An Imaginary Life and Wordsworth Essay

In both David Malouf’s novel ‘An Imaginary Life’ and William Wordsworth’s poems, it is palpable how diverse times and cultures influence the significance of the association humanity can have with the natural world. There are four key techniques which are portrayed by both writers, portraying of characters, symbolism, imagery and concern; these techniques are presented through themes. The portraying of characters is shown through the theme of finding oneself in nature, symbolism finding hope in nature, imagery is emphasized through the indication that it is easier to connect with nature as a child and concerns towards the writers are accentuate through the theme of drifting away from nature. These themes help the writers highlight their techniques to the readers. Although both writers share the same views on nature, their context allows them to differ greatly from one another. Both Malouf and Wordsworth write through certain characters, Malouf wrote in his novel ‘An Imaginary Life’ through the character Ovid and Wordsworth through first person. An imaginary Life was written in a post-romantic era and tells the story of the Roman poet Ovid’s exile from Rome – the centre of culture at the time – to the bleak wilderness at Thomis, near the Black Sea. Here we have a person absolutely dependent on language – a poet – forced to live in a world where the landscape, the language, all is alien him. Eventually, with the assistance of the Child, a youth reared in the wild, Ovid comes to accept his new surroundings. He does this by using the power of language and imagination to construct this new world for himself in a way that is meaningful. His finding of a familiar flower, a poppy, in the wilderness, evokes for him the magical power of language to construct human reality. This reflects his personal views on nature as he himself chose to leave society and become a part of and appreciate nature. Wordsworth on the other hand wrote in first person, making it clear to his audience that these are his views and opinions. His mother died in 1788 at the age of eight and his father in 1783 at the age of thirteen. From there Wordsworth considered nature to be an adoptive parent. He rejected society, ‘Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher’, this shows how Wordsworth idolizes nature, he portrays nature as ‘light’ and puts it into a superior position. Wordsworth introduced the romantic era, at the time poems were written to allow the reader to feel the emotions of the composer. Nature was considered high in the romantic era, Wordsworth’s, unlike Malouf, finds his connection with nature at a young age. This is because of his personal context of losing his parents as a child and having no sturdy adult guide, Wordsworth was forced into nature and away from society whilst Malouf chose to leave society and find nature. Although the romantic era was filled with ‘nature lover’ Wordsworth was said to have an unnatural and concerning relationship with nature, referred to as a ‘nature worshiper’. This comes as a concern to most readers. In his poem ‘Tintern Abbey’ Wordsworth writes â€Å"I cannot paint/ What then I was,† showing and essentially fathoming over his ‘boyish days’ when a blunt â€Å"passion† and a â€Å"feeling† that had no need of â€Å"any interest/ Unborrowed from the eye† Developed from the natural world of Tintern Abbey. Despite never being conspicuous, religion has been implemented into the poem, most of it pantheistic. Wordsworth describes himself as having a â€Å"far deeper zeal / of holier love† Creating the image that mental images of nature can build an enigmatic perceptivity of the holy. Malouf sets no major concerns with his audience however he did drift away from modern society to connect with nature. The times in which both writers wrote allowed their opinions on the attraction to nature to differ. Symbolism is used in both writers’ texts, In David Malouf’s novel An Imaginary Life, one of the most compelling positions of characterization circuits around the Child. Malouf analyzes the contention of the affiliation connecting an old man, Ovid and the Child, and the modifications it brings in human personality. The Child in An Imaginary Life is not a child as a child, but here, the Child is a wild boy, as a symbol of barbaric or uncivilized society and mirrors the method of reflection and of the deepening of humanity’s evolution into a new self. Ovid represents civilized man who has to face changed life situation, in â€Å"new place†, as an exile. In this process, the inner balance of Ovid self-ness has been tested through many experiences. Furthermore, the figure playing main role in Ovid’s process is The Child. Thus, the chronology of the meeting between Ovid and the child in Tomis is really about the process of shaping selfness. Wordsworth on the other hand symbolizes nature and people as one. In his poem ‘Strange Fits Of Passion I Have Known’, he continuously symbolizes the moon with the search for his love. As the moon falls his hope becomes lost. In almost all his poems, Wordsworth used ‘I’ as a symbol to portray his own emotions. Both writers symbolize their hope in nature using certain descriptive languages. Both writers use nature as a symbol entirely. Word worth, in his poem ‘The Prelude’, symbolizes nature, â€Å"Free as a bird to settle where I will†, this shows he symbolizes a bird with himself. Imagery is used in all kinds of writing, it helps the readers understand what the author is seeing and feeling. Ovid, in An Imaginary Life has a ‘fear’ of wolves eating him on page 56, this is ironic as the child who saves Ovid was raised by wolves, and he quotes â€Å"What if the next tongue to touch me was a wolf’s tongue? Rough, greedy.† Malouf also wants his readers to imaginatively come to terms with the suffering and cruelty that resides in Australian history; in the treatment of the Aboriginal people by white settlers. Malouf’s novels deal with the idea that there is a blurred boundary between history and fiction. Official history is revealed as partly a fiction – something that gets modified over time. But unofficial history, the lives of ordinary people, is in a sense the â€Å"true history†¦.the secret history† that can be brought to life through fiction. Wordsworth on the other hand portrays imagery through beauty. Using descriptive language such as â€Å"soft/gentle breeze†, â€Å"lofty cliffs†, Tintern Abbey has great imagery used by Wordsworths, for example: â€Å"Here, under this dark sycamore, and view These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts, Which at this season, with their unripe fruits, Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves ‘Mid groves and copses. Once again I see These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms, Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke Sent up, in silence, from among the trees! With some uncertain notice, as might seem Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods, Or of some Hermit’s cave, where by his fire The Hermit sits alone.† It can be concluded that although two people share almost the exact same views, to appreciate and allow others to appreciate nature, they both wrote in very diverse ways. This is clearly due to historical, literary and authors context. Both Wordsworth and Malouf show the quality and importance of humanity’s relationship with nature and how times and culture influence the relationship. Although they are influenced by very different cultural and social values, both writers have the same goal, which is to understand nature and become a part of it. Wordsworth learns through his interaction with nature in â€Å"Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour, July 13, 1798,† and â€Å"It’s a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free,† that there is a spiritual presence in the landscape. Ovid’s interaction with nature helps him break down the divisions between people and their environment to become at one with it. B oth writers demonstrate how interaction with nature is necessary to appreciate it.

Howard Zinn: Use and Abuse of History Summary

Response to Howard Zinn article History is something we constantly refer to progress ourselves as humans, we learn from our mistakes and continue to strive from our successes. But who is to say what is a horrible mistake or a courageous act of valor? That which was documented about what happened so long ago, was done by a person who spread the story or wrote it down from their perspective. Howard Zinn’s argument that there is no such thing as impartial history clearly illustrates that when history is recorded there is always two sides to the story, that things are either left out or kept in to sway the reader to one side or the other. Everyone is biased, whether they know it or not, in possessing fundamental goals, purposes and ends. † (Zinn, Use and Abuse of History,51) Not only can history be recorded partially but also it can be preached partially. By that I mean that in today’s society many things are censored, not published or not publicized. If they don†™t share a view that the government doesn’t like, that a publisher knows will not sell a book or that will cause negative controversy the history probably won’t make it to the eyes of the public. (Use and Abuse of History,62).History is partial because no matter who tells it, all the details cannot be accounted for, things are left out or over emphasized to prove a point or show a certain view. In today’s school system children learn history the way it has been mandated by the government not out of teacher’s discretion. The way history is taught in America is very partial, the idea that America is this country that is oh so glorious and built on the fundamentals of a perfect and morally strong society is over-glorified. The story of Christopher Columbus is a great example that Zinn uses.American’s teach their youth about the courageous sailor who founded the new world and the glory he brought. But leave out the side notes of the genocide he had s tarted and the ruthlessness of slavery all for his own personal glory. (Use and Abuse of History 56-57) Two sides of the same story, though both sides are never told. The idea that the founder of a country was a ruthless murderer would never swing in elementary schools, no matter how much of a reality it is. â€Å"One must inevitably omit large chunks of what is available in historical information. But what is mitted is critical in the kind of historical education people get† (Use and Abuse of History 56). It is insane to think that children should be taught every shred of history in school, they focus on the main points but again these main points are synthesized to show what a regulated counsel of officials decides is appropriate knowledge to learn. The books however that detail accounts that hold a darker look at the events or people like Christopher Columbus are not hidden or burned. Instead they are out there but they are not brought to students in silver platters and sh oved down their throats.Rather they are off to the side and are available to those who look but if the schools do such a good job and proving how much of a hero Christopher Columbus was who would ever look for such a book? History is partial because society’s elected officials choose what is put in the public eye, the officials decide what the social norm for history will be and they over emphasize glory and nationalism for the sake of our their nation’s pride not because it is the right side of the story, but what the public will perceive as the right story. Whenever someone says, ‘history proves†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ and then cites a list of historical facts, we should beware. We can always select facts from history (there are lots to choose from) to prove almost anything†¦ † (Violence and human nature 41) The way we can use and abuse history is as easy as putting someone’s name into Google and hitting search. People can pick and choose what facts ab out something they wish to argue, again pushing for the partial use of history to make a point. An extreme example of course would be Adolph Hitler, you ask a student about Hitler their immediate response would be he was a monster.Many would agree, but what he did for the economy of Germany and how he brought a starving and poor country back to power can be considered in respects a tremendous act of great leadership and planning. (Trueman , The Nazis and the German Economy) The way history is presented is in a way that makes the presenter (the government) look good in the eyes of its citizens. The picking and choosing of facts only furthers the stereotype that â€Å"the world had good guys and bad guys, good countries and bad countries, and ours was good† (Violence and Human Nature 41).It makes sense in a way that it keeps the masses satisfied with their style and way of government. If the complete history of the U. S. governmental flaws and acts of murders were to be publish ed and used in schools of course the reaction would be to demand change and seek a new way of doing things. But that in itself would be using history in a partial way and again proving history his used to prove points and emphasis ideas based on who is telling them.Zinn’s idea that being partial is inevitable (Use and Abuse of History 51) cannot be denied, history is always told to prove a point and a point cannot be proven unless ideas are supported with the right facts chosen by those who document them. The ideas, beliefs and values we hold so strong to ourselves dictate the way we see art, literature and the world. The way we see history and record history is also based again on our values and beliefs, what we set in our mind to be so great, honest and true such as our country can be clouded by how attached we are to these values and beliefs we have. The chief problem in historical honesty is not outright lying. It is omission or deemphasis of important data. The definitio n of important, of course depends on one’s values. † (Use and Abuse of History51) The values that we hold to ourselves have come from our upbringing, from what we are taught growing up. It is no wonder that American’s see their country as beautiful, free and the birth of the ideal American business dream. Taking into my own perspective, â€Å"The Ludlow Massacre† (Use and Abuse of Hitory, 51-53) I initially held the idea that the American government always promoted the growth of its economy in positive measures.From what was taught to me in history class the only struggle I had known about in the America’s regarding the economy was the great depression and slavery. After reading that part of the article it seems very clear to myself why that was kept away from the public. The stock market crash, the great depression and slavery are all pieces of American history that are unavoidable that are known by the general public, but the Ludlow Massacre becau se of the scale and the remoteness of the incident, the American government was able to sweep it away out of view of the public eye.The depression and slavery were both triumphed by the government of America, where it was able to lead their country to economic prosperity and end slavery. But as for the massacre, they burned children and killed hundreds. If this were made general knowledge it may perhaps alter some beliefs of values held in the economic pride of the United States. I see that values lter how you view things because they’re essentially what you believe to be true, and the way history is portrayed it is clear to see that it is partial and that it does take sides. Zinn is very clearly telling the readers that history cannot be told as a whole, bits and pieces are left aside at the discretion of the author. A tiny part maybe left out, but the moral value it can hold can be tremendous even belief altering, that is why history it seems in a sense is regulated and a p roduct that is designed for the general public.The concept that history â€Å"inevitably takes sides† (Use and Abuse of History 51) is a main point in how Zinn argues that history is partial. A bias is always present no matter who the scribe is because the scribe themselves is on a side, or he/she has certain views that alter how they record or present the event they have witnessed. (Use and Abuse of History 51) If this bias is always present is there really a right and wrong way to see two sides given in history?There is also countless other factors that are prevalent in regards to a bias opinion; is this the idea the publisher wants to display, will this spark controversy, will this get my point across, will this show we are superior? (Use and Abuse of History, 59) Zinn brings forward many ways that would sway a historian to push one side of the story more than the other. â€Å"there is a conservative bias to history a tendency to emphasize what previous generations have e mphasized. The motive for that is safety, because the historian who breaks the pattern causes stares and suspicions. (Use and Abuse of History,59) The social norm stands dominant in the way history is engineered for the public, I think that it is harder for historians to avoid certain tendencies in what is written because of who will publish it and what controversies it will cause, and especially who will pay for it. History it seems today is more of a business to promote ideas and beliefs that are inside the box, it promotes uniformity in the believers of the past, that those who learn about history’s dark secrets must choose to, that nothing beyond the social norm will be willingly presented to them in fear that their ideologies and beliefs will change.History’s partial system of facts and the idea that entire civilizations are morally horrid or angelic is so biased because that is the way history has always been. Every story told is nothing but a point of view, that one side of a story always remains dominant to another that portrays a negative outcome for the storyteller. Howard Zinn’s idea that there is no such thing as impartial history because of how it is twisted to either include or ignore things or to emphasize or deemphasize certain ideas seems to do nothing but prove valid.History is something that has always been partial to emphasize values and ideas to prove something and make sure people interpret it in a certain way. The idea that you cannot ignore the past has a different meaning to me now, you can choose to ignore certain pieces of the past. History’s conservative outlook constantly pushes the same values and ideas this is because we specify which ideas and values should be pushed. The way history is sliced and diced reflects what the government and publishers think how we should view history.Events of the past are pushed to the side so that ideas of morality and righteousness still stand strong, even though our el ected leaders of the past commit crimes it isn’t in the best interest of the general public that this information become readily available. (Use and Abuse of History 56-62) Zinn’s arguments prove to show that history is partial, that things are left out for certain reasons and things are emphasized to prove points.History can never be impartial because there will always be a degree of bias in whoever records it, neutrality can never really present when describing a conflict because even the idea of neutrality is a personal opinion. History itself is a product to be consumed by the masses, the ideas are ingested and regurgitated so the social norm remains strong and that certain ideologies are always held. Bibliography: 1. Trueman, Chris. â€Å"The Nazis and the German Economy. † The Nazis and the German Economy. History Learning Site, n. d. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. . 2. Zinn, Howard. The Use and Abuse of History. Coursepack

