Adventures of Out Law Mama

The Count!

2009-11-06T11:01:00.000-08:00

Ha! This is a picture from our work party that was just sent to me. Reminds me how crappy I was feeling last week! Still, I made a pretty fine vampire! :) (My make-up during the next night's Trunk or Treat was even better.)

My Week in Review

2009-11-06T10:51:00.000-08:00

So, we've reached another Friday.

My week did not end as well as it started.

Boy Wonder has been out of school, experiencing a fever all week. Doc checked him on Tuesday for possibilities of pneumonia, but he's clear - Thank God - and cough seems to be getting better.

Only spoke with two attorneys this week on the networking road, but do have two more set up for next week, and one that is on constant reschedule. I have several emails out there awaiting responses. I sent three new ones today.

Student loans have me in a state of panic/depression/run-for-the-border and change my name. I am looking into my options, and although it seems bad now, I think it will actually end up OK, or close to OK. Clearly, when I entered law school, and took on so much debt, I did not count on the economy being in the toilet. Eventually, the tide will turn, and I know I will be happy for my fancy credentials. Today, well, the tide is out.

Here is something good about this week:
Jake Drake: Class Clown. This is a chapter book that I started reading to the kids at bedtime this week. Wife found it for Boy Wonder. It is a fun book - about a second-grader trying to deal with a grumpy student teacher who won't smile and is making everyone's life miserable. He finds power in becoming the class clown. I think I may be enjoying it even more than the kids, although, Little Princess was laughing out loud, slightly hysterical, at the antics two nights ago.

Yes, that is a good thing.

Confession

2009-11-04T08:19:00.000-08:00

Today's confession: I apparently am about 12.

Ever attend one of those meetings that you are sure is going to be all talk and no substance, and then sit across from a friend that you've recently talked to about playing Bullsh*t Bingo at said meeting? Yes, me too - yesterday. My friend and I should not have sat across from each other where we could catch each other's eye, because that was all it took to nearly send me into spasms of laughter. I was so close to losing it entirely. I tried looking at the floor, the ceiling, my can of Coke. I tried thinking of serious subjects. I settled for nearly biting my tongue in half while thinking, "You are a professional. Pull yourself together." You got it - that just made it worse.

Remember the "Chuckles the Clown" funeral scene from Mary Tyler Moore? OK, many of you are too young for that reference. There was something more recent.....George's funeral on Gray's Anatomy. I was afraid that was where I was headed yesterday - totally inappropriate laughter over something that wasn't even funny.

Ah, good times.

Maybe today I can snicker if someone says the word "duty."

Networking Update

2009-11-03T12:52:00.000-08:00

It appears that I am finally getting the upper hand on what has probably been a case of H1N1. Beyond the first couple days of being mostly miserable, it just left me, and Wife, wiped out. Today, it is actually past noon and I am still functioning well. Boy Wonder has had a relapse, so we are watching him closely for signs of a secondary infection, but so far, appears to be either another bug, or an actual relapse. We've been in touch with his doc so we know what to watch for in case he needs to be seen.

I had mentioned tracking the job search here, but then last week was pretty much a lost week all around. This week, I have already made two phone appointments for informational interviews and completed one of them. The other would have been completed yesterday, but the other attorney got tied up, so we had to reschedule. ("Other attorney" - that sounds pretty good, right?)

I have over 40 people on my networking list - some I have met and/or spoken with, others are names that have recently been given to me and I still need to contact. Everyone I have spoken with has been so generous with their time and ideas, and many have offered names of colleagues they think may be able to offer useful advice. There is much good work being done out there, I just have to find my way in!

A Rewarding Late Start

2009-11-02T08:16:00.001-08:00

After a great weekend of Halloween fun, Boy Wonder awoke with a fever this morning. We may be heading into Round 2 of this thing, and most of us were not at 100% from Round 1. Ugh.

So, because I was quite tired and moving slowly, then taking care of the boy, I got a late start out the door this morning. I rushed to my car to be greeted with ice covering the windshield. Great. I started the car and called in to Wife to please open the garage door, because my ice scraper had been tossed in the garage in favor of Friday's trunk or treat decorations - tombstones, spider webs, spiders, spooky lights and dry ice. (I suspect photos can be, or soon will be, found on Wife's blog.) She graciously came out and scraped my windshield (Thanks, honey!) while I ran back in the house for a quick potty break - fearing my late start would mean a long drive in.

