Dome Pondering

This past week was my second wedding anniversary. DP devotees are familiar with the " Unity Road Writings " and the importance of the date, September 24th. It's actually quite shocking how fast two years have crept up on the tag team partner and I. It is so often said in terms of the linear measurement that is time, but it really does feel like yesterday was 9.24. The 9.24.  Yet, here we are, two years removed. Two years growing. Two years stronger.  And even as the second calendar year passes since we exchanged "I do's", nothing has given me more faith in the strength, peculiarity, and awesomeness that is our marriage moreso than this very anniversary. An anniversary in which yours truly actually did not see his wife.  Wait. What?

3 Up 1. Mariano Rivera - Yeah, you just knew this would top the list. Thursday night was awesome, at the same time, just super sad. It's going to be weird not having #42 out of the bullpen next year. It won't truly settle in until game #1 in 2014. 2. Likeable Job - I had a pretty hectic week working almost 80 hours this week. Needless to say, this is a plus because when you enjoy what you do for a living, it makes it that much easier to invest and immerse yourself into your work. 3. Andy Pettitte - Complete game win in Houston, Texas. You couldn't have scripted a better ending to a career of one of the best big-game pitchers of this generation. 3 Down 1. Murdered Pastor - The horrific thought of violence now entering a place of worship just proves how unsafe our world has become. 2. Nigeria Mass Shooting - For the second week in a row, mass shootings fill the "down" section as several college students in Nigeria were killed in the middle

251. If you were to invent an award to give to one commercial company, which one would you award, and for what?  As of this moment, I would give an "Employee Empowerment" award to Google. No not because they host this very blog, but because of how they treat and take care of their employees. I've had the opportunity in my career to work with those who are employed by Google and all of the rumors and hearsay is true - they do have fun and are super productive! Kudos to Google on finding the balance of employee happiness, innovation, and productivity. 252. If you could resolve any single dispute, anywhere in the world, what would you solve? I would solve race relations here in America. Since the slave trade, our country has been struggling to see one another beyond the color of our skin and the different ways we look.

3 Up 1. Mariano Rivera - The greatest closer of all-time and my favorite athlete of all-time had his day today - Mariano Rivera Day. In such class, he had his number retired, gave a classy speech, and proceeded to do what he does best, give the Yankees a chance to win the ballgame with a flawless effort. Still can't believe it will be all over soon. 2. Phil Knight - Often wealthy people get a bad wrap for not doing enough with their money and fame to help others. Phil Knight, co-founder of Nike, obviously is not one of those people as him and his wife pledge to match if $500 million is raised for cancer research. He's previously given $100 million already for research. Pretty awesome.  3. Andy Pettitte - Another Yankee great retiring. Andy dazzled in a vintage Pettitte-performance by going into the eighth inning. As I stated the first time he retired, I'm going to miss Pettitte's intensity, and of course that awesome stare over the tip of his glove ( Losin

Pondering with Plumtree is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column here, or in the text below.

After listing my favorite play-by-play announcers in a Pondering 10 back in 2011 ( All-Time Play-By-Play Announcers ), I figured that I would complete the tandem in the booth with my favorite color commentators. Some of the best guys are the one's who can add life to the usual happenings whether it be through in-depth analysis, teaching, story-telling, or even humor. Color commentators can even at times make the broadcast. With that said, here are my favorite all-time color commentators.

Every Yankees fan, at least the real ones over the age of 25, should remember the name Kevin Maas. If you aren't familiar, Maas was once touted as the next big prospect for the Yankees during some lean years when talent - any type of talent - was very much needed.  After a lot of hype and tons of expectations, Maas never amounted to much. And the Yankees can now hide the disappointment of Maas behind the once-in-a-lifetime occurrence of a couple of home grown studs that came through the system and helped them build a dynasty. Mariano Rivera. Derek Jeter. Andy Pettitte. Bernie Williams. Jorge Posada.  With those names now either enjoying retirement or close to having the sun setting on their careers, the apparent void (in terms of youth and future) in many areas on the Yankee roster depth chart is glaring. Where are the next batch of Yankees to carry the torch going forward?

What is it about? As the civil war takes its toll on the union, President Lincoln struggles with balancing the violence taking place, the chance at peace, and the overall struggle to emancipate slaves. Who is in it? Daniel Day-Lewis - Abraham Lincoln Sally Field - Mary Todd Lincoln David Straitharin - William Seward Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Robert Lincoln

241. If you could have your spouse say one thing about you to friends, what would you want him or her to say? "He's just awesome." 242. If you spoke English with a foreign accent, which would you want it to be? Oh this might be the easiest question of them all...a British accent. 243. If you could guarantee the happiness of any single person in the world because they most deserve it, who would it be? I have way too many friends who are single, it could be any one of them.

