Hubby and I were here at the office today, having a leisurely
lunch.  When he left, he decided to give me a "porn star" tongue
kiss.  (Sticking of your entire tongue down recipient's
throat.  Icky.)  I told him that wasn't sexy.  He said
that's not what he learned from Penthouse.  

And then the secret came out.  

Apparently he had submitted some letter to Penthouse Forum.  And
those letters were published.  Granted, this was 20 years
ago.  However, I still think that is pretty darn cool!  I am
married to a closet pornographer!  Woot!  Of course, those
who know me, know that I have occasionally written my own *ahem*
erotica.  So I am not at all disturbed by Hubby's previous writing
career.  *grin*

He said there were 5 letters, all of which were published, AND he got
paid $50 each for them.  Which is more than I can say for my
creative writing endeavors.  I've been "published" on the
internet, but haven't been paid.  (I occasionally contribute to a
free site out there...I enjoy it, but am also frustated by the lack of
quality pieces on the site...most of them are crap that is riddled with
grammatical and spelling errors so grevious that even a third grader
would cringe.)  (And no, I am not going to tell you which site.)

So...that is my revelation for the day.  Pretty darn cool.

As far as the current news of the day...I really don't much feel like
talking about it except to say that EVERYONE should have a Living Will
(aka an Advance Health Care Directive), regardless of what, exactly you
desire.  Not only a Living Will, but also a Health Care Power of
Attorney so that someone you trust (and who is good in a crisis) can
make sure your wishes, as expressed in your Living Will, are carried
out.

That will be all.  Class dismissed!!!

It's just so very very wrong:

http://www.grayace.com/dex/bunny.html

I’ve reached a milestone - I used up my very first book of message
slips.  I use the carbonless, two-part, self-stick message
slips.  You should see my desk - I have message slips stuck all
over the place.  But this way, I can stick them in or on files and
they don’t get lost.  So…I have used one whole book (200 messages)
since I opened the office.  And I needed to buy another book of
message slips and some glue sticks.

On Friday, after making a trip to the Federal Court to file some
bankruptcy paperwork at 3:00, I decided I was going to Office Depot.
(Leaving early?  Bad lawyer!)  I like Office Depot - good
prices, nice people (at least at the one here), and I am in their
“Advantage Program,” which gives me a rebate every quarter based on how
much I spend (I think it is 1 or 2 percent) up to $50.  Last
quarter I got a $20 gift card and the quarter before that I got a $50
gift card.

While I was in Office Depot, I noticed a man looking at the PDAs and
accessories.  I thought to myself, hey that looks like Dennis
Franz.  Then he turned and glanced at me, and what do you know it
WAS Dennis Franz.  I nodded at him and continued on with my search
for glue sticks (you’d think they would be with the tape and other
adhesives…but no! they are with the school supplies!).  I’ve met
several celebrities in my life, and since I’ve never watched NYPD Blue
or any other of Dennis Franz’s work, I wasn’t too terribly worried
about going up and saying hi.  Plus, I am sure he gets that all
the time.  (He owns property up here, by the way.  In case
you were wondering what he was doing in Podunk Idaho.)  Also, I’ve
heard rumors around town that he’s kind of a jerk.

Thing is, NO ONE was bothering the man.  He was just doing his
shopping like any other person.  And the other 15 or so shoppers
in the store were simply going about their business.  Where else
but small town Idaho could a popular actor like Dennis Franz go to the
store and not be followed, photographed and harassed?  I wonder if
he went next door to Safeway after doing his office supply shopping?

Oh, and my class is going ok - I am not particularly enjoying it, but I don't hate it either.

I have 23 people enrolled in my "Write Your Own Will" class at the local community college.

23!!

It was supposed to be a maximum 16 students, but I got a call from the
college a few weeks ago informing me that the class was full, and had 6
people on the wait list.  They wanted me to offer another section
of the class, but I just don't really have the time.  So I told
them to allow a max of 30 students.  

I am a little scared.  I've taught a few classes - tutored
economics in college, did training classes for former employers, lead
some study groups in law school.  So, I know I can handle
it.  But it's been awhile since I've done any sort of teaching.

I am sure it will be fine.  I've decided to make it somewhat of a
hands on class, with stuff for the students to fill out during class
like names of beneficiaries, etc.

Thing is, I am doing this on a volunteer basis.  I know I am
providing a valuable service to the community, and that is a good
feeling.  I just hope these students aren't too demanding. 
There's only so much help I am willing to provide for free, you
know?  This class is certainly not meant for people with large or
complex estates.  I suppose those with large or complex estates
can probably afford to hire an attorney to write a will for them, and
wouldn't bother paying just $15 to take a community college class,
right?

