Intro to Microeconomics Study Guide Essay

Economics is the study of allocation of scarce resources 1) Chapter One: The Principles of Microeconomics a. Four resources: Land, Labor, Capital (machinery), Entrepreneurship (human capital) b. Principle #1: People face trade-offs, government also faces them, the main one the gov. faces is efficiency vs. equity i. Efficiency is when everyone who makes the most, keeps the most money ii. Equity would be if everyone was taxed the same c. Principle #2: The cost of something is what you give up iii. Opportunity cost = the measurement of trade-off you give up something you can have later, to get something now d. Principle #3: Rational people think at the margin iv. They do what’s best for them and maximize benefits v. Think at the margin = thinking about the NEXT one vi. Margin=small incremental changes e. Principle #4: People respond to incentives vii. Prices are major incentives viii. Taxes/tax credit f. Principle #5: Trade can make everyone better off ix. Everybody can specialize x. More variety of goods xi. Doesn’t always make everyone better off ex: Jamaica, NAFTA xii. One partner can be strong and over power others g. Principle #6: Markets are a good way to organize economic activity xiii. People are guided by self-interest xiv. Markets are where consumers and suppliers come together and trade-off occurs h. Principle #7: The government can improve market outcomes xv. Main act of government – enforce property rights xvi. Government can step in if there’s market failureexternalities occur (taxes can be enforced for cigarettes), people who aren’t in the market are ffected xvii. Government can step in when there’s market power xviii. Monopoly/oligopoly-government might step in 2) Chapter 2: What does it mean to think like an economist? i. Objectively j. Scientific method xix. Observe, hypothesis, identify variables, collect data, test hypothesis, draw a conclusion k. Difficult to conduct a controlled experiment in economics l. Circular Flow Diagram = money and goods and services flow from input marketoutput market xx. Flow of Money: Market for factors of production (input market) households get income spending on markets of goods and services (output market) which generates revenue for firmswhich pay wages and rent for factors of production xxi. Flow of goods and services: Market for factors of production (input market) buys factors (land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship)firms which sell goods and servicesto market of gas and serviceswhich buy goods and services from households, which sell factors to market for factors of production xxii. This marketing is missing government, trade, savings, black market activities and charity work/non-profits m. Production Possibilities Frontier: how much a country can produce xxiii. Assumptions: one country, two goods, resource = labor xxiv. Bowed out PPF due to different resources (L) xxv. Opportunity cost increases with bowed out PPF because it takes more and more to make one more of the good xxvi. Any points along the PPF are efficient, outside the curve are not feasible and inside the curve is inefficient xxvii. Efficiency means we maximize our resources xxviii. To get more of the good, you have to give up some of the other good xxix. More resources for both goods increase: entire curve shifts out xxx. More resources for just one good increase: curve shifts on one side only xxxi. If the PPF is straight, it’s because there are multiple resources for both goods xxxii. Just stating a fact = positive statement and normative statement = subjective 3) Chapter 3: Absolute and Comparative Advantage n. Absolute advantage is when you make something more efficiently than someone else, so that less is required, which means less opportunity cost xxxiii. Assumptions: 2 people who can make goods, 2 goods that both people want to consumer, time is the only input, both people want to consume both goods and they’ll only trade if they can produce one good xxxiv. Each person works 8 hrs. per day o. Farmer can produce 8 donuts and 32 cups of coffee; Baker can produce 24 donuts and 48 cups of coffee xxxv. The baker has absolute advantage because he can make more donuts and more coffee than the farmer in 8 hrs. xxxvi. Graphing: use points (8, 0) and (0, 32) for farmer’s PPF and CPF (consumption possibilities frontier). Use points (24, 0) and (0, 48) for baker’s PPF and CPF p. Trade deal: Farmer will make only coffee (which is all 32 cups of coffee in 8 hrs. ), baker offers farmer 5 donuts for 15 cups of coffee xxxvii. Trade increases variety xxxviii. Farmer ends up with +5 donuts and – 15 cups coffee = 5 donuts and 17 cups coffee q. Comparative advantage is when you have a lower opportunity cost xxxix. The opportunity cost of one donut for the farmer is 4 cups of coffee and for the baker is 2 cups of coffeebaker is comparative advantage in donuts because of lower opportunity cost xl. The opportunity cost for one cup of coffee for the farmer is ? donut and for the baker is ? donutfarmer has opportunity cost in coffee because of lower opportunity cost r. The price range after the trade deal will lie between opportunity cost of both people, so both are better off xli. 2 cups of coffee ? P ? 4 cups of coffee 4) Chapter 4: Supply and Demand s. Assumptions: one good, one market, market is perfectly competitive (many buyers and sellers, all goals are the same across firms and price takers) t. Demand xlii. Demand curve shows relationship between price and willingness to buy (P and Qd) xliii. Quantity demanded (Qd) is the amount consumers are willing and able to buy xliv. LAW OF DEMAND: P, Qd = negative correlation xlv. Market demand is the sum of individuals’ demands xlvi. Variables that increase or decrease demand: IP-TEN 1. Income a. I, Qd = Normal good b. I, Qd = Inferior good 2. Price of related goods c. Pa, QDb = Substitutes d. Pa, QDb = Complements 3. Taste and preferences 4. ExpectationsEx: when you except the price of a good to increase later on, you will buy more now when it’s cheaper 5. Number of buyersMore buyers = higher demand u. Supply xlvii. Supply curve shows relationship between Price and Quantity supplied (P and Qs) xlviii. Quantity supplied is the amount sellers are willing and able to sell xlix. LAW OF SUPPLY: P, Qd = Positive correlation l. Variables that shift supply curve: I-TEN 6. Input price (Ex: wages increase) e. IP, Qs f. IP, Qs 7. Technologyadvancement means Cost, Supply 8. Expectationsexcepting a technological advancement 9. Number of sellers g. # Sellers, Qs h. # Sellers, Qs v. Consider: market for hybrid cars li. Event: price of gasoline goes updemand is impactedP of gas so people will look for substitutesdemand for hybrids (curve shifts right) lii. Event: technology advance reduces cost of productionsupply impactedsupply because it’s easier and cheaper to produce (curve shifts right)P , Qs liii. Event (i) & (ii): P of gas & technology –>D and S both impactedD, SQ and P is ambiguous (depends on degrees of shifts and how you graph curve shifts) w. Consider: market for bus rides liv.

Erik Erikson and Adult Learning Essay

Born on June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany, Erik Erikson was regarded as a major influence in contemporary psychoanalysis. Erikson was interested in arts so he moved to Florence after finishing high school. In 1927, he taught arts in a school psychoanalytically influenced children school spearheaded by Dorothy Burlingham and Freud’s daughter, Anna, in Vienna (Erikson Institute, 2003). This move would have a major influence in the life and works of Erik Erikson. Upon recognizing that he has skills with children, Anna Freud, Sigmund’s daughter, placed him under her wings and began teaching him. Eventually, he trained and eventually received certification from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.   After getting certified by Maria Montessori School, he underwent training in psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. In 1936, he became a member of the Institute of Human Relations, which is a branch of the Psychiatry Department of Yale University (Erikson Institute, 2003). Major Contribution in Psychology Erik Erikson became famous because of his eight stages of development. According to him, every stage in a man’s life is accompanied by certain psychological conflicts. He theorized that the development of personality of an individual is a life long process. The events they encounter in the latter stages of life can treat early childhood problems. His eight stages of development explained why an individual who was not able to resolve a childhood problem finds it difficult to resolve it during adulthood (Erikson Institute, 2003). Each stage of life is important because how well the child performed during the previous phase determined how they can cope with the next stages. Erikson called this the epigenetic principle (Boeree, 2006).   Erik Erikson authored several books that explained his theory, the most notable of which is Childhood and Society which was released in 1950. In 1969, Erikson won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for his book Gandhi’s Truth, which delved on the application of the eight stages of development in the latter portion of an individual’s life cycle(NNDB, n.d). Stage Six: Intimacy vs. Isolation This is the sixth stage in Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial phases of development. It takes place from 18 to 30 years old. In general, the child faces the dilemma of achieving intimacy or staying isolated. This stage likewise involves a struggle for promiscuity, which is a trait of being too close for comfort and not being able to follow through with the momentum, versus exclusion, which is characterized by rejection of relationships (Boeree, 2006). Intimacy, according to Erikson, is the ability to develop social relationships with other people either as a partner, friend, or member of a community. If the child was able to develop a clear picture of themselves during the early stages, they should no longer be intimidated by other people (Sante Fe Community College, n.d). According to this stage, when an individual has established a strong sense of identity, they can start expanding to the people around him. Intimacy is best seen in a person’s capacity to enter relationships, making friends, getting married, and finally settling down. An individual who successfully pass through this stage can experience feels comfortable with relationships and has a strong sense of commitment (Santa Fe Community College, n.d). On the other hand, the consequence of being unsuccessful in completing this stage of development is isolation. The individual is not comfortable with being with friends, entering relationships, or being intimate with another person. Isolation results from the failure to establish self-identity (Niolon, n.d). A child who experiences isolation prefers to be alone excludes themselves from the company of others. The end result of isolation, in the context of Erikson’s stages of development, is loneliness, despair, or depression. People who are unable to successfully pass this stage prefer working on lowly jobs which offer below minimum wage (AllPsychOnline, 2004). References AllPsychOnline(2004 March 21). Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Retrieved June 26   Ã‚  Ã‚   2008 from Boeree, G. Erik Erikson. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Erikson Institute(2003 May 1). Erik Erikson(1902-1994). Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   NNDB(n.d). Erik Erikson. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚   Niolin, R(n.d). Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development. Resources for Students and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Professionals. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Santa Fe Community College(n.d). Self-Reflections on Young Adulthood using Erikson’s Theory of   Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychosocial Development. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

The Place of a Jury Trial in Modern Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Place of a Jury Trial in Modern - Essay Example This evidence is presented before a tribunal which has been mandated by law to adjudicate the claims or disputes of the parties. In our modern society, the most common and globally accepted tribunal is a court. The presentation of evidence, or the tribunal, is presided over by a judge. However, certain tribunals occur in the presence of a judge and a jury. There are 2 major different types of trials; these are a bench trial and a jury trial. A bench trial is a trial in which the presentation of evidence is done solely before a judge or a panel of judges. The judge(s) listens to the disputes of the two parties, analyses the evidence presented and depending on how compelling the evidence is, passes judgment either in favor of either party or dismisses the case. In essence, in a bench trial, the judge or panel of judges has the ultimate power. In a jury trial, the court proceedings are held in front of both the judge and the jury. A jury is a team of members in the community, usually ma de up of 12 people, who are chosen to give a verdict on a legal case that is presented before them in a court of law. The jury can either make the verdict or present their findings of facts to the judge for application in his ruling (Spooner, 1852, p. 6). The jury is an English word which comes from the word juror which means somebody who has taken the oath. The word originated from France with its original name being jurer. Historians cannot, for a fact, verify that the jury system existed in England prior to the 1100’s. However, it is well known that the right to trial by jury can be traced back to Magna Carta. It was also known as The Great Charter of the Liberties of England.  

