Window Dressing - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 1035 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/09/20 Category Business Essay Type Argumentative essay Did you like this example? WINDOW DRESSING Window dressing  is presenting company accounts in a manner which enhances the financial position of the company. It is a form of  creative accounting  involving the manipulation of figures to flatter the financial position of the business. It is also defined as:  Ã¢â‚¬ËœA form of accounting, which while complying with all the regulations, nevertheless, gives a biased impression of the company’s  performance. ’ Though it is  not illegal, it is considered by many financial pundits asunethical. Reasons for Window Dressing: Enhance Liquidity position of the Co. – hiding a deteriorating liquidity position, and †¢Showcase stable Profitability of a company – massaging profit figures with methods such as income smoothing or profit smoothing †¢Reduce Liability for Taxation †¢Ward-off takeover bids †¢Encourage Investors †¢Re-assure Lenders of Finance †¢To influence share price †¢Hide poor manage ment decisions †¢Satisfy the demand of major investors concerning the desired level of return †¢Achieve the sales or profit target, thereby ensuring that management bonuses are paid Methods used for Window Dressing: Income Smoothing: It redistributes income statement credits and charges among different time periods. The prime objective is to moderate income variability over theyears by shifting income from good years to bad years. An example is reducinga Discretionary Cost (e. g. , advertising expense, research and development expense) in thecurrent year to improve current period earnings. In the next year, the discretionary costwill be increased. Ambiguity in Capitalizing and Revenue expenditure –  E. . Computer software with useful life of 3 years. As revenue expenditure it is treated as negative item on PLaccount. As capitalizing expenditure, it is treated as an asset in balance sheet, with yearlydepreciation in the PL. Changing depreciation policy   Incre asing expected life of asset reduces depreciation provision in PL account, hence, increasing net profits. Also, net book value in balance sheet will be higher for a longer period, thereby, increasing firm’s asset values Changing stock valuation policy   Change in method of stock valuation policy (LIFO, FIFO or AVCO) can lead to increase in value of closing stock, boosting up the profits. For example, in a rising price scenario, usage of FIFO method helps in increasing closingstock inventory valuation, thereby reducing the COGS, and hence inflating the earnings. Similarly, in a falling price scenario, LIFO valuation method for inventory is morefavourable. Sale and Lease Back–  This involves selling fixed assets to a third party and then paying a sum of money per year to lease it back. Thus, the business retains the use of the asset but no longer owns it. Off-Balance Sheet Financing –  Conversion of capital lease to operating lease so that the asset no longer features in the assets or liabilities of the balance sheet whichautomatically improves ratios such as Total Asset Turnover Ratio (TATO), Return onAssets, Equity Multiplier, etc. The costs saved are the interest expense on debt availed tofinance the capital lease and depreciation. Also, the debt-raising capacity of the companyincreases as the liabilities component tones down. Naturally, earnings are inflated underthis method. In the later years of use of asset, the company may revert back to capital lease financingsince the with net block having reduced considerably, the deprecation by WDV methodwill also be very less, thereby providing an opportunity to inflate earnings. Also, itprovides the addition benefit of saving on tax. Including intangible assets If intangible assets like goodwill are not depreciated the firm can maintain value of its assets giving a misleading view. Bringing sales forward  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Sales show up in the PL account when the order is received and not at the point of transfer of ownership rights as mentioned in the notes to accountsof the Co. nder the heading of ‘Revenue Realisation’. Encouraging customers to placeorders earlier than planned increases the sales revenue figure in PL account. This bringssales forward from next year to this year. Extraordinary Items-  Extraordinary items  are revenues or costs that occur, but not as a result of normal business activity. These events are unusual and unlikely to be repeatedThey should be highlighted in accounts, and inserted after the calculation of Profit beforeInterest and Taxation. To include these in normal revenues will again exaggerate businessprofits. Examples of window dressing in Indian Companies : 1. Tata Motors  transferred 24% stake in Tata Automotive Components (TACO), a company with revenue of $675 in FY07, to Tata Capital, a group company,  and booked a profit ofRs 110 crore in Q1 FY09. Management declined to disclose the valuation methodolog y. Tata Motors also changed its methodology for calculating provisions for doubtfulreceivables,  which resulted in higher reported Ebitda to the extent of Rs 50. 7 crore (10%of Ebitda). 2. TCS, the software major,  increased its depreciation policy on computers from two years to four years. As a result, Q1 FY09 PBT was higher by an estimated Rs 50 crore (4% of net profit in 1QFY09). TCS followed cash-flow hedge accounting and till FY08, it usedto recognise hedging gains on effective hedges in its revenue line, thus boosting thereported revenue growth and Ebit margin. In FY08, TCS had Rs 421crore from hedginggains, of which, Rs 137 crore was included in the revenue line. However, from Q1 FY09,TCS is expected to report all forex losses/gains below the Ebit line in other income. Thus,the losses it had on its hedge position will no longer be booked in the operating line. 3. Jet Airways,  changed its depreciation policy from WDV to SLM, and thereby wrote back Rs 920 crore int o its PL, which helped the company to report profits during the quarter. It also helped Jet to report a higher net worth, which will help in keeping reported gearing low. 4. Dr Reddy’s  adjusted mark to market losses (Q1 FY08) on outstanding $250 million of hedges in the balance sheet, while PL reflects forex gains realised. 5. Reliance Communications  adjusted short-term quarterly fluctuations in foreign exchange rates related to liabilities and borrowings to the carrying cost of fixed assets. The company adjusted Rs 109 crore of realised and Rs 955 crore of unrealised forexlosses in the above manner. In addition, the company has not recognised Rs 399 crore oftranslation losses on FCCBs, since the FCCBs can potentially get converted, although theFCCBs are out of money. Adjusted for all the above, the company would have virtually no profits in Q1 FY09 Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Window Dressing" essay for you Create order

