Saturday, December 28, 2019

Inside The British Police A Force At Work Book Review Essay

Inside The British Police: A Force At Work book review This is a book full of moral outrage, indignant at the exposed police practices during Simon Holdaway’s covert participant observation. Most of the events are centred around the â€Å"Hilton† branch which is an area that cultivated social deprivation and formed the â€Å"ground on which many police officers spent their working lives† (Holdaway, 1983, P.1). At the time of writing his then doctoral thesis, Holdaway was serving as a sergeant in the London Metropolitan police, making this book a unique piece of literature, filling the gaps of knowledge previous studies couldn’t penetrate because of the researcher-researched dynamic. Holdaway was not just researching the police, he was researching the very people he worked with, and at the time, before the PACE act of 1984 which outlined various strict rules and codes of conduct for police that continue today. (Loftus, 2016) When Holdaway conducted his research there were no ethics committees or guidelines for covert ethnography and the guarded culture of police, combined with their mandate to use force and discretionary powers (at the lower ranks), meant it was important they were studied. Holdaway’s justification was a totalitarian one and In order to get real data that wasn’t staged, covert was the way forward. â€Å"When such an institution is over protective... it’s important they be studied† (Holdaway, 1983, P.1). It does appear throughout the book, that some colleagues may haveShow MoreRelatedThe Mystery Of Sherlock Holmes1367 Words   |  6 Pageswho is not a member of an official force but is employed by a private party or self-employed in his or her own practice. The most famous mystery fictional character Sherlock Holmes is a perfect example of what a private investigator is and should be. In this paper, I will be discussing Sherlock Holmes’ life along with the several unique ways he solves his mysteries throughout his books. I will also be comparing and contrasting him with other detectives and review the impact his stories left on othersRead MoreEssay on Adolf Hitler1412 Words   |  6 PagesHitler being named Chancellor and the Dictator of Germany, burning the books happened. During 1933 Hitler was humiliated by the lost of the war. People were left in financial ruins. Hitler thought that Germany shouldn’t have lost the war. He blamed Jew’s, Communist’s, and etc†¦.. He thought that they were to blame for the lose of the war, by Germany giving up and surrendering. The Nazi’s didn’t want anyone reading a book that spoke out against war. (Sweeney) Invasions begin during 1939-1945Read More Cognitive Psychology and Modern Policing Essay2142 Words   |  9 Pagespositive or negative outcomes of it. To do this, a deeper understanding of the terms cognitive and psychology, along with their interactive relationship had to be expounded. The scope of cognitive psychology is vast in relation to the public and police, particularly due to the fact that it is an individual process with many external mitigating factors. Therefore I have attempted to narrow the field and concentrate on a couple of specific examples of the use of cognitive psychology, while attemptingRead MoreUnit 1 Gov P1 M1 D1 Essay7058 Words   |  29 Pagesother group or government can carry out. Some of these responsibilities include signing treaties or certain types of agreements with other nations, making up laws (which would affect the whole country), defending their nation, distribution of the police forces, etc. Our central government is based in Westminster in London. London contains the most important political institutions for the Government, ‘The House of Lords’ and ‘The House of Commons’, together with the ruling monarch these institutions areRead MoreA Wall of Exclusion: Can Palestine Survive Essay2292 Words   |à ‚  10 Pagesthe capital of the state. The battles for these regions have been one for centuries. The British Mandate for Palestine was first established in 1922 after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire causing heavy disputes among the Jewish community and Arabs. Since then several violent incidents have occurred resulting in numerous amounts of casualties among civilians and security personnel. In 2005 Israeli forces finally withdrew from the two separate territories giving full leadership to the Hamas allowingRead MoreIndian National Army and Its Role in Independence Struggle7239 Words   |  29 Pages.......................................................... 22 Books ................................................................................................................................... 22 Articles ................................................................................................................................. 