Thursday, December 26, 2019

Business Plan for an Aviation Company - 12429 Words

1. Company’s profile JetStream Aero Services (JAS) is a newly set up aerospace company dedicated to providing small aircraft modification, assembly and maintenance services in South East Asia. JAS will have its first maintenance plant at Seletar Airport (Singapore) and aimed to start operations by 2010. Singapore is chosen due to its strategic location and it is a major hub in aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) in Asia Pacific. As JAS is relatively a new company, the management aims to enter the South East Asia market by focusing on small business aircrafts in the first few years of operations. Other areas would be looked into further once JAS has established its brand name and services. JAS is also proud to be†¦show more content†¦Teamwork * Teamwork helps the company work in a more efficient manner and reducing any chances of miscommunications between different departments * Monthly gatherings shall be organized by the management to foster greater relationship and cohesiveness of the entire company 2. Company’s products and services Seletar Airport is chosen as the main location for JAS main headquarters and maintenance plant. The total land space available is roughly two hectares in size and would be sufficient to house a decent aircraft hangar and office space. Within the airport itself, an existing runway (03/21) with a distance of 1,592 meters long and 46 meters wide would be available to carry out test flights conveniently. Though JAS primary provides MRO services such as maintenance and repair for a wide range of small business aircrafts, its main focus shall be the manufacturing, assembling and sale of the Diamond DA42 twin star aircraft. Sales target are set at three of this business jet per month from the start of JAS operations. JAS new single engine trainer aircraft, JetStream Flyer would begin its design phase concurrently from the start of operations and set to be in operations and delivered by year 2011. Its target sales potential would be at least of five aircrafts per month from year 2013 onwards. To further enhance JAS services to customers, the in-house engineers would provide aircraft maintenance advice and workshops for customers.Show MoreRelatedMarketing Strategies871 Words   |  4 PagesMarketing strategy is the plan of an organization to market its product. A good marketing strategy enables the organization to get the best marketing results and help it sustain its marketing advantage by using limited amount of resource. This report is the comparison of marketing strategies of three different companies. Lansing Aviation Lansing Aviation is a private company which provides aircrafts on rental to individuals and to flight training. It provides aviation consultancy at corporateRead MoreImportance Of Hr And Their Role Of Aviation Industry1511 Words   |  7 Pages Importance of HR and their Role in aviation industry Department of Aviation, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL Bipin Patel bipinnpatel@lewisu.edu +12247701888 Abstract Today, Human Resource Management has become a vital part of industries. They play a significant role in all industry. This paper will describe about the Human Resource Management (HRM) and how important to have HRM in industry and the role played by it, in various companies around the globe to make it successful. HRM isRead MoreGeneral Aviation Manufacturing : A Long Road Full Of Success1229 Words   |  5 PagesGeneral Aviation Manufacturing has been a long road full of success from the Wright Brothers, to current times. It has been helpful in the growth of the economy. General Aviation is defined as all aviation other than military and commercial airlines. â€Å"General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to corporate jet flights. The majority of the world’s air traffic falls into this category, and most of the world’s airports serve general aviation exclusively† (General Aviation). TheRead MoreLogistics Of The Aviation Industry Ess ay1442 Words   |  6 PagesLogistics in the aviation industry is not limited to just airplane sales, production operations at the factory level, or parts distribution. It goes beyond to include pre-sale processes, storage, returns management, disposal of excessive inventory, and other supply chain concerns. Reverse logistics defines the course of moving products from end users to manufacturers for recapturing value or desirable disposal. 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We will provide BluJay Aviation with neutral and unbiased assessments andRead MoreHuman Resource Management And Labor Relations951 Words   |  4 PagesRelations in the Aviation and Transportation Course number: 47-506-01-FA15 Human resource management in Aviation:Recruting and selection. Abstract The commercial aviation industry is safety-sensitive, high technology and extremely competitive service industry. The implications are vast and pervasive affecting no less than the organisation’s strategy, culture, and numerous operational activities. Responsibilities of human resources departments within aviation organisationsRead MoreEvaluation of the Planning, Building and Operation of the MRO Aircraft Facilty1231 Words   |  5 PagesThis report is designed to evaluate the planning, building and operation of a new aircraft MRO facility in the UK, opening for business in during 2014. 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Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Personal Statement Internal Medicine - 959 Words

Personal Statement: Internal Medicine It all began when I was eight years, my father and I were waiting patiently in our community health center to see the doctor because I had a fever. Few minutes later, a young man stepped out from a wooden door wearing a long white coat with a stethoscope gently resting around his neck. I turned to my father and asked â€Å"Dad, is that an Angel†? My father replied, â€Å"No son that is the doctor we came to see†. This experience opened up my dream to become a physician. My decision to study medicine received more attention when I was in the tenth grade, and I realized the incessant lack of medical doctors in rural communities in Nigeria which has resulted in high mortality even from preventable diseases. In fact, some of my relatives were victims of this. This experience ignited a passion and desire within me to become an agent of positive change. As a result of this, I decided to become a physician so that I can help people with their health needs. A few years later, I secured admission into College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria to study medicine. Choosing a specialty was a very unique experience for me, being the first doctor in my family meant I had to seek advice and also know what I really wanted to contribute positively to this noble profession. I would like a specialty where, when I wake up in the morning I can’t wait to get to work and at the end of the day feel very reluctant to leave. Developing aShow MoreRelatedInternal Medicine Personal Statement Is The Mystery Of The Human Body1156 Words   |  5 PagesInternal Medicine Personal Statement Since high school I was mesmerized by the mystery of the human body. I always wanted to study the structure of the smallest cells. Nevertheless, my admiration for the noble work of doctors in helping people and relieving the suffering of others was one of my primary reasons for wanting to pursue a career in medicine. 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To me, this means delivering state-of-the-art clinical care to my patients while contributing to the evolution of medicine through education and research. I have wanted to be a doctor since childhood. To me, being a doctor means goodness of the heart and dedication to healing. My parents valued education and rigorous work ethics. They taught me that I couldRead MoreThe Impact Of Service Learning On Residency Interviews1547 Words   |  7 Pagesresidency personal statements. The aim of the study is to investigate how a narrative focused on the benefits of service learning in residency personal statements influence the resident selection process. METHODS Senior medical students completed a voluntary, confidential on-line survey to measure perceived influence of service learning on residency interviews. Student also uploaded their residency personal statements as part of the survey. 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Tuesday, December 10, 2019

