I'm Sorry, But You're Not on the List

Baxter's Buzz of the Week

These NBA playoffs have been unpredictable, if nothing else. First, there was the 8th seed, Memphis Grizzlies taking down the #1 seed, San Antonio Spurs. Then there was the Atlanta Hawks beating the Orlando Magic. AND THEN, there was the nerve of Dallas. Beating the defending champs, LA Lakers in four straight games!

Everyone wants to be a winner - We have these so called experts predicting winners and losers in every matchup. And although these particular analyst are referring to games, there are those who predict winners and losers in the game of life. If you come from a certain background or your parents have a certain type of job, you are either given every opportunity to succeed, or picked to fail before you say your first words.

The experts don't predict a person with my background to become a productive member of society. A child with alcholic, drug addicted parents are supposed to have a criminal record a mile long by the time they turn 30, if they are still around. I've been blessed to have some good people in my corner and a gracious God who determined I have more to give than what is expected of a young black male.

I'm used to the underdog role. Even today, I am in a profession where most of my colleagues either have more education or twice as much experience as me. The odd thing is people assume I have a college degree because of the way I speak and/or carry myself. The school of hard knocks has taught me plenty. Combine that with my ability to relate to all types of individuals, I have an advantage that you can't teach in graduate school. The problem is, that is very hard to convey this advantage. People just normally recognize it or they don't. And does a hiring manger have the balls to choose me and then defend that choice to their superior? Normally not.

This is not unusual for me. I've been blessed to be placed in roles that based on my resume solely, I wouldn't "qualify" for. I have a strong work ethic and hate to let those who believe in me down. Once I had a good friend of mine co-sign a car for me. I told her that I'd get evicted from my apartment before I missed a car payment. Truth: I never missed.

Now I find myself in another one of these scenarios: My sales manager is leaving and I'm applying for her job. On paper there may be better choices, but there is no question in my mind that I am the right person for this role. When the position became available I had no intentions on applying because...well I don't know why I didn't want to apply. As I thought about my chances, I tried to come up with reasons I shouldn't be the new manager and I couldn't think of one. Not even one! Too bad I'm not choosing because I would have already appointed myself to the role.

As I think of these playoff teams who were predicted to be home already who are still playing, and these other "can't miss" teams with a lot of time on their hands all of a sudden because they lost, I think about my odds to get this job. Management may already have their minds made up ( I don't think they do) and my interview may just be a formality, but I honestly believe I have an outstanding shot. My plan is to defy the odds once again and do what I've done since I can remember: Keep winning.

Wish me luck..

Baxter's Buzz of the Week

Baxter's Buzz

Well here we are. My first almost full-time semester in years is over and I am absolutely ecstatic! I've been thinking about my blog and how I can make it more well rounded. And being the team player I am, I've asked a few folks to contribute on a weekly basis. I want to thank Deon and Nick for their first posts and I'm looking forward to others contributing in the future. I encourage you to comment and let your feelings be known if you feel so inclined.

Shut Up And Listen - Sports Take

By Deon Carson

So you think you know sports? And you think you know what you're talking about well shut up and listen.

Have you ever said hey this guy makes his teammates better, bologna you can make the game easier for a player but you cannot make someone better; Jordan was the reason Paxon and Kerr were open but he was not the reason they made the shots those boys could shoot since they were 6yrs old. Last night I watched Dwight Howard set the pick that got Reddick open for the game tying shot which he missed, now is that because Dwight didn't make him better or maybe J.J. just isn't clutch. People make themselves better through hard work and dedication.

Have you ever called someone great after their 3^rd yr in the league? I heard people calling Tony Romo great; I'm thinking how in the hell is he great when he hasn't even won a playoff game? We use that word so much that it has lost meaning. Listen the word Great should be saved to describe a body of work not just a couple of good seasons.

Boxing - Last but not least for you Floyd Mayweather Jr. haters I have some good info for you. Floyd is currently negotiating a fight with a smaller guy that he has already beaten, not only that but the guy will get a guaranteed re-match. But prior to that Floyd will be face a guy who fought to a draw in his last match and was beaten 11rounds to 1 in the fight before that. Doesn't that piss you off? Well guess what? Floyd isn't doing any of those things but Manny Pacquiao is. Bob Arum sent ant offer to Golden Boy for Manny to face JMM at 147. This will occur after he fights a Shane Mosley who they refused to face after he knocked out Margarito and had a belt.HMMMMMMMMMM sounds like a bunch of B.S. to me….