The 2010 Blawg 100 nominations are out.
One of the MILPs is nominated: Kelly Erb a/k/a TaxGirl. I've been a fan of her personal blawgs forever, but became a regular reader of her TaxGirl blawg during 2L, when I took my first tax class. She blogs about taxes in an approachable, easily digestible and often humorous way. No, really.
Vote for Kelly/Taxgirl in the niche category.
The Namby Pamby, one of my cohorts at Wish I Would Have Known and long time friend of the blog, is once again nominated. He's the Sally Field of Blawg 100. Let's show him that we like him, right now, we like him.
Vote for Namby in the just for fun category.
Yes, its lame that they make you register, etc. to vote. Just do it anyway.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thanksgiving on Sesame Street
Angry Pregnant Lawyer, who ceased blogging a while back, observed that during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, there is always one member of the cast of Sesame Street missing from the float. Her theory is that it is like the State of the Union Address: they can't have everyone present at the Capitol at the same time, in case the place gets bombed, so someone has to stay home. One of the cast draws the short straw and has to stay away from the parade . . . cuz we can't afford to lose the entire cast of Sesame Street.
2005 is was Maria.
2007 it was Gordon.
So I watched this year. For 2010, it looks like it was Chris.
2005 is was Maria.
2007 it was Gordon.
So I watched this year. For 2010, it looks like it was Chris.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Less hawt
About a month ago, I posted about how hawt I am pregnant.
I am a little less hawt now.
Today, one of the secretaries thought I was having an allergic reaction because my face is all blotchy and red and scaly in places. Nope, that's just my hormone-acne loveliness. I don't bother with concealer or foundation unless I am going to be someplace other than my cubicle. I prefer not to irritate my already irritated skin.
Also, I find that I am moving more slowly. I waddle now. I waddle in my square-heeled sensible lawyer pumps. Its a cute waddle, but a waddle nonetheless. When the weather is nice I try to walk around the park at lunchtime to get some exercise. If my walking pace a month ago was say, Eye of the Tiger, these days its more Ooompa Loompa doopity dooo.....
My jackets have completely given up trying to hide the belly bump -- they sort of frame it now. Closing the jacket is not an option. Today I wore a black suit with a bright green cotton maternity top. All day, I looked at my belly and thought someone had replaced it with a watermelon. If anyone at the office still had any doubts (is she just heavy or is she pregnant?) I think the watermelon top pretty much ended speculation.
BUT...
honestly?
I still look super cute.
I am a little less hawt now.
Today, one of the secretaries thought I was having an allergic reaction because my face is all blotchy and red and scaly in places. Nope, that's just my hormone-acne loveliness. I don't bother with concealer or foundation unless I am going to be someplace other than my cubicle. I prefer not to irritate my already irritated skin.
Also, I find that I am moving more slowly. I waddle now. I waddle in my square-heeled sensible lawyer pumps. Its a cute waddle, but a waddle nonetheless. When the weather is nice I try to walk around the park at lunchtime to get some exercise. If my walking pace a month ago was say, Eye of the Tiger, these days its more Ooompa Loompa doopity dooo.....
My jackets have completely given up trying to hide the belly bump -- they sort of frame it now. Closing the jacket is not an option. Today I wore a black suit with a bright green cotton maternity top. All day, I looked at my belly and thought someone had replaced it with a watermelon. If anyone at the office still had any doubts (is she just heavy or is she pregnant?) I think the watermelon top pretty much ended speculation.
BUT...
honestly?
I still look super cute.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
MILP #178
The Weekly MILP (Moms In the Legal Profession) Roundup is hosted on a rotating basis between PT-LawMom, Butterflyfish, and Attorney Work Product blogs. We originally rounded up just the moms in law school, but then discovered that those women eventually graduate. Who knew? So now all the moms in the legal field (heh) are represented. We aim for Sunday posts.
There is no theme this week. Here you go.
___________________________________
If you’d like to have your blog added to the MILP blogroll for weekly review or would like us to consider a specific post, drop the hostess(es) an email or leave a comment at our sites. Expecting Moms in law school are welcome! Hat tip as always to the “original” Roundup — Beyond the Underground and the co-rounder-upper, Nobody!
There is no theme this week. Here you go.
- Atty Work Product is catching up.
- Legally Certifiable is teaching.
- Frequent Citations wins.
- Nonsense & Frippery and Sammie B have pics and awesomeness.
- Magic Cookie's K is talking.
- Cowgirl in the City has cute baby accessories.
- Lag Liv has a built in baby entertainment system.
- Atty At Large has a mommy drinking game.
- Shan has courtroom drama.
- In a minute has teen & privacy concerns.
- And you know what else knows where Toodles is.
- Only 3 Years had a scary day.
- Jenny moves in a limited circle.