22 2 Introduction The much praised twelve volumes of the history of terminal years of British India edited by Nicholas Mansergh are titled The Transfer of PowerRead MoreDeterminants of Violence in the Greek Football League a Case Study of Paok Fc Supporters13608 Words   |  55 Pagesfencing and segregation, c) police, policing and football crowds d) corruption in the Greek football league and e) politics and football. Those areas were not chosen randomly. They were highlighted from the fans themselves as factors that promote violence in football grounds. Contents 1. Introduction - 5 - 2. Theoretical considerations and literature review - 8 - 2.1 Violence in sports: Definitions and theoretical considerations - 8 - 2.2 Literature review. - 20 - 3. The survey. -Read MoreThe Criminal Practice Justice System in India7023 Words   |  29 PagesIndian Evidence Act. The debate issues in bombay high court - case laws Aim, objectives and outputs 1.AIM - Murder; sec 300 to sec 307 2.Objectives - Bail; sec 436 to sec 450 2.1. Bailable offence 2.2. Non-bailable offence Literature Review 3.1.Successes of Practice in Criminal Justice system. 3.2. The Failures of Practice in criminal Justice in India. 3.3 Malimath Committee recommendations 3.4 LAW, COURTS AND THE CONSTITUTION 3.5 SOURCES OF LAW . Research methodology Read MoreEssentials of Contemporary Management7571 Words   |  31 Pagesleading journals of the ï ¬ eld and his recent work has appeared in the Academy of Management Review, Journal of International Business Studies, Human Relations. An article on the role of information technology on many aspects of organizational functioning was recently published in the Journal of Management. One of his articles won the Academy of Management Journal Best Paper Award, and he is one of the most proliï ¬ c authors in the Academy of Management Review. He is or has served on the editorial boardsRead More Hackers Essay3675 Words   |  15 Pagesperson who enjoy learning details of a programming language or system , who tries to break into computer systems .There is two types of hackers. On is the benign hackers , who likes get into his or her own computer and understand how it works . The malicious hackers is the person who likes getting into other people’s system . Black hat is used to discribe a hacker who break into a computer system or network with malicious intent . Unlike white hat , the black hat takes advantage

Friday, December 20, 2019

Essay on Is Censorship Unconstitutional - 919 Words

Censoring knowledge is unconstitutional. Censorship had been going on since the beginning of the written word. This means that is not hard to say that it has been used as a manipulation tactic since the first man, or woman, placed their coal to a piece of dried goat skin. So does this make it wrong? To understand censorship, you have to start at the beginning. Censorship, no matter the definition, is when people who have power, wish to limit the knowledge of what we are receiving, or what we are expressing. We have not always had the rights we have now. Benjamin Franklins brother and employer, was actually arrested and lost his printing license for expressing criticism in his newspaper about politics. Censorship was going†¦show more content†¦The important story of Isralians giving birth control to Ethiopians without their consent is a perfect example of this (â€Å"Top 25 censored stories from 2012-2013†). Now adays, the explosion of the Internet has made it much e asier for average people to post their opinions. Any person with access to the Internet and a type of computer can easily post what is on their mind. From tweeting about their breakfast to live blogging about their opinions on a national debate, every thing can be set free into the world. Which is why, in 2011, The Stop Online Privacy Act swooped in with the desire to call copy right in fragments to a halt, mainly backed by people in high stances in large corporations. SOPA’s made desire was to stop fan made art, stories, videos, songs, and parodies. SOPA gave the US Department of Justice the right to control US Internet providers, and force sites like Youtube to delete all material that contained copy right in fragments. This would basically wipe out the entire Internet, because copy righted material would be completely unavailable unless purchased. And in a country with 46.5 million people living in poverty, the chance to succeed slims drastically (â€Å"Poverty†). Many people actually apposed SOPA, and its companion PIPA. It was often claimed that the act was a violation to their free speech, and that many smaller companies would not be able to handle the backlash of it.Show MoreRelatedCensorship of Internet Pornography is Unconstitutional Essay2385 Words   |  10 Pagesshepherd, can create false images of women and a pseudo reality. It also introduces kids to sex at a much earlier age than ever before (Levy 55). President Clinton expresses, ...that our Constitution allows us to help parents by enforcing this act (censorship of the Internet) to prevent children from being exposed to objectionable material transmitted through computer networks (Bray C7). Many parents are in an uproar since discovering the dangers to children on the Internet. Parents all over have beenRead MoreCensorship And The Media Of Censorship1407 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferently by different people, the same can be said about censorship. Censorship and privacy do not solely revolve around leaks and personal intrusions from foreign entities. The advent of social media and cell phones have created new avenues for people to communicate and share information; The internet provides people a new and global way to spread information that can be considered worthy of censorship. Many people I know argue that censorship should not be commonplace in the media, in social mediaRead MoreCivil Liberties : The State Of Minnesota And It918 Words   |  4 PagesStates Supreme Court. (Press, Law, Publication, and Gag) After reviewing the case the court in a five to four vote found in favor of Near. This lead to a reversal of the previous Minnesota Supreme Court Decision and the ruling that the law was unconstitutional, which would lead to sweeping changes in the area of civil liberties.