kimlajevardi

Welcome back to my little news feature: The Weekly News. It’s full of fantastic information to enrich your minds, spark conversation and entertain. Mostly, the latter. I must admit to being thoroughly entertained this week.

You know that the Pokemon Go thing has gone too far when adults are wandering around work oblivious as cameras roll. The weather guy handled it with a lot of humor.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/weather-forecast-pokemon-go_us_5784fc24e4b0ed2111d7895d?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

It’s laudable that he wants to turn this into a learning experience for kids. But … it’s ten times bigger than the computers kids already have at home and does a fraction of what those machines can do. And on top of all of that, it cost $51,000.00. Um … I think the kids will want to teach him something instead.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/supercomputer-only-plays-tetris_us_577febe8e4b01edea78dcaf1?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

In science news this week, toilets reveal a wealth of artifacts. I just couldn’t resist, and it is a huge find. *Giggle*

http://www.livescience.com/55301-toilets-from-old-philadelphia.html

That’ll do it for me this evening. See you in seven.

It’s time once again for my monthly posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. If you haven’t clicked on the image and traveled to their site yet, do it. This group is a must for us shaking bundles of caffeine-driven writers who sit with one twittering eye trained on the screen and the other rolled somewhere in the back of our skulls. Consider it your monthly group. Your tribe of other weirdos in whom you can connect via this roller coaster journey we call writing.

Today’s co-hosts are  Yolanda Renee, Tyrean Martinson, Madeline Mora-Summonte , LK Hill, Rachna Chhabria, and JA Scott! 

IWSG is trying something new beginning this month: a question. Consider it a focal point for the above-mentioned writers to train themselves on instead of going down the rabbit hole. Not a bad idea.

This month’s question is: What’s the best thing someone has ever said about your writing?

Hmm…

I think the best thing someone ever said wasn’t focused on a particular aspect of technique or a story element. Instead, it was a complement from a beta read. One of my fabulous critique partners had offered to beta my manuscript, and in among the threads that she mentioned needed tweaking was an ego-stroking compliment. She said: The last quarter of this novel is brilliant.

Well, I can tell you that the birds sang. The clouds parted, and the rays of sunlight streamed forth, striking every available surface imaginable. It was the best thing I’ve heard regarding my writing, and it was from someone I respect which makes it even better. Anytime the word brilliant can make an appearance in any mention of my writing, I will do somersaults and back handsprings. Well… I would if I was still twelve. But I’ll definitely jump. High. Really, really high.

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Time for some news.

This first story is incredible. When I opened the link, I thought the two men would have faceless office jobs which could go unnoticed for upwards of fifteen years, but a gardener and a driver? Someone should have noticed that the car never moved and the grounds were in bad shape. Seriously. The topper is the mention of the guy at the end of the story getting an award for his contribution to the job after not showing up for six years.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/spain-skipped-work-15-years_us_57760ea3e4b09b4c43bfdec7?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

I’m thinking that they need to change the title of this story to the state with the most drunk arrests. Who is happy when they’re arrested? And the people who actually spent any time analyzing mugshots even though the methodology is suspect, wow.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/happiest-saddest-mugshots-is_us_577585d7e4b0a629c1a951de?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Growing your own protective armor is beyond a cool adaptation. These little fleas are rock stars, and my writer brain is working on overdrive thinking how this could make its way into a story. Definitely coolest link of the day!

http://www.livescience.com/55297-how-water-fleas-grow-body-armor.html

That’s it for the first work in July. See you back here in seven.

Welcome back to my world of news. My weekly sampling of weird, interesting or cool snippets that caught my eye. I don’t have a song to start this post off like last week, but I do have the world’s coolest dog.

This just makes me happy to watch.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dog-pops-balloons-record_us_57737d84e4b0352fed3e6a3e?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

This is awesome! I usually complain about spending money on stupid programs or signs that enable stupidity, but this just calls it out for what it is. The only thing I would change is to go back to the title from the original: Dumb Ways to Die.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/metro-los-angeles-safetyville-ads_us_57721583e4b0dbb1bbbbcf04?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

In the world of science this week, an experiment I want to participate in. I teach about volcanoes, and each year I talk to students about the fact that we have to make models of volcanoes and eruptions because I can’t bring real magma/lava into the classroom. This teacher can. I’m jealous.

http://www.livescience.com/55217-photos-geologists-home-brew-lava.html

That’ll do it for the last Wednesday in June. The summer is going way too fast. By this time next week, it will be July. I’ll have to see if they invent a time-slower or a Hermione-type time turner before the summer ends. I will scour the news for it. I promise. Until then, see you in seven.

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to news I go… With a giggle here and a frown there, hi ho, hi ho, hi ho… I don’t know where that came from. I seriously just had that song playing in my head. WEIRD. Well, what do you expect? Weird truly is my middle name.

So don’t be surprised by the sampling I found for you this week. 😉

This is awesome! Don’t shoot me with it, though. I want to play. Please. Just once.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mark-rober-worlds-largest-nerf-gun_us_5769a578e4b0c0252e778fc2?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Holy crap! This guy is so talented, and here I am still only capable of stick figures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/game-of-thrones-watermelon-carving_us_576aa83ee4b09926ce5d38cf?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-new

Science turns even sad problems into something to learn from. This is why thinking matters, people.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/06/roadkill-uses-science-forensics-animals/

That’s all, folks. *Giggle* This time it’s not Disney, but Looney Tunes running through my head.

