in exchange for the game he hunted. While the lord is away, the lady of the castle is left idling away on the castle, and falls to seducing the visitor. This brings to mind another archetypal typecasting or stereotyping of women; the Sinner/Saint stereotypes.In this story, Guinevere is the pure maiden; the saintly woman of virtue, while the Lady Bertilak is typecast as the sinner/slut/whore impure woman. There is an imposition of impossible virtues to the women as patently due to a macho image and in contrast to how a man should be chivalrous and upright.The seduction of the Lady Bertilak as opposed to the chastity of Queen Guinevere is clearly a male imposed virtue and rule of morals to how women should act. They should silently preside over ceremonies, as Guinevere does, or should patiently wait for his husband to come home, as the Lady Bertilak should have done.   

The Tsunami Disaster essays

The Tsunami Disaster essays The disastrous horror that came in the form of a massive tsunami has ravaged and devastated an incredibly large area and has left many people searching for family members, a new place to live, and for the answer to the question, What now? With an obscene amount of over 150,000 people already killed or missing and with that number expecting to be ballooned to a much higher figure by the time it is all said and done, this tsunami has without a doubt been the worst in recent history. The tsunami was unleashed by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake under the ocean, just off of the coast of Indonesia. This quake was one of the five largest since 1900. The aftershocks alone were shown as ranging in magnitude from almost 6 to 7.3. In comparison, the devastating San Francisco of the early nineties had an initial quake of 7.8, with aftershocks ranging from 3 to 4. The initial waves, traveling of upwards of 500 to 600 miles an hour towards the shower, initially are only a few feet in height so they are not noticeable in the open ocean. As the approach shallower water though, they slow down and reach much greater heights. With waves upwards of 20 feet crashing onto the shore, thousands of people were swept out to see with the initial waves. Studies show that the west coast is by no means safe from a tsunami of its own. The last great earthquake to strike the west was a 9.0 back in 1700 and it created tsunamis along the west coast and Japan. Scientists tell us that the fault has been locked ever since and is prime for another large disruption. Other faults deep beneath the Pacific could also cause tsunamis either by raising or lowering the ocean floor by shifting of the tectonic plates. These articles are a definite eye opener for anyone who is not so well informed on how tsunamis occur and how disastrous they can be. The authors of these particular articles not only show us the tragedy that occurred among the pe...

The Top 10 Secrets of All Nurses

The Top 10 Secrets of All Nurses Everybody job has secrets, but the club of nursing is one with a shared language and camaraderie more intense than most professions. Here are 10 things nurses never tell their patients. 1. They’re poopedTheir feet are aching. They’ve been on rotating shifts with high stress and very little sleep. They probably haven’t had a regular sleep routine since adolescence. And they never seem to go home! No matter how tired you are, a nurse is probably more fatigued.2. Handing out pills is not so simpleBy the time your morning meds get to your bedside, you may think it’s just a matter of downing the contents of that little plastic cup. But the nurse who prepared them also prepared meds for dozens of other patients. And for each one, had to double-check the name and purpose of each drug, plus any contraindications and special dosages, and then acquire each drug (sometimes from the pharmacy, sometimes requiring calls to your physician). So be patient and grateful nex t time you chug those pills.3. They don’t just blindly follow rulesSometimes a nurse, because of experience and expertise, might bend a directive ever-so-slightly if he or she is sure it isn’t in your best interest. Remember, nurses spend a whole lot more time with patients than doctors typically do. And they’ve seen everything before.4. They get sickThough they’ll never show it, they spend all of their time around your germs and are just as susceptible, if not more so, given their schedules! No nurse will put a patient in danger when contagious, but plenty of nurses do their jobs when they aren’t feeling 100%. They’ll care for you even when they neglect themselves!5. They have families who need them, tooYour nurse could have a sick kid at home or a sick family member in the hospital the next town over. They’ll give you 100% because it’s their job to care for you, even when they go home and care for someone else- and probably w ish they could be doing that full time instead.6. They see you as a personYou’re not just a case file to a nurse. Often you might remind them so much of someone in their lives- a parent, child, or friend. Even if you or your case don’t perfectly resemble their favorite uncle Joe, they’ll often be struck by some personal connection or will identify with some aspect of you or your treatment.7. They fight for youYou’ll never know it, because it isn’t very nurse-like to boast of such things, but nurses are constantly going to bat for their patients. If they disagree with a doctor or they want to make you more comfortable, they’ll do everything they can to set things right.8. They don’t want to lose youWhen things go scary and the crash cart rolls out, nurses are terrified. They may not show it- in fact, they operate like elite officers to move efficiently and perfectly through the life-saving steps they’ve been trained to take. But inside, they’re panicking, and utterly relieved when you pull through. Nurses never want to lose a patient. Never.9. They take their work homeEver heard a nurse promise to pray for you or your loved one? That’s not an empty threat. When they’re home and off the clock, chances are they think of you from time to time and wonder how you’re doing. If they’re worried enough, they’ll probably call a colleague to inquire.10. They very likely have had a rough dayIf your nurse seems distracted, it’s not that he or she doesn’t know what’s going on with you or that you’re getting sub-par care. Nurses deal with many, many patients at a time–and due to the nature of the job, many of those patients are very sick. Your nurse might have even lost a patient that day. Yes, nursing is their job, but they’re human, too, and helping sick people day in and day out can take its toll. Have empathy, and know your nurse is d oing the best she/he can.About all other things, it’s safe to say, nurses are an open book.

