Legally Suited

Moving

2007-12-10T19:43:00.000-08:00

Just FYI - I started a new blog to chronicle my life in Japan:

www.salarywoman.blogspot.com

Hope you like it!

Thaaat's All Folks!

2007-02-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Japan!

Advice please!

2007-01-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Hi there folks!

OK, so in case you were wondering, at the hearing I managed to convince the court to allow us to file a supplemental brief...Which I filed last Wednesday, and got the other side's opposition today, and the court will rule (without oral argument) tomorrow. So expect further updates.

ANYWAY -

***BIG NEWS ALERT ***

I applied for a job as in-house counsel for a company based in Japan over Christmas, never expecting to hear anything. Then I got a phone interview and didn't expect to get any further. Then I got an in-person interview and didn't think I got it.

WELL - They called yesterday and offered me the job! 3-year contract position, decent salary, housing paid for, moving expenses paid, living in Japan.

Should I take it? Here are the thoughts running through my mind.

I'm almost 30 and what if I am waiting too long to have kids?

What if I hate it there (although I liked it when I was there in high school for a year)?

What if my husband can't find a job? although he's IT, it is a transferable kind of thing.

Will I have to give up my kitty? - the vaccination period is too short!

My in-laws are going to hate me for taking their dear son even further away. Well, that is a bit strong. Perturbed?

It is a well-known company and I'd be doing international stuff...well, contract review. I think I'd like that but what if I am bored?

It is a pretty traditional company, and I will be the only female executive type, will that bug me?

I'll miss my family and friends!

Comments please!!!!

- LS

4:30 AM

2007-01-17T04:26:00.000-08:00

And I am preparing for oral argument on a demurrer. One that was granted once already to our original complaint.

The good news is, if I lose, no one will be surprised, since this judge ruled against us once already and we don't really have much new stuff.

My family thinks I am a great orator, and sometimes I can be, but only sometimes. I'm not that great when I'm not sure about what I am saying, and especially when this stuff was just given to me yesterday.

Nervous!

Will update you later in the day.

- LS

A Holiday Story

2006-12-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone! I wanted to share this story with all of you, I hope the travelers among you appreciate it.

To preface this story, you should know that my husband is German and we spend every other holiday season in Germany with his family. This is one of those years, and my husband was to leave to day, and I would meet him there in a week. Darned law firms and limited vacation time. Oh, and he is a computer geek by profession and by nature.

SO - the first leg of H's flight, LAX to New York, was supposed to be at 12:30 this afternoon, so he got up at 4 in order to have a nice relaxing morning before we made our way towards LAX. We were planning on getting to the airport around 10 am, which would give him plenty of time to check in and get through security.

Well, he got up, like I said, at 4 am today. Made coffee, poured himself a cup and (what else?) sat down in front of the computer. But since he was so excited about his trip, he thought he would double check the times...So he checked his ticket, and his Orbis confirmation, then went online to the airline's website to see if it was delayed at all.

The airline didn't even have the flight listed!!!!

H thought this was rather odd to say the least, so he checked the LAX website as well, which also didn't list the flight. Now being the clever man he is, he then called Orbis, gave his name, and they gave him his itenerary.

"You leave Los Angeles at 7:30 a.m. on Flight xxx..."

It should be noted that he had received no email from Orbis, no notifications whatsoever.

Agh! At this point it was about 4:45, he ran into the bedroom and woke me up, I jumped in the shower, got dressed, and within about 15 minutes we were out the door (mind you I have the firm party tonight and am supposed to look presentable).

While we were driving (going well over the speed limit I might add), he was so nervous about missing his flight that his hands were cold - the only other time I have seen that was when he was about to propose! Luckily for us, given the time of day, there was no traffic.

He got to the airport by 6 am, got his bags checked (albeit paying $25 for the heavy suitcase full of Christmas goodies) and, yes, he made his flight.

So you see - a happy holiday ending. And for those of you worried about my appearance at the firm party - I had time to go to the gym and shower and get pretty before coming in to work. :)

- LS

Random Ramblings

2006-12-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted for a while...No good reason, just not feeling it.

