Niagara-Mohawk - Art Deco Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Niagara-Mohawk - Art Deco - Essay Example This essay discusses that there are various distinctive characteristics that differentiate this building from the rest. First, the building is constructed with a central tower that protrudes upwards compared to the rest of the building, giving it the characteristic Mohawk structure. The other distinguishing characteristic of this building is the figurative winged sculpture, which is embedded on one face of the building and installed with decorated lighting systems, which allows the sculptor to beam the lights and give a very attractive glow of mixed-color electric lighting1. The building is 112 feet tall and comprises of 7 floors, with its outward surface completed with an element of fine dà ©cor, which makes the building stand very attractive even from the outside2. From the essay it is clear that the building is installed with an electric system that gives it an outward flood light glory especially at night, with the stainless steel material that is used to construct the building adding to the glow of the building electric lighting, due to its shiny appearance. The building comprises of a set of gray stones and bricks, with an additional matching aluminum and black glass, which combines to give this building one of the finest dà ©cor1. The statue/winged sculptor has fashioned in a manner that it is the region where the electric lights emanate and then spread to form a winged lighting system. The combination of aluminum and stainless steel, as well as gray stones and bricks, allows the building to gleam in day light.... The combination of aluminum and stainless steel, as well as grey stones and bricks allows the building to gleam in day light, while glittering at night when the material combination is added the lighting element 2. The building is installed with extensive interior lighting, which allows people to notice it from very far, while also possessing powerful floodlight illumination at night, the characteristic of a powerful source of lighting. Compared to other art decor buildings such as The Fisher Building, The Niagara-Mohawk building stands out, since it is constructed using stainless steel, aluminum, black glass and grey stones and bricks, while The Fisher Building is a skyscraper that is constructed using limestone, granite, and several types of marble1. In terms of height, The Fisher Building is 30-stories, compared to The Niagara-Mohawk building, which has only 7-storries and is 112 feet tall2. Nevertheless, both buildings are embedded with sculptors, with The Niagara-Mohawk having a winged statue that is supplied with lighting systems that seems to emanate the light from the base of the wings and spread it upwards to the rest of the wing surface. The lighting systems for both art decor buildings are different, with The Niagara-Mohawk having an extensive interior and exterior lighting system, characteristic of a lighting source2. The motifs on The Niagara-Mohawk building relate to represent an electric company, since it is characterized by gleaming during the day and glittering at night, owing to the combination of the extensive interior and exterior lighting system, with the materials used for construction, which include stainless steel, aluminum, black glass

Unit 10 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Unit 10 - Essay Example It is also possible for women to make it to the professional level of the game thus breaking the stereotype that being a woman you can only be a spectator. Through a broader focus as well as access to quality education, these stereotypes are being broken. Thus through focusing on higher education, significant stereotypes can be done away with. Stereotypes are not mutable and therefore stereotypes applied to particular groups do not alter over time. This therefore means that we rarely change our stereotypes frequently. This is so even in the wake of disconfirming information; people often tend to cling to their obviously-wrong convictions If at all people can change their stereotypes, then they do so in 3 ways; Bookkeeping model-as people learn more contradictory information, they incrementally change the stereotype to align with the new information. Thus individuals usually need a lot of information for every incremental change. Secondly is the conversion model whereby individuals throw away old stereotypes and start all over again, frequently used when there is important disconfirming evidence. Thirdly is sub typing model which creates a stereotype that is new, mostly a sub-classification of the current stereotype (Rupert, 2010). Yes I have had an experience where someone applied a stereotype due to their interpretation of my skin color. I was on a tour in Africa and someone thought I am a Mexican and therefore asked much about Mexico. I had to kindly explain myself before they finally understood me and apologized profusely. Some of the authors discuss areas of misconception such as being mistaken for a waitress or a whore, for instance, in The Myth of the Latin Woman/Just Met a Girl Named Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer gives several instances where she has been taken to be a waitress simply because she is Puerto Rican. She recounts another incident where a man blocked their way

Romeo and Juliet vs Macbeth Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Juliet vs Macbeth Essay In the first scene of Romeo and Juliet is set out in town, whereas Baz lurhman’s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet it is set out in a petrol station which is also a public place but the main reason this is used as the opening scene is to show that it’s modernised version. In Macbeth the first scene is set out on heath, however in palanski’s 1960 film version is set out on a beach. In both Romeo and Juliet there is violence but of different types. In Romeo and Juliet the violence is a feud between two families, it is gang related violence whereas in Macbeth two countries are at war, it has control and order unlike Romeo and Juliet. In both plays the main characters are not seen in scene 1 of the plays however are mentioned and we gain knowledge of the characters through the voice of others. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo is fist mentioned by his mother, Lady Montague when she says â€Å"O where is Romeo? Saw you him today? † also when lady Montague asks Benvolio where Romeo was he replied that he was up an hour before dawn, walking west of the city and trying to calm his troubled mind, when he saw Romeo in a grove of sycamore. Benvolio walked towards his friend, but Romeo spotted him and went further into the woods, out of sight. This shows that he is trying to isolate himself away from everyone. Benvolio knew how Romeo felt so wanted to leave him alone, however lord Montague doesnt agree that Romeo should be left alone. He tells Benvolio that Romeo is often out in the sycamore grove: Many a morning hath he there been seen, with tears augmenting the fresh morning dew, adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs†. Not only does Romeo wander about, weeping and sighing, he also locks himself in his room and makes it dark. In Macbeth, Macbeth is first mentioned by the witches, which is not a good sign because in Shakespeare’s day if you are connected to witches in any way its bad. In scene 2, the captain describes Macbeth as â€Å"brave† and that his sword is â€Å"smoked† with blood. This suggests that Macbeth is a violent and cruel killer. In both plays we can identify that conflict are very close to both Romeo and Macbeth although Macbeth has a greater involvement in it because Romeo isn’t interested in his family feud. As his father is worriedly talking about him, Romeo appears. Benvolio asks Romeos parents to step aside so that he can find out whats wrong with Romeo. Benvolio promises that if he doesnt discover what Romeos problem is, it wont be for lack of trying, he says, Ill know his grievance, or be much denied . Benvolio is now seeking out Romeo to find out what’s wrong with him . Though he hasnt been saying anything to his parents, Romeo is open with his friend. Benvolio asks questions to Romeo to help the audience find out what’s wrong with him, and Romeo tells him that he is Out of her favour, where I am in love Then follows a long discussion of love, during which we find that Romeo is in love. The fact that Romeo confides with Benvolio shows their true relationship . For a moment, it appears that Romeo is tired of talking about love. He asks Benvolio where they are going to have lunch, and then says, O me! What fray was here? But neither food nor fighting can really turn Romeos thoughts away from love. Rather than let Benvolio say anything about the brawl, Romeo says, Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Heres much to do with hate, but more with love . In saying, I have heard it all, Romeo does not mean that he has heard all about the fight that just took place. He means that he has heard all about fighting in general. And he doesnt care. Romeos language to benvolio shows his state of mind, he using oxymorons, â€Å"feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health† this suggests that he has a troubled mind, he is confused and he has a lack of direction doesn’t know what to do this is where benvolio helps him.

