Presidential Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Presidential Perspectives - Essay Example The difference between Democrats and Republics is apparent in American politics. Democrats and Republicans differ mainly in terms of philosophy, worldview, ideologies, and politics. Democrats are more of socialists and hold that the duty of the government is welfare of the people regardless of individual interests. They support government sponsored programs such as healthcare as well as subsides. Republicans, on the other hand, elevate economic equity and free market; they believe that solutions lay with the people rather than the federal government. Hence, they are more of capitalists, promoting property rights over welfare rights. They also decry active government interference in the economy. Obama’s policies and Mitt Romney’s are contrasting and apparent due to their political divides, which shapes their philosophy, worldview, ideologies, and politics. Alperovitz (2011) asserts that power structure in the United States can be analyzed in four rival approaches, namely: pluralism, State autonomy, elite theory, and Marxism. Pluralism theory holds that groups such as unions and professional associations, civil rights activists, business and financial lobbies govern America. Liberalists assert that there are multiple centers of power, which yield a colossal bearing in the making of laws and policies. According to Alperovitz (2011), state autonomy stresses that the government is always an autonomous force due to its control of military. Hence, they conclude that the government in the United States is the central source of power. Elite theory stipulates that leaders of large organizations inevitably dominate key sectors of the society and that America is no different. Finally, Marxism argues that property owners dominate the society. Those who hold power are predominantly those who own means of production. Policy issues such as taxes, trade agreements, and labor standoffs are a manifestation of this fact. Obama’s ideologies

The Chimney Sweeper Timed Write Essay Example for Free

The Chimney Sweeper Timed Write Essay These poems have many similarities, but also have some differences. Diction, poetic techniques, and the tones of each poem are some of the similarities and differences. The author’s purpose for writing both these poems is to show how things change from innocence to experience over time, and to show how it affects the people involved. These poems are similar in the way that the author uses meter, figurative language, and poetic technique. Irony is also a big part of the way the poems can be seen as similar. In the first poem the author writes, â€Å"So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.† This is ironic because if the kids do carry their duties out, they will actually be harmed, and will not be safe as the quote implies. Similarly the author uses irony in the next poem, which shows more experience rather than innocence like the first, when he writes, â€Å"Who make up a heaven of our misery.† This is ironic because heaven is always thought to be a happy wonderful place, where no one is sad or in pain or anything else of that nature. Another way these poems are similar is the way the author uses symbols. In both poems the colors white and black are used. In the first poem â€Å"white hair† shows the innocence, while in the second poem, â€Å"A little black thing† is showing the experience and how it has been stained. Other symbols in the poems include lambs, snow, and soot. These represent innocence, purity, and the stain of experience on the innocence of the children. Lastly the meters are the same in each poem, both are anapestic. These poems have many similarities to show the connection between the two different poems and how innocence will change to experience. Although these poems have many similarities, the author uses differences in each poem to show how things change, and when they change from innocence to experience things are very different. In the first poem you can almost hear a childlike playful tone, it seems as though the kids do not know what they are getting into and are kind of excited about a new adventure. While in the second poem, songs of experience, the tone is darker, the kids are not excited about the adventure; they are scared and know how dangerous it is. It talks more about death and criticizes monarchy and religion, as though they are blaming them for their misery and pain. Both of these tones are best described in, â€Å"Tho’ the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm;† This is from the first poem, they are still happy although they know they are in a danger. From the second poem, â€Å"They clothed me in clothes of death,† this is a very somber line and shows how the child now knows the dangers and has experienced tragedy. The author uses these differences to show us the way that, as life goes on sometimes perspectives change, and sometimes it is for the worse.

The Competitiveness In The Food Industry Marketing Essay

The Competitiveness In The Food Industry Marketing Essay Melville, N. et al. (2004) defined the value of information technology in the organizations as the organizational performance impacts of information technology at both the intermediate process level and the organization-wide level, and comprising both efficiency impacts and competitive impacts. The company performance by using it could affect positively with the customers and with the competitors both at the mid level process and the organisational level process. Adding value to the business comes in the form of cost reduction and by improving the quality of customer service. What is cost reduction and how it could be achieved? The total expenditure of company for the purpose of maintaining its inventory management effectively, staffs work schedules and their salary records and relations with the customers. We could drastically reduce this cost by using customised software. By using IT we could implement effective software for track down of the inventory, thus it saves huge money for spending on man power. And even in customer service we could easily reduce the cost by proving a global call centre rather than manpower at each site. What is information technology? According to Hitt, L. Ms (1999) research, the information technology has been defined: as computers as well as related digital communication technology, it has the broad power to reduce the costs and save time for information processing. Information technology could help company in many ways, such as: Data resource management: Data resource management is managerial activity. It is useful in managing data sources between the company and its stake holders. Inventory management: By using specific software for the tracking products available in our storage area we could plan what we need for the day or for the coming days, and we can plan and interact with our suppliers and order for the raw material as accordingly. Customer relationship management: Normally called with acronym CRM is huge success when it comes to the interactions with the clients and customers. The primary purpose of the CRM is to track down the buying behaviour of the customers like what they are buying, which product is bought down by which age group, what type of products are selling in that particular area etc, etc, thus we can plan our business needs effectively. How this IT could useful in our particular company and how can we get competitive advantage with this? Our company: History: Nandos  is a  casual dining restaurant   founded in 1987 by Robert Brozin and Fernando Duarte from  South Africa  with a  Portuguese/Mozambican  theme. Nandos was Chickenland  earlier and they renamed it to Nandos after Duarte. Nandos operates in 28 countries and on five continents.  It specializes in  chicken  dishes with either lemon and herb, medium, hot or extra hot  Peri-Peri  marinades (properly known as  Galinha à   Africana). In some countries, Nandos has other flavour options like mango and lime, lemon and herb, or Mediterranean. The restaurant incorporated influences from former Portuguese colonists from  Mozambique, many of whom had settled on the south-eastern side of Johannesburg, after their homelands independence in 1975. It has branches all over the world. Primarily focused on English speaking countries now it spreads all over the world where the people prefer spicy chicken. It is famous for its peri-peri chicken which is its own brand. It has 230 branches across UK and it has nearly 6600 employed in all these branches. It primarily focus on its culture. It was awarded no. 1 in food industry by Sunday times. And it has an investor award. Task1: Porters five force model: File:Porters five forces.PNG A graphical representation of Porters Five Forces Bargaining power of supplier: the majority of supply is from Faccenda and Freemans of Newent and small supply from Holland and Germany. Nandos has its own name in the industry although it does matter the raw materials. As long as the supplier is happy with the business there would be no problem, the suppliers are pretty famous in their respective fields as they have very much contracts in their hands. Although We can say the bargaining power of the suppliers is low. The Nandos requires huge volumes of raw materials when one supplier step down another one could take up. And there are many suppliers available it would be easy to us to go for another supplier but it is not easy to supplier to loose Nandos. It is win- win situations Threat of new entrants: There is lot market for the food industry and particularly for chicken food as it widely eaten there so much scope for new markets. Nandos has its own name and it has niche market there and there would be no affect if any new restaurant comes in. Nandos is more concentrated on its culture and being best than the bigger it is very difficult to new entrants to compete with the Nandos. So we can say the threat of new entrants is comparatively low. Threat of substitute products or services: Items like Portuguese vinaigrette and some cooking sauces, pasta sauces could not stand in the market because of some brand companies in the particular item field. Instead Nandos concentrated on some other items like marinades and peri-peri sauces where it has its own influence. The price factor is very important to not to lose the customer. The customer always looks for the cheap price for the same product. Considering the food products of Nandos, they are pretty famous for its taste rather than cost thus we can say the threat is low. Bargaining power of customers: The power of customer is defined by the volume of them and their information like their age, sex and location etc.etc. Nandos has niche market which caters for the lovers of spicy food. These customers are generally young and adult. Nandos has its brand that their chicken is best in their competitors so the customer will not want to go for other restaurant. And there are not substitutes available with this spicy range with other restaurants we can confidently say that our customers bargaining power is low. Existing rivalry: If want to talk about the particular branch which is Stratford, Nandos we are dealing the primary competitors are The Fox, the Indian gate, Pizzahut, Carrebian scene and the Mukhan. All of these restaurants are highly preferable and they have their best in the particular food. We can say like Pizzahut is famous for its pizza, the Indian gateway for its Indian food although they provide chicken items. None of them are comparable when it comes to the spicy chicken or peri-peri chicken. Nandos provides huge range variety of products than to other competitors. The price options are also very reasonable when compare to the international brand like Pizzahut or very local The Indain gateway. Therefore we can say the the existing rivalry is low. The intensity of rivalry for Nandos is influenced by No of restaurants: increases rivalry because more restaurants must compete for the same customers and resources. The rivalry intensifies if the firms have similar market share, leading to a struggle for market leadership. Task 2: Value chain model: http://enduragement.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/porter-value-chain.png The Value Chain framework of Michael Porter is a model that helps to analyze specific activities through which firms can create value and competitive advantage. The value chain helps an organization identify how it creates value for customers and locate where its sources of competitive advantage lie. Value chain models can be created in both qualitative and quantitative forms. Many organizations do not consciously make decisions to optimize the sources of advantage resident in their value chain and in so doing, risk losing competitive advantage. What is Value Chain Analysis? A value chain is a chain of value added activities; products pass through the activities in a chain, gaining value at each stage. Value chain allows alignment of processes with customers. This generates a quality advantage. Value chain focuses cost management efforts. It provides for efficient processes which improves the timeliness of operations. The steps in Vaule chain model are: Inbound logistics: Inbound logistics of Nandos deals with receiving goods, storing them . for this we use an dinventory control management system. It deals with everything related to goods and its transportation. This inbound is very important to maintain the warehouse products available effectively without interrupting the business to customers. Outbound logistics: inbound logistics deals with the good coming upto the warehouse where as the outbound logistics deals with the products reaching to customers. Nandos has the dedicated transportation service to delivery its products to reach its restaurants on time. It uses PDAs to track down its vehicles on road where they are at particular time so the restaurants and head office knows when they will reach the destination. This allows the restaurants to plan accordingly. Marketing and sales: To attract customers Nandos approaches in very innovative yet cost effective manner. It provides customers to win prizes when the make orders at restaurants. Some of its promotions include gift cards, Go PERi-lectric with a pair of tickets to Irelands Electric Picnic, Brighton Pride and Win a PERi-tastic prize Tickets to the LED festival, Win A Footie Chicken-Fest etc, etc. And Nandos spend considerable amount of money to promote irs restaurants aggressively through print media and electroninc media. In 2010, Advertising Age magazine named Nandos as one of the worlds top 30 hottest marketing brands. Service: The service mainly here defined as the interaction with customers and the service we provide to them. The better the service the better the chances to increase its brand value. Procurement: Procurement mainly deals with the requirement of raw materials, space to setup restaurants, kitchen machinery etc. Technology Development: The technology development is to support value chain activities such as design, strategies and tactics , research and development, processing etc. We discuss about this in next task. Human Resource Management Human resource management is primarily associated with staff recruiting, staff schedules and salary maintenance and maintaining compensation and benefits to its employees and staff. Firm Infrastructure The infrastructure associates with hierarchical process of the firm. It Includes management, planning, finance, legal issues, public relations, accounting and quality management, etc. Task 3: How IT can be used to develop business: I will use Value Chain analysis to explain how IT help Nandos add value to themselves and obtain competitive advantage in food industry. Value Chain analysis consist of primary activities and support activities, which are detailed from below: The IT can be used to increases the knowledge of profit zones where there is no profit, It increases the knowledge of forward and/or backward integration opportunities, identifies value process and Identifies win-win alliance opportunities As consultant for Nandos restaurant we need to advise them to use value chain models for implementing cost comparison between the companies to other competitors. What is Strategy? And How Does Porters Value Chain Model Fit With Strategy? Strategy is your business direction; and the how, why, what, who and when of following that direction. Most businesses analyze their own internal cost structures but most do not analyze their competitors structures. The five Ps of nandos to follow to get competitive advantage are: Plan: Portugese chiken all over the world Ploy: not to face competitors but to find a strong market i.e. customers Position: best rather than biggest Pattern: culture Perspective: wants to develop in countries where chiken, spicy and English speaking customers You only get an edge over rivals by having or doing something that they cant have or do. Computers have revolutionized the food and beverage industry as they have nearly every other industry. A key management concern of any food and beverage business is the profit margin. In this vital area of business, computers have also proven to be an indispensable tool. Computer systems help manage the entire food service process from ordering the ingredients needed to produce menu items, to forecasting the amount of items to prepare for each dining period based on historical patterns. This helps to reduce wasted food, which is very expensive and comes out of the businesses profit. It also helps in preparing menu items before hand, which reduces customer wait time The information system should mention the following steps: People Data Networks, Hardware, Software. It costs us to implement any new information technologies in our system. So we have to analyse what is our need and how it would affect the system and how it drive the sales. No better understanding of the system will lead very bad results thus company should go to losses. The technologies we advice to Nandos to implement: Online ordering system: since the Nandos is major food restaurant, it does not have any online ordering system or telephone order system for the customers to order when they are at work or at home. It is not possible to everyone to come to the restaurant to eat in or take way. Some are older some are busy or the restaurtant are really far from home etc. If we could develop a e-commerce website which allows customer to buy online and we could deliver it to them as soon as possible it would definitely drive our sales at very huge level. Our main competitors for this area Pizzahut have these both online and telephone order service. The people who like Nandos and cannot come to the restaurant will opt for the service like this provided by our competitors. The investment and maintenance for a e-commerce website for Nandos may not cost more and the return on investment(ROI) could be get back easily as the sales come from online orders are solely because of website. Presently we have website for Nandos which gives the information about the Nandos available restaurant and their menus with their physical address. We can develop a website the offers online orders and we can integrate this to the already available website. Mobile application: as the technology rigorously increasing on day to day manner, the people using high end mobile phones is always on the high. Phone manufactures like Nokia, iPhone and Samsung offers third party applications to the mobile customers. If we could develop mobile application thus it features all available information yet briefly it would hugely improve the sales. If we could features restaurant addresses and online order facility it will be useful because the phone is always handy wherever the customer so he could check it and go to the nearest restaurant to his location. Software program: we could develop software solely for the purpose to gather critical information which needed to choose a site where we want to setup any additional restaurants by verifying the demographics and the distance to other available restaurants and customers information particularly related to food business. The program analyse the area and provides the detailed scenario about how many people lives there and their age group and any eating habits particularly they have. So that we could make decision depending on the information available. For this application to work out very well we need to get census data from government or third party providers or we may take out a survey which cost us a bit which is one time investment. We can also use the data mining techniques depend on the available data thus any already existed restaurant may affect our business or not. Inventory control: Every day there are lots of raw material comes in lots of material goes out in warehouse. If we use a n inventory management application we could easily track down the data available. Therefore we find out what type of item we have stock and what not we have. It helps us to order new material effectively. Thus we could reduce the food wastage. In a long run it could save several thousand pounds to the company. Communication communication between the head office to restaurants through e-mails etc. Etc. CRM software is very useful for this service. HR job recruitment: information technology is very useful when it comes recruit,emt and human resource management. We could advertise online for the vacancies we have and can accept application made online. Thus it reduces paper publicity cost and paper cost for the applications. Custom software could take all the tasks related to hr. Loyalty cards: to drive sales very high we introduce loyalty cards which allow regular customers to get free bees. We could offer them discount prices or occasional offers to them. And by adding this loyalty cards to the technology we could get the customer details so that we could plan them accordingly what they bought, what their age group etc. Etc. And we could send them promotional offers or discount coupons if we have their personal address or e-mail id. Information technology make out of home dining a more enjoyable experience for the customer and a more profitable manageable experience for business managers and owners. With the aid of Information technology we are not only able to stream line our business processes but we are also able to get constant information in real time that is up to the minute and up to date. In todays business environment we could consider IT as part of the Organization.

