Tuesday, November 26, 2019

William Goldings Life

William Goldings Life William Golding was born on September 19, 1911 from Newquay, Cornwall. In the year 1930 Golding attended to Oxford University as an undergraduate, where he spent his time reading Natural Sciences for two years because his father was a science master of Marlborough Grammar School, and then he transfer to English Literature. Afterward he joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and spent the six months in helping Lord Cherwell at the Naval Research Establishment, and was briefly involved in the pursuit of Germany's mightiest battleship, the Bismarck, also participated at the French Coast for the D-Day invasion and later at the island of Walcheren. After the war he returned to this teaching, and started to write again. His first novel ‚“Lord of the Flies‚” was published with great success, because of his success, he was able to resign his teaching at Bishop Wordworth School in 1961 and around at the age of 44.William Golding medal in his former school, Salisb...William spent his ac ademic year as a writer in Hollins College near Roanoke, Virginia. 1965 he received the Honorary Designation Commander of the British Empire or also known as CBE. 1970 Golding was a candidate for the Chancellorship for the University of Kent in Canterbury, however lost to Jo Grinmond. Golding Won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1979, the Booker Prize in 1980 when he wrote the trilogy for Rites of Passage. He wrote over 19 pieces of Literature, which later he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983, and following couple of years he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. William Golding died from heart failure on June 19, 1993 and was buried in the village Churchyard at Bowerchalke, Wiltshire in England. He left the world with his last novel, The Double Tongue, however it was incomplete draft and...

Friday, November 22, 2019

5 Expensive Comma Typos from History

5 Expensive Comma Typos from History 5 Expensive Comma Typos from History You might not give commas much thought on a day-to-day basis. They’re just punctuation. But what if we told you that one misplaced comma could cost your business millions? Strap in, then, and join us for a look at five of the most expensive comma typos in history. 1. James Joyce’s Unwanted Commas ($300,000) The experimental style of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses included many deliberate errors, such as passages of unpunctuated text. Unfortunately, those faced with transcribing his manuscripts sometimes â€Å"corrected† these errors. And one well-meaning volunteer added hundreds of commas to a 40-page passage that was meant to be entirely comma free! James Joyce: Literary visionary, proofreaders nightmare. These comma typos were reproduced in each edition of the book until the 1980s, when a new version was released with the commas removed and other deliberate errors restored. But this process cost around $300,000, so you can see why hiring a good editor is worth the money! 2. Rogers Communications Inc. vs. Bell Aliant (approx. $525,000) Comma placement gave rise to a dispute between Rogers Communications and Bell Aliant worth over half a million dollars. The comma typo in question lies somewhere in this passage: Subject to the termination provisions of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be effective from the date it is made and shall continue in force for a period of five (5) years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five (5) year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party. Did you spot it? It’s the comma before â€Å"unless† that caused the problem. Bell Aliant took it to mean that the clause about terminating the contract applied to the initial five-year period. But Rogers Communications argued it only applied if the contract was renewed after this initial period. In the end, the parties resolved the issue by checking the French version of the contract. Thankfully, this version was free from comma typos. 3. An Oxford Comma in Maine ($5,000,000) Leaving a serial comma (i.e., a comma before the final item in a list) out of a contract cost a dairy company in Maine five million dollars. This came after a dispute with its drivers about overtime. In particular, Maine’s overtime law contains a clause about exemptions from overtime that uses the phrase â€Å"packing for shipment or distribution of.† The dairy company said that â€Å"distribution† was meant to be a separate item in this list. But without a comma to make this clear, the drivers successfully argued that they were owed overtime and forced the company to settle. 4. The US Government vs. Fruit (approx. $38,400,000) Rather than a missing comma, an unwanted comma in US Tariff Act of 1872 cost the US Government two million dollars (around $38.4 million in today’s money). The issue arose because of a clause that exempted â€Å"fruit plants† from import tariffs. Or that was the intention, at least. However, someone added a comma between â€Å"fruit† and â€Å"plants.† And since fruit was expensive, importers took advantage of this loophole until it was closed two years later, by which point US taxpayers had lost out on revenue. Presumably, though, they gained access to affordable bananas. You could buy a lot of fruit for $38.4 million. 5. Lockheed Martin vs. Inflation ($70,000,000) Lockheed Martin are a multibillion-dollar global corporation. Nevertheless, they were worse off by $70 million after one comma typo in a contract. The error was in an equation used to adjust interest rates over time, meaning Lockheed’s calculations were wrong. And they lost a lot of money. In this case, then, one misplaced comma ended up costing a company more than the average GDP of Tuvalu. And if that doesn’t make you hire a proofreader, we don’t know what will.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Discussion questions for the week Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion questions for the week - Essay Example A type-II is a direct opposite where the researcher may totally miss out on a possible impacting result or hypothesis and eventually says that there were no critical results. The example of type II error is just the converse of previous example where the result turns out to be negative for a disease but actually the patient does possess it. Many of the time, these types of errors occur because of incorrect methods followed in a research, like incorrect number of sample data being tested etc. Because of the impact produced by these errors which sometimes may result catastrophically, there should be immense attention placed on such predictions to prevent both false positive and false negative results. (Type I and Type II errors, 2004) Statistical significance and practical significance are although based out of data, they have completely different interpretations. Statistical significance provides a relationship between data which may be significant statistically but does not count in as useful way, practically. However, practical significance, as the name indicates, provides a meaningful relationship between the data which may go on to help in identifying or stating a hypothesis. For example, if we consider the number of educated people in a state over a period of time and if it results in such a way that on mean, 60 people are educated out of 100 in one state and 61 people are educated out of 100 in another state. Statistically it provides a lot of difference between two sets of data but on the other hand, there is no significance associated with it practically. (McIntyre,

