Dome Pondering

Empty Times Square. 

Presence is the goal. Always. 

LaGuardia Crash It's moments like this in life that are hard to understand, difficult to make sense of. The collision at Laguardia Airport has so many angles, so many questions, and lots of "what ifs" that only make the head ache and the soul hurt.  So thankful that no major fatalities occurred. However, devastated to learn of Mackenzie Gunther and Antoine Forest, who perished, and, outright, kept the plane from overturning, essentially bracing themselves for impact and giving their lives to protect others.  This life we live isn't guaranteed. Enjoy it. Express gratitude for it.  Social Media Accountability Has Arrived The groundbreaking case this week out of California found Meta and YouTube to be negligent and to blame for the depression and anxiety of a woman. The case is one to certainly watch as the door is now wide open for further lawsuits, and more so, for true accountability in the social media space.  Many are hailing it as Big Tech's "Big Tobacco...

The upcoming baseball season is bringing with it something bittersweet. I'm excited for baseball to return, especially after an amazing World Baseball Classic. Also, there is a work stoppage on the other side of this season that feels too real, too certain, and in many ways, too necessary to fix some of the game's continued issues.  We can only hope for the best.  For now, let's throw out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2026 season.  --- STANDINGS (WINS) AL EAST Yankees - 93 Blue Jays - 91 Red Sox - 88 Rays - 85 Orioles - 80 AL CENTRAL Royals - 89 Tigers - 88 Guardians - 82 Twins - 75 White Sox - 69 AL WEST Mariners - 92 Astros - 89 Athletics - 85 Rangers - 80 Angels - 74  NL EAST Phillies - 93 Braves - 89 Mets - 88 Marlins - 77 Nationals - 71 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 91 Brewers - 88 Pirates - 81 Reds - 81 Cardinals - 69 NL WEST Dodgers - 101 Padres - 90 Giants - 84 Diamondbacks - 82 Rockies - 68 GOALS/AWARDS/LEADERS AMERICAN LEAGUE Batting Champion: ...

There is beauty in consistency. 

Airports, TSA, and Safety We all get frustrated with work. Whatever your work environment is, or whatever it is you do for a living, there is always a time or something that bothers you.  This week I'm thinking about TSA agents. They deal with people - come on now, they deal with the same people we people watch and shake our heads to at the airport - every single day. And for the last couple of weeks, they haven't been paid. How's that for frustrated and unfair?  And if the situation wasn't weird enough, ICE agents will begin working at airports tomorrow as part of their enforcement duties.  Travel just got more weird. My heart is with so many of the working TSA agents - be kind to them, ya'll. And airports have just become the most politicized places in the country.  What a time... "I Believe in You" My favorite part about March Madness (and, sports, really) is the stories behind the moments. Call me a sucker, but I still love those moments where an indiv...

What is it about?  Agnes is envious of her older sister, Julia, but must learn not only to reinvent herself but also to come to grips with reality when tragedy strikes.  Who is in it?  Felicia Maxime - Agnes Edva Ryding - Noel Zara Larsson - Julia Favorite Scene:  [spoiler alert] Agnes joins Julia's friends at a nightclub, and lots of truths come forward. While Agnes continues to wear Julia's clothes and attempts to live her life, Agnes is hit with a lot of truth prior to a climactic encounter with Noel about the tragic night.  Favorite Quote:  "I don't know how to be me without you." Review:  A Part of You turned out to be a very layered film. I wasn't sure what to expect as it began. The most pivotal scene of the film is certainly a hook that grips you for the rest of the film.  What enfolds is a mix of a film bordering on beauty and thoughtfulness, some lack of development, ut overall, an interesting story of tragedy, truth, and how it affects ...

Welp, four more years until we get another crack at winning the World Baseball Classic. Are we now a hockey country?! In all seriousness, the WBC was awesome! I've been a fan of the concept since its installation in 2006, and every version has continued to improve.  This one was especially good, and I'm so ready for baseball season! Before we get there, here are a few quick thoughts from the 2026 World Baseball Classic: It's Fine As Is I'm jumping right into this - keep the World Baseball Classic as is! It's especially frustrating to listen to those in the media, who are now discovering the beauty of the WBC, chime in with ways to "fix it," find "the right time for it," or to "improve the tournament".  Here is the truth - The WBC is fine!  Please don't have it replace the All-Star Game (one of the more ludicrous ideas being thrown out there). Keep it special by having it every four years and not watering it down with gimmicks and ov...

You must answer to get help. 

