Medric "Cous" Cousineau, SC, CD
Nov 18, 2015 | 1st pages, Non Fiction
The Nightmare Begins
The blackness was like nothing I had ever experienced. The gale that howled outside whipped the ocean into a crazed frenzy. The hungry ocean heaved the sixty eight foot long liner out of Massachusetts like a cork. Hanging out the back door of the ten ton Sea King search and rescue helicopter gave me a bird’s-eye view of the impossible task the crew was attempting: threading a swaying guideline down through a tangle of shrieking wires, rigging and chaos onto a six by six foot heaving deck space already awash in the blood of the injured crewmen.
Having been near and out the back door before, I was used to the smell of burnt JP5 jet fuel, but today it was different. It was another straw pressing on my back, threatening to break it, and send me into the abyss. Coppery bile pushed up into the back of my throat as the Sea King was tossed by the gale. None of the hundreds of training sessions for this evolution touched this reality where the environmentals pushed well outside any envelope anyone had ever conceived. Failure was not an option. The stakes were human lives. They always were in Search and Rescue. Tonight though the Life and Death may very well be my own.
Finally, after countless attempts, the guideline hit the deck and the crewman somehow managed to hang on. In an instant, I swung out the door in the double lift harness attached to the rescue hoist and prepared to descend from the maelstrom above into the chaos below. Ken Whitehead caught my eye, and our glance confirmed what we both knew, that my life was in his hands, the skilled and steady hands of the hoist operator and Commander of HMCS Nipigon’s Helicopter Air Detachment. But mostly my life was in the hands of a greater power, God if you will.
Powerless as I descended towards the deck, I had no idea how long the fall would be, on that night, in that moment, and in the black dog shrieking horror that would ensue. When I would be genuinely powerless for moments, weeks and decades, driving hard into the inner circles of hell that would follow. Leaving the helicopter, heading out to help the men on the long liner fight for their lives against the Atlantic, the seeds of the torment that I would fight for the next three decades had just been planted. In that instant, I began a completely different fight for my own life, one that I almost lost on several occasions. This is my story…
Ferruccio Gibellini
Nov 18, 2015 | 1st pages, Non Fiction
Afshan Naheed Hashmi
Nov 13, 2015 | 1st pages, Non Fiction
Define Jugaad and its History in India
India is now known to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world. According to the US Department of Commerce 2014 Country Commercial Guide, U.S. companies with IMF forecasting estimated GDP growth for 2014 to be 5.4 percent from 4.7 percent in the year 2013. With an increase of over 6.8% in 2011, India offers many learning opportunities for U.S. businesses. This dynamic growth rate has enabled India to protect itself from the effects of the current world economy.
1 In today's challenging times, western companies are forced to learn to operate with alternative plans. Many wonder how the Indian economy flourishes while the west is experiencing an economic downturn. Many experts believe that the reason for this unique phenomenon is due to the Jugaad
Dr. Jacent Mpalyenkana, Ph.D. MBA
Nov 12, 2015 | 1st pages, Business, Non Fiction
I’m certain that you know the saying: “The proof is in the pudding.” Well, the truthfulness of the content in this book is in the doing. No matter what you think the words mean, until you have tested the ideas included in here, you will not truly know how they work. This book is designed as a self-paced learning program. I recommend that you only go as far as the exercise or activity in front of you and that you do that all the way through to the end of the book. From that point on, the suggestions in the book will be yours to use as you like for as long as you like.
Although this book is not a comprehensive treatment of the communication domain, I share a lot of useful communication tips and techniques that businesses can harness to achieve sales success. In the book, I use a lot of personal stories to emphasize points. I’ve also done my best to provide examples to clarify my meaning on key ideas. You will find a lot of examples used throughout the book. However, the most important point is that you do the activity or exercise included after every key idea – which is how you will understand what it means to communicate your way to success and how you will learn why persuasion is the most powerful art of all.
I have written this book after many years of research and after failing miserably in my career. After studying and acquiring a number of degrees, I now realize that success in life and especially in business isn’t only founded on education. It is also based on the ability to communicate, influence, and persuade others.
In this book, I share sales success guidelines based on influential psychology and the art of persuasion, which when followed, are guaranteed to earn your business more sales, better relationships, and overall business success. It is advisable that you don’t rush through reading this book but rather focus on harnessing the techniques in your business framework as you read along. And of course, you will find that some of the guidelines are applicable to your business and others are not. But either way, please take the time to analyze what could work for you and your business.
