Gotta Get Down on Friday in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

LAST NIGHT was Wife’s last day of work for Wal Mart. As expected, she was a mess but I share that not to shame her but to sow/foster/demonstrate understanding. She had been working for Wal Mart for 15 years. If you’ve done anything for 15 years, it can be hard to leave. And as much as she hates Wal Mart… this is a woman who sees Change the way most people see Public Speaking, Arachnids, and Needles combined. So… it was hard for her. I hope that, at some point this weekend, she gets excited about the new opportunity she starts on Monday. Unfortunately, she is incapable of that right now. Last night, I asked her to name me one good thing about not being at Wal Mart or one good thing about being at this new job. Just name one thing and then we can try to focus on that good thing. She couldn’t think of any. She honestly could not think of one good thing about this massive move. I understand. She can/will. But that is how mind-alteringly terrified she is right now. Even “having my weekends” or “having a regular schedule” or “a higher paycheck”… none of those things came to her. SO… I’m a little worried. She is freaked out that she will get fired, hate the job, or in some other way be unable to cope/handle it.

This morning, things are… as usual. Despite the mandate that people be at the office at 8:30; White Boss showed up at 9. Chinese Boss was still at home (per White Boss) but was planning to go to the Ames Office today anyway. And, of course, within three seconds of arriving… White Boss got all giddy because he was able to put a “PRIVATE PARKING ONLY” massive sticker on another vehicle.

As for my work? This is the part of leaving a job that is going to be… difficult… for the bosses. My work?
Chinese Client 1: Appearances filed in February, still haven’t seen any forward action from The State.
Chinese Client 2: Immigration Letter needed
Chinese Client 3: Plea already reached; waiting on Chinese Language Communication
Chinese Client 4: Case doesn’t start until April
Chinese Client 5: Case doesn’t start until END of April
Chinese Client 6: Plea already reached; waiting on Chinese Language Communication and Case doesn’t start until END of April (Yes, I’ve already opened negotiations with the State on a dismissal even though the case doesn’t start for another month. I’m not shit at this job.)
Chinese Client 7: Client will be deported for repeatedly drinking, driving, running from the cops. But thanks to me doing my job, he will get to finish College first.
Chinese Client 8: Plea already reached; waiting on Chinese Language Communication and late May deadline
Chinese Client 9: Still waiting on Chinese Boss to approve or reject my submissions
Chinese Client 10: Despite saying she would review the case and get back to me, Chinese Boss hasn’t said anything. Not my concern anymore as this is a Chinese Language Case that will stretch into the later months.

So… that is our Private Client List. As for random jobs requested by bosses? Those will come. No doubt. But I’ve already said no to one. White Boss wanted me to do a Felony Sentence hearing for him as he may have a Juvenile Matter that conflicts. I told him I wouldn’t take it because I, too, have a juvenile matter that conflicts. Though… yet again… this is one of those pleasant things that “if he only looked at the calendar we use for the firm, he would have known”. As for Appointed Clients?

Client 1: Finished after 3/20
Client 2: Finished after 3/20
Client 3: Finished after 3/21
Client 4: Finished; communicate & withdraw
Client 5: Finished; communicate & withdraw
Client 6: Finished; communicate & withdraw
Client 7: Finished; communicate & withdraw
Client 8: Finished; communicate & withdraw

Cases Pending Withdrawal Approval:
15

Cases To Still Withdraw:
48

Thus: If I file to withdraw on 8 cases a day, I should be done by the end of next week.
But this will be a problem (I guarantee it). Because my bosses will not be happy that I’m not “gaining billable hours.” But y’see, this is where being proactive instead of reactive comes in handy (and remember how I said these guys are 100% reactive?)
By closing out all of my cases with one week left on my contract; I am available to take care of the inevitable Ghosts in the Machine and other expected snafus. For instance, lets say that I withdraw from my complicated Drug Mom Juvenile Case. The next attorney assigned is allowed (by law) and encouraged to contact the previous attorney to facilitate a smooth transition for client and new attorney. This is a call that I can take while still at the firm, as I would still have access to the files (proprietary property of the firm). If I withdrew from everything on the very last day… then whenever other attorneys called, I could give them my best estimates but I would no longer have access to the files I created. So… I’m doing something that is in the best interest of the clients… that doesn’t make us any money… so I fully expect bosses to be upset about it.

Wow. I mean, I’m not a property owner or anything and I suppose he’s trying to send a message but… out of our 15 parking spaces (we typically use 3 to 6), there is a Toyota vehicle that has been in a parking space since the day started. At Noon, White Boss called someone to tow the car. We’ve uh… we’ve been here for just about a week. Maybe I’m a pussy but going immediately to towing seems a bit… much? Like… maybe issuing Private Lot Parking Citations clearly explaining the violation would be better… but again… this is one of those things where I see clear personality distinctions between me and my bosses and, honestly, I admit I might be wrong. Chinese Boss and White Boss have never had problems going after what they want. They’re like dogs chasing cars so they freak out and fall apart trying to figure out what to do with it when they get it… but they never have a problem going after what they want. Me? I’ve never been able to go after what I want. I always need to try to think of outcomes, possibilities, consequences. Ours is the difference between a Smuggler and a General. The smuggler may find himself wealthy and free if he’s good but a few slip ups an that guy is impoverished and dead. The General may not live as freely or be as wealthy; but the calculated and strategic approach at least allows him to plan and counter-plan for inevitability.

Just substituted for an attorney in Jail Court. If Chinese Boss has been stellar proof that I needed to get out of this firm; that experience was stellar proof that I need a break from the law for a while. Because I simply do not have the physical, emotional, or mental strength to put up with (1) Wife’s Issues, (2) My Issues, (3) Random Criminal’s issues. Because… it was supposed to be easy. I go in. I confirm that the deal offered was bullshit. I ask the court to set for trial. DONE. Nope. This client was a ball of nervous energy who had made up his mind that he was leaving jail today no matter what. So imagine being around a 40 year old man with high anxiety trying to tell Judges and Attorneys how things are going to be because he needs them to be that way. BTW: His charge? Meth possession. Here’s the thing though… I got him what he wanted. I think. I got him Probation so he should be released today. He said nothing else is holding him in jail but… that simply may not be the case. In which case… he’s going to get REALLY mad. But… that is the way of things. But… after that 2 hour experience? I am physically exhausted, mentally drained… I want to take a nap and not have to help anyone or hear anyone else bitch about anything. Not to mention the guy before him? It was a simple thing, he was going to get Time Served if he plead. He refused to plead. Because he wanted to stay in jail. He was excited that he got to have a bed, three meals a day, and a 32” TV. Proof that my compassion has taken a hit? I wanted to deck the guy. FIRST those things aren’t free. If/when he gets released, he’ll be charged for all of it. At $80 a day. So yeah, cheap considering that some hotels can charge loads more… but foolish in that such an arrangement will still be $2,400 a month. SECOND even if he just stays in debt forever and never repays that money… you’re in jail dude! This isn’t supposed to be Day Camp for Adults. GRUMBLE