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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 5, 2009 14:32:59 GMT -5
You asked for it - here will be the unofficial Training Blog for the July Class. Anyone can jump in anytime as we go along in our schooling.
LB,
Wonderful idea. ;D I'm going to sticky this thread and moderate it. Only posts by participants at the July training session that relate to the experiences there will be allowed in this thread.
Everything else will be deleted. Commentaries, jokes, etc, can all go to the comment thread here. Thanks! 
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 5, 2009 14:39:33 GMT -5
Checked into the Residence Inn along with some other compatriots. You can sit in the lobby and recognize us - we are the ones with the 3 - 6 suitcases, bags, and weary looks. The room is really nice, with a full kitchen, nice flat screen TV, queen size bed, and plenty of storage space.
Time to explore before getting psyched for tomorrow.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 6, 2009 16:32:58 GMT -5
Har har. After sitting in a dark room all day being 'welcomed" from everybody in ODAR and SSA below the Commish level that is, taking many, many breaks in the morning, we are all too sore in the rear from sittng all afternoon, and am in our rooms getting ready for the Social hour that begins downstairs in a few minutes. But I digress.
After a hearty breakast at the Residence Inn, we all filed like lemmings into the Chariots for Hire (cue music) that took us to the Crystal Palace. We could identify the Insiders from the Outsiders by the badges that allowed them to enter the sanctified halls without first stopping at the front desk to sign in (Last name, first, middile initial, signature, agency, why here, time in) and so on. (The guys at the desk quickly decided we did not have to do the reverse when we walked out at the end of the day.)
After reaching the 5th floor, we were divded into the Jeffersonians, Washingtonians, and Lincolns. We have our own computer stations, some of which still did not work by the end of the day, jump drive, and other little goodies, with the promise that we could take one of those ten pound manuals with us if we just had to hold paper sometimes. The powerpoint presentations were already printed out for us to pick up at the end of the day or when instructed to do so - but those of us who are Type A personalities already grabbed our copies, which turned out fortuitous as a couple of the presentations suffered technological challenges.
A good time was had by all. Now, where is that pesky wabbit???
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 7, 2009 16:08:42 GMT -5
Day #2- Learned about the Concept of Insured Status, Structure of the Claim File, and ALJ Hearing Procedures, where if you have too many claims in ALPO, you get sent to the doghouse!
Lunch around the Crystal Palace in an advenure with not too many choice, and most of us ended up at Target anyway. The hotel provides a Complimentary Social Hour each Monday - Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00 with potent potables provided, so I am sure that many of us will continue the discussions down there.
Of course, no real study of Titles I and XVI can begin until we learn the Sequential Evaluation Process. With permission of Judge Andy Weiss, I present:
The Sequential Highway (sung to the tune of "My Way.") Music, please . . .
And now, the time has come,
I've got to face the next decision.
I need, to make it right,
So's not to face
AC derision.
I've heard all his complaints,
I've read the case
up, down and sideways.
So now I start the trip down
Sequential Highway.
He worked past AOD,
But his earnings, too small to mention
He has HNP,
it causes pain,
and some depression.
And yes, it is severe,
yet not enough, for a Step 3 pay.
So I must continue, down
Sequential Highway.
His RFC, is light sit / stand,
And his past work was shoveling sand,
It is unskilled,
and heavy to boot,
Should I stop now,
and dole out the loot?
No that's just Step 4
there's still one more, on
Sequential Highway.
And so, the burden's mine
I've got to show
signif'cant numbers.
The Grid, willnot suffice,
You can't find jobs
in it's penumbras.
That's why, I called V.E,
who proffered gobs of jobs
that exist today.
So that means stop;
I now get off, (the)
Sequential Highway.
For what is a judge, what has he got?
He's got the Regs, and that's a lot.
To pay a case, is no big deal,
but to deny, and avoid appeal
The decision must show,
which exit you go,
on Sequential`Highway.
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Post by northwest on Jul 7, 2009 16:20:08 GMT -5
Hey, LB, thanks for starting this blog. Haven't you met the bunny yet? I'll introduce you tomorrow.
