Scoplaw

Dinner

And of course, it never hurts to have the option of taking a break from court-thoughts with a friend (and wine and dinner on the water).  This was the view on Thursday night from her building's patio.  Just another ho-hum 70 degree spring night in Miami.

Catching Up

Well, I apologize for the lack of blogging.

I can happily report that this has been a crazy-productive week for me. I don't think I'm 100% caught up on sleep, but *so* many things have fallen into place. And just in time - I start in county court next week.

Mostly, I'm getting caught up on small nagging domestic things - hem the pants, fix the bike, get kitchen plates, deep clean the bathroom, buy vacuum that can deal with my place, get the air mattress, get the car tags changed over, update every address-holder, update all my bar exam info, buy the plane tickets for the wedding, so on so on so on. There's still a list, but it's full of less crucial stuff. I think I've done pretty well on going through the big moving list I had, and didn't surrender to the "fuck it, I'll just go with the easiest/first option" mentality. Which is good, because although I have a (small) discretionary income for the first time in, well, awhile, I don't have enough money not to search for good deals on things.

Due to the move, I currently have a weirdly complete sense of my stuff. I think I've touched almost every object that I own in the past two week or so, what with the unpacking and sorting and the mending and discarding.

I have far more pens than I though I had, once I consolidated them into one place. On the other hand, I'd find part of one thing or another, and wonder what has become of the odd associated bits. Many of these fragments come from my pre-law-school life (yes, I had one, and no, it wasn't 'college'). I know that a number of those missing items, records, objects, what have you. were deliberately discarded by me at one point or another. Some for good reasons (unburdening) and some for not so good reasons - or, at least, reasons that proved to be silly in retrospect. On the other hand, while the canvass is never really blank, it's easy to have too many anchors in your life - ties that prevent you from going forward. And, to complete the waffle, it's not that I like change for change's sake - it's that I (like many, I presume) have a dangerous tendency to rely on the comforts of memory (nostalgia, really) as embodied in physical things, and hence, can shy from acknowledging that, to many situations, there is simply no going back.

Identity is a many-splendored thing, and, let's face it, if you've led any kind of a life at all you can't hold all of it in your head at once. Sometimes it's truly wonderful to find some small things and think - "Shit, now that I see this, I actually remember this great time I had, talking to some naturalists in California." On the other hand, it's dangerous to be a "recent-something" - there's a kind of gravitational force to it. Recent law-student-dom is something I'm trying to shed, not hold on to. And my clients might even thank me for it one day, if they knew.

And speaking of moving forward, as far as the job goes, I've been observing, drinking in as much as I can, which is the whole goal for the initial orientation period I'm in. My mentor/training attorney has been simply fantastic. Perhaps we're just a good match but she's allowed me the freedom to get a lot of exposure to different aspects of the system without getting bogged down in minutiae. Of course, there is minutiae, and plenty of it, but I get to dip into what seems to be the most helpful things to know. One of the other high points in the month was an Acting-for-Lawyers workshop, that focused on voice and conveying passion. Pretty cool stuff really. I feel I've been lucky enough to be spending my time with people who (rightly) actually want you to do well - they hand you weapons and tips at every opportunity and encourage you to get better at what you do. It's sort of the opposite of law school.

During my time in the courthouse, I've watched quite a number of defense attorneys and prosecutors, and am constantly surprised at how differently people approach issues and handle situations. I'm still figuring out what/how I'll go about different things, but I know what I'd *like* to do, and I know, ultimately, that I will find my own level and style (for lack of a better word).

I've been thinking a lot about how "attorney demeanor" interacts with the strategic decisions attorneys make. This may be the legal equivalent of the sympathetic fallacy, but there really does seem to be a correlation between *what* an attorney goes about pursuing and *how* the thing is actually pursued. For example, I'm thinking of things like issues in a trial (as prioritized in a closing), approaches to deposing witnesses, basic client interaction/case investigation. I've seen quiet/loud attorneys, bulldogish/sociable attorneys, write-it-down/wing-it attorneys, hyper-attentive/seemingly-distracted attorneys, etc. And I've seen all of them capture things I'd never have thought of, and let pass by things I'd have pursued.

