Iron Jawed Angels Essay

For Americans, the right to vote is so taken for granted I have especially seen this recently with the amount of people who have decided to just not vote. It’s hard to believe it was unavailable to the country’s women until 1920, and not until after quite a fight and yet we still have so many people who take the responsibility to vote so lightly. Iron Jawed Angels is a movie that I had previously heard about and was on my list of movies I wanted to watch. I was excited that we had the opportunity to view it during this class. Before I had only heard in brief what women did to earn the right to vote but this movie gave me a new insight on how hard the actual struggle for the equality we now enjoy and the rights such as voting and making our own decisions. Instead of just hearing about it during a history lesson I was able to put myself in the situation and reflect on what I would do if I lived during that time period. My favorite part of the movie so far has been the section where the women are picketing in front of the White House. I was very moving how they all decided to go in together through the rough time even when they were thrown into prison. I was especially moved during the movie to see the lengths these women would go to in order to get their right to vote as well as women all throughout the United States of America which included starving themselves to make a point. I am excited to see how the rest of the movie will end and I must say this is one of the better movies I have seen in a while. The actresses in this movie are fantastic and I believe they all do a great job of representing the different women that must have come together to find success in this battle for equality.

Life of a Corrections Officer Essay

Being a correction officer is not an easy job. Each and every correction officer has a daily routine, stress, danger, and has to learn to gain compliance of every inmate. Every day in a prison working with inmates can be a challenge; some days may seem easier than other days. There is a daily routine and schedule that each correction officer has to come to terms with. The tasks could be working in the yard to supervising inmates on the work crew. The jobs vary with each officer. But no matter which job, each one is or can be very stressful when it comes to maintaining and keeping inmates in order. Each job can be very stressful, but it is up to the correction officer to take disciplinary actions in a mannerly way. A correction officer has a job everyday to â€Å"maintain control and order within a prison† (Seiter, 2011, p.390). Every day each inmate has to be under supervision at all times and each correction officer makes sure that security is maintained properly. Each and every correction officer has an assigned job they have to perform. There are usually seven categories’ that a correction officer can be assigned to. These categories include living units, work detail supervisors, industrial shop and school officers, yard officers, administration building assignments, perimeter security and relief officers. â€Å"Each Specific assignment has post orders, a detailed description of the activities that are required to be performed throughout the day, often includes the time they are to occur†(Seiter,2011,p.391). Post orders is to tell the correction officer how to do each specific assignment. Each assignment that is performed has a time schedule. The correction officer also has to report a detailed report on the assignment. Every minute, of every day while the correction officer is on duty, it very crucial. For instance, one minute an officer may be walking inmates to their cells and then the next minute, they could be breaking up a fight. The main part of being a correction officer is to never show any signs of weakness to any inmates. If any signs of weakness are shown, the inmates can and will use that against the officer and try everything to bring that officer down. With an inmate using an officers weakness against them, can cause a lot of stress and danger to the correction officer. Stress is very typical with being a correction officer. Stress can come from overtime shifts, not enough employees on hand, violence in the facility, or problems with other staff members. Many programs are available to help correction officers to deal with stress because stress will always be a part of being a correction officer. â€Å"Job stress has been found to have numerous negative mental and physical effects on correctional staff. Cheek and Miller (1983) reported that correctional officers have a higher than expected likelihood of hypertension, heart attacks, and other stress-related illnesses. Ultimately, the health of the correctional employee can suffer to the point that it shortens the person’s life. Both Cheek (1984) and Woodruff (1993) reported that correctional officers die far sooner than expected as compared to the national life expectancy, and stress is the leading reason for the shortened life expectancy†(Lambert, 2006). Stress is not good for a person’s health and that is why these facilities offer options to deal with stress while working in such facilities. These trainings help the correction officer to help avoid the stressful situations and how to deal with their own personal stress. Counseling is offered for the correction officers and the families. This helps them to deal with stress and keep the levels of stress down. The best way to help keep stress down is keeping a healthy active life, such as diets, exercise, and trying to maintain financial security. All though, stress seems to be an important role with being a correction officer, it’s not. The most important is gaining compliance from inmates. This means that a correction officer needs to deal with inmates without threatening them or disciplining an inmate without their being a breakout in the prison or the inmate rebelling against any orders that are given.† It is not easy to gain compliance from inmates already in prison, many of whom rebel against all authority and are serving long sentences with very little to lose†(Seiter,2011,p.394). If any inmates do not follow any orders, the correction officer has the power to punish them in the appropriate way. The most important skill to use is interpersonal communication. This communication allows correction officers to treat inmates humanly as possible. If a correction officer treats an inmate with disrespect, it is most likely that the inmate will get very angry and rebel against that officer. Inmates do not like to be treated unfairly, as they should not be treated unfair in any given circumstance. Every inmate has the knowledge of knowing they should follow rules and what they should and should not do. It can be very stressful being a correction officer. The main key is to have training to deal with stress and know what kind of stress they may be in for. Stress can come from many different directions and effect a correction officer, but as long as they know what they were getting into before they got into the situation, then they should be able to deal with the stress pretty good. As long as a correction officer can be fair and treat inmates fairly, then that can also help reduce stress and make the situations in the facility go a lot smoother. References Eric G Lambert, Nancy Lynne Hogan, & Reva I Allen. (2006). CORRELATES OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER JOB STRESS: The Impact of Organizational Structure[dagger]. American Journal of Criminal Justice : AJCJ, 30(2), 227-IV. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1167641161). Seiter, P. 2011. Corrections: An Introduction. Pearson education inc. 3rd edition Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

Does Michael Kohlhaas present the view that power corrupts Essay

Does Michael Kohlhaas present the view that power corrupts - Essay Example Set in the time of Martin Luther, early to mid sixteenth century, Michael Kohlhaas concerns a horse trader by that name who is upset when he is charged with having improper papers while passing though the area controlled by Junker Wenzel von Tronka. Forced to leave two of his horses and a servant behind as collateral for being able to continue, Kohlhaas later learns that the charges are bogus and sues the Junker for reparations once he discovers the animals and the servant were mistreated. Despite the help of several friends, including Luther himself, the Junker prevails in court, mainly due to the corrupt influence of the Junker’s relations. Enraged, Kohlhaas takes matters into his own hands and forming an army, attacks and burns the castle of the Junker, who had already fled to another city. The band of outlaws attempts to take that city by force, although they are rebuked. Arrested and put into the dungeon in his hometown, the Junker’s influence eventually causes Koh lhaas to be executed. This is in spite of the fact that the suit finally prevailed and both the servant and horses were restored to health. How is that idea still relevant some three hundred years after von Kleis’ death? Who was the Junker? Furthermore, how does the novella present the view that power corrupts? Discussion The author had seen the illusions of power firsthand. First as a soldier and later as a writer and poet filled with wanderlust, von Kleis had visited and lived throughout a Europe ravaged by the excesses of Napoleon, even spending a time in Paris. Reading the story there is little doubt that the Junker, the main antagonist in Michael Kohlhaas, is a thinly veiled version of Napoleon, a non ruler who used brute force, along with influential friends and those loyal to him. Eventually the corrupt Junker is sentenced to two years of prison but unfortunately too late to save Kohlhaas’ life. This facet parallels von Kleis and Napoleon. Although the despot wa s not necessarily responsible for the author’s suicide, unlike Kohlhaas, von Kleis did not live long enough to see Napoleon’s utter defeat a mere four years later. The Junker had a very influential family who helped him secure retribution against Kohlhaas time and again. Even though the great Martin Luther (von Kleis was a great student of the Reformation) arranges an amnesty after Kohlhaas’ criminal acts, the Junker manages to have that overturned and Kohlhaas is imprisoned. It seems the two men had a personal vendetta against each other, for neither was content to relax until the other was totally destroyed. The Junker ultimately loses the lawsuit and his freedom for a short while and his opponent loses his very life. The rulers of a fractioned Germany that still existed in the author’s time likewise presented the evidence of power as a drug. The Governor of Brandenburg is shown as a weak and waffling individual who caves in to pressure and allows Kohlh aas to be rearrested, even though he had personally approved the man’s earlier release. His counterpart in Saxony was especially corrupt, for while he was almost forced to carry out the wishes of the Junker, Kohlhaas had some papers on his person which concerned Poland and their thoughts on invading Saxony. When Kohlhaas swallowed those papers just prior to his

Dell Boy Computers Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dell Boy Computers - Case Study Example (Whitehead, 1997) Dell Boy Computers relies on its brand name, the promise of support and its massive market presence to balance higher costs. As Dell Boy Computer Company is selling into an increasingly sophisticated and price-sensitive marketplace, it needs to do forward integration to market its profitable high-end computer products. To fortify its profit generating objective, Dell Boy goes into real estate development by creating apt settings for human activity that are in harmony with the environment and providing distribution services for its suppliers and customers. The top management of Dell Boy is restructuring the organization around common capabilities to achieve better strategic focus. The Company will renew profits and growth by focusing resources and management attention on three key areas: a.)Increase the volume and value of the market share in computer products through forward integration consisting of special warehouse services and an excellent service delivery platform; b.) Expand profit and revenue growth in personal computers by promoting aggressive and consistent marketing and promotional activities; and c.) focus on new business in the existing demand from the educational segment and in the small business and home personal computers segment.The company needs to be more selective about its property purchase as location is an important consideration for this project. The company can construct a big commercial lease building which can house its distribution operations and it can also be rented out to other commercial tenants.Through forward integration, Dell Boy Company will achieve important cost synergies, eliminate redundant management layers, and decrease other ancillary operating expenses including discretionary spending, which are expected to result in annual cost savings for the company. As Dell Boy Computer Company integrates forward into real estate, warehousing and distribution, the company needs to understand the benefits, and the development process this development entails. Property development for computer companies requires a clear perspective of public administration, physical planning, municipal regulation, market research, legal system, site appraisal, economic evaluation and assessment, financial contracts, contractual and bidding procedures, building design, construction designs, and marketing strategy aspects. The crucial costs of time, quality, and asset value are seriously considered. (Ratcliffe, et. al., 2003) The other leading computer companies such as Red Fox USA and Toshiba had relied on indirect distribution channels such as various retail stores and large shopping malls while Apple Computers, markets its products directly to the end users. For instance, Kwantinetz stated that Compaq's traditional sales and distribution technique covers a total of 90-day period for building, transporting, inventorying and setting the cost value of its manufactured goods to its existing indirect distribution channels. This very long lead time has added a tremendous 6 percent to Compaq's cost of business operations. To enable

