Tuesday, December 31, 2019

outsourcing in the UK - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 11 Words: 3203 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Research paper Did you like this example? Chapter 3 1. Methodology The main objective of the research is to uncover the truth which is concealed and not been explored yet or which need to be explored more. The approach which is adopted to stumble on the truth is usually called the scientific procedure which helps in discovering the answer of questions. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "outsourcing in the UK" essay for you Create order According to Kothari 2008 following are the some of main objectives of research. * To achieve new imminent and gain acquaintance with a phenomenon, it is also called an exploratory research. * To examine the relationship between variables through hypothesis testing, which is called a hypothesis testing research studies? * To describe the actual picture of the characteristic s of particular individual, situation or a group, this is termed as descriptive research. * To check the frequency of occurrence and the association of something with something else, this is called as diagnostic research. The philosophical and theoretical assumptions on which the research is based should not be neglected and should be taken under consideration during the research and adopting te methods and there implementations. (Saunders, et al., 2007). Research design is a structure or plane which guide in the collection and analysis of data as said by Churchill (1999). A research design shoul d be such which ensures that the research will be relevant to the problem under consideration and economical procedures used in it. On the other hand Parasuraman (1991), is of the view that exploratory research proposed to develop the basic structure and initial work which provide the directions for the future research. It helps in exploring the researchable sections in a particular sector. 1.1 Types of exploratory study: Exploratory study is divided into four main types, namely surveys; literature surveys; experience focus groups; and analysis of selected cases concludes Churchill (1999). Exploratory research is conducted through one of the following techniques as suggested by the Parasuraman. * Interviews with knowledgeable individuals to have an interview and talking with the experts of the area or situation which is under study or being investigated. The senior people who are being interviewed are from the identified organizations that is accountable for their specific identified roles in their organizations, their views and knowledge is taken as an experts views within researched field. * Focus group interviews It is focused and limited to some extent as it normally contain a group of about 8 to 12 people or respondents with whom topic is being discussed informally. * Analysis of secondary data The data that has already been collected for some sort of research and it is being use d by the researched on a secondary level. It is not a firsthand data. * Case study method A unit of interest has been selected in it and then whole of the study circulates around that it can be a salesperson, particular organization, customer or a market place. A case study will therefore not be used in this research. 1.2 Qualitative and Quantitative research There are two main techniques of a research qualitative and quantitative as proposed by Parasuraman 1991. Qualitative methods are used to a large extent in productive and constructive researches. There are several reasons for this as 1) it is easy to deal with the multiple realities by the help of qualitative research 2) as qualitative research hass to capacity to be adjusted by the various influences and values patterns which are to be come across in this field. (Tacconi, 1998). Methodologically the weight is on qualitative studies in this dissertation research. Quantitative data Qualitative data Dealed in the form of numbers Based on meanings expressed through words Results are collected in the form of numerical and standardized data Results are collected in the form of in non-standardized data which requires classification into categories Diagrams and statistics are used for the analysis purpose Analysis is conducted through the use of conceptualizatio n Source: Saunders M, Lewis P Thornhill A, (2000) There are various research methodologies in research process to select a suitable approach. How and why type of questions are to be asked during the research, ans it is used during the interview and in the questionnaire. This approach is most suited in the areas where knowledge building is in its influential stages. Case studies are very helpful in the formation of hypotheses and analyzing existing theory (Sarshar et al. 2002). The main difference between qualitative and quantitative is that quantitative methodologies explain the general characteristics of the population; it does not consider the sub-genres. The qualitative approach is based on samples of population; it measures the behavior and characteristics of the sample, after that this data is used for the generalizationof the population as a whole. Kidder and Judd (1986). Traditionally quantitative research examines the data in numbers; on the other hand qualitati ve research examines data in narrative or descriptive form. Easterby-Smith et al., (1991). There is need to recognize the difference between these two approaches to establish generalization. In quantitative research the basis for generalization is statistical, a sample is selected which allows the examination of the properties of population with the high degree of accuracy. Kinnear and Taylor, (1986). Author worked at one of the UKs top FMO Company; He has studied about the company in the light of research questions. Nature of the research in exploratory. 2. Methodological Approach Interaction with the respondents at their workplace become easy through executive interviews and exhibitions, it is also helpful in seeking clarifiaiton on some obvious and important issues on a particular topic. There is a sope for the researcher to understand the subject better. (Aaker, D et al, 2000). Qualitative approach using various existing past research work to identify the research emerging theme categories will be employed for the purpose. Other researchers have used this method when exploring in new uncharted waters. (Krippendorff, 1980). Data has been gathered through on-site interviews using audio aids (tape recorder) and notes, attending exhibition and supplying a short questionnaire to exhibitors to get required data. Telephone interview is also used as secondary option where personal interview was not possible. 3. Population Population represents a group of people or objects that are similar to one another in one or more ways or from the subject of study in a specific way as said by the Chisnall (1992). On the other hand Saunders et al. (2000) says that â€Å"the full set of cases from which a sample is taken is called the population†. In this research the basis of the population for the interview is the 5 top listed companies in FTSE 100 and the specific targeted designations of the populations within those organizations are FM managers and executive level designations. For the basis for questionnaires were executive level designations. 