Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Zion Harvey - Zion unfortunately lost his hands to a bacterial infection at the age of two. Zion then became the first child in the world to receive a double hand transplant. He went on to throw out the first pitch at an Orioles games this week. Awesome story.  2. Katie Ledecky - So not only did Ledecky make us all feel insecure when she brought home a gold medal at the age of fifteen four years ago in London, but she decided to smash a world record she set in convincing fashion this week. Oh yeah, and she picked up another gold medal in doing so.  3. Ichiro - What can you say? This dude is 42 years old, and still hitting, and now, the 30th member of the 3,000 hit club. Ichiro really is one of the best players to ever play this game. It's so amazing to think he began his career here in the states at 27. What could have been?  3 Down 1. Paul O'Neal - Another young black man killed due to police violence. There needs to be a change, in both com...

With Mark Teixeira calling it quits, it truly feels like the end of an era. It's an era that Yankee fans haven't really come to grips with yet on what it meant, what it should mean, and ultimately, how we should feel about it but, it's an important era, nonetheless. It produced a championship, and that's the only measuring stick in Yankeeland.  With a championship that stands alone in 2009, a rarity in the existence of the Yankee franchise filled with dynasties and championships in clusters, this chapter was headlined by names like Sabathia, Teixeira, Rodriguez, and Cano which hasn't been digested as of yet. Maybe time will tell, but with Cano slugging in Seattle now, A-Rod a shell of his former self, Sabathia's glory days well behind him, and now, Teixeira calling it quits, that era is coming to a close.

After the success and personal enjoyment in going through  365 Thought Provoking Questions as well as the IF Factor series , I decided to dive into another series that presents similar dynamics in cognitive thinking. And of course, there was the feedback that some of you enjoyed going through it as well. With all of that said, let's start a new adventure in the "Would You Rather" Series. As always, thanks for reading, and enjoy! 1. Would you rather live to be 1,000 or live 10 different lives that last 100 years each? Wow. The first question is rather easy - 10 different lives that last 100 years each. At least this way I can take a break in between lives. You know, digest what happened in the last one. Be able to get better at things you usually don't get a second chance on in life. Just imagine how easy those teenage years become? Though, imagine what teenage years ten lifetimes from now will be like. Yikes. Regardless, 1000 years of consecutive life sou...

3 Up 1. Syria's Secret Library - This article is an awesome read. In the middle of a civil war, which has affected the world, some in Syria have collected books from destroyed buildings in an underground location for many to further and continue their education. The library also helps local medics treat those remaining in the territory.  2. Khan Family - Kudos to the Khan family who shared with the world the story of their son, a fallen United States solider, during the Democratic Republic Convention. A touching story, and one that puts many political issues at stake into perspective.  3. New York Yankees - Forget their play on the field, kudos to the front office for finally - FINALLY - building toward the future in trading away assets for top prospects. They now have some really big time pieces for the future that has this fan excited. To those complaining about the move, you need to get a clue.  3 Down 1. Kabul, Afghanistan - Another terrorist att...

I'm going to try to toe the line on this one, as I can already feel a portion of you making your way through this post and having a slanted - based upon your viewpoint - political takeaway. But whatevs, so it goes.  First, for those new to these parts, I'm an independent. I don't really care for ties to political parties. As I always state, I punched a vote for President George W. Bush in my first ever opportunity to vote for a President, and then for President Obama twice.  Coming into this race, if you followed my banter on the primary debates (yes, I'm a huge debate geek), I found many of the choices to be a pick-your-poison deal rather than being excited about any one candidate. And once it was official that the main event would be Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump, I  found myself battling on a greater level and wrestling with the decision on where I plan to give my vote in November.  Thennnnnnnnnn, there was this past week...

Pondering with Plumtree is a column on the popular blog, TNAsylum, that is written by yours truly. The blog is focused towards being a fan site for TNA Wrestling fans where they can get news, rumors, opinions, and any and everything else, TNA Wrestling. Known as "The Haven for TNA Wrestling Fans", I'm hoping to bring some of my thoughts to an already impressive roster of columnist for as long as the site will have me. You can read the latest column here , or in the text below.

3 Up 1. Surprise Car Gift - For me, this story gets the nod as the top "up" story. What a great story about the human spirit, the fallacies that in the conception that the lower class doesn't work hard, and the motivation of some to overcome the hand they were dealt in life. Please be sure to give it a read.  2. Baseball Hall of Fame - Much congratulations to Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza on being officially induced into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Well deserved, especially Griffey, who inspired so many kids in the 90's.  3. Baltimore Orioles Fans - Adding this "Up" for O's fans. I had hte privilege of visiting Camden yards again for another ball game. Orioles fans are terrific in their support of the team. When Jonathan Schoop receives a standing ovation for a sacrifice bunt, you know it's special. I'l follow with this, they definitely have New York fans beat.  3 Down 1. Afghanistan Terrorism - Just so sick of th...

Built by slaves to house the leader of freedom.

3 Up 1. Love What Matters Post - This Facebook Post that went viral is absolutely fantastic. I hope it spreads more and somehow - anyway possible - makes it's way into our media. It won't, though, because it doesn't stir the cops vs. minorities narrative. Regardless, it's nice to see good cops speak out on these issues and of course, acknowledge that there are bad cops out there.  2. Paralyzed Woman Hikes Appalachian Trail - Definitely take a look at this article and this story. Inspiring for sure.  3. "Broken" Matt Hardy - In times like this is why I love Pro Wrestling. When the world is dealing nothing but horrific news, Matt Hardy and this ridiculous character he now portrays kept my spirits high. After all, all nonsense must be DE-LEEEETED!  3 Down 1. Nice, France Attacks - These terrorist attacks continue, and this latest one, is even more disgusting and inhumane than the typical gunfire and bombings. Running down innocent people ...

To say the world is fallen apart may seem like a stretch. But if you, like me, have attempted to digest the recent events across the globe this summer, a wreck, feels like reality.  For me personally, everything feels like a ton of bricks every time a new headline comes across my phone or my television screen with more injustice, more horror, more moments and issues of all-too-descriptive acronym of SMH. More shootings. The world is a wreck. — Dome Pondering (@DomePondering) July 17, 2016 It's a burden. I was in the middle of reading Michelle Alexander's, The New Jim Crow Law as well as diving deep into material, studies, and theories of a graduate Diversity class, as I chase another Master's Degree for nothing other than interest and self-actualization. I'll touch more on the second Master's at another time.  So with all of this new insight, plus my already foundational thoughts and feelings on certain issues, as well as the horror unfol...