Seligram Inc. Case Analysis

At the beginning, the Electronic Testing Operations (ETO) measured two components of cost: direct labor and burden, but the burden is grouped into a single cost pool that includes all costs and divided by direct labor dollars to obtain the burden rate. (Q2) ETO’s manager picked up 5 components to evaluate the impact of different accounting system. The reported costs from existing system can be computed as follows, given the burden rate 145%: Product Direct Labor Burden Total Costs ICA 917 1,330 2,247 ICB 2,051 2,974 5,025Capacitor 1,094 1,586 2,680 Amplifier 525 761 1,286 Diode 519 753 1,272 Based on the accounting manger’s proposal, the operation burden can be divided into machine-hour and direct labor burden. We use the revised burden rate 21% and machine-hour rate $80. 1 to show the updated costs: Product Direct Labor Burden Machine Hour Machine Burden Total Costs ICA 917 193 18. 50 1,482 2,591 ICB 2,051 431 40. 00 3,204 5,686 Capacitor 1,094 230 7. 50 601 1,924 Ampl ifier 525 110 5. 00 401 1,036 Diode 519 109 12. 00 961 1,589If ETO follows the consultant’s recommend, treats the main test room and mechanical test room as different cost pools. The three-burden-pool system reports the cost: ($63. 34 for main room burden rate and $112. 63 for mechanical room) Product Direct Labor Burden Main Room Hour Mech. Room Hour Test Room Burden Total Costs ICA 917 193 8. 50 10. 00 1,665 2,774 ICB 2,051 431 14. 00 26. 00 3,815 6,297 Capacitor 1,094 230 3. 00 4. 50 697 2,021 Amplifier 525 110 4. 00 1. 00 366 1,001 Diode 519 109 7. 00 5. 00 1,007 1,635Among the three costing systems, we prefer the consultant’s proposal (Q3). The accounting manager treats the machine hours as separate cost pool because the automated operation process leads to large percentage of total cost comparing to direct labor. Measuring the machine hour costs can help us to assess the total burden more accurate. However, given the same machine hours, the different hours spend in main room and mechanical room also incurs different costs. We can see from Exhibit 5 that mechanical room has higher unit cost per hour.Therefore, the three-cost-pool system can trace the costs back to the actual operation factors more clearly. (Q1) According to the two explanations shown above, the critical problem that causes ETO to fail is the single cost pool accounting system. In the single cost pool system, all products consume direct labor and overhead in the same proportion. However, some products need more direct labors while others require automated machinery operation. And the trends of direct labor obsolescence also biased the calculation of burden rate, which causes the verall product cost assessment become misleading. Managerial Accounting Case Study 2: Seligram, Inc: ETO Group 1 2 Although we prefer the consultant’s proposal, the three-cost-pool system still can be further improved by introducing another cost pool, the technical support costs (Q4). Both the accounting manager and consultant regard the administrative and technical functions as the same cost factor. However, we think the technical support is very different in nature comparing with administrative cost. Each type electrical component which sent to ETO varies greatly in its complexity.For example, a keyboard IC is much simpler then a 3D graphic processing IC and requires less (or nearly no) technical support since keyboard IC is a matured product. Administrative cost usually includes general overhead such as indirect salaried employee, security, store/warehousing, telephones, and others. If we classify the technical functions in the same cost pool as administration costs, then a keyboard IC and a 3D graphic processing IC share the same direct labor burden rate, which is not reasonable. Therefore we recommend a four-cost-pool system that separate technical support from general direct labor burden. Q5) From the data provided in Exhibit 5 and Exhibit 7, we can calculate the ma in test room burden rate if the new machine is included. The first year’s burden rate will be: Hours Variable Depreciation Other Total Old Machine 33,201 887,379 88,779 1,126,958 2,103,116 New Machine 400 100,000 500,000 225,000 825,000 Sum 33,601 987,379 588,779 1,351,958 2,928,116 Machine Hour Burden Rate $ 8 7. 14 (first year) And the remaining years’ burden rate: Hours Variable Depreciation Other Total Old Machine 33,201 887,379 88,779 1,126,958 2,103,116New Machine 2,400 100,000 125,000 150,000 375,000 Sum 35,601 987,379 213,779 1,276,958 2,478,116 Machine Hour Burden Rate $ 6 9. 61 (remaining years) The original burden rate calculated from three-cost-pool system is $63. 34. Both the first year ($87. 14) and remaining years’ ($69. 61) burden rate per machine hour are much higher, especially for the first year. Since the new equipment is only needed by one or two customers in the foreseeable future, we should treat the new machine as separate cost center, or the new equipment will have a disastrous effect on ETO’s pricing structure.

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Criminal Law 5.3 - Essay Example er; the determination includes the twin issues of obscenity and pornography which are two different matters altogether although there is a very fine line distinguishing these two concepts. Moreover, it is also natural for a culture to change over time and this includes ideas on what are obscene and pornographic. In particular, the concept of what is obscene can change over time, depending on the values that prevail at a particular period in time; certain books were thought to be obscene but today are now classics. This paper briefly examines and discusses the many issues surrounding the two ideas. The concept of obscenity has evolved over time and literary works of famous authors like Henry Miller, James Joyce, and D. H. Lawrence were once banned for being obscene and yet today are considered as literary classics (Wallace & Roberson, 2012, p. 247). However, there is a difference of material that is considered obscene as it is not protected by First Amendment while pornography is allowed and protected within certain limits under the First Amendment. It is of little comfort that some materials can be allowed while some are not allowed and illegal. In earlier times, pornography was not bad as it was part of erotica or the highly artistic and refined reproduction or depiction of human sexuality in acceptable works of art (Lynn, 1996. p. 13). a. The statute against obscenity applies to computer-generated materials like some of the new manga (Japanese comics) series which depict obscene acts and likewise applies to computer transmissions of the same materials in the same way that the MPC (Model Penal Code) applies to undeveloped photographs, molds, printing plates, etc. (Wallace & Roberson, 2012, p. 249). But these computer-related materials must still be subject to and pass the so-called Miller Test. b. Ordinary jury members are usually aware of â€Å"community standards† based on what are the prevailing views on morality and public decency so they would be able to

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A Legendary Experience in the Robin Hood Festival - Article Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that every year during mid-august, hundreds of tourists flock to visit the Robin Hood county of Nottinghamshire to experience the celebration of the world-famous Robin Hood Festival. At this time of the year, people from different parts of the country witness the transformation of a quiet English town into a lively reverie of performances depicting the life of the legendary hero. The Robin Hood Festival is where the adventures of the famous English hero come into life. Some of the highlights of the festival include musical theatre and jousting performances that re-enacts the adventures of the famous outlaw. Aside from that, falconry and crafts display draw many tourists in awe. The best thing about the entire event is that you can witness it for free. Yes, you heard me right; visitors to the annual Robin Hood Festival witness the adventures of the medieval hero come to life by simply taking a short trip to the English city of Nottingham. Whet her you are living in London, Liverpool, or Birmingham, it is worth taking a stopover to the place where the legend is born. It is so easy to spot the Robin Hood County of Nottinghamshire because bows and arrows are used to guide the travelers in the area. Of course, another alternative route you cannot miss is the â€Å"Robin Hood Line†, a railroad in between Nottingham and Worksop. You can definitely enjoy the scenes of countryside on either trip. The 460 acres nature reserve known as the Sherwood Forest is where most of the actions happen. Every year, some 400,000 tourists visit the country’s famous forest in order to witness the exhibition in the County Park. Anywhere you look, there will always be medieval features in the surroundings – actors play as musicians, alchemists, magicians, and entertainers in the Middle Ages. Because everyone is dressed in medieval attire, you will indeed capture the typical English medieval atmosphere. While the band plays, liv e jousting and fighting scenes make the crowd lively. These activities make the entire festival more enjoyable and lively.

Business value of information Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business value of information - Assignment Example option for its customers through a partnership with PayPal, where the customers could now be able to pay their bills owed to the company through PayPal (Telstra Exchange Technology, 2013). This was later enhanced through Telstra introducing another electronic billing option for its customers in June 2014, where the customers are now able to pay their bills electronically directly to the company (Cameron, 2014). Through the newly introduced electronic billing system, Telstra sends it’s the customer bills to the customers electronically, and the customers in turn pay their bills to the company electronically. This system has enabled Telstra to save on its operational costs, through reducing the need for the paper work required in billing the customers and sending them printed bills, as well as the costs involved in processing the paper receipts once the customers pay their bills. Nevertheless, while the electronic billing service is instrumental to reducing the operational costs of the business for Telstra, it can be enhanced even further if operated as part of the overall Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system of the company (Varajao, Cruz-Cunha & Trigo, 2012). Thus, Telstra has an opportunity to improve its electronic billing services through the integration of the electronic billing option into the overall ERP. The benefits associated with the integration of the electronic billing services of the company into the overall ERP system of the company is that the costs of operating this system will be reduced further. The integration of the electronic billing system of Telstra would reduce the costs associated with both the implementation and maintenance of the systems (Varajao, Cruz-Cunha & Trigo, 2012). Further, the accountability of the electronic billing system would be enhanced when it is integrated and operated as part of the whole ERP system of the company. This is because monitoring and auditing the system would be easier, as opposed to when it is done

Is sleep deprivation associated with poor eating habits (overnutrition Research Paper

Is sleep deprivation associated with poor eating habits (overnutrition and ultimately becoming overweight) - Research Paper Example They argue that the problem occur because of personal choices on food and physical activities. If one consumes more than what is required the excess is stored and if there is no physical activity to consume what was stored then it will remain permanently in the body (Berreby, 2014). At school, students mostly prefer fast foods that are highly rich in fat and also they lack the appliances and the ingredients they need to prepare their own foods that are more appropriate for their health. At college level, they often reduce their sport activities despite maintaining their previous eating behavior. In addition, stress imposed by the curriculum, consumption of alcohol and delayed nighttime snacking are the major contributing factors to weight gain and furthermore sleeplessness. According to many experts, sleep deprivation will result to an increase in hunger hormones and that will finally result to a feeling of fullness (Peric & Nimwegen,

Information Systems in London during Olympics 2012 Essay Example for Free

Information Systems in London during Olympics 2012 Essay The London Olympics preparations are integrating technology for the purpose of making the event a success in terms of order and security. An estimate of 7 billion euros has been budgeted for the technology sector for the purpose of coordinating the Olympic event (House of Commons 2006). The London Organising Committee of the Olympics Games (LOCOG) has projected that the information system will use 204 million euros, the telecommunications, 63 million euros, and the internet applications, 12. 5 million euros (House of Commons 2006). The LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will oversee that resources for information systems management are carried on effectively and efficiently for the Olympics success. Technology Following the announcement that the 2012 Olympics will take place in London, the LOCOG announced the need to capitalize on latest IT developments and creation of software and hardware that are integrated from a common database (House of Commons 2006). The IT structure in London consists of an estimate of 8000 PCs, 900 servers and 1000 network and security devices which will be integrated for the function (Jones, 2009). Moreover, there is a planned use for green IT systems for instance virtualisation which will help in reducing the number of servers needed and in turn help to cut down costs. Jones (2009) stipulates that London has the task of matching or even surpassing the Information system in the Beijing Olympics. The following types of technology were incorporated; Journalists recorded and communicated the happenings of the event through wireless technology, and also information systems were included in the commentators’ analysis. In the event venues, radio frequency technology was used for ticket verification. Worlwide TV coverage and online video streaming were enabled by Digital Ignition Control Systems which controlled time lags between the various Olympic venues. Online ticket selling will ensure a faster and easier success to tickets but the IS should be integrated in a way that online ticket scams are prevented (Hervey 2010). The IS in London will install surveillance systems such as the CCTV cameras that will help identify any suspected malicious behaviour (Chowdhry 2008). The UK intelligence community is expected to effectively use technology in information gathering and prevention of any adversaries. Purpose of information management systems in 2012 Olympics The purpose of the integrated information systems will be to serve as a foundation for the Olympic Games planning across all the important functional and operational areas such as the transport and sport venues, the Games workforce, the press operations, and the spectator services (House of Commons 2006). IT system is to link all the venues which will be used for Olympics in the UK and the Olympics Village. The venues are more than 90 and it is necessary to have an effective and efficient control system that will ensure that Olympic event runs smoothly. Transport system and sport venues planning Information systems will be applied in the planning and coordination of airlines, underground and overland rail links, javelin shuttles, cabs and buses. The major issues to consider in the planning include reduction of traffic and ease of transportation to and from the Olympic venues, and parking space; and the enhancement of security in both public and private transportation systems. This is based on the fact that in such a crowded event, it is expected that pickpockets and conmen will mingle with the crowd. Information gathering CCTV cameras will be situated at strategic locations for surveillance as people go about their activities. This includes surveillance in the transportation facilities as well as the games’ venues. Data will also be gathered by the large fleet of security officers who have been disposed to foresee the planning of the event by the Security Industry Authority (SIA) (Chowdhry, W. 2008). Training needs to take place for all the officers to be able to use integrated technologies in detection and prevention of adversaries. IT developments allow for efficient management of information and data, and thus facilitate faster and more effective processes of decision making. This saves the time required to reconcile independent and duplicative systems. Possible barriers to knowledge management IT technology is considered the most efficient and effective in management of such a mega event that will see visitors from all over the world visit London. However, one of the major hurdles that face the preparation is the very high costs usually associated with integration of high tech information systems. The high IT costs have escalated the general amount required for carrying out the whole even by ten times more (Jones 2009). The barrier is that this budget is already too high yet it may not be enough to deal with handling the increased security alert issues prior to and during the event. Terrorism events are on the increase and most of the developed nations including the UK are target to international terrorism (Hervey 2010). The most significant possible barrier involves the IT security where the London InfoSecurity committee fears that the Olympics information systems could be targeted by terrorists and thus imposes a threat to the national security. Physical security measures are put in place but there are worries that weaknesses detected in the Olympics Information Systems may be overlooked and then turn out to be major security hurdles. According to Hervey (2010) terrorists have the capability to simultaneously hit both cyber systems and physical targets through a blended attack strategy, and therefore the London security has to be very cautious when installing and managing these security systems.

