Silence gets such a bad rap these days, and I don't know why. I've heard people say they loathe being in typically quiet settings -- say, libraries, churches, or local parks -- where it's so hushed in there that it totally unnerves them. I recently visited my alma mater's enormous library, which spans eight spacious floors. The sixth and seventh floors have been designated "quiet areas" where talking is all but forbidden. If someone on campus wishes to hear nothing but a pin drop while studying or working, they know to go to the library. It's my go-to place to get some reading done when I find myself too distracted at home. I only wish I had availed of it more when I was a student there. As an introvert, it's hardly a surprise that I relish silence. It helps me recharge my batteries after long days at work spent in meetings and alongside people around the office who just don't know when to zip it. Extroverts find silence off-putting bec...

Where do you go to escape the day-to-day? What do you consider your refuge? Is a quiet park near your house? A bustling neighborhood pub where you meet up with loads of people? One's answer will depend on a bevy of factors, including personality, financial resources, hobbies, and so forth. I'm getting ready to go to the library in a couple of minutes, which I consider my hideaway -- my home away from home, if you will. At the library, I become one with books. I love devouring, smelling, and taking notes on them. In this age of Kindles and other electronic devices, I remain firmly ensconced in the traditional book camp. I have an office at home that includes myriad books, magazines, my computer, filing cabinet, and all the other essentials. As much as I try to do a lot of reading at home, I never seem to get very far. There are simply too many distractions in the vicinity, from my wife watching TV to dogs barking to my comfy bed calling out my name. Beyond that, ...

If you're looking for a place to add to your bucket list, The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut merits consideration. Samuel Longhorne Clemens (1835-1910), better known by his pen name Mark Twain, wrote such famous works as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer . The house -- which Twain lived in between 1874 and 1903 -- recently opened up his library for use by writers, who have the chance to write in the library for three-hour stretches. The price tag? A not-so-cheap $50, and that's as long as they reserve in advance. The house already offers a wide array of classes and workshops, but the chance to write uninterrupted in Samuel Clemens’ study is an exceptionally rare one. The resplendent, Victorian-era library was one of the crowning gems of Clemens’ home. Inside, members of the family would recite poetry and Clemens would regale guests with excerpts from his new works. Interestingly, though it’s imbued with literary s...

It's that time of the year again -- kids across the nation are commencing what they -- and their teachers and parents alike -- hope will be a fabulous school year. Now that school is back in session, we can certainly count on two things happening, especially in the next couple of weeks: 1. Traffic will get worse: If you happen to live and work near school zones -- as I do -- your commute most definitely will get longer.  In my case, during the school year it takes me roughly 10-15 minutes longer to get to work in the morning and home in the evening.  I try to leave extra early in the morning to beat the traffic, which often results in my getting to work an hour early. That's when I recline my chair in the chair and pull out a book -- or, I get a few extra Zzs.  As for the evening, if I see traffic slowing to a crawl, I stop by a nearby Starbucks or library -- book in hand -- and wait it out. If I leave an hour or two later, I usually get home in abou...

The Library of Congress celebrates its 216th birthday today. On this day in 1800, President John Adams (1735-1826) approved legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” thereby establishing the Library of Congress. The first books, ordered from London, arrived in 1801 and were housed in the U.S. Capitol, the library’s first home. The first library catalog, dated April 1802, listed 964 volumes and nine maps. Twelve years later, the British army invaded the city of Washington and burned the Capitol during the War of 1812, including the then 3,000-volume Library of Congress. Former president Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), who championed the expansion of the library during his two terms in office, responded by offering to sell his personal library, the largest of its kind in the country, to Congress. The purchase of Jefferson’s volumes -- numbering well over 6,000 -- was approved the following next year.. In 1851, a second major...

What's do you think is the worst place to hit on someone? Below are just a few places where making a pass may be construed as crossing the line. Funeral Church Hospital Work Library Gym Court I think the first three are far and away the worst places for this. People at a funeral, church, or hospital unquestionably have more important things on their mind than getting laid. Still, I'm sure this doesn't deter some people from striking up conversations in hopes of going home with a phone number. These individuals will stop at nothing to reel in a date for Saturday night. If anything, approaching someone who may be grieving over the loss of a family member, praying for better days, or visiting a sick relative may immediately blacklist you, so don't try it.  Though it wouldn't seem nearly as inappropriate to approach someone at work, the gym, or the library, these are still places many people like to go to just to "get away" from the monotony ...

Chances are, you or someone you know has been to New York City at least once. But can you say that you've actually visited the oldest residence in the state of New York? Built in 1649 in Southold, New York, the aptly named Old House is just that and represents one of the few surviving examples of English domestic architecture in America. It was originally built by John Budd on land near what came to be known as Budd Pond. Budd's daugher Anna and her husband Benjamin Horton were deeded the house in 1658 as a wedding present. The house was moved in 1661 to its present location at the village of Cutchogue, where it sits alongside a 19th-century schoolhouse and carriage house, as well as an old library and 18th-century farmhouse. Also renowned for once housing a Loyalist politician named Parker Wickham during the American Revolution, the house was restored in 1940 and again in 1968 - seven years after being declared a National Historic Landmark. Would you ever consider visi...

Have you noticed that we spend most of our time in noisy, busy settings? Whether it's the ruckus of children at home or the ceaseless chatter of coworkers in the office, it is reasonable to expect ample commotion whereever several people are gathered. That's why, every once in a while, I retreat to quiet environments where I can almost hear myself think. These oases of calm allow me to feel more relaxed and rejuvenated: 1. Church (not during mass): I like stopping by my local church for a prayer when I know I'll be the only one in there. My faith is an important part of my life, and sometimes I want to feel like it's only me and the man upstairs. 2. Park: Though expecting for a park to be completely empty is too much to ask for, I still appreciate the opportunity it affords me to enjoy some quiet time and commune with nature. 3. Library: By now, it should be no secret that I love writing, reading, and learning. What better place to do this than the library? In...

I've had several people -- within the last month, actually -- tell me that being somewhere in utter silence makes them uneasy. It doesn't matter whether they're lying in bed, sitting in their car, or studying in the library. Some people can't stand complete silence, and it isn't long before they feel compelled to reach for their phone, a TV remote, or their cell phone to break the quietness. Frankly, this has me rather baffled to say the least. After being assaulted by the chatter of nosy co-workers all day at work, driving home with the radio off offers a welcome reprieve, as does holing up in a quiet room at home. Here are a few reasons people give for their aversion to overly quiet environments: They "hate to hear themselves think" When it's too quiet, they feel lonely They get bored They're just not used to that much silence Personally, being in a quiet setting helps me regain my energy. Too much noise and commotion stress me out, ...