Saturday, May 23, 2020
Violence in Cartoons Essay - 724 Words
Violence in Cartoons In my opinion, there is an extreme amount of violence portrayed in cartoons. As a result, cartoons have been transformed into a fast expanding epidemic that is damaging to the audience of cartoon viewers throughout the country, and possibly around the world. Not only are cartoons physically violent, they are emotionally, mentally, socially, legally, and culturally attacking at human society of the past, present and future. During my extensive research, things that were observed were almost all types of cartoons I have ever come across, as well as expertââ¬â¢s ideas, parents intuition and how children react. Modern research and statistics done on the subject could reinforce most of their information. Among theâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦At such a young age, children are susceptible and vulnerable human beings. Haplessly, cartoons counteract against a childââ¬â¢s perception of things in the real world. They can even be socially damaging if taken too seriously. (clifford 24) Cartoons give children a false sense of immortality. Many cartoons act out the death of a character only to have the same character in perfect health only minutes later or in the next episode. These actions cause many children to have a distorted sense of mortality, almost instructing a child to think that death is temporary and not to be taken seriously. (palmer 45) Many times, cartoon characters seem invincible. This can lead to trouble especially jeopardous when a child looks up to, or views a cartoon character as a role model, as most children seem to do. The average American child spends 30 hours in front of the television weekly. A majority of this time is spent watching cartoons. (vos post) with so much time invested into watching violent animated programming, it tends to rival with the amount of time a child spends in school during a week. It is believed that a childââ¬â¢s mind emphasis is placed on what they observe throughout the majority of the day. Which tends to be a negative affect on the child do to cartoons. (kunkel b4) Considering these facts, one could come to the conclusion that cartoons could possibly be damaging to a childââ¬â¢s education. In 1997, juveniles caused 27%Show MoreRelatedCartoon Violence880 Words à |à 4 Pages Cartoons on a television are glue to children. Children will spend hours a day watching their favorite cartoons, such as ââ¬Å"SpongeBob SquarePantsâ⬠or ââ¬Å"Adventure Time.â⬠Unfortunately, the content on these shows, and several others, can harm children. Directly, cartoons can affect how children think and act; additionally, this leads to the indirect effect of children physically hurting one another. Children daily see hundreds of violent acts on television. Most parents notice the obvious acts of goreRead MoreEssay on cartoon violence779 Words à |à 4 Pages Animation Violence nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Children from the ages 6-11 spend more time watching television than they do in the classroom. The ââ¬Å"renaissance of TV animationâ⬠has undoubtedly led to more violent cartoons then ever before. But to talk about cartoon violence, it must first be defined. Websterââ¬â¢s Dictionary defines violence ââ¬Å"as the act (or threat) of injuring or killing someone.â⬠(Webster) And although the violence is not real, a child does not know the difference. Throughout theRead MoreA Critical Research on the Themes of Violence and Drugs in Cartoons1150 Words à |à 5 PagesIntroduction: Historically, cartoons have always evolved along two different paths. Because the potential for silliness, absurdity and unreality are magnified by the possibilities of animation, cartoons are accurately thought of as being perfect for the elastic and growing mind of children. However, because of many of these same characteristics, cartoons have always been seen as an ideal medium for biting satire and ridiculous farce aimed at adults. Today, with the availability of information andRead MoreHow Cartoon Violence Effect The Youth As An Audience?853 Words à |à 4 PagesEric Marinello COMM 2500 12-4-15 Three-Part Research Project Part I: Research Question: How does cartoon violence effect the youth as an audience? Work Cited Coyne, Sarah M., and Emily Whitehead. Indirect Aggression In Animated Disney Films. Journal Of Communication 58.2 (2008): 382-395. Film Television Literature Index. Web. 27 Oct. 2015. Kirsh, Steven J., and Paul V. Olczak. Violent Comic Books And Perceptions Of Ambiguous Provocation Situations. Media Psychology 2.1 (2000): 47-62. FilmRead More Cartoon Violence, Has it gone too Far Essay852 Words à |à 4 PagesCartoon Violence, Has it gone too Far Aggression. Killing. Revenge. Sound like the latest Scream movie or Keanu Reeves thriller? You may be surprised to hear that this describes the average Saturday morning cartoon. One of the most surprising facts is that the level of violence during Saturday morning cartoons is higher than the level of violence during prime time. There are 3 to 5 violent acts per hour in prime time, versus 20 to 25 acts per hour on Saturday morning (Gerbner,1). ViolenceRead MoreA Rhetorical Analysis of Editorial, ââ¬Å"the Effects of Violence in Childrenââ¬â¢s Cartoonsâ⬠947 Words à |à 4 PagesOctober 03, 2012 A Rhetorical Analysis of Editorial, ââ¬Å"The Effects of Violence in Childrenââ¬â¢s Cartoonsâ⬠Claim: That childrens cartoons today are too violent and that these cartoons are greatly affecting their behaviors growing up. That violence is a learned behavior and therefore children that view violence can become violent themselves. The purpose of the argument is to raise the awareness about cartoon violence and come up with some solutions to lessen its negative impact on the childrenRead MoreEssay about Impact of Cartoons on Childrens Behavior1515 Words à |à 7 PagesImpact of Cartoons on Childrens Behavior à à à à Television programs that are targeted towards children, such as cartoons, can affect children in both positive and negative ways. I examined a variety of cartoons on both commercial and public television to observe the content of childrens programming and determine the effects, both positive and negative, that programs have on children. The cartoons contain a wide variety of subject matters that can influence children in many different ways.Read MoreEssay on violence in tv551 Words à |à 3 Pages Violence in our Childrenââ¬â¢s Cartoons How Does Television Violence Affect Childrenââ¬â¢s Behavior Does television promote violence and crime among children? Although most people look at television as an entertaining and educational way to spend time, some people think there is too much violence in television and that is influencing our young into becoming aggressive in nature and to tolerate violence. Cartoons are the most violent programs on television (Johnson, 1999). Mostly all cartoons have consentRead MoreInfluences of Cartoons on Children1458 Words à |à 6 Pagesinformation through blogs or documents that could be found in the internet. In a news article written by Alia Bibi Roshan Zehra (2012), ââ¬Å"Effects of Cartoons on childrenââ¬â¢s psychology and behavioural patternsâ⬠, said that with the limitlessness of media and extension of channels, it has become easier for children to watch their favourite cartoons on a single click and at the same time it has become more convenient for parents to provide children with this all-time favourite activity of theirs. TimeRead MoreEssay Catoon Violence1043 Words à |à 5 Pages Cartoon Violence nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In the cartoon, All Dogs Go to Heaven, the main character, a dog, dies. When he arrives in heaven, he receives a watch that allows him to return to earth. After viewing this scene, Matthew, a five-year old boy, asked his mother when his dog would get her watch. Matthews dog passed away over a year ago, but because Matthew, as well as other children, is unable to separate real life from fiction; he believed that his dog would receive a watch and
