It has been a late night every day this week. Big Boss has been out of town a lot lately, but now he is back and throwing stuff at me left and right. Meanwhile, I don't think Partner is aware of this, and keeps loading me up, too.
I lost half my day yesterday searching for 1000 pages of documents that we produced in a case back in March. I had half the administrative staff turning the office upside down looking for these documents that seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. Turned out they were in the office of a paralegal that I didn't even think was working for us when we did that production and who nobody remembers giving the docs to. (It wasn't me--I wasn't giving orders to anybody back then.) After that fiasco, Big Boss has been giving me periodic lectures on how to manage the staff.
I had two assignments due by the end of the day, and I only got one done. And I have two more assignments due by tomorrow. Plus another CLE presentation for Partner. And a ton of other stuff.
And I have learned what kind of kind of law I definitely don't want to practice. Most of what I do is insurance defense, which I like. But I have one case where we are coverage counsel, and it sucks. I hate everything about that case. Coverage issues are hard, detailed and there are no real answers, even there are millions of coverage cases. Every time I have to research a coverage issue it takes hours. I keep hoping this case will just go away, but every week there is some new issue. I was complaining about it to another associate, and she said, there will always be one case that will drive you absolutely crazy. This is it for me.
7/31/08
7/27/08
Feet at night
When PS was a baby her favorite book was "The Foot Book" by Dr. Seuss. We read it so many times that we both had it memorized.
At night, when I tucked her in, I would always say, "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite. See you in the morning."
And one night she piped up, "Feet at night!"
I guess she thought I was saying "Feet in the morning," and was just repeating the next line of the book.
So even now, when we go through our nightly routine, we end with "feet at night."
At night, when I tucked her in, I would always say, "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite. See you in the morning."
And one night she piped up, "Feet at night!"
I guess she thought I was saying "Feet in the morning," and was just repeating the next line of the book.
So even now, when we go through our nightly routine, we end with "feet at night."
7/24/08
Today
July 24 has historically proved to be a day where I work hard, endure a lot of pain, but end up with awesome results. 7 years ago I gave birth to my twins. 1 year ago I took the bar--with an abscessed tooth that caused tremendous pain and a complete inability to sleep for the entire 3 days. Yet, against all odds, I managed to pass.
I'm not sure that there is much that could top the results of either of those days.
Today I had my first big screw-up at work. About a month ago Big Boss told me that I needed to notice two depos and include subpoenas ducas tecum (that just means to bring certain docs to the depo, for all you non-lawyer folk). Well, scheduling the depos took forever, and I got so caught up in scheduling that I completely forgot about he subpoenas. My depo notices went out Monday without the notices.
Big Boss asked to see the notices today and was pretty PO'd that I had forgotten the subpoenas. Because while regular old depos only require reasonable notice, the subpoenas require 30 days notice. And my depos are set in 2 1/2 weeks. So my depos will probably be quashed and I will be back to square 1. (And yes, even if I had remembered the subpoenas when the original notices when out on Monday I would still have been inside 30 days, and still screwed.)
Fortunately, he got over his irritation pretty quickly and seemed impressed that I got my amended notices turned around quickly. By the end of the day he told me that I had done a good job and not to worry about anything.
Now I'm just paranoid about another screw up where I might not be so easily forgiven.
And now I need to go to bed, because for the second time in 2 weeks I have to get up at 4:30. (4:30 is a time when one goes to bed after a long night, not a time when one gets up.) I have to meet a client in the middle of nowhere by 9:00 am. Convenient for them--not so much for me.
I'm not sure that there is much that could top the results of either of those days.
Today I had my first big screw-up at work. About a month ago Big Boss told me that I needed to notice two depos and include subpoenas ducas tecum (that just means to bring certain docs to the depo, for all you non-lawyer folk). Well, scheduling the depos took forever, and I got so caught up in scheduling that I completely forgot about he subpoenas. My depo notices went out Monday without the notices.
Big Boss asked to see the notices today and was pretty PO'd that I had forgotten the subpoenas. Because while regular old depos only require reasonable notice, the subpoenas require 30 days notice. And my depos are set in 2 1/2 weeks. So my depos will probably be quashed and I will be back to square 1. (And yes, even if I had remembered the subpoenas when the original notices when out on Monday I would still have been inside 30 days, and still screwed.)
