Paper examples

Teachers – be they high school teachers or college professors – are quite fond of giving their students some obscure and unusual topics to work on. They call such tasks unconventional and consider the success in them to be quite important – after all, while working on something unusual the student learns how to think originally. These tasks, however, may be a real pain for those who get them.

Let’s take, for example, custom papers. They are usually research papers dedicated to some unusual and rare topic, a topic that is not covered in textbooks and, in all probability, in the course as well. The student has to find the information on it and process it on his or her own, make all the necessary research and conclusions and present a complete work as a result. The professor may give you any task, even something as exotic as history of paper airplanes.

Although such a task may seem to be unserious and even childish, think for a moment: what kind of history paper planes may have? Who records it? Where such information can be found? The all too easy task suddenly starts looking less and less desirable. Unusual topics are always the most difficult among history research paper topics.

However, we live in the age of the Internet, and enormous quantities of information are ever present and ever accessible for everyone with a computer and a net access. It doesn’t mean that custom papers no longer present any challenge, but at least the information necessary to write them can be easily found and researched by virtually anybody, if he or she has at least rudimentary skills in web search.

Thus, if you are given an unusual topic to write on, don’t give way to despair – just use your wits and try to do the best you can.

History research papers are quite common among students who take history course at college or university. European history research papers, as a rule, include such aspects as imperialism, secularization, political reform, nationalism, revolution, foreign treaties and policies, industrialization, immigration, modern art forms development and changing labour patterns. There are loads of topics that, while their roots many be in earlier periods, occurred mainly in the XXth century, all of which are really fascinating topics for research papers.

  • European Union History

Writing history papers you may think over European Union paper. The creation of EU began right after the end of the WWII with the European Economic Community and the European Coal and Steel Community establishment in 1951. With the following decades new imperatives were found for Europeans to join different initiatives and enterprises, counting free trade among the union member, joint production of food, infrastructure building and job creation. In recent times the euro appeared to be the single currency for the countries of the EU.

  • Italian Mafia History

Have you ever thought about writing history papers about Don Corleone? Surely, you may take it as a joke, but making history paper outline for the project about Italian mafia is quite enjoyable!

In August 2010, some arsonists set fire to the Sicily Mafia Museum. In 2011, it turned out that the art director of the museum in Naples received threats from someone about an exhibit about local organization of mafia and after that he sought political asylum in Germany. Although nowadays mafia is no longer powerful in Italy, someone still defends its reputation. The first traces of Italian mafia were originally found in 1865 when Italian Unification and family rivalries system flourished.

  • The History of Gulag: Soviet Labour Camps Horrors

Labour camps appeared in Russia in the early XII century but some time later they turned into a death machine leaded by Joseph Stalin. All the people who were imprisoned in the gulags were murderers, criminals, political prisoners and innocent people who were taken to prison because of paranoid police for crimes (for instance, some person could be imprisoned only for being late to work). All the prisoners of the gulags (men and women) were sentenced for many years and it is important to mention that there was a high death rate in the camps. Although after Stalin’s death these camps were reduced in number, some of them operated till 1980.

Ancient Greece is considered by many people to be the most advanced civilization of the ancient world. The Greeks have contributed to modern culture in many ways. One of the most important contributions made by the Greeks was their establishment of sports. Today many societies and universities including ours here at Chapman base their sports all the way back to the Greek Olympics.

They have given our culture the basis of sports as an important part of life. Many of our present days athletic events are modeled on those of ancient Olympics, the first Olympics date back to the Greek civilization where it all began. The ancient Olympics were different from the modern Games. There were a lesser amount of events, and not everyone who wanted to could compete. The Olympics lasted only 5 days. Women couldn’t even be spectators. On the first day they would sacrifice animals for the sake Zeus. The Greeks also praised their other gods like Apollo.

The games back then did not have a marathon. The modern Olympics anyone who wants to compete is allowed to as long as they are able to get certain requirements needed to qualify at an event. For example, women in modern times are
allowed to compete in almost every athletic event held in the Olympics. In ancient Greece people from only Greece where aloud to compete. In contrast, in modern times athletes all over the world compete in sports.

The historical figure of Alexander the Great (.336-323 BC) is one surrounded by many questions concerning notions of his personal divinity, and his association with religion. There has been debate, throughout history, whether Alexander truly believed in his own divinity, or if he was just using this concept as a political propaganda tool. The point being made in this paper is the latter. Alexander used his skills as a military and political tactician to excerpt a smooth transition period from the previous rulers to himself; he knew it would be easier to gain the trust of the people if he chose to adapt his traditions.

Alexander was the son of king Philip of Macedon and his Molossian wife, queen Olympias. He was always aware of a lineage that apparently went back to Achilles on his mother’s side and Heracles on his father’s, certainly a heady genetic mix. This predisposition combined with the influence of the east might have tempted Alexander to think he really was divine. Although it is more likely he pretended he was for purely political purposes, it was a useful tool to maintain control.

King Philip who himself had a formidable reputation as a great ruler, but was seen as being an uneducated and uncultured bastard due to his barbarian blood; was determined that his son would not only become a strong and powerful general; but that he would also be educated. He employed Leonidas, a kinsman of queen Olympias, to oversee a rigorous physical training regime and when Alexander was 14, he employed a relatively unknown philosopher by the name of Aristotle. Under Aristotle’s keen guidance, Alexander began his instruction in philosophy; poetry; Homer (it is said that he always carried a copy of the Iliad); Euripides, politics and medicine. Alexander excelled at all things, and he proved very early in his life that he was going to have a “great” career.

English settlers coming to America imagined a perfect place where they would have a say in their government. Before they could live in such a society, they would have to gradually break Britain’s hold on them. The American settlers had to end a monarchy and start their own form of government. They also had to find a way to gain some decision-making power. The colonists wanted to create a society unlike that of England.

Although by 1763 some colonies had established churches, most had created a system of religious tolerance and separation of church and state. In the mid-1600s, England was still dominated by the Christian religion, while the colonies were mostly Puritan. Taxation in support of the Puritan church was the only barrier preventing complete separation of church and state in New England. Unlike the churches in England, New England’s churches had no political power. Seaport towns, such as Gloucester, became more religious with time, demonstrating religious tolerance, which the Christian Church of England lacked.

