Competencies &amp Essay Example for Free

Competencies amp Essay 1) Legal and regulatory factors: The medical device industry is classified as class 3 , high risk implant so its obvious that a lot of investment goes into testing and experiments with sufficient evidences to prove its safety in-vivo. There are instances when a device fails and a single lawsuit causes the entire company to close down. Thus its advisable to invest time and money , before taking the implant out to the market 2) Investment of Time Money: As approval process is a long drawn procedure, it is necessary to have well trained quality managers and regulatory system advisors as employees. Sometimes services of external consultants or Regulatory advising companies might be used. 3) In-house surgeons/medical practitioners: As these devices cater to specific ailments and are highly specialized, it is important that we have in-house surgeons to understand the requirements of a product before we begin to design it. Infact the engineers and the surgeons should work hand in hand to come up with a better product. The crucial factors which determines success in biomedical industry. 1) Availability of constant flow of Funds: For a new product to be in market, it might take 3-4 yrs, so during this period there should be a constant supply of funds to pay the employees and keep the company running. 2) Excellent marketing strategies : Its important that these products are marketed through right channels, thus its highly imperative that the products are showcased at various trade shows/conferences 3) Understanding the regulatory process: The main aim would be to bring the product soon to the market, by making a full-proof plan before the submission process for approval, as this phase is the lengthiest of all the processes. D. PEST ANALYSIS: Scope of Growth: The medical device industry out here thrives on reverse engineering concept the result is a number of ME TOO products. Infact companies end up investing on buying patents from European and American companies and do not believe in investing money for research and development of such products. There is huge market to be tapped as there is a lot of demand for these products most of which is imported from the Europe and the U. S. This area being the fastest growing market, the projected growth is expected to touch up to $16 billion in 2015 revenues. Source: Millennium Research Group. Spine Care Segments 2015 There is expected to be an increase in surgical treatment options, like facet replacement and dynamic stabilization procedures, which will likely be more acceptable to patients, perhaps doubling the % of patients accepting surgery from 3. 6% to 7% of a much larger, elderly population. As clinical results improve, this market is expected to continue to grow 20% per year and offer a tremendous opportunity to companies with innovative product lines. In 2015, industry experts project lumbar fusions will not grow, but stay at the same 2006 level of 400,000 procedures; dynamic stabilization devices will grow from 25,000 to 250,000 cases; and artificial lumbar and cervical discs grow from 25,000 to 600,000 cases, as these new procedures begin to replace spinal fusion. PART 2: A: BUSINESS OWNERSHIP: Sole proprietorship is a one-person business is registered with the state like a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation. Legally, a sole proprietorship is inseparable from its owner the business and the owner are one and the same. This means the owner of the business reports business income and losses on his or her personal tax return and is personally liable for any business-related obligations, such as debts or court judgments. This accounts 74% of all USA businesses and for 6% of all sales in USA. Advantages: (1) decisions are made by only the owner; (2) simple process to start – just get a business license (3) profits belong to the owner; (4) pride of ownership; (5) lower taxes. Disadvantages: (1) unlimited liability (2) limited life of business (3) difficult to raise capital for business; (4) risk of lost is not shared. Partnership: a partnership is simply a business owned by two or more people Just like in a sole proprietorship, the partnerships owners pay taxes on their shares of the business income on their personal tax returns and they are each personally liable for the entire amount of any business debts and claims. 8% of all USA businesses are partnerships and accounts for 4% of all sales in USA Advantages: (1) easy to start (2) not many regulations; (3) not as difficult to raise capital for business; (4) combination of knowledge and skills. Disadvantages: (1) unlimited liability; (2) profits are shared; (3) limited life of the business; (4) disagreements Incorporation: Though forming a corporation is a bit more complicated and costly, but it is well worth the trouble for some small businesses. The main benefit of an LLC or a corporation is that these structures limit the owners personal liability for business debts and court judgments against the business. What sets the corporation apart from all other types of businesses is that a corporation is an independent legal and tax entity, separate from the people who own, control and manage it. Because of this separate status, the owners of a corporation dont use their personal tax returns to pay tax on corporate profits the corporation itself pays these taxes. Owners pay personal income tax only on money they draw from the corporation in the form of salaries, bonuses, and the like. Corporations make sense for business owners who either (1) run a risk of being sued by customers or of piling up a lot of business debts, or (2) have substantial personal assets they want to protect from business creditors. 18% of all USA businesses are corporations and accounts for 90% of all sales in USA. Advantages: (1) easy to raise capital (2) limited liability; (3) unlimited life of business; (4) Can hire specialized skills and knowledge; (5) shared risks. Disadvantages: (1) difficult to start; (2) less direct control; (3) double taxation: corporate tax and individual tax (4) limited activity. Franchising: Franchises are in which individual businessmen or people buy a well established business, but a certain percentage goes back to the corporation. Franchises must adhere to the corporate regulations. (McDonalds, Krispy Cream, Starbucks). Acquisition/Mergers: In this two companies merge together(merger) or a big company acquires a small innovative company giving rise to an acquisition. The best option to go with would be setting up a corporation or a LLC rather to start. The limited liability company or LLC is a relatively new form of doing business which is now recognized in most states. The LLC has grown in popularity because it combines the best features of a corporation and a partnership. Like a corporation, the owners (called members) of the LLC are not personally responsible for the debts of the LLC. Like a partnership, there is no dual taxation and the earnings of the business are taxed directly to the members. The LLC is also preferable in many ways to the S corporation, which also avoids personal liability and dual taxation. The LLC is not subject to most of the limitations which are imposed on corporations by applicable law. For example, while an corporation is not allowed to have more than one type or class of stock ownership and is not allowed to have more than 75 shareholders, the LLC is not subject to such limitations. Overall, the LLC simply allows more flexibility in the structure, operation and management of the business than does the S corporation. LLCs are similar to corporations because they also provide limited personal liability for business debts and claims. But when it comes to taxes, LLCs are more like partnerships: the owners of an LLC pay taxes on their shares of the business income on their personal tax returns.

