Acupuncture: Treatment for Stress :: Medicine Research Medical Essays

Acupuncture: Treatment for Stress Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny needles into "acupuncture points," specific nerve endings under the skin. These needles are extremely small, so small in fact that ten to fifteen acupuncture needles can fit in a regular hypodermic needle (http.//www.acupuncture.com/Acup/Acupuncture.htm). There are three claims for why acupuncture is effective: reflexes, hormones, and energy transfer. When the needle is inserted into the skin, the nerves send signals that travel up the spinal cord, into the brain, and block the pain center in the brain. This prevents pain and other signals from entering and exiting the brain and severity of the symptoms is suppressed. This allows the body to heal itself while the individual is unaware of any pain or other distress (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/Works.htm). After the needle is inserted into the skin, the surrounding area becomes red. This may be a result of the release of hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones may be the body's natural pain killers, which stimulate blood circulation as well reduce pain (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/Works.htm). The third explanation is the ancient Chinese explanation that the acupuncture points are doors to energy channels and that by inserting the needles into these points, one can open and close these doors. This brings about energy circulation and harbors energy balance, resulting in improved health (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/Works.htm). Acupuncture is believed to be highly effective. In a nation-wide survey of acupuncture users, conducted by Dr. Claire M. Cassidy, 91.5% reported "disappearance" or "improvement" of symptoms after their treatment, 84% see their MDs less often, 79% use fewer prescription drugs, and 70% were able to avoid previously recommended surgery (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/AcuStats.htm). Said one man from San Francisco: Acupuncture had immediate effects on my levels of stress. I simply was not the same person at work. Co-workers could not believe the difference in my disposition. Clients continually comment on my relaxed nature given the stressful environment I have put myself in (CPA, working with taxes). I believe it has helped me stay healthy over the last 9 years... (http://www.acupuncture.com/Acup/AcuStats.htm). Acupuncture is a treatment with few, if any, reported side effects. The most common side effect is deep relaxation and a slight, temporary heaviness. In the treatment of stress, the side effect of deep relaxation is often a desired result. In these cases, very few side effects are noticed. Most of the information on acupuncture is circulated by acupuncture therapists and clinics, with one such therapist being Dr.

Patriotism and The American Flag Essay -- essays research papers

There is much controversy surrounding the idea of patriotism and the iconography of the American flag in today’s society. Some believe patriotism is simply the act of supporting the decisions of the leaders of the country. Others say, to be patriotic, people should be outspoken and voice their oppositions to what is going on in the government. Opinions also differ on the idea of what the American flag represents. One opinion of the flags representation is that the flag represents our history, and the formerly mentioned idea of patriotism. Others believe the flag also represents our history as a nation, but these beliefs focus much more heavily on the negative aspects of our history; such as slavery and other injustices carried out by our nation. These people often believe we should find a new iconography for our country’s ideas of patriotism. As Barbara Kingsolver states in â€Å"And Our Flag Was Still There,† â€Å"Patriotism seems to be falling to whoever cla ims it loudest, and we’re left struggling to find a definition in a clamor of reaction† (Pg. 1). Therefore, every American’s duty is to define patriotism amongst the clamor of reaction, recapture the American flag’s representation, and create a new icon for the flag.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In times of war, such as these, the importance for everyone to know where they stand on the idea of patriotism so they can voice or enact their opinion to the government and the people around them in a more clear and fair fashion is multiplied. The idea of patriotism can often be an obscure one, and during times of heightened security patriotism is a more spoken upon subject. Discussing the many different views of what patriotism means is a key step in better defining patriotism for all people. Barbara Kingsolver says in her article, â€Å"My patriotic duty is to recapture my flag from the men now waving it in the name of jingoism and censorship† (Pg. 2). What she means by this is that the idea of patriotism is being morphed into something it is not. She believes patriotism should encourage free speech and criticism of our leaders in times of difficult decisions. Instead, what is happening is patriotism is suggesting more fascist ideals than democratic idea ls. Barbara believes her duty is to recapture the true meaning of patriotism and let everyone know what that meaning is. She wants everyone to feel open towards voicing t... ...ed to the Red Cross, the stars of film, theater and music who are using their influences to raise money for recovery, and the small hands of schoolchildren collecting anything they think might help the kids who’ve lost their moms or dads (Pg. 2). Although some of these suggestions are not tangible items, they definitely give me a sense of patriotism, and make me feel good about what is going on in our country today. These people and objects truly, in my opinion, represent patriotism. If we were somehow able to take these objects and ideas and put them into an icon of patriotism I know I would solute it, but until then, I will keep these peoples actions in my mind as what I believe to be true patriotism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The exploration of what patriotism is and what represents patriotism is an important one more people should embark upon. If Americans are to examine patriotisms true meaning, we will be able to abolish this faux patriotism, which is represented by intimidation, censorship, and majority rules attitudes or actions. This can be replaced by feelings and actions of caring, compassion, acceptance, rationality, and nonviolence, or in other words, patriotism.

