I'm spending a few days playing hooky in Oklahoma City attending the Big XII Championship for both the men and the women. Karla and I have been through two and a half days of constant basketball and it has been a blast. We saw Kansas and Kansas State get beat this morning and now we are about to walk back to the arena to see Oklahoma play Oklahoma State and Missouri play Texas Tech this evening. I have never been prouder of my home state as I have been this week. Oklahoma City really knows how to put on an event of this magnitude and the atmosphere downtown is incredible. Karla and I have got our red gear on and are ready to cheer our Sooners on to victory.
Later.
Trialdawg.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Karla
Last week was a long one for Karla and I, but I am convinced that it was longer for Karla. We defended a woman charged with what amounted to attempted first degree murder. I use “we” because she was as much a part of this case as I was. Almost everybody wonders what Karla’s job is, and I simply say "she works with me" because I can’t put a single label on what she does. Every time she and I try one of these things, I marvel at how different she is from every other woman I’ve ever met. I silently laugh because everybody in the outside world wants to talk earnestly about music, relationships, cars, homes, famous people, trends, fashion and everyday life to her as if that is the sum total of her existence. Few people have a clue what she actually does or how brilliantly she does it. The truth is, she can do ANYTHING and she is brilliant at it.
I’ll start with what was on the line last week. A woman accused of shooting her second husband in the back, with a .12 gauge shotgun. A woman, in her forties, facing a life sentence. A woman with two children she bore for a father who has since died. Two children, whose mother could go to prison for the rest of their lives. A woman who has never had a break in her entire life. A woman that every single person in this county bet against. A case with terrible facts, little hope of success and the scorn of all concerned. A woman that every person thought deserved prison, except a jury of twelve people.
Karla took this cause to heart, just like every other cause we accept. We tried this case with a friend of mine, one of the best trial lawyers I’ve ever seen. He and I marveled at all of things that Karla can do. She worked with us on strategy and came up with the WINNING strategy. She organized a trial notebook that helped us find everything at exactly the right time. She created trial exhibits that made even the State’s experts and law enforcement officers say “wow, where did you get those?” With all of the money and resources the State of Oklahoma has, Karla outperformed them at our kitchen table for less than $100.00. She sat in the Courtroom and listened to every single witness, took notes and gave us advice. She argued with passion to me that we had to do something to make this jury see things from our client's point of view, and when I didn’t have anyone to testify to that point of view, she helped me get testimony from the State's witnesses that made the jury see our client's point of view.In short, Karla helped win this case. Our client went home after a not guilty verdict.
A superhero is someone or something that saves lives. Karla helped save this woman’s life and because of her, her children have their mother back. As good as Karla is, she never brags, never asks for credit for anything and she never really tells people what she does. There is nobody else that I’d rather go to trial with, there is nobody better at everything she does and nobody looks as good as she does doing it. She is a wife, a sports nut, travel companion, math whiz, cheerleader, Ryan Newman fan, comedienne, paralegal, a fiend of all things OU, jury consultant, graphic designer, photographer, interior decorator, concert buddy, honorary trialdawg and my best friend. She is THE Superwoman.... yes she is.
Love ya babe.
Trialdawg.
I’ll start with what was on the line last week. A woman accused of shooting her second husband in the back, with a .12 gauge shotgun. A woman, in her forties, facing a life sentence. A woman with two children she bore for a father who has since died. Two children, whose mother could go to prison for the rest of their lives. A woman who has never had a break in her entire life. A woman that every single person in this county bet against. A case with terrible facts, little hope of success and the scorn of all concerned. A woman that every person thought deserved prison, except a jury of twelve people.
Karla took this cause to heart, just like every other cause we accept. We tried this case with a friend of mine, one of the best trial lawyers I’ve ever seen. He and I marveled at all of things that Karla can do. She worked with us on strategy and came up with the WINNING strategy. She organized a trial notebook that helped us find everything at exactly the right time. She created trial exhibits that made even the State’s experts and law enforcement officers say “wow, where did you get those?” With all of the money and resources the State of Oklahoma has, Karla outperformed them at our kitchen table for less than $100.00. She sat in the Courtroom and listened to every single witness, took notes and gave us advice. She argued with passion to me that we had to do something to make this jury see things from our client's point of view, and when I didn’t have anyone to testify to that point of view, she helped me get testimony from the State's witnesses that made the jury see our client's point of view.In short, Karla helped win this case. Our client went home after a not guilty verdict.
