For Us Regular Folks (Hall of Fame)

Baxter's Buzz

The last time I posted, I gave you my case for Ben Wallace being a hall of famer. I want to talk about us regular folks today. What is our "hall of fame"? Many will say it is heaven, and although I agree, I want to talk about our time on earth.

I was talking with a friend of mine who has been struggling with finances. Student loans has been kicking her butt and she barely has enough money for her other bills. I think it is an absolute shame that people are working (and many people still can't find work) to pay their student loans. According to an analysis from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student loan debt had reached 867 billion by the end of 2011, more than credit card debt or auto loans.

There's this illusion of the "American Dream" where people are supposed to work hard in school, go to college, get a job, buy a house, and after marriage and kids, you live happily ever after. They fail to mention that student loans are suffocating families and folks are working primarily to pay back their loans. And stress levels are at an all-time high. My wife still owes a significant amount of money and as I contemplate finishing up my degree, I am concerned that the money I'll earn with a degree won't be enough of bump in my salary to justify incurring $50,000 or more of debt.

I refuse to worry about money and spend the best part of my life stressed out. I understand that money is a necessary evil. That's why I work hard and show up everyday, but I believe that there's more to life than chasing the mighty dollar. The legacy you leave is pretty much the hall of fame for us regular folks. The lives you help improve and the smiles that you leave on people's faces when they think of you. That's how I want to be remembered. You can keep the money...well not all the money, but...you know what I mean.

Big Ben - Hall of Famer

Sports Buzz

Career averages of 10 rebounds, 6 points, and 2 blocks per game doesn't tell the whole story of this soon-to-be Hall of Famer. That's right, I said it. As I watched the Pistons vs. Wizards game on Monday night (March 26th) and Greg Monroe, the Pistons big man of the future received his fifth foul in the third quarter, Ben Wallace entered the game. And Mr. Wallace did what he's always done when his number is called: He went to work. He was talking on defense, being physical with the bigs from Washington and his presence alone helped the Pistons stay within striking distance. He barked at the refs, blocked shots, and played his stinking heart out. As I watched him defend Nene Hilario, who to the untrained eye, appears to have a clear advantage of any person who is about 6 inches and 25-35 pounds lighter than he is, I realized that this is what Big Ben has been faced with since his rookie year in the 96-97 season. Sheer dermination and good old fashioned hard work. Once he arrived in Detroit after bouncing from Washington to Orlando, he found his niche. He came to a city that not only embodies grit and an honest days work, but that also made folk heroes of players like Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, and hall of famer Dennis Rodman.

Ben Wallace and Chucky Atkins were "traded" to Detroit when Grant Hill decided he was going to Orlando as a free agent. To make salaries fit, and as some sort of consolation prize, Joe Dumars asked for Chucky Atkins and John Amechi. Luckily for Joe, the Magic were too high on Amechi and decidedd to offer Ben Wallace instead. Deal!

We all know what happens next so let's look at some things people may not remember or have taken for granted. Wallace was the silent leader of a team that went to six Eastern Conference Finals. In 2004, the year the Pistons won the title, they held teams to third lowest total since the shot clock era at 84 points per game. They were a Robert Horry 3 pointer (damn it, Rasheed) from winning the title again in '05. This was a team that didn't do it by clearing it out for a superstar to go one on five, they played hard nose defense and grinded it out on offense.

They reminded us Detroiters of the original "Bad Boys" by intimidating teams and truly turning the chip on their shoulders into a "chip" on the mantle. With Ben's help-side defense, he even made Chauncey Billups a mainstay on the All NBA defensive teams (no small feat). Ben is 6'7" and led the league in blocks (Okay not really but he was at 3.1 and Theo Ratliff was at 3.2), rebounds (twice), and was the Defensive Player of the Year four times in 5 years (I love Ron Artest but come on). Sadly on most nights he appears to be the best defensive player on the Pistons roster. As he finishes up his hall of fame career in a Pistons jersey, where his hall of fame argument began, I hope that the young guys learn that regardless of what your measurements are, effort is something that everyone give...every single night.

Old Man Buzz

Baxter's Buzz

Fact: I am getting old. I struggle between watching ESPN and MSNBC in the morning. On the weekends, I'm watching 60 Minutes instead of NBA basketball. I still enjoy my sports, don't get me wrong, but I struggle with the decision, and many times choose to take a walk with my wife instead of sitting on the couch.

This is just part of my evolution. There are so many hours in a day and so much to be done. Studying, planning, and quality time with your loved ones. I am now adding even more to my plate that I'll share at a later time. My idle time is dwindling, but I'm more excited about where my time is going than ever before.

6 Things Thursday

Baxter's Buzz

These are six of the random thoughts that have filled my brain this week. Enjoy

1. I logged into my Gmail account this week and Google asked for my phone number. You know, just in case I forgot my password. Pretty sure they know everything about me.

2. I'm celebrating my birthday very early this year. I always approach April 16th like New Years. I have great feeling about what the next 12 months will bring.

