Annette Marie Westwood’s memory is sketchy when she recalls the moment she walked in on her husband having sex with a female co-worker. “I do remember thinking she had really nice breasts,” Westwood said. Westwood, 42, divorced her husband, forgave…
I often wonder what it would be like to meet that guy from the beer commercials, dubbed the “World’s Most Interesting Man.” Would we discuss politics? Cooking? Opera? Definitely not opera because that’s a subject I know nothing about and,…
I approached the reception desk at the large, Chicago-based technology firm, paper bag in hand. The receptionist greeted me warmly. “May I help you, sir?” “Yes. Are you currently hiring?” “We are indeed. Would you like to fill out an…
I recently took a business trip to Poznan, Poland, a city renowned for having the world’s longest street names. If you don’t believe me, please visit the historic Poznan Town Hall district. Simply head south on Aleje Marcinkowskiego and hang…
My daughter sat on her bed, awash in a sea of glossy college brochures filled with photos of smiling sorority girls, strapping football players and freshmen chemistry students who, judging by their joyful expressions, had just cured the Ebola virus.…
By now the iPhone 6, named for the six mile line of customers waiting to purchase it, has hit Apple stores around the country. And, as with previous versions, I am watching from the sidelines, unwilling to convert until someone…
I am tired of having my heart broken online. That is not the statement of a jilted Match.com individual, for I have never explored Internet dating and therefore don’t know what it’s like to be dumped mid-chat or have a…
Does anybody in Alaska own a video camera? How about a video-equipped cell phone? Anyone? Anyone? I ask only because it’s been weeks and I have yet to see visual evidence of the alleged Palin family party brawl that occurred…
I slowly dialed the FBI field office in Chicago and listened to the numerous voice prompts. Not sure what to press, I eventually chose ‘3’ since I am a media representative. A female agent answered. “Who would I speak to…
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi once uttered the phrase, “The best defense is a good offense.” I plan to turn those words into action the next time I fly coach class. By now everybody is familiar with the escalating brouhaha…
As the summer winds down and my stomach thanks me for my generosity during three months of barbecues, graduation parties and neighborhood festivals, I am still proud of myself for shunning a food group that has burst into the culinary…
WRITER’S NOTE: This column was written after a summer spent traveling the country and watching random morning news shows. The writer vows never to do that again. “Rise and shine. This is The Morning News Zoo. I’m Barry O’Brien.” “And…
When it comes to international relations, I’ve always preferred to sit on the sidelines and let experienced politicians like John Kerry and Hillary Clinton negotiate with everyone from Israeli military leaders to Venezuelan dictators. No more. This time I’m taking…
Last week I briefly stood outside the gates of one of the year’s biggest music festivals, wrestling with my age. As the Chicago skyline shone directly to my west, thousands of teens and 20-somethings wearing plastic wristbands streamed past me. Some…
My kids’ current favorite show is Shark Tank, where budding entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a team of corporate tycoons who double as potential investors. While listening to concepts for, among other things, collapsible kayaks and colored fur spray for dogs, my…