The Myth and Ritual of Coffee in Mario Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim :: Essays Papers

The Myth and Ritual of Coffee in Mario Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim When I arrived in Italy in May 1998, my first order of business was to sample some Italian coffee. Being an avid coffee drinker, and having heard that Italians brew the best in the world, I was quite eager to find a little bar that would cheerfully quench my craving. I was not disappointed. The cappuccino that I sipped that day was a two-layer affair, a mountain of rich foamy milk atop a modest amount of strong, hot espresso. It was heavenly. As I swirled the thick steaming layers together, I was fascinated by the lively Italian being spoken in the bar, the laughter, and the peace and ease in the bartender’s face. I felt honored to be privy to the rituals that were taking place before my eyes. Coffee is a truly a mythological treasure. It serves the dual functions of waking one up and providing one with relaxation. It is both acid and base, bitter and sweet, caustic and comforting. It is used for an array of purposes: to soothe, to give energy, to lend fortitude, to bring people together. Sometimes it is ascribed almost supernatural healing properties. In Mario Puzo’s The Fortunate Pilgrim, coffee takes these roles and more: the drinking of coffee is an immensely important ritual that serves a myriad of social functions and responds to a wide range of human emotions. Wine, arguably the only other substance surrounded by so much myth and ritual, also plays a part in Puzo’s novel, but it is coffee that is the drink of choice and ritual for Lucia Santa. Early in the novel, the beverage is aptly described as â€Å"ceremonial†: â€Å"Lucia Santa served the ceremonial coffee, then said, ‘Zia Louche, I am going to see the little one. Care for the girl and Lorenzo. Do me this favor.’† (Puzo 36) Coffee is the focal point of the meeting, a warming beverage to represent the warmth between two people. It is this warmth, this caring human connection, that enables Lucia Santa to ask her friend for a favor. At the same time, the hot coffee lends fire to her courage and conviction, giving her the requisite strength to confront Filomena. (37) Interestingly, coffee becomes a pacifier, a salve, when Lucia Santa returns from Filomena’s house shaken and distraught with her baby Vincenzo in her arms.

Steven Kerr Essay -- Business, Creativity, Diversity

As Kerr is an educator and a professor in universities and not an economist, he examines his idea or creativity in the organization by making inquires starting from top management to the bottom in the organization and also to people who knew what the buyer or customer should be; then he would run it through his network in and outside GE to cross examination and double check or assessment (Davenport et al). Kerr’s successes effectively with the standing of ideas and creativity mainly rely on his continuing exploratory research with great creative thinking skills, expertise and motivation, and they also depend on his outstanding leadership and exceptional organizational culture of innovation in GE (Davenport et al, 2003). On the issue how to link his idea to his organization or business, Kerr simply collected and gained quick feedback and recommendation about how to present or make use of the idea or creativity to his sixty-five top executives in GE; he would assessed and examined his idea with his top management team first before link it to GE (Davenport et al). Davenport, Prusak & Wilson (2003) analyzed and claimed that getting instant comment or criticism is very critical and vital for a idea, as Kerr in his interview argued: â€Å"Gaining quick feedback and translating it into action and results is what advocating ideas is all about† (p. 207). In strategic planning, management must measure or evaluate the courses of idea and creativity or development and expansion to ensure they obtain the best and maximum returns from platforms (Davenport). In ideas and organizational management, feedback, criticism and suggestion not only could turn or develop into the guidance, objective and dire ction or target and focus of innova... ...resent diversity within the labor force and â€Å"each of them will also have networks of professional associates whose knowledge they can tap in order to solve problems and accomplish tasks. Needless-to-say, diverse people will have diverse networks and provide your company with a vast and diverse meta-network at your disposal† (p.1). In short, in supporting of creativity, innovators essentially need the backing from top leaders, and without that support, many initiatives may break down or die on the vine (Harvard). For any idea to be successful, it is vital that it is aligned with company strategy; there is more likely to occur naturally when top executives involve and take the lead with a idea or creativity initiative and this is a main reason why management commitment is a key factor in the accomplishment of any idea or innovation process (Baumgarther, 2010).

