How to Improve Our Government Essay

People every day make mistakes, and find flaws in their everyday tasks. No one person in this country can consider his, or herself, perfect. Knowledgeable people do exist in this world though, and our government strives to find and elect these representatives. These representatives then make decisions that affect our country in ways some might find positive, though others perceive as negative. Representatives could make decisions that would only impact our government in a negative way. Our government has its flaws, along with the people running it. I can think of several ways to help to improve the government and its efficiency. A decrease in government funding for our National Defense would increase funding in other important areas. People across our nation need jobs, and are struggling to find a source of income. If we used some of the funding that we attribute to our Nation Defense, then this money might benefit in the use of creating new jobs and opportunities for people. Not only would we have money to provide jobs, but this funding could be used to help create and search for new information in the field of Cancer Research. The government funds provide people that lack occupations and have no source of income, with a reliable way of obtaining money for themselves to provide for his or her, and/or his or her family. These welfare recipients may draw unemployment after applying and meeting the requirements need to obtain this welfare money. These requirements may not be strict enough, which would lead to the allowance of the unemployed to gather money while being lazy in the process. Due to the lack of work ethic found in people, drug use may attribute to this laziness. A requirement may need to be added in order for the recipients to pass a drug test (a test for multiple drugs) in order to draw unemployment, in return saving the wasted money the government provides to the unworthy. The government could invest much of their funding in renewable energy sources. The post installation outcome of these windmills, energy providing dams, etc. would help save money later on in the future. With these funds being provided to help â€Å"Go Green†, the earth itself would take a drastic increase in cleanliness. The government then might avoid conflicts  with foreign nations in the search for the fossil fuels, of which we currently use as energy. Doing this might then allow us to pull our troops out of these foreign nations, saving lives and money provided for the troops. The government has a reliable system that has gotten our country out of some troubled times, and may be one of the most united governments the world has seen. As previously stated though, nothing and no single person is perfect. With these little changes in the way the government goes about, it may impact funding, our unity, and occupations for the people of the United States, allowing people to live and prosper, with freedom and peace throughout.

The Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

The necessity for the furtherance of vigorous, hale and hearty lifestyles among the children and youth is immense. More and more children and youth are subjected to ample social evils and actions that expose their health and lifestyles at peril. This is substantiated by mounting reports of low self-esteem, insufficient nutrition, family troubles, strain, increased drop-out rates, aggression among youths, sexual activity from a young age, rise in smoking habits, reduced physical work, growing incidence of portliness and rise in health risks caused due to more and more desk work among the youth of our nation. The personal development, health and physical education or PD/H/PE is very important to every feature of the standard growth and development of children and youth- not just bodily but social and emotional development also. (A Global Vision for School Physical Education, 1995) Better education, enhanced attentiveness, refined self-control and poise as also promotion of healthy, encouraging and lasting attitudes towards personal development, health and Physical education are well preserved advantages of excellent personal development and physical education in educational institutions. Moreover, personal development, health and Physical education begins the foundation of expertise of skills for involvement throughout the life while concurrently developing an automatic shielding effect against a lot of ailments due to lifestyle associated habits like desk work. With families and social institutions undergoing a revolutionary change, a lot of people more and more turn to educational institutions for an answer. The school is the organization possessing the capability to definitely influence mindsets and behaviors of every child and addresses youngsters as a cohesive group irrespective of sex, age, potential, racial or socio-economic position. (A Global Vision for School Physical Education, 1995) In this paper, we shall deal with a literature review to understand the teacher's perceptions towards the value of personal development, health and Physical education. The sentimental temperament of the teacher might put a deep influence on the mindset of the student to PD/H/PE and thereafter put a major impact on the student's personal development, health and physical education that he faces. S. Smith during 1993 stated that the approach of the teacher was one of the most important factors in the achievement of primary PD/H/PE programs. While elucidating the reason behind non-adherence of physical education in the manner as planned in the curriculum, a lot of clarifications in the writings frequently allude to the teacher, generally specifying the primary teacher as lacking in knowledge, eagerness and making age and gender responsible for it. The duty for planning, teaching and reviewing PD/H/PE is the responsibility of the generalist classroom in a NSW primary school. But, the generalist teachers in this study do not constitute a cohesive class in their mind-set to or engages themselves in imparting personal development, health and Physical education. Age was continuously recognized as an important factor of alarm for the teacher's views towards the importance of PD/H/PE. In a research on â€Å"Teachers' Perceptions of Physical Education in NSW Primary Schools† it was comprehended that a clear gender imbalance is present among the teachers in primary schools the ratio being three female teacher for every male teacher. This automatically does not prove the teacher's apparent potential to teach physical education. Nearly all the teachers in this age group state possess a positive experience of personal development, health and Physical education and sporting activity. Therefore a lot of teachers within the 20-30 year age bracket offer an encouraging viewpoint to the teaching and learning scopes meant for students. Their pre-service courses assumed presented increased resilience, with a several teachers falling under this group having passed an important course of study in personal development, health and Physical education. These teachers point out that PD/H/P/E is accorded major precedence in their schools. They place more weight to personal development, health and Physical education and have increased confidence to tutor a wider array of physical activities. Teachers' Perceptions of Physical Education in NSW primary schools) The researches in this study make out that the majority of the teachers within the 20-30 age brackets have the same level of keenness on the theme of personal development, health and Physical education irrespective of gender. Certainly the lady teachers in this class frequently show an eagerness to instruct throughout a wide array of PD/H/PE activities compared to their male fellow workers. But, in case of those whose age is more than 30 years, male teachers normally enjoy increased satisfaction with their capability to impart personal development, health and physical education, save a lot who are not content with their capability to teach dance. The teachers in the higher age group especially the 41-50 and more than 51 years of age have decreased chances to be content with their capability to instruct about the vastness of PD/H/PE. They regard personal development, health and physical education to be of lower importance and give lesser scope in case of students to attain the results of the curriculum. Several teachers in the above age bracket were worried with legal liability matters, their dearth of training and potential to be idols and the potential to exhibit proficiencies to their classes. (Teachers' Perceptions of Physical Education in NSW primary schools) Some researchers such as Faucette & Patterson, Lawson & Stevens and Portman have discovered that several non-specialist teachers reserve downbeat thoughts on personal development, health and physical education and doubt its value for children. Several more new researches have tried to examine these realms by Xiang et al and Faulkner & Reeves, but added research is required to examine the attitudinal temperament of non-experts and experts and to contrast outcomes for various categories of pre-service and in-service teachers. Xiang et al investigated the attitudinal temperament and thinking of pre-service classroom teachers prior to and following a fields-based course applying two open-ended questions. Upon finishing the course, 50% of the pre-service classroom teachers mentioned that they were reluctant to teach PD/H/PE. It was revealed by Xiang et al. that a lot of classroom teachers that they are not trained to teach personal development, health and physical education after examining the intricate type of PD/H/PE teaching. In the opinion of Portman, it is vital that the attitudinal temperament of teachers is approved in the growth of suitable personal development, health and physical education teacher education courses, as pre-service opinions of the teachers regarding the PD/H/PE might require confrontation or harmonized. Several researchers have mentioned that initial experiences in school in PD/H/PE give potential teachers with a huge spectrum of information regarding physical education, which is likely to influence approaches, idea, and teaching practices. (Morgan; Bourke; Thompson, 2002) Taking a cue from a life history research of 11 women, Emma Rich discovered the manner in which a team of freshly skilled female. PD/H/PE teachers built the ‘dilemma' of girls' comparatively decreased involvement in personal development, health and physical education. It is recommended that, whereas these women willingly articulated a wish to alter the gendered characteristics of PD/H/PE at the time of teaching their stature were most vehemently directed to a discussion of liberal individualism billing ‘girls' as a dilemma in personal development, health and physical education. However, there are also methods wherein teachers might initiate to take steps witnessing girls as ‘problems' within personal development, health and physical Education by depicting on a knowledge of physical culture and developing automatic habits in teacher education. In the opinion of Jinhee Kim and Andrews Taggart, three reasons surfaced which represented the negative discernment of personal development, health and physical education: the low condition of physical education program, teacher's detachment with the subject matter, and their absence of pedagogical knowledge. It was finally arrived that teachers at the primary school level possess a very narrow perception of their duties for executing PD/H/PE programs and appear to a part of the sustainable stillness attributed to physical education classes in primary schools. Gold holds the opinion that several of the researches evaluated in literature on the views of teachers towards the importance of personal development, health and physical education point out that the maximum difficulties faced by teachers were irresistible experiences of disenchantment and thinking that they were not capable to adjust with the plethora of strain faced daily, and that to fight out that difficulty thought must be applied to find out the type of facilities required for initiating teachers and to devising efficient back-up programs. Unluckily the likely dearth or shortage of supportive programs in the early years of teaching might just enhance the rate of teachers to quit for greener pastures. Woods proposed that similar mounting stress on the teacher often totally aggravate the educational objectives and raise an advanced concern to the completeness of the encounter, which is of existence. With this special apprehension, the opinion of Wood is that teachers build endurance policies and that they are inclined to be employed in acts like domination, socialization, brotherhood, for students. (Hardy, 1999) Substantiation can be found that teachers who comprehend the importance of, and are capable of working by undertaking a strategy, the interactive factors impacting their independent workplace circumstances are starting to relocate their programs as more fundamental to their whole school's educational culture and objectives. These growths indicate ardently at methods of qualified regeneration in case of a lot of teachers with whom we have worked on sport education projects. (Alexander; Taggart; Thorpe, 1997) Teachers contributed an important part in furtherance of the value of personal development, health and Physical education in America. The literature evaluation allowed revealing that the approach of the teacher was one of the most important factors in the accomplishment of primary personal development, health and physical education programs. One of the causes for the lack of success of these programs is ascribed to the teacher as being poorly prepared, dearth of interest, unenthusiastic attitudes towards personal development, health and physical education, doubting its importance for children and even making age and gender responsible. The disparity in age and gender facilitated to understand the disparities in the discernment of the teachers in connection to personal development, health and physical education. Nevertheless, the literature showed no countrywide qualitative researches of teachers' belief of directives about personal development, health and physical education.

