Dome Pondering

We all realize and understand how great a performer, artist, and most of all lyricist that Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, is. His talent at time seems limitless as he creates music that makes move our body, lift our soul, and most of all, use our heads. Throughout his career, he has been known for his unmatched ability to record songs without using a pen or paper. An uncanny talent that sees him step into studios, hear the beat, drawn from experience, and rattle off an entire song. With Jay-Z's latest album set for release soon, entitled, T he Blueprint 3 , a few songs have been released, one which has caught the attention of yours truly, and many more. The song, titled We Made History , describes a person's battle with overcoming adversity, their pursuit of making their dream a reality, and now their conquest to establish their legacy. The lyrics (posted below) are reminiscent of a poem deeply thought out with various metaphors and symbolism that creates a wow moment aft

It is amazing how the interaction with one person from your past can change your outlook on life at that particular time. In the midst of struggling thoughts and conflicting beliefs which engulf us on a daily basis, one person can help that smoke filled reality vision become a crystal clear scene. Whether this interaction comes by phone, e-mail, text message, or a face-to-face encounter, sometimes our past can alleviate the uncertainty of the current. Personally, I had the opportunity to experience such an encounter recently. I was able to meet a good friend who I had grown up with. It occurred by happenstance, as I took a detour route home to pass through the old block and neighborhood reminiscing, observing the changes, and in some little way hoping, even wishing, that someone familiar would happen to be around. I was lucky. After making a left turn to exit the neighborhood, I noticed my friend in my rear view mirror, and by then I thought it would be too late to catch him if I came

There are many different types of relationships people have with objects of significance. Various objects with various descriptions often become a part of our lives whether for achievement, novelty, or symbolism. Automobiles are one of these objects. They are the desires of many, with critical attention to detail, usage, and maintenance by owners. With experience as the greatest tool, and the memories that come with many firsts, I have come to understand the relationship between a person and their automobile. In the aftermath of parting ways with my first car, it is now that the significant ties have revealed themselves. Often, in situational firsts and initial endeavors, the emotional ties are drawn from the existence of a milestone in one's life. In this case, an automobile, represented freedom, responsibility, ownership, and another step further from childhood. My first car symbolized a period of hard work, yet, is remembered for the good times that came along with it in the fo

Every few years we witness an event that will undoubtedly make history, and create a change for the journey ahead. Saturday, August 15th, 2009, Gina Carano and Cris "Cyborg" Santos will help create an inevitable change in female sports. The two prized fighters will meet for the first time ever to crown the first ever female mixed-martial arts champion in any class. A fight that is primed to not only be a great one, but that will finally cement women's MMA in the sports realm, and in the fighting world. As the two greatest and most recognizable female mixed martial artists in the world, both Carano and Cyborg are scheduled to be Strikeforce's main event. With Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship currently not recognizing women's MMA, Strikeforce has an opportunity to display something different to the MMA world this Saturday. Carano and Cyborg, and often times other various female MMA fights often steal the show on many cards, and to be quite hon

Rick Pitino keeps his job as Louisville University Head Basketball Coach. Shocker. After the entire situation that unveiled itself this week, everyone knew no matter what events, details, or facts that followed, Pitino would sustain his position. We've seen it over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. As much as college basketball purists want to continue preaching on their soapbox about the preserved, "love of the game" in college athletics, this situation once again proves that the amateur athlete is dying. The coach as an educator is dead. And that collegiate sports and athletics on the division I level are as much about business as the pros are. What Rick Pitino did as a man was unconscionable to his family, children, and the players and students that has played for him. As the details continue to work themselves out, the core facts that he cheated on his wife, and helped fund for the abortion of his unwed child remains the issue. If person X, was selected t

"Wah wah wah wah (your a jerk) Why you trippin I aint even do nothin (your a jerk!) I'm a jerk you aint neva lie But aye do me a favor call me jerk one more time (your a jerk!)" "You're a jerk?" Really? Growing up, you are always open to criticism from older generations on music in the current state. Every generation experiences this. From Country, to Jazz, to R&B, to Hip-Hop, to newer genre's such as pop and alternative, music continues to evolve with the generations, offering different styles, different melodies, and different ways to move our mind, body, and soul. However, coming up on a point in one's life where the generation behind is listening to something different, something new, and something that well, cannot be comprehended, one finds themselves on the other side of this generational music time belt. And one has to honestly ask, am I just another victim of father time, or has music really gotten this bad

The athlete's dream used to revolve around that little child's aspirations of making it to the pros. Shooting hoops until dark. Hitting off tees in the winter. Football anywhere there was space available. The dream was about getting better, arriving, and being able to do what you love. It was about accomplishing a feat which one percent of our society could experience. The athlete's dream was about making that dream a reality, and enjoying it while you're physically able to do so. What happened to that dream? Today it seems that dream is now contingent and packaged along with landing the right deal, the right contract, suitable endorsements, and the proper incentives. All terms that are synonymous with sports and business. However, now, they're terms comfortable amongst our amateur athletes, through the mega business that sports have become. And quite frankly, there is absolutely nothing coy about protecting yourself financially in a world where your stock fluctuate

He had to know! He just had to know. Despite facts and events surrounding the horrific crash that occurred on the Taconic Parkway in July killing eight, including four children, there is a lingering feeling with many surrounding the status of the driver, Diane Schuler. After the revealing information of Schuler's alcohol level being .19% (two and a had times above the legal limit) and marijuana being found in her system, many questions, and head shaking thoughts arose. Schuler, who during her drive, phoned her brother and alerted him of "being sick and not able to continue driving", continued driving under the self admitted impairment. As per the details, Schuler drove in the wrong direction heading south in the north-bound lanes colliding head-on with another vehicle. Killing all but one child, instantly.

What's it about? Bolt, a dog who believes he has super powers due to his role on a television show faces reality after being displaced. He struggles with adjusting to life without these powers and learning to live life as a normal dog. The adventure opens his eyes to a world beyond the trailer where he was kept, as he gained new friends, and learned to depend and trust others. Who is in it? John Travolta - Bolt Miley Cyrus - Penny Susie Essman - Mittens Mark Walton - Rhino