I've noticed over the years that men and women tend to be completely different creatures in the morning. While men tend to be a bit quieter and slower to get in the swing of things, women are already chatting it up as soon as they get to the office. When I arrive, I usually stop by the restroom on my way to my cubicle. It's rare for me to hear the voice of a man in the lobby or hallways prior to 10 a.m. Rather, the chatter of women -- sometimes groups of three or more -- fills the air. I know you can't put all men and women in these two separate buckets. It's just a general observation I've made at the offices I've worked in, not to mention at home: My wife is always more disposed to conversing in the morning than I am. Not until I eat breakfast and have some time to stretch my limbs do I feel ready to face the day. For some reason, women seem to be perkier and more energetic in the morning than their male counterparts. You'll find my boss and anot...

For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed staying up late at night -- even it's been a school or work night. I'm what you would call a night person. Others might describe me as a night owl. To me, there's no time like the middle of the night. It's quiet, relaxing -- the perfect setting for reading a good book, writing a poem, getting lost in contemplation, or taking a leisurely stroll beneath a striking starry sky. As I've gotten older, staying up late on work nights has become something of a challenge. Sometimes I get home so tired that I don't make it past 11. And getting adequate sleep really makes a difference in one 's day. I don't function well without  at least 6 hours of shut-eye. That's why I make every effort to at least stay up on weekends. A real sense of peace and tranquility eludes me in the daytime, when it's common to hear dogs barking, construction crews hard at work, and other intrusive disturbances. It's also ...