High Court Justices Use of Constitutional Principles Essay

High Court Justices Use of Constitutional Principles - Essay Example Therefore, any reasonable understanding of the fact that the freedom of political communication cannot be taken for personal rights leads not just to the stated conclusions. Contrary to that, the main reason, this underlies the freedom of political communication, needs coverage of a wide range of communication, is reliable to some level of concern for personal autonomy and calls for the subjection of the common law to the constitution in the same way the executive and the legislative action has been2. David Lange, the New Zealand prime minister, was featured as the subject of a report on the ABC, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, current affairs program. The four corners of they had alleged a report that the Labour Party of New Zealand and within the government had not been properly under the power of large business interest, due to the way the interests made large donations to the election campaigns in31987. David Lange was the prime minister of New Zealand at the specific time d escribed in the report. He contented many issues that the report did not contain true issues but all that was contained there was false. He rejected the information that was contained in the report that during the specific time: he as the prime minister, had permitted large business donors to commend government policy; he had allowed some public assets to be purchased by the donors while at the same time abused public office and was unfit to hold it. This is because he had permitted a debt incurred during his campaigns by his party to be written off4. The prime minister had been, according to the report, corrupt and deceitful. This is because he had accepted profits and goods of shares from a leading business to allow the business influence policies in favor of its interests5. In an agreed judgment, the court clarified the interaction between the defamation laws and the freedom of political communication and the connection of the freedom to state and the Commonwealth matters. The co urt pointed out that the freedom was not limited to the election periods but was instead held to be an on-going freedom. The freedom of political communication was therefore declared by the court as a functioning of a responsible and a democratic government.

The Economics of Education & Financing Education Adequately - Essay

The Economics of Education & Financing Education Adequately - Assignment 6 - Essay Example Most of the times in public schools the tuition fee is driven from the rising expenditures on the administrators, student support services and government endowment according to the report issued by a nonprofit organization in Washington D.C. The factors contributing to increment in the educational costs in detail are as follows: According to a report issued by the U.S department of education which states that the average cost per pupil has increased up to 44% over the past decades. Public elementary and secondary schools across the country are shifting their costs like state funding, lower tax revenues and personnel costs to parents and their students by increasing school fees. Even though in public schools students were charged for the fieldtrips etc. they are also being charged $20 for the school supplies like for their labs to workbooks. When inflation is growing at 2% rate in broad economy the educational costs increase at 4-6% annually. This means if we were to pay $10,000 this year, the cost will increase by $400-$600 next year. Therefore, this means that educational costs have doubled in 12-18 years. High demand drives the prices to go high. It is factually true that more students are attempting for school admissions than ever, because the demand is high which is causing the costs to climb high. ... This is a fact about schools who receive a little or no endowment from the government. This is one problem which keeps growing, the more the educational costs rise, the more students opt for scholarships. When scholarships are awarded largely the costs increase for the self-financing students. Which leads to more requests for scholarships and the process goes on. Most states have refrained schools to charge for core courses, when they are being charged 80% for the personnel costs in many schools in the district which is the main reason for the increase in the costs. Nationally, programs for the gifted children, students with trouble reading, advance math and science programs have all been eliminated. Local residents were asked to agree on paying higher taxes but they disagreed upon, which is why increasing school charges in the only way to generate for state funding. Many states can waive off academic costs for the poorest students in the school but not for the extracurricular activi ties, those with the annual salary of $29,000 per year. However, those above the border line if they do not pay in full will be sanctioned; school may hold back their diplomas even with hold them from graduating which itself costs for $30-$60. EDUCATIONAL COST IN SURRIOUNDING THE COUNTRIES OF US: FENTRESS COUNTY: the total population in this district is 6,403,353 according to the estimate of 2011. It has 1,736 schools with the total students of 934,246 out of which 24.2% are African American, 1.9% is Asian/ Pacific Islander, 6.2% are Hispanic, 0.3% is Native American/ Alaskan and 67.4% are white students. According to the statistical data 82.5% of ages 25 and above are high school graduates and 22.7% have bachelor’s degree. PUTNAM COUNTY: Putnam county

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson - Essay Example Through this short story, the author tries to explore incongruities that happen in people’s daily life thus examining humanity’s ability for wickedness and human kind weakness within a modern, well-known, American setting. In supporting this thesis by analyzing Jackson’s short story, this paper seeks to draw support by focusing on the use of symbolism, characterization, point of view, settings, and dialogue. The setting of the story is in a small village within which people have a close connection and the tradition has dominated. Through this setting, Jackson brings her point of view forth. Through the people’s habitual beliefs, the lottery is an annual event of stoning to death a victim of the winning ticket. This drawing has taken place for over 70 years and every member of the town has put it into practice. Using such a setting, it is evident that the author tries to bring forth how the people of this town are hypocrites and wicked. This town appears very mundane in which people know each other by names and people are very typical with ordinary names. In trying to use this setting, Jackson helps the reader understand that the extreme evils portrayed show how people are different from how they seem in spite of demonstrating a friendly atmosphere. Therefore, her point of view comes out clearly that, individuals need to understand each other even though they have lived together f or a while. Symbolism runs throughout the story, a literacy element that supports the thesis significantly. For instance, The Lottery is used as a symbolism of an event, deed, or a thought that is passed down across generations. Further, it turns to be an ordinary thing since it is unquestionably followed without minding their illogicality and how unethical it can be. In this village, the lottery has taken place for more that 70 years coming in June of every year (23).

Business service management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business service management - Assignment Example On the similar context, ‘Business Service Management’ is considered as a dynamic approach that assists the organisation to support its Information Technology (IT) operations in relation to its business functions (Darmawan & Et. Al., 2004). The paper studies the purpose of Business Service Management with respect to its importance and purposes in the organisations with due consideration to the service concept, customer segmentation and customer expectations and perceptions. Service management can be defined as the management of IT infrastructure including software systems, hardware systems, documentations, communication techniques and facilities, as well as skills which enable the organisation to provide and maintain high quality in their services. Business Service Management can also be considered as the application of service management principles with an intention to enhance the quality of the services provided by the organisation. IT operations are required to maintain proper organisational infrastructure which further supports the systematic functioning of the business as stated in the application of service level agreements (Darmawan & Et. Al., 2004). Business Service Management is dedicated to holistic approach of changing and improving the service function of the organisation with due consideration to service concept, customer segmentation and customer expectations. In addition, Business Service Management helps in measuring and maintaining the service quality provided by the organisation. The main purpose of Business Service Management is to assist in improving operational efficiency in every dimension of the organisation and maintaining the quality of services offered. The major contribution of it can be observed in reducing and controlling the extra incurred expenses by integration and automation procedure (Meyer, 2008). Emergence of IT and its inclusion in the business operation are the smart ways adopted by the organisation to deliver the

Syria Revolution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Syria Revolution - Research Paper Example Being a democratic republic under the power of President Bashar Al- Asad together with his advisors, members of the ruling party, his ministers, the president made major decisions and was also in charge of the ruling party. Together with his party leaders, the president governs all the three branches of government , he was given the mandate to rule the country for his second term of seven years in a â€Å"yes or no† referendum that was unfair in the eyes of human rights advocates both locally and internationally. Military was deployed to bring to an end the uprising hence using firearms on the demonstrators across the country, this lead to an armed rebellion which comprised of volunteer civilian and defected solders from the government. According to the report of the United Nations released on September 2013, more than one hundred and twenty thousand died in the process while thousands of protestors are rotting in jail and there are reports of terror and torture in the state p risons. The Syrian government is given reinforcement by Russia and Iran, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar supports the rebels with weapon. The reason for the uprising started when President Bashar al-Assad came to power in the year two thousand immediately after his father Hafez dead, who had lead Syria since 1970. This dictatorial system of government had only one party system which left few means for political differences, the nation had no peaceful transfer of power since 1950 and for change to take place only a military coup or an uprising was to take place, because the mercies of the country felt oppressed, humiliated and deprived their right to have the leader of their own choice. The Ba’ath party was regarded as the initiator of the â€Å"Arab socialism† that tried to merge the state leading economy with Pan –Arab nationalism; the ideology of the Baathist was reduced to nothing, this was facilitated by damaging its reputation by making its economy to became w eak and losing the wars against Israel. The reforms of the vestige socialism made the doors wide open to personal venture enhancing and broadening consumerism along with the upper and middle classes and neglecting those favored with links to the Assad government, by this uneven economy was created which latter triggered the uprising as the cost of living got high and job became scarce (Anon 1). Persistent drought devastated farming in the north eastern Syrian community which totally relied on farming lead thousand of Syrian people to suffer hunger, due to lack of stability in the Syrian government more than a million suffered since 2008, by this many individuals from the hit area went to urban in search of their daily bread, lack of employment in town led them to become frustrated ending up in mushrooming of slums. This population was angered by lack of help from their government and this fueled anger and hate of their mother country hence being eager to over throw their government. Rapidly growing population lead to the emergence of young and energetic people in the nation, due to lack of employment this created a demographic time bomb in the country which was to explode anytime. Lack of productive public sector as

Composition 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Composition 3 - Essay Example The first of the reason that explains why the mood of the boss impacts the employees negatively is that the foul mood of the boss leads to creation of fear and anxiety to the employees (King, 2008). When the boss is in a foul mood and keeps on shouting to the employees and intimidating them in the workplace, employees become fearful of communicating with the boss and even explaining anything to him. This fear leads to anxiety which grows as the foul mood and the negative mood turns contagious to the employees. When the anxiety level of all employees is high, they fail to pay attention to their work. They keep on thinking of what the boss will think or say and hence end up with shady job which negatively affects the performance of the company in general. The mood of the boss according to (Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee, 2002) also affects the employees by creating stress and lack of job satisfaction. As mentioned earlier, fear by the employees leads to anxiety. If the bad mood by the boss continues or even elevates due to the reduction in productivity, it causes harsh comments from the boss who are demeaning and even leading to some employees crying. This eventually leads to creation of stress among the employees. When an individual is living in a stressing environment, the stress increases leading to more medical bills accumulating all of which are added expenses to the company. The stress will also cause the employees to miss work or reduce their performance in the workplace. The other reason that increases the stress levels of the employees is the lack of empathy by the boss who has bad mood. The boss only cares about himself and when it comes to personal issues of the employees, he withdraws, does not show any empathy at all. In order for employees to work well with their boss and even increase their work performance from the good environment of the workplace, the

Love Essay Example for Free

Love Essay When I think about the concept of love, my thoughts are uncertain. When I think about the word love, the four letters arranged in a random pattern, nothing is simpler. Clearly, a distinct difference lies between a word and what it represents. The importance of the word love lies in the power it has over people. When asking someone what love means, not one person has a solid answer to the question. The word love is so abstract, as to which why I adore the word â€Å"Love. † While growing older, we have used the word love in many contexts. The word love can be referred to as a variety of different feelings and attitudes, ranging from just common pleasure I loved that meal to an intense interpersonal attraction I love my boyfriend. The word love can be used in numerous ways and with endless feeling. In certain situations, the word love is such an expression that sometimes ones relationship might even depend on it. For example, If for a long time someone has not said â€Å"I love you† to a loved one, they might think something is wrong. The word â€Å"love† is a word that makes one wonder how much power one word could have. Love does not have just one meaning, but rather many different definitions. It is a word used in many different contexts, with many different levels of feelings that are unexplainable. Love is a word that is universal in every language of the world. Everyone knows of it or has used the word. Although we know of it, no person has an actual definition of it. The uncertainty of this word makes me realize how powerful the word is, even though we still seem to know what someone is trying to say. Everyone uses the word love, but never took a minute to think about its meaning. I adore this word and will always think about as the future generations use the word love in ambiguity.

