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Post by judgejoyce on Jul 15, 2009 19:04:56 GMT -5
Only post by current class members on class experiences belong in this thread. Please post comments about LB's blog to here.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 16, 2009 5:55:43 GMT -5
Day 8 part 2 - the Give Me A Break Edition
As we were getting ready for class on Wednesday morning, ABC in DC ran an 'expose' of the Region 9 managers' convention / meeting at the Arizona Biltmore last week, showing videos of the golf course and a stress reduction moment, complaining that with the SS Trust Fund going broke in 25 years, SSA spent $700,000.00 for the 700 person meeting.
Now, last summer I went to a convention (not SSA - my civic club's international convention) in Phoenix, in July - the cheapest and hottest time of the year. Golf? Of course I played - at 7:00 a.m. when the heat was at a bearable 98 degrees. So the picture painted is not anything like the reality.
But what made me really laugh was a few hours later when SS Guru Charles Hall and his SS News outed this Beagle's Blog to the world, and in it this commentary:
"The latest: Sonia Sotomayor might be staying at the same hotel as the newly minted ALJs. But would she be staying at a Residence Inn?"
Why not? It is good enough for 85 ALJs and General Petraeus, why not? The governmnt per diem is good, we get breakfast and three suppers as part of the deal. I would be applauding the Government for it's frugality and wisdom!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 16, 2009 19:38:24 GMT -5
Day 9 - Almost at the end of the second week. More helpings of alphabet soup: VEs, SVP, SGA, FCE . . . and what to do with all of them.
One burning question: Do we get CLE credits for these four weeks?? Depends on what state you are licensed in, and it is up to us to submit the requests to the bar.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 17, 2009 16:13:35 GMT -5
Day 10 - HALFWAY THROUGH!!!
Some classmates are going home for the weekend, others are having family come here. The hardest part of training is the all day sit - stand options. I think we have all decided we are not cut out for sedentary work.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 18, 2009 16:44:49 GMT -5
#1 souvenir for the new ALJ Class: A cap, mug, shirt, or other item from the International Spy Museum (Chinatown stop on the Metro) in gray with the phrase in yellow letters: DENY EVERYTHING.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 20, 2009 18:28:27 GMT -5
Week 3, Day #11- a review of the stops along the Sequential Highway and practicing writing decisions. The end is starting to get closer, and we are anxious to get back to the office and start working!
The August Class reported for duty today in their new offices - enjoy these two weeks, for your minds and sitting areas will get a workout in DC!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 21, 2009 18:45:07 GMT -5
Day #12 -
The weather is still great - most unusual for DC in July. Today was more file reviews and finally, our Ortho or Musculoskeletal lecture. Did I see a lot of limping out to the bus this afternoon???
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 22, 2009 18:20:17 GMT -5
Day #13 - For those of us in one of our Chariots, the question of "how many ALJs does it take to navigate back to the hotel" came true. Or was it one of those 'survival' reality shows? "I'm a Federal Judge - GET ME OUT OF HERE!!"
When the guy kept going straight on George Mason Drive instead of making a right hand turn onto Leesburg Pike. A couple of miles down the road when he had to turn around in a small residential neighborhood, then made another left onto a small road. When asked if he knew where he was going, he said "Yes." Hmmm.
Finally going back the way we came on George Mason, he was again in the middle lane when told by the ALJs to take a left. We finally made it back to the hotel, giving a new meaning to 'back-seat drivers.'
And no, this was not the same driver who lost the keys to his bus to a wiseguy throwing them up into the trees.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 23, 2009 18:11:41 GMT -5
Day #14 - Made it to the Crystal Palace without incident. Even had a new party bus for transportation. Today we had a District Court Judge named Zainey come talk to us about judicial deportment. "Zainey - deportment"? Despite the picture conjured up by the name, he was really good - even his singing.
The showers finally came, but they blew away while we were in class. Tonight is dessert night at the hotel.
UWA diddy, diddy dum, diddy do.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 24, 2009 15:51:26 GMT -5
Day #15 - End of the Third Week!H
Had a talk by Dep Comm David Foster: They hope to up the hires next year to 300 (in order to get a new register), and plan on hiring 35 - 55 more this calendar year in November!
