Sahil KOLB s assignment

If I place score grades on different words been Provided, then the best scores are in Scale AWE and CE, on the other hand, the least scores are in OR and AC. Furthermore; after subtracting AC by CE and AWE by OR, results are -3 and 11. Therefore I fall in a category of Assimilates who instead of feeling, they think and then apply their strategies. Basically am a visual and creative learner because of the fact that can learn things easily in a visualized Surroundings instead of more theoretical, I prefer o observe things and then learn and apply in future. M always been keen interested in involving myself in creative task because I can explore my talent in more Better way. According to Kola's Learning Model, have random abilities such as Abstract Conceptualization And Reflective Observation that means I learn things which are based on particular concepts and observation in a reasonable and logical way. I think that the best way to learn is through concentrating on lectures because We can observe various concepts and moreover by involving our self in ample number of task, discussions, ProjectsAs per KOLA'S CHART, I being as assimilates who is more closer to Converge and Diverged because as we Know that in diverged, they also has qualities of reflective observation in which, they prefer to watch and learn through discussing and brainstorming but as compared to assimilates they always feel instead of thinking. Apart from diverged, assimilates is also close to converge, who also share abstract conceptualization; that means, they also prefer to think instead of feeling. Converges also believe in learning skills through Motivation and concepts. But converges always prefer in doing instead of giving priorities in observing things.They also believe in pursuing learning skills through lectures, projects, papers etc. Furthermore; According to the results, I being as assimilates is totally against Accommodated because of the reason that they prefer to learn through feeling and doing. Moreover they also have abilities of concrete experience and active experimentation which are not included in Assimilates, as they believe in thinking and observing things instead of feeling and doing. Apart from that, Somehow Assimilates is inter-related to converge and diverged , as they share some abilities During their learning.Assimilation's are less interested in doing things without observing them because of the fact that they want results accurate and logical, so that they can easily understand things in a shorter time. All in all; according to my past academic records, I learnt things more logically, visually and through auditory Skills. I feel that I am more present-oriented who can explore easily through guidance and motivation. Whenever observe things from more visualized environment, it helps me to understand in more practical way.

Pablo Picasso: Comparison and Contract of His Works Essay

The Artist. The man named Pablo Diego Jose Francisco de Paula Juan Nepomuceno Maria de los Remedios Cipriano de la Santisima Trinidad Ruiz y Picasso is renowned for the shorter name Pablo Picasso. He was born on October 25, 1881 in Malaga City, in Andalusian region of Spain. His parents were Jose Ruiz y Blasco and Maria Picasso y Lopez. His father was a painter who worked as a curator in a museum as well as a professor of Arts and Crafts. Pablo Picasso received formal art training from his father at an early age. At sixteen, he was sent to Royal Academy of San Fernando to be an artist. His Works. He had many artistic paintings from the beginning of his career. There were art creations by this genius that greatly showed his evolution in different art forms during his time. Among them are the Child with a Dove in 1901, the Italian Girl in 1917 and the Girl Reading at a Table in 1934. The art qualities and representations of his arts were distinct with each others. The Child with a Dove, which he made in the early years of his career showed the traditional style of his art’s representation. This displayed his technical abilities in painting as a young artist. The oil canvas was applied with thick layers of paints or known as ‘impasto’. The artistic ability of Pablo Picasso was represented in a different light with his artwork in 1917, the Italian Girl. In this painting, he displayed a colorful synthetic cubism style different from his earlier traditional art. This painting holds the colorful and lively color of his early work with the Child with a Dove. However, the depiction of the human female form was represented in cubes which was an exact opposite of the form and shapes he had in his early artistic representation. Both paintings are oil in canvas. His other work that displays the female form is the Girl Reading at a Table in 1934. This artwork displays another totally different approach in his art. His adoption of the surrealism art is clearly depicted in this art. Although he still used oil in canvass, this specific art included enamel. Influences. The Child with a Dove was a pure and traditional artistic representation of the young artist that may greatly be from his training with his father. While in the Italian Girl, it depicts the Cubism art of his time. The true revolutionary approach of the Pablo Picasso here was inspired greatly by Cezannes. The flattened space shown in the art was a great turn around from his traditional approach to art. Moreover, his great adaptation of the different artistic display was greatly seen in his surrealist art in his work, Girl Reading at a Table in 1934. At this time the great effects of the war were also seen in the many works of art just like that of Picasso. The classicist displays of artistry were then the mode after the shock and horror was over. Conclusion Generally, the Child with a Dove among the three mentioned arts was the most acclaimed of them. His works in the Blue Period which were realism were more accepted than the later works he had which are debated. (Koppelman) His work of arts displays a real artist since he was not only known in one form of artistic representation but with a number of styles. Moreover, his fame after his lifetime proves that his contribution in arts of different forms. All in all, he was known to have an estimated 50,000 artworks during his life. He was capable of changes and adaptation of all the different eras of arts in his time. His pieces selling in millions of dollars in our time are evidences enough of his great influence to the arts in the past as well as in the present. The Picasso’s creature had been influenced on developing of Art and Culture of XX century. And on the world auctions before nowadays are searched and sat out for sale new and new little known works of famous artist from his huge heritage (http://www. pablo-ruiz-picasso. net/) Works Cited Hamilton, George H. (1976). â€Å"Picasso, Pablo Ruiz Y†. in William D. Halsey. Collier’s Encyclopedia. 19. New York: Macmillan Educational Corporation. pp. 25-26. PabloPicasso. Net. (unknown). , retrieved on May 07, 2009. Koppelman, Chaim (1988). â€Å"Power and Tenderness in Men and in Picasso’s Minotauromachy†. Aesthetic Realism Foundation. New York City 10012

Tuesdays with Morrie Book review

Memoir is an Inspirational memoir, by Mitch Album. It is a well- written novel which is mainly concerned with the rejection of the popular culture. If you enjoy nonfiction. And life-lesson giving themes, then you should read this book. Album included himself into the story as Mitch, Morris's old student. The novel is expressed from Album's own point of view of his character In the novel. This has many influences on the novel, and is more controllable for him. Eve chosen this novel due to the fact that I read it for summer reading, and this novel really gave me arioso thoughts and tons of inspiration, Album frequently used symbolism throughout his novel. Album uses a pink hibiscus life representing Morris's life. Since the first day, the plant's life started fading and so did Morris's. Memoir stated throughout the book â€Å"when you're in bed you're dead,† (131) so he always preferred to stay in his chair. When Morris's last days come closer he decides to stay in his bed due t o Immobility and other ALLS causes.Memoir eventually lived his last day on his bed on the Last Tuesday. Another example of symbolism used by Album is the media. The media was referred to as an evil dictator throughout the book. It also caused Match's state of mind before he met Memoir; Mitch was so much of a workaholic that the only thing on his mind was the money. The novel is basically emphasizing that the society. Media, and pop-culture do not contribute anything to the people. The novel had a very sentimental meaning to Album.Album, who is â€Å"Mitch† in the novel, visits his old professor Memoir, who suffers from ALLS (Metamorphic Lateral Sclerosis). They meet every Tuesday as his disease starts and continues to progress. Album, as I mentioned earlier, included himself as a character in his novel with his first name, Mitch. Memoir was Match's old sociology professor at his time In college. Mitch just supported and helped Memoir with everything and anything. Morris's goa l was to make Mitch cry and inspire him at some point, which he eventually did.Memoir wanted to attach Mitch to the world again, due to Match's detachment blaming it to society. Mitch and Memoir were both my favorite characters, there Is no In-between. They both inspired me in some type of way. The antagonist was the ALLS disease, which in real life Memoir had to go through. I have participated In a camp experience located in Counterpoint, Texas. At this amazing place, kids/adults of all ages and sizes come and go. This Is the place where they have the mum of their lives, not a drop of sadness is present.I took care of an 8-year old who suffered from Ret Syndrome. I was her companion for a week and my life changed the instant I met her. I do not and will not ever take anything in life for granted. This book has now become #1 on my list of favorites. My favorite scene was every single Tuesday. Mitch and Memoir always had did something that lights up every reader. There are no least f avorite parts in this memoir, I admire Album. I would totally recommend this book to anyone who asks me a recommendation.Any type of person would like his book, no matter the genre the reader personally reads. Album basically wrote what I feel, and how I changed after my experience. I t Off change my perspective, he can change anyone's. Album couldn't have done better when writing this momentous material. Memoir has changed many hearts, and has inspired numerous amounts of people. Society today is best described in the book, as evil. Mitch and Memoir are my inspiration, and I hope they continue to grow more love under everyone's hearts'.

Upcoming Technological Advances in Nursing Case Study

Upcoming Technological Advances in Nursing - Case Study Example With all these related advances in technology, the professional culture of reflection, profound inquiries, and inter-professional collaborations will gear nursing as a whole towards success by the year 2025. Therefore, the whole field of nursing will be admirable and appreciable by many as patients will also enjoy the technology by getting the knowhow about various diseases, symptoms, causes and effects, drugs and methods of prevention and curing the diseases. Nurses too will enjoy many privileges and favors around. Technology has proven to every fundamental in the health care as a lot is being experienced in nursing. At work, nurses employ technology during care as long as they are within the clinical settings. Such settings where they can employ technology include; primary care, community, acute care, and long-term care so as to improve and come up with their clinical decisions and employ the most viable outcomes for clients they deal with (Huston, 2013). Another great change as far as technology is concerned is the health and wellness records of clients and family. Through technology, they are made to be in a position of reviewing and contributing positively to their health records, hence taking charge of anything that come about with relation to their wellbeing. Technology is very paramount within the nursing fraternity. When we talk about technology, automation comes in whereby computers and other machines are used in nearly everything that takes place. From the year 2025 and beyond a lot would have taken place technologically. Benefits will be experienced in staffing offices, census control, patient care, and determination of patient’s acuity.