Religion and Violence Essay examples - 1081 Words

Conflict and violence is around us throughout the world and the mass media has made a huge impact of what we think of violence and the relation to religion, especially in the last couple of years. In addition violence has been considered as being part of human nature and comes from our biological structure of aggression. It is an out let for us to relieve stress levels and some believe that it can be a device of vengeance and a positive mechanism to human survival. For example it is a system for the survival of the fittest and reproduction. Another way that we can look at it on a different spectrum is the way religious beliefs utilise non violent mechanisms that try to diminish the impacts of aggressive behaviour. When we think of religion†¦show more content†¦Historical theories of violence have been part of human and animal sacrifice. Rene Girard has been the most influential to this theory and believed that violent sacrifice is â€Å"the ritualized killing of a living b eing channels the groups innate violence and renders it harmless. Violence is inherent in the religious act because violence as a threat is innate in humans, and religion offers a symbolized way to domesticate and defuse it† . Violence is throughout the traditions of religions and in biblical text of many of them. Violence can range in scale from self harm to destruction of a state or country. This idea about sacrifice has been very much an influence on Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Because before these three religions became distinct there was a period of time in India called the Vedic period and was known as the Indus Valley civilisation. The civilisation believed in sacrifice in rituals. What changes this belief system was the influence of On the opposite scale of violence or religious violence there are non violent religious traditions that believe that harming others is a destructive thing. However â€Å"Virtually every religious tradition contains some sort of injunction against taking human life†. This is because violence is justified through scripture or belief. Juergensmeyer states that non violence can be put into three categories. One of the most prominent religious traditionsShow MoreRelatedReligion : Abrahamic Religions And Violence2836 Words   |  12 PagesJacob Hane Ms. Houle English 9H-3 May 7th 2015 Abrahamic Religions and Violence On, February 25, 1994, an armed Israelite, Baruch Goldstein, entered into a mosque in Hebron and open fired into a group of Muslims during their holy month of Ramadan. Goldstein, baring a Galil assault rifle and training from the Israeli army, killed twenty-nine muslims and wounded countless others (Wiles). His actions later inspired riots throughout the streets of Hebron, which resulted in approximately sixty deathsRead MoreReligion As An Excuse For Violence1270 Words   |  6 Pagesall religions around the world are based on a belief. Almost every religion have certain rules and principles that order together within a society: Many people misunderstand and misinterpret the holy texts the Bible, Quran, Torah, and others fabricate. Religion is defined as faith to a higher being who one believes has created us. It has also been used as laws through history to stop the committing of crimes. In many religions, the consequences of breaking rules and regulations of the religion areRead MoreIslam : A Religion Of Violence1885 Words   |  8 PagesThe Refuting of Islam being born a Religion of Violence There are those in the world that maintain that Islam is a religion born of violence, but many scholars, including Timothy Rowe and William T. Cavanaugh, maintain that Islam was not a religion born of violence instead a religion that was born into a violent culture. This thesis by both scholars allows for the interpretation of Islam that looks not only at the actions of today, but also at the historical foundations of Islam from its birth inRead MoreIslam Is A Religion Of Violence1965 Words   |  8 PagesIn the article â€Å"Islam Is a Religion of Violence†, Ayaan Hirsi Ali discusses the long-debated question of whether Islam is a religion of violence or peace. Islamic terrorism was brought to the forefront of American and Western awareness on September 11, 2001 with the crash of the twin towers. More acts of terrorism committed by Muslims followed throughout the years in different parts of the world. To understand the cause of Islamic terrorism, Ali divides its adherents i nto three categories: the fundamentalistsRead MoreViolence and Religion Essay582 Words   |  3 PagesViolence is an ever present dark cloud that blots out the sun; a stifling hand over the mouth of the victims of society. The word violence, when looked up in a dictionary, has a list of varied definitions, and for a good reason. Violence comes in many different shapes and sizes. A definition that best covers the idea is: any act that show aggression or is intentionally done in the intent of hurting someone. Now this covers the idea of physical, emotional, and mental harm. Violence is a highly controversialRead MoreViolence, Religion, Or Past Experiences1158 Words   |  5 PagesCulture violence intersect in many different situations both through direct and indirect contact. The two can be observed in multiple settings but I am going to focus on the violence that occurs within Intimate Relationships, particularly between a man and woman, and how women assume the role of the †˜submissive’ partner. I will talk about how different cultural feelings, religions and exposure to intimate partner violence can be an example of culture and violence intersecting by observing the threateningRead MoreReligion As A Primary Force Of Violence1762 Words   |  8 Pagesmodern society consider themselves a certain religion. Within this religion they believe that all human beings who are apart of that religious community are sacred, in and of themselves, because they share a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices as well as worship the same God. It can be argued according to Mark Juergensemeyer, author of â€Å"Terror in the Mind of God.