Articles written by Virgil Teague

What is Helium

About me - Virgil Teague

I'm a voice actor for radio and television commercials, industrial videos and the like, and I'm also a long-time copy and script writer. What I write here, however, comes from a different place. Here I write to the beat of my own metronome. If a little wry

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Sciences > Geology & Geophysics Where oil comes from: 1 of 15
THE NODDING DONKEYOne of my first impressions when relocating to the north Texas plains was the proliferation of strange mechanical contrivances that dot the landscape. It's impossible to drive more than a mile or two without seeing several of these gizmos, heads going slowly up and down, and it takes no imagination to realiz... More..
Hobbies & Games > Crafts (Other) Crafts from nature and natural materials: 1 of 10
GUILDING THE LILY There is something in the makeup of certain humans that demands release: a creative spark that may burst into the creation of a new piano concerto, the frenzied paint applications of a Jackson Pollock, the interactive elements of a Caulder mobile, the drive to declaim Shakespeare from the stage, carve a ciga... More..
Sciences > Sciences (Other) Thoughts on Mars: Past goals and future exploration: 2 of 14
WE ARE THE MARTIANSNear the top of the list of things we older adults might envy the youth of today - apart from their ability to flit through the world of computers and iPods and cell phones without fear or trembling - is simply that they will live long enough to learn some of the answers to mysteries which have long intrigu... More..
Other The world's funniest joke: 19 of 109
SEEING GHOSTSI take issue with the title of this category. Setting aside my sense that there cannot be a "world's funniest joke," given that societal norms vary around the globe and what is hilarious in Secaucus might be a dud in Instanbul or the wry British humor might not elicit much response in a village in Gabon, I'll sim... More..
Jobs & Careers > Occupations (Other) Employment: Fun jobs: 4 of 19
THE BEST JOB EVERNo doubt about it: the best job I ever had was as engineer on the miniature railroad at our local Zoo.Most of the ride operators were high schoolers, happy to wear a bright yellow tee shirt with the Zoo logo on it, to run the little boats or the rocket ride or the ferris wheel. Not me.As soon as I knew I had ... More..
Other Stop making excuses!: 10 of 42
THE BAT, THE BEE AND THE BUZZARDIt's true: I've been in a deep funk lately. Vague and disquieting voices keep whispering in my ear, and with no way to shut them off and unsure of the direction they're trying to send me, I've been as grumpy as a grizzly coming out of winter hibernation.What's worse and everyone will tell you t... More..
Food & Drink > Food & Drink (Other) Assessing the Americans' eating habits: 10 of 39
A BIG FAT SOLUTIONYou can hardly avoid the recent media attention given to the obesity issue here in the United States. Our "fat cat" lifestyles, enjoyed for so many years, are beginning to hang around our waists and our butts in the same way dog owners and their pets somehow begin to resemble one another: you live like this,... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Haiku: 78 of 300
HAIKUHow pure, how simple;The raindrops falling coolUpon my fevered face. More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Memorial Day: 4 of 13
THE SALUTE The license plate on the late-model Ford said "Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941." I eased my Buick alongside and tapped the horn. When the driver looked over, I pointed at the man in his passenger seat and threw a sharp salute. That must have caused some confusion; the Ford fell back in traffic when the light chang... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Sailor stories: 3 of 9
Naval officers often work under pressure, performing specialized and often dangerous tasks within a highly-structured bureaucracy laden with custom and tradition. Measurement of their skills and suitability for promotion derives in large part from an all-important Fitness Report, a regular assessment by peers and senior offic... More..