We Shall See.

I keep trying to write an inauguration post, but I have a problem. I keep wanting to type some eloquent post expressing my thoughts. Instead I'll just post an email I sent to a friend that isn't eloquent, but cuts to the quick of the matter.


"So, any estimates on how soon the most ardent Obama supporters realize he is merely a man and not Jor-El's only son sent to remake the world, cure cancer, and bring the world a Coke?

I don't have a major problem with the Obama the man but I can't stand most of his supporters. Its a cult of personality and I swear the cult just turns off their collective brain.

Keep in mind, I did vote for him so I'm not a bitter diehard of the losing side expressing these ideas. Both McCain and Obama gave me little bits of what I wanted in a president, a lot of what I didn't want, and it was a narrow victory.

As for Obama as president, I'm willing to give the guy a shot and if and when he screws up I'll complain then."

They're Going To The SuperBowl!

Sadly my team isn't, but the improbable Arizona Cardinals will meet the Steel Curtain of Pittsburgh for SuperBowl 43. Nobody is surprised Pittsburgh is representing the AFC, but did anyone really think the Arizona Cardinals would make it to the big game? They'll be big underdogs, but lately it takes an underdog to win games it seems. It'll be an interesting matchup. I'm sure oddsmakers in Vegas are working overtime now.

Who has the hi-def big screen and the party for me to attend so we can watch the game :-)

Sometimes You Need To Drink Ambrosia Straight From The Bottle.

Wow that was a season beginning for Battlestar Galactica. When I saw Dee featured a lot in the review section I knew she was going to be big in the episode.


Poor Dee!


If Starbuck finds herself in the wreckage, what the hell is she? When Leobon is freaked out you know something has hit the fan.


If you guide humanity to a nuked paradise I can see why Laura Roslin would retreat to "I just don't care about anything." place. I'm sure burning a holy book leads you to a place in hell though.


Look out world, the old man is drunk and asking for a sidearm. The Admiral had the best line when asked what were they going to do now: I don't frakkin' know!


The Final Cylon is....you've got to be kidding me!


I'm waiting to see where this goes over the next 9 episodes, but somebody better start explaining things. There are way too many unanswered questions and I want a few things figured out! This is going to be one heck of a dark gritty ride I can tell.

There Will Be A Smackdown Soon.

Clerk points finger at order and notes in the case jacket.

Clerk: Wolfrham, what happened here?

Me: The Judge made a ruling.

Clerk: Did you fight it?

Me: Yes, and the Judge still made the ruling.

Clerk: How could you let that happen?

*Getting rather pissed the Clerk is riding my ass.*
Me: Miss Clerk, there is a certain rank order of things and the Judge outranks me! If you have a solution to this situation please tell me what it is. Otherwise let's just lick our wounds, accept what happend, and move on.

Clerk *in shocked look*: Then what are we doing here if the Judge is going to make decisions like this?

Me: The Judge is the decision maker, not us.


I appreciate the Clerk's passion, but she needs to work on on her professionalism. There are ways of inquiring what happened without being such a bitch. There are way too many little things like this that are starting to boil over. Mistakes get made and somethings things just go wrong through nobody's fault. I'm not perfect, but if you're rubbing me the wrong way then there is a problem.

If You Look At The Calendar Only 3 Days Suck This Month.

Sadly two of them are this week: yesterday and tomorrow. Which really means 4 days suck because you spend one day preparing for the other day with all the hearings. To make matters worse I ran into a block of 4 files where no one has touched them in 5 to 10 years. So much for prepping a file in 5 minutes. Try 15-20 minutes of frustrating number crunching.

Bookend the day with a morning and evening snowstorm and I'm just going to bed now. Forget about dinner, laundry, Mythbusters, or reading anything.

Perhaps if I can get a good night sleep the Fortress of Suck will collapse.

Now THAT Is Good Customer Service.

Customer service seems to be in decline these days. I ordered something online from a small speciality shop on Wednesday and it arrived on Thursday. I was shocked since it was free shipping and I figured I would get my order in 3 to 5 business days at the earliest. I didn't get a chance to unpack the big box until today. I ordered 11 items, but only had 10 things in the box along with a ton of those foam shipping peanuts.

I was about to shoot off an email asking to send my missing item for free or to give me a refund and there were 2 emails already waiting for me dated yesterday. One informed me the items was out of stock and couldn't be shipped so they were going to refund the cost to my credit card. The second email was a confirmation of the refund.

NICE!!!!

I think I may order from them in the future.

I Shouldn't Have Got Out Of Bed This Morning.

If it isn't the drive in it was the drive out this week. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind all in abundance with winter's fury. Except for today that is. The drive was easy coming in. I should have known something was wrong. The files were prepped yesterday. All the minor crisises (crisisi?) were resolved yesterday. Every T was crossed and every I dotted. Karma demands balance.

A missing hearing, people trying get out of what they promised, people trying to make bad decisions they've made before, and a judge trying to break in the lawyers to his way of doing things.