There's really an incredible range of viable approaches out there.

The most difficult part of this month has been remembering everyones names given that I bounce around a lot and often meet people in bunches of 5-10. I've spent most of my time in court (next most in depositions). In fact, during the past 3 weeks, I've spent probably about 5 hours in my office (soon to be former office). Tomorrow I'll take the duffel bag of stuff over to my new office, which is a block away from the main building.

In some ways I've been in stealth/isolation mode - at least one person thought I was a summer intern, not a new hire. I'm not sure what that says. Also, nearly every cop, when I'm sitting in on a deposition, asks if I'm a State Attorney. Weird. Perhaps I should have kept the handlebars after all (although they'd kill me in this heat).

All in all things seem well, and I'm excited for the move over to county court. I'm also excited that I can theoretically explore Miami (soon) and start to find those things that I love in every city. I need a good used bookstore.

It's also Labor Day. Who knew? I've been so busy it's crept up on me. There's been some labor in there, but mostly it's been a pleasure.

The Scoplaw Has Landed

What follows is an extended post on the Move, the Apt., and the Job. I’ve been offline for a bit, but now I think I’ll have more or less regular access. Apologies to all those I have not called/texted/emailed in the past few days.

**

The Move

Well, there was much Uhaul bullshit, as predicted, including their trying to rent me a clearly defective car dolly. (I thought it would be cheaper to tow the car, but it turns out it would have been just as expensive to fly back up and drive down. That’s partially because good-priced flights out of here are pretty easy to find. Had I known. . .)

Anyway, post-Uhaul ickiness, I packed and cleaned and left the DC apt. in pristine shape. Alas, my sub-lessee fell through, but I think it will go fast enough on the open market. It’s really a gem of a place.

Due to the Uhaul delay, I left DC hours later than I hoped, and then ran smack into traffic. A few hours of creeping along later, I realized that there was a very good chance I would not make my move-in window that the militant condo association demanded. I thought I still might have a chance, but the truck proved unstable at the speeds I needed.

I had mixed feelings on driving out of DC. Regardless of however I wasted my time there and/or didn’t do half the things I should have done, I think Georgetown was clearly the right choice for me. Still there’s something that happens when you experience a lot of turbulent emotions in a particular place – you’re at the mercy of whatever random associations and memories that might get evoked through the most innocuous of stimuli. DC was full of lies and drama, and I’m glad I’m leaving it behind me. On the other hand I haven’t had a lot of mental space to process things – so the “gladness” was more like an emotional flash or two as I slowly crawled through my immense list of stuff to do/things to think about.

I had thought about pushing on through to Miami, regardless, and just seeing what I could do about moving in despite the condo association’s rules and regulations. That probably wasn’t a wise thing to consider at that point, given that my sleep deficit was pretty high. I had decent sleep on Sat., pre-bar, but Sun (5), Mon (5), Tues (5), Wed (4), Thurs (3), wasn’t, in retrospect, the best way to kick off an 18+ hour truck trip. I was just too nervous to sleep well during the bar, and too busy immediately afterward. I was getting kind of punchy when I finally did stop, and it wouldn’t have been wise to do the last 600 mile leg of the trip without some kind of break, given the shimmying truck and its swaying car tow-dolly. But, having stopped, I decided to get some decent sleep (6) and some do-nothing time, then take on the last bit of driving and moving with some semblance of coherence.

