Floods in South Africa

| 2013| | MASEGO MOCHOARI2008027750 | [GEO 234 :FLOODING IN SOUTH AFRICA]| THIS ASSIGNMENT GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF FLOODING AND ITS IMPACTS ON SOUTH AFRICA,THE ASSIGNMENT GIVES A BRIEF FORCUS OF FLOODING IN THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATAL|TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 2 2 DEFINING FLOODING 2 3 WHAT IS LA NINA 2 4 IMPACT OF FLOODS 2-3 5 MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO HANDLE FLOODING 3 6 HUMAN IMPACT ON FLOODING 3-4 7 CONCLUSION 4 8 REFERENCE LIST 5 9 1. 1 INTRODUCTION La Nina influenced flooding took place in South Africa on January 24 of 2011. Heavy rain caused the widespread flooding in South Africa. This heavy rainfall is common during La Nina summers in South Africa. rainfall for the month of January had been reported to be nearly 10 times the average in parts of the country. Other countries besides South Africa had also been hit by heavy rain and La Nina was blamed for the flooding across Australia and the Philippines.More than 100 people lost their lives in floods that took pl ace across South Africa. The majority of the deaths were in KwaZulu-Natal and damages were estimated at R300 million. By the end of January ,heavy rain had been widespread across the country and eight of South Africa's nine provinces were declared disaster areas by the South African government. This assignment takes a look at what flooding is all about,it explains what La Nina is and looks at the impact floods have. This assignment focuses on flooding in South Africa with particular focus on flooding in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Sub-headings have been used for easy navigation of the assignment. 1. 2 DEFINING FLOODINGFlooding from a hydrological sense can be defined stricty as a rise,which is usually brief in the water level of a water body ,this water body can be a river,dam and accumulated rainwater in a failed drainage system. (national geographic) The term flood simply implies a progressive and abnormal increase in the elevation of surface level of a water body until it reac hes a maximum height,at this point the water level will slowly drop back to its normal level, at this point it is important to state that these actions that take place usually take place within a certain period of time,therefore floods are episodic events where water rises and then eventually drops back to its normal surface level.Another characteristic of flooding is that flooding may result in the overflowing of water onto areas which are not normally submerged in water. (national geographic) 1. 3 WHAT IS LA Nina La Nina conditions occur when Pacific trade winds blow stronger than usual, this pushes sun-warmed surface water further west and increases the upwelling of cold water in eastern regions. Together with the atmospheric effects of southern oscillation, cooler water brings drought to western South America and heavy rains to south Africa ,eastern Australia and Indonesia. (national geographic) 1. 4 IMPACT OF FLOODS South Africa is a producer of corn, soybeans, and wheat.Farmer s usually welcome wetter-than-normal conditions, However the heavy rains that took place were so harsh they damaged crops. In addition to the damaged crop,field harvesting was at a halt as the fields were saturated . (south African health review) Such conditions have a negative impact on south Africa’s economy,this is because as a result of the floods damaging crops a shortage would take place,this means that less exports of crop products took place,in addition to that crop product prices would also have to go up in attempt to cover the cost of damages that took place. In the opinion of this assignment,it seems that flooding as is a disaster that can be both natural or human action related,has the same effect on every class of people ,it oes not choose nor hit poor areas or rich areas only . floods are spontaneous and will affect everyone that happens to be in the region of the flood . 1. 5 MEASURES PUT IN PLACE TO HANDLE FLOODING When we come to the topic of handling floodin g we need to introduce the concept of disaster management. a disaster can be caused by human or nature,they are events that are sometimes unpredictable,it is therefore essential for governments to manage all disatsers that occure. for this reason,distaster management planning should be a key point of any government. Disaster management aims to reduce the occurrence of disasters and to reduce the impact of those that cannot be prevented . he government white paper and act on disaster management define the roles of local authorities as well as provincial and notional government in disaster management. (government Gazzet) In accordance with the white paper and act on disaster management,every municipality should have a disaster management plan as part of their integrated development plan. having plans is place helps reduce the damage potential of disasters and in some cases results in the prevention of a disaster. (disaster management act) Protection services departments ,which deal wi th traffic policing, fire brigades and law enforcement should always be on high alert when disasters strike,this implies that they should always be on stand-by. disaster management act) When disasters such as flooding occur and exceeds the capacity of a local authority;district ,provincial or national parties should be notified. this means that any situation that is too lanrge for a local authority to handle should be reported. by doing this ,doors become open for parties such as volunteer organisations such as the Red cross,St Johns and national Sea rescue to give help where needed. (disaster management act) In summary,disaster management activities ,include the co-ordination of disaster response agents,a compilation and exercising of plans and disaster management education and training. When all the above mentioned are put into action properly,it becomes an effective way to handle disasters such as flooding. 1. 6 HUMAN IMPACT ON FLOODINGAs stated earlier in this assignment,disaste rs do not only occur natural ,human impact or behaviour can also cause a disaster ,this assignment is of the opinion that the following points which focus on human activities and actions that can cause flooding are the main human reasons why floods can occur: * The diversion of all water to rivers through drainage systems can cause rivers to overflow. this is because water is transported at a faster rate through drainage systems than it would if the water flowed naturally. * Cities and towns are man-made,they have a lot of buildings ,tarred roads and concrete pavements. this limits the amount of water that can be soaked and absorbed into the ground. Humans cut down forests; as a result loose soils run into the river,this causes a rising of the river bed,when this happens the chances of flooding increases as the carrying capacity of the river is decreased. * Architects and urban planners tend to straighten rivers in an attempt to control flooding,However as the river no longer meande r, further down the stream water suddenly slows down and this causes flooding 1. 7 CONCLUSION in conclusion,it is clear that flooding is a serious disaster that can cause both economic and structural damage. flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal province left farmers with damaged crops and also took the lives of many south Africans.It is also evident that if disaster management plans are put in place,the effects of flooding can be decreased especially if proper planning is done in reference to human causes of flooding. This assignment ,with all the above information given thought,concludes that in the case of KwaZulu-Natal and human impact on flooding,floods could have been avoided or at the very least the impacts thereof could have been lessened. REFERENCE LIST Cape Metropolitan Council Public Safety Advisories. frequently asked questions on disaster management. South African health review,2000. Chapter 24-disaster management. [Online:27th March 2013] http://www. etu. org. a/toolbox/docs/g overnment/disaster. html Government Gazzet. vol 403 ,No 19676,15 January 1999,white paper on disaster management,Ministry for provincial affairs and constitutional development,January 1999. Act 156(1) of the constitution [Online: 27th March 2013] http:www. ndmc. gov. za/portals/0//webdocuments/guidelines/DM/1_2_3. htm Government Gazzet. vol 451,No 24252,15 January 2002,Disaster Management Act. Cape Town. Act 57 of the constitution [Online:27th March 2013] http:www. ndmc. gov. za/portals/0//webdocuments/guidelines/DM/1_2_3. htm National Georaphic. [Online:27th March 2013] http:/environment,nationalgeographic. com/environment/natural-disaster/floods-profile/

Change Geared Towards the Future

Goals have always been incorporated in the lives of the people for as long as man can remember. I realized that the necessary knowledge that would be incorporated in my chosen career would benefit me especially in the future. Such idea has led me to enhance my craft further and pursue a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurial Management from the European Business School in London. Since I was a young child, I have posed a great deal of interest in the field of business. I aced my examinations in math majors, most especially in Accounting, Economics, Law, and Chemistry. Applying all of these skills in the real world did not come as a difficulty form my end, for I was able to learn about the field of business in my own way.In addition to this, I found myself enjoying the challenges that the field of business has for its students. I could also say that I have improved myself, and matured for the betterment of my career.Coming from a family of businessmen also became my driving force in acquiring the said degree. It has been my belief that the European Business School would help me to become a diverse individual, competent enough to make it big in this fast and changing world.   The family business is not just something that should be taken for granted and in so doing, I would be able to make sure that our business would be flourished even at times of financial distraught.Furthermore, I am a dedicated worker who enjoys challenges. Instead of being pulled down, I become more determined to improve my craft for each difficulty experienced. In addition to this, I also possess the ability to achieve my desired results using decisive management and leadership styles. I make sure that I would grow with my peers, especially in my chosen field.I realized that applying motivational skills and maintaining a positive and supportive attitude towards others would effectively contribute in delivering solutions. Planning projects and organizing work was never a problem for me either, so achieving success is not as difficult as it may seem. Most importantly, I work well under pressure while still delivering the required work deemed from me and my peers.I am currently staying in Dubai venturing what life has in store for me. At the same time I am also running one of the real estate businesses that my family has. Regardless of such accomplishments, I am stil l focused and dedicated to my craft. Such passion allowed me to fulfil my dreams. I am now graduating with a BSc in Investment and Financial Risk Management following extensive study at the Cass Business School in London.My hopes and dreams do not end after commencement. I believe that the education and rigorous training this institution would provide me with would help me to achieve my dreams further. In so doing, I would be able to indulge myself in researches that would be catered to the improvement of policies and strategies that we use in the business.In our own way, we would be able to come up with ideas that would benefit not just the company, but the economic system of the country, as well. Through my hard work and perseverance, I would be able to someday inspire others to do the same thing and become someone of great importance to society.Regardless of my dedication for my work, I am also a well rounded individual. I balance my professional life by being a social individual and having a healthy lifestyle. I would spend time with friends without compromising the quality and quantity of work that I produce.Furthermore, I would have days when I would care for my health by playing tennis, and exploring the world through travels. Life is short, and I want to make sure that I would be able to promote change that would be geared towards the future of our society.

