Why Renault entered into joint venture with Mahindra

Why Renault entered into joint venture with Mahindra Internal Benefits: Joint ventures are formed in quest of managing companys resources in efficient manner. This includes techniques to reducing cost and risk that the firm faces, obtaining scarce resources, obtaining cheap factors of production (land, labour and capital), to include new information and increase the managerial know how so that productivity can be increased and to retain innovative employees of the firm. There are many capital intensive techniques followed by companies in oil and gas exploration, metals processing and mineral extraction. Internal benefit include building companys core strengths  Ã‚   Helps in to develop economies of scale by gaining access to other financial resources Joint venture help company to acquire new technologies and customers and gives access to knowledge, skills and better management Competitive Benefits: Joint venture helps companies to restructure their organisational structure. Competitive advantage is achieved by vertical integration or consolidation of the firms. This also helps the firms to have an influence on industry structure and competitors. Responding to the new globalisation trend this approach may help in creation of more effective competitors. Some other benefits are: Joint ventures are helpful in building competitive barriers against the new entrants. They act as a defensive strategy in response to the converging markets Helps in creation of small and competitive units of the firm in various geographical locations It also helps in reducing the time cycle to the market they are involved in Strategic Benefits: Joint ventures help in companies to implement change in their strategic position. This helps in better creation and exploitation of synergies among the two companies. Joint venture facilitate in the transfer of technology and diversification of the firm. Technology transfer helps in building knowledge to expand into key markets It also helps to develop new products and improve productivity by shared expertise and lower costs because indulging in research activities to develop new products can be time-consuming and costly. Small businesses also gain lead-time In the total number of joint venture formed, many were international joint ventures. Many of them were due to the cost involved in the operations. Companies in some industry depend on the technology to reduce costs. Joint ventures are favourable for them because they help them in accumulating money and people to work in short time, with not much time wasted in training and later to develop specialisation in a specific activity. This all leads to reduced exploration and production costs and thereby increase in the profit margins. Joint ventures are not as easy to manage as we are talking about. Sometimes companies are forced to follow a joint venture strategy because of the host countrys business regulations. For example China does not allow outside company to own a majority of domestic business. Mexico requires the companies for any foreign company which is operating in the country to have a joint venture with a domestic company. In addition to government regulations, other reasons f or multinational joint ventures as mentioned above are cutting the costs of doing business, sharing risks with acquiring technological information and management expertise from other companies. Kogut (1988) gave 3 different reasons for the existence of joint ventures. They were: Transaction cost approach: The cost aspect of a transaction in joint ventures helps in explaining joint ventures in terms of market failure for intermediate inputs in the production, various asset specificity, and high uncertainty over specifying and monitoring performance. As inspired by Penroses (1959) work, it is specified and shown in recent development in management research that to one should analyze and develop a firms strategy by focusing on its resources instead of the external environment. Two key behavioural assumptions of TC theory are opportunism and bounded rationality (Williamson 1991a). The transaction theory suggests that if firms with complementary resources try to produce individually then they will have to fight for the scarce resources and acquire them at greater cost. Another major motive behind joint venturing is the possibility of creating Ricardian rents. A Ricardian rent means the presence of scarce resources which generate higher profits than other resource s of the same type. Strategic behaviour approach: A joint venture addresses the difficulties faced by the organisation by providing a superior alignment of incentives through the mutual dedication of resources and by sharing the residual value of the venture. Joint venture is established in a spirit of mutual trust and commitment to its long-term success, the potential threats posed by opportunism and a small-numbers condition can be reduced. Organisational learning approach: Joint Ventures help in organisation learning Williamson (1991b) extends his analysis to strategic alliances, which is said to have the hybrid mode of governance, which are considered to occupy positions between the two ends of the market-hierarchy continuum. These hybrids in joint ventures are said to have stronger incentives and adaptive capabilities than hierarchies, which helps in providing more administrative control than markets. In global industries with globalisation there is higher need for organisational learning. This asks the firm manager to look for global efficiency, which later plays an important role in resource based theory. In a joint-venture setting, there is interaction and communication between the members of different firms. This information flow increases the boundary permeability with respect to the partners resources. This helps in offering an opportunity for learning. A popular example of this is ToyotaGM joint venture, in wh ich both partners had clear learning objectives (Adler and Cole 1993). Another use of joint ventures is to get rid of a business unit, that is, disposal of resources. Nanda and Williamson (1995) have argued that converting the business unit into a joint venture between the parent and buyer helps in selling of the unit. The joint venture operates for several years during which buyer learn about the operations of the unit is going to acquire and slowly resources will be integrated with those of the buyer. By initially running the business as a joint venture, the buyer in benefit of obtaining hands-on management experience and an insiders s view of its operation. Seller also has interest to teach the skill and tricks to buyer of business, since the price that the buyer is willing to pay when buying out the business depends on the joint ventures performance. Firms often go for the local partners in the domestic market in which they want to mark a presence, these are because of the following reasons: Items readily capitalised Human resource needs Government regulations and incentives Market access needs and speed of entry Knowledge needs and learning of new marketing methods A joint venture is formed only when all the organizations involved individually arrive at a positive net benefit calculation. For example, one partner considers the joint venture as an opportunity for learning a new technology while the other uses the venture to further exploit the technology. When two firms have had a great deal of experience of working together, they get to know more about one anothers culture and management style, and adjust their own accordingly thus the two firms are in a better position to explore collaborative opportunities compared to other firms which dont form any alliance with other firms. This all leads to identify ways of complementing joint venture their resources effectively for creating rents. This involves the proper analysis of costs involved in different companies. For example If there exist two oil companies which want to set up a new drilling platform in ocean areas, and neither one has capability to finance the project on its own, so the simple solution to them is to look for joint venture. That way, they share the costs of setup of drilling platform and other projects which later helps them in reducing their individual risk should they find no oil. That is a decided advantage to many business people. A complete study of operation, management and finance has to be done to successfully implement the joint venture. Joint ventures are quite helpful to some companies in gaining access to foreign markets. Sometimes both the firms forget the primary objective of their operation and just form joint venture to come into foreign market. These products bring in the foreign domestic investments in the host country through the firm with which joint venture is formed. So many governments give incentives for joint ventures. Joint ventures are a sometimes used to boost up the creeping sale. This can be the first step in acquisition of a business. It can also be used to act as catalyst for change, which is by bringing in a partner one, can stimulate more entrepreneurial activity in a particular area of a firms business. Joint venture also helps in expansion of customer base by expanding the scope and utilising other firms strength in different geographic market, using its distribution or sales network International joint ventures have also been pushed by international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization, who have given incentives by forming policies to eliminate trade barriers and deregulate foreign ownership restrictions and the international flow of capital. This helped in creating a climate in which international investment and partnerships have become increasingly attractive. In