Happy New Year!

Even though I am posting this one day early (well .... about 15 hours early in my time zone), I thought I'd put it out there.

2010 was a great year ... so many exciting things for moi. I finished articling, got a job in Calgary and moved home, got called to the bar. My kid learned to walk and talk, and we've basically been reintegrating into our non-school-mode lives. It has been glorious.

I can't believe that in (roughly) 15 hours we'll be into 2011. Crazy. I think it's true that as you get older, time appears to speed up. This makes sense from a relativity perspective ... think about it. In my 20's, 1 year was about 1/20th of my life, or about 5% of my life. That's a decent chunk. Now, in my 30's, 1 year is about 1/30th of my life, or about 3.33% of my life. That's a smaller chunk. Heh. The chunks get smaller every year that goes by, and it doesn't help that we're packing so much into each and every year.

In any event, happy new year to everyone out there. Hopefully 2011 brings health and happiness to you all, and a breath of fresh air in a good change kind of way.

I'm hoping that 2011 marks the beginning of some adventures in travel for me and my family, but it's still too early to tell for certain. It's so exciting to be able to entertain that notion, rather than the notion of WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE LIVING/WORKING/GOING TO SCHOOL. Phew!

Summary

- I am a lawyer.
- I am home.
- I am happy.



Heh. It has been a long journey, but on October 1st I was called to the bar and I am now a lawyer. I was able to secure a job back home, and we're back. I couldn't be happier.

Life as a lawyer, so far, has been busy. Neat little tid-bit: the most beautiful courtroom in Alberta is in Medicine Hat. I was there, and the rumors are true. Tried to google a pic of it, but came up empty. You'll just have to trust me - or see it yourself.

Hopefully I'll be writing a little bit on here, from time to time, but I make no guarantees! Especially with the weather as nice as it has been.

I Can't Even Tell You ...

... how many posts I've begun, run out of time to finish, and therefore saved into my drafts folder.

One day ... one day...

In the meantime, here's a quickie.

Interesting tidbit over at Canadian Lawyer Magazine:
EU court denies privilege protection to in-house lawyers

I'm Famous

A Law Actually Interview with Lisa Hutch - The Trials

Thanks for asking me to participate, Michael!

It's Official

U of S is going JD.

So ... the big question now is ... do I or don't I?

Thoughts?

Answer my poll to the right.

My Poor Blog

It must feel neglected, especially with it's pretty new layout and all. Poor, poor blog.

I've been on the run, lately, which is my usual state of affairs in the summer. We've been travelling on the weekend, and trying to catch up with household affairs during the week. I love summer for this reason. Lots of fun, lots of activity, and lots of happy exhaustion!

Anyhoo - work has been busy as well. The real estate files are piling up with alarming speed, I guess the busy season for buying houses is upon us.

Not much time right now to write, as we're on our way to Calgary, but just wanted to check in. Soon ... I'll sit down and write. Just waiting for a rainy day.

NEW LOOK

I've been wanting to change up the look of the 'ol blog for quite awhile, but didn't have the time to code it myself, and I wasn't really in love with any of the templates that had been available.

Yay for Blogger's new Template Designer. I love it.

May tweak some aspects of it in the days to come, but I'm feeling fresh (and frisky ... but don't tell anyone, hahahahahaha).

Format Changes

I've just discovered Blogger's new Design editor ... watch for a new look for the Blog soon! EXCITING!

Stealth Post

I usually try not to post at work, but I found this link, and thought it worthy of sharing:

Essential Law Library List
Put out by the Alberta Law Society Libraries

Awesome. Must now construct a wish list.

More Copyright Commentary

Richard Stobbe of Brownlee's Intellectual Property Law in Canada Blog
Copyright Reform in Canada

Cameron Hutchison at the U of A Faculty of Law Blog
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of Bill C-32 The Copyright Modernization Act

Grammar Girl Calls Me Out

The recent post at Grammar Girl: How to Eliminate Adverbs

My frequent offence ... highlighted by the quote from this article below:

Now for a brief list of very, very useless adverbs: the ones often used carelessly as intensifiers. You really should cut these out: “extremely,” “definitely,” “truly,” “very,” and “really.” You can totally use them in dialogue though, especially if your characters are surfers. Otherwise, avoid them mightily.

