Articles written by Rick Bavera

What is Helium

About me - Rick Bavera

I have led a rather eclectic life. I was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and grew up in a Navy family. I grew up as a "Navy brat." That makes me, in a sense, a dandelion, sort of going wherever the wind has taken me.

That has taken me to places (while growing

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Relationships & Family > Communication (Other) How you can recognize a good listener: 1 of 64
Listening is a skill that is one of the most important parts of communication. It is as important to be a good listener yourself as it is to be in a conversation with a good listener. If you have someone in your life who is a good listener, or if you are a good listener yourself, you have a real blessing in your life. Good li... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Ethnicity & Gender (Other) Ten things every man should be able to do: 1 of 39
Ten (or more) things every person should be able to do.Writing lists of what every man (or woman) should be able to do limits us. It encourages us to think within those tired old boxes known as gender roles. There are some things that biology dictates for men or women, such as childbirth, but most things are needlessly put in... More..
Arts & Humanities > Languages (Other) How to say thank you in different languages: 1 of 28
Thank you. Thank you very much.In the United States, it is common to say thank you to show gratitude for a gift or card sent and received, a favor done, or just appreciation for another person's kindness or presence, whether in a time of trouble or not. It is usually accompanied by a smile and a twinkle in the eyes. It also i... More..
Politics, News & Issues > International Politics (Other) How has your immersion in or exposure to a foreign culture fundamentally changed your perspective on something?: 1 of 25
Immersion in or exposure to a foreign culture: Fundamental changes in perspective. I grew up in a family in which some of my relatives on my father's side spoke Italian at home, not English. I myself also grew up as a "Navy brat," moving around with my parents and brother several times during my school years. In some ways, t... More..
Arts & Humanities > Poets & Poetry Does poetry matter in the 21st century?: 9 of 121
Does poetry matter in the 21st century? This question has two nuances to it, and the answer to both of those is the same. The first is: Should poetry matter and mean something in our lives in the 21st century? The answer is yes. The second is: Does poetry have meaning and affect us in the 21st century? The answer again is yes... More..
Personal Finance > Smart Spending Are the savings from coupons worth the hassle?: 1 of 12
Coupons: Are the savings worth it?Some things to consider if you are not a coupon user is this: Do you like to save money? Do you like paying full price for everything you buy? Do you take advantage of sales prices in stores?If your answers to those questions were yes-no-yes, then using coupons at least occasionally is someth... More..
Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Activities to do on a sunny day: 2 of 18
Activities for a sunny day. What a great concept. We so often see lists of things for a rainy day, mostly in the context of keeping your kids "amused." How often do you see lists or articles about what to do on a sunny day? The options are almost endless. They will, of course, vary a bit depending on where you live. If you l... More..
Arts & Humanities > Fantasy & Science Fiction The difference between science fiction and fantasy: 4 of 29
What is the difference between fantasy and science fiction? That is, it seems, an ongoing and endless debate. The working definition from high school English classes went something like this: Fantasy (or fantastic) fiction is the large genre of fiction about things that, at this moment in time, do not and cannot really exis... More..
Travel > Destination Guides (Other) The best things about your city: 4 of 28
Indiana, PA is a wonderful place to live. It has a rural setting in western Pennsylvania, and has a population of around 15,000 within the town limits, and about that many more in the surrounding township. It is about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh-close enough to go into the city to take advantage of things like the Carneg... More..
Entertainment > Entertainment (Other) Best non-television watching ways to pass time: 12 of 81
How to pass time actively, not passively: Things to do away from your television set. There are literally hundreds, if not thousands of things you can do to "pass the time." Few of them involve sitting in front of your television, or any, screen. Some might involve a screen. So we will take a look at a few of those things. ... More..