Sunday, May 17, 2020
Does Nail Polish Stop Chigger Bites from Itching
If youve ever experienced the torture that is chigger bite itch, youve probably tried anything and everything to make it stop. Desperate times call for desperate Google searches, which may have led you to try putting nail polish on the bite to banish the awful itch. This folklore remedy has been around for ages but is nail polish really an effective treatment for chigger bites? The short answer is no. The science behind chigger bites explains why. What Are Chiggers? Chiggers, also known as harvest bugs or red bugs, are the tiny, red, six-legged larvae of chigger mites in the Trombicula genus. Theyre found in tall grassy areas around the world, and their bites plague people, pets, and other assorted animals in the spring, summer, and fall seasons when were outside in backyards or rural areas. Like ticks, chiggers are opportunistic parasites that grab onto any host that happens to wander by. Unlike ticks, chiggers dont embed themselves in the skin. Instead, they target areas where clothing is tight and then grab hold of a hair follicle or skin pore. Chiggers arent adept at penetrating the skin, so they tend to prefer areas of the body where the skin is soft and supple, which explains why youre most likely to find chigger bites on your ankles, behind your knees, along your waistline, or in your armpits. Chigger Bite Chemistry Once the chigger has secured itself to a hair follicle, it pierces the skin and releases saliva which is loaded with digestive enzymes. These enzymes effectively liquefy skin tissue, making it easier for the chigger to feed. A healthy human immune system will quickly detect the invasion and take defensive measures, forming a red raised bump, called a papule, at the site of each chigger bite. Chiggers use the wall of this round welt (called a stylostome) like a drinking straw, slurping up a smoothie of skin cells. To get a good meal, chiggers need to feed for three to four days. They make out much better on hosts with fur which allows them to get a good grip and feed at a leisurely pace. Chiggers rarely have the chance to hang around very long on a human host. The slightest touch can dislodge them so if they havent been brushed away when you remove your clothing, theyll likely get washed down the drain the next time you shower. Why Nail Polish Wont Take the Itch out of Chigger Bites A bit of basic chigger biology explains why remedies like nail polish or Vaseline wont work to alleviate the misery of chigger bites. Theres a misconception that bright red spot in the center of the bite is the chigger itself. Its not. Thats the stylostome which only starts itching like mad four to six hours after the chigger bites. Although applying nail polish or Vaseline might temporarily soothe itching, you arent suffocating anything by coating the bite, nor are you killing anything by applying alcohol or any other chemical substance. The red, raised bump youre scratching is nothing more than your own skin trying to heal itself. While chigger bites can itch for up to 10 days as your body battles the foreign substances injected by the chigger, the varmints themselves are long gone. Avoid Infection Although bites from Trombicula chiggers are annoying and painful, fortunately, they arent associated with the transmission of disease. The primary danger posed by chigger bites is the potential for infectionââ¬âespecially if you keep scratching them. The best treatment for a chigger bite is the same treatment youd use for any small cut or rash. Keep the bite region clean. Wash the area with soap and warm water, and try not to scratch the bumps. Applying antiseptic to any welts, followed by an over-the-counter anti-itch product or antihistamine creams, hydrocortisone, or calamine lotion can aid in the healing process. Home Remedies for Itching A wide variety of home remedies can be applied to the welts to help alleviate itching: A saline solution mixed with aloe vera can take away some of the itch. Mix up a batch, put it in a spray bottle, and use as needed.Applying a paste of baking soda and water has been known to keep itching at bay.Combine mentholated rub and salt to form a paste and apply it during a pre-bedtime shower. It might sting on application but stopping the itch overnight should balance out any minor discomfort. Of course, you may find that the chiggers have bitten certain tender areas where topical treatments are not appropriate. If youve been bitten below the belt, cold compresses and oral antihistamines are your best bet for itch relief. Prevention Topical repellents such as permethrin (sold under the brand name Nix) and dimethyl phthalate have been proven an effective defense against bites but the best way to avoid chigger bite itch is to avoid chigger bites in the first place. If you think your yard may be infested, take steps to get rid of chiggers. If possible, avoid chigger habitats such as scrub vegetation and tall grass in rural areas. If you have to be where chiggers are likely to dwell, dress appropriately. Long pants and long-sleeved shirts are best to fend off a variety of biting insects. When you get back from being outdoors, take a long soapy shower and launder your clothing. Sources Banks, S. D., et al. Insecticide-Treated Clothes for the Control of Vector-Borne Diseases: A Review on Effectiveness and Safety. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 28.S1 (2014): 14-25. Print.Juckett, Gregory. Arthropod Bites. American Family Physician 88.12 (2013): 841-7. Print.Kitchen, Lynn W., Kendra L. Lawrence, and Russell E. Coleman. The Role of the United States Military in the Development of Vector Control Products, Including Insect Repellents, Insecticides, and Bed Nets. Journal of Vector Ecology 34.1 (2009): 50-61. Print.Pest Myths, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences, Clemson University, accessed March 9, 2018Itchy Chiggers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, accessed March 9, 2018Chiggers - an itchy issue, University of Illinois Extension, accessed March 9, 2018As chiggers get thicker its no time to snicker, entomologist says, Purdue University, accessed March 9, 2018Chigger Myths Hurt More than Help, Kansas State University, accessed October 17, 2012C higgers, Entomology Department, Iowa State University, accessed March 9, 2018
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Preserving Personhood An Analysis Of Patients With Type...
Preserving Personhood: An Analysis of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Bryan W. Jones Camosun College Preserving Personhood: An Analysis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes With the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, the importance of teaching patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes how to manage their disease while maintaining their personhood is vital. Personhood is defined simply as ââ¬Å"the quality or condition of being an individual personâ⬠(OED Online, 2016). While the definition may be simple, the idea it encompasses is significant, and is one nurses need to consider. Protecting a patientââ¬â¢s individuality while treating within a standard care model can be challenging. Failing to do so can result in patient non-compliance with their diabetes management, and increase their likelihood of cardiac, vascular, and neurological diseases (Lahiri, 2016, p. 116, Phillips, 2016, pp. 536-537). Individualizing patient teaching, assessing and encouraging healthy eating and exercise habits, and identifying and remediating factors which decrease a patientââ¬â¢s medic ation compliance, can assist in helping patients stay compliant with their treatment while preserving their personhood. Patient Teaching With predictions projecting ââ¬Å"one in three individuals will develop type 2 diabetes by 2050â⬠(Powers et al., 2016, p. 70), the importance of patient teaching to help manage and preserve a good quality of life is paramount. With the nurse being on the front lines when patients are
