Marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Marketing plan - Essay Example In the year 2000, there were 26.7 million visitors from different parts of US and 899000 foreign visitors. So the tourism industry has great potential in Arizona. There are a lot of places of tourist attraction in Arizona such as the 22 monuments and national parks (Grand Canyon National Park is the most popular park). There are specifically 14 state parks that are able to attract a million visitors each year. There are many camping sites on both private and public, ranches and farms (majorly in Tucson and Wickenburg). Navaho and Hopi are ideal places for shopping and sight seeing. The Salt River Lake is very ideal for boating while the red rock country of Sedona is unique in its own ways (ArizonaTourism). Because of the high potential of the tourism business, the business that I started a hotel called Tourist’s Paradise in Phoenix in the state of Arizona. Marketing Objectives Tourist’s Paradise has a total of 350 rooms with ten rooms being suites (used majorly by newly wed couples). This hotel started off 5 years ago but still not many people are aware about it as this is reflected in the number of visitations in the past five years. It has all the attractions for a tourist or a vacationer such as a bar, swimming pool, tennis court and gym. The expected profits have not been achieved and hence the marketing plan will be developed to increase visitations by 15%, increase day and night stay by 10 % (because that is where most of our revenues lie) and to have at least 5% repeat customers each year. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths Spacious rooms Swimming pool Gymnasium Tennis Court Bar 10 suites Weaknesses Initially when the hotel came into being, proper marketing was not done A lot of people are not aware of this grandiose hotel It is very difficult to reduce prices when the operating costs are so high Threats Phoenix already has a lot of luxurious hotels such as Comfort Inn Phoenix West. Econo Lodge Phoenix Airport and Days Inn Phoenix Metrocenter (Booking ). These are very successful and well established hotels so Tourist’s Paradise faces a lot of competition from these hotels that that can also afford to charge lower prices Phoenix Hotel is our toughest competitor as it has 500 rooms (fully air-conditioned) with baths and patio pools. Its exotic resort-like atmosphere is the biggest attraction for visitors. Similarly The Camelback Inn in Phoenix Arizona is the perfect inn to spend winter vacations at. It has been built in a manner such that the visitors can enjoy the Arizonian clear blue skies and still experience the desert effect in winters (Abey). With such outclass hotels and inns, there is a lot for us to worry about. We have to come up with a feature of hotel to convince customers that our hotel is also special in some way and delivering this claim is the greatest challenge in order to have repeat customers. Opportunities The number of tourists visiting Phoenix is a lot each year. 13 to 15 million people visit Phoenix e ach year (VisitPhoenix). This is a great opportunity that can be capitalized upon With good service provided to customers, there are chances that they might come to our hotel again. Target Markets Demographics: People between the ages of 20-50 are the main target market. However children are more than welcome with their parents. Since we cannot cut down our costs, we cannot charge lower prices. So we are looking for people for an annual income of $20,000 or more. Our

Discharge Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Discharge Planning - Essay Example Brown has been leaving a lonely life and in isolation. Supporting Mr. Brown to resume the normal physiological and mental functioning states requires that several people take part in maintaining, promoting and evaluating health care. The significance of health care practitioners is to ensure that quality and continuous health care is accorded to the patient regardless of the environment. The medical history of Mr. Brown reveals that he has had several cardiac diseases some which required surgical treatment. He suffered from hypertension which is basically a condition in which there is sustained high blood pressure in the arteries due to increased heart rate and cardiac stimulation. Ischemia heart disease is the occlusion of the coronary arteries due to fatty deposits limiting oxygen supply to the cardiac muscles and cells while coronary bypass is surgery performed to create a new path for blood flow to the heart muscles. Chronic heart failure is also cardiovascular condition whereby the cardiac function reduces significantly, the heart muscles weaken and there is reduced cardiac output. This is seen to be the complication of other cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease and hypertension that form the medical history of Mr. Brown. Discharge planning; this is a usual feature in health care service provision system whereby patient needs are determined for an effective hospital-home transition with the aim of shortening hospitalization, preventing hospital readmissions and stepping up the coordination of home based health care services. A discharge plan also acts as a link between the hospital and the place of patient discharge unified by the common interest of providing quality continuous care. During discharge a number of people are involved, the doctor, nurse, social worker, patients significant others and the patient himself take an active part. In this group of people each individual plays a specific part in promoting

Sensor Project Essay Example for Free

Sensor Project Essay I have decided to measure the temperature of a greenhouse using a thermistor in a potential divider circuit, and then when the temperature gets too cold, the relay will activate and turn on a heater. A thermistor is a temperature sensor in which its resistance will increase or decrease with temperature change depending on what type of resistor. An alternative for this experiment could have been measuring light levels in a greenhouse using an LDR. A light sensor in a green house could tell you when and where in the greenhouse the most intense sunlight is, which you could you use to aid your growing skills. I decided to design a temperature sensor for a greenhouse using a thermistor, as temperature can be critical in growing plants especially if it gets too hot or too cold. As my thermistor is an NTC this means that as temperature decreases its resistance increases, and when temperature increases its resistance decreases. Plan: Circuit Explanation The water is boiled until it reaches a temperature of just above 90i Celsius. The thermistor is inserted into the hot water and the voltage across it is measured for a temperature of 90i. The varying voltage across the thermistor is measured as the temperature falls at 10-degree intervals. The experiment is repeated and a second set of readings obtained. An average set of readings is obtained and a voltage-temperature conversion graph is plotted. Then test the sensor by attaching the amplifier and relay. Materials/Apparatus Needed: Thermometer, Thermistor, Beaker, Electric kettle, Power supply, Multimeter, Variable resistor, Amplifier, Relay, Leads. These pictures show me testing the thermistor (left), and testing the amplifier to see at what voltage it activates (right). Variables The volume of water used for this experiment was kept at 250cmi The experiment was completed over one day, and on the day, the temperature in the physics laboratory where the experiment took place was 19i C. Results Calculation of R1: I want my amplifier to activate at 10i C, for the heater to come on. The amplifier turns on at 1. 93V, as I have tested, and because the voltage is proportional to the resistance, I will work out which resister to use using the equation below. (At 10i C the thermistors resistance is 124. 8? )

