Women's studies - Gender, Culture and Technology Essay

Women's studies - Gender, Culture and Technology - Essay Example Sex stereotypes are defined as â€Å"socially shared beliefs that certain qualities can be assigned to individuals, based on their membership in the female or male half of the human race† (Lips, 1993, pp. 2). The individual tends to conform to the roles defined or constructed by the society. Individuals are so influenced by the socially specified categories that they tend to organize themselves according to these categories. A woman speaks in one way when she is speaking to another woman, and in a different way when she is speaking to a man. She may behave differently when she is working with a group of men than when she is working with a group of females. This is because the woman has learnt through modeling, practice and reinforcement, to behave differently in situations that differ only in relation to the gender of the partner or the group. Her role vis-à  -vis to the gender she is interacting with has already been prescribed and defined by society. Bohan (1993, pp.6) suggests that the differences between boys and girls and men and women can be explained by two different perspectives – Essentialism and Constructionism. Essentialism locates the origin of the gender qualities within the individual whereas Constructionism locates these gender qualities outside the individual as a component of the acts and actions of the individualism. Gender is therefore made external to the self. It is not intrinsic. It is only in what the actions of the individual. Gender qualities, from this perspective, are not intrinsic characteristics based on biological sex. Bohan argues that gender is not something that the individual possesses but something that the individual does. Essentialism on the other hand locates gender within the individual as intrinsic. The constructionist perspective actually locates gender in the social realm. It defines gender in terms of ‘doing’. West and Zimmerman (1993, pp. 380) define gender itself as â€Å"a routine, methodical and

The Simulation Project Essay Example for Free

The Simulation Project Essay Multinational corporations face many challenges in their domestic and global environments. According to Ajami, Cool, Goddard, and Khambata â€Å"a multinational firm is one in which a certain percentage of the earnings, assets, sales, or personnell of a firm come from or are deployed in foreign locations† (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 6). According to this definition US Airways Group would be classified as a mulitnational firm. On Fortune 500’s Worst List, US Airways Group is identified as a least admired company on all eight attributes identified by the research and surveys performed by Hay Group (Best worst in, 2006). As the name implies US Airways Group operates in the Airline industry. This paper will discuss how government regulations, hard and soft technologies, some political-legal barriers, sociocultural factors and two economic theories that are faced by US Airways Group are affected by their domestic and global environments. It will also offer a strategy for US Airways Group to countinue its growth and success as an industry leader. As indicated from its name the domestic environment of this company is the United States and the global environment that will be used is Costa Rica. In the US the airline industry has two main agencies that write regulations that it has to obey. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 2012). Although the airline industry was de-regulated in 1978 the DOT â€Å"retains the authority to alter or amend any airline’s certificate or to revoke such certificate for intentional failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the certificate† (10-K, 2012). The FAA is responsible for writing the regulations that relate to aircraft maintenance and operations, certification of pilots and flight crewmembers and air traffic and general operating rules (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 2012). Another other agency that establishes guidelines that the airline industry has to abide by is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is responsible for â€Å"regulating operations, including air carrier operations, which affect the quality of air in the United States† (10-K, 2012). US Airways Group has to follow all the established regulations created by the FAA, DOT and EPA if it wants to remain in business in the United States. They have to keep up-to-date with the maintenance requirements and keep accurate records as established by the FAA and continue to have their aircraft inspected at regular intervals as prescribed by the FAA (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 2012). They must ensure they follow EPA guidelines regarding air quality, while continuing to meet the DOT requirements for operating at efficiency or risk having their certificates revoked to do business as well. In Costa Rica, the government is based on Roman law, which is very different from the US legal system (Doing Business in Costa Rica: 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies, 2012). The ways the laws are written is how they are applied and there is little to no room left for interpretation by anyone regarding the laws. Therefore the way that the government regulations that US Airways Group must follow are written are the way that they must be followed. The government has established travel guidelines that must be followed there, the most important being that: currently you are not permitted to enter Costa Rica unless you have a roundtrip ticket (Costa Rica, 2012). The easiest way for US Airways to avoid an issue regarding this regulation is to ensure that all travelers going to Costa Rica have a roundtrip ticket when they board the plane in their departure city, along with valid identification. â€Å"Hard technology includes the physical hardware, capital goods, blueprints and specifications, and knowledge necessary to use the hardware, while soft technology encompasses the management, marketing, financial organization, and administrative techniques that can be combined with the hard technology to serve the needs of the use† (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 358). Based on this definition some of US Airways hard technologies would be their aircraft (planes), hubs (airport locations) and even their flight crews. The planes that are currently in the fleet are manufactured by Boeing, Airbus and Embraer (US Airways Fleet, 2013) and some are equipped  with the â€Å"ACSS’s XS-950â„ ¢ Mode S Transponder† which allows for the transmission of information regarding the planes â€Å"position, speed and intent† (Press Releases, 2012). They have hubs in the four US cities and have established a partnership with Star Alliance (US Airways A Star Alliance Member, 2013), which gives them access to a hub at London’s Heathrow Airport as well. The flight crew has the knowledge to operate the aircraft as well operate the terminals efficiently within the hubs. It is the flight crew’s responsibility to ensure that the passengers are on board the plane on time and that the plane departs the gate on time. The soft technologies currently employed by US Airways includes their Nuance interactive voice response (IVR) system, which was one of their new marketing tools to help reduce customer frustrations (Interactive Case Study: US Airways, 2013), audits of customers’ airport experiences (Sunnucks, 2010), and training on the other new systems that have been implemented to help with customer satisfaction. Just as flight crews can be classified as hard technology the management staff of US Airways can be classified as soft technology because it is their responsibility to make sure that the customers are kept happy and that they use their administrative talents to keep the employees satisfied as well. If US Airways continues to educate, value and respect it employees, while using new technology to keep up-to-date with the rest of the industry and survey its customers for satisfaction their success will continue to improve. One of the political-legal barriers that US Airways Group will face in the US and Costa Rica the differences in the legal system as identified earlier. In the US the laws are interpreted and judges look at past cases to help decide how to rule on a current case, in Costa Rica judges look at the law