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 6

Geography - Essay Example This created tension among Muslims who felt disenfranchised by having to speak a different—â€Å"non-Muslim†Ã¢â‚¬â€language. Hindus are found primarily in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. Pakistan and the Maldives are home to mostly Muslims, even though a large population also reside in Bangladesh. Buddhists populations are found in Sri Lanka and Bhutan. But they also represent minorities in Nepal and India. The original native languages were impacted by Aryan invaders two centuries B.C. and continued with the British invasion. That influence exists today in the differentiation between the ‘t† and â€Å"d† in Indian English. Since the separation of the region into territories in 1947, South Asia has accepted outside assistance with political and security issues but culturally they interpret this as support of local (ethnic) issues, rather than on a larger scale. But, at the heart is the issue of disrespect of native language and its associated religion and ethnicity. Regardless of the country or the language, the deep and ancient connection between religion and language results in racism and petty local haggling based on tribal custom and values. From the time of the arrival of the first European, the Aboriginal Australians began losing their identity. They were so very much a part of the land, being able to survive without currency, without a written constitution or religion, they were able to live easily in a harsh land. Without the protections provided by law and religion, it was easy for new arrivals to take their land from them and to exploit them as sheepherders and trackers. Some of their practices, such as polygamy, were offensive to new arrivals who took away their rights, and even their children. Many of these new arrivals were criminals cast out from England, and other countries who had no qualms about mistreating the black Aborigine. Until 1967, Aborigines had no citizenship

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Magazine article on E-books Essay Example for Free

Magazine article on E-books Essay Cassettes-sidelined! DVDs –gathering dust! VHS-retired! Technology mutates and evolves leaving redundant platforms in its place. Much of the time technology is beneficial and change is good, however occasionally change is not so auspicious and we do not realise what we have lost until it’s truly gone. The book. The Bible, The odyssey and The Gruffalo (and that’s not even mentioning the poets). All books which have stood the test of time and are still being read as much today as the moment they were published; with these texts societies were bound and broken; lessons were learned and empires fell; all to the humble book. However the brazen veteran; the book; is endanger of being stripped of its crown by the young and brash E-book. In the words of Northrop Frye books are the only piece of technology which has not become socially defunct–Yet! They have stood firm whilst DVDs, tapes and vinyl like empires, rose and fell. However the frog like e-book with its dull boring features and its fabulously annoying Wifi connectivity could be the bane of books. E-books are vastly growing in nature, like a weed; multiplying on every train, beach and plane you see them they are growing in number and his suggested by 2016 there will be nearly 10 billion of these dastardly devices roaming the world. Even the mere existence of E-books has created a whole new type of piracy where people are ripping off hard working authors and publishers by getting counterfeit e-books online for free. This illegal practice was consummated by the emotionless e-book. These characterless devices rob the tangible nature you get from books. The feel of the paper the smell of the ink all contribute to the sensation we get from reading. E-books rob this from us and sadly soon children will not understand this interaction as they will be more familiar with the blistering headache the monotonous e-book provides.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Lasers :: essays research papers

The laser is a device that produces a beam of light. The beam is produced by a process known as stimulated emission, and the word “laser'; is an acronym for the phrase “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.'; Lasers amplify light and produce coherent light beams. A light beam is coherent when its waves or photons are in step with one another. Laser light can be made extremely intense, highly directional, and very pure in color. BASIC PRINCIPLES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Light can be characterized both by its frequency, or number of wave crests passing a given point per second, and by its wavelength. Different wavelengths of light are seen as different colors. Like radio waves, light can also carry information. The information in the beam varies in the frequency or shape of the light wave. Because light waves are of much higher frequencies than radio waves, the have a higher information carrying capacity. In beams of light,individual photon waves are not moving along together because they are not being emitted at the same instant but instead in random short bursts. Such beams are called incoherent.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The process for laser action, was first proposed by Albert Einstein in 1917. The working principles of lasers were outlined by the American physicists Arthur Leonard Schawlow and Charles Hard Townes in their 1958 patent application. The patent was granted but was later challenged by the American physicist and engineer Gordon Gould. In 1960 the American physicist Theodore Maiman observed the first laser action in solid ruby. HOW A LASER WORKS   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A laser is made up of several basic components. One is called active medium, which consists of atoms of a gas, molecules in a liquid, ions in a crystal, or any of several other possibilities. Another component consists of some method of introducing energy into the active medium, such as a flash lamp. The third basic component is a pair of mirrors placed on either side of the active meduim, one of which transmits part of the radiation that strikes it. Atoms initially in a lower state are raised to the upper state by energy from a flash lamp or some other pumping source. Some of these atoms emit light in random directions. Light traveling vertical to the mirrors stays within the active medium long enough to stimulate emission from other atoms. Light traveling in other directions are soon lost. Some light reaching the output mirror is transmitted to form the laser beam, some is reflected back through the medium to continue the stimulated-emission process.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Learning management system Essay

