Dome Pondering

I'm pretty sure what I am about to explain is going to annoy and possibly anger a few readers, but hey, that's life. And quite frankly, more than ever, that's where we are as a society these days - vocal, opinionated, and fiery more than ever. With that said, I don't quite understand the overall "rage" regarding the shooting of the Cincinnati Gorilla, Harambe. Yes, I am sure your eyes have widened and your blood pressure have soared, but again, I'm being truthful - I just don't understand the fury.  I am aware, completely sympathetic, and conscious of the fact that a rare Silverback Gorilla was killed in this situation. I'm not at all cold-blooded when it comes to this.

I love sports. That's pretty evident by looking and searching around this blog. However, as times change and I grow older, there are a few things that do bother me regarding or surrounding the sports world. Various aspects have changed and quite frankly, in my opinion, it's not for the better. I'll live with it, but it's still annoying. With that said, here is the Pondering 10 - Annoying Things in Sports Today.

3 Up 1. Donovan Livingston - Just awesome. That describes why Livingston is receiving the top spot this week. If you haven't heard or watched his epic speech as of yet, be sure to do so.  2. Alix Schoelcher Idrache - A tremendous photo was captured of Idrache as he shed tears during an emotional graduation from West Point. The background and story of the moment is truly touching, and will make you appreciate the upcoming Memorial Day Holiday.  3. LeBron James - The naysayers can hate all they want, but six straight NBA Finals (with two teams!) and being durable during the run is nothing short of phenomenal.  3 Down 1. 700 Migrants Dead - This story broke my heart to hear of the many who are fleeing Libya towards Italy and not making it. They are risking their lives for a better one, and the report is that 700 migrants this week have drowned attempting to cross the rough waters of the Mediterranean.  2. NFL Denial - So the report came out th...

So today I turn thirty-one years old. Unlike past years where I have some witty words or symbolic meaning on turning a certain age - "What 27 Means" is one of the most read posts on this blog for some reason - I simply cannot come up with anything. Really, I've got nothing.  It's not that thirty-one is pointless, or I don't have goals for the next year, or that I'm settled on the person I am - all of the former will probably never happen - it's just that as of right now, thirty one just feels, well, umm...about as odd as thirty one sounds.  I cannot describe it. I'm guessing thirty one is one of those ages that will define itself as the year goes on. After all, we all spend the latter years of our twenties preparing for thirty and the big 3-0, that we never truly look beyond it. And thirty one is definitely that feeling of, "oh yeah, this thing called life continues past 30, huh?" Regardless, I'm still in love with 31. I don...

3 Up  1. Shelby Erdahl - Much props and so much more to this student-athlete for Idaho State managed to finish a hurdles race after rupturing her achilles tendon. Let me repeat that, she kept running after she ruptured her achilles tendon. That's insane guts and heart. My hat is off to you Shelby.  2. Florence and the Machine - I'm a big fan of Florence and the Machine as I love their unique sound. I am an even bigger fan of the group after they gave a girl in hospice, who missed their concert the night before, a private concert. That's pro right there. Stand up superstars.  3. Chris Sale and Noah Syndergaard - Are there two hotter pitchers in baseball right now than Syndergaard and Chris Sale. Both are must-see right now.  3 Down 1. EgyptAir Flight 804 - Everything about this story is super sad. It all just fees eerie as it seems terrorism is at play here again. So unfortunate. 2. Prince Tribute - Sorry Billboard Music Awards, but that Princ...

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.

"I'm too hot to handle and too cold to hold" "The tower of power, too sweet to be sour" And... "Ten thousand years as Intercontinental Champion! Oooooh Yeeaaaah!" On the fifth anniversary in which he passed away, I still miss one of my childhood favorites in "The Macho Man" Randy Savage. Never will there ever be another like him.