Old Man And The Sea :: essays research papers

In life, one will go through a number of stages in life. Infancy, Youth , Adulthood, and Old Age are all key stages. As one grows, they mature through these various stages. When one reaches old age, there is often a lot of doubt surrounding their lives. Serenity, and independence are often the two most questioned. These are some questions that Santiago has to ask himself as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the novel The Old Man And The Sea, Ernest Hemingway develops the concept of man coming to the realization that as he ages, his dependency on others will increase. The use of metaphor is key in showing how this is indeed true. The struggle with the Tiburon represents the mental struggle that Santiago is having with himself. The Tiburon is also used as a metaphor for Santiago’s life. The boy in the story parallels what Santiago’s life once was.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The struggle with the Tiburon represents the struggle that Santiago is having with himself. The constant struggle makes Santiago realize that he is no longer as young as he thinks he is and he must rely on the help of others. This is shown when Santiago is battling the Tiburon. “ ‘Bad news for you fish’, he said and shifted the line over the sacks that covered his shoulders. He was comfortable, but suffering, although he did not admit to the suffering at all. ‘ I am not religious...but I will say Ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish’... ‘Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of death, Amen.’ Then he added. ‘ Blessed Virgin, pray for the death of this fish, wonderful as he is.’ '; [ Hemingway 64-65]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This quote shows that the old man is forced to break the rules of sanity and talks to himself as well as the fish which cannot hear him. The old man thinks to himself that the fish is a “ “ God fearing '; fish and by saying the Hail Mary, the fish will give in and let himself be caught. After saying the Hail Mary the Old Man tries to convince himself that his previously hurt hand is okay, when really it is not.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In another part of the story Santiago admits that he is losing his sanity. “He did not want to look at the fish. He knew that half of him had been destroyed '; [Hemingway 114].

Individual Strength Assessment

The Strength Based Leadership assessment was designed to help define the strength in order to place people In position where they can thrive based on their leadership strengths In the four domains of leadership strength such as Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking (Rata & Conchie, 2008). While reading the assignments for this unit, I developed ideas of what my strengths may be prior to taking the Strength Based Leadership assessment.The assessment to determine my arsenal leadership strengths ended much as I suspected, and my five strengths are learner, individualizing, harmony, futuristic, focus. Learner Learner is described as an individual who weigh all the facts In which something occurred by using knowledge acquired from reading, classes, seminars or type of leadership strength apart from most. For the Learner, being left without the knowledge of a situation can be quite frustrating as this individual thrives on learning something new or gaining n ew skills in the current specialization field.Analyzing a topic or a situation is a great Job for the learner as this individual will pep researching until the answer is found (Rata & Conchie, 2008). As a Learner I enjoy reading, listening or hands on experience in my current occupation or a prospective career. The yearning for knowledge has been part of my life since I was in grade school. Reading has not always come easy for me, I did not learn to read until entering the fourth grade. Looking back as an adult, I believe I had an undiagnosed learning obstacle.I realized with the correct lighting or the use of an overlay on bright white paper seemed to help the words stay on the page, and allow easier and better retention of the information. Individualizing According to the Strength Based Leadership assessment results, an individual with Individualizing as a strength, by nature easily identifies with what others are thinking and feeling. This is a true statement, and being an indivi dualized helps this individual understand the other person's hopes, fears, Joys, and sorrows.Leaders with Individualizing strength have the welcoming ability to attract people from diverse backgrounds, education occupations, age groups or nationalities which makes this individual an asset in a group project setting. This type of leader will peak for those who cannot get the words out and will listen when the time comes to be quiet (Rata & Conchie, 2008). This type of strength was not a surprise to me because it is something I practice on a regular basis. This can be a positive as well as a negative.Positive because things usually go pretty smoothly once people get to know me as a person and what my skill levels are. Negative because there are those who feel threatened by my strength, and that can cause some uneasiness. Working through these types of feelings is achievable with relationship building over time. I believe this is a strength used in my current career every day. Harmony Harmony leadership strength is described as an individual who has the knack of noticing the emotions that distort information, and emphasizes facts as a way of bringing clarity to the conversation.This type of strength in an individual is driven by their talents and tends to finish whatever task they start (Rata & Conchie, 2008). This is a strength used every day in my current career, it is important to remain clearheaded in any situation especially when there is the potential for emotional issues. Facts and clear headiness are two very important characteristics a person can have when concentration is necessary. Futuristic Futuristic leadership strength have an instinct for making plans for the near future or long term goals to be achieved.This type of strength leader looks toward the future as a way to make things better or to reach a goal. This is a strength used in my current career every day as each day differs from the last as we make progress to brighten every smile. Focus Ind ividuals with focus leadership strength are driven by their talents and look forward to clearly defined goals. These individuals enjoy surrounding themselves by people who want to accomplish personal and or professional goals for themselves Rata & Conchie, 2008).This is a strength used in my current career; helping people educator in oral health care. Conclusion In conclusion, based on my own self-image, I feel the leadership strengths were right on target. I would have to say I agree with the results of the strength based leadership assessment because I use the Learner, Individualizing, Harmony, Futuristic, and Focus strengths on a daily basis.

