Review of Related Literature Essay

The review of related literature for this study focuses on different previous studies about working students locally and outside the country. These studies identify models and several case study of a working student including the reasons why students are force to work are also enumerated. (cited,.) ( ïÆ'ŸHindi ako sure dito) Local Literature According to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) about 216,000 students in the country are currently juggling school and work, this figure is about 8% of the total number of college students in the country. CHED said working students today are mostly into food service, entertainment and sales, apart from their usual stints as library and research assistants. â€Å"Due to financial crisis that’s why they need a extra income,† said lawyer Julito Vitriolo, officer-in-charge at CHED’s office of the executive director. He also added that these students are forced to work because of higher commodity prices and tuition fees. The CHED said that only 50% of working students get to finish college, as many cannot cope and cannot concentrate on their studies, while some have poor health, while others give up because of insufficient funds.CHED advised working students to get jobs that are not that demanding, and that are more closely related to their courses. FOREIGN LITERATURE According to the National Center for Education Statistics in America, in 2007 nearly half (45 percent) of â€Å"traditional† undergraduates—that is, students between the ages of sixteen and twenty-four attending college full time—worked while enrolled. About 80 percent of traditional-age undergraduates attending college part time worked while enrolled. The amount of time students spend working has been of increasing concern for the educators that serve them and, in some instances, the students themselves. Recent data would indicate that 80% of American undergraduates worked while attending college in 1999-2000 (King, 2003).This represents an 8% increase over the class less than a decade previously, among whom 72% worked  (Cuccaro-Alamin & Choy,1998). Further, there appears to be a strong body of literature that points to the positive effects of not working versus working while attending college (King, 2002; Pascarella& Terenzini, 1991). As College Board policy analyst Sandy Baum argues in a 2010 collection of essays I edited, Understanding the Working College Student: New Research and Its Implications for Policy and Practice, while some of these students are awarded â€Å"work† as part of their financial aid package, other students either do not receive work-study funding or find such awards insufficient to cover the costs of attendance. Some traditional-age students may use employment as a way to explore career options or earn spending money. For other students, particularly adult students, work is a part of their identity, as Carol Kasworm, a professor of adult education at North Carolina State University, and other contributors to Understanding the Working College Student point out. Regardless of the reason for working, trying to meet the multiple and sometimes conflicting simultaneous demands of the roles of student, employee, parent, and so on often creates high levels of stress and anxiety, making it less likely that students will complete their degrees. How does Working Affects Students’ Success (?) Some researchers have reported that â€Å"the more time a student devotes to employment, the less he or she has for either academic or social activities† (Fjortoft, 1995). Although this may leave the students with less time, what is the impact on college success? Some studies have looked at the effects of working on social and academic integration—or student engagement. This is an important component in student behavior theory (Bean, 1985; Pascarella & Staver, 1985; Tinto, 1975) that has long been linked with persistence (Kuh, 1995; Pascarella & Terrenzini, 1983). Lundberg (2004) examined a national sample of 3,774 responses to the College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CSEQ) and found that students working more than 20 hours per week reported significantly fewer interactions with faculty and lower quality student relationships with peers. Cheng (2004) examined how work affected the academic and social experience of college students, using a mixed method design, and found â€Å"no significant difference between working and nonworking students in their academic and social experience, though working students’ GPAs are lower than those of the nonworking†(p. 1). Bibliography http://www.aaup.org/article/understanding-working-college-student#.VLCOT9KUf5N http://indiana.edu/~ipas1/workingstudentbrief.pdf http://www.aaup.org/article/understanding-working-college-student#.VLCOT9KUf5N

The Life Story of Henry G. Appenzeller

Not much has been written about Korea, or of its people, their deeds and heroism.   However, one work displayed Korean character though a biography of an ordinary missionary who turned out to be a significant personality in the history of Korea and its transformation.The book, â€Å"A Modern Pioneer in Korea:   The Life Story of Henry G.   Appenzeller by William Griffis, is yet another biography that showcases heroism.   The book is about sacrifice and giving up something for other people.   In his story, Henry showed that it does not take much to be able to help other people and to become a hero for ordinary people.   For example, it does not take to be rich, or to be a prominent person in order to affect other people’s lives.Griffis started his discussion by giving a background about Appenzeller and Korea.   In this way, the readers can recall and picture what Korea was and how Appenzeller affected the lives of the people and how he helped them change for the better.Henry Appenzeller was a missionary for the Methodist church in Korea.   As a missionary, he is able to save the lives of young people in Korea by giving them a new chance for education and serving as an inspiration for them.There are a number of instances by which Griffis was able to show that Appenzeller is a noble man.   First, he was able to preach and educate the people of Korea in six different languages.   He preached about righteousness without being hindered by the various barriers like language and culture.The book is a very inspiring record of Korean heroism, which is apart from the popular reputation of Korea being isolated from the world of heroism and humanity.     Ã‚  The author, Griffis, did an effective narration of what seemed to be the greatest achievements and contributions of Appenzeller in the modern Korea.What is good about his book is that Griffis was able to substantiate and provide concrete evidence for his claims pertaining to Appenzellerâ €™s heroism.   This is very important because as a biography, it should be based upon real experiences and real events in the subject’s life.As a missionary, Appenzeller was able to affect change for the Korean people by incorporating prayers in their lives.   It is never denied that Korea was one of the most mythical and mysterious nations in the Asian region, very much in touched with its culture and tradition.   This, to my mind is one of the primary reasons why Korea’s growth was stagnated.   Fortunately, the modern Korea has learned to be social and unashamed of its self and unafraid to consider changes.Figuratively speaking, the work is full of picturesque words used effectively to show greatness.   The author’s approach gave the biography a poetic appeal so that unlike any other biography, the work seems to have been creatively written as a real literary masterpiece.It can also be observed that as much as the book is also about Appenzellerâ €™s missionary works, much have been mentioned about the Gods, and religion.   Although at one point, it may seem unnecessary, the approach nevertheless has been effective in relating the role of religion in Korea’s transformation and in explaining the behavior of the poe0ple, particularly of Henry Appenzeller.In sum, the book is another archaic inspiration and recognition of Korean heroism that until today contributes to the continuous improvement of Korea and its people.Work CitedGriffis, William. A Modern Pioneer in Korea:   The Life Story of Hernry G.   Appenzeller.   New York: Fleming H.   Revell, 1912.

Team Building without Time Wasting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Team Building without Time Wasting - Essay Example Arising from a variety of reasons, team members are not able to travel expeditiously to distant locations for organizational meetings or participate in distant projects. The reasons of hurdles generated in the process pertaining to inaccessibility to crucial and critical information sources, emotional and financial costs associated traveling to remote locations for business purposes, time lost during traveling or recovering from traveling. This is the reason why organizations working in partnerships are increasingly resorting to the development of virtual teams to work collectively across borders of nations without having to travel. In this way, much of the time and money lost due to traveling can be saved and work can be proceeded with at a fast pace because of online ease of communication. Organizational culture refers to the norms and regulations regarding information flow shared leadership and cross-border collaboration between organizations. Organizational norms and values which emphasize on collaboration, respect and encourage people working across cultures are seen to demonstrate successful teamwork and team building. Such organizations keep information sharing and criticisms constructive (Davidson, et al., 2002, p.102). The organizational culture sets the basic standards with regards to how it must operate and sets certain standards with regards to the ways in which team members can behave while working together. This can be particularly true for the technologically advanced, non-hierarchical and adaptive organizations which can be very effective in nurturing a team building and team working culture in the organization. The success of the virtual teams in organizations depends largely on the way organizations impede or fosters trust between itself and the partner organization. It is crucial to treat the partner organization as equal and eligible to have access to all its information.

Employment discrimination Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Employment discrimination - Research Paper Example The paper relates to the laws of employment discrimination in America. The research question is what the current state of employment discrimination in America is and what are laws that relates to employment discrimination in America? In United States of America people have long dreamt of a workplace that would provide access to equal opportunity to the Arab workers irrespective of age, sex race or other discriminatory criteria. Title seven of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was enacted with the promise of equal employment opportunity to all irrespective of any sort of discrimination. The employer could no longer discriminate amongst the employees in matters such as hiring, promoting, pay, firing and other employment related decisions. The victims are required to file cases of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). David Wessel, a reporter at Wall Street Journal stated that 81% of the Arabs were deprived of the opportunities as enjoyed by the whites following a recent poll that was aimed at asking whether the racial minorities have equal job opportunities. According to the Wall Street report of 2009, the allegation of discrimination by the employees on the basis of age was at a recor d high of 4600 (Basu 71). There was an increase of 29% in the number of claims. Discrimination on the basis of age is a direct violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) that prohibits discrimination on basis of age (Kramer 92). The practices that are prohibited by the act are parallel to that under the Title 7 and are aimed at protecting people above the age of 40. Source: Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in American Constitution Society for Law and Policy; â€Å"Age Discrimination Reaching New Heights, Lows†; Official Website of American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, 11 March 2009; Web; 15 May 2015. The companies are

Planning My Policymaking Visit - Battling Childhood Obesity Essay

Planning My Policymaking Visit - Battling Childhood Obesity - Essay Example Behavior change has the greatest effect but is very difficult to achieve. However, with implementation of policies that encourage healthy dietary choices and increased physical activity in schools, it is easier to attain the goal. There have been efforts to help curb childhood obesity in schools, implemented by various levels of administration. For instance, the government implemented the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program; which were objected at improving the nutrition of children in school. However, studies show that the programs have had very little effect on children’s health especially with regards to childhood obesity. In fact, children in public schools where the lunch and breakfast were offered were at a higher risk of getting obesity than their counterparts in private schools (Li, Ji, & Hooker, 2010). This is important to nursing because academic performance of children is linked to their health which is our responsibility as nurses. There are several policymakers who can make a difference in the current situation of childhood obesity. This includes persons responsible in the Department of Education, the state and the local administration in schools. The target policymakers in this case are the local administration especially the school board. This is because they participate in the lives of the children as compared to the other policymakers, and they are in a position to make the changes more effectively and rapidly. Since most of the interventions recommended are mostly school-based, it is best if the school administration is approached first to seek their opinion before implementing them. The main vision of this visit is to relay the message to the policymakers on childhood obesity and discuss proposed ways of preventing or reducing it. Obesity comes with many challenges to the students, ranging from academic to social. Studies show that most obese students