A superhero is someone or something that saves lives. Karla helped save this woman’s life and because of her, her children have their mother back. As good as Karla is, she never brags, never asks for credit for anything and she never really tells people what she does. There is nobody else that I’d rather go to trial with, there is nobody better at everything she does and nobody looks as good as she does doing it. She is a wife, a sports nut, travel companion, math whiz, cheerleader, Ryan Newman fan, comedienne, paralegal, a fiend of all things OU, jury consultant, graphic designer, photographer, interior decorator, concert buddy, honorary trialdawg and my best friend. She is THE Superwoman.... yes she is.
Love ya babe.
Trialdawg.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Ruminations on President's Day
Why do we celebrate President’s Day? I suppose it is to honor all the men who have held the job. I looked earnestly for a parade or rally of some sort, but to no avail. I was always under the impression that if you had a day off, you were obligated to attend a parade. I found no parade or rally to attend, so I am going to do the next best thing. I am going to dress up as my favorite president and parade around my own home. I have always liked William Henry Harrison because I think he did a lot for the presidency. He gave the longest inaugural address in history, in a cold rain and died a month later from pneumonia. All Presidents following him learned two simple rules for inaugural protocol. Keep it short and put a damned coat on. Who knows how many Presidential lives he saved by his selfless acts. So today, I will don a shirt and tie, sans coat and hat and cough a lot. I will ramble incessantly about the Whig party and what a failure Van Buren was and when my wife complains, I will remind her that upon my death, she will receive $25,000.00 cash and free postage for life.
Happy Presidents Day.
Trialdawg
Happy Presidents Day.
Trialdawg
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Balance
I write the following entry for myself, but the readers are welcomed to read along.
I’ve worked hard over the past few months at my mantra to do better, in everything. The mantra has had some unexpected and unintended consequences. Time has taught me that I suffer from a tunnel vision which seems to focus on one problem with laser-like precision at the expense of all others. I’ve learned that when I commit to something, I do it with my whole heart, body and soul and leave little time for much else. I guess I’ve always been that way, even as a child. I’ve never been a juggler or much of a multi-tasker as I felt I was shortchanging the true task at hand. That focus has served me well at times of great stress in both my personal and professional life, but it has also been a great disservice to those things that weren’t important enough for that great focus. As a result, I’ve been great for a time at many things, a husband, a lawyer, a son and a friend as the circumstances required. On the other hand, my performance in all of those areas over time has been mediocre and at times, an abject failure. When I get into office mode, I suck as a friend, as a son and I really suck as a husband. When I am being a great husband, I am downright neglectful of my practice and the good people that pay our bills.
I am working very hard this year to try to find some balance in my life. I want to continue to practice the best law that I can because that work feeds my soul and puts dinner on our table, but I don’t want to look up one day and realize that I am alone and have pushed every single person away to do what I love to do. I want to spend meaningful time with my wife. I want to hang out with my mom and dad while they are still here instead regretting all the things I should have done after they are gone. I want to spend more time with my brother who makes me feel like a normal person. I want to be a better friend to the friends I have and I want to be more than just a Godparent that sends gifts and money. For the first time in my life, I am a little frightened of what lies ahead because the last two months have been trial and error in pursuit of the balance that I must find. I am afraid that I’ll never find it, but I won’t stop trying. To my friends, thanks for being my friend, even when I’m unfriendly, to my clients, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the faith you place in Karla and I. To my family, I hope to see you all a lot more. I’ve got a lot to tell Karla, but that will happen over a Valentine’s Day dinner that will mean a lot more than the gifts we’ll give one another.
Be well everybody and Happy Valentines Day.
Trialdawg.
