Alternatives technologies to Gas flaring Dissertation

Alternatives technologies to Gas flaring - Dissertation Example The gas is emerged due to the drilling of oil and then separated from oil; it is released by pressure relief valves through vertical pipes. Gas flared through combustion affects the green house gases up to a considerable extent. The flaring and venting of gas from oil drills plays a very important role in emissions of greenhouse gas. The emission of greenhouse gas was at peak during 1970s around 110 million metric tons per year but it has been declined since then by more than three quarters and now estimated around 0.5% of all carbon dioxide emissions. As per the Kyoto Protocol, a carbon bonus had been announced for garbage collecting companies in some developing nations for installing combustion devices for the methane gas. These devices will help in preventing methane to reach the atmosphere by burning it. The burning effect converts the methane into water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and heat. As methane is twenty three times more powerful than carbon dioxide, it will also help in reduci ng greenhouse gas emissions with the same proportion. The gas flared and vented during the drilling process is very worth while and can be used for various purposes. According to a report by World Bank, "Over 150 billion cubic meters of natural gas are flared or vented annually, an amount worth approximately 30.6 billion dollars, equivalent to 25 percent of the United States’ gas consumption or 30 percent of the European Union’s gas consumption per year." The flaring and venting is condensed within some countries. According to the Wikipedia, "10 countries account for 75% of emissions, and twenty for 90%. The largest flaring operations occur in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The leading contributors to gas flaring are (in declining order): Nigeria, Russia, Iran, Algeria, Mexico, Venezuela, Indonesia, and the United States.[6] In spite of a ruling by the Federal High Court of Nigeria (that forbade flaring) in 2005, 43% of the gas retrieval was still being flared in 2 006. It will be prohibited by law as of 2008." Research Topic: The effects of gas flaring on the environment and to find alternative techniques to reduce its impact on green house gas emissions. Research Objectives / Purpose of study: The research objectives include some overall objectives that will be generalized and also some specific quantitative objectives as discussed under: To identify the risks associated with excessive gas flaring; To identify factors that influence the high and accelerated rate of greenhouse gas emission; To explore past trends of gas flaring; To identify strategies that have been implemented around the world to reduce gas flaring effect; To research and evaluate the possible alternate technologies that can be used to reduce the effect of gas flaring on the environment; & To identify the finest and environment-friendly technology for the purpose of gas flaring. Expected Outcome: The expected outcome of this research work is to achieve all the research objec tives stated above by testing the authentic and established approaches used previously for reducing emission of gas flaring and venting. Literature Review: According to the Fuel for thought: an environmental strategy for the energy sector (a report from the Environment Department of World Bank, 2000), there are many reasons of gas flaring and venting. The most significant one is the lack of resources to utilize the gas emitted

Societal Impact & Cost vs. Benefit Research Paper

Societal Impact & Cost vs. Benefit - Research Paper Example Combustion of diesel also pollutes the environment by producing smoke, which is hazardous to survival, and removing diesel engines would reduce the levels of poisonous gases and smoke hence improve the health of people. However, cost of transportation would greatly increase since diesel offers lower costs of transportation than other fuels used for transportation. Alternative fuels would replace diesel in all forms of road transport, and this will make the energy sector sustainable over the years. The alternative fuels can be a mixture of bio fuels, synthetic fuels, methane and liquefied petroleum gas, which significantly reduce the amounts of poisonous gases in the atmosphere (Business Green). These alternative fuels produce minimal or no amount at all of greenhouse gases, and this means that global warming will be significantly reduced. Pollution will also be reduced through elimination of the smoke and poisonous gases emitted by combustion of diesel in the diesel engines. This implies that the environment will be protected from pollution hence healthy surroundings. Alternative fuels will enhance locomotion using electric and fuel cell vehicles, which will meet the demands for all transportation needs. Taking diesel engines off the roads will protect the environment from pollution, prevent air pollution from smoke and reduce health disorders related to the gases emitted from combustion of diesel. Bio fuels have the potential to meet all transport costs as well as reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other green house gases, which cause health complications and environmental degradation

Basic Laboratory Techniques Dilutions