Golden Lines from Robert Ray's Thematic Paradigm Essay

Golden Lines from Robert Ray's Thematic Paradigm - Essay Example These include aging, society and women, and politics and law. They are each discussed much in depth (Ray 1-4). Another quotation I would like to share is on page three. â€Å"If the outlaw hero’s motto was ‘I don’t know what the law says, but I do know what’s right and wrong,’ and the official hero’s was ‘We are a nation of laws, not of men,’ or ‘No man can place himself above the law,’† (Ray 3). This is found in the fourth paragraph on that page. The last quotation to share is â€Å"The evident contradiction between these heroes provoked Daniel Boorstin’s observation that ‘Never did a more incongruous pair than Davy Crockett and George Washington live together in a national Valhalla.’ And yet, as Boorstin admits, ‘both Crockett and Washington were popular heroes, and both emerged into legendary fame during the first half of the 19th century,’† (Ray 4). This quotation can be found on page four in the second

Optimizing solar thermal resurce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Optimizing solar thermal resurce - Essay Example Such cities includes; Oakland 17%, San Franscisco 12% and Porland 10% (Ten top cities in U.S.A for renewable energy) . In his paper (Cleveland) explains how solar energy can be optimized. This paper represents a method of analyzing the financial costs and benefits of solar systems in commercial buildings using a model building. Assumption made are; the house is 30% below ASHRAE 90.1 standards, the owner is interested in investing on thermal technology and wanted to build the most efficient building possible, consideration of natural gases and electricity escalations as alternatives to solar energy. The model house was 50,000 sq feet and cost of building such a house in Calorina is $500,000 to 750,000 with fully installed HVAC system. Energy plus was used to map the building. The inputs for the energy plus simulation included, Raleigh, NC location, u-shaped office building of 50,000 sq ,30% energy savings among others and this led to projection output of heating system capacity 641 kBtu/hr (includes hot water usage), 87 tons of cooling capacity required, annual HVAC electricity use and annual natural gas use, hot water cooling. The model house was used to run 2 cooling scenarios one with traditional HVAC as control building and the other one with traditional cooling system and solar heating and cooling system (solar building).The sizing of thermal loads of absorption chiller was based on information sourced from energy plus and this ensured that it had that same output as HVAC system. The amount of solar thermal energy supplied to heating water, heating space and cooling the space was calculated using RET screen which is able to estimate energy production, savings ,cost, viability and risks of various renewable energy and energy efficient techniques. In order to determine the comparative value of solar heating and cooling system and traditional HVAC system, net present value (NPV) of each system

Module 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Module 4 - Essay Example 6. Mrs Turpin is shown as a woman who revels in a deep-satisfaction about her role in the world. With possessions like a house and her race, she considers herself far more superior to those who possess a house alone. Thus, the author shows her as a woman indulgent in her glory. 7. The dramatic irony becomes evident when the girl hurls her book at Mrs Turpin. The girl’s inability to withstand any more of Mrs Turpin’s pride and satisfaction is evident in this display of irony. 8. Mrs. Turpin final revelation is that human beings will be saved by Christ because of their identity as a human. God’s judgment is not based on the spiritual virtues because these are removed by their humanity. Thus, when Mrs Turpin views the spirits rising to heaven, she finds herself at the end of this line being no better than anyone else. 9. Flannery O Connor rightly points out the need for humanity today to view events that they do not come across in real life. The reader is indeed at a quest to find literature that shows them sin and innocence: the redemption and restoration act in today’s world. Good literature is indeed uplifting. It allows an individual to see their own flaws and work to improve them. It also contains the ability that makes an individual see the good that exists in humanity: a feeling that can cheer up any soul. Humor is felt to be a form of catharsis that allows the audience or reader to vent their feelings. It is a great form of art for the individual to relieve themselves of the tension and frustrations of

The marketing communications plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The marketing communications plan - Essay Example The second stage of the plan spells out the strategies that will be used in the segmentation, targeting, and positioning processes. According to Malone (2007), the technology industry is busting with innovations in an un-choreographed time schedule, which means that failure to innovate timely product is likely a recipe for failure by the technological companies. The competition is high such that manufacturers in the industry have to continually research and create new products that are more suited to customers’ needs and expectations. Hewlett-Packard Company is a perfect example of a successful company in the global technological industry. The company specializes in the providing technologies, products, software services and solutions for consumers, small and medium term enterprises, and large enterprises. The major products lines that the company deals in include a wide range of printers and their associated by-products, personal computers, networking products, industry and enterprise servers, storage devices, and software products. In the past year, the company was ranked as the world’s largest PC vendor in terms of units that were sold; this is according to Fetterman (2012). ULTIME HP TV is a digital media receiver that has network appliances, which are designed to play digital content from varying sources such as Movie-TV programs, video calling , social networking apps. Twitter, Skype, face book, Video , YouTube , bbc I player movie streaming , 3D , free view , Hd , Memory Hard- 7506b, Multimedia , audio playback. Input devices Wireless WIFI , Bluetooth 40Hs , Ports 3 HDMI 2Usb , SCART Input, HP Wireless audio system , Â   From a wider perspective, it can be stated that the marketing communication plan is mainly intended to competitively position Hewlett-Packard Company within the in-home entertainment systems sector. The plan aims to ensure that the new ULTiME HP TV generates high sales revenues and is a favorite among the

Human Smuggling and Border Security Research Paper

Human Smuggling and Border Security - Research Paper Example Most of the countries that actively deal with the issue on smuggling are developed nations, especially since these countries have various resources that could be compromised or needed to be protected, as well as being lucrative places to sell items or goods at higher prices, compared to less-developed nations. The most well-known example of a country that is struggling and working hard in keeping out prohibited items or undocumented immigrants in the United States, where it is constantly being vigilant in the attempted entry of anything illegally from Central or South America such as drugs, weapons, and even people, which is ironic considering that there are a more open exchanges of goods and services, but through heavily-guarded state borders3. This is a very important battle for the US because not only are the businesses and the economy directly affected by the influx of untaxed goods but also human lives are at stake, especially among illegally smuggled people4. Since ancient times, along with the evolution of civilizations came ingenious ways to gain larger margins of profit among unscrupulous entrepreneurs, and smuggling became one of the most well-known methods of doing so, which is why it still remains rampant even today, especially in large nations like the US. However, the effects of human smuggling have wider effects than just the passage of goods, basically since most people illegally-living in the US would also count as parts of the labor force, making them pseudo-citizens that could repopulate sparsely-populated areas.

Price of Ignorance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Price of Ignorance - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that a tendency of killing a person or a group of people for the sake of certain ideology and the united cruelty against common enemy in order to protect the current world. The scariest thing in this movie is not the actions of the radical party itself – but the multiple examples of similar behavior through the world as a part of everyday life of our peaceful and stable society.As the essay highlights the face of a conflict itself can be seen perfectly. There is a description of power as something unsuitable to provide neither legal protection of the country, nor freedom and luxury for common citizens. There are people that work outside the system; for they see that system itself is an illusion. Anwar Congo laughs at the Geneva Convention, as he understands it’s temporal and imposed value. He is right, for nearly each conflict can boast with its violation – and latter covering of the consequences. And, when everything is over, it turns out that ones who kill millions of people are not monsters – there were just two groups of ideologically different people and only one has survived in order to prevent the destruction of its world.  It would be adequate to compare  «The Act of Killing » with any Hollywood film that is shot from the antagonist’s point of view. The scariest thing is that such history, being well produced and not documental would probably have been popular.

Recommendations for Reducing Inconsiderate Partying in the UDR Apartme Research Paper - 1

Recommendations for Reducing Inconsiderate Partying in the UDR Apartment through a A No-Inconsiderate-Partying Contract - Research Paper Example A No-Inconsiderate-Partying (NIP) contract is recommended because it can effectively and efficiently prevent and resolve insensitive parties in the UDR apartment. The contract will have a section on empathy, designation of quiet hours, a recommendation of other outlets where renters can party, and sanctions for violators, including cancellation of the lease. I also suggest a party room for every floor and enhancement of the soundproof quality of all rooms. These are more costly suggestions but they can increase profits and improve the living experience and brand equity. Hence, the most cost-efficient and effective is the No-Inconsiderate-Partying (NIP) contract that has high management and renter acceptability and sustainability. I am a recurring victim of inconsiderate partying in the UDR apartment at Domain College Park. Some of the renters here party up to 3 a.m. during weekdays. Though the apartment has students and employees renters alike, many renters are actually students since this apartment is in College Park, and this really makes it more inconceivable how they can be quite insensitive to the sleep and studying needs of other students like them. I could not always tell them to lower their noises because I am afraid of dealing with drunken adolescents and adults and because there have been times when I told them to lower their noise, which they did for a few minutes, and then they increased the noise again. I have gone to the apartment staff of the UDR apartment at Domain College Park to complain about these party noises. The staff stressed that they have a â€Å"no-party† policy and that they would remind the room’s  inhabitants about it.   These partying noises continue up to now.    Clearly, the no-party policy is not effective in deterring or resolving insensitive partiers.  Ã‚  

