Perhaps Too Much Make Up :: Personal Narrative Writing

Perhaps Too Much Make Up The other day I went out with a couple of friends, both students and staff members of the Middlebury community, to eat dinner at the Panda House, a small Chinese restaurant in the town of Middlebury. As we were all sitting at the Chinese restaurant, waiting for the waitress to come and take our orders, we suddenly noticed that I was the only guy at the table. Lately, this has been the topic of many of my conversations. Furthermore, this has been the story of my life, for everywhere I go, every step I take, there have always been girls along the way. A couple of Pepsi’s later, the waitress approached us, ready to take our orders, and the seven year old sitting next to me jumped up from her seat and said to the waitress, â€Å"you know, he looks like a girl, but he is a boy.† At the sound of this, I must say that I grew a bit nervous since her voice carried out into the room making everyone turn towards her and turn back to their business. We simply laughed and after a fe w seconds continued ordering our food. This incident reminded me of another one where coincidentally, the same people who were at the restaurant were also present. That time, the same seven year old took one good look at me and asked, â€Å"why do you look like a girl?† Astounded at her question, I simply laughed and went about my business. I wish I would have had an answer for the little seven year old, who was asking questions I have never been asked before. Just recently I read an article on androgyny entitled â€Å"Here be Dragons,† by James Baldwin, and it helped me sort out some of my personal issues pertaining to the questions and comments that were generated by the seven year old. As a â€Å"gay man† of color who â€Å"embodies femininity,† whatever that may be, I have been faced with questions and comments like that of the seven year old. Living in Middlebury in the state of Vermont, I have realized that embodying femininity has become the biggest issue in my life. As I walk around swinging my hips to the beat of my mp3 player, I see how different people perceive me to be. My scandalous voice and walk tantalizes the walkways on my way to class.

The Impact of Birth Order on Personality Essay -- Expository Classific

The Impact of Birth Order on Personality Before I had children, I did not believe that birth order could affect the personality of a person. But now I have three beautiful yet very different daughters. So different that not only is it sometimes hard to believe they come from the same two parents, it’s sometimes hard to believe they come from the same species! I have come up with three categories to describe the peculiarities of birth order, the Perfectionist, the Tornado, and the Princess, at least as they pertain to my daughters. The Perfectionist is the oldest child. Miss Perfection has been the center of attention since the moment of conception. The parents just know that this child would be the smartest, most compassionate, most beautiful child ever born on the face of the earth. The parents then pour all their energies into making sure this is true. The child then decides that this is what life is like. The oldest child believes that their hair has to always be perfect with a hair bow that is the exact shade of their carefully chosen ensemble. Their schoolwork reflects th...

How Does the UPS Tracking System Work?

