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8 Ways the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy Could Have Been Better
Critical analysis of the Star Wars Episode I, II and III movies and how they could have been better.
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How to Make a D&D Dungeon
Your party has vanquished the evil sorcerer and is distributing the loot. You, as dungeon master, are feeling a sense of satisfaction that yet another dungeon is complete. But you might also feel let down, thinking that the pre-made module you just...
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How to Convert D&D 3rd Edition to 4th Edition
If you're a D&D player like me you built up a large collection of third edition books only to see fourth edition come out and revise everything. Fourth edition D&D ups the ante on almost everything from base statistics to power of magical items and...
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The Paul Revere of the South
Every American schoolchild learns about the famous ride of Boston resident Paul Revere, who made a heroic midnight ride to warn the Massachusetts colonial council of hostile movements by the British Army. Six years after Revere's ride became legend,...
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The Heartland - Original Poem
An original poem combining themes of war, homesickness and the American mid-atlantic
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Sonnet #5, Enraptured - Original Poem
This is the fifth sonnet I've constructed and unlike the others, it deals with an actual Shakespearean theme: love. Yes love, whose food is music and whose wine is poetry. What poet doesn't write on love at some point, even if it's the love they...
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The Entrance to Graceland - Original Poem
Graceland Cemetery is the largest cemetery in Chicago. A verdant, peaceful place, it is filled with luminaries from Chicago history including mayors, congressmen, artists and wealthy entrepreneurs. When I was in high school my mother and I had a...
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Carbon Dreams - Original Poem
For five years now the worldwide economy has struggled to sort itself out after the mortgage crisis in the U.S. and problems with government finances in Europe. At the time of this writing, the "Occupy Wall Street" movement concerning the growing...
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Exploring Virginia: Manassas National Battlefield Park
Fort Sumter, South Carolina is heralded as the "first shots of the American Civil War" but it was at this site near Manassas, Virginia that the armies of the North and South first met in combat on July 21, 1861. Both sides were flush with confidence...
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A Forgotten War: The U.S. & Spain, 1898
American Civil War or World War II history is well-known and celebrated throughout the U.S. We are also familiar with the current conflicts and recent engagements of the 20th Century. Lesser known are the other wars of the 19th Century. These three...
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A Forgotten War: the U.S. & Mexico, 1846
American Civil War or World War II history is well-known and celebrated throughout the U.S. We are also familiar with the current conflicts and recent engagements of the 20th Century. Lesser known are the other wars of the 19th Century. These three...
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1816: The Year with No Summer
In 1815, Mt. Tambora in Indonesia exploded with the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history. The aftereffects of the blast caused a volcanic winter that lasted through 1817. Now Mt. Tambora looks to reawaken.
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Exploring Virginia: James Madison's Montpelier
James Madison was the 4th president of the United States. His family home of Montpelier, located in Orange, Virginia, is now a museum to his life and work on the Constitution. It's a must-see destination for any tour of central Virginia.
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Johannes Kepler, the First Modern Scientist
Johannes Kepler (1571 - 1630) was a German astronomer and mathematician who is best known for his laws of planetary motion. He was also the first astronomer to separate the math of astronomy from the philosophy of astronomy. Because of this, Western...
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Copernicus' Astronomical Revolution
At the beginning of Western astronomy, scientists like Aristotle and Ptolemy believed the Earth was the center of the universe. Copernicus was the first astronomer to posit the theory of a heliocentric solar system - one in which the sun was the...
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Ptolemaic Motion of the Superior Planets
Claudius Ptolemy was a Roman who lived in Egypt from 90-168 A.D. Known chiefly as a mathematician, geographer and astronomer, Ptolemy's understanding and explanation of the organization of the solar system was a revolutionary force that...
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What Is a Scientific Paradigm?
In his landmark book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," Thomas Kuhn was the first scientist to articulate what would soon become a buzzword worldwide: paradigm.
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Mental Health and the American Military
(names have been changed to protect privacy but this story is real) Two years ago Jacob was a happy sailor with everything going for him. He was stationed on a tropical island where his ship was undergoing work in the shipyard that left him...
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Build Your Own Camera Monopod
A camera monopod is desirable for many reasons. They offer improved camera stability yet are lighter and easier to carry around than the traditional tripod. Some public places that ban tripods still allow monopods. But monopods are surprisingly...
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How to Convert a Kodak Instamatic to 35mm
The Kodak Instamatic was one of the most prolific inexpensive cameras ever produced. In circulation from the 1960s - 1980s, there are many different varieties but they all had one thing in common - they all used 126 type film which is no longer...
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Building Your D&D Campaign
Want to build your own epic Dungeons & Dragons campaign but not sure how to get started? This article will give you some tips and tricks to building your own D&D campaign.
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An Introduction to Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is the mother of all role-playing games but it's sets of thick rulebooks and stereotyped basement-dwelling players can be a turnoff. This is a shame because D&D is a lively, engaging game with infinitely flexible options. This...
