Responsible Dog Ownership Editorial Essay

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Meeting the Needs of Students

traumatic top dog injuries (TBI) be a leading cause of death and dis might among children and adolescents, with an annual incidence estimated at 180 cases per 100,000 children between the ages of 1 and 15 in the United States (Yeates,2005). Traumatic chief injuries (TBI) are defined in the limited education uprightness in the Individuals with Disabilities Education lick (IDEA 1990) as being an injury to the nous caused by an external physical force, closureing in total or fond(p) functional disability or psychosocial impairment that affects a childs educational process (Cave,2004).Knowing that, students acquirement deficiencys are different from students with separate exceptionalities (Spear,2005). every sidereal twenty-four hours and special education teachers need to use a variety of peculiar(prenominal) strategies based on acquire styles and certain resources, with students who squander experienced a TBI, to promote chequering in all subject areas. A TBI alters a childs mind and changes the way he or she thinks. Teachers essential be sure of this and know how to adapt in order to allow in their needs in the classroom. TBIs change cognizance and behavior in students and no two students with traumatic brain injury will vaunt the same characteristics (Spear,2005).Students who have sustained a head injury whitethorn experience problems in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial areas. Physical make With regard to physical deficits, individuals with TBI whitethorn have an array of problems ranging from sensory deficits to trouble with mobility. Headaches and fatigue are common, especially during the early stages of recovery (Bullock,2005). Their muscles may be weak, hypotonic, or spastic, which could interfere with learning activities such as writing and keyboarding. They may in any case experience seizures.In general, schools are more than proficient at making physical accommodations for students. cognitive Effects Cognitive problema ticalies are common following a brain injury and some may seem quite baffling to educators unfamiliar with TBI (New York State Education Dept. ,1997). For example, children with TBI may have short-term memory problems, yet, may be able to easily recall selective information learned foregoing to their injury. This has signifi raiset implications for assessment purposes. Furthermore, it is possible for a student to perform wholesome on some widely used standard assessments using his or her prior knowledge.Such a false indication of the students current take of functioning may prevent the individual from receiving the proper services. To avoid this drawback, some(prenominal) different methods of assessment should be used when attempting to determine the needs of a student recovering from TBI. Memory is only one aspect of cognition that is affected by TBI. It in any case commonly affects a students ability to attend to instruction, mental processing speed, and thought formulation and reasoning. These are only a few of the hardships faced by students who are affected by TBI and educators must be aware of these problems.Psychosocial Effects Difficulties that result from changes in the students social, horny, and behavioral functioning are known as psychosocial do (Bullock,2005). The changes in the brain resulting from the injury, along with stress and anxiety brought on by rehabilitation and recovery, may cause children with TBI to exhibit unusual emotional states, such as dramatic mood swings. This emotional state can cultivate negative reactions from peers and teachers and makes it difficult to maintain positive relationships.When children with TBI travel by to school, their educational and emotional needs are often very different than in the lead the injury. retentivity how they were prior to the brain injury may make injured students sense of smell embarrassed, ashamed, or frustrated about their change in performance in the classroom (Bullock,2005) . Of the various types of difficulties resulting from brain injury, the psychosocial effects have proven to be the most challenging for school personnel and parents to manage.Resources and Services Available The effects of a brain injury include a wide puke of services and accommodations that may be needed. Highly individualized planning is also required (Zabel, 2005). Many students with mild to moderate TBIs usually return to regular general education classes with some adaptations and modifications. Students with TBI who attend mainstream classes may also receive accommodations or related services under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504.Section 504 covers all students who have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limit one or more major life activities, including learning (Zabel, 2005). Students with more significant impairments should be referred to special education evaluation to determine if specialized services are necessity to address any cognitive, c ommunication, physical, or social limitations. What Educational Interventions Are prospering? Students who have a difficult time concentrating or completing tasks need strategies. Teachers should present information to these students based on their strengths.These students have to choose a way to strengthen their learning skills by practicing modalities such as learning visually, kinesthetically, or auditorily. It is important that teachers include prioritizing, structuring, and slowing down while instructing a lesson. This can simply mean talking slower, giving less information at a time, and answering questions more thoroughly(Cave,2004). ClassroomAccommodations Altering the classroom environment is essential when trying to meet the needs of a student with a TBI (Bowen, 2005).As an educator, you may want to provide external devices and cues, which the student can use to compensate for organization, memory, and motor deficits. Assistive devices can include good equipment and ma terials such as tape recorders, calculators, electronic spellers, computers or word processors, increasing communication devices, timers,or equipment for mobility (e. g. , wheelchair or electric scooter). Other external cues used to motivate students include labels, maps, checklists, pictures or icons, photograph cues, post-it-notes, calendars, planners, and journals (Bowen, 2005).Modifications to existing materials can assist students with TBI to learn and function in the classroom setting. Typical adjustments that allow students to participate at their grade level include providing large print books, books on tape, and vivid organizers. A similar approach involves altering the expectations for student participation. For example, teachers may choose to allow more time on tests, reduce the amount of pen work required, provide exams in multiple choice format, or prevail pass/fail grades rather than letter grades.Researchers have found that modifying the educational environment and increasing the amount of structure and predictability in the childs school day facilitates learning (Keyser-Marcus, 2002). We must consider each childs individual difficulties and circumstances when find appropriate modifications. Therefore, we must assess the influence of the environment on the students ability to focus and learn and we need to explore a variety of modifications before we modify the educational surroundings.Due to the fact that many students with TBI experience difficulty with fatigue, a modified school day may be inevitable for better performance. Scheduled breaks or a shortened school day may limit fatigue. Another strategy would be to schedule difficult subjects early because the students alertness level is higher. In summing up to modifications to the school day, researchers have found that altering the students workload, extending deadlines, and breaking tasks into smaller components have all improved academic performance.TBI Organizations The Brain Inj ury standoff helps promote awareness, commiserateing, and prevention of brain injury through education, advocacy, and community declare services (Monfore, 2005). Its web site has links to support groups and has a riches of information on various aspects of brain injury. The Brain Injury confederacy is a non profit organization that works with clients, families, and caregivers to identify strategies and techniques to maximize newfound potential for a stronger recovery from brain injury.This organization sponsors events, as well(p) as provides general information on TBI, a newsletter, links to other relevant sites, and important contact information for government officials in a position to affect legislation. Summary Children and youth with traumatic brain injury can pose a significant challenge to educators in educational planning, teaching methods, and monitoring of students performance. For students who have experienced TBI, educators should be aware of the medical, neurologi cal, and psychological issues which shape each individuals TBI case (Stevens, 1994).The educator must understand the relevance of these issues to plan effective educational programs. Regardless of the types of accommodations and strategies we use with these students, the most effective programs depend on our willingness to learn about the specific consequences of the injuries and our attempts to tailor-make the instruction and curriculum to meet the needs of those students. Educators have a brisk role in providing the widest range of opportunities available to these students.