How Does the UPS Tracking System Work? Posted by The Fox on March 8, 2012 UPS is one of the largest mail shipment companies in the world. Every day, UPS handles and delivers nearly 15 million letters, parcels, and boxes to individuals and companies in well over two hundred countries all over the world. It is simply amazing how such an international giant manages to track and transport such a large amount of mail. Following is an overview of how the UPS tracking system works. When a person delivers a parcel to the UPS, a bar code is attached to the parcel.The employees loading the parcels onto a truck or airplane all have bar code scanners, as do all UPS drivers. Those handling the parcel simply have to scan it to see where it came from and where it is going. When a parcel is scanned, the information regarding the parcel’s location is immediately updated on the UPS website. This is the reason why a person can see the step-by-step progression of where his or her package is at th e moment. If the package is being sent less than 200 miles from the sender, then it is sent by truck. If the distance the package must travel is more than 200 miles, it is sent by plane.Each time the package is loaded or unloaded, it is scanned. Packages that are transported by plane are all automatically sent to Worldport, the UPS sorting facility in Kentucky. Workers in this facility only handle the package once or twice; the rest of the time, the package is tracked by machine. Sorters sort packages according to size and shape and ensure that the bar code on any given package is facing upwards. Scanners above the conveyor belts are then able to sort the packages according to destination. Is the UPS Tracking System Efficient?It has been estimated that 9% of all packages handled by UPS are either lost or delivered late. However, it should be noted that not all late deliveries are the UPS’ fault. Packages being shipped internationally will not reach their destination on time i f all the pertinent forms have not been filled out. If the recipient of the package is not available to receive the package, then the delivery will naturally be late. In such an instance, the delivery van would have to bring the package back at a later time, or the recipient would have to go to the nearest UPS center and pick up the package in person.Considering how many billions of packages the UPS transports every single year, the company’s system is surprisingly efficient. Billions of packages reach their destination on time every single year. While the UPS tracking system is not perfect, it is top of the line and one reason why UPS is the preferred shipping company of millions of people all over the world. While UPS has an efficient website that lets customers know where each package is at any given point in time, those who ship numerous packages on a regular basis may want to take advantage of the Package Fox sorting system.This system enables one to see all of his or he r packages in transit at the same time. Best of all, Package Fox will also help one to see at a glance if a package is lost, delayed, or has arrived late. If the UPS is at fault for the package arriving late or not at all, then Package Fox will help the client get the refund that is his or her due. The UPS is a highly efficient shipping service with a top of the line tracking system that enables it to track and ship parcels all over the world. The bar code on each box allows UPS employees to accurately determine where each envelope, parcel, and box is meant to go.This information is instantly uploaded to the UPS website so that a customer can see where the package is at any point in time. However, this system is not perfect and sometimes a parcel or box may get lost in the mail or arrive later than it is meant to. This is one reason why having Package Fox is such a good idea. Package Fox will not only make it easy to track multiple UPS shipments but also help one get a refund for a late or lost shipment. What are the input, processing and output of UPS package tracking system?Input: The inputs include package information, customer signature, pickup, delivery, time-card data, current location (while en route), and billing and customer clearance documentation. Delivery Information Acquisition Device (DIAD) is used to capture all the information about the package from the customer. Again, bar code devices are used throughout the delivery process to collect useful information about the package. UPS also collects information from its website. This website provides customers the facility to input their packageas details (destination, origin, shipment date, weight, size etc. , desired freight media (by air, by vehicle etc. ) and freight service to determine shipping rates and time in transit. Processing: Data collected from DIAD is uploaded to the to the UPS network, called UPSnet, for primary storing. Then all the data are transmitted to a central computer and store d for retrieval. Bar code equipments also send data about the package to the central computer for immediate processing. Data are also reorganized so that they can be tracked by customer account, date, driver, and other criteria. Output: Output occurs when all these information