___________________________________
If you’d like to have your blog added to the MILP blogroll for weekly review or would like us to consider a specific post, drop the hostess(es) an email or leave a comment at our sites. Expecting Moms in law school are welcome! Hat tip as always to the “original” Roundup — Beyond the Underground and the co-rounder-upper, Nobody!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Feasing torts
In my job, I see and hear a lot of the same humor I loved in law school. While it makes me happy, it probably makes 98% of the public groan... and that's assuming lawyers make up at least 12% of the public. Here's a sample anyway.
We have a table everyone visits at least once a day. On it is a bowl full of yummy things kept stocked by various generous people. Coworker Smith took the last peanut butter/chocolate bell-shaped bit of yumminess. After eating it, he put the foil back, carefully arranged to appear as if the chocolate was still inside.
Coworker Jones entered shortly thereafter. She picked up the chocolate, opened it and made a dramatic complaint about how she had been taken in that was overheard by several other coworkers. Someone suggested a lawsuit... naturally.
Supervisor overheard all of this. Supervisor sent an email to all employees.
I predict that in the future case of Jones v. Smith, our Supreme Court will state: “We conclude that intentionally misleading a coworker about the availability of a delicious peanut butter and chocolate snack is extreme and outrageous as a matter of law.”
Jones replied: "I trust your instincts, Supervisor. Although I predict that the dissent will conclude that, in lieu of 'snack,' the plain meaning of the word 'treat' encompasses the peanut butter and chocolate based edible object in question. The dissent will probably have an analysis reaching a different conclusion on that basis."
Supervisor replied: Hmmm, I may have to join the dissent. If we were dealing with a mere 'snack,' outrageousness would be a question of fact for the jury. With a 'treat,' its outrageous as a matter of law.
We have a table everyone visits at least once a day. On it is a bowl full of yummy things kept stocked by various generous people. Coworker Smith took the last peanut butter/chocolate bell-shaped bit of yumminess. After eating it, he put the foil back, carefully arranged to appear as if the chocolate was still inside.
Coworker Jones entered shortly thereafter. She picked up the chocolate, opened it and made a dramatic complaint about how she had been taken in that was overheard by several other coworkers. Someone suggested a lawsuit... naturally.
Supervisor overheard all of this. Supervisor sent an email to all employees.
I predict that in the future case of Jones v. Smith, our Supreme Court will state: “We conclude that intentionally misleading a coworker about the availability of a delicious peanut butter and chocolate snack is extreme and outrageous as a matter of law.”
Jones replied: "I trust your instincts, Supervisor. Although I predict that the dissent will conclude that, in lieu of 'snack,' the plain meaning of the word 'treat' encompasses the peanut butter and chocolate based edible object in question. The dissent will probably have an analysis reaching a different conclusion on that basis."
Supervisor replied: Hmmm, I may have to join the dissent. If we were dealing with a mere 'snack,' outrageousness would be a question of fact for the jury. With a 'treat,' its outrageous as a matter of law.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Aggregate
I haven't written about bad written advocacy in a while, though I cannot say I've seen a shortage. I think my favorite argument of the week went something like this... (area of law/subject matter/identifying details etc. have been changed to protect the guilty.)
My client was prejudiced by the improper admission of the damning evidence. If the damning evidence had not been admitted, the rest of the evidence would not have resulted in a conviction. Let's look at each of the other pieces of evidence.
My client approached the other guy. Nothing criminal there.
He was carrying a rock. There is nothing wrong with carrying a rock.
He spoke to the other guy. Speaking ain't a crime.
The other guy spoke to him. This was clearly out of line and makes my client's behavior look perfectly reasonable.
My client swung his arm while holding a rock, which rock made contact with the other guy. That may look like a crime, but its not in the facts and circumstances presented here, in light of the other guy's egregious speaking behavior as has been previously detailed.
In light of the circumstances, had the damning evidence not been admitted, there is no way that each of these individual innocent actions add up to a conviction for beating a guy with a rock. Each of his actions -- approaching, carrying a rock, speaking, swinging his arm with a rock in his hand -- were innocent in and of themselves. It is only in the aggregate, with the addition of the damning evidence, that my client appears guilty. That's why my client was prejudiced by the admission of the damning evidence.
I guess you can't blame the guy for trying.
My client was prejudiced by the improper admission of the damning evidence. If the damning evidence had not been admitted, the rest of the evidence would not have resulted in a conviction. Let's look at each of the other pieces of evidence.
My client approached the other guy. Nothing criminal there.
He was carrying a rock. There is nothing wrong with carrying a rock.
He spoke to the other guy. Speaking ain't a crime.
The other guy spoke to him. This was clearly out of line and makes my client's behavior look perfectly reasonable.
My client swung his arm while holding a rock, which rock made contact with the other guy. That may look like a crime, but its not in the facts and circumstances presented here, in light of the other guy's egregious speaking behavior as has been previously detailed.
