Articles written by C. M. Erickson

What is Helium

About me - C. M. Erickson

I am a Management Services Specialist, a former newspaper photojournalist, freelance writer, West Point graduate, former Active Duty Army officer, veteran of Iraq, and now a proud Army spouse commanding a company in the Army Reserves.

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Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) How I relax: My favorite hobbies: 1 of 174
The crack of a bullet missing your head by inches. The deafening roar of a roadside bomb shredding the truck in front of you. The soldier screaming at you, "Ma'am, what do we do now?" while holding his bleeding arm as the enemy moves closer. It's hard to relax when you are at war. Your adrenaline is permanently in overdrive, ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Conservation Will there be wars over the ownership of water?: 1 of 50
Fresh drinking water is rapidly becoming a scarce commodity. We humans need water to live, and while we can survive for even weeks with little to no food, we die in a matter of days without water. Fresh drinking water is vital to a people-group's survival, and as this precious commodity dwindles on our earth's surface, people... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips Running on a treadmill vs. running outdoors: 1 of 31
Runners have long debated over the outdoor vs. treadmill running rivalry. Avid runners will debate this controversy more fiercely than their favorite football team rivalries! The truth is, they both have significant advantages, and a few disadvantages.Running on a treadmill provides a controlled environment with a controlled ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Having a bad day: 4 of 106
A three am wakeup call of thunder, lightening, and hail. For someone who can sleep through a marching band, the storm's ability to wake me up did not bode well for the general structural integrity of the house. The rain reminded me that I had drunk a full glass of water before going to bed. The lightning flashed so brightly I... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise Tips How to get and keep tight abs: 1 of 23
A well toned, tight midsection is one of the hardest things to get in bodybuilding or personal fitness, and it is the hallmark of a disciplined, committed exerciser. Everyone knows that if your abs are tight, the rest of you must be in great shape, too. If you want to get and keep tight abs, you need to eat right and perform ... More..
Health & Fitness > Fitness Basics Why running becomes addictive: 1 of 23
Running becomes addictive for the same reason smoking, alcohol, chocolate, or drugs become addictive. You like how it makes you feel. You crave the during- and post-run sensation. The endorphin rush calls your name irresistibly, luring to you towards your running shoes and the open roads. The good news is that a running addic... More..
Business > International Business & Trade What are the advantages of outsourcing?: 1 of 22
A company "outsources" when it hires another person or company (source) outside its organization to perform work it had been doing itself. Companies typically outsource universal business functions such as bookkeeping, accounting, human resources, payroll, and data entry. The advantages to outsourcing are numerous, both for t... More..
Health & Fitness > Exercise (Other) Becoming a triathlete: Not as hard as it sounds: 1 of 13
People of all ages and fitness levels can become triathletes. While the pros are all svelte cheetahs, speeding through the events with pizazz and 6 percent body-fat, normal people can do triathlons, too. While you may not be as fast, get paid money by a sponsor, or look particularly sexy in spandex, becoming a triathlete is a... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Wedding Planning Wedding planning woes: How to avoid wedding disaster: 3 of 38
Wedding disasters are the bane of every bride's existence. As the bride, you have dreamed of your wedding since you were a child, or perhaps suddenly discovered in your later years that there really is a Prince Charming worth holding on to. Either way it happens, planning your own wedding can be one of the most stressful time... More..
Home & Garden > Cleaning (Other) Tips for keeping a house-cleaning check-list: 1 of 12
A clean and organized home greatly reduces stress and provides an oasis of relaxation from a hectic world. The great secret to keeping your house clean and organized is the house-cleaning checklist. However, a house-cleaning checklist is only worthwhile if you use it. Otherwise, your checklist joins company with other useful ... More..