Instead of having Burger King for lunch perhaps I should have bought some scotch.

Let's Make A Deal!

I didn't have many hearings today for the first day back, but the degree of difficulty made up for the lack of numbers. I poured over the file for nearly 2 hours as I read rules and commentary. I dreaded the amount of questions I would have to ask in order to pin down some solid facts. I never meet the opposing counsel, but she seemed born for battle based on the phone calls and emails I've hard with her.

I wandered into the courtroom and the judge was running late and stuck elsewhere. The attorney, the parties, and I discussed a few things and my opposition seemed open to working out some deal. I didn't like her numbers and she didn't like my numbers, but we whittled down some of the smaller issues and then split the difference on some numbers. Both parties simply didn't like each other and were obviously tired of dealing with each other. I used that to my advantage.

"You know if we just use some rough numbers and figure out a few things ahead of time that would relieve you two from having to do a monthly accounting. Just deal with these estimated costs for an annual basis and if something big happens that's when to the two of you have to do an accounting and sharing of costs."

It worked perfectly. They could live with rough approximations as long as they got out of each other's hair. The judge appeared and we told him we have a rough deal and just needed a few minutes to iron out the last details. For a second I thought it would blow up at the last second on this little nagging issue when a spouse pointed out: is it worth it to fight over that and give up everything else?

My thoughts exactly.

I helped work out a deal I thought was impossible. I deserved a Diet Coke after that one!

First Quiz Of 2009: Wear Your Colors Proudly.

The Ultimate Color Test

When you are at peace, you are: Thoughtful and sensitive When you are moved to act, you are: Unorthodox and idealistic When you are inspired, you are: Spiritual and humble When your life is perfectly balanced, you are: Philosophical and expressive Your life's purpose is: To live a passionate life

The Ultimate Color Test

Let's Party Like It's 1999.

1. Bring a few games and see if I can get some people interested in playing. Check.

2. Bring my own distinctive beer mug so it is recognizable as mine. Check.

3. Drop by the parents to have dinner with them before the party and play with Doghound. Check.

4. Remind Fabulously Game Roommate the party hosts told him to come along too. Check, but I don't think he heard me yell at him over the Wii.

Have fun tonight folks and hope you all get home safely.

Back To Work Tomorrow.

Ugh..I may take a sleep aid to help me crash. Of course that might make me drag my butt all day tomorrow. It was nice to have 5 days off. A shame I didn't get as much stuff down around home as I wanted, but it was a pretty relaxing time with lots of football of course.

Speaking of football: Louisana Tech vs Northern Illinois is just a sign there are at least 10 too many bowl games. Buh-bye to the evil New England Patriots as the 11-5 Pats don't make the playoffs after their perfect season the prior year. An 8-8 San Diego plays a playoff game early by beating Denver to get the privilage of a red hot 12-4 Indianapolis Colts the next week. I don't know how a preseason favorite Dallas Cowboys fails to get into the playoffs. Tampa Bay fails to get in by losing to the friggin' Oakland Raiders of all teams. The NFL announced they were having an expansion draft to put a team in Detroit. The Lions were recalled like a defective Chevy.

Later folks.

The Meloncholy Season

I admit it. I don't love this time of year. I don't hate it, but it doesn't feel my heart with joy and thoughts of peace. The holidays remind me of what I don't have instead of what I do have. Is it a long term jealousy or a long term reminder of the truer things in life? I suspect both. The holidays are supposed to be with loved ones, friends, and family. I haven't been in a relationship in a very long time so there are no loved ones. Most of my closest friends are married with families of their own and are no longer in the Big City area. As for my family I'm not emotionally close to most of them. I was always the odd family member compared to the rest of the family.

I can see that some things are finally turning around. I do have a stable job. I don't like the job for a variety of reasons, but a steady paycheck after multiple years of law school, unemployment, and job hunting is a big plus. In this economy we should be thankful for any jobs. Thanks to the Small Town job I've paid off about half my non-education related debt. If gas prices stay low I might be able to have that debt paid off by this time next year.

Since cash flow isn't as big a problem now perhaps I may allow myself the luxury of dating again sometime next year. The few times I've tried to get back into the dating pool these past few years always served as a reminder that dating is really a financial luxury. Many creative and wonderful dates can be had for a mere $20 or $30, but I didn't even have that much money to spare the last few years. For too many years I've denied my emotional needs for the needs of school followed by the needs of my finances. Perhaps next year I can pay attention to my wants and rebuild other aspects of my life.

As for this year at least I got to have a few weekend road trips. I started to live my life a little bit and I want to have more road trips and perhaps a true vacation. For 5 or 6 years I never let myself relax. Everyone needs some joy in their lives. With luck and I'm betting a lot of hard work and little sleep I can see some joy coming back. Maybe that is what the holidays are supposed to provide, some joy and hope for the future, even for people like me.