Essay --

John Berger notes that, ‘original paintings are silent and still in a sense that information never is’. This observation is not different in the case of Vincent Van Gogh's Cafe Terrace at Night (1888). While visiting a museum, I stumbled across this painting, one of Vincent Van Gogh’s great works. My next move was to engage with the painting, with the aim of understanding critical information in relation to its meaning, significance and importance in both the traditional and modern context (Whitney et al, 360). This is to ensure that we learn more about the eye-catching paintings hanging on the walls of museums. In addition, this approach is vital in understanding both the literal and hidden meaning of such a painting, as intended by the artist. The name of the picture speaks volumes in relation to its context and setting; it is a night scene. From a literal perspective, the picture shows a large establishment where people from the region can enjoy their coffee by night. On the other hand, the picture also focuses on the expression of an important meaning in accordance with the intention and the aim of the painter in its composition. For instance, Van Gogh focuses on expressing a beautiful event aided by the stars and the bright sky. In addition, the painting integrates bright colors to express a peaceful encounter during a bright night (Brower 200). Firstly, I thought it would be satisfying to understand specific data in relation to the development of this painting. I asked myself; â€Å"When was this picture made?† Vincent Van Gogh’s the Cafà © Terrace, at Night 1888, was painted between the 9th and the 16th of September 1888. The next key question was the location. I learnt that the picture was painted in Arles. According to an obse... ...to different generations in the history of Arles (Punt et al, 228). In the 21st century, the painting still has a great meaning to the people of Arles. This indicates that the painting expresses a cultural relevance to the people of Arles in a similar manner to that which they felt in the 19th century. This attachment is valuable in enhancing my interaction with the painting. Analysis indicates that the painting has diverse meanings in relation to the type of interaction an individual has with the picture. The picture is never silent once you ask relevant questions such as its meaning, intention, and significance to the artist and the target audience. Moreover, the picture could be of meaning and relevance to individuals from different generations or centuries. This is because the painting has captured and exhibited a beautiful scene (The Drawings of Van Gogh 12).

Cost Plus History Essay

The first Cost Plus opened in 1958, when a San Francisco businessman parlayed his passion for travel into an import business by selling a shipload of hand-woven wicker from a local pier. The furniture sold out within a few days, but the idea lived on. Now Cost Plus World Market’s store at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco is a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike. (Cost Plus World Market) With such a receptive audience eagerly awaiting his return, it only made sense to open a store. And in 1958 he opened the first store in San Francisco’s famed Fisherman’s Wharf and called it Cost Plus World Market. The store quickly became a destination for those who craved original and handmade items from around the world. Items were sold at cost, plus ten percent – hence the name Cost Plus World Market! (Cost Plus World Market) Since its opening more than four decades ago, the Company’s product categories have expanded to include: furniture, pillows, lamps, floor and window coverings, frames, baskets, garden, collectibles, tabletop and kitchen accessories, along with gourmet foods and wines. From a dining room table and chairs to the perfect Chardonnay to complement a meal, Cost Plus World Market is a complete value retailing resource which provides simple yet unique solutions for every entertaining and decorating need. (Cost Plus World Market) In 1996, the Company completed an initial public offering and trades on the NASDAQ national market under the symbol Cost Plus World Market. (Cost Plus World Market) As of January 30, 2010, the company operated in 268 stores under the name â€Å"World Market†, â€Å"Cost Plus World Market†, â€Å"Cost Plus Imports†, and â€Å"World Market Stores†. Cost Plus World Market) Cost Plus World Market buyers travel the world visiting remote villages, centuries-old factories and foreign bazaars searching for unique products to offer our customers. They get baskets from Bali, chocolates from Belgium, pottery from Portugal, and wine from around the world. These are just a few of the uncommon treasures that customers will discover on their adventure through our stores. Cost Plus World Market) Cost Plus World Market is a spirited, eclectic and wildly different retailer that turns shopping into an adventure by continually filling aisle after aisle with great finds at great prices from around the world. (Cost Plus World Market) Although I was not able to find Cost Plus World Market’s mission statement, I found what they call the Company Atmosphere. They want customers to expect an adventurous atmosphere when they enter into any of the store locations. They try to recreate a bazaar type atmosphere for those who want to look for items from different areas from around the globe. Cost Plus World Market changes their items they carry in the stores frequently, so products are always new and fresh. The stores offer a wide variety of goods that are imported from fifty countries around the globe. (Cost Plus World Market) Cost Plus World Market carries a variety of environmentally friendly items such as the plantation raised wood that many furniture products are made from as well as recycled glass goblets to name a few. Cost Plus World Market stores are located near major malls in thirty different cities. The target market is women from ages 25 to 55 years. World Market is a private label which most of the items have, with a few other labels. (www. hoovers. com) Cost Plus World Market Organizational Strengths Cost Plus World Market is considered 50 Countries Under One Roof. This is strength for the company for the people who do not ever get to leave and see other countries. They bring unique items from all over the globe that you cannot find in an ordinary retail or department store. Cost Plus World Market offers seasonal items that are unique and they sell them at reasonable prices. Many of the products that are sold at World Market are hand crafted by the local artisans in the different countries. (Cost Plus World Market)The company sells gourmet foods from different areas of the world not sold in your local stores. The wines that they sell include wine, micro brewed and imported beers, coffee, tea and bottled water. The wine assortment is moderately priced premium wines that are not readily available at a neighborhood wine or grocery store. The staffs are trained and can help with the different wines as to what the consumer is looking for with the budget they are working with. The company routinely shops a variety of retailers to ensure that its products are competitively priced. (Cost Plus World Market) Company strength for the company is that they are online, and since many people are connected to the internet they can reach many more consumers. Outside of the shopping the company has available on the website its Annual Report, Quarterly Reports, and Currents reports. The website gives information for the investors, merchandisers, etc. Cost Plus World Market offers different coupons for sales and percent off on the internet as ell. Since they shop the other competition retailers to make sure they have a competitive price you can feel comfortable that you will get the best price out there for unique items. Cost Plus World Market Organizational Weaknesses Cost Plus World Market has significant debt and may incur from this substantial debt added to it in the future. A good portion of the future cash flow for the companies operating activities will likely be dedicated to the payment of interest and the repayment of principal on the indebtedness. The company lenders have liens on the majority of the company’s assets. With this, the lender has a first priority including the company’s cash and inventory balances. (Cost Plus World Market) Cost Plus World Market can minimize this by making sure that they have the best prices of their competitors, advertise sales, new items, and the seasonal items they get in stock. Another weakness for Cost Plus World Market is that they incur major costs for the transportation of goods from foreign ports to the distribution centers and stores. They continually negotiate pricing for certain transportation contracts and with the rise in fuel costs vendors are expected to increase their rates, which in turn Cost Plus World Market will not be able to remain competitively priced to the consumers as they will have to compensate for the increase in transportation rates. (Cost Plus World Market) They can try to minimize this by negotiating a contract that holds a set transportation rate for a predetermined price to keep the costs competitive with the competition. Cost Plus World Market Organizational Opportunities Cost Plus World Market has an International, well established, sourcing network with long standing relationship with many of its vendors. They however do not hold long-term contracts with their suppliers as it is customary for this type of industry. The buyers often work with suppliers to produce unique products exclusive to Cost Plus World Market. The company believes that to keep the competitive prices, although there could be delays in changing suppliers, alternate sources of merchandise are available at comparable prices. Cost Plus World Market’s products are manufactured abroad in over 50 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. (Cost Plus World Market) Another opportunity for the company is the use of technology with having the products available on the company website for those consumers which Cost Plus World Market is not in their local area. The company’s information systems allow all of the stores across to link to the headquarters in Oakland, California. They are able to keep track of all the stores, sales, inventory, what store the items are sold in, all of which is updated daily. This allows the store managements to keep track of their data and better other in-store administration capabilities. This will help to keep products stocked, decide which items sell better in which area so as to not waste money on items which do not sell in certain areas and sell better in others. This will also better the communication between stores and better control finances. (Cost Plus World Market) Cost Plus World Market Organizational Threats One of the main threats to Cost Plus World Market is the competition. The company competes against a diverse group of retailers from specialty stores to department stores. The competitions companies are such as Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Michaels Stores, Pier 1 Imports, Trader Joes, and William-Sonome. Cost Plus World Market competes with these types of companies for customers, prices, and assortment of products, brand name, recognition, store locations, and the qualifications of the management. Cost Plus World Market) Another threat for Cost Plus World Market is the occurrence or threat of international conflict or terrorist activities because the products that they sell are purchased in other countries and must be shipped to the United States. They need the items precise and on-time as much as possible to keep the stores stocked with the merchandise to sell. These threats or occurrences can cause critical downfall for the company, impact on the busines s, personnel and facilities, customers and suppliers and the general economic condition for Cost Plus World Market. Cost Plus World Market) Summary, Strategic Analysis and Suggestions Cost Plus World Market can maximize on their sourcing network with the vendors and suppliers overseas by when the fuel prices are high and scheduled to be on the rise. They could try for an extended contract with the vendors and suppliers to have a set rate for the shipping of the products to keep costs down to be competitive with competitors. This can keep them ahead of the competition and draw in new customers as well as keep the existing customers. Cost Plus World Market can continue to keep updating their information systems to keep all of the data accurate for finances, merchandise, suppliers, vendors, each stores information, and keep this all connected to the home office in Oakland, California. This is going to let them know where they stand and be able to better serve the consumers. To neutralize the threat of the competition, Cost Plus World Market can do all they can to keep the costs of the merchandise down below the competition, advertise their products, and keep the products fresh and new to keep drawing in current and new customers. They can continue to build relationships with the vendors and suppliers overseas to keep the products coming and unique for the consumers. To neutralize the threat of international conflicts or terrorist attacks, Cost Plus World Market can try all they can to keep a good bond with the overseas vendors and suppliers to keep business going and items to be shipped to the distribution centers. Many items are unique and exclusive to World Market regularly supplied by an international network of individual and regional artisans developed over the Company’s 50 years in the import business. The majority of the store’s furniture is constructed of environmentally friendly, farm raised wood while a number of items are made out of recycled glass and yet countless are constructed of environmentally friendly bamboo. The value, breadth and continual refreshment of products invite customers to come back throughout a lifetime of changing home furnishings and entertaining needs. (Wire) For consumers who want to shop in a store that is considered â€Å"50 countries under one roof† they will be more than pleased to step into any of the Cost Plus World Market Stores and find unique items to suit their personal tastes.