Today I am feeling it.

So here is what is running through my head that I feel the need to share with my readers...

1. I was going to try a case. Yup, thats right, me myself and I - oh, and one other associate at my firm. But. I would give the opening, question a few witnesses, all that jazz.

Dang case just settled.

So now I don't know whether to be happy or not about that. I was nervous and excited both about it, and am kinda bummed that I don't get the chance to try a case. Although it is probably better for our client as our chances weren't all that great.

2. I have been struggling with the whole where am I going in life thing. Part of me thinks that trial work is really not for me. I think elder law might be. I took a class in that, I liked working with my grandparents on some legal stuff for them, and I like the idea of helping people put together something rather than fighting about stuff.

The elder law thing doesn't really work with the long term plans DH and I have though. I.e. move back to his home country, and find me a job doing transactional work. Which I like too. So that might be a good thing. I just don't know.

3. I busted up my knee again, playing football on Thanksgiving. In the first 2 minutes. And I was so excited about playing too! Grrr. Then whenever I go to kickboxing class it gives out on me again. I guess I might have to go back to the doctor.

4. I got new shoes. Cute flat patent leather ones from Banana Republic. But the dang things gave me blisters! And they were so expensive too. Oh, well, they did look cute at the Christmas party last weekend.

I think that is all I have to say for now. I may post again soon, but then again, I might not.

- LS

Read it over just once, people!

2006-11-03T13:54:00.000-08:00

Now I am not the best speller in the world...A quick check through my posts would probably reveal this. Nor do I claim to have never made a mistake.

That disclaimer aside, let me take this chance to point out just a few of the funny mistakes I have seen today, while reviewing resumes.

1. A student announcing that he is currently "perusing" a degree in Business Administration....Just taking a peek at it, I guess. Looking it over.

2. A person who has realized that it takes a lot of "hard wok" and determination to succeed. Especially when making stir fry. ;)

3. (This one is not from the resumes) An attorney (who is also a part-time professor) whose stationary notes his "telephoe" number. Is that a telephone number for a ho?

Oh, the joys of people not reading what they write...

- LS

What a Nice Guy...

2006-11-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I made a mistake.

It is not the first time, and it won't be the last time, but I screwed up at work today (and all before lunch!).

I went in to talk to the partner about a project that I had worked on this morning, and in the course of the discussion it became clear that I had made a rather large tactical error in the handling of a case. Partner pointed out that he had explained what I was supposed to do yesterday - which he had - only I hadn't really understood it and didn't ask enough follow--up questions to understand. He suggested some steps to take to fix the problem, and sent me off to get started. I felt like a huge idiot and retired to my office to eat a doughnut with the door closed and try not to cry.

At Evil Firm, I would have been yelled at and screamed at. At this firm? 20 minutes later, Partner knocked on my door and apologized for not being clear enough and assured me that it was OK, and that my mistake could even work to our advantage.

Is it crazy to feel like I don't deserve to be treated so nicely?

- LS

Small Firms Can be Good Too...

2006-10-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

I was thinking last night about how I had been pretty negative about my firm in the past few posts. I don't want to give the wrong impression - there are a lot of great things about small firms. Sure, we don't get paid as much, but we aren't expected to DO as much either. Take the past week as an example...

The past week, the partner has been out of town. I have some cases that I manage on my own, but most of my work is from him. SO...I have been 'busy' catching up on some non-urgent memos, organization, etc. I take lots of breaks, read lots of blogs, and even play some solitare.

I know it can't go on forever like this, and I kind-of feel guilty about doing so little work (although not guilty enough to actually do lots of work, obviously), but I have to say that not having to meet billables is a GREAT thing about working at a small firm.

- LS

Why Small Firms Suck - No. 500 - Benefits

2006-10-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

I recognize that I have a general knee-jerk liberal tendency to think that big companies are evil. They pollute the environment, they force their employers into accepting pay cuts while giving their executives raises, they cut retirement programs, they kick out the mom and pop shops...I don't shop at Wal-Mart and Forever 21 because of their proven track records.