Fortunately, he got over his irritation pretty quickly and seemed impressed that I got my amended notices turned around quickly. By the end of the day he told me that I had done a good job and not to worry about anything.
Now I'm just paranoid about another screw up where I might not be so easily forgiven.
And now I need to go to bed, because for the second time in 2 weeks I have to get up at 4:30. (4:30 is a time when one goes to bed after a long night, not a time when one gets up.) I have to meet a client in the middle of nowhere by 9:00 am. Convenient for them--not so much for me.
7/22/08
The Twenty-Year Meme
I was tagged by PT.
The Twenty-Year Meme
20 years ago I:
1. Was 13.
2. Kissed a boy for the first time at – wait for it –band camp. (Oh yeah, I was the cool kid!)
3. Was best friends with a girl whose name rhymes with mine and who sort of resembled me, so we would pretend we were twins when we went places.
4. Would hang out at best friend’s dad’s Harley shop after school.
5. Was a “mean girl” to some of my friends from elementary school (for which I now feel really, really terrible.)
6. Really, really wanted a boyfriend.
10 years ago I:
1. Had just graduated from college
2. Did not want children.
3. Was 7 months pregnant with PS.
4. Was trying to help DH find a job and freaking out that we were going to have to go on welfare because he didn’t graduate for another month and I was the primary bread-winner earning about $14k/year as a customer service rep for a satellite television company.
5. Moved to Big City – 3 weeks before PS was born, when it was 113 degrees outside.
6. Refused to buy girlie things for my baby because I didn’t want to pre-form her ideas about gender roles (can you tell I was a psych major?)
5 years ago I:
1. Was wrangling two-year-old twins and a 4 year-old.
2. Was fantasizing about running away from home because I was unhappy as a SAHM.
3. Took the LSAT to combat above fantasies.
4. Had my first hangover at – wait for it – a Mothers of Twins Convention. We also got threatened with getting kicked out of out hotel room because I used my almost-lawyer skills to wrangle the Presidential Suite, which turned into the Party Suite.
5. Was buying my first home—and driving the home-builder and my mortgage broker crazy with working out the details.
6. Found out that I did not get admitted to my top choice law school and cried.
3 years ago I:
1. Transferred from crappy law school to top choice law school (that’s really unfair, the first school wasn’t bad—it just wasn’t highly ranked and I would probably still be looking for a job if I had graduated from there.)
2. Was juggling 4 year old twins, a 6 year old and my second year of law school.
3. Interned for a civil court judge—which I loved.
4. Was no longer fantasizing about running away from home.
5. Celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.
6. Turned 30, and went into a 6 month funk about being old.
So far this year I:
1. Finally got a damn job!
2. Started actually liking my job.
3. Have visited three of the most undesirable cities in the state for my job.
4. Have felt guilt about working too much and not seeing my children enough.
5. Watched my children grown in to funny and amazing little people, and realized that my babies aren’t babies anymore.
Yesterday I:
1. Went to work
2. Got my A/C fixed
3. Had an ultrasound of my gallbladder.
4. Scheduled an appointment with a surgeon because the gallbladder is full of stones.
5. Confirmed appointment for endometrial ablation and $350 deductible.
6. Tried to figure out how I am going to tell work that I need time off for two medical procedures.
Today I:
1. Went to work early because DH was able to drop the girls off.
2. Contemplated Starbucks and was amazed at my own willpower to resist.
3. Contemplated whether I should order the twins a cake for their birthday Thursday.
4. Found out that I will be traveling to yet another undesirable city for work on Friday.
5. Had chipotle-crusted steak and “Crash Hot Potatoes” made by DH for dinner. Yum!
6. Combed the girls’ hair after their baths and kissed their sweet little cheeks goodnight.
Tomorrow I will:
1. Go to work.
2. Find homes for the 7 cats still living in my powder room.
3. Order a birthday cake for the twins.
4. Call PS, who is visiting in Hometown, and tell her that I love her and that I miss her.
5. Gee, I just don’t have much on my plate for tomorrow.
In the next year I will:
1. Go to Disney World (we’re thinking Christmas.)
2. Have second graders—and a fifth grader (I can’t be that old!)
3. Will take a trip with just DH—no kids.
4. Will have been a lawyer for a year.
5. Gee, I don’t have much on my plate for the next year.
I tag who-ever wants to do this one. It takes a while and I know a bunch of y'all are studying for the bar. But if you need a study break, have at it--it's fun!
