*dies of teh stupid*

{ August 16, 2007 @ 11:26 am } · { Work }
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I have a nasty, nasty feeling that one of our clients is going to be disappointed this afternoon. *rolls eyes*

We’re on the juvenile abused/neglected/dependent (or A/N/D, for short) list – which means that we represent either the father or the mother when the state feels it necessary to step in and modify someone’s parental rights.

We have one particular father who calls here on a semi-regular basis and insists that *everything is an emergency*. EVERYTHING. He called three times this morning in the space of two hours – each time I tried to take a message, each time he refused to give me a phone number and insisted that he would call back. The third time he called and asked when OddFellow would be in. Since OddFellow was scheduled to be in court all morning, I told him that he’d be back in this afternoon, and if I could take his phone number I’d have him call back. He said “I’ll be downtown this afternoon, just tell him to expect me.”, and hung up.

This is the guy who HAD an appointment earlier this week, and was a no-show.

o_O

OddFellow *is* returning phone calls this afternoon – but he has court at 2pm. Which means he’ll probably take lunch around 12:30pm. After court he has a couple of appointments out of the office. Which means that *I* will have the distinct pleasure of telling this gentleman that he came all the way down here for nothing – since he couldn’t A) leave a phone number, or B) make a proper appointment and actually *keep it*.

Laugh-a-minute around here, I tell you.

A law student!

{ August 14, 2007 @ 10:17 am } · { 1L, Law School }
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As of last night, I am a law student!

Last night was the first half of our two-part orientation session, in which various professors and deans pounded into our heads that we will have no life for the next four years.  Yes, that’s four years – my program is a PT, night program.  We attend school three nights a week for four years, including summer sessions.  Because it’s PT, though, I get to work – which means that my debt load will be minimal.  I’m also lucky enough to have a boss who recently went through law school himself – so he fully understands the stress involved, and is more than happy to work with my schedule.  He’s also *very* good about pushing me to do more than the average paralegal – so I’m already pretty adept at briefing, document drafting, etc.   Once the 3L rule goes into effect, he’s going to have me up in front of a judge as well – so that’ll be great experience.  Overall, I’m terribly lucky.

But – back to school.  Instead of going over practical things – like where to get our parking passes and how to sign up for the school’s email system – we were regaled with tales of horror about how we will have no life for the next four years.  I understand that they are trying to prepare us for the worst, but really – this wasn’t much different than what we went over at the “welcome session” a month ago.   I want practical things, dammit!  Just tell me where to park!

Ha – and then we had the “student introduction” section of the evening, where we went around the room and told a little about ourselves.  I live in an area known for it’s technology and medical fields, so we have a plethora of engineers, biologists, patent clerks, and other impressive-sounding jobs in our class.  Me?  I’ve been a working/starving artist for the past 7 years.  I got tired of not having health insurance.  I took paralegal classes because I thought it might be a career I’d enjoy.  I DID enjoy it – so I decided to go to law school.  Of course, I have the altruistic  reasons why I want to be an attorney.  I am still very much tapped into my artistic community, and so many of the people involved in that community can’t afford basic legal representation.  I want to give back to them, because so many of them have helped me out when I’ve been in a bind.  Based on  my paralegal classes and working in a small firm for the past year and a half, I really *enjoy* the practice of law.  I love the mental challenge involved, and I love the interactions with the clients.  I love hearing the stories.

But really, I’m 30.  I want to start a family.  I want a stable job with health insurance and a 401K.  When you’re a working/starving artist, you don’t get to have any of that.  So I decided to go to law school because it’s a career that interests me – but also because it’s a career that I should be able to stay gainfully employed in.

Ah well – I keep telling myself that all the engineers and geneticists in our class don’t have the experience I do.  I ran a small business for 7 years, I’ve interacted with some of the more fascinating subcultures in our society, and I know what it takes to succeed.  I’m used to working 70-80 hour weeks.  I’m tenacious.  I’m intelligent.  I’m creative.  I’ll be a good attorney.  Perhaps not a *traditional* attorney, but a good one, nonetheless.

