Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Jake Arrieta - I'm sorry, but Jon Lester is no longer the ace of the staff. Arrieta is the big gun for the Chicago Cubs moving forward, and throwing a no hitter against the Dodgers on Sunday Night Baseball is proof of that.  2. Class of 2019 - As someone who works in collegiate athletics and very much tied to the higher learning environment, college campuses across the nation welcomed the new class of 2019 (crazy!) this past week. Good luck to the new freshmen and the impending future of this nation/world! 3. Toronto Blue Jays - I hate to say it as a die hard Yankees fan, but these boys are rollin'! And of course, Canada, yes the entire nation, has adopted this team as their own and have supported them with enough energy to make them a tough out in the coming weeks, and possibly come playoff time.  3 Down 1. Virginia Shootings - How sick have we become as a culture where shootings on live television are now our reality. We can't even trust the f

After the recent unfortunate shooting in Virginia, I wanted to share some thoughts, but rather than be redundant on another gun control/public shooting issue, I figured I would just post this photo which truly wraps up my feelings right now.

There is just something about pro wrestling and the New York City area fan base that just seems right. It just feels like a perfect connection. I'm not looking to be a homer, or give my hometown and current city a plug, but the two have always fit together.  So when this past weekend came around, I'm sure many pro wrestling fans in this area were excited. The weekend was filled with various events, and the cards were all stocked. All in all, it was a good week to be in NYC (more so Brooklyn). I managed to attend ROH's Field of Honor and of course, the big show, SummerSlam. Below are some quick thoughts on what was an absolutely fun weekend.

3 Up 1. Spencer Stone - The U.S. Airman doesn't want to be called a hero, but that's exactly what he and his two friends are after they foiled a planned terrorist attack aboard a train headed to France. The three men tackled and took on the gunman, disarming him, and punching him until he was unconscious. Thank Mr. Stone and friends. Thank you so much for truly saving what could have been a horrific day.  2. John Cena's 500th Make-a-Wish - His wrestling character aside, some pro athletes aren't even near 500 wishes granted, and they have an off-season! That just accentuates this accomplishment even more. Cena is truly a good guy who busts his ass for the fans and makes lives better for children who need the inspiration. Kudos to Cena. Keep rockin.  3. Pro Wrestling in Brooklyn - What a weekend it was, and boy was it so much fun! From ROH Field of Honor, NXT Takeover, and SummerSlam, pro wrestling was alive and oh so entertaining. I had a blast all weekend

What is it about? An anonymous super secret spy organization recruits the son of a former agent, whose life has been that of a street kid, just as the world is on the heels of a takeover from a global tech.  Who is in it?   Colin Firth - Gary "Eggsy" Unwin Taron Egerton - Harry Hart Samuel L. Jackson - Valentine

Well hello there thirteen hundred posts. I am here and I am still marching on. Plenty of topics and plenty of opinions thirteen hundred clicks of the publish button later. As always, here are my favorites over the past one hundred posts. Check 'em out. Top Five Posts Over Last 100 1. Praying on a Cool Thirty - 5-25-15 2. Another Year...But None Like it Again - 5/22/15 3. $15 Per Hour Fast Food Wage is Absurd and Sends Wrong Message - 7/23/15 4. Thoughts and Takeaways From First Republican National Debate - 8-7-15 5. Quick Reaction to Charleston, SC Shootings - 6/20/15

It's been awhile since I've tackled a Pondering 10 column, but in the spirit of the topic of this post, I'm due. In the middle of what has been such a fun and exciting baseball season, I decided to go ahead and rank, of course, as of today, my favorite right handed batters to watch. We all know lefty swings are the prettiest, natural turn to first base and all, but I'm going to give the righties some love. With that said, here are my favorite right handed hitters of all time - most who I've imitated a few times in my lifetime.