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Post by ALJD on Jul 24, 2009 20:32:17 GMT -5
Only post by current class members on class experiences belong in this thread. Please post comments about LB's blog to here.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 27, 2009 17:39:22 GMT -5
Day #16 - beginning of week 4 and breaking in the 4th set of instructors. They brought in reinforcements this time - 5 per class instead of 3, which makes you wonder what kind of reputation we have already established.
We have heard a couple of times that we are the "best class ever," but I equate that with the statement by the President of the IOC at the end of every Olympics that it was the "best one ever," - that is, except for the Atlanta games, but this is still a sore subject for all of us who were there at the time.
Anyway, this week we focus on actually doing mock hearings, and tonight Commissioner Astrue joined us at the hotel for our "Social Hour," regaling us with war stories from his career. By coincidence, the hotel changed the menu from spaghetti to roast beef. None of your tax dollars were used in this endeavor, and any alcohol consumption was courteousy of the hotel.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 27, 2009 17:50:08 GMT -5
One other topic of interest (or not), is recommended reading - none of this is "official" but what I have found to be informative and enjoyable.
If you want to learn about "reading" people, I suggest "Blink" by Malcom Gladwell, and "What Every BODY is Saying" by Joe Navarro (purchased at the Newseum gift shop) both available at Amazon, Borders, etc.
After listenig to the lectures by the doctors on all the different body systems, I rcommend going to the medical or health section of the bookstore and pick up "The Human Brain Coloring Book," The Anatomy Coloring Book," "The Human Brain Coloring Book" and "Pathophysiology made Incredibly Easy!" The coloring books are used by med students in their studies, and are actually a fun way to learn.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 28, 2009 19:35:58 GMT -5
Day #17 Chief Cristado taught us about VE's then we did mock examinations of VEs and MEs. Tomorrow it is supposed to all come together in a blinding flash as we do full trials.
The Snack Bar has re-opened for limited service (drinks, snacks) while the food preparation service and seating areas are being renovated.
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Post by barkley on Jul 29, 2009 16:53:46 GMT -5
Note to the next class -
last night, I went to the Iwa Jima memorial near Arlington Cemetary. The Marine Drum and Bugle Corp and the Silent Drill Team performed - fabulous. Similar performances will take place the next two Tuesdays around 7. Go if you can. It is halfway between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cem. metro stops.
Also, the hotel will run you to a nearby Greek restaurant. Most excellent eats.
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 29, 2009 18:08:00 GMT -5
Day #18 - Full Mock Hearing day, and session with the Union, which sparked the most passionate exchanges seen and heard to date. Not sure how much the after hours cocktail party did to calm the waters . . .
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 30, 2009 16:04:48 GMT -5
Day #19 - IT'S OVER!!!! Except for the shouting tomorrow at the Dept of Justice, where we will all comport ourselves with dignity and reverence, so that we don't get reported to the Deportment Police and have to call on the Union to get us out of hot water.
That being said, a good time has been had by all. Good Luck August Class!
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Post by Legal Beagle on Jul 31, 2009 18:56:43 GMT -5
The training and 'graduation' are all over for the July Class - I wondered if the choice of music that was playing while we received our photo ops with th Commish and others was a hint or clue as to what we were getting into . . . it ws the theme music from Gladiator.
Thanks SSA Brass for a fabulous send-off, and words of wisdom and encouragement. We all made fast friends while sitting in and out of class, and are already looking forward to our reunion in 2010.
The Legal Beagle, signing off as my paws take me to my duty station!
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Post by frequflyer15 on Aug 2, 2009 20:13:51 GMT -5
I am desperate here. I inadvertently left my schedule of the training in my work desk. Does anyone know when the August class trainees are to be down in the hotel lobby on Monday mornin August 3? Thank you in advance for any help.
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Post by Orly on Aug 2, 2009 21:54:38 GMT -5
Class start at 0800. Shuttle pick-up is supposely on the street side right outside the Resident Inn around 0730. Recommend you just go down and have Breakfast around 0645 with your meal card and just follow the crowd of suits.  |
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