Whitey’s: The Bar amidst the Prairies :: Free Descriptive Essay About A Place

Whitey’s: the Bar amidst the Prairies Before going to the legendary Whitey’s in East Grand Forks, MN, I had thought it was bar patroned by middle-aged people. There didn’t seem to be as many college students going there. When writing about this place, I positioned myself in a neutral ground. I am from Grand Forks, and lived there for ten years, but attend college at NDSU, not UND (NDSU’s rival). I came to see or know Whitey’s through my older sister and friends who frequented there and I actually went there for my sophomore year of homecoming with friends when it was a restaurant as well. It is strange to write about the bar now that both the bar and I have changed. What I found by visiting Whitey’s was some the joy of watching others. Listening to their conversations, hearing their whispers, feeling like a part of something in that bar was fulfilling. I came to find Whitey’s as being a place of fulfillment and satisfaction not only for the alumni of UND or the regulars, but for myself as an outsider as well. I felt comfortable at this local nostalgic bar. When coming into this place, I felt a sense of comradry and affection. It was UND’s homecoming weekend, and this was the place to be for the alumni. The first thing you see when you walk into Whitey’s is the bar to your left, the bar down the aisle, and the pool tables to your right and left, different from most bars I have been to with the dance floor being the first thing you see. There are neon signs hanging behind the bar to your left giving specials on $1.50 pints of beer. As I glided in I could feel the reunion amongst the alumni and it almost became cozy to an outsider such as myself. It happened to be very cold outside, and very warm inside, furthering the sense of coziness. I sat at the bar farthest back with friends and began to try to understand and learn about the people around me, without interfering. The first person who caught my eye was a young man, probably late 20’s. He reeked of alcohol and walked in surrounded by friends coming down that long aisle that lead to the bar.