3 Up 1. Cleveland Indians - Major kudos to the Cleveland Indians who have been ultra supportive of Mike Aviles and his daughter, who is fighting leukemia. Not only did the organization agree to not trade Aviles out human respect as he deals with the personal issue (his daughter is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic for Leukimia), they also had his daughter toss the first pitch at this past Thursday's game. Well done Indians, well done.  2. LeBron James - At the number two spot, we're staying in Cleveland with LeBron James this week announcing that he is funding college scholarships for up to 1,200 children in the city of Akron. Besides "The Decision", how can anyone find fault with LeBron James as a superstar athlete? A great way to give back to Akron.  3. Dare Devil - Sure, this Netflix series came out in early 2015, but because of my work schedule (semester-by-semester academic schedule), I haven't gotten around to it until this summer. Dare De

What is it about?  A former linguistics professor at Columbia University, and her family deal, with the issue of her diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.  Who is in it?  Julianne Moore - Alice Howland Alec Baldwin - John Howland Kristen Stewart - Lydia Howland

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. Frank Gifford - Unfortunately, the sports world lost Frank Gifford this week. From his legend at USC, with the New York Giants, and finally, as a broadcasting legend, any sport manager or fan understands the impact Gifford has had on the sports and athletics industry.  2. Toronto Blue Jays - After making the deal for Troy Tulowitzki and David Price, the Blue Jays have gone from a pretender to a serious threat in the AL East with a bludgeoning win-sreak. The Jays have rejuvenated an entire fan base and country as the Jays look to end their playoff drought.  3. GOP Presidential Debate - The debate drew some big time ratings, but it also introduced many of the faces, positions, and stances we will hear in the coming months. Solid debate, with hopefully more to come.  3 Down   1. Floyd Mayweather - Yup, "Money" Mayweather is the big loser this week. I don't care about Mayweather's money. We all know his bank account is very healthy. However,

What is it about?  After the death of his son, a man struggles to deal with the issue. He attempts to find some relief through the music and lyrics of his deceased son but ends up doing much more.  Who is in it?  Billy Crudup - Sam Anton Yelchin - Quentin

For every political post, I feel it is imperative to state the following disclosure: I DO NOT consider or identify solely with the Democratic or Republican party. In fact, my political views vary on topics between the two and I think it is important to have a good blend of ideas and philosophies from either side. Yes, I am THAT guy, and I do believe that if we lean too far left or right, our nation usually tips. Balance is and always be the key. With that said, longtime DP devotees are aware that I love debates. I am a bit of a debate nerd at heart. I was on my college's debate team for three years and very much miss it. Oddly, more so thatn playing collegiate baseball. There is just the art form of true debate, intellect, quick thinking, fact giving, and let's admit, calling bull-you-know-what on opponents or those attempting to survive a hard hitting question, that is enticing for me. Again, yes, weird, but it's me.  Now, with all of that said, I wanted to d

3 Up  1. Bailey Matthews - Not only did this eight year old with cerebral palsy complete a triathlon, he ditched his walker and finished the race unassisted. Kudos to you Bailey, you're an inspiration to us all.  2. Ronda Rousey - I refuse to write a description longer than her fight last night. Rousey went in enemy territory down in Brazil, look Bethe Correia in the face and punched her lights out in 34 seconds. 3. Vin Baker - Those who mocked Baker's latest development in his career in becoming a Starbucks manager after his NBA career don't understand life. I applaud Baker who admitted to blowing $100M and losing his life to alcohol while in the NBA, and using his story to help others, all while turning his life around. 3 Down 1. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper - I touched on it this week ( Remembering "Rowdy" Roddy Piper ), but it's getting harder and harder to see those who were prominent fixtures in your childhood perish. Thanks again

It's been rough year for pro wrestling already in losing some greats. For pro wrestling fans, not just WWE fans, but all fans, we've lost Perro Aguayo Jr. in a freak accident where he died in the ring, and of course, the legend that was Dusty Rhodes. Now, we deal with the passing of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.  If you're a wrestling fan reading this, I am not even going to describe what Piper meant to wrestling fans and pro wrestling. You just know it. He was one of the handful of wrestlers who made the transition from pro wrestler to cultural household name.  If you're not, just know this - Piper was one of the best "bad guys" ever. Seriously, ever. Before liking heels and being a fan of the "bad guys" was cool, Piper made being that guy so interesting and enticing for fans.