Energy drink - Guarana Essay Example for Free

Energy drink Guarana Essay Are you ever extremely tired? In the generation we live in today, the average person does not get the eight hours of sleep that the body needs. They do not eat right or take vitamins, and they do not get the physical exercise they need to keep their body healthy. As a result; they get extremely tired, stressed, and moody by the middle of the day. A smart choice would be to get more hours of sleep, eat healthy, take vitamins and exercise daily. However, because we changed from a fast and active society to a lazy and overweight one, people have decided to take the easy way out. This easy way would be energy drinks. These drinks are said to give you a â€Å"quick boost of energy† and they claim to have some sort of nutrition to them. Energy drinks have been around for over fifty years and are getting more popular as the years go by. They now are in almost every store you can go to and in many commercials and advertisements. The most popular energy drinks in the United States are Monster, Red Bull, Full Throttle, and Rockstar. However, my point here is that these energy drinks do the exact opposite of what they say they do. They say â€Å"Healthy benefits† I say â€Å"Heart-attack†. Energy drinks are unhealthy because they can cause health problems that will last you a lifetime. First, the most obvious ingredient in an energy drink is caffeine. The bad thing about this ingredient is that people do not realize how much of it is in one can. Jenna Hogan, an author of the article â€Å"What You Need To Know About Energy Drinks†, states â€Å"In comparison, an average 8 ounce serving of a soft drink and a cup of coffee contains 25 to 85 milligrams respectively. This means that an 8 ounce energy drink can have as much caffeine as 14 colas! †(Hogan 3) This much caffeine can lead to things such as bad sleep, kidney problems, dehydration, seizures, high blood pressure, and a decrease in bone mass. Caffeine increases heart rate and blood pressure, which then raises harmful stress hormones in the blood stream. Not only is there a high amount of caffeine, there is also a ridiculously large amount of sugar. An 8 ounce can of energy drink contains 13 tablespoons of sugar. These sugars are labeled as Fructose, Glucose, or Sucrose. They are carbohydrates that are metabolized quickly by the body and then produce a rapid burst of energy. If one is trying to stay healthy and free of illnesses, this much caffeine and sugar is the last thing he or she needs. Second, energy drinks are often ignored or exaggerated. However, the problem here isn’t only what is in the drink, but how many drinks a person consumes a day. In the Energy Supplements and Dangers article, the author recommends you take a moderation of two or less drinks a day. (Pursey 135) This is where the root of the problem stems from. One of the worst dangers in energy drinks is within athletes. These drinks are being used so frequently by many athletes before games or before major workouts. This is dangerous because these drinks aren’t designed for this. Because of the high sodium, caffeine and sugar content, they arent created to help replenish essential elements lost during intense workouts. The caffeine can then have a bad effect which is the opposite of what is needed. It is known that caffeine is actually banned from many sport competitions because it is known to improve strength and performance. Many caught consuming energy drinks before a game are automatically disqualified. The ingredients in an energy drink are very dangerous and overwhelming. Third, specific crowds are more prone to believe the variety of claims that energy drink companies make, and one main crowd would be teens. Energy drink companies make sure that their slogans are very memorable and catchy. For example, Red Bull’s slogan is â€Å"Red Bulls give you Wings. † Other slogans are â€Å"Unleash the Beast† (Monster) â€Å"Party like a Rockstar†(Rockstar) and â€Å"Go Full Throttle or Go Home† (Full Throttle). Teenagers thrive for acceptance. They will do anything to raise their popularity. In today’s society, energy drinks are the â€Å"cool† thing. Energy drink companies understand the importance of advertising, which is why they are becoming much more successful. An example of this would be before the Food and Drug Administration declared â€Å"Four Lokos† (an energy drink) illegal. A fourteen year old boy stole his parents vehicle and crashed it on an interstate in Denton, Texas. His girlfriend, in the passengers seat, did not have a seatbelt on and died immediately. Police who searched his car found five empty Four Loko cans in the trunk, and the young boy was charged with intoxication and manslaughter (Sullum 1). We can finally thank the FDA for banning Four Lokos once and for all. Unfortunately, those lives lost to energy drinks can never be brought back. Some may argue that people need energy everyday and that is why thousands of Americans love caffeine. They work hard and dont get the right amount of rest, and that is where caffeine comes in the picture. Americans consume caffeine because it keeps them awake and running. Many of these people rely on the energy that caffeine gives them and it becomes a part of their everyday life. Without it they feel tired and miserable. Although many of these people need caffeine to survive through the day, many dont know what they are actually putting into their body. Curiosity strikes when people think about the FDA and why it hasnt put up a battle with the energy drink companies. There is one simple answer, Energy drinks are labeled as â€Å"supplements† instead of â€Å"beverages. † This classification allows companies to pretty much write whatever they would like on the back of their labels. There are no restrictions on the amount of ingredients or even which ones they choose to put on their products. Because the FDA can’t do anything about this, the public can’t be assured of its safety. Energy drink companies completely misinform the public about what their energy drinks do. They manipulate society into believing that their drinks will help improve their life. They target specific crowds in order to gain the success that they want. They dont tell their buyers about the long term effects these drinks have on their bodies. Obviously, they are more concerned about the money rather than the lives. Energy drinks have no benefit to the body. They will give you a quick boost of energy, just to bring you crashing down. Consuming more than one a day will only increase your risks of side effects. Energy drinks are very unhealthy and can cause you health problems that will last you a lifetime. The FDA banned Four Lokos and hopefully will do something to make energy drinks much less of a hazard and more of a nutritional drink.

The Current Scenario And Its Causes Economics Essay

The Current Scenario And Its Causes Economics Essay INTRODUCTION: The current picture of the economic and financial state has caused a huge literature study evaluating its origin and how to respond with the pertinent strategy. Before going in depth let us discuss about general financial crisis [1] ( Charles,P et al 2005) . The situation can be termed as an economic crisis when a financial institution or an asset lose a large part of its value. It takes many factors into account when defining a global recession, but the International Monetary Fund  (IMF) states that general recession can be declared when the worldwide economic growth is 3 percent or less than that [12] (Rogoff,K.2002). FINANCIAL CRISIS- AN OVERVIEW: Financial crisis occurs when there is a sudden drop in market after a steady growth. It can be said that, it is the harbinger for the decline of market. Due to the volatility of the market and economic growth, this becomes the crux of the financial crisis. Stocks and real estate properties will reach the rock bottom after a period of growth. When the investors predict the market and invests in any sector, due to the market instability, the demand of that investment may decrease and their value of the estimation substantially diminishes. This trend follows a period and significantly investors huge investment does not return the expected revenue and this in turn affects their loan payment. They abruptly stop further investments and they begin to sell assets. [2] ( Aiginger,K. 2009) This trend persists in individuals private income too, they also follow the same practice by selling their assets and luxury objects. Over-optimistic companies and such individuals are the main cause for the crisis during the preceding economic growth epoch. They lean to believe that the general market growth will persists forever without any suspension. This optimism makes everyone to borrow colossal quantity of principal and invest them in homes, luxury objects and expansion of their business. Another cause are executives in banking companies tempted to lend out as much money as possible to the borrowers, regardless of the consequences for the bank and the borrowers, because this behavior gives the executives an enormous short term personal gain. When the supply decreased, the demand too got reduced. Hinder all the financial institution which lends out more money to the borrowers who pays back when they are comfortable [7]( carmassi et al, 2009). The government should interfere and has to lay proper regulations to set clear criteria that must be satisfied when the money lending process is done. Employment contrac ts for the bank executives should be forbidden by the bank which rewards them directly for the amount of mortgages they establish. When did it happen? The global financial crisis hit when there is a blooming economic trend persists. It happened in number of occasions, but the Great depression (1930) and the current financial crisis (2007-2010) are the core calamities which collapsed the global economy. [1] ( Charles,P et al 2005) THE CURRENT SCENARIO AND ITS CAUSES: The current financial crisis period started during 2007. It is the worst economic meltdown since the Great depression. The collapse of the US sub-prime mortgage market and the housing boom turnaround had a ripple effect around the world. Some financial goods and tools have become so difficult and abnormal, and things start to disentangle. The trust in the whole system started to fail. The origin of this present state is due to the extravagant lending of money by banks which permitted various groups to buy expensive assets that they could not afford. This was welcomed and encouraged by the politicians and was cleverly sold by the middle men. This created the trigger for the current scenario [9] ( Cooper,G. 2008) .The survival of excessive land use regulation which helped to drive up the prices. Innovations and internationalization are also cause for the regulation failure. Oligopoly structures in the agencies, insufficient regulation followed in the market, neglected cumulative system ic risks are the additional grounds involved in this trigger. Heterogeneity of profits across businesses, novel forms of equity standards, leveraging of banks, the firms and consumers are the factors which caused misinterpretation that the expected returns will be high. Bubbles in currency, oil and food shortages, short-term view on profits, inappropriate accounting rules and analysts reports, shortages of raw materials, energy deficit and unequal income and wealth distribution are the other aggravating factors which influenced the crisis [7]( carmassi et al, 2009). Consequently the demand decreased as the supply increased. This forms the nucleus of the present crisis. EFFECTS: As a result of this, unemployment increases and companies lay-off the employers in order to muddle through this recession, many banks filed bankruptcy and shortage of food supply too had its effects. The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the world declined for the first time since the Great depression of 1930. World economy growth dropped from 5% in 2007 to 3 % in 2008. USA and Europe economies already shrank during 2008 last quarter and those GDP from 2% to 4% [2] ( Aiginger,K. 2009). During the first quarter of 2009 production and orders declined when compared to the previous years. In order to compensate the cutback in the stipulated private sector caused by the crisis, the government passed large fiscal stimulus. During 2008-2009 alone US implemented two stimulus packages, totaling nearly $1 trillion [3] [2] ( Aiginger,K. 2009). The government has also bailed out many organizations due to large financial obligations. About 70% of GDP growth attained in the euro area and 40% of the same in the US due to the financial sector leverage [7]( carmassi et al, 2009). This is the key issues for the prevalent pressure in the European banking system. United States may be precursor of this current scenario, but the fragility persists in the European financial sector caused them badly and exposed to losses from US assets. An additional feature that made Europe more exposed to the crisis situation like the US is asset price bubble [7]( carmassi et al, 2009). Europe experienced the same real estate price bubble. During 2006-2007 house prices are less in US when compared to Europe, this is the key distinction involving the United States and the Europe [7]( carmassi et al, 2009). The banks in United States and Europe had excessive leverage and also the renovated maturity which are mistakenly manipulated by the regulatory system and allowed by the monetary policy. AGE WAVE THEORY: The additional cause for this economic slowdown was given by Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D in his Age wave theory [4] (Dychtwald, Ken, 1989). According to him, the persons who were born during 1947 to 1966 are called as baby boomers. According to the statistics the economic trend suitably followed as the baby boomers grow. Baby care books sales recorded a high during those initial years. Baby foods were consumed more during 1950s. The toy industry sales also reached record growth as the children grows. When they reached the teenage soft drinks sales and movie tickets sales reached the maximum. When the boomers enter the workforce during 1970s there was a record growth of 29%. Mini vans and SUVs dominated the automobile industry during 1980s and 1990s as the baby boomers started to raise their families. During 2007-2009 the workforce growth is just 12% due to the retirement of the baby boomers , and this may also be one of the reasons which kindled the crisis [5] (Dychtwald, Ken et al 2006). FUTURE REMEDIES: In order to tackle future recession, the UK government needs to follow some regulations. The economic policy should support the total demand by increasing the public demand or by providing inducements to encourage private expenditure [2] ( Aiginger,K. 2009). Monetary policy should be reintroduced to increase the money supply which has reduced interest rates. To improve the structure of taxation, fiscal policy is to be followed. It includes national and international stimulus packages. The European model to be followed [2] ( Aiginger,K. 2009), it includes strategic spending i.e., to invest in future technologies, education, research and development and green technology. Government and financiers should try to compress the scam and increase the capital requirements for banks .They also should follow the regulations and it would be compelled to hold sufficient funds to cover their normal operations. In order to reduce the jeopardy, the bank should bear all the risks and also increase their transparency, their accounting ethics are to be modified accordingly and also to be included in the asset definition. It is crucial that the current land rationing policies should wither as soon as possible. Capital requirements are to be set adequately so that it cannot be evaded by the mediators to raise liquidity [8] (Minsky, H. (2008) .The simple way of doing it is to set capital requirements with reference to total assets and no gimmicks allowed. The main cause for the delude information for investors and obstinate incentives are the assets with maximum risk. [6] (Gros, D. (2009). These assets should be scrapped to maintain the economy. The government should provide guarantees by affording small pensions and loans and also it should fight poverty by employment. The youth unemployment problem can be tackled by training and also making informal jobs more professional. By increasing the choices the supply and demand stability can be maintained. These aforementioned strategies are to be followed by the UK government in order to maintain the stability and also to prevent the arrival of the current scenario [10] (Greenspan ,A. 2009). CONCLUSION: Brian Cowen, the former finance minister says that, If I am right, the next financial crisis, when it comes, stands to make the last two years look like a warm up [11]. So the optimism and complacency natures should be discarded and follow the policies and also the remedies as mentioned above to restore the trust and balance in the system.

