Articles written by W Thomas Payne - Page 3

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About me - W Thomas Payne

Freelance writer, photographer, and general handyman with words, I roam the back roads of America looking for the slightly different, the bizarre, and the fun that can be found in those 'off the highway' locales.

Over the last 25 years, I have been a landlord

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Sports & Recreation > Biking If the bike fits, buy it: Finding the right frame: 2 of 6
Biking is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, as well as one of the most popular forms of low impact exercise. Choosing the right bicycle frame for you is critical to maximize your enjoyment and minimize your potential for injuries. What is your goal for the bike? Will you be using it for commuting and running er... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Politics (Other) Should Illinois lawmakers lease the Illinois State Lottery to a private company if they can get $10 billion?: 1 of 3
The Illinois State Lottery has been almost from its inception one of the truly great long cons ever conceived or pulled off. When first proposed in the 1970s, the intent was extremely altruistic putting money into the ailing and failing educational system of the state, with the profits to be allocated equally across all dist... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction Book reviews: White Night by Jim Butcher: 1 of 3
Every once in a great while, a writer comes along who creates such a fully realized fantasy universe that your suspension of disbelief is automatic. Today, that would be Jim Butcher with his popular "Dresden Files" series of novels about a detective who is also the only listing under "Wizards" in the Chicago Yellow Pages. Bu... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Gossip & News Jail time for Paris: Will Hilton learn her lesson?: 30 of 86
Paris Hilton's time served was not much different from checking into a hotel for her, other than she couldn't wear designer clothing. She received preferential treatment, a private cell, special food, and was in all ways treated like a celebrity, when what she did is the sign of a serious alcoholic. She scoffed at the law, a... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Feminism & Women's Rights Is feminism outdated?: 14 of 40
Feminism is dead. Long live feminism. The original feminist movement had many laudable reasons for coming into existence. The need for society to come out of the stone age and treat women as equals in the business world being the primary one, as well as creating equal opportunities for educational opportunities. But it went ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Bush Administration Your reactions to "Scooter" Libby's trial: 4 of 11
Come on now people, we all KNOW Scooter was covering for Der Count Cheney and his bloodsucking, opaque Office of Fear and Loathing in Washington. Did anyone really EXPECT that BushCo would let him serve a sentence in prison, no matter that he may have knowingly broken the law (yes, even a man nicknamed Scooter can be a lawye... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Science fiction: 106 of 290
"Going Buggy" Another late night for the barber. The customers left hours ago, and he is sweeping and bagging the day's hair from the floor, the most tedious part of his day. The repetitive motion of the broom, back and forth, is starting to bother his lower back after all of the years he's been at it. His trash hauling bill... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections (Other) Should absentee ballots be allowed in US elections?: 3 of 8
If the subject of whether or not absentee voting should be permitted gets even a single debater arguing that abolishing absent voting is a good idea, I will be amazed. Absentee voting, of course, has those who abuse and misuse the system for their own political ends - but so do the regular polling places. But without absente... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues Should energy independence be a high priority in the US?: 13 of 34
Energy independence should be the top priority on the personal and political landscape of the United States today. Current policy and practice leaves us as individuals the slaves of big business, and politically captive to the whims of nations which harbor within their borders those who wish we were dead and our way of think... More..
Food & Drink > Beer (Other) A beginner's guide to pairing beer with food: 5 of 13
Beer is one of the oldest man-made beverages around, the original trade good, and been quaffed with food for millennia. Matching a beer with food is a matter of your personal palate. For hot dogs and pizza, usually a classic draft ale is in order. A lamb or beef dish generally calls for a brew a bit heartier, such as a good ... More..