Influences on Consumer Behavior for Mobile Phone Choice

Influences on Consumer Behavior for Mobile Phone Choice INTRODUCTION With the passage of time, advents in technology have given new meanings to almost everything around us. Every preconceived notion and idea has been forced to go through a metamorphosis to keep in line with the growing pace of change. This tidal wave of change has surely altered communication drastically. The new advances have led to addition of many new forms which came about as a revolution. The communicative revolution that concerns us is actually the third wave, according to which information can now be transmitted through electronic signals and controlled waves present in the air around us. A mobile phone is an electronic device which is used in two way communication. To make use of a mobile phone, connection to a cellular network is required which is an interconnection of base stations through which signals are transmitted, hence the mobile uses those signals to forge and maintain connection. A user using a mobile phone can make or receive telephone calls to and from other cellular networks and also fixed line phones worldwide. Each mobile phone holds a subscription with a cellular network which then connects it to a mobile network operator and thus lets communication to flow freely. Mobile phones are not used for calls only, especially modern mobile phones. They offer a wide variety of communicative services such as: text messaging sending and receiving emails voicemails accessible through voicemail inbox access to internet MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) interactive games connectivity through Bluetooth and/or USB, infrared music player camera GPS (Global Positioning System) With the influx of countless models of mobiles in the UK market, with minor or significant differences in features, generally they are categorized into two groups. We have feature phones, which are normally characterized as low end mobile phones having less functions, whereas at the other extreme we have Smartphone which are high end phones with sophisticated, computing capabilities. Hence the focus of this report is to discuss a Market Research Study with the aim of providing readers with a comprehensive insight into the factors that influence the consumer behavior when it comes to choosing mobile phones, particularly for UK market. Once the factors have been determined, this report will further shed light on the market research objectives as well as the main purpose and procedure for this proposed market research study. In addition to the aforementioned topics in this report you will also find ample information regarding how to conduct a qualitative and quantitative market research study explaining the finer points in detail. Also a proposed reporting research schedule and timing, fees and credentials will be a part of this report. The reports prime focus will be on the consumer influences because it is these factors that aid the consumer in making a rational choice when given several alternatives to choose from. The consumer would first have to have a need or a problem for the satisfaction of which a product would be required. In this case we have the purchase of a mobile phone. Hence factors influencing consumer behavior in choosing a mobile phone from the different brands will be considered. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES As the main research objective of this study is to identify the factors that influence consumer behavior at the time of choosing a mobile phone brand; hence, the primary research objectives are stated below which have been further subdivided into sub objectives to illustrate the point further. Primary objectives are: Demographic factors Psychographic factors Behavioral factors Following are the sub objectives providing explanation for each of the research studys objectives: Demographic factors: are those factors influencing consumer behavior which are the consumers factors comprising of age, gender, income, occupation, education, religion and nationality. Demographic factors are important as consumers belonging to similar demographics have alike buying patterns. Based on the research study result, researchers would know what brands are favored by the male or female consumers, also depending on the income and occupation which brands would be the choice for consumers. Psychographic factors: comprise of factors that are based on consumers social class, lifestyle and personality traits. A point to be noted is that same demographics may have very different preferences when it comes to psychographic structures. Some brands are chosen over others if they are better at portraying an image which truly reflects the consumers psychographics. Behavioral factors: are specifically related to the buyers habits and their attitudes towards different brands. Basically it comprises of components that tell about the consumers knowledge, attitudes and responses to a product. If the marketer has ample knowledge about these behavioral variables then it makes the research very informative. PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE OF THE PROPOSED RESEARCH METHOD AND DESIGN The prime focus of this proposed marketing research method and design is to be able to identify the significant factors that play an important role in influencing consumer behaviour in respect to choosing between different mobile brands, specifically in the UK market. In order to be able to collect genuine and authentic data this research design will incorporate both primary and secondary research study. Elements of the said primary research study will be utilised in the form of both qualitative and quantitative research. The purpose being the determination of various factors that play a key role in influencing consumer behaviour in relation to choosing mobile phone brands. The factors under discussion will be from the broad categories of demographics, psychographics and behavioural. Furthermore, to complement the marketing research study results, a literature review relating to the importance of proper knowledge regarding different consumer influences, consumers preferences and choices, prices and availability of different features such as camera, games, Wi-Fi, and also the notion of brand loyalty. In addition to it, evaluation methods explaining how best to gauge consumer responses will also be augmented in the study. As told earlier, secondary research will be also be implemented, its aim would be to augment information about the patterns of consumer behaviour in the past and also the changes that have taken place recently. All of this information gained will then be considered and used in forming the main purpose and objectives of the proposed research study. For the designing of a questionnaire judging the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the research study, the following questions will be a part of it. The questions are: Which mobile phone brand are you currently using? Would you buy the same brand when buying a new phone in the future? Which mobile phone brand would have been your next choice? How much are you willing to pay for a mobile phone of your choice? What are your preferences in choosing a mobile phone? What features are the most important in a mobile phone? What features are the least important in a mobile phone? In your opinion, which brand is the UK market leader in mobile phones? RATIONALE BEHIND THE QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN Initially there is a need to recognize what is the kind of relationship shared between the variables and hypothesis. The two broad categories of such relationships are cause and effect relationship and non cause effect relationship. The one under consideration belongs to the former group as we have identified different factors as cause, bringing about effect in the form of consumer behaviour when opting for a certain mobile phone brand. It is widely believed that quantitative research methods which are based on scientific mode of study are the most effective in delivering a credible research hypothesis. Though there are other methods too, but they do have their shortcomings as well. If a pure statistical quantitative research method is implemented the results would not be comprehensive enough. They would only depict the general evaluation of the research and not the finer details that went into forming this conclusion. Another method for that matter is pure observational approach; again this mode is not favourable as it is primarily based on the researchers supposition of the hypothesis. Therefore this approach is greatly endangered by distortion of the final conclusion and lacks credibility as a result of it. Phenomenological method is another approach that can be taken as it asks the researchers to better understand the idea or hypothesis in relation to all its aspects and then form an evaluation based on the experiences felt by the person under its influence. In the end to sum up, its best suggested that statistical method be used for quantitative purpose and