Sunday, August 23, 2020
Friday, August 21, 2020
AT&T’s use of Total Quality Management
Coming up next is an endeavor to dissect AT&T's utilization of Total Quality Management all through its association. Since AT&T is an extravagantly tremendous enterprise I will center my investigation to AT&T Power Systems/Lucent Technologies. This division of AT&T has been the business standard for greatness since TQM was first acquainted with the organization. AT&T Power Systems has become one the world's most unique organizations on account of its utilization of TQM. I will give a short portrayal of who AT&T Power Systems is, a depiction of the occasions that lead up to its utilization of TQM, AT&T's TQM reasoning, and how this way of thinking was actualized. At last I will examine the advantages AT&T Power Systems acknowledged through their utilization of Total Quality Management. AT&T Power Systems gives a verity of intensity items for the information handling and broadcast communications businesses. Force System and its 4,200 worker's plan, create, assembling, and market electronic force frameworks, segments, and force supplies to an inexorably global commercial center. In the previous ten years AT&T all in all has experienced an emotional metamorphous. It had to transform from a huge media communications restraining infrastructure giving widespread telephone utility, to a serious worldwide enterprise roviding a full scope of correspondence administrations and advances. The ââ¬Å"newâ⬠AT&T is a blend of littler, profoundly focussed substances. Every substance has its own clients, rivals, and operational capacities. Force Systems is the apex of the ââ¬Å"newâ⬠AT&T. In under five years Power Systems has become the model for effectively executing the social and authoritative insurgency know as Total Quality Management. It has gotten inside acknowledgment, yet outer accomplishment too. In 1994 Power Systems was the main American organization to win Japan's esteemed Deming Prize for Quality Management. In the ame year AT&T's significant distance division won America's Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. AT&T's TQM reasoning made it the principal enterprise to win these two honors. For what reason did Power Systems change to TQM? Preceding 1990 Power Systems gave hardware to just its parent organization AT&T. Force Systems was a dreary division of AT&T that announced misfortunes in various quarters. As the degree AT&T and business in general changed Power Systems had to get by all alone. No longer would misfortunes be endured, if the work couldn't be finished in a financially savvy way the division would be sold and the work would be given to an A. M. (Andy) Guarriello, Vice President and COO of Power Systems, was given the activity of executing TQM. Guarriello alongside Power Systems supervisory group propelled the ââ¬Å"Dallas Visionâ⬠venture, an activity including physical, hierarchical, and philosophical changes that before long prompted the appropriation of Total Quality Management as the administration framework for what's to come. Force Systems solidified a few of its areas into a few little inner specialty units. These units would become to establishment that Power Systems worked on. Every unit is given the assets to create, specialist, assembling, and its items. Capacities, for example, HR, fund, showcasing, and deals are given by littler associations created to help the interior Power Systems Dallas unit was totally updated. This 900,000 square foot office was improved into what AT&T calls ââ¬Å"focused processing plants. Each ââ¬Å"focused factoryâ⬠has the ability to acknowledge approaching material, assembling, and boat completed items. This format was planned much inside the rules of the Japanese JIT framework. Force Systems adopted the Japanese strategy to TQM and adjusted to fit the AT&T culture. The TQM riteria created inside Power Systems were chosen to guarantee the organization's progressing center around exclusive requirements for client direction, process greatness, representative association and ceaseless improvement. AT&T's TQM theory has three principle parts Quality Policy Deployment, Daily Work Management, and Quality Improvement. These three parts join to guarantee powerful arrangements and nonstop enhancements. Quality Policy Deployment is the way toward adjusting the organization's consideration and assets on a couple of high-need, client centered issues. This is done to accomplish to acknowledge tremendous enhancements in execution. Day by day Work Management is a procedure of characterizing, estimating, and dealing with the everyday work of people and gatherings to get steady enhancements. This offers singular representatives the chance to see upgrades in measures they comprehend. Quality Improvement is a group based critical thinking strategy that utilizes the seven-advance procedure known as the ââ¬Å"QI story process. â⬠The ââ¬Å"QI story processâ⬠is intended to identify and dispense with blunders that cause absconds. Together these three ideas shaped a powerful answer for Underlying these three ideas are four rules that are the establishment of AT&T's TQM reasoning. These four are consumer loyalty, the executives by-actuality, regard for individuals, and P-D-C-A. P-D-C-An is Plan-Do-Check-Act created by Shewhart. These four standards helped Power Systems execute its social change. With no one of these TQM won't work, so Power Systems' administration founded a preparation regiment that had each representative had in any event two entire long stretches of preparing inside the main year of usage. Force Systems has ingrained pride in every last one of its workers, which sustains outside the business to their clients. Every chief, laborer, colleague, and inner gathering accept that they can make an ifference in the activity of the organization. Each additionally accepts they have the duty to create a quality item proficiently that addresses their client's issues, yet in addition makes benefit. This demeanor as impelled Power Systems, or as it is currently known Lucent Technologies, to the highest point of its industry. What Benefits did Power Systems see from TQM? Force Systems outperformed the desires for the board to acknowledge goliath development. The following is a rundown of enhancements from a 1994 AT&T official statement. These enhancements relate explicitly to Power Systems.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Book Riots Deals of the Day for February 11, 2020
Book Riotâs Deals of the Day for February 11, 2020 Sponsored by Mulholland Books. These deals were active as of this writing, but may expire soon, so get them while theyâre hot! Todays Featured Deals When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink for $1.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai for $1.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. Little by Edward Carey for $1.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. Jade City by Fonda Lee for $2.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. In Case You Missed Yesterdays Most Popular Deals The Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas for $1.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins for $1.99. Get it here, or just click on the cover image below. Previous Daily Deals That Are Still Active As Of This Writing (Get em While Theyre Hot!): Mind of My Mind by Octavia Butler for $1.99 Invisible by Stephen L. Carter for $3.99 The Vanished Bride by Bella Ellis for $1.99 Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting edited by Ann Hood for $1.99 This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel for $2.99 Truly, Madly, Royally by Debbie Rigaud for $1.99 Iâm Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi for $2.99 Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson for $2.99 The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie for $2.99 The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes for $1.99 Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan for $3.99 Dinner for Everyone by Mark Bittman for $2.99 Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney C. Cooper for $3.99 A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena $2.99 The Diviners by Libba Bray for $2.99 Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela for $3.99 One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah McLean for $3.99 I Love You So Mochi by Sarah Kuhn for $1.99 Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel for $3.99 The Mapmakerâs Wife by Robert Whitaker for $1.99 Tangerine by Christine Mangan for $2.99 Wicked Saints by Emily A. Duncan for $2.99 No One Is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts for $2.99 Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes for $0.99 The Sellout by Paul Beatty for $3.99 I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes With Death by Maggie OFarrell for $4.99 The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse for $2.99 The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen for $2.99 Feel Free by Zadie Smith for $3.99 The Epic Crush of Genie Lo by F.C. Lee for $1.99 Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina for $1.99 That Kind of Guy by Talia Hibbert for $3.99 The Awakened Kingdom by N.K. Jemisin for $2.99 Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman for $3.99 Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova for $4.09 Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole for $1.99 Everythings Trash, But Its Okay by Phoebe Robinson for $4.99 Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton for $4.99 Nefertiti by Michelle Moran for $3.99 Instant Pot Obsession: The Ultimate Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook for Cooking Everything Fast by Janet A. Zimmerman for $2.99 Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes for $2.99 A Quiet Life in the Country by T E Kinsey for $1.99 The Duchess War by Courtney Milan for $4.99 The House of the Spirits: A Novel by Isabel Allende for $1.99 Mangos and Mistletoe: A Foodie Holiday Novella by Adriana Herrera for $2.99 Guapa by Saleem Haddad for $1.99 The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep by H. G. Parry for $4.99 Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri for $4.99 Fatality in F (A Gethsemane Brown Mystery Book 4) by Alexia Gordon for $4.99 Reckless by Selena Montgomery for $3.99 Cant Escape Love by Alyssa Cole for $1.99 Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson for $5.99 Ark by Veronica Roth for $1.99 Ten Women by Marcela Serrano for $3.99 The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith for $0.99 Ormeshadow by Priya Sharma for $3.99 Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather for $3.99 Prophecy by Ellen Oh for $2.99 Along for the Ride by Mimi Grace for $2.99 Sign up for our Book Deals newsletter and get up to 80% off books you actually want to read.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