But my husband works for a very large company (NOT as an attorney thank God). And despite all the bad things about such companies, the fact that he has a retirement program at all is nice. And he gets stock options. AND he gets health insurance. We chose Kaiser after dealing with various other plans and HATING the paperwork and payment surprises. It has its problems and if I came down with a rare disease I'd be screwed, but all in all I have to say that I am a big fan.

The other attorneys in the office who don't have the good fortune to be married to a big company-working person have to take what a small law firm can get in the way of health insurance.

So this morning I have been listening to one of the attorneys argue with the insurance company over payments and co-pay and all sorts of other stuff.

Which brings me to reason number 500* - small firms suck because they have crap benefits.

- LS

*the amount of money that this attorney has to pay each year before her insurance starts covering anything at all.

Why Small Firms Suck No. 76 - Receptionists

2006-10-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Yup, I still exist. I know, I have been gone for a long time. For any regular readers, I apologize (that's you, Meish!). I was on a jury all of September, can you believe it!? And I couldn't blog anything about it cause when you can't blog something nice....

Anyway, I have been back at work for a few weeks now and just got so annoyed with this place that I had to do a post.

SO. Receptionists. This morning when our receptionist decided once again not to show up and I got the dubious honor of having to answer phones. Which by the way I am quite good at except for the whole transferring to voice mail part, so if anyone wants to pay me $65k a year to answer phones just let me know. Oh wait, that is already what I am getting paid and what I do.

Thanks so much, Ms. Receptionist.

Granted, we pay her crap. So I don't blame her so much for feeling like showing up on time is a little beneath her.

Which gets me back to the reason I am posting. Small firms suck because you end up having to do stuff that SO does not require a J.D., much less a bar passage.

- LS

Ahhh...Much Better

2006-08-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

After my not so hot first experience with depositions, and the non-existent second experience (see my previous blog), I was NERVOUS about today, aka The Day I Took My First Deposition.

The deposition was telephonic, which eased my nerves a bit - but it was also being defended by Mr. Partner Superstar from Big Firm LLC...I was imagining all the things that could go wrong, and trying to decide if I could just put the deposition on hold while I ran to the bathroom to cry after being yelled at. Yes, I am that girl, the crying one. Deal with it people. It is called human emotion.*

Anyway, I went through the opening information and apart from asking too broad a question about the medications the witness was taking, I did fine. I kept feeling surprised that the witness was actually answering my questions.

Whats more, opposing counsel rarely interjected any objections to my questions, except when they really were poorly phrased. I was asking away, and after the first few minutes, I actually felt comfortable doing it! I really did get into the swing of it and stopped being self-conscious about what I was saying.

In the end, the testimony won't save our case, or even help it very much. But we found out what we needed to know, I followed up on questions properly, ensured that the witness answered fully, and feel like maybe I actually can do this job!

- LS

*This is in reponse to a lecture I once got from a female attorney at the evil law firm I used to work for, who said to never show any emotion.

The Ups and Downs of this Job

2006-08-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here is what I wrote and didn't post a week ago:

I defended my first deposition today. In a word - I sucked. (OK, that's 2, deal with it people). First I had to argue about a document - I lost that argument and it went into the record. Then I froze the fuck up and couldn't remember practically anything about what I was supposed to be objecting to. And of course I didn't have a cheat sheet with me about the proper arguments so I just sat there and made maybe 5 objections total. I knew there were things that I should be objecting to, but I just sat there! I am soooo upset with myself. I thought I knew what I was doing and it turns out I wasn't prepared at all. I feel like I let my firm - and more importantly, our client, down. The poor guy lost his job and we are supposed to represent him and make his life better, and it is like David v Goliath against this firm.

Then I talked to people - another attorney at work, some friends who have been doing this long - and it turns out that everyone feels like that walking out of their first depo and maybe I didn't do all that bad after all. I'm not saying I did a great job - but it may not have been a total flop.

So last Friday I was scheduled to defend another deposition. This time, I was sure I was prepared - I wrote down every possible objection and had it out on the table - pride be damned.

And then the witness never showed. Figures.

