I just happened to log into my blog site and realized that I have not posted in several months. Oh well. Time flies.
I am sitting at my kitchen table with two friends who are creating blogs. One is doing this for a class and the other as a learning process. I am just along for the ride. So, I decided to add a post and update the cyber world with my latest antics.
Keeping a day job and practicing law keep me busy when I let them. I have a lot I need to do with my practice that slides by since no one keeps tabs on me and I am working for peanuts or nothing. I have managed to have my first and second court appearances. The first was in family court helping a nice young woman get a protection from abuse. The second was with a guy accused of misdemeanor assault in municipal court. I managed to get him down to a reasonable fine where he felt like the amount paid was worth it for having pummeled the other guy's face to hamburger meat. Let me tell you that chivalry is not dead, just illegal in most places.
I do have a couple of suits that need to be filed fairly soon and, if we are lucky, will result in reasonable settlements for my clients. I don't expect to win what I am asking for, just to get something for the effort I make and the hell they caused my clients.
Along with a couple of close friends and fellow advocates, we have started a site called Education Legal Services. We have a web site with that name (.com) and a facebook page. Check us omore consistent with posting.ut and contact us if you have questions or concerns about your child's educational rights and privileges. I can also be contacted for any legal concerns at gwhamiltonjd@gmail.com.
I will try to be more consistent with posting, but I make no promises. Later.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Addiction
I have become addicted to FarmTown and Farmville on Facebook. I must check my farm or work there several times each day. I am obsessed with growing my crops and harvesting them in a timely manner. I arrange my schedule to be at home in time to harvest my crops.
Am I crazy or what?
Am I crazy or what?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Celebrations
There was a lot to celebrate this past weekend with me passing the bar. Now I think it is time to stop celebrating for a while. We celebrated Friday night with dinner at Sol, Saturday with my friend D then with another friend for her birthday, Monday with friend A.
My wallet is empty and I have managed to eliminate more than a few brain cells with alcohol.
Time to get to work.
My wallet is empty and I have managed to eliminate more than a few brain cells with alcohol.
Time to get to work.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The waiting is over.
I started law school in January 2005 at age 51. I graduated in May 2009. At the end of July, I took the Bar exam along with 609 other people. We had to wait - though not patiently, I'm sure - until September 25 for the results.
I went to work on Friday as usual. I had an office day planned. I was not sure I would be in any kind of emotional condition to be around others after the results came out. I stayed in my office and worked quietly passing the time. My officemate - Ty - asked what time the results would be available as he came in. I told him about 9 . He said he would wait for my shout to let him know I passed. I had my doubts.
A parent called about 8:30 and I got involved in finding an answer for him in the Code of Alabama. Just as I got to the website, my cell phone rang - my classmate and fellow examinee Jeff calling. I swallowed and answered the phone. He asked if I knew anything yet. I said no. He told me he had been checking the bar directory and named some friends who had passed. He finally said it didn't look good for him or me. I took a deep breath and said we should start our study plan for February.
For some reason, I decided to look for myself and opened the Alabama Bar website. There was a new icon on the home page called "Did I Pass the Bar?" I clicked on that and entered my Social security number. A new screen popped up that said "Congratulations. Your name has been certified to the Alabama Supreme Court as having passed all parts of the Bar Exam. Further information will be mailed to you soon."
I did a double take. "Hold on, Jeff," I said. I backed out and enetered my SSN again. The same screen popped up again. I told him. We chatted for another minute about those who passed and those who did not and ended the call.
I gave a shout for Ty. He came over and I told him I passed. We hugged. Then we headed across the hall to tell my other co-workers. As I started through the door - hands raised in victory - two nurses were trying to exit. They asked after my health as I was acting very out of character. I said I was fine. I turned to the boss's office and called to her secretary, "I passed." I saw a co-worker in the boss's office who jumped up and came toward me. The boss and another co-worker came as well. I broke up that meeting. Several others entered from the other office. They all applauded me, hugged me, congratulated me.
After that hoopla, I returned to my office and began calling my family and friends. Everyone was so excited for me - and I was quite proud of myself.
