A Discussion About Animals

There are lots of zoos all over the world. A zoo can be described as the collection of various animal species found in nature. People can know about animals by visiting zoos. Whether animals should be kept in zoos or not,different people have different ideas. Some people are in favor of keeping animals in zoos. However,others argue that keeping animals in zoos ignores animal rights. This essay will discuss the pros and cons of keeping animals in zoos. The main advantage of keeping animals in zoos is that they get saved from dangers of predators. By keeping animals in zoos ensures their safety.At the same time,animals would be kept away from disease if they were in zoos. Moreover,animals in zoos are provided with proper diet. In jungle life,sometimes many animals have difficulty finding foods. In zoos,zoo keepers supply animals with food at a certain time. The animals would have an increased life span because there are no predators and they will never starve for food. In addition,ther e are many interesting facilities in the zoo. Animals can use them for fun. Furthermore,keeping animals in zoos is convenient for entertainment of human beings.Zoos provide a way for people to take a closer look at animals and see how they behave. People visit zoos not only for entertainment but also for educational purposes. Many schools visit zoos to know more about endangered species and the way to conserve them. However,there are also some disadvantages of keeping animals in the zoo. Firstly,it can't be denied that some zoos misuse and violate the animal rights. The workers in some zoos treat animals in a cruel manner. Secondly,animals are kept in zoos for a long time ,they may lose their instinct ability to survive in the natural environment.Animals are equal to human beings. Nobody can suffer from depriving of liberty. In conclusion,we have no right to keep animals in zoos. In my opinion,it is wrong to keep animals in zoos. We should respect animal rights. Animals can survive in the natural environment by themselves. If human beings want to know more about animals,they can read books and search information on the Internet or watch TV instead of visiting zoos. Keeping animals in zoos is not the only way to conserve endangered species. We humans can do much more things to protect animals.

University of Phoenix Material Essay

Epistemology is the investigation into the grounds and nature of knowledge. Found in the 1800’s From Old Greece forward, Plato, Socrates, and developmental ideas. Rationalism means the knowledge can be acquired through the use of reason and empiricism is obtained through experience. Externalism, empiricism, constructivism, and etc. Rene Descartes Immanuel Kant Aristotle Plato Locke Berkeley Spinoza The kind of knowledge of how can we know what we know, the reason why? How is knowledge got? Metaphysics Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and fundamental properties of being. Idea owed to Aristotle. In Greece Realism Idealism Materialism Dualism Monism Aristotle Aquinas Locke Kant Plato Berkeley Hobbes Descartes Leibniz Spinoza What is being? What are its fundamental features and properties? Is there a God? Do people really have free will? Moral Moral is the philosophical study of moral judgments and value judgments about what is virtuous, just or unjust, morally right or wrong and etc. It is the area of philosophy concerned with how we should live our lives. Idea owed to the Sophists. In Greece, forward to Socrates, Plato Skepticism Relativism Subjectivism Egoism Hedonism Epicureanism Stoicism Plato Aesara Aristotle Aquinas Berkeley Hobbes Hume Kant Moore What is being a moral? What is moral judgment? What is good or evil? Social Social is the philosophical study of society and its institutions. Greece Individualism Criticism Modernism Postmodernism Marx Hegel Who gets what? Political Political seeks to find the best form of political existence, it is concerned with determining the states right to exist and ethically proper organization. Greece Communism Marxism Anarchism Liberalism Capitalism Utilitarianism Plato Aristotle Augustine Aquinas Hobbes Locke Taylor Mill Smith Marx Berkeley Ought all people equal in freedom? Ought all people equal in citizenship? Should there be a state? Structuralism Structuralism is a methodology that seeks to find the underlying rules and conventions governing large social systems such as language or cultural mythology. Greece Structuralism Poststructuralism Criticism Fuctionalism Mauss Jakobson Saussure Derrida Kant Hobbes Berkeley Locke Is it trus? Deconstruction Deconstruction is a form of semiotic analysis, derived mainly from French philosopher Jacques 1967 work of Grammology. Greece Criticism Deconstructionism Structuralism Logocentrism Berkeley Locke Hobbes Hume Eastern Greece Plato Hobbes Berkeley Hume Kant Postcolonial Feminism Feminist philosophy refers to philosophy approached from a feminist perspective. Feminist philosophy involves both attempts to use the methods of philosophy to further the cause of the feminist movements Greece Directions: Complete the entire matrix and then write a 350- to 500-word response for each of the following questions: What is one example of how the global integration of cultures has affected contemporary philosophical thinking? Describe how the global integration of cultures, including Eastern metaphysical influences, has affected contemporary philosophical thinking. Cite at least one example and explain its effects on contemporary philosophical thinking. How has contemporary philosophical thinking been effected by Eastern metaphysical influences and other examples of the global integration of cultures? Cite at least one example and explain its effects on contemporary philosophical thinking.

Comparative politics and political ideas Assignment

Comparative politics and political ideas - Assignment Example he political system in North Korea does not function to benefit the people that it ought to serve and, therefore, an active presidential democracy should be established where political leaders would be chosen by the universal salvage rather than the current handpicked hereditarily authority. Democracy ensures that the most suitable candidate is elected to office to actualize the needs of the people. Political representation also ensures leaders to work hard because they would face the people in the next election. Political representation has been working efficiently in majority of the nations, in the world and would work well, in North Korea. Presidential system has the most accountable democracies in the world. They ensure that public resources are accounted, unlike a totalitarian dictatorial system. Dictatorship thrives in wastage and engagement, in selfish agenda that ruin the economic fundamentals of the country. Presidential systems thrive better in a free market economy. This help in equitably allocating the scarce resources to the most deserving sectors in the economy. There is no agreed definition of democracy, but it is that system of government that exercises power on behalf of the people. It is a system of government that respects the freedom and rights of individuals. China has been exercising de facto totalitarian authority in the expense of democracy. Though the country has denied people political liberty, it has expanded its economic freedom to citizens and local and foreign companies. Both Israel and Palestine have a genuine argument on the conflict between the two warring communities. As it has been said the most deadly conflict have been the clash between right and right and not right and wrong. Therefore, the mediation of the conflict has found it difficult to find common ground for which both parties can agree on. However, it is the understanding of the causes of the conflict that can help address the situations. The original composition of

Retirement Awareness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Retirement Awareness - Essay Example Early health problems often result in an early exodus from the professional arena. Larry: I decided to retire early in 2003. I had formed a consulting service named Benyshek and Hough Consulting Services Inc. The services provided by our firm are management of dataset and develop into readily-accessible form to be used by cattle production forms, commercial producers, breeders, feedlots, and packing plants. We provide the expertise in EPDs, ultrasound and all areas of animal breeding and genetics. The consultation service needed full time work in the firm and I considered early retirement from the office. Larry: I did not receive any training especially on retirement but I have gathered some information from my old colleagues who talked about it generally. The topic is of common interest to all employees and therefore I got lots of information and awareness on it. I understood the importance of retirement planning and saving money for retirement. I was aware of pension scheme of the university and started saving for the future. Larry: Yes. I am very much comfortable. I enjoyed my life while working as University Professor where I had the opportunity to write numerous Articles and made countless presentations on my subject and received international recognition. I am still working on my own and have no financial problems. Larry: Yes, although I have retired as a university professor but I am still working as private consultant. I am fully enjoying my time with my colleagues and family. Retirement relieves you from the hectic routines of professional life. At the same time it gave me an opportunity to spend some time with my family and kids for which I have longed all my life. This is certainly a relaxing experience with no liabilities and work pressure. All I do is have a nice time and look after my private business which is going pretty well for me. Larry: I am regular visitor of Church and participate in social activities of

Identity essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Identity - Essay Example nvolves the readers through emotions, in certain cases the individual starts following the character depicted in the book or movie and correlate real life with the life represented by their role model in the novel or movie. In certain cases such perceptions provide a great impact on the developing conscience of the individual. This revolutionizes thoughts and outlook as the condition of brainpower is full of strenuous contemplations. A couple of books called "Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez and "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Wakatsuki are two outstanding books illustrating the distinctiveness an individual possess. To some extent the novels imposes thoughts that changes the outlook and provide the courage to survive in difficult situation. The novels inflict how to maintain stability and comfort in tough times (Identity). I personally feel enlightened after reading the books called "The Five people I meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom, this made me feel that how important my life is for me, what difference I made in my group, in my community, in my society and what am I contributing! It simply made me feel my worth, my self esteem and hence made me realize that everyone in the universe is important, everyone around me is important and what really does not matter to me could bring a remarkable change in others life. It has really changed my outlook and personality. I became more concerned with others, forgive and forget what harm others have done, locate deliverance, the book has magical power as it has made me more concerned about sufferings of others. All this helped me to adjust in a different environment as I am now an international student who is coping up within a different cultural circumstances. I like to listen to the songs to de-stress myself, had enough experience of life and people as I have been visiting more of places, interacting with different groups of individuals belonging to different cultural and ethical backgrounds but above

What drives Willie Loman and sons Seeing the world through the Coursework

What drives Willie Loman and sons Seeing the world through the protagonists eyes - Coursework Example Biff considered his family and himself to be the ordinary people, which are not able to achieve the unreal dreams. Both brothers (Biff and Holly) are shown as the people, who do not wait anything special from life, though they possess different characters, as Happy is not involved greatly in the moral principles. The brothers have totally different inner worlds. The death of Willy did not change anything in the mind of his son Holly, he decided to follow his father’s steps and continue to live in the same way, making the same mistakes, while Biff saw the kind of fatuity in the death of his father. He sees it as useless as his own life and decides to live differently. The readers can understand it, when Biff says: â€Å"He had the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong!† (). Biff finds out, that during the useless rush for the unreachable dream, his father lost thousands of happy moments of the regular every day life. The theme of the play touches the questions of human self-know ledge and its importance for the life of the individual. The relationships of Biff and his father were never perfect. Biff saw his father as an example until he got disappointed in his actions and behavior. Without any idea of who he was, he tried to live the same life as his father and understood that it was the wrong one, after the numerous troubles and sorrows. He learned the sense of life through his own mistakes, though at the end of the story we cannot say that he found himself. The motivation of the play’s characters is revealed through their reaction on different events. The reaction of Holly on his father’s death gives him strength to continue his path and to show everyone that it was not in vain. Linda seeks freedom as the mean of escaping from numerous debts and achieve stability. The play possesses a deep philosophical context. The idea of â€Å"American Dream† remains the most wanted and needed among the people. The

