Dome Pondering

Through my deep exhaustion breathes my gratitude.

 I'm sure to ruffle some feathers with this post and review.  AEW sickos, you've been warned.  I attended AEW Full Gear 2025 at the Prudential Center (I also attended last year ), and while I enjoyed the event, I found myself wrestling (pun intended) with my own fandom toward AEW. More so, cultivating and shaping my interests and "style" within the world of pro wrestling.  What I walked away with that night, as I exited the Prudential Center and into the crisp cold air of Newark, NJ, well before the show was over, was this - I like AEW, but it's not for me.  That's the bottom line. And Stone Cold would say so!  The younger version of me would have been all about AEW. The older father version of myself, who now shares his wrestling experience with his son, doesn't find it all that appealing.  I'm not looking to contribute to tribalism within the fandom - there is so much wrestling available, everyone can like what they want. I enjoy the product, but I j...

211. Would you rather have a pause or a rewind button in your life? A rewind button would imply the ability to do things over, or again. While that would be great, it does take the essence out of life. You win some, you lose some, and ultimately, you learn.  It would be nice to pause in specific moments to make them last longer, or to simply slow the decision-making process down. We've all been there in becoming overwhelmed in a moment, and either not understanding it fully or missing out.  212. Would you rather always have a full phone battery or a full gas tank? I understand the (over) reliance on our phones in today's world. But I'm going with gas as plugging in a phone is more convenient (and maybe cheaper?).  213. Would you rather lose all of your teeth or lose a day of your life every time you kissed someone? This is...weird?  Give me eventual vaneers. No way, I'm kissing my wife.  214. Would you rather oversleep every day for a week or not get any sl...

A dad's intuition is real. It may not be recognized, commercialized, or socialized, but, it is real. and, it is rare. 

With age, I understand the power I gave others who may have deserved it, but didn't earn it.

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...

As expected, Zohran Mamdani was elected as the next Mayor of New York City.  Regardless of the inevitability, Mamdani remains a lightning bolt of controversy.  He's a game changer! He's a socialist!  There goes New York City! The city needs change!  I've found myself neutral on the topic of Zohran Mamdani and all of the madness surrounding him. For starters, politics can't be nuanced anymore - but we already know and live this. Second, while this native New Yorker now lives on the other side of the Hudson River and has other local issues in New Jersey to worry about, I still work in the City, and my mother remains in the greatest place on Earth  Brooklyn. Lastly, politics has become about noise - I'm trying to be better at having more moments of silence to take my own temperature.  So yeah, I've been on the outside. However, it was Mamdani's victory speech that really pulled me in - on both sides of the Mamdani Madness. Here are some quick thoughts: Overall...

I have no interest living life like, and for, a comments section.

That was amazing.  These MLB playoffs have given us baseball junkies some awesome performances, moments, and overall happenings to be amazed by. Of them all, the final cap on the 2025 season was that of Yohsinobu Yamamoto.  Jealousy aside of him spurning my New York Yankees to join the (new evil empire in the) Los Angeles Dodgers, what Yamamoto did has no precise words to describe it.  I'll try. However, the only thing I can mention is comparisons from my lifetime that have marveled me.  Randy Johnson in 2001 .  Madison Bumgarner in 2014 .  A VERY rare group of pitchers. Dawgs. Rubber arms. Insane guts. And somehow, as I punch a few words following his performance this postseason, Yamamoto's legend may surpass them both into another stratosphere once the moment has a chance to settle.  For now, this was special. Amazing. All of the words. 

It's been a fear for many leagues, especially as gambling and sports are closer than ever in the current climate that is sports betting - today, that fear becomes a reality .  With the downfall of Chauncey Billups (didn't his name seem random?) and Terry Rozier (who has been connected for quite some time now), and the insane details coming out of leaked inside information, rigged poker games, and yes, altering participating in games - this is all terrible for the NBA, and for modern sports.  No bueno.  Here are a few more thoughts on this entire mess: - Didn't we all know at some point we'd be here with how accessible and prevalent sports gambling is today? - Regardless of the lawful outcome, we have to assume that both Billups, Rozier, and anyone else connected to this is done in the NBA, right?  - Is Pete Rose still the standard in this space and punishment?  - And wasn't he the ultimate poster boy for NOT betting in sports? What happened to that fear? - Doesn...

