Thursday, November 28, 2019

Santas Reply - A Funny, Comedic Male Monologue

'Santa's Reply' - A Funny, Comedic Male Monologue This stand-alone comedic male monologue features Santa trying to win back Mrs. Claus. If you want to know how this happy couple fell apart, read Mrs. Clauses piece in our list of comedic female monologues. It may be used by students, actors, directors for educational or professional purposes. But remember, it is purely a work of fiction. In reality, Mr. and Mrs. Claus are happily married! Santas Reply SANTA: Dear Mrs. Claus... Ever since you left me for the Easter Bunny, my life has become utterly meaningless. Without you, the North Pole truly is the loneliest place in the world. Without you by my side, there has been no one to keep me on my diet. Ive gorged upon cookies and milk. I even stole Rudolphs carrots. I gobbled up the gingerbread house next door. The neighbors are furious. Ive gotten so big, the reindeer have developed back problems. Thanks to me, the sled now exceeds its maximum capacity. I dont think Ill be able to clear the Rockies this Christmas Eve. And I cant stop drinking. Ive been going to Eggnog Anonymous meetings, but they just arent helping. And I hesitate to mention how devastated the elves have been. They keep asking about you. So, as you can tell, without you, my life is ho-ho-horrible. Please come back to me. I dont care if youre naughty or nice. Theres no one else I want underneath my mistletoe. Please come home.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

ATHENS Essays - Ancient Agora Of Athens, Athens, Free Essays

ATHENS Essays - Ancient Agora Of Athens, Athens, Free Essays ATHENS THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS is a photographic archive of the archaeological and architectural remains of ancient Athens (Greece). It is intended primarily as a resource for students of classical languages, civilization, art, archaeology, and history at Indiana University who may wish to take a "virtual tour" of the chief excavated regions and extant monuments. We also hope that this site will be useful to all who have an interest in archaeological exploration and the recovery, interpretation, and preservation of the past. ?Copyright All of the images presented here are from the personal slide collection of Kevin T. Glowacki and Nancy L. Klein. You are free to download and use unmodified copies of these images for non-commercial purposes providing that you include a reference to this site and copyright notice. If you use any of these images for presentations or papers, or have any comments or suggestions, we would appreciate hearing from you by email or post. (We especially enjoy email from students & teachers in grade school & high school!) Indiana University Bloomington Home Page. IU Classical Studies Home Page. Archaeological Institute of America, Central Indiana Society Home Page. The WWWorld of Archaeology. (From ARCHAEOLOGY Magazine). Exploring Ancient World Cultures. ("An exhibition of WWW sites pertaining to ancient world cultures," by Anthony F. Beavers of the University of Evansville and Bill Hemminger.) Topography & Monuments of Ancient Athens When archaeologists use the term "topography" in their work, they usually mean a combination of several different subjects, including 1) the geography & natural resources of a country, 2) the architectural form of a city as it develops over several centuries or even millenia, and 3) the study of different functional areas within a city or its countryside, such as sanctuaries, civic centers, marketplaces, workshops, private houses, & cemeteries. A student of "topography" must be prepared to dabble in subjects such as architecture, art, literature, history, epigraphy, numismatics, religion, politics, physical anthropology, and geology, as well as having an understanding of the methodologies of archaeological excavation and regional survey. Hence, "topography" can be a truly interdisplinary adventure, full of all the things that make classical archaeology such an exciting field to study. One of the most important sources for the topography of Athens (in particular) and Greek archaeology (in general) is an eye-witness account written by the traveler Pausanias in the 2nd century A.D. Pausanias spent several years traveling throughout Greece and he recorded many fascinating details about the famous cities, temples, and monuments which were already considered ancient even in his own day! Athens was one of the first places he visited on his journey and his description of the city provides us with some invaluable clues about the location, form, decoration, function, and historical significance of many prominent monuments. (It provides us with some problems too, since the evidence from modern archaeological excavation does not always readily agree with what Pausanias records. Is it a matter of physical preservation? Or a problem with our methods of archaeological interpretation? Or could it be that sometimes Pausanias and/or his tour guides got a few of the "facts" mixed up a phenomenon all too familiar to any modern traveler who has tried to absorb all of the sights & sounds & history of one of the great cities of the world!). Of the many possible ways in which THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS could have been organized, we have chosen to present the monuments in essentially the same order as they were visited by Pausanias. For each section, we have also provided a "link" to an English translation of Pausanias from the PERSEUS Project (a great website where you can learn much more about ancient Greek culture, literature, history, and art!). Although not everything mentioned by Pausanias has been preserved, and despite the fact that Pausanias tended to omit monuments of the Roman period (which were, after all, "modern" as far as he was concerned), we think that this is a natural and effective way to structure our "virtual tour" of the city. KALO TAXIDI! The Kerameikos: Kerameikos Cemetery, Public & Private Grave Monuments, "Themistoklean" Wall, Sacred Gate, Dipylon Gate, Pompeion. The Agora: Commercial & Civic Center of Ancient Athens: Royal Stoa, Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, Temple of Apollo Patroos, Metroon, Bouleuterion, Tholos, Monument of the Eponymous Heroes, Hephaisteion, Altar of the 12 Gods, Stoa of Attalos, Church of the Holy Apostles. The Roman Agora, Tower of the Winds, & the Library of Hadrian: Gate of Athena Archegetis, Colonnade, Fountain, Propylon,