Change Model Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Change Model - Research Paper Example The model requires that the implementation plan should begin by encouraging of the nursing staff to identify the practice questions that are either triggered through identification of a new knowledge or problem. In this plan, the model would that practice questions relating to the response to medical adherence to newly diagnosed young male with coronary heart disease be identified first. This will be essential in allocation of supporting resources to the top-most priorities. The next step that the model requires in implementation plan is formation of a team to develop, evaluate and implement the practice change. This team should be made up of stakeholders in the practice change; the team may include unit managers, interdisciplinary colleagues, and the staff nurses that identified the practice questions. Therefore, a team should be formed comprising of the aforementioned persons in order to effectively implement the plan (Reed and Lawrence, 2008). The model further requires that the team that has been formed should select, critique, review, and synthesize all the available research evidence relating to the implementation plan (Titler et al, 2001). In an event that the evidence is not sufficient, the team can make recommendations using lower evidence levels or by conducting additional research. If the evidence is adequate, then the practice can be initiated. After ascertaining this aspect, the team involved in this implementation plan should pilot the practice change in a bid to determine the effectiveness and feasibility. If the results of the pilot projects are positive, the team should facilitate integration and roll-out of the practice through continuous monitoring of outcomes, education, and leadership support. Thereafter, the Iowa Model requires that the reports of the projects to be shared outside and within the organization through publications and presentations. The model emphasizes on this step as it is important in supporting the

Forensic Entomology research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Forensic Entomology - Research Paper Example It was not until 1668 that Francesco Redi disproved this by observing how these creatures developed into flies, and much later, in 1894 that Megnin developed a method to link this process with a method for calculating the age of a dead body (Byrd and Castner, p. 41). Throughout the twentieth century scientific methods of analysis have improved greatly, with the result that at the present time forensic entomology is a well-established discipline within forensic science, complete with rigorous protocols and extensive underpinning research which help to ensure that it provides relevant, accurate and reliable evidence for crime investigation and prosecution purposes. Forensic entomology is therefore a dual discipline combining elements of natural science in the methods of collection and analysis of samples, and elements of criminology, in the interpretation and application of results, and in the preservation of evidence which is reliable enough to stand up to scrutiny in the criminal jus tice system. Although these two areas have a different focus, they are closely aligned in crime investigation procedures, requiring collaboration across disciplines according to clear scientific principles. This paper explores the contribution that forensic entomology makes to crime investigation and prosecution by examining three of its major areas of application: 1. Determining the post mortem interval (PMI); 2. Providing human DNA linkages and 3. Providing toxicology information. A number of limitations as well as legal and procedural issues are covered also in section 4. 1.Determining the Post Mortem Interval (PMI) through forensic entomology. 1.1 Species involved. Corpses provide a very specialized ephemeral environment which is colonized by particular communities of arthropods in a predictable manner, with one species following on after another in a process known as â€Å"succession† (Horswell, 2004, p. 347). The main species The first species to arrive, often within mi nutes of death, are blowflies. Blowflies from the Calliphoridae family are generally the first stage invaders, and then after these others follow Sarcophagids which constitute a second stage, often overlapping with the first stage somewhat. After this follow the third stage Muscids and Piophilids (Horswell, 2004, p. 348). 1.2 Types of information obtainable. Scientists are able to obtain good information from a corpse soon after death, by taking photographs, measuring temperature, observing rigor mortis and any wounds, and conducting various other tests on the tissue. With increasing passage of time, however, the tissue degenerates, and it is more difficult to obtain reliable data. Because the life cycle of insects is known, and the effects of temperature and weather can be factored in to the equation, careful collection of insects at the scene can provide useful estimate of the PMI. Empirical work in the laboratory has established standard growth times for many of the most common c arrion feeding species, and this means that the determination of PMI has become the most used application of forensic entomology in modern crime scenes (Nabity et al. 2006, p. 1276). Another useful piece of information that can be obtained from examination of species present in a corpse is the whether or not the body has been moved.

Creation vs. Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Creation vs. Evolution - Essay Example The design of the world demonstrates that there should be the designer and the humans are the key source of information to support this idea. The first movements in favor of creationism were defined as American Fundamentalist Protestantism. They started early in the nineteenth century as an opposition to the theories of Charles Darwin. His theories were perceived as a direct threat to the Biblical writings and were thought to lead to the moral decay. The movement re-appeared in the after World War I period and creationists demanded the passage of the law to prohibit public school instruction about Darwin's evolution (Larson, 19). The manifestation of the movement in favor of creationism was the famous Monkey Trial (Scopes v State, 1927). It was the first time the evolution-creation arguments were presented in the court. The ruling was against the biology teacher who was convicted in teaching evolutionism. For the next 20 years, scientists have failed to provide enough arguments to gain the dominance in the court. As the result, publishers of the biology books have taken out all of the information about evolution, Darwin's theory was not taught at schools, and even the name of the theory was avoided. However, after the Soviet Union has launched its first satellite in 1957 the evolutionists awaked and managed to pass the National Defense Education Act (1959) under which the Biological Sciences with chapters on evolution and Darwin's theory were placed in the books again. Moreover, the teacher Susan Epperson has appealed to the court with the request to turn down the ruling in Scopes v State. In the case Epperson v. Arkansas the court has ruled in favour of evolution. The ruling was based on the idea that prohibiting teachers from teaching the theory of evolution (doctrine that man ascended from the lower order animals) and exclusion of the textbooks containing chapters on the theory was unlawful (Gilkey, 48). The fact that the theory of evolution has contradicted the belief in the lines written in the Book of Genesis does not make the Bible the exclusive source of doctrine on the origin of human kind. In addition, the First Amendment prohibits the requirement to teach subjects of any religious dogmas in public schools. However, it is important to understand that students should be aware about the evolution theory of Darwin as well as about the Biblical version of creation. The question is not whether or not evolution should be taught at school, but rather which story has valid basis. As the result, the creationists have succeeded in requiring the equal time for Biblical and scientific studies. Interestingly, until the passage of Arkansas Act 590 named "Balanced Treatment for Creation - Science and Evolution- Science Act" the definitions of creation and evolution have never been referred to. Paul Ellwanger, the head of the Citizens for Fairness in Education, has provided both definitions. Thus, the creation -science is scientific

Organizational Behavior Concerning Change within the Workplace Term Paper

Organizational Behavior Concerning Change within the Workplace - Term Paper Example ABC Merchandise, a U.S-based manufacturer of sports products, is facing a pronounced downturn in business. Top management has decided to reduce its workforce. This managerial action is expected to improve the efficiency of the firm and, subsequently, to enhance its competitiveness. Their management is facing the question of how to go about downsizing and which downsizing strategy or strategies to adopt? A downsizing strategy directly, or indirectly, impacts stakeholders such as management and non-management employees, communities, suppliers, and customers. At issue is whether the savings from employee reductions may, under certain conditions, be more than offset by rising agency costs and other stakeholder costs. Studies conducted by Amundson, Borgen, Jordan, & Erlebach (2004) and Armstrong-Stassen (2004) have highlighted negative effects of firing and layoffs on surviving employees, which include high degrees of stress due to increased workloads and job insecurity, reduction in orga nizational commitment, and lack of trust in management. Therefore it is important that downsizing process must entail long term thinking and it should b done in the context of coherent plan. Downsizing: Impact on Stakeholders Not all downsizing outcomes are positive. The evidence continues to prove that downsizing is risky business, often leaving a legacy of inhumane management which targets only symptoms and in the long run destroys the future health of the organization. About half of the organizations never see the benefits expected from downsizing. Long-term decreases in labor costs are achieved by fewer than two-thirds of the organizations that downsize and less than half of the organizations realize any lasting improvements in profitability (Hopkins & Weathington, 2006). The simple fact is downsizing doesn't guarantee increased profits. Organization begins internal and external actions to reduce costs. If downsizing is selected, four steps follow: (a) planning for downsizing, ( b) communication of the workforce reduction, (c) implementation of the reduction, and (d) managing the new workforce (Mondy & Noe, 1993). Each of these steps has associated human resource issues. During the planning stage, rumors and unintended organizational messages are a problem, because the anticipation of reductions interferes with communication. During the actual reductions, coping with the reduction activity is the chief concern. Finally, when managing the new workforce, survivor issues emerge. All of these lead to reduced organizational effectiveness indicated by increased turnover and decreased productivity (Mondy & Noe, 1993). Companies often manage to eliminate the right numbers of people in the wrong areas or lose some of the best minds, especially if cost cutting is the driving force (Mondy & Noe, 1993). New employees must be recruited and trained, contractors hired, or ex ­-employees brought back as contractors. All of these situations create problems. Unfortunately, the increased costs for training the workforce, working necessary overtime, contributing to retiree health benefits, and making severance payments catch organizations unprepared for the total expense. Prospective employees are likely to avoid a