Micronucleus Assay Procedure | Literature Review

Micronucleus Assay Procedure | Literature Review Micronucleus (â€Å"MN) is defined as microscopically visible, round or oval cytoplasmic chromatin mass next to the nucleus. Micronuclei (â€Å"MNi†) originate from aberrant mitoses and consist of eccentric chromosomes, chromatid fragments or whole chromosomes that have failed to be incorporated into the daughter nuclei during mitosis. The MN assay has been widely accepted as an in vitro genotoxicity test and a biomarker assay for genotoxic exposure and effect in humans. In the earlier times, the MN assay used to be carried out on lymphocytes, since 1990s this technique has evolved magnificently to be carried out on buccal cells. As collection of buccal cells require a simple non-invasive cytological smear, MN assay has played a vital role in reviving the application of cytology in the field of diagnostics and research. An attempt has been made to review all the studies carried till date, utilizing micronucleus assay of buccal cells as a novel marker of genotoxicity in head a nd neck region. The literal meaning of the word Micronucleus (MN) describes it as a small nucleus in a large cell, or the smaller nuclei in cells that have two or more such structures. Schmid (1975) defined MN as a microscopically visible, round or oval cytoplasmic chromatin mass next to the nucleus (Fig. 1). MN is the name given to the small extra-nucleus that forms whenever a chromosome or a fragment of a chromosome is not incorporated into one of the daughter nuclei during cell division.1 4 The two basic phenomena responsible for the formation of MNi in mitotic cells are dysfunction of the mitotic apparatus and chromosome breakage (Fig. 2). Micronuclei (MNi) are formed from the whole chromosomes or chromatid fragments that lag behind in anaphase and are separated out from the daughter nuclei in telophase. Additionally, some MNi gets originated from fragments derived from broken anaphase bridges formed due to chromosome rearrangements such as dicentric chromatids, intermingled ring chromosomes or union of sister chromatids.5 – 9 In the course of telophase these chromosomal regions are included in the daughter cells where they can fuse with the main nucleus or can form one or more smaller secondary nuclei.8 This smaller secondary nucleus is known as MN and its number can vary from one to many. Now the MN formed can either go with the daughter nucleus they derive from or the other daughter nucleus. In the former scenario, neither of the daughter cells is aneuploid, and in the latter case the micronucleated cell has gained a chromosome, while its daughter cell has lost it.5 Micronucleus Assay The Micronucleus assay is defined as an investigative procedure carried out to analyze micronuclei quantitatively. It is one of the standard cytogenetic tools implemented to assess micronuclei formation (signifying chromosomal damage) subsequent to exposure to genotoxic/cytotoxic agents.11 In humans, MN assay can be easily employed in lymphocytes, erythrocytes, and exfoliated epithelial cells (e.g. oral, urothelial, nasal) to obtain a measure of genome damage induced in vivo.12 In the earlier times, once-divided cultured cells (mostly peripheral lymphocytes) were considered ideal for expressing MNi and the procedure used was known as cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. In the CBMN assay, once-divided cells are identified by their BN appearance after blocking cytokinesis with cytochalasin-B (Cyt-B).13 In the last three decades, ever since the advent of MN assay on exfoliated cells, the buccal cells have completely replaced the usage of lymphocytes for the obvious reason of non-invasive collection of cells and simpler method for analyzing the MNi. The general genotoxicity results by both the methods of MN analysis are comparable.12 The basal cells in the oral epithelium are the cells which possess the capability of mitosis, the new cells formed gets differentiated and mature as they migrate to the surface finally replacing the cells which are shed. Thus any genetic damage (expressed as MNi formation) instigated in these basal cells is reflected in the exfoliated cells; thus analysis of MNi in these cells can be correlated with the amount of genetic damage. As the oral epithelium acts as the first barrier for the inhalation or ingestion route and approximately 90% of cancers originate from epithelial cells, therefore, these cells represent a favored target site for early genotoxic events induced by carcinogenic agents entering the body via inhalation and ingestion.12 The procedure for MN assay has been summarized in Table 1-3. Through this review, we intend to highlight the application of MN assay on buccal cells by reviewing significant studies from the English literature. We also aim to emphasize the pitfalls associated and the measures to overcome the same. Review of Literature In the early studies from the 1980s, exfoliated buccal mucosa cells were used to evaluate the genotoxic effects of betel nuts and quids and of chewing tobacco. Most studies showed higher MN frequencies at the site within the oral cavity where the quid or tobacco mixture was kept compared to the opposite, control site. The MN assay in buccal cells was also used to study cancerous and precancerous lesions and to monitor the effects of a number of chemopreventive agents. It is notable that the first studies of Stich and Rosin conducted between 1983 and 1984 had higher baseline MN frequencies than subsequent studies. This may have been due to a lack of defined scoring criteria and a relatively small number of scored cells (in some cases less than 500). Since then, published biomonitoring studies using the MN assay in buccal mucosa cells have investigated the effects of multiple factors including environmental and occupational exposures, radiotherapy, chemoprevention, vitamin supplementat ion trials, lifestyle habits, cancer, and other diseases.12 Micronuclei as a novel biomarker Occupational and environmental exposures In the last 15–20 years the MN assay has been applied to evaluate chromosomal damage for biological monitoring of human populations exposed to a variety of mutagenic and carcinogenic chemical or physical agents. Significantly higher frequencies of MN have also been observed in exfoliated buccal cells from people exposed to organic solvents, antineoplastic agents, diesel derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead-containing paints and solvents, and drinking water contaminated with arsenic.12, 18-20 MN and radiation Ionizing radiation plays an important role in the treatment of many neoplasias, but it also produces genetic damage. As a consequence, secondary tumors may develop years after the primary tumor treatment. Several studies evaluated MNi in buccal cells of patients undergoing radiotherapy in the head and neck region. The most striking increase in cytogenetic damage (150– 300 MN/1000 cells) was observed in an early study of three patients