The Keynesian Neoclassical Synthesis Economics Essay

The Keynesian Neoclassical Synthesis Economics Essay Introduction Economics A study which involve the understanding on how well a countrys economy on a Macro scale whereby it look at the GDP, national output, inflation rate and unemployment. The other side will be the Micro scale of the economy, which is the study of the composition of output such as the supply and demand for individual goods and services, how they are traded in markets and patterns of their relative prices. The beginning of economics started in year 1776 from Adam Smith, the first economist, which he came out with a theory Classical Economics follow by Keynesian Economics created by John Maynard Keynes as he put forward a book The general Theory of Employment, interest and Money, Published in 1936 in response to the Great Depression of the 1930s. (Skousen 2007, 3-9) Neoclassical synthesis was then created by John Hicks 1937 (on his IS/LM Curve) However, it was only popularize by Paul Samuelson (1948) with his textbook Economics which Paul Samuelson (Economist 2011). Which make him awarded the second Nobel Prize for Economics in 1970. However, this model falls out of favor in the 1960s. This paper will be explaining in depth on the KNS model on it strength and weakness, follow by a critical analysis on this model. What make this model failed in the 1960s and what aspects have remained in the current model of the Keynesian Neoclassical Synthesis. Keynesian Neoclassical Synthesis As we know this theory basically come from John hicks on his IS/LM curve on his article in the 1937 and popularize by Paul Samuelson with his famous textbook Economics in 1948. The Keynesian Neoclassical Synthesis is created after the World War II as the war had is the roots cause of the financial and economics to collapse. The Great Depression in the post 1930 was the result after the World War II. The Keynesian approach to the macroeconomics in the neoclassical theory and the importance of a mixed economy was stressed in John Maynard Keynes Book: The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. He believes that having a balance between both micro and macro can provide a balance to the system. Beside that the Keynesian approach to the macroeconomics into the neoclassical theory had also help most part in the western world to regain supreme. Keynesian neoclassical Synthesis major idea was to have government management to be involved in order to control recessions or economics depressions. The model believes that government intervention could be the most effective at time of economic depression under the private sector of the economy. For example at time of low demand or high unemployment, they believe that government management could help the economy to stimulate in boosting employment and control inflation. Hence, to reduce unemployment and control inflation is the key objective under the KNS model. The model believe the by government increase their spending can be seen as a reduction in the interest rates and an investment infrastructure to be the most effect role of the government in order to boost the economy when it is on the down side. The theory also believes that by government involvement could create an economics positive feedback cycle. For example government investment would create employment as more workers are required, more workers mean more income and more income increases the spending, which also increase production and with more production needed, unemployment will decrease and more jobs available so on and so forth. However, Keynesian agreed that government involvement is required to achieve in reducing unemployment and also control inflation. There are numbers of economists who are concerned with the KNS model, namely the effectives of the market mechanism in generating stable full employment equilibrium without the involvement of the government. This is still in the debate between economists. Main feature of the KNS Model Upon the born of KNS model, the model itself have a couple of important features and point which this model explained. The points will be explained in the below paragraph. Money one of the most important factors among the economy. Keynesian believe that money is not neutral as compared to the thinking under the classical theory where it believe the money does not impact consumer behavior, employment and output. Money is treated as endogenous. (Gail M. Hoyt 2012, 642) However, under the classical model it argue that money is neutral where people only hold money for transactions motive and if they are not doing any transactions the money will then be use for investment with the assumption that a rational person would not hold money if they are not using them for transactions or investment purposes. (Net 2009 2011) The question is how true this is? Under the KNS model is disagree with the classical model where people do keep their money and not spending them all way under several reasons: Uncertainly for the future, interest rates, liquidity and animal spirits. These factor will then be explained in the below paragraph. Why the model falls out of favor in 1960s? 500 800 What aspects have survived in contemporary model? 300 Summary 300 words

The Impact Of Packaging Characteristics On Consumer Buying Marketing Essay

The Impact Of Packaging Characteristics On Consumer Buying Marketing Essay The role of packaging has changed over the years since primarily due to the changing lifestyles and needs of the consumers. Consumers in daily life are exposed to a very wide range of products having different packaging ranging from different product categories displayed in markets, supermarkets and any other place of shopping. Products can then be differentiated from the external packaging having different shapes, sizes, colors, labeling, etc. what is actually inside the package can only be judged through a creative and innovative packaging. Packaging is also a tool of marketing communication and plays a vital role in consumer brand preference. The topic under research will study the impact of packaging elements on consumer buying behavior of Pakistan. For this purpose seven packaging elements have been selected; packaging color, background image, font style, packaging material, design, innovation and printed information. The type of research is descriptive and quantitative approach has been used by designing questionnaires. The sample size is 200. The impact of package and its characteristics on consumers purchase decision can be revealed by analyzing an importance of its separate characteristics for consumers choice. This research into packaging has found that different packaging cues impact how a product is perceived. Moreover, there is a positive thinking and a trend about well-designed package shows high product quality. As a matter of fact, people are becoming more and more demanding; packaging has been gradually shown its important role in a way to serving consumers by providing information and delivering functions. INTRODUCTION Nowadays consumers have become more and more conscious about the packaging available to them from products. The role of packaging has changed over the years since primarily due to the changing lifestyles and needs of the consumers. Companies have started bring innovations in packaging since their beliefs over the years have changed that good and unique packaging can stimulate consumer buying behaviors. It has become the source of customers attraction towards products or services, increases the image of the brand and increases the perceptions of the consumer for the product (Rundh 2005). In marketing context packaging plays a very vital role in communicating the product to the consumers and ultimately increases consumers purchase decisions. According to Underwood, Klein Burke, (2001); Silayoi Speece, (2004) a good package communicates unique values about products, and also helps in differentiating the products from other products, hence helping the consumers in choosing the right pr oduct from a wide range of similar products, and as a result stimulates consumers buying behaviors (Wells, FarleyArmstrong,2007). Consumers in daily life are exposed to a very wide range of products having different packaging ranging from different product categories displayed in markets, supermarkets and any other place of shopping. Products can then be differentiated from the external packaging having different shapes, sizes, colors, labeling, etc. what is actually inside the