4. Sample If it is not possible to study the whole of the population then researcher takes the sample out of the related population which is most suited for the reserh. The sample should be a good representative of the population. According to Sudman and Blair (1998) a sample is the subset of a larger population. There are two main types of sampling design probability sampling and non probability sampling. Probability sampling use random process to select elements for the sample and give a known chance of being selected, while non-probability sampling where random process is not involved, elements are selected on the judgment and convenience. Sampling is a process to select a small part of the total population to give a judgment or conclusion about the whole of the population. In this research convenience sampling is most suitable, which the form of non-probability sampling. In this sampling technique, elements of the population that are conveniently available will form part of the sample . As the population is big, it is very impractical to include all organizations in the sample and therefore a convenience sampling has been chosen, as it is quick and inexpensive. 5. Data collection Methods While conducting a research data collection is a very critical part. Whole of the research depends upon this part as the final conclusion is drawn on its bases. Gathering of data ranges from a very simple observation at one place to a pretentious survey of multiple corporations around the world. The selected method will determine how the data is collected. There are various devise to record the raw data including Questionnaires, standardised tests, observational forms, laboratory notes and instrument calibration logs as said by the (Cooper Schindler, 2006). Following data collection techniques has been used to conduct the research:- 5.1. Exhibition Data collected through exhibition provides good opportunity to meet with facilities management companys representatives and to get the data through observation, available printed material and informal interviews. Total Workplace Management, the UKs largest exhibition for facilities and estates management, has took place on 7-8 October 2009 at London Olympia with association of BIFM (British Institute of Facilities Management). Its is an interactive forum sourcing the latest products and services, this was the perfect time to take the opportunity to network with peers, FM experts and to meet the editorial and commercial teams from FM World. Total 97 companies (including FM and related business) were participated in the event, in which 37 were FM companies. (Total Workplace Management, 2009). 5.2. Interview It is the method of data collection which involves direct interaction with the respondent. There is a direct intersection between the interviewer and the respondent. It has many characteristics which are helpful for the interviewer to collect complete precise and to some extent accurate information. Clarification of questions by giving feed back is also helpful in this method. (Zikmund, 2003). Interview has been conducted with 5 FM professionals of different companies to learn about their views and experiences in facilities management outsourcing in light of the research questions. People visiting â€Å"Total Workplace Management 2009† exhibition were also been approached to find out reasons behind their visit, most of them were belong to the companies interested in outsourcing their FM department. I had took short informal interview that provided me grounds to find out the factors those companies considers outsourcing their FM department (Total Workplace Management, 2 009). 5.3. Survey It is consisted of the cross-sectional design relevet to the required data mainly by questionnaire or by structured interview. (Bryman, Alan. Bell, Emma, 2008). According to Cooper and Emroy (1995) there are two methods of gathering primary data: observing and surveying. Through observation researcher observes the conditions, people, events or processes. Other then observation a researcher can question or survey the people about the topic being researched. In surveying the researcher asks the questions to the people and records their responses for the analysis and final conclusion. Surveys are much more efficient and economical as compared to the observations. Observation involves a lot of time and physical presene of the researcher all the time but on the other hand surveys can be carried out by direct interviews, mail, telephone or by combination of all these. The most appropriate method of gathering data for this study has been that of a survey using a questionnaire. As i t was not easy to observe opinions and expectations of people, but has collected the imminent of their expectations through the questionnaires. Telephone interviews on the other hand are cheap and has been fast to reach the dispersed sample. 5.3.1 Questionnaire design According to Parasuraman (1991) the questionnaire is a set of questions designed to gather necessary information for accomplishing the objectives of a research study. On the basis of their structure there are four main types of questionnaires. o Structured-undisguised questionnaires In this form of questionnaire the questions are presented to the respondents in exactly the same wording and in same order. The reason for this is to ensure that all the respondents reply to the same question. o Unstructured-undisguised questionnaires it is the form o f questionnaire that allows respondents to give their opinions about some particulat question. This is open-ended type of questionnaire in which purpose of the study is very clear. o Unstructured-disguised questionnaire it is the kind of motivational research. Whole of the motivational research has been conducted through this type of questionnaire. o Structured-disguised questionnaires this type of questionnaire is used to secure the advantages of disguise in revealing subconscious motives and attitudes along with the advantages of coding and tabulation, common to structured approaches. In this research a structured undisguised questionnaire is used for the survey for standardization and to ensure that all the people interviewed respond to similar questions. This helps the author in getting different responses for the same question which outputs constructive and clear results. Please refer to Annexure A for the questionnaire used in this study. 5.3.2 Question construction In view of the Parasuraman (1991), there are two types of questions: non-structured or open-ended questions; and structured or fixed response questions. With open-ended questions, respondents are free to answer in their own words or to give their opinion about the certain question. Structured questions have fixed response categories from which the respondents can choose answers. Both type of questions has been used by the researchers open or closed. There can be some open or some close ended questions in a reasearh depending upon the nature of the question. For the telephonic interview where respondent cant see the questioner by him/her self, it is very important to structure the questions simply and clearly. In designing of the open-ended questions extra care must be taken. A questionnaire was designed to conduct surveys and was provided to the FM Companys representatives at the â€Å"Total Workplace Management 2009† exhibition. And got 13 filled. A questionnaire was also designed using Google documents to conduct online survey. I sent survey questionnaires to FM managers and professionals through google spreadsheet and received 13 replies (Total Workplace Management, 2009). I used different sources to approach FM professionals e.g. BIFM (British Institute of Facility Management) members directory, Linedin.com, FMlink.com and other FM related forums. 