Alcohol a nectar of the Gods

Alcohol a nectar of the Gods The taste is pure satisfaction. It is advertised everywhere and sooner or later you are bound to try it. Just the smell of it can cause some lucky alcoholics to begin salivating at the mouth. Alcohol can lead to the wonderful world of addiction. If you are one of the selected few, you could become an alcoholic very quickly. Upon becoming an alcoholic, your life is bound to fall into place. Everyday will be packed with free time. Free time to drink all day and do as you please because you have most likely been fired from your job by now. If you are still working, just keep going in half tanked and hung over. The supervisors tend to really love this. Alcoholism can possibly make for tight funds. So drink cheap beer and get some rich, alcoholic friends to support your habit with. If you want to experience something totally euphoric, try driving under the influence. Driving gets much more interesting with blurred vision. If the cops catch you drinking and driving, they will haul you off to jail and lock you up in a cell for the remainder of the night. Its kind of like staying in a hotel if you think about it. If you have a chance to escape the law, put the pedal to the metal because they usually end up confiscating all your stash and a lot of beer money. My only tip is drive after each night out because you know what they say, practice makes perfect. Also, if you are a person who likes to change cars frequently, drinking and driving provides the perfect opportunity, because you bound to hit a telephone pole or two. Being an alcoholic is one sure way to get the women and be proud of yourself. Girls really get into the staggering and bad breath. Girls think it is really great when you need them to lean on, preventing you from falling to the floor. And if a girl smells alcohol on your breath you can bet they will be standing in line to make out with you that night. The glossy, red eyes from being drunk let girls know that you are really into them and think they are the most beautiful thing on the earth. Being drunk often brings words of wisdom and the best out of everyone. It is almost guaranteed that you will wake up in the morning and be so proud and pleased with everything you said and did the night before. Another great thing about drinking is when you fall asleep you will sleep better than when you were a baby. You know you ve reached the ultimate goal of any alcoholic when you like to drink alone just as much as with others. Drinking alone makes you so independent. Drunks set many good examples and hold moralistic values. It could be said that your typical drunk could be any model American. With so many great results from drinking, I can’t understand while anyone would hesitate to start. Drinking stimulates physical implications on the body. Waking up the next morning after a long night of drinking with a hangover is the perfect re ason to start drinking again. That pounding headache and nauseated feeling is enough to drive anyone to tip back a bottle of booze. Without another beer, it could be hours before you walk straight again. Repeated drinking episodes with hangovers will eventually lead to interesting internal defects. Topping the list would have to be dead brain cells, and a liver that refuses to work. You will know you fit into this category when you cant spell your name you are scheduling your dialysis. Alcohols effects over life are constant. From immediate results amplified through hangovers to lifetime disorders, it makes visiting the doctor a guessing game.When you feel your life is coming to end due to the effects of alcohol, do not fret, because you will have known you lived life to its fullest. The biggest legend of all would have to be the man that died of alcohol poisoning when he got up to see who was at his door. It was the Alcohol Anonymous group. He sure showed them. I hope that you now understand all the benefits tha t come from being an alcoholic. Please drink for the well-being of yourself, because beer isnt just for breakfast anymore.

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Art integration - Essay Example ’†¦..learning skills, persistence and teamwork among kids.’’ The research made findings that schools in Alameda and Los Angeles counties have huge participation in the Arts for All initiative and Alliance for Arts Learning Leadership. In Boston, the mayor’s office has supported programs such as out-of-school art programs while in the New York City and Chicago schools have a soft spot for stand-alone arts where private foundations have been critical in art growth. The research has also indicated that a community-based organization in Dallas has facilitated the integration of arts learning into elementary schools After a research had ‘’†¦..painted a worrying picture of the art†¦.’ status in Dallas, various organizations under the umbrella name â€Å"Dallas arts Partner initiated a turnaround in the art. ArtPartners was formed fundamentally to oversee the implementation of various art programs that are focused creating art programs and making them available in school. It is significant to point out that the ArtsPartners have been able to integrate creative learning in all school programs, the curriculum and neighborhood cultural centers. The effort put by the ArtsPartners has since paid dividends as many students have excelled in their learning through the arts. In this they realized the education system can only achieve its objectives conveniently when art is part and parcel of learning. In Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance is one of the most original art forces in dancing. The group is among other few groups that perform art pieces in the entire and have performed in about fifty countries. The groups comprise two dance-iconic companies that are instrumental in presenting new masterpieces and works in arts. The group has transformed the life of many ‘’†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦through the use of creative energy in their education, community and youth programs.’’ On the other hand, Jammie Topper, a teaching artist, declares her huge interest in imparting art skills

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Analysis argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis argument - Essay Example These are just two examples; there are countless similar occasions in the article where statements have been made without evidence. Anderson’s article is more of an essay than an argument since throughout the article, he has just expressed personal opinions without providing evidence for them to enhance the credibility of his argument. Anderson has basically used the article as a means to express his personal opinions. Basically the article is a reflection on the author’s personal experiences that have led him to developing certain views that he has shared in an organized way. This makes the article informative rather than argumentative. Although the article’s credibility is little because of lack of references, yet the views Anderson has shared are sensible and seem to be coming from a learned and experienced author. I particularly agree to the fact that playing video games may be one of the risk factors that play a role in making the youth criminals, yet it is too subtle and ineffective a factor to have such a large negative effect on the psychology of the children as to make them killers. One factor that is particularly out of place in the article is that although Anderson has cited no study, yet he has gone to such lengths as comparing different studies and the underlying factors as sample sizes, as he says, â€Å"Why have different researchers found different results? Well, part of the problem is that many studies have used a sample size that is much too small to produce consistent results† (Anderson cited in Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 447). Greenberg has started his argument with a strong point saying that Yee had Sen. Leland Yee did not have robust grounds to impose restriction on children’s access to violent video games since it was essentially an outcome of the ban on substance abuse which in no way compares to the video games. I find Greenberg’s argument very convincing that violent books and movies do not prov ide the audiences with a room to respond whereas violent games do, but the same power of interactivity that the video games provide the audiences could be held as a strong reason why they should be banned. Although Greenberg’s example was good, but in effect, it counteracted his own argument that was in favor of expression of violence in video games, though the examples Greenberg has given regarding how video games enhance the critical analysis and decision-making skills of the audiences are entirely convincing. These examples also indicate the potential ways in which violent games serve as mediums of free expression for the players, thus providing Greenberg with a firm basis for his argument. One thing that makes Greenberg’s article superior to Anderson’s is that Greenberg has not indicated studies anywhere and accordingly he did not need to cite them, whereas Anderson’s article was mostly based on the results of past studies without mentioning any in pa rticular. Greenberg’s examples in support of his argument were such that they did not require much citation or referencing, and the examples were plentiful as well. When the examples did require referencing, they were included. For example, when Greenberg discussed the Supreme Court’s ruling that school boards are not allowed to ban books in the libraries of the schools even if they are accessible outside

Politics Coursework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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Room layout Essay Example for Free

