The purpose of life is a life of purpose

Biggest Giveaway EVER! Level 10 GT | G1 Sniper | AMD 6790 & 12GB Kingston RAM

2011-06-26T16:08:00.000-07:00

XFX 6790 Video Card & PSU 25K Subscriber Contest

2011-06-26T16:07:00.000-07:00

tanjohn007 Rule the Tube 2010 - John's Reel

2010-11-04T21:16:00.000-07:00

Please comment, view, like my video at

Rule the Tube 2010 - John's Reel

Pass the good video on to your friends and ask them to do the same.

Thanks and enjoy.

Rule the Tube 2010 - John's Reel

2010-10-31T15:13:00.000-07:00

Rule the Tube Competition

Rattlesnake Canyon

2010-01-09T16:28:00.000-08:00

The objective of the game is for merchants and settlers to work together and build a railway in their location. Rattlesnake Canyon is a place that currently has no railway system. Jackson Standstill, a long time friend of Sheriff Fleen wanted the Sheriff to host a town hall meeting and spread the information. Settlers start off with $500 whereas merchants with $1000. The 5 actions that should be taken in the simulation are: building true partnership, know the current customer needs, demonstrate “quick and clear” communication, chase maximum profit potential and initiate efficient processes. The requisition forms are usable by settlers only; in which they can make purchases to depot owners and get the supplies for the merchants. The merchants would then sell the supplies to the railway company that would be necessary in developing the railway tracks. There are a total of four weeks to successfully build the railway system. The railway company can certainly reject either of these kits (Amenities, provisions, construction, livestock or material) if supplies’ requirements are met already. Such refusal would mean that there would be excess inventory on the merchant’s account which could be useless. In the end, the team with the most cash wins, and surplus inventory is worth nothing.

Rasheed Wallace

2009-07-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

By David Aldridge, TNT Analyst
Posted Jul 6 2009 7:05AM

For Rasheed Wallace, the lure of playing with Boston's superstar-laden lineup was just too much to pass up.

The Celtics have reached an agreement with Wallace on a two-year deal for the mid-level exception, which was $5.585 million last season and is expected to rise for the 2009-10 season. Figures for all salary cap exceptions and the cap itself will be finalized this week after the league and the Players' Association complete their audit of league finances.

Wallace played the last six seasons with the Detroit Pistons, where he won an NBA championship in 2004. He heads to a Celtics team loaded with veterans such as Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and hoping to make at least one more title run.

Wallace was in the process of scheduling visits to San Antonio, Orlando and Dallas this week. But the Celtics' team recruiting, with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, coach Doc Rivers, general manager Danny Ainge and majority owner Wyc Grousbeck all coming to visit Wallace in the Detroit suburbs last week moved the 35-year-old into action sooner than expected.

The notion of playing with three All-Stars, including a certain Hall of Famer in Garnett and a possible one in Pierce, plus the opportunity to compete for a championship solidified Wallace's desire to play for the Celtics.

"He decided to forgo the other trips and stuff and decided he's going to Boston," Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland said late Sunday evening. "When he sat down and thought about it some over this weekend, he thought Boston, in his mind, was the best fit for him, in terms of his skill set and what they already had. He decided, 'why waste time? I don't have to hassle over it.'"

Wallace has averaged 15 points and 6.9 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons. He averaged 12 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.

Does Increased Auditor Scepticism Deter Management Malfeasance?

2009-03-30T17:35:00.002-07:00

Professor Steve Salterio, Queen's University - Recent Research

An abstract and his bio are below.

Abstract: Effective audits conducted with appropriate professional scepticism are claimed to not only enhance the detection of fraud but also the deterrence of fraud. Research on whether and how increased auditor scepticism and its attendant behavioural changes deters corporate malfeasance is scant, but it is an important issue to study given the ongoing need to support transparent and honest financial reporting. We conduct an experiment with 167 senior managers with significant experience and potential to reach to top levels of large organizations, if not already there. We experimentally ensure that managers notice the auditor’s behaviours have changed versus the previous years. We examine three auditor behavioural changes: a change in management inquiry rigour, a change in the nature of audit procedures and evidence collected, and/or change in the extent of the audit sample holding evidence type and tests performed constant. We find that the auditor changing the nature of the evidence collected decreases managers’ reporting their intention to commit corporate malfeasance relative to a same procedures and evidence collected as last year (SALY) audit. Notably, changing the extent of the evidence collected (i.e., expanding sample size holding type of evidence collected and procedures performed constant) by itself does not reduce managers’ reporting of intention to commit malfeasance vis a vis a SALY audit despite increasing sample size being the most common response to increased auditor scepticism in practice. Finally, we report our analysis of an initial model of how managers’ perceptions of auditor behavioural changes affect managers’ intentions to commit potential corporate malfeasance and whether auditors’ reported behaviours that are associated with enhanced professional scepticism are effective in deterring those intentions.

BIO:

Steve Salterio is a full professor in the accounting area at the Queen’s School of Business. His research
investigates issues in auditing and assurance services including corporate governance. He is currently
working on research related to negotiations between auditor and client management on financial reporting issues and new audit approaches including strategic systems auditing. In management accounting he is continuing to research the effects of nonfinancial performance measures, especially the balanced scorecard, on manager’s judgments. He has published articles in Journal of Accounting Research, The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, Accounting Organizations and Society, and other journals and books. Recently two of his professional articles (co-authored with Tony Atkinson) were nominated for the International Federation of Accountants’ PAIB Article of Merit.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

2009-03-30T17:35:00.001-07:00

If you want to build a
ship, don't drum up
people to collect wood
and don't assign them
tasks and work, but
rather teach them to
long for the endless
immensity of the sea.

Examples of Organizational Behaviour Topics ..... In the Real World

2009-03-30T17:34:00.000-07:00

1. Emphasis on talent – is the right person in the right job?
2. Motivation, capability, commitment – of various players
3. Coordination/control – of key success factors (eg. timing)
4. Values, ethics, behaviour – courageous/weak (eg. truthfulness, challenge)
5. Communication – effectiveness, formal and informal
6. Learning and feedback – systems, attitude
7. Teamwork – shared goals, support structure
8. Culture – respect, use of power
9. Power and authority – delegation, trust
10. Decision-making biases – selective processing, filtering, overconfidence
11. Adaptability – flexibility, changing circumstances
12. Leadership - heroism

Words

2009-02-26T06:53:00.000-08:00

1. Limber: bending readily; flexible; pliant.
2. Rig - to put in proper order for working or use
3. Mounting- something that serves as a mount, support, setting
4. Emplacement- a putting in place or position
5. Censure- strong or vehement expression of disapproval
6. Marquee - a tall roof like projection above a theater entrance, usually containing the name of a currently featured play or film and its stars.
7. Spire - a tall, acutely pointed pyramidal roof or rooflike construction upon a tower, roof, etc.
8. Volition - the act of willing, choosing, or resolving; exercise of willing
9. Lope - to move or run with bounding steps, as a quadruped, or with a long, easy stride, as a person
10. Gait- a manner of walking, stepping, or running.
11. Slough - an area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or swamplike region.
12. Canter - an easy gallop.
13. Juxtaposition - an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, esp. for comparison or contrast.
14. Rampant - violent in action or spirit; raging; furious
15. Ochre - any of several earthy mineral oxides of iron occurring in yellow, brown, or red and used as pigments.
16. Awning- a rooflike shelter of canvas or other material extending over a doorway, from the top of a window, over a deck, etc., in order to provide protection, as from the sun.
17. Incised - to cut into; cut marks, figures, etc., upon
18. Runnel - a small stream; brook; rivulet
19. Indolence - having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
20. Traverse - to pass or move over, along, or through
21. Garish - crudely or tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate, as clothes or decoration
22. Mitigate - to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate.
23. Tether - a rope, chain, or the like, by which an animal is fastened to a fixed object so as to limit its range of movement.
24. Preclude - to prevent the presence, existence, or occurrence of; make impossible:
25. Carnal - pertaining to or characterized by the flesh or the body, its passions and appetites; sensual
26. Emulate - to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass
27. Accoutrement - personal clothing, accessories
28. Sojourn - to stay for a time in a place; live temporarily
29. Trajectory - the curve described by a projectile, rocket, or the like in its flight.
30. Cornet - a valved wind instrument of the trumpet family.
31. Waft - to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water

Christian / historical motif of Man for All Seasons

2009-02-26T06:50:00.001-08:00

Christian / historical motif

1. +3. Are the actions of the characters in AMFAS governed by historical motifs and is history often used to persuade others.
More mentions about the Magna Carta, basing that to protect himself and England in the courthouse. King Henry goes against it, comes up with a bogus oath. Law is what defined More in society. In the courtroom, More is offered a final opportunity to take the oath. However he refuses to. Cromwell claims that More is charged with high treason because of his silence to the King’s marriage which suggests disapproval. More states that under the law, silence does not indicate disapproval but it is a matter of conscience. More: “The law is not a ‘light’ for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument of any kind. The law is a causeway upon which so long as he keeps to it a citizen may walk safely. In matters of conscience…”pg 92 Again, More is shown to use the law as a safety net for his conscience.

