Dome Pondering

Chasing Waterfalls...not lakes and rivers that I'm used to.

3 Up 1. MLB Players Weekend - The (insane) traditionalists had a problem with it, but the weekend produced plenty of fun games and moments, and gave fans and players a really cool weekend to be themselves and enjoy the game. I have a ton of stuff to share in the next Dope Sports Threads. Overall, can't wait for the next one... 2. MTV VMA's - Look, there were moments I had no idea what was going on, and I thought Katy Perry was incredibly awkward as the host. However, the moments that promoted fights against hate and empowered people to be themselves were awesome. Especially, Pink's speech - such good stuff. The VMA's still have plenty of work to do though under their new management. 3. Giancarlo Stanton - I think he just hit another home run. The guy has 50(!) and we're not into September, yet. Can he hit 63? Should be interesting going forward if he can stay hot.  3 Down 1. Hurricane Harvey - The devastation and flooding going on in South Texas...

This weekend has been exhausting. Despite the constant systemic injustice that is the United States of America, it's a moment like this weekend that is delivered and must be unpacked and discussed carefully in the pursuit of social justice - justice that is long deserved.  There is plenty wrapped up in everything that is Charlottesville, Virigina. This is deep, spans back to the beginning of this nation, and is a result of current times as well.  I'm still decompressing it all. Here are a few quick thoughts as I too wrap my mind, my emotions, and my intellect and rationale around it:

3 Up 1. Los Angeles Dodgers - In a rough week where the real world just crushes us, the dominance of the Dodgers is one that leaves us in awe, and can take us out into something great for a few minutes.  2. Derek Jeter The Owner - Is there anything that Derek Jeter loses at? The Captain is now part owner of the Miami Marlins, and get this - will be the first owner and CEO of color within MLB. That's HUGE.  3. Married at 98 - These two are getting married at 98 (He's 94). How about they both workout at the gym twice-a-week, and met there. So cool in so many ways. Good for them!  3 Down 1. Charlottesville - So many layers to this story. Hate. History. The ridiculous response from our President. And the apparent shock some in this country have that people are out there who still have this ideology. Point blank, this was terrorism.  2. Trump and North Korea - Just before Charlottesville, Trump talked tough for absolutely no reason in a back-and-...

An establishment cannot uphold systemic injustice and attempt to condemn it simultaneously.

I love everything about MLB Player's Weekend. From the moment it was rumored way back over the winter, I have been anticipating the announcements of what I feel is baseball finally - FINALLY - looking to modernize itself. Well, at least just a bit. Baby steps. While I love MLB Uniforms and the tradition that comes with them, I do get annoyed with the over-abundance and wacky uniforms we see from the NBA. With that said, I like the idea of keeping this to one weekend. Where it becomes sort of a spectacle. And it is thus far. Ultimately, I like that players are getting more say so in changing the antequated mentality that baseball currently has here in the States. Regardless, I'm sure most have seen the names, the uniforms and the gear. Here are my thoughts on the ones that caught my eye:

Let's quickly put football aside. As you know, I've given up on watching the NFL, so I'm not sure exactly how well - or terribly - Colin Kaepernik played last season from the eye test. But let's be honest, truly honest, he's not the worst quarterback on the market. In fact, I truly believe that no one thinks he's still looking for work because he can't play.  The Miami Dolphins just fished (pun intended) a quarterback out of retirement, and even tossed around the idea of doing the same for Tim Tebow, who now plays baseball. So there's that.  So yeah, this isn't about football performance. I'm not letting anyone fool me on that one. And neither should you.  And all you have to do is look at the recent newswire to see other players with domestic violence charges, sexual accosting, drug use, and various other offenses, who are receiving second, third, and even, fourth chances! Wasn't Adam "Pacman" Jones suspended, agai...

3 Up 1. Baltimore Cease Fire Movement - Our inner cities desperately need help. The Cease Fire Movement in B'More is a nice one that hopefully gets the pendulum swinging in the other direction for positivity for the next generation.  2. Cute Kid Fist Bumpin' - In a heated week of social justice topics that left me deflated and annoyed with mankind, this video gave me all the feels that life can be so awesome. Why can't we be like this? 3. Austin Jackson - Man, this catch was so sick. So, so sick.  3 Down 1. Affirmative Action - After a New York Times article broke the story that the current administration will look into the possible discrimination of whites in the college admissions process, we saw plenty of opinions that came out in support of this. Shockingly, there are people who believe whites are discriminated against. White privilege such a crazy thing, man. So crazy.  2. Pretending to be Black - So just when some are trying to make an opi...

Facebook rants aren't my thing. I'm actually one of those people who find the platform to be filled with just that - overshared rants and unintelligent or ill-advised comments. There are of course exceptions - depending on who you're friends are - but yeah, that's Facebook.  However, what lead to me to the rant was the recent news of the current administration in the White House using the nation's highest resources delegated for civil rights endeavors to be directed towards an attack on affirmative action - most precisely, the college admissions process.  As you already know, I'm pretty passionate about social justice, and education. After all, I work in higher education. The comments were based on the recent New York Times article .

So, I adopted a dog.  Yes, me. The kid from Brooklyn who was once terrified (and in some ways, still am) of the species. The same kid who once ran so fast, the puddering sounds of steps might have been non-existent from never really touching the cement of Brooklyn's holy sidewalks, as a loose Pitbull chased me down a Canarsie neighborhood street. Legend has it, I never hit that speed ever again. Probably true.  Yes, me. I adopted a dog and came to peace with my fear of dogs. Who said you can't evolve in life?  And oh yeah, a dropped book bag and some nifty high stepping onto a later-to-be-upset person's minivan, I escaped that Pitbull - or really, rendered myself uncatchable on a literal island.