the way it is written and make their rulings based on the way the law is written. If US Airways is not careful and does not fully understand the laws and how they are written in Costa Rica this could be detrimental to their operations there. In the US they not only have to comply with federal laws but state laws as well that have been established. Although both governments are classified as republics, the US has what the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) refers to as a federal republic and Costa Rica has a democratic republic (The World Fact Book, 2012). In Costa Rica they promote a political environment based on inclusion. One of their political parties is Partido Accesibilidad Sin Exclusià ³n (PASE) which translated into English is Accessibility without Exclusion Party (Obando, 2013); however the US is not necessarily an inclusion-based society. The US does have laws regarding accessibility for individuals with disabilities and they are taken very seriously, Costa Rica is not as readily as accessible as one would think they would be based on their inclusion-based political system. For US Airways to continue to be successful in the US and Costa Rica concerning the political-legal environments within those countries they should remember the â€Å"history of close and friendly relations based on respect for democratic government, human freedoms, free trade, and other shared values† (World-Country Profiles; US Department of State Background Note, 2007), this falls in line with the concept of the classical theory of trade (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 48). Geert Hofstede developed his theory of the five dimensions of culture, based on information provided to him by IBM regarding employee values in their survey of more than 70 countries between 1967 and 1973 (National cultural dimensions, 2013). â€Å"The five dimensions of culture as theorized by Hofstede are: social orientation, power orientation, uncertainty orientation, goal orientation and time orientation† (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 213). The five dimensions are broken down into simple terms as: social orientation – reflects a person’s beliefs about the importance of the individual over the group for which they belong; power orientation – deals with how one views authority and power differences in a hierarchy; uncertantiy oreintation – refers to how one feels regarding change; goal orientation – deals with how one is motivated towards achieving goals and the fifth and final dimension time oreintation – refers to the how individuals in a culture adopt an outlook of long or short term regarding life, work and other issues (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 213-214). In regards to the sociocultural aspects related to these dimensions of culture as id entified by Hofstede there are many that are different as well as some that are similar for these two countries. One of the biggest differences between the two countries is their attidudes towards time. People in the US are all about time and money whereas people in Costa Rica want to take their time and really understand what is happening. The attitudes towards work and lesiure follow suit with the attitudes towards time. Many in the US do not  take vacation time off because things need to get done, whereas Costa Ricans are more concerend with spending time with their families and socializing with friends (Provasi, 2012). The attitudes regarding change, material things, and jobs are also at opposite ends of the spectrum. These things are important to most Americans and they look at these things as a way to build themselves up. Costa Rican’s on the other hand look at these things and will be just as comfortable with keeping things just they way they are. Aspects that are similar in the two countries are literacy rate and education mix. Both coutries hold these items in high regard and try to come up with ways to encourage the young people to stay in school and continue with their education and pursue higher education as well. Another item that is similar is their â€Å"open door† policy in the work place , managers are accessible at all levels and this makes it very familiar. The two economic theories that will be compared and contrasted are Walt Whitman Rostow’s Stages of Economic Growth and John Kenneth Galbraith Equilibrium of Poverty for the domestic and gloabal economic environments identified above for US Airways Group. The US has a mixed economic environment and is classified as a first world country. The reason the US does not fit into one specific economic environment is it has characteristics of capitalism in which the relationship of supply and demand dictates price and it also has elements of a free-market economy in which the government establishes laws and policies to ensure public safety and welfare (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 59). Costa Rica has a social market economy (Rojas, 2006) and is classified as a thrid world country (Rosenberger, 2012). A social market economy is similar to a free-maket economy in that â€Å"it upholds free market components such as private property and ownership of businesses and industry, free price formation, market competition and free trade, while also utilizing government regulation to create fair market competition by preventing market monopolies, ensuring ongoing economic development and poverty alleviation† (Social Market Economy, 20 13). Based on the definitions provided it can be said the both economies are similar in regards to government regulations being involved in creating a fair and safe market environment. Walt Whitman Rostow identified five economic stages of growth in which a country could fall: traditional society, transitional stage, takeoff, drive to maturity and the age of mass consumption (Ford,  2004). Each stage represents a stepping stone to for the next stage. According to Rostow the US surpassed the age of mass consumption in the late 1950’s (Ferraro, 1960), Costa Rica however is still in the takeoff stage. This stage is â€Å"marked by major transformations that stimulate the economy† (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 55). For US Airways Group, in Costa Rica this is identified by their growth in the technological area (more flights operated) as well as more jobs being created due to the increase in flights. Although in the US this stage has been surpassed, US Airways contiunes to â€Å"grow† in this aspect because they are increasing flight schedules. Galbraith’s view of economics is similar to that of Rostow, in that economic growth is as much a change in social, intellectual and policatical as well as physical (material) change (Watson, 2011). According to both of their economist views the US operates as a capitalistic economy. This is tr ue of US Airways in the way that they have been able to turn-around their business since 2005. They actually took into consideration things that would make the consumers happy, not necessarily increasing their capacity (i.e. putting more seats on a plane), in doing so they were able to keep up with the consumer’s wants and still provide the service that was needed (Smith, 2012). This falls into Galbraith’s view that â€Å"the major affirmative purpose of the firm is corporate growth† (John Kenneth Galbraiths Contributions to Economics, 2013). This view is similar to Rostow’s age of mass consumption in that both concentrate on the high standards of living (i.e. comfort in travel on the plane) that have been established as a result of the efforts set forth is their respective stages. Where the two differ dramatically is that Galbraith believes that the companies direct the consumers wants by advertising that makes the consumers desire certain products or services, and that therefore the economy is more driven by the seller and not the consumer (John Kenneth Galbraiths Contributions to Economics, 2013). In this instance though, that concept contradicts his idea of ‘the major affaimative purpose of the firm is corporate growth’ in the example provided regarding US Airways above. In successfully industrializing a poor economy such as Costa Rica’s, Galbraith’s Equilibrium of Poverty offers the idea of the reliable infrastructure system (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 57). This idea simply means that the country would need to have a â€Å"relieable  system of roads, ports, electrical