The street lamps dimly lit the rain-soaked streets – Creative Writing

The street lamps dimly lit the rain-soaked streets of the small town in which I live. Terraced houses line each side of the narrow streets and the sound of raindrops on tiled roofs constantly drum in my ears. The streets are totally empty, not even the odd car or person breaks the monotony of the black tarmac. A rusty iron fence surrounds the small park by the houses and the play area is deserted and broken. The sky is dark and overcast, with the occasional roll of thunder rumbling in the distance. By ten o'clock my shift at the local supermarket is over and I have to begin the long, mind-numbing walk home. The supermarket car park is covered in red, yellow and brown leaves from the old trees at the side of the road and I struggle across the slippery surface until I reach the dark subway that leads under the main road to the terraces. The subway walls are covered in graffiti while broken bottles and cigarette ends line the floor. I always feel slightly nervous when walking through this subway; its intimidating darkness makes me uneasy. Emerging from the subway I meet the usual dim glow of street lamps illuminating the small terraced houses that, to me, signified safety and protection. â€Å"Empty your pockets!† shouted a gruff voice, as a man jumped out from the side of the subway exit, â€Å"Give me your money or I'll kill you!† There stood a tall, well built man, dressed in dark, ragged clothes in an aggressive stance with his fist raised and his other hand in his pocket. He wore a hooded top concealing most of his face, except his black rotting teeth and his stubble covered chin. His shoes had holes and there were cuts and scars on his face. He shivered and shook while the rain soaked him through as he pinned me against the wall. â€Å"Please don't hurt me,† I begged. â€Å"I've done nothing wrong.† â€Å"I said empty your pockets!† repeated the man â€Å"What do you want from me?† I asked nervously. â€Å"If you don't give me your money, I'll†¦Ã¢â‚¬  he nodded his head towards his pocket, where my eyes met with the tip of a shining object that I presumed was a knife. â€Å"Ok, just please don't hurt me!† By now I was petrified, so I nervously put my hands in my pockets and scrambled around for and loose change and then pulled everything out and dropped it on the floor. The man immediately bent down to pick up the coppers and chocolate bar that fell to the floor. He counted the change rapidly and put the chocolate in his pocket. â€Å"What's in your jacket?† the man shouted. â€Å"N-n-n-nothing,† I stammered. â€Å"Don't lie!† he shouted, as his voice became more and more desperate. â€Å"Now take your jacket off and give it to me!† I didn't move. â€Å"Give it to me!† the man screamed at the top of his voice as he tore off my jacket and turned it upside-down to empty it. My wallet, keys and mobile phone fell out and as the man bent down to pick them up I spied my chance to make a run for it. I hesitated to think of my escape route but this proved to be a huge mistake. As I tried to run, the man got a hold of my trailing foot and dragged me to the ground, my feeble body could not escape the grasp of the man. He stared down at me and then kicked me in the stomach to stop me getting the same idea of trying to escape again. Lying in a puddle, I watched him gather the phone and wallet; leaving the keys and throwing away the wallet once he had taken the à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½10 that was in there. â€Å"This doesn't look like nothing, does it?† he screamed with his face right next to mine, holding the crumpled note in front of my eyes. â€Å"Does it?† â€Å"N-n-no† I managed to say. â€Å"Get up!† he shouted angrily. I scrambled to my feet, still holding my stomach to try to suppress the pain of being kicked. â€Å"Yes?† I didn't actually want to know what he wanted. â€Å"I'll see you again later.† He said it with an evil smile and chilling abruptness, and then he turned away and walked, with a limp, towards the subway. As the dark figure merged with the darkness, the thought of how long ‘later' would be, and what he would do then, ran through my mind. During the confrontation, the rain had turned to hail without me realising, and the hail was stinging my cold, wet face. I was breathing heavily as I picked up my keys and torn coat, draping it over my head. I turned towards the street, still in a state of shock over what had happened and began to take nervous footsteps towards home. Soon the nervous footsteps turned to a sprint when I had come to terms with what had just happened. The street and houses turned to a blur and somehow I just kept running, all the way to the entrance of my street, where I had to stop and coordinate myself in order to find my house. I reached in the pocket of my jacket to retrieve my keys, and slowly found my way to number 56. The keys had a constant jingle, due to my hand's vigorous shivering, which also made it hard to get it in the lock and open the door. After a minute of nervous frustration the door opened, I jumped in and shut the door behind me.

