Body Modification :: Body Piercings Essays

Body Modification: A Rising Sensation A heavily tattooed woman pinched my nose and picked up a gargantuan needle with her other hand. â€Å"Whoa...hold on,† I muttered. â€Å"What’s the matter?† â€Å"You have got to be kidding me. You can’t pierce me with that!† â€Å"Uh...why not?† â€Å"It’s waaaay too big! You can’t just take a chopstick and jab a hole into my face with it...† â€Å"Listen...do you want this piercing or not? I have a whole line of people waiting outside to be in this chair.† I stared in horror at the fearsome needle taunting me to challenge its glinting tip. I closed my eyes, prayed with every cell in my body for the pain to be minimal, and grimaced as she expertly twirled the needle between her fingers and then slid it through my flesh in one fluid motion. When I took a peek, I gaped cross-eyed at the foreign object jutting out of my nose and smiled. I don’t remember what state of mind I was in when I walked into the parlor, but I left victorious! Throughout history, people have decorated and modified the appearance of their bodies in many different ways. Nostril piercings are thought to have been adopted into the noble castes in the Middle East almost 4000 years ago. Nowadays, nostril piercings have been adopted by Christina Aguilera. In South America, Aztec and Mayan priests pierced their tongues as part of a ritual to communicate with their gods. In several African tribes, the beauty of women was determined by the size of plates that were fitted into their upper lips. In ancient civilizations of Egypt, a â€Å"perfect belly button† could elevate someone’s social standing. At that time, only Pharaohs and royal families could pierce their navels. Anyone else was promptly executed. A â€Å"perfect belly button†, however, could be a peasant’s ticket to a better life. The ancient Romans pierced their nipples (ouch) to show their strength and endurance. It is also theorized that their nipple jewelry he ld their cloaks in place! To this day, piercings have continued to capture human curiosity and fascination. The world record for the highest number of body piercings is one of the most volatile since it is constantly adjusting as each prickled being attempts to outdo the previous one. In 2002, Nathan Robitaille, 23, had 420 needles stuck into his arms, thus breaking the previous world record of 301 piercings.