power supplies and communications† (Ajami, Cool, Goddard, Khambata, 2006, p. 57). In this case US Airways already has access to these items at the airport and therefore is well on its way to helping the economy grow and prosper. While both Rostow and Galbraith believe that governement need to be invovled in the initial stages to help third world countries establish themselves and help to protect their citizens they also understand that there will be a time when the government will need to step back and let the companies in the different industries takeover and control their own destinies so to speak. Rostow does not mention how or when he thinks this should be done, however Galbraith says that he feels that governments should impose â€Å"taxes on consumer goods and services, using the proceeds to increase the availability of public sector goods and services† (John Kenneth Galbraiths Contributions to Economics, 2013). In doing this, he is trying to show that eventually there has to be a point where control is given to the companies and they only need to answer to the governments when required or necessary. US Airways Group has made significant improvements in seven of the eight-attribute areas identified On Fortune 500’s Worst List 2006. On the 2011 list they still have a ranking on the worst product quality attribute of number 11, which is down from 10. US Airways Group needs to figure out ways to improve the quality of their service as well as their products. Although they may not have much control over the service aspect because the flight schedule cab be delayed because of an airline from another company they can control they products. They can invest in newer planes, upgrade/update their current planes and even update their hubs in the airports that they currently operate in. Other ways for the company to continue to grow and succeed in the domestic and global environments are they must continue to improve their offerings. They are off to a great start by taking surveys and asking customers what is important to them. They need to go a step further and ask the employees what is important to them, what will keep them loyal to US Airways Group. Take what they learn from the employees and the implement changes that are suggested. Continue to ask the customers what they like, do not like, what other features they would like to see in the airports, on the planes and in the air. I think one thing that the company should do is take a lesson from Southwest and stop charging baggage fees for the first checked bag. They should eliminate  change fees, and if someone needs to cancel their trip completely, implement a cancell ation fee, but refund the difference between the ticket price and the cancellation fee. By eliminating their fees they will draw more passengers to the airline and increase sales, because people will not feel as if they are being taken advantage of. In today’s economy this will go far with consumers and could lead to even bigger profits in the end, because they will feel that US Airways Group is a company that is not just looking out for themselves but for their customers as well. As demonstrated there are several different environments that a multinational corporation must take into consideration when exploring new opportunities. The government regulations, hard and soft technologies, political-legal barriers, sociocultural factors and economic theories that a company faces and how they handle each of those environments will determine if they will succeed or fail. Walt Whitman Rostow and John Kenneth Galbraith’s economic theories can be used by companies to help determine if the global environment that is being considered will be a good fit with the domestic environment of the parent company. Once the location has been setup and establishe the company must realize that the work does not stop there, they must always analyze and remember they want to continue to grow so they need to ask the question what do we do to contiune to prosper or what do we do to make it so we do prosper. Bibliography 10-K, A. H. (2012, May 19, Retreived December 16, 2012). Government Regulations and Airline Industry Taxation. Retrieved from Wikinvest: http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/AirTran_Holdings_(AAI)/Government_Regulations_Airline_Industry_Taxation Ajami, R. A., Cool, K., Goddard, G. J., Khambata, D. (2006). International Business: Theory and Practice. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, Inc. Best worst in (2006). Retrieved from CNN Money: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/mostadmired/2006/best_worst/ Costa Rica. (2012, December 30). Retrieved from cr2net.com: http://www.cr2net.com/costarica/coming_and_going.htm Doing Business in Costa Rica: 2012 Country Commercial Guide for U.S. Companies. (2012, December 30). Retrieved from The Department of Commerce: http://www.buyusainfo.net/docs/x_1853591.pdf Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. (2012, December 13, Retreived December 16, 2012). Retrieved

Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind

Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind I Cor. 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. Christian love is Christs Commandment for all of HIS children. Jesus said, By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35). John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, once wrote, We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death (1 John 3:14). And by this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:2-3). A Pharisaic lawyer once asked our Lord, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40) . According to Matthews Gospel, the very essence of the Law and the Prophets is to love God and to love others. And we see this term the Law and the Prophets used in one other place in Matthews Gospel. Its in this passage that we find the Biblical definition for love: Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12) In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus elaborates on this do unto others as you would have them do unto you principle. He says, Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:30-36) When the King James translators came upon the Greek word agape (Gods Love), in addition to using the English word love to transliterate it, they often chose the English word charity. This was meant to reinforce the idea that agape is a selfless, giving love. Gods Love is unselfish and unconditional. Now we know what is meant by Christian love. Love is a holy disposition given to us when we are born again by God. It is the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. True spiritual love is characterized by meekness and gentleness, yet it is vastly superior to the courtesies and kindnesses of the flesh. We must be careful not to confuse human sentimentality, carnal pleasantries, human amiability and affability with true spiritual love. God commands love first to Him and then to others. It is not the indulgent, self-seeking love which is in us by nature. If we indulgently allow our children to grow up with little or, no Scriptural discipline, Proverbs plainly says we do not love them, regardless of the human sentimentality and affection we may feel for them. Love is not a sentimental pampering of one another with a loose indifference as to our walk and obedience before the Lord. Glossing over one anothers faults to ingratiate ourselves in their esteem is not spiritual love. The true nature of Christian love is a righteous principle which seeks the highest good of others. It is a powerful desire to promote their welfare. The exercise of love is to be in strict conformity to the revealed will of God. We must love in the truth. Love among the brethren is far more than an agreeable society where views are the same. It is loving them for what we see of Christ in them, loving them for Christs sake. The Lord Jesus Himself is our example. He was not only thoughtful, gentle, self-sacrificing and patient, but He also corrected His mother, used a whip in the Temple, Severely scolded His doubting disciples, and denounced hypocrites. True spiritual love is above all faithful to God and uncompromising towards all that is evil. We cannot declare, Peace and Safety when in reality there is spiritual decay and ruin! True spiritual love is very difficult to exercise because it is not our natural love. By nature we would rather love