Room layout Essay The room in which the presentation will take place must be organised specifically for my presentation as there are various factors that need to be taken into consideration, these are as follows: * Movement If there are certain times in the presentation that I need to move into or around the room then the positioning of chairs and tables needs to be considered thoroughly. * Barriers to communication The way in which the room is set out will also determine how certain mechanical barriers to communication can be controlled. For example if the chairs are placed too far away from my speaking point and they cannot hear, then this is a mechanical barrier. * Space There are certain combinations of room layout that may not be feasible because of a lack in physical space. Layout design ? Layout design ? Layout design ? The chosen design; why have I decided to use it? The chosen design takes into consideration all the possible mechanical barriers to communication that could potentially arise from bad planning. Mechanical barriers are a vital element to be considered when making a presentation. The Chairs have been arranged so that all the guests can see and hear all the relevant information I need to give and my visual aids have been placed in a position so that it will not be blocked by anything. I have decided against the use of a table in front of me for notes and slides as it may hinder some of the movement in my presentation. Possible clothing I might wear. There are various clothing types I could choose for the presentation each one is considered below: Smart I could choose to wear a suit for the presentation, the argument for this style of clothing is that it could be classified as a formal occasion and a suit would be the appropriate choice. However this may be too formal and as the criteria states the presentation is to entertain as well as inform, therefore I would like to keep my presentation fairly relaxed and so a suit may be the wrong choice in this situation. Tuxedo A tuxedo in the style of the fictional character James Bond may help to keep the atmosphere light but still have a formal approach; it is relevant to my presentation as it is of a military nature. This choice brings a more balanced approach to a mixture of both formal but relaxed at the same time. Military uniform Dressing in a military camouflage style uniform may help to keep the atmosphere on an entertainment basis and gives me scope to perform my presentation in a more unique and unusual way. I have chosen to present my findings in the military uniform and will be the theme for my presentation. It brings the right combination of humour and formality and at the same time brings a variation from a typical presentation style. Props/Equipment that I will need for the presentation. There are various pieces of equipment that I will need in order to present my findings appropriately. I have chosen to present it with various visual aids to help create my military theme. The equipment I will need is listed below: * Over head projector * Television screen with video capacity * Music system (for the opening sounds) * Military costume How will I remember what to say? Throughout the presentation I may need small prompts in order to keep my line of thought. This is vital to giving a good presentation as it helps to keep the talk smooth. If I stutter then it can cause problems with the information being passed, people will lose interest and so the presentation will not succeed, therefore careful planning must be made and small prompt cards produced with possibly one word or even a sentence, the reason they must be kept to a minimum ensures the I will not read from the cards. My body language must show I know the talk and eye contact must be held with the audience; if this does not happen and reading of the speech occurs people will again lose interest. Who will be at my presentation? I have decided to control who will be in the room while I am conducting my presentation; my reason for doing this is because of the room layout designs shown above. By controlling who is in the room I can organise where people are sitting which is fairly important in my presentation as I hope to include the audience as much as possible. I have pre-selected certain people in the audience to interact with, although these people are unaware of this it will help to create a light atmosphere. The list of people who will be at my presentation are listed below: * Frances Brown * Megan Rule * Rina Bhakta * Emily Finney * Bob Comb * Craig Brady * Alex Morey * Chrissie Ayrton * Benjamin Kelly * Ruari Lumsden These are the ten people I have decided to invite to my presentation. I must produce formal invitations to make sure who I invite is there. The invitations How will they look? There are certain things that must be included in the invitations; these things will ensure people arrive promptly to the right place therefore various pieces of information will be included, these are shown below: * Time of presentation * Place * Subject These things must be included in the invitation. To ensure people arrive on time I will also include a short sentence asking them to be prompt. My Theme As shown above in the What will I wear section I will be wearing a military Uniform. This ties in with my decided theme that I will continue throughout the presentation. I have chosen to include a theme for the entertainment of the audience. My theme is a military briefing style presentation and I will give it in the same form as shown in many military based television programmes and movies such as Independence day. The reason I will do this is to create a unique and out of the ordinary presentation; by doing this people may enjoy it more and stay focused on the presentation.

Analysis Soft Drink Essay Example for Free

Analysis Soft Drink Essay 1Analysis of the U. S. soft drink industry, based on the competitive forces model of Michael Porter. In the soft drink industry the entry of new competitors depends on the barriers to entry that are present, and also the reaction from existing competitors that the entrant can expect. I will now analyze the six major sources of barriers to entry the soft drink industry. Economies of scale deter entry by forcing the entrant to come in at large scale and risk strong reaction from existing firms or come in at a small scale and accept a cost disadvantage. If a company wants to decline its unit costs of their product, they will have to produce more to lower the cost. The more you produce, the lower the costs. In the soft drink industry establishing firms have brand identification and customer loyalties. The brand name can have differences. This is a high barrier to enter. Entrants are forced to spend a lot to overcome existing customer loyalties. The capital requirements within this industry are very high. Production, distribution and advertising are a must to compete with the industry leaders like coca cola and Pepsi. So if a new The aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles are pretty much dependant on the soft drink industry to survive in the business. This makes suppliers to have little power over the soft drink industry. The access to distribution channels is a high barrier because the most successful soft drink companies are aggressively spending their distribution channels and buying full ownership of bottling plants. Supermarkets are at present the largest channels in the U. S. and there the competition is very high. Switching costs is also a barrier to entry this business. Switching costs by changing from one supplier to the other may happened. Also employee training, new equipment, testing new technology. This things are common in this industry. This are barriers for new entrants.

