Summer's Over

Well, its the day after Labor Day, summer is officially over. My in-laws were in town for two weeks, so during that time, it was a mini-vacation for me too. I didn't have to get the kids up and ready for daycare, nor drop them off/pick them up. I think I cooked maybe twice during the entire time, we went out to eat a lot and my mother in law cooked a couple of times. We also went away for four days to VA, which was nice (although typically we had a few problems - nothing is ever easy), then had the 3 day weekend at the end. Overall, a very nice time. I can't wait for Christmas, when we'll hopefully visit with them for 2 weeks in France (finances permitting, the last time we checked airfare it was still close to $1,000 per person).

Even with the in-laws in town, I didn't seem to have much "down time." I worked a lot, trying to take advantage of no-daycare with some extra work hours. Several cases have kept me super busy and September promises to be about the same. Its a little extra tough sometimes because my boss has little "memory lapses" and doesn't always (ok, rarely ever) tells me when certain things come in the mail, so I find out very last minute and have to scramble to get some things out on time. His new secretary seems quite competent, but she doesn't yet know the cases well enough to know what I need to be told about and what I don't, so I still have to try and find out most things on my own.

It would help if my own secretary was a little more competent, it annoys me sometimes when I'm proof-reading a letter or memo and there are blanks in it that she could look up herself (since many times, I'm getting the information from the Complaint, discovery responses, or documents we've received). The other day she couldn't understand my dictating the address of where to send a document subpoena, she got the name, street address, state and zip code, but not the city. So she sends me an email (while I'm on vacation) asking me for the city. Um, excuse me, but you have the zip code, look it up on google! She speeds through things, then mentions that she's got nothing to do. I wish she'd take things a little slower, look things up more. Then she'd get it right and wouldn't have as much 'down time.' Hopefully this year, she'll show some improvement.

I can't believe my birthday is coming up so fast. Naturally, hubby askes what I want, or says just to buy something on my own. I know its typical husband behavior, but still, he knows what I want, MY DVD PLAYER ON MY COMPUTER TO WORK AGAIN!!!! Seriously, I don't need a gift, I want to watch my DVDs on my computer. Ok, maybe a new DVD too (like vol 4 of ST:TNG).

Another thing I'd love is a CD player for the mini-van. Either that or one of these days I need to learn how to program/download the little mp3 player I got (of course, that again may require that the DVD/CD rom drive on my computer function so I could actually transfer music). The only problem with downloading on the mp3 player is that it actually requires me to have time to sit and play/download the songs. Especially if I'm not doing an entire CD, but just certain songs. Gotta figure out how to do all that one of these days, and see if I can do that while using my headphones to listen to something else (like my EQ2 game chat). And gotta get new headphones for the mp3 player to use at other times (since the ones that came with the mp3 player and now being used on my work computer because some cleaning person stole the cheapo ones I was using at work).

Yup, going to be a busy month. Gotta catch up on what I missed in EQ2 (finish quests our friends did while we were off for 2 weeks, including likely getting level 80). New TV season starts soon, so gotta try to watch a couple more movies on the DVR to clear up space and make my list as to what gets DVR'd and what I will try and watch on the computer, so I don't miss anything. Gotta check whats available over the internet (not everything is) and watch the computer stuff first, since some networks only make an episode available for a limited time, 4 weeks maybe. Also have to try to limit the DVR to one show at a time in case hubby decides to watch something - naturally he always seems to do this on days/hours when I have 2 shows going, but not at other times.

Well, back to work.

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.

My Music Obsession

Ok, another long break. Busy with work, kids, playing EQ2, not too much time for posting. A visit from my cousin prompted me to post since its been a long time. Lots has happened recently, but today going to post my thoughts on amusement over the whole Adam Lambert deal. Yeah, I'm a few months old. So sue me.

I've watched AI on and off over the last several years. Its kindof a guilty pleasure for me. I don't listen to radio all that much anymore, so seeing AI keeps me appraised of at least some current songs. Naturally, I always root for the rocker, but rarely have I voted and never bought any songs off the internet. I did buy Daughtry's and David Cooks' CDs, both were pretty decent, and I've thought about buying some others, Bo Bice, Elliot Yamine, but never got around to it.

But this season was different. I'd like to say I was surprised over my reaction Adam Lambert, but it wasn't really all that different from other times that I've gotten hooked on a singer. Just a few years ago, when my husband turned me on to Jean Jacques Goldman, I scoured the internet looking for videos of his songs, reading the lyrics (since I couldn't understand most of them - they're in French), buying older copies of his CDs, even finally tracking down a DVD of his (last?) concert. I would have loved to seen him in concert too, but that's very unlikely now, since I think he's retired from performing.

The only difference between now and when I was a teen/college student (and went gaga over bands like Cheap Trick, Journey, Styx, Bon Jovi, etc.) is that now I can scour the internet for videos and information. I certainly would have done that back then, if that was available. But all we had were teen magazines and MTV.