sentimentally and engender good feelings. Also many times true spiritual love is not received in love, but is hated as the Pharisees hated it. We must pray that God will fill us with His love and enable us to exercise it without dissimulation toward all. The word love can mean many different things in the English language. It can refer to a mothers love for her child, love of country, romantic love, friendship, or Gods love towards mankind. The Greek language has different words for different types of love. The original manuscripts of the New Testament of the Bible were written in the Greek language so we will take a look at the actual words used in the original manuscripts. We will explore the following Greek words: Agape Phileo Agape is defined as the love that God has for his Son and toward mankind. John 3:16 For God so loved (agape) the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Notice the first part of this verse, God so loved (agape) He gave. Agape love gives, agape love is the deep and constant love of a perfect being (God) towards an unworthy object (mankind). Ephesians 2:4 5 But because of his great love (agape) for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love (agape) for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We were unworthy objects, we were sinners. Agape love is love that only comes from God. God showed his love (agape) among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Agape love gives unselfishly and takes action in a visible way. As sinners, we deserved the death that Jesus took upon himself on the cross. We were unworthy of the love that God demonstrated toward us when he allowed his only Son to die on the cross for us. Agape love is why Jesus died on the cross for our sins in such a visible and humiliating way before all creation. Agape love truly does take action in a visible and if necessary humiliating way. Agape love is God doing what is best for mankind and not necessarily what man desires. Agape love is not drawn out by excellency in its objects. It is an exercise of the divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause. In contrast, Phileo is defined as to be a friend to, indicating feelings, warm affection. As we study love we will begin to understand that Phileo is the love that can come easily because of like interests, commonalities. Sometimes we meet people who we naturally like. They are easy to get along with, you may share the same ideas, and theyre likable and enjoyable to be around so you feel comfortable and have good feelings being around them. Many times you develop a warm affection toward them and enjoy their company. Some want to say that God has only agape love but we know that is not true. Take a look at the following verses: John 3:35 The Father loves (agape) the Son and has placed everything in his hands, Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for Gods wrath remains on him. John 5:20 For the Father loves (Phileo) the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. In John chapter 21, both words are used but each word retains its distinctive and essential character. Before we study John 21, lets review the events that lead up to this chapter. Peter is one of the twelve disciples, a fisherman by trade, who follows Jesus during three years of ministry. Near the end of Jesus life, just before Jesus is crucified, the last 24 hours go something like follows: The Passover meal or last supper is observed by Jesus and the twelve disciples During the meal Jesus says that He will be betrayed by one of the twelve disciples Peter is quick to say in Mark 14:29 Even if all fall away, I will not. Luke 22:33 34 records Peter saying: But he replied, Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death. Jesus answered, I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me. They leave the upper room and go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus asks a few disciples to keep watch and pray, Peter is one of them. Jesus returns to find them sleeping as recorded in Mark 14:37 38 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Recorded in Mark 14:39, Jesus comes back a second time to find his disciples sleeping again. And again as recorded in Mark 14:41, Jesus returns a third time and asks Are you still sleeping and resting? Judas arrives on the scene and the soldiers start to arrest Jesus. In John 18:10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priests servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus rebukes him as recorded in John 18:11 Jesus commanded Peter,Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me? Next we find Peter following at a distance as Jesus is lead away. Mathew 26:58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. Read closely the following verses recorded in Mathew 26:69 thru 75 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. You also were with Jesus of Galilee, she said. But he denied it before them all. I dont know what youre talking about, he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth. He denied it again, with an oath: I dont know the man! After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, Surely your are one of them, for your accent gives you away. Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, I dont know the man! Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he (Peter) went outside and wept bitterly. Jesus dies on the cross. Peter and the other disciples are scared and hiding out. What had they witnessed the last three years? All the miracles, the feeding of the five thousand, the man with leprosy who was healed, the blind man whose sight was restored and on and on we could go, not to mention all the teachings and parables by Jesus himself. Hes dead now, where do they go, and what do they do? Jesus remains in the tomb on the Sabbath. No one could go to the tomb on that day. The next morning, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb but it is empty. She runs and tells the disciples, Peter and John run ahead of the other disciples they see the linen wrappings but no Jesus. They go to their homes. Jesus appears to Peter on the road to Emmaus. Jesus appears to the disciples and tells them to go to Galilee and wait for him. They go there and wait. Peter grows weary says Im going fishing (John 21:3 Im going out to fish, Simon Peter told them, and they said, Well go with you. So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.) Peter had gone back to what he had done before meeting Jesus and the other disciples followed. The next morning Jesus stood on the shore and called out to them Friends, havent you any fish? The disciples answered No. Jesus tells them Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. Miraculously, they caught an abundance of fish. John who is in the boat with Peter realizes that it is Jesus and says to Peter It is the Lord! Peter is so happy that he jumps in the water and swims to the shore. There Jesus had fish cooking on burning coals and invited them saying Come and have breakfast. When they had finished breakfast, the following dialogue took place and is recorded in John 21:15 thru 17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my lambs. Again Jesus said, Simon son of John, do you truly love me? He answered, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said Take care of my sheep. The third time he said to him, Simon son of John, do you love me? Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you. Jesus said, Feed my sheep. Loving one another (agape love) is one of the greatest outward expressions of our devotion to God. Jesus demonstrated agape love towards Peter even though Peter had failed so many times as evidenced in the verses listed above. Jesus was entrusting to Peter to be a leader in the Church when he said to Peter Feed my sheep. A Pharisee asked Jesus Which is the greatest commandment? Lets look at Mathew 22:37 thru 40 Jesus replied Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Loving one another with an agape type love shows our love for God and to God. John 14:15 If you love (agape) me, you will obey what I command. John 15:12 My command is this: Love (agape) each other as I have loved (agape) you. I John 4:20 -21 If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. In contrast, when we love one another with an agape type love, the Spirit of God can work through us in the lives of other people that need to see the love of Jesus.