Department of Applied Finance and Actuarial Studies Faculty of Business and Economics Unit Guide S1 External Session 1, External 2013 Table of Content Table of Content General Information 2 3 Convenor and teaching staff Credit Points Prerequisites Corequisites Co-badged status Unit Description 3 3 3 3 3 3 Learning Outcomes Assessment Tasks 4 5 Assignments Case Study Quizzes 5 5 6 Unit Schedule Delivery and Resources 7 8 Classes Prizes Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials Technology Used and Required Unit Web Page Teaching and Learning Strategy Policies and Procedures 8 8. 8 8 8 8 9 Academic Honesty Grades Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing Special Consideration Policy Student Support UniWISE provides: 9 9 9 9 10 10 Student Enquiry Service Equity Support IT Help 10 10 10 Graduate Capabilities 11 Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative Learning Outcome Assessment Task 11 11 11 Problem Solving and Research Capability Learning Outcome Assessment Task 11 11 11 Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible Learning Outcome 11 11 Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills 11 Learning Outcome Assessment Task 12 12. Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking Assessment Task 12 12 Research and Practice 13 Page 2 of 13 General Information Convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor: Peter Mordaunt Email: peter. mordaunt@mq. edu. au Consultation Hours: As this course is an online course students can consult with staff through iLearn or through the e-mail addresses above. Students experiencing significant difficulties with any topic in the unit must seek assistance immediately. Other Staff: Sue Wright Email: sue. wright@mq. edu. au Credit Points 2 Prerequisites 45cp Corequisites N/A Co-badged status This unit is not co-badged. Unit Description For details of this unit contact the Faculty of Business and Economics. Page 3 of 13 Learning Outcomes 1. Develop personal financial goals as appropriate to anticipated life stages 2. Construct and maintain a working budget using appropriate financial tools 3. Select appropriate investment instruments to support budget results and achieve financial goals 4. Recognize the features and implications of common financial contracts 5. Compare and contrast different â€Å"employment† structures Page 4 of 13 Assessment Tasks Task Weight Due Date. Linked Learning Outcomes Linked Graduate Capabilities Brief Description Assignments 10% See timetable in iLearn 1, 2, 3 1, 2, 3, 8 Tasks set for students Case Study 50% See timetable in iLearn 2 1, 2, 8 A case study covering material in Modules 1,2 & 3 Quizzes 40% See course timetable in iLearn 3, 4 3 A series of online multiple choice quizzes Assignments Due Date: See timetable in iLearn Weight: 10% Warning This is an online course and therefore it is the student’s responsibility to have available and access to the technology to access the material and to complete the tasks. No exceptions or extensions will be granted because of issues with the student’s technology,the student’s internet provider or the student’s internet connectivity. S ubmission Submission is on-line. Module 1 assignment due by mid-night 11th March 2013. Module 2 assignment due by mid-night 25th March 2013. Extension No extension will be granted. Students who have not submitted their assignment prior to the due date will be awarded a mark of 0 for the assignment, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved. Penalties See extension. What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily. In order to pass this subject, students m ust pass the case study, which enables them to dem onstrate their accum ulated and integrated understanding of the unit m aterial. If perform ance in the case study does not dem onstrate this level of achievem ent, a passing grade overall can be achieved by higher perform ance in the quizzes and the assignm ents. Case Study Due Date: See timetable in iLearn Weight: 50% Warning This is an online course and therefore it is the student’s responsibility to have available and access to the technology to access the material and to complete the tasks. No exceptions or extensions will be granted because of issues with the student’s technology, the student’s internet provider or the student’s internet connectivity. Submission Subm ission is on-line. C ase Study answer due by m id-night 20th May 2013. Page 5 of 13 Extension No extension will be granted. Students who have not submitted the case study prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0, except for cases in which an application for special consideration is m ade and approved. Penalties See extension What is required to com plete the unit satisfactorily. In order to pass this subject, students m ust pass the case study, which enables them to dem onstrate their accum ulated and integrated understanding of the unit m aterial. If perform ance in the case study does not dem onstrate this level of achievem ent, a passing grade overall can be achieved by higher perform ance in the quizzes and the assignm ents. Quizzes Due Date: See course timetable in iLearn Weight: 40% Warning This is an online course and therefore it is the student’s responsibility to have available and access to the technology to access the material and to complete the tasks. No exceptions or extensions will be granted because of issues with the student’s technology, the student’s internet provider or the student’s internet connectivity. Submission Subm ission is on line. Module 1:Q uiz 1 on the 8th April 2013 Q uiz 2 on the 29th April 2013 Q uiz 3 on the 6th May 2013 Q uiz 4 on the 20th May 2013 Module 4:Q uiz on the 3rd June 2013 Module 5:Q uiz on the 7th June 2013 Extension No extensions will be granted. Students who have not attempted a quiz prior to the deadline will be awarded a mark of 0, except for cases in which an application for specila consideration is m adenand approved. Penalties See extension. What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily? In order to pass this subject, students m ust pass the case study, which enables them to dem onstrate their accum ulated and integrated understanding of the unit m aterial. If perform ance in the case study does not dem onstrate this level of achievem ent, a passing grade overall can be achieved by higher perform ance in the quizzes and the assignm ents. Page 6 of 13 Unit Schedule Modules 1. Goals (anticipated student workload 4 hours) Online presentation of content Online discussion Reading/website reference. Set your own goals Individually written discussion 2. Budgets (anticipated student workload 5 hours) Online presentation of content Your Money – ASIC resource and associated activities Online discussion Complete, explain & submit your own budget 3. Investments (anticipated student workload 50 hours) Basic Principles Interest calculations Tax Overview of Financial Scams Overview of investment options Overview of debt management Overview of Superannuation Asset protection issues Case Study Complete online tests 4. Common Contracts (anticipated student workload 20 hours) Introduction. Overview of common contracts Online Test 5. â€Å"Employment† Structures (anticipated student workload 12 hours) Introduction Overview of common employment structures Online Test Again, please note: it is the student’s responsibility to have available or access to the technology to access the material and to complete the assigned tasks. No exceptions or extensions will be granted because of issues with the students’ technology. Page 7 of 13 Delivery and Resources Classes 5 x online modules delivered via iLearn Prizes There are no prizes for this unit. Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials. Students will be referred to online resources via iLearn as required for each module. Technology Used and Required Technology used iLearn Microsoft Office Internet Voice boards Technology requirements Access to a computer Access to Microsoft Office Access to the Internet Unit Web Page Course material is available on the learning management system (iLearn). The web page for this unit can be found at www. iLearn. mq. edu. au Teaching and Learning Strategy Students are expected to listen to online lectures and read the material supplied via the Learning Management System. Students are expected to apply the knowledge in answering the various quizzes and assignments. Page 8 of 13 Policies and Procedures Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from P olicy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching: Academic Honesty Policy http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy. html Assessment Policy http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/assessment/policy. html Grade Appeal Policy http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy. html Special Consideration Policy http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy. html In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the L earning and Teaching Category of Policy Central. Academic Honesty The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that: all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim all academic collaborations are acknowledged academic work is not falsified in any way when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately. Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy. html Grades Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study: HD – High Distinction D – Distinction. CR – Credit P – Pass F – Fail Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at: http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/grading/policy. html Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade. http://www. businessandeconomics. mq. edu. au/new_and_current_students/undergraduate_current_students/how_do_i/grade_appeals/ Special Consideration Policy The University is committed to equity and fairness in all aspects of its learning and teaching. In stating this commitment, the University recognises that there may be circumstances where a student is prevented by unavoidable disruption from performing in accordance with their ability. A special consideration policy exists to support students who experience serious and unavoidable disruption such that they do not reach their usual demonstrated performance level. The policy is available at: http://www. mq. edu. au/policy/docs/special_consideration/policy. html Page 9 of 13 Student Support Macquarie University provides a range of Academic Student Support Services. Details of these services can be accessed at: http://students. mq. edu. au/support/ UniWISE provides: Online learning resources and academic skills workshops http://www. mq. edu. au/learning_skills/ Personal assistance with your learning & study related questions. The Learning Help Desk is located in the Library foyer (level 2). Online and on-campus orientation events run by Mentors@Macquarie. Student Enquiry Service Details of these services can be accessed at http://www. student. mq. edu. au/ses/. Equity Support Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Support Unit who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies. IT Help If you wish to receive IT help, we would be glad to assist you at http://informatics. mq. edu. au/help/. W hen using the university’s IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy . The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students and it outlines what can be done. Page 10 of 13 Graduate Capabilities Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments. This graduate capability is supported by: Learning Outcome 1. Develop personal financial goals as appropriate to anticipated life stages 2. Construct and maintain a working budget using appropriate financial tools 3. Recognize the features and implications of common financial contracts Assessment Task 1. Tasks set for students 2. A case study covering material in Modules 1,2 & 3 Problem Solving and Research Capability. Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations. This graduate capability is supported by: Learning Outcome 1. Develop personal financial goals as appropriate to anticipated life stages 2. Construct and maintain a working budget using appropriate financial tools 3. Select appropriate investment instruments to support budget results and achieve financial goals Assessment Task 1. Tasks set for students 2. A series of online multiple choice quizzes Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability. This graduate capability is supported by: Learning Outcome 1. Select appropriate investment instruments to support budget results and achieve financial goals 2. Recognize the features and implications of common financial contracts Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills Page 11 of 13 Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems. This graduate capability is supported by: Learning Outcome 1. Develop personal financial goals as appropriate to anticipated life stages 2. Construct and maintain a working budget using appropriate financial tools 3. Select appropriate investment instruments to support budget results and achieve financial goals 4. Recognize the features and implications of common financial contracts Assessment Task 1. Tasks set for students 2. A case study covering material in Modules 1,2 & 3 Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy. This graduate capability is supported by: Assessment Task 1. Tasks set for students 2. A case study covering material in Modules 1,2 & 3 Page 12 of 13 Research and Practice This unit uses research from external sources. This unit gives you practice in applying research findings in your assignments.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 30~31