Robert Uttaro
Nov 12, 2015 | 1st pages, Non Fiction
INTRODUCTION
“This book is not about statistics.”
I never thought I would volunteer at a rape crisis center. I always knew rape and sexual assault existed, but for most of my life I did not seriously consider ways in which I could help those affected by sexual violence. I could not imagine that a large number of people actually experience such an evil and detrimental horror as rape is, but unfortunately many do. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would help play a positive role in the healing process of rape and sexual assault survivors, educate people, and be active in the fight against sexual violence, but often times our lives go in different directions than we plan or expect.
Sexual violence is very complex. Given that, I will not speak for every human being who has been affected by this crime. This book is by no means a blue print of how all rapes and sexual assaults occur, nor will I tell you how to feel. I do not have all of the answers to the many difficult questions that arise when discussing sexual violence, and I obviously do not know everyone who has experienced sexual violence.
This book is about my experiences as a rape crisis counselor and the survivors I have met who felt strong enough and comfortable enough to share their stories with me and you. I have my opinions and ideas about different aspects of sexual violence, but neither I nor the people you will soon meet speak for humanity. Everyone’s story is his or her own. Everyone’s story is different. Growth and healing is different for everyone.
Sexual violence is not only a violent crime, but it is also a serious health issue. It affects people’s bodies, minds, hearts, and souls. I do not wish to name anyone’s experiences or claim knowledge of all the effects people may feel as a result of sexual violence, but I do know some things. I have learned that many survivors of sexual violence feel shame.
Shame directly causes a variety of negative health issues, including mentalities about one’s self and behaviors. I hope to attempt to alleviate some of that shame through this book.
Robert Holloman
Nov 4, 2015 | 1st pages, Non Fiction
PROLOGUE
I was awoken out of a deep slumber by a constant chime of the telephone. I glanced over at the clock; it read 5:46 am. “Who the hell could be calling this early in the morning? I thought. I tried to doze back off to sleep but the persistent ringing was hard to ignore. As I slowly reached for the receiver I could almost feel the bad news that awaited me. “Who is it?” I answered with an aggravated voice. “I need to talk to you right now, it's Rick, I'm on my way.” Said my cousin
Rick.
“What's up cuzzin?” I asked not sure if I was ready for the answer. “We can't talk on the phone, I'm right down the street and I’ll be there in two minutes.” Rick responded. Rick is my cousin on my Dad's side of the family. At five years my senior, I looked up to Rick in many ways. Not only was his hustle game tight, he worked every day. Was married with two kids and put his family first. He owned his own house sitting on an acre and a half offhand. So for him to call this early, I knew it was something serious.
Bewildered, I glanced over at my fiancé Tracy, who was somehow still in a peaceful sleep. Tracy is the mother of my three year old son Javon. She is 5′ 3″ and weighs 135 pounds with a body that would make you do a triple take. She has sexy brown skin and carried herself like that of a diva. I quickly got dressed in all black, trying my best not to wake Tracy. I've been out of the game for a few years now, but I would ride for my family like I had never left if it came down to it.
By the time I made it to my porch to wait for Rick he was already there parked, in
his burgundy blazer equipped with twenty inch rims, right in front of my apartment. Rick had a truck that you could hear before you even saw him. With over $4,000 worth of audio equipment, his music always banged. On this foggy morning everything was silent. I got in the truck as fast as I could without drawing attention. Rick looked as if he hadn't slept in days. I started to ask what was up, but before any words could come out my mouth, he spoke. “It's bad cuzzin, real bad.” Rick said handing me today's newspaper.
My heart seemed to stop beating the moment I saw the picture on the front page of the local and state section. That second the world disappeared as if to leave me with my thoughts. It was a picture of me, only six years younger. I had long plats in my hair, and my head was slightly tilted with a look of anger and defiance on my face. It was a police mug shot after two days of interrogations and a lack of sleep.
The headline of the article read, “New witness resurrected a case in a 1997 slaying of a local crack cocaine dealer, Suspect Result (Figure 1 Charges Refiled in '97, City Slaying).” I read through the article to try to find out answers to my millions of questions only to find out my questions would go unanswered. I looked back at the picture of me at 18 years old. It was like staring back at the past that I tried so hard to let go.