In light of the circumstances, had the damning evidence not been admitted, there is no way that each of these individual innocent actions add up to a conviction for beating a guy with a rock. Each of his actions -- approaching, carrying a rock, speaking, swinging his arm with a rock in his hand -- were innocent in and of themselves. It is only in the aggregate, with the addition of the damning evidence, that my client appears guilty. That's why my client was prejudiced by the admission of the damning evidence.
I guess you can't blame the guy for trying.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Updates
Craving mashed potatoes. Solution: make mashed potatoes and roast chicken for dinner. Sweet.
I love the Mayhem commercials for Allstate. (Its not just me, right?)
Clownfish: God must love you, mommy. He gave you ME!
Latest doc appointment went well. All looks normal.
Baby is moving a lot less lately, which is kind of a bummer. She moves plenty -- nothing to worry about. She just spend less of her day moving around and letting me know all is well. I miss the connection / reminder I got every time she moved.
The late pregnancy lower abdominal muscle/groin pain has hit sooner this pregnancy. Pulling my legs into bed at night sucks. I'm old.
Gonna get a sitter to see Harry Potter next weekend.
I love the Mayhem commercials for Allstate. (Its not just me, right?)
Clownfish: God must love you, mommy. He gave you ME!
Latest doc appointment went well. All looks normal.
Baby is moving a lot less lately, which is kind of a bummer. She moves plenty -- nothing to worry about. She just spend less of her day moving around and letting me know all is well. I miss the connection / reminder I got every time she moved.
The late pregnancy lower abdominal muscle/groin pain has hit sooner this pregnancy. Pulling my legs into bed at night sucks. I'm old.
Gonna get a sitter to see Harry Potter next weekend.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Flashback & follow-up
My sister, age five, kindergartener.
My mom had gotten her what my mom thought was an adorable pixie haircut. My sister hated it. She thought she looked like boy. It was made worse by mom's daily attempts to fluff it and make it pretty through the use of a hairdryer and copious amounts of aerosol hairspray. (It was the early 1980s.)
My sister never said a word. Every morning, she arrived at school. She asked to go to the bathroom. Then she stuck her head in the sink and returned to class with her soaking hair plastered to her skull, which, in her estimation, was infinitely better than whatever efforts mom had expended. Her teacher would dry off her head a bit and allow her to take her seat. She didn't say a word to my mom either. It was their little secret for many years.
We're still good friends with the woman who was both my and my sister's kindergarten teacher. I called her that night and told her the raincoat story.
First thing she said was... hey you remember that haircut your sister got?
My mom had gotten her what my mom thought was an adorable pixie haircut. My sister hated it. She thought she looked like boy. It was made worse by mom's daily attempts to fluff it and make it pretty through the use of a hairdryer and copious amounts of aerosol hairspray. (It was the early 1980s.)
My sister never said a word. Every morning, she arrived at school. She asked to go to the bathroom. Then she stuck her head in the sink and returned to class with her soaking hair plastered to her skull, which, in her estimation, was infinitely better than whatever efforts mom had expended. Her teacher would dry off her head a bit and allow her to take her seat. She didn't say a word to my mom either. It was their little secret for many years.
We're still good friends with the woman who was both my and my sister's kindergarten teacher. I called her that night and told her the raincoat story.
First thing she said was... hey you remember that haircut your sister got?
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Clownfish, the problem solver
My son hates his rain coat.
It is a perfectly normal blue raincoat with fleece lining. It does not have anything childish on it, like ducks or dinosaurs. It fits him just fine. But for some reason, he hates it. On rainy days, I get to play the role of the meanest mommy in the whole world because I expect him to wear it. In public. To school, even! Where he can be seen in it! The horrors.
Thursday was a rainy day. I was braced for the usual battle.
Me: Clownfish, its raining. Put on your raincoat.
Him: Can I wear my fleece?
Me: Its really pouring out there. You're wearing the raincoat.
Him: *hesitation* Ok.
Me: *thinking* *really?? This easy? Must reward good behavior so...*
Me: If you'd like, you can pack your fleece in your back pack and if its not raining at play time or going home time, you can wear it instead.
Him: No, its ok. I won't have room.
Me: *somewhat nonplussed but gotta get going*
Clownfish happily puts on his raincoat. And zips it up. He happily puts up the hood. He climbs into the car, much drier than I was because my umbrella was in the trunk. We drive to school. We arrive at school. Ordinarily, I walk him to the door, but it is pouring, and he can and does occasionally walk himself to the gym door. His "before school" teacher is right inside.
Me: Have a great day! I love you!
Him: Love you too! See you after school!
He alights from the car and I watch as he pulls up his hood on his zipped rain coat and runs to the gym door. He's dry, I'm happy. I wait to make sure he gets inside -- he usually waves to let me know that all is well, the teacher is there, etc.