I’ve worked hard over the past few months at my mantra to do better, in everything. The mantra has had some unexpected and unintended consequences. Time has taught me that I suffer from a tunnel vision which seems to focus on one problem with laser-like precision at the expense of all others. I’ve learned that when I commit to something, I do it with my whole heart, body and soul and leave little time for much else. I guess I’ve always been that way, even as a child. I’ve never been a juggler or much of a multi-tasker as I felt I was shortchanging the true task at hand. That focus has served me well at times of great stress in both my personal and professional life, but it has also been a great disservice to those things that weren’t important enough for that great focus. As a result, I’ve been great for a time at many things, a husband, a lawyer, a son and a friend as the circumstances required. On the other hand, my performance in all of those areas over time has been mediocre and at times, an abject failure. When I get into office mode, I suck as a friend, as a son and I really suck as a husband. When I am being a great husband, I am downright neglectful of my practice and the good people that pay our bills.
I am working very hard this year to try to find some balance in my life. I want to continue to practice the best law that I can because that work feeds my soul and puts dinner on our table, but I don’t want to look up one day and realize that I am alone and have pushed every single person away to do what I love to do. I want to spend meaningful time with my wife. I want to hang out with my mom and dad while they are still here instead regretting all the things I should have done after they are gone. I want to spend more time with my brother who makes me feel like a normal person. I want to be a better friend to the friends I have and I want to be more than just a Godparent that sends gifts and money. For the first time in my life, I am a little frightened of what lies ahead because the last two months have been trial and error in pursuit of the balance that I must find. I am afraid that I’ll never find it, but I won’t stop trying. To my friends, thanks for being my friend, even when I’m unfriendly, to my clients, thank you for the opportunity to serve you and the faith you place in Karla and I. To my family, I hope to see you all a lot more. I’ve got a lot to tell Karla, but that will happen over a Valentine’s Day dinner that will mean a lot more than the gifts we’ll give one another.
Be well everybody and Happy Valentines Day.
Trialdawg.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Quotes
I've heard alot of things I've thought noteworthy over the past few days. Its more interesting to simply list them tonight. I am too wired for linear logic..
"Save Bandit!!"
-The Office
"Airports are like stuck up malls."
-Karla
"Liberace called, he wants his shirt back"
-Me to my officemate (Ok I stole that one, but its still funny and the shirt was especially bad)
"You've left a lot of possibilities open"
-My officemate in response to my telling him not to do anything I wouldn't do.
"I am very picky about the consistency of my oatmeal"
-Karla
"Naked women are the new crack!"
-A fellow lawyer (Amen brother)
"Britney Spears was a lot hotter when she was crazy"
-Anonymous
"I don't dance, it looks like an ostrich vomiting"
-Me
"Enjoy your geek adventure"
-Karla to me when I told her I was going outside to look at the space station.
Yes I know, I live and work in a locker room full of juvenile delinquents, but don't we all.
Trialdawg.
"Save Bandit!!"
-The Office
"Airports are like stuck up malls."
-Karla
"Liberace called, he wants his shirt back"
-Me to my officemate (Ok I stole that one, but its still funny and the shirt was especially bad)
"You've left a lot of possibilities open"
-My officemate in response to my telling him not to do anything I wouldn't do.
"I am very picky about the consistency of my oatmeal"
-Karla
"Naked women are the new crack!"
-A fellow lawyer (Amen brother)
"Britney Spears was a lot hotter when she was crazy"
-Anonymous
"I don't dance, it looks like an ostrich vomiting"
-Me
"Enjoy your geek adventure"
-Karla to me when I told her I was going outside to look at the space station.
Yes I know, I live and work in a locker room full of juvenile delinquents, but don't we all.
Trialdawg.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Posts From A Melting Ice Cave
I was a prisoner in my own home this week as sleet, freezing rain and the occasional snow flake inundated my town. I love those days because they are a throwback to childhood. They are bonus days which are unexpected and unplanned. Those are the days that Mother Nature dictates the schedule and the world is along for the ride. I check the weather religiously and usually know what the next few days hold, but I got busy early last week and forgot to follow my pattern. As a result, I was really surprised on Monday when the first rumblings of the storm headed my way. I went home Monday night and didn't come back to the office until Thursday morning. I thought I took home plenty of work to keep me busy through two days of exile. I was wrong. By Tuesday afternoon, I completed all of the work I’d brought home and boredom began to set in. Karla was sick for three days last week and spent most of it in a Nyquil induced coma, I was left to fend for myself. Here is a sampling of what I did to pass the time.
