Sexism in workplacements in services sector and how that affects the Essay

Sexism in workplacements in services sector and how that affects the whole organizational structure of a business - Essay Example The broadening of the expression sexism has promoted the denomination of sexism, classism, in addition to even sexism at workplace, together with the well recognized exclusiveness. In spite of their apparent effectiveness, all these provisions have the excellence of descriptions. During the practice of a few they disclose definite self-righteousness, a self-belief that we are better than them. an additional expression that has had a little transmission is heterosexism, distinct as the supposition that heterosexuality along with its institutional structures are the single legitimate moreover communally advantageous understanding, moreover that heterosexual principles have got to overcome, without adaptation. regrettably, within the political practice of sexism non supportive corporations the expression tends to be conflict-ridden turning away from the prospective associates within the civil rights resistance who go on to be heterosexual. It tends to a grouping in search of pluralistic broadmindedness of its principles as well as life habits to come into sight to denigrate those of the mainstream. Contemporary industrial civilization is experie... hat heterosexuality along with its institutional structures are the single legitimate moreover communally advantageous understanding, moreover that heterosexual principles have got to overcome, without adaptation. regrettably, within the political practice of sexism non supportive corporations the expression tends to be conflict-ridden turning away from the prospective associates within the civil rights resistance who go on to be heterosexual. It tends to a grouping in search of pluralistic broadmindedness of its principles as well as life habits to come into sight to denigrate those of the mainstream. Justification: Contemporary industrial civilization is experiencing speedy technical as well as communal alteration, moreover within the route of this changeover it is impracticable to anticipate what the eventual preparations will be. At the same time as the conversation of sexism has time and again been intense as well as metaphorical, attentive onlookers of social course of action have got to stay behind and thus thankful to it for hoisting indispensable questions of human self-esteem as well as influence. It has been practically 40 years ever since it was legitimately banned within the workplace. For that reason on the exterior the whole thing seems to be fine. The females of all ages are excited and are outshining at school as well as university moreover are toward the inside the place of work within numbers equivalent to men. It is now against the law to reimburse a female less than a man, give notice to her when she becomes expectant, or else turn her downhill for encouragement on the founda tion that she is female. The elements and occurrences of Sexism otherwise sexual aggravation is explained as favoritism otherwise obnoxious behavior toward an individual that

Stinky Trainers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Stinky Trainers - Essay Example This means that the goods are owned by the seller (retailer in this case) and, therefore, the seller cannot deny ownership because he is not the manufacturer (Nike). The case of Rowland v Divall applies in this scenario. In this car was bought by the plaintiff from the defendant who was not the owner. It was held that the rightful owner could recover the car. The next consideration here will be whether the parents have a right to claim as far as contract description is concerned. According to section s.13 (1), â€Å"Where there is a contract for selling goods based on description, condition implies that the goods must correspond with the description.† Therefore, this means that goods must agree with the description. The fact that Nike agreed that they had put a cotton canvas in place of artificial lining, implies that the good does not correspond to the description. Therefore, the parents have a right to claim for replacement or refund. This scenario is similar to case of Beal e v Taylor 1967. This concerned a car, which was made of a collection of several vehicles soldered together. The other issue here can also be a consideration of whether the parents have a right as far as the quality of the shoes is concerned. The cases of goods which are usable, but do not meet specific expectations (they have some defect) are addressed in sections.14 (2). The parents have a right to claim for refund or replacement because the shoes are stinky (they are usable but have some defect) and cause embarrassment to the wearer. This is similar to the case law Rogers and another v Parish (Scarborough) Ltd and another 1988. During this case, it was held by the court of appeal that a Range Rover was not of satisfactory quality (un merchantable) even though it was fit to drive. This was because it had a number of defects. Similarly under the same section s.14(2) SOGA 1979, it is not mandatory that the goods be inspected during the time of buying (by the consumer), and that prot ection against defective good is allowed even if Matt had observed that a cotton canvas was put under the laces. Therefore, it can be argued that Matt’s parents can claim for breach of contract. The other part will deal with whether or not Matt’s parents have a right to argue any statements made by Nike Company when contacted by the Watchdog. For instance, one of the statements read: In isolated instances when such a problem has occurred, the company recommends returning of the product to the retailer where the footwear is purchased to ask for a refund or replacement. This statement means that the company accepts to refund the cost of goods purchased if they are found to have a default or do not meet the standards specified. However, they have not mentioned anything concerning liability for any damage caused because of using the shoes. Finally, under rights we shall consider whether the parents have a right to discharge the contract or not. Section s.15 (Sale of Goods Act) implies that the buyer regardless of the magnitude of the damage can discharge a contract (whether big or small). The case law similar to this was that of Arcos Ltd. V E.A. Ronaasen & Son [1933] A. C. 470. This section, however, does not give consideration to liability in clear terms. Therefore, the parents have