Free Essays on Images In William Shakespeares Macbeth

of Macbeth. Just after Macbeth murders Duncan, he begins to show his feelings of guilt and remorse when he says: With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red. (2.2, 60-64) Macbeth is saying that the sea does not contain enough water to wash the blood from his hands without turning the seas themselves red with blood. He is illustrating to the viewer ... Free Essays on Images In William Shakespeares Macbeth Free Essays on Images In William Shakespeares Macbeth Imagery may be defined as a collection of mental pictures or thoughts, formed in an individual’s mind, that appeals to any of one their five senses. In the play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, various images are used. Macbeth is a play about an ambitious young man who goes to great lengths in order to become king of Scotland. In the play, the dominant images are of clothing, blood, animals, and sleeplessness. The use of imagery creates an effect in the readers’ minds and enhances their understanding of the play through helping to create a moral, mental, and physical atmosphere in a work. Firstly, images of blood and animals play a prominent role in establishing the moral atmosphere. In Lady Macbeth’s statements to Macbeth before the murder of Duncan, an animal image helps to convey moral atmosphere. Lady Macbeth says to her husband, â€Å"†¦look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t†. (1.5 65-66) Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth that to escape suspicion he needs to act innocent, while acting like the devilish fiend to accomplish his murderous goals. The serpent has often been used as a representation of evil or a representative of the devil. Thus, although Lady Macbeth is arguing to Macbeth that the murder of Duncan is the righteous thing to do, her use of the image of the serpent suggests that the murder of Duncan is wrong. Another image that particularly helps to establish moral atmosphere is found in the words of Macbeth. Just after Macbeth murders Duncan, he begins to show his feelings of guilt and remorse when h e says: With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red. (2.2, 60-64) Macbeth is saying that the sea does not contain enough water to wash the blood from his hands without turning the seas themselves red with blood. He is illustrating to the viewer ...

There are no moral absolutes Essays

There are no moral absolutes Essays There are no moral absolutes Paper There are no moral absolutes Paper Moral absolutism is the view that morale standards are unchanging and universal. On the opposite side of the spectrum there is a relativist approach. Relativists believe that moral claims are true or false depending on the moral standpoint. These opposing viewpoints can bring about great societal and political debates even in the modern days. Recent examples include the attempt to legalise euthanasia in the UK and the protest to get rid of abortion laws in the Republic of Ireland. Both of these situations are trying to legalise specific forms of murder. An absolutist in this situation will argue that all killing is wrong therefore current laws are right, whereas a relativist would look at specific standpoints, such as quality of life for euthanasia. In this essay I will attempt to explore both sides of the argument coming to my conclusion that relativism is a superior standpoint and that there are no moral absolutes. Some absolutist people disagree with the above statement about moral absolutes. This is because absolutism is a deontological argument which judges the morality of an action based on the actions appliance to rules. For Christians these rules might link back to the Ten Commandments. One of which is â€Å"thou shalt not murder†, this clearly and undeniably is an unbreakable law in the eyes of an absolutist. Another argument for their being moral absolute is that of a criticism to relativist acts. By Relativist thinking it is quite easy to come to the conclusion that slavery was a perfectly moral thing to do. To an absolutist, slavery did not become immoral when it was abolished, it was simply always immoral and being imposed by immoral governments. Per Contra the relativist approach has been backed by many a philosopher including the famous Empiricist, John Locke. Locke believed that absolutes were an abomination from his religious standpoint. He believed this because Absolutism subjected people to abide by absolute rules set by other people at some point. This goes against his belief that all people were created equal by God. By enforcing Absolutism we raise our rule imposing leaders to a God like Status of which no man should be. Furthermore this goes against the fist commandment that men should serve God alone; if we serve a ruler we can then not worship God. Another argument for Relativism is that absolutist moral standards, in some circumstances can lead onto extreme evils. The famous example that illustrates this is that of a crazed axe-murderer coming to your front door and asking you where your children are. Now a relativist could lie based on the circumstances thus saving his children whereas an absolutist must tell the murderer where the children are with full knowledge that they will be killed, thus allowing an even greater evil to be committed, they could even be called an accessory to the murder of their own children. Furthermore there cannot be moral absolutes as eventually they will contradict each other. For example, Jewish doctors in the Holocaust performed abortions to prevent women from being sent to the gas chambers. Two rules here are conflicting. One of which is that Doctors should not perform abortions and another that Doctors should try and save lives. Either way from an absolutist standpoint the doctor will be doing the wrong thing, but a relativist approach allows us to overlook this. On the other hand, there may have to be moral absolutes, because if everything is relativists then how do we decide what rules to abide by. If two tribes cross paths on a Sunday and one of which believes that a sacrifice should be made on Sunday whereas the other tribe does not, if the first tribe then sacrifices a member of the other tribe, it that then morally right or wrong. A relativist would say that it is right for the first tribe but wrong for the second. But how can society work based on right for me, wrong for you system without falling into moral conflict and chaos. Moreover, some relativist arguments when further analysed have absolutist roots, proving there are moral absolutes. For example, the Eskimo practice of leaving female infants out to die as so future male hunters could thrive appeared to be a significant disagreement between their moral systems and ours therefore seeming to deny the universal approach of Absolutism. But when dug deeper, given the hardships of the Eskimos to survive and limited resources for survival, keeping every child puts the whole family at risk. So there is actually a fundamental moral value of preserving life that we share with the Eskimos. The only difference being that they have to make choices based on what they value most (future hunters), these choices we do not have to face. This said the Eskimo example is also a benefactor the relativist approach of situation ethics. Joseph Fletcher, founder of situation ethics argued that in certain situations, absolutist principle have to be put to one side in order to do the right thing. He believed that absolutism didn’t lead to the best of most loving outcome, and the best thing to do may be to break a rule. Utilitarian also reject moral absolutes and focus more on consequences. They believe that the right action is the one that brings the most pleasure and the least pain. Sometimes this may admit Killing in order to save more lives. For Jeremy Bentham, there was no rule he would not break in order to bring about greater happiness. In short if there are no moral absolutes we are left with a Relativist state of mind. This is the belief that moral reasoning is a matter of taste and opinion and is subjective and relative to time and culture. Leading to conclusions such as the killing of Eskimo girls to be morally correct and the act of abortion by a World War 2 doctor also to be moral. Whereas if there are moral absolutes than the same moral rules are applicable all across the world and throughout history. These rules may be some form of innate knowledge or come from the divinity of God and do not change as opinion does. Meaning that if slavery comes back into fashion and is agreed upon to be good, it does not make it morale. In conclusion, I hold a relativist point of view because different cultures have to adapt to live in their surroundings. Extreme measures are often taken for survival which to us in western society would seem abhorrent; however it is for the greater good of future generations. I very much believe that ends justify the means therefore making me a Consequentialist even if rules such as absolutist murder have to be broken. Finally morale absolutes can also seem cruel, for example branding Euthanasia as murder makes people live their final days in unimaginable pain, whereas a relativist approach could give people a dignified end to their life, is that not moral.

Free Essays on Analysis Of Shiloh

Short Story Analysis In Bobbie Ann Masons, â€Å"Shiloh†, a woman challenged the culture of masculinity. In the story, Norma Jean, is the more dominant character of the household leaving Leroy, her husband, with no distinction. The usual role of the husband being the man of the house was reversed in this story to show the power of women, but in the end it all changes. Why did Mason choose to start the story with a dominant, strong woman that grows weary and weak throughout the story? In the story, Mason use of feminine and masculine characteristics to show dominance over the household is symbolized in many of the characters actions. The story starts with Norma Jean lifting weights to build muscle while Leroy sits and watches. Leroy also enjoys building models and knits because he has nothing else to do with his time. The use of reversing roles is to show that the female is the dominant and respected member of the household because of Leroy’s accident, which disabled him from work. At first, Norma seems as if she is a strong stable individual but as the story progresses, things start to get complicated. Mason uses another female influence in the story. Norma’s mother also plays a more dominant role in the couples life. As the story continues the two women, seem to find their weaknesses and start to doubt themselves. One instance is when Norma is caught smoking by her mom and she lets it get to her. Another thing is how the mother is holding on to the past by wanting the couple to go to Shiloh and have a second honeymoon because she realizes that the marriage is not well. As Morphew said in his critique, â€Å"Because she is so dominated by her mother, Norma Jean skirmishes as much with Mable as with Leroy† (1). In the end of the story, all the signs of Norma’s responsibilities as a wife are disappearing. She shows no sign of love or dominance toward Leroy or her mother any more. Symbolism in the story is used to sho... Free Essays on Analysis Of Shiloh Free Essays on Analysis Of Shiloh Short Story Analysis In Bobbie Ann Masons, â€Å"Shiloh†, a woman challenged the culture of masculinity. In the story, Norma Jean, is the more dominant character of the household leaving Leroy, her husband, with no distinction. The usual role of the husband being the man of the house was reversed in this story to show the power of women, but in the end it all changes. Why did Mason choose to start the story with a dominant, strong woman that grows weary and weak throughout the story? In the story, Mason use of feminine and masculine characteristics to show dominance over the household is symbolized in many of the characters actions. The story starts with Norma Jean lifting weights to build muscle while Leroy sits and watches. Leroy also enjoys building models and knits because he has nothing else to do with his time. The use of reversing roles is to show that the female is the dominant and respected member of the household because of Leroy’s accident, which disabled him from work. At first, Norma seems as if she is a strong stable individual but as the story progresses, things start to get complicated. Mason uses another female influence in the story. Norma’s mother also plays a more dominant role in the couples life. As the story continues the two women, seem to find their weaknesses and start to doubt themselves. One instance is when Norma is caught smoking by her mom and she lets it get to her. Another thing is how the mother is holding on to the past by wanting the couple to go to Shiloh and have a second honeymoon because she realizes that the marriage is not well. As Morphew said in his critique, â€Å"Because she is so dominated by her mother, Norma Jean skirmishes as much with Mable as with Leroy† (1). In the end of the story, all the signs of Norma’s responsibilities as a wife are disappearing. She shows no sign of love or dominance toward Leroy or her mother any more. Symbolism in the story is used to sho...

The Pricing of Health Costs and its Effect on the Poor in the United Dissertation - 1

The Pricing of Health Costs and its Effect on the Poor in the United States - Dissertation Example These families must forcibly cut down on their health care costs, which may ultimately lead to dangerous health consequences. In this context, the researcher will conduct a qualitative study (secondary research), that will explore the aspect of the monetary costs and quality of life,  as regards the present US health care system. Monetary costs and quality of life  in the context of US health care: in US, health care occupies an important position within the U.S. economy graph (Fig 1). Observations by various experts reveal that every year the health related expenditure keeps on growing, often moving ahead of the expenditure made on the other service sectors. This implies that each year the percentage of the health expenditure within the overall US economy pie keeps on growing. As the cost prices within the health care system increase, there is bound to be some sort of a repercussion within the average household, especially amongst the families that fall below the federal poverty line. ... Even for those people that have insurances, rising health care costs translate into getting less benefits each year, for the same amount of money. Fig 1: The US spends more healthcare than any country in the world. The figures as shown in the graph above represents health care expenditure for the year 2006, and during this year it was observed that an average US person spends more on health care than on food, oil, or even gasoline (Source: Mckinsey & company, 2008, 13). At an average estimate, America spends nearly $7,400 annually on health care per person, which comprises of about a 16% share within U.S. economy pie (fig 2). A look at the year 2007 will show us that US health care spending was then nearly $2.2 trillion, which when evenly spread over the entire population amounted to about $7421 per head expenditure (Figure 2). This $2.2 trillion represents 16.2 percent of the nation’s total economic activity, referred to as the gross domestic product or GDP. While the spendin g figures are by themselves impressive, however the chief area of concern is their rate of rapid growth over the last few years. Fig 2: National Health Expenditures per Capita and Their Share of Gross Domestic Product, 1960-2007 (Source: Health Care Costs- A Primer, 2009, 2). The graph (fig 2) shows the rising cost of health care per person in US. The growth in the last decade, starting from around 1990, and has been exponential. In 2009, the $7421 per head spending increased to more than $8000 per head, showing a jump of more than $500 per person, in just 2 years time (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2010). Observations show that the rapidly increasing health care expenditure in US is becoming a

