My Favourite Communication Essay Example for Free

My Favorite Communication Essay Prologue to correspondence, I have more information, and abilities yet in addition having genuine encounters. Nonverbal Communication and setting up relationship level significance which are the most significant things I had been educated. Nonverbal correspondence is urgent seeing someone since it is basically the main factor for correspondence. There are three distinct ways that nonverbal correspondence is appeared seeing someone: responsiveness, enjoying, and power. Responsiveness is the point at which we utilize our eye to eye connection, stance, and body motions to pass on our feelings and contemplations to the next individual. For example, if somebody somehow happened to slump in their seat and have an exhausted look all over, they are most likely passing on that they dont care about the class or that they are not keen on whatever is being said. Loving is an approach to show positive correspondence towards others. Instances of this would be grins, embraces, kisses, high fives, and so forth. Finding out about nonverbal correspondence and how it builds up relationship level importance is pivotal in my regular day to day existence. Nonverbal correspondence is fundamental in any relationship so finding out about responsiveness, loving, and power, will give me a superior comprehension on the quality and level of my connections. For example, when I am working with a gathering at college, I will have the option to all the more likely comprehend and have better attention to the individuals who need to work and the individuals who don't. It assists with bettering comprehend nonverbal correspondence as well as to know about it in each circumstance. In my future profession, nonverbal correspondence will assume a basic job. On the off chance that I am to seek after a calling in gesture based communication deciphering, I should have the option to tune my faculties to everything nonverbal. Gesture based communication is about outward appearance and non-verbal communication, so finding out about stances and motions in nonverbal correspondence will truly give me an instrument to know about the nonverbal practices.

Is There A God This Has Been One Of The Most Debated Questions Of Man

Is there a God? This has been one of the most discussed inquiries of humankind. Strict symbols, history specialists, archeologists, and others have addressed, explored, and again scrutinized the presence of God. In his Discourse on Method, Ren? Descartes endeavors to respond to this inquiry by methods for a careful procedure. He intends to control his perusers by the hand to show up at his statement that there is, actually, a ?Nature more flawless than [ourselves]? (Potter 29) In Part IV of the Discourse on Method, Descartes endeavors to persuade his perusers of the specific presence of a predominant being. This is an extremely key technique on Descartes' part. In the wake of perusing three full segments of Descartes' criticism on how they ought to go about existence, perusers are captured in a universe of uncertainty; a world to which Descartes has driven them, and a world wherein he is the just a single ready to get them out. While in Descartes' universe of uncertainty, the peruser discovers oneself unearthing a to some degree protracted section concerning the presence of God. Subsequent to perusing this passage, the peruser is persuaded that Descartes is right in his case, for he drove the peruser by the hand through his talk, and his verification of God. Following Descartes' thought that everything must have a reason, and the reason must have as much reality as the impact, Descartes demonstrates the presence of God. Descartes additionally utilizes his cogito to help his coherent movement. This movement is as per the following: He has a thought of God, an endlessly impeccable being; the possibility of God has formal presence; whatever has formal presence must have an officially existing reason; there must be as much all out flawlessness in the reason for the thought as there is in the thought itself; his concept of God has boundless all out flawlessness; along these lines, God has formal presence. He has separated his procedure to the minimum necessities for the peruser. This is the thing that persuades that Descartes is right. His technique is so basic, so compact, that any questioning peruser is persuaded by the negligible straightforwardness of his contention. He proceeds once this is set up. He declares that a Perfect Being must exist, for he realizes he isn't great, thusly something must be great. He is sure that he isn't great, since he likewise declares that assuredness is more impeccable than question. Since Descartes is continually questioning, his case is completely substantial. In particular, he expresses that: I should hold this idea from some Nature which in all actuality was increasingly great. Concerning the considerations of numerous different articles outer to me, as of the sky, the earth, light, heat, and a thousand more, I was less at a misfortune to know whence these came; for since I commented in them nothing which appeared to render them better than myself, I can imagine how, if these were valid, they were conditions on my own inclination, to the extent that it had a specific flawlessness, and, on the off chance that they were bogus, that I held them from nothing, in other words, that they were in me due to a specific blemish of my tendency. Yet, this couldn't be the situation with the possibility of a nature more immaculate than myself. . . (29) This is the another bit of the establishment of Descartes' contention for the presence of a God. Descartes utilizes everything that he sees to help his contention. As it were, he states that all that he sees must originate from some place, and if all that he sees are falsities of his detects, this is essentially another demonstration of his defect. Descartes has demonstrated the presence of an ideal being. This ideal being, in any case, doesn't canote all that the peruser considers when the person in question considers, ?God?. Descartes has just demonstrated the presence of a being that is great. Descartes' God is to some degree his very own portrayal defects, for the Perfect Being that he depicts doesn't question, knows all, and considers all to be clear and unmistakable. In his third contemplation, he expounds further into his reality of God. Descartes has the speculation of a detestable evil presence beguiling him constantly. Descartes utilizes one more splendid

Does Your Credit Score Show up on a Background Check

Does Your Credit Score Show up on a Background Check Does Your Credit Score Show up on a Background Check? Does Your Credit Score Show up on a Background Check?Background checks can return all sorts of information about your past (and present) that youd rather keep secret. But will it return your credit score?It’s the question everyone is asking: “does your credit score show up on a background check?”Or maybe they’re asking “what is a credit score?” or “why would I have to have a background check?”Well, those questions and more will soon be answered for you! Buckle in, because you’re about to go on a roller coaster. A roller coaster of knowledge! What is a credit score anyway?A credit score is a three-digit number created from information collected by the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. That information is compiled into credit reports and is fed through a formula (most commonly supplied by the FICO corporation) to create your score. That score is a number that  creditors use to determine if they’re going to lend to you and at what rate.Yo ur credit score is made of five parts.The largest part, your payment history, makes up 35 percent of your overall score. This is, essentially, whether you pay your bills on time. Obviously, whether or not you’ll be paying the loan back is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, factor a lender takes into account when deciding to lend to you. So whether or not you’ve paid your previous loans and other bills on time is going to be a major consideration.Amounts owed, at only five percent less, is the next largest part of your credit score. It is an accounting of the current debts you owe, as lenders will suspect you’ll be less able to handle additional obligations if you owe a lot already. The only kinds of loans that probably wont show up are no credit check loans like payday loans, cash advances, and title loans.Jumping down to 15 percent, is the length of your credit history. If you’ve been handling your finances well for 10 years, that tells a potential lender a lot more th an if you’ve been handling them well for six months.The last two parts of your credit score are worth 10 percent each. One is your credit mix, which concerns the specific kinds of debt you hold. Certain debts will reflect more positively on your credit score while having no debt at all can actually be a negative. Lenders would rather see you taking out personal loans or using a credit card and paying them off in full and on time than avoiding credit at all.The last 10 percent comes from new credit inquiries. When a potential lender performs what’s known as a “hard credit check” it will temporarily show up on your credit report. Lenders feel uncomfortable if they know you’re trying to take out multiple loans all at once. (There are exceptions for inquiries made within a certain short-term period to encourage shopping around for the best rate.)  Soft credit checks, on the other hand, do not show up on your credit report.Put all that information together, and you get your cre dit score. A credit score higher than 720 and you’re in great shape. Lower than 630, and you’ll be really running into trouble.When will you get a background check?Anyone has the ability to run a background check on you with your consent. However, most commonly a person will be asked to undergo a background check if they’re trying to apply for an apartment or a job.If your credit score is less than ideal, you may be worried it could show up on a background check. Will an employer, a landlord, or an extremely cautious potential new friend judge you differently if a poor score shows up on the background check?Well, you may not have to worry about that very specific scenario.Will it or won’t it include your score?Okay, time to stop putting off the big question you’re here to have answered. Will your credit score appear on a background check?“In a word, no,” answered Larry P. Smith, an attorney at ProtectingConsumerRights.com. “Credit scores typically do not show up on a background check. Most background checks for employment do not seek credit information, but rather, criminal history. They are typically looking for whether you are dangerous to employ.Some pre-employment screenings do go deeper and look at credit. This is usually when the job requires the employee to handle money- as many states are enacting laws to prevent credit checks for employment except for certain circumstances.In those instances, a score may be revealed, but again, typically not. Those reports are looking to see whether the person has judgments, has declared bankruptcy, or has a large amount of outstanding debt. Credit scores really do not get revealed in background checks.”Private investigator Lisa Ribacoff concurred: “Credit scores are NOT provided when we produce reports. We indicate to our clients that unless there is a signed authorization that we can gain access to their reports, then we are not able to even conduct the search. With our findings, we only provide the current and closed accounts as well as payment history and balances.”So nothing at all to worry about, right? Well, just because a background check won’t turn up your actual credit score doesn’t mean the financial information that does turn up will be all smiles and sunshine.“The credit score usually isnt revealed on a background check,” explained Roslyn Lash, an Accredited Financial Counselor and the founder of Youth Smart Financial Education Services. “However, your credit history is more likely to show up. Even if the actual score isnt given, a history is actually more revealing since it provides more details including dates, amounts owed, and delinquencies.”Turning down a background check means you probably won’t get that job or apartment. So the best you can do is just work on your finances now so everything will look good when you do need to get a background check.To learn more about your credit score, check out these related posts and articles from OppLoan s:A Brief History of Credit ScoresNo Credit Card? Here Are 6 Ways You Can Still Fix Your Credit ScoreHow Bad Credit Can Affect Your UtilitiesYes, You Might Need a Credit Check to Rent a CarWhat other questions do you have about credit scores? We want to hear about it! You can find us  on  Facebook  and  Twitter.Visit OppLoans on  YouTube  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  LinkedINContributorsRoslyn Lash  (@RosLash) is an Accredited Financial Counselor and the Author of  The 7 Fruits of Budgeting.  She specializes in financial education, adult coaching, and works virtually with adults helping them to navigate through their personal finances i.e. budgeting, debt, and credit repair. Roslyn is a  Real Estate Broker and is also the founder of Youth Smart Financial Education Services which specializes in financial literacy. Her advice has been featured in national publications such as USA Today, Forbes, TIME, Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, and a host of other media outlets.Lisa Ribacoff i s an Advanced Certified Polygraph Examiner and the Manager of International Investigative Group, Ltd. (@iigpi),  Credibility Assessment Division. She is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners, American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International). She has been featured on FUSE Medias Web Series Lie Detector among many other Morning news programs and talk shows.Larry P. Smith  is a consumer rights attorney, concentrating his practice in the areas of Fair Credit Reporting Act and Fair Debt Collections Practices violations, as well as consumer fraud claims and lemon law.   He is the Managing Partner at SmithMarco, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois.

