Single Parenting Essay Example for Free

Single Parenting Essay This essay is about why I disagree with Donald Pridemore’s statement that says â€Å"Being raised in a single parent home could be considered living in a abusive situation and because of that people should not jump into divorce and find alternatives.† Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child. Though it is true that children are more likely to get abused in single parent homes. I think that it was unfair and ignorant to make this statement because that is putting a class of people and putting the all in the in the wrong when many of them are right with their parenting. The first reason that I oppose against Mr.Pridemore’s statement is because some people do not choose to be single parents but are put in that situation. One way people can become a single parent is if your spouse or partner is deceased. Another way to become a single parent is if you have your child at a young age with someone who you did not plan to spend your life with. You may also be a single parent because the other person just walked out. Some of these situations you cannot avoid because you can’t make someone stay alive nor can you force someone to stay with you. The 2nd reason I disagree with the statement is because people get in two parent homes too. In his statement I think people forgot that all types of parents abuse their children not just single ones. Abuse happens every day in fact, 5 children die a day from child abuse but how many of those 5 kids were raised in single parent homes? No one really knows all they know is their own opinion. The last reason why I disagree with that statement is because alternatives are not always the best thing for the parent’s relationship. If you are a victim of domestic violence it is best to leave the relationship. In 2005 spouses or intimate partners killed 1,181 women, that’s an average of about 3 women a day. That just makes me think, how many of those women had kids and could have saved their lives by just raising that child on their own. People who agree with this statement are saying that it was their fault for being beaten, their fault someone died and that they made some one walk out on them. The reality is none of that was in their control. I don’t think anyone plans to be a single parent but at the end of the day even I would do what I have to do to raise my child. Our own president was raised by a single parent for a majority of his life, and that goes to show that his mother did something right she didn’t let the men in her life reprioritize her life she always put her kids first. I have made my argument and I hope I changed some opinions of people who agreed with Mr. Pridemore’s statement. More than anything I hope this essay made people take my ideas into consideration and take pride in having a single mother. I think that some people can relate and learn off of many parts of this essay such as statistics and facts.

Internal Customers Essay Example for Free

Internal Customers Essay The people in this department need to know what deliveries are to be made and what products are to be delivered.  Staff Office  The Human Resources department need to know hours worked by employees and if there are any positions to be filled.  Staff Training  They need to know which members of the department will need training and which areas need to be covered in the training exercises.  Cash Office  The cash office needs to know what transactions were made at all the tills in the department and how much money there is in the tills at the end of the working day. This is so they can tally up the stores figures and see how well the shop has performed on that particular day. CCP (Customer Collection Point)  Many goods are collected from the shops CCP such as microwaves. The people at the CCP need to know what is being collected and the transaction number so they can tie up the paperwork, customer and the goods.  Service Desk  When customers have a problem with an appliance they have to go through the service desk so the large electrical department has to get information from the service desk regarding the outcome for instance an appliance may have to be replaced. The large electrical department already employs a number of different customer service techniques to help improve the running and efficiency of the department, which also importantly improves the relationship with the customers. There are however occasions when these strategies dont work the way that they should and customers can become dissatisfied with the level of service that they feel they are receiving.  Here are some examples of techniques that have recently been introduced in the department to help improve customer services. When staff join the Large Electrical Department the must complete questionnaires to ensure they understand procedures that are carried out in the department. A copy of which can be found in appendix 1. The Introduction of Ticketing system for waiting customers  The department recently introduced a fairly simple but effective ticketing system so that customers are served at the correct time instead of customers just grabbing a selling Partner when they see one that is free. When a customer enters the department they are now greeted by the customer service manager who stands at the Customer Service Podium. The Customer Service Manager gives the customer a ticket with a number on it and records down on the copy of the ticket that the manager keeps some details.  These are:  The customers name.  This creates a personalised service when the sell partner approaches the customer  What they want help on. This is so the Customer Service Manager can send over the right Selling Partner with the right knowledge.  A brief description of the customer.  The description helps the Selling Partner identify the customers easily.  When a selling Partner becomes free they must report back to the podium where the manager will hand the Partner the ticket of the next customer to be served.  This system is much improved from the previous queuing system, which involved the Customer Service Manager patrolling the floor and recording customers name down on a list. This meant that the Manager was never in one place and people may not have been put on in the correct order that they arrived in the department. When speaking to the Customer Service Manager of the Large Electrical department to enquire how successful the new system had been I was also informed of the one major problem there had been with it.  The problem was that when a customer took a ticket they would ask how many people there were before them. If the number was fairly high, for instance five people then it would put people off waiting. It was then up to the Customer Service Manager to reassure the customer that it wouldnt be too long. I also learned that on leaving the department previous customers who were used to the old system commented on how much better they thought the new system was.  