What is it about?  After being mauled by a bear and left for dead, a frontiersman fights to survive and to get revenge on the man who left him and also killed his son.  Who is in it?  Leanardo DiCaprio - Hugh Glass Tom Hardy - John Fitzgerald Domhnall Gleeson - Captain Andrew Henry

3 Up  1. MLB - Baseball had a good week - minus a small hiccup to end it, more on that in a bit. From Max Scherzer's 20 strikeout game, the moment of Bartolo Colon hitting a home run, the story of Matt Bush's comeback, and the Play Ball initiative, baseball fans had plenty of moments to enjoy.  2. Steph Curry - Oh you know, not playing a game for two weeks, then returning and dropping seventeen points in an overtime win - a new record - yeah, no big deal for this dude who is absolutely unreal.  3. Boy Showing Dog Training Videos - This boy's parents told him he was responsible for training his puppy so, why not show the dog puppy training videos from YouTube, right? Smart kid, and a super adorable picture.  3 Down  1. Auction of Gun That Killed Trayvon Martin - This is just utterly ridiculous and disrespectful. I can't even imagine what and how the family of Trayvon Martin must feel.  2. Texas Rangers - Cowards. Such cowards. First...

It's certainly not hard to take shots at LeBron James. Many have been doing it for years now, and with Steph Curry becoming the favored darling of the league and it's fans (myself included - how can you not be?), LeBron's latest comments surely will not sit well with a few.  Is Steph Curry the MVP of the NBA? In my opinion, yes. The dude deserved it last year, and surely improved a lot and deserves it even more so this year. But is LeBron completely wrong for questioning the validity or meaning of the award? More specifically, of the term "valuable"? Let's be honest, the moment LeBron sat in a chair across from Jim Gray at a Boys and Girls Club in Connecticut and held the basketball world hostage on the fate of where he was taking his talents, he's lost the support of a few - forever. And That I understand. I can see that.  But really, can a claim for "most valuable" be directed towards LeBron? The Cavaliers are surely not the sam...

So tired and exhausted, my soul flat lined, victim of my inner voice, self-accosted. Sacrifices made, an extension of myself given, yet status quo is honored, some try not at all, others just give in. Creation. Innovation. Adaptation. It's all a slow cyclical suffocation. Until May, Left on the canvas, exploring signification. or the mystification of the situation, of the true question: In the business of person-development, did you give everything? My soul is empty. My inner voice calm with rage told me that. How exhausted are you?

3 Up 1. Mother's Day - Kudos to all of the mothers around the world doing their best to raise children everywhere. Also, much props to the foster moms and pinch-hitting moms who are raising other children - you're efforts to love unconditionally are truly forgotten at times.  2. Bryce Harper - Not only did he manage to set a new MLB record of reaching base seven times without an AB (6 walks, 1HBP), but he rocked some pretty sweet floral cleats and a floral arm sleeve to go with all of the pink in the Mother's Day uniforms. Bryce is definitely making baseball fun.  3. Black Guy Discovers Hockey - This story has been tremendous. His tweets on discovering hockey were so authentic that he went viral, and also earned a free trip to a Blues games. You can't blame the guy, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been much more interesting than the NBA Playoffs this year. Much, much more.  3 Down 1. Penn State - With the news of Joe Paterno possibly knowing about Je...

In an industry dominated by one major company - one that for as long as it has existed, has had compromised and controversial standards for it's talent as "independent contractors" - the wrestling business now has another raised issue budding - structure of talent pay.  Now, let me just say, this issue won't leap frog the issues of racism, talent benefits, and PED discipline in the business (you know it still happens), but it does present a fair and noticeable point - what is the true value of a wrestling talent? And who is responsible for that value?  Today, Ryan Reeves, who us pro wrestling fans know as Ryback, recently acknowledged his contract dispute with the WWE and questioned the company's pay structure. In reading Reeves' words, it's hard to dispute his thinking, especially when he points out and alludes to the uncontrollable forces that dictate his pay - despite the same effort given, or untapped potential used.

3 Up 1. Pay it Forward - I'm a sucker for stories on human decency and people doing nice things for one another. Imagine what the world was like if this were expected? Here is a video that has gone viral of a mom helping her daughter's day care teacher after realizing she walked to and from work everyday. Yup, the community helped raise money to buy her a care.  2. Confederate Memorial Removed - We're slowly learning as a nation that these "memorials" really are nothing but pieces which honor slavery and our troubled past with race. Kudos to the University of Louisville for taking strides towards what is right.  3. Enzo Amore OK - Some wrestling fans do nothing but complain, complain, complain! They often lose sight of the risks and sacrifices these men and women make to simply entertain us fans. Tonight, we were reminded by that for a brief moment when Enzo Amore suffered a scary accident during a match which had to be stopped. Luckily, Enzo will b...