Fat Vox

Before the NFL preseason even began, I made 13 Bold NFL predictions that you can read here. I was called crazy for many of them by many people, and while some of them look just as crazy as people said, many of them aren’t looking too bad after four weeks of legitimate NFL action. These…

Some, if not most of my family, think I am crazy because I enjoy public transit systems. However, I am not alone. Public transportation usage has grown 34% from 1995 through 2012. Almost 1.5 million people board some form of public transportation in the United States every hour. Why am I grateful for public transportation?…

Riding as a passenger in my best friend’s Camry, I gaze out the window while approaching the traditional row houses where we abandon the car. Excitement and liberation overwhelm me as I escape the vehicle into an unexplored neighborhood. We begin our trek downtown but take a quick recess to congregate with two other friends…

Believe it or not, in the 21st century, this nation still harbors some of the hardest-working people in the entire world. As the world becomes more technologically advanced, there are still a multitude of tasks that require a great amount of human labor to fulfill, and construction workers, doctors, car washers, and mothers would be…

Unique bedroom window toppers add tremendous personal style and interest to the decorating scheme, even if windows are already topped with custom blinds and gorgeous drapery. They do not have to come from the store, and they do not have to be designated for use above windows. Some of the most impressive and creative wall…

This week’s Hawaii Five-O episode, “Imi Loko Uhane) means “seek within one’s soul,” and there was lots of seeking by actress and comedienne, Aisha Tyler, guest starring as a probing talk show host digging for that elusive, “exclusive,” and at last, Wo Fat ran out of ways to hide, or did he? The story opens…

Commentary | With the new gains and losses this off-season has produced so far, people have to be wondering, how will the boys in red do this coming season and how will they be successful? Well, there are a number of things that will make this team not only successful, but give them the best…

Things are just moving along at breakneck speed on “Nashville Episode 20” leading up to next week’s grand finale. Gunnar has gone completely outlaw after stealing his brother’s music and creating a new image for himself with a new wardrobe and a grungier look and attitude. Both Rayna and Juliette are facing scandals going into…

More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United Sates each year. There are actually more new cases of skin cancer than cancer of the lung, prostate, colon and breast combined. Statistics indicate that 1 in 5 Americans dies every hour from skin cancer. That is alarming. It has been reported,…

My kids mean the world to me and there really isn’t much that I wouldn’t do for them. Even getting busy at work, I try to find the time to hang out with them and my job requires me to travel from time to time and stay away from a few days to a week…

These days what do you think when you think of Justin Timberlake? Entrepreneur? Movie Star? Celebrity? Jessica Biel’s husband? One half of the lover boys from SNL’s Digital Shorts? Besides those things Mr. Timberlake is a very talented musician from way back in the hey-day of MTV boy bands with ‘N Sync all the way…

There seems to be a crisis of iodine deficiency all over the world, but it is now prominent in developed countries where bromine is used in everything from clothing and bread to carbonated beverages. Bromine is dangerous to the function of your thyroid. When you supplement with iodine, it pushes the bromine out, which causes…

Yes, you can take over the counter and prescribed medications to help combat your back pain. However, this is not a long term solution to your problem. The pain medication is only quieting the pain. It is not solving the reason for the pain. For this reason, you need to look for solutions to stop…

Among the pleasures of baseball is it’s long history and the almost endless supply of stats and amazing accomplishments that no other sport can equal. So, in no particular order, here are some records and achievements in baseball that will not be broken, at least not in our lifetimes. Cal Ripkin Jr.’s breaking Lou Gehrig’s…

Gaming is an hobby that I have enjoyed for a good part of my life now. I stated young on the old Atari moving up to some of the best consoles ever offered such as the NES, Super Nintendo, Playstation, Dreamcast, X-Box, and more. Growing older the time to commit to console gaming is slim…

Don’t own a drill. Men love power tools don’t we? They make you feel manly, some of them look like guns and sometimes we can use them to punch through walls and show those bricks who the boss is. They’re not for me though. Oh no. I take a very firm stance on owning any…

Since being able to legally work seven years ago, I have learned some very effective tips and qualities to not just help being a better co-worker, but a better person in all aspects of life. I have found it very disturbing at times seeing how ignorant people can be towards the effort they put in…

Divorce is an ugly thing, there is no other way to put it. Kids are the biggest victims of divorce. Even grown children have a hard time when their parents decide to split. For younger children, it can be hard because they are still forming their identities from their environment. Every child has different coping…

Some people may find it therapeutic to write down their thoughts in a journal or a diary. Sometimes, these thoughts may be negative, by using the journal in a way to vent their frustrations, anxieties, fears or whatever it is that may be bothering them. Instead of journaling on my negative thoughts, I decided to…