International Marketplace Essay Example For Students

International Marketplace Essay Jason Racki English 123Ms. Gigliotti Term paperThe Everyday Effects of the International MarketplaceAmerican is increasingly connected to the rest of theworld as a global economy becomes more important. We participate in the international marketplace both as providers of goods and as consumers. How we buy and sell affects us both in terms of what goods we can choose from, but also what jobs are available, and what kinds of industries will come to dominate our economy. One of the most important changes in recent years in our place in the global economy is the dropping of trade barriers with such political moves as the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This has had an impact on our economy which has filtered down to the everyday lives of our people, both as workers and as consumers. On the one hand, NAFTA has been good in that it has caused the dropping of tariffs by Mexico and Canada, making U. S. goods more affordable in those countries. This has helped to stimulate some areas of the American economy by opening up new markets to sell our products abroad. In urging the passage of NAFTA, the Clinton Administration publications said that NAFTA would increase high wage jobs, boost U.S. growth, and expand the base from which U.S. firms and workers could compete in a world-wide market. It predicted job gains of approximately a million due to increased Mexican exports, and suggested that by 1995 there would be approximately 200,000 more high wage jobs created due to the opening of free markets. The industries most expected to benefit were those dealing in computer technology, machine tools, aerospace equipment, telecommunications equipment, electronics, and medical devices all areas where wages were already 12 per cent higher than the national average (Expanding (1993), 3-5). Such growth in jobs would have an effect on the workers and their communities, giving a boost to both individual wealth and the community itself. These benefits spread outward to other areas of the economy, helping people who have jobs in retail, construction, and oth er areas where workers spend their paychecks. However, there is another effect. As a result of the cheaper labor in Mexico, participation in this part of the international marketplace has led to the loss of many American jobs in certain industries, such as the garment and textile industries. After four years of stability, apparel industry jobs plunged suddenly last year, falling more than ten percent from 945,000 at the end of 1994 to 346,000 in 1995. In addition, 42,000 jobs vanished in the fabrics industry for at total shrinkage of 141,000 jobs. These jobs represented 40 percent of all manufacturing jobs lost in the United States last year (Squeezing (1996), D1). Carl Priestland, an economist for the American Apparel Manufacturers Association, predicted that this year another America will likely lose up to another 50,000 jobs in the industry (Squeezing (1996), D1). These losses especially affect workers in small towns like Pisgah, Alabama, and Granger, Texas. The approximate 100 people let go in Pisgah this year were emotionally devastated. Not only are they seeing their specific jobs disappear, they are also faced with seeing the entire industry vanish from their area, taking their opportunities with it. One example, Martha Smith, who lost her job sewing childrens clothes, is now enrolled in a state-sponsored program to learn clerical skills. She is thereby trading a blue-collar position for one which is in a low-paying and overcrowded field. In fact a great many of the over 650 people who lost sewing jobs in Alabama this year are women struggling to support their families (Squeezing (1996), D1). They face a market where they have few skills and little to offer. Given the largely female makeup of the sewing industry, it is unfeasible to try to fit all these displaced workers in the clerical field. And on top of that, when a plant such as the o ne in Pisgah closes, the entire town and region suffer. Many such towns are dependent on one employer. When that employer leaves for cheaper labor in Mexico, the local economy cannot easily recover. Local merchants lose their customer base; suppliers to the mills lose their markets. .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .postImageUrl , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:hover , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:visited , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:active { border:0!important; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:active , .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162 .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3dc509383e842967465b9b85f98d5162:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Gemeinschaft vsGesellschaft EssayIn the textile industry, the danger to the worker from NAFTA is twofold. First, there is the danger of moving the plant and its jobs to Mexico, where labor costs are considerably cheaper. Second, there is the increase in importing cheaper textiles and sewn goods from Mexico, where they are already lower-priced due to the cheap Mexican labor. Either way, American blue-collar workers are increasingly losing their jobs. And these workers are not themselves in the higher paid blue-collar jobs. Lacking specialized skills, they are at the mercy of market forces which are increasingly against them. This is part of a larger pattern. Fifty workers in Granger, Texas, are no longer employed by the Ca-Ce-Len Manufacturing Company. Ten years ago there were more than 500 rural Texas towns and hundreds of others across the South and Midwest where such contract garment factories were the mainstay of local economies. Today there are barely two dozen such jobs left. The displaced workers often move into even lower-skilled and lower paying jobs, such as working in nursing homes. And they experience a deep sense of bitterness for their loss. (Verhovek (1996), A10). Likewise, the heavy truck and equipment section of the automotive industry has likewise moved many of its plants to Mexico to take advantage of the cheap labor. This type of action leads to the loss not only of jobs and the human cost, but also to the loss of heavy industry. It is one example of the type of change that is moving our economy more and more to one with a service industry base rather than an industrial base. For example, John Deere along with Navistar International, North Americas biggest producer of school buses and trucks, eliminated 3,000 to 5,000 jobs this year in its huge factory in Springfield, Ohio, and will move its heavy truck production by 1999 (Squeezing (1996), D1). Similar complaints have been made about job and industry losses to other parts of the world also, especially to Third World nations where labor is very cheap, and the goods that are then imported from those same companies can undercut the competing goods made in America. This has a good immediate effect for the consumer, since they are able to buy more inexpensively, but the overall effect will take down the everyday standard of living. One effect of the global marketplace is in the political area. As more of the economy becomes internationally integrated, the fears which it causes effects the way people vote and what policies are chosen. Also, there becomes more of a desire for international companies to try to influence American politicians, and this leads to the possibility of Americans losing power with their own government. The recent controversy over the foreign political contributions to the Clinton campaign and buying influence are one example of this (Cohen (1996)). There are also foreign reactions to American influence based on the global marketplace which affects our relations with foreign countries. While this may seem not to have an immediate everyday impact, it does affect policies of our government which filter down in a variety of ways. One area which is definitely affected by the international marketplace is the type and quality of goods available to consumers, and especially the type of entertainment we pursue. As an example, Japanese electronics have largely taken over the field in both television and music related areas. Now, with new standards just agreed to on digital television for worldwide use, an extreme change is on the horizon. Over the next decade, it is expected that every American home will have to replace their current televisions with wide screen digital models or else buy converter boxes in order to watch TV. These TVS will also be used similarly to desktop personal computers, and will have a major effect on the computer use of the average American also. By 1998, when broadcasters are expected to be sending out the necessary signals, TV and computers are expected to be integrated, which will also affect people who use the internet. This will lead to a major change in both how we communicate and rec eive information, and how we are entertained (Brinkley (1996)). .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .postImageUrl , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:hover , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:visited , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:active { border:0!important; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:active , .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9 .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u7f3a55a0a2387cd0e9d795c733173cd9:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Homeless in America EssayThus, the international marketplace affects the jobs we have, the industries we work in, how much we are paid, what our government policies are, and how we spend our leisure time. BibliographyBrinkley, Joel. (1996, December 2). The age of digital television is finally upon us. The New York Times. . Available: America Online, keyword:@Times. Cohen, Roger. (1996, November 16). Global forces batter politics. The New York Times. . Available: America Online, keyword:@Times. The NAFTA: expanding u.s. exports, jobs, and growth (1993). Clinton Administration Statement on the North America Free Trade Agreement. Washington: GPO. Squeezing the textile workers: trade and technology force a new wave of job cuts. (1996, February 21). The New York Times, p. D1. Verhovek, Sam. (1996, January 15). In small town texas, the sewing stops. The New York Times, p. A10.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Term Paper Social Work Ethics Essay Example