package can only be judged through a creative and innovative packaging. Package becomes an ultimate selling proposition stimulating impulsive buying behaviour, increasing market share and reducing promotional costs. Thus package performs an important role in marketing communications and could be treated as one of the most important factors influencing consumers purchase decision. In this context, seeking to maximize the effectiveness of package in a buying place, the researches of package, its elements and their impact on consumers buying behaviour became a relevant issue. OVERVIEW Literature analysis on question under investigation has shown that there is no agreement on classification of package elements as well as on research methods of package impact on consumers purchase decision. Some of researchers try to investigate all possible elements of package and their impact on consumers purchase decision (Silayoi Speece, 2004; Silayoi Speece, 2007; Butkeviciene, Stravinskiene Rutelione, 2008), while others concentrates on separate elements of package and their impact on consumer buying behaviour (e.g., Vila Ampuero, 2007; Madden, Hewett Roth, 2000; Underwood et al., 2001; Bloch, 1995). Moreover some researchers investigate impact of package and its elements on consumers overall purchase decision (e.g., Underwood et al., 2001), while others on every stage of consumers decision making process (e.g., Butkeviciene et al., 2008). Particularly for fast moving consumer goods, such as food products, the packaging is one of the key product components that can provide a commercial advantage over competing products .Hence, the packaging is of significant commercial importance for the economical sustainability and growth of businesses. There is little value in arguing the need for less packaging while economic growth is predominantly driven by diversification of markets and subsequent product variations. Key challenges for future business growth and developments are: the ability to meet supply chain and market requirements in terms of distribution, efficiency, marketing power, consumer safety and convenience and environmental. Packaging attracts the consumers concentration to buy particular brand and increase brand image and influence towards consumers (Rundh, 2005). Packaging characteristics creates uniqueness in brand (Silayoi Speece, 2004). Packaging characteristics gives the ability to differentiate between the similar products and induces the clients for purchase (Wells, Farley, Armstrong, 2007). Packaging is also a tool of marketing communication and plays a vital role in consumer brand preference. The prime role of packaging is to give security to the brand against any possible damage may it be during transporting, storing or even warehousing (Gonzalez, Thorhsbury, Twede, 2007). Packaging characteristics is also a protection of keeping the brands secure by not being smudged by the consumers or either the cusumers being contaminated if in-contact with the packaging (Grundvag Ostli, 2009). Packaging characteristics also shows the quality judgments which largely influence the consumer in brand preference. Consumer frequently assumes that if packaging characteristics are viable it shows that brand is of high quality and helps in decision making of consumer. a) WHAT IS PACKAGING? The definitions of packaging vary and range from being simple and functionally focused to more extensive, holistic interpretations. Packaging can be defined quite simply as an extrinsic element of the product (Olson and Jacoby (1972)) an attribute that is related to the product but does not form part of the physical product itself. Packaging is the container for a product encompassing the physical appearance of the container and including the design, color, shape, labeling and materials used (Arens,1996). b) FUNCTIONS OF PACKAGING C:UsersFamilyDesktopgreener-packaging.jpg C:UsersFamilyDesktopimagesCAQGXAJQ.jpg Packaging and package labeling have several functions: Physical Protection Protection of the objects enclosed in the package from shock, vibration, compression, temperature, etc. Barrier Protection A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc. Containment or Agglomeration Small objects are typically grouped together in one package for transport and handling efficiency. Alternatively, bulk Commodities (such as salt) can be divided into packages that are a more suitable Size for individual households Information transmission Information on how to use, transport, recycle, or Dispose of the package or product is often contained on the package or label Convenience features which add convenience in distribution, handling, display, Sale, opening, reclosing, use, and re-use. Marketing The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage Potential buyers to purchase the product. Packaging may be looked at as several different types. For example a transport package or distribution package can be the shipping container used to ship, store, and handle the product or inner packages. Some identify a consumer package as one which is directed toward a consumer or household. Packaging may be discussed in relation to the type of product being packaged: medical device packaging, bulk chemical packaging, over-the-counter drug packaging, retail food packaging, military material packaging, pharmaceutical packaging, etc. c) ELEMENTS OF PACKAGING There are many different schemes for classification of elements of package in scientific literature. According to Smith Taylor (2004), there are six variables that must be taken into consideration by producer and designers when creating efficient package: form, size, colour, graphics, material and flavour. Similarly, Kotler (2003) distinguishes six elements that according to him must be evaluated when emploing packaging decisions: size, form, material, colour, text and brand. Vila Ampuero (2007) similar to Underwood (2003) distinguished two blocks of package elements: graphic elements (colour, typography, shapes used, and images) and structural elements (form, size of the containers, and materials. Rettie Brewer (2000) stressed out the importance of proper positioning of elements of package, dividing the elements into two groups: verbal (for example, brand slogans) and visual (visual apeal, picture, etc.) elements. In the similar way package elements were classified by Butkeviciene, Stravinskiene Rutelione (2008). Analysing consumers decision making process they distinguish between non-verbal elements of package (colour, form, size, imageries, graphics, materials and smell) and verbal elements of package (product name, brand, producer/ country, information, special offers, instruction of usage). Their classification includes brand as a verbal component, whereas Keller (2003), for example, considers packaging as one of the five elements of the brand, together with name, logo, graphic symbol, personality, and the slogans. Silayoi Speece (2004; 2007) divide package into two categories of elements: visual elements (graphics, colour, shape, and size) and informational elements (information provided and technology). According to Silayoi Speece (2004) visual elements are related with affective aspect of consumers decision making process, while informational elements are related with cognitive one. Summarising, two main blocks of packages elements could be identified: visual and verbal elements. Relying on literature analysed graphic, colour, size, form, and material are considered as visual elements, while product information, producer, country-of-origin and brand are considered as verbal ones. Packaging characteristics also shows the quality judgments which largely influence the consumer in brand preference. Consumer frequently assumes that if packaging characteristics are viable it shows that brand is of high quality and helps in decision making of consumer. LITERATURE REVIEW Numerous studies have investigated this question whether packaging elements has an impact on consumer buying behavior. Consumer intensions for buying and acquiring anything depend upon the extent of his desires to fulfill his needs. Consumers expect that the product they are purchasing will satisfy their needs and fulfill their expectations (Kupiec and Revell, 2001). Sometimes the consumers do not know what they actually want to satisfy their need, in such situation the consumers are confronted with variety of products and the decision to purchase depends upon what is being exposed and communicated to the consumers at the point-of