Sleep deprivation creates a stress response that induces the release of cortisol, which has been found to increase abdominal fat. It also compromises memory (so now you’ve got a lot done, but you can’t remember what you did).

Is it just me, or are other parents out there doing the happy dance 24-7 now that their kids have flown the coop? Don’t misunderstand: I love my kids, and was sad to see them go. But then the minute passed, and I was itching to get on with things.

There’s some debate these days as to whether we’re “broken” as a nation. I have more faith in us than to believe that. We will “keep” this ingenious republic. It is as close to a foolproof system as has ever been created — obviously.

HD radio is off the endangered-species list but still takes patience. It’s worth the effort.

Knowing how to ask tech questions is the key to getting useful answers. It could be a query to a support line or a conversation over your backyard fence. The requirements are the same.

My cell phone rings, I answer. If I need to call somebody, I punch in some numbers. I either talk to the person or I have to leave a message. It’s a simple system of communication. In fact, it’s so simple it makes me obsolete.

Some people just don't believe government is capable of doing anything complicated, so much that they object to complication itself.

I have spring fever like nobody’s business. That’s too bad for me though, because this year there’s no traveling wiggle room. Beyond dreaming of our coveted summer trip to visit family in North Carolina, we are bound to late winter in Chicago. We’ll survive though, because as spring break week approaches and “everyone” is going south, we’re making plans for a staycation. We’ll get creative and put our frugal minds to the test, go out on the town when we can and find ways to transform our gray days. 

Well, as usual, my attempt to avoid coveting a sleek and impractical object produced by the nerd-leprechauns at Apple has lasted until the exact moment they showed a commercial for it on the TV. Thanks, Oscars.

It’s more than a little odd that Jesus’ name wound up on a Pacific weather quirk.

An elementary school boy finds a story worth reading. It doesn't hurt that his friends also find the tales fascinating.

According to a NASA scientist, the Chilean earthquake has moved the Earth’s axis and shortened our day.

It was a showdown that could have turned ugly, but by the time we left the grocery store, the scoreboard read, Mommy: 1, Savvy Marketing Exec: 0.

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games are history. Does this mean I have to wait four more years to watch curling on television? Sure, right now I think I’ve seen enough, but four years can be a long time.

A new movement is gaining "grounds" on the internet - the Coffee Party Movement. It's a group of 75,000 fans on Facebook who are unhappy with the direction of the Tea Party Movement. I don't know what to do. I hate coffee and tea. I'm more of a Diet Coke guy.