Introduction to Muslim art and architecture

In this essay I will speak about the exhibits and shows I viewed on my recent visits to the Victoria and Albert Museum and British Museum. It was a truly oculus opening experience. It opened up a new dimension of Islam which I had non considered antecedently. I had ne'er known there was any kind of art or architecture in Islam. I had ever thought of museums as truly deadening topographic points. At first, I was truly doubting but shortly was fascinated by the artifacts. I shall depict the most dramatic and outstanding artifacts I saw and some information I learnt about them. In the Victoria and Albert Museum, I viewed a hearth from the castle of Fuat Pasha. It was made in Istanbul in 1731 CE and is designed in a typical Ottoman manner. An interesting thing to observe here is the on some of the tiles are written some names. These are said to be the names of Ahl Al Kahf. Their narrative is related in the Quran. A group of young persons and their Canis familiaris who were monotheists were being persecuted by the Roman Empire. They sought safety in a cave and prayed to ALLAH ( SWT ) . ALLAH ( SWT ) caused them to kip and they woke up and thought a twenty-four hours had passed. They were weary of being caught and so they elected one of them to acquire nutrient. This young person went carefully and tried to purchase some nutrient. When he tried to pay for it, the store keeper would non accept on history of the money given was expired. Coins like this had non been in usage for 100s of old ages. He rushed back to the cave and told the others. They had really bee n asleep for 300 old ages! ALLAH ( SWT ) had saved them from their enemy who were destroyed where as they were unharmed. This was a mighty Ayat of the power of ALLAH ( SWT ) and of the world of Resurrection. The utilizing of their names on hearths is to guard off immorality. Another point which stood out was the minbar which is a mosque dais. It was built in Egypt, most likely Cairo, someplace between 1468 CE to 1496 CE. Its design is in a Mamluk manner. It uses geometric forms which is an implicit in characteristic of Islamic art. The chief exhibit had to be the Ardabil rug from Ardabil in North Western Iran. The rug is 34 ? pess by 17 ? pess. It is the oldest lasting rug from this period dating back to 1540 CE. It was completed during the regulation of Safavid Shah Tahmasp I the boy of Shah Ismail. Ardabil is a metropolis with a great historical tradition of rug trade and has produced the finest Iranian Rugs of all clip. The rug is symmetrical which is another implicit in characteristic of Islamic art. The xanthous medallion in the Centre is a symbolic representation of the Sun which at that point in clip was assumed to be in the Centre of the existence. Originally this rug was portion of a set of two, and was created for the intent of marking the shrine of Sheikh Safi Al Din Ardabil who was a Sufi maestro in mystical Islam who died in 1334 CE. Shah Ismail, who reunited Iran after many 100s of old ages, founded the Safavid Dynasty named after him and established Shiite Islam as the province faith in 1501 CE. In the British museum I saw a ceramic gravestone of a Qadi called Jalal Al Din Abdul Malik who passed off around the twelvemonth 1270 CE in Kashan, Iran. He was known as Malik Al Ulama. The gravestone is covered in Arabic penmanship incorporating poetries of the Quran. Ayat Al Kursi is written on the outside frame. The penmanship and frames are painted in Co blue. The following object I saw was a mosque lamp from the clip of the Ottoman Empire. It can be accurately dated thanks to the lettering which states the name of the creative person every bit good as where and when it was made. The creative person was Musli who produced it in Iznik in Turkey in the twelvemonth 1549 CE. The Ottoman Caliph Suleiman The Magnificent who reigned from 1520-1566 ordered the rebuilding of the Dome Of The Rock in Jerusalem. The lamp was created to adorn the inside. It has three grips and ironss are used to hang the lamp. When lit, the penmanship lights up. The lamp besides displays tulips which are a symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Tulips were used in ornaments everyplace from mosques and castles to vesture. The lamp was discovered in Jerusalem in the nineteenth Century. I so viewed a gold dinar coin. It is one of the original coins from the clip of the Caliph Abdul Malik of the Umayyad Dynasty. This coin was portion of the Islamic coin system which was established in order to replace Byzantium and Persian coins which were antecedently in usage. This was done because the usage of images on Byzantium and Iranian coins are out. The Islamic coins contained the Kalimah, the basic and most cardinal message of Islam. The coin is dated to 696 CE to 697 CE, likely from Syria. The last point I would to speak about both because it is the last point I saw and was surely the one point which stood out for me was the carven jade terrapin. It caught my oculus instantly. It is highly graphic. It must hold been carved by a really skilled expert. It originates from Allahabad in Northern India and is dated back to the seventeenth Century. It may perchance hold been created between 1605-1627 during the reign of Selim the boy of the 3rd Mughal Emperor Akbar who reigned from 1556-1605 and a Hindu princess. Akbar built a castle at the Hindu metropolis of Prayag and renamed it Allahabad. Akbar ne'er lived in the castle alternatively giving it to his boy. Selim is known to hold had a captivation with natural phenomenon and this could hold been used as an decoration for the garden pools at his castle. The carven jade terrapin was made from a individual piece of green jade nephrite. It was discovered at the underside of a cistern in the beginning of the nineteenth Century d uring digging work in Allahabad. How it ended up at that place in the first topographic point is a enigma. It was so transported to England by Alexander Kyd. It was so sold to the British Museum in 1830. I discovered Islam has a rich diverseness and history. I learnt how Islamic art & A ; architecture is different from other civilizations. I learnt that despite assorted dynasties and epochs, all Islamic art & A ; architecture portion some common cardinal rules. These cardinal rules are that human or carnal figurative representations are non allowed, this is due to the cardinal rule of Islam being Tawheed which is belief in One GOD who is unobserved and nil is like Him so utilizing any images are purely out. This is in blunt contrast to many idol idolizing communities who created ocular images of their Gods such as Ancient Egypt. Another rule is the usage of geometric forms which can be infinitely repeated. Another rule is the usage of Arabic penmanship in order to fancify poetries of the Quran, which can so be used for its ultimate intent, to propagate the faith of Islam. I saw many ancient artifacts of the Islamic universe and saw how art & A ; architecture ties in with the history of great Islamic Empires and Dynasties. Each Dynasty had its ain typical symbols such as tulips for the Ottomans. Each Dynasty has left a go oning bequest through art & A ; architecture such as the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus as a mark of the power and glorification of the Umayyad Dynasty at its extremum. It was a genuinely mind blowing experience. The most of import thing I learnt is that all these objects and artifacts I viewed during my visits to the museums are a portion of my history and heritage.BibliographyCarved jade terrapin. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . British Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/c/carved_jade_terrapin.aspx [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .Ceramic gravestone of Jalal al-DincAbd al-Malik. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . British Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/c/tombstone_of_an_islamic_judge.aspx [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .Mosque lamp. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . British Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/me/m/ottoman_mosque_lamp.aspx [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .Golddinarof calif Abd al-Malik. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . British Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/g/gold_dinar_of_caliph_abd_al-ma.aspx [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .PALACE AND MOSQUE: ISLAMIC ART FROM THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . Victoria And Albert Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.vam.ac.uk/images/image/8405-popup.html [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .Manner In Islamic Art. [ Online ] . ( 2009 ) . Victoria And Albert Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1342_islamic_middle_east/index.php? id=1024 [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .The Ardabil Carpet. [ Online ] . ( 200 9 ) . Victoria And Albert Museum. Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.vam.ac.uk/collections/asia/object_stories/ardabil/index.html [ Accessed 26 December 2009 ] .