As the owner of an elderly rabbit, I’m now in the process of adapting her living conditions to suit her age. That’s because I’ve noticed in the last few months, she is slowing down, eating less and finding it more difficult to hop up onto her bunny chair and into her second story cage. Many…

When I wrote the review of the newly released audiobook version of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” I felt I had to mention the two movies based on this book. The first movie, from the 1970s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, seems to be the cult favorite. The…

It was Helen Keller who said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” I recently used that great quote while speaking to a class at the College of Mount St. Joseph (MSJ). The students there are going to help fight global hunger by playing FreeRice and walking Charity Miles as…

The Spanish title of Rafael Obligado’s poem is “La Muerte del Payador.” It is an excellent treatment of an Argentine legend handled previously by other authors. A tree known as the ombú was growing on the Argentine Pampas. The turtledoves loved this tree. They liked to build their nests in its branches because the tree…

People who find themselves inexplicably imprisoned, particularly for a crime they didn’t commit, often leads them to ponder their life choices, and how they ended up on the fringe of society. Even with their determination to find a way to escape their prison, they often become trapped in their own mind and emotions, as they…

I’ve had pet tarantulas my whole life, and they make great exotic pets. However, if you plan to handle your pet tarantula, you can’t just get any species. I’ve found out the hard way that some tarantulas are better than others for handling. Some are as cuddly as kittens, while others are downright mean. If…

You are watching television with your family. No sooner the program breaks for a commercial, a violent-type of commercial comes on the set. Should you panic? Will the kids reenact this? Should you quickly turn the channel so they are not subjected to this mess? These are questions that parents ask themselves whenever such instances…

Sometimes, the best things don’t seem remarkable or stand out in any kind of way. Often, that’s the case with footwear, like sandals or even casual shoes, both of which a prime choice for people looking to feel good. Would you pick a moccasin to fulfill your needs or desires in comfort footwear? Many people…

Cyber Monday is a great time to shop. No lines, pushing or shoving from customers trying to get into the store before anyone else. By shopping online, you avoid the crowds, parking nightmare and missing the item you want. Items you purchase can be shipped to you or directly to the recipients in plenty of…

My panic attacks started in high school. No one in my family really understood what was taking place. My heart would race. My thoughts would jumble. I couldn’t explain exactly what was happening and would either yell or cry in frustration. Sometimes it would happen as I was trying to finish homework and other times…

Rating: R (language including some sexual references)Length: 93 minutesRelease Date: April 26, 2013Directed by: Lake BellGenre: Comedy Stars: 3.5 out of 5 The struggle between the sexes is clearly on display in “In a World…,” a film written and directed by actress Lake Bell. Bell delves into a variety of issues, including the way people…

William Golding’s novel “Lord of the Flies” uses characters and objects to demonstrate its central themes and ideas. The novel is an allegory, a fantastic or fabulous story intended to communicate a moral lesson. Many objects in the story are themselves allegories, symbols which illustrate Golding’s idea that impulses of civilization and savagery rage within…

One of the wonderful feelings in this world is to love and be loved back by the person who has caused a magical stir in your life. But what if you’re among those unfortunate souls whose love was not requited? What if you’ve been waiting for your prince charming, all this time, only to find…

Placing a parent in long term care is a tough decision both for the caregiver and the parent. For many of us in the sandwich generation, we’re the caregiver of an active parent who suddenly can’t be left alone. We’re the ones making the tough decision with little in the way of guidance. It helps…

With summer upon us, it’s time to start thinking about swimming. If you’re new to Austin or planning to visit, there are some local swimming holes that are worth checking out. While there are quite a few more than five, the ones listed here are the best for either the swimming or the experience. Barton…

Watch the slideshow called: Slideshow – Spelling activities for lesson 3 In this slideshow, the students will do a number of activities for ten different spelling words. a. They will write the spelling word five times each. b. They will give a definition for each spelling word. c. They will use the word in a…

“The Third Wave,” a Morgan Spurlock Production and Alison Thompson Documentary, tells the story of is four aid workers in aftermath of the 2004 Tsunami that decimated Sri Lanka and other countries bordering the Indian Ocean. “The Third Wave,” begins with scenes of Sri Lanka BT, Before Tsunami, that reveal a majestic beauty and some…

The United States of America was founded so that its people could be free to do as they wish. People fought and died so that we could be set apart from a once tyrannical government to live and make decisions according to our own standards. In the United States of America, it is illegal to…