District Budget Comparison Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

District Budget Comparison - Research Paper Example When comparing two Texas school districts- Lubbock Independent School District and Laredo Independent School District- research will show a few similarities and differences among the districts in terms of demographics and budget analysis. All data and research conducted will be derived from the Texas Education Agency Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Reports and each district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the 2010-2011 academic school years. Student Population Student Population by Grades Lubbock Independent School District is located in Lubbock city, Texas in Region 17. According to the AEIS report, Lubbock ISD has 28, 680 students in over fifty schools. The district is composed of 35 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, 4 high schools, and 3 disciplinary alternative education programs. Lubbock ISD has 53.1% of its student population at the elementary level. Local high school enrollment accounts for 25.4% of the student population and the middle scho ol for 21.5%. ... At the elementary level, the district has 57.4% of the student population enrolled. Local high school enrollment accounts for 23.6% of the student population and the middle school for 19.1%. Table 1.1: Student Enrollment by Grade Level Grade Level Laredo ISD Lubbock ISD State Elementary 57.4% 53.1% 50.8% Middle 19.1% 21.5% 21.9% High School 23.6% 24.4% 27.2% Graph 1.1: Student Enrollment by Grade Level Source: TEA, Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS), 2010-11. Laredo ISD enrolls more students in the elementary level when compared to Lubbock and State. On the other hand, the proportion of its middle and high school is less than that of Lubbock and state. The proportions of Laredo ISD and those of states are quite similar. Student Population by Ethnicity Laredo ISD has a predominantly set in terms of ethnicity and overall student population, meaning that the student population in general is stable and one sided, compared to other districts with more diversity. Laredo ISD has a dominant Hispanic distribution. Almost 100% percent of the student population is Hispanic. However, Lubbock ISD is a little more diverse in its ethnicity makeup even though Hispanics still dominate. Hispanics enrolled account for 53.9% of the student population, while whites follow with 29.1%. African Americans account for 13.3%, American Indian 0.4%, Asian/Pacific 1.7% and other ethnics 1.6% of the Lubbock ISD student population. Table 1.2: Ethnicity Comparison Ethnicity Laredo ISD Lubbock ISD State African American 0.1% 13.3% 12.9% Hispanic 99.5% 53.9% 50.3% White 0.3% 29.1% 31.2% American Indian 0.0% 0.4% 0.5% Asian/Pacific 0.2% 1.7% 3.5% Others 0.0% 1.6% 1.6% Graph1.2: Ethnicity Comparison

Ethical Issues related to the police use of force Research Paper

Ethical Issues related to the police use of force - Research Paper Example However, cases of using too much and illegalized force should decrease since there are new tactics of restricting suspects from their immoral behaviors (Safrath, 2011). In the past days of policing, the street police used force as a tactic of maintaining law and order and making their will obligatory. In the early 1960s, research shows that the police used too much force in the rebellions and disturbances caused by some people. However, the use of force by the police depends on the roles and responsibilities of the police. This means that some of the police in some departments do not exercise force in maintaining their duties since it is not ethically legal. On the other hand, some departments exercise the use of police force and it is sometimes mandatory for these departments to apply force. For instance, in case of riots and rebellion, the police needs to use force in order to maintain law and keep peace (Sagepub.com, 2008). In the United States, the police often exercise force in approximately 2 million cases per year. Each year, the police use force in over 3,600 occasions resulting to a mean of 600 people being killed (Huebsch, 2011). Police use of force is ethically justifiable for policing actions since it helps in maintaining and exercising their discretion. However, with these well-known ethical rules, the police cannot yet determine the infringement since most of them cannot be predictable by the rules. The domestic police and the military police often had common characteristics and same ethical standards. For instance, sometimes they necessitate on using excessive amount of force where required and sometimes they do not require to use force at all (Huebsch, 2011). This paper will analyze the ethical issues associated with police use of force. It will seek to establish whether it is ethically justifiable for police to use force. It is ethically justifiable for the police to exercise force in maintaining law and order. Police officers are

Reaction paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Reaction paper - Assignment Example In essence, his memories were also buried alive within him, as Azucena was in the rubble. The first night, Carlà © â€Å"kept talking in the darkness, to assure her that he was still there and to overcome the menace of uncertainty† (Allende 324). However, the next day, slowly but surely his past comes back haunting him, and â€Å"the torrent of all that had lain hidden in the deepest and most secret layers of memory poured out† (Allende 327). Though he could not talk to the girl about it all, while he lay there consoling the girl, Carlà © was forced to relive and confront his past. Throughout his life as an adult, Carlà © had attempted to bury his painful memories of growing up in an abusive household where his father not only mistreated him and his mother, but also his mentally disabled sister. The humiliation he suffered at his hands, or the pain he received when he saw his mother’s humiliation, had been buried deeply within himself. His life as a journalist fared no better either. Witness to the atrocities of war, and genocide, he could not make peace with life in a world where people were so cruel to each other. With his self-made professional sojourn, whereby he lay in wait with the girl, hoping for her to be rescued or for some help to come, he was forced to face his past. He discovered that all the demons that he had buried, all his painful memories, had not died or diminished with time. In fact, they had been alive within him. In essence, buried alive like the girl, Azucena, was in front of him. Her suffering caused him to remember his own, and he ended up having to confront and battle his painful past. The ordeal changed him completely, as did the death of the girl, causing him to be â€Å"not the same man† (Allende 331). Not only had he to deal with his past, but the death of the innocent young girl, caused by the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the country. However, he had to face these demons he had buried alive within himself, as he had to

Psychobiology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Psychobiology - Essay Example Many researchers use both these terms interchangeably. Bio psychologists use empirical experiments to study changes in the nervous system activation in response to a stimulus. There are various techniques/ methods used to measure this activation (Abraham, F. D, 1992): The main essence of this approach is to emphasize on the assessment of person. Although mind is contingent on the brain, the central therapeutic concern should be the life story of the individual patient interacting with others in the context of society and culture (Adler, N. E, Matthews, K. A, 1994) In this theory the rather vibrant nature of psychiatric infirmity is more highlighted, and is considered that was opposed to the idea that a hypothetical underlying lesion should be postulated just because mental disorders may seem unintelligible (CYNTHIA SCHUPAK, 2000). According to this assumption there is an absolute differentiation between normality and mental illness. As an alternative the relative nature of the range between mental illness and normality is emphasised. Psychosocial factors dominate in the understanding of the functions mental illness. For example schizophrenia is explained as a mal-adaptation that could be understood in terms of the patient's life experiences (Meyer 1906). A difficulty in explaining a mental illness in the psychological context does not necessarily means a brain abnormality. (iv) The mechanisms by which mental illness emerges in an individual are psychologically mediated Mental illness is not a single word analysis. The main emphasis is on a detailed human action analysis rather than a reductive analysis of physical cause (Bonnes, M Gianfranco, 1995). Advantages of Human Behaviour On Genetic Constitution Migration from traditional lifestyles and environments to more sedentary lifestyles and calorie-dense environments has, therefore, been posited to increase the likelihood of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and

What is IR Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What is IR Theory - Essay Example International Relation theory raises fundamentally empirical issues which can only be settled by analyzing the facts. Professor Martin Wight, in the 1960 April issue of international Relations, published a paper titled â€Å"Why Is There No International Theory?† The Professor believes that the sovereign state has, since the Reformation, been the focal point of Western political thought and experience (Morgenthau 63). The international theory is true to diplomatic experience, and is augmented when belief in progress is prevalent. According to this school of thought, if things remain as they were in the past, man would become desperate. This theory he referred to as â€Å"the argument from desperation†. International relations is widely involves recurrence and repetition as international reality and international theory collide. International theory becomes a sort of philosophy of history as it involves the ultimate experience of national existence and national extinction. For national existence, every individual requires the protection of the state that represents them in the international community (Wight 38). This view considers a sovereign State to be the end of a political experience and activity. This juristic expression considers international politics to be an untidy extension of domestic politics. It is a systematic and continued balance of power between different players. International Relations is a transient subject with the modern society being in a state of transition. The past occurrences in one state relating with other states influences the future interactions that are likely to occur. Therefore, the theorizing of international relations is likened to a system of abstract propositions with a predictive function. In the view of this system, nations become stereotyped participators in stereotyped symmetric or asymmetric relations (Morgenthau 65). The modern society has emerged from a medieval society and is