new scenario joint ventures have become means by which companies seek to expand profit margins and market share. In addition, regional trade areas such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the European Union (EU), and the Association of South and East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have worked to establish favourable conditions for joint ventures within specific, relatively localized regions. Why Renault entered into joint venture with Mahindra Mahindra? As told by the CEO of Renault Mr. Carlos Ghosn this joint venture was seen to be useful to mark a new step in Renaults global expansion strategy. The joint venture has started the Renault operation in the Indian market which is highly emerging market with respect to automotive sector. As Renault had no experience with the needs of Indian customer joint venture with MM was seen to help to create the first right hand drive version of Logan created to meet the needs of our Indian customers. Renault was also eyeing to mark its presence in Indian market in short period of time, Mahindra and Mahindra gave them that adequate platform. In the beginning of 2005 Renault designers visualized a low-cost car that was to retail for under Euro 5000. The car had quite good features however it looked robust and trustworthy compared to the sleek beauties manufactured by the Japanese and the Koreans. The car became a big hit and enjoyed pampering from buyers in most parts of Europe. Europeans liked the cars no-frill appeal. Renault thought of entering into Indian market, when it analysed the companies it sought upon Mahindra and Mahindra which was the main force behind the Tata Group. Mahindra and Mahindra helped Tata Motors for over ten years helping them build the modern day passenger vehicle. Mahindra also in seeing the future prospects of snatching the opportunity and mark its presence in Indian market started working in unison with Renault and started building and selling the Logan in India. Both Mahindra and Renault shared the profit of gaining knowledge and expertise. MM would get all important expertise needed to build monocoque or unitary construction. Renault, on the other hand, would gain direct knowledge of the cost-effective supplier base that Mahindra enjoyed in India. A labour-intensive car plant was established as against a fully automated one to analyze the quality and cost-effective work force available in India. The two groups concluded a framework agreement for setting up a joint venture in India with Mahindra retaining a 51 per cent share and Renault 49 per cent. The JV will be called Mahindra Renault Ltd. The estimated project amount was 125 million Euros. With other European automotive counterparties like Fiat and Skoda had little presence this venture was also seen a major competition to them. Mahindra did a customer research in Logan segment and found strong response for this C-segment car. Renault was looking for major global expansion; along with India it was also starting its operations in Romania, Russia, Morocco, Colombia and Iran. Renault was looking for a long term relationship with Mahindra and Mahindra and was looking for greater prospects in coming years of 2010 to 2012. Renault chose Mahindra and Mahindra because of the following reasons: Mahindra Group a US $ 2.5 billion company is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles and tractors in India. Mahindra and Mahindra had 55 years of manufacturing experience MM had built its high network of distributors and suppliers in India efficiently Mahindra group had built a strong base in technology, engineering, marketing and finance (Mahindra intertrade and MM financial services Ltd.). It also has a significant presence in key sectors of the Indian economy High presence in automotive components, information technology telecom (Mahindra British Telecom), and infrastructure development (Mahindra GESCO, Mahindra Holidays Resorts India Ltd.) Mahindra had a reputation of providing TATA Motors the platform to harness the automotive growth in India MM had not much presence in Sedan segment i.e. C-segment so Renault had no fears of having conflicts of interest Mahindra as a brand was a trusted brand in India. With the leverage of Mahindra as a brand Renault was also leveraging its own brand in Logan, as the joint venture was called Mahindra-Renault The transfer of knowledge and technology was mutually beneficial for Renault and Mahindra, it was good symbiotic relationship

Is Heathcliff a typical literary hero? Essay -- English Literature

Is Heathcliff a typical literary hero? Heathcliff is introduced to the reader as anything but a hero in the beginning. He is bullied by Hindley and looked down upon by the rest of the household, including Cathy and Nelly to start with -"hardened, perhaps, to ill-treatment: he would stand Hindley's blows", "spitting at the stupid little thing;". Heathcliff does not show himself to be terribly helpful, kind or brave although he does seem to show an air of strength and resilience when Hindley decides to throw a heavy weight at him. But instead of throwing it back or running away he just picks himself up and carries on with what he was doing- "and down he fell, but staggered up immediately,...". As a child Heathcliff was quite patient and irritable and did not have any real background or education. He is supposedly handsome and loyal (to Cathy) but has very low morals (he tried to kill Isabella's dog when they ran off to Wuthering Heights)- . He is strong and athletic but is in no way good-natured as the way he acts throughout the whole book shows you; like- "Don't torture me till I am as mad as yourself!" The heroic qualities we see today in our popular super heroes and other more original characters like Sherlock Holmes, all originated from Greek legends like Hercules and Perseus and from Bible stories like David and Goliath. Heathcliff does not seem to follow any of the patterns in these other heroes or act like them, but more like the opposite. Heathcliff could be analysed as a anti or Byronic hero; Heathcliff does show himself to have the same qualities as a Byronic hero because he is wild and passionate and has many dark qualities, Heathcliff is very remorse-torn and moody; these qualities may have ... ... without any emotion in his life. She shows this when she talks of Heathcliff and contrasts the both of them- "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire." Both Edgar and Heathcliff do not have what it takes to be a heros, Edgar is too nice and emotionless and Heathcliff is too full of emotion, anger and hate. Together their qualities could make a hero, but on there own they are two different things. Heathcliff's qualities show him to be the opposite to a classic literary hero, so he could be the Byronic hero who is wild, passionate and possesses many hidden darker qualities. Heathcliff is passionate, he is slightly evil and he does represent the opposite side of a hero, he possesses all the bad qualities and mysterious qualities that make him a Byronic hero.

The Terminator Essay -- Film Movie Terminator Essays

The Terminator James Cameron’s 1984 film, The Terminator, is about a cyborg, called a terminator, that is sent back into the past to kill Sarah Connor, the mother of John Connor, the leader of the human resistance. A soldier, named Kyle Reese, is also sent back to protect Sarah (Terminator). In the film’s 1991 sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (T2), the Terminator returns, not to kill Sarah, but to protect young John from the T-1000 (T2). During the course of these two films, the character of Sarah Connor dramatically changes from weak woman to a warrior woman. She transforms mentally, physically, and emotionally. Not only does she change in this manner, but her role in the films changes as well. Sarah’s purpose and significance as a character changes over the course of the two films. In Terminator, Sarah is of great importance to the story. Without her there would be no human resistance in the future, so it is imperative that she live. The movie revolves around her, as she is the main protagonist in the film. At the end of Terminator, it is she, not Kyle, that destroys the Terminator. Though she is the main protagonist, her purpose in the film was to be a vessel. She was only valued because of her body, her ability to give birth to John. It only mattered that she live so that she could give birth to John. In Terminator 2, Sarah is pushed into the background. She becomes merely a secondary character. Her presence in the movie is not as important. She has already completed her job of giving birth to John and raising him to be able to take care of himself, so there is no reason for her to be there. Her presence even puts John into more danger. John wanted to save his mother from the mental institution, but the Terminator... ...tor films are good for study because of their rarity and the character of Sarah Connor. Works Cited Cranny-Francis, Anne. "The Body in the Text." Internet. 10 Dec. 2001. http://www.univie.ac.at/Germanistik/schrodt/vorlesungsmaterialien/the_body_in_the_text.htm. Cunningham, Kim. "Shaping the Stars." People Weekly 10 January 1994: 50-56. Internet. 24 Nov. 2001. http://www.iwu.edu/library/subjres.htm. Pfeil, Fred. "Revolting Yet Conserved: Family Noir in Blue Velvet and Terminator 2." 1992. Internet. 24 Nov. 2001. http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/postmodern_culture/v002/2.3pfeil.html. Terminator, The. Dir. James Cameron. Perf. Arnold Swarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton. Artisan Entertainment, 1984. Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Dir. James Cameron. Perf. Arnold Swarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong. Artisan Entertainment, 1991.