The Education System Of The United States - 1174 Words
Understanding the importance of education is like understanding life. They go directly hand and hand, because learning is apart of the daily life of a child, and is extremely essential in a childââ¬â¢s development. Children are introduced to the education system for the purpose to learn and thrive in todays society. The education system is used to set a model for children to become successful adults for American society to prosper. Rarely, do we think about school conditions and the stress pushed upon educators to make what it takes to have a thriving school year. In the United States, the budget for education primarily comes from state and local taxes. Usually, the budget from state and local are not enough, and year after year, many are getting cut. Schools are desperately in major need for additional funding, and they gladly utilize these federal funds as much as they can. Once federal funding is accepted to help these schools, so come the high standards and expectations. The use of Federal funding creates high stake environments, that effect students and teachers differently. With these high expectations for standardizing test scores, teachers are promised large bonus incentives in return. In 2009, schools were given the option to apply for funding by The Race to the Top Fund, and these expectations cause teachers and students to have high stress and anxiety in standardized school testing. The new expectations from federal funding change the educational curriculum, inducesShow MoreRelatedThe Education System Of The United States829 Words à |à 4 PagesRecent surveys and articles state that Over 30% of kids in the United States never finish high school. For minority kids, it s over 50%.1. The public education system in the United States seems to be failing to meet the needs of the children and thus affecting their future outcomes. The average quality of education in Elementary, Middle and High school that a child deserves, is far from superior. Given the growing competition in the world it is imperative to provide a solid educational foundationRead MoreThe Education System Of The United States1090 Words à |à 5 Pages The education system in the United States is a problem. One problem is that many of the students attending school today live in poverty. Another problem with the education system is that the curriculums are not being altered to the skills needed in the world today. Furthermore, students are not allowed to use their individual learning styles in the classroom. The education system today has many flaws that are not being fixed. Many students in the education system are living in poverty. StudentsRead MoreThe Education System Of The United States1376 Words à |à 6 PagesThe Need of Edification in schools The education system in the United Sates has a critical impact in our nation and how itââ¬â¢s shaped. Our system is constructed on trying to get our children ready for the working world, but while in school children are placed on a path that is adequate for them and convenient for the government. The government has established reforms to help guide students to become ââ¬Å"successfulâ⬠(modern reform The Common Core). Have these reforms done its job to help improve teachersRead MoreThe United States Education System1731 Words à |à 7 PagesThe United States have long been held in high esteem by their peers for their higher education systemââ¬â¢s ability to produce the best and brightest young adults that can impact the world. Students in our nation have a choice whether or not to attend prestigious higher-level institutions in order to educate themselves and prepare themselves for the job market. The U.S. has an outstanding reputation of educating students as well as ma king education available to everyone in the country. Whether it beRead MoreThe Education System Of The United States971 Words à |à 4 Pagesdifferent classes in the United States. As much as we want to believe that we live in an equal country, in reality we far from it. There are people barely hanging on to be able to eat enough and to find a place to sleep with other people on the other end of the spectrum who own multiple homes and waste enough food to feed many of the families on the opposite end of the spectrum. The thing that all of the classes have in common is the push for education and higher education specifically. There is aRead MoreThe United States Education System1687 Words à |à 7 PagesThe United States education system is currently ranked 17th worldwide (ââ¬Å"Global Gradeâ⬠). According to the dictionary, education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment, and generally of preparing o neself or others intellectually for mature life. In a survey conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, adults in the United States scored way below average, and better than only two of the twelve countriesRead MoreThe Education System Of The United States Essay1504 Words à |à 7 PagesPurpose of Education As a developed nation, the United States owes its success to the education system that has evolved with our nation. While at times conflict consumes our nation, tragedy occurs, and hardships arise we can rest assured that our elected officials and citizens are making intelligent decisions that uphold our values, rights, and liberty. These leaders have been elected to operate our democratic society which is propelled forward by education. Education serves as the single most importantRead MoreEducation System Of The United States1495 Words à |à 6 Pages Equalizing education in the Nation The United States education system is ranked lower and lower every year. In a time where our children have to compete for jobs with children of the number one and number two countries on the most educated list, it seems that we can barely keep up. International tests show that American students are falling behind to countries such as Singapore, Canada, North Korea and Japan (Pearson, the learning curve). So how can we as a country thatââ¬â¢s ranked to have 14thRead MoreThe United States Education System951 Words à |à 4 Pagesââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ and in order to re-engage the young, serious research on everyday education needs to be expressed (p. 33). The U.S. education system needs to understand that ambiguity exists, and a rapid cycle of policy changes will stagnate their efforts to achieving cultural globalization. Often times, U.S. teachers try to blame the media for the faults of youth today, but they lack the understanding that their ââ¬Å"tightly scripted systems of management, measurement, and marketingâ⬠push those same kids to seekRead MoreThe United States Education System972 Words à |à 4 Pageswould think that as a World Superpower the United States education system would be producing exceptionally high caliber young men and women to become contributing members of society upon graduation. However, in many ways, the opposite is shown to be the case, with declining test scores, with a 19% dropout rate among high school students, with a 41% drop out rate of college students, and 40% of the graduates unprepared to either continue their educations at universities or become worthwhile members
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Putting a 21st Century Twist on the Past - 2180 Words
