Donald Allen
Donald is 31 years old, with 12 years in the US military. He has traveled all over the world, from Asia to the Middle East, and all over the US and Europe. I am currently an instructor stationed in South Mississippi. He can be contacted at airmanallen@gmail.com.
He started writing again as a whim over Christmas 2009. He enjoys the art and practice of it.
None of the views, opinions or stories reflect the opinions or views of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, nor the US Government. All writings are the specific views of the author, and the author alone.
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He started writing again as a whim over Christmas 2009. He enjoys the art and practice of it.
None of the views, opinions or stories reflect the opinions or views of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, nor the US Government. All writings are the specific views of the author, and the author alone.
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Displaying Results 1 - 119 (of 119) for All Content
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Mississippi Gulf Coast Events, Fireworks for Fourth of July 2011Looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July? This guide is to the events and public fireworks displays across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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Will Extreme Drought in Southern U.S. Cancel Fourth of July Celebrations?Extreme drought conditions extend out across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but public sale of fireworks continues while a burn ban is in effect. Public displays, so far, seem to be unaffected.
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Conservation and Cooperation Can Limit Damaging Effects of DroughtA severe to extreme drought grips the southern United States. Here's how you can help.
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Tropical Storm Adrian Turns into Season's First HurricaneHurricane Adrian becomes the first hurricane of the 2011 season. While sustained winds are just over the hurricane threshold, the storm is expected to continue to grow and may pose a threat to the Mexican coast.
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BP Oil Spill Response Continues, and it Should Until It's DoneHow long do you think the BP oil spill clean-up should continue?
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Terminology Used During the Hurricane SeasonAs the hurricane season opens, government agencies begin pouring information into the news media. The terms here have specific meanings in relation to hurricanes and are meant to clarify the messages being sent to the populace.
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Gasoline Demand Pushes Prices Higher and Americans Should Look ElsewherePolitical debate rages about speculators and their negative influence on energy prices. The reality might just be that more people are driving and we need a better way to mitigate our energy costs.Also published on:
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First Person: Oil spill brought Mississippi community together to helpOn one hand, an ecological disaster of truly epic proportions. On the other, an opportunity for a community to come together and exceed all expectations. -
Gulf Coast Seafood Safe to Eat One Year After Deepwater Horizon DisasterRecently, the Mississippi Gulf Coast waters have been opened, nearly in its entirety, for commercial fishing of seafood, shrimp and oysters. Is the seafood really safe to eat? -
Information is the Best Defense from a TornadoWith spring coming in to full swing, severe weather often follows suit. These tips should help in understanding the weather information published during this tornado season. -
Radiation exposure can be prevented by following 'time, distance, shielding' guidelinesAfter the radiation release reported at the Fukushima 1 reactor in Japan, there are real concerns for just how much radiation is acceptable and what should you do if a radiation release happened near you. -
Radiation Fears Prompted by Japanese Reactor ExplosionThe ongoing crisis created by Japan's massive 8.9 earthquake continue as reports of an explosion at a nuclear facility are followed by increases in radiation in the area around the reactor.
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Deadly 6.3 Earthquake Strikes New Zealand; Earthquake Swarms Reported in ArkansasA deadly "aftershock" earthquake strikes Christchurch, New Zealand. Smaller earthquakes also reported over the weekend in Arkansas, United States. -
Ocean Springs Kicks Off the Mardi Gras Season for South MississippiOcean Springs starts the Mardi Gras parade season with a family-friendly event. Multiple parades will continue throughout the coast in the coming weekends. -
Huge Solar Flare Predicted to Hit EarthThe largest solar flare in years has been ejected from the sun, but no major infrastructure problems expected -
Freedoms, Responsibilities and Leash LawsIn a world and nation smitten with the idea of human rights and personal freedoms, we often forget that each of these comes with their own responsibilities. -
Jacskon Special Sales Tax Source of Controversy for Mississippi LegislatureMississippi State Senate has placed a deadline on Jackson for voting on a tax increase in sales tax. If Jackson residents approves the measure, will other cities want special taxes for their infrastructure as well?