2. Is the Christian motif consistent throughout in More? Is he committed.
More is aware of the political situation between England and Spain and prefers that he himself be loyal to the King and country. More believes that the marriage is legal where a dispensation is provided, thus he states that the pope can not overturn the first dispensation when King Henry wants the marriage voided. When Cardinal Wolsey fails to provide a petition to the pope, he is charged with high treason and removed from his position. Thomas More is then appointed the chancellor position. However, More soon resigned in 1532 and does not want to have any state matter with the King’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. By acknowledging the divorce, he is going against his beliefs thus in order to be loyal to the Church, the King and his own self, he feels that he must resign and not give in his opinion.

As a last resort, he would rather be charged with high treason than submitting himself to blasphemy. This is proven in page xiii on the preface “More was a very orthodox Catholic and for him an oath was something perfectly specific; it was an invitation to God, an invitation God would not refuse, to act as a witness, and to judge; the consequence of perjury was damnation, for More another perfectly specific concept.” Strong Christian devotee.

4. Do you support More’s strong religious devotion or with Alice and Norfolk’s views that take into account the wellbeing of their family. Take note of the time period they live in.

In More’s conversation with Roper, Roper states that he wants to marry Lady Margaret. However, More is not swayed and disagrees with the marriage. Reason for that is Roper’s Lutheran faith is considered heretical. Roper rebuts More’s argument by saying that it is the Catholic Church that is heretical. He also says that the pope will allow King Henry’s divorce which proves that the pope is an Antichrist. When his wife Alice wants to talk to More about his meeting with Cardinal Wolsey, however his reluctance to talk about the meeting foreshadows his refusal to the Act of Supremacy where the act states that “the King will be the supreme ruler of the Church in England.”

While More is waiting for a boat, Norfolk meets him and tells him about the Act of Parliament and that More has to swear to the oath in the matter of the royal marriage. More prefers that he gets a copy of the Bill so that he can read the wording before committing himself. More: “And what would you do with a water spaniel that was afraid of water? You’d hang it! Well, as a spaniel is to water, so is a man to his own self. I will not give in because I oppose it – I do- not my pride, not my spleen, nor any other of my appetites but I do.” Pg 72. Referring to page 71, More: “Our friendship is more mutable than that” meaning that even if Norfolk tries to get More to give in about the marriage, More would still not change his mind.

5. Did the actions of King Henry VIII have a profound impact on the way today’s society views on marriage.

Some cultures forbid divorces, and also polygamous relationships. Some countries are more open to marriages based on King Henry VIII’s actions on divorce.

Additional info:
Lutheranism: is the first form of Protestantism, and is founded by Martin Luther in 16th-century Germany. It focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ and stresses individual faith over collective church authority. Spreading first through northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia, it now has adherents worldwide.
 Act of Parliament : proposed law or Bill
 Act of Supremacy: King is the head of church of England as far as the law of God allows, there is no objection from More.
 Act of Succession: all of the King’s heirs are also the Supreme head of church (More refuses to take this oath because he goes against himself)
Cromwell a crafty lawyer who is expert in double talk by trying to get more to swear to the oath and making it in such a way that there is no way for More to evade the consequences. Even if More remains firm to his beliefs, he would still get executed for high treason.
 “ Some men think the earth is round, others think it flat; it is a matter capable of question. But if it is flat, will the King’s command make it round? And if it is round, will the King’s command flatten it?” pg 79” More is saying to Cranmer that his failure to take the oath arises from his conscience that cannot be changed by the King’s order.
 Still cares about Norfolk and Alice by teaching them. But teaching them at a cost.
 Roper switching back and forth from Lutherianism to Catholicism, each time looking for principles that can help him.
 More’s honesty and courage though could not save him from death, his strong beliefs are what create such prominence over the next 400-500 years.
 Religious, non religious views

Inventory Steps

2009-02-26T06:46:00.001-08:00

Travel path order = Y
Y,Y,Y,Y,N,Y ignore premium

Manual – print out 7-8 sheets , check for duplications
• Travel path
• Frozen products , walk in products , dry products (cages)
• Count products in kitchen /front
• Oil in vats (2 carton per fry vat, 1 carton per chicken vat)
• 4 major products (dairy, chicken, meat, sauces)
• Ignore counting the boxes
• Once done = go to ending inventory , manual, enter data manually roughly 250-275 entries
• Print out pages of report (>20)

Auto
• Same as manual
• Travel path
• Overwrite inventory or else will add additional quantity to previous month (check start date and end date)
• Communicate = enter
• <> (back or forward buttons on control panel) modify to make amends, then end to resume to current inventory count
• On / off button to get out from standby
• Check for wrin numbers
• Once done = go to ending inventory, transmit data from control panel, roughly 250-275 entries
• Wait for control panel to build up entries (tallying totals…) before transmitting
• Print out pages of report (>20)

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

2009-01-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Performed by: Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews)
Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it
Is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough
You'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Because I was afraid to speak
When I was just a lad
My father gave me nose a tweak
And told me I was bad
But then one day I learned a word
That saved me aching nose
The biggest word I ever heard
And this is how it goes:

Oh, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Even though the sound of it
Is something quite atrocious
If you say it loud enough
You'll always sound precocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
Um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay
So when the cat has got your tongue
There's no need for dismay
Just summon up this word
And then you've got a lot to say
But better use it carefully
Or it may change your life
One night I said it to me girl
And now me girl's my wife!

She's supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Suspension of Academic Activities

2009-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

Consistent with the guiding principles of academic integrity, fairness to students and timely information to students and others, in accordance with the Senate Policies on Class Cancellation and on the Academic Implications of Disruptions, the Deans of all Faculties have, in conjunction with the Chair of Senate, agreed that academic activities (with certain specified exceptions) will be suspended in their faculties in the event of a strike by CUPE Local 3903.

“Academic activities” in this context means classes, examinations and other instructional activities, on or off campus, with the following exceptions:

1. Non-degree credit activities, not involving CUPE 3903 employees;
2. Activities already scheduled off campus, such as off-campus courses, practicums, placements or internships (unless the Dean determines that they too should be suspended in his/her Faculty);
3. Degree credit activities provided by the Osgoode Hall Law School at its downtown campus;
4. Graduate degree credit activities at the Schulich School of Business

These exceptions constitute activities the Deans believe can be carried on with programme integrity and clarity for students in the event of a CUPE strike.

It is important to note that should a student, enrolled in the activities noted as exceptions above, choose to exercise her or his right to not participate in academic activities owing to the strike, they would be “entitled to immunity from penalty, to reasonable alternative access to materials covered in their absence, to reasonable extensions of deadlines and to such other remedy as Senate deems necessary and consistent with the principle of academic integrity.” (Senate Policy on the Academic Implications of Disruptions or Cessations of University Business Due to Labour Disputes or Other Causes, 2.2.1).

For additional information on these and other Senate policies governing academic activities (e.g. the Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy), please visit http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/policies/

Further communication from the Vice President Academic & Provost and Senate Executive will be forthcoming as and when necessary.