The Introduction of Electrical Telesales at Watford  About two years ago the Branch opened the Electrical Telesales Department, which is part of the Large Electrical Department. The team is based at the branches warehouse, which is down the road from the store at Greatham Road. It is all linked telephonically and by computer to the main store. Customers can phone telesales and place orders for large electrical appliances over the phone by calling the store on 01923 244 266 and connecting to extension 4880. This service is very handy for many customers as they will often come into the store and get information on various appliances and then go home to check that it will fit in the desired space. They can then phone up and order it over the phone by credit or account card to save them making another trip into the store. Some people that have done research on the internet or another media will also use telesales to save them having to come into the store at all, especially people that have very busy lives. It is also designed to take some of the pressure off the actual department so that more time can be spent with each customer in the store. On average there are six partners manning the phones down at telesales. Which isnt really enough as they are also share with the Television and Audio department. So customers are put on hold, which can be for quite a long time, which frustrates the customers. Pre recorded messages are randomly played to the customers to reassure them that their call is important and will be answered by the next available partner. The telephonists can tell how long a customer has been waiting, and they will answer in a way that will reflect the length of time the customer has waited. Other problems with the telesales team are that there is a weak communication flow between the actual department and telesales. This means that mistakes can be made by telesales as they havent received information on changes made in the Large Electrical Department which in turn can have an affect on the customers.  An example of this was when EU legislation can into place saying that the collection of old refrigeration can not be continued because of the gasses inside. Telesales werent informed of this and continued to arrange for refrigeration to be taken away. When the deliverymen told customers that they couldnt take away the old refrigeration this angered customers who had prepaid the 9 collection charge. These mistakes are usually dealt with by offering a goodwill gesture for inconvenience and where appropriate a refund.  On the whole this venture has proved to be a major success as figures shown in the Annual General Meeting showed an increase in Large Electrical Goods with a major percentage going through the telesales team.  This is the information flier that is handed out to customers when visiting the Department if the wish to order over the phone. It give the phone number and extension number as well as a little information on the different services that they offer such as the 2 year warranty and Never Knowingly Undersold motto. Ways of paying at John Lewis  The use of credit cards at John Lewis  Until recently John Lewis didnt accept payment for goods by any credit card. This was to avoid paying the transaction fees to the banks that is added on when a customer pays using EFT (Electronic Financial Transaction). Apart from this customers were quite prepared to pay for any goods purchased using a John Lewis or Waitrose Account card that offers a low rate of interest. However to give the customer more flexibility John Lewis introduced the use of Credit cards in the Partnership. One of the main reasons for allowing this take place was because of where the transaction fee would go.  From 5 November 2001, all card payments with the exception of the John Lewis and Waitrose Account Card, are processed for you by John Lewis Card Services Ltd for a 2.5% fee included in the cost of your purchase. The balance is paid to John Lewis plc. The total amount you pay is the same regardless of the payment method. Source taken from http://www.johnlewis.com  The transactions fee that would normally have to be paid to the bank on any transaction that take place in either the department stores or Waitrose using EFT is retained by John Lewis. This means that John Lewis dont loose 2.5% of the sale that they have made but keep it as profit.  This move has meant that more customers are attracted to coming into the stores and paying by plastic, which many people prefer to do.  However there is one card that John Lewis still doesnt accept and that is American Express. This is because of the extremely high level of interest that is associated with this form of payment. John Lewis would still have to pay part of transaction fee if this card was used. These methods of payment can also be used to purchase over the phone using the stores telesales teams and via the Internet. This has all been designed to help create an easier way of shopping for it customers and improve customer services.  Computerised Ordering System  The introduction of the computerised ordering system a year ago has changed the face of the department and the way things are done, within the department. It was also a major turn around for the standard of customer services offered by department. The new system meant that orders could be processed a lot quicker as paper work didnt have to be sent via the post and orders we received at the warehouse instantly. A lot more options have been opened with this new system, all to the customers advantage, as well as making the whole ordering process a lot easier for the Selling Partner.  Customers can now reserve goods for longer periods of time, place an order for delivery in another part of the country and a lot more. Queries and problems can also dealt with by keeping record of points raised on the on the notepad of the actual order on the system so issues are dealt with much more effectively. Each customer gets a reference number when they place an order so information can be recalled instantly from the system should the need arise.  The quicker service makes buying Large Electrical goods less stressful meaning customers go away from the department happy with the level of service they have just received.  There have, however been a number of occasions when the system has gone down causing absolute chaos in the department as all orders have to be placed manually which is much more time consuming than using the computers. This angers customers who expect a reliable system then works quickly and effectively. With these events the need for the Customer Service manager pays off, as they are someone who can defuse difficult situations. All selling Partners are also trained in dealing with problems but the CSM is there as someone with higher authority.

