The Roman Empire :: essays research papers

The remains of the Western Roman state had been ruled since 476 by Odovacar, as supposed viceroy in the West to Eastern Emperor Zeno. The latter(prenominal) was uncomfortable with this arrangement, as Odovacar had presented him with a fait accompli. At the same time, in the mid 480s, Zeno was facing repeated invasions into Eastern Roman lands by the Ostrogoths under Theodoric. After the spring up against and defeat of the Huns in the 450s, the Ostrogoths had settled on the Byzantine side of the Danube en masse through foederati agreements by Byzantine Emperor Leo I. At his expiration in 474, they left their reservations based on hospitalitas, criss-crossing Thrace and the Balkans in search of food and in general warfare. By the late 470s, Theodoric had gained prominence as an Ostrogothic leader. Alternately supporting Leo II against rebels such as the general Illus and the Germanic-roman officer Theodoric Strabo, and revolting in search of food and better office in the Roman syst em, the Ostrogoths worn out(p) the greater part of the 480s raiding up and down the Balkans. At the same time, Odovacar in the West had heard of Zenos plans to oust him, so launched a preemptive pack into Pannonia, the Western Balkans, hitting the Rugians hard. In 488, Zeno thus offered Theodoric the position of Master of Soldiers in Italy, in return for unseating Odovacar.Tired of a seventeen-year trek through Byzantine lands, Theodoric agreed. crack through Pannonia, he acquired Rugian and Gepid troops through 489, then moved into Northern Italy, attracting Burgundians and Visigoths to the fight. He quickly reduced Odovacar to Ravenna, which was put under siege until 493. Then, in a banquet called to signal reconciliation, Theodoric and his servants murdered their opponent.Thus from 493, Theodoric established the first post-Roman kingdom in the West. By the 510s his lands included all of Italy, stretching past Milan in the northern to the Alpine regions, where the kingdom abut ted the Franks as well as the Burgundians in the northwest. Provence was also included in southeastern France, after Frankish defeats of the Visigoths in the region. Finally, Pannonian and Dalmatian lands along the Adriatic were incorporated into Ostrogothic dominions. Legally, he presented himself to Italian Latins as the Emperor Zenos Master of Soldiers for the region, and maintained as thoroughly as possible Roman urban and rural administration, including the Senate. To the Germanics, however, he was a king. In

The Libyan Head of State, Muammar al Qaddafi :: Biography Biographies Essays

The Libyan Head of State, Muammar al Qaddafi Muammar al Qaddafi is a very dangerous man. He promotes terrorism, andradical causes. He is committed against the U.S, and will help almostany single who is also against the U.S. He is very intelligent and crafty. In1969 he led a civilizeover against the Libyan govern workforcet. He succeeded, and becamehead of state. He is a devoted Muslim. Qaddafi is a person to be read aboutand learned about. As I mentioned above, one of his greatest successes was leading abloodless coup against the Libyan monarchy. He became head of state. Another success is that fact that most Libyans leadgood lives. alone Libyans have a house or an apartment, a car, and most havetelevisions, phones, and recording equipment. The young people are welldressed and fed. He has survived legion(predicate) coup attempts against him. His faceand picture are in most buildings in Libya. He always was devoted to school as a kid. He would take a long hikefrom the desert to school. He would come home only every Thursday, thebeginning of the Muslim weekend. Then he would go subscribe to school. He wasthe first in his family to be well educated. One of his first goals when he was a child was to join the Libyan army.He slowly locomote up in rank. It was surprising they even let him in thearmy he had a long police record. He eventually joined the Kings police.This was when the topic of a coup attempt came. He did succeed. Qaddafi was born in a tent in the desert 20 miles south of the sea.This is a desolate place- zealous hot in the summer, and freezing cold inthe winter. Most people would consider this place to be uninhabitable. Hisfather was at the bottom of social train in this very poor country. Thename of tribe Qaddadfa means in Arabic, Spitter or vomiter of blood. InQaddafis early years, in the 1940s there were cooler battles in the desertand thousands of bombing raids by Germans in Libya. Besides this, in the1920s the Italians under Mussolini had conquered Libya for the second timeand had killed large numbers of women, children and old people. Theytrampled on copies of the Koran, threw men out of airplanes and raped anddisembowelled women. So the Libyans of Qaddafi generation grew up full of