6. Validity and reliability After the data collection the most important part is to check its validity and reliability. According to Cooper and Emroy (1985), â€Å"There are three major criteria for evaluating a measurement tool. They are validity, reliability, and practicality†. Validity is the degree to which a test measures what it actually is supposed to measure. Reliability refers to the exactness and precision of a measurement procedure. Practicality looks at a number of factors of economy, convenience, and interpretability. 6.1 Validity For the esurience of the validity of the measurement tool, questionnaire should be introduced by the researcher to the respondents which also explain the purpose of the study as proposed by the Cooper and Emroy (1985). Closed questions limit the freedom of using own words to keep the research direction in the right way. For establishing the validity of the questionnaire pre-test is very helpful. 6.2 Reliability Cooper and Emroy (1985) maintain that reliability means many things to many people, but in most contexts, the notion of consistency emerges. A measure is reliable to the degree that it supplies consistent results. Reliability is a contributor to validity and is a necessary but not sufficient condition for validity. Reliability is concerned with estimates of the degree to which a measurement is free of random or unstable error†. According to them the reliable instruments work well under different conditions and at different times. These instruments can be used with the confidence as the situational factors do not interfere in it. Reliability is an element of validity as said by the Cooper and Emroy (1985). Reliability can be ensured by asking the short, to the point and simple questions to the respondents. Internal consistency is used to minimize the chances of respondents supplying incorrect information that could affect the reliability of the questionnaire, it is also a quic k and cost effective method of testing the reliability of a questionnaire. 7. Limitation Scope Defining the Facilities Management market in the UK is problematic. No single FTSE listing or SIC code applies. Many of the perceived main players are subsidiaries of other groups and the activities tendered range from large PFI or Corporate PFI deals, some of which involve transfer of significant property assets, to requests for the provision of single services. A recent trend (see below) has been for construction companies to seek to relist themselves or their FM subsidiaries as service providers on the London Stock Exchange, driven by the perception that investors attach a premium to the services sector. The market developed organically as the term FM came into use in the early 1990. In some cases, existing providers of various outsourced support services chose simply to label themselves as offering FM (Green and Price, 2000). The study is limited to the progress of the facilities management outsourcing in the UK, its a comparatively new field and previous research is limited . Limited time was available to complete the project. Some interviews were conducted through phone because of limited time and limited financial resources available. There is limited research available on the topic so it is an opportunity to explore the area and provide a ground to future researchers. 8. Data Analysis Analysis of data is the main part of the research, as whole of the conclusion of research depends upon this part. It is an ongoing process which involves the translation of the interviews according to the desired information and the data collected before now is going to be numbered or digitalised. According to Merriam (1998) the data collection and data analysis at one time is the right way to do in qualitative research. It helps in focusing and reshaping the study as the researching is proceeding further by the close analysis of the data and accurate study of the information collected. Data analysis will be done on all the collected information whether through interview, questionnaire or observation. In data analysis process focus should be given on the individual which will help in in-depth study of each FM company. The interpretation of the individual case should be done while keeping the research question of the study in mind. The idea of using technology helps to access, manage, shape and analyse detailed textual, audio and visual information. I have used MS-Word as a word processor, MS-Excel as a spreadsheet, dopdf printer software to convert data in the pdf file format, in case of data disruption in MS word, I could use backup. For flowcharts SmartDraw is used. 9. Ethical consideration According to Beauchamp and Bowie (1997). There are various ethical codes of conduct that regulate researchers behavior. These codes discuss the issues which might arise during the research or the other related issues which are associated with professional practices. There are a number of different approaches for examining ethics and values within the ethics discipline. According to Lo, Bernard OConnell, Mary. (2005) the two philosophical approaches that relate closely to the discussion of student research ethics are deontological and teleological philosophies. Deontological philosophies focus on the factors or means used to arrive at an ethical decision as said by the Skinner, Ferrell, and Dubinsky (1988). These philosophies stress moral obligations or commitments that should be kept in mind or necessary for the proper conduct of the research. A deontological approach means that one should not harm participants in any way, whatever the potential benefit are there. On the other hand, teleological philosophies accentuate the consequences that result from an action. In short, they deal with the moral worth of the behavior as determined totally by the consequences of the behavior. The research is acceptable if the evaluation says that the benefits of the research outweigh the cost to participants.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Oedipus Victim Of Fate Essay - 876 Words

Is Oedipus a victim of fate or does he possess free will? Explain your reasoning. Do you think free will is a reality or an allusion? I find Oedipus to be a victim of fate rather than having free will. â€Å"()†. Free will could be seen to be more of an illusion than a reality. People and society like to make you think you have control over your own life while in you really do not. While it seems he could have tried harder maybe vowing to never sleep with a women or to never kill a man but is what the play wanted you to think (). He was born damned, to suffer due to his given destiny. Man is to weak to change fate found in this quote by Teiresias â€Å"...the wretch Who murdered Laius--that man is here. He passes for an alien in the land But soon†¦show more content†¦This flaw was his ultimate downfall in (). Merely being human can be a fatal flaw to Oedipus in that he carries himself like a god but was hit by (). His quick temper(). The motif of blindness is used rampantly throughout Oedipus Rex. In what ways was Oedipus blind? In what ways are we (society, individuals) blind? Do we want to see? Oedipus was blind in the ways of the true life he was living and the (). No one wants to really see the ugly truth, in modern day society we hid it omelas can also be an example of this with the abused boy hidden