- LS

New Red Shoes

2006-08-18T12:57:00.000-07:00

So pretty...

That is really all I have to say about these shoes.

A picture being worth a thousand words and all.

- LS

Working while at Work

2006-08-18T12:45:00.000-07:00

Those regular readers of LS (hi Meish!) will notice that I have not posted recently. That would be because, for some unknown reason, I am having to work while at work. I mean, I always do some work while here...but I am usually also able find the time to check out my favorite websites and play a few Freecell games.

The trouble started when I wrote a winning motion, I think. Lights clicked on in everyone's heads that maybe I could be trusted with more. So I got put in charge of organizing 9 depositions. Which are all supposed to happen before the end of August. And while I'm at it, why don't I take a deposition. Oh, and defend a few others. Ummm...yeah, sure!

But today is Friday, the partner is out of the office (on one of the afore-mentioned depositions), and I am being left alone. Which means I finally have time to not work! :)

- LS

Clothing Mishaps

2006-08-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

This blog is called "legally suited" because I am an attorney, I have to wear suits to work, and I like clothes. Well, turns out clothes don't like me too much. Here is a timeline of the past 2 mornings:

Tuesday

6:15 a.m.: leave home for gym
7:15 a.m.: arrive at gym (note long-a$$ time it takes to get to the gym, which is just down the street from my office)
9 a.m.: finish workout, shower, hair, and makeup. Go to get clothes out of gym bag. Find suit jacket, suit pants, top and shoes. Do not find (1) bra, or (2) underwear.
9:01 a.m.: swear loudly in the locker room
9:02 a.m.: swear again, quietly
9:05 a.m.: put on pants, top, jacket, and shoes. leave gym in a ...bouncier ...fashion than usual
9: 20 a.m.: arrive at Nordstroms, spend 1 hour with saleslady who informs me I have been buying the wrong bra size for the last 10 years. Buy bra and underwear. 2 sets for good measure.
10:45 a.m.: arrive at work.

Wednesday

7:45 a.m. : Leave house
8:30 a.m.: sit on freeway
8:31 a.m.: remember that I brought coffee with me
8:32 a.m.: drink coffee
8:32 a.m.: pour coffee all over my shirt
8:55 a.m.: Go to Ross, buy 2 new shirts for good measure
9:15 a.m.: change into one of them in the parking lot in my car
9:30 a.m.: arrive at work

On the plus side, I have some great new clothes and had a very good reason to buy them...

- LS

Hard Work

2006-07-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

I have to admit to a certain fault of mine - pride. I am proud that I work at a firm where I work an 8-hour day, and where I have come into the office all of 2 times on a weekend over the past 6 months. I think that means I am proud of being able to be lazy.

But I am also proud of my work. So when I was told that I would be arguing a motion I drafted, I realized that I was going to need to be super-prepared. I will be arguing the motion against a partner at a large law firm, and preparedness is really all I have going for me. He has 9 years experience and a much more impressive pedigree than I - but he has also made it clear that this case is low on his priority list.

That pride lead me to spend a huge amount of time reviewing the cases he cited in his opposition to my motion. Just in case the District Court judge decided that he wanted a summary of facts of each of them, I will be ready to go.

But I spent so much time on that research, that last Thursday I realized I had 24 hours to get a draft of the 15-page reply finished. Now normally, I would have worked on it over the weekend - it was due today. But last weekend I was out of town at a wedding.

So what to do, what to do? Now I am the first to admit that I like not having to work hard. But when push comes to shove, pride beats out laziness. So after finishing my legal research Thursday, I went and got some food for dinner, then came back to the office and wrote for the next 12 hours. I stayed in my office till 8 am Friday morning but I got it done.

Then, still hyped up on red bull and diet pepsi, I got to go home and sleep. I actually enjoyed that all-nighter, something I haven't done since 1L...It made me feel accomplished. Plus, I impressed the heck out of my boss.

105

2006-07-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

So you may have noticed that I have a counter on my blog...I debated whether or not to put one on there, but honestly it is interesting to me whether people are reading my blog. So I got a bit of a thrill when I looked at it today and it was over 100. Yeah, I know, its not much. Its a pretty small number actually. But it is still pretty cool.