He stands in the vestibule. He proceeds to take off his raincoat, fold it up, and shove it into his school bag. Then, he opens the door and goes inside, turning and waving to let me know that all is well.
I couldn't leave his school for a good three minutes. I was laughing so hard that the tears temporarily blinded me and I lost my ability to drive.
It is a perfectly normal blue raincoat with fleece lining. It does not have anything childish on it, like ducks or dinosaurs. It fits him just fine. But for some reason, he hates it. On rainy days, I get to play the role of the meanest mommy in the whole world because I expect him to wear it. In public. To school, even! Where he can be seen in it! The horrors.
Thursday was a rainy day. I was braced for the usual battle.
Me: Clownfish, its raining. Put on your raincoat.
Him: Can I wear my fleece?
Me: Its really pouring out there. You're wearing the raincoat.
Him: *hesitation* Ok.
Me: *thinking* *really?? This easy? Must reward good behavior so...*
Me: If you'd like, you can pack your fleece in your back pack and if its not raining at play time or going home time, you can wear it instead.
Him: No, its ok. I won't have room.
Me: *somewhat nonplussed but gotta get going*
Clownfish happily puts on his raincoat. And zips it up. He happily puts up the hood. He climbs into the car, much drier than I was because my umbrella was in the trunk. We drive to school. We arrive at school. Ordinarily, I walk him to the door, but it is pouring, and he can and does occasionally walk himself to the gym door. His "before school" teacher is right inside.
Me: Have a great day! I love you!
Him: Love you too! See you after school!
He alights from the car and I watch as he pulls up his hood on his zipped rain coat and runs to the gym door. He's dry, I'm happy. I wait to make sure he gets inside -- he usually waves to let me know that all is well, the teacher is there, etc.
He stands in the vestibule. He proceeds to take off his raincoat, fold it up, and shove it into his school bag. Then, he opens the door and goes inside, turning and waving to let me know that all is well.
I couldn't leave his school for a good three minutes. I was laughing so hard that the tears temporarily blinded me and I lost my ability to drive.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Bit the bullet
So... we bought a new-to-us car.
That's a white 2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS. We got it used for the price of a smaller, less well-equipped new car. Feeling pretty good about it.
We have to sell or donate one of our other cars, but they're both old and high mileage and its really hard to know which one to gamble on to survive another year with minimal additional $$ investment. Not sure how to decide. The older car has somewhat fewer miles (1994 Chrysler, 125k). The newer car (2000 Elantra) has a rebuilt transmission and better gas mileage but nearly 200k miles. Both make ominous noises but run. We have given ourselves til the end of the month to figure it out... or for one to die and decide for us... then I think a coin toss is in order.
Image credit.
That's a white 2010 Hyundai Sonata GLS. We got it used for the price of a smaller, less well-equipped new car. Feeling pretty good about it.
We have to sell or donate one of our other cars, but they're both old and high mileage and its really hard to know which one to gamble on to survive another year with minimal additional $$ investment. Not sure how to decide. The older car has somewhat fewer miles (1994 Chrysler, 125k). The newer car (2000 Elantra) has a rebuilt transmission and better gas mileage but nearly 200k miles. Both make ominous noises but run. We have given ourselves til the end of the month to figure it out... or for one to die and decide for us... then I think a coin toss is in order.
Image credit.
Tuesday, November 02, 2010
Other side of the coin
Since I usually blog about the job when I feel awesome, I thought, in the interest of balance, that I should share when I don't.
The quantity of work is picking up and I'm definitely "whelmed." Treading water, not sinking, but there are some decent sized waves looming in the distance and time is slipping away.
I had one of those days that makes me feel like a terrible writer, completely incompetent and unworthy of the trust placed in me. This often happens when I get feedback, however constructive, that is less than positive.
I also had one of those days in which I felt like I was spinning my wheels, that anyone else would be able to untangle the mess I had before me, and do it better and faster. Alas, the mess, it awaits for a fresh attack tomorrow... which means it could eat another whole day, which I really can't afford to have happen..
Its only temporary. It goes in waves like this. But yeah... not my best day at work.
The quantity of work is picking up and I'm definitely "whelmed." Treading water, not sinking, but there are some decent sized waves looming in the distance and time is slipping away.
I had one of those days that makes me feel like a terrible writer, completely incompetent and unworthy of the trust placed in me. This often happens when I get feedback, however constructive, that is less than positive.
I also had one of those days in which I felt like I was spinning my wheels, that anyone else would be able to untangle the mess I had before me, and do it better and faster. Alas, the mess, it awaits for a fresh attack tomorrow... which means it could eat another whole day, which I really can't afford to have happen..
Its only temporary. It goes in waves like this. But yeah... not my best day at work.
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