Articles written by I. Michael Akbar - Page 2

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - I. Michael Akbar

My background is quite varied and diverse. I attended a private college prep boarding school with president's and senator's sons and later sold frozen meat door-to-door on the streets of Chicago. I spent three years at Northwestern University and later drove

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Pets & Animals > Cat Care & Health Tips for dealing with a stray cat: 5 of 39
The first step in dealing with a stray cat is to make sure that it is simply stray. The cat may otherwise be a pet that is allowed outdoors, a recently lost pet for which the owner is still looking, or a cat that has gone wild or feral. Companion cats are usually friendly and respond quickly to affection. If it looks well-fe... More..
Home & Garden > Real Estate (Other) Commentary on long-distance moving: 9 of 69
There are a lot of logistics involved in moving long distance. There is finding new housing and getting the children enrolled in school. There is the finding and hiring of the best moving company, getting utilities turned off and turned on, arranging pet care, putting the old house on the market, and holding a garage sale to... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism We can unlearn prejudice: 8 of 56
We can definitely unlearn prejudice. Prejudice is the result of ignorance and misinformation that is held onto out of fear. It is the fear that must first be dealt with. When confronted with the fact that we have nothing to fear from people different from ourselves, the ignorance is rather easily displaced by understanding a... More..
Law & Legal Information > Lawyers & Legal Advice How to make a will: 2 of 14
A common perception is that a will is for someone with a lot of money to dole out to relatives. However, the fact of the matter is that everyone should have a will. Though it is often something we put off doing, especially while young and healthy, there are plenty of reasons to do it now. WHY HAVE A WILL? Whatever you own, y... More..
Relationships & Family > Dating Commentary What qualifies a man as dating potential?: 6 of 40
What qualifies a man as dating material is how he takes care of himself, personally, financially, mentally and spiritually. If you are looking for a man to spend any amount of time with, he really ought to have some substance and you really shouldn't have to dig deep to find this substance. If who he is and what he stands fo... More..
Relationships & Family > New & Old Friends Finding friends on the Internet: 5 of 30
Finding a friend on the Internet used to be taboo about ten years ago. It was considered reckless and irresponsible. When broaching the subject of meeting someone online, you might hear, "What!? Are you nuts? He could be a freak or an ax murderer!" This thinking has turned around dramatically recently. While some caution nee... More..
Jobs & Careers > Office Politics Pros and cons of cubicles: 3 of 16
The Cubicle Jungle, Cube Farm, the Cubicle Corral, the Land of Cloth and Steel Walls, Cube Nation. All names for the ubiquitous office phenomenon of workspaces created by propping movable, chest-high walls together in squares. Usually, there is just enough room for a desk, chair, computer and file cabinet. This is the kind o... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism The concept of race: 5 of 26
We do not derive our value as human beings from our race or ethnicity. However, this does not mean that race does not exist or that there are not differences. It seems to be quite popular and politically correct these days to spout, "There is only one race, the Human race." But this is simply a platitude that actually ignore... More..
Relationships & Family > Friendship Advice Helping a friend who has the blues: 7 of 35
If you have a friend that has the blues, is down in the dumps or is more moody than normal, I would suggest you don't ignore it. If you can see that they are down, it's because they want you to see it, either consciously or unconsciously. Human beings have the uncanny ability, unique in the animal kingdom, of hiding pain whe... More..
Relationships & Family > Children & Divorce After a divorce: Letting your child be a child: 5 of 25
Our children are not our support groups! I cringe when I hear something to the effect of, "I don't know how I would have gotten through my divorce without my kids to talk to!" They are going through enough without having to be our shoulder on which to cry. They also should not have to absorb and process any venom we might be... More..