Food Court In Kampar Area Commerce Essay

Food Court In Kampar Area Commerce Essay 2.1.1 The name, logo, and location of the propose business Name The business that we proposed is food court in Kampar area, namely as Spark Food Court. Spark Food Court is in its startup stage. A food court is a plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Logo Figure 2.1: Logo of Spark Food Court Explanation of logo Location Spark Food Court is located at Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar, which is in new town Kampar. Besides, Spark Food Court is nearby Tunku Abdul Rahman College (KTAR) and Westlake Home. It is also surrounding by other housing-shops, such as restaurant, photocopy and printing shop, cybercafà ©, mini market, and others. Figure 2.2: Location of Spark Food Court Source: The main reason of Spark Food Court sold the multi-choices of foods, which also include HALAL foods is that Kampar has a population of around 68,000 over a land mass of 39,000 hectares in the last 2009. The majority of the towns population is Chinese and other races such as Malays and Indians make up the rest of Kampars population. There is an increasing of population due to Tunku Abdul Rahman College (KTAR) and University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) operating in new town and Kampar also served by various primary and secondary schools. With an estimated combined capacity of more than 20,000 students, these two institutions are touting to be the two instruments that will restore the town to its former glory. Therefore, more restaurants and food centers are need due to the high demands in population. New food court center will cater for the population of Kampar and provides potential opportunities for part-time work for students living in the neighborhood. Spark Food Court holds that achieving organizational goals depends on knowing the needs and wants of target markets and delivering the desired satisfactions to customers. In addition, people are always changing their taste or flavor in having meals. Therefore, Spark Food Court has the ability to satisfy customers needs by serving them with more than 30 different choices of foods in one place. 2.1.2 Nature of business / product or services offer It proposes that in order to satisfy the businesss mission, Spark Food Court anticipate the needs and wants of consumers and satisfy these more effectively than its competitors. First, Spark Food Court rents the places to other vendors to sell their foods, while Spark Food Court itself sells beverages to customers. Meaning that, Spark Food Court provides services to vendors (rent the place) and at the same time provides products (beverage) to customers. The product that Spark Food Court provides is beverages and foods. The foods that provide generally have different choices with HALAL foods, which Spark Food Court welcoming and serving all races of customers at the same time. Around the Kampar, we have found that the restaurants that only provided HALAL foods almost are Muslim-Indian restaurants, which is Mamak Stalls. Therefore, those customers who find for HALAL food have limited choices of food to choose in Kampar. Spark Food Court is able to serve all customers, neither Muslim nor non-Muslim. Muslim customers are one of Spark Food Courts potential customers because the foods include HALAL foods. HALAL food stalls and non-HALAL food stalls are separates in Spark Food Court. Consequently, even there are some non-HALAL food stalls in Spark Food Court, Muslim customers will feel safe and have the confidence to have their meal. Besides that, price of the foods is reasonable, which it can simply be what exchanged for the product or services between Spark Food Court and customers. Spark Food Court also distributes a colorful catalog with menu and price listed that paste in front of the vendors stall. The catalog with menu and price also share out to every house to let all potential customers know. Thus, Spark Food Court provides good environment to customers. Spark Food Court is able to provide more than 30 different choices of foods in one place. There is a large place enough for customers with their friends and families gather to have a meal. Spark Food Court has free spaces that allow customers to park their car, bike, or motorcycle. This will make customers feel convenience when having meal in Spark Food Court. 2.1.3 Company mission and objectives Spark Food Courts Mission: Target to all customers, either Muslim or non-Muslim especially in new town Kampar Provide multi-choices of foods, which include HALAL foods Satisfy all customers in Kampar area with a reasonable price Improve quality of products and outstanding in a hygienic and larger environment Provide a friendly service environment compare to competitors Spark Food Courts Objective: Generate profitable investment return for investors or shareholders between year three and five. Payback period within three to five years The Opportunity 2.2.1 Problem to solve or need to be filled Population Based on the research, the populations in Kampar were generally increasing every year, especially those students from different states and the retirement citizen. The main factor of increasing students in Kampar is due to the established of UTAR campus and the existing of KTAR in Kampar. When population of students increases, this will straightly followed by the demand of foods. As what we had observed from the Kampar area, the choices of food is rather limited compare to other places while the population is higher. Besides, some of the foods that provided from restaurants are not customer flavor or taste. Because of this reasons, students are only select patronize the few restaurants that they frequently go. Different Choice of Food Thus, customers are facing problem when they want to decide which restaurant they want to have their meal. This is because due to the choices of foods that the restaurants provided are limited. Around Kampar, it is difficult to find restaurants that can provide more choices of foods. Those potential customers feel bored to the same restaurants and their food taste. This is because human being always wants different things and many choices to choose. HALAL Food The population