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Post by odarite on May 13, 2008 11:43:25 GMT -5
As to robes, my comment was directed toward what we wear at graduation. I have not heard whether it is an option at graduation, but the coat and tie/suit would certainly be appropriate there so thought folks might want to ensure they had it with them. I guess I was not clear. You do not wear robes to graduation. You wear business attire. Generally suits. |
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Post by nonamouse on May 13, 2008 13:51:22 GMT -5
I'm hoping to be in the group that will zip across the stage on a slip and slide of their own sweat in late August. Perhaps shopping for one of those Matlock seersucker numbers would be a good idea. I've heard that Baltimore in August is not the place to be generally.
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Post by morgullord on May 13, 2008 15:16:45 GMT -5
I've been in Baltimore in August several times; it made me look back with fondness to summers spent in the Sahara.
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Post by privateatty on May 13, 2008 15:59:54 GMT -5
The Sahara is dry.
Balt'more in August is so humid that you can get pneumonia just by breathing the about to boil air...
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Post by Pixie on May 14, 2008 19:50:43 GMT -5
I am an ALJ who has been following this board and its evolution for years- my complements to Pixie who has done a tremendous service for the ALJ community. I think the robe discussion should be "what does the claimant think?" It is especially compelling now with so many hearing offices relocated to the same building as DOs. I fought it for years- separate door or floor so what? "Its the same place I went to and was denied twice". But that battle is over. The first time our HOCALJ went to one of our remote sites (located in the same building as the DO. but with a separate door of course, he didn't take his robe. ( My office has gone from no robes to all robes over the past 15 years) When he began his first hearing and called the hearing to order, the claimant spontaneously said "Where is your robe"? I really lament the transition of the last 15 years- it all began with HPI. Our office has gone from a very professional place of due process to "bean counting management" with both group supervisors and the hearing office director coming from the DO and paralegal high school graduates ordering the attorneys they supervise to ignore the ALJs instructions. When I was sworn in as an ALJ, The Secretary of H&HS, Donna Shalala, stated "If you remember nothing else, remember this- as an ALJ you are the firewall between our citizens and a large government bureaucracy". Folks that is the difference between an ALJ and an Appeals judge- you ensure that policy does not conflict with law; it is the Appeals Council function to enforce the policy for the Commissioner if there is a conflict. Your post is on the money. The newbies need to read it to to begin to get a feel of what the hearing office will be like and their place in the world. And you are very kind in your comments about me. Thank you. Pix. |
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Post by Pixie on May 14, 2008 19:52:44 GMT -5
And, don't forget about the Preakness this Saturday. Try to get out to Pimlico and watch the lean ones run. That is about best thing going in Baltimore these days. Pix.
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Post by morgullord on May 14, 2008 20:54:20 GMT -5
That was exactly my point about Baltimore; the humidity there is oppressive.
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Post by Pixie on May 14, 2008 21:19:43 GMT -5
That was exactly my point about Baltimore; the humidity there is oppressive. Morg, I understood. Pix. |
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Post by southerner on May 15, 2008 10:14:37 GMT -5
Now y'all are just going to have to adjust a tad. Baltimore has some humidity, but I suspect ours would trump theirs any day. Between the lakes, the Mississippi River, the bayous and the Gulf not too far away, we have learned to compensate for the heat and humidity.
One wears comfortable clothing that breathes. As noted earlier, for those heading to Baltimore or even down South close to the Gulf, stock up on some linen, seersucker, and cotton. I will take my seersucker suit for the training month, but I can assure you that it will not be worn on a daily basis for that bus ride and class. Khakis and jeans--comfort clothes-- will be my mainstay.
Good luck to all!
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Post by morgullord on May 15, 2008 10:23:12 GMT -5
Don't forget your store-bought shoes.
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Post by southerner on May 15, 2008 10:50:00 GMT -5
Sorry, I prefer the individualized hand-made ones.
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Post by shadow on May 22, 2008 11:55:59 GMT -5
Second to last day of training - actually last day, tomorrow is a "graduation" ceremony and we're out of here! This is the first I've been back on this site in several months - . . .Training was good in my opinion - except for the bus rides. Will post more later, have to get back to class. Best wishes to everyone.
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Post by oldtimer on May 22, 2008 15:31:38 GMT -5
It may just be my cynicism or maybe I'm reading too much into this, but it may give you some idea of the esteem in which you will be held by ODAR if I tell you that the agency recently decided to hold its "judicial conference" for incumbent ALJs (not newbies) in the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia regions in Baltimore, in August, after initially selecting New Orleans!  |
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Post by doctorwho on May 22, 2008 15:59:40 GMT -5
It may just be my cynicism or maybe I'm reading too much into this, but it may give you some idea of the esteem in which you will be held by ODAR if I tell you that the agency recently decided to hold its "judicial conference" for incumbent ALJs (not newbies) in the Boston, New York, and Philadelphia regions in Baltimore, in August, after initially selecting New Orleans! Probably the same esteem they hold the newbies in. BTW, I hate New Orleans in the summer. |
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Post by nonamouse on May 22, 2008 17:20:55 GMT -5
It might not be as bad in New Orleans as you expect (hopefully). I was pleasantly surprised around last Labor Day weekend with relatively decent weather. Not the usual oppressive wet blanket of air sucking the oxygen out of the lungs that time of year. I didn't get one mosquito bite, so something unusual was going on.
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Post by counsel on May 23, 2008 13:06:15 GMT -5
Congratulations to those graduating today! We look forward to hearing about your experiences in Baltimore and wish you luck as you start your new position.
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Post by southerner on May 25, 2008 16:01:39 GMT -5
Okay, Y'all. After the holiday weekend concludes, let's hear some reports of what we can expect.
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julie
Full Member
Posts: 31 
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Post by julie on May 26, 2008 8:08:59 GMT -5
Baltimore Parking: For those of you interested in taking your cars to Baltimore during training, the Marriott Residence Inn has a contractual arrangement with the Hyatt to allow their guests to park their cars in the Hyatt parking garage. The Hyatt is about 3.5 blocks away from the Marriott. Although Hyatt has a FT security guard checking the garage, it still posts a general non-liability form in the elevator. I had no problems with my car, and it worked well. The flat cost for 1 month's parking is $190.00 (v. $28 per day). The cost of parking should be included in your travel costs if your travel arrangements are set up via the office to drive. I found having a car very helpful on the weekends, since it allowed me to visit various tourist sites (and do some necessary clothes shopping). Hope this info helps.
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Post by skibum on May 26, 2008 11:23:06 GMT -5
Or, if you're too cheap to pay such a ridiculous price for parking--as I certainly was--and are willing to put up with a bit of inconvenience and acceptable (?) risk, you can park on the street right by the hotel for free after 6 pm every evening, so long as you are gone before 8 am, plus all day on Sunday. On Saturday I paid $5 to put it in a real garage around the corner for the entire day. The rest of the time I either left it at Woodlawn (be nice to Terry and she can probably cadge you a visitor's pass) or at a commuter lot off the light rail line down toward the airport (I used Linthicum North without any problem). Inconvenient, to be sure, but since I flew in, then picked up a vehicle I still had at my former Northern Virginia residence, I could not be reimbursed for parking, and was too cheap to pay it. Just wanted you to know there are other options out there...
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Post by pm on May 26, 2008 12:14:14 GMT -5
This thread is becoming so long that I'm not sure this question will even be noticed, but here goes.
What time did everyone get out of class on Fridays? I'm asking this question for those who want to try to drive or fly home on Friday night. Was anyone ever allowed to leave early on Fridays?
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