Dear July:
Back in late June, when I said "bring it on" referring to you, I meant for fun and vacation. Not a sick baby with allergic reactions to antibiotics or a car accident with a person who considers semaphores to be suggestions, rather than rules and leaving me wheel-less for almost a week. Back off dude. Let's enjoy each other- it's only once a year for 31 days. Come on now. There's only a few days left. Let's make them good.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Win
Work Comp court is much different than Law and Order court. It's admin law- just judges; no juries. It's more like Judge Judy, if you must have a comparison, but if Judge Judy took off the robe, quit taking caffeine pills, and had control over the volume of her voice.
While jury trials are all 7th Amendment precious, there's something nice about knowing that your case is very likely to be decided only on its merits, and not on whether your client is wearing a juice-stained t-shirt, doesn't speak English, used to be addicted to pain pills, smells bad, or possesses some other trait that would likely affect a jury's neutral evaluation of the issues.
That being said, I sometimes feel like there is a sort of hazing among the small world of work comp law-- I'm the new girl on the block and thus, the judges make me lose (on small matters) so that I stay humble and don't think it's easy as pie. (Trust me, it's not easy.)
So, today when I saw this decision come across my desk, I had to do a double-take. I won! A minor and interlocutory victory, but a victory nonetheless. I like it. And I really like that judge.
Bring on the juice-stained, non-English speaking, smelly recovering addict. Together, we can seize the day.
While jury trials are all 7th Amendment precious, there's something nice about knowing that your case is very likely to be decided only on its merits, and not on whether your client is wearing a juice-stained t-shirt, doesn't speak English, used to be addicted to pain pills, smells bad, or possesses some other trait that would likely affect a jury's neutral evaluation of the issues.
That being said, I sometimes feel like there is a sort of hazing among the small world of work comp law-- I'm the new girl on the block and thus, the judges make me lose (on small matters) so that I stay humble and don't think it's easy as pie. (Trust me, it's not easy.)
So, today when I saw this decision come across my desk, I had to do a double-take. I won! A minor and interlocutory victory, but a victory nonetheless. I like it. And I really like that judge.
Bring on the juice-stained, non-English speaking, smelly recovering addict. Together, we can seize the day.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Surreal Law Practice
This happened yesterday:
Receptionist (over the intercom): Kristina, ________ _________ (client) is here to see you.
Me: I don't have an appointment with her today!
Receptionist: She says she has to sign some papers to sign but is a little bit late.
Me: Ok...hang on. (looking at our client database to try and remember who this person is.)
Me: Oh, Christ. This woman had an appointment on March 1! Well, I still have the papers so I'll be right down.
(looking for and finding the check and release client had to sign & going downstairs to meet client.)
Me (to client): Uh, ____, you're 4 and a half months late!
Client: (sheepish laughter). Yes, I am a bit late. Kristina, you really like people on time, yes?
Me: Yes, yes, I guess I do.
Receptionist (over the intercom): Kristina, ________ _________ (client) is here to see you.
Me: I don't have an appointment with her today!
Receptionist: She says she has to sign some papers to sign but is a little bit late.
Me: Ok...hang on. (looking at our client database to try and remember who this person is.)
Me: Oh, Christ. This woman had an appointment on March 1! Well, I still have the papers so I'll be right down.
(looking for and finding the check and release client had to sign & going downstairs to meet client.)
Me (to client): Uh, ____, you're 4 and a half months late!
Client: (sheepish laughter). Yes, I am a bit late. Kristina, you really like people on time, yes?
Me: Yes, yes, I guess I do.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Best Weekend Yet of 2008
My birthday was on Friday and it was about as opposite as it could have been from last year's birthday.
My birthday last year consisted of bar exam review class; work; no cocktails (pregnancy-related abstinence); no friends or family in town (except Eduardo, who counts a lot, but who was at work); and a major bar exam related stress meltdown. Other than a coffee-chocolate malt Eduardo brought me after work on July 11, 2007, my 26th birthday was a bust.
