Changing Minds Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Changing Minds - Case Study Example How can you approach such a person or group and attempt to change their minds? Being a fundamentalist, one adheres to a strict doctrine of thought. Basically, it is similar to a computer in that it already has programmed responses; fundamentalist already have responses in which they are going to act in certain parameters. It makes it extremely difficult to sway the minds of those that are fundamentalist in that they are dedicated to a certain pattern of thought and straying from this thinking pattern can cause them anxiety. In order to convert fundamentalist, you must be able to reconstruct the view so that a person can easily integrate into the mindset. 2.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Changing Minds Gardner talks of an ‘Integrated viable identity.’ How can the work of a site such as ours impact and attempt to create change in a way that supports the development and enhancement of any existing ‘integrated viable identity’ in any of our readers? (Hint – this is hard to find yet findable – look at references provided in the back of the book to help you find it if needed). This involves the conversion of the fundamentalist to what could be considered the radical and changing point of view. In order for the variable to become viable, he idea that is radical must be integrated into the cognition and memory of the fundamentalist. The final step is taking this integrated thought and moving it into behavior. In terms of the project, you had to not only convince them that the idea of ecologically sound cars is good, but in order to make it integrated and viable, they must move the belief into actions. 3.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Changing Minds Gardner speaks of ‘Representational Redescription.’   Explain what this is, and whether we have it in our site. If we do, describe where it is and how it works in the site.   Also, explain how you might effectively use it in the future. Representational Redescription is wher e a reformist must radically change the ideas of the group by reversing traditional roles and values. We did this by showing how traditional technologies are not beneficial. The function of compressed gas does not mean that it is compressed as in explosive like when we think of compressed gas in a can, however the explosion itself can help power as an alternative resource. 4.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Changing Minds Gardner describes how ‘Designated Driver’ became a household word internationally. Using this model, what could be done on this project or others in the future to successfully establish a similar acceptance of an idea in the average public person? What would you do differently on the project knowing this? This shows that society is actually the driver in change, whether it is locally or universally, such as in reforms for drunk driving and texting while driving. We want the community to push for change in the electric vs CNG debate. In order to get public s upport, you have to show that not only is it economically feasible, but also that it will make a difference. 5. In Changing Minds, Gardner talks about Wetware, Dryware and Goodware. Explain these terms and how you either used them in our project or how you might use them effectively in the future. Be sure to integrate and compare all three in your response. Gardner used his creative writing techniques to compare our psychological reasoning and aspects in comparison to a computer. Dryware is the basic components in processing and traditional data processing techniques. Goodware is the natural altruistic behavior, which guides people to do

Cuban revolution Essay Example for Free

Cuban revolution Essay The dual personality of doctors has been observed since ancient times. Thousands of years ago, the mythological Dr. Imhotep of Egypt had a personality similar to Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde—two personalities in one person. Even more recently, this has been noticed in terrorists and extremists. In 2007, for instance, 45 Muslim doctors planned US terror attacks from Britain. And just five months ago, a Fort Hood medical doctor, a psychiatrist in fact, open fired on his fellow American soldiers in the military base where he treats other soldiers. Scientists have also been known for this type of bipolar madness, such as the mad CERN scientist who was arrested seven months ago for plotting terrorism. There are hundreds of similar cases, but sometimes, these people become larger-than-life heroes, especially for the people that they fight for. One of these bipolar idols is Dr. Ernesto â€Å"Che† Guevara, a physician who is a hero, a caring person and a martyr, yet also a brutal guerilla revolutionary who left behind a legacy. Mr. Che is a hero. He is a Marxist revolutionary from Argentina who played a leading role in the Cuban revolution of the late 1950s, second in command to Fidel Castro. He is an icon in Cuba because he fought against inequality. Latin America was plagued by socio-economic inequality caused by imperialist nations such as the United States through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Some American government officials, such as Secretary of State John Dulles, owned or worked for US corporations that exploited land and labor in Latin America. And Che felt strongly about the immorality of these dealings (Kellner 32). He strongly believed that in order to correct the inequity of the situation, only an armed struggle through a revolution could change the status quo (Sinclair 12). In a speech given in 1961, he attacked the United States, which hypocritically calls itself a â€Å"democracy† while discriminating against African Americans and other minorities, physically torturing them through the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), and controlling the financial system through a few well-to-do groups of white people. By 1964, after the successful Cuban Revolution, he became a diplomat to the United Nations (UN) in New York City (Kellner 60). And in a speech to the UN, he condemned South Africa for its â€Å"brutal† apartheid and challenged the UN to end the racist policy. He also attacked the United States in the UN for racial prejudice and injustice that allows whites who murder blacks to go free and prohibits African Americans from demanding their civil rights as human beings. Che was also an economic advisor to Castro, and he advised Cuba to follow the example of China to develop the Cuban industry, but Castro favored the practices of the Soviet Union and ignored Che, as asserted by John Riddell for the Centre for Research on Globalization. Had Castro followed the advice of Che, Cuba could have followed the economic success of China instead of the collapse of the Soviet Union. He also supported the communists in Vietnam and called for the development of â€Å"many Vietnams† throughout the world, in a letter written in 1967. This led him to aid communist uprisings in Congo and Bolivia. Dr. Ernesto Guevara is also a caring physician. He was asthmatic, and in 1954, he worked in the allergy department of Mexico City’s General Hospital. He also lectured about medical subjects in the National Autonomous University of Mexico. His wife, Hilda Gadea claims in her book, My Life with Che, that he wanted to work as a physician in Africa. She also mentions that he was always deeply troubled by the suffering surrounding him. One of his patients was an old laundry woman and Hilda recounts how Che was deeply saddened by her situation. He felt that she symbolized those who were exploited and neglected. He then wrote a poem and dedicated it to the elderly woman, stating that he will fight for victims of poverty and exploitation, leading to a better society. Even after the Cuban Revolution, he continued to care for the wounded and the sick. In 1960, he provided emergency medical assistance to blast victims at the Havana Harbor which killed more than 76 and injured hundreds. Moreover, Leonardo Tamayo, who fought alongside Che said that he was like a father to him. He was his teacher. But the â€Å"most beautiful thing† that Che taught him was â€Å"to be human† (Schweimler, BBC News). Also, when Che was fighting in the Congo, he needed an interpreter to translate Swahili and other local African dialects for him. The teenager, Freddy Ilanga, became his