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Mississippi Gulf Coast Spring Break 2011 Braces for ProblemsPlanners for Mississippi Gulf Coast Spring Break 2011 see the planned venue fall through. Organizers intend to go forward even with no official venue. -
Tron: Legacy Stands Out, but Not for AllTron has captivated some for over 25 years, and now we finally have a squeal. -
School Fundraiser Ideas Raise Ire in Parents when Asked to Buy Child's ArtworkIn order to meet budget shortfalls, public schools across the U.S. have started selling children's artwork to the parents. Private companies and schools reap profits, but parents would rather just donate money directly to the school. -
Love Him or Hate Him, Glee's Schuester is Back from Crazy TownGlee's Will Schuester pulled back from the edge of madness by Gwyneth Paltrow's character, substitute teacher Holly Holiday. A welcome change to the story. -
Fertility Testing for an Infertile CoupleFertility testing is never fun, and movies lie to us about them. -
"Fringe" Heads Towards the Deep EndFringe in may be in danger of cancellation, but before that happens, can they please bring Olivia home? -
"Skyline" brushes with mediocrity, but still captivates"Skyline" opened November 12, 2010, in U.S. theaters. The movie under delivers on the promises of the genre.
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The Disappointment that is "Glee's" Will SchuesterFox's "Glee" has millions of fans, and many of those fans love the teacher and mentor William Schuester, one of the lead characters. Season 2 has sullied the name of the beloved teacher, and it is time to bring back the real Mr. Schue.
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Whooping Cough Nearing Epidemic Proportions in CaliforniaAn outbreak of whooping cough in California has caught parents off guard, resulting in the death of nine infants this year.Also published on:
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The Great American Road Trip, Day 2In our travel log of our first American vacation, my wife and I finally get to our real destination, the beaches of Destin.
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Due Diligence is Required Before Choosing a Financial AdvisorWhen going to a financial advisor, you should not walk out of the building thinking that you have been taken to the cleaners.
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Double-Dip Recession and Consumer ConfidencePeople around the world are looking for someone to blame for the pending "double-dip" recession. Maybe those looking to blame someone should start looking in the mirror.
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The Great American Road Trip, Settling InPulling into Destin was great, but finding our hotel and a beach towel proved to be harder than we thought.
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The Great American Road Trip, Day 1This is the story of my first attempt at taking my British wife on the Great American Road Trip from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Destin, Florida.
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What is a Liquid Asset?When trying to learn about investing, it is easy to get lost in terminology. This article is meant to help.
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Cash for Clunkers Plays Havoc with New Car Sales NumbersNew light vehicle sales are down when compared to August 2009, but the numbers hide the impact that Cash For Clunkers had on the individual households and the market as a whole.
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Video Games Are Becoming Science, or Science is Becoming a Video GameMoonbase Alpha and Foldit are the leaders of a recent trend in blending science and gaming, which results in learning, helping and a healthy dose of fun.
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Obama Fails in Opportunity to Reach Out to Coast During Hurricane Katrina AnniversaryPresident Obama has released that he will visit New Orleans for the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Mississippi coast residents are fed up with playing second string to city that the storm did not hit directly.
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What is the Emergency Management Cycle?What does it mean when people discuss mitigation, response and preparedness? The first step to understanding these terms is to understand the emergency management cycle.
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Is the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico Really Over?The Gulf oil spill is over, but it still poses a threat. Well, maybe there is no threat at all. The confusion continues when trying to decide if the oil spill is really over for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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Rail Travel to the NetherlandsThe story of my trip to the Netherlands, that became a center piece in the stories of how I have embarrassed myself around the globe.
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With Oil Spill 'Over,' What's Next for Mississippi Coast Residents?As a homeowner just a mile from the beaches of Ocean Springs on the Mississippi coast, I find this a confusing time.
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Was the Obama Deception Censored, or Just Part of Guerrilla Marketing Scheme?In an online video statement, radio host Alex Jones claims that hackers erased his controversial documentary about the New World Order and Obama's link in a film titled "The Obama Deception." Is it true?
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Travel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast During BP Oil SpillTraveling to the Gulf Coast? Curious about how the oil spill may dampen your vacation plans? These tips will help you plan your trip and make the most of your stay in Mississippi during the BP oil spill response.
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Court Says Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 UnconstitutionalActivists have won an opening shot in the fight for gay rights. A U.S. District Court Judge has declared that law defining marriage is unconstitutional.
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The Internet Scams, Plots and Hoaxes of Justin BieberIt is next to impossible to use the internet and not see something related to Justin Bieber. Mostly, though, there is much on the net that reflects a hoax, plot or scam out to get either Bieber or his fans.
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Mississippi Cities to Celebrate 4th of July with Fireworks DisplaysEven with oil spills threatening the beaches, Mississippi Coast residents take their 4th of July celebrations seriously. This is a guide to the major displays along the Coast.
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BP Oil Spill and Hurricane SeasonMany people wonder what would happen if BP's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and a hurricane would meet up. Is it doom and gloom, or could it be a blessing in disguise?