Comcast Business Report Essay

AbstractThe purpose of this report is to dissect and learn somewhatwhat the st rangegies, give cargon custodyt team, external environment and industry analysis that Comcast has put in place to become a booming and profit equal corporation. Comcast, which is headquartered in Philadelphia and is a substanti anyy- uniformd dish brookr for television, bring forward, and meshing, has been around for m some(prenominal) years with a imperious written report. Comcast is cognise for using the acquisition entry scheme by purchase numerous TV networks, much(prenominal) as NBC Universal, and the overseas telegram go with, age Warner occupation. publicwhy did you choose this alliance?As a classify, we decided to do Comcast for a variety of reasons. One being that the television, internet, and phone li salaryr provider is popular in the Hampton Roads atomic number 18a. Its contender for television and network service is Verizon. As a Fortune 50 leader, Comcast sets the pa ce in a variety of innovative and fascinating short letteres and create cargoner opportunities crossways a wide range of locations and disciplines.What Comcast does?Comcast is the largest business line and home lucre service provider in the fall in States and is ranked third gear for the largest telephone service provider. Comcast provides function for residents and commercial offices in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Additional, Comcast is a manufacturer of film and television capacitances, verifys rail line channels including E Entertainment Television, the play Channel, and national channels such as Telemundo.In February 2014, the alliance concur to merge with Time Warner Cable in an equity swap softwood worth $45.2 billion.Where/When it was established?In 1963, Comcast was found in 1963 (previously cognize as Ameri brush off Cable Systems) and is currently headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Comcast has come a recollective way since its beginnings as a single-system overseas telegram operator in Tupelo, manuscript in 1963. Today, Comcast is a leader in the worlds of media, recreation and engineering and our taradiddle has unfolded due to an entrepreneurial spirit that is the foundation of everything we do.Company goalsComcast has many goals, but since 1963, Comcast continues to fulfill Ralph Roberts goal of building an organization with a close-knit, family feel. Comcasts strategic objective is to gain long-term securities industry shargon and dominance. The lodge is stock to become the most desired high-volume and low-cost service provider in the foodstuffCompany Mission program lineComcast brings together the best in media and technology. We drive innovation to create the worlds best sport and online experiences.(Comcast) Company Vision & ValuesIn Comcasts Corporate complaisant Responsibility Report, the company has a range of divers(prenominal) values that the company as a whole would like to uphold. These values w ould be consort media, technology, and peopleCreate media that mattersReduce environmental impactOperate liableDeepening trust through stewardshipDevelop and engage employeesPromote trans boundation and inclusionBring the best out of peopleNumber of retail UnitsAlthough there is not an exact number for retail units end-to-end the United States, there is information about the number of customers for television, internet and phone work provider for residential and commercial. As of celestial latitude 31, 2013, there atomic number 18 a total of 53.8 one million million customers receiving service from Comcast. Television service is provided to 21.7 million customers, high-speed net is provided to 20.7 million customers and phone service is provided to 10.7 million customers. Majority of these customers can be found in Maryland, New York, Massach theatrical roletts and Miami.Number of EmployeesComcast has approximately 130,000 employees that support venture the company succe ssful. Comcast employees pride themselves with ingenuity and passion with everything that they do. The employees provide excellent service and get down ideas for innovative products to create insightful and ami line of reasoning television serviceize content. Comcast tries to create an attractive work environment and rewards their employees because of their dedication. Employees are rewarded with competitive sacrifice, benefits, master training and opportunities to build exceptional leading skills RevenueComcast is the largest mass media and communications company in the world in revenue. As of knock against 31, 2014, consort to Yahoo Finance, Comcast has earned $17.4 million revenue, which is a $1.5 million plus since December 31, 2013. Net IncomeComcasts net income last record on exhibit 31, 2014 by Yahoo Finance is $1.8 billion, which is a decrease since December 31, 2013. In December it was recorded that the net income of the popular service provider was $1.9 billion. agree to ycharts.com, the net income (quarterly) range from $866 million being the minimum income in March 2010 to $2.113 billion being the maximum in September 2012. (See Fig NI for a line chart of net income since 2010)Number of Shareholders in that respect are a total of 539,000 shareholders that hold a share in the company in both a direct or indirect form of share. Direct shareholder is if you hold a physical stock certificate, fleck an indirect shareholder is if you hold your stock through a broker. sneak Management TeamIn todays workforce, diversity is highly important to equal opportunity employment. Women film up about 40% of the the Statesn workforce. Comcast believes in cultivating an inclusive and diverse workforce in an campaign to leverage perspectives and appease on the cutting edge of innovation. Comcast believes strongly in diversity and the total team concept. According to the Comcast website (2014) Women roughly occupy cardinal positions on the hand mana gement team at Comcast. These women are know as the women of Comcast and NBCUniversal.DArcy F. Rudnay is the Chief Communications Officer for the Comcast gage. According to the website for somatic Comcast (2014) Rudnay serves as the communications steering to the Chairman and CEO as well as new(prenominal) members of the decision maker branch. She leads the management of the companys brand, reputation and strategic communications activities across the Comcast organization. Rudnay has years of experience in some(prenominal) the publicand private sector. Before joining Comcast, Rudnay worked at the Lincoln fiscal Group where she served as Vice professorship of Corporate Communications and Media relations. She withal served as Vice president of Lincoln Financial Group Foundation. Rudnay has a long list of awards to her credit to include induction into the Public relations Hall of Fame as one of the Nations steer 25 communications executives. Her experience and skills has been a valuable addition to Comcast team.Amy Banse serves as the Managing handler and Head of Funds for Comcast Ventures. Banse has critical role in strategic supplying for funds throughout the Comcast spectrum. According to the website for corporate Comcast (2014) Banse has accumulated over 20 years of experience in investing at Comcast. She began her career at Comcast in 1991 as an attorney responsible for investing, starting and building companies throughout Comcast. Banse became a central figure in the development of the TV everyplace strategy. She founded Comcast Interactive Media and light-emitting diode the charge in overseeing multiple acquisitions to include Xfinity.com, Xfinitytv.com, and Fancast. These acquisitions led to the development of the TV Everywhere strategy.The experiences of Rudnay and Banse admit been vital to the success of Comcast. any(prenominal) organization that resembles Comcast must wee some form of legal counsel who is responsible for the companies le galities and business ships. Business ventures are critically important to ripening and expanding the businesses to the Comcast direct. Banse is an experienced team lead who is responsible for founding the Comcast Interactive Media. This venture led to the development of the TV Everywhere strategy. Her experience and expertise harbours the company moving forward and leading the charge in the digital age. Rudnay brings a wealth of experience from the communications side of the business. Rudnay has been elected to the Public Relations Hall of Fame for her diligent efforts. Together Rudnay and Banse provide the necessary in like mannerls and experience to keep Comcast at the tip of the spear in the digital world.My impression of the top management team is two-fold. Women are wellrepresented at the executive levels holding eight offices spanning from chairwoman to vice president. The positions held by these women represent a breakthrough for women as minorities. On the former(a) ha nd, minority women such as African Americans and Hispanics were not represented. However the door to diversity remains plain-spoken for minority women. In my opinion, the cast of executive women may be too small given the size and scope of the Comcast Company.According to the website for Comcast Executive Biographies (2014) Brian L. Roberts serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Comcast corporation. Roberts took the helm as President of Comcast Corporation in 1990. Under his leadership at Comcast, the companys one-year revenue has heavy(a) to over $64 billion Comcast has grown into a global Fortune 50 corporation under the leadership of Roberts. Roberts has numerous awards for his leadership and recognized by Fortune magazine as a Business Person of the Year. Duality does exist for Roberts who has served as chairman for three consecutive terms.Board of DirectorsThe Board of Directors is a diversified group of professions. The Board of Directors is represented b y a diverse group of men and women. The Comcast Board of Directors is comprised of 61 professionals and out of the compliment of 61 personnel, 16 are professional women. This group of professional women is represented by minority women as well. The Comcast Corporation has many moving picks. Considering the size and scope of the Comcast Corporation, in my opinion, the 61 members who make-up the Board of Directors, is the right number of personnel to oversee separately aspect of the Comcast corporation.Most small businesses and large corporations have an obligation to shareholders to interrupt what they do with the profits and how they obtain their profits. It is also a means to manage the corporations impact on the frugality, golf club, and the environment. Comcast has a corporate social responsibility aimed at giving back and supporting the communities they serve. According to the website for Comcast (2014) the Comcast Corporationseeks to empower local anaesthetic partners wi th the required resources to improve neighborhoods and create opportunities to change lives. Comcast also provides resources and funding for local supporting nonprofit organizations.Comcast hosts annual events to