Doesn’t Matter Who Wins the K Race; We’re All the Same

[Icky Thump]

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Really? Even our new super-lib governor knows its an impossibility in today's politics, impractical, and cost-impossible. But he still wants to spend something like $13 biillyon in approved bond measure, and Fed, funds for a 110 mile super fast train between two ag towns, when you cal already go between them on Amtrak for $36.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cal...ait-and-switch

LessinBanff, Alberta

When you can fly south worst for like 29

[LessinSF]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

When you can fly south worst for like 29

]
Well, not between Merced and Bakersfield, but I get your point.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

If you have a G5 and you're still working, you either need to get rid of the G5 and the other items that require you to keep working or go to a terminal cancer ward and make the following inquiry to patients:

"How much do you regret not spending more time at the office?"

When I was hanging out on the old lymphoma floor (we don't have cancer wards any more, we have beautiful rooms with stunning views that cost a fraction of the drugs they pump in, because it brings in the cancer cases), I had a steady stream of the clients I have in biotech coming through and visiting and often talking shop, and it helped me realize how important some of the work I do is. BTW, the folks in finance and software - I didn't see them as much, they're more focused on the money than the human stuff.

So, yeah, when I beat my cancer I was ready to do more work. And I saw much more clearly why I do this stuff.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

When I was hanging out on the old lymphoma floor (we don't have cancer wards any more, we have beautiful rooms with stunning views that cost a fraction of the drugs they pump in, because it brings in the cancer cases), I had a steady stream of the clients I have in biotech coming through and visiting and often talking shop, and it helped me realize how important some of the work I do is. BTW, the folks in finance and software - I didn't see them as much, they're more focused on the money than the human stuff.

So, yeah, when I beat my cancer I was ready to do more work. And I saw much more clearly why I do this stuff.

YMMV. I like finishing a project. Nice to build things. But even then, it's more just the addiction to doing something, anything, that provides a goal. Once you're in, you must finish. Then you're done and you realize you are just living for the high of completing a goal.

A good friend of mine won a huge amount of money in a case. He and his spouse immediately quit everything and never looked back.

I don't see how anyone in litigation could retain a desire to continue that work. First, no one goes into it for any reason but money, as it's an awfully annoying way to make a living. Second, it's random. The first time I won a seven figure settlement by bluffing with a truly dubious claim, I felt the whole profession was a joke. Then it happened a few more times. And while this happened, I saw clients who had really strong cases lose.

Life is largely random and much of it is luck, but a system where winning or losing, or getting a small or draconian sentence can often depend on a judge's mood, or some quirk of timing, is not one in which "God's work" is performed.

[Icky Thump]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

YMMV. I like finishing a project. Nice to build things. But even then, it's more just the addiction to doing something, anything, that provides a goal. Once you're in, you must finish. Then you're done and you realize you are just living for the high of completing a goal.

A good friend of mine won a huge amount of money in a case. He and his spouse immediately quit everything and never looked back.

I don't see how anyone in litigation could retain a desire to continue that work. First, no one goes into it for any reason but money, as it's an awfully annoying way to make a living. Second, it's random. The first time I won a seven figure settlement by bluffing with a truly dubious claim, I felt the whole profession was a joke. Then it happened a few more times. And while this happened, I saw clients who had really strong cases lose.

Life is largely random and much of it is luck, but a system where winning or losing, or getting a small or draconian sentence can often depend on a judge's mood, or some quirk of timing, is not one in which "God's work" is performed.

More it's just the money and calculating what the hit would be to the lifestyle if you sign off and live off what you've accumulated, if any.

It's pure randomness but part of what we do is not play win or lose but compromise. Settling for less than you want is better than losing a shit claim; it's way better than losing a good claim.

On another note, crossing the street in Thailand is one of two very dangerous activities, the other being eating chicken. One you can factor in how far the car, scooter or tuk tuk is; the other you never know until it's too late.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

But I think [Jessica Williams] has somewhat European features...

TM

I had never noticed that but watching the next episode, you’re right.

Which I share, like my last comment, mostly to highlight my own ignorance.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

On another note, crossing the street in Thailand is one of two very dangerous activities, the other being eating chicken. One you can factor in how far the car, scooter or tuk tuk is; the other you never know until it's too late.

Really? Crossing the street is a challenge?

[Icky Thump]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

Really? Crossing the street is a challenge?

Not a challenge just something you have to train for. You don’t have lights that act like the minute break between rounds in a boxing match.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

More it's just the money and calculating what the hit would be to the lifestyle if you sign off and live off what you've accumulated, if any.

It's pure randomness but part of what we do is not play win or lose but compromise. Settling for less than you want is better than losing a shit claim; it's way better than losing a good claim.

On another note, crossing the street in Thailand is one of two very dangerous activities, the other being eating chicken. One you can factor in how far the car, scooter or tuk tuk is; the other you never know until it's too late.