Economic Downturn Effects On The Uk Hotel Industry Economics Essay

Economic Downturn Effects On The Uk Hotel Industry Economics Essay The UK hotel industry, as well as the hotel industry world wide, has been hit hard by the recession which started at the end of 2007 and is predicted by many to last until at least 2010. In the course of a few months the UKs economy has gone from boom to crisis and by early 2009 the attitudes and beliefs of consumers and businesses in the marketplace had altered radically from previous optimism (Mintel Reforecasts 2009 [online]). Prior to the credit crunch which commenced in August 2007 when the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve put  £45bn into the financial markets (Elliott 2008 [online]), Europe, the USA and the UK were enjoying an economic boom with rising house prices and high consumer confidence (Budworth 2008 [online]). Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to  £381,565 Million in 2007, and household disposable income per capita to  £14,321 in the same year (Key Note 2008, p. 18). During these boom years, lending was high and borrowers able to raise large sums of money due to relaxed lending restrictions by banks. Individuals whose circumstances would have at one time barred them from borrowing were allowed to access many times their salary (Budworth 2008 [online]). Debts secured upon property were sold on to investors. Property prices thus became vastly inflated creating a bubble which burst when borrowers started to default on their loans and the value of the investments therefore fel l heavily. The huge losses by the banks leading to the collapse of Lehman Brothers in the US and the near collapse of Northern Rock in the UK meant that lending became much more difficult and banks stricter about who they lend money to. (Budworth 2008 [online]). The resulting shortage of funds due to fears about lending and lack of loans has led to a downturn in the economy, falling house prices and increasing unemployment with many firms going out of business altogether and many more making drastic savings (Budworth 2008 [online]). Further consequences include a vast increase in public spending which is predicted to take years to pay off, a predicted rise in unemployment (by the British Chamber of Commerce) to 3.2 million, wage freezes or cuts and massive job losses (The Economy News 2009 [online]). The collapse in available credit started in the USA but in these days of global trading the implications were soon felt around the world with the UK quickly facing problems. Germany, Fr ance and Italy the three largest economies in the Eurozone were officially in recession by late 2008, and others rapidly followed suit. Both Spain and Ireland have witnessed a housing bubble burst and contraction in wider economic activity (Foresight 2008, p. 7). 2.2 The Pound Against the Euro and Dollar One factor that complicates the situation somewhat is the pounds weak status against the Euro and Dollar. Sterling has lost value rapidly over the last year or so. In July 2008, one pound would still buy $2, but by November 2008 it was worth only $1.48, the lowest point for 6 years. Similarly at one point  £1 was almost equal in value to 1 Euro. While this is bad news for people buying goods or traveling outside the UK, it also means that UK goods and services become more attractively priced from the point of view of Eurozone or USA travellers (OGrady 2008 [Online]). Specifically, hotels in the UK will appear relatively cheaper since this fall in the value of sterling, and hence more attractive to inbound travellers and tourists. At the same time, it means it is less attractive for the UK holidaymaker to travel to the Eurzone or USA, and more attractive to stay at home. 3. Hotel Industry Background 3.1 Introduction The Growth Years to 2007 Hotel operators in the UK cater both to the corporate sector and consumer sector. Both are significant parts of their operations and both includes not just accommodation but also facilities such as meeting and conference rooms in the case of the corporate sector and add-on services like food and beverages for both sectors. The UK has been historically an important business destination with the growing importance of the London stock market and financial sector (Key Note 2008, p. 11). In the consumer sector most activity is accounted for by holidays and short breaks with a significant minority for wedding or party venues. The UK hotel market grew in 2008 to a value of  £11.5 billion, which is an increase of nearly 20% since 2002. This growth took place against the backdrop of a healthy worldwide economy with the global travel market recovering after the 2001 terrorist attacks (BMRC 2009, p.1). Factors influencing this growth were varied and included an increase in the number of tourists coming in to the UK in the years since 2002 and a diversification in the hotel market with increases in the budget sector as well as luxury brands. There was an increased call for upmarket brands as London in particular saw an increase in the ultra wealthy market sector for which money was no object (BMRC 2009, p.1). Other factors driving growth include the growth in internationalisation and global business, rises in disposable income, and the development of tourism from emerging economies such as former East Europe and India. The growth of the internet and online booking also paid a part as well as increased marketi ng by hoteliers (Key Note 2008 pp. 19-21). During 2008 this boom came to an end. The hotel industry was hit relatively late by the depression, and even during 2008 industry experts were proclaiming that the previous 12 months had been a time of overall growth (Cater Hotelkeeper 2009, p. 6). Occupancy rates were static in the first part of 2008, but then hotel transactions started to decline and during September 2008 occupancy fell steeply as did revenue per room (Cater Hotelkeeper 2009, p. 6). Further, developments for new hotels and improvements were cancelled and budgets reduced. 3.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of the UK Hotel Market A Key Note report identifies aspects of the UK hotel market influencing the vulnerablity or resilience to recession. On a positive note, the UK hotel market is a strong and sophisticated one with a wide range of different options to appeal to a range of different types of customer and including internationally recognised brands as well as smaller individual operators. Developments in technology and the increase of internet use over the last 10 years mean selecting and booking a trip is easier than ever before. The fact that most UK residents do not use hotels further offers an opportunity for growth, as does the potential for further increase in internet use. Restaurants attached to hotels and other such add on services provide further expansion potential. Finally, the UK is experiencing a growth in its older population, who have more time to travel. On the negative side, the hotel market is particularly vulnerable to an economic downturn as travel and trips are often seen as an area in which spending can be cut back. (Key Note 2008, pp. 48-50). Research also suggests that despite the apparently rosy outlook of the years immediately prior to 2008, the market had other issues to contend with even without recession. The long-stay leisure market (defined as those travellers staying away for five nights or more) has been in decline since 2004: the number of long-stay hotel rooms booked in 2008 was half that in 2006, at 11 million (BMRC 2009, p. 1). 4 The Impact of the Recession on the Hotel Industry in the UK: Specific Factors 4.1 Introduction This section looks at some of the factors which impact upon the Hotel industry, and why they are important. The messages are mixed. Some of the factors are detrimental to the industry while others have more positive impact. 