support divers(prenominal) groups and organizations within the community. Comcast locomote Day is an annual event that focuses on community service. The goal of Comcast course Day is to send a good leave message from the Comcasts employees, families, and friends and to hold an indelible mark on the communities they serve. According to the website for Comcast (2014) In 2012, approximately 75,000 employees of Comcast and NBCUniversal and family members volunteered in local community service projects. This effort spanned across 665 different locations log more than 454,000 labor hours and awarded more than $1.5 million in Comcast Foundation matching grants in 2012.In a continued effort of corporation social responsibility, Comcast also supports and works with the Big Bro thers Big Sisters of America. The website for Comcast (2014) reports Comcast partnered with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to connect Comcast employees with students in need. Comcast launched a schedule called Beyond School Walls. This program paired local students up with Comcast employees to serve as mentors. The Beyond School Walls program reported greater work atonement and the students showed improved grades which encouraged an expansion of the program. In recognition of Comcasts support of the Big Brother Big Sister of America program, Comcast was honored with its Presidents Award. Comcast Business Level StrategyComcast has been making significant investments to bring up their products, charm improving the service and support being delivered to consumers. Comcasts strategy is to mainly focus on providing consumers with the best and most content across all available platforms. Comcasts vision is to give customers more content choices all of which are available to consumers at the click of the remote, without having to buy any additional equipment.One huge business level strategy that Comcast has apply is a newbrand. In 2010, Comcast began promoting Xfinity, the companys rebranding trademark for the function provided. With this brand, Comcast is looking to improve customer perception and reputation with this new brand. Comcasts networks and products now offer 100+ HD channels, 50 to 70 foreign linguistic communication channels, incredibly luxuriant Internet speeds and thousands of TV shows and moving pictures online for a variety of customers of all ages to enjoy whenever and wherever they would like.With the Xfinity brand in full effect, Xfinity Signature countenance is a new service for personal computers, home net working equipment and many other devices that customers connect to Comcast run 24/7. With Signature Support, Comcast customers have access to well-read and experienced IT professionals who can provide support, troubleshoo ting and online technical support, either over the phone or in the home.This type of assistances is available either as part of a periodical subscription plan or for a stand-alone creation for those one-magazine fixes, such as virus removal or connecting printers or spirited consoles wire slightly. Customers are given the opportunity to choose an equipment protection plan that provides all-encompassing warranties for computers and televisions. Comcast will not have to change its strategy to continue to operate after the merger with Time Warner Cable. Comcast uses a focused differentiation strategy, since the company looks for innovations that television, high-speed internet and phone service ratifiers will be elicit in using.General EnvironmentDemographicsIn regards to demographics, the cable industries top 10 competing TV subscriptions are Netflix, Comcast, Direct TV, Dish, The Warner Cable, Hulu, AT & T, Verizon Fios, Charter and Cox. Video subscriber Netflix is the leading c ompany with 36.2 million subscribers. Within the cable industry the subscribers surrounded by the ages of forty and sixty purchase the most subscriptions. As a result, indisputable channels are included on these cable networks in localise to appeal to subscribers that purchase most of their service. Along with the aging population, many different nationalities & ethnicities make up the demographic market. Therefore within the cable industry, different channels are included in order to provide entertainment services to viewing audience of all ethnic backgrounds.For instance, Comcast offers American Spanish row television and Telemundo in order to make their company more salable to different cultures in the cable industry environment. Telecommunications and the development of wideband internet services are the rising affluence within the cable industry. Telecommunications have become very popular within the industry serving 26 million customers (NCTA, 1). Broadband Internet ser vices within the industry make up five of the top ten residential phone companies in the country servicing 50 million customers (NCTA, 1).Socio/CulturalFrom a socio cultural standpoint, society places a lot of emphasis on a diverse non-discriminating work environment where women and men are treated equally. Within the cable industry there has been emphasis on women employment due to pre-recession levels. However, Comcast is working with these socio cultural expectations by creating a diversified non-discriminating workforce for women with interest pertaining to their cable industry by hiring more women to be a part of their team. Along, with hiring women within the cable industry the pressure to accommodate older worker plays a major role in the socio cultural environment.According to the government data, 40 percent of workers older than 55 were in the workforce as of February 2012 up from merely 29 percent in 1993. The number is expected to increase to 43.5 percent by 2018. This t rend reflects the need for many older workers either to stay in or rejoin the workforce to beef up their retirement income by temping (Greenberg 1). Temping plays a major role in society because it opens up the option for older men and women to work. However, the cable industry accommodates these workers by offering part-time positions and retirement plans with good pay. Comcast helps to accommodate older workers by providing retirement plans, salaries, and bonuses.Technology/GlobalThe cable industry delivers through broadband providing service to over 50 million customers as of year outcome 2012(NCTA 2). Some trends that consumers are looking for in cable companies are fast broadband speeds and standard cable broadband speeds ranging from 10 mps to 20 mps. Comcast iskeeping up with this trend by creating innovative services in their technologies including online streaming of their cable channels and faster Internet services (Comcast 1). In regards to global, poverty can increase t he sum of viewers that purchase TV subscriptions since this can be used as an alternative to going to the movie theaters or purchasing movies. Also, poverty can decrease the center of viewers that purchase TV subscriptions due to their lack of income.Economic/PoliticalThere are a lot of factors that contribute to the economics of cable networks. The pay TV ecosystem in the United States has set the platform of growth for cable networks. In todays society approximately 100 million US homes and business pay an average of $68 per month to a cable or satellite operator for 19 channels of telecasting programming (Grimes 1). They pay TV providers, in turn pay some $20 per subscriber per month to the cable networks in carriage fees that blend to roughly $24 billion per year. Add U.S. advertising sales agreements of $25 billion in 2011, another billion or so for the sale of content to alternate distribution outlets and a $50 billion annual revenue industry with 40+% cash flow margins c omes into focus. And that excludes the contribution from internationalistic networks that is especially significant for ESPN, CNN, MTV and the Discovery network(Grimes, 2). Therefore, it is evident that cable networks make a lot of profit in todays economy as a result of subscribers.In the economy, more people are willing to pay a subscription for a small monthly fee and as a result this has fueled new growth in their revenues as an industry. The good news for cable networks is that advertising sales trends remain strong on a demand and cost per thousand (CPM) grounding such that the industrys ad revenue growth rate of 11%(Grimes 3). This just continues to add to the revenue of cable networks as a whole to continue to make their industry worth more profit. Events such as the London Olympics and U.S elections contributed a lot to their exceeding revenues. Along with cable networks with international broadcast, has increased the growth rates of non-U.S business which is the first ti me in years that this has exceeded domestic business.The less good news is that while cable and satellite carriage fees are expected to rise at the healthy, but lower, rate of 7% this year on a per-subscriber basis, the long time of U.S. pay TV subscriber growth are over, probably constantly (Grimes 4).The year 2012 will be the first years in 33-year record of pay TV in the U.S. As a result subscribers will decline from the previous year. Younger people are paying for TV at lower rates than people of older generations. The downward flip of TV subscriptions will begin, however investors will be forced to suppose about a world in which cable networks are at long last maturing assets (Grimes 5).Industry AnalysisWhen looking at the Industry Environment of Comcast, The fiver Forces of Competition Model, created by Michael Porter, can break it down.Rivalry among competing firmsWhen looking at the different products and services that Comcast offers, their competitors come from sever al different markets. For their most known service as cable television provider, Comcast is the top cable provider, having a reported 21,690,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2013, which is sustainably more than the rest of the top 10 cable providers in the United States. The most known competitors in this market include Times Warner Cable, AT&T U-verse, and Verizon FIOS, all of which having 10,493,000 less subscribers in the country or more, making the current competition level in this area a low bane. With same companies as competitors in cable Internet services, AT&T is their highest competitor. Both companies with recorded 17 million customers and AT&T offer slightly better services compared to their prices.Even though this is the case, customers still have resided with Comcast, as they are known as the largest Internet cable provider as well. After gaining self-command of NBCUniversal, Comcast also has competition in the area of major film studios. NBCUniversal is the third largest film studio down Warner Bros Entertainment, which is owned by their new business partner, Times Warner Cable, and The Walt Disney Studios. Respectively the firms own 17.1%, 15.9%, and 13.9% of the U.S. and Canadian market share in 2013, and have been in similar position since 2005. As Comcast begins to develop new online streaming services of its cable channels and other networking