Analysis The Uk Oil And Gas Industry Environmental Sciences Essay

Analysis The Uk Oil And Gas Industry Environmental Sciences Essay With this report is a PESTE Analysis of The Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in the United Kingdom. An analysis of the factors affecting the industry shows that it operates under legal, fiscal and environmental regulations where prices are determined by international organisations like the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in the United Kingdom is a mature one, and after 40 years of offshore exploration, the country remains self sufficient in oil and gas. This is an important sector for the UK, supplying the majority of the countrys energy needs, and virtually all the countrys transport fuel. Economic factors that affect the industry are oil demand, price, production, investment and employment. Awareness of sustainable development and renewable energy sources is the major social factor. Technology plays a crucial role in reducing the costs of exploration and producti on of oil and gas, in addition to making the process safer and more environmental friendly. There is considerable attention being paid to the affect of oil exploration operations on the environment, and this will also determine the future of the industry. The three scenarios that can emerge for the industry mainly depend upon the oil and gas reserves left in the North Sea, the viability of their exploration and the development of alternative renewable energy sources. Introduction PESTE Analysis of the UK Upstream Oil Gas Industry What is a PESTE Analysis? PESTE shows which external factors are influencing a business or an industry, also measuring the market potential and situation. This report is to understand and assess the various determinates of the external environment that influences the UK Upstream Oil Gas Industry. The factors assessed include Political, Economic, Socio-cultural, Technological and Ecological. Once completed this PESTE model will provide an in-depth understanding of the situational factors that affect and have the potential to affect the UK Upstream Oil Gas Industry now and in the future. Political / Legal Factors Political stability and a good law and order situation are conducive to the smooth functioning of the upstream oil industry. Wars and terrorism can prove detrimental to operations. There are also several legislations passed by individual governments and associations who affect the functioning of the industry. 2.1 Legislation The Upstream Oil Industry in the United Kingdom is well regulated. In addition to the laws and regulations governing business in general, there are several laws that pertain to the Oil Industry specifically. Petroleum Act 1998 (www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980017.htm) Hydrocarbons Licensing Directive Regulations 1995 (http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951434_en_1.htm) Master Deed System 2003 (www.gnn.gov.uk/gnn/national.nsf) The Offshore Installations (Emergency Pollution Control) Regulations 2002 (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20021861.htm) The Offshore Chemicals Regulations 2002 (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20021355.htm) The Offshore Combustion Installations (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Regulations 2001 (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2001/20011091.htm) The Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations 2001 (http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2001/20011754.htm) 2.2 Taxation The North Sea Tax regime has three tiers, Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT), Corporation Tax and a Supplementary Charge of 10%. The Budget proposals for 2004 are to remove from the scope of PRT, new tariff business. 2.3 OPEC OECD The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed in 1960 with 5 members. By the end of 1971 six other nations had joined. OPEC stabilizes prices in the international Oil markets with a view to eliminate fluctuations, by setting the production quotas in the member countries. Oil Price History Analysis. WTRG Economics In contrast, the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) was instituted to counterbalance the role of OPEC and has a membership of 30 countries. The core of original members was located in Europe and North America but has expanded to include Asia, Latin America and the former Soviet bloc. Economic Factors As in every industry, there are economic factors affecting the health of the industry. It is abundantly clear that economic growth will remain the primary driver of energy demand. 3.1 World Economic Growth Oil Demand The global economy has grown at an average rate of about 3% per year since 1970, and the expectation is that it will continue to grow at the same pace over the next two decades (Raymond, Lee R., (2003). The most important factor governing upstream activities is the demand for Oil, which continues to increase. 3.2 Oil Prices Crude oil prices behave much as any other commodity with wide price swings in times of shortage or oversupply. Currently the Brent Crude price is around $30 per barrel  and is heavily influenced by the current world oil price set by the OPEC and OECD. 3.3 Oil Production The current production rate is around 4.25 million boe per day (North Sea Oil Leopard Magazine 2003) this is expected to decline to 3.6 million boe per day by 2005. By 2010 the government has a target of 3 million boe per day, although some industry experts reckon that production will be below 2.5 million boe per day. 3.4 Employment in the Oil Industry The Oil Gas Industry in the UK, employs around 300,000 staff in exploration and production. Skill levels and multi-skill training are important issues keeping in view the technology improvements. 