Futurelawyer

Are You Tired Of Virtual Backgrounds In Zoom? Download This Update.

Upgrade To The Latest Version Of Zoom. It didn't take long for me to realize that gimmicky backgrounds in Zoom were quickly not interesting. Fake beaches, the Taj Mahal and other nice scenes just were too cool for school. But, I didn't want a Judge or client to see the chaos behind me at the office or house, either. So, after the most recent update to Zoom (February, 2021), Zoom has accomodated with a blur background feature that works just fine. Here is the FutureLawyer and you have no idea what is behind me anymore. It is too bad there isn't a setting that will make me better looking. Oh well.

What Does The Sign On Your Door Say?

I'm thinking of a new sign for the FutureLawyer front door. This one is a strong candidate.

#PoetryFriday - Roller Coaster.

ROLLER COASTER

He hated roller coasters.
The highs and lows of flight,
strapped to a chair,
out of control.
He hated the fear
of the unknown.

When she died,
he spent some time at the bottom,
motionless,
staring at the huge machine, and
wondering if it would start again.
Inert,
like a penny
laying on the ground,
blending in with the environment.

For a while,
he feared the heights.
He wondered whether
he was alone in his fear.
But, another soul sat quietly
at the bottom of the ride,
staring
into the empty space.

When he found her,
she was fearful also.
But, together they were willing to ride the coaster
to the top,
knowing it would go down again.

He knew he would still keep his eyes closed,
and that his fear would rise and fall
with the wind.
But, together they would share the motion,
and keep each other from falling
into the pit.

Where Is The Oxford Comma When We Really Need It?

#WhyIAmASolo - If You Are A Workaholic, It's Your Fault.

The Workaholic Lawyer. Relax. No blame here. When I had my heart attack, it was because of a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices. Working too much is a personal choice, and, if you fail to differentiate between the need for a break, you have no one to blame but yourself. For some, it takes a life altering event, such as a medical emergency, to take a hard look at our lifestyle. However, in my case, choosing a balanced life was a recognition that I wanted the freedom to choose when I worked hard, and when I didn't. Workaholism is a lifestyle that accepts no compromise. You are always working, and this addiction crowds out any other life choice. But, what are you gaining? More money? More power? More prestige? Or, are you just paddling as fast as you can, and not making any life progress? So, why not skip the medical emergency, and make some healthier lifestyle choices now? 3 months in a bed is not the nirvana you think it is on Monday morning under the covers.

#TBT - A Stoic Looks At An Old Photograph.

For this throwback Thursday, I am revisiting my poem, "Photograph", which recalls an experience shared by all of us. Looking at images of ourselves at a much earlier age causes such conflicting emotions. But, what purpose does it serve to wish that fate had skipped our place in line? 

PHOTOGRAPH

He looked closely at the photograph,
Image of his youth,
Filled with promise,
Overflowing with optimism.

Its single dimension
reminded him of another self.
The man in the photograph was
free to hope
free to wonder
free to grasp
looking for the future.

He remembered the photographer.
Prodding
Annoying
Motioning
Jostling with the hangers on
and the wannabes
asking him to share his soul
whether or not he wanted it.

He took a photograph in his mind,
Moved to a new decade.
He wondered whether the wisdom of age
would bring the photograph to life.

Did it look at him
and laugh?

SyncUP Tracker - There's No Escaping.

T-Mobile Wants You To Know That It Can Track You Too. I have been a happy T-Mobile user for several years now, and I will never go back to BigRed or any of the other carriers. For a while, I have, as long time readers know, been using the SyncUp devices which plug in to the OBD port of most cars, and give real time information about recalls, battery strength, engine health and track the car's movements using GPS. They also contain a WiFi Hotspot cabability which allows me to carry Internet access with me everywhere the car goes. But, now, T-Mobile has produced a little GPS powered device that also uses the mobile network, and allows me to track any item or person ( with their consent, of course) just by carrying around a little device that looks like a keychain. In fact, if you don't need the Hotspot capability (all my smartphones have that these days), you can use it to track a car or any item of personal property. Hey, if personal privacy is a thing of the past, I might as well get some use out of it.

#TBT - Parrot Logic

So, you want a parrot in your house? Try to remember what it was like to have a three year old around all the time. 

The Robot Lawyers Aren't Coming - But, Watch Out For The Robot Dogs.

The Robots Aren't Coming To Practice Law. Nikki Black posts about this great article by Ken Crutchfield, and the fact that Robot Lawyers aren't in our future. He highlights all the ways that AI will be helping lawyers do their thing, from legal research to data analytics, and posits that a Robot won't be delivering a closing argument anytime soon. I have expressed this view before, and it gains more credence every day. The Robots we need to fear are the metal monsters that are, and will be, hired to perform security tasks, drive our cars, clean our houses and offices, and defuse enemy bombs. The recent reporting of automated cars going off the road and killing somebody highlight the risks of placing tech into the hands of a robot. If you see a robotic dog coming towards  you, run. Human flesh isn't compatible with metal parts. I, Robot, is science fiction. Robot dog is patrolling the neighborhood. 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Can't Get This Paul Simon Song Out Of My Head.

Every unhappy, dissatisfied BigLaw lawyer, who is sick and tired of the firm meetings, decisions by committee, restrictions on time and practice, or the other mind-numbing aspects of the BigLaw life, who isn't addicted to the big money, might consider listening to Paul Simon. I can't get it out of my head: