OverClocking CPUs essays

OverClocking CPUs essays What CPU is More Stable When Over-Clocked What CPU is more stable when over-clocked? That is a good question and that is what got me interested in this project. One day a couple years, back I got a relatively old computer and I was upset at how slow it was and decided to find out if it was possible to make it go faster. For a long time I looked and did not see anything on speeding up the computer and then one day I came across it. It was called over-clocking, the word caught my eye and I decided to check it out. Over-clocking looked like a complicated process but I was willing to check it out. There were terms in the book and web pages like voltage, multiplier, bus speed, clock speed, jumpers, and BIOS. These words were confusing so I looked them up. The voltage is the amount of electricity flowing to the CPU at any given time. The typical voltage is usually between 3 and 5 volts depending on the CPU and the task. The multiplier was the number that the bus speed was multiplied to in order to find out the CPU speed or clock speed. The multiplier is also a type of governor like on an engine that limits the speed so as not to put out too much power. When you over-clock a CPU, you are essentially over-riding the multipliers original setting, by increasing it to get a higher clock speed. To increase or decrease the multiplier you have to use jumpers on the motherboard or electronic switches in the BIOS. Over-clocking to increase something past its normal speed at which it runs. Over-clocking a Central Processing Unit (CPU) means to speed up the bus speed or the clock speed past its original setting. People often over-clock a CPU to increase the system performance at very little cost. Most of the time, you only need to change a few settings on your motherboard to make your system run faster. When over-clocking first became popular, it only amounted to changing the CPU clock speed to the next highest model of computer. Nowadays be...

Laws 310 Wk 5 Simulation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Laws 310 Wk 5 Simulation - Assignment Example This might have been for various reasons that will be seen in this paper. As a juror, it would be my duty and responsibility to provide sufficient evidence showing whether the accused might be guilty or not. This is in relation and consideration to the evidence provided. To find out if the suit against the defendant is liable, his position at the workplace would have to be clarified. During the time of the plaintiff’s arrival at the organization, the defendant, Clarence was in charge of operations and staff members. He checked the members’ operations and daily dealings. He guided the team members on the right way to carry out the firm’s operations. He also had the ability to assign team members various tasks in the workplace. This is sufficient evidence to suggest that Clarence, as an employee in the firm, was acting under a supervisory role as per the firm’s instructions. The fact that he could assign tasks depending on how he felt was a clear misuse of power. To prove that Clarence’s behaviour constituted sexual harassment is not up for debate. Miss Darcy clearly had a hard time working for a group of individuals who made her life miserable. It is difficult enough to wake up every day to go to work. This is especially if the field that is dominated by men. It becomes even harder if the place one works does not recognise her for her input, rather; wants her for all the sexual fantasies that her male counterparts have. This is brought out in Miss Darcy’s statement about Clarence forcing himself on her a number of times. Also, assault can be added to the charges. Assault can come in the form of words. In this case, Clarence ascertained that whatever he wanted from her, he would get. No amount of pushing away or saying no could get him to stop. When she reports the matter to a superior, all she gets is a laugh about Clarence’s suggestive character. She, therefore, has no option, but to go

CCNA SECURITY CASE STUDY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

CCNA SECURITY CASE STUDY - Essay Example The proposed network security policy as stated below specifically addresses access rights the minimum requirements for hardware buildup and the parameters and basis for audit and review. The Network Security Policy shall guide the access rights policy and set the parameters for the information security audit and review policy. The login policy including the password policy shall also be guided by the Network Security Policy (Whitman and Mattord). This paper shall also draft a procedure that will be responsive to the requirement of the Network Security Policy. The procedure will not only provide a detailed implementation of a specific intent of the policy it will also guide the operation and mechanism of the policy when implemented (Whitman and Mattord). Please note that the policies and procedures detailed in this paper is only recommendatory for the consideration and approval of the management of CMS. 2. Table of Contents 1.Summary 2 2.Table of Contents 3 3.Network Security Policy 4 I.Policy Declaration 4 II.Objective 4 III.Scope 4 IV.Definition and Abbreviations 5 V.Responsibilities 5 VI.General Requirements 7 V. Related Procedures 10 VI. Enforcement 10 4.Router Configuration Procedure 11 I.Purpose 11 II.Standard 12 III.Procedure 13 IV.Records Generated 14 5.Switch