The colonies’ undefined social classes allowed settlers to rise socially. They would not have been able to do this within the rigid social system in England. In America, new settlers on the coasts could gain wealth by fishing and selling what they caught. If fishing failed to produce wealth, then settlers could try farming. Getting land was an easy task within the colonies. Headright grants allotted each male fifty acres for himself, along with an additional fifty acres per indentured servant. England could not do this because of their tight social system and lack of land.

The colonies eventually abandoned their system of mercantilism with England and developed a capitalist economy. Mercantilism was the idea of a set amount of wealth in which a person could only become wealthy by taking from another who is already wealthy. The colonists did not support this idea in America. They believed that they could gain wealth without taking from another as long as they had a decent method. This capitalist way of thinking produced many wealthy men in America, unlike in England. Also, in England, colonial ships were forced to stop before delivering their cargo. This was their way of trying to take a portion of the colonists’ profits. England’s attempts did not last long, however, because the colonies began to turn their raw materials into finished goods in America without having to go through England.
England never imagined having to give the colonies so much liberty and self-government. Colonial governments distanced themselves further from England’s governments as time went on, although a few conflicts arose. The governors of the colonies began to gain power that the King had lost, and the colonies gained more authority, which Parliament had yet to receive. England’s concern with the scuffle between Parliament and Stuart Kings prevented them from effectively controlling the American colonies.

Although the separation from England took many years, the colonies eventually enjoyed their long-deserved freedom. By developing capitalism, self-government, and a loose class system, the colonies were able to secure their liberty from England. Changes in religion, economics, politics, and social structure enabled the Americanization of the transplanted Europeans.


ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

Health and Welfare

Set up in 1944, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity provides lifetime support to serving and retired soldiers and their families, helping them make a successful transition to civilian life., and providing financial assistance when they are in real need.

In 2014 the Roger De Haan Charitable Trust made a donation to help with the training, educational bursaries and vocational courses of soldiers living in the Shepway area.

A spokesman for The Soldiers’ Charity said: “The donation made by The RDHCT is a great boost for our charity and will help provide vital support to soldiers in the Shepway area making the transition from military life.”

The Soldiers’ Charity works closely with a number of individuals supporting the physical and mental move into civilian life. In Shepway these have included a former member of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, who suffered a traumatic and debilitating injury resulting in his medical discharge. Despite showing outstanding courage and a positive attitude towards his rehabilitation and his resettlement into civilian life, he will never fully recover from his injuries, and found it difficult to undertake skills training because of this. With a very small service pension he needed extra help with his transition, and has now been enrolled on a functional skills, maths and ITQ course. This will not only significantly help his future prospects, but those of his family too. Another had served with the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment for 18 years, but an anxiety disorder led to his medical discharge. In civilian life he became very isolated, unable to walk far or to drive, be amongst crowds of people, or even attend medical appointments. Paying for driving lessons for his wife helped reduce this isolation for him and his family.


Human leg musculature, artwork

Human leg musculature, artwork

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Caption: Human leg musculature, computer artwork.

Keywords: adult, anatomical, anatomy, artwork, biological, biology, black background, bone, coccyx, femur, half length, healthy, high angle view, hip, human anatomy, human body, human likeness, human representation, human skeleton, illustration, ligament, mid section, muscle, musculature, normal, pelvis, rectus femoris, sacrum, sartorius, spine, thigh muscle, three quarter view, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vertebrae


architecture + structure

SPANS associates is an international creative atelier, based in Berlin, that specialises in the design of unique architectures and structures, combining concepts with an advanced engineering expertise, gained through a high  experience in delivering innovative, complex and world class projects.

SPANS associates designs artworks, buildings, bridges, monuments and interiors .

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It is essential that we design permanent and impermanent structures to create sense and experience."


The ruling was the first by the European Court of Justice on an issue that includes Islamic headscarves in the workplace.

People shopping in the Brussels district of Molenbeek, Belgium, August 14, 2016.

Employers in Europe may ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols, the European Union's top court ruled on Tuesday in its first decision on the issue of women wearing hijab at work.

On the eve of a Dutch election in which Muslim immigration has been a key issue and a bellwether for attitudes to migration and refugee policies across Europe, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) gave a joint judgement in the cases of two women, who were dismissed for refusing to remove head scarves.

"An internal rule of an undertaking which prohibits the visible wearing of any political, philosophical or religious sign does not constitute direct discrimination," the court said in a statement.

TRT World's Kevin Ozebek reports from Brussels.

Two cases

The first case was referred to the ECJ by Belgium. Samira Achbita was fired from the Belgian branch of G4S, an outsourcing and security company, after three years at the firm when she started to wear a headscarf at work for religious reasons. She was fired in June 2006 for refusing to take off her scarf. The company said she broke rules prohibiting religious symbols.

In the second case, IT consultancy firm, Micropole, fired Asma Bougnaoui after a customer complained that she had embarrassed his staff when she wore a headscarf on a consulting assignment. Micropole told her before she took the job that wearing a headscarf might be a problem for some customers.

In Achbita's case, the ECJ ruled that companies should be able to ban the display of symbols associated with personal beliefs.

"The court of justice finds that G4S's internal rule refers to the wearing of visible signs of political, philosophical or religious beliefs and therefore covers any manifestation of such beliefs without distinction. The rule thus treats all employees to the undertaking in the same way, notably by requiring them, generally and without any differentiation, to dress neutrally."

In the Bougnaoui case, the court found that she had suffered discrimination. But it did not rule whether she had been sacked as the result of a company policy, saying this was a matter for the French courts to decide.

TRT World's Sara Firth explains details of the EU court's headscarf ban ruling.

"Backdoor to prejudice"

"In places where national law is weak, this ruling will exclude many Muslim women from the workplace," a policy officer for the Equality and Inclusion cluster of the Open Society Justice Initiative Maryam Hmadoun said.