Welcome back! I have to warn you, though. This has been my week so far:

Writing is never dull.

So that you don’t feel news deprived–here’s a taste of some science for you. The most important news for this particular writer. Give me more.

http://www.popsci.com/coffee-doesnt-cause-cancer-world-health-organization

That’ll do it for this roller coaster rider. Next week I hope to be whiling away some time on a nice quiet train ride. Round and round and round I’ll go… Who am I kidding? See you in seven.

Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the news. I know you’ve been waiting to see what I’d find this week. Admit it. Admit it. 😉

Well, wait no longer.

This first little guy would scare the bejesus out of me. I don’t care that he’s smaller than a kitty. That’s one freaky adaptation.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/frilled-neck-lizard-attack_us_5750c873e4b0c3752dcd2b03?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

So embarrassing. I feel for Paula and the girl.

http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/television/article/Excited-Dance-contestant-vomits-on-Paula-Abdul-7970806.php

It turns out inefficiency can be a boon in the right circumstances. Gotta love science.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/leaking-light-squid-hides-plain-sight

That’s a wrap on another Wednesday. See you next week.

Welcome back to another monthly posting for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. This fantastic group supports the collective neuroses of writers from around the world. Please join me in thanking this month’s co-hosts: Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner! Without these fine folks, and our individual stock piles of chocolate and coffee, we would be curled up in balls of twittering nerves and drool. No one wants that.

If you haven’t already clicked on the picture and taken the magical virtual ride to see what IWSG has to offer, take advantage now. It’s a wild and worthwhile ride.

On to my topic for the month: freedom. It’s June! I’m free! I’ll explain in a second, but first a celebratory round of fireworks.

firework display courtesy of creativecommons.org

Ah, that’s better. Okay, I’ll explain. I’m a teacher. It’s summer. Anyone who has ever waited for the ticking clock to signal the end of the school year should totally understand. But for those of you who’ve lived in a cave all your life, I’ll add this: I’m off for two and a half months! No further explanation should be necessary.

I made it through another year of angst-filled middle school science. No insecurity could dampen that, so I’ll end this month’s post with a gigantic exhale and a giggle.

I’m free. 🙂

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On to the news.

This first story deserves a facepalm, an eye roll and a search of how many ways we spend money supporting stupid. Seriously?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/council-installs-lights-ground-pedestrians-8081844

I know this contains a high yuck factor, but it’s actually a very good solution to our population growth. And, to be honest, once the bugs are cooked, they taste good. I actually had cricket stir fry at a science conference once, and it was good. Like any other stir fry.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/food-thats-high-protein-cheap-8070025

I don’t know how thrilled I’d actually be to swallow one of these buggers, but the idea is super cool. A robot that can repair you and then disintegrate without a trace is mind blowing.

http://www.livescience.com/54851-ingestible-robot-could-mend-stomachs.html

That’ll do it for my first full week of freedom. I hope you enjoy summer as much as I do. Back in seven.

I’m back. Another Wednesday, another posting of the news I found intriguing. I hope you enjoy what I’ve been noshing on this week.

First up, a very scary flight for a handful of folks. But I didn’t choose this story just because of its potential to freak out spider phobes. I have a teeny, tiny confession. Me and a teacher friend also once brought a tarantula on a flight. Her spider did not get lost, and we were bringing him back from a science conference, but…I can see how it could happen. 😉

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tarantulas-on-flight-canada_us_57409437e4b0613b512a7a85?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Dumb criminals never fail to entertain. Hide and seek. *facepalm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/man-in-chimney-ghosts_us_573e05dae4b0aee7b8e95821?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

In cool science news, evidence to trust your gut.

http://www.livescience.com/54825-scientists-measure-intuition.html

That’ll do it for me this evening. Next time I come calling with the news, I’ll be free of my teaching duties for the summer. Yay!

Welcome back! I am happy to see my millions… thousands… hundreds. All right, maybe it’s somewhere nearer a few eyeballs that tune in to read me weekly. You may be few, but you’re quality. Now that you’re here, it’s time for a little news.

That’s a lot of crabs. So many inappropriate jokes.

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Thousands-of-tiny-red-crabs-carpeting-California-7470586.php

A sauna would be a nice follow up to eating junk food, but that’s a lot more than a burger.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/finland-burger-king-sauna-134608741.html?nhp=1

Awesome science pictures! Our world has so much texture and richness.

http://www.livescience.com/50717-amazing-images.html

That’ll do it for another night. I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Hello all! I’m back once again for another helping of my weekly news. It’s baked, it’s broiled, it’s… a few links. 😉

Up first, black and white awesomeness.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/simon-cowell-bgt-stormtroopers_us_572f362de4b0bc9cb04727f6?ir=Weird+News&section=us_weird-news&utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Wow! They’ll definitely hold on to these photos.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tornado-prom-photo-wray-colorado_us_57303fe5e4b096e9f091d07a?cps=gravity_2377_-7631414058031728413

This is quite the accidental discovery.

http://www.insidehook.com/nation/college-student-accidentally-creates-battery-that-lasts-forever?utm_source=zergnet.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=zergnet_1008629

That’ll do it for yet another Wednesday, but don’t check out yet. Below you’ll see information about my friend’s book release. Keep reading.

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My prolific friend T.F. Walsh is celebrating the release of her newest book. Please join me in congratulating her.