English Transformation Practice Essay Essay

Composers often use different methods to portray similar ideas to their audience. How have the two texts you have studied reflect the same ideas in different ways?  Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew and Jill Junge’s 10 Things I Hate about You are examples of where composers have used different methods to portray similar ideas to their audience. This essay will compare the three common themes the texts share, including marriage and dating, deception and disguise and the role and hierarchy of women in society. By comparing the dramatic and film techniques used in each of these respective texts, the common themes are expressed in their individual ways which ultimately are able to engage their audiences. Traditionally, economics and financial gain have been the more important aspect in relationships, especially marriage, as opposed to love. The marriage and dating customs of society have remained relatively similar overtime. In Taming of the Shrew, the audience is given an exclusive view into what marriage meant to society and individuals of the Elizabethan period. William Shakespeare conveyed how marriage as a financial gain was specifically applied to peoples during his era in Taming of the Shrew, where in Act 1 Scene 2, Petruchio and his servant Grumio visit Hortensio’s house. Petruchio boldly announces his quest to wed a rich wife. â€Å"†¦I come to wive it wealthily in Padua, if wealthily then happily in Padua.† Such a blunt statement clearly shows Petruchio’s ‘gold digger’ of a personality and his values when it comes to marriage, most likely influenced by the society he lives in. When Hortensio refers Petruchio to Katherina as part of a devious scheme for Bianca, the dramatic irony only further enhances how when it comes to women, men of Petruchio’s standard prioritize marriage as a financial transaction first, then their own feelings or even the feelings of the intended and that the view of the female is not taken into account. In this way, Shakespeare is able to demonstrate the value of marriage and by comparing this to 10 Things I Hate about you, it is evident that the same values still apply. The modern day teenage filmic text is still able to portray marriage and dating mostly as a profitable process through a different setting. When Joey asked Patrick to take out Kat, again, for his own warped benefit, including the punchline that if Patrick were to make Kat his own problem, a generous compensation would be rewarded, Patrick immediately becomes interested. â€Å"†¦you’re going to pay me to take out some chick? How much?†. This question highlights Patrick’s cleverly concealed interest in this deal because it ultimately involves money. Throughout this scene, Joey is seen mostly cast in sunlight, which suggests an almost innocent like motive to his request, where as Patrick is seemingly more of the selfish, sullen and nasty party in his business deal, because it is all for money, and he is completely disregarding or holding no respect for what Kat’s opinion and emotions might be on this matter if she heard of it. Jill Junge also makes effective use of medium shots, where the surly facial expressions of Patrick and arrogant body language of Joey and Patrick can be observed in more detail during their conversation. It also shows the reactions and emotions of them both whilst finalizing their business deal. The camera works and techniques of Jill Junge in this scene evidently express the monetary benefits of marriage and dating throughout time, from Shakespeare’s time well into the modern day. Deception and disguise in the two set texts involves harmlessly deceiving one, or multitudes of people by impersonating someone, or good at something they’re in actual fact not, the result of which is gaining something in personal value. Shakespeare expresses his interpretation of deception and disguise through Act I Scene II where upon arrival in Padua Lucentio and Tranio swap identities with each other as part of the plan to capture Bianca’s heart. Tranio assures â€Å"†¦when I am alone, why then I am Tranio, but in all places else, your master Lucentio.† Master and servant are well disguised as someone they’re not, and the chess pieces are set. Furthermore, Baptista, Bianca, Petruchio and the others of the story are deceived by the role swapping of Lucentio and Tranio. Again, the use of dramatic irony further increases the ‘masquerade’ atmosphere developing in this scene, thus supporting the theme of deception and disguise, for masquerades often involve not knowing the identity of anyone as their face is so effectively shielded with masks. Shakespeare cleverly inserts the concept of deception and disguise within his play that it becomes an important and crucial element to the plot, and when compared back to 10 Things I Hate about You, deception and disguise is another important and crucial element to the plot.