systems, it will meet other competitors as well.Threat of new entrantsBecause of the criterion of time that is spent behind entering and becoming a competitor in these industries, and the fact that Comcast is the leader of them as well, the threat of new entrants that would strike the firms market share is very low. The difficulty behind making a successful worldwide cable provider is a high level barrier to entry and the current cable providers have been in existence for decades. Comcasts threat of new entrants would not transcend unless a firm was created that provided more innovating technology at a greater and widespread form.Threat of Substitute ProductsDue to the fact that new technology is being created constantly, Comcast has met new threats of substitutes in the recent years. Firms like Netflix and Hulu, which offer customers on-demand Internet streaming media, usually shows and movies that are offered on their cable channels, for low monthly rates, are substitutes that have been encountered within the past decade. This has lead to some consumers to use this service rather than paying heftier cable bills every month. This substitute threat is the reason why they are currently producing their own online streaming of their cable channels to fence with these companies, which is predicted to launch later this year.Bargaining Power of SuppliersBecause Comcast is everlastingly searching for innovating technology and software to provide their customers with new services training technology suppliers have high bargaining power against the firm. These suppliers u nderstand that they are necessary for Comcast to continue success so they will always be at high demand, and able to charge a heavy amount as well.Bargaining Power of BuyersBecause there is a limited amount of communication and cable companies in the United States, the bargaining power of buyers of Comcasts services are limited. At the same time, in order to compete with their competition in the industry, they also have to make sure that the services and the prices of those services are at levels that their customers are willing to pay. If customers believe they are not reasonable, they will convert to anotherfirms cable services. So, by voicing their opinion on Comcasts services, customers are able to bargain for what they want from the firm.RecommendationsThe long term sustainability for Comcast will be ground on their ability to streamline movies and sitcoms. This will allow them to maintain their market share from competitors like Netflix, Hulu TV, Livestream and other startup companies. In order for Comcast to ca-ca long-term sustainability, the company will have to improve the reputation that they have when it comes to their customer service. Comcast has the lowest customer-service rating of any Internet service provider. (Berr, 2014)Comcast customers are not happy with the type of service they receive and that affects the company if they would like to have a future in the television, internet, and phone service industry. Although Comcast has say that a goal of the company is to improve the customer service, the company is just not there yet. Improving the customer service will help the company tremendously for the present and for the future.Works CitedAmy Banse. Amy Banse. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. .Brian L. Roberts. Brian L. Roberts. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2014. . Comcast. Comcast Corporation Form 10-K. Comcast. Comcast, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.CMCSA Income Statement Comcast Corporation Stock Yahoo Finance. CMCSA Income Statement Comcast Corpo ration Stock Yahoo Finance. Yahoo Finance, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014. .Comcast Corp.. . Edgar Online, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 June 2014..Comcast Net Income (Quarterly). Comcast Net Income (Quarterly) (CMCSA). YCharts, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 June 2014. .Corporate hearty Responsibility Report 2012. 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Comcast NBC Universal, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 June 2014. .DArcy F. Rudnay. DArcy F. Rudnay. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 June 2014. .Develop and affiance Employees. Develop and Engage Employees. Comcast NBC Universal, 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 18 June 2014. .Cox, Kate. Why Comcast Wants To Buy Time Warner Cable, And Why TWC Wants To allow Them. Consumerist. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2014.Developing Tomorrows Professionals and Leaders. Developing Tomorrows Professionals and Leaders. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. .Fowlkes, Jasmine. Opinion Why Social Media Is Destroying Our Social Skills USA now College College News and Information provide by USA TODAY. Op inion Why Social Media Is Destroying Our Social Skills USA TODAY College College News and Information Powered by USA TODAY. N.p., 11 Oct. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.Green, R. Kay. The Social Media Effect argon You Really Who You Portray Online? The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 07 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Apr. 2014.Greenberg, Paul. Temping An Option for Older Workers. Web. 23 June 2014.Grimes Spencer. old of the Golden Age As Cable Networks Mature. Web. 23 June 2014. http//seekingalpha.com/ member/519831-sunset-of-the-golden-age-as-cable-networks-matureHorrocks, Bill. Equipping Homes for Energy Efficiency. Equipping Homes for Energy Efficiency. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.Major image Studios. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Oct. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.National Cable & Telecommunications Associations. Web. 23 June 2014. https//www.ncta.com/industry-dataPomerantz, Dorothy. Comcast Looks Set To Buy Time Warner Cable. Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.Ste lter, Brian. Comcast Agrees to Buy Time Warner Cable for $45 Billion. CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.The Women of Comcast and NBCUniversal. The Women of Comcast and NBCUniversal. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2014. .UELAND, SIG. 20 Top Internet Service Providers. Practical Ecommerce. N.p., 11 Dec. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.Warrell, Margie. Seduced by Social Media Is Facebook making You Lonely? The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 08 Nov. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.XFINITY TV. Comcast. Comcast, n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.

“Futility” by Wilfred Owen Essay

The poem titled Futility meaning uselessness or pointlessness. Owen is severe to asseverate this fight is the pointless war. The spends are useless that theyre dead. No matter how much the pass work, it doesnt worth it. The poem is compose in fourteen lines and divided into dickens verses. The two verses are transmission line each otherwise. The first verses atmosphere is rather, loopy, tender and unruffled and the second verses atmosphere give-up the ghosts more desperate, frustrate, ridiculous and demanding for something to happen.In the first verse, three verbs that describe the action of the Sun, move, gently, and touch are quite soft and tender. These verbs describe that the temperateness move softly, gently and touch the soldier to energise him up. The cheerfulness here content the solarise that shines everyday to wake the man and at the same time it may symbolize religious. The sun that utilize to wake him up and care for him. Its metaphor that the sun moves the man into the light.The third line of verse one, it mentioned that the soldier was once a farmer. The word whispering is onomatopoeia meaning the sun is whispering to the man just about the memories the man used to have on the farm. Its a soft and tender plus plead together. Unsown means that the field has non seeded but yet the sun is shining now to fork the man that its the low gear of the planting season now. In other meaning, the word unsown is metaphor that the soldier is hush too untried for them to join the war, as they havent start their adult brio yet.The fourth and fifth lines, Always it awoke him, even in France, until this morning and this snow. The sun symbolizes the warmth of smell and the snow symbolizes the coldness of death. The sun always arouses him everywhere even hes in France but this morning is various because snow has partially block the man so the man wasnt able to wake up. The word morning has two different meaning. wholeness is the everyday morning, which is the beginning of the day and the second meaning referring to the word tribulation. Owen is mourning for the man who has die.The cultivation two line of the last two line, Owen is pleading to god, please please if anything screwing rouse him now please do it and in this case only god who can do it. solitary(prenominal) the old sun that used to be very kind can wake him up now. The sun here is personified by referring the sun as old and kind. Through the whole verse Owen create the sound by using assonance of the repetition of ow sound in woke, unsown, snow, rouse, now and know.Owen used an imperative verb, think, at the beginning of the second verse. Its order the referee to think and at the same time Owen also make it sound more desperate. He is desperate to think on how the sun impart wake the seeds. The seeds here give the image of growth and nature and it symbolized the beginning of life. He is desperate to ask how god wakes the soldier that is already di ed on the ground.The third line of the second verse mention the word limbs, it has two meaning. First a limb is a branch of a tree, which insure in with the nature. Second meaning means the pair of legs, arms and wings. Owen means that god create these nature and mankind. The line after this said full-nerved, still warm, too hard to stir? Owen means that he still wearyt understand how the sun gives life to seeds, but not the centre to these soldier.The fifth line Was it for this the clay grew tall? this refer to the war. Clay is ball up and mud comes from body politic. The clay grew tall in this case the clay symbolized man. In this line Owen was asked what was this war for? Do we do all this to kill? Is this why we put him on this solid ground? So what is the point of life?The last two lines O what made fatuous sunbeams toil to break Earths sleep at all? Owen ask this question starting time with what made, he means what is the point of sending these men these men to the war and died there? Its seems so silly that the sun create life for these him and then let them died with regret.The first verse focuses upon a dead soldier and second verse asked why the sun is shining at all. wherefore there is life when there is such a suffering, Owen is trying to say if the sun can wake up life on Earth but why cant it wake up his soldier because what he thinks is that if anything could make the soldier it must be the sun.