Ocean Manufacturing Inc

Identify two facts from the case that you found particularly interesting (this can be anything- it doesn't have to be directly accounting-related! ). The first situation that I found interesting is that Most of the ratios of Ocean Manufacturing are lower than the industry. So as auditors should figure out the reason behind this. The second situation is that the auditor turnover high. In twelve years they had three auditors.It is a major problem as why ocean manufacturing hanged it auditors rapidly at such short period of time. As an auditor I should look into the matter more closely. 2. If applicable, what Professional Standards were violated in this case? Cite either CASE standards or Rules of Professional Conduct. You may want to research the standards in your text, Handbook, or online. N/A 3. Assume you are working as an auditor in public accounting. Name one lesson tattoo could learn from this case. Ocean Manufacturing executives are very aggressive.If they are taken as a client I would be careful. They tried to manipulate their yearned accruals to meet requirement of Creditors. As they are planning to offer PIP they might want to do it again. As an auditor I learnt that I should take account of past behaviors and future intension when I am auditing a client. 4. As we all know, hindsight is 20/20. For cases where the client committed fraud, are there any â€Å"red flags† the auditor overlooked that might have allowed them to uncover the fraud sooner?

Meditation Essay

Meditation Sit as you wish on a chair or on the floor with your back straight. Turn the palms of your hands up Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, inhaling through your nose and exhaling from your mouth. With each breath, in and out, release the tension in your body more and more. Smile, and imagine each organ in your body, in turn, smiling back at you. Think of what you have to be grateful for in your life. Now start visualizing a fluid white light entering your body through your feet and moving slowly pward, toes to feet to ankles, legs to thighs and hips – saying to yourself I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to visualize the light rising, filling every inch, every muscle- hips to waist, belly, back, shoulders – lingering everywhere you feel tension or pain -your arms, elbows, hands and fingers. Feel the light move up, neck to chin, to lips, eyes, forehead and hair. Now see how your entire body glows with white light. See a spark of that light leave your body through the top of your head. You are that spark of light. See that spark of light – you – flying high to the sky, to the clouds. Repeat I open myself to the light, to the teacher within and without or I honor the divinity that resides within me. Continue to fly, higher and higher, until you are in a magical place, unseen before, a place of beauty almost beyond imagining. Colors so vibrant they seem unreal, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, flowers, birds and butterflies and unicorns, fanciful creatures of all kinds. Create your imaginary garden, your magical place you will always go to. Here everything is peaceful, and everything possible. When a thought comes to mind Just focus on your breath or repeat and let the thought go like clouds in the sky. Be gentle with yourself. Imagine now a bright white light shining down upon you, reflecting and intensifying your own light – giving you unconditional love. Love as you have never known it before. Rest in this place. Rest here, and magic will happen. When it feels right, begin the return to your body n the same way you left it – slowly, until you are ready to end your meditation. But before you end it, visualize your body filled with light, enter it and stay with for a few minutes. Then, with your hands in prayer position, lift them to your forehead to remind yourself to be aware of your thoughts. Drop them to your lips to remind yourself to be conscious of your words. Drop them to your heart to remind yourself to be conscious of your actions. And last, bow to yourself to honor the master within you†¦ You are saluting the God By satharmk