translator, and over time, Ilanga’s admiration for Che grew due to his hard-working nature and his equal respect for blacks and whites (Doyle, BBC World Affairs). And in preparation for his death, he wrote a farewell letter to his children, five all in all, which was to be read when he passes away. It taught them to be sensitive to the injustices committed against humanity around the globe. This sensitivity, he says, is the revolutionary’s â€Å"most beautiful† feature (Guevara 167). Mr. Che is also a martyr. His actions always suggested self-sacrifice, and he was a man who was always ready to die for his cause. For instance, he risked his own life to save Joel Iglesias, his lieutenant. With his gun tucked through his belt, he darted to the wounded Iglesias and carried him on his shoulders. The guards saw him, but they did not shoot him because they were so impressed with his act of martyrdom (Landau X01). Furthermore, after a frustrating ordeal fighting in the Congo, he wanted to send back his surviving Cuban companions back home and fight by himself, like the Lone Ranger, since some of his comrades already died. But Castro sent two representatives to convince him to come back since it was not yet his time to be a martyr. And since Che thought that there was â€Å"nothing† more to do in the Congo because the leaders were â€Å"corrupt† and had no passion to fight, he complied with Castro and retreated (Kellner 87). But he knew that one day, it will be over for him, so he already prepared for his coming death by writing his own epitaph. In it, he welcomes death, as long as someone else continues the fight against inequality and injustice (Bourne, The Guardian). He also believed that his death would become a type of â€Å"renaissance† that would bring forth â€Å"renewal† or â€Å"rebirth† (Nadle 42). Just before his enemies killed him, they asked Che if his own immortality was in his thoughts, but he said that he only reflected on the revolution’s â€Å"immortality,† as Time magazine reports. Eventually, he was executed. But when his corpse was displayed to the local public, many of them thought that his body seemed like Christ’s, so some of them clipped locks of Che’s hair as holy relics (Casey 179). Indeed, after John Berger, an art critic, saw photographs of his cadaver, he realized that it resembled Mantegna’s painting of Christ after he died (Casey 183). In the end, some Bolivian farm laborers consecrated Che and called him St. Ernesto. They pray to him for their daily needs (Schipani, The Observer). Mr. Che is also a brutal guerilla revolutionary. After joining, Fidel Castro’s July 26 Movement, he was trained by Colonel Alberto Bayo in guerilla warfare even though Che was planning to be a medic. He learned ambush-retreat techniques, running through rivers and jungles, and hiking up mountains. He graduated as the top guerilla of his class, and he made a great impression on the colonel (Kellner 37). But after their invasion of Cuba via a sea route from Mexico, the Cuban government under Batista attacked them heavily. When his comrades started running away, he dropped his medical supplies and started arming himself to fight. Eventually, Che would become a commandant second only to Fidel Castro. He did not tolerate cowardice, so anyone who wanted to run away to the enemy, or accept bribes in return for information, or simply pretended to work for their movement while actually working for the enemy, were all considered to be venomous traitors and were all brutally slaughtered at the command of Che. He would send squads to hunt down and kill traitors; summary executions were also not uncommon (Anderson 237). In one instance, when it became â€Å"uncomfortable† for the people to execute Eutimio Guerra, a convicted informant, Che himself shot him through the head in a detached manner, later writing about it as a sacrifice that was necessary for â€Å"redemption† (Anderson 237). He and his men were also outnumbered 10 to 1 in their battle for the control of Cuba, but in spite of this handicap, they were able to capture Havana and win Cuba, a â€Å"remarkable† feat, as told by some observers (Sandison 39). But to this day, many Cuban Americans and exiles hate him and consider him to be a â€Å"butcher† (Casey 325). However, even with his negative record, Dr. Ernesto â€Å"Che† Guevara has left behind a legacy. His name is on the list of Time magazine as one of the most influential personalities of the previous century. Nelson Mandela also calls him the freedom-lover’s inspiration (Guevarra, II), while Jean-Paul Sartre thinks of him as today’s intelligent and â€Å"complete human† personality (Moynihan, Stockholm Spectator). The Black Panthers also believe that Guevara lives on through his ideals (Sinclair 67). Truly, a bronze statue of Che’s likeness stands 12 feet high in Argentina, where many high schools and museums are named in memory of him and his principles (Popper, Reuters). Furthermore, Cuban children pledge to follow him every morning, while his face is immortalized on Cuban currency (Peoples Weekly World). A photo of him taken by Alberto Korda is a popular icon among counter-culture groups and modern merchandising (Lacey, The New York Times). It would not be unusual for someone nowadays to wear a hat, T-shirt, bikini or tattoo of this iconic photograph with Che gazing up to the left, like a saint, appearing Christ-like with a trimmed mustache and beard; his long wavy hair is covered by a beret bearing a five-pointed star at the center. Indeed, the five-pointed star or the Wu Xing, as the Chinese call it, is a very apt symbol for the justice and equality that Guevara stood for. As Rodney St. Michael states in Sync My World: Thief’s Honor GA SK, the five-pointed star is a universal political symbol that stands for the multi-polar conflict and harmony between the five basic Selves, races, genders, classes, organizations, nations and so forth. In the end, while Dr. Ernesto â€Å"Che† Guevara had five faces—a hero, a compassionate doctor, a saint, a vicious revolutionary and an iconic legend—his multi-faceted personality allowed him to become a very influential leader who still lives in the hearts and minds of millions of people around the world. He is truly a five-star icon. Works Cited Anderson, Jon Lee. Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life. New York: Grove Press, 1997. Bourne, Richard. Obituary: Che Guevara, Marxist Architect of Revolution. The Guardian, 11 Oct 1967. Casey, Michael. Ches Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image. Vintage, 2009. Dorfman, Ariel. â€Å"Time 100:   ple. † Time, 14 Jun 1999. Doyle, Mark. DR Congos Rebel-Turned-Brain Surgeon. BBC World Affairs, 13 Dec 2005. Gadea, Hilda. My Life with Che: The Making of a Revolutionary (reprint). Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. Guevara, Ernesto. Che: The Diaries of Ernesto Che Guevara. Ocean Press, 2009. Guevara, Che. Colonialism is Doomed (UN speech on 11 Dec 1964). The Che Reader. Ocean Press, 2005. Guevara, Che. Economics Cannot be Separated from Politics. Our America — Kennedy and the Alliance for Progress. Ocean Press, 2005. Guevara, Che. Message to the Tricontinental in Havana. Bolivian jungle camp, Spring 1967. Kellner, Douglas. Ernesto â€Å"Che† Guevara (World Leaders Past Present). Chelsea House Publishers, 1989. Lacey, Mark. A Revolutionary Icon, and Now, a Bikini. The New York Times, 9 Oct 2007. Landau, Saul. Poster Boy of The Revolution. The Washington Post, 19 Oct 1997. Moynihan, Michael. Neutering Sartre at Dagens Nyheter. Stockholm Spectator. Nadle, Marlene. Regis Debray Speaks from Prison. Ramparts Magazine, 24 Aug 1968. Popper, Helen. Argentina pays belated homage to Che Guevara. Reuters, June 14, 2008. PWW Writer. Che Guevara remains a hero to Cubans. Peoples Weekly World, 2 Oct 2004. Riddell, John. Che Guevaras Final Verdict on the Soviet Economy. Centre for Research on Globalization, 13 Jun 2008. Sandison, David. The Life Times of Che Guevara. Paragon, 1996. Schipani, Andres. The Final Triumph of Saint Che. The Observer. 23 Sept 2007. Schweimler, Daniel. Latin Americas New Look at Che. BBC News, 9 Oct 2007. Sinclair, Andrew. Che Guevara. The Viking Press, 1970. Sinclair, Andrew. Viva Che! : The Strange Death and Life of Che Guevara. Sutton publishing, 1968. St. Michael, Rodney. Sync My World: Thief’s Honor GA SK. Raleigh: Lulu, 2009. Time Writer. Che: A Myth Embalmed in a Matrix of Ignorance. Time, 12 Oct 1970.

