The Complete and Total Distraction Thread

[calalj]

The Christmas holidays were a great distraction. Recently, I have become addicted to watching episodes of "House", an outrageous, Vicodin addicted doctor who solves medical mysteries much like Sherlock Holmes. We own season 1, 2 and 3. I hate watching the blood and gruesome medical procedures, but I love the drama.

[calalj]

Absolutely not! You are right- he is really talented at diagnosing the rare parasite, fowl, rodent, and rabies related problems! Or the undeveloped, undiagnosed "evil" twin embryo! His manner and speech are outrageous, and I am suprised by the amount of sexual harassment that freely flows from his mouth. Still, there are few shows which are as intelligent as this one, or as addicting to watch!

[testtaker]

Jagghagg had posted this on another thread, but I thought it might serve well here, as a humorous distraction:

Excerpts from actual SSA transcripts:


Counsel: Your Honor, I am very solid in my beliefs concerning my client's case" [but he had very poor evidence]
SSA ALJ: Solidity I got, but it is validity I seek. . .


Counsel: I have to admit that my client's case is a little weak [no evidence].
SSA ALJ: With the current state of the evidence, God could not win this case. Do you have anything additional to offer?


Claimant: (circa 1998). [After finding out that the ALJ had indicated under step # 4 that she could return to her past relevant work as a topless dancer and that she would not be placed on disability to return to her role (while on cocaine) as God sitting on the throne next to Jesus advising then-world leaders such as Castro and Clinton, she simple stated] "I suppose my purpose on this planet is finished" [and plopped her head squarely into the table.]
SSA ALJ: Counsel, [Legal Aid] I could not have summed up any better. I believe the case is ready for submission.
Anything else to offer in evidence of summation you wish to make?
Counsel: Nothing, your honor.
SSA ALJ: Then we are adjourned.


SSA ALJ: Madame, I am delighted to have you here today, but where is your husband the claimant?
Claimant's Wife: He could not get off work.
SSA ALJ: I see. Did he just recently find a job?
Claimant's Wife: No. He has been at this job for about 14 months. Not a bad one either. This one earns a little over $10.00/hr.
SSA ALJ: So he went back to work after filing for SSA disability?
Claimant's Wife: Oh, yes. We figured this job thing would be a good idea just in case the disability case did not work out.
SSA ALJ: Good thinking. It's always good to have a back-up plan.

[counselor95]

wilddog said:

And, then there's this guy . . .

news.justia.com/cases/jonathan-lee-riches/

Highly entertaining! Thanks, WD!

[kimmy]

The complete & total distraction thread is a perfect name for my post. It’s been fun and I hope you all have a happy and safe new year. For those of you that honestly want to help these claimants and take this opportunity seriously, I wish you the best in the future. I hope all the new judges will be an asset to the agency.

As for me, I have appreciated this board. I'd like to give a big thanks to ALJ Discussion & Pixie. It was invaluable during the waiting game. Just priceless.

I cannot tell you how much peace of mind this board gave me while waiting on calls...haha

Jagghagg, I have enjoyed your posts but I have also read all of your posts about being smitten lately. Sorry you are taking electronic meds for it! However, I admit I smited you twice for these posts (one just yesterday) but rather than delve into "why" here, I am sending you a personal message.

tinyurl.com/2skyxa

tinyurl.com/2my3dk

I wish those of you who see yourselves as public servants and willing to work very hard the best of luck. Claimants will truly, truly be lucky to have you. Remember, these hearings are NOT adversarial. We have to watch out for the claimant's rights.

Happy New Year! Best Wishes for 2008!

[jagghagg]

Yeah, yeah - kill the messenger.



Hey, Kimmy decided to leave the Boards over this; I wish she wouldn't. Anyone who may know her might drop her a line and urge her back. This was SO not a big deal.

[doctorwho]

powerties said:

I think I'll try to steer this thread back to the lighter topics. How about recipes again!?!

Iowa-style Potato Salad:

The only potato salad recipe you will ever need!

Serves 10 (¾ cup servings)

4 boiled eggs
2 pounds of potatoes (about 6 medium)
2 medium stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium mild onion, chopped (½ cup)
1½ cups Hellmann's real mayonnaise
1 tablesp oon vinegar
1 tablesp oon French's mustard
1 teasp oon salt
¼ teasp oon pepper

Note: Using a brand of mustard other than French's or anything other than Hellman's or Kraft real mayonnaise (such as a cheap form of salad dressing such as Miracle Whip) will result in a big change in taste (and not for the better).

How to prepare the boiled eggs: Place cold eggs in a pan, cover top of eggs with cold tap water, bring eggs to a boil, then boil for 15 minutes. Drain eggs and run cold tap water on the eggs to stop the cooking process. Refrigerate the eggs. Peel, then chop the chilled eggs.