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 51

Case Study Example A great deal of transparency has been created which has motivated the doctors to work harder. Felipe whose duties include marketing and contracting with managed care companies has also done well in his job. As a talented negotiator, he understands contracts and is good with people. He would be good at leading and managing employees since he has his master’s degree. With his engaging personality and involvement in community outreach, he has been able to improve the reputation of the center in the surrounding neighborhood. He is considered to have high integrity, as there has never been any hint of scandal associated with his name. He works many hours of time and is willing to give the time necessary to get something done. Amanda has a lot of experience since she has worked for the company for the last 10 years. She started as an office receptionist and worked her way up to the job of business office manager. She has that professional style and dresses well. She is able to motivate those around her since she is highly motivated to do a good job. She is well liked by her employees because she offers good coaching skills and gives credit for accomplishments. She rarely takes credit for herself and is able to instill confidence in those around her. Ambulatory Care Center, which is a medium-sized facility, needs to change in order for it to remain viable. The center used to serve a predominance of senior citizens who are a reflective of the immediate surrounding community. This is because in the neighborhood, more families are moving in as well as many young adults. The ethnicity of the neighborhood is changing with more families that originate from Hispania or of African to origin. The financial base that used to support the Center changed from payments that come from payments that come predominantly from payments that come predominantly from Medicare to a financial base that came from a combination of group insurance and cash patients. The Center

War, Revolution and Reconstruction in Europe (1914-1929) Term Paper

War, Revolution and Reconstruction in Europe (1914-1929) - Term Paper Example The protests, revolutions, and the end of World War 1 will also be depicted and a concluding remark will summarize the content of the whole sections of the paper. The Impact of War in Europe The collapse of four empires, Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Ottoman, was the total impact of fighting on all fronts in Europe. Because of the war, the Treaty of Versailles was laid to settle potential problems and conflicts for the twentieth century. The treaty’s primary purpose was to establish and maintain peace and order, political and economic stability, and to ensure justice for all concerned. Also, the League of Nations was formed to promote global cooperation and attain international peace and order. However, Germany was unsatisfied with the treaty. The whole war was blamed to Germans and they were expected to pay for all the damage they caused. It must be noted that Germany lost a maximum amount of territory and its military declined along with the formation of new independ ent countries (Strachan 228-238). Moreover, because of the various allies that were formed by national leaders in order to protect their land, the whole Europe had been devastated--some of its industrial and agricultural assets. ... This implies that businesses could not sustain its operations that would lead them to stop. Aside from this, employees appealed for wage increase as living cost surged up to three-fourths. Employers were incapable of meeting workforce’ demand for wage increase resulting to a strike. It must be noted that these were the primary reasons that some of the industrial and agricultural businesses compelled to stop on its business operations (Self and Storing 15-36). The Toll of Trench Warfare The toll of trench warfare commenced from September 1914 to March 1918 when Germany and France had nowhere else to go except to use grounds to win the battle. It must be noted that trench warfare was a primitive strategy, but it was in World War 1 that this had caused the highest number of death tool as new defensive weapons, such as barbed wires in the ground and the enhancement of artillery weapons, emerged in the battlefield. Moreover, the trenches built in the war were used by soldiers as th eir hiding place and it had been also used to gain advantage in the warfare as enemies would not detect any trace when opponents attacked through trenches. However, these trenches left troops vulnerable to physical and mental health conditions. These trenches were made because of three reasons: it was easy to make, cheap, and it did not require more troops for defense (Sowder 534-542). Propaganda The â€Å"Rape of Belgium† rooted the propaganda which was made to attract the attention of the powerful country, the United States of America (Manning and Romerstein 324). Prior to this, German invaders burned buildings, sabotaged rail lines, shot offenders, and killed over 6,500 French and

The Critical appraisal of two research articles,critically analyse and Essay

The Critical appraisal of two research articles,critically analyse and evaluate the streights and weaknesses - Essay Example Critical appraisal is â€Å"the process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, and its value and relevance in a particular context† (Burls, 2009, pp. 1-8). Its practice in medical field is highly relevant to delineate the useful discoveries from the harmful ones. A quality research is not just one that reflects good composure or format rather it is one that has internal validity which is being free from bias. Therefore, the research must be reviewed particularly in the selection, performance, detection and attrition where bias commonly occurs. Analysis must be conducted from data gathering, collation, down to analysis. In this paper, the author aims to clinically appraise two researches on health and social care. The first is entitled â€Å"Efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid in treatment of leg ulcers: a double-blind randomised controlled trial (Dereure, Czubek and Combemale, 2012, pp. 131-139)† while the other is â€Å"The experience of patients with complex wounds and the use of negative pressure wound therapy in a home-care setting (Moffatt, et al. 2011, pp.512-527).† Both are in pursuit of a reliable and sustainable practice caring for patients with chronic wound. The first is a method to hasten healing of chronic wounds through the use of a topical medicine and the other is regarding the social and psychological needs patients with chronic wound under pressure treatment. Each will be presented separately and both research design and methodology will be critiqued. There will be no comparison between the two researches since they differ completely in design and methodology. After discussions and analysis, conclusion of what transpired will be stated. The author elected these studies on chronic wound care as it poses great demand on the current health care system. With the world directing to an aging population, health problems related to obesity, immobility, chronic illness such as diabetes b ecome rampant. These health problems commonly results to chronic wounds that has poor healing and required vast attention from clinicians. In 2009, it was declare to be a great public threat to health and economy as it results to government expenditure of at least 25 billion dollars per annum (Landro, 2012, par.5). Chronic wounds, particularly on the lower extremity, have high prevalence, high cost, and poor clinical outcome. They are often managed by a non-integrated healthcare system which consequentially resulting in an erratic healthcare arrangement. This challenges scholars and scientist to discover and create better technology and technique to better manage chronic wounds in a more sustainable and cost-effective manner (American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 2007, pp.1-8). For years, several methods have reached popularity in the medical scene of managing these type of wounds such as debridement and other surgical procedures, compression dressing, wound dressing with a variety of topical medicines, negative pressure wound therapy, cultured skin cells, pressure redistribution mattress, oxygen chambers, etc. (Landro, 2012, par.4); all of which acclaims to be effective in the healing process of complex wounds. Efficacy and safety of hyaluronic acid in treatment of leg ulcers: a double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT) (Dereure, et al.

Describe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Describe - Essay Example It accommodates almost everybody operating within the campus be it students, tutors or other workers and thus making it one of its kind. The Rendezvous building was constructed over the past two decades with an aim of housing many operations of the university. The sophisticated design of the building matches with the current building complexes in big cities. The external faces of the walls are beautifully decorated making it unique and attractive not only to the users, but also to the outsiders. It can be ranked as the best building ever constructed by the university. The building contains staircases and washrooms, which are accessible to the occupants. There are elevators that allow the users to access the upper floors. The building services are user-friendly to the healthy and disabled persons and, thus it achieves the objectives of sustainability in buildings. As stated earlier, the university community relies on the Rendezvous building for most services. The building contributes to the enhancement and improvement of education in the school by housing lecture theatres, information centres and students’ studies. The spaces used for studies have adequate furniture, that is, chairs and tables, which makes the building a complete educational centre. Usually, many universities construct student relaxation centres far away from the classrooms, but, the building contains lecture halls and restaurants, as well as, supermarkets. In addition, the ATM offers banking services to the occupants and the University community. The building also contains meeting rooms, writing centres and a Mathematics lab. It hosts many school learning activities, from teaching, learning to surfing. There is a unique relationship between the study rooms and how they are positioned in the building. For example, the classes are located together with the lecture theatres. The supermarket and the food restaurants are near each other, and this illustrates the uniqueness of

The impact of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources on Our Research Paper

The impact of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources on Our Earth... How does each one help or hinder our future - Research Paper Example However, energy can be classified into two main groups such as renewable as well as non-renewable energy (The National Academics Press, 2012). Renewable energy can be defined as the energy that is mainly created out of the natural sources such as sun, wind, rain, tides and can be reproduced as per the requirements. They are generally available in abundance and can be availed as and when needed. Renewable sources of energy are the cleanest sources of energy. Renewable energy sources are the sources that generally comprise wind power, geothermal energy, ocean energy, fuel wood, tar sands and oil share among others (The National Academics Press, 2012). On the other hand, the non-renewable sources of energy can be defined as the energy that has been prepared from those sources that are most likely to extinct fifty-sixty years from now. Owing to the fact that the non-renewable sources of energy are not environmental friendly, it is most likely to have an impact upon the health of an indiv idual. The main reason behind their name to be regarded as non-renewable is that they cannot be re-created within a short span of time. Non-renewable sources tend to prevail in the form of fossil fuels, oil, natural gas as well as coal (The National Academics Press, 2012). The study intends to identify the impacts of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy upon the earth. ... It can be stated that wind energy has become cost competitive with traditional energies in leading countries. Among all the renewable sources energy, it can be mentioned that the geothermal energy is practically infinite in nature in the long-term and it is also considered to be an abundant resource in the developing countries (The National Academics Press, 2012). Solar energy does not lead to air pollution when it is operated. The primary environmental and safety issues related to solar energy comprise the way they are created, installed and disposed of. There is a need of energy to create and hence install solar components. The fossil fuels used for this purpose can lead to emission of harmful gases thereby polluting the environment. Hence, one of the significant questions is related to the amount of fossil energy input needed for solar system in comparison to the fossil energy consumed by traditional energy systems. This generally alters based upon the technology and climate and t he remaining energy can be effectively utilized to solar systems in applications where they are generally cost effective and hence enhance with the improvement of technology. The materials that are utilized in a few of the solar systems can lead to health and safety issues for a person who comes into contact with them. The production of the photovoltaic cells needs hazardous materials such as arsenic as well as cadmium. Silicon which is a chief substance that is utilized in solar cells can prove to be detrimental to the workers if they inhale it with dust (The National Academics Press, 2012). Geothermal energy tends to produce heat that can be found beneath the surface of the earth. One of the widely developed geothermal energy has been