Term Paper Social Work Ethics Essay Scenario one speaks about a single unemployed mother of two children who is thinking about having an abortion. She decides to make an appointment with a Social Worker about it, however that Social Worker decides that it’s not in the best interest of the client, doesn’t care about her wants and hands her a church pamphlet. Right away I see that there is a direct infraction, as a Social Worker one should never speak of their own beliefs and values when working alongside with a client. A Social Worker should always put what the client wants, within reason, first, as an act of self-determination for the client. The infraction that I found in the Code of Ethics is the third principle â€Å"Responsibility to Client†, specifically looking at the sub-principles 3. 1 and 3. 4. 3. 1 Speaks of how College members must â€Å"provide clients with accurate and complete information regarding the extent, nature and limitations of any services available to them† (pg. 11 Code of Ethics). As a member of the College, we as Social Workers have a duty to provide all resources available to a client, even if it may not agree with our own personal values, attitudes and beliefs. I also believe that we are responsible to provide accurate information; as a Social Worker I would not turn away a client looking for resources and tell her to go to a church, specifically my own church, and to seek God and forgiveness for thinking of abortion. I think it is important to deal with each situation without any hidden agendas and to look for the best possible outcome for the specific clients requests. 3. 4 Discusses how College members â€Å"do not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, political affiliation, national origin etc†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (pg. 11, Code of Ethics). We will write a custom essay sample on Term Paper Social Work Ethics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Term Paper Social Work Ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Term Paper Social Work Ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I think this was appropriate as a sub-principle as it speaks of how this Social Worker in the scenario brings in their own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and uses them against the client seeking professional help. I believe it is a direct infraction of one’s religion and rights as a person. As a Social Worker, I would have spoken to Mrs. Tremblay thoroughly to make sure that this is what she wants, as it is a permanent decision and I would want to make sure that this decision was made purely from her decision and not based on what I have to say. I would have given Mrs. Tremblay resources that are available that she may have wanted, such as hospitals, support groups, counseling services etc, and well as letting Mrs. Tremblay know that if she ever needs extra support that I would be available with a non-judgmental ear. Scenario two speaks of how Mr. Smith feels â€Å"blue† and see’s a Social Worker in therapy, however that Social Worker tells Mr. Smith that he/she is specialized in Mental Health, and diagnoses Mr. Smith with a depressive episode of Bipolar Affective Disorder, and tells the client to start group therapy and take a week vacation to help alleviate the symptoms. From reviewing the case, it would have to depend on whether or not this Social Worker has a Doctorate Degree in Social Work to be able to diagnose the client or not (as mentioned in the footnote from the Advertising principle) however from reading the text, I feel as though this Social Worker believes that he/she has just specialized in the field of Mental Health, and not earned a Doctorate in the field. I found that the infraction happened under second principle of â€Å"Competence and Integrity†, under â€Å"Competence† with the sub-principles 2. . 1 and 2. 1. 3. 2. 1. 1 Discusses how â€Å"members are responsible for being aware of the extent and parameters of their professional scope† (pg. 5, Code of Ethics). I believe that this is a direct infraction to what happened in the scenario. Since the Social Worker believes that they are specialized in the field because it is an area of practice that they have worked in seeing many patients â€Å"like him†, h owever does not have the appropriate credentials, the services are beyond the member’s professional scope of practice. As a Social Worker, and a member of the college, I would follow what the sub-principle says, and recommend for a particular service, refer Mr. Smith to other professionals who are able to legally diagnose Mr. Smith. 2. 1. 3 Discusses how â€Å"College members maintain current knowledge of policies, legislations programs and issues related to the community in their area of practice† (pg. 6, Code of ethics). I think that this was an appropriate sub-principle as it describes that any member of the College should have full knowledge of their boundaries regarding what and what they are not allowed to discuss with clients. If I were the Social Worker in this scenario, I would have talked to Mr. Smith about how he is feeling, to try and see which professional I could recommend Mr. Smith to. I would take notes on what we talked about, such as Mr. Smith feeling withdrawn, poor appetite and loss of sleep and referred him to the professional I feel would fit Mr. Smith the best. I feel as though it would possibly be beneficial to continue seeing Mr. Smith to talk about how he is feeling, and create goals with him if he wanted to continue our services together, however I would not ersonally diagnose Mr. Smith since I do not have a specific Doctorate in that area. Scenario three discusses that an Aboriginal girl is having troubles at home, and was picked up and brought to the Social Workers office. The Social Worker feels conflicted because the family is an â€Å"upstanding† family in the community and that Social Worker cannot believe that they are having family troubles. The Social Worker calls to let the family know that they have the child. With this case, I see that there is a slight of a conflict of interest and a judgment made seeing how the family is an â€Å"upstanding family† and that the Social Worker â€Å"cannot believe that they have having problems†. However, I feel as though there wasn’t an infraction made seeing as the Social Worker on the case did not provide any services to the family. The Social Worker was the Worker on hand who initially greeted the child upon the drop-off, therefore has a Duty to Report. The principle that I found this case was a part of was principle of Integrity found under the second principle, and the sub-principle is 2. . 1. 2. 2. 1 Speaks of how â€Å"College members do not engage in professional relationships that constitute of a conflict of Interest†¦ College members do not provide any professional service to a client† (pg. 6, Code of Ethics). Since the Social Worker only performed what their specific task was, and did not provide any profession al service to that child, I believe that no infraction was created. If I were a Social Worker on Case, I would have called the family to let the child know that they were in my current care, however I would not engage in any professional relationships since it is a conflict of interest. I would speak to another coworker or supervisor to discuss this conflict, I would write a brief case note describing that I was initially at intake, that I could not continue my professional duty as a Social Worker due to the conflict of interest, and I would write who I passed the case along too. I would also include a signature from my coworker as a trail in case the notes were ever subpoenaed to court. Scenario four discusses how a Social Worker is a full-time worker at a large family counseling agency and maintains a private practice two evenings a week in his/her home office. Since the office has a six month waiting list for services, management asks you to take referrals in your private practice. In this case, there is no infraction. The Social Worker on case is accepting referral’s from other employee’s which is mentioned in the Footnotes of the principle â€Å"Responsibility to Client† which mentions that â€Å"College members may accept referrals from their employees†(pg. 12 Code of Ethics). However, if the case was that the College member is â€Å"soliciting their employer’s clients for private practice† it would be a violation of the sub-principle 3. (pg. 11, Code of Ethics). If I were to be the Social Worker on hand in this case, I would make sure that the only clients I spoke to in terms of coming into my private practice were strictly those who were referred to by other members of the College. I value and believe in the help that can be received when asked for, and by allowing other members to be part of this â€Å"helping movement† we are aiding in their own goals to be reached which helps one with their own values of self-determination. Scenario five discusses how Mr. Smith wants his Social Worker to write up an illness certificate so that he can have a few weeks off work, however Mr. Smith has no problems that would justify getting that time off work, but that Social Worker feels that a week off from work is good for everybody in general. Reading through this I see right away that there is an infraction. There is no reason that Mr. Smith should get a week off work because he has made some progress in therapy, and has been working well on his problems. I see the infraction under the Fourth principle of â€Å"Social Work and Social Service Work records† under the sub-principle 4. . 2. 4. 1. 2 Discusses how â€Å"College members do not make statements in the record†¦ record, issue or sign a certificate, report or other document†¦ that is known to be false, misleading or inaccurate†(pg. 15 Code of Ethics). In this case, the Social Worker feels as though Mr. Smith would benefit from having this week off and decides that it is a good idea, though Mr. Smith has no problems that would qualify him for this week off. In my own opinion, if I were the Social Worker in the case, I would continue to motivate Mr. Smith with his new found self-determination, especially when he is continuing to progress and complete goals that were initially set for him, why would a week off be beneficial. I feel as though that week off may set off a pattern that could lead him back to ground zero. I do not find it appropriate to fill out false information, especially when it could be documented and subpoenaed back to court and could be shown that I went out of my way to favoritize a client because he has made some substantial work in therapy. I would continue to motivate, encourage and work alongside Mr. Smith until he no longer is in need of my services. Scenario six discuses the case of a Social Worker who works in a private practice in a rural town of 5,000 and how a member of the same board would like you to talk to his son since he is having behaviour problems. I see this as an infraction of the second principle â€Å"Integrity† under the sub-principle 2. 2. 1, seeing as the Social Worker and the client know each other on personal terms, it is a direct conflict of interest. . 2. 