Genetic Engineering Is Not Safe Essay -- Genetic Engineering Essays

Genetic engineering is the intended modification to an organisms genetic makeup. There have been no continuing studies on this topic or action so there is no telling whether or not it is harmless. Genetic engineering is not safe because scientists have no absolute knowledge about living systems. Given that, they are un qualified to do desoxyribonucleic acid surgery without creating mutations. Any interference on an organisms genetic makeup gouge cause permanent damage, hereditary defects, lack of nutritious food, or a spread of dangerous diseases. Even through the downsides of genetic engineering scientists have had a few breakthroughs. It can help us in our soil needs and also drugs for animals, and pesticides. For agriculture, engineering is used for herbicide tolerance which is the most commonly used form of alteration in plants, and it is also able to take insects away. Drugs are also produced so that animals have healthier meat to eat. For example, chickens can be modified to produce more eggs and grow larger faster. Which is not a good thing but it is not necessarily bad. Also by doing this a persons moral compass doesnt on the button point due north. Biotechnology is when you produce something by using life sources. This process has an unlimited amount of possibilities. By forcing these changes on organisms and not letting them be, it can be cooperative and or cause many dangerous risks to nature. By not letting the plants create their own pesticides naturally it can be helpful now but dangerous and regretful later on. Also, with the pesticide everywhere in a farm, it go out lead to a tolerance to the pesticide on the part of the bugs and they will sooner or later be immune to it.For many people including myself who are against genetic eng... ... stop this process. Hopefully soon scientists will be able to minimize and control the amount of beneficial genetic changes they make. Thus preventing any unwanted changes to our future society.Works C itedOMOTO, CHARLOTTE K. and LURQUN, PAUL F. Genes and DNA A Beginners Guide to genetics and Its Applications. New York Columbia University Press, 2004.LILLISTON, BEN and CUMMINS, RONNIE. Genetically Engineered Food A Self-Defense Guide for Consumers. Marlowe & Company, 2000.SINGH, RAM J. and JAUHAR, PREM P. Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement Grain legumes. Volume 1 of Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement, CRC press, 2004BIO Biotechnology Industry Organization. June 2011. August 25 2011. httpbio.org/node/517.Genetic mutation. August 25 2011. http//www.environmeltalcommons.org/ctos/.

Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby paints the picture of the way life was in the twenties. This orderliness has the characteristics of an egotist and one who pays no attention the character of themselves. Fitzgeralds style influences the contributor to portray this era as a carefree "do what olfactory propertys good" society. However, Fitzgerald introduces the unbounded number of tragedies that take place. Through diction, imagery, and details Fitzgerald creates a morose tone. The writer evokes the readers feelings through particular words and their meanings. In the phrase, ". . . I began to look involuntarily emerge the window for other cars," the word involuntarily grabs the reader. This phrase makes the reader feel melancholy for Gatsby because it its depressing for no one to come to the funeral. It reveals how Nick and Mr. Gatz experience anticipation. both(prenominal) of them know devoutly that no one will come pay their respects to Jay Gat sby. Mainly because they wait half an hour for people to show up. Also, in the phrase ". . . his eyes began to blink anxiously" the word anxiously shows Nicks dolefulness for the want of sympathy that Gatsby fails to receive. The word procession reflects the despair and lack of friendship that Gatsby witnesses in his life. The lack of companionship that Gatsby has cogitates how lonely and despondent he is. Through the uses of certain words the author helps express feelings and emotions of the morose tone. Through imagery Fitzgerald can make the reader feel like they are in the story. Water, specifically evokes the senses. It describes how the procession of cars stopped in a thick drizzle. This depicts how gloomy it appears outside. The reader can hardly go across the three cars because of continuous soaking. They describe a motor hearse as ". . . horribly black and loaded." A hearse normally portrays a solemn feeling, but the words horribly, black, and wet allow t he reader to feel the misery and mournfulness of death. The ground is soggy as someone splashes through it. You can smell the wet turf and feel the saturation beneath the feet. The use of water in the story aids the reader in understanding the morose setting. Fitzgerald uses certain detailed sequences to help apologize the somberness of Jay Gatsby. In the first significant sequence Nick and Mr. Gatz wait for people to show up at the funeral.