† that religion has a natural affinity to violence. That is why, even though religion began the division of humankind, the religiousRead MoreBuddhism : A Religion Of Peace And Non Violence1185 Words   |  5 PagesNirvana. Even though there are many sects of the Buddhist faith, this essay focuses on the shared pe ace practices and beliefs Buddhism promotes, especially the concept of inner peace through reflection. Buddhism is known widely as a religion of peace and non-violence, though there are outlying examples contrary to the point such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and etc., the concept of achieving inner peace and living harmoniously no matter what views one has can promote a positive society. Read MoreReligion And Violence Is Currently One Of The Most Recurrent1623 Words   |  7 PagesReligion and violence is currently one of the most recurrent themes authors write about due to the numerous terrorist actions that consistently occur. These incidents raise multiple questions that the authors of the articles tried to answer by treating different aspects that intersect with religion and violence such as politics and terrorism. The authors of these articles share a lot of ideas and assumptions while simultaneously disagree on others and try to explain certain aspects differentlyRead MoreThe Role Of Politics, Religion, And Violence In The Metamorphoses By Apuleius1828 Words   |  8 Pagesthe roles of politics, religion, and violence during this era by to uncover how each played into shaping life and society in ancient Mediterranean civilization. Violence has been a mainstay in humanity for as long as it has existed, and it manifested itself in ancient Mediterranean history in a variety of ways. In the ancient world, especially, violence was both brutal and ubiquitous. It was how empires were forged and it was how they fell. It is worth noting that violence in this time was almost

Night World Spellbinder Chapter 8 Free Essays

A sharp, acrid odor assaulted her nostrils. She had to blink away tears as she held the bottle over the fire and very carefully tipped it. One drop, two drops, three. We will write a custom essay sample on Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 8 or any similar topic only for you Order Now The fire flared, burning blue. It was ready. The balefire that was the only way to get a spirit from the other side-apart from crossing the veil and fetching it back yourself. Thea took Phoebe’s amulet in both hands and snapped it, cracking the clay and breaking the seal. Then, holding the broken amulet over the fire, she said the words of power she’d heard the elders speaking last Samhain. â€Å"May I be given the Power of the Words of Hecate.† Instantly, she found words coming to her, rolling off her tongue. She heard them as if it were somebody else talking. From beyond the veil†¦ I call you back! Through the mist of years†¦ I call you back! From the airy void†¦ I call you back! Through the narrow path†¦ I call you back! To the heart of the flame†¦ I call you back! Come speedily, conveniently, and without delay! She felt a rumbling vibration like an earthquake rock the floor. Above the ordinary fire different flames seemed to burn; cold, ghostly flames that were pale blue and violet and rose to lick at her knuckles. She started to open her hands, to let the amulet fall into the magical flame. But just as she was about to do it, there was a bang. The door to her bedroom swung open, and for the second time in twelve hours she found herself horrified to see Blaise. â€Å"The whole place is shaking-what are you doing?† â€Å"Blaise-just stay back!† Blaise stared. Her jaw dropped and she lunged forward. â€Å"What are you doing?† â€Å"It’s almost finished-â€Å" â€Å"You’re crazy!† Blaise grabbed at the amulet in Thea’s hands, and then, when Thea snatched her hands back, at the silver box. â€Å"Leave it alone!† Thea grabbed the other side of the box. They were struggling with it, each trying to pull it from the other. Fire scorched Thea’s hands. â€Å"Let go!† Blaise shouted, trying to twist the box away. â€Å"I’m warning you-â€Å" Thea’s fingers were damp with sweat. The box slipped. That was when it happened. The silver box flipped in Blaise’s hands, sending a spray of amulets everywhere. Locks of gray hair, black hair, red hair, all flying. Most of them hit the floor-but one landed directly in the balefire. Thea heard a crack as the clay seal broke. For one second she was frozen, then she plunged her hand into the fire. But the clay was already burning-not red hot, but white hot. She couldn’t close her fingers around it. For just an instant she seemed to see a symbol etched in blue flames, and then a flash like sheet lightning exploded from the fire. It knocked her into Blaise’s bed and Blaise into the wall. The lightning formed a column and something shot out. Thea didn’t so much see it as sense it. A wraith shape that tore around the room like a blast of arctic wind. It sent books and articles of clothing flying. When it reached the window, it seemed to pause for an instant, as if gathering itself, and then it shot through as if the glass didn’t exist. It was gone. â€Å"Great Mother of life,† Blaise whispered from against the wall. She was staring at the window with huge luminous eyes-and she was scared. Blaise was scared. That was when Thea realized how bad things were. â€Å"What have we done?† she whispered. â€Å"What have we done-what have you done, that’s the question,† Blaise snapped, sitting up and looking more like her ordinary self. â€Å"What was that thing?† Defensively, Thea gestured at the scattered amulets. â€Å"What do you think? A witch.† , â€Å"But who?† â€Å"How should I know?† Thea almost yelled, fear giving way to anger. â€Å"This is the one I was going to call back.† She snatched up the â€Å"auburn hair and cracked amulet of Phoebe Garner. â€Å"That one was just whichever one fell out when you grabbed the box.