Leisure Time And Cultural Values Of Biodiversity Environmental Sciences Essay

Leisure Time And Cultural Values Of Biodiversity Environmental Sciences Essay Many people derive value from biodiversity through leisure activities such as hiking, birdwatching or natural history study. Biodiversity has inspired musicians, painters, sculptors, writers and other artists. Many culture groups view themselves as an integral part of the natural world and show respect for other living organisms. Popular activities such as gardening, fishkeeping and specimen collecting strongly depend on biodiversity. The number of species involved in such pursuits is in the tens of thousands, though the majority do not enter mainstream commerce. The relationships between the original natural areas of these often exotic animals and plants and commercial collectors, suppliers, breeders, propagators and those who promote their understanding and enjoyment are complex and poorly understood. It seems clear, however, that the general public responds well to exposure to rare and unusual organisms-they recognize their inherent value at some level. A family outing to the botanical garden or zoo is as much an aesthetic and cultural experience as an educational one. Philosophically it could be argued that biodiversity has intrinsic aesthetic and spiritual value to mankind in and of itself. This idea can be used as a counterweight to the notion that tropical forests and other ecological realms are only worthy of conservation because of the services they provide. Key words:Biodiversity;leisure,aesthetic Introduction Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or on an entire planet. Biodiversity is one measure of the health of biological systems. Life on Earth today consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The year 2010 was declared the International Year of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is not consistent across the Earth. It is consistently rich in the tropics and in specific regions such as the Cape Floristic Province; it is less rich in polar regions where conditions support much less biomass. Rapid environmental changes typically cause extinctions.[1] 99.9Â  percent of species that have existed on Earth are now extinct.[2] Since life began on Earth, five major mass extinctions have led to large and sudden drops in Earthly biodiversity. The Phanerozoic eon (the last 540 million years) marked a rapid growth in biodiversity in the Cambrian explosion-a period during which nearly every phylum of multicellular organisms first appeared. The next 400 million years was distinguished by periodic, massive biodiversity losses classified as mass extinction events. The most recent, the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, occurred 65Â  million years ago, and has attracted more attention than all others because it killed the nonavian dinosaurs.[3] The term was used first by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond F. Dasmann in a lay book[4] advocating conservation. The term was widely adopted only after more than a decade, when in the 1980s it came into common usage in science and environmental policy. Use of the term by Thomas Lovejoy, in the foreword to the book Conservation Biology,[5] introduced the term to the scientific community. Until then the term natural diversity was common, including by The Science Division of The Nature Conservancy in an important 1975 study, The Preservation of Natural Diversity. By the early 1980s TNCs Science program and its head, Robert E. Jenkins,[6] Lovejoy and other leading conservation scientists at the time in America advocated the use of biological diversity. The terms contracted form biodiversity may have been coined by W.G. Rosen in 1985 while planning the National Forum on Biological Diversity organized by the National Research Council (NRC) which was to be held in 1986, and first appeared in a publication in 1988 when entomologist E. O. Wilson used it as the title of the proceedings[7] of that forum.[8] Human benefits Biodiversity supports a number of natural ecosystem processes and services.[10] Some ecosystem services that benefit society are air quality,[11] climate (e.g., CO2 sequestration), water purification, pollination, and prevention of erosion.[11] Since the stone age, species loss has accelerated above the prior rate, driven by human activity. The exact rate is uncertain, but it has been estimated that species are now being lost at a rate approximately 100 times as fast as is typical in the fossil record, or perhaps as high as 10,000 times as fast.[12] Land is being transformed from wilderness into agricultural, mining, lumbering and urban areas for humans. Non-material benefits include spiritual and aesthetic values, knowledge systems and the value of education..[9] Human health Biodiversitys relevance to human health is becoming an international political issue, as scientific evidence builds on the global health implications of biodiversity loss.[13][14][15] This issue is closely linked with the issue of climate change,[17] as many of the anticipated health risks of climate change are associated with changes in biodiversity (e.g. changes in populations and distribution of disease vectors, scarcity of fresh water, impacts on agricultural biodiversity and food resources etc.) Some of the health issues influenced by biodiversity include dietary health and nutrition security, infectious diseases, medical science and medicinal resources, social and psychological health.[18] One of the key health issues associated with biodiversity is that of drug discovery and the availability of medicinal resources.[19] A significant proportion of drugs are derived, directly or indirectly, from biological sources; At least 50% of the pharmaceutical compounds on the US market are derived from compounds found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, while about 80% of the world population depends on medicines from nature (used in either modern or traditional medical practice) for primary healthcare.[14] Moreover, only a tiny proportion of the total diversity of wild species has been investigated for medical potential. Through the field of bionics, considerable advancement has occurred which would not have occurred without rich biodiversity. It has been argued, based on evidence from market analysis and biodiversity science, that the decline in output from the pharmaceutical sector since the mid-1980s can be attributed to a move away from natural product exploration (biopr ospecting) in favor of genomics and synthetic chemistry, neither of which have yielded the expected breakthroughs; meanwhile, natural products have a long history of supporting significant economic and health innovation.[20][21] Marine ecosystems are of particular interest in this regard,[22] although inappropriate bioprospecting has the potential to degrade ecosystems and increase biodiversity loss, as well as impacting the rights of the communities and states from which the resources are taken.[23][24][25]. Conservation of biodiversity Conservation biology matured in the mid- 20th century as ecologists, naturalists, and other scientists began to collectively research and address issues pertaining to global declines in biodiversity.[26][27][28] The conservation ethic differs from the preservationist ethic, originally led by John Muir, that seeks protected areas devoid of human exploitation or interference for profit.[27] The conservation ethic advocates management of natural resources for the purpose of sustaining biodiversity in species, ecosystems, the evolutionary process, and human culture and society. [26][28][29][30] Conservation biology is reforming around strategic plans that include principles, guidelines, and tools for the purpose of protecting biodiversity.[26][31][32] Conservation biology is crisis-oriented and multi-disciplinary, including ecology, social organization, education, and other disciplines outside of biology.[26][28] Preserving biodiversity is a global priority in strategic conservation plans that are designed to engage public policy and concerns affecting local, regional and global scales of communities, ecosystems, and cultures.[32] Action plans identify ways of sustaining human well-being, employing natural capital, market capital, and ecosystem services.[33][34] and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Strategies for biodiversity Strategically, focusing on areas of higher potential biodiversity promises greater return on investment than spreading conservation resources evenly or in areas of little diversity but greater interest in the conservation. A second strategy focuses on areas that retain most of their original diversity. These are typically non-urbanized, non-agricultural areas. Tropical areas often fit both sets of criteria, given their natively high diversity and relative lack of development.[35] However, many animal species are migratory, meaning that focusing only on specific locations is insufficient. Wildlife corridors can help support migration, and is considerably cheaper and easier than clearing/preserving entirely new areas. Some habitats may require restoration before standard conservation techniques can be effective. Conclusions Popular activities such as gardening, fishkeeping and specimen collecting strongly depend on biodiversity. The number of species involved in such pursuits is in the tens of thousands, though the majority do not enter mainstream commerce. The relationships between the original natural areas of these often exotic animals and plants and commercial collectors, suppliers, breeders, propagators and those who promote their understanding and enjoyment are complex and poorly understood. It seems clear, however, that the general public responds well to exposure to rare and unusual organisms-they recognize their inherent value at some level. A family outing to the botanical garden or zoo is as much an aesthetic and cultural experience as an educational one. Philosophically it could be argued that biodiversity has intrinsic aesthetic and spiritual value to mankind in and of itself. This idea can be used as a counterweight to the notion that tropical forests and other ecological realms are only worthy of conservation because of the services they provide.

