Not Dead, But I've Lost A Little Blood.

It isn't a real home improvement project until you've spilled some blood. The sharp metal edge of a tape measure nicked my figure and produced the requisite blood cells. That's the reason I've barely been on here in July, a home improvement project that just won't quit!

I honestly thought it would be a four day project. Instead it has taken 3 full weekends in July and most of the nights after work. A buddy of mine is helping me, but that means I have to go to his place since that is where all his tools are. He donated some lumber and also has an air conditioned garage so his place as the construction zone made sense.

Before my buddy left on vacation Friday night we had the job 95% finished. All I had to do was paint some things. I even went over there today as I have a key to the garage. Between my project and his project the garage is stuffed! I took the pieces outside so I could paint, but the clouds let loose with a light drizzle. Paint and drizzle don't mix well. This is why the project is approaching 4 weeks in length: little problems that just pop up!

Oh well I was hoping to enjoy the weekend a bit, but it looks like I'll spend a full day in someone else's garage working on my project.

ZZZZZZZZZ

This is getting to be a weekly occurrence. I get home from work and just lay on the bed for a few minutes to relax. The next thing I know I've been asleep for around 4 hours. Eh I didn't need dinner anyway.

I think I'll go back to bed now. I hope I can fall asleep for the rest of the night.

Respect My Authority!

The crazies were out today. A 3 day weekend allows the crazies to save up their craziness an extra day. My boss is on vacation so I'm in charge. What this really means is anything weird gets sent to me immediately.

Pushy Clerk left a file in my chair just before lunch. I got back from a hearing and looked at it for a minute. I read the note, then I started to go through the file to see if I could find a solution. It took a few minutes to find what I wanted, but it was there. Then I pondered a minute and decided what strategy I wanted to employ. Part One was the short term solution, Part Two was the long term solution. I came about my strategy because I knew what I could do without a judge getting involved and I knew what would require a hearing and a judicial blessing. I also pondered an Evil Strategy, but I knew I would need to review the file a bit and find a few more facts to see if Evil Strategy was an option.

I left a note on the file and put it into Pushy Clerk's box. Pushy Clerk decided my strategy wasn't what she wanted to do. Why did I want to do it that way? Couldn't I do it the way she suggested. Ummm...no, I needed something that was well outside the scope of her suggestion. Also I didn't write the prior order so I didn't have the power to correct it. I tried to explain that, but she didn't see it that way. How I didn't finally say, "Will you do it the way I requested because I'm your boss!" I'll never know.

While I value the input of my staff I'm getting tired of Pushy Clerk always thinking she knows better than I. I'm tired of fighting Pushy Clerk on so many things. I've almost blurted out she should just go to law school for 3 or 4 years, then pass the bar exam. Once Pushy Clerk is sworn in she can deal with the case any way she sees fit!

A Good Grill Will Do Wonders.

My patio has been a construction zone for the past few months. The patio itself now looks fabulous as I tore up the old concrete and laid down brick. The construction of everything else around the patio has taken much longer than I've anticipated. The weather has cooled down to tolerable temperatures and low humidity. I was still the last one out of the office, but I left nearly an hour earlier than I normally do. I decided it was time to fire up the grill for the first time!

Normally the grill would have been going for 2 months at this point. Destruction, construction, debris, and chaos have prevented that. I cleaned up a big spot over the weekend and decided to set up my grill there. It fired up on the first try and I let it burn off the grate. The marinaded steak sizzled so nicely as it hit the heated grate. 20 minutes later a nice steak was ready.

A good beer and a good steak are simple pleasures, but never underestimate the power of the simple pleasures.

Super Sheltie!!!!!

No this isn't DogHound, but it involves a playful sheltie like DogHound, a giggling toddler, and doggie kisses. In case it doesn't link directly to the video if you go to the search bar the title is "Get excited!" You could also search using sheltie.