exposed to a cumulative dose of 3400–4000 cGy.12 MN frequencies in buccal cells of patients with some specific diseases A site-specificity was observed for Xeroderma pigmentosum patients, with a higher MN frequency in cells from the dorsal tip of tongue, possibly due to greater light exposure. Down syndrome was associated with a 733% increase in MNi in comparison to younger healthy controls, and the MN frequency was 78.5% higher than in older controls. An increase in MN frequency in buccal cells was reported for Diabetes mellitus with the patients having double the level of genetic damage in comparison to matched controls and for treated pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis in comparison with controls or children with Crohn’s disease.12 Findings of the study carried out at Genetics Research Unit, National Council Research Institute of Clinical Physiology, Italy supported the hypothesis that CBMN assay may provide an useful tool for screening of the obesity and metabolic syndrome and its progression to diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults as well in children.21 Results of the stud y carried out in Mexico demonstrated a strong association between HPV type infection and MN frequency.22 Lifestyle and Host Factors Lifestyle factors that are associated with genetic damage include smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet, especially vitamin deficiencies and supplementation. The majority of the studies reporting a significant increase in MN in buccal mucosa cells related to a risk of oral cancer were performed in subgroups of subjects with specific lifestyle habits, i.e. chewers of betel quids (areca nut, betel leaves, slaked lime and tobacco) from India, Taiwan and Philippines; reverse smokers (who hold the lit end of the cigarette inside their mouths) from India and Philippines; snuff dippers from Canada; users of Khaini tobacco (tobacco mixed with slaked lime) from India, and other similar practices.12 The HUMN project is an effective vehicle for the development and implementation of an international collaborative validation effort to bring together the various buccal MN databases, and to identify and quantify the key variables affecting this biomarker.12 EXFOLIATIVE CYTOLOGY AND MICRONUCLEI RELATED STUDIES Studies in relation to Oral Cancer Potentially Malignant Lesions: Biomonitoring of the changes in patients with diagnosed diseases or pathological changes that may lead to the development of cancer and other illnesses is becoming increasingly popular, and may be the most rapidly growing area of application of the MN assay to epithelial cells.12 A study carried out in France, in the year 1987, found out a baseline of 1.30 Micronucleated cells/1000 Cells in patients with carcinoma of upper digestive tract, using Feulgen Stain.12 A revised protocol for the exfoliated cell micronucleus assay was field-tested in a population exposed to a genotoxic agent, snuff, at levels associated with a significant increase in cancer risk in North Carolina. The assay was revised to increase specificity and to include separate scoring of other nuclear anomalies associated with cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The prevalence of micronucleation was elevated in the snuff users as compared with the nonusers (prevalence ratio = 2.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1–5.2) and, to a lesser extent, at the usual contact site as compared with a distal buccal site in the snuff users (prevalence ratio = 1.5, 95% confidence interval 0.9–2.5).23 In a study carried out in India, frequencies of micronucleated cells (MNCs) were analyzed in the exfoliated buccal mucosa of normal healthy individuals from different parts of India who were regularly using either areca nut alone, mava, tamol, tobacco with lime, dry snuff or masheri. The analyses were also carried out among oral submucous fibrosis patients who had the habit of chewing either mava or areca nut. Compared with no habit healthy individuals, all the groups, irrespective of their type of habit, had significantly higher frequencies of MNCs.24 A study carried out in Texas, using Feulgen stain, found out an increase in Micronuclei frequency at the site of lesion in Leukoplakia, which got decreased after the administration of ÃŽ ± – tocopherol. 25 A study done in India in year 1996, found out an increased micronuclei count in oral exfoliated cells of patients suffering from Leukoplakia, Lichen Planus and Oral Submucous Fibrosis, using Giemsa stain. A baseline of 1.9 Micronucleated cells/1000 cells was found in each of the lesions as compared to normal subjects.12 A study done in Germany in year 2000, found out a baseline of 9.0 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells each in patients suffering from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of upper digestive tract and Leukoplakia, using Giemsa stain.12 A study done in Brazil in the year 2002 found out a baseline of 1.13 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells in patients diagnosed with oral cancer, using Feulgen stain.12 In another study carried out in West Bengal, India, 50 patients with precancerous o r malignant oral epithelial lesions were compared with 50 age and sex matched healthy controls without any oral lesions, using Giemsa stain. The MN frequency was increased in preoperative cancer cases and decreased in postoperative cases, while in pre-cancerous cases it was higher than in the controls.26 A group of researchers from Italy, studied Micronuclei and p53 accumulations in preneoplastic and malignant lesions of head and neck and concluded that both these biomarkers were found in precancerous lesions, suggesting that they are early event in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression. The two biomarkers were not related to each other, indeed micronuclei frequency was found out to be higher in p53 -negative than in p53 – positive cells.27 Another study done in India, in year 2007, found out a baseline of 1.6 Micronucleated cell/1000 cells each in patients diagnosed with Oral Cancer and pre malignant lesions of the oral cavity, using Giemsa stain.1 In an infield study carried out on smokers in Egypt, Papanicolaou (PAP) stain was compared with May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG) for staining of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal cells. Researchers found out that PAP stain was faster and easier to process and transport in the field study than was MGG stain. Regarding MGG smears, bacteria and cell debris masked the MN as compared to PAP smears, in which the fixative destroyed the bacteria and made the cell boundaries clearly demarcated. Using PAP stain, MN were seen easily in transparent cytoplasm. Finally they concluded that PAP stain is the preferred method infield studies for scoring and detecting MN in cells of buccal mucosa.28 A study carried out in JIPMER, Pondicherry, India screened 25 patients in varying stages of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity and 25 patients with premalignant lesions for the presence of Micronuclei in the epithelial scrapings obtained from the site of the lesion. Highest Micronucleus Index was found in carcinoma and erythroplakia among the premalignant lesions, using the MayGrunwald Giemsa and Giemsa stain.3 In a study carried out in Thailand on patients with Oral Lichen Planus(OLP), it was found out that the frequency of Micronucleated Epithelial