The president of the Conference of European Rabbis, Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, complained: "This decision sends a signal to all religious groups in Europe".

Source: TRTWorld and agencies


65 Anniversary Simplicity Decorative Bears Pattern 0660/8265.

Model: am441

Sewing pattern to make decorative bears approximately 15" tall and clothes which include knickers, hat, sweater, tie, shoes, socks, underdress, overdress, shoes.
Uncut and complete. Envelope is missing flap.
Copyright 1992. Now out of print.

This pattern was released by Simplicity as number 8265 and number 0660


Explore BrainMass

Group Decision making and communicating

Decision making in Groups and Effective Communication.Please provide notes, ideas, and research.

Solution Preview

Step 1
There are several techniques that are used for improving decision making in groups. These techniques can be used to improve decision making. When a group is discussing in a face to face situation, computerized group decision making support systems are very helpful. If there is no face to face meeting, computer supported collaborative work improves the performance of decision making. Other techniques that improve group decision making are the delphi technique, nominal group technique, and brainstorming. In the delphi technique written feedback is received and helps aggregate viewpoints. One of the strongest group methods of decision making is the nominal group technique. This is suitable for fact finding or a search of a solution to a problem.

Step 2
One of the greatest challenges for group decision making is that the group has to implement the decisions. Under such circumstances, decisions made by one person, two persons, or even a majority in the group may be counterproductive. Under such circumstances the decision has to be made by reaching a consensus. Even when there is a consensus there is a ...

Solution Summary

Group decision making and communication is discussed step-by-step in this solution. The response also has the sources used.


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March Madness: The Numbers Behind Kansas' Dominance

What has made the Jayhawks seemingly unstoppable to this point in the NCAA Tournament?

Heading into the NCAA Tournament, the Kansas Jayhawks were probably generating the smallest amount of buzz among the 1 seeds. Everyone talked about North Carolina as the favorite, Villanova as the returning champion, and Gonzaga as the underdog and advanced metrics darling.

Where did that leave Kansas? Well, it seems like that left them as the sleeping giant.

Led by head coach Bill Self and senior guard Frank Mason III, Kansas is a highly-skilled and experienced NCAA Tournament squad, but I guess we took that for granted...until now.

Rock Chalk

Through three rounds, the Jayhawks are 3-0 with an average margin of victory of 30.3 points. Their defense has held opposing teams to 65.7 points per game on just 40% shooting, but it has been Kansas' elite offense that has them rising up oddsmakers' boards.

In their three blowout wins, coach Self's kids have posted an average of 96 points per game and an offensive rating of 132.6 points produced per 100 possessions. They have secured 9.3 offensive boards per game while dishing out 16.3 assists, which have led to some lights out shooting.

In each of their three contests, the Jayhawks have converted at a rate of at least 40% from three for an effective field goal percentage of at least 59.4% and a true shooting percentage of 63.3% or higher. Here's how it's shaken out in each individual round.

KU Shooting

With the aid of numberFire Live, you can see the Jayhawks were especially effective from the corner and top of the three-point circle against Purdue, where they shot 59.1% on 22 such attempts.

KU v Purde Shot Chart via nF Live

Quite a few of those came courtesy of the magnificent trio of Mason, Devonte' Graham and Josh Jackson.

The Big Three

In Kansas' overpowering Sweet 16 performance, their three leading scorers combined for 67 (68.4%) of their team's 98 points on 56.4% shooting from the floor. All total, they connected on 11 three-pointers, which led to a 57.9% success rate from beyond the arc. That's an effective field goal percentage of 70.5% for this trio in this game. As a team, Kansas shot to a 66.9% effective field goal rate.

The play of Mason, Graham and Jackson has been the giant difference between the Jayhawks and their competition thus far. And if their impact wasn't already evident enough, their individual nERD (our metric that provides us with the sum of a player's overall contributions for a game, based on efficiency) scores make it crystal clear.

Kansas' nERD Performance-

As the graph illustrates, not one of the three have dipped below a 16.61 nERD (Jackson) in any one contest so far this tournament. That tells us they've been consistent in providing substantial positive gains to their team's efforts.

While Jackson has seen a decline from the beginning of the tournament when he posted a nERD of 39.4, Graham has been the steadiest hand. He's produced a nERD of 37.48 or more in each game and has had two performances at 45 or more.

Mason, the senior point guard, started out big, then had a sub-awesome game against Michigan State, but a guy like him always turns it around, and that's what he did against the Boilermakers. He dropped 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists all for a nERD of 67.52 -- the highest score of the three KU standouts.

So, it's pretty clear the Jayhawks' play has demanded -- and now will receive -- our full attention moving forward. It's impossible to ignore this kind of utter dominance.


69. Ignoring shift/caps lock ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Simple routines which GET a character from the keyboard can be defeated by the CAPS and SHIFT LOCK settings. For example, if you are supposed to be answering "Y" or "N" to a question, then a "y" or "n" may confuse matters. Alternatively, if you are selecting from a menu, and should be entering a number from "1" to "5", then "!" or "%" will not do. If you have Wordwise, try using the main menu with the SHIFT LOCK set, and you'll see what I mean. You could overcome this by setting the required shift, from inside the program, with *FX202. A better way is to use AND and OR to ignore the effect of any binary bits which alter with the shift settings. This exploits the fact that "A" in binary ASCII is 01000001 and "a" is 01100001, and so on. Only the 3rd most significant bit is different, (bit 5), and we need to make sure it is always 0. The binary number 11011111 is DF in Hex, so, instead of A$=GET$ to get a "Y" or "N" answer, use A$=CHR$(GET AND &DF), which will always return capital letters. This can conveniently be used in a Function; ie A$=FNget, where the Function is defined as DEFFNget:=CHR$(GET AND &DF). In a similar fashion, a "1" in binary ASCII is 00110001, and a "!" is 00100001. Only bit 4 differs, and this time we want to make sure it is always a 1, and 00010000 is 10 in Hex. So, for numbers, instead of using A=VAL(GET$) or A=GET-48, you can use A=(GET OR &10)-48. Again, it is handy to use a Function; ie A=FNnum, which is defined as DEFFNnum:=(GET OR &10)-48. Letters (capitals) - DEF FNget:=CHR$(GET AND &DF) Numbers (digits) - DEF FNnum:=(GET OR &10)-48


Indian Rhinos are brownish-grey in color and are hairless. They have knobby skin

that appears to be armor-plated. A single horn sits on top of their snout, and

their upper lip is semi-prehensile.