Basic Laboratory Techniques Dilutions Dilution is a process of making a weaker or a less concentrated solution. Substances which are highly concentrated can be problematic to carry out tests. For instance, when a blood sample is placed on a slide it would be difficult to count cells due to overlapping. As a result dilutions are carried out so that the cells will be more spread. Moreover a large amount of reagent would be needed to react with a highly concentrated substance. This is inadequate since large amounts of reagent would be wasted. In addition it is impractical to use large volumes of substances example buffers. Generally a concentrated form is present and then the necessary dilutions are made for different tests. A manual of how the dilutions are made is typically present with the reagent. Adequate apparatus must be used for dilutions. Basically, there are two types of dilutions. One, where the final specific concentration only is significant and the other where both the final volume and concentration are significant. Dilution symbols are significant. 1/10 refers to 1ml sample with 9mls diluents for a total volume of 10mls. This is the same as 1+9. 1:10 refers to 1ml sample with 10mls diluents for a total volume of 11mls. This is the same as 1+10. Serial dilution is a method used to dilute a substance into solution stepwise with a constant dilution factor in each step. The dilution factor is the volume of stock / total volume. The first step in making a serial dilution is to take a known volume (example 1ml) of stock i.e. the original sample and place it into a known volume of water (example 9ml). This produces 10ml of dilute solution. The dilute solution has 1ml of original sample / 10ml. The technique used to make a single dilution is repeated using the previous dilute solution. At each step, 1ml of the previous dilution is added to 9ml of distilled water. This is repeated sequentially until the required dilution is achieved. The volumes of substances used vary accordingly. During dilutions it is essential to pipette the larger volume first and then the smaller volume. Diagram of how serial dilutions are made: Rule : Original concentration = New concentration Dilution factor Since the dilution-fold is the same in each step, the dilutions are a geometric series i.e a constant ratio. Example: 1/3, 1/9, 1/27, 1/81. Each dilution is a three-fold. A two-fold and a five-fold also exist where it is multiplied by 1/2 and 1/5 respectively. Serial dilutions are principal for several situations. In the lab there are a number of volumetric flasks however there is not a lot of 1000ml flasks. Hence serial dilutions are the only way to get the desired concentration. Serial dilutions are essentially used for calibration curves to ensure the accuracy of the measurements. This is useful since if a minor mistake is done, it is not noticed since the mistake will be repeated in all the dilutions and as a result there will be no effect. Furthermore serial dilutions are used for antibody titres. A test can be quantitative example the concentration of glucose in blood is 6 or qualitative if the test is positive or negative example when testing for the human immunodeficiency virus if it is present in the blood sample, the result is either positive or negative. However there is another test known as the semi-quantitative test where the result is neither numerical nor positive or negative. When serial dilutions are carried out, the resu lt can be that the antibody titre is positive up to 1/320. It shows that the patient is immune up to a certain limit. This is often used to monitor treatment. Six test-tubes were placed in a rack. To the first tube 500Â µl of water were added. To each of the remaining tubes 100Â µl of water were added. 20Â µl of solution B were added were transferred to tube 1 and mixed well. 100Â µl of tube one were transferred to tube 2 and mixed well. 100Â µl of the contents of tube 2 were transferred to tube 3, and the procedure was repeated for the remaining tubes. The dilution of the serum in tube 6 is 1/832 since the dilution of tube 1 is 20/520 = 1/26. The dilutions are 2-fold. As a result 1/26 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 1/2 = 1/832

Romeo and Juliet: Act 1 Scene 5 is a Microcosm of the Entire Play Essay

Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy about a pair of lovers, from two opposing families, fated to their death, Act 1 Scene 5 is a microcosm of the entire play, it contains a rollercoaster of emotions and many different themes such as love, hate and death but they are all expressed at their best in this part of the play. The build up to the scene creates tension and expectation for the audience. The prologue, said by the Chorus who have no character or emotion, gives the overall structure it tells the audience they will meet, fall in love and then die, it briefs them as to what is going to happen but does not let them in on too much information. From the start they are described as ‘star crossed lovers’ that are fated to disaster. Romeo has a vision that a chain of events starting at the party will lead to his death, he says he feels like fortune’s fool and whatever he does, it’s inevitable; he cannot escape or change fate. The overall information given in the prologue is not too much for the audience; it gives them a brief overview of the play but does not spoil it for them. In a way it makes them feel as if they are being let in on a little secret because they get a hint of what is going to happen, without learning too much. Shakespeare describes Romeo and Juliet as victims in love as if they are caught in a trap, and cannot escape. However, Brooke the original playwright presents them as fools in love, which gives a different message to the audience, it comes across to them that Romeo and Juliet know that they won’t be accepted by either family but they still choose to love each other and everything that happens is their own fault. In the prologue, the quote ‘ A pair of star crossed lovers take their life’ tells you they a... ...y. This scene also appeals to the audience because it is a calm moment in an otherwise busy place, the party. In conclusion, Shakespeare makes this scene appeal to an audience by the build up to it, by the prologue telling you what happens and giving a brief summary, The range of action in it and the mood changes; from aggression with Tybalt to when Romeo and Juliet first lay their eyes on one another, Also, the use of language, Our pair of lovers talk in a religious form in the sonnet that they share to come across to the audience that they do have a good side and to make them seem more innocent. And finally, the character development, we learn more about the main characters in this scene than we do in any other, we get to see the different sides to them which changes the mood and why it makes it more appealing and keeps the audience entertained and interested.

