What Are the Odds...

...that the US kills Iran's top general...
...then Iran retaliates with a missile attack on US troop locations in Iraq...
...then a Ukrainian plane crashes in Iran killing all aboard...
...followed by an earthquake near an Iranian nuclear power plant...
...in the middle of this Trump secretly met with Saudi Arabia's bin Salmon...

On a side note, our city's government computer system was hacked today as well.  And a US government website was hacked yesterday.

Either this was an extraordinarily coincidental string of events or several of these things were no coincidence.

In Today's 'World is Going Crazy' News

Some days it would probably be better to not even check the news...

• There was a random shooting at on outlet mall in Tennessee today.
• In the days leading up to the 20th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting, authorities are looking for a woman who may be a threat for a repeat event.
• A man was charged today with attempted murder for picking up a random five year old and tossing him off a third floor balcony at the Mall of America.
• Social media + Darwinism = a lot of dead kids (examples here, here, and here).
• And veteran suicides are skyrocketing.

10 Things to Know This Weekend

In no particular order...

1. If you are active duty or retired military, here's a long list of discounts you can receive.
2. An update on climate change.
3. Did you know license plate readers are not always accurate?  I didn't know this.
4. A 12 year old created nuclear fusion.  Um yikes.
5. Have some spare time?  Here's hundreds of free FEMA classes.
6. Someone in South Carolina may be holding an unclaimed $1.5 billion dollar lottery ticket.
7. Beware romance scammers...and all scammer, really.  The scam in this article is unfortunately very very common.
8. Samsung just introduced their newest cell phone, a folding communication device with a price tag of $2000(!).
9. One reason I am not buying a cell phone in the near future--especially one that costs $2000, is because 5g is on the horizon which will necessitate a 5g phone.  So I will wait until the cool folding screen thing is figured out AND 5g is working well and then replace my trusty cell phone.
10. I think "relentlessly automating" is going to be much more common in the near future.

10 Random Things

In no particular order...

1. You can win a million dollars if you have a great idea for the new 5g service.
2. An interesting article on being homeless in Alaska.
3. Cops can't force people to open their cell phones with their biometrics.
4. Large beer?  Small beer?  Apparently they are the same.
5. We are at day 24 and counting of the government shutdown.
6. The government shutdown in eight charts.
7. If you plan on flying during the shutdown, arrive early at the airport and pack some patience. 
8. And here are 82 direct effects of the shutdown.
9. In other news, your cell phone is ridiculously easy to trace.
10. Finally, from the 'time flies' file, it has been 10 years since the Miracle on the Hudson.

10 Things for This Weekend

In no particular order...

1. If you are traveling for the holiday (starting this evening judging by our local freeways), stay safe out there...looks like it will be difficult traveling in some places around the country.
2. For federal workers and tourists and many other people, the federal government shutdown which is slated to begin this evening could throw a significant wrench in your holiday plans.
3. As of today we are now in a bear market.  Prepare accordingly.
4. Check out the full moon and the meteor shower on this winter solstice.
5. Not done with your Christmas shopping?  Some last minute gift ideas here.
6. Something for your calendar...the National Park Service has announced their fee free days for 2019.
7. For those of you who were amazed by the glitter bomb video (I was), it was unfortunately a hoax.
8. Some inspiration for those who are fed up with the internet's "big 5".
9. And some inspiration for improving your health in the new year.
10. Finally, a note that donating blood during the holidays is as important as donating food to food banks...here's an interesting infographic on the topic.

10 Things I Learned Today

In no particular order...

1. Make sure your fancy unbreakable bike lock is...actually unbreakable.
2. A $26 cast iron pan works as well as a $200 cast iron pan.
3. Apparently the planet has seen significant global warming before...it didn't end well.
4. Don't rinse your sinuses with tap water.
5. Open Enrollment for ACA Healthcare ends December 15.
6. Today is Pearl Harbor Day...and the first time no Pearl Harbor survivors will attend the ceremony.
7. You know society is going to Hell in a hand basket when speaking facts is grounds for termination.
8. A long but interesting read on the California wildfires.
9. Some things to consider buying now.
10. Always expect the unexpected.