Woolworth

2008-12-13T13:16:00.000-08:00

Frank Woolworth was born in Rodman, New York, in 1852. He was a farmer's son. His family were neither rich nor poor. His father had fought in American Civil War and has raised just enough money to buy a small-holding, large enough to support himself, his wife and his two sons. Frank was destined for a life of hard work on the farm, and one day he would share the farm with his younger brother Charles Sumner, who was affectionately known as "Sum".
Frank was a sickly child, not well suited to the cold and damp of farming. As boys he and Charles Sumner visited the nearby home of the exiled Joseph Bonaparte and found out all they could about Europe and the French Revolution. His school teachers remember Frank as a bright boy, quite hard working and with a good head for figures, whose school work was often interrupted by the needs of the farm.
A future in farming didn't appeal and he persuaded his mother to dip into her savings to pay for him to go to night school to learn book keeping. At the end of a hard day's farming he would take the pony and trap into town at Watertown, New York, to go to classes, staying on to complete his homework before heading for bed. Little did his teachers know that they were training him to count his millions as one of the richest men in America!
In 1873 Frank decided that farming was not for him and set about trying to get a job. He wanted to be a shop clerk and asked each shop keeper in the town if they could help. In the end - after many turned him down - he visited the dry goods store of Augsbury and Moore in Watertown.
Mr. Augsbury said Frank had no experience, but William Henry Moore, his partner, was taken with Frank's offer to work without wages for three months to prove his worth. All he would need was his bed and lodgings and he would turn his hand to anything. Truth to tell, Frank wasn't much of a shop assistant, he was nervous with customers and he found some of the working practices in the shop hard to follow - no prices were to be displayed, and the goods were in drawers and cupboards out of sight. But he was good at display - particularly laying out the windows, and he worked hard. He settled down and married his sweetheart, Jennie Creighton who was to be his lifelong partner. Then one day an event that changed Frank's life. To deal with a slowdown in sales, Augsbury and Moore decided to launch a five cent table. Products would be put on sale where people could inspect them (instead of hidden away) and they would all be one price, 5 cents, so people didn't have to ask. Frank Woolworth was tasked with choosing the items and setting up the display. It was an instant hit. Such was the success that Frank Woolworth was convinced that a store could trade on five cent lines alone. He persuaded William Moore to lend him some money and to advance him some stock, and he set out to pursue his fortune. In 1878 he opened a store in a back street of Utica, New York. Initially it was a big hit but when the novelty wore off sales started to dwindle. Frank covered his costs and repaid Moore, but in the end decided to close. He had learnt an important lesson - that stores needed to be right at the heart of town. He looked for new premises and found a store in North Queen Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania - which opened on 21st June 1879. Lancaster was the first of over a thousand dime stores opened in Frank Woolworth's lifetime. It was an instant success despite its makeshift counters and hand-painted signs. It was the range that amazed customers - good quality at remarkable prices.
Woolworth supervised the buying personally, working closely with suppliers on both sides of the Atlantic to develop a constant flow of new and innovative lines for his stores.

In an inspired move, Frank invited partner managers to join him. In exchange for putting up half the money to fit out a new shop a partner could keep half of the profit. Initially it was mainly family members - including his brother Sum who opened the second store in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and cousin Seymour Knox - but soon news spread that opening a Woolworth store was a great investment.
Frank Woolworth also built a partnership with a number of "friendly rival" companies, which operated entirely independently but were supplied with some or all of their range wholesale. This helped to maximise volume discounts and exploited Frank's great skills as a Buyer. The friendly rivals took it in turn to accompany Woolworth on buying trips, with his trips to Europe particularly popular.
In 1890, while on one of his trips to Europe, Frank Woolworth noted in his diary "I believe a penny and sixpence store, run by a real live Yankee, would be a storm here".
In 1909, with the American business going from strength to strength that dream was to become a reality with the opening of the first British store in Liverpool - establishing the company that still bears the Woolworth name.
Back home in 1912 Frank launched his master stroke - the merger of the friendly rivals and flotation of the newly formed F. W. Woolworth Co. (dropping the ampersand in America) on the stock market. It raised $65 million for the pioneers, with the lion's share going to Frank.
At the same time Frank launched his building project - the Woolworth Building, which as the world's tallest building was to be a permanent memorial to the power of nickels and dimes.
In 1914 at the outbreak of the Great War, Woolworth found himself stranded in Paris as the Germans invaded. He was in Europe trying to secure the supply lines for European goods which were the foundation of much of his success back home. Finding that the U boat threat in the Atlantic made continuing supply from Europe impossible, Frank had a brainwave. Building on the many factory visits he had made, he set about documenting the manufacturing processes used at each supplier. Telegrams were sent back to New York daily, where the buying team were tasked with finding new sources of supply back home, who were to follow Frank's detailed manufacturing instructions.
This was a master-stroke. Domestic supply was much cheaper than importing from Europe and in nurturing mass-production in the United States, Frank established himself as the Merchant Prince - truly a remarkable entrepreneur. To this day he is regarded as the unsurpassed master of mass production largely because it was he who helped American industry to catch up with their European rivals and become largely self-sufficient in cheap mass market goods.
When America joined the war in 1917, Woolworth was invited by the President to lead a committee designing posters and propaganda to encourage Americans to enlist to the armed services. He approached this with his customary zeal, designing a striking campaign.
In a good book "The Woolworths", which tracks not only Frank's achievements but the way that future generations used the Woolworth fortune, historian and author James Brough makes much of Frank Woolworth's failing health as a result of extravagant dinners and opulent living.
Certainly his later years were a disappointment - especially the sad loss of his daughter Edna and his wife Jennie's failing health. Wealth did not buy happiness.
But in the end of was Frank's pathological fear of the dentist that was to be his undoing. Hardly surprising that the man who created the biggest sweet shop in the world should have poor teeth in his old age! Ever since his friend and mentor William Moore died in 1915 after having a tooth out Frank wouldn't go near a dentist, despite terrible toothache.
He died of an infection a few days short of his sixty seventh birthday. He was survived by a wife, two daughters and a grand-daughter. He left a huge fortune (much of which was later squandered), the world's largest chain of shops in Britain and America and he changed the retailing scene across the world forever.

Answers

2008-10-10T14:54:00.000-07:00

1)What are your nickname?
- The man with the plan. that's it.
2)What is your most favourite things to do?
- cybersurfing
3) What kind of news do you read?
- anything
4) Is there someone in your heart right now?
- up to your imagination
5) Do you believe you can survive without money?
- No
6) What are you afraid to lose the most?
- everything
7) What do you feel like doing now?
- relax and work
8)If there's someone that you love, would you confess to him/her?
- Sure
9)List out 3 goods points of the person who tagged you!
- considerate
- easy going
- helpful
10)What are the requirements that you wish from your other half?
- smile, laughter
11)What is the thing that will make you think he/she is bad?
- will decide later in life
12)If you had to eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- food, i guess it is considered one thing. i didn't mention anything else.
13)If you had a choice to be rich or happy, which one would you pick?
- rhetorical question. not answering.
14)If you have a chance, which part of your character you would like to change?
- get a 40/20 vision, superhuman strength, infinite memory
15)How do you see yourself in 10 years time?
- successful
16)What is the one thing you love about yourself?
- my accomplishments
17)If you can bring only one thing along with you to another world, what would it be?
- my other half, refer to question 10 what my other half would do.
18)Are you afraid of falling in love?
- no.
19)On contrary, the character you hate of yourself is?
- indecisiveness.
20) The Eight people I tag :
- no one.

SWOT Analysis

2008-10-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Using "SWOT Analysis" to think about your business idea
Job Supports
What is your business plan idea?
My business plan idea is to be able to run a business focusing on portable air cleaners. These portable air cleaners will come in different sizes, some can be worn around the neck, while some will be stationed in an enclosed room or living room of the buyer's choice. Essentially, these portable air cleaners will enhance the air quality and help remove irritating allergens.
What are the STRENGTHS of your business plan idea?
The strength of my business plan idea is that my product can assist those who are health conscious. They are the ones that can't stand second hand smoke, pollutions/smogs etc. These are the people to target in the market.
What are the WEAKNESSES of your business plan idea?
The weaknesses in my business plan idea is that some people may not see the need to have one until they themselves have personally experienced what pollutions/smogs can do to their health then they start researching about what the portable air purifier can do.
What are the OPPORTUNITIES you see in the market in relation to your idea?
In terms of opportunities, I see that the targeted population would be those that are more health conscious about their surroundings. If there are more people interesting in the portable air purifier, then the price can be affordable and profits can be maximized through volume or high demand. With the advanced in technology, mass producing with quality taken into account, it helps alleviate the need for manual labour.
What are the THREATS you see in the market in relation to your idea?
In terms of threats, there seem to be not much competition in the market. It is not a David vs. Goliath scenario. It is a business plan that I choose that will hopefully be manageable or doable.
What are the important new ideas that you learned by doing this analysis? How can you make you business idea better by keeping these ideas in mind?
By doing this analysis, it made me go through my thought process and brainstorming ideas that may or may not be used in the business plan. Trying to stay up-to-date with the market interest and be able to tailor impregnable business ideas that will hopefully be a success.