Globalization and Its Different Faces Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Globalization and Its Different Faces - Essay Example This essay discusses that there is a stark difference in the quality of life of people in the developed countries compared to those from the developing countries. Human rights also become negated more in developing countries in the hopes of churning out cheap goods for the consumers of the developed countries. The economies of these countries will not stay afloat without the other but the gap should be less and not increasing as it is due to globalization.In conclusion, this is truly sad considering that we enjoy cheap yet good quality goods here in the US at the expense of the rights of people in poverty-stricken countries. I am not in favor of this practice and I hope that much more will open their eyes in response to the abuses that globalization brings. And in my opinion, globalization brings great benefits if used and managed wisely, but if we let a few people benefit from it, then globalization will be a tool for inflicting greater abuses against our fellow men. Being interconn ected and interdependent on other nations is a good thing because there are more opportunities to build each other up this way. I just hope that everyone, whether from a developed or developing country would choose to see all aspects of globalization and make personal commitments to using their influence to institute change in the current system. Globalization should not be judged according to one face only. One should see the whole picture to get to know if globalization is truly beneficial or not.

Discussion on the 'neutrality of money' Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Discussion on the 'neutrality of money' - Essay Example Most schools agree on the long term neutrality of money, and the short term non-neutrality due to stickiness of wages among other factors. However, the schools differ in their theories of money and variables and policies that affect money demand and supply and other macroeconomic variables. Quantity theory of money The classical school of economists developed the quantity theory of money, which basically meant that the price level in the economy is dependent on the money supply. According to this theory inflation is caused by an increase in money supply. According to the theory that national income equals national expenditure the equation of the quantity theory is MV=PY, with V being the velocity of circulation, meaning the number of times in a year a unit of money is spent on buying goods and services, M being money supply, P being the price level and Y the national income. Classical economists through this theory asserted the neutrality of money by claiming that Y and V are exogeno us factors and unaffected by the money supply with V being constant, thus P and M are directly related and changes in money supply would only affect the prices and not output. (Sloman, 1999) Keynes (1936) rejected the quantity theory of money by asserting that a rise in money supply may not necessarily lead to a rise in the price level. This may be due to the fact that the entire increase in money supply may not be spent and may just stay in bank accounts. The Keynesians claim the velocity of circulation is inversely proportional to M and thus the V in the equation may not be a constant. An increase in money supply may lead to an increase in output if there are unemployed resources in the economy. Thus an increase in the money supply can lead to an increase in Y, provided that the economy is not at full employment and not increase prices greatly. Similarly, a decrease in money supply could lead to a decrease in output and thus income causing a decrease in Y. According to Keynes, dem and creates supply and not the other way round, which the Classical school believed. (Graham Sahaw, 1997) Milton Freidman was one of the most vociferous critics of the Keynesians, and brought back the quantity theory of money. According to him, inflation was anywhere and everywhere a monetary phenomenon based on his historical research. According to monetarists, any increase in money supply faster than an increase in output will lead to an increase in inflation. They asserted that V and Y are independent of the money supply and thus money supply will only affect prices and not income or velocity. According to the monetarists, an increase in money supply will increase prices along with employment and output in the short run, but as the economy adjusts to new prices and wages, in a couple of years output and income will adjust downward and the real effect of the increase in money supply will be inflation and vice versa with a decrease in money supply. (D.Mizen, 2000) The new classical theorists put forth the theory of rational expectations, which asserts that markets clear quickly and expectations adjust instantly to market changes. This theory assumes that people are aware of economic conditions and adjust their expectations accordingly. Thus, money is neutral in the short term as well as the long term, as expanding money supply will automatically lead to higher expectations of inflation and in turn