Eco Hotel Business Plan

Eco Hotel Business Plan Business Plan ECO-REST Non-Profit Hotel Executive Summary The current hospitality and tourism market finds itself under threat, almost as a direct result of the heightened awareness of the impact that is being Imposed by the relatively new phenomenon that is know as climate change. The market: As an industry the hotel and hospitality sectors have an abundance of establishments, particularly in the Greater Miami areas. In essence it could therefore be argued that there is no need for yet another hotel. The answer to this viewpoint is that the proposed ECO-REST hotel project has two distinctive and unique features and benefits that provide it with a potentially new business model that, to a large extent, will enable the hotel to create its own niche marketplace. Further, the diversification into the non-profit arena, with the objective of feeding excess income out to support community based environmentally positive projects, does show that the non-profit hotel organisation can bring about change in an effective manner and one that involves every member of the local community. Customers: Research has shown that the business and leisure traveller are becoming more discerning; In particular this reveals itself in the concerns that are being expressed relating to business response to climate change. The overwhelming majority of consumers now believe that it is the duty of the hotel operator to encompass the improvement and changes needed to combat global warming and they are prepared to pay a premium to those establishment that can prove they have adopted eco-friendly systems and structures within their operational procedures and methods of trading. With 80% of travellers being of in favour of this position it is clear that there is a need for the hospitality organisations to adapt their objectives to a set of rules that takes into account the demands of the consumer and face the environmental issue. Alternatively, they face the risk of the loss of competitive advantage and market share, neither of which options would be received positively by shareholders who are the m ajor investors in the hotel sector. Hotel features: The features that are being included within the design and build of ECO-REST are intended to include all the latest technology and design that is being used and recommended as a template for reducing the impact that hotels have upon the environment. These include energy saving systems, methods by which the maximum benefit is gained from the use of daylight; solar and wind-power and the recycling of all basic discarded and waster material. The green features also extend beyond the needs of the building to address environmentally friendly systems in the garden and grounds belonging to the business. In fact the whole ethos of the business is to approach every aspect of the business operation of the basis of â€Å"how green can it be.† Research has shown that this approach not only provides a competitive advantage when seeking to increase market share but also has a positive affect upon the profitability of the business as well. Operating principles ECO-REST has a philosophy that is specifically designed based on giving back to the customer, which is the reason why it was decided that this project should be styled as a non profit making charitable organisation. This allows the business to have the extra flexibility to be able to donate to organisations of its choice that will be of positive use to the community and its environment. The Future There is little doubt that as the warning relating to climate change becomes more vocal people are going to become more strident in their demands for the traditional systems of commerce. It will not be acceptable in the future to react with cosmetic measures designed to appease. In the future consumers will want to proof of improvements. Hotels such as ECO-REST are examples of structures and establishments that contain that proof. Therefore there is little doubt that the opportunity exists to be able to take this business model and replicate it, not only in other areas of the US but also to the international community. Contents (Jump to) Executive Summary 1. Introduction 2 Target market opportunity 2.1 Tourism 2.2 Business Eco-travel 2.3 The hospitality and tourism market in Florida 3 Marketing 3.1 Tourist and corporate travel operators 3.2 Advertising and promotion 3.3 Strategic alliances 4 Competitors 4.1 Five forces analysis 5 Corporate strategy 5.1 Start up strategy 5.2 Operating principles 5.3 Operational programme 6 Management and governance structure 7 Financials 1. Introduction It is extremely rare to find a hotel establishment within the commercial market that operates on a non-profit making basis, with all excess revenue earned during the year being used for charitable purposes rather than to enhance shareholder/owner value. Similarly, few hotels have taken full advantage of all the green and eco-friendly and sustainable measures that are available to this sector of the hospitality industry. The ECO-REST hotel project is designed to fit within both of these criteria. ECO-REST Hotel, an establishment that will have 120 rooms and be based in Greater Miami, Florida, will make full use of all currently available environmentally friendly practices and partner with environmental organisations to donate all profits to help fund local green and sustainable projects. This report contains the proposed business plan for ECO-REST Hotel and will outline the research that has been conducted into the market, its competitors, the anticipated financial performance and req uirements for the project. 2. Target market opportunity Research has shown there is an increasing demand from tourists and business travellers for hotel establishments that took the incorporation of environmentally measures within their establishments seriously and were prepared to pay a premium for accommodation that fulfilled these requirements. 2.1. Tourism Although there are various forms of tourism[1] in the context of the ECO-REST project the concentration will be focused upon Ecotourism and sustainable tourism. In these two areas there are significant indicators that these forms are the future growth sectors of the industry, as can be evidenced from the following: From the beginning of the last decade it has been estimated that ecotourism has been growing at an annual rate of between 20% and 34%[2] Eco and sustainable tourism numbers in 2004 was outpacing the overall tourism industry growth by three times[3] Produces economic benefit for the local community, in terms of increased employment 62% of Americans consider it important to learn about other cultures when they travel[4] 80% of Americans consider hotels should take steps to protect the environment[5] and an increasing number base their accommodation selection upon these factors In addition to the above most research has indicated that these forms of tourism have economic benefits for the hotels and destinations. 2.2.  Business Eco-travel The corporate market is also becoming increasingly involved with environmental and sustainable issues[6]. This has occurred both because of the increasing national and international legislation that is being introduced to tackle the effects of climate change and is being influenced by the changing demands of their consumers. An integral part of annual reporting for the majority of corporations today is the inclusion of a corporate and social responsibility report (CSR). Within this document is included an overview of the business response and performance upon issues such as steps to make the corporation processes and operations more environmentally friendly and its contribution towards sustainability within the local community. Reducing the corporate carbon footprint is as essential element of these CSR performances and therefore the importance of the environmental impact of business travel, which hotel and hospitality accommodation is an element of, is becoming increasingly importan t for the business brand. The US travel industry is one of the economy’s largest sectors and produces revenues in excess of $100 billion per annum, of which 70% is spent on domestic travel. Of this domestic travel element approximately 45% is related to business travel and accommodation requirements. Based upon the fact that 80% of the US population believes that hotels should take a protective approach to the environment, it therefore is apparent that there is a considerable potential for revenue growth to be generated by offering corporate hospitality, with the product being enhanced to include the environmental and sustainable factor that are becoming increasingly important. 2.3.  The hospitality and tourism market in Florida As can be seen from the following graph (figure 1), the visitor numbers to Florida as a state has experienced a year on year growth of domestic, overseas, and Canadian visitor numbers since the turn of the century[7]. These numbers include both the business and tourism sectors. As can be seen from this graph, although the numbers of overseas an Canadian visitors have remained relatively flat for the period, the significant rise in domestic tourists has increased by nearly thirty percent as more US citizens are taking domestic vacations. In addition, the same research indicates that, of this number, approximately 44.3% uses hotels and other paid accommodation, which in 2007 equates to around 37.4 million guests to be accommodated. In terms of the hotel market specifically related to Miami, a recent report indicated that occupancy rates for the Greater Miami area for the first four months of 2008 were up to 80.5% with room rates averaging $196.61[8]. However, this position is expected to have slowed during the final part of the year and is likely to remain static for 2009 due to the global economic downturn. Nevertheless, as will be shown later within this report, these rates are considerably higher than the business plan for this project envisages. 3. Marketing ECO-REST hotel has set its target occupancy rate for the business at 70% with an average room rate, taking into account discounts and special offers, of $170. To achieve the targets set, a strategic marketing programme has been designed, which will concentrate upon the following three areas. 3.1.  Tourist and corporate travel operators Although a number of eco-tourists and business travellers tend to book and compile the component parts of their visits to Florida and Miami via the Internet, a large number still rely upon the services of external agencies. These include travel agents and tour operators. It is the intention of the business to create relationships with these organisations, particularly those that have an interest in eco and sustainable tourism and hospitality. To cement these relationships, the hotel will offer discounts at certain times and also provide evaluation and inspection visits, particularly at times of low occupancy, to enable representatives from these organisations to have a better understanding of the facilities offered by the hotel and its aims and objectives. 3.2.  Advertising and promotion It is important part of the strategic marketing programme for the business to promote the unique selling points (USP’s) of its business. Therefore, the focus of promotional material will be the environmentally friendly aspects of the business accommodation and the charitable support it provides to local and regional organisations directly involved with projects that address these issues. Furthermore, it will be necessary to ensure that the promotional message is directed to the most appropriate market segment. To achieve this objective the business intends to take a threefold approach. Promotion to destination organisations, such as cultural and nature attractions, including seeking to have the hotel advertised on their advertising literature Linking with members of such organisations through newsletters or other advertising based upon their membership lists Appropriate advertising targeted at the publications and media events relating to the issues that are relevant to the hotel’s aims and objectives In addition to these methods, it is intended to design an attractive website that displays and promotes all the important aspect of the hotel and its facilities. This will include visual and video images of the hotel and audio as well as written data and an interactive booking facility. The online promotion programme will also include a significant element of networking. This will be achieved by the creating of a corporate blog, interactive links with relevant organisations and charities and involvement with appropriate social networking sites, such as â€Å"You-tube†. 3.3.  Strategic alliances The third aspect of the marketing strategy for the business is to create strategic alliances with organisations and corporations that provide a fit for ECO-REST hotel’s USPs. Included amongst this selection will be the state tourist and environment offices, local NGO’s such as Friends of the Everglades and historical and cultural destination operators. To access the corporate market alliances will be formed local and regional trade and commerce associations supported by personal invitations to local corporations to visit the hotel and experience its facilities with the objective of securing occupancy from the out of areas suppliers and sales personnel that visit these businesses. It is anticipated that a targeted and disciplined marketing and promotional programme that incorporates the above described elements will enable the business to achieve its occupancy target within the first year of operations. 4. Competitors There are a considerable number of hotels and similar establishment in Florida and in the Greater Miami district. A reasonable segment of these hotels, due to their small sizes and limited facilities, would not present a competitive threat the ECO-REST’s project. Furthermore, in terms of specific comparisons, whilst most of the hotels have made certain attempts at becoming eco-friendly, many still have areas in this regard that require improvement. Evidence of this can be found at a website called Best Green Hotels, which reviews hotels and accommodation by a set of environmental indicators[9]. An example of this criterion can be found in appendix 2. The scoring system, based upon a â€Å"green† tree badge system, works in the following manner. 1 tree=1-4 ticks on the list 2 trees=5-9 ticks 3 trees=10-15 ticks 4 green trees=16-22 ticks 5 trees=27-29 trees 6 trees= 27-28 ticks 7 trees=29 ticks (maximum) A review of the 224 hotels listed for Florida and the six specific to a Miami search shows that none of these establishments have so far achieved a position of more than four stars. The aim for ECO-REST hotel is to create an environment that will enable the establishment to fulfil all of the stated criteria, thus achieving the highest award level offered by this listing. The intention therefore is to use this criterion as a guide to ensure that the environmental objectives of the business are achieved. 4.1.  Five forces analysis Addressing the hotel market in the Greater Miami area by using the five forces strategy developed by Michael Porter[10] it is anticipated that, whilst there are some concerns, the objective discussed earlier should place ECO-REST in a strong position to be able to gain a competitive advantage. Figure 2 Porters five forces Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_5_forces_analysis Rivalry Due to its location and brand awareness in the tourism and hospitality industry, the supply of hotel rooms in the Miami area is reasonably high, with a number of establishments that the tourist and business traveller. With the ECO-REST project involving the razing and rebuilding of an existing establishment it is unlikely that there will be any appreciable increase in the supply of room nights available in the area. Similarly, as the business average rate determinate is in line with current market rates it is considered unlikely that rivalry based upon price will be an immediate issue. It is further anticipated that the strategy being adopted by the ECO-REST hotel has a sufficient level of product differentiation to reduce the influence that rivalry might have upon its establishment[11]. In addition, research undertaken to date, mainly web based, has revealed few hospitality establishments operating on a non-profit basis apart from those directly aimed at the social service market, for example, those dealing with issues such as homelessness and persons experiencing social deprivation for a number of reasons. Supplier power Because the business is seeking to work through a number of strategic alliances within the travel industry and providing incentives from which these stakeholders will benefit, the level of supplier power will be reduced. An additional benefit in this respect will be accomplished by the fact that excess revenues from the ECO-REST project will be fed back to local environment and cultural project, thus leading to a level of competitive advantage that would not be achievable by the commercial hotel sector. With the requirement of creating â€Å"added value† for their shareholders, together with the cost of dividends, taxes and management benefit packages; these corporations will not be able to compete with the donation levels available to ECO-REST. Furthermore, the prospect of such funding will enhance the value of the relationship that ECO-REST will enjoy with local suppliers. Buyer power Buyer power is perhaps the most volatile element of the five forces framework to assess for two reasons. Firstly because the product has to match with the buyer’s or consumers purchasing determinates and demands and secondly because the experience has to match with their expectation in terms of satisfaction. However, based upon the researched that has been outlined in sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this proposal it is considered that the product offered by ECO-REST hotels addresses the first of these issues in that the hotel environment matches the increased demands for an environmentally friendly product. In terms of the second aspect, it is considered that, with the degree of quality attached to the hotel establishment and the anticipated service quality, the physical experience should exceed the consumers’ expectations. Substitute products Existing hotel establishments will find it impossible to match the product that is being offered by ECO-REST hotels without a severe disruption to their current trading levels. The benefit for ECO-REST is that this project is commencing with a â€Å"clean sheet† approach. This approach allows for the incorporation of eco-friendly systems at the design and construction stage of the project (see more detail in section 5). These will be applied to the building itself, its utilities and the external landscape. The cost of conversion or redevelopment of an existing hotel, particularly if undertaken by a commercially orientated organisation, would prove prohibitive to existing operators. Additionally, in the event that such organisations should decide to follow the lead set by ECO-REST hotel, the timescale for redevelopment provides this project with the benefit of being able to consolidate its market share and â€Å"first-mover† position in this niche sector of the hospitality market. Barriers to entry Barriers to entry into the niche market that is being anticipated within this project are considered to exist in the following areas: Non-profit structure The fact that the ECO-REST hotel is designed to be a non-profit organisation will reduce the numbers of new entrants by eliminating the commercial investor from this sector of the hospitality market as, if this model is followed; there is no commercial return on the investment made. Cost and timescale for development To commence a development of the nature of ECO-REST hotels does require the outlay of a considerable cost. Moreover, the timescale to completion is anticipated to be in the region of nine months. These factors will have a deterrent effect upon new entrants in two ways, particularly if this entrant is a commercially minded organisation. Firstly, the return on the investment in the short term will influence the level of costs attributable to the project. Secondly, the time taken for completion will provide first movers and preceding entrants, such as ECO-REST with the ability to establish the Brand and gain competitive advantage Strategic alliances The development of strong strategic alliances with the organisations as outlined in section 3.3 of this report, together with a programme that ensures continuing process of bi-directional and interactive communication between the ECO-REST business and these stakeholders will serve to reduce the potential of such organisations being tempted to change their allegiance to new entrants. Research has shown that, providing the right quality of service and commitment to stakeholders is maintained their inclination to change to a new promotional or revenue source will be reduced. Economic benefits As will be evidenced in the financial details contained within section 7, the reduction and elimination of the commercial elements from an operation that is conducted within the non-profit sector does present certain advantages to the beneficiaries of the product. In particular, in the case of this specific project those beneficiaries exist within two main areas. In the first instance of the profits (or excess revenues) from the ECO-REST project are being returned to the local economy. Secondly, and of equal importance, the project is designed to attract a more affluent and discerning visitor to the locale, which will increase revenues enjoyed by other commercial organisations situated in the Greater Miami district. Community benefits Finally, the project is designed to bring benefits to the local community. By increasing tax revenues to the district it enables the local authority to undertake more improvements to the community infrastructure and the environment in which its citizens dwell. Similarly, by increasing the funding available to local tourist natural and cultural destinations the project will improve the community’s enjoyment of their leisure facilities. 5. Corporate strategy Within this section of the business proposal the strategy and operational principles and procedures for the ECO-REST hotel project are presented and discussed in further depth. 5.1.  Start up strategy ECO-REST hotel is currently working closely with the WTO[12], a local architect and a US construction corporation renowned for their involvement with the construction of environmentally friendly buildings. With the increased levels of concerns relating to environmental issues and the desire to sustain local destinations and environments, it is anticipated that the planning application and approval stage of this development should be completed within two months of that application being lodged with the local authorities. Currently two sites are being evaluated and discussed concerning their suitability for the project. The basis for continuation of the project has been agreed to concentrate around the following format. The construction company, taking advantage of the favourable grants and loans available for the construction of environmentally friendly structures, have agreed to fund the cost of the building works. In return for this advantage, the property, when completed, will be leased back to ECO-REST for a period of forty years at a rate that is commensurate with current market values. Consideration is being given to extending this business model and concept throughout other US states in the future, thus increasing the funds available to local natural and cultural destinations and enhancing the lifestyle and economic wealth that attracts to the local community. This project will also serve the purpose of heightening the awareness of the population to the environmental issues and dangers currently being faced by the global community, whilst at the same time demonstrating that the solution to these issues does not always require the motivation of the profit or shareholder â€Å"added value† drivers. Furthermore, it will also show that, providing the desired relationships can be developed between social and environmental needs and the commercial ethos in a manner that merges the motivational needs and requirements of all of the stakeholders, each and every one of these stakeholders will benefit from the concerted effort required to complete and fulfil these pro jects. 5.2.  Operating principles The operating principles, or mission statement, that has been proven to be the driving force behind the ethos upon which this project has been developed is: â€Å"It is possible, by the building of a new and unique relationship between the varied objectives of numerous stakeholders, to create a vision for the future that satisfies the needs and aspirations of all of these parties.† Furthermore, following the success of this project it will also show that, providing corporations within the tourism and hospitality sector fulfil the promises that are made to other stakeholders within the supply chain, . Environment To ensure that the ECO-REST project addresses the environmental issues being faced by the global community in the twenty-first century, and to set an example for the future, the following are some of the environmental systems of improvements will be used in the construction and design of the new building. These methods are also intended to enhance the comfort of the experience for the guests who stay at the hotel. Building The basic structure will be circular in shape and all of the rooms will be build around a central core which will house on the ground floor the extra facilities such as the conferencing rooms, dining and lounge areas. A special glass central roofing section will be installed, enabled to warm the building in the winter and cool it during the summer. As many common areas as possible will be walled in glass (similar to the design on the book cover left). The advantage of this design and roofing is that it will increase the amount of daylight that penetrates the building, thus reducing energy usage. Much of the structural work will make use of recyclable materials. It has also been noticed that in standard hotels one of the major sources of energy waste evolves from the fact that the bedrooms and accommodation areas are often quite dark, even during the course of the day. To reduce the use of lighting in these areas the bedroom windows will stretch the width of the room. Moreover, the main doors will be panelled with non-see-through toughened glass to improve daylight access to the rooms from the centre of the hotel. Energy systems Modern environmentally friendly energy systems will be incorporated into the building. This will include the use of Geo-thermal underground heating, solar panelling for water heating and other power supply purposes. In addition, miniature wind turbines will be strategically placed around the building structure to support the efforts to make the hotel free from reliance upon fossil fuels. Water In terms of the water supply a grey water system will be installed to ensure that waste water is cleaned and recycled for use in such areas as the toilet system and for garden irrigation purposes. Additionally, modern water saving techniques will be used in the bathroom facilities and the central hotel laundry. Finally, water storage systems will be installed to ensure maximum usage of natural rainwater. Waste As much human waste as is possible will also be treated and recycled in the outdoor garden areas. Guests will also be encouraged to help in the recycling process through the provision of special bins in their rooms so that they can separate the waste paper etc that is left from their stay. Garden and landscaping It is intended to also extend the environmentally friendly and sustainable systems into the garden area with the designing and implementing of xeric gardens and, furthermore, one new tree will be planted in the grounds for each of the bedrooms and suites that the hotel offers in