Comparison Between Indian And Us Sports News Media Essay

Comparison Between Indian And Us Sports News Media Essay This research on the differentiation between three news channels and how they telecast and cover sports in their respective countries deals primarily with sports journalism. The three news channels are New Delhi Television (NDTV) in India, CNN IBN in India and CNN in USA, here we will study the patterns in broadcasting, the journalistic values, the sports that are prominent in the two countries, the viewership with regards to different sports, the commercialization of sports and sporting events and in all sports journalism as a whole in broadcast media. The world of sports has evolved in the last century and in the first decade of the 21st century the world has seen a lot difference in sports as it has become faster, tougher and more competitive. With sports, sports journalism as well has grown over the years. We can see the change in the way sports journalism, which was just a part of the whole media now it has become unique in itself. We can see the change from the mid 1900s and to the late 1900s and now in the new millennium, sports journalism has become more and more significant and prominent in the media. In 1960, the winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley, California and the media coverage was nowhere close to that of the 2002, Salt Lake winter Olympics. This was just an example, the 2008 2009 UEFA Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United was the most watched live event in television history beating that years Super bowl. This shows the differences in the way sports journalism is active in different countries and regions. This was the first time the Super bowl was defeated by a football match, the reason for this is the media. They promoted the event of the Champions League final as the match between the two best footballers in the world, Leonel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo and also the winner would be declared as the best in the world. One can see how the media uses its tactics and p roduction strategies to promote the event. Here the news values aspect is reflected in sports journalism. What maybe moral or ethical and what kind of news has to telecasted and covered these days depend on the producers, advertisers, viewers and also which sport is more interesting. Cricket in India will be broadcast in a manner that it will be shown as the most important event on Earth. Whereas, football or hockey will not be shown in the same manner. In most of the countries it depends with tradition and culture. In America the four major sports are basketball, ice hockey, baseball and their version of football. Most of the sports played in countries apart from North America are mostly the same. The most popular sport in the world is football and not American football. In America any big news relating to any other sports would not be given much importance and even if it is, it will find very little time in the whole sports segment of a news channel. Britain will claim that they have invented most of the sports that are being played in the modern day. Their way of covering sports is di fferent to that of America, they give all sports almost equal importance. They also focus on the four American sports and give them more coverage than what America gives to others. One has to consider that the pre and post events for any sporting event are watched more than the event itself. The summer Olympics is an example, the opening and closing ceremony of the event is watched by more people than the Olympics or any part of it. This shows how the media and journalism has changed in a massive way along with the sport itself. The market for sports journalism is by far the most improving and expanding one and the producers and advertisers know this and want to make full use of it for their benefit and the viewers will be shown what they want and not what exactly is happening, the whole thing is to make the event sell and to get the Television Rating Points (TRPs). It has all become commercialization and deregulation of televised sport. It has become such an important commodity. In America it has always existed as a system emphasizing the entertainment values. In many European countries it has been a model emphasizing neutrality. With the existence of exclusive sports channels like Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN), Sky Sports, etc. the news channels have to find something different to make their sports segment sell to the public. So, they use different methods of telecasting sports news. Only in sports one can find other interesting details like the lives, hobbies, relationships of the sports personalities and discuss about them in detail. There is politics in sports as well and the extra information attracts the people especially women to the sports. The term Plausibly Live was coined to describe the production of the 1996 Atlanta summer Olympics. The phrase was used as the broadcasts were not live but could have been. Durin g any event one would get the entire extra detail one any particular team or player as the television crew would be sent to find the information. Then at any time during the show they would give out the information to the viewers. The advertisers now will decide that when there must be a break and how long it must last. Now there will be more cuts in any match as it will create more interest and make the sport much faster and better. The camera angles in modern times are such that they will enhance the event than it actually is. The sport has evolved or it has been made it evolve. That is the whole idea of sports journalism in modern times. To enhance what is there to a level that is more interesting to the viewers than it is, is the way it is in these times. Methodology The methodology for this dissertation would be of two kinds. The first will be quantitative method where there would be the analysis of all the sports segments in the all three news channels and how they have allocated time and news coverage to each sport and sports personalities. Every news channel will have its own policies on telecasting any sport and how much to telecast and it will be different for every news channel. NDTV and CNN IBN would mostly have the same content and same time which is given for every sport. As both are in the country they would focus more on the sports of cricket and cricketers more than any other sport. Both these Indian channels would vary slightly in the manner they telecast the sports news. As they have to get their news segment sell. They will try to focus on what they think would be the best for the viewers and not bother about some other news that maybe important but may not be that sellable. In quantitative method the time allocated for each spor t, e.g. cricket, football, hockey, badminton, etc. is very important. The time given for individual cricketers and other sport personalities in one channel would be analyzed and compared to that of the other two news channels. What is the time given for interviews and for news and features would also be analyzed. With this one can see the difference in the way each of the three news channels differ from each other. The news content in CNN would definitely differ from that of the two Indian news channels. As they are in USA they would focus more on the sports that are famous in that part of the world. But the focus is on the news content of CNN in India and whether it would change for the Indian viewers or whether they would try and promote their sports in India. There is also the fact that CNN and CNN IBN is the same company and whether their policies would be the same or would be the different according to the region. All facts and figures that would come from the analysis of thes e news channels would be a part of quantitative methodology. There is also qualitative method where the main criteria for the analysis are the interpretation that comes out from what the news channels telecast. If one news channel gives more emphasis for one sport genuinely or if it gives more emphasis on a sport if a special occasion is there like the world cup, then the interpretation that comes out would be the basis for qualitative method. Both the methods would be used for this study as it is imperative to know the facts and figures as well as the understanding as to why there is a difference in the way each of the news channels differ in the telecasting of sports news from each other. The analysis and the comparison between these news channels would be essential to determine the difference in policies and the interests of the people in that region, so, both the methodologies are highly essential. Hypothesis Indian news is dedicating time for personalized and sensationalized news items than that of news channels. The language of commentary used by news casters and reporters in Indian news channels are using sensationalized and emotional words than that of US channels. The visual language of India sports news is deliberately generating sensationalism. Scope and Limitations The scope for this dissertation is that in the future more studies can be made on more news channels. The study can be vaster as news channels from other countries can also be included. Further research can be done as news channels can be compared to exclusive sports news channels. This will help to learn the difference in cultures, traditions and interests for sports for the people in the various regions of the world. The limitations to this study is that this study and analysis is only between three news channels, two in India and one in USA. With this it is difficult to analyze the difference between the trends in sports in both countries. By the selection of one news channel in USA one cannot determine the trends and traditions in sports there are that of the whole country. Each news channel will have its own policies and ideas, so, one cannot say that the sports news that they would telecast is the trend of that country and that is their mindset towards sports.

