The Hardest Books Weve Ever Read

The Hardest Books Weve Ever Read What book to you humble brag about having read? We all have one, that super-difficult book you slogged through one summer on principle in your pre-DNFing days. As I see it, there are two basic categories of difficult. Some books are difficult to read because of the subject matter. A few years ago, for example, I read Jon Krakauers  Missoula  and let me tell you: that is a hard book to read. The subject matter, sexual assault on college campuses and the failure of both the legal and  educational systems to help  victims, is just brutal. Krakauers crystal clear prose doesnt make it easy on the reader, either. Other books are difficult to physically process as prose. Im absolutely willing to admit that I will stick with a book that has difficult subject matter long after Ive abandoned an experiment in postmodernist fiction. Id like to tell you that the most difficult book I ever read was a Russian classic or Homers  Iliad in Ancient Greek. Sadly, I am not that sophisticated. The hardest book Ive ever read was  House of Leaves by  Mark Z. Danielewski. For as long as I can remember, my anxiety dreams have tended to involve creepy houses (not haunted houses but houses where something is slightly off, or Im lost, or someone is looking for me. Maybe I should talk to someone about this?). Anyway,  I picked up House of Leaves  as a teenager because it used  this fundamentally creepy premise but I had no experience reading post-modern books. So while I adored the story of a family that moves into a house that seems to be bigger on the inside than on the outside, to this day Im not really sure I understand what happened. It took me a long time to get through  and, honestly, Im not even sure I read it correctly. There are parts you have to read in a mirror, color coded passages, and footnotes linking two distinct stories together. On balance, Im glad I read it it is deeply creepy but I  havent really made any effort to read postmodern fiction since. That might be unfair?  At the same time, I do kind of like knowing what the f*ck is happening on the page. I got  curious about what genres  of writing are  a struggle for my fellow readers  so I asked the Book Riot contributors what book they groan about when they remember reading it. Like House of Leaves,  the  books they talked about are difficult to read in the most literal way: complicated sentences, disjointed plots, books that are a million pages long and hard to hold up after a while, etc. Please use the comments to tell us/humble brag about the hardest book youve ever read! The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky I read The Brothers Karamazov when I was a senior in high school. The class was simply called “The Russians” and the class was comprised of a bunch of guys from the debate teamand me. The school was private, academically rigorous (we claimed the debate team was the most successful “sports” team we’d ever have and we weren’t wrong), and intense. My interests were reading, writing, and smoking pot. I had no idea what the hell The Brothers Karamazov was about. There was a handy list of names in the front of the book but every time I started to follow the plot, we’d break off and debate philosophy or Russian history and I’d be lost all over again. All I remember from the book is a really cool scene with Ivan and the devil (spoiler alert? No idea.). I’m tempted to pick it up and give it another go but then I have prep school debater flashbacks and I decide to curl up with a Babysitter’s Club book instead. There are only like seven characters, max, in each BSC book. Katie MacBride Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste by Pierre Bourdieu The summary and subtitle of this book makes it sound really interesting, and something I want to know more about. It’s about taste and cultural goods, and what your upbringing, education, occupation, and class status can reveal about the kinds of books, movies, art, music, and sports you enjoy. Some of Bourdieu’s more famous theoretical concepts, such as cultural capital and habitus, are discussed in this book. But I could not finish this book. First, it’s huge. Roughly the size of a brick and about just as heavy. Second, and this is the main reason, I find it difficult to read long, complex sentences that go for days. And that is pretty much Bourdieu’s writing style. By the time I reached the end of a sentence, I’d forgotten what the beginning was about. Now that the penny has dropped and I understand his theories, it doesn’t seem so bad, but it took me years to learn to read him. And I was never brave enough to attempt the entire book. Jen Sherman   The Bible Why is The Bible so hard to read? Comparing narration times at Audible.com, The Bible is about as long as The Stand and Anna Karenina combined, books I had no trouble finishing. Long, but not that long. Length doesn’t make The Bible a hard read. Nor does its variety of prose styles. All kinds of people have been reading it for thousands of years. Yet, it feels like climbing Mt. Everest to read from Genesis through Revelations. Hard to read comes from hard to relate. I’ve struggled for years to finish, but to be honest, I keep bogging down in books of boring begats, or other long forgotten histories. I’ve read many of 39 books of the Old Testament, but some of them are downright tedious. The 27 books of the New Testament are easier on average, but it too has deserts of dry words to traverse. In 2016 I finally learned the secret of making the boring books fascinating. Read about each book first, even if it’s just the Wikipedia entry. Once I learn why a book was written, and how it fits into history, archeology and literature, the easier it is to enjoy for what it was meant