away. His determination is another thing which blinds him. Aristotle considered Oedipus to be the penultimate tragic hero. Obviously his situation is tragic, but is he truly heroic? If so, how? If not, why not? I do not consider Oedipus to be heroic in any sense. He may have perceived himself as a hero with his inflated ego and gave off the sense he cared so much for his people holds up nothing when comparing his actions to his words. Actions speak louder than words and within the play he speaks a lot to feed his ego and generate a mask of care towards his people while all he apparently did in the past was answer the riddle of the sphinx which leaned more to self serving in that it made him the king. The main problem of the plague within Thebes which begins this story ultimately becomes a selfish quest as well in the sense that he was uncoveringShow MoreRelatedIs Oedipus a Victim of Fate? Essay962 Words   |  4 PagesFate the un-avoidable Throughout the vast history of literature, various concepts have come and gone. The idea of fate or fatalism has been a concept that has survived the test of time. Numerous characters have succumbed to the power of fate and the character of Oedipus from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King is a prime example of the vast power of fate within literature. Sophocles effectively depicts the wrath of fate as he portrays how Oedipus fell victim to fate and his efforts to disregard fate wereRead MoreOedipus the King: A Victim of Fate Essay956 Words   |  4 PagesOedipus the King would not have been successful throughout centuries as a tragic play, if Oedipus were clearly responsible for his own tragedy. The plays ongoing success was do to Oedipus innocence which immediately makes one think he can not be fully responsible and to blame. I do not believe Sophocles would have wrote the story, or I do not think people would have ever read it or studied it had it simply been a story of a criminals retribution. Sophocles himself believed Oedipus to be the innocentRead MoreOedipus: Victim of Fate or He Deserves What He Got? Essay538 Words   |  3 PagesFate is the development of events beyond a persons control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power. It is a very common theme used in literature. We’ve seen examples from stories such as: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Iliad. We’ve been reading Oedipus the King written by Sophocles. My main thesis that I would be talking about is if: Oedipus was actually a victim of fate, or did he deserve what he got. In my opinion, Oedipus does not deserve what he got and is a victim ofRead More Boundaries of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King1282 Words   |  6 PagesBoundaries of Fate and Free Will in Oedipus the King    The ancient Greeks firmly believed that the universe was guided strictly by order and fate. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles has examined the relationship between free will and fate, suggesting that free will paradoxically exists inside the boundaries of fate. It may be concluded, however, that man has free will and is ultimately held responsible for his own actions.    Oedipus destruction was brought about by a combination of fate and freeRead More Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King - Driven by Fate1105 Words   |  5 PagesThe Role of Fate in Oedipus Rex Before we approach this complex question inductively, we are at first obliged to contemplate what definitions and assumptions are being made. This essay, perhaps more so than others, requires a more extensive look at this aspect of the question, because of the sheer variety of possible responses. However, I now have reduced them to three possibilities. Firstly, we could make the assumption that perhaps as destiny controls all fates, then Oedipus character wasRead MoreOedipus The King The Concept Of Fate Came Up All Through The Play1302 Words   |  6 Pagesto deal with a person’s fate. There will be obstacles that may deter a person’s future. It can likewise make a man so focused on his needs that they may have, which will later result in disappointment to the people around them. People are neglectful in the decisions they make because they are sure that if they get what they need, joy will undoubtedly be inevitable for them. The same fate had happened to Sophocles pro tagonist Oedipus the king, who had tried to avoid his fate by running away, but eventuallyRead MoreTo What Extent are ‘Othello’ and Oedipus Rex Perfect Examples of Tragedy1149 Words   |  5 Pagesmisfortune comes about because of his jealousy, trust, and his pride. This essay aims to look at, and compare, how Shakespeare wrote his tragedy, and how other tragedies are written. I will mainly compare ‘Othello’, for Shakespearean tragedy, and ‘Oedipus Rex’, by Sophocles, for classical tragedy. Classical tragedy is one of the most popular sorts of tragedy. The main ideas of classical tragedies include pity and fear for the victim; downfall from a high position for the main character. They usuallyRead MoreOedipus The King : Dramatic Irony Greatly Influenced The Audience s Perception Of Oedipus1017 Words   |  5 PagesLiterary Essay Tenzin.Youden In Sophocles’ play â€Å"Oedipus the King†, dramatic irony greatly influences the audience’s perception of Oedipus. When creating Oedipus the King, Sophocles understood that his audience would know the outcome of the play before the completion, so he was determined to create a play, which was interesting, yet deliberately revealing at the same time. Sophocles purposely provided explicit scenes withinRead More tragoed The Tragic Figure of Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex)923 Words   |  4 PagesTragic Figure of Oedipus Rex  Ã‚     Ã‚   Sophocles is perhaps one of the greatest tragedians ever. Sophocles said that a man should never consider himself fortunate unless he can look back on his life and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain. This pain stems from his prideful life. Oedipus is aware that he alone is responsible for his actions. Oedipus freely chooses to pursue and accept his own lifes destruction. Even though fate victimizes OedipusRead MoreSophocles Oedipus The King1387 Words   |  6 PagesAs I stated in a previous essay, Oedipus The King is a play by Sophocles which belongs to the genre of tragedy and focuses on a man named Oedipus, king of a place called Thebes, and his efforts to put an end to a plague that has devastated the city. He believes that in order to put an end to the plague, he must find the man that murdered the previous king of Thebes; a man by the name of Laius (Sophocles pg.8-10). Prophecy plays an important role in thi s play and as Oedipus’ investigation progresses

Sunday, December 15, 2019

The Lost Symbol Chapter 132-133 Free Essays

