Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 10/14/18


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. And one that questions the ethics of the Saudi Government. Oh by the way...WWE, yes, it's time to review that new brokered deal with the Saudi Arabian government.

2. Hurricane Michael - Hurricane Michael devastated West Florida this past week. While claiming 33 lives along the way, the hurricane has left more than $8.1 Billion in damage behind it. The photos are just horrific.

3. Voting Suppression - Opposing the the whole "mobilized voters" up trend is the continued discovery of various ways we are seeing voter suppression around the country. From extreme gerrymandering, purging eligible voters without their knowledge, or a favorite of closing polling centers on communities of color, we've seen new forms of suppression pop up to curtail "certain" voters from being eligible. Cause you know, 'Merica.

1 SMH

1. Kanye West - Old White Men just got their claim to their favorite rapper this week in the form of Kanye West. Seriously though, watching the way West is now used to discredit black issues and voices on the current administration is just sad. As for West, he's just as a sad these days.

2. "Cornerstone Caroline" - Yup. Just add another story to the white people call 911 for no reason pile. Super SMH. BTW - kudos to that lady who tried to talk some sense into "Caroline". Can you imagine how many situations can be escalated if white people could be allies to these issues? Silence is a choice.

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

The Pondering 10 - Most Fascinating Things of 2025

2025 sure did ebb and flow.  Is it just me, or did August through December zoom by? Nonetheless, we are at that time of the year again, which brings about some common traditions around these parts - the Pondering 10 Most Fascinating Things of the Year, and then the Dome Pondering Year in Review .  (Most Fascinating Things: 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 ,  2022 , 2023 , & 2024 ) Life really presented itself in unique ways this year, with a sense of a deeper layer of belonging and purpose, more so than what society has reflected since the pandemic. 2025 brought a deeper understanding of life through war, disaster, politics, the human spirit, and appreciation, among other things.  We'll get into that in the Year in Review.  For now, let's run it! Here is my Most Fascinating Things list for 2025: --- 10. Marjorie Taylor Greene Oh yeah, we're going there. MJT makes the very end of the list with a recent change in political positioning. I find it ...

Dome Pondering - 2025 Year in Review

2025 brought depth and growth.  In many ways, 2025 provided so many challenges and opportunities, allowing for a deeper, more layered approach to the world we live in. Our world is changing, and often, not for the better. Over the last 365 days, life has been more complex, more exhausting, and is asking so much more of us through these transitions and nuances than it did 365 days ago.  No big deal, right?  But hey, you're here. We're here. And we're going into 2026 much stronger, whether we realize it or not. But before we do, let's bid adieu to 2025.  As always, I'm incredibly gratefu l to those of you who still visit this little speck of the internet that houses my thoughts, rambles, and learnings. Thank you for taking a break from instant dopamine hits and videos, and likely the much cooler options of prepared content and indulging my humbled words. It is much appreciated.  It's the 20th annual - TWENTY YEARS of doing this! - Dome Pondering Year in Review. Le...