Movie and the Society Essay

The pleasure of watching movies is considered vital in our society today. It gives us a temporary escape from reality and allows us to indulge in a world of thrills and chills within the persona of each character in the film that we watch. We also find ourselves contemplating on the identities of characters and somehow see a part of our life in theirs. Typical reaction of movie goers are â€Å"good†, â€Å"boring†, â€Å"exciting† and â€Å"O. K. † People’s judgment is based on their feelings and how the film made them feel that way. Are they triggered with fear during the movie? Did they end up crying? Did they feel good at the end of the movie and leave the theater with a smile on their faces? This approach in analyzing a movie is not really bad, since feelings and sensual pleasures are part of humanistic approach and initial reaction. An audience tends to react based how they exactly feel right after they’ve seen a film: how they indulge in fantasy on magical movies, how they drop off their seats during suspense and horror films, and how they feel the triumph of heroes and heroic figures on suspense and action films. Movies give us a two- to three-hour experience that we often lack in our daily lives. They also give us ideas and make us try to imagine what kind of life are we going to experience if we are in the shoes of the characters that we have watched. Movie Construction Movies are not only judged according to our feelings and emotions but also with ideas and assumptions. The plots and story give us a better vision and meaning of our own lives. Most people are not good evaluating, examining, and analyzing movies. Most people don’t bother to think much because they are after the experience of feeling different emotions or they just love the actors and actresses of the film. As a student who is in line with film studies, I think various bases should be used in analyzing movies. With this learning, we don’t only enjoy the film that we are watching but be more keen observers on the different aspects of movies that filmmakers tend to hide from us; how the film is made and what values are promoted (Kolker, 1999, p. 33). We often forget that films are not only artificial construction where people on screen are only projections from television and made out of cameras and videos. We should bear in mind that these films are results of thousand hours of writing scripts, directing, acting, shooting, editing, cutting, and splicing. Most filmmakers tries their best and makes them forget that its just a story by making sure that there is no equipments like cameras or microphones seen as a part of the filming context. They also work very hard to keep us from noticing how the film is pieced together from the footage taken in many different places, from many different camera positions, and over a much longer period of time than we experience in watching it. â€Å"Because we’re used to thinking that seeing is believing, that pictures don’t lie, it is easy to feel as if what we are seeing is really happening. † (Mast, 2008) Basic Terms in Movie Analysis Shots These are streams of images which are not interrupted by editing it is a continuity of scenes and where graphics are formed by series of still frames. In order to be able to think about a film, we have to resist the â€Å"suspension of disbelief† in order to pay attention to how the film is put together. Start by noticing when one shot ends and another begins. In film studies parlance, a â€Å"shot† is any â€Å"unbroken, unedited length of film. †(Kolker, 1999, p. 33) In most films shots gives us interpretation regarding scenes and characters. We can see the emotions and predict future events base on shots provided in the film. Like the extreme long shots that gives us the overall scenario where the enemies and soldiers begins a battle. Most of the time shots are cut through editing so that it will appear as one to the viewer but in reality it is taken with series of shots to make up one particular scene. Once we have enough knowledge in analyzing the shots and editing in the movie we can also understand how the film starts to manipulate us and our feelings through the rest of watching the entire movie. Shorter shots gives us faster pacing of the film and transitions in the events of the characters. â€Å"When we get used to fast-paced films like this, films with longer shots and fewer cuts can seem slow and difficult to watch. But, of course, such fast-paced films also make it harder to think! Films that constantly use close-up shots of the characters create a higher level of intensity and intimacy than do films which focus more on landscape, geography, and other aspects of context. † (Mast, 2008) If a film always provides us shots of the characters it gives us the notion that these individuals are the most important element in the story and through the rest of the film, places and situations also gives valuable shot as it shapes the lives of the main character. Scenes and Sequences This usually takes place in a single time and place with the characters of the film having a conversation at a given time. There are times that two scenes are provided in the film alternately showing the viewers different scenarios which often combined or talks about the same topic. â€Å"Sometimes a single scene may contain two lines of action, occurring in different spaces or even different times, that are related by means of crosscutting. Scene and sequence can usually be used interchangeably, though the latter term can also refer to a longer segment of film that does not obey the spatial and temporal unities of a single scene. For example, a montage sequence that shows in a few shots a process that occurs over a period of time. † (Film Analysis Guide 2008) Story/Plot This term refers to the overall order of the film. It is consist of settings, time frame, events and the relations between them. Story on the other hand is more extensive sine it is more straightforward especially if the genre is drama