of Kampar is around 68,000 people that mix with Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Somehow, we have found that those restaurants that provided HALAL foods almost are Muslim-Indian restaurants, which is Mamak Stalls. Therefore, those customers who find for HALAL food have limited choices of foods to choose in Kampar because those restaurants that provide HALAL food are few. Muslim customers are feeling bored when they always went to the same restaurants. Location Because of the increasing of students in Kampar, this will straightly followed by the increase of vehicles in Kampar area. However, the parking places are not enough to satisfy all the vehicles in Kampar area. Customers feel inconvenience to find parking place for their vehicles. Besides, some students who have no vehicles are inconvenient to walk long to find restaurant that suit their taste. How the proposed business solves the problem or fills the need Population To satisfy the demand of the customers, Spark Court Food rents stalls to vendors and provides many choices of foods with reasonable price to customers. Therefore, Spark Food Court can fulfill customers basic of need. As we know that, food is the basic need of human being therefore, how can we attract new customers actually is from the special and quality of food itself. Therefore, more restaurants and food centers are need due to the high demands in population. Different Choice of Food The product that Spark Food Court provides is beverages and foods. The foods that provide generally have different choices and HALAL foods, which Spark Food Court welcoming and serving all races at the same time. Price of the foods is reasonable, which it can simply be what exchanged for the products or services between Spark Food Court and customers. More than 30 different choices of foods can obtain by customers at a same place. Spark Food Court provides different choices of food, which include Japanese food, Thai food, Western food, Economic rice, HALAL foods, and others to satisfy customers needs and wants. HALAL Food The reason of Spark Food Court sold the HALAL food is to satisfy the need for Muslim customers. This is because Spark Food Court is able to serve all races of customers at the same time. Spark Food Court rents the stall to vendors who sell HALAL foods. Besides, HALAL and non-HALAL food stalls is separates. Therefore, Muslim customers will feel safe and have the confidence to have their meal in Spark Food Court. Even Chinese market in Kampar is huge, but Muslim customers are also one of Spark Food Courts potential customers. Location Thus, the place of Spark Food Court located is strategic because it target to all customers in new town Kampar area, especially students. Spark Food Court provides free spaces that allow customers to park their car, bike, or motorcycle. Spark Food Court is near to KTAR and other housing area, which students and others customers can reach food court center even they have no car or bike. Competitive Advantages 2.3.1 Description of the Business Model Figure 2.3: Business Model Source: Developed for the research. Core Strategy Spark Food Court mission is to provide a comfortable and variety choice of foods as eating point to customers. The difference between Spark Food Court and competitors is the clean and hygiene environment and trendy building structure. Customers are enjoyable when having meal in Spark Food Court and the turnover rate is high. Beside, the quality of food and services are also a main core strategy to attract new customers. Every three months, Spark Food Court will review the customers like and dislike by survey and interview session to overcome weakness and continue sustainable in future. For any improvement and changes, there will be a small meeting with all management team members, workers, and vendors. Strategy Resources The strategy location at Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar is main core competency as it is located in between the potential customers, which are University Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), and Tunku Abdul Rahman College (KTAR) students. Spark Food Court is situated near to the main customers including UTAR, KTAR, Sekolah Kebangsaan Sentosa, Sekolah Menengah Sentosa, SMJK(C) Pei Yuen, SRJK(C) Chung Hua, Kampar Clock Tower, SMK Sri Kampar, SMJK(T) Kampar, Kampar river, Kampar Recreation Park, SRK Methodist ACS Kampar, Kampar Central Wet Market. Nevertheless, it is accessible by modes of transportation, such as motorbike, bicycle, bus, taxi, and car. This has given an opportunity great advantage to compete with other rivals outside. Customer Interface The core target market of Spark Food Court is students and staffs at two nearby privacy institutions and the residents from all the Kampar. There are several channels of interactions with the target market, which include the situated location at Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar, distributed with flyers before the opening of Spark Food Court, through word of mouth by customers, and online information from websites. Partnership Network A good and trustful supplier is a very important factor in order to provide the quality and effective products and services to the customers itself. Therefore, reliable supplier will result in reducing wastage cost and increase growth of profit. Furniture and fitting Spark Food Court purchases the furniture and fitting at IKEA retail shop. IKEA is offering dynamic designed and functional Home Furnishing product with reasonable price which is afford by every of its customers. (APPENDIX A) Spark Food Court chooses Elmod Enterprise as seller network for furniture and fitting. Elmod Enterprise is selling its products constructed with highest-grade material and built in exact standards. Besides, it also focuses on the style, quality and value of the products to customers. (APPENDIX A) Electrical appliances As for electrical appliances, Spark Food Court is very confident with buying the electrical appliances with Haier. Haier is a globally brand of goods manufacturing and official home appliances. It is typically manufacturing products such as refrigerators, air conditioners, kitchen appliances and so on, which titled as Top Brands in China. (APPENDIX A) Kitchen equipment The good reputation of GH Stainless Steel has leaded Spark Food Court to choose it kitchen