After hundreds (if not thousands) of rides on public transportation, I've realized that the only thing more annoying than delays and overcrowding is cell phone chatter. The smartphone era has turned buses and trains into living rooms. What did we all do before cell phones? Well, we waited at the pay phone (a public telephone that is operated by coins or by…) or waited until we reached our destination to use… Read More >>

President Obama is known to toss back the occasional beer, and who can blame him? Wars, see-sawing economy, political battles … If I were president, the Oval Office would be located in the first booth at the local Blarney Stone. Luckily, I’m just a regular, old citizen. And just as luckily, most presidents don’t appear to have been lushes. But most… Read More >>

Facing a staggering unemployment rate of over 20 percent, much higher than the national average, young veterans seeking work will soon have a new opportunity. Beginning this Memorial Day, Wal-Mart will be hiring every veteranwho wants a job, under the conditions that they have left the military within the past year and were not dishonorably discharged. Under the new program, which will run… Read More >>

It's the chilliest month of the year, but ice-cold smoothies are the popular kids on the block these days. Not just any smoothies, either—green ones! If you're like me, January is probably synonymous with "eat more greens." I've found that downing a big green smoothie, packed with spinach or kale, is my best bet if I want to actually hit that goal. And… Read More >>

Have you written a novel that's in search of a publisher? Whether your book has been sitting in a drawer for a decade or you just finished it last week, this might be your chance.  The 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awardis open for submissions, and it's going to be a dream come true for a handful of writers. One Grand Prize winner will receive a publishing contract with an advance of $50,000… Read More >>

Next time you need a brain boost, put down the self help book and pick up some Shakespeare. Researchers from the University of Liverpool found that reading classical literature by writers like the Bard, William Wordsworth or T.S. Eliot  has positive effects on the mind and triggers self-reflection. Volunteers were recruited to read "challenging" prose, like passages from Shakespeare's King Lear or Macbeth, while scanners… Read More >>

After we published a post on the $22 standing desk that can pretty much save your life, I was reminded of another nifty health development: The FitDesk. This "pedaler" for productivity is a compact stationary bike which allows you to exercise while working comfortably—it has a space for you to lock in your laptop. Dr. Patricia Valdes M.D., a physical therapist and associate… Read More >>

Did you know that about 15 million pounds of petroleum-based dyes are used in food each year, even though some are known carcinogens or pose other serious health risks? Yikes. I became even more concerned when I read some of the statistics in the new book, Rich Food, Poor Food, which is due out this February, including this one: "Three dyes—red #40, yellow #5, and… Read More >>

Beck's latest album, "Song Reader" is collection of 20 new songs unlike anything you've ever heard before. That's not an excited fan's hyperbole: The project was released only in sheet music, leaving it up to other musicians and fans to record their own versions of his songs. NPRreports that "after making a dozen solo albums, crowdsourcing seemed like a way to make… Read More >>

After finally succumbing to the hype and watching two seasons (in two weeks) this summer, I'm hooked on the saga of my favorite society family and their household help. The third season started last Sunday, and of course, watching a special show should include a special menu. What would Mr. Carson serve? (Mad Menwas so much easier. Martinis. Repeat.) According… Read More >>