Cells(MEC) in OLP patients was 3.79% and 0.37% in the lesions and normal-appearing mucosa, respectively. Using a paired t-test, it was found that the MEC frequency in the OLP lesions was significantly elevated (p 29 In another study carried out in India, Micronucleus frequencies in oral exfoliated cells stained with Papanicolaou stain were counted and correlated with the histopathological grades and clinical stages of squamous cell c arcinoma patients. They were also compared with the healthy control subjects. Micronuclei (MN) frequencies were found higher in squamous cell carcinoma patients than in control subjects. MN frequencies were also found to be raised with increasing histological grades of squamous cell carcinoma.30 Grover et al observed a significantly raised micronuclei count in potentially malignant disorders like Leukoplakia, Lichen planus and OSMF, when compared to normal healthy mucosa.31 In another study, Grover et al applied Hematoxylin Eosin stain, the most commonly used stain for histopathological examination, for staining the cytosmears and found statistically significant results.32 Studies not in relation to Potentially Malignant Lesions: The micronucleus test was applied to exfoliated cells of the buccal mucosa of four population groups: (A) non-smokers and non-drinkers of alcoholic beverages, (B) non-smokers but alcohol drinkers, (C) smokers but non-drinkers, and (D) smokers and drinkers. An elevated frequency of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells was observed only in group D (smokers and alcohol drinkers). Neither smoking alone of up to and over 60 cigarettes per day nor ethanol drinking alone of up to 1.21 per day led to a detectable elevation of micronucleated buccal mucosa cells.33A study carried out in Amsterdam, Netherlands in an attempt to define a standardized protocol for counting micronuclei to assess the genotoxic damage in human exfoliated cells, concluded that atleast 10,000 exfoliated cells should be screened to monitor a significant reduction of 50% in the number of micronuclei (for a patient with an initial frequency in the micronuclei frequency range given). Since it takes ~7 h to evaluate this numb er of cells, it was also concluded that counting of micronuclei requires automation.2 A structured literature review done on smoking and smokeless tobacco associated changes concluded that the assay used most frequently for tobacco-associated buccal cell changes was the micronucleus assay. The biological significance of the micronuclei in buccal cells of the oral mucosa is that the micronuclei are a manifestation of a readily identifiable clastogenic event that, has been associated with smoke and smokeless tobacco.34 A study carried out on Gas Station Attendants in Brazil, found out an increased Micronuclei frequency in exfoliated buccal cells of the exposed as compared to the controls, using Feulgen stain.35 A group of researchers from West Bengal, India, in an attempt to study the genotoxic effects of combustion fumes on targeted sites carried out Micronucleus assay using Feulgen stain in buccal epithelial cells of 47 firefighters and they found a 3 fold increase in Micronuclei fr equency as compared to the controls.36 To study the effects of occupational exposure to petroleum derivatives such as benzene, exfoliated buccal cells from 50 petrol station attendants and 50 age- and sex-matched control subjects were examined for micronucleus (MN) frequency by a group of researchers in Turkey. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) other than micronuclei, such as binucleates, karyorrhexis and karyolysis, were also evaluated, using Feulgen stain. Analysis of buccal cells revealed that MN and NA frequencies in petrol station workers were significantly higher than in control subjects (P P 37 Another study in Brazil was carried out to comparatively evaluate the DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) of exfoliated buccal mucosa cells from children and adults following dental X-ray exposure. The results indicated no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in childrens as well as in adult’s micronucleated oral mucosa cells before and after dental X-ray exposure.38 In a study conducted in Europe, a total of 239 agricultural workers and 231 unexposed controls were examined for cytogenetic effects in lymphocytes of peripheral blood and exfoliated cells of the oral mucosa. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was evaluated in both cell types and their relationship to different confounding factors (e.g. sex, country, smoking habit, etc.) was determined, using Giemsa stain. The results obtained indicated that there are no increases in MN frequencies in the agricultural workers when compared with the controls for either lym phocytes or buccal cells.39 Conclusion MN formation is generally considered as a manifestation of genetic damage or chromosomal breakage. Many investigators already and unequivocally have called MN as an upcoming marker of tumorogenesis. MN is thus a potential biomarker to screen genotoxicity, biomonitoring of various diseases, detection of malignancies and preneoplastic conditions and also a lot of other diseases. Since MN is a manifestation of day to day exposure to environmental pollutants, infections, nutrition, radiation, foods, and the genetic make-up or ethnicity which again varies around the globe. So there must be an upper limit of the base-line MN frequency only beyond which we can label it as increased MN frequency.

Like So Many Feathers In An Eagles Wings :: Personal Narrative Immigration America Papers

Like So Many Feathers In An Eagle's Wings My life as an American didn't really begin until I was five years old, had caught a fever, and almost died. About a week before, my parents had decided to clean out our small cottage home in Thatcham, England, and put our few lovely possessions into boxes stamped for America. My father had accepted a job in Indianapolis, which meant that my parents, sister, and I would be the first and only of our family to become American immigrants. Our relatives simply couldn't understand it, and to be quite honest, at the time neither could I. They thought my parents irresponsible for wanting to take my sister and me away from all we knew and all that could ever love us. "All for what?" They would protest. "To chase some silly dream? To call yourselves American?" I was young. I was confused and couldn't understand. I even thought my parents were selfish. Then began a time of heart wrenched good-byes, which in my case occurred while clasped between my nanny's large pale hands and soft chest. I didn't really know that I was about to be torn from her and that the rest of my life would be spent wanting to belong. I only knew that something horrible was about to happen, and I didn't want to face it alone. She said, "You be a good lad. Be brave, my sunshine. Don't you go forgetting your old Nan." My mother walked my sister and me out of her bungalow. As we climbed into the car, I could hear Nan let the tears flow. " Goodbye, my darlings," and as though Granddad had not died last spring, "Don't let them take my grandbabies, George." It was then that I realized I might never see my nanny again. I did what I promised my mother I would not. I cried. I had no previous knowledge of America, only what I had heard from Blaine Sutton. He lived next door, and said his armies of toy soldiers were blue because they were American Yanks.

