A most interesting man

Talking with Louis who takes care of my car at the Autohaus, I mentioned I was going to Las Vegas with our friend Bennett. Louis said "I was just there". Bennett and I noticed he was out a few days last week. Louis went to Las Vegas to attend a dinner honoring his friend Attorney Herb Santos. Herb is an influential person, being a former chair of the Nevada Boxing Commission, which regulates the big fights. At the dinner Louis met Bill Lear, of Lear Jet fame. He also got invited to the home of a top level person who was going to show him what went on at Area 52. Even more secret than Area 51. I had just read up on this black ops that have been housed in Nevada for years. To complete the trip he hit the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop of Pawn Stars fame and negotiated a low price on a music box from the 1800s. lots of cool things done in a short trip!

SCOTUS

The Supreme Court Of The United States has spoken:  The Affordable Care Act is constitutional!  Hear Ye/ Hear Ye.

It's amazing how so many people are experts on the Supreme Court.  At lunch today, some random person went on a detailed discussion about the case.   "What do you think?" he asked me.  I couldn't add any more than what he had said.  It shows how far away the cases in the Supreme Court (the Ivory Tower) are from the front lines of the local lawyers.  I always thought that if a case had to go that far, it would be a money/time loser to all involved.

In other legal news, the US Attorney General is in criminal contempt of Congress for withholding requested documents on Operation Fast and Furious.  That is the "gun-walking" (as opposed to gun-running) where US officials allowed guns to be illegally sold and illegally exported, resulting in death and destruction.  There are a lot of local prosecutions for guns now.  Makes me think that the  Fast and Furious was not limited to just the Tucson AZ area and now they are trying to clean up the mess.

Next week is the 4th of July.  It's been slow at work and likely will only get slower, with Wednesday being the 4th.  That means a lot of people will take long weekends, maybe even myself.  If you can't beat them, join them.  Then vacation starts the next week.  But a watched pot never boils.  I expect things will get back to crazy/normal soon.

College memories

Sarah and I were discussing some things she might do in the next 4 years.  Looking back on the things I remember, they were not all studying and exams:

We did enjoy the natural beauty of the area with the Blue Ridge Parkway, Panther Falls and Goshen in the forested areas.  Traveling to Georgetown, DC, spring term in Madrid and the ACE convention in Los Angeles were highlights.  And doing those unique things on that era, the Fancy Dress Ball, going Down the Road, and staying at the apartment over the week long winter and spring breaks was quite fun and relaxing.

I'm sure she'll have her own list like this soon.

State Bar Annual Meeting

Attending the Litigation Section/Alternative Dispute Resolution section today, there was a lot of discussion about the Vanishing Jury Trial and the rise of mediation and arbitration.  Most of these people talking seemed to recall the "old days" fondly.  But those old day are so old, that I never experienced anything like they discuss.  Certainly in the last 15 years, there has been nothing like they remember.  Every case gets mediated, like it or not.  The only civil cases that go to trials are those where there is so much $$$$$$$$ at stake that the clients/attorneys can afford to litigate them to the bitter end.  In fact there is a cottage industry in supporting these few cases.  For the rest of society, it's better to consider how things are NOW, rather than how things used to be.

Fearless Prediction

Looking forward to the NBA Finals tonight, I will make an imaginary $20 bet for the Heat to win.  Lebron has been to the finals before as has D Wade and I think this will be the year for the Big Three.    Heat are underdogs at +150.  I guess because OKC is the home team.

Also, I'll place an imaginary $20 on Luke Donald to win the US Open.  I did pretty well with Louis Oosthuizen at the Masters, so we'll see.  I've got my Olympic Club shirt on today.

Today we head up to Austin for orientation tomorrow.  The Clueless Parent is on the road again.  I called and the lady very patiently explained all the complex details, where to go, how to meet up, why haven't you signed up earlier, etc., etc.  Sarah on the other hand is fully confident in her ability to handle any challenge with minimum preparation.  Ah, Youth!

People Change

While trying to find some contact information for an old attorney friend, I ran into this online.  And yes, it is the same person I was looking up:

http://www.michaelcorcoran.net/archives/1469

This is someone I have known pretty well, exchanged Christmas cards, been professional colleagues.  Never would I have thought anything like this.  Best thing to think, is that people can change from 13 to 30 something.

San Antonio

We decided to make "one last trip" for the Chippewa tribe to Fiesta Texas.  And it was good timing.  Going on Wednesday during the week right after graduation meant that we could get everyone together before summer heated up, and we had short lines at the park.  I must admit that the roller coasters were a little much for me and I had to sit a few out.  We had a nice day and everyone had fun.  For dinner we went to Paesano's on 1604 which was really nice.  Sitting outside on the patio - with everyone - couldn't have been much better .  It was a short trip.  We got up today and drove home.  Even got a little work in today.

Vacation planner

Sarah called me the vacation planner for the family, a title I'll happily accept.  This summer it seems that "Now is the Time".  I think I'm prepared to take some extra vacation time this summer since I expect work to settle down and there be less incentive to do much after college starts.  So this summer is a good opportunity to do some life list items, a la Phil Keoghan.

One plan:  drive to California.  I've got things lined up for a trip to go to Las Vegas.  With a side trip to Death Valley ... drive to CA ... to be done.  Best of all, I've got the car lined up to be driven home and I continue on to the family vacation in California.

Another plan:  visit Muskogee, OK, the old home place of both the Gregory and the Turley families.  Ed is planning to go with me which will be great