Skip to main content

Dome Pondering – Year in Review History

Dome Pondering Year in Review Banner History -1

Crucial Moment of the Year:

2009 – US Airline Terrorist Attack Foiled

2008 – Collapse of Lehman Brothers and Buyout of AIG

2007 – Virginia Tech Shootings

2006 – Foiled Terrorist Plot in England


World Affairs Issue of the Year:

2009 – Michael Jackson’s Death

2008 – Global Economy

2007 – Death of Benazir Bhutto

2006 – North Korea Missile Crisis


Inspirational Story of the Year:

2009 President Obama’s Inauguration

2008 - Barack Obama's Acceptance Speech

2007 – Virginia Tech Recovery

2006 – City of New Orleans

Random Story of the Year:

2009 Somali Pirates Take Hostage of U.S. Ships

2008 - Myanmar Cyclone

2007 – Minnesota Bridge Collapse

2006 – Cory Lidle’s Death

Most Controversial Story of the Year:

2009 – United States Healthcare Reform

2008 - Government Bailouts

2007 – The Jena 6

2006 – Illegal Immigration in the United States

Most Overrated Story of the Year:

2009 – Bret Favre’s “Comeback”

2008 - Madonna/A-Rod Romance

2007 – Paris Hilton in Jail

2006 – Barbaro’s Broken Leg

Invention of the Year:

2009 - Twitter

2008 - Nintendo Wii

2007 – iPhone

2006 – Youtube

Comeback of the Year:

2009 – Alex Rodriguez

2008 - Britney Spears

2007 – Alex Rodriguez

2006 – Jay-Z

"I'll Kill For This" Award of the Year:

2009 – Employment/Rebounding Economy

2008 – Hip Hop Music

2007 – New Management for New York Knicks

2006 – Playstation 3

"Just Go Away" Award of the Year:

2009 – Jon and Kate Gosselin

2008 - Anti-Obama/Democrat Supporters

2007 – Britney Spears

2006 – Britney Spears

"Largest Fortitude" Award of the Year:

2009 – Chesley B. Sullenberg III (Sully)

2008 - Barack Obama

"We'll Miss You" Award of the Year:

2009 – Michael Jackson

2008 – Yankee Stadium

2006 – Dave Chapelle

"What Were You Thinking?" Award of the Year:

2009 – Kanye West

2008 – Governor Elliot Spitzer

2007 – Michael Vick

2006 – Michael Richards

"What a Shame" Award of the Year:

2009 – Taconic Parkway Crash

2008 - Caribbean and Gulf Coast - Hurricanes Ike and Gustav

2007 – Barry Bonds and the All-Time Homerun Record

"Welcome to the Scene" Award of the Year:

2009 – Taylor Swift

2008 – Usain Bolt

2007 – City of Boston

2006 – Global Warming

"This Should Have Been Done Before" Award of the Year:

2009 – Public Outcry Against The MTA

2008 - Regulation of Wall Street Executives

2007 – Writers Guild Strike of America

“The Incredibles” Award of the Year:

2009 – Usain Bolt

"We Need to Fix This" Award of the Year:

2009 – Global Economy

2008 – Global Economy

2007 – Homeowner market and mortgage crisis

2006 – Genocide in Sudan

Biggest Letdown of the Year:

2009 – Dominican Republic National Baseball Team

2008 - Clay Bennet's Move of Supersonics to Oklahoma City

2007 – 2007 United States Women’s Soccer Team

Idiot of the Year:

2009 – Bernie Madoff

2008 - Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

2007 – James Dolan

Dome Pondering Person of the Year:

2009 – Chesley B. Sullenberg III (Sully)

2008 - Barack Obama

2007 – Every American Soldier

2006 – Stephon Marbury/Steve & Barry Co.

