Ponder This

In a world where the media convinces us we are all under attack while dog pictures and fail videos cover our social media channels instead of the world struggles we try to avoid everyday, it’s hard to find humanity, dignity and benevolence anywhere. Maybe you feel that you are looking in the wrong places, but then when you look at your family (whether it be your husband, girlfriend, parent or nephew), they are all staring down at their smartphones and, if you’re lucky, they’re half paying attention to what you need to say. It’s become a world that simply accepts carelessness and little attention to detail. It’s as if humanity has been replaced by selfishness or malevolence. Just six months ago, I would have told you that this was the way the world was completely trending and we just need to accept that humanity doesn’t live here anymore. My recent dealings have proven this theory incorrect, though. My father, Stan, shortly after being diagnosed with forms of leukemia As...

Before I explain the tournament, I will explain the reason for the event. My father, Stan Ponder Sr., was diagnosed with myelofibrosis and myelodysplasia in July of this year. These are rare forms of leukemia that attack the blood cells and make it difficult for new cells to be made. Stan’s only option to fight this disorder was to undergo a bone marrow transplant, which was successfully conducted last Tuesday. However, Stan still faces an uphill battle to fight off the many complications that can come with a bone marrow transplant. As you may imagine, procedures such as this, as well as the numerous hospital visits, blood transfusions and other spendings, cost a pretty penny. This tournament is to help pay these expensive hospital bills that are accruing every day. To learn more about his disease and his progress, feel free to visit his GoFundMe page . Thanks to my good friends Jason and Annie Miller going through the rigors of setting up a tournament/charity event...

Before I get started, let me clarify one thing: I am not one to go on social media and blast a company. I am not one to get on the phone with a representative and curse them out or tell them off in any way. In fact, I have even received gift certificates and such because I am so easy to deal with (or at least that's what I am told at the end of the conversation). Needless to say for anyone who knows me, it takes a lot to get me riled up. One bank has found a way to achieve this honor, though. Before we discuss the ineptitude of BMO Harris, let me tell a quick (or not-so-quick) backstory on why I am dealing with this bank in the first place. Also, I should clarify that any legal discussion included in this post is how I know and have been told the law; I am not a legal writer nor do I have any type of background in state or federal law. It all started two years ago when I was living in Dallas, Texas (I now live in my hometown, St. Louis, Mo). I bought a Kia Soul and was fin...

Since I was 15-years old, I knew what I wanted to do. I loved English class, I loved to write and there was only one thing I knew I loved more than both of those things: hockey. Anyone who knows me knows my passion for the game and how it has completely controlled my life. I wanted to be a hockey reporter. I wanted to be that trusted face that other hockey lovers would turn to for news, analysis and even some humor when things aren’t going that fan’s way. I turned 30 on Saturday. That means that half of my life was spent with this dream. Now, it’s time to move on to other things. Let's not make too big a deal out of this. I have decided to discontinue my position with InsideSTL / CBS Sports Radio 920 and leave St. Louis Blues media. Believe me, this was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make. I’ve had so many people follow me along this journey and use me as a source for Blues information, whether it be analysis of the team’s play or the ne...