Wish me luck. ;)

This post has been brought to you by Spamalot, the number 2007, and Starbucks.

{ June 29, 2007 @ 11:28 am } · { Law School, Life in general }
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I am not dead yet
I can dance and I can sing
I am not dead yet
I can do the Highland Fling

I am not dead yet
No need to go to bed
No need to call the doctor
Cause I’m not yet dead.

Really – I’m not dead.   Just mostly dead.

Things that have happened in the past six months:

  • I’ve become addicted to iTunes.  Seriously.  I’ll be sitting at my desk at work and think “Wow, you know, I’d *love* to have ‘California Dreamin’ easily accessible”, and with 2 clicks and 99 cents, I can have it.  I had to stop when I realized that in 3 months I had spent $50 on 99 cent songs.  Ooops.
  • Closed down my business, although there are still a few account left to clean up.  I am SO looking forward to having that monkey off my back.
  • As of this month, I’m officially employed full time in the legal field.  It’s a little weird – I had been self employed before that, so this is a heck of a change.  Luckily, I’ve found a position that will work with my school schedule, encourages me in my law school aspirations, and doesn’t mind if I wear formal shorts and long tunic shirts to work.  (Yes, formal shorts.  The folks at ‘Go Fug Yourself’ would have a field day.)
  • Got married.  Weddings eat your soul.  I’m blissfully happy about the marriage, but the wedding planning sucked balls.  I can’t believe some people actually try to do that while in school.  Psycho, they are.
  • Did I mention school schedule?  Because, yes, I got into law school!

Yep, after all the worry and wait of last fall, I did get into school.  I ended up applying to four programs, and got into three out of the four – not a bad track record at all!  Although I did get accepted into my boss’ alma mater, I ended up choosing a different program.   Not naming names here, but the school was listed on Vault’s “Top 25 Most Underrated Law Schools”, and is semi-frequently listed as a great value for the money.  The school has a decent reputation locally, and the night program (which is what I chose) has a really good reputation.  So…. the plusses are:

  • Night program!  I attend classes three nights a week, while still being able to work full time.  In talking with others who have completed this program, the workload is tough but manageable.  I’ve spent this spring clearing out my schedule and taking care of any other obligations on my plate so I can start with a clean slate.  July is dedicated to taking care of the last few obligations from my old job, and by the time school starts in August, I should have that all taken care of.
  • State school – so the tuition is *very* reasonable. 
  • Did I mention that I can still work?  And I now work with an attorney who just went through all this, so it’s fresh in his mind?  And he’s willing to be flexible with my schedule to give me time around midterms/finals for study?  And he’s already planning on getting me in the courtroom once I hit the three-year rule?  Yeah, my boss freakin’ rocks.
  • Low tuition + working through school = minimal debt.  I’ve worked *hard* to keep my debt level low over the past 5 years, and I’m glad that I can continue that through law school.  

Minuses:

  • The administration seems to kinda suck ass.  My second choice was about $20K more expensive than the school I chose, but the administration was lovely.  Here?  Not so much. 
  • Since it’s a PT program, it takes four years instead of the traditional three.  Including summer courses.  So I’m going to be in school for four years, straight, with only small breaks between the semesters.  So  much for having a social life.
  • 45 minute drive each way – although I was going to have that no matter what school I chose.  The problem is that I drive a small SUV – it gets great gas mileage for a SUV (about 20 MPG), but it’s far from fabulous.  I just paid it off last fall, though, so I’m leery of trading it in for something new and having a car payment every month.  I will admit to totally coveting the Toyota Yaris (liftback version, natch!).  http://www.toyota.com/yaris/ In electric blue.

So – if there’s anyone still out there, chime in and say hello.  It should be an interesting ride. ;)  

Criminal defense

{ November 20, 2006 @ 12:15 pm } · { Law School }
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“How does it make you feel when you have to compromise your ethics by defending guilty criminals? What do you mean, ‘comprimise my ethics’? That is my ethic – to defend people accused of a crime, whether I believe that they may be innocent or guilty. If you can’t deal with that, don’t become a defense lawyer.”