Betrayed by Constanin Costa-Gavras :: Movie, Film

The opening lyrics to America the Beautiful, ï ¿ ½O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,ï ¿ ½ demonstrate how agriculture and wheat farming have been ingrained, to almost mythical proportions, as quintessentially ï ¿ ½Americanï ¿ ½ amongst citizens in the United States. As the Great Plains of the Midwest helped establish the U.S. as a major economic superpower throughout the twentieth century, the nation grew by distributing vast amounts of grain across the globe, providing those farming in the region both a secure and profitable existence. But with the proliferation of farming technologies enabling foreign nations to establish a foothold in a new global economy, the U.S. and its farmers faced increased competition, and their stranglehold on grain exportation waned. ï ¿ ½You just canï ¿ ½t make a living growing wheat anymore,ï ¿ ½ says Greg Grenz, a farmer in Eureka South Dakota, as many ï ¿ ½U.S. farmers are increasingly under pressure as Americaï ¿ ½s ru n as a wheat powerhouse, and the dominant player in global agriculture, is under attack from a crop of newly emboldened, low-cost international rivals who are striking at one of the main pillars of American economic might: food exportsï ¿ ½ (Roger Thurow, 2004). Security and prosperity it seems are dwindling in the nationï ¿ ½s fertile plains. In most cases, with little recourse available, todayï ¿ ½s farmers are faced with a frightening decision: change their farming practices, via planting new crops or utilizing new techniques, or quit farming outright, forfeiting lands that may have been in families for generations and, more importantly, losing an identity that many consider to be most ï ¿ ½American.ï ¿ ½ ï ¿ ½Constanin Costa-Gavras, in his film Betrayed (1988), uses this framework of economic hardships caused by a declining farming industry to present his audience with some farmers who have decided on another option, lashing out violently at people who they believe are responsible for their plight. The film about ï ¿ ½star-crossed love [and] death and danger in white-picket-fence Americaï ¿ ½ (Kemply, 1988), involves a fictional community that employs white supremacist ideology to spread hate and intolerance as they blame Jews, non-whites, and the government for the economic conditions which they endure. The film also demonstrates the early use of the computer to branch out and connect these hate mongers, forecasting the use and proliferation of the internet to recruit new white supremacists around the country. As Randy Blazack, sociologist from Portland State University, elaborates in American Skinheads (2007), ï ¿ ½whether youï ¿ ½re recruiting people to be suicide bombers or recruiting foot soldiers in the racial holy war, youï ¿ ½re going after the same set of people, youï ¿ ½re going after people who feel like theyï ¿ ½re at the end of their rope, and the only recourse left is one of violenceï ¿ ½ (Geographic, 2007).

