Autobiographical Fiction

In the beginning the official said, let the stadium lights come on, and they came on. The football players came onto the field, and they saw the light was good. Other teams started to show up and practice on the battle ground, otherwise known as the â€Å"playing field. † Fans shouted, and cheerleaders went on about their playful acts. Parents, brothers, sisters, and close friends all piled into the stands to see the game of the year. The official stepped out onto the moist grass at Manchester United Stadium in Manchester, England. The time was 7. 45pm on a Saturday night. He paused for a moment, looked at his stopwatch, and blew his whistle. Gigantic muscular men came from out of nowhere as the fans began to cheer, waving various flags, scarfs and t-shirts The players ran out to the middle of the stadium. A feel of hatred and resentment came about in the air. The crowd came unglued from their seats. The sounds of various noisemakers filled the air once again. Parents and grandparents alike came to their feet in the stands. Cars stopped on the street in front of the stadium, as they honked their horns, and cheered for their team of choice. As the two burly men stood in the middle of the field, many thoughts ran through their heads. They both knew someone was going to lose, but defeat was out of the question. The official tossed a silver coin into the air. The coin hit the wet grass with a shiny face of Queen Elizabeth clearly showing. The home team will kick off. Both anger infested players shook hands and ran back to their half. The fans began to cheer as the players took the field again. Little did the fans know of how the players practiced all week long. Burnage had a very intense practice, while Didsbury slacked off, and took an easy week, since their opponent was not that good of a team. The kick-off approached for both teams, almost instantaneously. Memories of past football games, and practices were rushing through our heads. The time clock read 8:00pm. Suddenly, a whistle blew, and the brown bundle of pigskin went flying into the air. Running to the ball, one of the Burnage players quickly got the football, stepped left, then to the right as he attempted to get past the opponents. Soon after, the player was tackled down by a pack of Didsbury players, and the referee gave the ball to one of the Burnage players. I had been waiting for this moment all of my life. The match of the year in Manchester was about to begin. Burnage have lost 14 years straight to Didsbury. Managers only daydreamed of beating the undefeated Didsbury team. As referee called for the play, I smiled with joy. The first play of the game was to me. I played at the defence, so I was going to run the ball. First play, up the middle of the field, I ran for a fifteen yard gain. The next play was to one of my fellow team mates, which he also ran for another large gain of 26 yards. I could not believe my eyes. After all these years, the game was finally here. We, as a team, were slowly tearing apart the Didsbury defence. Our offence was dominating the ball, and they could not stop our players. After 20 minutes Burnage took the lead to make the score 1-0. Straight after the lead it came as a shock to our team. We were starting to get tired, and make little mistakes that cost us to let Didsbury have a free kick. One of our defenders was not defending in the right place, and that lead to one of the didsbury player to strike the ball in an uncovered area to score a goal. We all hung our heads as Didsbury celebrated their goal, and taunted our players. As we approached to our half of the field, the manager had a few words of his own to share with our team. â€Å"Listen up here boys, it ain't over yet. If you give up now, you are going to lose. That is the sport of football. If you give up, you lose. † I was not going to let my 4 years of previous football experience go to waste, just because I was tired. We as a team knew our manager was serious, as a tiny tear drop formed in the corner of his eye. Half time came about, as we all headed to the locker room for a sip of cool water, and a long speech was made by the managers. To my surprise, our manager was very calm with us as he drew out plays with piece of white chalk on the board. The manager mainly concentrated on how to overcome the Didsbury defence. As I sat there in the locker room, I knew what I had to do. I knew that the team was depending on my skills. Visions of victory ran through my head. I visualized the opponent as a measly bowling pin, and myself as the bowling ball. My imagination started to run wild. As I felt the adrenaline running through my veins, my body started to tremble with anger. I thought to myself, â€Å"They really do think we can't win, and I have to prove them wrong. † The half time is over and the players stroll on to the battle ground with a feeling of fierce hatred. With anger and rage in my eyes, I was ready. I was a true lean, mean, defending machine. Nothing was going to get in my way. My head steamed a white smoke. The weather slowly began to get colder a cold front moved in. The sky, covered with clouds, grumbled at us as we called our plays, and ran them. Just 30 minutes were now left on the clock; both teams were overcome with fatigue. The score remained at 1-1 The weather began to get cold, and small droplets of water started to fall from the ocean like sky. I felt the nervousness of the crowd, as the clanging of the cow bells from the crowd came to a halt. Managers paced back and forth, as we headed into the last 15 minutes. Each team got two possessions on offense. Neither team had the strength to penetrate the defence. Now only 3 minutes remained on the time clock. The weather took over the game, pouring down with rain from the black sky. All the players stopped to visualize whether play will continue or not. The play wasn't called off in the huddle so the players engaged into the game again. The play consisted of me running to the right, and the left-back defender was going to toss the ball to me. As I took off to the right side of the field, I suddenly felt a burst of energy. My bones felt relaxed, and my muscles replenished. The left back defender tossed me the ball, and I ran frantically down the playing field strolling through the Didsbury defence. I couldn't believe my eyes, as I viewed the target made for me to run through. Fifteen yards down the field, I met up with one of my old friends who was Didsbury's centre back defender and my opponent. He slipped and fell in his attempt to tackle me. The perfect opportunity had come to strike the ball in to the net. So I did and scored! I smiled with joy. The crowd went wild, popcorn spilled onto the wet ground. Cow bells once again sounded as the raindrops still poured down. I will never forget that moment of my life. Shortly after, the referee blew the final whistle. Burnage went on to beat Didsbury! I could see it now on the front page of the town news paper: â€Å"Burnage demolishes Disbury for the first time in 14 years! † We finally beat the best team in the city. As we celebrated, and jumped around on the soggy grass, a tear came to my eye. It was all hitting me now. I finally achieved the goal of my life! I could not control the tremendous smirk on my face. As I watched the manager from the opposing team cry in agony, I thought to myself, â€Å"That must be what they call the agony of defeat. † I knew that the moment of my life I had long waited for, was gone. Only memories are left in my mind, and I cherish every single one of them.