The Twenty-Year Meme
20 years ago I:
1. Was 13.
2. Kissed a boy for the first time at – wait for it –band camp. (Oh yeah, I was the cool kid!)
3. Was best friends with a girl whose name rhymes with mine and who sort of resembled me, so we would pretend we were twins when we went places.
4. Would hang out at best friend’s dad’s Harley shop after school.
5. Was a “mean girl” to some of my friends from elementary school (for which I now feel really, really terrible.)
6. Really, really wanted a boyfriend.
10 years ago I:
1. Had just graduated from college
2. Did not want children.
3. Was 7 months pregnant with PS.
4. Was trying to help DH find a job and freaking out that we were going to have to go on welfare because he didn’t graduate for another month and I was the primary bread-winner earning about $14k/year as a customer service rep for a satellite television company.
5. Moved to Big City – 3 weeks before PS was born, when it was 113 degrees outside.
6. Refused to buy girlie things for my baby because I didn’t want to pre-form her ideas about gender roles (can you tell I was a psych major?)
5 years ago I:
1. Was wrangling two-year-old twins and a 4 year-old.
2. Was fantasizing about running away from home because I was unhappy as a SAHM.
3. Took the LSAT to combat above fantasies.
4. Had my first hangover at – wait for it – a Mothers of Twins Convention. We also got threatened with getting kicked out of out hotel room because I used my almost-lawyer skills to wrangle the Presidential Suite, which turned into the Party Suite.
5. Was buying my first home—and driving the home-builder and my mortgage broker crazy with working out the details.
6. Found out that I did not get admitted to my top choice law school and cried.
3 years ago I:
1. Transferred from crappy law school to top choice law school (that’s really unfair, the first school wasn’t bad—it just wasn’t highly ranked and I would probably still be looking for a job if I had graduated from there.)
2. Was juggling 4 year old twins, a 6 year old and my second year of law school.
3. Interned for a civil court judge—which I loved.
4. Was no longer fantasizing about running away from home.
5. Celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.
6. Turned 30, and went into a 6 month funk about being old.
So far this year I:
1. Finally got a damn job!
2. Started actually liking my job.
3. Have visited three of the most undesirable cities in the state for my job.
4. Have felt guilt about working too much and not seeing my children enough.
5. Watched my children grown in to funny and amazing little people, and realized that my babies aren’t babies anymore.
Yesterday I:
1. Went to work
2. Got my A/C fixed
3. Had an ultrasound of my gallbladder.
4. Scheduled an appointment with a surgeon because the gallbladder is full of stones.
5. Confirmed appointment for endometrial ablation and $350 deductible.
6. Tried to figure out how I am going to tell work that I need time off for two medical procedures.
Today I:
1. Went to work early because DH was able to drop the girls off.
2. Contemplated Starbucks and was amazed at my own willpower to resist.
3. Contemplated whether I should order the twins a cake for their birthday Thursday.
4. Found out that I will be traveling to yet another undesirable city for work on Friday.
5. Had chipotle-crusted steak and “Crash Hot Potatoes” made by DH for dinner. Yum!
6. Combed the girls’ hair after their baths and kissed their sweet little cheeks goodnight.
Tomorrow I will:
1. Go to work.
2. Find homes for the 7 cats still living in my powder room.
3. Order a birthday cake for the twins.
4. Call PS, who is visiting in Hometown, and tell her that I love her and that I miss her.
5. Gee, I just don’t have much on my plate for tomorrow.
In the next year I will:
1. Go to Disney World (we’re thinking Christmas.)
2. Have second graders—and a fifth grader (I can’t be that old!)
3. Will take a trip with just DH—no kids.
4. Will have been a lawyer for a year.
5. Gee, I don’t have much on my plate for the next year.
I tag who-ever wants to do this one. It takes a while and I know a bunch of y'all are studying for the bar. But if you need a study break, have at it--it's fun!
7/20/08
Grumble, Grumble
My regular nanny is in her mid-sixties. Her husband is retired, they live in a much nicer house than mine, she drives a Caddy and her last vacation was to Hawaii. I think that she works mostly to keep herself from getting bored.