European union law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

European union law - Essay Example Initially, EU member states concentrate upon the discrimination on the basis of two respects as described by the EU law. Firstly, the economic objectives of EU commission is to create a common employment market with the help of equal treatment of the workers which are required to prohibit discrimination on the basis of nationality under the Article 45 Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Secondly, the workers who belong from an EU nation should not be treated differently in the job market of any other EU nations on the basis of gender differences restricting discrimination practice based on sex1. Taking into consideration the ethical practices and the requirement of equal treatment of employees, the general guidelines of non-discrimination was implemented through the EU legislative emphasising on gender discrimination concerning the equal pay policies for both men and women under the Article 157 of the TFEU which was formerly attributed as Article 119 of the Europe an Commission (EC). The ‘pay gap’ between both the genders is regarded as applicable in every member state of EU according to the EU law. On the basis of the implications of ‘pay gap’, the EU legislation promotes equal pay in order to evaluate the gap between the income levels of both the genders whose pay structure is quite higher. Contextually, the employment segmentation on the basis of gender implies that in many employment workplaces, the male employees predominantly occupied the labour market within the EU member states. In the context of equal pay, the aforementioned aspect was applicable when the discrimination principle of the EU law was further extended to facilitate the equal pay of workers. Moreover, on the basis of the case law of European Court of Justice (ECJ), it can be affirmed that the general guidelines regarding the equal payment for both female as well as male employees rendered due consideration towards social objectives of growth and overall development. Discrimination of gender within the employment takes place when an employee obtains special treatments on the basis of various arbitrary criteria such as gender, religion, age, parental status, socio-economic background, race and political opinion. It is worth mentioning in this context that the notion, ‘discrimination’, was initiated within EU discourse in the form of restriction under the Article 18 TFEU. As per the EU commission, ‘Council Directive 75/117/EEC’ implemented policies obstructing gender discrimination affirming that there should be the equal pay for both men and women. Furthermore, Council Directive 76/207/EEC also executed certain guidelines regarding equal treatment for both the genders on the basis of extra pay, promotion, training and working situations2. In present business context, it has been observed that most of the working women in EU member states have to face ‘deep-rooted’ injustice within their workplace, compromising with lesser payment compared to their male colleagues irrespective of their similar job responsibilities. Hence, equal treatment among the men and women workers have emerged as one of the significant aspects within the EU member states. It is in this context t

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 19

Marketing - Essay Example One of the areas of differentiation that can distinguish Coke is the corporate social responsibility. CSR is used as a point of differentiation as CSR is not different from quality. A company has to demonstrate responsibility towards all of the seven stakeholders - the owners or the stock holders, the suppliers, the customers, the employees, the community, the government and the competitors. By having strategic approaches to philanthropy firms fulfill their responsibility to shareholders and their commitment to community (McAlister & Ferrell, 2002). Consumers globally have become socially conscious and they are concerned about the impact that companies have on the society. This includes the impact on the physical environment, the workers and the consumers. Mass media has contributed to consumer awareness towards these issues. Coke should try to seek competitive advantage through philanthropic activities. It has been found that integrating operations, quality, strategy and technology can help sustain competitive advantage and strengthen the focus on doing things right. By being socially responsible and adhering to the ethical principles, a company’s brand image is enhanced, and it is able to attract and retain employees. Other benefits that they can achieve are increased market share, lower operating cots and easier to attract investors (Labbai, 2007). 2. Due to internationalization and globalization firms often are confused whether to have a globalized or a localized business strategy. Differences in culture, behavior, the political stability, government regulations, demographics and customer needs across boundaries creates new challenges and provides new opportunities to firms and they need to adapt their strategy according to the need. A global strategy treats the world as a single market whereas localized approach takes into account the local opportunities

The Art and Craft of Rap Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Art and Craft of Rap Music - Essay Example Then, the four most infuential rap albums of all time are discussed, chosen primarily based upon their influence in redefining the genre as it existed prior to the album. Some of the largest names in the rap music business are discussed and analyzed with particular respect to their technical and artistic merits, as well as their social impact upon the world. Since its conception in the early seventies, rap music has been more than just a genre of music. It has become a street culture with elements that promote self expression and participation. Whether you call it rap or hip hop, it is the medium for urban-based creativity and expression of culture. This paper discusses the history and influence of rap, offering insight into a genre that is highly publicized on a global level but often ignored. The beginning of hip hop has often been discussed and debated among those in the music scene. On one hand, it seems to be widely accepted that the birth date of rap was 1979, when Sugar Hill Gang released Rappers Delight, but the hip hop scene more likely began to form in the Bronx in 1971. The founder of hip-hop was rapper and first break-beat deejay Kool Herc. Sugar Hill Gang seem to be used as a starting point as they hold the title for the introduction of rap music on vinyl, the youth cult for rap music had established itself many years prior to 1979. Soon after the conception of rap as an idea, Grandmaster Flash invented scratching; spinning a record back and forth creating a scratching sound. These innovations made by Kool Herc, Grand Wizard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and other like- minded DJs of the era were the spearhead of an underground cultural movement that is now recognized as hip-hop. Hip hop quickly became recognized as a form of urban based creativity and expression of culture, the turntables enabled artists to be creative with musical sounds. The turntable is an instrument that gives artists control over mainstream music, by proffering a "simple tool to make their art," (Byi, 1998) constituting a sense of rebellion through scratching and distorting a track. Not only does deejaying give artists a sense of upheaval, but also liberation and freedom, the DJ, Q-Bert explained this phenomenon in an interview, "the art of scratching is like a miracle- how you grab any recorded sound and manipulate it to say whatever you wantI wanted to speak the universal language of music, so I chose the musical instrument of the future: the turntable" (Byi, 1998) In the beginning, hip-hop was mainly seen at parties where a DJ would loop samples from records and allow people to battle over these tracks; from here hip-hop culture grew. Deejays often used a microphone to engage the crowd. Over time, individuals other than the Deejay joined in, delivering a message in a catchy rhyme form. By drawing attention not only to the message itself, but also how the message was conveyed, these individuals became performers in their own right, taking a place alongside Deejays and B-Boys; the emcee was born. People were rapping on the streets, and battles could be seen in warehouses on a Saturday night where budding rappers would get on the stage and rap against each other in a knock out style competition. It was the lack of financial resources that prevented this music from being

Windows OS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Windows OS - Essay Example Windows Server 2003 has been built for being a Server for a Internet Service Provider. As for Windows Vista it is a operating system built for home or desktop computers. Windows Server was launched way before the launch of Windows Vista hence the later one is equipped with better technology. Windows Vista is more user friendly as it has been made for home usage but the Windows Server 2003 is made for administrators of a network hence it has a technical user interface. Windows Vista as compared to Windows Server 2003 has more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, and the usability of other new features such as User Account Control. All these have gone against it and the Windows Server 2003 leads in this area Apart from all this Windows Server 2003 is more secure comparatively. Windows XP as a client Operating System has been a huge success among LAN and P2P users. The major factor that has made windows XP such a huge success is its user friendliness and the easy user interface it offers. Automatic detection of any hardware plug and play devices without having to install the drivers through a CD has made it even more famous. The windows security system provides much safer Internet browsing and faster speeds to the user. Apart from all this Windows XP is compatible with any latest device and software that is being offered in the market. For example the latest Msn Messenger is compatible with windows XP. Sharing data on LAN becomes easier by the use of Windows XP. Windows XP provides wizards to guide a user during any process whether a user is installing minor software or installing Windows XP itself. Windows XP has enhanced online gaming and gaming on LAN by its special features. Windows XP enables a computer to use its resources

Enterprise Systems Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Enterprise Systems Assessment - Essay Example 89). In order to understand the correlation between Argos as a company and how it functions as an enterprise system, we will have to define some few terms and concepts. It is important to point out that SAP is constantly changing the SRM framework. More often than not it is introducing innovative concepts that are useful in arranging the components of SRM. Basically, there are three core concepts that we have to understand. They include, supply process, business scenarios within each key process, and fundamental technology constituents that are useful in enabling the business processes. It is worth noting that Argos have implemented each business scenario, with one or two SAP elements and there third party applications as they maybe required. An example is the Supplier Enablement scenario is through empowering it with a number of underlying technological components. These components include, Supplier Self Service (SUS), Biller Direct, Enterprise Portal, and inventory Collaboration Hu b (ICH). Argos stores all over the UK have achieved in implementing this business scenario (SAP.COM, 2013, p.1). Production Process at Argos SAP has defined three key supply processes that are involved in purchasing. These processes will jointly constitute the SAP SRM solutions. They include; operational procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier enablement. Operational Procurement In this section, we will be looking at the various business scenarios that Argos has been successful in implementing. We start with the self service procurement. When it comes to indirect procurement, it allows ones employees to create and manage their own obligation requests. This has been key in relieving it’s purchasing department the huge administrative burden while ensuring at the same time that the procurement processing are faster and responsive. The next scenario is the plan driven procurement also known as the direct procurement. This has been great at automating and streamlining the or dering processes for regularly needed important materials (SAP.COM, 2013, p.1). It is a known fact that SAP SRM has been integrated with planning, designing and the order processing systems. This has made it possible for Argos to link its procurement process with their plan driven strategy. This ensures that they get the materials they need for their key business while at the same time processing and delivering their clients request. Direct procurement does integrate flawlessly with most back end systems like enterprise planning and production. This scenario has given Argos procurement division a chance to integrate operational procurement with their existing supply chain management solution. The last scenario is the service procurement or as it is commonly known as the E-procurement. It has created many opportunities for Argos to save cots in their purchasing process. They have gone the extra mile of extending their cost saving measures like services given that this account for ove r 50 percent of their annual purchasing volumes. This scenario has provided services that have led to a reduction in labor costs, consulting, and maintenance and facility management. Strategic Sourcing After the 2008 world economic crisis, it is estimated that sourcing makes up for 75 percent of one saving on

The Art and Craft of Rap Music Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Art and Craft of Rap Music - Essay Example Then, the four most infuential rap albums of all time are discussed, chosen primarily based upon their influence in redefining the genre as it existed prior to the album. Some of the largest names in the rap music business are discussed and analyzed with particular respect to their technical and artistic merits, as well as their social impact upon the world. Since its conception in the early seventies, rap music has been more than just a genre of music. It has become a street culture with elements that promote self expression and participation. Whether you call it rap or hip hop, it is the medium for urban-based creativity and expression of culture. This paper discusses the history and influence of rap, offering insight into a genre that is highly publicized on a global level but often ignored. The beginning of hip hop has often been discussed and debated among those in the music scene. On one hand, it seems to be widely accepted that the birth date of rap was 1979, when Sugar Hill Gang released Rappers Delight, but the hip hop scene more likely began to form in the Bronx in 1971. The founder of hip-hop was rapper and first break-beat deejay Kool Herc. Sugar Hill Gang seem to be used as a starting point as they hold the title for the introduction of rap music on vinyl, the youth cult for rap music had established itself many years prior to 1979. Soon after the conception of rap as an idea, Grandmaster Flash invented scratching; spinning a record back and forth creating a scratching sound. These innovations made by Kool Herc, Grand Wizard Theodore, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and other like- minded DJs of the era were the spearhead of an underground cultural movement that is now recognized as hip-hop. Hip hop quickly became recognized as a form of urban based creativity and expression of culture, the turntables enabled artists to be creative with musical sounds. The turntable is an instrument that gives artists control over mainstream music, by proffering a "simple tool to make their art," (Byi, 1998) constituting a sense of rebellion through scratching and distorting a track. Not only does deejaying give artists a sense of upheaval, but also liberation and freedom, the DJ, Q-Bert explained this phenomenon in an interview, "the art of scratching is like a miracle- how you grab any recorded sound and manipulate it to say whatever you wantI wanted to speak the universal language of music, so I chose the musical instrument of the future: the turntable" (Byi, 1998) In the beginning, hip-hop was mainly seen at parties where a DJ would loop samples from records and allow people to battle over these tracks; from here hip-hop culture grew. Deejays often used a microphone to engage the crowd. Over time, individuals other than the Deejay joined in, delivering a message in a catchy rhyme form. By drawing attention not only to the message itself, but also how the message was conveyed, these individuals became performers in their own right, taking a place alongside Deejays and B-Boys; the emcee was born. People were rapping on the streets, and battles could be seen in warehouses on a Saturday night where budding rappers would get on the stage and rap against each other in a knock out style competition. It was the lack of financial resources that prevented this music from being