to be. I especially recommend reading Who Wrote the Bible? by Richard Elliott Friedman before reading the first five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and The Bible Unearthed by Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman for the next nine. James Wallace Harris Ulysses by James Joyce I feel like I should just write “Because… Ulysses” and I would be done with this entry. Seriously, why does James Joyce want to hurt my eyeballs? But joke’s on him! I finished it! I can’t tell you a damned thing about that book, but I read every.single.page. And it’s possible that my corneas paid the price. Elizabeth Allen Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand The language in Atlas Shrugged is bare-bones simple, which is effective in some ways, because Rand is most definitely talking down to her audience and wants to make sure they fully digest her pre-chewed ideas without missing a morsel. For me, the book was a natural progression after reading Anthem in high school, one of her essays in college, and her biography on a whim. However, tell people you’re reading Atlas Shrugged and you will discover that the journey tends to transform people into insufferable “nobody deserves the fruits of my labor but me, and poor people deserve every hardship that comes their way” jerks. Or at least, that’s the impression I got the entire time I was reading the book. Don’t get me wrong, Shrugged is a total slog, but it had some okay statements in it about integrity, valuing yourself and your work, and understanding the value of a dollar. However, everyone else seemed to have already met That Guy in college who absorbed only the worst concepts from Rand’s work and lectured anyone who’d listen about them. I was only trying it out of intellectual curiosity (and maybe a little smugness)! I remember reading most of the book on an e-reader, partly because my library’s hardback edition was a pain to lug around, but also because I didn’t like getting eyerolls from people assuming I was reading it to complete my metamorphosis into a “got mine” libertarian. Thomas Maluck Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace What’s not hard about this book? Seriously, the fact that it’s 1,000+ pages was probably the easiest part of my reading experience. Between the alternate timeline (what year is the year of the whopper, again?) to the more than two hundred characters to fragmented, nonlinear structure nothing about this book cuts the reader any slack. Did I forget to mention the footnotes? Oh the footnotes. Luckily, this book is highly chronicled on the Internet. Once I broke down and read through various resources including, outlines, chronologies, and character lists the reading got a lot more fun. And the book is magical. I can’t explain why, but I loved it. I found myself unwilling to let go as I reached the final pages.  Alison Doherty   Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos I think it should be a crime to have students in under grad honors classes read this. Manhattan Transfer captures early twentieth century New York in several hundred pages, hopping from character to character. The jumps between character and the experimental prose make for a confusing narrative. Even with a week spent on the book, I had no idea what was going on by the end of it. Priya Sridhar   The Familiar, Volume 1: One Rainy Day in May by Mark Z. Danielewski Seriously, how do I read this? This beautiful, confounding beast of a novel gave me motion sickness. THE WORDS ARE RAINDROPS. EVERYTHING IS COLOR-CODED. Jan Rosenberg

Comparing Code of Ethics - 584 Words

Comparing Codes of Ethics Comparing Codes of Ethics The similarities between the ACA and the AMHCA code of ethics, they both providing training, guidance, and direction in making ethic decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). The ACA and AMHCA codes of ethics cover a wide range of ethical and professional situations common to the practicing professional. An example of not having the correct training in multicultural counseling is in the case study of â€Å"Allison: The Case of the Well-Meaning Feminist†. Allison, a 28 year old student was counseling Carmen, 19- years old Latina, did not understand the Latina cultural. If Allison would of have training on the Latina cultural, she would have understood the importance that†¦show more content†¦The ACA on does not present any specific requirements regarding record keeping or assessment tool selection. Insight from Comparison In reviewing the two different codes of ethics, I learned that the ACA code of ethics, and the AMHAC code of ethics address common issues from a different perspective. I believe that both codes of ethics are essential to a mental health professional in ensuring an ethical practice. Understanding the requirements presented by each of the standards helps in resolving ethical issues that might arise. The ACA and MHCA Codes of Ethics is to ensure common standards, guide professionals, and minimize interpersonal strife of professionals, as well as provide clear parameters of behaviors, in order to help meet the changing needs of clients (Ponton, 2009). Counselors use the ethical principles and Code of Ethics, to inform and guide their practice by engaging in practices that are based on research methodologies, providing services that are within their appropriate framework, and work towards fostering client growth (Ponton, 2009). References ACA. (2005). 2005 ACA code of ethics [White Paper]. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/Files/FD.ashx?guid=ab7c1272-71c4-46cf-848c-f98489937dda AMHCA. (2010). 2010 AMHCA code of ethics [White Paper]. Retrieved fromShow MoreRelatedComparing Codes of Ethics Essays895 Words   |  4 PagesComparing Codes of Ethics The American Counseling Association and the American Mental Health Counselors Association Codes of Ethics both provide guidance and direction in making ethical decisions for their members (ACA, 2005) (AMHCA, 2010). Both the ACA and the AMHCA Codes of Ethics cover a wide range of moral and ethical situations that could present themselves to mental health professionals. Both of these codes of ethics have significant impacts on the counseling profession. The tools providedRead MoreEthics in Action1278 Words   |  6 PagesComparing and Contrasting the Code of Ethics Aquila Mahdi Counseling 501 Liberty University February 26, 2012 Dr. S. 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Reflection On Teamwork - 961 Words

