Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Emergency Personnel - What is being endured in the Gulf of Mexico - all of the states in the path of Hurricane Helene - is sad. Yet, so many emergency personnel stayed and were on the scene to help save lives. This includes the "unofficial" emergency personnel - good human beings carrying the amazing human spirit. God Bless everyone affected by this storm.  2. NBA Drama - Sure, my Knicks commanded so much intrigue this weekend with a trade for Karl-Anthony Towns (I'll have my thoughts later). But, there is just something about the NBA and its off-the-court drama that commands attention - in the middle of an NFL season, with MLB Playoffs, and CFB in swing - here comes the NBA with something!  3. MLB Wildcare Race - I'm no fan of the expanded playoff format - however, it's made for a fun September for so many teams. Especially, that of the National League.  3 Down 1. Hurricane Helene - Awful. The devastation has been tough to watch. The videos of flooding an

Sports provide many great opportunities, core moments, and most importantly, threads our lifetime (and sometimes generations) in a manner that we just can't sometimes explain. It's in our blood! And often, that very much feels like scientific truth.  However, it's specific periods like this where sports can be the opposite - cold, unfair, dishonest, and heartbreaking. What happened to the Oakland Athletics is just that. It's all of those adjectives and more. At the very base level, it's infuriating and depressing.  I felt the same when I watched the Seattle Supersonics get jettisoned to Oklahoma City. I still can't believe that was an actual move! I had similar feelings when the Chargers and Rams were ripped from cities that adorned them for the hopeful dreams of Los Angeles. And now, those feelings are here again for the city of Oakland - who now watch their Athletics leave town after losing their Warriors and their Raiders in previous years.  It's the ug

3 Up 1. Shohei Ohtani - Unbelievably, special. Yup, Shohei locked in a 50-50 season - first to ever do it. But you know what, he might have had the single most impressive game in the history of baseball. I'll leave that up to debate - regardless, the man is box office.  2. Teen Instagram Profiles - It's a small change, but I'll give Meta it's due for even going this far. Enough evidence is available to explain why social media is harmful, especially to adolescents. Making their profiles private protects them from themselves, and from others. Win.  3. Harvest Full Supermoon - Sometimes, the world is beautiful. Earth is wonderful. The Universe is a wonder.  3 Down 1. Sean "Diddy" Combs - Man, oh man. The allegations and the evidence is piling up. And likely, a lifetime of some "stuff" is about to come out. Diddy's reputation is done for, but we're all wondering, who else is involved? 2. Pagers Explode - The situation is absolutely crazy. What

3 Up 1. James Earl Jones - The voice GOAT. But I'll always remember him in one of my favorite movies, Coming to America , in the absolute epic role of King Joffe Joffer. "Where is my son, Akeem!". A great gift to us.   2. A'ja Wilson - The WNBA has entered our mainstream sports landscape because of Caitlin Clark. Yes, that is very true. But there is an amazing talent in A'ja Wilson who continues to dominate, and this week, she set the single-season scoring record and likely will do the same in smashing the single-season rebound record.  3. Inflation Lowest in 3 Years - I know it's a hot-button issue during this election season. BUT! It is the lowest it's been in three years. I'm not crediting or blaming anyone! Just saying! Enjoy the change, y'all.  3 Down 1. Trump Shooting at Golf Course - Look, this is crazy. No matter how you feel about Trump, your thoughts on him as a Presidential candidate, or anything else regarding politics, this should NOT

That smile you get, when you think of that person. The one who stayed a season,  but you think of for a lifetime. 

That was soooooooooo much different than what we witnessed in the first debate.  So. Much. Different.  Yet, why does it still feel like not much was impacted? Overall, I stepped away from this debate with the overarching theme that Kamala Harris did what she needed to do. And that was not engage in a pity back-and-forth with Trump who wants to muddy the waters of any debate or discourse, force him to bring something new to the table and force him to get into a policy discussion beyond the usual surface sayings and fire-alarm narratives.  She did that.  For Trump. He has his voters. He is not losing them. But I thought Trump didn't do enough to interest those voters who have soured on him as well as those who are not yet sold on Kamala (this administration, or even the Democratic Party).  We saw the same from Trump. No need to answer questions. Dictate the narrative with what you want. Reply with emotion. Evade policy discussion. And you know, be Trump.  Was there a winner? In a tra

3 Up  1. Jennifer Carter (and all Teachers) - Carter's story is an amazing testimony of strength, poise, and emotional control. Our teachers have a hard enough job - and we place this kind of responsibility on their shoulders every day. Pay them more. Respect them. God Bless them.  2. Preeta Pal - In a week of heartbreak that makes the world feel like a crushing vice, we get stories like Pal that inspire you and unveil the strength of the human spirit.  3. Alex Morgan - Morgan, a hero to a generation of women soccer players, will be hanging it up soon. Legend.  3 Down 1. Georgia School Shooting - Smh. Another one. Because we can't figure out how to stop this. Smh.  2. Rebecca Cheptegei - What a horrific story this is. Such a talented athlete, killed senselessly.  3. 11-Year-Old Murderer - I have no words to explain or describe my thoughts on this. Especially, following another school shooting this week. Who are we raising? Like, seriously? Cover Photo People attend a vigil at

3 Up 1. Paralympics - After the intrigue of the Olympics, the Paralympics have provided me with a similar interest. Yes, there is the aura of inclusiveness and sometimes the focus on what these athletes can do despite their limitations. However, it's the spirit and will that is ever so impressive. I love the fire from these athletes.  2. Shohei Ohtani - Seriously, is Ohtani the best baseball player, ever? Also, 50-50 is a legitimate possibility, right?  3. Sid Eudy - Farewell to the "Master and Ruler of the World". Sid brought a unique presence to pro wrestling, which will forever be missed.  3 Down 1. Gaudreau Brothers Tragedy - Incredibly sad. Just. So. Incredibly. Sad. My heart and prayers go out to the family of the Gaudreau family. Also, when are we going to seriously punish those who drink and drive?  2. India Doctors - This story I came across this week was so shocking, yet, also, so heartbreaking. We're living in a world where the professions of nurse, docto