Monday, December 30, 2019
Spirituality and John Coltrane Essay - 3937 Words
Spirituality and John Coltrane After being fired from Miles Daviss band in 1957 for his chronic use of heroin, John Coltrane was hurt tremendously. He decided it was time he quit using heroin. He took a month off from music while he went cold turkey. During this month in the early spring of 1957, Coltrane had a momentous religious experience (Nisenson, 40). Coltrane asked God to give him the means and privilege to make others happy through music (Coltrane, 1995, 2). As time went on, Coltrane felt that he was leading a life that was contradictory to the pledge and away from the esteemed path that he had made to God (Coltrane, 1995, 2). Starting with A Love Supreme (recorded in December, 1964), Coltrane stuck toâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦As Coltrane was starting to get introduced to the greats of jazz like Miles Davis and Charlie Parker, he started drinking heavily. Then, probably in 1953, he started doing heroin (Thomas, 52). By 1957, he had played with Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, and twice with Miles Davis. Davis, a recovering heroin addict himself, said of Coltrane during this time that hed be playing in clothes that looked like he had slept in them for days . . . and when he wasnt nodding, [hed be] picking his nose and sometimes eating it (Davis, 212). Once, while on stage with Davis, Coltrane nodded out, and Davis punched him in the stomach. Eventually, Davis would kick him out of his band for the second time. While Coltrane was kicking his habit in early 1957, he was touched by God. How this came about was known only to Coltrane. But the transformation in him resulted in some of the most powerful music of the twentieth century. In late 1957, he started working on what was to be known as sheets of sound, a style in which Coltrane would play every note in chord as fast as he could, while starting and ending in different notes in a specific key. That year, he released his first acclaimed album on the Blue Note label, Blue Train, which was a record of jazz standards. Miles Davis loved the new Coltrane, and hired him back into his band for a third time. Davis came up with a new jazz concept, modal improvisation.Show MoreRelatedEssay on John Coltrane1679 Words à |à 7 Pages John Coltrane: An Experimental Musician Jazz, which evolved from African American folk music, has developed and changed over the last century to become an art form in America. It places particular importance on inventive self interpretation. Rather than relying on a written piece, the artist improvises. Jazz has taken many forms over the past seventy years; there is almost always a single person who can be credited with the evolution of that sound. From Thelonius Monk, and his bebop, to Dizzy Gillespieââ¬â¢sRead MoreThe Influence Of Jazz Music2019 Words à |à 9 Pagesthe musician (Larson 2). John Coltrane was one of many musicians that used jazz as this medium. Through his early works in the bebop and hard bop styles to free form and more spiritual styled music later in his career, Coltrane pursued deeper expression from his music (Wikipedia). John Coltraneââ¬â¢s upbringing and early interest in music led to a successful career of highly innovative works that have left a lasting legacy and influence on the jazz com munity. John William Coltrane was born September 23Read More John Coltrane Essay5593 Words à |à 23 Pageslife and his search for the incorporation of his spirituality with his music. John Coltrane was not only an essential contributor to jazz, but also music itself. John Coltrane died thirty-two years ago, on July 17, 1967, at the age of forty. In the years since, his influence has only grown, and the stellar avant-garde saxophonist has become a jazz legend of a stature shared only by Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. As an instrumentalist Coltrane was technically and imaginatively equal to both;
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Essay on Comparative Critique - 905 Words
