Dome Pondering

3 Up   1. New Old Cookbook - I thought this was really cool. The oldest published cookbook just got a remake and is now available. The cookbook, by Malinda Russell, is 160 years old. There has to be some really good (clean) stuff in that book. It's also Black History Month (are we still allowed to push that?), and there's a lot of history and significance that can be found through food.  2. Frankie Munoz - This dude went from Malcolm in the Middle and decided, I'm gonna be a race car driver! Munoz finished 10th recently in his debut as a NASCAR driver.  3. Yankees Policy - It's about time. The Yankees really were eventually going to find themselves in something MUCH uglier than a narrative surrounding "would George have done this?!" or "Why, this is the Yankee way!". Kudos to Hal Steinbrenner for the move.  3 Down 1. Another Plane Crash - This one in Toronto. A place landed on its roof. What is going on out there? Doesn't help when you read and ...

There's no other way to put this, the NBA has a serious problem on their agenda going forward regarding All-Star Weekend. What was once the standard for All-Star presentations and must-watch television has quickly turned into social criticism and an entity that undoubtedly reminds fans of what used to be.  Simply put, NBA All-Star Weekend is broken.  I don't want to pile on like we expect the talking heads and personalities to do. This is fixable. Like everything else in sports. However, this...what we experienced tonight, is not it.  Other quick thoughts on the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend:  The Skills Challenge was cool when it was first introduced. Now, it's become over-produced. The map of the floor, the gadgets involved, and even the rules...just ask Chris Paul and poor Victor Wembanyama.  By the way, the constant camera focus on both of them following the "disqualification" had such "Principal Office" vibes.  The Three-Point content remains the purest...

3 Up 1. Mac McClung - He saved the NBA Dunk Contest. Before the hot topic was the All-Star Game, the Dunk Contest found itself in the crosshairs of random discussion. McClung's weekend performance kept the event entertaining and helped a struggling concept through a trying time.  2. Jacob Kiplomo - Mr. Kiplomo ran a half-marathon in 57 minutes. A mile every 4 minutes and 26 seconds. Outstanding. Amazing.  3. NHL - You have to give it up to the NHL. On the other side of the All-Star discussion is what the NHL tried - 4 Nations Face-Off. It was entertaining. It was fun. And the players played hard. Now, we've got all sorts of sports discussions to be had. 3 Down 1. Measles Outbreak - Like, what are we even talking about? How is measles a thing, still? Am I the only one?  2. Pardon of Rod Blajogevich - I just don't understand the pardons. First, it was the January 6ers, and now, a former governor who tried to sell - SELL - a Senate seat. I don't get it.  3. NBA All-Star...

3 Up 1. Eagles Defensive Live - I'm no football aficionado or even a huge fan - but what the Eagles front four on defense did was dominating.  1a. Philadelphia Eagles - Congratulations to Eagles fans and the city of Philadelphia on the Super Bowl win.  2. Kendrick Lamar - I'm sure it'll be controversial - we all knew it would be going in. Throwing my two cents into the arena of public opinion, I thoroughly enjoyed Kendrick's performance. I'm a fan, so that's easy. Tough night to be Drake though. Yikes!  3. Human-Like Teeth in Pigs - Science can be cool. But stories like this are absolutely amazing.  3 Down 1. Plan for Education? - Look, I'm all for cutting wasteful spending from the government. However, I also want to know the plan to replace or support the areas that are being cut. Eliminating the Department of Education? Ok, cool. What's the plan after that? 2. USAID - We live in a VERY blessed country. My heart is with the countries and people who re...

3 Up 1. Costco Pay Increase - Costco is doubling down on DEI policies. Now, it's offering its workers a liveable wage? We're in a weird world where this is the company receiving strong threats of boycotts and investor backlash. Kudos to Costco. 2. Kidney Transplant - We've got transplants now from pigs - PIGS! It's really cool to read about. But really, much like the above "Up" - we're in some weird times right now.  3. Beyonce - It's amazing to think that Beyonce is the first black woman to win a Grammy for Best Country Album. There are two things there for me - 1) Did it really take this long for a black artist to win? 2) When it's all said and done, Beyonce's legacy will need layers and time to be broken down and appreciated.  3 Down 1. Aviation - Why are planes crashing, falling out of the sky, and all sorts of other things? What. Is. Going. On?  2. Government Layoffs - Soooooooo, anyone else sort of worried about the job market getting fl...