In this essay I will argue that my practice is contemporary by showing 21st century influences. I will do this by discussion of themes and practices of other artists that I am interested in, evaluating the issues they address. In particular Francis Alys, George Shaw and Social Realism. I first realised my interest in manual labour, menial jobs and cycle of working, when I was travelling, and this influenced my work. Whilst visiting the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech there was an employee of the gardens sweeping the flower petals into his grasp, whilst more constantly fell. This time consuming action initially interested me as absurd, however after further dwelling I considered the action more of a metaphor for the idea of workingâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦From taking the outsider role he was able to see situations differently than if he was part of them. I feel the same within my practice; I am a keen observer of people and always find my most inspired and passionate ideas originate from just watching a situation. In ââ¬ËPlacing Pillowsââ¬â¢ Alys uses his role of observer to his advantage. He can see the lack of repair and action after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. He reacts to by placing pillows within the broken windows. He is able to use su ch a simple thing that becomes such a strong and political statement. In the world today we are subjected to roles and expectations, we are all expected to mature and earn a living, when this doesnââ¬â¢t happen it is frowned upon. For example not having a career or a consistent income is thought to be out of the ordinary almost not conforming lesser you as a person. An enthusiast for symbols and allegories, Alyss casts the world in a lighthearted way where it is easy for the audience to appreciate what is being said. Paradox of Praxis 1 (Sometimes Doing Something Leads to Nothing) where he pushes a block of ice around Mexico City taking no steps to stop it from melting to a pool of water pulls similarities to the myth of Sisyphus, a Greek mythological figure punished for the rest of his life to push a bolder up a hill only for it to fall back down againShow MoreRelatedLeadership And Workshop Development Committee1678 Words à |à 7 Pagesin a belief that while some men are born leaders, the best leaders are trained to perfect their skills over a li fetime. For the past several years, the Province has stepped up its dedication to ââ¬Å"Training for Leadershipâ⬠by offering multiple conferences centered on leadership and chapter development. This year, all of the events were centered on the use of 21st century leadership skills, collaboration and innovation. Innovative and cutting edge approaches to solve the social, spiritual, intellectualRead MoreThe President Of The United States Essay1666 Words à |à 7 Pagesplans, policies, and ideas to help improve the United States. Some ideas similar to that of our current president but with their own personal twist on it and some completely opposite of his. Starting in January of 2017 our nation will have a new leader and he or she will impact the future of the American economy. Obama has served as president for the past eight years and his time has finally come to hang up his position as the leader of our nation, and be ready to welcome somebody new into the ovalRead MoreArticle 63 - The Evolution Of Mobile Casino Gaming2225 Words à |à 9 Pagesgames being launched every single month. The field has boomed in a way that many wouldnââ¬â¢t have seen given the slow start to life the platform had. Long gone are the clunky and basic mobile casinos of the past, as today they look impressive and couldnââ¬â¢t be easier to navigate. Looking back at the past it is clear that the mobile casino market hasnââ¬â¢t just evolved, it has arrived, and is here to stay. I, like most, questioned the mobile casino market when it first started. Largely as I was unsure howRead MoreDifferent Film Industries in Different Countries2163 Words à |à 9 Pagesproduction companies, film studios, cinematography, film production, screenwriting, pre-production, post production, film festivals, actors, directors, and film personnel. Today the Hollywood film industry is positioned across the world. In this 21st century, the major business centres of filmmaking are concentrated in United States, India and China. Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California that is situated in west- northwest of Downtown Los Angeles. 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We do, however, live in a time that has become increasingly sensitive to race issues. The civil rights movement of the 1960s paved the way for the sometimes stifling political correctness of the 1990s and early 21st century. Film versions of Othello made since the 1960s reflect our times preoccupation withRead MoreI Thought Of The Vagina2558 Words à |à 11 Pagesgalleries. Although the issues targeted by third wave feminism had shifted significantly compared to the more economic and political issues featured in the second wave, the third wave still appeared very aggressive and dogmatic which could be off putting for young women and appeared tedious because this method would only bring feminism so far. Toril Moi presents an argument for this point in ââ¬ËI Am Not a Feminist Butâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ : How Feminism Became the F-Wordââ¬â¢, claiming ââ¬Å"If feminism is to have a future, feministRead MorePEST and Competitive Analysis Faced by Confectionery Organizations3766 Words à |à 16 PagesAlthough this type of activity can maintain interest in the market, the actual growth potential is limited. Sectors that have expanded since the late 1990s include boxed chocolate. The market has grown since the introduction of the new twist-wrap selections, including Celebrations (Mars UK Ltd), Miniature Heroes (Cadbury Schweppes PLC) and All Stars (Nestle holdings UK PLC). Other new and growing sectors include organic chocolate and sugar-free confectionery. Dental gums haveRead MoreImproving Profitability By Applying Sustainable Strategies9898 Words à |à 40 PagesGraphs/Tables ââ¬Æ' ââ¬Æ' 1. Introduction Previously the haunt of famed patrons, from royalty and celebrity, to the creative and the notorious, Hotel Cafà © Royal has been an established and iconic landmark on the British capitalââ¬â¢s social scene for over a century. In its recent reincarnation as a luxury hotel, Hotel Cafà © Royal remains an established favourite for locals, while becoming a global destination. Located in the heart of London, with elegant Mayfair to the west and creative Soho to the east, theRead MoreCountry Note Book of China17054 Words à |à 69 Pageswhich continued for centuries, was established as early as 221 BC. Although specific dynasties were overturned, the dynastic system survived. China was even ruled at times by foreign invaders, such as the Mongols during the Yuan Dynasty, from AD 1279 to 1368, and the Manchus during the Ching Dynasty, from AD 1644 to 1911, but the foreigners were largely absorbed into the culture they governed. It is as if the Roman Empire had lasted from the time of the Caesars to the 20th century, and during that
The Lost Symbol Chapter 117-118 Free Essays
CHAPTER 117 Langdon felt his stomach drop as the CIA helicopter leaped off the lawn, banked hard, and accelerated faster than he ever imagined a helicopter could move. Katherine had stayed behind to recuperate with Bellamy while one of the CIA agents searched the mansion and waited for a backup team. Before Langdon left, she had kissed him on the cheek and whispered, ââ¬Å"Be safe, Robert. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 117-118 or any similar topic only for you Order Now â⬠Now Langdon was holding on for dear life as the military helicopter finally leveled out and raced toward the House of the Temple. Seated beside him, Sato was yelling up to the pilot. ââ¬Å"Head for Dupont Circle!â⬠she shouted over the deafening noise. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll set down there!â⬠Startled, Langdon turned to her. ââ¬Å"Dupont?! Thatââ¬â¢s blocks from the House of the Temple! We can land in the Temple parking lot!â⬠Sato shook her head. ââ¬Å"We need to enter the building quietly. If our target hears us comingââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t have time!â⬠Langdon argued. ââ¬Å"This lunatic is about to murder Peter! Maybe the sound of the helicopter will scare him and make him stop!â⬠Sato stared at him with ice-cold eyes. ââ¬Å"As I have told you, Peter Solomonââ¬â¢s safety is not my primary objective. I believe Iââ¬â¢ve made that clear.â⬠Langdon was in no mood for another national-security lecture. ââ¬Å"Look, Iââ¬â¢m the only one on board who knows his way through that buildingââ¬âââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Careful, Professor,â⬠the director warned. ââ¬Å"You are here as a member of my team, and I will have your complete cooperation.â⬠She paused a moment and then added, ââ¬Å"In fact, it might be wise if I now apprised you fully of the severity of our crisis tonight.â⬠Sato reached under her seat and pulled out a sleek titanium briefcase, which she opened to reveal an unusually complicated-looking computer. When she turned it on, a CIA logo materialized along with a log-in prompt. As Sato logged in, she asked, ââ¬Å"Professor, do you remember the blond hairpiece we found in the manââ¬â¢s home?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yes.â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, hidden within that wig was a tiny fiber-optic camera . . . concealed in the bangs.â⬠ââ¬Å"A hidden camera? I donââ¬â¢t understand.â⬠Sato looked grim. ââ¬Å"You will.â⬠She launched a file on the laptop. ONE MOMENT PLEASE . . . DECRYPTING FILE . . . A video window popped up, filling the entire screen. Sato lifted the briefcase and set it on Langdonââ¬â¢s thighs, giving him a front-row seat. An unusual image materialized on the screen. Langdon recoiled in surprise. What the hell?! Murky and dark, the video was of a blindfolded man. He was dressed in the garb of a medieval heretic being led to the gallowsââ¬ânoose around his neck, left pant leg rolled up to the knee, right sleeve rolled up to the elbow, and his shirt gaping open to reveal his bare chest. Langdon stared in disbelief. He had read enough about Masonic rituals to recognize exactly what he was looking at. A Masonic initiate . . . preparing to enter the first degree. The man was very muscular and tall, with a familiar blond hairpiece and deeply tanned skin. Langdon recognized his features at once. The manââ¬â¢s tattoos had obviously been concealed beneath bronzing makeup. He was standing before a full-length mirror videotaping his reflection through the camera concealed in his wig. But . . . why? The screen faded to black. New footage appeared. A small, dimly lit, rectangular chamber. A dramatic chessboard floor of black-and-white tile. A low wooden altar, flanked on three sides by pillars, atop which burned flickering candles. Langdon felt a sudden apprehension. Oh my God. Filming in the erratic style of an amateur home video, the camera now panned up to the periphery of the room to reveal a small group of men observing the initiate. The men were dressed in ritual Masonic regalia. In the darkness, Langdon could not make out their faces, but he had no doubt where this ritual was taking place. The traditional layout of this Lodge Room could have been anywhere in the world, but the powder-blue triangular pediment above the masterââ¬â¢s chair revealed it as the oldest Masonic lodge in D.C.