I recently visited the Gateway Arch, the St. Louis monument that represents westward exploration and is consistently referred to as an “engineering marvel.” But, after watching a 30-minute video detailing the Arch’s construction, I am convinced this U-shaped structure, rising…
Loyal readers, if any of you hear of an entry-level job in pile driving, I have a request. DM me. ASAP. At 62, I have little interest in pounding large foundational supports for bridges and other construction projects into frozen…
The recent California wildfires have restarted the “why would anybody live there?” conversation. These doomsday chats always seem to surface whenever the Golden State endures an epic disaster be it fires, mudslides, earthquakes or the LA Chargers’ playoff performance. Ditto…
Now that the “Best of 2024” lists have faded from conventional and social media, make way for the “What to expect in 2025!” articles that have begun dotting the media landscape. These prognostications can range from “How high will the…
Time for my annual end-of-year reflections and, when warranted, confessions. Regarding the latter, I have a big one this year; one that has haunted me since I committed a crime. Up until now, in my 62 years of life, I…
This column originally appeared as part of the ”Humor Hotel’ series for Tribune Content Agency. ’Tis the season for inadvertently clicking on online shopping offers from merchants and spending the weeks leading up to Christmas firmly in their crosshairs. In…
BARRE BOOTCAMP! The phrase screamed at me as I entered my health club shortly after 5 a.m. last week. Written in blue marker on a whiteboard, “barre,” for those not familiar with ballet, is the horizontal bar dancers grip while…
Imagine treading water wearing a business suit. Blue jeans. A sweater. Or whatever you chose to wear when you left the house that morning. Unless you’re at a pool party, and alcohol aided your decision to enter the water, you’re…
My cell rang about 2 p.m. on Nov. 5, some three hours before election polls closed on the East Coast. “What network are you watching tonight?” my friend asked. “I’m watching CNN. In fact, I put it on when I…
Hey, it’s my birthday today! The sun is shining and the day should be full of nothing more than fun and possibilities. I’ll start my own personal celebration just as soon as I run a few errands. Let’s do it…
I am struggling to keep my eyes open as I write this column, having just completed an overnight stay in North Carolina, which included a night of restful sleep. That’s correct; I slept great. The exhaustion occurred the following morning…
I have tried, since I first heard the term, to stay away from artificial intelligence. The problem is, artificial intelligence won’t stay away from me. If AI is not recommending an alternate restaurant to the one I was planning to…
Ohio, thank you for contributing to my upcoming chicken wing free diet The Buckeye State already has taken center stage now that J.D. Vance hopes to exchange the title “Ohio Senator” for “U.S. Vice President,” even if it means cozying…
The man sat in the half full subway car as the Chicago skyline whizzed by on a humid Thursday morning. Oblivious to the heat or the scenery, he was only interested in discussing his problems with the unseen and unheard…
I celebrated our nation’s birthday by taking in a ballgame at Wrigley Field, a ballpark known for its rich history, neighborhood location and, with the exception of 2016, long-suffering Chicago Cubs fans. Also, its silence. Oh, sure, Ian Happ brought…