qualitative approach be taken to research the factors. As this combination of methods incorporates both the pros and cons of the respective approaches so it will, in most probability, helpful in delivering a credible and unbiased evaluation at the end of the research study. ABOUT THE PROPOSED RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN The questionnaire was formulated for the key purpose of identifying the different factors that influence consumer behaviour when choosing between different mobile phone brands in the UK market. Therefore each question was designed with the aim of extracting some information that would be insightful in understanding the complex buying behaviour of the consumers. Question 1 will find out which brand is most used by the consumers. If there are a major proportion of the participants choosing a particular brand that would mean that brand may be the market leader. Questions 2 and 3 will assess whether they wish to change the phone. If they do then what is the reason behind it, if a shortcoming in the current brand is recognized then the marketer can capitalize on it and add this feature in its own product if feasible. Question 4 will judge the brand loyalty in the participants as part of the behavioural factors influencing consumer behaviour. Whereas, question 5 will aim to find out what the customers next favoured option is in mobile phone brands. This would give an idea as to which brand has the potential of becoming the market leader. Question 6 will evaluate what is the technological literacy in the participants so that a need for introduction of complex technology can be considered. While question 7 will review what are the activities that the users mostly indulge in when using their phones. This will also be helpful in finding out what areas can be improved as are mostly used by the consumers. Question 8 will aim to discover the power friends have on consumer preferences as part of the psychographic factors. Generally it is believed that family, friends and peer pressure play a vital role in this area, this question will be finding out whether there is any truth to this notion or not. Question 9s purpose is to obtain information regarding how much consumers are willing to spend on the purchase of a mobile phone. Price is in relation to income which is a component of demographic factors. Also if a trend in low spending is observed then this would mean that there is a need for lowering the prices. Question 10 will ask the participants to make a choice between two of the most coveted mobile phone features. In addition to the usual ones features available, preference for camera and Wi-Fi will be asked for. Question 11 is in extension to the earlier asked question, asking what are the features that they most want in their mobile phones. It is expected that the answers will greatly depend on the age of the participants. Question 12, the last question, will actually provide additional information about the consumers assessment of the available brands. This will also show which brand the consumers think is the market leader, the response to this question will be interesting as it may be in contrast to what the marketers expectations are. IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC QUESTIONING, INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES AND EVALUATION In order to be certain that the questions prepared are honest and not misleading, it is necessary that the questions being asked as part of the research are credible. If not then the results may be deceptive. For this purpose it is also necessary that strategic questioning is such that asks questions that are actually informative and insightful, helping in forming strategies. Therefore it of the utmost importance that the questionnaire designed should be clear in stating what its purpose is. The understanding of the responses should be such which would be able to serve its purpose of finding out the factors most influencing consumer behaviour in choosing mobile phone brands, particularly for the UK market. The researcher should incorporate all such plausible and relevant questions that will be helpful in achieving this aim. While conducting an interview, researchers are at an advantage of extracting much more out of the respondent than from a questionnaire. It is because of the nature of the method that gives the freedom to the researcher to pay attention to the gestures and body language of the participant in addition to obtaining a response. When evaluating and getting ready to present the data, the researcher should not forget what the purpose has been all along. Also a general code of conduct and ethics should not be breached at any stage of the research as that would deem the study false. PROPOSED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND REPORTING As the research has to kept bias free so it is important that the respondents are chosen at random from the targeted segment. The researcher should thus aim to distribute the questionnaires to people who can be counted on for providing the best possible response. For our study, prime focus would be UK residents. It will be this collected data which will be analysed and evaluated. Since our study encompasses the whole UK market, so the researcher will aim to get 100 survey questionnaires by the residents of four main countries of the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). Each participant will be at complete liberty to refuse to participate in this survey, only after their consent would they be given a questionnaire to fill. Correct purpose of the study will be explained to them. After all the data has been collected, it will then be analyzed and interpreted with the use of computing aids in order to be certain about the veracity of the study. These results will be compiled as a report in addition to study results, recommendations and conclusions. For the meeting this report will be presented along with a PowerPoint presentation. PROPOSED RESEARCH SCHEDULE AND TIMING This research will be conducted within an expected time duration of 7 weeks. In the initial weeks, the market research proposal will be composed. This step will involve the preliminary identification of factors influencing consumer behaviour namely, demographic, psychographic and behavioural factors, which will then be taken as the basis for the whole study. Literature review will be a key component for this area as this will evaluate what needs to be researched. It will be during this literature review that the factors will be further sub divided into smaller facets to cover every aspect of consumer behaviour. During the 3rd week, quantitative and qualitative research study questionnaire will be designed. For this purpose first the merits and demerits of each form of study will have to be taken into consideration. Then after the questionnaires are prepared, they will be distributed to the targeted segment of the population based on country wise division for UK market. It will be during the 4th and 5th week that the questionnaires will be filled and collected. Two week time is being allotted as the questionnaires will be divided over a large area so shipping to and forth will have to be accounted for. In the 6th week the researcher will have to get down to the task of the evaluating the results. For this a systematic procedure of first entering the data into computing software and then retrieving the end result will be initiated. Computers are being used of this purpose to guarantee no or very insignificant discrepancies. Once the results are obtained they will be included in the study for the experts review and analysis. As told earlier, informal interviews will also be conducted so that gain even better insight into the workings of consumer influences. These responses along with formal interview data collected will be also be added into the survey. At the completion of all these steps, final evaluation will be carried out. This evaluation will incorporate elements from all the parts of the whole research proposal study, the purpose for this detailed study will be to avoid all forms of prejudice that might have seeped into the study at any step of the process. In the final 7th week, after the study is completed, final review will take place. COST FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND BREAKDOWN As the participants selected belong to four different countries therefore questionnaire filling will in itself be a long process. Mostly it takes a couple of days for the questionnaires to be filled but as the participants are over an extended area so for that we have projected a longer time duration. During all this time various expenses will be incurred which have to be accounted from. Apart from the obvious transportation and telecommunications costs which are a part of every research schedule, other expenses are also to be considered. These other expenses can be listed under sundry expenses, comprising of paper and printing cost, food expenses. Also the volunteers will be given allowances for the services being offered.

