Of Mice and Men Prologue

The sun set through the window of the bar. A girl with bouncing brown ringlets and yellow feathers in her hair and deep blood red lips was set on a bar stool talking to the bar tender, â€Å"I tell ya what Tony, one day I'ma be somethin', you just watch. I ain't selliin you no baloney. I'ma go into town, get outta this hell hole and make something of myself. I wasn't born to be a nobody singin' in a bar every night that's for sure, I'ma make it big Tony. I'ma be in the pictures one day.† â€Å"You need to stop dreamin kid. It ain't gonna get you nowhere just broken hearted. We all have our hopes an' dreams, but nothin' ever happens. You best go get ready now, you're on in five.† The girl was barely 16 in her bright blue eyes, but was looking more than 25 in her low cut sparkling sun yellow dress. She shuffled off her bar stool to the stage where she stood in front of her microphone facing the audience of big burly men shouting at each other, playing card games, and drinking ale. The man on the piano started playing and the room went silent, all except one voice and a piano. The sweetest sound anyone in that room had ever heard. The girl sensed all the men's eyes falling on her and she cherished the attention. She started to shake her hips and glide around the stage, lapping up the wolf whistles from all the men. Two men entered the bar, both the same height; One was an elderly men, with white hair and a beard, the other just slightly older than her. They stood out amongst all the other men in the room that were dressed in denim. They were seated at the table right in front of the stage. The girl couldn't take her eyes off the younger man. Something about the mystery of him was giving her stomach butterflies. She finished her show to a big applause and shouts from all the men apart from the two at the front who just applauded quietly. She took her place back at the bar, â€Å"say, Tony, what are them two doing here?† She pointed carefully at the men near the stage, â€Å"They certainly ain't from this town, for sure.† Tony looked over and sighed, â€Å"Don't know who they think they are, flashin' their stuff like they somethin' special, folk like them got no business in places like this†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tony quickly stopped talking as he saw the youngest of the men walking over. â€Å"Hey, my name is Rico Millegrew, I work for a talent agency. Me and my old man heard you were good and came to check it out, we'd like you to join our agency, try you out for acting, get you in the pictures, we seen what you can do with your singing and you're quite a looker, we think you could really go far.† The young girl looked astonished, â€Å"What you tryna say?† Her face gleamed and the excitement grew inside her when she thought of all the nice clothes and money she'd have. â€Å"Just give me your address and I'll send a letter out to you first thing†. Tony who had been listening very carefully to the conversation slipped her a piece of paper and a pen, â€Å"Lola, think what ya doing kid, it could be a scam, you hear about this kinda stuff all of the time, guys pretendin' to be somethin' they ain't to take advantage of young girl like you.† Lola stared at him, â€Å"Shut up Tony! What do you know? Just ‘cuz you're goin' nowhere with your life don't mean you can try to ruin mine. I know you want me to stay here in this hell hole wit you ‘cuz you got no chances but I ain't, you hear me? This is my chane, I'ma make it big Tony and then we'll see who was right!† The anger flared in the girl's eyes as she listened to the cruel words of her friend trying to ruin her dream. In anger and excitement she scribbled down her address and name and gave the paper to the man, â€Å"promise ya'll write, you better make sure you write to me now!† The man looked at the stressed girl and muttered before leaving the bar with the other man. The girl grabbed her coat and ran underneath the moonlight, all the way to her house. She flung open the door, â€Å"Ma'!† she cried towards the middle aged morose looking woman sat next to the fire rocking a cradle. The woman stared at her like she was mad as she told her the story of the men at the bar and how she was going to make something of herself. â€Å"You're crazy!† she shouted at the young girl, â€Å"You ain't going nowhere, you're too young, you don't think we all have dreams? Well I had a dream once, look where I ended up! A single mother with six kids, and you screaming nonsense at me! Some life this is ain't it!† The woman panted to catch her breath, â€Å"Stop bein' so ridiculous, life ain't a dream, life ain't easy, you ain't takin' any easy route missy, you just gonna end up like me and all the other women in this god forsaken town, a worthless nobody, only good for poppin' out babies an' your husband runnin' off with some cheap lousy tart† The young girl was reduced to tears, she ran upstairs where she refused to come ou t of for days. Lola spent three, slow months waiting for the letter. She'd been panicking that it wasn't coming, worrying she had given the wrong information, blaming Tony for making her blow her top in front of them. After another three months, June was approaching. Eventually, 6 months of waiting and blaming everyone for it not coming had made Lola realise there would never be a letter. The hot sun gleamed through the bar window. Tony stood in his usual spot behind the bar cleaning glasses, he noticed the tired dead eyes and flat dirty brown hair of the girl that had just walked in wearing a dirt stained sun dress. After 6 months, Tony hardly recognised the girl that was staring at him and he immediately knew what had happened, she never got the letter. He didn't say anything, just got her a drink. â€Å"On the house.† He said to Lola. She was bewildered at his generosity after how she had treated him, â€Å"thank you,† she said solemnly and gave him a weak smile. She took her drink and set at the bar till the sun set, drinking till she was half-dead. â€Å"You've had enough Lola,† Tony said looking at the limp body sprawled across the bar, â€Å"you need to be getting off home.† He looked around the room for help and saw a small man with coarse wire hair standing near the bar, â€Å"you couldn't give me a hand now could you?† He asked the stranger. The stranger looked at the girl and said â€Å"Sure. My name's Curley by the way. This girl looks dead!† He put his arm around the girl and Tony did the same, â€Å"NO!† she shouted, â€Å"No, I'm not going back there! Not a chance in hell am I goin' to go back!† The men looked at each other dumb strucken, â€Å"Say, my old man owns a ranch not too far away, why don't she come stay up there for a few nights until she gets herself sorted?† Tony didn't know what to say, â€Å"I suppose she'd be alright, I've heard good things about the boss up at the ranch in Soledad.† The girl muttered a drunken plea, â€Å"Anythin' but that place †, she said. The men took the girl outside and placed her on a strong horse. Curley then climbed up and set behind her. â€Å"Make sure she's alrigh'!† said Tony to Curley. Curley looked at Tony and smiled, â€Å"Oh don't you worry, she'll be fine, I can sure pack a punch to anyone that tries to hurt her† he grinned. Tony was reassured and waved him off.