equipment. GH Stainless Steel started in middle year of 1960s and today it is recognizing as a leading manufacturer of Stainless Steel industry. (APPENDIX A) Building construction The entire building project of Spark Food Court will take over by He-Con Sdn Bhd who is familiar with the infrastructure and building construction. Besides, by applying HC precast building system given customers with cost effectiveness, high quality finish and easy standardization construction. (APPENDIX A) Interior and exterior design Gukawe Resources is going to analyze and plan for Spark Food Court interior and exterior design in term of it deeply experienced in design industry and knowledgeable employees. Likewise, the company also provides the design service for digital brochures, flyers, catalogs and so forth. (APPENDIX A) As Sunshine Granite Sdn Bhd is one of the experts of renovation and design company in Malaysia, therefore it will handle the interior and exterior design of Spark Food Court as whole. The manufacturer of the Sunshine Granite Sdn Bhd products is imported from the renowned countries like Span, China, Turkey and others. (APPENDIX A) 2.3.2 How the Business will create a sustainable competitive advantage Figure 2.4: Competitive Advantage Source: Developed for the research. Location The perfect location at Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar create a sustainable competitive advantage for Spark Food Court because of the established of UTAR and KTAR mainly play an important role to attract the customers. In addition, from Bidor Tol to Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar is only taken 30 minutes time per kilometer per hour by car. Somehow, the strategic location of Spark Food Court was surrounding by all the potential customers that can take as granted to open such an ideal food business. Variety of Food Choice By providing multiple of food vendors including HALAL food enable every religion to have meal at Spark Food Court. In order to satisfy the need and desire of customers, Spark Food Court established as a first standardized Food Court at Jalan Hala Timah 3, Kampar, which consists of 30 different food stalls. It provides food, such as Thai food, Western food, Chinese food, Malay food, Indian food, and so on. Therefore, the different type of foods that sells at Spark Food Court can be a huge competitive advantage compares other competitors because of the variety of food choices. This is because customers can obtain the food they want in one place. Customers can choose their favorable food rather than others places that only offered a limited choice of food to them. Environment Spark Food Court generally provides a safety and hygiene environment including the cleanliness of the food court, proper attire by workers, facilities in good condition and the safety of food to consume which as a value added to their customers. It operate to ensure the customer is being treated as good enough in order to keep them as loyal customers in the future. Spark Food Court concern with the environment matter, so the facilities provided is being review occasionally to ensure in the safety mode. Besides, workers will immediately clean the table after customers leave, thus next customers will not have to wait and have a clean environment to have meal. Food Court Design The Spark Food Court will be design in a unique style of food court, which creatively use of all spaces and attractive interior design. Spark Food Court will design slightly same like the food court in major Shopping Complex and the uniqueness is it build as standalone building in rural area Kampar. As we are concern with the interior and exterior of the food court design, so the Food Court is prioritize in trendy outlook, which including the fitting and furniture, building structure, kitchen component and others. Apart from that, HALAL and non-HALAL food stalls will be separated. Therefore, Muslim customers will feel that they are respected of what kind of food they cannot take. Management Team Our enthusiastic leader, Miss Ho Lib Jiun will guide the overall process of preparing the Spark Food Court business plan. The Food Court Operation management will be fully managed by Mr. Vince Pang Von Khong. Miss Ng Chai Siah who is familiar in promotion strategy and tools as well manages the Sales and Marketing Department. Finally, Miss Toh Su Ling who has several training experience in accounting and financing field will manage the Finance Department. However, the management team will undergo with some training and development skills to maintain the business sustainable in the food industry Current Status and Requirement Description of the business stands today and what the business needs to move forward (Projected milestones is required) Table 2.1: Projected Milestones for Pre-Commencement Task Activities Durations Starting Date Finish Date Project Presentation 1 day 16/08/2010 16/08/2010 Project Approval 14 days 17/08/2010 30/08/2010 Receives Funding 14 days 31/08/2010 13/09/2010 Acquire Location 7 days 14/09/2010 20/09/2010 Obtain Required License and Permits 30 days 21/09/2010 20/10/2010 Commence Renovation and Retrofit Building 150 days 21/10/2010 19/03/2011 Search Suppliers for Ordering and Purchasing 21 days 20/03/2011 9/04/2011 Arrangement for Equipments 5 days 10/04/2011 14/04/2011 Application for Vendors 30 days 15/04/2011 14/05/2011 Application for Service Workers 21 days 24/04/2011 14/05/2011 Promotional Action 21 days 15/05/2011 04/06/2011 Ordering Uniforms for Vendors and Workers 21 days 15/05/2011 04/06/2011 Wireless Registration 5 days 24/05/2011 28/05/2011 Training Workers 7 days 30/05/2010 05/06/2011 Create Awareness on Workers and Vendors 3 days 03/06/2011 05/06/2011 Start Business Operation 06/06/2011 (Refer Gantt Chart) APPENDIX B Table 2.2: Projected Milestone Time Frame Activities 2011 Commence of business. Achieve total revenue of RM ______in the end of the year. 2012 Achieve total revenue of RM ______and making profit of RM _____in the end of year. 2013 Achieve total revenue of RM ______and making profit of RM _____in the end of year 2014 Achieve total revenue of RM ______and making profit of RM _____in the end of year 2015 Payback the start-up capital within ______

Jen Lopez :: essays research papers

Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York on July 24, 1970. She was born in the United States to Puerto Rican Parents, Jennifer considers herself to be a Puerto Rican and she is very proud of her Hispanic heritage and culture. Her father is David Lopez, a computer specialist, and her mother Guadalupe Lopez, a Kindergarten teacher. Her parents recognized Jennifer’s talent and enthusiasm for performing and at the age of five the enrolled her in dance classes. Her mother said â€Å"Jennifer always loved to sing, but she was also a great actress and knew that she would have a bright future ahead of her.† With the support of her parents Jennifer grew up to be a very sensible girl, who is still very close to her family. When Jennifer earned her million-dollar paycheck for playing the role in the movie Selena, she bought her mom a Cadillac. Even though they saw Jennifer’s talent at the age of five, their relationship was not always understandable. Jennifer made a m ajor decision and that was not to go to College. That decision was very disappointing to her parents who wanted her to go to law school. Her parents supported her pursuit of a career in show business, they did not wanted to be in the expense of her education. When Jennifer told her parents that she was not going to College and law school, they thought it was really stupid to go off and try to be a movie star. Her parents who at that time could not understand the choices she made are very happy for their daughter and what she has accomplish. When she left her home at the middle of a fight and never went back. She said,† I had to make my own way† and then lived in a Manhattan dance studio where she was training. Then she got an apartment with some friends in Manhattan Hell’s Kitchen. Since the time she move out of her home she started her showbiz career as a dancer in stage musicals and most notably in her tour to Golden musicals of Broadway and in a Japanese tour. Then she audition to be a fly girl in Fox’s hit comedy â€Å"In living Colors,† she beat out 2,000 other contenders in a nation wide competition. Then she cracked into Hollywood and she wanted to make a transition to acting, but she followed Color producer Keenan Ivory Wayans advice to stay with the show for a while before making any attempt to move on.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-nine

Tyrion They have my son,† Tywin Lannister said. â€Å"They do, my lord.† The messenger's voice was dulled by exhaustion. On the breast of his torn surcoat, the brindled boar of Crakehall was half-obscured by dried blood. One of your sons, Tyrion thought. He took a sip of wine and said not a word, thinking of Jaime. When he lifted his arm, pain shot through his elbow, reminding him of his own brief taste of battle. He loved his brother, but he would not have wanted to be with him in the Whispering Wood for all the gold in Casterly Rock. His lord father's assembled captains and bannermen had fallen very quiet as the courier told his tale. The only sound was the crackle and hiss of the log burning in the hearth at the end of the long, drafty common room. After the hardships of the long relentless drive south, the prospect of even a single night in an inn had cheered Tyrion mightily . . . though he rather wished it had not been this inn again, with all its memories. His father had set a grueling pace, and it had taken its toll. Men wounded in the battle kept up as best they could or were abandoned to fend for themselves. Every morning they left a few more by the roadside, men who went to sleep never to wake. Every afternoon a few more collapsed along the way. And every evening a few more deserted, stealing off into the dusk. Tyrion had been half-tempted to go with them. He had been upstairs, enjoying the comfort of a featherbed and the warmth of Shae's body beside him, when his squire had woken him to say that a rider had arrived with dire news of Riverrun. So it had all been for nothing. The rush south, the endless forced marches, the bodies left beside the road . . . all for naught. Robb Stark had reached Riverrun days and days ago. â€Å"How could this happen?† Ser Harys Swyft moaned. â€Å"How? Even after the Whispering Wood, you had Riverrun ringed in iron, surrounded by a great host . . . what madness made Ser Jaime decide to split his men into three separate camps? Surely he knew how vulnerable that would leave them?† Better than you, you chinless craven, Tyrion thought. Jaime might have lost Riverrun, but it angered him to hear his brother slandered by the likes of Swyft, a shameless lickspittle whose greatest accomplishment was marrying his equally chinless daughter to Ser Kevan, and thereby attaching himself to the Lannisters. â€Å"I would have done the same,† his uncle responded, a good deal more calmly than Tyrion might have. â€Å"You have never seen Riverrun, Ser Harys, or you would know that Jaime had little choice in the matter. The castle is situated at the end of the point of land where the Tumblestone flows into the Red Fork of the Trident. The rivers form two sides of a triangle, and when danger threatens, the Tullys open their sluice gates upstream to create a wide moat on the third side, turning Riverrun into an island. The walls rise sheer from the water, and from their towers the defenders have a commanding view of the opposite shores for many leagues around. To cut off all the approaches, a besieger must needs place one camp north of the Tumblestone, one south of the Red Fork, and a third between the rivers, west of the moat. There is no other way, none.† â€Å"Ser Kevan speaks truly, my lords,† the courier said. â€Å"We'd built palisades of sharpened stakes around the camps, yet it was not enough, not with no warning and the rivers cutting us off from each other. They came down on the north camp first. No one was expecting an attack. Marq Piper had been raiding our supply trains, but he had no more than fifty men. Ser Jaime had gone out to deal with them the night before . . . well, with what we thought was them. We were told the Stark host was east of the Green Fork, marching south . . . â€Å" â€Å"And your outriders?† Ser Gregor Clegane's face might have been hewn from rock. The fire in the hearth gave a somber orange cast to his skin and put deep shadows in the hollows of his eyes. â€Å"They saw nothing? They gave you no warning?† The bloodstained messenger shook his head. â€Å"Our outriders had been vanishing. Marq Piper's work, we thought. The ones who did come back had seen nothing.