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Politicians and the BP Oil Spill: a Match Made in Heaven?A look at how some of the initiatives put forth by politicians are meant to calm the populace while placing them in a position to "show leadership."
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An Unwilling Spectator from the Sidelines During the BP Oil Spill ResponseFirst hand account of watching BP's response to the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon, as well as the subsequent oil spill that has begun washing ashore on the Gulf Coast.
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Oil Slick Comes to Shore on Dauphin Island, AL and Petit Bois, MSOil began to wash ashore in the first tourist heavy area on the Gulf Coast. As the week continues, additional oil is forecast to make its way on the barrier islands and filter its way onto the coast shore.
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Top Kill Fails to Halt BP's Oil Spill in the Gulf of MexicoBP announced on Saturday that their effort to contain the oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico using a top kill has failed. This comes as the 2010 Hurricane Season opens for coast residents on June 1st.
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BP's Oil Spill Seen as Source of Financial Ruin by Some; Golden Ticket by OthersWhile some families face financial ruin after the oil spill, others are looking to cash in on their misfortune. Sad as it may sound, business is booming for lawyers looking for class action suit.
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U.S. Government Forces BP to Start Live Feed of Oil Leak VideoBP is forced to open a live video feed of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and the EPA directs company to find a less toxic alternative to current dispersant being used. They have 24 hours to identify an alternative.
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Oil Plumes in Gulf of Mexico Make Oil Spill Larger Than ExpectedThe discovery of plumes of oil under the ocean surface n the Gulf of Mexico bring an additional toll for the environment, but it also increases the difficulty in tracking how much oil has spilled, and where the spill really is located.
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With Billions of Dollars at Stake, Blame Game by BP Goes into OverdriveThe U.S. Senate begins the examination into what happened at Deepwater Horizon and what lead to one the largest ecological disasters in U.S. history.
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Oil Leak Dome Fails as Oil Begins to Wash Up on Dauphin Island BeachesBP's latest attempt to reduce the amount of oil flowing freely into the Gulf of Mexico has failed due to methane ice crystal formation. News of oil washing up on shore in Dauphin Island, Alabama, worries coast residents.
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Volunteers for Oil Spill Cleanup Frustrated with BP RepsBP representatives established a training class for volunteers in Ocean Springs, MS. The reps were not prepared for the response when volunteers were told they could not clean the beach after the oil reaches shore.
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Oil Leak Now Spilling 5,000 Barrels a Day; Coast Economy May Be DevastatedThe USCG announced that they had changed estimates of the oil spill from 1,000 barrels a day to 5,000 barrels. The oil slick is expected to make landfall this weekend, signally the beginning of difficult times, again, for the Mississippi Coast.
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Storms Roll Across Mississippi, Creates Tornadoes and Problems Across StateA strong storm system swept across Mississippi yesterday, killing at least 10 in tornado related damage. The storms also hampered efforts to clean an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Ocean Springs Celebrates Weekend of Discovery; Lt. Gov. Bryant Joins the Fun and RunOceans Springs celebrates its discovery by a French explorer, starting with a 5K run. Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant joins the crowd to support the runners in this kickoff event.
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Offshore Oil Rig, Deepwater Horizon, Sinks; Could Send Oil Slick to Mississippi CoastAs the offshore drilling platform Deepwater Horizon sinks, it leaves behind a five square mile oil slick. Weather in the area may push it onto the Gulf Coast.
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Drew Brees Chosen for Cover of Madden NFL 11; Fans Worry About the "Madden Curse"Famed New Orleans Saint quarterback Drew Brees was selected for the cover of Madden NFL 11, but many wonder if the Madden Curse will strike again.
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Crawfish Festival 2010 in Biloxi, Mississippi: An Event to AvoidThe Crawfish Festival 2010 holds much promise for entertaining Mississippi Coast denizens and tourists. Unfortunately it does nothing for either group.
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European Flights Still Grounded by Iceland's Volcanic Ash; Passengers Forced into MiseryAs the volcanic ash plume continues to ground flights, the additional burden of the wait is borne by the passengers wallets. Airlines report significant losses for each day of grounding.
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Volcanic Ash Disrupts International Flights; Economic Impact ExpectedAs a volcanic ash plume descends on Northern Europe, it is making an impact in a number of ways. From air travel to breathing, Britons are likely to take the damage on in full force.
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JMU Riot of 2010 Mirrors Previous Parties Turned Riots, is Facebook the Cause?The riot of James Madison University shares similarities with other parties turned riots in the last few years. All of them were on Facebook. Was this the cause or just a means to an end? Causality or Correlation?