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
The Moral Code Of Ethics - 924 Words
The moral code of ethics as healthcare professionals is we have a responsibility and a moral code to our patients and the others we serve and they are: ââ¬Å"Work to ensure the existence of a process to evaluate the quality of care or service rendered; to avoid practicing or facilitating discrimination and institute safeguards to prevent discriminatory organizational practices; work to ensure the existence of a process that will advise patients or others served of the rights, opportunities, responsibilities and risks regarding available healthcare services; work to ensure that there is a process in place to facilitate the resolution of conflicts that may arise when values of patients and their families differ from those of employees and physicians; demonstrate zero tolerance for any abuse of power that compromises patients or others served; work to provide a process that ensures the autonomy and self-determination of patients or others served; work to ensure the existence of proced ures that will safeguard the confidentiality and privacy of patients or others served; and work to ensure the existence of an ongoing process and procedures to review, develop and consistently implement evidence-based clinical practices throughout the organization.â⬠(American College of Healthcare Executives, 2015) Healthcare professionals we have moral responsibility to the organizations we work for and they are to ââ¬Å"provide healthcare services consistent with available resources, and when there areShow MoreRelatedThe Moral Code Of Ethics924 Words à |à 4 PagesEthics is the study of what is right or what ought to be, depending upon the action of individuals. The reason why the individuals, plays a major part in ethics is because the principles of right and the moral quality of a course of action depends on them. As human being, we are moved mainly to action and not by moral judgments alone. People in society today use a set of principles that have been written, modified, abused and constantly changes throughout the years. In contrary, we must acknowledgeRead MoreCode Of Ethics And Moral Conduct2316 Words à |à 10 PagesCode of Ethics and Moral Conduct By Tim Bowles OMM660 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility Instructor Prof. Andree Swanson June 27, 2015 Introduction Since morals and morality require conscious choices, man is the only animal who can be moral or immoral. Thus, man is the only animal who can consciously, or purposely make moral choices: to think or not to think, to produce or usurp, to benefit or hurt oneself or others. 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Amendment One of the Constitution states that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (The Constitution, DecemberRead MoreEthics The Code Of Values And Moral Principles2156 Words à |à 9 PagesWhat is ethics? Ethics a philosophical term originating from Greek word ââ¬Å"ethosâ⬠meaning custom or character. It is concerned with describing and prescribing moral requirements and behaviors, which suggests that there are acceptable and unacceptable ways of behaving that serve as a function of philosophical principles (Minkes, Small, Chatterjee, 1999). Ethical behavior is defined as behavior which is morally accepted as ââ¬Å"goodâ⬠and ââ¬Å"rightâ⬠as opposed to ââ¬Å"badâ⬠or ââ¬Å"wrongâ⬠in a given situation (SimsRead MorePersonal Code Of Ethics And System Of Moral Values1063 Words à |à 5 Pagesshowing him how it is to be a leader. Integrity is expected of all health professionals in the work place. A leader demonstrates integrity by being consistently truthful, honest, and reliable. A nurse leader adheres to both a personal code of ethics and system of moral values. A leader has a positive attitude that helps to motivate others to join in the purpose. Leaders have initiative and take the first step to make it happen. Leaders have lots of energy and enthusiasm which enables them to get thingsRead MoreCode of ethics serves as the moral compass that directs and guides the integrity, values, and1500 Words à |à 6 PagesCode of ethics serves as the moral compass that directs and guides the integrity, values, and beliefs of an organization. A code of ethics clarifies to employees what th e company stands for and its expectations for employee conduct (Daft, 2013). A well-written code is a true commitment to responsible business practices in that it outlines specific procedures to handle ethical failures. Within the research enterprise, the code of ethics ensures that research projects involving human subjects areRead MorePublic Sector Ethics Concerns the Moral Requirements of Public Servants in the Services That They Are Paid for and Expected to Offer the People. It Concerns the Personal Morality of Officials and Adhering to Codes of4541 Words à |à 19 Pagesethical codes of conduct or through the enforcement oflegislation. Communities tend to equate moral values and moral norms with values andnorms, which apply only to personal dealings. Public sector ethics concerns the moral requirements of public servants in that they are paid for and expected to offer the people. 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Organizations often develop these codes to ensure that all individuals working in the company operate according to the same standards. Most individuals have an internal code of ethics or moral principles they follow in life. A situation one individual finds ethically reprehensible may not seem so to another individual. Using a code of ethics in business attempts
The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 6 Free Essays
string(19) " she takes a seat\." Micha The pain in her eyes nearly kills me. If it were possible, Iââ¬â¢d go back in time and stop her from climbing down that tree that God awful night. Maybe then, Iââ¬â¢d still have my best friend. We will write a custom essay sample on The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 6 or any similar topic only for you Order Now I decide to make a sporadic stop to try and get Ella out of her own head. I park the car in an open space in front of the small coffeehouse located in the heart of town, between the Stop nââ¬â¢ Shop and Bubbaââ¬â¢s Sports Barn. I shut off the engine and wait patiently for her to scold me. Her face reddens as she takes in where we are. ââ¬Å"Micha, Iââ¬â¢m really not in the mood for this right now. I have things to do and so does Lila.â⬠ââ¬Å"Come on, you havenââ¬â¢t seen me play in ages,â⬠I coax, using my best seductive voice. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll just do one song. In and out and weââ¬â¢re done.â⬠ââ¬Å"Sounds cool to me,â⬠Lila says from the backseat, finally relaxing a little now that weââ¬â¢re far away from Gradyââ¬â¢s trailer. ââ¬Å"I love hearing bands and lead singers are always sexy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Micha plays the guitar and sings by himself,â⬠Ella says with a flicker of possessiveness in her eyes. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s not a lead singer. Heââ¬â¢s a solo singer.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s all the same to me.â⬠Lila pats Ellaââ¬â¢s head and in a way I think sheââ¬â¢s making a private joke with her. ââ¬Å"Band or not, a guy who can sing and play is hot.â⬠I grin charismatically and incline over the console. ââ¬Å"Come on, pretty girl.â⬠I wind a strand of her hair around my finger. ââ¬Å"You know you want to come in and watch me be all hot and sexy, singing up on the stage. You know youââ¬â¢ve missed it.