purchase. Kupiec asserts that the packaging of a product is a significant aspect in consumer decision making process as it is the first encounter of the product which communicates the consumers whether they should buy the product (or not). It could be maintained that the package may be the only communication between a product and the final consumer in the store (Gonzalez et al., 2007, p.63). Kotler defines packaging as all the activities of designing and producing the container for a product. Well-designed packages can build brand equity and drive sales (Kotler, 2000). Moreover, he claimed that although the original purpose of packaging was to protect the product but now it is being considered as a powerful tool to grab the attention of consumers, depict the features of that product and make a sale (Kotler et.al 1998). According to Arun Kumar packaging can be defined as the wrapping material around a consumer item that serves to contain, identify, describe, protect, display, promote, and otherwise make the product marketable and keep it clean (Arun et.al 2007). He emphasized that packaging of a product could be considered as one of the most significant tool in communicating the essence of marketing a product, requiring more focus on the elements of packaging and analyzing the impact of those characteristics on consumer buying behavior. Rita Kuvykaite (2009) has done descriptive research on the relationship of packaging elements and consumer purchase decision. Rita observed that in nowadays competitive environment the role of package has changed due to increasing self-service and changing consumers lifestyle. Firms interest in package as a tool of sales promotion is growing increasingly. Package becomes an ultimate selling proposition stimulating impulsive buying behaviour, increasing market share and reducing promotional costs (Rita et.al 2009). According to Rundh (2007) package attracts consumers attention to particular brand, enhances its image, and influences consumers perceptions about product. Also package imparts unique value to products (Underwood, Klein Burke, 2001; Silayoi Speece, 2004), works as a tool for differentiation, i.e. helps consumers to choose the product from wide range of similar products, stimulates customers buying behavior (Wells, Farley Armstrong,2007). Thus package performs an important role in marketing communications and could be treated as one of the most important factors influencing consumers purchase of package, its elements and their impact on consumers buying behavior became a relevant issue. According to Charles, packaging have always served a practical function i.e. they hold contents together and protect goods as the move through the distribution channel to consumers. Today, however, packaging is also a container for promoting the product and making it easier and safer to use (Charles et.al). Pinyay Silayoi and Mark Speece have done a conjoint study among consumers for analysing the importance of packaging and the role of packaging as a vehicle for communication and building up brands. They suggest that the package standing out on the shelf affects the consumer decision process, and package design must insure that consumer response is favorable. The problem is made more complex by several conflicting trends in consumer decision-making (P. Silayoi, M. Speece, 2004). Holbrook and Moore contend that a consumer gets easily attracted by more complex and novel external characteristic packaging and visual graphic designs. Moreover, this leads consumers to a positive buying emotion and leads them to buy this attractive product (Holbrook and Moore, 1982). Ampeuro and Vila have done extensive research on consumer perception of product packaging. According to them, once consumers have perceived the product in their own way, they develop an attitude which will eventually affect consumers decision to procure that product ( Ampuero O, Vila, N. 2006) Wells Armstrong conclude from their research that packaging characteristics gives the ability to differentiate between the similar products and induces the clients for purchase (Wells, Farley, Armstrong, 2007). Kotler (2003) distinguishes six elements that according to him must be evaluated when employing packaging decisions: size, form, material, colour, text and brand. Mitul Deliya in his research highlights consumer attitude towards packaging of FMCG products. He affirmed that packaging has a huge role to play in the positioning of products. Package design shapes Consumers perceptions. Wansink (1996) showed that larger package sizes do accelerate usage volume when attention is drawn to unit prices. Folkes and Matta (2004) find that unusually shaped containers that attract attention are perceived to contain more product than containers that do not attract attention. Silavoi and Speece investigated the question that the packages overall features can underline the uniqueness and originality of the product. Quality judgments are largely influenced by product characteristics reflected by packaging, and these play a role in the formation of brand preferences. If the package communicates high quality, consumers frequently assume that the product is of high quality. If the package symbolizes low quality, consumers transfer this low quality perception to the product itself (Underwood et al., 2001; Silayoi and Speece, 2004). According to Tanuka Ghoshal, convenience and innovation and such characteristics in package design influence consumer attitude towards buying products. Manufacturers of food and other consumer packaged products spend large sums of money developing easy-to-open packages that are more convenient for quick meals or for easy dispensing, and visually appealing packages which appear to communicate more than mere information about the product inside Apart from the realm of consumer packaged goods, in which the packaging is visible at the time of purchase (and hence may play a role in the purchase decision process), we also see significant and creative innovations in packaging for situations in which the packaging is not visible before or at the time of purchase. The effect of color is the most obvious and well studied (Imran, 1999). Consumer perceptions of an acceptable color are associated with perceptions of other quality attributes, such as flavor and nutrition, and also with satisfaction levels. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION THEOREOTICAL FRAMEWORK PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION The abundance of scientific literature on this issue do not provide unanimous answer concerning impact of package elements on consumers buying behavior: diversity of the results in this area depends not only on research models constructed and methods employed, but on the context of the research too. All above mentioned confirms the necessity to investigate this issue in more detail. In the light of these problematic aspects, research problem could be formulated as following question: What is the impact of packaging characteristics on consumer purchase decision? PROBLEM SATEMENT The purpose of this research study is to investigate the impact of packaging characteristics on consumer buying behavior. Thus the problem statement for this research study is given as under: To find out the impact of packaging characteristics on consumer buying behavior RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research was conducted to achieve the following research objectives: To investigate the role of packaging in Consumer Buying Behavior To determine the impact of packaging characteristics on consumer buying behavior To identify the most important characteristic of packaging that help to built brand equity To find out consumer perceptions about packaging SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY The topic under research will study the impact of packaging elements on consumer buying behavior of Pakistan. For this purpose seven packaging elements have been selected; packaging color, background image, font style, packaging material, design, innovation and printed information. According to Cruden (1989), over the years the, introduction of new packaging concepts have accelerated. This study will be of value in a number of ways. The topic of research is highly under researched and least research has been done regarding the impact of packaging elements on consumer buying behavior of Pakistan. This study will not only help the marketers in bringing innovations and creativeness into the packaging of products but will also provide the policy makers in implementing effective decisions in bringing changes and creative strategies in packaging. This study will contribute immensely through Quantitative research. THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK Theoretical frame-work focuses on the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. The distinction between dependent and independent variables is as important in a comparative study as in a regression analysis. Dependent variable in case of a comparative study is the one which we aim to predict and independent variables here are the ones who are used to predict the dependent variable. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE Packaging color Background Image Packaging Material Font Style Design of wrapper Printed Information Innovation DEPENDANT VARIABLE Consumer Buying Behavior THEOREOTICAL FRAMEWORK Independent variable Packaging color Background image Packaging materialDependant variable Dependant variable Consumer Buying Behavior Font style Design of wrapper Printed Information Innovation Packaging color Color plays an important role in a potential customers decision making process, certain colors set different moods and can help to draw attention. One good example of successful use of color psychology is in the Apple iPod advertisements; they use simple tri tone color schemes of black, white and a bright background color. The bright background color is to give the advertisement a fun feel and the contrasting white on black is to focus attention. C:UsersFamilyDesktopimagesCACPIYHU.jpg Packaging Material Any material used especially to protect something- packing, wadding. Consumer can change its decision regarding Packaging material. High quality Packaging attract consumer then low quality Packaging. The first packages used the natural materials available at the time: Baskets of reeds, wineskins (Bota bags), wooden boxes, pottery vases, ceramic amphorae, wooden barrels, woven bags, etc. Processed materials were used to form packages as they were developed: for example, early glass and bronze vessels. The study of old packages is an important aspect of archaeology. Iron and tin plated steel were used to make cans in the early 19th century. Paperboard cartons and corrugated fiberboard boxes were first introduced in the late 19th century. Packaging advancements in the early 20th century included Bakelite closures on bottles, transparent cellophane over wraps and panels on cartons, increased processing efficiency and improved food safety. As additional materials such as aluminum and seve ral types of plastic were developed, they were incorporated into packages to improve performance and functionality. So packaging material have strong have with buying behavior. C:UsersFamilyDesktopghfgdhg.png Font Style The font style of Packaging grabs customer attraction. The up gradation of IT technology have support this feature. The successful companies have best practices of the font styles. They hire specialist in composing which create mind blowing and attractive font styles. The attractive package has innovative font style. So we can say that there is relation between font style and buying behavior Design of wrapper The overall design also plays a vital role in attracting the consumer. Mostly the children of 10-18 years are so sensitive to the design of wrapper. The companies try their best to create attractive design of packaging C:UsersFamilyDesktop69897540hg8.jpg Printed Information Container or wrapper of the product is serves a number of purposes like protection and description of the contents, theft deterrence, and product promotion. The labels on packages are important components of the overall marketing mix and can support advertising claims, establish brand identity, enhance name recognition, and optimize shelf space allocations. The consumer can change his decision on the basis of information printed on the packaging. Mostly in Merchandises and daily FMCG the consumer can perform evaluation on the basis of printed information. C:UsersFamilyDesktopf.jpg C:UsersFamilyDesktopyudj.png Innovation Innovative packaging may actually add value to the product if it meets a consumer need such as portion control, recyclability, tamper-proofing, child-proofing, easy-open, easy-store, easy-carry, and non breakability. Manufacturers today strive to have packaging that maintains the key equities of the brand, has stand out appeal on the retailers shelf, and is sustainable but with lower production costs. The customer can adopt product on the basis of its innovative packaging, which shows the relation between buying behavior and innovation of packaging C:UsersFamilyDesktopgreener-packaging.jpg C:UsersFamilyDesktopgh.png RESEARCH APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TYPE OF RESEARCH The type of research conducted is descriptive research after taking into account the research problem, aim of paper and the requirements for information needed. Type of investigation is correlated because the variables already exist. RESEARCH DESIGN Quantitative research approach is implied in this study. For this purpose a self administered questionnaire was designed. Customer survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to randomly selected customers for collection of data for statistical analysis. The questionnaire covered the basic content to facilitate achieving goal of the study at its best. RESEARCH INSTRUMENT Questionnaires were used as an instrument for data collection and the data is collected in two ways: Personal survey in university and shopping malls and meet male and female respondents and by meeting to household women. By emailing the questionnaire to the respondents, they filled the questionnaire and then emailed back. The instrument is in the form of closed ended questionnaire. Answers were recorded in the Likert five point scales. Packaging Characteristics is measured as: Highly Important Important Neither Important nor Unimportant Unimportant Highly Unimportant DATA COLLECTION METHODS PRIMARY DATA The main tools used in this research for collecting primary data include questionnaires which were filled general public. SECONDARY DATA The main tools used for collecting secondary data for this research include published articles, journals and other sources available on the Internet. SAMPLE DESIGN SAMPLING UNIT For the purpose of data collection the site selected for this study includes general consumers from which the data has been gathered. The general public include both males and females; students and working people with different classes. The age distribution which is used for this research was in five ages slabs: 20 years or less 21 years to 25 years 26 years to 30 years 31 years to 40 years SAMPLING METHOD The sampling technique used in this study was convenience sampling method. SAMPLE SIZE The sample size taken in this research is n=200 i.e. total numbers of respondents was 200; both males and females with different classes. SAMPLING PROCEDURE The method of sampling was random sampling. ANALYSIS PROCEDURE After setting the sample size, site, the tool for data collection, various analyses were done using statistical data analysis package SPSS 14.0. BUDGET TIME SCHEDULE RESEARCH STAGES TIME COST Research proposal approval 1 week __ Secondary data approval 3 days __ Questionnaire development 1 week __ Questionnaire pretesting approval 2 weeks Rs.500 Questionnaire printing 1 day Rs. 700 Questionnaire filling 2 weeks __ Data processing and analysis 4 days __ Final report compilation 5 days Rs.700 Final report printing binding 3 days Rs. 1200 LIMITATIONS A few limitations narrowed the scope of this research: Sample size was large so it took me time to get the questionnaires filled. The  respondents  personal  bias  may  be  another  factor, which is uncontrollable Many respondents did not actively participate in the research. Respondents did not read the questions carefully. Experimental method of research could not be used due to budgetary and time constraints. DATA ANALYSIS AND HYPOTHESIS TESTING Q1) Packaging influences me to buy a particular product or brand? PURPOSE: The purpose of this question is to find how many people filling out this questionnaire are influenced by packaging of a product or brand Response Format: It is a Grid type question No. of respondents to answer this question: 200 No. of responses generated: 200 QUESTION1 NO OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE Does packaging influence you to buy a particular product or brand? STRONGLY DISAGREE 14 7.0 DISAGREE 26 13.0 NEUTRAL 19 9.5 AGREE 117 58.5 STRONGLY AGREE 24 12.0 TOTAL 200 100.0 CONCLUSIONS: 12% of the respondents strongly agree to this point 58.5% of the respondents agree to this point 9.5% of the respondents are neutral 13% of the respondents disagree. 7% of the respondents strongly disagree HYPOTHESIS TEST OF QUESTION 1 Ho: à Ã¢â€š ¬ à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¥70% (70% or more respondents are influenced by packaging of a product or brand) H1: à Ã¢â€š ¬ DATA: n = 200 x = 70.5 à Ã‚  = x/n = 70.5/200 = 0.3525 Confidence interval=95% Level of significance  Ã‚ ¡ = 5% or 0.05 Tabulated Results: Z tabulated = Z Ã‚ ¡ = Z 0.05 = -1.64 (-Z in Left tailed test) Test Statistics: Critical Region: CR = Where,  Ã‚ ³p  Ã‚ ³p  Ã‚ ³p =  Ã‚ ³p = 3.24 And, Putting the above values in the formula: CR = CR = Z calculated = = 0.54 Zcal = 0.54 Conclusion: As CR = 0.54> -1.64 That means Z calculated > Ztabulated,  Ã…“we accept the claim that 70% or more o