Analysis of Barbie Doll Essay

The Devastation of Social Pressure One would think that growing up would be a fun, not a worry in the world, happy experience. Yes, that is the way it should be, but that’s not always the case, especially for women. As girls season into women they realize they not only have to face the fact that they’re in a patriarchal society, but also the influences and pressure they face in the social aspect of things, such as their looks and body image. There is so much competition amongst girls, especially when transitioning into a woman and through most of their adulthood. So instead of being able to enjoy life and absorbing the true quality of it, we are side tracked with superficial, stereotypical, shallow thoughts and images of how we think life is supposed to be. Although, who’s to say what’s right and what’s wrong with the way we interpret things? Marge Piercy, who wrote the poem â€Å"Barbie Doll†, has a very strong view of how destructive social pressure can be to a girl through her transitioning stages into a woman. She expresses how the Barbie doll, the toy figurine that woman idealize, is, in fact, a method of corruption to a young girl. First and for most we must understand who the persona is in the poem, which is a woman, and more specifically Marge Piercy herself. She is observing a young girl going from Wolfe 2 childhood, adolescents, adulthood and then death in a roundabout way. Starting with the first stanza, of four, the persona explains of a young girl, and her playing with a doll, the Mattel’s Barbie doll to be precise. This doll is to be described as tall, blonde hair, blue eyes and it has the perfect body. The girl, â€Å"†¦presented dolls that pee-pee/and miniature GE stoves and irons/ and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy† (2-4). The words iron, stove, and lipstick are all play-things for the girl, but are also identity markers. Such that the doll represents the ideal body image, the iron and stove tells us what type of work is expected of the girl when she becomes an adult (keep in mind that this poem was written in the nineteen seventies and that woman in the work force was still a very small percentage, thus women were still very domesticated) and the lipstick is to imply a sexual innuendo. In the last line in the first stanza the girl goes through puberty and no time is wasted before a classmate judges and criticizes her, â€Å"You have a great big nose and fat legs† (6). Going through puberty is a stage of growth. Adolescents become more aware of their social standing and sexual being. As we read further, the doll, she once played with, will create a major impact on her; in the aspect of her body image and the pressure she faces from her peers. In the second stanza we see how the woman is dissatisfied with herself even though she is â€Å"healthy and tested intelligent/possessed strong arms and back/ abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity† (7-9). The persona continues to say, â€Å"She went to and fro apologizing/Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs† (10-11). The traits that this woman possesses, is in every way correct; however, she is so sure her physical traits are unacceptable to the culture. No matter what she sees in the mirror or what she hears, this won’t change her opinion about herself image. She has been brainwashed about her looks and she doesn’t think she is good enough. She goes around apologizing to everyone about the person she has become, believing there is no way she can change, at least in a healthy manner. In the third stanza we read how society is forcing the woman to change her healthy ways, physically, into something she isn’t. She does what she can to fit into society by, â€Å"†¦play[ing] coy/ exhorted to come on hearty/ exercise, diet, smile and wheedle† (12-14). She had so much pressure from every direction, she felt obligated to try and conform her body into what society viewed as ideal, which we know of as the Barbie doll toy. This idea was short lived. Instead of standing her grounds and accepting the individual that she is, she drowns. Society got the best of her, â€Å"Her good nature wore out/ like a fan belt† (15-16). She gave up and paid the ultimate price to be accepted in society, â€Å"†¦she cut off her nose and her legs/ and offered them up† (17-18). Now that she has removed her flaws she temporarily relinquishes her depression, weakness, and anxiety. Now that she has met the, impossible, unrealistic, standard, she can permanently wash her existences away and leave her shell of beauty behind. In the final Stanza, Piercy highlights the theme of the poem. Simply put, women aren’t accepted into society unless they represent the ideal woman. Now that the woman is free of body flaws and has had a makeover, she can be accepted into her culture even though we know this isn’t her true self. What must this say about the society she has been exposed to? In order to survive in this specific culture, if we’re not perfect, is to become someone we’re not. So not only do we have to try to live up to a standard that is not comprehendible but we also have to be fake. In the middle of the last stanza Piercy explains, â€Å"with the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on/a turned-up putty nose/dressed in a pink and white nightie† (20-22). The woman now has the superficial , but perfect, looks. She is manipulated (physically) so she can finally be recognized. Letting a society make this woman frail and surrender to being her own individual shows a lack of values and morals within herself. Having our own opinions, life experiences and ethics make us who we are and if we were all the same or are held up to the same expectations what would life be like? Would we all act like robots? Clones? As the woman has been re-configured, shallow talks are amongst her, â€Å"Doesn’t she look pretty? everyone said/Consummation at last/To every woman a happy ending† (23-25). Mission complete, she achieved her goal; she is pretty, unflawed, and looks like the ideal woman.

