The Shingle

So a lawyer friend of mine, who's had some difficulties finding an employer where there is mutual appreciation, has finally decided to hang out her own shingle. She actually won't be going at it alone, she has two other attorney friends that are joining her. Each of the three has their own specialty and contacts, so they may just do ok. I'm rooting for her. I know it hasn't been easy for her, although there have been some times I thought she brought some problems on herself. Still, I can totally sympathize with the difficulties in finding an employer you like and that appreciates the work you do, both in terms of verbal and monetary appreciation.

Especially in the legal field, it seems that the vast majority of lawyers are very super-type A people, very egocentric, very aggressive. I suppose that's probably why there are times when I'm too aggressive, though there are also many times I think I'm not aggressive enough in my work. Part of that is because of who I end up representing, I have felt more empathy for the plaintiffs than I do the defendants (or at least their insurance carrier). Still, its my job to defend them, so I do the best I can, which when I'm writing briefs is usually pretty good. I just need to do a better job in communicating verbally.

But back to my friend. Her new firm is planning to open in October. She'll possibly be renting space from a small firm for which we both used to work. Definitely small world. She ended up taking this move because her latest attempts to find a new position indicated that her prior employer problems may be biting a bit. A place she interviewed at (passing four rounds) found out that she used to work with an attorney (whom I also worked for - see Karma), who she believes may have passed along some not so nice remarks. Obviously the guy didn't admit it when she confronted him, but he didn't deny it either, so she has her suspicions, which may be valid. He wasn't her boss, but apparently he has enough contacts that he can still make a difference, and its sad that three years removed he can have that kind of sway and a desire to use it against her. So I hope her new firm is very successful and that someday, she beats him in court.

Part of me is pretty jealous of my friend, I admit. I would love to be my own boss, help real people, enjoy the rewards of being able to some work quickly on the computer, not have to worry about filling in a stupid billing sheet (although I suppose if I'm working for clients more directly, I'd have to record my time somehow, at least if I'm doing hourly work as opposed to flat billing). But until my family's financial situation is stable and supportive without me having to bring in a regular paycheck, its unlikely to happen. My friend doesn't have children and while she does have family and expenses (yeah, those dreadful student loans), she can get by on less.

I do have some hopes that in my current firm, I may eventually take over my boss' clients when he retires (which could be anywhere from 3-10 years depending on how his memory holds up). As my kids get older, I'll be able to focus a little more time for work and can hopefully get into more of the client-side of the business. This current firm is probably the best shot I have, so I hope everything continues to go well. So far, so good.

Vick? Seriously?

Well, I was pretty shocked last night watching the Eagles preseason game against the Patriots to hear that the Eagles signed Michael Vick. This is a team that booted a rookie for smoking marijuana and giving pretty hefty punishments for other players caught doing acts of which the management didn't approve. Heck, they made TO persona non gratta because he criticized the coaching staff and the lead quarterback (yeah, I think he was a jerk that deserved it too).

So it was pretty surprising that they'd sign someone with not just a criminal record, but a felony that involved killing animals. I hear the statements that Vick served his time, he's remorseful, he should be forgiven and allowed to make a living. But that doesn't mean I have to like him being on my team. Frankly, I expected him to go to the Raiders, where pretty much all other NFL criminals go. I would have been real money that the Eagles would never sign such a player. I understand the concept of forgiveness, but its hard to show that to someone that willingly took another creature's life (ok, bugs and mice are excepted).

Then there's the whole question of what the Eagles plan to do with Vick. Besides the fact that he can't play in a game until at least mid-October, the Eagles don't really need a quarterback. They have AJ Feeley and Kevin Kolb (who has a minor injury, but is supposed to be back), unless the Eagles really don't feel Kolb is McNabb's eventual replacement (in which case, there went a waste of a good first/second round draft pick).

They don't really need a running back or a wide receiver either. They have plenty of players at those positions already (and more than enough at wide receiver). Yeah Brian Westbrook has some questions of age and his knee, but he'll probably be good for this season, and his new second, McCoy looks great. I suppose Vick could be another backup in that position, or maybe tight end, where the Eagles are somewhat thin. Still, gotta wonder what player is going to lose out because of Vick being on the roster.

I want the Eagles to get to the Superbowl and win as much as the next Philadelphian, but (especially after the TO experiment) I'm really not sure the ends justifies the means.

Why Watch Reality?

Ok, I've never been a big fan of "Reality TV." It took years before I ever watched American Idol, Survivor or The Amazing Race (TAR). I've since become of fan of these shows, but they seem to offer something different. TAR at least offers viewers the opportunity to see places around the world they might otherwise not see and certainly has wet my appetite to someday visit some of the areas (and cooled by interest in others). AI offers singing. Survivor is more borderline. I like the interaction of the contestants, but I do get annoyed with the editing and some of the manipulation of the producers. Still, at least they players are in a completely abnormal situation that I would never experience, so it holds some interest for me.