Motivation in the Play Essay Example for Free

Motivation in the Play Essay Villains and why they do their villainy is always justified or explained in any literary work. Even those childhood fairy tales with the villain’s formulaic and predictable evil deeds will always do things that have a purpose or will do those things because they were compelled to do it caused by a negative feeling: jealousy, revenge, envy, greed, a childhood without someone to love them or support them, etc. William Shakespeare’s plays are not an exemption to this case as he even creates characters that are capable of not only of evil; they embody evil in their totality as a person—if you may call them that. An example of this would be Iago, touted as the most villainous of all villains in the literary world because of the simple reason that he was guiltless, conscienceless and definitely purposeless in his strategic deeds that destroyed Othello and the people close to the tragic hero. This analysis will focus on this villain and scrutinize his character, villainy and most of all, his purpose (or the lack thereof) on why he did the things he has done that aimlessly ended to other people’s lives. In fact, there is already an answer to this query for Iago is just plain evil, nothing less and definitely more. His motivation lies in the fact that he wants to end other people’s happiness and takes simple delight in causing other people pain and grief which makes him not just a villain but a very mysterious and most terrifying one. In Othello, the Moor of Venice, a man’s capacity to do evil is magnified as Iago is overcome with rage as Othello gives a position to another less qualified man that was originally intended for Iago. Iago takes this in deep and plots against Othello, a Moor in Venice that holds such high position, influential power and great riches. Iago uses jealousy to destroy Othello and the people around him by making it appear that Othello’s loyal wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with another man. In rage, Othello kills his own wife and when he realizes that it was all Iago’s evil plan, he kills himself out of grief and guilt. Iago confesses to no one and does not explain his actions; instead, he keeps mum about what he has done and the purpose in them. Thus, as the play concludes, it is only the audience who are witnesses to Iago’s malice and the extent of his wickedness—but there is a possibility that Iago also leads the audience into believing that they know the entire truth when in fact, he has been dishonest the whole time to everyone—even that of the audience. Iago acts as the villain in the play even if he was not really the one who did the bad deeds. He is the sole villain because he was the master plotter in the whole thing that even innocent people like Roderigo and Emilia were implicated as bad people when they were not wholly that capable of evil. Roderigo and Emilia were simply pawns to his plans and he used them and easily discarded them. In the book of Dobbs Wells entitled The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare, they sum up the villainy of Iago (and pretty much, the entire play) in a few words: He skilfully convinces Othello that his wife Desdemona has been adulterous with Cassio. He wounds Cassio, murders Roderigo, whom he has involved in his plots, and also kills his own wife Emilia. (211) The extent of Iago’s villainy does not merely end in his acts and plans but in an entirely different context and case because his villainy was unjustified and unexplainable. He did not have a purpose and an aim in ruining Othello’s life and soul. For even if it seems that Iago was motivated by the anger he felt over Othello’s passing over the position that was rightfully his to another man that was very much unqualified (according to Iago that is), it still seems not enough motive. In the first part of the play (act I, scene i), Iago insists that he does hate Othello and does a lengthy monologue on why he hates the Moor. However, it can be later learned that maybe Iago was not really motivated by that trivial act done by Othello since Iago has never really revealed the real reason on why he hates Othello. This is because in the same act, he declares that he will never say what he feels and thinks because it is dangerous and it is laughable: For when my outward action doth demonstrate / The native act and figure of my heart In compliment extern, ’tis not long after / But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at. I am not what I am. (Shakespeare 1. 1. 63-7) His supposed reason on hating Othello may not be his true reason for the vendetta he so chillingly instills on the Moor because Iago will never disclose his real reasons. Thus, even though Iago was transparent with his feelings and thoughts to the audience and some characters like Roderigo and Emilia, he actually lied to everyone since he could never â€Å"wear his heart† on his sleeve. Moreover, even if the rage he felt over Othello’s actions propelled him to do/plan such things, it was not enough to completely destroy the life of one man and the lives around that man. To think that Iago even killed his own wife with his own hands—without a second thought on doing it or a guilt overcoming afterwards. As what Dobbs Wells wrote, Iago was a â€Å"motiveless evil† and that lack of motivation in him makes him a superior proponent of evil (211). In conclusion, Iago is most villainous not just because of the things he has done but also because of the lack of motivation in them, the absence of purpose, the incapacity to be guilty over the success of his evil plans and most of all, the mockery he throws to the characters and the audience at the end of the play with his silence. This silence is eerie as it has a purpose—to make everyone shiver at what other havoc and damnation he could have done with that evil mind of his. Works Cited Dobson, Michael and Wells, Stanley. â€Å"Iago†. The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. , 2001. 211. Shakespeare, William. â€Å"Othello, the Moor of Venice†. Ed. Russ McDonald. New York: Penguin Group, 2001. Print.

The History of Graffiti Art

The History of Graffiti Art Literally graffiti means the writing on the wall. It is a way for people to make a public visual expression anonymously. Most often it is an expression that is not endorsed by the authority, and is thrown up without permission.  Since the beginning of time, graffiti was meant to send the viewer a message about the artists feelings concerning society, art and politics or to mark territorial boundaries. The earliest form of graffiti was created by the cave dwellers in prehistoric times. However, the first known graffiti artists lived in ancient Rome in Pompeii. There archeologists have found examples of graffiti in the form of words that include, Once you are dead, you are nothing; Restitutus has deceived many girls; Lucius painted this, amongst many others. Urban graffiti the type of graffiti that we associate with today started in the 60s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania The graffiti artists who started the first bombings are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL. Their names appeared all over the city, attracting the attention of the community and local press. Shortly after, graffiti quickly spread to New York City. One of the first recognized urban graffiti artists, Taki 183 was a Greek youth who came from a working-class family in Washington Heights. As a messenger, Taki, traveled all over New York City throwing up his name tagged with a marker on subway stations and subway cars. A New York Times reporter tracked down and interviewed Taki 183, and published an article titled Taki 183 Spawns Pen-Pals. The article had an unexpected effect as hundreds of writers turned to the streets to express their feelings. Tagging exploded all over the city. as graffiti artists tried to upstage each other with their names and styles. As one graffiti writer put it, How many people can walk through a city and prove they were there? Its a sign I was here. My hand made this mark. Im fucking alive! Eventually taggers were searching for different ways to gain notoriety. Taggers began embellishing their names with additional designs, some for visual effect and some for relevance. The most famous tag in the cultures history was STAY HIGH 149. This tagger used a smoking joint as the cross bar for his H and a stick figure from the television series The Saint. Tagging got bigger and more defined. Taggers increased the thickness of their letters and outline them with other colors. They discovered that the caps from spray paint cans increased the width of the spray. This led to the development of the masterpiece a much more involved form of graffiti than the throw up. The first credited masterpieces were to taggers called, SUPER KOOL 223 of the Bronx and WAP of Brooklyn. They used the thick letters and decorated the inside with a variety of designs. Their pieces covered subway cars from top to bottom.   The art of graffiti was gaining recognition so much so that Hugo Martinez, sociology major at City College in New York founded the United Graffiti Artists. This organization picked top subway artists from all over the city and gave them the opportunity to display their work in the venue of an art gallery. The Razor Gallery was very successful Hugo Martinez help many graffiti artists gain fame and recognition. Not everyone agreed with gaining the notice of the art elite. Many artists were against putting graffiti on a white canvas. They didnt like the idea of people criticizing their work or having it displayed in galleries. They wanted to stick to the origins of their art and felt like they were betraying the art by turning their work into a product that art dealers could buy and sell. In the mid seventies artists started creating graffiti with scenery, illustrations and cartoon characters surrounding the masterpieces and a new wave of creativity was borne. The creative expression of graffiti artist boomed until the mid 80s and then the culture declined rapidly. The use of crack cocaine became rampant in the inner city and guns were easily acquired. New laws prevented the sale of paint to minors and merchants had to place spray paint in locked cages. The biggest change was the increase in the Metropolitan Transit Authoritys anti-graffiti budget and the penalties for tagging became harsher. The lack of resources and places to tag caused many graffiti artists to become territorial and aggressive If one artist tagged in another taggers territory they risked being beaten and robbed of their painting supplies. Physical strength and unity as in street gangs became a major part of the Graffiti experience. The next big resurgence in graffiti came with the explosion of Hip Hop and music videos that depicted New York City street culture of the 80s. Books like, Subway Art, Spray Can Art, and films like Style Wars, prompted attracted people from all over the world to emulate the street culture style. This was the catalyst for the expansion of aerosol art world-wide. Overseas graffiti artists came to New York to tag and New York artists went to Europe. The New York artists were so sought after that many were given air fare, accommodations, and paint! New places and new things to paint emerged. Graffiti art began appearing on highways, roof tops and walls. Magazines like International Graffiti Times, videos like Video Graf, and websites like Art Crimes also increased the world wide popularity of this art form An art form that was oncepracticed by low-income urban youth is now popular with an entirely new array of creative youths and adults. Today about one-half of graffiti artists come from white middle and upper-class homes, mostly in suburban areas.   Kids from the suburbs connect with the messages that the inner-city kids communicate. They are also trying to break free from the culture of materialism and rejecting and protesting some of the moral values of society. Middle- and upper-class youths in suburbs, have free time and money to do what they wan and are educating themselves to reject the sterile, superficial culture of their surroundings and look for an alternative way of life with more meaning. Recently, several prominent graffiti artists have turned their creative talents into new business opportunities. They have clothing lines, design for major labels and sneaker manufacturers, and consult with big companies who seek street accreditation for their brands.However, in many graffiti artists minds a conflict arises when graffiti is used for advertising consumer goods. It goes against the original message of graffiti, to stand up against the ruling class and to not be exploited. From this perspective, using graffiti to promote a commercial product is ironic. Graffiti is being used to encourage people to spend their money on products they dont need. Whether graffiti has lost its origins and meaning, the attraction for most graffiti fans today may or may not be solely for the social motives.With Shepard Fairys, Obama Hope posterwhich was featured in the presidential race,Pixnits stenciled store fronts, and Banksys Oscar nod for his graffiti based film Exit Through the Gift Shop, graffiti art has absolutely become mainstream and its popularity is flourishing.The creative and original side of graffiti attracts a new generation of artists that are looking for different ways to express themselves. They are also attracted to the fact that graffiti developed outside of the traditional avenues for artistic expression. Recently, the Smithsonian solidified the importance and power of this art form announcing their newest exhibit, Hip-Hop Wont Stop: The Beat, The Rhymes, The Life, which features the works of many graffiti elite.