Now ... to re-write my basic cover letter.

One More Thing to Think About ...

... regardless of whether an office is paperless:

e-records should be treated same as paper
@ SLAW

SCC Rules on Bail Hearings

Supreme Court confirms publication bans on bail hearings
@ the Edmonton Journal

Lawyers’ Ethical Responsibilities Relating to Metadata — Slaw

Lawyers’ Ethical Responsibilities Relating to Metadata — Slaw

Very interesting point, something that we should all keep in mind!

The Long Awaited Copyright Changes

This is the current version, first reading at Parliament was yesterday:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4580265&file=4


The Michael Geist Take


CBC News - Technology & Science - Copyright bill would ban breaking digital locks


Will write my take on it all when I get a chance to actually process all of the information.

"Learning the Robes" Poll @ the Precedent

So, after monitoring the poll over at the Precedent, 63 responses later and it looks like most people buy their legal robes at:

DSR Harcourts Limited/Westminster Regalia
Products


I'm wondering, though, if this is mostly due to the Precedent's readership being in Ontario, and these specific Robe Makers being in Toronto?

In fact, all of the options are in Ontario, except for Gaspard, which is in Winnipeg, and which nobody has chosen as an option on the poll.

Hmmmm.

Also, 63 responses isn't that overwhelming.

Looks like I may need to keep looking for information to help me make my decision.

Ummm .....

.... I'd like it to be noted that I'm writing this on my new I-Pad.

Yup, the Hubby bought me one yesterday in celebration of being done CPLED. It was waiting for me when I got home from work last night.

I'd write more, but I'm having too much fun playing with this new toy.

I'm the luckiest.

Makes Me Glad ...

... that I've finally started to text. HA! I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Are Technophobes Negligent? — Slaw



Makes me think of that Rod Blagojevich on Celebrity Apprentice. I don't watch that show, but I caught an episode where he literally didn't know how to use a computer. Yikes.

A Poll That I Want to Monitor

New poll: Learning the robes
@ the Precedent

With bar-calls fast approaching, one question that I have is what to do about robes. While I could borrow robes, I'll eventually need some.

A colleague, who was called to the bar last year, pointed me towards the Gaspard Robe Company which seems to have very reasonable priced gear:

Gaspard Robe Company Legal & Judicial Robes

Most interesting is the Legal Shirt Front, which seems like pure genius! I think I will for SURE have to pick up a couple of those, in the least.

Otherwise, I'll be watching the poll above, see if anything interesting comes up.

The Debate

Weighing the Benefits and Costs of Going Paperless
@ Law Times


I love the idea of immediate access. I also love leafing through hard copies and making my own notations.

Quite the debate.

Now ... The Real Test of my Will Power

It was easy not to buy an i-Pad when they weren't available in Canada, but now I'm in trouble.

iPad-denomium hits Edmonton
@ the Edmonton Journal

I-covet.

A Nice Way to Stay Informed

For everyone that fits somewhere into the geek spectrum:

Taking science public puts trio in big leagues @ the Edmonton Journal

I'm So Excited

(you have to read my title in a sing-song voice à la Amy Poehler)

Tonight we get to go see Henry Rollins for his spoken word tour. Last time I saw the Rollins was in March of 2008, in Saskatoon at a super cool venue.

Here's the re-cap from that show, which outlines all of my previous Rollins encounters:
http://lisahutch.blogspot.com/2008/03/last-night-rollins.html

So ... this will be my 4th time seeing him do Spoken Word, and I can't wait. I also can't wait to get another sweet t-shirt, just so I can be super hardcore! We bought great seats on presale, and this time we're at the Winspear centre in Edmonton (http://www.winspearcentre.com/all-events/2010-11-events/henry-rollins/).

Can't wait. Will let you know how this time compares. Will have to remember to caffeine-up just prior, though. 10:30 has been my bed-time lately - hee!

I Can't Believe I'm Older Than Pac-Man

Not by much, mind you.