Disabled Veterans

Many societies in the world have divisions in lives. In such societies and especially the United States, the divisions are based on inequality in many opportunities which has persisted for long even after a number of policies and strategies to end apartheid and racial segregation. Many efforts have been made to ensure equality and to have women and disabled people considered in opportunities such as employment. In the past, women were discriminated and, men occupied all the positions at workplace.The blacks were discriminated in education and at workplace such that no black could practice as a doctor or other profession simply because they were black. Many movements have been developed to limit various types of discrimination, and currently the women's movement is working hard to ensure equal participation of women and men with equal opportunities. Other groups such as lesbians and gays are also fighting to get equal right.The Disabled Veteran Affirmative Action Program plan was esta blished to ensure increased employment opportunities for disabled and qualified veterans (OPM, 2006). Affirmative actions are being used as a way of enhancing equality. They give preferential treatment to some groups of people, usually the women, minority groups and the disabled. Affirmative programs considers these people to have been disadvantaged in their past or currently, where by they aim compensating them for their past discrimination, or offering equal opportunities in the present society.This is achieved by recommending a higher population of the disadvantaged in an opportunity against the majority population, or by considering a feature which favors the disadvantaged group. Affirmative actions are being used in many organizations and work places, and it has raised an issue, on whether the disabled veterans should be given preferential treatment over more qualified candidates. The concurrent sections of this paper shall give my arguments towards the issue, setting out both deontological and utilitarian considerations.Arguments The affirmative action considers compensatory justice. In it's accordance, the disabled veterans will gets a job over most qualified people in the same field as a way of compensation. In the society, there are many people who are trained, qualified and who rare in the process of training in various fields. Just as the old veteran trained and were given the opportunity to practice in the trained field those who have trained and the ones training expect similar opportunities to practice.This means that when the disabled veterans are given the chance to practice in the competitive market, the qualified and able people will be locked out of the opportunity which will not have solved the issue of discrimination in such case what the affirmative action will have dome is a reverse discrimination where by a physically able and qualified person will be denied a chance to work despite the fact that he or she can perform better than the di sabled veteran. Affirmative actions consider having a large group of disadvantaged people included in the program.Use of quotas does not end discrimination as the affirmative programs views them they they exclude some the unconsidered or rather the majority group. For example, when large number of Asians are included in the program, Black Americans and the Americans will be discriminated from the program. California superior court encourages the state to use affirmative actions programs which are expected to facilitate fair employment practices and stop use of quotas and denial of opportunities on the basis of gender or race.To emphasis on the use of program, programs which used quotas for contracts between the state and business owned by women, minority and disabled were struck down. In such case the the program (Charles, 1999, pp. 48). With the use of the quotas the award of state contracts would continually favor, and have contracts with the businesses owned by the minority, disa bled and minority while discriminating the businesses owned by people in the majority group.When the state made law to have fifteen percent of the states contracts for businesses owned by women, minority and disabled veterans the court could not accept the laws on the basis that the law would promote discrimination of the majority group. The affirmative action favors the poor and gives them the priority over the rich. The program recommends favoring the disabled veterans over the healthy and physically able people with same or even more qualification.The affirmative programs should ensure equal recruitment of all individuals in the society regardless of their physical ability. All people need to get similar education opportunities to create a pool of qualified people in the community. When providing jobs or employments qualification should be the only consideration to ensure that no individual is discriminated. As long as education is provided in an equal measure, choosing from qual ification becomes the fairest method (Hurst, 2007). The disabled, or disadvantaged people have few chances of getting the required qualification.For example children from rich families which are represented by the majority have access to all materials and apparatus require through out their education and learning course. They have computers, attend the schools with the required and effective learning programs. Such children have all the time for their studies because their needs and requirements are catered for by their rich parents or guardians, unlike children from poor background who need who are expected to work for longer time at the expense of their studies to meet their basic needs.Poor children learn and live in pathetic environment, and in schools with inadequate facilities. The children from rich and the poor background will be assessed by same assessors and tests without a favor to either child. This means that the child who had appropriate facilities and learning environ ment will perform better than the poor child. The knowledge of the two children varies, since the poor are limited to further learning or training. This means they are likely to have little or no knowledge concerning the job they are being given.This means that when employment is provided on the basis of the physically disabled or disadvantages people in the society, the ones with little or no qualifications will be given the chance, causing reverse discrimination. The unqualified or semi-qualified individuals will be given positions they do not deserve and since they are not qualified in the field, they fail to carry out the required duties and subsequent failure in their roles, organization and the entire society.The affirmative action programs considers empowering the minority, the disabled veterans and women to take lead in various projects programs, organizations and the society. The California superior court upheld and implemented programs to identify discrimination with no re gard to race and gender preferences. According to the programs, the state agencies were to identify areas within the state where women disabled veterans and the minority were not utilized well, and aimed at enhancing their utilization (Charles, 1999, pp. 48).Well they can be empowered through these and other means but when the minority, the disabled or women are given the opportunity to lead the people being lead resent them. They are resented not because of their minority, disability or inferiority, but because they are preferred against the other people in the society. Resented individuals develops a negative attitude towards other people, and since they are discriminated or rather excluded from participating in various activities in the society, bad morals develops. Conclusion Although disabled veterans need preferential treatment over the physically well people, a lot need to be considered.Although that is the target of the affirmative action programs, the preference and especia lly in employment should be based on individual's qualification, skills, and experience. This this organizations and employers can get the best for best performance and output, without discrimination. The only way to get best employees, fairly is based on their qualification. The affirmative action programs should find other way of implementing compensatory justice, rather than job as the compensation because some of them are not qualified, or their disability limits them from effective performance.The affirmation programs enhances discrimination through collectiveness. The qualified are denied opportunities because they bare socially or politically dominant. The past social and economic status of individuals should not be considered when giving preferential treatments as the affirmative program does, rather the current status should be used. When individuals are preferred because of their social group instead of their qualification, their accomplishments are degraded (George, 2001, pp. 40).