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Critically compare and contrast three theories of the multinational Essay

Critically compare and contrast three theories of the multinational firm. Which best explains firm behaviour and why - Essay Example The primary drive operating behind their decision to outspread are the cost benefits and profit potentials which lie in different locations (Maheshwari, 1997, p. 246). However, there are certain aspects which influence the profit and cost factors in a certain region. Those are the very elements which instigate the businessmen to spread out. In fact, theories have been framed by eminent observers in the past, to comprehend the factors which actually guide the production decisions of trans-national companies. Three fundamental factors are ownership, location and internalisation aspects which taken together form the essence of OLI Theory of International Production. This however, is part of the neo-classical school of thought (Taylor & Thrift, 1986, p. 9). Likewise there is the Marxist economic theory or the Neo-Imperialist views which support the decisions taken by trans-national companies to spread out their businesses to different nations around the world. Capitalist economies tend t o accumulate a large volume of resources at home which they are restricted from making use of at home due to restrictions imposed over their employment. Hence, they have little option but to generate profit out of their surpluses through deploying them across national borders. Thirdly, the Neo-Fundamentalist Marxist principles say that the primary enticement behind spreading out their businesses is that the industries which gradually acquire a monopolistic position, start enjoying the advantage of huge surpluses. Due to a limited scope for employing them in the nation where they belong, the industrialists deploy them in foreign lands where they have greater prospects of reaping profits (Jenkins, 1987, p. 447-451). The present paper discusses the similarities and differences between each of the three types of economic theories stated above to assess the factors which induce foreign investors towards expanding their businesses across nations. Finally, an evaluation about the theory mo st applicable in context of business houses today will be made as a concluding note. Chapter 2 – Theoretical Framework 2.1 Marxist or the Neo-Imperialist economic theory According to the views of Marxist economists, the developed and developing economies are complementary to one another and make up the entire global system. However, they also emphasise that the latter are usually the ones who are exploited by the former so that there is a continued outflow of surplus resources from the reserves of developing nations to the already burgeoning stock of the developed nations. The essence of the theory is the monopolisation of industrial houses which leads to an accumulation of huge sums of profits in the capitalist nations. On the other hand, the prevalence of anti-trust laws restricts an expansion of their businesses within the domestic frontier through forming cartels. Thus, the surpluses which are reaped stay idle and hence, attain a stagnant rate of growth which is not desir ed by the private producer (Jenkins,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Drug Epidemics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Drug Epidemics - Research Paper Example Although parenthood brings with it an overt phase of endless concern and wellbeing of children becomes the topmost priority, the main concern is regarding bad habits and addictions that their children may succumb to under peer pressure. Abuse of prescription drugs among college students has become an increasing trend in a lot of campuses. Students use these drugs in huge volumes not only to get feelings of intoxication, but also to help them to concentrate for tests or papers, to alleviate themselves from depression or anxiety as well as to help improve their stamina for sports and athletics. A lot of people have stereotypes about who an addict or alcoholic is and how he or she would behave, however, majority of people do not connect this image with young students. Drug education has been made compulsory in the United States all through grade schools and yet the use of drugs continues to increase in college students. Once the students graduate from their high schools, they leave the safe ambit provided by their schools and enter the negatively influential atmosphere of colleges. College life is considered as a period for experimentation, and for some students certain experimentation develops into a bad addiction. When it comes to addiction, age is not a factor that stands in way, moreover, youth proves to be a greater factor that forces students to surrender themselves to bad habits, as peer