Analysis Of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Finance Essay

Analysis Of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Finance Essay Dutch lady is a company that emphasis on the production of the daily product such as sweetener, yogurt, fresh milk and milk powder. Dutch lady had been starting their business in Malaysia since 1950s. The history of Dutch Lady Corporation in Malaysia begins after World War II, Dutch lady was among the several brands that imports the sweetened condensed milk from its parents company in Holland via local importers and wholesalers. In 1954, Atrading company Friesland (Malaya) Pte. Ltd. based in Singapore was formed to market the sweetened condenses milk imported from Holland in Malaya and Singapore. Dutch lady had joined the particular company with the brand name Dutch Baby. In 1963, Pacific Milk Industries (Malaya) Sendirian Berhad was incorporated in Malaysia with the commissioning of a sweetened milk factory in Petaling Jaya. This factory was the first oversea production factory of the parent company. The Company has begun their operation in the late 1965 and started to manufacture sweetened condensed milk with the licenses from the parent company. In year 1968, Pacific Milk industries (Malaya) were converted into a public company and became the very first daily production company that listed in the Stock of Exchange of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The name of the company was changed from Pacific Milk Industries Berhad to Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad in the hope to avoid the confusion in the trade and marketplace surrounding the name of the company. The company had emphasis on the production of the Dutch Baby Sweetened Condensed Milk. In line with the Companys diversification programmed, the Company commissioned and built an Ultra Heat Treated Milk Plant. Locally packed Dutch Baby Modified Baby Food was also introduced in the same year. Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad had sought for diversification in their product by introduces the new fruit juice drink product under the JOY brand name in year 1979. Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad also concern the safety of their product by introducing the sterilized milk in plastic bottles in the 1983. In year 1984, Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad once again change their name to Dutch Lady for product positioning reason. In late 1985, a 3 storey building was build to house the Milk Powder packing plant as their business grew. During 1987, the Company underwent an equity restructuring exercise to comply with the Governments New Economic Policy. The share capital was enlarged to RM16.0 million. In the same year Dutch Lady had the production of pasteurized milk in their production. Dutch Lady had introduced the yogurt and growing up milk in the late 1988 as the strategy to compete with their competitors. Dutch lady Milk Industries had delisted from the Stock Exchange of Singapore in 1989, In compliance with the Governments national policy to pro mote the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange. In 1994, Dutch Lady Milk industries have their new milestone in the Dairy Product production. A new warehouse was built to accommodate the companys growing business. Human capital started to expand in line with organizational needs. It is very grateful that Dutch Lady Milk Industries has obtained certification under the ISO 9001 standards. In 1999, Dutch Lady received the Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. In the same year The Dutch Lady UHT Plant also received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. In year 2000, Dutch Lady received its second Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. The Company changed its name from Dutch Baby Milk Industries (Malaya) Berhad to Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad, to be in line with its main brand Dutch Lady with a new commitment Goodness for Life. In year 2001, Dutch Lady received its third Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia and in year 2002 Dutch Lady won the Brand Equity award for liquid milk. In the same year Dutch Lady Sterilized Milk Plant once again received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. By the way Dutch Lady received its fourth Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia The Companys share capital was increased from RM16.0 million to RM64.0 million via a 3 for 1 bonus issue, in compliance with the then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange ruling. In 2003, Dutch Lady upgraded the ISO 9001:1994 certification to ISO 9001:2000 standard. Dutch Lady launches a range of DHA-enhanced milk products for infants and young children. Again, The Dutch Lady Powder Plant received HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification from the Ministry of Health. In 2003 also Dutch Lady received its fifth Readers Digest Super Brands Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. Nutrition for Vitality Dutch Lady revamped its brand image and packaging with the new corporate tagline Get Ready For Life! to profile vitality through healthy lifestyles and activities. In 2004 Dutch Lady received its sixth consecutive Readers Digest Super Brand Gold Award for being voted the preferred brand of milk products in Malaysia. Dutch Lady Corporation did not forget their social responsibilities to the society in 2006 Dutch Lady donated RM70000 worth of products to Deputy .Prime Minister for the Johor flood victims. In the year of 2004 also Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad had won the Award given by National Productivity Corporation (NPC). The objectives of the award are to recognize the companys outstanding productivity management, enhancement and the importance of productivity improvement towards economic development in Malaysia Among the product that produce by Dutch Lady Milk Industries includes; for the growing children Dutch Lady had produce the following product: DL Yes! DL Langkah 1 DL Langkah 2 DL 123Growing up Milk DL 456Growing up Milk Frisolac Gold 1 Frisolac Gold 2 Friso Gold 3 Friso Gold 4 For the family; DL Low Fat Yoghurt DL UHT Milk DL Sterilized Milk DL Pasteurized Milk DL Milk Powder DL Creamers Joy Juice For the young adults DL Shine DL iced Latte 2.0 METHODOLOGY Our group had used the secondary resources, Internet to accomplish the assignment given. We had refer to these website to obtain ours information and the financial statement of the company. http://www.dutchlady.com.my/en/home.asp http://www.icongrouponline.com/pr/Dutch_Lady_Milk_Industries_Berhad_MY/PR.html http://www.dutchlady.com.my/en/home.asp?page=financialsubpage=annual http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec06.pdf http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec07.pdf http://www.dutchlady.com.my/sharedfiles/financial/files/DL_QuarterlyReport_Dec08.pdf We also refer to the handout that given by the lecturer to solve the ratio in order to finish our financial analysis for the company. We had use several formula to solve the calculation in the handout and we also refer to our textbook for the difficulties that faces by us. Financial ratio analysis includes liquidity ratio, asset management ratio, profitability ratio and leverage ratio. Below are the lists of the formula that we use for this assignment. Current Ratio Higher figure means the business financial condition is better as it has enough liquid assets for its operation. Quick Ratio Higher figure shows the business has enough quick assets to cover its short-term debt immediately. Average Collection Period Comparison of this ratio with credit period will measure the efficiency of the firm to collect its debt. Inventory Turnover Higher figure shows that the firms inventory moves more quickly, meaning that inventory will be sold and replaced more frequently. Total Asset Turnover This ratio will indicate how much of sales can be generated from every dollar of the firms asset. Higher result shows that the firm manages its asset effectively. Debt Ratio Lower ratio is better. It means more coverage earn by creditors if the firm goes bankrupt. Time Interest Earn Ratio The ratio indicates firms ability in paying interest. Higher ratio shows better ability in meeting interest payment. Net Profit Margin Higher ratio is better because it shows the reducing in expenses or cost in producing sales. Return on Equity Higher ratio is better because it shows that the firm can generate better return to the owner of the firm. 4.0 CONCLUSION In conclusion, Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad Malaysias liquidity has becomes better from the year 2006 to 2008. Although the current ratio has decrease from 2006 to 2007 which is from 1.773 times to 1.414 times but the ratio increases from year 2007 to 2008 which is from 1.414 times in year 2007 raise to 1.737 times in year 2008. It shows that the business financial condition is becoming better where it has enough liquid asset of its operation in year 2008. Based on the quick ratio, the firms liquidity is not stable from the year 2006 until 2008, which it has decreases from 1.148 times to 0.702 times. The decreased ratio shows that the business might not have enough quick assets in year 2007 to pay its short term debt immediately compare to year 2006. However the ratio increases to 1.134 times in year 2008 and this mean the company have enough quick assets to pay their short term debts. The Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad had become less efficient in collecting its account receivable from year 2006 to 2008 which the average collection period has increases from 45.6 days to 59.39 days. These figures show that the business need to take longer time in year 2008 compare to year 2006 to collect its debt. Based on the total assets turnover, the company has manages its assets more efficiency in year 2006 compare to year 2007 and 2008 which is decrease from 2.43 times to 2.067 times and increase back to 2.41 times in 2008. This means that more sales have been generated from every Ringgit Malaysia of the company assets in year 2006 compare to 2007 and 2008 The fixed assets turnover has also increased from 9.321 times in year 2006 to 10.11 times in year 2007 and 10.62 times in 2008. The increasing in this ratio shows that the company has been more effective in produces the business sales from its fixed assets. Profitability Ratios is measures that indicate how well a firm is performing in terms of its ability to generate profit. Return on assets (ROA) is use to indicate how profitable a company is relative to its total assets. Base from the calculation, it was show that the return on assets is decrease from 20.4% (year 2006)to 16.04% (year 2007) and 14.4% (year 2008), more higher value (%) is calculated that means higher return on assets, so the return on total assets is evidently decrease 6% from year 2006 until year 2008. Net profit margin is use to measures how  much out  of every ringgit Malaysia  of sales a company actually keeps in earning. Base from the calculation, it was show that the net profit margin is decrease from 8.4% (year 2006) to 7.8% (year 2007) and 6% (year 2008), so that means the Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad has a net income of RM0.084 for each ringgit Malaysia of sales in year 2006, but it was decrease to RM0.078 for each ringgit Malaysia of sales in year 2007 and RM0.06 in year 2008. Return on equity (ROE) is measures a corporations profitability  by revealing how much  profit a company generates  with the money shareholders have invested.  Base from the calculation, it was show that the return on equity is increase from35.6% to 37.13% (year 2007) but decrease to 26.4% (year 2008). Higher value (%) is calculated that means the common stockholders of the firm will receive more return on their equity investment, so the return on equity was indicate the accounting return on the common stockholders investment was evidently increase 1.5% from 2006 to 2007 and decrease 10.73% from year 2007 until year 2008. In a conclusion, the calculated was indicating the Profitability Ratios of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad at year 2006 is better than year 2008. The debt ratio of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad increase from 42.8% to 56.8% from year 2006 to 2007 and decrease from 56.82% (year 2007) to 45.3% (year 2008).Although the company need adequate short term borrowing in year 2007 to cover their operation but in year 2008 the companys short term borrowing shows the obvious decline. This shows that in the year 2007 the company total debt is higher than the year of 2008, and this prove that the company manage to decrease their debt and making their total asset increase throughout the year before to the next year. This also shows that the company has the ability to pay up their liabilities and due to this its shows that this company has a low financial risk where the percentage of debt ratios is decreasing after the coming year. Apart from that, this show that the firms assets that financed by debt is used effectively where the ratio is lower than in the year 2007 because less debt in financing results in shows less financial risk. The time interest earned of Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad is increase from 126.98 times to 264.33 times from 2006 to 2007 and decrease from 264.33 times (year 2007) to 196.47 times (year 2008). This is because the revenue for company has increase from 2006 to 2007 and decrease along two years which are 2007 and 2008. At the same time, the interest expenses for company have increase along three years. This is because maybe the company not able to generate sufficient revenue so that they need to increase their loan. As a result, it leads to increase and decrease in time interest earned. Through this, the company shows that they need to improve their ability in meeting interest payment. This ratio used to measure the number of times the firm has gained to pay interest expenses. The higher the ratio is better because it shows the ability in meeting interest payment.