Hardship: Friendship and People Essay

Everyone in life have to been through hardship, it’s depend on own characteristic to solve it. People who never give up when they met their own hard times will always met their success. Sometimes we will just get jealous of some of the person who success but in reality we did not know how they feel when they met their hardships and how much did they pay off to their success. We will never know in case we met the same problem as them. Normally I do feel suffering in the early age from family problems and generally I will have to fight for life, but when I achieve what I have done, it’s always a big task for me to have done. I may choose to be more confident and take more risk to challenge myself to successfully finish the task on time. I often have big aims and wanted to be perfect for the task but I feel that I never been through happiness and enjoyable when hardship just crush on me. To deal with a hardship life, I do realize what are the problems and solving it independently. Next, strongly believe in myself by say â€Å"I am going to survive this hard time!†, Always have the positive heart to keep away the negative thoughts in mind. Sometimes, I do talk to friends about my problems so they could just be my listener. As if they’re good friends, they will understand and help through the hard times and to give more opinion to make me stay claim and think positive. We must also try to focus on the good things in life’s to believe that this will be a pass and makes us become a stronger person. More over , to keep my expectations low and I will rarely be disappointed. Where I can find the real me with happiness and enjoyable life’s. This may not seem right to me until I spend some time thinking about how it applies to my own personal life. I used to believe in faith or maybe I could consider that God, the universe or nature provide us with the tools for any situation; whatever the source, it is up to us to use those tools to keep body and soul together. Lastly ,we must also be prepared to let time assist emotional pain come over us. As for emotional rough times, there is an old saying that â€Å"time heals all wounds†, and that everything looks better from a distance. Sometimes I do let myself crying to release the stress whatever that may bring me feel likes continue on the another day and if my emotional distress is something that makes me feel down and depressed , I will always seek for some professional help. By following the flow everyday life , we will all make it to finish line. Hardship is just a temporarily , so if things are going good , enjoy it because it wont be last forever. But , if things goes bad , don’t worry because it can’t last forever either. What I learn is to stay positive and think positive, they are the best medicine to solve the hardship that I had faced it also build my confident to success. Appreciate the moment with friends In my life, I do appreciate the moment with friends whenever we decide to go for outgoing. We do make memories of laughter, arguments and lots of emotional express. Those who truly treated us as their good friend, they will always forgive and forget on our own mistakes and teaches us when theirs problem and the mistake we had did.I’m thankful that I had met two good friend when I was form 1, which can be my sister because they are elder than me two age different. Whenever we need help, we are able to help each other and never count for the small things. We did lots of unforgettable moments such as party together , celebration , hangover , girls talk , sharing outfit and many more. Sometimes we couldn’t effort to buy for birthday gifts but we do make a best friends scrapbook to keep as a memories. Once awhile we do have, arrange some sleepovers often when we had bad moods or watch after the horror movies together and many more. Whenever we went for out going activities we will never left out and we plan events together that are unique to the group. Sometime we do also oftenly hang out the whole week , we get bored of the places we often when and don’t know where to head to next. Besides that , we accept  differences between us and different of opinion we given. It’s not fun being friends with closen sometimes it gets bored but we still apologize to each other when we went wrong and forgiving and never hold past mistakes against each other. In the other hand , we do acknowledge teach other when we have done something well. Give us the attention on what us deserve. Between me and my friends are always jelousy around but we always be aware of our feelings and do not sabotage our friendship. Acknowledge our feelings and understand each other because we are still humans. Sometimes we do talk about good things as well as bad. Get to know the good sides and bad sides of people. A real friend will know when your being unreasonable, call you on it, love you and still be your friend without missing a beat. Understand that friendships isn’t hard, even the really good ones, can experience times when you don’t spend much time or talk to each other often. It isn’t what we do when we’re apart, it’s what we do when we’re together. Disappointment in my college life. Does disappointment really make one stronger? Personally, I think that disappointments help one to be stronger. Everyone has felt disappointed at least once in their lives. When someone disappoints you, you will feel sad as the person has not tried his best in that particular area. My first disappointment in my life was when my first time in college they are quite friendly and helpful but after getting longer times, they started to not to talk to me as I know problems are on me. But I’m still cruise why can’t my fellow classmates just tell me correct me by my mistake by just ditching me aside by not care how I feel. As longer as I know, I do used a words to hurt them and they just couldn’t accept me. People that know me more they will know that I’m a character that straight forward and less talking on jokes. I really don’t know why this thing happen just in college but not the others of my friends. But I still feel satisfied  that I am not alone, there’s is still many close friends beside me.I appreciate people who appreciate me and accept whom I am. As the day getting on , . I became frustrated from lack of response from others, and the high school I attend is so groupie, trendy, and obnoxious. I guess most are that way, and I want to accept it and be happy, but it’s really hard. I try to think positive and sit aside. I had say sorry to them but they wouldn’t accept my apologize is fine. Being alone is not that bad , be happy for other people, really try hard. Jealously is a terrible feeling but to be real nothing to be jealous of. Really, it is. But then, right after that, I’m in tears because I really am so happy for them to see them much happier than before. Sometimes is the best answer by not knowing and getting to know some unwanted answer. Stay to be more positive and just let it be the flow, I will not be facing them every day just week days and the few hours. I can be more stronger after the foundation course it will be a new life again for me to know more new friends and get to avoid my mistakes again. New friends can be make again , but once first impression was gone it never be back again. This may turn me to a better person and learn from mistakes, mouth are theirs , heart are theirs . I’m thankful that I could met this classmates which turn me into a lesson. Performed in front of audience Ever since, I join the team members of Buddhist society . I have been more volunteering myself by performing dancing and singing in front of the audience with my team mates , located at shopping mall every year in the event of Wesak charity event. The feeling was so nervous because there will be lots of people that will going to watch. With a new and hopeful outlook on life, one completely different from my prior mechanical life and personality, I came back with much higher self-confidence and determination to show the light on others. As I was ready and willing to meet new people and have another change in my life by performed in front of the audience nearly for years. The beginning of the first year was hard , I was trying to get more involved with many activities so that I could really help to perform myself and also giving ability to stand on stage while enjoying the moments in it. To be honest, I’m not those kind of open minded and daring to stand on the stage but thankful that my team mates never give up by teaching me on dancing and singing. They give the hopes and they always tell me nothing to be scared of , enjoy the moment is the most important because the stage isn’t always for us to stand on. Chances maybe less after the age grows older. Anyway, staying on track, this year I have developed an insecurity with getting up and enjoy myself. Even dancing and singing in front of audience is sometimes a challenge. I used to do these things naturally, but now I am constantly asking myself if I’m nervous, if I can dance and sing why not just give it a best shot. I feel strange about this whole thing, because I feel like I am more outgoing, and should be able to carry that with me to the front of the audience. Now it’s been a while, so I think I’m finally accepting my weirdness. I just need to deal with it when I’m up there. I know I’ll get nervous, so what can I do while up there feeling helpless? Doing practice is one main of the reason for you to have a good performance and I’m sure that you always heard the old saying, â€Å"Practice makes Perfect.† there’s no reason for you to be afraid because if you had a confident you can perform it well. Fight for the fear with the facts, practice more on stage will never to be a fear anymore. Volunteering Volunteering is important for numerous reasons that benefit of the community and the volunteer ourselves. When I donates a handful of time, it make the difference made is inspiring and it shapes a community for the better while the experience improves myself donated the time. Volunteering is what makes a community because it brings people together to work on a goal. People who volunteer for reasons which may be as varied as to learn new things, meet new people, gain skills, feel good and enhance life among others. This the reason why I had join the team of volunteering in Buddhist  society. While doing volunteering means by doing every job I will not expecting people for any repayment. Expecting for repayment is return a waste of effort by doing volunteer, rather than going out to find sales jobs or many job that pay more higher payment. I do take my free time by going for volunteer rather than being at home sleeping, playing computer games and more. I feel more happier by helping others than wasting time, sometimes exam around the corner I will also not miss the opportunity to volunteer out and study at the night , it was tiring but it was much happier and enjoyable. In addition, sometimes I do when for volunteering with them by organization to orphanages, community centers and more. Helping to carry out their duties, not only gain experience but we can learn the large variety of skills. I love when it comes to the end month, there’s lots of places that I can go for and lots of activities will be having with the Buddhist society members. We must plan every single activities in just few hours and get ourselves ready to bring along the memorable day for them by joining us for the camp. Volunteer must able to express ideas to show the importance of hard working and diligence, this is where I find myself more independent than