Aesthetic Consumption Everyday Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Aesthetic Consumption Everyday Life - Essay Example The researcher states that we have seen various professionals, more so women creating at least thirty or more minutes to drive out of their workplaces and attend their favorite beauty avenues, and this comprises of salons, jewelry outlets, massage centers and fashion houses among others to keep their beauty or aesthetics at the peak Furthermore, magazines and articles on modern aesthetics are rated to be the most read and this is a clear indication of the modern generation’s dedication to fashion, textile, and jewelry among aesthetic elements. These factors have driven consumer researchers to dig more into the daily consumption of aesthetic elements with regard to today’s economy. There are four basic theories associated with various types of jewelry consumers and these are the traditional, the pragmatic, the minimalist and the critical or allegorical aesthetic consumers. The traditional aesthetic consumers are those who believe that jewels were designed and made for th eir own sake. The jewel is more of intrinsic value than instrumental as other people may see it. These are the people who do not care whether the nose ring was made a decade ago; the most important thing is that they have the ring. The critical jewelry consumers are those are ever updated on the trending or the most recent jewels. They are the ones who do not want to go to a social avenue and realize they do not have the new â€Å"Gucci bracelet diamond† that would automatically ruin their confidence. Critical jewelry consumers would end up spending their entire savings just to have that modern diamond chain to dominate a certain social group. Their main motive is to remain on the top and seen as an icon. Majority of critical jewelry consumers like musicians, actors, comedians, athletes, Media personalities and designers among others people who demand the public attention.

Management and Diversity Essay Example for Free

Management and Diversity Essay Susan Jackson states in Diversity in the Workplace: Human Resource Initiatives that, â€Å"Surveys of business leaders confirm the perception that interest in managing diversity successfully is widespread. In a study of 645 firms, 74% of the respondents were concerned about diversity, and of these about one-third felt that diversity effected corporate strategy.† This means that the majority of organizations feel diversity is important, and see the need to take action, however; implementing the process can be more difficult. This paper will outline a human resources strategic plan that includes diversity training for all employees to include managers and frontline staff. It will focus specific diversity training segments to address management’s perspectives, and will use a change model to persuade management to implement needed modifications to the organizations practices. This paper will also propose a brief training outline of diversity content. Finally, this paper will recommend a comprehensive method of evaluation to ensure the training will create the needed changes. Mark Winston states in The Importance of Leadership Diversity: The Relationship between Diversity and Organizational Success in the Academic Environment that, â€Å"Fostering diversity in organizations is generally considered a priority in relation to the increasing diverse population, as well as inequities, current unfairness, and underrepresented.† To have a diversity strategy that becomes a strategic part of organization it must align with the overall goals of the organization. Nagel, CEO for Cisco states in the Hewlett Associates Creating a Sustainable Inclusion and Diversity Strategy: Build on Your Company’s Goals and Strengths that, â€Å"This position of inclusion and diversity must be an integral part of the company’s key business goals, rather than an add-on whose value and cost constantly need to be justified. A successful and sustainable ID (inclusion and diversity) strategy cannot be built in a silo. Similarly, for ID to receive the organizational support required to achieve its goals, it needs to be represented and play a central role in decision-making at the highest level. To ensure that ID is integrated at every level of the company, not just an HR focus.† To have this strategy start at the top of the organization is critical to the success of the initiative. This would begin with the forming of an Inclusion and Diversity Council. This counsel would be led by the Vice President of Human Resources, and the members are all executive level positions that represent each component of the company. The goals for this council would be to develop the Inclusive and Diversity vision to align with the goals of the company, develop the strategy behind the diversity and inclusion, and the execution plan. This council would also start gathering data to begin employee network groups in which a ll employees have the opportunity to join. It would review and advocating policies that support an inclusive environment including training for all employees, and implement a metrics for measuring the impact of Inclusion and Diversity initiatives. Through creating this type of board for the organization places diversity as a top priority and demonstrates the seriousness of integrating diversity into the organization. This would also exhibit to the EEOC a good faith effort to inaugurate diversity into the company. Below the council would be an additional group of managers that are composed of different business segments and would each hold a leadership type position in the employee network group. This group of managers would be responsible for building a strategy and executing a plan to implement the council’s decisions. This would allow an additional team of employees be involved in the inclusion and diversity strategy. â€Å"Because ID goals are aligned with the overall business goals, ID initiatives have a greater i mpact than before and are seen as a company priority.† (Hewett, 2009). Through starting the diversity strategies at the top and including additional manager throughout the company shows that this initiative is not a fad and that it is being taken seriously. The council will begin the inclusion and diversity process and communicate to managers and the overview the hiring and team the employees that make up the organization. In addition to the council, managers that recruit and hire employees will go through interviewing skills and be required to have a diverse slate based upon the geographic location. Adding more diverse candidates to the interview process gives managers the opportunity to hire more diverse candidates if they are the most qualified for the position. Interviewing more diverse candidates, allows more opportunity to hire and retain a diverse workforce. This will lead to less discrimination lawsuits based on hiring and retaining more diversity within the organization. Another key point is developing and engaging the talent that the organizat ion currently has. This would include promotions of internal candidates. This type of development would include mentoring groups that could be utilized through the employee network groups. This would reach all levels of employees throughout the organization. Finally, there will be training for all employees in regards to diversity and inclusion, harassment, and stereotypes and biases. By training employees and holding then accountable for improper practices or behavior, helps the organization develop standards and omit any inappropriate behaviors. Through aligning diversity and inclusion with the company’s overall goals and including key leaders in the organization states that this is a high priority and is supported by the overall company. By engaging managers at different levels through employee network groups and having diverse slates in hiring practices allows the company to continue to grow in diversity and inclusion. Finally, providing training and policies in place to encompass all employees gives everyone the understanding of what behavior is acceptable and that the work environment is inclusion for everyone. There can be a variety of reasons that managers or employees would resist change. According to the article, Workplace Diversity: How to Tackle Resistance it states, â€Å"Employees resist diversity for a number of reasons; if the organization’s definition of diversity is not broad enough and inclusive, some employees may feel excluded or left out of the change process. Furthermore, employees who are not often made to feel included in the process, such as white men, may feel blamed for inequities in their organization and react with defensiveness. On the other hand, employees specifically included in diversity efforts such as women or people of color- may express resistance because they do not want to be singled out or perceived as having succeeded purely as a result of the change effort. Finally, employees are also cynical and reluctant to get involved with new diversity efforts when past change efforts have not been successful.