Dome Pondering

What is it about? A professor searches for answers to his problems as his life unravels through various, sudden incidents.  Who is in it? Michael Stuhlbarg – Professor Larry Gopnik Richard Kind – Uncle Arthur Fred Melamed – Sy Ableman

From: A Long Time Die Hard Knick Fan To: Other Long Time Die Hard Knick Fans ; Frontrunner Fans ; Fraudbags ; CC: Lee, Spike ; Syracuse University Basketball Fans ; Subject: WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU? Dear Knicks Fans…and “Knicks Fans”, I’ve been waiting to write this letter for what has now become ten long years. Yes, that’s right, a full decade. It was during that time when it seemed Allan Houston’s running buzzer-beater over the Miami Heat was the beginning of a new era in New York Knicks basketball. Little did I know that I was right, except, it was for the worst. Following that memorable 1999 playoff run where our Knicks team made NBA history by becoming the first eighth seed to reach the Finals, a ten year curse known as Scott Layden and Isiah Thomas came over the franchise. From the grand days of enjoying Ewing, Starks, Oakley, Mason, Harper, Childs, Camby, Houston, Sprewell, and Johnson, we were now saddled with names that cause nightmares such as Harrington ...

“Finally, The Rock has come back…Home!” Despite the usual catchphrase for The Rock, it is a statement that every single wrestling fan has longed to hear ever since he left for Hollywood seven years ago. And because of his comeback, and due to the title of this post, we here can follow that up with a… “Finally, The Rock has come back…to Dome Pondering!” Ok, I’ll calm down. I’m just excited the Rock has come back, period.  Last night when that infamous theme song beginning of “If ya smelllllll…” hit over the airwaves, there was a sudden jolt of excitement, goose bumps, and shock for yours truly. As The Rock came through that curtain, that excitement tripled. Albeit being much older, yet, very much in shape, The Rock stood before 19,000-plus fans in Anaheim who gave him a 3 minute standing ovation, including the millions (and…millions) of wrestling fans at home who I am sure felt like this was all a dream.  As this was happening, I sat on my futon in ful...

Recently, I’ve become hooked on the television drama, Lights Out, which airs on Tuesday nights on FX. While, many of you DP devotees know, I am never been one to follow any type of drama series, or much less, devote myself to a television program, the show has captivated me for more that it’s excellent writing and acting. Lights Out has been a series that is intriguing and interesting. The show, which is based around a former championship boxer that is now struggling to keep his family afloat after losing all his money, puts the viewer on the real inside workings of the boxing industry.

With all the confetti and streamers on the ground in Cowboys Stadium, the 2010 National Football League season is now over. After a great Super Bowl XLV game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, the dreams of Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Green Bay Packers is now a reality – Super Bowl Champions. Entering the playoffs as a number six seed and having to win three games on the road before finally winning the big one is an amazing feat. A feat that included the progressing maturity of what could be the next elite quarterback in the NFL for years to come in Rodgers. Although, the 2010 NFL season will always be remembered as the year that “could've been” for Jet fans like myself, it was another year of great stories and moments. And with a 2011 season up in the air due to an expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement and unresolved issues, holding on to the memories and moments of 2010 cannot be taken for granted. With that said, here are the moments yours truly wil...

Andy Pettitte is now retired. It is a statement that is very hard for yours truly to grasp. It seems as long as I’ve been in love with this game called baseball, Andy Pettitte has been a name, a talent, a pitcher, that I have always enjoyed watching, and sometimes, learning from. Dating back to 1993 when I began to really love and understand the great game played in the summer, the Yankees weren’t very good. While I managed to catch Don Mattingly towards the end of his career, the hope that was for Yankee fans at the time was tied up in names like Roberto Kelly, Kevin Maas, and Russ Davis.

Now in year two of his presidency, President Obama delivered an interesting State of the Union address. Going in, President Obama had the tough task of addressing the United States current status while attempting to shape the nation’s future philosophy and direction. With a rebounding economy, our troops on schedule to return home, and various international matters being cleared up, the President took aim at directing focus back to domestic matters. With a chamber in solace over the recent wounding of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, the chamber decided to mix things up by avoiding the split room that has always been the norm during such speeches. In an attempt to show solidarity, and to rebuff the growing theme of separation which triggered the Gifford shooting, Republicans and Democrats sat next to one another during the speech. While it was a nice gesture, yes, the standing up and applauding for certain topics by specific members still reared up and showed separation. Anyhow, with...

What motivates you? What inspires you? There are a variety of things that pushes us to aspire for greatness, to reach for more, or to just downright get off our couch and get something done. Regardless of whether the goal is tangible or a status of well being, over the years there have been various ways individuals have motivated themselves to want more and to do better. One of those ways have always been through rhetoric. Whether for athletic, political, or social reasons, the art of speech has inspired human beings for generations. In the following Pondering 10 , I will rank my favorite inspirational speeches that always – always – get me going.

What is it about? The true story of boxer, “Irish” Micky Ward and his family, as he ascends to the top of the boxing world. Who is in it? Mark Wahlberg – Micky Ward Christian Bale – Dickie Eklund Amy Adams – Charlene Fleming Melissa Leo – Alice Ward