Music Today: Entertainment or Influence to Murder? Essay -- essays res

Music Today: Entertainment or Influence to Murder? Teen violence, murder, suicide; they seem to be becoming more and more rampant everyday. The media, as well as concerned, angry parents, look everywhere to find someone to blame for these tragedies. Their fingers are pointed in the direction of many music entertainers. Artists and performers are being badgered everyday for their lyrics and image they create for their fans. Can music really influence someone to acts of violence? Maybe, to the mentally unstable or uneducated. Is music at fault for these acts of violence? Absolutely not. It cannot be blamed for the crimes of obvious psychotic adolescents. The music business, mainly â€Å"death† metal, has been said to be at fault for major tragedies, for example the Columbine High School Shootings. In fact, one media spokesperson even related the two killers to Marilyn Manson because they were apparently dressed like him. This constant distraction of pointing the blame on someone else just strays our focus on the real causes. Mus ic can directly express the personality of many individuals. The way the dress, the way they talk. Overall it expresses the way a person feels. However, can music be blamed for the actions some of it’s listeners my take? Over the past ten years or so, music has been the scapegoat to many murders, acts of violence, and sexual abuse for many years now. Many cases have now opened with the introduction of Death Metal to music world. Since many murders are now rampant within young children and teenagers, there must be someone to blame for them. One example is in 1995 the Death Metal band Slayer was blamed for encouraging Royce Casery, Joseph Fiorella, and Jacob Delashmutt to torture and kill Elyse Pahler, 15-years-old. The parents of Pahler blame the disgusting lyrics of Slayer to the crime. The three boys, all fans of Slayer and bands of their stature, were all found guilty and are still serving time in jail. The Pahler’s tried suing both the band, and the record companies for making these albums available to young teens. However, the courts threw out all the accusations against Slayer and the record companies, with right cause. The music didn’t kill their daughter, the three boys did and a re now serving their time (Horn, 1). Another case noted, 17-year-old Jay Fieldon Howell was arrested for stabbing a girl in the neck. The girl survived, but ... ...r what he does with it? Or if he’s a teenager, should someone else be blamed because he isn’t as enlightened as an eighteen-year-old (Manson, 4)?† There should be no praise for death in this world, whether it be in war or just cold blooded murder. So is entertainment to blame for all these acts of violence, murder, and sexual abuse? The media commentators should ask themselves this question because their coverage of these events were some of the most gruesome entertainment any of us have ever seen. Works Cited Horn, John. "Heavy Metal: Music to Murder By?" Newsweek 4 Nov. 2000: pp. 46. Manson, Marilyn. "Columbine: Whose Fault Is It?" Rolling Stone 28 May 1999: pp. 1-5. Miller, Alec. "Rockin' in the Free World?" The Washington Post 3 Feb. 2001: pp. A20. Morgan, Fiona. Mother's Who Think. 17 Jan. 2001 www.salon.com/mwt/hot/1998/12/15hot.html. Temple, Johnny. "Noise From the Underground." The Nation 18 Oct. 1999: pp. 17-18, 20. Waxman, Sharon. "Did 'Death Metal' Music Incite Murder?; Lawsuit Against Band, Distributors Could Overcome First Amendment Hurdle." The Washington Post 23 Jan. 2001: pp. E1. (Sources from www.elibrary.com)

The Man Behind Hubble: Bob Williams :: Shuttle Astronomy Space Essays

The Man Behind Hubble: Bob Williams Four weeks after space-walking shuttle Endeavour astronauts repaired the Hubble Space Telescope in December 1993, an ecstatic Maryland Senator Barbara Mikulski waved a Hubble picture of the core of the spiral galaxy M100 at her naysaying colleagues. Today, Mikulski could host a Capitol Hill star party: The orbiting telescope has generated more than 100,000 photos of celestial objects, including a cemetery of dying stars, elephant trunks of dust and hydrogen gas twisting in the Eagle Nebula, jovian storms and aurorae, the rocky rings of Saturn and the colossal supernova smoke rings blown from an exploded star, to list a few. Hubble's pictures do double duty not only as congressional lobbying props, but also as screen savers, T-shirt prints, calendar photos, a background for the "Babylon 5" science fiction TV series and even planet trading cards to be provided soon to schoolchildren. One of the most electrifying pictures of all, the Hubble Deep Field image began literally as a shot in the dark: the sum of 342 exposures taken with Hubble's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 in December 1995 of a black speck of northern sky. Although the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet impact on Jupiter may have generated a bigger media splash, astronomers still are agog over the Deep Field. Aides to Vice President Al Gore ordered a Deep Field poster from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), which manages the Hubble's science program under contract with NASA. Borrowing a page from Mikulski, Gore plans to use the Deep Field poster to promote scientific research in the next millennium. In an age of cost-cutting and smaller-is-preferred, the $3 billion Hubble has demonstrated that bigger can be better: The telescope attracted 1,298 proposals for observing time during its next annual cycle that began in July, an increase of 30 percent from the previous cycle and more than had been rece ived by any other U.S. telescope or NASA project. Ever. A driving force behind Hubble's scientific mission, particularly the Deep Field, is astronomer Bob Williams, 56, who took over as director of the STScI a few months before the 1993 repair mission. Like Hubble itself, Williams began his astronomy career with high promise, then was written off as lacking focus. Both have rebounded spectacularly. Williams is admired as an articulate champion of astronomy with a penchant for accomplishment. "There is not a devious molecule in his body," says Ray Weymann, an astronomer at the Carnegie Observatories in Pasadena, California, who spent many nights collaborating with Williams in the quiet and darkness of telescope towers.