† To address the managers that would be implementing these practices I would first start with training the understanding of the alignment of diversity with the organizational goals. This would include ten session training about diversity and the way that it effects the organization. Through establishing and defining the organization’s definition of diversity and how it will help the company grow would help the managers understand the company initiative and that the top leaders of the organization are implementing and enforcing this program. It would also allow the managers to understand diversity and the components of it. The second training would entail having a diverse slate to interview, interviewing candidates, and selecting the best talent. â€Å"One common misperception is the belief that unearned benefits or advantages will be given to a specific group, such as white women, or people of color; as well as that one has to part of a specific group in order to be promoted.â €  (Catalyst, 2009). Through understanding the correct interview process, having a diverse number of candidates for promotion or hiring, and asking job related questions will allow the organization to continue to build on diversity and inclusion and train as well as show the managers the correct hiring process. The third training would allow the manager to understand and analyze their own stereotypes and biases. Through identifying that everyone, absolutely everyone has stereotype and biases, allows the manager to identify them and then look past them. This would help with the fair treatment of all employees. All three of these training sessions, understanding diversity, interview with diversity, and understanding stereotypes and biases will allow the company to continue to grow in diversity and inclusion. The organization will also be in compliance with sound hiring practices and treatment of employees including harassment. Dr. John Kotter’s 8-Step change model is one that can be utilized to impl ement and explain the change in the organization’s diversity and inclusion. According to the article The development of a model to support synchronous change, Kotter’s eight steps are: create a sense of urgency, form a powerful coalition, create a vision for change, communicate the vision, remove obstacles, create short term wins, build on the change, and anchor the changes in corporate culture. The first step is to create a sense of urgency. In this case the urgency has already been put in place by the charges faced by the EEOC. Due to the charges the organization must put a plan into effect quickly; this will be vital to the success of the organization. In step two, formulating a coalition, this can be done through establishing the diversity council in which key leaders will initiate the beginning of the diversity and inclusion component of the company. This will help the organization to all be on the same page and implement a strategy from the top. The third step includes the vision for change. This is done through aligning the goals of the organiz ation to the goals of diversity. This part of the plan would create goals such as meeting diversity goals, creating an inclusive environment, and training goals for the employees. Creating a work environment that is diverse as well as inclusive is an ideal work environment. Step four, communicate the vision, can be accomplished through the trainings conducted with the managers. These trainings would explain the diversity goals of the organization and have the frontline staff complete 5 diversity training sessions, and manager complete 10 diversity training sessions. In addition to the training, the managers should have constant open and honest communication about the changes that are happening and how those changes are effecting the organization. The fifth step, removing obstacles, would need to be in place when the employees are resisting the changes. Removing obstacles is part of the overall plan in which resistance comes up it is addressed immediately and allows the organization continue to build on its strategy. This fifth step is important in which managers that are following the diversity vision are rewarded and those that are not a redirected to follow the guidelines in place. This came be done by offering diversity bonuses based on having a diverse hiring slate, but not by hiring the most diverse candidates. The important part is still hiring the best candidates, but having a variety of candidates to choose from. The sixth step, create short-term wins, allows the employees to process and be successful in intervals. This would include reaching goals such as completing training, and having the correct amount of people to interview to complete a diverse slate. Step seven, build on the change, allow employees to celebrate the small successes that will then lead to additional wins of having a diverse and inclusive work environment. Finally, the eighth step, anchor the changes in corporate culture, is the complete process in which the changes are adapted to the culture of the organization. This is when the new staff as well as the old staff has accepted the culture and ensures that the changes continue. Each component of Kotter’s eight step process is important and necessary to achieve success. This plan of implementing change in accordance with the eight steps lays the foundation for the organization to make a positive change and provide a more diverse and inclusive work place. Described previously there were would be diversity training composed of ten (10) sessions. These sessions are based off of the Workplace Diversity Foreword, Managing Workplace Diversity. The first five sessions would be for both frontline employees and managers. The remaining sessions six to ten would be for managers only. The first session would entail an understanding of what diversity is. Although diversity can be different to each individual, this would focus on the defining diversity, giving history of the organizations diversity, and legal overview. The second training session would explain what stereotypes are as well as biases. In the course participant would identify their own biases through active listening. Once the biases and stereotypes are identified, the third session would include breaking down your own biases through changing how the participants view their approach and the encouraging workplace and social changes. The fourth lesson would then identifying the proper communication stating that listening and hearing are two different things. This would help open up communication among all individuals to incorporate an all-inclusive environment. Lesson five would explain body language and it is not what you say, but how you say it. This would allow employees as well as managers to understand that there is more to communication than just words. The sixth training would encourage diversity in the workplace through establishing guidelines and teaching employees about preventing discrimination. The seventh training would entail identifying discrimination and the options in which an employee or manager would have if this happened. The eight training would explain the processes used if you as a manager are involved in a complaint, understanding the role that you play as a manager that represents the company as well as an individual. The ninth training would teach the manager how to properly document the complaint and identify the appropriate actions including contacting the human resources department. The tenth training would explain the steps in receiving the complaint formally as then looking back at the incident and learning from the experience. All ten of these trainings, establish the guidelines that the organization is looking to enforce and support. Each component both explains and defines what diversity is, how it is involved in the day to day work environment, and how to prevent as well as respond to a complaint. Once all of the trainings are completed managers as well as employees will understand the overall goals of the company, how diversity plays a role in those goals, how each employee and manager can contribute towards those goals, and what to do when the resistance to diversity is encountered. Finally, this paper will recommend a comprehensive method of evaluation to ensure the training will create the needed changes. One way to measure the success of diversity initiative is if there are any additional complaints filed with the EEOC, and of the goals or requirements put in place by the EEOC are met. Tracking and evaluating the hiring process and the applicants considered will show the strides or lack of follow through for the organization. Also following the guidelines given and continued follow through with compliance would allow the organization to track and view the changes. Another way to establish if the goals and measures are successful is through looking the amount of promotions if internal candidates. This will show how many employees are taking advantage of the mentoring, employee networking, and diversity training through embracing the goals of the company and making themselves more promotable. â€Å"The organization’s retention rate by demographic group compares favorably with external retention rates.