Less Busy = Less Productive?

Work has slowed down a bit. I haven't had too many hearings and except for a smattering next week I don't have any more the rest of the year. Without the rush of hearings you would think I could get tons of work and special projects accomplished.

What was I thinking?

I'm burned out and I know it. My attention wonders all over the place. Even without the pressure of hearings it seems like problems pop up that must be resolved immediately. With staff all over the place taking off personal time it seems like more crap pops up. Less people to deflect incoming garbage is the theory I'm working with. Perhaps I should enjoy the upcoming Christmas holiday. Walk in Monday as recharged as possible and give a big push to end the old year.

I just want those damned files out of my office!

Snowzilla Can't Escape The Law!

This story has it all. 1) A 2 story tall snowman. 2) The snowman's name is Snowzilla. 3) All this clean fun is dashed by a city code enforcement officer.

When you can't build a snowman in your own front yard I feel the Man has gone too far!

Winter Has Arrived With A Good Tailwind!

I don't know if it is actually snowing or if the wind is blowing what little snow there is around all over the place. When I see large flags flying straight I know there's a good wind blowing. The weather lady on TV is saying with the wind chill it could be in the negative teens tonight. NEGATIVE TEENS for a wind chill!!!!

With so little daylight (it is the winter solstice today) and the cold temps I simply want to hibernate this time of year. Someone wake me up when spring arrives.

Let's Avoid The Icy Death Please.

Winter may start on Sunday but she has already arrived. Bad enough temps have been so cold the last week that my temperature gauge barely moves during the long commute from Big City to Small Town, but to have the entire road coated in a thin layer of ice is just too much. Given the number of accidents I saw and the times I saw some cars and trucks slip a bit I'm surprised my commute only took an additional 45 minutes. Sadly I'm not surprised by the number of idiots who decided to go nearly full speed. 4-wheel drive does not provide traction on ice people!

I hope I'm not as exhausted when I arrive at work tomorrow. I seriously needed a nap after keeping my car steady on today's drive home.

Quote Of The Day.

"I prefer the company of a good dog over most human beings."

I don't blame you.

It Never Occurs To People To Be Smart

*In the middle of an interview.*

Me: Okay, so you decided that it was best your mother take care of your child. You were getting back on your feet. I get that. When did you give your mother the child?

Woman: I guess it was spring in 2006.

Me: Did it ever occurs to you to tell someone that you no longer had the child living with you?

Woman: *quizzical look as if this thought has only now occurred to her.*

Me: Haven't you received some welfare benefits since then?

Woman: Sometimes I'm on welfare and sometimes I'm not. It's hard to keep track.

Me: Are you aware the welfare office still have the child listed as living with you and not your mother?

Woman: No, why does that matter?

Me: I'm pretty sure part of your welfare benefits are related to how many children you have living with you at the time. With the extra child you get extra benefits.

Woman: Oh. Is that wrong?

*I bang head on the table at this point.*

Random Thoughts

It was nice to have a 4 day holiday. Okay I worked 4 hours on Friday just to catch up on a few things. Key word sadly was 'few.' At least I got the files out of my inbox and got rid of a few things.

Winter has arrived. When you wake up to a half inch of snow today it is an easy conclusion to make. A shame it melted away by this evening.

How the hell is my checkbook off by around $500.00 after I've balanced it? I'll take a closer look at it during lunch tomorrow. Perhaps I added something when I should have subtracted, or transposed some numbers, but it balanced last month! My checkbook always used to balance, but the last few years it always seems like my checkbook is off by some pocket change every month. I'm convinced the bank has some program to randomly steal or deposit all the half penny transactions in a branch and play with my account. Give me a break, a personal checking account isn't that hard! You only deal with addition or subtraction.

For all the money I pay Sallie Mae couldn't they provide the envelopes to send in my student loan payments? My credit card companies and utilities send envelopes, so why not Sallie Mae?

The final episodes of Battlestar Galactica start January 16, 2009. It's about damned time! I really hope writing and stories pick up. Season 3 and Season 4 had some clunkers for stories. The Cylons may have had a plan, but I'm not sure the writers did.

Speaking of the SciFi Channel, why is SciFi canceling Stargate: Atlantis? I believe they're having the best ratings ever or pretty close and SciFi decides to can the show.

How did a pathetic San Francisco 49ers team gain 195 yards of offense, score a measly 10 points, allow the Buffalo Bills 350 yards of offense, and STILL WIN THE GAME? San Fran 10: Buffalo 3!

I would like to thank LSU for choking in the back half of the season. Your losses assured I would get 3rd place in my pool. I'm still mad Ball State was taken the pick before mine! 12-0 would be so convenient for my pool right now.

Thanksgiving leftovers are already in the tupperware for tomorrow. Cheap and yummy leftovers are good for lunch. I hope I can stand them until Wednesday since I have plenty.

"As God As My Witness I Thought Turkeys Could Fly"

After all these years the scene still holds up.