Great Gatsby :: essays research papers

Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby paints the picture of the way life was in the twenties. This society has the characteristics of an egocentric and one who pays no attention the character of themselves. Fitzgeralds style influences the reader to portray this era as a carefree "do what touch sensations good" society. However, Fitzgerald introduces the countless bod of tragedies that take place. Through diction, imagery, and details Fitzgerald creates a morose tone. The writer evokes the readers feelings through particular words and their meanings. In the give voice, ". . . I began to look involuntarily out the window for other cars," the word involuntarily grabs the reader. This phrase makes the reader feel melancholy for Gatsby because it its depressing for no one to come to the funeral. It reveals how Nick and Mr. Gatz experience anticipation. Both of them have sex devoutly that no one will come pay their respects to Jay Gatsby. Mainly because they wait half an hour for people to show up. Also, in the phrase ". . . his eyes began to blink anxiously" the word anxiously shows Nicks dolefulness for the lack of sympathy that Gatsby fails to receive. The word procession reflects the despair and lack of friendship that Gatsby witnesses in his life. The lack of order that Gatsby has cogitates how lonely and despondent he is. Through the uses of certain words the author helps express feelings and emotions of the morose tone. Through imagery Fitzgerald can make the reader feel like they are in the story. Water, specifically evokes the senses. It describes how the procession of cars stopped in a thick drizzle. This depicts how gloomy it appears outside. The reader can hardly see the terzetto cars because of continuous soaking. They describe a motor hearse as ". . . horribly black and wet." A hearse normally portrays a solemn feeling, but the words horribly, black, and wet let in the reader to feel the misery and mournfulness of death. The ground is soggy as someone splashes through it. You can smell the wet turf and feel the chroma beneath the feet. The use of water in the story aids the reader in understanding the morose setting. Fitzgerald uses certain detailed sequences to help explain the graveness of Jay Gatsby. In the first significant sequence Nick and Mr. Gatz wait for people to show up at the funeral.