Madness in Hamlet

2008-08-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Characters:

Hamlet
• Gets mad due to the incestuous marriage between his mother Queen Gertrude and King Claudius.
• The revealing of King Hamlet’s death from the ghost agitates Hamlet as he seeks for revenge.
• Nevertheless, he tells Horatio that he is not mad but is acting mad to avenge his father’s death.
• Madness is obvious around Queen Gertrude, Ophelia, King Claudius, Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
• His madness results in the suspicions of his behaviours of many people around him.
• In his meeting with Queen Gertrude, she reasons with him about the play within a play. As Hamlet’s reaction goes beyond his control, his mom says “ Alas, he’s mad” (III.Iv. 121)
• His madness causes him to lose trust between his mother and his friends (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as they pretend to be nice to him just so that they can get the reasons of his madness).

Ophelia
• Is a naïve character which predisposes her to corruption as her brother and father contaminates her mind by saying how Hamlet is just trifling with her affections.
• The corruption of her character results in her insanity.
• Her madness has caused her to sing love songs when she learns that her father, Polonius has died.
• She commits suicide by drowning herself. This is confirmed as Queen Gertrude says “…As one incapable of her own distress/ or like a creature native and endued…” (IV.Vii.204-205)

Laertes
• Madness is influenced by his quest of vengeance.
• By trying to avenge his father’s death, he acts irrationally and assumes the murderer is King Claudius. “…O, thou vile king/ Give me my father” (IV.V. 126-128)
• When he finds out that Hamlet is the killer, he wants to slit Hamlet’s throat in church (IV.Vii. 144)
• Causes him to be treated as a puppet by King Claudius.

Imagery:
• Imagery throughout the book is generally centred on corruption when Hamlet describes Claudius to his mother “like a mildew’d ear, blasting his wholesome brother” (3.4.74-75). Also when he says “'Tis an unweeded garden/ That grows to seed. Things rank and gross in nature/ Possess it merely.” (1.2.139-142). Imagery, however is also used throughout the play to develop the theme of madness.
• Horatio uses imagery to describe what may happen if the ghost of King Hamlet were to “draw [Hamlet] into madness”.
• He says Hamlet may kill himself if he “look so many fathoms to the sea and hear it roar beneath” (1.4.85-86), and that the edge of the sea makes people feel despair even at the best of times. Theme of madness is developed because Horatio is telling Hamlet to beware of the ghost, because it could make him commit bad deeds when insane, such as commit suicide.
• When Hamlet says “O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt,/ Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!” (1.2.132-133) because Hamlet is so depressed and obsessed with the afterlife and death he could be described as mad.
• The largest source of imagery comes from Ophelia, who after going insane sings “At his head a grass-green turf” and “white his shroud as the mountain snow” (4.5). Ophelia is saying all of the beautiful images but it is contrasted by her madness. The images continue when she describes the imaginary flowers that she hands out.
• Queen Gertrude describes the place where Ophelia drowned by saying “There is a willow grows askant the brook/That shows his {hoar} leaves in the glassy stream” (4.7.190-191). Image of a serene beautiful location, with a leaning willow and calm water is ironically painted of the place where mad Ophelia committed suicide.

Dramatic Devices and Madness in Hamlet:
Dramatic Irony
• Horatio believes that if Hamlet follows the ghost it will lead to madness (I.Iv). Shows that madness is affected by the supernatural
• Polonius believes that Hamlet is truly mad even though he may be acting that way
• Hamlet pretends to be mad and ends up becoming it because he wants revenge. This shows that revenge is not a good thing because it leads to Hamlet’s downfall. It also leads to the deaths of Hamlet, Polonius, Laertes, Gertrude and Claudius.

Play within a Play
• Proves Claudius’ guilt
• Shows that Hamlet may only be acting until then because he wanted to prove the guilt of Claudius

Soliloquy
• The speeches in which Hamlet outlines his reasons for being angry at Claudius
• Show that madness is really a choice in the mind and not a disorder.

Types of Bonds

2008-08-21T09:31:00.002-07:00

Metallic crystals:
• Conductors
• Malleable
• Ductile
• Shiny

Metallic crystals are great conductors because electrons are able to move freely in the metal due to vacant valence orbitals. If the metal has been applied with an electric potential, the electrons will create an electrical current by entering the positive electrode due to the conduction band (electrons are able to accelerate carrying electric charge or heat energy through the metal). The electrons do not solely lie around on one positive ion but rather among all the positive ions. The metallic crystal can also be known as the electron sea model because valence electrons are delocalized with electrons flowing freely. They are shiny because of the valence electrons ability to reemit absorbed light. The reason for it is that when electrons get excited, they move to a higher orbital and as they move from high to low orbital, light is emitted. Metallic crystals are malleable and ductile because atoms are able to glide freely over other atoms while having all the bonds attached. Also, the “hammer hitting the metal” analogy shows that when external stress of the hammer is being applied to the metal, the metal forms a new shape because of the shifting motion of the atoms and also the flexibility found in it.

Ionic crystals:
• Hard
• Brittle
• High melting point
• Conducting in solution

Ionic crystals are hard and brittle because of the closely packed arrangement. They are brittle because when external stress is applied to the ionic crystals, with like charges forced to be with like charges, the crystal would basically shatter into pieces because of electrostatic repulsion. It has a high melting point which indicates that it has a strong intermolecular force. They have a much stronger force than covalent bonds due to the attraction of ions between opposite charges (metal and nonmetal). Their ability to conduct in solutions denotes that electrons are able to flow freely in the crystal structure.

Molecular crystals:
• Soft
• Low melting point
• Non- conducting

Since the molecular crystals have low melting point, therefore it has weak intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole forces and London forces) on the structure. Furthermore, the low melting point suggests that the bonds can be easily separated from the molecular solids. They are soft because of the weak intermolecular forces they are exposed to unlike covalent or ionic bonding where the attraction is much stronger. There are no electrons having the ability to move freely and even if possible, molecular crystals would still be considered non- conductors. The neutrality of the molecules also contributes to the non-conducting feature.

Covalent network crystals:
• Hard
• High melting point
• Non conducting

Covalent network crystals are hard because of the large molecular structure it has and the covalent bonds throughout it. The high melting point denotes that the crystal structures has a strong intermolecular force and also contributes to the hardness and brittle characteristics. Furthermore, the crystal structure requires a lot of energy to break the bonds since electrons are tightly bonded in this type of network. They are considered non-conductors due to the immobility of electrons.