Effects of Taxes essays

Effects of Taxes essays Taxes are needed in order to securely administer and fund different governmental organizations, as well as construction and other universal infrastructure services. Many proponents of taxes suggest that taxation is way too extreme within the present day economic trends that exist within America. Taxes do fund many programs and construction of certain projects within America, but also effect certain aspects of America's economy. Taxes do present positive as well as negative characteristics within an economic system. Increased taxes do have a direct effect toward consumers, businesses, and the overall economy. Consumers are exposed to extreme effects of taxes, and may even be effected more than any other group within the economy. Increasing prices on their products due to the increased taxes makes up most of the potential profits for businesses. The consumers therefore lose out because of the increased prices, and must decide on another budgetary analysis. For example, a consumer who is introduced to new taxes may decide to stop purchasing a certain product. A consumer may choose to not purchase a good that my normally go along with another good. This good is a complimentary good and may not be bought because of increased taxes. For instance, if a consumer normally buys powdered cream with coffee grinds, increased taxes may require a consumer to only purchase one of the goods. The coffee would be the good that the consumer would purchase, and would not purchase the creamer. A similar phenomenon would occur for a consumer that participates in buying superior and inferior goods. F or instance, a consumer usually buys higher priced brands of cereals, and due to higher taxes; the consumer may be content in purchasing generic brands of cereals instead of the normal purchase of higher priced brands. This is labeled as substitute goods, and denotes how a change in taxes will cause a consumer to substitute another good, and in t...