Between Harrison Bergeron and a&P

Tim Kenda English 102 Short Story Essay 2/28/10 Heroism Through Choice When people think of heroes, they often think of muscle bound men in spandex with unrealistic powers of flight, strength, or x-ray vision. But in real life, heroes are often determined based on the smallest of situations and their outcomes. In both of the stories I have chosen (A&P and Harrison Bergeron), the main characters are classified as heroes because of their willingness to defy the authoritive forces around them, whether it be the store manager Lengel in A&P or the Handicapper General in Harrison Bergeron, as well as their willingness to strike out on their own instead of adhering to social norms. In Harrison Bergeron, the main character Harrison stands up to a society that attempts to dull his individual qualities by ripping off his physical handicaps and temporarily liberating all of the oppressed people watching the television for a moment. In A&P, the main character stands up to his dreary, Sunday school teaching boss when he feels as though his boss has embarrassed three female customers in a grocery store. Both Harrison and the cashier pay the price for their defiance (Harrison gets killed and the cashier loses his job), and it is because of the character’s selflessness that the actions appear heroic. Both characters fit the definition of a hero, the cashier for his willingness to lose his job over what he deems an inappropriate action by his manager, and Harrison for ripping off (literally) the shackles that his society has placed on him in a fight to show his individualism. The fact that they performed these actions with no thought towards their own outcome helps outline their true heroic qualities. In the story A&P, the cashier exhibits a heroic quality when he quits his job due to a perceived insult made by his manager to three young ladies. While it first appears to be a dangerous and rash decision (quitting your job over an apparent slight made by your manager to a girl you do not know), the underlying factors actually make this a very heroic choice. When the cashier quits the A&P, he is not quitting as a direct result of that one insult but rather he is quitting because he does not want to work in what he views as a strict and religious workplace. After he quits, he looks back and sees â€Å"Lengel in [his] place in the slot, checking the sheep through. † and then goes on to describe Lengel by saying â€Å"His face was dark gray and his back stiff, as if he’d just had an injection of iron. †(Updike 529). When he sees Lengel in this state, he realizes that moments before that had been him. At the end of the story, the cashier becomes a symbol of the thoughts of many young people during the late fifties and early sixties. He does not want to work in the same dreary place for his whole life. He does not want to be just like his parents and Lengel. And despite that fact that he knows it will be hard, he makes the decision to strike out on his own, and consequently to fight back against what he views as a dreary and depressing reality. That is a hard decision to make, and a heroic one as well. As a result of his actions, the cashier in A&P not only commits a heroic gesture, he also becomes a symbol of the change that was taking place in the late fifties and early sixties. Many young people at that point in time were breaking away from what their parents were doing and were bravely striking off onto their own paths, just like the hero in our story. The overall theme of the story mirrors the same path, showing the drear and the tension and the uncertainty that crept into the American conscious following the start of the cold war and the adolescent urge to do something better than what ones parents did. The cashier represents many of America’s younger generation in that aspect. In the story Harrison Bergeron, the main character is a â€Å"genius and an athlete† and is sent to jail for â€Å"suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government. †(Vonnegut 536). He then breaks out of jail and declares on national television that he is the emperor. Now in our society, these actions would be considered those of a madman or a lunatic. But in his society, Harrison’s actions are very heroic. When Harrison rips off his handicaps and declares to the world he is emperor, he represents the idea that individualism and competition are superior to similarity and monotony. His actions also represent the destruction of the limitations that society has attempted to place on him just because he was different. Also, the fact that he did this and was then killed makes it even more heroic. This shows us that Harrison’s real intent was not to simply take over the world, but rather his intent was to show everyone that they could be different and they could fight the limitations imposed on them. The theme of this story is one of oppression and normalcy, and idea that Harrison attempts to destroy. Harrison becomes a symbol of freedom and liberation, showing us as readers that it is possible to break free of social normalcy despite the possibly grave consequences. In both Harrison Bergeron and A&P the main characters in the story are considered heroic for their willingness to stand up against authority and their ability to commit what they perceive as â€Å"good† actions regardless of the consequences they face. In both stories society is a dull, oppressive place, and the characters fight against the oppression in their own unique ways. And ultimately each character suffers a consequence as a result of their actions. But despite these consequences, which in the story were apparent before the characters committed their actions, both characters made their choices based on what they believed was right. This is why the cashier and Harrison are both heroic figures in their stories. Works Cited 1. Updike, John. _A&P. Literature and its Writers. Ed. _Ann Charters, Samuel Charters. Bedford/St. Martins, Boston. 2009. 2. Vonnegut, Kurt. _Harrison Bergeron. Literature and its Writers. _Ed. Ann Charters, Samuel Charters. Bedford/St Martins, Boston. 2009.