When I arrived home, there was an envelope in the mail from the Bar with my exam scores. I sincerely doubt that I knocked the top out of the test, but it was a respectable passing score.
We celebrated at Sol Azteca - as usual - with margaritas.
On Saturday, my certificate arrived from the Alabama Supreme Court, allowing me to begin the practice of law.
Wow.
I went to work on Friday as usual. I had an office day planned. I was not sure I would be in any kind of emotional condition to be around others after the results came out. I stayed in my office and worked quietly passing the time. My officemate - Ty - asked what time the results would be available as he came in. I told him about 9 . He said he would wait for my shout to let him know I passed. I had my doubts.
A parent called about 8:30 and I got involved in finding an answer for him in the Code of Alabama. Just as I got to the website, my cell phone rang - my classmate and fellow examinee Jeff calling. I swallowed and answered the phone. He asked if I knew anything yet. I said no. He told me he had been checking the bar directory and named some friends who had passed. He finally said it didn't look good for him or me. I took a deep breath and said we should start our study plan for February.
For some reason, I decided to look for myself and opened the Alabama Bar website. There was a new icon on the home page called "Did I Pass the Bar?" I clicked on that and entered my Social security number. A new screen popped up that said "Congratulations. Your name has been certified to the Alabama Supreme Court as having passed all parts of the Bar Exam. Further information will be mailed to you soon."
I did a double take. "Hold on, Jeff," I said. I backed out and enetered my SSN again. The same screen popped up again. I told him. We chatted for another minute about those who passed and those who did not and ended the call.
I gave a shout for Ty. He came over and I told him I passed. We hugged. Then we headed across the hall to tell my other co-workers. As I started through the door - hands raised in victory - two nurses were trying to exit. They asked after my health as I was acting very out of character. I said I was fine. I turned to the boss's office and called to her secretary, "I passed." I saw a co-worker in the boss's office who jumped up and came toward me. The boss and another co-worker came as well. I broke up that meeting. Several others entered from the other office. They all applauded me, hugged me, congratulated me.
After that hoopla, I returned to my office and began calling my family and friends. Everyone was so excited for me - and I was quite proud of myself.
When I arrived home, there was an envelope in the mail from the Bar with my exam scores. I sincerely doubt that I knocked the top out of the test, but it was a respectable passing score.
We celebrated at Sol Azteca - as usual - with margaritas.
On Saturday, my certificate arrived from the Alabama Supreme Court, allowing me to begin the practice of law.
Wow.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Politics
Today I am amazed at the bigotry displayed by some members of my community regarding the upcoming speech by the President to school children.
Without a clue as to what will be said, the format in which it will be said or the content in which it will be said, members of the community are violently opposed to the speech and refuse to even hear the common sense side of it.
One woman posted that she recalled "whatshisname" (actually Bush 1) speaking to students when she was in school but does not recall what was said and believes today's children will be much the same. She was attacked as being stupid for not remembering and thinking someone's children may have poor memories.
Let's be for real here. Most children will never recall in five, ten or twenty years what was said. Many will not even recall that the POTUS spoke to them via tv. It is no longer an important event for kids to watch something on tv in school. Kids see everything from Sesame Street to movies of Hitler's army annihilating the Jews on a regular basis at school. What makes a speech from the POTUS so controversial? Especially when his topic is scheduled to be The Importance of Education?
It certainly is beyond the scope of my understanding.
Without a clue as to what will be said, the format in which it will be said or the content in which it will be said, members of the community are violently opposed to the speech and refuse to even hear the common sense side of it.
One woman posted that she recalled "whatshisname" (actually Bush 1) speaking to students when she was in school but does not recall what was said and believes today's children will be much the same. She was attacked as being stupid for not remembering and thinking someone's children may have poor memories.
Let's be for real here. Most children will never recall in five, ten or twenty years what was said. Many will not even recall that the POTUS spoke to them via tv. It is no longer an important event for kids to watch something on tv in school. Kids see everything from Sesame Street to movies of Hitler's army annihilating the Jews on a regular basis at school. What makes a speech from the POTUS so controversial? Especially when his topic is scheduled to be The Importance of Education?