Configuration Procedure 14 I.Purpose 14 II.Procedure 14 A.Create and Administrative User 15 B.Storm Control 15 C.Protection against STP attacks 15 D.Port Security/Disabling unused ports 15 III.Useful Resources 15 3. Network Security Policy I. Policy Declaration CMS is in the business of providing health care services in line with its fiduciary and legal obligation this policy shall protect the privacy of its clients and employees by protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all records, data, information entrusted to it. II. Objective The purpose of this policy is to outline the Network Security at CMS to be followed to ensure the confidentiality, availability and integrity for the purpose of protecting CMS, its client and employees. Inappropriate implementation exposes CMS to risks including virus attacks, compromise of network systems and services, and legal issues. III. Scope This policy applies to the whole CMS-Systems related Infrastructure and Equipments employees and customers. To achieve this goal, the following are required for implementation: Establish company-wide policies to protect the CMS networks and computer systems from abuse and inappropriate use. Establish mechanisms that will aid in the identification and prevention of abuse of networks and computer systems. Establish mechanisms that will limit the access and authorization of CMS personnel to information assets that balances role and job requirements and information security requirements. Establish mechanisms that will protect the reputation of the Company and will allow it to satisfy its legal and ethical responsibilities with regard to its networks and computer systems’ connect ivity to the worldwide Internet. Establish mechanisms that will support the goals of other existing policies. IV. Definition and Abbreviations Network resources - includes any networks connected to the CMS backbone, any devices attached to these networks and any services made

World Religions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

World Religions - Essay Example Daoism is a ‘religion’ since it entails an orientation to as well as a relation with the hallowed. Furthermore, Daoism is a ‘tradition’ since it is a society of devoted practitioners linked to one another as a historic as well as energetic continuum (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002, p. 498). The Dao is the ultimate or sacred interest of Daoists. There are 4 primary Dao characteristics: a) Source; b) Unnamable mystery; c) All-pervading sacred presence; d) Universe as an astral process (Nature). Additionally, the Dao is ineffable and impersonal. Through an impulsive, neutral procedure, the Dao shifted from primordial un-differentiation-differentiation (the patent realm). Daoists theology, therefore, emphasizes immanence and emanation.The Daoism religion has no founder or standard scripture. Diverse adherents, communities as well as movements worship different scriptures and individuals. Generally speaking, Master Lao (Laozi) receives veneration place, but La ozi is mythological and pseudo-historic. Laozi is a complex figure. In respect to leading scriptures, the ‘Daode Jing’ (the Dao as well as Virtue Scripture), similarly known as (Lao-tzu; ‘the Book of Venerable Masters’), has possibly been most dominant and influential (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002). 2. Shinto is Japanese faith that worships all the kami of earth and heaven. Its beginning is as ancient as the Japanese history. Â  Shinto was, therefore, a faith that came into being naturally in Japan. Shintoism is not a religion established and advocated by any particular individual, therefore, there exists no dogma grounded on lessons or actions of the initiator. Shinto has openness to external faiths, even those with an entirely different nature like Buddhism (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002). As there is no doctrine, there is no sectionalism. By nature, religions tend to break into several groups because of differences on interpretation of doctrine . In the instance of Shinto there exists no dogmatic dis-confederacy, and this is the reason Shintoism embraces people of dissimilar faiths. Shintoism does not impart that individuals must be liberated from the worldly hardships, a philosophical reflection traditionon life, sufferings and death exist. Shintoism does not satisfy individuals in idealistic terms. However, this is indeed the reason it is calmly acknowledged by many people, without philosophical discrimination (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002). Because Shintoism is a faith closely linked to secular-life through celebrations and traditional rites-of-passage, its value organism is closely linked to that of a secular-society. Consequently, though it does not have the sharpness pertaining to logical expansion of thought, Shintoism has instituted its own way over the development of its extensive history. Individuals have been stirred to execute what they think will bring gratification to the ‘Kami’ and to refra in from what could upset Kami (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002). 3. Nature in Chinese religion is embraced as a way for man to develop and survive through being in harmony with nature. Nature in the Chinese religion is viewed as basis for all things in the globe and they should be interdependent and inseparable. The Chinese religion opposes the obliteration of the biosphere. It advocates that people must take care of nature, live an environmental life-style that ensures environmental sustainability and protection (Esposito, Fasching, & Lewis, 2002). Chinese religion deems that nature and man are interrelated as well as bound by knots of retribution and reciprocity. If humans are in accord with nature, plus nature is appropriately treated by human-beings, the planet will be harmonious and peaceful, and every single thing