Enterprise Systems Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Enterprise Systems Assessment - Essay Example 89). In order to understand the correlation between Argos as a company and how it functions as an enterprise system, we will have to define some few terms and concepts. It is important to point out that SAP is constantly changing the SRM framework. More often than not it is introducing innovative concepts that are useful in arranging the components of SRM. Basically, there are three core concepts that we have to understand. They include, supply process, business scenarios within each key process, and fundamental technology constituents that are useful in enabling the business processes. It is worth noting that Argos have implemented each business scenario, with one or two SAP elements and there third party applications as they maybe required. An example is the Supplier Enablement scenario is through empowering it with a number of underlying technological components. These components include, Supplier Self Service (SUS), Biller Direct, Enterprise Portal, and inventory Collaboration Hu b (ICH). Argos stores all over the UK have achieved in implementing this business scenario (SAP.COM, 2013, p.1). Production Process at Argos SAP has defined three key supply processes that are involved in purchasing. These processes will jointly constitute the SAP SRM solutions. They include; operational procurement, strategic sourcing, and supplier enablement. Operational Procurement In this section, we will be looking at the various business scenarios that Argos has been successful in implementing. We start with the self service procurement. When it comes to indirect procurement, it allows ones employees to create and manage their own obligation requests. This has been key in relieving it’s purchasing department the huge administrative burden while ensuring at the same time that the procurement processing are faster and responsive. The next scenario is the plan driven procurement also known as the direct procurement. This has been great at automating and streamlining the or dering processes for regularly needed important materials (SAP.COM, 2013, p.1). It is a known fact that SAP SRM has been integrated with planning, designing and the order processing systems. This has made it possible for Argos to link its procurement process with their plan driven strategy. This ensures that they get the materials they need for their key business while at the same time processing and delivering their clients request. Direct procurement does integrate flawlessly with most back end systems like enterprise planning and production. This scenario has given Argos procurement division a chance to integrate operational procurement with their existing supply chain management solution. The last scenario is the service procurement or as it is commonly known as the E-procurement. It has created many opportunities for Argos to save cots in their purchasing process. They have gone the extra mile of extending their cost saving measures like services given that this account for ove r 50 percent of their annual purchasing volumes. This scenario has provided services that have led to a reduction in labor costs, consulting, and maintenance and facility management. Strategic Sourcing After the 2008 world economic crisis, it is estimated that sourcing makes up for 75 percent of one saving on

Work Experience Report Essay Example for Free

Work Experience Report Essay After I finished my AS level exams, I knew I wanted to do chemical engineering, so I asked my dad to get me a place where I can learn a little about it and luckily my dad knew Mr. Manoj Shah who is the owner of Osho Chemical Industries Ltd. So I went there on the 03/12/2012 to get some experience. I met the product development manager Mr. Harish Tolia who guided us throughout and took care of us while we were there. DAY 1 On this day, we were introduced to the work place. We were shown the whole industry and given a brief discussion on what we were going to learn on the next few days. DAY 2 We started off with simple formulations. We did the formulations of tea as it is an everyday use. So we learnt how each ingredient is used and the way its quantity used is very important for the taste, quality and pricing. After looking at tea, we looked at other examples and did some analysis on how some variations in quantity affect the end product. DAY 3 We looked at processes on this day. We learnt how each ingredient is processed. But we stuck to the tea example. We discussed its process. Like we start with boiling the water, then adding the tea leaves (making sure how strong you want it), then masala and then sugar according to the taste preference and then pouring it in the cup. Then we went around the industry looking at different processes. Like for the mosquito killer (moss-kill) we saw how the dough was made into rings and then packed in small packets, then boxes. Also saw how liquids were processed. This was done through computer so it was all automatic. DAY 4 On this day we looked at the equipments. We saw different types of stirrers (single and double mixers), ones used for powder. Then we also looked at their custom made mixers that stir both upwards and downwards forcing them to be mixed very thoroughly. Apart from mixers, we saw how each equipment plays a role in the processing. Conveyor belts help to move the processed item to the next station. (e.g. One equipment pours the liquid in the container, the next covers the container with a cap, the next places a label around it, then a box is used to put all the containers in one and the lorry is then used to transport the goods to their location.

What Is Polygraph Testing

What Is Polygraph Testing A polygraph machine is used to attempt to detect physiological changes that are thought to occur when a person tells a lie. These measures include the blood pressure, the amount of sweating on the palms and the heart rate. Polygraph testing is currently being used to investigate crime in a number of countries around the world, including the USA, Japan, South Korea and Israel (Raskin, 1990). At present there is a wide-ranging literature evaluating the use of the polygraph machine and associated techniques, largely based on laboratory experimentation. Like any psychometric test, the use of a polygraph machine in the detection of deception has been questioned on the basis of its reliability and its validity. Reliability refers to the ability of a test to be consistent, no matter who is carrying it out. The question of validity asks whether the test is actually measuring what it claims to measure. The answer to both of these questions is vital in answering whether the polygraph should be introduced into British policing. The polygraph machine has been used in a number of different ways to elicit useful information from suspects. Bull, Gudjonsson, Hampson, Baron, Rippon, Vrij (2004) identify four main techniques: the Relevant/Irrelevant Technique, the Directed Lie Test, the Control Question Test, and the Guilty Knowledge Test. Of these, the majority of research has addressed the last two and so the discussion will concentrate on these. The Control Question Test The theory behind the Control Question Test (CQT) is that the physiological responses of a suspect to control questions are compared with those which are directly relevant to the crime. Control questions are specifically chosen to be vague in nature and to relate only indirectly to the crime under investigation (Iacono Patrick, 1997). This means that they should provoke high levels of physiological arousal in innocent suspects as they are designed to elicit guilty memories but those that are not under investigation. By contrast, to an innocent interviewee, the specific questions about the crime should evoke lower physiological arousal as they can be categorically denied. To the guilty interviewee, however, the reverse pattern should be seen with higher physiological response seen to the more specific questions. The basic paradigm for assessing the polygraph test used in laboratory investigations involves a mock crime with participants randomly told to act either innocent or guilty. Raskin (1982), for example, explains that the guilty participants enact the mock crime, while the innocent participants simply have the facts relayed to them. Both groups are given a cash incentive to pass the test, and this goes some way towards giving them the required motivation to pass the test. Many of the earlier studies used the CQT test and found some encouraging results. Carroll (1988) summarises some of these studies, referring first to the Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress (1983) which rounded up 14 studies which found an overall accuracy level of 88.6% in the guilty participants, and 82.6 in the innocent participants. However, Carroll (1988) criticises this assessment as some of these studies had flawed methodologies. Instead, using stricter criteria, the figures of 85.4% for guilty and 76.9% for the innocent were found. Carroll (1988) makes two important points about most of these studies. Firstly, there was a fairly high rate of false positives of around 20-25% instances where the participant was innocent but pronounced guilty. Secondly, the polygraph operators also have their own visual information to go on when carrying out the test, they are not simply relying on the physiological data. This means that the results cannot be fully attributable to the polygraph as the human operator could be partly acting as a lie detector. The most obvious criticism of these kind of studies is that of ecological validity. The test itself relies on the emotional reactions of the participants how likely is it that monetary inducements are equivalent in motivational terms to the chance of being convicted of a crime? For this reason, MacLaren (2001) points out that the participants have little reason to be worried about the important questions and are unmotivated to try and beat the test unlike a real guilty suspect. Field studies, then, have attempted to fill this gap, but immediately the problem arises of how it is possible to measure whether a person is really guilty or innocent. In reviewing the data on field studies, Carroll (1988) found that generally the accuracy rates were low at 69.6% comparing to the 50% obtainable by chance this does not seem high. In addition, there was a very high rate of false positives 43%. More recent field studies have been reviewed by Bull et al. (2004), who find better average figures for those guilty suspects at between 80% and 90% accuracy, but still poor results for innocent suspects, with false positives ranging from 12% to 47% accuracy. The theoretical problems with the CQT have been pointed out by Ben-Shakhar (2002), amongst others. The whole design of the test is such that the operator of the polygraph is trying to deceive the suspect something that may be perceived as unethical. It is still possible to imagine good reasons for why an innocent suspect would show arousal to the specific questions these are still anxiety provoking questions. There is little evidence that this test is standardised, in that the control questions that are asked in each interview are different. This means that much variability in the accuracy of test is probably due to the operator this reduces the theoretical reliability of the test. The Guilty Knowledge Test False positives, then, are one of the major problems with the CQT. The Guilty Knowledge Test (GKT) has been shown to meet this challenge. The GKT is designed to try and uncover whether the interviewee is withholding information about a crime under investigation. This involves asking the suspect a number of specific questions about the crime, each question having a number of alternatives, only one of which is correct. The operator then looks for a pattern of physiological responses to the correct option across the whole test. This test is much more difficult to apply, mainly because it requires the test operator to know a number of facts about the crime that she must be reasonably sure that the guilty suspect would also know these would tend to be details, although does not exclude major facts. A range of reviews have been carried out on the GKT in laboratory conditions. Ben-Shakhar and Furedy (1990) found accuracy rates of 84% for guilty participants and 94% for innocent participants. Elaad (1998) found rates of 81% for guilty and 96% for innocent. While these are encouraging, again it is the field studies that are more convincing because of ecological validity. Only two of these have been carried out. Elaad (1990) found rates of only 42% for guilty participants but 98% for the innocent. Similarly Elaad, Ginton Jungman (1992) found 76% for guilty and 94% for innocent. Ben-Shakhar, Bar-Hillel, Kremnitzer, (2002) defend the low results for guilty suspects, claiming that they were carried out under sub-optimal conditions, being just after a CQT had been carried out and only involving an average of 1.8 questions. Overall though, levels of false positives are much lower for the GKT than the CQT. Perhaps the biggest criticism of the GKT relates to how useful it is in a practical sense. The nature of the test requires that the interviewer has been able to amass half a dozen items of knowledge that the guilty person would be aware of that would not be recognised by an innocent person. In addition, it is not always possible to be confident that the suspect will have remembered or even noticed the particular details which the operator refers to. Bull et al. (2004) makes the point that, in high profile cases, details are often released to the public to aid the solving of the crime, which will make the interviewing of the suspect even harder using a GKT, as innocent suspects will know many more details of the crime, making the choice of details for interview more obscure. The advantage of the GKT is that in evaluating its theoretical underpinnings, some researchers have made much stronger claims for it than the CQT (The Committee to Review the Scientific Evidence on the Polygraph, National Research Council, 2003). The reason for this is that the GKT relies on the response being greater to a particular subset of the questions relative to whatever the physiological response is to the other questions (Carmel, Dayan, Naveh, Raveh Ben-Shakhar, 2003). This is unlike the CQT where variations in the physiological response of the suspect will tend to disrupt the test. In addition, the GKT does not rely on duping the suspect. The GKT does also have practical advantages. Ben-Shakhar et al. (2002) point out that a problem for the admissibility of polygraph tests in court is that they can become contaminated. In practice, a polygraph operator has the evidence of his eyes as well as the polygraph machine to go on. This may mean that the operator does not entirely base his decision on the physiological data. The advantage of the GKT is that it is much more easy to carry out blind, or for another polygraph tester to simply look at the physiological evidence. Counter measures and Base Rates Two other criticisms that apply more generally to all the different types of polygraph tests, are the effects of countermeasures and of base rates. Countermeasures refers to attempts to beat the polygraph test, these Gudjonsson (1988) classifies in three ways: reducing reactivity, suppressing physiological reactions and augmenting physiological reactions. According to Ford (1995) a man named Floyd Fay was able to successfully train 23 of 27 fellow inmates to beat the polygraph test in 20 minutes despite their admission of guilt to crimes for which they had been incarcerated. On the problem of base rates, Bull et al. (2004) point out that the kinds of situations in which polygraph tests are used may mean that there are a large number of suspects to test. This will exacerbate the problems of false positives, although, perhaps, is not such a problem in forensic situations as numbers are more likely to be limited.

the good earth type 2 journal :: essays research papers

The Good Earth Type Two Journal—The Good Earth—Wang Lung, Olan, Lotus, Uncle â€Å"Are we not to see the moth-browed bride?†Pg.24  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tactless- The uncle is tactless because everyone already expects a farmer’s wife to be unattractive and he has no remorse to mock his nephew. â€Å"This woman is well enough!†Pg.28  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Content- Wang Lung becomes content with his wife when he learns that she cares for him more than anyone else. â€Å"When I return to that house it will be with my son in my arms. I shall have a red coat on him and red-flowered trousers and on his head a hat with a small gilded Buddha sewn on the front†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Pg.34  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Pretentious- Olan is pretentious because she wants to show the great house that she is no longer the slave that they knew, but she is a successful wife that has borne a healthy young son. â€Å"Thus everyone will know I have a son!†Pg.39  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Proud- Wang lung is proud to have a son as his first child. It is a symbol of good fortune, and he wants the word of his son and good fortune to be known to everyone. â€Å"I will tell your words to the whole village!† Pg.66  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Coercive- The uncle coerces Wang Lung to giving him money by threatening him to tell the village that Wang Lung cursed his whole family, his flesh and blood. â€Å"My nephew there he has silver and he has food, but he will give none of it to us, not even me, and my children, who are his own bone and flesh.†Pg.77  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Contemptuous- The uncle is becomes contemptuous after his second visit to Wang Lung asking for money. After he is turned away with nothing he attempts to turn the village upon him their hunger forcing them to scorn him for having food. â€Å"There and there and there!†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ â€Å"That is for a thief!† Pg.119  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Reproachful- He is reproachful of his children for belittling themselves by stealing. He does not know how to be proud of someone that steals. â€Å"There is nothing to sell except the girl.†Pg.124  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Truthful- Olan is truthful to Wang Lung by telling him that the only way to get back to the land in their current situation is to sell their only girl to slavery. â€Å"If I had the gold and the silver and the jewel, I would buy land with it, good land, and I would bring forth harvests from the land!† Pg.130  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sincere- Wang Lung is sincere because he would not buy luxuries for himself, but instead he would but land that would sustain all generations to come and could never be taken away.