† (Bliss, Keary, Loftus, Outwater, Porter Volpe, 2011). This would show how many minorities had been hired and promoted. An additional measure could also be an employee survey conducted. â€Å"Employee satisfaction survey results by demographic group show the feelings or rates on the diversity in the organization.† (Bliss, et al, 2011). Through seeking the employee input on how they view diversity, training and the inclusive environment, and how successful they feel it is will allow the organization to gage how successful the diversity initiative is and how to continue to build upon it. Finally the organization can look specifically in the diversity of top level managers. â€Å"Consistent with applicable law, representation of minorities and women in positions is enhanced.† (Werner DeSimone, 2012). This would directly look to see how engaged the top level of the company is and the continued support needed to continue to grow the diversity of the organization. Each measurement will allow the organization to understand and en hance the diversity and inclusion strategy. â€Å"Practicing diversity management means operating at a level that is the best with respect to diversity management.† (Werner DeSimone, 2012). This paper outlined a human resources strategic plan that includes the creation of a diversity council of top managers, an additional group of managers to help implement diversity changes, employee network groups, and diversity training for all employees to include managers and frontline staff. This paper focused on specific diversity training segments to address management’s perspectives through establishing a diversity training model for all employees. This paper used Kotter’s eight (8) step change model to persuade management to implement needed modifications to the organizations practices, and proposed a brief ten (10) training outline of diversity content. Finally, this paper recommended a tracking system through the applicant flow log to overview the diversity process as well as a survey for employees to complete to ensure the training will create the needed changes. References Bliss, W., Keary, D., Loftus, J., Outwater, L., Porter, G., Volpe, N., (2011). The SHRM Learning System: Module Three Human Resource Development. Alexandra, VA: Society for Human Resource Management. p. 206-221. Catalyst., (2009, May 13). Workplace Diversity: How to Tackle Resistance. Women’s Media. Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://www.womensmedia.com/lead/119-workplace-diversity-how-to-tackle-resistance.html Hewett, A,. (2009). Creating a Sustainable Inclusion Diversity Strategy: Build on Your Company’s Goals and Strengths. Retrieved December 15, 2012 from: http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac49/ac55/white_paper_Diversity_102709.pdf Jackson, S., (1992) Diversity in the Workplace: Human Resources Initiatives. Guilford Publications. New York, NY. Managing Workplace Diversity Website. (2012). Work Place Diversity Foreword. Retrieved December 15, 2012, from http://pdtraining.com.au/workplace-diversity-training-course Redvers C., Tennant,C., Neailey, N., (2005) The Development of a Model to Support Synchronous Change. Measuring Business Excellence, Vol. 9 Issue: 3, pp.13 – 20. Werner, J., DeSimone, R. (2012) Human resource development (6th ed.) Mason OH: South Western Cengage Learning Winston, M., (2009). The Importance of Leadership Diversity: The Relationship

Peer Pressure Leads To Guilt And Destruction

Peer Pressure Leads To Guilt And Destruction Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, is a tragedy that showed the consequences of Macbeths guilt from the peer pressure of Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth questioned Macbeths manliness several times throughout the story. Macbeth wanted to prove that he was a stronger person. Even though Macbeth proved his manliness, he regretted his decision. Macbeths decision to kill Duncan was based off of peer pressure from Lady Macbeth. The character Macbeth had been told by the three weird sisters that he was going to be the Thane of Cawdor and king of Scotland. In order for Macbeth to take the throne, he had to kill King Duncan. Macbeth never asked the question, Do I really have to kill Duncan in order to become king? Instead, Macbeth was pressured into his decision by his wife, Lady Macbeth. From Macbeths decision some ask the question, Was Macbeth really pressured by Lady Macbeth? Another question often brought up is, Why did Macbeth make the decision to kill Duncan? I believe the main reason for the murder of Duncan was from the peer pressure of Lady Macbeth. Macbeth had just returned from stopping two invading armies, but that did not stop him from wanting more power. Macbeth was ambitious but lacked he lacked the effort to make it happen (Snodgrass 37). He often thought about the consequences that would happen if he were to proceed in killing Duncan. Macbeth also thought about the things Duncan had done for him when he served him as king. He decided he could not bring himself to kill Duncan, but he wanted more success. On the other hand Lady Macbeth was far more ambitious than her husband. Lady Macbeth was described as very ambitious, burning in unquenchable desire to have the name of queen (Quennell 133). After Lady Macbeth read the letter her husband wrote her she said, Hurry home so I can twist your thinking with my sharp words toward the obstacles that stand in the way of your crowning, a rise to greatness that destiny and the witches have promised (I.V.24-29). She had a plan up her sleeve to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth did not see an ything wrong with killing Duncan; she only saw a way to gain more power. Lady Macbeth called upon evil spirits to get her in the right mind-set to pressure Macbeth. She said, Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe, top full of direst cruelty (I.V.38-41). Come to my womans breasts, and take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers, wherever in your sightless substance you wait on natures mischief (I.V.45-46). Come thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of dark (I.V.48-51). First Lady Macbeth said, Unsex me here, to prove that she would be willing to become the opposite sex. Lady Macbeth practically wished at this point that she was not a woman anymore, so she could kill Duncan. Then she called upon the evil spirits to replace her breast milk with bitterness. Lastly, she asked for the night to be covered with fog so she would not be able to see the wound of Duncan. This showed how much she was willing to kill King Duncan. Macbeth told his wife Duncan will be staying with us but he will leave the next morning. Lady Macbeth said, O! Never shall sun that morrow see/ your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters (I.V.58-61). She told Macbeth, Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent undert (I.V.63-64). She then said, Leave all the rest to me (I.V.71). Lady Macbeth meant go and treat Duncan like royalty and keep your murderous intent hidden. Lady Macbeth then planned out the plot to kill Duncan. That greatly showed her ambition and hunger for power. Macbeth contemplated if he should kill King Duncan. Macbeth had thought of several reasons why he should not and did not want to kill Duncan. First, Duncan