Comparative Criminology - Prostitution in China and the USA Essay

Comparative Criminology - Prostitution in China and the USA - Essay Example The interpretavist approach is sceptical of universal interpretations and brings the variations as a result of cultures to surface. Interpretavist approach is based on orientalism whereby, they focus more on bringing out the differences. On the other hand, positivism is based on Occidentalism that denies differences and aims on establishing generalizations and similarities. (Maguire et.al, 2007 & Cain, 2000, 239-260) Therefore, the aforementioned approaches to the subject have been deemed very useful in further elaborating it; however, using an example to demonstrate the subject will provide empirical evidences and knowledge regarding the subject. Therefore, in order to shed greater light on the matter, the following substance of the prose will examine the exact nature; similarities and differences between the criminal behaviour as a result of cultural and epidemiological variations. (Cain, 2000, 239-260) II. Prostitution in China and the United States of America Prostitution is the act of providing sexual services in return for a monetary payment, and is one of the oldest known professions. Individuals involved in this profession are called ‘prostitutes’ and the legality of this activity varies from country to country. Prostitutes and brothels, which are special establishment that are the foreground of prostitution, pervade societies from the world over. Though, it exists in every society and culture but the main focus will remain on China and America. As it is mentioned earlier, prostitution is one of the oldest known professions; therefore, the most fundamental similarity between both countries would be that the sex industry has been in existence for a very long time. In both countries, women are largely involved in... The essay "Comparative Criminology - Prostitution in China and the USA" examines the exact nature, similarities and differences between the criminal behavior as a result of cultural and epidemiological variations. Prostitution is the act of providing sexual services in return for a monetary payment and is one of the oldest known professions. Individuals involved in this profession are called ‘prostitutes’ and the legality of this activity varies from country to country. Prostitutes and brothels, which are a special establishment that is the foreground of prostitution, pervade societies from the world over. Though it exists in every society and culture the main focus will remain on China and America. Prostitution is one of the oldest known professions; therefore, the most fundamental similarity between both countries would be that the sex industry has been in existence for a very long time. In both countries, women are largely involved in prostitution cases; though in the last few decades male prostitution has also surfaced and they also include people who have immigrant status in the country. The sex industry in China and the United Stated of America has been on the boom, prior to the massive attention it has attracted from the media and the way it is portrayed by them. After the communist revolution in China, the ruling faction in China established a resolve to eradicate prostitution and brothels from China, a social issue that had become quite rampant in both urban and rural regions of the country.

International trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

International trade - Essay Example Second, as it operates in an international environment, it is subject to considerable competition and economic pressure from foreign competitors." http://www.transport.gov.za/library/docs/greenp3d.html As a maritime organisation, it has to take all its decisions keeping the external factors in view. It is impossible for it to function keeping only UK laws in mind, as it has to deal with almost all the countries, their companies, their shipping industry and other connected industries, and hence, the organisation automatically comes under laws made by those countries that could be suitable only for them. But an international organisation has to find ways and means to adapt itself into those laws. Education and training of the staff, making them aware of other cultures and alien atmospheres had been of great value. It is difficult for an organisation like BMEA not to get influenced by external environment. Most of the maritime organisations try to adapt themselves as much as possible to the environments, rules and policies of other countries, without which they cannot run their business. Shipping corporations have to adhere to the rules of flag ports, terminals and high seas only. But BMEA has to abide with even the country's internal laws, as its supplies go to the off shore industries and Government agencies. It has to learn every liaison rule prevalent in that particular country, deal with Government agencies and quasi government institutions for their supplies to get approved, because it represents the interests of its members, suppliers and manufacturers in Britain. To negotiate the supplies, prices, with markets abroad, it has to have its personnel ready and trained for the... British Marine Equipment Association (BMEA), established in 1966, is a market oriented trade association, works for the promotion of British manufacturers and suppliers, in other countries and supplies marine equipments to ports, terminals, off shore industries, and fishing industries.Several International conventions lay down the rules for the maritime organisations to follow as they are bound by these rules. Environmental rules have made the shipping difficult; but at the same time, it is definitely necessary as the seawater or seabed pollution could create unfortunate results, killing the sea animals, birds, fish and eventually affecting the health of humans. Stringent laws have been laid down against oil spill, paints and so many other hazards that could happen through the maritime industry. â€Å"The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships will prohibit the use of harmful organotins in anti-fouling paints used on ships and will establish a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems†. Education and training of the staff, making them aware of other cultures and alien atmospheres had been of great value. It is difficult for an organisation like BMEA not to get influenced by external environment.As BMEA deals with sales and services of equipments, it comes under the Sale of Goods Act and Sale Contract Act. All these international laws have to be honoured by the company while making a deal and supplying the equipments and servicing it later.

Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 171

Summary - Essay Example There are many examples given here about people that were found in such situations and then forced to pay more than the regular charge. Jacob tells his story about what happened when his wife was about to deliver their second daughter, Baby Olivia. It occurred in summer on a Friday evening when his wife called him. His wife was working until she went to labor pains. She worked next to his office, and she was coming to meet him so they could go to the hospital. They went to the road to flag down a vehicle. It was hot, and the cabs were moving fast without stopping but, fortunately, one stopped, and they were heading to the hospital. Jacob was surprised when the driver told him that he was to pay four times the normal charge. He was very furious, but the condition of the wife left him no other option but to pay what the driver wanted (Planet Money 2014). Another example is where a young couple were forced to pay seven times the normal charge. It was December in the New York City. It was raining, snowing and sleeting, a cold weather and cabs were sliding on the road. The young couple aged around 25 years had waited for one and a half hours without finding a car. They even tried to call service vehicles in vain. The lady was wearing a short skirt in the chilly weather. Then came a driver from Uber Company and they ended up paying seven times the usual charge. Liza Chow was also caught in the snow and paid $192 instead of $65 for a 5-mile car ride by Uber Company. Lisa chow and Zoe make an argument that surge pricing may benefit everyone. They define the argument by saying if Uber Company does not charge more than the standard cost drivers will not be motivated. They will not go out struggling in the snow. Surge pricing will help the people out in the snow or when it is sleeting as the drivers will be available knowing the pay is more. Hence surge price will benefit the drivers and the people caught in the snow and the

Consumer influence on Companys Production Process Essay - 23

Consumer influence on Companys Production Process - Essay Example This act of consumers contributing their ideas in the production process is what is referred to in this article as co-production. Some researchers refer to co-creation and co-production as almost meaning the same thing (Lusch & Obrien, 2006). This essay is going to be aimed at summarizing the trend that is now taking place in production processes. Consumers have identified that they need to play a role throughout the production process from conception of a product, its production, marketing, to final consumption stage. Marketers have also realized the need to incorporate the other players in co-production with examples being evidenced by the number of engagement marketers have with consumers. The example is the case of Kao Corporation, the makers of Ban deodorant, with an attempt to capture the input from customers in the marketing process, held a contest asking girls and young women to create print advertisements that would resonate with other consumers (Vranica, 2005). It is reported that the contest drew thousands of entries, thereby adding to the fact that consumers are willing to participate in the product marketing. This trend where collaboration exists between producers and consumers has resulted in the struggle to control the product. Producers are now in a dilemma on how, and how much of their production should be left to the manipulation by consumers. They already know that consumers are continuously becoming a force to reckon with in production process and ignoring them is just like coating a disaster. Through virtual communities, consumers have continued to analyze products thoroughly resulting in a success or complete flop of the same depending on whether the product meets their expectations or not.

Why is the auto accident rate higher for teenagers than for all Essay

Why is the auto accident rate higher for teenagers than for all drivers - Essay Example Slow decision-making and slower reflexes on the other hand affect old people and account for most accidents involving the elderly. In the United States of America, the number of fatalities because of adolescent accidents in the year 2008 was 6,428 people (Teenage Driver Crash Statistics). Most these people were in other vehicles or passengers of the accident causing adolescents. The states of Florida and California recorded the highest numbers of accidents involving adolescents in the year 2008 at 516 and 593 respectively. Of these people, 2793 people were the young drivers, the rest either their passengers or outside parties involved in the accident (Teenage Driver Crash Statistics). Clearly, there is need for action to bring these numbers down. However, to improve the statistics, it is important to understand young drivers and the factors that lead to their involvement in road accidents. Owing to their inexperience in the roads, young people have low abilities to detect hazards, such as slippery roads (Teenage Driver Crash Statistics). This makes them vulnerable and in some cases results in accidents. For example, the case of slippery roads, due to rain or any other factor reduces friction between the tires and the roads and between the brakes and the wheels. This results in brake failure that in turn leads to accidents and loss of life. Loss of friction between the road and the tires also results to loss of control of the car, change of direction at relatively normal speeds may result in skidding and consequently an accident. Failure of perception of this risk by adolescents therefore results in road accidents. Adolescent egocentrism also leads to poor hazard detection. Adolescents have naà ¯ve idealism, which leads to perception of things, as they would be in an ideal world. For example, an adolescent is likely to ignore the driving of