With our commutes from the 'burbs to the city, DH and I are gone almost 11 hours a day. Recognizing that this makes for a really long day, 5 days a week, (and especially in light of her age) I asked my nanny at the beginning of the summer to let me bring someone else in part of the time. She reluctantly agreed and I hired a second nanny (Jenny) on the schedule recommended by first nanny (Lucy). Lucy works all day W, Th, Fri and Jenny works M, Tu.
But Jenny needed 3 weeks off in July for a previously planned trip, so to keep Lucy from having to work it all herself, I put the girls in a gymnastics day camp for one week, giving Lucy all last week off. I had told Lucy early in the summer that I would try to put the girls in a couple of camps over the summer so that they wouldn't get bored and to give her a bit of a break.
Well, the girls LOVED gymnastics camp. They were kept busy, did lots of fun things and made friends. The local gymnastics center basically has this "camp" all summer long, in morning and afternoon sessions (or all day like they did last week) at very reasonable rates. So I told the girls that I would sign them up for a few half day sessions over the rest of the summer.
So, I went ahead and signed them up for the morning session this M, Tu, and Wed. Jenny is still on vacation, so Lucy was to be watching them--even through M & Tu aren't her regular days. I called today to let her know that she would only need to watch the girls in the afternoon.
She was not happy--her response was, "well, maybe you just need to put them someplace like that all the time. It doesn't sound like you need me anymore the way you are cutting my hours, with giving me all last week off and then taking my hours this week."
WTH? I will admit that it was probably unfair to not give her more notice. But I am going to do what I feel is in the best interest of my children. When they are at the camp they are hanging out with other kids and being active. Most importantly, they are not watching tv, playing video games or on the computer. Additionally, I think the reduced hours (about 6 hours) are better for Lucy. The days when she watches the girls all day she looks exhausted when I come home.
Lucy is great for the twins. She is like a grandmother to them and I know that she genuinely loves them. She has never once called in sick or been late. But, I don't think that she is especially active with the kids. I think that she lets them watch too much tv, and leaves them to their own devices a little too much. I usually leave chores for the kids in the morning, and more and more often, she is not making sure that they do them. And she has had some run-ins with PS lately that I am not thrilled about. PS is moody and a know-it-all and I know that she can be hard to take sometimes, so I usually give Lucy the benefit of the doubt. But a couple of things lately have indicated a little too much preference for the twins and too little patience with PS.
So, the griping about her hours really kind of pissed me off. Because Lucy had done very well in the finance department this summer. I could have put my girls in day care all summer for about 60% of what I pay her. And honestly, budgeting for full-time child care this summer has severely impacted our budget in other areas.
But I don't see us replacing Lucy. The twins would be devastated. And she works very well during the school year, when her hours are shorter (and she and PS have to spend less time together.) And I know that I would never find anyone as dependable again. (Although I really need someone willing to do housework.) So I guess I'll just suck it up and bitch here.
With our commutes from the 'burbs to the city, DH and I are gone almost 11 hours a day. Recognizing that this makes for a really long day, 5 days a week, (and especially in light of her age) I asked my nanny at the beginning of the summer to let me bring someone else in part of the time. She reluctantly agreed and I hired a second nanny (Jenny) on the schedule recommended by first nanny (Lucy). Lucy works all day W, Th, Fri and Jenny works M, Tu.
But Jenny needed 3 weeks off in July for a previously planned trip, so to keep Lucy from having to work it all herself, I put the girls in a gymnastics day camp for one week, giving Lucy all last week off. I had told Lucy early in the summer that I would try to put the girls in a couple of camps over the summer so that they wouldn't get bored and to give her a bit of a break.
Well, the girls LOVED gymnastics camp. They were kept busy, did lots of fun things and made friends. The local gymnastics center basically has this "camp" all summer long, in morning and afternoon sessions (or all day like they did last week) at very reasonable rates. So I told the girls that I would sign them up for a few half day sessions over the rest of the summer.
So, I went ahead and signed them up for the morning session this M, Tu, and Wed. Jenny is still on vacation, so Lucy was to be watching them--even through M & Tu aren't her regular days. I called today to let her know that she would only need to watch the girls in the afternoon.
She was not happy--her response was, "well, maybe you just need to put them someplace like that all the time. It doesn't sound like you need me anymore the way you are cutting my hours, with giving me all last week off and then taking my hours this week."