pressure is more dominant among youngsters. The issues regarding the use of drugs as well as consumption of alcohol among students are significantly growing more serious. The social environment of colleges increasingly encourages the use and abuse of drugs, among which binge-drinking is the most common. Drugs and alcohol pose various threats and problems for both male and female students alike, the effect showing significant decrease in their scores during examinations. This kind of substance abuse is primarily the reason for nearly a third of dropouts in colleges. In an atmosphere where binge drinking is widespread, the number of related legal complications and offences also increase. Illegal drugs, drunk driving and underage possession of alcohol and marijuana can cost fines and also entail imprisonment. Injuries, sexual assault as well as fights are more likely to occur when one has been inebriated by alcohol or intoxicated by drugs. Nearly half of campus injuries are caused due to alcohol consumption according to various studies. Parents and youth in particular need to be well educated with reference to the dangers of the abuse and misuse of presc ription drugs. However, there is a general misperception amongst a lot of youngsters as well as parents that prescription drugs do not have as much as negative impacts when compared to illegal drugs since they are FDA approved. A lot of parents do not understand the risks related with giving prescribed medicine to youngsters or other family members for whom the medicine was not approved. On the other hand, some parents who do provide their children with prescription drugs, do not necessarily pay attention to how their children use or misuse these drugs. Teenagers and youth alike, gain access to unused prescription drugs from the medication cabinets, which their parents often leave open, not considering a situation that their children might use those drugs. â€Å"

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Bad Little Boy by Mark Twain - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Twain’s purpose in the story is to present that not all the bad boys in stories have a change of heart in its conclusion and have a happy ending because they changed from being bad to good but that in real life, bad characters also succeed. Twain’s mention of Sunday school books a number of times to compare their bad boy James to his bad boy Jim emphasizes the difference between the two characters although they have a similar name. Sunday school stories, known for the moral lessons derived from the stories indicate that the character of James is round, developing from being a nuisance to the charming boy everyone wants while Twain aims to present his Jim as a challenge to face realities that there indeed are flat characters like Jim who are static, bad from the beginning to the end of the story. The frequent contradictions of James and Jim in the story establish a strong foundation for this theory. For instance, when Jim sn eaked into the pantry for some jam, it was mentioned that he did not do as the other bad boys do in other stories, feeling sorry for their bad actions, kneeling and praying then telling their mothers what bad things they did and asking for forgiveness. Instead, it mentions that the opposite happened to Jim which now puts him in a different category, that instead of becoming better, he became worst, even feeling happy for what he did and prepared for what spanking and discipline that would come from his mother. The story also presents the fact that bad things do not happen to bad people only and likewise, good things do not happen to good people only but that good and bad happen to everyone, contrary to what is usually taught in Sunday schools. This is exemplified by the mention of the main character stealing apples from a farmer’s apple tree and yet did not fall and break his limb, nor fallen in bed for weeks, grieved for what he did but that he successfully came down from the tree with lots of stolen fruits, overpowering the dog and escaping whatever danger there might have been. Drowning on a Sunday did not also happen to Jim while he was out boating when he was supposed to be in church or at home doing what was expected of a good little boy. That he did not blow his fingers off when he run with his father’s gun to go hunting on the Sabbath nor was he caught when he stole the teacher’s pen-knife instead, he broke his moral classmate’s reputation when the pen- knife fell from his cap where Jim placed the stolen item. All throughout the story, Twain presented the argument that there is more to what is written in Sunday stories which should be taught to the children and that would be the realities of life. The author also presents sarcasm in the few times he mentioned amazement about the luck of the main chara