This year was not. This year I was surrounded by a proportionally large number of my favorite people including Eduardo, Johan, Sarah, and my dad. Also Charlie, who I like very much, but who I have not spent quite enough time with for him to have achieved favorite person status. Nevertheless, the day involved a morning drive up to the cabin, many delicious cocktails, an outrageous salad bar at the Serviceman's Club; more cocktails; a torrential thunderstorm/windstorm/monsoon that lasted for all of 10 minutes; and an impressive campfire despite wet wood and difficult wind. It was a great birthday, and a great way to start being 27.
On Saturday, we had a water ceremony for Johan. It was really lovely and absoluteley perfect for us. It had just enough spiritual/religious elements for Eduardo the Catholic to acknowledge that it was a baptism, yet was not so religious as to cause discomfort for the secular humanists, atheists, and fake Jews among us. Most importantly, it was really quite moving for so many people in Johan's life to bestow him with wishes for his life and future.
Also great to have finally sealed the deal with Sarah. It's codified now. Sarah, you can't quit being my friend now, because it's official. We are comadres.
I hope all of 27 is as great as the first 3 days of it.
My birthday last year consisted of bar exam review class; work; no cocktails (pregnancy-related abstinence); no friends or family in town (except Eduardo, who counts a lot, but who was at work); and a major bar exam related stress meltdown. Other than a coffee-chocolate malt Eduardo brought me after work on July 11, 2007, my 26th birthday was a bust.
This year was not. This year I was surrounded by a proportionally large number of my favorite people including Eduardo, Johan, Sarah, and my dad. Also Charlie, who I like very much, but who I have not spent quite enough time with for him to have achieved favorite person status. Nevertheless, the day involved a morning drive up to the cabin, many delicious cocktails, an outrageous salad bar at the Serviceman's Club; more cocktails; a torrential thunderstorm/windstorm/monsoon that lasted for all of 10 minutes; and an impressive campfire despite wet wood and difficult wind. It was a great birthday, and a great way to start being 27.
On Saturday, we had a water ceremony for Johan. It was really lovely and absoluteley perfect for us. It had just enough spiritual/religious elements for Eduardo the Catholic to acknowledge that it was a baptism, yet was not so religious as to cause discomfort for the secular humanists, atheists, and fake Jews among us. Most importantly, it was really quite moving for so many people in Johan's life to bestow him with wishes for his life and future.
Also great to have finally sealed the deal with Sarah. It's codified now. Sarah, you can't quit being my friend now, because it's official. We are comadres.
I hope all of 27 is as great as the first 3 days of it.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Cereal
I love cereal with milk. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, I can do it for any of those meals.
I prefer unsweetened cereals- favorites include Bran Flakes (no raisins); Grape Nuts; Grape Nuts Flakes; Wheaties; Crispix. It is pretty incredible how few choices for unsweetened cereals there are. Yesterday the grocery store was out of Bran Flakes, and I browsed for a new choice. I finally settled on Wheaties- located on the bottom shelf with numerous other boring, reject cereals. Another bothersome reality in cereal shopping is how difficult it is to find cereals without high fructose corn syrup (boo, corn syrup is BAD). Even Wheaties has corn syrup. It's a real shame. I'm sure all the organic versions of cereals are corn-syrup free but I can't really justify $7 for a box of cereal.
The most recent and exciting thing that has developed in my relationship with cereal is a switch to plain soy milk. I am not going dairy-free. Good lord. I'm not crazy. But, between cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, and the occasional ice cream, I think I'm getting enough dairy.
So, I tried soy milk. Here's why it's perfect. Soy milk is creamier than low fat milk. I'd venture to say that it's as creamy as whole milk or even half-and-half (which, everyone knows is totally delicious on cereal. Don't judge. You know it is). But the soy gives the creamy texture and rich flavor without the milk fat and the cholesterol. Plus, it makes the whole meal seem so much healthier- 1/2 way to the 25g of soy protein recommended with just a bowl of delicious cereal.
