News items always interest me when they have unnecessary words. There was a report of someone shot by a disgruntled employee. I suppose that's as opposed to being shot by a content employee. ... At a recent trip through Chicago's O'Hare airport I noted the normal background noise – the sound of whips being used on those who tried to take liquids through security and the cries of the damned in coach.

A new mammal has been discovered in Columbia called the olinguito. A new mammal species was also recently discovered in Texas where the state quickly established a hunting season. ... NASA has abandoned the possibility of fixing the Kepler space telescope. They were unable to guarantee anyone would be home between noon and 4 p.m. ... There's a new NFL series on Court TV. Play by play will explore possible sentences and mitigating circumstances.

Alaska Journal. Saturday, July 27: In the woods. Saw bear. Myth confirmed. Had to stop to clean shoes. Sunday, July 28: Ran into a tree. Discovered softness is not northern. Monday, July 29: Fairbanks. Sun is still out at 11:30 p.m. Do not understand why Alaska needs Daylight Savings Time. Visited Alaska Pipeline.

Sometimes statues emphasize a feature to help us remember famous people and what they are most famous for. It is not quite clear how to handle molding a statue of what made Anthony Weiner famous. But the randy New York Democratic politician is having an impact on popular culture. There's a new phrase entering the language, "to be a Weiner" which means not knowing to quit while you are ahead.