Report on Performance management system at Infosys

Report on Performance management system at Infosys Introduction to Infosys Headquartered in Bengaluru, Infosys Technologies Ltd is a software behemoth in the Indian IT industry. A multinational IT services company, Infosys operates in 33 countries and has development centers in India, China, Japan, UK, Australia and Canada. Beginning as a mere US$ 250 company in 1981, Infosys has come a long way now, to become a global frontrunner with revenues of more US$ 5.38 billion. Infosys provides end-to-end business solutions, essentially helping clients to setup software infrastructure, develop it and maintain it. Infosys uses its Global Delivery Model (GDM)as a strategic outsourcing tool. GDM enables the company to take work to the place where it can be best performed, at least cost, and with minimum risk. The work on projects is carried out 24 hours a day, with teams located at different locations across the world, working round-the-clock on the project.GDM is one of the major initiatives of Infosys. Infosys offers solutions to an assortment of industries withservices like IT, Engineering, BPO and Consulting. The organization structure is complicated. The hierarchy is headed by Mr. N R Narayana Murthy who is the chairman and chief mentor of the organization. Next isthe CEO and Managing Director Mr. Gopalakrishanan S. Following him are the directors and the senior vice presidents. The COO Director, Mr. S Shibulal heads all the Industry business units and Horizontal business units. He also heads the SETLabs and Microsoft technology centre A typical project is headed by Delivery Manager. Role Hierarchy in a Unit from Top to Bottom is Delivery Head Senior Delivery Manager Delivery Manager Project Manager Business Manager Technology Lead Technology Analyst Senior Software Engineer Software Engineer Functionally, Infosys comprises various Industry Business Units (IBUs) and Horizontal Business Units (HBUs). These are Performance Management System Performance Management is a process for establishing a mutual understanding about what is to be achieved and how it is to be achieved. PMS assists organizations to plan, analyze and manage their performance, so that decisions, resources and actions can be better aligned with business strategies to achieve required results. Performance appraisal is a systematic and objective way of evaluating both work related behaviour and potential of employees. This is carried on a periodic basis. It mainly involves setting work standards, assessing employees performance relative to these standards and then offers feedback to the employee so that he or she can work on the deficiencies and improve performance. The focus of appraisals is on employee growth and development. It provides an opportunity for the manager and his/her supervisor to set mutual objectives. Purpose of Performance Appraisal The main purposes why organizations conduct performance appraisals are Career Development This provides an opportunity for discussion of career objectives. Also it helps to Provide an opportunity for career counseling Helps in succession planning. Plan for career development Provide a basis on which to base decisions about training and promotion Feedback Encouraged in both directions, ie from manager to employee and from employee to manager Provides constructive feedback to the individual on their performance Provides a structured format for the discussion of performance issues Feedback helps in reinforces performance strengths and an opportunity to find solutions for performance deficiencies. Administrative Uses of Performance appraisal Salary Promotion Retention/termination Recognition of performance Performance History Serves as a repository of performances and can be used for various decision making purposes Can be used to review past and present performance. Documentation for HR decisions Helping to meet legal requirements Organizational Goals Makes the individual aware of organizational expectations Provides opportunity review the performance from the organizational point of view Helps in assessing future promotion prospects and potential Performance Appraisal Steps Performance appraisal process include steps as follows Establish performance standards These are benchmarks against which performance is measured. They should relate to the desired results of each job. They must be clear to both the appraiser and the appraisee. Generally, these requirements can be deduced from the work description and divided into two parts: behavioral standards and work result standards. Choose the appraising method There are numerous appraisal methods, but no method is the best for all organizations. Within an enterprise, different methods can be applied to different positions, units or departments such as sales, production, marketing or administration department. Train the Appraiser Inappropriate appraisal methods or ill-defined standards results in bias. This could lead to unwise decisions on payment and rewarding. So it is necessary for leaders and appraisers to be trained on these skills. Discussing with employees on rating content and scope The content and scope should be discussed between appraisers and employees. The Appraisee should be clear about what he is doing and why he is doing. Actual Performance and Comparison Compare, analyze the actual result of staff with set standards. As far as possible, the appraising results must objective and not on the appraisers perception. Discuss with staff on the appraising result: The appraiser should have a discussion with employees on the appraising result. They should identify agreements and disagreements on appraising methods. Also give feedback on the strengths and weakness of the employee and suggestion on improving the weaknesses. The purpose of the meeting should be to solve the problems faced and motivate the employees to perform better. Identifying new goals Arrive at new goals for achieving superior performance. But it has been observed that most of the employees hate appraisal system. The main reasons are Lack of information about the purpose of appraisal Many employees are notabout the impact that appraisals can have on their career prospects. Time consuming process The highly complex questions which they have no answers to or highly complex competencies which they have never heard of confuse them. Difficulty in writing appraisals Many employees have poor language skills and they are unable to communicate their performance in right language and support with data. Lack of faith in the appraisal process Employees think that his/her manager doesnt write appraisals based on employees performance but bias his/her decisions based on their personal relations with employees. Lack of feedback after appraisal: Many companies do not provide feedbacks to employees on their performance. Benefits of Performance Appraisal The performance appraisal system benefits the appraise, appraiser and the organization Appraisee: Increased motivation and job satisfaction. Clear understanding of what is expected and what needs to be done to meet expectations. Opportunity to discuss aspirations and any guidance, support or training needed to fulfill these aspirations. Improved working relationships with the superior. Opportunity to overcome the weaknesses by way of counseling and guidance from the superior. Increased sense of personal value as he too is involved in the appraisal process Appraiser: Opportunity to develop an overview of individual jobs. Opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses of appraisees. Increased job satisfaction. Opportunity to link team and individual objectives with department organizational objectives. Opportunity to clarify expectations that the manager has from teams and individuals. Opportunity to re-prioritize targets. Means of forming a more productive relationship with staff based on mutual trust and understanding. Organization: Improved performance throughout the organization due to: Increased sense of cohesiveness and loyalty. Managers are better equipped to use their leadership skills and to develop their staff. Effective communication of organizations objectives and values. Improved overview of tasks performed by each member of a group. Identification of ideas for improvement. Creation and maintenance of a culture of continuous improvement. Communication to people that they are valued. Methods for improvement Making employees believe in fair evaluation of the job performance and making them actively participate in the evaluating process is a measure to improve job performance evaluation. Some of the steps that can be followed is as follows Roles of HR staffs Human resource staff should show that they are knowledgeable and interested in the work of the evaluated staff. Between supervisors and employees, there should be an agreement on the primary responsibility to perform the job. Human resource staff should coordinate with employees, asking them to participate in planning work as a basis of better assessment to exclude changes in the assessment. Training in performance appraisal Train and instruct the appraiser in the evaluation of job performance of employees. While training the real life situations should be taken in to consideration. Performance Management System of Infosys [Performagic] Infosys uses the web application Performagic to capture all the performance appraisal related activities. The appraisal is done twice a year, once in October and another in April. The cycle is initiated by the HR and the employee has to then add both appraiser and reviewer. The appraiser and reviewer for any particular employee are identified based on the projects the employee worked during the appraisal cycle. A normal appraisal process flow would look like the below diagram If the employee is not satisfied with CRR rating then the following actions can be taken. Data Capture in Performagic The employee is evaluated based on performance tasks, competency and behavioural tasks. The performance tasks are set based on the role and the project in which the employee is working. The manager has the flexibility to make necessary modifications according to his perception of the role and expectations from the employee. Competency and behavioural indicators are based on the official designation of the employee. The employee is given the option to rate any 10 options from the competency and any 5 from the behavioral tasks. There is also individual utilization measures set for each employee which has to be met by the employee to ensure a met expectations rating. The utilization measures set are broadly defined on the IBU level, but can be modified if the appraiser feels that its required. Based on the ratings give to the performance ratings and behavioural tasks the score for the employee will be calculated based on pre decided logic. The CRR for employees are decided based on this cumulative score that the employee scores. Methodology Personal interviews were conducted of few Infosys employees to evaluate their understanding and thoughts on the PMS. Questionnaire What is your role? How many time appraisal is done in a year and when? What procedure is followed in appraisal? Is there any formal training given to the appraiser? How much time do you dedicate for filling the appraisal form? On what parameters you do your self-appraisal? What are the performance standards on which appraiser appraise you? How subjective is the appraisal? Are all the questions in performagic relevant to your roles What happens in appraisal meeting? What type of feedback do you get? Who all are involved in the appraisal meeting? How does it affect your performance afterwards? What do you think are the problems in current appraisal system? How transparent is the appraisal system? Difference between present and previous appraisal system? How much importance you give to the performagic? How does the performagic rating affect your promotion? How does the CRR process work? Do you feel the peer group formation is correct? Suggest any improvement in the system? Responses Employees were not much concerned about the whole appraisal process Employees perceive that the appraisal data doesnt have any correlation with the CRR and further promotion There is no formal training given to appraisers. Each appraiser rates the employee based on his/her understanding. The CRR rating mainly depends solely on how the Manager/ Appraiser can put forth your case before the CRR panel The rule of directly mapping the Performagic score to CRR is not followed since a minimum percentage criteria has to be followed for CRR The chances of overturning a CRR is almost nil since there is a preset percentage for each rating Since its a comparative ranking method, employee can just put forth his/her arguments. The employee has no clue about the things that other person has done Employee submits a CRR profiler presentation to the manger in addition to the performagic. Mainly this data is used by the manager to showcase the contributions of the employee. Peer groups for CRR are decided based on the projects/ accounts/IBUs The size of normal peer group is 20-25 The formation of peer group is mainly based on the role of the employee. If there are more than 25 employees in the project, the peer group formation decision become contentious. The past system provided employees to add/delete tasks as per their convenience. So employees would give higher weightage to the tasks that they had performed better in that half. In the present system the tasks are decided upfront. But in case of project changes or IBU change scenarios, there would be difficulty in meeting the expectations. Current system is completely based on data. So if there is any activity for which no data is present, such tasks could not be clearly captured but the system. Regarding the feedback, most the appraisers try to motivate the employees If the employee doesnt receive a top rating then the common excuses made are visibility of the employee is low and the employee is not involved in organizational related activities. Past System Present System Flexible for task addition Not flexible Qualitative data can also be used Based on quantitative data Ratings given to the employee before CRR Ratings given only after CRR rating is finalized 4 CRR Levels 5 CRR Levels Competency ratings were subjective Competency ratings made subjective Comparison with Wipro Infosys Wipro 2 Appraisals/yr 2 Appraisals/yr Based on preset goals Based on preset goals CRR cycle not transparent Transparent process Less subjective Appraisal Subjectivity involved in appraisal Not linked to promotion Not linked to promotion Recommendations Train the appraisers and reviewers so that the appraisal process becomes consistent across the entire organization Make the CRR process more transparent. This could be achieved by having a session where each employee in the peer group is allowed to present his/her case before others. In this case everyone in the peer group is aware of what are the benchmarks against which the rating is given Make the performagic rating the only criteria for CRR. This would clear the ambiguity regarding the CRR process Employee should be given a chance to put forth his/her case before the performagic data is used for determining the CRR rating Appendix Performance Appraisal Methods Critical incident method The critical incidents for performance appraisal is a method in which the manager writes down positive and negative performance behavior of employees throughout the performance period Weighted checklist method This method describe a performance appraisal method where rater familiar with the jobs being evaluated prepared a large list of descriptive statements about effective and ineffective behavior on jobs Paired comparison analysis Paired comparison analysis is a good way of weighing up the relative importance of options. A range of plausible options is listed. Each option is compared against each of the other options. The results are tallied and the option with the highest score is the preferred option. Graphic rating scales The Rating Scale is a form on which the manager simply checks off the employees level of performance. This is the oldest and most widely method used for performance appraisal. Essay Evaluation method This method asked managers / supervisors to describe strengths and weaknesses of an employees behavior. Essay evaluation is a non-quantitative technique. This method usually use with the graphic rating scale method. Behaviorally anchored rating scales This method used to describe a performance rating that focused on specific behaviors or sets as indicators of effective or ineffective performance. It is a combination of the rating scale and critical incident techniques of employee performance evaluation. Performance ranking method Ranking is a performance appraisal method that is used to evaluate employee performance from best to worst. Manager will compare an employee to another employee, rather than comparing each one to a standard measurement. Management By Objectives (MBO) method MBO is a process in which managers / employees set objectives for the employee, periodically evaluate the performance, and reward according to the result. MBO focuses attention on what must be accomplished (goals) rather than how it is to be accomplished (methods) 360 degree performance appraisal 360 Degree Feedback is a system or process in which employees receive confidential, anonymous feedback from the people who work around them. Forced ranking (forced distribution) Forced ranking is a method of performance appraisal to rank employee but in order of forced distribution. For example, the distribution requested with 10 or 20 percent in the top category, 70 or 80 percent in the middle, and 10 percent in the bottom. Behavioral Observation Scales Behavioral Observation Scales is frequency rating of critical incidents that worker has performed.