Call It Sleep by Henry Roth :: Call it Sleep Essays

Call It Sleep   by Henry Roth      The book Call It Sleep written by Henry Roth is a literary work that explores immigrant life as they adjust to the new and unfamiliar ways of American life.   The book is somewhat of a social commentary on the period of the Eastern European immigration to America at its peak.  Ã‚   The novel gives an inside view on how foreigners (primarily Jewish immigrants) fit into main stream society.  Ã‚   Throughout the course of the novel, you travel along with the main character David Schearl as he ages from six to eight and grows up in Brownsville on the lower East side of New York.   David is torn between the love of his over protective mother and the hatred of his angry and mentally disturbed father in a quest to make sense of his life in contrast with all of the other immigrant children that he comes in contact with.   All of the adventures that David encounters and all of the people that he comes in contact with are simply the author’s way of depicting an immigrants inne r struggle and dealing with the pressures of life as seen through the eyes of a remarkably perceptive and imaginative child.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The opening scenes are set in New York harbor in 1907 at a time when the inflow of   foreigners is at its peak. A woman and her small child come off of the boat to reunite with her husband that had gone before them to the new world to start a better life than they were used to in their old country.   The author has you experience what it is like to come into New York Harbor and see the city skyline and the lights; and also to experience the feeling of hope and promise for a brighter future for the immigrants.   However when Albert Schearl shows up late and uncaring to greet a wife and son who don’t recognize him right away, it is hinted to the reader that trouble is in store for the Schearl family.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The father Albert Schearl is introduced as a very haughty and proud individual that believes that he should abandon all signs of his former upbringing and conform to the American ways of life.   He is a printer by trade however he cannot hold down a job long enough due to his violent and uncontrollable temperament.   He thinks that people are constantly watching his every move therefore he cannot give

Bead Bar Network

In a world where competitive edge can hinge on the breakthrough technologies that makes a business run smoothly, Bead Bar is an anomaly. This is because Bead Bar is still using paper based system and this is where Stan’s BJR Consulting will come in. This paper is about the best way Bead Bar can transition into a modern technology run business. BRJ Consulting’s main focus would be to assess the information technology needs of Bead Bar specifically on network technology.To begin with the analysis of Bead Bar, we would have to discuss their background and why they came to the point of needing information technology experts to study their operations. From the needs assessment, we will discuss the best recommendations on the network technology that Bead Bar can put into action to ensure that their company needs and objectives are met. Background In 1998, Bead Bar was started as a small business by Meredith S with the first concept store at New Canaan, Connecticut.Meredith wa nted a store, which she called a studio, wherein customers can create their own bead jewelries with an array of beads, accessories and tools to help them work creatively in a cozy environment. The store will provide the necessary equipment on site and the customers will just have to buy the beads and accessories such as wires and string that they will use. As a result, the customers’ creativity in making their own bead jewelry will be fostered and the company will sell their products.Of course, for customer who has no time to think their own designs, much more to create it will also have an array of designs and products to choose from. They can also choose a particular design which would be made for them by the stores trained employees. The Bead Bar is composed of three divisions namely the studios, franchises, and Bead Bar on Board. The Studio Division, headed by Susanne S. , manages the six Bead Bar studios in different locations. Aside from the Bead Bar studios, they also have franchises are managed by their Franchise Division headed by Leda H.The current franchises of the company are at Kansas City, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Miami, Florida. The franchise division sells a complete beading supply package to businesses that want to open their own bead studio. Bead Bar on Board division which is headed by Mitch is a special bead bar designed for cruise ships. The bar is portable and can be placed on deck or in a lounge. The cruise ships employees also purchase their supplies through the Bead Bar. Currently, Bead Bar has 6 studios, five franchises and Bead Bar on Board.They have a roster of 15 full-time employees and 20 part-time employees. As of their last financial reports, they recorded $1. 5million annual revenues. As we can see, the studios and franchises are scattered in different states. This resulted into several inefficiencies in their operations such as lost orders, incorrect invoicing and de lays in fulfillment and delivery. One of the things that Meredith realized is that these inefficiencies can be mitigated with the implementation of the right system into the company.Further, with the onset of globalization, Meredith believes that it is the right time for Bead Bar to use the advantages of computer technology to become more competitive. She knew that digitization would help the company simplify its processes; facilitate the processing of its orders without the need for lost invoices and help in the overall operations of the company. Bead Bar would also need to look into different strategies such as their supply chain management and pricing strategies. Additionally, Meredith may like to explore other market options such as an online store to widen their customer reach.Meredith realized that there are huge possibilities for Bead Bar once it has the appropriate information technology in its arsenal. Recommendations Overview After the information technology needs assessme nt made by the consultants, it was noted that there are many things that would have to be procured to help Bead Bar’s system to competitive. First, there was no mention of any hardware that Bead Bar has but the basic assumption would be that the head office has computer peripherals that helps them in their administrative work.For example, top management executives probably have their own desktop where they make their reports specifically for Meredith as the president and owner. Julia R, as Bead Bar’ Chief Financial Officer, needs a computer to keep track of the finances of the company as well as make the necessary reports and financial documents that the company needs for its operation. Miriam, as head of Marketing and Sales, probably has a database of inventory of the company’s stocks in order to know what products are moving and what products are not so that she can make the necessary promotions to sell these.In the same way, Rachel, as head of operations and purchasing should also have access to the same inventory database so she can forecast her stock procurement and see what product should be replaced and ordered. Jim, as head of human resources would also have a system for his personnel file, which will include the database of compensation and benefits for each employee. Assuming that each critical unit of the company has its own computer peripherals, the next stem is to determine how each computer is connected to form a network.A network is defined as â€Å"two or more computers that are connected with one another for the purpose of communicating data electronically. Besides physically connecting computer and communication devices, a network system serves the important function of establishing a cohesive architecture. This allows a variety of equipment types to transfer information in a near-seamless fashion† (Encyclopedia Britannica). There are two kinds of network that would be applicable for Bead Bar. First is Local Area N etwork or LAN.These link computers and other peripheral devices such as