Running into Darkness in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays

Heart Of Darkness: Running from the Truth In the novel Heart Of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, the main character makes a decision to go against his convictions by telling a lie about Kurtz ¹s death to the intended. After careful analysis of the situation, one can see that Marlow is justified in lying to the intended because the lie enables Marlow live the rest of his life without having to bear the weight of truth on his shoulders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There was great meaning in the actual final words uttered by Kurtz. Kurtz had seen the true heart of man, and he knew of the evil. In his final words  ³the horror, the horror ²(68), Marlow comes to understand and to accept Kurtz ¹s view of life. The things that Kurtz had both done and seen in his life were in fact horrible, but was something that Marlow was able to look past. This is later clear by what is in his thoughts as he talks to the woman. He condemning mankind as a whole with this statement. . This is why Marlow keeps the words to himself. It allows him to preserve hope both in the intended, and more importantly in himself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Early in the story Marlow makes it clear that he detests lies. He says  ³There is a taint of death, a flavor of mortality in lies-which is exactly what I hate and detest in the world(29). ² This quote comes to mind at the end of the book when Marlow blatantly lies to the intended, but there is plenty evidence that Marlow ¹s has not changed, only his method of avoiding what he hates. He says that he hates the morality, and the taint of death associated with lies, but in this case these things are associated with the truth. Marlow tells of a vision that he has on his way into see the intended. He says that he saw Kurtz  ³on the stretcher opening his mouth voraciously as if to devour all of the earth with all its mankind ² and that he had seen Kurtz as  ³a shadow insatiable of splendid appearances, of frightful realities, a shadow darker than the shadow of night,(72). This is a real and vivid description of his feelings for Kurtz. To Marlow, Kurtz was an evil force that represented horror of what people could easily become under the right circumstances. Running into Darkness in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness :: Heart Darkness essays Heart Of Darkness: Running from the Truth In the novel Heart Of Darkness, written by Joseph Conrad, the main character makes a decision to go against his convictions by telling a lie about Kurtz ¹s death to the intended. After careful analysis of the situation, one can see that Marlow is justified in lying to the intended because the lie enables Marlow live the rest of his life without having to bear the weight of truth on his shoulders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There was great meaning in the actual final words uttered by Kurtz. Kurtz had seen the true heart of man, and he knew of the evil. In his final words  ³the horror, the horror ²(68), Marlow comes to understand and to accept Kurtz ¹s view of life. The things that Kurtz had both done and seen in his life were in fact horrible, but was something that Marlow was able to look past. This is later clear by what is in his thoughts as he talks to the woman. He condemning mankind as a whole with this statement. . This is why Marlow keeps the words to himself. It allows him to preserve hope both in the intended, and more importantly in himself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Early in the story Marlow makes it clear that he detests lies. He says  ³There is a taint of death, a flavor of mortality in lies-which is exactly what I hate and detest in the world(29). ² This quote comes to mind at the end of the book when Marlow blatantly lies to the intended, but there is plenty evidence that Marlow ¹s has not changed, only his method of avoiding what he hates. He says that he hates the morality, and the taint of death associated with lies, but in this case these things are associated with the truth. Marlow tells of a vision that he has on his way into see the intended. He says that he saw Kurtz  ³on the stretcher opening his mouth voraciously as if to devour all of the earth with all its mankind ² and that he had seen Kurtz as  ³a shadow insatiable of splendid appearances, of frightful realities, a shadow darker than the shadow of night,(72). This is a real and vivid description of his feelings for Kurtz. To Marlow, Kurtz was an evil force that represented horror of what people could easily become under the right circumstances.

Causes and Effects of Homelessness Essay -- homeless poverty

Homelessness is a problem virtually every society suffers from. There are many things that cause people to become homeless, such as unemployment, relationship problems, and being evicted from ones domicile either by a landlord, friend or even a family member. However, with every cause there must be an effect. Some of the effects of one becoming homeless, besides the obvious change of lifestyle, are various health problems which often times may lead to death. Many people find themselves in a predicament when they are living with a partner and the two decide to go their separate ways. Some people may not be able afford the cost of living on just their income alone, so when two people terminate a relationship where one depends on the other, both are often left homeless for a period of time. Unemployment is another major cause of people becoming homeless. When people lose their jobs and fail to find another within a reasonable amount of time, they will not be able to pay their rent or mortgage on time or even at all, causing them to look else where for shelter. Many people are not fortunate enough to have a family member that is willing, or capable, of taking them in and supporting them. The main cause of homelessness comes from people being evicted from their place of residence either by their parents, friends, or land lord. Parents will often kick their kids out of the house because they can not financially support them anymore, or t hey are just simply tired of their kids bumming off of them when they are perfectly capable of supporting themselves or at least contributing to the cost of living expenses. So many people are forced to live on the streets because of something as little as a relationship problem. All homeles... ...on someone, which is death. Homeless people die every day for various reasons. Some may die from malnutrition due to lack of food, some may die from being abused, beaten or murdered, and some may die from drug overdose. In one out of every four deaths in homeless people the cause of death is murder. One out of every six homeless people will attempt to take their own lives. In addition a homeless person’ life expectancy is approximately twenty years less than that of a person who is not homeless. There are many causes and effects of homelessness and it continues to be a problem in virtually all societies known to man. Regardless of what the causes of someone becoming homeless are, all homeless people will eventually suffer from some or all of the effects of being homeless, rather it be malnutrition, mental illnesses, abuse, drug addictions, or even death.

Social Significance of Architecture

Social Significance of Architecture The use of architecture to improve society dates back as far as any records go. Whether it was the Romans building coliseums, Egyptians constructing pyramids, or the Indians putting up teepees, architecture was a very important aspect of people's lives. Since the earliest of times, architecture has been used to design homes and shelters, as well as centers of gathering for the public.These structures were very well respected by society, and for many years were the only thing for the public to take pride in. Architecture proved to have a huge impact on the lives of people many years ago. But over the past century, the social significance of architects and architecture in our society has been going down. The importance of well designed, eye-pleasing buildings has begun to be overlooked. The hard work and dedication that many architects put in everyday is being ignored by today's society.But I believe that architecture strongly influences the choices that people make in their daily lives, helps aid the economy, and gives architects critical thinking skills that allow them to make decisions that could have a significant impact on society. The most straight forward way that architects affect today's society is that they design the structures that people use everyday for businesses, sports events, and homes. Architects make a community much more livable and attractive for those who view it.For an architect, it is vital to ensure and dignify the lives of those who live in it (Heyer). For this reason, communities will expand greatly do to the aesthetic quality of the buildings and homes. Along with the sense of visual appeal, another factor that comes into play are the mental aspects that many people subconsciously have while viewing a structure. Several people will make decisions not only off the look, but also the sense of security and safety that they feel about a certain structure.Local architect, Kelly McMurphy, said in a person al interview that â€Å"the aesthetic quality of the design comes second to the precautions that must be taken to ensure the safety of the people†. The mindset of the viewer can be strongly influenced by the architect, and will in turn encourage or discourage a person towards the piece of work. Another way that architecture has an impact of society is that it aids in boosting and supporting the economy. An architect must assume a vital role in protecting the economic state of a community, state, or country (Heyer). As businesses urchase buildings to further their market and families purchase homes to move into, money is shoved into the economy in large portions. With more and more people looking for venues to start or continue their industry, the need for architects rises to new heights. The economy is stimulated greatly by the investments of these structures, and it all begins with an architect designing the structure to be purchased. Architects can also have a significant r esponsibility in society by the decisions that they make and the role that they play in the community that may effect the public.The architecture programs and job fields often facilitate the development of critical thinking skills that can often be applied to solving problems and addressing situations beyond the realm of design (Jubany). The ablility to plan, order, and discipline is quite characteristic of modern architects (Heyer). Architects play a significant role in improving the well-being of the community by being involved in nonprofit organizations and raising critical awareness of social issues (Jubany).Because of this, architects can influence society in ways outside of the studio that do not require their professional skills, but rather their critical thinking and ability to process situations in an educated fashion. The last way that architecture displays an impact on society is the fact that it sheds a new light on the modern art. In a time where the arts are beginning to dwindle out, architecture helps portray the importance of having respect and knowledge of modern art. Along with the increase in the public respect of art comes the increase in respect of the arts by the government.In recent years, the government has begun to make nationwide cuts on art funding. Funding of art programs by local and national governments have been cut nearly in half over the last ten years (Heyer). The rise of respect and knowledge for art will help in encouraging the government to put more funding towards art and art related groups. Many may argue that an occupation in architecture is not as important to society as a teacher or a doctor because is does not have as direct of an impact.But when it is looked into deeper, the jobs of doctors and teachers are only possible because an architect provides them with a place to carry out their occupations. Improving education, treating the ill, and imprisoning the criminals would not be an option if it were not for the desi gning and planning of an architect. The importance of an architect in today's society is strongly overlooked by most people. Architects provide visual appeal to a community and give people a sense of protection and security.They are also capable of affecting society outside of the studio by providing educated decisions to the community. Without architects, many other businesses and occupations would struggle to expand, or not be possible at all. Works Cited Jubany, Helena L. â€Å"The Social Responsibility of Architects. † DesignIntelligence. Di. net, 9 June 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. . Heyer, Paul. Architects on Architecture; New Directions in America. New York: Walker, 1966. Print. McMurphy, Kelly. Personal interview. 22 Apr. 2012.

