Topic Proposal

With all these Starbucks opening left and right, I wonder to myself, what is all this coffee doing to our bodies? I would like to do research on the pros or cons of caffeine, and if the coffee (caffeine aside) itself benefits our bodies. This topic would be for anyone who drinks coffee, or even caffeine drinks, and is wondering the effect of drinking them. Since there is a Starbucks, or any other coffee shop, on every block, our society seems to be addicted to caffeine and it may be really hurting us.
I only know 2 things about coffee, I like it and World Market has some very good coffee. I would like to look further into it. I know there are differences in aroma/flavor depending on where the beans are grown. I also know there are different roasts, medium/french. The thing I would like to know if there are certain coffees that help with more than just clearing the cobwebs. I would also like to know the differences in caffeine with the roast, and find out why there are different roasting levels. I have no idea about how caffeine effects the body, so I would research and talk about that.
If I found coffee was unhealthy for the body, then I would look into what the laws are to do with caffeine and see what is trying to be passed in legislation.

Second Assignment - The Men We Carry in Our Minds

In the essay "The Men We Carry in Our Minds" the author, Scott Russell Sanders, talks about the perspective men and women have on each other, and the debate on who's life is easier. I like how the author doesn't choose one side more than the other. An example of this is when Sanders talks about houses. He, as a man, saw the house as "brighter, handsomer places than any factory," but instead of leaving it at that, he mentioned how much of a prison the house could be. It’s nice to read something that comfortably plays both sides.
Sanders paints a picture on what life was like for a typical male where he grew up. I could not even begin to imagine how different my life would be if my father was a laborer. I would probably be helping him on the farm instead of writing this essay response. The only way out of the back breaking work, would be to enlist in the military, but even that was no walk in the park. I do not know how I would be able to make that decision. Back breaking work or going to war and have the risk of being killed.
My job at UPS is one of those more physically demanding jobs, but it is nothing like Sanders version of a physically demanding job. This essay really showed how easy my life really is compared to some, and how I should not take anything for granted because I can guarantee any one of those coal miners in Ohio would love to trade jobs.