Google Essay Example for Free

Google Essay Google is one of the most desirable companies to work for on the planet. To find out how to get a job at Google, I spoke with William Poundstone, who is the author of Are You Smart Enough to Work at Google?. He is the author of twelve books, including How Would You Move Mount Fuji? and Fortune’s Formula, which was Amazon Editors’ pick for the #1 nonfiction book of the year in 2005. He has written for the New York Times, Harper’s, Harvard Business Review, and the Village Voice, among other publications. In this interview, he talks about the hardest question that they ask you, how to survive each of the five interviews, and much more. What is the single hardest question they ask you when interviewing at Google? â€Å"What number comes next in this sequence: 10, 9, 60, 90, 70, 66†¦? † Move up http://i. forbesimg. com tMove down What Employers Are Thinking When They Look At Your Facebook Page Kashmir HillKashmir HillForbes Staff The Companies That Give The Toughest Job Interviews Jacquelyn SmithJacquelyn SmithForbes Staff The Best Companies To Work For Jacquelyn SmithJacquelyn SmithForbes Staff This question is hard because you either see the â€Å"trick† or you don’t. Nothing you learned in school is likely to help. Try spelling out the numbers—you’ll see that they are in order of the number of letters in the word. â€Å"Sixty-six† has eight letters, so the next number must have nine. One possible answer is â€Å"ninety-six. † How many rounds of interviews do you have to go through and how many people survive each round? Google applicants have about five interviews. The company’s human resources people have given a lot of thought to that number. They believe in the â€Å"wisdom of crowds,† so they want multiple opinions of each applicant. But they’re done research and found little or no marginal value after five interviews. Normally every applicant goes through all five rounds. The only exceptions are the rare cases where a candidate is clearly unsuitable after the first couple of interviews. What kind of intelligence do you need to solve the many puzzles they give you during interviews? They want many types of intelligence. Google’s interviewers try to design questions that test (1) whether you know your field of expertise; (2) whether you can apply what you know in an unfamiliar context; and (3) whether you can make â€Å"creative† leaps to arrive at a solution. Their best questions operate on all these levels. How do you go about getting a leg up on the competition? It’s not just about getting a â€Å"right answer. † They’re interested in your thought process, and your whole explanation counts. Because these are difficult questions, the first answer or approach that pops into your head is almost always wrong. That provides a way to get a running start on your answer: Explain to the interviewer how this â€Å"obvious† approach fails. You’re expected to brainstorm various approaches, but make sure you tie it all together at the end. The last thing a technology company wants is someone who never brings a project to completion! Who shouldn’t apply for jobs at Google? Why? Google is very clear about who it wants: extremely bright extroverts. The company is founded on intensive collaboration. This is reflected even in the office layout, with only a handful of private offices. (When employees feel an occasional need for privacy, they seek out an empty conference room. ) The stereotypical engineer—someone who works best alone and hates distractions—is probably not a good fit.

Habitat and Animals Essay Example for Free

Habitat and Animals Essay Little care or thought was given to wildlife, or the delicate nature of their habitat as Urban Sprawl moved along with the progress of the times. This is supported by the opinion offered by Authors Emel and Wolch, in their book titled Animal Geographies: Place, Politics and Identity’, They state that The 1980s cost of sprawl debate made no mention of wildlife habitat, and the adherents to the so called new urbanism and sustainable cities movements of the 1990s rarely define sustainability in relation to the animals†(5). Quoting statistics researched, compiled, and available at Smart Growth America.com, Authors Hapke, Goodwin, Pulsipher and Pulsipher state that In the United States Urban Sprawl eats up 2 acres a minute- A million acres a year- including 400,000 acres of land that is especially well suited for high quality specialty crops. Urban Sprawl is now an issue in virtually all parts of North America† (6). Quoting Vitousek (1997) and Marzluff and Hamel (2001), authors Johnson and Klemens explain that the destruction of animal habitat occurs because Humans alter the earths natural landscape in three main ways: Through agriculture, natural resource extraction, and urban and rural settlement (7) . There is immediate habitat loss as an area is developed, as noted almost one million acres per year are consumed. As humans take over and develop, the wildlife is displaced, and deprived of the habitat because it has been converted for use, and is no longer suitable to sustain life. Pollution, and the introduction of non indigenous invasive plant species enter the habitat as well, after humans move in to an area. (5) Emel Jody, Wolch Jennifer. Animal Geographies: Place, Politics, and Identity in the Nature-culture Borderlands, Edition: illustrated, Published by Verso, 1998, p. 132. (6) Hapke Holly M, Goodwin Conrad Mac, Pulsipher Lydia Mihelic, Pulsipher Alex. World Regional Geography: Global Patterns, Local Lives. Edition: 3, illustrated, Published by Macmillan, 2005. p. 81. (7) Johnson Elizabeth Ann. Klemens Michael W. Nature in Fragments: The Legacy of Sprawl. Edition: illustrated, Published by Columbia University Press, 2005. p. 19. 3 Many researchers agree with author John Kistler that â€Å" Habitat loss is the single most important factor in the destruction of wild species†(8). Imagine developers go in with big bulldozers, and dump trucks, and destroy the natural landscape without a thought to the population of animals that will be displaced. Without concerns about rare plant and animal species that may be at risk of extinction. It used to be as man moved in, the animals would move out, to nearby untouched areas with sufficient forage and water to survive. Johnson and Klemens point out that today However, as sprawl converts more land to development, there are few or no adjacent undeveloped lands to meet these needs(9). Now a drive along highways that pass close to any major development sites that are currently under construction, will reveal the fate of many of the dislocated inhabitants. Dead deer, coyotes, fox, racoons, hawks, and a multitude of other species are strewn along the roadside daily. Quoting Clevenger and (2001) and Forman (2003), in a paper prepared by professor Michael Starr, and students at Southern Illinois University, attempting to compile data on road kill occurrences states that It is undoubtedly true that the number of road-killed animals has been increasing through the years until the last decade, very few scientific studies had been conducted to assess this assumption(10). Based on data compiled by reported accidents with cars, and quoting Forman (2003), The SIUE paper stated that â€Å" It has been conservatively estimated that 1 million deer alone are killed each year on the nations roads†(11). These numbers are reported road kills involving car damage, the numbers of smaller species no doubt are astronomical, if a number could be assigned. (8) Kistler John. Animal Rights: A Subject Guide, Bibliography, and Internet Companion Edition: illustrated, Published by Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000. p 145. (9) Johnson Elizabeth Ann. Klemens Michael W. Nature in Fragments: The Legacy of Sprawl. Edition: illustrated, Published by Columbia University Press, 2005. p. 30. (10) (11) Starr Michael J. Surveying For Small Road-Killed Animals Along Rural Roads And State Highways http://www. siue. edu/GEOGRAPHY/RoadKill. htm. SIUE Department of Geography. Feb. 2006. 4 States with most population growth had largest permanent loss of rural land Average low-population-growth state lost less than a third the rural land as average high-population growth state http://www. sprawlcity. org/charts_usda/us_6. html