Multiple Scleross essays

Multiple Scleross essays Multiple sclerosis, often known as MS, affects many people worldwide. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects movement, sensation and bodily functions. MS is a nerve disorder caused by the destruction of the insulating layer surrounding neurons in the brain and spinal cord (Polman 48). When this occurs the nerve endings cannot be sent as quickly and efficiently. The symptoms of MS occur when the brain and spinal cord nerves no longer communicate properly with other parts of the body (Gleason 93). Multiple sclerosis can affect many things, such as vision, balance, strength, sensation, coordination and bodily functions. The main cause for multiple sclerosis is yet to be known. If someone in your family already is affected with MS, you are at more of a risk to develop this type of disease. Most people will see their first symptoms between the ages of 20 to 40 and symptoms will rarely be seen before 15 or after 60 (OConnor 9). Studies have shown that one in a thousand people have MS. That is only 0.1 percent (Carrol 148). Multiple sclerosis is more common in Canada and Northern Europe. If you were to have MS and then have a child, your child would have a high risk of getting the disease. Multiple sclerosis can happen to both men and women, but is twice as likely to happen to a woman (Gleason 108). The amount of time a person may have MS varies between each person. A woman who has MS will still be able to have children. Many women report that their MS symptoms are much improved during pregnancy and that they often feel much better than they did previously (Rosner 61). MS can cause symptoms in any body system, which is driven by myelinated areas of the central nervous system which control things like motor impulses, sensory signals, coordination and balance (Kalb 92). Multiple sclerosis can also affect someones vision, cause fatigue and cause sexual dysfunction. A person who has multiple sclerosis tends to get very f...

Tiziano de Cadore essays

Tiziano de Cadore essays In Vasari's Lives of the Artists, Vasari offers us a fairly in-depth portrait of Tiziano de Cadore (most commonly and hereafter to be referred to as "Titian") both as one of the great painters of the Renaissance and as a truly great and beneficent individual. Indeed, the portrait of Titian that Vasari offers is one of a prodigiously and suprememly talented youth whose early painting went through a series of exceptionally dramatic although always impressive shifts. Indeed, many of these changes were due to his alternation tutelage, as well as the fact that, hailing from Venice, he was not initially in contact with the changes in painting then going on in Rome. Specifically, Early works of Titian betray a general ignorance of the resurgent classicism and historical study of painting then occurring in Rome, but with the arrival of some Roman-schooled painters, he adapted his style to be more in tune with the Roman one, while retaining much of the vigor and energy of the Venetian painting of his youth. Titian later traveled to Rome and found much success there, but he ultimately returned again to Venice. Indeed, his style changed yet again as he aged, but these changes only reflected Titian's amazing strength and versatility as a painter and revealed the very elements of his style and sensibilities that make us remember him even today, hundreds of years after his death. Indeed, much of the mystique surrounding Titian can be derived from his own enormous individual talent. Even as a young child he should an enormous interest in a and talent for painting, and it was these factors that convinced his father to apprentice him with the great northern painter He, seeing that the boy was much inclined to painting, put him with the famous painter Gian Bellini, under whose discipline he studied drawing, and showed himself in a short time to be endowed by nature ...