(West’s Encyclopedia of American Law) Near vs. Minnesota is one of the most important cases in terms of civil liberties as it helped lead to a guarantee of free press. TheRead MoreCensorship Is Bad For The Modern World876 Words   |  4 Pages WHY CENSORSHIP IS BAD Censorship refers to the regulation of freedom of expression or any other information that may be sensitive or morally inaccurate to the people. This information can be considered immoral or politically inconvenient by religious groups, the government, ethnic communities and media outlets. Censorship originates back in ancient times in many different countries such as Rome and China. Censorship was mainly used for political, social and religiousRead MoreFreedom Of The Media And Freedom Of Speech1540 Words   |  7 PagesChina, where â€Å"censorship was considered a legitimate instrument for regulating the moral and political life of the population† (Mette), but this method of governing has a major flaw. Having such a regulated system causes a great amount of distrust and distaste for the government to form within the population and it is evident throughout US history that most americans do not like anyone telling them what they can and cannot do in their own county. Having a strict system of censorship also creates aRead MoreThe Opposition Of Theatre As An Art Form That Has Been Revered By All Civilizations999 Words   |  4 Pagesentertainment. Censorship has had a definite impact on theatre. The name Lord Chamberlain is linked to thoughts of over necessary censorship and the destruction of some great plays. He held the office of stage censor in Britain in the early 1900s. One such play that was altered by Lord Chamberlain’s office was entitled Her Wedding Night. This play was licensed by Lord Chamberlin’s office but under the condition that certain changes be made. As strict as Chamberlin’s office was the censorship was not enoughRead MoreEssay about Internet Censorship Is a Form of Dictatorship605 Words   |  3 Pagesonce said, â€Å"The first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.† Internet censorship is the control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the Internet. In other words, one day you might not be able to Google everything you want to know as you can now. Although the Internet can be a dangerous without caution, countries need not to censor th e Internet for their own selfish reasons. Internet censorship is a form of a dictatorship, and they can cause riots as wellRead MoreEssay about Censorship in America1048 Words   |  5 Pages Censorship in America nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Since this country was founded, we have had a set of unalienable rights that our constitution guarantees us to as Americans. One of the most important rights that is mentioned in our constitution is the right to free speech. â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and toRead MoreReligious Speech And Symbolism Should Be Permissible On Public Property1236 Words   |  5 Pagesdisruption to the school s ability to fulfill its educational goals. Any attempt to restrict such speech is unconstitutional where there has been no finding and no showing that engaging [in the activity] would materially and substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school.† (Restricting Religious Expression in Schools Is Unconstitutional.) If we take a moment and reminisce on the positives of involving praying in our schools, you will noticeRead More Freedom of Speech vs Censorship Essays1231 Words   |  5 Pagesbeginning with the First Amendment which is under constant assault by censorship. The Constitution of the United States says that â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.† Censorship as defined by Wikipedia is â€Å"the suppression of speech or deletion of

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Principles for Financial Reporting

Question: Discuss about the Principles for Financial Reporting. Answer: Introduction: The financial position of any company is revealed through its statement of financial position also known as the balance sheet of a company. It clearly states the various assets that the company owns, the amount of liabilities it has to pay and the shareholders equity fund. The net result is that the assets are always equivalent to the liabilities of a company. The balance sheet discloses the various assets and liabilities by dividing the same into various groups or heads. This makes it easier for the reader to comprehend the financial position of a concern as on a particular date. It is very important to understand that the financial position is revealed not for a period of time but as on a particular date. Measurement of the various assets and liabilities shown in the balance sheet is done using three main measurement approaches namely the entry value, exit value or the value in use. These approaches are further divided into six bases of measurement. The entry value uses cost of acquisition method or the replaceable cost method. The exit value uses the net realisable value method (NRV) or the fair value method and the value in use approach uses the discounting of the future cash