printers, copiers, etc. As such, the computers within the headquarters of Bead Bar can be interconnected through LAN. The second type would be a Wide Area Network which users connected to LAN can tap into. Wide Area Networks or WAN consists of â€Å"computers connected to a wide-area network and often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites† (Webopedia). WAN is needed by Bead Bar so that all stores are interconnected with each other.This is especially important for the inventory and marketing database of the company. When stories have access to real time data regarding stocks, decision making in their level will be easier. Network Topology There are different kinds of network topologies that are available for businesses to connect them to their operations network. I recommended that a mesh network topology be used for B ead Bar. .In this topology, there would be alternate ways for nodes to communicate when there is a breakdown on other nodes or if a cable fails.However, this can be expensive to install, as it will involve many of cabling. Mesh technology is often used in conjunction with other topologies such as star, ring or bus topology which is useful for a business that uses LAN. For a WAN architecture, most employ mesh routing. An example of a network which uses mesh topology is the internet. I recommend that a partial mesh network topology be employed for Bead Bar. A partial mesh is organized similarly to a full mesh topology but some nodes will only be connected to one or two network which Bead Bar deems to be the most important. Bead Bar Network The central aim is to observe the business processes and the business organization in place and prove ones analytical skills to understand how the business can be enveloped using a computer network infrastructure for making communication swift and successful sharing of information. The proposed network would entail better communication and save the organization on costs for facilitating one process to get the job done.The departments concerned would be able to capture and share effectively valuable business information so as to remain synchronized with the latest events and take decisions accordingly saving time and costs.Introduction Bead bar concentrate in producing beads jewellery for the customers. They are organized into three divisions’ namely studios, franchises and bead bar on board which demands to be brought to the same page for synchronization of activities. The proposed network design and the appropriate topology which would be an advantage to the firm for ensuring communication and sharing information to keep in synchronization with the current prospects of the business.The following sections would take up the various network topologies to make the communication feasible and possible with regard to all the physical and network barriers. The network design would provide enough architecture which would give a clear picture of the interconnection of devices and the departments to facilitate the sharing of business information. The final segment discusses the pros and cons of the proposed topology in subject. Background information of Bead Bar: Bead Bar is departmentalized into three divisions namely studios, franchises and bead bar on board.The current circumstance is incapacitated to link among them and thus creates inconsistencies in information sharing and knowledge about the company as a whole, at any given point of time. A computer network would make possible the process of getting the entire job done for every customer within an affordabl e time than usual. It would make sure that information regarding ones choice and preferences would be catered and stored for future benefits. The network would enrich the communication among the divisions which in turn would assist greater workability and functionality in operation.Recommendation overview: The network proposal for the Bead Bar could be surrendered into LAN and WAN. The internal network within the divisions would have a LAN network; however the inter-department contact would be made feasible using WAN as they are geographically separated. The LAN network would make sure to connect the personnel of the particular department itself and the swift communication would be an outcome of it. For the LAN network, switches and hubs are used for connecting the particular division itself and for WAN routers are used for interconnecting each other.Explanation of the Network Design: The three divisions of the company are interconnected using the network cable in a wired network us ing both LAN and WAN. Using LAN, the computers are interconnected within the same premises so that all the employees are able to communicate on demand. The head office possess central server where all the information is stored pertaining to all the departments in their database. The other premises are networked using the LAN technologies. The switch is two layered and used to take care of the storing and forwarding mechanism Tanenbaum (2003).Using WAN the network connections are using the public data services and get connect to internet and using VPN technology, using login credentials. Network Topology: The LAN technology follows a star topology with connecting hubs. The interconnecting devices facilitate the use and sharing of information. Star topology promotes the efficient use of network resources. Advantages of the architecture: †¢ Having a star topology takes less expensive in relation to mesh topology.†¢ In a star, every device needs only one link and one I/O port to inter-connect with a number of other devices (Forouzan, 2003). †¢ The installation and configuration of the star topology is quite easy and makes possible the effective use of time and need. †¢ The cabling requirement is less in compared with other technologies and any additions, deletions and movement involves only one connection between that device and hub. †¢ Quite robust in nature; if one link fails the other connections do not cease to operate. This factor also enhances the fault identification and fault isolation mechanism.†¢ As long as the hub is in working condition, the monitoring of links are possible to detect link problems and bypass defective links. †¢ A WAN is used for connecting to the internet so as to get connected with the other departments across geographic locations. †¢ VPN technology is used to so that their develops a secured channel through which the user of the network can establish a secure connection for communication. It wo uld possess proper login credentials for accessing information and makes sure that its encryption technology debars any tapping and illicit use of information.†¢ The database server would be responsible for storage of all data and information centrally and all the users access the information using their credentials. †¢ The VPN technology makes sure that only authorized users are enabled to access information pertaining to the specified department and others would be debarred from the very system. Drawbacks of the architecture: †¢ The VPN technology is quite expensive to implement and manage. †¢ The expensive nature of the wireless switches and hubs is quite a disadvantage.†¢ The use of internet as a resource to map their requirements would take lesser cost and make efforts to create a virtual company but security measures must be a challenge to the organization in question. Conclusion The primary objective to inter-connect has been taken into description an d the network topology has been elaborated to give shape to the entire network for interconnecting the various divisions in the company. The network architecture for the firm and the drawbacks are carefully noted and examined for their feasibility and cost factors.The long term evaluation is made and it can be concluded that taking care of the network advantages would benefit the firm in the long run to achieve the amount of customer satisfaction in the long run. Furthermore the topology would be able to manage its resources and make a distinct move towards the very nature of their being. Further up gradations to the network can be managed effectively so that they are taken care for growth and envelopment of their future plans. References/ Bibliography Forouzan A. Behrouz (2003). TCP/IP Protocol Suite, second edition. Tata McGraw Hill. Tanenbaum, A. S (2003). Computer Networks, Pearson Education.