1 Discusses how â€Å"College members do not engage in professional relationships that constitute a conflict of interest. where College members do not provide a professional service to a client†(pg. 6, Code of Ethics). In this instance, though the Social Worker in the case may be the only Social Worker in the town, he is still one of the few professionals, which means that there are other professionals that may assist his friend Barry and their child. The reason that I find it so important that we do not work with friends, acquaintances, or anyone of the sort that we know outside of our professional spectrum is biases. You cannot work with a client that you know because you will not be able to take a look at the situation with a blind eye. As a side point of the sub-principle, it mentions that doing so, â€Å"avoids conflicts of interest and/or dual relationships with clients† (pg. 6, Code of Ethics), this means that as a Social Worker, having a professional relationship will never interfere with your personal one. It also discusses how â€Å"if the conflict of interest does arise, declaring the conflict of interest and taking appropriate steps to address it could eliminate the conflict† (pg. 6, Code of Ethics), which means that discussing the conflict of interest could avoid the whole situation entirely. If I was the Social Worker working on this case, I would discuss with my friend Barry that there is a conflict of interest and I would not be able to fully give his son the appropriate counseling required because I would be going into the counseling sessions with a hidden agenda. Since the scenario discusses that the Social Worker is one of the few, I feel like I could still reference Barry’s son to other professionals that could still talk to him about the issues that are going on. Scenario seven discusses how there is a custody dispute where both ex-spouses agree to pay 50% of the costs, however something arises where the husband pays his and her halves of the cheque and the social worker decides that since the bill has been paid out in full, there is no need for further discussion about the money issues. From reading on about he case, I read that there is most definitely an infraction, under the principle â€Å"Fee’s† and the sub principle 6. 1. 6. 1 Discusses how â€Å"College members do not charge or accept any fee which is not fully disclosed† (pg. 29, Code of Ethics). From what I gather from the Scenario, the ex-wife was not aware of what the payment outcomes were, and since both spouses originally decided to each pay 50% of the costs I believe that by the Social Worker accepting the full bill and not discussing it with both parties, he is in fact breaking one of the principle’s under the Code of Ethics. If I was the social worker in this scenario, I would allow for both parties’ to be aware of what is happening in the custody dispute, that way there if one party is not fully accepting of what is going on, we can go ahead to figure out what the next best step is. I believe that it is important to keep both sides completely involved in the case when it, at the end involves both ex-husband and ex-wife. I, as a Social Worker value honesty and view this scenario as not being fair to both parties involved. I also believe that if this instance were to be subpoenaed to court, and the wife finds out that the husband paid her half out, and it shows that I took that money, I feel as though my professional license could be jeopardized due to the lack of honesty. Scenario eight discusses how Rachel has been referred to a mental health agency from a local Child and Family Agency in a first nation community. Rachel has two children between the ages of 5 and 7and is trying to get out of an abuse relationship. Rachel’s sister-in-law (husband’s sister) works for the Child and Family Center, and wants to find out the update on Rachel’s situation. Personally I found this to be a complicated situation, where I would definitely want to discuss with other co-workers about their opinions for extra feedback of the best scenario. Right away I thought of the fact that Rachel’s kids are young, being 5 and 7, as soon as they enter a Shelter for Women leaving abusive relations, Children and Family Services must be called as it is a Duty to Report. However, if Rachel’s sister in law was, for instance the woman who took the initial call, it would be in her best interest to follow the rules of it being a conflict of interest and to pass the call to another worker. In this scenario it also speaks to the fact that Rachel discloses that she is worried that Richard will find out where she is, which is when the Social Worker got a call from the sister-in-law asking for an update. This Social Worker is working in a Mental Health Agency, so the only outcome I can see it being appropriate would be to say that the children are no longer in your care, and that if there is any more details that need to be discussed, a confidentiality form must be signed by all parties included and that information must be relayed to the worker in charge of the case. Therefore, I realized that there was an infraction made regarding the fifth principle of confidentiality, under the sub-principles 5. 1 and 5. 3. 6. 5. 1 Discusses how â€Å"college members comply with applicable privacy and other legislations†¦ use of disclosure of client information including personal information, unless otherwise permitted by law† (pg. 23, code of Ethics). This discusses how unless there was a consent signed by the parties involved that allows for members of the College to speak to each other, nothing should be said that can put any client in risk. Therefore as mentioned earlier, unless there was a confidentiality form signed by all parties, and that Rachel’s sister in law was in fact on the case, this is a direct infraction. 5. 3. 6 Describes how â€Å"College members do not disclose the identity of and/or information about a person who has consulted or retained them unless the person consents† (pg. 24, Code of Ethics). As mentioned earlier, I believe that no information should ever be relayed to any other member of parties involved due to the fact that it can be a direct breach of confidentiality. In my opinion, if information is ever let out to the wrong person, that client can be put in direct harm, and even possibly killed. As mentioned earlier, I would go about this by every precaution available to make sure that my client is in the best situation for safety. I would speak to other co-workers to get a second opinion and I would go about every safety precaution from signing consent forms to discussing with those on the case from all parties involved about what is best for the client, since that is what my main priority is. Scenario nine discusses how a Registered Social Worker with a Master’s degree and 20 years in psychiatric settings has a 95% success rate in treating depression. Many clients tell the Social Worker that they are a Doctor because they believe strongly in the skills used. I found that this is an infraction as the Social Worker is not a registered Doctor and as a Social Worker should firmly state their position in the School of Social Work. The Principles that I found the infractions under are â€Å"Advertising† and the sub-principles 7. 1. 6, 7. 3. 3. 7. 1. 6 States that embers â€Å"cannot claim a special advantage that is unsupported by professional or scientific evidence† (pg. 31, Code of Ethics). Personally I feel like the Social Worker in this scenario is telling his clients that by having a 95% success rate and that many clients refer to the Social Worker as a â€Å"Doctor† when no doctorate degree was ever received is an infraction of that rule. The S ocial Worker should be firm and honest with the clients stating that he is not a Doctor, however they have specialized in the field for 20 years, creating a great rapport with clients among the community. . 3. 3 States firmly that â€Å"College members correct whenever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information regarding qualification or services†(Pg. 32, Code of Ethics). I believe that this was a main sub-principle that was being broken. As opposed to the social worker stating that they were in fact not a Doctor, nor did he have a doctorate’s degree, the Social Worker carried on and laughed about the comments being made. As mentioned earlier, the Social Worker involved should have mentioned to all clients calling him â€Å"Doctor†, that he is in fact, just specialized in his field. As a Social Worker in this case, I would only mention what was known as true fact when it came time to speak to clients, if they assumed I was a doctor, I would correct them and state facts such as â€Å"No, not a Doctor, however, I have my masters in Social Work, and I’ve specialized in the Mental Health field for over 20 years†. I believe that honesty is what is important when it comes down to making a rapport with clients, that it is important to me as a Social Worker to be aware of these types of infractions so that there is no gray area in our sessions together as client and Social Worker. Scenario ten speaks of a Social Worker who receives a call from Pat, a potential client, which turns out that the client cannot get services from you however you refer the client to other counseling agencies. Two and a half years later, the social worker meets Pat once again and hit things off, where a sexual relationship begins. Personally, I do not see this as an infraction due to the principle of â€Å"Sexual Misconduct†, under the sub-principles 8. 8. However if circumstances were shorter and it had not been a year, this would be an infraction of 8. 6 due to the fact of the relationship starting at time of referral. 8. 8 Discusses how â€Å"sexual relationships between College members and clients whom the members have provided social work or social service work services are prohibited for a period of one (1) year following the termination of the professional relationship† (pg. 6 Code of Ethics). In my opinion, and from what I have read, the Social Worker and client discussed the situation briefly and two and a half years later have met up once again. I do not see that as a direct infraction, however if it had been short of a year, and the client had by chance worked with the Social Worker at hand to get help, there would be an infraction under the sub-principle 8. 6. 8. 6 Speaks of how †Å"sexual relations between College members and clients at any time during the professional relationship are prohibited. College members do not have sexual relations with any person who they’ve had a professional relationship due to the risk of creating a conflict of interest† (pg. 35, Code of Ethics). Explaining in fact that if Pat and the Social Worker did have a professional and Sexual relationship, they would be creating an infraction directly. As a Social Worker, I value, and believe that is it important to respect clients as people, and not take advantage of the vulnerability they may be facing once taking a step further to discuss deep rooted and personal issues with be, as a Social Worker. I believe that there is a rule placed for a reason and that it would not be fair to any people seeking my own personal help to take advantage of their vulnerability (intentionally or not) and use it while having a professional relationship with the client as well. Scenario eleven discusses how there is a Social Worker in an Aboriginal mental health agency, who has a specific client Mary Lou, who is about to terminate her treatment with the Social Worker since she has completed her goals. As a thank you gift, she has made a dream catcher for the Social Worker out of love and appreciation. Personally I do not feel that there is any infraction in this case, seeing as it was not a sexual misconduct for Mary Lou to give the gift and for the Social Worker to accept it a â€Å"thank-you gift†. Just to be certain however, I would look at the principle â€Å"Relationship to Client† under the sub-principle 1. 7. 1. 7 Discusses how â€Å"College members employed by organizations maintain an awareness and consideration of the purpose, mandate and function of those organizations and how they may limit professional relationships with clients† (pg. , Code of Ethics). I believe that in this statement it displays that College members must keep their relationship in mind when working alongside with clients. I believe that there would be a significant problem if the clients were offering us fee’s on the side, â€Å"tips† almost, or that the client has found an emotional love for the worker, however this is not the case. As a Social Worker, I believe t hat there is nothing better than knowing that one appreciates what you’ve done for them in terms of creating that rapport. I believe that there is a specific reason why we all chose to get into this program, and helping others is a major reason, if it wasn’t, why else would it be? I do not believe that there is anything wrong with a gift of appreciation, especially one that demonstrates their culture. I value the rapport that we build with clients and the things we learn from each of the cases that we work on we are able to learn and grow each time. Works Cited Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. (2008). Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Handbooks . Toronto : Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