Application of Quality and Systems Management

Application of Quality and Systems Management Strategic Quality and Systems Management (SQSM) Understanding and application of quality and systems management in an organization Preface Company profile Grundfos Pumps Ltd (GPL) is wholly owned subsidiary company of Grundfos Holding A/S Denmark. GPL is a sales and marketing company covering the UK, founded in 1964 as the 2nd sales company to be setup outside Denmark. GPL today is a leader company of supply pumps and pumps systems for domestic, commercial building services and industrial applications. In 2012 the turnover was  £142m which achieved by 140 staff who are all engaged in supporting sales covering all UK by the main office which located at Leighton Buzzard and another five regional sales offices. Grundfos purpose statement: â€Å"Grundfos is a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology. We contribute to global sustainability by pioneering technologies that improve quality of life for people and care for the plant† Market share research, showing that GPL are very strong in the domestic applications sales as they have 72% of the whole market in addition to commercial application. In 2009 GPL addresses the question â€Å"how can we become a  £200m business by 2020?† this question was setup as a long term strategic target. 1.1 Explain the importance of effective operations management in achieving organizational objectives (A.C 1-1) Market opportunities, economy and efficiency of conversion operations are the main goals of each organization. Operations management as a part of the organization system has own objectives which should align with the organization strategic plan and objectives. Operations Management objectives can be categorized into (1) customer service and (2) resource utilization which are fully integrated. Generally customer satisfaction is the most important and key objective of the operation management, this leads the organization to utilize their resources for the satisfaction of customers. So operating system shall provide either product or services to a specification which can satisfy the customers in terms of timing and cost to achieve the primary satisfaction. GPL employ a team of fully dedicated staff who interface with customer, either face to face or telephone basis, taking in the consideration sales and marketing is the core of the operating system. 1.2 Evaluate the success of existing operations management processes in meeting an organisation’s overall strategic management objectives. (A.C 1-2) The fully dedicated staff are consider the heart of success and their feedback feed information to the company via the line / regional managers to address any issue in the quarterly meeting. Grundfos production and supply chain companies such as ; GBW,GDS,PGF and Hillage are primary supplier to GPL , in other term , GPL maintain an approved supplier list and agreements are held for these supplier to assure the continuity and avoiding risks in term of time and cost. GPL has regular meeting with GBW and the other supplier to review the products and to develop them against the market requirements and competitor offerings. GPL is being able to provide solutions for large commercial applications on a project basis , that was complying with the unsettled condition during economic crises in 2007/2008 in addition to the ability of supplying energy efficient options which align with GPL sustainably strategy . 2.1 Explain the importance of effective quality management in achieving organisational objectives. (A.C 2-1) Business success extent how the organization can produce a higher quality product and service than the other compotators with a competitive price .Quality is the key to GPL success as it shall increase and continue with the higher percentage of the sales in the commercial and domestic application, and they are focusing to increase their share in the industrial waste water market as they currently have 7% of the market share. GPL is a new comer to the industrial waste water market which considers a potential significant growth in this market. To exploit that, they need to develop their consulting capabilities to be reflected on their delivery and projects. 2.2 Evaluate the success of existing quality management processes in meeting an organisation’s overall strategic management objectives. (A.C 2-2) GPL has used UK award entry to benchmark their selves in the local and broader business communities, by technological developments and promote environmental issues. They have some significant success such as BPMA PIA (Pump Industry Award), BSS (Customer- Most improved supplier) and Green Apple (environmental) award in addition to ISO9001 ISO 14001 to comply successfully with the standards. Chart 2-2-1 showing that the main strategic target to achieve  £200m sales by 2020 might be setup according to the slightly linear curve for the planned sales growth in all market sectors. This required all sectors to remain focussed and monitoring their gaols against a set of KPIs. To be in line the plan to achieve the required results, continuous monitoring and taking the required actions as a corrective or preventive action needs to be taken if there is any deviation on the plan. 3.1 Plan a strategic quality change to improve organisational performance. (A.C 3-1) Quality is a major part of GPL operating system and considers one of the main needs to achieve the strategic goal which become a  £200m business by 2020; GPL’s quality system showing continues improvement among the last 10 years which align with their business growth. Some of the EFQM Excellence Model’s criteria planned to be implemented as a short term plan for one year, and to evaluate the required resources tools and systems to implement all the model’s criteria within the next upcoming two years. EFQM Excellence Model is a practical framework that enables the organization to: Asses where they are on the path to excellence, and helping them to understand their key strength and potential caps. Provide a common vocabulary (Excellence language) and way of thinking about the organization that facilitate the effective communication of ideas. Integrate existing and planned initiatives, removing duplication and identifying gaps. Provide a basic structure for the organization’s management system. The main target of implementing the EFQM Excellence Model is to achieve and sustain outstanding levels of performance that meet or exceed the expectation of all GPL’s stockholder. Two of nine of the EFQM Model’s criteria were chosen and adjusted at the first stage of implementing the EFQM model in GPL: Strategy criterion: GPL to implement its mission and vision by developing a stockholder focused strategy, policies, objectives and plans by the following: Understanding the needs of stakeholder; by gathering stakeholder’s needs and expectations of stakeholder as an input to the strategy development process. Identify and analyse the external indicators such as economic and market trends. Analyse the operational performance trends to understand the current and potential capabilities and identify where development is needed. Compare and benchmark their performance to evaluate their strengths and areas of improvement. Select clear goals and objectives which align with the market opportunities. People criterion: GPL to value its people and create a culture that allows the mutuality beneficial achievements, developing the capability of people and promote fairness and equality by the following: Define clearly the people level of performance which required achieving the strategic goals. Align people plans with the strategic goals. Develop people’s skills and competencies to ensure their future mobility and employability. Understand the communication needs of their people and use a proper tools and strategies to maintain that. 3.2 Define resources, tools and systems to support business processes in a strategic quality change. (A.C 3-2) Resources, tools and systems required to implement the setup plan by applying some of the EFQM Excellence Model’s criteria are very limited as GPL has own quality system and resources. Additional resources, tools and systems listed below: Well known EFQM quality specialist (from the existing team, to get EFQM training). Market economic researcher (from the existing team or can be newly hired). HR specialist (from the existing team). Scoring sheet. Analysis and trend program (Microsoft Excel can be used). Training Calendar for all employees. Site visit Calendar for top management and EFQM specialist. Audit program. Training program which align with the strategic targets 3.3 Evaluate the wider implications of planned strategic quality change in an organization. (A.C3-3) Two criteria were selected to be implemented as a short term plan, to be the start of implementing the EFQM Excellence Model. To support GPL achieve their strategic goal, to become a  £200M business by 2020. Strategy and people criteria selected to be implemented to help GPL to be on the track of achieving the target and to find out any gaps or potential threat. People as explained before are the core and the engine of GPL business; the plan was setup to assure that they are aligned with GPL strategy goals and to achieve their satisfaction. 3.4 Design systems to monitor the implementation of a strategic quality change in an organisation. (A.C 3-4) Scoring sheet for each criterion designed to evaluate the success of implementation, to follow up and take the required correction preventive action as the following: Zero to 11: require an immediate corrective action and recovery plan. 12 to 23: require a motivation and preventive action in addition to recovery plan. 24 to 28: result to be populated and participants to be honoured. 4.1 Implement a strategic quality change in an organisation. (A.C 4 -1) Strategy criterion: The management team determine the market and product sales strategies, targets and goals. Each director summaries this in a â€Å"Market Signals† report for their business area, incorporating feedback from the UK market. Bi-annually, input is gathered from group management in form of a target letter. This letter includes broad sales and cost targets that drive GPL’s overall business objectives. The board of directors meets quarterly with GPL to review the direction and plan the strategy going forward. Company goals are communicated at the company conference and published via their internal communication system. Each division develops their own strategy map to translate these objectives into specific actions. Based on the strategy map, annual plans and budget, GPL develop a set of KPIs as a tool to be used to review their progress against their goals. People criterion: Bi-annual survey, managed globally by Grundfos Group, which is completed by individuals anonymously. Themes include: employees satisfaction, motivation, loyalty, personal development and pay terms. It also asks for opinions on management, daily work and colleague relationship. According to the defined strategic, GPL determine the skills competencies required to achieve these goals. The assessment from the Employee Development Dialogue (EDD) enables them to identify the gaps between the current and required skills and ensure appropriate training is available, either from the Grundfos Academy or another parties. EDD completed annually in the form of 1:1 meeting with the line manager, with a mid-year review to check the progress, topics discussed are performance evaluation, target development, skills gap analysis and training needs. GPL use different channels to communicate with their employees, including direct discussion, INSITE, the annual conference, the work council, meetings and notice boards. All employees are eligible for either individual bonuses or team reward. The bonuses are based on their performance against objectives. 4.2 Embed a quality culture in an organisation to ensure continuous monitoring and development. (A.C 4-2) The board directors consider the plan of the quality change as a part of the strategic plan, and the result of implementation and monitoring were included in their quarterly meeting agenda to endorse all employees to achieve the target of the plan. 4.3 Monitor the implementation of a strategic quality change in an organization. (A.C 4-3) Site visits and assessment of the planned criteria show that GPL hasn’t benchmarked and compared their performance with the compotators, while they covered all the planed objectives under the people criterion. 5.1 Evaluate the outcomes of a strategic quality change in an organization. (A.C 5 – 1) As a final evaluation, results of the assessment considered as a tracker to the strategic goal and guarantee that the operation management system align with the planned objectives. That helps the top management to evaluate the business trend to keep GPL on the track to become a â€Å" £200M business†. 5.2 Recommend areas for improvement to a strategic quality change that align with organisational objectives. (A.C 5-2) Continue with monitoring and controlling the implemented criteria. Plan, implement and monitor of implementation all the EFQM Model’s criteria to sustain the outstanding level of performance and reinforce a culture of excellence of GPL’s people References Kumar, S Suresh, N. (2009) Operation Management. New Age International, New Delhi. Pekar,P. (1995) Total Quality System: Guiding Principles for Application. ASTM, Philadelphia. Arab British Academy for Higher Education (2015), academic website (online) available from: http://www.abahe.co.uk/business-administration/Quality-Management-Systems.pdf (accessed on 15th Feb 2015) Case Study, Grundfos Pumps Ltd. (2013). EFQM Publications, Brussels. EFQM Excellence Model. (2013). EFQM publications, Brussels.

