Dome Pondering

What is it about? One veteran conductor, and a conductor in training work together and risk their lives to stop an unmanned runaway train from causing a major catastrophe in Pennsylvania. Who is in it? Denzel Washington - Frank Chris Pine - Will Rosario Dawson - Connie

"Michael Jordan is overrated." An old co-worker and myself used have a running game where we would attempt to come up with opinions that people may have that are so crazy, the opposite should otherwise be deemed as fact. After all, there is no way the above statement can be taken seriously, right?  However, after the recent futility of the Michael Jordan-owned Bobcats, overrated may no longer an impossible word in describing his "Airness."  Before some of you are quick to pull the trigger on closing your mind on such a thought, I simply ask that you remove Michael Jordan the basketball player from this evaluation. We all know, MJ is the greatest of all time. There is, and possibly never will be any debate in that regard.  However, as for MJ the executive, the word "overrated" is very much in play.

Of the 168 hours in a week, 49 hours are spent sleeping, which leaves 119 hours of awakened experience. Of the 119 hours, 40 are spent working, or 33% - one third - of your time is spent at work. And that's if you don't work overtime. Unlike grammar school or college, we spend that 33% with others who we cannot escape. We must work with them, be around them, and see them everyday, for eight hours. These co-workers consist of those we enjoy working with, those who we don't mind, and those who just downright annoy us. The following Pondering 10 list is dedicated to those annoying co-workers that simply make our work environment tougher than it should be.

178. What is your favorite song and why? I have two. The first one is "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. The song's lyrics are powerful, and always leave me wondering about my encounter with the creator after death.  The second is a song called Metalingus, by Alter Bridge. A song that makes for a great song on the iPod when running, and a song that always - always - gets me ready for the day. I especially love the following lyrics:  On this day its so real to me Everything has come to life Another chance to chase a dream Another chance to feel Chance to feel alive

What is it about? A mysterious and introverted stuntman, mechanic, and professional getaway driver must work him self out of trouble in attempt to help a neighbor and her kid, whom he has become fond of. Who is in it? Ryan Gosling - Driver Carey Mulligan - Irene Bryan Cranston - Shannon

I often get verbally jumped by a few DP devotees about my views on college athletics - especially recently, with the latest Pondering 10 list ( Issues/Annoyances With College Basketball Product ). Ant to be honest, much of the criticsim and feedback is justified as I admittedly am not engulfed into the world of college athletics as some are. I'm in the group that thinks paying $50-plus bucks to watch amateur basketball, or to even attend a scrimmage/intra-squad game in April along with 70,000 other fans, is simply crazy.  I do like college sports. Just not that much. And my reasoning lies in the poor ethics and morals exhibited. This reason was magnified recently with the story of Wisconsin Head Coach Bo Ryan and the university's utter distaste in placing restrictions on student-athlete Jarrod Uthoff.

What is it about?  A middle-aged, divorced, fiction-writer returns home to rekindle a very old romance with her now happily married ex-boyfriend.  Who is in it?  Carlize Theron - Mavis Gary Patton Oswalt - Matt Freehauf Patrick Wilson - Buddy Slade

It's been almost seven years since I last saw or heard from my oldest brother. No phone calls. No text messages. Not even a Facebook friend request. So as I sit here contemplating the words in which I will place on a note that he will eventually read, I am torn, emotional, confused, and even a bit reluctant to go through with this process. However, I know I have to do this. It is an act that will eventually close a chapter that is still open, though it has been cold for this long. And whether he accepts this initiative on my part in this tangled web, or whether he decides to throw those anticipated and hopeful words out with the trash, one way or another, this chapter of silence comes to an end.  I've never really mentioned my oldest brother here at the DP. In fact, until my wedding, I've never mentioned any of my brothers. Like many of you reading this, I have quite the unorthodox family. And for those of you who don't, count your blessings, and do not take it for...

What is it about?  A battalion chief is tired of being mislead due to politics and hidden schemes and goes rogue to uncover the real truth about WMDs and the war in Iraq. Who is in it?  Matt Damon - Roy Miller Greg Kinnear - Clark Poundstone Khalid Abdalla - Freddie

162. If today was the last day of your life, who would you call and what would you tell them? I would call my wife, tell her how much I love her, and that she needs to trust Jesus the rest of the way without me. Oh, and I'd urge her to not feel guilty to find someone after I am gone. In fact, I encourage it! I would call my parents, thank them for the years of effort into making me the man that I am today. Also for showing me the greatest quality a human being can have in life is being giving and unselfish. I would call a couple of my close friends, and tell them thanks for sticking by my side, and to continue being foolish without me. To everyone else, I'd drop a nice long letter as my final DP post.