ICT Sample Work Welcome Centre Requirements Essay Example for Free

ICT Sample Work Welcome Centre Requirements Essay CLM (Christian Life Ministries) is a church based in Coventry City Centre. Being a registered charity, they wanted to look at ways in which they could raise money to help finance its various activities, many of which benefit the local and international community. In 2000, The Welcome Centre was launched, in which a team of people started using the building venue to provide a catering and hospitality service to paying customers, who were looking for somewhere where they could hold conferences and events, hire equipment and to have food served. The customers who pay to use the services of the Welcome Centre are either commercial customers, such as Coventry City Council, local schools or colleges, or other charity-based organisations. Charities would be able to use the facilities at a discounted rate compared to commercial customers. Customers hire the services of The Welcome Centre for many different types of events, from large conferences to training days and small meetings. The Welcome Centre has up to 4 rooms that can be hired (Grace Room, Grace Room 1, The Elegance Suite, The Serenity Suite), and each room has a capacity between 20 and 250 people. As well as hiring a room, customers have the option of hiring additional equipment, such as a data projector, video projector, OHP, PA equipment and Flip Charts. The price for hiring equipment is on a 1/2 day basis. An event may want a variety of catering options too. The Welcome Centre can provide beverages (e.g. tea, coffee, cold drinks), as well as various food options (Finger Buffet, Finger Buffet with Dessert, Hot Buffet with Dessert). Since opening, the success of the organisation has grown rapidly. This is due to the friendliness of the staff, as well as the level of service offered. As a result, the team has grown from 2 to 7 people. They are looking to expand, and with a future building project underway too, they hope to be able to offer even larger facilities for up to 650 people, as well as to grow their existing customer base. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION As the business is growing, the staff are getting increasingly busier. One of the key problems is that a manual booking system is used. A customer will call or email with a request for a conference. The staff will write down some basic details about the event such as the contacts name, event name and date and time of the conference. They will also ask the customer for the number of delegates, and therefore determine the number and size of rooms required. Catering requirements for food and beverages, as well as the hire of equipment will also be recorded. This information will all be recorded in a central paper-based diary, which can often become messy as customers sometimes phone to cancel or amend their booking, meaning that the handwriting can become unreadable. This could then lead to mistakes being made such as double-bookings, or not getting everyones requirements correct for a conference. Chris Ruck, one of the team, will sometimes word process the quotation onto a basic blank template produced in Word Processing software (MS Word). After creating the quotation, he will then save it onto his computer. He will sometimes do the same for invoices. The problem with this is that the same information is being entered up to three times; once in the diary, secondly on the quotation, and thirdly onto an invoice. Duplicating the information sometimes leads to small typing mistakes appearing on the documents. Also, it wastes Chris valuable time that could be used for other tasks, such as preparing rooms for conferences. Invoicing is a very important task for The Welcome Centre, as it is the way it requests payment from a customer once a conference has taken place. Tony will often to have to create 20 to 30 invoices at a time. Unfortunately, Tony Williams has very limited experience with computers. If Chris is not available and invoices have to be sent out, Tony will have to write out an invoice by hand into a blank template. This is very time consuming for him, and as the General Manager, he has many more important jobs that he could be doing. Also, handwritten invoices do not look very professional, and so these really should be created and printed from a computer to give a better corporate image. Tony sometimes has to handwrite quotations too for the same reasons. Scope The scope for this task is to find a way of entering booking details for conferences, and to create a quotation for that conference. Creating invoices will not be included in this task. Also, to simplify the task, we will focus on commercial customers only and not charity customers, as the prices are all different. DETAILS OF CLIENT, USER(S) AND AUDIENCE (IF APPLICABLE) IDENTIFICATION OF THE CLIENT The client for this project is Tony Williams, who is the General Manager of the Welcome Centre. Tonys role includes creating the rota of when his team are working, taking booking details from customers for future conferences and negotiating prices if applicable. Tony is also involved in creating quotations for a conference booking to inform the customer how much it will cost. He may also create invoices for a conference that has taken place to request payment. He will also need to keep track of payments for conferences by customers, and chase any outstanding payments. He is also very hands-on in his role, and he will support his staff with serving and room set-up when required. The solution for this task will need to meet Tonys requirements. IDENTIFICATION OF THE USER(S) The users of this solution will be the Tony Williams (the client), as well as Anita Fox and Chris Ruck. Anita and Chris are also responsible for entering details of customer bookings into the diary, and producing quotations and invoices for them. Therefore, they will actively use the solution by changing the customer and booking inputs and sending the quotation that is produced (output) to the customer. Anita also takes care of the accounts and organises the monthly payroll for the employees. IDENTIFICATION OF ANY AUDIENCE The Audience is anyone who may look at the outputs, but not change the content of the solution. The majority of this solution will be used by The Welcome Centre staff, and therefore these people will be users and not an audience. However, Quotations will be viewed by Customers as these are the target audience of this document. ASSESSMENT OF SKILLS OF USER(S) Tony will use the solution, but has very limited ICT skills. He is a complete novice at using computers. He will need introductory training that includes: * Logging in to the network * File Management (files and folders creating, renaming, moving, copying) * Word Processing (Use of word documents, file management opening/ saving, formatting) * Spreadsheets (Use of spreadsheets, file management opening/ saving, formatting, working with multiple worksheets) * Using the solution that is created Anita will also use the solution and is an intermediate user. She can login, organise files and folders, word process, use basic features of spreadsheet software, use a web browser to surf the internet, and can also use her accounts package. She will need training that includes: * Spreadsheets (Advanced course including the recording, use and management of macros, using formulae and functions) * Using the solution that is created Chris is more of an advanced user, and can do all of the above to a more complex level, as well as use graphics and multi-media packages for design work. He will need training that includes: * Spreadsheets (Advanced course including the recording, use and management of macros, using formulae and functions) * Using the solution that is created CLIENT INTERVIEW An initial interview was held with Tony Williams, and the following is a summary of what he said: 1. What is The Welcome Centre and can you give me some background information to the organisation? The Welcome Centre was launched in 2000, as a conference centre for commercial and charitable customers, offering them a hospitality service. The service includes room hire, equipment hire as well a catering options. Customers use the services provided by the Welcome Centre for various reasons from large conferences, to small meetings and training days. 2. Who are the staff at the Welcome Centre and what do they do? Tony Williams is the General Manager, whose role includes creating the rota of when his team are working, taking booking details from customers for future conferences and negotiating prices if applicable. Tony is also involved in creating quotations and invoices by hand. He also keeps track of payments for conferences by customers, and chases any outstanding payments. He is also very hands-on in his role, and he will support his staff with serving and room set-up when required. There are several other employees. Chris Ruck is the Assistant Manager of the complex, who takes bookings, sets up for conferences, and also types up quotations and invoices. He looks after the technical requirements of a conference such as IT needs and P.A. equipment. Anita Fax is the Administrator, who has responsibility for accounts and organising the monthly payroll for the employees. There are also 4 other part time staff, including a cleaner as well as conference assistants. 3. What are the problems that ICT could help to solve? One of the key problems is that a manual booking system is used, whereby booking information is recorded in a paper-based diary. The information is therefore not easily sharable and handwriting will become messy as bookings are amended or cancelled. Also, quotations and invoices are either typed into a blank template document or hand-written. This leads to a duplication of the booking information resulting in mistakes, as well as being time consuming. Hand written documents are not very professional. 4. What do you want the ICT solution to do? Tony would like the new solution to provide easy to use data entry forms for entering details about each conference. He would like a quotation to be produced immediately based upon the booking information that is entered. He would also like the quotation and booking information to be stored for future use, so that someone can view the information easily. 5. Who will use the solution and what ICT skills do they have? Tony will use the solution, but has very limited ICT skills. He is a complete novice at using computers. Anita will also use the solution and is an intermediate user. She can login, organise files and folders, word process, use basic features of spreadsheet software, use a web browser to surf the internet, and can also use her accounts package. Chris is more of an advanced user, and can do all of the above to a more complex level, as well as use graphics and multi-media packages for design work. 6. What hardware and software do you have at The Welcome Centre? In terms of hardware, The Welcome Centre has only just installed a network. Chris and Anita have their own PCs with access to the Network for file sharing. Laptops used for conferences are wireless enabled so that they can access the internet from any room if required. Each computer has Windows XP installed as the operating system, as have the Microsoft Office software suite package, that includes word-processing, spreadsheet, database, web browser, presentation and other software. 7. What data needs to be input into the solution? How? Customer Information: (Company name and address, contact details for event organiser) Event Details: (Event name, date, start finishing time, no. of delegates, room requirements, equipment to be hired, and catering requirements for beverages and food.) General Info.: (Catering items and prices, Equipment items for hire and 1/2 day charges, Room info. capacity, Full Day and 1/2 Day charges, and a VAT rate, in case legislation changes) 8. What processing (e.g. calculations, searches etc) need to be done? * Generate a unique 5 digit quotation no. * Calculate todays date automatically during the booking for the Quotation date * On different forms automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter * Calculate the Event Type (Full Day or 1/2 Day), based on the times entered. Used for pricing purposes. * For each room selected as part of the booking, search for and display the Capacity and the Unit Room Cost. The Unit Room Cost will be based on the Event Type for that room. * Calculate and display Total Room Costs for all rooms booked * For each item of equipment required for the booking, search for and display the Unit Equipment Cost. If the event type is a full day, then double the price. Calculate and display the Total Equipment Costs by multiplying the Unit Equipment Cost by the Quantity required. * Calculate and display the Total Cost of all Equipment * If beverages are required for the booking, search for and display the Price per Delegate for Beverages. Calculate Beverage Costs per Delegate by multiplying this price by the No. of Servings. Calculate the Total Beverage Costs as Beverage Costs per Delegate multiplied by No. of Delegates. * If food is required, search for and display the Price per Delegate for the food option. Calculate and display the Total Food Costs by multiplying the Food Costs per Delegate by the No. of Delegates. * Calculate the Net Quotation amount (the total amount of all the items booked, excluding VAT) * Look up the current VAT rate and calculate the VAT Amount for the quotation. * Calculate the Gross Quotation Amount * Save and store the event and quotation details 9. What output(s) is needed from the solution. The main output of the solution will be a quotation which is initially displayed on the screen, with an option to print a hard copy available. 10. What data needs to be stored? Customer Information: (Company name and address, contact details for event organiser) Event Details: (Event name, date, start finishing time, no. of delegates, total room costs, total equipment costs, total beverage costs, total food costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount) Store in a table that can be easily viewed. CLIENT REQUIREMENTS After interviewing Tony, and focussing on the problems that he currently faces with creating quotations, we agreed upon the requirements that the new solution must meet. The new solution must: * Provide data entry forms for entering details about bookings. These forms must allow entry of Customer details and the Event details * Provide an additional data entry form to enter general information, including catering items and prices, equipment items for hire and 1/2 day charges, and room charges for full and 1/2 day. Allow the VAT rate to be changeable, in case legislation changes. * Ensure each data entry form is easy to use, complete with data validation and a graphical user interface to minimise data entry mistakes and reduce typing. * All data entry screens must show the Welcome Centre logo, and follow the house style of the organisation in terms of using a red and white colour scheme. * Search for and display information entered automatically, so that the user does not have to keep flicking between different screens to remind themselves of prices or what they have previously entered. * Automatically calculate certain fields to save time and to reduce data input. These fields are: o Generate a unique 5 digit quotation no. o Quotation date o Event Type (Full Day or 1/2 Day), based on the times entered. Used for pricing purposes. o For each room selected as part of the booking, search for and display the Capacity and the Unit Room Cost. The Unit Room Cost will be based on the Event Type for that room. o Total Room Costs for all rooms booked o For each item of equipment required for the booking, search for and display the Unit Equipment Cost. If the event type is a full day, then double the price. Calculate and display the Total Equipment Costs by multiplying the Unit Equipment Cost by the Quantity required. o The Total Cost of all Equipment required forth booking. o Beverage Costs Per Delegate o Total Beverage Costs o Food Costs per Delegate o Total Food Costs o The Net Amount, VAT Amount and Gross Amount on the Quotation. * On different data entry forms, automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter * Ensure all booking information should only be entered once, and the quotation must be produced immediately based upon the booking information being entered, * Produce a Quotation that is professionally formatted, and looks very similar to the quotations he uses today. It must be displayed on the screen with an option to print a hard-copy. * Store the quotation and booking information for future use, in a table format that is easy to read. * Be easy to back-up, and must also be secure, so only authorised users can access the solution. WHAT THE SOLUTION HAS TO PRODUCE The solution must produce a quotation based upon the customer and booking information that is entered. The quotation must be professionally formatted, and look very similar to the quotations he uses today. It must be displayed on the screen with an option to print a hard-copy. The solution must also store a copy of the quotation and booking information, in a table format that is easy to read. HOW THE SOLUTION IS TO WORK From these requirements, I can see that spreadsheet software would be an appropriate design tool to use to implement the solution. The worksheets can be formatted to give the appearance of data entry screens, and you can use validation techniques and a limited graphical user interface to reduce keying and ultimately mistakes. Also, a worksheet can be formatted to look like a Quotation, and a table could be set up to store details for future use. Macros can also be used to automate features of the solution such as navigation and copying data to the storage table. INPUT, PROCESSING AND OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS INPUT REQUIREMENTS CUSTOMER DETAILS Fields to be input: Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode * Source of Data: From customers, either face-to-face, email, or telephone * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: All Text fields EVENT DETAILS Fields to be input: Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Grace Room Required?, Grace Room 1 Required?, Elegance Suite Required?, Serenity Suite Required? Video Projector Screen Qty, Data Projector Screen Qty, Flip Chart Qty, OHP Qty, PA Equipment Qty, Beverage Required?, No. of Servings, Food Option * Source of Data: From customers, either face-to-face, email, or telephone * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: Dates will be short dates, Room requirements will be tick boxes, No. of Delegates, No. of Servings and Qty fields will be numbers, food option will be a drop down box GENERAL INFORMATION Catering Table. Fields to be input: Food Price per Delegate Equipment Table Fields to be input: Equipment Price per 1/2 Day Room Table Fields to be input: Max. Capacity, Full Day Commercial Rate, 1/2 Day Commercial Rate VAT Table Fields to be input: VAT Rate % * Source of Data: The Welcome Centre, Government (for VAT Rates) * Input Method: Typed using keyboard * Type/ Format of Data: All rates and prices will be currency fields, Max. Capacity will be numerical and VAT Rate % will be a percentage field. PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS Process Details Calculate unique 5 digit Quotation No. Quotation No. = (Look up highest quotation no. in quotation table) + 1 Calculate Quotation Date Quotation Date = Todays date On different forms, automatically look-up and display details previously entered, without having to re-enter Lookup the following customer fields and redisplay on New Event data entry form: Quotation Id, Title, First Name, Surname, Company Name Event Type If (End Time Start Time) 3 hours Then Event Type = Half Day Else Event type = Full Day Look-up and display Capacity and Unit Room Cost for each room required for the booking Show Capacity: Lookup and show the Max. Capacity from the Rooms Table Show Unit Room Cost: Lookup and show the Commercial Rate for the room from the Rooms Table, depending on the Event Type (1/2 Day or Full Day price) Calculate Total Room Costs Total Room Costs = Add up the Unit Room Cost for each room selected for the booking Calculate Unit Equipment Cost for each item of equipment required for the booking Unit Equipment Cost = Lookup and show the Price per 1/2 Day for item, from the Equipment Table. If the Event Type is Full Day, then double the figure shown. Calculate Total Equipment Costs for each item of equipment required for the booking Total Equipment Costs = Unit Equipment Cost *Qty Calculate Total Cost of all Equipment Total Cost of all Equipment = Add up the Total Equipment Costs for each item of equipment selected for the booking. Calculate Beverage Costs per Delegate Beverage Costs per Delegate = (Price per Delegate for Beverages from the Catering Table) * No. of Servings Calculate Total Beverage Costs Total Beverage Costs = Beverage Costs per Delegate * No. of Delegates Calculate Food Costs per Delegate Food Costs per Delegate = Price per Delegate for Food selected, from the Catering Table Calculate Total Food Costs Total Food Costs = Food Costs per Delegate * No. of Delegates VAT Rate VAT Rate = Search for current VAT Rate from VAT table Net Total Net Total = Total Venue Cost + Total Equipment Cost + Total Beverages Cost + Total Food Cost VAT Amount VAT Amount = VAT Rate * Net Total Gross Total Gross Total = Net Total + VAT Amount Save and store the event and quotation details Copy Customer fields to Quotation Table: (Quotation Id, Quotation Date, Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode) Copy Event fields to Quotation Table: (Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Total Room Costs, Total Equipment Costs, Total Beverage Costs, Total Food Costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount) OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS QUOTATION The main output of the solution will be a quotation which is initially displayed on the screen, with an option to print a hard copy available. The quotation will be used by both the Welcome Centre and Customers. The Welcome Centre staff will use it to know what they will charge Customers for a particular booking, and it will therefore serve as the basis of the invoice. Customers will use it to know how much they are likely to pay for an event if nothing changes on the day. Details: The quotation must print on A4 paper, landscaped, and display the Welcome Centre logo, company registration no., registered office and contact details, VAT registration no., and VAT rate. Towards the bottom, it must clearly state: Please make cheques payable to C.L.M. Enterprises Ltd. The following fields must be shown on the Quotation: ADDRESS BLOCK: Title, First Name, Surname, Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode EVENT DETAILS: Quotation No., Quotation Date, Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates BOOKING DETAILS: Room names, Qty Required, Unit Cost, Subtotal Equipment, Qty Required, Unit Cost, Subtotal Beverages, No. of Delegates, Price per Delegate, Subtotal Food Option, No. of Delegates, Price per Delegate, Subtotal TOTALS: Net Total, VAT Amount, Gross Total STORAGE REQUIREMENTS The following Data needs to be stored in a single table: CUSTOMER DETAILS: Quotation No., Quotation Date, Title, First Name, Surname, Email Address, Telephone No., Company Name, Address Line 1, Address Line 2, Town, County, Postcode EVENT DETAILS: Event Name, Event Date, Start Time, End Time, No. of Delegates, Total Room Costs, Total Equipment Costs, Total Beverage Costs, Total Food Costs, Net Amount, VAT Amount, Gross Amount The data can be kept for up to 2 years before being archived. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE USER HARDWARE The Welcome Centre has a variety of different hardware available to be used. They have only just installed a network, which has been set-up complete with user accounts and passwords, shared folders, as well as private folders for individual users. The Welcome Centre should save the solution onto the network, as this will certainly meet the requirement of being able to keep the solution secure. The network is also backed up on a daily basis, onto a removable hard disk drive. This is removed from the premises every night, in case of fire. This will meet the requirement of being able to back-up the solution. Tony currently does not have a PC, but has access to a laptop if needed. Chris and Anita have their own PCs with access to the Network for file sharing and saving work. Laptops used for conferences are wireless enabled so that they can access the internet from any room if required. Each PC and laptop has its own DVD re-writer, which can read both CD and DVD media. They also have plenty of USB ports, and so can also use portable devices such as pen drives. In terms of printers, Anita has a dedicated multi-function printer attached locally to her PC. The printer is both an A4 Flatbed scanner (input device), as well as a colour Ink Jet printer (output device). Anita uses this machine for most of her small printing needs. However, all PCs and laptops have access to a networked, colour photocopier (output device). The photocopier serves both as a printer and a photocopier, and can print in both back and white and full colour. All PCs have keyboard and mice as their main input devices. SOFTWARE In terms of software available to be used, each computer has Windows XP installed as the operating system, and has have the Microsoft Office software suite that includes word-processing, spreadsheet, database, web browser, presentation and other software. This applications software is generic software, and is used by the Welcome Centre staff for a variety of business uses. Anita does have some specific software, which is an accounting package called Sage. This is used to manage all accounts as well as to process the employees payroll. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIRMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPER HARDWARE It makes sense for the solution to be developed on a standard PC, so that it imitates the environment in which the solution will be used. The processing power required to run the solution would be minimal, and so either a stand-alone PC/ laptop could be used to develop the solution or a networked PC. The PC must, however, have a monitor, mouse and keyboard. SOFTWARE The solution will be created in spreadsheet software called MS Excel. This software is generic software and can be used to effectively solve this problem. The users also have a good amount of experience in using the software, and so wont need a lot of additional training. Also, Excel is already installed on the end-users computers, and so there would be no further cost of buying more software. This spreadsheet software would be an appropriate design tool to use to implement the solution. The worksheets can be formatted to give the appearance of data entry screens, and you can use validation techniques and a limited graphical user interface to reduce keying and ultimately mistakes. Also, a worksheet can be formatted to look like a Quotation, and a table could be set up to store details for future use. Macros can also be used to automate features of the solution such as navigation and copying data to the storage table. This approach of using a software suite is more expensive than buying an integrated package. A software suite provides more functionality than an integrated package, such as being able to record macros and other more advanced features that may be needed to create the solution. Looking for a specific package isnt relevant in this case, as the requirements are too simple, but also very specialised. Therefore buying a specific package off the shelf would be an additional expense that the company doesnt really need.