Strategic Management and Ikea

1) How has IKEA succeeded in expanding across the world using a standard range of products and a standard strategy in the home furniture and furnishings industry, in which divergent cultural influences are likely to be at their strongest? First of all, seems reductive say that IKEA provides a standard range of products having regard to the incredible width of this range (which allows, therefore, to offer many variables of many types of heterogeneous products: in this way is almost completely bypassed the limit traditionally connected with the offer diverse depending on the country of destination).In fact, the product range is so vast (â€Å"The IKEA products on offer Exceed 12. 000 items in number†) to allow a lack of diversification for export market: every type of consumer that is part of the target audience can find products of his choice, ignoring the others (which will be desirable by other consumers focused on other features). In this way this strategy exceeds its tradit ional limit.As it is written in the text under consideration â€Å"IKEA has achieved the impossible, to create a range of products attractive to consumers everywhere, in countries with very different cultures, and to apply a formula for presentation and sale of those products which reinforces the attractiveness† . With regard to the standard strategy used by IKEA in my view its success relies on a few points well described in the article. First, the target is well defined (and wide, and in all countries without exception). It may sound corny but the self-proclaimed focus of IKEA is ‘young people of all ages’. In reality the market is primarily young people, who are well educated, liberal in cultural values, white collar, but with limited means because of their stage of career and family cycle, and in the process of setting up or expanding their homes because they are having children†. The second successful point of the unitary strategy of the company is the interest to achieve and maintain a cost advantage (in light of the needs of the target, of course). This cost and price leadership is achieved by a combination of strategies – large-quantity purchasing, the push to discover ever-cheaper suppliers in ever-cheaper markets (sourcing in developing economies has risen from 32% to 48%), low-cost logistics, store location in relatively cheap suburban areas, and a do-it-yourself approach to marketing and distribution. Low costs are translated into low prices as IKEA pursues a deliberate price leadership strategy†.In addition to this, the Distribution and Promotion system is modern and inexpensive and easily replicable and acceptable to consumers around the world. So, everything in IKEA works to create a great opportunity, overcoming (as already said at the beginning of my answer) the limits of the not-diversified offer per country and culture in this particular industry sector, characterized by strong cultural differences. 2) Is there a limit to this expansion? Does IKEA’s history illustrate the nature of such a limit?I think the main limit to the expansion of the business of IKEA is cultural and, therefore, be able to contain production costs, while continuing to adapt its products to markets other than those served today. The example of the American market is helpful in this regard. On that occasion, IKEA had to wait a long time before being accepted in the United States, producing profits. That was a very risky investment, yet the American market in that commodity sector has its own characteristics, presumably, very well known and different from European ones.The entry into the U. S. market, to be profitable, had to wait an important adaptation activities never done before. I think in this case when it comes to expansion it is done in a geographical sense (and not profits), so an entry into other markets to IKEA today seems to be quite complicated (making reference only to markets and economies very different from those faced up to date) for the reason just expressed.America is a huge market, strategic and inviting for which is undoubtedly good to do what IKEA decided to do (invest with the initial losses, if necessary adapting their products), but I doubt that this can be repeated for other markets less strategically important than the American. From the point of view of the enlargement of the volume of business and profit, I have no knowledge to be able to express with certainty, however IKEA in the text is placed at the highest levels of Globality and Added Value, therefore I do not think there are great possibilities of strong growth even in this sense.The most important thing is to keep their volumes trying to increase it as much as possible. 