before and by doing volunteer work I do also learn to cooperate with the team members .i will not only enhance my general knowledge, but also learn how to deal with problems, challenges as well dealing with different types of personalities peoples surrounding me. Thus, volunteering is not all about work, it can be an enjoyable experience as I meet lots of new people and forge new friendships. It is a great way to encourage participation and be a part of the society. When I feel valued and needed, it builds your self-confidence and self-esteem. As in socializing opportunities increase, I learn to develop a compassionate and open mind, making the entire volunteering experience fulfilling and worthwhile. The miracle is not that what I do this work , but is that I feel much happy to do it . Talk to a stranger soon become close friend I have a friend, Elynn. Which is a girl that I know in Facebook , I know is a risk of knowing a social network friends but not all are bad peoples. She is a great friend to be know. We have known each other for over five years, and what I have learned from her are is being positive. She do smiles and think positive always , she never feel regrets on her life before , even though bad luck on her she stay the smile on her face. She is really a weird girl that I know among all. Elynn always told me that important benefits of positive manners is an increased life span, less depression , get a great resistance to the common cold , knowing better of own mental and physical on thinking and coping times of stress . Besides that , a more natural ability to form relationships and cement bonds is passionate for her personality.I still remember when I had a broke up with my ex boyfriend she is the one who always be right besides me , concern me till now she is still the girl that who cares me like her own sister from different families. Her passion makes me respectful, and I learned from her that being passionate to what you love is more valuable than anything. Sometimes I do think if she was a boy , I think most of the girls will be chasing her as a boyfriend but sadly she is a girl that has a boyfriend from the year I know her which always be with her. They seem to be a sweet couples without argument but even if there is she never give up on her relationship. Another thing that I also learn from her is her courage of facing frustration. Although Belinda has so much love to her profession, she inevitably experiences frustrations. However, she is always capable of overcoming the difficulties, the braveness amazing me a lot. For example, she had to work and earn for her expenses in her degree of physiology fees, she did not ask any expenses from her parents , all she do is being independent and life for her own lifes. Although the process makes her suffering, her strong courage supports her to face frustrations without fear. In addition, looking at the bright side is also a significant thing that I learn from Elynn is she never complains about her life and her wisdom inspires me to become a optimistic when looking at everything on her. When we do have free time , we went and visiting our as we become tourist bringing each other to know lots of interesting places and nice facilities restaurant. I am glad that I had make a worth friend that teaches me lots of stuff. She is such a good friend , which like a mentor to me teaches me many lessons and I really learn much from her , I really supported her to become a physiologist , she had the capability of facing frustrations and the wisdom of looking at the bright sides.

Court Issues Analysis Essay

In discussions regarding court system issues, most tend to forget that crimes would not happen if there were proper societal values in place and those values were enforced. Society has shifted from a culture of marriage, family values and strong familiar bonds to a culture that cultivates a staggering divorce rate, single mothers with many children born out of wedlock with little to no income. A culture that is has no patriarchal figure to lead and teach the children right from wrong aids and abets a systematic control of the poor and minorities. Instead of encouraging the pursuit of education, society encourages the pursuit of false hope and dreams through get rich quick methods that essentially remove the rights of those who chose to pursue criminal behavior. Most are imprisoned due to criminal activity and having no fatherhood figure themselves, there is no sense of value to one’s life. This loss of the father figure not living in the home, especially in the African America n and Hispanic communities, has a negative outcome not only in the community, but on society as a whole. Without the complete family unit to provide guidance, encourage the children to stay in school and avoid criminal activity, or to become a productive member of society; then our court systems will continue to provide severe punishment for minor crimes and negative social behaviors when the court should offer solutions to preventative crime and supportive services to those families whose members are involved in the vicious cycle of incarceration. Victims’ assistance programs should also support the families of the criminal, as well as the providing treatment programs and assistance to those. The majority of innovation and changes made to the court system over the past 30 years have been tested and administered in urban locales or focused on suburban jurisdictions, where a bulk of the financial resources are given due to the larger population. Rural areas tend to have much larger geographic locales, smaller populations and limited legal, social and health services to assist the general public; this can provide a challenge for rural courts. With the lack of specialized justice practitioners and service providers, rural court jurisdictions tend to work closer with the community when handing out sentencing and punishment. Research conducted by the Justice Management Institute suggests six areas where the criminal justice system needs improvement, after some review I have combined them into the four topics below. Improvement of Court Practices and Procedures for Indigent Litigants The first thing the courts need to work on is improving practices and procedures for self-represented defendants. This includes proper caseload management, administrative management techniques that are informative and efficient so that no cases or indigent defendants become ‘lost’ within the incarceration process and are given the right to due process. In order for the aforementioned to work there would have to be an upgrade to the current indigent defense services that are available to defendants. This includes public defenders that are compensated with good salaries and other support needed to manage caseloads; making them more prepared to battle for their client’s freedom instead of plea-bargaining an agreement. One change that should be made is the building of informative websites that provide information about the court system and the types of cases that are handled by jurisdiction. Providing the public with listings of case statuses and docket information can be helpful for pro bono attorney looking for clients to represent, and having detailed information and the proper forms that would be needed for a person to represent oneself in court; can help disperse the caseload. The development of performance standards and methods for supervising attorneys, assigned counsel, and court officials will ensure that courtroom behavior is ethical and in favor of the defendants. Enhanced Technology and Information Management The enhancement of technology is another area of concern regarding court administration today. Modernization of older court buildings with upgrades to newer security features, such as video cameras and weapon detection systems, can offer a greater sense of security for the public and those involved in the court process. The employment of properly trained security guards, who are rehearsed in threat assessment, will ensure that future security officers are able to handle any crisis that may occur. This includes the effective use of communication equipment, proper weapons training and new technologies that are implemented. The employing of degreed peace officers as administrative staff, who have a working knowledge of security systems and policing; that are familiar with the software used, and any hardware that is required to provide a safe court environment, ensures that security processes and procedures will be followed. Storing of information is important when building databases to control the flow of information within the court system and making sure that information is secure, obtainable and available to all jurisdictions is not only beneficial in the court process but should be a priority to ensure that the system does not become overloaded. This includes the creation and updating of all proper forms, documentation, and the incorporation of any digital media that is needed to complete the judiciary process; plus the technical support and communication infrastructure to manage all the information. Finally, the proper training for court staff on how to access all information, customer service in providing the appropriate assistance and the relaying of proper information to the public and for all justice system practitioners and service providers. Web based education is a consistent way to ensure that all court personnel receive the same standard of training in core subjects. Greater Availability of Community Programs Having readily available resources to provide those who have addiction problems or commit crimes due to addiction, such as inpatient/outpatient programs, drug court and probation programs that teach recovery and coping skills, and providing transportation vouchers to those defendants who do not own or have vehicles. Although some courts have drug courts, the establishment of a mental health court could substantially help with caseload. With qualified treatment providers and caseworkers who are educated in mental illness (with or without drug abuse training) can provide information to the court through home visits, doctor office visits, and the tracking of those individuals who are required to be on medication and in treatment programs while on probation, thus being able to use the information gathered to forecast defendants whose criminal actions are due to some sort of mental illness. Overcoming Language Barriers Providing improved court interpreter services through technology will allow for greater range of court interpreter services. Language barriers are one of the biggest issues with the illegal immigrant population. It is imperative that court system recruit interpreters who are fluent in many languages, so that those who do not have a good command of the law are able to understand what crime has been committed and the punishment for that action, why that particular action is a crime, and to ensure that they understand the court process in relation to their rights. Judges, attorneys and client representative should also be trained in several languages or be given access to a competent interpreter so that nothing can be lost in translation. Through the use of technology, such as Skype, court interpreters can instruct, educate and disseminate information so that those who do not understand will have some comprehension of the resources available to them and the sentencing/punishment that is handed down. References Robinson, M. B. (2009). Justice blind? Ideals and realities of American criminal justice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall.