Celebrating Pac-Mans 30th B-Day with Google:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/celebrating-pac-mans-30th-birthday.html

Very Interesting

French cabinet approves burqa ban law

How Did I Not Know About This Before?

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

Just spotted this linked on a friend's FB page. Must add to my toolbar when I get a chance. MUST READ THROUGH IT when I get another chance.

October 1st, here I come.

Yes, my bar call has been booked. Now that I have officially conquered CPLED, I just have to finish my articles, submit the proper paperwork, and on October 1, 2010 I will officially become a lawyer when I'm called to the bar (although, I can still work between the end of my articles and my bar call, just requires that I submit some paperwork).

Also - for those who care - I did pick my bar call date based on the fact that it can be represented as binary as follows:

10 01 10

WHICH ... represents the number 38.

Interesting things about the number 38:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38_%28number%29

My favourite bit:

"The number was said to represent unnatural bravery, characteristic of the legendary heroes of Norse sagas."

The relief, I can't describe it. The weight lifted from my shoulders, it's exquisite.

Just Had to Display This Screen-Shot

("CD" stands for Competency Demonstrated)


That is all.

I've Been Psychotic ...

... with checking on my grades for CPLED.

The last in-class portion of CPLED was last week, the negotiation session. It was great, but then, it was like reliving the ADR class that I took in law school, which I L.O.V.E.D. The marks for that are already up, so I now know that:

I have OFFICIALLY passed 8 of the 9 CPLED modules. Woot to the power of 8.

What I have been psychotically checking on is the grade for module 7, which I completed on May 6th. Grrrr.

One grade away from peace-of-mind.

I've been CPLEDing since November, and you can read all about the trials and tribulations of these last few months, but these last few days that I'm waiting for this grade are the MOST EXCRUCIATING OF ALL. So. Close.

Excruciating.

Woot!

Officially, I have passed 7 of the 9 CPLED modules.

What a relief.

I have one written CE left (due this week), and then my last in-class CE that starts a week from tomorrow.

So close to the end. I can't believe it.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with all my extra time once this is all over. It's going to seem like a whole new world. I can't wait. I have a feeling that there is a long list of fiction that will appear in my immediate future. Sigh. Can't wait.

It's True

GameStation's Immortal Soul Clause

Clever, clever GameStation.


We definitely need to do a better job with conveying terms and conditions for online transactions.

His Brain Her Brain - Scientific American

Was sauntering through Coles this weekend, and this caught my attention:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/sciammind/

HAD to buy it. Not only is it so interesting from a law perspective, but as a parent, I truly believe that most of the genderized behaviour of children is learned. I've only been able to take a quick scan through it so far, and it looks somewhat promising.

Another Benefit ...

... to having done CPSC as an undergraduate degree before law school ....

sure makes drafting agreements easier. My LE last week asked me to draft a shot-gun clause and a non-competition clause for a unanimous shareholder agreement. We were given precedents, but they were written in an archaic and wordy format, so had to be changed a great deal.

Writing out the draft clauses for that assignment was seriously like programming. Keeping track of the variables, writing the logic to ensure that all contingencies were provided for, and doing it all in a succint and elegant manner. I REALLY ENJOYED this assignment. I like keeping track of the details, and I like the logic. I'm trying to decide if this is the law equivalent of being a computer nerd.

I received fairly good feedback from a fairly tough LGF, as well, so I know that I'm onto something with this.

Exciting. When everything feels so new all the time, it's so nice to find something that seems to be a natural strength.

EGADS!

Alberta unemployment rate climbs

Not good news for a poor soul like me who is looking for a job! At least Alberta is still lower than the national average.

Is It Wrong To Cope Through Chocolate?

Is it wrong that my title is only partly a joke?

Ah CPLED. It would be so easy to whine, moan, wheeze, and otherwise lament about how gruelling you are, but that's just not my style. I'd rather problem solve (of course), and try and think about exactly what it is that is wearing me down, and what could be done to change the process. So ... here goes.

I like the fact that we do modules, rather than a big bar admission test. I like that I have access to lawyers who give me feedback about my writing. I enjoy the opportunity to have discussions with my LGFs ... but.