â⬠Her eyes narrow at me as she fights back a smile. ââ¬Å"You know that voice doesnââ¬â¢t work on me. Iââ¬â¢ve seen you use it too many times on too many girls.â⬠ââ¬Å"I havenââ¬â¢t used it on a girl since you left.â⬠I let the truth fall out. I used to come and go as I please with whoever I wanted, but once things started to change with our friendship, it became clear the void I was trying to fill was in her. ââ¬Å"And I donââ¬â¢t want to use it on anyone ââ¬â ââ¬Å" She conceals her hand over my mouth. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll go in with you, but only if you stop talking about stuff that makes me uncomfortable.â⬠ââ¬Å"Wait. What about my car?â⬠Lila scoots forward and fixes her hair using the rearview mirror. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s getting late. Wonââ¬â¢t the shop be closed soon?â⬠I move Ellaââ¬â¢s hand away from my lips and entwine her fingers with mine. ââ¬Å"Weââ¬â¢ll make it back in time. I promise.â⬠Ella hesitates, staring at the coffeehouse like sheââ¬â¢s a mouse about to walk into a lionââ¬â¢s den. I squeeze her hand. ââ¬Å"Come on, letââ¬â¢s go in. Youââ¬â¢ll be okay.â⬠She looks at our hands, and then her gaze lifts, giving a fleeting glance at my lips before resolving on my eyes. ââ¬Å"Is everyone still hanging out here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Kelly and Mike do and Renee and Ethan,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"Grantford doesnââ¬â¢t really come around here anymore, though.â⬠Her plump lips curl to a grin. ââ¬Å"Because you punched him in the face.â⬠ââ¬Å"That might be part of it.â⬠I return her smile and let go of her hand to climb out of the car. It feels like I might be getting somewhere with her. She hops out and stretches, arching her back and sticking out her chest. It makes me want to rip off her shirt, pull her in the backseat, and do things to her Iââ¬â¢ve never done with anyone Iââ¬â¢ve cared about before. ââ¬Å"What are you looking at?â⬠She pulls the bottom of her tank top back over her stomach. She really has no idea how beautiful she is. She never has. Even back in her punk/goth faze, she rocked the look. I shake my head, unable to take my eyes off her. ââ¬Å"Nothing. Just thinkinââ¬â¢.â⬠She slams the door and we head across the packed parking lot. I rest my hand on her lower back, but she wiggles away and sidesteps around Lila, putting her between us. I frown. Maybe Iââ¬â¢m not doing as well as I thought. Ella If he keeps looking at me that way, my restraint is going to melt into a puddle of hot, steamy liquid. Micha has the most piercing eyes in the world, aqua blue, like the sea, waved with equal intensity. Heââ¬â¢s flirty with me, which he used to do jokingly all the time, and Iââ¬â¢d play along. But this is different somehow, more intense and real. Itââ¬â¢s like heââ¬â¢s throwing his heart into the open, which isnââ¬â¢t how he used to be. At least with me. Except for the day I left. The coffeehouse is cramped with people, even for a Saturday afternoon. Every booth and table is occupied and thereââ¬â¢s a guy with floppy brown hair playing the keyboard on stage, his voice a little off-key. The baristas are working hard on the long line that extends all the way to the door and in the corner, people are working on their laptops. ââ¬Å"Where are we going to sit?â⬠Lila scans the room. ââ¬Å"Thereââ¬â¢s no empty tables.â⬠Micha spots Ethan and Renee at a corner table and waves at them. ââ¬Å"Seat situation solved,â⬠he says, taking my hand and leading the way to them. Renee is a short girl that wears heavy eyeliner and has dark red hair. Her hazel eyes zone in on Michaââ¬â¢s hand tangled with mine. I attempt to pull my hand away, but Micha strengthens his grasp. ââ¬Å"Hey, Ella.â⬠She fakes a smile with her dark red lips. ââ¬Å"What ya been up to?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothing much,â⬠I keep it simple, because simple is always better with Renee. ââ¬Å"And so we meet again.â⬠Ethan flashes a dimpled grin at Lila and pulls out a chair for her. ââ¬Å"You decided to stick around here for a while.â⬠Lila looks up at him as she takes a seat. You read "The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 6" in category "Essay examples" ââ¬Å"Thank you. I kind of had to since my car was trashed last night.â⬠Micha drops down in the last empty chair at the table and starts to pull me down to sit on his lap. My eyes sweep the room in search of an extra chair, but itââ¬â¢s so packed that people have to stand near the walls. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t bite, Ella May.â⬠There is a challenge in Michaââ¬â¢s eyes. ââ¬Å"Unless you ask me to.â⬠Everyone at the table is watching me. Not wanting to make a scene, I sink down on his lap. Ethan targets Micha with a bewildered look, which Micha ignores and steals a scone out of a basket in the middle of the table. He pops it into his mouth. ââ¬Å"So what timeââ¬â¢s Open Mic?â⬠Ethanââ¬â¢s dark eyebrows plunge together. ââ¬Å"Why? Are you thinking about playing again? Causeââ¬â¢ all I can say is itââ¬â¢s about freakinââ¬â¢ time.â⬠ââ¬Å"What do you mean again?â⬠I ask, grabbing a scone myself. ââ¬Å"Why hasnââ¬â¢t he been playing?â⬠Ethan shoves up the sleeves of his shirt, crosses his arms on the table, and directs Micha with their secret-code look I have never been able to crack. I revolve my body to look at Micha, but instantly regret it. His eyes are too intense and Iââ¬â¢m thrown out of my element for a second. ââ¬Å"You stopped playing?â⬠I ask him. ââ¬Å"Why would you do that? Isnââ¬â¢t it your dream still?â⬠He shrugs, snaking his arms around my waist. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not the same without you here watching me.â⬠ââ¬Å"There were times I didnââ¬â¢t watch you play.â⬠I put my hands on his shoulders. ââ¬Å"Even when I lived here.â⬠He shakes his head and wisps of his blonde hair fall across his forehead. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s not true. You never missed one.â⬠I think back, knowing heââ¬â¢s right. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want you to stop living your life because Iââ¬â¢m not here anymore.â⬠ââ¬Å"And I donââ¬â¢t want you to be anywhere but here.â⬠He squeezes my hip and I instinctively jump at the tingling heat that spirals down between my legs. ââ¬Å"What can I get you?â⬠The waitress interrupts us. We all read off what we want, and the waitress gets particularly giggly when she writes down Michaââ¬â¢s order, even though Iââ¬â¢m sitting on his lap. Her name is Kenzie and Iââ¬â¢ve never liked her. She used to help Stacy Harris torment this girl we went to school with, who was in a wheelchair. I casually lean back against Michaââ¬â¢s chest, as if Iââ¬â¢m doing it by accident. No one seems to notice except for the waitress. And Micha. His heart beat speeds up as if the nearness of my body is driving him mad. She frowns and tucks the order book into her apron. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be right back with your drinks.â⬠I wait for Micha to call me out, but he stays quiet and keeps his hands on the tops of my bare thighs. I know itââ¬â¢s wrong and that heââ¬â¢s not mine. I made that clear the day I bailed, but I canââ¬â¢t seem to help myself. Ever since we were kids, I always felt the need to keep him away from girls who arenââ¬â¢t good enough for him. Old habits die hard. Micha Ethan is looking at me like Iââ¬â¢m an idiot. Probably because Iââ¬â¢m smiling like an idiot, but I canââ¬â¢t help myself. Ella got territorial with the waitress. Sheââ¬â¢s never done that before, not even before she left. ââ¬Å"This bandââ¬â¢s interesting,â⬠Lila hollers over the banjo band playing up on stage. ââ¬Å"Is this the kind of music you play?â⬠Ethan, Renee, and I burst out laughing. Even Ella covers her mouth, trying really hard not to laugh. ââ¬Å"No sweetie, this isnââ¬â¢t what I play.