analysis Thomas Hobbes?s claim ?a state of nature is, or would be, a st

Thomas Hobbes argues that a state of nature will eventually become a state of war of everyone against everyone. According the Hobbes, the main reason behind this change will be the harsh competition over scarce resources caused by the nature of man. Through out this essay Hobbes’s reasons will be explained in greater detail.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to truly understand the logic behind Hobbes’s claim, we must first understand his point of view of human nature. The key element in Hobbes’s view on human nature was the importance of desires. Unlike many other philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, Hobbes had a different approach to desires. He believed desires were real motive behind human behaviors. (Leviathan, p119) What motivated human actions were not virtues such as wisdom as Aristotle and Plato would claim, nor was it a sense of duty as Cicero would say. It was rather simple desire. Hobbes did not see desire as a harmful feeling, which must be avoided. He rather thought of it as a positive part of human nature, which could drive a person to achieve more and more.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hobbes had a definition of happiness closely connected to desires. Hobbes defined happiness as a â€Å"continual successe in obtaining those things which a man from time to time desireth† He used the phrase â€Å"felicity† for this definition of happiness. (Leviathan, p.129) Important point here is, there is no limit to this attaining of goods and happiness is a continued process of desire fulfillment, which lasts from birth to death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  It would not be wrong if we claim all reasonable people would like to live a life of happiness or in other words, a life of felicity. Having accepted Hobbes’s definition of felicity, it can be further said that all people would want a life where all their desires are fulfilled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hobbes argued that despite minor differences, all people were close to being the same in both ability and intelligence. (Leviathan, p.183) Hobbes further stated, because people are close to being the same they also have similar desires. This is the point where the problems begin. All people have similar desires for certain goods as well as the same hope of attaining them but unfortunately most of these desired goods are limited in numbers. Because there aren’t enough resources for everyone to fu... ...ostly take care of their children with certain degree of love. Thinking that humans would become enemies to theirs seems illogical. In today’s world parents take care of their children not because laws force them but because they love them. This is an instinctive love necessary for the survival of human race and it is doubtful this love of children will be overcome by desire in a state of nature. The bottom line is that according to Hobbes, desires are the real motive behind human behavior. In order to live a life of happiness humans must constantly fulfill their desires. But, because human understanding of â€Å"good†, â€Å"bad† is interest based and the aim of â€Å"rationality† is no more than self preservation, a state of nature with no authority to fear from turns in to a state of war where every one is against everyone. With the reasons he has provided, Hobbes has put forward a good but not perfect argument. Even though there are some flaws, he has done a good job explaining how competition for desires leads up to a state of war. However, this â€Å"war† to take place between everyone against everyone including families doesn’t seem to be a realistic argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

The Brownfield Problem Essay -- essays research papers fc

The Brownfield Problem Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial sites where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real, or perceived environmental contamination that can add cost, time, and uncertainty to the redevelopment process. Throughout the country there are an estimated 450,000 brownfields. These vacant properties exist mostly in cities, serving no practical purpose, and act as both eyesores and environmental as well as economic pitfalls. The inner cities, where most brownfields exist, were once the only choice developers had in deciding where to build industry. However, since the birth of environmental laws and regulation, the redevelopment of these properties has become a complicated and often very costly procedure. This procedure causes many businesses and corporations to look outside of the inner cities and urban areas for locations to grow and develop. This trend not only leaves the inner cities vacant and economically useless, but also leads to urba n sprawl, a phenomenon that leads to the development of greenfields, or the pristine, undeveloped land outside the confines of massive urban areas. Many sites across the country that were once used for industrial, and/or, commercial use have been abandoned by the companies who used them. Some of these sites are contaminated; however, some of them are merely perceived as being contaminated. In those cases, the sites have been linked to big industry, or nearby sites. In the past, any such site has been avoided or ignored as a possibility for redevelopment. This situation is caused largely by federal and state environmental laws and court decisions that impose or imply potentially serious liability. The circumstances surrounding this uncertain liability has encouraged businesses to build in previously undeveloped and non-urban areas, that are referred to as greenfields, where they are confident that no previous industry has been active. A report from the General Accounting Office finds that: "As states and localities attempt to redevelop their abandoned industrial sites, they have faced a number of obstacles, including th e possibility of contamination and the associated liability for cleanup." This situation has lead to a number of far-reaching problems including social, economic, and enviro... ...ization to determine the extent of environmental contamination and the cost of removal or remediation. Then, funds should be set aside either from the Superfund Trust Fund or general revenues to provide resources to local governments to develop brownfield site inventories, site assessments, and brownfield redevelopment strategies, the main goal of which would be to attract private investment. EPA should expand their Brownfields Initiative to include funds for preparation and implementation of brownfield redevelopment strategies. Federal funds should be made available for the creation and capitalization of local revolving loan funds for local governments or the private sector to perform activities such as removal, remediation, and small business development at brownfield sites. HUD should provide resources to accelerate actual development, through leveraging private sector investment and other means, to move beyond cleanup and remediation. All agencies need to find ways to assist by providing resources that will aid in the redevelopment of brownfield sites. Bibliography: EPA Homepage Brownfields Inc. Homepage Chicago Tribune; 3,1:2, May 30, 1996. Urban Land; Vol. 55, #6, pg 43.

