Buzz of the Day
I think everyone has a right to be criticized...sometimes I question the person who has so much to say. I sometimes question their intent. I guess there are two things I'd like to get off my chest: 1.) I will not feel bad because some idiot (who happens to be black) does something...well, idiotic. 2.) I hope people criticize everyone equally. They should be equal opportunity critics. (equal opportunity...we won't go there today)
I've played sports my whole life. Things are simplified in sports. Either you can help the team or not. If you are my best friend and I have first pick in basketball, if you're not first pick material, then I'm picking someone else! No hard feelings. I couldn't care if it was a black, white, or purple person. I'm trying to win!
I know that people with differences will have conflict. But I hope that we will help people understand, and listen carefully when it's their turn to do so...And agree to disagree respectfully.
We all have a friend (or many, many friends) that have weird taste. They may eat cheese on their apple pie, put mustard/ketchup on everything, or put sugar in spaghetti. They may love super skinny girls/guys, long/short hair, or feet. Just plain feet. We look at them sometimes like, "What are you thinking?" The point is...we still love and respect them.
When people cut off their nose despite their face, it's stupid. If Barack Obama has the best interest of the U.S. in mind, he should get credit for that. If he does some things that you don't agree with, that's okay...But he's not the dumbest person in the world because he uses a teleprompter (the last president was). If Kwame Kilpatrick does something stupid (wait...I think he just did something else stupid...yup), he didn't do it because he's black. He did it because he is greedy, arrogant, and a whole bunch of other adjectives.
I don't think we should get so much pleasure out of dogging someone else. I know we have better things to do. I don't have a problem with people stating their opinion. I have a problem with people going waaay overboard to state their opinion. They had Madonna on CNN yesterday. "Is she going to adopt another African child?'" Who cares? I don't. We are going through the hardest economic time in my life. And frankly, I have better stuff to do than worry about Madonna! Or Kwame. Especially Kwame...He not only gives himself a bad name. He gives everyone who justifies his stupidity a bad name.
I'm too busy trying to make a name for myself in my new position, at my new job. The job that I'm trying to keep! When I have time to "hate" on somebody, things will have to be going much better than they are for me now...
That's my light buzz today. Maybe a little heavier than I originally thought. I got on a roll okay?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Life's Lesssons
Buzz of the Day
There are so many challenges if life. I look at my nephews and nieces and think about what I went through when I was their age. You become a teenager/young adult and you feel like nobody is in your corner. The toughest thing is when you are correct in your assessment. I spent time with 2 of my nephews a couple of weeks ago. One is 20 and about to have a baby in May; the other is 17; they both are straddling the fence of mediocrity.
How do you explain something to somebody before they've had the opportunity to experience themselves? I didn't have many people to give me advice when I was their age, and I get upset when I try to mentor and they do the opposite of what I've advised. Don't get me wrong, they are good kids. But good ain't good enough these days. I want them to be more prepared than I was going into the "real world." I am blessed to have a good head on my shoulders, but trust me: I did my share of stupid things. I think about my cousin who is in prison for "natural life" and he's less than 2 years older than me. I know that if he was around, I wouldn't have made so many mistakes, because I respected him enough to listen and if I didn't, he would have beat me up.
So I struggle with my approach when I talk to them. I know that they hear me, although many times they don't listen. There is always a learning curve. Hell, I'm still looking for a mentor; I believe we all need it. This world is tough! And getting tougher... I just want to make their path a little less stressful, because times have changed. Even the 10 years since I've been out of High School, society is much different. Couple that with this economy and the way business will be done from here on...so I'll stay in their ear and lend one if that's what they need, and pray God guides them and keeps them out of harm's way: That's what got me through my trials and tribulations when I didn't know any better.
There are so many challenges if life. I look at my nephews and nieces and think about what I went through when I was their age. You become a teenager/young adult and you feel like nobody is in your corner. The toughest thing is when you are correct in your assessment. I spent time with 2 of my nephews a couple of weeks ago. One is 20 and about to have a baby in May; the other is 17; they both are straddling the fence of mediocrity.
How do you explain something to somebody before they've had the opportunity to experience themselves? I didn't have many people to give me advice when I was their age, and I get upset when I try to mentor and they do the opposite of what I've advised. Don't get me wrong, they are good kids. But good ain't good enough these days. I want them to be more prepared than I was going into the "real world." I am blessed to have a good head on my shoulders, but trust me: I did my share of stupid things. I think about my cousin who is in prison for "natural life" and he's less than 2 years older than me. I know that if he was around, I wouldn't have made so many mistakes, because I respected him enough to listen and if I didn't, he would have beat me up.
