Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from December, 2014

Dome Pondering - 2014 Year in Review

Ahhhh, here we are again, the biggest post of the year - The Dome Pondering Year in Review! DPYIR, you know, for short. Well, we're closing in on 2015, so let's now throw a hashtag on that baby - #DPYIR. Yeah, now we're talking! Nonetheless, it's a celebration of another year of existence, another year of growth, and another year of well, trying to make sense of things as life looks on in repose. As always, I would like to thank all of you who frequent, read, and dare I say, enjoy, this (very) tiny slice of the internet called Dome Pondering, as well as those who interact via Twitter ( @domepondering ). Whether you've been a DP devotee for a long time, caught on this year, or simply reading this post for your first visit, your support and feedback always surprises me. Thank you very, very much. Molte Grazie!

Pondering Picture #47

Dyker Heights (Brooklyn) Neighborhood Christmas Lights Display Merry Christmas all!  And yes, Happy Birthday Jesus! 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/21/14

3 Up 1. Yankees/Steinbrenner Education Foundation - Following the horrific situation of the two NYPD officers who were slain this weekend, it was reported that the New York Yankees, due to a foundation set up years ago, will foot the college bill for the children of the officers. Great stuff for families who must be completely distraught right now.  2. USA-Cuba Relationship - We learned this week that the two countries who have long been at a stand still are now open to continuing relationships moving forward. When (or if) the embargo will be lifted is yet to be determined, but this is a first step.  3. Canadian Stranger Wold Trip - After booking a flight for his now ex-girlfriend, instead of letting the ticket go to waste, a Canadian man put out an add for any fellow Canadian who shares the same name to join him - all expenses paid. With a turn of events, he found a woman who shares the same name, and will be joining him. Very cool story.  3 Down 1. NYPD Officer

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Million Dollar Arm (2014)

What is it about?   The true story of agent JB Bernstein's last effort attempt to keep his business alive when he starts a competition to find a talent from India to transform into a Major League prospect.  Who is in it?   Jon Hamm - JB Bernstein Lake Bell - Brenda Aasif Mandvi - Aash

The IF Factor: Questions Answered #491-500 (The Finale)

491. If you were to pick the best and worst wedding presents you received, what would they be? Best wedding present was a George Foreman grill, close second were Survivor Series tickets. Yes, I mean that. The worst was a bed set that we had to return because well, it wasn't our style - or anyone's to be honest.  492. If you had to pick the best advice that someone gave you at, or about, your own wedding, what was it, and who said it? I don't remember who told me these words, but they simply said to be sure to eat. It's amazing how quickly the day goes by, and how you can get wrapped up in it all without doing something as important as eating. The person was correct. Didn't eat much, and barely ate during the reception. 

The Big Show's Career Incomplete?

It's hard to say anything bad about the Big Show. For several decades now, the guy has been a solid staple for the WWE and for pro wrestling fans. At seven feet tall, and who knows exactly what he weighs in at (my guess is around four hundred pounds), The Big Show is truly a rarity in the industry. And that goes with a pretty distinct personality, as well as the charisma not often seen from those of similar size throughout wrestling history.  Now in the twilight years of his career, as can be seen from the eye test of his diminishing mobility, Big Show's best days are now behind him. Because of this, the thought of Big Show's legacy came afloat during a recent appearance on an episode of Monday Night Raw. There is no question the WWE will induct the big fella into the Hall of Fame one day, but this very thought lingered for me as he graced my television screen - was Big Show's potential truly maximized? 

Pondering with Plumtree: Possible New Angle For Destination America?

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.

Mayweather Empty Challenge Hurts Legacy and Sport

It felt like a huge step forward to the fight we all have been anticipating for years, yet, it's still feels like the same song and dance - talk, talk, talk, jabber, jabber, point finger of blame, and well, repeat until it all fades away with no fight. So sure, Floyd Mayweather called out Manny Pacquiao - again - for a potential fight on May 2nd. It's more than Mayweather has given since an initial fight fell apart over drug testing protocol and possible purse money for each. He even gave an official date in his issued challenge. Big talk! The truth is, as we all know, this fight is well past the height of maximizing it's potential. Of course, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao would still do the highest grossing business in the history of the sport because we're all still very much intrigued by the possibility and the idea of what we never have received. 