† â€Å"Don’t try to make this my fault. You’re the one doing forbidden spells. You’re the one summoning ancestors. And whatever happens with that one†- Blaise pointed at the window-â€Å"you’re the one responsible.† She got up and shook out her hair, standing tall. â€Å"And that’s what you get for trying to sic the spirits on me!† She turned and stalked out the door. â€Å"I wasn’t trying to sic the spirits on you!† Thea shouted-but the door had already slammed shut. Thea’s anger collapsed. Feeling numb, she looked at the overturned silver box, where she had temporarily stored the tissue with Eric’s blood. I was just trying to find a protector for him. Somebody who’d help him fend off your spells, who’d understand that he’s a person even though he’s a human. She looked forlornly around the room. Then, feeling older than Gran, she struggled to her feet and started mechanically cleaning up the mess. When she dumped the ashes out of the bowl she found some sort of residue sticking to the bottom. She couldn’t wash it off and she couldn’t pry it off with a steak knife. She stashed the entire bowl under her bed. All the while she cleaned, her mind kept churning. Who got out? No way to know. Process of elimination wouldn’t help, not with all those unmarked amulets. What to do now? She didn’t know that either. If I tell anyone-even Gran-they’ll want to know why I was trying to summon the dead. But if they find out the truth, it means death for me and Eric. Around sunset, a limousine pulled up in the back alley. Thea saw it from her window and rushed downstairs in alarm. Grandma was being helped out of the car by two politely expressionless vampires. Servants of Thierry’s. â€Å"Gran, what happened?† â€Å"Nothing happened. I had a little weak spell, that’s all!† She whacked at one of the vampires with her cane. â€Å"I can help myself, son!† â€Å"Ma’am,† said the vampire-who might have been three or four times Grandma’s age. To Thea, he said, â€Å"Your grandmother fainted-she was pretty sick there for a while.† â€Å"And that good-for-nothing apprentice of mine never showed up,† Gran said, making her way to the back door. Thea nodded good-bye to the vampires. â€Å"Gran-it was my fault about Tobias. I let him have the day off.† Her stomach, which had been clenched like a fist all day, seemed to draw even tighter now. â€Å"Are you really sick?† â€Å"I’m good for a few years yet.† She began laboriously working her way up the stairs. â€Å"Vampires just don’t understand old age.† â€Å"What did you go there for?† Gran stopped to cough. â€Å"None of your business, but I had to settle some arrangements with Thierry. He’s agreed to let the Inner Circle use his land on Samhain.† Upstairs, Thea made some herb tea in the tiny kitchenette. And then, when Gran was in bed with the tea, she gathered her courage. â€Å"Gran, when the elders call up the spirits on Samhain-how do they send them back?† â€Å"Why should you want to know?† Gran said crossly. But when Thea just looked at her, she went on. â€Å"There are certain spells that are used for summoning-and don’t you ask me what they are-and you say those backwards to send them back. The witch who calls a spirit has to be the one to dismiss it.† So only I can do it. â€Å"And that’s all?† Thea asked. â€Å"Oh, of course not. It’s a long process of kindling the fire and strewing the herbs-but if you do it all right, you can draw the spirit down from between the standing stones and send it back where it came from.† Grandma went on muttering, but Thea had snagged on a earlier phrase. â€Å"From between-the standing stones†¦ ?† she got out. â€Å"The standing stones that encircle the spirits. Well, think, Thea! If you didn’t have a circle of some kind to hold them in, they’d just-voom.† Gran made a gesture. â€Å"They’d zip out and how would you ever find them again? That’s why I went to Thierry today/’ she added, taking a noisy sip of tea. â€Å"We need a place where the sandstone forms a natural circle†¦ and naturally it’s up to me to arrange everything†¦.† She went on grumbling softly. Thea felt faint. â€Å"You have to be-physically close to them-to send them back?† â€Å"Of course. You have to be within spitting distance, And don’t think I don’t know why you’re asking.† Thea stopped breathing. â€Å"You’re planning something for Samhain- and it’s probably all Blaise’s idea. You two are like Maya and Hellewise. But you can forget about it right now- those spells are for the elders, not for girls.† She stopped to cough. â€Å"I don’t understand why you want to be crones before you’re done being maidens. You ought to enjoy your youth while you have it†¦.† Thea left her still grumbling. She hadn’t cast any kind of a circle before calling the spirit. She hadn’t realized she was supposed to. And now†¦ how could she ever get close enough to the spirit to send it back? Well-it’ll just have to stay out in the world, she told herself bravely. Too bad†¦ but it’s not as if there aren’t other spirits floating around out there. Maybe if it doesn’t like roaming around, it’ll come back. But she was sick with guilt and disheartened. Not to mention worried-if only a little-about Gran’s fainting spell. Blaise didn’t come to bed. She stayed downstairs and worked on her necklace long into the night. On Monday, everyone at school was talking about Randy Marik and the ruined dance. The girls were annoyed about it and furious with Blaise; the boys were annoyed and furious with Randy. â€Å"Are you okay?† Dani asked Thea after world lit class. â€Å"You look kind of pale.† Thea smiled wanly. â€Å"It was a busy weekend.† â€Å"Really? Did you do something with Eric?† The way she said â€Å"do something† alerted Thea. Dani’s heart-shaped face looked as sweet and concerned as ever†¦ but Thea couldn’t trust even her. She was a Night Person, a witch, a human-hater. It didn’t matter. Thea was so edgy that the words just seemed to burst out. â€Å"Do something like what? Smash his car? Turn him into a toad?† Dani looked shocked, her velvet-dark eyes wide. Thea turned and walked quickly away. Stupid, stupid, she told herself. That was so dumb of you. You may not have to pretend to be playing with Eric in front of Blaise anymore-but in front of the other witches you’ve got to keep acting. She headed almost blindly for Eric’s locker, ignoring the people she passed. I’ve only been here a week. How can everything in my life have become so awful? I’m at war with Blaise; I’ve worked a forbidden spell; I don’t dare talk to Gran-and I’ve broken Night World law. â€Å"Thea! I was looking for you.