3 Up 1. Reminder of Birmingham Church Bombing - On the anniversary of the notorious Birmingham Church Bombing from 1963, it is a clear reminder of how far we've come in race relations in this country, even during recent times where those relations seem to have been tested or have taken a step backward. 2. Jim Ross - The best play-by-play announcer in pro wrestling (in my opinion) officially retired from the WWE this week. One of the greats whose voice will be missed. 3. The Fox - I completely missed this viral video until the tag team partner showed this to me. She promised me it was worth it, and quite frankly it was. I'm sure you've seen it by now (Currently over 30 million views on YouTube), but if you haven't, give it a watch. Trust me, you'll laugh. 3 Down 1.  Seaside Heights Fire - It's heartbreaking to see thirty-two businesses and a community that rebuilt itself in time for the summer season following Hurricane Sandy now destroyed

This past week, yours truly ran programming at work for incoming freshman and students on the campus of NYU. The program was nothing too much - basketball, volleyball, and a shootout challenge. The purpose was to merely give the new students a way to not only meet other new students, but to become familiar with the athletic facility and to unwind after a week of adjustment.  As a college professional, working on a campus in many ways is interesting as you always find yourself comparing your college experience to that of the students and young adults you are serving and mentoring along the way. By creating and offering programming for these new faces this semester, I couldn't help but notice the faces and actions of many of these eighteen, (some) seventeen, and the (occasional) genius sixteen year old, and wonder how much life has changed since my days as a college freshman. Or really, how little has changed.

Our view of lower Manhattan on 9/11/13 from Brooklyn Bridge Park Credit: APIC

Pondering with Plumtree  is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column  here , or in the text below.

What is it about?  The story of Jackie Robinson's experience in Major League Baseball under the advise and guidance of Brooklyn Dodgers team owner, Branch Rickey.  Who is in it?   Chadwick Boseman - Jackie Robinson Harrison Ford - Branch Rickey Nicole Beharie - Rachel Robinson

3 Up 1. Sarena Williams - She might be the best women's athlete of our time. Another U.S. Open win, and just another major added to the list of victories for the tennis great. 2. Peyton Manning - Seven touchdowns sound like something out of a Madden video game, but Peyton kicked off the NFL season this past Thursday with a bang accomplishing the crazy feat. 3. Yusmeiri Petit - Rounding up the sports heavy "Ups" this week is a rather unknown to most casual fans. Petit was one out away from a perfect game and lost it due to a hit by Eric Chavez. Tough loss, but getting that close is always admirable. 3 Down 1. Syria -This scenario gets stranger has it is drawn out. Either way, it's sure to keep tensions high around the world. 2. Yankees Bullpen - When my main man, Mariano Rivera, is blowing saves, then you know how bad it is. The Yankees bullpen has been dreadful and could be the deciding factor in them not playing games in October.  3. Twer

What is it about? A freed slave with the help of a German bounty hunter heads to Mississippi to save his wife from a notoriously brutal plantation owner. Who is in it? Jamie Foxx - Django Christoph Waltz - Dr. King Shultz Leonardo DiCaprio - Calvin Candie

Just a beautiful day in NYC - that's all

Credit: WWE.com New Japan Pro Wrestling is the best pro wrestling product out there as of right now. I'm sure many will either disagree with that statement on the grounds of preferring something else, or for the flat out reason they don't watch much pro wrestling outside of the WWE. And that's a shame, because you are missing some really, really good stuff.  However, while the WWE isn't the most complete product, the leading company in pro wrestling is offering something in their product that has been very entertaining and is an element missing in most wrestling products right now. No, it's not the in-ring product. No, it's not any singular story line. No, it's not any concept they've come up with as of late. And No, it isn't any particular wrestler, despite Daniel Bryan being the most popular wrestler on God's green earth as of this writing.  The answer is effectively and purely simple - emotion.

Pondering with Plumtree is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column here , or in the text below.

3 Up 1. President Obama and United States Congress - Whether you agree with his policies or not, you have to admire his ability and courage to seek action against the injustice taking place in Syria. Should be interesting to see where the congress vote goes for an attack.  2. Nelson Mandella - Good to see Mandella discharged from the hospital after near-fatal complications. The world doesn't seem ready to lose a man like that just yet.  3. Justin Verlander Donation - Always nice to see athletes donate money to great causes.  3 Down 1. Syria Pending Attack - The situation that has boiled over regarding Syria is one that is alarming and worrisome for international affairs. The buttons in which Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, seems to be pushing are indeed grounds for addressing. 2. Kim Jong Ill Firing Squad - Seems international affairs and crooked leaders are popular this week. The fact that North Korean leader, Kim Jong Ill has had some killed via fir