Bicycling as a Metaphor for Freedom I remember the first time my father let go of my bicycle seat when I was a little boy. That was the moment I was finally free; at least until my mother called me in for dinner as the sun was setting in the western sky. For many, these […]

Chapped lips are annoying, and can be unattractive and painful. While there is always a bevy of choices in the stores for chap sticks and other solutions, you can also make some all natural solutions at home. I know that I have lost more lip balm or chap stick than I have used, or run […]

We all know someone who has a job that fits them perfectly, they are always happy about their job and honestly don’t really “work” they just do what they love and get paid for it. Here is a list of some ideas, ways to turn something you love into a job. We will start with […]

Up until he was about 2 years old, my son had no skin problems. Then, suddenly, he developed this odd rash that looked like goose bumps all over his chest, back and arms. It wasn’t red or itchy, but we assumed it must be a contact rash of some sort. We tried moisturizers, changing soaps, […]

The cycle of poverty must end. And, one of the best ways for a person to overcome poverty is to identify some of the main contributing factors to their financial woes. *Lack of a Budget As the famous proverb goes, “He who fails to plan, plans to fail”. This is true especially when it comes […]

The only team who won more games than the Reds last season just took a huge step to win even more in 2013. They made the deal that Cincinnati should have completed at last year’s trade deadline. The Washington Nationals acquired center fielder Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins last week, giving the N.L.’s winningest […]

When my son Brent was nearly 3 years old the pediatrician asked if he was talking yet. He wasn’t, except for maybe one or two words. He suggested getting Brent’s hearing checked. We made an appointment at the Miller Children’s Center in Long Beach. The way the test would be administered was the technician would […]

Anyone that has spent some time in my home, has most likely noticed my obsession of using mason jars to organize. In my opinion, they make the hard to organize items easy to categorize and result in a more esthetically pleasing look opposed to just throwing into a box, drawer or bag. Check out my […]

When “The Hills” star Kristin Cavallari and her NFL player fiancé Jay Cutler named their son Camden, they probably thought their baby name choice was somewhat unique. So Kristin must have been rather shocked to learn that her ex Nick Lachey chose the same name for his son with wife Vanessa. At least she couldn’t […]

Only two days into the month, more people have already been killed by tornadoes than the same month since 1994. After a massive outbreak of tornadoes on Friday, over 40 people lost their lives — and that number could continue to grow. Tornado-related deaths have been reported in eight states over the last few days, […]

One of the many benefits of shopping on the Internet is you have a vast array of options available to you so you can find what you are looking for. One area where this wide selection comes in handy is when you are buying stamps. Rather than being limited to what the craft store or […]

Hundreds of flights arrive at McCarran airport every day, bringing visitors from across the globe to the fabulous and exciting city of Las Vegas. As the jets cross the burnt orange mountains, and bank right or left across the Vegas valley expanse, angling for the runway, passengers assume the desert is a hot, brown sprawling […]

My niece is a very picky eater, and apparently equally picky when it comes to beverages. It is not uncommon for her mom to pack her a lunch or dinner when they go to family gatherings or eat a meal right before they come. Over the years something that I have seen with her is […]

Breasts are part of woman’s sexuality. When the breast develops cancer, everything changes. They become bags of fat growing this alien that is trying to kill you. I felt betrayed. With cancer, you can lose one or both breasts to surgery, which causes even more frustration with the breast that is so much of your […]

Parent guilt–it’s so prevalent that I think it should be listed as a separate mental health condition. Almost every parent I’ve known (and I’ve known many) has expressed feelings of failure. A little guilt is okay; it keeps us humble and makes us strive to be better. Too much failure is counterproductive, though. When I’m […]

With the economy like it is, being able to afford beautiful jewelry. All of my friends and co-workers go to these jewelry parties where each necklace or bracelet costs upwards of fifty dollars. Yes, I love their beautiful jewelry; I just can’t afford to buy the jewelry at those prices. So, I do the next […]

This week on “The Bachelorette,” Emily Maynard met the families of the four remaining gentlemen. Jef Wants Emily To “Hold His Gun” Emily’s hometown date with Jef took place at Holmstead Ranch. Jef impressed Emily by shooting several clay pigeons. But as it turns out, Emily’s got pretty good aim herself! Jef remarked, “I just […]

The Wii U is innovative and a major upgrade to the Wii console. As the release date draws near, Nintendo gamers are ready to experience the new console and all of it’s features. While the premise and promos look impressive, there are five potential problems that will likely occur with the system. Bulky Controller The […]

Key Stone rewards can be a great way to earn XP (experience points) and gold coins. If you play on the Facebook portal you will see these at the bottom of the screen. They are graded according to difficulty. The left one is fairly easy, the middle is a little bit of a challenge and […]

It was the first day of my summer vacation, a day I will never forget. I somehow managed to pass the ninth grade, but only by the skin of my teeth. My parents were convinced that my bad attitude and so-called lack of discipline would surely land me in summer school. What a relief it […]