ââ¬âPotomac Lodge No. 5ââ¬âhome of George Washington and the Masonic forefathers who laid the cornerstone for the White House and the Capitol Building. The lodge was still active today. Peter Solomon, in addition to overseeing the House of the Temple, was the master of his local lodge. And it was at lodges like this one that a Masonic initiateââ¬â¢s journey always began . . . where he underwent the first three degrees of Freemasonry. ââ¬Å"Brethren,â⬠Peterââ¬â¢s familiar voice declared, ââ¬Å"in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe, I open this lodge for the practice of Masonry in the first degree!â⬠A gavel rapped loudly. Langdon watched in utter disbelief as the video progressed through a quick series of dissolves featuring Peter Solomon performing some of the ritualââ¬â¢s starker moments. Pressing a shining dagger to the initiateââ¬â¢s bare chest . . . threatening impalement should the initiate ââ¬Å"inappropriately reveal the Mysteries of Masonryâ⬠. . . describing the black-and-white floor as representing ââ¬Å"the living and the deadâ⬠. . . outlining punishments that included ââ¬Å"having oneââ¬â¢s throat cut across, oneââ¬â¢s tongue torn out by its roots, and oneââ¬â¢s body buried in the rough sands of the sea . . .â⬠Langdon stared. Am I really witnessing this? Masonic initiation rites had remained shrouded in secrecy for centuries. The only descriptions that had ever been leaked were written by a handful of estranged brothers. Langdon had read those accounts, of course, and yet to see an initiation with his own eyes . . . this was a much different story. Especially edited this way. Langdon could already tell that the video was an unfair piece of propaganda, omitting all the noblest aspects of the initiation and highlighting only the most disconcerting. If this video were released, Langdon knew it would become an Internet sensation over night. The anti-Masonic conspiracy theorists would feed on this like sharks. The Masonic organization, and especially Peter Solomon, would find themselves embroiled in a firestorm of controversy and a desperate effort at damage control . . . even though the ritual was innocuous and purely symbolic. Eerily, the video included a biblical reference to human sacrifice . . . ââ¬Å"the submission of Abraham to the Supreme Being by proffering Isaac, his firstborn son.â⬠Langdon thought of Peter and willed the helicopter to fly faster. The video footage shifted now. Same room. Different night. A larger group of Masons looking on. Peter Solomon was observing from the masterââ¬â¢s chair. This was the second degree. More intense now. Kneeling at the altar . . . vowing to ââ¬Å"forever conceal the enigmas existing within Freemasonryâ⬠. . . consenting to the penalty of ââ¬Å"having oneââ¬â¢s chest cavity ripped open and pulsing heart cast upon the surface of the earth as offal for the ravenous beastsâ⬠. . . Langdonââ¬â¢s own heart was pulsing wildly now as the video shifted yet again. Another night. A much larger crowd. A coffin-shaped ââ¬Å"tracing boardâ⬠on the floor. The third degree. This was the death ritualââ¬âthe most rigorous of all the degreesââ¬âthe moment in which the initiate was forced ââ¬Å"to face the final challenge of personal extinction.â⬠This grueling interrogation was in fact the source of the common phrase to give someone the third degree. And although Langdon was very familiar with academic accounts of it, he was in no way prepared for what he now saw. The murder. In violent, rapid intercuts, the video displayed a chilling, victimââ¬â¢s point-of-view account of the initiateââ¬â¢s brutal murder. There were simulated blows to his head, including one with a Masonââ¬â¢s stone maul. All the while, a deacon mournfully told the story of ââ¬Å"the widowââ¬â¢s sonâ⬠ââ¬âHiram Abiffââ¬âthe master Architect of King Solomonââ¬â¢s temple, who chose to die rather than reveal the secret wisdom he possessed. The attack was mimed, of course, and yet its effect on camera was bloodcurdling. After the deathblow, the initiateââ¬ânow ââ¬Å"dead to his former selfâ⬠ââ¬âwas lowered into his symbolic coffin, where his eyes were shut and his arms were crossed like those of a corpse. The Masonic brothers rose and mournfully circled his dead body while a pipe organ played a march of the dead. The macabre scene was deeply disturbing. And it only got worse. As the men gathered around their slain brother, the hidden camera clearly displayed their faces. Langdon now realized that Solomon was not the only famous man in the room. One of the men peering down at the initiate in his coffin was on television almost daily. A prominent U.S. senator. Oh God . . . The scene changed yet again. Outside now . . . nighttime . . . the same jumpy video footage . . . the man was walking down a city street . . . strands of blond hair blowing in front of the camera . . . turning a corner . . .the camera angle lowering to something in the manââ¬â¢s hand . . . a dollar bill . . . a close-up focusing on the Great Seal . . . the all-seeing eye . . . the unfinished pyramid . . . and then, abruptly, pulling away to reveal a similar shape in the distance . . . a massive pyramidical building . . . with sloping sides rising to a truncated top. The House of the Temple. A soul-deep dread swelled within him. The video kept moving . . . the man hurrying toward the building now . . . up the multitiered staircase . . . toward the giant bronze doors . . . between the two seventeen-ton sphinx guardians. A neophyte entering the pyramid of initiation. Darkness now. A powerful pipe organ played in the distance . . . and a new image materialized. The Temple Room. Langdon swallowed hard. On-screen, the cavernous space was alive with electricity. Beneath the oculus, the black marble altar shone in the moonlight. Assembled around it, seated on hand-tooled pigskin chairs, awaited a somber council of distinguished thirty-third-degree Masons, present to bear witness. The video now panned across their faces with slow and deliberate intention. Langdon stared in horror. Although he had not seen this coming, what he was looking at made perfect sense. A gathering of the most decorated and accomplished Masons in the most powerful city on earth would logically include many influential and well-known individuals. Sure enough, seated around the altar, adorned in their long silk gloves, Masonic aprons, and glistening jewels, were some of the countryââ¬â¢s most powerful men. Two Supreme Court justices . . . The secretary of defense . . . The speaker of the House . . . Langdon felt ill as the video continued panning across the faces of those in attendance. Three prominent senators . . . including the majority leader . . . The secretary of homeland security . . . And . . . The director of the CIA . . . Langdon wanted only to look away, but he could not. The scene was utterly mesmerizing, alarming even to him. In an instant, he had come to understand the source of Satoââ¬â¢s anxiety and concern. Now, on-screen, the shot dissolved into a single shocking image. A human skull . . . filled with dark crimson liquid. The famed caput mortuum was being offered forth to the initiate by the slender hands of Peter Solomon, whose gold Masonic ring glinted in the candlelight. The red liquid was wine . . . and yet it shimmered like blood. The visual effect was frightful. The Fifth Libation, Langdon realized, having read firsthand accounts of this sacrament in John Quincy Adamsââ¬â¢s Letters on the Masonic Institution. Even so, to see it happen . . . to see it calmly witnessed by Americaââ¬â¢s most powerful men . . . this was as arresting an image as any Langdon had ever seen. The initiate took the skull in his hands . . . his face reflected in the calm surface of the wine. ââ¬Å"May this wine I now drink become a deadly poison to me,â⬠he declared, ââ¬Å"should I ever knowingly or willfully violate my oath.