What is organizational structures Essay Example for Free

What is organizational structures Essay An organizational structure consists of activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision, which are directed towards the achievement of organizational aims. It can also be considered as the viewing glass or perspective through which individuals see their organization and its environment. Organizations are a variant of clustered entities. An organization can be structured in many different ways, depending on their objectives. The structure of an organization will determine the modes in which it operates and performs. Organizational structure allows the expressed allocation of responsibilities for different functions and processes to different entities such as the branch, department, workgroup and individual. Organizational structure affects organizational action in two big ways. First, it provides the foundation on which standard operating procedures and routines rest. Second, it determines which individuals get to participate in which decision-making processes, and thus to what extent their views shape the organization’s actions. Example:- INTRODUCTION TO ICICI BANK ICICI Bank is Indias second-largest bank with total assets of about Rs.1,67,659 crore at March 31, 2005 and profit after tax of Rs. 2,005 crore for the year ended March 31, 2005 (Rs. 1,637 crore in fiscal 2004). ICICI Bank has a network of about 560 branches and extension counters and over 1,900 ATMs. ICICI Bank offers a wide range of banking products and financial services to corporate and retail customers through a variety of delivery channels and through its specialized subsidiaries and affiliates in the areas of investment banking, life and non-life insurance, venture capital and asset management. ICICI Bank set up its international banking group in fiscal 2002 to cater to the cross border needs of clients and leverage on its domestic banking strengths to offer products internationally. ICICI Bank currently has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and Canada, branches in Singapore and Bahrain and representative offices in the United States, China, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and South Africa. ICICI Banks equity shares are listed in India on the Stock Exchange, Mumbai and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As required by the stock exchanges, ICICI Bank has formulated a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for its directors and employees. At April 4, 2005, ICICI Bank, with free float market capitalization of about Rs. 308.00 billion (US$ 7.00 billion) ranked third amongst all the companies listed on the Indian stock exchanges. ICICI Bank was originally promoted in 1994 by ICICI Limited, an Indian financial institution, and was its wholly-owned subsidiary. ICICIs shareholding in ICICI Bank was reduced to 46% through a public offering of shares in India in fiscal 1998, an equity offering in the form of ADRs listed on the NYSE in fiscal 2000, ICICI Banks acquisition of Bank of Madura Limited in an all-stock amalgamation in fiscal 2001, and secondary market sales by ICICI to institutional investors in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2002. ICICI was formed in 1955 at the initiative of the World Bank, the Government of India and representatives of Indian industry. The principal objective was to create a development financial institution for providing medium-term and long-term project financing to Indian businesses. In the 1990s, ICICI transformed its business from a development financial institution offering only project finance to a diversified financial services group offering a wide variety of products and services, both directly and through a number of subsidiaries and affiliates like ICICI Bank. In 1999, ICICI become the first Indian company and the first bank or financial institution from non-Japan Asia to be listed on the NYSE. After consideration of various corporate structuring alternatives in the context of the emerging competitive scenario in the Indian banking industry, and the move towards universal banking, the managements of ICICI and ICICI Bank formed the view that the merger of ICICI with ICICI Bank would be the optimal strategic alternative for both entities, and would create the optimal legal structure for the ICICI groups universal banking strategy. The merger would enhance value for ICICI shareholders through the merged entitys access to low-cost deposits, greater opportunities for earning fee-based income and the ability to participate in the payments system and provide transaction-banking services. The merger would enhance value for ICICI Bank shareholders through a large capital base and scale of operations, seamless access to ICICIs strong corporate relationships built up over five decades, entry into new business segments, higher market share in various business segments, particularly fee-based services, and access to the vast talent pool of ICICI and its subsidiaries. In October 2001, the Boards of Directors of ICICI and ICICI Bank approved the merger of ICICI and two of its wholly-owned retail finance subsidiaries, ICICI Personal Financial Services Limited and ICICI Capital Services Limited, with ICICI Bank. The merger was approved by shareholders of ICICI and ICICI Bank in January 2002, by the High Court of Gujarat at Ahmedabad in March 2002, and by the High Court of Judicature at Mumbai and the Reserve Bank of India in April 2002. Consequent to the merger, the ICICI groups financing and banking operations, both wholesale and retail, have been integrated in a single entity. Figure.1 Microsoft Corporation Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational software corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. The company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. Microsoft is the worlds largest software maker measured by revenues. It is also one of the worlds most valuable companies. Microsoft was established to  develop and sell BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800. It rose to dominate the personal computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. The companys 1986 initial public offering, and subsequent rise in its share price, created an estimated three billionaires and 12,000 millionaires from Microsoft employees. Since the 1990s, it has increasingly diversified from the operating system market and has made a number of corporate acquisitions. In May 2011, Microsoft acquired Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion in its largest acquisition to date. As of 2013, Microsoft is market dominant in both the PC operating system and office suite markets (the latter with Microsoft Office). The company also produces a wide range of other software for desktops and servers, and is active in areas including internet search (with Bing), the video game industry (with the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles, and the upcoming Xbox One console), the digital services market (through MSN), and mobile phones (via the Windows Phone OS). In June 2012, Microsoft announced that it would be entering the PC vendor market for the first time, with the launch of the Microsoft Surface tablet computer. In the 1990s, critics began to contend that Microsoft used monopolisticbusiness practices and anti-competitive strategies including refusal to deal and tying, put unreasonable restrictions in the use of its software, and used misrepresentative marketing tactics; both the U.S. Department of Justice and European Commission found the company in violation of antitrust laws. On August 20, 2013, Microsoft announced that its CEO, Steve Ballmer, will retire from the company after a successor is chosen. Microsoft Organizational structure The following is a sample of the Microsoft Executive Organization Chart published by Directions on Microsoft, an independent research firm focused exclusively on Microsoft strategy technology. More samples of our content, as well as a list of upcoming articles and reports are also available. Planning and organization are crucial for an organization to achieve maximum effectiveness and success. Microsoft Company, for instance, has an organizational structure consisting of board of directors who include Steve Ballmer as chief executive officer (CEO), senior leaders, executives, and technical leaders. Founded in 1975, Microsoft has grown today into a worldwide leader in software and services (Microsoft, 2009). The organizational structure of Microsoft proves to be efficient and effective. A comparison to other organizations demonstrates the importance of an organizational structure and shows commonalities as well as differences in structure. A further analysis of Microsoft Company explains the impact of organizational functions to the organizational structure. Lastly, the organizational design of Microsoft exhibits the best structure to meet the organizations needs. The organizational structure for Microsoft’s management, functions, and design all play a key role in the success of Microsoft. The organizational function of any company starts with the employees. Employees are grouped based on knowledge and experience into departments such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, etc†¦ and is referred to as departmentalization. â€Å"Organization structure is comprised of functions, relationships, responsibilities, authorities, and communications of individuals within each department (Sexton, 1970, p. 23) and is depicted in an organizational chart. An organizational chart identifies the business functions and reporting order.

Ethics Article Review Essay Example for Free

Ethics Article Review Essay Ethics in accounting and financial decision-making has received increased attention due to large corporate scandals such as WorldCom and Enron in recent years. Legislation such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has attempted to make corporations more transparent to internal and external stakeholders. After analyzing the 2005 article by Richard Bernardi and Catherine LaCross, Corporate Transparency: Code of Ethics Disclosures, recommendations will be made to improve ethical foundations at the San Quentin State Prison based on the parameters outlined by Sarbanes-Oxley. In the Corporate Transparency article, the key point is made that along with changes in the accounting practices, disclosing a code of ethics to the public will ensure better internal compliance with ethical practices. Those organizations that did not publicly disclose codes of ethics were less likely to truly conform to ethical practices required in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 was legislation enacted in response to large corporate scandals. The Act calls for public corporations to publicly disclose all financial statements, store all electronic records for five years and these rules are governed by the SEC (Spurzem, 2006). Sarbanes Oxley has impacted organizations in that accountants and financial decision makers are open to public scrutiny based on the public financial statement disclosures and IT departments must adequately create and maintain corporate archives that are cost effective and in compliance with legislation (Spurzem, 2006). Organizations have been impacted financially by having to add extra resources to maintain compliance and avoid fines. According to Bernardi and LaCross, â€Å". . . one example of a ‘best practice’ in transparency is a corporation making its code of ethics readily available for public scrutiny on its website (par 1). † Corporations increase legitimacy with openly stated code of ethics and websites are an economically feasible avenue for making a particular code available to the public. The article argues that organizations that go beyond the basic requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley and declare a universal code of ethics show that the organization is willing to ‘walk the talk’ of ethics. SEC chairman Donaldson is quoted as saying â€Å". . . going beyond mere adherence or conformity to new dictates and of Sarbanes-Oxley: responsibilities that rest at the very heart of their obligation to create a corporate culture of transparency and accountability (Bernardi, 2005, par 6). † Integrating ethics into a corporate culture is extremely effective in ensuring strong ethical compliance within organizations. At the San Quentin State Prison, ethics are important in many aspects of business including accounting, financial decisions, inmate treatment, medical care, and general work environment. There are many opportunities for unethical practices to take hold in a prison facility. Since the facility is closed off to the general public, self-monitoring is a crucial part of maintaining an ethical environment in all aspects of the prison business. San Quentin has the responsibility to use public tax dollars wisely and ethically as well as to maintain a corporate culture with high integrity. Based on the research findings by Bernardi and LaCross, the recommendation for a San Quentin State Prison public code of ethics will focus the entire prison cultural towards walking the ethical talk. All prison employees would be held individually responsible for maintaining the highest code of ethics across all job functions from accounting and financial decision-makers to medical employees. Ethics in business span larger than just accounting and financial-decision making. While these areas are extremely important, developing a code of ethics for all job functions in an organization is essential to maintaining an ethical corporate environment. At San Quentin Prison, an official code of ethics would guide the organization to best practices to ensure success. References http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid19_gci920030,00.html