Compare two or more poems that convey different impressions about town life Essay Example for Free

Compare two or more poems that convey different impressions about town life Essay Compare two or more poems that convey different impressions about town life. Compare their purposes and techniques in writing these poems. In this essay I will analyse and discuss the similarities and differences of four poems, all about relating to life in London: Symphony In Yellow by Oscar Wilde, Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth, London by William Blake, and Conveyancing by Thomas Hood. I will aim to focus on the techniques used by the poets and the overall effect the poet is trying to create. I will later illustrate the similarities and differences between the poems and how they convey comparable impressions of London. In the late 18th and 19th century, the country life was seen to be peaceful and calm, and London in general was seen as a busy and hectic atmosphere. Oscar Wilde was born in 1854 and grew up in an intellectually bustling Irish household. His inspirations of London came when he visited the city, in order of fulfilling his dream of becoming famous. I would expect an idealistic impression of London from Wilde, as he looks up upon London and believes that it is the place in which he will gain a successful career. William Wordsworth was brought up in the Lake District where he became extremely familiar of the exquisiteness of the surroundings. In his poems, I would expect Wordsworth to revolve around nature and to capture the inner beauty that the environment creates. William Blake was an imaginative poet who had visionary experiences for the supernatural. I expect that in his poems, the images created would be of an abnormal presence or enclosing a lack of liveliness and presenting a disturbed situation. Thomas Hood was brought up in a part of London which was not so wealthy, and where the citizens were not as well off than other parts of London. Later in his life, he was left to roam the streets of London, a time when he spent most of his life in solitary. This leads to me believing that Hood would write his poems about the different areas of the city, and what London basically comprises of. Also, I think believe that his poetry would have meaning that links in with the passing of time, as Hood spent a lot of his life watching the time go by. Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 is a petrachan sonnet, not written about love, but one in which eulogises the view over West Minster Bridge. William Wordsworth is describing the view because he is inspired it and the feelings surrounding the beauty of the view. It is similar to Symphony in Yellow because it is an idealistic view of the surroundings; it also has a beautiful, tranquil impression of city life. The poem is set in the early morning, which gives a special sort of radiance to the city. It gives an impression of a clean and refreshed setting that is virtually seen as shiny and new. It beauty is enhanced by introducing the dazzling sun. The poem is different to Conveyancing as it is more peaceful and calming. Later in the day it would be more tense, more rushing, and lots of hustle and bustle. Wordsworths impression is based on London at a time of the morning where everything is asleep, and the time when nature invades a man-made scene. He uses antiquated words such as, doth, and ne-er which gives a sense of the city being more special, The city now doth. Wordsworth also uses similes such as, like a garment, wear the beauty of the morning, suggests that the morning is the striking part, like a garment cloaking the reality of the city. It is a covering, a beautiful faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade that is only temporary while the morning lasts. The word steep means to be saturated in. The sun is completely saturating the hill; never did it more beautifully shine until it shone onto the buildings. The power of the sun if infusing all buildings with light. The effect given is that of the sheer radiance of sun, which is saturating everything. The metaphor, That mighty heart relates towards the human body; the heart, being the main organ, is at the centre. The heart pumps resources around and therefore gives life and feeds the rest of the city. Everything centres around the city, while country is a life-giving organ. Touching and majesty in line 3 suggests awe and wonder, the poet is emotionally moved by the sight. It is a graceful and elegant sight that holds certain power that allows it to come across as commanding and reveal an impressive nature. It is to be looked upon, and it forces you to be humble upon its present. The beauty of the morning; silent, bare, Ships, towers, domes, theatres and temples lie. This list helps to construct the landscape as well as to create an image of all the buildings in the distant. It fills in the readers knowledge of the actual physical