where the story is manipulated by the plot to produce dramatic effects. Often times we tend to interpret easily a film based on the story without giving consideration to other factors in the film. We easily conclude that this film is made merely to frighten or to make us laugh or cry. Without noticing factors like the mise-en-scene. Mise-en-scene This is the overall projection of the film on an audience perspective. All things are put in the scene which includes the setting, properties, wardrobe, lights, acting,etc. Things like this often manipulates the minds of the viewers as they tend to easily judge the character based on its appearance. This is also one strategy that a film critic may use in determining the role of each character. For example if the character wears red and the rest of the cast wears pink we can easily say that he is the lead character and the whole story will revolve around him. Props also gives us interpretation regarding future events once they are used as symbolism in the film. With the use of shots and camera angles we can easily predict a future event like a shot of knife then the lead character then the villain. The mise-en-scene is arranged in a way that the viewer can picture out totally what is happening in the film itself. Genres The type of films are recognized and analyzed based also on its genre. This gives the film certain distinctions in terms of â€Å" narrative or stylistic conventions, or merely by their discursive organization in influential criticism. Genres are made necessary by high volume industrial production. † (Film Analysis Guide 2008) Focus This is another element of film wherein â€Å"the degree of light rays coming from any particular part of an object pass through the lens and re-converge at the same point on a frame of the film negative, creating sharp outlines and distinct textures that match the original object. This optical property of the cinema creates variations in depth of field through shallow focus, deep focus, and techniques such as racking focus. † (Film Analysis Guide 2008) The sharpness of an image in a film gives the viewer an eye shot of the main subject. Through focus we can also interpret and analyze film since we are given enough exposure of the scenes and we feel the intense feeling of the characters using this technique. Rocking focus makes us feel the thrill during chase scenes between the killers and the main character. Editing After shooting the entire film, clips are gathered and series of shots are combined in a single filmstrip. Here the sequence of scenes are added with transitions and uses cuts to remove unnecessary scenes. Hard to achieve effects which cannot be provided by means of humanistic approach is enhanced and produced by editing to give film a more enticing effect. Magics and special effects are added to make films more appealing. Hence this also helps us to interpret and analyze movies sometimes if a film is easily cut without giving further ado to the audience it may result negatively on the end of the audience because it was edited but with bad quality. Sound and Light Effects In cinemas, sounds in films does not necessarily need to match the scenes or it needs to be continuous. â€Å"Sound can also be used to reintroduce events from earlier in the story. † (Film Analysis Guide 2008). It gives viewers interpretation of what that scene is for base on the type of songs that is played during a particular scene. Lights also gives us predicaments as to what is really happening on that particular scene. Like on love scenes lights are always darker and mostly turned off in many movies. While Enhanced light which almost blinds the viewers are provided if there are scenes of triumphs and enjoyment. Ideology and Interpretation of Films After the given terms and interpretation of film above, â€Å"We have come to understand films as artificial constructions that are pieced together by filmmakers, we can more easily begin to ask questions about the ideological agenda of a film what values it promotes. Because films are cultural products shaped by the historical context of their making they can tell us much about the values and commitments of their makers and their audiences. An ideological analysis of a film that appeals to a viewer can also tell about a great deal on ones own conscious or unconscious values. (Mast, 2008) I believe that the real criteria in evaluating an interpreting a movie is by analyzing not only its components in the technical terms of movie analysis but how it appeals to our consciousness and sensitivity as an individual. Our Values and Social responsibility as impacted by the type of film that we’ve watched. So that later on we will drop comments like â€Å"boring† and â€Å"OK† and use more helpful words like how the film reinforces you as an individual and how it challenges an assumption regarding a particular topic. â€Å"Instead of dismissing films because they are slow-paced or follow unfamiliar plots or include unusual characters, it may be more inspiring and personally transformative to ask what surprised you about these films and why. For these Studies in Cinema films, in short, it will be worthwhile to move beyond the question â€Å"How did I feel? † to the more difficult question: â€Å"What do I think? † (Mast, 2008) There are some films that makes viewer easily understand bodies of literature. Movies like Romeo and Juliet are arranged and scripted in a way that can be easily understood in literal and lay man’s term. Unlike the words used in the literary piece it is more innovated in terms of using appropriate words and drops off words that are hard to understand by viewers. Reference Film Analysis Guide (2008). Yale Film Studies Website. Retrieved January 15, 2008 from: http://classes. yale. edu/film-analysis/ Kolker, Robert (1999). Film, Form and Culture. McGraw Hill College, p. 33. Mast, Gerald J. Biesecker (2008). How to Watch Movies Intelligently. Retrieved January 15, 2008 from: http://www. bluffton. edu/~mastg/Watchingmovies. htm