Friday, November 15, 2019

Illy Ground Coffee Marketing Analysis

Illy Ground Coffee Marketing Analysis Nowadays, Illy can be characterised as one of the leading producers of high quality ground coffee in the coffee manufacturing industry. Illy has entered the coffee sector in 1933 by Francesco Illy, and in 1990s had its most important innovation, which began to look for the best coffee in Brazil, Africa, Central America and Asia (italtrade.com, 2010). It is based in Italy with a workforce around 700 people and operates in a wide range of global network (Datamonitor, 2009). Illy ground coffee can be used in all methods of coffee preparation and especially for espresso machines. The product comes in various forms of medium roast, dark roast and decaffeinated. While medium roast is about a smooth flavour mixed with aromatic bits of caramel and chocolate, dark comes to enrich the flavour with notes of cocoa (illy, 2010a). Similarly to medium roast, decaffeinated contains aromatic flavour of caramel and chocolate with reduced caffeine (illy, 2010a). Within the industry, Illy is known as an innovation pioneer, as it focuses on coffee perfection rather than creating something trendy and seductive. Achieving â‚ ¬280 million with net profits of â‚ ¬8 million, Illy succeeded by attaining 54% of total sales through exportation (illy, 2010b) The country and coffee market attractiveness PEST Analysis Regarding Morisson (2006), PEST analysis can assist the business in building up the best possible knowledge of the external environment in which the company is planning to operate in, so as to avoid costly mistakes. Therefore, an analysis has been carried out and can be viewed in Appendix 1 below. Upon reflection, the most important key environmental influences of PEST analysis have been considered and highlighted below: Economic Events: The recent global recession had directly affected the industry where people buy only essentials products, as their incomes have been decreased (Euromonitor, 2010a). Regulations: Legislations that the law establishes can directly affect the industry. Taxes and business regulations are rather heavy, making it hard to conduct business (Euromonitor, 2010a). Globalisation: Globalisation can be characterised as one of the most powerful factors that have changed the conditions and situations of the world economies, and especially for businesses (BBC, 2010). The reduction of national boundaries and the freedom of companies to transport is also important factor of change. Grounds Coffee Market Analysis McLoughlin and Aaker (2010) suggest that an examination of the market can assist to determine its current and future attractiveness. Even in the negative impact of recession, the Turkish coffee industry has shown a positive growth. Statements show that during the last years, ground coffee had a 5% increase in volume sales with the total of 33.6 TL million which is expected for a further 4% increase until the end of 2014 (Euromonitor, 2010a). With Nestle controlling 61% of the markets share and coffee unit prices increasing in recent years, the market has as consequently shown a positive growth (Euromonitor, 2010b). Considering the distribution channels, the market includes various ways of supply such as restaurants, bars, cafes, stores and so on. Competitive Analysis In order to identify the attractiveness of an industry, Johnson et.al (2008) argues that the five forces framework is a helpful tool for such a process. Thus, a Porters five forces Analysis has been carried out in Appendix 2. From the analysis summary, we can see that even with its growing direction, the coffee industry can be defined as an industry where brand loyalty is of major importance to the existence of a business. A strong emphasis is required in order to achieve good customer relationships and market share over the current competitors. In addition, the threat of new entrance is still high even throughout strong competitive conditions that exist in the market. Finally, the threat of substitutes is high as new alternative products can satisfy the need of coffee. Tea and hot chocolate are the major players for substitutes. Buyer Analysis Nowadays, competition has become stronger than other decades. Therefore, creating a good understanding of the potential customers (Buyer Behaviour) can be a vital tool for the company to get one step ahead of the competition. According to Euromonitor (2010a), ground coffee has been punched by the instant coffee where its sales are increasingly becoming much more than ground coffee, with young people preferring the more convenient method of instant coffee. On the other hand, older people insist on the traditional ground coffee. In addition, people try to get a cup of coffee mostly from bars, restaurants and coffee shops rather than to drink at home during every season of the year, while during winter; the consumption of coffee usually has a higher demand. 3) Opportunity Statement Casson and Buckley (2010) defines opportunities as the advantageous position that products, services, raw materials and methods include in order to increase company profits in the new market. 4) Marketing Objectives Brassington and Pettit (2006) suggest that objectives are important drivers of what the companys marketing strategies must be able to achieve. Following SMART concept (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time able), Illys main business objective is to manufacture and market products in such a way as to create a value that can be continued over the long term from stakeholders (Hollensen, 2010). Another important aspect of marketing objectives is the brands reputation that the company must achieve in the new market. A smart and long-time promotion with the combination of customer satisfaction can lead to the brand awareness and to profitable sales. The company can understand the significance of loyalty where illy must build on that as without loyal customers the company would not exist. As a consequence of customer loyalty, customers are willing to buy more from the same brand/company. Therefore, the company must be prepared to establish a wide range of coffee ground selections (MindTools, 2009). In addition, illy must manage to maintain its promise to follow and respect all applicable local laws in each of its potential markets.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Deforestation: Its Devastating Effects on South American Rainforests Es