features that lay in the city, which help to understand the overall image created by filling in more detail to it. Bright and glittering implies a sense that the buildings are treasures, like jewels all glittering as the sun is shimmering through. Never did sun more beautifully steep contains alliteration, which produces sibilant sounds. This contributes to a tranquil feeling, certainly not an aggressive sound. It creates a restful atmosphere, and with the aid of soft consonants such as s a smooth dreamy effect is created. Neer saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! This repetition disrupts the flow and draws attention to the fine feeling he has. Quite a spontaneous feeling is illustrated by adding as it goes along; it is a personal attempt to record feelings. The river glideth at his own sweet will, is a form of personification that infuses the river with a sense of life. The personality of the river is amiable and sweet natured, it is a sentimental way of making it a positive feature. Dear God! The abrupt exclamation jolts the poem in attempt to suddenly articulate his feelings. It is quite a conversational line that recreates the experience of personal thought and emotion. The poem Conveyancing is a ballad that uses comedy to portray a bustling picture of life in London. Conveyancing is a general term for moving things from one place to another, which is exactly what this poem is about. It is a ballad, which tells a story, and is characterized by stanzas of four lines that rhyme alternately. The poem has a regular rhythm/rhyme scheme throughout, and regular syllables to help people sing it fluently. It is a version of a comedy poem with a punch that portrays London as a place of trade, poverty and stealing. The word Bustling suggests light-hearted action. Hood is being affectionate towards London but critical also, no one ever stops. It suggests that the city is too busy, and life is always on the go, loco-motion! Machine or man, or caravan, implies that people are always busy making and taking money. It also means that you can practically have anything if you pay for it. There is a lot of mention about the actual people in the city, and what happens in their life. Also, how they make an impact on how the city looks at a stereotypical perspective. There is talk about gambling, people getting drunk, and journalists. There are also jokes about horses being out of condition, Then if you like a single horse, This age is quite a cab-age. This suggests the poverty and scarcity in the city. Perched up to behind, at last to find, Your dinner is all dickey! This is being critical of the cafes in London, and also of the standard of food that is served there. There is a satirical tone that is brought in throughout the poem, whence the positive and negative aspects are shown. Some of the words are italicised, this defines a certain emphasis on words that create a constant rhythm going. There are a lot of references to transport such as steam, train and horses. This adds to the impression of a fast-paced moving environment. Symphony in Yellow is a poem where Wilde picks out dimensions of a scene that he is describing. There is far less activity in this poem than Conveyancing, and more of a tranquil atmosphere. The humans are not dominant impressions unlike Conveyancing. Symphony in Yellow is more about the nature and the soothing tone of the country. Crawls like a yellow butterfly, is associating with meadows and peace. It adds to the calm and relaxed mood of the poem. The thick fog hangs along the quay. This quote shows the fact that for is not just described as a dismal and depressing feature, but as elegant and enhancing. There are signs of trees and vegetation, The yellow leaves begin to fade. Also, And flutter from the Temple elms. Again, this enhances the nature prospect and the beauty of the poem. Pale green Thames, is another dazzling luxury, which brings colour to the scene. Wildes Symphony in Yellow is a simple image-based soporyphic poem. It is written in a very idealistic motion, painting a misleading portrait. It is more artistic that accurate. The poem is rather like Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802 as it is an idealistic view of London, taking into account the nature and character of the city instead of focusing on man-made features.

The Holocaust in Night by Elie Wiesel Essay -- essays research papers

Author: Elie Wiesel Do you see that chimney over there? See it? Do you see those flames? Over there- that's where you're going to be taken. That's your grave, over there. Haven't you realize it yet? You dumb bastards, don't you understand anything? You're going to be burned. Frizzed away. Turned into ashes. The Holocaust lasted from 1939-1942. During these tough and traumatic years Hitler killed over 6,000,000 people, mostly Jews, but the retarded, homosexual, and handicapped were also murdered. But the Jews did make it through these rough times. They survived only on courage, dreams, and hope. Before World War II, Elie Wiesel led an ordinary life for a teenage Jew at the time. He went to synagogue and he went to school, (which at the time not many people went to), and that was a normal day for him up until the Germans came and took them away to the concentration camps. He liked having long discussion with a homeless person named Moshe. One day Moshe moved to a different town. When he came back to Sighet, Transylvan...

