Skip to main content

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 2/26/23


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 Aftershocks - As if Turkey already didn't have enough to overcome the devastating earthquakes, the region suffered through serious aftershocks this week causing even more wreckage and fatalities, and further disrupting the recovery effort. 

3. Extreme Weather - Southern California is under snow? What is going on? 

1 Interesting

1. ChatGPT - I had a student share with me their use of this app - it's absolutely frightening that we don't even have to work on communication. It is absolutely frightening. 

2. Mississippi Lawmakers - Have you looked into the policy being discussed - some enacted - in Mississippi? It's head shaking and worrisome. Lynching? Forms of Segregation? What are we doing? 

3. Healthcare Shortage - A New York Times article discussed the growing shortage of healthcare workers, many of who are burned out following the Golabl Pandemic. What happened to the reverence we had for these essential workers? 

Cover Photo

Femke Bol, the Olympic 400m hurdles bronze medalist, broke the longest-standing world record in a track race, taking down a 41-year-old record in the women’s indoor 400m on Sunday.

Getty Pictures

Recently Read

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...

The Pondering 10 - Most Fascinating Things of 2025

2025 sure did ebb and flow.  Is it just me, or did August through December zoom by? Nonetheless, we are at that time of the year again, which brings about some common traditions around these parts - the Pondering 10 Most Fascinating Things of the Year, and then the Dome Pondering Year in Review .  (Most Fascinating Things: 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , 2021 ,  2022 , 2023 , & 2024 ) Life really presented itself in unique ways this year, with a sense of a deeper layer of belonging and purpose, more so than what society has reflected since the pandemic. 2025 brought a deeper understanding of life through war, disaster, politics, the human spirit, and appreciation, among other things.  We'll get into that in the Year in Review.  For now, let's run it! Here is my Most Fascinating Things list for 2025: --- 10. Marjorie Taylor Greene Oh yeah, we're going there. MJT makes the very end of the list with a recent change in political positioning. I find it ...

Dome Pondering Movie Review: I Used to Be Funny (2023)

What is it about?  A former stand-up comedian struggles with PTSD as she struggles to reclaim her life and to look for the missing girl she used to nanny.  Who is in it? Rachel Sennott - Sam Cowell  Olga Petsa - Brooke Renner Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert]  As the plot comes together (going back and forth from present and past PTSD trauma), we see Sam go back to the house she served as a Nanny, tying the film together.  Favorite Quote:  "Are you going to ask me what I was wearing next?" Review:  After finishing I Use to Be Funny, I struggle to place this film in a box. Comedy?? Not sure why it is labeled as that on Netflix...while it has tremendous humor and one liners, a natural as Sam is a comedian, the deeper story arc surrounds deeper tones of sexual assault, parental death, awful parents, and tons of collateral damage by way of a horrific event.  It's complex to say the least, but it doesn't take away from the film. You're invested in...