Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 1/21/24

3 Up

1. Japan Moon Landing - It's kind of crazy to think in a world with budding AI and all of the technology we are trying to wrap our minds around here on Earth, landing on the moon is still a rarity. Congratulations to Japan for becoming the fifth nation to do so. It'll be nice to get more info as I'm sure the race to the moon for more exploration is on. 

2. Spelman College Donation - The largest-ever donation for an HBCU happened this week with Spelman College receiving a $100M gift. That's cool, and it should be interesting when higher education and institutional power within higher education are at their most fragile. 

3. Taylor Swift Impact - It's 2024, and Taylor continues dominating in amazing ways. One of those is that Swift is responsible for 7% of all vinyl record sales in 2023. Considering her music and the intersection audience that typically adores her and collects vintage which seems on the surface very unlikely - Swift's power and influence knows no boundary. 

3 Down

1. Immigration - From the continued migrants in cities to the discussion at the border, to really nothing being done, it raises the discussion on the seriousness of how we approach immigration, or if we just want to utilize it for political rhetoric. 

2. Cancelled Debate - A Nikki Haley vs. Donald Trump debate is now off after Trump refused to show (again), and Haley refused to do it if Trump declined. I mean, after all, what's the point. Our politics are broken. 

3. Sports Illustrated - Sad week with the announcement of the demise of Sports Illustrated. An establishment for any sports fan of the past, the medium and landscape changed, and SI fell behind. I sort of miss it - coverage and discourse of sports haven't been the same.

Cover Photo

A large statue depicting rapper and actor Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, is installed in front of the Palais Brongniart in Paris, France, on January 12, 2024. The statue appeared, unannounced, as part of a campaign to promote the release of Kid Cudi's new album. #

Alain Jocard / AFP / Getty

Labels:

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...
Read more

Dome Pondering - 2025 Year in Review

2025 brought depth and growth.  In many ways, 2025 provided so many challenges and opportunities, allowing for a deeper, more layered approach to the world we live in. Our world is changing, and often, not for the better. Over the last 365 days, life has been more complex, more exhausting, and is asking so much more of us through these transitions and nuances than it did 365 days ago.  No big deal, right?  But hey, you're here. We're here. And we're going into 2026 much stronger, whether we realize it or not. But before we do, let's bid adieu to 2025.  As always, I'm incredibly gratefu l to those of you who still visit this little speck of the internet that houses my thoughts, rambles, and learnings. Thank you for taking a break from instant dopamine hits and videos, and likely the much cooler options of prepared content and indulging my humbled words. It is much appreciated.  It's the 20th annual - TWENTY YEARS of doing this! - Dome Pondering Year in Review. Le...
Read more

Thoughts on John Cena's Final Match - "I'm okay with the tap out."

Wow, he tapped out?! Or did he? We all anticipated the final moment for John Cena in a pro wrestling ring, and what happened this past Saturday left all of us pro wrestling fans with an opinion - did you like the ending?  It was jarring to watch Cena tap out initially. However, as common as "final matches" are beginning to feel as of late (Dudley Boyz and Goldberg in 2025, AJ's announcement that 2026 is his last, and the strong rumor for the same fate for Brock Lesnar in 2026), as pro wrestling fans, we just don't believe yet that wrestling retirements are for real. Because why would we? Nonetheless, we've gotten some unique send-offs that tug on the emotion and mean more AFTER the dust has settled.  I think back to TNA Slammmiversary just this year, in Bubba Ray Dudley "giving up" and allowing himself to be put through the table for the Dudley Boyz send off. In the moment, it seemed awkward and weird. But as time has gone on, the finish has aged really...
Read more