Teaching Philosophy Statement :: Education Teachers Teaching Essays

Teaching Philosophy Statement There have been many teachers come and go in my life, but only a few really stand out. The reason I want to teach is because of these few teachers that have touched my life. A unique world of opportunity rests within an educational system. The ability to influence minds is a wonderful thing. I don’t want to be one of those ordinary teachers; I want to become an exceptional teacher. I want to be the teacher that everyone values. I understand that it will take a lot of hard work to become this type of teacher, but I’m willing to do so. I hope to be a positive influence on my students. I want to be able to motivate my students, and give them a full opportunity to learn. I wish for the students who leave my classroom to have accomplished independence, knowledge, and self-discipline. I think these three aspects are the aspects of an effective classroom environment. My philosophy on education is an eclectic philosophy. I find that I lean toward the essentialist philosophy. Wanting to be a science teacher, I believe that natural sciences should be a core curriculum. Although I feel that lecture and discussion are great ways to lean, I think a variety of methods should be used. I think an effective classroom should obtain other methods of learning such as cooperative learning, mastery learning, project based instruction along with direct instruction. I believe that academic rigor is an essential component of education. I believe students should master certain key materials before being passed on to the next grade level. Other than essentialism, I find another philosophy I lean toward is perrenialism. What makes me lean toward perrenialism is that I believe that methods such as: problem solving, discussion, lecture, critical thinking, and questioning should be used in every classroom. As a science teacher I would think that problem solving would be the best way to educate my students. My goals for the future are to graduate from Concord with a Bachelor’s in Science Education of grades 9-12. I then intend on maybe teaching and then going on to obtain a Master’s degree.