â⬠I gulp my coffee. ââ¬Å"Mines moreâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ ââ¬Å"Hot and sexy,â⬠Ella says and I stare at her. She ignores my gaze and adds, ââ¬Å"Think more along the lines of Spill Canvas.â⬠Lila brushes some crumbs off the table. ââ¬Å"That band youââ¬â¢re always listening to when youââ¬â¢re studying?â⬠Ella nods, but shifts awkwardly. ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s the one.â⬠It makes me feel better that she still listens to the same music. At least that hasnââ¬â¢t changed. I keep one hand on her leg, afraid if I release her completely, sheââ¬â¢ll run off again. I steal another scone from the basket and pop it into my mouth. Lila starts chatting with Ethan and Renee gets on her cellphone. I sweep Ellaââ¬â¢s hair to the side and put my lips to her ear. ââ¬Å"So you think Iââ¬â¢m hot and sexy, huh?â⬠She bites back a smile, pretending to be deeply immersed in the banjo song. ââ¬Å"No, I said your music is hot and sexy.â⬠ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s all the same.â⬠I dare a kiss against her shoulder, relishing the softness of her skin, wanting her so God damn bad Iââ¬â¢m getting a hard on just thinking about it. Ella notices it too and squirms around in my lap, making it worse. ââ¬Å"Down boy,â⬠she jokes with a nervous laugh, then presses her lips together and starts to stand up. I trap her down by the hips and conform her backside onto my lap. We fit together so perfectly itââ¬â¢s mind blowing and all those feelings I felt for her before she left come rushing back to me. I need more of her. Now. Oblivious to everyone around us, my hands gradually slide up her thighs. ââ¬Å"Micha.â⬠She protests with a quiver in her voice. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t. There are peopleâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ I silence her as my fingers brush the edges of her skirt. I canââ¬â¢t stop ââ¬â Iââ¬â¢ve been carrying this sexual tension for ages. I started having these feelings for her when we were about sixteen. I ignored them for as long as possible, because I knew sheââ¬â¢d freak if she found out. There were a few stolen kisses that I played off, but the night on the bridge, when I finally put it out there, changed everything. She freaked out just like I thought. Right after she left, I slept around, trying to get rid of the hunger inside of me, but after a while, I realized there was no point. Ella had taken something from me and there was no getting it back, unless I had her. So I let my hands sneak up the edge of her skirt and her fingers knead into my thighs. I wonder how far I should take this, since weââ¬â¢re sitting in a booth in a crowded room, and I almost pull back, but one of her legs falls to the side, and I view it as an open invitation. ââ¬Å"Alright, itââ¬â¢s time for open mic.â⬠The waitress that undressed me with her eyes speaks into the microphone on the stage. ââ¬Å"If you already havenââ¬â¢t signed up, you can sign up with Phil over there.â⬠She points her finger at the owner, a middle-aged man sitting in the corner next to the speakers. ââ¬Å"I think thatââ¬â¢s your cue.â⬠Ella quickly gets up, thinking sheââ¬â¢s off the hook. Before I head up to the signup sheet, I spread my fingers across her lower back and whisper in her ear, ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t think this is over because itââ¬â¢s not.â⬠She shivers and I strut off to the table with a satisfied smile on my face. ââ¬Å"Well, son of a bitch,â⬠Phil says from behind the table. Heââ¬â¢s an ex-band member of an 80ââ¬â¢s cover band and still looks like he belongs in that decade with his mullet and neon clothes. ââ¬Å"Look what the dog dragged in.â⬠ââ¬Å"Miss me that bad, huh?â⬠I jot down my name on the signup sheet. ââ¬Å"Are you kidding me?â⬠he asks. ââ¬Å"All weââ¬â¢ve had to listen to for the last few months is banjo music and a couple of hippies playing on the bongos. I swear itââ¬â¢s like Woodstock all over again.â⬠I laugh, dropping the pen onto the table. ââ¬Å"Well itââ¬â¢s nice to know Iââ¬â¢ve been missed, I guess.â⬠Phil fiddles with the volume of the amps. ââ¬Å"More than missed. Please tell me youââ¬â¢re going to start playing here again. Iââ¬â¢m in desperate need of some draw-in. This place is going downhill.â⬠I smile politely, backing toward the table. ââ¬Å"Nah, probably not. I donââ¬â¢t think Iââ¬â¢m going to be sticking around here much longer. Iââ¬â¢ve got places to go, people to see.â⬠On my way back to the table, I cross paths with Naomi. She is Philââ¬â¢s daughter, tall, with long black hair, and sheââ¬â¢s an awesome singer. I used to play with her back before she went on the road with a band. We were actually pretty close, but I havenââ¬â¢t talked to her since she left. ââ¬Å"Oh my God, Iââ¬â¢m so glad I ran into you,â⬠she says and thereââ¬â¢s a little bit of red lipstick on her teeth. ââ¬Å"Isnââ¬â¢t everyone?â⬠I tease walking backwards. She laughs and swats my arm. ââ¬Å"I see you still have that whole cocky attitude going.â⬠I drop the act. ââ¬Å"So youââ¬â¢re back in town?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, but only for a few weeks. Can we chat up after you play? Thereââ¬â¢s something I really need to talk to you about. Something huge actually.â⬠ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢d you know I was playing?â⬠She points a finger at the table. ââ¬Å"I just saw you sign up.â⬠ââ¬Å"Alright, Iââ¬â¢ll catch up with you later.â⬠I wave good-bye, wondering what she could possibly want. Ella Damn Micha. Heââ¬â¢s killing me with his touches and longing gazes and now heââ¬â¢s going to sing. Iââ¬â¢ve always had a soft spot for his voice. Weââ¬â¢d sit on his bed and heââ¬â¢d strum his guitar while I sketched. Those were some of the perfect moments in my life. ââ¬Å"Ella, whatââ¬â¢s the matter with you?â⬠Lila asks with an accusation. ââ¬Å"You look a little flushed.â⬠I sip my latte and realign the holder in the center of the table, so I canââ¬â¢t see my reflection in the stainless steel. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s just a little hot in here. Thatââ¬â¢s all.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, sure it is.â⬠She wonââ¬â¢t stop looking at me, like sheââ¬â¢s trying to crack open my head. As Micha steps onto the stage not too far from our table, my heart starts to chant unspeakable words. Sitting on a stool with his guitar on his lap he puts his lips up to the microphone, nibbling on his lip ring. ââ¬Å"This oneââ¬â¢s called ââ¬ËWhat No One Ever Seesââ¬â¢.â⬠He strums a chord with his eyes locked on me, ââ¬Å"I see it in your beautiful eyes, like a spot on the sun. The things you want to hide, buried deep inside you. Blinded by your light. It almost hurts to look at, almost hurts to breathe. Never can you look at the things no one ever sees Shaded by your light. Please take me inside you, please take me in. Never will I whisper, never will I give in. Even when Iââ¬â¢m dying, your heart will always win. Shielded to the sightless, isolated from the naive. Breaking you in pieces, that can only ever grieve. Veiled by your light. Passionate for the world, yet overlooked by most. Your soul flickers in you, desperate to shine for the world But blinded by your darkness. Please take me inside you, please take me in. Never will I whisper, never will I give in. Even when Iââ¬â¢m dying, your heart will always win.â⬠With one lasting note, he ends the song. The crowd applauds and my eyes dart away from his penetrating gaze, and to the door. I want to run away like the room is on fire. ââ¬Å"Holy crap,â⬠Lila breathes, fanning herself. ââ¬Å"You were right. That was HOT.â⬠ââ¬Å"I can play the drums.â⬠Ethan taps his fingers on the table, and makes drum noises. ââ¬Å"And Iââ¬â¢m pretty good.â⬠ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t let him fool ya.â⬠Renee sips her coffee and a smirk curls at her lips. ââ¬Å"He can play the drums on Rock Band and thatââ¬â¢s it.