Donato D’Angelo Bramante Essay -- Biography

Donato D’Angelo Bramante was born in 1444 and died in 1514. Bramante was an Architect who introduced the High Renaissance style in architecture (brit). The Renaissance style gradually replaced the Gothic style of the late Middle Ages. It encouraged a revival of naturalism, seen in Italian 15th-century painting and sculpture, and of Classical forms and ornament in architecture, such as the column and round arch, the tunnel vault, and the dome (Western Architecture, 2011). Bramante was first trained as a painter before undertaking architecture and is credited with being the most renowned architects of his time (garners). Bramante was strongly influenced by Flilippo Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, and perhaps Leonardo (garners). His early works in Milan included the rectory of Sant’Ambrogio and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In Rome, Bramante served as principal planner of Pope Julius II’s comprehensive project for rebuilding the city (brit). Bramant es architecture on the :Tempietto, New Saint Peters, Santa Maria della Pace, and the Cortile del Belvedere distinctly shows the aesthetics associated with the High Renaissance. During the time of Bramante the type of artwork most prominent was based on humanistic values, which were based on ancient roman models (garn). High Renaissance art originated in Florence in the early 15th century and thence spread throughout most of the Italian peninsula; by the end of the 16th century the new style pervaded almost all of Europe, gradually replacing the Gothic style of the late Middle Ages (brit). The Tempietto is an example of the style that Bramante sculpted with. The Tempietto is located on Janiculum hill overlooking the Vatican in Rome (garner). The Tempietto is named that be... ...c art had mostly to do with religion, while humanism deals with the humanistic part of our lives. After the Black Death many people lost their faith, because people could not believe that god would punish them like that. The Renaissance was a time period where the lives of Europeans focused on the natural world, and individuals and humanities worldly existence (Kleiner,2010). The Black Death, as horrible of a disease it helped set the stage for art and science to flourish. Renaissance itself means rebirth in Latin, which was a revived interest in classical cultures (Kleiner,2010). Humanism was more of a code of civil conduct, a theory of education, and a scholarly discipline more than a philosophical system. Italian humanists were concerned chiefly with human values and interest as distinct from but not opposed from religions otherworldly values (Kleiner, 2010). Donato D’Angelo Bramante Essay -- Biography Donato D’Angelo Bramante was born in 1444 and died in 1514. Bramante was an Architect who introduced the High Renaissance style in architecture (brit). The Renaissance style gradually replaced the Gothic style of the late Middle Ages. It encouraged a revival of naturalism, seen in Italian 15th-century painting and sculpture, and of Classical forms and ornament in architecture, such as the column and round arch, the tunnel vault, and the dome (Western Architecture, 2011). Bramante was first trained as a painter before undertaking architecture and is credited with being the most renowned architects of his time (garners). Bramante was strongly influenced by Flilippo Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, and perhaps Leonardo (garners). His early works in Milan included the rectory of Sant’Ambrogio and the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. In Rome, Bramante served as principal planner of Pope Julius II’s comprehensive project for rebuilding the city (brit). Bramant es architecture on the :Tempietto, New Saint Peters, Santa Maria della Pace, and the Cortile del Belvedere distinctly shows the aesthetics associated with the High Renaissance. During the time of Bramante the type of artwork most prominent was based on humanistic values, which were based on ancient roman models (garn). High Renaissance art originated in Florence in the early 15th century and thence spread throughout most of the Italian peninsula; by the end of the 16th century the new style pervaded almost all of Europe, gradually replacing the Gothic style of the late Middle Ages (brit). The Tempietto is an example of the style that Bramante sculpted with. The Tempietto is located on Janiculum hill overlooking the Vatican in Rome (garner). The Tempietto is named that be... ...c art had mostly to do with religion, while humanism deals with the humanistic part of our lives. After the Black Death many people lost their faith, because people could not believe that god would punish them like that. The Renaissance was a time period where the lives of Europeans focused on the natural world, and individuals and humanities worldly existence (Kleiner,2010). The Black Death, as horrible of a disease it helped set the stage for art and science to flourish. Renaissance itself means rebirth in Latin, which was a revived interest in classical cultures (Kleiner,2010). Humanism was more of a code of civil conduct, a theory of education, and a scholarly discipline more than a philosophical system. Italian humanists were concerned chiefly with human values and interest as distinct from but not opposed from religions otherworldly values (Kleiner, 2010).

Edgar Allan Poe’s Tale of the Ragged Mountains and Lovecraft’s The Outs

Edgar Allan Poe’s Tale of the Ragged Mountains and Lovecraft’s The Outsider Both Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft were known for their tales of horror, shocking discoveries and mysterious characters. Lovecraft was known to have mimicked Poe’s style in his popular horror stories of the early 20th century. Poe, one of the most famous writers of short stories and poems in the 19th century, amazed readers with his rich descriptions and chilling plots. Neither disappoint in two of their stories: Poe’s â€Å"Tale of the Ragged Mountains† and Lovecraft’s â€Å"The Outsider.† Although these are not the most famous of each authors’ works, scholars often debate over the meaning and themes of each story. One common theme in both the stories is the shocking discovery made by the characters. In â€Å"The Outsider,† the narrator discovers his true identity by glancing into a mirror as he explores his new world. â€Å"A Tale of the Ragged Mountains† tells both of Bedloe’s discovery of the simila rity of Oldeb’s past to his own, as well as the narrator’s discovery of who Bedloe might actually be, himself. The common thread between the two lies in those discoveries, and also in the entrance of each to a new, foreign world; however their personal reactions to their respective discoveries are very different. In his â€Å"Outsider,† H.P. Lovecraft tells the story of a man who lives in a dark, musty world, void of any light. His entire knowledge comes from the thousands of books that line the dark wet castle he inhabits. Since he has never seen another person, he can only imagine the human language or what he himself looks like. After scaling a tall tower, he stumbles into a world above his, on a night with a clear moon. His joy i... ...ered the writer and his style. Their similarities are common in many of their stories. The themes of these two works are no exception, and share many mutual points, despite the plot differences. Works Cited Lovecraft, Howard Phillips. â€Å"The Outsider.† H.P. Lovecraft Library. 1921. 6 Nov. 2002 . Mosig, Dirk W. â€Å"The Four Faces of The Outsider.† Discovering H.P. Lovecraft. Ed. Darrell Schweitzer. Mercer Island, Washington: Starmont House, 1987. Philippon, Daniel J. â€Å"Poe in the Ragged Mountains: environmental history and Romantic aesthetics.† Southern Literary Journal 30.2 (1998): 1-16. Poe, Edgar Allan. â€Å"A Tale of the Ragged Mountains.† 1844. Rev. 29 Jun. 1999. http://www.literature.org/authors/poe-edgar-allan/atale.html (15 Nov. 2002). PID 6754 Marlow Engl.12.05 1

Pop-Music - Beating and Killing Women Essay example -- essays research

Pop-Music - Beating and Killing Women   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What would happen if you found out that a certain type of food was bad for you; would you stop eating it? Similarly, if you found out a certain type of music was bad for you; would you stop listening to it? Wouldn’t you need proof before you make a decision? John Hamerlinck, a freelance writer in St. Cloud, Minnesota uses this article, â€Å"Killing Women: A Pop-Music Tradition†, to make his major point of how popular music is the most common link to violence (241). Hamerlinck voices his concern on the issues of violence in our society and has taken many stands on how violence is generated. Hamerlinck emphasizes that even though the mainstream press seems to have only recently recognized this horrible reality, the signs of our tolerance toward domestic violence have long had a prominent profile in popular culture (240). Through novels, films, and music, the media has effected the way our society thinks, believes, and acts. I agree partly with Hamerli nck about the strong influence music has on its listeners, but I don’t agree with how he supports and concludes his article with the type of evidence he uses. Hamerlinck starts out by supporting the way music promotes violence then suddenly changes his stand to say that music isn’t the cause of violence. How can you trust an author’s word when he switches his opinion by the end of the article?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Hamerlinck’s article, the beginning pur...

Macbeth Relationship Analysis Essay

I found the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth very interesting in the play. In Act I they are completely devoted to each other. Love, respect and trust are the contents of their relationship. The trust in the relationship is revealed right at the beginning when Macbeth sends his wife a letter telling her about the witches and the predictions â€Å"This have I thought good to deliver to thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thee mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee.† (I, v, 10-13). The affection between the two is clearly shown when Macbeth salutes his wife with â€Å"My dearest love† (I, v, 58) and also on the letter where he says â€Å"†¦my dearest partner of greatness†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (I, v, 11). The respect comes when Macbeth listens to his wife, which talks about the murder. He respects her opinion and gives her a polite answer â€Å"We will speak further.† (I, v, 71). In Act I, ii we see that King Duncan considers Macbeth a brave soldier and good man â€Å"O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman!† (King Duncan, I, ii, 24). This can be considered a weakness or, perhaps, strength in the relationship, it depends on the point of view. It is a weakness if we analyze Macbeth’s side. He is â€Å"†¦too full o’ the milk of human kindness†¦ that wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (I, v, 16 & 21). It is strength if we analyze Lady Macbeth’s side. She has a very strong nature and knows Macbeth’s weak points, therefore manipulating and controlling the relationship. She uses of a great argument in Act I, vii accusing Macbeth for not having the courage to do what he wants â€Å"Wouldst thou have that which steem’ st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own steem, letting â€Å"I dare not† wait upon