Cost-benefit analysis is a term that is used to refer

Cost-benefit analysis is a term that is used to refer to the process of comparing the benefits against the costs of one or more options in order to choose the alternative which is the best or the most profitable. It entails assessing all the costs and all the benefits then determining the difference. In order to decide on whether to buy locally produced products or not to buy, one needs to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the benefits as well as the costs of such a move. Examples of products that can be bought locally or imported are foodstuffs e. g. vegetables.Buying locally means buying foodstuffs and products that are produced within one’s locality. Buying locally produced foodstuffs has its costs as well as benefits. Among the benefits of buying locally produced foodstuffs against non-locally produced are that locally produced foodstuffs require less energy to produce than imported ones. (http://www. sustainabletable. org/issues/buylocal/). For instance, the supply ch ain from the farmer to the consumer is short unlike in imported items which have to undergo long distribution chains before reaching the consumers.This leads to less environmental pollution because little transportation is needed to move the produce to the consumer. Processing and transportation of produce requires a large amount of fuel. This leads to more emissions of carbon monoxide and the greenhouse gases thus environmental degradation. These are the gases that lead to global warming. (http://www. sustainabletable. org/issues/energy/). The greenhouse gases also cause direct harm to human health through emission of toxic by-products when they are burnt. Another benefit of buying locally produced foodstuffs is that fewer amounts of fertilizers are used in producing them.Since manures are heavy, they can not be transported over long distances hence are used within short distances. Imported foods would require artificial fertilizers and pesticides for their production since they ar e produced on a large scale. Large amounts of energy are expended in producing these fertilizers hence environmental degradation. Furthermore these fertilizers and pesticides have direct negative impacts on the environment in that they pollute the soil and consequently water. In addition, locally produced foods require less processing and preservation measures than the non-locally produced.Since their distribution distances are not long, locally produced foods can be accessed by consumers when they are still fresh hence do not require processing or use of preservatives. On the other hand, non-locally produced foods require processing and preservation in order to make them reach the intended destinations in usable forms. Processing requires energy thus additional costs. Since local foods do not need large-scale farms to produce, the concept of organic farming can be applied. This is opposed to non-locally produced which are technology intensive i. e.require heavy machinery and large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides to produce. Thus, in terms of energy costs, locally produced foodstuffs are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than the non-locally produced foodstuffs. (http://www. localharvest. org/buylocal. jsp). Adopting this concept will lead to the world saving a large amount of energy that can be used elsewhere. This system is also good in that it reduces substantially the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. This is good in that effects of the gases on the environment i. e. global warming are reduced.Locally produced foods also have more benefits to the consumer than the non-locally produced. Firstly, locally produced foods can be accessed when they are still fresh hence are more nutritious. This ensures that the quality of the produce is guaranteed. Due to the fact that agricultural products are highly perishable, non-locally produced foodstuffs need processing and preservation to improve their shelf life (http://www. sustainabletable. o rg/issues/buylocal/). Due to this, their quality is not guaranteed. The preservatives also alter the nutrition of the products and can also be harmful to consumers’ health.Processing requires energy hence fossil fuels are used which lead to environmental pollution. Another reason why consumers would prefer locally produced foods to non-locally produced is that they get the products from people they recognize. Thus locally produces foodstuffs are favored to non-locally produced ones due to the above factors. The cost estimates of local foodstuffs are far less than those for non-local foodstuffs. In accordance with the above analysis, it is very cheap to produce foods locally.This is because the farmers can use sustainable production methods which have less harmful effects to the environment (http://www. localharvest. org/buylocal. jsp. ). Locally produced foods also have less energy requirements as opposed to non-locally produced ones. This is due to the fact that less transpo rtation and processing is required for locally produced foodstuffs. Based on the above facts, it is imperative to note that buying locally produced foodstuffs is much more beneficial than buying non-locally produced foods. Not only does doing this support the fight against environmental degradation but also helps improve a peoples’ health. Fresh foodstuffs are nutritious good for a healthy living.This policy would also enhance reservation of the non-renewable energy sources. This policy should be adopted because it can lead to the creation of self reliant food economies and consequently promoting food self sufficiency. REFERENCES Buy Local. Retrieved on 18th April, 2008. From (http://www. sustainabletable. org/issues/buylocal/) Sustainable Table; healthy foods. Retrieved 18th April, 2008. From (http://www. sustainabletable. org/issues/buylocal/) Local Harvest. Retrieved on 18th April, 2008. From (http://www. localharvest. org/buylocal. jsp

A raisin in the sun coursework Essay

In this essay I am going to analyse how Lorraine Hansberry presents the transformation of Walter in the play ‘A raisin in the sun’. The pages I’m going to concentrate on are pages 1787 and 1788. A raisin in the sun portrays a few weeks in the life of the Youngers, an African-American family living on the South Side of Chicago in the 1950s. When the play opens, the Youngers are about to receive an insurance check for $10,000. This money comes from the deceased Mr. Younger’s life insurance policy. Each of the adult members of the family has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. The matriarch of the family, Mama, wants to buy a house to fulfil a dream she shared with her husband. Mama’s son, Walter Lee, would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store with his friends. He believes that the investment will solve the family’s financial problems forever. Walter’s wife, Ruth, agrees with Mama, however, and hopes that she and Walter can provide more space and opportunity for their son, Travis. Finally, Beneatha, Walter’s sister and Mama’s daughter, wants to use the money for her medical school