The Salience of Moral Character essay

The Salience of Moral Character essay The Salience of Moral Character essay The Salience of Moral Character essayI have found that the article â€Å"The Salience of Moral Character† by Jon Garthoff is informative and interesting to read and analyze. I agree with many ideas presented by the author in the article. In the article â€Å"The Salience of Moral Character†, Jon Garthoff discusses the nature and role of two notions – moral obligation and first personal moral judgment, which refer to morality. I really appreciate the author’s work, his style of writing and language, the structure of the article, and other aspects of his work, which contribute to revealing the significance of the issue discussed by Jon Gathoff. Morality has always been recognized as an important issue to study because moral ideals lie in the basis of human nature. The author of the article suggests that moral rights are understood as â€Å"corresponding to rules of moral salience which occasion explicit judgment whenever a morally competent person in a stat e of nature considers killing someone, invading his person, or taking his things† (Gathoff 20). The major goal of the author is to prove the fact that the rules of moral salience play an important role in human life, as these rules ensure the appropriate action-guidance that is accomplished not by natural moral rules, but by some different type of rights that are suitable for a particular social environment or context.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I agree with Jon Gathoff that the following notions are crucial in understanding morality and moral cognition: â€Å"moral rules†, â€Å"rules of moral salience†, â€Å"maxims of action†, â€Å"moral worth†, â€Å"moral character†, â€Å"conflicting rules† and â€Å"social rules†. The author’s statement â€Å"The Ten Commandments and other prescriptions drawn from canonized religious texts are treated by many as paradigms of moral content, and guiding oneself by this sort of prescription is treated by many as a paradigm of moral judgment† is true (Garthoff 1). People highly value the Bible and try to use its principles to live honestly. I believe that an individual code of conduct depends on both religious and social rules. Moral thinking helps people to act in a proper way, without committing crimes or demonstrating aggression.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Besides, I agree with the author of the article in his evaluation of moral theory. He writes, â€Å"Since rules are commonplace in ordinary moral thinking, a moral theory must illuminate the proper place of rules in moral thought† (Garthoff 1). I believe that morality is based on the established moral rules and principles that should be formulated and observed by all members of our society.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In addition, the author provides much evidence to support his arguments. He uses the writings of the outstanding philosophers, R oss and Kant, whose philosophic thought helps to explain the wrongness of making false promises; committing immoral actions, etc. Moral rules should be produced to direct all domains of human life. Kant’s moral theory has nothing common with Barbara Herman’s rules of moral salience, which allow human beings to be focused on occasion deliberation. I believe that the author’s flow of thought is clear and comprehensive. He gives explanation to some atypical situations, which require atypical decisions. In this case, â€Å"routine action may be inappropriate† (Garthoff 4).In conclusion, I can say that I enjoyed reading this article because it allowed me to ponder over some significant issues our society face today.   The article also allowed me to provide critical reflection upon some important points of the research on morality. Jon Gathoff presented many comprehensive points that could help students to be focused on future research more profoundly.

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Show, Dont Tell The Simple Guide for Writers

Show, Dont Tell The Simple Guide for Writers Show, Dont Tell: What You Need to Know You’ve heard it a thousand times from writing mentors, and you’ll hear it a thousand times more: Show, don’t tell. But what does it mean? If you struggle with the difference between showing vs. telling, you’re not alone. Once you’ve got it, it seems simple. But until you do, this maxim causes as many questions as anything in the writing world.    Is it really that important? You bet it is. If you want your writing noticed by a publisher or an agent- and for the right reasons- it’s vital you master the art of showing. So let’s see if I can solidify the concept in your mind right here, right now. I want to supercharge your showing vs. telling radar- and make it simple. Need help fine-tuning your writing?  Click here to download my free self-editing checklist. The Difference Between Showing vs. Telling When you tell rather than show, you simply inform your reader of information rather than allowing him to deduce anything. You’re supplying information by simply stating it. You might report that a character is â€Å"tall,† or â€Å"angry,† or â€Å"cold,† or â€Å"tired.† That’s telling. Showing would paint a picture the reader could see in her mind’s eye. If your character is tall, your reader can deduce that because you mention others looking up when they talk with him. Or he has to duck to get through a door. Or when posing for a photo, he has to bend his knees to keep his head in proximity of others. Rather than telling that your character is angry, show it by describing his face flushing, his throat tightening, his voice rising, his slamming a fist on the table. When you show, you don’t have to tell. Cold? Don’t tell me; show me. Your character pulls her collar up, tightens her scarf, shoves her hands deep into her pockets, turns her face away from the biting wind. Tired? He can yawn, groan, stretch. His eyes can look puffy. His shoulders could slump. Another character might say, â€Å"Didn’t you sleep last night? You look shot.† When you show rather than tell, you make the reader part of the experience. Rather than having everything simply imparted to him, he sees it in his mind and comes to the conclusions you want. What could be better than engaging your reader- giving him an active role in the storytelling- or should I say the story-showing? Show, Dont Tell Examples Telling: When they embraced she could tell he had been smoking and was scared. Showing: When she wrapped her arms around him, the sweet staleness of tobacco enveloped her, and he was shivering. Telling: The temperature fell and the ice reflected the sun. Showing: Bills nose burned in the frigid air, and he squinted against the sun reflecting off the street. Telling: Suzie was blind. Showing: Suzie felt for the bench with a white cane. Telling: It was late fall. Showing: Leaves crunched beneath his feet. Telling: She was a plumber and asked where the bathroom was. Showing: She wore coveralls carried a plunger and metal toolbox, and wrenches of various sizes hung from a leather belt around her waist. â€Å"Point me to the head,† she said. Telling: I had a great conversation with Tim over dinner and loved hearing his stories. Showing: I barely touched my food, riveted by Tim. â€Å"Let me tell you another story,† he said. Is Telling Ever Acceptable? Yes, it’s a mistake to take show, don’t tell as inviolable. While summary narrative is largely frowned upon, sometimes it’s a prudent choice. If there’s no value to the plot/tension/conflict/character arc by showing some mundane but necessary information, telling is preferable. For instance, say you have to get your character to an important meeting and back, before the real action happens. Maybe he has to get clearance from his superiors before he can lead a secret raid. Rather than investing several pages showing every aspect of the trip from packing, dressing, getting a cab to the airport, going through security, boarding the plane, arriving at his destination- you quickly tell that this way: Three days later, after a trip to Washington to get the operation sanctioned by his superiors, Casey packed his weapons and camo clothes and set out to recruit his crew. Then you immediately return to showing mode, describing his visits to trusted compatriots and getting them on board. Why the Book Is Usually Better Than the Movie    The theater of the reader’s mind is more powerful than anything Hollywood can put on the screen. Well-written books trigger the theater of the mind and allow readers to create their own visual. Your writing can do the same if you master showing rather than telling. Need help fine-tuning your writing?  Click here to download my free self-editing checklist. Have another question about showing vs. telling? Ask me in the comments.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Research Methods - Essay Example The phenomenon for luxury goods has changed as there has been the emergence of ‘new luxury’ products that are commonly consumed by the middle class. Conversely, ‘old luxury’ products include brands like Dolce and Gabbana, HUGO BOSS and Louis-Vuitton are not as widely consumed as the ‘new luxury’ among the middle income young consumers. In a nutshell, the ‘new luxury’ products stand out among the consumers due to their emotional appeal and superior performance (Silverstein and Fiske, 2008: 35). This paper studies the online behaviour of male consumers between the ages of 25-28 regarding luxury. This section of the population has been observed to be mainly shopping for fashion clothing, electronics, fragrances, entertainment and cosmetics in the online market. Statement of the Problem In the past, luxury brands were for the few privileged shoppers, but now with the invention of online shopping and affordability consumption of these pr oducts has increased among the young males (GoMo News, 2013). Recent studies reveal carried out in the UK market that spending on luxury products has increased by 50 percent in the past ten years as compared to the7 percent increase in spending on basic goods (Keane and McMillan 2004: 30; Frost and Sullivan,2012). In addition to, the rising trend of online spending has resulting to numerous challenges and opportunities to the luxury brands (Goldsmith, 2002: 25; Eroglu et al., 2003: 140). It is therefore imperative for luxury brand mangers to get a comprehensive understanding of why consumers buy luxuries. It is important to note that consumers mainly in the age bracket of 25- 28 years buy to impress (Fan and Burton, 2002: 26; Martin and Turkey, 2004: 464). There has been an emerging view that there are two types of luxury good consumption, personally oriented and socially oriented and they should be considered in the online sales and marketing. The current study seeks to get an unde rstanding of the online behaviour of male consumers between the ages of 25 to 28 regarding luxury shopping. Aims and Objectives Consumer behaviour towards online shopping for luxury goods is highly dependent on age and gender. This is because the older generation views luxury differently from the younger generation due to the effect of the internet (Hauck and Stanforth, 2007: 175). This paper studies on the behaviour for male online shoppers between ages 25 to 28. Past studies have overlooked the motivational factors affection the consumer behaviour in the purchase of ‘new luxury’ goods (Twitchell, 2003: 43; Parker and Schaefer, 2004: 176). The study will analyse the deep motivation factors including image, fashion and media. The paper looks at the shopping tendencies for male shoppers between the ages of 25 to 28 years for luxury goods in the online market and the motivational factors behind their decision making. Objectives To study how the gender and age affects the shopping tendencies of online male shoppers. To study the motivational factors affecting the purchase of luxury products by online shoppers in the UK. To give an understanding of the various internal psychological processes decision making with regards to the consumption of luxury goods. Research Questions Do age and gender impact on the consumers’ perception of luxury products? Why do people in this age bracket opt for the ‘

