My Blog

Merry Christmas Rose!

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:16:55 -0500

Not much to say at this point but MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone. Remember: There is no better way to use multi-billion dollar NORAD tracking equipment than to keep track of Santa on Christmas Eve! Ho! Ho! Ho! Thank Goodness for Roses. They are the most wondrous of all flowers and warms my heart.

Time To Kick It Into Gear!

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:25:11 -0500

Just got back from another workout. Ouch. It is not easy working out during the Christmas season. You go to the gym, you get to see all of the college-age kiddos working out (or socializing) with their 5% body fat bodies - regardless of whether they work out or eat anything but pizza and beer - and you just want to smack them. If that isn’t distracting enough, all of these people just make you more conscious of just how much of your fat and skin is giggling and moving after every move. Yum. Just makes me want to throw a weight at someone.

Oh well...getting back into shape is never easy, I guess.

Tomorrow is the first official day of my Tri program (according to my “plan”). It is going to be a tough road. I have not had to begin a Tri program in the winter with all the cold, wet weather and dreary days. I am one of those people that feeds off of the weather. If it is sunny and bright - regardless of how cold it is - I am excited and motivated. The opposite kind of day gives me the opposite kind of motivation. I am going to have to really work to overcome those days. Fun times.

Add to this the search for a new job (as much as I enjoy working as an independent attorney, I have never excelled at the “go-it-alone” attitude) and the fact that I am trying to get my personal life back to some normalcy after a tumultuous 2007, and I have serious obstacles to work through. But, frankly, that only makes my Tri training that much more important.

But it is hard to get too down or depressed when I look around at others and their situations. For example, my wonderful blog-buddy Proto Attorney (over at the excellent blog Knocked Up (and in Law School), has truly had a tough 2007, but she has persevered and overcome (and things, thankfully, are looking up). A number of friends of mine have lost their jobs and still others have lost people close to them.

All in all, I have much to be thankful for. My family has always been my most ardent supporters and, despite a difficult year, they continue to support me. Furthermore, despite losing much this year and struggling with many aspects of my personal life, I have had the great fortune to gain some wonderful acquaintances as well this past year. One person in particular has become my light in the darkness. Who would have thought that out of the misery of the past few months I would find such a Rose or that I would deserve someone so special and wonderful?

So - I have much to be thankful for and much to use as motivation to get things moving in the right direction in 2008. My first “tune-up” Tri is scheduled for late March with the first “A-list” Tri (the White Lake, NC Half-Ironman) scheduled for early May. So - it is time to stop the whining and start the winning. Here we go!

Oh Yeah? Well...SUE YOU!

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:52:37 -0500

Not to be lazy, but this article on the Wall Street Journal Law Blog is incredible. It details a recent National Law Journal article describing a recent trend of law student SUING their law schools. Although I have commented on one of these suits recently (see archives), it apparently is a much more serious trend. Wow. It is definitely worth a read. Makes you want to transfer to a much better location...like Charlotte, maybe?

Inflating Litigation

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:10:35 -0500

In the “here comes Litigation-Claus” department...

For all of you who have kids and have gone to one of these indoor playgrounds where you can jump and play in large, inflatable equipment, BEWARE.

A mom in SW Washington (state) had her 3 year-old son killed recently when he was playing in one of these things and two adults fell on top of him and crushed his skull. (Story HERE) Unbelievable? Frankly, it is amazing that this doesn’t happen more often.

As a father to two young girls, I can tell you that I have seen some pretty scary things happen at these places. There is no doubt that these places are hysterically fun and are awesome for parents as they are very secure and wear the kids out. But something I have always been very nervous about is the fact that most of these places allow adults, of any size, to participate on the same equipment at the same time. I have seen kids fall out of these things and get knocked around by the larger adults pretty badly. I am not an overprotective person by nature. I am all for kids learning lessons and their limits by making mistakes and getting a little hurt now and then. But there are serious dangers in having my 40 lb 4 year-old bouncing around with a 200 lb person.

The “Hoppin’ House”, the place in SW Washington where the young boy died, stated that all adults are required to sign liability waivers prior to anyone entering. So - they, of course, are denying any responsibility. And, also of course, the mother of the deceased boy stated that she will insist on filing more charges because her son was dead so, “to hell with everyone else.”

