Dome Pondering

Louisiana Mass Shooting  The details are horrific. Eight children dead. A father - say, what?! - killing them all, including seven of his own. One surviving child in the incident now carries this trauma and weight with them for the rest of their lives.  There's so much to unpack. What are we doing as men? What are we doing as a country? Another day, another shooting. Where are our morals? Our appreciation for life?  I also think about the men and women in uniform investigating this incident. The visuals and scenes their intaking...say a prayer for their mental health and well-being.  It's stories like this that just make you wonder about how we're lifting each other up... Church Reckons with Government The resident posting A.I. images to his account depicting himself as a healing Jesus is the kind of thing that is so 2026. The President is also in a war of words with the Pope. Yes, that, too, is so 2026.  Even talking heads, who are so tied to their political id...

With the World Cup coming up this summer, all of the big brands took their biggest creative kicks in making sure their clients....**ahem** countries were looking their best.  There were some really cool kits unveiled. While I thought about sharing some favorites in an updated (and revival) of Dope Sports Threads, I thought dropping a Pondering 10 was more appropriate.  The following are my favorite World Cup kits ahead of the 2026 World Cup.  --- 10. South Africa (Away) Adidas kits are going to be a trend on this list. Their designs followed a specific template, but they brought the fire with so many designs. South Africa is on the list. The three patch/logo across the chest is done nicely, with an awesome cultural pattern to the kit.  9. Belgium (Away) Another Adidas product, Belgium's "Away" kits carry a really cool design and some bright colors, making for an overall great kit. The black trim/sleeves/color is a tying touch.  8. Brazil (Home) Kudos to Nike for...

Abandoned and Forgotten. 

241. Would you rather spend the weekend with pirates or ninjas? If we're talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates , then that would be cool to hang around Paul Skenes. If it's the ship-stealing dudes, then I'll roll with the ninjas. Up my stealth-mode game.  242. Would you rather end every phone call with "I Love You" or accidentally call your partner the wrong name during a fight? That latter option....ummm, what? That's death.  I'll say "I Love You". Not. A. Problem. 243. Would you rather win the lottery but have to spend it all in a day or triple your current salary forever? Triple my salary. I'm not sure I can spend an entire lottery winning in a day. I honestly barely shop for myself like that... 244. Would you rather give up cursing forever or give up ice cream for 12 years?  Oddly enough, neither of these options is me. I eat ice cream like three times a year (maybe?), and I rarely, if ever, curse (out loud). To myself, it is another story...

Fly Me to The Moon The Artemis II mission came to a completion this weekend as the astronauts returned home - home being that of Houston...Earth.  The mission is just wild. So much so that the thought of flying to the moon is so simple, so easy, that the wonder of Apollo 11 is no longer questioned by conspiracy theorists. But also, it's the freakin moon!  This mission took humans the furthest from Earth, ever! Again, it's just wild stuff, even in a society where the amazing has desensitized us.  Global Effects from USA/Iran This week brought about a ceasefire that has calmed so much of the tension in the Middle East, as well as somewhat limited effects here at home - most notably gas prices.  However, it was this story that broadened the impact and the perspective of the current war in Iran. The idea of collateral lives being affected due to a lack of healthcare supplies and medicine is, well, sad. It does light a fire of anger, because why wouldn't it? What are we d...

I've thought a lot lately about raising my boys.  As my oldest son finds himself in spaces of needing discipline, routine advice, and instruction, I find myself slowly circling thoughts around this focus:  How do you raise boys to be men in today's world?  That question, to you, to me, and to any varied reader laying their eyeballs on this post, will elicit varied responses, beliefs, and some controversial/provoking thoughts.  In an era where the concept of masculinity is as loosely defined as it ever has been, equipping boys with the tools to become solid, substantial, respectful men in this age is a highly complex one.  In my mind - again, in my mind - the goal(s) for my boys, en route to being men, make sense. The characteristics, the goals, and the overall feel of what I expect from them is a linear approach. God-fearing boys, with empathy and grace for all.  But the path there isn't so simple. And the enemies of our time present challenges that make i...

--- 7 Years, 10 months--- Dear Son, Baseball is not something you love. And I know that. You like it. But right now, you’re a hoops guy. But bear with ol' dad for a moment with this letter… We played catch for the first time today - a legit game of catch, on a field, with an official NCAA baseball - and it was memorable. I didn’t think this moment would be as cool as it was, but it was. And each time you caught the ball and fired it back, it was surreal.  There’s a lot of beauty in baseball. It’s why I love it. It’s why my dad loved it - despite it being his second love to cricket. There are unexplainable nuances, indescribable accounts, and such randomness that threads through the game that elicits, yes, an unconditional love for the game. Shooting hoops with you gave me joy. And it still does, because that’s our thing. You love hoops. And as a city kid, basketball will always be in my blood. Every time we play, I enjoy it tremendously. And yes, you’ll never beat one on one. (Smil...

Learning how to pace, How to not give everything And when to give everything

"Off Days" (Supposedly). The small pattering  of feet Unbalanced Unconcerned Offbeat in cadence Grunting Screaming Complaining Screeching Inaudible noises Intermittent deafening alarming silence. Harsh on the head Soft on the soul Unconditional Love for the heart. Off Days. Forever.