If the Romantic poet is as William Wordsworth said a man speaking to men :: English Literature

If the Romantic poet is as William Wordsworth said a man speaking to men where does this leave women and children? Discuss, with reference to the work of Blake. If the Romantic poet is as William Wordsworth said 'a man speaking to men' where does this leave women and children? Discuss, with reference to the work of Blake. "In the preface to the Lyrical Ballads Wordsworth, when describing a poet, says that a poet is a 'man speaking to men' and is someone 'who rejoices more than other men in the spirit of life which is in them'. It needs to be definerated what Wordsworth means by 'man', whether he is refering to 'man' as a gender or man as in humanity. When refering to poets he always uses the term 'man' or 'men' implying that all poets must be male. Later in the Preface to the Lyrical Ballads Wordsworth goes on to say that "poets... sing a song in which all humans beings join", surely suggesting that women and children are included in this as they are part of mankind. Blake, as one of the most renouned romantic poets, focuses much of his work around images of mankind. Although in saying this, "mankind" is collective and includes women and children, and Blakes work is undoubtedly preoccupied with these two groups. He distinguishes "man" very differently to "children" depending on the context. In London (songs of expereince) he clearly identifies "man" as a separate group to the "infant" in the poem as he refers to them by different names and as a separate category, highlighting their differences. Children to Blake are extremely important, especially in the context of poetry, indeed in '"The introduction to Songs of Innocence' he says that the poems are "for children to hear" and concentrates on a child's view of life. It is not possible to say that Blakes poetry excludes women and children as so many of his poems are based around these themes. Even the titles of the poems represent this, such as "The Little Girl Lost", "Infant sorrow", "Little Black Boy" and "Nurse's Song", compared to very few centred primarily around men. Blake uses his poems to express the view and plight of suppressed groups in society, such as children. Poems such as Holy Thursday are expressed through the eyes of a child. He shows the innocence and purity of the children by their 'clean' 'faces' and other physical and mental attributes. He also shows the reality of their situations, especially in Songs of experience, by highlighting the fact that many of them are orphans and alone in the world, such as in 'The chimney

Genetic Engineering Should Not be Banned Essay examples -- Argumentati

Genetic Engineering Should Not be Banned Genetic engineering is a hotly-debated topic. On the one hand, giant corporations, ambitious scientists and powerful politicians are pushing forward with projects they claim will benefit mankind, and on the other, public opinion, environmentalists and consumers' associations are concerned that these projects are insufficiently safeguarded and pose irreversible risks to life on this planet. In this paper I will set out the main issues in the debate on genetic engineering. First I will summarise the history of genetic science, and look at the origins of the debate. Then I will discuss the manipulation of plant, animal and human genes in turn, and consider the possible benefits and dangers of each. Finally, I will suggest that, for all its potential dangers, it is better for research to go ahead openly than for governments to try to ban such research altogether. GE is quite a recent science. DNA, the basic material that determines genes, was discovered in 1953 (the discovery was announced in Nature magazine on April 25th, 1953), and 'It was only in 1956...that cytogeneticists learned that each human cell contains 46 chromosomes' (Lipkin and Rowley, p. 4). 'Recombinant DNA' - which makes it possible to actually change or modify genes - was not discovered until 1973 (Howard and Rifkin, p. 13). However, the debate about GE goes back much further. It was first popularised by Aldous Huxley in his novel Brave New World (1932), in which humans are born in bottles ('test tube babies'), and genetically conditioned to think and behave in certain ways. When GE became a scientific reality in the 1970s, the debate continued to focus largely on the mainulation of human ... ...al groups. Bibliography Published sources: Howard, T., and Rifkin, J., Who should play God? : The artificial creation of life and what it means for the future of the human race ( New York, Delacorte Press, 1977) Karp, L.E., Genetic engineering, threat or promise? (Chicago, Nelson-Hall, 1976). Lipkin, M., and Rowley, P.T., Eds., Genetic responsibility: on choosing our children's genes, (New York, Plenum Press, 1974) Paoletti, R. A., Ed., Selected readings: genetic engineering and bioethics, (New York, MSS Information Corp, 1972) Internet sources: Dr. B. Benoit, 'Human Cloning and Re-engineering': http://cac.psu.edu/~gsg109/qs/emclone.html 'Food for Our Future' (UK Food and Drink Federation website:http://www.foodfuture.org.uk/index2.htm Home Arts web page on Children's Personality: http://homearts.com/rb/mommy/11cperb4.htm

Air Resistance, Tyres And Friction :: essays research papers

Dragsters use a combination of large wide tyres or the rear and small narrow tyres on the front this combination is used for the following reasons: The front wheels: The front wheels are very narrow. This is so a minimum of air resistance or drag affects the dragster with lower drag better acceleration an in turn a better top speed can be achieved all leading to a better pass (race time). Now lets try to understand the concept of air resistance and drag. A basic example is placing your hand out the window with your palm facing forwards as you are driving your car along at about sixty kilometres per hour. You will feel a strong force of the wind (air resistance) pushing back at your hand. Now turn your hand side or so that your little finger is facing the front and your thumb is facing the rear at the same speed. The force of air resistance exerted on your hand is greatly reduced. This force is similar as to that exerted on the front wheels of the dragster. Now dragsters reach speeds of up to five hundred kilometres per hour, imagine the force needed to hold your hand against the wind if your palm was facing the front. It would be much easier to hold your hand side on. The same as it would be much easier for the dragsters engine to push the narrow front wheels compared to large ones. Air resistance is a form of friction (namely fluid friction) a friction from the air, as we know friction is defined as a force that opposes movement. The formula used to determine aerodynamic drag is as follows: Drag = 0.5 * rho * Cd * v2 * S Aerodynamic drag is a function of the following: rho is the air density, which we cannot change. v2 is velocity squared which is endeavoured to be maximized for the best time and/or pass. S is the frontal or cross sectional area which we want to minimize. I.e. less frontal area means that a less significant amount of air resistance impedes the top speed and acceleration. Cd is the coefficient of drag, which we want to minimize. So the two things with which can be worked with or changed, the frontal area and coefficient of drag, both of which need to be to minimized for the best results. Having very narrow front wheels minimizes the frontal area.