tuition. She also wishes that her family members were not so interested in joining the white world. Beneatha instead tries to find her identity by looking back to the past and to Africa. Later on in the play, the Youngers fight over their competing dreams. Ruth finds out that she is pregnant and starts to worry about the financial problems that may happen if she keeps it. Mama puts $3,500 down payment on a house and gives $6,500 to Walter from which he has to give Beneatha some for her medical school tuition. Walter on the other hand doesn’t give Beneatha her share of her money, instead gives it to Willy his friend who runs away with it. The house is in Clybourne Park, an entirely white neighbourhood. When the Youngers’ future neighbours find out that the Youngers are moving in, they send Mr Lindner, from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, to offer the Youngers money in return for staying away. The Youngers refuse the deal. In the meantime, Beneatha rejects her suitor, George Murchison, whom she believes to be shallow and an assimulationist. Subsequently, she receives a marriage proposal from her Nigerian boyfriend, Joseph Assegai, who wants Beneatha to get a medical degree and move to Africa with him. The Youngers eventually move out of the apartment, fulfilling the family’s long-held dream. Their future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they are optimistic and determined to live a better life. They believe that they can succeed if they stick together as a family and resolve to defer their dreams no longer. Various stage directions are used to show Walter’s feelings for example, when Ruth informs Walter that Mr Lindner is here ‘a long minute passes and Walter slowly gets up’ from his room. This shows that Walter is not eager to meet Mr Lindner so he takes his time. When Walter ‘slowly and awkwardly’ walks out of his room ‘passing the back of his sleeve across his mouth from time to time’ makes him seem as if he is a small chid who is sloppy and awkward. This is how he behaves throughout the play and shows the childish side of him. When Walter ‘looks down at his boys eyes’ he realises that Travis is the 6th generation in his family to live in America and should look to set an example for future generations. While Walter talks to Mr Lindner ‘he looks around and shifts from one foot to the other’ and makes short pauses in his speech showing that he is unsure and frightened about speaking out aloud in front of his family. He tries to get the point across that they are ‘very plain people’. Walter again looks away from Mr Lindner and ‘down at his shoes’ and then back up at him. This shows that he can’t maintain eye contact with Mr Lindner. This makes Walter feel shy because he is speaking to someone who is higher classed and who he feels is superior to him. He again tries to get the point across that they are plain people by telling Mr Lindner their current situation such as how he has been ‘a chauffer’ most of his life and how Ruth is a domestic worker in people’s kitchens. All this confuses Mr Lindner as he doesn’t know what Walter is trying to get across instead he listens to him and see what he has got to say. Walter now starts to tell Mr Lindner how his father ‘almost beat a man to death once because this man called him a bad name or something’. Walter asks Mr Lindner if he knows what he is talking about, he replies ‘no, I’m afraid I don’t’ this makes Walter feel as if he is the only one that understands what it feels like so he gains confidence in himself and straightens up. Walter tries to get another point across by saying that he came from people who had a lot of pride and now they don’t have the same pride. Walter tries to make out that they are still very proud and how his sister is going to be a doctor. Walter contradicts himself as in the beginning when he was arguing with Beneatha he mentioned that being a doctor is more of a males’ role and she wouldn’t be able to become one. Walter now starts to cry while facing Mr Lindner ‘eye to eye’ this makes Walter feel bad about what he has done with the money. Walter now decided to tell Mr Lindner that they are moving into the house because his father had ‘earned it’. This shows that Walter has recognised his responsibility and best interest for his family at heart. Walter’s character has evolved from a young child into manhood making him a hero of the family. Walter now has all the confidence to look Mr Lindner ‘absolutely in the eyes’ and tell him ‘we don’t want your money’. Walter finishes with a very definite statement. Doing this makes Mr Lindner feel as he is an obstruction and so should leave. The family are all excited about the wise decision Walter has made. The audience feel that in the beginning of the play Walter is selfish and money hungry because he doesn’t listen to any member of his family and only thinks about trying to get rich quickly. In the end Walter had realised what a fool he had been after losing the money his mother had trusted him with. Now he should listen to his families needs and do what he thinks is right. By making the wise decision of moving into the house he makes the audience feel as if he has become a true man and a hero to his family. Walter is virtually a new person now which people like more than what he was before. The character of Mr. Lindner makes the theme of racial discrimination prominent in the plot as an issue that the Youngers cannot avoid. The governing body of the Youngers’ new neighbourhood, the Clybourne Park Improvement Association, sends Mr. Lindner to persuade them not to move into the all-white neighbourhood. Mr. Lindner and the people he represents can only see the colour of the Younger family’s skin, and his offer to bribe the Youngers to keep them from moving threatens to tear apart the Younger family and the values for which it stands. Ultimately, the Youngers respond to this discrimination with defiance and strength. The play powerfully demonstrates that the way to deal with discrimination is to stand up to it and reassert one’s dignity in the face of it rather than allow it to pass unchecked. In my opinion I think Walter is like any other American- African in that time. He believes that money is the only thing he needs to solve all his problems but little does he know that he needs to listen to his family and not just himself. I also think that all the male roles such as Willy and his friends are bad influences on Walter as they persuaded him to give them his money which they ran off with. However the female roles such as mama and Ruth were a good influence as they all stuck together even when Walter was against them and helped Walter to see what he is throwing away. Lorraine Hansberry is trying to say that Black people in the 1950s experienced a life of discrimination in one way or another. They got here today by having defiance and strength in themselves. Even though they were not treated as equals by some white people, however they made a stand which gave them dignity and the power to be treated as equals. Though black people try to fit into a white neighbourhood they should still remember their roots and how they got here.