Reflecting upon individuals’ experience with team projects this semester is crucial for students to develop teamwork and collaboration skills, effective communications, conflict resolution and improve performance for future projects. This paper reflects on the role that I played in this semesters’ student team project, as well as explaining what I learned about teamwork and collaboration. I am overall impressed by my teams’ extraordinary commitment and performance; though they could still be room for improvement in our communication and organization skills. Our team comprised of six students with Cris Daniels elected as a leader for the group. Apart from choosing a leader, the rest of us were not initially delegated with a†¦show more content†¦By using google docs, all group members were able to edit and work on the team charter document online without having to meet in person. I got to know about that online technology through my group. Brandyn and Cris were both skilled in finding resources for group activities. Brandyn was able to come up with medical supplies like work uniforms and stethoscope when the team was shooting a video for the final team presentation. We were all amazed at how Cris was able to secure a clinic for the teams hospital setting video project. Anna was also able to design cards that helped to determine pain levels in hospitals when dealing with patients who could not communicate in the English language. I provided labels to help identify individuals during the group’s video activity and also supplied soft drinks for team members. My greatest potential in the team was recognized through my creativity in acting in a video designed for the groups’ final presentation. I acted every role was assigned with ease which amazed all group members. I played an important role in making sure that team members act out their part in the video with seriousness for effective presentation. 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Succubus Shadows Chapter 18 Free Essays

string(39) " the air from the warmth of his mouth\." It started before I could stop it. I stood in a kitchen, in one of those dreams where I was both watching me and feeling me. The kitchen was bright and modern, far larger than anything I could imagine a non-cook like me needing. We will write a custom essay sample on Succubus Shadows Chapter 18 or any similar topic only for you Order Now My dream-self stood at the sink, arms elbow deep in sudsy water that smelled like oranges. I was hand-washing dishes and kind of doing a half-ass job at it but was too happy to notice. On the floor, an actual dishwasher lay in pieces, thus explaining the need for manual labor. From another room, the sounds of â€Å"Sweet Home Alabama† carried to my ears. I hummed along as I washed. I was content, filled with a joy so utterly perfect, I could barely grasp it after everything else that had happened in my life – particularly after this imprisonment with the Oneroi. After humming a few more bars, I set a wet cup on the counter and turned around to peek into the living room beyond me. A little girl sat in there, about two years old. She was on a blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals and other toys. She clutched a plush giraffe in her hands. It rattled when she shook it. As though sensing my gaze, she looked up. She had plump cheeks that hadn’t quite lost their baby fat. Wispy, light brown curls covered her head, and her hazel eyes were large and framed with dark lashes. She was adorable. Behind her on the couch, Aubrey lay curled up in a tight little ball. Godiva lay beside her. A delighted smile spread over the little girl’s face, creating a dimple in one cheek. A powerful wave of love and joy spread through me, emotions that my raw and aching real self barely allowed to come through. Just like the first time I’d dreamed this dream, I knew with certainty – absolute certainty – that this girl was my daughter. After a few more moments, I returned to my dishes, though I wanted nothing more than to go back to the living room. Damned manual labor. Neither my dream self nor my waking self could get enough of the girl. I wanted to drink her in. I could have watched her forever, taking in those long-lashed eyes and wispy curls. Unable to resist – and bored with washing dishes – I finally gave in and glanced back again. The girl was gone. I pulled my hands out of the water, just in time to hear a thump and a crash. The sound of crying followed. I sprinted out of the kitchen. Aubrey and Godiva jerked their heads up, surprised at my sudden movement. On the other side of the living room, my daughter sat on the floor beside an end table with sharp corners, a small hand pressed to her forehead. Tears streamed down her checks as she wailed. In a flash, I was on my knees, wrapping her up in a tight embrace. Watching and feeling this dream, I wanted to weep as well over the feel of that soft, warm body in my arms. I rocked the girl, murmuring soothing, nonsensical words as I brushed my lips against the silken hair. Eventually, her sobs stopped, and she rested her head against my chest, content to simply be loved and rocked. We sat like that for another happy minute or so, and then, distantly, I heard the sound of a car’s engine. I lifted my head. â€Å"You hear that?