Travelers driving north across the Martinez Bridge are treated to an unusual sight upriver. A number of gray ships, moored abreast in several rows about a mile east of the bridge, patiently await their fate. These ships are commonly referred to by the public as the “mothball fleet.” Immediately following the end of World War …

What is the structure of the universe? Scientists are now fairly confident that it’s not simply duct tape and money that holds it all together and so modern-day physicists have been working dutifully to answer this cosmic question for quite some time now, as have I. I am at an advantage compared with other people …

Anyone who has ever read Tony Hicks’ twice-weekly humor lifestyle column in the Contra Costa Times, might think this witty, sarcastic, self-deprecating writer would be a cool guy to hang out with, and you would be correct. After months of trading emails and Facebook messages, our mutual admiration society had finally scheduled its first meeting. …

I’ve wondered lately why the intensity of “the world at large” appears to be escalating on many levels. And amidst this perceived intensity, it feels like time is zooming forward at “breakneck” speed. Whew—just thinking about this makes me want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head! Can you relate? …