Hoop Moments We saw a lot of amazing feats in the world of hoops this week. The first was that of Bam Adebayo going off for 83 Points against the Washington Wizards. While many had their say ( so did I ), the night brought about a shockwave of comparing eras and the overall integrity of the game.  And there was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who set a new record and extended the streak to 128 games of 20+ points this week. The record smashes Wilt Chamberlain's former record, which in itself is not easy.  The NBA currently struggles with intertwining the eras of its product together, with respect and honor - there's a lot of comparing and downplaying of eras, as we all know.  This week added depth to all of the conversations surrounding these comparisons and appreciation within the game.  Affordability and Politics It was weird watching Vice President JD Vance this week blame the rising cost of gas prices on former President Joe Biden.  Without getting heavy into polit...

What is it about?  A girl navigates her youth with two intellectually disabled parents and an assorted family of characters trying to help.  Who is in it?  Kiernan Shipka - Bea Johnson Ryan Kiera Armstrong - Young Bea Samantha Hyde - Sharon  Favorite Scene:  Bea awakes from her coma while Sharon is combing her hair. As Bea meets the family and everyone rejoices, the camera focuses on Sharon, who stares at Bea for several seconds with an array of emotions, leaving it to the viewer to determine what exactly her state was.  Favorite Quote: "I really never saw myself in my parents. All I saw was what they couldn't do. But those things never stopped them from living the life they wanted. They just kept going. They were determined to live the life they wanted. Even when everyone told them, they couldn't. I see that now." Review:  I really liked Wildflower.  The film is a great example of the essence of life, the privileges we have that we aren't aware o...

231. Would you rather have to wear sweatpants everywhere for the rest of your life or never wear sweatpants again? Wear sweatpants everywhere, every day. The summers would be an issue, but I'm not sure about the downside of comfort here. If I lived in the Caribbean or somewhere with a warm climate, I would choose a pair of shorts. Sweatpants and shorts - easily, top-tier clothing.  232. Would you rather have 10,000 spoons when all you need is a knife, or always have a knife but never be able to use spoons? Knife. It's the ultimate tool. I guess I'll just use my hands for the scooping. What does 10,000 spoons do for me if I need to cut something?! 233. Would you rather detect every lie you hear or get away with every lie you tell? Detect every lie. I believe humans have a great BS meter, but confirming lies would be tremendous.  234. Would you rather be the funniest person in a room or the smartest person in a room? Intelligent people with a sense of humor - doesn't have...

The NBA alerts on my phone were heavy. Bam Scorhing Hot in 1st Half. Scores 41! Bam Goes for 60!  70 for Adebayo!  83 Points for Bam on Historic Night!  It all felt, well, surreal. My immediate thoughts were, "Who are they playing? The Wizards? The Nets? Ahhh, the Wizards.  But, 83? What?! I didn't see the game. I won't pretend to have. Often lost in sports is the context and overall feel for the night. If  Bam were a Knick, and I was watching, in the building, or following along, I too would want him to go for every bit he could have.  I still remember Melo's 62. Everything about that night, right down to the triggering thought of Ellie Goulding's "Burn" , which was the featured song on Friday Night Knicks. January 24, 2014.  If I even hear that song in the waiting room at the Dentist's office, I'm thinking of Melo's bender for 62.  You're weird, man.  There were others as well - Randle's 57 before he burned out, and Jalen Brunson...

It's so loud within my head with the words I've never said Should have said Would have said It's so silent around me as I resist the many forces I've never met Should have met Will never meet

War The obvious is on my mind because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. However, unlike last week, my thoughts were less about the idea of the world burning before us as we all fight within it, and more about the real-life consequences of our decisions.  Just this week, we've learned of innocent little girls dying in the attacks. The images of children playing among missiles and other war-torn damage. The many soldiers, including now a few of our own here in America, who served and won't return home. And yet, the threats continue from all sides. I thought about human life a lot this week. I think about how we've become desensitized, so drastically, to the fragility, or even the specialness, that it is.  War! Huuuhh! Yeahh...What is it good for... The Beauty of Baseball The World Baseball Classic started this week, and it continues to be a favorite sporting event of mine. It's so wacky. It's so pure. It captures the beauty of baseball that isn't express...

I don't believe my own hype. But I trust my own worth. 

War It's been a week.  Yet here we are in the middle of a potential war with Iran. This is in addition to the many world conflicts around the globe - The Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gaza Strip, Pakistan v. Afghanistan, Ukraine, and more.  I won't attempt to understand it all the way our society has become known to do through the many voices amplified on social media and news cycles. What I do know is the feeling that this millennial remembers when "War" became active following 9/11. Unrest. Uneasiness. The world right now feels like it's burning. We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Those were the words from President Trump as three United States soldiers died today.  Again, unrest. Uneasiness.  2026 State of the Union Address I didn't have my usual post in review because, well, the SOTU felt little...