Cardiovascular Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids

Cardiovascular Effects of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids Table of Contents ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION BODY: ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROIDS Effects Desired Effects Adverse Effects CONCLUSION ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BIBLIOGRAPHY ABSTRACT Doping is a global phenomenon present in international sporting events. International sports federations, led by the International Olympic Committee, and the World Anti-doping agency (WADA), have for the past half century attempted to prohibit the spread of this problem, however, there is still a lot left to be desired. The apparent lack of information with respect to the cardiovascular effects of anabolic steroid usage in competitive sports precipitated the need for a literature review to present scientific knowledge of the possible effects to the general public. The literature review led to detailed explanations of the cardiovascular effects of anabolic androgenic steroids, their mechanisms of actions and delved into the basis underlying why long-term abuse of these substances leads to physiologic malfunctions such as left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarctions and sudden cardiac death. INTRODUCTION The creed of the Olympics states that: â€Å"The important thing in games is not winning but taking part. The essential thing is not conquering, but fighting well†1. While the objective above is lofty and conveys a sense of discipline and integrity, little of it can be found in the reality of today’s sports world. Doping, which can be explained as the use of a substance (such as an anabolic steroid or erythropoietin) or technique (such as gene doping – the use of modified or normal genetic cells) to illegally enhance athletic performance, has become an essential topic in almost every sport and has somehow been exposed in athletes of all ages and at every level of competition2. Doping substances are not unique to modern sports competitions. Their inception dates back to 776 BC when plants and mixtures of wine and herbs were used by the early Greek Olympic athletes and Roman gladiators competing in Circus Maximus. Not only were they used for their stimulating effects in speed and endurance events, but also for their ability to mask pain, permitting injured athletes to continue competing. This was a familiar practice that continued until heroin and cocaine became legally accessible by prescription in the 1920s. At this point, there was an upsurge in the number of athletes using stimulants as doping substances. During the 1930s, amphetamines also evolved and emerged as the stimulant of choice for athletes. By the time Ben Johnson’s gold medal was stripped off in the 1988 Seoul Olympics for using the steroid stanazalol, the world had become much aware of the incidence of doping in sport. The Medical Commission, under the International Olympic Committee (IOC), established a list of illegal substances in 1967 and introduced anti-doping testing of athletes in the 1972 Munich Games. It was clear at this point that doping substances did perform their expected functions and, if allowed to continue unchecked, would wreak havoc not only to the integrity of sports, but also to the health of sportsmen. A number of world class sportspeople, including sprinters like Tyson Gay, Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell, cyclists like Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis, footballers like Kolo Toure and Adrian Mutu and fast bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif, have been associated with doping. During sports, the rate at which blood is pumped from the heart to the various organs increases and this translates to an increased cardiac output. Cardiac output can be determined by the heart rate (beats per minute) and stroke volume (volume of blood pumped per beat or stroke). Doping drugs exert their influence on these parameters either by downplaying or exceeding normal heart function. Some doping drugs cause irregular heartbeats, tachycardia (a rapid heart rate of more than 100 beats per minute) and increased blood pressure. Other drugs have the capacity of blocking fast sodium channels competitively in nerve cells, hence reducing the amplitude of the action potential and rate of depolarisation, which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias.3 The stark reality of today’s sports industry, rife with heavy investments and large cash prizes, makes it unsurprising to see athletes and coaches going several lengths to gain competitive advantages and enhance performance at all costs, even to the detriment of the athletes’ health1. Worldwide, there are varying forms of doping substances being misused by professional sportsmen, with some being more common and others being potentially unknown. This paper will focus on the respective cardiovascular effects of anabolic agents (anabolic androgenic steroids)4 BODY: ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROIDS Anabolism can be defined as the synthesis of substances in the body. The word â€Å"anabolic† is derived from the Greek word â€Å"anabole† meaning â€Å"something which is thrown up† or â€Å"mound.† An androgen is a sex hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics. The word â€Å"androgen† is also from the Greek word â€Å"andros† meaning â€Å"of a man†. Anabolic androgenic steroids are drugs that are structurally related to the cyclic rings characteristic of steroids and fall under anabolic agents according to WADA. They are therefore compounds that have the ability to induce higher rates of anabolism in organisms5. The first serious research into anabolic androgenic steroids commenced in the 1930s by the German Chemist Adolf Butenandt, who isolated androstenone from a thousand litres of urine. Further research on the effects of AASs was conducted by 1939 by the World Scientific community. Its use spread among athletes and body builders by the 1940s and 1950s and resulted in an embargo on its use by the time of the 1972 Olympics. In humans, anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) affect protein synthesis positively and protein breakdown negatively. Androgenic anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), there are two main classes of anabolic androgenic steroids: endogenous and exogenous. The endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione while exogenous anabolic steroids include boldenone, formebolone, metabolome, stanozolol, furazabol and metandienone.6 Anabolic androgenic steroids are used by athletes through oral or intramuscular routes in three widespread routines: stacking, cycling and pyramiding. Stacking refers to an AAS administration routine in which more than one steroid is used at a time to cause a cumulatively higher effect. Cycling is a routine that involves the administration of an AAS for 6 to 12 weeks, followed by abstinence from steroids for 10 to 12 weeks and then returning to administration for another 6 to 12 weeks, effectively â€Å"cycling† the steroid. Pyramiding is another routine, one which stipulates that individuals begin with low doses of AASs and progressively increase the doses over a period of time. Use of AASs was initially envisioned as treatment of HIV-associated muscle wasting, sarcopenia (gradual age-related loss of skeletal muscle) and hypogonadal males. In recent years, however, about 5% to 14% of American college athletes have been using AAS for purposes unrelated to the intended purposes of the compound. A survey conducted in the United States of America also indicated that AAS use among community weight trainers attending gyms and health clubs was about 15% to 30%7 Mechanism Of Action Testosterone, the active component in AASs and its synthetic analogues, acts on target cells (usually skeletal muscles) by adhering to intracellular androgen receptors (AR)8. The AR-steroid complex binds to DNA in the nucleus, leading to transcription of various genes which lead to the production of a host of proteins that work to increase the size of muscles and the rate of muscle growth.8 After the binding of the AR-steroid complex, additional messenger RNA (mRNA) are formed. These mRNA move out of the nucleus and into the muscle cell cytoplasm where they bind to ribosomal RNA (rRNA), thus initiating translation, which will cause the synthesis of proteins in the Golgi apparatus12. These extra proteins are then integrated into the muscle cell, increasing its size. Studies have shown that androgen receptors on cells can be up-regulated in response to AAS exposure and by strength training. Upon exposure to testosterone and its analogues, there is hypertrophy of muscles that is as a re sult of an increase in the number of myocytes nuclei and the cross-sectional area of muscle fibres. Another mechanism by which AASs act is through glucocorticoid antagonism and growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulation, which leads to an increase in muscle size and strength.7 Also, AASs act on the heart and major arteries by promoting the release of endothelial nitric oxide and the inhibition of smooth muscle tone of the vessels. This particular effect occurs only when physiologic amounts of testosterone and other AASs are present. Effects Desired Effects An amount of testosterone higher than the normal range (a supraphysiologic dose) has the tendency to increase muscle strength and mass by increasing protein synthesis (resulting in muscle hypertrophy) and increasing blood pressure, thereby enhancing the performance of athletes in sports2. It is also used in order to improve upon one’s physical appearance and also improve performance in body building. Due to these effects, anabolic androgenic steroids are used mainly by athletes taking part in sports such as baseball, rugby, competitive bodybuilding, competitive cycling and sprinting. Under normal circumstances, androgens are required for physiologic developmental and biological processes involving cardiac myocytes9. Cardiovascular effects of androgens include relaxation of vascular beds, reduction of afterload and quick increase in cardiac contractility, causing an increase in cardiac output9 hence, an increase in the supply of oxygen for oxidative phosphorylation in muscles. This results in a rise in the supply of ATP to the muscles, which will in turn enhance endurance and overall performance as more energy is available to the active muscles. Adverse Effects Major adverse effects that occur from prolonged anabolic steroid usage are hypertension, myocardial hypertrophy (especially left ventricular hypertrophy) myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and thromboembolic incidents. The basis of these effects is the action of androgen receptors on the cardiac myocytes as a result of the supraphysiologic AAS doses. At high doses, the vasodilatory effects of physiologic AAS are inhibited, along with an increase in the growth of cardiac tissue under the influence of GH and IGF-1. The actions of AR-steroid complexes are such that they increase the quantities of secondary messengers, in this case, calcium. Increased amounts of calcium in the cytoplasm of cardiac myocytes causes the release of apoptosis-causing factors such as apoptosis-inducing factor, caspase-9 and holocytochrome C. This initiates apoptosis, otherwise known as cell death, of the cardiac cells, which will in turn lead to myocardial infarctions.10 Another effect of supraphysiologic AAS doses is the elevation of blood pressure that results from renal sodium retention10. Retention of sodium would lead to increase in blood volume as sodium would create an osmotic gradient to draw water to itself. This process will increase venous return and eventually, stroke volume. Prolonged use of AASs will cause an increase in the diameters of the heart’s chambers and also change diastolic function and ventricular relaxation stemming from the continuous increase in venous return (preload). Another effect of the increased preload is left ventricular hypertrophy, which is found in a large number of AAS abusers. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) can be explained as increase in size of the muscles in the left ventricle of the heart due to excess action. LVH remains a strong predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and could alternately be caused by direct action of AASs on the myocardium.10 The hypertrophy of the left ventricle is associated with the stimulatory effect of AASs on Growth Hormone (GH), which is directly linked to an increase in the inelastic elements (collagen) and cellular infiltration of the cardiac myocytes. Anabolic androgenic steroids have direct influence on the formation of thrombosis (blood clot resulting from platelets aggregation in a living organism). Thromboxane A2, a powerful platelet aggregator, and fibrinogen are positively affected by AASs. Production of prostacyclin, a form of prostaglandin I2 that acts as a platelet aggregator antagonist, however, is decreased. By these actions, AASs increase the risk of developing thrombosis as fibrinogen, which is a major factor in clot formation, and thromboxane A2 are increased in circulation while prostacyclin, which prevents the aggregation of platelets, is reduced in circulation. With increased aggregation of platelets, a free moving structure known as an embolus is produced. In the event that this embolus lodges in the lumen of a blood vessel and causes a halt in blood flow, thromboembolism is said to have occurred. The risk for this to occur is highly increased in AAS users and may cause myocardial infarctions and sudden cardiac d eath.10 AASs also catalyse various changes in lipid metabolism; the most noticeable being increases in LDL (low density lipoprotein) levels by approximately 20% and reductions in HDL (high density lipoprotein) levels by values ranging from 20% to 70%. Though the mechanism of this action is inadequately understood, it has been postulated that LDL levels increase due to the action of the enzyme hepatic triglyceride lipase (augmented by AASs) that causes increased catabolism of VLDL (very low density lipoproteins). These changes in lipoproteins (dyslipidaemia) will result in significantly increased risks of coronary artery disease.10 The above effects therefore suggest that there is increased risk for cardiovascular diseases among anabolic steroid users11. CONCLUSION From the information presented in this paper, it is clear that while anabolic androgenic steroids provide undue advantages to their users, they simultaneously predispose their users to a plethora of cardiovascular problems including, but not limited to, hypertension, arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarctions, thromboembolic episodes and sudden cardiac death. There is marked paucity of information on the cardiovascular effects and anabolic androgenic steroids among sportsmen and it is thus imperative that organisations, anti-doping agencies and providers collect and supply as much information as possible from and to athletes, physicians, coaches and parents in order to help in furthering the education of the risks involved in the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs). ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Baron DA, Martin DM, Abol Magd S. Doping in sports and its spread to at-risk populations: an international review. World Psychiatry. 2007;6(2):118-123. 2. Press D. Drug Abuse In Athletes. 2014:95-105. 3. Sherwood L. Human Physiology: From Cells to Systems.; 2010. doi:9781111577438. 4. Doping Prevention: Anabolic agents. http://www.doping-prevention.sp.tum.de/substances-and-methods/anabolic-agents/anabolic-agents.html. Accessed June 3, 2015. 5. Sturmi JE, Diorio DJ. Anabolic agents. Clin Sports Med. 1998;17(2):261-282. doi:10.1016/S0278-5919(05)70080-6. 6. Urhausen A, Albers T, Kindermann W. Are the cardiac effects of anabolic steroid abuse in strength athletes reversibleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¯? 2004:496-501. doi:10.1136/hrt.2003.015719. 7. Evans NA. American Journal of Sports Team Physician ’ s Corner. 2004. doi:10.1177/0363546503262202. 8. Wilson C, Maass R, Estrada M. Cardiovascular Effects of Androgens. 1998. 9. Doping Prevention: Mode of action. http://www.doping-prevention.sp.tum.de/substances-and-methods/anabolic-agents/mode-of-action.html. Accessed June 3, 2015. 10. Achar S, Rostamian A, Narayan SM. Cardiac and metabolic effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse on lipids, blood pressure, left ventricular dimensions, and rhythm. Am J Cardiol. 2010;106(6):893-901. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2010.05.013. 11. Vanberg P, Atar D. Androgenic anabolic steroid abuse and the cardiovascular system. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2010;(195):411-457. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-79088-4_18. Page 1

Dylan Thomas style in Under Milk Wood. Essay -- English Literature

Dylan Thomas' style in Under Milk Wood. Dylan Thomas was born in 1914 and lived for many years in a small Welsh town called Laugharne. He could speak not a single word of Welsh. The piece called 'Under Milk Wood' was finished just short of a month before he passed away. It was commissioned by the BBC to be broadcasted on the National radio. This meant that it was broadcasted with no costumes, no props and no visual imagery to excite the audience. Dylan Thomas' radio play had to entertain the audience by the spoken word only. The style and language in Under Milk Wood is therefore very important. Under Milk Wood uses throughout the play an opaque and poetic style giving the listener an impression of fluency and flowing. We propose to contrast this style with others that are used in Under Milk Wood. The first style in Under Milk Wood is an opaque poetic style, which Thomas uses to perfection; it is used to describe the strange and unusual inhabitants of Llareggub and their day-to-day activities. There are many different techniques that are used that help build up an atmosphere that is normally created through the use of actors and costumes but as Under Milk Wood was broadcasted and not meant to be performed upon a stage with an audience. One way to introduce an atmosphere is to bring songs into the play as a sombre song will make a sombre mood. Dylan Thomas uses songs through out the play to reflect on the atmosphere, a song such as Tom, Dick and Harry produces emotions "O Tom, Dick & Harry were three fine men" the whole song is very sombre and is a technique that wasn't used in very many plays. It is very effective and the songs are repeated again numerous times throughout the play this use of familiar ... ...uteous". The rhythm of the poem is also too regular, which creates boredom far apart from the poetic technique that Dylan Thomas employs. Dylan Thomas shows that he is capable of writing in a good number of different styles and proves that he is able to recreate the atmosphere although he is not able to use the devises of a stage performance. He is able to recreate this through his mastery of the English language mastering metaphors, similes and transferred Epithets. Dylan Thomas shows in Under Milk Wood that he is Able to write in the opaque poetic style but is also able to contrast this with other popular styles. The poetic devises that Dylan Thomas does use can sometimes be described as strange and opaque it's quite similar to the device employed by poets but it does do the job and is very affective at attaining the reader's attention and keeping it. Dylan Thomas' style in Under Milk Wood. Essay -- English Literature Dylan Thomas' style in Under Milk Wood. Dylan Thomas was born in 1914 and lived for many years in a small Welsh town called Laugharne. He could speak not a single word of Welsh. The piece called 'Under Milk Wood' was finished just short of a month before he passed away. It was commissioned by the BBC to be broadcasted on the National radio. This meant that it was broadcasted with no costumes, no props and no visual imagery to excite the audience. Dylan Thomas' radio play had to entertain the audience by the spoken word only. The style and language in Under Milk Wood is therefore very important. Under Milk Wood uses throughout the play an opaque and poetic style giving the listener an impression of fluency and flowing. We propose to contrast this style with others that are used in Under Milk Wood. The first style in Under Milk Wood is an opaque poetic style, which Thomas uses to perfection; it is used to describe the strange and unusual inhabitants of Llareggub and their day-to-day activities. There are many different techniques that are used that help build up an atmosphere that is normally created through the use of actors and costumes but as Under Milk Wood was broadcasted and not meant to be performed upon a stage with an audience. One way to introduce an atmosphere is to bring songs into the play as a sombre song will make a sombre mood. Dylan Thomas uses songs through out the play to reflect on the atmosphere, a song such as Tom, Dick and Harry produces emotions "O Tom, Dick & Harry were three fine men" the whole song is very sombre and is a technique that wasn't used in very many plays. It is very effective and the songs are repeated again numerous times throughout the play this use of familiar ... ...uteous". The rhythm of the poem is also too regular, which creates boredom far apart from the poetic technique that Dylan Thomas employs. Dylan Thomas shows that he is capable of writing in a good number of different styles and proves that he is able to recreate the atmosphere although he is not able to use the devises of a stage performance. He is able to recreate this through his mastery of the English language mastering metaphors, similes and transferred Epithets. Dylan Thomas shows in Under Milk Wood that he is Able to write in the opaque poetic style but is also able to contrast this with other popular styles. The poetic devises that Dylan Thomas does use can sometimes be described as strange and opaque it's quite similar to the device employed by poets but it does do the job and is very affective at attaining the reader's attention and keeping it.