Risk Due To The Availability Of Resources Construction Essay

Risk Due To The Availability Of Resources Construction Essay Risks are involved in all stage of the construction project. The construction risks will arise within the contract period and it may cause the Contractors failure to keep within the cost budget, failure to complete the work within the completion date and failure to achieve the quality requirement of work (Flanagan and Norman, 1993, p.8) ². The Contractors have the responsibilities to bear for the risks that arise during the construction period (Flanagan and Norman, 1993, p.183) ². Once the contract has been signed, the contractors have the responsibility to perform the project either the project is continue for better or for worse until the project is completed (Sayers, 1997, p.1) ³. Consequently, the Contractors cannot simply tender for a project without consider those risk that involved in the project. As a result of not recognized the risks, it may cause the Contractors to lose money or become bankrupt. The risk has the capacity of eroding profit and moving the project from a profit making into a loss-making venture. A Contractor can make a profit or loss at the end of the project is depending in how accurately the risks have been assessed. Thus, the Contractors have to consider the risk factors that involved in the project in order to make a decision on whether or not to tender the project. The tender price will be influence by the risk factors. The construction risks will cause the estimated tender sum difference with the actual cost of project. Therefore, during tendering for a project, a Contractor has to consider the risks factors that may occur during the construction stage in order to ensure they have the capability to carry out the work and making a profit margin at the end of the project. 1.2 Aim and Objectives This study aim is to understand the importance of managing the risks during tender stage. In order to achieve the aim, the following objectives are conducted to support the aim:- To determine the construction risk that may occur within the contract period that faced by the Contractors. To illustrate the consequence of the risk where the risks does not be managed at the tender stage. To identify the approach of managing the risk that faced by the Contractor. 1.3 Background Risk are involved in the all stage of a construction project due to the construction process period are long, the process are complicated, and costly. A risk can be managed, reduced, transferred, shared, and accepted, but it cannot be ignored (Dallas, 2008, p. 5) ¹. Moreover, the risk has an impact over the construction objectives which in term of cost, time, quality, safety and health and environmental (Flanagan and Norman, 1993, p.8) ². Thus, before the Contractors are going to tender for a project, they have to identified all the risk that face by him to measure the impact that against by him. In order to dealing with the risks, a risk management processes are recognized as a systems process which assists the Contractors to manage the construction risks. Risk management is one of the systematic ways to manage the risk or unwanted event which influence the outcome of the project. According to Smith et al. (2006, p.2)à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ ´, undertaken a risk management process in tender s tage can assist the Contractors to minimize the impact of the risk and making a better decision over the risk. By conducted the risk management process, it can assist the Contractors have the better understanding over the risks or problem. The risks will involve in each of the tender stage. During the estimating process, the risks factors will influence the tender price. The estimators have to ensure the risks are well pricing into the tender price. Consequently, the risk management process has to be conducted in the tender stage due to the risk management process can assist to make right decision over project. 1.4 Scope of study This study is focus on how the Malaysian private Contractor managing the risk before signed the contract for a project. The area of research is focus on Malaysian private Contractor. The scopes of this study including finding out the different type of the construction risk which may occur within the contract period and the consequence of those risk against the Contractor. A suitable approach of managing the construction must be provided in order to identify, analyze and response those risks. The questionnaire survey will conducted in order to enhance this study. This study will only focus on the group of the Malaysian private Contractor. 1.5 Research Methodology In this research, the main research methods used to complete this research are the literature review and data collection through the questionnaire survey which among the Malaysian private Contractors. The literature reviews in this research are conducted to support the objectives of this study. The resources of the literature review are from the books, journal articles, and internet sources. In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the literature review has focusing on the potential construction risk that encountered by the private Contractor, the effect to the construction against the Contractor and the approach of managing the construction risk that are required to carry out by the Contractor. Furthermore, the questionnaire survey will conducted among Malaysian private Contractor to enhance this study and achieve the objectives of this study. The questionnaire survey sent to the Contractor through either by hand, email and post. The main purpose of conduct the questionnaire survey is to obtain the information from the focusing groups of Malaysian private Contractors in order to investigate the construction risk that faced by them, the effect of construction risk among them and how the Contractor manage the construction risk. After the collected data from the questionnaire survey has been collected, then the collected data will be summarizing, arranging and analyzing by using the SPSS software. Moreover, a clear interpretation of the result will be conducted to support this study. 1.6 Structure of the Dissertation This study contains of 5 chapters and each of the chapter had summarizing as follows: Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter highlights the main reason that the Contractors have to carry out risk management during the tender stage. The aim and objectives and background of this study has determined in this chapter. Chapter 2: Literature Review This chapter discussed on the potential risk that encountered by the Contractor, the consequence of construction risk against the Contractor, importance of managed risk in tender stage, and the approach of manage the risk in tender stage and construction stage. Chapter 3: Research Methodology and Questionnaire Structuring This chapter identified the method and material that used in this study. The research method of this study will be well interpreted in this chapter. Chapter 4: Data Analysis This chapter summarized, arranged and analyzed the collected data and conduct a clearly interpretation on the result of the collected data. Chapter 5: Conclusion This chapter summarized the outline and the finding of this study, and recommend on this study for future research. ` 1.7 Reference Dallas, M. F. 2006. Value and risk management: A guide to best practice. UK: Blackwell. p.5. Flanagan, R and Norman, G. 1993. Risk management and construction. London: Blackwell. p.8, 183. Sayers, P. 1997. Competitive tendering, management and reality: Achieving value for money. London: E Fn Spon. p.1. Smith, N.J., Merna, T. and Joling, P. 1999. Managing risk in construction project. Oxford: Blackwell Science. p.2. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Overview of various type of risks in construction project that faced by Contractors This chapter discussed on the potential risk that may occur during the contract period. The definition of risk and the various types of the risks and its consequence over the project will be discussed on this chapter. 2.1.1 Definition of risks Risks that involved in the construction project can be described as the probability of occur something or occur some unwanted or unfavorable event which that will has an impact over the project (Mostata Ghadak Zadeh, 2010, p.9). Flanagan and Norman (1993, p.8) emphasized that, risk is an uncertain event the may cause a construction project failure to keep within the objective of project which in term of cost, time, quality, safety and environmental sustainability. Moreover, Begum Ongel (2009) stated that, risks can be described as the unforeseen event that might be occur in the future and may have negative consequences over the project objectives. The construction risk can be described as an uncertainty or probability of occurrence of something that has an impact over the project outcome as shown as Figure 2.1. Figure 2.1: The Concept of the risk (Source: Merna and A-Thani, 2008, p.8) Merna and A-Thani (2008, p.13) suggested that, the risk can be described into 3 categorized:- Known risk- The known risk can be described as the risks that happen every day on construction industry. Basically, the known risk will be the variation work and the inflation in construction resource costs. Those known risk will cause the additional work needed to be carry out and delay for the work. If the known risk has happen in the construction stage, then those work will usually covered by the contingency sum of the contract. Known unknowns- The known unknowns are the risk event that can be predicted or foreseen. The effect of the known unknowns and their probability of occurrence will be easily to be known. Unknown unknowns- The unknown unknowns are the risk that cannot easily be predicted. Generally, those events that cannot be easily foreseen are the force majeure event. 2.1.2 Type of risk in tender stage According to Odeyinka et al (2006), the risk sources in the construction industry that are occur during the tender stage are including the estimating risks, design risks, tender evaluation risks and the competitive tendering risks. Moreover, Cooke and Williams (2009, p.123) mentioned that, the risk factors that require to consider by the Contractors during the tender stage are including the tender risks, quantity risks, subcontractors risks, design risks, programme schedule risks, method risks, health and safety risks, and documentation risks. 2.1.2.1 Design risks Poor design can cause the Contractors bid be influenced and affecting the ability to win the project. The Contractors have the responsibility for the quality of work. 2.1.2.2 Estimating error risks During the preparation of the tender price, the estimators may estimate wrongly or make some mistake on quantities of the work. Thus, this will influence the accuracy of the tender price. According to Cooke and Williams (2009, p.123), the Contractors are require to assess the accuracy of the quantities in the bills of quantities. In case of the quantity error is done in the bills, the Contractors have to accept the error and bear for the losses after the contract award to the Contractors. 2.1.2.3 Competitive tendering risks In traditional tender process, the tender will awarded by the lowest bidder. Many of the Contractors will try to lower down the tender price in order to winning the bid. In this case, the Contractors may not have sufficient resource to complete or carry out the work. Consequently, lose the profit margin. 2.1.2.4 Documentation risks According to Cooke and Williams (2009, p.125), clarity of tender documentation is important. The Contractors requires referring the tender documentation such as the drawing and specification carefully in order to price accurately. Cooke and Williams (2009, p.125) stated that, the Contractors require to refer to the tender documentation very carefully in order to assess implication of onerous contract term, clauses deleted from standard contracts, high levels of liquidated damages, unrealistic contract period, possible innovation of the design and contract bonds and guarantees required. 2.1.2.5 Method risks The Contractors choice of construction method is one of the important decisions during the tender stage. Cooke and Williams (2009, p.125) mentioned that, the Contractors choice of construction method can win the contract but it may cause risks over the project. One of the example is that the type of the earthwork support required may be require more expensive earthwork support to support the foundation in case of week site condition. 2.1.2.6 Subcontractors risks 2.1.2.7 Health and safety risks 2.1.3 Type of risks in construction stage The construction risks are the risks that occur during the construction stage. According to Nafisah Binti Abdul Rahiman (2006, p.24), the construction risks are the unforeseen or unwanted events that occur within the construction period. Flanagan and Norman (1993, p.) stated that, the risk are involved in the construction project due to the construction activities process are taken long duration, complicated, influenced by environment factor and costly. According to Boussabaine and Richard (2004, p.180), the construction risks has an affect the over the cost, time and work quality of the project. During the construction stage, the Contractors have the responsibility to bear for the risk. Thus, the Contractors are requiring focusing on the construction risk that may face by them in order to reduce the effect against them. Boussabaine and Richard (2004, pp.181-184) mentioned that, the construction risks that face by the Contractors during the construction period are including the avail ability of resources risks, industrial disruption risks, productivity of labour and plant and machinery risks, safety and health risks, performance of subcontractor risks, poor workmanship risks, schedule programme accuracy risks, capability of the contractors risks, materials or components risks, site condition risks, unfavorable weather conditions risks, quantities of work risks, price inflation risks and etc. 2.1.3.1 Risk due to the availability of resources The availability of material, labour and plant and machinery will influence the construction cost be increased. The price of the material, labour and plant and machinery are expensive in the condition of those resources are not readily available in the area of the construction site. It may require the extra transportation fees to deliver the material and plant and machinery to the construction site. Moreover, when the certain labour is not readily available in the area of the construction site, it may require employing them from an area where such labour is available. 2.1.3.2 Risk due to industrial disruption The industrial disruption risk may occur due to the strike action among the labour. The strike event may occur when the labour is unwilling to follow any matter that instruct by the Contractor. In this case, the construction work will be delayed and cannot be completed within the completed date. Consequently, the Contractors suffer the losses of paying for the cost to settle down the strike event and pay the liquidated damage over the delayed work. 2.1.3.3 Risk due to the productivity of labour and plant and machinery The productivity of labour and plant and machinery is important due to it may caused the work be delayed. The Contractors can provide the training for the labour to increase labours productivity and provide adequate maintenance for the plant and machinery to ensure the plant and machinery operate efficiently. 