3.5 Financial Investment Investment in upstream infrastructure like pipelines, tankers etc. results in more exploration activity. Socio-Cultural Factors The Upstream Oil Gas Industry is indirectly affected by socio-cultural factors. 4.1 Awareness about Sustainable Development Conservationists and more recently the general public are showing concern about saving non-renewable energy sources and switching to renewable energy sources. 4.2 Health Safety at rigs The perception of the Oil Industry has always been that it is a dangerous environment to work. Since the Piper Alpha disaster there has been a more conscious effort by the HSE and Industry bodies to make it a safer place to work. With the perception now changing the UK Upstream Oil Industry is now attracting a better quality of manpower. Technological Factors New upstream technologies will increase access to economically exploitable new liquids and gas reserves and reduce exploration, development and production costs. They will also mitigate adverse environmental efforts and risks to public health and safety from exploration and production activities.  Technology and RD activities will be responsible for the development of alternative energy sources. 5.1 Improvements in Oil Exploration Production In the past 10 to 15 years research and development within Oil and Service Companies has seen the development of powerful new and advanced technologies and tools for use in exploration, reservoir evaluation and production. Some of these are:   3D, 4D, 4C Seismic Imaging. Horizontal, Directional and Multilateral Drilling. Advanced Drilling Completion and Stimulation Technologies. Logging Tools and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMRI). Intelligent Completion Reservoir Life Extension. New Energy Technologies in Upstream Oil Gas. The Middle East Economic Survey. 28th October 2002 5.2 Renewable Energy Technology There are a wide range of renewable energy sources available and in the process of development and use. These are Biomass, Electricity, Geothermal, Hydropower, Solar, Wind and Tidal energy. Ecological / Environmental Factors The exploration, drilling and use of oil and gas will have to be kept in check due to the detrimental effects on the world ecosystem. 6.1 Ecological Impact The ecology of the North Sea has deteriorated over 30 years of oil exploitation in spite of anti pollution regulations. Discharges of oil and chemicals have various lethal and non-lethal effects on fish, birds, molluscs, cetaceans and other mammals (The Oil Gas Industry A guide for UK Activists. Corporate Watch.) Seismic surveying, drilling and rig installation cause disturbance to seabed ecosystems. The numbers of certain varieties of fish have reduced drastically. 6.2 Climate Change The rampant use of oil and petroleum products leads to Carbon Monoxide emissions (The Oil Gas Industry A guide for UK Activists. Corporate Watch), resulting in the greenhouse effect. It has been proved that there is a rise in temperatures, which will eventually lead to the melting of icecaps, the reversing of the Gulf Stream, and eventually great changes in climate all over the world. Flooding and coastal erosion will lead to massive population migration and loss of infrastructure all over the world. Significant Issues / Trends in the UK Upstream Oil Industry 7.1 Reserves in the North Sea Basin There are 260 oil and gas fields currently under development or in production on the UKCS (248 in 2001), with remaining reserves in these developments of around 11 billion boe (Alexanders Oil Gas 2002). At the current rate of production, it will take around 10 years for the oil and gas to be exhausted. The future of the industry depends upon new finds and further development of existing fields 7.2 Viability of Exploration Initial indications from a new survey reveal the UK offshore oil and gas industry has reached a critical point in terms of its international competitiveness, with projections of investment growth not being matched by increased production volumes. New technological developments in the upstream oil field aim to improve recovery rates of existing reserves (typically only 35% of which are currently recoverable by primary and secondary recovery technologies) and also reduce relative costs. The volatility of the oil price has led to changes in the structure of the oil sector. There has been consolidation both horizontally and vertically in the traditional contracting supply chain. OPEC will continue to be a major force in setting world oil prices. Over 1998 / 1999 there was a severe reduction in oil price, but increases in the oil price since the end of 1999 have improved the cash flow for oil companies, however the recovery for the industry will depend on technology transfer and new oil finds. 7.3 Development of Alternative Energy Sources Technology has come a long way in recent years with individuals, communities and businesses recognising the benefits of switching to renewable energy. The Energy Saving Trust was set up by the UK Government after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and is one of the UKs leading organisations investigating the development of alternative energy sources. Their goal is to achieve the sustainable, efficient use of energy and to cut carbon dioxide emissions being the key contributor to global warming. The use of alternative energy sources is one way to address this vital goal. Scenarios for the UK Upstream Oil Industry Based on the above three issues that affect the upstream oil industry in the next decade, there could be three scenarios: the optimistic, the pessimistic and the middle of the road. 8.1 Optimistic Scenario The need for affordable and clean energy will continue to increase, especially in growing economies as energy is of fundamental importance for the development of societies. The consumption of primary energy sources will increase over the next 20 year forecast and most of the increment in energy consumption will be in the form of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). It is expected that fossil fuel prices will remain relatively low, and the cost of generating energy from renewable sources will not be competitive. The fiscal climate of the UK will encourage the long-term investment necessary to secure the development of those supplies. In the UK, PILOT a partnership of the UK Oil and Gas Industry and Government, will fulfill its vision set out for 2010. Over the next 25 years, the UK upstream industry will make 130 new discoveries and 240 new developments. Oil prices will stay at a high level and long term investment in new technology will increase productivity and find new sources of oil and gas. (About Pilot What is Pilot? Pilot. 