Family (un)Ties

by Baxter E. Hall

I've been trying to locate many of my family members for the past few weeks and have started to make some headway. I've always focused on what was in front of me and not worried too much about the past and things that were already done. So as I get older, I realize that there are many holes in my story and as question was answered, two others were asked (It's like carrying laundry and socks keep falling out of your hands). Being of African-American descent, it already limits the amount of information that you can acquire (Because of that whole slavery thing).

That sucks, but couple that with the fact that there are family members in the same metro area that I don't know, there's a bit of sadness that starts to creep in. It has effected my sleep, my mood and view of many family members (Not to mention the fact that my wife and I could use more money and we are still waiting to get pregnant for the first time). So I've been somewhat depressed, to say the least.

Ok, Good News: I re-connected with one of my cousins from my mother's side of the family. We both lost our moms at a young age (Although she lost her mom even younger than I did) and we've always felt a disconnect between ourselves and the rest of our family. Our families didn't do a good job of keeping us in contact with one another and we just went along with our separate lives. And although we couldn't bring our moms back, maybe we could have help comfort one another.

I realized that my cousin enjoys writing just like I do (She's already written her first book so I have some catching up to do), has a blog (I have 2 blogs, but big deal, she's already written a book!) and she's also done some rapping and singing. It was crazy to realize that not only do we share some of the same pains, we also have similar interests.

We both know there are many questions we have, but we now have each other to accompany us on our journey. There will be some more sad times, but I am looking forward to coming up on the other end smelling like a rose. Hey, you don't make it this far by letting a little sadness deter you from your journey. I'm ready to tie up some of these loose ends.

Shut Up And Listen!

by Deon Carson

The world of boxing is coming to a change of the guard not only in the ring with stars like Floyd, Manny, Hopkins, and Marquez set to hang of their gloves soon; but also in the world of promotion. With the old kings of the sport like Bob Arum, and Don King being at the end of their run a boxing is about to get a major shot in the arm. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson have officially started their own promotional company called TMT Promotions, and they have hit the ground running. TMT promotions have already signed Yourikis Gamboa, Andre Berto, Billy Dibbs, Zab Judah, Callestino Callerbo and Andre Dirrell. And with up and coming star Adrienne “The Problem” Bronner showing indications that when his contract is up he may jump on this ship as well; Fifty and Floyd have strong armed their way right in the mix of things.


This new blood is a wonderful thing with the old promoters holding up fights the public wants to see due to old grudges it’s time for some new life in the game. I am a “real” boxing fan and I know that fights like Donaire vs. Mares or Rigenaux, Rios vs. Bronner, Brook vs. Guererro and yes Mayweather vs. Pacquiao along with many many other fights are being held up by old men (Arum, King) who should have been out of the sport long ago. Another thing is I’m glad that former and current fighters

Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are setting a new standard for boxers to follow once they hang their gloves up. Paving the way for people who have actually shed blood sweat and tears to actually lead the sport they sacrificed so much for. Boxing is a true gladiator sport, and I feel the gladiators who survived should lead the way in guiding the next generation.

Shut Up and Listen!

by Deon Carson      

   I’m going to answer some questions that have been asked of me, and also respond to some comments.

Will Tom Brady’s legacy be tainted if he doesn’t win another Super bowl? Brady has 3 rings; that’s 2 more than Favre, 2 more than Young, 3 more than Marino, 1 more than Elway, 1 less than Montana, I think Tom’s legacy is safe.

What’s wrong with U.S. Olympic boxing? If you’re a really good amateur boxer in the U.S. these days you turn pro instead of waiting for the Olympics (see Adrienne Bronner, and Gary Russell Jr.). And who wants to train all of that time miss out on that money and possibly get robbed like Roy Jones (1988 Olympics), and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (1996 Olympics)?

Could the 2012 Olympic basketball team compete with the 1992 team? Unless you can tell me who Magic, Stockton, Mullins, Bird, and Barkley could guard from this team I would have to say yes. In a 7 game series it would be crazy to bet against Jordan, but to say the 2012 would not be able to hang with the 1992 team probably shows a little biased.

Does the acquisition of Dwight Howard make the Lakers the favorites out west? If that were the only new addition I’d say no, but with Jamison, Nash, Meeks, the re-signing of Jordan Hill, and Devin Ebanks I would have to say yes depending on Howard’s health, of course.

Final thought for all of my boxing fans, I am very excited about the Andre Ward Chad Dawson fight. Two gifted athletes in their prime fighting it out for the belt, whoever wins this bout will vault themselves into my top 3 pound for pound list.

Dreaming is Breathing

 Poems by Bax

I am what I dream. Plus the actions that follow.
There's a fine line between enjoying today and planning tomorrow.
Wars and terrorists, home-grown and abroad. Why Lord?
What am I to do? I want to have kids with my wife
But this world is so trife. I strive. What will it be like when they arrive?

I close my eyes and wonder if things are worse than any other time.
As I view newspaper clippings and watch the history channel
The bible shows there have always been humans with animal
Instincts. I sink. Into the sofa.
Whiskey on the rocks.
I'm lost.

Pull a piece of paper to write my cousin.
He says "Keep your head up. I'm counting on you"
"The walls of failure I expect you to break through"
Well that's that. I'm back not only dreaming but believing
I'm living for so many, no time for defeating feelings
I will become what I'm dreaming
And this is life's meaning

Shut Up and Listen!

by Deon Carson
 

                Is Isaiah Thomas crazy? Yep. Was he a losing coach? Yep. Was he a terrible president of basketball operations? Yep. As a player was he a fierce competitor, a winner, and the best little guard to ever lace em up? Absolutely yes. This is why I do not understand the blatant disrespect that Zeke receives for his on the court game.  Please do not compare any of these players to Zeke (sorry CP3 that includes you).  Isaiah could score and if he were stupid he could have avg. 30, but as we have seen when your PG avg. 30 you do not win championships, go ask Iverson how that worked out. Instead of averaging a ton of points Isaiah chose to win he saved his fireworks for the biggest moments.

          Isaiah Thomas had some great great moments, like the 1990 NBA finals when In game one, Isaiah scored 16 points in the 4th quarter bringing the Pistons all the way back from ten points down with seven minutes remaining. He scored 22 points in a quarter later in those Finals. He averaged 27.6 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.2 rebounds against Portland that series. In the 1989 playoffs Isaiah and the Pistons would lose only 2 games in route to their championship. The legendary ankle sprain game when Isaiah scored 25 points in the 3^rd quarter of game 6 against the Lakers on a badly hurt ankle. I won't even bring up the 16 points in 94 seconds in game five against the Knicks in the playoffs (oops too late).  I could go on all day about Zeke and his feats the point is there was no little guard ever better than Isaiah; he elbowed his way into history. While the league was celebrating Magic and Bird, and elevating Jordan the smallest man of them all managed to leave a huge footprint on the league. You may not like it but he did it his way and succeeded, 1 National Championship, 2 NBA Championships I'd say his accomplishments speak for themselves. My last note is that a man like Karl Malone who could never get it done should not be allowed to say any disparaging words about Isaiah remember Karl the mailman doesn't deliver on Sundays.