clowns among us

Just once I would like to hear an attorney say to a prospective client “nope, sorry cannot help you.” Why would that be a good thing with so many un-represented clients with legitimate matters out there, you ask? Because then some of those same underrepresented folks could get an attorney to represent them. Its supply and demand, after all. Maybe if more attorneys turned away the case that, although within the bounds of the law, is CLEARLY outside the bounds of decency, then those litigants who are deserving might have a chance to obtain counsel, not to mention the resultant fewer outrageous claims in the newspapers, etc. Or perhaps the litigious clowns who sue for a hot coffee spilling, or a little league parent who sued because her son was clumsy and forgot how to slide properly, or the Dartmouth professor who sued her students in a “French Narrative Theory” class for arguing with her, would get just a little perspective and would stop clogging our courts with garbage. Everyone has probably read about the administrative law judge who sued a local drycleaner for losing a pair of his pants. Ridiculous you say? Oh contraire, he sued them for 67 million, having lowered that to a “more reasonable” 54 million just prior to trial. He turned down an offer to settle of $12,000 in a case involving a 1000 dollar suit. Needless to say, he did not get reappointed as an administrative law judge, for which HE IS SUING THE GOVT for not reappointing him. How would you like to appear before this guy?
I do not understand, as an attorney, how a firm or lawyer could with a straight face take on a case of such little import as one of these notable examples. Parents suing the National Honor Society because their son did not qualify. His gpa was off by .1 and the parents sued, claiming that they had not taken into account some extra credit work the student had done. Maybe if he had worked just a little harder, you say. No, it’s becoming alarmingly apparent that people always want someone else to blame for their own mistakes or for life. Life, after all, has a few bumps in it for everyone. It takes a little wider perspective to understand that everyone has disappointments, things that don’t go as they plan, etc. Maybe if we all had a little more perspective, we could get along much easier.

Soothing the Inner Beast

Recently I was making a new playlist, goofing around with some songs from a couple of bands that I listen to and came up with the perfect playlist. Have you ever found the perfect one, like one that you made for working out months ago and still use because its THAT perfect? This was one of those moments. I cannot explain why music has such power over me, but I guess I don't need to know the science of it to realize that the ability of music to heal and inspire. I had one of those moments and I am glad not to have to think too much about it but, rather, just live it and know that I am a better person for having experienced it. I think we have all had those moments, the kind that you probably had in high school, or perhaps in college. You know the kind I am talking about; it's early October, maybe driving around with a good friend on a warm afternoon after a chilly morning and anticipating going to a football game or maybe even a date that night and a song comes on and it just fits the moment? When I put the playlist together and listened to it all the way through once, I just knew it was....perfect. It seemed like the music actually went inside me and it was medicine to my brain. I even got goosebumps.

At the risk of ruining something so perfect, and with the caveat that we should all remember that everyone has different heartstrings when it comes to music, I will name the bands of whom I speak so highly; matt pond PA, Okkervil River and Shout Out Louds. No matter what "style" of music you prefer, these groups make great music and are worth a listen. Go get some goosebumps, no matter what you like, even if these bands don't move you the way they did me, go find something that does and let it work out the kinks for a few moments. Music is one of those inexplicable things that the lord gives us to make it just a little easier to get through life.

Movies that I have wanted to like

I will admit that I am a pretty big fan of Will Ferrell. He is, without a doubt, a very funny guy. Both in terms of what he says, but maybe more so for his physical style of humor. He is even funny when he isn't really in a scene (see the 2d installment of Austin Powers during the attack near the cliff). That said, I recently took two of my boys to see Land of the Lost. I wanted to like it, I really did, but found myself disappointed. It had funny man Danny McBride (who is an absolute crack up--see Pineapple Express), the beautiful Anna Friel and of course, Will. But it was one of those movies where the funniest scenes were the ones from the trailer. There were a couple of parts that make you laugh out loud, but frankly, just not enough of them. I would give it a 6.25 out of 10. For a really funny WF movie, just rent Old School, Zoolander or Anchorman. Will is at his best when he gets to ham it up without going over the top. The role from Zoolander plays into that perfectly.