Decision-Making Model Essay

The human close-making process has been described by the development of several frameworks. The alternative for the maximize utility of the decision is selected by a fully informed, as comfortably as, knowledgeable decision maker in the Rational Model. A satisfactory decision alternative is sought by the decision maker collect to the causes of time, information, and space constraints according to the Bounder Rationality Model. It is hypothesized by the Organizational Model that available procedures are used by the decision maker for the base of problems of decisions in a continuously updated organizational memory.Conflicting values and interests are confronted by the decision makers in the Muddling by means of Model, and an incremental benefit in the outcome is achieved by the selection of alternative with minimal organizational changes. An intermeshing of problems, solutions, and decision maker interest are represented by decisions that are forced by social and policy-making factors in an anarchistic environment according to the Garbage Can Model.The criteria are met best by the identification of alternative with the use of relationship that is made in the midst of the criteria, events, and alternative by the decision maker in the Classical Decision surmisal Model. During the selection process, conflicting constraints can be confronted by the decision maker, as intangible or tangible criteria would have to be dealt in uncertain events. The situation is assessed, a single alternative is generated and evaluated, and alternative for a satisfactory solution of the problem is selected by the decision makers according to the Naturalistic Decision-Making Model.Outcomes of the decision-making process are focused by some of the proposed models like Classical and Rational Decision Theory grammatical constructions. A limited set of decision activities is highlighted by other models like Bounded Rationality Models and Naturalistic Decision-Making Models. A comp rehensive and integrated view of decision-making has been offered by none of the proposals. In addition, not all the situations of the decision-making can be applied with any formulations of these proposals. For instance, operational and tactical decisions can be applied with the Organizational Model.However, strategic decisions cannot be applied with this model collectable to incomplete understanding of the problem, as well as, limited availability of the knowledge of the problem. In this regard, the most popular model of the human decision-making process has been the three-phase paradigm of object, intelligence, and choice by the Simon. Virtually, all other proposed frameworks have been implied by this most general paradigm. However, an implementation phase of the Simons formulation has been concluded with the expansion of such scrutiny. Reality is observed by the decision maker during the intelligence phase.A fundamental understanding regarding the existing problems, as well as , new opportunities is gained by the maker. In addition, the general quantitative and qualitative information is acquired by the decision maker for the addressing of different opportunities, as well as, the problems. In the design phase, a specific and precise model is developed by the decision-maker, by which, the discovered problems and opportunities are examined systematically. Decision alternatives, uncontrollable events, criteria, and numerical, as well as, symbolic relationships forget be consist in this model.The ensuing choice phase constitutes of the generation of recommended actions from the evaluation of the specified alternatives by the usage of explicit models logically. The analyses and recommendations are pondered by the decision maker during the subsequent implementation phase. In this regard, the consequences are weighed, and sufficient confidence is gained in the decision-making process. In addition, an implementation plan is developed, financial, human, and mater ial resources are secured, the plan is dedicate into the action.After the implementation of the final choice, the new reality should be observed by the decision maker. In addition, intelligence, design, choice, and implementation should be regarded and followed by the decision maker. Moreover, the guide for revisions at preceding phases might be suggested by the phases analyses. For instance, adjustments of the previous design might be necessitated by the analyses during the choice. Conceptually, individual or group decision-making is applied with the decision-making process in the same manner.In practice, the communication-intensive aspects of cooperative problem solving must be accommodated by the group decision-making. In addition, voting, ranking, rating, and other consensus-developing methodologies should be supported by the usage of unified techniques. Group and organizational collaboration support should be provided by the development of this consensus. Decision-making mo del can be operated by the use of a variety of measures. Outcomes are dealt by some measures, and process outcomes are convoluted by the others.Positive decision outcomes can include Increases in returns, costs reduction, and increment in the flow of information are some of the examples of the gains in the performance of the organization. When the understanding of a person regarding a current problem, as well as, its solution is developed, the decision-makers maturity develops. In addition, the improvement of the general problem-solving skills also results in the maturation of the decision-maker. Objectively, recording can be done regarding the effect of opportunities, problems, as well as, alternatives.Experts, as well as, persons evaluations can assess such efforts and subjective assessments. In experts evaluations, practice would be observed by the experienced decision makers and the examinees efforts will be rated. In this regard, a structured rating form will be used for its support. The examinees are used by the directed self-examinations, and a facilitator is used for the purpose of guidance. In some decision-making situations, the improvement of the organizational performance becomes impossible due to the competition, internal restrictions, external constraints, and several other factors.Under these circumstances, the main decision outcome will be the learning, training, and various other beneficial side effect during the maturation of the decision maker. Process Enhancements in the ability of a person or group are involved in the process improvements for the implementation of the phases and move in the decision-making process. Experts, as well as, persons evaluations can assess such efforts and with the help of subjective assessments.In experts evaluations, practice would be observed by the experienced decision makers and the proficiency of the examinee during each phase and step of the decision-making process will be rated. In this regard, a stru ctured rating form will be used for its support. The examinees are used by the directed self-examinations, and a facilitator is used for the purpose of guidance. The use of accounting tools is involved in the process tracing, in which, the decision aid is embedded for the recording, as well as, reporting of the actions of the examinee during the decision-making process.In addition, the process enhancements may be manifested through The time that is needed during the structuring of the problem by the user is reduced in a hike in personal efficiency. In addition, in a assumption time period, the number of alternatives is increased during the evaluation of the user, which is also an example of the hike in personal efficiency. The time of the decision-making is reduced, and the amount of pertinent information is increased from the decision-making is an improvement in the personal productivity.Objectively, recording can be done regarding the time and number of evaluated alternatives. Ex pert, as well as, direct self-evaluations by the activity of an individual or group can assess the amount of pertinent information, wisdom, and knowledge, that is, subjective assessments. In any particular management situation, more importance might be given up to the support for some phases, as compared with the support for others. The process should be improved for at least the relevant phases by a given aid in the decision-making process.The decision outcome and process measures have been summarized in the Table 1. In addition, the measurements have been obtained by the available approaches, which have also been summarized in the table. As such, a series of guidelines has been offered by the table for the operation of the decision-making process. For instance, the implementation phase of the decision-making process consists of confidence and commitment of the decision maker. The performance of the decision maker during these steps is thrifty by the process tracing, expert ratin gs, and directed self-evaluations, as indicated by the Table 1.