As a journalist and critic for Time Magazine, James Poniewozik concentrates on how the classic fairytale of Cinderella has been reinvented multiple times to correspond with the viewpoints of feminist authors. Poniewozik claims in his article The Princess Paradox that girls choosing the fairy-tale ending is not such a bad thing (667). However Peggy Orenstein, a contributing writer for The New York Times, would completely disagree with that statement. Orenstein stresses in her article Cinderella and Princess Culture that the princess craze and girlie-girl culture is ruining young girls as they feel constantly pressured to be perfect (673). Poniewozik and Orenstein have conflicting claims in their articles as both defineâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The task that has been tried to achieve that Poniewozik is referring to is the earlier generation of women working to be able to do everything that men could (667). Both Poniewozik and Orenstein acknowledge the fact that young women need t o assert their independence, but in modern times it seems that is not a main focus for girls anymore. Even though Poniewozik is male he still notes some feminist views in his article that Orenstein would agree with. Poniewozik states the fact that reinventing fairy tales has been a favorite project of feminist authors (667). Another issue that Orenstein also hints at in her article by using the childrens program, Dora the Explorer as an example of how merchandise and shows are being changed to correspond with the princess craze (671) Orenstein has noticed the transition from the old story of princess movies to a newer more modern form of the princess. Some modern fairytale movies such as The Prince Me, which is mentioned in Poniewoziks article, have changed their story line to have a non-fairy-tale ending. Poniewozik then notes the fact that the director of the movie, Martha Coolidge, admitted she knew the ending was wrong after she watched it (667). Poniewozik states in his articl e that filmmakers are much more message conscious and by also noting that the girls fight to control theirShow MoreRelatedComparative Critique812 Words à |à 4 PagesSeptember 27, 2011 Comparative Critique Draft of ââ¬Å"My Problem with Her Angerâ⬠and ââ¬Å"The Myth of Co-Parenting: How It Was Supposed to Be. How It Wasâ⬠In the articles ââ¬Å"My Problem with Her Angerâ⬠and The Myth of Co-Parenting: How It Was Supposed to Be. How It Was,â⬠authors Eric Bartels, feature writer for the Portland Tribune in Portland, Oregon, and Hope Edelman, nonfictional writer whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Seventeen magazine, discuss the roles they playRead MoreComparative Critique Of Comparative Capitalism1214 Words à |à 5 PagesCASE STUDY #4: COMPARATIVE CAPITALISM Case Study #4: Comparative Capitalism Florence F. Messi St Thomas University Miami Gardens, Florida Abstract The Merriam-Wester dictionary defines capitalism as an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market. (2015). However for an ideal capitalismRead MoreComparative Methodological Critique3073 Words à |à 13 PagesComparative Methodological Critique Introduction The aim of this paper is to compare two academic research papers, one informed by qualitative and another one by quantitative research designs with focus on the methodological factors. Both papers describe working lives and attitudes of gay and lesbian workers in the UK and USA, possible consequences of disclosure of sexual orientation on their working relations and organisational arrangements towards equality and diversity of working practice. TheseRead MoreA Comparative Critique Of Maria Tatar s An Introduction To Fairy Tales And 1583 Words à |à 7 PagesA comparative Critique of Maria Tatarââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"An Introduction to Fairy Talesâ⬠and Bruno Bettelheimââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Fairy Tales and Modern Storiesâ⬠. Fairy tales always have a way of making the reader feel really connected to the protagonist through the use of hardship. Readers get attached to the protagonist by using their own lifeââ¬â¢s problem to replace with the protagonistââ¬â¢s problem and the journey of the protagonist overcoming their problems gives the reader sense of hope to look forward to in their own livesRead MoreComparative Critique of Fredericksons Dixiecrat Revolt and Kelleys Race Rebels1159 Words à |à 5 PagesKari Fredericksons work, The Dixiecrat Revolt, examined the growing disenchantment of Southern Democrats to the federal government, President Truman, and ultimately, the Democratic Party. These Southern conservatives rebelled against the Democratic Party in the 1948 Presidential election resulting in the eventual political realignment of the South to a two-party system, and the rise of the Republican Party within that system. The two chapters of Robin D.G. Kelleys book, Race Rebels, studied theRead MoreMercantilism Analysis770 Words à |à 4 Pagesquantity of money. The second treatise made by John Locke also pointed out towards the heart of the anti-mercantilist, the critique was that ââ¬Å"the wealth of the world is not fixed, but is created by human laborââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬â¢ (represented by John Locke in