Photo: Chris White

I hope everyone has had a good week!

I also hope that you all are liking this new “My Friday Five” series that I’m doing. I’ve already received one comment from a reader in favor of it so, if you feel the same or even different, please drop me a line in the comment section below. Constructive comments help me gauge what my reading audience likes.

That being said, here’s this week’s list…

1) A Case of Overreaction

This story was huge on Wednesday. Ahmed Mohamed, a tech-savvy freshman at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, built a clock contraption and wanted to bring it to school to show it off to his teachers. Unfortunately for him, one of those teachers alerted school officials about what they believed to be a bomb and Mohamed was arrested. He was later released and no charges will be filed because the “bomb” was, of course, not a bomb at all. The principal of the school did suspend him for three days, according to The Dallas Morning News. This story has caused much outrage and debate throughout the country, many asking if the same thing would have been done if the student in question wasn’t Muslim.

I know that paranoia continues to pervade our society given 9/11 and the Boston Bombings, among other incidents. However, this is just crazy. Like someone on Facebook said, if the teacher can’t distinguish a harmless clock from an actual bomb, maybe he or she shouldn’t be teaching. Mohamed got the last laugh as many people, from famous figures like Montel Williams to bloggers and journalists, are calling for the Irving Police Department to apologize and President Obama has invited Mohamed to the White House. Encouraging students to apply what they have learned, create and invent is a big part of our country. I sincerely hope that this incident will not deter Mohamed from pursuing something he’s passionate about. I don’t think it will.

2) Photo Contest…Round Seven

I finally decided on a photo to use for the N.C. State Fair photo competition! The photo – that I like to call “Lighthouse Spiral” – was my favorite out of the ones I chose from and I really hope that it’ll do well. It’s hard to believe that this is the seventh year I’ve participated in this competition. Yep, it all started in 2009 when I was in high school. I still have the photo I used then and, man, have I come a long way since! This contest is always interesting because you don’t really know what the judges are looking for other than a few general guidelines on the competition rules page. A sample of the photo is pictured on the right for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to check out my photo on exhibit in the Scott Building at the N.C. State Fair October 15-25!

3) 8K TVs Are All The Rage?

Okay, maybe not yet. But get this: Sharp will begin selling the world’s first 8K televisions. That’s right, folks. Forget HD and 4K – what’s 4K? – it’s all about the 8K now. Just a couple problems with this though. One, this fancy, new 85-inch beaut will set you back a cool $133,000, according to CNN Money. No, that’s not a typo. Second problem, there’s hardly any 4K programming, let alone 8K, so your viewing options are slim. In case you’re wondering, these TVs will be available just in time for Halloween on October 30. Start saving up now!

4) Paul Zerdin Wins “America’s Got Talent”

Ventriloquist Paul Zerdin was crowned Season 10 champ of the hit talent competition show Wednesday night. Zerdin went up against comedian Drew Lynch in the final two – both of whom were my favorites to win the whole thing. Zerdin really took ventriloquism to a level I’d never seen before and, trust me, I’ve seen the likes of Jeff Dunham and Terry Fator. Take this performance on the show, for example…

You all probably know what I’m talking about. If not, I’m talking about the song and dance that’s taking the world by storm: Silentó’s “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae).” Well, this 98-year-old had no problem showing the world how he Whips and Nae Naes (?). The Whip isn’t bad but the Nae Nae needs a bit of work – and pay attention to what he calls it. This will brighten your day for sure!