Callaway Case Assignment Essay

Callaway Golf Company (CGC) has maintained top market share and superior golf equipment since 1982. In 1998, sales began to fall and market saturation posed large strategy questions to the senior management of CGC. CGC is in need of a new strategic vision for the future. Smith Marketing Consulting Group is recommending that CGC develop an online marketing campaign and a new putter line to address the need for continued growth and innovation. CGC enjoyed large market share and high profits from 1982 to 1998. Ely Callaway, CGC’s founder, accomplished this with his vision: â€Å"If we make a truly more satisfying product for the average golfer, not the professionals, and make it pleasingly different from the competition, the company will be successful. † Callaway’s early strategy from 1988-1997 included new club designs such as S2H2, Big Bertha, and titanium shafts; high end prices; and a large budget for research and development (R&D). CGC was able to sell more units of equipment at the highest prices due to leading-edge technology. Callaway had a one price policy to all on and off course retailers. CGC also had a marketing plan that included endorsement of pro golfers; television and magazine advertisements; and training to retailers on point of sale knowledge. In recent years, the golf equipment industry has seen an increase in competition with many new startups and saturation of products in the marketplace. The industry has also experienced a decrease in demand for high-end premium equipment and an increase in close-out programs. Product life-cycles have become very short, with most companies introducing new products on a yearly basis and sales of products declining sharply after only two years on retailer shelves. Golf equipment consumers tend to purchase new products on word-of-mouth recommendations and the average consumer has a handicap of 18 and purchases new clubs every two to three years. Recommendations In order to compete in the golf equipment industry, CGC must develop new strategies to keep the company growing and moving forward. Smith Marketing Consulting Group is recommending that CGC establish an online alliance with consumers and retailers and develop innovative putting equipment as a new strategy going forward. Although CGC has voiced reservation about using the Internet to sell products, the future for most retailers and manufacturers must include the Internet to stay successful. Based on short product lifecycles and high R&D budgets, CGC should capitalize on the efficiencies of the Internet to continually produce innovative products and allow consumer’s access to these products in the shortest times possible. CGC maintains excellent recognition through word-of-mouth advertising and pro golfer endorsements. Although CGC is fearful of consumers not wanting to delay satisfaction to have products shipped, the powerful marketing tool of word-of-mouth advertisement will allow CGC to capitalize with online retailing without consumers needing to physically see the products. CGC should consider a website that would allow the consumer to purchase equipment online, but the order would be picked up at local retail store. This would maintain CGC’s relationships with on and off course retailers, yet please consumers with the ease of shopping from home. An online retail shop will allow CGC to increase market share, maintain superior products and commitment to innovation. Secondly, CGC should focus R&D on innovative putting products to compliment the CGC woods and irons. Putting equipment currently accounts for the lowest sales percentage at CGC, but studies show consumers are much more likely to purchase putters than any other club. Therefore, strengthening the CGC line of putters will increase sales and profits. Smith Marketing Consulting Company appreciates the opportunity to work with CGC and we strongly feel these recommended strategies will greatly benefit the company.

Street pharm essay(why you should buy this book) Essay Example

Street pharm essay(why you should buy this book) Essay Example Street pharm essay(why you should buy this book) Paper Street pharm essay(why you should buy this book) Paper and she threw on her coat and aint worked there a day of my life- but the manager owed me. He was one of my customers. Time to get down to brothers real bread-and-butter! I took out my cell and speed-dialed sonny. Ty! What the fucks going on? Whyd you turn off your cell? Mind your business. Whats going on? l need your help son. Tonight we got us some deliveries. Already got some. Well, I got more for you. Go on. I wrote the stuff on my palm pilot. Hold up, I said, whos this Schultz guy? A new customer I met last week. Told him we was getting a shipment with the hottest shit this side of the bogota. He gonna drop 5 gs.