The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 8. TEMPER

WE ENDED UP ON THE BEACH AGAIN, WANDERING AIMlessly. Jacob was still full of himself for engineering my escape. â€Å"Do you think they'll come looking for you?† he asked, sounding hopeful. â€Å"No.† I was certain about that. â€Å"They're going to be furious with me tonight, though.† He picked up a rock and chucked it into the waves. â€Å"Don't go back, then,† he suggested again. â€Å"Charlie would love that,† I said sarcastically. â€Å"I bet he wouldn't mind.† I didn't answer. Jacob was probably right, and that made me grind my teeth together. Charlie's blatant preference for my Quileute friends was so unfair. I wondered if he would feel the same if he knew the choice was really between vampires and werewolves. â€Å"So what's the latest pack scandal?† I asked lightly. Jacob skidded to a halt, and he stared down at me with shocked eyes. â€Å"What? That was a joke.† â€Å"Oh.† He looked away. I waited for him to start walking again, but he seemed lost in thought. â€Å"Is there a scandal?† I wondered. Jacob chuckled once. â€Å"I forget what it's like, not having everyone know everything all the time. Having a quiet, private place inside my head.† We walked along the stony beach quietly for a few minutes. â€Å"So what is it?† I finally asked. â€Å"That everyone in your head already knows?† He hesitated for a moment, as if he weren't sure how much he was going to tell me. Then he sighed and said, â€Å"Quil imprinted. That's three now. The rest of us are starting to get worried. Maybe it's more common than the stories say. . . .† He frowned, and then turned to stare at me. He gazed into my eyes without speaking, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. â€Å"What are you staring at?† I asked, feeling self-conscious. He sighed. â€Å"Nothing.† Jacob started walking again. Without seeming to think about it, he reached out and took my hand. We paced silently across the rocks. I thought of how we must look walking hand and hand down the beach – like a couple, certainly – and wondered if I should object. But this was the way it had always been with Jacob. . . . No reason to get worked up about it now. â€Å"Why is Quil's imprinting such a scandal?† I asked when it didn't look like he was going to go on. â€Å"Is it because he's the newest one?† â€Å"That doesn't have anything to do with it.† â€Å"Then what's the problem?† â€Å"It's another one of those legend things. I wonder when we're going to stop being surprised that they're all true?† he muttered to himself. â€Å"Are you going to tell me? Or do I have to guess?† â€Å"You'd never get it right. See, Quil hasn't been hanging out with us, you know, until just recently. So he hadn't been around Emily's place much.† â€Å"Quil imprinted on Emily, too?† I gasped. â€Å"No! I told you not to guess. Emily had her two nieces down for a visit . . . and Quil met Claire.† He didn't continue. I thought about that for a moment. â€Å"Emily doesn't want her niece with a werewolf? That's a little hypocritical,† I said. But I could understand why she of all people might feel that way. I thought again of the long scars that marred her face and extended all the way down her right arm. Sam had lost control just once when he was standing too close to her. Once was all it took. . . . I'd seen the pain in Sam's eyes when he looked at what he'd done to Emily. I could understand why Emily might want to protect her niece from that. â€Å"Would you please stop guessing? You're way off. Emily doesn't mind that part, it's just, well, a little early.† â€Å"What do you mean early?† Jacob appraised me with narrowed eyes. â€Å"Try not to be judgmental, okay?† I nodded cautiously. â€Å"Claire is two,† Jacob told me. Rain started to fall. I blinked furiously as the drops pelted my face. Jacob waited in silence. He wore no jacket, as usual; the rain left a spatter of dark spots on his black T-shirt, and dripped through his shaggy hair. His face was expressionless as he watched mine. â€Å"Quil . . . imprinted . . . with a two-year-old?† I was finally able to ask. â€Å"It happens.† Jacob shrugged. He bent to grab another rock and sent it flying out into the bay. â€Å"Or so the stories say.† â€Å"But she's a baby,† I protested. He looked at me with dark amusement. â€Å"Quil's not getting any older,† he reminded me, a bit of acid in his tone. â€Å"He'll just have to be patient for a few decades.† â€Å"I . . . don't know what to say.† I was trying my hardest not to be critical, but, in truth, I was horrified. Until now, nothing about the werewolves had bothered me since the day I'd found out they weren't committing the murders I'd suspected them of. â€Å"You're making judgments,† he accused. â€Å"I can see it on your face.† â€Å"Sorry,† I muttered. â€Å"But it sounds really creepy.† â€Å"It's not like that; you've got it all wrong,† Jacob defended his friend, suddenly vehement. â€Å"I've seen what it's like, through his eyes. There's nothing romantic about it at all, not for Quil, not now.† He took a deep breath, frustrated. â€Å"It's so hard to describe. It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like . . . gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it's not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her. And you would do anything for her, be anything for her. . . . You become whatever she needs you to be, whether that's a protector, or a lover, or a friend, or a brother. â€Å"Quil will be the best, kindest big brother any kid ever had. There isn't a toddler on the planet that will be more carefully looked after than that little girl will be. And then, when she's older and needs a friend, he'll be more understanding, trustworthy, and reliable than anyone else she knows. And then, when she's grown up, they'll be as happy as Emily and Sam.† A strange, bitter edge sharpened his tone at the very end, when he spoke of Sam. â€Å"Doesn't Claire get a choice here?† â€Å"Of course. But why wouldn't she choose him, in the end? He'll be her perfect match. Like he was designed for her alone.† We walked in silence for a moment, till I paused to toss a rock toward the ocean. It fell to the beach several meters short. Jacob laughed at me. â€Å"We can't all be freakishly strong,† I muttered. He sighed. â€Å"When do you think it will happen for you?† I asked quietly. His answer was flat and immediate. â€Å"Never.† â€Å"It's not something you can control, is it?† He was silent for a few minutes. Unconsciously, we both walked slower, barely moving at all. â€Å"It's not supposed to be,† he admitted. â€Å"But you have to see her – the one that's supposedly meant for you.† â€Å"And you think that if you haven't seen her yet, then she's not out there?† I asked skeptically. â€Å"Jacob, you haven't really seen much of the world – less than me, even.† â€Å"No, I haven't,† he said in a low voice. He looked at my face with suddenly piercing eyes. â€Å"But I'll never see anyone else, Bella. I only see you. Even when I close my eyes and try to see something else. Ask Quil or Embry. It drives them all crazy.† I dropped my eyes to the rocks. We weren't walking anymore. The only sound was of the waves beating against the shore. I couldn't hear the rain over their roar. â€Å"Maybe I'd better go home,† I whispered. â€Å"No!† he protested, surprised by this conclusion. I looked up at him again, and his eyes were anxious now. â€Å"You have the whole day off, right? The bloodsucker won't be home yet.† I glared at him. â€Å"No offense intended,† he said quickly. â€Å"Yes, I have the whole day. But, Jake . . .† He held up his hands. â€Å"Sorry,† he apologized. â€Å"I won't be like that anymore. I'll just be Jacob.