That stop was at Riposte’s. She fed both El Gato Perfecto and myself and let us crash out. But here’s the thing. The next time I stop in to see her, we’re going to have to wear disguises, sneak off to a shady motel, and check into it under assumed names, because, once again, there was random ex-boyfriend drama. Don’t get me wrong – we could keep the naked sword of virtue between us and simply talk philosophy, politics, and literature (which we did) but the main advantage to these preparations would be that there wouldn’t be some oddly obsessive boy or another showing up. This time it wasn’t so bad (I was only there for about 18 hours), but there was still that awkward social negotiation where I have to do the “not a threat” dance. And this is for exs for cripes’ sake. I mean, no big deal to assure the current boyfriend that there’s no need for them to worry about anything. But exs? Come on. I think I’m so amused/annoyed by this because the last time it happened, Riposte was also moving (as she was this weekend) and the then-ex-boy made assisting the move more difficult via self-centered drama (as did this one.) And it’s not that I dislike this guy either, or don’t want him to have a decent shot with Riposte. Sigh.

The post-Riposte trip was nice. It was pretty cool to drive down into FL, which I never had done before. You get to watch the land and vegetation change; southern FL is incredibly flat and green. Miami itself is a nutty thriving city.

I’ll spare you all the details about moving into the new place. I made a few dozen phone calls, spent some hours waiting, got people to call people, passed out some strategic beers, and presto! Got all my stuff in within 48hours.  I won’t say it wasn’t a pain, or didn’t take me twice as long as it should have, because it was and it did.

The Apt.

I sent out an e-mail with my new contact info. If you didn’t get it, drop me a line. My contacts are not as organized as I’d like them to be, and I got several bounced emails from dead addresses.

The new place is fun - it’s larger and more modern than the DC apt. I have a washer and a dryer and a balcony and space to cook in. I also have two bathrooms. In a one bedroom. . . What is the American fascination with multiple bathrooms?  (The only bummer is that the stove is electric, not gas. And I’d rather wood or tile than the industrial off white carpet.) Additionally, the car’s in a locked garage so I can hopefully avoid this. And the building is hurricane-proof. We think.

The neighborhood isn’t the greatest. You can ride for awhile without seeing much civilization or any humans. However, I can walk to work, which is cool. As Atomic put it, “I too like to choose my abode on the basis of proximity to courts and jails. And crack houses. Makes it all very convenient.”

Yep. But in the other direction, a 25 minute bike ride will put me on the beach. And a 5 minute ride will land me in Little Havnna, where the women are beautiful and the coffee is sublime.

The main odd-catastrophe drawback to living in NYC is the terrorism issue – the main odd-catastrophe drawback to Miami is the fact that we’re 2m above sea-level . That might be a problem soon.

 

The Job

The first week at work went well – I am totally impressed by the level of immediate organization and well thought out long-term strategy.

OBVIOUSLY there are going to be lots of things about the job which I cannot share on the blog. However, as I’ve stated elsewhere, I think part of the PDs duty is to the general community – to educate them as to what really goes on in the criminal justice system. Thus I will be trying to talk about some “safe” things, details muddled, confidences kept, grand strategies in pocket, and all that.

Right now, I’ve been assigned to the felony court for 30 days before I transfer into county court (traffic and misdemeanors). The purpose of the 30 day break-in period is somewhat like a mini-internship. It’s supposed to let the out-of-staters (which I am one of) get an exposure to the local courtroom culture, the office, the procedures, etc.  I’m learning tons which will, I think, help me later on. I’ve gotten to marginally help out with some felony trials, which is nice, and have been absorbing as many names and as much terminology as I can.  I’m not yet fluent in Criminal Law Acronym. Hell, I’m not even yet at the menu-speak level.

I think I can safely say that I’ve been quite impressed at the level of smart, pro-active, engaged lawyering that I’ve seen thusfar. Not everyone agrees on everything, of course, but I’m impressed that the organization gives you the latitude to disagree without feeling like you’re walking on anyone’s toes or playing head-games.

I’m not the kind of guy who impresses easily, but I’m impressed.

Right now I’m still getting my feet wet, so I don’t have much to report, beyond that it’s very different from DC.  And I have an office.  Right now it's holding some extra deodorant, some aspirin, a spare umbrella and some tea.  But still. . .   

For example, we can *depose* witnesses in criminal trials (theoretically even for misdemeanors and traffic offenses if good cause is shown). That includes police officers. Wow!

More updates as we get them.

Defying Gravity

By simply standing upright. 