2003) The industry will achieve a production level of 3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2010 and a sustained investment level of  £ 3 billion per year. There will be a 50% increase in the value of industry-related exports by 2005 and additional revenue of  £1 billion from new businesses. There will also be a prolonged self-sufficiency in oil and gas for the UK with 100,000 more jobs than there would otherwise have been in 2010. (About Pilot What is Pilot? Pilot. 2003 8.2 Pessimistic Scenario Environmentalists and pro-conservation groups will influence all countries to maintain the delicate ecological balance of the planet by stopping the use of fossil fuels. UK government policy and programs will back alternative energy sources and the electricity generated will rise. At the regional level, the Energy Saving Trust will work with local authorities and a range of organisations to promote the implementation of alternative energy sources. The environmental programs and government policies, particularly those designed to limit or reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be implemented. More support and financial funding for long-term renewable options to bring viable options to the market will achieve this. The Government will exceed its committed target and will achieve a 50% renewables target by 2010. The manufacturing sector all over the world will proactively implement methods to use renewable sources of energy. In view of this, the price of oil will plummet, due to cleaner and cheaper alternatives for energy being available. The OPEC will loose control over regulating oil and the market will be competing with other sources of energy. This will reduce the investment in the upstream oil sector and the transfer of technology for exploiting oil more efficiently will slow down. Eventually, the phasing out and decommissioning of Oil rigs in the North Sea will commence earlier than expected. 8.3 Middle of the Road Scenario The production of oil and gas in the UK peaked in 1999 and will continue to decrease over the years if there are no new significant discoveries in the North Sea Basin (Analysis of the UK Oil Production. PeakOil. 22nd February 2001). In the meantime renewable energy sources will get a boost with more funding and research development efforts being committed in that direction. The new technologies being used to make oil exploration more cost effective will not be transferred effectively to the rig, due to a lack of investment and funding. The price of oil will not be high enough for a comfortable cash flow in the upstream oil industry. The OECD will govern the prices of energy, as it will increasingly become non-fossil fuel based. UK will export most of its oil to the developing countries whose infrastructure would not have been upgraded enough to use renewable sources of energy. Conclusion On analysing the PESTE factors affecting the Upstream Oil industry, it is apparent that the major issues that will impact the health and longevity of the industry are the remaining reserves in the mature North Sea Basin, the viability of exploration and the development of alternative renewable sources of energy. From my readings I feel that with the technology that is constantly being developed by the Oil companies Exploration and Production in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry in the United Kingdom will continue steadily for at least another 20 years. Even with renewable energy sources becoming increasingly more evident, oil and gas will remain the most important fuels for the next 20-30 years. References Internet 1.Industry survey reveals challenges ahead for UK offshore oil and gas. Alexanders Gas Oil Connections. 27th November 2002. 2.Analysis of the UK Oil Production. PeakOil. 22nd February 2001. 3.The Oil Gas Industry A guide for UK Activists. Corporate Watch. Raymond, Lee R., (2003) The Petroleum Industry in the 21st Century: Building on a Great Legacy. World Energy. 6 (2): 24-29 4.About Pilot What is Pilot. Pilot. 5.UKOOA Sustainability Strategy Striking a Balance. UKOOA. 2002. 6.North Sea Oil Leopard Magazine Professor Alex Kemp 7.North Sea Oil and the UK Economy. UKOOA. 8.Oil Price History Analysis. WTRG Economics. 22nd 9.Is OPEC necessary? Oil Online. 25th November 2002. 10.New Energy Technologies in Upstream Oil Gas. The Middle East Economic Survey. 28th October 2002. 11.Forces Driving the Petroleum Industry in 2000 and beyond. Energy Saving Trust Website

The Ultimate Pet: A Pet Rock Essay -- essays research papers

The Ultimate Pet: A Pet Rock A pet rock can be as comforting to me as any canine or feline. Some would believe that a man's best friend is a dog. However, living in a confined two bedroom apartment, I do not have the luxury or permission for a forty pound dog to be plopping around. This is why I have found comfort in my pet rock. A pet rock can replace many of the duties, such as a companionship, I can get from a pet dog or cat. When I go shopping for a pet, I look for the appropriate size and color to meet my needs. Some people like big animals, some small. Some animals come in black, brown, white, yellow; yet some are spotted. The same goes for my rock. When I went "shopping" for my rock, I didn't want o...