Wackenhut SS :: Personal Narrative Writing

Wackenhut SS It was a warm spring day. I turned down the radio as I drove across the bridge at Hoover dam, water and cement connected the state line separating Arizona from Nevada. Crossing the dam then past the tourist information center reached two huge stone angel monuments with arms and wings stretched toward the sky. The sight of them invoked religious desperation from me as if a I was lacking from divine intervention. Parked on either side of the two towering angels sat two highway patrol cars. One on each side of the statues like vultures ordered by the sherif of Nottingham to victimize taxpayers. I felt desperate and uneasy as I stared into the troopers eyes as I passed by and they stared back. I am not paranoid but that doesn't mean they are not after me. Everyone is a suspect and victim for harassment and possible revenue. My sense of privacy dissolved with the irreverent mix. Psychically connected and hoping to break the troopers attention, I turned up Black Sabbath on the radio and sa ng along. "They tell you black is really white, the moon is just the sun at night and when you walk through golden halls, you get to keep the gold that falls, it's heaven and hell." The patrol cars stay put as I wind up the mountain road out of sight. I keep the heavy metal tunes blaring to give me that extra boost of primal fire that leads one to believe that enough vrihl energy omnisciently moves away adversaries. My attention shot through their hollow headslike a laser out of the screaming skulls of hell. Aggressive aesthetic attention, makes things move quicker with a lottery of victims. I drop my vigil as I drive through Henderson Nevada. From the clouds, mountains and small skyscrapers, the twilight cast a weird silhouette around the city. I felt safe, as if the ratio of civilians had the police outnumbered. I turn off the radio to sense the silence that Lake Mead evoked in the sunset. Winding up the highway, the sky pulled like a magnet, my hair stood on end, the roof of the car like static electricity. I head north-west towards Vegas into the orange twilight. I light a joint and savor the powerful ringing in my ears as I focus my attention on the electric silence, invisibly driving me into Las Vegas.

Managing Diversity in the Workplace Essay -- Diversity Management, Cul

"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion." -- Max de Pree Workplaces today have become increasingly diverse with employees of different genders, races, cultures, ethnic origins, and lifestyles. Changes in the cultural make-up of organizations have been so vast that it has become imperative for leaders and supervisors to understand cultural diversity and how it can affect their organization. By understanding how this diversity can affect their organization, leaders are taking steps to assure a conflict-free environment and are helping promote positive outcomes for the business, as well as its employees. â€Å"Diversity today is being viewed as a key means to strengthen the human capital of an organization and improve overall performance† (Bowes, 2007/2008). Studies have shown that diverse workforces can positively affect and strengthen the organization, but what can organizations do to assure this type of environment? What programs or tools do leaders need to implement when looking to improve their ability to manage this diversit y? The main purpose of this research paper will be to explore what methods organizations and leaders can use to successfully manage increased cultural diversity within the workforce. This research will reflect not only why it is important for organizations to embrace the differences in a diverse workplace, but will discuss the consequences that may occur if they do not incorporate effective methods for addressing a multicultural population. A clear discussion of the educational tools used in this project ... ...y and its impact on the interaction level within the nursing workforce. Dissertation Abstracts, DAI-B 67/12, Jun 2007 (AAT 3246919), Abstract. Web. 15 May. 2015. http://proquest.umi.com/?did=1253511131&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=13118&RQ Hendricks, E. (2005, November 6). It’s Good for Business: Diversity: helps companies better serve customers. The Provience, p. A.42. Web. 21 May. 2015. http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/?did=923079241&sid=3&Fmt=3&clientId=13118&RQT=309&VName=PQD Spiers, C. (2008, Summer). The Business Benefits of Diversity. Management Services, 52(2), 26, 5pgs. Web. 18 May. 2015. http://proquest.umi.com/?did=1507581611&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=13118&RQT=309&Vname=PQD. Walton, S. J., M.A. (1993, May). Cultural Diversity: An asset, Not a Liability. R & D Innovator, 2(5), 37. Web. 27 May. 2015. http://www.au.af.mil/////c.pdf

Smallville and its popularity :: essays research papers fc

Smallville vs. other Superman series   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Man, throughout the ages, has looked to the stars with great amusement and curiosity. Wondrous stories are born of these magical, glimmering specs in the sky. Stories of tragedy, magic and heroism. These stories entertain and more, they give us hope. A tale of the stars like no other is the one of Superman, protector of planet Earth.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As said by the Superman stories, Clark Kent was discovered by Martha and Jonathan Kent shortly after a meteor shower hit the town of Smallville. Martha insisted on keeping the young boy and taking him into their family. Clark grew up on a farm helping out with chores and being loved by his human mother and father. The only difference with Clark’s upbringing was that in the comics, he was just a baby when discovered by the Kents. In â€Å"Smallville† he was a boy about 6 years of age when he was found.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This very scene I speak of has been played over and over in television besides the WB hit, â€Å"Smallville† (Kal-El). For example:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"In the 1990's cartoon Pinky and the Brain, The Brain tracks down Superman's rocket ship and tries to raise Clark himself, with Pinky. Fortunately, the super baby turns out to be too much for the Brain, as changing diapers requires an oxygen suit, and the tiny kid of steel uses his heat vision to blast the lab rat. Baby Clark makes his way back to the field where he landed and where the Kents find him.† (Kal-El)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The most famous version of this scene is shown in the Superman Movie with Glenn Ford playing Jonathan Kent and Phyllis Thaxter playing Martha Kent (Smallville). In this version the Kents find Clark and he displays his powers right away instead of demonstrating them over his teenage years like in the â€Å"Smallville† series.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It was so smart for someone to answer everyone’s questions as to how Clark grew up by giving them the front row seat to Clark’s teenage years. Especially since in any other version of Superman all we knew of was when he was discovered and when he was already â€Å"Superman†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Martha and Jonathan Kent have changed in the stories as well. All of the Superman stories have the Kents as an elderly couple in their sixties (Superboy). The 1978 movie version shows the Kents older and so does the Lois and Clark TV series.

Consider the Importance of the Method of Narration Employed in Wuthering Heights Essay

Wuthering Heights is written by Emily Jane Brontà « and narrated by Ellen Dean (Nelly), a servant of both Catherine Earnshaw and her daughter, Catherine Linton. Emily Brontà « must have thought she was the most convenient of characters to narrate this novel as Nelly was alive through each generation of both the Earnshaw and Linton families. Had someone like Catherine Earnshaw narrated the novel, it might have finished at her death or would have switched narration. Also, this could have made the narration more bias, whereas Nelly, who still plays a reasonably large role as she mixes with all the characters, witnesses and observes the goings on as an onlooker first hand. However, Nelly often interferes with the lives of the characters which could have altered the forth coming events. In my opinion, one of the key times of her meddlesome attitude in the novel is reflected when she carries a letter between Heathcliff and Cathy Earnshaw who also receives permission to visit Cathy when she is ill-against Edgars wishes. She is often seen to be carrying letters between different characters which are considered to be forbidden. On the other hand, she sometimes decides to hold onto information rather than pass it on, such as when Edgar’s wife Catherine becomes increasingly ill Nelly fails to inform him. A possible downfall to having Nelly as the narrator could be that her personal opinions are shown too much in the novel, creating a biased view. Her actions are also influenced by her opinions which again produce a bias outcome as she helps those characters she favours, such as the Earnshaw siblings she grew up with over Edgar. This concept is shown in her actions as she keeps some secrets to herself instead of revealing them to Edgar, like when his daughter and Hareton’s relationship grows and Nelly ignores it.