WTH? I will admit that it was probably unfair to not give her more notice. But I am going to do what I feel is in the best interest of my children. When they are at the camp they are hanging out with other kids and being active. Most importantly, they are not watching tv, playing video games or on the computer. Additionally, I think the reduced hours (about 6 hours) are better for Lucy. The days when she watches the girls all day she looks exhausted when I come home.
Lucy is great for the twins. She is like a grandmother to them and I know that she genuinely loves them. She has never once called in sick or been late. But, I don't think that she is especially active with the kids. I think that she lets them watch too much tv, and leaves them to their own devices a little too much. I usually leave chores for the kids in the morning, and more and more often, she is not making sure that they do them. And she has had some run-ins with PS lately that I am not thrilled about. PS is moody and a know-it-all and I know that she can be hard to take sometimes, so I usually give Lucy the benefit of the doubt. But a couple of things lately have indicated a little too much preference for the twins and too little patience with PS.
So, the griping about her hours really kind of pissed me off. Because Lucy had done very well in the finance department this summer. I could have put my girls in day care all summer for about 60% of what I pay her. And honestly, budgeting for full-time child care this summer has severely impacted our budget in other areas.
But I don't see us replacing Lucy. The twins would be devastated. And she works very well during the school year, when her hours are shorter (and she and PS have to spend less time together.) And I know that I would never find anyone as dependable again. (Although I really need someone willing to do housework.) So I guess I'll just suck it up and bitch here.
Fabulous
I woke up early this morning hot. Usually I get cold in the middle of the night, so this seemed strange. But I thought that maybe it was because we slept with the door closed and the air wasn't circulating well. But in the hall, the thermostat read 80. And the upstairs thermostat read 85. And they both kept rising from there.
DH did a bit of poking around and it appears that our a/c is out. And, of course, it's Sunday, so we'd likely have to pay triple rates to get someone out today. And the average temperature this time of year is about 100 (yes, literally).
I swear it i getting hotter as I type (well, probably the laptop on my lap doesn't help.) I think we are going to have to get out of the house today and go camp out someplace with air conditioning.
DH did a bit of poking around and it appears that our a/c is out. And, of course, it's Sunday, so we'd likely have to pay triple rates to get someone out today. And the average temperature this time of year is about 100 (yes, literally).
I swear it i getting hotter as I type (well, probably the laptop on my lap doesn't help.) I think we are going to have to get out of the house today and go camp out someplace with air conditioning.
7/18/08
In other news
Warning, kinda gross girlie stuff.
I visited my OB/gyn today because I have periods from hell. He recommended endometrial ablation, which basically burns away the lining of the uterus. It is a minor day surgery that could make my periods disappear completely or at least make them substantially easier to deal with. For me, he said, there are no real negatives. (I believe this procedure is not recommended for anyone intending to have children.) If I have it done on Friday I will be back at work on Monday.
He had mentioned this before and I have researched it some and was instantly on board. I am not one to voluntarily undergo medical procedures, but I can't deal with having to be in the restroom every hour and ruining at least one outfit every single month.
So I am all set up to have this done in September.
I also visited my general practitioner regarding my gallbladder. (Two docs in one week is a miracle, I usually see one doc every two years.) I have an ultrasound on Monday and then will need to meet with a surgeon. I'm not so sure about gallbladder surgery. I don't want to give up a whole body part unless I am absolutely convinced that it what is causing my issues.
I visited my OB/gyn today because I have periods from hell. He recommended endometrial ablation, which basically burns away the lining of the uterus. It is a minor day surgery that could make my periods disappear completely or at least make them substantially easier to deal with. For me, he said, there are no real negatives. (I believe this procedure is not recommended for anyone intending to have children.) If I have it done on Friday I will be back at work on Monday.
He had mentioned this before and I have researched it some and was instantly on board. I am not one to voluntarily undergo medical procedures, but I can't deal with having to be in the restroom every hour and ruining at least one outfit every single month.
So I am all set up to have this done in September.
I also visited my general practitioner regarding my gallbladder. (Two docs in one week is a miracle, I usually see one doc every two years.) I have an ultrasound on Monday and then will need to meet with a surgeon. I'm not so sure about gallbladder surgery. I don't want to give up a whole body part unless I am absolutely convinced that it what is causing my issues.
Oh no she didn't!
I have spent the last week trying to coordinate a deposition in a multi-party case. One attorney in particular has been a royal PITA and everyone has been dragging their feet and refusing to commit. I needed a commitment ASAP before everyone's calendar changed again. This morning I finally sent an email that I would notice the depos for the dates we have been discussing if I did not have confirmation of availability by 4:00 this afternoon.