What Buddhism and Christianity Teach about the Significance, Purpose, and Value of Human Life :: essays research papers

What do Buddhism and Christianity Teach About the Significance, Purpose And Value of Human Life? BUDDHISM " The concern of Buddhism is with man rather than with the material universe. The phenomenal world is held to be without substance and to be in a constant condition of flux. Man himself is no less impermanent than the material world."* Â ¾ Human life is subject to Anicca, the law of impermanence. This means that nothing ever stays the same To be born human is a rare opportunity. Buddhists take this notion so seriously that a story was written for the sole purpose of illustrating it. It is called ‘The Turtle and The Yoke'. A turtle is described, swimming around in the ocean, popping up for air every thousand years or so. It is claimed that the chance of being incarnated human are the same as that of the turtle putting his head through the yoke (which also floats around the ocean) on one of his trips to the top. It follows, therefore, that to waste it is to waste numberless lives spent trying to gain this precious rebirth and also the chance of enlightenment. The law of Karma says: All actions will entail consequences in the next life, so a Buddhist's freedom could be said to be somewhat compromised. This law means that, to be reincarnated human, you must live a near-perfect life. Any wrong doing on our part is foolish, because the condition experienced in present existence is regarded as having been caused by past deeds. It is beneficial, therefore, to use the golden opportunity wisely, as you are unlikely ever to get another `crack at the apple'. Buddhism and therefore human life is ‘a quest to free us and the world from suffering and to promote happiness.' CHRISTIANITY "Human life is the basis of all values; it is the source and indispensable condition for every human activity and all society" Each human is made in the image of God, with power to reason and choose. Therefore every human life should be cherished and preserved and all lives, rich or poor, strong or weak, young or old. ‘Society itself can be judged by its attitude towards its weaker members.' God `owns' our lives and bodies, or rather he gave them to us as a gift and we must not give it up or abuse it. "Do you know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit, which you have from God? You are not on your own, you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. Pope Jean Paul II summed up this idea in a statement he issued in 1980.

How To Get Better At Basketball :: essays research papers

Hey all you amateur basketball players out there. Read this to find out how to improve your game! Tip 1: To be a great basketball player, you first must know your strengths and weaknesses. Big tall people don't need to shoot threes and short people shouldn't be in the middle struggling to get rebounds. Very physically able players should use that to there advantage to jump higher, run faster, and play better than their opponents. Not very strong or fast players should use fakes and their brains to score points. Tip 2: Team mates hate ball hogs, especially ball hogs who don't have any skills. Team mates respect passers who can penetrate and pass. Tip 3: If you're on a fast break and there aren't any defenders, then you don't need the whole team running down the floor, duh. Some people should stay back on defense. Move 1: The Drop Step This is a move to help you get to the basket. While your powering off the dribble and about to take a lay-up, instead of the two steps, you can land of your two feet at the same time, pump fake, and then get in the air again and shoot the ball. This helps your self from tripping over legs because you can easily jump over them. Move 2: The Jumper While your putting the moves on the defender but you're not getting anywhere, bounce the ball "behind" your back, not "around" your back (there is a difference), then jump backwards, catch the ball in your hands and shoot it. This move shakes off your defender for enough time to give you space for a good shot. Move 3: The Spinning Crossover Start with dribbling the ball with either hand, then cross over to the other hand but while its still in the other hand, spin around that way to bring it back to your right. For example, let's say you start with your right hand, once you take the ball to your left hand the defender might move to the left thinking you will go that way. Instead the bring the ball back around to the right again giving you enough space to burn past your defender and "take him to school.

Mina Loy’s poem “Lunar Baedeker” Essay

When read top to bottom, Mina Loy’s poem â€Å"Lunar Baedeker† may sound like a story of drugs, sex, and desperation. In reality, it is an encrypted biography of part of Loy’s life, as well as symbolic of the cycles of life. Let’s start with the title, shall we? â€Å"Lunar Baedeker,† the word ‘lunar’ means moon. It can also mean relating to the moon, but more importantly it can mean measured by the moon’s cycles. What in the world is a â€Å"Baedeker† though? Baedeker is actually one Karl Baedeker, a German who, in 1859, published a series of guidebooks. Mina Loy’s title, therefore, translates to either â€Å"a guide to the moon† or a † a guide to the moon’s cycle or cycles.