â⬠Ethan shoots Renee a dirty look. ââ¬Å"Would you quit it? Itââ¬â¢s not funny anymore.â⬠Lila looks at me for an explanation. ââ¬Å"This is how they are,â⬠I explain with a heavy sigh. ââ¬Å"They fight like cats and dogs.â⬠Lila props her elbows onto the table and rests her chin on her hands. ââ¬Å"El, doesnââ¬â¢t your brother play drums?â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah, Dean did,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"A little bit, anyway.â⬠ââ¬Å"Now Deanââ¬â¢s hot,â⬠Renee remarks, aiming to get under my skin. Micha collects his guitar and clears the stage for the next singer, a girl with pink dreads who looks like she has a grudge against the world. A tall girl with long legs meets Micha at the corner of the stage. Her wavy black hair flows down her back, her grey eyes are striking, and her smile is bright. Her name is Naomi and sheââ¬â¢s the daughter of the owner of the coffeehouse, who Micha played with a few times. She says something to Micha and he laughs. A flicker of envy burns in me, but I suppress it quickly. She leads him off the stage and Michaââ¬â¢s hand roams toward her back. He flashes me one last glance, before he ducks behind stage. I canââ¬â¢t read him at all and that frightens me more than when I can. Lila drinks her soy latte and peeks at me over the brim of her cup. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t care what you say. That boy is in love with you.â⬠I stay silent, tearing up a napkin until itââ¬â¢s shaped like a heart. ââ¬Å"He might be, but not the kind of love youââ¬â¢re talking about.â⬠ââ¬Å"So, Ella,â⬠Ethan interrupts and I swear he does it intentionally. If he did, Iââ¬â¢m thankful for it. ââ¬Å"Howââ¬â¢s the city life?â⬠ââ¬Å"Stupendous.â⬠I ruffle up the napkin and toss it into the empty scone basket. ââ¬Å"That doesnââ¬â¢t sound very convincing.â⬠Ethan drapes an arm on the back of Lilaââ¬â¢s chair and places his foot on his knee. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t you like it there?â⬠I force myself to cheer up and sit up straight. ââ¬Å"Actually, itââ¬â¢s pretty nice. Thereââ¬â¢s a lot to do and the school is great.â⬠ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re acting weird.â⬠Ethan eyes me, rubbing his chin. ââ¬Å"Somethingââ¬â¢s got you all wound up.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m completely okay,â⬠I say in denial. ââ¬Å"Although, the excessive questions are a bit much.â⬠Lila peers over at me as she licks froth from her lips. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s right. You look upset or something.â⬠She feels my forehead. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢re not getting sick, are you?â⬠Micha returns to the table and the coffeehouse has cleared out a bit. He grabs a vacant chair, pulls it up to the table, turning it backwards, and then sits down in it. ââ¬Å"So what are we up to for the rest of the night?â⬠Ethan asks while Micha checks his messages on his phone. ââ¬Å"I got to take this pretty lady over here to get her car fixed by you.â⬠Micha nods his head at Lila. Ethan looks pleased. ââ¬Å"Wow, Iââ¬â¢m honored to be the one to fix it.â⬠Micha slides his phone into his pocket. ââ¬Å"We have to swing by Ellaââ¬â¢s house and pick it up, so meet us at the shop in like a half-an-hour.â⬠ââ¬Å"Absolutely.â⬠Ethan waves the waitress over to give us the check. ââ¬Å"What do you think?â⬠Micha asks me. ââ¬Å"Does it sound like a plan?â⬠I shrug, distracted by where he went with that girl. ââ¬Å"Yeah, sure.â⬠Everyone takes their coffeeââ¬â¢s to-go and we head for the door. I leave mine behind, along with something else, but Iââ¬â¢m not sure what. Perhaps a piece of my new identity. *** Micha and I donââ¬â¢t speak the entire drive home. It freaks Lila out a little and I worry that the more time she spends here with me, the less time sheââ¬â¢s going to want to spend with me on campus. When we pull into the driveway that routes the side of my house, there is a painful reminder of another reason I didnââ¬â¢t want to come back waiting for me near the garage. ââ¬Å"Whose car is that?â⬠Lila scoots forward in her seat. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s gorgeous.â⬠ââ¬Å"Why is he here?â⬠I grimace, scowling at the shiny red Porsche with Ohio license plates. ââ¬Å"Now be nice,â⬠Micha warns, his voice dripping with sarcasm. ââ¬Å"Heââ¬â¢s your brother.â⬠ââ¬Å"But it doesnââ¬â¢t make him less of an asshole,â⬠I mutter. ââ¬Å"And he swore when he left, he was never coming back here ever again.â⬠ââ¬Å"Thatââ¬â¢s your brotherââ¬â¢s car?â⬠Lila asks. ââ¬Å"Good God, what does he do for living?â⬠I press the tips of my fingers to the sides of my nose. ââ¬Å"Who knows?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, how does he afford a car like that?â⬠she requests interestedly. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not his car,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s my mothers.â⬠Micha and I swap an oblique look, recalling the day the car mysteriously showed up in the garage. She never would tell anyone how she got it, and for a while, Dean and I expected the police to show up and arrest her for car thievery. It never happened and as time went on, it became like a game to my mother. Not just with the car, but with life. We never knew if she was telling the truth or not. After she died, Dean took the car. He acted like it was his right and maybe it was. He wasnââ¬â¢t the one whoââ¬â¢d snuck out of the house that night and left our mother alone. ââ¬Å"And that gorgeous car over there is yours,â⬠I remind Lila, diverting her attention elsewhere. ââ¬Å"You should probably go get it fixed, before Ethan wanders off from the shop.â⬠She slumps back in the chair. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢d really like to meet your brother first before I go.â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sure heââ¬â¢ll still be here when you get back.â⬠Actually Iââ¬â¢m hoping heââ¬â¢ll be gone. ââ¬Å"Come on, Lila, weââ¬â¢ll make it quick.â⬠Micha opens the door. ââ¬Å"We can drop it off and walk back. It isnââ¬â¢t too far.â⬠When I climb outside, he captures my gaze over the roof of the car. ââ¬Å"Are you coming with us?â⬠ââ¬Å"I think I need to stay.â⬠My eyes travel to the back door. ââ¬Å"Who knows why heââ¬â¢s here and what heââ¬â¢ll say to dad? And I donââ¬â¢t think dad can handle his crap.â⬠Pressing his hands to the roof, he leans over. ââ¬Å"But can you handle his crap?â⬠ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll be fine,â⬠I assure him. ââ¬Å"Just get her car fixed. She needs to get out before she gets sucked into this place.â⬠ââ¬Å"This town isnââ¬â¢t that bad.â⬠Micha closes the door. ââ¬Å"You used to think the same thing.â⬠ââ¬Å"I also used to believe my mom would get better,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"And look what a crashing disappointment that was.â⬠From the back of the car, Lila blinks at me, stunned. ââ¬Å"Ella, I didnââ¬â¢t know your mom was sick.â⬠Michaââ¬â¢s expression is guarded. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s go, Lila. Ellaââ¬â¢s right, if Ethan gets too bored, heââ¬â¢ll bail.â⬠They head for Lilaââ¬â¢s car and I head up the driveway, wishing I could run back into Michaââ¬â¢s arms and alleviate the hole in my chest. Micha I worry about Ella the entire drive to the shop. Dean was never a good brother and at the funeral, he blamed Ella for their motherââ¬â¢s death. He basically tore her to shreds. Maybe it was his way of mourning, but it was still a shitty thing to do. ââ¬Å"So whatââ¬â¢s up with Ella and her brother?â⬠Lila asks, resting her arm on the console. ââ¬Å"I think thatââ¬â¢s something you should probably talk to her about.â⬠I turn the car into the parking lot of the shop. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s not really my story to tell.