This is a brilliantly simple way to look at the concept of being a zealous advocate for your client. Since I’ve been *thinking* about going to law school, people have asked me how I can consider doing criminal defense. I don’t know if I want to actually do defense, but this has certainly made me *think* about it.

The quote is from Alan Dershowitz’s ‘Letters to a Young Lawyer’. It’s a collection of 2-4 page essays on, well, being a lawyer. Dershowitz is a wonderful writer – his style makes you feel like you’re sitting across from him on a comfy chair in a warm coffee shop, drinking lattes and discussing the practice of law. It seems to talk about the reality of practice, as opposed to the fantasy that many law students (myeself included!) have – similar to posts I’ve made to/for people looking to get into my current field. It’s kind, but it dosen’t sugarcoat the problems involved in this career path. It’s simple, direct, and thought provoking – I *highly* reccomend it to the legal professionals out there. Heck, even if you’re just intersted in the law, it’s a lovely book.

Stick a fork in me.

{ November 17, 2006 @ 7:20 pm } · { Law School }
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I’m done.

Yep – done with law school apps.  Now, the waiting game.  I hate waiting.

But on the plus side – I have already recieved a positive response from one of the apps I sent out earlier this month.  I have an interview at OddFellow’s alma mata on 11/27 at 11am.  Think lawyerly thoughts for me then. :)

It’s been a wild few months.

{ October 22, 2006 @ 7:42 pm } · { Law School }
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But… I got my LSAT done at the end of September, and I got my LSAT score back tonight: a 154.

I admit, I’m a little dissapointed – but when I look at the graded sheets, I see that I did right about where I thought I would. I rocked the house on the reading comprehension and logical reasoning, and not so well on the logic puzzles. Those stupid little logic puzzles really do a number on me.

In looking at the 2006 admission stats for my target schools, I think I’ve decided not to retake. Most statistics state that re-takers only go up an average of 2-3 points, which really wouldn’t do me much good at all.

My undergrad GPA was a 3.48, and my current GPA in my paralegal program is a nice round 4.0.

Camel’s median LSAT is 156, and median GPA is 3.35.  Steak and Shake is 152/3.29. Big Blue is 162/3.6, and Central is 156/3.23. So, really, I shouldn’t have too much problem getting into Camel, Steak and Shake or Central. IvyLeage is right out – I won’t even post their stats. It’s astonishing. ;) Big Blue is now my “reach” school – we’ll see how that goes.

Yeep. My hands are shaking. I’m nervous and excited about this. I really wanted to do better, but in the grand scheme of things I could have done a lot worse. As is evidenced by the median LSAT scores for the schools in our area.

Really, I’m in a pretty good spot, I think. Not as good a spot I wanted to be, but there have been those in a lot worse spot who have become attorneys. But, damn, I really would be more comfortable if I had done better.

So – I’m going to go forward with my applications with my head high. I’m going to do my damndest to get interviews – even if they “don’t do interviews”. I’m going to stress my skill as a small business woman, my determination to take this step in my life, and my love and passion for this field. I only hope that it will be enough.

Faithful readers (if I have any left, it’s been so long!), give me some words of encouragment.  Please.

Mental notes for those who are going to be visiting their attorney for the first time:

{ August 14, 2006 @ 10:14 am } · { Work }
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  • Although we do not expect you to dress to the nines, wearing a black bra and a ratty, translucent white ‘wife-beater’ tank top (complete with Emo-girl makeup!) is probally not the way to make a good impression.
  • Yes, the chocolate in the waiting room is for you. Yes, I will look at you funny if you go through half the bowl in a 10-minute timespan.
  • It’s always best to check in with the receptionist before barging into the attorney’s office. He *will* look at you funny if you don’t check in first.
  • No, I’m not the attorney. (Note: I am a woman. The attorney has a very decidedly masculine name.)

I must repeat to myself over and over “the public defenders list brings in business. This pays the bills. We’re doing a public service. It’s good for everyone.” Really, it just keeps me sane. And it gives us lots of fodder for discussion after they leave.