3) How has IKEA managed to creatively combine the benefits of mass consumption and mass production with the desire for style and modernity of product? IKEA is able to take full advantage of the cost benefits of mass production ( carefully selecting its employees and suppliers are able to meet stringent quality standards at very competitive set from IKEA) and mass consumption because the citizens of all the world, belonging to the target specified by the company and reported above, and have an idea of odernity and style quite comparable, therefore the need to adapt its products to different markets is quite limited in this field (happened only for America). However, the need for fashion and modernity today is constantly evolving. A company structured differently from IKEA would have difficulty to be continuously ready to offer something desirable. Instead, IKEA, through a work of upgrading its products (however, wherever standard) can not only meet the needs of customers, but also to anticipate them! IKEA makes low-cost trend. This is amazing.At this point it is clear and understandable as reported in the article: IKEA â€Å"has combined the cost-reducing benefits of mass production and consumption with at tention to the style required to persuade consumers to buy items which will be on display and in the eye of the purchaser for many years, unlike the humble hamburger or cup of coffee which are consumed quickly and as quickly forgotten. In short, like Harley-Davidson, it has created a global brand. It has managed to innovate and respond to Continuously changes in the world, continuing to convey a sense of excitement and modernity. Most important is the contribution of the catalogue of the Swedish firm, which â€Å"has become something of a design icon† imitated by competitors from around the world. 4) Has IKEA chosen a strategy of cost/price leadership or one of product differentiation? We could say that IKEA has merged the two strategies in a single large successful director. At first glance, without a careful study of the phenomenon IKEA, it would seem easy to classify the choices made by the company as cost and price leadership helped by a not differentiated offer.But in an swer to the first question, I have already explained how, for me, one can not speak of a lack of differentiation. It is absolutely not possible to speak of a strategy or the other in the case under study. IKEA has been able to be innovative in all aspects: product and design, mass production delocalized and strongly supported, distribution channel, promotion type, location of stores and their structure. Thus, it has managed to combine the two strategies in a single strategy that brings together and makes something completely new.In other answers I have given a part of my interpretation of what is required in this question, but I think the best summary is that given by the authors of the article: â€Å"IKEA’s strategy has been described as a focused cost leadership strategy, focused because it is targeted at a particular market niche, those who want style at low cost. However, this oversimplifies the approach adopted and underplays the complexity of the product, with its pack aging of different services. If it were true that the strategy was no more than a form of focused cost leadership, it would be difficult to understand why IKEA has been so successful.Rather it is the combination of low price and high quality which attracts the consumer, which is not an unusual situation. The attributes of the product offered by IKEA differ markedly from those of other retailers. Instant accessibility, customer participation in value-adding, the combination of low cost and high quality – all mark the product out as unique and therefore as carrying a competitive advantage, one which is continuously renewed as products are improved and renovated. IKEA is always ready to innovate†. ) How far do you think that IKEA can look into the future in framing its strategic management? I believe that this model of strategic management is winning. It is and it will be due to the fact that creates something new from what is already well known to everyone. What is even m ore important and that bodes well for the future of IKEA is that it has always been the first mover. Being first means being able to reap the benefits from it. Be consistently first mover means being able to store the successes and failures of the past, learning from heir mistakes and their victories better and more quickly than your competitors are able to do by copying you. Achieve great results and be always ready for change (in fact, promote it! ) is a symptom of a far-sighted and enlightened strategic vision. Follow this structure means continue in a context that is the company itself to â€Å"manage† and, presumably, to command. The key word today is not to sit on themselves. I think that IKEA is not ever sat on.

