Dome Pondering

3 Up 1. Mother's Day - A glorious day to honor the mothers and women who make so much happen. Hoping you and yours had a terrific Mother's Day.  2. Teacher Appreciation Week - Another period for appreciation, we gave praise to teachers all week. This group deserves it - but even more so, should be celebrated all year.  3. New York Knicks - My boys in orange and blue took TWO in Boston in dramatic fashion. Yes, they dropped Game 3 this weekend, but the aura and overall vibes were the kinds we haven't felt in years (maybe, decades!).  3 Down 1. Pakistan and India - Soooo, yeah...just what the world needs is yet ANOTHER rising escalation of conflict and possible war. Our government negotiated a ceasefire , so let's hope this is resolved, somewhat . 2. South Afrikaans Asylum - I don't understand the logic here. We've pushed and pushed for immigration control and making America first. Butttttttt, we are now granting Asylum to Afrikaans in South Africa? There's an...

Hoops with the son in the driveway just hits different.

We always think,  what would we say  to our  younger self? However,  what would  our younger self say  if they met us, today?

Spring does bring eternal hope. 

I would love to have an island, of all the people,  who brought great vibes to my life - past and present.  My island would be amazing. 

Well, after that off-season where the Dodgers deferred enough money to build the Athletics a new ballpark, it's time for the remaining fanbases who don't have Guggenheim money to hope for the best. Even with Opening Day finally here, it's the only time of the year we can actually pretend everyone has a chance, and hope feels, well, somewhat authentic.  White Sox fans, how are we feeling?  As we do every year around these parts, I'm throwing out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2025 season.  Good luck, White Sox.  --- STANDINGS (WIN) AL EAST  Yankees - 92 Red Sox - 90 Orioles - 88 Rays - 85 Blue Jays - 82 AL CENTRAL Royals - 90 Tigers - 90 Guardians - 88 Twins - 87 White Sox - 65 AL WEST Rangers - 92 Astros - 92 Athletics - 86 Mariners - 85 Angels - 77 NL EAST Phillies - 94 Mets - 92 Braves - 88 Nationals - 78 Marlins - 75 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 88 Brewers - 88 Reds - 87 Pirates - 83 Cardinals - 80 NL WEST Dodgers - 96 Diamondbacks - 90 Padres - ...

There is a lot that can be said about the state of college athletics, particularly basketball. NIL has surely shaken the foundation that once grounded college sports for the product that we see today. There is a lot that can be said, and lots of conversations that can be extended for hours of thoughtful dialogue (by the right people).  The current March Madness playing out - on both sides - has plenty of thoughts (and mostly feelings) bouncing around in my mind (and heart).  Just a few:  I really do love how much the Women's game has grown and improved. In various ways, the pureness of the game itself is often more enjoyable than the current men's game.  Despite the growth, the lopsided scores in the first two rounds are evident of a still top-end talent pool. Overall, there is room for growth in talent around the country. The "student-athlete" in this space is on life support. In many ways it's dead.  It's outright sad to see programs that have zero continuit...

Does time change me? Or, did I evolve through experience? How many signals did I miss? Or, did I choose this fate? Do I understand the wrongs and regrets? Or, did I act with the best interest in the moment? What did they say about me? And, what will they say about me today? Was I appreciated? Or, did I imagine that? What were the opinions in the shadows? And, what were the feelings expressed before me? Is it a misunderstanding?  Or, a matter of not confirming?  Why didn’t it last? Or, was it never meant to? …ever able to? Was it ever real? Some of it? Part of it?

I can't say I didn't think about it being a possibility - after all, didn't we all imagine it? - but I didn't think it would become a reality. John Cena, heel? Maybe a few years ago, but certainly not in his final farewell run?! On top of that, we probably had one of the most executed and memorable moments in pro wrestling history. I loved it. And for me, it ensures this fan that when pro wrestling is done right, very little compares to the art form.  Some other quick thoughts on Cena's turning heel:  Cody Rhodes dropping the F-bomb, intentionally and without a bleep, might have been the second most shocking thing of the night for me.  And yes, my wife quickly had to turn to my son and enforce what every parent probably did - "don't repeat that!!". Yeah, the last thing teachers needed were their students who are WWE fans coming in to class and telling each other, "Hey, go F--- yourself". We've come a long way from crotch chops. Cena is ge...