3. Just because you're realty, really good at your job doesn't mean you can manager others. Two separate skillsets. You want to reward these overachievers but if they are not built for that type of job, it is going to be tough. Very few can truly learn to lead without having the trait to begin with.

4. I'm working really hard on growing a beard. I always give up too soon but this time is going to be different.

5. Sometimes I'm very naïve about how racist and mean spirited people are in this world. When I saw some of the tweets directed toward Spike Lee, I cringed. I asked myself who'd even be friends with someone that posted such hateful words. I mean who would hire these people?

6. Will Trayvon Martin's death be in vain? Will we ever be able to have the conversation of race/racism on a national level? There are so many levels to pull away once the convo starts that people would rather leave the entire subject alone. It really is a shame.

Spring Buzz Part 2

Baxter's Buzz

I continue to reflect on my life, on a daily basis as of late, and I believe I'm slowly turning the corner. My complacency gets the best of me at times and simultaneously, I'm hating myself for not cranking it up a notch.

I wore my Underdog t-shirt to work last week and I started to seriously think if I considered myself a "favorite" or an underdog. That is a very interesting question. Quite honestly, I'm not sure of my conclusion. I believe that because of my circumstances at birth, I was considered by many, an underdog. Black male, born out of wedlock, mother dying before I completed third grade. I was screwed, right? But through God's grace and some caring people being placed in my life, I defied the odds. I am now a productive member of society, with a mortgage, and no breaks in work since the age of 19. At 30 years old, I've managed to do pretty well for myself.

Now I'll be 31 in April with no college degree(yet). I'm a black male who's options are limited because I have put myself in not the greatest of positions. I am smart, thoughtful, and hard working, but I don't have any papers backing up how great of an asset I can be so I am overlooked for roles that I know I'd kick ass in.

I said ALL OF THAT to say this: I am an underdog that's been living like a favorite. I have the skills of a champ and the credentials of a chump. When my effort is in line with my know-how, I have been able to achieve some pretty cool things.

But many times my effort reflects someone who is expecting a handout. And although I've never been given a handout, I get pissed when some great opportunity doesn't just fall into my lap. I have to remind myself that regardless of what I believe I deserve, I have to go out and earn it.

God has blessed me with so much, it would be a shame to not squeeze every ounce of potential out and hopefully inspire others of what can be done, even if you're the only one expecting great things from you.

Spring Buzz Part 1

Baxter's Buzz


I want to apologize to my three followers for being absent from my blog. Sorry I left you. Haha. I'm not sure where to begin. I've written about 25 drafts that haven't made it to this site. I'm not sure why.

Job Stuff - My new job is better than I could imagine. I left my last job and after being there a while and somewhat successful, it had been time to move on. I knew it was time to go, but I wouldn't leave without finding an opportunity I felt 100% comfortable with. This new job has been a real blessing. My comfort level is top notch so far and I couldn't be happier.
Because we have some younger salespeople, its interesting to see them start their sales career. I remember thinking I wanted to be in sales forever. The company has done a great job hiring and it shows. There are some really cool and interesting folks there. As always, I want to out perform everyone, but I wish them all the best too.
I see the politicking that goes on at all jobs and all ages, but I just want to come to work, bust my butt, crack a few jokes and go home. I am hopeful that my numbers/work ethic will speak enough for me.

Home Life - Speaking of home, there is no baby to report of. Just me and Wifey...and my homework. As I continue to take these classes, I'm reminded of why I have a love/hate relationship with school. I love to learn. I love the interaction with the people in class. I hate the cost and the classes that I have no interest in taking, but are part of my program. Oh well, I'll continue to catch you up tomorrow.

Pleasure vs. Pain and the Price of Happiness

Baxter's Buzz

What is the price of happiness? That is the question that has to be answered individually. They say that pleasure is the absence of pain. What is your definition of pain? Once you determine that, you have a better idea of what you'd like to be removed from your life.

When I was young and single, I had an idea of the type of woman I wanted to be with. As I dated different women something strange happened: I developed a long list of what I DIDN'T want. And as the list of dislikes grew, I realized that my likes became more defined. The same can be said for jobs.

My wife and I got married at the beginning of the worst economic time in our lifetimes, so the fact that we both found jobs and have been working is a great blessing. My wife has faced a great deal of unprofessionalism at her current job and it has helped shape her idea of what she'd like in her next role. How do you know the type of person you want or don't want to be with, without having some experience dealing with that "type" of person. Some things seem ideal when you think about your work environment, but you truly don't know until...you know.

When I started my new role in November, it was definitely a lateral move. I gave up the comfort of going to a place that I was familiar with, where people knew me (Some even liked me), and where I REALLY had a grasp of the gig. When you think about those things, my move may seem like a step down in some ways. But the absence of pain in my current role has made it all worth it. I'd go as far as to say this role has been a step UP. My wife has decided it is time for her to move on from this role and I pray that in her next role, she'll experience a similar feeling. But hopefully with a little more money! Haha