Deconstruction of an Advertisement Essay

Each day we are inundated with thousands of advertisements which contribute to shaping and defining our world views. As a capitalist society ads are crucial to attract the attention of the consumer. They are everywhere, whether it be a billboard, a commercial or a radio announcement, advertising reaches out and touches almost everyone living in our modern world. The effectiveness of an advertisement campaign has a huge influence on the purchaser. Ads are carefully constructed to appeal to the consumer in order to sell a product and to make a profit. An effective ad appeals to the emotion of the consumer as â€Å"80% of decisions are influenced by â€Å"dormant† emotions in the subconscious. †(†¦ ) through the ingenious construction of ad campaigns a consumers purchases are greatly influenced. The CK one ad campaign for the Calvin Klein brand is an excellent of the example of the thought and assembly needed in order to create an effective advertisement. Through the deconstruction of the CK one ad found in the April 2011 issue of Elle Canada it will be shown why the ad was created, how it’s used to grab the attention of its target audiences, and the use of hidden messages and social issues that are being expressed. The target audience of the CK One ad is clearly directed towards women as it appears in a magazine called Elle! Elle Canada has a 90% female readership (†¦ ) whose ages generally range from a younger segment to a middle segment (18 to 34 and 35 to 54). Elle Canada has a large age demographic due to the fact that their articles encompass a broad audience and the magazine contains ads that focus on the younger market as well as advertisements focusing on middle aged women. Although Elle Canada has a large readership age range, the CK One ad seems to be targeting more directly the 18-24 and 24-35 age range. The advertisement incorporates a focus on social media and a ‘rebellious’ look which is often directed towards the younger market. Young people who are still questioning authority and who are still defining themselves will see the dark eye makeup and lassiez-fair ‘detached’ attitude of the model and feel attracted to the ad. Furthermore the ads target audience is aimed towards 18-34 year olds because it uses ‘technology’ to capture the audiences attention. The model is ‘trapped’ in the CK One box and in order to get in the box, the bottom left hand corner of the ad tells you that you can â€Å"Download the App at CKONE. COM†. The ad is definitely towards the 18-34 age group because ‘getting in the CK box’ with a rebellious young woman is ridiculous notion unless you’re a young person with very little responsibility. Finally, although the spending power of the older age groups is greater (Diversity: Targeting the Ever-Changing Marketplace, p35) it is trendy to market to and advertisers remain youth obsessed. The targeted income level for this advertisement seems to be for those from the middle-middle, or upper-middle class. Calvin Klein is an iconic American brand that is moderately expensive and is featured in respected magazines. The median income of and Elle Canada reader is around $70 000 (†¦ ) therefore is it logical to assume that Calvin Kline is directing its ads at those who are willing to spend a little more. This advertisement would also be directed towards the Emulator-Achiever or Emulator groups. Emulators are young and impressionable people who will buy products to help them fit in (Duncan, p75). Emulators would be attracted to this ad because it offers the chance to fit in and join the CK One box; all you have to do is download the app! On another note, this ad would also be directed towards Emulator-Achievers because this group feels more comfortable with uptown brands such as Tiffany, Gucci or Stella Mcarthy and Calvin Klein is a very well known and respected American Brand. This brand offers prestige and it fits in with typical ideas of American wealth. Finally it appears that this advertisement is slightly more targeted for Caucasian’s. The model is Caucasian and there isn’t a single background model or object indicating the inclusion of any other racial groups. Although minorities represent a huge market and are predicted to exceed 1. 5 trillion in buying power, ( Diversity: targeting the ever changing market) Calvin Klein still uses mainly Caucasian models. Despite the fact that the ad features a white woman it could still be directed to a variety of racial groups because the model doesn’t necessarily represent a stereotypical white american girl; almost anyone can be a rebellious youth regardless of your ethnicity. Although her beauty and figure represent the social ideal her ebellious look is not necessarily the ‘norm’ and therefore enables more people to relate to it. Determining the target audience enables us to better interpret and understand the construction of an advertisement. Based on a target market, advertisers use eight main elements to create an ad that speaks to the heart. Ads that create emotional appeal are based on these eight elements; models, setting, copy, sound, color, point of view and details (Dun can, p77). In terms of the CK One ad, the model that was chosen was a young white attractive looking female. The model is in black lingerie and she is in a sexual pose. There is a hyper-sexualization of the model as her cleavage is very prominent and being pushed up against her bra. The models hair and makeup are messy with a ‘bed head’ look which suggest rebelliousness and late night partying which is considered both fun and exciting. Finally the facial expression of the model suggests a sexual and confident attitude. More over the model is very slim and her skin is flawless, her face is clear and her hair is blonde. The ‘perfection’ of the models skin and face reflect the ideals of society. Despite the models dark makeup and ‘bed head’ look she is our societies ideal with her blonde hair and beautiful figure. These ideals that the ad is promoting are completely unrealistic for the average female and it creates body image issues and warps both female and males idea about what an average person should look like. Furthermore through the continual use of impossibly beautiful models our society becomes body obsessed and through this many women and men experience body image issues. The CK One ad has been specifically and ingeniously positioned to promote the preferred reading. Most notable is the is the models physical position within the ad; her body, more specifically her cleavage, is framed between her hands which are pressed against the screen. The positioning of the models hands also frames the word, fuck, which has been discreetly positioned within the ad. The F is seen by the table which is cut off by the models buttocks, the U is seen in the models cleavage and the CK is to the right of the model, at chest level. Furthermore, through the technical code of camera angles the model is