â⬠Obviously, this initiate had intended to violate his oath beyond all imagination. Langdon could barely get his mind around what would happen if this video were made public. No one would understand. The government would be thrown into upheaval. The airwaves would be filled with the voices of anti-Masonic groups, fundamentalists, and conspiracy theorists spewing hatred and fear, launching a Puritan witch hunt all over again. The truth will be twisted, Langdon knew. As it always is with the Masons. The truth was that the brotherhoodââ¬â¢s focus on death was in fact a bold celebration of life. Masonic ritual was designed to awaken the slumbering man inside, lifting him from his dark coffin of ignorance, raising him into the light, and giving him eyes to see. Only through the death experience could man fully understand his life experience. Only through the realization that his days on earth were finite could he grasp the importance of living those days with honor, integrity, and service to his fellow man. Masonic initiations were startling because they were meant to be transformative. Masonic vows were unforgiving because they were meant to be reminders that manââ¬â¢s honor and his ââ¬Å"wordâ⬠were all he could take from this world. Masonic teachings were arcane because they were meant to be universal . . . taught through a common language of symbols and metaphors that transcended religions, cultures, and races . . . creating a unified ââ¬Å"worldwide consciousnessâ⬠of brotherly love. For a brief instant, Langdon felt a glimmer of hope. He tried to assure himself that if this video were to leak out, the public would be open-minded and tolerant, realizing that all spiritual rituals included aspects that would seem frightening if taken out of contextââ¬âcrucifixion reenactments, Jewish circumcision rites, Mormon baptisms of the dead, Catholic exorcisms, Islamic niqab, shamanic trance healing, the Jewish Kaparot ceremony, even the eating of the figurative body and blood of Christ. Iââ¬â¢m dreaming, Langdon knew. This video will create chaos. He could imagine what would happen if the prominent leaders of Russia or the Islamic world were seen in a video, pressing knives to bare chests, swearing violent oaths, performing mock murders, lying in symbolic coffins, and drinking wine from a human skull. The global outcry would be instantaneous and overwhelming. God help us . . . On-screen now, the initiate was raising the skull to his lips. He tipped it backward . . . draining the blood-red wine . . . sealing his oath. Then he lowered the skull and gazed out at the assembly around him. Americaââ¬â¢s most powerful and trusted men gave contented nods of acceptance. ââ¬Å"Welcome, brother,â⬠Peter Solomon said. As the image faded to black, Langdon realized he had stopped breathing. Without a word, Sato reached over, closed the briefcase, and lifted it off his lap. Langdon turned to her trying to speak, but he could find no words. It didnââ¬â¢t matter. Understanding was written all over his face. Sato was right. Tonight was a national-security crisis . . . of unimaginable proportions. CHAPTER 118 Dressed in his loincloth, Malââ¬â¢akh padded back and forth in front of Peter Solomonââ¬â¢s wheelchair. ââ¬Å"Peter,â⬠he whispered, enjoying every moment of his captiveââ¬â¢s horror, ââ¬Å"you forgot you have a second family . . . your Masonic brothers. And I will destroy them, too . . . unless you help me.â⬠Solomon looked almost catatonic in the glow of the laptop sitting atop his thighs. ââ¬Å"Please,â⬠he finally stammered, glancing up. ââ¬Å"If this video gets out . . .â⬠ââ¬Å"If?â⬠Malââ¬â¢akh laughed. ââ¬Å"If it gets out?â⬠He motioned to the small cellular modem plugged into the side of his laptop. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m connected to the world.â⬠ââ¬Å"You wouldnââ¬â¢t . . .â⬠I will, Malââ¬â¢akh thought, enjoying Solomonââ¬â¢s horror. ââ¬Å"You have the power to stop me,â⬠he said. ââ¬Å"And to save your sister. But you have to tell me what I want to know. The Lost Word is hidden somewhere, Peter, and I know this grid reveals exactly where to find it.â⬠Peter glanced at the grid of symbols again, his eyes revealing nothing. ââ¬Å"Perhaps this will help to inspire you.â⬠Malââ¬â¢akh reached over Peterââ¬â¢s shoulders and hit a few keys on the laptop. An e-mail program launched on the screen, and Peter stiffened visibly. The screen now displayed an e-mail that Malââ¬â¢akh had cued earlier tonightââ¬âa video file addressed to a long list of major media networks. Malââ¬â¢akh smiled. ââ¬Å"I think itââ¬â¢s time we share, donââ¬â¢t you?â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t!â⬠Malââ¬â¢akh reached down and clicked the send button on the program. Peter jerked against his bonds, trying unsuccessfully to knock the laptop to the floor. ââ¬Å"Relax, Peter,â⬠Malââ¬â¢akh whispered. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s a massive file. It will take a few minutes to go out.â⬠He pointed to the progress bar: SENDING MESSAGE: 2% COMPLETE ââ¬Å"If you tell me what I want to know, Iââ¬â¢ll stop the e-mail, and nobody will ever see this.â⬠Peter was ashen as the task bar inched forward. SENDING MESSAGE: 4% COMPLETE Malââ¬â¢akh now lifted the computer from Peterââ¬â¢s lap and set it on one of the nearby pigskin chairs, turning the screen so the other man could watch the progress. Then he returned to Peterââ¬â¢s side and laid the page of symbols in his lap. ââ¬Å"The legends say the Masonic Pyramid will unveil the Lost Word. This is the pyramidââ¬â¢s final code. I believe you know how to read it.â⬠Malââ¬â¢akh glanced over at the laptop. SENDING MESSAGE: 8% COMPLETE Malââ¬â¢akh returned his eyes to Peter. Solomon was staring at him, his gray eyes blazing now with hatred. Hate me, Malââ¬â¢akh thought. The greater the emotion, the more potent the energy that will be released when the ritual is completed. At Langley, Nola Kaye pressed the phone to her ear, barely able to hear Sato over the noise of the helicopter. ââ¬Å"They said itââ¬â¢s impossible to stop the file transfer!â⬠Nola shouted. ââ¬Å"To shut down local ISPs would take at least an hour, and if heââ¬â¢s got access to a wireless provider, killing the ground-based Internet wonââ¬â¢t stop him from sending it anyway.â⬠Nowadays, stopping the flow of digital information had become nearly impossible. There were too many access routes to the Internet. Between hard lines, Wi-Fi hot spots, cellular modems, SAT phones, superphones, and e-mail-equipped PDAs, the only way to isolate a potential data leak was by destroying the source machine. ââ¬Å"I pulled the spec sheet on the UH-60 youââ¬â¢re flying,â⬠Nola said, ââ¬Å"and it looks like youââ¬â¢re equipped with EMP.â⬠Electromagnetic-pulse or EMP guns were now commonplace among law enforcement agencies, which used them primarily to stop car chases from a safe distance. By firing a highly concentrated pulse of electromagnetic radiation, an EMP gun could effectively fry the electronics of any device it targetedââ¬âcars, cell phones, computers. According to Nolaââ¬â¢s spec sheet, the UH- 60 had a chassis-mounted, laser-sighted, six-gigahertz magnetron with a fifty-dB-gain horn that yielded a ten-gigawatt pulse. Discharged directly at a laptop, the pulse would fry the computerââ¬â¢s motherboard and instantly erase the hard drive. ââ¬Å"EMP will be useless,â⬠Sato yelled back. ââ¬Å"Target is inside a stone building. No sight lines and thick EM shielding. Do you have any indication yet if the video has gone out?â⬠Nola glanced at a second monitor, which was running a continuous search for breaking news stories about the Masons. ââ¬Å"Not yet, maââ¬â¢am. But if it goes public, weââ¬â¢ll know within seconds.â⬠ââ¬Å"Keep me posted.â⬠Sato signed off. Langdon held his breath as the helicopter dropped from the sky toward Dupont Circle. A handful of pedestrians scattered as the aircraft descended through an opening in the trees and landed hard on the lawn just south of the famous two-tiered fountain designed by the same two men who created the Lincoln Memorial. Thirty seconds later, Langdon was riding shotgun in a commandeered Lexus SUV, tearing up New Hampshire Avenue toward the House of the Temple. Peter Solomon was desperately trying to figure out what to do. All he could see in his mind were the images of Katherine bleeding in the basement . . . and of the video he had just witnessed. He turned his head slowly toward the laptop on the pigskin chair several yards away. The progress bar was almost a third of the way filled. SENDING MESSAGE: 29% COMPLETE The tattooed man was now walking slow circles around the square altar, swinging a lit censer and chanting to himself. Thick puffs of white smoke swirled up toward the skylight. The manââ¬â¢s eyes were wide now, and he seemed to be in a demonic trance. Peter turned his gaze to the ancient knife that sat waiting on the white silk cloth spread across the altar. Peter Solomon had no doubt that he would die in this temple tonight. The question was how to die. Would he find a way to save his sister and his brotherhood . . . or would his death be entirely in vain? He glanced down at the grid of symbols. When he had first laid eyes on the grid, the shock of the moment had blinded him . . . preventing his vision from piercing the veil of chaos . . . to glimpse the startling truth. Now, however, the real significance of these symbols had become crystal clear to him. He had seen the grid in an entirely new light. Peter Solomon knew exactly what he needed to do. Taking a deep breath, he gazed up at the moon through the oculus above. Then he began to speak. All great truths are simple. Malââ¬â¢akh had learned that long ago. The solution that Peter Solomon was now explaining was so graceful and pure that Malââ¬â¢akh was sure that it could only be true. Incredibly, the solution to the pyramidââ¬â¢s final code was far simpler than he had ever imagined. The Lost Word was right before my eyes. In an instant, a bright ray of light pierced the murkiness of the history and myth surrounding the Lost Word. As promised, the Lost Word was indeed written in an ancient language and bore mystical power in every philosophy, religion, and science ever known to man. Alchemy, astrology, Kabbalah, Christianity, Buddhism, Rosicrucianism, Freemasonry, astronomy, physics, Noetics . . . Standing now in this initiation chamber atop the great pyramid of Heredom, Malââ¬â¢akh gazed upon the treasure he had sought all these years, and he knew he could not have prepared himself more perfectly. Soon I am complete. The Lost Word is found. In Kalorama Heights, a lone CIA agent stood amid a sea of garbage that he had dumped out of the trash bins that had been found in the garage. ââ¬Å"Ms. Kaye?