A few minutes later, I was on my way, and was rewarded with a spectacular sunrise - full of that amazing pink-orange color rarely enjoyed outside of sunrise or sunset. As I drove across the bridge, the sunrise colors spread out behind the mountain and then stretched into purples and blues, and then into a low lying fog bank. It was simply magical. I half-expected a castle to appear from behind the fog. By the time I arrived at work, the sun was up, and it was clear it was going to be a beautiful morning. I snapped the above shot on my way from the parking lot.

Happy Monday!

Trunk or Treat!

2009-10-29T12:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow night is Trunk or Treat at Boy Wonder's school. Parents decorate their trunks and the kids do the trick or treat thing by going car to car. The kids and I bought our decorations a couple weeks ago - before we all got sick. We have some tombstones, spider webbing, the requisite spiders, plus a scary sounds Halloween CD to pop into the player for the proper ambiance. We also have two big plastic tableclothes, Halloween-themed, of course, that will probably just about cover my little Scion xA. We do need some kind of lighting. I'm not sure if the interior light will do the trick. Maybe a large flashlight for backlighting behind the tombstones, or some kind of led tail lights would do the trick. I'm considering picking up some dry ice for a nice fog effect. We'll see how I'm feeling by tomorrow night. Right now, it is lunch time, and I am feeling like a nap would be good.

I'm Back!

2009-10-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

I may not quite be at full speed, yet, but I'm in the running! Today I went to work, accomplished work-related tasks, and managed to dress up for Halloween! (See Wife's blog for pictures.) I am a vampire - no, not with the short black skirt and black tights - black pants, black chrome-studded belt (something about that belt says "vampire" to me) white shirt, vest, cape, and make up that makes me look as bad as I felt a couple days ago!

Today, I guess we best wash all the towels, counters, kitchen faucets, door knobs...etc....and hope we don't recycle our germs around the family again. I figured if you had H1N1 once, that was it....Wife heard a rumor that it may not be the case. Well shoot, what was the point of getting it once then?

Road to Recovery - Day 5

2009-10-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

So, for anyone counting, this makes Day 5 of sickness for me. I think we're pretty comfortable with saying we all had H1N1. Our pediatrician said that at this point, any sickness with a high fever is most likely H1N1. Kids are doing great. The Little Princess has started with some cold symptoms today, but overall feels good. Quite an improvement over the end of last week for her! Wife and I are still VERY tired and could use quiet children right now. My headache has subsided and I think I may actually be able to go to work tomorrow.

Yup - tomorrow I may be among the living, doing emails, reviewing contracts, checking out our website directory, and avoiding everyone else's germs! I think I may dress up as a vampire - with white make-up and dark eyes. Here's my line for when people ask how I am:

"I'm still feeling a little pale." *grin*

Higher Education

2009-10-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Down sick again today. Ugh.

I can imagine a time that I will once again be calling up alumni, networking, dealing with my student loans, but for now, figuring out how to navigate the TV remote is about my speed.

Speaking of loans, and higher education, it seems that the latest and greatest in higher education are the online degree programs. The place where I work is moving more and more focus and funding in that direction. It makes sense to cater to what not just the up and coming generation wants, but also what fits into the schedule of adults returning to school - mostly working parents with day jobs. Online may be a perfect answer for that demographic.

Although I am personally past even wanting to think about school, the Western Governor's University is one that if I were at a different point in life, I'd want to look into. Their website has a good deal of information about how and why the online university was formed, their theory of education, their accrediting bodies , and their National Advisory Board, which is filled with prestigious organizations. They deal with both graduate and undergraduate degrees, with a variety of specialties. Their tuition is very affordable, especially when compared with what I paid. I would say it is comparable with my undergrad degree...20 years ago!

The site has a lot of information, and for anyone considering going to, or back to, college, I would think this would be something really worth investigating.

