I'm reading The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. It's a rather happy book, about the idea that what we think about manifests itself in our lives, or we attract it, or something like that. Sounds a touch unscientific at first blush, but science hasn't really touched human capacities, so I'll keep an open mind. However, I must be thinking bad thoughts at the moment, because I'm getting unpleasant results.
Old steam engines (ok, I betcha new steam engines, too, if they still make any) have "safety valves," that is, a valve set to open at a specified high pressure so that if the containment nears a pressure that you can have a catastrophic failure (i.e., blow up and blow live steam all over the place), the valve will open and the pressure thus be relieved safely. Of course, it reduces the energy output of the engine. Operators who wanted more energy and damn the risk would "tie down" the safety valve, preventing it from opening. The last 3 days, I've had my safety valve tied down. It's late, and I just got to Casa LaElu, and I'm still racing and grumpy. I stayed at No. 3 to work on some contracts, but also because Friend B. was doing a mediation downstairs, and I try to avoid having her (or any woman) leave the office alone at night. Perhaps that's old-fashioned or paternalistic. I can live with that. Due to little issues going on, I've been considering the advisability of getting a gun permit again -- I hate to do that as a matter of principle, but I'm also a realist. Oh, B. came upstairs and we had a nice visit after the mediation.
See, I told you I'm grumpy.
I did a memo (orally and in writing) at No. 3 yesterday, and acknowledged that the contents might lead people to conclude that I'm an asshole, and that I could live with that, too. We will not tolerate poor performance. I will not tolerate it of myself, and I kick my own ass frequently because of that. So, basically, I've been doing edicts. And they will be followed. I think I'm a fairly decent fellow to work with/for - I don't pay attention to sick days when staff is sick, I don't bitch if people are occasionally late, I think we pay pretty well, and I am loyal to everybody who works with/for me. But the edicts will be followed.
I have been feeling all pious lately because I get to work real early. But it seems that every day I go to work, there's lots and lots of other people on the streets, so I'm not the only one by far getting up in the dark. Anytime after 5 or so, there's a good bit of traffic out on the interstate, so I should stfu and quit the piousness.
Some clients I love and protect and sort of incidently do that by representing them. Tina the Crack Dealer, who I have blogged about in the past few months, is one of these. Some clients I represent because it's my function in life, and that hopefully leads to their protection with a favorable wind and a star to steer by. Tomorrow, I'm having a short trial on one of the latter. This is a contributing case where I could give the client a $100 bill and she still wouldn't be able to buy a clue. Life enhancement is something that I'm occasionally able to do. No chance here. I'm not Houdini. Yesterday, I went to a negotiation where a biological father wants to step to the plate and be a part of a baby's life. Good for him, really. Some sort of fuse blew (I'm full of machine metaphors tonight), and I suddenly started acting like Louis Schoolnic - of course, you'vef never heard of him - Louis was a great guy, and a great lawyer, and he wasn't afraid to "pontificate," and teach younger lawyers like me wtf this life is about. Not only that, but he called me "kid" right up until he died. I've always wondered who got his Mont Blanc pen that he did calligraphy with. Anyway, Louis would tell his own client and the other client and the other lawyers when they were out of line or ineffective or temporarily stupid. (My friend Justice Richard Neely, now in private practice and a prolific author, does the same thing, without the tempering of old age.) Anyway, neither my client nor the biological father (nor his lawyer) really had a clue that they weren't discussing a trophy, they were discussing a baby. So the fuses blew, and I got real blunt with them. It's a new feeling, and I need to explore this - it feels weird, I must admit. But, Jesus, enough is enough, cut to the chase and do the right thing - not the easy thing, not the cheap thing, not the fun thing, the right thing. And we hammered out a temporary agreement, called the Family Court and talked to one of my friends there, described the issues and got her recommendation for a mediator, and agreed to mediation. No problem. And then when I get back to No. 3 tonight, there is a faxed letter from the other lawyer unilaterally imposing a control-freak condition on the case. Wisely, I think, I haven't yet answered. A fax. Not a phone call, not a discussion, a terse (hell, there was one sentence to the letter) declaration. What mealy-mouthed, passive-aggressive bullshit. I am, I confess, still quite steamed. I'll do a reply first thing in the morning, and I need synonyms for "lie" and "fucking arrogant." I think I'll sleep on it, and they'll come to me.
Federal court today for an arraignment in a case that's really off-the-rails, and we're laboring in the vineyards to get it on track. (There's a mixed metaphor.) The judge ran late, to the US Attorney and I had time to sit and discuss a couple of other pending cases frankly and constructively. Sometimes, other lawyers may think I'm pretty fucking dumb. I can live with that. They always know that I'll be frank and honest. My credibility and effectiveness for people would plunge if it weren't so. And you can do that without kowtowing, it's perfectly ok to tell a prosecutor to fuck off in a nice way, you're going to trial. But at the end of the day, we are the engineers on this justice machine.
I dragged out a bunch of old (smaller!) clothes yesterday and today - Do I doom myself with the sin of hubris if I say that's a very pleasant experience?
No court tomorrow, and I'll be home early for Trick or Treat - In this neighborhood, it's effectively a block party of all the adults, with houses decorated all to hell, and with visiting back and forth, enjoying the kids, and just having a easy, pleasant time. Quaint? Old-fashioned? Hokey? I can live with that.
I'll probably meet Judge Dave for coffee in the morning - haven't seen him for a week or so. And I've got an intense coffee with Miss V. (the lawyer who represented my "second father") and I always enjoy the easy intimacy with her. (She has terrible taste in men. I'm trying to get her to realize that she needs to find someone who will buy her fuzzy nightgowns rather than lingerie.)
I was at the old office building (which I still own half of) last night for the first time in a year. Frankly, I had been dreading that. However, the safety valve was tied down, and I just didn't have time to fret, so I did it, got out, and kept steaming along.
This evening, I see the wishekwanwee muga. I dare you - translate that.
Pippa passes.
Mizpah.
R
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5 comments:
Dear Abby / Dierdre / Ann Landers
If a wife was to murder her husband, and all his money had been left to her in his will, what would happen to the money?
Intrigued, Somerset.
p.s. Please could you talk to me like I'm a four year old without any of the legal jargon,
Halloween on your street sounds fun!
i read The Secret, and have been practicing the power of positive thinking for about 6 months now. Some people may think it is a bunch of hooey, however, i have found that i am a much happier person and positive things have been happening to me on a regular basis. why fight that?
Dearest Clank -
The old English common law, which is followed in America (and which is a part of our state law by adoption in the State Constitution) says that a wrongdoer cannot profit by his/her act. Therefore, wife would not inherit, and the property would pass to heirs as if he had no will and no wife.
There was a period of time where our state supreme court ruled otherwise, but good sense prevailed and that was fixed.
R
Thanks for explaining that to me. Could I just point out I am not planning any criminal activity in the near future :oD
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