The Host Chapter 44: Healed

â€Å"Wanda†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"We don't have time. I'd do it myself, but I can't get the angle right. There's no other way.† â€Å"I don't think I can†¦ do it.† â€Å"For Jamie, even?† I pushed the good side of my face as hard as I could against the headrest of the passenger seat and closed my eyes. Jared was holding the rough fist-sized stone I'd found. He'd been weighing it in his hand for five minutes. â€Å"You just have to get the first few layers of skin off. Just hide the scar, that's all. C'mon, Jared, we have to hurry. Jamie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tell him I said to do it now. And make it a good one. â€Å"Mel says do it now. And make sure you do it hard enough. Get it all the first time.† Silence. â€Å"Do it, Jared!† He took a deep breath, a gasp. I felt the air move and squeezed my eyes tighter. It made a squishing sound and a thud-that was the first thing I noticed-and then the shock of the blow wore off, and I felt it, too. â€Å"Ungh,† I groaned. I hadn't meant to make any sound. I knew that would make it worse for him. But so much was involuntary with this body. Tears sprang up in my eyes, and I coughed to hide a sob. My head rang, vibrated in aftershock. â€Å"Wanda? Mel? I'm sorry!† His arms wrapped around us, pulled us into his chest. â€Å"‘S okay,† I whimpered. â€Å"We're okay. Did you get it all?† His hand touched my chin, turned my head. â€Å"Ahh,† he gasped, sickened. â€Å"I took half your face off. I'm so sorry.† â€Å"No, that's good. That's good. Let's go.† â€Å"Right.† His voice was still weak, but he leaned me back into my seat, settling me carefully, and then the car rumbled beneath us. Ice-cold air blew in my face, shocking me, stinging my raw cheek. I'd forgotten what air-conditioning felt like. I opened my eyes. We were driving down a smooth wash-smoother than it should have been, carefully altered to be this way. It snaked away from us, coiling around the brush. I couldn't see very far ahead. I pulled the visor down and flipped open the mirror. In the shadowy moonlight, my face was black and white. Black all across the right side, oozing down my chin, dripping across my neck, and seeping into the collar of my new, clean shirt. My stomach heaved. â€Å"Good job,† I whispered. â€Å"How much pain are you in?† â€Å"Not much,† I lied. â€Å"Anyway, it won't hurt much longer. How far are we from Tucson?† Just then, we reached pavement. Funny how the sight of it made my heart race in panic. Jared stopped, keeping the car hidden in the brush. He got out and removed the tarps and chains from the bumper, putting them in the trunk. He got back in and eased the car forward, checking carefully to make sure the highway was empty. He reached for the headlights. â€Å"Wait,† I whispered. I couldn't speak louder. I felt so exposed here. â€Å"Let me drive.† He looked at me. â€Å"It can't look like I walked to the hospital like this. Too many questions. I have to drive. You hide in the back and tell me where to go. Is there something you can hide under?† â€Å"Okay,† he said slowly. He put the car into reverse and pulled it back into the deeper brush. â€Å"Okay. I'll hide. But if you take us somewhere I don't tell you to go†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Oh! Melanie was stung by his doubt, as was I. My voice was flat. â€Å"Shoot me.† He didn't answer. He got out, leaving the engine running. I slid across the cup holders into his seat. I heard the trunk slam. Jared climbed into the backseat, a thick plaid blanket under his arm. â€Å"Turn right at the road,† he said. The car was an automatic, but it had been a long time and I was unsure behind the wheel. I moved ahead carefully, pleased to find that I remembered how to drive. The highway was still empty. I pulled out onto the road, my heart reacting to the open space again. â€Å"Lights,† Jared said. His voice came from low on the bench. I searched till I found the switch, then flicked them on. They seemed horribly bright. We weren't far from Tucson -I could see a yellowish glow of color against the sky. The lights of the city ahead. â€Å"You could drive a little faster.† â€Å"I'm right at the limit,† I protested. He paused for a second. â€Å"Souls don't speed?† I laughed. The sound was only a tad hysterical. â€Å"We obey all laws, traffic laws included.† The lights became more than a glow-they turned into individual points of brightness. Green signs informed me of my exit options. † Take Ina Road.† I followed his instructions. He kept his voice low, though, enclosed as we were, we could both have shouted. It was hard to be in this unfamiliar city. To see houses and apartments and stores with signs lit up. To know I was surrounded, outnumbered. I imagined what it must feel like for Jared. His voice was remarkably calm. But he'd done this before, many times. Other cars were on the road now. When their lights washed my windshield, I cringed in terror. Don't fall apart now, Wanda. You have to be strong for Jamie. This won't work if you can't do that. I can. I can do it. I concentrated on Jamie, and my hands were steadier on the wheel. Jared directed me through the mostly sleeping city. The Healing facility was just a small place. It must have been a medical building once-doctors' offices, rather than an actual hospital. The lights were bright through most of the windows, through the glass front. I could see a woman behind a greeting desk. She didn't look up at my headlights. I drove to the darkest corner of the parking lot. I slid my arms through the straps of the backpack. It wasn't new, but it was in good shape. Perfect. There was just one more thing to do. â€Å"Quick, give me the knife.† â€Å"Wanda†¦ I know you love Jamie, but I really don't think you could use it. You're not a fighter.† â€Å"Not for them, Jared. I need a wound.† He gasped. â€Å"You have a wound. That's enough!† â€Å"I need one like Jamie's. I don't know enough about Healing. I have to see exactly what to do. I would have done it before, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to drive.