Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. "When They See Us" - After much acclaim, I finally got around to watching the four-part series by Ava Duvernay this weekend. Very similar to when my parents made me watch Roots (and then the remake on my own as an adult), this was a tough, but needed watch. For so long I knew about the injustice that was the Central Park Five - especially growing up as a man of color in NYC - but, never did I understand the people behind the injustice and the ramifications on not just the men but those around them. Such a tremendous watch that is really needed. I'll probably have a reaction up soon. 2. NYC Terror Plot Foiled - It barely made headline news this week, and well...that's a good thing. Throwing grenades at people? What the...! I'll never understand the level of hate some human beings are capable of holding in order to drum up these sort of plans. So much props - and not enough of it - to our local and federal authorities for grabbing up this clown befo...

3 Up 1. Loyola High School (Detroit) - In a nation where education inequality is something rarely found in inner city environments, Loyola High School in Detroit, Michigan not only boasts a graduating class that will ALL being accepted to college - Yes, 100% of the graduating class - but, the school emphasizes community work and strong character. Much props to the staff and administration at Loyola H.S. 2. Toronto Raptors - Sure, the squad is in the NBA Finals. But most impressive is the fact that the entire Toronto Raptors roster has NO lottery picks. None. Not one. That's damn impressive. 3. Women's College World Series - I love the College World Series, but there is something special going on in the world of softball and everything that has been the women's College World Series. So much drama, and so much fun to witness thus far. 3 Down 1. Virgina Beach Mass Shooting - Awful. Just, awful. When is enough, well...enough? 2. Midwest Tornadoes - Not much has b...

3 Up 1. Memorial Day Weekend - Sure, it's the unofficial start of summer. It's also a three day weekend. However, let us not forget the many who lost their lives defending and protecting our country from the evil forces that roam the world. 2. Lady Liberty History - The Washington Post had an extremely interesting article discussing the intention of the gift that was the Statue of Liberty from Paris to America. According to this article (and some deep sources), Lady Liberty was to celebrate freed slaves, not immigrants. But like much of our history when it comes to slavery, we've distorted the truth and attempted to silence it. 3. AEW Double or Nothing - The world of pro wrestling got a major shakeup this weekend after the successful debut of All Elite Wrestling. I haven't watched the show yet, but from everything I've read, including the post-show interviews - this company has some awesome things in place for what should make for a VERY must-see Fall seaso...

I remember the day like it was yesterday. One of my favorite birthday experiences. A memory that floods to the top of my conscience on a day like today - a day in which I turn 34 years old. I was nine years old, and we lived in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY. Our home, a small 650 square foot (illegal) basemen apartment - all five of us.  Not many who know me today realize this, but my family grew up relatively poor. Lower income. Socioeconomically marginalized, if you well. And quite frankly, uneducated. It's a part that I carry with me always, but still, a part of me others are shocked to hear whenever I reveal this part of who I am, or, they witness the ease in my relating to immigrants and their socioeconomic struggles.  But so goes the life, and so goes the element of social capital with privilege. And believe me, I'm aware of that.   Like most birthdays, regardless of our financial situation, my parents always attempted to mak...

What is it about?  A grandmother's comments while on her deathbed leaves a family reeling during the Summer of 2003. Who is in it?  Joey King - Jamie Winkle Andrea Savage - Shira Winkle Jack Kilmer - Luke

3 Up 1. Robert Smith Donation - Can you imagine leaving school with $80,000 in debt, and then suddenly someone at graduation is like, naahhhh, I got you!  While it's amazing that a graduating class can leave school with over $40M in debt, and also, that one singular person can simply payoff such a debt - the world needs more billionaires like Smith who understand their place and positioning in the world and using it for good. 2. AEW on TNT Announcement - Pro Wrestling is on the cusp of a very interesting time come Fall 2019. As the new upstart AEW promotion announces that it will air on TNT, the wrestling world awaits a serious competitor to the WWE. After all, have you seen WWE programming, lately? No? Me neither. 3. AOC on Terrorism - I find AOC to be a fascinating individual. Some of her viewpoints I'm not so sure about, by damn, she impresses me with her grit and won't-back-down attitude. Nonetheless, her pressing of white men escaping the tag line of "ter...

3 Up 1. Mother's Day - Happy Mother's to all of the amazing moms out there who do amazing things every single day. Of course, as a new dad, I now not only understand this as a child, but having a front seat in watching my wife do the same. Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! 2. Kendrick Castillo - I struggled with this. Because this story is so incredibly sad. But, you know what? What Kendrick did for his friends, classmates, and school in the midst of a shooting is epitome of courage and character. I never met him, but this kid's name should NEVER be forgotten. With that said, how many innocent kids have to die like this just to protect the right to bear arms? 3. Mike Fiers - Some great never pitch a no-hitter. Mike Fiers has now thrown TWO. Kudos to the dude for tossing an awesome game. 3 Down 1. Colorado School Shooting - SMH. I don't even know what to say regarding mass shootings anymore. It's just so...tiring. 2. Burkino Faso C...

-- 10 Months and 17 Days Old -- Dear Son, It's been awhile. Actually, from looking at my last note to you, it's been 4 months - a third of a year has since gone by! Where has the time gone?! Since then, you've gone from stumbling through your mobility to now zooming around our apartment on your hands and knees, ripping everything down, banging as many items as you could, and exploring all that you've probably been looking at for a while. We know we're in trouble when you start walking. Plus, you're now getting pretty heavy. Like, the type of heavy that places a serious clock on how long your mother and I can hold you.

3 Up 1. Malaria Vaccine - For the first time ever, the world will see a vaccine for Malaria and it will go to 360,000 African children. Malawi, Kenya, and Ghana will be the first nations to administer the new vaccine to children under the age of two, helping to save many, many, many lives along with it. This is pretty cool, and is exciting to see areas around the world in need of healthcare get first dibs on much needed vaccines and care. 2. Avengers End Game - I am insanely behind on everything - Avengers, Captain Marvel, all of it. So yeah, watching End Game won't happen for me for awhile. However, getting the "Up" this week is the film for raking in an INSANE $1.2 Billion of box office money in the first weekend of its release. That's just stupid insane. So incredibly insane. 3. Damian Lillard's Series Ending Shot - The OKC vs. Blazers first round match-up was something beautiful. It simply reminded me of that old-school 90's NBA with players that ...

3 Up 1. Easter - He. Is. Risen! 2. Bernie Fox Town Hall - I'm not a big Bernie guy. However, much props to Sanders who did a Fox News town hall on not only held his own, but actually got some interesting crowd responses. IN this crazy political culture, it would be nice to see some "cross-examination" - so-to-speak, so we can get some real discussion on serious issues. 3. BTS YouTube Record - I've never heard of this group until this story caught my attention this week. But apparently, K-Pop is real, and BTS' video release set a new YouTube record with most views over a 24 hour span (76 million!!). 3 Down 1. Sri Lanka Bombings - This story is so incredibly sad. Over 200 people killed. On Easter Sunday. The world does some horrific things, and this is an example of that. 2. Denver School Closings - I will NEVER forget the Colombine High School Shooting. In middle school, I was home sick, and watched the entire thing unfold on my TV, frightened at suc...