Stevie Nicks: an Inspirational Artist

Another band Nicks Joined in high school was the Frizz Robbery Memorial Band. Frizz was given the opportunity to open for celebrity musician, Janis Joplin. Nicks recalls, muff couldn't have pried me away with a million dollar check†¦ L was absolutely glued to her. It was there that learned a lot of what I do onstage†¦ L said, ‘If ever I am a performer of any value, I want to be able to create the same kind of feeling that is going on between her and her audience† (Steve Nicks Biography). Sure enough, Nicks did accomplish what she set out to do and much more.Steve Nicks' educational career continued when she decided to enroll at San Jose State University as a speech communication major. Steve planned on becoming an English teacher but the enrollment was short-lived and she eventually dropped out of San Jose to pursue her musical aspirations In Los Angels. Steve moved to L. A. With her musical partner, Lindsey Bucking, who eventually became her romantic partner as well. Together they signed a record deal with Polygon Records and created the Bucking Nicks album. Unfortunately, the public did not respond and the duo was unable to produce a significant profit from the album. Nicks decided she would to let this setback end her musical career. Little did she know, she was about to the land the opportunity of a lifetime, My favorite part of Settee's career, her Journey with Flatfooted Mac, could not have come at a better time In Steve Nick's life. She was struggling financially and desperate to have a career breakthrough. I believe â€Å"The Chain†, by Flatfooted Mac, is without a doubt the front-runner of all the songs Steve has participated in writing.Her collaboration on this song with Lindsey Bucking, Mimic Flatfooted, Christine Mimic, and John Emcee showed Steve has the ability to work well with others. The Chain† Includes Settee's preferred Instrument, the tambourine, as well as another percussion Instrument, the drums, and a st ring instrument, the guitar. One similarity this song has with most of Settee's other songs is that it falls in the rock music genre. The upbeat and dramatic tone of this song captivates the audience from the beginning and holds their attention until the end, leaving the listener with a desire to hear more.Another one of my favorites performed by Flatfooted Mac Is the song â€Å"Ruination†, a song Steve states was written In only ten minutes, This musical creation Is about a haystack woman won Tints It very Nora to De tale down (Keller) . Settle wanted t song to be uplifting. I believe the song does have a mystical quality about it, however, not much of an uplifting one. In â€Å"Ruination†, Steve Nicks crosses over from her traditional musical genre, rock, to a separate musical genre, pop.Once again, you can clearly hear the drums, played by Mimic Flatfooted, and two guitars, one played by Lindsey Bucking and the other by John Mimic. There is another instrument that i s introduced in this song and that is the keyboard, which is played by Christine Mimic (Pillar). The combination of these musical instruments sounds beautiful, and Nicks did a remarkable Job putting this piece together. I also enjoy the song â€Å"Dreams,† which Steve Nicks wrote concerning love affairs and relationships ending. It was very personal to Steve, as she was going through this experience herself.After an eight year relationship, Steve Nicks and Lindsey Bucking had decided to go their separate ways. Although â€Å"Dreams† addresses a more difficult topic than â€Å"Ruination,† I think it has a more positive energy and uplifting beat. Steve says she likes to offer hope in her songs (Killer). Nicks chose to incorporate percussion, strings, and a keyboard instrument by using the drums, an acoustic guitar, a base guitar, and the keyboard itself. â€Å"Dreams† is yet another song in Steve Nicks' career that climbed the charts when it was released in 1977 and is still popular more than thirty years later.All the songs discussed previously have excellent music and vocals, but there is one song in which the music overshadows Settee's voice and that song is â€Å"Gypsy. † Without watching one of Flatfooted Mac's live performances, the instrument that I thought stood out was the