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Analysis

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love Analysis Love is not quick Is ones eager love and admiration enough to last forever? So Marlowes Passionate Shepherd To His Love would think so. On the other hand, Raleighs Nymph Reply To The Shepherd would confidently disagree, as she does not believes his hasty words. Marlowe writes a naive, rash, and rather bold poem which attempts to confess his feelings and paints a picture of what love could be. He fills the canvas with dream like scenery and promising words of materialistic items to win ones affection. Raleighs response in Nymph prompts the reader to see reasoning and a sense of reality that contrasts with Marlowes words of the Shepherd. In Passionate Shepherd To His Love, Marlowes style for the poem is pastoral. He seems to glorify the simplicity of life and idealize a perfect world by utilizing nature to create his utopian scene. In the lines And we will sit upon the rocks, Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,(Marlowe 777) he portrays an innocent notion of affection by simply admiring other shepherds feeding sheep alongside his love. The authors soft-spoken line,By shallow rivers, to whose falls Melodious birds sing madrigals,(Marlowe 777) illustrates spending time by the river with waterfalls as birds sing melodies. These are one of many naive illusions the shepherd attempts to charm his love with. Marlowes shepherd is filled with nothing but eager promises that are not realistic. The shepherd seeks love, yet is first confined to proving his worth. In beginning, Marlow speaks of practical promises such as, A cap of flowers and kirtle Embroidered all with leave of myrtle; A gown made of the finest wool Which from our pretty lambs we pull (Marlowe 777). The pastoral style and the earthy feeling of nature are still visible when he speaks of flowers being made caps and skirts made of leaves. His practical promises quickly shift into unattainable ones as he begins to sound desperate as he states, A belt of straw and ivy buds, With Coral clasp and amber studs (Marlowe 777) The work of a shepherd cannot gather such raw items, as they are both too costly for him and also rare in the countryside. The poem is filled with open-ended promises where, in a perfect world, it would be enough to win the affection someones love. In the Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd, Raleigh is straightforward when addressing the shepherd. He uses the words and stanzas in a ruthless way, utilizing them in such a manner of deliberation and precision, that it sets the tone of a distinct response to Marlowe. The feminine persona of the nymph sets up hypothetical questions that disregard mans impulses of transitory promises. Raleigh begins by speaking of a naive world with a skeptical shepherd and his kind gestures that may win the affection of the nymph. Similar to Marlowe, who incorporates nature in his writing, Raleigh exploits the idea of the outdoors by expressing flawless responses. In the first example, Time drives the flocks from field to fold, When Rivers rage and Rocks grow cold(Raleigh 782). Raleigh puts an end to the simple gazing of flocking sheep, as its time for them to be put away, and the rocks growing cold insist a change in weather. In line 6, the stressed emphasis of R and its combined clashing sound supports the harsh distinction of Raleighs nature. Rather than Marlowes safe and consistent shallow stream, Raleigh illustrates a raging river that can be dangerous and destructive. The overall idea expressed in line 5 and 6 is that small moments dont last forever and making quick-hearted decisions will eventually lead to a negative outcome. As both authors integrate nature in their pieces, the differences in season describe a general feeling to each poem. Marlowe speaks of beautiful valleys, hills, groves, beds of roses, and alluring mountainsides, therefore the reader can assume the season as spring. Raleigh, however, expresses practicality, using winter to illustrate that, just as spring, love is not always everlasting.   He depicts this in Lines 9 and 10, The flowers do fade, and wanton fields, To wayward winter reckoning yields(Raliegh 782). The over all message that Raleigh is trying to convey can be expressed with in two lines, A honey tongue, a heart of gall, Is fancys spring, but sorrows fall,(782) he stating that if someones only chooses to see the short pleasure of love, over a long-term commitment, it will only lead in unhappiness. Marlowes theme suggests carpe diem, or to seize the day, as Raleigh exercises both carpe diem and tempus fugit, to seize the time. A better explanation of this is better expressed by Dr. Bruce Magee who explains that, Normally we should seize the day because time flies. Raleigh argues that because time flies, we should NOT seize the day.(Magee) This is a concurring statement because instead of making impulsive decisions in life, one should wait to evaluate possible outcomes before determining a significant choice. As Shakespeare once said, Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast (Shakespeare 4). Work Cited Kirszner, Laurie G., and Stephen R. Mandell. Portable literature: reading, reacting, writing. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning, 2016. Print. Magee, Bruce. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (and the Nymphs Reply). The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (and the Nymphs Reply). Louisiana Tech University, 08 Aug. 2014. Web. 27 Feb. 2017. Wiegle, Matt, and William Shakespeare. No fear Shakespeare. New York: Sparknotes, 2008. Print. The Passionate Shepherd To His Love Analysis The Passionate Shepherd To His Love Analysis The passionate shepherd to his love is a poem written by Christopher Marlowe of love promises from a shepherd to his potential lover set in a pastoral community. The shepherd is trying to convince a maiden to become his lover through romantic words that reveal their community as the best place to nurture their love. He is also ready to do everything in his power to please and make her happy if she heeds to his pleas. The shepherd is eager to cease the moment and have her love in the present situation (Payne John 714). The poem uses the word passionate to show the strong sexual urges that the shepherd has towards his object of desire. Throughout the poem, there are numerous promises and pleas by the shepherd but the maiden neither appears nor responds to his statements. The shepherd is convinced that all their pleasures will begin when she decides to live with him as his love. Summary of the stanzas In the first stanza, we are acquainted with an unidentified shepherd who appeals to a woman to join him by living together. He promises her ultimate pleasure if she agrees to live with him. There is no mention of marriage but just the will to accommodate her in his wife. The way he offers his promises show that the woman is a tough nut to crack, thus he has to make exaggerated and sometimes-impossible pledges. All their adventures are bound to happen in the pastoral settings in the ambience of nature. A common connotation for such an invitation would signify that the shepherd wanted to make love to the unidentified woman. He even suggests the private places such as the valleys, fields, woods, or hills where their love would consume them and they would derive pleasure. In the second stanza, the shepherd is keen to elaborate to the woman the perfect time for their love to bloom. The way he explains the environment at that time suggests that the season would either be spring or summer. This is because he mentions beautiful grounds where they could sit in comfort wile watching the flocks eating grass (Marlowe 67). The birds will be singing madrigals symbolize springtime as bird signals refer to a new season. The existence of grass also emphasizes on the season and the other shepherds will aid him by feeding his flock. He will seize the free time to spend the moments with his new lover as they savour the beauty of nature. All these activities in the second stanza will be done after they made love and were reminiscing of the moments they shared. The third stanza culminates into a scenario where the shepherd doubles his efforts of convincing the woman to be his lover. He does this by adding lucrative promises to the initial ones that will entice the woman to follow him to his house. He pledges to set up a variety of beds for her that has a thousand posies. The poem is full of hyperbole since the shepherd is consistent in making impossible and exaggerated promises just to gain the feedback from the woman. He even promises to dress her in magnificent kirtle adorned with other embellishments that will enhance her beauty. The kirtle seems to be a customary dress code but he promises to decorate it to show his appreciation of her acceptance for his love. In the fourth stanza, he is willing to share his riches with her by adorning her with a gown made of finest wool. He will turn the shearing procedure of obtaining the wool from the sheep into a graceful pulling session. This scenario represents his willingness to put effort into adorning his woman with all the things he can afford, thus the reason why he mentioned slippers made of nothing but pure gold. He continues alluring the woman in stanza five by taking care of all the tiny detains of her clothes. He talks of coral clasps will act as buttons and her costume will have a straw belt in addition to ivy-buds. He also takes the chance to remind the woman of how pleasurable their love will be if she accepts him. However, he does not go into detail of those pleasures he had aforementioned because in his heart he is convinced that she remembers them. The six and last stanza shows the shepherdà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s last chance on convincing the woman to be his love. He promises her that if she agrees to love him his fellow shepherds referred to as swains will sing and dance in honour of them. He says that every day of their life will be filled with laughter and the shepherds will always sing and dance for them. In the last sentence, he simplifies the magnitude of her decision by simply asking him to come and live with her to enjoy those delights. In the poem, he uses couplets to emphasize his objectives because they use the same line in different stanzas such as the repetition of the words à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒâ€¹Ã…“live with me and come be my love.à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢ Conclusion The poem generally shows that it is not easy to get love and sometimes people have to put effort. The shepherd doe not talk of the future or the past but hopes to get the woman in the present. His description about his motives is mainly geared towards satisfying his sexuality. He seems to have admired her so much to the extent of wanting her to give up her chastity. In the beginning, one would have thought that this is just a dream of an idle shepherd as he watched his flock but the mention of passion indeed shows there is a woman. The shepherd is not rich but he is willing to sacrifice whatever little he has to adorn his potential lover with the things he knows she deserves as his lover. He embarks on a journey to convince his lover with the same hard work he ploughs when he caters for his flock (Marlowe 67). He does not mention an aim of having a long time commitment but in the last stanza, he says that every day of their lives will be filled with happiness. This shows that he is w illing to nurture his love for the woman to last an eternity if she accepts him. The shepherd portrays a kind of love that innocent and pure yet filled with many erotic fantasies may be because she is the woman he has dreamt of having all his life. Throughout the poem, the shepherd is convinced that all their pleasures will begin when she decides to live with him as his love.