string(97) " many frescoes in the world fused scientific inventions with mythical gods and human apotheosis\." CHAPTER 132 Katherine Solomon’s heart felt light as she hurried up the hill toward the base of the Washington Monument. She had endured great shock and tragedy tonight, and yet her thoughts were refocused now, if only temporarily, on the wonderful news Peter had shared with her earlier . . We will write a custom essay sample on The Lost Symbol Chapter 132-133 or any similar topic only for you Order Now . news she had just confirmed with her very own eyes. My research is safe. All of it. Her lab’s holographic data drives had been destroyed tonight, but earlier, at the House of the Temple, Peter had informed her that he had been secretly keeping backups of all her Noetic research in the SMSC executive offices. You know I’m utterly fascinated with your work, he had explained, and I wanted to follow your progress without disturbing you. â€Å"Katherine?† a deep voice called out. She looked up. A lone figure stood in silhouette at the base of the illuminated monument. â€Å"Robert!† She hurried over and hugged him. â€Å"I heard the good news,† Langdon whispered. â€Å"You must be relieved.† Her voice cracked with emotion. â€Å"Incredibly.† The research Peter had saved was a scientific tour de force–a massive collection of experiments that proved human thought was a real and measurable force in the world. Katherine’s experiments demonstrated the effect of human thought on everything from ice crystals to random-event generators to the movement of subatomic particles. The results were conclusive and irrefutable, with the potential to transform skeptics into believers and affect global consciousness on a massive scale. â€Å"Everything is going to change, Robert. Everything.† â€Å"Peter certainly thinks so.† Katherine glanced around for her brother. â€Å"Hospital,† Langdon said. â€Å"I insisted he go as a favor to me.† Katherine exhaled, relieved. â€Å"Thank you.† â€Å"He told me to wait for you here.† Katherine nodded, her gaze climbing the glowing white obelisk. â€Å"He said he was bringing you here. Something about `Laus Deo’? He didn’t elaborate.† Langdon gave a tired chuckle. â€Å"I’m not sure I entirely understand it myself.† He glanced up at the top of the monument. â€Å"Your brother said quite a few things tonight that I couldn’t get my mind around.† â€Å"Let me guess,† Katherine said. â€Å"Ancient Mysteries, science, and the Holy Scriptures?† â€Å"Bingo.† â€Å"Welcome to my world.† She winked. â€Å"Peter initiated me into this long ago. It fueled a lot of my research.† â€Å"Intuitively, some of what he said made sense.† Langdon shook his head. â€Å"But intellectually . . .† Katherine smiled and put her arm around him. â€Å"You know, Robert, I may be able to help you with that.† Deep inside the Capitol Building, Architect Warren Bellamy was walking down a deserted hallway. Only one thing left to do tonight, he thought. When he arrived at his office, he retrieved a very old key from his desk drawer. The key was black iron, long and slender, with faded markings. He slid it into his pocket and then prepared himself to welcome his guests. Robert Langdon and Katherine Solomon were on their way to the Capitol. At Peter’s request, Bellamy was to provide them with a very rare opportunity–the chance to lay eyes upon this building’s most magnificent secret . . . something that could be revealed only by the Architect. CHAPTER 133 High above the floor of the Capitol Rotunda, Robert Langdon inched nervously around the circular catwalk that extended just beneath the ceiling of the dome. He peered tentatively over the railing, dizzied by the height, still unable to believe it had been less than ten hours since Peter’s hand had appeared in the middle of the floor below. On that same floor, the Architect of the Capitol was now a tiny speck some hundred and eighty feet below, moving steadily across the Rotunda and then disappearing. Bellamy had escorted Langdon and Katherine up to this balcony, leaving them here with very specific instructions. Peter’s instructions. Langdon eyed the old iron key that Bellamy had handed to him. Then he glanced over at a cramped stairwell that ascended from this level . . . climbing higher still. God help me. These narrow stairs, according to the Architect, led up to a small metal door that could be unlocked with the iron key in Langdon’s hand. Beyond the door lay something that Peter insisted Langdon and Katherine see. Peter had not elaborated, but rather had left strict instructions regarding the precise hour at which the door was to be opened. We have to wait to open the door? Why? Langdon checked his watch again and groaned. Slipping the key into his pocket, he gazed across the gaping void before him at the far side of the balcony. Katherine had walked fearlessly ahead, apparently unfazed by the height. She was now halfway around the circumference, admiring every inch of Brumidi’s The Apotheosis of Washington, which loomed directly over their heads. From this rare vantage point, the fifteen- foot-tall figures that adorned the nearly five thousand square feet of the Capitol Dome were visible in astonishing detail. Langdon turned his back to Katherine, faced the outer wall, and whispered very quietly, â€Å"Katherine, this is your conscience speaking. Why did you abandon Robert?† Katherine was apparently familiar with the dome’s startling acoustical properties . . . because the wall whispered back. â€Å"Because Robert is being a chicken. He should come over here with me. We have plenty of time before we’re allowed to open that door.† Langdon knew she was right and reluctantly made his way around the balcony, hugging the wall as he went. â€Å"This ceiling is absolutely amazing,† Katherine marveled, her neck craned to take in the enormous splendor of the Apotheosis overhead. â€Å"Mythical gods all mixed in with scientific inventors and their creations? And to think this is the image at the center of our Capitol.† Langdon turned his eyes upward to the sprawling forms of Franklin, Fulton, and Morse with their technological inventions. A shining rainbow arched away from these figures, guiding his eye to George Washington ascending to heaven on a cloud. The great promise of man becoming God. Katherine said, â€Å"It’s as if the entire essence of the Ancient Mysteries is hovering over the Rotunda.† Langdon had to admit, not many frescoes in the world fused scientific inventions with mythical gods and human apotheosis. You read "The Lost Symbol Chapter 132-133" in category "Essay examples" This ceiling’s spectacular collection of images was indeed a message of the Ancient Mysteries, and it was here for a reason. The founding fathers had envisioned America as a blank canvas, a fertile field on which the seeds of the mysteries could be sown. Today, this soaring icon–the father of our country ascending to heaven–hung silently above our lawmakers, leaders, and presidents . . . a bold reminder, a map to the future, a promise of a time when man would evolve to complete spiritual maturity. â€Å"Robert,† Katherine whispered, her gaze still fixated on the massive figures of America’s great inventors accompanied by Minerva. â€Å"It’s prophetic, really. Today, man’s most advanced inventions are being used to study man’s most ancient ideas. The science of Noetics may be new, but it’s actually the oldest science on earth–the study of human thought.† She turned to him now, her eyes filled with wonder. â€Å"And we’re learning that the ancients actually understood thought more profoundly than we do today.† â€Å"Makes sense,† Langdon replied. â€Å"The human mind was the only technology the ancients had at their disposal. The early philosophers studied it relentlessly.† â€Å"Yes! The ancient texts are obsessed with the power of the human mind. The Vedas describe the flow of mind energy. The Pistis Sophia describes universal consciousness. The Zohar explores the nature of mind spirit. The Shamanic texts predict Einstein’s `remote influence’ in terms of healing at a distance. It’s all there! And don’t even get me started about the Bible.† â€Å"You, too?† Langdon said, chuckling. â€Å"Your brother tried to convince me that the Bible is encoded with scientific information.