Jane Eyre :: essays papers

Jane Eyre Jane’s arrival at the Thornfield Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre displays three types of relationships possessing different purposes. These connections are established at Thornfield after Jane becomes a governess and accepts the position at the estate. The first relationship is the one that forms between Mrs.Fairfax, the housekeeper, and Jane. Another relationship that begins upon arrival at Thornfield is the one that Jane possesses with Adele, her pupil. The last and most important relationship that begins is that of Mr. Rochester and herself. These connections contribute to the crucial development of Jane’s persona. The first relationship Jane is susceptible to is the one established between her and Mrs. Fairfax. Jane believes Mrs. Fairfax to be quite generous host because at first Jane has the notion that Mrs.Fairfax is the owner. She then discovers that she is the housekeeper. She feels better knowing that the kind behavior exhibited is not unusual because Mrs.Fairfax is but the housekeeper and not the owner. Jane feels better knowing that she can act more comfortably. Jane feels satisfaction as the housekeeper tells her how content she is now that she has a companion that is worthy to participate in discussion. She believes the other servants can not hold a conversation very well. Mrs. Fairfax’s predictable kindness allows Jane to feel more at ease with her. In a way it can be seen that Mrs.Fairfax serves almost as a mother figure to Jane. Another relationship that I noticed is the unique one that is shared between Adele and Jane. Adele is presented as the spoiled pupil who although quite the fidgety, loquacious child wins a portion of Jane’s heart. The relationship that is formed due to the large amount of time spent together is one that happens not only because of fondness but it is one that is inevitable. The bond begins to take on the appearance of a mother daughter relationship because Jane controls Adele’s actions (or tries) and Adele seems very attached to Jane. The odd relationship that takes shape between Mr.Rochester and Jane is one that becomes serious gradually. It seems to give Jane pleasure that Mr.Rochester believes her to be of intelligence that is peculiar for a schoolgirl. The bluntness that they share in a way shows flirtation between the characters but then the way that Rochester refers to Jane as little friend shows him as a type of father-like portrait. Jane Eyre :: essays papers Jane Eyre Jane’s arrival at the Thornfield Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre displays three types of relationships possessing different purposes. These connections are established at Thornfield after Jane becomes a governess and accepts the position at the estate. The first relationship is the one that forms between Mrs.Fairfax, the housekeeper, and Jane. Another relationship that begins upon arrival at Thornfield is the one that Jane possesses with Adele, her pupil. The last and most important relationship that begins is that of Mr. Rochester and herself. These connections contribute to the crucial development of Jane’s persona. The first relationship Jane is susceptible to is the one established between her and Mrs. Fairfax. Jane believes Mrs. Fairfax to be quite generous host because at first Jane has the notion that Mrs.Fairfax is the owner. She then discovers that she is the housekeeper. She feels better knowing that the kind behavior exhibited is not unusual because Mrs.Fairfax is but the housekeeper and not the owner. Jane feels better knowing that she can act more comfortably. Jane feels satisfaction as the housekeeper tells her how content she is now that she has a companion that is worthy to participate in discussion. She believes the other servants can not hold a conversation very well. Mrs. Fairfax’s predictable kindness allows Jane to feel more at ease with her. In a way it can be seen that Mrs.Fairfax serves almost as a mother figure to Jane. Another relationship that I noticed is the unique one that is shared between Adele and Jane. Adele is presented as the spoiled pupil who although quite the fidgety, loquacious child wins a portion of Jane’s heart. The relationship that is formed due to the large amount of time spent together is one that happens not only because of fondness but it is one that is inevitable. The bond begins to take on the appearance of a mother daughter relationship because Jane controls Adele’s actions (or tries) and Adele seems very attached to Jane. The odd relationship that takes shape between Mr.Rochester and Jane is one that becomes serious gradually. It seems to give Jane pleasure that Mr.Rochester believes her to be of intelligence that is peculiar for a schoolgirl. The bluntness that they share in a way shows flirtation between the characters but then the way that Rochester refers to Jane as little friend shows him as a type of father-like portrait.

Succubus on Top CHAPTER 12

â€Å"Thetis,† he said after several more moments of silence, â€Å"talk to me here.† I looked up sharply. â€Å"What do you want me to say? You already know the answer. They wouldn't lie. Well, actually, they lie all the time but not about something like that.† He nodded and set the bowl and spoon on the coffee table. Slouching back on the couch, he didn't look at me, instead staring off across the room in thought. I could guess what was going through his mind. He knew what I was and what I did. But it was one thing to have a superficial knowledge of it and another to suddenly know there was tangible evidence each time I had sex. He would recognize the glow now and know that I had just come from someone else's bed, that not so long ago I'd been in someone else's arms doing the most intimate things two people could do. Things I couldn't do with him. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said, not knowing what else I could say. â€Å"For what?† â€Å"For†¦this. For doing what I do.† â€Å"Why? It is what you do. It's what you have to do, right? There's no need to apologize for your own†¦uh, nature.† â€Å"So†¦what? You're okay with that? Knowing what I'm doing with other guys? Or rather, when I'm doing it?† â€Å"‘Okay' is a funny word, but yeah, I guess. What I'm not okay with is†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused, as always considering his words before speaking. â€Å"What I'm not okay with is you being afraid to tell me about this. You must have seen how†¦entranced†¦I was. But you never brought it up or explained it to me.† â€Å"What was I supposed to say? ‘Thanks for noticing how pretty I am. It's because I just went down on some stranger in a sleazy club.'† Seth flinched, and I immediately regretted my example. â€Å"Maybe†¦maybe it could be phrased a bit more, uh, tactfully than that, but yeah. I guess essentially that's what you could tell me.† I poked at the melted remains of my ice cream. â€Å"It's not that easy, and you know it. It's got to be hard enough for you to accept that I'm sleeping around on you, so to speak, without real evidence to confirm each time it happens.† â€Å"Why don't you let me decide what I can or can't accept.