The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 31. Talented

â€Å"What is the werewolves' part in this?† Tanya asked then, eyeing Jacob. Jacob spoke before Edward could answer. â€Å"If the Volturi won't stop to listen about Nessie, I mean Renesmee,† he corrected himself, remembering that Tanya would not understand his stupid nickname, â€Å"we will stop them.† â€Å"Very brave, child, but that would be impossible for more experienced fighters than you are.† â€Å"You don't know what we can do.† Tanya shrugged. â€Å"It is your own life, certainly, to spend as you choose.† Jacob's eyes flickered to Renesmee – still in Carmen's arms with Kate hovering over them – and it was easy to read the longing in them. â€Å"She is special, that little one,† Tanya mused. â€Å"Hard to resist.† â€Å"A very talented family,† Eleazar murmured as he paced. His tempo was increasing; he flashed from the door to Carmen and back again every second. â€Å"A mind reader for a father, a shield for a mother, and then whatever magic this extraordinary child has bewitched us with. I wonder if there is a name for what she does, or if it is the norm for a vampire hybrid. As if such a thing could ever be considered normal! A vampire hybrid, indeed!† â€Å"Excuse me,† Edward said in a stunned voice. He reached out and caught Eleazar's shoulder as he was about to turn again for the door. â€Å"What did you just call my wife?† Eleazar looked at Edward curiously, his manic pacing forgotten for the moment. â€Å"A shield, I think. She's blocking me now, so I can't be sure.† I stared at Eleazar, my brows furrowing in confusion. Shield? What did he mean about my blocking him? I was standing right here beside him, not defensive in any way. â€Å"A shield?† Edward repeated, bewildered. â€Å"Come now, Edward! If I can't get a read on her, I doubt you can, either. Can you hear her thoughts right now?† Eleazar asked. â€Å"No,† Edward murmured. â€Å"But I've never been able to do that. Even when she was human.† â€Å"Never?† Eleazar blinked. â€Å"Interesting. That would indicate a rather powerful latent talent, if it was manifesting so clearly even before the transformation. I can't feel a way through her shield to get a sense of it at all. Yet she must be raw still – she's only a few months old.† The look he gave Edward now was almost exasperated. â€Å"And apparently completely unaware of what she's doing. Totally unconscious. Ironic. Aro sent me all over the world searching for such anomalies, and you simply stumble across it by accident and don't even realize what you have.† Eleazar shook his head in disbelief. I frowned. â€Å"What are you talking about? How can I be a shield? What does that even mean?† All I could picture in my head was a ridiculous medieval suit of armor. Eleazar leaned his head to one side as he examined me. â€Å"I suppose we were overly formal about it in the guard. In truth, categorizing talents is a subjective, haphazard business; every talent is unique, never exactly the same thing twice. But you, Bella, are fairly easy to classify. Talents that are purely defensive, that protect some aspect of the bearer, are always called shields. Have you ever tested your abilities? Blocked anyone besides me and your mate?† It took me few seconds, despite how quickly my new brain worked, to organize my answer. â€Å"It only works with certain things,† I told him. â€Å"My head is sort of†¦ private. But it doesn't stop Jasper from being able to mess with my mood or Alice from seeing my future.† â€Å"Purely a mental defense.† Eleazar nodded to himself. â€Å"Limited, but strong.† â€Å"Aro couldn't hear her,† Edward interjected. â€Å"Though she was human when they met.† Eleazar's eyes widened. â€Å"Jane tried to hurt me, but she couldn't,† I said. â€Å"Edward thinks Demetri can't find me, and that Alec can't bother me, either. Is that good?† Eleazar, still gaping, nodded. â€Å"Quite.† â€Å"A shield!† Edward said, deep satisfaction saturating his tone. â€Å"I never thought of it that way. The only one I've ever met before was Renata, and what she did was so different.† Eleazar had recovered slightly. â€Å"Yes, no talent ever manifests in precisely the same way, because no one ever thinks in exactly the same way.† â€Å"Who's Renata? What does she do?† I asked. Renesmee was interested, too, leaning away from Carmen so that she could see around Kate. â€Å"Renata is Aro's personal bodyguard,† Eleazar told me. â€Å"A very practical kind of shield, and a very strong one.† I vaguely remembered a small crowd of vampires hovering close to Aro in his macabre tower, some male, some female. I couldn't remember the women's faces in the uncomfortable, terrifying memory. One must have been Renata. â€Å"I wonder†¦,† Eleazar mused. â€Å"You see, Renata is a powerful shield against a physical attack. If someone approaches her – or Aro, as she is always close beside him in a hostile situation – they find themselves†¦ diverted. There's a force around her that repels, though it's almost unnoticeable. You simply find yourself going a different direction than you planned, with a confused memory as to why you wanted to go that other way in the first place. She can project her shield several meters out from herself. She also protects Caius and Marcus, too, when they have a need, but Aro is her priority. â€Å"What she does isn't actually physical, though. Like the vast majority of our gifts, it takes place inside the mind. If she tried to keep you back, I wonder who would win?