All rhinos are herbivores. Some eat grass; others eat buds, leaves, and fruit.

They all eat a lot! .

They can use their lip as a finger to help them pluck or gather food.

Water is an important resource for rhinos. Not only do they need to drink water,

they also swim in water and wallow in mud. When they wallow, they get covered

with mud. This mud protects their skin from biting insects. Tickbirds and egrets

will perch on rhinos and eat skin parasites they find there.charge.jpgHabitat

The Indian Rhinoceros is found on grasslands, in swamps and in forested areas around the foothills of the Himalayas.

Indian Rhinos tend to be solitary, except females with young, but they sometimes form loose groups and their home ranges often overlap with others.

The size of a home range will vary according to the quality of their habitat, but they can be between 2 and 8 sq. kms (0.75 - 3 sq. miles).

external image images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ14gGfhrMasju1-Wo9VHEBjymoog58MclIIT8qCG9xqquU8X7v-w

rhinos predators are humans which means we hunt them down as the same thing they do to elephants.The age of maturity of the Indian rhinoceros differs in males and females. baby_rhino.jpgbreeding A male rhino starts breeding at the age of nine, while a female rhino attains maturity after reaching five years of age only. When the mating season of a female approaches, she whistles to inform the males about the same. The mating season is also a season for dangerous fights between the male rhinos, which may sometimes result in death.

Babby rhino:cool_rhino.jpgThe latest Australia baby rhino was named Savannah and was named by Kate Ash and Alish they won the ebay auction and got to name it. The names they could have chosen were Bindi Robet and Terry but they desided to chose Savannah.Refrences

by harrison and jace.


Why join the PTA?

The PTA is a national organization that seeks to develop united efforts between educators and the general public so that all children may receive every educational advantage. The purpose of the Boeckman Creek PTA is to support educational opportunities for children while raising funds to enhance the children’s learning experience. We do this by partnering with the school and community through volunteers to provide events that support our vision. Being involved with the allows members to vote on the programs we spend our money on.

When do we meet?

This year the Boeckman Creek Primary PTA meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month in the mornings with some schedule evening meetings. Visit the calendar for the schedule. Everyone is welcome and you do not need to be a PTA member to be join in the meeting! Meeting is in the teacher lounge.

How do I join?

Support BOECKMAN CREEK PTA this school year by becoming a member. The $15 membership fee covers state and national dues as well as administrative costs of the Boeckman Creek PTA. By joining the PTA you are not obligated to attend meetings or events, but encouraged to do so. Your membership supports educational opportunities for all Boeckman Creek Students.  Please feel free to contact any of the Board Members with any questions.


jigsaw puzzle girl

Preparing Teens for the 21st Century Work Place: Critical Analysis

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Your kids will be growing to adulthood in a century where the complexity of technology and the pace of change is unlike anything humans have ever experienced.  This is one in a series of columns devoted to identifying core competencies that will help teens be successful in this 21st century workplace.  Critical analysis is one of the abilities separating us humans from the rest of the animal kingdom.  (That and grammar.  Which means that if you can’t critically analyze a situation and be grammatically correct when you describe it you are no better than an ape.)  With the increasing amount of responsibility required of employees from the front line to the executive suite, thinking logically, objectively interpreting information or situations and drawing well-reasoned conclusions will make them a significant asset to their employer (as well as a paragon of humanity).

But how to you get teenagers to critically analyze situations and ideas?  (Not criticizing.  They seem to have a natural talent for THAT.)  Critical analysis uses facts and reasoning skills to determine whether something is true or accurate (rather than because you WANT it to be true).  Your kid must be able to critically evaluate another person’s views and ideas as well as their own.  They have to be able to evaluate the legitimacy or relevance of information for supporting an idea or position.  They will need to be able to see both sides of a situation, argument or idea.  And, they need to be able to do it thoughtfully and with a sincere attempt to understand.  Critical analysis provides a reliable way to determine truth.  But for our purposes, critical analysis skills will help your kid be more employable.   (I mean, really, who has the time to waste pursuing truth in this economy?).

So, what are the components of critical analysis?

  • Identify the specific, important points, ideas, information or data of a proposition
  • Base the analysis on facts and observations
  • Interpret the point, idea, information or data
  • Think through the potential implications for each point, idea, information, data or outcome
  • Draw well reasoned conclusions and generalizations

Here are some ideas for helping your adolescent develop the skills associated with this analytic process.

What’s the point?  Critical analysis enables you to get to the heart of an issue.  That means identifying what is really important (and what isn’t) in a situation, idea or argument.  Have your kid practice identifying the important aspects of a situation.  “What is the point I am making here son?”  “What do you think the most important aspects of this situation are?”  “What does all of this entire project hinge on?”

Because because!  Vague ideas and broad, general statements make it difficult to critically analyze information or situations.  Your kid will need to be able to clearly identify the issue at hand.  Otherwise, they just bounce from vague point to irrelevant issue.  Require your kid to be specific about the point, idea or objection (their own or that of others).

Prove it!  Require your kid to provide facts rather than emotional pleas or manipulations to support an argument, position or request.  Don’t accept statements unless they are supported by relevant information or facts.  “What’s your evidence?” “Why should I accept that interpretation?”  Give them the evidence, facts and reasons for your decisions or conclusions.  For a twist, have them question your statements (respectfully, of course).  “How do you know I’m right about that?  Where did I get my facts?”  [You may have to set some limits on this “We’re not playing prove your point today.  Just do it.”]