his unformed labor theory of value). Mercantilists were unsuccessful in understanding the concept of absolute advantage and comparative advantage (although David Ricardoââ¬â¢s this idea was developed fully in 1817) and also benefits of trade. For example, if PortugalRead MoreComparative Critique Ways Of Seeing By John Berger And There Is No Unmarked Woman By Deborah Tannen2023 Words à |à 9 Pages) (In red with strikethrough are all suggested removals, red underlines are points needing nonspecific revisions, and red italics are commentary.) I know Iââ¬â¢m pretty harsh, but just remember if I didnââ¬â¢t want you to do well I would do lessâ⬠¦ Comparative Critique: Ways of Seeing by John Berger and There is no Unmarked Woman by Deborah Tannen Once upon a time, (Iââ¬â¢d stay way from thisâ⬠¦ perhaps) a group of dodo birds inhabited an island in the Indian Ocean. The men (malesââ¬âmen refers to humans) were largeRead MoreEssay The Critical Philosophy of Immanuel Kant2525 Words à |à 11 Pages Criticism is Kants original achievement; it identifies him as one of the greatest thinkers of mankind and as one of the most influential authors in contemporary philosophy. But it is important to understand what Kant means bycriticism, or critique. In a general sense the term refers to a general cultivation of reason by way of the secure path of science (Bxxx). More particularly, its use is not negative, but positive, a fact that finds expression in the famous expression, I have thereforeRead MoreComparative Critique of Kennans American Diplomacy and Williams the Tragedy of American Diplomacy1279 Words à |à 6 PagesThe works of William Appleman Williams and George F. Kennan have contributed to understanding of American diplomatic history during the period of 1900-1950. Kennans book, American Diplomacy, offers a sharp critique with its focus on American mistakes, specifically examining the absence of direction in American foreign policy and with the end result of American strength and insecurity at the start of the Cold War. Williams, in his book The Tragedy of American Diplomacy, pursues a different butRead MoreWhat Makes A Firm?2491 Words à |à 10 Pagesbe mutually beneficial for the countries to trade. (Hunt and Lautzenheiser, 2015) He meant that several countries could benefit from it, if each of the countries had a relative advantage in production. Building on David Ricardo s theory of the comparative advantage, we have got the Heckscher-Ohlin model, also known as the factors proportions development. This model predict patterns of commerce and production. Factor endowments are being looked at from different trading regions, and it basically says
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Storm Born Chapter Seven Free Essays
I couldnââ¬â¢t believe it when Wil told me he wanted to go too. Why did everyone suddenly want in on what was probably the most dangerous trip of a lifetime? I sure as hell didnââ¬â¢t want to go. Why did they? If only I could have given up my spot. We will write a custom essay sample on Storm Born Chapter Seven or any similar topic only for you Order Now ââ¬Å"No,â⬠I told him. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll get yourself killed.â⬠I sounded just like Roland now. ââ¬Å"Yeah, but you said I wouldnââ¬â¢t actually go in body. Only my spirit would go.â⬠ââ¬Å"Doesnââ¬â¢t matter. The spirit is still your essence, still tied to your being and body. Someone does enough damage to it, then your bodyââ¬â¢s toast too.â⬠He didnââ¬â¢t seem to care, which I found ironic for a guy who seemed to be so afraid of everything else. His final argument was that Jasmine would be scared and traumatized; his presence would comfort her in the face of being carted off by more strangers. He had a point, I supposed, but I warned him he would only be a reflection in that world, bearing little resemblance to his human self. She might not know him. Accepting this, he remained undaunted, and I decided if he wanted to get himself killed, that was his problem. So long as he didnââ¬â¢t drag me down in the process. I also made sure he paid me beforehand. Best not to take chances. When the appointed night came, I brought Tim with me. Since Wil would not be able to go physically, weââ¬â¢d need someone to watch his body. Tim treated it like going to summer camp, bringing a tent and a drum and everything. I told him he was an idiot, but he had grand plans for how he could later tell his groupies he went on a vision quest. The way he saw it, he would only be half-lying. I could have brought Roland and had a little less absurdity, but I didnââ¬â¢t trust him not to sneak in after me. So Tim it was. We drove outside of town, traveling winding roads that snaked through the desert. Wil waited for us in a secluded spot, away from some of the more public access areas. It was a beautiful night, with the stars and moon crisp in the sky and saguaros standing watch. There were a few other thin spots between the worlds I could have used, but I chose this one because I liked the privacy and because it was one of the strongest. I wanted to waste as little power as possible in the transition over, particularly since Iââ¬â¢d have to work to bring Wil along. As it was, we had enough trouble even getting him into a trance. ââ¬Å"Jesus,â⬠I said irritably, watching him in the dim lighting, ââ¬Å"how much coffee did you drink today?