† He didn't sound angry exactly, but I'd never heard him so sharp and assertive. The arrogant part of me didn't like being spoken to like that, but I knew he was justified in the comment. And, I had to admit, that confidence was kind of a turn-on. Alpha males. Yum. â€Å"I know what you are,† he continued, â€Å"and I know what you do. I had to acknowledge that from the beginning of the relationship. It bothers me, yeah, but that doesn't mean I can't go on with the knowledge.† He laid his hand over mine, his fingertips absentmindedly stroking my skin. â€Å"But you can't be afraid to tell me the truth. Not ever. Even if it's ugly. What we have isn't about sex – like that wasn't already perfectly obvious. But if we don't have honesty either, then there's nothing left.† I forced my eyes up to him and smiled. â€Å"How can you be so young and so wise at the same time?† â€Å"I'm not that wise,† he said, pulling me to him so I leaned against his shoulder. He didn't challenge the â€Å"young† comment. Looking at our ages objectively, one could practically accuse me of cradle robbing. I sighed and snuggled into him. â€Å"It means nothing, you know. All that stuff I do. I don't even remember their names.† â€Å"I know. You've told me. Although†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"What?† â€Å"Sometimes that's not exactly comforting. Sex isn't supposed to be about ‘nothing.' I don't really like the idea of you being with guys you don't want to be with. Even if you're technically my girlfriend†¦I'd rather you at least liked what was going on. â€Å" â€Å"Well†¦in the ultimate heat of it, I sort of do like it. The energy I get from sex†¦well, you can't really understand it. But it†¦it's literally what I live for. So even if I don't want to be with someone before and after the deed, there's still that one moment, no matter how brief, when I want them.† I tried to give him a reassuring smile. â€Å"Besides, don't feel too bad for me. Things are a lot better than they used to be. I have more of a choice about who I'm with now, which makes a big difference. It's not like I just take whoever comes along.† â€Å"What do you mean you have a choice now} Haven't you always?† I laughed uneasily. â€Å"Oh, come on, Seth. You know women didn't start getting any real rights until about a century ago. Men haven't always been kind or considerate in their relations with the fair sex – especially those in the lower classes.† He stared at me, shocked, and pulled back a little. I loved how expressive those eyes were, even if their current emotion wasn't exactly positive. â€Å"You're talking about†¦it†¦it sounds an awful lot like rape.† I shrugged, immediately realizing we needed to steer out of these waters. â€Å"It's hard to rape a succubus. In the ultimate climax, the succubus is the conqueror – especially if the guy ends up blacking out.† â€Å"You aren't really answering my question.† â€Å"And you aren't really asking it.† We lapsed into silence. A moment later Seth took me back into a tight embrace, burying his face in my shoulder this time. â€Å"Hey, now. Don't let it bother you. Don't judge the past by the standards of today. It won't work. They're incompatible.† â€Å"I don't like the idea of you doing things you don't want to do,† he said gruffly. â€Å"I wish I could do something†¦wish I could, I don't know, protect you.† â€Å"You can't,† I whispered, kissing the crown of his head. â€Å"You can't, and you have to accept that.† We went to bed together after that, the first time since the kissing incident. Seth held me tightly all night, even in his sleep, clinging as though I might slip away if he let go. Again, I marveled at his understanding. And again, I questioned whether I was in love yet. How would I know? What was love anyway? I ticked off a list as my hands held tightly to his back. Affection. Connection. Understanding. Acceptance. All these things he gave me. Those were parts of love. All these things he offered freely, no matter how terrible each new discovery about me was. I wondered whether I returned as much as I received. Did I have any right to be in this relationship? Somehow I doubted it, yet it made me want him all the more. When we drove to the bookstore the next morning, he held my hand with a thrilling possessiveness. He didn't let go until we actually cleared the bookstore's door. â€Å"Did Doug come in today?† I asked Beth after I'd made a sweep of the store. â€Å"Yeah. He was here earlier. I think he's in your office.† I walked to the back. The office was dark. When I turned on the light, I found him hunched in a corner, his body curled up in a tight ball. I immediately dropped down beside him. â€Å"What's wrong?† After several seconds, he lifted his eyes up to mine. They were dark and troubled. â€Å"Nothing.† To contradict him seemed both obvious and pointless. â€Å"What can I do to help?† He laughed bitterly, a terrible sound. â€Å"Don't you get it, Kincaid? Nothing helps, that's the problem. There's no point to any of this. You know that as well as I do.† â€Å"Do I?† He gave me a cynical smile. â€Å"You're one of the most depressed people I know. Even when you're smiling and flirting and all of that. I know you hate this life. This world. I know you think it's all stupid. â€Å" â€Å"Not true. There's good in the bad. There's always hope. What's gotten into you?† â€Å"Just reality, that's all. Just woke up and realized how stupid it all is. Dunno why I even bother.† I touched his arm. â€Å"Hey, you're kind of freaking me out here. Did you get any sleep? Do you need something to eat?† He leaned back against the wall, face still bleak and full of snide humor. â€Å"Kincaid, I need so many fucking things, it's not even funny. But you know what? We don't get them. That's how it is. What's that saying? Life is brutish and short?† â€Å"Er†¦close enough.† I sat there with him for a long time, listening to him go on. His words were an outpouring of bitter anger and black despair. A frightening combination. I'd never heard him like this. Not upbeat Doug, always ready with a joke. Doug, the guy who never took anything seriously. His bleak face reminded me of Casey's when I'd found her in the caf? ¦, but she hadn't been this down. As the clock ticked, I wondered what I should do. He certainly couldn't work today, yet I feared sending him home. Who knew what he might do in this mood? Previously, I would never have worried about him hurting himself, but all bets seemed to be off now. â€Å"I want you to stay here,† I finally said, standing up and straightening the kinks out of my legs. â€Å"I've got to get back out there, but I'm going to check on you later, okay? Promise you'll find me if you need me. We'll eat lunch later on. I'll get us some falafels from that place you like.† He only gave me a twisted half-smile, face stormy and mocking. I left, taking the letter opener with me. His mood didn't change as the day wore on; even the falafels did no good. Once more, I wondered desperately what I should do. He had no family in the city I could call. I knew the hospitals had psych emergency services; should I contact one of them? Shortly after lunch, Alec showed up. He avoided Casey's pleading eyes and gave me a smile that tried too hard. â€Å"Hey Georgina, is Doug around?