Political blogs went to pot on Friday. The Internet is buzzing after the Washingtonian published a review of Washington Post associate editor David Maraniss’s forthcoming book “Barack Obama: The Story,” including an excerpt about President Obama’s high school clique and their favorite pastime. Read full article > >

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The Choom Gang: President Obama’s pot-smoking high school days detailed in Maraniss book

When the Woodgrove girls’ lacrosse team completed a stunning district title run last May, their on-field celebration lacked the traditional championship banner. The first-year school hadn’t purchased one yet. Read full article > >

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Woodgrove High athletics program is thriving in Virginia AA girls’ sports in only its second year

President addresses high school’s graduating class.

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Obama to Joplin: You’re the Inspiration

Over the past half-century, the amount of time college students actually study — read, write and otherwise prepare for class — has dwindled from 24 hours a week to about 15, survey data show. And that invites a question: Has college become too easy? Read full article > >

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Is college too easy? As study time falls, debate rises

What does this much-ballyhooed Facebook IPO amount to? I’ve said before that if Mark Zuckerberg isn’t literally spirited up to heaven on the wings of hippogriffs, it will be a disappointment. I stand by that. Still, before you know it, there are going to be almost half as many Facebook stock shares as Facebook users. It is inevitable, like death and the release of “What To Expect When You’re Expecting,” although probably slightly more pleasant than either. Read full article > >

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Alexandra Petri: For the IPO, the eight people you meet on Facebook

A gay teenager who pulled a stun gun on students he said bullied him has been expelled from his Indianapolis high school until January.

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Bullied teen expelled over stun gun

Here’s one thing I learned during a nine-day drink-and-dine tour of Cognac and several other towns in western France: Never, ever text a photo of your sumptuous lunch to your wife when she’s alone back home, working and taking care of your 8-year-old son. Read full article > >

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France’s cognac country: So much to drink in

Prosecutors said a Queens man was stopped just days before he and two of his former high school classmates planned to stage suicide attacks.

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Terror Defendant Convicted in Plot to Bomb New York Subways

LOS ANGELES — The kid strode to the plate in the top of the ninth inning Saturday with the score tied and the go-ahead run on third base, the most Hollywood of moments in the most Hollywood of places. Before a sellout crowd at Dodger Stadium, his debut delivered so many loopy twists and small treasures, so much huge drama. And now the right man, age 19 years 195 days, came to bat at the right time. Read full article > >

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Nationals vs. Dodgers: Bryce Harper dazzles, Los Angeles wins in 10

TUCSON — Richard Carmona, the Democratic candidate for senator from Arizona, had a rough childhood in New York City. His Puerto Rican parents had drug and alcohol problems, and he was homeless for a time. He dropped out of high school and went to Vietnam, where he won two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars. Read full article > >

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Richard Carmona, former Bush surgeon general, best hope of turning Arizona blue, Democrats say