Thirty Theo â€Å"Listen,† Theo said, cocking his ear toward the cave mouth. â€Å"Vehicles. The SWAT team is here.† Molly glanced to the back of the cave. From the light of the colors Steve was flashing she could see that the pilgrims had surrounded the Sea Beast and were stroking his scales. She turned back to Theo. â€Å"You've got to stop the helicopters. Call them and stop it.† â€Å"Molly, it's not the news helicopters that will hurt him, or us. It's those guys who just pulled up.† Theo peeked out the mouth of the cave and saw two four-wheel-drives parking down on the marine terrace, about a hun-dred yards from the cave mouth. Of course, he thought, they still think they need cover. Molly brandished her broadsword, holding it only inches from Theo's stomach. â€Å"If he's hurt, I'll never forgive you, Theo Crowe. I'll track you down to the ends of the earth and kill you like the radioactive scum that you are.† â€Å"That Kendra or Molly talking?† â€Å"I mean it,† she screamed, almost hysterical now. Steve roared from the back of the cave. â€Å"Don't go nuts on me, Molly. I'm doing my best. But the only thing your pal seems likely to do is eat me. He doesn't seemed real motivated by anything else.† Molly slumped to her knees and hung her head as if someone had sucked the energy out of her through a valve in her boot. Theo fought the urge to comfort her, afraid that if he even touched her shoulder the Sea Beast might attack him. Then it hit him. He flipped open his cell phone and dialed the Head of the Slug. Mavis Mavis Sand had spent a lifetime making mistakes and learning from them, and that perspective made her feel as if she knew what was good for people better than they knew themselves. Consequently, Mavis was a meddler. Most of the time she was content to use information as her tool of choice and rumor as her means of delivery. What someone knew – and when they knew it – controlled what they did. (The Spider, pulling digital strings from his basement web, had exactly the same philosophy.) Today she'd had a heap of problems dumped on her, none of them directly hers, and she had been pondering them all morning without much luck in coming up with a way to manipulate the information to solve them. Then the call came from Theo, and it all clicked: Theo was right, they could use the monster's instincts to get them out of the cave, but if she played the mix right, she could solve a couple of other problems as well. She put down the phone and Catfish said, â€Å"Who that?† â€Å"It was Theo.† â€Å"That ol' dragon ain't et him yet? Boy must be livin a charmed life.† Mavis leaned over the bar, close to Catfish, took his hand in hers, and began squeezing. â€Å"Sweetie, put on your friendly persuasion hat. I need you to run down to the pharmacy and pick up something for me.† â€Å"Yes, ma'am,† Catfish said, wincing as the bones in his fingers compressed under her grip. When the Bluesman was gone, Mavis made a quick phone call, then went to the back room and dug through boxes and filling cabinets until she came up with what she was looking for: a small black box attached to a long cord with a cigarette lighter plug on the end. â€Å"Don't worry, Theo,† she said to herself. â€Å"I put my life in the hands of machinery a long time ago, and I'm doing just fine.† She giggled and it came out sounding like the starter cranking on a fuel dry Ford. Catfish A Bluesman hates to be told what to do. Authority rankles him, inspires his rebellion, and plays to his need to self-destruct. A Bluesman doesn't take to having a boss unless he's on a chain gang (for the chain gang boss ranks below only a mean old woman and a sweet young thing in the hier-archy of the Blues Muse, followed closely by bad liquor, a dead dog, and the Man). Catfish had a boss who was a mean old woman: a distinct and disconcerting turn of the Blues screw that might have driven a lesser Bluesman to shoot hisself, get shot, get hold of some bad liquor, or bust up his guitar and take a job down to the mill. But Catfish hadn't taken nigh unto eighty trips around that cruel, cruel sun without gaining some per-spective, so he would go to the pharmacy as he was told. He would talk to the fish-fucking white boy with the combed-over hair that waved in the air like the sprung lid on a bean can. And when he was done, he would pick up his pay from the mean old woman who was holding it hostage and he would get his wrinkly Black ass out of this town and go nurse his heartbreak on the moving trap that was, is, and always shall be the road. So Catfish strolled a rolling Delta moonwalk of a stroll (redolent of sas-safras and jive) into Pine Cove Drug and Gift, and the four blue-haired chicken women behind the counter nearly tumbled over each other trying to get to the back room. Imagine it: a person of the Dark persuasion in their midst. What if he should ask for a vial of Afro-Sheen or some other ethnic-ally oriented product with which they were totally unfamiliar? Why, the smoke alarms would melt, screaming like dying witches, when their col-lective minds steamed to a stop. Do we look like thrill-seekers? Wasn't it enough that we had to put up that sign reading NO HABLA ESPANOL and acknowledge the existence of thirty percent of the population, even in the negative? No, we shall err on the side of safety, thank you, and in lieu of sand in which to bury our heads, we shall head into the back room. Winston Krauss, who was counting fake Zolofts behind his glass wall, looked up and saw Catfish coming down the aisle toward the counter and immediately regretted that he hadn't installed bulletproof glass. Still, Winston was a man of the world, and you don't indulge the fantasy of molesting dolphins without becoming familiar with the ways of people of color, for that is who dolphins prefer to hang out with, when they aren't hanging out with the Cousteaus, or so it appeared on the Discovery Channel. He stepped out of his booth and met Catfish as he reached the counter. â€Å"Good day, me brother-mon, ye,† Winston said in his best island dialect. â€Å"What can I be gettin for ye?† And there was that welcoming smile, only a dreadlock and a white sand beach short of a travel poster. Catfish squinted, removed his fedora, ran a hand over his shining scalp, stepped back, turned his head to the side and studied the pharmacist for a moment, then said, â€Å"I will slap the shit out of you. You know that?† â€Å"Sorry,† Winston said, coughing somewhat, as if trying to dislodge the errant Jamaican from his throat. â€Å"What can I do for you, sir?† â€Å"Mavis down to the Slug sent me up to ax you somethin.† â€Å"I'm familiar with her medical records,† Winston said, â€Å"You can have her call me if she has a question.† â€Å"Yeah, she don't want to call you. She want you to come down to see her.† Winston adjusted his bolo tie. â€Å"I'm sorry, but you'll have to have her call me. I can't leave the store.† Catfish nodded. â€Å"That what she thought you'd say. She say to ax you if she can have a big jar of them sugar pills you selling instead medicine.