At 3:40 opposing counsel called to ok the dates I had proposed and told me she would fax over a letter stating as much. By 4:30 I had the letter and asked my secretary to notice the depos. Secretary asked, "Does Partner want this to go out today?" I replied, "I don't know what he wants, but I need it to go out as soon as possible." Because I wanted to make sure that these dates are set in stone ASAP.
Ten minutes later Secretary comes by my office and says, "Partner said those notices don't need to go out today."
WTF? I was furious. You don't go around one supervisor to another because you don't want to do something. I know it was because she was afraid she would have to stay 5 minutes late (although it shouldn't take 10 minutes to notice depos.) And if she had an issue with not being able to get it done then she should have told me as much instead of going to Partner. Because Partner hasn't had to deal with PITA lawyer (who told me her calender was open "right this nanosecond") for the last week. I would have just done the f'ing notices myself.
At 3:40 opposing counsel called to ok the dates I had proposed and told me she would fax over a letter stating as much. By 4:30 I had the letter and asked my secretary to notice the depos. Secretary asked, "Does Partner want this to go out today?" I replied, "I don't know what he wants, but I need it to go out as soon as possible." Because I wanted to make sure that these dates are set in stone ASAP.
Ten minutes later Secretary comes by my office and says, "Partner said those notices don't need to go out today."
WTF? I was furious. You don't go around one supervisor to another because you don't want to do something. I know it was because she was afraid she would have to stay 5 minutes late (although it shouldn't take 10 minutes to notice depos.) And if she had an issue with not being able to get it done then she should have told me as much instead of going to Partner. Because Partner hasn't had to deal with PITA lawyer (who told me her calender was open "right this nanosecond") for the last week. I would have just done the f'ing notices myself.
7/14/08
Sickie
I woke up at 5:30 this morning with icky stomach stuff (I'll spare the details.) Tried unsuccessfully to go back the bed, and then tried unsuccessfully to shower and get ready for work. While I can usually push through most illnesses and get the job done, a stomach bug just really isn't the kind of thing you want to suffer through in a public place. And besides I don't want to risk infecting my co-workers. So I finally gave up and emailed-in sick.
PS is out of town, and today was the first day of the twins' day camp, so I have the whole house to myself--a rare luxury. I went back to sleep for a couple of hours and then finished off a novel and now I am a little restless.
I am feeling a little better and contemplated going to the office for a few hours, but I am feeling a little drained now, and there are still periodic waves of nausea. I don't really have anything that I can work on from home.
Since this little episode seems to be passing fairly quickly, I am somewhat concerned that it is an issue with my gallbladder rather than a bug. When I was pg with my twins, I was told that I had gallstones and should have my gallbladder removed 3 weeks after they were born. Of course, I didn't. My gallbladder wasn't causing my any problems, and I had 2 newborns to care for. I occasionally have a dull pain in the gallbladder area, but never severe enough to warrant a doctor's visits (I really hate going to the doctor).
But last Saturday I woke up with the most excruciating pain in my side. It hurt to breathe or move--a lot like it felt when I had broken ribs. I was actually on hold with the doc's answering service (which I have never called, except when I was going into labor, and even then, when my water broke in the middle of the night, I waited until 7 am to call so that I wouldn't wake the doc) when the pain suddenly subsided. So I hung up and went about my day without issue. But I am convinced that the pain was caused by passing a gallstone. I was writhing much like DH does when he has a kidney stone, except that it was definitely in the gallbladder area and not the kidney area.
And last Friday, I started feeling quite nauseated on the plane home from the hearing I attended. It, too, cleared up by the end of the day. All of this together leads me to believe that my gallbladder is acting up, rather than just a bug.
And to complicate my life further, I already have a visit with my ob/gyn scheduled for the end of the week, where I am likely going to demand that he blast away the lining of my uterus because my period has gotten so far out of control. We have discussed this before, but decided to try hormone therapy instead. It didn't work, and what should be a monthly inconvenience has become a major intrusion.
Think they can take my gallbladder and my uterine lining at the time? I don't want to take time off for two different procedures, although neither is very complicated. Of course this is all speculation based on my internet self-diagnosis, anyway.
7/12/08
What to get for the kids who have everything?