2.1.3.4 Risk due to safety and health The safety and health risk will occur due to the impact of hazards which involved in construction site. Risk of accidents is occurring during the construction period and that cause the personal injury. The Contractors are required to compensate for the labour in case of the labour are injured during carry out the construction work. The Contractor has the responsibility to ensure the construction site is safety. Consequently, the Contractors have to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act in order to reduce the accident risk during the construction stage. 2.1.3.5 Risk due to the subcontractors coordination In case of the subcontractors are fail to coordinate the work plan correctly, it can lead to work be delayed and cost be overrun. Moreover, the specialist subcontractors work can account a high percentage of the overall capital cost. Thereby, the effect of the specialist subcontractors are fail to coordinate the work on the overall project is of a greater magnitude. 2.1.3.6 Risk due to poor workmanship The poor workmanship can cause the quality of construction work is not meet with the standard requirement. A Contractor has the responsibilities to ensure the construction work is meet and according to the contract requirement. In case of the quality of work are not meet with the standard requirement, the Contractors may require to reconstruct the work and to rectify the work by his own cost. 2.1.3.7 Risk due to project programme accuracy Sometime the process of the actual work will not keep within project schedule and plan. Failure on scheduling the time, unforeseen delay in material delivery, plant and labour availability will lead to cost overruns and work be delayed. 2.1.3.8 Risk due to capability of the contractors The Contractors have to ensure he has sufficient capital and resource in order to carry out the work. The Contractors must consider the size of the project in order to ensure that he has sufficient resource to carry out the work of the project. Besides, the Contractor must ensure that the type of project is the work that he has the experience and he has performed the similar type of work in the past. This is to ensure the Contractors can carry out the project successfully. 2.1.3.9 Risk due to the materials or components The Contractors have the responsibilities to ensure the works meet with the quality requirement. Failure in maintain the components of the work can lead to expensive maintenance cost. Thus, the Contractors have to ensure the quality of the material and be careful on selecting the material. 2.1.3.10 Risk due to differing site condition Sometime the actual site condition may different with the expectation condition. The type of the earthwork support may require support by an expensive foundation as the ground condition of site is weak. An investigation of the site condition should be conducted in order to reduce the differing site condition risks. 2.1.3.11 Risk due to unfavorable weather conditions Weather is an unforeseen risk during the construction period and it will cause delay of work. Moreover, the adverse weather will damage the components and element in the construction site. Thus, the Contractors should provide regular updates of weather in order to ensure the work plan can be altered due to the adverse weather condition can interrupt the work programme. 2.1.3.12 Risk due to quantities of work The Contractors has to bear for the loss due to the quantity in the bill of quantities is not accuracy. It will cause the construction cost and time overrun if the quantity work is subsequently reduce (Cooke and Williams, 2009, p.123). Moreover, the differences between the actual and planned work will lead to cost and time be overrun. 2.1.3.13 Price inflation risks The price inflation is means a persistent rise in the price of the construction resources such as the cost of material, transportation fees, cost of labour and cost of plant or machineries. The inflation on the price of construction resources is difficult to forecasting. During the recession, the price of resources may be increased and this may cause that the Contractors to losses a lot of money. 2.1.3.14 Design risks The design risks are the risks that involved in a concept design or a detailed. According to Jackson (2010, p. 313), the Contractors are responsible for the design and in those cases it is critically important that design risks are given serious review and consideration in the overall risk mitigation plan. The design risks may influence the Contractors ability to construct the project on time, within budget, and within the quality requirement. To continue with Jackson (2010, p. 314), the design risks that may faced by the Contractors are including the followings:- Poor quality and inadequate of the design drawing or specifications The information and detail of drawing and specification that needed to construct the construction works are not completed, inaccurate, or unavailable. The Contractors are require to obtain the drawing or information from the Architect, thus, delay on work be occurred. Noncompliance with the design standard The design of the project does not meet with the standard requirement, building code or the other regulations. In case of the Contractors are build according to the design the not meet with the standard requirement, building code or the other regulations, it may cause the Contractors fail to keep within the quality of the works. Changes in design standard or regulation requirement The regulatory requirement in place at the commencing of the project may change during construction stage. Variation on design The Client changes the design during the construction stage. The contractors are require extra time carry out the variation work, thus, delay on time. Inaccuracies associated with supplemental design information. The information of the soil report, environmental report and etc that provide by the Architect to the Contractors is not accurate. Latent design defects affecting Contractors warranty Defective design details that result in flawed construction after occupancy of the facility such as a roof flashing leaks because of poor design. Jackson (2010, p.314) stated that, The Contractors are require to do some background investigation about the Architect and Engineer before tender the project which in case of the Contractors not familiar with the Architect or the Engineer who designed the project. This is to ensure that the quality of works that the Architect or Engineer produces in order to reduce the design risks. 2.1.3.15 Political risks According to Jackson (2010, p.317), the political risks can be described as third-party risks which the Contractors are usually have least amount of control over it. Although the Contractors are aware that the political risks are exist, but there is no ways to accurately predict how various jurisdictions and agencies will act. Contractors are required try to anticipate the political risks that may affect the ability to fulfill the expected contract requirement before submit a bid. According to Jackson (2010, p.317), the political that involved in the construction project are including the followings:- Changes in law Change in sales tax or other tax structures that increase in sales or use taxes will impact material costs Constraints on the accessibility and employment of expatriate staff 2.1.3.16 Environmental risks Environmental risk is an important issue that the Contractors are requires to concerns due to it may influence the cost and time of the construction project. The material and chemicals that used at the construction project may cause the pollution over the surrounding area. Moreover, the environmental risks are the risks that the Contractors have less control over it. According to Jackson (2010, p. 319), the environmental issues that can influence Contractors budget and schedule planning which are including the followings:- Environmental permits and approvals The environmental permits and approval are cannot be getting on the planned time due to the environmental permits and approvals are delayed or require more time to negotiate than expected. Hazardous materials or site contamination The unknown hazardous materials or site contaminates be found after the construction work has commenced. Archeological findings The unknown artifacts are founded or an unknown burial site or cemetery is unearthed during the construction period, that may requiring the construction work to stop. Endangered species The project has known or unknown endangered species sightings that will require protection and special care during construction. Wetlands, coastal protection or flood plain issues Wetlands, coastlines or flood plain are require the special protection, thus can influence the construction approach. According to Osborn and Schreyer (1988, p.1), before the construction project commencing, the Contractors are require to appreciate the potential for additional costs due to the existence of hazardous substances and other environment concerns. 2.1.3.17 Financial risks According to Jackson (2010, p.317), the financial risks can be described as the risks that associated with the Contractors own financial position. The Contractors are required to maintain sufficient working during project execution, thus the financial standing of the Contractors are require be good. The financing risks that faced by the Contractors are including the followings:- Contractors cash flow In case of the Contractors have insufficient of the credit can cause delays in supplying the material, late payment to subcontractor. It may cause the construction work be delayed and the subcontractor not willing to carry out the work. Interest rate increases In case of the borrowing money from bank by the Contractors to fund the project, once the interest rate is increased it would have an adverse effect on the project. Insufficient Client funds If the Clients is unable to make payment on time to the Contractors, then it will causing the Contractors do not have sufficient cash flow to fund the project. Subcontractor or supplier bankruptcy In case of the bankruptcy of the subcontractors or suppliers, the Contractors are requiring to hire another subcontractors or suppliers to take over the job. Thus, it may cause delays, cost overruns for the project. 2.2 The importance of managing risk in tender stage This chapter discussed the various reasons for the Contractor to managing the risk in the early stage of the project which at the tender stage and the consequences of the risks that against the Contractors. 2.2.1 Why should the risk be managed at the tender stage According to Boyce (2003, p.6), during the tender stage, a risk management should be undertaken in order to look at the potential problem on preparing an attractive bid on time, to winning the project, and to consider whether or not the project can be completed successfully. By providing the risk management process during the tender stage, the potential risk and problem can be identified and forecasted. Thus, a mitigation risk plan can be conducted to avoid and reduce arise during the construction stage. A risk management process has to provide at the tender stage which when there is still has a possibility for fundamental changes of any decision (Anna Klemetti, 2006, p.24). To tender for a contract will costs a lot of money and therefore the Contractors cannot simply accept to bid a contract without consider of any risk factors and profit potential in the project (Cooke and Williams, 2004). Boussabaine and Richard (2004, p. 181) emphasized that, the Contractors has to bears and take on the risk that occur during the construction stage. Thus, this is important for the Contractors to aware of all the construction risks that faced by him before the contract is being signed. The main objectives of the construction project will likely to be influence by the construction risk (Smith et al., 2006, p.2). The risks will cause the Contractors failure to keep within the cost budget, failure to complete the work within the completion date and failure to achieve the quality requirement of work (Flanagan and Norman, 1993, p.8).As a result of this, the Contractors need to recognize the risk involved in the project and manage the risks at tender stage in order to ensure the objectives of the project are achieved over the contract period. Moreover, the Contractors have to make the right decision on whether or not to tender the project. Once the contract was signed, the Contractors have to bear for all risk that involved the project until the project is completed (Sayers, 1997, p.1). The Contractors will face two risks during they tender for the project which are the risk of losing the project and the risk of winning the project (Boyce, 2003, p.9). Once the Contractors have winning the project, the Contractors have started to perform the contract. In case of awarded a project that is difficult to be completed or managed, it may cause the Contractors suffer for losing their financial or reputation (Boyce, 2003, p.9). According to Smith et al. (2006, p.94), the risk management process can help the Contractors to concern on the decision of to or not to bid for the project. Consequently, the decision that make by the Contractors are very important due to the risks may cause the Contractors to lose money or become bankrupt. During preparation of the tender price, the risk will influence the accuracy of the tender sum. The estimating risk can cause the Contractors to lose money or become bankrupt in case of the tender price was pricing wrong. The risk has the capacity of eroding profit and moving the project from a profit making into a loss-making venture. A Contractor can make a profit or loss at the end of the project is depending in how accurately the risks have been assessed. Smith et al. (2006, p.2) mentioned that, the risk management provides a better reviewing, understood, consideration over the project issues. To continues with Smith et al. (2006, p.94), a lack of understanding the risk may cause the Contractors pricing the tender price wrongly and as a result of this the additional cost will required to pay by the Contractors. Smith et al. (2006, p.193) suggested that, the risk management is used in the project due to it provide the following benefits:- To assist Contractors to aware of the risk that involved in the project and impact of the risks. Thus, the Contractors can focus on minimizing the risk or try to allocate risks to the other parties. To assist the Contractors to provide better decision over the potential risks or problem. To provides a better understanding of the risks or problem. To provide a better understanding over the project detail. This may assists Contractors to provide the realistic plan in term of programme schedule and cost estimate. To gives knowledge of the risk in projects. This may allow assessment of contingencies that actually reflect the risks and also tend to discourage the acceptance of financially unsound project. To provide the better management over the major risks that involved in the project. According to Burtonshaw-Gunn (2009, p.21), the risk management can assist the Contractor on the following:- To plan and taken necessary action to reduce the risk before the risk has been occur and assist the Co