4.1 Air Travel in Decline Although long-term growth in demand for air transport is projected, growth rates in the short to medium-term are likely to be affected by the general slowdown in the economy and by the rising cost of air travel. A market-wide study indicates that although long-term growth in demand for travel by air is expected, short to medium term projections are for negative growth in 2009 with the beginnings of recovery in 2010 (Key Note 2009, p. 10). This will have an impact upon the UK hotel market as there will be fewer travellers into the country. However, it should be bourne in mind that fewer UK holiday makers will want to holiday abroad due to financial considerations, thus boosting demand for hotels. 4.2 Collapse of the Property Market One of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy in the recession has been building as house prices have crashed and loans to finance building projects have dried up together with the market for the finished product. The UK enjoyed some of the highest periods of growth of house and other building prices, and the construction industry has been particularly badly hit by the latest recession. Developers are unable to access credit to fund large scale building schemes, so many hotel projects have been stalled (Blitz 2009 [online]). Aside from new developments, hotel owners who are unable to access further credit are also finding things more difficult. While larger operators and branded chains are able to look to the medium and long-term, over which a boom for hotel and travel are predicted due to emerging markets, smaller operators have less access to the resources which will see them through the next couple of years (Blitz 2009 [online]). The domestic travel area offers some possible positives for the industry as a whole. It is arguably the case that tourism and the hotel industry in the UK are better placed to withstand the results of a recession than either other industries or other holiday destinations. The reputation of the UK as a whole is very strong as a destination, as is that of England in particular.A 2008 survey by Visit Britain of 614 respondents based in the UK who regularly take short breaks reported that 9 out of 10 people consider England when choosing a short break. The branding of England has improved over the course of this tracker study, 58% of respondents say it is their favourite holiday destination considered. It is considered easy to get around and seen as having beautiful scenery (Visit Britain 2008, p.2). Short breaks account for almost 2/3 of breaks taken in the UK, so these findings are significant for the industry as a whole. (Bainbridge 2009, p. 1). Another consideration is the rising concern with being green and the impact of frequent air travel on the environment (Bainbridge 2009, p. 1). Consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint and impact upon the environment are increasingly opting to stay within the UK (Bainbridge 2009, p. 1). What Bainbridge does not highlight, however, is that the new concern for green issues is not completely beneficial. Tourists from overseas will be equally concerned to cut their travel abroad, so this could also reduce inbound tourism into the UK. Research is conflicting with some showing that interest in saving the environment is fairly low priority for the majority of consumers and other studies confirming the idea that green issues will become increasingly important (Key Note 2009, p. 49). Hoseasons, the self-catering leader, also take this view, claiming that more people are choosing to holiday in the UK because of a demand for a green and alternative to flying abroad. Similarly, the fer ry lines entered 2008 assuming that demand would increase for their services as a greener alternative (Key Note 2009, p. 49). The UK has the most expensive rates for hotels in Europe, and average prices rose by 12% in 2007 to an average of just over  £100 per night. Londons exceptionally expensive rates influence this figure (Key Note 2009, p. 50). Against this background, and bearing in mind the recession, a move towards increasing the number of budget hotels seems inevitable. Previous expansion in the hotel industry has concentrated on the luxury end of the market with the growth of boutique hotels and the interest in catering to the super-rich. While this seems unfortunate given the recession, it is not obviously a bad strategy as historically the luxury market has been shown to reflect the economy more slowly than the rest of the market. (Key Note 2009, p. 92) In October 2007, Marriott estimated the growth in revenue per available room at between 5% and 7% in 2008; however, by May 2008, this had been revised to between 3% and 5%. As clients reduce their spending, it is likely that over-supply will be seen in the market and this will lead to some brand rationalisation (Key Note 2009, p. 92). One predicable result of the recession is to increase interest in budget holidays and cheaper hotels. The Visit Britain survey of UK residents who take short breaks reported in March 2008 that price had now overtaken other factors in choosing where to stay (Visit Britain 2008, p.2). This is likely to increase as the UK moves deeper into recession. The budget hotel market was under development even before the recession set in. Established brands such as Travelodge and Premier Inn expanded their operations, and they were joined by the Purple Hotels from the Real Hotel Group. Hilton also developed plans for a budget hotel chain, and CitizenM, a design-led brand, was developed. Other brands include Nitenite and Yotel, built at low cost using prefabrication techniques. The growth in the market has led to further segmentation in the sector with introduction of upmarket tiers to the budget range (for example Holiday Inns Express brand (Key Note 2008, p. 16) A Key Note report written at the beginning of the recession predicted that the mid-range hotels would be the main casualty of shrinking demand. The problems with the economy were exacerbated in the hotel industry by the recent increase in energy and food costs ( Key Note 2008, p. 11) 5.4.2 Business Budget Hotels As Bainbridge points out, budget hotels have benefited by both business and holiday customers downgrading in the recession. Some budget hotels have increased the range of facilities they offer to includes free wi-fi, breakfast and similar to accommodate a new business clientele. Whitbreads budget chain, Premier Inn, for example (the UKs biggest hotel brand) is upgrading its rooms with flat screen TV, air-conditioning and Freeview, and has seen sales for its business account scheme increase 36% over the previous year to February 2008. (Bainbridge, 2009, p. 1). This increase in the number of business travellers using budget hotels since the start of the recession in 2008 is corroborated by research by BDRC in 2009. They report that budget brands are consciously aiming to compete with mid-market brands by strategies such as the ones mentioned above. This drive has been rewarded by better standing in business advertising awareness for the budget hotel brands. (BDRC 2009 [online]) Key Note also report that mid-market business hotels are likely to suffer as they are positioned between the value and luxury hotel options, and what they call tiering, or introducing of levels in to the budget range, will also affect the mid-market brands (Key Note 2009, p. 92). 5.4.3 Consumer Budget Hotels For the non-business traveller, accommodation quality is very important in UK breaks. While travellers abroad endure less than perfect accommodation because costs are low and the weather good, within the UK they demand better quality. One issue is that bed-and-breakfasts and guest houses are notoriously prone to poorly-run individual establishments, leading to calls for the market to be tightened. However the budget hotel sector has grown and has mopped up some of the non-business market as well. The fact that there are many chains available in this sector means travellers can be reassured regarding expectations and quality as they are buying into a brand name. This is particularly true in London a popular choice for consumer short breaks where hotels are notoriously expensive (Key Note 2009, p. 50). 