Microeconomics Market Structures

According to the principles of microeconomics market structures can be identified as perfect competition, oligopoly or monopoly. In our society today and the way business is conducted, market structures are not strictly defined by on of these particular types. They can be composed of a mix of them. A market structure that has a higher level of competition can be more efficient than those that have lower levels of competition. We know this since lower competition increases the producer’s surplus; in return it decreases the consumer surplus.The loss in the consumer’s surplus is means it will be greater than the increase in the producer’s surplus. This leads to what we have learned as a deadweight loss. A perfect competitive market can also be thought as the most efficient form of market, where consumers are the most beneficial. Realistically it is difficult to identify and choose a perfect competitive market. Perfect competitive markets have the following character istics: * No entry or exit barriers: These markets should have their structures set up with no entry or exit barriers.Simply meaning that new suppliers can invest in their company without any significant capitol or risk. They can also exit the industry without facing any significant loss. *Infinite buyers and sellers: the markets have unlimited or infinite amounts of producers that are willing to sell their products to an unlimited or infinite amount of buyers. This is to ensure that there is no supplier or buyer has a significant market share. This is to prevent others in the market from being able to determine the market price. Perfect Information: This is when all competitors in the market have to provide and share equal information among/between each other. Suppliers and buyers alike, go forward and profit from having full and complete information, just like the other suppliers and buyers in the markets. The above conditions benefit consumers as these firms develop and become pr ice takers. The price of the product will be decided by the supply and demand. The equilibrium point is where the supply curve and demand curve intersect and establish the market price of the product.Therefore, in all aspects of business the price is equal to marginal cost. If we look at the short-term affects then there is the possibility for a firm to make a profit. However, this is not the traditional outcome and will quickly attract other firms in the industry. In turn it will elevate the level of supply demands. As a result of this increase, the products price will decrease. Simply meaning that in a perfect competitive market it is not feasible for a firm to profit in a long-term aspect.This doesn’t necessarily mean that a firm will not earn any profits. It means that the profit earned covers all the costs to produce the goods. This can include interest and liability. In turn, the long-term outcome for the firm in a perfect competitive market will earn a normal profit. T he profit will always be significantly less then firms in a monopoly or oligopoly would earn. Capitalism is based on the principles of the free market. In free markets the supply and demand variables help determine the quantity of the goods produced along with its market price.There are many foreign countries and their firms that have tried to implement free markets but have not been very successful because there has never been that type of market in international transactions. This is because global trade and national trade are derived from the same principles. The foundation of international trade is the principle of comparative advantage. Each country has different sets of resources. These variables are different because some countries have large populations, which influence the labor pool, especially when some people have specific developed skills in a one industry.For example, if people in Antarctica wanted to drink coffee that would have to or import them since the climate is not conducive to growing it. If Antarctica decided not to use international trade, they would either have to go without coffee or grow it in an un-natural environment. The cost of growing and providing coffee would increase the market price. Instead since Antarctica participates in international trade, they have the ability to focus and provided coffee to its countries consumers. Simply meaning that countries that have comparative advantages get it from their products for which has the lowest opportunity cost.If these countries focus on products that create their comparative advantages then the total output would be greater for the consumers of the world than if each country tried to individually produce everything. The marginal cost or the cost of producing a new product usually cost less than the average cost of producing a good. This is because the additional production usually is achieved without making any substantial new investments. (V,Kumar, 2008). Globalization allows produ ction to shift to the people and places that are in a position to produce the best products at the most competitive price (V,Kumar, 2008).When the total supply demanded is more, the consumers will benefit since the price will be lower. Simply meaning that in the absence of international trade, consumers around the world ended up having fewer suppliers who could provide the necessary good to produce their products and meet their demands. Ultimately letting the supplier controls the market and its price. If we consider an assignment we have earlier in this class, let us consider the automobile industry of the 1950’s and the present industry. In the 1950’s there were only three companies who produced and sold cars in the United States.Based on what we learned in this class it is defined as an oligopoly. The automobile industry was a highly profitable industry in the 1950’s. When international cars were imported in to the United States, they were competitively price d much lower than the cars produced on home soil, and the imported goods had better quality with more fuel efficiency. In turn consumers quickly shifted their interests and money to the imported vehicles. This caused local producers to be forced to lower their prices and improve their standards in order to stay competitive.International trade brought more options to consumers. It’s providing higher levels of competition and improved quality and efficiency. With free international trade, producers can provide and compete for customers across the world. Consumer surplus is defined as, â€Å"An economic measure of consumer satisfaction, which is calculated by analyzing the difference between what consumers are willing to pay for a good or service relative  to  its  market price. A consumer surplus occurs when the consumer is willing to pay more for a given product than  the current market price† (Investopedia: dictionary).When the number of suppliers in the indust ry increases it leads to higher levels of competition, and these market conditions found in a perfect competitive market end up being more profitable to consumers. Social cost are one of the variables that lack in all studies of economy however, as our society advances, so do social costs and this is reflecting in the markets. We have learned a lot about comparing the cost of a product and revenue generated from it In turn if we take into account the growing effect of social costs and the social benefits that can emerge from this trend.We cannot forget that there are also marginal social costs. The marginal social cost becomes greater with each additional thing that happens that is considered undesirable or also knows as un-anticipated cost activity. For example, an oil company that is drilling must extend its hours on Friday to reach the minimal amount of oil harvested. This will mean there will be a marginal cost for each additional hour the oilrig must operate to reach its quota. Marginal social cost would be the upward slope that shows the cost increasing with each additional output.Marginal benefits would be the opposite as marginal social cost with a downward slope. Environmental factors show the relationship connections between marginal social cost and marginal social benefit. Lets assume that all firms are constantly trying to reduce the level of pollution that they create. This is not an over night process and it does require a significant amount of capitol. This would affect the marginal benefit. Now on a different hand lets assume that a company has been cited for not following the regulations that govern company’s pollution control. This company is now required to get up to code.They are going to have to buy the new equipment that is required. This will inflate company’s costs and may affect the company’s ability to produce their products competitively. This could create many problems for the company but will ensure they are fo llowing required rules. Since it is for the good of society it means that the marginal social cost is beneficial than the marginal social benefit. Proving that marginal social cost and marginal social benefit lines cross where the two are equal. This class have class has taught many aspects and principles of microeconomics.It began with supply and demand and ended with marginal costs and benefits. All of the principles affect local and international firms, as well as consumers that are in both places. These studies will continue to evolve as business and society moves forward in the future.Work Cited * V,Kumar, VK. (2008, July 28). Globalization:who benefits from it. Retrieved from http://www. helium. com/items/398030-globalization-who-benefits-from-it * Investopedia: dictionary. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/c/consumer_surplus. asp