Quantitative tools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quantitative tools - Essay Example The main problems in relation to the staff and reservations managers in particular, that the company does not have good relations with its unions, which is very important, as unions serve a kind of legal protection of managers' rights. Another problem is that employees complain about the lack of voice and the lack of professional training, which is also essential for the improvement of their job characteristics and supporting their skills at the appropriate level. (Bassett, 1992) The specifics of reservations managers' work is in the surrounding they work, which is usually represented by a large room with a great number of workers doing the same work, and thus demanding huge attention. 2 managers out of each 10 work part time, weekends, nights, or holidays. That's why, to improve the operation of this staff, it is necessary to develop a strict schedule of work, with optimization of the workers' quantity together with increasing the quality of their work. To optimize the quantity of workers, it is obvious, that some of them should be fired. To avoid psychological and legal problems with the staff shortage, I suggest using of the out placing strategy, when the Going Inc. will find new jobs for those, who are fired, with the salaries and preferences known beforehand for each worker to be fired.

Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 32

Marketing - Essay Example Company A is mostly addressing the business customer and while B advertises very frequently to get more home customers. While my company also caters to the home market along with a few occasional business customers. I have found that the word-of-mouth publicity works wonders to get new customers because they always ask their neighbors or friends or acquaintances about where they purchased their PC. While all the companies work at more or less similar pricing, the one differentiator is the after sales service. If we offer exceptional after sales service we are bound to get more references from our existing customers. The competitors future plan as I see it: Company A is likely to get into the Home PC market with a flurry of advertising activities. Company B will try to eat into Company A business PC market by employing more on-the-field sales staff. There is definitely a market trend towards more notebook PCs for traveling businessmen which lies untapped in the market. I plan to get them to visit my showroom for a touch-feel experience with a few models of notebook PCs which none of the competitors are doing. Another thing that I am planning in order to sell more PCs to the home market is to conduct a Computer Exhibition at a public place where customers can come easily and visit in order to see the various models at various price points so that they can choose according to their requirements and budgets. I plan to repeat this every quarter so that the flow of orders are sustained and improved. If things go according to the plans I should be able to sell more than 100 Pcs per month which should take me to the number 1 position. Effective efficiency: In the market to survive, the company should use policies which can make its customers happy as well as the company does not have any monitory loss, this process can be called as real balancing act, which can be done through energy efficiency, most powerful and

Overview of the Development of Education in the UAE and the UK Essay

Overview of the Development of Education in the UAE and the UK - Essay Example Learning processes that use media and methodology have been found to benefit most from ICT use in education. Information Communication Technology is also useful in familirising learners with the installation and the use of IT equipment such as computers (Hsi, 2006). Furthermore, ICT is important for addressing technological ethical and social issues encountered in educational institutions (Bagley et al., 2010). Additionally, educational ICT instills multiple intelligences in learners by simulation, thus promoting learning by all senses (Andrews, 2004). This paper explores the educational ICT networking availability and circumstances in the UK and the UAE. For both countries, educational ICT is categorised as subject, tool/support for other subjects, administrative tool and as a medium for the exchange of knowledge and information (NAEYC, 2008). Educational ICT in the United Kingdom For a long time in the UK, ICT has not only been taught by individual schools as a subject but has also been part of the national curriculum. In fact, most UK students are free to study ICT at the GCSE level (Department of Education, 2011). Among the ICT initiatives that have promoted the growth of educational ICT networking in the UK was the Curriculum Online scheme which unfortunately closed in 2008 (Computer Aid International, 2009). The main purpose of this scheme was to accelerate the uptake of ICT in UK schools (Leask & Pachler, 1999). The agency mandated to oversee the development of educational ICT networking in the UK until April 2011 was Becta (Vanderlinde et al., 2010). In the execution of its mandate, Becta worked closely with the Joint Information Systems Committee to develop the necessary ICT strategies (Young, 2008). With the government cutting its spending on Becta, a major shake-up occurred in UK’s state schools’ ICT networking, with stakeholders giving divergent opinions on the future role and effects of ICT in the educational sector. As a result of th e spending cuts and the feeling that it had become redundant, Becta was abolished in April 2011 (Driscoll et al., 2011). Some stakeholders such as Bernadette Brooks of the Educational ICT Association asserted that the UK government lacked the emphasis that UK’s competitors laid on the need to invest on educational skills in its educational system. In fact, Brooks cited the policy statements of countries such as the United States, UAE and Hong Kong as those in which educational ICT has been identified as central for 21st century growth and development (Harlen &, James, 1996). Brooks also asserted that although it was a positive step for the government to promote ‘free’ schools and freedom for schools to invest in ICT, cutting funding and abolishing advisory agencies such as Becta created new types of challenges for the inclusion and growth of ICT in the education system. For example, it has been a big challenge to harness grants for ICT developments in UK schools since the abolition of Becta (Wray, 2005). Similarly, the abolition of the Building Schools for the Future programme has also considerably reduced the funds available for educational ICT (Fraline, 2011). Holding similar thoughts to Brooks is the National Association of Head Teachers which believes that the spending cuts impose long- and short-term limitations on UK schools’

