Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Scotland Free Female Hygiene Products - I thought this was so cool. And yes, that's coming from a dude. Scotland became the first country to make period products FREE for those in need of them within the country. As a man, it's hard to wrap the mind around the additional expenses women go through for matters of the menstrual cycle. The new offering gives some hope regarding female health issues and universal health care - that yes, it is possible.  2. Sarah Fuller - The very first female athlete to play in a Power 5 football game. Fuller, the starting goalie for Vanderbilt's Women's soccer team, serves as the kicker on the Football team as well. Forget the first, can we also just give props for being an awesome athlete?! Nonetheless, a great accomplishment in its own right, and socially confirmed by the number of men bothered by its occurrence.  3. Beyonce Grammy Nominations - Bey kills it again. What else can be said about the Queen?  3 Down 1. Coronavirus - Ye

I sat there easily maneuvering the car on Route 3 as we moved fresh out of the Holland Tunnell. The transition from New York to New Jersey out of the tunnel was lost as I listened to untold stories of my father via my mother who sat in the passenger seat. Recently my mom has been diving into her vault, releasing much about my father that I never knew. For so long, I always thought there was plenty that my parents never knew about me - what I've seen, heard, experienced - you know, for their benefit. Very rarely - if ever - did I think that there was another side of that two-way mirror.  "Dad always believed in this step [owning a home]. You don't know this, but he used to lend people money, many times, to help with their down payments."  Of course, now I was super engaged - I wanted it all on this one.  "What? Like, for real?" "Yeah! He believed you come to America, you work hard, and the most important thing to get was a home. Make something of yoursel

141. Would you rather Have a dog with a cat’s personality or a cat with a dog’s personality? I think I would have to go with a Cat with a dog's personality. It surely would freak people out, but there is a reason people are specifically cat-people or dog-people. I think I'm closer to a dog person. Give me the Cat that is quick, nimble, and is friendly.  142. If you were reborn in a new life, would you rather be alive in the past or future? The future. That is super easy. For people of color, it only gets better. Why would I want to go back in time? 

 3 Up 1. COVID Vaccines - For the second week in a row, the continued news of multiple vaccines as well as the effectiveness of those vaccines, gets the top spot. Th news does provide hope and light at the end of this dark, twisted, and awful tunnel that has been 2020. What's even more so uplifitng is the effectiveness of these vaccines .  2. The Undertaker - Sure, you can make the jokes about The Undertaker retiring and coming back - because the guy went through a phase of being unsure about the finish line. However, celebrating 30 years - THIRTY YEARS! - of excellence inside of the wrestling business is worth every bit adulation he gets. He developed a characte that will live on forever. To Mark Calaway - thank you for the memories.  3. NBA Draft - The NBA Draft was very good to this Knicks fan this year. But besides that, much like we saw with the NFL Draft, the in-home presentation really lends itself to just how special the moment is of having your dream come true. I never got

I took a few days to process the results of this year's Presidential election - yes, the actual, real, valid results. Not the disputed one as per the claims of the current President and his devoted followers.   As many around the nation erupted in celebration at the confirmation that Joseph R. Biden Jr. had attained the 270 electoral votes needed to become the President-elect of these United States...or this nation (more on the "united" part in a bit), I too found an inner victory within. I didn't celebrate as much as others did as Biden isn't the perfect candidate for America in my opinion, but he is the right candidate at the right time for this country. Translation: He isn't Donald J. Trump. And that's where I've been in this political space.  Now, I already know many of you who read this blog and completed that last paragraph may have just exited this page. And that's okay - for now. Quite frankly, I haven't hid my feelings on my voting int

  3 Up 1. Coronavirus Vaccine? - It's here...sort of. Regardless of the semantics, the announcement of a vaccine produced by Phizer that is 90% effective - Flu Shots are 40-60% effective!! - has some serious promise. As the virus hits a second wave here in the Fall, the news coming from big Pharma is starting to make this pandemic feel like it's in the 4th quarter. Regardless, don't be stupid - wear your mask.  2. Michelle Ng - THE first female General Manager in baseball! I just love it. Let's forget that Ng has tons of experience and success throughout her career and has only been given this opportunity at 52 when farrrrrrrrrr more white males with less have been given GM opportunities as early as in their late twenties. No, no, I won't remind you of the inequalities that are at play here. I'm just happy Ng is given her opportunity, and that baseball is progressing forward - something it always struggles with.  3. Chris Nikic - You want an inspiring story? Ho

  I took this photo of a string of graffiti art on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, NY. I found that it resonates greatly this month post 2020 election as the votes of black persons were significant to the result.  Our voice matters. Listen to Black Voices. 

3 Up 1. Election Participation/Celebration - Regardless of your candidate, and where your interest lies in this election, the number of voters who turned out for this election - on both sides - was great to see. I don't care who you voted for, having everyone invested in this election was great to see. It's not hyperbole to say that this election was the closest form of democracy EVER seen in this country. Also amazing was the celebrations around the country for those invested in Joe Biden.  2. Poll Workers - Can we give a hand to the poll workers throughout the country? From the early voting dedication to the long hours of counting crucial ballots, poll workers have served an important role in the biggest and most democratic election in this country's history.  3. John King & Steve Kornacki - First, no one operates an electoral map the way John King does. I'm pretty sure he knows every county in America. Second, Kornacki is just behind King. I found his explanation

3 Up 1. Early Voting Attitudes - I voted early today, and well, it was quite the experience. I stood in line for over an hour with various first-time voters excited about having their impact on this election. The attitudes and hardwork of the poll workers was greatly appreciated. All in all, it was really a special experience to be part of, despite said long wait to vote.  2. Los Angeles Dodgers - They FINALLY did it! The Dodgers won the World Series after a few years of disappointing pursuits. I'm so happy for a guy like Clayton Kershaw who no longer has to deal with ridiculous narratives defining a generational career.  3. Sean Connery - 2020 rolls on and we lost Sean Connery this week. I've never been a huge James Bond fan, but I do remember how "Finding Forrester" changed my life as a young black kid growing up in Brooklyn. Connery's performance in that was amazing.  3 Down 1. Walter Wallace Jr. - The names continue on... SMH.  2. Justin Turner - At first I fo