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story Chapter 22

Chapter 22 A Nod to the Queen of the Damned It only took five minutes to convince the police that Tommy had been at work all night and had seen nothing. Simon had done most of the talking. Tommy was so shocked to see his book in the cop's hand that he couldn't find the answers to even the simplest questions. He was, however, able to convince the cop that his shocked state came from a body having been found outside his apartment. Sometimes it paid to play on the â€Å"I just fell off the turnip truck from Indiana† image. They hauled the turtles up the steps and set the crates on the floor in the kitchen area. â€Å"Where's the little woman?† Simon asked, eyeing the huge chest freezer. â€Å"Probably still sleeping,† Tommy said. â€Å"Grab yourself a beer out of the fridge. I'll check on her.† Tommy palmed open the bedroom door, then slipped through and closed it behind him. He thought, I've got to keep Simon out of here. He's going to want Jody to get up and†¦ The bed was empty. Tommy ran to the bathroom and looked in the tub, thinking that Jody might have been caught there at sunrise, but except for a rust ring, the tub was empty. He looked under the bed, found nothing but an old sock, then tore open the closet door and pushed the hanging clothes aside. Panic rose in his throat and came out in a scream of â€Å"No!† â€Å"You okay in there?† Simon said from the kitchen. â€Å"She's not here!† Simon opened the door. â€Å"You got a nice crib here, Flood. You inherit some money or something?† Simon said. Then he spotted the panic on Tommy's face. â€Å"What's the matter?† â€Å"She's not here.† â€Å"So, she probably went out early to get a doughnut or something.† â€Å"She can't go out during the day,† Tommy said before he realized what he was saying. â€Å"I mean, she never goes out early.† â€Å"Don't sweat it. I thought you were going to teach me to read. Let's drink some beers and read some fucking books, okay?† â€Å"No, I have to go look for her. She could be out in the sun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Chill, Flood. She's fine. The worst that could happen is she's out with another guy. You might be a free man.† Simon picked up a book from the stack by the bed. â€Å"Let's read this one. What's this one?† Tommy wasn't listening. He was seeing Jody's burned body lying in a gutter somewhere. How could she let it happen? Didn't she check the almanac? He had to look for her. But where? You can't search a city the size of San Francisco. Simon threw the book back on the stack and headed out of the bedroom, â€Å"Okay then, Slick, I'm out of here. Thanks for the beer.† â€Å"Okay,† Tommy said. Then the idea of spending the day alone, waiting, threw him into another wave of panic. â€Å"No, Simon! Wait. We'll read.† â€Å"That one on the top of the stack,† Simon said. â€Å"What's that one?† Tommy picked it up. â€Å"The Vampire Lestat, by Anne Rice. I hear it's good.† â€Å"Then grab a beer and let's get literate.† Rivera, bleary-eyed and looking as if he had slept in his suit, sat at his desk looking over his notes. No matter how he shuffled them, they didn't make sense, didn't show a pattern. The only link between the victims was the way they had died: no motive. They wouldn't get the autopsy report for another twelve hours, but there was no doubt that the same person had done the killings. Nick Cavuto came through the squad room door carrying a box of doughnuts and a copy of the San Francisco Examiner. â€Å"They fucking named him. The Examiner is calling him the Whiplash Killer. Once they name the killer, our problems double. You got anything?† Rivera waved to the notes spread over his desk and shrugged. â€Å"I'm out of it, Nick. I can't even read my own writing. You take a look.† Cavuto took a maple stick from the box and sat down across from Rivera. He grabbed a handful of papers and began leafing through them, then stopped and flipped back. He looked up. â€Å"You talked to this Flood kid this morning, right?† Rivera was looking at the doughnuts. His stomach lurched at the thought of eating one. â€Å"Yeah, he lives across the street from where we found the body. He works at the Marina Safeway – was working at the time of the murder.† Cavuto raised an eyebrow. â€Å"The kid was staying at the motel where we found the old lady.† â€Å"You're kidding.† Cavuto held out the notes for Rivera to read. â€Å"List of guests. A uniform talked to the kid, said he was at work, but no one confirmed it.† Rivera looked up apologetically. â€Å"I can't believe I missed that. The kid was a little squirrelly when I talked to him. His friend did most of the talking.† Cavuto gathered up the papers. â€Å"Go home. Shower and sleep. I'll call the manager of the Safeway and make sure the kid was working at the time of the murders. We'll go there tonight and talk to the kid.† â€Å"Okay, then let's ask him how he's getting the blood out of the bodies.† Tommy had spent two hours trying to explain the difference between vowels and consonants to Simon before he gave up and sent the cowboy home to wax his truck and watch â€Å"Sesame Street.† Maybe Simon wasn't meant to read. Maybe he was meant to be all instinct and no intelligence. In a way, Tommy admired him. Simon didn't worry, he took things at face value as they happened. Simon was like the strong, free and easy Cassady to Tommy's introspective, overanalytical Kerouac. Maybe he would put Simon in his story of the little girl growing up in the South. The story he would be working on if he weren't worrying about Jody. He sat all day on the couch, reading The Vampire Lestat until he couldn't concentrate anymore, then he paced the apartment, checking his watch and railing to Peary, who listened patiently from the freezer. â€Å"You know, Peary, it's inconsiderate of her not to leave me a note. I don't have any idea what she does while I'm at work. She could be having a dozen affairs and I wouldn't even know.† He checked the almanac eight times for the time the sun would set. â€Å"I know, I know, until I met Jody, nothing really ever happened to me. That's why I came here, right? Okay, I'm being unfair, but maybe I'd be better off with a normal woman. Jody just doesn't understand that I'm not like other guys. That I'm special. I'm a writer. I can't handle stress as well as other guys – I take it personal.† Tommy heated up a frozen dinner and left the freezer lid open so Peary could hear him better. â€Å"I have to look to the future, you know. When I'm a famous writer I'm going to have to go on book tours. She can't go with me. What can I say, ‘No, I'm sorry, but I can't go. If I go away my wife will starve to death'?† He paced around the turtles, who were struggling in their crates. One of them raised his spiny head and considered Tommy. â€Å"I know how you guys feel. Just waiting for someone to eat you. You think I don't know how that feels?