What I've learned from men by Barbara ehrenreich Essay

What I've learned from men by Barbara ehrenreich - Essay Example I don’t agree when she said that we may be able to learn from men what to do with anger (227), as women have long since learned to express anger in a civilized way, positively producing the desired effect, making men realize that women are able to stand for themselves. That does not lessen them as women. Instead it makes them women with substance. Women can be very aggressive but not rude, acknowledging their talents, abilities, skills and success with humility. Expressing oneself nicely rather than looking and waiting for a fight, makes a person better understood and listened to. Women today acknowledge that having education, firm character, belief in oneself and humility, do not make them less of a woman, but rather leads to essentially being a lady. For me being ladylike empowers a woman in getting what she wants. I believe that how you act and treat others determines how others act and treat you. Ehrenreich, Barbara. â€Å"What I’ve Learned From Men† From Idea to Essay 2009: A Rhetoric, Reader, and Handbook. McCuen-Metherell, J.R. and Winkler, A. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2009. 224-227. Google Books. Web. 5 March

Hydraulic fracking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hydraulic fracking - Essay Example Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is the procedure of drilling natural gas out of shale rock layers profound within the ground. This process makes it feasible to produce natural gas drilling in shale layers that were once inaccessible with traditional technologies (Heywood 42-45). Fracking is one subject that has brought lots of controversies in regard to it being an answer to the energy crisis the world is facing or a disaster for the environment (4News 1-2). The controversies are acceptable since they assist in analyzing the process further and make proper adjustments. A report by 4news early this year reported a statement made by David Cameron in support for Fracking process. Cameron said that shale is significant for UK. He asserted that the shale gas could bring 74,000 jobs, more than  £3bn of investment, provide the people with a cheaper energy for the future, and boost the country’s energy security (4News 1-2). Cameron said this after being convinced by the institute of Directors claims that shale gas might generate over seventy four thousand jobs. Geologists, construction workers, engineers, truck drivers, business analysts and public relations employees are samples of the employees required by the production as well as equipment manufacturer s, cement and steel manufacturers, and drilling services corporations (Heywood 42-45). To counterbalance Cameron support for Fracking, 4news article provided an anti-fracking protester’s claim. The protester provided an extract associated with Fracking in US (4News 1-2). It stated that the US had evidently demonstrated fracking as hazardous, unhelpful and devastates societies. Considering the circumstances, this will be the scenario in UK, if the process is embraced. The protester noted that only one well had been drilled and fracked in UK and it caused earthquakes that destroyed the well so chemicals and gas leaked out. This