Multiple Churn Prediction Techniques And Algorithms Computer Science Essay

Multiple Churn Prediction Techniques And Algorithms Computer Science Essay Abstract-Customer churn is the business term that is used to describe loss of clients or customers. Banks, Telecom companies, ISPs, Insurance firms, etc. use customer churn analysis and customer churn rate as one of their key business metrics, because retaining an existing customer is far less than acquiring a new one. Corporates have dedicated departments which attempt to win back defecting clients, because recovered long term customers can be worth much more to a company than newly recruited clients. Customer Churn can be categorized into voluntary churn and involuntary churn. In voluntary churn, customer decides to switch to another service provider, whereas in involuntary churn, the customer leaves the service due to relocation, death, etc. Businesses usually exclude involuntary churn from churn prediction models, and focus on voluntary churn, because it usually occurs due to company-customer relationship, on which the company has full control. Churn is usually measured as gross churn and net churn. Gross churn is calculated as loss of previous customers and their associated recurring revenue, generated by those customers. Net churn is measured as sum of Gross Churn and addition of new similar customers. This is often measure as Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) in the Financial Systems. INTRODUCTION Predicting and preventing customer churn is becoming the primary focus of many enterprises. Every enterprise wants to retain its each and every customer, in order to maximize maximum profits and revenue from them. With the introduction of business and management systems, and automation of operation flow, corporates have gathered lots of customer and business related data during the daily operating activities, which give data mining techniques a good ground for working and predicting. Lots of data mining algorithms and models have emerged to rescue from this issue of customer loss. These algorithms have been widely used, from past decades, in this field. For prediction of customer churn, many algorithms and models have been applied. Most common of them are Decision tree [1], Artificial Neural Network [2], Logistic Regression [8]. In addition, other algorithms such as Bayesian Network [4], Support Vector Machine [], Rough set [5], and Survival Analysis [6] have also been used. In addition of algorithms and models, other techniques, such as input variable selection, feature selection, outlier detection, etc. have also been applied to get better results out of the above algorithms. First three models i.e. Decision tree, Artificial Neural Network and Logistic Regression have been applied maturely at multiple corporates. Each algorithm has been improved over multiple iterations, and are now pretty much stable. But as the operation and activities of business are growing, it is becoming more and more complex challenge to solve the problem of customer churn, and this is requesting for the generation of new churn prediction models, which are fast and robust, and which can quickly be trained and scored on large amounts of data. Literature review Jiayin and Yuanquan [1] presented a step by step approach on selecting effective input variables for customer churn prediction model in telecommunication industry. In telecommunication industry, there are usually very large number of input variables is available for churn prediction models. Of all these variables, there could be variables which have positive effect on the model, and few which are redundant. These redundant variables cause overload for the churn prediction model. So it is always better to select only important features and remove redundant, noisy and less informative variables. In their study, they have proposed Area under ROC (AUC) method for calculating classifying abilities of the variable, where ROC is Receiver Operating Characteristics, and then selecting variables which have the highest classifying abilities. In addition, he also proposed to compute mutual information among all selected variables and finally selecting variables which have relatively low mutual i nformation co-efficient. Huang and Kechadi [11] proposed a new technique for Feature Selection for the churn prediction models. As their primary focus was telecommunication industry, and in telecom the amount of input variables / feature is very large, and it is always better to select a subset of features, which have the most ability to classify the target classes. Otherwise running algorithm on all the input variables will be too much to time and resource consuming. Most commonly used techniques for selection of features only judges whether an input feature is helpful to classify the classes or not. The approach proposed by them takes into account the relationship between the specified categorical value of the feature and a class for selecting or removing the feature. Luo, Shoa and Lie [2] proposed the customer churn prediction using Decision Tree for Personal Handyphone System Service (PHSS), where the number of variables in input data set is very small. Decision Tree is probably the most commonly used data mining algorithm. Decision Tree model is a predictive model that predicts using a classification process. It is represented as upside down Tree, in which root is at the top and leaves are at the bottom. Decision Trees is the representation of rules. This helps us in understanding, why a record has been classified in a particular way. And these rules can be used to find records that fall into some specific category. In their work they found out the optimal values of input dataset with reference to time sub-period, cost of misclassification and sampling method. With their research, they came up to conclusion that 10-days of sub-period, 1:5 cost of misclassification and random sampling method are the most optimal parameters when training a data m odel using decision trees, when the number of input variables is very small. Ming, Huili and Yuwei [4] proposed a model for churn prediction using Bayesian Network. The concept of Bayesian Network was initially proposed by Judea Pearl (1986). This is a kind of graphics mode used to show the joint probability among different variables. It provides a natural way to describe the causality information which could be used in discovering the potential relations in data. This algorithm has been successively used in knowledge representation of expert system, data mining and machine learning. Recently, it has also been applied in fields of artificial intelligence, including causal reasoning, uncertain knowledge representation, pattern recognition cluster analysis and etc. A Bayesian network consists of many nodes representing attributes connected by some lines, so the problems are concerned that more than one attribute determine another one which involving the theory of multiple probability distribution. Besides, since different Bayesian networks have different structures and some conceptions in graph theory such as tree, graph and directed acyclic graph can describe these structures clearly, graph theory is an important theoretical foundation of Bayesian networks as well as the probability theory, thus the results of Customer Churn using Bayesian network are very promising. Jiayin, Yangming, Yingying and Shuang [10] proposed a new algorithm for churn prediction and called it TreeLogit. This algorithm is combination of ADTree and Logistic Regression models. It incorporates the advantages of both algorithms and making it equally good as TreeNet ® Model which won the best prize in 2003 customer churn prediction contest. As Treelogit combines the advantages of both base algorithms so it becomes very powerful tool for customer churn prediction. The Modeling process of TreeLogit starts by Designing Customers character variables based on prior knowledge. Then the character variables are categorized into m sub-vectors, and a decision tree for each sub-vector is created. Once we have the decision tree for each sub-vector, then we develop logistic regression models for each sub-vector. And finally we evaluate the accuracy and interpretability of the model. If they are acceptable then the customer retention process is started, otherwise the model is re-tuned for better results. Jing and Xinghua [5] in their work on customer churn prediction, presented a model based on Support Vector Machines. Support Vector Machines are developed on the basis of statistical learning theory which is regarded as the best theory for the small sample estimation and predictive learning. The studies on the machine learning of finite sample were started by Vapnik in sixties of last century and a relatively complete theoretical system called statistical learning theory was set up in nineties. After that, Support Vector Machines, a new learning machine was proposed. SVM is built on the structural risk minimization principle that is to minimize the real error probability and is mainly used to solve the pattern recognition problems. Because of SVMs complete theoretical framework and the good effects in practical application, it has been widely valued in machine learning field. Rough set Xu E, Liangeshan Shao, XXuedong Gao and Zhai Baofeng introduced Rough set algorithm for customer churn prediction [2]. Dengh Hu also studied the applications of rough set for customer churn prediction[5]. According to them, Rough set is a data analysis theory proposed by Z. Pawlak. Its main idea is to export the decision or classification rules by knowledge reduction at the premise of keeping the classification ability unchanged. This theory has some unique views such as knowledge granularity which make Rough set theory especially suitable for data analysis. Rough set is built on the basis of classification mechanism and the spaces partition made by equivalence relation is regarded as knowledge. Generally speaking, it describes the imprecise or uncertain knowledge using the knowledge that has been proved. In this theory, knowledge is regarded as a kind of classification ability on data and the objects in the universe are usually described by decision table that is a two-dimensional t able whose row represents an object and column an attribute. The attribute consists of decision attribute and condition attribute. The objects in the universe can be distributed into decision classes with different decision attributes according to the condition attributes of them. One of the core contents in the rough set theory is reduction that is a process in which some unimportant or irrelevant knowledge are deleted at the premise of keeping the classification ability unchanged. A decision table may have several reductions whose intersection was defined as the core of the decision table. The attribute of the core is important due to the effect to classification. Survival Analysis Survival analysis is a kind of Statistical Analysis method to analyze and deduce the life expectancy of the creatures or products according to the data comes from surveys or experiments. It always combines the consequences of some events and the corresponding time span to analyze some problems. It was initially used in medical science to study the medicines influence to the life expectancy of the research objects. The survival time should be acknowledged widely, that is, the duration of some condition in nature, society or technical process. In this paper, the churn of a customer is regarded as the end of the customers survival time. In the fifties of last century, the statisticians began to study the reliability of industrial products, which advanced the development of the survival analysis in theory and application. The proportional hazard regression model is a commonly used survival analysis technique which was first proposed by Cox in 1972. CRITICAL REVIEW Jiayin and Yuanquan [1] proposed a very simple method for the variable selection. The method proposed is very effective and practical, But there are more systematic methods available, which use advance neural network, induction algorithms and rough set. Huangs and Kechadis [11] concept for taking into account the categorical values into account when feature selection is being performed, is good. But their concept is limited to categorical values and continues values cant be applied on their approach. Continues values need to be discretized into categorical values, before their feature selection concept could be applied, but this conversion from continues to discrete may result in loss of information. Luo, Shoa and Lie [2] selected Decision Tree as their choice of data mining algorithm for churn prediction, which is the simplest and understandable algorithm for classification. Its simplicity also makes it the most widely used algorithm. But decision tree has its own limitations, they are very unstable and a very little change in the input variables, such as addition of newer ones, require rebuilding and re-training of complete decision tree. In addition, they should have also focused on how to enrich the input variables, by adding new derived variables that could enhance the efficiency of the model. Ming, Huili and Yuwei [4] Bayesian network model has advantages and some short comings. It has the ability to product best results even when the input datasets are incomplete. In addition, it has the ability to take connections into account when predicting churn and to take prior knowledge into consideration. This algorithm also has the ability to effectively prevent over fitting. But if the dataset is large, the structure learning of the Bayesian networks will be too difficult. Thus this model is not fit for telecom, where the dataset is always very large. Jiayin, Yangming, Yingying and Shuang [10] TreeLogit combines the advantages of both algorithms i.e. ADTree and logistic regression, thus it is both data-driven and assumption-driven and it has the capability of analyzing objects with incomplete information. Moreover, its efficiency is not affected by the bad quality data and it generates continues output with relatively low complexity. Jing and Xinghua [5] used Support Vector Machine algorithm for Churn Prediction. This algorithm is best if you have a limited number of sample records, but on the other hand its theory is very complex and there are many variations in it. So it is difficult to find the version which best suites your problem. Conclusion There are multiple solutions available for customer churn prediction. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. So a single solution might not be best for any organization. The organization may have to use the combination of algorithms and techniques to get the best results for churn prediction.

Deception in Tartuffe, Phaedra, and The Marriage of Figaro Essay

Deception in Tartuffe, Phaedra, and The Marriage of Figaro  Ã‚   In literature, deception can provide motivation for the characters, provide comedy, play a part in the advancement of plot or exist as a sub-theme. The works considered in our studies thus far provide prime examples of the use of deception in the aforementioned ways. This essay will focus on the act or acts of deception in Tartuffe by Molià ¨re, Phaedra by Racine, and The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais. In Molià ¨re's Tartuffe, the primary action of the play is focused upon the deception of Orgon as performed by Tartuffe. Tartuffe is a hypocritically pious Christian much like the televangelists of the present day. His nature is best illustrated in scene two of act three with: Hang up my hair-shirt, put my scourge in place, And pray, Laurent, for Heaven's perpetual grace. I'm going to the prison now, to share My last few coins with the poor wretches there. This statement, made for the benefit of Dorine, illustrates Tartuffe's hypocritical nature. Tartuffe's religious piety is much like his hair-s... Deception in Tartuffe, Phaedra, and The Marriage of Figaro Essay Deception in Tartuffe, Phaedra, and The Marriage of Figaro  Ã‚   In literature, deception can provide motivation for the characters, provide comedy, play a part in the advancement of plot or exist as a sub-theme. The works considered in our studies thus far provide prime examples of the use of deception in the aforementioned ways. This essay will focus on the act or acts of deception in Tartuffe by Molià ¨re, Phaedra by Racine, and The Marriage of Figaro by Beaumarchais. In Molià ¨re's Tartuffe, the primary action of the play is focused upon the deception of Orgon as performed by Tartuffe. Tartuffe is a hypocritically pious Christian much like the televangelists of the present day. His nature is best illustrated in scene two of act three with: Hang up my hair-shirt, put my scourge in place, And pray, Laurent, for Heaven's perpetual grace. I'm going to the prison now, to share My last few coins with the poor wretches there. This statement, made for the benefit of Dorine, illustrates Tartuffe's hypocritical nature. Tartuffe's religious piety is much like his hair-s...

Online Communities :: Music Shoegaze Internet Essays

Online Communities When searching for online communities I decided to research a subject I already had a little knowledge about. My friend had told me about an online forum he was subscribed to named Blisscent. Blisscent is a group of over 1500 people who are interested in the musical style of shoegaze rock. For those who do not know what shoegaze sounds like it can be described as a spacey textured form of hard rock; shoegaze began in Britain during the early 1980’s. Shoegaze is a semi-sleepy music. The guitar riffs are often overlaid many times during the recording process, which makes one feel like he is surrounded with a wall of thick sound. The chords are not hard and cut up, they are slow deep chords. The synthesizers often add a background noise and the drumbeats meld with the synthesizers that in turn meld with the guitars. The vocals are usually slowly exhaled and pulsate with the direction of the music. Every aspect of the music combines together to create a hybrid sound that seems to be originating from one source. It could be described as the seconds before getting taken under by a title wave, only in slow motion but with the regular sounds of the waves crashing into you. I know a little bit about shoegaze, it’s not my favorite genre of music, but I thought I would be able to understand the basic ideas of the community. I found that I was wrong; I had never heard of most of the bands being discussed. I could recognize a few and had heard some before but the members of this forum new everything about these bands. The community seemed to know each other very well; members were inviting other members to concerts their band was playing at. Some members sent postings making fun of other bands that they knew. Members congratulated each other with a posting after seeing the others band.