flows to present value i.e. the NPV method or the undiscounted recoverable amount (Crane, 2012). Depending upon the entities requirements the base of the measurement approaches are determined. The most common is the historical cost method used for valuing an asset and disclosing the same in the balance sheet. This is basically used for the valuation of fixed assets such as goodwill (intangible asset), plant and machinery (Tangible asset) and furniture and fixtures. From the asset side of the financial statement it is the cost incurred for the acquisition of the asset usually monetary in nature and the other direct expenses incurred in getting the asset to its workable condition. And for the liability the measurement is the cash acquired for incurring a liability. The said method is very much in use by the manufacturing concerns. This method determines the actual cash or cash equivalents outflow in case of an asset or the cash received in assumption of a liability. Further the sanctity of the actual cost can easily be verified. However the said method has its own weakness. This t ype of valuation is not suited for the valuation of current assets (Cooper, 2015). The entry value also uses the measurement basis the replacement cost. This is considered to be the most effective way in which the investment of the stakeholders of an enterprise can be measured. However the said method has lot of issues attached to it which makes it less popular amongst the entities. Most of the time the asset which is being valued using this method is difficult to find the replacement value if a similar or identical asset is not available. Thus the crux of valuation gets defeated (Intermediate Accounting, 2007). The next two bases of measurement i.e. the NRV method and the fair value method which is used in determining the value of the assets and liabilities using the exit value method is also not full proof in nature. The same also has its own strengths and weaknesses, thus depending upon the kind of asset and liability to be valued, the same is applied. These two are the most common methods used by most of the companies. The Net Realisable Value of an asset is basically the estimated price that will be fetched on selling a product in the ordinary course of business after deducting the sale proceeds with the cost of production and other selling and distribution expenses (Accounting Standards Board. 1999). This method ensures that revenue is recognized only when the process of conversion of an event to asset is assured and on the verge of completion. The strength of the NRV method is that it enables recoding of the assets and liabilities on actual basis instead of any valuation methods. The most important factor in this method is the time of occurrence. Valuation of inventories generally take place using the NRV method only (Bank, E. 2015). The fair value method is another exit value approach which uses the method of determining the exit price of an asset or a liability at a particular date from the viewpoint of the holder of the asset or the liability owner. This method though seems to be simple, is actually a complex one with regards to assets and liabilities whose fair value is not easy to determine. This valuation method is based on three main components, knowledgeable parties, willing to enter into a transaction and arms length transaction. Valuation of all assets and liabilities do not fulfil all these criterions. Thus making the method complex. The biggest strength that this method portrays is to the investors of an entity. They are able to measure the value of the firm basis the fair value that is prevalent at that particular point of time (Way, 2015). Lastly is the value in use approach which also uses two bases namely the discounting of the future cash flows to the present value, NPV method and the undiscounted recoverable amount. The NPV method is not very useful in valuing the liabilities of a firm. It is more useful in measuring the investments of a firm. A rupee earned tomorrow will e of lesser value than a rupee earned today. Following this concept the said method discounts the future cash flows from an investment in todays term so that the actual worth of the investment can be analyzed by the shareholders and the investors of the entity (Kinney Raiborn , 2012). The biggest strength of this method is that it enables one to understand whether the investments made by the company is worth or not. It takes into account the various risk factors associated with an investment. The biggest weakness that entails in this method is too much assumption. Further it fails to compare projects of varying size. Further it can be applied to very limited asset class of an entity (Zizlavsky, 2014). Our balance sheets have a class of assets and liabilities that are subject to periodic impairments such as discontinuing operations. The method of recovery of these assets are undiscounted as it is not recoverable in the ordinary course of business. This method is not suitable for the major portion of the financial statements. It has a very limited application(accountingtools.com. 2015). I have chosen GP Batteries International Limited, a company who is into the manufacturing and distribution of batteries and battery related products. It is listed in the main board of the Singapore Stock Exchange. It is one of the primary suppliers of the main as well as rechargeable batteries across the globe to various