close-up with a slight low angle. These technical codes suggest power and intimacy with the model. The Ck One ad could be promoting their products by relating the suggested feelings of power and sexuality with the purchase of the product. The oppositional reading who be through a critical point of view that it is impossible to obtain any type of lasting feeling with a purchase of a material item. As for the captions, they are the only thing that has any coloring which draws attention to them. The most noticeable caption in big bold lettering that says CK One _Jeans_Underwear_Fragrance_ which is right next to the models cleavage. This caption is necessary to inform the reader what is being advertised because the model is only wearing plain black underwear it would be likely to assume that it was the only product. On the bottom left-hand corner of the Ad is says â€Å"Get in the CKONE box >>Download the app at CKONE. com† this caption really allows us to tie in the key concepts of the ad. The Calvin Klein ad also employs a font that ads to the incorporation of digital media. Lastly the fifth line of writing on the bottom left-hand corner says â€Å"Scan Ad to Reveal More† which could be referring to the hidden message (the word fuck) within the ad. Through the captions is it’s very clear that this Calvin Klein ad is trying to incorporate digital media and sex with the purchase of there products. In terms of the coloring of the advertisement, it is very unique because it supposed to represent screen to a computer or gaming device. The coloring is mostly black and white apart from the bright green which is used to draw attention to the captions. The color green is generally a calming color which represents wealth and well-being however it can also be used to symbolize envy or jealousy. The use of green indicates that Calvin Klein is a desired brand. Furthermore the green coloring is also placed just above the models forehead, this use of specific placement of the color could indicate 1st level cropping in which a models forehead is removed. By covering the top part of the models head with a different color advertisers objectify the model and remove any signs of her intelligence. On another note, the lighting that is used is artificial however it ties in with the setting. The setting is white relatively bare room, which is the ‘Ck One box’. The only furnishings are a stool, a table, two wooden boxes and game console. There is also a door with a visible knob; this indicates that the model is trapped in the ‘box’, however it is an exclusive place that you can get into- if you purchase the product and download the app. However this is where the oppositional reading come in; through the download of an ‘app‘ you will not enter the Ck one box you will not become a gorgeous model. The Ck One ad is trying to promote digital media therefore the bare setting could be used to represent whats behind your screen when you download the app. The limited settings also enable us to focus more closely on the model and the attitude she is giving. Gender representation also plays a key role the preferred reading of this Ad. Although the model is selling lingerie there is an irrelevant sexualization of the model ( Duncan, p. 46) The bra and panties that are being advertised are relatively plain and not the focal point of the ad; instead the ad is marketing the models body. The models cleavage is pouring out of her bra which actually distracts the audience from the bra itself, instead readers are led to believe that this lingerie will help them have the ‘perfect’ body. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, the ad also includes dismemberment. The presence of the green color above the models forehead which suggests objectification. Also the models legs are cut off below the knee which causes the reader to mostly focus on the core body of the model. This greatly objectives the model and females as a whole in advertising. Furthermore, there is also a bit of clowning present because majority of people do not stand in such a contorted position as the stance of the model. Although the model isn’t necessarily in a foolish or silly position her stance certainly is unnecessarily contorted in order to appear more sexual. These gender representations lead to the final conclusion that women are sexual objects to be looked at and played with (Duncan p. 48) All the elements used to construct the ad lead us to the general meaning of the ad: Sex. The meaning is so clear that it is even explicitly written within the ad. The models ‘look’ establishes the preferred reading. The preferred interpretation is that through the purchase of the CK One clothing line you will gain confidence and become sexually appealing while being fun and rebellious. Advertisers use body obsession and female insecurities to help sell products because through the preferred reading consumers believe that will look like the model through the purchase of the product (Duncan p14-15). This leads to us the oppositional reading, it is completely impossible and unrealistic to think that through the purchase of a product you will automatically you will automatically become beautiful and sexualy appealing. The reality is that most photographs of models have been retouched and realistically even the models don’t look as good in real life. Calvin Klein has always used a variety of controversial ads ranging from pictures of a half-naked Kate Moss to an ad featuring young children wearing only Calvin Klein underwear. Shock advertising is used in order to generate more press and more profits. The Ck One is not an exception with its use of the subliminal message featuring the word fuck it is a clear example of shock advertising. Ultimately the theme of the ad comes down to rebellious sex. The CK One ad uses a variety of different elements in order to sell its products. First it employs the use of stereotypical gender representations. Although the model is in a ‘powerful’ position as she is staring directly at the camera and looking slightly downwards, she still in an overly sexual stance with very little clothes on. The models brain has been covered with a different color giving off the impression that she is laking intelligence. The model is beautiful and has a ‘perfect’ body. The advertisers played upon female insecurities and there desire for perfection in order to attract customers and make a profit. Another aspect that the advertisers used to attract attention to the ad was the rebellious look and the incorporation of digital media. The ad gives false promises that through the purchase of Calvin Klein clothing you will be a sexy, young rebel who fits in to the CK One box. Consumers should alway be aware of the image a brand is trying to portray and the affect it has on its target audience. Advertisers are trying to sell a message and our consumer society should be aware of how the advertisements shape and impact our everyday lives.