Well, here we go! Another year where my New York Knicks are one of the favorites to win an NBA Championship. Still feels all too surreal to say that. Is this the year?! Wayyyyyy too much pressure! I'm excited to have the NBA back in action. There is a lot of talent on all teams, and the league is as wide open and as balanced as it has ever been. Thanks, second apron! Also, with a pending MLB work stoppage on the horizon, I'm going to need some other leagues to be enjoyable, maybe even more so than the usual. But that's another topic, for another day.  As always, here are my 2025-2026 predictions, with some wild guesses thrown in:  --- EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF TEAMS 1. Cleveland Cavaliers (56-26) 2. New York Knicks (54-28) 3. Orlando Magic (51-31) 4. Philadelphia 76ers (48-34) 5. Detroit Pistons (45-37) 6. Atlanta Hawks (44-38) *Play-In Tournament Teams* 7. Chicago Bulls (42-40) 8. Milwaukee Bucks (40-42) 9. Boston Celtics (39-43) 10. Toronto Raptors (39-43) WESTERN CONFE...

What is it about? Adrift in their broken-down space shuttle with little hope of rescue, two astronauts argue over their future as friends or something more.  Who is in it? Anthony Mackie - Adam Gherrity Zoe Chao - Jane Kuang Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] After learning they'll be headed back to Earth, Adam wishes Jane would remain his best friend, but she declines.  Favorite Quote:  "People are meant to be together." Review:  Stuck on "My List" for the better part of a year, I finally fired If You Were the Last up for watch, and ultimately, wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was upset I left it on the list for so long!  The film is a weird blend of hokey meets serious, comedic meets thoughtful. It's quite the blend that causes you to not take the plot overly seriously with its flashback scenes, cut scenes, punch lines, and cheesy "technology". The space aircraft displaying a frown face, followed by a skull and bones 8-bit graphic, isn't exa...

For the first time in a verrrrryyyyyyy long time, TNA's Bound For Glory event felt like the company's "biggest event of the year". For years, the historical context of the event has often lifted up Slammiversary in this role. Nonetheless, this year, both events felt huge.  Having attended Slammiversary back in July and witnessing firsthand the magic that was inside the UBS arena on the night of TNA's new (up until now) North American attendance record, I very much found myself overly excited for BFG. For me (for me! My feelings! - I know pro wrestling fans are ready to pounce on this) - it carried an excitement similar to that of WWE's major PLEs (e.g., Wrestlemania or Royal Rumble).  I was very much in front of the TV at 6:00pm - I wanted the entire experience.  What we got was TNA putting on yet another great show! At times, it felt overdone creatively, and I think TNA often has to be perfect in all aspects in regards to criticisms; however, overall, Boun...

--- 7 Years 4 Months --- Dear Son,  Today is one of those days I am super proud of you.  Of course, I'm proud of you every day, but today, I wore it on my sleeve...just a bit.  See, today you tested and earned your yellow belt. And while it feels like you'll be sticking with this martial arts love for a while, and there will be many more belts to come, today provided a lot of firsts for me. It was the first time I've seen you in an environment where you truly applied preparation and perseverance. I watched you practice in our basement on your own. Kicking. Going through combinations and striking patterns. Practicing pushups and situps to get yourself where you need to be for the fitness test. I will forever remember the visual of watching you studying the definitions and principles of a fighting spirit in the car through my rear-view mirror before each training session. I sat at every practice and training for the past fifteen weeks - for the good ones, the bad ones, and ...

Because of the response I received last year for my ponderings on last year's World Series , I decided to do the same for this year's MLB Postseason run. I'll drop some quick ponderings on the Yankees and their playoff run here. Because, well, I don't do "response videos".  Yeah, still a words guy. Still a nerd. Nonetheless, who knows? If the Yankees drop a quick two to the despised Boston Red Sox, this might be a quick wrap-up. Orrrrrrrrrr, we're looking at a collection of thoughts for a World Series title.  I'll calm down.  Dropping some ponderings below - thanks in advance for following along... --- Game 1  Red Sox d. Yankees, 3-1 (BOS leads series 1-0) And. Here. We. Go. [in your favorite Joker voice] Yankee fandom is likely going to be in full insufferable panic mode after this loss. I'm expecting the usual takes of "it's Boone's fault" and something to do with Cashman, and other bad takes on why "they trust anayltics ...

I miss lying in bed no screen naive with a side of ignorance just staring at the ceiling with feelings, fears, and dreams.

Before the playoffs get going, let’s get this out of the way: Aaron Judge is the American League Most Valuable Player. Co-signing and confirming the statement above - Yes, I believe Aaron Judge should be awarded the MVP award. But what about Cal Raleigh? He’s a catcher?!! More on that in a bit… My reasoning for Judge is very simple and very straightforward. I’m also removing my Yankee fandom from this assessment. Yeah, sure. Whatever, Yankee boy! Aaron Judge leads in all of the important categories that hold the most weight in baseball.  The most important being fWAR, which accounts for defensive (and if needed, pitching) value.  Aaron Judge leads ALL of baseball with a 10+ fWAR, which is extremely rare.  For me, that is enough (and historically, the trend usually supports this). But if you’re not a fWAR person - or one of those “analytics ruined the game” folks - there’s more… In a world where so many baseball romantics get angry about the diminishing value of batting av...