† He shook his head. â€Å"I've never heard of Aro's or Jane's gifts being thwarted.† â€Å"Momma, you're special,† Renesmee told me without any surprise, like she was commenting on the color of my clothes. I felt disoriented. Didn't I already know my gift? I had my super-self-control that had allowed me to skip right over the horrifying newborn year. Vampires only had one extra ability at most, right? Or had Edward been correct in the beginning? Before Carlisle had suggested that my self-control could be something beyond the natural, Edward had thought my restraint was just a product of good preparation – focus and attitude,he'd declared. Which one had been right? Was there more I could do? A name and a category for what I was? â€Å"Can you project?† Kate asked interestedly. â€Å"Project?† I asked. â€Å"Push it out from yourself,† Kate explained. â€Å"Shield someone besides yourself.† â€Å"I don't know. I've never tried. I didn't know I should do that.† â€Å"Oh, you might not be able to,† Kate said quickly. â€Å"Heavens knows I've been working on it for centuries and the best I can do is run a current over my skin.† I stared at her, mystified. â€Å"Kate's got an offensive skill,† Edward said. â€Å"Sort of like Jane.† I flinched away from Kate automatically, and she laughed. â€Å"I'm not sadistic about it,† she assured me. â€Å"It's just something that comes in handy during a fight.† Kate's words were sinking in, beginning to make connections in my mind. Shield someone besides yourself she'd said. As if there were some way for me to include another person in my strange, quirky silent head. I remembered Edward cringing on the ancient stones of the Volturi castle turret. Though this was a human memory, it was sharper, more painful than most of the others – like it had been branded into the tissues of my brain. What if I could stop that from happening ever again? What if I could protect him? Protect Renesmee? What if there was even the faintest glimmer of a possibility that I could shield them, too? â€Å"You have to teach me what to do!† I insisted, unthinkingly grabbing Kate's arm. â€Å"You have to show me how!† Kate winced at my grip. â€Å"Maybe – if you stop trying to crush my radius.† â€Å"Oops! Sorry!† â€Å"You're shielding, all right,† Kate said. â€Å"That move should have about shocked your arm off. You didn't feel anything just now?† â€Å"That wasn't really necessary, Kate. She didn't mean any harm,† Edward muttered under his breath. Neither of us paid attention to him. â€Å"No, I didn't feel anything. Were you doing your electric current thing?† â€Å"I was. Hmm. I've never met anyone who couldn't feel it, immortal or otherwise.† â€Å"You said you project it? On your skin?† Kate nodded. â€Å"It used to be just in my palms. Kind of like Aro.† â€Å"Or Renesmee,† Edward interjected. â€Å"But after a lot of practice, I can radiate the current all over my body. It's a good defense. Anyone who tries to touch me drops like a human that's been Tasered. It only downs him for a second, but that's long enough.† I was only half-listening to Kate, my thoughts racing around the idea that I might be able to protect my little family if I could just learn fast enough. I wished fervently that I might be good at this projecting thing, too, like I was somehow mysteriously good at all the other aspects of being a vampire. My human life had not prepared me for things that came naturally, and I couldn't make myself trust this aptitude to last. It felt like I had never wanted anything so badly before this; to be able to protect what I loved. Because I was so preoccupied, I didn't notice the silent exchange going on between Edward and Eleazar until it became a spoken conversation. â€Å"Can you think of even one exception, though?† Edward asked. I looked over to make sense of his comment and realized that everyone else was already staring at the two men. They were leaning toward each other intently, Edward's expression tight with suspicion, Eleazar's unhappy and reluctant. â€Å"I don't want to think of them that way,† Eleazar said through his teeth. I was surprised at the sudden change in the atmosphere. â€Å"If you're right – ,† Eleazar began again. Edward cut him off. â€Å"The thought was yours, not mine.† â€Å"If I'm right†¦ I can't even grasp what that would mean. It would change everything about the world we've created. It would change the meaning of my life. What I have been a part of.† â€Å"Your intentions were always the best, Eleazar.† â€Å"Would that even matter? What have I done? How many lives †¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tanya put her hand on Eleazar's shoulder in a comforting gesture. â€Å"What did we miss, my friend? I want to know so that I can argue with these thoughts. You've never done anything worth castigating yourself this way.