† I asked. â€Å"Daddy’s home.† Mirrored excitement showed on the girl’s face as I stood up, still holding her and balancing her on my hip. It was an act of some coordination, considering how small I was. We walked to the front door and stepped outside onto a porch. It was nighttime, all quiet darkness save for a small light hanging overhead. It shone onto a long stretch of unbroken white snow on the lawn and the driveway. All around, more snow fell in a steady stream. I didn’t recognize the place, but it certainly wasn’t Seattle. That much snow would have sent the city into a panic, putting everyone on Armageddon alert. My daughter and I were perfectly at ease, barely noticing the snow. Wherever we were, this weather was a common occurrence. Down the driveway, the car I had heard had already parked. My heart swelled with happiness. A man stood behind it, a nondescript dark figure in the faint lighting. He took out a rolling suitcase and slammed the trunk shut. The little girl clasped her hands in excitement, and I waved my own hand in greeting. The man returned the wave as he walked toward the house. It was too dark, and I couldn’t see him yet. His face. I had to see his face. We were so close. This was where the dream had stopped before, denying me its conclusion. Some part of me was certain this was a trick too – that the Oneroi were going to do what Nyx had done and end the dream. They didn’t. The man continued walking toward us, and at last, the porch light illuminated his features. It was Seth. Lacy snowflakes rested in his messy hair, and I could make out some wacky T-shirt underneath his heavy woolen trench coat. He left the suitcase by the stairs and sprinted up them to get to us that much more quickly. His arms encircled us, and both my daughter and I snuggled against him. It might have been freezing elsewhere, but our little circle held all the warmth in the world. â€Å"My girls,† he murmured. He took one of his gloves off and ran his hand over the fine silk of our daughter’s hair. He brushed a kiss against her forehead and then leaned toward me. Our lips met in a soft kiss, and when we pulled away, I could see mist in the air from the warmth of his mouth. You read "Succubus Shadows Chapter 18" in category "Essay examples" He hugged us tighter. I sighed happily. â€Å"Don’t leave anymore,† I said. â€Å"Don’t do any more traveling.† He laughed quietly and gave me another kiss, this time on my cheek. â€Å"I’ll see what I can do. If it was up to me, I’d never leave.† But the dream left, shattering like pieces of glass that were then swept away by a broom. Whereas before I’d counted the seconds for these dreams to go away, this time I wanted to cling to it. The hands I didn’t have in this insubstantial form longed to grasp those shards, bloodying my flesh, if only to have a few more moments of that perfect, content bliss my dream-self had held. But it was gone. I was empty. For a long time, I simply couldn’t get over the dream’s loss. I was a tangle of emotions: hurt and anger and longing and incompleteness. It was all feeling, no thought. When coherency began to return, even it was a jumble. Seth. Seth was the man in the dream? Of course he was. Hadn’t I felt it from almost the first time we met? Hadn’t I often said he was like a piece of my soul? Hadn’t I felt like something was missing when we’d split up? Then, all the doubt that the Oneroi had been so good at instilling in me began to descend. It couldn’t be Seth. I couldn’t be with a mortal, not in any real capacity. I certainly couldn’t have a child with one, and anyway, Seth was marrying someone else. This was a trick. Another lie. Everything here was a lie, meant to continue the torment the Oneroi thought I deserved. â€Å"That can’t happen,† I said. The words were hard. And hadn’t I already said them earlier? Circles, circles. My life was repeating itself over and over. â€Å"None of that could ever happen.† â€Å"No,† agreed Two. â€Å"Not anymore. Your future shifted.† â€Å"That was never my future. You lie. Nyx lied. There’s no truth anywhere.† â€Å"This is truth,† said One. Another dream. A true dream? No, no. The part of me that was starting to lose it swore up and down that it couldn’t be true. There’s no truth anywhere. I was in the mundane human world again, with Seth and Simone-as-Georgina. They were at a tuxedo shop, browsing suits, and I futilely racked my brain to figure this out. Maddie had requested they go shopping†¦yet, surely it hadn’t happened that day. Or had it? Was this another day? How much time had passed? I couldn’t tell if these dreams lasted a second or a lifetime. The sky outside was deepening to twilight, so maybe it was the same day. â€Å"You don’t have to wear a bow tie,† said Simone, studying a well-dressed mannequin. She herself was dressed magnificently, in a tight dress that was an orange reminiscent of autumn leaves. It was short, of course, and emphasized my breasts as much as was decently possible – maybe more so. Bronze high heels completed the look. It was too fancy for tux shopping, but it looked great on her. Me. Us. Whatever. Seth wandered over to stand beside her, studying the suit. If there hadn’t been a salesman straightening a display near the door, I had a feeling Seth would have made a run for it. â€Å"It’s more traditional,† said Seth. â€Å"I think that’s what Maddie wants.† Simone scoffed. â€Å"So? What about what you want?† She took a step toward him. â€Å"You can’t just sit by and let others tell you what to do! You have your own needs. Your own wants. You can’t be passive here.