5.5 Staff and Recruitment Impact The recession has had a severe impact on the hotel recruitment market, and it is unlikely to recover before 2010. Job cuts look set to reach 600,000 as businesses and consumers cut spending. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development warned of the toughest year in more than 2 decades, and their predictions were backed up by a survey of 150+ senior management in the hotel industry carried out by the recruitment specialists Admiral Group which revealed that over 2/3rds of those surveyed were going to delay recruitment decisions, and put fast-track graduate programmes had on hold (Sharkey 2009, p. 7). These findings are reiterated by the results of a study by Deloitte in 2008 which predicted that the downturn could cut new jobs in the sector by 100,000 with a corresponding dramatic shrink in the UK tourism industry. A recession could see a  £11b reduction in the economic input by visitors to the UK, currently worth  £114b or 8.2% of the UKs GDP. The British Hospitality Ass ociation also criticised the lack of help from the Government (Thomas 2008, p. 9) One less gloomy prediction is that the recession will have less impact as the hospitality market in general and the hotel market in particular is more diverse than in the past, with some opportunities actually being created particularly in the casual and budget dining and contract catering sectors. This is reinforced by a survey carried out by the British Hospitality Association which shows that the contract catering sector has grown and will continue to do so in the recession (Druce 2009, p. 7) 5.6 Room Occupancy and Prices Room occupancy rates the percentage of nights that hotel rooms are in active use have been increasing since 2005. This is good for hotel operators as it allows them to repay investments and reap more return for their money. In 2007 there was a 1% point rise in domestic occupancy (61% in 2006, with the 2003 rate being 59%). This pre-dated the recession and was a result of the strength of sterling at this time (Key Note 2008, p. 14) Returns in terms of paid accommodation in the UK show a surprising result. Gains were still made in 2008, and a report by Deloitte showed that in the early part of the year revenue per room grew strongly (Caterer Hotelkeeper 2009, p. 6), which is unusual as the recession started to set in during this year for most parts of the UK economy. However, this seems to be a function of gains made at either end of the booking season. Early bookings would have been made before worries about the economy set in, and late bookings made might have been as a result of last-minute demand and hence prices paid were higher (Key Note 2008, p. 15) 5.7. Smaller and Specialist Sectors The result of the recession can also be traced in the smaller and specialist areas of the UK hotel market. For hotel operators, boom areas in these sectors are not necessarily a good thing, as will be shown. 5.7.1 Activity Holidays Activity holidays overseas were enjoying a boom in recent years, however for the next few years the market is predicted to grow less rapidly, whereas activity holidays in the UK are predicted to rise. In 2010 for example the total no of activity holidays in Millions taken by UK residents was predicted before the recession at 11.5; this was revised to 10.8, with 2011, originally predicted to total 12 million was revised to 11.4. By contrast, predictions about UK activity holidays have been revised upwards: the 2011 level was predicted at 5.0 million, and this was revised to 5.3 million. (Mintel Market Reforecasts 2009 [online]). The impact for hoteliers is mixed. If the holiday involves hotel stay, then the news is good; however if the accommodation is self-catering the hotel operator will lose out. 5.7.2 All-Inclusive Holidays All inclusive holidays, a sector which has been in decline in recent years due apparently to the increasing ease of online booking and ease of finding information, are now predicted to rise over the short-term as they allow all holiday costs to be known in advance and paid for up front. Both Thomas Cook and TUI are aiming to increase their all-inclusive capacity (Mintel Market Reforecasts 2009 [online]) 5.7.3 Camping and Caravaning Holidays This sector enjoyed a boom in the 1960s and early 1970s but with the advent of cheap overseas package holidays has been in decline. However, Mintel predict that these holidays are an attractive option for the budget conscious consumer, and will benefit from the increase of families who elect to stay in the UK in 2009 and 2010 for financial reasons. They point out that the Camping and Caravanning club had their best ever year for recruitment of new members in 2008 (Mintel Market Reforecast, 2009 [online]). Domestic camping holidays are predicted to do rather better over the next couple of years before the long-term trend towards decline reinstates itself. The growth in this area is not good news for the hotelier, as by definition a stay in a hotel is ruled out for this holiday type. 5.7.4 Others Other sectors, for example boating holidays, have also been affected. Even where the market remains buoyant boating and luxury holidays growth prediction has been downgraded and is expected to occur at a slower rate than predicted (Mintel Market Reforecasts 2009 [online]). Sectors of the UK market which are predicted to do well include coach holidays within the UK which are seen as a budget option and so are fairly resilient to an economic downturn, and heritage tourism as well as holiday centres like Centre Parcs. Mintel see the latter as particularly resilient as they are both percieved as a budget option and are attractive to the UK consumer as they offer pay in advance all-in-one packages. An increase in coach holidays is also good to some extent for the hotelier, although the bulk of coach holiday operators chose low-cost hotels where price margins are cut very low, as the coach holiday is seen as a price-conscious alternative to the consumer. 6. Lessons Learned from Previous Economic Downturns The last time a recession occurred in the hotel industry was in the wake of the 2001 September 11th terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York. The Sept 11th attacks and anthrax scare which followed caused uncertainty about the short and medium-term economic futures and had an impact upon travel and tourism plans leading to a reduction in hotel use and travel. In the US these areas, along with airlines were significantly affected in the aftermath of the terrorist attack. (Mintel Market Reforecasts, 2009 [online]). In the recession of the early years of the 21st century, the response to the challenge was to discount room rates heavily, however this strategy was of questionable use. The heavy discounting was intended to boost occupancy level, however this necessarily led to less profitability and income; it took years to recover from this as consumers became used to the lower prices. As Bloss (2009) points out, the tactic is also very easy to copy by competitors and hence a risky one. 7. Conclusion. The UK hotel market has certainly been affected by the economic downturn. The above looked at the background to the recession and how it has affected the corporate and consumer sector. While the sector has certainly been impacted with job cuts, slower, stagnating or declining predictions and less building projects, there are some positives for the UK market as holiday makers elect to stay at home rather than travel abroad.

