Futurelawyer

Omar Sharif Bridge - Spend Time In Play

Buy Omar Sharif Bridge - Microsoft Store. One of my favorite memories of my mom was her weekly bridge club. Looking back, it was the first social media for women of the Fifties. While I wasn't too keen on having so many moms around, my mom taught me the game, and its intricacies were a close second to Chess in my youth. I can still spend a pleasant hour with the game on the computer. Getting a bunch of people together for a game that takes four isn't easy in the modern environment. If you play contract bridge, try this version. Now, if I can just remember my conventions.

Totally Useless Ways To Pass The Time With A Galaxy Smartwatch

I am always being asked about whether a Smartwatch is useful to practicing lawyers. Well, if getting vibrating reminders on your wrist of texts, emails, phone calls, the weather, sports updates, news updates, your heart rate, and a dozen other useful things would make your day more productive and enjoyable, then get a Smartwatch. But, the real reason to get a Smartwatch is to play useless shooter games in which you shoot down alien ships coming to invade our planet. Save the world. Get a Smartwatch. UFO Killer. Don't bother to click link unless you have a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch. It won't work, Apple lover. 

My First Computer - The Atari 800XL

In the mid Eighties, I was already into technology, and personal computing was in its infancy. However, my first computer, the Atari 800 XL was a revelation. With a cartridge and a TV and typewriter printer attached, I could create documents, print them, and distribute them, without a secretary. I started with home correspondence; but, it soon became apparent that computers for work, and law practice, were going to be big. It is hard to believe that I learned about computers on a machine designed to play early video games. I remember driving an hour to a store that was selling the first chess Atari cartridge. Anybody have a PC before 1984?

Are Video Games Harmful To Kids?

A recent story about the new hit video game, Fortnite, that is consuming a lot of kid playtime these days got me thinking about my own kids. An early poem I wrote was begun as I wondered about the in games violence that kids were being exposed to. But, we live in a violent world. Should we be more concerned about the real violence outside? I don't pretend to have the answers; but, video game violence may not create violent adults; but, does it desensitize them to real world problems? Here is the poem, followed by a sample from Fortnite, now being played by millions of our children:

VIDEO GAME

But, papa, I don’t want to go outside,
he said in a small voice
as he navigated a three dimensional wonderland,
populated with fairies and demons
and monks and warriors.
Real people playing virtual lives
on a virtual landscape
doing virtual things.

I understood his reluctance.
Nobody ever really dies in there.
Magic potions and spells
renewed the body and spirit,
and the only casualties
were monsters and ogres
roaming the virtual meadows
and lurking in dark corners
of virtual castles.

He wanted to avoid the harsh realities
of the physical world,
where accidents happen
and people die
and insects bite
and sun burns.

How could I tell him
that the truth of life
is about the striving
and the risk?
How could I tell him
that virtual happiness
was no match for the real thing?

Or was that true after all?

Maybe he would tell me
that reality was the real illusion,
and that maybe wars should be fought
on virtual battlefields
where nobody dies.

 

#FridayFun - Virtual Reality Movies - What's Not To Like?

Bigscreen is preparing a Gear VR launch soon | Android Central. I don't spend enough time playing with my Gear VR Headset. I still use my Note 5 exclusively for Virtual Reality paired with the Gear VR. This new beta of a VR movie watching app has piqued my curiosity about spending more time with it, however. In fact, my recent purchase of a high end gaming headset might pair well with the experience. The only problem is that the headset sits on top of the head, just like the Gear VR. I will enjoy spending some weekend time trying to make it work. What's on your head?

Super Bowl Office Betting:Just Don't

Super Bowl Office Betting: Good Clean Fun or Borrowing Trouble? %u2013 Lex Mater. Have you ever participated in a Super Bowl betting pool that required an entrance fee? If so, under the law of many States, you have committed a crime. In Florida, it would be a second degree misdemeanor. Of course, even non-criminal traffic offenses show up on searches at times as criminal offenses. I was once cited because Jacquelyn's dog got out, and I took the rap. Paid a fine, and now I have a "criminal" record. Oh well. But, office gambling? You might be surprised at the broad definition of gambling in the statutes of most States. In Florida, there are big money gambling operations permitted by law for Jai Alai, Indian reservations, etc. But, unless you are in a private residence and the pool is less than ten dollars, or playing for a recognized 501 (c) (3) Charity, better hope that a disgruntled employee doesn't snitch. I know. The authorities have bigger fish to fry. It is only in fun, right? I am embarrassed to admit that this great article was written by the wife of a Cowboys fan. Hail to the Redskins. 

Xbox One X- More Than A Game Machine

Xbox One X review: This is the ultimate Xbox | TechCrunch. I don't play video games much; however, I have an XBox One S that I purchased last year as a lark. I was surprised when it became the core of my home entertainment system. My TV cable connection runs through it and all my Internet entertainment is accessed through it. There are apps for Netflix, Amazon Video, and much more. For non gamers, the system is valuable as an entertainment hub. Now, the new One X delivers all that and 4K gaming as well. I don't need that, so I won't be spending $499 for it. But, if you haven't tried the system, you should check it out. I do play one game occasionally. It is a great golf simulation that is quite relaxing. 18 holes and no perspiration. I used to try to justify my occasional video gaming with a quote from Star Trek's Captain Kirk: "The more complex the mind, the greater the delight in the simplicity of play". Now, I am at an age where I don't feel the need to explain myself to anyone. Game on.

Six Figure Salary To Play VideoGames? Why Not?

Teen Gets Six Figure Salary In Overwatch League. This story about the rising tide of professional video game players and their high salaries doesn't bother me at all. In a world where professional football players make millions and then disrespect the flag under which they play, kids getting big bucks to play video games is refreshing. Call it revenge of the nerds, if you will. Play on, boys and girls.

Golf Should Be Fun - So Make It So

I love hitting golf balls. I have never been able to hit an iron; but, I still try. Recently, I bought a few of the Tour Edge Iron Wood Hot Launch clubs, a 3,4,5,6, and 7. The long and middle irons have always been the bane of my golf existence. I would chop them, miss them, hit them a few yards; everything except get the ball up in the air. These things, however, are much easier to hit for the duffer, and get the ball in the air much more quickly. I still have no clue where the ball is going or how far; but, it is impossible to describe how much more fun a golf course is when the ball is, at least, geting in the air and down the fairway. Get some of these, and go have fun.

Squirrel In The Library

Squirrel - Wikipedia. No, this is not a segue into a game of Clue. Apparently, the fact that FutureLawyer's office is animal and bird friendly is getting around. In addition to the front porch cat, and aviary filled with parrots, I now have a squirrel living in the library. It sits on top of the bookcase and stares at us. It is apparently living behind the bookshelves and up in the eaves, and comes in and out at will. I am resisting the urge to feed it. Will squirrels eat cat food? Jeez.