Dome Pondering

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. Chandika Shrestha I found so much of this story this week to be fascinating. Chandika Shrestha, a 64-year-old woman, was found alive - ALIVE! - after ten days below a collapsed house among the Nepal flood wreckage. The human spirit element and the sheer will to survive, combined with what can only be divine intervention. So much there to the spirit of life and an unexplainable reasoning.  Western Michigan vs. Michigan Ending Look, I'm as casual as they come when it comes to the college football space, culture, and fandom.  Nonetheless, somehow, I found myself (with my wife - who has about 3,485 things she would rather do before watching football) watching the final five minutes of this game on Saturday night. Little did we realize what we would witness.  I have no dog in the fight. But I fe...

I came across this recent poll , and it triggered a lot. What heightens this so much is the timing of it all, as I prepare to welcome the Class of 2030 (I know...insane, right?) to campus as a student-affairs practitioner. As the days whiz by regarding on-campus move-in day, new student orientation, and so many transitional moments for higher education students, I've also found my inbox at work slowly being taken over by, yes...parents.  Over the past couple of years, I've experienced a steady increase in parental participation in student life. This summer has been particularly significant, with a stark rise in parents asking questions and seeking answers regarding on-campus life - not the incoming students. Most of my emails before classes began have been from parents asking about student expectations.  And yes, part of that is due to the current distrust in the higher education space.  I get that.  Nonetheless, the recent findings from this poll have started to f...

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. Nepal Floods The videos were incredible. It almost seemed too impressive to be real. A.I. maybe?  Nonetheless, everything we saw was legit. And in wrapping my mind around the authenticity of the scenes in those videos of the waves just crashing over towns...my mind knows those people had no shot. And my heart simply breaks for the country and people of Nepal.  I simply cannot fathom the devastation, despair, and emotions for those in Nepal.  Dolly Parton I wouldn't consider myself the biggest Parton fan. I appreciated her music, and my kids are beneficiaries of the amazing program, Imagination Library . However, in all of her tributes and reflections on her life this week, a continued and true selfless theme resonated. Dolly cared, contributed, and served. And it genuinely feels, even in lea...

How much time do you give away, meaninglessly? How much time do you steal back, with clarity? 

Lay it on thick. 

The Sunday Sundown Rundown (formerly in the format of "3 Up and 3 Down") is where I share thoughts on three topics that piqued my interest, along with my favorite photo from the week. Tariffs, Eh? Look, I'm not an economist. However, from every reliable and credible economist I've sought reactions from, it seems that these tariffs aren't exactly the kind of policy that provides a foundation for a stable economy. Again, that's non-partisan, unbiased stuff.  Now, we're in a trade war with our neighbor, which sounds as ridiculous as it probably is. We once had free trade - FREEEEEEEE! - and here we are, bartering and retaliating with tariff sanctions against Canada. Huh? Someone help me? Seriously. How does this help us?! WNBA Smackdown? I'm a fan of the WNBA. Have been for a long time. I love hoops. However, the recent landscape of the WNBA has gone bonkers. And much of it is the league's responsibility. From the incredibly unprofessional press confe...

Slowing down, to recognize the burden of others not visibly clear.  Take my pace, as peace and hope, for your  win. 

What is it about? The dramatic story of Emmett Till's murder in 1955, more so from the perspective of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Who is in it? Danielle Deadwyler - Mamie Till-Mobley Sean Patrick Thomas - Gene Mobley Favorite Scene: Mamie finally confronts Moses about that fateful night and the choices he had to make.  Favorite Quote: "I know what the verdict is." Review: Till is a remarkable film.  Films like this aren't easy to make, easy to consume, nor easy to provide entertaining and historical insight that we didn't have before. In the case of Till, it nailed all three.  The story of Emmett Till will always be a difficult one for this nation to relive, yet it must be done. What makes this film so incredibly special is that it provided the perspective of Mamie Till-Mobley. As much as you learn about Emmett Till in your High School history class, or research on your own, this perspective was not one that I've ever encountered. I'm so incredibly grat...

Here are a few aesthetic inspos that caught my eye and intrigued me this month.  --- Caitlin 1 Basketball Shoes Caitlin Clark and Nike finally dropped her signature shoe, and it was a great debut. I love the little Cs in the texture of the shoe. The original blue colorway was a great drop, but the "Purple" (creative title, huh?) colorways are awesome. Every great signature shoe line is all about how you follow up the initial version; Caitlin 2s should be interesting.  Philadelphia Phillies Field of Dreams Uniform I've grown fond of the annual game. The uniforms have also become a part of that experience. This year's Phillies threads have to be up there if we're ranking all six teams to have participated. These were dope.  Josh Naylor's Diamond Studded Space Jam Jordan 11s Josh Naylor can annoy a lot of opposing fan bases, but you have to respect the dude's shoe game. These right here? On the baseball field? Fire.  New York Jets White-Helmets The Jets lose ...