â⬠He probably didnââ¬â¢t even drink coffee. Too many carcinogens or something. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m sorry.â⬠He attempted to stay still. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m just so worried about her.â⬠He lay on a blanket near our small campfire, the smell of burning sage hanging in the air. Tim sat back near the tent with his iPod, smart enough to leave me alone and do my job. With the way Wil kept twitching, I doubted anything short of Valium would calm him down. Not that that ultimately would have done us any good. ââ¬Å"Are there coyotes out here?â⬠he demanded. ââ¬Å"Some have been known to attack humans. Even with a fire. They could have rabies. And snakes ââ¬â ââ¬Å" ââ¬Å"Wil! Youââ¬â¢re wasting our time here. If you canââ¬â¢t calm down soon, Iââ¬â¢m going without you.â⬠Already the crescent moon had reached its zenith; I didnââ¬â¢t want to transition too long after its descent. At my witsââ¬â¢ end, I produced the pendulum and hung it before Wilââ¬â¢s face. I didnââ¬â¢t really go for hypnosis, but Iââ¬â¢d had good results with it in the past for clients needing soul retrieval. Hoping it would work on him, I began walking him through the stages of unconsciousness. It worked. Or maybe just my threat to leave him behind did. Finally, I saw him fall into a waking sleep, the perfect time for his soul to loosen from his body. Holding out my wand, I drew his spirit to me so it clung like static, felt but not seen. Then, relaxing my own consciousness, I let my mind expand and touch the walls of this world, pushing its limits into the Otherworld as far as I could go. As I expanded out, I held on to an awareness of my body, working hard to bring it over in its entirety. Unlike so many others, I was even strong enough to bring other material things ââ¬â my clothes, my weapons. At first nothing seemed to happen, then the landscape around me shimmered, almost like we were trapped in a heat mirage. My senses blurred, making me feel disoriented, and then my surroundings clarified. I found myself breathless, a wave of dizziness sweeping me. The effects passed quickly. I was pretty good at crossing worlds. ââ¬Å"Oh my God,â⬠breathed a voice that sounded vaguely like Wilââ¬â¢s. Looking to my side, I saw his Otherworldly representation. Not even powerful enough to come over in elemental form, he appeared beside me much like any spirit in my own world would have: vague shape, translucent, and smoky. ââ¬Å"You did it. You really brought us over.â⬠ââ¬Å"Hey, I live to serve.â⬠ââ¬Å"Actually, mistress, that is our job.â⬠I turned around and tried to hide my surprise. My minions stood before me but not as I knew them in the human world. In this world, the Otherworld, they were more corporeal, appearing in their natural forms and not as a projected sending. Nandi stood tall and rigid, a black woman in her mid-forties. Her face had hard lines and angles, beautiful in a regal and hawklike way. Iron-gray waves of hair framed a face as bleak and expressionless as her spirit versionââ¬â¢s. As for Finn, Iââ¬â¢d expected him to be small and spritelike. He, however, was almost as tall as me with shining, sun-bright hair that stuck up at odd angles. Freckles covered his face, and the grin he showed me mirrored the amusement I usually saw when we were together in my plane. Volusian looked the same as always. I didnââ¬â¢t exactly know what to say, seeing them like this. It was kind of startling. They watched me silently, waiting for orders. I cleared my throat, trying to appear haughty. ââ¬Å"All right, letââ¬â¢s get this moving. Who knows the way to this guyââ¬â¢s place?â⬠They all did, as it turned out. We stood at a crossroads, mirroring the one weââ¬â¢d left in my world. The country around us was beautiful, warm and balmy in the evening twilight, pleasant in a different way from Tucson. Cherry trees in full bloom lined the roads, shedding pink-white petals to the ground as the breeze rustled their leaves. ââ¬Å"We stand in the Rowan Land, mistress,â⬠explained Nandi flatly. ââ¬Å"If we follow this road, we will eventually reach the part of the Alder Land where King Aeson lives.