Modern technology has helped us in many ways, among them dozens of new methods to gain our attention. It’s hard to talk to someone without your phone buzzing at least once.

Chances are that you will check your Twitter feed or Facebook wall while reading this article. Type a memo at work without having an e-mail pop up that ruins your train of thought.

But what constitutes distraction? Does the mere possibility that a phone call or e-mail will soon arrive drain your brain power? And does distraction matter? Do these interruptions make us dumber?

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

The 27th Amendment is the most recent addition to the Constitution and was among the amendments that James Madison proposed in 1789. Ten of those amendments were approved and became known as the Bill of Rights, but this one languished for 203 years, making it the longest ratification process in U.S. history.

Another one has just been busted folks. New York State Senator John Sampson, who represents Brooklyn has now been arrested by the FBI and charged with embezzling $440,000 between 1998 and 2008, funneling some of the cash into his unsuccessful 2005 campaign to become Brooklyn district attorney and chillingly using a mole in the federal prosecutor's office to try and identify witnesses against him so he could arrange to take them out.

How many more corrupt politicians are taxpayers going to be paying for? The better question is why are they allowed to stay on the public payroll?

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. officially kicks off Bronx Week 2013, a week-long celebration of everything that makes the Bronx a great place to live, work and raise a family. At the kick-off press conference, Borough President Diaz will also announce this year’s inductees to the Bronx Walk of Fame.

This year’s kickoff will feature live music, food and fun, as the press conference is transformed into a celebration of some of the best our borough has to offer. Numerous borough businesses, including Babalu, B Blossom Garden, Bronx Ale House, Bronx Brewery, The Clock Bar & Grill, Delicioso Coco Helado, DuFour Pastry Kitchen, Flantastic, Landin Macaroni & Cheese, Lloyd’s Carrot Cake, Tirado Distillery and United Pickle, among others, will be on hand to provide samples.

This Week - May 5 - May 11

May 05, 1961
The first American in space. From Cape Canaveral, Florida, Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. is launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to travel into space. The suborbital flight, which lasted 15 minutes and reached a height of 116 miles into the atmosphere, was a major triumph for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

May 06, 1994

Today marks the 36th annual Five Boro Bike Tour takes place. The bike tour starts now from Manhattan's Battery Park at 8:00 AM, runs through all five boroughs, and then ends in Staten Island.