Personality Theory of Sigmund Freud Essay

According to Freud, mankind has only two drives that determine all thoughts, emotions, and desires- the need for sex and aggression. Sex is the equivalent of life- after all it is how we procreate the species and continue our lineage. Aggression often leads to its equivalent – death- which is also a control measure for procreating the species as it allows us to remove an adversary that may prevent procreation. Freud proposed that there are three levels to our personalities- the Id , the Ego, and the Superego. At birth, we are born with the Id, which he described as being the part of the personality that demands our basic needs. It is important because it drives our instinct to obtain our basic needs and keep ourselves alive. It looks only for satisfaction of a hunger, whether it is for food, comfort or any other pleasurable sensation. As a child interacts in his first three years of life, the Ego begins to form. The Ego begins to realize there are others that have needs and that interaction in the world means thinking of this and responding accordingly. Around five, the formation of the Superego starts as the child becomes trained in the moral and ethical ideas of his caregivers- it is often compared to the conscience. Throughout the rest of our life the Ego serves as the mediator between the Superego and the Id, keeping us from becoming either totally self-centered and demanding or rigid and unbending in our interactions with others. In the fights with the Id and Superego, the Ego develops various defense mechanisms to help keep the balance. These defense mechanisms help the ego sate the id’s impulsiveness without offending the Superego’s moral position- all the while keeping reality in check. Some of these defenses include denial, intellectualization, regression and sublimation. Perhaps the most debated of Freud’s writings is his theory of psychosexual development and it’s five stages. The first stage, which stretches from birth to 18 months, is the oral stage where the baby is focused on the pleasures associated with sucking. From 18 months to age three, the child is in the anal stage, where pleasure is derived from retaining and releasing. The phallic stage covers age’s three to six, in which the pleasure zone switches to the genitals. This is the stage in which the Oedipal complex comes into play. The latency stage stretches from age six to puberty during which pleasures are repressed in order for learning to take place. From puberty to death, we are in the genital stage in which our pleasure derives from the genitals. While many of his theories are not as popular today, Freud laid the groundwork for understanding the human mind. References Heffner, Christopher L, â€Å"Personality Theory† retrieved on May 29, 2009 from http://allpsych. com/personalitysynopsis/freud. html Stevenson, David B. â€Å"Psychosexual Stages of Development† retrieved on May 29, 2009 from http://www. victorianweb. org/science/freud/develop. html Felluga, Dino. â€Å"Modules on Freud: On Psychosexual Development. † Introductory Guide to Critical Theory. Purdue U. retrieved on May 29, 2009 from .

Iron Crowned Chapter 6

I glanced around uneasily. I knew there had to be guards on watch in the garden and wondered what it would take for them to come tackle a crazy old woman. Unless she openly jumped me or something, I had a feeling I was on my own. â€Å"Unless your power extends to some kind of mind control over Katrice, I don't see how that's going to happen,† I said finally. She crooked me a grin. â€Å"No, that's not a gift the gods have chosen to bestow on any of the shining ones. Even they know the limits of mortals.† I pulled the robe more tightly around me. Seeing as I couldn't sleep, I might as well humor her. â€Å"Then what's your plan?† â€Å"You need to find the Iron Crown.† â€Å"The what?† â€Å"The Iron Crown.† She said it in a grand, ominous way †¦ one that really deserved an echo chamber to give it its full effect. â€Å"Okay,† I said. â€Å"I'll bite. What's the Iron Crown?† â€Å"An ancient artifact. One worn by the greatest, most powerful leaders in the shining ones' history. Leaders feared by all, who ruled many kingdoms.† â€Å"I have a crown. A few of them.† Only one was my official â€Å"crown of state,† but designers had crafted me others to coordinate with my outfits. â€Å"Not like this one,† she said. â€Å"Let me guess. It's made of iron.† She nodded and looked like she was waiting for me to be impressed. â€Å"Sorry. Like I said, short of mind control power, I'm not going on some magic object quest. My life is already like a Dungeons and Dragons campaign.† Masthera frowned. â€Å"Dragons haven't lived in the Otherworld in centuries.† â€Å"Forget it. Thanks for the, er, advice, but I'm not interested.† I shifted uncomfortably. â€Å"I should really get to bed.† Masthera leaned forward, undaunted. â€Å"You don't understand, Thorn Queen,† she hissed. â€Å"Only a few are capable of completing the tasks required to gain the crown. Most would not even be able to wear it.† That was easy to figure out. â€Å"Right. Because it's made of iron. I don't think an ability everyone already knows I have from being human would be that impressive.† â€Å"Queen Katrice would think so. Many of her people would too. Her armies might revolt. She herself would be afraid and back off.† â€Å"All because of the reputation of a crown that doesn't have any power?† I asked skeptically. â€Å"Where is it?† â€Å"Far away, in a place unknown.† â€Å"Oh good grief. If no one knows where it is, then how am I supposed to get it?† â€Å"That's part of the challenge. Find it, and you end the war.† I eyed her carefully. â€Å"If this is such a great idea, why not bring it to Dorian? Your king?† â€Å"He knows of it,† she agreed. â€Å"He's old enough to remember the legends. But he couldn't wear it. Only you.† Now she eyed me carefully. â€Å"Your father sought it – and failed.† I stiffened, my voice turning to ice. â€Å"Is this part of the prophecy? Some way of marking me as the conqueror's mother? Is it something I'm supposed to give to my hypothetical son?† â€Å"No,† she said. Her demeanor turned humble, but those eyes still looked shrewd. â€Å"It is merely a means to help you end your war.† â€Å"I've heard enough of this ridiculousness.† I stood up. â€Å"I'm going to bed.† Masthera started to call after me as I strode away but then bit off her words. I wondered if she had accepted my refusal or simply feared the guards' responding to continual harassment of me. I returned to Dorian's room and slipped back into bed with him. His arm unconsciously wrapped around me, and although it took a while, my troubled mind finally calmed enough to allow me some brief sleep. It was his movements that woke me a few hours later. I sat up in bed, watching as he dressed. Through the windows, the sky was barely a pinkish purple. â€Å"You're going to meet the armies already?