Comparison Shopping Project

I think the first and foremost purchase consideration is the monetary value, close is the step and then is the convenience. Every consumer desires the quality of the product is groovy and the scathe is lowest. If that desire meets, the consumers allow fill the more convenient way to demoralise the Item they would Like to buy. So now there argon dickens ways for me to get the pennantard congratulate top. The market price of the poll fleece detonator now Is 99 ARM. But In the unusual online shop Is sold 106 ARM, more 7 ARM Is for the express fee. shop Comparison If I contract to buy in the UNCLE somatic component, I need pack a day when I am salve to go to the mall by bus.It takes me about 1 hour to make it there. And I pull up stakes use about 20 minutes to let the UNIQUE physical constituent. Unfortunately, the shopping mall is sacrifice at 1000 am. It may occupy all of my forenoon time. It is non a good thing for a student who is busy with her study. When I get the physical agent, there are umpteen an(prenominal) poll fleece jackets for me to select and fit. I can touch every of the poll fleece Jacket to resolve which one should I purchase. Meanwhile I can select many colors of a same style poll fleece Jacket to fit and finally pick the right color and size to purchase.Once I change my mind, I can change anyone I want onward I pay. And then I will go back by bus with my new poll fleece Jacket. The bus tickets cost me for 4 ARM, and when I get back is almost the time of the afternoon. If I choose an other way that purchase poll fleece jacket online, I would pay more 7 ARM for the dispatch fee. I open my computer, and enter the UNIQUE online shop. Then I need to go through with(predicate) all of the electronic catalogs and try to find the poll fleece Jacket entry. And then click the poll fleece Jacket links to opening to the interface.In the interface I can find many kinds of the poll fleece Jacket. Subsequently, I should scan of t he information about the product. Firstly, I will select some attractive product such as better way of life or color and put in my electronic shopping cart. Secondly, I will scan the information of these products and carefully analyze and compare with them. thither is a zone that I can slang the referral or recommendation from other consumers who has bought the product. Finally, after I Identify all these products, I will come to a best choice and purchase the desirable poll fleece jacket by online bank buildinging.To use the online banking, I must my bank card is security. The physical process totally wastes me for merely 2 hours. In the other side, I am watching the computer all the time in the duration of buying. My eyes may be tired at end. Unfortunately, my end is should non be changed. Once the order of the product is submitted and come into force, I must accept the product. Although there are something I am not well-to-do with, such as the color is dimmer Han I see on line or the size is not my size etc, I cannot return it to the seller except pay the additional dispatch money.If I am not willing to pay the extra fee, the product is a waste thing. It will be a bad shopping experience. Recommendation All of preceding(prenominal) is about the two ways to purchase. As we can see, there are spaces for the two purchasing process to improve. Buying in physical agent is not convenient for the consumer, and it wastes time. The price in the shop is the market price and may be higher than online shop. But consumers can select among many kinds of the olla fleece Jacket and purchase one they most satisfied.Foremost the quality of the product is assured. To attract more consumers to buy in the physical agent rather than online, the shop should carry out some activities such as give some presents or trial packs of the shop. Buying online is convenient to the customers, however rate of online fraud is increasing. Consumers may not always get satisfied product , and the online bank payment is also has some risks and problems. The digital certificate is not protect well, the bank need to research a new practiced invention to do that well.It is regrettable that not every product online is in good quality. So there need a third-party in the process of buying online, the third part should inspect every product marketing online to assure the quality of them. It will make many consumers buying online kinda of purchasing in the physical agent. With the development of technology, buying online may be completed the same as the physical agents in the future. The consumers can choose which purchasing process they like. And each process might not take a crap problems.

The Lost Symbol Chapter 76-78

CHAPTER 76 independence Plaza is a map.Located at the recess of Pennsylvania Avenue and Thirteenth Street, the piazzas vast surface of inlaid st wholeness depicts the streets of Washington as they were origin in ally envisioned by Pierre LEnfant. The plaza is a popular tourist destination non however because the large map is fun to walk on, nevertheless also because Martin Luther King Jr., for whom e creationcipation Plaza is named, wrote much of his I Have a Dream patois in the nearby Willard Hotel.D.C. cabdriver Omar Amirana brought tourists to Freedom Plaza all the eon, but to dark, his twain passengers were obviously no ordinary sightseers. The CIA is chasing them? Omar had b atomic number 18ly come to a stop at the curb onward the military personnel and adult female had jumped prohibited. lie duty here the existence in the tweed coat told Omar. Well be right bumOmar check intoed the two people dash issue onto the go forthlaw(a) posts of the enormous map, po inting and shouting as they scanned the geometry of intersecting streets. Omar grabbed his cell telephone traffic circle false the dashboard. Sir, atomic number 18 you establish oer in that respect?Yes, Omar a vo rubbish shouted, b bely sonic every rig a thundering noise on his end of the line. Where are they now?Out on the map. It seems standardised theyre looking for something.Do non allow them out of your sight, the broker shouted. Im al close thereOmar watched as the two fugitives rapidly found the plazas far-famed Great sealing waxone of the largest tan medallions ever cast. They stood over it a mo manpowert and quickly began pointing to the southwestwardwest. then(prenominal) the man in tweed came racing derriere toward the cab. Omar quickly set his phone down on the dashboard as the man arrived, breathless.Which direction is Alexandria, Virginia? he demanded.Alexandria? Omar pointed southwest, the exact same direction the man and cleaning lady had just now pointed toward.I knew it the man whispe rosy under his breath. He spun and shouted binding to the woman. Youre right AlexandriaThe woman now pointed across the plaza to an illuminated Metro trace nearby. The Blue Line goes flat there. We want King Street pointOmar mat a surge of panic. Oh no.The man off-key rearwards to Omar and handed him entirely too many bills for the fare. Thanks. Were all set. He hoisted his lash bag and ran cancelled.Wait I can drive you I go there all the time tho it was too late. The man and woman were already dashing across the plaza. They disappeared down the stairs into the Metro affectionateness pipe station.Omar grabbed his cell phone. Sir They ran down into the pipe I couldnt stop them Theyre taking the Blue Line to AlexandriaStay right there the federal agent shouted. Ill be there in fifteen secondsOmar looked down at the wad of bills the man had given him. The bill on top was apparently the one they had been piece of writing on. It had a Jewish star on top of the Great Seal of the United States. Sure enough, the stars points fell on letters that spelled MASON.Without warning, Omar matt-up a deafening vibration all near him, as if a tractor drone pipe were intimately to collide with his cab. He looked up, but the street was deserted. The noise increased, and curtly a sleek glum chopper dropped down out of the nighttime and landed hard in the middle of the plaza map.A assort of black-clad men jumped out. Most ran toward the subway station, but one came dashing toward Omars cab. He yanked open the passenger room access. Omar? Is that you?Omar nodded, speechless.Did they say where they were chieftained? the agent demanded.Alexandria King Street Station, Omar blurted. I suggested to drive, butDid they say where in Alexandria they were press release?No They looked at the medallion of the Great Seal on the plaza, then they asked about Alexandria, and they paid me with this. He handed the agent the dolla r bill with the bizarre diagram. As the agent studied the bill, Omar suddenly put it all together. The Masons Alexandria unmatched of the most famous masonic buildings in America was in Alexandria. Thats it he blurted. The George Washington Masonic repository Its directly across from King Street StationThat it is, the agent said, apparently having just come to the same realization as the time out of the agents came sprinting back from the station.We missed them one of the men yelled. Blue Line just left Theyre not down thereAgent Simkins checked his watch and turned back to Omar. How long does the subway take to Alexandria? Ten minutes at least. Probably much than.Omar, youve done an excellent job. Thank you.Sure. Whats this all about?But Agent Simkins was already holdning back to the eggbeater, shouting as he went. King Street Station Well get there sooner they doBewildered, Omar watched the great black bird lift off. It banked hard to the south across Pennsylvania Avenue, and then thundered off into the night.Underneath the cabbies feet, a subway mark off was picking up speed as it headed extraneous from Freedom Plaza. On board, Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon sit breathless, neither one saying a intelligence information as the delay whisked them toward their destination.CHAPTER 77The memory always began the same way.He was falling . . . plummeting backward toward an ice-covered river at the bottom of a deep ravine. higher up him, the merciless gray eyes of rooster Solomon stared down over the bbl of Andross handgun. As he fell, the world above him receded, everything disappearing as he was enveloped by the cloud of billo flank mist from the waterfall upstream.For an instant, everything was white, like heaven. indeed he hit the ice.Cold. Black. Pain.He was tumbling . . . macrocosm dragged by a business leaderful force that pounded him relentlessly across rocks in an impossibly nippy void. His lungs ached for air, and yet his chest mu scles had contracted so violently in the polar that he was unable even to inhale.Im under the ice.The ice near the waterfall was apparently thin on account of the turbulent water, and Andros had broken directly done it. Now he was being washed downstream, trapped beneath a transparent ceiling. He clawed at the underside of the ice, laborious to conflagrate out, but he had no leverage. The searing pain from the bullet jumble in his shoulder was evaporating, as was the sting of the bird stroking both were blotted out now by the crippling throb of his body going numb.The current was accelerating, slingshotting him around a bend in the river. His body screamed for oxygen. all at once he was tangled in branches, lodged against a tree that had fallen into the water. call in He groped wildly at the branch, working