† Winston glanced at the back room where his staff was huddled like Anne Frank and family, peering out through the crack in the door. â€Å"Tell her I'll be right over,† Winston said. â€Å"She said to wait and come with you.† Winston was visibly sweating now; oily beads rose on his scalp. â€Å"Let me tell the staff where I'll be.† â€Å"Hurry up, Flipper. I ain't got all day,† Catfish said. Winston Krauss shuddered, hitched up his double knits, and waddled around the counter. â€Å"Ladies, I'll be back in few minutes,† he called over his shoulder. Catfish leaned over the counter to where he could see the row of eyes peering out of the crack and said, â€Å"I be back in a few minutes my own self, ladies. I needs some medicine what can help me with this huge black dick I have to carry around. The weight of it like to break my back.† There was a collective intake of breath so abrupt that the drop in pressure sprung the barometer on the wall and made Catfish's ears pop. Winston Krauss turned and scowled at Catfish. â€Å"Was that really necessary?† â€Å"Man's got to look after his reputation,† Catfish said. The Sheriff Burton had them cover him while he moved down through the rocks and across the marine terrace to the Blazers. He found Sheridan crouched behind the fender, his M-16 trained on the cave entrance. â€Å"Rough morning, Sheriff?† Sheridan said, showing a hint of a smile at Burton's disheveled suit. Burton looked around at the other team members, who were all staring through rifle scopes at the cave entrance. â€Å"So we only have five?† â€Å"Morales is coaching Pee-Wee Football today. The others are on regular duty. We couldn't pull them off.† Burton scowled. â€Å"As far as I know, they only have the one weapon, but it's a fully automatic AK. I want two men on either side of the cave mouth, one down in that crevice where I was pinned down can deliver the gas, followed by concussion grenades. I'll stay here with a sniper rifle to take out anyone who gets past the entry crew. Shoot anything that moves. Let's go, five minutes. On my mark.† â€Å"No gas,† Sheridan said. â€Å"What?† â€Å"No gas and no concussion. You wanted us here without checking in. That stuff is kept in the locker at County Justice. We just have the body armor and our own personal weapons.† Burton looked around at the other men again. â€Å"You guys all have your own personal M-16s, but no grenades?† â€Å"Yes, sir.† â€Å"So I have a standoff? I had a standoff before, Sheridan. A standoff doesn't do me any good. Come with me.† He pushed a fresh clip into his 9 mm. and turned to the others. â€Å"Cover us.† Burton led the SWAT commander to a spot in the rocks just below the cave mouth. â€Å"Crowe?† Burton called. â€Å"You've had enough time to consider my offer!† â€Å"Offer?† Sheridan asked. Burton shushed him. â€Å"I haven't decided yet!† Theo shouted. â€Å"We've got thirty people in here to discuss it with and they're not being cooperative.† Sheridan looked at Burton. â€Å"Thirty people? We can't shoot thirty people. I'm not shooting any thirty people.† â€Å"Five minutes, Crowe,† Burton said. â€Å"Then you have no more options.† â€Å"What's the offer?† Sheridan whispered to the sheriff. â€Å"Don't worry about it. I'm just trying to get the subject separated from the hostages so we can take him out.† â€Å"Then we'd better have a description of the suspect, don't you think?† â€Å"He's the one in handcuffs,† Burton said. â€Å"Well, aren't you the fucking hero?† Sheridan shot back. Skinner Skinner watched from the front seat of the Mercedes as the Food Guy was loaded into the back of the Suburban with the cage in it. The Bad Guys hadn't even left the windows cracked. How would the Food Guy breathe? He wouldn't be able to sit in the front seat and put his head out the window either. Skinner was sad for the Food Guy. He crawled in the backseat of the Mercedes and lay down to nap away his anxiety. The Head of the Slug The first thing Catfish saw when he came through the doors of the Head of the Slug was Estelle standing at the bar, and he could feel the crust peeling off his heart like old paint. Her hair was down. Brushed out, it hung to her waist. She was wearing a pair of pink overalls that had been splattered with paint over a man's white T-shirt – his T-shirt, he realized. She looked to him like what he always thought home was supposed to look like, but as a Bluesman, he was bound by tradition to be cool. â€Å"Hey, girl, what you doin' here?† â€Å"I called her,† Mavis said. â€Å"This is your driver.† â€Å"What I need a driver for?† â€Å"I'll tell you.† Estelle took his hand and led him to a booth in the corner. Winston Krauss came through the door a second later and Mavis waved him over to the bar. â€Å"Son, I'm about to make you the happiest man in the whole world.† â€Å"You are? Why?† â€Å"Because I like to see people get what they want. And I have what you want.† â€Å"You do?† Mavis stepped up to the bar and in low, conspiratorial tones, began telling Winston Krauss the most titillating, outrageously erotic tale that she had ever told, trying the whole time to remember that the man she was talking to wanted to have sex with marine animals. Over in the corner booth, Catfish's modicum of cool had melted. Estelle was smiling, even as tears welled up in her eyes. â€Å"I wouldn't ask you to do it if I thought it would put you in danger. Really.† â€Å"I know that,† Catfish said, a gentleness in his voice that he usually reserved for kittens and traffic cops. â€Å"It just that I been runnin from this my whole life.† â€Å"I don't think so,† Estelle said. â€Å"I think you've been running to this.† Catfish grinned. â€Å"You gonna take them old Blues off me for good, ain't you?† â€Å"You know it.† â€Å"Then let's go.† Catfish stood up and turned to where Mavis and Winston stood. â€Å"We ready? Y'all ready?† He noticed that the front of Winston's trousers had become overly tight. â€Å"Yeah, you ready. You sick, but you ready.† Mavis nodded, a slight mechanical ratcheting noise coming from her neck, â€Å"Take the second turn out, not the first,† Mavis said to Estelle. â€Å"From there it hugs the coast, so there's no hills.† â€Å"I have to go get my mask and fins,† wailed Winston. Thirty-one Molly â€Å"Has it been five minutes yet?† Molly was sitting cross-legged, her sword held across her knees. Theo jumped as if he'd been poked with an ice pick, then checked his watch. He crouched by the cave mouth, listening for the sound of either salvation or death. â€Å"About a minute left. Where the hell are they? Molly, maybe you should find some cover.† â€Å"What cover?† She looked around the cave. It was an open chamber; the only cover would be the darkness in the back of the chamber. â€Å"Get behind Steve.† â€Å"No,† Molly said. â€Å"I won't do that.† She heard a voice come from the back of her mind. â€Å"Get to cover, you daffy broad. What, do you have a death wish?† â€Å"I have abandonment issues. I'm not going to turn around and abandon someone else,† Molly said. â€Å"What?† Theo said. â€Å"I wasn't talking to you.† â€Å"Fine, die. What do I care?† said the narrator. â€Å"Bastard,† Molly said. â€Å"What?† said Theo. â€Å"Not you!† â€Å"Molly, how did you get those guys to come out and drag me into the cave before?