1.) Moved furniture for no particular reason.
2.) Reprogrammed my voice recognition system to follow my elmer fudd voice. Example “Go to sweep wittle computer; hahahaha.
3.) Spent an hour reading about “twitter” and its place in the business world. As a side note, I still don’t get it and I refuse to use anything with the word “twit” so prominently featured in the name of the product. Furthermore, I refuse to “tweet” anything, I am a man, not a small bird you idiots.
4.) Watched about 100 episodes of “The Office” and learned that “FNC double time” means front and center, twice as fast as you would normally go.
5.) Listened to Karla snore.
6.) Learned that when I snore, Karla finds it acceptable to hit me in the face, while I sleep.
7.) Danced to the disco music from “Car Wash”.
8.) Watched OU beat OSU, the Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Nebraska beat Kansas.
9.) Ordered tickets to the OU/Texas A&M game next week.
10.) Yahooed with Brother Mark.
11.) Listened to Karla snore some more.
12.) Wrote another chapter of the book.
13.) Learned that I don’t make coco or oatmeal to Karla’s satisfaction.
14.) Broke dishes.
15.) Learned that a house is really empty without a dog.
16.) Drank beer
17.) Woke up a snoring Karla, who responded by hitting me in the face. I responded as any battered husband would and bonded her out of jail. (Heh, just kidding).
The sun is out today and this ice is nearly gone. It will be 70 degrees tomorrow and my winter days will be another memory that I'll press in an album along with the pictures. Spring is just around the corner here in Oklahoma, but it was nice to have a few days of real winter weather. I’m always happy to give mother nature a few days of control, even at the expense of my sanity.
Trialdawg.
1.) Moved furniture for no particular reason.
2.) Reprogrammed my voice recognition system to follow my elmer fudd voice. Example “Go to sweep wittle computer; hahahaha.
3.) Spent an hour reading about “twitter” and its place in the business world. As a side note, I still don’t get it and I refuse to use anything with the word “twit” so prominently featured in the name of the product. Furthermore, I refuse to “tweet” anything, I am a man, not a small bird you idiots.
4.) Watched about 100 episodes of “The Office” and learned that “FNC double time” means front and center, twice as fast as you would normally go.
5.) Listened to Karla snore.
6.) Learned that when I snore, Karla finds it acceptable to hit me in the face, while I sleep.
7.) Danced to the disco music from “Car Wash”.
8.) Watched OU beat OSU, the Thunder beat the Memphis Grizzlies and Nebraska beat Kansas.
9.) Ordered tickets to the OU/Texas A&M game next week.
10.) Yahooed with Brother Mark.
11.) Listened to Karla snore some more.
12.) Wrote another chapter of the book.
13.) Learned that I don’t make coco or oatmeal to Karla’s satisfaction.
14.) Broke dishes.
15.) Learned that a house is really empty without a dog.
16.) Drank beer
17.) Woke up a snoring Karla, who responded by hitting me in the face. I responded as any battered husband would and bonded her out of jail. (Heh, just kidding).
The sun is out today and this ice is nearly gone. It will be 70 degrees tomorrow and my winter days will be another memory that I'll press in an album along with the pictures. Spring is just around the corner here in Oklahoma, but it was nice to have a few days of real winter weather. I’m always happy to give mother nature a few days of control, even at the expense of my sanity.
Trialdawg.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Laughter Really Is The Best Medicine.
Its been a tough week around the house, but I was better after this exchange in our kitchen yesterday morning...
Karla: "I rearranged the refrigerator because the water was compromising the structural integrity of my box".
Me: "That's what she said."
It sure felt good to laugh again!
Thanks Karla.
Karla: "I rearranged the refrigerator because the water was compromising the structural integrity of my box".
Me: "That's what she said."
It sure felt good to laugh again!
Thanks Karla.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)