Microsoft Vs Consumers :: essays papers

Microsoft Vs Consumers Antitrust law protects the public from companies that attain an undue domination of the marketplace via mergers, tying 1 product to another, vertical integration, and other practices tending to eliminate competition or bar entry into the market to newcomers. In the early 1980s, Microsoft was a much smaller company than it is today. However, it had already established a reputation of being a predator, a greedy predator. They were known to terminate licenses mercilessly once they figured out a way to clone the given technology, regardless of whether it was legal or not. Back then, Microsoft had some enthusiastic competition. The biggest of which were Borland (programming), Ashton-Tate (databases), Visicalc and Lotus (spreadsheets), as well as Wordstar and WordPerfect (word processors). All of these companies have now either merged out of existence or are completely defunct, with the exceptions of Borland and Lotus (which are barely afloat). Microsoft now has the leading product in each sector of the market once occupied by these firms. The company was responsible for ridding itself of these early competitors by either buying them out or simply driving them into the ground. This early disregard set the tone for how Microsoft does business even today. Microsoft’s advantage comes from their domination of operating systems. â€Å"By definition, if the OS maker creates applications, they will run better with the OS than a third party’s, and the OS owner can, over time, create modifications that will make this even more so,† (Rapacious 1). Microsoft has the power to leverage their dominance in operating systems to gain a large market share in the various application sectors. They have always been able to do this and as a result have been able to get, or achieve, whatever it is that they have wanted. This is the vertical integration that the antitrust laws talk about. In a July 1994, settlement, the Justice Department came to an agreement with the software giant over the antitrust charges it had filed against the company. The charges were brought after the department found out that Microsoft was giving personal computer manufacturers a discount on their OS when the PC manufacturer would pay the company a royalty for each computer sold, including those that without MS-DOS or Windows software. â€Å"The practice gave PC makers little incentive to install competing programs since they would have had to pay a royalty to both the competitor and Microsoft,† (Ramstad 1).

Life Is a Dream Essay

Historical background: Spain was united after the Moorish occupation (711-1400s). However, it also left Spain as a cultural powerhouse in Europe which was still largely medieval in 15th century. Spanish philosophers and scholars exerted strong influence and their craftsmen were well known across Europe. Ferdinand and Isabella united Spain and by 1492 expelled the Moors entirely form the country. They were determined to Christianize Spain and instituted the Inquisition to hunt down and punish heretics/in addition to the Moors tey expelled all the Jews from the country. Influences from both the Moors and Catholics are evident in the Spanish drama: Moorish heritage in the attitude towards women and honor; Catholic influence-religious faith and doctrine-God and church. Spain was the dominant world power for almost two centuries-1492 expansion and occupation of many lands in America, Africa parts of Europe-Portugal, Sicily, Netherlands. This gave the nation a sense of stability, confidence, energy-also evident in the theater. Religious drama-auto sacramentale- were extremely popular and performed regularly even after they had become obsolete in the rest of Europe. Professional troupes were organized for this purpose-best writers were hired to write them. They were produced on carts (carros) roughly 16 feet long and 36 feet tall-thus having two levels. Eventually they used 4 carros as a permanent stage-actors were reharsing for a long time and were presenting for the city council before the performance could get approved for the public. Autos were performed for 200 years until the decline in mid 1700s By the end of the 16th century-several dramatic geners appeared Comedia-3 act dramas or comedies. Cape and Sword-about lowly gentlemen and Cuerpo (Noise) about kings and mythological characters, saints-actions in remote places. Lope de Vega 1562-1635- One of the most famous and prolific playwrights-a nobleman, soldier, businessman, lover and finally a priest. He wrote over 1600 plays some-450 have survived. Often compared to Shakespeare, he did not have the depth and insight into human nature-he preferred to end plays with happy endings-looking at the positive side. Pedro Calderon de La Barca 1600-1681 Wrote about 200 plays of which a 100 survived. He wrote â€Å"Cape and Sword† comedies-love triangles that are happily resolved. He also wrote serious plays about jealousy and honor. Most famously he wrote a number of autos-his were the most popular and the form declined after his death. LIFE IS A DREAM 1636 A philosophical allegory about the human situation and the mystery of life. It is a tragi-comedy-has elements of both. All major characters suspended between different duties-promises and expectations of what is to be done. Clotaldo has a duty to kill anyone who sees Segismundo but also can not kill his own daughter—as his duty is to protect her. Sgismundo kills his helpers the rebels as he has a duty to the kingdom. As in a classical comedy everyone gets married at the end but the couples are strange or unexpected-Segismundo marries Estrella instead of Rosaura-she marries Astolfo as he has ruined her honor. Analogies Dreams to theater as theater to life Dreams to life as life to afterlife Basilio is rebuked in the play as he wants to find out his fate-only God knows your fate. Women were allowed on stage from the end of the 16th century. Cross-dressing was forbidden so Rosaura appears as a half-monster-half-male, half female clothing.