â⬠Lila unclips her seatbelt. ââ¬Å"But Ellaââ¬â¢s never really told me much about her life. She has always been so quiet about it and I just thought it was her personality, but the way everyone talks about her around here, I donââ¬â¢t think it is.â⬠ââ¬Å"She used to be pretty loud spoken.â⬠I reach for the door, but hesitate, needing to get it off my chest. ââ¬Å"The Ella I knew was not the prim and proper girl youââ¬â¢ve been hanging out with. She had this fire in her and she didnââ¬â¢t put up with anyoneââ¬â¢s crap. It got her into trouble a lot, but she was also the kind of person who would take the fall, even if it wasnââ¬â¢t her fault.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think I saw that part of her when we stopped at a bathroom when we first got to town,â⬠Lila muses. ââ¬Å"There was this guy there who was giving me crap and Ella nearly beat him up.â⬠I try not to smile. ââ¬Å"She did, did she?â⬠ââ¬Å"Is that how she was when you knew her? Like a total badass?â⬠Lila grins and I realize sheââ¬â¢s not as bad as I originally thought. ââ¬Å"Yeah, she was always kind of a badass.â⬠I shove the door open and my boots scuff the gravel as I climb out. There are a few cars parked in front of the metal building and both the garage doors are open. A truck is parked inside and the owner of the shop ââ¬â Ethanââ¬â¢s dad ââ¬â is working under the hood. ââ¬Å"So what do you do?â⬠Lila asks as we head to the entrance. ââ¬Å"A little of this,â⬠I joke. ââ¬Å"And a little of that.â⬠ââ¬Å"So itââ¬â¢s a secret.â⬠She picks up on my vibe. I swing the chain attached to my jeans. ââ¬Å"For now, it kind of is.â⬠ââ¬Å"Gotcha.â⬠She doesnââ¬â¢t press and I like her even more. Ethan is waiting for us in the lobby, slouched back in a chair with his shoes kicked up on the counter and his head slanted back. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s about damn time. I was about ready to leave.â⬠Lila starts to giggle as she takes out her phone from her purse. ââ¬Å"You guys werenââ¬â¢t lying.â⬠Ethan lowers his feet to the floor and stands up. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s so funny?â⬠ââ¬Å"Nothing.â⬠I shrug him off, resting my arms on the counter. ââ¬Å"Ella and I just told her that if we didnââ¬â¢t hurry up youââ¬â¢d get bored and leave.â⬠ââ¬Å"So you were talking about me behind my back.â⬠He walks around the counter by Lila. ââ¬Å"You got the keys or did you leave them in?â⬠I toss him the keys and he catches them. ââ¬Å"Whereââ¬â¢s Ella?â⬠ââ¬Å"Her brother showed up,â⬠I explain. ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢s back at her house.â⬠Ethanââ¬â¢s eyebrows shoot upward. ââ¬Å"And you left her there alone with him?â⬠ââ¬Å"Only to drop this off,â⬠I say. ââ¬Å"Lila and I are going to walk back.â⬠Lila glances back and forth between Ethan and me. ââ¬Å"Is something wrong with Ellaââ¬â¢s brother?â⬠ââ¬Å"Sheââ¬â¢ll be fine.â⬠I lean against the glass door with my arms folded and check my watch. ââ¬Å"But we should get back.â⬠ââ¬Å"I think I should stay here,â⬠Lila says, frowning at her phone. ââ¬Å"Are you sure?â⬠I ask. ââ¬Å"Ethan will take good care of it.â⬠She looks upset as she tosses the phone into her purse. ââ¬Å"Yeah, I need to make sure everythingââ¬â¢s taken care of properly.â⬠ââ¬Å"Alright, can you find your way back to the house?â⬠I nudge the door open. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ll make sure she gets there,â⬠Ethan offers with a shrug. Lila adjusts her purse on her shoulder and gives him a small smile. ââ¬Å"Thank you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Alright, if itââ¬â¢s okay with the both of you, then I guess Iââ¬â¢ll see you later.â⬠I hike across the parking lot, toward the street. Itââ¬â¢s getting late, and the odds of Lilaââ¬â¢s car being fixed by the end of the day are pretty fucking low. I take out my cell phone and text Ella. Me: Just wantin to make sure ur ok? I walk down the sidewalk fenced by houses and dried out lawns. There is a drug exchange going on at the corner between a group of kids that still look young enough to be in high school. This side of town is pretty crappy, which Iââ¬â¢m okay with now, but when Ella and I were kids, it was harder to deal with. Ella was always so curious about stuff. There were many times we got chased down for sticking our noses where they didnââ¬â¢t belong and I got my ass kicked defending Ella quite a few times. But Iââ¬â¢d do it again in a heartbeat because when it all comes down to it, itââ¬â¢s just me and her against the world. Always has been. My phone buzzes inside my pocket and I check the message, surprised to see Ellaââ¬â¢s name on the screen. Ella: No, I donââ¬â¢t think I am. Without a second thought, I run as fast as I can toward her house. How to cite The Secret of Ella and Micha Chapter 6, Essay examples
Public Speaking Class In School Essay Example For Students
Public Speaking Class In School Essay Have you ever thought of taking a Public Speaking Class In School Essay? If you haven?t I highly suggest that you do because it will increase your ability to communicate with other human beings and just make it easier. Today, I will be talking about a couple of abilities that you can greatly improve by taking a simple introductory course in public speaking. I will be talking about the importance of a good attention getter, a clear presentation of your points, and eye contact with the audience. First, I will talk to you about the importance of a good attention getter, but before I can do that I will need to explain what an attention getter is. An attention getter is the very first words that exit from your mouth in a speech and these words are used to captivate the audience?s attention and make them believe that your speech is going to be worth listening to. Now you might ask why is this important. This is essential in your speech because the worst thing that can happen in a speech that you are giving is for someone to fall asleep or to have people totally ignoring what you have to say after you spent a lot of time coming up with all your information. Now, I will talk about the importance of introducing your points clearly. This part of your speech is called the preview. The preview is basically a list of all your main ideas of the speech in the introduction. For example, if your speech is about baseball your preview might go like this: today I will be talking about the history of baseball, the highly talented players and some of the great records that will never be broken. The preview is vital because it presents your ideas clearly and to the point. It?s very bad when at the end of your speech the audience has no clue what you were trying to say or what material you were presenting. The last fundamental idea that you will learn by taking a public speaking class is the importance of eye contact. Eye contact is pretty self-explanatory in that it is basically looking at your audience for about 60-75% of your speech. According to Samovar Mills, our eyes are capable of sending innumerable messages. They can show what type of emotional state we are in and they can prove that we are sincere about our topic. Eye contact is a very little thing in a speech, but it will let you know how your audience is reacting to your speech and that will tell you what you need to do for the rest of your speech to grab their attention. Today I talked about a few of the important techniques that you will learn by taking a general public speaking class. I talked about the importance in having a great attention getter, why a preview of your main points are important, and how the use of eye contact can send ?hidden messages? and that it allows for the speaker to examine his or her audience?s reaction to their speech. After telling you about these few concepts, I hope that next quarter you will find it very beneficial to take at least one public speaking class because it WILL improve your communication with other human beings and according to Megan Mahoney, ?You can not not communicate?. Bibliography none .