† â€Å"No. Not again.† â€Å"Give it to me now. Someone will notice if I don't go inside soon.† Jared thought it through quickly. He was the best, as Jeb had said, because he could see what had to be done and do it fast. I heard the steely sound of the knife coming out of the sheath. â€Å"Be very careful. Not too deep.† â€Å"You want to do it?† He inhaled sharply. â€Å"No.† â€Å"Okay.† I took the ugly knife. It had a heavy handle and was very sharp; it came to a tapered point at the tip. I didn't let myself think about it. I didn't want to give myself a chance to be a coward. The arm, not the leg-that's all I paused to decide. My knees were scarred. I didn't want to have to hide that, too. I held my left arm out; my hand was shaking. I braced it against the door and then twisted my head so that I could bite down on the headrest. I held the knife's handle awkwardly but tightly in my right hand. I pressed the point against the skin of my forearm so I wouldn't miss. Then I closed my eyes. Jared was breathing too hard. I had to be fast or he would stop me. Just pretend it's a shovel opening the ground, I told myself. I jammed the knife into my arm. The headrest muffled my scream, but it was still too loud. The knife fell from my hand-jerking sickeningly out from the muscle-and then clunked against the floor. â€Å"Wanda!† Jared rasped. I couldn't answer yet. I tried to choke back the other screams I felt coming. I'd been right not to do this before driving. â€Å"Let me see!† â€Å"Stay there,† I gasped. â€Å"Don't move.† I heard the blanket rustling behind me despite my warning. I pulled my left arm against my body and yanked the door open with my right hand. Jared's hand brushed my back as I half fell out the door. It wasn't a restraint. It was comfort. â€Å"I'll be right back,† I coughed out, and then I kicked the door shut behind me. I stumbled across the lot, fighting nausea and panic. They seemed to balance each other out-one keeping the other from taking control of my body. The pain wasn't too bad-or rather, I couldn't feel it as much anymore. I was going into shock. Too many kinds of pain, too close together. Hot liquid rolled down my fingers and dripped to the pavement. I wondered if I could move those fingers. I was afraid to try. The woman behind the reception desk-middle-aged, with dark chocolate skin and a few silver threads in her black hair-jumped to her feet when I lurched through the automatic doors. â€Å"Oh, no! Oh, dear!† She grabbed a microphone, and her next words echoed from the ceiling, magnified. â€Å"Healer Knits! I need you in reception! This is an emergency!† â€Å"No.† I tried to speak calmly, but I swayed in place. â€Å"I'm okay. Just an accident.† She put the microphone down and hurried around to where I stood swaying. Her arm went around my waist. â€Å"Oh, honey, what happened to you?† â€Å"So careless,† I muttered. â€Å"I was hiking†¦ I fell down the rocks. I was†¦ cleaning up after dinner. A knife was in my hand†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My hesitations seemed like part of the shock to her. She didn't look at me with suspicion-or humor, the way Ian sometimes did when I lied. Only concern. â€Å"You poor dear! What's your name?† â€Å"Glass Spires,† I told her, using the rather generic name of a herd member from my time with the Bears. â€Å"Okay, Glass Spires. Here comes the Healer. You'll be fine in just a moment.† I didn't feel panicked at all anymore. The kindly woman patted my back. So gentle, so caring. She would never harm me. The Healer was a young woman. Her hair, skin, and eyes were all a similar shade of light brown. It made her unusual looking-monochromatic. She wore tan scrubs that only added to that impression. â€Å"Wow,† she said. â€Å"I'm Healer Knits Fire. I'll get you fixed up directly. What happened?† I told my story again as the two women led me down a hallway and then through the very first door. They had me lie down on the paper-covered bed. The room was familiar. I'd been in only one place like this, but Melanie's childhood was full of such memories. The short row of double cabinets, the sink where the Healer was washing her hands, the bright, clean white walls†¦ â€Å"First things first,† Knits Fire said cheerfully. She pulled a cabinet open. I tried to focus my eyes, knowing this was important. The cabinet was full of rows and rows of stacked white cylinders. She took one down, reaching for it without searching; she knew what she wanted. The small container had a label, but I couldn't read it. â€Å"A little no pain should help, don't you think?† I saw the label again as she twisted the lid off. Two short words. No Pain? Was that what it said? â€Å"Open your mouth, Glass Spires.† I obeyed. She took a small, thin square-it looked like tissue paper-and laid it on my tongue. It dissolved at once. There was no flavor. I swallowed automatically. â€Å"Better?† the Healer asked. And it was. Already. My my head was clear-I could concentrate without difficulty. The pain had melted away with the tiny square. Disappeared. I blinked, shocked. â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"I know you feel fine now, but please don't move. Your injuries are not treated yet.† â€Å"Of course.† â€Å"Cerulean, could you get us some water? Her mouth seems dry.† â€Å"At once, Healer Knits.† The older woman left the room. The Healer turned back to her cabinets, opening a different one this time. This, too, was filled with white containers. â€Å"Here we are.† She pulled one from the top of a stack, then took another from the other side. Almost as if she were trying to help me fulfill my mission, she listed the names as she reached for them. â€Å"Clean-inside and out†¦ Heal†¦ Seal†¦ And where is†¦ ah, Smooth. Don't want a scar on that pretty face, do we?† â€Å"Ah†¦ no.† â€Å"Don't worry. You'll be perfect again.† â€Å"Thank you.† â€Å"You're very welcome.