Shakespeares Tempest Essay -- Drama Analysis

William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the most influential writer's of the 16th century. His command on modern English is uncanny and texts that he authored are considered some of the most exceptional pieces of literature. Throughout all of his plays are intricate plot and character development that end with philosophical life lessons that can apply to anyone. In William Shakespeare's the Tempest, Prospero projects the oppressive demeanour that initially made him a prisoner onto Caliban and Ariel which ultimately leads to his shift from ignorance to knowledge. Initially Prospero was duped, betrayed and inevitably usurped by his brother Antonio. It is in this pivotal section of the plot that provides an explanation as to why and how Prospero displays such acrimonious behaviour. As Prospero relays the story of how they arrived on the island he explains that he trusted his brother to run his kingdom while he was â€Å"...all dedicated/To Closeness and the bettering of my mind (1.2.89-90). He became so wrapped up in his studies of the liberal arts that eventually Antonio won over his people and â€Å"...he needs will be/Absolute Milan (1.2.108-109). Prospero was ultimately usurped and â€Å"...one midnight/Fated to th' purpose did Antonio open/The gates of Milan, and i' th' dead of darkness/The ministers for th' purpose hurried thence/Me and thy crying self (1.2.128-132). They disposed of Prospero and his daughter, â€Å"...There they hoist us/To cry to th' sea that roared to us...(1.2.148-149). Eventually â€Å"By providence divine. (1. 2.159)† they made it to the island that Prospero would inevitably establish his vicious sovereignty over. He lost his Dukedom due his perfidious brother. However it is evident that Prospero grew ignorant to the ne... ... art to enchant;/And my ending is despair...†(5.2.1-14). This is a decisive end to Prospero's controlling demeanour and a very clear shift from ignorance to knowledge is distinguishable. There is a unimpeded progression of maturity that Prospero is subjected to. Instead of taking vengeance on those who wronged him he ultimately decides to function with his â€Å"...nobler reason...† (5.1.26). He understands that the way he has composed himself and treated others is no better than the lack of benevolence he has been subjected to. In William Shakespeare's the Tempest, Prospero projects the oppressive demeanour that initially made him a prisoner onto Caliban and Ariel which ultimately leads to his shift from ignorance to knowledge. The relationship between servant and master is beautifully articulated and exemplifies enticing altruistic values that one should strive for.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Thirty-four