Belonging: Remember the Titans and Technique Example Link Essay

P3 Similarly, the poem Feliks Skrzynecki illustrates feelings of not belonging as a result of disconnections to surround environments, societies, relationship and the growing detachment between them . Technique |Example |Link Back | |The opening |â€Å"My Gentle Father† |instantly conveys a sense of ownership and pride and an overall positive relationship. | |This is further highlighted in |â€Å"I remember the words he taught me â€Å" |as a memory of appreciation for his father. Although this positive side of their relationship is illustrated , barriers are apparent due to their intergenerational detachment . |The use of exclusive pronouns such as |â€Å"they reminisced† |highlights the inability for the persona to relate to or access his fathers world. | |Skrzynecki symbolises his garden through the simile |â€Å"loved his garden like an only child â€Å" |for the responder , this adds to the notion of displacement , as skrzynecki is growing further and further a way from his father and his roots in poland and closer to environments as opposed to people . | | Therefore through belonging to environments , Skrzynecki is disconnected from society . Technique |Example |Link Back | |Yakin used a close up to highlight what the coach is wanting his team to reach . Coach Boone states.. |â€Å"This is no democracy ,this is a dictatorship , i am the law â€Å" |here the responder identifies the close up to emphasise Coach Boones’s emotions as he pushed for belonging through equality. | |Yakin employs music to add to the influence of racism. |The sound of Military drums beating at the start of the film |shows when conflict is going to occur . | |the director provides voice over narration to provide detail. Sheryl states |â€Å"In Virginia , high school football was a way of life , there was no race mixing , until the school was inter-grated , calling it T. C Williams high school â€Å" |this helps by informing the audience what is happening in 1971. | |applies juxtaposition to contrasts the positioning which is |visible within the warmth of the Boones and the ugliness of the neighbours comments . |highlights how wide spread racism became . | | it is therefore understood that Yakin’s Remember the Titans is evident in showing the contribution of belonging and not belonging through the focus of society and reality. P4 Not only does one see a focus on society and reality within Remember the titans , but the importance of Family as a function for belonging and not belonging . Technique |Example |Link Back | |provides a long screen shot to emphasise the connection of belonging. Gerry and Julius states.. |â€Å"Left side , strong side â€Å" |This depicts the relationship these two men have formed. | |used a wide -long shot in order to highlight setting. Gerry states to the nurse |â€Å"Alice can’t you see the family resemblance , he’s my brother â€Å" |therefore the audience shows the influence that Gerry see’s Julius as someone he can trust and belong to .