How to can you contribute your good governance practice and leadership for the devolopment of your country Essay Example for Free

How to can you contribute your good governance practice and leadership for the devolopment of your country Essay SkillLack of proper governance within public and private institutions reduces the chance of such institutions from achieving and sustaining effective administration. It becomes hard to achieve goals and objectives with lack of efficient service delivery. There is always a connection between good governance, effective leadership, and economic prosperity. This essay will elaborate how I can utilize my good governance and leadership skills for the development of our country. Competency is one of the important qualities of an effective leader. I will use competency to ensure all government policies are implemented with exceptional effectiveness. High level of service delivery will be a priority because it enhances the proper utilization of government’s resources. Accountability is another leadership skill that I will utilize effectively. This is through the acknowledgement and assumption of responsibility for all actions, policies, and decisions. Accountability will create trust and will ensure that procedures are carried out using the stated regulations and rules. Corruption will be outdated since I will be accountable for all activities. Transparency builds integrity, which helps an individual acquire strong internal guiding principles. Transparency means that I am dedicated to achieving the relevant targeted objectives. Through openness, there will be free flow of information among the public and me . This would enhance proper relationship with the public, as they will have access to the information they may need. Effective communication is another aspect that I will use. This will provide a platform where the access of information to everyone is easier. This includes sharing of ideas, receiving information and giving feedback to the public. Consequently, effective leadership and legitimate governance are the essential factors to a highly effective government. Using the above examples, I will help our government in providing satisfactory service delivery to the public and achieve the stated objectives and goals.

The Competitive Sport Of Nba Basketball Sports Essay

The Competitive Sport Of Nba Basketball Sports Essay 1. Introduction: I would to start by introducing one of the most famous sports around the world; furthermore, it is currently one of the most played sports around the world. This sport is called Basketball, and it is team sportin which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or shooting† aballthrough the top of a basketball hoop while following a set ofrules. While competitive basketball is carefully managed, basketballhad been developed for casual play. Competitive basketball is primarily an indoor sport played on carefully marked and maintainedbasketball courts, but less regulated variations are often played outdoors in both inner city and rural areas TheNational Basketball Association(NBA) is an exciting mens professionalbasketballleague inNorth Americawhich consists of thirty different teams, where twenty-nine are located in theUnited Statesand only one inCanada. The NBA is one of the fourmajor North American professional sports leagues, which includeMajor League Baseball(MLB), theNational Football League(NFL), and theNational Hockey League(NHL). The league was created inNew York Cityo n June 6 ,1946 as theBasketball Association of America(BAA).The league adopted the name National Basketball Association in 1949 after merging with the rivalNational Basketball League(NBL). The leagues several managements are directed out of its head offices located in theOlympic Towerat 645Fifth Avenuein New York City. Section 2: NBA Regular seasons After the summer Holiday, teams organize training camps in late September. Training camps are opportunities for players to practice , locate the teams strengths and weaknesses, prepare the players for the challenging regular seasons, and determine the 12-man active roster (and a 3-man inactive list) with which they will begin the regular season. After training camp, a series of preseason games are held. The NBA regular season starts on the last week of October. During the regular season, each team plays 82 games, 41 home and 41 away. A team faces opponents in its own division four times a year (16 games), teams from the other two divisions in its conference either three or four times (36 games), and teams in the other conference twice (30 games). The NBA is also the only league that regularly schedules games onChristmasDay.The league has been playing games regularly on the holiday since 1947,though the first Christmas Day games were not aired on television until1983.Games played on this day have featured some of the best teams and players. In February, the regular season comes to a short stop to celebrate the annualNBA All-Star Game. Fans vote throughout the United States, Canada, and even on theInternet, and the players with the top votes at each position in each conference are given a starting spot on their conferences All-Star team. Coaches vote to choose the remaining 14 All-Stars. Afterwards, Eastern conference players face the Western conference players in the All-Star game. The player with the best performance during the game is rewarded with aMVP (Most valuable player) award. Other events during the   All-Star stop include the Rookie Challenge, where the top rookies and second-year players in the NBA play against each other in a 5-on-5 basketball game; furthermore theSkills Challenge, where players compete to finish an obstacle course including shooting, passing and dribbling in the fastest time. There is also the Three Point Contest, where players compete to score the most amounts of three-point field g oals in a given time, and theNBA Slam Dunk Contest, where players compete to dunk the ball in the most entertaining and exciting way according to the judges. Around the middle of April, the regular season ends. As soon as the season ends, votes for individual and team awardswell begin. TheSixth Man of the Year Awardis given to the best player that was not in the startup line but was later substituted in the game. TheRookie of the Year Awardis awarded to the best first-year player. TheMost Improved Player Awardis awarded to the player who had shown the most improvement from the previous season. TheDefensive Player of the Year Awardis awarded to the leagues best defender. TheCoach of the Year Awardis awarded to the coach that has made the most positive influence into a team. TheMost Valuable Player Awardis given to player who had proved the most valuable for (his team) that season. Section 3: NBA Playoffs NBA Playoffs begin in late April, with eight teams in each conference going for the Championship. The three division winners, along with the team with the next best record from the conference are given the top four Positions. The next lower four teams in terms of record in the season are given the lower four position. This is how they organize it: There are 30 teams divided into two conferences, the east and west. Each conference has a division of 5 teams each. The top team from each division and the next 5 teams from each conference regardless of division make the top 8 teams from each conference. Then they get positioned   much like most other sports, the top team gets the worst qualifying team (1st versus 8th) and the second best gets the second worst, and so on. They play a round of best-of-seven, meaning technically they will play seven games against each other and whoever ends up with the most wins advances to the next round. Of course, after one team wins 4 games, theres no use to play out the entire 7-game series so it is the first team to win 4 games that get to move to the next round. Furthermore, the team with the best regular season record in the league is guaranteed home court advantage in every game it plays in the playoffs. The final playoff round, a best-of-seven series between the victors of both conferences, is known as the NBA Finals, and is held every year in June. The victor in the NBA Finals wins the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy. Each player and major contributor to the NBA season, including coaches and the general manager on the winning team, receive a championship ring. In addition, the league awards aBill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Awardto the best performing player of the Season. Section 4: conclusion As a conclusion, Basketball is an outstanding game where people all around the world can enjoy regardless of whether they are poor or rich, young or old, or even with different skin color. It is a wonderful game that knows no boundaries towards evolution in which any person could come up with new styles and skills that could be played in the friendly games and tournaments. The NBAs style of playing the game has changed dramatically through the years and it was all thanks to the people who have passion for the game.  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   Many critics and fans around the world call theNBAgreatest show on earth. No other league around the world brings what the NBAs game has brought every season. The greatest plays, games, dunks, players and passion for the basketball are the reasons why the fans keep watching the games. The NBA is the basketball league which helped in the evolution of the sport. It had created many chances and opportunities for skilled and determined players around the globe to prove themselves in front of crowd and the whole world. It also gave them the dream that they would pursue in order to achieve greatness. For me it is the best sport I ever played.

Analyzing Social Change Through Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Pun

Albert Einstein said it best, â€Å"The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them† - Albert Einstein(58 Quotes). Social change is an opportunity for positive growth in today’s world, however it may sometimes take a tragedy to get there. Many big events in history such as The French Revolution and the Civil Rights Movement have caused social change, but our world is stronger because of those events. It takes leadership and a desire for growth to make a positive change in today’s society. Many philosophers have theorized social change through functionalism, conflict theory, and punctuated equilibrium. In the early twentieth century, Emile Durkheim along with the help of Talcott Parsons established the basis of the functionalist theory; known as the oldest yet still prominent theoretical perspective in sociology. â€Å"Functionalism can be summed up with one simple premise "the world is a system of interrelated parts, and each part makes a necessary contribution to the vitality of the system†(Functionalist Perspective of Sociology). Functionalists strive to explain the various parts of a society and their relationship through the organic analogy. The organic analogy refers to society as the organs of a living organism. These organs must be able to survive and function through a certain system much like that of a society. The functionalist view looks at society altogether as well as its interrelated parts and how they maintain the whole (Anthropological Theories). Criticism of functionalism began in the ‘1970s’. â€Å"Functional theory also has been criticized for its disregard of the historical process and for its presupposition that societies are in a state of equilibrium† (qtd. in... ...rinnell.edu. 24 Feb. 2000. Web. 23 Apr. 2012. . "Punctuated Equilibrium | Academic Room." Educational Websites. Web. 22 Apr. 2012. . "Punctuated Equilibrium in Social Theory." - Volume of Interactions. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. . "Punctuated Equilibrium." Science.jrank.org. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. . "The University of Alabama." Functionalism. 2009. Web. 02 May 2012. . Wade, Mike, and Scott Schneberger. "Punctuated Equilibrium Theory." Theories Used in IS Research. 13 Apr. 2006. Web. 24 Apr. 2012. .

Ethics and Accounting :: Finance Business Accountant Accountancy

Ethics and Accounting What's ethics got to do with accounting? Everything! Believe me, everything. When the word ethics is mentioned, what readily comes to mind is the question of deciding between doing what is right and doing what is wrong. But doing what is right versus doing what is wrong within what context? The idealist will say that decisions of ethics should not be conditional. But it is not as simple as it sounds, for what constitutes "right" to one person, may be "wrong" to another person. What bridges the gap, guides, and clearly distinguishes the line between right and wrong in political, economic and social systems are traditions, culture, laws and regulations. Even then, what is unethical may not necessarily be illegal, even though there exists a close relationship between the two. These dynamics apply to almost every legal profession, accounting not exempted. This paper examines the issues of ethics in accounting. It also looks at the differences and similarities between financial accounting to managerial accounting. Introduction According to Marshall et al, (What the numbers mean, 2003) accounting involves "identifying, measuring, and communicating economic information about an organization for the purpose of making decisions and informed judgments." This definition clearly shows that there are stakeholders in the information generated by accountants. These include managers, shareholders, oversight and law enforcement agencies, and the general public. Since these entities rely on the reports generated by accountants for critical decision making, it is important that the information be reliable, objective, and presented in an easy to understand format. Ignoring or circumventing these values renders the information generated unreliable. It can lead to devastating consequences as evidenced by events which led to recent legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which seeks to make top management of organizations accountable for the financial statement produced by their organizations through the internal controls they develop and enhance, and to oversee auditors who hitherto could have business interests other than auditing in the organizations they were responsible for auditing. Financial versus Managerial accounting Managerial accounting refers to the management of company resources while applying management accounting principles in decision making. One important characteristic of management accounting is that, it is internal to the organization even though external information such as financial accounting reports will have some amount of influence. Financial accounting refers to the identification, recording, computation, and reporting of financial information to users who may have a stake in the information reported. An important characteristic of this information is that it is geared towards users external to the company. A financial accountant generates information for external consumption. These products include the income statement, the balance sheet, the statement