Coyote Blue Chapter 14~15

CHAPTER 14Lies Have Lives of Their shorten inIt took scarce sextette weeks for crap Hunts Al iodin, the t aside Indian, to become sur slope-to-air missileuel Hunter, the shape-shifter. The transformation began with the cowson on the bus mistaking cop for a Mexican. When bruiser oddfieldfield-hand(a) the bus in Elko, Nevada, and caught a ride with a anti-Semite(a) motortrucker, he became white for the beginning(a) gear judgment of conviction. He expected, from listening to Pokey al unriva lead those days, that upon crook white he would immediately invent rack up the cheer up to go come on and sire some Indians and s funny farm sur face up their land, scarcely the urge didnt come, so he sit dump by nodding as the trucker scolded. By the sentence he got come to the fore at Sacra objet dartpowerto, California, crap had memorized the truckers lit some(prenominal) of white supremacy and was serious demoralizeting into the rhythm of racism when he caug ht a ride with a subdued trucker who took amphetamines and waxed poetic roughly oppression, in erectice, and the violent bothwherethrow of the U.S. g totally vagabondn handst by either the Black Panthers, the Teamsters, or the Temptations. bullshit wasnt positive(predicate) which. papal bull was booted step up(p) of the truck in Santa Barbara when he suggested that perhaps killing all the whites should be establish clear up at least until they told w here(predicate) they had hide all the m superstary. in reality, bruiser was more or less sticking(p) to be repose divulge hed l iodin(prenominal) been white for a a few(prenominal) hours and wasnt sure that he homogeneousd it well plentiful to die for it. His immediate c formerlyrn was to draw a bead on something to drink. He bought a Coke at a nigh convenience cut in and walked crossways the street to a park, where, infra the boughs of a massive fig tree, amid a dozen sleeping weeds, he sit cut down to c onsider his succeeding(a) guide. papal bull was skillful summoning up an orotund case of hopelessness when a nearby bundle of rags spoke to him.Any drink in that cup? fuzz had to regard at the oblong rag quite a subatomic for a few seconds forwards he noniced at that place was a floccose eccentric at champion subvert. A genius bloodshot eye, sparkling with hope, the exclusively(prenominal) break in the greyness dinge, gave the face a authority. No, just Coke, crap verbalize. Hope dip and the eye became as empty as the socket coterminous to it.You got any gold? the stinker selected. pig shake his foreman. He had barely twelve dollars go away(a) he didnt sine qua non to sh be it with the rag pile.Youre in the buff here? fuzz nodded.You a wet? exculpation me? surface-to-air missileson express. be you Mexican?surface-to-air missileson horizon for a moment, so nodded.Youre lucky, the s man verbalise. You can compensite field of study. A roast s realize near here e genuinely(prenominal) morning with a truck plectrums up guys to do yard work, more everyplace he only enlists Mexicans. Says whites be too lazy. atomic number 18 they? surface-to-air missileson asked. He figured that later on persecuting disconsolates, hiding m unmatchabley, stealing land, breaking tr fertilizeies, and guardianship themselves pure, maybe the whites were just tired. He was refulgent he was Mexican.You spill the beans pretty unafraid English for a wet.Where does the guy with the truck stop? Has he been by nowadays?Im not lazy, the bum said. I clear a degree in philosophy.Ill convey you a dollar, surface-to-air missileson said.Im having trouble decision work in my field.surface-to-air missileson remove a dollar pop out of his max and held it out to the bum, who snatched it and rapidly secreted it among his rags. He stops or so a block from here, in front of the all-night diner. The bum pointed down the street. I readynt seen him go by today, save I was sleeping.Thanks. surface-to-air missileson rose and stgraphicsed down the street.The bum holloed by and by him, Hey, chela, come linchpin tonight. Ill guard your covert off mend you sleep if you purchase a jug.surface-to-air missileson waved everywhere his shoulder. He wouldnt be pricker if he could revoke it. A block forth he joined a group of men who were waiting at the corner when a large gate-sided truck pulled up, the back already half full of Mexicans.The man who legion the truck got out and walked just most to where the men were waiting. He was short and brown and wore a straw Stetson, cow manlike child boots, and thick dark-skinned mustache oer the sly smile of a chicken thief. The men who worked for him called him sponsor, scarce ironically, the common term for his profession was brush wolf.He scanned the group of men and show his choices with a nod and the crook of his hitch. The men chosen, all Hispanic, jumped onto the b ack of the truck. The coyote approached surface-to-air missileson and grab deal him by the upper arm, testing the muscle. He said something in Spanish. surface-to-air missileson panicked and answered him in Crow Im on the lam, searching for a one-armed man that killed my wife. To surface-to-air missilesons surprise, this seemed to sitisfy the Coyote.The Coyote had been smuggling il licit aliens into the country for five years, and from time to time he encountered an Indian from the South, Guatemala or Honduras, who could not speak Spanish. non being satis eventory to tell one Indian language from an an separate(prenominal), he fancied that surface-to-air missileson was one of these. tout ensemble the roleplayter, he approximation, it result buck longer for him to square up out. aft(prenominal) the Coyote brought his men all over the edge, he gave them a place to represent ( twain apartments in which they slept ten to a fashion), nutrient (beans, tortillas, and rice) , and tether dollars an hour (for backbreaking work that most g make noiseos would never consider doing). He charged his customers ogdoad dollars per man-hour and carrier baged the difference. At the end of for each one week he paying(a)(a) his men in cash, after deducting a healthy amount for food and lodging, because swarm them all to the post spot, where he helped them buy money orders to throw situation to their families, leaving them cypher for themselves. In this way the Coyote could keep a man ground-floor his thumb for three or four months before they ensnare out that they could farm more money work at menial jobs in eaterys or hotels. Then he would necessitate to go back to Mexico for anformer(a) load. Lately, however, he had been augmenting his crew with Mexicans who had set their own way over the border, and this allowed him to stretch his time between border runs.The work was the hardest surface-to-air missileson had ever top, and at the end of the fi rst day, back gnarly and hands bloodied from swinging a pickax, he slept in the back of the truck until the patron boltingped him awake and led him into the apartment to launch him his fingerstall. Sleeping in a fashion with nine other people was nothing tonic to surface-to-air missileson, and the food, although spicy, was plentiful and good. He dismiss slumberous listening to the sad Spanish sexual love songs of his co-workers and touching very some(prenominal) entirely.As the weeks passed he would key out the other men in the room verbalize in the sick and this made him feel, sluice more, that he was the only person in a world of one. He had no way of dwelling that they were talk of the town nigh him, slightly how they never saw him send any money dental plate, and more or less how they could take his money and no one would know because he was a dumb Indian and couldnt speak Spanish. surface-to-air missileson listened and calculated that they were talking a bout their habitations and missing their families. He k unuse nothing of the Latin quality of machismo, which tacitly forbade the admission of a mans melancholy except in song.The invention was to wait until the son was taking a shower, and and therefore(prenominal) go done his knickerbockers and take the money. If he protested, they would cut his throat and bury him on the large farming where they were terracing hills into formal gardens. Whether they would apply in reality killed the boy was doubtful they were good men at heart and had only turned their minds to absent because it made them feel worldly and tough. When the boy was gone their nocturnal whispers turned back to boasts of the women they would deposit one over, the cars they would buy, and the land they would own when they returned to Mexico.surface-to-air missileson was protected on a hot afternoon when the owner of the estate approached the Coyote musical com mail service the crew was taking a brea k, eating cold burritos in the shade of a eucalyptus tree.Immigration took one of the busboys in my reposeaurant, the rich man said. Do any of your guys speak English? Ill pay you to allow him go.The Coyote was thrill his head when surface-to-air missileson spoke up I speak English. The Coyotes chicken-stealing grin dropped resembling a rock. He had sentiment that he would be open to nurse on to the Indian boy for a long time, and here he had gone and learned English in his spare time. The boy was worthless now. stop to cut the loss and see what he could crush.To quell their curiosity and dampen their ambition, the Coyote told the rest of the crew that the rich American had bought the boy for sexual purposes, and they all grinned wittingly as they go steadyed surface-to-air missileson ride away in the long white Lincoln.surface-to-air missileson found that it was easier to be Mexican age working in the restaurant. The work, although fast paced, was not heavy, and he was gon a cot in the storeroom to sleep on until he found a place of his own. The owner was content with speaking a pidgin English peppered with Spanish words and Samson answered him by speaking a special version of Tonto-speak. By this time Samson had also picked up a few essential Spanish phrases (Where are the spoons? We lead more plates. Your sister fucks donkeys in Tijuana) which helped him make friends with the Mexican dish launderers and cooks.From the moment he had arrived in Santa Barbara, a grinding homesickness began to settle in Samsons heart. When he lay in the dark storeroom at night, waiting to ignite asleep, it would rise up and wash over him deal a black tide, carrying with it a slithering blind predator that gnashed at the last shreds of his hope. For receive what you know, Pokey had told him. With this in mind he set to do battle with his emerging hopelessness. He ref utilise to presuppose of his family, his home, or his heritage. quite he intemperate on the conversations he over perceive in the restaurant as he cleared tables and poured coffee. Because he was Mexican, and a menial laborer, he was undetectable to the affluent Santa Barbara customers, who spoke openly about the most intimate details of their lives, thoughtless to the Spanish fly on the smother.You know, Ashley has been having an affair with her plastic surgeon for six months andIf I can get my legal ducks in a row, I should be able to push the convention condense through the city council andI indirect request the bathroom Southwestern, just Bob likes dodge Nouveau, so I called our attorney and I saidI know the offshore drilling is ruining the coast, but my Exxon partings be entertain split twice in two years, so I said to my psychoanalystSusan and the kids went to Tahoe, so I thought it was the improve chance to show Marie the folk. The bitch spilled a whole bottle of massage petroleum in the hot tub andI dont represent a damn whether they undeniable it or not. If you do your job nevertheless off you can sell air conditioners to Eskimos need has nothing to do with it. Remember the three ms mesmerize, motivate, and manipulate. Youre not exchange a need, youre sellingDreams, Samson said, coming out of his slip to finish the sentence of a schoolboyish amends gross revenue manager who had interpreted his agents to lunch so he could stopple their ass. Samson surprised even himself by speaking up, but the man at the table seemed to be giving the said(prenominal) speech that he had heard from the powder-blue romance salesman. He couldnt resist.Come here, kid, the man said. He was wearing a wash-and-wear instance, as were the other five men at the table. A half-dozen acrid aftershaves clashed among them. Whats your hear?Samson thinked near the table at the mens room faces. They were all white. He decided at that moment to use a new name, not the Mexican name he had taken, Jose Cuervo. Sam, Samson said. Sam Hunter.Well, Sam he ex rangeed his hand my name is Aaron Aaron. And Ill bet with some training you could outsell every man at this table. He purge his arm around Samsons shoulders and spoke to the rest of the group. What do you say, guys? Ill bet you each a hundred bucks that I can take a busboy with the counterbalance locating and turn him into a better salesman than any of you hotshots inside of a month.Thats bullshit, Aaron, the kids not even old enough to get a license.He can work on my license. Ill abridge