Sadly DogHound is having real trouble moving around now. Someone has to lift him up to get over a step, his rear legs are so weak now he can't stand up very long. His legs also get criss-crossed far too easily, and sometimes he really can't get up. I love the video because it is fun to watch, it does remind me of how DogHound used to be, but it also fills me with great sadness. I know DogHound has been with us about 10 months longer than we expected, yet every new and unexpected day has to run out eventually. My parents long ago said if he can't move it would be time one last trip to the vet. They don't wan't DogHound to be in pain and have no quality of life. I can understand that, but if DogHound is to finally leave us I want it to be going to sleep on his favorite blanket, next to a fan instead of a cold examination room.

My little furbuddy has been a faithful companion for nearly 14 years. I'm not married. I don't have a girlfriend. I don't have any children. Most of my friends are married, have families, and involved with them on a daily basis so we don't see each other often. I work far too much in a job filled with miserable people and situations, and it permeates my entire life. DogHound has been the one soul who just brightens up when I enter a room, loves me, and listens to my problems with a sparkle in his brown eyes and wag of his tail. DogHound possess the one property I seem to have lost in myself: the ability to make me happy and feel better at any moment.

Hold onto the light little buddy for as long as you can. Without your light I don't know if there is any left around here.

Time Is A Luxury You Don't Have.

Second night in a row I've pulled off a 11-plus hour day. Why am I barely getting anything accomplished by staying late? If I got more done I would be okay with the price I'm paying in time and exhaustion. Yet, so far the deal isn't working.

It would be nice is something worked better during the day, but today had so much wasted time where I'm waiting on someone else. Or I'm called to put out a fire when I expected some downtime. I swear if we ever get laptops I'll be all over that. Use the laptop while I'm stuck in the hallway or waiting for my hearing to start.

Oh well. I better just put more effort into the job hunt. Greener pastures must be elsewhere.

Quit Blowing The Damn Horn!

A tornado siren is across the street from my home. When we get some pretty bad weather it goes off alerting those outside to get inside and seek shelter. It has been going off for a few minutes now. I'm not certain why. The rain isn't too bad and a quick look at the weather radar indicates there is a nasty storm quite a bit to the south of here but it is heading straight east.

I thought Big City had upgraded the sirens to be more locational, but perhaps if you fire one up you have to fire all of them up. The sky is lighting up pretty frequently with lightning that jumps from cloud to cloud. It is very pretty and the weather people on TV are saying the storms are strong, but no indications of tornadoes. I hope the people to the south are okay, but seriously can someone just turn off the siren across the street?

You Have The Right To STFU!

Today was a miserable day on so many levels. So much did not work. People lied, people didn't bring materials they were supposed to, people didn't provide documentation to me 2 months ago like they should have, people didn't bother to communicate with me months ago and now though I would solve the problem, etc. etc.

The idiot showed up an hour late. The judge already ordered a bench warrant for his failure to appear, but will usually hold off on that if someone shows up within 24 hours. I knew nothing could be accomplished without the other party who had left earlier. I figured a 10 minute talking to would make an impression on the idiot. I was so wrong.

The idiot just kept talking, interrupting the judge, offering weak answers, and was just plain rude. So the judge decided it was direct contempt and worth 10 days in jail. Normally idiots shut up at this point; however, this one was special. Since he wouldn't shut up and kept interrupting the judge it was decided 20 days was proper. As security walked the handcuffed idiot out of the courtroom he said something so incredibly stupid I couldn't believe it. I don't know if the microphones picked it up and put it on the record, but the judge heard the comment too. Sir, you've now graduated to 180 days as a guest to the taxpayer simply because you couldn't keep your big mouth shut.

At least I know where to find him now for the next 6 months.

A Useful Feature.

I haven't gotten into my job search as much as I've wanted to. Life has a tendency to get in the way. I've noticed a severe lack of help wanted signs as well. It seems to me the legal job market shuts down for the summer unless the application is for well seasoned attorneys. I'm not that well seasoned and I know I'll be competing for jobs with recent grads who've passed the bar exam. Since the exam isn't for a few more months I suspect there won't be many want ads until then.

I looked at the website for Big City. It had a very useful feature. If you check the boxes for the types of employment or areas you wished to know about it will email you any future jobs for the next year. Sweet! Someone finally had a bright idea. With luck in a few months a job I'll be interested in might just show up in my email.

With luck.

Pleasant Surprises.