† It was Eric’s voice. Warm, eager-everything that Thea wasn’t. She turned to see green eyes flecked with dancing gray and an astonishing smile. A smile that drew her in, changing the world. Maybe everything was going to be all right, after all. â€Å"I called you yesterday, but I just kept getting the machine.† Thea hadn’t even looked at the answering machine. â€Å"I’m sorry-there was a lot going on.† Eric looked so kind that she groped for something that had been going on that she could tell him about. â€Å"My grandmother’s been sick.† He sobered at once. â€Å"That’s terrible.† â€Å"Yes.† Thea fished in her backpack for the small herb pillow she’d put there this morning. Then she hesitated. â€Å"Eric†¦ is there somewhere we could go to talk alone? Just for a few minutes? I want to give you something.† He blinked, then waggled his eyebrows. â€Å"Nothing I’d like better. And I know just the place. Come on.† He led her across campus to a large building that stood apart from the rest of the complex. It had a shabby look and the paint on the double doors was blistered. A banner announced in orange and black letters: don’t miss the .ultimate Halloween party. â€Å"What is this?† Eric, who was opening the door, put a finger to his lips. He glanced inside, then beckoned to her. â€Å"It’s the old gym. They’re supposed to be renovating it as a student center, but there isn’t enough money.† He snorted. â€Å"Probably because they’re spending too much on renovating downtown. Now- what was it you wanted to give me?† â€Å"It†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Thea stopped dead as she took in her surroundings. All thoughts of the herb pillow vanished. â€Å"Eric-†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She stared around her, feeling a slow wave of sickness roil through her stomach. â€Å"Is this†¦ for the Halloween party?†. â€Å"Yeah. They do a couple fund-raisers a semester here. This is kind of a weird one-but they did it last year and it brought in a lot.† Not weird, Thea thought numbly. Weird doesn’t begin to describe it. Half the room was empty, just scuffed hardwood floor, a broken basketball backboard, and exposed pipes in the ceiling. But the other half looked like a cross between a medieval dungeon and a casino. She walked slowly toward it, her footsteps echoing. Wooden booths of various sizes were decorated with orange and black crepe paper and fake spider webs. Thea read one banner after another. â€Å"Fortune telling†¦ Drench a Wench†¦ Bobbing for Shrunken Heads?† â€Å"It’s bobbing for apples really,† Eric said, seeming embarrassed. â€Å"And the gambling isn’t real. You do it all with goblin money and exchange it for prizes.† Thea couldn’t stop looking at the booths. Wheel of Torture: a money wheel with a dummy dressed like a witch spreadeagled in the middle. Bloody Blackjack. Devil’s Darts†¦ a dart game with a cork witch as a target. And there were witch figures everywhere. Cloth witches on nooses hanging from the overhead pipes. Cardboard witches leering from the tops of booths. Paper witches dancing on the wall. They were fat, skinny, white-haired, gray-haired, cross-eyed, squint-eyed, warty, funny, scary†¦ and ugly. That was the one thing they all had in common. That’s what they think of us. Humans. All humans†¦ â€Å"Thea? Are you okay?† Thea whirled. â€Å"No, I am not okay.† She gestured around the room. â€Å"Will you look at this stuff? Do you really think it’s funny? Something to party about?† Hardly aware of what she was doing, she spun him around to face The Iron Maiden-a wooden replica with rubber spikes. â€Å"What are people going to do? Pay to step into that? Don’t they realize that it used to be real? That real people were put in it, and that when the door closed, those spikes went into them, into their arms and their stomachs and their eyes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She couldn’t go on. Eric looked as stricken as Dani had earlier. He’d never seen her like this. â€Å"Thea-look, I’m sorry†¦ I never thought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Or that.† Thea gestured toward the Wheel of Torture, the words tumbling out. â€Å"Do you know how they really put a witch on the wheel? They broke every bone in her body so they could just thread her arms and legs through the spokes like spaghetti. Then they put the wheel on a pole and left her up there to die†¦.† Eric’s face contracted with horror. â€Å"God, Thea†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"And these pictures–the witches who got tortured didn’t have green skin and evil eyes. They weren’t monsters, and they didn’t have anything to do with devils. They were people.† Eric reached out for her, but she spun away, staring at a particularly ugly hag on the wall. â€Å"Do you think this place is all right for a party? That this is good fun? That witches look like that?† She flung out an arm, close to being hysterical. â€Å"Well, do you?† In her mind’s eye she could see the world: Dani and Blaise and all other witches on the left; Eric and the students here and all other humans on the right, both races hating and despising each other-and herself somewhere in the middle. Eric caught her shoulders. â€Å"No, I don’t think it’s all right. Thea, will you just listen to me for a second?† He was almost shaking her-but she could see that there were tears forming at the corners of his eyes. â€Å"I feel awful,† he said. â€Å"I never thought about taking this stuff seriously-and that’s my own stupid fault, and I know it’s not an excuse. But now that you say it, I do see how terrible it is, and I’m sorry. And I never should have brought you here, of all people†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Thea, who had been starting to relax, stiffened again. â€Å"Why me ‘of all people’?† she demanded. He hesitated a moment, then met her eyes and spoke quietly. â€Å"Because of your grandma’s store. I mean, I know it’s just herbs and positive thinking- but I also, know that in the old days, there would have been somebody out there pointing a finger and calling her a witch.