Sexually Explicit Advertising is Detrimental to Society Essay -- Argum

Sexually Explicit Advertising is Detrimental to Society Just how far should advertisers go to sell a product? Individuals are reminded that a new age in advertising has emerged when Britney Spears and Victoria's Secret model Tricia Helfer grace the cover of Forbes, a traditionally mature financial magazine. However, as any good advertiser knows, sex sells; all people need to do is look at a newsstand or magazine rack. But while it sells, it also offends as the promiscuous use of sexual images in advertising rubs many consumers the wrong way. The current increase of sexually explicit advertising, while increasing sales, has many detrimental effects on society. New regulations or other forms of control need to be implemented to protect children and others who are defenseless against the war to win consumers. According to a nationwide poll conducted for Adweek by Alden & Associates of Hermosa Beach, CA, people were asked whether they thought there is too much sexual imagery in advertising. A landslide of 73% said there is, with respondents in the 35-49 ag e bracket more likely to say so as concerned parents (Dolliver, 1). There is a struggle among advertisers on whether to use the sure way to sell the product (through sexual images) or to be true to a sense of morality. More often than not, greed takes o ver and morality is thrown out the window. The problem is that sexual appeal used as a marketing tool seems to be showing up more often with a broader range of products and audiences. All too often sexually explicit ads appear in magazines such as YM, Teen, Self, Glamour, Seventeen, and Cosmopolitan, all of which have a target audience of 11-17 year olds who have not yet developed adequate defenses against sexually expli... ...p 19 March 2001. â€Å"The Joy of Sex.† Adweek 6 March 2000: 22. Online. EBSCOhost: Academic Search FullTEXT Elite. (AN: 2896174) 19 March 2001. Marks, Alexandra. â€Å"A Backlash to Advertising in Age of Anything Goes.† Christian Science Monitor 22 Feb. 1999: 91. Online. EBSCOhost: Academic Search FullTEXT Elite. (AN: 1562687) 19 March 2001. Menzies, David. â€Å"Sex Education 2000.† Profitguide.com Oct 1999. Online. http://profitguide.com/sales/C6-art.asp?ID=143 19 March 2001. Miller, Michael. â€Å"Sex Sells, But It's Rarely Clever Now.† Capital District Business Review 12 June 2000: 27. Online. EBSCOhost: Academic Search FullTEXT Elite. (AN: 3383375). 19 March 2001. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. â€Å"The Impact of Media on Adolescents' Sexual Behavior.† 10 June 1998. Online. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-98-079.html 19 March 2001.

Customers expect Essay

Customers expect their problems and enquiries to be dealt with rapidly. Most customers get frustrated if their problems or enquires aren’t dealt with quickly. It is ideal for a business to set targets in dealing with customer problems in the least amount of time as possible, so that customers are satisfied with the service provided.  When customers call in with problems and enquiries, they expect to receive clear and good communication from the business. It is the business’s duty to provide clear communication, whether it is telephone calls, letters or face to face communication. Any faults in communicating with the customer can lead to a customer’s opinion of the business being lowered; this can result in a bad reputation for the business, if word is passed on. Providing after sales service is probably what all customers expect a business to give. If the goods or service that has been purchased isn’t at reasonable quality, then customers will be very angry towards the business. That anger can be stopped if the business offers a full refund or an exchange for the goods or services purchased.  Why the business uses the Customer Service methods & Evaluation on how to improve Richer Sounds use management commitment, so that colleagues from high level of management also understand that customers are their top priority in the business. This method makes sure that no matter what level of management you are at, your customers will always be a top priority. This is a really good and effective method; it shows that the level of customer service Richer Sounds offers is high, because they have chosen that customers are their top priority. They use recruiting and training the right people, because they want people with good attitude, because if people who have bad attitude are recruited then it may lead to a downfall in the business. A colleague must be able to control his/her temper if customers started arguing. Richer Sounds give an induction training course to all their colleagues, so that problems like these don’t occur and so that they keep on increasing the level of customer service provided, to satisfy their customers.  They use their mystery shopper scheme, because this allows the business to know exactly what level of customer service the business is providing, it allows them to know where the business is going wrong and where they need improving. Conclusion My conclusion is that Richer Sounds is a stable company, who have good relations with all their stakeholders, as they understand the importance of them. The working arrangements is flexible for all colleagues as all colleagues benefit from a 20 day paid holiday and more if they have worked for more than six years with Richer Sounds. Employee’s rights are taken into account very seriously in Richer Sounds, but they are also suspected to take responsibility for their actions as well as it is mentioned in employee responsibilities. Richer Sounds have two main procedures which they use when dealing with disputes, one is the grievance procedure and the other is disciplinary procedure, the procedure they use depends upon how serious the dispute is. The recruitment process in Richer Sounds is simple and a fair way of recruiting. It is fair because everyone who applies has to go through the same recruitment process; no one is exceptional even if the person has been introduced by a family relative or a friend, who works for Richer Sounds. Training in Richer Sounds is done using four different training programmes; each one is at a higher level than the one before it. This means that if colleagues complete the 4 training programmes, then they will be at management level and will have the opportunity to apply for a role in management only if there is a vacancy for a management role. Providing great customer service is Richer Sounds top priority, which all the colleagues agree with. Customers are the stakeholders that provide the business with its output, which is money and profits. The level of customer service that Richer Sounds provide is high, because colleagues are trained continuously on how to deliver excellent customer service. They are trained continuously because customers’ expectations are always changing so the business will need to retrain their colleagues in how to satisfy their customers’ expectations. Bibliography www.richersounds.com