george :: essays research papers

On May 18, 1952 George Strait was born into a loving family in Poteet Texas, U.S.A. Strait the second son of a schoolteacher was raised in Pearsall, Texas. As a young teen he developed an interest in farming after his father took over the family ranch. Strait had listened to country music his whole life but the record that really cemented his love for the music was Merle Haggard’s A Tribute to the Best Damn Fiddler Player in the World, that’s when it all began.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  George Strait dropped out of college to be with his girlfriend, Norma. Shortly after, he joined the U.S army. There he began playing country music. Things really starting getting good for him in 1977 when he started having shows in Nashville. Then came a downfall. Strait realized he was to shy to do himself any justice. The only highlight in his life at that time was Norma and him had recently gotten married. Being the believing wife she is Norma would continuously remind him he had the talent and could do it, she urged him not to give up. Needless to say Strait did not give up and before he knew it he was titled the Entertainer of the Year.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  George is not only loved because of his music, it is also the man himself. â€Å"George Strait is the best!!! My six year old daughter and I would just like for him to know that he is the greatest, He never let’s his fans down, he is a true country music artist. We also appreciate his values, he is a one of a kind man.â€Å" (SonicNet.com George Strait Bulletin Boards) Says Stacy Langston from Houston, Texas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  George Strait earned himself an entry into the Country Music Hall of Fame, four American Music Awards, eleven Academy of Country Music Awards, fifteen Country Music Associations Awards and Trade and Achievement Awards. The annual George Strait country music festival has been attended by more than three million fans. Amusement Businesses named it Touring Country Act of the Decade.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  George Strait opened the eyes for country music. He is not only known for his amazing music but he is named the leader of country music. He has left a legacy behind him so he will never be forgotten.

Choosing the best harware for my system Essay

      Paint Free with every computer The main use of paint is that you can create drawing on the computer and you can also design stuff as well. The advantage of paint is that you can actually draw your picture. The disadvantage of paint is that your drawing isn’t accurate if you have a steady hand. It is very easy and straight forward to use. You cannot use it in any advanced data. Every one can use paint to create4 anything. Some people may find it very childish and might not like it. Alternatives This table is about the application I am going to use and the alternative application I am going to use. Name of Application. Alternative Application The way it works Advantages Disadvantage Difference it would make if I used it Microsoft word Notepad The way it works is that it is special application that enables to write things and also you can write your work in such way that suits you best. The advantage of Microsoft is that you can do a publish your in various ways. The disadvantage of Microsoft word is that it takes quite a lot of space. The difference that it would make to use Microsoft word it would be much easier, better and more sufficient. Another advantage is that you can you can do your in such a way that it fit you best. The thing bad about notepad is that the entire font has to be the same type of font. Notepad takes very little space. You cannot put pictures in notepad which makes it look bad. Microsoft access Open office base The way it works is for creating switchboard and web pages. The advantages of Microsoft access is that there are so many ways of creating a switchboard and you can choose any way you like. The disadvantage of a Microsoft access is that it is made for small business and not for big business. The difference that it would make to use Microsoft access it would be much easier, better and more sufficient. It is very fast and reliable. It takes up a lot of memory. It is very easy and straight forward. Office has fewer tools than access and less professional. Internet explorer Mozilla Firefox This works by You clicking on the application then a page should appear on the screen and you can go on any website you want. Mozilla Firefox is very fast compared to internet explorer. It is more expensive than internet explorer because it is better than it. Mozilla Firefox is much better than internet explorer because it is the latest application out and though it takes more space on your memory but it is more secure. There is less chance you will get a virus when you download things. Mozilla Firefox takes time to load on websites that have viruses. It is more secure than internet explorer. Mozilla Firefox is more complicated because less tools. Paint Adobe Photoshop The main use of Paint is that you can create drawing on the computer and you can also design stuff as well. Paint is very simple and straight forward. The disadvantage of paint is that your drawing isn’t accurate if you have a steady hand. The difference it would make if I used paint is that it would be easy and also it comes free on the computer. Paint can be used by anyone even children. Another disadvantage is that people might think that paint is not suitable for them due to its childishness. Paint already comes with the computer. Also It is slow to use and the file document for paint looks too childish and also pictures cannot be uploaded on database. Input The input devices that I am going to use are keyboard, mouse and scanner because these help me to create a database. Device Speed Errors that can be made Way to correct errors Keyboard The keyboard doesn’t actually have a speed that it works it depends on how the fast the typist is. The errors that can be made is that when someone is typing too fast or normally then they can press the wrong buttons and then the word becomes the wrong spelling which can lead to problems such as, if you spell the name wrong then the ticket can be addressed to the wrong person and also if you enter the address wrong then the ticket will be sent to a different address. This will cause a lot of hassle. The ways to correct this is asking the customer what he has said and to reassure that he has said the right things and if the customer has said a letter then you can use phonetics like â€Å"a† for â€Å"apple. † Mouse The speed of the mouse depends on how fast the user actually moves the mouse. The errors that can be made with a mouse is that you click on the wrong thing and this could also lead to a lot of difficulties because if someone booking a ticket to a certain place then if an employee clicks on the wrong place or the wrong time it will cause a lot of havoc. The ways to prevent these mistakes is by when the employee is talking to a customer then he should double check that what he is clicking also another way you can prevent these thing is by having shortcuts and switchboard so that there is less chance of clicking the wrong thing. Scanner The speed of the scanner depends on how powerful the scanner is like if it is powerful then the scanner will be quick for scanning. The errors that can be made on a scanner is that if someone is accidentally put the paper the wrong way round then the picture that appears on the screen will be also the wrong way round this will be trouble for the company because if their logo is the wrong way round then the they will put their logo up and when they do that the customer will see that the company is not professionally trained and then customers might not join the company. The ways to prevent this is by double checking first if the paper is the right way round and that the lit of the scanner is shut properly and to see if you have typed in the right settings and that you give the scanner enough time to scan. Keyboard To detect errors in my work I used spelling and grammar checker, which showed me the errors that I had made in my work. I also proof read the work to make sure there were no errors. To correct errors in my work I used spelling and grammar checker which gave me suggestions for my errors. I corrected some errors manually by reading through the work and then correcting the errors and I also right-clicked on the mistake and chose from the matching/possible spellings. To prevent errors from happening in my work I checked and read everything whilst typing to make sure no errors were being made. To prevent any errors in