The Incipio feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case is a great way to protect your investment and keep the important parts of your tablet accessible and easy to use. Ease of Use, Performance: 4/5 Look & Feel: 4/5 Features: 4/5 How much I enjoy: 4/5 Recommendation: 4/5 Stars The feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case is made…

Winter has taken hold of the Buffalo, New York area, but that’s not all bad news – there’s plenty for families to do in the area that is free or inexpensive when the meteorologists aren’t calling for a blizzard. Whether you’re looking for a sledding hill, a winter festival or ice skating, you’ll have no…

After a preschool Valentine’s party, my daughter came home with lollipops, chocolates, sour, chewy and basic heart shaped candies. In other words, enough red 40 and sugar to last her the entire year. I know, I’m being uptight. It’s a holiday and I should simply let my kids have fun. One day of sugar overload…

Part one: Girl lost… “Goodbye, Myla….” A gust of wind swirled around us and I had blinked for just a second. Just a split second. And by the time I had opened my eyes again…he was gone. The wind subsided and I could catch just a glimpse of his face dissolving to the point of…

After being held for over three years, PFC Bradley Manning finally got his court martial trial on June 3rd, 2012. Manning faces 22 separate charges, including aiding the enemy, which could lock him away in a military prison for the rest of his life. These charges stem from the 2009 release of classified files from…

An afternoon tea party makes the perfect birthday party theme. Little girls, dressed in fine clothes, enjoying refreshments and chatter. Make your girl feel all grown up hosting this fine affair. Invitations Invite your guests with formal invitations. Hand write in calligraphy or use a calligraphy script on the computer. Personalize each one with the…

To start a chain of positivity is to practice taking altruistic actions, which in turn will bring out the altruism and positivity in others. The awesome thing about starting a chain of positivity is that anyone can do it no matter who they may be or what his or her circumstances are. One general law…

I’ve noticed over a period of time that my dryer takes longer and longer to dry a load of clothes. I check the filter, clean it out every day so that wasn’t the problem. My washing machine still seemed to be spinning the clothes out quite thoroughly. Then I noticed that lint was collecting around…

Halloween is not until October 31, but it is not too early to begin making these inexpensive and simple lollipop ghosts in bulk to use for many purposes during the Halloween season. You and/or your child can make these lollipop ghosts fast! They require little to no money, depending on what items you already have…

When I first began my blog (The Political Slant), I placed a great deal of primacy on developing my content. Once I had published a few blog posts, however, I began to concentrate on principles and strategies I could implement in order to build my audience. Although there are numerous blog marketing strategies that you…

A friend asked me if I would join her in a 5k. My first reaction was “whattttt?? A 5K, you are joking right?” though those were not the words that came out. I am more of a try-anything-at-least-once kind of girl, even if I end up regretting it later (so long as my integrity is…

This article is a part of a series about ordinary Christians and their walks with God. Every Christian has a different story about his or her walk with the Lord. God uses each person differently in his sovereign plan. Today, I have the privilege of presenting the story of Ruth O’Neil, a Christian writer who…

Nowadays, it’s fairly common to see internet connection speeds such as 10 mbps and above. Even mobile networks exceed 50 mbps with LTE technology. When it comes to home internet, usually DSL or cable, we have different rated speeds, which are the maximum data transfer rates of your internet connection. All you need to do…

Ever since I was disabled in the military, I have been living a very low budget life. Even getting married didn’t help much as it added as many expenses as it did extra money since I could no longer live with my parents and had to add rent to my monthly bills. Here are some…

The name Canandaigua (pronounced Can-an-day-guh-wa) comes from the Seneca Native Americans for “The Chosen Spot.” The town has a long history steeped in lore and charm. This small city in upstate New York, is one of the Finger Lakes’ better kept secrets. The best place to stay the night is off of Lake Shore Drive….

In an offseason defined by roster turnover and veteran departures, the defending Super Bowl Champion, Baltimore Ravens, have yet to properly address one of the team’s remaining needs, backup quarterback. The organization recently signed veteran Caleb Hanie to bolster position depth which already featured the third-year signal caller Tyrod Taylor. However, neither player is a…

There’s no reason to even get into a discussion with your kids about the joys you experienced as a youth playing your Atari 2600. The pixilated Pitfall!, awkward Asteroids and clunky Q*Bert fail to even be worthy of comparison to the realistic graphics, intense sound and community nature of the Halos, Maddens and Grand Theft…

As a corporate training professional for more than 25 years, I often get questions about how to study for a new career. To become a procurement manager, I recommend getting on-the-job training that covers how to manage quality and inventory. Professional organizations, such as the American Purchasing Society and the Corporate Executive Board Procurement Leadership…

