Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/18/21

3 Up

1. Shohei Ohtani - My dude was WORKIN' this week as the world focused on the amazingness that is Ohtani! He participated in the Home Run Derby. Picked up a win as the starting pitcher for the American League. And oh yeah, lead off the game hitting for the AL. He does it all!!! And of course, he capped it off by donating his $150,000 Home Run Derby check to Angels employees

Baseball, get behind this dude as much as possible. Please. We are all begging you. 

2. Lovecraft Country Leads - Jonathan Majors and my girl, Jurnee Smollet (always been a fan!) made history as both were the first two black leads to be nominated from the same show for an Emmy award. Of course, we can dive into the craziness that is this first, but whatevs.  

I've yet to see Lovecraft Country, but I've heard nothing but good things. Can't wait to eventually dive into it. 

3. Pro Wrestling w/Crowds(!) - I've been super critical of pro wrestling during the pandemic - I've felt many companies (largely the WWE) have missed out on an opportunity to do something dynamic. Nonetheless, many companies welcomed back fans to the live experience this week and it is sooooo incredibly obvious how much that element is needed in the product. Many kudos all around to WWE, AEW, and Impact who delivered amazing shows this week. Nothing beats that kind of energy with a live crowd in attendance. 

3 Down

1. COVID (& Vaccinations) - Well, here we go again. COVID and this latest Delta variant is sticking around and putting up another fight as the virus rips through communities of unvaccinated individuals, even causing rollbacks such as mask mandates in states like California. We are trying to pretend like COVID doesn't exist, but the message that this is ultra-serious from a person like Dr. Scott Gottleib is deeply troubling. 

There are also new reports about the concern of so many children on the vaccination front, especially those from lower economic backgrounds, falling behind basic vaccination requirements. 

2. Minimum Wage Reality - Welp, the labor shortage remains a real concern throughout the country, and for those who refuse to go back to minimum wage jobs, I can't blame them with the recent news that a minimum wage-earning can no longer rent a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the nation

I used to be against the $15 minimum wage hike - but I just can't anymore with further understanding and education on the matter. It's just not right. Especially, after what the pandemic revealed. 

3. Nationals Park Shooting - I know it wasn't what we initially thought when this broke out on Twitter. But the looks on the faces of those from the footage we saw were absolutely horrifying. Because you know what? The worst we imagined, is undoubtedly possible in our country. So scary.

1 Sad

1. Biz Markie - RIP and gone too soon. Play "Just a Friend" at least one time this week...matybe a few. 

Cover Photo

Smoke billows over hills to the north of a Red Cross disaster shelter as the Bootleg Fire expands to more than 210,000 acres near Klamath Falls, Oregon, on July 14, 2021.

AP Photo/Noah Berger

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/11/19

3 Up 1. Eva Ramon Gallegos Cure HPV - Could Cervical Cancer be a thing of the past? It very much looks like it as after twenty years of work, Gallegos has found a cure that completely eliminates the cancer. This is remarkable work, and it's pretty awesome to see the Mexican Medical community come together proudly in this achievement. 2. "This is America" Grammy - Finally!! Childish Gambino got some national love for the work he did on this great song, and even more so, on the overall art/video that was "This is America". Of course, he wasn't there to pick it up as the Grammys and their long standing issue with the hip-hop community continues... 3. Women at SOTU - Women continue to be bad ass in the current age. Their solidarity within the Capitol for the President's SOTU was a great sight to see. 3 Down 1. Venezuela Crisis - The country of Venezuela is in absolute shambles right now as they tussle over leadership, and really, a move toward d...

Dear Son, Uniquely Two!

--- 2 Years Old --- Dear Son,  Happy Birthday! I have to get used to you sharing a birthday with Jesus - that's still no easy thing to do.  However, you're now two years old! And while I write this, you haven't really been able to celebrate, more so your birthday. At a mere two years old, you're rife with germs and succumbed to a nasty bug, rendering you sick on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day (your birthday), and the days to follow. Everyone here for the holidays was unable to give you that moment, and really, we weren't able to get that moment on your second birthday.  The day aside, I'm grateful for the little guy that you are. In one of my previous notes to you, I mentioned " That's Milo " and you've continued to express that. You're very unique - a character in every way. The complete opposite, thus far, of your brother in so many ways.  Even with your limited speech as a toddler, I love how decisive you are - with your "Yesshhhs...