typing I used the validation technique to ensure that the data entered was valid. I also used drop down boxes to limit the search to make it easier to find the data. Mouse To detect errors in my work I checked that there were no extra/unwanted lines or marking made and that no other program or tool was clicked besides the one that I wanted. I corrected the errors in my work by using the eraser to erase unwanted lines or markings and I closed the program that had opened accidentally and opened the one that I needed for my work. To prevent errors from happening in my work I drew everything carefully and slowly and did the drawing step by step to make sure no unwanted markings/lines were made. I also clicked items carefully to make sure that no other programs or tools were opened or clicked. I also used specific buttons to automatically draw a proper line or to direct me exactly to the location I wanted to reach. Scanner To detect errors in my work I used spelling and grammar checker and proof read the work to make sure there were no errors. I also checked that the scanned image/text was exactly the same way around as the original piece. To correct errors in my work I used spelling and grammar checker to correct the mistakes and rotated the image/text back to its original form if it had been scanned up side down. To prevent errors from happening in my work I made sure that the paper was put the right way around on the scanner glass and the cover was closed properly to prevent smudging of letters. Effects of Inaccurate Data If you have inaccurate data it will affect your system and may lead to customer leaving. Data Effect Way it can be prevented. Name spelt incorrectly The ticket could be given to the wrong person or else when the person calls in to book another flight the customer will be told that the staff member could not find his/her account this will result in wasting further time as employees will have to either create a new account or ask for further details. If the customer discovers that the company is not very professional as they make a lot of mistakes then this can result in the company losing important members and customers. The ways this problem can be prevented is that when the customer phones in, when the employee is speaking to the customer and the customer tells him his detail then when he says something the employee can use phonetics e. g. â€Å"a† for â€Å"apple† or other than that the employee can use headphones to hear the customer more clearly or use a webcam to see the actual customer and there will be less chance of the employee to make a mistake and these are they way it can be prevented. Address not correct, such as postcode The effect of the address not being type in correct is a great thing because when the company sends the ticket to the wrong household then when the customer asks when the ticket is going to arrive then there will be confusion and argument and by this the customer might leave or the will further wasted time by making a new one. The way to prevent this problem is that when the customer tells his detail and when the employee hears then there should be validation and verification then there will be less chance of misconception. Recommendations not checked correctly If the recommendation is not entered properly then what the customer would have wanted on the flight will not be there and if it is a old person that requires space then if the company entered the wrong recommendation then it will cause the old person a lot of trouble. To prevent the wrong recommendation then the company could put the right input mask in then there will be less chance of the recommendation being type incorrectly. Gender not entered correctly. If the gender is not entered in properly then when they are boarding or in the airport then there will think that the customer will be trying to fraud his passport and this will cause a great hassle. Also if the gender is entered wrong it can cause the customer a lot of embarrassment. To prevent this type of mistake then the company should put validation and verification and make it only they can enter the words â€Å"male† or â€Å"female† and by doing this will reduce the chance of making a mistake in writing whether male or female. Date of birth not entered in correct format. The problem if the date of birth is not typed correctly then when the customer goes to the airport it could can be very embarrassing and after the customer might chose to leave the company. To prevent this mistake the company when making the database they could put in the right ‘Input Mask’ and the right data type. Subscriptions not entered in correct format If the subscription is entered incorrectly then if like a fat person asked for 2 seats then if they get it wrong then when the fat person goes in the plane then it will cause him a lot of hassle. To prevent this mistake then the company should put in the correct input mask and the right data type and also use phonetics and this will lower the chance of making a mistake. The best method of getting the most accurate information is to re-check with the customers. Validation When someone is entering data into something it is very vital for you to enter it correctly. This is why validation comes in. The actual meaning of validation is to make sure the data is allowable like when you get a database and when it says enter gender and if you enter something besides â€Å"male† or â€Å"female† then it does not allow you this what validation it. I need validation for my database because when someone uses it then there is less chance that someone will make an error this is why I going to use validation. Verification (It was mentioned earlier that validation cannot make sure data that you enter is correct, it can only check that it is sensible, reasonable and allowable. However, it is important that the data in your database is as accurate as possible. Verification can be used to help make sure that the data in your database contains as few mistakes as possible. ) This is from Teach me ICT. Com by this you can see that when verification is the like the second step of validation that make sure that you most likely not to get a mistake and lowers the chance to get a mistake. Output This table is the output devices that I am going to use. Device Type The way it works Advantages Disadvantages Best place to use it Printer Laser The la.

Storm Born Chapter Twenty-Seven

Traveling in spirit is a lot different than traveling in the body. The body gives you more strength – and more risk – but the spirit can see things beyond normal physical senses. As I rose up and up from the Otherworld, I saw it in all its beauty and power. People and objects were ringed in light, some brighter than others – like Dorian, who shone like a small sun. All around him and the others, the Alder Land glittered with its own aura, an aura that called out to me in a funny way. Leaving it felt strange, like part of me was being abandoned back there. As for me, my soul grew wings as I crossed into the Underworld. I was dark, nearly black, and wore a graceful, avian shape. I was the Dark Swan, my totem, the shape my spirit naturally traversed the worlds in. I hadn't had to use this shape in some time. I'd first developed the ability to move my spirit into the Otherworld wearing a shape nearly identical to my physical presence; I'd later learned to go over entirely in my own body. But this was not the Otherworld, and I needed the protection of my swan shape. The land of death did not like to give back its souls, and the closer I got, the more risk I faced. I could only pray Kiyo hadn't fully entered it yet. Feeling him was easy. My physical body was still close to his, and he and I had enough of a mental and spiritual bond that I could track him. But, as it turned out, he was far ahead of me. Too far. He had crossed the black gate. If I wanted to follow, I would have to enter the land of death in earnest. My return was doubtful. And yet†¦I couldn't just let him go. Not yet. Not when he'd died because of me. Not when he'd still followed, despite my rejection of him. Not after what we'd shared together. Onward I flew, my wings sweeping over currents of power. I saw no gate per se, but I felt when I crossed it. The connection to my physical body trembled, and I knew I had just endangered it. Too much time here, and it would sever altogether. With that knowledge came another sensation as I crossed over, one so sharp and sudden that I might as well have been slapped in the face. It felt like a belly flop into a freezing pool – remarkable considering the soul did not feel physical sensations. Well, at least that was what I'd been taught. I'd never known any shaman who crossed over and survived to tell about it. Once I