But.

I am almost CPLED-ed out.

The pace prior to Christmas was a slow and steady pace in comparison to the pace now, which I suppose is a good thing as we are eased into the whole CPLED thing, but I almost wish that CPLED was organized in the opposite way, so that the last month of the process was a more relaxed pace, and I could ease my way out. My WORK work load is a bit more complex now, and I'm not quite as eager about the whole CPLED process. Easing my way out would be a lot easier than easing my way in.

ALSO - at this point, I've had so much feedback from so many various LGFs that all the information is spinning around in my head, and I'm working far too hard to put it all together into coherent assignments, especially when some of the feedback is directly contradictory. Again, it would be easier if the pace were a little more relaxed at this point, so that I could truly synthesize all of this information to try and bring my writing to a higher level, rather than just slap together assignments to get them done and get a CD (competency demonstrated).

So ... my big suggestion ... flip the script. Ease us out, rather than easing us in. We can handle it.

And ... problem solved. NEXT ... solving the problem of finishing my LE that is due tomorrow.

Ah CPLED, how I look forward to the time that we part our merry ways.

iSaw, iWanted, iPaid, iGot iPad

Wish I was one of them .... sigh. One day, toys will be a priority (although, I shouldn't complain, I'm still loving my little blue ASUS EEE netbook).


iSaw, iWanted, iPaid, iGot iPad

Tidbits of Interest for the Day

Making computers think outside the box
at U of C News & Events

Is it bad that this makes me think of some kind of awesome dining room table on which I can eat, search the internet, watch my kid do virtual colouring, help my kid do homework, display virtual tablecloths?

Ah ... the fantasy.




Lawyers can't dump deadbeat clients, court rules
at the National Post
Supreme Court of Canada actual decision can be viewed here.

Top IP Boutiques

As per Canadian Lawyer Magazine:

The pick of the crop - part 1

Maybe one day on that list ... Hutchinson LLP? Mwoo ha ha ha ha.

In the interest of trying to read more about copyright law ...

... here's an article on SLAW:

Copyright reform bill this spring

SAHD Reports

Our evening routine consists of my Husband giving me the SAHD Report (or, the Stay-at-Home-Dad Report), outlining the various adventures and hijinks that he and the kidlet get up to throughout the day.

Today's report was heeeeelarious. I won't go into too many details, just to protect the privacy of our wee one, but there was a poop, a bath, and some screaming, all in the middle of dinner prep.

I wish I could have been a fly on the wall for that one.

OH - and another gem from today's SAHD Report - Jason and the little Spud were at the library this morning, making their rounds as they normally do. The library was packed with all sorts of little ones. OUR little one set her sights on another little girl, probably a year or two her senior, went up to her and started tickling her tummy. The older girl was not impressed.

Mwoooo ha ha ha ha.

Our kid has no fear, and is definitely NOT shy. I love it.

I guess we'll have to start teaching her to SAY HELLO before you try and tickle someone - it's the polite thing to do.


On a CPLED note - I officially have passed 5/9 of the CEs. Woot woot! The 6th one is due on Thursday, and so I'm in serious crack-down mode. I'm so happy that I'm officially more than halfway done. After this CE is handed in on Thursday, I only have two more written CEs, one more in class CE, and then I'm FREE AS A BIRD (assuming I pass everything, of course).

I can't wait for the FREE AS A BIRD status. CPLED + WORK = very overwhelming, especially where there are no breaks from the week-to-week assignments. Perhaps it would be less so if I skipped some of the LEs, but I just don't have it in me. I can't imagine doing all of the work from scratch for a CE, too much stress for one week. Also - I usually do learn something from each assignment, so I guess that's a bonus too.

AND ... back to the CE writing.

Also -

- as I've been trying to meet my desk organization goal, I NOW am coveting a few of these items, mainly the Grassy Organizer, Desk Dots, and the Kikkerland Wood LED Clock.