The twins' 7th birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I don't have a clue what to get them. DH and I are going to take them to the amusement park for the day, but I think little kids need something they can unwrap on their birthday. And the amusement park thing is in lieu of a party--not really intended to be their "gift."
But my kids already have too much of everything, and I am concerned about fostering materialism. They have zillions of toys, CD players, game consoles, board games and about a million books. I considered getting them mp3 players, but I'm not sure they would really get much use from them since they already have the CD players.
I feel like I am just looking for something to spend money on.
I have this problem when I have to buy a gift for just about anybody. It seems like everybody has everything they need. Myself included. It infuriates my inlaws when they ask what I want and I never have an answer. But the truth is that I just don't need any more stuff--and neither do my kids. If they really feel they need to get me something, I'd prefer a Starbucks GC, so that I can get my morning lattes guilt-free (yes, I do feel a tad guilty when I hand over $5 for my morning coffee, because there has got to be a better way to spend $5), or a spa GC. I don't even want retail GC's, because they are just used to buy more stuff, which I don't need or want.
And so it is with my kiddos. Except not even a Starbucks or spa GC works for 7 year olds (although they did keep stealing sips of my Frap. this morning). I guess I'll keep thinking. The good news is that they are easily pleased. I can get them a pair of PJ's and a new box of 64 crayons and they would be just as happy as if I got them an ipod.
But my kids already have too much of everything, and I am concerned about fostering materialism. They have zillions of toys, CD players, game consoles, board games and about a million books. I considered getting them mp3 players, but I'm not sure they would really get much use from them since they already have the CD players.
I feel like I am just looking for something to spend money on.
I have this problem when I have to buy a gift for just about anybody. It seems like everybody has everything they need. Myself included. It infuriates my inlaws when they ask what I want and I never have an answer. But the truth is that I just don't need any more stuff--and neither do my kids. If they really feel they need to get me something, I'd prefer a Starbucks GC, so that I can get my morning lattes guilt-free (yes, I do feel a tad guilty when I hand over $5 for my morning coffee, because there has got to be a better way to spend $5), or a spa GC. I don't even want retail GC's, because they are just used to buy more stuff, which I don't need or want.
And so it is with my kiddos. Except not even a Starbucks or spa GC works for 7 year olds (although they did keep stealing sips of my Frap. this morning). I guess I'll keep thinking. The good news is that they are easily pleased. I can get them a pair of PJ's and a new box of 64 crayons and they would be just as happy as if I got them an ipod.
7/11/08
Why aren't there more women in the courtroom?
Women are now graduating law school in equal numbers with men. Yet litigation still seems to be a man's game. What is that about?
I first noticed the lack of women in the courtroom when I interned in the civil courts after my 1L year. There were only a handful of women who ever appeared in court--and I don't think I saw any woman try a case that entire summer.
When I interned in the DA's office, there were equal numbers of male and female prosecutors. But when I observed other matters during morning docket call (in a court of general jurisdiction) there were few women. In fact, the only women who appeared were there for family-law matters. Although this was a small, rural jurisdiction where there isn't much high-end civil litigation going on, anyway.
But today I was in a packed courtroom in one of the largest cities in the U.S. The men outnumbered the women at least 5 to 1. Most of the women were young associates, like me, who were accompanying their bosses. (Although I was actually alone today.) A couple more were ad litems. (One of the female ad litems was wearing a dark pin-striped suit jacket with khakis, a tank top and canvas platform wedges. The ones where the heels are made out of hemp or something. Really, how to you graduate from law school without enough sense to realize this is a huge fashion don't?) My fashion-related digression aside, my point is that civil courtrooms continue to be dominated by men.
Now, to be fair, they were mostly men over the age of 50. I certainly don't expect to see hoards of first and second year male or female associates arguing big cases. So perhaps part of the problem is that it is the most experienced attorneys who are filling the courtrooms. I am sure that there are far more male than female litigators in the 50-year-old range. And, in fact, of those young associates merely there for observation, there did appear to be more women than men.
So I guess the real question is, are there no women in the courtroom because there aren't yet enough experienced female litigators, or are women just not going into litigation--or staying in litigation, which I have been told numerous times is not an area amenable to balancing a family life?
I first noticed the lack of women in the courtroom when I interned in the civil courts after my 1L year. There were only a handful of women who ever appeared in court--and I don't think I saw any woman try a case that entire summer.