Spirit Bound Chapter Nine

ROBERT DORU WAS EASY TO SPOT. It wasn't because he looked like Victor. It wasn't even because of any dramatic running-toward-each-other reunion type thing between him and his brother. Rather, it was Lissa's mind that tipped me off. I saw Robert through her eyes, the golden aura of a spirit user lighting up his corner of the restaurant like a star. It caught her by surprise, and she stumbled briefly. Spirit users were too rare a sight for her to be fully used to them. Seeing auras was something she could tune in or out, and just before â€Å"turning his off,† she noted that even though his had the brilliant gold she saw in Adrian, there was also a feel of instability to it. Sparks of other colors flashed there too, but they trembled and flickered. She wondered if it was a mark of spirit's insanity setting in. His eyes lit up as Victor approached the table, but the two didn't hug or touch. Victor simply sat down beside his brother. The rest of us stood there awkwardly for a moment. The whole situation was too weird. But it was the reason we'd come, and after several more seconds, my friends and I joined the brothers at the table. â€Å"Victor†¦Ã¢â‚¬  breathed Robert, eyes wide. Robert might have had some of the Dashkov facial features, but his eyes were brown, not green. His hands toyed with a napkin. â€Å"I can't believe it†¦. I've wanted to see you for so long†¦.† Victor's voice was gentle, as it had been on the phone, as if he were talking to a child. â€Å"I know, Robert. I missed you too.† â€Å"Are you staying? Can you come back and stay with me?† Part of me wanted to snap that that was a ridiculous idea, but the desperation in Robert's voice sparked a tiny bit of pity in me. I remained silent, simply watching the drama before me unfold. â€Å"I'd hide you. It'd be great. Just the two of us.† Victor hesitated. He wasn't stupid. Despite my vague claims on the plane, he knew the odds of me letting him go were nonexistent. â€Å"I don't know,† he said quietly. â€Å"I don't know.† The waiter's arrival jolted us out of our haze, and we all ordered drinks. Adrian ordered a gin and tonic and wasn't even carded. I wasn't sure if it was because he looked twenty-one or was convincing enough with spirit. Regardless, I wasn't thrilled about it. Alcohol muted spirit. We were in a precarious situation, and I would have liked him at full strength. Of course, considering he'd been drinking earlier, it probably didn't matter now. After the waiter left, Robert seemed to notice the rest of us. His eyes passed over Eddie quickly, sharpened at Lissa and Adrian, and lingered on me for a long time. I stiffened, not liking the scrutiny. He finally turned back to his brother. â€Å"Who have you brought, Victor?† Robert still had that oblivious, scattered air to him but it was lit with suspicion now. Fear and paranoia. â€Å"Who are these children? Two spirit users and†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His gaze fell on me again. He was reading my aura. â€Å"One of the shadow-kissed?† For a moment, I was astonished at his use of the term. Then I remembered what Mark, Oksana's husband, had told me. Robert had once been bonded to a dhampir–and that dhampir had died, drastically speeding up the deterioration of Robert's mind. â€Å"They're friends,† said Victor smoothly. â€Å"Friends who'd like to talk to you and ask you some questions.† Robert frowned. â€Å"You're lying. I can tell. And they don't consider you a friend. They're tense. They keep their distance from you.† Victor didn't deny the friend claim. â€Å"Nonetheless, they need your help, and I promised it to them. It was the price for me being allowed to visit you.† â€Å"You shouldn't have made promises for me.† Robert's napkin was now in shreds. I kind of wanted to give him mine. â€Å"But didn't you want to see me?† asked Victor winningly. His tone was warm, his smile almost genuine. Robert looked troubled. Confused. I was again reminded of a child and was starting to have my doubts that this guy had ever transformed a Strigoi. He was spared an answer yet again when our drinks arrived. None of us had even picked up our menus, much to the waiter's obvious annoyance. He left, and I opened mine without really seeing it. Victor then introduced us to Robert, as formally as he might at any diplomatic function. Prison hadn't dulled his sense of royal etiquette. Victor gave first names only. Robert turned back to me, that frown still on his face, and glanced between Lissa and me. Adrian had said that whenever we were together, our auras showed that we were linked. â€Å"A bond†¦ I've almost forgotten what it was like†¦ but Alden. I've never forgotten Alden†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His eyes grew dreamy and almost vacant. He was reliving a memory. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said, surprised to hear the sympathy in my words. This was hardly the harsh interrogation I'd envisioned. â€Å"I can only imagine what it must have been like†¦ losing him†¦.† The dreamy eyes grew sharp and hard. â€Å"No. You cannot. It's like nothing you can imagine. Nothing. Right now†¦ right now†¦ you have the world. A universe of senses beyond those of others, an understanding of another person that no one can have. To lose that†¦ to have that ripped away†¦ it would make you wish for death.† Wow. Robert was pretty good at killing conversation, and we all kind of sat there hoping the waiter would return this time. When he did, we all made halfhearted attempts at ordering food–except Robert–most of us deciding on the spot. The restaurant served Asian cuisine, and I ordered the first thing I saw on the menu: an egg roll sampler. With food ordered, Victor continued taking the firm hand with Robert that I seemed incapable of managing. â€Å"Will you help them? Will you answer their questions?