â⬠he said, speaking to Satoââ¬â¢s analyst on the phone. ââ¬Å"Good thinking to search his garbage. I think I just found something.â⬠Inside the house, Katherine Solomon was feeling stronger with every passing moment. The infusion of lactated Ringerââ¬â¢s solution had successfully raised her blood pressure and quelled her throbbing headache. She was resting now, seated in the dining room, with explicit instructions to remain still. Her nerves felt frayed, and she was increasingly anxious for news about her brother. Where is everybody? The CIAââ¬â¢s forensics team had not yet arrived, and the agent who had stayed behind was still off searching the premises. Bellamy had been sitting with her in the dining room, still wrapped in a foil blanket, but he, too, had wandered off to look for any information that might help the CIA save Peter. Unable to sit idly, Katherine pulled herself to her feet, teetered, and then inched slowly toward the living room. She found Bellamy in the study. The Architect was standing at an open drawer, his back to her, apparently too engrossed in its contents to hear her enter. She walked up behind him. ââ¬Å"Warren?â⬠The old man lurched and turned, quickly shutting the drawer with his hip. His face was lined with shock and grief, his cheeks streaked with tears. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s wrong?!â⬠She glanced down at the drawer. ââ¬Å"What is it?â⬠Bellamy seemed unable to speak. He had the look of a man who had just seen something he deeply wished he had not. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s in the drawer?â⬠she demanded. Bellamyââ¬â¢s tear-filled eyes held hers for a long, sorrowful moment. Finally he spoke. ââ¬Å"You and I wondered why . . . why this man seemed to hate your family.â⬠Katherineââ¬â¢s brow furrowed. ââ¬Å"Yes?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well . . .â⬠Bellamyââ¬â¢s voice caught. ââ¬Å"I just found the answer.â⬠How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 117-118, Essay examples
Thursday, April 23, 2020
The Biotechnology Industry free essay sample
Discusses the biotechnology industry from the point of view of macroeconomics. This paper takes macroeconomics view of the biotechnology industry by showing how the industry is currently made up of several small and medium sized firms along with few large concerns. The author indicates how the industry has been growing steadily for almost a decade and how it is making significant profits even when the economy on the whole is faced with a recession-like situation. As the biotechnology industry is rapidly expands it has been attracting attention of both the government and the investors. Many firms have entered the field though there are only a handful of large multi-million dollar firms. The industry has been engaged mainly in the research and development of biotechnology products including several drugs and vaccines, which are based on biomedical research. Biotechnology is fast becoming the center of attention as scientists and researchers are taking a keen interest in this field. We will write a custom essay sample on The Biotechnology Industry or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The government has also shown keen interest in the development of this industry but with biotechnology thousands of protests have also emerged.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The Role of Islam in African Slavery
The Role of Islam in African Slavery Slavery has been rife throughout all of ancient history. Most, if not all, ancient civilizations practiced this institution and it is described (and defended) in early writings of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Egyptians. It was also practiced by early societies in Central America and Africa. The Quran prescribes a humanitarian approach to slavery: free men could not be enslaved, and those faithful to foreign religions could live as protected persons, dhimmis, under Muslim rule (as long as they maintained payment of taxes called Kharaj and Jizya). However, the spread of the Islamic Empire resulted in a much harsher interpretation of the law. For example, if a dhimmi was unable to pay the taxes they could be enslaved, and people from outside the borders of the Islamic Empire were considered an acceptable source of slaves. Although the law required owners to treat slaves well and provide medical treatment, a slave had no right to be heard in court (testimony was forbidden by slaves), had no right to property, could marry only with permission of their owner, and was considered to be a chattel, that is the (moveable) property, of the slave owner. Conversion to Islam did not automatically give a slave freedom nor did it confer freedom to their children. Whilst highly educated slaves and those in the military did win their freedom, those used for basic duties rarely achieved freedom. In addition, the recorded mortality rate was high this was still significant even as late as the nineteenth century and was remarked upon by western travelers in North Africa and Egypt. Slaves were obtained through conquest, tribute from vassal states, offspring (children of slaves were also slaves, but since many slaves were castrated this was not as common as it had been in the Roman empire), and purchase. The latter method provided the majority of slaves, and at the borders of the Islamic Empire vast number of new slaves were castrated ready for sale. The majority of these slaves came from Europe and Africa there were always enterprising locals ready to kidnap or capture their fellow countrymen. Black Africans were transported to the Islamic empire across the Sahara to Morocco and Tunisia from West Africa, from Chad to Libya, along the Nile from East Africa, and up the coast of East Africa to the Persian Gulf. This trade had been well entrenched for over 600 years before Europeans arrived, and had driven the rapid expansion of Islam across North Africa. By the time of the Ottoman Empire, the majority of slaves were obtained by raiding in Africa. Russian expansion had put an end to the source of exceptionally beautiful female and brave male slaves from the Caucasians the women were highly prized in the harem, the men in the military. The great trade networks across North Africa were as much to do with the safe transportation of slaves as other goods. An analysis of prices at various slave markets shows that eunuchs fetched higher prices than other males, encouraging the castration of slaves before export. Documentation suggests that slaves throughout Islamic world were mainly used for menial domestic and commercial purposes. Eunuchs were especially prized for bodyguards and confidential servants; women as concubines and menials. A Muslim slave owner was entitled by law to use slaves for sexual pleasure. As primary source material becomes available to Western scholars, the bias towards urban slaves is being questioned. Records also show that thousands of slaves were used in gangs for agriculture and mining. Large landowners and rulers used thousands of such slaves, usually in dire conditions: of the Saharan salt mines, it is said that no slave lived there for more than five years.1 References Bernard Lewis ââ¬â¹Race and Slavery in the Middle East: An Historical Enquiry, Chapter 1 Slavery, Oxford Univ Press 1994.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
What I Learned Traveling in Israel without a Tour Bus
What I Learned Traveling in Israel without a Tour Bus On May 1st, I did something I havenââ¬â¢t done in over 10 years: I got on a plane and flew to a foreign country. I had been to Israel before, but only on pre-programmed tours. Here are some snippets of what I learned as a solo traveler traveling in Israel, visiting friends and giving a presentation as an international speaker at Google Campus Tel Aviv: Day 1: Arrival When traveling in Israel, it pays to have an official European style adapter for a MacBook Pro charger. The only way I could get my charger to work was to find a diagonal plug or a power strip on the ground. Anything else would not hold the bulky charger. Day 2: Hod Hasharon Get oriented. And donââ¬â¢t wander out on a 103-degree day without a hat and sunglasses, without knowing in which direction to take the bus. Donââ¬â¢t be shy about calling your friend for help. She will be willing to take you to the bus stop and save you from sunstroke. The buses donââ¬â¢t come on time. Donââ¬â¢t expect them to. Sometimes youââ¬â¢ll just need to take a taxi. The taxis donââ¬â¢t take credit cards, but theyââ¬â¢ll accept U.S. dollars. When attending a yoga class in Hebrew, itââ¬â¢s a good idea to tell the yoga instructor that you donââ¬â¢t speak Hebrew. Sheââ¬â¢ll be much more likely to throw in English as necessary. Shââ¬â¢efa, venââ¬â¢shifah = Breathe in, Breathe out Thought you could get mixed greens in Israel that donââ¬â¢t include arugula? Think again. The buses donââ¬â¢t come on time in the afternoon either. Day 3: Swimming, Shopping and Shabbat If youââ¬â¢re nice to the lifeguard at the outdoor pool at the moshav, heââ¬â¢ll let you in for free, even if youââ¬â¢re not a member. The Central Bus Station in Jerusalem is like a small city. Be sure to have a shekel on hand to use the restroom! ââ¬Å"King (Melech) Halvahâ⬠has the best halvah in Israel. And they give tastes! The dates in Israel are 10x better than anything youââ¬â¢ll get in the States. Donââ¬â¢t keep walking in sandals after they have worn a cut on your foot. The bike path in Jerusalem is beautiful, bordered by lavender and rosemary, and a lovely place to walk on Friday night. Do not expect to eat Shabbat dinner before 9pm, and do not expect