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Chinese Drywall Suit Results in $2.6 Million in Damages; Still No Answer for HomeownersHomeowners that sued a Chinese drywall company won the legal battle, but they are not likely to receive any money from judgement.
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Travel Security: Defending Yourself While Traveling AbroadTravel security is one of the most important aspects of having an enjoyable trip. Use these tips to help make your next trip enjoyable, rather than regrettable.
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2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa: is the Infrastructure Capable of Supporting the World Cup?South Africa, while the success story of Africa, is still not a success story in the world. With high levels of crime, AIDS, and power failures, can this developing country support a world class event like a developed country?
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Chinese Drywall Deemed Hazardous by U.S. CPSCChinese drywall has been named the culprit in health and building problems, and finally, the U.S. government agrees.
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2010 World Cup: History of the World CupWhat is the World Cup, and where did it come from? Find out here.
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International Travel: How to Avoid Getting RobbedMany travelers will take to the airways to see distant new lands, and a number of them will find themselves the victim of crime during their trip. This article will tell you how to avoid being another statistic.
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Mississippi Surge Clench Regular Season ChampionshipWith a win on Thursday night, the Mississippi Surge hockey team clench the regular season championship for the Souther Professional Hockey League.
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Understanding Behavior Modification to Get AheadEver wonder why a new promotion is being used to increase sales? Wonder how to get a your teenager to respond to your rules? The answer to both lies in behavior modification techniques.
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Hurricane Katrina: Five Year Anniversary for Ocean SpringsWhile many people heard about the story of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, many people never heard about the story of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, or the location of where Hurricane Katrina had actually made landfall.
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GlaxoSmithKline Recalls Rotarix; Rotavirus Vaccine Contamination Sparks FearsThis week, GlaxoSmithKline, GSK, has recalled a rotavirus vaccine labeled as Rotarix due to a pig virus contamination.
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Mississippi Surge Set to Win Championship; Lacks Community SupportThe Mississippi Surge is likely to win the SPHL's championship this year, but that is in spite of the lack of support from the local community. Dismal attendance for a championship team is just one more way to lose a hometown favorite.
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Hurricane Katrina: Five Year Anniversary of the StormWith the start of the 2010 Hurricane season looming, these articles look at the recovery efforts of South Louisiana and South Mississippi, five years after Hurricane Katrina.
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Time Zones, Time Changes, and Universal Coordinated TimeEver wonder about time zones? What about Daylight Savings Time? Not to be confused with Stephen Hawking, but this is a brief explanation of time.
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Nation Cuts Education Budgets, Mississippi Continues to Lead Towards BottomAs Americans struggle to cope with economic challenges presented by struggling economy, many voters fear that cuts to education will cause more problems in the long run.
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Overcoming Stage Fright and Speaking PhobiaStage fright hurts everyone, from the speaker to the audience that has to listen. With some help, you can tackle your next public speaking assignment with the confidence that you are ready to make it your best.
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Pet Insurance Plans: Helping Dog Owners Choose the Right PlanPet insurance is becoming increasingly important as veterinarian bills continue to rise. Pet owners should read this article to help them find the right inurance plan, and company, for their needs.
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Google to Set Up High Speed Internet; Challenges Broadband Suppliers to Keep UpIn February, Google announced that they would test a new "ultra high speed" fiber optic line that connects directly to households. Could this spell the end of Telecommunication Companies' stranglehold on internet access?
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Toyota's Lentz Faces Congress Over Stuck Accelerator; Toyoda to Face PanelToyota's U.S. Branch President and COO, James Lentz, meets with the Congressional Committee for Energy and Commerce. The Congressmen provided sharp and heated questioning in anticipation of Akio Toyoda's arrival.
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Bode Miller Recovers from Turin Falter; Reminds Fans of His Own AbilitiesBode Miller, the outspoken American skiing spectacle, returns to the Olympic Games in full form. His performance silences critics as he takes Gold in the Men's Super Combined.
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Shani Davis Takes Gold in 1000m Speed Skating; Raises Ire in SomeShani Davis wins Gold Medal in 1000m speed skating, successfully defending his 2006 win in Turino. Some of his teammates, while supportive, are less than pleased with his performance elsewhere in the Games.
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Nodar Kumaritashvili's Death Continues to Cause Problems for 2010 Winter OlympicsNomar Kumaritashvili's death has sparked a response from the Vancouver Olympic Committee and the International Luge Federation. Their response has also sparked the ire of the competitors.
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US Takes First Nordic Combined Medal in OlympicsNordic Combined Skiing has never been a place where the U.S. has earned a medal. Skier Johnny Spillane changed all that by taking Silver in the event yesterday.
