Articles written by John Hummel - Page 3

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About me - John Hummel

Hello everybody, glad you could make it. Thought I'd share a few words about myself.
I live just outside of Vancouver BC and am proud to call myself a Canadian. I was born here, raised here, and I hope to die here. I can't imagine anywhere else to be my home.

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Sports & Recreation > Hockey Why the NHL All-Star Game has lost its audience: 4 of 9
To be frank, when you look at the television ratings in the US, there's not much audience left for the NHL to lose. As an avid hockey fan for many years, I can tell you that the All-Star game is not at all indicative of the way the game is meant to be played. There are no fancy, pretty plays where players can cruise around u... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues Tips to keep your energy bills under control: 30 of 63
KEEP YOUR COOL: BEATING THE HEAT OF HIGH ENERGY BILLS Energy costs to run our homes just keep rising, but there's little choice other than to pay if we wish to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. Fortunately, there's much we can do to mitigate these costs, saving our pocketbooks and the environment in the process. First, there... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Going bald: 12 of 25
When I was in my twenties I was drafted, unknowingly, into a war I never wanted any part of. Of course, for the first few years I didn't even know I was fighting it. Light skirmishes, not even noticeable, were occurring here and there, with very few casualties and just the occasional deserter. Not really much of a concern wh... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Tales of horror: 138 of 211
Nature's Way The elderly gentleman stepped from the apartment lobby out into the cool evening, relishing the crisp caress of autumn air upon his cheeks. What a wonderful night for a brisk walk! Jamming his hands into the pouch of his faded, battered hoodie, Arthur set off down the street and headed for the park. Strolling al... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Is Christmas becoming too commercialized?: 48 of 73
I can't say for certain what it is like in other parts of the world, but here in North America we long ago passed the threshold of questioning whether Christmas has become too commercialized. These days, it feels like little more than a huge marketing blitz. For a long time now, Christmas advertising and displays have been m... More..
Arts & Humanities > Citizen Journalism The dangers of anonymity of reporting as a citizen journalist: 3 of 4
There are two sides of this subject that I would like to address. First, the danger of the journalist shielding their own identity; and second, the danger of citing anonymous sources. For example, let's take the citizen journalist who files his reports anonymously or under an unverifiable pseudonym. Now, he publishes a story... More..
Sports & Recreation > Hockey How can the NHL compete for spectators with the NFL and the NBA?: 18 of 23
The NHL brain trust, for lack of a better term, must come to the realization that, as far as spectators are concerned, this is a two horse race and they're not in it. That's not to sat there aren't viewers out there for them, they're just focusing in the wrong areas. First, the teams that consistently operate in the red and ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Sports News & Opinion (Other) Should tax dollars be spent to build professional sports stadiums?: 4 of 5
I was initially going to write for the other side of the debate until I sat and thought about it a little more. Like most people, my first reaction was to say, "no way!" I didn't think it was right to use hard earned tax dollars so some billionaire could fulfill his whim to own a pro team and pay guys millions to play, only ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Facing death: 179 of 214
'Til the End Helene clutched her throat as another bout of painful coughing overtook her, wracking her frail body with spasms as she struggled to breathe. Beside her sat Carl, worry creasing his brow as he held Helene's free hand, so tiny, in his own. Helene motioned for her oxygen mask, which Carl was grateful to retrieve. ... More..
Entertainment > Celebrity Commentary Is it acceptable for celebrities to behave badly?: 12 of 14
Of course it's not acceptable for celebrities to behave badly, the same as it is for anyone else. Guess what? People, regardless of their fame, will engage in lewd or crude behavior whether we wish them to or not. Society says that celebrities have a certain obligation to stand up as role models and when they are discovered ... More..