† Thea relaxed again. It was okay for people to think Gran was a witch-if by â€Å"witch† they meant someone who talked to plants and mixed up homemade hair tonic. And she couldn’t disbelieve Eric, not under the intensity of those steady green eyes. But she saw an opportunity and seized it. â€Å"Yeah, and they’d probably have burned me for giving you this present,† she said, opening her hand. â€Å"And you’d probably have been scared or superstitious if I asked you to keep it with you all the time: you’d think I was putting some kind of a spell on you-â€Å" â€Å"I wouldn’t think anything,† he said firmly, taking the little green pillow from her. It smelled like fresh New Hampshire pine needles, which was what was in it-mainly. She’d also added a few protective herbs and an Ishtar crystal, a golden beryl in a star cut with thirty-three facets, carved with the name of the Babylonian mother goddess. The charm was the best she could do to help him fend off Blaise’s spells. â€Å"I would just kiss it and put it my pocket and never let it out of my sight,† Eric went on. And he did, stopping after the kiss to say, â€Å"Mm, smells good.† Thea couldn’t help smiling at him. She chanced saying, â€Å"Actually, it’s just to remind you of me.† â€Å"It will never leave my pocket,† he said solemnly. Well, that worked out nicely. â€Å"Look, there’s probably something we can do about this place,† Eric said, glancing around again. â€Å"The school board doesn’t want any bad publicity. Why don’t I run and borrow a camera from the journalism class, and we can take some pictures so people will see what we mean when we complain?† Thea glanced at her watch. â€Å"Why not? I think I’ve already missed French.† He grinned. â€Å"Back in a minute.† When he was gone, Thea wandered slowly among the silent booths, lost in her own thoughts. For a few minutes there, when I was ranting, I almost told him the truth. And then later I thought maybe he’d figured it all out for himself. And would that be so terrible? He’s already under sentence of death just because I love him; it doesn’t matter if he knows or not. But if he did know†¦ what would he say? Witches may be okay in the abstract-but does he really want one for a girlfriend? The only way to find out was to tell him. She leaned against a ladder and gazed sightlessly at an oilcloth lying beneath a hanging noose. Of course, it was probably all academic anyway. What kind of future could they possibly have†¦ ? Suddenly Thea realized what she was looking at. Underneath that oilcloth was a shoe-and the shoe was connected to something. Subconsciously, she’d been assuming it was another witch dummy†¦ but now she focused. And she felt the hairs on her arms lift and tingle. Why would they dress a witch in black Nike high-tops? How to cite Night World : Spellbinder Chapter 8, Essay examples

Chaucerian times Essay Example For Students

Chaucerian times Essay The wife is renown from the beginning of the prologue as a character with little regard for anything or anyone else with her carefree attitude displayed most commonly in her speeches about sex. However in regard to the entire prologue as a tale of licence and lust would perhaps be a too restricted overview. The prologue also provides the audience with many other prominent themes such as religion, marriage and female equality in Chaucerian times. Licence however is significant to the Wife of Baths prologue. Her strength of character provides the prologue with a sense of freedom and little regard for anything. This is demonstrated in particular with her lack of hesitance to challenge authority figures, in particular male and religious authoritys. In the opening lines of the prologue this behaviour is established where the wife challenges men, especially the wise, daun salomon who she claims had hadde wives mo than oon. This in particular demonstrates her lack of care for anyone else and her self-freedom due to the fact those she is opposing (men) contribute to the pilgrimage the most; there were few women on the pilgrimage. Her desire for dominance and power over her husbands is crucial in illustrating this idea of licence, in particular in connection with Jankin. The Wife of Bath clearly doesnt abide by societys conventional role of women and consistently objects to Jankins opinions and remarks. She readily admits that with her fist so took him on the cheke and doesnt appear to mind informing the audience of this. It indicates her need to be in control at all times over her husbands. Her treatment of the other husbands supports these ideas too in the way in which she manipulates them and shows little consideration for them. This is clear in the way she tells the audience with delight how badly she treated them O lord! The peyne I dide hem and the wo implying she had little regret for how she behaved. Her careless attitude is also displayed when she comically suggests that even if the pope hadde seten hem beside she wouldnt have stopped shouting. This is a very good illustration of her character as a whole and her free from care approach to life. Both the idea of licence and lust is prominent in the prologue, as this is a significant part of the Wifes character as she is rarely hesitant to say herself. From the early parts of the prologue she honestly reveals Which yifte of God hadde he for alle his wives! suggesting she likes sex and is not afraid to say it, also considering the time in which this was set; meaning this would be very surprising to hear from a women. Not only does this display her lack of care but also the aspect of lust. The idea is of lust is represented throughout the prologue with the Wifes explicit details of her sex life. She is often crude in the way she talks about sex, not afraid to use what would be thought as vulgar language in her descriptions as at one point she tells the pilgrimage how she had the beste quoniam mighte be. However this is a skill she uses to introduce a comical aspect into her stories; she doesnt mind sharing the most intimate details and it would suggest she would never fail in interesting her audience by using this technique. However behind the Wifes often crude and care free attitude there are many more sides to her character that are not so obvious. Religion is something which the Wife appears to have a good knowledge of with many references to important figures in her anecdotes, even though her quotes are not quite accurate on many occasions. However sometimes as an audience this may again be a faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade, as often her misquotations are used to her advantage and perhaps used as part of her plan to win arguments. .