I'm packing while listening to the Pietasters.  And guess what - no more wrangling with my stack of bar prep materials (at least not today!)

I'm in serious decompression mode, and life is good. 

El Gato Perfecto is a bit freaked out with all the things being shifted about in her lair though.  Poor girl.

**
In response to random internet questions:

update 1:
the mix below.

update 2:
Yeah, I wouldn't be entirely surprised if I had to redo the FL portion of the bar exam; I found it pretty challenging and wasn't as prepared as I'd have liked to be. 
On the other hand, I would be kind of surprised if I had to redo the MBE (Multi-State Bar Exam) - I think I was adequately prepared, spotted a bunch of issues I expected to see, and overall had a good testing experience in terms of pacing and (subjectively) the number of "hard" questions I could narrow down but didn't ultimately feel sure about.
Then again, from what I understand, FL curves its own section by some kind of comparison to the MBE. 
And then, post curve, both the FL portion and the MBE portion count equally toward an average required score.
So if FL was a tricky exam this year, and/or if I scored high enough on the MBE, I'll probably be alright. 

Of course, no one really knows:  I know I missed things on the FL portion, I *think* I missed less on the MBE.  I could be over on both, under on both, or have my scoring expectations reversed.  It really does seem that random sometimes (i.e., matching your subjective expectation up to the results.)

Scoplaw's "Moving/Don't Lose Perspective Mix," set for random play:

(What's so Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding Elvis Costello

36-24-36 Violent Femmes

Addicted Spring Heeled Jack

Another Girl, Another Planet The Replacements

Atomic Kid Versus

Away The Swinging Cats

Beer & Whiskey The Lisa Marr Experiment

Black Coffee In Bed Squeeze

Break Down The Door The Special A.K.A

California Über Alles Dead Kennedys

Candy Morphine

Caramel Suzanne Vega

Chain Of Fools Aretha Franklin

Disappointed Public Image Ltd.

Don't Wanna Be The One Midnight Oil

Factory Concerto Pietasters

Finest Worksong R.E.M.

Freaky cub

Freeze Up Operation Ivy

Ghetto Defendant The Clash

Grinding Halt The Cure

Hetero Scum Sugarcubes

Hi-Ball Skavoovie & the Epitones

Honey White Morphine

How I Got My Pretty Smile Lisa Marr

Humans From Earth T-Bone Burnett

I am Superman R.E.M.