It certainly is beyond the scope of my understanding.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Life After Law School
I have recently discovered what many people do after law school.
They play on FACEBOOK all day.
I have gained numerous "friends" from my law school days through invitations in Facebook. I have planted and work a FARM in FARMVILLE where friends are my neighbors and send me gifts each day - and ask for gifts in return. It is so pleasant to find a lemon tree or a cow in my gift box! And I can give them a chicken or a fig tree in return. And we pleasantly agree to help out our neighbors when they are overcome by weeds. How nice.
And I get regular updates from all my friends - telling about their day and plans. Everything I wanted to know. And the pictures are so nice!
One thing I never expected was to "meet" my next door neighbor on Facebook. My sons are Friends with her - and she asked to be added as my friend as well. We have chatted a bit - but never met face to face.
Don't you just love the world of cyberspace? I do!
They play on FACEBOOK all day.
I have gained numerous "friends" from my law school days through invitations in Facebook. I have planted and work a FARM in FARMVILLE where friends are my neighbors and send me gifts each day - and ask for gifts in return. It is so pleasant to find a lemon tree or a cow in my gift box! And I can give them a chicken or a fig tree in return. And we pleasantly agree to help out our neighbors when they are overcome by weeds. How nice.
And I get regular updates from all my friends - telling about their day and plans. Everything I wanted to know. And the pictures are so nice!
One thing I never expected was to "meet" my next door neighbor on Facebook. My sons are Friends with her - and she asked to be added as my friend as well. We have chatted a bit - but never met face to face.
Don't you just love the world of cyberspace? I do!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Back to School
Sales - new clothes - a new ink pen and a clean notebook - I always loved the rituals associated with going back to school. Guess that is why I became a teacher. I still enjoy these things - but I have come to hate this time of the year.
I work in the attendance department of a school system.
While attendance is not my job, during the back to school event, it becomes my job.
Every morning when I get to work, there are already families lined up in the hallway waiting to be served. Parents do not come alone. They bring all the kids, the neighbor and the neighbor's kids, along with their third cousin who is in town for an extended visit and all of her kids. Inevitably, the kids scream and cry - constantly. Or they whine. Yes, it is hot - what sea of humanity in a crowded hallway is not hot? Yes, there are no amenities. We are an office building, not a daycare center or restaurant. We will assist you as soon as possible, but you do realize there are about a hundred people ahead of you. I understand that you must get back to work after your lunch hour. I have the same problem. We have been working all summer - and had two months when no one came in the office and we could have processed your enrollment in half of your lunch hour, but you chose to wait until the day before school starts to come in. Yes, you must have all the required paperwork for me to complete your enrollment - and you may have to come back if you don't have it. It is the law - and I'm sorry, but I don't know you well enough to go to jail for you.
I managed to get home after only an extra hour at work today.
School starts in the morning - and I have been assigned to assist with enrollment at a high school with a new principal. Should be great fun. Can you tell I can hardly wait?
I work in the attendance department of a school system.
While attendance is not my job, during the back to school event, it becomes my job.
Every morning when I get to work, there are already families lined up in the hallway waiting to be served. Parents do not come alone. They bring all the kids, the neighbor and the neighbor's kids, along with their third cousin who is in town for an extended visit and all of her kids. Inevitably, the kids scream and cry - constantly. Or they whine. Yes, it is hot - what sea of humanity in a crowded hallway is not hot? Yes, there are no amenities. We are an office building, not a daycare center or restaurant. We will assist you as soon as possible, but you do realize there are about a hundred people ahead of you. I understand that you must get back to work after your lunch hour. I have the same problem. We have been working all summer - and had two months when no one came in the office and we could have processed your enrollment in half of your lunch hour, but you chose to wait until the day before school starts to come in. Yes, you must have all the required paperwork for me to complete your enrollment - and you may have to come back if you don't have it. It is the law - and I'm sorry, but I don't know you well enough to go to jail for you.
I managed to get home after only an extra hour at work today.
School starts in the morning - and I have been assigned to assist with enrollment at a high school with a new principal. Should be great fun. Can you tell I can hardly wait?
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