manufacturers of equipments. The company also caters to the retail segment. The company has factories located in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia. The company finalized its annual report for the year ended 31st March 2016 on 27th of May 2016 (Gpbatteries.com, 2016). On analyzing the financial report of the group as a whole the companys non-current asset class are many. However I chose to discuss upon the Investment properties and the Property, Plant and Equipment. The study of the investment properties reveal that there has not been any disposal or fresh entry of any investments in the year vis a vis the last year wherein there was a significant amount of disposal of investment property. The company measures the same by using the fair value method. An independent appraiser is appointed by the company with commendable professional qualifications with adequate experience in the location in which the property is stated. The company uses this method as it enables them to determine the current value of the property based on the recent market value that the same would fetch if sold immediately. Thus it looks into the fact that how much would a similar property fetch in the same location. This method will enable to give a clearer view to the stakeholde rs of the company about the value of the investments made in property by the concern. But the biggest disadvantage that lies is finding a competent valuer in the location where the property is located. Further if there do not exist any similar property in the vicinity then valuation becomes cumbersome and is also not reliable (Isda.org. 2002). The next category in the non-current assets are the property , plant and equipment which are indispensable part for any concern. It is very difficult for any organization to work without the basic property and the equipments. The company is observed in using the value in use method for the measurement of the said category of the non-current asset. A review of some of the plant and equipment and the property is done with regards the recoverable amount and the impairment loss was recognized so as to ensure that the present carrying amount of the said assets become equivalent to the actual expected recoverable amount. Te company uses a discount rate of 10.4% for discounting the future cash flows expected from the use of the existing property, plant and equipment. The same is advantageous to the company as they come to know whether a particular asset needs replacement and helps to analyze the cost and benefit in depth. This makes the decision to replace or not easy. The only disadvantage that is felt in this kind of a valuation though realistic and most apt for the said class is the discount rate assumption. This is a complex task and a small mistake in determining the same may lead to misappropriation of the cost of property, plant and equipment. Similar to the non-current assets, for any company its current assets are also of utmost importance as it enables one to understand the amount that can be fetched from the sale of immediate asset. The two classes which I would be considering here are the bank balance, deposits and cash and the receivables and prepayments. The bank balance, deposits and cash comprises of two sections one is the bank and cash balance which is captured on actual basis without the application of any measurement base as the amount in hand is what should be written. The fixed deposits are however measured at fair values. These are very short term deposits which are easily convertible to cash as the maturity period is three or less than three months. Thus measuring the said asset class using the exit value method is the best as these are most liquid in nature. The second current asset class in discussion is the receivables and prepayments. These are also known as sundry debtors and the prepaid accounts. Every trade whether retail or wholesale is conducted on credit. It is no possible to conduct a business purely on cash basis. Thus trade receivables are receivables which do not carry any interest component until and unless the due date for payment has crossed. They are recognized in the financial statement basis the actual amount receivable until and unless the collection seems to be doubtful in nature. In such a scenario a provision is made and impairment is done. The provision for bad debts is basically the difference between the carrying amount and the actual expected realization amount. The company does not seem to make any allowance for bad debts for the year 2015-2016 as it considers all its debtors to be good and thus they are being recorded at the fair value (Gp-industries.com .2016). Thus it is well understood that the most prevalent method used by various companies are the fair value method. This enables to give a very true picture of the asset liability position of an organization. Howsoever the fact cannot be denied that each measurement approach has its own pros and cons due to which no company can use a single type of an approach. Depending upon the asset class the approach is applied. But it is to be ensured that the same should be applied on a consistent basis year on year so that comparability becomes easy. References: Accountingtools.com. (2015). Value-based Pricing. Retrieved from https://www.accountingtools.com/value-based-pricin Accounting Standards Board. (1999). Statement of Principles for Financial Reporting. Retrieved from https://www.frc.org.uk/Our-Work/Publications/ASB/Statement-Statement-of-Principles-for-Financial-Re.pdf Bank, E. (2015). The Net Realisable Value Method of Accounting. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/net-realizable-value-method-accounting-65552.html Cooper, S. (2015). Taking a measured approach . Retrieved from https://www.ifrs.org/Investor-resources/Investor-perspectives-2/Documents/Investor-Perspectives_Taking-a-measured-approach.pdf Crane, L.M. (2012). Measuring Financial Performance: A critical key to Managing Risk. Retrieved from https://msu.edu/user/steind/financial_measures.pdf Gp-industries.com, (2016). GP Industries Limited Annual Report 2015-2016. Retrieved from https://www.gp-industries.com/IR/data/_uploaded/file/Annual%20Report/2015-2016/GP_Ind_2015-2016_Annual_Report.pdf Gpbatteries.com, (2016). Corporate Information. Retrieved from https://uk.gpbatteries.com/uk_en/corporate-information Isda.org. (2002). Explanation and Benefits of Fair Value Accounting. Prepared by The Bond Market Association, International Swaps and Derivatives Association and Securities Industry Association. Retrieved from https://www.isda.org/speeches/pdf/FV101_2.pdf Intermediate Accounting, (2007). Recognition and Measurement Concepts. Retrieved from https://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072994029/student_view0/ebook/chapter1/chbody1/recognition_and_measurement_concepts.html Kinney, M.R., Raiborn , C.A. (2012). Cost Accounting- Foundations and Evolutions. South Western Cengage Learning : USA Way, J., (2015). Advantages and Disadvantages of Fair Value Accounting. Retrieved from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-fair-value-accounting-20577.html Zizlavsky, O., (2014), Net Present Value Approach : Method for Economic Assessment of Innovation Projects, Procedia- Social and Behavioural Sciences, 156, 506-512

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Insomnia Inspiring free essay sample

Will I miss them, the sleepless nights, whispering secrets to the darkness? Maybe, or maybe not, but I will remember them. I’ll remember the intricately woven silence as I traced the shadows on my walls. I will remember the warmth of my haven, and the lack of a symbolically driven force playing at my mind. I’ll remember the images dancing across my imagination in exquisite form, as an unending song repeated in my head. I’ll remember dreams and plans, exaggerated and bemused, filling paper and memories with asphyxiating phrases, as the shimmering of the fading day left me desolate. I’ll remember the cruelty of the night, stretching out to cover an eternity; the insomnia and the words, etching them deep inside my conscious mind. I’ll remember the pain of the passing days, the longing for a cure, and the majestic beauty that held my shattered spirit. We will write a custom essay sample on Insomnia Inspiring or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Will I miss those nights? Most likely. The hours of sacrifice and joy, matched by the rage and bewilderment driven solely by passion, lacking any sign of hope. The discoveries found on dead trees, breathing life into the ink flowing over them. The limitless walls of a shadowed room providing me with the only sense of home I have ever known. I might miss the comfort of the one piece of stability and familiarity, sparkling in my memory like the star-strewn sky. Holding tight to the medications and diagnoses, irrelevant and unused, describing an adventure words could never have justice for; the delicately sketched photographs and the dead and withered roses, reminders of a past once lost and nearly forgotten. Will I miss those nights? Yes, for they brought the transitions of my being, delving into emotions deep and impenetrable. The fear as I watched things fall apart, replicated in the terror of the spaces between the stars. The numbness I felt in protection of all I could save of my identity ever lost and regained. The anger and betrayal as life plummeted, and I was held hostage by unseen chains I didn’t have the strength to break. The anxiety that stole pieces of my sanity, leaving a veiled existence covering a broken and shivering body, the panic attacks that visited me in my sleep, not allowing a moments rest. I will miss those nights greatly; they shaped my future by piecing together my past. Those nights found what the daylight could never resurrect, a knowledge and truth once lost in obscurity, giving my soul more than hope could ever offer. In those nights, I found the beauty of the darkness, and the beauty of all in the world surrounding me. I found the glamor of life, death, and all other opposing forces. Those nights created me. They gave me a basis of survival for many long nights to come, with both the darkness and the light as my friend. Everything I’ve gained in life relates back to those hours of solitude, those hours of analyzing life and everything that had happened. The darkness gave me one of the most valuable gifts I have ever received: understanding. Understanding of the insanity of the world around me, understanding of events both fated and willed, and, most importantly, understanding of myself, and everything I am. Self-discovery had been the longest journey of my life, ending with the realization that every definite identity is merely another mask. My true identity lies in each experience I’ve survived, and my drained masks lie in the dead silence of those nights.