Futurelawyer

How To Survive A Hurricane...Become A Stoic.

6 Stoic Rituals That Will Make You Happy. I know. The last week has been a challenge. Some of us have lost everything. Each of us has endured the damage caused by the hurricane that has been called the hundred year storm. Most of us have only been inconvenienced. Those of us who are older, or have chronic disease, and chronic pain, have been stressed even more. The anxiety, and stress is getting to us. These are the times that I try to remember my Stoic training, and to accept gratefully every event, good and bad, as the inevitable result of being alive on this planet. These six basic Stoic principles have helped me. Perhaps they will help you. I try to remember Marcus Aurelius' morning ritual of predicting that, today, I will meet just about every terrible person imaginable, and that I must accept them as fellow travelers in this life. I try to remember, at the end of each trying day, to recapitulate the events of the day, and to resolve to find joy tomorrow. I try to remember that events don't control me or my emotions. I do. I will accept my reality as something beyond my control, not passively, but still understanding that other people's thoughts and actions are not mine to control. Now, get out there, fix what needs fixing, find some happiness, and enjoy the day.

Battlefield.

He heard her voice,

and felt his heart hop to attention.

He was a soldier at boot camp,

eager to please,

bursting with nervous energy.

He stood,

ready for success.

He wanted to touch her skin,

and her soul,

with his loving.

He wanted to prove himself

a worthy recruit.

He was willing to salute

the flag of affection.

He would fight wars for her.

He contemplated the campaign,

and carefully crafted his life plan.

He knew that his forces were too meager

for the conflict,

without her legions.

Bravely,

he spoke the words of love.

He stood still and alone,

waiting for the response

that she was ready to battle with him.

Their enemy was doubt,

and anxiety about the future.

He wanted to tell her

that the present was everything,

and that the future would take care of itself.

Instead, he remained silent,

and thought of her pure skin

laying next to him.

He was ready to bring her an excitement

and ecstasy

few others could attain.

But she needed to come to him,

ready to fight dragons with him.

She needed finally to see

that second chances at love

are rare.

She needed to see herself

that pure love is rarer still.

He stood on the field,

rifle empty of bullets,

and waited for her to see the truth.

He swore off war

and anger

and resolved to lay the weapon down

at her command.

RV Lawyer - You Don't Have To Use Tech To Practice Law.

RV Lawyer - Technology For Remote Practice. When I wrote a book about my decades long search for tech that would enable me to be a lawyer anywhere (for Florida clients only, of course), I wanted to let other lawyers know about the advances in tech that allowed us to be away from a brick and mortar office whenever we wanted. The Pandemic in 2020 created a new interest in the topic; but, I had been a tech hobbyist since the Eighties, when I discovered that the new personal computers could automate document creation tasks that used to require typewriters, office personnel, and a real office. The biggest tech advance, however, has been broadband Internet, and Elon Musk's Starlink, and the new AI engines, have certainly made a big difference. But, looking back on it, it occurred to me that the foolish expense of $150 a month for broadband Internet that I was only going to use several days a month while taking long weekends in the RV, had a far greater utility. The recent hurricanes have made this clear. I lost power at the house, and could be without it for a week. No problem, I came to the office, which has power. Alas, cable is out, and no Internet from Spectrum in Pinellas County for a week. No problem, my RV is parked next to the office, and I have Internet from the Starlink dish. I also have cellular modems from T-Mobile as a backup. But, the Starlink has proven that it is the best way to get Internet in a disaster. Just ask all the crews fighting the damage from the hurricane, or the people getting Internet in more devastated areas. After a hurricane, I recall Mr. Rogers' advice after a disaster: "Look for the helpers". Perhaps we should spend more time looking for the helpers before the disaster. Be safe out there.   

 

Keep An Eye Out - Windows 11 2024 Update Is Here.

11 Things To Know About In The Windows 11 2024 Update. Keep an eye out, children. The 2024 update to Windows 11 is rolling out, and there are a bunch of things to see. I particularly like the new Quick Settings and Right Click Menus. Over the years, settings have become kludgy and complicated, and the new streamlined menus will save tons of time. Updates monthly are being streamlined as well, and the monthly updates will be incremental, only downloading changed files. Faster and better. Let us all know what changes you like.

Yes, Virginia, We Will Live Long Enough To See Optimus Do Something Useful.

Optimus The Bartender. Well, I feel better. It looks like Elon Musk's Optimus robot will be performing useful tasks before I die. I despaired of living with useful robots in my lifetime; but, now Optimus is a capable bartender. Oh joy! Oh, happy day!

#PoetryFriday - Spring.

He had spent his forty days in the desert.

He wanted a drink of water

and wine.

She warned him that spring brought new growth

and change.

She counseled caution.

She spoke the words of winter,

But, she moved with the body of spring.

He wanted her

with the sizzle of a summer sun.

Their voices danced quietly,

the dance of lovers.

He was patient.

But, he wanted the lightning

and the thunderstorm.

he waited for the coming of the rosebud.

Its bloom was as inevitable

as the passage of time.

The Futurelawyer Is Safe At Home.

We are safe at home. House is 22 feet above sea level. Power just went out; but I have an 1800 watt solar generator that is powering my backup TMobile 5G home Internet box, my computers and TV in the den, and the living room TV, along with lamps and fans. In a pinch, we can go to the office 10 minutes away, which has power and my RV with a Starlink dish for Internet. I am RV lawyer, after all!

Whitey Ford And Yogi Berra And The Four Ball Story.

Four Ball Story. Whitey Ford tells a story, in 2002, about he and Yogi Berra. He was pitching to the White Sox, and Luis Aparicio gets an infield hit on the first pitch. This is followed by a double down the line on the next pitch, and a hit batter on the third pitch. Ted Klusewski hits a bases clearing double off the wall in right field on the fourth pitch, and Casey Stengel goes to the mound. Berra follows him, and Stengel asks Berra "Does Whitey have it today?". Berra responds, how the hell do I know? I haven't caught a pitch yet!

 

Lions, And Tigers, And Bears, And Hurricanes, Oh My!

The blogging will be sparse this week, as we are preparing for a direct hit of Hurricane Milton here in Tampa Bay. However, difficulties and tragedies are a part of every life, and we must fact them with a cool head, and preparation. Facebook reminded me of a post from 11 years ago today, in which I discussed one of my heroes, James Stockdale, who lived through being a prisoner of war in Viet Nam. He adopted Stoicism to make his way through, and his writing has been a resource for me. We are facing some troubling days here; but, we can learn from Admiral Stockdale, who faced worse and came out successfully. The Stoics advise us to expect the worst, and treat both success and failure with equanimity. That is my mantra this week.

Rick And Pinot Working In The RV.

If the next hurricane chases us out of the house and office, I will retire to the RV to get some work done.

Download Rickandpinot working in RV - Copy