Mindless Fun

2009-10-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

This weekend, even though we were all sick, was kind of fun. Wife and I stole a couple hours here and there watching the old Beverly Hills 90210 while the kids were in the living room watching their own shows. Another confession - we record the old 90210 series. It is such good, mindless fun and reminds us of "the good ol' days." It is really enjoyable to make fun of Brenda's drama, Kelly's bitchiness, Dylan's tragic life, Steve's self-centeredness....and the rest. Brandon, however, is still impeachable. Gotta love Brandon. Anyway, recording the show is fun - no commercials, no Foreman Grill, no nuphedragen, no latest craze exercise contraption. Just crazy teen/early 20-something drama. It was just our speed this weekend....and yesterday....and today. Wow - I hope I am better tomorrow!

Not Part of the In Crowd

2009-10-27T16:44:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like you are part of the "out" crowd? OK, that is a little funny since I am "out" and all....but I mean, technologically. I have a confession to make: I do not have an iphone, iphone accessories, or even a wanna-be iphone. My phone does not have a full QWERTY keyboard, does not surf the net, or order pizza for me. Well....sometimes that last one. *grin* Somehow, I do manage to make phone calls and send text messages, but one of these days, probably about the time something really new and cool comes out, I'll get an iphone!

Not Having Much Fun

2009-10-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

Thought I was doing better last night. Today - bad headache and so tired. Kids tried to stay quiet and had some good moments, but they are feeling fine and not so much into being quiet. Ugh. I did not even feel good enough for Wii or playstation 3. OK, we don't really have a playstation, but today, it would not have mattered. Yesterday, I played Wii Mario Kart for a short time. Today, not so much feeling it. Though, maybe suggesting some video games for the kids later would be a good plan. More peace and quiet is just what I need!

Bouncing Back Up

2009-10-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

You know that nasty flu that is going around? The one we've all been hearing far too much about? It seems to have struck our family. Last Thursday, our Little Princess came down with a fairly high fever and laid around on the couch all day watching TV and napping. It was sad. By after school Friday, Boy Wonder had a high fever too, though the Princess was feeling "medium" with no more fever.

Wife and I both said a sad good-bye to our fun weekend plans - a visit to see her family, and a celebration of passing the bar and getting sworn in with my friends. By day's end, I too was feeling feverish, and though the thermometer never confirmed it, think I was hit too - headache, sore throat, tired....Wife felt much the same.

Today I stayed home from work, Boy Wonder stayed home from school, and we all continued Day Three of being shut-ins. (Wife notes it was her Day Five...ugh!) At one point, the rain was pouring down and the Princess really wanted to go on a rain walk. No one had a fever anymore, and we all needed to get out of the house, so we figured, "What the heck!" We took the dogs, and went splashing through our neighborhood. The kids managed to find a puddle deep enough to flood right into their boots! I was happy I'd bought a waterproof pair of women shoes last year that are really more like boots. We played Good Samaritan and unclogged the drain that was causing the huge deep puddle....it was quite impressive when the water finally started flooding into the drain - it swirled down just like a giant toilet. Very fun for us all!

We don't yet know what tomorrow will bring. So far, no fevers at all today. That is good news!

Things That Make You Go...Hmmmmm...

2009-10-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

You know how sometimes when you are surfing the web you come across something you just have to share?

Then you think - who is the right person to share this with? Will it offend so and so?

Then, you do something crazy and just post it to your blog, because, well, people come there to read your strange stuff, so reader beware.

So, now, without further delay - I smuggly present today's oddity:

Yes, today I found on sale the straight-jacket backpack. I have no idea about the size - I suspect it to be more of a fashionable purse size - something you could put a wallet, keys and a flask in - but does it really matter? Now, it is seriously questionable that I would ever actually carry anything this close to a purse, but c'mon, the humor factor is high here! It also comes in white. Perhaps it would be a great accessory for a Halloween costume, or a prize at a Halloween party, or maybe you just need it for that special night out on the town you've been planning. You KNOW the looks you'd get. You want one, don't you?

A Good Read

2009-10-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

Ever since reading The Da Vinci Code, I have loved Dan Brown. I first read it at some point over the last three years. This was one of the best books I'd read in a long time. I've since gone back and found Angels and Demons and Deception Point. I've not read Digital Fortress or the new one, The Lost Symbol. I will though. I am just spacing them out a bit so I can really enjoy each one unto itself. (Besides, I already have three other books going - all non-fiction, which I find easier to start and stop and keep several juggling at once.)

