Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Veronika Scott - Billed as one of CNN's "Visionary Women", Scott created a non-profit company that gives coats to homeless people, and also helps employ homeless women who manufacture and sew the very coats they give away. Such a remarkable concept, by a young woman with a tremendous heart and impeccable vision. 2. Baseball is Back! - With the return of an insufferable headache called my New York Knicks, by am I glad baseball has returned. Starting with those games in Australia as an easy tease, and now tonight with Dodgers/Padres, I'm pretty much set until October.  3. Doc Rivers - Kudos to the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers who had security escort Glen "Big Baby" Davis to the locker room after he decided to verbally spat with the coach. God to see some coaches not put up with players who want be well...big babies.  3 Down 1. Freedom Tower Security - First it was a sixteen year old, high school, adrenaline junkie who

What is it about?   In 1985, after being diagnosed with AIDS, Ron Woodruff goes beyond the system to create an underground market to help others get the correct medication they need. Who is in it? Matthew McConaughey - Ronald Woodruff Jennifer Garner - Eve Jared Leto - Rayon

I can't say that the New York Jets signing Michael Vick was a total surprise. In fact, it was something I've projected during the season when the quarterback position looked like it would be in peril as Geno Smith was attempting behind the back passes during football games.  Even with Smith's rather, somewhat, encouraging play down the stretch of the season which left Jets fans believing that he could indeed become "that" guy - you know, the one we've been searching for since Joe Namath - you had to know that Vick was still out there. Especially, when you did the projected math that Mark Sanchez was on his way out.

Credit: NBC News - Andres Kudacki/AP A bit weird, but I found this photo of a man covering himself in oil to be pretty cool. The act is ritual for a carnival festival in Luzon, Spain.

What is it about?  After a catastrophic accident separates her from the experienced astronaut on the mission, a medical engineer must find a way to cope with her situation in orbit, and ultimately, survive. Who is in it?   Sandra Bullock - Ryan Stone George Clooney - Matt Kowalski

3 Up 1. Boston Bombing Victim Engaged and Expecting - Jeff Bauman, who quickly became one of the faces of the terrorizing incident that happened last year, is now engaged and expecting a child as well. Couldn't be happier for a person who continues to persevere after a life-altering incident. 2. NCAA Tournament - I've been absolutely engaged in this year's tournament. More so than years past. There has been some spotty play, but overall, the drama has been high. Not to mention, I just love the fact programs who rarely get their due because of the "name brand" schools out there, are making some noise. Really loud noise.  3. Married Couple of 70 Years - When the world tries to devalue marriage with crazy (and mostly false) statistics that 50% of marriages don't work or that marriage is an outdated concept, it's stories like this that balance out the negativity. 3 Down 1. Flight MH307 - This continues to get the nod as the mystery surr

I always said I wouldn't believe it until I saw it. Yesterday, I saw it. Phil Jackson is now - officially - the President of Basketball Operations for my New York Knicks. It still seems surreal that the Knicks are now in the hands of a competent basketball mind. Seriously, Jackson might be the first person in well, as long as I could remember, where Knicks fans, including myself, aren't worried about the future. We aren't concerned about the surety which has become part of Knicks fandom - waiting for the other shoe to drop...or another 1st Round Pick to be traded.  However, to be honest, I'm not ready to prepare ticker tape to throw at the Canyon of Heroes just yet. I've seen too much, endured for long enough, and have been hurt too many times by the Knicks to just jump all-in. This franchise has tried everything, and this is just another attempt to get to the promise land. Granted, it's the biggest and best power move made, yet, still another attempt

Another March, another year in completing an NCAA bracket, hoping to guess the outcome correctly. Despite the trivial pools, bracket-guessing, and basketball-flux that is the next two weeks, I'm actually looking forward to this year's tournament. With plenty of NBA propsects littered throughout the tournament (of course my Knicks don't have a draft pick this year, because, well, when do we ever have picks to you know, build a future?!), there will be plenty of reasons to watch and be entertained.  With that said, here is the official Dome Pondering Bracket for 2014:

What is it about?  The true story of Captain Richard Phillips who was the captain of the first hijacked American Cargo ship in two hundred years.  Who is in it?  Tom Hanks - Captain Richard Phillips Barkhad Adbi - Muse Barkhad Abdirahman - Bilal Faysal Ahmed - Najee

3 Up 1. Rashard Mendenhall Retirement Letter - I'm proud of Mendenhall for penning this articulate letter on why he has retired at the age of only 26. And to be honest, it is very hard to disagree with his viewpoint on professional football and what it has become. 2. Chris Brown Jailed - I'm not a fan of encouraging the downfall of others, but I am a proponent of justice. Brown escaped battery and domestic abuse charges a few years ago because of his celebrity. He has defied the agreement of his punishment, and the system finally brought the hammer down on him by arresting him. About time. So tired of celebrities being let of the hook. Now go get that Beiber kid!  3. Golf Trick Shot - This is pretty hard to do, and to be honest, just so cool to watch. 3 Down 1. Flight MH370 - The mystery continues to grow and grow, and as the days go by, the situation becomes tougher. The latest? The pilots are now being investigated as this really becomes scary. 2.