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .postImageUrl , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:hover , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:visited , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:active { border:0!important; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:active , .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639 .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u1cfb8e5e5a8eebe736669398ca073639:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Battle Royal EssayAstrology is another of her interests, using this again to support arguments, in particular justifying her adultery; claiming a wise astrologer Daun Ptholome said the famous proverb of alle men his wisdom is the hyeste, That rekketh nevere who hath the world in honde. Basically claiming the contented man is he who doesnt care how much another man has, suggesting that a contented man shouldnt mind if she commits adultery. Again this would be likely to provoke amusement in the pilgrimage due to the way in which the Wife manipulates nearly anything to her advantage. Also again her lack of care and respect for her marriages illustrate both licence and lust in the prologue. In conclusion, even though licence and lust are prominent ideas throughout the prologue there are many other less apparent issues behind the Wifes bold character. Even though many of the other ideas raised have some connection with the Wifes love of sex, the issues provide other themes such as religion, dominance and feminism. Therefore I would conclude licence and lust are central to the prologue, however the description stated in the question is perhaps too restricted and does not allow the audience to acknowledge the other significant issues raised by the complex character and prologue in general.

Hip Hop America free essay sample

America discusses the nature of hip hop along with the relationship between African Americans and America. Many take the idea of hip hop to be just African Americans and rap music. George continually focuses on hip hops many contradictions. He addresses how hip hop represents race, ethnicity, class, gender, and generation. George covers much familiar ground: how a-beats became hip hop; how technology changed popular music, which helped to create new technologies; how professional basketball was Influenced by hip hop styles; how angst rap emerged out of the crack epidemic of the sass; how many elements of hip hop culture managed to celebrate, and/or condemn black-on-black violence; how that black-on-black violence was somewhat encouraged by white people scheming on black males to show their foolishness, which often created a huge mess; and finally, how hip hop used and continues to use Its art to express black frustration and ambition to blacks while, at the same time, referring that frustration and ambition to millions of whites. We will write a custom essay sample on Hip Hop America or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Chapter 3 and chapter 16 dad joint and beyond really caught my eye.Chapter 3 gangsters-real and unreal summarized the image of the hood and crime filled areas where people are regularly being robbed, shot, and killed. It also told how drugs came about and became a new industry. It also became popular among musicians and soon became a way to employ young poor teens who lived in these hoods. As many blacks are poor a lot of the hip hop lyrics began and still does focus on the distribution of drugs and crime in the streets. It sells because people who havent experienced it like to here how others lived and their stories and those who eave experienced it like to relate to what they know and have been through. In chapter 16 George speaks on how many slang words and phrases have been used in hip hop that and have evolved as the time goes on, some have lost meaning and some have new meanings, they change with style and mark past moments. It tells how in the ass hip hop wasnt looked at as to be something that would get blacks rich or even a profit but now any businesses that have to do with hip hop brings in money. George compares Master P, an ex street hustler, now multi-millionaire to Booker T. Washington (creator of the Tuskegee Institute). Master P. Opened his own business, No Limit Records, and took control and ran with It. Being that this Is the last chapter It ends by asking whether or not hip hop now will be looked upon by the next generation like this generation looks at hip hop before us and will hip hop be Influenced by America like it has been. In conclusion , I thought this book was very Nell written so well that Im not even sure I understood exactly everything to the point due to the diction but overall It was understandable and I enjoyed It. Because It gave e a better understanding of something I thought really knew everything there was to know about hip hop In America. Ay lollipops to be Just African Americans and rap music. George continually focuses on hip hops technologies; how professional basketball was influenced by hip hop styles; how how hip hop used and continues to use its art to express black frustration and ambition to blacks while, at the same time, referring that frustration and ambition to Chapter 3 and chapter 16 dad Joint and beyond really caught my eye.Chapter 3 gangsters-real and unreal summarized the image of the hood and crime filled hoods. As many blacks are poor a lot of the hip hop lyrics began and still does focus money. George compares Master P, an ex street hustler, now multi-millionaire to je rker T. Washington (creator of the Tuskegee Institute). Master P. Opened his own business, No Limit Records, and took control and ran with it. Being that this is the last chapter it ends by asking whether or not hip hop now will be looked upon by the next Nell written so well that IM not even sure I understood exactly everything to the point due to the diction but overall it was understandable and I enjoyed it. Because it gave to know about hip hop in America.