How To: Enhance Your Desk
The Precedent

The LLB/JD Debate

So, my alma mater, the U of S, is considering changing the degree that they confer from an LLB to a JD. A survey has been sent to alumni, which you can view here:
http://www.usask.ca/law/documents/JDLLBLETTER-MailedFinal.pdf

I've canvassed those that I know in the legal community here, and it would seem that not many are too concerned with the difference between the two.

I can see, though, that it is the wave of the future, as it would seem that more Canadian law schools are making the switch.

I can also see the benefits that would follow with being able to travel and work abroad.

Interesting. If they do make the switch, will I opt to have my degree retroactively changed to a JD? Must consider.

Sometimes ...

... I just reach my wipe-out point. I'm pretty sure that this point typically gets reached at the end of each CE that I hand in, but I haven't really looked back to verify.

On Wednesday night last week, I fell asleep while putting my kid to bed at 7:30 ... got up at 11:00 to brush my teeth, then went back to bed.

This weekend I've been spending in recovery mode, which to me, consists of chick-flicks on the TV, PJs on my body, and a special kind of hibernation that involves recharging my batteries, chocolate, and cleaning my apartment.

As for my weekly goals, I did clean-up my blog side-bar, have not yet read up on fair use issues, I did finish my CE, have NOT yet made a dentist appointment, and have somewhat organized my desk.

NEW weekly goals:

• finish my LE for Thursday
• make a dentist appointment
• read up on fair use issues with copyright
• go running at least once (yup, am feeling the urge to run again, now that spring is almost upon us, and since I'm not pregnant/the mother of an infant)

I haven't added very many new ones, as far too many of the above are carry-overs. I want to wrap these ones up before I get too crazy ahead of myself.

AND NOW ... to get back to work on my LE. I've already got a good start on it, but I know that it will take a few hours of good solid work to get to where I feel like I've got a solid skeleton of an assignment.

OH - and happy pi day!

π

New Record

Ex-wife's award a Canadian record
Toronto woman to get $110,000 a month in spousal support
The Toronto Star

Internet and Jurisdiction

I have read a little bit about this in the past, but it never ceases to amaze me how truly global our world is.

Something that many internet users definitely do not understand, the long arm of the law is VEEEERRRRRRY long these days:

US Jurisdiction over Canadian Sites
Richard P.W. Stobbe from Brownlee's IPblog

Makes me think of this case too:
Dow Jones & Co. Inc. v. Gutnick

Just Checking In ...

... haven't had very much time to update like I want to, but had to drop in to share:

Court goes digital for first time
Edmonton Journal


So cool, and hopefully the beginning of a new era.

CE Dominates My Week

Today another CE is due. I'm almost finished it, just need a few details refined, and then I can submit my Wills CE. This is module 5 of 9. After this one, assuming I demonstrate competency (knock on wood), I'm more than halfway. Sigh. Sounds better than the 1/9 modules I reported back in November. Much, much better.

Exciting news for me - my kid STTN AGAIN last night. The first occurrence on Sunday night/Monday morning was glorious, but wasn't repeated again until LAST NIGHT! I think we're slowly developing a new pattern that may just make my life a little more rested. I'm so excited.

Last night really was the night for her to STTN, too, as I was up past midnight working on this CE (for the 2nd night in a row). Grrr ... when will we get more hours in the day? I just need a couple more, then I'd be able to crank through these CEs AND get my required sleep. Ah well. A couple of puffy-eyed days never hurt anybody ... I try and tell myself that people PAY to make their faces look as puffy as mine today, and I got mine for FREE ... mwoo ha ha ha ha.

Also doesn't hurt that it's ROLL UP THE RIM TIME! Woot woot! Makes me miss the good ol' days when I worked in Admitting. I remember drinking coffee with Jen (because you have to finish the beverage before rolling the rim, or it's unlucky), and then going through our routine of saying "Rrrrrrroll up the Rrrrrrim to win!", rolling our "r"s of course, and then rolling our rims. Feels like I used to win so many prizes back in the good ol' days.

Makes me miss the Timmy's at U of S, too. So many Timmy runs, so many roll-up the rim wins and losses. Sigh.

