Dome Pondering

Cinema.  It's a phrase too often used, but that is exactly what the opening round match of Serena Williams vs. Maya Joint at Wimbledon was - must-see.  It was the kind of drama we all love about sports in its purest form - storylines galore, the unexplainable, and the unimaginable before you. A contest so rich and gripped with fascinating qualities and intangibles that it is uncapturable in words and photos, other than - you had to see it live.  Cinema.  I sat there for the duration of this match, in pure awe of the comeback of Serena Williams. At 44, returning to the court on the game's biggest stage after four years of retirement. A mom, before her kids, husband, and family, but more so her fans, all willing her on for yet another win.  At 44 years of age, what do we expect? The truth is, not much, but the essence of the beauty lies in the effort. The triumph is not in the matter of victory, but in the level of competitiveness. She still got it.  And ther...

TNA certainly came into Slammiversary 2026 carrying some public relations (or perception?) baggage which affected the excitement for this event. For me, Slammiversary has become one of those wrestling events on the calendar that moves the needle for me. This is especially the case after attending last year's historic event.   This year, the hype was not there. And ultimately, the overall creative process for the product for most of 2026 was well...plain. It wasn't terrible. But yeeaaaaaahhhhhhh, nothing felt overly exciting. The company had no major storyline driver. And thus, we saw the removal of Tommy Dreamer as head of creative at TNA after being with the company for almost ten years. Much of Slammiversary 2026 felt like it was pulled together two weeks out. And even heading into the show, with the added drama of Dreamer's release, TNA once again felt unstable.  Fortunately, what we got was a great show that feels like - again, there is that perception thing! - TNA is ...

Helpless to Mother Nature From the extreme heat in Europe to the earthquake in Venezuela , the Earth has responded with some heartbreaking tragedies that are often hard to understand. Lots of love and prayers to the many affected by both incidents. More so for the families dealing with missing loved ones in Venezuela.  World Cup Like many, I watched a lot of World Cup games this week. The excitement has matched the hype, and it's been enjoyable to tune into just about any game. The Cape Verde storyline has been enjoyable. And of course, there is the intrigue around the United States. If the men can make the final eight, we could experience some serious vibes for soccer in this country.  Mamdani Rent Freeze Controversial for sure . The latest rent freeze in New York City has sparked a lot of debate on both sides of the policy. I've found myself fascinated with the policy (both sides), and truthfully, by how easy it has been for some of these things to be passed after years of p...

--- 8 Years --- Dear Son,  On this day, eight years ago, you changed my life forever.  Today, as your mother and I celebrate your eighth birthday, it's hard not to take notice of the person you're becoming, most notably, the personality that is forming. Ace, you're super cool, bro. You really are. At this point in your life - and I hope you continue with this - you have an innate ability to find a sense of security in your interests, yet still be driven by your empathy.  For me, you turning eight on this day is represented by something that happened this weekend. We were attending a quinceañera for your cousin. At the reception, you discovered a Shirley Temple drink, and you liked it. A rarity since your palette for food and drink is well...very selective. You enjoyed temples all night. Confidently walking up to this open bar among adults, waiting in line, hoisting yourself to the ledge, and asking for your drink.  At the end of the night, after finishing your third ...

What is it about? Two families are connected by their sons' budding friendship after the sons return from World War II to a farm in Jim Crow rural Mississippi.  Who is in it? Jason Mitchell - Ronsel Jackson Carey Mulligan - Laura McAllan Jason Clarke - Henry McAllan Garry Hedlund - Jamie McAllan Rob Morgan - Hap Jackson Mary J. Blige - Florence Jackson Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] After hearing about Henry's lien toward the Jackson family, Laura uses money from the family safe to pay for a doctor for Hap. Florence nods to Laura in the distance, and Laura acknowledges it before driving off.  Favorite Quote: "Coon, spade, darky, nigger"... Went off to fight for my country to come back to find it hadn't changed a bit. and... "What good is a deed? My grandfathers and great uncles, grandmothers and great aunts, father and mother, broke, tilled, thawed, planted, plucked, raised, burned, broke again. Worked this land all they life, this land that never would be t...

Knicks Parade  I'm sure you can tell from the recent posts on this here site, I am still in the Knicks Championship thought.  NBA Champs, babbyyyyyyyyyyyy!! Nonetheless, the parade was everything any Knicks fan (new, old, and long-time suffering) could have imagined. Memorable scenes. Emotional. And unforgettable.  For me, it was Mayor Mahdani's speech that jogged us down memory lane, and more so, the visual of the NBA Cup Trophy, the Eastern Conference Trophy (Bob Cousy Trophy), and dear (elusive) Larry O'Brien sitting on a table in the NYC sun. We ran the table.  Beauftiful. UK Social Media Ban This is interesting to me. The recent ban in the UK on social media use for individuals under 16 is well...yeah, interesting. There are continued heaps of data that show the dangers of social media use during adolescence and to overall health. Yet, there is a social - and, in some ways, cultural integration of social media among this generation.  This opinion article ...

It's been almost a week since the New York Knicks climbed the mountain and became NBA Champions. In no way am I turning the page, because as stated before, I'm basking in this alllllllllllllll the way until banner night. However, before looking to the future next week in one of my favorite sporting events of the year - the NBA Draft - I'm letting it loose. I'm letting it all out in this post.  It's a digital bonfire, and I'm airing some last grievances, tossing things in, and letting it go.  I'm exercising all of the stuff that comes with this fandom.  STILL PETTY Indiana Pacers Ahh, yes, forever no love for the Indiana Pacers, their fans, and everything that is them. I'll forever dislike them, and the mere fact that we now have a championship before them is wonderful.  Reggie Miller I'm over the supposed MSG villain who makes his mark off of one catastrophe in the Garden. Some "Knick Killer" at 44-58 all-time. I'm now released from the...

I'm still on a championship high (probably until Banner night in October to be honest), so I'm dropping more Pondering 10s as my brain (and heart) works through all of the emotions and reflection from my beloved New York Knicks - 2025-2026 NBA Champions!  Let's talk coaches.  We've been through so many. My fellow Knicks fans, we've seen so many coaches walk the sidelines of Madison Square Garden, and the recent championship is so amazing to think about - Mike Brown, one year, title.  With that said, here is a list of my favorite Knicks Coaches (in my lifetime, so no Red Holtzman). It's tougher than you think, but we're doing it.  To begin, here are those banned from this list. On the sheer qualifier that these coaches - by fault of their own, or maybe not - will always resonate with disdain and the lowest of the lows.  Derek Fisher Oh, the Phil Jackson era. When we were given a coach who had never done so before, implementing the triangle offense was more im...

I'm still in the mode of celebrating the 2025-2026 NBA Champions, the New York Knicks. It's still surreal to say that.  With that said, I find myself in deep reflection on the years, teams, and players that have gone by that have filled me with emotions. Part of that was the hope in specific Knicks players I thought would be THE guy.  Before there was Jalen Brunson - THE now confirmed guy - in looking back, I held out so much hope for the players on this list. Especially over the last few years.  For the sake of the list, this does not include Carmelo Anthony, Julius Randle, and Amar'e Stoudemire. In my opinion, these guys were clearly solid picks and reliable Knicks. All-Stars. All-NBA players.  With that disclaimer, here is my Pondering 10: Honorable Mention: Jeremy Lin Because yes, he didn't quite make the list because Linsanity was all but two weeks that lasted forever. I don't think I ever thought Lin would be the guy, but it was easy to fall into the idea of ...