Catelyn My lady, you should have sent word of your coming,† Ser Donnel Waynwood told her as their horses climbed the pass. â€Å"We would have sent an escort. The high road is not as safe as it once was, for a party as small as yours.† â€Å"We learned that to our sorrow, Ser Donnel,† Catelyn said. Sometimes she felt as though her heart had turned to stone; six brave men had died to bring her this far, and she could not even find it in her to weep for them. Even their names were fading. â€Å"The clansmen harried us day and night. We lost three men in the first attack, and two more in the second, and Lannister's serving man died of a fever when his wounds festered. When we heard your men approaching, I thought us doomed for certain.† They had drawn up for a last desperate fight, blades in hand and backs to the rock. The dwarf had been whetting the edge of his axe and making some mordant jest when Bronn spotted the banner the riders carried before them, the moon-and-falcon of House Arryn, sky-blue and white. Catelyn had never seen a more welcome sight. â€Å"The clans have grown bolder since Lord Jon died,† Ser Donnel said. He was a stocky youth of twenty years, earnest and homely, with a wide nose and a shock of thick brown hair. â€Å"If it were up to me, I would take a hundred men into the mountains, root them out of their fastnesses, and teach them some sharp lessons, but your sister has forbidden it. She would not even permit her knights to fight in the Hand's tourney. She wants all our swords kept close to home, to defend the Vale . . . against what, no one is certain. Shadows, some say.† He looked at her anxiously, as if he had suddenly remembered who she was. â€Å"I hope I have not spoken out of turn, my lady. I meant no offense.† â€Å"Frank talk does not offend me, Ser Donnel.† Catelyn knew what her sister feared. Not shadows, Lannisters, she thought to herself, glancing back to where the dwarf rode beside Bronn. The two of them had grown thick as thieves since Chiggen had died. The little man was more cunning than she liked. When they had entered the mountains, he had been her captive, bound and helpless. What was he now? Her captive still, yet he rode along with a dirk through his belt and an axe strapped to his saddle, wearing the shadowskin cloak he'd won dicing with the singer and the chainmail hauberk he'd taken off Chiggen's corpse. Two score men flanked the dwarf and the rest of her ragged band, knights and men-at-arms in service to her sister Lysa and Jon Arryn's young son, and yet Tyrion betrayed no hint of fear. Could I be wrong? Catelyn wondered, not for the first time. Could he be innocent after all, of Bran and Jon Arryn and all the rest? And if he was, what did that make her? Six men ha d died to bring him here. Resolute, she pushed her doubts away. â€Å"When we reach your keep, I would take it kindly if you could send for Maester Colemon at once. Ser Rodrik is feverish from his wounds.† More than once she had feared the gallant old knight would not survive the journey. Toward the end he could scarcely sit his horse, and Bronn had urged her to leave him to his fate, but Catelyn would not hear of it. They had tied him in the saddle instead, and she had commanded Marillion the singer to watch over him. Ser Donnel hesitated before he answered. â€Å"The Lady Lysa has commanded the maester to remain at the Eyrie at all times, to care for Lord Robert,† he said. â€Å"We have a septon at the gate who tends to our wounded. He can see to your man's hurts.† Catelyn had more faith in a maester's learning than a septon's prayers. She was about to say as much when she saw the battlements ahead, long parapets built into the very stone of the mountains on either side of them. Where the pass shrank to a narrow defile scarce wide enough for four men to ride abreast, twin watchtowers clung to the rocky slopes, joined by a covered bridge of weathered grey stone that arched above the road. Silent faces watched from arrow slits in tower, battlements, and bridge. When they had climbed almost to the top, a knight rode out to meet them. His horse and his armor were grey, but his cloak was the rippling blue-and-red of Riverrun, and a shiny black fish, wrought in gold and obsidian, pinned its folds against his shoulder. â€Å"Who would pass the Bloody Gate?† he called. â€Å"Ser Donnel Waynwood, with the Lady Catelyn Stark and her companions,† the young knight answered. The Knight of the Gate lifted his visor. â€Å"I thought the lady looked familiar. You are far from home, little Cat.† â€Å"And you, Uncle,† she said, smiling despite all she had been through. Hearing that hoarse, smoky voice again took her back twenty years, to the days of her childhood. â€Å"My home is at my back,† he said gruffly. â€Å"Your home is in my heart,† Catelyn told him. â€Å"Take off your helm. I would look on your face again.† â€Å"The years have not improved it, I fear,† Brynden Tully said, but when he lifted off the helm, Catelyn saw that he lied. His features were lined and weathered, and time had stolen the auburn from his hair and left him only grey, but the smile was the same, and the bushy eyebrows fat as caterpillars, and the laughter in his deep blue eyes. â€Å"Did Lysa know you were coming?† â€Å"There was no time to send word ahead,† Catelyn told him. The others were coming up behind her. â€Å"I fear we ride before the storm, Uncle.† â€Å"May we enter the Vale?† Ser Donnel asked. The Waynwoods were ever ones for ceremony. â€Å"In the name of Robert Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, Defender of the Vale, True Warden of the East, I bid you enter freely, and charge you to keep his peace,† Ser Brynden replied. â€Å"Come.† And so she rode behind him, beneath the shadow of the Bloody Gate where a dozen armies had dashed themselves to pieces in the Age of Heroes. On the far side of the stoneworks, the mountains opened up suddenly upon a vista of green fields, blue sky, and snowcapped mountains that took her breath away. The Vale of Arryn bathed in the morning light. It stretched before them to the misty cast, a tranquil land of rich black soil, wide slow-moving rivers, and hundreds of small lakes that shone like mirrors in the sun, protected on all sides by its sheltering peaks. Wheat and corn and barley grew high in its fields, and even in Highgarden the pumpkins were no larger nor the fruit any sweeter than here. They stood at the western end of the valley, where the high road crested the last pass and began its winding descent to the bottomlands two miles below. The Vale was narrow here, no more than a half day's ride across, and the northern mountains seemed so close that Catelyn could almost reach out and touch them. Looming over them all was the jagged peak called the Giant's Lance, a mountain that even mountains looked up to, its head lost in icy mists three and a half miles above the valley floor. Over its massive western shoulder flowed the ghost torrent of Alyssa's Tears. Even from this distance, Catelyn could make out the shining silv er thread, bright against the dark stone. When her uncle saw that she had stopped, he moved his horse closer and pointed. â€Å"It's there, beside Alyssa's Tears. All you can see from here is a flash of white every now and then, if you look hard and the sun hits the walls just right.† Seven towers, Ned had told her, like white daggers thrust into the belly of the sky, so high you can stand on the parapets and look down on the clouds. â€Å"How long a ride?† she asked. â€Å"We can be at the mountain by evenfall,† Uncle Brynden said, â€Å"but the climb will take another day.† Ser Rodrik Cassel spoke up from behind. â€Å"My lady,† he said, â€Å"I fear I can go no farther today.† His face sagged beneath his ragged, newgrown whiskers, and he looked so weary Catelyn feared he might fall off his horse. â€Å"Nor should you,† she said. â€Å"You have done all I could have asked of you, and a hundred times more. My uncle will see me the rest of the way to the Eyrie. Lannister must come with me, but there is no reason that you and the others should not rest here and recover your strength.† â€Å"We should be honored to have them to guest,† Ser Donnel said with the grave courtesy of the young. Beside Ser Rodrik, only Bronn, Ser Willis Wode, and Marillion the singer remained of the party that had ridden with her from the inn by the crossroads. â€Å"My lady,† Marillion said, riding forward. â€Å"I beg you allow me to accompany you to the Eyrie, to see the end of the tale as I saw its beginnings.† The boy sounded haggard, yet strangely determined; he had a fevered shine to his eyes. Catelyn had never asked the singer to ride with them; that choice he had made himself, and how he had come to survive the journey when so many braver men lay dead and unburied behind them, she could never say. Yet here he was, with a scruff of beard that made him look almost a man. Perhaps she owed him something for having come this far. â€Å"Very well,† she told him. â€Å"I'll come as well,† Bronn announced. She liked that less well. Without Bronn she would never have reached the Vale, she knew; the sellsword was as fierce a fighter as she had ever seen, and his sword had helped cut them through to safety. Yet for all that, Catelyn misliked the man. Courage he had, and strength, but there was no kindness in him, and little loyalty. And she had seen him riding beside Lannister far too often, talking in low voices and laughing at some private joke. She would have preferred to separate him from the dwarf here and now, but having agreed that Marillion might continue to the Eyrie, she could see no gracious way to deny that same right to Bronn. â€Å"As you wish,† she said, although she noted that he had not actually asked her permission. Ser Willis Wode remained with Ser Rodrik, a soft-spoken septon fussing over their wounds. Their horses were left behind as well, poor ragged things. Ser Donnel promised to send birds ahead to the Eyrie and the Gates of the Moon with the word of their coming. Fresh mounts were brought forth from the stables, surefooted mountain stock with shaggy coats, and within the hour they set forth once again. Catelyn rode beside her uncle as they began the descent to the valley floor. Behind came Bronn, Tyrion Lannister, Marillion, and six of Brynden's men. Not until they were a third of the way down the mountain path, well out of earshot of the others, did Brynden Tully turn to her and say, â€Å"So, child. Tell me about this storm of yours.† â€Å"I have not been a child in many years, Uncle,† Catelyn said, but she told him nonetheless. It took longer than she would have believed to tell it all, Lysa's letter and Bran's fall, the assassin's dagger and Littlefinger and her chance meeting with Tyrion Lannister in the crossroads inn. Her uncle listened silently, heavy brows shadowing his eyes as his frown grew deeper. Brynden Tully had always known how to listen . . . to anyone but her father. He was Lord Hoster's brother, younger by five years, but the two of them had been at war as far back as Catelyn could remember. During one of their louder quarrels, when Catelyn was eight, Lord Hoster had called Brynden â€Å"the black goat of the Tully flock.† Laughing, Brynden had pointed out that the sigil of their house was a leaping trout, so he ought to be a black fish rather than a black goat, and from that day forward he had taken it as his personal emblem. The war had not ended until the day she and Lysa had been wed. It was at their wedding feast that Brynden told his brother he was leaving Riverrun to serve Lysa and her new husband, the Lord of the Eyrie. Lord Hoster had not spoken his brother's name since, from what Edmure told her in his infrequent letters. Nonetheless, during all those years of Catelyn's girlhood, it had been Brynden the Blackfish to whom Lord Hoster's children had run with their tears and their tales, when Father was too busy and Mother too ill. Catelyn, Lysa, Edmure . . . and yes, even Petyr Baelish, their father's ward . . . he had listened to them all patiently, as he listened now, laughing at their triumphs and sympathizing with their childish misfortunes. When she was done, her uncle remained silent for a long time, as his horse negotiated the steep, rocky trail. â€Å"Your father must be told,† he said at last. â€Å"If the Lannisters should march, Winterfell is remote and the Vale walled up behind its mountains, but Riverrun lies right in their path.† â€Å"I'd had the same fear,† Catelyn admitted. â€Å"I shall ask Maester Colemon to send a bird when we reach the Eyrie.† She had other messages to send as well; the commands that Ned had given her for his bannermen, to ready the defenses of the north. â€Å"What is the mood in the Vale?† she asked. â€Å"Angry,† Brynden Tully admitted. â€Å"Lord Jon was much loved, and the insult was keenly felt when the king named Jaime Lannister to an office the Arryns had held for near three hundred years. Lysa has commanded us to call her son the True Warden of the East, but no one is fooled. Nor is your sister alone in wondering at the manner of the Hand's death. None dare say Jon was murdered, not openly, but suspicion casts a long shadow.† He gave Catelyn a look, his mouth tight. â€Å"And there is the boy.† â€Å"The boy? What of him?† She ducked her head as they passed under a low overhang of rock, and around a sharp turn. Her uncle's voice was troubled. â€Å"Lord Robert,† he sighed. â€Å"Six years old, sickly, and prone to weep if you take his dolls away. Jon Arryn's trueborn heir, by all the gods, yet there are some who say he is too weak to sit his father's seat, Nestor Royce has been high steward these past fourteen years, while Lord Jon served in King's Landing, and many whisper that he should rule until the boy comes of age. Others believe that Lysa must marry again, and soon. Already the suitors gather like crows on a battlefield. The Eyrie is full of them.† â€Å"I might have expected that,† Catelyn said. Small wonder there; Lysa was still young, and the kingdom of Mountain and Vale made a handsome wedding gift. â€Å"Will Lysa take another husband?† â€Å"She says yes, provided she finds a man who suits her,† Brynden Tully said, â€Å"but she has already rejected Lord Nestor and a dozen other suitable men. She swears that this time she will choose her lord husband.† â€Å"You of all people can scarce fault her for that.† Ser Brynden snorted. â€Å"Nor do I, but . . . it seems to me Lysa is only playing at courtship. She enjoys the sport, but I believe your sister intends to rule herself until her boy is old enough to be Lord of the Eyrie in truth as well as name.† â€Å"A woman can rule as wisely as a man,† Catelyn said. â€Å"The right woman can,† her uncle said with a sideways glance. â€Å"Make no mistake, Cat. Lysa is not you.† He hesitated a moment. â€Å"If truth be told, I fear you may not find your sister as helpful as you would like.† She was puzzled. â€Å"What do you mean?† â€Å"The Lysa who came back from King's Landing is not the same girl who went south when her husband was named Hand. Those years were hard for her. You must know. Lord Arryn was a dutiful husband, but their marriage was made from politics, not passion.† â€Å"As was my own.† â€Å"They began the same, but your ending has been happier than your sister's. Two babes stillborn, twice as many miscarriages, Lord Arryn's death . . . Catelyn, the gods gave Lysa only the one child, and he is all your sister lives for now, poor boy. Small wonder she fled rather than see him handed over to the Lannisters. Your sister is afraid, child, and the Lannisters are what she fears most. She ran to the Vale, stealing away from the Red Keep like a thief in the night, and all to snatch her son out of the lion's mouth . . . and now you have brought the lion to her door.† â€Å"In chains,† Catelyn said. A crevasse yawned on her right, falling away into darkness. She reined up her horse and picked her way along step by careful step. â€Å"Oh?† Her uncle glanced back, to where Tyrion Lannister was making his slow descent behind them. â€Å"I see an axe on his saddle, a dirk at his belt, and a sellsword that trails after him like a hungry shadow. Where are the chains, sweet one?† Catelyn shifted uneasily in her seat. â€Å"The dwarf is here, and not by choice. Chains or no, he is my prisoner. Lysa will want him to answer for his crimes no less than I. It was her own lord husband the Lannisters murdered, and her own letter that first warned us against them.† Brynden Blackfish gave her a weary smile. â€Å"I hope you are right, child,† he sighed, in tones that said she was wrong. The sun was well to the west by the time the slope began to flatten beneath the hooves of their horses. The road widened and grew straight, and for the first time Catelyn noticed wildflowers and grasses growing. Once they reached the valley floor, the going was faster and they made good time, cantering through verdant greenwoods and sleepy little hamlets, past orchards and golden wheat fields, splashing across a dozen sunlit streams. Her uncle sent a standard-bearer ahead of them, a double banner flying from his staff; the moon-and-falcon of House Arryn on high, and below it his own black fish. Farm wagons and merchants' carts and riders from lesser houses moved aside to let them pass. Even so, it was full dark before they reached the stout castle that stood at the foot of the Giant's Lance. Torches flickered atop its ramparts, and the horned moon danced upon the dark waters of its moat. The drawbridge was up and the portcullis down, but Catelyn saw lights burning in the gatehouse and spilling from the windows of the square towers beyond. â€Å"The Gates of the Moon,† her uncle said as the party drew rein. His standard-bearer rode to the edge of the moat to hail the men in the gatehouse. â€Å"Lord Nestor's seat. He should be expecting us. Look up.† Catelyn raised her eyes, up and up and up. At first all she saw was stone and trees, the looming mass of the great mountain shrouded in night, as black as a starless sky. Then she noticed the glow of distant fires well above them; a tower keep, built upon the steep side of the mountain, its lights like orange eyes staring down from above. Above that was another, higher and more distant, and still higher a third, no more than a flickering spark in the sky. And finally, up where the falcons soared, a flash of white in the moonlight. Vertigo washed over her as she stared upward at the pale towers, so far above. â€Å"The Eyrie,† she heard Marillion murmur, awed. The sharp voice of Tyrion Lannister broke in. â€Å"The Arryns must not be overfond of company. If you're planning to make us climb that mountain in the dark, I'd rather you kill me here.† â€Å"We'll spend the night here and make the ascent on the morrow,† Brynden told him. â€Å"I can scarcely wait,† the dwarf replied. â€Å"How do we get up there? I've no experience at riding goats.† â€Å"Mules,† Brynden said, smiling. â€Å"There are steps carved into the mountain,† Catelyn said. Ned had told her about them when he talked of his youth here with Robert Baratheon and Jon Arryn. Her uncle nodded. â€Å"It is too dark to see them, but the steps are there. Too steep and narrow for horses, but mules can manage them most of the way. The path is guarded by three waycastles, Stone and Snow and Sky. The mules will take us as far up as Sky.† Tyrion Lannister glanced up doubtfully. â€Å"And beyond that?† Brynden smiled. â€Å"Beyond that, the path is too steep even for mules. We ascend on foot the rest of the way. Or perchance you'd prefer to ride a basket. The Eyrie clings to the mountain directly above Sky, and in its cellars are six great winches with long iron chains to draw supplies up from below. If you prefer, my lord of Lannister, I can arrange for you to ride up with the bread and beer and apples.† The dwarf gave a bark of laughter. â€Å"Would that I were a pumpkin,† he said. â€Å"Alas, my lord father would no doubt be most chagrined if his son of Lannister went to his fate like a load of turnips. If you ascend on foot, I fear I must do the same. We Lannisters do have a certain pride.† â€Å"Pride?