Gary Tanguay is a co-host of “Sports Tonight”. Gary covers all of New England sports, mostly notably the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins. Growing up in a small town in Maine, Gary has a strong passion for everything sports in Boston. Those who have seen his work on Comcast SportsNet and other networks know…

COMMENTARY│Expected and considered by some as “the next big thing” in boxing, Adrien “The Problem Broner” scored a split decision victory against hometown favorite Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY on Saturday. The Cincinnati fighter, Broner, captured the WBA welterweight title from the often regarded as “paper champion” Malignaggi,…

Byron Hemmings is a clever boy with an equally clever best friend James Lowe. When they hear about adding an extra two seconds, the idea astounds them both. But then Byron notices his watch moving backwards at the exact time the accident happened, and nothing will ever be the same. Together, these boys attempt to…

CRITIC’S RATING: ** 1/2 stars (out of 4 stars) British television and movie audiences are already familiar with comedian-actor-writer Simon Pegg’s frenetic fright farce A Fantastic Fear of Everything courtesy of a June 2012 release nearly a couple of years ago. Now American moviegoers will get a wacky taste of Pegg’s hedonistic horror comedy in…

With endless possibilities for adventure, Park City, Utah is an ideal summer destination for families. These kid-friendly activities are fun for all ages and absolutely free: Park Silly Sunday Market: This eco-friendly open-air market takes place every Sunday from the beginning of June to the end of September. The market, which runs from 10 a.m….

Pithecellobium dulce has several common names. In Mexico, I called it guamúchil. In the Philippines, I began to call it kamatsili. Two of its English common names are monkeypod and Manila tamarind, according to StuartXchange. The name guamúchil shows that this species is a tree, since the first part of this common name is derived…

Having chronic low back and joint pain, I am always on the lookout for products to relieve pain. Lately I have been having lots of neck pain and went to look for a massager that would use deep pressure to relieve it. Walmart had a few to choose from but I chose the HoMedics Thera-P…

In August of 2010 Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater had finally had enough. When a passenger verbally abused him, Slater snapped. He got on the PA system and cursed all the passengers out. Then he grabbed a couple of cans of beer from the galley, pulled the lever to release the emergency chute, jumped…

Grand Prairie’s dog park, Central Bark, gives dogs the chance to exercise and play in a way they can’t in other city parks: off-leash and with other dogs. The three-acre park is divided into three separately fences areas designed to keep everyone-humans and canines-safe and happy. As in most dog parks, one of the fenced…

Imagine living in a country where no one knows what Halloween is. The kids don’t dress up to go trick-or-treating, there are no haunted houses, no Halloween parties, no horror movies on TV during the last week of October and jack-o’-lanterns don’t exist because nobody even knows what a pumpkin is. That country was Germany….

I recently wrote an article about the red flags I’d see in women’s online dating profiles. Since it’s only fair, I decided I should give the men their turn as well. As a guy that, up until recently, has spent a lot of time checking out profiles on dating sites I thought I would compile…

This year’s Blizzcon had plenty of exciting news and events going on, including tons of new information on their new free to play game, Heroes of the Storm. For those that do not already know, Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard Entertainment’s upcoming free to play MOBA (Multiplayer online battle arena) game. It will feature…

Before you work on encouraging others to link to your blog, make sure you lay the groundwork. Your blog needs to look polished and have good content that is updated regularly. That way, people can see the effort invested, and they will be more likely to link to your blog. Once you are proud of…

After living overseas for 34 years and learning to speak broken Arabic (grammar too hard for me), greet people in Armenian, and speak, write, and edit Melanesian Pidgin, I discovered there were three types of words I preferred to speak in English – my primary language. People Pray in their Primary Language I memorized Arabic…

Those of us who live in the southwest or have a love of Mexican foods like burritos and tacos know all about eating naked. It’s not what it sounds like, but it can help you lose weight. This article will discuss naked Mexican foods as well as some other naked techniques you can use to…

Consider the situation where a beam must carry 2000 pounds per linear foot (plf) of Occupancy Live load and 500 plf Dead load, plus, of course, itself. The beam spans 20 feet (ft). We will select a suitable Wide-Flange (W-Shape) Steel beam using the Load and Resistance Factor (LRFD) design methodology. Additional information pertinent to…

Reports might indicate that obesity has turned some kind of corner in the United States, even though it’s clear obesity in children is still a major concern. With that comes the fear far too many lives will be cut short because of kids well under 10 eating themselves to death with the worst possible foods….