Benefits of Living in the Dorms Essay -- College University Essays Cam

Living in the Dorms The best living option for new, incoming freshman to Iowa State University is to spend at least there first two semesters in one of the on campus dorms. Other options available to these students are to find off campus housing in an apartment or a fraternity or sorority, to live at home and commute, or to live for one semester in the dorms and one semester off campus. By examining the alternative options to on campus residence, it is clear that none of these other living options will give incoming students the same variety of benefits or experiences as living on campus. The types of benefits and advantages being compared for these various living options are those of closeness in proximity to the college campus and classes, cost effectiveness, availability of easy and nutritious meals, development opportunities and additional educational benefits to the student. The first alternative to examine, for new incoming freshman is that of living off campus (not in the school's dorms) for the first two semesters of college. This could be through living in an apartment, or living in a sorority or fraternity. This living option does not have the benefit of closeness in proximity to classes. Some students who live off campus have to travel tiring distances each morning to get to there classes, compared to those students who already live on campus. The research (interviews) I have done has told me that this problem has lead to many students not wanting to get up, and actually come to class in the past, and it only gets worse in the winter. In the winter students find that their beds are far more inviting than their cold commute to school. The cost of living in an apartment can be really high. Advertisements fo... ...ake myself a meal because I can just run down to food service almost anytime and pick something up, if I am in a hurry. The food is nutritious and there is a variety to choose form. I find motivation to go to my classes because none are too far away from my dorm, and I have friends who I live with who are in quite a few of my same classes, so we walk together and give each other encouragement. I feel that I am encouraged to participate in campus activities and clubs, and that my dorm has a very good support system for academics in place. Overall though, I feel that for incoming freshman, it is clear that the alternative options would not be as beneficial to their academics and that none of the other residence options have the same variety of benefits as living in a campus dorm community. After comparison I believe living in the college dorms is the best option.

Drugs: A Major Problem In Canadian Society :: essays research papers fc

Drugs: A Major Problem In Canadian Society A major problem that exists within Canadian society is the abuse of mind- altering substances. Such narcotics cause not only health problems, but also violent and potentially criminal acts. A mind-altering narcotic can be defined as both the legal and illegal type. The four main categories of drugs are: narcotics, CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, and hallucinogens. Most of these drugs are highly addictive and are usually obtained by prescription or are considered a banned substance and must be purchased illegally. Users of many of the "harder" drugs being abused today also face the possibility of an eventual overdose. An overdose is the ingestion of a lethal or mind- damaging amount of drugs. Once an full addiction of these drugs occur, the user faces withdrawal symptoms when a discontinuation of a drug transpires. This is due to a reduction of the natural pain-killers that exist in the body of non- drug users. These symptoms include chills, sweating, cramps, headaches, diarrhea and excessive vomiting. The treatment of drug addicts includes an extensive program of detoxification. Medical drugs, such as Naloxone, are sometimes given to patients to aid in overcoming these addictions. These drugs occupy opiate receptors in the brain to block all effects of the damaging drugs, however the Naloxone is not an addictive drug, as the others are. The downfall to the medical drugs being used to help addiction are that there effects are very short-term and cannot cure the patient, but does assist in attaining the goal of substituting a more controllable, less lethal drug as opposed to the original narcotic . The key to preventing substance abuse in Canada is to educate the public, preferably at a young age, never to experiment with potentially life-threating drugs. This education can be attained within the pre-secondary schools. In 1988 prime minister Brian Mulroney announced proposed Canada's Drug Strategy. Laws were enacted, which prohibited the sale of drug paraphernalia and increased the power of police to seize the assets of arrested drug offenders. The Strategy allocated the sum of $210 million in its first five years (and an additional $270 million in 1992) mainly to the prevention, education and treatment of drug use, while 30 per cent of this money was intended for the traditional area of law enforcement. The goal of education within the school system should be to support those students who are non-users with recognition and social activities that will encourage them to remain non-users and to facilitate a belief and value system that incorporates concern for fellow students and residents of the community. Drug education should emphasise the negative aspects of drugs to give the

Forbiden Lies