it to be over until midnight. Expect deep conversation. Light your own set of candles if youââ¬â¢re in Israel for Shabbat, even if at first you think itââ¬â¢s okay to bless candles lit by someone else. Day 4: Shabbat in the Old City and Ein Karem Sleeping late on Saturday is the way to go after a late Shabbat dinner. Those yoga videos you purchased on special and downloaded onto your computer? They are great for a country that shuts down on Saturdays! There are stores and restaurants open on Saturdays in Jerusalem! à à à à The stones on the walkways in the Old City are treacherously slippery. If your shoes slip, wear bare feet. You might offend some people, but at least you will not wipe out. When you see a door you are compelled to open, open it and wander in. You might be surprised at what you find. And your friend who didnââ¬â¢t want to see the art exhibit might just end up having multiple people she knows in common with the artist. à à à à à If you ask someone if you can pick fruit from their loquat tree, they will probably say yes. Loquats are delicious and pair well with those amazing dates. Always have cash on hand when traveling in Israel. Machines that are supposed to accept credit cards, well, sometimes donââ¬â¢t. Day 4: Dancing and Yad Vashem When assisting at a movement class for the elderly in Jerusalem, wear a high-cut top or some of the ladies might get offended. The men have no problem with it. Plan to spend a whole day at Yad Vashem (the Holocaust Museum) when traveling in Israel. The hours of testimonials are riveting. Four hours just isnââ¬â¢t enough. Donââ¬â¢t put money on your ââ¬Å"Rav Kavâ⬠(transportation card) on the Jerusalem light rail if you want to use the money for a bus in Tel Aviv. Day 5: Joy Gym This is the land of the Bible. Where there is lightning, there could be hail. Be on the lookout for shelter. You can run into some interesting characters at Joy Gym in Hod Hasharon, including Eli Danker, an Israeli actor who teaches acting to Martha Graham dancers in New York, and usually plays a terrorist. You can look him up on IMDb. ââ¬Å"Itzuvlatesâ⬠with Rotem at Joy Gym is one of the best and most challenging fitness classes youââ¬â¢ll ever find! ââ¬Å"Itzuvâ⬠means sculpting ââ¬â so Itzuvlates is a combo sculpting and Pilates. The instructor is really encouraging too! There really is no way to get those light rail tickets converted to normal money on the Rav Kav. Try as you might. The 8-hour time difference between the US and Israel is great for freedom in the mornings; not so great for having any freedom in the evenings or for going to bed at a decent hour! If you take the bus to an address but itââ¬â¢s in the wrong city, you will be very late getting to your cousinsââ¬â¢ house and probably not get to play with the baby. A 10-minute car ride can take an hour on 3 buses. Oy. Day 6: Artists and Eateries If youââ¬â¢re in Tel Aviv on a Tuesday, be sure to go to the Artistââ¬â¢s Market. Youââ¬â¢ll find some beautiful objects there! I bought a Shabbat set that holds tealights instead of the tall white candles I grew up with, and a turquoise scarf with butterflies! Then wander over to Ouzeria, a restaurant with a Greek twist, patronized by locals ââ¬â best food I had while I was in Israel! Office buildings in Tel Aviv can look like this: Bargaining is all about the facial expression. Biggest win: A chunk of halvah knocked down from 45nis (shekels) to 30nis. Score! Day 7: Google Campus Tel Aviv Office buildings in Israel can also look like this: à à Israelis can be an enthusiastic and challenging crowd! Networking meetings can be set up on a dime. I met the next day with a recruiter who attended my presentation! The Mexican chocolate popsicles at the Sarona Mall are worth the trip. Day 8: Final Day It doesnââ¬â¢t take long to make friends at the gym. Eli Danker was there again! Itââ¬â¢s possible to live in Israel without speaking a word of Hebrew. I met another client who lives there and works for the U.S. federal government and she knows one phrase: ââ¬Å"Tax receiptâ⬠! Landver might be a chain, but they have really great food, from salads to smoothies to pasta. Yoga classes at Joy Gym are not for advanced students. Stick to EllaYoga! A gathering of 6-8 people can be created on a dime. People show up! Lovely evening at the outdoor seating at Landver. Day 9: Farewell Israel! Taxis come 15 minutes early in Hod Hasharon. Better than 15 minutes late! Your friends in Israel will want you to move there. Refrigerator magnets at the airport are a great way to spend those last shekels. Leaving Israel feels sad. Already looking forward to the next trip. Lââ¬â¢hitraot (until we see each other again)! Category:Blog ArticleBy Brenda BernsteinMay 15, 2018 10 Comments Maitri Meyer says: May 15, 2018 at 10:22 am AWESOME Trip! Thanks so much for sharing the tips you learned along the way Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: May 15, 2018 at 11:07 am Thanks Maitri! I added one more line: Remember youre in the land of the Bible. Where theres lightning, there could be hail. Find cover! Log in to Reply Rebecca Herson says: May 15, 2018 at 12:16 pm Great post! Glad to see some of our joint activities made the cut (mmm Mexican chocolate popsicles). And yes, you should definitely move here! Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: May 15, 2018 at 12:19 pm Thanks Rebecca! Of course our joint activities made the cut they were some of the best parts of my trip. Im glad we were able to spend so much time together! Log in to Reply Hayden Fink says: May 15, 2018 at 2:13 pm Israel is an exciting place to visit. I am glad that you had a positive experience and enjoyed your time there. Thanks for sharing the pics and details from your trip! Next time try and visit Safed, one of my favorite places in Israel. Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: May 15, 2018 at 2:15 pm Thank you, Hayden! Yes Ive heard Safed is a wonderful place to spend Shabbat I will definitely go there next time! Log in to Reply Barry Shrut says: May 15, 2018 at 2:43 pm Thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful pix and you rekindled memories of our family trip to Israel about 8 years ago. We booked a private guide and had an exquisite time, visiting Tel Aviv, Haifa, Golan Heights, Beit Shean, Jerusalem and Dead Sea. Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: May 15, 2018 at 3:11 pm Youre welcome, Barry. That sounds like a beautiful trip! Next time I will try to visit more of those sites. I did go to many of them in my previous trips, but that was a long time ago! Log in to Reply Vladimir Starov says: May 16, 2018 at 11:40 am Wonderful notes from your trip! I learned new tips although I visited Israel 7-8 times in the past, the last time almost 10 years ago. Time to go back and visit Landver! Log in to Reply Brenda Bernstein says: May 16, 2018 at 11:50 am Thanks for your comment, Vladimir. Im sure you would teach me a lot more everyones experience is unique and worth sharing! Log in to Reply
Friday, February 14, 2020
The Disappearing Data Center Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
The Disappearing Data Center - Essay Example In addition, the system should have adequate authentication, access control and administration. The company should therefore examine the authentication options that are available, for instance, whether the system has trusted proxy, good security measures and so on. Comparatively, should access whether the technology and hosting are fit for purpose and is scalable. The company should determine whether the hardware is modern, reliable, the development cycle of the system, its ease in integrating with other systems and so on. Therefore, in a nut shell, when deciding where to host their system, the companies should evaluate the systemââ¬â¢s navigation and interface, content production and workflow, authentication, access control and administration, and the fitness level of the technology and hosting. Other considerations could comprise of whether the operating system, scripting software and server software meet the purpose of the company. Many small businesses are moving towards cloud computing as a way of saving their costs and attaining sophisticated and powerful hardware (Plant 2009). However, there are several issues surrounding moving a companyââ¬â¢s data center to the cloud computing. Some of the issues facing companies that have opted for cloud computing include the following;- First, cloud computing brings with it issues to deal with the security of the companyââ¬â¢s data transfer. This is because all the information that travels between the company network and the cloud passes through the and therefore there is a chance that hackers could distort it. Due to this, the management should ensure that their systems are well secured through the use of internet security measures such as encryption, proxy, industry standard protocols and so on. Equally important, the use of software interfaces could be a major issue affecting cloud computing. The use of a weak set of software interface could expose the company to various
Saturday, February 1, 2020
Milky way Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words