Forget gay marriage and gun control. What everyone on the Internet wants to know is “What’s up with Suri Cruise’s new bangs?” Or so it seems. The hairstyle of Katie Holmes’ and Tom Cruise’s only mutual child has created a huge stir on the web. People are curious to know whether the famous 6-year-old “Edward…

During the summers in my tiny Iowa hometown, there was not much a teenager could do to make extra money. There were no fast food joints, no department stores, only one tiny restaurant and an even tinier family-run grocery store. That left babysitting and mowing lawns. Mowing lawns was out of the question for me,…

The 5th grader wiping boogers in your hair, the frenemy that slept with your boyfriend, the backstabbing coworker who sexed their way to the top, we all fantasize about getting the ultimate revenge on some deserving rival. This is why it comes as no surprise that ABC’s “Revenge” sucked me in faster than you can…

When I moved to Bangkok 10 years ago, I didn’t meet many western couples who had moved to Thailand together. Nowadays, however, things have changed with many western couples now considering moving to Bangkok either because they can’t find jobs in their home country or they’re older and have realized retiring in Thailand can be…

I’ve observed that kids innately love remotes: they’re easy to hold, contain a variety of buttons and have flashing lights and sounds. As a mother and an aunt, I’ve learned first-hand the benefits of the Fisher-Price Click ‘N Play remote. Since my eight-month-old was always stealing the real ones around our home, the Fisher-Price model…

Beowulf The main character, Beowulf, is an Epic Protagonist who undergoes an Epic Journey. He’s the Geats’ (Gay-at’s) greatest warrior, embodying their culture’s virtues. Beowulf defeats three monsters; The Grendel, The Grendel’s Mother, and a fire-breathing dragon. In Beowulf’s culture, his boasts and death-daring deeds showed he was the strongest, ablest warrior of his people….

Guatemala has a lot of mountains. In the south, the Sierra Madre extends from the Mexican frontier to the border of El Salvador. In the north, the lofty Cuchumatanes raise their heads in the west. Farther east are the Chuacús and the Chamá ranges. Still further east are the Santa Cruz and Minas ranges. Cuchumatanes…

“Lets talk about you and me”… A good intimate relationship requires good communication and the more you are able to communicate your desires to your loved one, the more you are likely to have them met. So ladies, you will need to speak up! Men actually want to be told what their woman wants as…

I have been a fan of Organix hair care products for quite some time now, and due to their lower and affordable prices I end up picking up something new from their collection at least once a month. My hair has been undergoing a long and tedious healing process after dying it blonde and stripping…

Camping with kids doesn’t have to be difficult. All you need is a guide to some camping gear that will have your little ones feeling like they are needed. By giving them a few responsibilities that will be fun for them to do, you’ll find your whole camping trip will be more relaxing. After all,…

If you want to learn how to paint, all you need are the necessary painting supplies and some creative inspiration. That pretty much means you are off to a good start. Grab your paints and get ready to create a masterpiece of your very own. Here are some topic ideas to get you started in…

George Gordon, Lord Byron, 1788-1824 was known by Lady Caroline Lamb as “Mad, bad, and dangerous to know.” The fascination with Lord Byron’s personality made him the archetype for Romanticism. He entreated himself on a ceaseless round of sexual activity. He had liaisons with Lady Caroline Lamb and the “autumnal” Lady Oxford, both of which…

Games to decrease summer boredom are always something I’ve got the wheels of my mind turning about. I’ve thought of many of them on my own, just by thinking about what I did as a kid, or have found some tried and true summer game keepers in the Parenting magazines over the years, which I’ve…

Dressing up is not just for kids anymore. Adults want to get in on the fun too. When I was little I received a Christmas sweater for a gift every year. Holiday sweaters were worn during the holiday season; then they were not worn again until the next year. Today, grown-ups have holiday sweater parties….

“Batwing Volume 2: In the Shadow of the Ancients” collects issues #0 and 7 through 12 of the monthly title. The Dark Knight of Africa is a character I was immediately excited and fascinated by when the launch of the New 52 was announced. I’m happy to say that the feeling is still with me….

Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction. While it shares many elements with classic fantasy fiction – magic, supernatural creatures, the frequent need to vanquish evil – it occupies a niche of its own dictated by location. As the name suggests, urban fantasy happens in cities. Real or fictional, contemporary or otherwise: it doesn’t…

The Diagnosis Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia is a rare voice disorder. The short name (ADSD) describes a condition where the muscles controlling my larynx spasm involuntarily as I speak; therefore, my words are broken and my speech sounds strangled when I attempt to speak louder than conversation tone. ADSD has such an effect on the way…

Global interest in private-public partnerships has grown steadily over the years. Because many governments will, from time to time, find the need for alternative ways of financing their programs and projects, the popularity of the PPP approach will likely continue to grow. In this article we look at recent trends and the current state of…