What’s THEIR point?  To critically analyze ideas or opinions your kid will also need to think through different viewpoints.  There is no real analysis with only one idea, thought, perspective or point.  True understanding takes all sides into account and weighs the intellectual merits of each.  Require your kid to conduct an analysis of alternative or opposing views (both pros and cons).  Have them analyze a rule or response they disagree with including why it may have been implemented (and “because my parents are fascists” would be only ONE possible reason).

Who says?  The strength of conclusions drawn from a critical analysis depends on the sources used to inform the evaluation.   Teens need to learn that their opinion isn’t good enough to convince reasonable people (which, by definition, excludes the internet and their friends).  Any time they reference something from the internet, require them to prove it is legitimate.  Any time they call upon an expert, require them to justify their status as an expert.  Anytime they make a wild statement (like “nobody else’s parents have a problem with it”), require them to back it up with some kind of proof.

So what?  What are the implications of a point, reason, view or action?  What will happen?  How is their point related to the issue at hand?  Have them evaluate the effects or consequences of political arguments, legalization of marijuana, having sex or using alcohol or drugs.  “Let’s think this through.  What would happen if . . .”

That makes no sense!  A critical analysis also requires you to recognize when a point is not related to the issue being discussed (often referred to as a red herring).  The most frequent form of this is inconsistency.  First they say one thing then they say another, whichever gets them what they want.  Require them to provide only facts and opinions that are directly related to the topic at hand.

But it’s so pretty!  Wit. Sarcasm. Crying.  Anger.  Despair.  Guilt.  Desire.  None of these have a place in critical analysis.  Sure they are funny, flashy, distracting (or all three).  If you try to reason with your kid and they respond with one of these, they are not analyzing the situation.  In fact, they are likely to muddy the crystal clear waters of logic.  “Very funny.  Not convinced though.”  “I’m sorry this is so upsetting to you but I need some reasons or proof you have that I should take your point seriously other than you are upset.”

You’re a stupid head!  Insults, debating and arguing have no place in critical analysis (though they do utilize critical analysis skills).  Insults are irrelevant to understanding the issue at hand.  (And, they are mean.)  In debate, you take a position and THEN set about proving it is true or best or right.  Critical analysis, by comparison, is an examination of the legitimacy of all points and THEN selecting the one that has the most support for it.  Arguing uses emotion to influence the outcome or issue.  Critical analysis uses objective facts.  Do not accept name calling, insults, debating and arguing when you expect critical analysis.  “No, no.  Don’t go there.  This is about analyzing the situation not about whether you like me or respect me or not.”

Let me explain.  Require them to make their case using these different critical analysis skills.  Pick some event or activity they want to do (e.g., go to a concert) and require them to analyze the pros and cons (again that isn’t based on emotion).  “OK, I understand that is how you feel (or “that is what you think”) but to convince me you have to present reasons and expert sources that support your position.”

Where can they apply these skills?

Analyze family rules.  Have them analyze the legitimacy of a rule or response they disagree with.  But, it has to be a logical evaluation.  They have to identify the important goals of family rules and then assess whether the rules accomplish these goals.  (When they get the hang of this, they will realize that parenting is not just about saving you trouble.  It is also about having teenagers learn, practice using judgment, develop skills, establish and maintain meaningful peer relationships, etc.  You may have to help them with this one.  Then you will regret it when they turn it against you.  So, don’t forget “Because I said so.”)

Catch logical flaws.  Have them identify flaws in arguments from you, friends, people in the news, etc.

Who?  Me?  Humans have a remarkable knack for being perfectly logical about other people and being perfectly irrational about what they want.  They can be perfectly logical about analyzing the faults and irrationality of others while having a big old blind spot for how they are doing the exact same thing.  See what you can do to help your kid be more aware of this human failing.

Gotcha!  Video game designers have taken sophisticated psychological principles and designed them into video games to hook customers.  Have your kid analyze how video game designers are trying to reel them in.  For kids who frequently play video games, this is a really interesting exercise.  See what they decide.  (And, watch for them to use the “everyone is average but me” argument where they accept the facts but then say it doesn’t apply to them because they are special.)  More generally, marketers are doing the same thing.  Have your kids (particularly girls) critically analyze the messages they are getting from advertisers.

Play.  Playing can disguise a lot of important learning.  Any play that requires problem solving and obtaining a goal will require critically analyzing the situations (as well as problem solving, creativity, flexibility, persistence and patience. Do these sound familiar?)  Strategy games, puzzles and complex card games all will help develop critical analysis skills.  For some ideas of games and puzzles, check out the Mensa site here and this site for gifted kids and this for younger teens.

Help them.  They don’t have a clue about how to do this so you are going to have to help them critically analyze the flaws in their arguments.  “Let’s dig up some things that support your view that I’m completely wrong about this.”  Once again you will have to take time to learn about yet another thing AND help them prove yourself wrong about one of your expectations. (On second thought, forget about teaching them this 21st Century skill.  It’s just going to make more trouble for you. Some experts have the craziest notions about child rearing!)

originally published in www.brentwoodhomepage.com


Supreme War Goddesses

Posted by Stella Clark in , , , , ,

Supreme War Goddesses Image

(Pronounced aw-ne); Ireland. Moon Goddess; patroness of crops and cattle.
Connected with the Summer Solstice.

Ireland. Goddess of plenty, another aspect of the Morrigu: Mother Earth; Great Goddess; greatest of all Goddesses. This flowering fertility Goddess, sometimes she formed a trinity with Badb and Macha. Her priestesses comforted and taught the
dying. Fires were lit for her at Midsummer. Two hills in Kerry are called the Paps of Anu. Maiden aspect of the triple Goddess in Ireland. Guardian of cattle and health. Goddess of fertility, prosperity, comfort.

Wales: "Silver Wheel"; "High fruitful mother"; star Goddess; sky Goddess;
Goddess of reincarnation; Full Moon Goddess. Her palace was called Caer Arianrhod (Aurora Borealis). Keeper of the circling Silver Wheel of Stars, a symbol of time and karma. This wheel was also known as the Oar Wheel, a ship which carried dead warriors to the Moon-land (Emania). Mother of Llue Llaw Gyffes and Dylan by her brother Gwydion. Her original consort was Nwtvre (Sky of Firmament). Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess in Wales. Honored at the Full Moon. Beauty, fertility, reincarnation. Call on Arianrhod to help you with past life memories and difficulties as well as for contacting the Star People.