5 Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Deal Once You Go

5 Reasons for Leaving a Job and How to Deal Once You Go Gone are the days when you’d start your career as an eager young entry-level employee at a company, then flash-forward to your retirement party at the same company, after rising through the ranks (and the various hairstyle and wardrobe changes). It used to be fairly common to commit to a company for the duration of your career, leaving a job only for life changes or unexpected events (getting fired or laid off). These days, the average worker holds ten different jobs before turning 40 years old. Ten! That’s a lot of jobs, and a lot of transition. Now, you’re not obligated to have that many different jobs, and if you are willing and able to move from intern to manager to CEO at Widget Corp, go for it! For most of us, it’s not really an option. Economic circumstances change, or there’s not enough room for growth. You meet that awesome someone, who just happens to be moving across the country for his or her own job, and wants you to come with.Everyoneà ¢â‚¬â„¢s career path is a little different (and thank goodness for that- we can’t all be web designers or interpretive dance choreographers), so the reasons for leaving are as varied as we are. Let’s look at some of the most common, valid reasons for leaving your current job, and how to make the transition from one to the next.1.   You hate your job/boss/company2.  You want better work-life balance3.  You never planned to be in  it  forever4. You don’t make enough money5.  The decision was made for you1. Leaving a job because you hate your job/boss/company.Sometimes relationships just don’t work out. It’s not necessarily anyone’s fault (okay, we all secretly know it’s their fault), but sometimes a job just isn’t a good fit for you. If you find that your work days are more defined by conflict and unhappiness than by productivity, then yeah, it’s time to start putting out feelers for a new opportunity.How to de al with this: Your next employer wants to know why you left, and also that you’re a reliable bet. If you go into an interview talking smack about your previous place of employment, the interviewer will think, â€Å"hmm, is that how he’s going to talk about us in a year?† So when you’re asked why you left, emphasize that it wasn’t a good fit. Be specific, but gracious:â€Å"I enjoyed many aspects of my job, and I learned a lot of great leadership skills there, but ultimately I see myself as a manager, and there just wasn’t enough room for growth there.†2.Leaving a job because  you want better work-life balance.If you’re working 80 hours a week, but want to carve out more time for your family and fly-fishing hobby, it may be time to start looking elsewhere. If you talk to your boss and there aren’t ways to make your position flexible enough for your priorities (work-from-home arrangements, flex time off, different work h ours), then you’re just going to get more and more frustrated in your current role.How to deal with this: This can be a tricky area in a job interview- potential employers aren’t allowed to ask you about family status, health problems, or many personal issues. If you’re looking for a more flexible job because you and your partner want to have a baby soon, you don’t have to be explicit about the reasons why you might not want to be on call days, nights, and weekends anymore. You can just leave it as a general personal decision:â€Å"I loved my job as the Parks Director, but in the next phase of my career I want to find a position where I can grow while also having a more healthy work-life balance. This company appeals to me because I know you’re committed to helping employees find that balance.†3. Leaving a job because you never planned to be in  it  forever.You take a job because you’re looking for something in the interim, or to pay the bills while you finish school to pursue your dream career as a circus clown. Whatever the case may be, it’s possible you never intended this job to be your career-defining role. If that’s the case, there’s an expiration date looming, whether you’ve set a specific timeline or not. If that end date is approaching, then it’s time to get out gracefully.How to deal with this: You don’t want to look like someone who bolts when things get tough, or when a shiny new opportunity comes along. Make sure you emphasize your long-term goals, without saying (in so many words) that you weren’t interested in the job long-term:â€Å"I saw my last position as a great growth area, where I could improve my skills and get experience, but now it’s time to move on to my longer term goals, like [X].†4. Leaving a job because you don’t make enough money.This is a perennial favorite among people who leave jobs for other opportunities . Money is one of the most basic facts of our lives, and if you aren’t making enough at a certain level, or are clearly being paid beneath what you’re worth, it’s not likely that this is an issue that will just resolve itself. If you’ve already done your research to figure out what your job is worth for someone at your skill level and level of experience, have tried to parlay that into a raise, and have been underwhelmed by your company’s response- it’s valid to use that as your excuse for leaving.How to deal with this: Money issues require every bit of diplomacy at your disposal. To your soon-to-be-former boss/company, it’s important not to be bratty about the reason you’re leaving. If you’ve been asked in an interview for a new job about why you left your last one, bringing up money can be a minefield. It could put you at a disadvantage for later negotiations, or could price you right out of the job offer if they think you’re expecting six figures and a Ferrari when they’re offering five figures and a discounted Zipcar membership. Be firm about your commitment to moving up in the world, but non-specific about the financial aspect of it:â€Å"At this point in my career, I’m looking for the kind of growth that Former Co. couldn’t offer in my previous role.† Or if you’re talking to Former Co., be honest: â€Å"Based on my role in the company and my achievements here, I was hoping my compensation could be adjusted accordingly. Since we’ve discussed this and those resources aren’t available, it’s time for me to pursue other opportunities. I really appreciate my time here, but it’s time for me to move on.†5. Leaving a job because the decision was made for you.Being ushered out the door is a pretty ironclad reason to leave your job. It might not even have gotten to that point yet, but you can read the writing on the wall. If yo u’re being elbowed out of your job for whatever reason, the spin you put on it is especially important as you look for your next job.How to deal with this: If you’re dreading the â€Å"why did you leave?† question in an upcoming job interview, start working the spin. Don’t lie, especially if you were fired for a reason that will come up in a background check, or if the interviewer happens to be college roommates with your old boss (it’s a small world after all, trust me on this). Frame it as a learning experience, and emphasize that you’ve taken what you could from the situation, and are actively addressing it as part of your future:â€Å"My last position wasn’t a good fit, and I learned hard lessons about how to approach situations. I made some mistakes in judgment that I strive to overcome every day, and I know that my experience and skills are the stronger for my ongoing efforts.†Whatever your reason is for leaving your curr ent job, it’s so important to make sure that your exit is a classy one. Always keep the tone gracious, no matter how ticked off you may be, or how many grudges you’re holding about your workload, your treatment, your boss, the terrible coffee in the break room. Be as honest as you can about your reasons for leaving (without making yourself look bad, or letting a snide or angry tone get the best of you), because you likely have genuine feedback that the company can use in recruiting your replacement, or making personnel decisions in the future.Plus, as I mentioned, most industries are very small worlds- you never know who might hear about your exit, or who might know someone who knows someone who used to work with you. It’s in your best interest to make sure that your reasons for leaving are clear, backed up with specific information, and let go as water under the bridge as you get ready for your new job offer, or your job search. No bridge is more useful when it ’s burned, so it’s important for your reputation (and your own sanity) to keep everything clear and professional.