â⬠I glanced at the road. ââ¬Å"What, no yellow bricks?â⬠Nandi didnââ¬â¢t get the joke. ââ¬Å"No. The path is dirt. The journey will be long and must be taken on foot. Likely you will find it tedious and wearying, plunging you into misery and making you wish you had never set out on this quest.â⬠ââ¬Å"Quite the endorsement.â⬠She stared at me, puzzled. ââ¬Å"It was not an endorsement, mistress.â⬠We set out, and I discovered in about five minutes that conversation with this group was pointless. So instead I focused on studying my surroundings, like any good soldier would. I had crossed over in body a few times, but I had never stayed long. Most of my jaunts had been to chase down wayward spirits. Iââ¬â¢d always jumped in, done my duty, and jumped out. With such beauty, it seemed incredible the residents here would want to keep sneaking over to my world. Birds sang a farewell to the setting sun. The landscapes we passed were gorgeous and exquisitely colored, like a real-life Thomas Kinkade painting. It almost looked unreal, like Technicolor gone crazy. There was also magic here. Strong magic. It permeated the air, every blossom, every blade of grass. It set my hairs on end. I didnââ¬â¢t like magic, not this kind, not the magic that filled living things. That was a gentry thing. Humans had no magic within them. We took it from the world with tools and charms; it was not inborn with us. Feeling it so heavy in the air unnerved me, almost making it hard for me to breathe. Suddenly we crossed an invisible line, and cold wind blasted against my skin. Snow lay in drifts along the side of the road ââ¬â which stayed miraculously uncovered ââ¬â and icicles hung daintily on the trees like Christmas ornaments. ââ¬Å"What the hell happened?â⬠I exclaimed. ââ¬Å"The Willow Land,â⬠said Finn. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s winter right now. Here, I mean.â⬠I glanced behind us. A chilly, white landscape stretched back as far as the eye could see, no cherry trees in sight. I wrapped my arms around my body. ââ¬Å"Do we have to go this way? Itââ¬â¢s freezing.â⬠ââ¬Å"You are the only who is cold, mistress,â⬠noted Volusian. ââ¬Å"Yeah,â⬠said Wil brightly. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t feel anything. How cool is that? I bet those boots of yours wonââ¬â¢t protect you from hypothermia.â⬠I rolled my eyes. Stupid spirits. All of them. Alive or otherwise. ââ¬Å"How much farther through here?â⬠ââ¬Å"Longer if we keep standing around,â⬠said Volusian. Sighing, I trudged along, pulling my coat tighter. I wore my usual one, the olive-green moleskin that went to my knees. I had put it on mainly to cover the arsenal underneath, and it had seemed too warm back in Tucson. Now it felt ridiculously thin. Teeth chattering, I followed the spirits, focusing mainly on putting one foot in front of the other. In only a short while, we crossed another unseen boundary, and thick humidity slammed down on me, much like my sauna. Heat boiled around us, and this time I took off my jacket. In the fading light, deep green leaves rustled together, and cicadas sang in the trees. The flowers here were different than the delicate ones in the Rowan Land. These had richer, deeper colors, and their perfume was cloying. The minions informed me weââ¬â¢d crossed into the Alder Land. I cheered up, happy to find it wasnââ¬â¢t winter here and that we were so near our goal. Until we crossed back into the pink-treed valleys of the Rowan Land. ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s this? Are we going in circles?â⬠ââ¬Å"No, mistress,â⬠said Nandi. ââ¬Å"This is the way to King Aesonââ¬â¢s.â⬠ââ¬Å"But we just came out of the Alder Land. We need to turn around.â⬠ââ¬Å"Not unless you want to take days to get there. Your friendââ¬â¢s body wouldnââ¬â¢t survive that long.â⬠Volusian inclined his head toward Wilââ¬â¢s ethereal form. ââ¬Å"That doesnââ¬â¢t make any sense.â⬠ââ¬Å"The Otherworld doesnââ¬â¢t lie like yours,â⬠explained Finn. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s hard to notice if you havenââ¬â¢t been here a lot. Itââ¬â¢s more obvious when physical. The land folds in on itself, and sometimes what seems longer is shorter. And whatââ¬â¢s shorter is longer. Weââ¬â¢ve got to cut back through here to get to Aesonââ¬â¢s. Weird, but there you have it.