Cyber Bullying And Its Effects On Society Essay - 2105 Words

Introduction â€Å"Our increasingly connected world has created another platform for bullies to harass their victims. No longer are bullies confined to picking on other kids on the school playground; today, many bullies are refraining from physical assaults, opting instead for around the clock bashing via email, social media, instant messaging and other online platforms. Although parents, teachers and other authority figures can no longer count on physical signs like scars, torn clothing and bruises to tell the story, this certainly doesn’t mean that the effects of cyber bullying are any less damaging.† (Cyber Bullying Statistics 2014. (n.d.).) In 2014, 52% of young people report being cyber bullied and approximately 10%-20% of those experience cyber bullying regularly. Of the young people who reported cyber-bullying incidents, 33% of them reported that their bullies threatened them. Over 55% of all teens who use social media have witnessed bullying through it and more than 80% of t eens regularly use cell phones, making them the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying. Bullying has been a problem for as long as people can remember, but was often accepted as a normal part of childhood. In recent years, this view has changed and bullying had been seen as a serious problem that deserved attention. Cyber bullying is a new issue that although doesn’t seem as prominent or detrimental, is just as bad as, or maybe even worse than, what bullying used to be.Show MoreRelatedCyber Bullying And Its Effect On Society1536 Words   |  7 PagesBullying has been an extreme issue all around the world for hundreds of years, and since modern technology has advanced, so has cyber bullying. â€Å"‘Gimme’ your lunch money† has turned into texting and posting gruesome threats and embarrassing material all over social media. Millions of kids all over the world have taken their own lives due to the harmful effects of cyber bullying. Problems that cannot be resolved independently are brought to court, and the government has become increasingly inv olvedRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effect On Society1201 Words   |  5 PagesINTRO Cyber bullying is any form of bullying that takes place over the internet, whether via texts, twitter or other forms of social media. Approximately 52% of children have reported being cyber bullied at one point, or another*. While this number may not seem catastrophic, this statistic is based only on the instances of cyber bullying that have been reported. The reality is that there are many more children who have been cyber bullied, and did not tell anyone that it was happening to them. AnotherRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effect On Society Essay1396 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction There are two specific types of bullying. Bullying in itself and cyber bullying are two of the worst and most aggressive behaviors teenagers are involved in these days. No matter how this problem comes about or what process individuals go through to get to this point, it is an irresponsible yet dangerous form of action. Bullying in any form can cause harm to the victim, even death. Making a choice to be a bully is like that of building a bad character for one’s self. Definition CentersRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On Society1283 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract Social media has become a well known pastime for individuals of today’s society. There are various social media sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, and SnapChat that have open doors for communication and entertainment among people all across the world. Despite the positivity of social media, it is also now being used to cause harm to people. Cyber bullying differs from traditional physical bullying, because it occurs through emails, texts, or social media. The person behind the computerRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On Society Essay1931 Words   |  8 Pages Cyber-bullying The saying, if sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me was ever true, it sure isn t true today (Alexander, 2011). The survey of 9 years olds in 35 countries found that New Zealand is the one most second highest rate of school bullying. (nzherald, 2012). Especially in this case parents really need to take a stand against bullying to help prevent it and to stop it. We as parents need to be a part of the solution, not the problem. Cyberbullying is harmfulRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effect On Society1139 Words   |  5 PagesBullying is an escalated issue that has become an epidemic, it happens in schools, on line, in between genders and can literally occur anywhere. Bullying is the act of aggressive behavior in which intimidation and/or physical harming towards another person is involved. It causes an imbalance in which the stronger person or group attacks the weaker and initiates repeated mistreatment towards the same victim over an extended period of t ime. In a situation where insults escalate and bullying arisesRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On Society2249 Words   |  9 PagesIs Cyber Bullying as Bad as Face-to-Face Bullying â€Å"Some people won’t be happy until they’ve pushed you to the ground. What you have to do is have the courage to stand your ground and not give them the time of day. Hold on to your power and never give it away.† (Donna Schoenrock). In this day and age, there are so many new ways to connect with people all over the world through social media. One of the downsides is that it means that there are also new ways to harass others. Cyberbullying means theRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On The Society1288 Words   |  6 PagesPeople do not need to walk out their house to be brought down by the people’s of society, but rather now the people of society can kill them softly right there through their computer screen or cell phone. Cyber bullying is a form of bullying that has been taking place a lot more because of the improvement in technology and increased usage of social media. Something that has not really been established is punishment towards the pe rpetrator. Leading to many deaths of young innocent people, causingRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effects On Society1537 Words   |  7 PagesBullying has been going on for generations, it’s not a new topic. That doesn’t mean times haven’t changed. New technology has made it possible for people to bully one another without even having to be near them. This is called â€Å"Cyber Bullying†. Teens are turning electronic devices into â€Å"weapons† by using social networking websites, chat rooms, text messaging, and even more ways possible. Through this they call each other names, demean each other, and even threaten each other. Kids are put in seriousRead MoreCyber Bullying And Its Effect On Society883 Words   |  4 PagesCyber-bullying is the use of electronic communications to bully a person. Cyber-bullying takes place by using the Internet, cell phones, video game systems, and other technology. Cyber-bully sends or posts text or image that is i ntended to hurt feelings or embarrass another person in front of others. Bullying is an aggressive behavior which causes harm and stress to its victims and it escalates over time. Furthermore, everybody has mobile phones and they are using it all day long. There is certainly

How The Other Half Lives, And Upton Sinclair s Book, The...

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, America increased drastically in industrialization, consumerism, and urbanization. With these increases a â€Å"Mass Consumerism† movement began and effected the middle class more than others. From the increase in consumerism, Thorstein Veblen introduced a new phrase called conspicuous consumption. This was indicated towards wealthy Americans that the best way to prove superiority is to show off their wealth. This negatively effected Americans and their perception on others. With the massive increase in industrialization and urbanization, Americans living in poverty and with poor jobs were mostly effected negatively than others. In Jacob Riis’s book, How the Other Half Lives, and Upton Sinclair’s book, The Jungle, it opened the eyes of Americans not living and working in these conditions. After the government and American people witness the horror some citizens must deal with, changes will occur and improve co nditions. Mass Consumerism affected American society by persuading Americans to buy certain items and making shopping more convenient. Middle class families were more affected from mass consumerism, because the middle class filled white collared jobs, and this would give them more disposable income to spend on whatever they like. Department stores were made to persuade and appeal to consumers, and these stores would carry all consumer needs, sitting and resting areas, and restaurants, to persuade people to stay longer inShow MoreRelatedThe Importance Of The Progressive Era1310 Words   |  6 PagesFrank Norris, Jacob Riis, and Upton Sinclair are a few muckrakers whose work aided to progressive political reform that cured some major problems in the industry. One muckraker who sensationalized the conflicts between railroads and wheat farmers through his writing was Frank Norris. One of his most well-known works was a novel called The Octopus: A Story of California. In this novel he uses made up characters based off of people he interviewed around California. In contrast to other muckraker’s worksRead MoreThe American Of American History4245 Words   |  17 PagesLearning about American history is an extremely fascinating topic. It’s intriguing how our great nation developed and changed throughout history. From wars to treaties, it’s all essential in understanding how our nation has grown to be what it is now. In our ever growing society today, immigrants are migrating to this nation with hopes and dreams. Hopes and dreams that lead them to live a better and more prosperous life. The United States of America is known as big â€Å"melting pot†. This melting potRead MoreFeminine Mystique12173 Words   |  49 P agesRosie to Lucy Questions students must answer in a 500-word (minimum) essay: 1) Describe the post-WWII frustrations felt by women such as Betty Friedan. 2) During the era of â€Å"Rosie the Riveter†, what gains did women make in the workforce? How did these women feel about themselves and their contributions? What did society as a whole think? 3) What role did mass media play during the 1950s and 1960s in regard to supporting or undermining the â€Å"feminine mystique†? 4) Which television heroine