† There was passion in her words, a conviction that even I couldn’t help but admire. It was the kind of speech that rallied people to your cause – but like everything else she’d said lately, there was this sexual subtext laced within it. He stared at her for a few seconds, as impressed as I was, but finally looked away. He also took a step back. â€Å"Maybe. But I don’t really feel like my life currently hinges on whether I choose a bow tie or a regular tie. I think I should save my heroic moments for something a little bigger.† He wandered off to look at another suit and didn’t see the scowl on her face that I did. Soon, she had that sweet smile on again and was back by his side – very close to his side – while they examined cuts, colors, and all the myriad details that went into planning a lifelong commitment. The salesman couldn’t stay away, of course, and finally swooped in to offer his assistance. â€Å"This jacket would be very flattering with your build,† he told Seth. â€Å"It comes in black and gray, as well as a few others – so it would definitely complement your dress.† That last part was directed to Simone. She laughed merrily. It was nails on a chalkboard to me. â€Å"Oh, we’re not getting married.† She patted Seth’s arm. â€Å"We’re just good friends. I’m helping out.† Seth moved away, escaping the arm, and suddenly seemed very interested in trying on the jacket. The salesman found Seth’s size, gushed with compliments, and then left the two of them to mull it over. â€Å"It looks great,† said Simone, coming to stand right in front of him. I couldn’t see any space between them. She casually straightened the jacket’s lapel, not that it needed it. â€Å"Fits you like a glove.† Seth grabbed hold of her hands, pushed them away, and then backed off himself. â€Å"You need to stop this,† he said, lowering his voice so others wouldn’t hear. â€Å"Stop what?† asked Simone. â€Å"You know what! The innuendoes. The touching. All of it. You can’t keep doing it.† Simone took a step closer, putting her hands on her hips. Her voice was soft as well, but it was more of a purr. What made it especially irritating was that, really, it was my voice. â€Å"Why? Because you don’t like it? Come on, Seth. How much longer are you going to keep fooling yourself? You know you still want me. This scam of a wedding isn’t going to change that. What we had†¦what we have is too powerful. I see the way you look at me – and you don’t look at her that way. You say I’ve got to stop? No. You’re the one that needs to stop this wedding. End it with her. Or if you don’t have the guts, then let us be together again. At the very least – just one more night. I want to feel you again, feel you in me. And I know you do too.† I was aghast at the boldness. I couldn’t believe what that bitch had tried to do. Impersonating me was bad enough, but now blatantly trying to lure Seth into her bed? Unforgiveable. I expected Seth to be outraged as well, but his face was the picture of calm. He took off the jacket and set it on a counter. â€Å"I don’t know who you are, but stay away from me. Do not speak to me again – or Maddie.† There was a stern, warning tone in his words, that anger I rarely ever heard from him. For once, Simone faltered. â€Å"What are you talking about?† â€Å"You aren’t Georgina,† he said. â€Å"I should’ve listened when my niece first told me. Georgina would never do this, no matter how she felt. Georgina wouldn’t openly try to break up her friend’s wedding. She wouldn’t betray Maddie.† Simone’s eyes flashed with anger. â€Å"Really? Then how exactly would you classify your little spring fling?† I wasn’t surprised she knew about that. Everyone in my hellish circle had figured it out when Seth’s soul darkened. His smile was both sad and cold. â€Å"Georgina did that†¦inadvertently. She was aware of what she was doing, but the motivations†¦well, they were different.† â€Å"Stop trying to justify infidelity. And stop talking about me in the third person!† â€Å"You aren’t her,† said Seth again. â€Å"I know her. I would know her in almost any form. And although you look like her, you – obviously – do not know her.† He turned around to leave – and ran into Jerome. Seth hadn’t seen Jerome enter or teleport into the shop. Neither had I. Yet, even if the demon had strolled in openly, I think Seth would have had the same astonished and deeply disturbed reaction. The cool attitude he’d shown with Simone vanished. â€Å"Sorry,† said Seth, stepping back. He glanced uneasily at Simone, who was just as surprised. â€Å"I’ll – I’ll leave you two alone.† â€Å"I’m not here for her,† growled Jerome. â€Å"What?† she exclaimed, seeming deeply offended. Jerome’s dark eyes bored into Seth’s. â€Å"I’m here for you. You need to come with me. Now.† When a demon tells you to do something, it’s pretty hard to refuse it. My friends and I might joke about the silliness of Jerome’s John Cusack guise, but underneath all that, Jerome was fucking scary. And when he turned his demonic wrath on a human, it was outright terrifying. Yet, with a remarkable show of bravery, Seth asked: â€Å"Why?† Jerome looked displeased that Seth hadn’t instantly jumped to obey. â€Å"To get Georgie back.† â€Å"Back?† repeated Simone. â€Å"But if she comes back – â€Å" Jerome lifted his eyes from Seth and glared at her. â€Å"Yes, yes, I know. But you might as well give it up. You failed.† â€Å"But I can – â€Å" â€Å"Clearly, you can’t.† Jerome strode over to her, leaning close to her face. He pitched his voice low, but I could hear it from my observer’s view. â€Å"This is not the way. I know why you’re here now, but tell Niphon that every time he tries to fix things, he ends up fucking up more. It’s too late. I’ll deal with this. It doesn’t involve you.† â€Å"But – â€Å" â€Å"Enough.