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Apolo Ohno Takes Silver, Stirs Olympic ControversyApolo Ohno takes Silver in 1500m short track, but victory makes him lightning rod for scandal.
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Georgian Luge Competitor Dies in Accident, World Mourns Together During Opening CermoniesNodar Kumaritasvili died during an accident that occurred while completing a training luge run. The 21 year old was competing in his first Olympic Games.
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Budget Saving Tips for Traveling to AlaskaA once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska can be a dream come true for many travelers. Use this guide to help make that trip a bit more wallet friendly.
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Choosing an Inexpensive Gift for Your TeacherBuying a gift for a teacher is not easy. How do you buy a gift for someone you only know from class? Use this guide to point you in the right direction.
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Over the EdgeThe second chapter of my novel. As always, please send feedback if you have any.
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Over the EdgeFirst chapter in a book I am writing. Any and all feedback welcome, especially if you have negative comments. Always looking to improve!!
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How to Save Money on Child Care While in the MilitaryThis article looks at couple of tips I have picked up from my coworkers in trying to save money on child care, without resorting to less-reputable care.Also published on:
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Mornings in MississippiFictional short story about a guy who hates mornings, and apparently for good reason.
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Gulf Coast Clebrates Carnival, Mardi GrasNew Orleans is a wonderful place to visit, but it does not have the reputation of being family friendly, or safe. Carnival celebrations outside of the Big Easy can be just as fun and exciting!
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Saints Glory or Favre's ReturnAn article reflecting on the people affected most by the Saints and Vikings battle for the NFC Championship, in the eyes of an outsider to the area.
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Big Number, Big Claims for Firefox 3.6 ReleaseRelease of Firefox 3.6 brings new life to the Mozilla browser amidst stiff competition from Microsoft and Google
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Easy Vacation in Ocean Springs, MississippiQuick travel guide to promote Ocean Springs, MS. An experiment in travel writing.
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Why Twitter and I Don't MixTwitter is one of the most popular websites right now. This is an argument as to why I don't like it and want it to stop. In a round about way. At least stop interrupting my class.
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Benefits of and Reasons for RunningThis is a brief view of running from the perspective of a guy who hated it, with a passion, but then turned that hatred into a zeal for the sport
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Making Your Weight Loss Goal by SummerArticle about losing weight and keeping it off
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Why Mortgage Rates Will Rise SoonArticle explaining why mortgage rates are due to rise, and soon.
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Sledding into HappinessShort fiction about a sledding trip
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Offbeat Locations of Cambridge, EnglandA look at my five favorite sites in Cambridge, England.
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Giving Thanks to Those Who ServeAn opinion article discussing the act of thanking a veteran for their service.
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Convincing Your Valentine to Clean Up After ThemselfAn article that takes a common practice to the household in order to get your man to clean the house, one step at a time.
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No Fear for the Post-Recession RecoveryAn explanation of why I am not worried about the recent market recovery collapsing on itself, and how I think I will survive the journey.
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Memory of a New BeginingShort fiction story based on the premise of a first memory
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Cadillac Healthcare and the American FutureOpinion article on the proposed taxation of the "Cadillac Healthcare benefits"
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How to Find Your Savings with a Proper BudgetAn article covering a lifestyle change to meet the needs of living on a tighter budget.
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Lessons of the Military LifeAn article reviewing common practices in successful military units and personnel that can be quite useful for civilian employees.
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Please Make My Roads MORE Dangerous!This article explains how American roads are some of the most dangerous in the world, while also showing how making more dangerous roads will make us all safer.
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Tablet PC or Not to Tablet PC?A look at tablet PCs, from the view of someone who is just not convinced.
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Inexpensive Valentine's Day GetawaysA article covering quick getaway ideas that tend to go a bit easy on the wallet, while allowing you to make the most of your trip.
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Shedding the Light on Your Grocery Store's Lite FoodQuick statement on the rapidly expanding list of food sold at grocery stores across the country that have appeared sporting labels with random nutritional facts on the front of the package.
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Airline Security Under the MicroscopeTraveling and security are things that go hand in hand. As a frequent traveler, I have a fair amount of experience.
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Changing a Decade: How Technology Made One Life a Little BetterArticle about the personal impact of the last decade's technology on one family.
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Setting the Perfect Evening in Ocean Springs, MSThis article describes the best setting at various price ranges to stage your romantic evening for Valentine's Day or even for just a great date night.
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Are Taxes the New SPF 70?This is an opinion piece on the recent legislation passed to include a new tax on the indoor tanning industry. This article compares smoking, drinking and tanning in order to determine if this tax was the right thing to do.