Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Jason Arday Story - I absolutely love stories like this. Jason Arday overcame autism, and a delayed reading track, and stands today as a young black professor at Cambridge University. Absolutely amazing. I love stories like this.  2. Femke Bol - I will forever be amazed at track athletes. It's probably because I'm so slow. Nonetheless, Bol smashed a four-decade-long world record in the 400M. This week has been filled with some fantastic human-accomplishment stories.  3. Brian 'Thee beast' Story - Continuing the trend this week is this story about an individual who used video games as not just an interest but an escape from poverty. Again...great stuff this week.  3 Down  1. Ohio Toxic Crash - There is so much happening out of this incident in Ohio that is unfortunate, and even more that feels speculative, secretive, and somewhat controversial enough for great concern. So many "Erin-Brokovich-like" vibes coming out of this incident.  2. Turkey Afters...

The WWE continued the massive machine moving towards Wrestlemania with this Elimination Chamber event. It was likely the most anticipated Elimination Chamber for this fan in recent memory, and it didn't disappoint in any way. This has been the trend for the company since Triple H has taken over creative (just my opinion, though, not a massive hot take).  Of course, like many others, I was hooked because of the payoff (or first of many to come?) of the highly acclaimed Sami Zayn/Bloodline story with the eventual clashing of Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn. Also, it should probably be said, that Roman Reigns is just money (sorry, Carmella). The dude just is. He's at a level where he is a must-watch and feels enough like a rare, yet, big deal, whenever he is stepping into the ring.  I've often said the oversaturation of the wrestlers is currently a plague in pro wrestling. Roman is the perfect example of that holding some water.  Nonetheless, here are some of my quick thoughts on...

3 Up 1. India's Tap Water Access - This is a rather remarkable story. It's a story that offers humility wrapped in the extraordinary. India's Jal Jeevan Mission provided almost 79 million - 79 MILLION! - households with tap water. Just tap water!  2. Jordan Make-A-Wish Record - MJ is often loved through nostalgia, narrative, and remembrance for being politically neutral - even in giving. MJ these days has made some influential contributions, including this latest $10M donation to the Make-A-Wish foundation.  3. WWE Elimination Chamber - A tremendously entertaining pay-per-view on the road to Wrestlemania. The best storyline in pro wrestling continues to evolve between Sami Zayn and the Bloodline.  3A. City of Montreal - Give it up to the city of Montreal for what made a few nights of pro wrestling an awesome experience. Can we get this city more events?  3 Down 1. Michigan State Shooting - We're broken. Very broken. My thoughts and prayers are with those friends and ...

3 Up 1. Turkish and Syrian Rescue Teams - The entire region hit by a massive 7.8 earthquake earlier this week is in disarray. All the credit, thoughts, prayers, positive energy, and whatever else possible, towards those who are frantically rescuing those alive, or giving them a fighting chance to do so.  2. LeBron Breaks All-Time Record - It's really, really, really an impressive feat for LeBron James. And even after all of that thought and reflection, you realize the dude isn't done! LeBron can quite frankly finish with 40,000+ points. Unbelievable.  3. Biden State of the Union - I'm giving Biden some props here. With hecklers, a continuing political climate that seems only to be getting worse, and so much more, Biden delivered a great speech, and at times, pinned his opposition in various areas - specifically that point of the night where stated" ok, so we agree on social security then". Not bad for the guy everyone thinks has no fight.  3 Down 1. Turkey and Syr...

I said back in July when Kevin Durant rocked the NBA world with his trade request, that he "showed us who he was".  It wasn't a negative comment, but one that encompasses his entire career being a product of our current sport climate - success and focus on legacy. We emphasize the value of a career on rings, and thus, Durant has too. Why wouldn't he?!  Upon waking up and realizing that Durant will don the purple and orange for the Phoenix Suns in what is clearly now a team to watch come the NBA Playoffs, I find myself further pondering if Kevin Durant is the prime result of what we - yes, us! - have done to the modern athlete.  Today, Durant is one of the greatest basketball players I've ever seen. EVER. The dude is rare. He's a seven-foot magician which makes defending him even more difficult based on how damn efficient he is on the basketball court. It's downright poetic and beautiful to watch Durant play. And yes, I'm romanticizing his game. I belie...

3 Up 1. Beyonce History - The Queen made history at the Grammys with her 32nd (!!) win. The number alone sounds absolutely ridiculous, but after all, it's Beyonce we are discussing here. Congrats to Queen B.  2. Viola Davis - We're going career acknowledgment this weekend and up next is the wonderfully talented, Viola Davis. Davis entered that rarified air in entertainment rounding out her "EGOT" with a Grammy win. Every time you think about an EGOT, it makes you appreciate just how damn talented you must be to be in that conversation.  3. Tom Brady Career - And then there is Brady, who finally called it a career. It's wild to think I was a teenager watching Tom Brady win his first Super Bowl. Congrats to Brady on a remarkable career.  3 Down 1. Florida Higher Ed Proposal - If Florida leadership wasn't doing all sorts of cringy things within the education system, this week we saw proposed bills to eliminate diversity programs and a call to reduce tenure for ed...