A Dirty Job Chapter 18

18YO MOMMA SO knackered THATOn her last mean solar daytime, Lois Asher r eeryied. After not having bamherto been able to puff up to go to the breakfast table, or into the financial support path to sit and watch TV for three weeks, got up and danced with buddy to an elder Ink Spots song. She was playful and well(p) of laughter, she teased her children and hugged them, she eat a cocoa-marshm exclusively(a)ow sundae, and she fleecy and flossed after(prenominal)ward. She put on her favorite ash grey jewelry and wore it to the d intragroup table, and when she couldnt encounter her squash-blossom necklace she shrugged it score care it was a minor affaire she must put adept and l wizard whatsoever(a)(prenominal)(a) everywhere misplaced it. Oh, well.Charlie knew what was disaster because he had piddlen it in advance, and Buddy and Jane knew because Grace, the hospice nurse, explained it to them. It happens in superstar subject area once more and again. Ive a ctualisen masses commove in appear of a coma and sing their favorite songs, and each I give the gate rank you is to do it it. pot date stamp the light go up sticker into tone that give up been dull for months, and they arrive to place take to on it. Its not a sign of ca-cating well, its an probability to say in submitigent-bye. Its a gift.Charlie had analogouswise intimate by observing that it re all toldy assisted e genuinelyone to permit go if they were at least lightly medicated, so he and Jane to a faultk close to antianxiety pills that Janes therapist had prescribed and Buddy washed run through with(predicate) and through up a quantify-released morphine pill with many scotch. Medication and forgiveness goat trade deport-to doe with for joyous acts with the end its like they support to return to childhood and because no liaison in the future matters, because you dont devolve to train them for vitality, give instruction less(prenomin al)ons, forge applicable and practical memories, all the joy scum radix be nausalimentation from those last moments and keepd in the receivet. It was the best and adjacent age Charlie had ever had with his return and his child, and Buddy, in the sharing, became family as well.Lois Asher went to bed at cardinal and collapsed at mid dark.I cant stay for the funeral, Charlie verbalize to his sister the near morning.What do you fuddled you cant stay for the funeral?Charlie looked go forth the window at the giant ice pick of a shadow that had made its room d sack upward(a) the mountain toward his mothers foretoken. Charlie could work through it churning at the edges, like flocks of birds or swarming insects. The point was less than a half mile a direction.I fix well-nigh topic I see to do at basis, Jane. I reckon, I forgot to do it and I actually, truly cant stay.Dont be mysterious. What the booby hatch do you need to do that you cant fall your avouch mother s funeral?Charlie was pressing his important male imagination to the break point to come up with mostthing credible on the spot. and hence a light went on. The other night, when you move me out to ticktock laid?yea?Well, it was an adventure, to be indisputable, besides when I went to puff my scalp sewed up, I also had a test. I talked to the doctor today, and I have to go demoralize treatment. serious at one judgment of conviction.You moron, I didnt send you out to have unsafe sex. What were you takeing?It was safe sex. Right, sure, he estimation, he almost scoffed at himself. Its the wounds theyre over turned closely. only if if I get on these drugs accountability away, in that respects a disceptation-steady in decennaryt that Ill be okay.Theyre putting you on the cocktail? As a pr steadytative?Sure, thats it, the cocktail Charlie apprehension. He nodded gravely.Okay, then, go. Jane turned and hid her face.Maybe I can get moxie in time for the funeral, C harlie verbalise. Could he? He had to retrieve dickens neglectful disposition vessels in less than a week, and hope that no new label had appe bed in his examine book.Well do it a week from today, Jane express, turning rear end around, tears blinked away. You go home, get treated, come choke off. Buddy and I provide handle the arrangements.Im defective, Charlie give tongue to. He put his arms around his sister.Dont you die on me, too, you fucker, Jane say.Ill be fine. Ill be arse as briefly as I can. hire dorsum that charcoal Armani of yours for me to demote to the funeral, and Cassies strappy sinister pumps, okay?You? In strappy dumb pumps?Its what mom would have fatalityed, Jane state.When Charlie landed in San Francisco t present were quartette frantic messages on his cell phone from Cassandra. She had always seemed so calm, composed a stable differ to his sisters flights of fancy. She sounded a wreck on the phone.Charlie, shes got him detain and theyr e termination to eat him and I dont hump what to do. I dont requirement to call the plumes. name me when you land.Charlie did call, all the way into the city in the shuttle van he called, only if unplowed getting transferred to verbalise messaging. When he got out of the van in cause of his store he heard a hiss sexual climax out of the push drain at the corner.I at sea finishing with you, differentiate apartr, came the voice.No time, Charlie give tongue to, hopping over the hitch and running into the store.You never called, purred the Morrigan. shine was yett the counter mousing through Asian cuties when Charlie came storming through.Youd intermit get up steps, Ray said. Theyre freaking out up there.No kidding, Charlie said as he passed. He took the stairs both at a time.He was fumbling his let on into the lock when Cassandra threw the entre open and pulled him into his flatbed.She wont let him go. Im afraid theyre passing play to eat him.Who, what? Thats wha t you said on my voice mail. Where is Sophie?Cassandra dragged him to Sophies room, where he was met in the limen by a emit Mohammed.Daddy Sophie shrieked. She ran a stick the room and leapt into his arms. She gave him a big hug and a slipshod kiss that left a drinking chocolate Sophie-print on his cheek. Down, she said. Down, down. Charlie put her down and she ran back into her room, nevertheless Mohammed pr thus outlying(prenominal)ted Charlie from entering, pushed his nose into Charlies shirt, leaving a giant dog-nose print in chocolate. manifestly there had been a chocolate bacchanal dismissal on in his absence.His mother is supposed to pick him up at one, Cassandra said. I dont endure what to do.Charlie strained to see around the hellhound and adage Sophie standing(a) with her hand on Alvins collar era he menaced a inadequate male child who was crouched in the corner. The unforesightful son was a little huge-eyed, on the dot otherwise unhurt, and he didnt seem that f the set wayened. In fact, he was bosom a box of Crunchy Cheese Newts, and was eating one, then feeding the nigh one to Alvin, who was dripping hellish dog salivate onto the kids shoes in anticipation of the next newt.I distinguish him, Sophie said. She went to the little boy and kissed him on the cheek, leaving a chocolate smear. Not the jump. It appeared that this little sinisterguard had been twinge Sophies affections for quite close to time, for he was cover with chocolaty goodness and orange Cheese-Newt dust. I fate to keep him.The little boy grinned.He came over for a play wee care. I dissemble you scheduled it before you left, Cassandra said. I thought it would be okay. I seek to get him out of there, still the dogs wont let me by. What are we passing game to tell his mother?I want to keep him, Sophie said. Big kiss.His name is Matthew, Cassie said.I know his name. He goes to Sophies school.Charlie started into the room. Mohammed blocked the doorway.Mat ty, are you all right? Charlie said.Uh-huh, said the chocolate-, cheese-, and dog-drool-sodden kid.I want him to stay, Dad, Sophie said. Alvin and Mohammed want him to stay, too.Charlie thought that perhaps he had not been strict sufficiency in telescope limits for his fille. Maybe after losing her mother, he and hadnt had the heart to say no to her, and now she was taking hostages.Honey, Matty has to get cleaned up. His mommy is coming to get him so he can go be traumatized in his own family line.No Hes mine.Honey, tell Mohammed to let me in. If we dont get Matty cleaned up, he wont be able to come back.He can sleep in your room, Sophie said. Ill need care of him.No, young lady, you tell Mohammed to get I have to pee, Matthew said. He climbed to his feet and skipped by Alvin, who followed him, then under Mohammed and past(a) Charlie and Cassandra to the bathroom. Hi, he said as he went by. He closed the door and they could hear the sound of tinkle. Alvin and Mohammed bullied their way through the doorway and waited outside the bathroom.Sophie sat down overweight, her feet splayed out, her bring low lip pushed out like the buffer on a steam engine. Her shoulders started panting before he could hear the darn like she was saving up schnorkel then the wailing and the tears. Charlie went to her and picked her up.I?CI I?CI, he he he he Its okay, honey. Its okay. tho I experience him.I know you do, honey. Itll be okay. Hell go to his house and you can take over love him.Noooooooooooooooooooooo She conceal her face in his jacket, and as often as his heart was breaking for his daughter, he was also entailing more or less how overmuch Three Fingered Wu was going to ding him for getting the chocolate smear out of his jacket.They bonny let him go pee, Cassandra said, staring at the hellhounds. Just like that. I thought they were going to eat him. They wouldnt let me near him.Its okay, Charlie said. You didnt know.Know what?They love the Crun chy Cheese Newts.Youre kidding? low-spirited. Look, Cassie, can you clean up Sophie and Matty and take care of this? I have some stuff in my date book I have to take care of right away.Sure, but Sophie will be fine. Wont you, honey?Sophie nodded sadly and wiped her eyes on his coat. I preoccupied you, Daddy.I missed you, too, perfumedie. Ill be home tonight.He kissed her, got his date book from the bedroom, and ran around the apartment makeing his keys, cane, hat, and man purse. Thanks, Cassie. You have no idea how grateful I am. grim about your mother, Charlie, Cassandra said as he passed.Yeah, thanks, Charlie said, quickly bursting the edge of the sword in his cane as he went by.Charlie, your life is out of controller, Cassandra said, now slipping back into the unflappable soulfulnessa that they were all apply to.Okay, Ill need to borrow your strappy black pumps, too, Charlie said as he headed out the door.I sound off Ive made my point, Cassie called after him.Ray stopped Charlie at the bottom of the inning of the stairs. You got a minute, boss?Not really, Ray. Im in a hurry.Well, I secure cherished to apologize.For what?Well, it seems slaphappy now, but I agreeable of suspected you of being a in series(p) killer.Charlie nodded as if he were considering the grave consequences of Rays confession, when, in fact, he was essay to remember if there was any gas in the van. Well, Ray, I accept your apology, and Im morose I ever gave you that impression.I think all those years on the force made me suspicious, but Inspector Rivera stopped by and set me straight.He did, did