Must get back to this friggin reply now. Have no clue how I am going to get it done on time (therefore am procrastinating by checking blog stats).

- LS

About Me

2006-07-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

These are taken from a very funny blog - 100 Reasons Why I hate my Husband.

1. If you had to set your own work schedule; 8 hours per day; 5 days per week. Which days and hours would you choose? Sunday through Thursday 7 am to 3 pm. I really wish I didn't have to work on Friday, and since I'm not going to church Sunday morning I may as well get something done. Oh and those hours because I am a morning person and I would rather get work over with and be able to do something with my day.

2. What Reality Show would you be on and why? I would be on The Amazing Race, because I would love to go to all of the cool places around the world.

3. What is the last book you read? Well, I could pretend to be cool and say "Prep" - I did just read that. But after that I read a romance/mystery by Heather Graham. That was last night. It was pretty crap. Prep was good though.

4. There are many songs that bring us back to a certain memory. What song(s) do you HATE to hear for that very reason? The Bryan Adams song from Robin Hood - you know, the cheesy one? My sophomore year of high school I was in drama class and the class nerd got up to do a "mime" (which was our assignment) and turned on that song and jumped around the room lip syncing for 7 minutes. It was horrible...Looking back on it, I kinda feel for that guy. Ummm...but just kinda.
5. If you could go back in time to be any place in world history, what time would you choose and what country/place? I used to always think that I would want to go back before Hitler rose to power to stop him somehow. Now I think that short of assassination, I don't know if I could change history, and I don't think I am cut out for that. So instead I will choose to go back to ancient Egypt. As long as I am allowed to come back to the future and shower occasionally. That time period has always interested me. I would like to meet Nefertiti.

6. Do you know more than one language? Which one(s).

Fluent in German. Rusty in Japanese.

7. What is your favorite blog? Please link it. One only.

Well, I guess since I got this quiz from her, I will link to http://whyihatemyhusband.com/blog/ It's pretty funny.

8. What is your favorite web site?

I don't think I have one. It depends on what I am in the mood for. Shopping? Realistic shopping or fantasy shopping (i.e. Banana vs. Saks)? News? Celebrity news or real news? Games? Those are my main non-work catagories I think...Oh, and foders.com for travel information on the trips I am never going to take.

9. Your house is on fire, the people and pets you love are safe and you can grab one other "thing", what are you taking?

Well, this is a toughie. Do pictures count as one "thing"? Cause it would be hard to pick out one picture, but I would like to save my old pictures. Or the letters that my husband wrote me when we were still dating and living far away from each other. Or the jewelry box that belonged to my great-great-grandmother? Or Lion, the stuffed animal (guess what kind of animal? ;)) that used to be my moms and is now mine? OK, of those...the jewelry box.

10. You have $100 to spend in the next hour. How are you spending it? (Saving it or giving it away not permitted.)

How I normally spend $100 or so during work. I go to Ross during lunch break - it is the only clothing shop nearby - and find some cute brand-name stuff and buy it.

Mammoth is Gonna Blow!

2006-07-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

...Eventually.

That is what I learned on my family vacation. The entire valley where Mammoth Lakes is located is in a thing called a "caldera" of about 30 square miles and if and when the volcano situated underneath it goes off, the entire valley is gonna erupt. *

Pretty crazy stuff.

So get up there and enjoy it while you can! It is great in the summer, lots of hiking trails and beautiful views. Plus, I got to eat smores around the campfire with some of my favorite people - something I highly recommend.

- LS

*I am SO not a scientist, so please read up on it yourself if you are interested. The only thing I am sure about is the word "caldera" which my husband knew even before we got up there. How does he know words like that??

Summer Vacation

2006-07-06T15:01:00.000-07:00

So the other day I was thinking about the O.C. (yes, the show) and realizing that I really liked the first 7 episodes or so I saw when it was first on TV and didn't conflict with shows that I really liked. OK, I know it isn't an impressive show to admit to liking, but it is amusing and relatively entertaining and that is all I really ask of my TV shows.