Mindfulness Meditation On The Classroom Essay - 962 Words

Mindfulness Meditation in the Classroom Children and adolescents in the United States face different psychological challenges, such as anxiety disorders, depression, attention deficit disorder, as well as many other psychiatric diagnoses (Bloom, Dey, Freeman, 2006). The prevalence rate of children diagnosed with a mental disorder is alarming. According to Merikangas et al. (2010), 22.2% of American children and adolescents get diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder that is severe enough to impair their ability to attend school and learn (Bucci, Marques, Oh, Harris, 2016). Kids that are plagued by various psychological illnesses may experience a difficult time concentrating and staying focused in school. Additionally, the over-accumulation of toxic stress, either due to the pressures of schools or environmental (i.e., difficult exams, poverty, household dysfunction, etc.), can have negative and detrimental effects during childhood, as well as adulthood (Bucci et al., 2016). Pre-adolescence is a crucial stage in a child’s life because it is during this stage that kids can learn the coping mechanism that can prevent complications later on in life (Britton et al., 2014). Some children and adolescents may not have the opportunity to seek proper mental health care during their childhood. This may be due to parents overworking or simply not being able to afford quality mental health care services (Bucci et al., 2016). However, schools can serve children and adolescents as aShow MoreRelatedMeditation On The Practice Of Meditation1075 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout centuries, meditation has been utilized for spiritual guidance. Meditation is often practiced within quiet rooms, where one cannot be disturbed. In the recent years, meditation has expanded beyond the homes of individuals. Schools across the nation have begun researching the benefits of meditation on students. The practice of meditation in schools has been shown to promote positive behavi or in students; therefore it should be implemented in schools. The practice of meditation can be definedRead MoreMitigating Detention With Meditation Essay1079 Words   |  5 PagesMitigating Detention with Meditation In a world full of contrast, nothing lies at more polar ends than detention and meditation. On one hand, students are forced to sit in uncomfortable desks and stare at the wall, while the other implements the use of plush floor pillows and calming essential oils. Fortunately, for the students of Robert W. Coleman Elementary School, staff have implemented a â€Å"Mindful Moment Room,† where misbehaving youth are sent to evaluate their improper actions. Here, they areRead MoreNegative Effects Of Youth With Adhd1308 Words   |  6 Pagesif training students, in this case, four fifth grade students, in a specific meditative intervention, such as Samatha meditation, their active engagement in math instructions and math performance in the classroom setting will increase. METHODS (11) I. What style of meditation was used? Be specific. If the style of meditation is not specified, please state this. (1) Mindfulness-based interventions, generally aimed at relieving symptoms of stress, pain, mental health concerns, and can be used toRead MoreIs Mindfulness A Meditation? Essay1044 Words   |  5 PagesIs Mindfulness a Meditation? By Rene Doumal | Submitted On January 28, 2014 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Is mindfulness a meditation? Mindfulness has become a popular word nowadays. We hear it withinRead MoreFive Simple Mindfulness Skills That Work Essay1008 Words   |  5 PagesFive Simple Mindfulness Skills That Work By Debra Burdick | Submitted On April 01, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Debra Burdick Mindfulness meditation consists of skills and methodsRead MoreAnxiety And Learning Anxiety846 Words   |  4 Pagesthoughts. Beauchemin et al. realized that no research had yet studied the impact of meditation on anxiety levels, social aptitude, and academic performance of adolescents. Therefore, the authors decided and test for the causal role of cognitive interference by exploring methods that could potentially diminish this cognitive inference, such as meditation and relaxation training. They also decided to investigate if meditation would enhance the social skills of individuals with LD. Thereupon, BeaucheminRead MoreMindfulness Meditation On False Memory852 Words   |  4 Pagesexpectancy effects†¦mindfulness meditators would show superior performance relative to concentrative meditators when the stimulus was unexpected† (Valentine Sweet, 1999, p. 63). Using the Wilkins’ Counting Test (a measure of sustained focused attention) the control group was placed in a classroom to perform the test while the meditation groups were tested post meditation sessions in a separate room. The test was comprised of a series of tones which each group was asked to count (the meditation groups wereRead MoreHypothetical Structure For Self Determination863 Words   |  4 PagesHypothetical Structure for Self-Determination Diverse factors boost or weaken the motivation of an individual. The self-determination hypothesis of motivation acknowledges the significance of mindfulness to inbuilt motivation. In-built motivation is independent and comes from self-generated interests and personal objectives. It creates the encouragement to act volitionally. It is more projecting of positive emotional outcomes and diligence compared to motivation built externally (Saltzman 2014).Read MoreIncrease Of Working Memory During The Same Period1492 Words   |  6 Pagesself-reported positive affect. Positive affect is how we experience feelings and emotions, in other words it is our moods. Because affect is a psycho-physiological construct that involves alertness and motivational intensity, the benefits of mindful meditation on positive affect is invaluable for a soldier’s effectiveness. Cognitive Flexibility Cognitive flexibility like working memory is part of the higher-order cognition of executive functioning. The definition of cognitive flexibility varies slightlyRead MoreUse Of Mindfulness Training On A Learning Task1537 Words   |  7 PagesThe Influence of a Brief Mindfulness Exercise on Encoding of Novel Words in Female College Students, published in Mindfulness, Bonamo, Legerski, Thomas (2015) designed a study to see if the cognitive benefits associated with mindfulness training found by previous research would lead to increased performance on a learning task. To support the purpose of the study, the researchers used the existing literature on mindfulness that shows converging evidence for mindfulness training’s capacity to improve

Custer And The Great Controversy Essay Example For Students

Custer And The Great Controversy Essay Custer and the Great Controversy by Robert M.Utley The controversy of GeneralCuster and the actions that culminated his fate and almost three hundred menunder his command has long been discussed and debated by many historians as wellas important military officials all trying to conclude what happened at theBattle of Little Bighorn. There have been countless myths and legends of whatoccurred on that fateful day in American history, but there has yet to be asolid right answer. This answer is difficult to conclude for one reason, therewere no survivors of the battle from Custers troops. This led to the manydifferent sides of story that were mostly fabricated by newspapers and authorsto sell their papers and books, without much care towards the accuracy of thebattle and it events. The book, Custer and The Great Controversy trys to putinto context the developing situations prior to and after the battle to get tothe roots of these legends and myths to try and make sense of them. Theauthors goal is not to come to a conclusion and a theory of his own, but todisregard the myths and legends of the past and in doing so shed some light onthe controversy for people who may have thought otherwise. The author achievesthis goal in a unique way by writing chronologically but at the same time writesabout the major events of the developing controversy, sometimes overlapping inyears but making smooth connections between similar the events. First, theauthor starts out by giving a background of The Battle of Little Bighorn. Describing the main characters of the battle and the events leading up to thebattle and then finally the battle itself in a broad context. Doing this givesthe reader a foundation of what lies ahead in the book. Secondly, the authordescribes the role of the press and its impact after the battle has concluded. The press can be looked upon as the main reason for the overwhelming myths andlegends that followed due to their unwillingness to find the facts and theirmotivation to sell their papers. Thirdly, the author attends to the great debatethat followed the battle a few years later, that was fueled by these myths andarose during this hostile time. The debate was between the critics who thoughtthat Custer led his men into suicide by disobeying orders and selfishly seekingthe individual pride and glory that followed him throughout his military careerup until his death at The Battle of Little Bighorn. On the other side of thedebate, were the people who thought of Custer as a hero and sacrificing himselfas well as his army for the United States. They placed the blame on orders thatwere to broad in detail and on the cowardliness of other military leaders whowouldnt engage in the battle. The following chapter sheds light on themystery of the battle by seeking the Indian side of the story by cred iting anddiscrediting the stories of the Indians on what happened in the battle. In thefifth chapter of the book is concentrated on the different myths of the battle,such as the way that Custer perished in battle. Since not a single person knowswhen Custer actually perished and how it is myth all within itself and theauthor gives the evidence to support this and the other myths of what happenedin the battle. In the ending chapter the author gives a bibliographical surveyof the books written preceding the battle and their importance in the developingand unlocking the mysteries of the battle at the Little Bighorn. The author,Robert M. Utley, was first enveloped by the Custer legend as a seventh graderwhen he watched the movie They Died with Their Boots On. From there on Utley wasdevoured by the legend of Custer and determined to fine the answers of thismystery. By the age of twenty-two, Utley compiled his master thesis at theUniversity of Indiana on The Custer Controversy: A Historiog raphical Story ofthe Battle of The Little Bighorn for the Period 1876-1900. At the age ofThirty-five he wrote the book, Custer and The Great Controversy trying to putthe legend that has developed over the years into a format that explains theroots of these myths and legends. Utley believes if you can get to the roots ofthese myths and legends that were created in past and disregard them you canbegin to solve the mystery of The Battle of Little Bighorn. Other books writtenby Utley followed Custer and The Great Controversy that concentrated on militaryand Indian affairs in the old west. On a personal note the book was well-writtenand captivated my attention as well as my imagination. My only knowledge ofCuster was of the movie that the author also saw as a young boy, which was TheyDied with Their Boots On. I took the knowledge from the movie and incorporatedthat as my knowledge of the subject. Utley showed me the myths that the moviecontained and many more, giving me a better understa nding of what was containedin the Battle of Little Bighorn. Utley gives precise detail in describing themany issues that are intertwined in the book by giving abundant amounts ofsources to back up and aid in his knowledge of Custer. In only a few parts wouldthe abundance of military names accompanied by their ranks confuse a reader, butover the entire book is very clear in the direction that the writer isfollowing. The book content is set-up in a very logical way that allows thereader to understand. In each chapter, the objective is set out in the beginningand is achieved at the end of the chapter carefully not jumping back and forthbetween other similar ideas in the book. Utley achieves his goal by dissectingthe myths and legends and leading to a better understanding of the CusterControversy. Utley successfully gives the reader a better understanding of thesubject leading the reader, if they wish, in the right direction of unlockingthe mystery of Custer and the Battle. Brian W. Dip pie, who is responsible forwriting the introduction of the book states There is no final word, no endto the Custer debate. But there is a beginning point, and readers of Custer TheGreat Controversy hold the key in their hands.

