Articles written by Jason Payne

What is Helium

About me - Jason Payne

I'm a dashing young man from the south that fancies himself a writer. My interests vary far and wide, with a plethora of useless facts and pop culture trivia bouncing around in my head.

Uhm...and I have 3 very lovely girl ratties, Sammi, Izzy, and Harley.

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Pets & Animals > Rodents The benefits of pet rats: 7 of 20
Pet rats almost seem to be an insider secret. Where many snub their noses at the thought, I've found that rats are even the rodent of choice of most working in pet stores. It's almost like the moment I decided to become a foster parent of a lovely ratty named Izzy a year ago, I was instantly initiated in to a secret club. The... More..
Entertainment > TV Genres & Trends Comparing soap opera life to real life: 3 of 6
How do Soap Operas size up when compared to real life? To honestly answer that question, I believe we must take a stroll first. I promise it to be a short walk.Soap operas have made their mark on the landscape of American culture. Having been around since the early days of television, when they were used as vehicles to push c... More..
Entertainment > Television (Other) Characteristics of family-friendly television: 1 of 2
I started out to write an article on my thoughts of family tv viewing, only to realize my views were too complex; or at least only to realize I have an affinity for complexity, as I stopped myself from writing something just short of a novel. As simplicity can be the most efficient route, I scrapped it all, ultimately decidin... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Games & Toys Are Bratz Kidz dolls more appropriate for young girls than Bratz dolls?: 1 of 2
I first encountered Bratz Kidz many moons ago, when my female companion and I did our late night loitering routine at Wally World (that's Wal-Mart for those of you not up with the hip lingo.) We had a shared affinity for checking out the dolls, goggling at the Barbies, critiquing them based on their dress and overall manner, ... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Trends & Genres Philosophy and psychology and its place in gaming: 1 of 1
There once was a time in the history of gaming when nearly everything that hit the market was fresh and new. Graphics processing wasn't anywhere near the levels they are today, so developers, the really clever developers, focused on the medium as a sort of experimental art form, or concept games if you will. Often, these game... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Elections Archives Reflections: The 2008 Iowa caucus results: 1 of 1
Huckabee absolutely floored me at the Iowa Caucus tonight. I expected a close run between him and Romney, with McCain taking third place. What I did not expect was such a large marginal gap between the three, Huckabee at 34%, Romney at 25%, and McCain at a staggering, yet predictable, 14%. It's a remarkable feat on Mr. Huckab... More..
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: Underworld Beauty: 1 of 1
Don't let the cover of American Cinematheque's release of Underworld Beauty fool you. This cover prominently featuring the main gal of the film in black undergarments holding a machine gun reflects little on the film itself, as she never once wears those panties (only white ones) and doesn't hold a gun at all in the film. My ... More..
Hobbies & Games > Kids Games & Toys Before PlayStation: The toys I grew up with: 102 of 136
Before video games came in to my life around 1989, as I was the last kid on my block to get a Nintendo (but what did I care? I was six!), boy did I ever have a lot of fun. My grandparents watched me everyday while my mother worked, so I was a grandpa's kid - and man, was he ever in the habit of buying me toys!A giant inflatab... More..
Pets & Animals > Rodents Choosing a hamster cage: 11 of 14
As an owner of many a hamster through out the years, I know just how important the cage is. Important not just in insuring that your little fluffy one is happy and healthy, choosing the right cage is also vital in saving you the headaches (and possible heartaches) of chasing the bugger around the house. Hamsters can be a lot ... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Reviews Online video game reviews: Band of Bugs: 6 of 7
Band of Bugs ReviewBand of Bugs is a turn-based strategy game that springs the player in to the action packed world of...of course, medieval bugs. Its publisher, Ninjabee.com, has offered up a unique concept (graphically at least) to a market flooded with realistic warfare. This is a kid friendly game about cartoon bugs going... More..