Comparative Analysis Resolutions (and far too many asides) in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

As I constructed the new book, I took the time to review my “Resolutions” entry for 2017.
Then entry was called “Obaith” (link to entry attached) and it is the Welsh word for HOPE – the hope that becomes someone’s reason to live, the hope that shows us the ray of light in the dark, the hope that makes us strong enough to smile at the face of danger, the hope that makes us hold on to our faith, and the hope that keeps life alive.

Last Year: Space
I did not get to witness a meteor shower, nor indeed was I even able to enjoy the solar eclipse. One significant change from 2016 (Tiny Town). In Tiny Town, I imagine the entire county simply stopped what they were doing for 30 minutes to view the astrological event. At Firm, I just kept on working.

Last Year: Canvas Bags and Walking to Work
When my job changed, walking to work went right out the window. Instead of a 15 minute walk from my front door to my office, it became a 30 minute drive. And atrociously, I have been abysmal on Canvas Bag usage at the grocery store. We certainly recycle as much or more than ever, including our plastic bags, but I honestly could/should use Canvas Bags more often. I should buy several, place them in my car, and use them exclusively for that purpose. Far too often the canvas bags go into a closet or wife’s vehicle so when I wish to purchase something, I haven’t a single canvas bag available.

Last Year: Country
Honestly… as much as possible, I have stuck to this. I’ve maintained being an informed individual and I have maintained trying to spread that information. I finally believe that even my father accepts how repugnant Trump is, which I see as a small victory.

Last Year: County Size
Last year, I was specific that Wife and I move to a county where life was not rapidly ebbing away… where life was at least static… where shopping for food and clothes didn’t mean a 45 minute drive to the nearest Wal Mart or a 60 minute drive to the nearest Mall. I succeeded. Within 4 months, I got us to Des Moines. Now that we’re there… not quite sure it was the best option, but I got us there.

Last Year: Home
Last year, I said specifically that I wanted to have sex with my wife at least 10 times in 2017. Frankly… I don’t know if we made it, but I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt that we at least got close. Plus, she is seeing a therapist now and exercising more often. So… there are positive steps there.

Last Year: Self
I completely fucked up on the 5k ready and did not do much for my mental health.

SO TL;DR (Or Quick Reference)
(1) Make time to appreciate the Stars and Astrological Phenomena: Failed
(2) Do more for the planet via recycling, reusing, and walking: Failed
(3) Stay vigilant in matters of Politics and Activism: Succeeded
(4) Move back to Des Moines, or move to Cedar Rapids or Waterloo… somewhere. Succeeded
(5) Sex Ten Times with Wife: Succeeded ?
(6a) 5 K ready by end of year; if 5 K achieved early… prepare for a Tough Mudder: FAILED
(6b) Personal, individual therapy: FAILED

If I simply want to change these to things I could do today?
(1) Make time to appreciate life. Don’t spend every weekend in doors, go for a hike or something.
(2) Do more for the planet. Volunteer at a Green Event, be more deliberate with Canvas Bags, something.
(3) Stay on top of the rapid disaster of American Politics.
(4) Continue to look for work opportunities that may actually lift you up
(5) Continue to work on relationship with Wife. Support EACH OTHER, not just one way constantly
(6a) Lose 30 lbs or more. Get below 200lbs again.
(6b) Find something that you can do every week that makes you happy. Value yourself and take active steps towards happiness wherever and whenever you can.

(ASIDE: While I’m here though, lets throw this out there, too. My oldest complaint about The Firm is one that continues to be my biggest annoyance. IF I am required to be somewhere by my employers; I should be getting paid for it. IF I am not getting paid for my time/presence, then I should be free to do with that time/presence what I wish. By requiring that I am “in the office space” for X Amount of Time when they are not technically paying me for that time… that just… boy, gets under my skin. I acknowledge that, if they want me to do something for them… it is easier if I am in the office to do that… but still? Every other attorney that shares this floor is gone. Because, as attorneys, they don’t need to be IN THE OFFICE if they are not seeing clients. Granted, I work better in an office than in a home but.... as today is going to be another day where I am only paid 4 hours of work, I ask why I have to be at the office for a full 8 hours.)

Second Aside:
Three O Clock in the afternoon, I hear it again. White Boss says, “Okay, honey. I’m reading the law and she doesn’t have a case. The law is pretty clear on when and what, okay?” Chinese Boss, “But she didn’t have the documents. She didn’t have any way of knowing.” White Boss, “See, I understand that but in a court of law, you have to prove it. You can’t just say ‘I never got this’ because the police will just say ‘I literally handed you this citation and asked you to sign it. Is that your signature?” Chinese Boss: “She says she never signed it. They forge her writing.” White Boss: “Everybody says that. I’ve got a whole mess of clients in jail right now saying the cops are out to get them and issued a ticket or citation they never got. But it legally counts in court if it is signed.” Chinese Boss: “That’s fucking bullshit. That isn’t okay.” (And as she gets mad, for some reason, her accent reminds me of Tommy Wiseau). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Wiseau

Three lawyers. Two native English Speakers. One native Iowan. And here is what I can tell you. IF the cops were out to get a specific person… like… if they wanted to just go after someone for no reason? Forging a citation is NOT how they would do that. I used to work with Officers who did want to get someone specific. The truth is… there are much easier ways that are harder to trace back to the officer. Forging a signature? ACTUALLY EASY TO PROVE. Compare samples then (most importantly) tag the car’s GPS and Officer’s logs for that day. If he was in his office, or no where near where the ticket was issued… yeah, fake. But if he was AT THE SCENE and PULLED A CAR OVER and tried to ISSUE A TICKET that YOU REFUSED TO SIGN… he should not have signed it for you because that is still a crime… but refusing to sign the ticket does NOT mean you have avoided the “notice” requirement of Due Process. Gah. I don’t want to work with geniuses. I don’t. I just want to work in a firm large enough where I could maybe have a work friend (or two), get paid, get benefits, and do something I believe in. Shit, writing Asylum Briefs makes me think I should ask my pastor if there are Aid organizations I can join. Because instead of writing bullshit for a Chinese kid with cash (yeah, you need asylum… because it is a nice accessory for your $87k Beamer.) I could actually help in these regions where the Local Government can arrest you for praying in public and/or arrest you for owning a business without bribing and/or so much stupid bullshit that goes on in China and Vietnam and Laos and Cambodia. But no… these countries are the future. China is/will be our new masters in thirty years if we don’t straighten some shit out. And as wonderful as Hong Kong might be? If you want to see what happens to people who HAD democracy and are then required to be MORE LIKE CHINA… do some google research. Seriously. China is paying Triad members to kick the shit out of people in Hong Kong who say they want Democracy back.