was king over him. Second, Macbeth was his protector and host because he was staying at Macbeths house, and he should not harm him. Lastly, King Duncan had been a good and kind ruler, so Macbeth felt he should never hurt him. Macbeth brought to his wifes attention that he did not want to go through with the plan to kill King Duncan. He said, We will proceed no further in this business; he hath honourd me of late; and I have bought golden opinions from all sorts of people, which would be worn now in their newest gloss, not cast aside so soon (I.VII.31-34). That should have been the end, but Lady Macbeth would not take no for an answer. Lady Macbeth urged Macbeth to kill Duncan, which eventually led to his downfall. She did not only question his decision, but she questioned his manliness. Men never like to feel weaker than women. Macbeths wife said, When you durst do it when you were a man; and, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man (I.VII.49-51). Lady Macbeth meant if you murder Duncan and do what you plan, then you will be a real man. Lady Macbeth showed she could be masculine when she said, I have given suck and know how tender tis to love the babe that milks me; I would, while it was smiling in my face, have pluckd my nipple from his boneless gums, and dashd the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done (I.VII.54-59). Lady Macbeth expressed a very powerful statement when she said she would be able to kill her own child. Lady Macbeths words were a great challenge for Macbeth. Macbeth said, Bring forth men-children only for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males (I.VII.7 2-74). Macbeth meant you have such a hardened heart that you should only bear male babies (Snodgrass 51). Lady Macbeth felt he was too compassionate to kill Duncan in order to claim the throne. He would rather take the throne fairly (Snodgrass 37). Questioning Macbeths manliness pressured him into killing King Duncan. Lady Macbeth gave the excuse that she could not kill Duncan because he looked too much like her father. She said, Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done it (II.II.12-13). She was giving an excuse for why she did not want to kill Duncan. This showed she lost strength when she saw Duncan sleeping, for he reminded her of her father. It showed she became weak inside and pressured Macbeth instead. Lady Macbeth tried to sound tough when she said, Unsex me here, but became weak when she saw him sleeping. Macbeth was afraid that the plan will fail, and the people will find out that he murdered Duncan. She told Macbeth, Screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we will not fail (I.VII.60-61). Lady Macbeth said, If we pretend to grieve for the king no one will challenge us (I.VII.77-79). He finally decided he wanted to prove to Lady Macbeth that he was a real man. Macbeth went through with the decision and murdered Duncan. She said, Smear the faces with blood. Macbeth refused, Mocking his weakness, she takes the daggers and performs the task herself (Rozakis 240). Lady Macbeth put blood on Duncans guards and laid the daggers next to them. She left the people thinking it was Duncans guards who planned the murder of their king. The Bible gave us many good examples of how we need to submit ourselves to our husbands. God gave a command that said, Wives submit to your husband as is fitting in the Lord (NIV Colossians 3:18). Lady Macbeth should have let Macbeth make the decision based off of what he was right and what he felt was the right decision. She was only thinking of herself and what she got from the situation. She knew she wanted to have the title of becoming queen and did not think of the consequences that could come from the situation. I Corinthians 11:3 stated, The husband is to assume leadership in the home. The husband and wife should both show love and respect towards each other, but he should have told Lady Macbeth I will do what is best for us. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth experienced guilt and regret after the murder of King Duncan. Macbeth experienced regret because he had to hire murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance to cover up the slaughter of Duncan (Rozakis 240). Macbeth began to feel insanity from the whole situation. Lady Macbeth was affected from the situation when she began to sleep walk. As Lady Macbeth was sleep walking, she began rubbing her hands. She rubbed her hands trying to get the blood off of them (Quennell 134). She kept thinking that her hands were bloody from when she smeared the blood on the faces of Duncans guards. This drove her into insanity, which eventually led her to commit suicide. The story of Macbeth was a good example that showed the effect of peer pressure. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in America among teens. Peer pressure has not only led to suicide, but also drug overdoses, fatal car accidents, violent crime, and unwanted pregnancy (Unknown Author). Teens, who have been pressured by their friends, sometimes turn to suicide as a way out (Unknown Author). Lady Macbeth only thought about fame and power and did not think about the consequences of her actions. She pressured Macbeth, which led to Duncans murder. She did not only think about how this decision could affect her. She felt guilty, which led to her insanity. One action led to not only the murder of Duncan, but the murder of herself.

Athenian Women’s Acquisition of Power through Relationships with Men :: Greek Women Females Power Papers

Athenian Women’s Acquisition of Power through Relationships with Men Greek society held the belief that women had little common sense or logic; they had the natural tendency to move toward chaos and destruction. Women were thought to have the ability to destroy a man’s honor through their actions. Because of this, women were given no influence in the government of the polis or in their lives; they had no power. Instead, they were kept inside where they could be closely monitored by their husbands, fathers, lovers or protectors. Yet, as seen in Kathleen Freeman’s translations of Athenian court trials The Murder of Herodes, women were able to acquire power in the household, the government, and for their own betterment through sexual relationships, marriage, and family ties. Greek mythology painted a poor picture of women. This, in turn, created a society where the men believed that these myths were an accurate interpretation of the nature of women (or, possibly, vice-versa). Zeus created women as a punishment, and to this end, he made them so tempting that men could not resist them. But, he also made them a bane to men’s existence, where men had to marry them and constantly have to try to balance the good and the evil that inherently existed in their wives, or die alone. As a consequence of this bleak picture of women, Athenian men believed they had to keep a close eye on women and not allow them too much freedom; they had to keep them behind closed doors as much as possible so they could balance the good and evil and control their deceitful nature. So how is it that women are supposed to acquire any power in their lives if all they have is their households? In fact, the first area in which a woman could gain power was the household. In a trial concerning the killing of an adulterer, the defendant Euphiletus gives an account as to what happens when a man and a woman marry: "†¦ When I decided to marry and had brought a wife home, at first my attitude was this: I did not wish to annoy her, but neither was she to have too much of her own way. I watched her as well as I could, as kept and eye on her as was proper. But later, after my child had been born, I came to trust her, and I handed all my possessions over to her, believing that this was the greatest possible proof of affection.

Three really is a crowd