History of pubilc procurement Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of pubilc procurement - Term Paper Example It is also considered as the main element in the way public funds are utilized, hence enhancing public trust in procurement (Beth & OECD 19). Public procurement has been in existence since 1778 and has led to the implementation of public procurement law, which regulates the purchasing made by public sectors that contract goods, services and work. Public procurement is regulated in most countries to avoid corruption, fraud, and waste; indeed, public tenders are issued by a public authority when the value of procurement exceeds the required threshold. Today, public procurement is becoming more complex, forcing the public procurement officials to deal with the changing issues based on fairness, transparency, integrity, and equity, which are the principles of public procurement (Beth & OECD 18). The History of Public Procurement According to Thai (13), the first purchasing action was conducted in 1778, with the approval of the continental congress on the appointment of purchasing commiss ionaires. By the end of that year, the purchasing officers had been placed on a salary, with an aim of avoiding fraud. The congress thereafter passed a Purchasing Act, which permitted war and treasury departments to make purchases in the name of the United States. The first procurement was made in 1794 for the new United States navy; however, this procurement was accompanied by negative experiences, which led to the implementation of purveyor of Public Supplies Act, a procurement legislation that was the basis for military procurement. Misconducts and fraud cases led to the implementation of Public Contract Act of 1808, which warned members of the congress from using government contracts for personal interest (Thai 13). In the United States, public procurement organizations vary with the size of the government units; however, it has a complicated procurement structure. The federal procurement operates within a democratic framework, which is under the legislative, judiciary, and exec utive branches. Nevertheless, the courts are not involved in setting procurement policies and rules; however, they try the legal cases that involve contract disputes. The congress passes the laws that establish procurement policies and procedures; it also allocates specified funds for the procurement purposes within the time required (Thai 19). Public procurement also encounters several challenges. This function has a great impact on the country’s economy; hence, efficient handling of public procurement has proved to be a challenge. Ensuring that the principles of public procurement are followed to the later is also a challenging task. This includes ensuring that fair competition for the bidders is granted, promoting transparency, and ensuring that the allocated loans are used for the specified purposes only. Thirdly, public procurement is associated with fraud, waste, and corruption, hence a major challenge for a country. In addition, public procurement practitioners face th e challenge of complying with their home government regulations without violating the international trade agreements like the World Trade Organization (WTO). Today, the government has enacted several laws pertaining to public procurement, among them being the Public Act whose aim is to enact laws relating to public contracts. An example is the federal acquisition regulation and agency, which provides uniform procedures for federal agency acquisitions. The Truth in Negotiation Act of 1962 establishes rules that

