Dome Pondering

“Do you care now? For one month, soccer will become a canvas for America to illustrate it's sporting dominance in the world. To do that, they will have to overcome all odds and defeat the world in their game. For one month, soccer becomes our game. The World Cup can indeed become yet another "Miracle" story” -Hockey vs. Soccer: Why Should We Care; Dome Pondering 6/7/06

So after three start it seems like Stephen Strasburg is the real deal. Last year, yours truly selected Strastburg as one of the many pitchers in baseball that will likely have a huge impact on the game ( Under 25 and Loaded: The Future Faces of Pitching ). And at the time, despite not even being drafted yet, it seemed like a safe decision to go out on such a limb due to his dominance in collegiate baseball at San Diego State University. Many baseball diehards knew he would be good – but this good? I admit, I never gave it a thought. But then again, does anyhow believe anyone can be that good? Yet, after zipping through the minors like some sort of super ringer, that same “special” quality has sustained thus far after 19.1 innings of professional baseball. With blazing triple digit fastballs, wicked sliders, and deceptive changeups, Strasburg has managed to make many believe he is the “all 99 attribute” created player we all fantasize about when pushing the buttons on our video ga...

There has been a lot of feedback and reaction to the New Beginnings entry posted on May 26, 2010. Much of that feedback have been kind words of encouragement, compliments and praises on a well-written article, and most importantly to me, comments on how relatable the post was. For all of the feedback, I thank you all. Upon the success of the New Beginnings post, I found myself in a position today that not only made me think of that post, but the words and thoughts expressed in the post. As you can imagine, New Beginnings touched on finally overcoming uncertainty, failure, and adversity to get to a new point. And while I did realize that much of those hurdles and struggles were essential in creating this new start, never once was there a thought on the effects those experiences (which we often connect with negativity) had on others. Today, on a rare free day with nothing to do for the first time in about a year, yours truly decided to make a few errands. One, which happened to b...

Today marks twenty nine days until the frenzy that is the 2010 free agent class begins. And with  the greatest and most impactful free agent class in the history of the NBA comes the mania that is LeBron James. Where will he go? Who will he go with? Everyone seems to have an opinion, or answer, depending on who you ask. With July 1, 2010 within sniffing distance, the speculations, rumors, and “confirmed” stories will kick into high gear. Already today, we have heard that James stated in an interview with Larry King set to air this Friday that his home team of the Cleveland Cavaliers have the “advantage” in (re)signing him. All of this on the heels of hearing that all of the top free agents will have some sort of “summit” before free agency begins. Does James’ statement change anything? Absolutely not. In fact, if you ask Chris Broussard of ESPN, it’s been a lock since being eliminated by the Boston Celtics that LeBron James was on his way to Chicago to join the Bulls. Lo...

What is it about? Hal, a stuttering high school freshman joins his high school debate team after his world changes when his parents separate. After being mentored and falling in love, Hal’s life changes again, and he's left wondering about life and life, and whether it is as hard as rocket science. Who is in it? Reece Thompson – Hal Hefner Anna Kendrick – Ginny Ryerson

When it comes to some of the largest shows on earth, New York City has hosted, or has been home to many, if not, all of them. The Grammys, VMA’s, All-Star Games, Championship games, Broadway plays, you name it, it’s been here. Except for one. The Super Bowl. In 2014, the NFL’s biggest event will come to the New York-New Jersey area for the first time. And unusually, the accepted bid by the NFL has caused a flurry of debate amongst fans, analysts, and league officials over the New Meadowlands Stadium (Which has yet to receive an official name) hosting Super Bowl XLIII. What seems to be the biggest concern over the issue is not the city, area, or capacity in which New York and New Jersey can handle such an event. New York City can throw a party. And New York City goes big on everything. The reaction of fans and the mayor at a parade when the accepting bid was announced proves how serious this is to the area. The concerns are revolved around the weather and the precedent this will ...

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end” That was the quote of a roman philosopher named Seneca which was then immortalized by the band Semisonic in their song, “Closing Time” And as the days in this life continue to pass by, we enter new chapters and phases in our life. In those chapters, we grow, we develop, we remember, and we prepare for what lies ahead. On a beautiful Wednesday morning as I sit here on the proverbial stoop punching the keys, I find myself looking back on a year that isn’t half way in completion, but has been a testimony of renewal. In the 2009 DP Year in Review , yours truly touched base on rediscovering desire, passion, and drive. In a time where so many people were and are struggling due to our national economy and the effects from the evils in this world, such components were imperative for not only survival, but revival. And while it reigned true for the masses, the idea was one that hit home. One that was very personal to me. Wi...

Life happens beyond our dreams, Goals and aspirations, Achieved, Aspired… Into a reality that is our reward.   Life steers us into the abyss, Struggles, tears, and hurt, And a longing desire… Reality is what keeps us real.   Life is a journey for love, The chase and pursuit, to capture and hold on… Removing us from reality.   Life is protection from a broken heart. The walls, emotion, and issues, Like sand through your fingers… An illusion of reality’s journey.   Life is new hope. Birth, second chances, and new chapters, A new day, and a new life… Reality is forgiving and engaging.   Life is Death. Sadness, confusion, and the inevitable, A reflection and moving ahead… Reality is celebrating every. Single. Day.   Because, Life happens.

What is it about? A petty thief that is one strike away from being placed in jail, begins a mentoring relationship and redemption with an orphan he takes a liking too. After becoming conflicted, the thief makes a personal choice to “do the right thing” for the first time in his life by kidnapping the young boy and driving him to his sister’s house in Florida. Who is in it? Mark Webber – Daniel Carter Antonio Ortiz – Boone Rosie Perez – Mrs. Ponders Brendan Sexton III – Grant Bills

Arizona’s new immigration law SB170 is a very hot button issues in our current society. After several years of floundering around the issue of illegal immigration and not only finding, but drawing the line on when enough is enough, has led to one state in the union stepping up and declaring it’s version of the “the line”. Because of that ice-breaker, now ten other states that includes Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, and Maryland have legislators clamoring for similar, or the same exact law as Arizona. Whether states should have the ability to pass their own laws on immigration, a national and federal problem, is another issue, for another post, for another time. However, as things become intensified, and very complex, one thing is for sure in all of this – there is no going back. The issue of immigration whether some want to believe it or not, is one of the most important social-related issue facing our nation today. ...