Essay on Adams Curse - Everyones Fate, Everyones Tragedy

Adam's Curse - Everyone's Fate, Everyone's Tragedy  Ã‚  Ã‚   The allusion to the biblical story of Adam and Eve in William Butler Yeats' poem, "Adam's Curse," reflects the poem's pessimistic theme: the tragic nature of fate. In the story, Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, had defied God, and consequently, were thrown out of paradise. Their punishment (and as their descendents, everyone's punishment and "fate") was to feel the joys and the pains of being human, including love and happiness but work and disappointment as well. Yeats parallels this tragedy of Adam and Eve's newly-found mortality with a narrative which is composed mostly of a conversation about the hardships of writing poetry, being beautiful, and staying in love. By linking the two stories, he implies that such endeavors are not only laborious aspects of life, but can be "destined" to end or fail also. Yeats further establishes the inevitability of something ending by setting the conversation "at one summer's end" (1) and later having the speakers see "the last embers of day light die" (29) when the conversation itself dies. Before the conversation dies, however, Yeats' persona begins the talk with the subject of poetry. What is interesting is that they are not composing lines together, but are discussing the end results of poems' lines. According to the persona, the process of creating poetry, including the hours spent in writing and rewriting the lines, or as Yeats states it, "stitching and unstitching" (6), ultimately will be insignificant if the lines are unsuccessful. Although he regards the act of writing poetry as more difficult than physical labor, he would rather "scrub a kitchen pavement" (8) or do other labor-intensive, yet demeaning jobs, than cr... ...s despair in accepting that his and his lover's fate was to grow "As weary-hearted as that hollow moon" (38). The fact that this line, and not a happy, upbeat ending, closes the poem further emphasizes the tragedy. Yeats' somber turn towards the end of the poem is also indicative of what makes fate sometimes tragic: its unpredictability. Similar to the way Adam was unaware of the consequences of eating the forbidden apple, a poet does not know how good, or bad, a poem will be until it is finished. Similar to the fleeting notion of beauty, love can easily fade. The fact that all these endeavors could be rewarding makes the sudden loss an unbearable, and therefore, "tragic" fate.   Work Cited Yeats, William Butler. "Adam's Curse." Western Wind. 4th ed. Ed. John Frederick Nims and David Mason. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2000. 431-32.      