Succubus Shadows Chapter 18

It started before I could stop it. I stood in a kitchen, in one of those dreams where I was both watching me and feeling me. The kitchen was bright and modern, far larger than anything I could imagine a non-cook like me needing. My dream-self stood at the sink, arms elbow deep in sudsy water that smelled like oranges. I was hand-washing dishes and kind of doing a half-ass job at it but was too happy to notice. On the floor, an actual dishwasher lay in pieces, thus explaining the need for manual labor. From another room, the sounds of â€Å"Sweet Home Alabama† carried to my ears. I hummed along as I washed. I was content, filled with a joy so utterly perfect, I could barely grasp it after everything else that had happened in my life – particularly after this imprisonment with the Oneroi. After humming a few more bars, I set a wet cup on the counter and turned around to peek into the living room beyond me. A little girl sat in there, about two years old. She was on a blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals and other toys. She clutched a plush giraffe in her hands. It rattled when she shook it. As though sensing my gaze, she looked up. She had plump cheeks that hadn't quite lost their baby fat. Wispy, light brown curls covered her head, and her hazel eyes were large and framed with dark lashes. She was adorable. Behind her on the couch, Aubrey lay curled up in a tight little ball. Godiva lay beside her. A delighted smile spread over the little girl's face, creating a dimple in one cheek. A powerful wave of love and joy spread through me, emotions that my raw and aching real self barely allowed to come through. Just like the first time I'd dreamed this dream, I knew with certainty – absolute certainty – that this girl was my daughter. After a few more moments, I returned to my dishes, though I wanted nothing more than to go back to the living room. Damned manual labor. Neither my dream self nor my waking self could get enough of the girl. I wanted to drink her in. I could have watched her forever, taking in those long-lashed eyes and wispy curls. Unable to resist – and bored with washing dishes – I finally gave in and glanced back again. The girl was gone. I pulled my hands out of the water, just in time to hear a thump and a crash. The sound of crying followed. I sprinted out of the kitchen. Aubrey and Godiva jerked their heads up, surprised at my sudden movement. On the other side of the living room, my daughter sat on the floor beside an end table with sharp corners, a small hand pressed to her forehead. Tears streamed down her checks as she wailed. In a flash, I was on my knees, wrapping her up in a tight embrace. Watching and feeling this dream, I wanted to weep as well over the feel of that soft, warm body in my arms. I rocked the girl, murmuring soothing, nonsensical words as I brushed my lips against the silken hair. Eventually, her sobs stopped, and she rested her head against my chest, content to simply be loved and rocked. We sat like that for another happy minute or so, and then, distantly, I heard the sound of a car's engine. I lifted my head. â€Å"You hear that?† I asked. â€Å"Daddy's home.† Mirrored excitement showed on the girl's face as I stood up, still holding her and balancing her on my hip. It was an act of some coordination, considering how small I was. We walked to the front door and stepped outside onto a porch. It was nighttime, all quiet darkness save for a small light hanging overhead. It shone onto a long stretch of unbroken white snow on the lawn and the driveway. All around, more snow fell in a steady stream. I didn't recognize the place, but it certainly wasn't Seattle. That much snow would have sent the city into a panic, putting everyone on Armageddon alert. My daughter and I were perfectly at ease, barely noticing the snow. Wherever we were, this weather was a common occurrence. Down the driveway, the car I had heard had already parked. My heart swelled with happiness. A man stood behind it, a nondescript dark figure in the faint lighting. He took out a rolling suitcase and slammed the trunk shut. The little girl clasped her hands in excitement, and I waved my own hand in greeting. The man returned the wave as he walked toward the house. It was too dark, and I couldn't see him yet. His face. I had to see his face. We were so close. This was where the dream had stopped before, denying me its conclusion. Some part of me was certain this was a trick too – that the Oneroi were going to do what Nyx had done and end the dream. They didn't. The man continued walking toward us, and at last, the porch light illuminated his features. It was Seth. Lacy snowflakes rested in his messy hair, and I could make out some wacky T-shirt underneath his heavy woolen trench coat. He left the suitcase by the stairs and sprinted up them to get to us that much more quickly. His arms encircled us, and both my daughter and I snuggled against him. It might have been freezing elsewhere, but our little circle held all the warmth in the world. â€Å"My girls,† he murmured. He took one of his gloves off and ran his hand over the fine silk of our daughter's hair. He brushed a kiss against her forehead and then leaned toward me. Our lips met in a soft kiss, and when we pulled away, I could see mist in the air from the warmth of his mouth. He hugged us tighter. I sighed happily. â€Å"Don't leave anymore,† I said. â€Å"Don't do any more traveling.† He laughed quietly and gave me another kiss, this time on my cheek. â€Å"I'll see what I can do. If it was up to me, I'd never leave.† But the dream left, shattering like pieces of glass that were then swept away by a broom. Whereas before I'd counted the seconds for these dreams to go away, this time I wanted to cling to it. The hands I didn't have in this insubstantial form longed to grasp those shards, bloodying my flesh, if only to have a few more moments of that perfect, content bliss my dream-self had held. But it was gone. I was empty. For a long time, I simply couldn't get over the dream's loss. I was a tangle of emotions: hurt and anger and longing and incompleteness. It was all feeling, no thought. When coherency began to return, even it was a jumble. Seth. Seth was the man in the dream? Of course he was. Hadn't I felt it from almost the first time we met? Hadn't I often said he was like a piece of my soul? Hadn't I felt like something was missing when we'd split up? Then, all the doubt that the Oneroi had been so good at instilling in me began to descend. It couldn't be Seth. I couldn't be with a mortal, not in any real capacity. I certainly couldn't have a child with one, and anyway, Seth was marrying someone else. This was a trick. Another lie. Everything here was a lie, meant to continue the torment the Oneroi thought I deserved. â€Å"That can't happen,† I said. The words were hard. And hadn't I already said them earlier? Circles, circles. My life was repeating itself over and over. â€Å"None of that could ever happen.† â€Å"No,† agreed Two. â€Å"Not anymore. Your future shifted.† â€Å"That was never my future. You lie. Nyx lied. There's no truth anywhere.† â€Å"This is truth,† said One. Another dream. A true dream? No, no. The part of me that was starting to lose it swore up and down that it couldn't be true. There's no truth anywhere. I was in the mundane human world again, with Seth and Simone-as-Georgina. They were at a tuxedo shop, browsing suits, and I futilely racked my brain to figure this out. Maddie had requested they go shopping†¦yet, surely it hadn't happened that day. Or had it? Was this another day? How much time had passed? I couldn't tell if these dreams lasted a second or a lifetime. The sky outside was deepening to twilight, so maybe it was the same day. â€Å"You don't have to wear a bow tie,† said Simone, studying a well-dressed mannequin. She herself was dressed magnificently, in a tight dress that was an orange reminiscent of autumn leaves. It was short, of course, and emphasized my breasts as much as was decently possible – maybe more so. Bronze high heels completed the look. It was too fancy for tux shopping, but it looked great on her. Me. Us. Whatever. Seth wandered over to stand beside her, studying the suit. If there hadn't been a salesman straightening a display near the door, I had a feeling Seth would have made a run for it. â€Å"It's more traditional,† said Seth. â€Å"I think that's what Maddie wants.† Simone scoffed. â€Å"So? What about what you want?† She took a step toward him. â€Å"You can't just sit by and let others tell you what to do! You have your own needs. Your own wants. You can't be passive here.† There was passion in her words, a conviction that even I couldn't help but admire. It was the kind of speech that rallied people to your cause – but like everything else she'd said lately, there was this sexual subtext laced within it. He stared at her for a few seconds, as impressed as I was, but finally looked away. He also took a step back. â€Å"Maybe. But I don't really feel like my life currently hinges on whether I choose a bow tie or a regular tie. I think I should save my heroic moments for something a little bigger.† He wandered off to look at another suit and didn't see the scowl on her face that I did. Soon, she had that sweet smile on again and was back by his side – very close to his side – while they examined cuts, colors, and all the myriad details that went into planning a lifelong commitment. The salesman couldn't stay away, of course, and finally swooped in to offer his assistance. â€Å"This jacket would be very flattering with your build,† he told Seth. â€Å"It comes in black and gray, as well as a few others – so it would definitely complement your dress.† That last part was directed to Simone. She laughed merrily. It was nails on a chalkboard to me. â€Å"Oh, we're not getting married.† She patted Seth's arm. â€Å"We're just good friends. I'm helping out.† Seth moved away, escaping the arm, and suddenly seemed very interested in trying on the jacket. The salesman found Seth's size, gushed with compliments, and then left the two of them to mull it over. â€Å"It looks great,† said Simone, coming to stand right in front of him. I couldn't see any space between them. She casually straightened the jacket's lapel, not that it needed it. â€Å"Fits you like a glove.† Seth grabbed hold of her hands, pushed them away, and then backed off himself. â€Å"You need to stop this,† he said, lowering his voice so others wouldn't hear. â€Å"Stop what?† asked Simone. â€Å"You know what! The innuendoes. The touching. All of it. You can't keep doing it.† Simone took a step closer, putting her hands on her hips. Her voice was soft as well, but it was more of a purr. What made it especially irritating was that, really, it was my voice. â€Å"Why? Because you don't like it? Come on, Seth. How much longer are you going to keep fooling yourself? You know you still want me. This scam of a wedding isn't going to change that. What we had†¦what we have is too powerful. I see the way you look at me – and you don't look at her that way. You say I've got to stop? No. You're the one that needs to stop this wedding. End it with her. Or if you don't have the guts, then let us be together again. At the very least – just one more night. I want to feel you again, feel you in me. And I know you do too.† I was aghast at the boldness. I couldn't believe what that bitch had tried to do. Impersonating me was bad enough, but now blatantly trying to lure Seth into her bed? Unforgiveable. I expected Seth to be outraged as well, but his face was the picture of calm. He took off the jacket and set it on a counter. â€Å"I don't know who you are, but stay away from me. Do not speak to me again – or Maddie.† There was a stern, warning tone in his words, that anger I rarely ever heard from him. For once, Simone faltered. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"You aren't Georgina,† he said. â€Å"I should've listened when my niece first told me. Georgina would never do this, no matter how she felt. Georgina wouldn't openly try to break up her friend's wedding. She wouldn't betray Maddie.† Simone's eyes flashed with anger. â€Å"Really? Then how exactly would you classify your little spring fling?† I wasn't surprised she knew about that. Everyone in my hellish circle had figured it out when Seth's soul darkened. His smile was both sad and cold. â€Å"Georgina did that†¦inadvertently. She was aware of what she was doing, but the motivations†¦well, they were different.† â€Å"Stop trying to justify infidelity. And stop talking about me in the third person!† â€Å"You aren't her,† said Seth again. â€Å"I know her. I would know her in almost any form. And although you look like her, you – obviously – do not know her.† He turned around to leave – and ran into Jerome. Seth hadn't seen Jerome enter or teleport into the shop. Neither had I. Yet, even if the demon had strolled in openly, I think Seth would have had the same astonished and deeply disturbed reaction. The cool attitude he'd shown with Simone vanished. â€Å"Sorry,† said Seth, stepping back. He glanced uneasily at Simone, who was just as surprised. â€Å"I'll – I'll leave you two alone.† â€Å"I'm not here for her,† growled Jerome. â€Å"What?† she exclaimed, seeming deeply offended. Jerome's dark eyes bored into Seth's. â€Å"I'm here for you. You need to come with me. Now.† When a demon tells you to do something, it's pretty hard to refuse it. My friends and I might joke about the silliness of Jerome's John Cusack guise, but underneath all that, Jerome was fucking scary. And when he turned his demonic wrath on a human, it was outright terrifying. Yet, with a remarkable show of bravery, Seth asked: â€Å"Why?† Jerome looked displeased that Seth hadn't instantly jumped to obey. â€Å"To get Georgie back.† â€Å"Back?† repeated Simone. â€Å"But if she comes back – â€Å" Jerome lifted his eyes from Seth and glared at her. â€Å"Yes, yes, I know. But you might as well give it up. You failed.† â€Å"But I can – â€Å" â€Å"Clearly, you can't.† Jerome strode over to her, leaning close to her face. He pitched his voice low, but I could hear it from my observer's view. â€Å"This is not the way. I know why you're here now, but tell Niphon that every time he tries to fix things, he ends up fucking up more. It's too late. I'll deal with this. It doesn't involve you.† â€Å"But – â€Å" â€Å"Enough.† The word boomed through the store. The salesman looked up, startled, but kept his distance. â€Å"I didn't question your presence before, but now you can go.† Ostensibly, it sounded as though he were giving her permission to leave. But both she and I could hear the underlying meaning: if she didn't go on her own, he would â€Å"assist† her. She made no more protests. Jerome returned to Seth. â€Å"Georgina's been taken. We're going to get her back. And you are going to play a role in that.† Seth couldn't speak for a moment, and when he did, it was to utter the most obvious response: â€Å"How?† â€Å"To start with, you can stop wasting time here with stupid questions. Come with me, and you'll find out.† Jerome then made a masterful play. â€Å"Every moment you delay, she's in more danger.† Nothing else could have spurred Seth into such action. He flinched at the words, and his face ran through a kaleidoscope of emotions. â€Å"Okay,† he said to Jerome. â€Å"Let's go.†