Ireland. "Boiling", "Battle Raven", "Scald-crow". the cauldron of ever- producing
life; Known in Gaul as Cauth Bodva. War Goddess and wife of net, a war God.
Sister of Macha, the Morrigu and Anu. Mother Aspect in Ireland. Associated with the cauldron, crows and ravens. Life, wisdom, inspiration, enlightenment.

Ireland. Goddess; part of a tried with Fotia and Eriu. They used magick to repel invaders.

Wales. "Flower Face", "White Flower". Lily maid of Celtic initiation ceremonies.
AKA the Ninefold Goddess of the Western Isles of Paradise. Created by Math &
Gwydion as a wife for Lleu. She was changed into an owl for her adultery and plotting Lleu's death. The Maiden aspect; her symbol was the owl; Goddess of the Earth in bloom. Flowers, wisdom, lunar mysteries, initiations.

Ireland. Goddess of the river Boyne, mother of Angus Mac Og by the Dagda. Once there was a well chaped by nine magick hazel trees. These trees bore crimson nuts which gave knowledge of everything in the world. Divine salmon lived in the well and ate the nuts. No one, not even the high gods, were allowed to go near the well. But Boann went anyway. The well water rose to drive her away, but they never returned to the well. Instead they became the River Boyne and the salmon became the inhabitants of the river. Other Celtic river Giddess: Siannan (Shannon), Sabrina (Severn, Sequana Seine), Deva (Dee), Clota (Clyde), Verbeia (Wharfe), Brigantia (Braint, Brent). Healing.

Ireland, Wales, Spain, France. "Power"; "Reown"; "Feiry Arrow of Power" (Breo- saighead). Daughter of the Dagda; called the poeess. Often called the Triple Brighids. Threee Blessed Ladies of Britain, the Three Mothers. Another aspect of Danu: Associated with Imbolc. She had an exclusive female priesthood at Kildare and an ever-burning sacred fire. The number of her priestesses was 19 representing the 19-year cycle of the Celtic "Great Year". Her kelles were sacred prostitutes and her soldiers brigands. Goddess of fire, fertility, the hearth and all feminine arts and crafts, and martial arts. Healing, physicians, agriculture, inspiration, learning, poetry, divination, prophecy, smithcraft, animal husbandry, love, witchcraft, occult knowledge. Plants: Blackberry Animals: Oxen and Ram.

Wales. Moon Goddess; Great Mother; grain Goddess; Goddess of Nature. the white corpse-eating sow representing the Moon. Welsh bards called themselves Cerddorion (sons of Cerridwen). The bard Taliesin, founder of their craft, was said to be born of Cerridwen and to have tasted a potent from her magick cauldron of inspiration. Wife of the giant Tegid and mother of a beautiful girl Creirwy and an ugly boy Avagdu. In her magickal cauldron, she made a potion called greal (from which the word Grail probably came). The potion was made from six plants for inspiration and knowledge. Her symbol was a white sow. Death, fertility, regeneration, inspiration, magick, astrology, herbs, science, poetry, spells, knowledge. Plants: Vervain, Acorns.

One aspect of the Triple Goddess. She represents old age or death, winter, the end of all things, the waning Moon, post-menstrual phases of women's lives, all destruction that precedes regeneration through her cauldron of rebirth. Crows and other black creatures are sacred to her. Dogs often accompanied her and guarded the gates of her after-world, helping her to receive the dead. In Celtic myth, the gatekeeper-dog was named Dormarth (Death's Door). The Irish Celts maintained that true curses could be cast with the dog's help. Therefore, they use the word cainte (dog) for a satiric Bard with the magick power to speak curses that came true.

Ireland. Probably the same as Anu. Major Mother Goddess; ancestress of the Tuatha De Danann; Mother of the gods; Great Mother; Moon Goddess. She gave her name to the Tuatha De Danann (People of the Goddess Danu). Another aspect of the Morrigu. Patroness of wizards, rivers, water, wells, prosperity & plenty, magick, wisdom.

Ireland, Wales. "Deep sea"; "Abyss". Queen of the Heavens; Goddess of sea and air. Sometimes called a Goddess, sometimes a God. The equivalent of the Irish Danu. In Ireland, Don ruled over the Land of the Dead. Entrances to this Otherworld were always in a sidhe (shee) or burial mound. Control of the elements, eloquence.

"Queen of the Druids"; Mother of the tree calendar; Fir Goddess. Fertility, passion, sexual activities, trees, protection, knowledge, creativity.

Wales, Britain. Maiden aspect of the Goddess.

Celtic, "Divine Horse", "The Great Mare". Goddess of horses, fertility, maternity, protective of horses, horse breeding, prosperity, dogs, healing, springs, crops. Animals: Horses, goose.

Ireland. One of the three queens of the Tuatha Da Danann and a daughter of the Dagda.

The Lady; female principle of creation. Goddess of fertility, the Moon, summer, flowers, love, healing, the seas, water. The "mother" finger was considered the index finger, the most magickal which guided, beckoned, blessed & cursed.

Ireland. "Crow"; "Battle"; "Great Queen of Phantoms"; Mother of Life and death;
a war Goddess; Mother Death; originally a Mother Goddess; one of the aspects of the triple Morrigu. Also called Mania, Mana, Mene, Minne. Associated with ravens and crows. She was honored Lugnassadh. After a battle, the Irish would cut off the heads of the losers and called them Macha's acorn crop. Protectress in war as in peace; Cunning, sheer physical force, sexuality, fertility, dominance over males.

Wales, Britain. Mother aspect of the Goddess.