Sean Payton The New Orleans Saints 2012 season finally came to an end with a 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The loss gave the Saints a 7-9 record as New Orleans will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008. However, Saints’ fans like me are taking the loss to the Panthers in […]

You can learn how to start and operate a pawn shop. There are reports that say pawn shops have been in existence some 3,000 years ago. Today, many small business owners are making money by starting their own pawn shop. People always have things that they need to buy or sell. If you visit Ebay.com […]

I’ve been an educator for more than 20 years. Before my students leave high school, I prepare them for college. Here are the 6 most important tips that I give them. 1. Apply for FAFSA No matter how much money you or your parents have set aside for college, apply for FAFSA. There are many […]

If you’re visiting England and enjoy C.S. Lewis through his Chronicles of Narnia, his Space Trilogy or his books like Mere Christianity or The Screwtape Letters, why not spend part of your vacation investigating some of the sites associated with him? The first and most obvious place to plan a visit would be at the […]

When I went to see “The Hunger Games”, I expected to hear the usual arguments: Is it better than all the hype? Is it better than the book? If teenagers throw a house party next door, while I try to sleep, can I too organize a hunger game? What I did not expect were people […]

Previously posted on my blog. 03/21/12 In this movie, we see a nineteen-year-old Alice who has forgotten her previous experience in Wonderland, believing it only to have been a strange, recurring dream. During a formal garden party (which has a lot starts and stops as she discovers that among other things, her brother-in-law is having […]

Nail polish comes in every color of the rainbow, and it is available in many different types from magnetic formulas to those that crackle when a second coat of color is applied. It can be difficult to find just the right one when storing dozens of bottles in the bathroom. I had to find practical […]

Cumberland, Maryland is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, artists and tourists tucked in the Allegheny Mountains about 135 northwest of Washington, DC and about a 2 hour drive from Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA. Surrounded by forested hills and resting on the Potomac River, the Cumberland area offers more than just a few […]

Following the 2011 season, second base was one of the few positions that the Oakland A’s seemed to have a long term solution. Jemile Weeks had an outstanding rookie year in 2011 hitting .303 with 22 stolen bases in 97 games. Weeks wins above replacement (WAR) in 2011 was 1.5 and he was the one […]

I have taught my two older children to write haiku poems. The other day when my 6-year-old was clapping out syllables, I realized that she was ready to learn as well. I plan to do more than just teach my daughter how to write a haiku. I intend to use the haiku as a tool […]

When looking for ways to save money, a good place to start is by saving energy. Do you really need to use as much energy as you do on a daily basis? If you were to look at your habits and home equipment very closely, you will likely find that a large portion of the […]

Parenting is a tough job. Yet, Christmas is one of those days when I love being a parent. Watching my daughter open her gifts never gets old. Putting little toys and treasures in the stockings at night is even more fun. Sharing the joy of the Christmas miracle is a story I enjoy telling. Here […]

Although many times thought of as a species of fish that is best fished for while utilizing a technique known as “fly fishing”, the rainbow trout can also be fished for and caught while using a variety of traditional spin fishing techniques as well, some of which involve various types of fishing lures. As an […]

There are many people with a desire to travel who feel they simply don’t have enough money to make their dream a reality. The truth is that there’s hundreds if not thousands of people traveling around the country and even around the world on little or no money. This sounds crazy but its true, and […]

I have always been a fan of Audio Drama, especially radio shows from back in the day and when I received this production from AudioGo, I kept wondering, how did I miss this. This series aired on satellite radio and streaming from the website, so I can see how it has passed me by. But […]

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I look so old and dull!” The culprit for this sallow-looking skin is large pores and bad circulation. Every woman can have healthy, glowing skin through proper skin care. These 5 masks introduce ingredients that minimize pores, increase blood flow, and smooth your skin. The best […]

FIRST PERSON | CHICAGO — Between Chicago and the parts of the state of Illinois that don’t relate to Chicago, there is a divide. I’ve read about it, most recently with two downstate clerks asking a judge Monday to permit them to defend the state’s same sex-marriage ban. Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez recently […]

“The Avengers” (due out on Blu-ray/DVD Sept. 25) and “The Dark Knight Rises” are fine examples of what can be done within the superhero genre provided you have the right script, cast and budget. Even “The Amazing Spider-Man” fared well, as far as audiences (and the box office) were concerned. But a strong case can […]

With the release of “The Dark Knight Rises” Christian Bale dons the cape and cowl of Batman for what is likely to be the last time. Bale is part of a small fraternity of actors who have carried the moniker Batman on the big screen. How his career plays out following his time as Batman […]

Having an outdoor picnic is a great way to spend a spring day with the family. Unfortunately, many manufactured folding tables need perfectly level ground and no wind to function properly. A slight bump sends them over, taking everyone’s lunch with it. Build your own stationary picnic table and save the price of a manufactured […]

I am really getting tired of Supernatural Romantic books. I’m a strong believer in the idea that vampires should be staked not taken to bed. I can only blame Anne Rice and the Vampire Lestat for starting this trend. So, you may ask yourself, “Why did Gil T. listen to this Audiobook?” Well, I really […]