â€Å"Would you like some pretzels with your wine.† The airhostess said, I never drink when I fly but in this case I need a drink to steady my nerves I have called my old friend Lauren to see if she knows where nick is living now and I am in luck she had just seen nick. â€Å"How was he?† I asked impatiently â€Å"He was kind of distant, not his usual laid back self. Why are you asking about nick you never want to talk about him what has happened?† Lauren sounded concerned. I couldn't keep secrets from Lauren she was my oldest friend and my rock when things go wrong. I had to tell her so for the next half an hour I poured my heart out I told her everything about Pierre and nick and the engagement ring. † Well he sounded really upset now I know why, what are you going to do.† She sounded genuinely sorry for me. † I am just going to turn up at his flat and try to talk him round I love him Lauren, it has always been him I was happy with Pierre sure, but he was always in the back of my mind.† I am never one to pour out my heart but I couldn't help myself. Lauren offered me her spare bedroom to stay at her house, which is less than a mile away from nicks so it would be perfect. I wake up as I look out the window and can just see the sky through all the buildings there is a deep blue sky just like the day me and nick went on a weekend away the sky was like that all weekend I can't help but smile at all the good memories of me and nick. The time at the new years the night nick and me first got together ‘ I was all alone no one to kiss at midnight 4,3,2 I am going to look like such an idiot 1 nick suddenly appears from no where and kisses me a real kiss I had never been kissed the way he kissed me.' There it is that all to familiar feeling when I think of me and nick. Later that day I was in the local cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, all of a sudden Lauren made excuses for herself and left quickly as I watched her leave my eyes wandered to the bar where nick was sitting I nearly spilled my coke I hadn't even noticed him come in. What should I do I didn't want to talk to him here and now I wanted to be alone with him I couldn't just chicken out not after giving up my relationship with Pierre and possibly my dream job. All of a sudden with out any notice nick turns his head he sees me I don't know what to do I end up sitting their like an idiot pretending not to notice him. To my surprise nick gets up and walks out. I nearly burst into tears I knew that I hurt nick but I didn't think he could not even bare to look at me anymore. When I get back to Laurens I tell her everything she has a great idea † How about I ring nick and ask him if he wants some company tonight you turn up instead of me and explain how you love him.† She was the best friend a girl could have I agreed to the idea. In the taxi on the way to nicks house I couldn't help but feel sick with nerves the way he had just blanked me as if he didn't even know me as if I meant nothing to him as if nothing had never happened between us I know I hurt him but he is the man I love, I would give up the whole world for him. It takes me what 10 to15 minuets to knock on the door suddenly my phone rings I open my bag in such a hurry everything falls out onto the floor. I hear the latch on the door turning I look up to see nick staring down at me, I wonder is he going to slam the door in my face but to my surprise he bends down and starts picking all the contents of my handbag up as he passes it to me our eyes meet he holds my glance I can't breath thinking what I have done to this man how I lied to him how I hurt him so much. † We better go inside.† He finally says he hands my bag to me and opens the door letting me in. why is he being so cool about all this, what happened today in the cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½? His flat is so nice his shinny leather sofa and his modern art that is so cool and laid back like himself, they say people's house tells you most things about them when nick came to my flat their were dark lies in all of Pierre's stuff. â€Å"Nick I am so sorry I came here to explain everything!† I sound desperate but I can't help it. â€Å"You hurt me.† † I know I was just starting to get my life on track after I left you and then you walk back into my life and my whole world turns upside down and with one look at you I fall completely head over heels in love with you.† Nick says nothing he just stares at the floor he can't even bare to look at me. â€Å"I didn't want to tell you about Pierre I knew it would wreck all our chances together.† † So you just lied to me, as if I meant nothing to you.† He sounds hurt â€Å"You know I don't think you are nothing I think you are everything. I would never intentionally hurt you.† A tear rolls down my cheek I suddenly realise how much I have hurt nick. â€Å"I should leave.† I go to get up and leave to my surprise nick jumps up he reaches for my arm to stop me â€Å"Why are you going?† He almost sounds desperate like I did earlier. † I don't know I don't see how I can undo what I have done and it is like a knife through my heart seeing the pain in your eyes the pain I have caused and it is in your eyes now as I try helplessly to try and explain what I have done to you.† I can hardly see nick through tears. Nick reaches up and wipes my tears away, why is he being so nice I don't understand. † I love you Sarah even if you lied and even if you left me to go to nice I will always love you.† † But can you forgive me?† Nick let's go of me he sits down on his cool leather sofa he puts his head in his hands. † Let me explain myself, you see I had left you behind it took me at least a year to get over you, then one day Pierre walked into my office he was the new guy he was so gorgeous and charming.† † Do I really have to hear about you and Pierre.† He says almost in disgust, am I digging myself a hole but I have to tell him everything. † Just listen to me no more lies, I never thought I would find love again it wasn't the love we shared but my life had to go on me and Pierre were happy the night before I saw you he proposed if I had known I was going to see you again I would have called everything off right then and there but I thought I was never going to see you again I thought you had moved on and made a new life of your own.† I was trying my best to make nick see that I didn't purposely try to hurt him. † I understood all that, I just can't understand why you lied cause I asked you if you had a boyfriend and you lied straight to my face, I actually remember seeing the ring on your finger and thinking nothing of it thinking that it was your right hand or something.† He looked so tiered and fed up. † Did you take the ring off?† he asks, I can't lie to him not now even as much as I'd like to I just can't. † Yes but again I can explain you asked me if I had a boyfriend so I took the ring off hoping you hadn't already noticed, I know you want to know why because I love you and wanted to see†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I can't get out the words and when I do they sound all wrong. † To see what?† he is starting to get annoyed â€Å"To see if we ever had a chance together.† I am nearly in tears again † Don't cry please.† He sounds concerned † How can I not cry I am trying to undo the mess I have done, I have said I am sorry I can't say anymore I have described the way I feel, but I now am asking you what you think!† I can't help but ask I know it sounds selfish but I am giving loads and getting nothing back this was it truth time when I had to know what my future with nick was going to be. † I said earlier that I still love you.† He seems kind of distance not to sure of what he is saying. † But can you forgive me nick I need to know.† I have to know I can't bare it; nick is the type of guy not to let you know what he is thinking even if I know him as well as I do. † I forgive you, but you have hurt me.† I nearly burst into tears with happiness, we both catch each others gaze and in those blue eyes my happiness is restored. Nick stands up he comes right up to me and wraps those warm and protective arms around me. ‘Ring, ring' nicks phone is ringing, I can't believe it who could it be, it is nearly half ten at night. † Who could that be?† I have to ask † I don't know.† ‘Ring, ring' † Aren't you going to answer it then.† Nick walks over and picks up his phone to see who is calling; to my surprise he switches his phone off without even answering it. † Who was it?† † Oh no-one, I have more important stuff here and now.† Nick takes me by the hand and sits me down on the sofa, I am expecting him to sit next to me, to my horror he gets down on one knee and produces this jewellery box, he opens it and in there is the most perfect ring in the world. † I know it isn't the size of Pierre's ring†¦Ã¢â‚¬  † No, no it is perfect.† † I think you know the question I am going to ask but I am going to ask it anyway, Sarah will you marry me.† I look down into those perfect blue eyes. † I think you know the answer, yes.