Bucket List: Visit to "Dead of Night Ghost Tour"

On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, my classmate, Amy Pereira and I went to Plymouth to take a haunted ghost tour called the: Dead of Night Ghost Tour. We did not exactly experience anything, but it was interesting to learn about all of the history. It would be cool to stay over night. Here are some pictures I took while on the tour.

Research Paper: Women in Combat

For my research paper, I will be researching "What does literature reveal about women in combat?". I believe this topic is extremely interesting considering not many women are fighting for our country and I want to know why.

Research Paper Topics

1.) What does literature reveal about ghosts and the afterlife?
2.) What does literature say about alcohol and the drinking age in the United States?
3.) What does literature say about women in combat?

Bias Analysis: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age?

In the article, Editorial: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age?, written by Brandon Griggs, an unpopular question is brought upon Dwight B. Heath and a few other scholars, “Would America be better served by reducing its drinking age -- or at least encouraging states to set their own limits?”. Both Heath and the few other scholars who contributed have different view on the subject of alcohol in today’s society. Several different biases are seen in this well written article, including the Ostrich Effect and Restraint Bias.

The Ostrich Effect is a bias where an obvious (negative) situation is ignored. It is clearly obvious to the reader that when Heath expresses his opinion he shows this bias. Heath’s opinion on the matter at hand seems to be “a little crazy to most people” says Griggs. Heath thinks that the drinking age in the U.S. should be lowered to 8, maybe even 6. Heath is looking at this issue from a cultural perspective since France and Italy serve small amounts of alcohol to young children at family meals. Heath thinks that if the age is lowered to 8, or even 6, that children will have some sort of respect for alcohol and that they will be more educated. But, Heath isn't thinking about the effects that alcohol has on children. He is also ignoring the fact that children may abuse the drinking law. These are both important, obvious negative situations that are being ignored when Heath is explaining his position. Therefore, proving the Ostrich Effect is present when Heath takes his position on the question at hand.

            Restraint Bias is the tendency to overestimate one’s ability to show restraint in the face of temptation. We see restraint bias when the author, Heath, and other scholars make their points throughout the article. For example, when Heath argues that the drinking age should be lowered to 8, maybe even 6, he is overestimating the restraint ability of teens. He completely ignores the idea that some teens and children may not be able to restrain from the “fun” aspect of alcohol if the age is lowered to such a low denominator. Teens are often influenced by their friends and whether doing something will make them “cooler”. Heath says, “By doing this, he says, parents educate their kids about alcohol and rob drinking of its taboo allure, which can make rebellious teenagers sneak off to basements and backwoods to binge drink far from adult supervision”. Heath has a very strong opinion, but he is certainly overestimating the ability of teens in today’s society to restrain from the temptations that alcohol provides, showing he is under the impression of Restraint Bias.

          In the article, Editorial: Should the U.S. lower its drinking age? , written by Brandon Griggs, the unpopular question, “Would America be better served by reducing its drinking age -- or at least encouraging states to set their own limits?” is brought upon Heath and a few other scholars. As Heath expresses his opinions on the subject of alcohol and teens, the reader can see the Ostrich Effect and Restraint Bias. These biases affect the way the reader see’s his opinion and prove that Heath does not have a strong enough argument since he ignores an obvious negative situation and overestimates the restraint ability of teens.


Source: http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/16/us/legal-drinking-age/

Incentives and Aesthetic Experience

A.) In today's society, incentives are often times used to govern human behavior. People see incentives as a source of motivation. If someone is asked to do work with an incentive involved, the results will most likely be more positive than if an incentive was not involved. Money is an example of a popular and positive incentive, especially in today's world where the majority of things revolve around money. Money is a very easy way to get people to do things. It is also common to see parents use incentives, especially money, on their children. Parents will pay their children to take the trash out once a week and empty the dishwasher. Those things could be done without incentives but the incentive is what motivates the task to be done. Though incentives usually work in a positive way, they can also be abused depending on the circumstance.
B.) There have been many aesthetic experiences in my life. Recently, I traveled to the Bahamas with my mom and her work. They were in conferences all day so I got the opportunity to relax all alone. I was exploring Atlantis and found the public beach. I sat down in a beach chair and just watched all of the people enjoying themselves. The water was so warm and so clear and the sun was so powerful. The palm trees were so tall and skinny. It was amazing to see for the first time. It most certainly was nothing like I have ever experienced. I would do anything to be on that beach right now, but I am lucky enough to have gone.

Bucket List

Short Term...

Go to College...I want to go to college to become a nurse. Once I graduate college, I want to work in a hospital and make a difference in people's lives.

Visit my Brother...My parents are finally letting me visit my brother and stay with him at his apartment, I just need to find the time.

Cruise...I just want to get away with my friends and enjoy the Caribbean. Who wouldn't want to do that?

Get a New Car...I love having a car, but I would greatly enjoy a newer car.

Visit Somewhere Haunted...I have always been fascinated with ghosts and I love the show Ghost Adventures therefore I want to experience something cool like they experience.


Long Term...

See Drake Preform Live...I could have gone to the Drake vs. Weezy concert this summer, but I had soccer tryouts. Drake is my favorite artist and I must see him in concert asap.

Maine House...Ever since a couple of years ago I have been telling my brother that we need to own a vacation house in Maine. Eventually when we have families we can go up there together and just have fun.