† â€Å"A man who sees nothing has no use for his eyes,† the Mountain declared. â€Å"Cut them out and give them to your next outrider. Tell him you hope that four eyes might see better than two . . . and if not, the man after him will have six.† Lord Tywin Lannister turned his face to study Ser Gregor. Tyrion saw a glimmer of gold as the light shone off his father's pupils, but he could not have said whether the look was one of approval or disgust. Lord Tywin was oft quiet in council, preferring to listen before he spoke, a habit Tyrion himself tried to emulate. Yet this silence was uncharacteristic even for him, and his wine was untouched. â€Å"You said they came at night,† Ser Kevan prompted. The man gave a weary nod. â€Å"The Blackfish led the van, cutting down our sentries and clearing away the palisades for the main assault. By the time our men knew what was happening, riders were pouring over the ditch banks and galloping through the camp with swords and torches in hand. I was sleeping in the west camp, between the rivers. When we heard the fighting and saw the tents being fired, Lord Brax led us to the rafts and we tried to pole across, but the current pushed us downstream and the Tullys started flinging rocks at us with the catapults on their walls. I saw one raft smashed to kindling and three others overturned, men swept into the river and drowned . . . and those who did make it across found the Starks waiting for them on the riverbanks.† Ser Flement Brax wore a silver-and-purple tabard and the look of a man who cannot comprehend what he has just heard. â€Å"My lord father—† â€Å"Sorry, my lord,† the messenger said. â€Å"Lord Brax was clad in plate-and-mail when his raft overturned. He was very gallant.† He was a fool, Tyrion thought, swirling his cup and staring down into the winy depths. Crossing a river at night on a crude raft, wearing armor, with an enemy waiting on the other side—if that was gallantry, he would take cowardice every time. He wondered if Lord Brax had felt especially gallant as the weight of his steel pulled him under the black water. â€Å"The camp between the rivers was overrun as well,† the messenger was saying. â€Å"While we were trying to cross, more Starks swept in from the west, two columns of armored horse. I saw Lord Umber's giant-in-chains and the Mallister eagle, but it was the boy who led them, with a monstrous wolf running at his side. I wasn't there to see, but it's said the beast killed four men and ripped apart a dozen horses. Our spearmen formed up a shieldwall and held against their first charge, but when the Tullys saw them engaged, they opened the gates of Riverrun and Tytos Blackwood led a sortie across the drawbridge and took them in the rear.† â€Å"Gods save us,† Lord Lefford swore. â€Å"Greatjon Umber fired the siege towers we were building, and Lord Blackwood found Ser Edmure Tully in chains among the other captives, and made off with them all. Our south camp was under the command of Ser Forley Prester. He retreated in good order when he saw that the other camps were lost, with two thousand spears and as many bowmen, but the Tyroshi sellsword who led his freeriders struck his banners and went over to the foe.† â€Å"Curse the man.† His uncle Kevan sounded more angry than surprised. â€Å"I warned Jaime not to trust that one. A man who fights for coin is loyal only to his purse.† Lord Tywin wove his fingers together under his chin. Only his eyes moved as he listened. His bristling golden side-whiskers framed a face so still it might have been a mask, but Tyrion could see tiny beads of sweat dappling his father's shaven head. â€Å"How could it happen?† Ser Harys Swyft wailed again. â€Å"Ser Jaime taken, the siege broken . . . this is a catastrophe!† Ser Addam Marbrand said, â€Å"I am sure we are all grateful to you for pointing out the obvious, Ser Harys. The question is, what shall we do about it?† â€Å"What can we do? Jaime's host is all slaughtered or taken or put to flight, and the Starks and the Tullys sit squarely across our line of supply. We are cut off from the west! They can march on Casterly Rock if they so choose, and what's to stop them? My lords, we are beaten. We must sue for peace.† â€Å"Peace?† Tyrion swirled his wine thoughtfully, took a deep draft, and hurled his empty cup to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. â€Å"There's your peace, Ser Harys. My sweet nephew broke it for good and all when he decided to ornament the Red Keep with Lord Eddard's head. You'll have an easier time drinking wine from that cup than you will convincing Robb Stark to make peace now. He's winning . . . or hadn't you noticed?† â€Å"Two battles do not make a war,† Ser Addam insisted. â€Å"We are far from lost. I should welcome the chance to try my own steel against this Stark boy.† â€Å"Perhaps they would consent to a truce, and allow us to trade our prisoners for theirs,† offered Lord Lefford. â€Å"Unless they trade three-for-one, we still come out light on those scales,† Tyrion said acidly. â€Å"And what are we to offer for my brother? Lord Eddard's rotting head?† â€Å"I had heard that Queen Cersei has the Hand's daughters,† Lefford said hopefully. â€Å"If we give the lad his sisters back . . . â€Å" Ser Addam snorted disdainfully. â€Å"He would have to be an utter ass to trade Jaime Lannister's life for two girls.† â€Å"Then we must ransom Ser Jaime, whatever it costs,† Lord Lefford said. Tyrion rolled his eyes. â€Å"If the Starks feel the need for gold, they can melt down Jaime's armor.† â€Å"if we ask for a truce, they will think us weak,† Ser Addarn argued. â€Å"We should march on them at once.† â€Å"Surely our friends at court could be prevailed upon to join us with fresh troops,† said Ser Harys. â€Å"And someone might return to Casterly Rock to raise a new host.† Lord Tywin Lannister rose to his feet. â€Å"They have my son,† he said once more, in a voice that cut through the babble like a sword through suet. â€Å"Leave me. All of you.† Ever the soul of obedience, Tyrion rose to depart with the rest, but his father gave him a look. â€Å"Not you, Tyrion. Remain. And you as well, Kevan. The rest of you, out.† Tyrion eased himself back onto the bench, startled into speechlessness. Ser Kevan crossed the room to the wine casks. â€Å"Uncle,† Tyrion called, â€Å"if you would be so kind—† â€Å"Here.