† When he could no longer look them in the eye, he carried the turtles into the bathroom, then returned to the living room and tried to get through a few more chapters of The Vampire Lestat. â€Å"This is wrong,† he said to Peary. â€Å"It says that vampires don't have sex after they are turned. Of course it only talks about male vampires. What if she's been faking? You know, she could be frigid except for when she drinks my blood.† He was working himself into a frenzy of sexual insecurity – something that felt familiar and almost comfortable – when the phone rang. He yanked it off the cradle. â€Å"Hello.† A woman's voice, surprised but trying to not to show it, said, â€Å"Hello. I'd like to speak to Jody, please.† â€Å"She's not here,† Tommy said. â€Å"She's at work,† he added quickly. â€Å"I called her at work and they said she left her job over a month ago.† â€Å"Uh, she has a new job. I don't know the number.† â€Å"Well, whoever you are,† the woman said, losing the pretense of politeness, â€Å"would you tell her that she still has a mother. And tell her that it is common courtesy to tell your mother when you change your phone number. And tell her that I need to know what she is going to do for the holidays.† â€Å"I'll tell her,† Tommy said. â€Å"Are you the stockbroker? What was it†¦ Kurt?† â€Å"No, I'm Tommy.† â€Å"Well, it's only two weeks until Christmas, Tommy, so if you're still around, we'll be meeting.† â€Å"I'll look forward to it,† Tommy said. Like I look forward to a root canal, he thought. Jody's mom hung up. Tommy put down the phone and checked his watch. Only an hour to sunset. â€Å"She's alive,† he said to Peary, â€Å"I'm sure of it. If she survived her mother, she can survive anything.† She heard steam rushing through pipes, rats scurrying in shredded paper, the spinnerets of spiders weaving webs, the footsteps of a heavy man, and the padding and panting of dogs. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was on her back on the basement floor, alone. Cardboard boxes were scattered about the room. Moonlight and sounds of movement spilled through the broken window. She got up and stepped up on a crate to look out the window. She was met by a yap and a snort and the growling countenance of a bug-eyed dog with a pan strapped to his head. â€Å"Ack!† She wiped the slime from her cheek. The Emperor fell to his knees and reached through the window. â€Å"Oh goodness, are you all right, dear?† â€Å"Yes, I'm fine. I'm fine.† â€Å"Are you injured? Shall I call the police?† â€Å"No, thank you. Could you give me a hand?† She would have leaped through the window, but it wasn't a good idea in front of the Emperor. She took his hand and let him pull her through the window. Once on her feet in the alley, she dusted off her jeans. Bummer had fallen into a yapping fit. The Emperor picked up the little dog and stuffed him into his oversized coat pocket. â€Å"I must apologize for Bummer's behavior. There's no excuse for it, really, but he is a victim of inbreeding. Being royalty myself, I make allowances. If it's any consolation, it was only on Bummer's insistence that we ventured down this alley and found you.† â€Å"Well, thanks,† Jody said. â€Å"I don't know exactly what happened.† â€Å"Check your valuables, dear. You've obviously been accosted by some ne'er-do-well. Perhaps we should find you some medical attention.† â€Å"No, I'm just a little shaken up. I just need to get home.† â€Å"Then please allow me and my men to escort you to your door.† â€Å"No, that's okay. My loft is just at the end of the alley.† The Emperor held up his finger to caution her. â€Å"Please, my dear. Safety first.† Jody shrugged. â€Å"Well, all right. Thanks.† Bummer was squirming and snorting inside the Emperor's buttoned pocket like – well, like a pocketful of dog. â€Å"Can he breathe in there?† â€Å"Bummer will be fine. He's just a bit overexcited since we've gone to war. His first time in the field, you know.† Jody eyed the Emperor's cruelly pointed wooden sword. â€Å"How goes the battle?† â€Å"I believe we are closing in on the forces of evil. The fiend will be vanquished and victory will soon be ours.† â€Å"That's nice,† Jody said. When Tommy heard her coming up the stairs he threw his book across the room, ran to the loft door, and yanked it open. Jody was standing on the landing. â€Å"Hi,† she said. Tommy was torn between taking her in his arms and pushing her down the steps. He just stood there. â€Å"Hi,† he said. Jody kissed him on the cheek and walked passed him into the loft. Tommy stood there, trying to figure out how to react. â€Å"Are you okay?† Once he was sure she wasn't hurt, he'd tear into her for staying out all day. She fell onto the futon like a bag of rags. â€Å"I had a really bad night.† â€Å"Where were you?† â€Å"I was in a basement, about half a block from here. I would have called, but I was dead.† â€Å"That's not funny. I was worried. They found a body out front last night.† â€Å"I know, I saw the cops all over the place outside, just before dawn. That's why I couldn't get back.† â€Å"The cops had my copy of On the Road in an evidence bag. I think I'm in trouble.† â€Å"Was your name in it?† â€Å"No, but obviously my fingerprints were all over it. How did it get there?† â€Å"The vampire put it there, Tommy.† â€Å"How did he get it? It was here in the loft.† â€Å"I don't know. He's trying to freak us out. He's leaving the bodies near us so the police will connect us to the killings. He doesn't have to leave bodies at all, Tommy. He's killing these people in a way that leaves evidence.† â€Å"What do you mean, he doesn't have to leave bodies at all?† â€Å"Tommy, come here. Sit down. I have to tell you something.† â€Å"I don't like the tone of your voice. This is bad news, isn't it? This is the big letdown, isn't it? You were with another guy last night.† â€Å"Sit down and shut up, please.† Tommy sat and she told him. Told him about the killing, about the body turning to dust, and about being dragged into the basement. When she had finished, Tommy sat for a moment looking at her, then moved away from her on the futon. â€Å"You took the guy's money?† â€Å"It seemed wrong to throw it away.† â€Å"And killing him didn't seem wrong?† â€Å"No, it didn't. I can't explain it. It felt like I was supposed to.† â€Å"If you were hungry you should have told me. I don't mind, really.† â€Å"It wasn't like that, Tommy. Look, I don't know how to file this – emotionally, I mean. I don't feel like I killed someone. The point I'm trying to make is that the body crumbled to dust. There was no body. The people the vampire is killing aren't dying from his bite. He's breaking their necks before they die. He's doing all this on purpose to scare me. I'm afraid he might hurt you to get at me. I've suspected it for a long time, but I didn't want to say anything to you. If you want to leave, I'll understand.