Fighter of the Year:

2009 – George St. Pierre (UFC)

2008 - Anderson Silva (UFC)

2007 – Floyd Mayweather (Boxing)

2006 – Chuck Liddell and Tim Sylvia (UFC)

Pay Per View Event of the Year:

2009 – TNA Turning Point

2008 - WWE One Night Stand

2007 – TNA Bound For Glory

Pro Wrestling Match of the Year:

2009 – AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels – TNA Turning Point

2008 - Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair – WWE Wrestlemania XXIV

2007 – Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness – ROH Driven

Pro Wrestling Tag Team of the Year:

2009 – Beer Money Inc. (TNA)

2008 - The Miz and John Morrison (WWE)

2007 – The Briscoe Brothers (ROH)

2006 – AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels (TNA)

Female Pro Wrestler of the Year:

2009 – Awesome Kong (TNA)

Male Pro Wrestler of the Year:

2009 – Randy Orton (WWE)

2008 - Shawn Michaels (WWE) and Kurt Angle (TNA)

2007 – Bryan Danielson (ROH)

2006 – Edge (WWE) and Samoa Joe (TNA)

Sports Event of the Year:

2009 – Super Bowl XLIII – Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals

2008 - 2008 Olympic Summer Games

2007 – AFC Championship – New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts

2006 – FIFA World Cup ‘06

Coach of the Year:

2009 – Joe Girardi – New York Yankees

2008 – Joe Maddon – Tampa Bay Rays

Team of the Year:

2009 – New York Yankees

2008 – New York Giants

2007 – New England Patriots

2006 – St. Louis Cardinals

Dome Pondering Sportsman of the Year:

2009 – Mariano Rivera

2008 – Michael Phelps

2007 – Tom Brady

2006 – Tiger Woods and LaDainian Tomlinson

Recently Read

Working in Higher Ed, Lately

"Working in higher education must be interesting these days, huh?" That question was posed to me by several people who recently learned that I worked in higher education. The recent discourse around the industry and field has certainly shifted in narrative and the overall feel within it. I recently wrapped up my fourteenth (!!) academic year. It's remarkable to think that I've been serving students and following a passion for this long. This is especially the case considering the rising turnover, the documented yearly burnout, and the increasing exodus from the field.  And, yup, there is that whole enrollment cliff combined with the politics that are more present than ever on college campuses.  So yeah, higher education is weird right now. Very weird.  Some quick thoughts : IS IT TIME?  Yes, I have thought about leaving the field several times. Especially, over the last few years. COVID didn't really bother me, but it's safe to say that the world of higher edu...

Dear Son, Big Fan of the Kid Turning Seven

---7 Years Old --- Dear Son,  It’s been a while since I’ve dropped a few thoughts. Forgive me, I’ve just been watching. Just observing. Taking it all in. Trying to be a good dad. I’m punching the keys today from one of your martial arts practices. It’s your second with “the big kids” and also the second time I’ve found myself watching from the sidelines with anxiety, with pride, and with likely my biggest fandom for you yet in this space. My feelings are much more than you playing baseball or coaching you in basketball. Your disposition is different. Your excellence is different in this space. With martial arts, you stay diligent with the process. Respectful. Working hard. Getting better. In competition with and respecting the older kids you are training with. That’s what I’ve enjoyed. It encapsulates everything you’ve grown into thus far. Still empathetic as ever, but adding an element of self-ambition and drive - something I’ve prided myself on - and to see you mature into this m...

Still...American

O say, can you see? first generation dream-chasing foundation  maybe it wasn’t for me? But still, an opportunity. socio-mobility Hey kid, “Be the best you can be” For you, and a future be  Or two or three Don’t mind the history. It’s broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight Within by class, age, political party Or the mere color of skin. Embrace those (societal) ramparts so gallantly streaming over-Patriotic expression,  Ever redeeming I’ll use my boot straps, for sure! “We got money for wars, but can’t feed the poor?!” Keep ya head up… Straps up, too! Yet, still the bombs burst in air where democracy can be unfair Legacy pipelines everywhere School shootings here…and there, No care. Why is this us? just us? ‘Merica!!!  Send up thoughts and a prayer. But don’t tread on me… Whatever, our flag is still there. Praise God! For I still rather be here It’s Dr. King. Freedom to pursue. unappreciated blessings My pledge of allegiance is internally fiery, Tho...