Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 7/11/21


 3 Up

1. Zaila Avant-Garde - The world was introduced to Zaila Avant-Garde, the 14-year old who became the first black Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion. Not only did she etch herself in history, we were privileged to learn of her amazing talents as a basketball player, and that she also holds a Guinness World Record for a dope ability to dribble multiple basketballs at a time. Now, Zaila is enjoying the spotlight and the college scholarship offers roll in. Again, she's just 14! Go on girl. 

2. Sports Week - A big UFC fight. Tampa Bay Lightning winning the Stanley Cup. The NBA Finals. COPA America Finals (and Messi finally getting his International victory). EURO Finals and Italy taking it back to Rome. Wimbledon Finals. USA Basketball. Everything that was Gerrit Cole's moment on Saturday for the Yankees. And so much more! It was a great weekend to channel flip and find something terrific that sports bring and give us.

 3. Confederate Statute Removed - The Robert E. Lee statue in Charlottesville, Virginia was taken down. No need for me to go on about this - it's just right. Don't come at me. It's. Just. Right. 

3 Down

1. Haitian President Assassinated - Hearing this news was just wild to me. It felt like something out of a Jack Ryan series. President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home and his wife left in critical condition in an act that has shaken the country and left it unstable. Furthering the chaos that is this story, the killers remain at large and the plot of those involved is unfolding (so far, 26 people involved!). So unfortunate. So crazy. So...wild. 

2. Crazy Weather - Continuing with "wild" occurrences, that is the current weather. Just here in the Northeast we've endured 100-degree weather and torrential downpour that has flooded streets, Subways, and more. Out West, there are droughts that have scorched the Earth and have ignited all sorts of wildfires. North America is seeing some funky weather (see: Canada being over 100 degrees) and some troubling sights (Chicago beaches beginning to erode). 

Then there is THIS story. 

Scary times. 

3. No Olympics Fans - Well, just when I give a nod to Sports this week, which has seen an increase in attendance, really, the lifeblood of sports, the Olympics and the raging Coronavirus in Tokyo will look very much like what we just endured (and want to forget) with no fans at the games. That's going to make for some really tough television. 

1 Ehhh

1. Billionaires in Space - I think having casual trips to space is kind of cool. However, I do find it really hard to get pumped about when it is the world's billionaires doing it in such a casual manner. I find it hard to celebrate it when there are so many issues right here on Earth. I know, I know, but that's just me. Richard Branson's trip to space...the story just resonates "ehh" with me. 

Cover Photo

Fans of England celebrate their side's second goal, scored by Harry Kane, at Wembley Stadium in London, England

Catherine Ivill / Getty

Labels:

Recently Read

Would You Rather: Questions 121-130

This edition of "Would You Rather" is credited to the NBA Would You Rather NBA Account on Instagram ( See Here ). Adding to the fun, this edition (and possibly future ones) are all NBA basketball questions.  121. Who would you rather have on your favorite NBA team - Giannis Antetokounpo or James Harden?  Seeing how I'm a lifelong suffering Knicks fan, the thought of any of these guys in blue and orange is hard to believe. With that said, I'm taking the Greek Freak for this reason - I enjoy watching him play a bit more. Nothing against Harden who is amazing as well, but at times, the ball sticks and that isn't always fun. Plus, I feel like we haven't yet seen a finished Giannis. 122. Would you rather have Giannis Antetokounpo with no driving ability or James Harden with no Three-Point shooting ability?  This is definitely a weird and unique one, but I'll take Harden. Giannis without his strength doesn't offer much. However, if Harden's d...
Read more

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...
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/15/26

Sunday Sundown Rundown returns! Going forward, I'll be sharing thoughts and ponderings in a format of three simple thoughts, opposed to the former "3 Up, 3 Down" of the past.   Mother of Savannah Guthrie I haven't been closely following the developments. I've checked in here and there, mostly hoping that this horrific story comes to an end. I simply continue to sympathize with concern, as not only are the emotions of having one's mother kidnapped for ransom more than enough to bear, but to have it played out publicly, before the nation, helplessly, is an unfathomable reality to understand. And of course, as all things in this culture, the story has been manipulated, pulled apart, and coerced into political representations that are not true, or at the very worst, worthy of discussion considering that someone's life - a person's mother - is at stake.  Winter Olympics It's not my favorite. Summer Olympics are my jam. Nonetheless, this Winter Olympics...
Read more