How to prepare the boiled potatoes: Cut washed potatoes into fair-sized chunky cubes, leaving the skin on. Place in already boiling water for 20 minutes. Drain. Chill. Secret tip: keep the chunks of potato very large to minimize water absorption during boiling, then cut smaller after boiling. This prevents a "wet" potato salad that tastes "richer."

How to mix the potato salad: Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in a non-metal bowl (the acid in the vinegar can do nasty stuff in some metal bowls). Once mixed, add in potatoes and celery. Toss. Then add some onion and continue adding onion to taste (some onions are large or particularly strong, and can overwhelm the recipe). Add in egg. Gently stir, place in serving bowl, sprinkle a little paprika on the top for flair. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours.

Optional ingredients and tips: For your first batch using this recipe, do not add any of these options. Adding a bit more green coloring can look nice. Always add these sorts of ingredients a little at a time and monitor the taste as you do so. Some folks add a few parsley flakes or a small amount of fresh chopped parsley. Some people like a small amount of fresh, chopped dill (caution: a little goes a long way, so add slowly and to taste). Some people like to substitute some fresh cut green onions with stems for a portion of the chopped onions. Other folks like to add a small amount of chopped cucumber for a portion of the celery. Finally, if you know your audience, you may want to add quite a bit more salt (and pepper) to the recipe to bring out the taste if the logistics of your meal will not allow salt and pepper shakers to be readily available to folks -- be sure to add additional salt and pepper slowly and monitor taste as you do so.

Here's wishing everyone on this board a joyous New Year!

Thanks! Food is always appropriate. Will you be catering at graduation?

[jagghagg]

doctorwho said:

Will you be catering at graduation?

GRADUATION ??!?!?!?
I'd be expecting snack time provisions!

[doctorwho]

Another great recipe! Thanks!

[jagghagg]

Judge Tells Lawyers to Get a Life

A federal judge in Texas (no, not Judge Kent), fed up with petty squabbling among the lawyers in a case of unknown subject matter, let loose with a barrage that began by expressing doubt as to whether the lawyers had ever attended kindergarten and ended by telling them to “Get a life.” Check out this gem of an order from U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks:
**************************************************
When the undersigned accepted the appointment from the President of the United States of the position now held, he was read to face the daily practice of law in federal courts with presumably competent lawyers. No one warned the undersigned that in many instances his responsibility would be the same as a person who supervised kindergarten. Frankly, the undersigned would guess the lawyers in this case did not attend kindergarten as they never learned how to get along well with others. Notwithstanding the history of filings and antagonistic motions full of personal insults and requiring multiple discovery hearings, earning the disgust of the this Court, the lawyers continue ad infinitum.

[Court recounts current dispute in which, despite the court's order allowing a pleading to be filed on July 23, 2004, defendants’ counsel filed a motion for reconsideration, claiming the pleading should have been filed July 19.]

The Court simply wants to scream to these lawyers, “Get a life” or “Do you have any other cases?” or “When is the last time you registered for anger management classes?”

Neither the world’s problems nor this case will be determined by a ... [pleading] which is four days later, even with the approval of the presiding judge.

If the lawyers in this case do not change, immediately, their manner of practice and start conducting themselves as competent to practice in the federal court, the Court will contemplate and may enter an order requiring the parties to obtain new counsel.
***************************************************

Judge Sparks wrapped up by saying that if it wasn’t already clear from the tone of the order, the motion for reconsideration was denied. I think it was pretty clear.

— Klein-Becker, LLC and Basic Research, LLC v. William Stanley and Bodyworx.com, Inc., Case No. A-03-CA-871-SS, U.S. Dist. Ct., Western Dist. of Tex. (Austin Division), July 21, 2004. Thanks to Michael Barclay.

[morgullord]

The recipes are great but, since I grew up in western PA, the only spices I use are salt, pepper, and Heinz ketchup.

[jagghagg]

Otherwise known as "tomato soup."

[morgullord]

Exactly! And, it's not just for breakfast anymore.

[southerner]

Congrats on Sugar Bowl results, morgullord!

But you and jagghagg need to expand y'all's cooking horizons. If I see you in class, I will have my Creole and Cajun seasonings in hand for a Louisiana dinner one night.

[jagghagg]

I'm all for a Loosianna Boil anytime!

[morgullord]

Count me in, too!!! I have fond memories of my visits to the Big Easy and dinners at the Louisiana Kitchen!

The highlight of the Sugar Bowl for me was watching my son-in-law, a GA Tech grad, act happy during the game (my daughter is a senior at UGA and was in band until this year).