Self-awareness: Health Care Worker

NMIH101 Self-awareness This essay will explore some of the aspects of self-awareness, with description and definition for use to the health care worker in the health care setting from various educators in all fields of health care from various aspects of evidence-based practice that involves, includes and is open to developmental learning for continuous improvement with Client-Health Care Worker outcomes. Self-awareness is the mental, psychological and physical attributes that are ingrained into the human psych to manage society with encompassing emotional intelligence and empathy by acknowledging one’s own feelings and thoughts.Multiple amounts of literature regarding client care is available to the beginner and the practising health care professional specifically to teach and revise the learning process for current and future education (Unal 2012). The medical field is vast and ever-changing from evidence-based practices for all medical fields and employees for optimum clien t care (Unal 2012). Learning through life and education stems from communication. The health care worker has to draw on their personal interactions and education for the positive and professional setting (Charney 1994).For a health care worker to establish any form of communication with a client is to put their own self-awareness into action at the first introduction to consultation by being introspective (Cumbie 2001). The ability to express genuine empathy with emotional-intelligence is intrinsic to the health care worker in every health care field (Atkins 2008). The initial health care worker introduction and the client with health concerns begin with the introduction of eye contact.Depending on the cultural background of the client, eye contact holds a welcome message from clear and concise conversation, their expressions of interest and understanding, with professionalism and compassion to invite acknowledgment and to invoke trust and respect. This is the health care workers fi rst step for the client onto the path of the therapeutic relationship from competence and confidence of the health care worker all contributing to the levels of communication that encourage trust with the client (Atkins 2011).The basic human trait to be apprehensive when engaging in the need for medical assistance brings forth all aspects of self-awareness with compassion, understanding and support to the health care worker, thus alleviating stress to the client to ensuring the path to the client and health care worker’s overall homeostasis. These characteristics of the health care worker are to stabilise the client to begin their journey to wellness (Atkins 2011).In the health care setting we are faced with self-awareness on a daily basis with a broad spectrum of clients with diverse health issues from diverse cultural backgrounds. The health care worker learnings from specialised educator teachings from their many health care fields covers an abundance of information to ass ist the health care worker from evidence-based practices that are to promote and encourage both client and health care worker inner health and well-being (Cabe & Timmins 2003).When there is the cultural diversity of the client another aspect of care is approached by the health care worker to enlist their abilities to disperse congruent practice (Dewey 1933). Clients differing socio-economic backgrounds may be of concern but the health care worker is taught to absorb self-awareness and professionalism. The health care workers discretion with awareness of their emotions will encourage the clients comfort and ease.For the health care worker role to be professional, ethical, objective and non-judgemental they must use self-awareness to monitor their thoughts, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses. Assertiveness from emotional expression (Ellis & Hartley 2005) and all facets of self-esteem will allow for better health care worker and client interaction (Battle 1990). It is known and document ed the people with high self-esteem are more sensitive, tolerant and patient toward fellow human beings (Sherwood & Freshwater 2005).It has long been considered that interpersonal processes of the health care worker is a founding aspect of client care to open the doorways with an emotional and effective connection by influencing better client health outcomes (Peplau 1952). As client conditions and circumstance varies, communication awareness and skills that come from one’s life experiences may be brought into effect when dealing with particular cases. Critical analysis at first observation may show client emotions to then commence the duty of care by the health care worker.These ideas are demonstrated in the ANMC National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse. For example, the nurse must practice within a professional and ethical nursing framework (ANMC 2006). Without these principles there is minimal chance of effective communication as the prospective relationship c ould be blurred with bias (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council (AMNC 2006). In conclusion, self-awareness is crucial to all health care workers so as to aid in identifying and implementing appropriate behaviours when dealing with clients from diverse backgrounds.Numerous and varied amounts of literature are constantly being updated for integral implementation. Health care workers need to draw on their own personal perspectives so as to apply self-awareness and emotional intelligence with empathy. Applying self-awareness will foster better relationships with the client which will assist in overall better health outcomes, thus enabling the client to heal and the health care worker to consciously acknowledge the clients progression.Direct results of self-awareness will enhance better communication channels, further improving the health status of the client. References: * Atkins, K Britton, B & de Lacey, S 2011, Ethics and law for Australian nurses, Cambridge University Press, New Yo rk. * Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council 2006, National Competency Standards for the Registered Nurse, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council, viewed 1 April 2013, www. nursingmidwiferyboard. gov. au/documents/default * Battle, J 1990, Self-esteem: the new revolution, James Battle & Associates, Canada. Cabe, CM & Timmins, F 2003, ‘Teaching assertiveness to undergraduate nursing students’, Nurse Education in Practice, vol. 3, no. 1, pp30-42. * Crisp, J Taylor, C Douglas, C & Rebeiro, G 2013, Potter & Perry’s fundamentals of nursing, 4th edn, Mosby Elsevier, Australia. * Ellis, J & Hratley, C 2005, Managing and coordinating nursing care, 4th edn, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia. * Fawcett, J 1995, Analysis and evaluation of conceptual models of nursing, 3rd edn, Davis, Philadelphia. McQueen, A 2000, ‘Nurse-patient relationships and partnership in hospital care’, Journal of Clinical Nursing, vol. 9, no. 5, pp723-731. * Peplau, HE 1952, Intraperso nal relations in nursing, Putnam Sons, New York. * Sully, P & Nicol, M 2005, Essential communication skills for nursing, Elsevier Mosby, London. * Unal, S 2012, ‘Evaluating the effect of self-awareness and communication techniques on nurses’ assertiveness and self-esteem’, Contemporary Nurse, vol. 43, no. 1, pp90-98.

5 Star Doctor Essay

First a good doctor should be knowledgeable and should always keep abreast of development in her field of expertise. She should be a skillful diagnostician. A good doctor should neither under prescribe or over prescribe medication to her patient as to make her own profit. Second, a good doctor should has high Emotional Quotient or EQ. That’s mean to be a doctor who had warmer personality, be a better listener and communicator beside emphathetic in communication patterns to restore a level of calm and confidence to the patient and make them feel that the doctor is for them. Third, a good doctor should also be a good philosopher. This means that, the doctor should treat the patients in a holistic way. The holistic way of treating patient is by treat the patient as a whole person instead just physical symptoms which is to counsel the patient on their diet, excersice and stress management instead of just give the patient their medicine. Fourth, a good doctor should able to be a person who is clear and logical in thinking, work with sincere heart, have skilled with hands for the surgery and easy to reach in case of emergency. The doctor would be humble and confident enough to collaborate with other doctors or senior doctors in medical community to tackle an illness which she is not uncertain about, in order to offer the best practices in management and treatment to the patients. Fifth, a good doctor should need the Five – Star doctor qualities. Which are, improves the quality of care by responding to the patients’ total health needs with integrated preventive, curative and rehabilitatve services while considering the patients as an integral part of a family and community. Next is to make optimal use of new but cost- effective technologies, bearing in mind ethical and finacial consideratons and the ultimate benefits as well as costs to the patient and society. The doctor also promotes healthy life styles by effectively communicating with individuals and groups and empowering their own health protection and well- being. The Five-Star Doctor should reconciles individual and community health requirements, stiking a balance between patients’ expectations and those society at large. Beside that, the doctor is able to work and fuction efficiently and effectively in teams, both within and across the health sector and other socio- economic sectors influencing health. Another qualities a good doctor should has are sincere, dedicated, and courteous. He is able to complement his medical knowledge and clinical judgement with humanistic qualities of integrity, respect and compassion asn sees the patients as fellow human beings and not as a case with an illness. A Five- Star Doctor is one who not only demonstrate professional competence but also one who manifest personal qualities of patient, maturity and confident beside listen tentively to the patient to the patients complains and try to answer all their questions to the best of his knowledge. Sensitive to patient special needs, particularly their emotional needs and general well being. Avoids robotic prescription and drugs but rather, help the patients by identify the underlying couses of their promblems. Last but not least, a good doctor will treasure the relationship with the patients based upon mutual respect and open communication. The conclusions are as a medical doctor I need the learning skills and clinical skills to be a good and a Five – Star doctor. Beside that, I also need to have high EQ or emotional qualities to gain the trust from my patients and colleagues. This is important because without them who am I? Thats all from me thank you.