† I asked quietly. From a chaise, he lifted a breastplate made of fine copper chain. Normally, he had attendants dressing him, and I knew he was doing it alone so that a group of people traipsing through his room wouldn't wake me. Watching him fumble at fastening it, I hurried over to help. â€Å"Katrice's forces will attack as soon as they have enough light. They may have already. It's only the unfamiliar terrain that stopped them from doing it overnight.† I finished hooking the chainmail, trying not to think about how rare it was for him to wear any sort of armor. It was a sign of the danger he walked into, even if he avoided the front lines. â€Å"I wish you weren't going.† He gave me that easy smile and rested his hands on my bare hips. â€Å"Me too. I'd much rather be back in bed with you. Stay a couple hours. I'm sure I'll be right back.† That brought a smile to my lips, though I felt no humor. â€Å"Yes, I'm sure that's all it'll take.† He released me and turned to a cabinet on the wall. Opening it, he revealed a number of weapons. One of them was an exquisitely made copper sword, crafted by a metalsmith in my employ named Girard. Dorian touched it reverently, then slipped it into a scabbard he fastened around his waist. While dangerous in and of itself, the sword possessed an extra threat because of Dorian's connection to the earth and its elements. He could infuse it with power. â€Å"Dorian †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I hesitated, afraid to ask my next question. â€Å"Have you ever heard of the Iron Crown?† â€Å"Of course.† He finished fastening the scabbard and glanced back up at me. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"I ran into a woman named Masthera last night, who told me about it.† â€Å"Ah, Masthera,† he said fondly. â€Å"Every court should have a seeress. Her predictions are right about half the time – which is quite remarkable. You should see the farce of a seer they've got over in the Maple Land. I'd be humiliated to keep someone like that around.† â€Å"Hey, focus,† I chastised. â€Å"This Iron Crown. Masthera claims it could end the war. That by winning it and proving our – er, my – power, I could make Katrice back down.† The smile faded as Dorian frowned, looking deep in thought. â€Å"That's a very real possibility. And you could wear it, couldn't you?† A sense of wonder lit his words. â€Å"The iron wouldn't bother you. In legends, some shining ones could wear it through strength and force of will. But you'd need none of that. It'd just be in your nature.† I could hardly believe he was speaking about this seriously. â€Å"And you think she's right? This crown – with no power except a reputation – could end the war?† â€Å"Well, it's not the crown's reputation, exactly,† he said. â€Å"It's the reputation you gain by fighting the many obstacles to get it. Show you can do it, and you show your power.† It was similar to what Masthera had said. â€Å"If others have possessed it – â€Å" â€Å"Not for ages,† he interrupted. â€Å"Okay, even if it hasn't been for ages †¦ why would I have to quest for it? Wouldn't the last owner have just kept it around? Passed it through the family?† His smile came back. â€Å"It doesn't work that way. The crown won't stay with anyone unworthy. Once its owner passes, it returns to its home – a home that kills many who seek it.† â€Å"You didn't answer the earlier question,† I pointed out. â€Å"Could it end the war? Peacefully?† He sighed. â€Å"I don't know. Maybe. But as much as you fear me going out today †¦ I'd worry more about you going after this trinket.† I caught hold of his hand. â€Å"You wouldn't help?† I teased, though I still wasn't buying any of it. His free hand cupped my face. â€Å"I would if I could. And maybe I could. If the legends are true, you pass through iron fields to get to it. Hardly any of the shining ones could do that. I might be able to, with my abilities†¦. I'd stand a better chance than most.† I didn't like the tone of his voice. It sounded as though he was actually considering this. He might connect with the elements of the earth, but iron was still beyond him. â€Å"I could bring Volusian,† I said, wanting to distract him. â€Å"If something happens to him, no harm done, eh?† Dorian's face stayed serious. â€Å"No, the legends are quite clear. The Iron Crown's lair is blocked to the dead.† â€Å"Well, none of it matters,† I said. â€Å"The whole idea is ridiculous.† His face lightened, and he pressed a soft kiss to my lips. â€Å"Which is why I leave now.† My heart sank, knowing the inevitable had arrived. I hurriedly put on my jeans and shirt so that I could see him and the accompanying soldiers off. I knew the armies they would join were massive, but as he rode off toward the rising sun, his group seemed so frighteningly small. When he was out of my sight, I went to summon the rest of my own party. It was time for us to go home. Most had enjoyed their â€Å"night out,† but my mood that morning soon set the tone for our journey back. The one small comfort to my dark morning was that Jasmine hadn't gotten impregnated. Shaya assured me that my sister had never left her sight throughout the night and that Jasmine hadn't actually even tried anything sinister. She had simply been content to be away from my castle. Eyeing her tight iron cuffs and the chains that connected them, I felt a small pang of guilt. I quickly banished it. Those constraints had to stay. After that, it was time for another Tucson jump. I first summoned Volusian and sent him to Dorian's side, both for backup and later reports. I knew Dorian wouldn't welcome my minion, but his having a fighter that couldn't be killed would certainly make me feel better. Once that and other household affairs were settled, I went back to join humanity. The scene at my house was nearly the same as yesterday. A quiet morning, with Tim cooking in the kitchen. Only, today he was dolled up in full costume. â€Å"You're Lakota,† I said, once he'd recovered from the shock of my abrupt arrival. â€Å"What happened to Tlingit?† He shrugged. â€Å"The Tlingit are cool, but your average stereotype-loving tourist expects this.† He wore tassled buckskin pants and a long feathered headdress. His bare tanned chest looked like it had been oiled, and it had beaded necklaces hanging on it. Studying him, I reconsidered. He wasn't true Lakota either. Just some amalgamation of stereotypes, like he'd said. â€Å"Why are you dressed up so early? Morning commuters aren't going to stop for poetry slams.† â€Å"It's Saturday, Eug.† â€Å"Is it?