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Law - an evaluation of cross examination Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law - an evaluation of cross examination - Essay Example In the case of witnesses in sexual offences cases, the prior sexual history of the complainant may not be allowed to be included in cross examination, unless sit contains issues of substantive fact and probative value. The cross examination is conducted by the opposing counsel and in the case of experts, submitting themselves to a cross examination means that their reputation and credibility will be at stake.1 It is necessary that the responses provided are very accurate because a slight variation can be equated to a lie by a cross examining attorney through suggestion.2 Experts are often subjected to rigorous cross examination because the final outcome of a case in several instances may rest upon the testimony provided by the expert witness. Counsel use several tactics in order top elicit evidence from the witnesses through the process of cross examination. One such tactic is to read aloud a statement from a document and ask the witness if it is correct. If the witness agrees, then s/he is agreeing to the statement contents as well as the attorney’s recitation of it.3 This can sometimes serve to allow the cross examining counsel’s perception of events to be thus recorded and may influence the final outcome of the case. While cross examination in general is very important, two of the most contentious areas have been cross examinations on bad character of defendants and cross examination of prior sexual offences, both of which are discussed below. When a plaintiff is being cross examined, the opposing attorney may not be allowed to include any questioning dealing with the prior character of the plaintiff, unless it is an issue of defamation.4 It is the Plaintiff who adduces evidence rather than the defendant and the general rule established in law is that prior evidence on a person’s character will be considered irrelevant and not allowed in

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Oedipus the King Essay Example for Free

Oedipus the King Essay Man is the marionette in the hands of destiny. It is the circumstances and fate which bring tragic incidents in his life. The Aristotelian tragedies are generally based on this attitude. According to Aristotle tragedy is the representation of action. Common meaning of tragedies is the poignant end of the play. Here we are going to discuss about the two different tragedies which took place in different era. The first tragedy is the tragedy of â€Å"King Oedipus† which happened approximately 2000 years before and the second tragedy is the tragedy which belongs to the modern era. It is Arthur Miller’s â€Å"Death of a Salesman. † They are different from each other but apart from a long gap of about 2000 years, but yet some resemblances are there in them. We are going to discuss on the resemblances and differentiations. Let us consider â€Å"King Oedipus† first According to the rule of Aristotelian plot â€Å"Oedipus the King† is divided into two different parts, one is simple plot and another is complex plot. In simple plot the changes in the fortune of King Oedipus take place without Peripety and discovery. It is a journey from ignorance to knowledge. He has to confront with the consequences of the miserable truth. At first he is not ready to accept the fact but at the end the circumstances compel him to accept the reality. The protagonist, along with the other characters, totally becomes helpless in the hands of destiny. He is a king but the qualities of normal human beings are present in him. The tragedy takes place because of the sin he has committed inadvertently. According to the opinion of Aristotelian tragedies the hero of the play is neither perfectly good nor entirely bad. Oedipus thus is the man of ordinary weaknesses. He has had all the eminence but here he has shown falling into ruin from this distinction and it is unfortunately not because of any deliberate sin but because of the error committed by him in his ignorance. Like the protagonist the other characters in this play are also good but not perfect. For example Laios, father of King Oedipus who is of course a good soul but still he commits a sin of attempting the murder of his son at the infant stage of his life because of the fear that his son would one day kill him. Laios had the feet of this child bound and pinned. Someone tossed it in a mountain wilderness. So there. Apollo didnt cause this boy to be his fathers killer. Laios didnt bear the terror he feared from his son. Thats what the words of prophecy defined. (Line 717, Scene 3, â€Å"Oedipus the King†) The theory of tragedy of Arthur Miller is based on the life of an ordinary man. Miller was rejected by many critics because his tragedy was not based upon the Aristotelian concept of tragedy where the tragic hero is always a king or a prince. On the contrary the hero is a common man and so according to the critics he is unable to arise the tragic sentiments. But it was the belief of Miller â€Å"that the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were. On the face of it this ought to be obvious in the light of modern psychiatry, which bases its analysis upon classific formulations, such as the Oedipus and Orestes complexes, for instance, which were enacted by royal beings, but which apply to everyone in similar emotional situations. † (an essay by Arthur Miller, â€Å"Tragedy and the Common Man†) With the same viewpoint Arthur Miller has depicted the tragic story of a very simple ordinary man, Willy. Willy is an ordinary person by occupation as well as by nature. Not only Willy but rests of the characters are the exact mirror image of the ordinary man in the modern society who is constantly pursuing the materialist happiness. According to Miller it is not only the kings that can be the tragic heroes but the common man can also play the role of a tragic hero. As far as the issue of morality is concerned both plays are somewhat similar and somewhat reverse to each other. Morality plays a very important role in both of this play but still it defers from one another. Many people believe that Oedipus is an immoral person but it is not a premeditated immorality. Oedipus’ tragic fall, which later leads to tragedy was absolutely not his sin. He slays his biological father and marries to his biological mother. It is actually the height of immorality but at the time of committing this sin Oedipus was totally unaware about the reality. In short he is the immoral man by his predestined actions. The concept of morality is deliberate in Miller’s â€Å"Death of Salesman. † Here the hero of this play Willy Loman flouts all the rules of morality. He is charlatan, flirt and a liar. The lack of morality finds there in the Loman’s family itself. He goes on deceiving his wife by keeping illicit relationship with another woman. He goes on deceiving his son and wife by making his false image and by pretending to be an important person. They dont need me in New York. Im the New England man. Im vital in New England. (Act 1, Part 1, pg. 4, Death of Salesman) But it is an illusion. Pride is there in both Oedipus and Willy but pride of Oedipus is at least genuine unlike to that of Willy which is just a fake. The heroes of both of the plays have to pay a lot and both of them have suffered a lot due to the mistakes they have done either ignorantly or deliberately. Both Oedipus and Willy in the end succeed in getting the sympathy of the audience. I dont say hes a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. Hes not the finest character that ever lived. But hes a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. Hes not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person. (Act 1, Part 8, pg. 40) Apart from being an ordinary man Willy like Oedipus deserves the sympathy of the audience.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Reality in Wallace Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar Essay