The Return: Nightfall Chapter 14

Elena woke up the next morning in Stefan's narrow bed. She recognized this before she was fully awake and hoped to heaven that she had given Aunt Judith some reasonable excuse last night. Last night – the very concept was extremely fuzzy. What had she been dreaming to make this wakening seem so extraordinary? She couldn't remember – jeez, she couldn't remember anything! And then she remembered everything. Sitting up with a jolt that would have sent her flying off the bed had she attempted it yesterday, she searched her recollections. Daylight. She remembered daylight, full light on her – and she didn't have her ring. She took a frantic look at both hands. No ring. And she was sitting up in a shaft of sunlight and it wasn't hurting her. It wasn't possible. She knew, she remembered with a raw memory that pervaded every cell of her body, that daylight wouldkill her. She had learned that lesson with a single touch of a sunbeam to her hand. She would never forget the searing, scalding pain: the touch had imprinted a behavior on her forever. Go nowhere without the lapis lazuli ring that was beautiful in itself, but more beautiful in the knowledge that it was her savior. Without it, she might, shewould†¦ Oh.Oh. But she alreadyhad , hadn't she? She'd died. Not simply Changed as she had when she'd become a vampire, but died the true death that no one came back from. In her own personal philosophy, she ought to have disintegrated into nameless atoms, or gone straight to hell. Instead she hadn't reallygone anywhere. She'd had some dreams about fatherly or motherly people giving her advice – and of wanting very much to help people, who were suddenly much easier to understand. School bully? She had watched sadly as his drunken father took his own outrages out on him night after night. That girl who never got her homework done? She was expected to raise three younger sisters and brothers while her mother lay in bed all day. Just getting the baby fed and cleaned took all the time she had. There was always a reason behind any behavior, and now she could see it. She had even communicated with people through their dreams. And then one of the Old Ones had arrived in Fell's Church, and it was all she could do to stand his interference in the dreams and not run away. He caused the humans to call for Stefan's help – and Damon had accidentally been summoned, too. And Elena had helped them all she could even when it had been almost unbearable, because Old Ones knew about love and which buttons to push and how to make your enemies run in all the right directions. But they had fought him – and they had won. And Elena, in trying to heal Stefan's mortal wounds, had somehow ended up mortal again herself: naked, lying on the ground of the Old Wood, with Damon's jacket over her, while Damon himself had disappeared without waiting for thanks. And that awakening had been of basic things: things of the senses: touch, taste, hearing, sight – and of the heart, but not of the head. Stefan had been so good to her. â€Å"And now, what am I?† Elena said aloud, staring as she turned her hands over and over, marveling at the solid, mortal flesh that obeyed the laws of gravity. Shehad said that she'd give up flying for him. Someone had taken her at her word. â€Å"You're beautiful,† Stefan answered absently, not moving. Then suddenly he rocketed up.†You're talking!† â€Å"I know I am.† â€Å"And making sense!† â€Å"Thank you kindly.† â€Å"And in sentences!† â€Å"I've noticed.† â€Å"Go on, then, and say something long – please,† Stefan said as if he didn't believe it. â€Å"You've been hanging out too much with my friends,† Elena said. â€Å"That sentence has Bonnie's impudence, Matt's courtesy, and Meredith's insistence on the facts.† â€Å"Elena, it's you!† Instead of keeping up the silly dialogue with â€Å"Stefan, itis me!† Elena stopped to think. Then, carefully she got out of bed and took a step. Stefan hastily looked away, handing her a robe.Stefan? Stefan? Silence. When Stefan turned around after a decent interval, he saw Elena kneeling in the sunlight holding the robe. â€Å"Elena?† She knew that to him, she looked like a very young angel in meditation. â€Å"Stefan.† â€Å"But you're crying.† â€Å"I'm human again, Stefan.† She lifted a hand, let it fall into the clutches of gravity. â€Å"I'm human again. No more, no less. I guess it just took me a few days to get fully back on track.