The Odyssey an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

The Odyssey Composed around 700 BCE (Before the Common Era), Homers Odyssey gives a unique view into Greek culture in the Bronze Age and about the twelfth century BCE. By examining this work closely, we can see how the Greeks saw themselves. Many also consider the work as a kind of continuation of Homers epic The Iliad. The Odyssey is a tale of Odysseus wanderings. Eventually, he returns home to Ithaca, after ten years of war. Need essay sample on "The Odyssey" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Many perse facets of Greek life and culture are reflected from the text. One very important aspect is the importance of gods, goddesses and pinity. Throughout the story the gods help the characters, or show their wrath for them. But what stands out in The Odyssey is Homers depiction of characters, especially Odysseus. Odysseus is bright, intellectual, and rational. He thinks before he acts, which is makes him admirable and competent. Unlike typical heroes Odysseus has the gift of intelligence, in addition to brute force. He does not react to anything spontaneously, and thinks before saying or doing anything. This is clearly evident in many instances in the text. He uses tricks and wit to escape from risky situations. Undergraduates Frequently Tell EssayLab support:I'm not in the mood to write my essay online. I don't have the timeSpecialists suggest:Get The Best Writing Essays Ever In TimeCollege Essay Writing Service Get Paid To Write Papers Pay to Get Assignments Done Buy An Essay For College Odysseus seems to be a perfect blend - he is a good athlete, and has a sharp witty mind. It is Odysseus who employs his strategies which result in the victory of Greece and the fall of Troy. Many critics and scholars agree that this was indeed, unconventional, considering the time The Odyssey is set in. All that was important was war, honor, valor and courage. Defeat was humiliation. Humiliation was disgrace. Brute force was what a mans strength was judged by. But Homers work, in that respect seems to be unconventional and new. His hero was not just a warrior. He was a man with a mind that could reason. But Odysseus does have his weaknesses. And the greatest of those was his conceit. Like many of the male characters of Greek literature, he too has his egotistical pride. Apart from mental capability, another theme that occurs often is that of loyalty. Penelope, Odysseus wife never betrays him. Odysseus maid, Eurycleia recognizes him even though he is disguised as a beggar. Odysseus dog too is faithful to him. Physical strength and manhood were also equally important, with strength deciding who was better, and who was not. In fact, the final completion between Odysseus and Iros reveals that it was indeed muscle that would decide who would win Penelopes love. Eating, drinking, dancing and singing were recreational activities everyone indulged in. But what was most important and fore-most in Greek life and culture was religion. Amply obvious in the text, the pine were given most importance and respect. Fate and future lied in the hands of the Olympian gods. People made countless sacrifices to different gods to earn their goodwill and support. Disrespecting the gods meant invited gods wrath and anger on oneself. Another central aspect was that of progeny. One can conclude that the importance of the father-son relationship was much more than that of any other relation. The role of family life seems to be cardinal in The Odyssey. Odysseus has not returned home after ten years of war. But war does not form the major theme in the Odyssey. Homers epic is about Odysseus journey back home. We learn that he has been trapped by the beautiful Calypso at her island. He has no means of escaping and longs for his home and family. Back at Ithaca, his homeland, a number of rowdy angry suitors are trying to woo Penelope, Odysseus wife, believing him to be dead. Odysseus son Telemachus is enraged, but does not have the power or the authority to throw them out. Here is when gods and goddesses on Mount Olympus make a plan to guide Odysseus back home. Athena, in particular helps Odysseus and Telemachus throughout the story, saving them from disasters several times. Poseidon, the god of the sea though, loathes Odysseus. Odysseus had earlier, blinded Poseidons son - the Cyclops Polyphemus. Zeus, the god of gods holds a neutral bearing. He helps Odysseus, but at times works against him. Zeus helps Odysseus escape from Calypsos island, on a ship. But when Poseidon finds Odysseus sailing alone, he mounts an attack, leaving him at the land of the Phaeacians. The Phaeacians treat him with respect, recognizing who he is, and he relates his story to them. Later the Phaeacians help Odysseus reach Ithaca. Odysseus arrives disguised as a beggar, by Athena. He along with Telemachus formulate a plan to get rid of the rowdy suitors. Odysseus, in his disguise learns many things. Those who truly love him recognize him even in a beggars garb. He arrives in his palace safely, without arousing suspicion, and later, proves to everyone, that indeed, he is the king Odysseus. Homers epic finishes with Odysseus finally reuniting with his family, and with his kingdom. Family in The Odyssey is the focal point of the story. Odysseus wants to see his family desperately. His son sets out on a dangerous perilous journey, risking his life in quest of his long lost father. Penelope, Odysseus wife remains loyal to him even after years of his absence. Poseidon wants to avenge the injustice done to his son. The father-son relation is portrayed in many different dimensions by Homer. But the one common factor in all of them is the veneration of this relation. Both the father and the son respected each other, and understood the significance of their bond. The most significant one is the relation between Odysseus and his son Telemachus. The bond is characterized by not just progeny, but also by a feeling of mutual understanding and belonging. Telemachus grows up in his fathers absence, yet that does not blemish the connection between them. Their bond is characterized by loyalty and protection of their kingdom. But there are other values too that characterize the father-son bond. The bond between Poseidon and his son is fuelled by their anger against Odysseus, rather than a feeling of love. Poseidon will do anything to prevent Odysseus from making it back home. Both Poseidon and Polyphemus have little mutual understanding, but one emotion unites them - the one of hatred, jealousy and resentment for Odysseus. Another father-son relation is the one between Odysseus and his father Laertes. Even though Laertes appears at the end of the story, his presence is significant enough. He is aging and old, but his spirit is revived with his sons return. It is he who saves Odysseus from the bitter suitors; Antinous was the most eager suitor, planning to kill Telemachus to have his way unhindered. Laertes kills Antinouss father, and brings the attack to an end. Odysseus himself kills Antinous. Other examples of father-son relations include Nestor and his son Peisitratus; both help Telemachus in his journey. Homer clearly portrays the idea of continuity between generations. All the sons were like their fathers, and it is evident that they will have the same relations their fathers had with each other. Telemachus, like his father was bright and talented. He fights for the same goals and aims his father fought for. He wants to protect the family estate, but is under constant attack from the suitors. Many claim that he was not as intelligent as his father, but others claim that he was young, would eventually mature into a bright man like his him. Polyphemus too, is like his father Poseidon- bitter and vengeful. A less significant father-son pair of Nestor and Peistrauts also follows the same pattern. Both help Telemachus. In fact, we learn that earlier Nestor had assisted Odysseus. Later his son Peistratus accompanies Telemachus till Sparta to help him. Antinous and his father are both ungrateful and self-seeking. From all these examples, it is clear that even after a generation, the emotions, whether good or bad continue. Even though Homers work was widely acclaimed and loved, many believe that it was too idealistic. Good always triumphed against evil, and the hero was always victorious. But it was not just Homers idealistic plots that made his works successful. Many themes in his play contributed to his success. He blended religion, culture, honor and mystery in a most artful way, and came up with mythological masterpieces. Homers work continues to be one of the most widely read works of Greek literature. His writings have preserved the culture and customs of ancient Greece forever. Works Cited: Bookrags, The Odyssey Booknotes Summary, retrieved from http://www.bookrags.com/notes/od/CHR.html ThinkQuest, Odysseus, the Hero, retrieved from http://library.thinkquest.org/19300/data/Odyssey/odysseus.htm Sparknotes, by Barnes and Noble, The Odyssey, Homer, retrieved from http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/odyssey/canalysis.html