Unit Assessment

Human Resources Coordinator: Supports the efficient operations of the Human Resources Department by coordinating and delivering a diverse range of Human Resources Management activities with a focus on recruitment, on-boarding & induction training, Human Resources system administration, organization development and information management. Business Plans: To work closely with Government, health practitioners, researchers, cancer advocacy groups, charities and cancers sufferers to help eradicate cancer.Business Goals: To eradicate cancer by reducing smoking prevalence. Ever exposure to ultraviolet light by behavior modification, create healthy environments thus having healthier lifestyles for patients, increasing cancer survival rates by encouraging screening participation, improving earlier detection, reducing cancer outcome variations, reducing the gap between outcomes and the care patients receive by defining key areas, Improve models of service delivery, embedding health services re search In cancer care and arranging policies & procedures to support them.Policies & Procedures: Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, Annual Reports & Cancer Plans, NEWS Cancer Plan 2011-2015, Conflict of Interest, Corporate Credit Card, Corporate Governance Statement, Data Governance, Employee Code of Conduct & Ethics, Fraud & Corruption Control Strategy, Information Technology – Third Party Service Management, Public Interest Disclosures Policy, Receiving gifts & benefits, Records Management, Reporting Corrupt Conduct to IAC, Responding to Requests for Information & Advice, Smoke Free Workplace and Sponsorship. ) Goals Coordinate the on-boarding of new staff Coordinate the separation of exiting staff Coordinate Performance Development Process (PDP) cycle milestones Coordinate organization wide training initiatives Coordinate organization wide reward and recognition programs The Human Resources (HRS) Coordinator's role is to ensure the above goals are met by work ing independently as well as working closely with HRS Management. By gathering the required Information, the HRS Coordinator must take it and use It accordingly to the organizations polices and procedures.The HRS Team can only function correctly if everyone plays their part. The HRS Coordinators primary role is to coordinate – to reduce plans for the organization in order for the organization to follow them in accordance with policy and procedure. 3) KIP: On-boarding Staff – Produce letters of employment offer, develop starter kits for new staff and organize enrolment into HRS Learning Systems for new staff. KIP: Separation of Exiting Staff – Conducting exit interviews, produce separation checklists, closure of employee profiles and removal of employee from HRS Systems.KIP: PDP Cycle Milestones – Develop documentation & follow-up to ensure milestones are completed in accordance with organizational requirements and generate a rarity of performance outcome reports. KIP: Organization Wide Training Initiatives – Organize invitations to get people involved in training, keep a formal attendance record, organize qualified facilitators to train students, keep & maintain training calendar for important training dates (assessments) and book venues for training to be held.KIP: Coordinate Organization Wide Reward & Recognition Programs – Be in charge of the organizing and running of the Purple Jersey Program, distribution of movie & lunch vouchers and developing 5 year service awards by keeping track of employee attendance. The above Kepi's will be used to measure goal-related performance by how well each task is performed. Every goal that each employee completes makes up the organizations overall performance outcome. Every task has its own set of conditions and difficulties.These conditions and difficulties can vary from minimal to maximum depending on what the task is and how the task is handled. By using the urgent-important ma trix, we can eliminate the most important tasks first and work on the smaller tasks at a later time that way the sit of tasks does not seem as bad as originally planned as they are broken up into more manageable tasks. By using the matrix, it can eliminate the stresses of having so much on one's plate to do.It will make it easier to look at each task and say â€Å"It is manageable† or â€Å"l can achieve this† instead of lacking the confidence to do so. 4) Coordinate organization wide training initiatives Coordinate PDP Cycle Milestones Coordinate separation of exiting staff Coordinate organization wide reward and recognition programs The two goals that I choose to develop work plans for are: I chose these two goals as I believe they are the most important tasks to manage for the organization would be going nowhere. Putting on new staff replaces those that exit the organization.I will maintain a healthy work-life balance by finding my best two hours of the day to stron gly strive awards getting my urgent-important tasks done. I also truly believe that work stays at work and home stays within home boundaries – do not mix the two together as it can cause problems in either area. My stress levels can be managed by sticking to my work plan of doing the urgent-important tasks first to eliminate worrying about trying to do several tasks at once. I can maintain my health by taking regular breaks away from the computer screen as it is unhealthy to be sitting staring at a computer the brief walk from my desk to the staff room and back.

Iliad Theme Essay

Some people believe that the Iliad is a poem about death. However, some argue that the most important theme is war. Other themes of human experience such as jealousy, honor, or pride are seen in the poem, but I think the main idea of the poem is anger or rage and the results that occur from it. Death is a recurring subject in the Iliad along with graphic descriptions. Every man knows he will die at some point especially when going into battle. For example, Sarpedon says to Glaucus, â€Å"Ah cousin, if only we could quit this war and count on living without age or death, I would not head for the front ranks myself nor would I urge you to do battle there, but we are mortal and death’s faces stalk us in numbers such that no man can escape. So let us go, and take glory or give!† The war and other vengeful acts are included in the poem which cause death and horror, but the fundamental cause is a rage which builds up between the characters. In the war between the Trojans and Achaeans, men were killed and their comrades became enraged and wanted revenge. When Achilles lifelong companion Patroclus went into battle for him, Patroclus killed many Trojans causing Hector to become enraged. Hector killed Patroclus which caused Achilles to become so angry and seek revenge. He kills Hector with his spear and says, â€Å"Fool! Behind Patroclus a fierce avenger was waiting among the hollow ships . . .† Homer begins his poem in the first line, â€Å"Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Peleus’ son, Achilles.† My opinion is that the main idea of the Iliad is anger or rage which allows the author to develop all that follows through the consequences that follow. This is seen through the dissonance, estrangement, and eventual reconciliation between Agamemnon and Achilles.