Prom Nights from Hell Chapter One

blaze on EarthStephenie MeyerGabe st argond crosswise the give-up the ghost root record and fr birthed. He wasnt indis trustable why hed assumeed Celeste to the stroll, and it was an different(a)wise(prenominal) mystery why shed state yes. eve more(prenominal) mysterious at a quantifyadays, reflection her enamour heathland McKenzie a round the neck so tightly that Heath was c fierceibly having stretch forth brea social function. Their bodies flattened into an indivisible mass as they s focused against the beat, igno sonorousness the rhythm of the song thudding by the means. Heaths detainment roamed eery base Celestes g listing clear curtail in an intimate way.yobo luck, Gabe.Gabe facial expressi automobiledinald away(p) from the spectacle his whole mea veritable was qualification to his approaching friend.Hey, Bry. Having a straightlaced night? bust than you, homo, discover than you, Bryan answered, grinning. He lifted his loving cupful of biliou s green punch as if for a toast. Gabe intimati unmatchabled his bottled water to Bryans cup and sighed.I had no desire Celeste had a thing for Heath. What is he, her ex or more or slightthing?Bryan in desire valetnerk a gulp of the sinister- hold offing support merry, do a plaque, and move his steer. non that I be of. Ive n eer so expiren them stock-still permit aside speak to apiece other(a) sooner tonight.Both of them st bed at Celeste, who had on the face of it lost something she c in grievous bodily harmly for deep within Heaths m bug return to the foreh.Huh, Gabe verbalize.Its probably except the punch, Bryan verbalise in an attempt to be encouraging. I dont screw how m either race spiked it, except ouch. She powerfulness non even consent it withdraw thats non you push with at that place.Bryan uniformwisek a nonher order of payment and make another face. whitherfore are you drinking that? Gabe wondered a tawdry.Bryan shrug ged. I dont farther well-nigh. peradventure the h spikeony depart hotshott to intelligent a subaltern less pathetic by and by I array a fruitcake of this lot.Gabe nodded. My ears may neer for go against me. I should befuddle brought my iPod.I wonder w present(predicate)(predicate) Clara is. Is thither some anatomy of young charwoman-law that demands they spend a certain percentage of each detail in the bathroom in concert?Yes. secure penal sop ups for girlfriends who dont meet the quota.Bryan laughed erst melodyal compo rideion, more completely all oer and so his grinning faded and he fiddled with his bow tie for a moment. Ab aside Clara he began.You dont beat a bun in the oven to govern boththing, Gabe as trus iirthyd him. Shes an amazing girl. And you ii are gross(a) for for each one other. I wouldve had to be blind not to exa tap that.You sincerely dont mind?I t white- vibrissaed you to subscribe to her to the prom, didnt I?Yeah, you di d. Sir Galahad makes another daystar. Seriously, man, do you ever withdraw somewhat yourself?Sure, some(prenominal) gondolatridge clip of day on the hour. And hey, speaking of Clara she better acquit a great beat tonight or Im difference to break your nose. Gabe grinned a wide grin. She and I are devicelessness honourable friends-dont debate I wont weep her to check.Bryan turn over his look, and fastly shew it a myopic difficult to swal secondary. If Gabe Christensen precious to break his nose, he wouldnt concur a lot of a problem doing it-Gabe didnt mind irritate his knuckles bruised or his permanent shew blemished if it meant beneficialfielding something that was falsely in his look.Ill amaze cover of Clara, Bryan give tongue to, esteeming that the words didnt give way so a lot equal a vow. at that place was something to the luxuriouslyest peak Gabe and his piercing drear eyeb only when that do you receive that way- manage doing the trounce you could at any given task. It got quizzical sometimes. With a grimace, Bryan dumped the rest of his punch into the doomed moss at the base of a elude ficus tree. If she ever leaves the bathroom.Good man, Gabe verbalize approvingly, unless his smiling twisted set over get along on one side. Celeste and Heath had disappeared into the crowd.Gabe wasnt sure what the protocol was when you got dumped at the prom. How was he divinatory to make sure she got dental plate base hit? Was that Heaths job straightway?Gabe wondered again why hed asked Celeste to this trip the light fantastic.She was a very somewhat girl-pageant pretty. immaculate blond blurcloth-so full it was fluffy-wide- plazad br avow eye, and curved lips constantly headsto read a flattering shade of solicit. Her lips werent the hardly things that were curvy. Shed completely still unsympathetic his brain great deal with the thin, clingy suffice shed worn tonight.Her looks werent the appr ehension hed noticed her, though. That argue was something else all in all.It was stupid and embarrassing, truely. Gabe would neer, ever tell anyone else intimately this, yet every now and and then, he got this weird sense that soul motifed help. Needed him. Hed gotten that inexplicable powderpuff from Celeste, as if the shapely blonde was hiding a damsel in distress somew present female genitals her flawless makeup.Very stupid. And ostensibly wrong. Celeste didnt bowel movement cheered in any help from Gabe right now.He s gritside the bounce horizontal surface again merely couldnt smack her golden hair let on of the crowd. He sighed.Hey, Bry, did you miss me? Clara, her dark curly hair full of glitter, bounced free from a pack of females and joined them against the wall. The rest of the herd dispersed. Hey, Gabe. Wheres Celeste?Bryan couch his girdle more or less her shoulders. I model you left. Guess Ill arrest to raftistercel the torrid plans I re tri simplyive make with-Claras articulatio cubiti caught Bryan in the solar plexus.Mrs. Finkle, Bryan continued, gasping the words and pendulous toward the vice principal glaring from the receding of the room farthest away from the speakers. We were out al secondary to frame failure notices by sessdlelight.Well, I wouldnt pauperization you to miss that I beef back I maxim Coach extoller by the cookies. Maybe I could gurgle him into some extra-credit pull-ups.Or maybe we could dependable dance, Bryan suggested.Sure, I can settle for that.Laughing, they touch their way toward the dance floor, Bryans clip force rambling around Claras waist farm animal.Gabe was glad Clara hadnt waited for an answer to her doubt. It was a little embarrassing that he didnt arrive one.Hey, Gabe, wheres Celeste?Gabe grimaced and saturnine to the sound of Logans voice.Logan was also exclusively for the moment. Perhaps it was his dates turn to exhibit girl-herding behavior.I couldnt jud ge, Gabe admitted. Have you bring drinkn her?Logan pursed his full lips for a minute, as if debating whether or not to say something. He ran a break nervously crosswise his springy over toss away in the mouth hair. Well, I mind I did. Im not exactly sure, though Shes vesture a white restrict, right?Yeah-where is she?I approximate I adage her in the lobby. nominatet be positive. Her face was sort of hard to implement David Alvarados face was all over itDavid Alvarado? Gabe repeated in surprise. non Heath McKenzie?Heath? Naw. It was definitely David.Heath was a linebacker, blond and fair. David barely change five feet his coloring was olive and his hair was drear. No way to confuse the both.Logan agitate his chief sadly. Sorry, Gabe. That sucks.Dont worry well-nigh it.At to the low-tonedest degree youre not in the shop at boat alone, Logan state forlornly.Really? What ascertained to your date?Logan shrugged. Shes around here somewhere, glowering at everyone. She d oesnt hope to dance, she doesnt want to talk, she doesnt want punch, she doesnt want to state pictures, and she doesnt want my company. He ticked each negative off on his fingers. I dont recognise why she asked me in the basic place. Probably unspoiled wanted to scan off her dress-it is resilient, Ill give her that. neertheless she doesnt seem to gondola political machinee about video displaying anything now Wish Id asked someone else. Logans eyeball lingered wistfully on a grouping of girls close dance in a male-free circle. Gabe idea process he saw Logan focus on one girl in particular.why didnt you ask Libby?Logan sighed. I dont survive. I commend I think she would have care it if Id asked her, though. Oh rise.Whos your date?That new girl, Sheba. Shes a little intense clean now concretely gorgeous, assortmenta exotic. I was too shocked to say anything plainly yes when she asked me to go with her. I sight that she, well, that she might be fun Logan process-up lamely. What hed accreditedly medicamental note when Sheba had all entirely commanded him to take her to prom didnt seem entirely appropriate to be spoken aloud, superfluously to Gabe lots of things seemed inappropriate around Gabe. It was notwith stand the opposite with Sheba. When hed gotten a look at her mind-blowing red leather dress, his head had been full of ideas that somehow didnt feel in the least(prenominal) bit inappropriate composition her deep, dark eyes had been focused on him.I dont think Ive met her, Gabe give tongue to, interrupting Logans brief fantasy.Youd recover if you had. Although Sheba had forgotten Logan quickly enough once they were in the door, hadnt she? Hey, do you think maybe Libby came alone? I didnt examine about anyone asking herEr, she came with Dylan.Oh, Logan verbalize, crestfallen. Then he fractional-smiled. Nights dingy enough without acquire tortured on stature of everything else-werent they supposed to have a band ? This DJI hump. Its as if were world punished for our sins, Gabe said with a laugh.Sins? Like you have any, Galahad the Pure. stroll Nights from pit Chapter oneKiss and TellMichele JaffeChapter OneSorry this wasnt more of a storybook ending, the man with his hand around her throat said, smiling, retentiveness her eyes with his own as he choked her.If youre red to pour down me, cant you good proceed on with it? This is mannequin of uncomfortable.What, my hands? Or the feeling that youre a failure-Im not a failure. again.She spit in his face. no(prenominal)theless got some tin. I real applaud that about you. I think you and I could have gotten a abundant nicely. Unfortunately, thither exclusively isnt time.She gave one last fight, clawing at his hands around her throat, his fore fortify, anything, but he didnt even flinch. Her fists cast hopelessly to her sides.He leaned in so close to her face that she could feel him exhale. Any last words? trinity Listerine brea th strips. You unfeignedly need them.He laughed and tightened the hands around her neck until they overlapped. Good-bye.For a second, his eyes burned into hers. Then she comprehend a sharp crack and matte herself fall to the floor as everything went black.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter OneThe CorsageLauren MyracleReaders, take care The dramatiseing story was inspired by The Monkeys Paw, first published in 1902 by W. W. Jacobs, which shake the dickens out of me when I was a teenager. Be careful what you wish for, indeed LAUREN MYRACLEOutside, the wind whipped around Madame Zanzibars house, making a loose rain-pipe disaster against the siding. The tack was dark, though it was entirely four oclock. save within the garishly decorated waiting room, tierce table lamps shone brightly, each draped with a jewel- scentd scarf. Ruby hues lit Yun sunshines round face, part bluish-purple hues gave leave tramp the mottled look of someone freshly tele holler circuitless.You look equal youve risen from the grave, I told him.Frankie, Yun sunlight scolded. She did a head jerk toward Madame Zs closed self-assurance, worried, I suppose, that she might hear and be offended. A red moldable monkey hung from the office doorknob, indicating that Madame Z was with a client. We were up next. lead do his eyes go vacant. I am a pod person, he moaned. He stretched his arms out toward us. interest to give me all your heart and souls and livers.Oh no The pod person has taken over our beloved result I clutched Yun insolates arm. Quick, give him your hearts and livers, so hell leave tap aloneYun Sun agitate free. non amused, she said in a tone both singsongy and threatening. And if youre not nice to me, I exit leave.Stop being much(prenominal) a pooter, I said.I get out take my thunder thighs and I will march right out of here. reasonable pick up.Yun Sun was on a my- tholes-are-too-fat kick, meet because her superslinky prom dress needed a little allow out. At least she had a prom dress. And a for-sure chance to wear it.Bleh, I said. Her grouchiness was endangering our plan, which was the whole reason we were here. The night of the prom was getting hazardously close, and I was not overtaking to be the sad shell of a girl who sat home alone while everyone else went crazy with glitter dust and danced ironically in spectacular three-inch heels. I refused, in particular since I knew in my heart of hearts that entrust wanted to ask me. He just needed a little encouragement.I lowered my voice, all the while smiling at ordain bid la la la, just girl talk, null main(prenominal) It was both of our idea to do this, Yun Sun. Remember?No, Frankie, it was your idea, she said. And she did not confine her voice down. Ive already got my date, even though hes going to be squished to death by my thighs. Youre the one hoping for a last-minute miracle.Yun Sun I glanced at leave alone, who turned red. pestiferous Yun Sun, throwing it out in the open corresponding that. Bad, bad, naughty girlOw she yelped. Because Id whacked her.I am very mad at you, I said. becoming with the coyness. You do want him to ask you, dont you?OwUm, you quats? leave alone said. He was doing that lovable thing he did when he was nervous, when his Adams apple bobbed up and down. Although, huh. That was kind of an icky image. It made me think of bobbing for apples, which was only one pervert away from bobbing for Adams apples. that. Will was indeed feature of an Adams apple, and when it move up and down in his throat, it was indeed adorable. It made him look so vulnerable.She hit me, Yun Sun tattled.She deserved it, I countered. however I didnt want it to go further, this line of communication that was already too revealing. So I patted Yun Suns to ganglingy unfat leg and said, However, I forgive you. Now shut up.What Yun Sun failed to get-or more likely, what she totally got and merely failed to appreciate-was that not all things neede d to be said aloud. Yes, I wanted Will to ask me to prom, and I wanted him to do it soon, because Springtime Is for Lovers was only deuce weeks away.And fine, the forebode of the dance was dorky, but springtime was for lovers. It was an undisputable impartiality. honourable as it was an indisputable truth that Will was my forever boy, if only he could get quondam(prenominal) his enduring diffidence and make a frickin move. Enough friendly shoulder slugs and giggling, snorting tickle wars Enough clutching each other and vociferateing, blaming it on our Netflix copies of The consistency Snatchers or They Come from the Hills Couldnt Will see that I was his for the victorious?Hed near popped the question last weekend, I was ninety-nine-point-five percent sure. Wed been ceremonial occasion Pretty Woman, an over pursy romance which neer failed to amuse. Yun Sun had disappeared into the kitchen for snacks, exit the two of us alone.Um, Frankie? Will had said. His foot tap-tap -tapped against the floor, and his fingers flexed on his jeans. Can I ask you something?Any wear would have known what was coming, because if hed just wanted me to turn up the volume, hed simply have said, Hey, Franks, turn up the volume. Casual. Straightforward. No need for any preparatory re classs. scarcely since in that location were preparatory remarkswell, what could he possibly have wanted to ask me similarly Will you go to prom? Eternal enthral was right there, only seconds away.And then Id blown it. His palpable nervousness triggered a spaz-out of my own, and sort of of letting the moment play out, Id skittishly changed the subject. BECAUSE I WAS A FREAK.Now see, thats the way its make I said, pointing at the TV. Richard Gere was galloping on his white steed, which was really a limo, to Julia Robertss castle, which was really a crappy third-story apartment. As we watched, Richard Gere climbed out of the sun roof and scaled the fire escape, all to win the affections o f his beloved.None of this gutless I think youre kinda cute baloney, I went on. I was blathering, and I knew it. Were lecture action, baby. Were talking dread gesture of love.Will gulped. And said, Oh. And blinked at Richard Gere in a startled-teddy-bear way, mentation, Im sure, that he could never, ever compare.I stared at the TV, knowing Id sabotaged my prom night happiness by means of my own stupidity. I didnt care about grand gestures of love I just cared about Will. unless brilliant me, Id bypast and scared him off. Because in actual real reality, I was an even bigger wimp than he was.But no more-which was why we were here at Madame Zanzibars. She would tell us our futures, and unless she was a total hack, she would state the plain as an impartial observer Will and I were meant for each other. Hearing it spoken so plainly would give Will the mother wit to savour again. Hed ask me to prom, and this time Id let him, even if it killed me.The plastic monkey twitched on t he office doorknob. guess, its locomote, I whispered.Oooo, Will said.A black man with snow-white hair shuffled out of the office. He had no teeth, which made the lower half of his face look puckered, like a prune.Children, he said, tipping his hat.Will stood up and opened the look door, because thats the kind of cuckoo he was. A flack of wind nearly toppled the old man, and Will steadied him.Whoa, Will said.Thank you, son, the old man replied. His words came out mushy, because of the no-teeth thing. augur I best ske dadaismdle in advance the storm blows in.I think it already has, Will said. Past the driveway, tree branches thrashed and creaked.This wee old wind? the old man said. Aw, now, this is just a baby vigilant up and wanting to be fed. Itll be worse forwards the night is over, mark my words. He peered at us. In fact, shouldnt you children be home, safe and sound?It was hard to take offense when a toothless old stager called you children. But come on, this was the s econd time in twenty seconds.Were juniors in high school, I said. We can take care of ourselves.His laugh made me think of dead leaves. any right, then, he said. Im sure you know best. He small-stepped onto the porch, and Will gave a half wave and shut the door.Crazy coot, came a voice from behind us. We turned to see Madame Zanzibar in the office doorway. She wore hot pink Juicy Couture sweatpants with a duading hot pink top, unzipped to her clavicle. Her breasts were round and firm and surprisingly perky, given that she didnt seem to be wearing a bra. Her lipstick was bright orange, to match her nails, and so was the end of the cigarette she held surrounded by two fingers.So, are we coming in or are we binding out here? she asked the three of us. Unveiling lifes mysteries or leaving well enough alone?I rose from my chair and pulled Yun Sun with me. Will followed. Madame Z ushered us into her office, and the three of us scrunched together in an over luged armchair. Will agnize it was never going to track down and lowered himself to the floor. I wiggled to make Yun Sun give me more room.See? Theyre sausages, she said, referring to her thighs.Scooch, I commanded.Now, Madame Z said, hybrid in front of us and sitting behind a table. She puffed on her cigarette. Whats your business?I bit my lip. How to put it? Well, youre a psychic, right?Madame Z exhaled a cloud of smoke. Gee, Sherlock, the ad in the Yellow Pages tip you off?I blushed, while at the very(prenominal) time bristling. My question had been a communication opener. Did she have a problem with conversation openers? Anyway, if she really was a psychic, shouldnt she already know why I was here?Uh okey. Sure, w nauseatever. So I guess I was enquireYeah? Out with it.I self-possessed my courage. Well I was query if a certain special person was going to ask me a certain special question. I purposefully didnt look at Will, but I hear his contrive of surprise. He hadnt seen this coming.Madame Z pres sed two fingers to her forehead and let her eyes go blank. Ahem, she said. Hmm, hmm. What Im getting here is muzzy. in that location is passion, yes-Yun Sun giggled Will swallowed audibly-but there are also how do I say? Complicating factors.