So I thought to myself, "why did I stop watching that show?" "I know! I will rent all of the seasons I haven't seen and watch it during summer vacation!"

Then I realized. I don't have summer vacation. I will never have summer vacation again.

Instead, I have 10 days of vacation and some random holidays off. That's it.

I want to go back to school.

Office Decoration

2006-06-26T17:36:00.000-07:00

When I first got this job, I was very excited to have an office. I still get a bit of a thrill every time I sit down in my big important lawyer chair. I hung up my diplomas and filled my bookcase with useless law school books. I set some framed photos on my desk. But there is a big wall with absolutely nothing on it. Big white emptiness.

So I want to get a picture and hang it up. The question is, what picture do I get? Obviously, a framed print of "The Princess Bride" won't cut it. I want to give the impression that I have some taste, that I am a mature adult (hey, why not?), that I am a good lawyer, and that I am internationally aware and have a Germany connection going on...

So for those of you reading this, (Meish and Anny I think is it...) here is my question. Does this Andy Warhol print of Neuschwanstein cut it? Or should I keep searching?

Responsibility

2006-06-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

So I think everyone knows that a big part of being a professional, like an attorney, means that you have more responsibility. So if, for example, you give a secretary a filing and you aren't clear when giving her the assignment that the deadline is today, and that means that it needs to be messengered to the court, and then the secretary comes to you at 4:30 with a question about the filing, 1/2 hour after the courts close, it is totally your fault that you missed the filing deadline.

Just as an example. Completely theoretical.

Turns out though, in case you were worried, that we didn't actually have to file that document by today. For you legal eagles out there, that would be because we aren't opposing the motion. At least that is what Mr. Partner said. I have no clue.

This Honorable Profession of Law...

2006-06-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

I always think of law as an honorable profession. One that allows the practicioner to help others. I realize how idealistic this is, and perhaps out of date with today's society. I mean, I like money as much as the next shoe-shopaholic, don't get me wrong. That's just not why I became an attorney.

That being said, I find the following f*cking hilarious:

A very successful lawyer parked his brand new Lexus in front
of the office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck
came along too close to the curb and completely tore off the driver's door.
Fortunately, a cop in a police car was close enough to see the accident and
pulled up behind the Lexus, his lights flashing. But, before the cop had a
chance to ask any questions, the lawyer began screaming hysterically about how
his Lexus, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined
and would never be the same, no matter how the body shop tried to make it new
again.

After the lawyer finally wound down from his rant, the cop
shook is head in disgust and disbelief. "I can't believe how materialistic you
lawyers are," he said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you
neglect the most important things in life."

"How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer.

The cop replied, "Don't you even realize that your left arm
is missing? It got ripped off when the truck hit you!"

"OH, MY GOD!" screamed the lawyer.
.
.
.
.
.
"MY ROLEX!"

World Refugee Day

2006-06-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

According to the United Nations, more than 20 million people today are living as refugees. This includes refugees who have fled their countries due to civil wars and ethnic, tribal and religious violence and who cannot return home, internally displaced persons - people forced to flee their homes, but who have not crossed a border, stateless people, returnees, asylum seekers, and others.

And I am complaining about working on a Saturday?! Shame on me.

Working on Weekends

2006-06-19T10:24:00.000-07:00

I work at a small firm - one with 5 attorneys. I get paid about 1/2 of what one would make at a big firm, but the trade-off is that I am supposed to have a life...."Supposed to" is the operative phrase here...

During the week, my hours really aren't bad, I get to work around 9 and leave at 6:30. Except that I live in Southern California (i.e. have a bad commute), and I go to the gym. Which means I leave my house at 6 am and get home at 8 p.m.

But at least I have the weekends, right? Nope! The senior partner, who I have to say is very nice and really a great boss, works 6 or 7 days a week - he is in the office every Saturday for at least 4 hours, and most Sundays. And he wants the other attorneys to be here too. So far I have avoided coming in, but I can't avoid it forever...