† â€Å"It certainly is,† she said. â€Å"And if you don’t believe Peter, read some of Newton’s esoteric texts on the Bible. When you start to understand the cryptic parables in the Bible, Robert, you realize it’s a study of the human mind.† Langdon shrugged. â€Å"I guess I’d better go back and read it again.† â€Å"Let me ask you something,† she said, clearly not appreciating his skepticism. â€Å"When the Bible tells us to `go build our temple’ . . . a temple that we must `build with no tools and making no noise,’ what temple do you think it’s talking about?† â€Å"Well, the text does say your body is a temple.† â€Å"Yes, Corinthians 3:16. You are the temple of God.† She smiled at him. â€Å"And the Gospel of John says the exact same thing. Robert, the Scriptures are well aware of the power latent within us, and they are urging us to harness that power . . . urging us to build the temples of our minds.† â€Å"Unfortunately, I think much of the religious world is waiting for a real temple to be rebuilt. It’s part of the Messianic Prophecy.† â€Å"Yes, but that overlooks an important point. The Second Coming is the coming of man–the moment when mankind finally builds the temple of his mind.† â€Å"I don’t know,† Langdon said, rubbing his chin. â€Å"I’m no Bible scholar, but I’m pretty sure the Scriptures describe in detail a physical temple that needs to be built. The structure is described as being in two parts–an outer temple called the Holy Place and an inner sanctuary called the Holy of Holies. The two parts are separated from each other by a thin veil.† Katherine grinned. â€Å"Pretty good recall for a Bible skeptic. By the way, have you ever seen an actual human brain? It’s built in two parts–an outer part called the dura mater and an inner part called the pia mater. These two parts are separated by the arachnoid–a veil of weblike tissue.† Langdon cocked his head in surprise. Gently, she reached up and touched Langdon’s temple. â€Å"There’s a reason they call this your temple, Robert.† As Langdon tried to process what Katherine had said, he flashed unexpectedly on the gnostic Gospel of Mary: Where the mind is, there is the treasure. â€Å"Perhaps you’ve heard,† Katherine said, softly now, â€Å"about the brain scans taken of yogis while they meditate? The human brain, in advanced states of focus, will physically create a waxlike substance from the pineal gland. This brain secretion is unlike anything else in the body. It has an incredible healing effect, can literally regenerate cells, and may be one of the reasons yogis live so long. This is real science, Robert. This substance has inconceivable properties and can be created only by a mind that is highly tuned to a deeply focused state.† â€Å"I remember reading about that a few years back.† â€Å"Yes, and on that topic, you’re familiar with the Bible’s account of `manna from heaven’?† Langdon saw no connection. â€Å"You mean the magical substance that fell from heaven to nourish the hungry?† â€Å"Exactly. The substance was said to heal the sick, provide everlasting life, and, strangely, cause no waste in those who consumed it.† Katherine paused, as if waiting for him to understand. â€Å"Robert?† she prodded. â€Å"A kind of nourishment that fell from heaven?† She tapped her temple. â€Å"Magically heals the body? Creates no waste? Don’t you see? These are code words, Robert! Temple is code for `body.’ Heaven is code for `mind.’ Jacob’s ladder is your spine. And manna is this rare brain secretion. When you see these code words in Scripture, pay attention. They are often markers for a more profound meaning concealed beneath the surface.† Katherine’s words were coming out in rapid-fire succession now, explaining how this same magical substance appeared throughout the Ancient Mysteries: Nectar of the Gods, Elixir of Life, Fountain of Youth, Philosopher’s Stone, ambrosia, dew, ojas, soma. Then she launched into an explanation about the brain’s pineal gland representing the all-seeing eye of God. â€Å"According to Matthew 6:22,† she said excitedly, † `when your eye is single, your body fills with light.’ This concept is also represented by the Ajna chakra and the dot on a Hindu’s forehead, which–â€Å" Katherine stopped short, looking sheepish. â€Å"Sorry . . . I know I’m rambling. I just find this all so exhilarating. For years I’ve studied the ancients’ claims of man’s awesome mental power, and now science is showing us that accessing that power is an actual physical process. Our brains, if used correctly, can call forth powers that are quite literally superhuman. The Bible, like many ancient texts, is a detailed exposition of the most sophisticated machine ever created . . . the human mind.† She sighed. â€Å"Incredibly, science has yet to scratch the surface of the mind’s full promise.† â€Å"It sounds like your work in Noetics will be a quantum leap forward.† â€Å"Or backward,† she said. â€Å"The ancients already knew many of the scientific truths we’re now rediscovering. Within a matter of years, modern man will be forced to accept what is now unthinkable: our minds can generate energy capable of transforming physical matter.† She paused. â€Å"Particles react to our thoughts . . . which means our thoughts have the power to change the world.† Langdon smiled softly. â€Å"What my research has brought me to believe is this,† Katherine said. â€Å"God is very real–a mental energy that pervades everything. And we, as human beings, have been created in that image–â€Å" â€Å"I’m sorry?† Langdon interrupted. â€Å"Created in the image of . . . mental energy?† â€Å"Exactly. Our physical bodies have evolved over the ages, but it was our minds that were created in the image of God. We’ve been reading the Bible too literally. We learn that God created us in his image, but it’s not our physical bodies that resemble God, it’s our minds.† Langdon was silent now, fully engrossed. â€Å"This is the great gift, Robert, and God is waiting for us to understand it. All around the world, we are gazing skyward, waiting for God . . . never realizing that God is waiting for us.† Katherine paused, letting her words soak in. â€Å"We are creators, and yet we naively play the role of `the created.’ We see ourselves as helpless sheep buffeted around by the God who made us. We kneel like frightened children, begging for help, for forgiveness, for good luck. But once we realize that we are truly created in the Creator’s image, we will start to understand that we, too, must be Creators. When we understand this fact, the doors will burst wide open for human potential.† Langdon recalled a passage that had always stuck with him from the work of the philosopher Manly P. Hall: If the infinite had not desired man to be wise, he would not have bestowed upon him the faculty of knowing. Langdon gazed up again at the image of The Apotheosis of Washington–the symbolic ascent of man to deity. The created . . . becoming the Creator. â€Å"The most amazing part,† Katherine said, â€Å"is that as soon as we humans begin to harness our true power, we will have enormous control over our world. We will be able to design reality rather than merely react to it.† Langdon lowered his gaze. â€Å"That sounds . . . dangerous.† Katherine looked startled . . . and impressed. â€Å"Yes, exactly! If thoughts affect the world, then we must be very careful how we think. Destructive thoughts have influence, too, and we all know it’s far easier to destroy than it is to create.