Vulcanized Rubber

2008-08-21T09:31:00.001-07:00

. The process of Vulcanization was first discovered by Charles Goodyear in 1839. The story goes that he discovered vulcanized rubber by accident while showing off a gum-sulfur mix at Woburn’s General Store in Massachusetts. Some of his mixture flew out of his hands and landed on a stove. When he removed it, he noticed that it had changed. Further experimentation led to his knowledge of the properties of the new material. He also discovered that when the sulfur rubber mixture is heated to 270F (132C) and put under pressure it forms a waterproof material. Goodyear tried to sell his idea to companies but they rejected it. He died $200 000 in debt in 1860. The Goodyear Company today bears his name as a tribute to his work but has no connections with the family.
Vulcanized rubber is an example of a cross linked polymer. It is formed when 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene undergoes a reaction with a cross linking agent which in this case is sulfur. This reaction requires heat to occur. The 2-methylbutadiene is not saturated, i.e. it does not have all single bonds between the carbon atoms. The molecule’s 2 double bonds break apart during the reaction leaving two bonding sites free. Two sulfur atoms bond to the carbon and then bond to another rubber molecule. This reaction is generally irreversible. It is these disulfide branches between the rubber molecules that give the vulcanized rubber its special properties.
Ordinary natural rubber is extremely stretchy but does not have good elastic properties. In other words, it does not return to its original size easily. It is also affected by the weather. If the weather is hot the rubber is like goo. If it is cold and dry, the rubber is brittle. Natural rubber would be the wrong choice for our society. Vulcanized rubber on the other hand is not affected by temperatures as much. It can withstand high and low temperatures without a change in physical properties. It is not affected by heat because of the very strong covalent bonds that hold the molecules together. Another important property of vulcanized natural rubber is that it is very elastic. It will return to its original position with no help. This is because the disulfide bridges that hold the rubber chains together do not break easily.
You might be asking what vulcanized rubber can be used for. The answer is: it can be used for almost anything. 60% of its uses are in the automotive industry where it is used in products such as tires. It is an ideal choice for tires because of its elastic properties that allow the tire to absorb shocks and therefore smooth the ride of the vehicle. Another physical property that is important is its resistance to abrasion. The strong cross linking bonds mean that the treated rubber cannot be damaged easily. Vulcanized rubber is also used in bikes for the same purposes. Its weatherproofing properties mean that it is ideal for rain proof jackets.

Con's of Coal gasification

2008-08-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

(a) The author of the site is a group called Energy Justice. It was started in 1999 by Mike Ewall who was concerned about the problems facing the environment. They are a non-profit organization as designated by the IRS and until 2005 they were run only by volunteers. Now, they are sponsored by a group called the Energy Action Coalition. The group’s mission is to support “communities threatened by polluting energy and waste technologies.” They want to remove all nuclear, hydroelectric, biomass and fossil fuel energy generation by the year 2020.

(b) The author of the article is reporting on the research of others, this is know because all of the data is cited from other sources such as the United States Department of Energy.

(c) The tone of the writing is very technical with a lot of facts and one example is “Mercury emissions per megawatt-hour (MWh) from the proposed Mesaba IGCC plant are 15-27% higher than either Supercritical Pulverized Coal (SCPC) or Ultra-Supercritical Pulverized Coal (USCPC) plants.”

(d) The information is very precise, with data to back up most of the points given. One example is the fact that IGCC plants produce energy that is more costly than traditional sources. IGCC plants with carbon capture technology would produce energy for sale at a rate of 14-16 cents/kWh. However, a solar facility could produce energy for sale at a rate of 10 cents/kWh.

(e) The general purpose of the site is to get ordinary citizens involved in protecting the environment by stopping new sources of pollution that would threaten their communities. These sources of pollution include toxic waste dumps, power plants and mines.

(f) The intended audience of the site is citizens, students and other environmental groups. The site is geared toward citizens in the way that it provides them with help so that they can fight off plans by companies to locate new sources of pollution near them; the NIMBY (Not in my backyard) philosophy. It is geared toward students because it was founded by a high school student and wants to use political will to change current views on the environment. It is helpful for other environmental groups because it is in the process of establishing a service to allow anyone to check on the current emissions from coal fired plants across the United States.

(g) It is very easy to check the accuracy and veracity of the information that is given due to the fact that it is all sourced and the sources are provided at the bottom of the article in proper bibliographic format.

(h) The article shows that the Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) method of creating coal gas for use in power plants is ineffective and expensive way to reduce pollution emissions. An IGCC plant is only 36-39% efficient while a conventional coal plant is 32-38% efficient. This is not a very large increase. Also, since IGCC plants can burn a byproduct of oil refinery called “Petroleum coke” they can emit more toxic chemicals than regular power plants because this contains higher levels of toxins including sulfur, which is a main cause of acid rain. The Mesaba plant in Minnesota emits Mercury at a rate higher than that of traditional coal plants. Another environmental concern with IGCC plants is groundwater contamination. The wastewater from a plant has a pH of around 9.8 while pure water has that of 7.8 and household ammonia 11.5. Wastewater is also contaminated with NO3- ions. At an IGCC plant in Wabash River, Indiana the levels of selenium and cyanide exceeded the safe limits and that Arsenic levels were also higher.

Also, the cost of an IGCC plant is between 20 and 47% higher than traditional coal plants and if the cost of carbon capture, transportation and storage are added, the cost is even higher. The Mesaba IGCC, which generates 600MW, has cost 2.155billion dollars, up from the expected 800 million. At this plant, the capital cost per kW is $3,593, far higher than tradition coal plants. If Carbon capture is added, it could add billions of more dollars to the total price tag for a new plant, which is far too risky for private investors unless they are heavily supported by governments.

(i) I would trust the information in my website more than my partner’s because the other website, run by the U.S. Department of Energy contains no facts to back up the arguments while my website has facts and statistics to back up every argument. The other website also discusses how coal gasification may be better in the future but does not talk about coal gasification as of now.

(j) I would trust the opinions in my website more because of the fact that the arguments in my website are supported by facts and concern the present day. The other website spends most of its time discussing what coal gasification could do in the future not what it can do now.

Pro's of Coal gasification

2008-08-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

a) There is no author for the site however the site is developed and run by the United States Department of Energy through the research and development of many energy projects. It is a government website that has been running for almost 30 years. The Department of Energy (DOE) has qualified staffs in the management, administrative, and the oversight support from their offices. The DOE site is to improve their scientific and technological discoveries to ensure that the environment is not polluted, promoting the use of clean-coal energy which is affordable, and to strengthened the standard of living in their advancement. The budget of $23 billion (from the Treasury of United States ) and over 100,000 contractors and federal employees are managed by Samuel Wright Bodman who is the 11th Secretary of Energy since February 1, 2005. In addition, the Acting Deputy Secretary of Energy, Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Under Secretary of Energy and the Under Secretary for Science all work closely together with their own administration to facilitate and enhance operational efficiencies.

b) The site is reporting the researchers’ ideas based on the information collected from their own projects such as their research center, test labs and test site. As a professional website for the United States Department of Energy, there must be multiple studies to validate the contents that they post on their site.

c) The tone of the writing is based on the research of coal gasification by professionals in the energy sectors. This is proven by the number of chemical terms used in the assay. In addition, the tone is also reflective and optimistic. This is illustrated on the report of the environmental and efficiencies benefits of coal gasification. In both benefits, their common goal is to be able to reduce the greatest contributor of greenhouse gas emission which is carbon dioxide, CO2. By having the concentrated CO2 exposed to high pressure in the synthesis gas. The heat produced from the steam can be utilized to drive a turbine generator, boiling water and produce about 1/3 of the electricity. The multiple capabilities of the coal gasification process make it capable of the coal gasifier plants of operating at an efficiency of up to the 80% threshold level.

d) Yes, the group working for the US Department of Energy does give specific, precise, and logical statements about coal gasification and its’ range of functions. It conveys the message across of how coal gasification can convert coal cleanly by giving off harmless chemical contents through proper control and condition. It states that instead of wasting all the chemical contents produced in a chemical reaction such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide (CO) etc. The water-gas shift reactor technology is used to convert CO into CO2. The CO2 then can be used to boil water, run turbines by being subjected to high pressure in the syngas (synthesis gas). All these progress would give the coal gasification technology a success in years to come.

e) The general purpose of the site is to provide an insight of what coal gasification can offer to the community/ country at large which are mainly stated in the previous questions. Furthermore, the benefits of coal gasification dealing environmentally and efficiency are mentioned thus the site is mainly an advocacy, highly promoting the use of coal generated energy.

f) The intended audience of the site/page is tailored to the working force /people. This is proven by what the site says “Higher efficiencies translate into more economical electric power and potential savings for ratepayers”. (U.S Department of Energy) Those who want to know where their money goes and what they are paying for would be keen in knowing about this technology. The multiple capabilities of the coal gasification process also provide many added benefits to the environment and efficiency. Furthermore, electricity is prevalent in a fast paced society where all the people use electricity for their daily routines and duties from turning on their lights, watching TV, listening to the radio etc. All of these consume electricity.

g) Yes, it would be easy to check the accuracy and veracity of the information in the site. There are contact information about the coal gasification technology, offices and facilities that assist in the program and references on the fossil energy project data, world wide activities, the success on its research and development, its whole list of other energy projects, and the offices of other programs on the US Department of Energy website.