Otodus - Fascinating Facts and Figures

Otodus - Fascinating Facts and Figures Name: Otodus (Greek for inclined teeth); pronounced OH-toe-duss Habitat: Oceans worldwide Historical Epoch: Paleocene-Eocene (60-45 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 30 feet long and 1-2 tons Diet: Marine animals Distinguishing Characteristics: Large size; long, sharp, triangular teeth About Otodus Since the skeletons of sharks are composed of biodegradable cartilage rather than longer-lasting bone, often times the only fossil evidence of prehistoric species consists of teeth (sharks grow and shed thousands of teeth during their lifetimes, which is why theyre so abundant in the fossil record). Thats the case with the early Cenozoic Otodus, whose huge (three or four inches long), sharp, triangular teeth point to a full-grown adult size of up to 30 feet, though we know frustratingly little else about this prehistoric shark, other than that it likely fed on prehistoric whales, other, smaller sharks, and the abundant prehistoric fish that lived in the worlds oceans 50 million years ago. Its fossilized teeth aside, Ototodus greatest claim to fame is that it seems to have been directly ancestral to Megalodon, the 50-foot-long, 50-ton predatory behemoth that ruled the worlds oceans right until the cusp of the modern era. (This is not to diminish Otodus own place in the record books; this prehistoric shark was at least one and one-half times as big as the biggest Great White Sharks alive today.) Paleontologists have established this evolutionary link by examining the similarities between these two sharks teeth; specifically, the teeth of Otodus show early hints of the flesh-ripping serrations that would later characterize the teeth of Megalodon.

9 Simple Tips to Improve Your Job Search

9 Simple Tips to Improve Your Job Search Keeping up with the things you need to do by maintaining a to-do list is a good idea for those who are job searching. It not only helps keep you on track, it reminds you of those things you need to do to make your search for a job a success. Diligence is the key to finding that perfect job.   1. Check for Jobs Each MorningFirst thing each morning, check the job listings. There are other people out there who would like to have the same jobs you apply for, and being among the first to apply can put you in a better position to get just the job you want.  2. Don’t Put Things OffWhen you see a job that interests you, send your resume and cover letter without putting it off. It is surprisingly easy to tell yourself that you will do it later and then forget about it. By the time you get around to applying, possibly days later, the job may be filled.  3. Follow Up on ApplicationsIf you haven’t heard back on job applications you have submitted, it is a good idea to wait a week and follow up. Sometimes, expressing further interest in a job can get you pushed up in the application process. If you receive a definitive no, you can remove that job from your list.  4. Use Technology to Stay OrganizedUtilize technology by using your cell phone or computer to stay organized with your job search. Making up a spreadsheet with dates and the ability to check off tasks when completed ensures that you are following up on schedule. In addition, it is easier to add on other job hunting tasks as they come up.  5. Learn New SkillsLearning something new is always useful. Factor in a few hours a week to take a class, learn a new skill that relates to your dream job or catch up to date. The time spent doing this will be worthwhile as it shows employers that you take your skills seriously.  6. Research Your Job NicheNew jobs pop up in industries that offer you the ability to apply your skills in new areas. Do research in your field to find new positions that you can enter. If taking a few courses helps you fit the job requirements, take night courses or online courses to expand your employability.  7. Work on Personal PaperworkOnce a week, work on one of the documents you use to apply for a job. You can use this time to recheck your resume, cover letter or personal plan to market yourself. See where you can make improvements. Remember to personalize your applications by studying the company where you are applying, and use your assets and strengths to show how you would be a good match for the company team.  8. Customizing Job ApplicationsOne mistake job seekers sometimes make is sending out a general resume for every job application. Aiming your resume toward particular jobs helps because the hiring manager will know right away whether you are a good fit for the job. Instead of just listing your qualifications, also list what you did that was a benefit to the company. Working as a salesperson, for instance, list how you won a company award for the number of sales you made.  9. Do Volunteer WorkVolunteer work looks good on a resume, whether it is coaching a group of children in soccer or volunteering at a local charity. Add this to your to-do list, and make time for it. It not only lets you make new contacts and help others but shows your potential employer that you have outside interests.  Keeping on top of job applications with a job search site can help you find that perfect job more quickly. TheJobNetwork helps by letting you enter your qualifications and does the search for you. Sign up for our job match alert, and searches are done round the clock, sending you job notifications as soon as they pop up. By receiving job alerts that match your qualifications and job interests, you won’t miss any jobs for which you are qualified. In addition, it gives you the ability to search job sites yourself to be proactive.