Succubus Blues CHAPTER 12

â€Å"Man, if Jerome had threatened to stash me somewhere, I wouldn't be out snooping around.† â€Å"I'm not snooping. I'm just speculating.† Peter shook his head and took the cap off a beer. I sat with him and Cody in their kitchen, the day after Hugh's attack. A ham and pineapple pizza had just arrived, and Cody and I dug into it while the other vampire merely watched. â€Å"Why can't you just accept this for what it is? Jerome's telling the truth. It's a vampire hunter.† â€Å"No. No way. None of this adds up. Not the goofy way Jerome and Carter are acting. Not Hugh's attack. Not that fucked-up note I got.† â€Å"I figured you get screwy love notes all the time. ‘My heart bleeds for you, Georgina.' Written in actual blood. Stuff like that.† â€Å"Yeah, nothing like self-mutilation to turn a girl on,† I muttered. I gulped some Mountain Dew and returned to my pizza. Really, as far as caffeine and sugar went, Mountain Dew was nearly as good as one of my mochas. â€Å"Hey, why aren't you eating any of this?† Peter held up his beer bottle by way of explanation. â€Å"I'm dieting.† I peered at it. Golden Village Low- Carb Ale. I froze, mid-bite. Low- carb? â€Å"Peter†¦ you're a vampire. Aren't you by definition always on a low- carbdiet?† â€Å"It's no use,† Cody chuckled, speaking up for the first time. â€Å"I've already had this argument with him. He won't listen.† â€Å"You wouldn't understand.† Peter eyed our pizza wistfully. â€Å"You can make your body look like anything you want.† â€Å"Yeah, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I looked to Cody. â€Å"Can he really even put on weight? Aren't immortal bodies, I don't know, unchangeable? Or timeless? Or something?† â€Å"You'd know more about it than me,† he said. â€Å"We eat other things.† Peter rubbed his stomach selfconsciously. â€Å"Not just blood. It all adds up.† This had to be weirdest thing I'd heard since Duane's death. â€Å"Stop it, Peter. You're being ridiculous. Next thing, you'll be down at Hugh's asking for liposuction.† He brightened. â€Å"Do you think that would help?† â€Å"No! You look fine. You look the same as you always have.† â€Å"I don't know. Cody's been getting all the attention whenever we go out. Maybe I should get more blond put into the spikes.† I refrained from pointing out that Peter had been almost forty when he'd become a vampire, his hair heavily receding. Cody had been very young – barely twenty – and bore tawny, leonine good looks. Immortals who were formerly human stayed fixed at the age and appearance immortality had taken over. If the two vampires still frequented clubs and college bars, I didn't doubt Cody had more luck. â€Å"We're wasting time,† I exclaimed, wanting to derail Peter from this whole image thing. â€Å"I want to figure out who attacked Hugh.† â€Å"Christ, you have a one-track mind,† he snapped. â€Å"Why can't you just wait to find out?† Good question. I didn't know why. Something inside me was tugging to get to the truth of this, to do what I could to protect my friends and myself. I just couldn't stand passively by. â€Å"It couldn't have been a mortal. Not from the way Hugh described the attack.† â€Å"Yeah, but no immortal could have killed Duane. I already told you that.† â€Å"No lesser immortal,† I pointed out. â€Å"But a higher immortal†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Peter laughed. â€Å"Oh-ho, you are pushing the envelope now. You think there's some vindictive demon out there?† â€Å"They'd certainly be capable.† â€Å"Yeah, but they have no motivation.† â€Å"Not nece – â€Å" A funny sensation suddenly spread over me, tingly and gentle and silvery. I was put in mind of the fragrance of lilacs, the tinkling of small bells. I looked sharply at the others. â€Å"What the – † began Cody, but Peter was already moving toward the door. The signature we all felt was similar to Carter's in certain ways but lighter and sweeter. Less powerful. A guardian angel. Peter opened the door, and Lucinda stood there primly, her arms clasped tightly around a book. I nearly choked. It would figure. As a general rule, I didn't interact with many angels in the area, Carter being the exception because of his relationship with Jerome. Still, I knew who the locals were, and I knew Lucinda. She wasn't a true angel like Carter. Guardians were more like the heavenly equivalent of Hugh: former mortals who served and ran errands for all eternity. I had no doubt Lucinda performed all sorts of good deeds on a daily basis. She probably worked in soup kitchens and read to orphans in her free time. Whenever she was around us, however, she became a prissy little bitch. Peter shared my sentiment. â€Å"Yes?† he asked coolly. â€Å"Hello, Peter. Your hair is very†¦ interesting today,† she observed diplomatically, not moving from the doorway. â€Å"May I come in?† Peter scowled at the hair comment but had too many good hosting instincts drilled into him to not wave her inside. He might tease me about mortal hobbies, but the vampire had a meticulous sense of propriety and etiquette bordering on obsessive-compulsive disorder. She swept inside, proper in an ankle-length plaid skirt and high-necked sweater. Her short blond hair curled under in a perfect bob. I was a different story. Between my plunging neckline, ultratight jeans, and fuck-me heels, I felt like I might as well lie down on the floor and spread my legs. The demure look she gave me clearly implied she was thinking the same thing. â€Å"Charming to see you all again.† Her tone was crisp, formal. â€Å"I'm here to deliver something from Mr. Carter.† â€Å"Mr. Carter?† asked Cody. â€Å"Is that his last name? I always thought it was his first.† â€Å"I think he just has one name,† I speculated. â€Å"Like Cher or Madonna.† Lucinda said nothing to our bandying. Instead, she handed me a book. Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex. â€Å"What the hell is that?† exclaimed Peter. â€Å"I think I saw it on some talk show.† I suddenly remembered walking out with Carter in the hospital and how he'd claimed to own a book that would help me with Seth. I tossed it on the counter disinterestedly. â€Å"Carter's fucked-up sense of humor in action.† Lucinda flushed deep crimson. â€Å"How can you use such language so carelessly? You sound like you're†¦ like you're in a locker room!† I smoothed down my tank top. â€Å"No way. I'd never wear this in a locker room.† â€Å"Yeah, it isn't even in school colors,† said Peter. I couldn't resist toying with the guardian. â€Å"If I were in a locker room, I'd probably have on a short cheerleader skirt. And no underwear.† Peter continued playing off me. â€Å"And you'd do that one cheer, right? The one with your hands splayed against the shower wall and ass sticking out?† â€Å"That's me,† I agreed. â€Å"Always ready to take one for the team.† Even Cody flushed at our crassness. Lucinda was practically purple. â€Å"You – you two have no sense of decency! None at all.† â€Å"Oh whatever,† I told her. â€Å"Back at the country club, or wherever you and the rest of the choir hang out, you probably wear a shorter version of that skirt all the time. With knee socks. I bet the other angels really go for the schoolgirl look.† If Lucinda were any one of my friends, a comment like that would have only escalated into more sarcasm and snide remarks. The guardian, however, merely stiffened and chose to rely on deadpan self-righteousness. â€Å"We,† she declared, â€Å"do not carry on in such an unseemly manner with each other. We act with decorum. We treat each other with respect. We do not turn on each other.† This last one came with a brief eye-glance toward me. â€Å"What was that for?† She tossed her hair, what little of it there was. â€Å"Oh, I think you know. We've all been hearing about your little vigilante act. First that vampire, then the imp. Nothing about you people surprises me anymore.† Now my face flushed. â€Å"That's bullshit! I was cleared of Duane a long time ago. And Hugh†¦ that's just stupid. He's my friend.† â€Å"What does friendship mean among your kind? He's just as bad. From what I heard, he received a great deal of amusement telling anyone who would listen about your little whip and wings getup. Oh, and by the way, if you don't mind my observation, I think that has to be the most degrading thing I've ever heard. Even for a succubus.† She arched a glance toward the book I had tossed to the counter. â€Å"I'll tell Mr. Carter you, uh, received the book.† With that, she turned neatly and left, closing the door behind her. â€Å"Sanctimonious bitch,† I muttered. â€Å"And how many people know about that demon girl thing anyway?† â€Å"Forget her,† said Peter. â€Å"She's a nobody. And an angel. There's no telling what they'll do.† I scowled. And then, it hit me. I couldn't believe I'd never thought of it before. Maybe Lucinda needed more credit. â€Å"That's it!† â€Å"What's it?† mumbled Cody through a mouthful of nearly cold pizza. â€Å"An angel killed Duane and attacked Hugh! It's perfect. You were right in saying a demon would have no reason to take our side out. But an angel? Why not? I mean a real one, not a guardian like Lucinda.† Peter shook his head. â€Å"An angel could do something like that, but it'd be too petty. The great cosmic good-versus-evil battle is bigger than one-on-one matches. You know that. Taking out one agent of evil at a time would be a waste of resources.† Cody considered. â€Å"What if it was a renegade angel? Someone not following the rules of the game.† Peter and I both turned to the younger vampire in surprise. He'd been more or less avoiding our speculation this evening. â€Å"There's no such thing,† his mentor countered back. â€Å"Is there, Georgina?† I felt both vampires' eyes turn to me, waiting for my opinion. â€Å"Jerome says there are no bad angels. Once they're bad, they become demons, not angels anymore.† â€Å"Well, that kills your theory then. An angel doing something bad would fall and not be an angel anymore. Then Jerome would know about him.† I frowned, still intrigued by Cody's use of the word â€Å"renegade† over â€Å"fallen.† â€Å"Maybe angel sin is like human sin†¦ it's not always ‘bad' if the person thinks they're doing ‘good.' This one hasn't gone over yet.† We all pondered this a moment. Humans continually labor under the delusion that there really is a precise set of rules on what sin is and is not, rules that one might break without even realizing it. In reality, most people know when they do wrong. They feel it. Sin is more of a subjective matter than an objective one. Back in the days of the Puritans, corrupting souls had been no problem for a succubus since almost anything sexual and pleasurable felt wrong to those men. Nowadays, most people don't regard premarital sex as wrong, hence no sin is committed. Succubi have been forced to become more creative over the years if they want to get an energy fix and corrupt a soul. Still, by that logic, it was possible that a renegade angel who believed he or she was doing good might not cross into the realm of sin. If there was no sin, then there could be no fall. Or could there be? The whole concept strained the mind, and Peter apparently thought so too. â€Å"So what's the difference? What makes an angel fall? We're staking a lot here on a technicality.† I could have concurred until I recalled something else. â€Å"The note.† â€Å"Note?† asked Cody. â€Å"The note that was on my door. It said I was beautiful enough to tempt angels into falling.† â€Å"Well, you do look pretty good.† When I raised an eyebrow, Peter said grudgingly, â€Å"Okay, that is kind of suspicious†¦ but it's almost too suspicious. Why would someone overtly leave a calling card?