† She leaned over me with another white cylinder. The top of this one came off with a pop, and there was an aerosol spray nozzle underneath. She sprayed my forearm first, coating the wound with clear, odorless mist. â€Å"Healing must be a fulfilling profession.† My voice sounded just right. Interested, but not unduly so. â€Å"I haven't been in a Healing facility since insertion. This is very interesting.† â€Å"Yes, I like it.† She started spraying my face. â€Å"What are you doing now?† She smiled. I guessed that I was not the first curious soul. â€Å"This is Clean. It will make sure nothing foreign stays in the wound. It kills off any of the microbes that might infect the wound.† â€Å"Clean,† I repeated to myself. â€Å"And the Inside Clean, just in case anything has snuck into your system. Inhale this, please.† She had a different white cylinder in her hand, a thinner bottle with a pump rather than an aerosol top. She puffed a cloud of mist into the air above my face. I sucked in a breath. The mist tasted like mint. â€Å"And this is Heal,† Knits Fire continued, twisting the cap off the next canister, revealing a small pouring spout. â€Å"It encourages your tissues to rejoin, to grow the way they should.† She dribbled a tiny bit of the clear liquid into the wide cut on my arm, then she pushed the edges of the wound together. I could feel her touch, but there was no pain. â€Å"I'll seal this up before I move on.† She opened another container, this one a pliable tube, and then squeezed out a line of thick, clear jelly onto her finger. â€Å"Like glue,† she told me. â€Å"It holds everything together and lets the Heal do its job.† She wiped it over my arm in one swift pass. â€Å"Okay, you can move that now. Your arm is fine.† I held it up to look. A faint pink line was visible under the shiny gel. The blood was still wet on my arm, but there was no source anymore. As I watched, the Healer cleaned my skin with one quick pass of a damp towel. â€Å"Turn your face this way, please. Hmm, you must have hit those rocks just exactly wrong. What a mess.† â€Å"Yes. It was a bad fall.† â€Å"Well, thank goodness you were able to drive yourself here.† She was lightly dripping Heal onto my cheek, smearing it with the tips of her fingers. â€Å"Ah, I love to watch it work. Looks much better already. Okay†¦ around the edges.† She smiled to herself. â€Å"Maybe one more coat. I want this to be erased.† She worked for a minute longer. â€Å"Very nice.† â€Å"Here's some water,† the older woman said as she came through the door. â€Å"Thank you, Cerulean.† â€Å"Let me know if you need anything more. I'll be up front.† â€Å"Thanks.† Cerulean left. I wondered if she was from the Flower Planet. Blue flowers were rare-one might take a name from that. â€Å"You can sit now. How do you feel?† I pulled myself up. â€Å"Perfect.† It was true. I hadn't felt so healthy in a long time. The sharp shift from pain to ease made the sensation more powerful. â€Å"That's just how it should be. Okay, let's dust on a little Smooth.† She twisted the last cylinder's top and shook an iridescent powder into her hand. She patted it into my cheek, then patted another handful onto my arm. â€Å"You'll always have a small line on your arm,† she said apologetically. â€Å"Like your neck. A deep wound†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She shrugged. Absentmindedly, she brushed the hair back from my neck and examined the scar. â€Å"This was nicely done. Who was your Healer?† â€Å"Um†¦ Faces Sunward,† I said, pulling the name from one of my old students. â€Å"I was in†¦ Eureka, Montana. I didn't like the cold. I moved south.† So many lies. I felt a twist of anxiety in my stomach. â€Å"I started out in Maine,† she said, not noticing anything amiss in my voice. As she spoke, she cleaned the blood from my neck. â€Å"It was too cold for me, too. What's your Calling?† â€Å"Um†¦ I serve food. In a Mexican restaurant in†¦ Phoenix. I like spicy food.† â€Å"Me, too.† She wasn't looking at me funny. She was wiping my cheek now. â€Å"Very nice. No worries, Glass Spires. Your face looks great.† â€Å"Thank you, Healer.† â€Å"Of course. Would you like some water?† â€Å"Yes, please.† I kept a grip on myself. It wouldn't do to bolt the glass down the way I wanted to. I wasn't able to stop myself from finishing it all, though. It tasted too good. â€Å"Would you like more?† â€Å"I†¦ yes, that would be nice. Thank you.† â€Å"I'll be right back.† The second she was out the door, I slid off the mattress. The paper crackled, freezing me in place. She didn't dart back in. I had only seconds. It had taken Cerulean a few minutes to get the water. Maybe it would take the Healer just as long. Maybe the cool, pure water was far away from this room. Maybe. I ripped the pack off my shoulders and wrenched the drawstrings open. I started with the second cabinet. There was the stacked column of Heal. I grabbed the whole column and let it clatter quietly into the bottom of my pack. What would I say if she caught me? What lie could I tell? I took the two kinds of Clean next, from the first cabinet. There was a second stack behind the first of each, and I took half of those, too. Then the No Pain, both stacks of that. I was about to turn back for the Seal, when the label of the next row of cylinders caught my attention. Cool. For fevers? There were no instructions, just the label. I took the stack. Nothing here would hurt a human body. I was sure of that. I grabbed all the Seal and two cans of Smooth. I couldn't press my luck any further. I closed the cabinets quietly and threw my arms through the straps of the pack. I leaned against the mattress, making another crackle. I tried to look relaxed. She didn't come back. I checked the clock. It had been one minute. How far away was the water? Two minutes. Three minutes. Had my lies been as obvious to her as they were to me? Sweat started to dew up on my forehead. I wiped it away quickly. What if she brought back a Seeker? I thought of the small pill in my pocket, and my hands shook. I could do it, though. For Jamie. I heard quiet footsteps then, two sets, coming down the hall.