† She looked into his eyes. They were always suchgreen green eyes. Like green crystal with some offside light behind them. Like a summer leaf held up before the sun. I can read your mind. â€Å"But I can't read yours, Stefan. I can only get a general sense, and even that may be going†¦we can't count on anything.† Elena, I have all I want in this room.He patted the bed.Sit by me and I can say â€Å"all I want is on this bed.† Instead she got up and threw herself at him, arms around his neck, legs tangled with his. â€Å"I'm still very young,† she whispered, holding him tightly. â€Å"And if you count it in days, we haven't had many days together like this, but – â€Å" â€Å"I'm still far too old for you. But to be able to look at you and seeyou looking back at me – â€Å" â€Å"Tell me you'll love me forever.† â€Å"I'll love you forever.† â€Å"No matter what happens.† â€Å"Elena, Elena – I've loved you as mortal, as vampire, as pure spirit, as spiritual child – and now as human again.† â€Å"Promise we'll be together.† â€Å"We'll be together.† â€Å"No. Stefan, this isme .† She pointed to her head as if to emphasize that behind her gold-flecked blue eyes there was a bright active mind spinning in overdrive. â€Å"Iknow you. Even if I can't read your mind I can read your face. All the old fears – they're back, aren't they?† He looked away. â€Å"I will never leave you.† â€Å"Not for a day? Not for an hour?† He hesitated and then looked up at her.If that's what you really want. I won't leave you, even for an hour. Now he was projecting, she knew, for she could hear him. â€Å"I release you from all your promises.† â€Å"But, Elena, I mean them.† â€Å"I know. But when you do go, I don't want you to have the guilt of breaking them looming over you as well.† Even without telepathy, she could tell what he was thinking to the tiniest shade of a nuance:Humor her. After all, she'd just woken up. She was probably a little confused. And she wasn't interested in becoming less confused, or in making him less confused. That must be why she was nipping his chin gently. And kissing him. Certainly, Elena thought, one of the two of them was confused†¦. Time seemed to stretch and then stop around them. And then nothing was confusing at all. Elena knew that Stefan knew what she wanted, and he wanted whatever she wanted him to do. Bonnie stared at the numbers on her phone, concerned. Stefan was calling. Then she ran a hasty hand through her hair, fluffing the curls out, and took the video call. But instead of Stefan it was Elena. Bonnie started to giggle, started to tell her not to play with Stefan's grown-up toys – and then she stared. â€Å"Elena?† â€Å"Am I going to get this every time? Or only from my sister-witch?† â€Å"Elena?† â€Å"Awake and good as new,† Stefan said, getting in the picture. â€Å"We called as soon as we woke up – â€Å" â€Å"Ele – but it's noon!† Bonnie blurted out. â€Å"We've been occupied with this and that,† Elena cut in smoothly, and oh, wasn't it good to hear Elena talk that way! Half innocent and wholly smug about it, making you want to shake her and beg her for every wicked detail. â€Å"Elena,†Bonnie gasped, using the nearest wall for support, and then sliding down it, and allowing an armload of socks, shirts, pajamas, and underwear to shower down onto the carpet, while tears began to leak out of her eyes. â€Å"Elena, they said you'd have to leave Fell's Church – will you?† Elena bridled. â€Å"They saidwhat ?† â€Å"That you and Stefan would have to leave for your own good.† â€Å"Never in this world!† â€Å"Little lovely lo – † began Stefan, and then abruptly he stopped, opening and shutting his mouth. Bonnie stared. It had happened at the bottom of the screen, out of sight, but she could almost swear that Stefan's little lovely love had just elbowed him in the stomach. â€Å"Ground zero, two o'clock?† Elena was asking. Bonnie snapped back to reality. Elena never gave you time for reflection. â€Å"I'llbe there!† she cried. â€Å"Elena,† Meredith breathed. And then â€Å"Elena!† like a half-chocked sob. â€Å"Elena!† â€Å"Meredith. Oh, don't make me cry, this blouse is pure silk!† â€Å"It's pure silk because it's my pure silk sari blouse, that's why!