† â€Å"I just told them to.† â€Å"Well, take their clothes back to them and tell them to get dressed.† â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Just do it. And tell them to hang on to Steve's sides and not let go, no matter what he does.† â€Å"Now who's nuts?† â€Å"Molly, please, I'm trying to save him.† The Sheriff Burton checked his watch. â€Å"That's it. Get into position. We're going in.† Sergeant Sheridan wasn't so sure. â€Å"They have thirty hostages and we don't have any recon of their positions and we don't have a full team. You want to take this guy out with thirty witnesses?† â€Å"Goddamn it, Sheridan, get your men in position. We go on my signal.† â€Å"Sheriff Burton.† Theo's voice from the cave. â€Å"What?† â€Å"I'll take your offer,† Theo said. â€Å"Give me five more minutes and I'll come out. We can all leave together. The others will come out after you're gone.† â€Å"You just want him anyway, right?† Sheridan said. â€Å"He's the only one that can hurt the operation.† Burton turned it over in his mind. He'd been determined to take out the constable and the woman, but now he had to rethink things. If he could get Crowe away from the others, he could dispose of him with no witnesses. Burton's cell phone rang. He flipped it open. â€Å"Burton,† he said. â€Å"You shouldn't have made disparaging comments about my weight, Sheriff,† the Spider said. â€Å"Nailsworth, you piece of sh – † The line went dead. Suddenly the sound of a wailing Blues guitar came screaming over the marine terrace. Burton and the SWAT team turned to see an old white station wagon driving along the edge of the terrace, next to where it dropped to the beach. An inhuman roar rose up out of the cave, and when Burton looked back to the cave all he saw was a huge reptilian face coming at him. Winston Krauss Winston sat in the back of the station wagon, steadying the Marshall amplifier that was screaming out the notes from Catfish's Stratocaster. The amp was plugged into Mavis's black box and a cord ran over the seats into the cigarette lighter, next to where Catfish was playing. After the first few notes, Winston's hearing had shut down due to temporary deafness, but he didn't care. He could hardly believe his luck. Mavis had promised him the biggest sexual thrill of his life, and he had doubted her. But now he saw it. It was the most gorgeous creature he'd ever seen. Steve The feelings of self-pity, jealousy, and heartbreak were new to him, but the response that welled up in him when he heard the sound of his enemy was more deeply imprinted on his lizard brain and it displaced all the newer feelings with rage and the imperative to attack. He stormed out of the cave with pilgrims hanging on his back by the ridge of armored plates that ran down his spine. Two layers of protective covering slid over his eyes, shortening his vision, but it was the sound that guided him anyway, the sound that carried the strongest association with the enemy. He flashed bright crimson and yellow as he charged over the rocks, kicking aside the vehicles and shedding pilgrims as he made his way to his enemy at the shore. Theo Molly stood in the cave entrance, screaming for Steve to stop. Theo grabbed her around the waist and pulled her away just as the Sea Beast, dangling pilgrims, charged past them. She elbowed Theo in the forehead, stunning him for a second, and she made for the cave entrance. Theo caught her outside on the rocks and held her. â€Å"No!† Theo wrapped his arms around her, pinning her arms to her side, and lifted her off the ground, then held her kicking as he braced for gunfire. But none came. Burton was climbing to his feet just below them, focused on the Sea Beast as it passed. â€Å"Shoot that thing! Shoot it! Shoot it!† The SWAT commander had rolled out of the way and come up with his weapon ready, but with people hanging all over the beast, he didn't know where to shoot, so instead let his weapon fall to his side as he stared in amazement. Burton drew a pistol and began running after the Sea Beast. Below, two of the SWAT team had already broken into a run from behind the Blazers just as the Sea Beast bowled them over. The other two were pinned underneath one of the crushed vehicles. As they fell, each pil grim jumped to his feet and ran after the Sea Beast, who was making a beeline across the grassy terrace toward the white station wagon. Theo watched as the car stopped, Blues slide notes still screaming out of the back, and Estelle Boyet crawled out of the driver's seat and ran around to the back. The guitar playing stopped for a second as the passenger side opened, and out stepped Catfish Jefferson, holding a Fender Stratocaster. â€Å"Let me go!† Molly screamed. â€Å"I've got to save him! I've got to save him!† Theo yanked her back toward the cave. When he was able to look again, someone he didn't immediately recognize had crawled out of the station wagon, and Catfish handed him the guitar. Sheriff Burton was running after the Sea Beast, waving his weapon around, trying to get an angle to shoot without hitting one of the pilgrims. He stopped, dropped to one knee, steadied his aim, and fired. The Sea Beast roared and whipped around, throwing the last of the pilgrims into a tumble in the grass. Molly whipped her head back into Theo's chin at the same time she drove a heel into his knee. Theo let go of her and she rushed over the rocks and down toward the monster. Catfish Estelle had brought the car right to the edge of the drop-off to the rocky beach. Catfish looked at the surf beating on the rocks below, then at his guitar cords coiled in the front seat, then at the rocks again. They just might be long enough. But the dragon was going to get to them before he could find out. â€Å"Hurry!† Estelle shouted. Catfish stood mesmerized by the charging monster, not a hundred yards away. â€Å"Go,† he said weakly, â€Å"get yourself out of here.† â€Å"No!† said Winston Krauss. â€Å"You promised.† There was a gunshot and the Sea Beast whipped around in his tracks, bringing Catfish to his senses. â€Å"Let's go,† he said to Winston. Then he looked at Estelle over the top of the car and winked. â€Å"You go on. This ain't your time.† Catfish played a few notes on the Stratocaster and then ambled after Winston to the surf. The pharmacist ran into the water up to his knees, then turned around. Catfish was having trouble climbing over the rocks to the water while keeping the guitar cord from catching. â€Å"That's far enough,† Catfish said. He walked into the surf and stood next to Winston, keeping the guitar high to keep any spray off of it. â€Å"Give it,† Winston demanded. â€Å"You ain't got a lick a sense, do you?† â€Å"Give it,† Winston repeated. Catfish played four bars of â€Å"Green Onions† on the Strat, the notes still blaring out of the amp in the station wagon, then draped the strap around Winston's neck and handed him a guitar pick. â€Å"Have fun,† Catfish said. â€Å"Oh, I will,† Winston said, a lascivious grin crossing his face. â€Å"You know I will.† â€Å"Play!