Sustainable Management Futures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 2

Sustainable Management Futures - Essay Example But the main concern that is being asked by the people is when the economy will find the smooth path that is when the economy is expected to work according to the anticipations. The government must aim to attain higher growth than just making policies to deal with the storms that can affect the international economy. The Prime Minister believes that a better economy can be build under the current regime. According to him, human wealth and happiness can only be improved through open markets and free enterprise. The system of open market as well as and the free enterprise regime will generate progress to lift the people out of poverty and lay down the path of innovation. Open markets and free enterprise acts a bridge between contribution and reward. The idea of market that was presented by him is of something for something. This idea needs encouragement rather than condemn. Therefore, one should use the crisis of capitalism rather than undermining them. As the economy has experienced t he situation before, so the strengths and the weaknesses of the free market regime are known. All are certain of the situations where market works and where it fails. The prospects of globalization can slide into monopolization. Such situations will drive the small and the local players out of the market. Two problems can creep up in open market regime. The first problem that can creep in is vision of social responsibility and the second problem is the one of popular capitalism which allows all to share in the success of the open market. According to the minister, the previous government did not take the requisite steps to regulate capitalism. He opined that labor either went towards socialism or embraced capitalism. They did not realize that capitalism has negative aspects too. He declared that Tories have the capability to understand capitalism better and know how to deal with the worst excesses of the system. Capitalism can also be the resultant of loss of moral choices. An examp le of the banking system can be taken into account. Many people think that time calls for do something for the associated corruption and greed accrued in the banking system. One thing that is frequently missed by the people is that capitalism requires free market. The price and the quantity are determined by the market itself. The presence or absence of government can give rise to more economic problems. The government may not take the necessary steps and then blame the economic system. The politicians cry for regulations and continue to expand their power at the expense of the people. The time has come for involvement of more people in a genuinely popular capitalism. The last government claimed to get out from the boom and bust but what it really did was allowed the economy fuelled by debt to get out of control. The serious imbalances between the financial and manufacturing services were the resultant. The initiatives encouraged the debt to crop up higher as it needed to pay the ri sing costs of welfare. This paved the way for market failures. The previous government left all with a share of debt. People became concerned that they will lose purchasing power and the whole system lost confidence. The whole system ended up with

TET Offensive Literature comparison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

TET Offensive Literature comparison - Essay Example This military operation was launched by the army of North Vietnam along with armed forces of Viet Cong against the South Vietnam forces and those of United States. The crusade against South Vietnam was unplanned and came as a bolt from the blue. This military attack was referred to as TET Offensive owing to a previous agreement during the celebrations of the TET Lunar New Year of a ceasefire that would continue for two days. There were a series of military attacks launched during the night hours of January 30, 1968 although the main and massive operations began in the morning of the next day. Although, there was an announcement previously about ceasefire, these surprise attack left the armed forces of South Vietnam and United States in a maze initially. However, the united forces of these countries managed to retaliate and regain control of the cities. Being one of the most memorable events in history, which took a bitter turn after the celebrations of the TET Lunar Year, it is no wonder that the author has described this military crusade as one of the most intriguing aspects of Vietnam War. Thus, the journal, referred to as ‘The Turning Point of the War’ explores the political angle of this incident to a great extent. Similarly, the next article ‘TET 1968; The Military Offensive’ discusses the economic aspects of TET Offensive that are reflected during the current times and scenario. Although, both articles are fulfilling in nature, the authors have not really reached deeper beneath in the real sense.