Reality in Wallace Stevens’ The Man with the Blue Guitar For Wallace Stevens, reality is an abstraction with many perspective possibilities. As a poet, Stevens struggles to create original perspectives of reality. Wallace Stevens creates a new, modern reality in his poetry. Actually, Stevens decreates reality in his poetry. In The Necessary Angel, Stevens paraphrases Simone Weil’s coinage of decreation as the change from created to uncreated or from created to nothingness. Stevens then defines modern reality as, â€Å"a reality of decreation, in which our revelations are not the revelations of belief, but the precious portents of our own powers†(750). Stevens relates, through poetry, a destruction of traditional reality leading to a realization that the meaning of a poem is not truth, always recognizing that the poem is the poets perception of reality. This perception of reality is based on experience, historical context, and poetic skill, among others. â€Å"The Man with the Blue Guitar† is a long poem that al lows Stevens to change perspectives and create abstract realities. Parataxis in such a long poem allows for the decreation of reality and the relation of imagination. In his book, The long poems of Wallace Stevens: An interpretive study, Rajeev S. Patke describes varied progression within â€Å"The Man with the Blue Guitar† as â€Å"an indefinite improvisatory series. In such a series the unitary sections lose their independent status as poems, and their masks and metaphors become stages in the continual play of metamorphosis which is the true life of Stevens’s poetry†(241). Imbedded in Patke’s description of â€Å"the true life of Stevens’s poetry†, is the parataxis that a sectioned poem provides. Each movement from section t... ...ique and presentation of Stevens’s concepts may be confusing and/or contradicting, but the overall presentation allows for the full realization of different perceptions and their comparison and contrast all lead back to Stevens’s purpose for poetry. This purpose being to relate experience while recognizing that each experience/perception/reality/dream is unique and insightful. In a long poem with many sections, an overall theme or fiction may not be attainable or seen as contradictory. The value of this poem lies in the realization and acknowledgment of different perspectives, and the acceptance an evolving world. Work Cited Patke, Rajeev. The Long Poems of Wallace Stevens: An interpretive study. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985. Stevens, Wallace. Collected Poetry and Prose. New York: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc. 1997.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Team Analysis

Analysis of Team A Learning teams give individuals an opportunity to work together to achieve a goal or assignment. Our learning team members completed the charter to become familiar with individual strengths, areas they would like to improve and skills they can offer to the team while completing assigned tasks. The expectations we have to be successful are stated in the charter, along with methods to manage conflict if it occurs. Evaluating the team member’s self-assessments along with their contribution to the team charter will provide a basis to improve the performance of Learning Team A. Team Charter Becoming familiar with team members is the primary method to know the best way to manage the performance of a team. Completing the team charter provided the foundation for team members to express their thoughts and processes of an effective team. As a learning team we established some ground rules: necessity of a team leader, checking in with team frequently, expressing problems early on. Overall, the expectations appear to be similar among all team members: encouraging communication with team members, sharing equal responsibility for the assignments, requesting and accepting assistance when needed from other team members in order to complete an assignment on time. When these expectations are not met it could result in conflict. When conflict occurs, professionalism and a direct approach will work best to manage the situation; we agree this will allow the team members to resolve the matter and continue with assignment. Self-assessments We shared our results from the self assessments on trust, listening and personality types. The assessment on trust demonstrated how most of us have trust issues, except Michael appears to be more trusting of others, within the group. This indicates the need for us to ensure we communicate to our fellow team members our intentions and follow through, in order to build trust among each other to maintain adequate performance. Listening skills were also an assessment we performed individually; most of us were surprised to see we were not as good listeners as we thought. The scores were in the mid 40s, indicating we will need to make a concerted effort to listen to team members when communicating. Although, we are communicating in a virtual forum, it is still important for us to be aware of our weaknesses as listeners so when communicating online we avoid potential setbacks in our team performance from miscommunication. As for the Jungian personality type assessment, all the team members felt that it closely depicted them. Being aware of individual attributes or strengths will help to enhance the team’s performance by knowing what they can contribute. Larry is observant, cool, unpretentious and highly motivated. Although, we have not delegated a leader yet, I would choose him to lead our team. His personality will compliment the other personalities within the team and therefore facilitate the work that needs to be done. Michelle and Richard were assessed as problem solvers and highly conceptual, I see them as the team members that can address the problems that might delay completion of an assignment. Possibly, Michelle and Richard can ensure the assignment is broken down or develop a method to complete. Michael appears to have the personality that is out-going and a visionary. These skills compliment those of Michelle and Richard by providing innovative ideas, for instance, preparing presentations. My personality assessment represents a realistic and logical manner in which I deal with situations. This will provide the team some assurance I will keep team members informed of the assignments and progress of our team. Overall, I think we have a balanced group of personalities to ensure optimal performance as a team. Conclusion Learning team A will work together to complete assignments; the team charter defines the methods we will use to improve performance. Relying on the strengths and skills of the team members will improve the efficiency of the team. As a team, we are individuals with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses;

Sunday, November 10, 2019

A political conflict Essay

For colored citizens prior to the Civil War, freedom was a distant dream as the age-old human history of slavery heightened within the American heartlands even after the Declaration of Independence. When the American nation proudly held a new constitution, it was supposedly a determined effort to uphold a balance of power symbolizing the freedom from political, cultural and moral oppression yet colored individuals were treated as less civilized citizens and slavery was reinforced by and among the rich landowners capable of maintaining numerous slaves. As slavery provided free labor and flourishing the slave trade, African black slaves exported from Africa increased the slave population in the United States by 4 million (US 1860 Census). The Quakers of Pennsylvania as an antislavery force that gained strength throughout the country paved the way for the gradual abolition of slavery in the US northern states. New York and New Jersey became the last Northern states to abolish slavery (Grant 2001). A political conflict however ensued as slavery supporters insisted lifting any barriers to slave trade while sanctioning the acceptance of slavery based on the biblical scriptures as â€Å"God’s plan to Christianize† the Africans (Hartz 1955). Slavery for the supporters was seen as an economic, social and cultural life which actually lengthened the arguments for the continued adherence to slave labor. Divisive means were also used to promote scientific experiments to demonstrate the superiority of the whites and the inferiority of the blacks (Colley 1859), where anatomical proportions of the brain justify blacks doing hard labor which upon careful contrast does not measure up to the actual inequalities committed within the period. As the debate on slavery grew, disrespect for the law also rose. Sooner than expected, the American slaves who were ill-treated began to resort to acts of violence like burnings barns, arson and even murder. The famous acts of rebellion in Saint Dominique (1790’s) and Virginia (1800’s) paved the way for the 1831 rebellion that killed sixty whites in Virginia tougher slave codes and prohibitions for the slaves that was heavily emphasized in William Lloyd Garrison’s The Liberator as provided by Tocqueville. No amount of compromise could weed out the institution of slavery except upon the culmination of Lincoln’s election in the 1850’s and the legal implementation of the Thirteenth Amendment (Zinn 2001). II. Blacks living in free states Blacks actually lived a precarious existence within the Free states prior to the Civil War as many were still considered slaves. Many of the free blacks, who were skilled craftsmen, were tolerated because of their abilities as their earnings contributed to the general economy yet none of the free blacks ever rose higher than the status of small tradesmen, builders or nautical employees as they soon became a source of revenue as property taxpayers (Toqueville 1969). Forten, a free black girl from the Northern states gained education in Salem and observed that runaway slaves in Boston were treated as mere slaves and returned to their masters instead of being set free (Forten 2000). Although conditions were far better for the Blacks in the Northern states, very few blacks had their voices heard. Segregated facilities still existed in the North and they were usually denied entrance to the best hotels and restaurants (Jordan 1995, 218). Although schools in New England were usually integrated, those in the Midwest were generally not and economic discrimination continued as the Blacks fought to compete with large numbers of recent European immigrants for job opportunities and almost always lost (Cartmell 2004). During this same period, Norfolk’s free blacks frequently helped enslaved African-Americans to buy their freedom, and in a few instances became slave owners themselves (Toqueville 1969). Harsh laws soon prevailed as freedoms enjoyed by free blacks were soon curtailed because they were still unable to vote. The blacks were often stereotyped as unruly citizens that soon led other free blacks to move further north and help their relatives escape from increasing mistreatment. III. Blacks in the Army In the battle for the emancipation of slavery, slaves contributed to their freedom by laboring and rallying behind the scenes. At the onset of war, the free Black Virginians supported the Confederacy even though they were treated as inferiors and lived in a state of fear. Many were motivated to work with the Confederate States with the hope that someday restrictions against them would be lifted while anticipating a post war gratitude from the white counterparts they fought with (Jordan 1995, 216). The efficiency of the army during the Civil War also saw slaves working as cooks, nurses, hospital attendants, blacksmiths, etc and not getting any pay while free blacks however who served the army were paid the same rate as privates (Cartmell 2004, 176). Less than a dozen African Americans actually served in combat, one of those who did was Holt Collier who served as a sharp shooter and cavalryman of the Texas Brigade (Cartmell, 2004). Thus suffice for us to say that the Blacks fought behind enemy lines as soldiers and were inspired by their involvement yet many were denied enlistment. IV. Blacks who remained in the confederate states Prior to the Civil War, black slaves in Louisiana enjoyed certain privileges that addressed their needs as slaves like being able to sue their masters for abuse (Edge and Downs 2003). Free Blacks were free to own property and conduct business while enjoying liberties absent from other Southern states while slaves were permitted to celebrate their African culture at the markets (edge and Downs 2003). In Virginia, Blacks were criticized for being indifferent to the success of the Southern rebellion as a few free blacks pretended to be slaves in order to gain urban employment like Jim Butler who worked at Richmond’s Exchange Hotel (Jordan 1995, 215). For most Blacks during the period, social injustice prevailed distressingly as slaveholdings in the vast majority of the Southern states continued. Treatment bordered from harsh to inhumane as slavery allowed the master to punish the blacks who failed to perform his duties as related in Stampp, â€Å"Now, I speak what I know, when I say it is like ‘casting pearls before swine’ to try to persuade a negro to work. He must be made to work, and should always be given to understand that if he fails to perform his duty he will be punished for it (Stampp 1956). Slave overseers were authorized to whip the non compliant slaves while free blacks were monitored well by patrols. Escapees were either maimed of killed as slaves were at risk of loosing their family members to punishing masters according to Stampp. Slave-breeding was encouraged to encourage the economic interest of Southern planters for easy access to black workers to retain whole black families to work for them (Loveland 1986). As a backlash to the Southerners who mistreated their black slaves, many Southern blacks fought for the Confederate cause as a patriotic duty in part and as slaves in full. Yet for many who knew and acknowledged the Northerners cause, most Black soldiers in the Confederate states fled to the Northern lines and fought with them. The slave’s knowledge proved important in winning the war as their familiarity became an advantage for the Northern regiment. V. Life after the war When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, it heavily marked the end of slavery and thereby freeing nearly four million slaves in America (grant 2001). But the history of unfair treatment of the US on its own people easily portrayed hypocrisy on its citizens as Blacks remained objects of racial discrimination. It goes into reason that politicians used their might to support the rich sectors’ relevant refusal to grant equal rights to blacks. Another point of discussion was the political agenda behind the support for the anti-slavery campaigns when civil rights and voting rights became an important issue. Granting the Black community access to their own rights would naturally mean higher pay for the earners and lower profits for the capitalists. While supportive of the anti-slavery, political leaderships, not wanting to loose the support of their corporate and rich allies despite knowledge of unfair treatment would seek to ignore such acts. Such was the extent and tentacles of power used for gains that demean the spirit of the Declaration of Independence (Hartz 1955). V. The fight for equality for the next 100 years As a wave of democracy rose to deafening heights, Black struggle for acceptance rose to free them from the binding ties of slavery (Markoff 1996, 163). Although slavery was emancipated, marginalized sectors continue to insist on freedom from mockery and racial segregation based on skin color (Loveland 1996). Struggles continued as schools in the South refused to adapt to integration that led to riots commandeered by the blacks held in opposition against the whites who refused desegregation and tolerate intimidation and murders led by its famous Ku Klux Klan movement (Zinn 2001). Few of the KKK’s activities received massive media attention until the murder of a 14 year old Emmet Till in 1955 that led to a confrontation against issues of racism. As women gained equal rights in 1960’s, racial discrimination slowly ebbed that gave way to several centuries of struggle fr the blacks to gain a state of freedom. VI. Conclusion Why slavery had to be ended by extreme force? If it were probably left to the government the rights of the ordinary slaves would have been left as it was. Heavy opposition and criticism did not bring an end to slavery. Even the national government who endorsed anti-slavery Republicans into office to resolve the issue was most of the time indecisive. The slave- owning southerners and the anti-slavery northerners could not see eye to eye on the ultimate extinction of slavery. In the 1850’s open hostilities were already brimming on several states which finally triggered hostile actions. Although many favored and sought some sort of a compromise, the stronger point of rejection for one was triggered by fear that a conspiracy is threatening to bring down the American republic. Disagreements arise to a crescendo as political parties split and Lincoln’s war goals came into light to solve the problem by means of force when no alternative action could be seen to solve the conflict. Greed for power was the root of such warfare nurtured among many that sought to restrict freedom and pursued rampant acts of discrimination. Such tentacles of power used for corporate gains demean the spirit of independence in this nation’s history. Bibliography Cartmell, Donald. 2004. The Civil War Up Close: Thousand of Curious, Obscure and Fascinating Facts. Career Press. Colley, Thomas. 1859. Civilized America. Bradbury and Evans. Edge, John T. and Downs, Tom. 2003. New Orleans. Lonely Planet. Forten, Charlotte L. 2000. A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War: The Diary of Charlotte Forten, 1854. Capstone Press. Grant, Donald L. 2001. The Way It was in the South: The Black Experience in Georgia. Atlanta: University of Georgia Hartz, Louis. 1955. The Liberal Tradition in America: An Interpretation of American Thought Since the Revolution. New York: Harcourt. Jordan, Ervin L. 1995. Black Confederates and Afro-Yankees in Civil War Virginia. Virginia: University of Virginia. Loveland, Anne C. 1986. Lilian Smith, A Southerners Confronting the South: A Biography. Baton Rouge: Lousisiana State University. Markoff, John. 1996. Waves of Democracy: Social Movements and Political Change. Pine Forge Press. Stampp, Kenneth M. 1956. The Peculiar Institution: Slavery in the Ante-Bellum South. Survey Tocqueville, Alexis. 1969. Democracy in America, eds. J. P. Mayer, trans. George Lawrence. New York: Harper Collins. Zinn, Howard. 2001. People’s History of the United States. New York: Harper Collins.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Announcing the Winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award