Youth and Urban Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Youth and Urban Culture - Essay Example While examining the youth culture and subcultures it has been seen that it is important that the youth are taught to adapt conventional political and moral outlooks and are habituated to discipline in working life. Subcultures emerge as solution to problems that are collectively faced because of challenges in the social structure (Brake ix). The objective of this paper is to talk about the influence of the youth on the urban culture, bringing out the behavioral patterns and lifestyles of the former especially in modern urban setting. Youth as Subculture The study of subculture is done in relation with the broader system of society. It includes symbolisms of clothing, music and other interests of the subculture and also how such symbolisms are looked upon by the members of the broader culture that dominates the subculture. In any subculture there is the struggle for establishment of subgroups of different values and lifestyles (Brake 3). Youth subculture represents themselves with the ir own style, interests and behaviour through their activities. They often adhere to their own rules outside their social institutions like home or school. They consciously form a signature style of their own which they relish and exploit (Gelder & Thornton, 1). Style is significant in subculture. It transforms the normal process and goes â€Å"against nature†. ... There was a dramatic change in the cultural expression of the class. With the introduction of mass media, shift from joint families to nuclear families, changes in the school and work organisations, all these resulted in disintegrating and polarizing the community of the working class. This method of polarization gave rise to youth culture (Hebdige 74). In the post war era the youth began to exhibit many â€Å"non-solidaristic elements† with the culture of their parents. The dominant culture of the parents refused to comply with the status established by the youth. This led to the youth being a â€Å"vehicle for anti-establishment currents† (Jenks 122). Cultural Significance There are many specific factors behind the youth culture and some of them are rise in the spending power among the youth of the working class, emergence of market as an outlet for spending the surplus income and reformations in the field of education. All these factors led to a consciousness among t he younger generation to create an identity of their own and often they were rebellious against the traditional norms. Youth was being regarded as a separate culture as they began to adopt their own style and behavioral patterns. In the 1920s, it was understood that youth culture is not devoid of classes when evidence was garnered on juvenile criminals on streets and bootleggers (Hebdige, 74-75). The youth subculture enforces their own social practices, lifestyle, choice of clothes, types of television programs, music and friendship groups. The attempt of the youth to maintain a separate cultural world from the adults is not insignificant. Such forms of â€Å"symbolic creativity† are essential for daily life for the young people and should be considered as an essential part of human

MGMT442 U3 DB Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MGMT442 U3 DB - Research Paper Example A program’s measure of performance can be gauged through the response collection from the employees. It can also be gauged through the overall productivity comparison between two time sets before and current mode of operations. Any program that adds value and reduces the wastes and redundancy within the product or process amount to the effective performance undertaking and addition of quality to the overall product and package. In today’s competitive era, the employees expect professional response from the employers, training, equal opportunities and an environment that favors anyone with ability and hard work regardless of any affiliation or social standing. The other stakeholders of the organization expect in time delivery, keeping them on board, making the decisions in light of the mutual benefits and mutual considerations, and handling the operations in complete professional and timely manner make up for the stakeholders