† His father offered him his cup, the wine untouched. Now Tyrion truly was nonplussed. He drank. Lord Tywin seated himself. â€Å"You have the right of it about Stark. Alive, we might have used Lord Eddard to forge a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, a peace that would have given us the time we need to deal with Robert's brothers. Dead . . . † His hand curled into a fist. â€Å"Madness. Rank madness.† â€Å"Joff's only a boy,† Tyrion pointed out. â€Å"At his age, I committed a few follies of my own.† His father gave him a sharp look. â€Å"I suppose we ought to be grateful that he has not yet married a whore.† Tyrion sipped at his wine, wondering how Lord Tywin would look if he flung the cup in his face. â€Å"Our position is worse than you know,† his father went on. â€Å"It would seem we have a new king.† Ser Kevan looked poleaxed. â€Å"A new—who? What have they done to Joffrey?† The faintest flicker of distaste played across Lord Tywin's thin lips. â€Å"Nothing . . . yet. My grandson still sits the Iron Throne, but the eunuch has heard whispers from the south. Renly Baratheon wed Margaery Tyrell at Highgarden this fortnight past, and now he has claimed the crown. The bride's father and brothers have bent the knee and sworn him their swords.† â€Å"Those are grave tidings.† When Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows in his brow grew deep as canyons. â€Å"My daughter commands us to ride for King's Landing at once, to defend the Red Keep against King Renly and the Knight of Flowers.† His mouth tightened. â€Å"Commands us, mind you. In the name of the king and council.† â€Å"How is King Joffrey taking the news?† Tyrion asked with a certain black amusement. â€Å"Cersei has not seen fit to tell him yet,† Lord Tywin said. â€Å"She fears he might insist on marching against Renly himself.† â€Å"With what army?† Tyrion asked. â€Å"You don't plan to give him this one, I hope?† â€Å"He talks of leading the City Watch,† Lord Tywin said. â€Å"If he takes the Watch, he'll leave the city undefended,† Ser Kevan said. â€Å"And with Lord Stannis on Dragonstone . . . â€Å" â€Å"Yes.† Lord Tywin looked down at his son. â€Å"I had thought you were the one made for motley, Tyrion, but it would appear that I was wrong.† â€Å"Why, Father,† said Tyrion, â€Å"that almost sounds like praise.† He leaned forward intently. â€Å"What of Stannis? He's the elder, not Renly. How does he feel about his brother's claim?† His father frowned. â€Å"I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than all the others combined. Yet he does nothing. Oh, Varys hears his whispers. Stannis is building ships, Stannis is hiring sellswords, Stannis is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai. What does it mean? Is any of it true?† He gave an irritated shrug. â€Å"Kevan, bring us the map.† Ser Kevan did as he was bid. Lord Tywin unrolled the leather, smoothing it flat. â€Å"Jaime has left us in a bad way. Roose Bolton and the remnants of his host are north of us. Our enemies hold the Twins and Moat Cailin. Robb Stark sits to the west, so we cannot retreat to Lannisport and the Rock unless we choose to give battle. Jaime is taken, and his army for all purposes has ceased to exist. Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion continue to plague our foraging parties. To our east we have the Arryns, Stannis Baratheon sits on Dragonstone, and in the south Highgarden and Storm's End are calling their banners.† Tyrion smiled crookedly. â€Å"Take heart, Father. At least Rhaegar Targaryen is still dead.† â€Å"I had hoped you might have more to offer us than japes, Tyrion,† Lord Tywin Lannister said. Ser Kevan frowned over the map, forehead creasing. â€Å"Robb Stark will have Edmure Tully and the lords of the Trident with him now. Their combined power may exceed our own. And with Roose Bolton behind us . . . Tywin, if we remain here, I fear we might be caught between three armies.† â€Å"I have no intention of remaining here. We must finish our business with young Lord Stark before Renly Baratheon can march from Highgarden. Bolton does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the Green Fork. He will be slow to give pursuit. So . . . on the morrow, we make for Harrenhal. Kevan, I want Ser Addam's outriders to screen our movements. Give him as many men as he requires, and send them out in groups of four. I will have no vanishings.† â€Å"As you say, my lord, but . . . why Harrenhal? That is a grim, unlucky place. Some call it cursed.† â€Å"Let them,† Lord Tywin said. â€Å"Unleash Ser Gregor and send him before us with his reavers. Send forth Vargo Hoat and his freeriders as well, and Ser Amory Lorch. Each is to have three hundred horse. Tell them I want to see the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork.† â€Å"They will burn, my lord,† Ser Kevan said, rising. â€Å"I shall give the commands.† He bowed and made for the door. When they were alone, Lord Tywin glanced at Tyrion. â€Å"Your savages might relish a bit of rapine. Tell them they may ride with Vargo Hoat and plunder as they like—goods, stock, women, they may take what they want and burn the rest.† â€Å"Telling Shagga and Timett how to pillage is like telling a rooster how to crow,† Tyrion commented, â€Å"but I should prefer to keep them with me.† Uncouth and unruly they might be, yet the wildlings were his, and he trusted them more than any of his father's men. He was not about to hand them over. â€Å"Then you had best learn to control them. I will not have the city plundered.† â€Å"The city?† Tyrion was lost. â€Å"What city would that be?† â€Å"King's Landing. I am sending you to court.† It was the last thing Tyrion Lannister would ever have anticipated. He reached for his wine, and considered for a moment as he sipped. â€Å"And what am I to do there?† â€Å"Rule,† his father said curtly Tyrion hooted with laughter. â€Å"My sweet sister might have a word or two to say about that!† â€Å"Let her say what she likes. Her son needs to be taken in hand before he ruins us all. I blame those jackanapes on the council—our friend Petyr, the venerable Grand Maester, and that cockless wonder Lord Varys. What sort of counsel are they giving Joffrey when he lurches from one folly to the next? Whose notion was it to make this Janos Slynt a lord? The man's father was a butcher, and they grant him Harrenhal. Harrenhal, that was the seat of kings! Not that he will ever set foot inside it, if I have a say. I am told he took a bloody spear for his sigil. A bloody cleaver would have been my choice.