† I asked, startled. My timing was all awry with my double life. â€Å"There's a cultural fest out by the university, just begging to hear my beautiful insights on nature.† He flipped some sunny-side up eggs onto a plate with a flourish. â€Å"A cultural – ?† I groaned. â€Å"Tim, the local tribes will be there. You know they'll try to beat you up again.† He flashed me a grin. â€Å"Be a pal. Come protect me.† â€Å"Can't. Too much stuff to do.† A knock at the back door astonished us both. We didn't get a lot of visitors. Hoping it wasn't a missionary, I opened the door and gaped at what I found. I couldn't have been more surprised if Katrice had come calling. It was Lara. She smiled at my shock. I almost never saw her in the flesh. She worked out of a home office, most of our correspondence being handled by phone and e-mail. â€Å"Come in,† I said, still amazed. She stepped into the kitchen, just as tiny, blond, and cute as I remembered. A big stack of papers was in her arms. â€Å"I don't like the looks of that.† â€Å"It's your – â€Å" Lara came to a halt when she saw Tim. Her eyes widened. He flipped his last egg onto a plate and glanced up at her. His eyes registered equal amazement. And in that charming, con-artist way of his, he instantly slipped into character. â€Å"A beautiful blossom has joined us, her petals brilliant and unfurled in the morning sun.† He was using his awful ‘How, white man' voice. Hastily, he pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. â€Å"Join us. We'll feast and enjoy Mother Earth's bounty together.† Dazed, Lara walked over to the table and sat down, unable to take her eyes off of him – his chest in particular. â€Å"Thank you.† â€Å"It is my honor to – shit! The cinnamon rolls!† Tim dove backward, grabbing a mitt and opening the oven, from which smoke was pouring out. Lara turned to me conspiratorially as he groaned about the state of his baked goods. â€Å"Eugenie, why is there a hot Native American chief cooking in your kitchen?† she whispered. â€Å"Well,† I said, suddenly realizing the two had never actually met. â€Å"He's neither a chief nor Native American. That's Tim.† â€Å"That's what – ?† Her baby blue eyes opened even wider. â€Å"Are you sure?† â€Å"Positive.† Tim meanwhile was scraping blackened bottoms off of his cinnamon rolls. He held one up for my inspection. â€Å"It's fine,† I said. He turned to Lara, putting his smile back on. â€Å"I beg your pardon a thousand times for this unworthy feast I must set before you. Such a delicate, beautiful creature like you deserves – â€Å" â€Å"Oh for God's sake,† I exclaimed. â€Å"Will you cut the bullshit, Tim? This is Lara.† â€Å"This is †¦Ã¢â‚¬  The cinnamon roll dropped off his spatula, back onto the pan. â€Å"Are you sure?† I sighed. Both seemed at a loss for what to say. Lara's mouth moved, no words coming out for several moments. Finally, she blurted out, â€Å"I brought tax paperwork.† Tim swallowed. â€Å"I †¦ That's pretty cool.† I moved past sighing or groaning. Now, I was fighting hitting my head against the table. â€Å"No, it's not. Can we get on with breakfast?† â€Å"I †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tim finally recovered himself. â€Å"Sure. Of course.† He looked at Lara. â€Å"Do you like eggs and cinnamon rolls?† â€Å"I love eggs and cinnamon rolls.† He promptly built her a plate and handed it over. â€Å"Hey!† I said. He shot me a glare. â€Å"Be patient a sec. We have a guest. You should be more polite – especially since she went to the trouble of doing your taxes.† â€Å"I pay her to do my taxes.† Lara bit into a cinnamon roll. In his daze, Tim had forgotten to cut off the bottom. â€Å"This is the best thing I've ever tasted. How is this even possible?† She gave him a shy smile. â€Å"Good looks and cooking skills.† He smiled back, nearly dropping the plate he handed to me. â€Å"I have all sorts of skills.† â€Å"Oh my God,† I said. Until this moment, I'd thought nothing was more annoying than their phone bickering. I suddenly wished they'd get into an argument now. â€Å"Besides,† he added, joining us with his own food. â€Å"You've got mad tax skills. I could never do that.† â€Å"That's because you don't have an income or actually file taxes,† I said. â€Å"Hey,† he shot back. â€Å"Don't judge. You obviously can't do your own.† â€Å"I don't have to! That's why I pay someone.† With great effort, Lara managed to drag her eyes over to me and remember her job. â€Å"They're all done. I just need you to sign them. I wasn't sure you'd ‘get around to it' if I mailed them.† I nodded. As far as the federal government and state of Arizona were concerned, I was a self-employed contractor who did assorted home repairs. Which wasn't that far from the truth. â€Å"That was really nice of you,† said Tim. â€Å"Taking time out of your Saturday for that.† â€Å"I take my job seriously,† she replied. â€Å"Besides, I didn't have any other plans.† â€Å"Really?† He leaned forward. â€Å"Do you want to go over to the university's cultural festival with me? I'll be reading poetry there.† She gasped. â€Å"I would love that. I bet your people have some really amazing insights on the world.† â€Å"He's not – † I began. Lara turned back to me, her business face on. â€Å"Make sure you sign these while we're gone. And you know your schedule today, right? Three jobs?† â€Å"Yes, yes. While you guys are out slumming with college kids, I'll be fighting for my life.† Tim stood up and set his barely touched plate on the counter. â€Å"We can go whenever you're ready.† She handed him her equally untouched plate. â€Å"I'm ready now. Just let me run to the bathroom first.† The instant she was gone, Tim turned on me. â€Å"Why didn't you tell me she was so nice? All this time, you've let me think she was a total bitch.† â€Å"I've told you a hundred times she wasn't a bitch! You're the one who decided that, after talking to her on the phone. You only think she's nice now because you've seen her and want to get her into bed!† Tim gave me a grave look. â€Å"Eugenie, that is not the kind of woman you have a one-night stand with. She's a goddess among women.† â€Å"Unbelievable,† I said. When Lara returned, I noticed she was wearing lipstick and had neatened her hair. â€Å"All set.† I scowled at the dirty plates Tim had left on the counter. â€Å"Don't forget to do the dishes when you get back!† I called as they headed out the door. â€Å"Don't forget to earn a living while we're gone!† he called back. â€Å"This mortgage doesn't pay itself.† â€Å"Neither do you,† I muttered. But they were already gone, lost in the throes of infatuation. Considering all the things that had happened in my life, you'd think nothing could surprise me anymore. Clearly, I was wrong. Turning around, I set to washing the dishes myself, deciding that kicking some supernatural ass was exactly what I needed.