I have to say, though, that so far Roll up the Rim has been OK for me. I've rolled two coffees myself, with no wins, but I bought a co-worker a coffee, and she gave me the free coffee that she won on it. YAY! SO ... so far, so good. Maybe it's time to re-engage the Roll up the Rim to Win routine, maybe it will bring me more luck!

As for goals of the week, I'm happy to report that I am so far still on track.

I DID clean up my blog side-bar. The links that are now displayed should all be active. I haven't added any new ones yet, as there are a few more sites that I now frequent regularly, but that will have to be another week's goal.

I'm ALMOST done my CE for this week, so that goal will be taken care of.

My desk is about halfway organized ... I'm getting there.

Have not yet called the dentist or read up on fair use issues. These things will have to wait until my CE is over (today at 4 PM).

SO ... not doing too badly, all in all.


By the way, is anybody else still stuck in January? February went by so fast, I'm in shock that it is already March. Seriously, light speed. I can't believe that we're fast approaching the 1 year mark from when I finished law school. Seems like only yesterday (cue the reminiscing appropriate background music) ...

... anyhoo - back to work on my CE!

A Golden Sunday/Monday

For more reasons than one.

Yay for Canada breaking the gold medal count record for winter Olympics:
Canada's golden Games at CTV's Website

Also - just want to put it out there - my kid STTN (that stands for Slept Through the Night). It's a pretty big deal. We never did any sleep training, as I never had a point in time where I could sacrifice a week's worth of sleep in order to better our sleep situation (what with being a law student and articling student and all). She really only ever woke up twice a night on average, and was quick to put back to sleep. Coping wasn't that difficult.

BUT LAST NIGHT ... she STTN. I'm in shock, awe, and delight. She woke up so happy, and so did I. It may just be a fluke, but if so it's a hopeful fluke, and one that I will revel in for today.

As for the "Two Views" article (page 26 at this link), it was a great read. Both authors clearly know what they're talking about, and lay out the issues in an easy to understand way.

Overall, though, I must say that I agree with Michael Geist on this one. I argued essentially the same thing (i.e. the requirement for a principle based policy that can accommodate faster-than-the-speed-of-light advances in technology) in the major paper that I wrote for my Intellectual Property class Conceptualization of Intellectual Property in a Post-Industrial Era; Protecting Virtual Property in MMOGs).

What I like about this point of view is that it really forces us to rationalize and defend our motives, goals, and ideas about intellectual property. So much easier to say than to actually do, but something that I think is important and necessary.

This leads to the only thing that bothers me about Barry Sookmar's view, the way that he lays out as fact that IP law encourages innovation. This is a contentious point in academic circles, debated at length in various papers. To state that it is fact, without further discussion as to why this is true, or why he believes it to be true, discredits his point of view for me (notwithstanding that this is a brief article, which doesn't get into anything in too much detail). He is stating the popular point of view, but I need back-up and discourse. I'm not saying that I don't think it's true, I think that it is true in some cases, but I do NOT believe that it is always true.

Not sure how I feel about the Fair Use issues, though. Haven't read that much about them. Now that it is March 1st, perhaps that should be one of my weekly goals.

As for last weeks goals:

• blog sidebar clean-up
• finish CPLED LE
• send out at least 2 resumes
• try not to spend TOOOOO much time online shoe shopping for new good ol' trusty shoes that I can blitz around down-town in (sigh, the shoe industry was really not for me for a few years there, but now its' coming back around to styles that I'm coveting ... what is a girl to do?)
• maintain my new "reformed absentee blogger" status
• watch as much of the Olympics coverage as I can

I haven't cleaned up my blog sidebar yet, so that's a rollover goal. I somewhat finished my CPLED LE, I did send out 2 resumes, I didn't ponder shoes too much, I have been faithfully blogging, and I definitely got in some Olympics couch time.