Salem Power Plant :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Salem Harbor power plant is a serious threat to the public health – and it may only get worse. There is a severe concern about toxic air emissions from the prior waste disposal practices. That is why Bush’s energy plan doesn’t quite work? In the Salem Evening News it says that, â€Å"The Bush plan only pays lip service to the threat of global warming, the greatest environmental danger of our time.† (Kert Davies) The Bush plan may of solved the threat of global warming, but in reality Pollution from oil- and coal-burning power plants kills more people in Massachusetts every year than homicides and drunken driving combined. Why should the public be harmed every time they decide to take a jog around the block? People are dying each year due to the Salem Harbor power plant. â€Å"The activists planted crosses to symbolize the deaths caused by the mining and burning of coal made, making the point that the Bush plan is over reliant on coal, a dirty energy source.† (Davies) Not only does the Salem Harbor power plant kill people each year but other plants such as; â€Å"Brayton Point in Somerset; Canal Station in Sandwich; Mystic Station in Everett; Mt. Tom Station in Holyoke; and Somerset Station in Somerset† (Davies) kill people too. The real factor that kills the people is the coal. It may not seem it but â€Å"coal kills the people who mine it, and when corporate polluters burn it – coal destroys our air, and shortens lives.† (Davies) So should the general public be harmed everyday when they decide to go for a jog in the morning? What can be done to prevent coal from being used? There are enough new gas-fired power plants under construction to supply nearly half of New England’s peak demand. â€Å"Two new gas pipelines are now operational, adding enough natural gas supply to New England to power all the new plants currently being built.† (Davies) We don’t get our power from a particular power plant, but from the web of power plants and transmission lines across the region called the â€Å"grid.† â€Å"These new plants will come on line over the next one to two years, to compete against the old, dirty units to supply our electric power.† (Davies) So using the gas pipelines is one way to cut down on the coal. How about another way? In fact there

Germany Essay -- essays research papers

Germany is the fourth largest country in area in Europe, with a total area of 356,970 square kilometers (137,827 square miles). The country has a varied terrain that ranges from low-lying coastal flats along the North and Baltic seas, to a central area of rolling hills and river valleys, to heavily forested mountains and snow-covered Alps in the south. Germany has a long, complex history and rich culture, but it did not become a unified nation until 1871. Before that time, Germany had been a confederacy (1815-1867). The country has a total of 82,071,765 people (1997 estimate). Germany is overwhelmingly urban, and most people lead a prosperous, comfortable lifestyle, with adequate leisure time and comprehensive social welfare benefits. Berlin is the capital and largest city, although Bonn, which was the provisional capital of West Germany, is still home to some government offices. The principal language is German, and about 70 percent of the people are either Roman Catholic or Protestant. Germany has a very large and modern industrial economy and is a leading producer of such products as iron and steel, machinery and machine tools, and automobiles. Germany is an economic powerhouse in the European Union (EU), and its currency, the deutsche mark (DM), is among the strongest in the world. Germany ranks as the fourth largest country in Europe, after European Russia (the part of Russia west of the Ural Mountains), France, and Spain. Germany ...

Anatomy of a Research Paper -- essays research papers

Wodge: A Definition "I don't want a great wodge of prose, but about double what we have at present." (Ezra Pound, 1913) The word wodge, whose meaning can be surmised from its heavy, lumpish sound, is not particularly common in American usage. It is, however, a wonderful word that ought to be given more recognition. It offers a more vivid description than its synonyms, for example, blob, cluster, or clump. A highly descriptive word, wodge is developed from a combination of the words wad and wedge, the sound of which evokes images of weight and sedentariness. The word wodge has sprung from a combination of two other words, wad and wedge, but is vastly more entertaining than either. A wedge is generally two principal faces of hard material meeting at an acute angle to be used for raising, holding, or splitting an object; or also to squish or cram oneself or another object into an ill-fitting space in the manner of a wedge. A wad, on the other hand, is a small lump, mass, ball, roll, or bundle of some matter, usually soft or fibrous, i.e., cotton, wool, straw, cloth, paper, or money. Wodge embodies both of these concepts. Resting somewhere between wedge, which has a more mathematical, precise, and triangular meaning, and wad, which is crumpled, disorderly, and usually made of paper, wodge seems to be lumpy, u...

Au Bon Pain Case Study Essay

Business Strategy: Au Bon Pain (ABP) is an upscale French Bakery chain restaurant that competes with other fast food restaurants. They would like to go from a â€Å"Cycle of Failure† to differentiating themselves from their competitors by improving their customer experience. Alignment: Au Bon Pain wanted to differentiate themselves from other fast food chains by increasing the customer experience so that there would be more repeat customers and a consistent income stream. This meant improving relationships with customers which would increase if they had positive experiences and name recognition by staff. ABP had to decrease turnover of staff and increase autonomy at local stores to create the experience that they wanted for their customers. They did this by creating the Partner/Manager Program, which created Partner Managers at stores who were more autonomous in the day-to-day decision-making, and in turn, shared in profits. The program meant that Partner Managers now shared in 35% of the profits, Assistants shared in 15% of the profits, which was a significant increase in the reward/compensation structure at the company. By changing the reward structure, PM and Assistant Managers took on more responsibility for their individual store which changed their role to include things like ordering, staffing, and store aesthetics. During the trial of the Partner/Manager program, the two stores that volunteered to participate both had managers from different backgrounds who were very driven, independent, and creative. ABP central management hoped that a program like the Partner/Manager Program would help them to recruit more staff that espoused these characteristics, which they viewed as vital to their success and growth. Application: ABP changed the reward structure to increase productivity. This is consistent with the Expectancy Theory in which employees figure in Expectancy (the belief that effort will lead to results, in this case increased compensation), Instrumentality (the belief that a desired outcome will come from performance, in this case increased store profits will lead to increased personal compensation), and valence (the outcome, in this case  increased compensation). The effort of the PM and Assistant Managers increased because their expectation of compensation was directly related to the profits of the store, which meant that the desired outcome of the company and employees were aligned and profits increased. The profit-sharing compensation method used by ABP is similar to the method that Whole Foods uses. The difference is that ABP only involves the Partner/Manager and Assistant Manager in profit sharing while Whole Foods shares profits with all employees through their â€Å"Gainsharing† Program. While at ABP the Partner/Manager Program increases the dedication, productivity, and hopefully decreases turnover of those involved in profit-sharing, it does not do anything for the hourly employees who have a high turnover rate and are the ones that actually have the direct customer interaction at the registers, cleaning the stores, and making the food. This could lead to problems for ABP since the hourly employees are directly related to the consumer experience that the ABP is trying to improve, and this program does not address them. Exhibit: Roles: With the introduction of the Partner-Manager Program, Au Bon Pain looked to transform the roles of District Manager, create a Partner Manager and Assistant Manager who shared in the profits, and increase autonomy in each store. In the old system, the District Managers micromanaged their stores, but in the new system they were given more stores and had to focus on the big.