Interpretive Paper on the Bayon Temple Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Interpretive Paper on the Bayon Temple - Essay Example At the centre of the walled city is the Bayon Temple, representing the intersection of heaven and earth. The Bayon Temple is renowned for its immense stone faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara also known as Lokesvara; every stone face looks outwards and keeps watch over each cardinal direction. The calmly smiling image is believed to represent King Jayavarman himself (DumarCay et al, 2001) . Additionally, there are fifty-one smaller towers surrounding Bayon, each with four faces of its own. The long walls surrounding the Bayon Temple bear a unique collection of bas-relief scenes of legendary and historical events (DumarCay et al, 2001). Over 11,000 carved figures are wrought on the 1.2 km of wall, their paint now faded The Bayon Temple consisted of three plans, for the three levels of the monument. The fourth state of construction pertained to the building of passages linking the galleries at the first and second levels (DumarCay et al, 2001). The purpose of this paper is to inte rpret the architecture of the Bayon Temple of Angkor Thom in Cambodia. The relationship of its elements, shape, and design to the temple’s socio-cultural context will be examined. ... The central ‘mountain’ was a Buddhist sanctuary containing a large image of the Buddha Amitabha, while the four faces of Bodhisatva Lokesvara, ‘the Lord of the World’ embellished its numerous towers (Figs. 2 and 3) (Eisenstadt, 1971). There is a gate in the middle of each of the four sides marking the limits of the city, and a fifth gate on the East leads to the entrance of the royal palace. Similar to the central Bayon Temple, and the other towers within the walled city of Angkor, the towers above the gates are also crowned with the four-fold faces of Lokesvara. Thus, the smaller world of the city, and that of the whole Khmer empire were put under the protection of the ‘Lord of the Universe’ (Eisenstadt, 1971). The cosmic meaning of the city was further accentuated by the balustrades of the causeways leading over the moat to the city gates. They were made up of rows of giant stone figures representing gods and demons, holding a massive seven-he aded serpent (Figs.4, 5, and 6) (Eisenstadt, 1971). By these structural components and adornments, the entire city represented the â€Å"churning of the primeval milk ocean by gods and demons, when they used the serpent king as a rope and Mount Meru as churning stick† (Eisenstadt, 1971, p.171). Thus, the moat around the walled city of Angkor Thom symbolized the ocean, while the Bayon Temple at the centre of the city which formed the converging point for all the lines of churning gods and demons, represented Mount Meru itself. This is portrayed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. According to DumarCay et al (2001), in the architectural history of ancient Cambodia, the Bapuon was the last temple mountain constructed in compliance with the cult of

Scholarly Journal Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Scholarly Journal Review - Essay Example In this paper the journal selected will be studied completely to understand its major ideas and concepts. The articulation, the strengths and weakness and structure of writing will be interpreted on. The topic will be compared and contrasted to understand its significance. The main intention is to study the concept of academic freedom more deeply and clearly. How the journal article has been useful in explaining the subject will be a part of the analysis. The synthesis and richness of the article will be contemplated on. As per ( Warwick,2011) â€Å"Writing a strong researched paper requires the ability to synthesis or combine elements of several sources to help you make a point â€Å"The relation of the topic to my personal and professional career will also be part of the study. Overview of the Topic The topic of the journal is the social significance of academic freedom. The author suggests that teachers and students should have the freedom to enquire and explore, only then the s ociety can get benefit from them. According to ( MacKinnon, 2011) â€Å"Academic freedom is a lot of freedom, but it has its limitations, and respect for the core value of academic freedom requires respect for its limitations†. ... The article looks the way in which higher education do good for public. The role of non – profit educational institutions in 21st century is a concern of the article. The article suggests that education institution has the purpose of culturing democratic values in students and providing skilled and knowledgeable workforce. As per ( Euben,2002) â€Å"Since the early 1970s, however, academic freedom cases have focused primarily on faculty freedom from institutional intrusion†. The article also looks at the academic freedom existing in history of America. The genesis of tenure is also discussed in the article. According to the author, tenure protected the academic freedom. The article put forward, methodology and studies which examine the reaction of faculties when their institution is faced by controversies. The study revealed the academic freedom of the educational institution under study. As per (Heins,2013) â€Å"Academic freedom is necessary not because teachers are smarter or better than everyone else, but because they serve the public interest by imparting the skills to think critically and participate meaningfully in the great, if often flawed, American experiment in democracy†. The article comments about responsibility of University under research and also their role in public discourse. The importance of public engagement is also discussed in the article. Compare and Contrast When comparing the topic of the journal with the academic freedom it has close connection with the subject. The article deeply defines the meaning of academic freedom and its significance in social arena. The topic is all about how academic freedom can contribute to the welfare of the society. The journal does not deviate from the