his applications. Cmon, hotshots, do I have a bet?The men fidgeted in their seats, laughing nervously and trying to revoke Aarons gaze, knowing from Aarons training that the first one to speak would overlook. Finally one of them broke. All obligation, a hundred bucks, but the kid has to do his own selling.Aaron looked at Samson. So, kid, are you ready to take over a new job?Samson try to imagine himself wearing a suit and aroma of after-shave, and the mind appealed to him. I dont have a place to stay, he said. Ive been saving so I can get an apartment.Ive got it covered, Aaron said. welcome aboard.I guess I could give my notice.Fuck giving notice. You only give notice if youre planning to come back. Youre not planning on moving backwards, are you, Sam?I guess not, Samson said.At twenty-five, Aaron Aaron had already accumulated fifteen years of experience in the art of deception. From the time he skimped on the stops at his first lemonade stand to the time he doubled the profits on his paper route by canceling his customers subscriptions, past stealing the papers out of a vending machine to continue the deliveries, Aaron showed a near-genius ability for working in the gray areas between cable and crime. And by balance dark desires with white lies he was able to sidestep the plague of Catholic sense of right and wrong that kept him from pursuing an honest flight as a pirate, which would have been his first choice. Aaron Aaron was a salesman.At first, Aa rons only liaison in Samson was to use the boy as an instrument of embarrassment to the other salesmen, but once he get deck uped the boy in a suit and had him trailing along on sales calls like a dutiful aborigine gun bearer, Aaron found that he genuinely enjoyed the boys company. The boys curiosity seemed boundless, and answering his questions as they drove between calls allowed Aaron to bask in the kick the bucket of his own voice while extolling the public eye of his last successful presentation. And too, the rejection of a slammed ingress or a pointed no seemed leaden in the sharing. Teaching the boy made him feel good, and with this improvement in military typeset he worked more, sold more, and allowed the boy to share in the prosperity, buying him clothes and food, purpose him an apartment, and cosigning for a loan on a used Volvo.For Samson, working under the tutelage of Aaron was perfect. Aarons assumption that no one beside himself had the foggiest idea of how the universe worked allowed Samson the opportunity to hear lectures on even the most minuscular details of society, information he used to build himself into the image that Aaron necessityed to see. Samson delighted in Aarons self-obsession, for while the of age(p) man waxed eloquent on the virtues of being Aaron, it never occurred to him to ask Samson about his past, and the boy was able to butt on himself in a chrysalis of questions and cheap suits until he was ready to emerge as a full-grown salesman.As the years passed and his memories of home were stowed and forgotten, learning to sell became Samsons paramount interest. And Aaron, intrigue with seeing his own image reflect and his own words repeated, failed to notice that Samson had become a better salesman than himself until other companies began approaching the boy with offers. Only then did Aaron realize that most of his income was coming from the decree outfit on Sams sales, and that for five years Sam had trained all the new salesmen. To avoid losing his golden goose, Aaron offered Sam a fifty-fifty partnership in the agency, and with this added security, the line of products became Sams shelter.-=*=- at one time, after twenty years with the business as his only security, Sam was handout to Aaron to sell his shares. As he entered Aarons use he felt a profound soul-sickness that he had not felt since he had left the reservation.Aaron, Ill take forty cents on the dollar for my shares. And I keep my office.Aaron turned slowly in the big executive director chair and faced Sam. You know I couldnt come up with that kind of cash, Sam. Its a good move, though. Id have to keep paying you out of override, and with interest you wouldnt even take a cut in pay. I dont count youre in a position to negotiate, though. In fact, after the call I got this morning, I stand for twenty cents on the dollar would be more than fair.Sam resisted the urge to dive over the desk and slap his partners bare scalp until it bled. He had to take his fallback position shorter than he precious to. Youre thinking that because Spagnola can put me with the Indian I have to sell, right?Aaron nodded. however just imagine that I ride this through, Aaron. Imagine that I dont sign off, that the insurance commission suspends my license, that criminal charges are filed and my name is in the paper every day. Guess whose name is passage to be right next to mine? And what happens if I maintain my association with the agency and the insurance commission starts looking into your files? How many signatures have you traced over the years, Aaron? How many people thought they were buying one policy, only to catch out out that their signature showed up on a different one one that paid you a higher commission?A sheen of sweat was appear on Aarons forehead. Youve done that as a lot as I have. Youd be suspension system yourself.Thats the point, Aaron. When I walked in here you were convinced(p) that I was hun g anyway. Im just making room for you on the gallows.You ungrateful prick. I took you in when you-I know, Aaron. Thats why Im giving you a chance to stay clean. Actually, youve got more to lose than I do. Once your files are open, then your income is going to become public knowledge.Oh Aaron stood and paced around to the front of the desk.Oh He waved a finger under Sams nose, then turned and walked to the piddle cooler.Oh He kicked the cooler, then returned to his chair, sat down, then stood up again.Oh he said. It was as if the single syllable had stuck in his mouth. He looked as if he were going to launch into a bill blood rose in his face and veins bulged on his forehead.Oh he said. He vaporize back in the chair and stared at the ceiling as if his brain had pushed the hold button on reality.Thats right, Aaron, Sam said after a moment. The IRS. With that Sam go to the office verge. wage your time, Aaron. Think about it. Talk it over with your buddy Spagnola he can probably g ive you the menses exchange rate of cigarettes for sodomy in prison.Aaron slowly broke his stare on the ceiling and turned to chequer Sam walk out.In the outer office Julia looked up from applying lacquer to her nails to see Sam grinning, his hand still on the doorknob.Whats with all the ohs, Sam? Julia asked. It haleed like you guys were having sex or something.Something like that, Sam said, his grin widening. Hey, watch this. He opened the door quickly and stuck his head back in Aarons office. Hey, Aaron IRS he said. Then he pulled the door shut, muffling Aarons call in of pain.What was that? Julia asked.That, Sam said, was my teacher giving me the nock on my final exam.I dont get it.You will, honey. I dont have time to beg off right now. Ive got a date.Sam left the office walking light and smiling, tonus strangely as if the pieces of his life, rather than adapted back together, were jingling in his pocket like sleigh bells warning Christmas.CHAPTER 15Like Gods Own Chocol ate Id sour Her Shadow Off A over wakeed SidewalkSanta BarbaraIn spite of the fact that he was losing his home and his business, and was precariously polish to having his greatest secret discovered by the police because of an Indian god, Sam was not the least bit worried. non with the facet of an evening with steam organ to occupy his thoughts. No, for once Sam Hunter was voting the impatient ticket over the anxious, taking farsightedness over dread.steam organ lived up the stairs in a cheese-mold-green cinder-block duplex that stood in a row of a dozen resembling structures where the last of Santa Barbaras working middle relegate were making their descent into poverty. steam organs Datsun was parked in the driveway next to a rusy VW mail service wagon and an ominous-looking Harley-Davidson chopper with a crude blond woman airbrushed on the flatulence tank. Sam paused by the Harley before climbing the stairs. The airbrushed woman looked familiar, but before he could ge t a closer look steam organ appeared on the deck higher up him.Hi, she said. She was barefoot, wearing a white muslin dress undefendedly laced in the front. A wreath of gardenia was woven into her hair. Youre just in time, we need your help. Come on up.Sam took the stairs two at a time and stopped on the landing, where steam organ was wrestling with the latch on a rickety prove-door frame that was devoid of covering but had redwood lattice nailed across its lower half, presumably to keep out the really large insects. Im having trouble with the dinner, she said. I hope you can fix it.The screen door finally allow loose with the jattering noise one associates with the impact of Elmer Fudds face on a rake handle. steam organ led Sam into a kitchen done in the Fabulous Fifties theme of mint enamel over pinko linoleum. A haze of foul-smelling rotter hung about the ceiling, and through it Sam could make out the figure of a half-naked man sitting in the lotus position on the counte r, insobriety from a quart bottle of beer.Thats Yiffer, Calliope said over her shoulder as she headed to the stove. Hes with Nina.Yiffer vaulted off the counter, on one arm, fully octonary feet across the kitchen to land lightly on his feet in front of Sam, where he intermeshed a complex handshake that left Sam feeling as if his fingers had been lace together. Dude, Yiffer said, shaking out his wild swing of straw-colored hair as if the word had been stuck there. tonus like a chameleon that has been dropped into a coffee can and is risking hemorrhage by trying to turn silver, Sam searched for the set aside greeting and ended up echoing, Dude.In jeans, a sport clothe, and boating moccasins with no socks, Sam felt grossly dress next to Yiffer, who wore only a match of orange surf shorts and degree upon layer of tan muscle.Calliope biffed the grub, dude, Yiffer said.Sam joined Calliope at the stove, where she was madly biffing the grub. I cant get the spaghetti to cook, she said, plunging a wooden spoon into a large saucepan from which the passel was emanating. The instructions said to boil for eight transactions, but as soon as it starts to boil the bul permit train comes out.Sam waved the smoke from the pan. Arent you supposed to cook the noodles separately?Not in the sauce?Sam shook his head.Whoops, Calliope said. Im not a very good cook. Sorry.Well, maybe we can ease something. Sam re locomote the pan from the heat and peered in at the bubbling black magma. Then again, maybe starting over would be a good idea.He put the pan in the sink, where a trail of ants was invading a used bowl of cereal. Sam turned on the water and started to swivel the faucet to wash the intruders away when Calliope grabbed his hand. No, she said. Theyre okay.Theyll get into your food, Sam said.I know. Theyve always been here. I call them my kitchen pals.Kitchen pals? Sam tried to adjust his thinking. She was right you couldnt just wash your kitchen pals down the be etle off like they were ants. He felt like hed been saved from committing genocide. So, I guess we should start some more spaghetti?She only bought one box, dude, Yiffer said.I guess we can eat salad and refined sugar, Calliope said. Excuse me. She kissed Sam on the cheek and walked out of the kitchen while he stared at the ghost of her bathroom through the thin dress.So, what do you do? Yiffer asked with a toss of his head.Im an insurance broker. And you?I surf.And?And what? Yiffer said.Sam thought he could hear the break down of the ocean whistling through Yiffers ears as if through a seashell. Never mind, he said. He was distracted by the sound of a muck up screaming in the next room.Thats Grubb, Yiffer said. Sounds like hes pissed off. unable to see the second b, Sam was confused. I thought grub was biffed?No, Grubb is Calliopes rug-rat. Go on in and meet him. Ninas in there with J. Nigel Yiffworth, Esquire. Yiffer beamed with pride. Hes mine.Your attorney?My son, Yiffer sai d indignantly.Oh, Sam said. He resisted the urge to sit down on the floor and wait for his confusion to clear. Instead he walked into the living(a) room, where he found Calliope sitting on an past sofa next to an attractive brown-haired who was breastfeeding an infant. The sofa was lumpy enough to have had a body sewed into it medical dressing spilled out of the arms where the victim had tried to escape. On the floor nearby, a somewhat older child was slung inside of a blue plastic donut on racks, which he was gaily ramming into everything in the room. Sam gasped as the child ran a wheel up over his bare mortise-and-tenon joint on a kamikaze rush to prohibit the coffee table.Calliope said, Sam, this is Nina. Nina looked up and smiled. And J. Nigel Yiffworth, Esquire. Nina pulled the bungle from her breast long enough to puppet-master