Is it horrible for me to not want to work on Saturdays? I have only been here 6 months, and I want to keep working here, so I need to impress the firm...Maybe I should start taking work home and work from home on the weekends? But I don't want to...Maybe this is part of growing up and doing things I don't want to do. Blech.

Elevator to Space

2006-06-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

So there was an article in the Economist about how some people want to build an ELEVATOR into SPACE. Basically, the idea is that a satellite (which would be powered by a big laser beam down on earth) would have 22 miles of cable stretching down to a mobile platform in the ocean, to which an ELEVATOR would be attached. OK, here are just a few of the problems: (1) planes (2) space debris (3) hello?? why on EARTH would anyone want to spend money on this?? What is the POINT???

Meanwhile, this country has decided to cut down on costs by reducing Medicare rates paid to doctors and hospitals by something like 30% over the next 5 years. The medicare rates are already a fraction of what private insurance pays - which means that more and more doctors are going to avoid taking on Medicare clients. How dumb is that?

Which wins for the stupidest idea? I say the government. At least the elevator thing is cool.

Cat Lady

2006-06-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

Is, I understand, a very funny character on the Simpsons. I can't stand the show, so I wouldn't know. The thing is, I would actually LIKE to be a cat lady. One of those old ladies who reads books and has lots of cats. It sounds nice.

Opinionistas (www.opinionistas.com) pointed out that she doesn't trust people who don't like pets. I tend to agree.

Here's the problem. My own husband doesn't really like pets. He doesn't hate them, don't get me wrong. But he grew up on a farm where animals were for, well, eating. The chickens, rabbits :(, cows, ducks, and turkeys were all there to give sustenance to the family. The occasional cat was there just to keep the mice under control. So for my husband, animals are just animals. They deserve to be treated with respect and cared for properly, but he has no emotional attachment to them.

So he feeds our (i.e. my) cat, even pets her...But he doesn't have that emotional attachment to her.

I joked to him that I would not have married him had I known this. Maybe I still would have. But really, if he had told me this on our first date, I doubt I would have gone on a second date with him. Good thing he kept quiet.

I'm Ba-ack!

2006-06-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Went out to dinner with a good friend and great blogger last night, and remembered that yes, I too have a blog! Albeit one that I wrote 3 posts in and then quit.

So I am starting up again.

The main problem is, I am not sure I have anything interesting to say. I guess we will see if anyone ever reads this...If not, I have a great online diary!

Working from Home

2006-02-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

So due to the whole sprained knee issue, I had to go to a doctor this morning. And had no way of getting to work after the appointment. So I talked to the boss and am working from home today.

The only problem? Working. From home. I don't know how people do it. There are so many distractions!

Distraction Number 1: Cute Cat. Who needs to be petted. And I need to pet her, right? She needs lots of love!

Distraction Number 2: Food. Why is it that being at home makes me want to eat? Probably because my normal hours mean that eating is a big part of what I do at home. You know, I get home at dinner time, and eat. Or maybe it is because the kitchen is so much closer than at work, and I have lots of food here? In any case, it is a distraction as well.

Distraction Number 3: Messy House. Why does it only bother me when I am home all day? Makes me want to (gasp!) clean or something.

Distraction Number 4: Television. It is evil! And incredibly tempting. I am currently stuck on design shows.

*sigh* OK, I am going to get off the couch and find a more productive place to work...As soon as the cat wakes up from her nap on my legs...

Small Firm Life

2006-02-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

Most of my friends work at big law firms. That is a fact. Why? Because I tend to be impressed by smart people and therefore attempt to befriend them. Which leads me to always having friends smarter than myself. Which is fine. Mostly. Ah, well.

Point being, and I did have a point, that most of my friends do not work at small firms and are therefore fascinated by the idea. So I thought I would write today about life at a small firm. If anyone is reading this, I thought they might appreciate it.

First the bad things...Working at a small firm means you do a lot of menial tasks. There is not always a secretary around to do things like file papers with the court or send out letters or make typographical changes to a document. Which means I now know how to do all of the above.