10 Things from Today's News

In no particular order...

1. RIP Former President George HW Bush.
2. Coming up this week...a huge storm that will hit many places around the US.
3. Free homes! The catch is that they are in Japan.
4. If you are buying a mattress this season...
5. An economic analysis of healthcare for all.
6. From the 'people have lost their damn mind" file...a banned Christmas song.
7. Hoping for the best in this horrible crash near Japan.
8. This is why we can't let our gun rights be eroded.
9. Here's some interesting ta deductions for your consideration.
10. And in case you need some good news instead of the usual horror show the media likes to push...

10 Things to Learn From This Week's Headlines

In no particular order...

1. The only way to stop a maniac with a gun...is with a gun.
2. Teaching your kid to ask a stranger for a code word before going anywhere with them is vitally important.
3. Every single vote counts.
4. Always have an evacuation plan.  
5. Also have home owners/renters insurance.
6. Make sure children can't get to your firearms.
7. Our school system is in a shambles, consider other alternatives.
8. Retail is automating as fast as it can, if you work in this industry be prepared.
9. Social media causes loneliness and depression. 
10. Everyone should know how the government is supposed to work.  I'd recommend congress and the president take note.

Today in Tech News

Color me creeped out with most of these things...

• Robots are now building...robots.  The future is looking a bit scary for, you know, humans.
• And this creepy Halloween project is just...weird.  Which doesn't mean you shouldn't participate in it.
• Cop cameras will soon be able to track you using facial recognition.  WCGW?
• Air pollution kills 7 million people a year. Yikes.
• I think I will decline being microchipped no matter how "convenient" it is.
• What would happen if everyone became vegetarian?  This may be the only article I'm on board with.

5 Reasons to Be Prepared from Today's News

It's been a busy day in the news which points out several reasons we all need to be prepared...

1. Dying without a will is a bad idea.  Be prepared by writing up your will ASAP.
2. Hawaii is bracing for a major hurricane.  Get prepared for your own local natural disaster today so you won't be scrambling when an actual disaster is heading your way.
3. Verizon is on the hot seat today for throttling fire fighter data while they were fighting the massive California wildfires.  Make sure your communications plan is triple-redundant.
4. Parents are scrambling to find Epi Pens for their kids due to a shortage of the vital medication devices.  Always always stockpile vital medications because you never know when a shortage will happen.
5. Washington State is swimming in unhealthy air due to wildfires.  How could you prepare today if the air in your town suddenly became dangerous to breath?

Lessons Learned from Today's News

In today's news...

• A pop star overdosed.  The take away: if you know someone with an addiction problem consider keeping Narcan on hand.
• Even if you planned a relaxing summer vacation in Greece, remember that disasters can happen anywhere so you need to be prepared, like with today's huge wildfires spreading across the country.
• Meanwhile, the many tourists who descend on Yellowstone each summer are now being told to leave due to wildfires.
• The mid-Atlantic is under a severe storm watch; this means flooding, trees falling, dangerous roads, and potential death.  Prepare accordingly.
• In the southwest (Vegas included) we are expected to reach 110+ degree temps this week.  I would highly recommend NOT visiting Death Valley this week (or even straying far from air conditioned casinos and other buildings if you plan to be in the area, for your own safety).

In the News This Week

It's a busy (weird) week in the news...

• The New York Times calls Trump a Treasonous Traitor.  Wow.  The headlines about Nixon were much less inflammatory.
• Monday is Amazon Prime Day.  Color me not excited about this but apparently many people are.
• It was an exciting World Cup today as well as an exciting Wimbledon Men's finals and a very exciting (if not lengthy heads up battle) WSOP Main Event Finals last night.
• There were the usual protests over a criminal being shot by cops in Chicago.  smh
• And two separate tragic police shootings (here and here).
• For parents out there, it is already time to get ready to send your kids back to school!

In the News This Week

Some recent news stuff...

• RIP Art Bell--the guy had a fascinating radio show for many years.
• In the US, federal taxes need to be filed by Tuesday for most people.
• A bit of relief on tax day--a long list of Tax Days freebies and discounts.
• Eggs that were sold in nine states are being recalled due to salmonella.
• Need some free garden seeds?  Check out the Free Seed Project.
• It's Coachella week in Southern California.  This is both a traffic issue if you are in the area and, as of a few hours ago, a wildfire issue.
• Finally, here is a short update on the Cape Town water crisis.