*sigh*

I guess I just have to wait and see.

For Renee & Wil:

Yes, Texas is closer to Idaho than the Netherlands.  However,
depending on where in Texas you are living, it gets rather cold there
as well. 

And don't forget, our ...ahem...president is from Texas.  And as
much as it pains me to say it, he is a (mostly) typical Texas good ol'
boy - at least in my experience.  (I lived in Texas for 8 years)

I don't think you'd like Texas very much.

How about if Rob & I just move there?  I think that's a MUCH
better idea.  And we can all pitch in together on a winter home in
Greece.

*grin*

I made it through court without embarrassing myself or my client, and
we got what we were asking for, although there were a few moments of
doubt where it looked like the judge might not grant our motion.

It all worked out after I answered a few questions.  That Judge
scares me.  He's got a reputation for being mean.  He wasn't
mean today though.  Thankfully.

Now, I just have one more client meeting before I can head home for the
day, take a handful of ibuprofen and eat a bunch of chocolate.

Ladies...say it with me...

Just when you think your day can't get any worse....

Yep, that's right.

Cramps, and that ol' monthly visitor.

Lucky lucky me.

At least this has taken my mind of being nervous about the other.

I am sure my nerves will come back once I get over to the courthouse though.

My stomach is in knots right now.  I have to go to court this
afternoon.  Child custody modification hearing.  Before a
Judge that I've been in front of once already, and in front of whom I
was thoroughly ashamed of my performance.

I know...I should look at this as an opportunity to redeem myself in
this judge's eyes (assuming he even remembers me).  Or at the very
least prove to myself that I am not a complete idiot in court.

But I am sooooo nervous.

I think I must go be ill now.

ugh

Tyche has inspired us with another round of Truth or Dare!  (Maybe next time I will take the plunge and
ask for a Dare!!)

I think one of the
core things about most people is that we are more critical of ourselves than
anyone else is, especially of our perceived weaknesses.  However,
sometimes our weaknesses aren't negative things (having a soft spot for puppies is not a bad
thing, IMO).  What
weakness do you perceive (that perception may or may not be shared by others)
that you would like to change about yourself, and why?

I agree, having a soft spot for puppies is not a bad thing
at all.  I love my puppies.

I also agree that humans tend to be their own worst
critics.  I think everyone must have that
critical inner voice, even those who are considered “divas” by our
society.  Think about it…why else would Cher
have had all that plastic surgery when she was perfectly gorgeous already?  Must have been that critical inner voice
saying “you can be so much better than you are…”

 I have a whole truckload of weaknesses that I’d love to
change.  Really, I do.  What is really weighing on my mind right now,
however, is that I am a huge procrastinator. 
My motto has definitely been “why do today what you can put off ‘til
tomorrow.”  Bad…very very bad.

Not exactly what one looks for in their lawyer, is it?

So, I’ve been trying to work on this whole procrastination
thing.  It hasn’t bit me in the ass yet…but
I expect it will just any day now. 

Back in college I used to tell myself that I was
procrastinating because I worked better under pressure.  And yes, I did get good grades despite my colossal
procrastination.  Now, however, I live in
the real world, and I cannot really get away with waiting until the night
before to start preparing for a trial or something.

I’ve got two pieces of research that need to be done this
week.  One of them should have been done
last week, in fact.  Am I doing
those?  No!  Here I sit, blogging about procrastinating
when I should be working.  *sigh*

Every morning when I come to the office I say to myself, “Today
there will be no procrastinating!  You
will get right on that to-do list and get it done!”  And it never happens.  Sure, I get some stuff done.  Obviously I do, or I’d be in REALLY big
trouble with my clients.  But, I do
believe my life would be so much easier if I could just get past this block
that I have.  I’d have very little stress
because all the stuff that is hanging over my head would be done regularly
instead of building up until I only have a little while to get it taken care
of.

So, any ideas on how to overcome chronic
procrastination?  I could really use some
advice.  But I’ll understand if you wait
until tomorrow to give it to me.

Hubby and I just had our 7 year anniversary yesterday.  That's
right, we were married on Valentines' Day.  *grin*  Easy for
me to remember!!

On Sunday we went to one of the local tribal casinos, Northern
Quest.  It is quite a beautiful facility, very large and
clean.  Now if they would just ban smoking inside the building, it would be
great!  Bob Eubanks was at the casino, hosting the Not-So-Newlywed
game.  It was great fun, and I got to see one of my childhood
legends.  Got to meet him, in fact.  He was signing books
after the show.

We didn't get to compete, and I was bummed about that, but we still had
a great time.  Laughed a lot, had a good dinner, lost just a
little bit of money at the slots & tables.  All in all, I'd
say it was a fantastic anniversary.