Also, working at a small firm means you do not get the astonomical starting salary that the big firms provide. Average small firm salary is about $60k a year. Which is still not bad, but if you are looking for the big bucks, keep looking!

Small firms don't have cool reputations either. My friend, who works at a very well-known big firm, knows that she can go anywhere and say the name of her firm and instantly impress people. I know my firm is great and does high quality work, but everyone else in the world does not.

So if you are looking for money, prestige, and always doing high-end legal work, you had better get top grades!

On the other hand, small firm life has a number of advantages. I talk to clients all the time. I draft important motions. I get to do lots of different things rather than being strictly in one department.

Another big plus is the lack of office politics. Before landing at the 5 attorney firm where I now am, I worked at a 20+ attorney firm, and left due to office politics. The talking behind the back, the backstabbing, the cliques...Ugh! If you don't believe me, check out some of the old posts at www.opinionistas.com.

Also, I don't have to bill a certain number of hours. I work 8 hours a day rather than 12 or whatever it is my friends are doing. I can leave early without worrying that I am going to be seen as a slacker - like yesterday when my messed up knee started to hurt.

All good stuff.

So there you have it. Or at least an introduction to it. I am thinking that if I keep this blog up, it will become a theme on here...

My Knee

2006-02-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

Other than the fact that it bends, I never really paid too much attention to my knee before. Before this past weekend, that is. When I was nordic (cross-country) skiing for the first time in six years. I had been planning and looking forward to this event for months. I grew up on skis, since I was in Washington State, and I think it is some kind of rule that you do things like that up there. Anyway, at one point I was a pretty decent skiier. At one point. No longer.

I rent (rent!) a pair of skis, which happen to be racing skis since I am not a beginner and the nice ski rental lady obviously thought I could ski on them. We are heading out, the weather is beautiful, and then we get to a downhill slope...Where I completely freak out and lose control, like a big nerd. And rather than gracefully moving to the side of the person in front of me, I attempt some sort of crazy jump and stop thing...

Next thing I know I am down in the snow with a German man standing over me asking "Eef I vas allrigt." I am not allrigt. My right knee hurts. And I realize at that point how much I took that knee for granted.

And now I am on crutches. Only for a little while, it is only a sprain and not a break or rip or whatever else can happen...

The good news is: My mother is staying with me so that she can drive me to and from work.

The bad news is: My mother is staying with me so that she can drive me to and from work.

Don't get me wrong. I have a pretty decent relationship with my mom. But we just should not spend this much time together. She talks too much. And she is always, always right. Which makes life difficult, since I am actually very rarely wrong...

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T11:57:00.000-08:00

So I have been wanting to start a blog for a while now, and with the SO (significant other) out of the country, what better day to start?

About me. I am in my late 20's and graduated from a decent law school this past spring. After passing the California Bar (whew!), I had an...interesting... experience at one mid-size firm before landing where I am now. A five attorney firm that I LOVE.

Today another attorney and two secretaries and myself had Valentine's pizza for lunch. Yay for pizza! And the partner brought us all Valentine's balloons. I got a Betty Boop one.

Betty Boop because I recently "booped" as he put it. Cross country ski accident.

But I am supposed to be introducing myself in this thing, right?

I have a cat. She is super cute and I love her. She is black and white and a little fat. She adopted us when we moved into our new place.

I also have a man. Which is the only thing difference between me and the crazy old lady with a million cats. He is great, wonderful, and can cook. And he has a darling accent. Mmmm...accents.

He is, as I mentioned above, out of the country on business. Which probobly sounds cooler than it really is. But he did leave me a present for Valentine's Day. I acted surprised when I opened it on the phone last night (it was already Valentine's Day there), but I had already looked. Bad girl!

Guess what I got? Diamond earrings! Just little ones, nothing crazy.

But they do look great with suits.

Which leads me to the reason I named my blog as I did: I wear suits EVERY DAY. Sometimes on Friday I don't wear the jacket, but other than that it is every day. I can't get away from suit-wearing firms! And that in So. Cal.! The last place I was at - the evil place - made me wear suits every day too.

Good thing I like clothes...