Zoe’s Tale PART I Chapter Ten

There were two messages on my PDA after dinner that evening. The first was from Gretchen. That Magdy character tracked me down and asked me egress on a date, it read. I guess he likes girls who mock the crap fall out of him. I told him okay. Because he is kind of cute. Dont wait up. This do me smile.The second was from Enzo, who had somehow managed to get my PDAs address I suspect Gretchen might ache had something to do with that. It was titled A Poem to the Girl I Just Met, Specifically a Haiku, the Title of Which Is Now well Longer Than the Poem Itself, Oh, the Irony, and it readHer name is ZoeSmile like a summer breezePlease dont learn me cubed.I laughed out loud at that oneness. Babar looked up at me and thumped his tail hopefully I think he was thinking all this happiness would result in more food for him. I gave him a slice of leftover bacon. So I guess he was right somewhat that. Smart dog, Babar.After the Magellan departed from Phoenix Station, the colony leading fou nd out about the near-rumble in the common area, because I told them about it over dinner. John and Jane sort of looked at each other significantly and whence changed the subject to something else. I guessed the problem of integrating ten completely different sets of people with ten completely different cultures had already come up in their discussions, and now they were getting the underage version of it as well.I figured that they would find a way to deal with it, but I really wasnt nimble for their solution.Dodgeball, I said to soda, over breakfast. Youre waiver to have all us kids play dodgeball.Not all of you, Dad said. Just the ones of you who would otherwise be cream stupid and pointless fights out of boredom. He was nibbling on some coffee cake Babar was standing by on crumb patrol. Jane and Savitri were out taking business organization of business they were the brains of this particular setup. You dont like dodgeball? he asked.I like it just fine, I said. Im just not sure why you think its an answer to this problem.Dad set down his coffee cake, brushed off his hands, and started ticking off points with his fingers. One, we have the equipment and it fits the space. We cant very well play football or cricket on the Magellan. Two, its a team sport, so we can get big groups of kids involved. Three, its not complicated, so we dont have to spend ofttimes time laying out the demonstrate rules to everyone. Four, its athletic and leave alone give you guys a way to burn off some of your energy. Five, its just violent enough to appeal to those idiot boys you were talking about yesterday, but not so violent that someones actually going to get transgress.Any more points? I asked.No, Dad said. Ive run out of fingers. He picked up his coffee cake again.Its just going to be that the boys are going to make teams with their friends, I said. So youll still have the problem of kids from one humankind staying with their own.I would agree with this, if not for the fact that Im not a complete idiot, Dad said, and n all is Jane. We have a plan for this.The plan Everyone who signed up to play was assigned to a team, rather than allowed to pick their own team. And I dont think the teams were entirely randomly assigned when Gretchen and I looked over the team lists, Gretchen say that almost none of the teams had more than one player from the same world even Enzo and Magdy were put on different teams. The only kids who were on the same team were the Kyotoans as Colonial Mennonites they avoided playing in competitive sports, so they asked to be the referees instead.Gretchen and I didnt sign up for any teams we appointed ourselves league managers and no one called us on it apparently word of the intense mockery we laid on a wild pack of teenage boys had gotten around and we were feared and awed equally. That makes me touch sensation pretty, Gretchen said, once such a thing was told to her by one of her friends from Erie. We were watching the fi rst wager of the series, with the Leopards playing against the Mighty Red Balls, presumably named after the game equipment. I dont think I approved of the team name, myself.Speaking of which, how was your date last night? I asked.It was a little covetous, Gretchen said.You want me to have hickory tree and Dickory talk to him? I asked.No, it was manageable, Gretchen said. And besides which, your alien friends creep me out. No offense.None taken, I said. They really are nice.Theyre your bodyguards, Gretchen said. Theyre not supposed to be nice. Theyre supposed to crash the pee out of people. And they do. Im just gladiola they dont follow you around all the time. No one would ever come talk to us.In fact, I hadnt seen either hickory tree or Dickory since the day before and our conversation about touring the Obin planets. I wondered if I had managed to hurt their feelings. I was going to have to check in on them to see how they were.Hey, your boyfriend just picked off one of the Leo pards, Gretchen said. She pointed at Enzo, who was playing in the game.Hes not my boyfriend, any more than Magdy is yours, I said.Is he as grabby as Magdy is? Gretchen asked.What a question, I said. How dare you ask. Im madly offended.Thats a yes, then, Gretchen said.No, its not, I said. Hes been perfectly nice. He even sent me a poem.He did not, Gretchen said. I showed it to her on my PDA. She handed it back. You get the poetry writer. I get the grabber. Its really not fair. You want to trade?Not a chance, I said. But he nots my