Articles written by Joe Vannicola

What is Helium

About me - Joe Vannicola

I have a regular job as a slot attendant at a Racino, which happens to be a combination racetrack and casino. Both the pay and the benefits are good,but my advocation at least as far as I'm concerned)is writing. I really do believe I was put on this earth

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Religion & Spirituality > Christian Holidays & Celebrations Christmas traditions commercialized: 1 of 14
It's now official. I hate Christmas. This has been slow in coming,but during the past several years I've become utterly devoid of the Yuletide spirit. I just want the holiday to be over and done with as quickly and painlessly as possible. I'm just glad it only comes once a year.Now, there was a time when I eagerly anticipated... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: When I realized I was meant to be a writer: 5 of 54
Ever since I can remember I've always been in love with words. I like the way certain words sound, the way some words have more than one meaning or even the interesting things you can do with words weather on paper or by simplyspeaking.My very first foray into the auctorial arts began at the age of ten. My one page epic was b... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Democratic Leaders Can Hillary Clinton be an effective president?: 10 of 25
When Hillary Clinton announced her bid for the much coveted 2008 presidential seat, there were no gasps of disbelief or declarations of,"What a surprise!" from anyone.Unless of course,you've spent the better part of the last fifteen years holed up in a cave or have simply been glued to the boob tube rapturously watching soap ... More..
Health & Fitness > Nutrition & Health Issues Healthy eating: An individual choice or government responsibility?: 28 of 61
Eleven years ago I attended a film convention where a rather obese fellow from California was hawking copies of a homemade video in which he was the film's writer as well as it's lead actor. While conversing with this individual I asked what he did besides acting and writing, which I strongly suspected was not a full time job... More..
Entertainment > Entertainment (Other) Is today's cutting edge comedy as funny as traditional comedy?: 4 of 8
Is it just me or do most of today's new comedians rely on swearing like a drunken sailor as a way of getting laughs? Now, I'm no prude;I enjoy the comedy of George Carlin, the late Richard Pryor and similar comedians who employ dirty language in their act. But with today's comics, the majority of their routines are crammed wi... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms How far will people go for their fifteen minutes of fame: 1 of 1
It was artist Andy Warhol who once proclaimed," In the future,everyone will have fifteen minutes of fame." In this day of hungry media vultures intent on filling television and magazines full of wholesale sensationalism,there are those who crave recognition and are more than willing to earn their own fifteen minutes in the pu... More..
Entertainment > Entertainment (Other) Modern society has become obsessed by media-driven entertainment: 27 of 45
These days, media-driven entertainment is a modern day spin on the Christians and the Lions spectacle during the ancient Roman era. However, in place of the Christians are celebrities and the lions have been substituted by the media;a pack of sensationalism hungry carnivores circling around their latest celebrity prey.And we ... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Personal Morals & Values Discussion: Bullies: 11 of 15
I recently overheard a conversation between two former high school football jocks in the locker room at the gym where I work out at. One of them was complaining because his son hadbeen suspended from school for bullying a classmate. The kid who was being picked on was smaller and wore glasses,so that was reason enough for his... More..
Jobs & Careers > Getting Ahead Kissing up to your boss is a must if you want to get ahead: 61 of 82
I've been a member of the work force since the age of sixteen and can honestly say that during these past 36 years, I have met my fair share of people who've chosen tokiss up(suck up is a more accurate term) to the boss as a means of climbing up the corporate ladder. In all honesty, I have always regarded those spineless yes-... More..
Entertainment > Musicians & Bands Are aging rock superstars like Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones timeless or too old to perform on stage anymore?: 131 of 151
My,my.The specter of ageism has once again reared it ugly head.It appears that the younger members of Helium are of the close minded opinion that unless a musician inin their twenties,they are to go away, put down their instruments and retire from music altogether.Yes sir, rock is a young mans(or womens for that matter)game. ... More..