I assume an old guy who has enough cash to afford a G5 can probably afford to keep it flying without continuing to work, or could downsize a bit and enjoy life in a perhaps smaller private jet.

Settling a shit claim actually felt pretty bad. I dinged a medical professional on an absolutely bullshit case and I'm pretty sure if there was such thing as karma, I'd suffer some really awfully malady for what I did. Our client was a fool, the injury claimed was not the professional's fault, a mediator told us so, but following the Nuremberg Defense, I did as I was told and we extracted a nice check based on threat of trial. That kind of thing is a bit easier when you're doing it to a large corporation. But I harmed an individual. That I had to do it because I was just an employee has never made the feeling that our system is seriously fucked up, and what I did was cosmically wrong yet totally ethical within that fucked up system, go away.

I have many of the same views of plea bargains. There's a deep inconsistency, a massive contradiction, in having a system ostensibly built to determine truth rely almost entirely on deals, acting, gamesmanship, and negotiating skill.

And yet I still happily refer cases and love to get those "money for nothing" referral fee checks in the mail.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

Not a challenge just something you have to train for. You don’t have lights that act like the minute break between rounds in a boxing match.

Why not just have your driver take you across?

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

Not a challenge just something you have to train for. You don’t have lights that act like the minute break between rounds in a boxing match.

I doubt I'll ever face this challenge whilst married. I'd have no business reason to go to Thailand, so it'd have to be a personal trip.

And few males are known to visit Thailand for respectable reasons. YMMV, of course, but one of the ickiest (npi) exchanges I had with a sex harassment defendant involved Thailand. This guy was sued for spanking a young clerk in the office. Claimed she was coming on to him. I'm trying to get a settlement done and the dude says, matter of factly, "We have to get this signed by Friday. I'm going to Thailand for three weeks." I did not relay that to opposing counsel for fear the demand might increase. (There was absolutely no doubt in my mind why this creep was going to Thailand.)

Another college friend went there on vacation once, sans the Mrs. I recall being astonished. "Does she know why folks go to Thailand?" They're no longer a couple.

Again, there are many reputable reasons to go to Thailand. But it's not high on my bucket list.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally Posted by Icky Thump

When you can fly south worst for like 29

Does anyone fly Southwest anymore? I rarely find them to be cheaper than other domestic airlines.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally Posted by LessinSF

Really? Even our new super-lib governor knows its an impossibility in today's politics, impractical, and cost-impossible. But he still wants to spend something like $13 biillyon in approved bond measure, and Fed, funds for a 110 mile super fast train between two ag towns, when you cal already go between them on Amtrak for $36.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cal...ait-and-switch

LessinBanff, Alberta

I was all set to take the California Zephyr to Chicago next month but had to back out due to a conflict.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

A good friend of mine won a huge amount of money in a case. He and his spouse immediately quit everything and never looked back.

I don't see how anyone in litigation could retain a desire to continue that work. First, no one goes into it for any reason but money, as it's an awfully annoying way to make a living. Second, it's random. The first time I won a seven figure settlement by bluffing with a truly dubious claim, I felt the whole profession was a joke. Then it happened a few more times. And while this happened, I saw clients who had really strong cases lose.

Life is largely random and much of it is luck, but a system where winning or losing, or getting a small or draconian sentence can often depend on a judge's mood, or some quirk of timing, is not one in which "God's work" is performed.

This is why subrogation is great. No emotions. Known damages (mostly property and BI). No hourly billing. But like PI, you have to get the right cases.


It's not actually great. But it isn't terrible. I don't hate it?

[Icky Thump]

Originally Posted by sebastian_dangerfield

I assume an old guy who has enough cash to afford a G5 can probably afford to keep it flying without continuing to work, or could downsize a bit and enjoy life in a perhaps smaller private jet.

Settling a shit claim actually felt pretty bad. I dinged a medical professional on an absolutely bullshit case and I'm pretty sure if there was such thing as karma, I'd suffer some really awfully malady for what I did. Our client was a fool, the injury claimed was not the professional's fault, a mediator told us so, but following the Nuremberg Defense, I did as I was told and we extracted a nice check based on threat of trial. That kind of thing is a bit easier when you're doing it to a large corporation. But I harmed an individual. That I had to do it because I was just an employee has never made the feeling that our system is seriously fucked up, and what I did was cosmically wrong yet totally ethical within that fucked up system, go away.

I have many of the same views of plea bargains. There's a deep inconsistency, a massive contradiction, in having a system ostensibly built to determine truth rely almost entirely on deals, acting, gamesmanship, and negotiating skill.

And yet I still happily refer cases and love to get those "money for nothing" referral fee checks in the mail.

I really don’t know how to be any clearer. I. Make. Money. For. My. Boss’s. G5. NOT. MINE. I FLY ECONOMY.