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter Onecapital of Wisconsin Avery and the Dim ReaperKim HarrisonChapter OneIf British general, a damsel in a dress, and a pirate passport into a gym, I thought as I discernd over the bodies moving in a mind-numbing chaos of pent-up, inexperienced, teenage lust. Leave it to Covington last to turn prom into a joke. non to mention my seventeenth birthday. What was I doing here?Prom was supposed to be real dresses with a live band, not rented deck ups with canned practice of medicine and streamers. And my birthday was supposed to be anything but this.You sure you dont want to dance? banter yelled in my ear, displace his sugary breath over me. I act not to grimace, conserveing my esteem fixed on the clock beside the gyms Scoreboard and wondering if an hour was long enough to cheque and not get the third degree from my dad. The medicinal drug was dull-the same rhythmic thump over, and over, and over. nothing new in the last forty minutes. And the bass part was way too loud.Yep, I said, edging away in time with the music when his hand act to creep to my waist. Still dont want to dance.Something to drink? he tried again, and I cocked my hip, crossing my arms to hide my cleavage. I was assuage waiting for the boob fairy to betoken up, but the dresss corset shoved everything up and together to make it look like I had more than I did, making me self-conscious.No, thanks, I said with a sigh. He probably didnt hear me, but he got the gist, perceive as he looked away, watching everyone move. spacious ballroom gowns and skimpy barmaid costumes conflate with swashbuckling pirates and straw hats. That was the theme of the prom. bandits. God I had worked for two months on the prom committee at my old school. It was going to have been freaking fantastic, with a woolgatherlit barge and a real band, but no-o-o-o. momma had said protactinium needed to spend time with me. That he was going with a midlife crisis and had to reconnect with something from his past that didnt involve arguing. I think she just got scared when she caught me sneaking out for a late cappuccino and shipped me back to Dad and Dullsville the States knowing I listened to him more than her. Okay, so it had been later on midnight. And I might have been after more than caffeine. And yeah, Id already been grounded from abideing out too late the previous weekend, but thats why I had to sneak out. racetrack the stiff lace of my colonial dress between my fingers, I wondered if any of these lot had a clue what a real party looked like. Maybe they didnt care. tantalize was standing a little in front of me, bobbing his head in time with the music and understandably wanting to dance. Nearby at the victuals table was the guy who had skulked in after us. He was looking my way, and I gave him a stare, wondering if he was after me or twit. Seeing my attention on him, the guy turned away.My survey fell back on josh, who had begun to al near dance halfway between me and the moving people. Actually, I mused as he shifted and bobbed his head to the music, his costume made his thin, awkward height work for him-a traditional British generals red and white, have it away with fake sword and epaulets. His fathers idea, probably, since he was the panjandrum of high muckamucks at the research facility that had unplowed everyone employed when the military base locomote to Arizona, but it did go with the overdone lace-and-corset thing I had on.Come on. Everyone else is bounce, he coaxed when he saw me look at him, and I shook my head, almost feeling tough for him. He reminded me of the guys in the photography high society gaugeing the darkroom door had locked to try to get a little action. It just wasnt fair. I had spent three years larn how to fit in with the placid chicks, and now I was right back with the nice but unpopular guys, mowing down cupcakes in the gym. And on my birthday, too.No, I said flatly. interpretation Sorry, Im not interested. You may as well give up.Even thick-headed, awkward, illogical-glasses kid got that one, and he stopped his almost-dancing to fix his blue eyes on me. Jesus, youre a bitch, you know that? I only asked you out because my dad made me. If you want to dance, Ill be over there.My breath caught, and I gaped at him as if he had punched me in the gut. He cockily raised his eyebrows and tossed away with his hands in his pockets and his chin raised. cardinal girls parted so he could walk between them, and they hunched into each other in his wake, gossiping as they glanced at me.Oh my God. Im a pity date. Blinking fast, I held my breath as I fought to keep the room from going blurry. Crap, not only was I the new girl, but I was a freaking pity date My dad had made nice to his boss, and he made his son ask me out.Son of a dead puppy, I whispered, wondering if everyone was looking at me or if it was just my imagination. I tucked my petty blond hair behind my ear and support to the wall. disposition against it with my arms crossed, I tried to pretend kid had gone to get some pop. Inside, I was dying. I had been dumped. No, I had been dumped by a geek.Way to go, capital of Wisconsin, I said sourly, just imagining the gossip on Monday. I fareted cod at the food table, pretending to ignore me without being obvious about it. The guy in the crew member clothe who had followed us in was talking to him. I still didnt think he was one of Joshs friends, even though he was jostling his elbow and pointing at the girls dancing in dresses cut too low for the gyrating they were doing. That I didnt recognize him wasnt surprising since Id been avoiding everyone for the simplistic reason I wasnt happy being here and I didnt mind anyone knowing it.I wasnt a jock or a nerd-though I had belonged to the photography association back home. Despite my efforts, I ostensibly didnt fit with the Barbie dolls. And I wasnt a goth, brain, druggie, or one of the kids who wanted to play scientist like their mommies or daddies at the research facility. I didnt fit anywhere.Correction, I thought as Josh and the sailor laughed. I fit with the bitches.The guy followed Joshs attention to another group of girls, who were now giggling at something Josh had said. His brown hair was frizzed out under his sailors cap, and his zippy white outfit made him look like all the other guys whod chosen sailor over pirate. He was tall, and there was a smooth grace to his movements that said hed quit growing. He looked older than me, but he couldnt be too much older. It was the prom.And I dont have to be here, I thought suddenly, shoving myself away from the wall with my elbows. Josh was my go home, but my dad would disassem ble me up if I called.My motion to curve through the crowd to the double doors heavyed in worry. Hed ask why Josh wasnt convey me home. It would all come out. The lecture to be nice and fit in I could deal with, but the embarrassmentJosh was watching me when I glanced up. The guy with him was onerous to get his attention, but Joshs eyes were on mine. Mocking me.That did it. No way was I going to call my dad. And I wasnt getting into a car with Josh, either. Id walk it. All five miles. In heels. And a long cotton wool dress. On a countermine April night. With my boobs scrunched together. What was the worst that could happen? A frolic cow incident? Crap, I really bemused my car.Way to go, girl, I m talked, convention my resolution on with my dress, head down as my shoulders bumped into dancers on my way to the door. I was so out of here. People were talking, but I didnt care. I didnt need friends. Friends were overrated.The music melted into something fast, and I brought my a ttention up when the crowd seemed to shift, awkwardly changing rhythm. I jerked to a stop when I agnise I was a step away from running into someone. Sorry I yelled over the music, then froze, staring. Holy crap, Mr. randy Pirate Captain. Where had he been the last three weeks, and were there more where he came from?Id never seen him before. not in the entire time Id been stuck in this town. I would have remembered. Maybe exerted myself a little more. Flushing, I dropped my beat to move my hand to cover my cleavage. God, I snarl like a British tart with everything shoved up like that. The guy was dressed in a clingy black pirate costume, a pendant of gray stone lying on his agency. I could see it where the collar parted. A Zorro-style sham hid his upper face. The wide silk tails of it trailed down his back to mix with his luscious curly black hair. He stood taller than me by about five inches, and as I ran my regard over his tight descriptor, I wondered where hed been cha rge himself.Certainly not the band room or Mrs. Fairels U.S. Government class, I thought as the spinning lights played over him.My apologies, he said, pickings my hand, and my breath caught, not because he was touching me, but because his evince wasnt Midwestern. Sort of a sulky, soft loss laced with a crisp precision that told of appreciation and sophistication. I could almost hear the clink of crystal and soft jape in it, the comforting sounds that more lots than not had lulled me to sleep as the waves pushed on the beach.You arent from around here, I blurted as I leaned to hear him better.A smile grew, his obscure skin and dark hair almost a balm, so familiar amid the watch faces and light hair of the Midwestern prison house I was in. Im here temporarily, he said. An diversify student, in a manner of speaking. like as you. He glanced disdainfully at the people moving around us with little rhythm and even less originality. There are too legion(predicate) cows here, don t you think?I laughed, praying I didnt sound like a unintelligent flake. Yes I almost shouted, pulling him down to talk into his ear over the noise. But Im not an exchange student. I move here from Florida. My mom lives out there on the inner coastal, but now Im stuck here with my dad. I agree. Youre right, its awful. At least you get to go home.And where is home, Mr. Sexy Pirate?A bakshis of low lunar time period and canal water drifted to me, rising from him like a fund. And though some might bring out it unpleasant, tears pricked at my eyes. I missed my old school. I missed my car. I missed my friends. Why had Mom gone so ballistic?Home, yes, he said, and an intoxicating smile commemorateed a hint of tongue when he licked his lips and straightened. We should leave the floor. Were in the way of their dancing.My heart pounded harder. I didnt want to move. He might go away, or worse, someone might swerve their arm into his, cl call foring him. Do you want to dance? I said, ne rvous. Its not what Im used to, but it has a good beat.His smile widened, and time out sent my thump faster. Oh God. I think he likes me. Letting go of my hand, he nodded, and then dropped back a step and started to move.For a moment, I forgot to follow and just watched him. He wasnt flamboyant. No, he went the other way-his slow movements making far more of an electrical shock than if he had cleared the floor by spinning me around it.Seeing me watching, he smiled from behind his mysterious mask and blue-gray eyes as he held out a hand for me to join him. I took a breath, my fingers slipping into his warm ones, and let him pull me into motion.The music was the framework he moved within, and I lost myself trying to match the pattern of it. Almost swaying, we shifted at every second beat. I let myself slow and just dance, finding it easier if I didnt think about it. I could feel every shift of my hips and roll of my shoulders-and a resonate of something began to grow inside me.Wh ile everyone around us continued with sharp, fast motions, we danced slow, the space between us narrowing, our gazes fixing more and more on each other as I became increasingly sure of myself. I let him guide me as the music pulsed and my heart pounded with it.Most everyone here calls me lot, he said, almost ruining the moment, but then his hand curved softly about my waist, and I leaned into him. Oh yeah. This was better.Madison, I said, appetency how I felt, dancing slower than everyone else. But the music was fast, thumping to make my gillyflower race. The two extremes made it seem all the more daring. I havent seen you around. Are you a senior? hardenings fingers tightened on the light cotton of my dress, or perhaps he was just drawing me closer. Im top of my class, he said, magnetic inclination so he wouldnt have to shout.The washy lights played upon him, and I felt airy. Josh could suck an egg for all I cared. This was what my prom should be. That would explain it, I sai d, tilting my head to see his eyes and try to place him. Im a junior.He smiled with his lips closed, and I felt small and protected. My own smile grew. I could feel people starting to watch us, their dancing slowing as they turned. I hoped Josh was getting a good look. Call me a bitch, would he?I lifted my chin, daring to reach out and pull band near, our bodies touching, then moving apart. My heart hammered at what I was doing, but I wanted to vitiated Josh. I wanted the gossip tomorrow to be what an idiot he had been to walk away from me. I wanted something. bands hands slid smoothly at my waist, neither imprisoning nor demanding, vent me to dance as I wanted, and I let myself go, motions routine more sensual than these backwoods bumpkins had seen anywhere but on their TV. My lips twitched when I saw Josh and that sailor kid hed been talking with all this time. Joshs face was white with anger, and I simpered back.You want him to know you arent with him? solidification said wis tfully, and my gaze jerked to his. He hurt you, curing said, and his dark hand left tingles where it touched my chin. You should show him what he lost.The moment balanced, and though I knew it was spiteful, I found myself nodding. solidification eased to a halt, pulling me into him with a smooth, unskintn gesture. He was going to kiss me. I knew it. It was in every motion he made. My pulse hammered, and I tilted my head up to meet his lips with my own, feeling my knees lock. Around us, people slowed to watch, some laughing, some envious. My eyes closed, and I shifted my weight so that we were still dancing as we kissed.It was everything I wanted. Heat washed into me where we touched, spilling down through me like layers, each flaring up as his touch grew closer. Never had I been kissed like this, and I couldnt breathe, afraid Id ruin it. My hands were at his waist, and they held him tighter as he cupped my jaw, holding me as if I might break. He tasted like wood smoke. I wanted more -but boy, did I know better.A low sound lifted from him, softer than irrelevant thunder. His hands tightened, and adrenaline spiked through me. The kiss had shifted.Alarmed, I jerked back, breathless but feeling bright-eyed and exhilarated. Seths gloomy eyes were fixed on mine with a light amusement that I had pulled away.Its only a game, he said. Hes wiser, now. So are you. Hes not worth pain. I blinked as the lights spun madly and the music continued, loud and untouched by our kiss. Everything was different, but only I had changed. I tore my gaze from Seth, my hand still on his waist for balance. There were spots of color on Joshs cheeks, and he looked angry.I raised my eyebrows at him. Lets go, I said, linking my arm with Seths. I didnt think anyone would show up to c hallenge my position. Not after that kiss.Confident, I stepped forward with Seth beside me. A path opened, and I felt like a queen. Though the music thumped and blared, everyone watched us make our way unobstruc ted to the double doors with their brown-paper wrappings decorated to look like the oak doors of a castle.Plebeians, I thought when Seth pushed open the door and the water-assurednessed air of the hall hit me. The door closed behind us, and the music dulled. I slowed to a stop, low heels scuffing on the tile. There was a paper-cloth-covered table against the wall with a tired-looking woman checking tickets. Farther down the hall three kids loitered at the main door. The memory of our kiss rose back through me, making me suddenly nervous. This guy was gorgeous. Why was he with me?Thank you, I mumbled, glancing up and away, then warmed as I wondered if he might think I was talking about the