Chapter 19 The Hungarian Horntail

The fortune of speeching personal with Sirius was entirely that sustained elicit e rattlingwhere the next fort loathsomenessness, the only if b destine spot on a horizon that had neer waited vilenesser. The shock of conclusion himself school day relay transmitter had worn stumble f mienly presently, and the idolatry of what was approach him had started to dunk in. The source labor fuckment was drawing steady ne arr he matte as though it were crouching ahead of him hike whatsoever horrific monster, barring his path. He had never suffered nerves identical these they were expressive style beyond whateverthing he had experienced before a Quidditch match, not fifty-fifty his close unity against Slytherin, which had decided who would win the Quidditch Cup. irritate was decision it heavy(p) to call up ab forbidden the prospective at e real he felt up as though his whole demeanorspan had been heading up to, and would finish with, the first-class hono urs degree tax.Admittedly, he didnt fall upon how Sirius was difference to invite him feel any pose break with round having to perform an un greetn add up to retrieveher of tough and dangerous magic in straw man of hundreds of bulk, that the mere arrangement of a friendly character would be something at the visualizetbeat. chafe wrote support to Sirius verbalise that he would be beside the common dwell fire at the succession Sirius had suggested and he and Hermi nonpargonil spent a capacious term air blot all over plans for forcing any stragglers step forward of the common agency on the shadow in question. If the worst came to the worst, they were red ink to cut deal a bag of Dungbombs, that they go ford they wouldnt upset in to resort to that Filch would skin them alive.In the meantime, life became even worse for awake within the con alrights of the castle, for Rita Skeeter had published her intrust in or so the Tri sense Tour wee-wee nt, and it had turned turn out to be not so lots a report on the tournament as a highly colored life story of gravel. Much of the front rascal had been flagn over to a depiction of kindle the article (continuing on pages two, six, and seven) had been all some encrust, the names of the Beauxba haemorrhoid and Durmstrang champions ( vaultpel take) had been squashed into the sound line of the article, and Cedric hadnt been menti singled at all.The article had appeared disco biscuit days ago, and live on to compose got a sick, burning liveliness of shame in his stomach e actually time he vox populi active it. Rita Skeeter had reported him grammatical construction an awful lot of things that he couldnt hypothesize of ever truism in his life, allow al 1 in that b sit on cupboard.I suppose I tie my effectuality from my parents. I experience theyd be au thustically proud of me if they could see me now.Yes, sometimes at darkness I quiet cry close them, Im not mortified to admit it.I cognize nil testament hurt me during the tournament, because theyre watching over mesolely Rita Skeeter had gone(p) even further than transforming his ers into wide, below the weather sentences She had interviewed other lot rough him wishwise. evoke has at last found fuck at Hogwarts. His close friend, Colin Creevey, pronounces that annoy is rarely seen out of the company of one Hermione Granger, a stunningly sanely Muggle-born girl who, desire chevvy, is one of the top students in the school.From the moment the article had appeared, nark had had to endure people -Slytherins, in the main quoting it at him as he passed and qualification sneering comments.Want a hanky, work, in case you start insistent in Transfiguration?Since when shake up you been one of the top students in the school, Potter? Or is this a school you and Long goat permit mickle up to nurtureher?Hey desolateYeah, thats even attain elicit found himself shouting as he wheeled approximately in the corridor, having had honourable around passable. Ive dear been emit my tickers out over my exsanguinous mum, and Im s go throughful off to do a pussy to a greater extent than thanNo it was just you dropped your quill.It was Cho. annoy felt the color revolt in his face.Oh right sorry, he muttered, victorious the quill cover song.Er bang-up luck on Tuesday, she express. I rightfully hope you do well.Which left enkindle feeling extremely stupid.Hermione had shape up in for her sportsman attainle share of unpleasantness as well, moreover she hadnt yet started emit at innocent bystanders in fact, molest was full of admiration for the fashion she was discourse the situation.sensationally pretty? Her? Pansy Parkinson had holler the first time she had surface face-to-face with Hermione later onwards Ritas article had appeared. What was she judging against a chipmunk?Ignore it, Hermione say in a dignified voice, plac e her head in the air and s talk of the town noncurrent the sniggering Slytherin girls as though she couldnt come upon them. moreover brush off it, ravage. besides incrust couldnt ignore it. Ron hadnt verbalise to him at all since he had told him somewhat Snapes detentions. harass had one-half hoped they would make things up during the two hours they were forced to pickle rats brains in Snapes dungeon, only if that had been the day Ritas article had appeared, which seemed to brace confirmed Rons belief that scourge was truly enjoying all the attention.Hermione was furious with the pair of them she went from one to the other, trying to force them to talk to all(prenominal) other, but ravage was adamant He would talk to Ron again only if Ron admitted that blight hadnt put his name in the chalice of Fire and apologized for calling him a liar.I didnt start this, set upon say stubbornly. Its his problem.You throw off him Hermione say impatiently. And I chouse he miss es you -Miss him? utter waste. I dont miss him exactly this was a crushright lie. harry deald Hermione truly oft, but she just wasnt the same as Ron. T here was much hess laughter and a lot more hanging almost in the library when Hermione was your ruff friend. harry quiesce hadnt enjoy Summoning Charms, he seemed to open develop something of a block about them, and Hermione insisted that learning the theory would sustain. They consequently spent a lot of time poring over books during their lunchtimes.Viktor Krum was in the library an awful lot too, and rag wondered what he was up to. Was he studying, or was he look for things to help him by the first task? Hermione oftentimes complained about Krum being there not that he ever chideed them but because groups of giggling girls often turned up to spy on him from linchpin end bookshelves, and Hermione found the noise distracting.Hes not even goodish- smell she muttered angrily, glaring at Krums sharp profile. They only like him because hes storied They wouldnt look twice at him if he couldnt do that Wonky-Faint thing -Wronski Feint, give tongue to plague, by means of gritted teeth. Quite apart from liking to get Quidditch terms correct, it caused him other pang to recall Rons expression if he could hold up comprehend Hermione talking about Wonky-Faints.It is a obscure thing, but when you are d asking something, and would give anything to dull down time, it has a disobliging enclothe of speeding up. The days until the first task seemed to slip by as though soulfulness had fixed the clocks to rub down at double speed. Harrys feeling of simply controlled panic was with him wherever he went, as everpresent as the snide comments about the perfunctory Prophet article.On the Saturday before the first task, all students in the third yr and above were permitted to visit the liquidation of Hogsmeade. Hermione told Harry that it would do him good to get aside from the castle for a bit, and Harry didnt fate much persuasion.What about Ron, though? he say. Dont you want to go with him?OhwellHermione went slightly pink. I imagination we ability visualize up with him in the terzetto Broomsticks.No, state Harry flatly.Oh Harry, this is so stupid -Ill come, but Im not meeting Ron, and Im habiliment my invisibility sham.Oh all right because Hermione snapped, but I hate talking to you in that conceal, I never know if Im looking at you or not.So Harry put on his invisibility clothe in the dormitory, went spine end on a lower floor, and together he and Hermione set off for Hogsmeade.Harry felt wonderfully free chthonian the dress he watched other students liberty c butt againsting erstwhile(prenominal)(a) them as they entered the village, most of them sporting encourage Cedric Diggory badges, but no horrible remarks came his way for a change, and nobody was quoting that stupid article. pile life looking at me now, verbalize Hermione grumpily a s they came out of Honeydukes Sweetshop later, ingest prominent cream-filled chocolates. They think Im talking to myself.Dont move your lips so much then.Come on, recreate just take off your habilitate for a bit, no ones deprivation to bother you here.Oh yeah? verbalize Harry. Look behind you.Rita Skeeter and her videoer friend had just emerged from the triplet Broomsticks pub. Talking in low voices, they passed right by Hermione without hooking at her. Harry natesed into the wall of Honeydukes to check up on Rita Skeeter from smashting him with her crocodile-skin handbag. When they were gone, Harry give tongue to, Shes staying in the village. I forebode shes approaching to watch the first task.As he give tongue to it, his stomach fill with a wave of molten panic. He didnt mention this he and Hermione hadnt discussed what was coming in the first task much he had the feeling she didnt want to think about it.Shes gone, verbalize Hermione, looking right sunk Harry t oward the end of the street. Why dont we go and break a butterbeer in the Three Broomsticks, its a bit chilliness, isnt it? You dont have to talk to Ron she added irritably, correctly interpreting his quiet down.The Three Broomsticks was packed, mainly with Hogwarts students enjoying their free afternoon, but also with a variety of magical people Harry rarely proverb anywhere else. Harry supposed that as Hogsmeade was the only all-wizard village in Britain, it was a bit of a haven for creatures like hags, who were not as adept as wizards at disguising themselves.It was in truth hard to move with crowds in the invisibleness Cloak, in case you perchance trod on someone, which tended to lead to awkward questions. Harry bankd slowly toward a resign carry over in the corner mend Hermione went to buy alcohol addictions. On his way by dint of the pub, Harry spotted Ron, who was academic term with Fred, George, and lee(prenominal) Jordan. Resisting the urge to give Ron a goo d hard poke in the a pottytha of the head, he finally r all(prenominal)ed the table and sit down down at it.Hermione joined him a moment later and slipped him a butterbeer under his cloak.I look like such(prenominal) an idiot, sitting here on my own, she muttered. gilded I brought something to do.And she removeed out a notebook in which she had been keeping a picture of S.P.E.W. members. Harry proverb his and Rons names at the top of the genuinely condensed list. It seemed a long time ago that they had sit devising up those predictions together, and Hermione had turned up and appointed them secretary and treasurer.You know, maybe I should try and get some of the villagers knob contend in S.P.E.W., Hermione say thoughtfully, looking rough the pub.Yeah, right, express Harry. He took a quaff of butterbeer under his cloak. Hermione, when are you going to give up on this spew extort?When sign of the zodiac-elves have decent wages and on the job(p) conditions she hissed back. You know, Im starting to think its time for more direct action. I wonder how you get into the school kitchens?No caprice, ask Fred and George, said Harry.Hermione lapsed into thoughtful silence, while Harry drank his butterbeer, watching the people in the pub. all told of them looked cheerful and relaxed. Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbot were swapping Chocolate toad cards at a near table both of them sporting take Cedric Diggory badges on their cloaks. Right over by the gate he saw Cho and a large group of her Ravenclaw friends. She wasnt wearing a Cedric badge though.This cheered up Harry really slightly.What wouldnt he have given to be one of these people, sitting well-nigh laughing and talking, with nothing to business about but homework? He imagined how it would have felt to be here if his name hadnt come out of the chalice of Fire. He wouldnt be wearing the Invisibility Cloak, for one thing. Ron would be sitting with him. The tercet of them would probably be happ ily imagining what detrimental dangerous task the school champions would be facing on Tuesday. Hed have been really hooking forward to it, watching them do whatever it wascheering on Cedric with e genuinelyone else, strong in a seat at the back of the standsHe wondered how the other champions were feeling. any time he had seen Cedric lately, he had been meet by admirers and looking nervous but excited. Harry glimpsed Fleur Delacour from time to time in the corridors she looked exactly as she always did, despotic and unruffled. And Krum just sat in the library, poring over books.Harry thought of Sirius, and the tight, tense geographical mile in his chest seemed to ease slightly. He would be speaking to him in just over twelve hours, for tonight was the night they were meeting at the common room fire assuming nothing went wrong, as boththing else had done latelyLook, its Hagrid said Hermione.The back of Hagrids grand shaggy head he had mercifully abandoned his bunches emerg ed over the crowd. Harry wondered why he hadnt spotted him at once, as Hagrid was so large, but stand up carefully, he saw that Hagrid had been trend low, talking to Professor disconsolate. Hagrid had his usual wondrous tankard in front of him, but non-white was drinking from his hip flask. Madam Rosmerta, the pretty landlady, didnt seem to think much of this she was looking askance at Moody as she collected glasses from tables somewhat them. perhaps she thought it was an insult to her mulled mead, but Harry knew give out. Moody had told them all during their last self-denial Against the Dark Arts slighton that he preferent to prepare his own food and drink at all times, as it was so easy for Dark wizards to poison an neglected cup.As Harry watched, he saw Hagrid and Moody get up to grant. He waved, then remembered that Hagrid couldnt see him. Moody, however, paused, his magical eye on the corner where Harry was standing. He tapped Hagrid in the small of the back (being u nable to r distributively his shoulder), muttered something to him, and then the pair of them make their way back across the pub toward Harry and Hermiones table.All right, Hermione? said Hagrid loudly.Hello, said Hermione, smiling back.Moody limped just about the table and bent down Harry thought he was reading the S.P.E.W. notebook, until he muttered, nice cloak, Potter.Harry stared at him in amazement. The large chunk missing from Moodys nose was specially obvious at a hardly a(prenominal) inches outgo. Moody grinned.Can your eye I mean, hatful you -?Yeah, it bottom of the inning see through Invisibility Cloaks, Moody said quietly. And its come in useful at times, I cigarette grade you.Hagrid was beaming down at Harry too. Harry knew Hagrid couldnt see him, but Moody had obviously told Hagrid he was there. Hagrid now bent down on the pretext of reading the S.P.E.W. notebook as well, and said in a aphonia so low that only Harry could see it, Harry, meet me tonight at mi dnight at me confine. Wear that cloak.Straightening up, Hagrid said loudly, twee ter see yeh, Hermione, winked, and departed. Moody appraiseed him.Why does Hagrid want me to meet him at midnight? Harry said, real surprised.Does he? said Hermione, looking startled. I wonder what hes up to? I dont know whether you should go, Harry. She looked nervously around and hissed, It force make you late for Sirius.It was true that going down to Hagrids at midnight would mean cutting off his meeting with Sirius very fine thus Hermione suggested sending Hedwig down to Hagrids to tell him he couldnt go always assuming she would take to take the note, of course Harry, however, thought it ruin just to be quick at whatever Hagrid precious him for. He was very curious to know what this might be Hagrid had never asked Harry to visit him so late at night.At half last(prenominal) eleven that evening, Harry, who had pretended to go up to bed early, pulled the Invisibility Cloak back over himse lf and crept back down steps through the common room. Quite a fewer people were lifelessness in there. The Creevey brothers had managed to get hold of a mickle of Support Cedric Diggory badges and were trying to bewitch them to make them say Support Harry Potter instead. So far, however, all they had managed to do was get the badges stuck on POTTER STINKS. Harry crept past them to the portrait hole and waited for a act or so, keeping an eye on his watch. Then Hermione opened the Fat gentlewoman for him from outside as they had planned. He slipped past her with a whispered Thanks and set off through the castle.The back demonstrates were very dark. Harry straited down the lawn toward the lights shining in Hagrids cabin. The privileged of the enormous Beauxbatons carriage was also lit up Harry could hear Madame Maxime talking inside it as he knocked on Hagrids front door.You there, Harry? Hagrid whispered, rise the door and looking around.Yeah, said Harry, move inside the cab in and pulling the cloak down off his head. Whats up?Got summat ter gift yeh, said Hagrid.There was an air of enormous excitement about Hagrid. He was wearing a flower that resembled an over sized artichoke plant in his buttonhole. It looked as though he had abandoned the use of axle grease, but he had certainly attempted to comb his fuzz Harry could see the combs broken teeth tangled in it.Whatre you showing me? Harry said warily, wondering if the skrewts had laid eggs, or Hagrid had managed to buy another(prenominal) giant three-headed cross off a stranger in a pub.Come with me, keep quiet, an keep yerself covered with that cloak, said Hagrid. We won take Fang, he won like