† The word boomed through the store. The salesman looked up, startled, but kept his distance. â€Å"I didn’t question your presence before, but now you can go.† Ostensibly, it sounded as though he were giving her permission to leave. But both she and I could hear the underlying meaning: if she didn’t go on her own, he would â€Å"assist† her. She made no more protests. Jerome returned to Seth. â€Å"Georgina’s been taken. We’re going to get her back. And you are going to play a role in that.† Seth couldn’t speak for a moment, and when he did, it was to utter the most obvious response: â€Å"How?† â€Å"To start with, you can stop wasting time here with stupid questions. Come with me, and you’ll find out.† Jerome then made a masterful play. â€Å"Every moment you delay, she’s in more danger.† Nothing else could have spurred Seth into such action. He flinched at the words, and his face ran through a kaleidoscope of emotions. â€Å"Okay,† he said to Jerome. â€Å"Let’s go.† How to cite Succubus Shadows Chapter 18, Essay examples

The Gulf War Essays - Saddam Hussein, Kuwait, Tulfah Family

The Gulf War The Gulf War In the early morning of August the second 1990, Saddam Hussein and a fleet of tanks as well as 100,000 thousand troops invaded neighboring Kuwait with out provocation or warning. Iraq also had surface-to-surface missiles to take complete control of Kuwait; this all took place just hours after Saddam Hussein had assured neighboring countries that there would under no circumstances be an invasion. George Bush entered the Gulf War for the sole reason of recovering the oil and Kuwaiti Boolean that Saddam Hussein had stolen. President George Bush's goal in entering the war was to recover the stolen oil from the Iraqi's, and ensure that it continues to be sold at a reasonable amount by the Kuwaiti's, rather than have the prices raised or even the threat of being cut off by Saddam Hussein; there was also an extreme threat that the Iraqi's possessed nuclear weapons which would endanger all bordering countries. The President said that anything less than the full cooperation of the Iraqi troops and tanks would result in immediate action by the U.S troops in his address to the people. Bush also demanded that full restoration of the Kuwaiti government must also take place rather than the puppet regime that was established by Saddam Hussein after his take over. This was one of the many incidents that lead President George Bush to take action against the Iraqi's due to their involvement in the Persian Gulf crisis. The United Nations placed sanctions upon Iraq, which lead to the starvation of one point two million Iraqi civilians. It was also the cause of the famine rate amongst children from the age five and below to rise almost one quarter from its rate the previous year. 960,000 women and children dead due to the sanctions brought forth by the UN. The sanctions, which were brought forth, involved the immediate hold put on all food, clothing, and medicines from entering Iraq. The points of the sanctions were to weaken the strength of Saddam Hussein and his task forces. In July of 1997 the U.S government held a press conference stating that it was indeed true that the figure was actually well over one point two million Iraqi civilians were killed due to the sanctions. This was one of the major set backs in the campaign of President Bush among the people. Another fact that set President Bush back was the belief of the people that it was not worth putting the lives of American troops on the line for oil. The tabloids headlined most national papers with "no blood for oil." Bush found himself so wrapped up in the whole oil dispute that his own people was opposing his actions for the fear of losing their loved ones over a mere oil dispute. Among the public and in the eyes of the media the President seemed truly sympathetic; it seemed as though he was showing great sympathy for the people of Kuwait. Bush told the people that the hatred of Saddam Hussein could possibly and would spread causing world war three. The President also warned that if the crisis went on without interruption that eventually the United States would be forced into taking action, as the madness created by Saddam Hussein would spread. President Bush also explained to the people that dealing with Saddam Hussein could very well is dealing with the next Adolph Hitler. Both Hussein and Hitler both look at the life of others through the same perspective: The meaning of life compares nothing to that of having the greatest power in the world. Neither Hitler nor Hussein cared for the people of their prospective lands, they cared for the benefit of their personal crusade as well as attempt at being the first ever to control the world. Hitler tried to accomplish this feat by just shear force. Saddam Hussein tried to achieve his goal of supremacy by controlling one of the worlds richest and much needed resources, the Kuwaiti oil. So therefore there was a great threat to all other nations that Saddam Hussein would be the next Adolph Hitler thus to act fast would prevent a possible world war three from ever occurring as well as a possible threat of world domination from Saddam Hussein. President Bush and other members of the UN had to worry about the threat of Hussein using germ warfare to intimidate surrounding countries into surrendering there nation power to him and his army. Germ warfare would take care of all those who opposed him and or resisted his reign as ruler. Therefore the threat

Bachs Brandenburg Concerto No.5 Essays