his way toward the surface, finding the peak where the branch pierced up through the ice. His fingertips found the tiny space of open water surrounding the branch, and he pulled at the edges, trying to break the hole wider once, twice, the opening was growing, now several inches across.Propping himself against the branch, he tipped his head back and pressed his mouth against the minute opening. The winter air that poured into his lungs mat up warm. The sudden burst of oxygen fueled his hope. He planted his feet on the tree trunk and pressed his back and shoulders forcefully upward. The ice around the fallen tree, perforated by branches and debris, was weakened already, and as he legion his powerful legs into the trunk, his head and shoulders broke through the ice, crashing up into the winter night. manner poured into his lungs. Still mostly submerged, he wriggled desperately upward, pushing with his legs, pulling with his arms, until lastly he was out of the water, hypocrisy breathless on the bare ice.Andros tear off his soaked ski mask and pocketed it, glancing back upstream for calamus Solomon. The bend in the river obscured his view. Hi s chest was burning again. Quietly, he dragged a small branch over the hole in the ice in set out to hide it. The hole would be frozen again by morning.As Andros staggered into the woods, it began to play false. He had no idea how far he had run when he stumbled out of the woods onto an embankment beside a small highway. He was delirious and hyp primal(a)mic. The snow was falling harder now, and a single set of head glisters approached in the distance. Andros waved wildly, and the lone tone arm truck straightway pulled over. It had Vermont plates. An old man in a red plaid shirt jumped out.Andros staggered toward him, holding his bleeding chest. A hunter . . . shot me I need a . . . hospitalWithout hesitation, the old man helped Andros up into the passenger seat of the truck and turned up the heater. Wheres the nearest hospital?Andros had no idea, but he pointed south. close exit. Were not going to a hospital.The old man from Vermont was reported missing the attached day, b ut nought had any idea where on his journey from Vermont he might bring on disappeared in the blinding snowstorm. Nor did anyone link his disappearance to the opposite intelligence summons composition that dominated the headlines the next daythe shocking murder of Isabel Solomon.When Andros awoke, he was lying in a desolate bedroom of a cheap motel that had been boarded up for the season. He recalled breaking in and binding his wounds with torn bedsheets, and then burrowing into a flimsy bed beneath a pile of musty blankets. He was famished.He limped to the bathroom and saw the pile of bloody bird-shot pellets in the sink. He vaguely recalled prying them out of his chest. Raising his eyes to the dirty mirror, he reluctantly unwrapped his bloody bandages to survey the damage. The hard muscles of his chest and venter had stopped the bird shot from penetrating too deep, and yet his body, once perfect, was now ruined with wounds. The single bullet fired by dig Solomon had appare ntly gone cleanly through his shoulder, leaving a bloody crater.Making matters worse, Andros had failed to obtain that for which he had traveled all this distance. The pyramid. His stomach growled, and he limped outside to the mans truck, hoping maybe to find food. The pickup was now covered with minatory snow, and Andros wondered how long he had been sleeping in this old motel. Thank idol I woke up. Andros found no food anywhere in the straw man seat, but he did find some arthritis painkillers in the glove compartment. He took a handful, washing them down with several mouthfuls of snow.I need food.A few hours subsequently, the pickup that pulled out from behind the old motel looked nothing like the truck that had pulled in two days earlier. The cab cap was missing, as were the hubcaps, bumper stickers, and all of the trim. The Vermont plates were gone, replaced by those from an old maintenance truck Andros had found position by the motel Dumpster, into which he had thrown all the bloody sheets, bird shot, and other evidence that he had ever been at the motel.Andros had not given up on the pyramid, but for the moment it would have to wait. He needed to hide, heal, and above all, eat. He found a roadside diner where he gorged himself on eggs, bacon, hash browns, and three glasses of orange juice. When he was done, he say much food to go. Back on the road, Andros listened to the trucks old radio. He had not seen a television or newspaper since his ordeal, and when he finally hear a local news station, the report stunned him.FBI investigators, a news announcer said, continue their search for the armed intruder who murdered Isabel Solomon in her Potomac national two days ago. The murderer is believed to have fallen through the ice and been washed out to sea.Andros froze. Murdered Isabel Solomon? He drove on in bewildered silence, listening to the full report.It was time to get far, far away from this place.The Upper West Side apartment offered breathtaking views of exchange Park. Andros had elect it because the sea of green outside his window reminded him of his lost view of the Adriatic. Although he knew he should be happy to be alive, he was not. The emptiness had never left him, and he found himself fixated on his failed attempt to steal Peter Solomons pyramid.Andros had spent long hours researching the Legend of the Masonic Pyramid, and although nobody seemed to agree on whether or not the pyramid was real, they all concurred on its famous cry of vast wiseness and power. The Masonic Pyramid is real, Andros told himself. My deep down information is irrefutable. helping had placed the pyramid within Andross reach, and he knew that ignoring it was like holding a winning lottery ticket and never cashing it in. I am the only non-Mason alive who knows the pyramid is real . . . as well as the individuality of the man who guards it.Months had passed, and although his body had healed, Andros was no longer the cocky specimen he had be en in Greece. He had stopped working out, and he had stopped admiring himself in the altogether in the mirror. He felt as if his body were lightning to march signs of age. His once-perfect skin was a patchwork of s cars, and this only depressed him further. He still relied on the painkillers that had nursed him through his recovery, and he felt himself slipping back to the lifestyle that had put him in Soganlik Prison. He didnt care. The body craves what the body craves.One night, he was in Greenwich Village buying drugs from a man whose build up had been tattooed with a long, jagged lightning bolt. Andros asked him about it, and the man told him the tattoo was covering a long scar he had gotten in a car accident. visual perception the scar every day reminded me of the accident, the dealer said, and so I tattooed over it with a symbol of personal power. I took back control.That night, high on his new stash of drugs, Andros staggered into a local tattoo parlor and took off his sh irt. I want to hide these scars, he announced. I want to take back control.Hide them? The tattoo mechanic eyed his chest. With what?Tattoos.Yes . . . I pissed tattoos of what? Andros shrugged, wanting nothing more than to hide the ugly reminders of his past. I dont know. You choose.The artist shook his head and handed Andros a pamphlet on the antique and sublime tradition of tattooing. Come back when youre ready.Andros discovered that the New York world Library had in its collection fifty-three books on tattooing, and within a few weeks, he had read them all. Having rediscovered his passion for reading, he began carrying entire backpacks of books back and forth in the midst of the library and his apartment, where he voraciously devoured them while overlooking Central Park.These books on tattoos had opened a door to a peculiar world Andros had never known existeda world of symbols, mysticism, mythology, and the magical arts. The more he read, the more he cognize how blind he had been. He began keeping notebooks of his ideas, his sketches, and his strange dreams. When he could no longer find what he wanted at the library, he paid rare-book dealers to purchase for him some of the most esoteric texts on earth.De Praestigiis Daemonum . . . Lemegeton . . . Ars Almadel . . . Grimorium Verum . . . Ars Notoria . . . and on and on. He read them all, becoming more and more certain that the world still had many apprizes yet to offer him. there are secrets out there that transcend human understanding.Then he discovered the writings of Aleister Crowleya visionary mystic from the early 1900s whom the church had deemed the most evil man who ever lived. Great minds are always feared by lesser minds. Andros learned about the power of ritual and incantation. He learned that sacred words, if properly spoken, functioned like keys that opened gateways to other worlds. There is a shadow universe beyond this one . . . a world from which I can draw power. And although Andr os longed to harness that power, he knew there were rules and tasks to be completed beforehand.Become something holy, Crowley wrote. Make yourself sacred.The antediluvian patriarch rite of sacred making had once been the law of the land. From the early Hebrews who made burnt offerings at the Temple, to the Mayans who beheaded humans atop the pyramids of Chichen Itza, to Jesus Christ, who offered his body on the cross, the antediluvians understood Gods requirement for afford. Sacrifice was the original ritual by which humans pull favor from the gods and made themselves holy.Sacrasacred.Face ferment.Even though the rite of sacrifice had been abandoned eons ago, its power remained. There had been a handful of modern mystics, including Aleister Crowley, who secure the Art, perfecting it over time, and transforming themselves gradually into something more. Andros craved to transform himself as they had. And yet he knew he would have to cross a dangerous bridge to do so.Blood is all that separates the light from the dark.One night, a crow flew through Andross open bathroom window and got trapped in his apartment. Andros watched the bird joggle around for a while and then finally stop, apparently evaluate its inability to escape. Andros had learned enough to recognize a sign. I am being urged onward.Clutching the bird in one hand, he stood at the jury-rigged altar in his kitchen and raised a sharp wound, speaking obstreperously the incantation he had memorized.Camiach, Eomiahe, Emial, Macbal, Emoii, Zazean . . . by the most holy names of the angels in the Book of Assamaian, I conjure thee that thou assist me in this operation by the power of the One True God. Andros now lowered the knife and cautiously pierced the large vein on the right wing of the panicked bird. The crow began to bleed. As he watched the stream of red melted flowing down into the metal cup he had placed as a receptacle, he felt an unexpected chill in the air. Nonetheless, he continued.A lmighty Adonai, Arathron, Ashai, Elohim, Elohi, Elion, Asher Eheieh, Shaddai . . . be my aid, so that this blood may have power and efficacy in all wherein I shall wish, and in all that I shall demand.That night, he dreamed of birds . . . of a giant phoenix rising from a billowing fire. The next morning, he awoke with an energy he had not felt since childhood. He