GED Overview - Prep, Online Help, Courses, Practice

Once youve decided to get your GED, it can be difficult to figure out how to prepare. Our poll shows that most people searching for GED info are either looking for classes and study programs, or are taking practice tests and looking for a testing center. It sounds easy, but it isnt always. State Requirements In the U.S., every state has its own GED or high school equivalency requirements that can be difficult to locate on the states government pages. Adult education is sometimes handled by the Department of Education, sometimes by the Department of Labor, and often by departments with names like Public Instruction or Workforce Education. Find your states requirements in GED/High School Equivalency Programs in the United States. Finding a Class or Program Now that you know whats required by your state, how do you go about finding a class, either online or on campus, or some other kind of study program? Many of the state sites offer learning programs, sometimes called Adult Basic Education, or ABE. If your state’s classes werent obvious on the GED/High School Equivalency page, search the site for ABE or adult education. State directories of schools offering adult education are often included on these pages. If your state GED/High School Equivalency or ABE websites dont provide a directory of classes, try finding a school near you on Americas Literacy Directory. This directory provides addresses, phone numbers, contacts, hours, maps, and other useful information. Contact the school that matches your needs and ask about GED/High School Equivalency prep courses. Theyll take it from there and help you achieve your goals. Online Classes If you cant find a convenient or appropriate school near you, what next? If you do well with self-study, an online course may work for you. Some, such as GED Board and gedforfree.com, are free. These sites offer free study guides and practice tests that are very comprehensive. Check out the math and English courses at GED Board: Free Math Videos and QuizzesFree Help with English Others, such as the GED Academy and GED Online, charge tuition. Do your homework and make sure you understand what youre buying. Remember that you cannot take the GED/High School Equivalency test online. This is very important. The new 2014 tests are computer-based, but not online. There is a difference. Do not let anyone charge you for taking the test online. The diploma they offer you is not valid. You must take your test at a certified testing center. These should be listed on your states adult education website. Study Guides There are many GED/High School Equivalency study guides available at national book stores and in your local libraries, and some of these are probably available at your local independent book store as well. Ask at the counter if youre not sure where to find them. You can also order them online. Compare prices and how each book is laid out. People learn in different ways. Choose the books that make you feel comfortable using them. This is your education. Adult Learning Principles Adults learn differently than children. Your study experience is going to be different from your memory of school as a child. Understanding adult learning principles will help you make the most of this new adventure you’re beginning. Introduction to Adult Learning and Continuing Education Practice Tests When youre ready to take the GED/High School Equivalency test, there are practice tests available to help you find out how ready you really are. Some are available in book form from the same companies that publish the study guides. You may have seen them when you shopped for guides. Others are available online. Following are just a few. Search for GED/High School Equivalency practice tests and choose a site that is easy for you to navigate. Some are free, and some have a small fee. Again, be sure you know what youre buying. Test Prep ReviewGED Practice.com from Steck-VaughnPeterson’s Registering for the Real Test If you need to, refer back to your state’s adult education website to locate the testing center closest to you. Tests are usually offered on certain days at specific times, and youll need to contact the center to register in advance. Effective January 1, 2014, states have three testing choices: GED Testing Service (partner in the past)HiSET Program, developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service)Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC, developed by McGraw Hill) Info about the 2014 GED Test from GED Testing Service is below. Watch for info about the other two tests coming soon. The GED Test from GED Testing Service The new 2014 computer-based GED test from GED Testing Service has four parts: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) (150 minutes)Mathematical Reasoning (90 minutes)Science (90 minutes)Social Studies (90 minutes) Sample questions are available on the GED Testing Service site. The test is available in English and Spanish, and you can take each part up to three times in a one-year period. Calming Test Stress No matter how hard youve studied, tests can be stressful. There are lots of ways to manage your anxiety, assuming youre prepared, of course, which is the first way to reduce test stress. Resist the urge to cram right up to test time. Your brain will function more clearly if you: Arrive early and relaxedTrust yourselfTake your timeRead the instructions carefullyAnswer the questions you know easily first, and thenGo back and work on the harder ones Remember to breathe! Breathing deeply will keep you calm and relaxed. Relieve study stress with 10 Ways to Relax. Good Luck Getting your GED/High School Equivalency certificate will be one of the most satisfying accomplishments of your life. Good luck to you. Enjoy the process, and let us know in the Continuing Education forum how youre doing.