Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Celebrating Title IX - We celebrated 50 years of Title IX reign in our country this past week, including the many benefits it has provided for equality within the education system - most notably for women.  Of course, only we can celebrate something for women in the same week as we slam the same demo with controversial rulings.  2. COVID-19 Vaccines for Under 5 Yrs - It feels like we've completely moved on from the pandemic, however, the latest vaccines for children under five truly are a gamechanger. It's almost like we forgot about our desperation for vaccines at one - as early as this year. Regardless, much appreciation to the science community for getting this done. 3. Federal Gun Legislation - Another political top news (this week was exhausting), put one on the scoreboard for our society in getting an agreement on gun safety in our country. Is it perfect? No? Address key needs? Somewhat? But, it's the first time in forever, and we'll take it. Of course, ev...

Well, the New York Knicks certainly do not disappoint in whatever they do in this stretch of anxiety-ridden mediocrity for the fanbase.  I had hope going into this season. That was eventually snuffed out with that horrid stretch in March. Then for some reason, I felt like maybe - just maybe - things would break for us in the Lottery. And for a brief second on draft night, especially once you could connect (in your hopelessly, imaginative mind) the pieces from the reports of all the reputable journalists, that maybe - again, just maybe! - we were going to get Jaden Ivy.  Ummm, yeah. Strike one. Strike two. Strike three.  With all of that said, I'm still here, and I'm still longing for that moment when NBA Champions and New York Knicks will be in the same sentence. Until then, I'm here continuing to vent through these words on this site.

I never once thought this would be a part of my experience as a parent. I've grappled with future conversations, thought about how I'll help my multi-racial son through the world that will surely be complex in how it views him, and yes, brace myself for those conversations - you know the ones. Those conversations that my parents had with me, a child of color, in disarming my presence in specific spaces.  Never did I expect to find myself grappling with the reality of the new topic for that awkward sit down to make the first imprint on life memories - son, here is what you need to do if there is a mass school shooting ... I have made no secret here on this site - my upbringing was not pure, was not clean. Not me per se, but I was certainly exposed to my fair share of violence, drugs, and various matters that desensitized and jaded how exposed my experiences really were. My academic environment - specifically high school - was a challenge. Underfunded, overcrowded, excessive ...

3 Up 1. Father's Day and Juneteenth - A combined weekend of all-sort of celebrations, reflections, and appreciation. Sending gratitude and good vibes to all fathers, substitute fathers, step-in fathers, mentors, and figures who have helped shape the lives of many.  Also, take some time to reflect and think through the reflective day that is Juneteenth - new to so many - of the horrific start to our country's existence, and the freedom that came after a century of captivity.  2. Ashley Adirika - This is a dope story. It's the kind of story that is amazing and quite frankly, inspirational. Adirika, a Florida teen, graduates high school with offers from all Ivy schools and many more top institutions in the country. If that wasn't enough, Ashley also started her own non-profit organization to help mentorship for young women.  Unbelievably amazing.  3. Steph Curry - My dude was cooking! Steph continues to be one of my favorite athletes, and such a joy to watch. I was the...

Before we dive into the Milwaukee Brewers Nike City Connect uniforms, I want to give some major props to the Brewers organization for handling the Lorenzo Cain situation . Allowing Cain to remain with the team long enough to reach the 10-year milestone, despite a subpar performance and every intention to designate him for assignment, is classy.  Of course, that 10 years (and 5 years with the same team) gives Cain added incentives to his pension as a Major League player. The Brewers didn't have to do that. Classy stuff.  As for these new threads, it's tough for Nike to surpass the aesthetics of the Brewers' current everyday design. The pinstripes, the combination of blue and yellow, the arc of the font across the chest - all of it just feels like the very best of old-school-baseball-in modern-age-aesthetics. And yes, there is the beautiful, amazing, fantastic logo that sits atop the hat is a baseball glove, wrapped with the secret message of "MB" (Milwaukee Br...yo...

3 Up 1. New Gun Laws - This is huge. There are going to be some who take the negative approach and say that this isn't "enough", but considering our past, our current culture, and the politics (and lobbying), this is a tremendous first step towards simple sanity in gun control, reform, and safety within our country.  Also, much props to some of the Republicans who worked across the aisle to get this done. We need more of this, and less stalling to make the other side look terrible.  2. Matthew McConaughey - For what it's worth, McConaughey delivered a speech that hit most of America in the heart in just thirty seconds. The story of Maite Rodriguez's green converses hits home. 3. COVID Vaccines for Under 5 - Have we become completely jaded by COVID news? Regardless, I'm still in awe of what science has provided. Think about it, just months ago schools were still shutting down. Now we have vaccines set for release for children under five years of age.  3 Down 1...

What is it about?  Din, a determined Teen who lost his best friend, runs into a wish-granting dragon who unveils the power of possibilities, but also of life's greatest values.  Who is in it?  Jimmy Wong - Din Natasha Liu Bordozzo - Li Na John Cho - Long

The Los Angeles Angels Nike City Connect uniforms might be the very first in the collection that makes a clear argument in style, practicality, and overall aesthetics to replace - yes, REPLACE! - the everyday uniforms.  That's no hyperbole from me. I really love the look of these threads and feel like the uniforms not only capture the mission statement of the collection but ultimately, do more for Angel's brand.  Let's dig in shall we... The biggest appeal to the uniforms for me is easy - simplicity. Nike and the Angels did not go crazy in trying to capture the "Los Angeles" in its identity, especially, considering the roots that are heavy (and controversial) in Anaheim. The overall look is clean, and with that, carries a tremendous cream overtone that drives the concept home.  The design is based off of the beach, the coastline, and everything that is summer in SoCal - baseball, beach, surfing, and good vibes. Check. Check. Check, and ultimately, check.  Pulling ...

3 Up 1. Hero Mom, Angeli Rose Gomez - As more and more is revealed from the heartbreaking occurrence that was the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the story of the mother, Angeli Gomez, who drove forty minutes, rushed to the school's entrance, was handcuffed by police on-site (smh), then released, barged into the school while the shooting was still active, and rescued her children, is nothing short of phenomenal.   Obviously, there is so much more to say on the matter, but I'm just giving the "Up" in the narrowed focus of her being a hero mom.  2. Harini Logan - Every. Single. Year. I'm just so amazed by those who participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Kudos to Logan who walked away with the 2022 crown. Also, check out the words Logan spelled to win ! Holy-need-a-spell-check!  3. Cody Rhodes - Giving the son, of the son, of a plumber (only pro wrestling fans would get that joke, sorry) his due here. Rhodes wrestled tonight with a torn pectoral muscle t...