The more I know about this job, the more grateful I feel. And what a fine group of fellow students. I feel proud to be a part.
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Post by flannery on Jul 7, 2009 16:23:43 GMT -5
I look forward to it! And by the way, meeting Northwest was great--she is just as pleasant in person as she is on the board. And I will second her opinion that class is great and so is meeting everybody in it. I feel very proud and fortunate to be here.
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Post by onepingonly on Jul 7, 2009 21:32:09 GMT -5
BRILLIANT song! It has been great meeting LB and other classmates. Their credentials are very impressive, and I am continually struck by how fortunate I am to be here. I agree that the training has been excellent. The trainers for the "Washington" group are superb. Having the training materials available on desktop and jump drive is a major advancement, and I think it will prove a vaulable future reference, as well as cutting down on arbocide and hernias. The two weeks in the field office provided a very solid grounding for the material covered so far. Looking forward to the days ahead!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 8, 2009 17:54:07 GMT -5
Day 3 - Step 3 on the Sequential Highway, and a Neurological Meical Lecture by Dr. Michael Greenberg.
The wife of an ALJ told me a few years ago, that whenever he would go off to school, he would call home complaining of a different illness each day - from the symptoms discussed in that day's medical lectures.
Today's questions concerned whether or not we have a brain and spinal cord. If we can remember our login ID and the word of the day and get into our e-mail boxes, then the answer is yes.
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Post by barkley on Jul 8, 2009 19:33:16 GMT -5
One of the instructors talked about carpal tunnel syndrome and how everyone has it to some extent and my wrists have hurt since! I am dreading the cardiology lecture!  |
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 9, 2009 16:12:42 GMT -5
Day 4: Respiratory and Cardiovascular lectures - the only residual disease experienced by all was paralysis of the buttocks. The Docs were great, but my mind can only absorb as long as my rear lets me.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 10, 2009 15:46:31 GMT -5
Day 5: Week one is now done, the instructors made a hasty exit by cab as we were getting on our busses. We have well and truly broken them in for the August class!
Today was mainly mental, and our only complaint was that we did not have enough time with the doc.
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Post by onepingonly on Jul 11, 2009 0:18:21 GMT -5
The medical lectures were excellent. Wish I had had this training before I started enforcing the ADA at the EEOC.
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Post by northwest on Jul 11, 2009 6:10:41 GMT -5
Has anyone been able to access the jump drive on your laptop? I sent an e-mail to myself with the link to the site that's supposed to have the instructions, but I get the message that it can't find the server. Not that I plan to be studying this weekend. ((update: LB gave me a copy of the instructions. Thanks LB!)) If you have info for me, or if you just want to connect, you can send me a personal message with your regular email, cell phone, or room #. My 2 favorite restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel so far are Chevy's (Mexican) and Thai Phoon (Thai, of course). I didn't find out until the second day that you can get a pass to work out at Bally Total Fitness from the front desk. If you want to leave stuff in a locker, take a dollar with you to put in a machine that will give you 4 locker tokens. Take a small towel with you. Have fun this weekend! |
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Post by northwest on Jul 11, 2009 7:14:47 GMT -5
Paperback exchange anyone? I have "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian." Cute and funny and poignant. Send me a PM if interested.
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Post by runnermom on Jul 11, 2009 14:45:54 GMT -5
Saturday is here...what to do.
Thought it might be helpful to include some ideas for things to do on the weekends, especially if you have been to D.C. before and don't want to do the standard sightseeing again.
I would recommend a hike through Roosevelt Island. From the hotel there are two ways to get there. You can rent a bike in town and ride the Mount Vernon Trail to Roosevelt Island (about 4.50 miles one way) or you can take the metro blue line to Rosslyn. When you leave the metro station walk stratight through toward the green awning of Chopits resturant (great salads!) turn left and head toward Key Bridge. Before you get to Key Bridge you will see the bike trail on the right. Walk down the bike trail to the foot bridge to Roosevelt Island. You can pick up a trail map at the kiosk off the foot bridge.
