Futurelawyer

Why Are All Hotel Gyms Empty?

How to Get a Good Workout in a Crappy Hotel Gym. And, for the totally useless piece of information of the day, I give you an article on how to get a good workout in a crappy hotel gym. This article makes several dangerous, and incorrect, assumptions. First. when I am in a hotel, the last thing on my mind is the gym. I am focused on food, the cleanliness of the room, and comfort. There is a reason, other than germophobia, that these things are always empty. Second, nobody wants to work harder planning a workout than actually doing it. Assuming that I would ever go into a gym in the first place (highly unlikely), I certainly wouldn't miss the breakfast buffet to do it. Third, don't you have a meeting to go to, Superman? 

Paper Is Technology, Too

Well-Read Life%u2122: The Peace of Paper. Execupundit today highlights this piece from the Well-Read Life blog that extols the use of paper and pen or pencil for notes taking and other uses. It recalls for me the Spaceship Earth ride at DisneyWorld, which takes you on a tour of the history of communication, beginning with stone age man writing on cave walls. The invention of paper by the Egyptians was the seminal event in the history, making the transmission of human thought available, and progressing to the invention of the printing press, and, ultimately, the computer and devices we use today. But, there is something focused, and magical, about putting pen to paper. I have used the LiveScribe pen for a couple of years now; and, it is a marvelous combination of pen and paper, and digital data that I love. I take notes, and keep my calendar and appointments diary on it, as well as a digital calendar. But, each morning, when I print my digital calendar and prioritized task list on a piece of paper, and place it next to my LiveScribe notebook, it really helps to concentrate my mind on the day at hand. We have come a long way from cave walls and papyrus; but, we are still human beings trying to communicate with each other in a permanent way. Write on. 

Mom And Dad In Korea

My cousin sent me this photo of my mom and dad in 1946, just after the end of the War. I was born a year later. Thank God I got mom's hair.

#TBT - My Favorite Skins Fans Photo

I have posted this one before; but, every Fall it seems to me that D.C. in the Fall was my favorite time and place. I miss those days.

Hurricane Preparedness - Batteries, Batteries, Batteries

How your phone can help before and during a hurricane | Android Central. We Floridians are sanguine about hurricanes. Those of us who have lived here forever have been through them and know how to prepare. But, in an Internet age, it is important that we understand how to keep the lines of communication flowing. When the power goes out, it doesn't help to have computers, and smartphones and other gadgets that require electricity to charge and run. I have been accused of never seeing a power bank I didn't buy. I have a few, and seldom use them. But, if I ever need them, I am ready. I have a 20,000 mAh Anker with USB-C, USB-A outputs that will charge my phones up to 10 times. It is a big, heavy sucker; but, it sits next to my desk at home. For my friends in the Panhandle, be safe today and tomorrow. For the rest of us, you have time to prepare for the next one. Check out these tips from Android Central. There are also some good articles at the Florida Bar's LegalFuel website that are lawyer specific. Be safe out there.

Kenneth Branagh And The Saint Crispin's Day Speech

Michael Wade's recent post about the "Tennis Ball" scene in Henry V reminded me of the better "Band of Brothers" speech by Branagh on the eve of Saint Crispin's Day. When I am going to trial or an important hearing, this speech gets me going. It also works on a Wednesday morning when you would rather stay home. Kenneth Branagh is the best actor of our age, and Henry V is the best film. Now, get to work.

 

Elio - A Commuter Car For The Masses

Elio Motors | The next big thing in transportation!. As I grow older, my fascination with cars grows. I love style, comfort, and the cool factor, and I love the fact that there is always something on them that needs to be fixed or improved. Four years ago, I gave Elio Motors $500 to reserve a three wheel American made commuter car that would cost $6,800 and drive like a regular automobile. It would have Air Conditioning, automatic transmission, and seat two. Jacquelyn and I saw it in Las Vegas a year later, and I still have a photo she took of me in the prototype. (You can't see my face in the photo, and I reminded her of that often). Car manufacturing being what it is, the delays increased, and I lost interest a year later; but, I still keep getting emails. Now, the memories of that trip to Vegas with Jacquelyn have lit the fire again, and I have sent another $500 to Mr. Elio's company to get into the group that will be first in line to buy one of these cool little cars when they go into production. Now, I just have to live long enough to buy one. The price is now over $7,000; but, that is pretty inexpensive in today's market. It is one thing to say the words, Memento Mori, every day. It is quite another to experience it in the death of a loved one, and really understand it. Dreams are the human way to fight back. So, remind yourself every day that you will die; and, then, list your dreams and go for it. 

The Right To Repair And The Competing Interests Of Manufacturer And Consumer

The fix is in: How right-to-repair laws can improve tech and the environment. Last night, in my interview with Mike Rubio, the subject of Right To Repair legislation came up. Increasingly, manufacturers are making it harder for consumers and third parties to repair their products, prompting nationwide efforts to procure legislation mandating that they make spare parts and manuals available. The manufacturers claim that making their products repairable by consumers and others will violate their intellectual property rights. Of course, they will also make more money if the consumer has to buy a new version of the product, or have it repaired by the manufacturer. I brought up the original consumer lawyer, Ralph Nader, to show that consumers have power, if they are willing to do the work, and organize. Much of our consumer protection legislation; especially concerning motor vehicles, is a direct result of Mr. Nader's efforts. In the end, we need to ensure that the rights of manufacturers and consumers are balanced. 

#WhyIAmASolo - I Can Buy A Racing Chair, If I Want To.

DEAL: Racing Computer Chair With Footrest for Snoozing in Office, Just $108 ($51 Off With Coupon) %u2013 Droid Life. I am often asked whether the lower pay is worth being a solo lawyer. It is a fact that solos don't make as much money as partners in big law firms. Then, I point out that, if I choose, I can buy a racing chair in classic red and black, and put it behind my desk at the office. I can also lean back and watch movies. Sure, even lawyers in big law firms could do that; but, will the next partners meeting have a discussion about "decorum" or "sending the wrong message to the clients?". Perhaps it is a function of being old enough that there isn't much anyone can do to you anymore. But, I think that it is about the independence to be yourself. Clients don't want a computer sitting behind a desk. They want a human being who just happens to be competent. Race on.

Analog Car - Digital Lifestyle

6.4" (16.3 cm) Media receiver with BLUETOOTH� Wireless Technology | XAV-AX100 | Sony US. I love my analog mid-nineties sports car. However, the ancient AM-FM radio was on its last legs, and I wanted great sound, access to Android Auto, a navigation screen, touch screen controls, and other modern conveniences. So, after some thought, I installed the Sony AX100, with a Monoblock Amplifier, and a single Sub-Woofer system. Now, the next kid blaring hip hop at the stoplight will be met with progressive rock at sound levels he can only dream about. Maybe I am having my second mid-life crisis; or, is it an end-life crisis? I only know that I would rather spend time in this car than anywhere else right now. Alan Parsons Project never sounded so good.