† Catfish said as he turned and ran up the beach. He saw Estelle already making her way away down the shore away from the commotion. Behind him, the sour, rattling notes began to emanate from the amp in the station wagon as gunshots filled the air. Molly The sheriff fired three more times as he backed away from the Sea Beast, missing not only the monster but the entire North American continent. Molly threw herself sideways from a full run into the back of Burton's knees and cut his legs out from under him. She came up in a crouch, putting herself between Burton and the Sea Beast. The sheriff thought he heard the song â€Å"Green Onions† and shook his head to clear a hallucination. The Sea Beast roared again and the sheriff vaulted into a crouch, ready to fire, but instead of a sea monster in front of him, he saw a woman in a leather bikini. He looked over his shoulder and watched the Sea Beast snap up the white station wagon in its jaws and toss it aside. The guitar sounds stopped and the Sea Beast slid over the bluff to the beach. Seeing that the danger was gone, he trained his sights on the woman. People were streaming by him on either side after the monster, wailing like a crowd of banshees. Molly looked over her shoulder and saw Steve going into the water, then turned back to Burton. â€Å"Go ahead, you prick. I don't care.† â€Å"You got it,† Burton said. Winston Krauss He was just beating on the guitar strings now, but it didn't matter. The amplifier wasn't working anymore and this beautiful creature was coming to him. Winston was so turned on he thought he'd explode. She was coming to him, his dream lover, and he yanked the guitar from around his neck, ready to receive her. â€Å"Oh, come on, baby. Come to papa,† he said. The Sea Beast charged into the water, throwing spray fifty feet in the air, then snapped his jaws over Winston, severing the pharmacist's body into two sleazy pieces. The Sea Beast swallowed Winston's legs and roared, then snapped up the remaining piece and dove under the sea. The Sheriff â€Å"I don't think so, Sheriff,† Sheridan said. Burton looked over his shoulder without taking the gun off Molly. Sheridan had his M-16 trained on the sheriff's back. â€Å"Don't fuck with me, Sheridan. You're in this with me.† â€Å"I'm not in this. Lower your weapon, sir.† Burton lowered the pistol and turned toward Sheridan. Molly started to leap forward and the SWAT commander pointed the M-16 at her. â€Å"Right there,† he said. She stopped. The pilgrims were all standing at the shore now, wailing as they looked out. Molly gestured in that direction and Sheridan nodded. She ran toward the shoreline. â€Å"What now?† Burton asked. â€Å"I don't know,† said Sheridan, â€Å"but no one has been shot here, and I have a feeling that there's going to be a lot of attention around this event, so no one is going to get shot.† â€Å"You wimp.† â€Å"Whatever,† Sheridan said. â€Å"Hey, Burton!† Theo Crowe was running down the hill toward them. â€Å"You hear that?† When they looked up, Theo ducked behind one of the wrecked Blazers and pointed toward the southern sky. â€Å"Film at eleven.† Burton could hear them now: helicopters. He looked to the south and saw the two dots coming over the horizon. Two of the SWAT team members were topping the next hill. They had started running when the monster first came out of the cave. The other two were still pinned under one of the overturned Blazers. He turned back to Sheridan. The big cop was watching the approaching helicopters. â€Å"Game over,† Sheridan said. â€Å"Guess it's time to start thinking about my deal with the D.A.† Burton shot him in the face, then broke for the far side of the rocks to his Eldorado before the others had time to figure out what had happened. Theo Theo came up behind Molly and touched her lightly on the shoulder. When she turned, he could see tears streaming down her cheeks. Then she re-turned to staring out to sea with the others. She said, â€Å"All I ever wanted is to feel special. To feel like something set me apart.† Theo put his arm around her. â€Å"Everyone wants that.† â€Å"But I had it, Theo. More by having Steve in my life than when I was making movies. These people felt it, but not like me.† The two helicopters were coming in close now and Theo had to speak right into her ear to be heard over the thumping blades. â€Å"No one's like you.† There was a stirring in the water just past the surf line, and something was rising in the kelp bed. Theo could see the purple gill trees standing out on the Sea Beast's neck. He was heading toward shore. Theo tried to pull Molly closer, but she broke loose from him, jumped off the bluff, and ran into the surf, scooping up two baseball-sized rocks as she went. Theo went after her and was halfway across the beach when she turned and looked at him with eyes filled with such pleading and desperation that it stopped him in his tracks. The helicopters were hovering only a hundred feet over the beach now. The wash from the blades kicked up sand in the faces of the onlookers. As the Sea Beast approached shore, only his eyes and gills above the water, Molly threw one of the stones. â€Å"No, go away! Go!† The second stone hit the Sea Beast's eye, and he stopped. â€Å"Don't come back!† Molly screamed. Slowly the Sea Beast sank below the surface. The Sheriff The speedometer on the Eldorado was approaching sixty when Burton topped the last hill before the cattle guard. He had to get to the airport and use the open ticket in his briefcase to join his money in the Caymans before anyone could figure out where he had gone. He'd planned for this all along, knowing he might have to make a run for it at some point, but what he hadn't planned was that there would be two Suburbans and a Mercedes parked just over the top of the hill. Before he could stop himself, he hit the brakes and wrenched the wheel to the left. The tires dug into the pasture and sent the Eldorado up on two wheels, then over. There was none of the slowing of time or compression of events that often happens in accidents. He saw light and dark, felt his body being beaten around the Caddy, and then the crash of smashing metal and breaking glass. Then there was a pause. He lay on the ceiling of the overturned Eldorado, peppered with pieces of safety glass, trying to feel if any of his limbs were broken. He seemed okay, he could feel his feet, and it didn't hurt when he breathed. But he smelled gas. It was enough to remind him to move. He grabbed the briefcase with his escape kit and slithered out the broken back window to find the Eldorado half-perched, half-smashed over the front of a white Suburban. He climbed to his feet and ran to the truck. It was locked. Sheridan, you prick, you would lock your truck, he thought. He didn't notice the people handcuffed inside the K-9 cage in the back. The Mercedes was his last chance. He ran around it and yanked opened the driver's side door. The keys were in the ignition. He climbed in and took a deep breath. He had to calm down now. No more mistakes, he told himself. He started the Mercedes and was turning to back it down the hill when the dog hit him.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