December 26

December 26 December 26 December 26 By Maeve Maddox The day after Christmas, December 26 (according to the Western tradition), has its own holiday associations. St. Stephens Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen Saint Stephen is the protomartyr (first martyr) of the Christian church. Tradition says that Saul, later to be known as Saint Paul, held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen to death in the first century. In the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas, the king (he was a 10th century Duke of Bohemia) looks out of his window on the Feast of Stephen and sees a poor man gathering winter fuel. King Wenceslas and a servant follow the man with gifts of food. Wren Day is observed on December 26 in Ireland, Wales, and on the Isle of Man. Also called Wrens day, Hunt the Wren Day or The Hunting of the Wrens, the observation is believed to have originated with the Druids in pre-Christian times. It has become conflated with the Christian Feast of Stephen. For details, see the Wikipedia article. Boxing Day is a public holiday in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Greece. Like many Americans, when I first saw Boxing Day on a calendar, I assumed that it had something to do with prize fighting. The box in Boxing Day, however, is a container, like a tip box or jar. On the day after Christmas, servants and other service providers received year-end tips and needed a box to put them in. Nowadays Boxing Day is a big shopping day for after-Christmas sales. Details here. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African culture that begins on December 26 and ends on New Years Day. Created in 1966 by American Ron Everett Karenga, Kwanzaa is now observed around the world. You can learn more about the festival at the official Kwanzaa site. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the General category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:"Because Of" and "Due To" 50 Synonyms for â€Å"Idea†Preposition Mistakes #1: Accused and Excited

Ethical Formal Report and Analysis of the IT employment market Essay

Ethical Formal Report and Analysis of the IT employment market - Essay Example Most of the service sectors and manufacturing units one way or other depends IT for the modernization of their processes or strategies. IT is one of the essential components not only in the computer related businesses, but it has immense influence on other fields such as education, communication, health, transportation, manufacturing etc. It is necessary to keep certain ethical standards in every business activities and IT industry is also not an exception .One unethical behaviour usually leads to more such behaviours to hide the first one. The modern people are more conscious about the importance of ethical standards in everyday life and they are even ready to pay more for the products of the organizations which keeps ethical standards. Since our college has a wide reputation over a period, any silly activities may result in loss of faith by the public in our institution. Violations of ethics in organizations may bring short term benefits while good ethical practices are necessary for the long term benefits. We have to analyze the ethical standards in our organization on this perspective. I strongly believe that as the Director of Information Technology, you will consider this report seriously and will take necessary actions to sustain the confidence public have in our organization. â€Å"When we talk about business ethics, usually were speaking about standards of behaviour in the workplace as well as with customers and partners. Companies known for high ethical standards usually have an ethical code stating that they treat everyone with dignity, dont present misleading information, and scrupulously follow rules and regulations.† Moral behaviour needs to be embedded in a supportive social infrastructure that promotes consistent behaviour†. (Adam Galinsky, 1994) Unethical behaviours often lead to unnecessary problems as far as an organization is considered. In IT industry, the intellectual property

Evaluating Cost Variances Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Evaluating Cost Variances - Essay Example an ideal plan difference for incomes will be examined to figure out if it was the aftereffect of higher than arranged offering costs, more noteworthy amounts, or an excellent blend of things sold. In addition, a good plan fluctuation for costs will be dissected to distinguish the reason for the lower costs. An unfavorable fluctuation is experienced when an association is contrasting its genuine results with a financial plan or standard. The difference can apply to either incomes or costs, and is characterized as adverse income fluctuation. At the point when the measure of actual income is short of what the standard or planned sum. In this manner, genuine incomes of $400,000 versus a funding of $450,000 equivalents an unfavorable income change of $50,000. Unfavorable cost fluctuation. At the point when the measure of genuine cost is more prominent than the standard or planned sum. In this manner, actual costs of $250,000 versus a funding of $200,000 equivalents an unfavorable cost change of $50,000. Overall, the plan of an unfavorable difference is to highlight a potential problem, which is then remedied. Honestly, the idea does not work that well. The issue is that there is just an adverse fluctuation in connection to a standard or planned amount and that benchmark sum may be unthinkable or in any event exceptionally hard to achieve. On the off chance that an unfavorable difference surpasses the base, then it is accounted for to supervisors, who then make a move to rectify whatever the underlying issue may be. At the point when the real cost is brought about is more than the standard expense, there is fluctuation is known adverse or antagonistic change. Unfavorable fluctuation alludes to deviation to the loss of