Bachs Brandenburg Concerto No.5 Essays Bachs Brandenburg Concerto No.5 Paper Bachs Brandenburg Concerto No.5 Paper Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no. 5 Overview: This baroque concerto is composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, the famous baroque composer of his time. This work is the fifth of six concertos the composer dedicated to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg. This piece showcases Bachs inimitable strength as a contrapuntist. Bach’s music has flexibility in its form and influence, but still retaining the constraints of the form of baroque music. He blended Italian and German music in these concertos, giving them a distinctive touch. This fifth concerto is made distinctive by the flute, solo violin, harpsichord, and strings. It is the only one of the six pieces to have any solo given to the harpsichord, which is part of the continuo throughout the other works. Elements like the rhythm and texture are of great importance as displayed in the playing of this wonderful piece. Description of the piece: The music composed in this piece is music that is both sublime and entertaining. There are three movements in this piece itself. The first movement started with a lively and upbeat melody. A cadenza was featured in the first movement. The harpsichord is given a very important part as both a solo and the bass part. The harpsichord also seemed to be holding the piece together, supporting the other instruments. In the second part of the first movement, there are episodes whereby the other instruments gave their limelight to the harpsichord. At the end of the movement, the other soloists actually supported the free-flowing harpsichord line. The unique thing about this movement is the tension felt between all the solo instruments and the string ensemble. Beauty and elegance is what the second movement is all about. The sound of the harpsichord is heard in the beginning of the second movement, followed by the flute and violin soloists. The second movement is for the soloists only, the flute, violin and harpsichord all playing with a sense of cooperation, portraying sombreness. It is soothing and free of the first movement’s tension. The final movement is brief compared to the first movement. This movement is more like a dance, enchanting and cheerful with the influence of the fugue. Analysis of the piece: The three movements of fast-slow-fast are present. In the opening movement, the ritornello is overwhelmed by the soloist which is usually the tutti ensemble. It is like a sort of competition between different parties, with the tutti versus soloists, and also soloists against soloists. The harpsichord wins. The first movement plays in the major key, with a sense of vivace. The overall dynamics which is ideal for describing this movement is allegro con fuoco. A touch of legato is present in the second movement; adagio, largo can be used to describe the tempo of this particular movement. The last movement is mostly polyphonic as it is influenced by distinct fugal powers. The subject is introduced and it is then repeated by another instrument. It sounded like a second voice imitating the first voice, accelerando at some point of time. It ended on a major chord. The overall tempo of the final movement is presto. The main instruments playing are the violin, flute and the harpsichord. Rhythm is constant throughout this whole piece, this baroque concerto piece used the quadruple meter. Pitch and texture varies throughout the music piece as well. Reflection of this piece: The presence of strong contrast and opposition of sonorities made this piece remarkably wonderful. The second movement is slow and restful. This is a prodigious irony, considering how the tensions of the concerto form were exploded in the first with so much zest, in which the restricted form is somehow abandoned at that brief moment. The final movement is my favourite movement as it made me feel like doing a lively dance. It gives a sense of freedom and joviality. Overall, I find this piece of music a rather enchanting piece with a balance of melancholy and exuberance.

Things to Know Before Visiting a Butterfly House

Things to Know Before Visiting a Butterfly House Youve probably seen live butterfly exhibits offered in your local zoos or nature museum. These exhibits offer visitors the chance to observe butterflies up close. Most butterfly houses populate their exhibits with butterflies from around the world, allowing you to see a variety of colorful species youd have to travel the globe to find in the wild. Bring a camera, because youll definitely want to capture images of these flying flowers. Heres a primer on what to expect when visiting, including tips for getting butterflies to land on you, and photographing your favorites. Things to Know Before You Visit a Butterfly House Butterfly houses are hot, humid environments. In most cases, the exhibit is meant to mimic butterflies native tropical habitat. If you have health issues that may be exacerbated by high temperatures or humidity, you may want to keep your visit short. A well-designed butterfly house usually has a double set of doors with a vestibule in between at both the entrance and exit. This is to help prevent butterflies from escaping  and to help keep the temperature inside the exhibit constant. Butterfly houses usually have misters placed throughout the exhibit to help maintain the humidity. Depending on where they are located, you might be sprayed with a gentle mist of water as you walk through the exhibit. Butterflies sometimes rest on the ground, including on the pathways where you will be walking. Pay attention to where you are stepping to avoid crushing a resting butterfly. Be sure to look up, too! Resting moths can fly way up high on the exhibit walls, or even on light fixtures. Butterflies behave differently depending on the species, the time of day, and environmental variables like temperature and humidity. Some species on exhibit may seem to do nothing but rest. These are often crepuscular butterflies, meaning theyre