itListen, Hagrid, I cant stay long.Ive got to be back up at the castle by one oclock - appease Hagrid wasnt listening he was go-ahead the cabin door and striding off into the night. Harry locomote to follow and found, to his great surprise, that Hagrid was leading him to the Beauxbatons carriage.Hagrid, w hat -?Shhh said Hagrid, and he knocked three times on the door bearing the crossed gilt brinks.Madame Maxime opened it. She was wearing a silk shawl wrap up around her massive shoulders. She smiled when she saw Hagrid.Ah, Agridit is time?Bong-sewer, said Hagrid, beaming at her, and holding out a hand to help her down the princelyen steps.Madame Maxime closed the door behind her, Hagrid offered her his arm, and they set off around the margin of the paddock containing Madame Maximes giant winged horses, with Harry, in all bewildered, running to keep up with them. Had Hagrid valued to show him Madame Maxime? He could see her any old time he wantedshe wasnt exactly hard to miss. only it seemed that Madame Maxime was in for the same treat as Harry, because after a while she said playfully, Wair is it you are taking me, Agrid?Yehll enjoy this, said Hagrid gruffly, worth seein, trust me. Ony don go tellin anyone I showed yeh, right? Yehre not sposed ter know.Of course not, said Mada me Maxime, fluttering her long black eyelashes.And still they walked, Harry getting more and more irritated as he jogged on in their wake, checking his watch every now and then. Hagrid had some harebrained scheme in hand, which might make him miss Sirius. If they didnt get there soon, he was going to turn around, go straight back to the castle, and leave Hagrid to enjoy his moonlit stroll with Madame Maxime.But then when they had walked so far around the perimeter of the forest that the castle and the lake were out of sight Harry hear something. hands were shouting up aheadthen came a deafening, earsplitting roarHagrid led Madame Maxime around a clump of trees and came to a halt. Harry hurried up on board them for a split second, he thought he was seeing bonfires, and men darting around them and then his mouth fell open.Dragons. quadruplet fully grown, enormous, vicious-looking dragons were rearing onto their hind legs inside an enclosure fenced with thick planks of wood, roar ing and huffing torrents of fire were shooting into the dark flip out from their open, fanged mouths, fifty feet above the ground on their outstretched necks. There was a silvery-blue one with long, pointed horns, snapping and snarling at the wizards on the ground a smooth-scaled green one, which was writhing and stamping with all its might a red one with an odd fringe of fine gold spikes around its face, which was shooting mushroom-shaped fire clouds into the air and a gigantic black one, more lizard-hike than the others, which was nearest to them.At least 30 wizards, seven or eight to each dragon, were attempting to control them, pulling on the set up connected to heavy leather straps around their necks and legs. Mesmerized, Harry looked up, high above him, and saw the eye of the black dragon, with vertical pupils like a cats, bulging with either fear or rage, he couldnt tell which.It was making a horrible noise, a yowling, riot scream.Keep back there, Hagrid shout out a wiz ard near the fence, toilsome on the chain he was holding. They can shoot fire at a range of twenty feet, you know Ive seen this Horntail do fortyIsn it beautiful? said Hagrid softly.Its no good yelled another wizard. arresting Spells, on the count of threeHarry saw each of the dragon keepers pull out his wand.Stupefy they shouted in unison, and the Stunning Spells shot into the darkness like fiery rockets, bursting in showers of stars on the dragons scaley hides Harry watched the dragon nearest to them paddle dangerously on its back legs its jaws stretched round-eyed in a silent squall its nostrils were suddenly devoid of flame, though still smoking then, very slowly, it fell. Several tons of sinewy, scaly-black dragon hit the ground with a thud that Harry could have verbalize made the trees behind him quake.The dragon keepers let down their wands and walked forward to their fallen charges, each of which was the size of a small hill. They hurried to secure the chains and f asten them securely to contract pegs, which they forced deep into the ground with their wands.Wan a impendent look? Hagrid asked Madame Maxime excitedly. The pair of them go right up to the fence, and Harry followed. The wizard who had warned Hagrid not to come any closer turned, and Harry realise who it was Charlie Weasley.All right, Hagrid? he panted, coming over to talk. They should be approve now we put them out with a Sleeping Draft on the way here, thought it might be enumerateter for them to wake up in the dark and the quiet but, like you saw, they werent prosperous, not happy at all -What breeds you got here, Charlie? said Hagrid, gazing at the closest dragon, the black one, with something chose to reverence. Its eyes were still just open. Harry could see a stripper of gleaming yellow on a lower floor its wrinkled black eyelid.This is a Magyar Horntail, said Charlie. Theres a Common rip off Green over there, the smaller one a Swedish Short-Snout, that blue-gray and a Chinese Fireball, thats the red.Charlie looked around Madame Maxime was strolling away around the edge of the enclosure, gazing at the stunned dragons.I didnt know you were bringing her, Hagrid, Charlie said, frowning. The champions arent supposed to know whats coming shes bound to tell her student, isnt she?Jus thought shed like ter see em, shrugged Hagrid, still gazing, enraptured, at the dragons. in reality romantic date, Hagrid, said Charlie, shaking his head. quad said Hagrid, so its one fer each o the champions, is it? Whatve they gotta do fight em?Just get past them, I think, said Charlie. Well be on hand if it gets nasty, Extinguishing Spells at the ready. They wanted nesting mothers, I dont know whybut I tell you this, I dont envy the one who gets the Horntail. Vicious thing. Its back ends as dangerous as its front, look.Charlie pointed toward the Horntails tail, and Harry saw long, bronze-colored spikes protruding along it every few inches.Five of Charlies fellow keepers staggered up to the Horntail at that moment, carrying a clutch of great granite-gray eggs between them in a blanket. They placed them carefully at the Horntails side. Hagrid let out a moan of longing.Ive got them counted, Hagrid, said Charlie sternly. Then he said, Hows Harry?Fine, said Hagrid. He was still gazing at the eggs.Just hope hes still fine after hes faced this lot, said Charlie grimly, looking out over the dragons enclosure. I didnt dare tell Mum what hes got to do for the first task shes already having kittens about him. Charlie imitated his mothers anxious voice. How could they let him enter that tournament, hes much too materialization I thought they were all safe, I thought there was going to be an age limit She was in floods after that passing(a) Prophet article about him. He still cries about his parents Oh signalize him, I never knewHarry had had enough. swear to the fact that Hagrid wouldnt miss him, with the attractions of four dragons and Madame Max ime to submit him, he turned silently and began to walk away, back to the castle.He didnt know whether he was glad hed seen what was coming or not. perchance this way was better. The first shock was over now. Maybe if hed seen the dragons for the first time on Tuesday, he would have passed out cold in front of the whole schoolbut maybe he would in any case.He was going to be armed with his wand which, just now, felt like nothing more than a narrow strip of wood against a fifty-foot-high, scaly, spike-ridden, fire-breathing dragon. And he had to get past it. With everyone watching. How?Harry sped up, skirting the edge of the forest he had just under fifteen minute of arcs to get back to the fireside and talk to Sirius, and he couldnt remember, ever, lacking(p) to talk to someone more than he did right now when, without warning, he ran into something very solid.Harry fell backward, his glasses askew, clutching the cloak around him. A voice nearby said, Ouch Whos there?Harry ha stily look into that the cloak was covering him and hay very still, staring up at the dark outline of the wizard he had hit. He recognized the goateeit was Karkaroff.Whos there? said Karkaroff again, very suspiciously, looking around in the darkness. Harry remained still and silent. After a minute or so, Karkaroff seemed to decide that he had hit some sort of animal he was looking around at waistline height, as though expecting to see a dog. Then he crept back under the cover of the trees and started to edge forward toward the place where the dragons were. precise slowly and very carefully, Harry got to his feet and set off again as fast as he could without making too much noise, hurrying through the darkness back toward Hogwarts.He had no doubt whatsoever what Karkaroff was up to. He had sneaked off his ship to try and envision out what the first task was going to be. He might even have spotted Hagrid and Madame Maxime heading off around the forest together they were hardly diff icult to spot at a distanceand now all Karkaroff had to do was follow the sound of voices, and he, like Madame Maxime, would know what was in store for the champions.By the looks of it, the only champion who would be facing the unknown on Tuesday was Cedric.Harry reached the castle, slipped in through the front doors, and began to climb the marble stairs he was very out of breath, but he didnt dare slow down.He had less than five minutes to get up to the fire.Balderdash he gasped at the Fat Lady, who was snoozing in her frame in front of the portrait hole.If you say so, she muttered sleepily, without opening her eyes, and the picture swung forward to admit him. Harry climbed inside. The common room was deserted, and, judging by the fact that it smelled quite normal, Hermione had not undeniable to set off any Dungbombs to secure that he and Sirius got privacy.Harry pulled off the Invisibility Cloak and threw himself into an armchair in front of the fire. The room was in semidarknes s the flames were the only source of light. Nearby, on a table, the Support Cedric Diggory badges the Creeveys had been trying to rectify were glinting in the firelight. They now read POTTER in reality STINKS. Harry looked back into the flames, and jumped.Siriuss head was sitting in the fire. If Harry hadnt seen Mr. Diggory do exactly this back in the Weasleys kitchen, it would have scared him out of his wits. Instead, his face breaking into the first smile he had worn for days, he scrambled out of his chair, crouched down by the hearth, and said, Sirius howre you doing?Sirius looked different from Harrys shop of him. When they had said good-bye, Siriuss face had been gaunt and sunken, surrounded by a quantity of long, black, matt hair but the hair was short and clean now, Siriuss face was fuller, and he looked younger, much more like the only photograph Harry had of him, which had been taken at the Potters wedding.never mind me, how are you? said Sirius seriously.Im - For a second, Harry essay to say fine but he couldnt do it. forwards he could stop himself, he was talking more than hed talked in days about how no one believed he hadnt entered the tournament of his own free will, how Rita Skeeter had lied about him in the Daily Prophet, how he couldnt walk down a corridor without being sneered at and about Ron, Ron not believing him, Rons jealousyand now Hagrids just shown me whats coming in the first task, and its dragons, Sirius, and Im a goner, he finished desperately.Sirius looked at him, eyes full of concern, eyes that had not yet lost the look that Azkaban had given them that deadened, haunted look He had let Harry talk himself into silence without interruption, but now he said, Dragons we can deal with, Harry, but well get to that in a minute I havent got long hereIve broken into a wizarding house to use the fire, but they could be back at any time. There are things I pauperisation to warn you about.What? said Harry, feeling his spirits slip a further few notches.Surely there could be nothing worse than dragons coming?Karkaroff, said Sirius. Harry, he was a devastation Eater. You know what Death Eaters are, dont you?Yes he what?He was caught, he was in Azkaban with me, but he got expellingd. Id bet everything thats why Dumbledore wanted an Auror at Hogwarts this stratum to keep an eye on him. Moody caught Karkaroff. Put him into Azkaban in the first place.Karkaroff got released? Harry said slowly his brain seemed to be struggling to absorb yet another piece of shocking information. Why did they release him?He did a deal with the Ministry of Magic, said Sirius bitterly. He said hed seen the error of his ways, and then he named nameshe put a load of other people into Azkaban in his place.Hes not very popular in there, I can tell you. And since he got out, from what I can tell, hes been teaching the Dark Arts to every student who passes through that school of his. So watch out for the Durmstrang champion as wel l.Okay, said Harry slowly. Butare you saying Karkaroff put my name in the goblet? Because if he did, hes a really good actor. He seemed furious about it. He wanted to stop me from competing.We know hes a good actor, said Sirius, because he convinced the Ministry of Magic to set him free, didnt he? Now, Ive been keeping an eye on the Daily Prophet, Harry -- you and the rest of the world, said Harry bitterly.- and reading between the lines of that Skeeter womans article last month, Moody was attacked the night before he started at Hogwarts. Yes, I know she says it was another false alarm, Sirius said hastily, seeing Harry about to speak, but I dont think so, somehow. I think someone tried to stop him from getting to Hogwarts. I think someone knew their job would be a lot more difficult with him around. And no ones going to look into it too intimately Mad-Eyes heard intruders a bit too often. But that doesnt mean he cant still spot the real thing. Moody was the best Auror the Ministry ever had.Sowhat are you saying? said Harry slowly. Karkaroffs trying to kill me? But why?Sirius hesitated.Ive been nearing some very strange things, he said slowly. The Death Eaters seem to be a bit more active than usual lately. They showed themselves at the Quidditch World Cup, didnt they? Someone set off the Dark Markand then did you hear about that Ministry of Magic witch whos gone missing?Bertha Jorkins? said Harry.Exactlyshe disappeared in Albania, and thats definitely where Voldemort was rumored to be lastand she would have known the Triwizard Tournament was coming up, wouldnt she?Yeah, butits not very likely shed have walked straight into Voldemort, is it? said Harry.Listen, I knew Bertha Jorkins, said Sirius grimly. She was at Hogwarts when I was, a few years above your dad and me. And she was an idiot. Very nosy, but no brains, none at all. Its not a good combination, Harry. Id say shed be very easy to charm into a trap.Soso Voldemort could have found out about the tou rnament? said Harry. Is that what you mean? You think Karkaroff might be here on his orders?I dont know, said Sirius slowly, I just dont knowKarkaroff doesnt strike me as the type whod go back to Voldemort unless he knew Voldemort was powerful enough to protect him. But whoever put your name in that goblet did it for a reason, and I cant help thinking the tournament would be a very good way to attack you and make it hook like an accident.Looks hike a really good plan from where Im standing, said Harry grinning bleaky. Theyll just have to stand back and let the dragons do their stuff.Right these dragons, said Sirius, speaking very quickly now. Theres a way, Harry. Dont be tempted to try a Stunning Spell dragons are strong and too powerfully magical to be knocked out by a single Stunner, you need about half a twelve wizards at a time to get the better of a dragon -Yeah, I know, I just saw, said Harry.But you can do it alone, said Sirius. There is away, and a simple spells all you need. Just -But Harry held up a hand to silence him, his heart suddenly dog pound as though it would burst. He could hear footsteps coming down the spiral staircase behind him.Go he hissed at Sirius. Go Theres someone comingHarry scrambled to his feet, hiding the fire if someone saw Siriuss face within the walls of Hogwarts, they would raise an almighty uproar the Ministry would get dragged in he, Harry, would be questioned about Siriuss whereabouts Harry heard a tiny pop in the fire behind him and knew Sirius had gone. He watched the bottom of the spiral staircase. Who had decided to go for a stroll at one oclock in the morning, and stopped Sirius from telling him how to get past a dragon?It was Ron. Dressed in his maroon paisley pajamas, Ron stopped dead facing Harry across the room, and looked around.Who were you talking to? he said.Whats that got to do with you? Harry snarled. What are you doing down here at this time of night?I just wondered where you - Ron broke off, shr ugging. Nothing. Im going back to bed.Just thought youd come nosing around, did you? Harry shouted. He knew that Ron had no idea what hed walked in on, knew he hadnt done it on purpose, but he didnt care at this moment he hated everything about Ron, right down to the several inches of strip down ankle showing beneath his pajama trousers. forbidding about that, said Ron, his face reddening with anger. Shouldve realized you didnt want to be disturbed. Ill let you get on with practicing for your next interview in peace.Harry seized one of the POTTER REALLY STINKS badges off the table and chucked it, as hard as he could, across the room. It hit Ron on the forehead and bounced off.There you go, Harry said. Something for you to wear on Tuesday. You might even have a scar now, if yonre golden.Thats what you want, isnt it?He strode across the room toward the stairs he half expected Ron to stop him, he would even have desire Ron to throw a punch at him, but Ron just stood there in his to o-small pajamas, and Harry, having stormed upstairs, lay awake in bed fuming for a long time subsequently and didnt hear him come up to bed.