† â€Å"Oh, haven't I?† Eleazar muttered. Then he shrugged out from under her hand and began his pacing again, faster even than before. Tanya watched him for half a second and then focused on Edward. â€Å"Explain.† Edward nodded, his tense eyes following Eleazar as he spoke. â€Å"He was trying to understand why so many of the Volturi would come to punish us. It's not the way they do things. Certainly, we are the biggest mature coven they've dealt with, but in the past other covens have joined to protect themselves, and they never presented much of a challenge despite their numbers. We are more closely bonded, and that's a factor, but not a huge one. â€Å"He was remembering other times that covens have been punished, for one thing or the other, and a pattern occurred to him. It was a pattern that the rest of the guard would never have noticed, since Eleazar was the one passing the pertinent intelligence privately to Aro. A pattern that only repeated every other century or so.† â€Å"What was this pattern?† Carmen asked, watching Eleazar as Edward was. â€Å"Aro does not often personally attend a punishing expedition,† Edward said. â€Å"But in the past, when Aro wanted something in particular, it was never long before evidence turned up proving that this coven or that coven had committed some unpardonable crime. The ancients would decide to go along to watch the guard administer justice. And then, once the coven was all but destroyed, Aro would grant a pardon to one member whose thoughts, he would claim, were particularly repentant. Always, it would turn out that this vampire had the gift Aro had admired. Always, this person was given a place with the guard. The gifted vampire was won over quickly, always so grateful for the honor. There were no exceptions.† â€Å"It must be a heady thing to be chosen,† Kate suggested. â€Å"Ha!† Eleazar snarled, still in motion. â€Å"There is one among the guard,† Edward said, explaining Eleazar's angry reaction. â€Å"Her name is Chelsea. She has influence over the emotional ties between people. She can both loosen and secure these ties. She could make someone feel bonded to the Volturi, to want to belong, to want to please them___† Eleazar came to an abrupt halt. â€Å"We all understood why Chelsea was important. In a fight, if we could separate allegiances between allied covens, we could defeat them that much more easily. If we could distance the innocent members of a coven emotionally from the guilty, justice could be done without unnecessary brutality – the guilty could be punished without interference, and the innocent could be spared. Otherwise, it was impossible to keep the coven from fighting as a whole. So Chelsea would break the ties that bound them together. It seemed a great kindness to me, evidence of Aro's mercy. I did suspect that Chelsea kept our own band more tightly knit, but that, too, was a good thing. It made us more effective. It helped us coexist more easily.† This clarified old memories for me. It had not made sense to me before how the guard obeyed their masters so gladly, with almost lover-like devotion. â€Å"How strong is her gift?† Tanya asked with an edge to her voice. Her gaze quickly touched on each member of her family. Eleazar shrugged. â€Å"I was able to leave with Carmen.† And then he shook his head. â€Å"But anything weaker than the bond between partners is in danger. In a normal coven, at least. Those are weaker bonds than those in our family, though. Abstaining from human blood makes us more civilized – lets us form true bonds of love. I doubt she could turn our allegiances, Tanya.† Tanya nodded, seeming reassured, while Eleazar continued with his analysis. â€Å"I could only think that the reason Aro had decided to come himself, to bring so many with him, is because his goal is not punishment but acquisition,† Eleazar said. â€Å"He needs to be there to control the situation. But he needs the entire guard for protection from such a large, gifted coven. On the other hand, that leaves the other ancients unprotected in Volterra. Too risky – someone might try to take advantage. So they all come together. How else could he be sure to preserve the gifts that he wants? He must want them very badly,† Eleazar mused. Edward's voice was low as a breath. â€Å"From what I saw of his thoughts last spring, Aro's never wanted anything more than he wants Alice.† I felt my mouth fall open, remembering the nightmarish pictures I had imagined long ago: Edward and Alice in black cloaks with bloodred eyes, their faces cold and remote as they stood close as shadows, Aro's hands on theirs†¦. Had Alice seen this more recently? Had she seen Chelsea trying to strip away her love for us, to bind her to Aro and Caius and Marcus? â€Å"Is that why Alice left?† I asked, my voice breaking on her name. Edward put his hand against my cheek. â€Å"I think it must be. To keep Aro from gaining the thing he wants most of all. To keep her power out of his hands.