piano. However, it is actually a guitar. This song is similar to â€Å"Ruination† in that it reflects Nicks' mystical side. The music in â€Å"Gypsy' is refreshing and relaxing. This is the type of song I would want in the background when I had friends over.It sets up a pleasant atmosphere and is delightfully entertaining. The last song I like, written by Steve Nicks that comes out before her solo career, is â€Å"Landslide†. This song is filled with overwhelming emotion and intrigue. It is about Nicks' decision to continue in her musical career when she was standing up against all odds. The guitar is the predominant instrument in this piece, and it is all the song rule needs. Steve repeats the same theme over and over again through the course of this piece. The music in â€Å"Landslide† is surprisingly simple yet very powerful.Throughout Steve Nicks solo career, I would have to say that her most popular composition was â€Å"Edge of Seventeen. † I still hear it on the radio today. Nicks wrote this song after John Lenin and an uncle she was very close to passed away. There is irony in this because â€Å"Edge of Seventeen† strikes me as particularly happy song. The cymbals are an instrument unique to this musical piece. In addition, there are three efferent types of drums being played: the snare drum and the bass drum, which are played with sticks, as well as a hand drum, which is obviously played with the hands.The piano Joins these other instruments as the song develops. â€Å"Edge of Seventeen† is a gripping and enchanting song which, not surprisingly, comes from Settee's album Encha nted. Another catchy song from Nicks' album Enchanted is â€Å"Blue Lamp. † Like many of her other pieces of work, â€Å"Blue Lamp† has a musical introduction that highlights the melody of the song. Steve Nicks stands on the genre border between rock and pop tin tons one-or-a-Kink place. In near own words, seen says tons song symbolizes â€Å"ten light that shines through the night† (Killer).Typical of Settee's character, she uses the drums and the guitar as the musical foundation for the song. If I had to choose one song that I did not like from Nicks' output, it would be â€Å"Rock a Little. † This song does not draw me in the way her others do. The tone color of the instruments sounds dull and the music is relatively boring. This is only my personal opinion, and over the course of Steve Nicks' extraordinary career, I found this piece of work to be simply ordinary. Although Steve Nicks' career began with a commercial failure, her successes as a musical artist are what she is known for.Steve Nicks has influenced a wide variety and record number of singers and songwriters including Kelly Clarion, Collie Cyclical, Madonna, the Dixie Chicks, and Vanessa Carlton. She has collaborated with many well-known artists including Tom Petty, and mentored others, such as Sherry Crow (Dunn). Her 2001 solo album, Trouble in Shanghai-La, included fellow musicians Mac Gray, Sarah McClellan, Sherry Crow, and Dixie Chick Natalie Amines. Nicks has toured all over the world from Sydney, Australia, to SST. Petersburg, Russia, and from Dublin, Ireland, to Dallas, Texas.I cannot say that one country likes her more than the other, given the fact that all the reviews describe her sold out concerts and devoted fans (Kinney). In an article from an Australian newspaper, music editor Kathy McCabe reports, â€Å"The veteran band [Flatfooted Mac] who ushered in the west-coast sound has lost none of its fire but gained the self-awareness afforded by survival in th e music business, using their legendary tensions, relationship breakdowns and drug problems to introduce so many great songs from Rumors and beyond† (McCabe).Sean Flynn, writer for the Irish Times, says, â€Å"This time around, there is no new album to plug and no new songs to roll out. Yesterdays gone, but those golden sun-drenched songs roll on forever† (Flynn). I could not have said it better myself. Steve Nicks is a legend. Her music has thrived for decades and she will go down in history as an exceptionally talented songwriter and performer. In addition to the musical imprint Steve Nicks has left on society, her humanitarian efforts have also impacted the world. She has performed at benefits for the Arizona

