Dome Pondering

Earned. That's the one word that comes to mind as I punch the keys on this post. After seven years at NYU, I will be ending my chapter there this week. It's been a long and adventurous chapter, and honestly, it's been an awesome seven years. Like, seriously, AWESOME. Despite the usual complaints we all have about our workplaces, which of course pops up from time to time, my seven years at NYU has provided me with joy, memories, tremendous people, and the ability to develop in sooooooo many ways, professionally. It was easy to tell - I loved my job. After all, this very job, was my dream job.

3 Up 1. Boston Red Sox - As much as it pains me to say this (and it very much does), the Red Sox take the top spot this week. Even further (and hurting my soul even more), they might have been the best team I've seen in my lifetime since the 1998 Yankees. Congrats to the city of Boston on (another?!?!) sports title. Ugh. 2. Roman Reigns - The news of Roman Reigns announcement that he was battling leukemia was devastating - just another case of you don't know what's going on in someone else's life. It's surreal to me personally, as I share a birthday and am the same age as someone like Reigns. Life can come at you fast, and be very cruel, no matter how hard you work. However, The Big Dog gets the "Up" here for sharing the news so publicly, including his testimony of fighting it since the age of 12. And really, the dude seemed to be taking it stronger than everyone around him - including all of us, fans. Get well soon, Roman! 3. New York Red Bulls -

3 Up 1. MLB World Series - After weeks of an awesome MLB Playoffs, the World Series is now set with such an intriguing match up between two uber-talented ball clubs. Definitely looking forward to Tuesday night. 2. G-League $125K - Well, we are now inching towards what should be an interesting shift in the basketball world. It should be very intriguing to see the option between the exposure of the NCAA and March Madness vs. the guaranteed $125K and the luxury of access to professional aid and development for many talented eighteen year olds. But honestly, the NCAA and Division I basketball has been a joke for years in terms of it's exploitation talent and it's absurd corruption and rules. Heres to hoping it forces them to get their acts together. 3. " This is 18 " - I'm a sucker for social pieces. This recent New York Times outlook is super interesting on what the age of 18 looks like to many girls around the world. It's a great lens into what marks t

3 Up 1. Mobilized Voters - Mid-term elections are upon us, and it's been quite interesting to see so many people mobilized (and motivated) to vote. For me personally, I haven't experienced this kind of push, regardless of your political views, since 2008. Unfortunately, with that ambition, comes more voter suppression - ugh. 2. Elon Musk - Kudos to Musk who donated $480,000 to Flint Schools in order provide clean water. Despite this awesome generosity, two things: 1) Did it really take only 480K to provide clean water? How infuriating is that?! And, 2) At ONLY 480K, isn't clean water for Flint easier than the continuing negligence we are seeing? 3. Paul Lopez - The first black for F-22 Demonstration Team is quite the accomplishment. And honestly, the fact that being the "first black person" is still available in specific categories in life, just shows how far we have to go as a nation. 3 Down 1. Murder of Jamal Khoshaoggi - This such an awful story.

As the ball hit the back of Steve Pearce's glove, and the final out of the Yankees season came to an end, I found myself slumped on my couch with my son in tow next to me - dejected. Not irate, but flat out disappointed. It felt like conquering the Red Sox was goal #1 this season, with winning a World Series just behind it. I'll explain in a few... Nonetheless, as goes the deal today in sports, I opened Twitter (huge mistake!) to find opinions, rants, and absurd raging remarks filled with the usual over-the-top hyperbole and dramatic perspectives on the Yankees season. Sometimes, I want to chalk it up to passion, pain, and the need to simply grieve the moment at hand, but as always, it was all pure lunacy. Regardless of the immediate reactions and takes, I found myself in a sunken state, almost in a weird mode of reflection. For starters, here is something most Yankees fans don't want to say among the midst of their lashing out at Giancarlo Stanton, or their Fire B

3 Up 1. MLB Playoffs - Thus far, the beginning of the playoffs has been unbelievable. Despite the Red Sox dominate season, all five teams to make the playoffs had legitimate arguments to win the World Series. I always say it - because it is true - baseball has the best playoffs. 2. New York Times Trump Tax Article - This was a VERY interesting read. Also interesting was the research and documents sought through to put together this piece. OF course, many are going to claim "fake news" and hyper politicize it, but you know, whatevs. The President has done a lot od dumb things, and some things he gets treated unfairly on, but this is one of those tha makes you wonder about his legitimacy and the authenticity of who he claims to be - an American self-made Millionaire. 3. 6-Year Old Resource Officer - I just loved this story. We don't get enough good news in the world, and this is one of those stories - especially, since becoming a father - that truly makes you see t

I'm not shocked at all that Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice. Not shocked in the least. I wasn't exactly rooting for him to be removed, or even wishing for his entire career to be thrown down the hatch due to the recent state of events - that would be unwarranted and cruel. After all, one could argue that regardless of what happens moving forward, Brett Kavanaugh will always have everything - EVERYTHING - that happened in late 2018 hovering over his career. However, what I find discomfort in, as many do - well, I guess depending on your party affiliation and/or strength of commitment to said party and overall belief - is the overwhelming reaction and outlook by Washington on the situation.

--3 Months & 1 Week Old -- Dear Son,  It's been awhile since I've written a letter to you. The summer has been absolutely amazing, and exhausting - definitely exhausting - but really, amazing. Amazing, in a tiring sort of way. It's strange. It's a feeling I've heard for a long time from parents, and one I now understand myself. I hope for that feeling for you one day as well. You'll get what I mean.  Yet, here you are! Three months old, bright-eyed, and beginning to show flashes of personality, all while the rolls on your now Michelin Man-like body reflects your physical growth.  We've made it through what feels like the parental probation period that is the three month mark. And while the summer brought about many things in the real world that often caused your mother and I to take mental notes on the person we would like you to be, we still are very much content on just enjoying this process. Of you growing. Of us, growing.