† I hesitated. I didn't like Alec, but he was sort of Doug's friend. Maybe that would help. I led the drummer to the back. When Doug saw him, he leapt up with an astounding burst of energy, his face both desperate and rapt. â€Å"Jesus Christ, man! Where have you been?† â€Å"Sorry,† said Alec. â€Å"I got held up.† They huddled together, then looked uneasily over at me. Sensing I was unwanted, I backed out of the office but not before I saw Alec reaching into his coat and Doug looking very eager. It was Alec, I realized. Alec was feeding Doug whatever drug he was addicted to. The realization made me want to go in there and throttle him, wipe that stupid grin off his face. Yet, when the two emerged a half hour later, the change in Doug was so marked that I couldn't bring myself to act. A swagger had returned to his step, the normal cheery grin back on his face. Janice passed by, and he made some playful remark that caused her to laugh. Seeing me, he pranced up and saluted. â€Å"Ready for duty, boss. What do you have for me?† â€Å"I†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stared stupidly, which only made him smile more. â€Å"Rein it in, Kincaid,† he said with mock severity. â€Å"I know that as a good groupie, you're ready to take me anytime, anywhere. But, as literary professionals, we've got to control our passion until after hours.† I was still staring. â€Å"Um†¦why don't you, uh, grab a register?† He saluted again and clicked his heels together, military style. â€Å"Can do.† He turned to Alec. â€Å"I'll see you at the rehearsal tonight?† â€Å"Yup.† Doug flashed both of us a grin, then sauntered off. I stood there alone with Alec. He waited expectantly, like I was supposed to say something. The words â€Å"fuck off† seemed appropriate, but I changed my mind. I smiled at him. It was a slow, sweeping smile that started with my lips and then shone in my eyes, the kind of smile that said I'd just noticed something I'd never seen before. Something I suddenly liked – and wanted. Alec's own smile faltered. I think hitting on me had become so automatic, he didn't expect a response anymore. He swallowed and then turned his own grin back on. â€Å"A rehearsal, huh?† I said. â€Å"You guys got another show coming up?† â€Å"Next weekend. You going to come?† â€Å"I'll try. Are you going to have another party after?† â€Å"Probably. Wyatt's having one tomorrow if you wanna go to that.† â€Å"Are you going to be there?† I asked silkily, catching his eye meaningfully. â€Å"You bet.† â€Å"Then I'll be there.† I turned to go, still giving him the hypnotic smile. â€Å"See you then.† As soon I was out of his sight, my smile lapsed into a grimace. Ack. I hadn't thought it was possible to loathe that guy anymore, but I'd been proven wrong once again. Still, flirting with him, I'd realized, might be the best way to figure out what was going on with Doug. I felt pretty sure Alec had tried to push whatever he had on Casey. If I appeared to fall prey to his so-called charm too, he might let me share in the goods. Doug, as I soon discovered, certainly wasn't going to provide any help in the matter. â€Å"You've got something,† I teased later when he and I ran into each other in the fantasy books. I gave him the lethal smile. He returned it. â€Å"Magnetism? Sex appeal? Intelligence? Babe, I've got it all.† I stepped forward and pulled playfully on his shirt, looking up into his face. â€Å"That's not what I mean. You've got something good, something you aren't sharing.† He stayed close to me and tugged on a lock of my hair in return. â€Å"Don't know what you're talking about.† â€Å"The hell you don't. Do you know how many hours I've been working for you and Paige lately? Good lord. It's driving me crazy. Grey Goose only goes so far. If you've got some stash, you need to spread the love.† â€Å"Hey, I'll spread as much love as you want. Name the time and place.† â€Å"I thought we were friends.† I pushed lightly on his chest and stepped back with a pout. â€Å"You're holding out on me. No way could you have perked up so quickly. Not after how you were this morning. You took something. â€Å" â€Å"Bah, mood swing. You're a woman; you understand. Just woke up grumpy, that's all. A little falafel and some Kincaid charm, and now I'm good to go. Great even.† He took a step back toward me, apparently hoping I'd renew the flirtation. Heat burned in his eyes, something a little darker and more intense than our typical bantering called for. â€Å"In fact, I'm downright unstoppable now. A god, babe. Come on back to the office, and I'll show you.† I walked away, giving him a taunting look over my shoulder, still playing it light. â€Å"Not my religion, babe.† He laughed as I left him. We'd been flirting for years, and I knew he'd probably take no offense at my teasing or baiting. I, on the other hand, was pissed. Bad enough this shit of Alec's could push Doug into over-the-top exuberance and inappropriate behavior at work. Dragging him into the pits of despair, however, was an entirely different matter. I was going to find out what was going on and put an end to it – even if it meant cozying up to that sleaze, Alec. Remembering one of the other complications in my life right now, I called Bastien later that night for a status check. â€Å"Don't even ask, Fleur .The clouds of failure are gathering.† â€Å"What the hell is it with you depressed guys today? Why do I have to be everyone's goddamned cheering-up committee?† I ordered him to drive to Queen Anne immediately. When he arrived, he was still whining. â€Å"Dana's being really nice to me,† he conceded, â€Å"but nothing intimate. She can't ever come over alone either. She's always got Jody with her or some other CPFV freak. My odds are probably better at getting her sidekicks into bed as a group than ever nailing her. They're all trying to get me to join their cult. I suppose making the gesture can't hurt, but I think I'll see more of her if I pretend to be a hesitant convert. You know, she also asks about you a lot.† â€Å"Like what?† â€Å"Random stuff. Last time she wanted to know how the clothes you bought were working out. What's that about?† â€Å"Not a clue,† I lied. It was ironic, really, because just then Bastien noticed the Victoria's Secret bag still sitting on my counter. My privacy apparently not a concern, he emptied it out and looked through the lingerie with approval. â€Å"You want to try something on?† I asked wryly, noting his scrutiny. â€Å"You always did have good taste.† He held up the black mesh bra and peered at me through it, as though imagining how it would look on. â€Å"Although I still don't know why you buy this stuff. Just shape-shift it.† â€Å"I have a respect for ‘intellectual property.' Whoever designed this deserves their pay.† â€Å"Even if it was constructed by third-world labor?† I made a face. â€Å"Come on, let's get out of here.† â€Å"Where to?† â€Å"A piano bar.† Surprise put his malaise on hold. â€Å"Are those still around?† â€Å"Yup. There's actually a couple of them in Seattle.