† I shout it so loud, nick puts the ring on my finger, then jumps up and lifts me up spinning me around he starts to slow down just as he is putting me on the floor he leans in and kisses me a real kiss a nick kiss, my nick. I later discovered that nick had bought the ring in nice and had come for a job interview so he could live with me in nice. I can't wait to tell Lauren I am so excited, I walk back to Laurens it is such a clear and perfect night the stars are so bright and clear. † Lauren you will never guess what has happened!† I feel like I can't get the words out fast enough. † What?† she sounds confused and worried † Are you alright?† † I am the best, you know how I was going to nicks, well when I got there my phone rang and he opened the door and I was scrambling†¦Ã¢â‚¬  † So you and nick got back together then.† She sounds weird and not her usual self. † Not only that he asked me to marry him.† I have to scream † No way, oh my god I don't believe it!† she sounds so surprised † I think I am going to bed.† She says, what the hell I wanted to stay up most of the night planning it. † Oh what, don't you want to help me with ideas.† † No I am so tired, but we will talk in the morning.† She gives me a faded smile and goes off to bed. I can't possibly sleep now so I deicide to go back to nicks. I don't bother to buzz because someone is coming out of the building, as I reach out to knock on nicks door it opens and out walks Lauren in tears. † What the hell are you doing here and why are you crying.† I say confused. † Lauren wait I can explain†¦Ã¢â‚¬  nick walks out after Lauren but stops dead when he see's me. † Lauren what is the matter.† I look at nick for an answer but he is staring at the ground, what is going on? I want to know I thought she said she was going to bed. † Why don't you let nick explain, let nick explain everything.† Lauren runs off in tears. I have no idea what is going on † Nick what the hell is going on, why is Lauren crying, why was she even here?† I don't understand any of this. † We need to talk, lets go inside.† Nick walks into the flat I follow behind him, when I get into his flat there is a smashed glass on the floor. † What has happened let me clear it up.† I walk over to clear it up † Just leave it, I need to tell you something.† He sounds guilty and worried. † Nick what is going on, first Lauren comes out of your flat crying then there is a smashed glass on the floor and now you are looking guilty and asking to talk to Me.† am I being paranoid? † You might want to sit down I have to tell you something.† † What nick tell me now don't give me all this crap about sitting down tell me.† † Lauren was crying because she didn't want you and me to get married.† † What, why?† I don't understand. † Because she loves me.† I don't believe it he doesn't look like he is lying I look into his eyes he is telling the truth nick never lies not to me. Suddenly it all makes sense when nick walked into the cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ this morning how Lauren walked out and why she didn't want to talk about my wedding plans. † Why would she be in love with you?† I can't believe I am asking this and I try to not to sound like I want to know but the question has to be asked. † Because, we had a thing!† † What do you mean a thing?† he better not be saying what I think he is saying. † Me and Lauren together.† † You're not giving me enough information, what the hell are you trying to say here?† I can't believe what he is trying to tell me. † Me and Lauren we had a thing together, right after you left.† † I don't believe what you are saying, how long for?† I feel like I want to scream. Nick whispers something but I can't quite here him. † Don't whisper I need to hear this.† † Two years the same time as you and Pierre were together.† † Pierre you didn't even know, whereas my best friend.† † You slept with my best friend, don't even try to get out of it and you leave me standing on the prom in nice crying my eyes out because I got engaged while you are sleeping with my best friend who I have known and trusted for over ten years.† I am nearly in tears and I feel pathetic but I am angry, angry at being so stupid not to see it and angry at nick for making me feel bad and guilty when he has been doing exactly the same but worse. † I'm sorry, I can explain give me a chance like I gave you a chance earlier.† He sounds desperate and upset. I look over to him he has tears in those big blue eyes he stands up and walks over to me. † You had gone and Lauren understood what I was going through so we became friends and one night we got really really drunk and one thing led to another†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"So you slept together at least me and Pierre were in a stable relationship.† I am so mad I am crying in anger. Nick reaches out to wipe my tears away but I push his hand away. † Don't touch me, how could you and you blamed me for getting engaged and you, you were†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I can't even say the words; suddenly a thought comes into my head. † Wait a minute when I spoke to Lauren on the phone last night on the plane she said that she had seen you in the last twenty four hours that means you slept with Lauren after you had seen me didn't you.† I am really crying now. † Didn't you!!!† I scream at him he looks up with tears in his eyes and nods his head. † You bastard.† I run over to him and hit him again and again I am like those sad and depressed woman in the movies but I can't help it nick is holding me down and trying to hug me. † Get off me.† I am crying so so much, I can smell nick his gorgeous smell, nick is still trying to hug me I give up we just stand there holding each other for what seems like hours after a while nick speaks. â€Å"Let me explain just give me that much of a chance.† He sounds like he is crying I look up to see that he is, I nod and sit down on the sofa to listen I don't want to hear this but I want to know I have to know. † You had just gone and Lauren was there the first time we slept together we were drunk, then it became a regular thing.† I look away as tears spill out my eyes I can't take it but I've got to know, nick lifts my head up and looks me right in the eyes, he is nearly crying as well. † I knew I couldn't have you, so Lauren was the closest thing to you, what me and Lauren had was like a drop in the ocean compared to us, Lauren was growing more and more attached but all I wanted was you, before I knew it me and Lauren had been doing it for two years and she just wasn't you so I decided to come and get you when I got there you were with Pierre.† He gets up and walks into the kitchen, I follow him when I get into the kitchen he has his back to me I swear he just wiped a tear away from his eye he turns to me and looks into my eyes. † Sarah I love you.† † But can I forgive you?† † That is up to you, what me and Lauren did is horrible and I will never forgive myself.† † I don't know I have to think this through until then I think you should have this.† I slide off mine and nicks engagement ring I reach out to give it to him but he refuses to take it so I put it on the granite worktop and leave. Where should I go I can't go to Laurens I defiantly can't go to nicks. ‘Knock knock' it is taking ages for them to answer after what seems like hours later the door opens. † Mum!† I burst into tears † Sarah what has happened come in what has happened.† So I tell her everything right from the start the two engagement rings, Pierre, nice, Lauren and nick. By the time my story has finished it is beginning to get light. † What should I do mum I don't know what to do.† † First you should get some sleep then we will talk about it.† She smiles at me. It is weird sleeping in my old room so many times I cried myself to sleep in this bed, when dad left, when granddad died, when I failed my GCSE's, the night before I left for nice and left nick behind. I get up to the smell of home when I go downstairs mum is sitting in her usual spot I remember as I child whenever she had to think something through she would sit their and no one was allowed to disturb her for hours. † Hey how did you sleep?† She pats the spot next to her I go and sit with her. † Not well, I kept thinking about nick and how he is, I did try to stop thinking about him but he just kept coming back into my mind.† â€Å"I know sweetie it is horrible.† † What should I do mum?† † My advice is, Lauren is the main one to blame I am not saying nick is innocent in all this but he was looking for a replacement of you, whereas Lauren knew full well what she was doing and lied to you every time she spoke to you.† † Still I don't know what to do.