What is amazing is the way Dan Brown weaves mystery, science and religion all together an a way that is fascinating. To call his books "page turners" is an understatement. I was at a bookstore not long ago and came across a book on sale
called Beyond Angels and Demons: The Truth Behind the Fiction. Though I did not buy it on the spot, I did pick it up and flip through it. Fascinating!

This book covers many of the historical places and objects that are discussed in the book, Angels and Demons. It is interesting getting a "behind the scenes" glimpse at the real life objects and their symbolism, beyond Dan Brown's portrayal. Although this is certainly not the definitive book on Catholic symbolism, fans of the book are likely to be intrigued. As I said, I did not buy it, yet, but if I see it on sale again, I may pick it up!

Watch Out!

2009-10-23T08:51:00.000-07:00

There comes a moment in every woman's life where she must ask herself, "Do I have enough watches?"

I believe I now have 10-15, but the answer is still, "no." I do not yet have this beauty by Fossil:

There is just something about watches - the balance of form and function - that pleases me. The funny thing is, ever since the birth of our first child, I rarely wear a watch. When Boy Wonder was born, I didn't want to snag him with the watch, plus there was all the hand-washing, and bathing of the baby, and well, lots of reasons that it didn't matter what time it was.

Now, I love buying a nice watch on sale, or even better, receiving one as a gift. I add each new treasure to my collection, look at it frequently, wear it sometimes, and appreciate it always. Take the above watch, for instance, it is not just your average watch. It is brown, water resistant, sports a tiny diamond, and features three chronograph dials. Don't ask me what the heck those do, beside look cool, because it doesn't really matter. I don't even need the watch to keep time. I have my cell phone for that. Still, keeping accurate time is a bonus, particularly if the phone is not handy. No reason to believe this battery-powered quartz movement watch would not be an excellent time-keeper.

I bet this watch feels good. Nice weight, pleasant texture, and would probably draw compliments.

Maybe I am just a freak, but I suspect there are other watch-lovers out there just like me.

The L Word - The Final Season

2009-10-23T08:10:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I extolled the virtues of The L Word. This partly because the show ended its final season last March, and partly because it was not as good in its later seasons as the early ones. Still as the only lesbian-centered drama, it was ground-breaking television, and even when the story lines were weak, the eye-candy was pleasing. Kate Moennig, Jennifer Beals - no one can really complain about that!

I have just realized that the Final Season is on sale in DVD, and I believe is the only season we are missing from our collection. The final season was only 8 episodes, and centered around the murder investigation of one of their own. In the first episode, Jenny, who was always a bit of a psycho - sometimes lovably so, and often not, is found dead in the pool. Through each proceeding show, we find that pretty much everyone had motive and opportunity to be the one who killed her. In the end, there is no resolution. Maybe she even killed herself. The resolution, or lack thereof, drew a lot of criticism from loyal fans for director Ilene Chaiken. Many saw it as a pubicity stunt for her potential next SHO project, which would have been a spin-off of The L Word (it was not picked up by SHOWTIME). Others just thought it unfair and poor story-telling. She basically claims that who did it is not important, because in the end, it was a show about relationships, and that theme remained true throughout, even to the final scene.

Always entertaining television, even when frustrating, this is one set I will eventually own.

First Friday Report - There Will Be More

2009-10-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

It is dark, rainy and rather depressing, but here I am, making the best of it. Our Little Princess was down with a fever yesterday, but is hopefully on the road to recovery today. This morning looks promising, anyway. There is nothing quite like a fever to act as an appetite suppressant. Poor girl ate almost nothing yesterday and laid around like a lump watching TV most of the day. Today, she is already much more active and seems more like herself. Let's hope it was just a 24-hour virus, or extremely mild H1N1, and that the rest of us stay healthy!

Take What You Can Get

2009-10-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

Apparently, leaves are what I've got this week.

Actually, it has been a relatively good week, but things are feeling rather "Blah" today.

On the networking front, I have spoken with 2 or 3 attorneys this week, made contact with another, and had about 6-7 names given to me. People are being so generous with their time, and when they are passionate about what they do, their energy is contagious. I best not speak with any criminal defense lawyers! Who knows where may career might end up!