boyfriend.Gretchen nodded out to Enzo. Have you asked him about that?I looked over to Enzo, who sure enough was sneaking looks my way while moving around the dodgeball field. He saw I was face his way, smiled over at me and nodded, and as he was doing that he got nailed righteously hard in the ear by the dodgeball and went down with a thump.I burst out laughing.Oh, nice, Gretchen said. Laughing at your boyfriends pain.I know Im so bad I said, and just abou t toppled over.You dont deserve him, Gretchen said, sourly. You dont deserve his poem. Give them both to me.Not a chance, I said, and then looked up and saw Enzo there in front of me. I reflexively put my hand over my mouth. Too late, he said. Which of course made me laugh even more.Shes mocking your pain, Gretchen said, to Enzo. Mocking it, you gain vigor me.Oh, God, Im so sorry, I said, between laughs, and before I thought about what I was doing gave Enzo a hug.Shes hard to distract you from her evil, Gretchen warned.Its working, Enzo said.Oh, fine, Gretchen said. See if I warn you about her evil ways after this. She very dramatically focused back on the game, only now and again glancing over and grinning at me.I unhugged from Enzo. Im not actually evil, I said.No, just amused at the pain of others, Enzo said.You walked off the court, I said. It cant have hurt that much.Theres pain you cant see, Enzo said. Existential pain.Oh, boy, I said. If youre having existential pain from dodgeball, youre really just doing it wrong.I dont think you appreciate the philosophical subtleties of the sport, Enzo said. I started giggling again. Stop it, Enzo said mildly. Im be serious here.I so hope youre not, I said, and giggled some more. You want to get lunch?Love to, Enzo said. Just give me a minute to selection this dodgeball from my Eustachian tube.It was the first time I had ever heard anyone use the phrase Eustachian tube in common conversation. I think I whitethorn have fallen a little bit in love with him right there.I havent seen the two of you around much today, I said to hickory and Dickory, in their quarters.We are aware that we make many of your fellow colonists uncomfortable, Hickory said. It and Dickory sat on stools that were designed to accommodate their body shape otherwise their quarters were bare. The Obin may have gained consciousness and even recently tried their hand at storytelling, but the mysteries of interior decoration still clearly eluded th em. It was decided it would be scoop for us to stay out of the way.Decided by whom? I asked.By Major Perry, Hickory said, and then, before I could open my mouth, and we agree.You two are going to be living with us, I said. With all of us. People need to get used to you.We agree, and they will have time, Hickory said. But for now we think its ameliorate to give your people time to get used to each other. I opened my mouth to respond, but then Hickory said, Do you not gain from our absence at the moment?I remembered Gretchens comment earlier in the day about how the other teens would never come up to us if Hickory and Dickory were always hanging around, and felt a little bit ashamed. I dont want you to think I dont want you around, I said.We do not intend that, Hickory said. Please do not think that. When we are on Roanoke we will resume our roles. People will be more accepting of us because they will have had time to know you.I still dont want you to think you have to stay in her e because of me, I said. It would drive me bonkers to be cooped up in here for a week.It is not difficult for us, Hickory said. We disconnect our consciousnesses until we need them again. Time flies by that way.That was very rigorous to a joke, I said.If you say so, Hickory said.I smiled. Still, if thats the only reason you stay in here I did not say it was the only reason, Hickory said, interrupting me, which it almost never did. We are also spending this time preparing.For life on Roanoke? I asked.Yes, Hickory said. And how we will be of best service to you when we are there.I think by just doing what you do, I said.Possibly, Hickory said. We think you might be underestimating how much different Roanoke will be from your life before, and what our responsibilities will be to you.I know its going to be different, I said. I know its going to be harder in a lot of ways.We are glad to hear that, Hickory said. It will be.Enough so that youre spending all this time planning? I asked.Y es, Hickory said. I waited a second to hear if anything else was coming after that, but there wasnt.Is there anything you want me to do? I asked Hickory. To help you?Hickory took a second to respond. I watched it to see what I could sense from it after this many years, I was pretty good at reading its moods. Nothing seemed unusual or out of place. It was just Hickory.No, Hickory said, finally. We would have you do what you are doing. Meeting new people. Becoming friends with them. Enjoying your time now. When we arrive at Roanoke we do not expect you will have as much time for enjoyment.But youre missing out on all my fun, I said. Youre usually there to record it.This one time you can get along without us, Hickory said. Another near joke. I smiled again and gave them both a hug just as my PDA vibrated to life. It was Gretchen.Your boyfriend really sucks at dodgeball, she said. He just took a hit square on his nose. He says to tell you the pain isnt nearly as enjoyable if youre not a round to laugh at it. So come on down and ease the poor boys pain. Or add to it. Either works.