When I interned in the DA's office, there were equal numbers of male and female prosecutors. But when I observed other matters during morning docket call (in a court of general jurisdiction) there were few women. In fact, the only women who appeared were there for family-law matters. Although this was a small, rural jurisdiction where there isn't much high-end civil litigation going on, anyway.
But today I was in a packed courtroom in one of the largest cities in the U.S. The men outnumbered the women at least 5 to 1. Most of the women were young associates, like me, who were accompanying their bosses. (Although I was actually alone today.) A couple more were ad litems. (One of the female ad litems was wearing a dark pin-striped suit jacket with khakis, a tank top and canvas platform wedges. The ones where the heels are made out of hemp or something. Really, how to you graduate from law school without enough sense to realize this is a huge fashion don't?) My fashion-related digression aside, my point is that civil courtrooms continue to be dominated by men.
Now, to be fair, they were mostly men over the age of 50. I certainly don't expect to see hoards of first and second year male or female associates arguing big cases. So perhaps part of the problem is that it is the most experienced attorneys who are filling the courtrooms. I am sure that there are far more male than female litigators in the 50-year-old range. And, in fact, of those young associates merely there for observation, there did appear to be more women than men.
So I guess the real question is, are there no women in the courtroom because there aren't yet enough experienced female litigators, or are women just not going into litigation--or staying in litigation, which I have been told numerous times is not an area amenable to balancing a family life?
7/10/08
Tired
This week has been busy. I have about 10 cases and that are all taking off at once. It looks like it is going to be a busy fall.
Took PS to the airport today to spend a few weeks with my grandparents. It was her first time to fly alone. I felt ok about it since it was a 45 minute flight to a small, uncrowded airport in Hometown. Still I got teary when I had to let her get on the plane. That surprised me, because I am not typically emotional.
We had to leave the house at 6:15 this morning, which is before I usually even wake up, and now I am pooped. And tomorrow I have to fly to an out-of-town hearing at 6:15 am. That means I need to leave my house about 4:30 am. I think I'll turn in early tonight. Thank goodness tomorrow's Friday.
Took PS to the airport today to spend a few weeks with my grandparents. It was her first time to fly alone. I felt ok about it since it was a 45 minute flight to a small, uncrowded airport in Hometown. Still I got teary when I had to let her get on the plane. That surprised me, because I am not typically emotional.
We had to leave the house at 6:15 this morning, which is before I usually even wake up, and now I am pooped. And tomorrow I have to fly to an out-of-town hearing at 6:15 am. That means I need to leave my house about 4:30 am. I think I'll turn in early tonight. Thank goodness tomorrow's Friday.
7/2/08
Real lawyers don't cry
Big boss walked into my office this afternoon and yelled, "Don't you ever go crying to the goddamn Plaintiffs' lawyers because you can't handle a deposition." He was PO'd, but it, fortunately, was not directed at me.
Local counsel on an out-of-state case was supposed to be handling several depos this week. Apparently local counsel thought the Plaintiffs' lawyers were ganging up on her and ended up in tears in the deposition.
Seriously--what kind of lawyer starts crying in a deposition? If you can't take the heat from opposing counsel, you really should not have gone into litigation.
Besides the devastating impact that she has caused to her own career (she got yanked off a very big case), she is also doing nothing to help all the other female litigators. Is my boss going to think of this the next time he is scheduling depos and send a guy instead of me--a potentially hormonal female? I hope not.
Perhaps I sound unsympathetic, but it is frustrating to see a seemingly successful female lawyer flake out in a way that will leave the Good Ol' Boys saying, "yep, that's what you get with a girl."
Local counsel on an out-of-state case was supposed to be handling several depos this week. Apparently local counsel thought the Plaintiffs' lawyers were ganging up on her and ended up in tears in the deposition.
Seriously--what kind of lawyer starts crying in a deposition? If you can't take the heat from opposing counsel, you really should not have gone into litigation.
Besides the devastating impact that she has caused to her own career (she got yanked off a very big case), she is also doing nothing to help all the other female litigators. Is my boss going to think of this the next time he is scheduling depos and send a guy instead of me--a potentially hormonal female? I hope not.
Perhaps I sound unsympathetic, but it is frustrating to see a seemingly successful female lawyer flake out in a way that will leave the Good Ol' Boys saying, "yep, that's what you get with a girl."
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