† In fact, one was even nearby, less than a fifteen-minute walk away. As we went, however, Bastien wouldn't stop worrying about the Dana thing. It drove me crazy. I hated her too, believe me, but I couldn't figure out what was making this such a maniacal obsession for him. Fortunately, the piano bar was just wacky enough to distract him – as I'd hoped it would be. We ate yummy bar food and drank froofy drinks like Midori martinis and Sex on the Beach. Meanwhile, dueling pianists sang everything from Eminem to Barry Manilow. As the evening passed, getting a request played cost more and more money. However, the patrons grew drunker and drunker, so they didn't mind putting the cash down. Knowing this in advance, I had brought a stack of bills, and Bastien and I took great amusement in seeing just how well the piano players could keep up with our increasingly older and more obscure requests. Bastien and I sang along beautifully. Shape-shifting, in addition to so many other benefits, could modify one's voice and vocal cords. The piano players had an astounding knowledge of our requests, and we were so impressed – and drunk – by the end of the night that we gave them a hefty tip. Before we could leave, however, Bastien made me wait to hear one more request. â€Å"I slapped a fifty down with it,† he said. â€Å"They've got to play it soon. I picked it just for you.† â€Å"If it's ‘Superfreak,' I walk,† I warned. He laughed. â€Å"You'll know it when you hear it. It reminded me of you and your writer. â€Å" Sure enough, I immediately knew which song his silly sense of humor had led him to. The smile cracking his face was sort of a giveaway too. Pulling half of me onto his lap, he sang along loudly with Fiona Apple's lyrics: â€Å"I've been a bad, bad girl I've been careless With a delicate man And it's a sad, sad world When a girl will break a boy Just because she can. â€Å" â€Å"You're truly a creature of hell,† I told him, trying to wiggle away. â€Å"You know that, don't you?† â€Å"I just tell it like it is.† He held onto me and kept singing. â€Å"Heaven help me For the way I am Save me from These evil deeds Before I get them done†¦Ã¢â‚¬  When we finally left the bar, both of us laughing and humming, we passed a group of girls even more drunk than us. A few of them gave Bastien open looks of invitation, and I glanced at him expectantly. He shook his head. â€Å"Too easy. Besides, I'd rather go home with you. So to speak.† He walked me back toward my apartment, holding my arm as he had once done when social mores dictated it for anyone of good breeding. The pavement was slick from earlier rain, and a moist chill hung in the air. Not far away, the Space Needle gleamed watchfully above the nearby buildings; it would have Christmas lights on it soon. Bastien tightened his hold on my arm and turned his gaze absentmindedly toward the cloudy sky for a while before looking over at me. † Fleur ,do you want to know why I'm so gung-ho about this Dana business?† I willed myself to sober up, suspecting something big was about to come. â€Å"You mean other than your righteous fury at her?† He smiled gently and looked down at the pavement, watching our feet. â€Å"I'm in trouble. Big trouble.† He sighed. â€Å"You ever heard of a demon named Barton?† â€Å"No. Should I have?† â€Å"Maybe. He works in Chicago. Very high up. Very powerful. He's one of those who expects ‘favors' from his staff.† I nodded in understanding. It was one of the occupational hazards succubi and incubi faced, and probably something else Seth would be happier not knowing about. As workers in the sex industry, so to speak, our demonic supervisors often thought we wouldn't mind one more â€Å"customer.† Many saw it as our duty. Whatever his other failings, Jerome at least had never demanded anything of that nature from me. â€Å"So†¦anyway, Barton has this succubus named Alessandra. Relatively new. You know, a century or so. Beautiful. She has as good an eye for exquisite physical detail as you. And she's bright. Wicked sense of humor. Outgoing.† I stared at him in astonishment. â€Å"Are you in love, Bastien?† â€Å"No, but I was – am – very attracted to her. Hard not to be. We got to know each other, and well, one thing sort of led to another†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"As it often does with you.† â€Å"Yes,† he admitted ruefully. â€Å"But let me tell you, it was amazing. That woman†¦wow.† â€Å"So how are you in trouble?† â€Å"Well, the thing is, Barton's kind of possessive about his people. He expected Alessandra's body to be exclusively for his use – mortal business aside, of course.† â€Å"And he found out?† â€Å"Yes. He turned unbelievably jealous.† Contempt filled Bastien's voice. â€Å"Stupid emotion for our kind. Of course, demon or no, I suppose he might have had reason to feel insecure knowing his girlfriend had been with a sex-master like myself. I mean, once you go Bastien†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Keep telling the story, ego-master. What happened?† â€Å"Well†¦to say he was pissed off would be an understatement. Honestly, I don't think I'd be enjoying your lovely company today if Janelle hadn't done some serious intervening.† Janelle was Bastien's archdemoness in Detroit. â€Å"But mostly she just protected me from physical torture. Everything else is a mess. My career is in shambles. Barton has powerful friends, and Janelle's made it clear she's not going to cover my ass anymore.† We had reached my building and stood outside it now. He ran a hand through his dark curls, face suddenly weary. â€Å"I'm on everyone's shit list all of a sudden. Plans are already in motion to transfer me somewhere else, and I know it's going to be horrific. Like Guam. Or Omaha. That's why I need this Dana thing. A big hit like this – a public humiliation for the other side. It'll put me on top again. They won't be able to punish me, not if I've got a takedown like that on my record.† I started to understand his obsession with the radio host. â€Å"But the takedown isn't exactly taking.† â€Å"I don't know what else to do. I've tried all the old tricks, all the textbook moves plus a few exclusive Bastien moves. None of it's working.† I reached out to him. â€Å"You might have to accept that she's got a strong will,Bas.It happens.† â€Å"I know.† He sounded so miserable, it broke my heart. â€Å"Hey, come on. Don't give up the fight yet. I taught you everything you know, remember? We'll find a way out of this. We'll get that wench wet yet.† He laughed and brushed a finger against my cheek. â€Å"You always make me feel better when I'm around you, you know that? It's one of the wonderful things about you. That and – if the rumors are true – your mouth. â€Å" â€Å"The rumors are true, and I'm going to help you with this, you'll see. Besides, nothing else works on her, there's always hard liquor, right?† â€Å"Ah yes, the old standby.† He hugged me tightly and kissed each cheek. â€Å"Good night, my sweet. Thanks for a lovely evening.† I kissed him back. â€Å"Anytime.† I had my hand on the door handle when I thought of something. â€Å"Hey, Bastien?† He turned from where he'd been walking away down the sidewalk. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"Why'd you do it?† â€Å"Do what?† â€Å"Alessandra. You must have known how Barton felt about her, right?† â€Å"I did.† â€Å"So why risk it?† He looked at me like he could scarcely believe I had to ask. â€Å"Because I could. Because she was beautiful and wonderful and I wanted her.† I knew better than to argue with that. It was textbook incubus logic. Smiling, I went inside.