What I don't understand is the popularity of other shows like The Bachelor/Bachelorette (and similar), Big Brother, Jon and Kate, etc. These are people being placed in generally normal situations, dating, living with roommates, raising kids, what is so interesting about that? Ok, I admit I've not watched these shows more than glances in passing, but I just fail to see the attraction. Why watch a show about raising kids when I'm busy raising my own kids? Yeah, I don't have 8 of them (thankfully), but I don't see what's at all interesting about seeing a family getting everything handed to them (free beach vacations, camping equipment, playhouses) and yet claiming to "struggle." You want to see struggle? Try raising two young kids while working full time, having no relatives around to help and having to pay for child care that calls you home from work when they are sick. Kate has never struggled like that.

What's so interesting about dating and living with roommates? I've done both and granted they have not been in these compact scenarios, but I still don't quite see the interest. I know some would say that BB is not that much different from Survivor (at least in terms of throwing a bunch of strangers together) and I see validity to that claim. Maybe it just because of the surroundings in a foreign land (island or jungle) and their limited provisions that adds to my interest. Or maybe if Survivor was on 3 days a week like BB, I'd get sick of it too. Who knows.

I have limited time to watch TV, so I do pick and choose what to watch. With so many other good shows and stories out there, its hard to watch "reality" (otherwise known as 'manipulative') TV. Yeah, I can't wait for TAR and Survivor to start.

Current Again - But Healthy?

I was reading my morning newspaper (yeah, I still like to read a newspaper when I'm riding the train into work, the print is bigger than if I tried to do it on a tiny phone), and there was an article about a 'town hall' meeting discussing the health care overall that is struggling to make its way through Congress. I admit, this was one of the big issues that led me to vote for Obama (my parents, and most of my family will now disown me for voting democratic). I just felt that being a democrat and having to struggle in his life (until his recent book sales), he could understand more the struggles that most working people go through to afford health care.

To this day, I do not understand the people that oppose an overall, claiming that the government will restrict their ability to obtain health care. As if health insurance companies don't do this already???!!! Oh, you say, the health insurance company doesn't restrict your ability to get whatever health care you want, just whether it will pay for it. Well, if the government takes over, it will be the same thing. People in this country who have means, will always be able to afford whatever health care they want. Its people without means that have to deal with rationed healthcare. Frankly, I'd rather have the government, who presumably would have no self-interest in what care I get, running as a non-profit, making a payment choice, rather than a health insurance company, who makes choices based on profit, shareholder demands and its CEO's salary/bonus program.

How can anyone seriously believe that a health insurance company would make a "better" choice on whether a patient is allowed to have 10 physical therapy visits or 30 than the government? Of course the health insurance company is going to choose 10, if it can get a medical practitioner (whose paid by the health insurance company, btw) to say 'that's enough, the patient doesn't need 30.' I loved how my health insurance company believed I was ready to return to work four weeks after my shoulder surgery, after my physical therapy benefits were 'exhausted,' because clearly I didn't need to use my shoulder to type at a computer or dictate. Didn't matter that I still couldn't move my primary arm enough to operate a car (at least safely) to get to my work, or to properly shower and wash my hair, or put on a bra, so I could actually appear presentable at the office. But I guess insurance companies believe that everyone has maids, dressers and chauffers. I ended up paying out of pocket for additonal physical therapy, which took another two months (although I was better able to return to work after another three weeks).

Then there are the people who think its 'socialism' to have the government involved in our health care. As opposed to our public schools, police, fire dept., and a myriad of other services provided by our government or at least regulated by it? We seem to get along pretty well with our electricity, water and gas services provided or regulated by the government, I don't see that health coverage would be much different. Again people point to failings in some government services or slowness, but I don't see health insurance companies being all that much better. Everyone always talks about how one of the best perks in working for the government is the 'great health benefits', so why can't the rest of the country enjoy the same? Is that really so bad?

I know the final big argument is who will pay for it? Well, who has the money? If those that make the big bucks don't want to give it up in taxes, maybe they should give up more of it in liveable wages so other people can afford health care. Sorry, but the money has to come from somewhere and it certainly can't come from people making $7.00 an hour. Either pay a bit more in taxes, or cut part of your salary and raise it for your workers. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE deserves to have decent healthcare. Ok, maybe not everyone is going to get the top of the line care or the world famous surgeon, but not everyone needs that. But if someone is sick or hurt, they should be able to get health care, without worrying about how they are going to pay the bill.