h) The article states the research and development of coal gasification and the number of prototype power plants being laid across the United States to generate energy. In the process, coal is exposed to hot steam directly and broken down into small carbon molecules. In addition, the chemical reaction in the coal gasification process produces hydrogen, CO and other chemical compounds. The hydrogen can be used for fuel cells in hydrogen operated vehicles, powering turbines etc. The US Department of Energy is also looking for ways in trying to improve efficiency and the environment cost and the reliability for coal gasifiers. For the benefits of the environment, low levels of SOx, NOx and other particles are the current goals to achieve. The sulfur content found in coal can be utilized in the chemical industry as it can be turned into hydrogen sulfide. The syngas produced by the Integrated Gasification Combined-cycle or the IGCC would reduce NOx levels to the parts per million. The Office of Fossil Energy is working to eliminate as much NOx, SOx and other emissions deriving from coal gasifiers by having advanced filtering of the syngas. Further impurities and traces of pollutants are being reduced to parts per billion in a multi-contaminant control operation. In trying to reduce the greenhouse gases emission such as carbon dioxide, oxygen is used so that the concentrated CO2 can be exposed to high pressure in the syngas. It is then absorbed and the contents separated at a much cheaper cost than having the CO2 ¬diluted. For the purpose of efficiency, the heat harnessed from the coal gasification process is utilized for driving turbines, boiling water, producing electricity etc. The remaining heat is considered waste. The process of using heat from the gases can be known as the “combined cycle” where the gases serve many purposes. Fuel efficiency can sometimes operate at the 50% up to the 80% threshold level. Coal gasification compared to coal-burning plants reduces the carbon dioxide levels by as much as 40% per unit of output thus is considered one of the most favourable technology in years to come.

i) Yes, I would trust the information on my website more than the information on the opposing website of my partner. First of all, there is a performance goal to be met by coal gasification technology by 2010 in the pro’s site. That means in the mean time, equipments and other systems/ methods would be revamped. As stated before, coal gasification process uses the heat obtained to run turbines, boil water and generate electricity. It has also accounted the environment and efficiency effects. On the con’s site, it mainly argues about the disadvantages of coal gasification, how it pollutes the environment, its poor management of coal, contamination of water and cost feasibility. Even though it gives some alternatives of harnessing energy such as wind, solar power, solar photovoltaic power, it does not analyze further of the cost of acquiring the technology and whether it could meet the demands of the citizens.

j) I would trust my conclusions more than the opposing website because first of all, coal is cheap and with the promising technology of coal gasification, many challenges can be overcome in the projects such as pollution and health issues on people with respiratory difficulties (asthma) as stated in the previous questions. In the research and development of the coal gasification technology, many projects have surfaced that will contribute significantly such as the mercury control, selective catalytic reduction, SOx and NOx controls. These all provides more jobs for the energy sectors. Also, the coal gasification technology is capable of supporting a high demand of electricity and other issues better than renewable energy.

Works Cited List

U.S Department of Energy. Feb 26, 2008.
< http://fossil.energy.gov/programs/powersystems/gasification/>.

Schizophrenia

2008-08-01T12:59:00.001-07:00

Schizophrenia: Is it preventable

Schizophrenia can be defined as the most severe psychiatric disorder which causes bizarre behavior, withdrawal from the reality, emotional instability and disorganized speech and thinking. Schizophrenia is a widespread issue because it does not only affect the individual itself but rather the family taking care of the person as well. Due to the fact that the person tend to suffer from disordered thoughts with the disease, they become ineffective in communicating with others. Schizophrenia is not dominant in any race or a particular sex in the population. It usually strikes the individual around the ages of fifteen and forty years which has a great impact on youth but never before fifteen or after the age of forty.

Symptoms:
Just like symptoms in other illnesses, there are also some in schizophrenia. The symptoms can vary among individuals. One of the key factors to recognize the onset of schizophrenia is personality changes. At first, it may be unnoticed but the symptoms may get obvious after a period of time. Delusion may cause a person to believe that they are being controlled by external forces such as aliens, cops etc. Hallucination results in a person seeing, believing, smelling , talking and hearing things that do not really exist to others around them. Strange behavior may develop including laughing without a cause, talking to themselves repetitively. Social withdrawal may include change of friends, avoiding eye contact with others, signs of lack of interest in certain activities. Thought disorder develops in the individual and can result in confused and hard to understand conversations. The intense internal feeling can cause the individual to have suicidal thoughts, depression, and short attention span. The feelings around them can be a burden and the amplification of extreme emotional state may occur.

Causes:
The biological, psychological, environmental factors contribute to the causes of schizophrenia. Genetic factors account for 1% of the children in the population to develop this disease. Twins with schizophrenic parents have a risk of 40-50% of developing the disease. Research shows that chemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters also has an effect to the development of schizophrenia. Dopamine, amphetamines, serotonin, and norepinephrine play an important role in controlling the brain activity of schizophrenic individuals. Stress can worsen the illness and trigger the relapses of the symptoms in an individual. Brain imaging technique shows that brains of schizophrenic individuals tend to have large brain ventricles, low gray matter volume, low brain activity in some areas. Brain trauma after birth can also lead to further setbacks in a person. One theory that suggests the bizarre behavior in a person is that it tends to happen during puberty where the brain undergoes major changes which can cause psychotic symptoms.

Underlying molecular / cellular defects:
Schizophrenia is caused by environmental and genetic factors. People with close relatives with schizophrenia have a higher risk of inheriting the disease than those who don’t. Schizophrenic individuals have abnormal brain structure and function. Doctors have found out that large proportion of schizophrenia sufferers has defects on chromosome 22. Since identical twins have a 50% chance of getting schizophrenia if their parents have schizophrenia, study indicates that the disease is a hereditary factor. Researchers are also encouraged to use RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphisms) to identify the faulty genes. However, the schizophrenia is not straightforward. The patterns are irregular and complex. Schizophrenia can be affected by a single gene, few genes up to many genes that can run from different families. All these genes then interact with the environmental factors and may or may not be susceptible on a person depending on the degree of the influence. The purpose of genetic studies of schizophrenia is to be able to determine the underlying molecular / cellular defects of the disease. If a responsible gene is detected then the normal functions of genes in the body can be easily explained. That is the optimistic side of it. However, the genetic studies of schizophrenia show that there are no clear biological markers in individuals. Another factor contributing to schizophrenia is brain abnormalities. Complications during pregnancy may increase the chances of the baby to get schizophrenia. CT scans are used in brain scans to locate brain activities. In order for better understanding of the brain in individuals, two groups are obtained for the experiment, a healthy group and the affected group with schizophrenia. Repeated scanning may sometimes be needed to get reliable data however radiation can be harmful for the long-term effect basis. Thus schizophrenia may require a few more years in order to get an improved understanding of the brain functions of schizophrenic individuals and the disease.

How symptoms are derived from underlying defects:
The underlying defect causes the individual to lose their mind, the ability to think rationally and clearly, distinguish the true and the false, right and wrong, and sharing experiences with others. There is the perception from others as to whether the individual is normal or acting mad. One issue with schizophrenic patients is that their beliefs and perceptions are without constrained with the beliefs and perception of the general public. There is also a close relationship between schizophrenia and violence. Through diagnosis of the disease, the violent acts committed by schizophrenic patients will reduce by 10%. Violence and drug abuse can also be resulted from the underlying defects where the person may feel paranoid. The flaw with drug abuse is that people with schizophrenia take medication at a greater rate than an average person thus may be prone to rash decisions and perceive violence as something safe to do. Neuropsychologists indicate that lesions of the frontal lobe in patients may develop delusions from evidence coming from a group of patients performing a series of tests. There are two types of symptoms for schizophrenia, positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are abnormal by the presence and comprises of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized behavior, and incoherent speech. Negative symptoms are abnormal by the absence (non-appearing) which include the lack of speech, action and emotions. Studies have grouped these positive and negative symptoms into three groups. The first group is labeled the “reality distortion” and consists of hallucinations and delusions. The second group is labeled “disorganization” which includes lack of speech and dull emotional responses. The third group is labeled the “psychomotor poverty” consisting of the poverty of speech, action and emotion.