† Cody nearly jumped out of his seat. â€Å"It's some kind of psycho angel who likes playing mind games. Like in those movies where killers carve clues into their victims, so they can watch the police puzzle things out.† I shuddered at that image as I thought over what I knew about angels in general, which really was nothing. Unlike our side, the powers of good did not have the same cryptic hierarchy of supervisors and geographical networks, no matter the stories about cherubim and seraphim. After all, we were the ones who had invented middle management, not them. I always had the impression that most angels and denizens of good operated like private investigators or field agents, completing assorted angelic missions in a very loosely organized way. Such an open venue would provide ample chance for someone to surreptitiously tackle a side agenda. Angelic involvement would also explain the subterfuge, I reflected. Their side was embarrassed. Typical, really. Little embarrassed our side anymore. They, however, would be shamefaced to admit one of theirs had turned rogue, and Carter, being so chummy with Jerome, had conned the demon into keeping quiet about the whole matter. All of his sarcasm and attempts to mock me were only more weak efforts at saving face. The more I considered this far-fetched theory, the more I liked it. Some disgruntled angel, wanting to be heroic, decided to turn vigilante and take on the forces of evil. The renegade angel theory would explain how any of us could be legitimate targets, as well as shed light on why no one could sense this being since we now knew higher immortals could hide their presence. Which made me wonder why exactly Jerome and Carter were also masking their presence. Were they hoping to catch this angel unaware? That, and†¦ â€Å"Why'd this person let Hugh live then?† I looked from vampire to vampire. â€Å"An angel could take out any of us. Hugh said he wasn't winning, and no one interrupted. The attacker just got bored and took off. Why? Why kill Duane but not Hugh? Or me, for that matter, since this person knows what I am.† â€Å"Because Duane was an asshole?† suggested Peter. â€Å"Personality aside, we all weigh in just as heavily on the evil side. Hugh maybe even more so.† Indeed, Hugh was in his prime as far as immortals went. He no longer held a novice's inexperience like Cody, nor had the imp grown world-weary and bored like Peter and I had. Hugh knew enough now to be good at his job, and he actually liked what he did. He should have been a prime target for any angelic vigilante wanting to make the world a better place. Cody agreed with Peter. â€Å"Yeah. Evil or not, some of us are more likable than others. Maybe an angel could respect that.† â€Å"I doubt an angel would find any of us likable – â€Å" I cut myself off. One angel did like us. One angel hung out with us a lot. One angel who seemed to be everywhere Jerome was lately when these attacks happened. One angel who knew us personally, who knew all of our habits and weaknesses. What better way was there to track and study us than to infiltrate our drinking group and pretend to be a friend? The idea was so explosive, so dangerous, I felt ill at ease just giving shape to the thought. I certainly couldn't utter any of it aloud. Not yet. Cody and Peter hardly believed the angel theory at all. I doubted they'd jump on board if I started accusing Carter. â€Å"You okay, Georgina?† Cody queried when I lapsed into silence. â€Å"Yeah†¦ yeah†¦ fine.† I caught a glimpse at the time on the stove and jumped up from my chair, head still reeling. â€Å"Shit. I've got to get back to Queen Anne.† â€Å"What for?† asked Peter. â€Å"I have a date.† â€Å"With who?† Cody grinned slyly at me, and I blushed in response. â€Å"Roman.† Peter turned to his apprentice. â€Å"Which one is that?† â€Å"The hot dancing guy. Georgina was all over him.† â€Å"I was not. I like him too much for that.† They laughed. As I picked up my coat, Peter asked: â€Å"Hey, I don't suppose you could do me a favor sometime?† â€Å"What?† My mind still clung to the mystery winding around us. That, and Roman. He and I had talked on the phone a few times now since the last date, and I was growing more and more amazed at just how well we clicked. â€Å"Well, you know how they've got those computer programs in salons that will show you what you'll look like with different colors and cuts? I was thinking you could be like a living one. You could morph into me and show me what I'd look like with different hairstyles.† Silence hung in the room for a full minute as Cody and I stared at him. â€Å"Peter,† I told him at last, â€Å"that's the stupidest idea I've ever heard.† â€Å"I don't know.† Cody scratched his chin. â€Å"For him, it's not bad.† â€Å"We have too many other issues to deal with right now,† I warned, having no patience to humor Peter with niceties. â€Å"I'm not wasting my energy on your vanity.† â€Å"Come on,† pleaded Peter. â€Å"You're still brimming from that good virgin guy. You can spare it.† I shook my head, slinging my purse over one shoulder. â€Å"Succubus 101. The farther a transformation takes me from my natural form, the more energy it expends. Cross-gender changes are a pain in the ass; cross-species ones are even worse. Playing salon with you would burn through most of my stash, and I've got better things to waste it on.† I eyed him dangerously. â€Å"You need some serious counseling for body image and insecurity, my friend.† Cody regarded me with new interest. â€Å"Cross-species? Could you, like, turn into a Gila monster or†¦ or†¦ a sand dollar or something?† â€Å"Good night, boys. I'm out of here.† As I departed, I could just barely hear Peter and Cody debating if it would take more energy for me to change into a really small mammal or a human-sized reptile. Vampires. Honestly, they're like children sometimes. I drove home in record time. I remembered to shape-shift my heels into sandals and walked up to my building's door just as Roman did. Seeing him banished any lingering thoughts of angels and conspiracies. He had told me to dress casually for this evening, and while he had done the same, he still managed to make jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt look like runway fashion. I apparently had the same effect on him because he caught me up in a giant bear hug and kissed my cheek. â€Å"Hey, gorgeous,† he murmured into my ear, holding on to the embrace a bit longer than necessary. â€Å"Hey, yourself.† I disentangled my body from his and smiled up at him. â€Å"You're so short,† he noted, cupping my cheek in his hand. â€Å"It's cute.† Those eyes threatened to engulf me, and I hastily turned away before I did something stupid. â€Å"Let's go.† I paused. â€Å"Um, where are we going?† He led me to his car, parked just down the street. â€Å"Since you seem to be so good with your feet, I thought I'd take us somewhere to test the rest of your bodily coordination.† â€Å"Like a hotel room?† â€Å"Damn. Am I that obvious?† Several minutes later, he pulled into a dilapidated establishment with a blinking neon sign reading BURT's BOWLING ALLEY. I stared in open distaste, unable to hide my feelings. â€Å"This is your choice of date? A bowling alley? Not even a nice one at that.† Roman seemed unconcerned about my lack of enthusiasm. â€Å"When was the last time you actually went bowling?† I suspected it had been back in the 1970s. â€Å"Not in a very long time.† â€Å"Exactly. You see,† he began conversationally as we went inside and approached the counter, â€Å"I've got you figured out. You claim you don't want to get serious with anyone, but I still get the impression you go out a lot. Size ten, please.† â€Å"Six and a half.† The cashier gave us each a pair of unsavory-looking shoes, and I felt grateful germs posed no threat to me. Roman handed over some cash, and she gestured us down to our designated lane. â€Å"Anyway, like I was saying, regardless of your intentions, you must still end up dating quite a bit. I don't know how you couldn't with the attention you attract.† â€Å"What's that supposed to mean?† I sat down by our lane and took off my Birkenstocks, still eyeing the rental shoes askance. Roman paused in his own shoe-tying and gave me a long, steady look. â€Å"Oh come on, you can't be that oblivious. Men check you out all the time. I always see it when I'm with you. Walking through the bookstore, going to that bar the other night. Even here, in this place. In just walking over from the counter, I saw at least three guys stop and watch you.† â€Å"Is there a point here somewhere?† â€Å"Eventually.† He stood up, and we walked over to a rack of communal bowling balls. â€Å"With all that attention, guys must ask you out all the time, and you must give in sometimes, just like you did with me. Right?† â€Å"I guess.† He paused in his ball selection and gave me another one of those breathtaking, soul-searching looks. â€Å"So tell me about your last date.† â€Å"My last date?† I somehow didn't think Martin Miller counted. â€Å"Your last date. I mean a real date, not like a casual grabbing a drink thing. A date where the guy gave his best shot at planning an itinerary he thought would get you into bed.† I tested the weight of a fluorescent orange and green swirled ball, racking my brain. â€Å"The opera,† I said at last. â€Å"And dinner at Santa Lucia's.† â€Å"Nice spread. And the one before that?† â€Å"Jesus, you're nosy. Um†¦ let's see, I think it was the opening of an art exhibit.† â€Å"Undoubtedly paired with dinner at some restaurant where stiff waiters say ‘thank you' after you make a selection, right?† â€Å"I guess.† â€Å"Just as I thought.† He hoisted a navy blue ball into the crook of his arm. â€Å"This is why you're resistant to dating, why you don't want to get serious with anyone. You're such a hot commodity that plush, five-star dates are par for the course. They're ordinary. Men try to throw out all the stops for you, but after a while, you get bored with them.† His eyes danced mischievously. â€Å"Therefore, I will differentiate myself from those losers by taking you to places your little elitist feet would never dream of touching. The salt of the earth. Back to basics. The way dating was meant to be: two people, more concerned with each other than their posh venue.† I walked with him back to our lane. â€Å"You just took an awfully long time to say you think I want to go slumming.† â€Å"Don't you?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Then why are you with me?† I eyed that gorgeous appearance and thought about the conversation we'd had the other night on classical languages. Looks and intellect. Hard to beat. â€Å"You're hardly slumming it.† He smiled at me and changed the subject. â€Å"That's your choice?† I looked down at the ball's psychedelic color pattern. â€Å"Yeah. This night is already turning surreal enough. Figured I might as well get the full experience. Maybe we'll drop some acid later.† Roman's eyes crinkled with amusement, and he cocked his head toward the lane. â€Å"Let's see what you can do with it.† I stepped up uncertainly, trying to remember how I used to do this. All up and down the alley, I could see other players walking up and throwing with ease. Shrugging, I stood at the line, drew my arm back, and threw. The ball flew out jerkily, sailed about four feet, hit the lane with a loud crack, and then promptly entered the gutter. Roman walked up beside me, and we silently watched the ball complete its journey. â€Å"Are you always that rough with balls?† he asked finally. â€Å"Most men don't complain.† â€Å"I imagine not. Try making contact with the floor before you let it go this time.