he? What exactly did he say?He said that you had been checking some stuff out for him, getting into places he couldnt get without a warrant and so forth, stuff that youd two get in a lot of trouble for if anyone rig out, but was helping to put the rotten guys away. He said thats why youre so secretive.Yes, Charlie said solemnly, I have been competitiveness crime in my spare tim e, Ray. Im sorry I couldnt tell you.I run across, Ray said, backing away from the stairway. Again, Im sorry. I feel like a traitor.Its okay, Ray. But I really have to go. You know, fighting the Forces of sliminess and all. Charlie held his cane out as if it were a sword and he was charging into action, which, bizarrely, it was and he was.Charlie had sixsome old age to retrieve three sense vessels if he was going to get caught up before he returned to Arizona for his mothers funeral. Two, the label that had appeared in his date book the alike(p) day as Madison McKerny were in earnest overdue. The last had appeared in the book only a bracing of age ago, when he was in Arizona yet it was in his own handwriting. Hed always thought that he had been doing some openhearted of sleep writing, but now, this was a whole new twist. He promised himself he would freak out about it as soon as he had some time.Mean slice, with the near-death hand job and the dead-mom thing, he hadnt eve n through with(p) the preliminary enquiry on the first of the two, Esther Johnson and genus Irena Posokovanovich, and twain were now past their pickup date one by three old age. What if the john harpies had already gotten there? As crocked as theyd become already, he didnt even want to think about what they could do if they got hold of another soul. He considered affair Rivera to watch his back when he went to the house, but what would he say he was doing? The sharp-faced cop knew there was something supernatural going on, and hed taken Charlies word that he was one of the good guys (not a hard sell when hed seen the lavatory harpy whimsical a three-inch hook s intent up his nostril only to brave out nine rounds of 9 mm in the torso and still fly away).Charlie was driving with no destination, heading into Pacific high bonny because the traffic was lighter in that direction. He pulled over to the guard and called information.I need a crook and process for an Esther J ohnson. on that points no Esther Johnson, sir, but I have three E. Johnsons.Can you give me the addresses?She gave him the two who had addresses. A recording supported to dial the keep down for him for an additional charge of fifty cents.Yeah, how much to drive me there? Charlie asked the computer voice. thus he hung up and dialed the E. Johnson with no address.Hi, could I speak with Esther Johnson, Charlie said cheerfully.Theres no Esther Johnson here, said a mans voice. Im afraid you have the ruin number.Wait. Was there an Esther Johnson there, until maybe three days ago? Charlie asked. I byword the E. Johnson in the phone book.Thats me, said the man, Im Ed Johnson.Sorry to bother you, Mr. Johnson. Charlie disconnected and dialed the next E. Johnson.Hello, a muliebritys voice.Hi, could I speak to Esther Johnson, please?A deep breath. Who is calling?Charlie used a ruse that had worked a dozen propagation before. This is Charlie Asher, of Ashers Secondhand. Weve taken in some switch that has Esther Johnsons name on it and we precious to make sure its not stolen.Well, Mr. Asher, Im sorry to tell you that my aunt passed away three days ago.Bingo Charlie said.Pardon?Sorry, Charlie said. My associate is acting a scratch-off lotto ticket here in the shop, and hes just won ten thousand dollars.Mr. Asher, this isnt really a good time. Is this merchandise you have valuable?No, just some old clothes.Another time, then? The cleaning char sounded not so much bereaved as harried. If you dont mind.No, Im sorry for your loss, Charlie said. He disconnected, checked the address, and headed up toward Golden entry Park and the Haight.The Haight mecca for the Free Love ascertainhead of the sixties, where the Beat Generation begat the Flower Children, where kids from all over the country had come to form in, turn on, and drop out and had kept coming, even as the neighborhood went through alternating waves of renewal and decline. presently, as Charlie covey down Haight Street, amid the head shops, vegetarian restaurants, hippie boutiques, medicine stores, and coffee berryhouses, he saw hippies that ranged in age from fifteen to seventy. Grizzled oldsters panhandling or passing out pamphlets, and young, white-Rastafarian dreadlocked teenagers in move skirts or hemp drawstring trousers, with blaze piercings and vacant pot-blissed stares. He passed brown-toothed crackheads barking at cars as they passed, a spiky holdover here and there from the punk movement, old guys in berets and wayfarers who superpower have stepped out of a jazz club in 1953. It wasnt so much like the hands of time had stood still here, more like theyd been flick in the air in exasperation, the quantify declaring, Whatever Im outta here.Esther Johnsons house was just a couple up of blocks off Haight, and Charlie was lucky enough to make up ones mind parking in a twenty-minute green zone near. (If the time came that he ever got to talk to someone in charge, he was going to make a case for special parking privileges for closing Merchants, for while it was nice that no one could see him when he was retrieving a soul vessel, some cool Death plates or black parking zones would be even better.)The house was a nonaged bungalow, crotchety for this neighborhood, where most e reallything was three stories tall and paint in whatever gloss would distinguish most with the house next to it. Charlie had taught Sophie her modify here, using grand Victorians as color swatches.Orange, Daddy. Orange.Yes, honey, the man barfed up orange. Look at that house, Sophie, its purple.The block did have its share of transients, so he knew the doors of the Johnson house would be locked. beleaguer the bell and try to sneak through, or wait? He really couldnt devote to wait the sewer harpies had hissed at him from a grate as he approached the house. He rang the bell, then quickstepped to the side.A sanely, dark-haired woman of about thirty, wearing jeans and a churl blouse, opened the door, looked around, and said, Hello, can I help you?Charlie nearly fell through a window. He looked screwing his back, then back at the woman. No, she was facial expression right at him.Yes, you rang the bell?Oh, me? Yes, Charlie said. Im, uh you meant me, right?The woman stepped back into the house. What can I do for you? she said, a bit stern now.Oh, sorry Charlie Asher I own a secondhand store over in North Beach, I just talked to you on the phone, I think.Yes. But I told you that it wasnt important.Right, right, right. You did, but I was in the neighborhood, and I thought, well, Id just drop by.I got the impression you were calling from your shop. You got all the way across town in fin minutes?Oh, right, well, the van is like a mobile shop to me.So the person who won the lotto is with you?Right, no, he quit. I had to kick him out of the van. New money, you know? All full of himself. Will in all probability buy a big rock of cocaine and a half-doz en hookers and hell be skint by the weekend. Good loosedance, I say.The woman backed another step into the house and pulled the door partway shut. Well, if you have the clothes with you, I suppose I can take a look at them. enclothe? Charlie couldnt believe she could see him. He was only screwed now. Hed never get the soul vessel and then well, he didnt want to think of what would happen then.The clothes you said you thought might belong to my aunt. I could look at them.Oh, I dont have those with me.Now she had the door closed to the point where he could see just one sad eye, the embroidery around the neckline of her blouse, the button on her jeans, and two toes. (She was barefoot.) Maybe youd better check another time. Im arduous to get my aunts things together, and Im doing it all by myself, so its a little hectic. She was in this house for forty-two years. Im overwhelmed.Thats why Im here, Charlie said, thinking, What the hell am I talk of the town about? I do this all the time, uh, Ms. Mrs., actually. Mrs. Elizabeth Sarkoff.Well, Mrs. Sarkoff, I do this change of thing a lot, and sometimes it can get overwhelming going through the possessions of a loved one, especially if theyve been in one place for a long time like your aunt. It helps to have someone who doesnt have an emotional attachment to help sort things out. Plus, I have a evenhandedly good eye for whats valuable and whats not.Charlie wanted to give himself a high quintuplet for coming up with that on the importunity of the moment.And do you charge for this service?No, no, no, but I may make an offer to buy items youd like to get rid of, or you can place them in my shop on consignment if youd prefer.Elizabeth Sarkoff sighed firmly and hung her head. Are you sure? I wouldnt want to take advantage.It would be my pleasure, he said.Mrs. Sarkoff swung the door wide. Thank God you showed up, Mr. Asher. I just spent an hour trying to figure out which set of elephant salt-and-pepper shakers to keep and which to throw away. She has ten pairs Ten Please come in.Charlie sauntered through the door feeling real proud of himself. Six hours later, when he was cannon deep in porcelain-cow figurines, and he still hadnt located the soul vessel, he bewildered all sense of accomplishment.So she had a special connection to Holsteins? Charlie called to Mrs. Sarkoff, who was in the next room, inside a offer-in closet, categorisation through yet another enormous pile of collectible crap.No, I dont think so. Lived her whole life here in the City. Im not sure if she ever saw a cow outside of those talking ones that sell cheese on TV.Swell, Charlie said. Hed been through every inch of the house overleap the closet where Elizabeth Sarkoff was working and he hadnt bring the soul vessel. Hed peeked into the closet a couple of times, taking a fast livestock of the contents, and didnt see anything glowing red. He was starting to suspect that either he was too late, and the Under creati oners had gotten the soul vessel, or it had been buried with Esther Johnson.He was heading down toward the basement again when his cell phone rang.Charlie Ashers phone, Charlie said.Charlie, its Cassie. Sophie wants to know if youre going to come home in time to tell her a story and ruck up her in. I gave her dinner and her bath.Charlie ran up the stairs and looked out the front windows. It had gotten dark and he hadnt even noticed. Crap, Cassie, Im sorry. I didnt realize it was so late. Im with an estate client. Tell her Ill be home to tuck her in.Okay, I will, Cassandra said, sounding exhausted. And, Charlie, you can clean up the bathroom floor. Youve got to do something about those dogs getting in the tub with her. There are drifts of Mr. Bubble form bubbles all over your apartment.They do enjoy their bath.Thats cute, Charlie. If I didnt love your sister Id demand someone to break your legs.My mom just died, Cassie.Youre playing the dead-mom card? Now? Charlie Asher, you Got ta go, Charlie said. Be home soon. Charlie pushed the disconnect button four times, then one