† I heard Tanya and Kate murmuring in disturbed voices and remembered that they hadn't known about Alice. â€Å"He wants you, too,† I whispered. Edward shrugged, his face suddenly a little too composed. â€Å"Not nearly as much. I can't really give him anything more than he already has. And of course that's dependent on his finding a way to force me to do his will. He knows me, and he knows how unlikely that is.† He raised one eyebrow sardonically. Eleazar frowned at Edward's nonchalance. â€Å"He also knows your weaknesses,† Eleazar pointed out, and then he looked at me. â€Å"It's nothing we need to discuss now,† Edward said quickly. Eleazar ignored the hint and continued. â€Å"He probably wants your mate, too, regardless. He must have been intrigued by a talent that could defy him in its human incarnation.† Edward was uncomfortable with this topic. I didn't like it, either. If Aro wanted me to do something – anything – all he had to do was threaten Edward and I would comply. And vice versa. Was death the lesser concern? Was it really capture we should fear? Edward changed the subject. â€Å"I think the Volturi were waiting for this – for some pretext. They couldn't know what form their excuse would come in, but the plan was already in place for when it did come. That's why Alice saw their decision before Irina triggered it. The decision was already made, just waiting for the pretense of a justification.† â€Å"If the Volturi are abusing the trust all immortals have placed in them†¦,† Carmen murmured. â€Å"Does it matter?† Eleazar asked. â€Å"Who would believe it? And even if others could be convinced that the Volturi are exploiting their power, how would it make any difference? No one can stand against them.† â€Å"Though some of us are apparently insane enough to try,† Kate muttered. Edward shook his head. â€Å"You're only here to witness, Kate. Whatever Aro's goal, I don't think he's ready to tarnish the Volturi's reputation for it. If we can take away his argument against us, he'll be forced to leave us in peace.† â€Å"Of course,† Tanya murmured. No one looked convinced. For a few long minutes, nobody said anything. Then Iheard the sound of tires turning off the highway pavement onto the Cullens' dirt drive. â€Å"Oh crap, Charlie,† I muttered. â€Å"Maybe the Denalis could hang out upstairs until – â€Å" â€Å"No,† Edward said in a distant voice. His eyes were far away, staring blankly at the door. â€Å"It's not your father.† His gaze focused on me. â€Å"Alice sent Peter and Charlotte, afterall. Time to get ready for the next round.†

Biography of Marlo Morgan Essay Example

Biography of Marlo Morgan Essay Example Biography of Marlo Morgan Paper Biography of Marlo Morgan Paper Marlo Morgan was born in the USA . She is a doctor and is very interested in health care. Once she had the possibility to go to Australia and she decided to spend a few years with the aborigines in the outback. Today she lives in Missouri and she has got two children who supported her to write â€Å"Message from forever† â€Å"Mutant Message Down Under† about her experience with the â€Å"Real people†, an aboriginal tripe in the desert. The topic: The message from forever outlines aboriginal philosophy and the principles of good living. Geoff and Beatrice are twins and have no idea who they are because they were taken away from their mother after their birth. It’s difficult for them to follow the white people’s ideas and they both have lots of problems. The plot: Two Australian aboriginal twins are taken from their mother by Christian missionaries. The baby boy is sent to a sheep ranch. There he grows up with little supervision and random affection. He enjoys watching the butterflies and the ants in the garden and he always has to entertain himself because everybody on the ranch is very busy with work. His name is Geoff and he often climbs up a tree to watch the beautiful birds and at early age he begins two paint. At the age of five he is adopted by an American minister and is raised in the USA with little sense of who he is or of his cultural heritage. Geoff knows that he isn’t loved by the minister’s family because he is alone most of the time. Nevertheless, he is the best ball player at school and learning comes easily to him. He always wins the class spelling bee, but no boy in his class admires or likes him because their parents tell them that Geoff was too dark in colour to be a friend. ! His sister (Beatrice) is brought up by nuns in an Australian orphanage where she encounters continual racism for the first years of her life. From an early age Beatrice somehow seems to know her role as peacemaker. When arguments start among the children or someone is left out and feels lonely, it is natural for her to step in to soothe, to try to bring understanding to both sides. She is always aware of other people’s feelings, she can tell from listening to their voices, not necessarily to their words, and by paying attention to their eyes. As they become adults, Beatrice renounces her western lifestyle and joins a small group of aboriginals on a walkabout. After decades of learning about the people of the outback, she becomes a ‘runner between both worlds’ and steps into the political area to fight for the rights of aboriginal people.