If You Love What You Do...

Buzz of the Week

I was at the mall last week, trying to resolve an issue with my wife's wedding ring. Outside of having to fork over money, the overall experience was...refreshing. The manager of the store was a younger guy. My wife thought he appeared nervous, while I got the impression of an extremely calculated and thoughtful sales person. I did not pick up on any deceit, although I am naturally skeptical. He explained everything too us and told my wife and I that he'd do everything in his power limit our out-of-pocket expenses.

On to the good part. Mark, the manager asked if we wanted to view some larger diamonds. I agreed solely because my wife was upset about the ordeal, and I knew she'd enjoy it. This is when Mark's passion for his job started to shine through. He played the level headed manager role in the beginning, but when he was able to sell, he was lethal! He was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, while omitting the slickness of a typical sales guy. I had been very dry towards Mark, but even I became increasingly excited as he described the clarity, style, and origin of particular diamonds. I'll tell you what, if I had money, I would have seriously considered buying something.

35 minutes later I had to pull my wife away so we could head home. On our way out, we decided to stop by Yankee Candle. There, we were greeted by the assistant manager. She talked about candles, of all things, with so much passion, I was just as impressed with her as I was with Mark. I will probably never buy a candle if it isn't a Yankee Candle.

I think about the ho hum folks I come across in every profession. I think its an absolute shame that people in the customer service business are generally not very customer service oriented. It is always refreshing to see those who genuinely care about their craft and the people they serve.

I think about my new position and how excited I am to help the displaced/unemployed people turned students. I am hopeful that my work is viewed as helpful, passionate, and as sincere as the folks at the mall last Thursday.

The Recruit

Buzz of the Week

The Recruit - As I look at all the craziness surrounding LeBron James and where he'll play basketball for the next 5-6 years, I imagine what it would be like to be recruited. I am starting a new job in the coming weeks where I'll be working with folks who are looking to enter/reenter the workforce. I am very thankful for the opportunity and I believe my skill set will serve me very well there. With that being said, I wasn't recruited. Damn sure wasn't recruited like LeBron! Without special circumstances, 99.5% of us will never experience any recruitment similar to that.

You know what though? I want to be heavily recruited at least one time in my life! I know that my odds increase tremendously with a college degree. That is why I am working (again) towards a college degree. Maybe it's an ego thing for me...so what! Because I am "uneducated," I've been turned down many times from jobs I would have been great at.

It's one thing to have a particular skill set and it is another thing to have tangible proof that you possess a skill set. Because of my personality and laid back demeanor, there are those who think I've received everything I ever wanted. That couldn't be further from the truth. I very rarely show that I'm down, if I'm feeling that way, so folks assume that everything is okay with me...all the time. The silver medal has been draped around my neck plenty of times. Imagine someone telling you how great you are, but without a degree, they cannot hire you.

Maybe it will never happen, but I want to be wined and dined one day and offered an opportunity they others would kill for. Then again, there are those who'd kill to be in my current position (I have to keep that in mind). So although I am grateful for my blessings, I'm working hard to be recognized as a talent, worthy enough to be sought after. We shall see.

I really appreciate the new readers, as well as those who've been reading since day one. If you keep reading, I'll keep writing.

Random Buzz

Random Buzz of the Week

Dear John - Its weird how certain movies bring out certain moods in me. I'm not sure if everyone feels that way, but I immediately start to reflect. I was watching the movie Dear John on Saturday, and I was amazed at how perfect the girl, Savannah, seemed. I started to think about how perfect my wife is. Perfect for me, that is. She's actually too good for me.

When we first met (many years ago), I was amazed at how good of a person she was. It was like she didn't see the bad in any person. Where as I, I saw the bad in everyone. At that point, I realized that we had no future together. I'd been introduced to some harsh truths and it forced me to grow up sooner than most. My wife grew up without the radar for bullspit.

We are very good for one another. I am working on being less skeptical(unsuccessfully mostly), and my wife has developed her radar to deal with those who are less than honest regarding their intentions.

Fourth of July - As Independence Day 2010 nears, I reflect on what independence means to me. As I become much more wiser, and a little older, I have become more interested in current events, and in American history. I have also been more interested in my own family's history. I thank God for the struggles I've been able to face and overcome.

Sometimes a song or movies reveals feelings that I have. I am thankful that I am reminded from time to time of things that may get lost throughout the course of the day. We all should make time to reflect and count our blessings. And if we do not, hopefully, something will force us to take a second to smile.

FYI, I watched that movie, thinking it was an entire different movie. I thought...well who cares I'm happy I watched it.