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Are You a Liberal or a Conservative?
It is becoming harder and harder to know where you really fit into the political spectrum. Being a Democrat or Republican, Labor Party or Unionist has little bearing on whether you are a liberal or conservative. Although there is a general leaning...
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Thanks, Praise and the Land in Cherokee Culture
The Cherokee people are one of the most resilient Native American tribes. Their connection to the land and culture of thanks and praise have assisted in their survival through difficulties such as the Trail of Tears. Today these beliefs endure as they work to preserve their cultural heritage.
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Vision and Experience in the Lakota Religion
In what are now the Dakota states live members of the Lakota Native American tribe. One of the largest Plains nations, the Lakota religion is based on the tenets of Vision and Experience. Vision refers to the ability to recognize some aspect of the...
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What Museums Aren't Telling You
If you're anything like the average tourist, museums represent the past locked up in glass cases and neatly displayed with absolute certainty about an item's place and purpose in ancient life. You'd never think there is a wealth of knowledge a...
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Reconstruction and the Ex-Slave
Reconstruction was a difficult period in US history, particularly for the ex-slave. Acceptance of freedom for blacks did not equal acceptance of blacks as equals in society. The events of Reconstruction led directly to the civil rights movement and some issues we still face today.
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The Popol Vuh: The Mayan Story of Creation
According to the Maya the world has been destroyed and recreated four times. The fascinating story of this history is told in the Popol Vuh. The Popol Vuh also reveals cultural truths about the Maya and acts as a guide for their culture today.
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Egyptian Military History in the Old Kingdom
The Egyptian empire lasted over 10,000 years. It originated from factionalized farming communities on the Nile River and grew to a dynastic hierarchical society with great cultural influence. The beginning of Egyptian history starts in the Old...
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An Introduction to E.E. Cummings
E.E. Cummings is a poet best known for unconventional punctuation, typesetting and spelling in his poems. Many of them are virtually works of art on the page in addition to being lyrical triumphs. His revolutionary format spawned a legion of fans (I...
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Exploring Connecticut: Chatfield Hollow State Park
Once a popular fishing site for Native Americans, and later home to a number of mills and a CCC building project, Chatfield Hollow State Park's grounds offer a glimpse into these past lives. You can also wander easy or difficult hiking trails,...
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Exploring Connecticut: Gay City State Park
An overview and visitor's guide of Gay City State Park in Hebron, CT. Review of activities, hours and directions with photographs.
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The Hiker's Basics
I'm going to borrow a phrase from our current president and say, let me be clear - I am not a professional hiker and I never will be. I wouldn't even say I am a hiking hobbiest. I'm more of a hiking enthusiast , in that I am enthusiastic about the...
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Exploring Connecticut: Bluff Point State Park
Located on the peninsula of Groton, Connecticut, Bluff Point State Park offers visitors an expansive view of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. A popular place for boating, clamming and hiking, Bluff Point is a great escape from the ordinary...
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Exploring Connecticut: Fort Griswold State Park
An overview of Fort Griswold State Park in Groton, CT. Review of activities, history, hours and directions with photographs.
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Exploring Connecticut: Gillette Castle State Park
A visitor's guide and overview of Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam, CT. Includes hours, directions, activities and photographs.
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Exploring Washington: Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
The Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is situated on 3,000 acres of estuary, marsh and wooded land just south of the city of Tacoma. It's primary protected species are migratory birds, although small mammals, amphibians and reptiles are also found...
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Exploring Connecticut: Hopeville Pond State Park
Hopeville Pond is nothing if not serene, it's generally clear waters only broken by the splash of swimmers or frogs. If you are looking for a light camping experience reminiscent of the sleep away camps of your youth, Hopeville is an excellent...
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Exploring Washington: Dash Point State Park
An overview of Dash Point State Park in Federal Way, WA. Information on hiking, activities, hours and directions, with pictures.
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A Photography Contest for (Almost) Everyone
Have you ever wanted to pursue photography as a hobby but lacked the creative push to begin? A perfect incentive to get more involved with your camera is to join a photography club with weekly ideas for you to photograph. There may not be local...
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Exploring Connecticut: Rocky Neck State Park
Rocky Neck State Park is a diverse park offering both the casual beach-goer and avid hiker an excellent experience. Located in East Lyme, Connecticut, this family friendly park is most popular in the summer and autumn due to ocean swimming, camping,...
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Exploring Connecticut: Devil's Hopyard State Park
Most would agree that Devil's Hopyard is an odd name for a state park, but don't let the slightly menacing tone fool you - this is one of the most majestic parks in New England. Over 860 acres of forested, rocky terrain plays host to miles of hiking...
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Exploring Connecticut: Harkness Memorial State Park
Harkness Memorial State Park is one of the beautiful places in Connecticut. This guide shares the history of the park and tells you all you need to know about visiting. Photos included.