Ireland, Britian, Wales. Great Queen, Supreme War Goddess, Queen of Phantoms or Demons, Specter Queen. Shape-shifter. Reigned over the battlefields, helping with her magick but did not join in the battles. Associated with crows & ravens.
The Crone aspect of the Goddess; Great White Goddess; Great Mother; Moon Goddess; Queen of the fairies. In her dark aspect (the symbol is then the raven or crow) she is the Goddess of war, fate death; she went fully armed & carried two spears. The carrion crow is her favorite disguise. Goddess of rivers, lakes
& fresh water. Patroness of priestesses & witches. Revenge, night, magick, prophecy.

Greek, Goddesses of inspiration who vary in number depending upon the pantheon used.

Ireland. "Beauty"; "Brightness". A form of Badb who helps heroes at death.

Celtic; the three sisters of the Wyrd. Responsible for weaving fate - past, present and future.

Wales; "The Great Queen" Goddess of birds and horses. Enchantments, fertility, and the Underworld. She rides a swift white horse.

Ireland, Scotland. "Shadow, shade"; "The Shadowy One She who strikes fear"
Underworld Goddess of the Land of Scath. Dark Goddess; Goddess in the destroyer aspect. Also a warrior woman and prophetess who lived in Albion (Scotland)
probably on the Isle of Skye and taught the martial arts. Patroness of blacksmiths, healing, magick, prophecy, martial arts.

Known in all Celtic countries. Dryad of death; identified with Macha; Queen of the Dead; the Crone form of the Goddess. Death, Destruction, annihilation.

Goddess Satene

Posted by Stella Clark

Goddess Satene Image
SATENE is the Seram Goddess of the Underworld. The Seram people of Indonesia say that she was born from an unripe banana. When another Goddess, Hainuwele, was killed as a witch, the man who found her body, Ameta, took her arms to Satene. She created a spiral gate on the dancing ground where Hainuwele had been killed and stood in the center of it. Satene told the people that she was leaving the world and they would have to pass through the gate to see her again. The gate became the doorway to the Underworld, and those who were able to pass through when they died were reborn as people. Those who were unable to pass through were instead reincarnated as animals or remained on earth as spirits. When people did pass through, Satene would hit them with Hainuwele's arms, and those who passed to her left formed one tribe, and those who passed to her right formed another. Satene's name, which means "judgment," is also seen as MULUA SATENE.

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Flourless Cookies: Re-Thinking "Candy Cigarettes"

Dances With Vegans II: Kale Chips

I admit it, sometimes I crave snacks. When it's movie night and everyone is eating popcorn (and yes, corn is a grain), being paleo can mean feeling left out. Of course there are nuts, but I like to watch my consumption of those because while they have lots of nutrients, they can also mess up your ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 if you eat too much.

Squash Soup Method

I misplaced my camera, so I drew this on MS Paint. It's probably better than the pictures I take anyway.


How to help your college age children in a medical emergency

As a parent, there are few things worse than getting a call saying your young-adult child is being taken to the emergency room. Now imagine getting that call –– but the doctors and nurses won’t tell you anything about your child’s condition.

Consumer Reports tells us how privacy laws make that scary scenario very real for some parents –– The privacy rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act –– or HIPAA –– says that once a child is legally an adult, which in most states is 18 –– parents have no more right to their child’s medical information than they would to the information of a stranger on the street. It doesn’t even matter whether your child is still on your health insurance or if you’re paying the bills.

Health experts at Consumer Reports say that signing a  simple document ––  could help smooth things over. You’re basically getting your child to sign the equivalent of a permission slip. Then, if there’s an emergency, it helps eliminate any ambiguity. Although you can find many versions online, there isn’t one ‘official’ document called a HIPAA Authorization Form. They typically specify who can be given the medical information, the type of information that can be shared, and the applicable dates. Some hospitals and college medical centers have their own forms, so if  you know where your child is likely get health care, you might want to reach out to them in advance and ask.

The best thing is for your child to carry the form –– tucked into a wallet or a backpack. But during an emergency, a parent forwarding a scanned copy may be enough to persuade a doctor or hospital to release the information.

All Consumer Reports Material Copyright © 2017 Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


ECI reviews poll arrangements in Punjab

ECI reviews poll arrangements in Punjab

Mohali: To ensure free and fair electoral process during the upcoming Assembly Elections in Punjab, Deputy Election Commissioner Sandeep Saxena today visited the state and reviewed the pre-poll arrangements.

Addressing senior officers of police and administration, Saxena asked them to work fearlessly and with full commitment to ensure implementation of the ECI (Election Commission of India) guidelines in letter and spirit, so that free and fair elections could take place.

He said police and administration officers would be handling most important task of maintaining law and order situation in the state during elections.

He said the activities of anti-national elements and persons with suspicious credentials would be under constant watch of ECI.

He directed the police officers to arrest the proclaimed offenders as a precautionary measure and the process of surrendering arms and ammunition to be completed at the earliest.

Taking the issue of luring the voters seriously, the ECI has asked the state police administration to intensify police checking and ensure police nakas (check-posts) at sensitive points so that the voters could not be carried away by liquor, drugs or even money.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab V K Singh explained in detail the arrangements being made in the state to ensure free and fair elections.

The already constituted committees would immediately come into action the moment model code of conduct is announced, Singh said.

Saxena also reviewed the arrangements made for the EVM Machines and Ballot papers.


NEW YORK (AP) — During every season of designer previews at New York Fashion Week a few key, quirky items seem to pop up on different runways. They're not quite trends since one has to think they're partly for runway effect not retail orders, but they're part of the style zeitgeist nonetheless. So, how does the ball start rolling on items such as oversized fur mittens, harnesses or sleeveless coats?

It's safe to say designers don't take a meeting together to decide what direction to go in.

"The honest answer is some of it is plain and simple coincidence," said Cindi Leive, editor in chief of Glamour magazine. "These designers are creating hundreds of looks over the course of a season. It would be more unusual if there were no overlap."

Still, she said, there also are fashion cycles and sociological factors to consider as catwalk collections are prepared.

Take fur — both real and fake. Leive said Sunday it has been on every runway so far on this fourth of eight days of fashion week.

After the recession, no one was touching fur, she said, but it has slowly made a comeback as people feel a little more comfortable about spending money. The interpretation this go-around has been impactful, with an emphasis on oversized unexpected fur touches such as hoods, handbags and boots, but they're not as expensive as a full-length coat.