active at dawn and dusk. Most will be most active during the warmest, sunniest part of the day, which is usually the afternoon. Because butterflies are short-lived, some of the butterflies you observe may be nearing the end of their lives. You might see some butterflies that look tattered, with missing wing scales or even torn wings. This doesnt mean something is wrong with their care. Newly emerged butterflies, by contrast, will have bright, bold colors, and clean wing edges. Usually, the staff will release newly emerged butterflies and moths into the exhibit at a specific time each day, often in the afternoon. If you want to see this, you might want to call ahead to ask when they do the daily release, so you can plan your visit accordingly. Butterfly House Donts You will usually find a set of rules posted where you enter the butterfly house. These may include: Dont bring food or drinks into the exhibit.Dont wander off the pathways in the exhibit.Dont touch the plants or pick flowers.Dont pick up or handle the butterflies, unless a staff member invites you to do so.Dont remove butterflies from the exhibit area, even if they are dead. Butterfly House Dos Do take your time. Butterfly spotting takes patience!Do ask questions. Most butterfly houses have knowledgeable staff or volunteers posted in the exhibit area, able and willing to teach you about the species you are seeing.Do look for feeding stations and puddling areas, where you can get a closer view of the butterflies.Do visit the emerging area, where you can watch new butterflies and moths break out of their pupal cases. You might have to wait for a while to see one emerge, but it is well worth it.Do consider bringing a small pair of binoculars with you, to get a better view of butterflies perched high in the exhibit.Do take lots of pictures! Where else will you have that many butterflies within reach of your camera lens?Do check for hitchhikers before you exit the butterfly house. Ask a friend to make sure no butterflies have perched on your back. Behaviors You Can Observe in the Butterfly House To the novice butterfly observer, it might look like the butterflies are only doing one of two things: flying or resting. But theres more to butterfly behavior than that. Some male butterflies will patrol a territory, looking for a mate. Youll see him flying back and forth, back and forth in one area of the exhibit. Other butterflies are more passive in defending their territory, preferring instead to perch. These butterflies sit quietly in one spot, usually high on a tree or other foliage, watching for females to flutter into their area. If a male competitor enters his territory, he may chase him away. Because butterflies are ectothermic, they will bask in the sun to warm their bodies and their flight muscles. Butterflies also engage in puddling, which is how they get the minerals they need. You may see butterflies mating, and you will definitely observe butterflies feeding on nectar. See how many different behaviors you can observe! Tips for Getting a Butterfly to Land on You If youre lucky, a butterfly might land on you while you are in the exhibit. Theres no guarantee this will work but, you can do a few things to increase your chances. The best rule of thumb is to act as a flower: Wear brightly colored clothes. I have a bright yellow and orange tie-dyed shirt that always seems to lure butterflies to me.Smell sweet. If youre wearing a skin lotion or perfume that smells a bit like flowers, that attract a hungry butterfly.Stay still. Flowers dont move, so you wont fool a butterfly if youre walking around. Find a bench and stay put for a while. Tips for Taking Photos in a Butterfly House Butterfly houses afford photographers a unique opportunity to capture images of butterflies from all over the world, without the expense of traveling or the frustration of looking for them in the wild. Keep in mind that some butterfly houses do not allow photographers to bring tripods in, so call and ask before you visit. Here are a few tips for getting the good photographs on your next visit to a butterfly exhibit. Plan your visit for early in the day. Butterflies will be most active from late morning until late afternoon. You have a better chance of photographing butterflies at rest if you visit the butterfly house as soon as it opens in the morning.Give your camera time to adjust to the tropical environment. One thing that drives me nuts when I visit a butterfly house is my camera lens fogging up. If you move from a cooler, drier environment into the hot, humid climate of the butterfly exhibit, your camera is going to need a bit of time to acclimate before your lens will stay clear.Photograph butterflies from the front, not the back. You will be tempted to photograph the easy targets, like the butterflies resting on foliage with their beautiful wings visible to you. Look for butterflies on feeding stations or flowers, where you might be able to get a good close-up of it uncoiling its proboscis to drink, or tasting a piece of fruit with its feet. Rules for Displaying Live Butterflies Organizations that operate  live butterfly exhibits in the U.S.  must follow very strict USDA regulations. In most cases, their permit does not allow them to breed the species on exhibit. Plants within the butterfly exhibit provide nectar only; no larval host plants will be provided. Instead, they must purchase butterflies as pupae, which are housed in a separate area until the adults emerge. Most butterfly houses receive new shipments of pupae on a weekly basis since adult butterflies are short-lived. Once they are ready to fly, the adults are released into the exhibit. All butterflies must be kept within the confines of the butterfly house, and careful measures must be taken to prevent escapes.