Sadly, this is our reality. Have fun this holiday season, but be careful out there. Life is not always as sweet as a Rose.

BRING IT ON, BEE-ATCH!

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:59:38 -0500

I am finally back on track with my physical activity - gearing up for the day (in about two weeks) when I officially begin my Triathlon season training. In the wake of all that has occurred in my life these past few months, it is frankly astounding that I even remember where the gym is located.

But there I was today - wrapping up my fourth workout in as many days. As I lifted the amazingly little number of weights, I started to ponder on my observations around the gym. Like...

Why does a man with more hair on his back and shoulders than on his head choose to wear a tank top? I mean, what goes into THAT decision? “What to wear today? Oh, hey, how about this see-thru tank top from the early eighties that makes my back look like I took a shower and then rolled in cat hair! Awesome!”

Has anyone else noticed the resurgence and proliferation of leg warmers? What the hell? They were terrible and useless in 1984 and they are no less today. Get over yourself.

My favorite weight workout activity? Cable Rows or Tricep Pushdowns. My least favorite? Squats or Lunges. Guess which I need the most?

Have you noticed all the new cardio-trend? TVs ON each individual piece of equipment with full cable access!!!! I know I am weird, but I do NOT go to workout so that I can watch Oprah or MTV at the same time. It is so pathetic. When I workout - I want to focus on my activity and clear my mind of all else. I guess that is what you get when your gym is 90% stay-at-home moms. Sigh...

I think the average age of the gym membership today - including some of the toddlers in the daycare - was like 70. My God...I saw more man-boobs and bulges where there shouldn’t be...ugh. And if you think B.O. is bad in a gym...try smelling essence of “old-ass man” while lying face-down on the hamstring curl machine. I think I just threw up in my mouth.

On the other hand - it may be worse to see a gorgeous woman working out than the elderly. Let’s just say that it is very hard, very hard...to work out or move around with that kind of sight. Don’t worry Rose - I didn’t have that problem today...although a sweet old lady who smelled like a wet cat called me “sonny”.

Funniest quote of the day? Joe Weider Jr. was getting off of the Leg Press with, literally, 6 plates on either side (for those of you unsure, that means 270 lbs each or 540 lbs total). He saw that I was waiting for the machine, glanced at my ENORMOUS legs and said, “do you want me to keep the weight on for you?”...........uh......no.

Anyhow - I got the workout done and now I can barely move I am so sore and tired. I HATE letting myself go like I did but I just had too much going on to stop it. But I think I have finally found my motivation - gotten my confidence back. I have never felt so energized in some ways and look forward to getting my training underway. it is amazing what a Rose can do...

Another Stellar Example Of Legal Leadership! Wright On North Carolina!

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:07:03 -0500

I love my state in many ways. Born and bred here, I have traveled the world and have always come back. But my goodness - if you haven’t been following NC politics in the past few years, we have been one of the laughingstock’s of the democratic process in America.

The most recent example of our exemplary leadership is Representative Thomas Wright, a Wilmington, NC Democrat and top aide to former Speaker of the House and current felon jailbird, Jim Black. Unlike the disgraced Speaker Black, however, this case is actually about something other than lottery corruption (gee...who would have seen that coming? Lottery? Corruption? Fraud/Payoffs/Lies? SHOCKING!). At least, not directly.

Rep. Wright was indicted by a grand jury Monday for allegedly defrauding more than $350,000 from banks, corporations and campaign contributors. He faces five felony charges of obtaining property by false pretenses and one felony charge of obstruction of justice. Sweet Nibblets...see the entire story HERE.

In a totally unexpected turn of events, this corrupt and irresponsible pol refused calls for his resignation.

There is one bright spot, I guess...seems that the people of NC may FINALLY be sick of the continuous parade of elected felons. Due to the public pressure, the NC Legislature and our absentee Governor Easley have recently commented that they are considering expelling Wright from the NC General Assembly. If this occurs, this overdue act of accountability would be the first such expulsion since 1880. Hell, if for no other reason - THIS interesting tidbit should be enough for you to want to watch. You have got to love a good ole fashioned expulsion. Even people relaxing in Puerto Vallarta would want to follow this one!