Visit Italy...I am Italian and I have always wanted to visit Italy and have some real Italian Pasta. It would be wonderful if I could make this trip with a significant other.

Own a Land Rover...Land Rovers are just so appealing to the eye. Every time I see one, I honestly think about stealing it that is how bad I want one.

German Shepard...I currently own a Siberian Husky and when I get older, I will certainly be owning a German Shepard puppy.

Go Somewhere Crazy...I honestly couldn't name a specific place other than Italy, I just want to travel and see something no one has ever seen.

See Kevin Hart Live...He is hands down the funniest human being alive and I would do anything to see him live.

The Case Against High-School Sports

            A big part of America’s modern day society is High-School sports. Teens find themselves waking up in the morning with their only motivation being their passion for the sport they chose to participate in after school. The tradition of participating in High- School sports is what makes America more appealing to the teens that make up today’s society.

            High-School sports have a great impact on how students perform academically, keeping students focused and motivated. High- School sports provide students with an opportunity to both succeed in academics and their athletics. In most High-Schools, in order to participate in athletics, students must have less than two F’s as a total in the year. This standard keeps students motivated to do well in their academics. Athletes fear sitting on the bench or getting kicked off of a team therefore they aim to keep their grades up to prevent that. The standard for participating in High-School sports is low but it still provides a source of motivation for the students.

            High- School sports give students the opportunity to improve their life skills. Contributing ideas and thoughts to a team is a lot like contributing ideas for a job. High- School athletes learn a lot about failure and perseverance. Without failing, how do you know how to improve? Through playing a sport, you learn that when you fail, you must persevere in spite of the difficulty. Being part of a team teaches a High- School students what it is like to work with people. Athletes are forced to learn teamwork under pressure. High- School athletes especially, learn time management skills by necessity. Student athletes manage their time between: sport, study, socialize and sleep. Athletes have been trained to take orders and listen. Those who participate in High- School athletics learn skills that are more indicative of future success in the real world.

            If High-School sports/ athletics were removed, students would lack motivation and life skills. The teens in America who participate in sports are provided with life skills that prepare them for the real world. Sports keep students motivated academically. Therefore, in order to prepare students for success in their future lives and keep them motivated to succeed academically, then the choice of playing a High-School sport should be at hand.

 Citation:

Ripley, Amanda. "The Case Against High- School Sports." The Atlantic Oct. 2013: 72-78. Print.

Debate on Cell Phones- Ethos, Pathos, Logos

Article Title: Cell Phones! Helpful Handhelds, or Disrupting Device?

 Examples:
Ethos: "In my opinion I believe cell phones should be allowed, as long as people are responsible." 

Pathos: "Should cell phones be allowed in public places?"
"Some, like Bruce Newman; an editor for an AAA magazine, say cell phones pose too                                  much danger; especially on the roads."
"We all remember the tragic day, April 20th 1999, the awful Columbine High School Shooting. Two students opened fire on many innocent people that day. Frantic 911 calls were made. Dispatchers and parents were on the line with students using their cell phones to call out for help."(also logos)"
"Imagine the heart ache if you knew someone dear to you was in danger and you had no way to reach them."

Logos: "In a study published by the AEI-Brookings Joint Center, a team of researchers compared the effects of driving while talking on the phone and driving while drunk. They concluded that drivers that were using cell phones exhibited greater impairment that intoxicated drivers."
"With today's world evolving so fast, new dangers come as well."

My Pet Peeves

1.) Touching My Stuff: Whether it's in my car, or in my room, or anything that belongs to me...Don't touch my stuff! I've never been good at sharing, really, but it bothers me to an extreme when people touch my things without asking. My mom, for instance, loves to move my things and put them in places where I would never think to look. I most certainly have the right to be upset when people touch  my things, they are mine! I put my belongings in certain places so I know and can remember where I last left them. If people go moving my things then I waste time looking for it.

2.) Chompers: Most people can agree with me that it is extremely obnoxious when people chomp their gum or food in general. It is unnecessary...just chew with your mouth closed. I promise chewing with your mouth closed is better in the end for everyone!

3.) Chivalry: It breaks my heart every time i see a man that doesn't hold a door open for a woman. How hard is it to be polite and grab the door for someone? Chivalry is so scarce in today's society that it could make someone's day if you hold a door open for them.

4.) Telling Me What to Do: If you're the same age as me or even younger, please don't tell me what to do. if you politely ask or suggest I do something, that is completely different. I am responsible and smart enough to make decisions on my own.

5.) Patience: There are very few people who still have patience in this world. They might say they do but the chances are that they really don't. PATIENCE PEOPLE! Especially when driving...everyone's better off having patience. People cut me off for no reason when there isn't even a car behind me. Just wait another couple of seconds and you'll have a clear shot and chances are I won't yell at you from the inside of my car.

6.) Cake Faces: It is very plain and simple, don't wear makeup that is a different shade than your skin and cake it on your entire face.

7.) One Uppers: There was a time in everyone's life where we tried to "One Up" another person. It's okay to say what you have or have accomplished but if you are purposely trying to make me feel bad about myself because you have or have done something better than me, that is just cruel. 

8.) Slow Texters/ No Repliers: If I take time out of my day to send you a text, you should automatically feel obligated to text me back. I don't mean continuing the conversation hours later, I'm talking about within 5 minutes I am expecting a reply. If you know you're not going to be with your phone either tell me or say you'll talk later. I can't even count the number of times I have sat and stared at my phone waiting for a text back.