† Catelyn snapped. His mocking tone and easy manner made her angry. â€Å"Arrogance, some might call it. Arrogance and avarice and lust for power.† â€Å"My brother is undoubtedly arrogant,† Tyrion Lannister replied. â€Å"My father is the soul of avarice, and my sweet sister Cersei lusts for power with every waking breath. I, however, am innocent as a little lamb. Shall I bleat for you?† He grinned. The drawbridge came creaking down before she could reply, and they heard the sound of oiled chains as the portcullis was drawn up. Men-at-arms carried burning brands out to light their way, and her uncle led them across the moat. Lord Nestor Royce, High Steward of the Vale and Keeper of the Gates of the Moon, was waiting in the yard to greet them, surrounded by his knights. â€Å"Lady Stark,† he said, bowing. He was a massive, barrel-chested man, and his bow was clumsy. Catelyn dismounted to stand before him. â€Å"Lord Nestor,† she said. She knew the man only by reputation; Bronze Yohn's cousin, from a lesser branch of House Royce, yet still a formidable lord in his own right. â€Å"We have had a long and tiring journey. I would beg the hospitality of your roof tonight, if I might.† â€Å"My roof is yours, my lady,† Lord Nestor returned gruffly, â€Å"but your sister the Lady Lysa has sent down word from the Eyrie. She wishes to see you at once. The rest of your party will be housed here and sent up at first light.† Her uncle swung off his horse. â€Å"What madness is this?† he said bluntly. Brynden Tully had never been a man to blunt the edge of his words. â€Å"A night ascent, with the moon not even full? Even Lysa should know that's an invitation to a broken neck.† â€Å"The mules know the way, Ser Brynden.† A wiry girl of seventeen or eighteen years stepped up beside Lord Nestor. Her dark hair was cropped short and straight around her head, and she wore riding leathers and a light shirt of silvered ringmail. She bowed to Catelyn, more gracefully than her lord. â€Å"I promise you, my lady, no harm will come to you. It would be my honor to take you up. I've made the dark climb a hundred times. Mychel says my father must have been a goat.† She sounded so cocky that Catelyn had to smile. â€Å"Do you have a name, child?† â€Å"Mya Stone, if it please you, my lady,† the girl said. It did not please her; it was an effort for Catelyn to keep the smile on her face. Stone was a bastard's name in the Vale, as Snow was in the north, and Flowers in Highgarden; in each of the Seven Kingdoms, custom had fashioned a surname for children born with no names of their own. Catelyn had nothing against this girl, but suddenly she could not help but think of Ned's bastard on the Wall, and the thought made her angry and guilty, both at once. She struggled to find words for a reply. Lord Nestor filled the silence. â€Å"Mya's a clever girl, and if she vows she will bring you safely to the Lady Lysa, I believe her. She has not failed me yet.† â€Å"Then I put myself in your hands, Mya Stone,† Catelyn said. â€Å"Lord Nestor, I charge you to keep a close guard on my prisoner.† â€Å"And I charge you to bring the prisoner a cup of wine and a nicely crisped capon, before he dies of hunger,† Lannister said. â€Å"A girl would be pleasant as well, but I suppose that's too much to ask of you.† The sellsword Bronn laughed aloud. Lord Nestor ignored the banter. â€Å"As you say, my lady, so it will be done.† Only then did he look at the dwarf. â€Å"See our lord of Lannister to a tower cell, and bring him meat and mead.† Catelyn took her leave of her uncle and the others as Tyrion Lannister was led off, then followed the bastard girl through the castle. Two mules were waiting in the upper bailey, saddled and ready. Mya helped her mount one while a guardsman in a sky-blue cloak opened the narrow postern gate. Beyond was dense forest of pine and spruce, and the mountain like a black wall, but the steps were there, chiseled deep into the rock, ascending into the sky. â€Å"Some people find it easier if they close their eyes,† Mya said as she led the mules through the gate into the dark wood. â€Å"When they get frightened or dizzy, sometimes they hold on to the mule too tight. They don't like that.† â€Å"I was born a Tully and wed to a Stark,† Catelyn said. â€Å"I do not frighten easily. Do you plan to light a torch?† The steps were black as pitch. The girl made a face. â€Å"Torches just blind you. On a clear night like this, the moon and the stars are enough. Mychel says I have the eyes of the owl.† She mounted and urged her mule up the first step. Catelyn's animal followed of its own accord. â€Å"You mentioned Mychel before,† Catelyn said. The mules set the pace, slow but steady. She was perfectly content with that. â€Å"Mychel's my love,† Mya explained. â€Å"Mychel Redfort. He's squire to Ser Lyn Corbray. We're to wed as soon as he becomes a knight, next year or the year after.† She sounded so like Sansa, so happy and innocent with her dreams. Catelyn smiled, but the smile was tinged with sadness. The Redforts were an old name in the Vale, she knew, with the blood of the First Men in their veins. His love she might be, but no Redfort would ever wed a bastard. His family would arrange a more suitable match for him, to a Corbray or a Waynwood or a Royce, or perhaps a daughter of some greater house outside the Vale. If Mychel Redfort laid with this girl at all, it would be on the wrong side of the sheet. The ascent was easier than Catelyn had dared hope. The trees pressed close, leaning over the path to make a rustling green roof that shut out even the moon, so it seemed as though they were moving up a long black tunnel. But the mules were surefooted and tireless, and Mya Stone did indeed seem blessed with night-eyes. They plodded upward, winding their way back and forth across the face of the mountain as the steps twisted and turned. A thick layer of fallen needles carpeted the path, so the shoes of their mules made only the softest sound on the rock. The quiet soothed her, and the gentle rocking motion set Catelyn to swaying in her saddle. Before long she was fighting sleep. Perhaps she did doze for a moment, for suddenly a massive ironbound gate was looming before them. â€Å"Stone,† Mya announced cheerily, dismounting. Iron spikes were set along the tops of formidable stone walls, and two fat round towers overtopped the keep. The gate swung open at Mya's shout. Inside, the portly knight who commanded the waycastle greeted Mya by name and offered them skewers of charred meat and onions still hot from the spit. Catelyn had not realized how hungry she was. She ate standing in the yard, as stablehands moved their saddles to fresh mules. The hot juices ran down her chin and dripped onto her cloak, but she was too famished to care. Then it was up onto a new mule and out again into the starlight. The second part of the ascent seemed more treacherous to Catelyn. The trail was steeper, the steps more worn, and here and there littered with pebbles and broken stone. Mya had to dismount a half-dozen times to move fallen rocks from their path. â€Å"You don't want your mule to break a leg up here,† she said. Catelyn was forced to agree. She could feel the altitude more now. The trees were sparser up here, and the wind blew more vigorously, sharp gusts that tugged at her clothing and pushed her hair into her eyes. From time to time the steps doubled back on themselves, and she could see Stone below them, and the Gates of the Moon farther down, its torches no brighter than candles. Snow was smaller than Stone, a single fortified tower and a timber keep and stable hidden behind a low wall of unmortared rock. Yet it nestled against the Giant's Lance in such a way as to command the entire stone stair above the lower waycastle. An enemy intent on the Eyrie would have to fight his way from Stone step by step, while rocks and arrows rained down from Snow above. The commander, an anxious young knight with a pockmarked face, offered bread and cheese and the chance to warm themselves before his fire, but Mya declined. â€Å"We ought to keep going, my lady,† she said. â€Å"If it please you.† Catelyn nodded. Again they were given fresh mules. Hers was white. Mya smiled when she saw him. â€Å"Whitey's a good one, my lady. Sure of foot, even on ice, but you need to be careful. He'll kick if he doesn't like you.† The white mule seemed to like Catelyn; there was no kicking, thank the gods. There was no ice either, and she was grateful for that as well. â€Å"My mother says that hundreds of years ago, this was where the snow began,† Mya told her. â€Å"It was always white above here, and the ice never melted.† She shrugged. â€Å"I can't remember ever seeing snow this far down the mountain, but maybe it was that way once, in the olden times.† So young, Catelyn thought, trying to remember if she had ever been like that. The girl had lived half her life in summer, and that was all she knew. Winter is coming, child, she wanted to tell her. The words were on her lips; she almost said them. Perhaps she was becoming a Stark at last. Above Snow, the wind was a living thing, howling around them like a wolf in the waste, then falling off to nothing as if to lure them into complacency. The stars seemed brighter up here, so close that she could almost touch them, and the horned moon was huge in the clear black sky. As they climbed, Catelyn found it was better to look up than down. The steps were cracked and broken from centuries of freeze and thaw and the tread of countless mules, and even in the dark the heights put her heart in her throat. When they came to a high saddle between two spires of rock, Mya dismounted. â€Å"It's best to lead the mules over,† she said. â€Å"The wind can be a little scary here, my lady.† Catelyn climbed stiffly from the shadows and looked at the path ahead; twenty feet long and close to three feet wide, but with a precipitous drop to either side. She could hear the wind shrieking. Mya stepped lightly out, her mule following as calmly as if they were crossing a bailey. It was her turn. Yet no sooner had she taken her first step than fear caught Catelyn in its jaws. She could feel the emptiness, the vast black gulfs of air that yawned around her. She stopped, trembling, afraid to move. The wind screamed at her and wrenched at her cloak, trying to pull her over the edge. Catelyn edged her foot backward, the most timid of steps, but the mule was behind her, and she could not retreat. I am going to die here, she thought. She could feel cold sweat trickling down her back. â€Å"Lady Stark,† Mya called across the gulf. The girl sounded a thousand leagues away. â€Å"Are you well?† Catelyn Tully Stark swallowed what remained of her pride. â€Å"I . . . I cannot do this, child,† she called out. â€Å"Yes you can,† the bastard girl said. â€Å"I know you can. Look how wide the path is.† â€Å"I don't want to look.† The world seemed to be spinning around her, mountain and sky and mules, whirling like a child's top. Catelyn closed her eyes to steady her ragged breathing. â€Å"I'll come back for you,† Mya said. â€Å"Don't move, my lady.† Moving was about the last thing Catelyn was about to do. She listened to the skirling of the wind and the scuffling sound of leather on stone. Then Mya was there, taking her gently by the arm. â€Å"Keep your eyes closed if you like. Let go of the rope now, Whitey will take care of himself. Very good, my lady. I'll lead you over, it's easy, you'll see. Give me a step now. That's it, move your foot, just slide it forward. See. Now another. Easy. You could run across. Another one, go on. Yes.† And so, foot by foot, step by step, the bastard girl led Catelyn across, blind and trembling, while the white mule followed placidly behind them. The waycastle called Sky was no more than a high, crescent-shaped wall of unmortared stone raised against the side of the mountain, but even the topless towers of Valyria could not have looked more beautiful to Catelyn Stark. Here at last the snow crown began; Sky's weathered stones were rimed with frost, and long spears of ice hung from the slopes above. Dawn was breaking in the east as Mya Stone hallooed for the guards, and the gates opened before them. Inside the walls there was only a series of ramps and a great tumble of boulders and stones of all sizes. No doubt it would be the easiest thing in the world to begin an avalanche from here. A mouth yawned in the rock face in front of them. â€Å"The stables and barracks are in there,† Mya said. â€Å"The last part is inside the mountain. It can be a little dark, but at least you're out of the wind. This is as far as the mules can go. Past here, well, it's a sort of chimney, more like a stone ladder than proper steps, but it's not too bad. Another hour and we'll be there.† Catelyn looked up. Directly overhead, pale in the dawn light, she could see the foundations of the Eyrie. It could not be more than six hundred feet above them. From below it looked like a small white honeycomb. She remembered what her uncle had said of baskets and winches. â€Å"The Lannisters may have their pride,† she told Mya, â€Å"but the Tullys are born with better sense. I have ridden all day and the best part of a night. Tell them to lower a basket. I shall ride with the turnips.† The sun was well above the mountains by the time Catelyn Stark finally reached the Eyrie. A stocky, silver-haired man in a sky-blue cloak and hammered moon-and-falcon breastplate helped her from the basket; Ser Vardis Egen, captain of Jon Arryn's household guard. Beside him stood Maester Colemon, thin and nervous, with too little hair and too much neck. â€Å"Lady Stark,† Ser Vardis said, â€Å"the pleasure is as great as it is unanticipated.† Maester Colemon bobbed his head in agreement. â€Å"Indeed it is, my lady, indeed it is. I have sent word to your sister. She left orders to be awakened the instant you arrived.† â€Å"I hope she had a good night's rest,† Catelyn said with a certain bite in her tone that seemed to go unnoticed. The men escorted her from the winch room up a spiral stair. The Eyrie was a small castle by the standards of the great houses; seven slender white towers bunched as tightly as arrows in a quiver on a shoulder of the great mountain. It had no need of stables nor smithys nor kennels, but Ned said its granary was as large as Winterfell's, and its towers could house five hundred men. Yet it seemed strangely deserted to Catelyn as she passed through it, its pale stone halls echoing and empty. Lysa was waiting alone in her solar, still clad in her bed robes. Her long auburn hair tumbled unbound across bare white shoulders and down her back. A maid stood behind her, brushing out the night's tangles, but when Catelyn entered, her sister rose to her feet, smiling. â€Å"Cat,† she said. â€Å"Oh, Cat, how good it is to see you. My sweet sister.† She ran across the chamber and wrapped her sister in her arms. â€Å"How long it has been,† Lysa murmured against her. â€Å"Oh, how very very long.† It had been five years, in truth; five cruel years, for Lysa. They had taken their toll. Her sister was two years the younger, yet she looked older now. Shorter than Catelyn, Lysa had grown thick of body, pale and puffy of face. She had the blue eyes of the Tullys, but hers were pale and watery, never still. Her small mouth had turned petulant. As Catelyn held her, she remembered the slender, high-breasted girl who'd waited beside her that day in the sept at Riverrun. How lovely and full of hope she had been. All that remained of her sister's beauty was the great fall of thick auburn hair that cascaded to her waist. â€Å"You look well,† Catelyn lied, â€Å"but . . . tired.† Her sister broke the embrace. â€Å"Tired. Yes. Oh, yes.† She seemed to notice the others then; her maid, Maester Colemon, Ser Vardis. â€Å"Leave us,† she told them. â€Å"I wish to speak to my sister alone.† She held Catelyn's hand as they withdrew . . . . . . and dropped it the instant the door closed. Catelyn saw her face change. It was as if the sun had gone behind a cloud. â€Å"Have you taken leave of your senses?† Lysa snapped at her. â€Å"To bring him here, without a word of permission, without so much as a warning, to drag us into your quarrels with the Lannisters . . . â€Å" â€Å"My quarrels?† Catelyn could scarce believe what she was hearing. A great fire burned in the hearth, but there was no trace of warmth in Lysa's voice. â€Å"They were your quarrels first, sister. It was you who sent me that cursed letter, you who wrote that the Lannisters had murdered your husband.† â€Å"To warn you, so you could stay away from them! I never meant to fight them! Gods, Cat, do you know what you've done?† â€Å"Mother?† a small voice said. Lysa whirled, her heavy robe swirling around her. Robert Arryn, Lord of the Eyrie, stood in the doorway, clutching a ragged cloth doll and looking at them with large eyes. He was a painfully thin child, small for his age and sickly all his days, and from time to time he trembled. The shaking sickness, the maesters called it. â€Å"I heard voices.† Small wonder, Catelyn thought; Lysa had almost been shouting. Still, her sister looked daggers at her. â€Å"This is your aunt Catelyn, baby. My sister, Lady Stark. Do you remember?† The boy glanced at her blankly. â€Å"I think so,† he said, blinking, though he had been less than a year old the last time Catelyn had seen him. Lysa seated herself near the fire and said, â€Å"Come to Mother, my sweet one.† She straightened his bedclothes and fussed with his fine brown hair. â€Å"Isn't he beautiful? And strong too, don't you believe the things you hear. Jon knew. The seed is strong, he told me. His last words. He kept saying Robert's name, and he grabbed my arm so hard he left marks. Tell them, the seed is strong. His seed. He wanted everyone to know what a good strong boy my baby was going to be.† â€Å"Lysa,† Catelyn said, â€Å"if you're right about the Lannisters, all the more reason we must act quickly. We—† â€Å"Not in front of the baby,† Lysa said. â€Å"He has a delicate temper, don't you, sweet one?† â€Å"The boy is Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale,† Catelyn reminded her, â€Å"and these are no times for delicacy. Ned thinks it may come to war.† â€Å"Quiet!† Lysa snapped at her. â€Å"You're scaring the boy.† Little Robert took a quick peek over his shoulder at Catelyn and began to tremble. His doll fell to the rushes, and he pressed himself against his mother. â€Å"Don't be afraid, my sweet baby,† Lysa whispered. â€Å"Mother's here, nothing will hurt you.† She opened her robe and drew out a pale, heavy breast, tipped with red. The boy grabbed for it eagerly, buried his face against her chest, and began to suck. Lysa stroked his hair. Catelyn was at a loss for words. Jon Arryn's son, she thought incredulously. She remembered her own baby, three-year-old Rickon, half the age of this boy and five times as fierce. Small wonder the lords of the Vale were restive. For the first time she understood why the king had tried to take the child away from his mother to foster with the Lannisters . . . â€Å"We're safe here,† Lysa was saying. Whether to her or to the boy, Catelyn was not sure. â€Å"Don't be a fool,† Catelyn said, the anger rising in her. â€Å"No one is safe. If you think hiding here will make the Lannisters forget you, you are sadly mistaken.† Lysa covered her boy's ear with her hand. â€Å"Even if they could bring an army through the mountains and past the Bloody Gate, the Eyrie is impregnable. You saw for yourself. No enemy could ever reach us up here.† Catelyn wanted to slap her. Uncle Brynden had tried to warn her, she realized. â€Å"No castle is impregnable.† â€Å"This one is,† Lysa insisted. â€Å"Everyone says so. The only thing is, what am I to do with this Imp you have brought me?† â€Å"Is he a bad man?† the Lord of the Eyrie asked, his mother's breast popping from his mouth, the nipple wet and red. â€Å"A very bad man,† Lysa told him as she covered herself, â€Å"but Mother won't let him harm my little baby.† â€Å"Make him fly,† Robert said eagerly. Lysa stroked her son's hair. â€Å"Perhaps we will,† she murmured. â€Å"Perhaps that is just what we will do.†