Valley Forge in Pennsylvania Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Valley Forge in Pennsylvania - Research Paper Example Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 Valley Forge is among the historical places that marked the American Revolution. Moreover, George Washington and his army spent a harsh winter at Valley Forge in the year 1777 -1778. Furthermore, during this period many of the Continental army perished due to starvation, lack of proper clothing to protect them from the cold and infectious diseases (Webstar 1305). Consequently, the Continental army was reduced to almost half its initial population. However, the conditions at the camp improved when congress sent food at the camp and hygiene standards were elevated. Moreover, the soldiers were drilled and when spring arrived, they were ready and eager to face the British army in the battle field. To this end, the continental army eventually fought with the British army even though they were at draw military wise. The Continental Army left the battle field in high spirits and confidence compared to the previous wars. The subsequent sections will elaborate on the reasons as to why General Washington’s Continental army decided to camp at Valley Forge. Moreover, the challenges they encountered during the encampment at Valley Forge will be discussed comprehensively. Furthermore, the drilling of soldiers by Steuben Baron that took place while they were at Valley Forge will be intricately discussed. Finally, the aftermath of the training process will be summarily discussed. Reasons for Camping at Valley Forge In the 18th century of 1777 George Washington, the general of continental army, moved with his army to the south of New Jersey. His objective was to defend Philadelphia city from the advancing forces of William Howe. Consequently, the two armies clashed at Brandywine on the 11th of September (Hickman 1). As a result, Washington’s army was defeated and flee the city. Washington’s army struck again at Germantown on 4th of October in order to regain initiative but was decisively defeated. Subsequently, with the cold weather approaching Washington moved his army to a winter encampment. To this end, he chose Valley Forge, 20 mile s from Northwest city of Philadelphia. Evidently, the site would easily be defendable from surprise attacks. In addition, provision of food from local farmers would be easy. Challenges at Valley Forge In as much as Washington chose the best place for his soldiers to camp, they still encountered serious problems like lack of food and clothing. The soldiers had little to eat apart from fried dough called fire cakes. Furthermore, the soldiers wore tattered cloths and their accommodation was hastily built. The accommodation consisted of canvas walls and dirt floors that were smoky and cold. Furthermore, the cabins were ideal sites for the spreading of diseases that subjected the soldiers to bouts of cold (Miller 9). In addition, the local farmers were hesitant to give their food in exchange to the almost worthless soldiers. On the contrary, the farmers traded their produce with the British; located miles away Philadelphia; for liquid cash. Furthermore, the local farmers even continued t o hoard food as they waited to earn higher profits in the spring season. Consequently, there were prevalent desertions and deaths from diseases and hunger. This led to a reduction of the continental army to almost one-half of the initial size (Miller 9). In addition, Washington was privately annoyed with the lack of strong commitment from his supposedly patriot fighters. Washington’s Leadership Qualities Questioned Washington’s leadership integrity and qualities were cast openly in doubt by his fellow army officers as well as part of the