Are you planning to host a game day party for your friends and family his year? If so, you may be wondering what to serve the food and drinks in. Well, as a former special events planner, I happen to have a few ideas that you may want to consider using. Here they are: Football […]

Jordan Segundo, an American Idol Finalist, was the perfect choice to narrate the story “Patches and Penelope: Adventures on the High Seas. You can judge for yourself. For a limited time you can hear a free stream of the narrated version (complete with sound-effects and music at http://www.patchesandpenelope. com . This is SUCH a cute, […]

Chinese New Year begins February 10. This will be the Year of the Snake. I learned all about Chinese New Year when I worked in San Francisco for a Chinese commercial printing company. It was a defining moment in my life, and I had what can only be described as a cultural renaissance during the […]

I’ve been a live musician and a DJ for many years now. I’m trying something new: setting up my own event. I have never promoted my own event, a few things have sort of perturbed me about the process. Mostly, the current model that dominates in my area assumes all the risk to the entertainers […]

What sports championship is the most coveted? I’ve wondered that too. As a New York Giants/ New York Yankees fan I’d probably tell you it’s either the Vince Lombardi Trophy or the World Series Trophy. Don’t hate. So without further banter from me, here’s a list of the top 10 most coveted sports championships: 10. […]

I found out many years ago I could not ride a stationary bike because of severe pain and the friction it caused in my anterior vagina area while riding it. It was a most uncomfortable situation on a constant basis. I went out and purchased a newer version of the stationary bike but it hurt […]

While the Supreme Court ruling of Arizona’s immigration law has been the hot topic of the week, it fails to hold a candle to President Obama’s June 15th announcement to grant “deferred action” status through the Department of Homeland Security to an estimated 800,000 illegal immigrants brought into the country as children. What is “deferred […]

Martin McDonagh’s “Seven Psychopaths” is about a struggling writer named Marty Faranan (Colin Farrell) who dreams of finishing the screenplay he’s working on. Marty, however, gets more inspiration than he needs when his friend Billy (Sam Rockwell) ends up stealing the dog of a gangster named Charlie (Woody Harrelson). Looking at this description makes the […]

Chapter 1 and 2 “Where does my father get all that iron rust from? He doesn’t get no iron rust from here!” (Dickens 63). Young Jerry, Mr. Cruncher’s son, says this quote to his father in the end of chapter one when they are on their way to work. This quote offers foreshadowing because it […]

During a recent floor debate in the House of Representatives on a contentious issue, I began discussing the bill with some colleagues, both Democrat and Republican. Without the spotlight of the cameras and the microphones, we engaged in an actual debate about the merits of the proposal, exchanging ideas in a civil and informed manner. […]

COMMENTARY | WBC middleweight champion, Sergio Martinez, recently revealed he might hang up his gloves when his current three-fight contract with HBO expires. Martinez (50-2-2, 28 KOs) is currently set to defend his title against Martin Murray on April 27, and he’ll likely try to secure a rematch against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. later on […]

I love great television. Sadly for me, what I consider great television and what networks consider great television are too often radically different. Year after year I find myself preferring shows that are cancelled in twenty episodes or less. Whether it was martial arts shows like “Vanishing Son” or “Black Sash” (both starring heartthrob Russell […]

Easter is the High Holy Day for Christians. The season provides hope for new beginnings and eternal life for believers. Its celebration begins Good Friday when Jesus was assassinated and buried. His burial represents sin – missing God’s mark. Being seen alive three days after he was buried represents God’s forgiveness of sin. According to […]

May is National Bike Month and the bicycling statistics are being compiled by advocacy groups and enthusiasts. Most recently, Washington D.C. and one of its suburbs rated well when assessed by the Alliance for Biking and Walking and the League of American Bicyclists for infrastructure and bike culture. The top 50 bike-friendly cities were listed […]

Every few years, a movie comes along that excites a younger audience. The 1990s had “Titanic,” while in more recent years it was the “Twilight” franchise. “Moonrise Kingdom” is a film that might capitalize on the fame of the “Twilight” movies. Romantic films typically follow the same formula, regardless of the plot. The formula involves […]

NAR Chief economist Lawrence Yun recently said, “”To be sure, the pendulum swung too far the wrong way when prices were high and loans were easy for anyone to obtain. Underwriting standards should be tighter when prices are high and more accessible when prices are low.” Will we believe him? Or have we learned from […]

My son was born a gymnast. He was so still in the womb, I was constantly afraid there was something wrong. My first pregnancy I carried a boy who never stopped moving. They switched at birth. My oldest after birth was content to sit for hours and play beside me as I folded socks. My […]

Many NASCAR fans are fond of the Earnhardt family, especially the late, great Dale Earnhardt. He won seven championships, numerous races and money, and built an awesome brand for himself. His son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., has yet to experience the same type of success thus far in his career. He has no championships to his […]

I am a new mom…for the fourth time. My baby was born three months ago via C Section. This left me with a new baby a month before he was due and I certainly was not planning on him arriving so soon. When you have a C Section you are ordered to take it easy […]