So its not really out of my character to have done the same thing when I saw Adam Lambert. Like many others, I was awestruck by his voice, his control, his pitch, and he wasn't bad to look at either. Yeah, I learned he was gay, but so what. Its not like when I was a teen and 'dreamed' of hooking up with the band. Even if Adam was straight, I wouldn't be out to date the guy. But I loved watching his performances over youtube and on AI. Here was a real showman, the likes of which I hadn't seen since Freddie Mercury of Queen. Granted, I haven't been to many concerts lately, but even thinking back to some I saw in college or early post-college, none of the lead singers had the charisma of or put on a performance like Adam Lambert.

So for the first time I actually bought copies of his songs from Itunes (only because I learned that those songs are never released on CDs, so this was the only way to get a copy) and voted a whole hell of a lot more than before. I wanted to keep him on the show, I wanted to see him perform more. I definitely plan to buy his CD. I'd love to see him in concert, but that's less likely given other time/money/family commitments (and my husband's not interested). Maybe someday. In the meantime, thank god for youtube.

And by the way, I also purchased songs by Kris and Allison, two other singers I thought were the best that AI has put on in years. I think Allison has real potential to become the best female rocker AI has ever had and may finally be a worthy successor to Anne Wilson.

It was then kindof annoying to see articles about "cougars obsess over Adam." I guess there are many other women out there like me, who haven't seen a great charismatic singer in a long time, but using the word "cougar" kindof insulted me. Maybe some women obsess as they did years ago and want to 'get backstage' to bed the singer, but come on, even assuming Adam was interested in women, are you really going to ignore your family for a 27 year old guy? What's wrong with just being a big fan? Why do I have get labled a "cougar" because I think Adam is the best singer/performer I've seen in ages? Why am I made to feel different than a friend of mine who's had a serious crush on Steve Perry of Aerosmith for decades? Just because Adam is nearly 20 years younger than me, doesn't mean I can't appreciate his voice, his charisma, and yeah, his sexuality. He may be gay, but he still exudes a great sexual attraction that can get anyone excited. No different from porn for men IMO.

So I'm brimming with anticipation to hear his new material and I check youtube periodically to see some of his concert performances. Someday perhaps I'll get to see him perform live. I think he's got the ability to stick around a good long time.

One more Debt

I read an article in my local paper this weekend about how applications are up at state colleges, hypothicizing that people are cutting back on paying private school tuition. The article mentioned that state colleges generally run between $8,000 to $13,000 a year, compared to private colleges which were over $40,000.

I was just astounded that the costs are that much. I knew that law school tuitions were that high, but I didn't know that a regular undergraduate degree now costs so much. I'm surprised that even state schools are so expensive (when I went to UCLA back in the mid 80s, it was only about $3,000 a year).

Its no wonder that so many 20 and 30-somethings (or their parents) are reeling in debt. Certainly most 'entry-level' jobs out of college haven't tripled their salaries. I just can't fathom coming out of college already $30,000 in debt, let alone over $100,000 if you went to private school.

Its no wonder the US population has one of the highest (if not the highest) debts in the world, with everything one has to pay for these days. These days, people are required to pay for their own healthcare, retirement, college student loans and their kids college fund. No other generation (that had the option of retirement and college) has had to fund so much completely by themselves. Are we really moving forward as a civilization, or backwards to the early 20th Century? It would be so bad if the costs for these items didn't increase so much more exponentially than their salaries.

Part of the problem, however, is that college has become the new high school. Everyone who aspires to work in something above minimum wage, has to have a college degree. Its not like one will always use the college education at their job, but the employer feels that they have some "reassurance" that their employee is smart enough to train. This is not always the case, I know plenty of people that got a BA degree and are still pretty dumb, and others who never went to college, but are incredibly smart. Yet the "dumb" people with a degree are still favored over the "smart" ones without.

As a result, virtually everyone has to go to college, even to obtain jobs as bank tellers and retail managers. This gives the colleges a virtual carte blanche to charge whatever they want, knowing that they have ready customers who have no choice but to buy their product. Thus, we get people buying the virtually worthless BA degree in history, sociology, philosophy, who then have no idea what they want to do in life and/or get jobs in fields that have absolutely nothing to do with those degrees (a friend with a "geology" major became a bank teller and later an HR manager - yeah that's related). There's only so many teacher/professor jobs out there.

Course, this is why so many students with BA degrees end up in lawschool, a scam which is a whole 'nother rant.

I think there needs to be an evaluation as to why college tuition is so much, and what can be done to bring it back down to affordability. Either that, or parents need to sit down and talk realistically with their kids about what they want to do in life. If its not going into some sort of science or technology based program for a BS degree, maybe they should look into trade school or a 2-year program at a community college. They need to figure out how the kid is going to pay back that minimum $30,000 debt (which is about $400 a month at 7% interest over 30 years - bigger payment if its 10 years) if a BA degree only gets them a job for $25,000.

I think education is a good thing, the more educated a person is, the less likely they'll get sucked into things like ARMs. But while there used to be lots of jobs to suck up the BA degrees, many don't exist anymore, or really don't need a people with a 4-year college education. One can (and should be able to) get an education going 1-2 classes a semester/quarter at a small(er) cost while working. Sure it takes longer, but better than being in debt. Companies just need to realize that not every mail room clerk needs a 4-year degree.