† His father had not raised his voice, yet Tyrion could see the anger in the gold of his eyes. â€Å"And dismissing Selmy, where was the sense in that? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He lent honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of the Hound? You feed your dog bones under the table, you do not seat hi m beside you on the high bench.† He pointed a finger at Tyrion's face. â€Å"If Cersei cannot curb the boy, you must. And if these councillors are playing us false . . . â€Å" Tyrion knew. â€Å"Spikes,† he sighed. â€Å"Heads. Walls.† â€Å"I see you have taken a few lessons from me.† â€Å"More than you know, Father,† Tyrion answered quietly. He finished his wine and set the cup aside, thoughtful. A part of him was more pleased than he cared to admit. Another part was remembering the battle upriver, and wondering if he was being sent to hold the left again. â€Å"Why me?† he asked, cocking his head to one side. â€Å"Why not my uncle? Why not Ser Addam or Ser Flement or Lord Serrett? Why not a . . . bigger man?† Lord Tywin rose abruptly. â€Å"You are my son.† That was when he knew. You have given him up for lost, he thought. You bloody bastard, you think Jaime's good as dead, so I'm all you have left. Tyrion wanted to slap him, to spit in his face, to draw his dagger and cut the heart out of him and see if it was made of old hard gold, the way the smallfolks said. Yet he sat there, silent and still. The shards of the broken cup crunched beneath his father's heels as Lord Tywin crossed the room. â€Å"One last thing,† he said at the door. â€Å"You will not take the whore to court.† Tyrion sat alone in the common room for a long while after his father was gone. Finally he climbed the steps to his cozy garret beneath the bell tower. The ceiling was low, but that was scarcely a drawback for a dwarf. From the window, he could see the gibbet his father had erected in the yard. The innkeep's body turned slowly on its rope whenever the night wind gusted. Her flesh had grown as thin and ragged as Lannister hopes. Shae murmured sleepily and rolled toward him when he sat on the edge of the featherbed. He slid his hand under the blanket and cupped a soft breast, and her eyes opened. â€Å"M'lord,† she said with a drowsy smile. When he felt her nipple stiffen, Tyrion kissed her. â€Å"I have a mind to take you to King's Landing, sweetling,† he whispered.

Evaluation of Wikipedia

When students are assigned research papers, very commonly, professors will say, â€Å"Whatever you do, do not use Wikipedia. † Many who research find this website credible, others believe its information is completely false. This essay will evaluate the efficiency of Wikipedia as an online resource for researching purposes; it will discuss the freedom to alter material, the credibility of the website, as well as what good comes from the use of this website for research means.Many people believe Wikipedia is not a good, or credible, source to be used for research. Much of this comes from the possibility it gives for people to alter the content of any material information offered by the website. Wikipedia â€Å"enables any visitor to a wiki site to edit, add to, and even delete the content of any page on the site. †(Miller) This is factual because Wikipedia gives the opportunity for any person to edit information on any topic.For protection it is recommended that we †Å"remember to take a cautious view of what we think it tells us. †(Miller) The credibility of this website has decreased through the years thanks to professionals who have proved information in this website to be erroneous. This has obligated instructors who assign research assignments to restrict students from using this website as a source for information retrieval.Most teachers who assign research papers have as a goal to make students college ready in the sense of restricting students from plagiarism. â€Å"While supporting the goal of openness and verifiability, the username structure of the site provides complete anonymity for its editors and administrators, which renders the site constantly vulnerable to vandalism and fraud. †(Miller) We’ve discussed a variety of cons that Wikipedia has when used as a research resource, but there are also some good in this fast-growing website.One good that Wikipedia has is the numerous amount of information on many differ ent topics that it provides; regardless of the lack of credibility in its information it is noteworthy that some information of all is in fact true. Another benefit that comes from Wikipedia is the list of languages it offers its information in. Currently Wikipedia offers ten languages in which the information is provided; this gives the possibility for individuals around the world to research through the content provided by this website. The freely editable nature of Wikipedia enables contributors, lay or expert, across the world to share their knowledge easily. † (Patient-Oriented Cancer Information on the Internet: A Comparison of Wikipedia and a Professionally Maintained Database). Through the above I have mentioned the freedom for altering material, the credibility, as well as some positive aspects that come from Wikipedia as a research resource used by many. From my past experiences I can relate to events such as teachers not permitting me as a student to use Wikipedia a s a research source.Also from the vast information that this website provides I have found information that I wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere, not that I can believe much of it though. This website is growing, it is those from around the world who give a taste of their knowledge to the world through this website who are making this growth possible, but many others share nonsense and pure rubbish which is what has brought down this website’s credibility, and if those great minds in our world don’t step up, the growth of this website will come to an end.Works Cited Miller, Nora. â€Å"Wikipedia Revisited. † ETC: A Review Of General Semantics 64. 2 (2007): 147-150. AcademicSearch Complete. Web. 21 Feb. 2013. Yaacov R. Lawrence, et al. â€Å"Patient-Oriented Cancer Information On The Internet: A Comparison OfWikipedia And A Professionally Maintained Database. † Journal Of Oncology Practice 7. 5 (2011):319-323. Academic Search Complete. Web. 21 Feb. 2013.