The Golden Lily Chapter 17

ADRIAN'S CAR DROVE LIKE A DREAM. When I got behind the wheel, I nearly forgot to check for any pursuit. In fact, I nearly forgot that I was supposed to be taking us to Wolfe's and showing Adrian how to use a stick shift. Instead, I was caught up in the way the engine hummed around us and in the scent of the leather. Leaving his neighborhood, I had to restrain myself from flooring it in the crowded streets of downtown Palm Springs. This was a car screaming to be let loose on the open road. I had admired Brayden's Mustang, but I worshipped this one. â€Å"I feel like I've just crashed someone's date,† Adrian remarked, once we were getting on the highway. No one had tailed us out of downtown, making me feel much safer. â€Å"Like I'm intruding on you two. If you want to drop me off somewhere, I'll understand.† â€Å"Huh?† I'd been paying careful attention to the way the car built up to higher speeds, both through sound and feel. The Mustang was in stunning shape. People often have the idea that classic cars are expensive. They are – if they're in good condition. Most aren't. When something's sat around for years without care, it inevitably falls apart, which is why so many older cars are fixer-uppers. Not Adrian's. This had been maintained and restored throughout the years and had probably never left the state of California – meaning it hadn't faced harsh winters. That all added up to a high price tag, making it that much more ludicrous that Adrian had bought something he couldn't drive. I groaned. â€Å"I'm sorry†¦ I don't know what I was thinking.† Well, I kind of knew. I'd been wondering what my odds of a ticket would be if I broke the speed limit to see how fast we could go. â€Å"I should've been walking you through this as soon as I started the car. I promise I will when we leave Wolfe's, all the steps. For now, I guess we can recap the basics. This is the clutch†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Adrian didn't seem annoyed by my neglect. If anything, he looked amused and simply listened to my explanations with a small, quiet smile on his face. Wolfe looked just as disreputable as he had last time, complete with the eye patch and what I suspected were the same Bermuda shorts as before. I hoped he'd done laundry since then. Despite his appearance, he was ready to go when our class assembled and seemed competent in his subject matter. Although he reminded us again about the importance of avoiding conflicts and being aware of one's surroundings, he quickly moved past those points and focused on actually practicing more physical ways of protecting oneself. Considering how much Adrian had complained last time about the â€Å"boring† safety talk, I figured he'd be excited that we were pretty much jumping right into some action. Instead, that amused look from the car vanished, and he grew increasingly tense as Wolfe explained what he wanted us to do in our partnered practice sessions. When the time actually came to practice, Adrian looked blatantly unhappy. â€Å"What's the matter?† I asked. I suddenly remembered last time, when Adrian had freaked out over my â€Å"attack.† Maybe he hadn't really expected he'd have to work here. â€Å"Come on, these are simple. You won't get dirty.† Even when teaching more combative actions, Wolfe was still an advocate of keeping things fast and simple. We weren't trying to learn to beat someone up. These maneuvers were effective means of distracting an assailant so that we could escape. Most were done with the dummies, since we could hardly try to stick fingers in each other's eyes. Adrian went through those motions diligently, if silently. It was working directly with me that he seemed to have a problem with. Wolfe noticed it too as he made his rounds. â€Å"Come on, boy! She can't try to escape if you don't try to hold her. She's not going to hurt you, and you won't hurt her.† The maneuver in question was actually one that would've been helpful the night I'd been grabbed in the alley. So, I was eager to practice it and frustrated that Adrian kept only halfheartedly helping. He was supposed to put an arm around my torso and attempt to cover my mouth. Unfortunately, his efforts were so weak and his hold so loose that I didn't need any special techniques to escape. I could have simply walked right out of his arms. With Wolfe there, Adrian made a slightly better showing as an assailant but immediately resorted to his former ways once we were alone. â€Å"Let's switch,† I said at last, nearly wanting to pull my hair out. â€Å"You try to escape me. Make up for last time.† I couldn't believe that Adrian's sluggish attitude had turned out to be the problem here. I'd expected the hang-up would be me not wanting to touch a vampire, but it didn't bother me at all. I wasn't thinking of him as a vampire. He was Adrian, and my partner in this class. I needed him to learn the move. It was all very pragmatic. If I didn't know better, I'd almost say that Adrian was afraid to touch me, which made no sense. Moroi didn't have those hang-ups. Was something wrong with me? Why wouldn't Adrian touch me? â€Å"What's going on?† I demanded, once we were in the car and headed back to the city. â€Å"I get that you're not an athlete, but what happened in there?† Adrian refused to meet my eyes and instead stared pointedly out the window. â€Å"I don't think this is really my thing. I was all about playing action hero before, but now†¦ I don't know. This is a bad idea. It's more work than I thought.† There was a flippant, dismissive tone in his voice that I hadn't heard in a while. â€Å"What happened to you finishing things you started?† I asked. â€Å"You told me you had changed.† â€Å"That was for art,† said Adrian quickly. â€Å"I'm still in those classes, aren't I? I didn't jump ship on those. I just don't want to do this one anymore. Don't worry. Now that I've got more money, I'll pay you back the class fee. You won't be out anything.† â€Å"That doesn't matter,† I argued. â€Å"It's still a waste! Especially since what Wolfe's showing us isn't really that difficult. We're not ripping ourselves apart like Eddie and Angeline would. Why is this so hard for you to stick with and learn?† My earlier self-doubt returned. â€Å"Do you just not want to work with me? Is there†¦ is there something wrong with me?† â€Å"No! Of course not. Absolutely not,† said Adrian. In my periphery, I saw him finally look at me. â€Å"Maybe there are only so many things I can learn at once. I mean, I'm supposed to also be learning to drive a stick shift. Not that I see that happening.† I wanted to slap myself on the forehead. In my frustration over class, I'd completely forgotten again about showing Adrian how to drive. I felt like an idiot, even though I was still mad at him for giving up on Wolfe. I checked the time. I had things to do tonight at Amberwood but felt obligated to make up for my shoddy teaching. â€Å"We'll practice once we're back in your neighborhood,† I promised. â€Å"We'll start slow, and I'll show you everything you need to do. I might even let you try driving around the block tonight if you seem like you're paying attention to the lesson.† The transformation in Adrian was remarkable. He went from sullen and uncomfortable to cheerful and energetic. I couldn't figure it out. Sure, I found cars and driving fascinating, but technically speaking, there was a lot more detail to learn about manual transmission than there was in Wolfe's evasive techniques. Why were those difficult for him, but the clutch was easy? I stuck around for about an hour when we got back. To his credit, Adrian paid attention to every word I said, although his results were inconsistent whenever I quizzed him or actually let him try something. Sometimes he'd respond like a pro. Other times, he'd seem totally lost on things I could have sworn he'd picked up. By the end of the hour, I felt safe enough with him driving the car at low speeds on empty streets. He was a long way from the highway or stop-and-go traffic of a busy city. â€Å"Looks like we've got more lessons in our future,† I told him when we finished. I'd parked the car behind his building, and we were walking back toward the main entrance and Latte. â€Å"Do not take that car beyond a half-mile radius. I checked the odometer. I'll know.† â€Å"Noted,† he said, still wearing that smirky smile. â€Å"When's the next lesson? You want to come back tomorrow night?† â€Å"Can't,† I said. â€Å"I'm going out with Brayden.† I was surprised at how much I was looking forward to it. Not only did I want to make things up to him after the dance, but I also just wanted a dose of normality – well, at least the kind of normality Brayden and I had together. Plus, things with Adrian were feeling really weird†¦ â€Å"Oh.† Adrian's smile fell. â€Å"Well. I understand. I mean, love and romance and all that.† â€Å"We're going to the textile museum,† I said. â€Å"It's cool, though I'm not sure how much love and romance there'll really be there.† Adrian nearly came to a halt. â€Å"There's a textile museum here? What do people do there?† â€Å"Well, they look at†¦ um, textiles. There's actually a great exhibit on – † I stopped as we reached the front of the building. There, behind Latte, was a familiar car, the rental that Sonya and Dimitri were using. I looked questioningly at Adrian. â€Å"Were you expecting them tonight?† â€Å"No,† he said, resuming his walk to the door. â€Å"They've got a key, though, so I suppose they can make themselves at home anytime. They do it a lot, actually. He eats my food, and she uses my hair stuff.† I followed him. â€Å"Hopefully it's just Dimitri.† After our recent revelations about the hunters, Sonya was pretty much under house arrest. Or so I thought. When we walked into the apartment, she was sitting on the couch. No Dimitri in sight. She glanced up at us from her laptop. â€Å"Thank goodness you're here,† she said, directing her words to me. â€Å"Jill said you two were out and I was hoping to catch you.† Something told me no good would come out of her wanting to â€Å"catch† me, but I had greater concerns. â€Å"What are you doing here?† I asked, half-expecting hunters to come through the door. â€Å"You're supposed to be at Clarence's until you leave town.† â€Å"Day after tomorrow,† she confirmed. She stood; eyes alight with whatever had driven her here. â€Å"But I needed to talk to you now – face-to-face.† â€Å"I would've come to you,† I protested. â€Å"It's not safe for you to be out.† â€Å"I'm fine,† she said. â€Å"I made sure I wasn't followed. This was too important.† She was breathless and excited. More important than being caught by wannabe vampire hunters? Debatable. Adrian crossed his arms and looked surprisingly disapproving. â€Å"Well, it's too late now. What's going on?† â€Å"We got the results back from Sydney's blood,† explained Sonya. My heart stopped. No, I thought. No, no, no. â€Å"Just like with Dimitri's blood, nothing physiological showed up,† she said. â€Å"Nothing unusual with proteins, antibodies, or anything like that.† Relief poured through me. I'd been right. Nothing special about me, no inexplicable properties. And yet†¦ at the same time, I felt a tiny pang of regret. I wasn't the one who would fix everything. â€Å"We sent it to a Moroi lab this time, not an Alchemist one,† Sonya continued. â€Å"One of the researchers – an earth user – felt a hum of earth magic. Just like how Adrian and I felt spirit in Dimitri's blood. The technician had other types of magic users examine your sample, and all four basic elements were detected.† That panic returned. She had me on an emotional roller coaster, one that left me nauseous. â€Å"Magic†¦ in my blood?† A moment later, I understood. â€Å"Of course there is,† I said slowly. I touched my cheek. â€Å"The tattoo has vampire blood and magic in it. That's what it is. There are different degrees of charms in it from different users. That would show up in my blood.† I shivered. Even with a logical explanation, it was a scary thing accepting that there was magic in my blood. Ms. Terwilliger's spells were still anathema to me, but at least there was some comfort in knowing they drew magic from outside of me. But knowing I had something internal? That was terrifying. And yet, I couldn't be surprised at this finding, not with the tattoo. Sonya nodded along. â€Å"Yes, of course. But there must be something about that combination that's repulsive to Strigoi. It may be the key to all of our work!† To my surprise, Adrian took a few steps toward me, and there was a tension in his stance that was fiercely protective. â€Å"So you know Alchemist blood has magic in it,† he said. â€Å"That's no surprise. Case closed. What do you want from her now?† â€Å"Another sample to start,† said Sonya eagerly. â€Å"There's none left in the original vial I took, once all the testing was done. I know this sounds strange, but it'd also be useful if a Moroi could†¦ well, taste your blood and see if it has the same repulsive quality as it did to Strigoi. Fresh blood would be ideal, but even I'm not deluded enough to ask you to submit to a feeding. We should simply be able to use your sample and – â€Å" â€Å"No,† I said. I stumbled backward, horrified. â€Å"Absolutely not. Whether it's from a neck or a vial, there's no way I'm giving my blood for anyone to taste. Do you know how wrong that is? I know you do it all the time with feeders, but I'm not one of them. I should never have given you the first sample. You don't need me for any of this. Spirit's the key. Lee's proof that former Strigoi are the ones you need to examine.† Sonya wasn't cowed by my outburst. She pushed forward, though her tone was gentler. â€Å"I understand your fear, but think of the applications! If something in your blood makes you resistant to Strigoi, then you could save countless lives.† â€Å"Alchemists aren't resistant,† I said. â€Å"That tattoo isn't protecting us, if that's what you're getting at. Do you think that in all our history, there haven't been Alchemists who were turned Strigoi?† â€Å"Well, of course,† she said. Her words were hesitant, encouraging me. â€Å"So, the magic you sensed in me is irrelevant. It's just the tattoo. All Alchemists have it. Maybe ours tastes bad, but Alchemist blood has nothing to do with Strigoi turning. It still happens to us.† I was rambling but didn't care. Sonya grew perplexed, her mind running through the implications of this news. â€Å"But do all Alchemists have bad-tasting blood? If so, how would a Strigoi be able to drain them?† â€Å"Maybe it varies by person,† I said. â€Å"Or maybe some Strigoi are tougher than others. I don't know. Regardless, we aren't the ones to focus on.† â€Å"Unless there's just something special about you,† mused Sonya. No. I didn't want that. I didn't want to be scrutinized, locked behind glass like Keith. I couldn't be. I prayed she wouldn't see how scared I was. â€Å"There's plenty that's special about her,† said Adrian dryly. â€Å"But her blood's not up for dispute. Why are you pushing this again after last time?† Sonya glared at Adrian. â€Å"I'm not doing this for selfish reasons, you know that! I want to save our people. I want to save all our people. I don't want to see any new Strigoi added to the world. No one should live like that.† A haunted look shone in her eyes, as a memory seized her. â€Å"That kind of bloodlust and complete lack of empathy for any other living creature†¦ no one can imagine what it's like. You're hollow. A walking nightmare, and yet†¦ you just don't care†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Funny attitude,† said Adrian, â€Å"seeing as you purposely chose to become one.† Sonya paled, and I felt torn. I appreciated Adrian's defense but also pitied Sonya. She'd explained to me in the past about how spirit's instability – the same instability Adrian feared – had driven her to turning Strigoi. Looking back at her decision, she regretted it more than anything else in her life. She would've submitted herself for punishment, but no court knew how to handle her situation. â€Å"Doing that was a mistake,† she said coldly. â€Å"One I've learned from – which is why I'm so anxious to save others from that fate.† â€Å"Well, then find a way to do it without dragging Sydney into it! You know how she feels about us†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Adrian faltered as he glanced at me, and I was surprised to almost detect bitterness in his voice. â€Å"You know how the Alchemists feel. Keep involving her, and you'll get her in trouble with them. And if you're so convinced they've got the answers, ask them for volunteers and do experiments that way.