Dred Scott Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dred Scott - Essay Example In 1836, Emerson moved to Wisconsin which is now Minnesota where again slavery was prohibited under the Missouri Compromise. During their stay at Fort Snelling, Emerson acquired a slave Harriet Robinson which Emerson married. In 1843, Emerson died and his widow hired Scott out an army action when Scott first sought freedom for himself and his wife. He first attempted to buy his freedom from Mrs. Emerson for $300 but was declined. After the refusal, Scott turned to the courts for his freedom. The trial begun in June of 1847. He lost because he could not prove that he and his wife Harriet were owned by Mrs. Emerson. He then sought for retrial in 1850 at St. Louis circuit court which ruled that Scott and his wife were free. This decision however was overturned after two years when the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the decision of the lower court. Scott then elevated the case to a federal court, the United States Circuit Court in Missouri. Unfortunately, the court upheld the Missouri Supreme Court decision. Dred Scott now has to make his last appeal at the United States Supreme Court.   The majority of the justices however were pro-slavery being appointed by Presidents from the South where five came from slave-holding families. The main argument at the Supreme Court was whether Scott’s was indeed a citizen. The United States Supreme Court ruled in March of 1857 by Chief Justice Robert B. Taney who wrote also the decision of the court. The decision stated that since Dred was of African descent, a Negro, he was therefore not a citizen of the United States and it follows that he has no right to seek redress to the court for his freedom. At the same time, the decision also declared the Missouri Compromise of 1820which prohibited slavery in selected states to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court decision was received with mix reactions.

The freedom I value most. is the freedom of speech Essay

The freedom I value most. is the freedom of speech - Essay Example It is through the freedom of speech that tyrannical leaders who defy and maltreat their subjects are brought to account. In addition, freedom of speech is such an important human right in that it provides an avenue for business transactions. Freedom of speech has also enabled individuals negotiate and seek for peace in cases of misunderstanding among parties. Moreover, freedom of speech provides a favorable channel through which citizens of particular countries participate in decision making and ensure continued existence of democracy within their societies (Allport 14). Freedom of speech has been integral in shaping global politics as journalists use it as a tool to unravel hidden or corrupt activities of politicians (Kenneth 5). Freedom of speech has also assisted in the efforts to reduce corruption and discrimination within various societies. Additionally, freedom of speech has led to the development of equality across all genders as the interested parties are free to air their views and follow up to the achievement of the missions. In conclusion, the freedom of speech is the mother and foundation of all rights enjoyed by human beings. It is the foundation of every development in various spheres of life from political, social and cultural spectrums. Freedom of speech is the main liberator of human kind. It is also the factor of evolution and revolutions currently witnessed in parts of the world where human free will is