Cross Cultural Miscommunication Essay Example

Cross Cultural Miscommunication Essay Example Cross Cultural Miscommunication Essay Cross Cultural Miscommunication Essay Case Studies in Cross Cultural Miscommunication When a company starts to do business in a foreign country, there are often many business practices that are different and difficult to understand. As a result, many companies experience cross cultural miscommunication that can inhibit business and break the trust between corporate headquarters and the foreign office. In this paper, we look at some real examples of communication problems between offices in two locations. This occurs both between vendors and their customers as well as internally in the same company between different sites. The problem with communication problems is that the cost can be very high. It can result in reduced productivity, lost opportunities and failure to execute on projects. However, the payoff can be very big if issues are addressed quickly and thoroughly. Case 1: Two Sets of Books An American company opened up a branch office in Japan to provide local access to the market. This office had access to the company’s intranet and used the same management software tools. The company has invested a significant amount of money in accounting software that provided a real-time access to accounting information at either location. During a visit to the branch office in Japan, an American manager noticed that when his Japanese counterparts accessed the accounting software, they also made entries into a paper copy. In fact, the paper system appeared to completely replicate the financials of the accounting software. When the manager returned to the United States and raised this issue, there was a lot of concern amongst the executives at the headquarters. Why did the branch office keep two sets of books? Were they stealing from the company? The executives decided that there was too much potential for fraud. They decided to launch an investigation. A team of accountants traveled from the United States to Japan to look into the problem. In the course of their investigation, the discovered that there was a rational reason for the remote office to keep two sets of books. Computer support was provided from a technical team in the United States. When the Japanese office experienced technical difficulties, the software support group was shut down for the day. This resulted in a 24 hour delay until a problem could be resolved. So the Japanese office would have to continue their business without access to the accounting software. They implemented a paper system to record transactions which allowed them to have access to financial information even when the accounting software was unavailable. When the computer system was back online, they would update the entries to capture every transaction that happened in the mean time. The accounting team returned to corporate headquarters in the United States and reported their findings. They explained to the executives that the computer downtime was very embarrassing to the managers of the Japan office. They sought to resolve the situation without exposing the problem to headquarters. Since they were able to adequately work around the problem, they considered the issue resolved. The company’s CIO moved quickly to provide a more optimum solution to the branch office’s computer support problems. He located a computer maintenance company in Australian which could provide real time support during the Japan office’s business hours. Subsequently, the branch office had immediate resolution to the computer issues that had been plaguing the network. They were able to cease their use of the paper bookkeeping and improve their efficiency at the same time. The lesson of this case is that we cannot always know the motives behind actions. The company in this example feared that the branch office was committing fraud. However, they found that there was a logical explanation and a simple remedy to the problem. Case 2: Silence on the Line A large telecommunications equipment supplier had set up an engineering branch in Shanghai China. The branch was tasked with developing hardware and software to support larger systems. It was staffed with very competent engineers with experience in their field. As the design center matured, the management at the headquarters often found that they did not have detailed status on projects. Clearly, the team in Shanghai was working on projects and tasks that were not visible to the business decision makers abroad. During a visit to Shanghai, one manager was working closely with the engineering team on a problem. During the course of the visit, there was a conference call to update management at headquarters. He was surprised when he observed silence from engineers when he was certain that they knew the answer. After the conference call, he started to investigate why the engineers seemed reluctant to speak up. After spending some time in discussion with many of the Chinese engineers, he concluded that there were several factors contributing to this phenomenon. First, even though the engineers were excellent English speakers, they had difficulty listening and understanding due to sound quality of the speakerphone and conferencing. Second, humility and modesty are deeply rooted in Chinese culture. The manager surmised that the engineers felt that responding to certain questions showed a lack of humility when they were forced to recognize their contributions. When the manager returned to the corporate headquarters, he discussed the situation with others there. They came up with a list of guidelines for employees to implement when communicating with the Shanghai group. These recommendations included a reminder for employees to speak slowly and clearly on conference calls. It also included suggestions for ways to phrase questions so that they would not embarrass the Chinese engineers. Conclusion There are always cultural differences between people in two countries. These differences can cause actions that are not well understood by one party or another. If these general issues are not well understood, they can lead to communication issues and general suspicion and ill will. In a worst case scenario, these issues will prevent business from being conducted at all. But in most cases, it merely prevents companies from reaching their full potential. The biggest challenge is that if the culture is not understood, then the problems are never understood and therefore they are never resolved. Careful attention should be placed on cultural differences and communication. It is necessary to work swiftly but judge slowly as appearances are not always what they seem. The two cases in this paper illustrate some of the challenges in maintaining relationships and communication. It also illustrates that these situations can be managed with careful attention and effort.

Native American stereotypes in childrens books Essay

Native American stereotypes in childrens books - Essay Example With a total of nine books in the series, the books have become classics and have served as the basis for the television show. The unfortunate thing about this is that the book series has poor representations of Native Americans. Should one just merely consider this to be a product of its time and ignore the stereotyping which takes place? As a book to study by adults to discuss the racial stereotyping which takes place in it, it might be of some value. But the intended audience of the book would not pick up on the idea that this book is simply a â€Å"product of its time† and the attitudes expressed towards Native American should simply be dismissed in order to enjoy the overall story. Even without considering the attitudes expressed by the story, the premise of the story is not approached in an acceptable way. The moved out to the prairie to claim a piece of land that the government was giving out. Of course, this was land that native tribes already belonged to. The tribe that is specifically encountered in the book, the Osages, are not considered to really be occupying the land, and therefore it was alright to simply give it away. Even worse, as the family has just taken a plot of land that used to be utilized by the Osages, the Osages are simply regarded as dangerous, strange, a threat, and menacing: â€Å"Laura was frightened. Jack had never growled at her before. Then she looked over her shoulder, where Jack was looking, and she saw two naked, wild men coming, one behind the other, on the Indian trail† (134). This is the sort of portrayal that leads children to simply think of Native Americans as being uncivilized, when in fact every tribe had very spe cific ways of living in harmony with the land. Another book with a negative Native American stereotype is The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh. The courage that the title takes its name from is the title character’s bravery in her experience

Land law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Land law - Essay Example contract for the sale of freehold land, there is a presumption that the contract will automatically include everything which legally constitutes â€Å"land†2. Accordingly, whether or not Ming was entitled to remove the sign depends on whether the sign can validly constitute land or whether it constituted a chattel, which doesn’t fall within the scope of â€Å"land†3. The classic definition of a fixture is anything which is physically (but not necessarily legally) removable and makes a permanent improvement to the land4. Conversely, a chattel is an item brought onto the land, which doesn’t become part of the land5. The general rule regarding fixtures is that whatever is attached to the soil becomes part of the soil6. In determining whether the sign is fixture or a chattel, it will be necessary to apply the two factual tests as extrapolated by Blackburn J in the case of Holland v Hodgson7, namely the degree of annexation test and the purpose of annexation test. The degree of annexation test requires that the object be fastened to or connected with the land in some way for there to be a presumption that it is a fixture8. For example, in the case of Hamp v Bygrave9 it was held that patio lights that were attached to the wall of the house were fixtures. Moreover, if an object is not fixed, but merely rests on its own weight, there will be a presumption that it is a chattel10. If we apply this by analogy to the current scenario, the sign had hung from a post, which if resting on its own weight will lead to a presumption of it being a chattel. However, the presumption can be rebutted on the basis of the purpose of the annexation test. In the case of Elitestone Limited v Morris11 Lord Clyde asserted that this test involved a consideration of â€Å"the purpose which the object is serving and not the purpose of the person who put it there12†. As such, the test is objective and is concerned with the intention of the person who put the object on the land. It further