[pic] Roxie Releasing presents the 2008 US theatrical release of FORBIDDEN LIE$ A film by Anna Broinowski Con or Artist WHO DO YOU BELIEVE? The journalist? The Chicago mobster? The murdered friend? The FBI? The violent husband? The extorted granny? The spurned lover? The outraged publisher? The embittered fan? The detective? The Muslim activist? The estranged father? The psychiatrist? The media? Yourself? A REAL LIFE THRILLER ABOUT NORMA KHOURI, THE PEOPLE SHE’S CONNED, AND HOW NOONE’S SAFE IN THE AGE OF SPIN. ? WINNER Best non-fiction Screenplay? Writer’s Guild of America (East and West) 2008 WINNER 20,000 Euro ‘Cult’ Prize ? Rome Film Festival 2007 ? WINNER Golden Gate Awards Special Jury Prize ? 2008 San Francisco International Film Festival ? WINNER Golden Award – long form documentary? 2008 Al Jazeera International Documentary Festival ? WINNER Best Film Script? 2008 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards ? WINNER 2 Australian Film Institut e Awards ? Best Documentary Feature Film 2007 Best Editing in a documentary 2007 ? WINNER 2 Film Critics’ Awards ? Best Feature Documentary – Film Ciritcs Circle of Australia Best Feature Documentary – Australian Film Critics’ Association ? Top Ten Audience Favourite ?Hotdocs, Toronto Adelaide International Film festival Melbourne International Film Festival ? Official Selection ? Sheffield International Documentary Festival Vancouver International Film Festival Rio International Film Festival Rome International Film Festival MOMA documentary fortnight, New York (USA) 2008 True/False Film Festival (USA) 2008 San Francisco International Film Festival (USA) 2008 Al Jazeera Film Festival (Qatar) 2008 Full Frame Documentary Festival (USA) 2008 Honolulu International film festival (USA) 2008 Silverdocs International Documentary festival (USA) 2008 S H O R T S Y N O P S I SIn July 2004, Norma Khouri, best-selling author of ‘Forbidden Love’, was exp osed as a fake. She’d won fame and fortune as a Jordanian virgin on the run from Islamic extremists who’d put a Fatwah on her head for her campaign against honour killings. But she was really Norma Bagain, a Chicago real-estate agent and mother of two, on the run from the FBI for one million dollars of fraud. Spinning murder, politics, greed and literary scandal into a web that ensnares us all, FORBIDDEN LIE$ is a real-life thriller about a brilliant con/artist, the people she’s duped, and why, despite everything, we still want to believe her. R E V I E W S ((( â€Å"Wildly entertaining and utterly compelling, Forbidden Lie$ is the documentary version of an airport novel – one you can’t take your eyes off†¦Riveting† Colin Fraser, Filmink _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"As compelling as any thriller†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Michael Adams, Empire ____________________________________________________________ ___ (((( â€Å"This totally fascinating documentary†¦is made with considerable skill: it’s a tantalising real-life mystery. † David Stratton, At the Movies, ABC TV _______________________________________________________________ (((( Margaret Pomeranz, At the Movies, ABC TV ______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"This superb documentary†¦ is the best Australian film of the year. † Adrian Martin, The Australian _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"This isn’t a dry documentary: rather it’s a chase movie†¦ † Rodney Chester, Courier Mail _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"This unconventional documentary will mess with your mind†¦ † â€Å"A staggering coup†¦ † â€Å"Quite unlike any documentary you have seen†¦ † Leigh Paatch, Herald Sun ___________________________________________________ ____________ (((( What a coup†¦Funny, entertaining and clever. A marvellously inventive documentary, it peels away layers of a fascinating saga one-by-one†¦With this debut feature, (Broinowski) establishes herself as a bold new voice in Australian filmmaking, unafraid to take risks and be flamboyant. † Sacha Molitorisz, Sydney Morning Herald _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"layered and visually inventive†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"riveting viewing† Rose Capp, Melbourne Times _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"Fascinating and surprisingly engaging. † Tim Hunter, SBS Radio ______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"addictive viewing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Andiee Paviou, Who Weekly _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"engrossing†¦this is a documentary that will keep you on the edge of your seat. † â€Å"Made with a considerable degree of astonishment, unexpected affection and a large dose of humour†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Tom Ryan, Sunday Age _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"gripping†¦as compelling as any dramatic feature you’re likely to see this year†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mark Naglazas, The West Australian _______________________________________________________________ 9/10 You’ll want it to be longer†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Try to see it in a cinema as this is a group experience, where everyone gasps at the same moments. † Rob Lowing, Sun Herald _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"utterly fascinating†Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"a very slick presentation, and the story it presents has enough twists and turns to keep an audience enthralled. † Tracey Prisk, Sunday Telegraph _______________________________________________________________ ((((( â€Å"documentary gold† â€Å"a brain-twisting, humor ous journey which will leave you wide-eyed with a mix of wonder, admiration and disgust. â€Å"Like a true-life Catch Me If You Can with chicks. † Annika Priest, Melbourne Leader _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"A fascinating, clever documentary. † Sunday Mail (Adelaide) _______________________________________________________________ (((( â€Å"mesmerizing†¦hooks the viewer in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"a gripping piece of on-the-fly filmmaking† Jeff Crawford, Messenger Newspapers (Adelaide) _______________________________________________________________ (((( SBS Movie Show _______________________________________________________________ â€Å"Fair minded and meticulously researched† Vicky Roach, Marie Claire ______________________________________________________________ â€Å"Forbidden Lie$ is a dazzling performance, both by Khouri and director Anna Broinowski†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Martyn Pedlar, Three Thousand __________ _____________________________________________________ â€Å"Shot and constructed like a courtroom drama†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Susan Skelly, The Bulletin _______________________________________________________________ â€Å"The real coup here is the unlimited access to Khouri herself, who jumps at the opportunity to tell her side of the story†¦this absorbing documentary is a thought-provoking conversation starter well worth catching. † Matt Riviera ______________________________________________________________ â€Å"A compelling yarn†¦Forbidden Lie$ looks likely to endure as its subject’s monument. † Jake Wilson, The Age Every great crime says something about the times we live in. Warren Beatty, THE HEIST [pic] S Y N O P S I S How often do you get inside