It's important for fashion insiders to be aware of what's happening in other parts of culture, including politics and art, said Marie Claire executive editor Nina Garcia earlier in the week as she prepared to judge aspiring designers at "Project Runway."

"Successful designers soak it all in," she said.

Fashion week continues in New York through Thursday, when the influential Marc Jacobs closes out things. Runway previews then move on to London, Milan and Paris.

The "Project Runway" alum used the Russian opera as the inspiration for his fall runway show, using a book of Russian opera houses as reference.

The girl wearing this collection, he said, was on her way to see the Russian opera.

"I wanted it to be a story of what she wears during the day, what she'll wear for a cocktail dress, what she'll wear to the opera," he said.

His vintage-inspired day looks evoke many eras, from the 1940s to the 1960s, and were mostly separates of turtlenecks paired with loose leather trousers and faux fur vests in muted colors such as white, black and camel.

One ensemble included a pointed-toe flat in a penny loafer style, a surprise inclusion given fashion's love for the high heel. Siriano explained it as a way to ensure its wearability, and also because he "wanted it to be a bit more demure, a bit simple."

Other shoes in the collection included bootie heels and heeled penny loafers with gold trim, echoing the filigree that anchored many of the evening dresses that closed the show.

Joseph Altuzarra's urban, confident, fashion-forward customer wears graphic black-and-white leather — layers it on, in fact — and then there's the fox or mink fur on top. She's not shy about drawing attention in fur mittens, shiny grommet embellishment and strategically placed zippers. She wears her high-waisted trousers with a low-slung belt.

His fall-winter collection also includes optic white pants and a khaki cotton sleeveless trench worn with a khaki four-button tailored skirt.

The silhouette he offers his customers is strong and slim, sometimes with a little bump at the hip.

"The design and construction emphasize the nip of the waist and exaggerate the hip, while shrunken proportions mixed with a bolder shoulder volume sharpen the classic silhouette," he says in describing the shape.

AP Writer Amanda Kwan contributed to this story.

Follow Samantha Critchell on Twitter at


Archive for the 'Mental Preparation' Category

“Comfort Zone” Training

Today as I was reflecting on all of the athletes we train at 368, I began thinking about what it is that allows them to perform at such a high level. Athletes with personal trainers, strength coaches, or whatever you would like to call us, generally perform at a higher level than those who don’t. This is simply how it is in almost every sport. But the question I kept pondering on was what about having a trainer is it that propels an athlete to that next level…

  • Correct program design (correct exercises, sets, repetition, ect.)
  • Being taught proper form and technique
  • Modifications based on athletes current circumstances
These are three things a strength coach does for an athlete that are all very important to his/her success, but the one thing that any effective trainer does for an athlete is pushing them OUT OF THEIR COMFORT ZONE!
In regards to mind-body training, the only way to continuously get better is to push your body to it’s threshold, and your mind past it (out of your mental comfort zone). Whether you are talking about another rep, more weight, or more time for an exercise, your body, at that time, can only handle what it can physically handle. Sounds like common sense, right? There is more to it…
Your mind has unbelievable control over your body, and what it wants or THINKS your body can do. If you allow yourself to THINK that one more repetition can’t be done, or 10 more seconds is too long, than you have voluntarily given up, even if your body could physically go further. Everyone knows that having someone there verbally supporting you will generally give you that push you need to go a little further…but a personal trainer, or strength coach, is not the only answer.
If you train your mind to perform just one or two more repetition, even though your body FEELS like it can’t, and do this every single time you train, you will begin to experience the benefits of “comfort zone” training. I can guarantee your strength will never plateau, and your endurance (strength and cardiovascular) will continuously increase. Above all training and sport related benefits, you will be strengthening and preparing your mind to triumph over any of life’s many obstacles.
Here are a few quotes to reflect on…
– T.S. Eliot
– Andre Gide
-Newt Gingrich
Train out of your comfort zone now, reap the benefits later…
Andrew Simpson
368 Athletics

Are you mentally tough?

What does being mentally tough mean? Coaches say it all the time, we have experienced it ourselves, and we see the lack of it all the time. Sports psychologist work with athletes to help them obtain it. I can only speak from experience because there have been times I have had it and times I have not. Why does this happen? We can only answer that within ourselves.

Mental toughness is one of those areas that has broad examples of scenarios. In one scenario you may say someone has mental toughness if they are able to play a football game while they have a broken ankle. Another example could be getting through a training session when you feel like you cannot go anymore. Maybe someone close to you dies and you have to find strength to keep going. Regardless of the reason we all need mental toughness and it is something that may not come natural.

Just like anything we do in life, in order for us to become proficient we must practice, practice, and practice again. What I am saying is that mental toughness can be learned if you do not already possess this necessary trait.

Each time you have a deadline to meet and you persevere to get it done, you have shown mental toughness. When you train and raise your level of intensity you get out of your comfort zone. This can lead to better fitness results and increased mental toughness. The reason professional athletes and Olympians are the best at what they do is because they eat, sleep, and breathe success in their chosen sport everyday. The discipline and mental toughness required to accomplish their goals is something we can all learn from.

How did Lance Armstrong accomplish so much in cycling? Yes, he is controversial but the feats he accomplished are astounding! Look at Michael Jordan, arguably the best basketball player to ever play the game. He says because he failed is why he succeeded. How many of us are willing to work that hard? What about Pete Sampras who spent 286 weeks at number #1 in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals). Another example is Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps winning 8 gold medals in one Olympics. These are all professional sports stories but the list can go on and on in the business world as well.

The fact is, all of these athletes have shown a large amount of mental toughness, discipline, and focus to get them to the highest level. What level do we aspire to get to? How hard are we willing to work to get there? Only we can look inside of ourselves to answer these questions.

The next time when we are meeting a deadline, competing during an event, creating goals, or looking to improve our quality of life we must remember, mental toughness is essential and necessary for us to play the game of life at the highest level.

Let’s start today.

Train strong,
Shannon Wallace, Jr.

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