Methods of Personnel Development Essay Example for Free

Methods of Personnel Development Essay 1. Introduction Successful personnel development is necessary to help and organization to acquire a competitive edge in the market. A well trained and competent workforce and help and organization cut a competitive edge in the market which the competing organizations may find hard to replicate the long run.   Efficient methods of personnel development are necessary for the success of the organization. Personnel have become an important concern for all managers in all industry.   This has been promoted by the problems which have been experienced in hiring of personnel who can meet the required standards to deliver the needed services.    The current strategic human resource management has recognized employees as the most important asset that an organization has. In this regard it has become of paramount important for organization to carry out effective staff development programs which are likely to meet the required work standards.   There has been increasing for the organization to carry out effective individual training programs which will meet the demands of their customers.   When most organization have been emphasizing for the downsizing of their employee, it has become important for them to ensure that it effective training programs which will ensure there is overall growth. (Consulting, 2000) For an organization to ensure that there is effective growth of its workforce, employee training and development has become a priority rather than an option.   There are many organizations which have been carrying out training programs but which have not resulted to the required results.   Training and development  Ã‚   is usually an integral and an expensive part of the human resource department and therefore there should be all efforts aimed at ensuring that there is overall success of the exercise. Effective training and development programs are necessary in order to ensure that there is overall growth of the worker. The most important factor that can help the organization to carryout effective personnel development is to understand the goals of the organization and therefore work to achieve these goals.   The organization goal will assist the organization to come up with effective design and implementation of the organization. Efficient personnel development program are therefore necessary to ensure that the organization cuts a competitive edge in the market. (Jenning, 1996) 2. Success factors for training There are important factors in the overall development process that must be taken into consideration to have effective personnel development. The most important factor that the organizations need to realise in the design and implementation of personnel development is the mission and vision of the organization. This will help the management to become committed to the overall process of personnel development in the most efficient way.   The company should also evaluate the relative risk of exposure which is presented by the compliance requirement and therefore use this as an effective way of prioritizing the needs for planning training.   The management will also involve the key line representatives in order to design and implement train interventions. This means that training should be viewed as a way of helping the organization to remain competitive and not as a necessary evil.   The management should also be keep away of the focus of the training activities and the role  Ã‚   that the activities are intended to achieve and help the organization to achieve in its overall objectives. (Bowie and Jordan, 2001) There are important characteristic which are used to identify a successful training program.   The following are the common characteristics of a successful training in an organization;  · There should be a clear understating of the goals of the organization and the needs of all the line managers for training and development.   This means that   the training programs will be based on these key strategies which are likely to support the   goal of the organization  · There should be involvement of the key line personnel in the selection, design and the scheduling of training.  · The style for delivering the training program must focus on the adult learning concepts  Ã‚   including the relevant content of the course.  · The training activities should be seen as an integral part of the overall training place for the organization and not an individual or a one time event that will come and go.  · There should be a high accountability for the result which will justify the purpose for training.   There should be effective evaluation, measurement and a well organization reporting of the results of training.  · There should be frequent communication between the organization management and the person who are overseeing training program. This will ensure that there is overall support for the training programs and the enforcement of the training values. 3. In house vs. Third party training There are two broad methods which are used to deliver training programs.   These include the in-house training and the third party training program.   The organization is likely to choose the most efficient method that will ensure that there is delivery of the most efficient training program. In-house training will involve when an organization uses the instructor who are a part of the organization.   This employs will also be trained as they continue with their work which means there will less loss of time and the productivity for the organization will not be affected. However this method is likely to result to low employee expectation from the training program since they are likely to learn what they have been practicing. (Rouda and Kusy, 2005) The third party training take place when and organization brings in an extern expert. External experts are likely to come with new experience for the organization which will reinforce the development of the workforce.   Under this method the organization can also decide to take its staff for an external training program which will take place outside the organization.   This method is likely to be more effective since the staff will be expecting to learn new things from what they have been practicing in the organization. In the course of training there are different ways that can be used by the organization to source for training materials.   The organization can develop its own materials in the organization which will be in-house material development. The organizations can also source for material outside through purchase or leasing.  Ã‚   When the organization hires third party to come and training the staff, the conditions for hiring can also be that the third party will be expected to come with training materials. In order to select the best combination for the trainer and the program, the organization should be important consideration including the experience, time for development of the program, resources available, the money available for the program and the cost of the options, the expected quality, the training needs for the organization and the credibility of the method that will be used. 4. Program design The program design describes the way the overall training program will be planned.   Program design consist of   important   aspect of the training   including the conduction of the needs analysis for the   company, the prioritizing o the need in the training place, definition of the   course objectives to match the   training needs, and the selection of   the training formats that will be used in the   training program. a) Need analysis A need analysis is carried out in order to identify the  Ã‚   area in which the organization needs to carry out training.   The need analysis is the first step in determine the whole training program. The need analysis should be carried out comprehensively in order to understand the specific area under in which the training will emphasize. Usually a need analysis will come up with a long list of needs that the organization will have to look at. In need analyses there are three types of data that the trainer will have to collect. The pre-training behaviour will give the knowledge that the trainees have. The post training behaviour will give the expectation from the training that the organization wants to achieve through training.   The workplace reinforcement and constraints will give the factors for the job which can help or hinder the trainees in applying what they will have learned. (Jenning, 1996) b)    Course objectives This should identify the specific objectives that the training will achieve. Identification of the course objective is likely to increase the effectiveness of training and evaluation of needs assessment.   Basically three types of course objectives will have to be looked at. These include the planning objectives, the process objectives and the learning objectives.   This will help in the formatting of the training. c)    Training format There are different formats that can be used to deliver training.   The best format that an organization can choose is the one which will create a setting an environment which is most conducive to learn.   The format has to be flexible.   There are formal and informal training formats Informal training format will include format like one on one tutoring which   can be teem consuming but very effective,   use groups, discussion groups and   newsletters.   On the other hand formal training formats include formats like classroom training like lectures or demonstration, video or audio, computer based trailing, satellite training, teleconferencing, use of simulations, use of manuals, and on   job training.   The formal training methods have become most common used in organisational training since they are more effective and have been supported by the emerging technologies. (Consulting, 2000) d)    Program delivery This is the most important part in the training process. The way the training will be delivered is important in determining how it will be effective to achieve the goals of the training.   Delivery of training should be based on principle of adult learning since most of the employees who undergo training are adults.   There sold a proven adults-instructions practices rather than the traditional classroom delivery method which is likely to compromise the quality of training. e)    E-learning With the increased use of technology in the world, e-learning is also rising to be an important factor in the training programs. E-learning involves the process of delivering learning through the use of person computer. It is widely used in education institution but it is also fining it place in the employee training programs. In employee training e-learning has been providing an effective time saving method of learning as compared to other methods.   It is also easy to carry training from any part of the world can therefore can be used when an organisation choose third party training. However it is expensive since al the employees will need to have a computer. 5. How adults learn According to the learning theories, it has been shown that adults learn different from how children learn.   Unlike children, adults are likely to relate what they hear to their experience and the knowledge they have gathered over time.   Adults are also good listeners and will digest what they are listen.   This means that when training adults, one need to have all the facts to their fingers and ensure that they are correct as challenge can arise at any one time. (Consulting, 2000) According to the adult learning theories there are important factor that have to be considered when teaching them.   First it should be understood that adults are less interested in the overview, they are more interested in what they are learning. They need to be given examples which can help them to relate what they are learning with their real experience. Since they are more critical on what is delivery any information that is likely to contradict what they know should be delivered slowly and in an efficient manner. The training should assist them to make connections with what they already know.   The pace of training should also be suited for their mind. Fast training may prove difficult for them while a too slow training is boring.   The training should avoid trial and error ventures and should reinforce the learnt concept in their real life example. (Jenning, 1996) a)    Designing training experience for adults There are important principal that the trainers must consider when planning adult learning.   The structure of the workshop should take to consideration that adult learns usual need some feedback which is likely to mark their progress in training.   The usually learn best when their own experience is integrated in the learning process. They should be given opportunity to ask questions and interact to share experience.   The adult learners are responsible for their learning and they prefer to share with one another in the process.   This interaction must be given a chance.   Adults are likely to learn in an environment where there is mutual trust and respect for one another.   Adults learners must be motivate din order to feel the need to learn. This earns that they have to be shown the important of undergoing the training and how it is going to affect their job performance. b)    Classroom instruction In order to ensure that there is effectiveness of the training process, there are important characters and method that should be incorporated in the training. some of the   most important factors in training include the   inclusion of discussion breaks time which agreed with   all the participants, ensure that the participants are comfortable, state   clearly the objectives of the training, make a preparation of   the material to be used before the class being so that you can evaluate them, use training aids and establish rapports in the course of training, ensure that you don’t interrupt the   participate when they are contributing,   be yourself and more flexible in the course of the training, answer all the question asked and provide constant feedbacks to the participants. c) Documenting available training courses In order to keep up with the course of the training resources, it is important to keep written records as they have been learnt.   This will help the learners to remind themselves of what they have learned in the course of the training. This is also important as it will help the learners to understand what they have been learning and therefore keep up with the course of the training. It also helps the management to see the courses that are available. d)   Measuring and evaluating training effectiveness There had to be an effective way of evaluating the learning process in order to understand the effectiveness of the learning process. This is very critical since it will determine whether the organization is really meeting its objectives or not. It will help the organisation to understand the important steps that are being made in the course of the training. There are many methods of evaluation that is used in the course of the training. The most effective evaluation methods that are used include the use of smile sheet which is one of the five point evaluation which enquiries about the quality of the instructor and others, there is also the pre-test or post techs which is used to measure the increased in knowledge for the learners.   The presets will establish a baseline while the post test will confirm any improvement that is being made which can be directly attributed to the learning process. An observation can also be carried out on the specific performance of each individual including the trainer and the supervisor.   This will detect any changes in the work behaviour which can be directly attributed to the learning process.  Ã‚   Work performance can also e used as a method of evaluation. In this case work performance will look at the specific job tasks and performance indicators. These indicators are usually well defined and measured before and after training.

Actus Reus Essay -- Law

Actus Reus Introduction The Criminal Law of England and Wales "means the portion of the law of England and Wales, which deals with the components and consequences of criminal acts. The English criminal law is in large part not regulated by law, but in the tradition of common law judge-made law. The offense consists in the English law of Actus Reus and mens rea together. Actus Reus is the Latin term meaning the act of guilt (the outer or objective of a criminal offense). This is an essential element in the determination of a crime. Thus, when no reasonable doubt exists as a result of the demonstration of proof, the act of guilt, shown together with the intention of the individual to commit a crime (mens rea), creates criminal liability of the accused in criminal jurisdictions that follow the system of common law (Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Ireland). Discussion and Analysis Actus Reus literally means conduct of a person. The phrase is used to refer to the element of an offense that involves prohibited conduct. The Actus Reus is one of two elements that make up criminal offenses. The second element is called mens rea or mental state. No crime may legally exist without an Actus Reus, while some regulatory crimes, called strict liability offenses, may exist without a mens rea. Examples of the Actus Reus element of a capital offense would be causing death, causing death while committing another crime, causing the death of a police officer, and causing death by using a bomb. In each of the examples, the mental state of the defendant is not relevant to Actus Reus. The mental state is relevant for the second element, i.e., the mens rea. General Perception The Actus Reus requirement is met if a defendant purpose... ...air, Medico legal Aspects of Automatism, qtd in McClain v. State, 678 N.E.2d 104, 106 (Ind. 1997), pp 56-78 David Ormerod (eds.): Smith and Hogan Criminal Law,12th Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2008, ISBN 978-0199202584, pp 34 David Ormerod, (2009), Smith and Hogan Criminal Law: Cases and Materials, 10th Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2009, ISBN 978-0199218691, pp 45-78 Felson, Marcus (1994), Crime and Everyday Life, Pine Forge, ISBN 0-8039-9029-4, Hirschi, Travis (1969). Causes of Delinquency, Transaction Publishers, ISBN 0-7658-0900-1 Morse, S. J. Diminished rationality, diminished responsibility, Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law vol. 1 (2003), pp. 289–308 Siegel, Larry J. (2003). Criminology, 8th edition, Thomson-Wadsworth., pp. 139 Symposium, Act and crime, University of Pennsylvania Law Review vol. 142, (1994), pp. 1443–1890