â⬠ââ¬Å"It sounds like a wormhole,â⬠I muttered as I walked again. ââ¬Å"Worms do not travel this way,â⬠said Nandi. I tried explaining what a wormhole was, how some physicists theorized space could wrinkle and fold, making it possible to travel through those folds and end up on the other side more quickly. As soon as I reached the word ââ¬Å"physicist,â⬠I gave up, realizing I fought a losing battle. We soon crossed into the Oak Land, a breathtaking landscape of fiery orange trees and scattered leaves, enhanced by the burning orange sunset. Here, it apparently was autumn. I swore I could smell wood smoke and cider on the wind. Something else also caught my attention. ââ¬Å"Hey!â⬠I stopped and stared off into the trees. I had just seen a sleek orange form dart by, its white-tipped tail flaring behind it. ââ¬Å"It was that fox again. I swear it was.â⬠ââ¬Å"What fox?â⬠asked Finn. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t see anything.â⬠ââ¬Å"Neither did I,â⬠added Wil. ââ¬Å"My mistress has gone mad at last,â⬠Nandi said on a sigh. ââ¬Å"Long before this,â⬠muttered Volusian. ââ¬Å"There was a fox watching me back in my worldâ⬠¦and now I just saw another one.â⬠ââ¬Å"The Otherworld has animals just like yours does,â⬠said Finn. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢s probably coincidence.â⬠ââ¬Å"But what if itââ¬â¢s not?â⬠ââ¬Å"Well, it could be a spirit fox. Was it really big? Sometimes theyââ¬â¢re ââ¬â ââ¬Å" Volusian cried a warning just before the horses came crashing through the trees. I had my gun and athame out in a flash, firing without hesitation at the first assailant I saw. There were twelve of them, men and women, some armored and some not. Their clothing looked like something you might get if the cast from Lord of the Rings went to a rave. All of them rode horses. Charmingly archaic. The man I shot screamed. Steel bullets and gentry flesh donââ¬â¢t mix so well. Unfortunately, he had shifted position at the last minute, so I only took him in the arm. In my periphery, I saw Volusian flare with blue light; I hoped he was fighting on my side. One of the riders bore down on me with a copper sword alight with magic. My iron athame caught it, and we stood locked there for a moment. Iron, the emblem of technology, fought back against the metal it had supplanted, but in the end his magic was stronger. There was simply more of it, and the wielder had more brute force. He pushed me backward, and I stumbled into someone one of my minions must have unseated. In one fluid motion, I regained my balance and slashed at the man with my athame. Blood gleamed through his shirt, and then I clocked him in the head. He staggered, and then another hit took him down. Another rider came at me. I fired, and she jerked backward as the bullet hit her in the chest. Underneath her shirt, I saw leather armor and wondered how much that would have softened the blow. I took aim at another rider, and then a sharp female voice called out to me. ââ¬Å"Stop, human. Unless you want your friend to die.â⬠Glancing over, I saw a tall woman with long black hair worn in two braids. She inclined her head toward a young man whose arm extended gracefully outward. Above the palm of that hand, Wilââ¬â¢s spirit floated. A golden, viscous glow encased him, giving him the appearance of an insect stuck in amber. I had no clue what kind of magic it was, but I knew he was trapped. And at risk. Damn it. This was exactly the reason I hadnââ¬â¢t wanted him along. He had indeed succeeded in getting both of us killed. I glanced around. Seven of the riders were injured, unconscious, or possibly dead. Not bad for the four of us, I thought, as I assessed our odds of taking out the last five. My gun was still trained on my target. The woman gave me a thin smile as though reading my mind. ââ¬Å"You could kill him, but your friend would be dead before your next eye blink. As would you.â⬠ââ¬Å"Whatââ¬â¢s it matter? Youââ¬â¢ll just kill us both anyway. At least this way Iââ¬â¢ll take company to the next world.â⬠A new voice spoke: ââ¬Å"No oneââ¬â¢s sending you to the next world. Not yet anyway.â⬠One of the unhorsed riders clambered to his feet. Presumably one of my spirits had fought him, because I didnââ¬â¢t recognize him. Yetâ⬠¦something about him struck me as vaguely familiar. White-blond hair hung to his shoulders, and ice blue eyes studied me carefully. He approached slowly, a sly smile spreading over his face the closer he got. I didnââ¬â¢t know who he was and wondered what tactical advantage Iââ¬â¢d gain or lose by turning the gun on him instead. Was he the bigger threat? When he was only a couple feet away, his face lit up, and he lost himself to great, booming laughs. ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t believe this. I donââ¬â¢t believe this! The mouse has walked right up to the cat. Unbelievable.â⬠The black-haired woman fixed him with an irritated glare. ââ¬Å"What are you rambling on about now, Rurik?