Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Biden Drops Out of Race - I think this needed to be done. I always wondered why Biden rallied for re-election and ultimately, why the Dems allowed him to seek it. More importantly, the optics from the 1st Presidential debate resonated loudly with what many do feel - we must have other candidates, right? Well, now we do. Thankfully, Biden stepped aside.  2. WNBA All-Star Game - Could the WNBA All-Star Game be the last entertaining version that exists? The game was competitive, felt like it meant something, and overall, had a substance that was worth the All-Star feel. Great job from the W.  3. Taylor Swift - Taylor is always in some space of epic accomplishments. After dominating 2023, she's doing it again in 2024 in a quiet way via her latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department" which topped the Billboard 200 for the 12th week in a row.  3 Down 1. California (Newsome) Law - There is nothing I like about this law passed by Governor Newsome. Nothing. What happene

3 Up 1. Corey Comperatore - In a divided country, these moments make us realize that maybe (hopefully?) things have gone too far. Comperatore died shielding his family from the gunfire in the Trump's Assassination attempt. It's so commendable, and also, so sad. We've gotta be better.  2. Michael Bloomberg Johns Hopkins Gift - Kudos to Bloomberg on donating $1 Billion dollars to Johns Hopkins in order to give medical students free tuition. It would be great if so many other billionaires contributed opportunities such as this one.  3. Inside Out 2 (Highest Grossing Pixar Film) - I haven't seen it. But considering Pixar's history, that is quite the accomplishment.  3 Down 1. Trump Assassination Attempt - I said most of my thoughts on this in a post earlier this week . As noted above on tipping a cap to the memory of Corey Comperatore, we've gotta be better.  2. Gun Problem in the U.S. - It's such a crazy thought that a twenty-year-old is able to acquire such a

Welp. There it is.  The whole "Bridges to the Knicks" concept felt so obvious that it almost seemed like it wouldn't happen because it was such a perfect thing that needed to happen. Plus, there is still that underwhelming feeling that good things like that don't happen to us.  Well, not anymore. Mikal Bridges is a Knick, and it is official.  This organization finally pushed all of its picks into the middle of the table and swung for the big move we all knew was inevitable.  Here is the final story on that deal: NYK Receives: Mikal Bridges, Keita Bates-Diop, 2026 MIL/DET/ORL 2nd (least favorable) BKN Receives: Bojan Bogdanovic, Shake Milton (sign-and-trade), Mamadi Diakite, 2025 NYK 1st, 2025 MIL 1st, 2027 NYK 1st, 2028 NYK Swap Rights, 2029 NYK 1st, 2031 NYK 1st, 2025 BKN 2nd Some love the deal. Others thought we overpaid. And of course, the national media will #knicksforclicks this thing... Here are some quick thoughts on Bridges to the Knicks for this Knicks fan: 

3 Up 1. FDA Drug to Slow Alzheimers - It's always a good thing when these drugs hit the market. Alzheimer's disease and dementia hit me hard because of what it did to my dad. It's nasty. Anything to help slow or eradicate it is welcomed.  2. July 4th Weekend - It was a nice long weekend. At its core, the holiday is sometimes hard to appreciate or celebrate. Very complicated. In the end, we are fortunate to be in this nation.  3. John Cena - The GOAT. He's my pick (and that's not because of the WWE machine). Cena announced his final tour in 2025 before retiring from the squared circle. What. A. Career.  3 Down 1. Middle Schoolers in PA Impersonating Teachers - This story is wild. Just wild. It makes me fear for my sons in the future as well as the environment they are headed into. I'm at the point where I would be okay if social media just went away. Really, I would.  2. Hurricane Beryl - Hurricane season is now early and it has pummeled the islands, including St

"You (really) deserve it." Coming from the right person, that can mean everything. 

3 Up 1. Aaron Judge - The (new) Captain started the year off slow, but has quickly put together what is shaping up to be a historic season. Judge has been an absolute monster.  2. Florida Panthers - Kudos to the Florida Panthers for winning the Stanley Cup. Despite them narrowly avoiding a historic collapse by dropping a 3-0 series lead and finding themselves in a Game 7, the Panthers finished a dominating run to the Cup.  3. International Basketball - This week's NBA draft saw a large amount of international talent get drafted, especially in the two top spots. Just me, but we need to seriously look at our pipeline here in the States. Also, the route to the NBA is so incredibly diverse.  3 Down 1. Presidential Debate - Unbelievably bad. I'm sure we all had strong opinions this week. Here were mine . 2. Supreme Court Obstruction - The recent run for the Supreme Court seems rather odd. Nonetheless, the ruling that various January 6th individuals  3. Democratic Party - They wanted

Welcome to the NBA, Bronny James!  In what was the worst-kept novelty of a storyline in the sports world in LeBron and Bronny one day gracing the NBA together, we're finally here!  First, congrats to Bronny! Entering the NBA is incredibly difficult, especially more than ever considering its global reach. Regardless, he is now part of the fraternity and amongst the elite in the game. Haters will say what they want, but he's there.  And second, congratulations to LeBron and Savannah James. What will be lost in all of this is that they raised a strong young man who yes, took advantage of his access and genetics, and is now at this point in his life - his ultimate goal. Bronny at the core, had no reason to want this - none. He easily could have rested, relaxed, and enjoyed the spoils of this birth lottery. Instead, he wanted what h knew would be the shadow of a massive legacy - and still did the work. That takes guts.  I commend the kid for not resting on Dad's name and wealth.

It’s the most unwanted rematch likely in history. Biden vs. Trump What we saw tonight was exactly what many moderates expected and solidified what we didn’t want to say out loud - we have to have better options than these two, no? There isn’t much to say about this debate, especially from this debate nerd. This was the absolute shits in regards to inspiring a nation for an upcoming election season, which in many ways, still resonates with political fatigue from 2020. But you know that, already. You knew that ten minutes into the debate. The two best quotes I’ve come across to wrap up my overall feeling are the following: On one side it’s hell no, and on the other, it’s oh no. It’s who we shouldn’t have be President vs. who we can’t let be President A few more quick thoughts on last night 1st Presidential Debate:  - For me, this format was the biggest positive of the night and a very good baseline for where future political debates need to go. In a world of “takes” and who shouts the lo

---6 Years Old --- Dear Son,  Happy Birthday!  I punch the keyboards for this post with so much adulation and pride after your sixth birthday. Six! I can't help but think of the person you're becoming. The word that comes to mind is...super.  Not for some form of alliteration or compliment, but because you're at the core just, well...super. My favorite thing about you is your developing personality, combined with your ability to reason, respond, and react within your own style and wit. And yes, you can read now, so there are some smarts behind it all at this stage.  Yet, under the "come on bruhhs" and the use of the phrase "literally" for every statement of relevance you want to exclaim, there is the constant thread of the fabric that is empathy that remains within your personality that is so beautiful to witness and experience.  "Are you okay?"  I especially love the way that you feel for people (and things) in the moments. The way concern dra