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/14/14

3 Up 1. Anwar Sanders - A black police officer in New Mexico, Sanders who wrote a very interesting article about the two words he lives due to his occupation. Sanders penned piece also discusses the need for the black community to go beyond protesting for real action for change. A risky piece for him, but also a very, very, thought provoking one.  2. Baby Double Take Video - Here is a video recommended to me by the tag team partner. It's a rather funny one that will ultimately make you smile.  3. New Girl - You all know I do not watch much television (besides sports, and sports related content), but was recently sucked into this show with Zooey Deshanel and crew by my wife. Oddly, the show is hysterically funny and an easy watch. It's no Goldbergs , but still a good watch.  3 Down 1. Sidney Hostage Situation - A late add to the "down", but nonetheless, a super important one as hostages were seen holding a flag with Arabic writing on it which p

2014 Bucket List - #14 Write on a Bathroom Stall Door

Well, it wasn't on  bathroom stall door, per say, but on the wall adjacent to the bathroom sinks. And what better place than the Dinosaur BBQ here in Brooklyn that encourages patrons to write on the bathroom walls. So yeah, the thrill of unlawfulness was removed. Regardless, I'll admit, I had no idea what to write or what to place among the sea of artwork, namedrops, and declarations of initials that will be together "forever". So I went with the "Dome Pondering". Why not, right? Dome Pondering now lives among the bathroom of Dino BBQ. Reaching high folks, reaching high... #14 completed. Boom.

The IF Factor: Questions Answered #481-490

481. If you had to name the one thing that repeatedly makes you angriest, what would it be? Selfish people who have zero regards for others and their well-being.  482. If you could change one thing about the building you work in, what would you alter? Wow. I would love to work in a new state-of-the-art athletic facility. The building I currently work in is over 40 years old. Ironically, it will be coming down this year, and a new one will be built in it's footprint.  483. If you were to prescribe a cure for grief, what would it entail? It would entail having fun. It just seems natural to me that the opposite of grief - having fun - should be a cure for the emotion.

2014 Bucket List #11 - Snap Photos to Describe a Typical Day

I love photo essays. I'm always a big fan of them, usually reading them on the blogs of others whom I follow. Most photo essays are great at engaging a reader on a topic they wouldn't typically read. As a lover of simple words, I can appreciate the form as it is useful for such things. So, for this year, I wanted to try it out, and to do so by explaining a typical work day for myself. Something small, you know. Do it nice and easy as Tina Turner would say.  Unfortunately, I work in collegiate athletics, and no two days are alike. Which can be great, but at the same time, defeats the purpose of "typical". Nonetheless, I selected a weekend in which yours truly, who is in charge of intercollegiate wrestling gameday operations (among many other duties) would prepare and execute a quad meet.

2014 Bucket List - #21 Write a Haiku a Day For a Week

I took on this task this year because I thought it would be an interesting challenge to expand my writing ability, and the creativity in my writing. After completing the week, it was indeed fun as you would be surprised not just how tough expressing yourself through haiku's are, but writing one a day for an entire week. What if one did this for every day of the year?  Regardless, below is the final product. Not the greatest collection of poetry - actually not even close, but I tried. And most importantly, I had fun with it. Check it out, if you dare. #21 completed. Boom.

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 12/7/14

3 Up 1. Inside the NBA - Kudos to, in my opinion, the best in-game studio telecast in sports. After Charles Barkely made his controversial statements on the situation in Ferguson, and Kenny Smith replied with an open letter in the USA Today, the panel opened Thursday's telecast with a ten minute discussion that was better than anything you would see on the 24-hour news stations. Well done.  2. Landon Donovan - The greatest American-born male soccer player ever finished up his storied career with another MLS championship, his sixth. Not many are able to walk off that way, but Donovan definitely gets to do so.  3. Alia Atkinson - When race seems to be at the forefront of everything right now for negativity, here is a positive spin on things. Alia Atkinson became the first black woman to claim a world title in swimming.  3 Down 1. Eric Garner Situation - Obviously the number one down of the week, yet, as obvious as it is, it's still shocking to see the legal

Social Exhaustion - Random Thoughts From the Latest Non-Indictment

I'm just not sure what to say anymore. To be honest, I don't have the exact words to really describe what happened - again - today regarding the police officer who strangled Eric Garner not being indicted. Truth is, and some may not like this, I expected it. I honestly did, because after all, what else is there to expect? Sadly, what else do we know in these cases? I touched on this very same issue six years ago - SIX! - after the Sean Bell incident. Sticking to the script...and here we go again ( Sticking to the Script: The Sean Bell Verdict ) In comparison to the Ferguson situation, I truly feel this one is very, clear, cut and dry. There isn't various witnesses with multiple versions of their own story to what happened. Eric Garner's situation was recorded. The entire incident was. There isn't much to dispute there, other than how to serve up justice in the situation. Video evidence. Homicide cause of death from the autopsy.  But as we know, the idea of

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Chef (2014)

What is it about?  A very talented chef loses himself and his creative edge and starts a food truck and a cross country episode to reclaim his creativity, passion and happiness for the craft, as well as rebuild his broken family.  Who is in it?   John Favreu - Carl Casper Emjay Anthony - Percy John Leguizamo - Martin Sofia Vergara - Inez