Dome Pondering

I've found the 2020 Democratic Primary race to be highly fascinating. Yes, at times it has bordered in annoyance (some of the Debates), but overall, the race has been an enduring one that really has battle-tested candidates for good (ability to clearly explain plans, prior decisions, and political positioning), and for the bad (the way money, fear, and social identifiers can affect a candidate's survival). From this blog, and hopefully, by now, you can tell that I am a fan of pro wrestling. Quite frankly, this Dem race has all of the makings of your classic Royal Rumble - waiting to see who will be eliminated next, and of course, who the next surprised entrant will be - yes, looking at you Mr. Bloomberg. Yet, with all of this said, as someone who is a registered Independent and finds politics in our country to be at it's absolute worst during my lifetime in the current state, I'm locked in. And naturally, life's experiences have also given me more at stake fo...

I've been thinking a lot lately about the journeys we take within life. I know, that's a pretty deep way to start a post. But it's just what I'm feeling at the moment. I'm not sure if this is the sort of reflection and clarification that comes with age - it probably is - but that's just where I am right now. What started this mindset was a recent experience in being around a baseball team from an institution I used to work for, who now uses the facility at the institution that I now work at. Stay with me... Observing their practices and taking in the sights and sounds instantly gave me nostalgia and shipped me back to my years of playing college baseball. It was the little things like the jokes, or the ping of the bat, or the sound of the glove popping - those wonderful, sweet, little, tiny baseball things - swiftly brought me back to a twenty-year-old me in a place called Cazenovia, NY. I still can't believe I lived there for four years.

3 Up 1. Boxing - If there is a sport that hasn't evolved in many ways, it is that of Boxing. Regardless, the sport won the weekend with an epic fight between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. Not only was the fight anticipated, but it delivered with entertainment (those entrances!!!), it gave us a remarkable story (more on this in a few...), and it sets up a few other storylines and fights that even causal fans like myself would be interested in. Good job, Bob Arum. 1A. Tyson Fury - Not only did he give us a tremendous comeback story, but Fury also gave us a particularly interesting rendition of "American Pie" in the post-fight. Fury now is a household name, and probably the most notable household name in boxing outside of Floyd Mayweather. 2. Dagmar Turner - This story is so freakin' cool. Turner played the violin through her brain surgery so surgeons would not damage her musical abilities during tumor removal. Everything about this story is fascinating and re...

111. Would you rather have the ability to sing or compose a song?  I'm going to go with composing a song. Singing is cool, but really, I've never had the itch to sing songs other than in my car, in the shower, or while cleaning around my apartment. I love the art of writing, composing, and creating content. I've pretty much always been the guy behind the success (Even in my career), and I'm good at it. 112. Would you rather live a life that can last 1,000 years or live 10 lives lasting 100 years each life? This is interesting. I think it would be cool to live ten times and try ten different lives, there is something really intriguing about living to 1,000 and carrying the same life along for the ride. For instance, how do I age? Also, can you imagine carrying that type of experience around?

3 Up 1. Trevor Noah on Bloomberg - I'm typically a fan of Noah's takes on social issues. He has an interesting and engaging perspective on his views of race - due to his own identity - and power - from the lens of being someone who has seen the effects of apartheid. Regardless, these words by Noah on Bloomberg's apology on Stop and Frisk policy in NYC this week are dead on. 2. 2020 NBA All-Star Game - The new format is absolutely tremendous. Borrowing the "target score" from the TBT, it allowed the game to have a bit of fun play, and of course, the tremendous competitive play we saw in the 4th quarter. It's weird to say, but the NBA All-Star Game has the ability to be the most compelling of all sports, and tonight's game proved when done right, it is just that. 3. Black News Channel - Anyone else baffled that this is THE first sole black-led news network? Regardless, kudos to all involved. Representation in the news and in the media is vital to...

Rule changes and baseball never go over well. For some reason, the game of baseball and fans fight the process of evolution and the updating of the game for the next generation to come. It is why the game finds itself in the current transition struggle it currently is in - this sudden change from the way things "have always been" to what feels like extreme changes. While the conversation always enrages many whenever there is a new rule change, the truth of the matter is, the game always comes around, fans settle down, and for the most part, the game is better for it (i.e. wild card additions - twice, expansion, replay, etc...). Except for those released proposals for a NEW playoff overhaul. Those my friends, can stay far away from the game of baseball. Nonetheless, here are some quick thoughts on the latest rules changes for 2020:

3 Up 1. Parasite Wins Oscar - I haven't seen it yet, but now, I have too. Kudos to everyone involved with Parasite. The film made history at the Oscar's in becoming the first foreign-language film to win Best Picture. 2. Damian Lillard - Who averages over 40.0ppg in their last ten games? Seriously, who does that? Lillard has been straight ballin' as of late. Have you seen some of the shots he has take from the mid-court logo, earning the trending nickname of logo-Lilliard? The dude is incredible, and I am happy he is getting his due, and most of all, excited he wants to remain in a small market like Portland. 3. XFL - I work in sports, and one of the many lessons I've learned in the industry is that 90% of people look at sports from the fans perspective. Say what you want about Vince McMahon, but the dude is creative, and in many ways, a genius. It's great to see a content creator have a vision, correct mistakes of the past, and put that vision out for cons...

I may have just watched the worst State of the Union address in my lifetime. And I really mean that. No. That isn't a shot at Donald Trump, but rather a statement at the atmosphere that is our political stream and space as of today. Off the heels of an impeachment hearing that looked, felt, and seemed rather pointless in terms of what it would do (and really, we all knew what would happen), the SOTU was delayed, giving the country just a week or two extra to prepare for President Trump's final speech heading into an election year. I haven't come across anyone who believed the trial would result in the removal of Trump as President. However, what it did do is further divide a nation that is probably as separated and antagonized in its thinking, again, more than any other period in my lifetime. The entire impeachment ordeal thing felt like a giant SMH, and in many ways, a WTF. I wish the dems would focus on 2020. After all, as of right now, this year is looking ver...

3 Up 1. Andy Reid - I actually watched parts of the Super Bowl this year, especially so in the fourth quarter. Regardless, watching Andy Reid, after 21 years of coaching in the NFL, finally getting the big win was a nice touch on this Super Bowl Sunday. BTW, I still find myself cringing at specific hits and collisions. 2. NBA on TNT Roundtable - The way this crew and overall production handled the cancelling of the Lakers/Clippers game, as well as mourning the death of Kobe Bryant was absolutely fantastic. From the stories, the raw emotion, the questions, the insight - all of it really gave any viewer a look into the fraternity that is the NBA, while also allowing some of those untold stories to shine through in Kobe's honor. Again, the entire telecast was absolutely remarkable, and a must for any basketball fan. 3. Ellen Degeneres - So yeah, the story of DeAndre Arnold, a high school kid in Texas who is not being allowed to walk with his graduating class unless he cuts hi...