† Langdon thought of all the lore about needing to protect the ancient wisdom from the unworthy and share it only with the enlightened. He thought of the Invisible College, and the great scientist Isaac Newton’s request to Robert Boyle to keep â€Å"high silence† about their secret research. It cannot be communicated, Newton wrote in 1676, without immense damage to the world. â€Å"There’s an interesting twist here,† Katherine said. â€Å"The great irony is that all the religions of the world, for centuries, have been urging their followers to embrace the concepts of faith and belief. Now science, which for centuries has derided religion as superstition, must admit that its next big frontier is quite literally the science of faith and belief . . . the power of focused conviction and intention. The same science that eroded our faith in the miraculous is now building a bridge back across the chasm it created.† Langdon considered her words for a long time. Slowly he raised his eyes again to the Apotheosis. â€Å"I have a question,† he said, looking back at Katherine. â€Å"Even if I could accept, just for an instant, that I have the power to change physical matter with my mind, and literally manifest all that I desire . . . I’m afraid I see nothing in my life to make me believe I have such power.† She shrugged. â€Å"Then you’re not looking hard enough.† â€Å"Come on, I want a real answer. That’s the answer of a priest. I want the answer of a scientist.† â€Å"You want a real answer? Here it is. If I hand you a violin and say you have the capability to use it to make incredible music, I am not lying. You do have the capability, but you’ll need enormous amounts of practice to manifest it. This is no different from learning to use your mind, Robert. Well-directed thought is a learned skill. To manifest an intention requires laserlike focus, full sensory visualization, and a profound belief. We have proven this in a lab. And just like playing a violin, there are people who exhibit greater natural ability than others. Look to history. Look to the stories of those enlightened minds who performed miraculous feats.† â€Å"Katherine, please don’t tell me you actually believe in the miracles. I mean, seriously . . . turning water into wine, healing the sick with the touch of a hand?† Katherine took a long breath and blew it out slowly. â€Å"I have witnessed people transform cancer cells into healthy cells simply by thinking about them. I have witnessed human minds affecting the physical world in myriad ways. And once you see that happen, Robert, once this becomes part of your reality, then some of the miracles you read about become simply a matter of degree.† Langdon was pensive. â€Å"It’s an inspiring way to see the world, Katherine, but for me, it just feels like an impossible leap of faith. And as you know, faith has never come easily for me.† â€Å"Then don’t think of it as faith. Think of it simply as changing your perspective, accepting that the world is not precisely as you imagine. Historically, every major scientific breakthrough began with a simple idea that threatened to overturn all of our beliefs. The simple statement `the earth is round’ was mocked as utterly impossible because most people believed the oceans would flow off the planet. Heliocentricity was called heresy. Small minds have always lashed out at what they don’t understand. There are those who create . . . and those who tear down. That dynamic has existed for all time. But eventually the creators find believers, and the number of believers reaches a critical mass, and suddenly the world becomes round, or the solar system becomes heliocentric. Perception is transformed, and a new reality is born.† Langdon nodded, his thoughts drifting now. â€Å"You have a funny look on your face,† she said. â€Å"Oh, I don’t know. For some reason I was just remembering how I used to canoe out into the middle of the lake late at night, lie down under the stars, and think about stuff like this.† She nodded knowingly. â€Å"I think we all have a similar memory. Something about lying on our backs staring up at the heavens . . . opens the mind.† She glanced up at the ceiling and then said, â€Å"Give me your jacket.† â€Å"What?† He took it off and gave it to her. She folded it twice and laid it down on the catwalk like a long pillow. â€Å"Lie down.† Langdon lay on his back, and Katherine positioned his head on half of the folded jacket. Then she lay down beside him–two kids, shoulder to shoulder on the narrow catwalk, staring up at Brumidi’s enormous fresco. â€Å"Okay,† she whispered. â€Å"Put yourself in that same mind-set . . . a kid lying out in a canoe . . . looking up at the stars . . . his mind open and full of wonder.† Langdon tried to obey, although at the moment, prone and comfortable, he was feeling a sudden wave of exhaustion. As his vision blurred, he perceived a muted shape overhead that immediately woke him. Is that possible? He could not believe he hadn’t noticed it before, but the figures in The Apotheosis of Washington were clearly arranged in two concentric rings–a circle within a circle. The Apotheosis is also a circumpunct? Langdon wondered what else he had missed tonight. â€Å"There’s something important I want to tell you, Robert. There’s another piece to all this . . . a piece that I believe is the single most astonishing aspect of my research.† There’s more? Katherine propped herself on her elbow. â€Å"And I promise . . . if we as humans can honestly grasp this one simple truth . . . the world will change overnight.† She now had his full attention. â€Å"I should preface this,† she said, â€Å"by reminding you of the Masonic mantras to `gather what is scattered’ . . . to bring `order from chaos’ . . . to find `at-one-ment.’ â€Å" â€Å"Go on.† Langdon was intrigued. Katherine smiled down at him. â€Å"We have scientifically proven that the power of human thought grows exponentially with the number of minds that share that thought.† Langdon remained silent, wondering where she was going with this idea. â€Å"What I’m saying is this . . . two heads are better than one . . . and yet two heads are not twice better, they are many, many times better. Multiple minds working in unison magnify a thought’s effect . . . exponentially. This is the inherent power of prayer groups, healing circles, singing in unison, and worshipping en masse. The idea of universal consciousness is no ethereal New Age concept. It’s a hard-core scientific reality . . . and harnessing it has the potential to transform our world. This is the underlying discovery of Noetic Science. What’s more, it’s happening right now. You can feel it all around you. Technology is linking us in ways we never imagined possible: Twitter, Google, Wikipedia, and others–all blend to create a web of interconnected minds.† She laughed. â€Å"And I guarantee you, as soon as I publish my work, the Twitterati will all be sending tweets that say, `learning about Noetics,’ and interest i n this science will explode exponentially.† Langdon’s eyelids felt impossibly heavy. â€Å"You know, I still haven’t learned how to send a twitter.† â€Å"A tweet,† she corrected, laughing. â€Å"I’m sorry?† â€Å"Never mind. Close your eyes. I’ll wake you when it’s time.† Langdon realized he had all but forgotten the old key the Architect had given them . . . and why they had come up here. As a new wave of exhaustion engulfed him, Langdon shut his eyes. In the darkness of his mind, he found himself thinking about universal consciousness . . . about Plato’s writings on â€Å"the mind of the world† and â€Å"gathering God† . . . Jung’s â€Å"collective unconscious.† The notion was as simple as it was startling. God is found in the collection of Many . . . rather than in the One. â€Å"Elohim,† Langdon said suddenly, his eyes flying open again as he made an unexpected connection. â€Å"I’m sorry?† Katherine was still gazing down at him. â€Å"Elohim,† he repeated. â€Å"The Hebrew word for God in the Old Testament! I’ve always wondered about it.† Katherine gave a knowing smile. â€Å"Yes. The word is plural.† Exactly! Langdon had never understood why the very first passages of the Bible referred to God as a plural being. Elohim. The Almighty God in Genesis was described not as One . . . but as Many. â€Å"God is plural,† Katherine whispered, â€Å"because the minds of man are plural.† Langdon’s thoughts were spiraling now . . . dreams, memories, hopes, fears, revelations . . . all swirling above him in the Rotunda dome. As his eyes began to close again, he found himself staring at three words in Latin, painted within the Apotheosis. E PLURIBUS UNUM. â€Å"Out of many, one,† he thought, slipping off into sleep. How to cite The Lost Symbol Chapter 132-133, Essay examples