Positive News

Happy Easter. In light of the holiday, here are some links featuring positive, uplifting news...

• Positive News
• Good News Network
• Uplifting News
• Today Good News
• Newser Uplifting News
• MSN Good News

10 Things You Should Know Today

In no particular order...

1. There are currently A LOT of drug shortages in the US (even saline solution of all things).
2. These homeowners may be on the hook for $90k each because their HOA messed up.
3. Apparently the thing to do in Nevada is to file a homestead declaration to protect your property (who knew?).
4. Daylight savings time starts tonight, spring your clocks forward an hour before you go to bed.
5. Don't be surprised if you are driving and see a car drive by with no driver.  Wow.
6. Florida FINALLY changed the age of marriage to 17 (from 11!!! WTF Florida?).
7. Here are some clever hacks you may need.
8. One of my favorite websites...Cool Tools.
9. And if you are into infographics, this is the subreddit for you.
10. Finally an interesting video about why planes crash.

This Week in the News

In no particular order...

• Flu season is still in full swing and is predicted to continue for a couple more months.  Wash your hands.  Often.
• The winter Olympics is on day two.  It's interesting to watch.
• Casino owner Steve Wynn stepped down after allegations of sexual misconduct.  I'm rather appalled that someone can make allegations (no investigation, no criminal trial findings) and that can change the course of a person's life.  Apparently people have forgotten the historical definition of witch hunt.
• Millions of people are leaving Facebook.  I pretty much stopped using it at the beginning of the year (not fond of them tracking my behavior, listening in on conversations, targeting posts to me instead of letting me see all of my friend's posts, etc) and I've found that I don't miss it at all.
• Drugs, alcohol, and suicide are causing life expectancy to drop dramatically.  This is happening particularly in white, middle-aged people and those living in rural areas.

5 Important News Items

In no particular order...

1. This guy needs to be found.  While I am a fan of survivalists, people who ambush cops (or anyone else for that matter) deserve to be taken out at rapidly as possible.
2. If you live in the Southwest, the flash floods are coming.  Be prepared.
3. Troops are being sent to West Africa to help fight Ebola.  Sounds like a pretty bad idea to me.  Sending troops into a war zone is one thing, sending them into a viral hot zone is quite another.
4. This was a surprise.
5. This is a travesty.  Someone breaks into my house in the middle of the night and I too would shoot first and ask questions later.

Links (With Commentary, Of Course)

Here's some links from around the web (with appropriate commentary of course):

• Man accidentally kills self during gun safety demonstration (what are the four rules of gun safety???)
• I'm quitting my job...thanks Obamacare (actually it should be thanks tax payers, they are the one's who will be paying for your insurance in all of these scenarios)
• Hackathons (this is definitely the new wave of learning useful skills for the marketplace)
• The History of Bitcoin (not regulated, not backed by anything...yep that's a great investment /s)
• And now for something more relaxing and enjoyable...Nature Valley Trail Views 

Some Things You Should Know About Technology

Even if you aren't a died-in-the-wool tech geek, you should have at least a bit of knowledge about current technology (ie: what you don't know could hurt you):

• Top 10 Reasons to be Afraid of Hackers
• 'Smart Homes' are Vulnerable
• Your TV Might be Watching You
• Think Twice About that Burner Phone
• Feds Suspected in Malware Attack
• US Covers Up Program that Tracks Americans

tldr; although you don't need to be a tech genius (and with the exponential growth of the field, this would be nearly impossible anyway) but you do need to be aware of how hackers--and the government--can use technology to your detriment.

From the "World is Going to Hell in a Handbasket" File

Some examples...

• 4 in 5 in US face near poverty
• Dozens of CIA operatives were on the ground during Benghazi attack
• The US is closing it's embassies because of an 'unspecified threat'
• And then there is the Bradley Manning situation...
• ...Followed by the Russia/Snowden situation
• And there is, well, most everything you find on this subreddit