As an added bonus, in Minnesota, a half-gallon of soy milk is quite a bit cheaper than of milk. We grow soy beans here. I'm cheap. I'm a convert.
And ready for an evening snack. Cereal, anyone?
Note: Suggestions for other unsweetened cereals are welcome. High fructose corn syrup need not apply.
I prefer unsweetened cereals- favorites include Bran Flakes (no raisins); Grape Nuts; Grape Nuts Flakes; Wheaties; Crispix. It is pretty incredible how few choices for unsweetened cereals there are. Yesterday the grocery store was out of Bran Flakes, and I browsed for a new choice. I finally settled on Wheaties- located on the bottom shelf with numerous other boring, reject cereals. Another bothersome reality in cereal shopping is how difficult it is to find cereals without high fructose corn syrup (boo, corn syrup is BAD). Even Wheaties has corn syrup. It's a real shame. I'm sure all the organic versions of cereals are corn-syrup free but I can't really justify $7 for a box of cereal.
The most recent and exciting thing that has developed in my relationship with cereal is a switch to plain soy milk. I am not going dairy-free. Good lord. I'm not crazy. But, between cottage cheese, yogurt, cheese, and the occasional ice cream, I think I'm getting enough dairy.
So, I tried soy milk. Here's why it's perfect. Soy milk is creamier than low fat milk. I'd venture to say that it's as creamy as whole milk or even half-and-half (which, everyone knows is totally delicious on cereal. Don't judge. You know it is). But the soy gives the creamy texture and rich flavor without the milk fat and the cholesterol. Plus, it makes the whole meal seem so much healthier- 1/2 way to the 25g of soy protein recommended with just a bowl of delicious cereal.
As an added bonus, in Minnesota, a half-gallon of soy milk is quite a bit cheaper than of milk. We grow soy beans here. I'm cheap. I'm a convert.
And ready for an evening snack. Cereal, anyone?
Note: Suggestions for other unsweetened cereals are welcome. High fructose corn syrup need not apply.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
America
I didn't barbecue for the 4th of July. It doesn't mean I don't love freedom, though. I do, really.
Highlights of this weekend include:
-- a parade where Johan had his picture taken with Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Apparently one of Johan's favorite activities is having pictures taken with Democrat politicians at parades. His sense of civic engagement is really applaudable.
-- Eduardo's and my first *date* since Johan was born. A baseball game, complete with Bud Lights for $6.75. See, we do love freedom.
--Watching from my patio as my neighbors light their illegal fireworks. Who needs to go to a show? Let the show come to me, even if they did have to drive to Wisconsin to get the goods. I'm glad interstate travel is one of our cherished freedoms.
-- Rum and diet coke at noon today while playing blocks in the front yard and talking on the phone. What the hell. I'm free.
--Sushi with things like crab and avocados, as well as extra pickled ginger. My sushi preferences may be pedestrian, and I'm ok with that. In fact, I think it makes me more of an American. I am free and can buy a whole damn jar of pickled ginger if I want to. And avocados. And no raw fish.
This is America.
Highlights of this weekend include:
-- a parade where Johan had his picture taken with Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Apparently one of Johan's favorite activities is having pictures taken with Democrat politicians at parades. His sense of civic engagement is really applaudable.
-- Eduardo's and my first *date* since Johan was born. A baseball game, complete with Bud Lights for $6.75. See, we do love freedom.
--Watching from my patio as my neighbors light their illegal fireworks. Who needs to go to a show? Let the show come to me, even if they did have to drive to Wisconsin to get the goods. I'm glad interstate travel is one of our cherished freedoms.
-- Rum and diet coke at noon today while playing blocks in the front yard and talking on the phone. What the hell. I'm free.
--Sushi with things like crab and avocados, as well as extra pickled ginger. My sushi preferences may be pedestrian, and I'm ok with that. In fact, I think it makes me more of an American. I am free and can buy a whole damn jar of pickled ginger if I want to. And avocados. And no raw fish.
This is America.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)