Articles written by B. B. James

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About me - B. B. James

I'm a male college graduate in my 40's, and I work full-time. I'm married and have two young children. Hobbies and interests are reading, writing, running, travel. My reading (and, thus, my postings on Helium) includes current events, US history, sports, economics,

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Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Are aging rock superstars like Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones timeless or too old to perform on stage anymore?: 1 of 150
It's a conundrum. Or, to put it in terms of a record, it's an "A" side and a "B" side. On the "A" side, there's nothing more pathetic than a fat. balding guy with a guitar, poured into tight pants and a ripped t-shirt, trying to recapture his former glory onstage. Flip the disc, however, and you have to admit that there's ... More..
Personal Finance > Smart Spending How to cope with being flat broke: 1 of 50
One important thing to remember while you are "flat broke" is that there are many ways to enjoy your life without spending money. It's certainly important to get your finances fixed up, but you shouldn't look at the present situation as one without joy or opportunity.Below are free things that are available, fun, and likely t... More..
Health & Fitness > Healthy Living & Wellness Ten reasons you're sick of sex: 1 of 37
It's hard to imagine something that people are less likely to admit than that they are not having or enjoying sex. But the truth is that sex drive can ebb and flow just like everything else in our busy lives. In fact, the stresses of everyday living can often overwhelm one's ability to enjoy sex, even sex with a willing and b... More..
Jobs & Careers > Job Interviews How to prepare for a job interview: 3 of 72
As a manager in a mid-sized company who has hired dozens of people over the past 15 years, here are some things I look for in people during interviews.1. Familiarity with our company. If the person hasn't done the rudimentary work to find out about our company, they don't stand a chance with me. Information is so easily acces... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US Military (Other) Military accountability: Walter Reed Hospital Scandal: 1 of 18
In February, "The Washington Post" newspaper exposed the scandalous treatment of wounded vets returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of these wounded vets, with life-changing physical and mental impairments, were being housed in wretched apartments for more than a year at Walter Reed, the most famed military hospital in th... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Racism The book industry sees the world split by race: 1 of 18
There's a big difference between seeing differences in interests of readers of different races (and cultures and religions), and seeing the world "split" by race. I think the publishing world is accurately targeting different markets with different products that have direct appeal. It's no different than musicians, movie stud... More..
Sports & Recreation > Running The health risks of running: 1 of 17
Millions of people enjoy running for exercise and recreation. It's easy to see why: it's healthy, it's easy to start, and it's non-competitive (unless you race), and it's fun to track your improvement. But, as with anything else, too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Here are some things to ensure that running will cont... More..
Sports & Recreation > Football Players Reflecting on the murder of Sean Taylor, NFL superstar: 1 of 17
The murder of Washington Redskin defensive back Sean Taylor a few years ago cast a pall over the National Football League. For the players, it was a signal that no one is safe, even in his home. For the fans, it was the loss of an exciting player who was already well on his way to stardom. To his teammates, it was an unforget... More..
Autos > Fuel Economy The ethanol revolution: Fueling up with corn instead of just oil: 1 of 16
I have tracked the ethanol industry since the mid-1980s, and I have to laugh at the recent groundswell of interest it has generated. It's the same old story cycle that I've seen many times in the past. And there probably isn't an industry that's benefited from its political connections on both the Democratic and Republican si... More..
Education > Reading & Writing Skills How to hook the reluctant reader: 1 of 15
Reading is fundamental to achievement in our modern world. It's also a source of enjoyment, entertainment, consolation, inspiration, and much more. Yet, sadly, many people are not regular readers. The statistics show that youngsters and young adults read far less than older generations, especially challenging newspapers, maga... More..