The Mormon Religion

The Mormon Religion The Mormon religion was started by a man named Joseph Smith. Joseph's family had different beliefs about what Church was the correct one, and so one day he went into the forest to ask G-d which church he should join. He then claims to have had a vision of G-d, telling him that he shouldn't join either Church. Three years later, Joseph was visited by an angel named Moroni, who told him about a record of G-d's relationship with another group of people. He was told to go and find the records. Joseph found 3 thin gold plates, and with the help of G-d, he was able to translate them into English. What he translated became known as the Book of Mormon.The Mormon religion is also known as the Church of Latter-Day Saints. The religion is based on the writings in the Book of Mormon. The Mormons believe that everyone is a child of G-d's.English: Painting by an unknown painter, circa 184...They believe that G-d is really a person who was perfect, and so he became G-d, and that he does have a phys ical body. They believe in3 stages of life: A before-life which is spent with G-d in heaven, a time on earth, and an eternal afterlife in heaven. They also believe in baptizing dead non-Mormon ancestors, so that they can be forgiven for their sins.Marriage is also an important part of the Mormon religion. The Mormons believe that the purpose of marriage is to have children and teach them how to live while on earth. They believe that marriage and family is forever, and that families will meet in heaven and live forever. Unmarried people can't reach the highest level of heaven. Another Mormon practice was polygamy. At first Mormons were skeptical about marrying more than once, but Brigham Young proclaimed...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Quote The Raven The ABCs of Job Searching

Quote The Raven The ABCs of Job Searching TheJobNetwork’s expert advice series Quote the Raven, hosted by Raven Chiara and her special guests gives you the best advice on finding and keeping a job. In this episode, the team covers the ABC’s of Job Searching. A is for Apply when Appropriate:Don’t apply at work, dummy!Don’t send an email at 2am drunk, dummy! Use Boomerang for Gmail!B is for Bringing Your Best:Dress to impress for the interview, you shlub.C is for Customize Your Communication:Hot Tip!Take words from job description and snap, crackle, pop and sprinkle into your resume and cover letter.Don’t lie. You are not a good liar.Use some tools to pimp your resume ride, like etsy.com, fiverr.com, loftresume.comShare your thoughts with us†¦or your embarrassing job searching stories using #quotetheraven.Follow the hosts on   Twitter and Instagram @ravenchiara and @whybegee.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

How did the era of the slingshot dragster serve to help drag racing Essay

How did the era of the slingshot dragster serve to help drag racing evolve from primarily a participant sport to more of a grandstand spectator event - Essay Example The racing grounds were smooth and could accommodate many vehicles at the same time. However, the slingshot experienced considerable transformation with time (Reyes 57). Drag racing in the 1950s was America’s extreme sport and the NHRA Drag Racing Championship was the renowned festival of characters, speed and color. Today, it remains unparalleled by any other automotive sport area. The slingshot had a fair share of its disadvantages that had for the longest time been highlighted by the media. For instance, many of the slingshot drivers in most cases experienced painful burns and at times disfigured faces and hands and to a greater extent they lost their dear lives. The reason for that was because fuel, oil or a mixture of both ignited and as a result blow on them. Notwithstanding the injuries and loss of lives, slingshot still remained a revered king of dragsters. However, there were plans to come up with an engine of a rear design but the inventors wanted to develop something bigger and better than the slingshot and could once and for all erase the slingshot (Reyes 68). Don Garlits one of the greatest dragster legends came up with a design that would put the engine and the fuel motor behind him. Partnering with Connie Swingle, they put their heads together and made a breakthrough in achieving what would later slow down the ratio of steering. While the new vehicle would be a sigh of relief to the drivers, there were still some who claimed that locating the cockpit forward was disorienting. After a series of tests under the belt, the sleek car which had a simple appearance was favored only that it’s motor was situated between the rear wheels and the driver. The building of the chassis of such a vehicle was demanding more so producing a rear engine. The concept of the rear engine proved to be forever more effective and the cars with the rear engine grew in length, size and that epitomized evolution into a colossus of the current top fuel (Reyes