† â€Å"I'd help with that,† I offered. â€Å"Getting authorized subjects for you. I'd talk to my superiors. They'd like to see an end to Strigoi as much as you.† When Sonya didn't answer right away, Adrian guessed why. â€Å"She knows they'd say no, Sage. That's why she's appealing to you directly and why they didn't send your blood to an Alchemist lab.† â€Å"Why can't you both see how important this is?† asked Sonya, a desperate longing to do good in her eyes. It made me feel guilty and conflicted. â€Å"I do,† said Adrian. â€Å"You think I don't want to see every single one of those bastard Strigoi wiped from the face of the earth? I do! But not at the cost of forcing people to do things they don't want to.† Sonya gave him a long, level look. â€Å"I think you're letting your personal feelings interfere with this. Your emotions are going to ruin our research.† He smiled. â€Å"Well, then. Be glad you'll be free of me in two days.† Sonya glanced between the two of us, looked like she was about to protest, and then thought better of it. Without another word she left, her face defeated. Again, I felt torn. In theory, I knew she was right†¦ but my gut just couldn't agree. â€Å"I didn't mean to upset her,† I said at last. Adrian's face showed no sympathy. â€Å"She shouldn't have upset you. She knows how you feel.† I still felt a little bad, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that if I gave this, I'd be asked to give more and more. I recalled the day Eddie and Dimitri had been coated in spirit magic. No way could I risk getting involved to that level. I was already pushing my limits too far. â€Å"I know†¦ but it's hard,† I said. â€Å"I like Sonya. I gave her the first vial, so I can see why she thought the second would be easy.† â€Å"Doesn't matter,† he said. â€Å"No is no.† â€Å"I really will mention it to the Alchemists,† I said. â€Å"Maybe they'll want to help.† I didn't think I'd get in too much trouble for the first vial. The Alchemists endorsed the initial experiments after all, and I'd probably get points for standing up to vampire peer pressure for the other sample. He shrugged. â€Å"If they do, great. If not, it's not your responsibility.† â€Å"Well, thanks for gallantly coming to my defense again,† I teased. â€Å"Maybe you'd be more into Wolfe's training if you got to protect someone else instead of yourself?† The earlier smile returned. â€Å"I just don't like seeing people bullied, that's all.† â€Å"But you should come back to Wolfe with me,† I urged. â€Å"You need a chance to try to get at me.† Like that, he was serious again. He looked away. â€Å"I don't know, Sage. We'll see. For now, we'll just focus on the driving – when you can get away from your boyfriend, of course.† I left shortly after that, still confused about his weird behavior. Was that some of spirit's crazy effects on the mind? One minute, he was brave and defensive. The next, he was down and obstinate. Maybe there was a pattern or some type of reasoning behind it all, but it was beyond my analytical abilities. Back at Amberwood, I immediately headed for the library to get a book for my English class. Ms. Terwilliger had lightened up on my usual work so that I could â€Å"devote more time† to crafting her spells. Since her independent study – which was supposed to be my easy elective – took up more time than my other classes, it was refreshing to focus on something else for a change. As I was leaving the British Lit section, I caught sight of Jill and Eddie studying together at a table. That wasn't weird, exactly. What was weird was that Micah wasn't with them. â€Å"Hey, guys,† I said, slipping into a seat. â€Å"Hard at work?† â€Å"Do you know how weird it is to be repeating my senior year?† asked Eddie. â€Å"I can't even blow it off either. I have to get decent grades to stay here.† I grinned. â€Å"Hey, all knowledge is worth having.† He tapped the papers in front of him. â€Å"Yeah? You got any knowledge on the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in fiction?† â€Å"Edith Wharton,† I said automatically. He scrawled something onto his paper, and I turned to Jill. â€Å"How are things with you? Where's Micah?† Jill had her chin propped in her hand and was gazing at me with the weirdest look. It was almost†¦ dreamy. It took her a few moments to snap out of her daze and respond. The dreamy look became embarrassed and then dismayed. She glanced down at her book. â€Å"Sorry. I was just thinking how good you look in taupe. What did you ask?† â€Å"Micah?† I prompted. â€Å"Oh. Right. He's got†¦ stuff to do.† I was pretty sure that was the shortest explanation she'd ever given me. I tried to remember what I'd last heard on their status. â€Å"You guys patched things up, right?† â€Å"Yeah. I guess. He understood about Thanksgiving.† She brightened. â€Å"Hey, Eddie and I were talking about that. Do you think we could all have a big family-style Thanksgiving at Clarence's? Do you think he'd mind? We could all help, and it'd be lots of fun. I mean, aside from the cover, we really are like a family. Eddie says he can make the turkey.† â€Å"I think Clarence would love that,† I said, happy to see her cheery again. Then, I replayed her words. I turned to Eddie incredulously. â€Å"You know how to make a turkey? How would you have learned that?† From what I knew, most dhampirs stayed nearly year-round at their schools from an early age. Not a lot of culinary time. â€Å"Hey,† he said, straight-faced. â€Å"All knowledge is worth having.† Jill laughed. â€Å"He wouldn't tell me either.† â€Å"You know, Angeline claims she can cook,† said Eddie. â€Å"We were talking about it at breakfast. She says she knows about cooking turkey too, so if we tag-team, we can pull it off. Of course, she'll probably want to hunt and kill her own.† â€Å"Probably,† I said. It was amazing that he was talking about working with her on anything. It was even amazing that he could speak about her fondly, without a grimace. I was beginning to think more and more that her display at the assembly had been a good thing. We didn't need animosity in this group. â€Å"Well, I got what I came for, so I'm heading back. I'll see you in the morning.† â€Å"See you,† said Eddie. Jill said nothing, and when I glanced over, I saw that she was watching me again with that weird, enraptured look. She sighed happily. â€Å"Adrian had a great time with you at your class tonight, you know.† I nearly rolled my eyes. â€Å"The bond leaves no secrets. He didn't always seem to be having a good time.† â€Å"No, he really did,† she assured me. A dopey smile crossed her features. â€Å"He loves that you love the car more than he does and thinks it's awesome you're getting so good in your defense class. Not that that's a surprise. You're always so good at everything, and you don't even realize it. You don't even realize half the things you do – like how you watch out for others and never even think about yourself.† Even Eddie looked a little astonished by that. He and I exchanged puzzled looks. â€Å"Well,† I said awkwardly, really unsure how to handle this Sydney lovefest. I decided escape was my best option. â€Å"Thanks. I'll see you later and – hey. Where'd you get that?† â€Å"Huh?† she asked, blinking out of her enraptured haze. Jill was wearing a silk scarf painted in rich jewel tones, almost reminding me of a peacock's tail. It also reminded me of something else, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. â€Å"The scarf. I've seen it before.† â€Å"Oh.† She ran her fingers over the smooth material. â€Å"Lia gave it to me.† â€Å"What? When did you see her?† â€Å"She stopped by the dorm yesterday to give the dresses back again. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd want to return them.† â€Å"I do,† I said adamantly. Jill sighed. â€Å"Come on, let's just keep them. They're so pretty. And you know she'll just bring them back anyway.† â€Å"We'll deal with that later. Tell me about the scarf.† â€Å"It's no big deal. She was trying to pitch me on this scarf collection – â€Å" â€Å"Yeah, yeah, she told me too. How she could make it so no one recognized you.† I shook my head, feeling a surprising amount of anger. Was nothing under my control anymore? â€Å"I can't believe she went behind my back! Please tell me you didn't sneak off with her to do a photo shoot.† â€Å"No, no,† said Jill quickly. â€Å"Of course not. But you don't think†¦ I mean, you don't think there's any way she could pull it off? Hide me?† I tried to keep my tone gentle. After all, I was mad at Lia, not Jill. â€Å"Maybe. Maybe not. You know we can't take the chance.† Jill nodded, face sad. â€Å"Yeah.† I left feeling annoyed and was so distracted that I nearly ran into Trey. When he didn't respond to my greeting, I realized he was even more distracted than I was. There was a haunted look in his eyes, and he seemed exhausted. â€Å"You okay?† I asked. He managed a weak smile. â€Å"Yeah, yeah. Just feeling the pressure of everything. Nothing I can't handle. What about you? Don't they usually have to throw you out of this place? Or did you finally get tired of being here for eight hours?† â€Å"I just needed one book,† I said. â€Å"And I was actually only here ten minutes. I was out most of the night.† The smile fell, replaced by a frown. â€Å"Out with Brayden?† â€Å"That's tomorrow. I had, um, family stuff tonight.† The frown deepened. â€Å"You go out a lot, Melbourne. You have a lot of friends outside school.† â€Å"Not that many,† I said. â€Å"I'm not living a party lifestyle, if that's what you're getting at.† â€Å"Yeah, well. Be careful. I've heard about some scary stuff going on out there.† I remembered him being concerned for Jill too. I usually kept up on all the local news and had heard nothing alarming recently. â€Å"What, is there a crime ring in Palm Springs I should know about?† â€Å"Just be careful,† he said. We started to part ways, and then I called to him, â€Å"Trey? I know it's your own business, but whatever's going on†¦ if you want to talk, I'm here.† It was a huge concession for me, seeing as I wasn't always the most socially adept person. Trey gave me a wistful smile. â€Å"Noted.† I was kind of reeling as I went back to my dorm. Adrian, Jill, Trey. I suppose if you counted Eddie and Angeline getting along, everyone in my life was behaving weirdly. All part of the job, I thought. As soon as I was back in my room, I called Donna Stanton with the Alchemists. I never could be sure what time zone she was in, so I wasn't too concerned about the late hour. She answered right away and didn't sound tired, which I took as a good sign. She hadn't responded to my e-mail about the Warriors, and I was anxious for news. They posed too big a threat to us to be ignored. â€Å"Miss Sage,† she said. â€Å"I was planning on calling you soon. I trust everything's okay with the Dragomir girl?† â€Å"Jill? Yeah, she's fine. I wanted to check in on some other things. You got the info I sent you about the Warriors of Light?† Stanton sighed. â€Å"That's what I was going to call you about. Have you had any more runins?† â€Å"No. And they don't seem to have been following us anymore either. Maybe they gave up.† â€Å"Unlikely.† Her next words took a long time to get out. â€Å"Not from what we've observed in the past.† I froze, momentarily speechless. â€Å"In the past? Do you mean†¦ you've run into them before? I was hoping they were just some†¦ I don't know. A crazy, localized group.† â€Å"Unfortunately, no. We've encountered them before. Sporadically, mind you. But they pop up everywhere.† I was still in disbelief. â€Å"But I was always taught that any hunters had disappeared centuries ago. Why has no one ever talked about this?† â€Å"Honestly?† asked Stanton. â€Å"Most Alchemists don't know. We want to run an efficient organization, one that deals with the vampire problem in an organized, peaceful way. There are some people in our group who might want to take more extreme action. It's best then if the existence of our radical offshoot is kept secret. I wouldn't have even told you, but with all the contact you're having, you need to be prepared.† â€Å"Offshoot†¦ then they are related to Alchemists!† I was sickened. â€Å"Not for a very long time.† She sounded equally disgusted. â€Å"There's almost no resemblance anymore. They're reckless and savage. The only reason we let them be is because they usually just go after Strigoi. This situation with Sonya Karp is more difficult. She hasn't had any more threats?† â€Å"No. I just saw her tonight†¦ which brings up the other reason I called†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I gave Stanton a rundown of the various blood experiments, including my own donation. I painted it in very scientific terms, how it had seemed useful as extra data. I then made sure to sound properly appalled by the second request – which wasn't that difficult. â€Å"Absolutely not,† said Stanton. No hesitation. Often, Alchemist decisions went through chains of command, even with someone as high up as her. It was a sign of how much this went against Alchemist beliefs that she didn't even have to consult anyone. â€Å"Human control-blood is one thing. The rest she's suggesting is out of the question. I will not allow humans to be used in these experiments, especially when the evidence clearly shows the former Strigoi need to be the focus – not us. Besides, for all we know, this is some ploy on the Moroi part to get more of our blood for personal reasons.† I didn't believe that last part at all and tried to find a tactful way of saying so. â€Å"Sonya seems to sincerely believe this would help protect against Strigoi. She just doesn't seem to grasp how we feel about it.† â€Å"Of course she wouldn't,† said Stanton dismissively. â€Å"None of them do.† She and I returned our focus to the vampire hunters. The Alchemists were doing some investigating on any sightings in the area. She didn't want me to do any active investigation myself, but I was to report in immediately if any other information came my way. She was assuming the Warriors of Light were operating nearby, and once she found out where, the Alchemists would â€Å"deal with them.† I wasn't entirely sure what that meant, but her tone made me shiver. As she'd pointed out earlier, we weren't a particularly aggressive group†¦ though we were excellent at getting rid of problems. â€Å"Oh,† I said, just as we were wrapping up. â€Å"Did you ever find out anything about Marcus Finch?† I'd tried locating Clarence's mysterious human, who'd helped against the hunters, but had found nothing. I'd hoped Stanton might have more connections. â€Å"No. But we'll keep looking.† A slight pause. â€Å"Miss Sage†¦ I can't emphasize enough how pleased we are with the work you're doing. You've run into a few more complications than any of us expected, yet you handle them all efficiently and properly. Even your conduct with the Moroi is outstanding. A weaker person might have yielded to Karp's request. You refused and contacted me. I'm so proud I took the chance on you.† I felt a tightening in my chest. So proud. I couldn't remember the last time someone had said they were proud of me. Well, my mother did a lot, but no one tied to my work among the Alchemists did. For most of my life, I'd hoped my father would say he was proud. I'd finally given up on expecting that. Stanton was hardly a parental figure, but her words triggered happiness in me I hadn't known was waiting to come out. â€Å"Thank you, ma'am,† I said, when I could finally speak. â€Å"Keep it up,† she said. â€Å"When I can, I'll get you out of that place and into a position that doesn't involve so much contact with them.† And like that, my world came crashing down. I suddenly felt guilty. She really had given me a chance, and now I was deceiving her. I was hardly like Liam, ready to sell my soul to the Strigoi, but I also wasn't staying objective with my charges. Driving lessons. Thanksgiving. What would Stanton say if she knew about that? I was a sham, reaping glory I didn't deserve. If I was truly a dedicated Alchemist, I'd change my life here. I'd stop all extraneous activities with Jill and the others. I wouldn't even attend Amberwood – I'd accept the offer of outside accommodations. I'd only come here and see the gang when I absolutely was required to. If I could do those things, then I'd truly be a good Alchemist. And, I realized, I'd also be terribly, awfully lonely. â€Å"Thank you, ma'am,† I said. It was the only response I could give.