Research on PIMCO Essays

Research on PIMCO Essays Research on PIMCO Essay Research on PIMCO Essay PIMPS currently headed by the co-founder and CIO, Bill Gross (who Is considered as the top fixed-income money manager In the last two decades by the market). PIMPS has over 2400 employees worldwide and has offices In 12 countries. As of 30th June, 2014 PIMPS was managing assets to the tune focuses mainly on fixed income, mutual funds, bonds, equity and retirement funds. It is known as the Bond King because of its huge specialization in that sector. Pompoms core competitors both market segment wise and locations would be Black Rock and Fidelity. PIMPS had sales of $78 million last year and consistently growing. The company was recently faced with a bit of media turmoil because of the unexpected assignation of the CEO, Muhammad El Rain. But Bill Gross stepped up and the company is on track to meet its 2014 targets. As far as hiring is concerned, Insiders say PIMPS is looking for those who are intellectually curious, extremely driven and interested in long-term careers in investment management. PIMPS recruits both at undergraduate level and Mambas. It conducts on-campus interviews at all the top schools in the country including USC. PIMPS also has summer internships for the MBA for 12 weeks and is a great way to gain an in-depth knowledge of the company and culture. The hiring process is quite competitive and an in-depth knowledge of finance and investments is required. MBA are typically hired as Associates and growth is highly dependent on performance. PIMPS is a challenging place to work for one should not be expecting a great work/life balance as Associates put in 60-70 hrs per week on the average. Moreover, PIMPS has a very academic culture will a lot of focus on trainings and all. The average compensation of Associates for 2013 was $103,000 before bonus, and the bonus usually ranges between 20-50% depending on the performance. I would highly recommend PIMPS to everyone whose looking to ark In Finance in California, Europe or Asia. Accounting and Corporate Finance would be the core subjects that the person should focus now. If you want to apply to PIMPS, I would suggest Joining the Marshall American Finance Association, as It will provide a great platform finance discussions and Interview tips. PIMPS comes on campus for Interview for summer Internships next year early December, so I will recommend to start preparing soon. Industry. However, I can assure you that through proper research, focused networking and a Marshall MBA getting a Job in Finance is definitely possible. I will for a while, called PIMPS I. . Pacific Investment Management Company. It is world- renowned investment Management Company and is headquartered nearby at is considered as the top fixed-income money manager in the last two decades by the market). PIMPS has over 2400 employees worldwide and has offices in 12 countries. $ trillion and work in Finance in California, Europe or Asia. Accounting and Corporate Finance PIMPS, I would suggest Joining the Marshall American Finance Association, as it will provide a great platform finance discussions and interview tips. PIMPS comes on campus for interview for summer internships next year early December.

HR Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HR - Assignment Example Downey (2007, p. 6) provides further insight on what PEST analysis means, highlighting the fact that it is a scan of the external macro-environment within which an organisation operates. It is broadly broken down into political, economic, social-cultural and technological factors which form the four tenets of PEST analysis. This part of the study will explore the concept of PEST analysis using practical examples. The political aspect of the PEST analysis involves the effects of government policy on a firm since this consideration impacts nearly all aspects of the firm’s operations. Henry (2008, p. 52) states that the political factors affecting a firm do not merely arise from legislation but encompasses issues such as government stability, taxation policies and government regulation. With the advent of globalisation, government stability, which has traditionally not been a concern in developed nations such as the UK, can now not escape attention as firms seek to transform into multinationals. Establishment of supranational cooperation such as the European Union also comes into play as cross-national standardization takes course. Deregulation of an industry by the government may result in new entrants that practice competitive pricing and thus affect incumbents. The second aspect in PEST analysis involves economic considerations, where there is the analysis of economic indicators such as interest rates, people’s disposable incomes, unemployment rates, inflation, currency strength and global economics (Henry 2008, p. 54). A practical example is one in which a firm dealing with importations in the UK has to monitor the strength of the Sterling Pound since a strong Pound could easily make importation quite expensive. The same firm is also affected by global oil price dynamics and must have felt the repercussions of an economic downturn resulting from American economics. In such a recession, the spending power of consumers declines and lay-offs increas e hence affecting such a firm’s sales. All of these should be analysed if the firm is to navigate the industry properly. Osborne and Brown (2005, p. 17) explain that firms are impacted by social factors like an aging population, social inclusion agitation, new social needs and transformation of previous needs and need for sustainable societies. All these affect a firm’s market size, customer loyalty and growth and thus are weighty considerations for firms. For instance, population demographics may determine the products that will have large markets and strategies that will access such markets. Different products and strategies appeal to both young and ageing populations in significantly different ways; hence a firm has to ensure it analyses population trends and future expectations. The last aspect of PEST analysis is technology, where a firm has to ensure it places itself in a strategic position to take advantage of new and useful technologies since the implications i n terms of competitiveness are far-reaching (Gimbert 2011, p. 49). Some of the most impacting technologies include IT, internet and genetic engineering while emerging areas such as nanotechnology are bound to be influential. A practical example of how analysis of the technological factors is crucial is in the advent of the internet, where the first firms to capitalise on its advantages such as ease of communication and access to wider markets gained immense competitive advantages over their rivals. Part 2: a) Structural Problems Sony is a largely successful