† The first stanza is very autobiographical; it refers to Loy’s falling in love with her second husband, Fabien Avernarius Lloyd, also known as Arthur Cravan. â€Å"A silver Lucifer/ serves/ cocaine in cornucopia† Silver here can be read as a shiny, white color, or highly persuasive, or a metal that has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity. Lucifer can mean a fallen rebel or a fallen star. If you read ‘Lucifer’ as ‘star’ it fits in well with Loy’s celestial theme, but it is better construed as a fallen rebel, because Loy’s second husband, Cravan, was constantly on the run for being a draft dodger. The fact that he was silver describes him as beautiful, pure, and persuasive. The fact that silver has the highest thermal and electrical conductivity says that he had a lot of sex appeal and â€Å"sparks flew† between him and the poet. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that causes euphoric effect. The fact that it is â€Å"served . . . in cornucopia† makes Loy sound very much like a young girl who is giddy with love and cannot get enough of her beau. A rendition of the couple’s bedroom life is in the next stanza: â€Å"To some somnambulists/ of adolescent thighs/ draped/ in satirical draperies† Though Loy has two children from a previous marriage, these lines make Loy sound like a virgin in her husband’s bed. The term ‘somnambulists’ means sleepwalkers, which keys you into this pertaining to night activities. Thighs are a common representation of sexuality, as they are so close to the sex organs anyway, and by describing what I assume are Loy’s own thighs as  Ã¢â‚¬Å"adolescent† she represents her own sexuality as immature, underdeveloped, vulnerable and unused. By being â€Å"draped/ in satirical draperies† Loy says that her immaturity is hidden, but only by clothing or cloth that intentionally exposes and criticizes her puerility. Loy’s third child, Fabienne, is referred to in the third stanza. â€Å"Peris in livery/ prepare/ Lethe/ for posthumous parvenus† Peris, which is not ‘Paris’ misspelled, is actually the plural form of the noun Peri. A Peri is a woman or girl who is descended from fallen angels and is excluded from Paradise. The term can also be used to describe a beautiful girl. Livery is servants’ clothing, implying that this ‘Peri’ is not from a wealthy family. Lethe is the river in Hades that would erase one’s memories if she were to drink from it. The ‘posthumous parvenues,’ however, is what ties this whole stanza into Fabienne. Loy’s husband, Cravan, married his wife in Mexico where he was dodging the draft. They separated and were supposed to meet up just before they returned to the United States, but Cravan never showed, nor was he ever seen again. Loy searched for him, and later he was assumed dead. Loy was already pregnant with Fabienne, and posthumous can mean ‘born after the death of the father.’ Better yet, a parvenu is one who is unaccustomed to wealth or power, but has recently gained a position of such but hasn’t gained the prestige that comes with the station. Fabienne, as a newborn, is completely unaware of the fact that she has just joined the human race. The fourth stanza of Loy’s poem, â€Å"Delirious Avenues/ lit/ with the chandelier souls/ of infusoria/ from Pharaoh’s tombstones† is a description of Loy’s search for her missing husband. The chandelier reference is also key because shortly after â€Å"Lunar Baedeker† is published, Loy opens a lamp shop and designs the lamps and fixtures herself. At the time that the poem was written, she was probably already dabbling in the art. The â€Å"Delirious Avenues† is a reference to her constantly searching blindly, with no clues, in every place or pathway her husband could be. The people who are a part of Cravan, Fabienne and Mina herself brighten the avenues; they are the â€Å"chandelier souls,† branches, pieces of Cravan. The â€Å"Pharaoh’s tombstone† indicates that Loy finally coming to terms with the fact that her husband is most likely dead. The acceptance of the loss of Cravan comes in the next stanza: â€Å"lead/ to mercurial doomsdays/ Odious oasis/ in furrowed phosphorous† â€Å"Lead† can be interpreted in more than one-way. It can indicate that Loy was brought to a conclusion by the previous stanza, but it can also be defined as the first punch in a boxing match. This is important because Cravan was known as the â€Å"boxer poet† because he was really only a second rate poet and used prize fighting to supplement his income. â€Å"Mercurial† is a reference to Mercury, who is the Greek god of travel, cunning, and theft, and is also associated with swiftness. Mercury is also the second reference in the poem to a shiny, silver colored element; in this case it is a poisonous element. In keeping with Loy’s celestial theme, Mercury is also the closest planet to the sun. Therefore, this doomsday, the loss of her husband, came swiftly, is like poison to her heart, and the heat of the planet Mercury can be paralleled to the fire of Hell. The term â€Å"Odious oasis† is an oxymoron. Loy’s only relief in submitting to the fact that her husband would never return to her was that she could give up searching for him. Her oasis is â€Å"in furrowed phosphorous† because she feels the loneliest at night, the term phosphorous, meaning something that glows or shines, is referring to the stars in the sky. The next stanza is somewhat cryptic, though the many references to white and light and the moon, â€Å"the eye-white sky-light/ white light district,† made me think of virginity and purity. The final line, â€Å"of lunar lusts,† indicates the sexual needs or desires of one who is chaste, another oxymoron. It is most likely Loy voicing her loneliness. At this point in the poem, Loy’s blending of words happens more and more. The first line is â€Å"—Stellectric signs,† —Stellectric being the combination of constellation and electric, meaning that Loy is taking meaning from the constellations in the night sky. The first sign she sees is â€Å"‘wing shows on Starway'† If looked at from a point of view where this is an actual show, as in a theatrical presentation, a wing can be