Response Essays Essay

Response to: Foul Shots In Foul Shots, Rogelio R. Gomez writes about his Chicano background and the neighborhood he grew up in. Furthermore, he describes himself being stereotyped as one of the â€Å"barrio boys† basically meaning that he is considered inferior to the Anglos. In high school, the writer states that he was on a basketball team and that there was one day when his coach announced that his team was to â€Å"buddy up† with the opposite team. The opposite team was all White and therefore had a big conflict with the â€Å"barrio boys† due to racism. One of the Anglos threw a bag of Fritos to the â€Å"barrio boys† as an insult because of the â€Å"Frito Bandito† commercial which was, at its time, very popular and involved a stereotyped â€Å"Mexican bandit† from the Western movies who would steal Fritos. Gomez states in his essay that this insult still persists in his mind after â€Å"more than 20 years† have passed because he still wonders what he should have done in the situation and always comes to a though in where he is crushing â€Å"a silly bag of Fritos. The title seems to go well with the whole theme of this essay and has two meanings on being that since they are on a basketball team and a â€Å"foul† in basketball is an illegal move and also using the meaning of the word â€Å"foul† as unfair; they are being compared in a sense. The Anglos in the essay are very stereotypical due to the fact that they threw a bag of Fritos at the â€Å"barrio boys† and treated them very rudely; they basically thought of them as â€Å"inferior† as stated in by the author. Something that can also be said in this situation; however, is that the stereotypical thoughts could be turned towards the Anglos implying that the Mexican-Americans discriminate towards them too. The reason why is because, in the essay, it says that the â€Å"barrio boys† tried to act like they were superior because of their â€Å"toughness† and how they played basketball much better than the Anglos, beating them at every game. This whole problem could have probably been prevented if the coaches took a different approach towards the conflicts between the two teams. Rather than having the two teams get together, which obviously magnified the problem, the coach should have talked to the students about the different ethnic backgrounds and how to deal with racism and stereotypes. Response to: The Happiest Day of My Life In the essay, The Happiest Day of My Life, a man by the name of Michael T. Smith worked in an office with large windows that were facing a busy overpass. One day, Smith decided to start waving at the people that would pass by. Smith started these â€Å"window antics† to bring joy and relieve the stress during work. Smith kept on waving to these people to the point where it became a daily routine. Eventually, his co-workers began to notice this and share the laughs he would get from waving at these people. Around Christmas time, it began to get stressful because of all of the job cuts and to help cheer everyone up, Smith decided to dress up as Santa Claus during work. When his supervisor found out about this, he called Smith into his office which made Smith become very nervous, especially during this time, but to his surprise, his supervisor couldn’t help but laugh and thanked him for what he had done to cheer everyone up. I personally thought that Smith was going to get warned not to do something like this again or he would lose his job because of the reaction given in which it says that his supervisor â€Å"†¦turned and left. † After a while, Smith began to see a bond growing between the people he would wave to, especially the bus riders, but didn’t realize how strong it was until the day when his daughter was born and they held up a sign saying â€Å"congratulations! †