Joe's Crab Shack Date

Yesterday my boyfriend and I went to Joe’s Crab Shack to eat dinner.  I was very excited to go out because we have not been on a date in a while.  At Joe’s we ordered the sampler as our appetizer which included calamari, crab dip, and balls of fire.  My boyfriend ordered the Fisherman’s Plate which included fish and chips, more calamari, and more balls of fire.  I ordered the Cajun salmon which had shrimp, and crawfish Cajun sauce on top of my salmon and included dirty rice on the side.  We had just enough time to finish off our appetizer when I meal arrived.  The service was great and the very quick.  I usually do not order spicy food, but I’m so glad that I decided to try something new and different.  Dinner was excellent.  It was the best thing that I had ever ordered from Joes. 

After we ate at Joe’s Crab Shack, we walked along the riverfront.  It was such a nice night to do that, because the temperature was just right and there were not a whole lot of people there.  At one point we decided to stop and sit.  We sat there and just stared out into the water.  The breeze along with the warm night made sitting there so soothing.   We walked the trail for a while and decided to turn around, because it was starting to get dark.  The night was totally great and could not have been any better.

Text Response: Gay Rights in California

This article is believable because it was written by Kevin Drum.  Kevin is a journalist that graduated California State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.  He may not be quite educated on the topics of gay rights in California, but we can assume since he is an educated journalist that writes to the public, he probably does research on his topics before writing about them.  Also, he is a well-known blogger and journalist. 

The author seems to convince his audience with his side of view quite well.  He uses claims of fact to back up his argument.  He uses statistical numbers about the votes and predicts how the votes will end up in a couple of years.  Another claim that the author uses is claim of judgment.  The author uses his opinion about the bill passing in a couple of years.  The author uses a positive or optimistic attitude to persuade his audience that there is hope in the future for the passage of gay rights.  He emphasizes on small details to show his audience that it was close and there is no doubt in his mind that it will pass.

The thesis in his argument is definitely working.  He explains his point quick and precise in the small text that he wrote.  He states his points right away and does not elaborate on the topic.  This works very well with the type of writing that the author is using.  He uses a hopeful attitude to win his audiences attention and maybe even persuade them that the best will come.

Free Write: Arizona Trip

The ICC softball team is traveling to Arizona on Friday and I am really excited to play in the warm weather.  We leave ICC at 9:30 and head to St. Louis by bus to the airport.  We will arrive in Arizona Friday night.  We immediately will check into the hotel and order pizza before going to bed to wake up early to play our first game in the phoenix heat.  I am totally ready to travel to Arizona to play.  I just hate that the schedule of our time is so strict.  We play two games every day that we are there except for one day.  On our day off we are waking up early to go mountain climbing as a team.  Then we get a couple of hours of free time.  We can either stay at the hotel to swim and hang out or go shopping with some of the other girls.  Then later that night, we are going to a steakhouse.  The girls are all dressing up for the occasion.  It will be weird to see everyone dressed up instead of in the usual practice clothes or uniforms.  This trip will be exciting and will be a learning experience for everyone. 

Next year, we will travel to Arizona again.  This time we will stay longer and have more time to experience the new state.  On this visit we will be going to the Grand Canyon.  I am not really looking forward to this part of the experience, because I am really afraid of heights.  Everyone says that it is not as bad as it sounds.  There are railings around all of the edges and I’ve heard that the beauty of the canyon is worth it. 

I am so glad that I decided to play softball, because I get to experience all of this great and unique things together with a wonderful team.