Bibilical Illusions With The Novel Cry Essay Example for Free

Bibilical Illusions With The Novel Cry Essay Biblical reference within the story Cry the Beloved Country Many times in literary pieces, allusions are put in novels, used to foreshadow the ending of a book. The most common types of allusions are those from the bible. This is probably because many are familiar with the bible and its stories. The goal of foreshadowing is to provide a way for the reader to think more about the big picture, rather than what is happening page by page. In the novel, Cry the Beloved County, allusions to the Bible are very apparent and hold high significance in the story. The character Absalom shows tremendous similarities to the Biblical Absalom and almost seem to be made out of the same mold. Steven Kumalo from the novel and the simple man Job from the bible are tested in the same way and come out in the end in the same way. Biblical Absalom is essentially wronged by his half-brother Amnon, when his half brother forced his sister Tamar to sleep with him. Similarly Absalom Kumalo is wronged by his fathers, brothers, son, Matthew, when he will not admit to the court that he was an accessory to murder. Basically, both are wronged by a close family member, Biblical Absalom by his brother, and Absalom Kumalo by his cousin. In both stories, though not shown in depth, the men show a close trusting relationship with the one whom have wronged them. Before Amnon slept with his sister Tamar, Biblical Absalom would have no reason not to trust his brother, just as Absalom Kumalo would not doubt his cousin whom aided him in the murder. Later on, both men find out that, Amnon and Matthew are in it for themselves, not unlike both Absaloms. Absalom Kumalo shot Arthur Jarvis with the intentions of becoming richer. Even though Biblical Absalom killed his brother for sleeping with his sister, with Amnon dead, Absalom would inherit his fathers throne. (Bible p372-380) (Ward pp.188-189) In retrospect, both men were ultimately driven to commit the murder. Absalom Kumalo probably felt that if a white man can underhand him, and deny him money, then he deserves some of his fortune. So because whites men, kept blacks unskilled and did not allow them the same rights, many rebelled against the whites. In the same frame of mind, biblical Absaloms hatred for his brother was built up until he decided to go through with his murder. Even though Absalom Kumalo shot the white man on accident, he was doing it for his own gain. He went into the  house with the intention of stealing and instead shot a white man out of fear. Though it may seem that he regretted what he had done, which he in some ways did, his crime could not be fully repented. More than anything he probably wishes for Arthur Jarvis to be alive. He doesnt feels bad about killing him, he simply does not want to deal with the consequences. Biblical Absalom plans out the murder of his brother when he has him over for dinner. Neither men regret killing a man that was as family to them. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184) Biblical Absalom murdered his brother Amnon for raping his sister Tamar two years earlier. Absalom Kumalo, on the same note, accidentally murdered a white man, while attempting to rob him. Absalom Kumalo, like biblical Absalom essentially murdered his own brother. Arthur Jarvis, the man Absalom Kumalo shot, was like a brother to the black men. He devoted his life to make a difference in blacks rights in South Africa. For both men, the act of murder on their part, ultimately led to their own demise. Biblical Absalom killed his brother Amnon and when king David found out that Absalom had indeed killed his brother Amnon. After the murder, both men flee the scene. Absalom Kumalo, runs because the price for killing a white man is high. Biblical Absalom flees because he also knows, that if he stays, hash consequences will be enforced. (Bible p372-380) Eventually, both man are captured and die in an unusual manner against both their fathers wishes. Absalom Kumalo is hung for his crime, so as to set an example. Though, the hanging of Absalom is not so strange in itself, its almost foretold in the biblical story of Absalom. After biblical Absalom flees his home on a horse, his head gets caught in a tree while passing under. This act is almost too familiar. As biblical Absalom dies with his body off the ground, struggling to get down, Absalom Kumalo dies with his head in a noose, and body dangling above the ground. (Bible p372-380) (Davis p184) In the bible, Job is developed as a man whom would never speak ill of god. Job is tested by Satan, who believes that Job will curse God if his prosperity is taken away. Satan kills Jobs children and all of his livestock, but Job does not lose his faith. Satan then takes away Job health by planting boils all over his body. Job eventually become very disappointed with his life and curses the day he was born. This is a classic example of how no man is perfect and when  Steven was introduced into Cry, the Beloved Country, he seemed to strive for perfection just as Job had in the bible. Job in theory seemed perfect but, Satan proved Job not to be, just as Stevens family proved him not to be. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600) When brought into the story, both Steven and Job seem to be perfect and upright men. Steven, as a simple black parson and Job, as a upright man whom has shown no flaws. Though Stevens flaws are shown early on the novel, Cry, the Beloved County, he is still seen as a good man. Both men are examples of how bad things sometimes happen to good people. They both try to be the best men they can be, by fixing others mistakes and trying to be good people. Job offered burnt offerings to god everyday for his children who may have cursed god in their hearts and Steven prayed everyday to repent the sins of others and his own. The main thing that made these men eligible to lose so much, was because they had gained so much earlier in life. Though Steven want a rich man, he was far better off than any man in his village, and Job was a very prosperous man and looked well upon by god. (Davis pp.265-272) (Bible p572-600) Since Job was thought so highly of by God, he was tested by Satan in order to see if he would lose his faith. Steven Kumalo is tested in the same way as Job. Steven receives a letter from a priest informing him with the news that his sister, Gertrude, is sick. He leaves his normal life in the valley and travels to the city, with the intentions of bringing her home. When he arrives there, he is confronted with the horrifying news that she is selling herself to men. Steven goes in search of his son Absalom, and eventually finds him. Absalom had shot a white man and is sentence to be hung. Everything that went on in Jhonnaneburg hurt Steven and just like Job, he is tortured to the point where he will break if anything else were to happen. (Bible p572-600) (Ward p.222) In the end, though both men had lost practically everything they cared about, Steven his son and sister, and Job all his children and his prosperity, but then things got significantly better. Steven loses a son but gains a daughter carrying baby, and his sister Gertrudes son. Job loses all his children but gains ten new children and all his livestock back. Its an interesting coincidence how both men lose their child or children, but as they regain faith, new children are restored to them. (Davis pp.265-272)  (Bible p572-600) Paton used the name Absalom as an allusion in the story. His goal was probably to allow people to see into the future of Absaloms mortality. When I first read the story of Absalom, I didnt any definite similarities but as the stories start intertwining, I understood why he used the name Absalom for Stevens son. Absalom in general was a greedy boy, who really thought he deserved more and makes the mistake of killing a man which ultimately leads to his own death. Job and Steven, on the other hand, are generally men who strived to be good men. They were tested with their faith and both men failed, but they do gain their faith back, and their happiness along with it.