the mind of a con woman – â€Å"one of the best ever†, according to the Chicago cop desperate to track her down? Norma Khouri is a thief, a saint, a seductress and a sociopath – depending on who’s talking. Men want to marry her, Islamic extremists want to kill her and the global publishing industry wishes she’d just disappear.Those she duped with her best-selling ‘true story’ about the honour killing of her best friend Dalia in Jordan, Forbidden Love, number 500,000 readers, publishers and journalists in 15 countries. But her victims don’t end there. When Norma’s book was exposed as a fake by Australian journalist Malcolm Knox in July 2004, the world learned that Norma was not, as she’d claimed on Western chatshows, a Jordanian Catholic virgin on-the-run from bloodthirsty Muslim patriarchs who’d placed a fatwah on her head for her outspoken campaign against honour crimes in the Middle East, but 34 year old Norma Bagain a. . a. Touliopoulos, a married Chicago real-estate agent and mother of two, under investigation since 1999 by the FBI for one million dollars’ of fraud. Knox’s scoop rocked the liter ary world and prompted the FBI to reopen their files on Norma. Norma took a lie detector test in self defence, sued Knox for defamation, dumped her kids with ex-heroin addict and ‘tart-with-a-heart of gold’ Rachel Richardson in Bribie Island Queensland, and fled to the U. S. A with $350,000 in advances still owing to her outraged Publishers. She’s been in hiding ever since. And now she wants to talk.Weaving between the literary salons of London, the mosque-lined vistas of Jordan, the beachside suburbs of Queensland and the seamy Chicago backstreets of Norma’s dubious past, FORBIDDEN LIE$ pits Norma’s tale against the stories of those she conned. There’s Mary Baravikas, who died in an underfunded Chicago hospital after Norma alledgedly cashed in her life savings and stole her house. There’s Rachel Richardson, $15,000 poorer thanks to Norma, who still swears her friend is a †sweet person who’d bake pies for everyone in the s treet – she’s just got dark secrets only she can answer†.And there’s Norma’s estranged husband with alledged ties to the Chicago mob, John Toliopoulos, whom Norma claims forced her to commit her crimes at gunpoint. Meanwhile, Forbidden Love has just been released in the Arab world as fiction, Middle Eastern women continue to be murdered by male relatives in ‘crimes of honour’ with apparent impunity, and Human Rights Groups have yet to receive a cent of the royalties Norma Khouri promised them.Jordanian honour crimes activist Rana Husseini, furious at the damage that Norma’s â€Å"fake book† has done to her cause, is demanding to know why the 73 factual errors in Forbidden Love slipped past publishing giants Simon & Schuster, Random House and Transworld just before the Iraq invasion, when racist potboilers about evil Muslim men with mysteriously veiled women on the covers were selling like hotcakes. So who was really cashin g in? Who is to blame?And does it matter that Norma lied? FORBIDDEN LIE$ lets you be the judge. As we follow Norma to Jordan to meet with people she says will â€Å"prove that Dalia existed, that she was murdered, and that the media has lied†, we also investigate Norma’s criminal past. Will the FBI arrest her? Is her passion to stop honour crimes genuine, or just a new con? Who do you believe, as you watch Norma’s web of stories spinning ever faster, ensnaring everyone, including the filmmaker?Is she a calculating sociopath, a damaged soul craving the limelight, a genuine martyr, or simply a monster of our age, who states that â€Å"if Bush and Blair can spin the truth about WMDs to justify bombing innocent people then why can’t I spin Dalia’s story to save women from being murdered on a daily basis? † In a spin-driven era, as the lines between truth and fiction grow increasingly blurred, FORBIDDEN LIE$ is a real-life thriller for our time. Weaving murder, deceit, greed, the East/West clash and an international literary scandal into a web that entangles us all, Norma Khouri’s real-life drama is even stranger than her fiction.We all love watching a successful con story – the more dangerous the better. But this time, it’s for real. [pic] Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn’t. MARK TWAIN P R O D U C T I O N N O T E S â€Å"The marriage between con-artist and filmmaker is a match made in heaven: both use a million tiny deceits to manipulate the way we think and feel; both are in the business of making illusions real. † ANNA BROINOWSKI When director Anna Broinowski read Malcolm Knox’s Sydney Morning Herald article exposing Norma Khouri as a hoax in July 2004, she knew she’d found the subject for her next documentary. I wanted to know what kind of woman could be so brilliant that while on the run from the FBI she could reinvent herself as a Jordanian virgin with a Fatwah on her head, write a best-seller, and convince the best publishing and media minds in the world that she was telling the truth. † Teaming up with producer Sally Regan in early 2005, Anna invited Norma (then lying low in Chicago) to fly to San Fransisco to attend the premiere of her last documentary, HELEN’S WAR (about anti-nuclear activist Dr. Helen Caldicott), at the Castro Theatre.Norma liked what she saw, and agreed to tell Anna her side of the story on the condition that Anna make a film putting Honour Crimes back in the spotlight. Anna, smitten by Norma, agreed: â€Å"on the first day of the shoot I was telling the crew to hide their credit cards, that Norma was a notorious con-woman; by the third day, Norma had convinced me that her book was not a hoax, that she was utterly genuine, and that everything the media had written about her criminal past in Chicago was a lie. She promised to take us back to Jordan to prove her friend really was murdered: how could I not believe her? Anna’s journey from Norma convert to con-victim is just one of several betrayals captured in the labyrinth of Truth and Spin that is FORBIDDEN LIE$. By the time Anna and DOP Kathryn Milliss got to Jordan with Norma (and her American ‘body guard’, Jeremey Lackowski), it was obvious that Norma was taking them for a ride. Key witnesses disappeared, locations evaporated, and the actual hair salon, in which Norma had promised to introduce Dalia’s friends to the camera, fell apart when Norma’s mysterious ‘cousin’ failed to arrive with the key. I realized I could no longer make a film vindicating Norma; that this had become a portrait of a con woman whether I liked it or