actually entered the world, I was suddenly awash in tactile feelings. Warmth swirled around, mixed with those streaks of icy cold. For just an instant, I saw a world so beautiful, it made me ache inside. Color and light and wonder. Glimpsing it, I felt my connection to something much greater than myself, something I had never understood in the worlds of the living. I was drowning in it, in that burning bliss that made the euphoria of magic seem trivial. And just for a second, I nearly grasped all the meaning to life and death. Then, in a blink, it was all gone, and I was plunged into darkness. I silently cried out, longing for the return of that beauty. Where had it gone? Why wouldn't it come back? A voice answered me, vaguely female. It spoke in my mind, reverberating through me and my being. This world becomes what you bring to it. What do you bring? The blackness shifted and became solid. I saw no light source, yet I could just barely make out the area in front of me. Ground appeared, cold and dead. Black rocks jutted out at odd angles, sharp and ugly. A chill wrapped me up. My field of vision was limited in that weird illumination. Everything beyond it was unfathomable darkness. In front of me, I made out a deeper blackness, surrounded by a faint gray outline. A doorway or a tunnel. Was this what I was? Had I shaped my surroundings into cold darkness? The voice spoke again: This world is what you make it. Inside the tunnel, I could feel Kiyo. With no more thought, I took flight again, moving forward. The darkness swallowed me once more. Then I emerged into an empty clearing. It looked like I was in a cave, surrounded by that same cold stone. An indeterminable source illuminated the room with stark light. There was no way out. I felt Kiyo ahead still but saw no way to get to him. Behind me, the path I'd come from was gone. And then I wasn't alone anymore. Shapes materialized around me. I recognized almost every one of them. The keres. The fachan. Finn. Some of the yeshin. An assortment of spirits. Countless other monsters. Countless gentry. Every being I had ever banished to this world. They filled almost every inch of space in the enclosure, crowding around me. Their faces were horrible. Twisted reflections of what I used to know. They opened their mouths, screaming their terror and pain, reliving when I had killed or banished them. The group closed in, hands reaching out. They clawed at me, trying to gouge me and scrape away my skin. Skin? The feathers were gone. I stood in my human form, quite ordinary-looking in casual clothes. The hands and faces closed in tighter, and I screamed as the mob tore me apart. Agony shot through every part of me, a terrible and consuming pain. I sank to the floor, trying to ward them off. What will you give us? they seemed to ask as one. What will you give us to let you pass? â€Å"What do you want?† You sent us here without thought. You ripped our essence out of one world and into another. Do you know what that is like? To have your essence torn asunder? â€Å"Show me,† I whispered. They did. It started inside of me. Like a small spark, noticeable only by a faint twinge. Like getting shocked with static electricity. Then it grew, spreading out like a mass of wriggling worms, eating me from the inside out. Only it was more than physical. It was like†¦a spiritual cancer. I could feel everything about me disintegrating. First, all the superficial things. My love of pajamas and Def Leppard. This was followed by the removal of things that identified me, that made me unique: my physical abilities, my shamanic powers, even my newfound magic. Next, my emotional connections were stripped away, making me forget everyone I knew or loved. My parents, Kiyo, Dorian, Tim, Lara†¦they all vanished, their memories blown to the wind. Finally, my base essence disappeared. Me as a physical and mental being. Eugenie Gwen Markham. A woman. Half human, half shining one. It was all gone, and I was nothing. I wanted to scream but had no means of doing so. And then, I was back. I sat huddled in a ball, alone in the cavern. Unfolding myself, I saw that I was whole. My self-knowledge had returned. Still shaking, I looked up and saw that a doorway had appeared. It was a way out, a way toward Kiyo. I walked into the next tunnel, again entering the darkness. When I emerged, I found myself in a cavern exactly like the other. Only this time, I wasn't alone. A man stood on the far side, his back to me as he studied the wall. Sensing my presence, he turned around. He had reddish hair, streaked with silver and just barely touching his shoulders. The features of his face were striking, a square jaw and sharp angles. Handsome in a harsh sort of way. He wore clothes like the gentry, most of him covered by a sweeping cloak as rich as anything Dorian might own. Rich purple velvet. Jewels worked into the edges. A crown sat on his head, made of a gleaming metal too bright to be silver. Platinum, I thought. It was a masterpiece of metalworking, all scalloping and flowing edges, like a circle of entwined clouds. The edges of it met in a small point at the top of his forehead, like a faux widow's peak. Diamonds and amethysts set among the lacy curves glittered in the weird lighting. But it was his eyes that really seized me. They would not hold one color. They shifted, like clouds on a windy day. Azure blue. Silvery gray. Rich violet. â€Å"Hello, Father,† I said. The eyes held at a steady, deep blue as he looked me over. â€Å"You are not what I expected.† â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"No matter. You will do. In the end, you're only a vessel anyway. Your magic will grow, and those around you will eventually see that what needs to be done is accomplished, once your child is born.† I shook my head. â€Å"I'm not going to have your heir.† â€Å"Then you will not pass. You will die here.† I didn't say anything. Anger hardened his already fierce features, and whatever attractiveness I'd noted before vanished. I remembered my mother's reaction, her pure and unwavering hatred for him. His eyes flickered again, turning from blue to a gray so dark it almost looked black. â€Å"You are a stupid, foolish girl who has no idea what you're doing. The fate of the worlds hinges upon you, and you are too ignorant and too weak to do anything about it. No matter. You are not the only one who can carry on the dream.† â€Å"What, you mean Jasmine?† He nodded. â€Å"She lacks your power and war instincts, but again, she is only a vessel. More important, she is willing. Aeson made sure of that. He visited her years before finally taking her. She knows her duty. She will see it through.† A cold, heavy lump settled in my stomach. I had gone out of my way to avoid pregnancy, but Jasmine would not. She would be seeking it, purposely trying to have Storm King's heir. All my smug contraceptive practices would mean nothing. Storm King read my thoughts. â€Å"Maybe if you were the one, you could control the situation. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad if you were the heir's mother. If your sister is the one, there will be no reprieve.† â€Å"Don't fuck with me just to get your way. It won't work.† The eyes darkened further. â€Å"Whatever you want, then. It makes no difference if you die here and stay with me.† I stared at the far, blank wall, willing the stone to open. Beyond it I could feel Kiyo slipping away from me. My heart – if I had one in this form – beat more rapidly. I closed my eyes. â€Å"What do you want me to do?† Hands reached around from behind me, closing around my waist. â€Å"Submit just once,† Aeson said in my ear. â€Å"Submit just once to me, and you can pass on.† His hands pulled me against him, and I tried to squelch my rising nausea. Some reasonable part of me said it didn't matter. None of this mattered. I wasn't here in body. I couldn't get pregnant. This wasn't actually happening. Yet†¦it seemed so real. And for all intents and purposes, it was. His hands upon me. His breath against my neck. It felt exactly as it would in physical form, as I knew it was intended to. I opened my eyes and saw my father watching me. Beyond him, Kiyo moved farther away. â€Å"All right,† I said, barely recognizing my own voice. Aeson turned me around and kissed me, harsh and bruising, uncaring that my lips stayed inert and did not kiss him back. He pulled me down, putting my back against the sharp planes of the stone. The last thing I saw before all went to blackness was Storm King looking down at me, face cold and uncaring. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the mental and physical hurt. When I let myself see again, I sat on the ground, palms down against the hard surface. Just like before, I felt no more pain, and I could tell my clothes were whole once more. Another illusion†¦one my body had no memory of but which would stay etched in my mind for some time, I suspected. Standing up, I moved forward, on toward Kiyo. Someone else was waiting for me in the next chamber, a man I'd never seen before. He was slim and small, dressed in scarlet velvet bordering on outlandish. He held a small cloth-wrapped bundle in his hands and paced around nervously. When he caught sight of me, his face brightened with relief. â€Å"There you are, your majesty!† he exclaimed. â€Å"I've been waiting.† â€Å"Waiting for what?† He proffered the bundle before me. â€Å"To give you your crown. You have to put it on.† I eyed the bundle nervously and then looked at the smooth, blank wall between Kiyo and me. â€Å"Is that what I need to do to get through? Put on the crown?† He nodded, shifting from foot to foot. â€Å"Hurry. We're running out of time.† I knew what the crown was for. I knew what Dorian had done outside of Aeson's fortress. Somehow, some way, I had gained the Alder Land. I had become its queen. I sure as hell didn't want it, though. If I made it away from here alive, I'd definitely rectify the problem. But if wearing the crown here was what it took to pacify this next sadistic torment, then I would do it. It was a whole lot easier than everything else I'd been through. â€Å"Fine. Give it to me.† He handed me the bundle. I unwrapped and nearly dropped it when I saw what lay inside. Aeson had worn a gold circlet. Dorian's crown, which he rarely wore, was similarly simple. It resembled a ring of leaves, beaten out in different metals: silver, gold, and copper. Presumably Maiwenn and the rest of the Otherworldly monarchs wore similar items. But this†¦this was not a simple circlet. It was heavy and platinum, an intricate swirl of metal set with diamonds and amethysts. Storm King's crown. Only it was smaller. A bit more delicate. Designed for a woman. â€Å"What is this?† I exclaimed. The man gave me a puzzled look. â€Å"Your crown.† â€Å"This isn't the Alder Land's crown. This is my father's crown.† â€Å"What else would you wear, your majesty?† I tried handing it back to him, but he stepped away from it. â€Å"I don't want it. I won't wear it.† â€Å"You have to. It's the only way.† He looked at me pleadingly, almost like he wanted me to move on to the next stage of this game as much as I did. I didn't need his entreaty. I wanted to move on too. Badly. Badly enough to finally lift the crown up with shaking fingers and rest it on my head. Instantly, I no longer stood in the chamber. I was on a high, cragged peak, overlooking vast sweeping plains. The sky was dark and heavy with clouds, and lightning danced among them. Below, on the plains, armies stretched as far as the eye could see. Armies of gentry and spirits and the myriad creatures living in the Otherworld. The crown felt heavy on my head yet did a poor job of holding down my hair as the wind whipped it around. A gown of indigo velvet embraced my body, and a black and silver fur cloak draped my shoulders. In my left hand, I held my wand, and in the crook of my other arm, I held a baby. It was wrapped up in white blankets, its eyes closed. A fine haze of hair, its color indistinct, swept over its head. I had no idea who its father was – I didn't even know if it was a boy or girl – but some instinctual part of me knew it was mine. Tentatively, I reached out with my fingers and touched that fine hair. It felt like down, like the softest, finest silk imaginable. The baby stirred slightly at the touch, snuggling against me, and something inside of me stirred as well. I jumped as a hand encircled my waist, and a warm body moved next to mine. Dorian. A sword hung at his side, and a new crown sat on his head, more elaborate than his former circle of leaves. It was made of thick gold, heavy with jewels and dazzling to behold. But it wasn't as big as mine. â€Å"They're waiting for your order,† he said. I followed his gaze out to the fields of people and saw that they were all on their knees before me, heads touching the earth. Above them, thunder rumbled as the storm swirled restlessly. â€Å"I don't know what to do,† I told him. â€Å"What you have to do.† As though moving of its own accord, the hand holding my wand rose into the air. The armies rose with it, like I was a puppeteer pulling marionettes to life. A great roar sounded among them, swords banging on shields and magic flaring in salute. One downward motion, and I knew they would march. One motion from me, and I would unleash hell itself. The roar intensified. Dorian's body shifted closer. The baby stirred again. My hand felt heavy and started to fall†¦. I stood alone in the stone chamber. No man. No crown. The doorway had appeared, and I lunged for it. The darkness engulfed me, and I swear the tunnel had grown more narrow than before. Still I moved onward. I could feel Kiyo growing closer and closer. I ran, needing to find him, needing to reach out to him, needing to – And there he was. He lay on a small dais in this new chamber, wearing his human shape. He was on his back, whole and perfect, his hands clasped on his chest like a sleeping fairytale princess. I moved toward him, and a woman moved in front of me. I didn't know how I hadn't seen her before. She had just appeared. I looked at her and squinted, trying to focus, but had trouble. Her appearance kept shifting. One instant she was golden and lovely, honey-blond hair pouring to her ankles. The next she was pale as death, black hair sweeping behind her like a funeral shroud, yet still beautiful in a frightening sort of way. Persephone herself blocked my path, and I knew there was no way I could go through her. â€Å"Let me have him. Please. I've passed all the tests, just like you wanted.† What I wanted? It was the same voice I'd heard before, only now amusement tinged its edges. None of that mattered to me. They were not my tests. This world is what you bring to it. Most of the dead bring guilt or regret. You brought your fears. I peered beyond her to Kiyo, my soul screaming out to his. â€Å"What do you want? What do I need to do to take him?† What makes you think I'll give him to you? He's mine. I received him fairly. The dead do not leave my realm. I racked my brain, turning over every story or myth I'd ever heard. â€Å"What about Orpheus? You let him take Eurydice.† But in the end, she did not leave. He was not strong enough. She stayed. â€Å"You don't need him, especially since I've sent you so many other souls.† Was it truly for me? Or your own ends? â€Å"Does it matter?† Perhaps not. But now I have two more, and I do not have to give them up. â€Å"Then do it as a favor,† I begged. A favor? Her amusement grew. Why would I do that? â€Å"Because I've served you faithfully. And because we're the same. I'm trapped in two worlds too, and I don't think I can get out of that. I'm torn in two forever now.† I touched the butterfly tattoo on my arm, half black and half white. Just like Persephone, who spent half her existence as a goddess of springtime and half as a ruler of death. Just like me, half human and half gentry. Half lover, half killer. In Swan Lake, Odile is the dark swan and Odette is the light swan, yet both are played by the same dancer. She only stared, and I desperately tried to think of something. â€Å"You said this world is what we bring. I brought love too. Doesn't that count for anything?† She considered. That depends. Will you give up your love? Sacrifice it to me? Promise you will stay away from him forever, that you will forsake your love. I stared at Kiyo's inert form, thinking how it would be to never see him again. Something inside of me died at that thought, but I didn't hesitate. â€Å"All right. I agree.† Persephone stared at me a moment, then Kiyo vanished. It is done. â€Å"You sent his soul back? He'll live?† If his body is healed soon, then yes, he'll live. She continued staring at me, and I realized I'd made no such guarantees for my own return. In fact, I could no longer feel that glittering connection to my own body. You are trapped here, she affirmed. â€Å"I know. It's okay. It's worth it.† And I meant it. Kiyo's life meant more than my own. Her blue-to-black-to-blue eyes held me. Then, as improbable as it seemed, she sighed. Go back. Go back to your dual existence. I will see you again someday, and then you will stay. Her fingers touched my forehead, and a searing pain ran through me. My form disappeared in a flurry of feathers and black wings, and I felt myself being pulled out of this world. Just before I left completely, she spoke again. Her voice was tired and maybe just a little sad. Keep your love. I have no use for it anymore. An instant later, I woke up in my physical body, gasping and choking for air as I returned to life.