† I sighed. â€Å"But if that's what you're thinking . . .† â€Å"Don't worry about me,† he insisted, smiling with deliberate cheer, too brightly. â€Å"I know what I'm doing. Just tell me if I'm upsetting you.† â€Å"I don't know. . . .† â€Å"C'mon, Bella. Let's go back to the house and get our bikes. You've got to ride a motorcycle regularly to keep it in tune.† â€Å"I really don't think I'm allowed.† â€Å"By who? Charlie or the blood – or him?† â€Å"Both.† Jacob grinned my grin, and he was suddenly the Jacob I missed the most, sunny and warm. I couldn't help grinning back. The rain softened, turned to mist. â€Å"I won't tell anyone,† he promised. â€Å"Except every one of your friends.† He shook his head soberly and raised his right hand. â€Å"I promise not to think about it.† I laughed. â€Å"If I get hurt, it was because I tripped.† â€Å"Whatever you say.† We rode our motorcycles on the back roads around La Push until the rain made them too muddy and Jacob insisted that he was going to pass out if he didn't eat soon. Billy greeted me easily when we got to the house, as if my sudden reappearance meant nothing more complicated than that I'd wanted to spend the day with my friend. After we ate the sandwiches Jacob made, we went out to the garage and I helped him clean up the bikes. I hadn't been here in months – since Edward had returned – but there was no sense of import to it. It was just another afternoon in the garage. â€Å"This is nice,† I commented when he pulled the warm sodas from the grocery bag. â€Å"I've missed this place.† He smiled, looking around at the plastic sheds bolted together over our heads. â€Å"Yeah, I can understand that. All the splendor of the Taj Mahal, without the inconvenience and expense of traveling to India.† â€Å"To Washington's little Taj Mahal,† I toasted, holding up my can. He touched his can to mine. â€Å"Do you remember last Valentine's Day? I think that was the last time you were here – the last time when things were still . . . normal, I mean.† I laughed. â€Å"Of course I remember. I traded a lifetime of servitude for a box of conversation hearts. That's not something I'm likely to forget.† He laughed with me. â€Å"That's right. Hmm, servitude. I'll have to think of something good.† Then he sighed. â€Å"It feels like it was years ago. Another era. A happier one.† I couldn't agree with him. This was my happy era now. But I was surprised to realize how many things I missed from my own personal dark ages. I stared through the opening at the murky forest. The rain had picked up again, but it was warm in the little garage, sitting next to Jacob. He was as good as a furnace. His fingers brushed my hand. â€Å"Things have really changed.† â€Å"Yeah,† I said, and then I reached out and patted the back tire of my bike. â€Å"Charlie used to like me. I hope Billy doesn't say anything about today. . . .† I bit my lip. â€Å"He won't. He doesn't get worked up about things the way Charlie does. Hey, I never did apologize officially for that stupid move with the bike. I'm real sorry about ratting you out to Charlie. I wish I hadn't.† I rolled my eyes. â€Å"Me, too.† â€Å"I'm really, really sorry.† He looked at me hopefully, his wet, tangled black hair sticking up in every direction around his pleading face. â€Å"Oh, fine! You're forgiven.† â€Å"Thanks, Bells!† We grinned at each other for a second, and then his face clouded over. â€Å"You know that day, when I brought the bike over . . . I've been wanting to ask you something,† he said slowly. â€Å"But also . . . not wanting to.† I held very still – a reaction to stress. It was a habit I'd picked up from Edward. â€Å"Were you just being stubborn because you were mad at me, or were you really serious?† he whispered. â€Å"About what?† I whispered back, though I was sure I knew what he meant. He glared at me. â€Å"You know. When you said it was none of my business . . . if – if he bit you.† He cringed visibly at the end. â€Å"Jake . . .† My throat felt swollen. I couldn't finish. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. â€Å"Were you serious?† He was trembling just slightly. His eyes stayed closed. â€Å"Yes,† I whispered. Jacob inhaled, slow and deep. â€Å"I guess I knew that.† I stared at his face, waiting for his eyes to open. â€Å"You know what this will mean?† He demanded suddenly. â€Å"You do understand that, don't you? What will happen if they break the treaty?† â€Å"We'll leave first,† I said in a small voice. His eyes flashed open, their black depths full of anger and pain. â€Å"There wasn't a geographic limit to the treaty, Bella. Our great-grandfathers only agreed to keep the peace because the Cullens swore that they were different, that humans weren't in danger from them. They promised they would never kill or change anyone ever again. If they go back on their word, the treaty is meaningless, and they are no different than any other vampires. Once that's established, when we find them again -â€Å" â€Å"But, Jake, didn't you break the treaty already?† I asked, grasping at straws. â€Å"Wasn't part of it that you not tell people about the vampires? And you told me. So isn't the treaty sort of moot, anyhow?† Jacob didn't like the reminder; the pain in his eyes hardened into animosity. â€Å"Yeah, I broke the treaty – back before I believed any of it. And I'm sure they were informed of that.† He glared sourly at my forehead, not meeting my shamed gaze. â€Å"But it's not like that gives them a freebie or anything. There's no fault for a fault. They have only one option if they object to what I did. The same option we'll have when they break the treaty: to attack. To start the war.† He made it sound so inevitable. I shuddered. â€Å"Jake, it doesn't have to be that way.† His teeth ground together. â€Å"It is that way.† The silence after his declaration felt very loud. â€Å"Will you never forgive me, Jacob?† I whispered. As soon as I said the words, I wished I hadn't. I didn't want to hear his answer. â€Å"You won't be Bella anymore,† he told me. â€Å"My friend won't exist. There'll be no one to forgive.† â€Å"That sounds like a no,† I whispered. We faced each other for an endless moment. â€Å"Is this goodbye then, Jake?† He blinked rapidly, his fierce expression melting in surprise. â€Å"Why? We still have a few years. Can't we be friends until we're out of time?† â€Å"Years? No, Jake, not years.† I shook my head, and laughed once without humor. â€Å"Weeks is more accurate.† I was not expecting his reaction. He was suddenly on his feet, and there was a loud pop as the soda can exploded in his hand. Soda flew everywhere, soaking me, like it was spraying from a hose. â€Å"Jake!† I started to complain, but I fell silent when I realized that his whole body was quivering with anger. He glared at me wildly, a growling sound building in his chest. I froze in place, too shocked to remember how to move. The shaking rolled through him, getting faster, until it looked like he was vibrating. His shape blurred. . . . And then Jacob gritted his teeth together, and the growling stopped. He squeezed his eyes tight in concentration; the quivering slowed until only his hands were shaking. â€Å"Weeks,† Jacob said in a flat monotone. I couldn't respond; I was still frozen. He opened his eyes. They were beyond fury now. â€Å"He's going to change you into a filthy bloodsucker in just a few weeks!† Jacob hissed through his teeth. Too stunned to take offense at his words, I just nodded mutely. His face turned green under the russet skin. â€Å"Of course, Jake,† I whispered after a long minute of silence. â€Å"He's seventeen, Jacob. And I get closer to nineteen every day. Besides, what's the point in waiting? He's all I want. What else can I do?