herody Little Heroism in Homers Odyssey Essay -- Odyssey essays

Little Heroism in Homer's Odyssey      Ã‚   "Could I forget that kingly man, Odysseus?   There is no mortal half so wise; no mortal gave so much to the lords of the open sky." proclaims Zeus, the king of all gods in Homer's The Odyssey.   He, among countless others, harbors high regards for Odysseus, the mastermind of the Trojan War turned lost sailor.   However, the epic poem is sprinkled with the actions of gods and goddesses pushing Odysseus towards his path home to Ithaka, giving the mortal war hero little exposure to the limelight.   So when does all the high and mighty talk of Odysseus' power prove true?   Only in the absence of godly intervention can the title character live up to his name.   In Homer's The Odyssey, excessive reliance on the gods' assistance weakens the overall effect of Odysseus as the hero; while, as a break from the norm, Odysseus' single-handed defeat of the Kyklops Polyphà ªmos adds true suspense to the story as well as merit to Odysseus' character.    The gods interfere with Odysseus on his quest in one of two ways, for the better or for the worse.   Zeus, Athena, Hermà ªs, Persephone, and the Nereid Ino all help Odysseus return home.   On the other hand, Poseidon and Hà ªlios, the embodiment of the sun, hinder his journey home.   While the nymph Kalypso and the witch Kirkà ª balance between helping and hindering.   Athena, the goddess of wisdom and daughter of Zeus, plays the most crucial role in the story.   Odysseus' patron goddess practically weaves the outcomes with her own fingers.   At the very beginning, Athena pleads for Zeus to offer help to Odysseus, who is trapped on Kalypso's island.   "O Father of us all, if it now please the blissful gods that wise Odysseus reach his home agai... ... for this to happen.   The sweat-inducing suspense and the thickening of Odysseus' originally paper-thin character make Book IX the highlight of the beginning half of The Odyssey.   The chapter's success can be attributed to the lack of godly intervention.   Moreover, as the Kyklops' one eye is his most valuable feature, then Book IX of The Odyssey, devoid of divine intervention, is the epic's most valuable chapter.    Works Consulted: Bloom, Harold.   Homer's Odyssey: Edited and with an Introduction, NY, Chelsea House 1988 Crane, Gregory.   Backgrounds and Conventions of the Odyssey,   Frankfurt, Athenaeum 1988 Heubeck, Alfred, J.B. Hainsworth, et al. A commentary on Homer's Odyssey. 3 Vols. Oxford PA4167 .H4813 1988 Homer. The Odyssey. Trans. Robert Fagles. New York: 1996 Tracy, Stephen V. The Story of the Odyssey Princeton UP 1990   

The Spanish-American War :: American History Essays Spain Papers

Throughout history, there have been many wars that have been caused by many different reasons. Also, the effects of the wars may greatly impact, good or bad, either side of the fight. One great war in history of the United States was the Spanish-American War of 1898. The Spanish-American War was caused by many things. The war has left a lasting effect of both countries involved, the United States and Spain. Both Spain and the United States were greatly impacted by the war. The Spanish-American War was not started by one thing in particular. It was because of a large amount of reasons that built up until it erupted in war. It started with the explosion of the USS Maine. When Spain sent in General â€Å"Butcher† Weyler to stabilize the situation in Cuba, he put the majority of the population into concentration camps. The US sent the Maine to protect its investments there. The USS Maine was on a â€Å"friendly† mission to wait and rescue any US citizens that may be hurt in the conflict. At 4:40 pm on February 15, 1898, the Maine exploded and sank in Havana Harbor. The source of the explosion was not known. Some thought that it may have been from a Spanish mine. Others thought there may have been a spy on board the ship sent to destroy it. Even though the United States said it might have been an accident on board, the US citizens were sent into a frenzy by â€Å"yellow journalism† that was published by men like Pulitzer and Hearst. The information posted by these yellow journalist increased the anti-Spanish feelings and made more and more people favor war. Also, when Congress passed the Fifty Million Dollar bill, which gave the president 50 million dollars to prepare for a war before it is declared, it made people more and more ready for a war and it also made them support it. Many countries in Europe tried to intervene in the situation without actually getting involved into the conflict. Most of Europe expressed sympathy for Spain and tried to talk to the US, but they would not support Spain in the conflict or in the event of a war. Also, Great Britain supported the United States all through the war and gave them advice. The two countries became uneasy as they both began to prepare their army and navy for a war in the sea and on land.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 26. Shiny