more time, just to be sure. Cassandra had been such a sweet woman, only days ago. What happened to people?Charlie bounded into the bedroom. Mrs. Sarkoff?Yes, still in here, came a voice from the closet.Im going to have to be going. My daughter needs me.I hope everything is all right.Yes, not an emergency, Ive just been gone for a couple of days. Look, if you need any more help No, I wouldnt think of it. why dont you give me a few days to sort things out and Ill bring some items by your shop.I dont mind, really. Charlie felt silly yelling to someone who was in a closet.No, Ill be in touch, I promise.Charlie couldnt think of any way of pressing the smirch right now, and he needed to get home.Okay, then. Ill be going.Thank you, Mr. Asher. Youve been a lifesaver.Youre welcome. Bye. Charlie let himself out and the front door locked behind him with a click. He could hear rousing below the stre et the rustling of feathers, the long-distance calls of ravens as he made his way back to where he had parked his van. And when he got there, of course, it had been towed.When she heard the front door lock, Audrey went to the back of the closet and locomote the big artificial wardrobe box aside to denounce an elderly woman who was sitting sedately in a folding lawn chair, knitting.Hes gone, Esther. You can come out now.Well, help me up, dear, I think Im stuck like this, Esther said.Im sorry, Audrey said. I had no idea hed stay that long.I dont understand why you let him in in the first place, Esther said, creaky but on her feet now.So he could satisfy his curiosity. acquire for himself.And where did you get that Elizabeth Sarkoff name?My second-grade teacher. It was the first thing I could think of.Well, I supposition you fooled him. I dont know how to thank you.Hell be back. You know that, right? Audrey said.I hope not too soon, Esther said. I really need to visit the powde r room.Where is it, devotee? hissed the Morrigan from the grate on Haight Street, near where Charlie was trying to flag down a cab. Youre slipping, Meat, said the hellish chorus.Charlie looked around to see if anyone else had heard, but passersby seemed very intent on their own conversations, or if alone, were staring intently at a point only xii feet in front of them on the sidewalk, both strategies to avoid eye contact with the panhandlers and loopy people who lined the sidewalk. Not even the crazy people seemed to notice.Fuck off, Charlie said, in a furious whisper at the curb. Fucking harpies.Oh, lover, this teasing is so delicious. The little ones blood will be so deliciousThe young homeless guy sitting just down the curb looked up at Charlie. Dude, get the clinic to up your lithium and theyll go away. It worked for me.Charlie nodded and gave the guy a dollar. Thanks, Ill look into that.Hed have to call Jane in Arizona in the morning and find out how far the shadow had moved down the table, if it had moved. Why would what he did or didnt do in San Francisco affect what was accident in Sedona? All this time hed been trying to convince himself that it wasnt about him, and now it appeared that it very much was about him. The Luminatus will acclivity in the City of Two Bridges, Vern had said. What benign of dependable prophecy can you get from a guy named Vern, anyway? (Come on down to Verns Discount Prophecy The Nostradamus with the Low-Price Promise.) It was absurd. He had to keep going forward, doing his part, and doing his best to collect the soul vessels that came to him. And if he didnt, well, the Forces of wickedness would come out and rule over the world. So what. Bring it on, sewer hoes Big deal.But his inner Beta Male, the gene that had kept his kind alive for three million years, spoke up Forces of Darkness ruling the world? Okay, that would be bad, it said.She so loved the relish of Pine-Sol, said the tercet woman that day to claim to have been Charlies mothers best friend. The funeral hadnt been so bad, but now there was a potluck in the clubhouse of a nearby gated senior community where Buddy had lived before he moved in with Charlies mom. The couple had returned there often to play tease and socialize with Buddys old crew.Did you get some sloppy joe? asked best friend number three. Despite the hundred-degree heat, she wore a pink sweats emblazoned with rhinestone poodles and carried a nervous little black poodle under her arm everywhere she went. The dog licked her potato salad while she was distracted by talking to Charlie. I dont know if your mother ever ate sloppy joe. Only thing I ever saw her take in was an old-fashioned. She did enjoy her cocktails.Yes, she did, Charlie said. And I think Im going to go enjoy one myself, right now.Charlie had flown into Sedona that morning after spending the night in San Francisco trying to find the two overdue soul vessels. Although he couldnt find a burial notice fo r Esther Johnson, the pretty brunette woman at her house had told him that she had been interred the day after hed first gone to the house in the Haight, and he assumed that the soul vessel had been, once again, buried with her. (Was the brunettes name Elizabeth? Of course it was Elizabeth, he was fooling himself to even pretend to forget. Beta Males do not forget the names of pretty women. Charlie could remember the name of the centrefold of the first Playboy hed ever swiped from the shelves in his dads shop. He even remembered that her turnoffs were bad breath, mean people, and genocide, and resolved that he would never have, be, or commit any of those things, just in case he ran into her sometime when she was nervelessly sunning her breasts on the hood of a car.) There was no trace of the other woman, Irena Posokovanovich, who was supposed to have died days ago. No notice, no records at hospitals, no one living in her house. It was as if shed evaporated, and taken her soul vesse l with her. He had a couple more weeks to get to the third name in his date book, but he wasnt sure what he was going to have to deal with to get to it. Darkness was rising.Someone beside him said, Small talk doesnt really get any smaller than when youve mazed a loved one, huh?Charlie turned toward the voice, affect to see Vern Glover, diminutive Death Merchant, munching some coleslaw and ranch beans.Thanks for coming, Charlie said automatically.Vern waved off the thanks with his plastic fork. You saw the shadow?Charlie nodded. When hed gotten to his mothers house this morning, the shadow of the mesa had reached his mothers front yard, and the calls of the carrion birds that churned in its edges were deafening. You didnt tell me that no one else could see it. I called my sister from San Francisco to check the progress, but she didnt see anything.Sorry, they cant see it at least as far as Ive ever been able to tell they cant. It was gone for five days. It came back this morning.Wh en I came back?I guess. Did we cause this? Doughnuts and coffee and its the end of the world?I missed two souls back home, Charlie said, smiling at a gentleman in burgundy golf game wear who held his hand to his heart in sympathy as he passed them. lost(p)? Did the what did you call them the sewer harpies get them?Could be, Charlie said. But whatever is happening, it seems to be following me.Sorry, Vern said. Im refulgent we talked, though. I dont feel so alone.Yeah, Charlie said.And sorry about your mother, Vern added quickly. You okay?Hasnt even hit me yet, Charlie said. I guess Im an orphan.Ill make sure and check out whoever gets her necklace, Vern said. Ill be elaborated with it.Thanks, Charlie said. You think we have any control over who gets the soul next? I mean really. The Great Big carry says it will move on as it should.I guess, Vern said. Every time Ive interchange one the glow has gone out right away. If it wasnt the right person, that wouldnt happen, right?Yeah, I guess so, Charlie said. So there is some order to this.Youre the expert, Vern said then he dropped his fork. Who is that? Shes so hot.Thats my sister, Charlie said. Jane was coming across the room toward them. She was wearing Charlies charcoal double-breasted Armani and the strappy black pumps her platinum hair was lacquered into thirties leaf waves, which flowed out from under a small black hat with a obscure that covered her face down to her lips, which shone like red Ferraris. To Charlie, she looked, as usual, like the cross between a robot bravo and a Dr. Seuss character, but if he tried to squint past the fact that she was his sister, and a lesbian, and his sister, then he could possibly see how the hair, lips, and sheer linear altitude of her might strike someone as hot. especially someone like Vern, who would require go up equipment and oxygen to scale a woman Janes height.Vern, Id like you to meet my incredibly hot sister, Jane. Jane, this is Vern.Hi, Vern. Jane took V erns hand and the Death Merchant winced at her grip.Sorry for your loss, Vern said.Thanks, Jane said. Did you know our mother?Vern knew her very well, Charlie said. In fact, it was one of Moms dying wishes that you let Vern buy you a doughnut. Wasnt it, Vern?Vern nodded so hard that Charlie thought he could hear vertebrae cracking.Her dying wish, Vern said.Jane didnt move, or say anything. Because her eyes were covered, Charlie couldnt see her expression, but he guessed that she might be trying to burn holes in his aorta with her laser-beam vision.You know, Vern, that would be lovely, but could I take a rain check? We just buried my mother and I have some things to go over with my brother.Thats fine, Vern said. And it doesnt have to be a doughnut, if youre watching your figure. You know, a salad, coffee, anything.Sure, Jane said. Since its what Mom wanted. Ill give you a call. Charlie told you Im a lesbian, though, right?Oh my God, Vern said. He almost doubled over with excitement b efore he remembered that he was at a postfuneral potluck and he was openly imagining a mnage trois with the deceaseds daughter. Sorry, he squealed.See you, Vern, Charlie said as his sister hustled him toward the kitchen cubicle of the clubhouse. Ill e-mail you about that other thing.As soon as they rounded the corner into the kitchen Jane punched Charlie in the solar plexus, knocking the wind out of him.What were you thinking? Jane hissed. She flipped back her veil so he could see just how rigorous off she was, just in case the punch in the breadbasket hadnt conveyed the message.Charlie was gasping and laughing at the same time. Its what Mom would have wanted.My mom just died, Charlie.Yeah, Charlie said. But you have no idea what youve just done for that guy in there.Really? Jane embossed an eyebrow.He will remember this day always, Charlie said. That guy will never again have a sexual fancy in which you do not walk through, probably wearing borrowed shoes.And you dont find tha t creepy?Well, yes, youre my sister, but its a seminal moment for Vern.Jane nodded. Youre a pretty good guy, Charlie, looking out for a tiny unknown like that.Yeah, well, you know For an ass bag Jane said as she sank a fist into Charlies solar plexus.Strangely, as he gasped for breath, Charlie felt that wherever his mother was right now, she was smiling with him.Bye, Mom, he thought.PART THREE domainTomorrow we shall meet,Death and I And he shall thrust his swordInto one who is wide awake. Dag Hammarskjld