The third maddening buzz

Fear, disappointment, and disbelief filled my mind as I opened my tear filled, burning eyes.   Everything was a blur, as if it were surreal.   There was a massive amount of dust from the air bag, and smoke coming from under the hood of my car.   As I turn to my right, remembering Josh had been with me in the car, I begin to panic.All that I can see is his head against the windshield.   I begin to shout his name as I shake his shoulder.   â€Å"Josh   Josh, are you okay?   Say something†Ã‚  Ã‚   The weight of the world has just come crumbling down on me and from that moment on my life was changed forever.The third maddening buzz of my alarm woke me as I groggily slid out of bed, and into the shower.   It was the start of another routine morning, or so I thought.   I took a shower, and quarrelled with my sister over which clothes were mine to wear, and which were hers.   Luckily, it was Memorial Day, so we didn’t have school.   If it were a normal we ekday, we would have surely been late.My boyfriend Josh decided to stop by to see me after I was finished my grooming routine.   While sitting at the table with my parents, Josh informs us that his parents have invited us to a picnic at their house today.   We decided that we should bring something, perhaps a watermelon or cantaloupe.   Without missing a beat, my parents advise me that I need to go to the store to pick these up.With music blasting and voices singing and talking, it was another typical ride to the store, only this time we didn’t make it very far.   We backed out of the driveway, after a white truck had passed.   I begin to speed up to the speed limit (25 miles per hour).   Josh is a neat freak, so as soon as we are on our way, he decides to round up the trash in my car.After going about a quarter of a mile down the road, only three houses away from my house, the white truck begins to turn left into a driveway.   Not thinking anything of it, I slo wed down to give him time to get out of my lane. When he was out of the way I hit the gas again.   Within the blink of any eye, the white truck had shifted into reverse and backed into my lane.   I slammed on the brakes, the tires squealed, but it was too late.I opened my eyes, and gasped for air.   Fear filled my head. My eyes burned and stung.   It was hard for me to catch my breath.   The dust from my airbag was circulating within the car. In that very moment I kept saying to myself, â€Å"It was just a dream, I am still sleeping, you’ll wake up in a few minutes.†As the dust settles, I begin to see that this is no dream.   I could see the white truck in front of my car, and slightly on top of my hood.   Smoke begins to fill the air from the engine in my car.   I start feeling pain in my right foot, shooting up my right leg.   My chest hurt, as if someone was stomping on it.   I feel as if my neck is on the verge of snapping off of my body. As I a m beginning to notice all of my bodily injuries, I remember that Josh had been riding with me.