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Marion Isaac McClinton listening for the music Essay Example For Students

Marion Isaac McClinton: listening for the music Essay Theatre is not only a profession for playwright, actor and director Marion Isaac McClintonhe readily acknowledges that it saved his life. It kept me sane, he says. It kept me focused. It was something I could look at and say it was positive. This Minneapolis-based artist, a former drug user and alcoholic who dropped out of high school to experiment with life, relaxes while sipping tea and reminisces about days when things did not look so promising. One night after a wild excursion, I concluded I had to do something quick or Id be dead before I was 25. That something came about by chance the next day when he answered a newspaper ad, auditioned for The River Niger and got the part of Chips. That began his commitment to the theatre, which ultimately gave him the impetus to put his life back together. The eyes have it McClintonan imposing figure, standing over six feet with broad shouldershas a serendipitous temperament, a robust laugh and a booming voice well suited to the stage. His animated face is ideal for a gamut of roles, but his eyes tell the intimate story of his life: they reveal passion, troubled times, conviction and an innate wisdom beyond his 38 years. Despite his fortuitous start in the theatre, there was nothing impulsive in McClintons desire to act. He vividly recalls being enthralled by movies starring Marlon Brando and Sidney Poitier as an adolescent, and acting out roles to amuse friends and family members. But McClinton did not hit his stride as an actor until he was invited to become a member of St. Pauls Penumbra Theatre Company. Something very special happened in the late 70s in the Twin Cities, he says. You can call it a harmonic convergence. We had found something new and were discovering something inside ourselvesand it was exciting and challenging and we stayed with it through the highs and lows. There were years when we worked for freesometimes 14 hours a day, overcoming unbearable obstacles. There are a lot of actors, designers and directors who left blood on that stage from smashing their thumbs. McClinton spent years expanding and honing his craft as a journeyman actor, literally accepting any role that came his way. Marions acting, like all good art, is created out of special circumstances, reflects Penumbra artistic director Lou Bellamy, who has steered McClinton through scores of productions. He goes for the physical rather than the verbal gymnastics. He looks for the physicality in his choice; and he instinctively spots the rhythms, nuances and gestures that reveal those physical qualities. It was when he turned to directing that McClinton quickly learned the danger involved in diving into deep water without knowing how to swim. I secured the rights to this play, I won the battle to direct it, but when I started to study the play it didnt make sense, he recalls. Thats when I realized what I was dealing with in Waiting for Godot. I looked at the cast and they looked at me, and I thought, What the hell did I get myself into? Then one day we were doing Luckys speech and the music clicked. I realized everything about the speech fit the African-American experience. And that was my foundation. Big whopping lies After years of dividing his time between acting and directing, McClinton decided to try on yet another hat for size. I was getting older and began to realize that I had something particular I wanted to say, McClinton notes. Influenced by friend and neighbor August Wilson, McClinton penned Walkersa taut drama that explores racism and its negative effects when a policeman goes berserk and kills his wife and childrenwhich earned him a 1989 Off-Broadway production at the now-defunct Hudson Guild Theatre. More recently, his Police Boys, a penetrating drama of urban gang violence, garnered critical kudos and enthusiastic audiences at Baltimores Center Stageand an invitation to serve as the theatres playwright-in-residence, a project to be supported over the next two years by a major grant from the National Theatre Artist Residency Program funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by Theatre Communications Group. .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .postImageUrl , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:hover , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:visited , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:active { border:0!important; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:active , .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0ad2009a2a481ed14768e81f2c1c93ea:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Memories of a revolution. (revival of art and culture in Ukraine) EssayDuring the residency, McClinton will focus on developing a new play, The Authentic Story and Most Original Adventures of the One and Only Hannibal Jim as Told to Samuel Clemens, an epic retelling of Huckleberry Finn which the playwright describes as a fantastic adventure which includes famous people from history, folktale legends sprung to life, horrifying mystical encounters with the dreaded Night Riders, and big whopping lies that explain the truth and who owns it. Grateful to have survived beyond his 25th birthday, McClinton now reaps the benefits of his years of labor. Although he says he would like nothing more than to spend more time with his wife and three-year-old son, taking time off in the near future seems unlikely. He is slated to direct three plays this year, and two of his own works (Hunters of the Soul at Pillsbury House Theatre and Enlightenments on an Enchanted Island at the Illusion Theater) will be presented in Minneapolis this summer. When we spoke McClinton was preparing for his next directing venture, Borders of Loyalty by Michael Henry Brown, an incendiary exploration of racism and anger which was set to open at Maines Portland Stage Company in March. You see, I have to hear some kind of music that connects me to the script, he ventures. Music is very spiritualit connects me emotionally. When you work on a script of Michaels you must be preparedthere is no half-stepping. I havent heard the music yet because Michael is thinking of changing the ending and, if he does, it might change the tone. But when I hear that music, then I know Im onto something.