not†, says Anna. Yet through it all, Anna and Norma have remained friends: â€Å"there is a sense with Norma that everything is a game for her, that she relishes the challenge of having to improvise when confronted, of having to convince you to believe her all over again. I can’t help admiring her audacity†. The film’s style was designed to directly reflect the mental sleights of hand Norma plays out on her victims. Armed with a 1. million dollar budget, the filmmakers worked hard with visual effects company Resin and DOPs Kathryn Milliss and Toby Oliver to create CGI and in-camera illusions; the expense of the round-the-world shoot was offset by filming several of the Jordanian scenes in Adelaide with the imaginative help of designer Robert Webb and his team. Above all, the filmmakers were keen to create a ‘real-life thriller’ rather than a conventional documentary: FORBIDDEN LIE$ owes more to the narrative structures of con movies like CATCH ME OF YOU CAN and HOUSE OF GAMES than it does to non-fiction genres. What excites me about FORBIDDEN LIE$ is that people walk out with more questions than answers. I don’t know if we got to the bottom of who Norma is, I don’t think e ven Norma knows who she is†, says Sally Regan. â€Å"There can be no absolute conclusion with someone like Norma†, agrees Anna. â€Å"Should we judge Norma, or the spin-driven climate that allowed her to thrive? If the audience walks out less inclined to trust what they are told, by anyone, especially the filmmaker, then that’s a good thing! †With a successful Australian release through Palace in 2007, 2 AFI wins, Top Ten audience votes at Hotdocs, Melbourne and Adelaide Film Festivals, international prizes including the San Francisco Golden Gate Special jury Prize and the Rome Film Fest ‘Cult’ Award, and distribution deals in the US, Japan and the Middle East, FORBIDDEN LIE$ is satisfying people’s desires to be entertainingly deceived. Even Norma, now selling car insurance and studying human rights law at night-school in Chicago, has seen the film and enjoyed it.Of course she had an outrageous new comeback to every allegation made agai nst her†¦ but all of that is revealed in the DVD, released by Madman in April 2008! [pic] The public will believe anything, so long as it is not based on the truth. Edith Sitwell T E A M ANNA BROINOWSKI (Director/Writer/Producer) is a NIDA acting graduate who has been making award winning films for international audiences for the past ten years. Her 2004 film Helen’s War – portrait of a dissident (CBC/ZDF/FFC/SBS) won an Australian Film Institute award for Best Director (Documentary) and Best Documentary at the Sydney Film Festival Dendy Awards.It was nominated for a Canadian Gemini, an Independent Film Award and an Australian Film Critics Circle award. It sold to Sundance Channel, screened theatrically in Australia and the US and toured the UK as part of the 2005 British/Australian Film Festival. Two of Anna’s other documentaries, Hell Bento!! (SBS/AFC) and Sexing the Label (SBS/FFC), both had theatrical releases, screened at several international film fes tivals, sold widely overseas, and can still be found in the cult section of Australian video stores.Anna’s other films are Romancing the Chakra (ABC/FFC) and the shorts Tsunami (part of the Slamdance DVD 12 angry Women) and Burqa (part of the 2004 Oz feature Time to Go John. ) Anna’s past awards include Best Australian Documentary (Sydney Film Festival), 1 Bronze and 1 Silver Plaque (Columbus Film Festival), Best Documentary (Film West) and Best Documentary Director (Films des Femmes, France). SALLY REGAN (Producer) was awarded the Kenneth Myer Fellowship upon graduation from the Australian Film Television and Radio School and has produced film and television in Australia, Europe, Asia and America for the past 15 years.Her documentary, First Look, won the Fuji award, and her short film, Swerve, opened the Berlin Film Festival. In 1997 Sally won the AFC Distinctly Australian Script Editing award. From 1999 to 2003 Sally was Business Affairs Manager of Documentary Produc tion at Film Australia, Australia’s leading documentary agency. Since then, she has co-produced the international Russell Crowe-narrated series The Colour of War, and produced National Treasures, Korean Anzac, Peter Berner’s Loaded Brush and Road to Tokyo.Sally is currently developing a number of projects, including the feature film Axe Fall, a recent participant in the competitive NSWFTO Aurora script workshop (the development stomping ground of acclaimed Australian dramas SOMERSAULT and LITTLE FISH). We are never deceived: we deceive ourselves. GOETHE [pic] M A I N C A S T The ArtistNorma Khouri The PressMalcolm Knox Rana Husseini Caroline Overington Jon Yates The LawDet. Ed Torian, NYPD Frank Bochte FBI Dawn Lawkowski The FriendsRachel Richardson Kara Elliott Maree Elliott The ClanJohn ToliopoulosMajid Bagain Cousin Faris Asma Bagain The LiteratiPatrick Walsh Larry Finlay David Leser The ActivistsDr. Amal al Sabbagh Nadia Shamroukh The MuscleJeremy Lackowski John Ak dikman Anna Hermann The MedicsCharles v. Ford MD Dr. Mu’men Hadidi Dr. Hani Jahshan Dr. Nasri Khoury The ActorsDalia: Linda Mutawi Mohammed: Shahin Azimi Mahmood: Fariborz Zareei Michael: Farhad Noori Norma: Sara Azadegan M A I N C R E W Director/writerAnna Broinowski ProducersSally Regan and Anna Broinowski CinematographersKathryn Milliss and Toby Oliver ACSEditorsAlison Croft and Vanessa Milton Titles/CGIResin 35 mm Blow-up/additional CGITim Trumble Sound design and MixCraig Carter and Peter Smith Drama designerRobert Webb Covers composerMax Sharam Completed July 2007 Format 35 mm Sound6 track Dolby Duration 104 minutes FORBIDDEN LIE$ was produced by the Film Finance Corporation Australia, produced and developed in association with the New South Wales Film and Television Office, and produced in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the Adelaide Film Festival and Palace Films.It was developed and produced with the financial assistance of  the Australian F ilm Commission and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and developed with the financial assistance of the South Australian Film Corporation. Distributed in Australia and NZ by Palace Films. International Sales by Jonathan Page of Becker International. [email  protected] com. au US Theatrical release through Roxie Releasing, contact Bill Banning at [email  protected] com or Rick Norris at [email  protected] com and phone (415) 431 3611 [pic] A half truth is a whole lie. YIDDISH PROVERB