Treatment:
The use of antipsychotic drugs can reduce the symptoms by 80 to 90% and the effect usually takes place around 7-14 days. The diagnosis of schizophrenia usually requires a few weeks of hospitalization for stabilization and further assessment. Once an individual’s illness has stabilized, and a medication plan has been established, the individual can have their family members taking care of them. The majority of the money is spent on pharmaceutical companies in trying to develop new drugs for the illness and also alter the social interaction, memory network, attention and planning of those patients. In order to not have a relapse of schizophrenia, the patient has to take medication for the rest of their lives. The benefit of taking antipsychotic drugs is that it reduces symptoms by 80 to 90%. After taking medication, social and psychological rehabilitation are necessary to assist those with the disease by letting them do certain tasks to achieve a goal. The patient however must be ready to face the challenger for the reintegration. The rate of recovery can sometimes take weeks or months. Some common goals set for the patient include are they capable of living independently, buying certain things as requested etc. The earlier the reintegration, the better it is for the patient to get back into a normal life-style. Research shows that social and psychological rehabilitation help reduce the relapse rates by about 50% over two years when using medical treatment alongside. Due to the fact that patients with schizophrenia often find themselves in difficult situations obtaining jobs, they usually require some modifications / negotiations about their responsibilities, or working part-time instead of full-time if possible. With proper care of schizophrenic patients, they can be stay away from some of the associated problems such as homelessness, substance abuse, violence, trauma, legal issues, anxiety etc.

Clockwork Orange

2008-08-01T12:46:00.001-07:00

1. Book Title: A Clockwork orange
2. Author: The author is Anthony Burgess
3. Brief description of setting and significance:The setting of the novel takes place in the twenty first century in London with the society consisting of the American focus on capitalism and the U.S.S.R communism approach. The significance of the setting is that Alex and his gang of droogs (thugs ), Georgie, Pete and Dim are always on the streets every night either robbing, raping women or causing harms to the London citizens. The rampage goes on until Dim (fat and slow) decides to put an end to the uprising in the gang where Alex is left helpless to the police when he tries to escape. The London streets are never peaceful until Alex has been imprisoned.

4. Three characteristics of protagonist with clear example for each characteristic: Alex
Irrational: Alex is the type of person where he does not like to pause and think for a moment but rather prefers to inflict harm unto others even though if it is his own gang member. He slits Dim’s wrist and sees it as an opportunity for proving that he is in fact still the gang leader.

Fond of classical music: Alex’s interest in classical music, especially Beethoven Ninth Symphony can be parallel to his violence behavior. He treats classical music as the ecstasy for him throughout all his violent actions. When Alex is forced to watch one of the scenes under the aversion treatment with Beethoven Ninth Symphony being played at the background, he feels the urge to slit the face of a person with his razor.

Vile/ abominable: Alex’s character disgusts many of his family and friends. With his sadistic attitude, he is eventually captured by the police for murdering, raping and stealing possessions of others. Also, when he is released from the state prison, his family does not even feel the sense of security when he comes back home to visit them. They feel that he may still embarrass them even more by committing more crime and so they distant themselves from him.

5. Explain the main conflict and the resolution:
The main conflict in the novel is that Alex the 15 year old gang member has undergone the aversive treatment also known as the Ludivico Technique in the novel for all his criminal offences of raping, murdering and stealing. His crave for violence has brought him to the state prison where his freedom of rights have been restricted to sharing cells with six other men and minimum food calories per day. Due to the death of an inmate caused by Alex in the state prison, he is chosen for the experimental stage of the Ludivico Technique. It may seem easy that Alex’s punishment is to watch movies containing of murdering, raping and stealing with his eyes being held open by wire clippers monitoring his reactions. He is forced to watch two sessions of movie scene per day for a fortnight disregarding all the “Please stop the movie yelled by Alex”. The punishment is to hopefully make Alex feels that crime is bad and that one should always surrender the craving for violence.

6. Synopsis of what happens in the novel
• The setting takes place in London in the near future or the twenty first century.
• Alex and his gang Dim, Pete and Georgie are fluent in nadsat. A Russian slang for teenagers.
• Their nighttime activities are causing rampage to the Londoners.
• Alex is sentenced to 14 years in prison for killing an old woman but later the sentence is reduced to 2 years.
• Alex is introduced to his punishment the Ludovico Technique where he is forced to watch movies of violence dealing with murder and rape.
• Before watching the movies, Alex is injected with some drugs that make him awfully sick such as getting a headache.
• The state hopes that this form of brainwashing technique could change Alex’s life by doing the good things.
• By doing so, the state foresees that there would be more room for other political dissidents rather than having incarcerated offenders.
• When Alex is released from prison two years later, he finds out that Dim and Billiboy (uses to be the opposition gang of Alex’s) are policemen.
• Since Dim and Billiboy are once victims of Alex, with the helpless and defenceless Alex, he is brought to a remote area where he is beaten up and left for nature to take its course on him.
• Alex manages to find a place for food and shelter. Alex recognizes the man who offers him for the night however the man is not aware of Alex.
• It is the man’s wife where Alex has raped two years ago who has died of shock due to the rape.
• The man (F. Alexander) wants to overthrow the State and is a political dissident to the State. He believes that Alex is the best use for destabilizing the government.
• F. Alexander suspects that Alex is part of the scheme that has killed his wife two years ago when he hears Alex speaking in nadsat. He locks him in an attic and cranks up the volume of classical music from the radio.
• Alex jumps out the window and ends up snapping his wrist and breaking his legs.
• The Minister of Interior visits Alex and informs him that a nurse has restored him to his old self.
• Alex forms a new gang back on the street and meets his old pal Pete who is married. This makes Alex fond of having a son in the family.

7. Main theme with supporting evidence from novel:
The main theme is the novel is free will. In order to maintain the humanity, free will must exist. Though freedom is great but it certainly can be abused just like in Alex’s situation. He chooses violence over peace and as long as he is on the streets, he keeps harming others. Sometimes, the government must intervene and enforced goodness just like Alex undergoing the Ludovico Treatment. In part 3, Alex is seen moving on the maturity route as he now sees that all his friends have chosen the choice to be good.

8. Is the ending satisfactory?
Yes, the ending is satisfactory. There is no twist to the conclusion because Alex is seen being restored to his old self where the nurse performs a deep hypnopedia. Without the controlling force on Alex, he is free to do anything based on his free will. Before that, the State refrain Alex from doing harm unto others in which Alex thinks that it is cruel. Without being deprived from the State, Alex forms a new gang back on the street and meets his old pal Pete who is married. This makes Alex fond of having a son in the family.

Canadian Tire

2008-08-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

For over 85 years Canadian Tire has been selling Canadians basic products that we use in our everyday lives. Today Canadian Tire retail stores are shopped at by more than 80% of Canadians and with 468 stores in Canada one in every three bikes sold and one in every four barbeques sold are sold by Canadian Tire. But Canadian Tire has expanded to be more than just a general retailer. The corporation is made up of four major divisions: Canadian Tire Retail that includes Canadian Tire Stores and PartSource (auto parts), Mark’s Work Wearhouse (clothing), Canadian Tire Petroleum (consumer gasoline) and Canadian Tire Financial Services (credit cards and now bank). Canadian Tire has penetrated many markets and shows improvement year after year.

Canadian Tire Retail is the business that sells to Dealer owned stores and these independent stores then sell to consumers. Canadian Tire Retail includes the Canadian Tire online shopping channel which is a network and Partsource which is a chain of specialty automotive parts stores that cater to the “do-it-yourselfers” and professional installers of automotive parts.

Canadian Tire Petroleum buys gasoline at resale cost and sells it at market prices

Mark’s Works Wearhouse includes both corporate and franchise stores. Retail sales includes sale from corporate and franchise stores. Gross operating revenue includes retail sales at corporate stores only as well as royalties from Mark’s franchisees

Canadian Tire Financial Products offers financial service such as Options MasterCard, Canadian Tire credit cards, personal loans, insurance and warranty products, residential mortgages and high interest savings accounts.