† I'd meant that as a rhetorical question. His words cracked like snaps of a whip. â€Å"Anything. Anything else. You'd be better off dead. I'd rather you were.† I recoiled like he'd slapped me. It hurt worse than if he had. And then, as the pain shot through me, my own temper burst into flame. â€Å"Maybe you'll get lucky,† I said bleakly, lurching to my feet. â€Å"Maybe I'll get hit by a truck on my way back.† I grabbed my motorcycle and pushed it out into the rain. He didn't move as I passed him. As soon as I was on the small, muddy path, I climbed on and kicked the bike to life. The rear tire spit a fountain of mud toward the garage, and I hoped that it hit him. I got absolutely soaked as I sped across the slick highway toward the Cullens' house. The wind felt like it was freezing the rain against my skin, and my teeth were chattering before I was halfway there. Motorcycles were too impractical for Washington. I would sell the stupid thing first chance I got. I walked the bike into the Cullens' cavernous garage and was unsurprised to find Alice waiting for me, perched lightly on the hood of her Porsche. Alice stroked the glossy yellow paint. â€Å"I haven't even had a chance to drive it.† She sighed. â€Å"Sorry,† I spit through my rattling teeth. â€Å"You look like you could use a hot shower,† she said, offhand, as she sprang lightly to her feet. â€Å"Yep.† She pursed her lips, taking in my expression carefully. â€Å"Do you want to talk about it?† â€Å"Nope.† She nodded in assent, but her eyes were raging with curiosity. â€Å"Do you want to go to Olympia tonight?† â€Å"Not really. Can't I go home?† She grimaced. â€Å"Never mind, Alice,† I said. â€Å"I'll stay if it makes things easier for you.† â€Å"Thanks,† she sighed in relief. I went to bed early that night, curling up on his sofa again. It was still dark when I woke. I was groggy, but I knew it wasn't near morning yet. My eyes closed, and I stretched, rolling over. It took me a second before I realized that the movement should have dumped me onto the floor. And that I was much too comfortable. I rolled back over, trying to see. It was darker than last night – the clouds were too thick for the moon to shine through. â€Å"Sorry,† he murmured so softly that his voice was part of the darkness. â€Å"I didn't mean to wake you.† I tensed, waiting for the fury – both his and mine – but it was only quiet and calm in the darkness of his room. I could almost taste the sweetness of reunion in the air, a separate fragrance from the perfume of his breath; the emptiness when we were apart left its own bitter aftertaste, something I didn't consciously notice until it was removed. There was no friction in the space between us. The stillness was peaceful – not like the calm before the tempest, but like a clear night untouched by even the dream of a storm. And I didn't care that I was supposed to be angry with him. I didn't care that I was supposed to be angry with everyone. I reached out for him, found his hands in the darkness, and pulled myself closer to him. His arms encircled me, cradling me to his chest. My lips searched, hunting along his throat, to his chin, till I finally found his lips. Edward kissed me softly for a moment, and then he chuckled. â€Å"I was all braced for the wrath that was going to put grizzlies to shame, and this is what I get? I should infuriate you more often.† â€Å"Give me a minute to work up to it,† I teased, kissing him again. â€Å"I'll wait as long as you want,† he whispered against my lips. His fingers knotted in my hair. My breath was becoming uneven. â€Å"Maybe in the morning.† â€Å"Whatever you prefer.† â€Å"Welcome home,† I said while his cold lips pressed under my jaw. â€Å"I'm glad you came back.† â€Å"That's a very good thing.† â€Å"Mmm,† I agreed, tightening my arms around his neck. His hand curved around my elbow, moving slowly down my arm, across my ribs and over my waist, tracing along my hip and down my leg, around my knee. He paused there, his hand curling around my calf. He pulled my leg up suddenly, hitching it around his hip. I stopped breathing. This wasn't the kind of thing he usually allowed. Despite his cold hands, I felt suddenly warm. His lips moved in the hollow at the base of my throat. â€Å"Not to bring on the ire prematurely,† he whispered, â€Å"but do you mind telling me what it is about this bed that you object to?† Before I could answer, before I could even concentrate enough to make sense of his words, he rolled to the side, pulling me on top of him. He held my face in his hands, angling it up so that his mouth could reach my throat. My breathing was too loud – it was almost embarrassing, but I couldn't care quite enough to be ashamed. â€Å"The bed?† he asked again. â€Å"I think it's nice.† â€Å"It's unnecessary,† I managed to gasp. He pulled my face back to his, and my lips shaped themselves around his. Slowly this time, he rolled till he hovered over me. He held himself carefully so that I felt none of his weight, but I could feel the cool marble of his body press against mine. My heart was hammering so loudly that it was hard to hear his quiet laughter. â€Å"That's debatable,† he disagreed. â€Å"This would be difficult on a couch.† Cold as ice, his tongue lightly traced the shape of my lips. My head was spinning – the air was coming too fast and shallow. â€Å"Did you change your mind?† I asked breathlessly. Maybe he'd rethought all his careful rules. Maybe there was more significance to this bed than I'd originally guessed. My heart pounded almost painfully as I waited for his answer. Edward sighed, rolling back so that we were on our sides again. â€Å"Don't be ridiculous, Bella,† he said, disapproval strong in his voice – clearly, he understood what I meant. â€Å"I was just trying to illustrate the benefits of the bed you don't seem to like. Don't get carried away.† â€Å"Too late,† I muttered. â€Å"And I like the bed,† I added. â€Å"Good.† I could hear the smile in his voice as he kissed my forehead. â€Å"I do, too.† â€Å"But I still think it's unnecessary,† I continued. â€Å"If we're not going to get carried away, what's the point?† He sighed again. â€Å"For the hundredth time, Bella – it's too dangerous.† â€Å"I like danger,† I insisted. â€Å"I know.† There was a sour edge to his voice, and I realized that he would have seen the motorcycle in the garage. â€Å"I'll tell you what's dangerous,† I said quickly, before he could move to a new topic of discussion. â€Å"I'm going to spontaneously combust one of these days – and you'll have no one but yourself to blame.† He started to push me away. â€Å"What are you doing?† I objected, clinging to him. â€Å"Protecting you from combustion. If this too much for you. . . .† â€Å"I can handle it,† I insisted. He let me worm myself back into the circle of his arms. â€Å"I'm sorry I gave you the wrong impression,† he said. â€Å"I didn't mean to make you unhappy. That wasn't nice.† â€Å"Actually, it was very, very nice.† He took a deep breath. â€Å"Aren't you tired? I should let you sleep.† â€Å"No, I'm not. I don't mind if you want to give me the wrong impression again.† â€Å"That's probably a bad idea. You're not the only one who gets carried away.† â€Å"Yes, I am,† I grumbled. He chuckled. â€Å"You have no idea, Bella. It doesn't help that you are so eager to undermine my self- control, either.† â€Å"I'm not going to apologize for that.† â€Å"Can I apologize?† â€Å"For what?† â€Å"You were angry with me, remember?† â€Å"Oh, that.