â⬠He could barely contain himself. ââ¬Å"Do you know who this is? This is the Dark Swan herself. Eugenie Markham, right at our doorstep.â⬠I flinched at the use of my given name, though I knew it shouldnââ¬â¢t surprise me anymore. ââ¬Å"By the gods, I never expected this. I fought her only a week ago, and now here she comes, offering herself to me.â⬠ââ¬Å"If you consider me shoving my gun down your throat offering, then yeah, I suppose I am.â⬠I eyed him curiously, and then I knew. ââ¬Å"It was you. Youââ¬â¢re the ice elemental from the hotel.â⬠He sketched me a bow. ââ¬Å"And now Iââ¬â¢ll finish what I started. Happily, even. The sight of your naked body has haunted my dreams for many a night.â⬠ââ¬Å"Yeah? The only thing I remember about you is how easy it was to kick your ass.â⬠Rurik grinned. ââ¬Å"Youââ¬â¢ll remember a lot more before Iââ¬â¢m done.â⬠Behind him, a few of the other men regarded me with renewed interest. I felt myself go rigid, despite my bold words. The black-haired woman eyed Rurik distastefully. ââ¬Å"If you think Iââ¬â¢ll let you give in to yourâ⬠¦perversions here, youââ¬â¢re wrong. Youââ¬â¢re as bad as them.â⬠ââ¬Å"Stop being so prim, Shaya. You know who she is.â⬠ââ¬Å"It doesnââ¬â¢t matter. You can have her later if the king says so, but youââ¬â¢re not doing anything while weââ¬â¢re on patrol. My patrol.â⬠I didnââ¬â¢t quite take that as female solidarity, but it was better than nothing. Iââ¬â¢d come expecting a grisly death, not a gentry gang bang. Wil might be a lost cause, but if I fired on one of the guys, my minions could probably do serious damage to the others. I tensed, ready to fire. ââ¬Å"Stop,â⬠Volusian suddenly said, moving forward. ââ¬Å"Donââ¬â¢t touch her.â⬠ââ¬Å"We donââ¬â¢t take orders from you,â⬠replied Shaya. Volusian was unfazed. ââ¬Å"No, but you do take orders from your king, and my mistress has business with him.â⬠I saw the men freeze. So did I. Business with their king? Ah, right. We were in the Oak Land where Dorian ruled, the king Volusian had originally wanted me to see. Suddenly I wondered if this winding way weââ¬â¢d taken had been a ploy of his to get us to Dorian after all. If so, I wondered if heââ¬â¢d imagined capture as part of the plan. Shaya regarded me coolly. ââ¬Å"King Dorian has no business with her.â⬠A few of the men looked like they doubted this, and I jumped on it, as well as what Volusian had said about Dorian earlier. ââ¬Å"Are you so sure?â⬠I smiled, portraying the same smug confidence I used with the minions, even as my heart pounded in my chest. Too many eyes on me. It was like public speaking. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢ve come a long way to talk to him. How do you think heââ¬â¢ll react if he finds out youââ¬â¢ve killed me before Iââ¬â¢ve delivered my message?â⬠ââ¬Å"Tell me your message,â⬠she said impatiently. ââ¬Å"I talk only to him. Alone. I donââ¬â¢t really think heââ¬â¢d like you getting the gossip before he did. Or not getting it at all if you kill me.â⬠ââ¬Å"We wonââ¬â¢t kill you,â⬠said Rurik cheerfully. ââ¬Å"We have plenty of other things we can do. Youââ¬â¢ll still get to the kingâ⬠¦eventually.â⬠Volusian fixed his red eyes on Rurik. ââ¬Å"And how do you think Dorian will feel when he learns youââ¬â¢ve been at her before him? The kingââ¬â¢s tastes are quiteâ⬠¦particular.â⬠In another situation, I would have decked Volusian. Whose side was he on anyway? Stupid question, I realized a moment later. He was on his own side. As always. The gentry all appeared put out. They looked like they really wanted to kill someone. The woman verified as much. ââ¬Å"Theyââ¬â¢ve killed our people. We cannot let that go unpunished.â⬠One of the other female riders strode forward. ââ¬Å"No, actually. Everyoneââ¬â¢s still alive. Some just barelyâ⬠¦but if we can get a healer out here fast enough, theyââ¬â¢ll live.â⬠All alive? So much for Team Eugenie. Iââ¬â¢d known gentry were stronger in their own world, but thisâ⬠¦It didnââ¬â¢t bode well for our gallant attack on Aeson and his people. Next time Iââ¬â¢d aim for the face. I doubted theyââ¬â¢d come back from that. ââ¬Å"Letââ¬â¢s kill the weak human anyway,â⬠suggested one of the others, ââ¬Å"just for fun. We can still bring her to the king.â⬠ââ¬Å"The kingââ¬â¢s going to offer me hospitality,â⬠I informed them, still talking out of my ass, ââ¬Å"for my whole group. Heââ¬â¢ll be pissed if you kill one of them. Itââ¬â¢ll make him look bad.â⬠I was lying, and Shaya looked like she knew it. ââ¬Å"You seem very sure of yourself, Odile, but Iââ¬â¢m less convinced.â⬠The other woman crossed her arms. ââ¬Å"We have to get a healer. We need to go back for help now.