So ... this week, a new list of goals:

• clean up blog side-bar (top of list, as this is a roll-over)
  
• read up on Fair Use issues with copyright
• finish my CE for this week (and do a GOOD JOB ... heh heh heh, I suppose this technically SHOULD be my first priority)
  
• make a dentist appointment (hee - been putting this one off)
• organize my desk at work, and try and actually IMPLEMENT the work flow that I have kind of started to get going

That last goal refers to my ongoing files. I have two file stands that sit beside my desk, I'm trying to use one for files that are waiting for some event (i.e. a return of a phone-call, response by correspondance of some kind, etc.), and the other for files that I have been assigned to do something on, but which I haven't yet touched. Hopefully, I can grab a file from the NEW FILES rack, process it, then either get it to where it is supposed to be, or put it on my WAITING rack. Just need to clear off all the files sitting on my desk that have been piling up. Ack.

Somewhat on track for weekly goals.

Ugh.

Well, I handed in an LE today, but it wasn't quite complete. Grrrr. Just ran out of time, unfortunately. I worked on it at home quite a bit, but I usually get enough time to finish up the details at work.

Unfortunately, my work week has been one of those weeks with MULTIPLE tiny little tasks that didn't really give me very much to wrap up the details that I needed time to wrap up.

Fortunately, this is only an LE (and therefore, not compulsory), and at least I handed in a first draft memo, and a skeleton of some will clauses that should at least garner some helpful feedback for me.

Also - the exercise of completing the LE is helpful in itself, and I did complete my thought process, just didn't have time to write all my thoughts out.

Oh well.

This week I have to work on the CE (compulsory), so I'll make sure that I have some time this weekend to take a good chunk out of it.

No news on the shoe front (I have been sticking to that goal).

Pretty excited about our Women's Hockey gold medal (woot woot).

Looking forward to reading the "Two Views" article in the current CBA National magazine where Michael Geist and Barry Sookman offer their POVs about Copyright Law. Too tired right now, though, I'm thinking over coffee in the morning. Saving it. Putting it next to the coffee maker so that it makes me smile before I get my morning brew.

It's a Happy Wednesday So Far

... ah ... the middle of the week.

I took my goals seriously today, and sent out two resumes this morning. I'm also working on CPLED right now, and rather than thinking about shoes, I'm thinking about cuff-links ... so I guess that's somewhat on track.

I'm wearing my star cuff-links today which were given to me by a friend quite a few years ago. I really don't wear them often enough (I guess, I really only have the one shirt that requires them). Must look into buying more cuff-link-able shirts, and more cuff-links. They're big red stars, which is fittings, as she's from Texas. Sigh. I miss my friends in far away places.

As for the rest of today, I've got stacks of files on my desk that I need to clear away in order to maintain my sanity, and two client meetings. It's a full one. I think I may try and find a lunch date, too, maybe to grab a quick bite of sushi ... hmmmmm.

I'm feeling rather energized, as the spud-let had a really good night last night. So nice. So much sleep. Don't feel like I NEED my coffee, but I will still drink it (because I love it so). Ah coffee - you and I have a long and vividly recorded love affair. I don't think we'll ever leave each other, we just like each other too darn much.

New Addition to My Sidebar

Hopefully anybody that hasn't given up on me as a blogger will notice a new addition to my sidebar.

Under the heading "Law Blogs", I've finally added a link to Slaw.

I have been a reader of Slaw for quite sometime, but with my rampant blog neglect which has been festering for quite some time, I never did get around to updating any of my links.

Hopefully, Simon Fodden realizes that I'm not breaking up with Slaw at all (heh):
http://www.slaw.ca/2010/02/23/blog-by-articling-student/

Now that I'm on a blog housekeeping roll, I'll have to make sure that all of my links are updated ... I'm pretty sure that some are no longer active. Look for a clean sidebar in the next week or so.


I've always been a fairly goal driven person, and so in addition to my blog housekeeping goal, I also need to get a few more resumes out this week. The sole practitioner that I'm articling with does not hire students back, and so I need to secure a job for September 1st. If anyone knows of an opening in a litigation or IP setting - make sure to leave a comment!