Another mantra of mine – collections work is FUN!  I love telling people that we can place a lien on their house if they don’t pay their credit card bill!  (God, I feel slimy.)  Actually, I’d feel bad for these folks if I didn’t see their credit reports… 9 out of 10 of these people have 4 or 5 department store credit cards that are all outstanding – most of them at $1000+ per card.  I understand that people fall on hard times, but really… I live under the philosophy that if I can’t pay for it in cash, I don’t buy it.  Thus, I shop at GoodWill.  But my house is fully furnished and I have stylin’ clothes on my back, because I live in a nicely affluent area where the yuppies give away trendy clothes to GoodWill.

So – no pity.

*headdesk*

(Nope, I’m not dead – just mostly-dead. *grin*)

Review: 39dollarglasses.com

{ August 6, 2006 @ 12:08 pm } · { Life in general }
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Wonder of wonders, the DHL guy actually brought my glasses to me on Friday, when he said he would. Here’s the breakdown:

Turnaround time: Excellent. I placed my order in the evening on 8/1/06. It was marked as ’shipped’ on 8/2/06, and on my doorstep on 8/4/06. They are based in NY, so even if I hadn’t ordered 2-day shipping, they still should have been here on Friday.

Communication: Excellent. They have an automated email system to let me know that the order has been received, that the order is in process and that the order has shipped with tracking information.

Delivery: They DO use DHL – which, as we all know, sucks royal donkey ass. But I was lucky this time. Product: So far, so good. The prescription seems to be spot-on, and the lenses are clear with no scratches.

The frames are pretty much what I expected, except the ‘plum’ is really much more brown than the website indicated. I actually thought they had sent the ‘mocha’, except these are labeled ‘plum’ on the inside of the frame. I chalk it up to monitor differences and probally not the world’s best photograph. They seem to suit my face pretty well – especially considering that I didn’t try them on beforehand.

I would definitely use them again – and feel more comfortable ordering a more expensive pair in the future. (I didn’t get the upgrade anti-reflective coating or the super-thin lenses, since those would have bumped my price up to around $100 – and I wanted to be sure the company was good before I ordered something that expensive.) The glasses came with a free hardshell case and a microfiber pouch.

Overall, I’m pretty darn happy with my purchase. I would *highly* reccomend that you know what style looks good on you – a trip to LensCrafters to try on glasses beforehand might be well in order. Final conclusion: Yep, I’d reccomend ‘em. :)

It’s official.

{ August 1, 2006 @ 10:38 am } · { Humor, News and politics }
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Steven Colbert has balls of steel.

Seriously – it takes a certain amount of balls to roast the President with him sitting less than 10 feet away from you.

And, really, this is just freaking funny. Who knew that CSPAN could be so interesting?

My future’s so bright… I gotta wear shades!

{ July 31, 2006 @ 9:07 pm } · { Life in general }
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I have been in *desperate* need of new glasses for the past… two years? Three years? I’ve lost count. I usually wear contacts, but like to have glasses for backup just in case. My most current glasses are at least six years old, and have pockmarks on them from when my dog got a hold of them as a *puppy* (she’s 6 now), and scratches from… someplace. I think they got knocked onto the floor face-down and then nosed around by one of the critters until they were totally scratched.

Yeah, so new glasses were a must.

I got my eyes tested back in February – and just now got around to ordering glasses. I ordered these, and think they’ll look good. I tend to look pretty nice in the cat’s eye frames, and the plastic frames look nerdy-chic, which I think is kinda cool.  The fiancee dosen’t like them (he said they’re too cat’s-eye), but you know what?  He can bite me.  I think they’re cute, and they make me want to go out and buy lots of black clothing, a beret, and go to poetry readings in smokey nightclubs.

Theoretically they should be here by the end of the week. We’ll see how it goes. I’ve never ordered from these people before, but I’ve heard good reviews. In the grand scheme of things, even if they’re totally hideous, they’ll still be a backup pair that are current, and I’m only out about $50. (I had to pay a little extra because, well, I’m blind as a freaking bat.)

*fingers crossed*

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