Futurelawyer

Fear Of Death Is A Useless Emotion.

I suppose anyone can say the words: "I don't fear death". But, in my case, it took a lot of years of living before I really believed it. If regret about the past and worry about the future are irrational (we can't change them, can we?), then fear of death is equally irrational. We have so much more to worry about in the present. It is a full time job, living in the present. I have no time for regret, worry or fear. I might miss a sunrise, or a sunset, or an evening doing nothing with my beautiful wife, or a pleasant hour playing with some gadget or smartphone or other computer. Epicurus had it right. Whether death exists or not, we aren't going to be around to worry about it.

#ParrotSunday - Why Parrots Are Better Pets Than Cats.

Parrot Versus Cat - Parrot Wins.

I admit it. Cats and I don't get along. For one thing, I am allergic to cat dander. For another, they don't come when they are called. So, be a cat lover if you want. I will take my parrots any day.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Need To Depend On My Offensive Line.

One of the most underrated wits of football history coached the first couple of years of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I began watching the Bucs when Tampa Bay got the franchise in 1976, and have been to most of the home games since. My favorite memories, however, don't come from the 0 and 26 losing streak that started the team's history. It was the wit and wisdom of John McKay, who came from a stellar college history to the worst pro franchise in NFL history. The Bucs were terrible. They couldn't run, couldn't pass, couldn't block and couldn't tackle. They were an object lesson in organizational failure. Whether your organization, be it 1 or 20 persons, is executing in tandem, or flailing away in every direction, will usually determine whether you succeed or fail. It is much easier to say that everyone in the organization (be they clients, colleagues, or associates) needs to be on the same page, metaphorically speaking, than actually to deliver the result. In fact, in my one man organization, I don't need to worry about anyone else.  As a solo, I don't have to worry about everyone in my organization working together. As McKay opined, when questioned about the lack of execution of blocks on his offensive line, after a really bad performance: "Coach, what do you have to say about the execution of your offensive line today?" Deadpanned, without a pause, McKay shot back: "I'm in favor of it".

The Very First SmartWatch - Sony Smartwatch

This is a photo of the very first smartwatch publicly available. I bought it at the Sony store in International Mall in Tampa, over ten years ago. I have owned many since; but the magic of the first one that day stays with me. It was a bear to sync with my phone, due to the newness of the tech. But, I still own it, and someday it might be worth something. What was your first smartwatch? Do you still own it? 

Samsung Smart Ring - Would You Wear One?

Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring Rumors. The last ten years have seen the maturation of the wearable computer market, and my readers know that I have been at the forefront of the wearable revolution since the beginning. The watch on my wrist now has the power of a computer, and its sensors rival medical devices for accuracy. But, smart rings have never taken off, although there have been some in the market. My beef with them is that they can send notifications through vibrations; but the user can't really get information from them that is usable. No screen, no text, no images, not for me. I am interested to see whether the rumored Samsung Smart rings come to fruition, and what they can offer the user. I get what I need from my Smartwatch, and unless these rings will be able to talk to my Bose Smart glasses, I can't see a use for them.

FutureLawyer Legal Tip Of The Day.

Always get the liability waiver signed BEFORE starting the job.

#TBT - Photograph Redux.

I am always explaining that it is not "morbid" or "sad" to contemplate death. Remembering every morning that I may die prepares me to eat the day with gusto. I breath fresh air. I eat good food. I kiss my spouse. I pet the dogs. I drive the car, sometimes faster than I should. I play with my gadgets and computers. I live, because I am always aware that I will die.

 

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?

Or, did it caution him

to grasp the moment,

and the opportunity.

to live while he was alive,

because, after death,

living is no longer an option.

Florida Lawyer's Guide To Efiling.

Florida Courts Efiling Requirements. My favorite Florida Bar website contains many how to do it seminars on Florida law practice. Today, I am highlighting the one hour webinar on Efiling in the Florida Court System. A Florida lawyer is now required to efile all pleadings, motions and other papers in the State efiling system, with few exceptions (original Wills, etc.). So, as a solo lawyer, I can practice law in all of Florida from a computer terminal. Of course, many ordinary court hearings are now conducted via Zoom video teleconferencing, and many lawyers conduct depositions, client conferences and other events online. The efficiencies and advantages of an online law practice are undeniable. In fact, such a virtual practice makes my avocation of RV lawyering possible. Florida lawyers can do a lot of their work wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and broadband Internet access. Of course, there are major exceptions to this; including jury trials, criminal trials, and other major events. Florida has always been a leader in efiling, and I am proud that I was part of the original effort to standardize efiling across the State. Even if you aren't a lawyer, you should educate yourself about the process. It is the system your lawyer is using to file paperwork in your case. 

Nine Years Ago Today, The FutureLawyer Got A New Smartwatch.

I have rocked some interesting Smartwatches in the last 10 years. But, the Gear S has to be the geekiest. It even looks like a wrist computer. I still have it, even though current Smartwatches are light years ahead of the early iterations, like the Gear S. Prior to the Gear S, I was using several round faced SmartWatches (Gear S2 Classic 3G and the LG Watch Urbane LTE); but, I found the small screens constraining, and the tiny speakers inaudible much of the time. The trusty Gear S had a big, beautiful screen, designed for text and email, and all my app icons could be placed on the main screen. 9 years later, and I am using the Galaxy Watch 5, which gives me all the info I need on a more traditional looking round face. What's on your wrist?

#PoetryFriday - Shiny Things.

They spent a lot of time,

the marbled men and women,

eating expensive food,

and drinking expensive drinks,

and speaking only

to expensive people.

They roamed vast estates,

filled with fancy cars,

speaking fancy words,

and touting causes,

and politicians,

and trying to convince

the others

to do what they wanted.

The diamond women

and the well dressed men,

who knew how everyone else

should spend their time,

wasted their own time

on other people.

Their silver words,

and golden gloves,

and platinum hands,

were always occupied

with the desire

to control anyone else

but themselves.

Their grass was always greener,

the shiny men and women,

and the trees

were filled with shiny leaves,

and they walked

in shiny shoes,

with soles that stood

on the backs of others.

When they died,

they would have paid it all

for one more breath.

When they died,

they only wanted

to open their eyes

one more time.

When they died, 

their corpses were buried

in mahogany boxes,

with silver handles,

that were lowered

into the same ground,

as everyone else.