I took the metro out and ran the bike trail back. You can also take the metro out and rent a bike in Rosslyn and bike to georgetown and the island. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. Crowds were minimal and the weather was great but remember to bring water because there are no facilities on the island.
Enjoy!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 12, 2009 9:06:16 GMT -5
My Saturday was filled with breakfast (half the world was down there, and here I thought we were the only ones in th hotel), a short hike to Borders to get some educational materials ("The Human Brain Coloring Book," "The Physiology Coloring Book" - Alas, no "Blue Book" in sight), then a trek to Baltimore for the Orioles - Blue Jays game. Had supper at Boog's BBQ (if you are a true Orioles fan, you will know who he is), then enjoyed 9 innings plis 4 more innings of free baseball before the O's won on a home run by Melvin Mora in the bottom of the 12th.
Today, the growing pile of dirty laundry in the bottom of my closet is threatenig to take over the suite if I do not beat it into submission. Carpe Diem.
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Post by runnermom on Jul 12, 2009 18:12:39 GMT -5
Sunday - off the beaten path - another day in the quest to find those off beat places in D.C.
Traveled off the beaten path to see the Franciscan Monastery and Basilica of the National Shrine. Just take the red line metro to Brookland/CUA exit. When you exit the station turn left then walk to michigan ave. (ask the metro agent for a local map) If you go right you will find the National Shrine. It is the largest church in the western hemisphere and the 8th largest church in the world. If you go right you will find the Franciscan Monastery.
We went to the Monastery first and did the tour which includes a tour of the catacombs. The catacombs are a replica of those in Rome. Tours are free and run every hour. The Monastery also has beautiful gardens so take your time. Then we went to the National Shrine and had a great lunch in their cafeteria before exploring the Shrine. There is a tour, but we did not do the tour. These are both great sights to see, amazing architecture and art. Enjoy!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 13, 2009 16:48:02 GMT -5
Ah, another glorious Monday morning in Falls Church in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our Chariots awaited to whisk us off to the Crystal Palace at 7:30 a.m. sharp to meet our new team of instructors (even though we saw most of them downstairs for breakfast - they were the ones in suits, ties, and / or high heel shoes).
This week, the agenda is the RFC, and if today was any indication, our class is getting its sea legs and enjoying exercising the Socratic method.
Hotel's "Social Hour" is serving Broccoli with cheese casserole and salad.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 14, 2009 16:25:31 GMT -5
Day 7 - Excitement in the Residence!!
This morning there were three - count them, three - big black Tahoes and Suburbans in the turn around, with guys in suits, lapel pins, and wires coming out of their ears. Last night there were only two, and it was impossible to see who it was they whisked out into the limo while all us newbies were being Social. Looked like a short, round, Latina female to me. Was it her???
We lingered long enough to have to wait for one of our busses to come back to pick us up, as while all that high powered security was standing around, some wise guy jumped into one of our Chariots, pinched the keys, then threw them into a tree before speeding off. (We learned from the afternoon driver that there was a spare set in the bus, but nobody knew that.)
Anyway, back to the black Tahoes and Suburban. There was another lighter weight SUV trailing behind with military folks, so that should have given us a clue - as General Petraeus came marching out and into the lead Tahoe, then was whisked away. I did get phots on the Blackberry and will try to figure out how to post.
Tonight a robe company is coming to shroud us with their wares, but this Beagle will be ever vigilant - with the trusty Nikon ready to capture the next sighting.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 15, 2009 16:29:01 GMT -5
Day 8 - More RFC and DOT at ODAR. Words to the wise for the August Class - the New Tower Cafe (where we can get lunch and breakfast, snacks and drinks at the breaks) will be closed from mid-July to mid-August for renovating the cashier and front areas. They say that there will be coin vending machines available, but you may want to consider bringing your own snacks. We will be able to tell you more when they shut down later this month.
Some of the newbies are going to see Harry Potter tonight. Will see if we can get a movie review from one of them.
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