The Black Swan is one of my favorite books, if only because it proves the absurdity and unpredictability of life. It ratified something I had suspected for many years: Nobody has any idea what's going to happen next. Take the volcano ash, for example. I don't imagine a lot of people this week thought  that they could wake up on Thursday to find that a large volcanic eruption in Iceland had pretty much shut down most air travel in Europe... and that it might extend through the weekend. Just like  CEO of Bear Stearns played golf, having no clue that his company could be vaporized in a matter of days. Whoops! Yes, Nassim Nicholas Taleb is onto something. Black Swans happen all the time! So let's review the strange and unpredictable things that are happening on this news day:

• The volcanic ash cloud is spreading and getting worse, wreaking havoc on European air travel.
• The ash cloud may prevent President Obama from attending the state funeral for late Polish President Lech Kaczynski (Associated Press)
• Obama says that we will end up on Mars, in his lifetime (SFgate.com). Funny he can't even get to Europe but thinks we can get to Mars.
• What's up with Larry King and 8 wives? See this video clip: Why the ladies Love Larry King. Um, the money? The fame? um... I just dunno.And, by the way, somebody says he didn't have a prenup.
• The hottest blondes in sports (Bleacher Report). I dunno, I realize this has nothing to do with anything. It's Friday. I just felt like I had to link that that.
• The HTC Droid Incredible will be out on Verizon by the end of April (PCWorld).
• How about that meteor (Telegraph). Or was it something else?
• Headline of the week: "'Tyrant King' Leech Discovered, Attacks Orifices" (National Geographic). You just have to see the picture. By the way, don't look if you haven't had breakfast.
• Don't you hate it when you find a Python in your hotel room? (Associated Press). In the toilet!
• "Has Steve Jobs gone mad?" (Fortune). Another great headline.
• The SEC is suing Goldman Sachs (Bloomberg). Good luck, SEC. You couldn't even catch Bernie Madoff.
• The Bank of America has returned to profitability (Bloomberg). That has a nice ring to it. We hope it's real.
• China has adjusted policy on home ownership, requiring larger down payments (Wall Street Journal). You think they don't learn from us?