† Elena suddenly looked as innocent as an angel. â€Å"You know, Meredith, I seem to have grown much taller lately – â€Å" â€Å"If the end of that sentence is ;;so it really fitsme better'† – Meredith's voice was threatening – â€Å"then I'm warning you, Elena Gilbert†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She broke off, and both girls began to laugh and then to cry. â€Å"You can have it! Oh, you can have it!† â€Å"Stefan?† Matt waved his phone – first cautiously, then banging it into the wall of the garage. â€Å"I can't see – † He stopped, swallowed. â€Å"E-le-na?† The word came out slowly, with a pause between each syllable. â€Å"Yes, Matt. I'm back. Even up here.† She pointed to her forehead. â€Å"Will you meet with us?† Matt, leaning on his newly purchased, almost-running car, was muttering, â€Å"Thank God, thank God,† over and over. â€Å"Matt? I can't see you. Are you okay?† Shuffling sounds. â€Å"I think he fainted.† Stefan's voice: â€Å"Matt? Shereally wants to see you.† â€Å"Yeah, yeah.† Matt lifted his head up, blinking at the phone. â€Å"Elena, Elena†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I'm so sorry, Matt. You don't have to come – â€Å" Matt laughed shortly. â€Å"Are yousure you're Elena?† Elena smiled the smile that had broken a thousand hearts. â€Å"In that case – Matt Honeycutt, I insist that you come and meet with us at Ground Zero at two o'clock. Is that more like it?† â€Å"I think you've almost got it down. The old Elena Imperial Manner.† He coughed theatrically, sniffed, and said, â€Å"Sorry – I've got a little cold; or allergies, maybe.† â€Å"Don't be silly, Matt. You're bawling like a baby and so am I,† Elena said. â€Å"And so were Bonnie and Meredith, when I called them. SoI've been crying nearly all day – and at this rate I'll have to scramble to get a picnic ready and be on time. Meredith's planning to pick you up. Bring something to drink or eat. Love ya!† Elena put down the phone, breathing hard. â€Å"Nowthat was tough.† â€Å"He still loves you.† â€Å"He'd rather that I stayed a baby all my life?† â€Å"Maybe he liked the way you used to say  ¡Ã‚ ®hello' and ;;good-bye.'† â€Å"Now you're teasing me.† Elena quivered her chin. â€Å"Never in this world,† Stefan said softly. Then, suddenly, he grabbed her hand. â€Å"Come on – we're going shopping for a picnic and a car, too,† he said, pulling her up. Elena startled both of them by flying up so quickly that Stefan had to grab her by the waist to keep her from shooting toward the ceiling. â€Å"I thought you had gravity!† â€Å"So did I! What do I do?† â€Å"Think heavy thoughts!† â€Å"What if it doesn't work?† â€Å"We'll buy you an anchor!† At two o'clock Stefan and Elena arrived at the Fell's Church graveyard in a brand-new red Jaguar; Elena was wearing dark glasses under a scarf with all her hair pinned up under it, a muffler around her lower face, and black lace mitts borrowed from Mrs. Flowers' younger days, which she admitted she didn't know why she was wearing. She made quite a picture, Meredith said, with the violet sari top and jeans. Bonnie and Meredith had already spread a cloth for a picnic, and the ants were sampling sandwiches and grapes and low-fat pasta salad. Elena told the story of how she had woken up this morning, and then there was more hugging and kissing and crying than the males could stand. â€Å"You want to see the woods around here? Check if those malach things are around?† Matt said to Stefan. â€Å"They'd better not be,† Stefan said. â€Å"If the trees this far from where you had your accident are infested – â€Å" â€Å"Not good?† â€Å"Serious trouble.† They were about to go when Elena called them back. â€Å"You can stop looking all male and superior,† she added. â€Å"Suppressing your emotions isbad for you. Expressing them keeps you well balanced.† â€Å"Listen, you're tougher than I thought,† Stefan said. â€Å"Having picnics at a cemetery?† â€Å"We used to find Elena here all the time,† Bonnie said, pointing to a nearby headstone with a celery stick. â€Å"It's my parents' gravesite,† Elena explained simply. â€Å"After the accident – I always felt closer to them here than anywhere. I would come here when things got bad, or when I needed to have a question answered.† â€Å"Did you ever get any answers?† Matt asked, taking a home-preserved cucumber pickle from a glass jar and passing the jar on. â€Å"I'm not sure, even now,† Elena said. She had taken off the dark glasses, muffler, headscarf, and mitts. â€Å"But it always made me feel better. Why? Do you have a question?