defined as a dance step, and the Starway can be the stage, something similar to Broadway. Loy’s next sign is the â€Å"‘Zodiac carrousel'† which is the cycle of astrological signs that are represented by the constellations in the night sky. A carrousel is a  children’s amusement ride where one would sit on an animal-shape, which would tie in to the zodiac. A carrousel can also mean a cycle of activity that is complex and fast-paced and difficult to break free from. This shows that Loy was in a cycle that she may have been unhappy with. Both the zodiac and the carrousel are the first two of many references to things that are cyclical, or go in circles, or are round even. The next two references to cyclical occurrences are in the next stanza. â€Å"Cyclones† are high-powered storms with low pressure at the center, 99% of which in the northern hemisphere spin in a counterclockwise motion. The fact that they run counterclockwise could be Loy’s rebellion against the cycles she is trapped in, or her feeling that she is stuck in a backward cycle, or a backward life. These cyclones consist â€Å"of ecstatic dust/ and ash† means that Loy’s grief for the loss of her husband is beyond her reason and self-control. The dust represents what something disintegrates into when it is reduced to its lowest form, and can also mean a state of humiliation. The ash, which is the carbon left after something is burned completely, is symbolic of Loy’s grief, repentance and humility. An ash is also a type of tree that has a tough, elastic wood, which represents Loy’s strength and malleability, indicating that she will heal from this l oss. The dust and ashes â€Å"whirl† in this cyclone, another indicator of a circular, cyclical pattern. The next part of the stanza refers to â€Å"crusaders/ from the hallucinatory citadels/ of shattered glass/ into evacuate craters† The hallucinatory citadels is the safety and security Loy thought she had with Cravan. The shattered glass represents Loy’s broken dreams about her ruined marriage and the evacuate craters, which are probably on the moon, are the emptiness into which her broken dreams are siphoned. Crater is another important hint to Loy’s personal life also. Loy was a painter and an artist and a crater can also be a dimple in a painted surface, meaning that there were visible flaws in Loy’s life. Though Loy’s dreams concerning Cravan are broken and gone, she still had goals and aspirations, in fact, she has â€Å"A flock of dreams† still. Those dreams do sometimes â€Å"browse on Necropolis† which means she often thinks of and dreams about her lost husband, Necropolis being the city of the dead. The next stanza is a return to Loy’s lunar theme, and also a reference to a used and tarnished womanhood. â€Å"From the shores/ of oval oceans† The word oval means elliptical and egg shaped, which the orbits of the planets and moons are, but also it is derived from the Latin word ovum, which our word for the female sex cell. The â€Å"oxidized Orient† is the phrase that truly represents a tarnished womanhood. Oxidation is when something has been exposed to oxygen, which has cause a corrosion that is often black, brown or green. Orient is another reference to the moon, which in turn represents chastity. Orient can mean the East, where the sun and moon rise from, or rising in the sky, and also the luster of a pearl. The next image that Loy presents us with is the loss of her thirst for life. In â€Å"Onyx-eyed Odalisques/ and ornithologists/ observe the flight/ of Eros obsolete† dark eyed concubines and studiers of birds watch, inspect, and celebrate as Loy’s no longer useful lust, as Eros is the Greek god of erotic love, and her life-preserving instinct, which is also represented in Eros, leave her. The next stanza where Loy refers to her â€Å"‘Immortality'† as it â€Å"mildews/ in the museums of the moon† Immortality could refer not only to her unending love for Cravan, but also the possibility of her being famous for her writing or her art. The fact that it can mildew means that there truly is no such thing as immortality, but if there was, it would be in a place where it would be looked at and not used: a museum. This museum would be in the moon because the moon represents an unreachable place or goal. The next two lines are direct references to the moon. The â€Å"‘Nocturnal cyclops'† would be the one-eyed being that is active only at night. With the â€Å"‘Crystal concubine'† crystal represents something transparent and pretty, while concubine represents an unmarried woman who lives with a man, which is symbolic of the moon’s relationship with the sun. The very last stanza of â€Å"Lunar Baedeker† is full of meaning. It refers to the moon as â€Å"Pocked with personification† One general thinks that pocked means  to have craters or indents, when in reality it means to have pustules that are filled with infection. By being â€Å"Pocked with personification† the moon is infected with human attributes. The moon is also considered â€Å"the fossil virgin of the skies† Fossil here refers to the fact that the moons representation of purity and chastity are outdated and a remnant of the past. This is also another allusion to astrology in that the virgin, or Virgo, is a sign of the Zodiac. The final three words of this poem are very powerful. When thoroughly considered they represent an inner struggle and inner turmoil. To wax is to increase, grow or intensify, but it can also mean rage. Wane, on the other hand, means to decrease in size and diminish, but it can also be used to describe a loss of power or a fall from power. â€Å"waxes and wanes—-† This is symbolic of Loy’s struggle with her anger and pain after the loss of her husband, and in waning, she relents to her feelings.