â⬠Shaya thought about this and then gave a sharp nod. She delegated people to stay with the wounded and others to escort my party back. Before she did, she ordered me disarmed. Rurik made a great show of this, touching me a lot more than was really necessary as he took away the athames ââ¬â handle first, of course ââ¬â and wand. When he wrapped his fingers around the butt of the gun, a look of shock crossed his face and he recoiled. ââ¬Å"Damn it!â⬠he swore, cradling his hand. ââ¬Å"Itââ¬â¢sâ⬠¦I donââ¬â¢t know what it is. But it doesnââ¬â¢t feelâ⬠¦right.â⬠I smiled sweetly. Thank God for polymers. Almost as effective as iron. The commanding womanââ¬â¢s eyes flashed. ââ¬Å"Someone take it from her.â⬠No one moved. ââ¬Å"All right, then, one of you spirits. You take it.â⬠My minions didnââ¬â¢t move. ââ¬Å"They donââ¬â¢t take orders from you,â⬠I said, parodying her earlier words. ââ¬Å"They do from you. Order one of them to do it now, or I will have the life squeezed out of your friend, regardless of King Dorianââ¬â¢s anger.â⬠I studied her, trying to decide if she bluffed. Wil suddenly made a piteous sound as the golden aura around him tightened. God, I hoped Volusian was right about this Dorian ridiculousness. ââ¬Å"Nandi,â⬠I said simply. She strode forward and removed the gun from me. One of the riders offered up a cape so she could bundle it up. When it looked like a smothered baby, he reluctantly took it. As for me, I was hoisted onto Rurikââ¬â¢s horse for the trip back to Dorianââ¬â¢s. The spirits needed no such transportation. He wrapped his arms around me, ostensibly to reach the reins, but I was pretty sure he didnââ¬â¢t need to touch my breasts to do it. His hold tightened. ââ¬Å"I wouldnââ¬â¢t want you to fall off,â⬠he explained. ââ¬Å"Iââ¬â¢m going to cut your balls off the first chance I get,â⬠I informed him. ââ¬Å"Ah,â⬠he laughed, urging the horse into motion. ââ¬Å"I canââ¬â¢t wait for you to meet the king. Heââ¬â¢s going to love you.â⬠How to cite Storm Born Chapter Seven, Essay examples
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Muscular System Essay Example For Students
Muscular System Essay Do you think muscles are important? Do you have an idea of what they are made of? Well, here is some food for thought: your muscles make up forty percent of your body weight. If you like that interesting fact maybe youââ¬â¢ll learn some more. The muscular system has three main types of muscles. These are: smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscles. Your smooth muscles are what line most hollow organs and these are involuntary muscles. If you are wondering what involuntary muscles are, these muscles automatically move without having to think about it. Some examples of smooth muscles are your stomach, intestines and bladder. Skeletal muscles are muscles that are connected to your limbs and all of your other bones. These muscles are voluntary. Voluntary muscles are the direct opposite of involuntary muscles, meaning you have to think to move them. A few examples of skeletal muscles are your biceps, triceps and quadriceps. Cardiac muscles are like skeletal muscles, but like smooth muscles, they are controlled involuntarily. These muscles form the thick walls of the heart. An example of a cardiac muscle is your heart. Some functions of muscles are pushing, pulling and moving. Pushing and pulling take the same muscles. These muscles are your deltoids, triceps, biceps, and pectorals. Moving muscles are the ones that make your legs move to walk. These muscles are your quadriceps, satorius, tendons, gastrocnemius and your gluteus maximus. Your muscular system is directly related to the following systems: your respiratory system, digestive system, skeletal system, circulatory system, and excretory system. Your muscular system is related to the respiratory system, because when you breath you use muscles to expand your chest. The muscular system is related to the digestive system because when you digest your food in your stomach, the stomach is a smooth muscle. The muscular system is related to the skeletal system because of your skeletal muscles which cling to your bones and move them. The circulatory system is related to the muscular system because the main organ is the heart. The excretory system is related to the muscular system because your intestines are like your stomach, both being smooth muscles. The muscular system has lots of part as you have learned. I wish I could tell you more, but there are a lot of parts, more than I have mentioned. I hope you continue your interests about the muscles by reading other peopleââ¬â¢s reports. Thank you for reading!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)