Announcing the Winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award ServiceScape is pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Short Story Award: Connor Sassmannshausen. Connor is an American author based in Australia. She writes everything from drama to sci-fi and fantasy. Along with short stories and novels, she also writes screenplays and works on film sets.Connor Sassmannshausen is the winner of the 2018 ServiceScape Short Story Award.You can find her winning submission below. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did and we look forward to reading more of your short stories for our 2019 Short Story Award.Of Damsels and MobstersBy Connor SassmannshausenOrion sat at the bar in his favorite club, waiting for his girl to take the stage. Well, his was a bit of a stretch, or a lot of a stretch. Ruby was one of the many performers in The Grimm, the hottest jazz club on this side of town. And she had no idea he existed. Didnt stop him from dreaming, though.She wasnt like the other girls. She kept her sleeves long, but her skirt was just as short as the res t. And her voice was like an angel, and god, there she was. Her blood-red hair was all done up in finger waves, he thought they were called, with a headband that may as well have been a halo. Her dress sparkled in the stage lights, as she began to sing.He ordered another drink but quickly returned his gaze to his girl.As the night wore on, he drank a number of drinks, waiting for Ruby to finish her set. Finally, she stepped down from the stage and cut through the crowd to the bar. Orion threw back what remained of his whiskey and made his way over to her.He stopped beside her, as she took the drink the bartender gave her. He made himself lean against the bar, trying to be suave. His hand missed the bar, and he stumbled, catching both himself and her gaze. He could feel his cheeks flame with embarrassment, and she laughed at his expense.Well, now that Ive made a complete fool of myself, he said, straightening his jacket, I guess I cant do any worse.I bet you still could. Ruby smiled into her drink. But you have my attention, so, I guess thats what you were going for.He rubbed the back of his neck. Im Orion, and I†¦um†¦I really liked you singing.Most people who vie for my attention like my singing, or my voice, or my hair, or my eyes, or my legs.Your legs?You would be surprised what men say when theyve had too much to drink. Especially when they think they deserve my attention, or that my attention means Ill fall into bed with them. So, what do you want from me?Orion opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He willed words to flow.Well?I†¦um†¦I hadnt thought this far. Honestly didnt think youd give me the time of day.Her laugh rang in his ears, a more beautiful sound than hed ever heard. He expected her to walk away, but she slid onto the stool beside him, keeping her eyes on him. I guess you might be worth a bit of my time.He laughed, nervously, and he knew he sounded ridiculous. How was she going to take him seriously unless he pulled himsel f together? He flagged down the bartender and ordered another whiskey. He drank half before turning back to Ruby and her amused smile.I have to say, youre a first for me. She finished off her own drink and set the glass aside. And the nerves are adorable.He bristled at her words. He wasnt adorable. What kind of man wanted a woman to think hes adorable? He should be strong, confident, sure of himself†¦ but, hadnt she said others had been like that, and shed never given them a glance. He looked her over, realizing hed been standing there, silent for longer than he should have, and his cheeks burned once again. Ill just go. He turned away, only to stop when her hand grasped his arm.Arent you even going to ask a girl to dance? She picked up his whiskey, throwing it back. God, that was beautiful.She slid her hand down his arm to take his hand. The world seemed to fall away, as she led him onto the dance floor. He tried to steady his shaking hands as he pulled her against him. She ei ther didnt notice or pitied him enough to keep quiet.A new song began, a much slower melody floating through the air. Ruby led more than he did, but he couldnt bring himself to care. The woman of his dreams danced in his arms when countless other fellas had tried and failed.Are you going to ask me on a date? Ruby asked him, lifting her gaze to meet his.Huh? was his intelligent response, and again, he felt his cheeks flush.She laughed, stepping closer. Alright, then, Ill take the lead, again. So, she had noticed. Take me out to dinner. Monday night Im free. Pick me up outside the club. Ill wear something nice.No sooner had he nodded, then she disappeared into the crowd.Well, that hadnt gone as planned.Orion walked through the streets early the next morning, off to visit his mama for Saturday breakfast. The memory of last night was clouded by the many drinks hed consumed, but he still remembered her.Ruby had spoken to him, to him, had danced with him, had demanded a date when hed been too shocked to get the words out. God, he hoped it wasnt the drink messing with him.He saw a couple of men walking toward him, side by side, decked out in long coats and trilbies atop their heads. Normally, they wouldnt have caught his attention, but something about them set him on edge. He paused as they didnt shift to the side, but separated to allow him to move between them. He hurried his steps to pass between them, but hands like iron grasped his arms and pulled him down the alley. He stumbled over the garbage and uneven ground until his back hit brick.I dont know what you want, fellas, he said, straightening his jacket, but you got the wrong guy.One of the thugs pointed a finger in his face. Youre the one taking Ruby Blakesley out on Monday. How could they possibly know that? Then again, there had been dozens of people at The Grimm last night. Someone had to have overheard.And if I am? He tried to sound confident when really he was terrified. The Wolf requires your services.H is blood ran cold. The Wolf was the biggest, baddest mob boss in the city. No one who ever saw the man made it out alive, save those in his service. He was ruthless, bloodthirsty, and no one crossed him. His men were always around and appeared when they were needed, while he remained shrouded in mystery. Despite the horrible reputation, women and children were known to garner his good will, and abusers were likely to meet a poetic end.So, what had Ruby done to anger The Wolf?I just want to take a girl on a date, Orion told them. I dont want trouble.You stepped into trouble the moment you laid eyes on her. The gangster shoved a gun into his face, a Colt if his very limited view of the barrel was correct. You can take her on your little date, you take her to Grannys Diner on Fifth. After, you tell her to wait outside, while you take a leak. Well take it from there.What did a sweet girl like her do?The two gangsters laughed, and the second spoke for the first time. Sweet? How do you th ink a girl like her ends up singing at the hottest club in the city? Shes got debts she aint paid up. And she aint easy to find outside of being on that stage. Wed take her there, but the owners in good with the boss. Cant hurt his business. Sides, the news of a singer going missing will be all the buzz, which means more business.Well make this choice easy for you. The first gangster waved his gun in Orions face. You either hand her over and well let you live, or we kill you, then, get her anyway. Well give you a couple days to think it over. But if she aint outside Grannys on Monday, well have our answer.And they left him there. What was he going to do?He stayed in the alley for a few minutes, calming down, trying to figure out what to do. Best he could think of at the moment was getting to his mamas for breakfast, else she send half the neighborhood searching.Before he knew it, his feet had taken him along the well-traversed path to his childhood home, without realizing hed taken a single step. His mama barreled out the front door, with a shrill cry of joy. He forced a smile onto his face, as she kissed his cheeks. It had only been a week since they last saw one another, yet she always acted like hed been gone for years.Mama tugged him inside forcing him into a chair in the sitting room with Gran and Poppy. Orion sighed, tipping his head back and closing his eyes. Gran chuckled, and Orion looked over at her.I know that look, she said.What look? Orion asked.Youve got a look of a man in love. She dazed him with a smile. Your Poppy had that same look with me. What sort of trouble is your girl in?Orions back stiffened. What makes you think shes in trouble?Poppy let out a sharp bark of laughter. No young man looks so troubled and in love if the gal aint in trouble, boy. Your gran, she was always in trouble, attracting the wrong sort of fellas. I got myself punched a few times standing up for her, but she was always the one I wanted. They shared a glance that held so much love and affection, Orion looked away.Orion stood outside The Grimm Monday night, waiting on Ruby to make an appearance. When she stepped around the corner, he couldnt take his eyes off her. She was in a dress far different than any shed worn before. The pale yellow made her hair seem all the brighter as it framed her face. Gone were the jazz star, the sparkles, and the finger waves. Shed always seemed so worldly inside the club, but out here, dressed like that, she was the picture of innocence. Had he not already made his decision regarding The Wolf, she would have done it for him.She sent him a dazing smile, one he couldnt help but return, despite his nerves. Where are we headed? she asked, taking his arm.Its a surprise.Alright, lead on.They walked down the street, and she told him all about the area, most of which he already knew, but he humored her. He led her away from Grannys Diner, away from the danger, to a place called The Woods. Upon seeing it, her face lit up wit h a smile. Ive always wanted to come here.He opened the front door for her, letting her step inside first.Dinner went well, in Orions opinion. Ruby never stopped smiling, and he didnt make a complete fool of himself. They walked down the street, taking in the bustling evening. Even on a Monday, the jazz bars were abuzz with patrons, and music floated through the air.Ruby stopped on the sidewalk, taking his hands as she smiled up at him. I had fun, tonight. Would you want to do this again?He was about to answer when gunfire erupted. A car drove by, with two gunmen firing out the open windows. At them. Orion all but threw Ruby down behind a parked car, covering her as best he could.Once everything was once again quiet, he peeked out, seeing no sign of the gangsters. He pulled Ruby to her feet, ignoring her terrified babble, as he dragged her through the streets. They made it to his apartment, which would get any number of rumors spread about them, but he didnt care so much as wanting her safe.He pushed her gently into a chair, wracking his brain to recall what to do for someone in shock. He wrapped her in a blanket, before telling her he was going to the kitchen, but it fell on deaf ears. He dug through his cabinets, hoping for some tea, but he knew he never bought any, and hed run out of coffee the other day. Hot water would have to do.He returned with a cup of hot water for Ruby, forcing it into her hands. I need you to drink this.After a few sips of water, she blinked up at him. What was that?Why is The Wolf after you?She gulped another mouthful of hot water. I dont know. Her gaze followed the mug.The two thugs that approached me seemed to think you owe him something. When she didnt answer, he continued. For getting you the job at The Grimm. Again, no answer. And they seemed pretty intent on having you, or killing you.Her wide eyes lifted to his. How do you know that?They tried to get me to hand you over tonight.She set the mug on the table and put her head i n her hands. When my father died, they told me I inherited his debt. And in order to pay it off, they got me the job at The Grimm. I never gave them anything. You know the stories, The Wolf never harms women and children. I thought Id be alright, theyd just let it go.What kind of debt?I dont know. I never asked.Orion stood, extending his hand. Let me get you something to change into. He dug through his drawers, pulling out the most comfortable sleepwear he owned. Ill let you get changed. He turned to leave but stopped when she took his wrist.She stepped toward him, kissing him hard. Hed dreamt of this more times than was decent, but he pushed her back gently. This isnt a good idea.She pulled away, a look of hurt on her face. Do you want me now?He smiled, tugging her closer again. Im still here, arent I? I just dont think its smart to kiss you when youre not thinking straight. Youre in shock. I dont want to take advantage of that. He kissed her forehead. Get some sleep. Ill be on the couch if you need anything.The next morning Orion woke to a crash in the kitchen. He hurried in to find Ruby picking up a pan lid from the floor. When she saw him, she jumped.I didnt mean to startle you, he said.She laughed. I didnt wake you, did I? I was trying to make breakfast before you got up.He looked her over. She was still dressed for bed, but her hair looked as flawless as ever. Her giggle brought him out of his thoughts.You should do something with your hair.He felt his face burn, and he hurried to the bathroom. Sure enough, one side was sticking out at all angles. He hurriedly tamed it and went through his morning routine.When he made his way back into the kitchen, Ruby had scrambled eggs, fried potatoes and toast waiting for him. He sat down across from her.So, what are we going to do about last night?Which part, the kiss or being shot at by The Wolfs men?Both, really.She reached over and took his hand. Thank you for stopping. Not many men would have. But I hope a secon d date is coming, despite all this.His heart leaped. Id like that. But there were more pressing matters.As for The Wolf? She picked up her fork, starting on breakfast.I dont know. He followed her lead, starting on the food she prepared. You could go to the police.She gave a humorless laugh. Everyone knows half the citys police are in The Wolfs pocket. Ill either have to deal with The Wolf or get out of town.Orion stepped into Rubys apartment, looking around for any sign of intruders. She pushed past him. I need to change and pack.He sat on the couch, as she busied herself in her room. When she came out again, she was dressed in strange fashion, but not a hair out of place. She wore a black pantsuit, with a red belt around her waist and a white jacket. She sat her bag on the floor and tore through the kitchen, looking for something. She tugged out a ragged-looking book, with a smile. As she turned back to her bag, she knocked a glass off the counter, and it shattered on the floor.Ori on stood quickly. Ill clean it up. You finish packing.He found a hand broom, sweeping the shards of glass into the dustpan. He was about to stand when the sound of a gun being cocked right behind him froze him in place.Get up slowly. The voice belonged to a man.Orion stood, keeping his hands out to the side. When he turned around, he found four gangsters in the apartment. One had an arm around Rubys stomach, pinning her arms, while he covered her mouth with his other hand, keeping her quiet.Were gonna go for a little ride, said the man with the gun pointed at Orion. No funny business, or well shoot you.Orion did as he was told and was loaded into the back seat of a car, trapped between his captors, while Ruby was taken to another car. It was a long ride, but he knew the streets. They doubled back a couple times, likely to confuse them. Why, he didnt know. Everyone knew where to find The Wolf. Soon enough, they pulled through the gate of The Wolfs manor, with its sprawling yard and g ardens. His escorts ordered him from the car, and they hustled him inside, where Ruby was shoved into his arms.They were led through the giant house, and, in any other situation, Orion would have marveled at it. But his attention was locked on the woman he held against his side. They stepped into a study of sorts, with a desk of dark wood and an extravagant chair. The doors slammed shut, leaving them with a number of guards.The door opened again, and another man entered. Well, well, Miss Blakesley, its wonderful that you decided to accept our invitation.Orion tightened his grip on the woman beside him. It wasnt so much an invitation as a kidnapping.The man, The Wolf, settled his gaze on him. Yes, the enamored suitor, who dont know whats good for him. You shoulda just handed her over to us, and you coulda gone on with your life. What will your mama think when you disappear? Or your precious Gran and Poppy?Orion bristled. Leave them out of this.The Wolf shook his head. They aint a par t of this, but you are. Ill give you one last chance, kid. You can leave, now. I got no quarrel with you. You walk away and leave little Ruby to pay her debt to us.Orion tugged Ruby farther behind him. The Wolf pulled out a gun and pointed it at his head. Orion gulped, taking a shaky breath. The Wolf pulled the trigger, and the gun clicked on an empty chamber. The Wolf grinned and put the gun down on the desk. He poured two glasses of what looked to be whiskey before he turned back to them.He took a sip out of one. I think he passed.Ruby stepped around Orion, taking the glass The Wolf held out. Better than I expected. She rounded the desk, straightening the papers. She glanced up at Orions look of confusion. She shrugged off the jacket, to reveal her whole arms to him for the first time. Over her left shoulder and upper arm lay a tattoo of a wolf. She sat in the chair, leaning back. Men like women with a pretty face. I needed someone who would stay when whats beneath isnt so pretty. Orion finally found his voice. So, everything was fake? It was all a show? A test?And you passed beautifully. Blood-red lips pulled back into a smile with a flash of teeth, so different from the flirty ones hed become accustomed to at The Grimm. The smile of The Wolf. So, about that second date?