a nod of greeting from it, which Sam befuddled for some reason. And that, Calliope continued, pointing to the drunk number one wood in the bl ue donut, thats Grubb.Your son? Sam asked.She nodded. Hes just learning to walk.Interesting name.I named him after Jane Goodalls son. She let him grow up with baboons very natural. I was going to name him Buddha, but I was afraid that when he got older if someone met him on the way they might kill him.Right. Good thinking, Sam said, pretending that he had the slightest idea of what she was talking about and that he wasnt question in the least who or where Grubbs father was.Nina moved in when we were both pregnant, Calliope said. We were each others Lamaze coaches. I was farther along, though.What about Yiffer?Scum, Nina said.He seems like a nice guy, Sam said, and Nina shot him an acid look. As trash goes, he quickly added.He only lives here sometimes, Calliope said. Mostly when he doesnt have gas money for his van.Nina said, Were having a yard sale day after tomorrow to raise some money to get him out of here. You might involve to look at the stuff down in storage before the sale, pick up a bargain before it gets picked over.Yiffer entered the living room munching on a loaf of French bread. He stood next to Sam and thrust the bread under Sams chin. Bite?No, thanks, Sam said.Yiffer Calliope said. That bread was for all of us.Truth, Yiffer said. He held the loaf out to Calliope. Bite?You ruined their dinner, Nina said, letting J. Nigels head drop and wobble.Yiffer grinned around a taste sensation of bread and gestured toward Ninas exposed breast with his beer hand. flavour good, babe.Nina reattached J. Nigel and said to Sam, Im sorry, hes only like this when hes awake. To Yiffer she said, Take some money out of my notecase and go down to the corner and get a pizza.Sam reached for his wallet. Let me.No, Calliope and Nina said in unison.Cool Yiffer exclaimed, sandblasting Sam with a spray of bread crumbs.Go Nina commanded, and Yiffer turned and bounded out of the room. In a moment Sam heard the screen door open and footfalls on the steps.Sit down, Calli ope said. Relax.Sam took a seat on the couch next to the two women and for the next forty transactions they exchanged pleasantries between the screaming demands of the babies until Nina pass a damp J. Nigel to Sam and left the room. Like most bachelors, Sam held a pamper as if it were radioactive.That fucking diddly Nina shrieked from the other room, frightening Grubb, who screamed like an air-raid siren. J. Nigel was following suit when Nina returned to the living room, her purse in hand. He took my rent money. The shaft took all my rent money. Can you guys watch J. Nigel for a minute? Ive got to go keep him and kill him.Sure, Calliope said. Sam nodded, adjusting J. Nigel for long-run holding.Nina left. Calliope turned to Sam and over the din of screaming infants said, Alone at last.I think J. Nigel needs changing, Sam said.So does Grubb. Lets take them into Ninas room.Sam had slipped into the reputation he referred to as tough and adaptable, one he reserved for the more h elter-skelter and bizarre situations he had encountered in his career. I can do this, he said with a grin.He hadnt changed a baby since the days on the reservation when he used to help with his cousins, but when he opened J. Nigels diaper the memory came back on him like a smelly whirlwind, and he had to fight to keep from gagging. The agglutinate strips on disposable diapers were a tout ensemble new adventure and he found after a few minutes that he had diapered his left hand dead while a squirming J. Nigel remained naked to the world. After changing Grubb and returning him to his plastic donut, Calliope liberated Sam from the diaper and started on J. Nigel, who giggled and peed like an excited puppy at her touch. Sam sympathized.Dont feel bad, she said. The last time we let Yiffer baby-sit he duct-taped J. Nigels diaper on and we had to use nail-polish remover to get the bondable off.I havent had much practice, Sam said.You dont have any kids?No, Ive never met anyone I treas ured to have kids with. Sam wanted to smack himself for saying it. Remember, tough and adaptable.Me either, Calliope said. But Grubb is the best thing that ever happened to me. I used to drink and do a lot of drugs, but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I stopped.Sam looked for an opening to ask about Grubbs father, but none came and the silence was becoming awkward. Thats great, he said. I had my own battle with the bottle. Actually it hadnt been much of a battle. Aaron had insisted that social drinking was part of the job, but each time Sam had gotten drunk he was preoccupied by the stereoscopic photographtype of the drunken Indian that he thought he had left behind. It had been ten years since hed had a drink.Im going to put these guys down, Calliope said. why dont you go in the living room and put some music on.In the living room Sam found a briefcase full of loose cassette tapes. Most of the tapes were impertinently Age releases with enigmatic titles like direct Frog Wh ale Song Selections by artists with names like Yanni Volvofinder. With further dig he found one called The voice communication of Love by a egg-producing(prenominal) jazz singer he liked, but when he opened the box he found that the tape had been replaced with one called Catbox incubus by a band called Satans Smegma, evidently a Yifferesque selection. Finally he found The Language of Love languishing boxless in the bottom of the case and popped it into a portable stereo on a bricks-and-boards bookshelf.Calliope returned to the living room just as the first song was rising in the speakers. Oh, I love this tape, she said. Ive always wanted to make love to this tape. Ill be right back. She left the room again and returned in a moment with an armload of pillows and blankets, which she dropped in the middle of the floor. Grubb sleeps in my room and he wont be asleep for a while. She began to spread the blankets out over the floor.Sam stood by, trying to fight the objections that wer e rising in his mind about the swiftness at which things were progressing. She just assumed that he would say yes it made him feel like well a slut. Then again, if this beauteous girl wanted to make love with him, who was he to object? Okay, so he was a slut he was a tough and adaptable slut. Still, there was one thing that bothered him. What if Yiffer and Nina come home with the pizza?Oh, I dont think theyll be home that soon. This first time will be pretty fast.Hey. Sam thought he might have just been insulted, but on second thought he realized that the girl had just voiced something that he had really been distressful about, without even admitting it to himself. On second thought, she had projecting the pressure on him to perform.Calliope complete fluffing the pillows, then unlaced her dress and let it drop to the floor. She stepped out of it and went to the stereo, where she turned up the volume, then she crawled naked under the top blanket and pulled it up to her nec k. Okay, she said.Sam sat on the couch, stunned. She was stunning. But where was the seduction, the deception, the sweet lies and beseech posturing? Where was the hunt, the cat-and-mouse game? Sam just stared at her and thought, This is entirely too honest.Are you okay? she asked.Yes, its just kind ofYou want me and I want you. Right?Who did she think she was? You cant just go around blurting out the truth like a vaticinator with Tourettes syndrome. He said, Well, I guess. Yeah, thats right.Well? She threw the covers back to make room for him.Sam leapt off the couch and fought his way out of his clothes. He was under the covers, taking her into his arms, before his shirt settled to the floor. At the touch of her skin, her warmth, he felt every muscle in his body tense, then melt against her. He kissed her for a long time with none of the fumbling or awkwardness that he expected. He entered her and they began to move together in slow rhythm to the music. Calliope let out a long, lo w emit and dug her fingers into the muscles of his back. He joined her in the moan and pushed deeper, losing suddenly any thoughts or images or reservations, damn near losing awareness to the warm, dark rhythm. A door slammed, violently shaking the windows of the apartment.Sam pushed up on his arms. What was that?Nothing, she said, pulling him down.Another door slammed, louder than the first. Sam pushed up again. Theyre home.No, thats downstairs. Please. She wrapped her legs around his back and pulled him tight.Distracted, Sam began to move again and Calliope moaned. A door slammed, glass shattered, and J. Nigel began repetitive in the front bedroom.What in the hell was that?Nothing. Not now. Make love to me, Sam.The house shook with the impact of a slamming door, then another, and Grubb began to cry as well. Sam winced, and came entirely without pleasure. Sorry, he said as he rolled over onto his back. Calliope stared at the ceiling for a moment as if she was bracing for the ne xt impact. When it came she leapt to her feet and stormed naked out onto the balcony.She bent over the railing and shouted, Why are you doing this?Sam turned down the stereo and listened. Another door slammed, shaking the house, then a pathetic male voice came from below. Youve got someone up there. You slut.Dont talk to me that way. I dont act this way when you have someone down there.Sam wanted to join her on the balcony, come to her defense (Hey, buddy, shes not the slut here), but he couldnt seem to locate his pants.You cyprian the male voice said. Im taking my son.No, youre notYoull see, the voice said. Another door slam. Sam flinched. He was acquire a little shell-shocked trying to put the pieces of this mystery together between slams.Jerk Calliope screamed. She stormed inside, slammed the door, and breezed by Sam on her way to tend to Grubb and J. Nigel. Sam sat naked on the floor wishing for a cigarette, or a clue, and repeating his new mantra in his head, tough and adapta ble, tough and adaptableIn a few minutes, after the door slams had dwindled to one every few minutes, as if the guy downstairs was calming down, then losing his temper in spurts, Calliope appeared in the doorway, still naked.We need to talk, she said.Sam was dressed-up now, desperately yearning for a cigarette, but hed left them in the car and he wasnt about to pass the maniac downstairs without more information. That would be good, he said.Calliope picked up her dress and slipped it on, then sat down on the couch. Youre probably wondering who that is downstairs.For the first time she seemed really uncomfortable, and Sam felt for her. Its okay. Ive had some trouble with my neighbors recently. It happens.She smiled. I used to be with him. Hes Grubbs father.I garner that.I was doing a lot of drugs then. He was exciting riding his Harley, tattoos, guns.Guns?I left him when I found out I was pregnant. He didnt want me to have the baby and he didnt want me to quit getting high.But why move upstairs?I didnt. He moved in downstairs. Youre the first man that Ive had over since the split. I didnt know hed act this way.Why dont you move?You know how Santa Barbara is. I couldnt even pay rent here if it werent for Nina, let alone come up with first, last, and a change deposit.Sam could see that she was still embarrassed. You could ask the landlord to remove his doors. It would be quieter.Im sorry. I really wanted it to be nice.Maybe I should go. Despite the weirdness, he didnt want to leave.I wish you would stay. When Grubb goes to sleep we can go in my room. If were quietIll stay, Sam said. He wont come up here and subscribe us, will he?No, I dont think so. He keeps talking about getting custody of Grubb. Killing us would look bad with the judge.Right, Sam said. So what if she had been mingled with a psycho. At least it was a psycho who thought ahead.Calliope led Sam down a entrance hall to her room at the back of the apartment. Ill get us some salad, she said, le aving Sam to sit on the twin bed next to the crib where Grubb was drowsily gnawing a pacifier. The room looked like it had been decorated by a Buddhist monk from benni Street. On top of the dresser sat effigies of Buddha, Shiva, Bert, Ernie, and Cookie Monster, as well as an incense burner, a small gong, and a box of Pampers. A stuffed Mickey shiner on the dressing chair wore a necklace of quartz crystal and a rawhide ring that Sam recognized as a Navaho dream catcher. The walls were hung with pictures of the Dalai Lama, Kali the Destroyer, and the Smurfs.Looking around, Sam felt tempted to construct an excuse and bolt. Now that hed had a moment to think about it, his tough and adaptable veneer was feeling pretty thin. If he could just get back to normal for a while hed be okay. Then it hit him there was no normal to return to. The controlled condition quo that had been his life was no longer there it had been shattered by Coyote, and Coyote was out there somewhere. Calliope, and all the chaos around her, had made him forget. Even with Smurfs, psychos, and kitchen pals, the forgetting was worth staying for.