† â€Å"Well – yeah,† Matt said unexpectedly. Then he flushed as he suddenly found himself the center of attention. Bonnie rolled over to stare at him, the stalk of celery at her lips, Meredith scooted in, Elena sat up. Stefan, who had been leaning against an elaborate headstone with unconscious vampire grace, sat down. â€Å"What is it, Matt?† â€Å"I was going to say, you don't look right today,† Bonnie said anxiously. â€Å"Thankyou ,† Matt snapped. Tears pooled in Bonnie's brown eyes. â€Å"I didn't mean – â€Å" But she didn't get to finish. Meredith and Elena drew in protectively around her in the solid phalanx of what they called â€Å"velociraptor sisterhood.† It meant that anybody messing with one of them was messing with them all. â€Å"Sarcasm instead of chivalry? That's hardly the Matt I know.† Meredith spoke with one eyebrow raised. â€Å"She was only trying to be sympathetic,† Elena pointed out quietly. â€Å"And that was a cheap comeback.† â€Å"Okay, okay! I'm sorry – reallysorry, Bonnie† – he turned toward her, looking ashamed – â€Å"It was a nasty thing to say and I know you were only trying to be nice. I just – I don't really know what I'm doing or saying. Anyway, do you want to hear the thing,† he finished, looking defensive, â€Å"or not?† Everyone did. â€Å"Okay, here it is. I went to visit Jim Bryce this morning – you remember him?† â€Å"Sure. I went out with him. Captain of the basketball team. Nice guy. A little bit young, but†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Meredith shrugged. â€Å"Jim's okay.† Matt swallowed. â€Å"Well, it's just – I don't want to gossip or anything, but – â€Å" â€Å"Gossip!† the three girls commanded him in unison, like a Greek chorus. Matt quailed. â€Å"Okay, okay! Well – I was supposed to be over there at ten o'clock, but I got there a little early, and – well, Caroline was there. She was leaving.† There were three little shocked gasps and a sharp look from Stefan. â€Å"You mean you think she spent the night with him?† â€Å"Stefan!† Bonnie began. â€Å"This isn't how proper gossip goes. You never just outright say what you think – â€Å" â€Å"No,† Elena said evenly. â€Å"Let Matt answer. I can remember enough from before I could talk to be worried about Caroline.† â€Å"More than worried,† Stefan said. Meredith nodded. â€Å"It's not gossip; it's necessary information,† she said. â€Å"Okay, then.† Matt gulped. â€Å"Well, yeah, that was what I thought. He said she'd come early to see his little sister, but Tamra is only about fifteen. And he turned bright red when he said it.† There were sober glances between the others. â€Å"Caroline's always been†¦well, sleazy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  began Bonnie. â€Å"But I've never heard that she even gave Jim a second glance,† finished Meredith. They looked to Elena for an answer. Elena slowly shook her head. â€Å"I certainly can't see any earthly reason for her visiting Tamra. And besides† – she looked up quickly at Matt – â€Å"you're holding out on us somehow. What else happened?† â€Å"Somethingmore happened? Did Caroline flash her lingerie?† Bonnie was laughing until she saw Matt's red face. â€Å"Hey – c'mon, Matt. This isus . You can tell us anything.† Matt drew in a deep breath and shut his eyes. â€Å"Okay, well – as she was going out, I think – I think Caroline†¦propositioned me.† â€Å"She didwhat ?† â€Å"She wouldnever – â€Å" â€Å"How, Matt?† Elena asked. â€Å"Well – Jim thought she'd left, and he went to the garage to get his basketball, and I turned around and suddenly Caroline was back again, and she said – well, it doesn't matter what she said. But it was about her liking football better than basketball and did I want to be a sport.† â€Å"And what did you say?† Bonnie breathed, fascinated. â€Å"I didn't say anything. I just stared at her.† â€Å"And then Jim came back?† Meredith suggested. â€Å"No! And then Caroline left – she gave me this look, you know, that made things pretty clear as to what she meant – and thenTami came in.† Matt's honest face was flaming by now. â€Å"And then – I don't know how to say it. Maybe Caroline said something about me to make her do it to me, because she – she†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Matt.† Stefan had scarcely spoken until this point; now he leaned forward and spoke quietly. â€Å"We're not asking just because we want to gossip. We're trying to find out if there's something seriously wrong happening in Fell's Church. So – please – just tell us what happened.†