I Don't Know Where I'm Bound Johnny Cash

I Hate Alternative Rock Bob Mould

I Held Her in My Arms Violent Femmes

I Threw a Brick Through a Window U2

I Was Me The Creatures

Inheritance New Model Army

Ivan Meets G.I. Joe The Clash

Jack Names The Planets Ash

Jackie Chan The Toasters

Jacqueline Dusminguet

Junko Partner Steady Earnest

Kung Fu Ash

Lawnmower Of Love The Mr. T Experience

Lawyers, Guns and Money Warren Zevon

Leave It Yes

Leave This City The Sundays

Let's Lynch The Landlord Dead Kennedys

Louie Louie The Queers

Make It In America The Beards

Mandinka Sinéad O'Connor

Melt! Siouxsie & the Banshees

Mephisto Waltz The Misfits

Merely A Man XTC

mi ami CCCP

Mountains Of Burma Midnight Oil

Mr. Trouble The Toasters

my chinchilla cub

My Fascination Lisa Marr

Niagara, Niagara The Lisa Marr Experiment

No Sense New Model Army

Oh No Tim Armstrong

Pretty Vacant Sex Pistols

Radar Follows You Versus

Rebel Rebel Seu Jorge

Rude Boys Outa Jail The Specials

Scandal Ska The Skatalites

Secret Journey The Police

Senses Working Overtime XTC

She Bangs The Drums Stone Roses

She Turned Out To Be Crazy Dr. Frank

Sheena Is A Punk Rocker The Ramones

Shining Light Ash

Shuckin' Sugar Lisa Marr

Shut Up Madness

Sister Ray Joy Division

Slaughterhouse Ceiling (demo) The Lisa Marr Experiment

Somebody Got Murdered The Clash

Speed and Sleep Throwing Muses

Starkville City Jail Johnny Cash

Suicide Pack Buck

Temptation (live) New Order

Supermarket Fantasy Screeching Weasel

Swimming Horses Siouxsie & the Banshees

Swiss Army Girlfriend The Mr. T Experience

The Boy With The Lou Reed Eyes The Lisa Marr Experiment

The Double Life Siouxsie & the Banshees

The Hunt New Model Army

The Killing Jar Siouxsie & the Banshees

The Village New Order

The World Turned Upside Down Billy Bragg

They Came to Boston The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

This Wheel's On Fire Siouxsie & the Banshees

Thorn In My Side Eurythmics

Toro Toro Toro Lisa Marr

Twist & Crawl The English Beat

Two Hearts Beat As One U2

Wake Up Tim Armstrong

Wanted Man Johnny Cash

Wasted Wishes The Queers

We Have Heaven Yes

What Makes You Think You're The One Fleetwood Mac

Whitelight New Model Army

Who are You? The Who

William Shatner The Scofflaws

Won't Get Fooled Again The Who

Xochimilco The Here + Now

You Got Lucky Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

 

 

Brain Teaser

Taking a break from class action cramming (picking up the exam at 5 or so.)

A number of people have asked where I will be, when.  I really don't know.  My ability to anwser that correctly depends on my ability to solve the puzzle below.  Remember those brain teaser questions where you have a lion, a lamb, a prize cabbage, and one boat to get them across the river, but can only take one at a time?  This is sorta like that.

So - here's the brain teaser.

The Scoplaw lives in DC, where he'll be studying for the FL bar.
His DC lease runs till August. 

He has to get himself, his car, one feisty cat, and a *small* truckload of stuff down to Miami FL in time to start work full time.  (As far as he knows a trailer hitch on his 2002 Ford Taurus is not an option. Boo!  But he can probably get a UHaul car-tower for not too much extra.)

That work begins on Monday July 30th, 2007.

He also needs to get an apartment in Miami before then, but he would prefer not to overlap MI and DC rent for more than he absolutely has to (i.e., ideally he'd get a place with a prorated move in date pretty close to July 30th.)

He also needs to fly to Tallahassee for the Bar exam.  The exam is July 24-5.  He can fly (theoretically) from either MI or DC, but don't want to take too much pre-bar time doing so.

And he's taking Bar/Bri classes that will pretty much suck up his weekdays and most weekends for the month of June and July.  So efficiency is a must.

So, how does the Scoplaw do all this in minimal trips without starving his cat or breaking the bank?

Grand prize is - well, depends on how creative your solution is. 

Oh - last point.  The Scoplaw would be happy to subsidize someone helping him move down to Miami by offering - free crash at the new place for as long as you'd like, use of the car to explore Miami (as feasible, given work) plus a plane ticket back to wherever it is you came from.  There's really not a ton of stuff - it's mostly the long drive that's the pain.

Packing Away Some Winter Clothes

Miami:

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Avg high °F (°C)	76 (24)	77 (25)	80 (26)	83 (28)	86 (30)	88 (31)	89 (31)	90 (32)	88 (31)	85 (29)	80 (26)	77 (25)	83 (28)
Avg low temperature °F (°C)	60 (15)	61 (16)	64 (17)	68 (20)	72 (22)	75 (23)	76 (24)	76 (24)	76 (24)	72 (22)	66 (18)	61 (16)	69 (20)
Rainfall in. (cm)	2.0 (5)	2.1 (5)	2.4 (6)	3.0 (7)	5.9 (14)	8.8 (22)	6.0 (15)	7.8 (19)	8.5 (21)	7.0 (17)	3.1 (7)	1.8 (4)	58.5 (148)

I'm probably not going to need that East German border guard's greatcoat.  Or any of the sweaters.  I'll just need one box of clothes for if (when) I travel north in the winter.