state by state

Let's face it, some states are better behaved than other states. However, if you've been thinking of Illinois as some sort of bastion of righteousness, you're wrong...and more than likely new around here.

Okay, let's just get this out of the way early: if you (like me) chose any of the late, great Ron Popeil's famous Ronco products like the Chop-o-Matic, the Veg-o-Matic, Mince-o-Matic, or even the Showtime Rotisserie & BBQ--you're wrong.

If you want to say that driving is expensive, you generally don't have to back up that statement with more than a nod toward the skyrocketing gas prices we've been dealing with for nearly a year (with no end in sight).

If you happen to be single, this is supposed to be encouraging. If you're married, and reading this spurs you toward being single, please just leave me out of it. I don't want any troubles with angry spouses.

As a long-time morning radio show host, I feel as though I'm more than qualified to weigh in on Illinois' coffee obsession because I completely and totally understand, relate to it, and...find myself wanting coffee as I write this.

My parents grew up during the Great Depression, and that fact was made clear in many ways, but most notably in the foods they refused to eat. There weren't any. Period. Full stop

Just over 31 years ago, when my wife Amy and I tied the knot in June of 1991, the cost of an average wedding in the United States was $15,580. As you might imagine, that cost has gone up substantially since then.

Confession time. I'll go first. More times than I can count at this point in my life, while driving, I've shouted something to the effect of "(curse word)! (another curse word)! (a polysyllabic curse word)! Illinois drivers suck!

Cyberattack is one of those words that we hear so often and it means so many different things, but it's nearly always costly for someone who find themselves on the receiving end of one.

A friend once compared pizza to sex by saying that "even if it's not that good, it's still good." Another friend added that he felt the same way about a steak, but was countered by the first friend who told him that his steak-to-sex comparison was stupid because of the price-point.