† â€Å"I'm sorry. I was wrong. It's much easier to have the proper perspective when I have you safely here.† His arms tightened around me. â€Å"I go a little berserk when I try to leave you. I don't think I'll go so far again. It's not worth it.† I smiled. â€Å"Didn't you find any mountain lions?† â€Å"Yes, I did, actually. Still not worth the anxiety. I'm sorry I had Alice hold you hostage, though. That was a bad idea.† â€Å"Yes,† I agreed. â€Å"I won't do it again.† â€Å"Okay,† I said easily. He was already forgiven. â€Å"But slumber parties do have their advantages. . . .† I curled myself closer to him, pressing my lips into the indentation over his collarbone. â€Å"You can hold me hostage any time you want.† â€Å"Mmm,† he sighed. â€Å"I may take you up on that.† â€Å"So is it my turn now?† â€Å"Your turn?† his voice was confused. â€Å"To apologize.† â€Å"What do you have to apologize for?† â€Å"Aren't you mad at me?† I asked blankly. â€Å"No.† It sounded like he really meant it. I felt my eyebrows pull together. â€Å"Didn't you see Alice when you got home?† â€Å"Yes – why?† â€Å"Are you going to take her Porsche back?† â€Å"Of course not. It was a gift.† I wished I could see his expression. His voice sounded as if I'd insulted him. â€Å"Don't you want to know what I did?† I asked, starting to be puzzled by his apparent lack of concern. I felt him shrug. â€Å"I'm always interested in everything you do – but you don't have to tell me unless you want to.† â€Å"But I went to La Push.† â€Å"I know.† â€Å"And I ditched school.† â€Å"So did I.† I stared toward the sound of his voice, tracing his features with my fingers, trying to understand his mood. â€Å"Where did all this tolerance come from?† I demanded. He sighed. â€Å"I decided that you were right. My problem before was more about my . . . prejudice against werewolves than anything else. I'm going to try to be more reasonable and trust your judgment. If you say it's safe, then I'll believe you.† â€Å"Wow.† â€Å"And . . . most importantly . . . I'm not willing to let this drive a wedge between us.† I rested my head against his chest and closed my eyes, totally content. â€Å"So,† he murmured in a casual tone. â€Å"Did you make plans to go back to La Push again soon?† I didn't answer. His question brought back the memory of Jacob's words, and my throat was suddenly tight. He misread my silence and the tension in my body. â€Å"Just so that I can make my own plans,† he explained quickly. â€Å"I don't want you to feel like you have to hurry back because I'm sitting around waiting for you.† â€Å"No,† I said in a voice that sounded strange to me. â€Å"I don't have plans go back.† â€Å"Oh. You don't have to do that for me.† â€Å"I don't think I'm welcome anymore,† I whispered. â€Å"Did you run over someone's cat?† he asked lightly. I knew he didn't want to force the story out of me, but I could hear the curiosity burning behind his words. â€Å"No.† I took a deep breath, and then mumbled quickly through the explanation. â€Å"I thought Jacob would have realized . . . I didn't think it would surprise him.† Edward waited while I hesitated. â€Å"He wasn't expecting . . . that it was so soon.† â€Å"Ah,† Edward said quietly. â€Å"He said he'd rather see me dead.† My voice broke on the last word. Edward was too still for a moment, controlling whatever reaction he didn't want me to see. Then he crushed me gently to his chest. â€Å"I'm so sorry.† â€Å"I thought you'd be glad,† I whispered. â€Å"Glad over something that's hurt you?† he murmured into my hair. â€Å"I don't think so, Bella.† I sighed and relaxed, fitting myself to the stone shape of him. But he was motionless again, tense. â€Å"What's wrong?† I asked. â€Å"It's nothing.† â€Å"You can tell me.† He paused for a minute. â€Å"It might make you angry.† â€Å"I still want to know.† He sighed. â€Å"I could quite literally kill him for saying that to you. I want to.† I laughed halfheartedly. â€Å"I guess it's a good thing you've got so much self-control.† â€Å"I could slip.† His tone was thoughtful. â€Å"If you're going to have a lapse in control, I can think of a better place for it.† I reached for his face, trying to pull myself up to kiss him. His arms held me tighter, restraining. He sighed. â€Å"Must I always be the responsible one?† I grinned in the darkness. â€Å"No. Let me be in charge of responsibility for a few minutes . . . or hours.† â€Å"Goodnight, Bella.† â€Å"Wait – there was something else I wanted to ask you about.† â€Å"What's that?† â€Å"I was talking to Rosalie last night. . . .† His body tensed again. â€Å"Yes. She was thinking about that when I got in. She gave you quite a lot to consider, didn't she?† His voice was anxious, and I realized that he thought I wanted to talk about the reasons Rosalie'd given me for staying human. But I was interested in something much more pressing. â€Å"She told me a little bit . . . about the time your family lived in Denali.† There was a short pause; this beginning took him by surprise. â€Å"Yes?† â€Å"She mentioned something about a bunch of female vampires . . . and you.† He didn't answer, though I waited for a long moment. â€Å"Don't worry,† I said, after the silence had grown uncomfortable. â€Å"She told me you didn't . . . show any preference. But I was just wondering, you know, if any of them had. Shown a preference for you, I mean.† Again he said nothing. â€Å"Which one?† I asked, trying to keep my voice casual, and not quite managing. â€Å"Or was there more than one?† No answer. I wished I could see his face, so I could try to guess what this silence meant. â€Å"Alice will tell me,† I said. â€Å"I'll go ask her right now.† His arms tightened; I was unable to squirm even an inch away. â€Å"It's late,† he said. His voice had a little edge to it that was something new. Sort of nervous, maybe a little embarrassed. â€Å"Besides, I think Alice stepped out. . . .† â€Å"It's bad,† I guessed. â€Å"It's really bad, isn't it?† I started to panic, my heart accelerating as I imagined the gorgeous immortal rival I'd never realized I had. â€Å"Calm down, Bella,† he said, kissing the tip of my nose. â€Å"You're being absurd.† â€Å"Am I? Then why won't you tell me?† â€Å"Because there's nothing to tell. You're blowing this wildly out of proportion.† â€Å"Which one?† I insisted. He sighed. â€Å"Tanya expressed a little interest. I let her know, in a very courteous, gentlemanly fashion, that I did not return that interest. End of story.† I kept my voice as even as possible. â€Å"Tell me something – what does Tanya look like?† â€Å"Just like the rest of us – white skin, gold eyes,† he answered too quickly. â€Å"And, of course, extraordinarily beautiful.† I felt him shrug. â€Å"I suppose, to human eyes,† he said, indifferent. â€Å"You know what, though?† â€Å"What?† My voice was petulant. He put his lips right to my ear; his cold breath tickled. â€Å"I prefer brunettes.† â€Å"She's a blonde. That figures.† â€Å"Strawberry blonde – not at all my type.† I thought about that for a while, trying to concentrate as his lips moved slowly along my cheek, down my throat, and back up again. He made the circuit three times before I spoke. â€Å"I guess that's okay, then,† I decided. â€Å"Hmm,† he whispered against my skin. â€Å"You're quite adorable when you're jealous. It's surprisingly enjoyable.† I scowled into the darkness. â€Å"It's late,† he said again, murmuring, almost crooning now, his voice smoother than silk. â€Å"Sleep, my Bella. Dream happy dreams. You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. Sleep, my only love.† He started to hum my lullaby, and I knew it was only a matter of time till I succumbed, so I closed my eyes and snuggled closer into his chest.