So ... goals for this week look like:

• blog sidebar clean-up
• finish CPLED LE
• send out at least 2 resumes
• try not to spend TOOOOO much time online shoe shopping for new good ol' trusty shoes that I can blitz around down-town in (sigh, the shoe industry was really not for me for a few years there, but now its' coming back around to styles that I'm coveting ... what is a girl to do?)
• maintain my new "reformed absentee blogger" status
• watch as much of the Olympics coverage as I can

That's not bad for this week. With next week bringing the beginning of a new month ... I'll have to come up with some more ambitious goals for then.

If You're Going to Article in Litigation ...

... make sure to have appropriate footwear.

Ha.

I've been lucky enough to lose all my baby weight, and I attribute it to many things, but one in particular is the amount of walking that I do as an articling student at a litigation practice.

Between jumping around down-town and from the office to the court-house and back again, I log a lot of walking time, which has been great for the slim-down process.

As for all my cute shoes that aren't exactly hiking shoes - they sit at the office and wait for me to return from my adventures in the good ol' trusty comfortable shoes.

My good ol' trusties are flat dress shoes that are actually made by Naturalizer, and they're on their last legs. I'm going to have to go shopping for a new pair of good ol' trusties, and I'm kind of nervous about the process. Finding cuteness mixed with comfort can be a daunting task, mix in the good deal factor, and I may have to spend a while on the prowl.

This week is swimming by so far. Other than my shoe ponderings, I've been busy drafting pleadings, sorting out medical charts, going through corporate minute books, and trying to work on CPLED.

I'm on the Wills and Estates module for CPLED right now. I LOVED wills class, very algorithmic, very logical, like puzzle solving. When I sat down to actually draft a will from scratch, I realized that I never actually had done one before. Took me awhile. This is why it is so good to actually DO all of the Learning Exercises. Now that I've got the one under my belt, in addition to the feedback that I received from my Learning Group Facilitator ("LGF"), the next one should be a lot less painful to crank out.

It seems like CPLED really is organized to help you to be successful, but you do have to do the work.

Interesting ...

... that JK Rowling is still dealing with copyright infringement claims:
Globe & Mail: Harry Potter author calls plagiarism claim ‘absurd'

AS IS George Lucas:
The Lawyers Weekly: Empire fails to strike back: Star Wars creator loses helmet appeal


IP Law is so interesting to me, but must be a bane to those with epic success.

So, I've Been Busy?

I've had some epic blogging pauses before, but I think this one may take the cake.

I'm still here.

I'm still articling.

I'm still loving it.

Why the humongous hiatus? In an acronym ... CPLED. I'm now finished 4 modules out of a total 9. I've had 2 of the in-class sessions (where we were assessed on a mock Chambers Application the first time, and on a client interview the second time), and 2 online modules that consist of written assignments (the Debtor-Creditor module, and the Real Estate module).

The online modules consist of a weekly assignment, optional learning exercises ("LE") that lead up to the compulsory competency evaluation ("CE") at the end of the unit.

Even though the LEs are optional, I've been doing them all. It's really been worth it when it comes to the CE, as much of your ground-work is done, and you can focus on doing a good job with the writing aspect.

So why the absence in blogging? I wouldn't say that the CPLED assignments are DIFFICULT, but they are time consuming. There is a lot of reading (if you do it all, which I do), and the CEs have many subtelties that sometimes take me awhile to flush out.

Over the past few months I have started quite a few draft posts, but just haven't had the time to finish them.

So ... hopefully I can check-in once in a while and do a better job. I really did want to relate how my articling experience was going, and give a flavour for what to expect.

I must admit, though, that it can be difficult. There are, of course, confidentiality issues to consider, and so I can't talk too much about work. There is a CPLED professional integrity policy, and so I can't talk too much about CPLED. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how to relate my experience without losing too much meaning through necessary vagueness.

Ah well.

In terms of my articling experience, my CPLED in-class time has been so enlightening. Being able to compare experiences with other articling students has really made me thankful for the position that I landed. I've been so hands-on, I've been able to see so many things, and I really do have confidence in what I'm doing (even when I don't know what I'm doing, I know that I can always SOMEHOW find an answer). I'm lucky that I have a principal who MENTORS. Hopefully, I can really take advantage of that resource while I still can. I'm about half-way through my articles now, so there's a light at the end of the tunnel (egads).