One Step Forward and Two Steps Back In Rhode Island

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:04:10 -0500

An incredible story developing in Rhode Island as reported by the excellent blog, Sexual Orientation and the Law: Apparently the Rhode Island Supreme Court has just held that the Rhode Island Family Court (that recently granted a same sex couple a petition for divorce from their Massachusetts’ marriage) lacked jurisdiction to even hear the case, much less rule on it.

Unbelievably, the Supreme Court majority held thus by consulting dictionary meanings of the word “marriage”...only problem was that the editions consulted were from the EISENHOWER AND KENNEDY ADMINISTRATIONS!

Sure - THAT is fair. Totally reasonable. Oh, except for that whole public policy thing and the fact that we don’t LIVE in the early ’60’s - particularly not in a state with the legislation of Rhode Island. What a ridiculously weak attempt to hide the homophobic attitude of these justices.

Let’s hear it for the dissent - yeah - stick it to the man!

(WHOLE OPINION HERE)

i love green eyes.

Further Evidence Of Why People Hate Lawyers #4

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:47:46 -0500

Ah...lawyers, judges...what’s the difference, really? Of course, everyone has heard of the idiot attorney who runs his mouth, or says something stupid, or cusses in court. But a JUDGE?

Apparently this man attended a conference in Los Angeles at which he was a presenter along with others on a panel. While there he did all of the normal things: saw the sights, visited Hollywood, oh, and, “used profanity, made an obscene gesture after being asked to lower his voice and referred to a group facilitator as "the black gay guy.” Wow. THAT is truly shooting the moon.

The man is a legend.

Dreaming of you, CH.

Canadian Islamophobia? Puh-lease

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:56:44 -0500

For those of you with a life, you may not have been following the recent “outrage” occurring in Canada over a perceived “insult” to Muslims published in a prominent Canadian magazine. The article was written by Mark Steyn, author of American Alone, a book about the changing people-scape in Europe, and was published in Macleans, one of Canada’s oldest journals, and the outraged group is the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC), a non-profit organization of Muslims and the largest such group in Canada.

Macleans published a chapter from Steyn's book, and the CIC called the piece "flagrantly Islamophobic", stating that it subjected Canadian Muslims to "hatred and contempt". Accordingly, the CIC demanded equal space to print their own article, unedited and in full, responding as they like. Macleans understandably said “no.” Thus, the CIC has filed complaints and made a gigantic issue in the Canadian press and government about this issue.

I have read many articles about this situation (like THIS excellent article from Ali Eteraz) and I can say, in my own opinion, that this is simply another example of making much ado about nothing by a slighted group demanding to be exempt from critical analysis and imbued with extra rights.

It is not that Steyn is accurate in his analysis of Muslims or that we should not have passionate feelings about writings or disagree with them. As many have pointed out, in fact, Steyn is wildly alarmist in his views. But the most disturbing thing about this kind of reaction is the feeling that some people should be protected above others and should be allowed to silence speech.

Generally, this kind of ridiculousness occurs in the US, but our Canadian brothers and (gorgeous) sisters are finding that freedoms are at risk everywhere. Even though I consider myself fairly conservative, I believe in our fundamental right to speak out and be wrong. And the CIC is wrong, just as Steyn is.

As Eteraz states, “There is no such thing as a fundamental right to rebut. Macleans owes no duty to the CIC. The CIC does not speak for all Muslims and, even if it did, its stance would be incorrect. Furthermore, why should it be the CIC, or an organisation at all, or even, for that matter, a Muslim that gets to make this rebuttal? The only fundamental right here belongs to Macleans: to choose what it prints.”

I hope we understand that this example, although in a different country, is no less dangerous to us. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are cornerstones of democracy and the free world. Litigation and threats are NOT substitutes for these rights.

The Reason I Travel...

Sun, 9 Dec 2007 11:36:55 -0500

As I mentioned before, one of the other things you are able to observe on a trip are the variety of people you get a chance to meet. Sure - you get to meet the jackasses, the rude and pushy travelers, the quiet ones, the local yokels, etc. But you also get the immense pleasure of, every once in a blue moon, uncovering hidden gems...wonderful, beautiful people you will never forget. These people are the ones you treasure and keep in touch with for the rest of your life. These are the ones who make you want to relearn golf, open up your mind to new experiences, and rediscover your true self. To these people I say, “Thank you. You make it all worth it.”