Iron Man: The Real Hero

In today’s society, the concern of people and laws are not about doing good but rather having the appearance of good. People no longer care about what they need to stand for, only that they look like they aren’t sitting down. In fact, men today are treated as outcasts when sticking up for a good thing when it doesn’t have a pleasant appearance. Men such as Thomas Jefferson, Leonidas, Joshua and Jesus, men that represent something greater than what meets the eye, are scarce among us and used to be held in the upmost respect in history. Today, one man personifies the idea of doing good without needing the appearance of good. This icon is Iron Man, as a hero, and as an image of the greater good. Some would accuse Iron Man of wrong-doing in the area of justice and morality, but there is more than what meets the eye under that metal mask. Iron Man was created in 1963, as an icon of American technology and business against Communism in the Cold War. After the Cold War the focus shifted to more contemporary concerns such as terrorism and corporate crime, as seen in the modern movies. In 2008, when the first movie was released, Iron Man was portrayed as a rich young playboy who had no care for anybody except himself. Yet in the movie he undergoes a character change and when he becomes Iron Man, he changes his focus off of himself and onto others. He portrays this by disbanding his company’s weapons program when he finds they are double dealing to other countries other than America. From his birth Iron Man was meant as a symbol of idealism, something of a noble cause. So what is the big deal about some superhero being overlooked as an example of virtue? The big problem is that men are not expected to be what they should be, and their real morality is undermined by the need for an appearance. Because of this false ideology, men like Iron Man are falsely accused for wronging civilization. In reality, Iron Man ought to be held in the upmost respect as a person, and should not be criticized for his outward appearance, but judged based on the goodness of his acts as Iron Man toward humanity. Throughout his history, Iron Man has displayed countless acts of heroism. He has saved countless lives by means of risking his life for others, receiving nothing in return but gratitude. This is best shown by when he first builds the suit, not knowing what the outcome of it will be, but risking his life anyway to save his friend and himself from captivity. After that he flies into countries that are not even his own to save a people who are being oppressed by terrorists and who he has no affiliation with. Therefore, when people attack Iron Man for doing wrong by breaking laws, it is invalid because of the equity Iron Man displays through his acts of vigilanteism. Take into account when he flew over restricted airspace to go save the lives of innocent people who were in mortal danger. Was he supposed to let them die because he could break the law of flying over a restricted zone? Of course not, as the Bible does say that we ought to love our neighbor as ourself, and that we ought also to love our enemy, as Iron Man does in saving a people that are not even his own. Therefore, even when Iron Man is putting himself in these type of situations, he cannot be said to have done wrong, for doing nothing for the people would have been more wrong than him leaving them to die. Yet even with this outstanding display of selflessness, some would still insist that Iron Man still committed acts of wrong-doing, no matter the number of good and noble actions he did. They would assert that Iron Man consistently breaks the law by removing himself from the justice system and taking matters into his own hands. Even though their concern is valid and understandable, it is not relevant according to the definition of wrong-doing. According to Aristotle wrong-doing is â€Å"injury voluntarily inflicted contrary to law. Iron Man’s actions are contrary to some written law, but they uphold unwritten law. His actions do not cause cause voluntary injury, and uphold principles that no written law can overrule, that of defending fellow man, and standing up for what is right. Also, some would accuse Iron Man’s character, as he is a playboy who loves to drink and party. However, this is not relevant to the argument of wrongdoing, and therefore does not effect this topic of discussion. Therefore, because Iron Man has not done any wrong in his actions of extreme patriotism and display of what is really good, the accusations that are placed on his head as a wrong-doer are invalid. The fact that his minor actions contrary to law are outdone by the equity he displays also proves his innocence against such heinous accusations. Iron Man will continue throughout the ages as an icon of justice and virtue, and will fulfill his role as a real hero; one who displays a selfless yet unwavering strive for something better.