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 6

One thing about working in a bookstore is you have immediate access to print media: Nocturnal Admission is a treat for the senses, one of those rare jewels that emerges from the dark obscurity of small clubs and restaurants. Of course, after last night's performance at the Verona, it's unlikely they'll be playing shoddy venues again. Nocturnal Admission is well on its way to becoming a household name – not only at the local level, but the national one as well. The opening staff and I oohed and aahed over the concert review in the Seattle Times, all of us clustering around the information desk, rereading our favorite quotes over and over. The writer had even provided a few words of Doug's bio – after several other lines praising his voice and onstage persona – adding that he worked at a â€Å"local bookstore.† We loved that; the nondescript reference almost made us feel like celebrities too. I let them chat on a bit longer, reveling in my own pride and pleasure for Doug, before finally breaking things up. â€Å"All right, kids, I hate to crack the whip, but I see customers at the door. â€Å" They dispersed reluctantly, but I saw Andy smirking when he thought I didn't notice him whispering something to Casey. The only word I caught was â€Å"whip.† Charming. One would think having a dominatrix reputation would at least make me a more formidable authority figure, rather than a source of ridicule. And today, I was the only authority figure. Paige was out sick again, so I had to unofficially work both her job and my own. At least the staff was in good form despite the late night, which made things easier. Casey seemed unaffected by last night, which I found remarkable. Maybe it was the resilience of youth. After drinking and smoking that much, I doubted I'd have been in as good a shape as she was – and I had the advantage of supernatural healing and recovery. My misgivings about Alec must have been premature, I decided, considering what a good mood she appeared to be in. She smiled every time I saw her during the day and was always ready with a friendly comment to customers and coworkers alike. When I stopped by to take something from a neighboring register, I heard a customer ask her if she knew offhand whether his books would total under twenty-five dollars or not. She flipped through the stack expertly and had an answer within ten seconds. â€Å"With tax, $26.57. Put this one back, and you'll be at $22.88. Closest you can get without going over.† â€Å"Did you do that all in your head?† I asked her later. Dimples showed in her pretty cheeks. â€Å"I'm an accounting major.† â€Å"Yeah, but my accountant sure as hell doesn't do my taxes in his head.† â€Å"Of course not. But this stuff's easy.† Doug came in at noon, much to the delight of the others. Practically strutting, he couldn't stop crowing about the review and kept asking me if I'd read such-and-such in the article. I had to assure him repeatedly that I'd read it all. Like Casey, he too acted untouched by last night's partying. He worked and bounced around with what was becoming his trademark energy. Compared to the two of them, I felt downright curmudgeonly, not to mention inadequate. Sheesh. What were immortality and shape-shifting next to superhuman computations and dazzling stage performances? When I returned from my lunch break, he practically sprinted up to me. â€Å"Kincaid, Kincaid – you gotta help me out.† â€Å"What's wrong?† He inclined his head toward one of the registers. Alec stood leaning against it, flirting with Casey. She smiled and nodded enthusiastically at something he said. â€Å"Alec came by to tell me he got us a major audition over at the Blue Gallery. We have got to go practice. Stat.† â€Å"Good grief. Slow down on the italics.† â€Å"Kincaid, I mean it! You have to cover for me. No one,ll know I left. These guys don't care, and Paige and Warren won't be in.† â€Å"How long do you need?† â€Å"The rest of the day.† â€Å"The rest of the – that's going to be over twelve hours for me! Besides, I can't close. I'm going to a play downtown.† Seth had just secured us some last minute tickets. â€Å"Then†¦stay as late as you can. Janice,ll handle closing.† I hesitated. Warren preferred that the manager or one of the assistant managers close, but Doug was right. Janice could handle it. â€Å"Kin -caid,† he begged. â€Å"Please. I need this. You know I do.† Doug had always been charming and irresistible. Something about him today particularly appealed to me. A master working another master, apparently. When I gave in to his pleas, he picked me up and spun me around in a most undignified way. Two minutes later, he and Alec left, and I settled in for a long day. When it finally neared its end, I felt certain the store would burn to the ground in my absence. Dragging myself away at last, I drove downtown, found parking, and sprinted into the theatre just as the lights were going down. Breathless, I slid into a seat between Seth and his thirteen-year-old niece Brandy. On the other side of him, Seth's brother and sister-in-law waved to me. Brandy grinned. She'd been shy the first time we met but now seemed to regard me as the older sister she didn't have. I adored her too. If Seth and I ever split up, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to handle keeping away from his family. â€Å"I didn't think you'd make it,† she told me, her features faintly discernible in the dim lighting. In days long past, people would have said she and her mother had â€Å"flaxen† hair, but no one really used that term anymore. Still, I always thought it appropriate when I saw that pale shade of gold. â€Å"Just making a fashionably late entrance,† I whispered back. â€Å"Remember that when you're older. It keeps men guessing. Once they start presuming anything, there's no living with them.† Brandy giggled. Seth only smiled, but his eyes radiated approval, as he assessed me. I wore wine-colored silk and had my hair in a French twist. His eyes, I'd long since discovered, could be as eloquent and expressive as his pen. The messages they sent me now hardly seemed decent for a public setting. He moved his hand over to cover mine, so that both rested on my thigh, and as the night progressed, I found myself thinking more about that hand placement than the excellent play. Afterward, he and I stood with his family in the lobby for a while, catching up. Terry and Andrea Mortensen were great people who always treated me with genuine kindness. From what I'd learned of Seth's antisocial habits, I think they regarded me as some sort of last hope for him. Brandy affirmed as much when she and I dashed to the restroom together. â€Å"Dad told Uncle Seth not to screw things up,† she informed me as we washed our hands. â€Å"He said even if Uncle Seth is famous, him getting a woman like you defies belief.† I laughed and smoothed down the skirt of my dress. â€Å"I don't know about that. I don't think your dad gives your uncle enough credit. â€Å" Brandy gave me a sage look, worthy of someone much older. â€Å"Uncle Seth spent last Valentine's Day at a library.† We returned to the lobby and spoke a bit more before Terry declared they needed to rescue the babysitter who'd been left with their other four daughters. Andrea touched my arm as they prepared to leave. â€Å"You're coming to Seth's birthday party, aren't you?† I looked at all of them in surprise. â€Å"When is it?† â€Å"Thanksgiving. They fall on the same day every once in a while.† â€Å"It's a good ploy to get turkey and presents,† remarked Terry. He was shorter and more clean-shaven than Seth but otherwise bore a fair resemblance to his older brother. â€Å"I didn't even know it was coming up.† I shot Seth an accusing look. â€Å"I forgot.† For anyone else, that would probably have been a lie, but I believed him. â€Å"So you'll be there?† Andrea again gave me the impression they were desperate to foster Seth's love life. I could have probably negotiated a stipend for showing up. â€Å"With bells on.† Seth and I went back to his place this time. I shape-shifted into my favorite pajamas – flannel pants and a cami – and crawled into bed with him. His bed was bigger than mine and had a feather duvet, as well as a teddy bear named Damocles who wore a University of Chicago T-shirt. Still a little wound up, we talked in the dark about Emerald City for a while, then moved on to books in general. We had a vast array of familiar literature in our repertoire, and we jumped around authors and genres. We both admired Toni Morrison and Tennessee Williams. Neither of us could get through Anna Karenina. Seth hated Jane Austen, whom I adored. As we debated back and forth, I was relieved to be reminded we truly did have a lot in common. Sex was not the only thing between us, even if it was the only thing that stood between us. At some point in the literary discussion, I began to drift off. The long day had worn me out, and sleep felt luxurious. Seth seemed tired too. He and I drew close, lying on our sides, legs touching. Random thoughts whispered in my head as unconsciousness tugged at me. How Aubrey was doing. Whether Paige's baby would be a boy or a girl. If Bastien was any closer to bedding Dana. How in the world Doug's band had become so amazing so quickly. I opened my eyes a couple hours later, uncertain what had woken me. One of those weird, unseen things that suddenly break you out of sleep, I guessed. Quiet darkness still enveloped us with no sign of morning in sight. A little moonlight filtered inside, casting funny shadows around the desk and other bedroom furniture. Unlike my place in Queen Anne, car traffic here dropped off at night, so I heard only the sound of breathing and electrical humming. Then I noticed that Seth and I had moved our bodies even nearer than before. Our legs wrapped around each other pretzel-style, our arms kept us close together. His scent flooded my nose. As my eyes adjusted, I noticed his were open as well. Intense pools of darkness. He was watching me. Still a little sleepy, I moved my hand up to his neck, twining my fingers in his hair, drawing my face closer to his. His hand rested on the small of my back where the tank top rose away from my flannel pajama bottoms. He touched the skin there just as he had at the concert, his hand sliding toward my side, tracing the curve of my hip before running toward my thigh. The fingers that beat such a steady tattoo on computer keys were as delicate as feathers on me. My eyes never left his as we touched each other, and I swore I could hear my heart thundering in my ears. Then, despite some screaming voice in the back of my foggy brain, I pushed my mouth toward his and kissed him. Our lips were tentative at first, as though surprised they had gotten this far. We tasted each other, slowly and gently. His hand on the back of my thigh slid upward, and something about shy Seth Mortensen stroking my ass sent a thrill through me. A soft exhalation lodged in my throat, and as my tongue explored past his lips, seeking more, he suddenly pushed me onto my back with an urgency that I think astonished both of us. His other hand slid up under my shirt and cupped the bottom of a breast, and through his boxers, I could tell that more than just his hands and lips wanted this to progress. Then, ever so slightly, I felt something else. A slight tingling. Angel-fine tendrils of prickly bliss slowly snaking through me, wrapping around me. Exhilarating. Better than any intoxicant I'd ever experienced. Pure life, pure energy. It was delicious and tantalizing, another dimension of the physical pleasure we stood on the brink of. The fact that it was Seth's was even more alluring. It had his unique essence written all over it. I wanted to dive into it, close my eyes and forget all about being responsible while that sweetness filled me. But I couldn't. My resolve was weakening by the second, true, but I was still holding on. Barely. I broke the kiss reluctantly, trying to muster my strength and move away from him. At the first sign of my struggle, he immediately let me go. â€Å"I – I'm sorry,† I said, sitting up and putting my face in my hands. I rubbed my eyes as though waking from a dream, which in a manner of speaking, I was. â€Å"We can't. It†¦it started†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Just from kissing.