So I struggle with my approach when I talk to them. I know that they hear me, although many times they don't listen. There is always a learning curve. Hell, I'm still looking for a mentor; I believe we all need it. This world is tough! And getting tougher... I just want to make their path a little less stressful, because times have changed. Even the 10 years since I've been out of High School, society is much different. Couple that with this economy and the way business will be done from here on...so I'll stay in their ear and lend one if that's what they need, and pray God guides them and keeps them out of harm's way: That's what got me through my trials and tribulations when I didn't know any better.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Old Fashioned Laughter
Buzz of the Day
I blogged yesterday about being stressed and needing a vacation. Well, I had one (kinda) last night. The wife and I went out with people from work. We went to see Roz B (I think that's her name). She was one of the finalist on the last comic standing. She was super duper funny! It was the first time I laughed like that in a long time. We ate, had a couple of drinks, and enjoyed some funny comics!
Laughter cures many things. I know sometimes it's hard to laugh, but when you do...the therapeuticness (my own word, thank you very much!) of it is evident.
I also want to say (to my 3 people who read my blog) thank you for checking in. I'm one of those people who reads a lot of stuff. But very rarely do I post any comments and I have log-in and passwords for all the sites (hopefully I know them still). Of course it would be awesome to have a ton of people checking me out daily, but I truly don't write for them. I write for myself (because of the therapeuticness) and whomever finds it interesting. Hopefully it has or will someday help someone besides me. I was thinking this morning that I could do this for a living! I'm not saying that because I'm extremely entertaining. I'm saying it because I'm really beginning to enjoy this!I have all these new ideas and I'm excited to put them in place. And if someone would pay me, hell, I'd do it everyday!
For anyone reading for the first time or the first time in a while, please read the additional posts.
I have always been a pretty private person (and I'm still pretty private), but I enjoy sharing. This way I can get things off my chest without driving my loved ones crazy... I've always been willing to share experiences with people that are interested. I just don't see enough people on a regular basis. I'm living this secret life of a person that cares about more things than where my sales are for the month. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY CARE about where my sales are, but I have an intellectual/analytical side to me that doesn't fit the "salesperson" profile.
If they only knew...I have all sorts of plans...
I blogged yesterday about being stressed and needing a vacation. Well, I had one (kinda) last night. The wife and I went out with people from work. We went to see Roz B (I think that's her name). She was one of the finalist on the last comic standing. She was super duper funny! It was the first time I laughed like that in a long time. We ate, had a couple of drinks, and enjoyed some funny comics!
Laughter cures many things. I know sometimes it's hard to laugh, but when you do...the therapeuticness (my own word, thank you very much!) of it is evident.
I also want to say (to my 3 people who read my blog) thank you for checking in. I'm one of those people who reads a lot of stuff. But very rarely do I post any comments and I have log-in and passwords for all the sites (hopefully I know them still). Of course it would be awesome to have a ton of people checking me out daily, but I truly don't write for them. I write for myself (because of the therapeuticness) and whomever finds it interesting. Hopefully it has or will someday help someone besides me. I was thinking this morning that I could do this for a living! I'm not saying that because I'm extremely entertaining. I'm saying it because I'm really beginning to enjoy this!I have all these new ideas and I'm excited to put them in place. And if someone would pay me, hell, I'd do it everyday!
For anyone reading for the first time or the first time in a while, please read the additional posts.
I have always been a pretty private person (and I'm still pretty private), but I enjoy sharing. This way I can get things off my chest without driving my loved ones crazy... I've always been willing to share experiences with people that are interested. I just don't see enough people on a regular basis. I'm living this secret life of a person that cares about more things than where my sales are for the month. Don't get me wrong, I REALLY CARE about where my sales are, but I have an intellectual/analytical side to me that doesn't fit the "salesperson" profile.
If they only knew...I have all sorts of plans...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
I Need a Vacation
Buzz of the Day
I'm completely exhausted! The stress of this freakin' economy, along with...well I guess everything is tied to the economy. Mentally, I am fried. I have done everything this week to shake this funk: I've woken up earlier than normal and later than normal, I've cleaned my entire cubicle and rearranged all of my crap on the walls. I even stopped using my headset this week and have gone back to the traditional act of picking up the phone with each call.
Nothing
I don't really want a vacation because I can't afford it. I am talking about time. I can't afford the time. There are too many things I am trying to do. I just need a mental break. Quinn told me I needed to get away from everything. Take a break from thinking. Go to the bar or something like that. Great idea, besides the fact I have no money to "hang out" and I'd be feeling guilty for spending. Somethings gotta give! I need to figure something out and soon. I am really really wearing down.
As soon as you think things maybe turning around with the economy, you read the news and IBM is laying off 5,000 people in the U.S. and sending those jobs outside of the country. WTF!
They were actually profitable last quarter! Go figure...
I don't have the answers. The only thing I do know is...things are changing. As new companies are formed and the proverbial pieces put back together, they will never be the same again.