â€Å"I don't know how much we should tell Renee about this,† Charlie said, hesitating with one foot out the door. He stretched, and then his stomach growled. I nodded. â€Å"I know, i don't want to freak her out. Better to protect her. This stuff isn't for the fainthearted.† His lips twisted up to the side ruefully. â€Å"I would have tried to protect you, too, if I'd known how. But I guess you've never fit into the fainthearted category, have you?† I smiled back, pulling a blazing breath in through my teeth. Charlie patted his stomach absently. â€Å"I'll think of something. We've got time to discuss this, right?† â€Å"Right,† I promised him. It had been a long day in some ways, and so short in others. Charlie was late for dinner – Sue Clearwater was cooking for him and Billy. That was going to be an awkward evening, but at least he'd be eating real food; I was glad someone was trying to keep him from starving due to his lack of cooking ability. All day the tension had made the minutes pass slowly; Charlie had never relaxed the stiff set of his shoulders. But he'd been in no hurry to leave, either. He'd watched two whole games – thankfully so absorbed in his thoughts that he was totally oblivious to Emmett's suggestive jokes that got more pointed and less football-related with each aside – and the after-game commentaries, and then the news, not moving until Seth had reminded him of the time. â€Å"You gonna stand Billy and my mom up, Charlie? C'mon. Bella and Nessie'll be here tomorrow. Let's get some grub, eh?† It had been clear in Charlie's eyes that he hadn't trusted Seth's assessment, but he'd let Seth lead the way out. The doubt was still there as he paused now. The clouds were thinning, the rain gone. The sun might even make an appearance just in time to set. â€Å"Jake says you guys were going to take off on me,† he muttered to me now. â€Å"I didn't want to do that if there was any way at all around it. That's why we're still here.† â€Å"He said you could stay for a while, but only if I'm tough enough, and if I can keep my mouth shut.† â€Å"Yes†¦ but I can't promise that we'll never leave, Dad. It's pretty complicated___† â€Å"Need to know,† he reminded me. â€Å"Right.† â€Å"You'll visit, though, if you have to go?† â€Å"I promise, Dad. Now that you know/usf enough, I think this can work. I'll keep as close as you want.† He chewed on his lip for half a second, then leaned slowly toward me with his arms cautiously extended. I shifted Renesmee – napping now – to my left arm, locked my teeth, held my breath, and wrapped my right arm very lightly around his warm, soft waist. â€Å"Keep real close, Bells,† he mumbled. â€Å"Real close.† â€Å"Love you, Dad,† I whispered through my teeth. He shivered and pulled away. I dropped my arm. â€Å"Love you, too, kid. Whatever else has changed, that hasn't.† He touched one finger to Renesmee's pink cheek. â€Å"She sure looks a lot like you.† I kept my expression casual, though I felt anything but. â€Å"More like Edward, I think.† I hesitated, and then added, â€Å"She has your curls.† Charlie started, then snorted. â€Å"Huh. Guess she does. Huh. Grandpa.† He shook his head doubtfully. â€Å"Do I ever get to hold her?† I blinked in shock and then composed myself. After considering for a half second and judging Renesmee's appearance – she looked completely out – I decided that I might as well push my luck to the limit, since things were going so well today___ â€Å"Here,† I said, holding her out to him. He automatically made an awkward cradle with his arms, and I tucked Renesmee into it. His skin wasn't quite as hot as hers, but it made my throat tickle to feel the warmth flowing under the thin membrane. Where my white skin brushed him it left goose bumps. I wasn't sure if this was a reaction to my new temperature or totally psychological. Charlie grunted quietly as he felt her weight. â€Å"She's†¦ sturdy.† I frowned. She felt feather-light to me. Maybe my measure was off. â€Å"Sturdy is good,† Charlie said, seeing my expression. Then he muttered to himself, â€Å"She'll need to be tough, surrounded by all this craziness.† He bounced his arms gently, swaying a little from side to side. â€Å"Prettiest baby I ever saw, including you, kid. Sorry, but it's true.† â€Å"I know it is.† â€Å"Pretty baby,† he said again, but it was closer to a coo this time. I could see it in his face – I could watch it growing there. Charlie was just as helpless against her magic as the rest of us. Two seconds in his arms, and already she owned him. â€Å"Can I come back tomorrow?† â€Å"Sure, Dad. Of course. We'll be here.† â€Å"You'd better be,† he said sternly, but his face was soft, still gazing at Renesmee. â€Å"See you tomorrow, Nessie.† â€Å"Not you, too!† â€Å"Huh?† â€Å"Her name is Renesmee. Like Renee and Esme, put together. No variations.† I struggled to calm myself without the deep breath this time. â€Å"Do you want to hear her middle name?† â€Å"Sure.† â€Å"Carlie. With a C. Like Carlisle and Charlie put together.† Charlie's eye-creasing grin lit up his face, taking me off guard. â€Å"Thanks, Bells.† â€Å"Thank you, Dad. So much has changed so quickly. My head hasn't stopped spinning. If I didn't have you now, I don't know how I'd keep my grip on – on reality.† I'd been about to say my grip on who I was. That was probably more than he needed. Charlie's stomach growled. â€Å"Go eat, Dad. We will be here.† I remembered how it felt, that first uncomfortable immersion in fantasy – the sensation that everything would disappear in the light of the rising sun. Charlie nodded and then reluctantly returned Renesmee to me. He glanced past me into the house; his eyes were a little wild for a minute as he stared around the big bright room. Everyone was still there, besides Jacob, who I could hear raiding the refrigerator in the kitchen; Alice was lounging on the bottom step of the staircase with Jasper's head in her lap; Carlisle had his head bent over a fat book in his lap; Esme was humming to herself, sketching on a notepad, while Rosalie and Emmett laid out the foundation for a monumental house of cards under the stairs; Edward had drifted to his piano and was playing very softly to himself. There was no evidence that the day was coming to a close, that it might be time to eat or shift activities in preparation for evening. Something intangible had changed in the atmosphere. The Cullens weren't trying as hard as they usually did – the human charade had slipped ever so slightly, enough for Charlie to feel the difference. He shuddered, shook his head, and sighed. â€Å"See you tomorrow, Bella.† He frowned and then added, â€Å"I mean, it's not like you don't look†¦ good. I'll get used to it.† â€Å"Thanks, Dad.† Charlie nodded and walked thoughtfully toward his car. I watched him drive away; it wasn't until I heard his tires hit the freeway that I realized I'd done it. I'd actually made it through the whole day without hurting Charlie. All by myself. I must have a superpower! It seemed too good to be true. Could I really have both my new family and some of my old as well? And I'd thought that yesterday had been perfect. â€Å"Wow,† I whispered. I blinked and felt the third set of contact lenses disintegrate. The sound of the piano cut off, and Edward's arms were around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. â€Å"You took the word right out of my mouth.† â€Å"Edward, i did it!† â€Å"You did. You were unbelievable. All that worrying over being a newborn, and then you skip it altogether.'7He laughed quietly. â€Å"I'm not even sure she's really a vampire, let alone a newborn,† Emmett called from under the stairs. â€Å"She's too tame.† All the embarrassing comments he'd made in front of my father sounded in my ears again, and it was probably a good thing I was holding Renesmee. Unable to help my reaction entirely, I snarled under my breath. â€Å"Oooo, scary,† Emmett laughed. I hissed, and Renesmee stirred in my arms. She blinked a few times, then looked around, her expression confused. She sniffed, then reached for my face. â€Å"Charlie will be back tomorrow,† I assured her. â€Å"Excellent,† Emmett said. Rosalie laughed with him this time. â€Å"Not brilliant, Emmett,† Edward said scornfully, holding out his hands to take Renesmee from me. He winked when I hesitated, and so, a little confused, I gave her to him. â€Å"What do you mean?† Emmett demanded. â€Å"It's a little dense, don't you think, to antagonize the strongest vampire in the house?† Emmett threw his head back and snorted. â€Å"Please!† â€Å"Bella,† Edward murmured to me while Emmett listened closely, â€Å"do you remember a few months ago, I asked you to do me a favor once you were immortal?† That rang a dim bell. I sifted through the blurry human conversations. After a moment, I remembered and I gasped, â€Å"Oh!† Alice trilled a long, pealing laugh. Jacob poked his head around the corner, his mouth stuffed with food. â€Å"What?† Emmett growled. â€Å"Really?† I asked Edward. â€Å"Trust me,† he said. I took a deep breath. â€Å"Emmett, how do you feel about a little bet?† He was on his feet at once. â€Å"Awesome. Bring it.† I bit my lip for a second. He was just so huge. â€Å"Unless you're too afraid†¦ ?† Emmett suggested. I squared my shoulders. â€Å"You. Me. Arm-wrestling. Dining room table. Now.† Emmett's grin stretched across his face. â€Å"Er, Bella,† Alice said quickly, â€Å"I think Esme is fairly fond of that table. It's an antique.† â€Å"Thanks,† Esme mouthed at her. â€Å"No problem,† Emmett said with a gleaming smile. â€Å"Right this way, Bella.† I followed him out the back, toward the garage; I could hear all the others trailing behind. There was a largish granite boulder standing up out of a tumble of rocks near the river, obviously Emmett's goal. Though the big rock was a little rounded and irregular, it would do the job. Emmett placed his elbow on the rock and waved me forward. I was nervous again as I watched the thick muscles in Emmett's arm roll, but I kept my face smooth. Edward had promised I would be stronger than anyone for a while. He seemed very confident about this, and I felt strong. That strong? I wondered, looking at Emmett's biceps. I wasn't even two days old, though, and that ought to count for something. Unless nothing was normal about me. Maybe I wasn't as strong as a normal newborn. Maybe that's why control was so easy for me. I tried to look unconcerned as I set my elbow against the stone. â€Å"Okay, Emmett. I win, and you cannot say one more word about my sex life to anyone, not even Rose. No allusions, no innuendos – no nothing.† His eyes narrowed. â€Å"Deal. I win, and it's going to get a lot worse.† He heard my breath stop and grinned evilly. There was no hint of bluff in his eyes. â€Å"You gonna back down so easy, little sister?† Emmett taunted. â€Å"Not much wild about you, is there? I bet that cottage doesn't have a scratch.† He laughed. â€Å"Did Edward tell you how many houses Rose and I smashed?† I gritted my teeth and grabbed his big hand. â€Å"One, two – â€Å" â€Å"Three,† he grunted, and shoved against my hand. Nothing happened. Oh, I could feel the force he was exerting. My new mind seemed pretty good at all kinds of calculations, and so I could tell that if he wasn't meeting any resistance, his hand would have pounded right through the rock without difficulty. The pressure increased, and I wondered randomly if a cement truck doing forty miles an hour down a sharp decline would have similar power. Fifty miles an hour? Sixty? Probably more. It wasn't enough to move me. His hand shoved against mine with crushing force, but it wasn't unpleasant. It felt kind of good in a weird way. I'd been so very careful since the last time I woke up, trying so hard not to break things. It was a strange relief to use my muscles. To let the strength flow rather than struggling to restrain it. Emmett grunted; his forehead creased and his whole body strained in one rigid line toward the obstacle of my unmoving hand. I let him sweat – figuratively – for a moment while I enjoyed the sensation of the crazy force running through my arm. A few seconds, though, and I was a little bored with it. I flexed; Emmett lost an inch. I laughed. Emmett snarled harshly through his teeth. â€Å"Just keep your mouth shut,† I reminded him, and then I smashed his hand into the boulder. A deafening crack echoed off the trees. The rock shuddered, and a piece – about an eighth of the mass – broke off at an invisible fault line and crashed to the ground. It fell on Emmett's foot, and I snickered. I could hear Jacob's and Edward's muffled laughter. Emmett kicked the rock fragment across the river. It sliced a young maple in half before thudding into the base of a big fir, which swayed and then fell into another tree. â€Å"Rematch. Tomorrow.† â€Å"It's not going to wear off that fast,† I told him. â€Å"Maybe you ought to give it a month.† Emmett growled, flashing his teeth. â€Å"Tomorrow.† â€Å"Hey, whatever makes you happy, big brother.† As he turned to stalk away, Emmett punched the granite, shattering off an avalanche of shards and powder. It was kind of neat, in a childish way. Fascinated by the undeniable proof that I was stronger than the strongest vampire I'd ever known, I placed my hand, fingers spread wide, against the rock. Then I dug my fingers slowly into the stone, crushing rather than digging; the consistency reminded me of hard cheese. I ended up with a handful of gravel. â€Å"Cool,† I mumbled. With a grin stretching my face, I whirled in a sudden circle and karate-chopped the rock with the side of my hand. The stone shrieked and groaned and – with a big poof of dust – split in two. I started giggling. I didn't pay much attention to the chuckles behind me while I punched and kicked the rest of the boulder into fragments. I was having too much fun, snickering away the whole time. It wasn't until I heard a new little giggle, a high-pitched peal of bells, that I turned away from my silly game. â€Å"Did she just laugh?† Everyone was staring at Renesmee with the same dumbstruck expression that must have been on my face. â€Å"Yes,† Edward said. â€Å"Who wasnt laughing?† Jake muttered, rolling his eyes. â€Å"Tell me you didn't let go a bit on your first run, dog,† Edward teased, no antagonism in his voice at all. â€Å"That's different,† Jacob said, and I watched in surprise as he mock-punched Edward's shoulder. â€Å"Bella's supposed to be a grown-up. Married and a mom and all that. Shouldn't there be more dignity?† Renesmee frowned, and touched Edward's face. â€Å"What does she want?† I asked. â€Å"Less dignity,† Edward said with a grin. â€Å"She was having almost as much fun watching you enjoy yourself as I was.† â€Å"Am I funny?† I asked Renesmee, darting back and reaching for her at the same time that she reached for me. I took her out of Edward's arms and offered her the shard of rock in my hand. â€Å"You want to try?† She smiled her glittering smile and took the stone in both hands. She squeezed, a little dent forming between her eyebrows as she concentrated. There was a tiny grinding sound, and a bit of dust. She frowned, and held the chunk up to me. Til get it,† I said, pinching the stone into sand. She clapped and laughed; the delicious sound of it made us all join in. The sun suddenly burst through the clouds, shooting long beams of ruby and gold across the ten of us, and I was immediately lost in the beauty of my skin in the light of the sunset. Dazed by it. Renesmee stroked the smooth diamond-bright facets, then laid her arm next to mine. Her skin had just a faint luminosity, subtle and mysterious. Nothing that would keep her inside on a sunny day like my glowing sparkle. She touched my face, thinking of the difference and feeling disgruntled. â€Å"You're the prettiest,† I assured her. Tm not sure I can agree to that,† Edward said, and when I turned to answer him, the sunlight on his face stunned me into silence. Jacob had his hand in front of his face, pretending to shield his eyes from the glare. â€Å"Freaky Bella,† he commented. â€Å"What an amazing creature she is,† Edward murmured, almost in agreement, as if Jacob's comment was meant as a compliment. He was both dazzling and dazzled. It was a strange feeling – not surprising, I supposed, since everything felt strange now – this being a natural at something. As a human, I'd never been best at anything. I was okay at dealing with Renee, but probably lots of people could have done better; Phil seemed to be holding his own. I was a good student, but never the top of the class. Obviously, I could be counted out of anything athletic. Not artistic or musical, no particular talents to brag of. Nobody ever gave away a trophy for reading books. After eighteen years of mediocrity, I was pretty used to being average. I realized now that I'd long ago given up any aspirations of shining at anything. I just did the best with what I had, never quite fitting into my world. So this was really different. I was amazing now – to them and to myself. It was like I had been born to be a vampire. The idea made me want to laugh, but it also made me want to sing. I had found my true place in the world, the place I fit, the place I shined.