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.

361. If you were to be asked to define what a feminist is in one sentence, what would your response be? Someone who advocates for social, political, legal, economic, and the overall rights of women in such an alienating, aggressive way they are viewed in an negative undertone. 362. If you could establish criteria for the right to be a parent, what would they be? I would hate to leave it in the hands of the government or to overly infringe on someone's right, however, I would love to place certain criteria like income, education, and age on having children. Depending on where you are in these areas would determine your tax bracket/aid from the government.  All three are strong criteria for child raising. It is no guarantee, but it would effectively help in raising children. Unfortunately, money talks, and if there was a punishment for irresponsibility in the form of money, it would influence the masses and their behaviors.

What is it about?  A recent divorcee begins the healing process by dating a man who truly understands her, just to learn that he is the ex-husband of her new friend.  Who is in it?  Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Eva James Gandolfini - Albert

What is it about? The true story about Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old bay area resident who was wrongfully killed in 2009, and the events that occurred on his final day alive. Who is in it?  Michael B. Jordan - Oscar Grant Melonie Diaz - Sophina Octavia Spencer - Wanda

3 Up 1. Accountability for the NY Post - I read this story and was filled with so much satisfaction. Finally (FINALLY!), there is some accountability for yellow journalism and parts of the irresponsible media in today's society. I really hope these guys create a precedent in their case against the raunchy newspaper. 2. Joakim Noah - You just have to love athletes like Noah who have such high energy, hustle, character, and team spirit. Such a joy to watch him play at times, especially for a guy who isn't one of the premiere marquee names in the league. And where the Chicago Bulls are in the standings, how could he not be in the MVP conversation? Seriously. 3. Cool Houses - These houses are just so cool. Especially, the house over the river. Amazing. 3 Down 1. Malaysia Airline Flight MH307 - This story is so bizarre, it's something out of a sci-fi novel. The plane just vanished, and is one of the scariest, most-tragic, stories I've ever heard of. Go

What is it about?  A DEA agent and a naval officer quickly find the truths of their positions, themselves, their allegiance, their allies, and overall, why they are on the run. Who is in it?  Denzel Washington - Bobby Mark Wahlberg - Stig

As the 2014 year began, I purchased two books I've been longing to dive into - "Why Jesus > Religion" by Jefferson Bethke and "Not a Fan" by Kyle Idleman. Both books have been on my radar for sometime, and both come with very popular reviews as Bethke followed up on his insanely popular viral video on YouTube  (now over 26 Million views!), and Idleman's penned work stayed on the best-seller's list for much of the last two years.  Honestly, as that is what I tend to bring here to the DP, the books were also purchased at a perfect time for me. For whatever reason, I began to hit a wall in my faith. Not a destructive wall in looking to run away or make some life-altering announcement, but in a way that kept a few things pressing on my heart.

351. If you could implement a strategy to fight the war on drugs, what would it entail? Reduce legislation on it's punishment. No politician wants to run their campaign on reducing penalties around drugs, so it continues to fuel the cycle of feeding the black market.  I'm not in favor of drugs or narcotics of any kind, but the idea there are people doing more time for drug related crimes than rapists, pedophiles, and other serious crimes is frustrating. Especially, when our prisons are overcrowded as they are.  If you're really interested in this sociological topic, I recommend taking a look at the documentary, "The House I Live In". Very, very good and thought-provoking stuff.   352. If you had to pick one of your personality traits as being the best, which would it be? Patience. I don't typically get annoyed, flustered, rattled, or provoked by external or internal factors as much as others do.

3 Up 1. Lupita Nyong'o - While I have yet to see 12 Years a Slave , Nyong'o's speech after winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in a film stole the show. It was articulate, heartfelt, and just downright amazing. "No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid." A star was born for sure. 2. Ellen Degeneres -I find Ellen to be pretty funny. She is undeniably very charismatic, and has a certain style of humor that is easy and down to earth. Ellen was amazing in hosting the Oscar's tonight, and even had some memorable moments with the random pizza delivery and of course, the record breaking selfie that actually broke Twitter. 3. Smart Lawyer - This story is just crazy. It could be bad and/or good, depending on where you fall on the true bones of the story, but I have to give kudos to the lawyers of the Gulliver School District on using the enormous weakness of our culture's dependency on sharing EVERYTHING to their advantage in with

What is it about?  In a city where monsters generate power through scaring human children in theirs but not coming in contact with them, Sully and Mike must deal with the situation when one child enters their world.  Who is in it?  John Goodman - James P. "Sully" Sullivan Billy Crystal - Mike Wazowski