† I had a feeling that Victor was pushing Robert on this not so much as a way to pay back us rescuing him, but rather because Victor's scheming nature was dying to know everyone's secrets and motivations. Robert sighed. Whenever he looked at Victor, there was such a strong expression of devotion and even idol worship. Robert probably couldn't refuse his brother anything. He was the perfect type to play into Victor's plans, and I realized I should possibly be grateful that Robert had grown unstable. If he'd been in full control of his powers, Victor would never have bothered with Lissa last time. He would have already had his own private spirit wielder to use however he wanted. â€Å"What do you want to know?† asked Robert blearily. He addressed me, apparently recognizing my leadership. I glanced at my friends for moral support and received none. Neither Lissa nor Adrian approved of this mission in the first place, and Eddie still didn't know its purpose. I swallowed, steeling myself, and directed my full attention to Robert. â€Å"We heard you freed a Strigoi once. That you were able to convert him–or her–back to their original state.† Surprise flashed on Victor's usually composed face. He certainly hadn't expected this. â€Å"Where did you hear this?† demanded Robert. â€Å"From a couple I met in Russia. Their names are Mark and Oksana.† â€Å"Mark and Oksana†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Again, Robert's gaze slipped away for a moment. I had a feeling this happened a lot, that he didn't spend much time in reality. â€Å"I didn't know they were still together.† â€Å"They are. They're doing really great.† I needed him back in the present. â€Å"Is it true? Did you do what they said? Is it possible?† Robert's responses were always preceded by a pause. â€Å"Her.† â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"It was a woman. I freed her.† I gasped in spite of myself, hardly daring to process his words. â€Å"You're lying.† It was Adrian who spoke, his tone harsh. Robert glanced at him with an expression amused and scornful. â€Å"And who are you to say that? How can you tell? You've bruised and abused your powers so much, it's a wonder you can even touch the magic anymore. And all these things you do to yourself†¦ it doesn't truly help, does it? Spirit's punishment still affects you†¦ soon you won't be able to tell reality from dream†¦.† The words stunned Adrian for a moment, but he kept going. â€Å"I don't need any physical signs to see that you're lying. I know you are because what you're describing is impossible. There's no way to save a Strigoi. When they're gone, they're gone. They're dead. Undead. Forever .† â€Å"That which is dead doesn't always stay dead†¦.† Robert's words weren't directed at Adrian. They were spoken to me. I shivered. â€Å"How? How did you do it?† â€Å"With a stake. She was killed with a stake, and in doing so, was brought back to life.† â€Å"Okay,† I said. â€Å"That is a lie. I've killed plenty of Strigoi with stakes, and believe me, they stay dead.† â€Å"Not just any stake.† Robert's fingers danced along the edge of his glass. â€Å"A special stake.† â€Å"A stake charmed with spirit,† said Lissa suddenly. He lifted his eyes to her and smiled. It was a creepy smile. â€Å"Yes. You are a clever, clever girl. A clever, gentle girl. Gentle and kind. I can see it in your aura.† I stared off at the table, my mind in overdrive. A stake charmed with spirit. Silver stakes were charmed with the four main Moroi elements: earth, air, water, and fire. It was that infusion of life that destroyed the undead force within a Strigoi. With our recent discovery of how to charm objects with spirit, infusing a stake had never even occurred to us. Spirit healed. Spirit had brought me back from the dead. In joining with the other elements within a stake, was it truly possible that the twisted darkness that gripped Strigoi could be obliterated, thus restoring that person to their rightful state? I was grateful for the food's arrival because my brain was still moving sluggishly. The egg rolls provided a welcome opportunity to think. â€Å"Is it really that easy?† I asked at last. Robert scoffed. â€Å"It's not easy at all.† â€Å"But you just said†¦ you just said we need a spirit-charmed stake. And then I kill a Strigoi with it.† Or well, not kill. The technicalities were irrelevant. His smile returned. â€Å"Not you. You can't do it.† â€Å"Then who†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stopped, the rest of my words dying on my lips. â€Å"No. No.† â€Å"The shadow-kissed don't have the gift of life. Only the spirit-blessed,† he explained. â€Å"The question is: Who's capable of doing it? Gentle Girl or Drunken Sod?† His eyes flicked between Lissa and Adrian. â€Å"My wager would be on Gentle Girl.† Those words were what snapped me out of my stunned state. In fact, they were what shattered this whole thing, this far-fetched dream of saving Dimitri. â€Å"No,† I repeated. â€Å"Even if it was possible–and I'm not sure if I believe you–she can't do it. I won't let her.† And in a turn of events almost as astonishing as Robert's revelation, Lissa spun toward me, anger flooding our bond. â€Å"And since when can you tell me what I can or can't do?† â€Å"Since I don't recall you ever taking guardian training and learning to stake a Strigoi,† I returned evenly, trying to keep my voice calm. â€Å"You only punched Reed, and that was hard enough.† When Avery Lazar had tried to take over Lissa's mind, she'd sent her shadow-kissed brother to do some dirty work. With my help, Lissa had punched him and kept him away. It had been beautifully executed, but she'd hated it. â€Å"I did it, didn't I?† she exclaimed. â€Å"Liss, throwing a punch is nothing like staking a Strigoi. And that's not even counting the fact that you have to get near one in the first place. You think you could get in range before one bit you or snapped your neck? No.† â€Å"I'll learn.† The determination in her voice and mind was admirable, but it took guardians decades to learn what we did–and plenty still got killed. Adrian and Eddie looked uncomfortable in the midst of our bickering, but Victor and Robert seemed both intrigued and amused. I didn't like that. We weren't here for their entertainment. I tried to deflect the dangerous topic by turning back to Robert. â€Å"If a spirit user brought back a Strigoi, then that person would become shadow-kissed.† I didn't point out the obvious conclusion to Lissa. Part of what had driven Avery crazy (aside from normal spirit usage) had been bonding with more than one person. Doing so created a very unstable situation that rapidly led all people involved into darkness and insanity. Robert's eyes grew dreamy as he stared beyond me. â€Å"Bonds form when someone dies–when their soul has actually left and moved onto the world of the dead. Bringing it back is what makes them shadow-kissed. Death's mark is upon them.