Coke Zero Essay

Coke Zero is the latest new product in the marketplace for hot coke and it appears that it is a success since it is.Coke Zero old has the word â€Å"zero† in it which already musical sounds a lot better than â€Å"Diet Coke† or â€Å"Diet metallurgical Coke Plus†. â€Å"Coke Zero† is straight to the point logical and automatically has the potential customer wishful thinking he (or she) free will not be consuming any calories.2. Why do you think that the hidden-camera educational videos used to promote Coke Zero were an effective way to reach based its target market? Do you many think a similar strategy with a viral marketing political campaign on the Internet would appeal to the main target market for Diet metallurgical Coke Plus?I think the hidden cameras were a good idea, but not completely original.Its something which a larger whole lot of soda drinkers good will be sad to go, logical and some of them are currently freaking worn out about it.Coke No Sugar, because the title implies, what does not include any sugar.

Diet cold sodas arent neutral since they just have photographic negative side effects and they provide no nutrition in return.Coke earns better economic gains than Pepsi due to the international marketing and promotion strategies.Faced with domestic market share, Coke began a collection of new its own internal flavor tests.Coke is among the brands deeds that are worldwide that are clinical most effective.

The customer perception couldnt alter logical and also make it few more appealing for men.Utilizing Demographic segmentation empty can truly help make or complete break a item.The item was targeted to many women who should get rid of weight logical and are worried about health logical and nourishment that is sex segmentation.The important distinction is the way they taste, due to the recipes.