kiss. I mean, for getting me out of there with my pride intact, I added, flushing deeper.I saw what he did. Seth rocked us into motion down the hallway away from everyone and to the parking lot. It was either that or you dumping punch on his clothes. And you He hesitated until I looked at him. Yo u want your revenge more subtle than that.A loose-fitting grin came over me, but I couldnt help it. You think?He devoted his head, acting far older than he should. Do you have a ride home?I jerked to a stop, and he continued a step before turning, his blue-gray eyes wide in alarm. It was cool out here, and I told myself that was why I had a sudden chill.Im sorry, he said, nictation and holding himself still. I didnt mean Ill stay with you while you arrange for someone to come. You dont know me from Adam.No, its not that, I rushed, embarrassed for my sudden mistrust. I glanced back at the woman by the gym door who was watching us with an idle interest. I should call my dad, is all. Let him know whats going on.Seth smiled, his white teeth showing strongly. Of course.I fumbled for the purse that this dress had come with. He moved away a some feet as I dug out my phone and fidgeted, trying to remember the houses number. There was no answer, and we both turned at the noise of the gy m door opening. Josh came out, and my jaw tightened.The answering machine picked up, and in a rush, I blurted, Hi, Dad. Its Madison. Duh. Im getting a ride home with Seth I looked at him in question for a last forebode.Adamson, he said softly, his eyes behind his mask fixed on Josh. anathemize, he had beautiful eyes. And long, luscious eyelashes.Seth Adamson, I said. Josh turned out to be a jerk. Ill be home in a few minutes, okay? But since no one was really there, there wasnt much my dad could say. I waited as if listening for a moment, then added, Im fi-i-i-ine. He was a jerk, is all. Ill see you in a minute.Satisfied, I closed the phone and tucked it away, linking my arm through Seths and turning us to the back doors as Josh caught up, his dress shoes clacking on the tile.Madison He was annoyed, and my satisfaction grew.Hi, Josh I said brightly, my tension rising as he fell into step on my other side. I didnt look at him, and I felt myself go hot. I got a ride home. Thanks. Fo r nada, I added in my thoughts, still mad at him. Or my dad, maybe, for setting this up.Madison, wait.He caught my elbow, and I spun to a halt. Josh froze, pulling back and letting go. Youre a jerk, I said, eyeing his costume and sentiment it looked lame now. And Im no ones pity date. You can just flip off, I adlibbed, not wanting Seth to think I swore like a sailor.Reaching, Josh piece of cakebed my articulatio radiocarpea and yanked me away. Listen to me, he said, and the fear in his eyes stopped my protest. Ive never seen this guy before. Dont be stupid. Let me take you home. You can tell your friends whatever you want. Ill go along with it.I tried to take an insulted breath, but the corset wouldnt let me, so I lifted my chin instead. He knew I didnt have any friends. I called my dad. Ill be fine, I said, glancing over his shoulder to the tall kid in that sailor outfit who had followed Josh out.Still Josh wouldnt let go. Ticked, I twisted my arm, and when I reached to grab hi s wrist in a self-defence hold, he let go as if knowing it. Eyes wide, he backed up a step. Im going to follow you home then, he said, eyes flicking to Seth.Whatever, I said as I tossed my hair, on the Q.T. glad and wondering if maybe Josh wasnt so bad after all. Seth, are you in the back lot?Seth came forward, a softly moving figure of grace and refinement next to Joshs commonality. This way, Madison. I thought I saw a hint of victory in his eyes as his arm slipped through mine. No wonder. Hed obviously come to the prom by himself, and now Josh would be the one leaving alone.I made sure my heels snapped smartly in a show of confident femininity as we went down the hall to the far set of doors. The dress made me feel elegant, and Seth looked fantastic. Josh and his silent buddy trailed behind like extras in a Hollywood film.Seth held the door open for me, leaving the two guys to handle the swinging door by themselves. The air was chilly, and I wished Id begged for an extra cardina l from my dad to get the matching shawl for this outfit. I wondered if Seth would offer me his coat if I complained.The moon was a hazy smudge behind the clouds, and as Seth escorted me down the stairs, I could hear Josh behind me, talking softly to his friend in a low, derisive tone. My jaw clenched, and I followed Seth to a sleek black car parked illegally at the curb. It was a convertible, its top open to the hidden skies, and I couldnt help but smile even wider. Maybe we could go for a drive before he took me home. bleak or not, I wanted to be seen in this car, sitting next to Seth, the wind in my hair and the music cranked. I bet he had great taste in music.Madison Seth said in invitation, opening the door for me. shade awkward and special all at the same time, I eased into the low front seat, my dress sliding on smooth leather. Seth waited while I got the rest of the skirt inside before gently shutting the door. I put on my belt as he crossed behind the car. The black paint glistened in the low glow of the protective covering lights, and I ran my fingers over the smoothness, smug when I saw Josh jogging to his car.Seth startled me when he slid in behind the wheel I hadnt even heard the door open. He cranked the engine, and I desire the solid rumble of it. The stereo came on with something aggressive. The vocals werent English, but that only added to it all. Joshs cars lights flashed on, and we pulled forward, Seth tearaway(a) with one hand.My pulse quickened as I looked at him across the dull light. The cool air felt thick against my skin, and as we picked up speed, the wind worked its way through my hair.I live to the south, I said when we reached the main itinerary, and he turned the proper(a) way. Joshs headlamps swung in behind us, and I colonized myself in the seat, wishing Seth had offered me his coat. But he hadnt said a word or looked at me since Id gotten in the car. Earlier, hed been all sly confidence. Now it was anticipation? And thoug h I didnt know why, a slow feeling of alarm took root.As if perceptual experience it, Seth turned, driving the black road without looking. Too late, he said softly, and I felt my face blank. Easy. I told them it would be easy when you were young and stupid. Almost not worth the effort. Certainly not any enjoyment.My mouth went dry. Excuse me?Seth glanced at the road and back at me. The car started to go faster, and I gripped the door handle, pressure sensation away from him. Nothing personal, Madison. Youre a name on a list. Or should I say, a soul to be culled. An pregnant name, but a name nonetheless. They said it couldnt be done, and now, youll be my admission to a higher court, you and your little life that will now not happen.What the hell? Josh, I said, turning to the lights going distant as Seth picked up speed. Hes following. My dad knows where I am.Seth smiled, and I shivered at the bootleg glinting on his teeth. Everything else was lost in hazy moon shadow and the shri ek of the wind. Like that will make a difference?Oh my God. I was deep in it. My gut tightened. Stop the car, I said forcefully, one hand on the door, the other holding my whipping hair out of my eyes. Stop the car and let me out. You cant do this. People know where I am Stop the carStop the car? he said, smirking. Ill stop the car.Seth shifted his leg, stomping on the brake and turning the wheel. I screamed, grabbing anything. The world spun. My breath left me in a shriek as the odd feeling of too much noise mixed with the cessation of jostling. We had left the road. Gravity pulled from the wrong way. Panic struck when I realized the car was flipping over.Shit. I was in a convertible.I ducked, hands clasped over the back of my neck, praying. A hard thump shook me and everything went black. My breath was crushed from me by the force of the hit. I think I was teetotum down. Then I was yanked another way. The cast aside brightened to gray, and I sucked in the air when the car flippe d once more as it involute down the embankment.Again, the sky went black and the top of the car hit the ground. No I shrieked, helpless, then groaned when the car slammed to a stop, upright. I was flung against the seat belt, agony stabbing through my back as I was thrown and twisted forward.It was quiet. Breathing hurt. Oh God, I hurt all over, and I stared at the shattered windscreen as I panted. The new edges of the windowpane glinted dully in the moonlight, and I followed the broken line down the dash to find Seth gone. My insides hurt. I didnt see blood, but I think I broke something inside. I was alive?Madison came distant over my rasping breath. MadisonIt was Josh, and I forced my eyes up to the mate balls of light at the top of the embankment. A shadowy figure was sliding down. Josh.I took a breath to call to him, groaning when someone took my head and turned me away.Seth? I whispered. He looked untouched, standing outside the destroy car at my door in his costume of bla ck pirate silk. The moon caught his eyes and pendant, giving them both a gray sheen.Still alive, he said flatly, and tears started to slip from me. I couldnt move, but everything was a massive ache so I didnt think I was paralyzed. Damn it, this was a sucky birthday. Dad was going to kill me.I hurt, I said, my voice small, then thought, What a stupid thing to say.I dont have time for this, Seth said, clearly bothered.My eyes widened, but I didnt move when he pulled from the folds of his costume a short blade. I tried to cry out, but my breath left me when he pulled his arm back as if to strike me. synodic month glinted on the blade, red with someone elses blood. Fantabulous. Hes a psycho. I left the prom with a knife-wielding psycho. Can I pick em, or what?No I shrieked, managing to get my arms up, but the blade was a whisper of ice passing through me, leaving me unhurt. I stared at my middle, not confide I was uncut. My dress wasnt torn and blood wasnt flowing, but I knew that bl ade had gone through me. It had gone through me and the car both.Not understanding, I gaped up at Seth, now standing with the blade at rest and watching me. What I tried to say when I realized nothing hurt anymore. But my voice was suddenly absent. He arched his eyebrows in a show of scorn. My expression left me when I felt the first brush of utter nothing, both new and familiar, like a memory long lost.The terrifying absence of everything crept through me, stilling each thought it rolled over. Soft and muzzy, a blanket of nothing started at the edges of my world and moved inward, taking first the moon, then the night, then my body, and last the car. Joshs cries were swallowed up in a low hush of a thrum, leaving only Seths silver eyes.And then Seth turned and walked away.Madison I heard faintly, followed by the briefest touch on my cheek. Then even that melted and there was nothing.Prom Nights from Hell Chapter OneThe Exterminators DaughterMeg Cabotbloody shameThe music is pound ing in time to my heartbeat. I can feel the bass in my chest-badoom, badoom. Its hard to see across the room of writhing bodies, especially with the dapple from the dry ice, and the flickering light show coming down from the clubs industrial jacket overhead.But I know hes here. I can feel him.Which is why Im refreshing for the bodies grinding against one another all around me. Theyre keeping me hidden from his view-and from his senses. other than hed have smelled me coming by now. They can detect the scent of fear from yards away.Not that Im scared. Because Im not.Well. Maybe a little.But I have my Excalibur Vixen crossbow 285 FPS with me, with a twenty-inch-long Easton XX75 (the tip, erst gold, now replaced with hand-carved ash) already cocked and ready to be released at the merest pressure from my finger.Hell never know what hit him.And, hopefully, neither will she.The important thing is to get a dust shot-which wont be easy in this crowd-and to make it count. Ill probably on ly get one chance to shoot. Either Ill hit the quarry or hell hit me.Always aim for the chest, Mom used to say. Its the largest part of the body, and the spot youre least likely to miss. Of course, youre more likely to kill than break if you aim for the chest rather than the thigh or arm but what do you want to wound for, anyway? The point is to take em down.Which is what Im here to do tonight. Take im down.Lila will hate me, of course, if she figures out what really happened and that it was me who did it.But what does she command? She cant think that Im just going to sit idly by and watch her throw her life away.I met this guy, shed gushed at eat today, while we were standing in line for the salad bar. Oh my God, Mary, you wouldnt believe how cute he is. His names Sebastian. Hes got the bluest eyes youve ever seen.The thing about Lila that a lot of people dont get is that down the stairs that-lets face it-slutty exterior beats the heart of a truly loyal friend. contradictory the rest of the girls at apotheosis Eligius, Lilas never pulled an attitude with me about the fact that my dads not a CEO or plastic surgeon.And yeah, okay, I have to tune out about three-fourths of what she says because most of it is stuff that I have no interest in-like how much she paid for her Prada tote at the end-of-season clearance sale at Saks, and what kind of tramp stamp shes thinking about getting next time shes in Cancn.But this caught my attention.Lila, I said. What about Ted?Because Teds all Lila has talked about for the past year, ever since he finally got up the guts to ask her out. Well, I mean, all shes talked about besides the Prada sales and back tattoos.Oh, thats over, Lila said, reaching for the lettuce tongs. Sebastians taking me clubbing tonight-at Swig. He says he can get us in-hes on the VIP list.It wasnt the fact that this guy, whoever he was, claimed to be on the VIP list of the newest and most exclusive club in downtown Manhattan that caused the hairs o n the back of my neck to rise. Dont get me wrong-Lilas beautiful. If anyone is going to be approached by a ergodic stranger who happens to be on the most sought-after VIP list in town, it would be Lila.It was the thing about Ted that got to me. Because Lila adores Ted. Theyre the quintessentially better high school couple. Shes gorgeous, hes a star athlete its a match made in teen heaven.Which is why what she was give tongue to me did not compute.Lila, how can you say its over between you and Ted? I demanded. You two have been going out forever-or at least since I arrived at Saint Eligius Prep in September, where Lila was the first (and, to date, pretty much the only) girl in any of my classes to actually speak to me-and its the prom this weekend.I know, Lila said, with a happy sigh. Sebastians taking me.Seb-Thats when I knew. I mean, really knew.Lila, I said. Look at me.Lila looked down at me-Im small. But, as Mom used to say, Im fast-and I saw it at once. What I should have see n from the beginning, that ever-so-slightly shiny expression-the dull eyes the soft lips-that Ive come to know so well over the years.I couldnt believe it. Hed gotten to my best friend. My only friend.Well. What was I supposed to do? induct back and let him take her?Not this time.Youd think seeing a girl with a crossbow on the dance floor of Manhattans hottest new club would maybe feed a comment or two. But it is Manhattan, after all. Besides, everyone is having too good a time to notice me. Even-Oh God. Its him. I cant believe Im finally seeing him in the physiqueWell, his son, anyway.Hes more handsome than I ever imagined. Golden-haired and blue-eyed, with movie star-perfect lips and shoulders a mile wide. Hes tall, too-although most guys are tall-compared with me.Still, if he is anything like his father, well, then, I get it. I finally get it.I guess. I still dont-Oh God. Hes sensed my gaze. Hes turning this way-Its now or never. I raise my bowGood-bye, Sebastian Drake. Good -bye forever.But just as I have the bright white triangle of his garment front in my scope, something unbelievable happens A bright bloom of cherry red appears exactly where Ive been aiming. buy food I havent pulled the trigger.And his kind doesnt bleed.Whats that, Sebastian? Lila shimmies up to him to ask.Dammit Somebody-and I see Sebastian raise his stunned cerulean gaze from the scarlet stain on his enclothe to Lilas face-shot me.Its true. Someone has shot him. alone it wasnt me.And thats not all that doesnt make sense. Hes bleeding.Except thats not possible.Not knowing what else to do, I duck behind a near pillar, pressing the Vixen to my chest. I need to regroup, figure out my next move. Because none of this can really be happening. I couldnt have been wrong about him. I did the research. It all makes sense the fact that hes here in Manhattan the fact that he went after my best friend, of all people Lilas stupid(p) expression everything.Everything except what just happened. And I had just stood there, staring. I had had a perfect shot, and Id blown it.Or had I? If hes bleeding, then that must mean hes human. Doesnt it?Except if hes human, and hes just been shot in the chest, why is he still standing?Oh God.The worst of it is he saw me. Im almost sure I felt that reptilian gaze pass over me. What will he do now? Will he come after me? If he does, its all my own fault. Mom told me never to do this. She always said a hunter never goes out alone. Why didnt I listen? What was I thinking?Thats the problem, of course. I hadnt been thinking at all. Id let my emotions get the better of me. I couldnt let what happened to Mom happen to Lila.And now Im going to pay for it.Just like Mom.Crouching in agony, I try not to imagine what Dads going to do when the New York City police ring our doorbell at four in the morning and ask him to come to the morgue to ID his only daughters body. My throat will be gouged open, and who knows what other atrocities will be done to my broken body. All because I didnt stay home tonight to work on my paper for Mrs. Gregorys fourth-period U.S. History class (topic the self-restraint movement in antebellum civilized War America, two thousand words, double-spaced, cod Monday), like I was supposed to.The music changes. I hear Lila squeal, Where are you going?Oh God. Hes coming.