† His gaze suddenly snapped onto me. â€Å"Just as it is on you.† I refused to avoid his eyes, despite the chill his words sent through me. â€Å"Strigoi are dead. Saving one would mean its soul was brought back from the world of the dead too.† â€Å"No,† he argued. â€Å"Their souls do not move on. Their souls linger†¦ neither in this world nor the next. It's wrong and unnatural. It's what makes them what they are. Killing or saving a Strigoi sends the soul back to a normal state. There is no bond.† â€Å"Then there's no danger,† Lissa said to me. â€Å"Aside from a Strigoi killing you,† I pointed out. â€Å"Rose–â€Å" â€Å"We'll finish this conversation later.† I gave her a hard look. We held each other's gazes a moment, and then she turned to Robert. There was still an obstinacy in the bond I didn't like. â€Å"How do you charm the stake?† she asked him. â€Å"I'm still learning.† I again started to chastise her and then thought better of it. Maybe Robert was wrong. Maybe all it actually took to convert a Strigoi was a spirit-infused stake. He only thought a spirit user had to do it because he had done it. Allegedly. Besides, I'd much rather Lissa preoccupy herself with charming than fighting. If the charm part sounded too hard, she might have to give up altogether. Robert glanced at me and then Eddie. â€Å"One of you must have a stake on you. I'll show you.† â€Å"You can't take a stake out in public,† exclaimed Adrian, in what was a remarkably wise observation. â€Å"It might be weird for humans, but it's still obvious that it's a weapon.† â€Å"He's right,† Eddie said. â€Å"We could go back to the room after dinner,† said Victor. He had that perfectly pleasant and bland look on his face. I studied him, hoping my expression showed my distrust. Even with her zeal, I could sense the hesitation in Lissa too. She wasn't keen on following any suggestion of Victor's. We'd seen in the past how desperately far Victor would go in attempting to fulfill his plans. He'd convinced his own daughter to turn Strigoi and help him escape jail. For all we knew, he was planning the same for– â€Å"That's it,† I gasped, feeling my eyes go wide as I stared at him. â€Å"That's what?† Victor asked. â€Å"That's why you had Natalie turn. You thought†¦ you knew about this. What Robert had done. You were going to use her Strigoi strength and then have him turn her back.† Victor's already pale face went paler, and he seemed to age before our eyes. His smug look disappeared, and he looked away. â€Å"Natalie is dead and long gone,† he said stiffly. â€Å"There's no point in discussing her.† Some of us made an attempt to eat after that, but my egg roll seemed tasteless now. Lissa and I were thinking the same thing. Among all of Victor's sins, I'd always considered him convincing his own daughter to turn Strigoi to be the most awful. It was what had really sealed the deal for me about him being a monster. Suddenly, I was forced to reevaluate things–forced to reevaluate him. If he'd known he could bring her back, it made what he had done terrible–but not as terrible. He was still evil in my mind, no question. But if he had believed he could bring Natalie back, then that meant he believed in Robert's power. There was still no way I was letting Lissa near a Strigoi, but this incredible tale had become slightly more credible. I couldn't let it go without further investigation. â€Å"We can go up to the room after this,† I said at last. â€Å"But not for long.† My words were to Victor and Robert. Robert seemed to have faded into his own world again, but Victor nodded. I gave Eddie a quick glance and got a curt nod of a different sort from him. He understood the risk in taking the brothers to a private place. Eddie was telling me he would be extravigilant–not that he wasn't already. By the time we finished dinner, Eddie and I were both rigid and tense. He walked near Robert, and I stayed by Victor. We kept Lissa and Adrian between the brothers. Yet, even keeping close, it was hard as we cut through the crowded casino. People stopped in our path, walked around us, through us†¦ it was chaos. Twice, our group got split by oblivious tourists. We weren't too far from the elevators, but I was getting uneasy about the possibility of Victor or Robert running off through the mob of people â€Å"We need to get out of this crowd,† I shouted over to Eddie. He gave me another of his quick nods and took an abrupt left that caught me by surprise. I steered Victor in that same direction, and Lissa and Adrian sidestepped to keep up with us. I was puzzled until I saw that we were approaching a hall with an EMERGENCY EXIT sign on it. Away from the busy casino, the noise level dimmed. â€Å"Figure there are probably stairs here,† Eddie explained. â€Å"Crafty guardian.† I flashed him a smile. Another turn showed us a janitorial closet on our right and ahead of us: a door with a symbol for stairs. The door appeared to lead both outside and to upper floors. â€Å"Brilliant,† I said. â€Å"You're, like, on the tenth floor,† pointed out Adrian. It was the first time he'd spoken in a while. â€Å"Nothing like a little exercise to–damn.† I came to an abrupt halt in front of the door. It had a small warning sign saying that an alarm would go off if the door was opened. â€Å"Figures.† â€Å"Sorry,† said Eddie, like he was personally responsible. â€Å"Not your fault,† I said, turning. â€Å"Back we go.† We'd have to take our chances in the crowd. Maybe the roundabout detour had tired Victor and Robert out enough to make escape unappealing. Neither of them was that young anymore, and Victor was still in bad shape. Lissa was too tense to think much about being led around, but Adrian gave me a look that clearly said he thought this traipsing was a waste of his time. Of course, he thought this whole Robert thing was a waste of time. I was honestly surprised he was coming with us at all back to the room. I would have expected him to stay in the casino with his cigarettes and another drink. Eddie, leading our group, took a few steps back toward the casino down the hallway. And then it hit me. â€Å"Stop!† I screamed. He responded instantly, coming to a halt in the narrow space. A bit of confusion followed. Victor stumbled into Eddie in surprise, and then Lissa stumbled into Victor. Instinct made Eddie reach for his stake, but mine was already out. I'd grabbed it as soon as the nausea had swept me. There were Strigoi between us and the casino.