The Colors of Fall

2009-10-19T08:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! Fall has definitely arrived. This picture shows a sample of the amazing colors we are blessed to be surrounded by in this beautiful part of the country. I know, I know, I need a better camera. Just when I was about to start taking a decent one to work to capture these moments, our Little Princess dropped our spare camera and it is now broken. Have no idea if it will cost more to repair it or buy a new one, and it probably will not be a priority to find out for a while. Maybe the after-Thanksgiving sales will hold attractive prices. I have a feeling repair wil not be cheap.

Anyway - back to the leaves! I suspect that soon on Wife's blog there will be some fun pictures of the family and I playing in the leaves. After crazy rain on Saturday, it dried out enough on Sunday for the kids to decide it was time to rake, pile, jump and throw. Fun times!

I hope you all have as many easy opportunities as I do to experience the beauty that surrounds us.

Halloween Approaches

2009-10-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween! Even though we have never really gone crazy with the decorations or created our own haunted house, it is one of those things that I love the idea of doing. There are so many wonderful, creepy decorations easily available these days, and costumes that are great.

I've only purchased a couple ready-made costumes in my adult life, preferring to create my own by going to a second-hand store, or raiding my own closet. The ones I have purchased though have been fun, and frankly, way easier than the do-it-yourself method.

A few years ago I was a knight - the costume came with pants, shirt, headpiece, and shoe covers that looked like boots....all very cool. This year I do not know what, if anything, I will dress as, but here is a great vampire costume. Is there anything more intriguing than a vampire?

Yes, I know this is a man's costume, but c'mon, does anyone who knows me really see me in a really short skirt and black stockings? I didn't think so. This is the perfect costume - long, black velvet cape, white shirt, vest, and for a touch of humor - a bat-shaped bow tie. Add my own black pants, and I would be set for the night! Another great thing about pre-made, store-bought costumes is that you can put them in a bag after Halloween, stow them away until needed, and all the parts are right there. No digging around to try to remember how you'd made the robot, the pirate, or the police officer in year's past.

In these last two weeks before the big night, there are bound to be lots of these great costumes on sale all over the place. Guess I should be considering this, especially since the kids like for us to dress up when we take them out trick or treating!

Lawyers Don't Just Defend Criminals

2009-10-16T08:30:00.001-07:00

OK, so I should also have said in the previous post that I'd not be pursuing a career as a Tacoma car accident lawyer, either. Funny, when my mom first mentioned to me when I was about 18 that I should be a lawyer, all the stereotypical lawyers popped into my head, and I loudly proclaimed, "Why would I want to defend criminals?" I did not think about all the possible areas of law there were, or for what other kinds of work going to law school might prepare me. I didn't consider business or tax law, tribal law, animal law, civil rights law, public interest law, patent law, or environmental law. I only thought about criminal law. Perhaps I was raised with a tad too much TV? *grin*

2009-10-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Job Search

2009-10-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have this thought that I may lay out some of my job search strategies, adventures and roadblocks on this blog. After all, I covered a lot of the actual law school drama and the next logical step is the job search. Will this be interesting? I don't know, but I can try!

Maybe for others out there, it will offer some comfort that I'm going through the same thing as you are, and for law students, maybe there will be some useful dos and don'ts I can provide.

For those not familiar with my area of interest, I want to find a job in the environmental field, energy or natural resources are among my top choices, but I am really interested in almost all related areas. I am not interested in litigation. I am interested in either private firms, government agencies, or private companies. I'd love to work for a non-profit, but those to whom I owe a great deal of money probably would not be thrilled with that option. :) Traditional attorney work, or something outside the norm is equally appealing.

I won't fall into well-known categories of New York accident lawyers, public defenders, or criminal prosecutors that we all see on TV, but I am confident there is something out there that will be really interesting, and help me pay those darn loans!

Just Another Day

2009-10-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

I was so going to blog earlier in the day, but now I find myself in a rush to get this done before I must move to the next activity, which happens to be driving home! Today was not particularly remarkable. Fall has set in, and though not raining, it was dreary. I fear it will be a long winter. I am very tired today. At least I do not have the flu and am not experiencing malignant Mesothelioma treatment, I am simply tired.

Here - I do have some positive things: Today I spoke with two alumni from my law school, one who is also an alumni of my undergrad school, and they both had some interesting information to share. I got one new person to contact, plus an invitation to call back tomorrow after one of the attorneys has a chance to think about who he would recommend I contact. I love forward momentum! Yes, that feels good!