An Understanding Of Geriatrics Health And Social Care Essay

An Understanding Of Geriatrics Health And Social Care Essay The role of the radiographer is no different than that of all other health professionals. The whole person must be treated, not just the manifested symptoms of an illness or injury. Medical imaging and therapeutic procedures reflect the impacts of ongoing systemic aging in documentable and visual forms. Adapting procedures to accommodate disabilities and diseases of geriatric patients is a critical responsibility and a challenge based almost exclusively on the radiographers knowledge, abilities, and skills. An understanding of the physiology and pathology of aging, in addition to an awareness of the social, psychological, cognitive, and economics of aging are required to meet the needs of the elderly population. There are conditions typically associated with elderly patients that invariably required adaptations or modifications of routine imaging procedures. The radiographer must be able to differentiate between ages related changes and disease processes. Production of diagnostic ima ges requiring professional decision making to compensate for physiological changes, while maintaining the compliance, safety, and comfort of the patient, is the foundation of the contract between the elderly patient and the radiographer. Physical, Cognitive, and Psychological Effects of Aging The human body undergoes a multiplicity of physiological changes second by second. Little consideration is given regarding these changes unless they are brought on by sudden physical, psychological, or cognitive events. It is important for radiographers to remember that each elderly person we encounter is a unique individual with distinct characteristics. These individuals have experienced a life filled with memories and accomplishments. Young or old, the definition of quality of life is an individual and personal one. Research has shown that health status is an excellent predictor of happiness. Greater social contact, health satisfaction, low vulnerable personality traits, and fewer stressful life events have been linked to successful aging. Self-efficacy can be defined as the level of control one has over ones future. Many elderly people feel there have no control over medical emergencies and fixed incomes. Many have fewer choices about their personal living arrangements. These environmental factors can lead to depression and decreased self-efficacy. An increase in illness will usually parallel a decrease in self-efficacy. A positive attitude is a very important aspect of aging. Many older people have the same negative stereotypes about aging that young people do. For them, feeling down and depressed becomes a common consequence of aging. One of five people older than age 65 in a community will show signs of clinical depression. Yet we, as health care professionals, know that depression can affect both young and old. In general, research has show the majority of elderly people rate their health status largely depends on their successful adaptation to disabilities. Radiographers need to be sensitive to the fact that an elderly person may have had to deal with a number of losses, both social and physical, in a very short period of time. More importantly, they must recognize symptoms resulting from these losses in order to communicate and interact effectively with this patient population. Although, as health care providers, the radiographers contribution to a patients quality of life may be minimal, it is not in significant. It is necessary to remember that each elderly person is unique and deserves respect for his or her own opinions. One of the first questions asked of any patient entering a health care facility for emergency service is, Do you know where you are and what day it is? the health care providers need to know just how alert the patients is. Although memory does decline with age, this is experienced mostly with short-term memory tasks. Long-term memory or subconscious memory tasks show little change over time and with increasing age. There can be a variety of reasons for confuse or disorientation. Medication, psychiatric disturbance, or retirement can confuse the patient. Retirement to some older people means creating a new set of routines and adjusting to them. The majority of elders like structure in their lives and have familiar routines for approaching each day. AGING OF THE ORGAN SYSTEMS Integumentary system disorders The integumentary system is one of the first apparent signs of aging. With age comes flattening of the skin membranes making it vulnerable to abrasions and blisters. The number of melanocytes decrease making ultraviolet light more dangerous and the susceptibility to skin cancer increase. Wrinkling and thinning skin are very noticeable among the elderly. This is attributable to decrease in collagen and elastic in the dermis. There is a gradual loss of functioning sweat glands and skin receptor, which increases the threshold for pain stimuli, making the elderly person vulnerable to heat strokes. With age comes atrophy or thinning of the subcutaneous layer of skin in the face, back of the hands, and soles of the foot conditions in the elderly. The most striking age-related changes to the integumentary system are graying, thinning, and loss of hair. With age, the number of hair follicles decreases and those follicles that remain grow at a slower rate with less concentration of melanin, c ausing the hair to become thin and white. A major problem with aging skin is chronic exposure to sunlight. The benefits of protecting ones skin with sunscreen and protective clothing cannot be over emphasized and will be more evident as one grows older. Nervous system disorders The nervous system is the principle regulatory system. Central nervous system disorders are one of the most common causes of disability in the elderly accounting for almost 50% of disability in those older than age 65. Loss of myelin in axons in some of the nervous system contributes to the decrease in nerve impulse velocity that is noted in aging. Like any other organ system, the nervous system is vulnerable to the effects of atherosclerosis with advancing age. When blood flow to the brain is blocked, brain tissue is damaged. Repeated episodes of cerebral infraction can eventually lead to multi-infract dementia. Changes in the blood flow and oxygenation to the brain slows down the time carry motor and sensory tasks requiring speed, coordination, balance, and fine motor hand movements. This decrease in the function of motor control puts the elderly person at higher risk for falls. Healthy changes in lifestyles can reduce the risk of disease. High blood pressure, for example, is a not ed risk and can be decreased with medication, weight loss, proper nutritional diet, and exercise. Sensory system disorders All of the sensory systems undergo changes with age. Beginning around the age 40, the ability to focus on near objects becomes increasingly difficult. The lens of the eye becomes less pliable, starts to yellow, and becomes cloudy resulting in farsightedness (presbyopia); distorted color perception and cataracts also begin. Changes in the retina affect the ability to adapt to changes in lighting and there are decreased abilities to tolerate glare, making night vision more difficult for the elderly. Hearing impairment is very common in the elderly. The gradual progressive hearing loss of tone discrimination is called presbycusis. Men are affected more often than are women and the degree of loss is more severe for high-frequency sounds. Speech discrimination is problematic when in noisy surroundings such as a room full of talking people. Immune system decline Age takes its toll on the immune system. To be immune to an infection implies protection from that infection. The ability of our body to remain free of infections requires the immune system to distinguish our own healthy cells from invading microorganisms or altered cancer cells. The age-related decline of the immune system functioning makes the elderly more vulnerable to diabetes rises in adulthood. Prevalent among the aged would be influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, meningitis, and urinary tract infections. The three general categories of illness that preferentially afflict the elderly are infections, cancer and autoimmune disease. Genitourinary system disorder Familiar age-related genitourinary (GU) changes are those associated with incontinence. Changes in bladder capacity and muscle structure predispose the elderly to this problem. Along with these structural changes in the GU system the number of nephrons in the kidneys decreases dramatically following the onset of adulthood. This decreased reserve capacity of the kidneys could cause what would otherwise be a regularly prescribed dose of medication to be an overdose in the elderly. The role of the kidneys to maintain the bodys water balance and regulate the concentration according to the bodys need diminishes with age. Acute and chronic renal failure can affect many elderly in their later years. Patient Care of the Elderly and the Radiographer Box 29-3 lists some quick tips for working with elderly. These tips are discussed in the context following the table. BOX 29-3 Tips for working with the elderly patient Take time to educate the patient and his or her family Speak lower and closer Treat the patient with dignity and respect Give the patient time to rest between projections and procedures Avoid adhesive tape: elderly skin is thin and fragile Provide warm blankets in cold examinations room Use table pads and hand rails Always access the patients medical history before contrast media is administered PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION Education about imaging procedures to obtain their confidence and compliance is crucial for all patients, especially for elderly patients. More time with the elderly patient may be necessary to accommodate their decreased ability to rapidly process information. The majority of elderly have been diagnosed with at least one chronic illness. They typically arrive at the clinical imaging environment with a natural anxiety because they are likely to have little knowledge of the procedure or the highly technical modalities employed for their procedures. Moreover, a fear concerning consequences resulting from the examination exacerbates their increased levels of anxiety. Taking time to educate patients and their families or significant caregivers in their support system about the procedures makes for a less stressful experience and improved patient compliance and satisfaction. COMMUNICATION Good communication and listening skills create a connection between the radiographer and his or her patient. Older people are unique and should be treated with dignity and respect. Each elderly person is a wealth of cultural and historical knowledge that in turn becomes a learning experience for the radiographer. If it is evident that they cannot hear or understand verbal directions, it is appropriate to speak lower and closer. Background noise can be disrupting to an older person and should be eliminated if possible when giving precise instructions. Giving instruction individually gives the elder person time to process your request. An empathetic, warm attitude and approach to the geriatric patient will result in a trusting and compliant patient. TRANSPORTATION AND LIFTING Balance and coordination of the elderly patient can be affected by normal aging changes. Their anxiety about falling can be diminished by assistance in and out of a wheelchair, and to and from the examination table. Many elderly have decreased height perception resulting from some degree of vision impairment. Hesitation of the elder person may be as a result of previous falls. Assisting them when there is a need to step up or down throughout the procedure is more than a reassuring gesture. Preventing opportunities for falls is a necessity for the radiographer. The elderly patient will often experience vertigo and dizziness when going from a recumbent position to a sitting position. Giving the patient time to rest between positions will mitigate these disturbing, frightening, and uncomfortable sensations. The use of table handgrips and proper assistance from the radiographer creates. A sense of security will result in a compliant and trusting patient throughout the imaging procedure. JCAHO CRITERIA The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is the accrediting and standards-setting body for hospitals, clinics, and other health care organizations in the United States. Employees in institutions accredited by the JCAHO must demonstrate age-based communication competencies, which include the elderly. The standards were adopted as a means of demonstrating competence in meeting the physiological and psychological needs of patients in special populations. These populations include infants, children, adolescents, and the elderly. Standard HR.5 of the Human Resources section of the JCAHO manual states, When appropriate, the hospital considers special needs and behaviors of specific age groups in defining qualifications, duties, and responsibilities of staff members who do not have clinical privileges but who have regular clinical contact with patient (for example radiologic technologist and mental health technicians). The intent of the standard is to ensure age-specific competency in technical and clinical matters but is not limited to equipment and technical performance. Knowledge of age-related changes and disease processes assist all the health care professionals, including those in the radiation sciences, in providing care that meets of the elderly patient. Conclusion The imaging professional will continue to see a change in the health care delivery system with the dramatic shift in the population of elderly persons over the age of 65. This shift in the general population is resulting in an ongoing increase in the number of medical imaging procedures performed on elderly patients. Demographic and social effects of aging determine the way in which the elderly adapt to and view the process of aging. An individuals family size and perceptions of aging, economic resources, gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and the availability and delivery of health care will impact the quality of the aging experience. Biological age will be much more critical than chronological aging when determining the health status of the elderly. Healthier lifestyles and advancement in medical treatment will create a generation of successfully aging adults, which in turn should decrease the negative stereotyping of the elderly person. Attitudes of all health care professiona ls, whether positive or negative, will impact the care provided to the growing elderly population. Education about the mental and physiological alterations associated with aging, along with the cultural, economical, and social influences accompanying aging, enables the radiographer to adapt imaging and therapeutic procedures to the elderly patients disabilities resulting from age related changes. The human body undergoes a multiplicity of physiological changes and failure in all organ systems. The aging experience is affected by heredity, lifestyle choices, physical health, and attitude, making it highly individualized. No one individuals aging process is predictable and is never exactly the same as that of any other individual. Radiologic technologist must use their knowledge, abilities, and skills to adjust imaging procedures to accommodate for disabilities and diseases encountered with geriatric patients. Safety and comfort of the patient is essential in maintaining compliance th roughout imaging procedures. Implementation of skills such as communication, listening, sensitivity, and empathy all lead to patient compliance. The JCAHO, recognizing the importance of age-based communication competencies for the elderly, requires documentation of achievement of these skills by the employees of accredited health care organizations. Knowledge of age-related changes and disease processes will enhance the radiographers ability to provide diagnostic information and treatment in providing care that meets the needs of the increasing elderly patient population.