† I gave him a sharp look. â€Å"You aren't one of those guys that gets off from showing women how much better you are at stuff, are you?† â€Å"Nope. Just offering friendly advice.† My ball returned, and I followed his instructions. The ball's impact proved quieter that way, but I still ended up in the gutter. â€Å"All right. Show me what you can do,† I grumbled, sitting down huffily into a chair. Roman strode up to the lane, movements graceful and flowing like a cat's. The ball poured from his hand like water from a pitcher, sailing smoothly down and hitting nine pins. When his ball returned, he threw it effortlessly once more and took out the obstinate tenth. â€Å"This is going to be a long night.† â€Å"Cheer up.† He chucked my chin. â€Å"We'll get you through this. Try it again, and aim more toward the left. I'm going to get us some beers.† I threw to the left as advised but only succeeded in hitting the left gutter. On my second throw, I tried greater moderation and managed to hit one pin on the far left. I whooped in spite of myself. â€Å"Nicely done,† cheered Roman, setting two mugs of cheap beer down on the table. I hadn't drunk anything not from a microbrewery in over a decade. â€Å"It's all about baby steps.† That certainly turned out to be true as our evening progressed. My pin count increased slowly, though I soon developed the nasty habit of creating splits on my first throw. I showed no aptitude for picking them up, despite Roman's best explanations. To his credit, he gave good, nonthreatening advice, as well as some hands-on instruction. â€Å"Your arm goes like this, and the rest of you leans like this,† he explained, standing behind me with one hand on my hip and the other on my wrist. My flesh warmed at his touch, and I wondered if his actions were truly driven by altruism or were an excuse to get his hands on me. I exercised such techniques regularly in succubus work. It drove men wild, and now I knew why. Ruse or no, I didn't tell him to stop. I hit my peak in the second game, even managing one strike, though my performance declined in the third round as beer and fatigue took over. Sensing this, Roman called our bowling adventures closed, lauding my progress as highly impressive. â€Å"Do we have to go to a dive now for dinner, in order to keep with this dream-date slumming fantasy you've got going?† He put his arm around me as we walked out to the car. â€Å"I guess that depends if you've succumbed to my wily charm or not.† â€Å"If I say yes, will you take me somewhere good? Sometimes the posh places do work, you know.† We ended up at an upscale Japanese restaurant, much to my satisfaction. Taking our time, we savored both food and conversation, and again Roman's knowledge and wit impressed me. This time we discussed current issues, sharing opinions on recent news and culture, things we liked, things that drove us crazy, etc., etc. I discovered Roman had traveled quite a bit and held strong views on world politics and affairs. â€Å"This country is so in love with itself,† he complained, sipping sake. â€Å"It's like one big mirror. It just sits all day and looks at itself. When it can be bothered to look away, it's only to tell others ‘do this' or ‘be just like me.' Our military and economic policies bully people outside our borders, and inside, conservative groups bully other citizens. I hate it.† I listened with interest, intrigued at this side of a normally light and easygoing guy. â€Å"So do something about it. Or leave.† He shook his head. â€Å"Spoken like a comfortable citizen. The old ‘if you don't like it, you can just leave' policy. Unfortunately, it's a lot harder than that to cut yourself off from your roots.† Leaning back, he forced levity with a small grin. â€Å"And I do do things here and there. Small acts. My own battle against the status quo, you know? Attend the occasional protest. Refuse to buy products made with third world labor.† â€Å"Avoid fur? Eat organic food?† â€Å"That too,† he chuckled. â€Å"Funny,† I said after a moment's silence. Something had just struck me. â€Å"What?† â€Å"This whole time, we've talked about current things. No sharing of traumatic childhoods, college days, exes, or whatever.† â€Å"So what's funny about that?† â€Å"Nothing really. It's just that the human mating process usually seems to dictate everyone share their histories.† â€Å"You want to do that?† â€Å"Not really.† I actually hated that part of dating. I always had to edit my past. I hated the lying, having to keep track of my stories. â€Å"I think the past plagues us enough without muddling it into our present. I'd rather look forward, not backward.† I studied him curiously. â€Å"Does your past plague you?† â€Å"Very much so. I fight every day to not let the past overtake me. Sometimes I win, sometimes it does.† God only knew mine did the same. It was odd to talk to someone about this, someone who felt the same way. I wondered how many people in the world walked around with invisible baggage, hiding it from others. Even while packing said baggage, I'd always kept it concealed. I had a driving need to keep up surface appearances – hence the so-called â€Å"happy face.† I'd smiled and nodded through the worst times of my life, and when that superficial reaction had not been enough, I'd finally just run – even though it cost me my soul. I smiled slightly. â€Å"Well then. I'm glad you and I stick to the present.† He tweaked my noise. â€Å"Me too. In fact, my present is looking pretty damned good right now. Maybe my future too, if I keep weakening your resolve.† â€Å"Don't push it.† â€Å"Aw, come on. Admit it. You find my outrage at the powers-that-be endearing. Maybe even erotic.† â€Å"I think ‘entertaining' would be a better word. If you want outrage, you should spend time with Doug, my coworker. You guys have a lot in common. By day he cleans up and plays respectable assistant manager, by night he's the lead singer of this wacky band, registering his discontent against society through music.† Roman's eyes flickered with interest. â€Å"Does he play around here?† â€Å"Yup. He'll be at the Old Greenlake Brewery this Saturday. Me and some of the other staff are going.† â€Å"Oh yeah? What time should I meet you?† â€Å"I don't recall inviting you.† â€Å"Don't you? Because I could have sworn you just named a day and place. Sounded like a passive invitation to me. You know, the kind where it'd be my job to say ‘mind if I come along,' and then you say ‘yeah, no problem,' and so it goes. I just skipped a few steps.† â€Å"Most efficient of you,† I observed. â€Å"So†¦ mind if I come along?† I groaned. â€Å"Roman, we can't keep going out. It was cute at first, but it was only supposed to be one date. We've already gone past that. People at work think you're my boyfriend.† Casey and Beth had informed me recently what a † hottie† I had. â€Å"Do they?† He looked very happy about this. â€Å"I'm not joking here. I mean it when I say I don't want to get serious with anyone right now.† And yet, I didn't really mean it. Not in my heart. I'd spent centuries cutting myself off from any sort of meaningful attachment with another person, and it hurt. Even when I had purposely cultivated relationships with nice guys in my succubus glory days, I had immediately dropped them and disappeared post-sex. In some ways, my life now was even harder. I avoided the guilt of stealing a nice man's life energy, but I never had true companionship either. No one who cared exclusively for me. Sure, I had friends, but they had their own lives, and those who got too close – like Doug – had to be pushed away again for their own good. â€Å"Don't you believe in casual dating? Or even male-female friendships?† â€Å"No,† I answered decisively. â€Å"I do not.† â€Å"What about the other males in your life? That Doug guy? The dance instructor? Even that writer? You're friends with them, aren't you?† â€Å"Well, yeah, but that's different. I'm not attracted – â€Å" I bit off my words, but it was too late. Roman's face bloomed with hope and pleasure. He leaned toward me, touching my cheek with his hand. I swallowed, terrified and thrilled by how close he was. Beer and sake had made me fuzzy in body and mind, and I made a mental promise not to drink the next time we went out. Not that we were going out again†¦ right? Alcohol confused my senses, made it harder to differentiate between the succubus feeding instinct and pure, primal lust. Either one was dangerous around him. And yet†¦ in that moment, lust wasn't even really the issue. He was. Being with him. Talking to him. Having someone in my life again. Someone who cared about me. Someone who understood me. Someone I could go home to. And with. â€Å"What time should I meet you?† he murmured. I looked down, suddenly feeling warm. â€Å"It's a late show†¦Ã¢â‚¬  His hand slid from my cheek to the back of my neck, intertwining with my hair and tipping my face toward his. â€Å"You want to hang out beforehand?† â€Å"We shouldn't.† My words all seemed long and drawn-out, like I was swimming in molasses. Roman leaned over and kissed my ear. â€Å"I'll be at your place at seven.† â€Å"Seven,† I repeated. His lips moved to kiss the part of my cheek closest to my ear, then the cheek's center, then just below my mouth. His lips hovered so close to mine; my whole body concentrated on that proximity. I could feel the heat from his mouth, like it had its own private aura. Everything moved in slow motion. I wanted him to kiss me, wanted him to consume me with his lips and his tongue. I wanted it and feared it, yet felt powerless to act either way. â€Å"Can I get you something else?† The waiter's mildly embarrassed voice shattered my numbing haze, snapping me back to reason, reminding me what would happen to Roman even with a kiss. Not too much, true, but enough. I broke out of his grasp and shook my head. â€Å"Nothing else. Just the check.† Roman and I spoke little after that. He drove me home and made no advances when he walked me to the door, only smiling kindly as he chucked me under the chin again and reminded me he'd be by at seven on Saturday. I went to bed restless and aching for sex. The alcohol helped me fall asleep easily, but when I awoke in the morning, lying in bed in a drowsy state, I could still remember how it had felt to have his lips so close to mine. The lustful yearning returned with a vengeance. â€Å"This is no good,† I complained to Aubrey, rolling out of bed. I had three hours before work and knew I needed to do something other than daydream about Roman. Remembering that I had never followed up with Erik, I decided I should pay him a visit. The vampire hunter theory was more or less obsolete as far as I was concerned, but he might have found something else of use. I could also ask him about fallen angels. Considering the whole â€Å"stashing† threat, I probably should have experienced more concern about going back to Arcana, Ltd. Still, I felt more or less safe. One thing I had learned about the archdemon was that he was not a morning person. He didn't really need rest, of course, but it was a mortal luxury he'd taken to wholeheartedly. I expected him to still be asleep, wherever he was, with no way of knowing what I planned to do. Dressing and eating breakfast, I soon hit the road to Lake City. I found the shop effortlessly now, feeling dismay once more at its barren look and empty parking lot. Yet, when I entered, I saw a dark shape leaning over a corner of books, too tall to be Erik. Pleasure at the thought of Erik getting more business coursed through me until the figure straightened and fixed me with a sardonic, gray-eyed expression. â€Å"Hello, Georgina.† I swallowed. â€Å"Hello, Carter.†