Given all the rain Big City has received lately I was expecting yet another hot and humid day. Imagine my surprise when I reached for the Sunday paper and discovered a fairly cool and dry air. The air conditioning is off and I have every window open to let in any breeze I can catch!

If only my patio was finished so I could drink a morning cup of coffee and read the paper. Oh well you can't have it all.

A Case Of Mistaken Identity?

*Pushy Clerk comes into my office and shoves an order into my face.*

Pushy Clerk: Wolfrham, what's wrong with this case? *Stated in a tone that implies I've done something wrong again in Pushy Clerk's opinion.*

*I'm totally clueless, don't have a file in front of me, and simply read the order. It lists all the attorneys who attended the hearing and there were several. However, my name isn't listed as a participant.*

Me: I don't know Pushy Clerk, but why don't you ask someone who actually attended the hearing?


I admit I do thing incorrectly sometimes or later realize I should have done something in a different way. However I'm tired of Pushy Clerk's know-it-all attitude. I think it is time for Pushy Clerk to go to law school, pass the bar exam, and do my job better than I can. Only then will Pushy Clerk work with someone that meets her standards.

As In Full Of Hot...

Your Element Is Air

You dislike conflict, and you've been able to rise above the angst of the world. And when things don't go your way, you know they'll blow over quickly. Easygoing, you tend to find joy from the simple things in life. You roll with the punches, and as a result, your life is light and cheerful. You find it easy to adapt to most situations, and you're an open person. With you, what you see is what you get... and people love that!

What's Your Element?

Peace Through Superior Firepower Is My Motto!

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

How Machiavellian Are You?

Blogthings: Waste Time at Work!

I Still Need To Work On The Thriller Dance.

You Are 64% A Child of the 80s

Not only did you experience the 80s... you are practically an expert. You should be totally stoked!

Are You a Child of an 80s?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

Mr. Spock As An Artist.

Your Creative Power is Your Logic

You're the type of person who is great at execution. You don't just dream about ideas - you make them happen! You are idealistic and determined, but you are also a realist. You only undertake projects you're pretty sure you can finish. You are a natural problem solver, and you actually think better when you're being challenged. You do best when you work by yourself or when you're in charge. You ideas are big, dramatic, and the best.

What's Your Creative Power?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

The Blahs.

I swear I've been infected with a terminal case of the blahs. This is even worse than the typical Monday Blahs. Perhaps a good night's sleep will provide some relief.

40 Under 40.

I admit it. I'm tired of all these 40 Under 40 lists. Whenever I see one, especially when a classmate or schoolmate is in one I wonder: what am I doing wrong? I hate being jealous, but I also hate not being as good as I want to be or being recognized for all the things I do accomplish. I accomplish the dirty jobs. No one ever seems to care about the dirty jobs but they need to be done. I'm a person who does things. I just wish I did a little more.

Be Careful What You Wish For.

The staff came to me with a problem. It seems various people had been doing things without our office. Not only that, they hired their own lawyers to fix their problems. However, those lawyers never contacted our office to see if there were some issues. So it is a few years after they thought they solved their problems. Nope, those idiots were wrong! Not only that, but the idiots wanted our office to solve the problem. Oh, I'm sorry as soon as a problem affects you, now you want to talk to us. Give me a break!

I resent the fact our office has to clean up the mess others create. However, we had a brainstorming session. The idiots want me to resolve the problem. I decided we should solve it, but I'm going to do it my way and not the way they wanted. Not only that after a few minutes we realized the expected answers were not at all like they expected.

I'm going to give these idiots exactly what they asked for. They're not going to like it.

Happiness Is The Simple Things.

Okay, sometimes happiness is visiting the parents after work and taking a nap with DogHound. It was one of those days where it wasn't worth getting out of bed. I think DogHound agreed.

Would This Qualify As Stare Decisis?

This judge never minces words. "Well sir the problem is you're an asshole!" I have no idea how my jaw didn't drop when the judge said that. The guy looked at the judge and agreed. I did raise an eyebrow on that one. I had to ponder. Since it was on the record the guy was an asshole does that set precedence? Would it ever be noted in a hearing in April 2010, that so and so was an asshole? I guess it would only matter if another court needed to determine the issue.

Sometimes there is humor in my day.