Hi there. I'm Kat. You may know me from Daily Show writer Miles Kahn's popular screenshot above, or its subsequent appearance in countless blog posts such as Jim Romenesko's “Thank you, CNN!” or Videogum's “Tips for Solo Dining” or Jezebel's “We Just Really Want to Make Sure You’re Cool on the ‘Eating Alone’ Front.” Oh, and now The Soup's “My Dinner With Entrée.” I'm sorry about ruining TV journalism for everyone while not looking anything like the world's most beautiful human, Beyonce , but I really do dig eating alone sometimes. On purpose, even. Not just because of my hideous deformities and “man face” (thank you, internet commenters!). Not everyone enjoys solo dining, though, and that's such a shame to me. Plenty of people don't think twice about sitting alone in a restaurant, out of necessity or preference. Armed with a book, a phone, people watching or their own quiet thoughts, they're good to go. For others, it's a source of intense embarrassment or anxiety, and that's what I went on CNN Newsroom to discuss in my weekly segment (previous installments of which addressed slavery in Ivory Coast cacao fields , antibiotics in beef and the impact of growing your own food ). Earlier this week, my colleagues at CNN Travel had run a much-commented-upon piece about a site that pairs female business travelers with other women so they would not have to bear the discomfort of eating alone in a strange city. This story, frankly, depressed me – the politics and angst of the high school cafeteria writ large and a decade (or two or three) later. The women interviewed admitted to skipping meals, hiding at dark tables in the back, or faking cell phone calls to avoid the scrutiny of other diners, who they felt perceived them as “sad, lonely spinster(s)” clearly out to ensnare unsuspecting gentlemen by sexily eating salad alone at the bar. The discomfort isn't gender-limited though; the Newsroom guest before me, a whip-smart, take no prisoners political analyst, flinched when I told him the topic. Though he travels the country extensively and alone for his job, he might brave a diner at lunchtime, but never a higher-end restaurant at night. The notion simply cowed him. I'm lucky enough to have no qualms about walking into a restaurant anywhere on the shmanciness spectrum at any time of day and taking great pleasure in my meals. When I was 19 years old and trying to stitch myself back together after an excruciating breakup, a friend told me he thought that there was nothing in the world more intriguing than a woman eating on her own. Twenty years later, I still take that to heart . While I don't put a great deal of thought into how my fellow patrons are perceiving me, I do attribute other solo diners with a sense of self confidence, calm, and delight. I have plenty of people I love in my life, but they may or may not share my food obsessions. That's okay; I don't need them to. My husband isn't keen on offal or intense spice, so I won't subject him to it. I could be working in a city where I don't know a soul. I may just wish to chill out with a nice Manhattan, a plate of oysters (that I don't have to share) and the comfort of my own company. I might just be hungry. I figured I could help empower someone who needed it. My tips (in a less reductive form than one might guess from the screenshot): Sit at the bar This one is a slam dunk. You're not taking up a whole table and drawing a server's potential disdain with a lowered check total. A bartender can be a companion and ally if you'd like one, or a protective force if you're in need of such a thing. It's also a great way to chat with other patrons, or stare dreamily at the liquor collection, lost in your own thoughts. Ask questions about the menu Curious diners get great service. Per almost every front-of-house staffer I've known professionally or as a friend, they'll pay special attention to a person who seems genuinely curious about the food and drinks, and often bring them extra things to try. Bartenders and servers are humans, too – some of the best ones, even – and appreciate a friendly patron who actually values their opinion. If you do return to the place (and have tipped humanely), you'll be on the fast track to “regular” status. Bring a book As my friend Steven, a pro-level solo diner , says, a book is the universal symbol for “Please don't talk to me.” If a woman is indeed concerned with being seen as a Dockers-chasing harlot, a book is a smashing defense (just no “Fifty Shades of Grey,” please) – or an excellent distraction that can be easily be tucked aside if something entertaining arises. Or, if you are perhaps in search of a comely fellow Proust fan, that's a big ol' flag you can fly. Use Twitter This may not be for everyone, but as I wrote about a few months back after traveling for an uncle's funeral , if you're eating solo out of duty and not desire, there are worse things than having a social network in your pocket. While I'd sooner swallow a lobster pick than tweet at the table when there's company present or post pictures of my meal, if I'm alone, on occasion I'd like company. Because I write about food for a living, my online circles tend to be pretty dining-centric. I like to make the most of any meal opportunity I have while I'm in a new city, and chances are that one of my over 22,000 followers has a few recommendations that shouldn't be missed. While it's not been exceptionally pleasant having my worth as a journalist, appearance or potential social appeal assessed by strangers and other media professionals on the internet, it's all part of the cycle, and it's helped at least one person. A good friend and fellow journalist, Adam Robb, has recently become the caregiver of his very ill grandmother , and it's taken a toll. As he told me yesterday, he opened his Facebook to write me a note and vent a little bit. The first thing in his newsfeed was that screen grab. “I'm taking it as a sign from God I should take myself out to dinner tonight,” he told me. He went to Daniel Humm and Will Guidara's NoMad – one of the hottest new restaurants in New York City. He thoroughly enjoyed his meal. He ate alone. Take Our Poll Previously – How to eat alone at the bar , Grazing the bar and Dining solo on the road

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That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spotlight eating all alone

As Robert Griffin III’s game, character and talents have been poked, prodded and turned inside-out in the weeks leading up to the draft, the biggest uncertainty posed by analysts and talent evaluators surrounds Griffin’s ability to fit into the Redskins’ offensive scheme. Read full article > >

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Former coaches, experts believe Griffin will fit well into Redskins’ system

A group of high school students in California have launched a rubber chicken to the edge of space, all in the name of science.

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VIDEO: Rubber chicken sent to edge of space

More than 500 high school and college students competing in human-powered vehicles were inspired by the lunar rovers that astronauts used on the moon.

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VIDEO: Nasa hosts moonbuggy race

Fairfax County schools could become the first in the Washington region to create a virtual public high school that would allow students to take all their classes from a computer at home. No sports teams. No pep rallies. No lockers, no hall passes. Instead, assignments delivered on-screen and after-school clubs that meet online. Read full article > >

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Fairfax County considers creating virtual high school