† † Go and talk to nick and if you love him give it one last try I am not saying it will be easy.† So I took mums advice. I press the buzzer outside nicks flat, so many things are running through my head I don't know what is going to happen I don't even know weather to forgive him or weather I can forgive him. † Hello† † It's me, can I talk to you.† He buzzes me in without saying another word, when the lift doors open he is standing by his door wearing boxers and a t-shirt. † I was asleep I wasn't expecting you to come back.† He looks really tiered and upset I can't look him straight in the eyes just yet. † You better come in.† he walks in leaving the door open behind him when I come into the flat I find him in his bedroom sitting on the end of the bed, he looks up at me † I didn't get much sleep after you left I obviously feel asleep, how have you been?† he looks concerned † I didn't sleep much every time I tried to sleep I just kept thinking about you.† I look at nick and ask myself how can I still love him after what he is done to me and if I was being honest with myself I don't actually know the answer. † Can I ask you one thing?† I say curiously † Anything but are you sure you want to hear it?† † It isn't about you and Lauren.† I say † Ok then what is it?† he looked surprised did he want me to ask about him and Lauren or was their more he hadn't told me, that he had left out hoping I wouldn't know maybe I was just being paranoid it was hard to tell this whole lie was so unexpected. † If you were sleeping with Lauren†¦Ã¢â‚¬  nick looks away ashamed † When you came to nice and found out about me and Pierre how come you were so mean to me when you were doing the same with Lauren?† it is a harsh question but it has to be asked. † Because you obviously had strong feelings for Pierre, I don't know maybe the thought of you even liking someone else also maybe the fact that you lied to me.† He sounds annoyed at that. How can he be annoyed at me I didn't sleep his best friend did I? † Why are you getting annoyed at me for lying.† I sound like a spoilt child â€Å"I don't know?† † Well I suggest you find out, you're the one who told me after I agreed to marry you.† † You're the one who let me find out when your fiancà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ turned up when I was topless just about to kiss you.† Nick stands up, I can't believe him. † Oh that is low even for someone that sleeps with my best friend when he says he was madly in love with me.† I say spitefully † Don't you dare for a second say I wasn't in love with you.† † So why didn't you come and get me?† † I did.† † What three years later, three years to late.† I am shouting now thank god it is the middle of the day and not the night. † What did you expect me to come after you?† † Yes.† I say almost in a whisper, Nicks face instantly changes † What?† † Yes, I wanted you to come and get me but you never showed up.† Nick comes closer to me † I never knew.† † You didn't have to know were weren't supposed to know.† I turn away from nick, I have come here to try and sort things out and end up saying things that were just stupid thoughts ages ago and they don't even help now. I can't think of anything to say and nick is just looking at me, I seriously have no idea what to do I want to tell him so much I love him but I just can't not now. I look at nick hard to see what he is thinking looking into his eyes I just can't work it out. Suddenly I thought crosses my mind. † I need to go.† † What, why I thought we need to talk.† Does he think this is it. † I have to speak to Lauren see what she has to say and pick up my stuff.† † Why are you going, are you coming back.† † I don't know, I just have to talk to her to see what she has to say about all of this.† I leave the flat as I am pressing the bottom for the lift door to close nick suddenly comes out of his flat and holds the lift door open. † Promise you will come back and talk to me.† He says I don't know what to say I have to hear Laurens side of the story before I make any decisions. † Even if you can't forgive me at least come and say goodbye.† I nod and nick lets go of the lift door I look at him as the door closes I look at his light brown ruffled hair, his perfectly tanned skin, his strong hands, and those perfect sea blue eyes. I really don't want to see or hear Laurens side of the story but it has to be done; I suppose I owe it to our friendship or something like that. I don't bother to knock or buzz because being one of her oldest friends I have a key it is, seeing as it is a Sunday she is sure to be in. when I walk in she turns around and smiles † Sarah where have you been did you stop over at nicks.† She winks at me, Why is she acting normal when she knows what is going on. † Isn't that more your style!† I know I sound like a fifteen year old but before I can stop myself I have said it. Lauren sighs † So he told you† † Well what did you expect him to do not tell me?† † Oh I don't know, I didn't expect you to even come after him.† † What you knew.† † Of course, all of a sudden I was dumped for you.† now she sounds like a fifthteen year old † Lauren you can try to match you and nick to me and nick but as nick said your relationship was like a drop in the ocean compared to ours. So don't you dare compare, I am here for one thing only and that is to hear your pathetic excuse of a side of the story.† I have to stay strong and not cry I try to remember revenge is a dish best served cold, cold like Laurens heart has to be. † Sarah don't be like this.† She sounds desperate † So come on then I want to get this over with lets here it from start to finish the whole feeble excuse for an affair.† â€Å"Sarah don't be like this.† † Why not.† I shout at her I hate being like this but I am so mad at her. â€Å"Ok, I'll tell you just after you left nick was really upset so I went round to cheer him up and we got really really drunk and ended up in bed together and from then it become a regular thing.† She looks away ashamed of herself exactly like Nick. † So what is your excuse then nick had a reasonable one.† I ask impatiently † What I just told you about me and nick.† † No you told me what happened I want an excuse for sleeping with my ex boyfriend when you knew I still liked him.† I know I am being really unfair on her but she deserves it. † You knew I always liked nick I knew he was just using me because he couldn't have you.† † Is that it.† I say in disgust † Is that your excuse cause if it was I wasn't buying it.† I shake my head at her and walk into my room get my stuff and go to leave as I am getting to the door Lauren runs after me. † You left nick it was over can't you let someone else have him I shouldn't be ashamed of what we had or still have.† † What do you mean still have?† † He told me he loved me.† She says looking pleased with herself, I look at her with tears in my eyes. † How could you Lauren I thought you were my best friend and your just a desperate †¦Ã¢â‚¬  I stop myself † Go on Sarah it's not like you to not finish saying what you like.† Lauren says sneering at me. † I wouldn't want to waste my breath.† I walk out leaving her standing there. When I am outside Laurens I am trying to get a taxi as I begin to give up and start walking a taxi slows down inside it is nick he opens the window and tells me to get in. † Where to then?† The taxi driver asks, I look at nick for an answer † Just drive us around for a while we need to have a talk without one of us running away.† The taxi driver grunts a bit before agreeing and we start to drive nick leans over and closes the hatch. † Nick what are you doing here?† I ask † I never trusted Lauren, I had to come and get you so she doesn't feed you a pack of lies.† I say nothing and just stay silent † Well come on then tell me what she said I know she has said something.† How can he tell that by just looking at me. I can't stand this I need more time to think so I reach over and open the hatch and tell the taxi driver to stop. † She said you loved her.† I say as I scramble out of the taxi with my bags I begin to walk off all I can hear is Nick shouting my name. â€Å"Sarah wait.† He shouts from somewhere behind me † Just leave me alone!† I shout back people are stating to stare but I don't care. Nick is right behind me when he catches up with me he stops me and spins me round so I am facing him I didn't realise he was so close to me he is right behind me. † I don't love Lauren I never have I like her but I would never love her.† † So why did you tell her that you did?