† It was a statement, his voice coming out husky with desire and sleepiness†¦and regret. He knew better than most how lethal a passionate kiss could be; I'd almost killed him the last time. Of course, that had been an exceptional situation, and my near-death state had sucked away much more than a deep kiss normally would. â€Å"Just from kissing,† I repeated bleakly. It didn't take intercourse for one person to give themselves up to another. There were no loopholes in this game. Tense silence crept in around us until Seth sat up as well and shifted his body away from mine. I could hear genuine pain and guilt when he spoke again. â€Å"I'm sorry about that. I don't know†¦meant to have better control. But I just sort of woke up†¦and I was half-asleep†¦and then†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I know,† I whispered into the darkness. â€Å"I know. And I'm sorry too.† More silence. â€Å"I guess,† he finally said, â€Å"I should go sleep on the couch†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I closed my eyes, feeling terrible but knowing he was right. We'd been playing with fire by fooling around with this chaste-sleeping thing. It was a wonder something bad hadn't happened sooner. The more it sunk in, the more I realized how much damage I could have caused. Hell, how much damage had I caused already by taking those few drops of life from him? A week off his lifespan? A few days? Even one minute would have been too much. Bitterness – at the world, not him – dripped from my voice when I spoke. â€Å"No. I'll take the couch. We're at your place.† â€Å"Whatever. Leave me some remnant of chivalry.† I didn't say anything, and we sat once more in awkward silence. A hundred questions hung in the air between us, but neither of us could broach them. Both our faults. When an emotional situation turned uncomfortable, I had a tendency to run from it or pretend it wasn't happening. And while Seth wouldn't exactly run away, he wouldn't initiate the dialogue needed to explore something like this. So we continued sitting there. At last, he stood up. â€Å"I'm sorry. Sorry for what I did.† He blamed himself, which was typical of him but not fair, especially since I had technically touched him first. I should have said something then, told him it wasn't all his fault. But the words stuck on my tongue, held up by my own confused feelings. After a few more moments, he left for the living room. I lay back down, Damocles in my arms, but slept badly the rest of the night. When morning came, Seth and I ate breakfast in more tense silence – he'd finally made my pancakes – broken only occasionally by stiff small talk. We then went to the bookstore together, parting ways quickly. I hardly saw him the rest of the day. Bastien was in the city for some reason or another that night, so he picked me up later and drove me over to his place for the ridiculous heist at Dana's. When I saw the post-sex energy wreathing him, I knew what had brought him downtown. â€Å"Don't you get tired of getting laid every day?† I asked him, wishing I could have gotten laid last night. â€Å"I'm going to pretend you didn't actually just ask that, Fleur .†He then proceeded to ramble on about his various Dana sightings in the last few days, how chummy they were getting, how it could only be a matter of time before the inevitable. When I didn't really respond, he cut me a sidelong glance. â€Å"What's the matter with you? You look miserable.† I sighed. â€Å"I kissed Seth last night.† â€Å"And?† â€Å"And what?† â€Å"What else happened?† â€Å"Well†¦nothing. I mean, a little groping here and there, but that's it.† â€Å"So?† â€Å"So, I shouldn't have done it.† A dismissive look crossed his face. â€Å"A kiss is nothing. It's not like you gave him a blow job or anything.† â€Å"Good lord, you're crass.† â€Å"Don't act like I offended your delicate sensibilities. And you know what I'm talking about.† â€Å"Doesn't matter. I was weak. I got some of his energy from that.† † Fleur , I love you as much as I've ever managed to love anybody, but this whole thing is absurd. You're never going to be happy until you've fucked this guy, so just get it over with. It'll take away the whole forbidden attraction and allow both of you to get on with your lives. â€Å" â€Å"‘Get on with our lives?' What's that supposed to mean?† I asked sharply. â€Å"I mean half the reason you guys are so infatuated with each other is because you can't have each other. It's not love, but it is a normal human reaction, a catalyst for physical attraction.† He paused and considered. â€Å"Your maniacal obsession with his books might also be a factor.† â€Å"That's not true. None of that's true at all. Well, I mean, those books are good enough to be the basis of a religion, but that's not the same thing. That's not why I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Love him? Hell. I still didn't know if I did or not. I wasn't even sure what love was after all this time. Bastien shook his head, not believing me but not wanting to argue either. â€Å"Fine. Keep going with this. I still think you should fuck him, though. Even if it doesn't make you both realize you're better off apart, it'll at least remove one source of tension between you and maybe let you attempt some sort of normal dysfunctional relationship.† I stared bleakly into space. â€Å"I can't. Not even one night. It'd take years off his life. I couldn't live with myself.† â€Å"Bah. Only a handful of years at most. What's that? Besides, men have done stupider things for sex – with women they don't even really like. If he really does love you, he might think it's a fair trade.† I shuddered. I didn't think it was fair at all, but he was right about the silly things men would do for sex. I'd seen and initiated plenty of them. We finally gave up both sides of the argument when we pulled into his driveway. The clock was ticking, and we had to start this operation. Bastien had watched Dana and Bill drive off earlier, and their teenage son had gone down the street to stay at a friend's house. Shifting to be invisible to mortal eyes, Bastien and I crept out the back of his house and scaled the fence into Dana's yard. It sort of made me feel like I was in a spy movie; I half wished we could crawl under some motion-detecting lasers. â€Å"They have a security system,† I whispered to Bastien as I watched him pick the back door's lock. More useful skills gleaned from long centuries. â€Å"Being invisible isn't going to deactivate it. â€Å" â€Å"No problem. I've done some invisible reconnaissance. I know the code.† Sure enough, he punched it into the console once we were in the house, and the readout's red light turned green. We started in the Dailey office, as that seemed like the most logical place to stash paperwork. Dana had a meticulous sense of organization that creeped me out, and we had to make sure we left everything the way we found it. Unfortunately, most of the stuff was completely useless. Memos. Efficient – and honest – budget reports. Invoices. Press releases. She had a lot of pictures too, which were at least more fun to look at than the papers. Most of them showed family or CPFV events. A number of the shots had Jody in them, which saddened me. I recalled the other woman's sly wit and passion for art. Why would someone with any sort of intelligence want to get involved in all this? â€Å"I didn't realize how active Jody was in this group,† I remarked to Bastien. â€Å"She wasn't so bad. Dana's corrupted her.† â€Å"Dana's a persuasive woman. Hey, did you know Jody's last name is Daniels? And her husband's name is Jack?† We giggled over that and continued searching a while longer before finally abandoning the office. We then ransacked – neatly, of course – any other cupboards or drawers we could find on the main floor. Nothing. â€Å"Maybe there are secret panels behind paintings,† suggested Bastien. â€Å"Or maybe the pool-boy thing was a fraud, Dana's honest with her business dealings, and there's really nothing else to get on her except that she's a prejudiced bitch.† He rolled his eyes. â€Å"One place left. The true sanctuary. The bedroom.† I grimaced. Going into someone's bedroom freaked me out. The ultimate violation of privacy. But Bastien charged on, still confident this wild goose chase would yield results. Fortunately, the bedroom had the neat, sterile look of a hotel, not the warm and sensual air of one's most intimate space. It made searching easier, like I was breaking into a vacant room. We sifted through drawers and closets, again finding little to go on. â€Å"Eek!† I suddenly cried, staring into an open drawer. Bastien flew to me. â€Å"What? What is it?† I held up what had to be the most wholesome pair of granny panties I'd ever seen. They were like great-granny panties. They were even white. You would have thought she could at least go out on a limb and get them in blue or green or something. Bastien elbowed me for my overreaction. â€Å"How can you even act surprised after hearing her rants about modest clothing?† â€Å"Modest is one thing, but Jesus†¦how high do these things go? Up to her neck?† â€Å"Put them back. We've got to – â€Å" Click. We'd both heard. I shot Bastien a panicked look and shoved the underwear back in the drawer. â€Å"I thought you said – † His tone was grim. â€Å"I know, I know.† Someone had just entered the house.