† â€Å"I didn't say anything about leaving. I don't know what to do. How would you feel if I told you I had killed someone?† â€Å"It would depend. This guy wanted to die. He was in pain. He was going to die anyway.† â€Å"Do you want me to leave?† â€Å"Of course not. But I need you to try and understand.† â€Å"I am trying. That's all I've been doing. Why do you think I've been doing all these experiments? You act like this is easy for me. I've been a mess all day worrying about you and you're in a basement a few steps away. What about that? Who dragged you into the basement?† â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"Whoever it was saved your life. Was it the vampire?† â€Å"I said, I don't know.† Tommy went across the room and pick up the paperback of The Vampire Lestat. â€Å"This guy, Lestat, he can tell when there's another vampire around. He can sense it. Can't you sense it?† â€Å"Right, and that's why we have a dead guy in the freezer. No, I can't sense it.† Tommy held up the book. â€Å"There's a whole history of the vampire race in here. I think this Anne Rice knows a real vampire or something.† â€Å"That's what you thought about Bram Stoker, too. And I spent an hour standing on a chair trying to turn into a bat.† â€Å"No, this is different. Lestat isn't evil, he likes humans. He only kills murderers that are without remorse. He knows when there are other vampires around. Lestat can fly.† Jody jumped up and ripped the book out of his hand. â€Å"And Anne Rice can write, Tommy, but I'm not throwing that in your face.† â€Å"You don't have to get personal.† â€Å"Look, Tommy, maybe there's some truth in one of these books that you're reading, but how do we know which one? Huh? Nobody gave me a fucking owner's manual when I got these fangs. I'm doing the best that I can.† Tommy looked away from her, then at his shoes. â€Å"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm confused and I'm a little scared. I don't know what I'm doing either. Hell, Jody, you might have AIDS now, we don't know.† â€Å"I don't have AIDS. I know I don't.† â€Å"How do you know? It's not like we can send you down to the clinic to test you or anything.† â€Å"I know it, Tommy. I could feel it if I did. Except for sunlight and food, I'm not even allergic to anything anymore. Hand lotions and soaps I couldn't get near before without breaking into a rash don't affect me. I've done a few experiments of my own. My body won't let anything hurt me. I'm safe. Besides†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jody paused and grinned, waiting for him to ask. â€Å"Besides what?† â€Å"He was wearing a condom.† Tommy resumed staring at his shoes, said nothing, then looked up at her and laughed. â€Å"That's incredibly sick, Jody.† She nodded and laughed. â€Å"I love you,† he said, moving to her and taking her in his arms. â€Å"Me too,† she said, hugging him back. â€Å"That's really sick, you know that?† â€Å"Yep,† she said. â€Å"Tommy, I don't want to break this beautiful moment, but I have to take a shower.† She kissed him and pushed him away gently, then headed into the bathroom. â€Å"Uh, Jody,† he called after her, â€Å"I got a present for you in Chinatown today.† There's an explanation for this, she thought, standing in the bathroom, looking at the turtles. There is a perfectly good reason why there are two huge snapping turtles in my tub. â€Å"Do you like them?† Tommy was standing in the doorway behind her. â€Å"These are for me, then?† She tried to smile. She really did. â€Å"Yeah, Simon helped me get them home. I didn't think I could carry them on the bus. Aren't they great?† Jody looked in the tub again. The turtles were trying to crawl on top of each other. Their claws screeched on the porcelain when they moved. â€Å"I don't know what to say,† Jody said. â€Å"I thought that we could feed them fish and stuff, and you'd have a blood supply right here at home. Besides me, I mean.† She turned and regarded Tommy. Yes, he was serious. He was really serious. â€Å"You haven't†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Their names are Scott and Zelda. Zelda is missing a toe on her back foot. That's how you tell them apart. Do you like them? You seem a little reticent.† A little, she thought. You couldn't have brought me flowers or jewelry, like most guys. You had to say it with reptiles. â€Å"I don't suppose there's any chance that you saved the receipt?† Tommy's face avalanched into disappointment. â€Å"You don't like them.† â€Å"No, they're fine. But, I really wanted to take a shower. I'm not sure I want to be naked in front of them.† â€Å"Oh,† Tommy said, brightening. â€Å"I'll take them into the living room.† He pulled a towel off the rod and began maneuvering over the tub, trying to get a drop on Zelda. â€Å"You have to be careful; they can take off a finger in those jaws.† â€Å"I see,† Jody said. But she didn't see at all. The idea of biting one of the spiny creatures in the tub gave her an industrial-size case of the creeps. Tommy lunged and came up with Zelda, wrapped in swaddling clothes and snapping at his face. â€Å"She hates being picked up.† Zelda's claws tore at the towel and Tommy's shirt as she attempted to swim through midair. He set the turtle on her back on the bathroom floor and readied the towel to lunge into the tub for Scott. â€Å"Lestat can call animals to him when he's hungry. Maybe you can train them.† â€Å"Stop it with the Lestat stuff, Tommy. I'm not sucking turtles.† He turned to her and slipped, falling into the tub. Scott snapped, barely missing Tommy's arm, and latched on to the sleeve of his denim shirt. â€Å"I'm okay. I'm okay. He didn't get me.† Jody pulled him from the tub. Scott was still attached to his sleeve and was determined not to let go. Turtles hate heights. They don't even like being a few feet off the ground. It's the main reason they have resisted evolution for so long – fear of heights. Turtle thinking goes thus: Sure, first our scales turn into feathers and the next thing you know we're flying and chirping and perching on trees. We've seen it happen. Thanks, but we're staying right here in the mud where we belong. You're not going to see us flying full-tilt boogie into a sliding glass door. Scott was not letting go of the sleeve, not as long as Tommy was standing. â€Å"Help me,† Tommy said. â€Å"Pry him off.† Jody looked for a place on the turtle to grab – reached out and pulled back several times. â€Å"I don't want to touch him.† The phone rang. â€Å"I'll get it,† Jody said, running out of the bathroom. Tommy dragged Scott to the doorway, keeping his feet safely away from Zelda's jaws. â€Å"I forgot to tell you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hello,† Jody said into the phone. â€Å"Oh, hi, Mom.†