went running in the park, faster and farther than hed imagined possible. When he could run no longer, he stopped to do pushups and sit-ups. Countless repetitions. Still he had energy.That night, again, he dreamed of the phoenix.Autumn had fallen again on Central Park, and the wildlife were scurrying about searching for food for winter. Andros despised the cold, and yet his carefully hidden traps were now overflowing with live rats and squirrels. He took them home in his backpack, performing rituals of change magnitude complexity.Emanual, Massiach, Yod, He, Vaud . . . please find me worthy.The blood rituals fueled his vital ity. Andros felt younger every day. He continued to read day and nightancient mystical texts, epic medieval poems, the early philosophersand the more he learned about the original nature of things, the more he realized that all hope for mankind was lost. They are blind . . . wandering aimlessly in a world they will never understand.Andros was still a man, but he sensed he was evolving into something else. Something greater. Something sacred. His massive physique had emerged from dormancy, more powerful now than ever before. He finally understood its true purpose. My body is but a vessel for my most potent treasure . . . my mind.Andros knew his true potential had not yet been realized, and he delved deeper. What is my destiny? exclusively the ancient texts spoke of good and evil . . . and of mans need to choose between them. I made my choice long ago, he knew, and yet he felt no remorse. What is evil, if not a natural law? tincture followed light. Chaos followed order. Entropy was fundamental. Everything decayed. The perfectly ordered crystal eventually turned into random particles of dust.There are those who create . . . and those who destroy.It was not until Andros read rump Miltons Paradise Lost that he saw his destiny materialize before him. He read of the great fallen angel . . . the warrior demon who fought against the light . . . the valiant one . . . the angel called Moloch. Moloch walked the earth as a god. The angels name, Andros later learned, when translated to the ancient tongue, became Malakh.And so shall I.Like all great transformations, this one had to begin with a sacrifice . . . but not of rats, nor birds. No, this transformation required a true sacrifice.There is but one worthy sacrifice.Suddenly he had a sense of clarity unlike anything he had ever see in his life. His entire destiny had materialized. For three straight days he sketched on an enormous sheet of paper. When he was done, he had created a purpose of what he would become.He hung the life-size sketch on his wall and gazed into it as if into a mirror.I am a masterpiece.The next day, he took his force to the tattoo parlor.He was ready.CHAPTER 78The George Washington Masonic Memorial stands atop Shuters Hill in Alexandria, Virginia. Built in three distinct tiers of increasing architectural complexity from bottom to topDoric, Ionic, and Corinthianthe structure stands as a physical symbol of mans intellectual ascent. Inspired by the ancient Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, this soaring tower is capped by an Egyptian pyramid with a flamelike finial.Inside the spectacular marble foyer sits a massive bronze of George Washington in full Masonic regalia, along with the actual trowel he used to lay the cornerstone of the Capitol Building. supra the foyer, nine different levels bear names like the Grotto, the Crypt Room, and the Knights Templar Chapel. Among the treasures housed within these spaces are over twenty thousand volumes of Masonic writings, a da zzling facsimile of the Ark of the Covenant, and even a scale model of the throne room in King Solomons Temple.CIA agent Simkins checked his watch as the modified UH-60 chopper skimmed in low over the Potomac. Six minutes until their set arrives. He exhaled and gazed out the window at the shining Masonic Memorial on the horizon. He had to admit, the brilliantly shining tower was as thundering as any building on the National Mall. Simkins had never been inwardly the memorial, and tonight would be no different. If all went according to plan, Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon would never make it out of the subway station.Over there Simkins shouted to the pilot, pointing down at the King Street subway station across from the memorial. The pilot banked the helicopter and set it down on a grassy area at the foot of Shuters Hill.Pedestrians looked up in surprise as Simkins and his squad piled out, rush across the street, and ran down into King Street Station. In the stairwell, sev eral departing passengers leaped out of the way, plastering themselves to the walls as the phalanx of armed men in black thundered past them.The King Street Station was larger than Simkins had anticipated, apparently fate several different linesBlue, Yellow, and Amtrak. He raced over to the Metro map on the wall, found Freedom Plaza and the direct line to this location.Blue Line, south platform Simkins shouted. Get down there and clear everyone out His team dart off.Simkins rushed over to the ticket booth, flashed his identification, and shouted to the woman inside. The next train from Metro Centerwhat time is it due?The woman inside looked frightened. Im not sure. Blue Line arrives every eleven minutes. Theres no set schedule.How long since the last train?Five . . . six minutes, maybe? No more than that.Turner did the math. Perfect. The next train had to be Langdons.Inside a fast-moving subway car, Katherine Solomon shifted uncomfortably on the hard plastic seat. The bright lig ht lights overhead hurt her eyes, and she fought the impulse to let her eyelids close, even for a second. Langdon sat beside her in the empty car, staring blankly down at the leather bag at his feet. His eyelids looked heavy, too, as if the rhythmic sway of the moving car were lulling him into a trance.Katherine pictured the strange contents of Langdons bag. Why does the CIA want this pyramid? Bellamy had said that Sato might be pursuing the pyramid because she knew its true potential. But even if this pyramid somehow did reveal the hiding place of ancient secrets, Katherine found it hard to believe that its promise of primeval mystical wisdom would interest the CIA.Then again, she reminded herself, the CIA had been caught several times running parapsychological or psi schedules that bordered on ancient magic and mysticism. In 1995, the Stargate/Scannate scandalisation had exposed a classified CIA technology called remote viewinga kind of telepathic mind travel that enabled a view er to beguile his minds eye to any location on earth and spy there, without being physically present. Of course, the technology was nothing new. Mystics called it astral projection, and yogis called it out-of-body experience. Unfortunately, horrified American taxpayers called it absurd, and the program had been scuttled. At least publicly.Ironically, Katherine saw remarkable connections between the CIAs failed programs and her own breakthroughs in Noetic Science.Katherine felt eager to call the police and find out if they had discovered anything in Kalorama Heights, but she and Langdon were phoneless now, and making contact with the authorities would likely be a mistake anyway there was no express how far Satos reach extended.Patience, Katherine. Within minutes, they would be in a near hiding place, guests of a man who had assured them he could provide answers. Katherine hoped his answers, whatever they might be, would help her save her brother.Robert? she whispered, glancing u p at the subway map. Next stop is ours.Langdon emerged belatedly from his daydream. Right, thanks. As the train mutteringd toward the station, he collected his daybag and gave Katherine an unsealed glance. Lets just hope our arrival is uneventful.By the time Turner Simkins dashed down to join his men, the subway platform had been entirely cleared, and his team was fanning out, taking up positions behind the support pillars that ran the length of the platform. A distant rumble echoed in the tunnel at the other end of the platform, and as it grew louder, Simkins felt the push of stale warm air billowing around him.No escape, Mr. Langdon.Simkins turned to the two agents he had told to join him on the platform. Identification and weapons out. These trains are automated, but they all have a film director who opens the doors. Find him.The trains headlight now appeared down the tunnel, and the sound of squealing brakes pierced the air. As the train burst into the station and began slo wing down, Simkins and his two agents leaned out over the track, waving CIA identification badges and straining to make eye contact with the conductor before he could open the doors.The train was closing fast. In the deuce-ace car, Simkins finally saw the startled face of the conductor, who was apparently trying to control out why three men in black were all waving identification badges at him. Simkins jogged toward the train, which was now nearing a full stop.CIA Simkins shouted, holding up his ID. Do NOT open the doors As the train glided slowly past him, he went toward the conductors car, shouting in at him. Do not open your doors Do you understand? Do NOT open your doorsThe train came to a full stop, its wide-eyed conductor nodding repeatedly. Whats wrong? the man demanded through his side window.Dont let this train move, Simkins said. And dont open the doors.Okay.Can you let us into the commencement ceremony car?The conductor nodded. Looking fearful, he stepped out of the tr ain, closing the door behind him. He escorted Simkins and his men to the first car, where he manually opened the door.Lock it behind us, Simkins said, pulling his weapon. Simkins and his men stepped quickly into the stark light of the first car. The conductor locked the door behind them.The first car contained only four passengersthree teenage boys and an old womanall of whom looked understandably startled to see three armed men entering. Simkins held up his ID. Everythings fine. Just stay seated.Simkins and his men now began their sweep, pushing toward the back of the sealed train one car at a timesqueezing toothpaste, as it was called during his training at the Farm. Very few passengers were on this train, and halfway to the back, the agents still had seen nobody even remotely resembling the description of Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon. Nonetheless, Simkins remained confident. There was absolutely no place to hide on a subway car. No bathrooms, no storage, and no alternativ e exits. Even if the targets had seen them board the train and fled to the back, there was no way out. Prying open a door was almost impossible, and Simkins had men watching the platform and both sides of the train anyway.Patience.By the time Simkins reached the second-to-last car, however, he was feeling edgy. This penultimate car had only one passengera Chinese man. Simkins and his agents move through, scanning for any place to hide. There was none.Last car, Simkins said, raising his weapon as the threesome moved toward the threshold of the trains final section. As they stepped into the last car, all three of them immediately stopped and stared.What the . . . ? Simkins raced to the rear of the deserted cabin, searching behind all the seats. He spun back to his men, blood boiling. Where the hell did they go?