Introduction Tropical rainforests are the Earth?s oldest, richest, most productive, and most complex living ecosystems. They are located throughout many of the world?s continents including South America, Africa, and Asia and are defined by a few specific factors. Their location must be within the regions of the tropics and they must receive between 4-8 meters of rain per year (compared to about 1-2 meters in the United States). These forests also have no ?seasonality?, which means that they lack a definite dry or cold season of slowed growth. Rainforests are the most valuable environmental entity on this earth as they provide the world with the majority of its species of animals and plants, food resources, and medicines. Because of their extreme importance, rainforests are also being used for economic and social welfare. The rate of habitat destruction has increased to 2.47 acres per second, 214,000 acres each day, and about 78 million acres each year. Rainforests house more than half of the living organisms on Earth, but 50,000 of these species are becoming extinct in these unique regions per year. That translates into 6 species per hour and 137 species each day. These worldwide numerical rates show the urgency that is required to save these precious forests. Information involving the destruction occurring in South America currently and in the past will offer a more intimate view concerning the effects of rainforest deforestation. Characteristics of South American Rainforests Overview South America, with its rich and far reaching tropical forests, is a key example of the harsh realities of tropical rainforest depletion. Countries such as Brazil, Bolivi... ... shelter, materials, oxygen, medicine, and wealth. The economic profit and modernization available from these vast stretches of resource-filled land, entices both companies and consumers to take advantage of the environment. This ignorance and selfishness has led to the nearly complete devastation of these great resource treasures. Without these regions, much of the species on Earth would suffer to the point of extinction. It is obvious that unless consumption is slowed significantly and these areas of diversity are allowed to maintain and regain their dominance over the South American landscape, not much time will pass before their complete disappearance is a reality. With a combined effort from many developed countries around the world and the governments of the native rainforest nations, salvation can be achieved for these priceless South American rainforests.