Dome Pondering

I would love to have an island, of all the people,  who brought great vibes to my life - past and present.  My island would be amazing. 

Well, after that off-season where the Dodgers deferred enough money to build the Athletics a new ballpark, it's time for the remaining fanbases who don't have Guggenheim money to hope for the best. Even with Opening Day finally here, it's the only time of the year we can actually pretend everyone has a chance, and hope feels, well, somewhat authentic.  White Sox fans, how are we feeling?  As we do every year around these parts, I'm throwing out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2025 season.  Good luck, White Sox.  --- STANDINGS (WIN) AL EAST  Yankees - 92 Red Sox - 90 Orioles - 88 Rays - 85 Blue Jays - 82 AL CENTRAL Royals - 90 Tigers - 90 Guardians - 88 Twins - 87 White Sox - 65 AL WEST Rangers - 92 Astros - 92 Athletics - 86 Mariners - 85 Angels - 77 NL EAST Phillies - 94 Mets - 92 Braves - 88 Nationals - 78 Marlins - 75 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 88 Brewers - 88 Reds - 87 Pirates - 83 Cardinals - 80 NL WEST Dodgers - 96 Diamondbacks - 90 Padres - ...

Does time change me? Or, did I evolve through experience? How many signals did I miss? Or, did I choose this fate? Do I understand the wrongs and regrets? Or, did I act with the best interest in the moment? What did they say about me? And, what will they say about me today? Was I appreciated? Or, did I imagine that? What were the opinions in the shadows? And, what were the feelings expressed before me? Is it a misunderstanding?  Or, a matter of not confirming?  Why didn’t it last? Or, was it never meant to? …ever able to? Was it ever real? Some of it? Part of it?

I can't say I didn't think about it being a possibility - after all, didn't we all imagine it? - but I didn't think it would become a reality. John Cena, heel? Maybe a few years ago, but certainly not in his final farewell run?! On top of that, we probably had one of the most executed and memorable moments in pro wrestling history. I loved it. And for me, it ensures this fan that when pro wrestling is done right, very little compares to the art form.  Some other quick thoughts on Cena's turning heel:  Cody Rhodes dropping the F-bomb, intentionally and without a bleep, might have been the second most shocking thing of the night for me.  And yes, my wife quickly had to turn to my son and enforce what every parent probably did - "don't repeat that!!". Yeah, the last thing teachers needed were their students who are WWE fans coming in to class and telling each other, "Hey, go F--- yourself". We've come a long way from crotch chops. Cena is ge...

3 Up 1. John Cena Heel Turn - It. Was. Memorable. I apologize if you aren't a wrestling fan, but everything that happened on Saturday night won the week for me. Loved it.  1a. Elimination Chamber - Following up on the Cena heel turn, Elimination Chamber was also an overall event all-time. From top to bottom. Just great stuff. 2. Black History Month - Can we still appreciate this month? Sort of joking. But seriously.  3. Spring Training - Ah, yes, baseball is around the corner. Can't wait.  3 Down 1. Oval Office Drama - Mannnnn, we're living in some wild times. What unfolded in the Oval Office was something out of what we see in a reality TV show. At the same time, the whole thing felt so orchestrated. Ah, well, this is the new norm. I guess?  2. Epstein Files Release - A nothing burger. We got nothing. And at this point, I doubt we ever will.  3. Angie Stone - Life is short. So incredibly short. Thanks for the great music, Ms. Stone. :(  Cover Photo Preside...

3 Up   1. New Old Cookbook - I thought this was really cool. The oldest published cookbook just got a remake and is now available. The cookbook, by Malinda Russell, is 160 years old. There has to be some really good (clean) stuff in that book. It's also Black History Month (are we still allowed to push that?), and there's a lot of history and significance that can be found through food.  2. Frankie Munoz - This dude went from Malcolm in the Middle and decided, I'm gonna be a race car driver! Munoz finished 10th recently in his debut as a NASCAR driver.  3. Yankees Policy - It's about time. The Yankees really were eventually going to find themselves in something MUCH uglier than a narrative surrounding "would George have done this?!" or "Why, this is the Yankee way!". Kudos to Hal Steinbrenner for the move.  3 Down 1. Another Plane Crash - This one in Toronto. A place landed on its roof. What is going on out there? Doesn't help when you read and ...

There's no other way to put this, the NBA has a serious problem on their agenda going forward regarding All-Star Weekend. What was once the standard for All-Star presentations and must-watch television has quickly turned into social criticism and an entity that undoubtedly reminds fans of what used to be.  Simply put, NBA All-Star Weekend is broken.  I don't want to pile on like we expect the talking heads and personalities to do. This is fixable. Like everything else in sports. However, this...what we experienced tonight, is not it.  Other quick thoughts on the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend:  The Skills Challenge was cool when it was first introduced. Now, it's become over-produced. The map of the floor, the gadgets involved, and even the rules...just ask Chris Paul and poor Victor Wembanyama.  By the way, the constant camera focus on both of them following the "disqualification" had such "Principal Office" vibes.  The Three-Point content remains the purest...

3 Up 1. Mac McClung - He saved the NBA Dunk Contest. Before the hot topic was the All-Star Game, the Dunk Contest found itself in the crosshairs of random discussion. McClung's weekend performance kept the event entertaining and helped a struggling concept through a trying time.  2. Jacob Kiplomo - Mr. Kiplomo ran a half-marathon in 57 minutes. A mile every 4 minutes and 26 seconds. Outstanding. Amazing.  3. NHL - You have to give it up to the NHL. On the other side of the All-Star discussion is what the NHL tried - 4 Nations Face-Off. It was entertaining. It was fun. And the players played hard. Now, we've got all sorts of sports discussions to be had. 3 Down 1. Measles Outbreak - Like, what are we even talking about? How is measles a thing, still? Am I the only one?  2. Pardon of Rod Blajogevich - I just don't understand the pardons. First, it was the January 6ers, and now, a former governor who tried to sell - SELL - a Senate seat. I don't get it.  3. NBA All-Star...

3 Up 1. Eagles Defensive Live - I'm no football aficionado or even a huge fan - but what the Eagles front four on defense did was dominating.  1a. Philadelphia Eagles - Congratulations to Eagles fans and the city of Philadelphia on the Super Bowl win.  2. Kendrick Lamar - I'm sure it'll be controversial - we all knew it would be going in. Throwing my two cents into the arena of public opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed Kendrick's performance. I'm a fan, so that's easy. Tough night to be Drake though. Yikes!  3. Human-Like Teeth in Pigs - Science can be cool. But stories like this are absolutely amazing.  3 Down 1. Plan for Education? - Look, I'm all for cutting wasteful spending from the government. However, I also want to know the plan to replace or support the areas that are being cut. Eliminating the Department of Education? Ok, cool. What's the plan after that? 2. USAID - We live in a VERY blessed country. My heart is with the countries and people who re...