Judge

2008-06-27T10:25:00.000-07:00

Specific career: Judge

Provide a brief description of this career
A judge in a courtroom listens to evidence in many cases such as civil, criminal and so on. They instruct juries, supervise the trail and pass legal judgments based on the verdict.

Five specific skills in the job
• Good analytical skill- the judge must be able to understand the case in court.
• Decision making skill- he judge must stand up for what is right.
• Patient- in most cases, the trial can be fairly long; the judge must be able to endure the length of the trial.
• Knowledge in law- the judge must be very experience in their own field.
• Responsible- the judge must apply the law into their decisions

Post educational requirement?
In order to become a judge, one must have completed two years of undergraduate studies at the university and must obtain high marks. It takes three years to complete law school. The student will have to take the LSAT. At least seven years are required in order to work in the law field. The student will then have to work for at least a year. To be appointed as a judge, one must have many years of professional experience in law and completed the Bar Admission Course.

Salary Range
Minimum $170,000 to Maximum $280,000

What did you find interesting about this career?
I find that working as a judge is secured and I do not have to worry too much about being unemployed. Each time in the courthouse, the judge is addressed in many different ways such as “Your Highness”, “Your Lordship”, “Your Honor”, “Sir”, “Madam” and so on. In every case, there is always a different kind of issue to be dealt with which is quite challenging. Furthermore, there is precedent to help judges make decisions.

What have you learned about this career?
I learn that the reputation of a judge is also important because it is not easy to get back on track once you are not respected in the legal community. Since the position for a judge is limited and is the highest of all in the career path, most people who get there stays at that spot. After the age of 65, judges work on a part time basis until the age of 75. Judges usually work 8 to 11 hours a day unless in a long and big trial, the hours start from 12 to 13 hours a day. Traveling is also expected from judges.

Name someone famous in this field?
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr is one of the famous people in this field.

Why is he famous?
He is famous because of he discovers the of law-and-economics jurisprudence. During his years as a judge, he states that workers can compete with the employers for their rights as long as there is no violence. Furthermore, he says that the freedom of expression is promised by the government except in cases where it poses harm to others.

Quotes

2008-06-27T09:46:00.002-07:00

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

A man who knows how little he knows is well, a man who knows how much he knows is sick.

As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.
Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

Don't burn your bridges behind you.

Doubt is the beginning not the end of wisdom.

Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.

If you think that education is expensive, try ignorance.

It is the good times for which we hope, but the bad times for which we must prepare.

It's never too late.

Liberty and ararchy are contradictory; freedom is dependent upon wise contraints.

No matter how long you teach a fool, he still knows everything.

No matter where you go or what you do; you live your entire life within the confines of your head.

Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Sherlock Holmes took his bottle from the corner of the mantel-piece and his hypodermic syringe from its neat morocco case. With his long, white, nervous fingers he adjusted the delicate needle, and rolled back his left shirt-cuff. For some little time his eyes rested thoughtfully upon the sinewy forearm and wrist all dotted and scarred with innumerable puncture-marks. Finally he thrust the sharp point home, pressed down the tiny piston, and sank back into the velvet-lined arm-chair with a long sigh of satisfaction.
(Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Sign of Four)

Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.

Time and tide wait for no man

Time is a great healer

To err is human, to forgive divine

True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing. And in knowing that you know nothing, that makes you the smartest of all.

Walk softly but carry a big stick

We are prepared to go to the gates of hell, but no further.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

You can't get blood out of a stone.

Bond Films

2008-06-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

1. Dr. No (1962)
2. From Russia With Love (1963)
3. Goldfinger (1964)
4. Thunderball (1965)
5. You Only Live Twice (1967)
6. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
7. Diamonds Are Forever (1971)
8. Live and Let Die (1973)
9. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)
10. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)
11. Moonraker (1979)
12. For Your Eyes Only (1981)
13. Octopussy (1983)
14. A View to a Kill (1985)
15. The Living Daylights (1987)
16. Licence to Kill (1989)
17. GoldenEye (1995)
18. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
19. The World is Not Enough (1999)
20. Die Another Day (2002)
21. Casino Royale (2006)
22. Quantum of Solace (2008)

Paul McCartney

2008-06-27T09:45:00.001-07:00

If you want sex, why married or have girlfriends?

This is from a friend of mine who is an attorney and a CPA, only he would

think to sit down and calculate this! ONLY A MAN WOULD THINK OF DOING THIS.
I did the math on the Paul McCartney-Heather Mills divorce.

After 5 years of marriage, he paid her $49 million.

Assuming he banged her every night during their 5 year relationship (and
being married men, we all know THAT doesn't happen), it ends up costing him
$26,849 per lay, not counting attorney's fees and court costs.

On the other hand, Elliot Spitzer's call girl Kristen charges $4,000 an
hour. Crazy, right? But..Had Paul McCartney employed Kristen for 5 years, he
would've paid $7.3 million for an hour of sex every night for 5 years (a

savings of $41+million).
Value-added benefits are: a 22 year old hot babe, no begging, no coaxing,
never a headache, wide open menu, ability to put BOTH legs around you, no
bitching and complaining or "to do" lists. Best of all, she leaves when

you're done, and comes back the next day, ready for another round. All at
1/7th the cost, with no legal fees.* *

Eggs

2008-06-27T09:44:00.001-07:00

Fuzzy Math: Heavy Eggs
Make sure to weigh all the information.
by Alex Stone

Murre eggs (Images courtesy of USGS)
Let’s say you are given nine identical-looking eggs and told that one is heavier than the others, but you aren’t told which one. Fortunately, you have a beam balance for comparing the masses of the eggs. Unfortunately, the balance is a rental, and you are being charged each time you use it.
So assuming you are strapped for cash and wish to know which of the nine eggs is heaviest—who wouldn’t?—what is the minimum number of times you must weigh the eggs in order to find it?
The answer, it may surprise you to learn, is only twice. Here’s how: First divide the eggs into groups of three and compare the masses of two groups; if one trio is heavier, simply compare two eggs from that one and you’re done. On the other hand, if the two triplets you weighed have the same mass, compare two eggs from the trio you initially left out.

Elizabeth Browning

2008-06-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.—number Forty-Three

Field of Vision and Where There is a Wall.

2008-06-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

Poem analysis
The poems Field of Vision by Seamus Heaney and Where There’s a Wall by Joy Kogawa each consisting the idea that humans seek for their goals in life and have a dream to achieve it through overcoming obstacles. In the first poem, alliteration is used “Where there’s a wall/ there’s a way through a gate or door (1st line) indicating that in life even though an obstacle may seem impossible, there are ways to undertake to overcome it. “There’s even /a ladder perhaps and a/ sentinel who sometimes sleeps”. This shows that there are still solutions to get to one’s goal and if so one may have to go through difficult risk at time. While in the second poem, a woman is known to be confined in a wheelchair. She does not like to just sit at home and do nothing, instead she enjoys looking out the window to look at nature and its surrounding. Personification is used in stanza two, “Straight out past the TV in the corner, the stunted, agitated hawthorn bush.” A thorny bush would not get agitated or underdeveloped, this could mean that in the woman’s life, there is always the same impediment hindering her from moving forward (contrasting the hawthorn bush to the woman in the wheelchair.) This is proven by the last two lines in stanza two where she sees “The same small calves with their backs to the wind and rain, the same acre of ragwort, the same mountain.” In poem one, symbols are used in line ten “There are zeppelins, helicopters, /rockets, bombs, battering rams, /armies with trumpets whose /all at once blast shatters /the foundations.” This depicts the idea that there are many resolutions to look at in overcoming a hindrance where lost hopes in the people can be helped, be it going around the wall, over the wall or away from the wall, where the wall is the obstacle. Imagery is used in stanza four, “…of the sort you got across a well-braced gate- one of those lean, clean, iron, roadside ones between two whitewashed pillars…” this generates the concept that one should always look ahead and discover the best there is for one to achieve. Finally, in the last stanza of both poems, “faith as in a dream/ is the voice that calls/ from the belly /of the wall (first poem) , “Deeper into the country than you expected/ and discovered that the field behind the hedge/Grew more distinctly strange as you kept standing/ Focused and drawn in by what barred the way. (poem two)”, both poets conclude that one should always have faith and trust in God and also in oneself. All in all, one should always have an open mind, be able to look ahead and work with whatever resources one gets in life.