† I look up at nick he is not going to reply so I carry on talking. † I can take the fact that you have been sleeping with her for the past two years but telling her you love her when you say you love me, I am sick of this Nick all the lies and dirty little secrets.† I look across the street at all the people walking in and out of the shops. † Did you tell Pierre you love him?† nick asks † Of course I did.† I reply, this is it right here me and nick standing in the middle of a busy London street this is when I realise the future. † It looks like we are both in love.† I say to nick, he begins to smile I raise my hand for a taxi † But it looks like we are in love with the wrong people.† I say as tears spill out of my eyes I reach up and kiss nick on the head † Goodbye nick.† I get in the taxi † Heathrow airport please.† I can hardly see nick through tears † Sarah don't do this I love you.† Nick shouts from the pavement I can't bear to look at nick † Just drive please,† I say my voice wobbling cause I am crying so much. This has to be the hardest thing to do; all I can see is nicks face when I got in the taxi the way he looked at me. I am sitting at gate waiting to be called wondering if I am doing the right thing. † Could people sitting in business class please come to the desk with your boarding cards and passports ready.† The airhostess was saying into the microphone this was it all over again leaving nick but this time it felt a hundred times worse. I have to do this I am strong enough to do this I know I am. So why am I still sitting here? I get up and walk over to the airhostess giving her my boarding pass and passport, she smiles brightly at me all I can manage is a brief smile I feel so rude but I am not in the mood to be polite. She hands my passport back and lets me through to go down to plane my stilettos are killing me and all I want to do is kick them off and run, run into nicks arms and forget all my troubles but I just can't not now not ever again. As I reach the aeroplane I am almost in tears again luckily no one has noticed, I get on to the plane and into my seat all I can think about is nick nothing else everything around me seems to remind me of nick like the guy sitting next to me got out his briefcase and I happened to notice his card that clearly explained that he was a lawyer like nick and the lady in front of me asking for a martin without the olive just like nick would ask, I keep telling myself I am being paranoid. After what feels like days I am home. I open all the windows in my flat to let out all the heat it is nearly midnight and still boiling, I try to get some sleep but just can't I keep thinking about nick and wondering what he is doing. I decide that I am not going to sleep at all and end up watching dirty dancing the best romantic film if only love could really be that simple even though her dad doesn't like them together he accepts it in the end and they dirty dance dance together. I wouldn't normally cry at the end but after everything that has happened I can't help but cry. I end up falling asleep in front of the TV all I can see in my dreams is nick screaming my name but none one can hear him I wake up to the my phone ringing no wait not the phone the door bell I look up at the clock it is 3.30 who on earth could it be. I stagger to the door still half asleep yawning I open the door and standing in a white checked shirt and jeans is nick. I can't speak I don't know what to say I look around for a conversation starter and end up catching sight of myself in a mirror I look terrible I am wearing and oversized t-shirt and bed socks my hair is all messed up. I look up at nick and he is just looking into my eyes. † I have been shouting your name for ages haven't you heard me?† he says in a gentle voice. † I was asleep, sorry.† Why am I apologising he shouldn't be here. † Nick why are you here?† I ask † Because I am not going to let it end like this.† Nick walks into my apartment and sits down on the sofa, I close the door behind him and end up sitting on my dinning room table cause my apartment is open plan you don't have to sit on one particular chair I can sit anywhere. † Do you want anything to drink?† I ask politely † No, I want you.† I have no idea how to reply to that so I just end up sitting their not being able to think of anything to say luckily I don't have to say anything. † I know you don't want it to end like this, and I am not going to let it end like this.† † How do you know what I want?† I ask getting angry â€Å"Because I love you and if you love someone you know every little thing about them.† † Like what?† I ask â€Å"Like the way they take their coffee, their shoe size, what their favourite movie is or when they are lying or unsure about something.† † So do you know all of that?† I challenge him † You don't like coffee or tea, your shoe size is 6 which you hate cause you think it is to big, your favourite movie is dirty dancing probably cause of Patrick Swayze and I do know when you are lying cause I knew the minuet after you left that you were lying.† I get out and walk on to the balcony I don't know what to say? By this time nick has followed me. † I love this view.† Nicks say looking out on to the sea and the moon. † You have seen it before.† † True but I didn't pay much attention to it last time all of my attention was you, it looks like you have done really well for yourself.† † Well running a billion euro cosmetic company does have its upsides.† I laugh nicks says nothing and just smiles

A Knight Errant and an Arrant Knave

A Knight Errant and an Arrant Knave A Knight Errant and an Arrant Knave A Knight Errant and an Arrant Knave By Maeve Maddox The adjectives errant and arrant have been mixed up for centuries, but modern usage prefers to keep them apart. errant: itinerant, traveling This is the sense present in the term knight errant. The knight roams around looking for maidens to rescue, dragons to slay. Errant is often used to refer to something that has gone astray. Woman struck by errant fire hose dies The Cheonan sinking: The errant mine theory South Berwick Rod Gun Club closed after errant bullet found The word errant can denote error in opinion or conduct. Phuket Police Chief: I Will Pursue Errant Officers (i.e., officers suspected of misconduct) Errant gene may make some people age faster [taking scripture out of context] will inevitably lead to errant teachings and inaccurate assumptions about God’s word. It is only the errant translations and errant teachings of the church that cloud this fact. arrant: notorious, manifest, downright, thoroughgoing, unmitigated One speaks of an arrant fool, an arrant liar, an arrant hypocrite, etc. The word arrant occurs 16 times in the plays of Shakespeare, most frequently in the speech of the low characters. Falstaff: An the Prince and Poins be not two arrant cowards, theres no equity stirring Henry IV, Part One, II, ii Dame Quickly:Yonder he comes; and that arrant malmsey-nose knave, with him. Henry IV, Part Two II,i Robert Shallow: Use his men well, Davy; for [they]are arrant knaves and will backbite. Henry IV Part Two, V,i Dame Quickly: No, thou arrant knave; I would to God that I might die, that I might have thee hangd. Henry IV, Part Two V,iv Gower: Why, this is an arrant counterfeit rascal; I remember him now; a bawd, a cutpurse. Henry V III,vi The blustering Welshman Fluellen in Henry V is especially fond of the word: Kill the poys and the luggage! tis expressly †¨against the law of arms: tis as arrant a piece of †¨knavery, mark you now, as can be offert; (IV,vii) his reputation is as arrant a villain and a Jacksauce, as ever his black shoe trod upon Gods ground (IV,vii) Sblood! an arrant traitor as any is in the universal world, or in France, or in England! Henry V (IV,viii) Your majesty hear now, saving your majestys manhood, what an arrant, rascally, beggarly, lousy knave it is: (IV,viii) The word arrant remains in use, as can be seen in these examples from the web: either [he] is a horrible person, a wretched ghoul†¦or he is an arrant liar under oath,†¦ The mans an arrant womanizer†¦ Their deaths are a tragic commentary on the arrant cowardice of freedom fighters and the inept leadership of those utterly undisciplined terrorists. The man opposite shook his head, catching sight of her at the exact same moment that he did so, arrant disbelief in his eyes. Bottom line: Use errant if you mean wandering, straying, or erroneous. Use arrant if you mean downright, complete, or notorious. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:30 Synonyms for â€Å"Meeting†Hang, Hung, HangedEducational vs. Educative