Dickens’ Hard Times: His Penchant for Romantic Principles Essay

problematic Times is a rare example of fiction spun out of actually prosaic materials. nonetheless it possesses certain romantic characteristics of brooding tenderness and deep sympathy for the ignored and the underprivileged which became hall mark of Charles dickens novels. It also displays a suffer melancholy, a mournful reflectiveness and a quantity of self-indulgent sen snipntality. The American scholarly person A. O. Lovejoy argues that the word romantic has come to mean so many things that, by itself, it means nothing at all.It may seem that repetition has wrung the action out of the term, yet it still appears to be as potentially sustaining as a twist of pemmican. It is a word at once subjective and useless. F. L. Lucas has counted 11,396 definitions of romanticism. (Cuddon. 767). But we are more concerned with the definition of a course to exalt the individual and his needs and emphasis on the need for a freer and more personal expression. (Cuddon. 769-70) The entir e novel in three separate is built up on the romantic and nature imagery of sowing reaping and garnering of harvest.It is an representative of the biblical saying As you sow, so your reap. The initial book of sowing begins with the seeds of wrong(p) information by Mr. Thomas Gradgrind In this life, we want nothing tho Facts, sir nothing besides Facts (Hard Times. 3) But as the story develops, we find that it is this nurture of hard facts which runs riot and destroys the happiness of his own children, gobbler and Louisa. daemon creates a poignant novel out of misplaced affections and social exploitations.Ironically, his son and daughter, Tom and Louisa, are misled by their fathers unimaginative information. They get along with the wretched Sissy Jupe, the daughter of a poor circus doer and suffer at the hands of the hard-hearted school master. Sissy is forced by circumstances to leave school and work as a business firm companion to Tom and Louisa who prefer the world of imagination so vehemently denounced by their father. Louisas first blunder is to run into an incompatible espousal with a man of fifty when she is just eighteen.It turns out to be a marriage of convenience with a highbrow aristocrat named Joshia Bounderby who unabashedly declares I have watched her bringing-up, and I believe she is fitting of me. At the same time not to deceive youI believe I am worthy of her. (Hard Times. 84) The reason for such odd marriage is her comrade Tom who seeks a position in Bounderbys bank.Dickens exposes the hypocrisy behind the veneering of Victorian idealism. Interwoven with it is the sub-plot of unfortunate Mr.Stephen Blackpool who jumps from the frying pan into the fire by his attempt to run away from his alcoholic wife. His love for Rachel is frustrated as he gets no help from anyone to divorce his wife. Moreover, he is witch hunt for a false charge of robbing the bank which is actually masterminded by than Tom. passim the novel Dickens explor es the conflict between the world of facts and imagination in children and its effects in their freshr life, as the New Testament says by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7. 20)Being a drop-out Sissy is lucky to have send off Gradgrinds soul-destroying education and upgrades its futility. Dickens story depicts the suffering of victims, oddly women, for whom we feel great sympathy. The underdogs include Sissy and his poor father Mr. Jupe, the disquieted Blackpool and Mrs Pegler. Rachael is romantically attached to Blackpool and spends sleepless night to be with him, but it is an mockery of fate that she has to serve Stephens sick wife in destitute lodgings.Like Sissy, she is an angel who lives for others. In Victorian society her relationship with a married man can hardly be expected to be respectable. In a moving speech she reveals her feeling of guilt for her misjudgment. Mrs Gradgrind first carries out her husbands philosophy only to realize late its folly and advi ces Louisa to pay heed to Sissy. Mrs. Pegler is another victim of wrong education. Her megalomaniac son, Bounderby, tries to prove how he has succeeded de enkindle his neglected childhood, but his allegations are proved to be false.The romantic interest in the story is sustained in Hard Times by Louisa Gradgrind. Against her fathers warning, she peeps at the circus and comes to her brothers defense by asserting her curiosity. Because of her immaturity she is exploited by James Harthouse yet she shows considerable wisdom by being very sensitive to her mother in death bed. Harthouse has his charm of personality, particularly for the population he akins. Mr. Harthouses romantic affair with Louisa is marred by the green-eyed monster and suspicion of Mrs Sparsit.Sissy Jupe is associated with the heavenly ray of sunlight. In spite of the halo, she is down-to-earth and she makes a last attempt to hide Tom in the circus when he is implicated in robbery. It is touching to see her comfort Rachael when she waits for Blackpool. There are also victims of incompatible marriage like Louisa and Bounderby, as well as Blackpool and his drunken wife. Louisas marriage is a dedicate to provide her brother with a job, but he repays this sacrifice with give off ingratitude by robbing the bank that provides him with livelihood.Most of them are victims of wrong education imparted by Thomas Gradgrinds model school. Failed marriage is a recurrent theme in Dickens novels. In David Copperfield, for example, the marriage with the sweet-flavored doll-like Dora crumbles to make way for a sensible marriage with mature Agnes. Dickens himself was romantic like his hero and had an incompatible marriage with Maria which bust up in 1833 when he became free to marry Catherine Hogarth in 1836. though she bore thirteen children, her marriage broke up in 1858 when Dickens developed a romantic affair with actress Ellen Ternan.Dickens spins a memorable tale out of the sordid industrialized life of nineteenth snow England Coketown with its blackened factories, downtrodden workers and polluted environment. Dickens gives a vivid picture It was a town of red brick, or brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it but as matters stood it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage. .. It has a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where at that place was a rattling and trembling all day long..(Hard Times. 18)His concern for temper being substituted by man-made machines is expressed in no doubtful terms A special contrast, as every man was in the forest of looms where Stephen worked, to the crashing, smashing, tearing piece of mechanism at which he laboured. neer fear, good people of an anxious turn of mind, that Art will lodge Nature to oblivion. (Hard Times. 54) This horrid picture of an industrialized town presupposes a romantic nostalgia for t he natural beauty of the pre-industrialized era.The plot of Hard Times hinges on the stick-to-hard-facts education imparted by Mr.Gradgrind Herein lay the spring of the mechanical art and mystery of educating the reason without stooping to the cultivation of the sentiments and affections. Never wonder. (Hard Times. 39) But his philosophy is defeat by his own children who secretly wondered about human beings nature, human passions, human hopes and fears, the struggles, mirths and defeats, the cares and joys and sorrows, the lives of death of common men and women (Hard Times. 39) Herein lies dickens romanticism the triumph of the mind over matter.