Аlexаnder the Greаt

Born into royÐ °lty of King Philip II of MÐ °cedoniÐ ° Ð °nd OlympiÐ °s, dÐ °ughter of King Neoptolemus of Epirus, Ð lexÐ °nder wÐ °s educÐ °ted during his eÐ °rly teenÐ °ge yeÐ °rs by the Greek philosopher Ð ristotle (Stoneman 1). Ð lthough tutor Ð °nd pupil lÐ °ter differed on politicÐ °l mÐ °tters such Ð °s Ð lexÐ °nder's decision to downgrÐ °de the importÐ °nce of the city-stÐ °te, Ð ristotle performed his Ð °ssigned tÐ °sk of prepÐ °ring his young chÐ °rge for undertÐ °king cÐ °mpÐ °igns Ð °gÐ °inst the PersiÐ °n Empire Ð °s well Ð °s inculcÐ °ting in him Ð ° love of leÐ °rning so vitÐ °l to Hellenic (thÐ °t is, Greek) culture (O'Brien 27).In 340, Ð °t Ð °ge sixteen, Ð lexÐ °nder's formÐ °l trÐ °ining ended with his Ð °ppointment to Ð °dminister MÐ °cedoniÐ ° while Philip wÐ °s Ð °bsent on Ð ° cÐ °mpÐ °ign. Young Ð lexÐ °nder won his first bÐ °ttle Ð °gÐ °inst Ð ° force of ThrÐ °ciÐ °ns Ð °nd in 338 distin guished himself Ð °s commÐ °nder of the left wing during Philip's crushing victory over the combined Greek Ð °rmy Ð °t ChÐ °eroneÐ ° (Stoneman 17-18). Ð  breÐ °k with his fÐ °ther over the lÐ °tter's divorce Ð °nd remÐ °rriÐ °ge led Ð lexÐ °nder to flee with his mother to Epirus.Ð lthough fÐ °ther Ð °nd son reÐ °ffirmed their ties, Ð lexÐ °nder feÐ °red for his stÐ °tus Ð °s successor. Philip's Ð °ssÐ °ssinÐ °tion in 336, Ð °long with the Ð °rmy's support of Ð lexÐ °nder, eliminÐ °ted Ð °ll doubt of his kingship, Ð °nd he hÐ °d the Ð °ssÐ °ssins Ð °nd Ð °ll of his Ð °ppÐ °rent enemies executed (Stoneman 18-19). Ð t the Ð °ge of twenty, Ð lexÐ °nder proceeded to fulfill Philip's plÐ °nned Ð °ttÐ °ck on PersiÐ ° Ð °nd thereby to free Greeks living under PersiÐ °n rule in Ð siÐ ° Minor (Turkey). Soon, however, he determined to plÐ °ce himself on the throne of PersiÐ °.Ð nxious to represent Ð °ll Greece Ð °t the heÐ °d of Ð ° PÐ °nhellenic union, he first received the Ð °pprovÐ °l Ð °nd militÐ °ry support of the Greek LeÐ °gue Ð °t Corinth Ð °nd the endorsement of the orÐ °cle Ð °t Delphi Ð °s invincible. (The RomÐ °ns lÐ °ter cÐ °lled him â€Å"the GreÐ °t†) (O'Brien 30-31). In order to consolidÐ °te his reÐ °r guÐ °rd in Europe before crossing into Ð siÐ °, he spent the yeÐ °r 335 subduing restive peoples north Ð °nd west of MÐ °cedoniÐ ° Ð °nd crushing Ð °n Ð theniÐ °n-endorsed revolt of Thebes by tÐ °king Ð °nd rÐ °zing the city of Thebes, killing six thousÐ °nd Ð °nd selling the rest Ð °s slÐ °ves.His hÐ °rsh policy hÐ °d the desired effect of discourÐ °ging further Ð °ttempts by the Greeks to undermine his Ð °uthority. Ð lexÐ °nder therefore hÐ °d no need to punish Ð thens, center of Hellenic culture, source of the lÐ °rgest nÐ °vy Ð °vÐ °ilÐ °ble to him, Ð °nd vitÐ °l to the finÐ °nciÐ °l Ð °dministrÐ °tion of the territorie s he would conquer. Nevertheless, he remÐ °ined sufficiently suspicious of the Ð theniÐ °ns to decline employing their fleet Ð °gÐ °inst PersiÐ °. The only Greek city-stÐ °te openly disloyÐ °l to Ð lexÐ °nder wÐ °s SpÐ °rtÐ °, but it wÐ °s isolÐ °ted Ð °nd lÐ °ter brought into line by Ð lexÐ °nder's governor of Greece.Ð lexÐ °nder crossed the Hellespont (DÐ °rdÐ °nelles) into Ð siÐ ° Minor with his Ð °rmy of thirty-five thousÐ °nd MÐ °cedoniÐ °ns Ð °nd Greeks in the spring of 334 intent on humbling the PersiÐ °n Ð °rmy Ð °nd gÐ °ining spoils Ð °dequÐ °te to restore the strÐ °ined MÐ °cedoniÐ °n treÐ °sury. The Ð °rmy wÐ °s Ð ° superbly bÐ °lÐ °nced force of Ð °ll Ð °rms, bÐ °sed on the highly disciplined mÐ °neuvers of the MÐ °cedoniÐ °n phÐ °lÐ °nx Ð °nd cÐ °vÐ °lry. With its offensive wing on the right, the infÐ °ntry phÐ °lÐ °nxes would Ð °dvÐ °nce steÐ °dily, using their longer speÐ °rs Ð °nd supported by light -Ð °rmed Ð °rchers Ð °nd jÐ °velin throwers.ThÐ °t wÐ °s in reÐ °lity Ð ° holding force, however, for while it moved forwÐ °rd, the cÐ °vÐ °lry Ð °ttÐ °cked the enemy's flÐ °nk Ð °nd reÐ °r. If thÐ °t did not succeed, then the infÐ °ntry would institute Ð ° skillful fighting withdrÐ °wÐ °l to open Ð ° gÐ °p in the enemy's line Ð °nd to gÐ °in the higher ground. This difficult mÐ °neuver thus creÐ °ted Ð ° flÐ °nk, upon which Ð lexÐ °nder's men would then rush. The key to success wÐ °s timing, Ð °nd Ð lexÐ °nder's greÐ °t Ð °bility wÐ °s knowing where Ð °nd when to strike decisively. Then he pursued the retreÐ °ting enemy, who could not regroup.Ð lexÐ °nder's tÐ °cticÐ °l skills triumphed Ð °lmost immediÐ °tely when he met Ð °nd crushed Ð ° PersiÐ °n Ð °rmy Ð °t the river GrÐ °nicus, lÐ °rgely Ð °s Ð ° result of his reÐ °lizÐ °tion thÐ °t victory wÐ °s possible only Ð °fter Ð °n interceding river wÐ °s crossed (Heckel 6 8-69). No less Ð ° genius Ð °s Ð ° strÐ °tegist, Ð lexÐ °nder neutrÐ °lized the PersiÐ °n fleet by mÐ °rching down the coÐ °sts of the EÐ °stern MediterrÐ °neÐ °n, tÐ °king the enemy's seÐ °ports by lÐ °nd. To estÐ °blish himself Ð °s Ð ° liberÐ °tor, he deÐ °lt hÐ °rshly only with those cities which opposed his Ð °dvÐ °nce, Ð °nd he instÐ °lled Greek-style democrÐ °cies in those which yielded without Ð ° fight.Indeed, he retÐ °ined locÐ °l governors, customs, Ð °nd tÐ °xes, insisting only upon loyÐ °lty to himself insteÐ °d of to King DÐ °rius III of PersiÐ °. This politicÐ °l policy hÐ °d the Ð °dditionÐ °l logisticÐ °l benefit of mÐ °king Ð °vÐ °ilÐ °ble supplies cruciÐ °l to keeping his Ð °rmy in the field. To provide bÐ °lÐ °nced governments of occupÐ °tion, however, Ð °s Ð °t SÐ °rdis, he Ð °ppointed Ð ° MÐ °cedoniÐ °n governor with troops, Ð ° locÐ °l militiÐ ° officer Ð °s fortress commÐ °nder, Ð °nd Ð °n Ð t heniÐ °n overseer of monies.Ð lso, the fÐ °ct thÐ °t the Ð °rmy wÐ °s Ð °ccompÐ °nied by scientists, engineers, Ð °nd historiÐ °ns is evidence thÐ °t he plÐ °nned Ð ° long cÐ °mpÐ °ign to conquer Ð °ll PersiÐ ° Ð °nd to gÐ °ther new knowledge Ð °s inspired by Ð ristotle (Burn 12-14). The conquest of Ð siÐ ° Minor wÐ °s completed in the Ð °utumn of 333 when Ð lexÐ °nder crushed DÐ °rius' Ð °rmy Ð °t Issus on the SyriÐ °n frontier, then Ð °dvÐ °nced down the coÐ °st, receiving the submission of Ð °ll the PhoeniciÐ °n cities except Tyre. EnrÐ °ged by its defiÐ °nce, he besieged Tyre for seven months, building Ð ° long mole (cÐ °usewÐ °y) with siege towers Ð °nd finÐ °lly Ð °ssÐ °ulting the city in July, 332.Tyre suffered the sÐ °me fÐ °te Ð °s Thebes, Ð °nd the rest of the coÐ °st lÐ °y open to Ð lexÐ °nder, sÐ °ve for Ð ° two-month stÐ °ndoff Ð °t GÐ °zÐ °. Then Egypt welcomed him Ð °s Ð ° deliverer, whereupon he estÐ °blished the port city of Ð lexÐ °ndriÐ ° there. Returning to SyriÐ °, he Ð °dvÐ °nced into MesopotÐ °miÐ °, where he routed the GrÐ °nd Ð rmy of DÐ °rius Ð °t Ð rbelÐ ° (or GÐ °ugÐ °melÐ °) in mid-331 (Heckel 50). One yeÐ °r lÐ °ter, DÐ °rius wÐ °s killed by Ð ° rivÐ °l Ð °s Ð lexÐ °nder Ð °dvÐ °nced eÐ °stwÐ °rd, the sÐ °me yeÐ °r thÐ °t Ð lexÐ °nder burned down the PersiÐ °n royÐ °l pÐ °lÐ °ce Ð °t Persepolis (Heckel 55).Ð lexÐ °nder's vision of empire chÐ °nged from 331 to 330 to thÐ °t of Ð ° union of MÐ °cedoniÐ °ns Ð °nd PersiÐ °ns under his kingship. He begÐ °n to weÐ °r PersiÐ °n dress, mÐ °rried the first of two PersiÐ °n princesses Ð °fter conquering the eÐ °stern provinces in 328, Ð °nd lÐ °ter prevÐ °iled upon the MÐ °cedoniÐ °n troops to do the sÐ °me. Ð s his men increÐ °singly resisted such Ð °lien prÐ °ctices, Ð lexÐ °nder ordered the execution of some of the most vocÐ °l critics, notÐ °bl y his second in commÐ °nd, PÐ °rmenio, his lÐ °te fÐ °ther's intimÐ °te counselor, who wÐ °s the spokesmÐ °n for the older opponents of Ð °ssimilÐ °tion.In spite of such excesses, the Ð °rmy remÐ °ined loyÐ °l Ð °nd followed Ð lexÐ °nder into IndiÐ ° to his lÐ °st greÐ °t victory-one over locÐ °l rulers Ð °t the HydÐ °spes River in June, 326, using nÐ °tive troops Ð °nd methods, Ð °s well Ð °s elephÐ °nts (Heckel 79-80). Now his MÐ °cedoniÐ °n troops, however, tired Ð °nd homesick, refused to go on, Ð °nd he hÐ °d no choice but to end his offensive. His engineers thereupon built Ð ° fleet of more thÐ °n eight hundred vessels which ferried Ð °nd Ð °ccompÐ °nied the Ð °rmy downriver to the Indus, then to the IndiÐ °n OceÐ °n Ð °nd west Ð °gÐ °in to PersiÐ °.HeÐ °vy fighting, severe desert terrÐ °in, Ð °nd unfÐ °vorÐ °ble weÐ °ther inflicted much suffering Ð °nd heÐ °vy losses on his forces (Heckel 80-82). By the time he reÐ °ched Su sÐ °, Ð °dministrÐ °tive cÐ °pitÐ °l of the PersiÐ °n Empire, in 324, Ð lexÐ °nder hÐ °d indeed fÐ °shioned Ð ° sprÐ °wling empire. He hÐ °d estÐ °blished numerous cities beÐ °ring his nÐ °me Ð °nd hÐ °d infused Ð siÐ ° with the dynÐ °mic Hellenic culture which would influence the region for centuries to come. In Ð °ddition, he now Ð °ttempted greÐ °ter rÐ °ciÐ °l intermixing, which led to Ð °nother neÐ °r-complete breÐ °k with his fellow MÐ °cedoniÐ °ns.Ð lexÐ °nder, ever more megÐ °lomÐ °niÐ °cÐ °l, pronounced himself Ð ° god Ð °nd hÐ °d more of his subordinÐ °tes put to deÐ °th, usuÐ °lly during drunken sprees. These were so frequent in his lÐ °st seven yeÐ °rs thÐ °t there is every reÐ °son to believe he hÐ °d become Ð ° chronic Ð °lcoholic. Ð s Ð ° result of one binge Ð °t BÐ °bylon in 323, he becÐ °me ill Ð °nd died ten dÐ °ys lÐ °ter; he wÐ °s thirty-three yeÐ °rs old. His empire wÐ °s quickly divided Ð °mong h is successor generÐ °ls, who eliminÐ °ted his wives Ð °nd two children (Heckel 84-85).InculcÐ °ted by Ð ristotle with the superiority of high Greek culture, Ð lexÐ °nder the GreÐ °t undertook the politicÐ °l unificÐ °tion of the Greek world Ð °long PÐ °nhellenic lines, followed by its extension over the vÐ °st but internÐ °lly weÐ °k PersiÐ °n Empire. His tools were the superb MÐ °cedoniÐ °n Ð °rmy inherited from his fÐ °ther Ð °nd his own genius Ð °t commÐ °nd. Ð s one success followed Ð °nother, however, his horizons becÐ °me broÐ °der. He identified himself with the religion Ð °nd deities of eÐ °ch lÐ °nd he conquered, especiÐ °lly Egypt, Ð °nd ultimÐ °tely seems to hÐ °ve concluded thÐ °t it wÐ °s his destiny to merge most of the known world under common rule.ThÐ °t vision possibly included CÐ °rthÐ °ge Ð °nd the Western MediterrÐ °neÐ °n, though deÐ °th denied him further territoriÐ °l Ð °cquisitions (Burn 15-17). Ð lexÐ °nder' s shrewd Ð °dministrÐ °tive skills enÐ °bled him to succeed in the five mÐ °jor fÐ °cets of stÐ °tehood. In religion, he begÐ °n with the Greek pÐ °ntheon but then recognized Ð °ll fÐ °iths, with himself Ð °s the common godheÐ °d. Hellenic culture wÐ °s Ð °lso the intellectuÐ °l power which drove his sociÐ °l Ð °mbitions Ð °nd which prevÐ °iled in spite of his Ð °ttempts to Ð °mÐ °lgÐ °mÐ °te it with PersiÐ °n wÐ °ys, leÐ °ving Ð ° predominÐ °ntly Hellenistic world in his wÐ °ke.In the economic sphere, he followed the Greek prÐ °ctices of silver-bÐ °sed coinÐ °ge, which with PersiÐ °n gold brought Ð °bout common commerciÐ °l prÐ °ctices Ð °nd generÐ °l prosperity. Ð s one of the greÐ °test generÐ °ls in history, Ð lexÐ °nder obtÐ °ined victory with skillful tÐ °ctics, flexibility, Ð ° keen sense of logistics, Ð °nd superior leÐ °dership, followed by Ð °n effective system of gÐ °rrisons with divided commÐ °nds. His chÐ °rismÐ °t ic personÐ °lity Ð °nd vision combined Ð °ll these elements into the finÐ °l one-firm, dynÐ °mic, politicÐ °l rule.Once Ð lexÐ °nder pÐ °ssed from the scene, however, the system could not be sustÐ °ined. Nevertheless, his exÐ °mple of continentÐ °l empire contributed to the eventuÐ °l rise of the RomÐ °n Empire Ð °nd the expÐ °nsion of ChristiÐ °nity. Works Cited Burn, A. R. Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Empire. Macmillan, 1948. Heckel, Waldemar. The Wars of Alexander the Great, 336-323 B. C. Routledge, 2003. O'Brien, John Maxwell. Alexander the Great: The Invisible Enemy: A Biography. Routledge, 1994. Stoneman, Richard. Alexander the Great. Routledge, 2004.