I'm completely exhausted! The stress of this freakin' economy, along with...well I guess everything is tied to the economy. Mentally, I am fried. I have done everything this week to shake this funk: I've woken up earlier than normal and later than normal, I've cleaned my entire cubicle and rearranged all of my crap on the walls. I even stopped using my headset this week and have gone back to the traditional act of picking up the phone with each call.
Nothing
I don't really want a vacation because I can't afford it. I am talking about time. I can't afford the time. There are too many things I am trying to do. I just need a mental break. Quinn told me I needed to get away from everything. Take a break from thinking. Go to the bar or something like that. Great idea, besides the fact I have no money to "hang out" and I'd be feeling guilty for spending. Somethings gotta give! I need to figure something out and soon. I am really really wearing down.
As soon as you think things maybe turning around with the economy, you read the news and IBM is laying off 5,000 people in the U.S. and sending those jobs outside of the country. WTF!
They were actually profitable last quarter! Go figure...
I don't have the answers. The only thing I do know is...things are changing. As new companies are formed and the proverbial pieces put back together, they will never be the same again.
Working it at the car wash...yeah!
Ridiculousness of the Day
I just need to get this off my chest this morning...
A man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for performing a sex act with a car wash vacuum.
Can you really make this stuff up? I don't think so...
I'll have more later
I just need to get this off my chest this morning...
A man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for performing a sex act with a car wash vacuum.
Can you really make this stuff up? I don't think so...
I'll have more later
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Where's the Line?
Buzz of the Day
There is a fine line between speaking up for yourself and being obnoxious. Where do you draw the line?
I have always been a laid back person and have kicked myself repeatedly for not speaking up (Some people may think I speak up too much, but that's not the case). I'll give you a perfect example: When I was a high school senior, I played on the basketball team. I went from being in the starting lineup, to being on the bench and hardly playing. (without any explanation) I worked really hard, and figured that they'd notice and give me my just due. I figured the coach would say, "Baxter, welcome back! Get back in there and play your heart out because you have been working really hard."
I was completely wrong. On the other hand a good friend of mine (who can be borderline obnoxious) was in a similar position. He was the "squeaky wheel" and basically got his wish. He played a lot while I cheered from the sideline. I told myself then I'd never sit back and let someone take advantage of me or overlook me again. Sometimes you want to sit back, bust your tail and hope somebody recognizes. Unfortunately, that's not the case. You need to stick up for yourself and hold your ground. If you are working hard, sometimes you have to make people aware of the work you're putting in so they don't just overlook you.
Now...the potential problem comes if people think you are arrogant or pushy. I guess every one's "middle ground" is different, but if you have to be more to one side, what side do you want to be on?
There is a fine line between speaking up for yourself and being obnoxious. Where do you draw the line?
I have always been a laid back person and have kicked myself repeatedly for not speaking up (Some people may think I speak up too much, but that's not the case). I'll give you a perfect example: When I was a high school senior, I played on the basketball team. I went from being in the starting lineup, to being on the bench and hardly playing. (without any explanation) I worked really hard, and figured that they'd notice and give me my just due. I figured the coach would say, "Baxter, welcome back! Get back in there and play your heart out because you have been working really hard."
I was completely wrong. On the other hand a good friend of mine (who can be borderline obnoxious) was in a similar position. He was the "squeaky wheel" and basically got his wish. He played a lot while I cheered from the sideline. I told myself then I'd never sit back and let someone take advantage of me or overlook me again. Sometimes you want to sit back, bust your tail and hope somebody recognizes. Unfortunately, that's not the case. You need to stick up for yourself and hold your ground. If you are working hard, sometimes you have to make people aware of the work you're putting in so they don't just overlook you.
Now...the potential problem comes if people think you are arrogant or pushy. I guess every one's "middle ground" is different, but if you have to be more to one side, what side do you want to be on?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
AIG
Buzz of the Day
I wish there was a truth serum that we could give these people to find out their true motives. I'm talking about President Obama all the way down. Include all of these big businesses like AIG also. If we can't get a truth serum, wouldn't it be nice to have Jack Bauer (from the show 24) to interrogate them?!
Our futures and our peace of mind are in these joker's hands and I'm nervous! As the people who elect politicians, purchase goods to keep these companies in business, and pay taxes, I think we deserve the truth. Will we ever get it?
That is the 15 trillion dollar question.
I wish there was a truth serum that we could give these people to find out their true motives. I'm talking about President Obama all the way down. Include all of these big businesses like AIG also. If we can't get a truth serum, wouldn't it be nice to have Jack Bauer (from the show 24) to interrogate them?!
Our futures and our peace of mind are in these joker's hands and I'm nervous! As the people who elect politicians, purchase goods to keep these companies in business, and pay taxes, I think we deserve the truth. Will we ever get it?
That is the 15 trillion dollar question.
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