Sunday, May 3, 2020
A Refugee Letter for Global Environmental Politics - myassignmenthelp
Question: Discuss about theRefugee Letter for Global Environmental Politics. Answer: Date: 6/1/2017 Address of applicant: Refugee Review Tribunal file number: Refugee Review Tribunal, This letter to your office seeks to mediate for an asylum seeker who has applied for a Protection Visa from your department. The facts and information I present in this letter might play a part in making a decision on the asylums application. The asylum seeker is an Afghanistan woman named Azin who arrived here in Australia by plane. My clients reason for fleeing the Taliban is because she gave birth out of wedlock. According to 1951 United Nations Convention, a refugee can seek asylum from other nations in case of persecution (Grahl-Madsen, 1972, pp 31). Persecution refers to the act of being ill-treated or victimized especially due to certain factors such as race, religion or gender. In this case, my client is being persecuted based on her gender and having committed a moral crime.. According to the United Nations Convention a refugee considered a person who is facing persecution on the basis of his/her religion, race, and nationality or having a particular political or social opinion (Zimmerman, Drschner and Machts, 2011, pp 81). Owing to the fear of persecution, the person opts to leave the country and is unwilling to return (Grahl-Madsen, 1972, pp 31). Afghanistan has no respect for womens rights. Having born a child out of wedlock, my client is subject to persecution. She will have to serve time in jail for her moral crimes. What pains the most is that her child will also be imprisoned. The Afghanistan government is not only corrupt but also dictatorial. According to a recent report, billions of dollars meant for humanitarian aid have ended up in pockets of corrupt officials. For instance, 850 the Kabul Bank Scandal is one good example of corruption in the government. A whooping 850 million dollars was lost to corrupt government officials (Phillips, 2011, pp 177). In fact, the United States officials described this scandal as the biggest in history. Shockingly, all these crimes go unpunished. This shows that the Afghanistan government is not committed to ending corruption in the country. Moreover, Afghanistan is constantly in war. The war between the government and the Taliban has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians (De Lauri, 2011, pp 47). Additionally, the Afghan government has often sought the services of illegal militias who were reported to have assaulted civilians. These brutal crimes by the government forces make the country even more inhabitable especially to a woman with a young child. Moreover, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has indicated that the number of refugees from Afghanistan has increased due to the war between the government and the Taliban (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2002, pp 12) According to UNDP reports, Afghanistan has been listed among 23 of the least developed nations. More than 42 percent of the citizens live in abject poverty and the conditions in the hospitals poor. Most of the resources which could have been used for developing hospitals and other infrastructure have ended up in the pockets of few powerful individuals. Actually, there is only one doctor and two beds serving approximately 5,000 patients. This further indicates that the country lacks value for human health and life. Normally, women in Afghanistan are jailed for moral crimes including being raped (De Lauri, 2013, pp 261). Realistically, this is a brutal act. What makes things worse is that the women are sent to jail together with their children. The Afghan government has made efforts to deal with the persecution of women and recently ordered the release of the women who were jailed for moral crimes. However, the government has completely failed to end the persecution of the women who are accused of running away from the country. In short, this means that the women are required to persevere persecution and remain in the country. The Afghanistan Women Council (AWC) has played a huge role by improving the life of women. However, these efforts have been negatively affected by the lack of cooperation from the government (Afghanistan Women Council, 2012, pp 12)Some reporters have recently uncovered the gruesome acts against women that take place in the Taliban. For instance, a photographer named Gabrie la Maj in the company of her editor decided to investigate what the international media referred to as moral crimes in the Taliban (Sinno, 2015, pp 51). They revealed that women convicted of moral crimes served time in jail together with their children. In fact, they explained that the womens prisons sound more like kindergartens than prisons from a distance. This suggests that the number of children in the prisons is high. Immature and young, the children have to endure assault and inhumane conditions of the jails. This is contrary to what the Australian Human Rights Commission states regarding childrens rights. Because of their vulnerability, women and children command a right to special protection (McAdam and Chong, 2014, pp 441). Moreover, Maj took pictures of over one hundred women in different prisons around the Taliban. This is just one report that explains the inhumane acts. Other reports indicate that life for women in Afghanistan is becoming more difficult day by day and more deaths are being reported (Imam, 2010, pp 117). Therefore, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection needs to consider my clients case and give her a Protection Visa. Moreover, the woman arrived in Australia legally, by use of a plane and hence qualifies to be awarded a Protection Visa. Under the Refugee Council of Australia, refugees are entitled to several rights. Actually, there are some rights that were enacted to purposely serve the refugees. Also, other human rights treaties also acknowledge and respect these rights. To start with, refugees have the freedom of religion (McAdam and Chong, 2014, pp 441). This means that people have to respect each others religion so that there can be room for peaceful co-ex istence among different religions. Also, refugees have the right to education (Kirui and Mwaruvie, 2012, pp21). For instance, the Afghanistan woman should be allowed to seek for education in the Australian educational institutions. Also, the woman has the right to work anywhere in the country. Refugees should also share the same rights as the citizens. For instance, refugees should have the right to access legal assistance, own property, choose religion and own social security (Biermann and Boas, 2010, pp 60). In conclusion, I hope that the information provided above is satisfactory and will play a great role in your decision to grant the asylum a Protection Visa. Currently, Afghanistan has no respect for womens rights. It is important for nations to respect the rights of vulnerable groups such as children and women. Given the fact that the Afghanistan government has completely failed to implement reforms which will protect the women against persecution, I hope that your department will seriously consider this womans case. At the moment, her well-being depends on the action your office will take. Moreover, her childs future is at stake. Bibliography Grahl-Madsen, A., 1972. The status of refugees in international law (Vol. 2). Leyden: AW Sijthoff. McAdam, J. and Chong, F., 2014. Complementary protection in Australia two years on: An emerging human rights jurisprudence. Fed. L. Rev., 42, p.441. Zimmermann, A., Drschner, J. and Machts, F., 2011.The 1951 Convention relating to the status of refugees and its 1967 protocol: A commentary. Oxford University Press. Biermann, F. and Boas, I., 2010. Preparing for a warmer world: Towards a global governance system to protect climate refugees.Global environmental politics,10(1), pp.60-88. Kirui, P. and Mwaruvie, J., 2012. The dilemma of hosting refugees: a focus on the insecurity in north-eastern Kenya.International Journal of Business and Social Science,3(8). Phillips, D., 2011. Wounded Memory of Hazara Refugees from Afghanistan Remembering and Forgetting Persecution.History Australia,8(2), pp.177-198. De Lauri, A., 2011. Afghanistan: corruption and injustice in the judicial system.Journal of Law and Social Research,2(1), pp.47-62. De Lauri, A., 2013. Access to justice and human rights in Afghanistan.Crime, law and social change,60(3), pp.261-285. Imam, H. (2010). Aftermath of U.S. Invasions: The Anguish of Women in Afghanistan and Iraq. Women, War, and Violence, 117-134. doi:10.1057/9780230111974_8 Afghanistan Women Council. (2012). Afghanistan Women Council (AWC)/Annual report / Afghanistan Women Council (AWC). The journal of Humanitarian Assistance. doi:10.2458/azu_acku_serial_hq1735_6_a392_v2002 Sinno, A. (2015). 10. The Organizational Theory beyond Afghanistan. Organizations at War in Afghanistan and Beyond. doi:10.7591/9780801459306-014 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 2002: Note on the Applicability of Article 1D of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees to Palestinian refugees. Int J Refugee Law; 14 (2_and_3): 450-456. doi: 10.1093/ijrl/14.2_and_3.450
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