Milky way - Essay Example 324). As one looks at the night sky, they observe a hazy band of white light that they always infer to be the Milky Way. Apparently, this is not true because every star and celestial body seen by the naked eye in the night sky all belong in the Milky Way. However, the band of white light comes about as a result of the accumulation of unresolved stars and other materials. A dark region can also be observed within the white band. The shaded area corresponds to blocked light from the distant star by interstellar dust. The Milky Way mainly consists of a bulging center and a spiral disk. The spiral disk can further be classified into a thin and thick disk. The flat disk rises about a 1000 light years below and above the galactic mid-plane, and the thick disk extends to about 3500 light years on both sides of the plane. When one considers the flatness of the galaxy then the galactic disk is said to be 120,000 light-years across. Our sun is about 28,000 light-years from the galactic center within the thin disk. There is also a halo that surrounds the entire disk, but it is not visible because of its dark matter composition. The Milky Way consists of many stars. These stars vary in lots of ways, from their individual size to their composition. The stars also vary depending on where they are found within the galactic disk, for example, those in the halo differ from those found on the disk. Consequently, they are said to belong to different stellar population. The mass of a star also translates to its life span; their weight is usually measured in terms of solar mass. The lighter the solar mass the longer the stars life span. The Milky Way is just one galaxy in a collection of a group of galaxies called the Local group. The Milky Way moves at 300 km/sec in the direction of the constellation Virgo. The Milky Way is in constant movement with the other galaxies in the Local Group. The galaxies found within the local
Friday, January 24, 2020
The Lying Witches and the Downfall of Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework
Lying Witches and the Downfall of Macbeth à à à A false statement or a statement intended to deceive someone is known as a lie.à Of course, there are many different types of lies. There are those blatant lies that have no truth in them whatsoever, lies of omission, and half-truths.à à à à à à In the Shakespearean play, Macbeth, evil witches deceive their victim, Macbeth, by telling him half-truths about his prophecies.à As a result of this new "half-true" knowledge, Macbeth makes rash decisions that lead him to paranoia, grief, and eventually his downfall. à à à à à à à The first set of prophecies that the witches reveal to Macbeth in act 1, scene 3, stated that Macbeth was to become Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and finally be crowned king.à They also said, "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none."à Macbeth was shocked when the first two prophecies came true.à In act 1, scene 3, he spoke of his fears, saying "unfix my hair, and make my seated heart knock at my ribs." In Elizabethan times, witches were known as creatures of the devil, satanic creatures who roam the world to cause destruction and chaos.à But how could devils speak of great truths? Macbeth's new knowledge was then reported to his wife.à He writes about how he will become king.à But how would he do this?à One of Macbeth's rash decisions was to murder the present King. à à à à à Macbeth had invited the King and the King's men to his castle to celebrate the victory of the battle that had been won.à That night, while everyone was asleep, Macbeth took a dagger and killed the King. After the murder he became very paranoid.à In act 2, scene 2, he cries: "Didst thou not hear a noise? ...There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried `murder!', Methought I heard a voice cry `Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'...I am afraid to think what I have done; look on't again I dare not." à à à à à Macbeth become king. As a result of his Paranoia, he called upon murderers to execute Banquo, a friend of his that knew about the prophecies.à Paranoia had taken over his life so much that his wife was left out of his plans.à He had become so paranoid, his feelings had become numb. This is shown in act 5, scene 5, when he says: "I have almost forgot the taste of fears: The time has been, my senses would have cool'd to hear a night-shriek.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Quotes for Zorba the Greek
Journal Entry #1 Quote: ââ¬Å"the only way to save yourself is to endeavor to save others? â⬠Page: 5 In life there are times when people cannot only focus on themselves. In order to move on, and fulfill lifeââ¬â¢s destiny you must help those that surround you. One cannot truly understand who they are and why they were brought to earth unless they consider helping those around them. Helping others teaches you to become more understanding patient, and sympathetic toward others. You initially free yourself of any conflict between others and help them as well. Journal Entry #2 Quote: ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d believe in God, and Iââ¬â¢d believe in the devil, tooâ⬠Page: 54 God is considered a supernatural creator and overseer of the universe, while the devil is considered a powerful entity and the epitome of all things evil. Life is never completely perfect; there will always be a glimpse of evil. In order to believe in God you have to believe there is a devil. When I first saw these words I was taken a back; how can one believe in God yet still follow the devil. I then realized that though the God and Devil are completely opposites they both combine to make on just like the yin and yang. Journal Entry #3 Quote: ââ¬Å"I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happinessâ⬠Page: 80 Today in the 21st century we are easily amused by what money can buy us even if it costs a fortune. Yet when you take a break from all the money spending and spend time with friends, nature, and family it is easy to see that you can find happiness everywhere especially the smallest things. You do not have to be economically viable in order to find happiness. Journal Entry # 4 Quote: ââ¬Å"Woe to him who wants to please others! â⬠Page: 182 Today in the 21st century we would read this quote as ââ¬Ëwarning to him who wants to please others. ââ¬â¢ Too often does one get teased upon for helping those in need. This quote further proves that when one person tries to please everyone they get overwhelmed with despair. Another way to read this is that when you constantly try to please others you never help yourself or make yourself happy so you continuously thrust sadness upon yourself. Journal Entry # 5 Quote: ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the road to take; find the absolute rhythm and following it with absolute trust. â⬠Page: 233 As teenagers we are always told that everyone has a talent, when we grow older everyone tells us to pick a job that will support you financially. Sometimes ones talent will not support you financially such as an artist, photographer, or dancer. Yet this quote tells us to find our talent find something we like to do and stick with it. In other words go with your gut feeling. Zorba the Greek Poem: Narratorââ¬â¢s perspective Night had fallen, The sky was pitch ââ¬â black. Thinking to myself Itââ¬â¢s over. God is no longer with us. Laying down in a bunk next to a man, Once a complete stranger is now considered family. I was afraid of finding myself alone one evening I lay down in my new bed, reflecting on my new life. I remember the books and how they comforted me, I remember my precious Friend. Never shall I forget the last moment we shared. Whenever I happened to dream of a better world I imagined myself in the hands of my friend surrounded by life. Awakened from such a beautiful lie, I tell myself donââ¬â¢t let your self be overcome by lies. To believe meant I was weak. Everyday I knew an adventure was waiting for me. The nights were unbearable. Every night was filled with silence. Silence that broke my heart. Night. It was my time to think, To think of my books and my friend. To think of Zorba, and our spontaneous friendship. Most of all to think of what I will become. Night had fallen The sky was pitch ââ¬â black Laying in a bunk next to a man, Thinking to myself. I am no longer who I used to be. I am no longer the awkward bookworm.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Physics Assessmrnt - 850 Words
Question 1(10 marks) Comment the following statements (a) The volume coefficient of thermal expansion of water is negative for temperatures in the range 0 to 4 à °C. (b) The triple point of water, 0.01 à °C, and 611.73 Pa, is one of the primary fixed points on the Kelvin absolute temperature scale. (c) The volume coefficient for the thermal expansion of a solid is twice the linear coefficient for thermal expansion. (d) A temperature of 26.85 à °C is the same as 300 K. (e) The surface temperature of the sun (3142 à °C) is the highest temperature found in nature. Question 2 (10 marks) A sample of an unknown gas (gas A) has a volume of 3.2 m3 at a temperature of 10 à °C. Another sample of an unknown gas (gas B) has a volume of 4.5 m3 at aâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦(b) What is the required capacitance of the defibrillator? Question 8 (15 marks) In a region of space there is a uniform magnetic field of magnitude 0.25mT pointing vertically straight down. (a) If an electron is moving in the horizontal plane at a speed of 550 kmsâËâ1, what will the radius of the resultant circular path be? (b) Will the electron be moving clockwise or counter-clockwise when viewed from above? (c) If a positron (same mass as an electron but with a charge of +qe ) is moving in the horizontal plane at speed of 550 kmsâËâ1, what will the radius of the resultant circular path be? (d) Will the positron be moving clockwise or counter-clockwise when viewed from above? (e) How fast would an ï ¡ particle () need to be travelling to have a path of the same radius as the electron in part
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