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Post by lurker on Jul 23, 2008 20:34:13 GMT -5
First, congratulations and welcome. Second - If you should choose to go out for Ethiopian food while in Baltimore (and you should), bring umbrellas.  |
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Post by southerner on Jul 23, 2008 21:36:56 GMT -5
Most of us got caught in the unexpected downpour on the walk back, but rather than walk in the rain 5 of us stopped at Kyro, a pizza/Middle Eastern restaurant on Cathedral, and waited for some slowdown of the rain and eventually called a cab when the showers only strengthened. After 45 minutes and no cab, the owner was nice enough to give us a ride back to the hotel. Upon arrival, some opted to head to Peter's around the corner to meet up with some of our colleagues and discuss class matters.
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Post by nonamouse on Jul 24, 2008 12:34:09 GMT -5
On a serious tip for those who are in Phase I before reporting to Baltimore:
1. When you start reviewing your electronic files for the staff to schedule your first docket, if you can type your notes on the file using the ALJ Notes function in DGS, then they can be directly uploaded by you into the efile.
You use the toolbar and click DGS, then Decisions, the ALJ Notes. A template opens that will look similar to the first page of a decisional template from DGS.
Put in the SSN and click Retrieve Info. The claimant's name should propagate. Click Done. A Word box willl open. It gives you an option to Save your Word document that already has the claimant's info in it. I made a separate subfolder on my personal computer drive for these notes. You will now have the 1st page of a Word document that has a header already on it with the claimant's info and "ALJ Notes" at the top.
You just type your pre-hearing notes including your possible VE hypotheticals if you like. You can insert a form you design for your notes or whatever just like any other Word document.
When finished making notes go to DGS tools at the same toolbar at the top of the screen. The drop down menu gives a choice to "Send to efile" which you click. A box will pop up to let you know that the notes are being sent and you are done. The notes end up in the Private section of the file which can be viewed under the Case Documents tab of the electronic "6 part folder." I also print a paper copy of the notes (just in case) and for additional scribbles if new evidence comes in.
This function will save you the headache of wondering if your notes are scanned so that they are legible. (Nothing worse than docs that scanned poorly and got shredded without anyone checking the quality of the efile first.) It will ensure that the writer can find them when the time comes for them to write your decision. It will save the staff the time to scan the notes into the folder which should also make them happier.
If anyone else has been given some good tips or shortcuts, please share!
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Post by southerner on Jul 26, 2008 19:08:51 GMT -5
Thanks, WD, my esteemed colleague! Meeting you and the others this month has been great. I echo the points about camaraderie and bonding. Certainly this past week the corsair, buccaneer, and patch adventures were the high points! I can hardly wait for the final week and see what new undertakings, or perhaps escapades, will transpire.
GEAUX Tigers!!
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Post by lurker on Jul 27, 2008 16:52:39 GMT -5
Finally, you will bond with your classmates during all of your adventures, both in and out of class, and this will help make the training that much more worthwhile. Go out with them, have fun, interact with the instructors during class hours as well as in social functions, and you'll be glad you did. Best to all, WD Just another voice echoing the importance of spending time with your classmates, in and out of class. If you are an outsider, like me, you will leave training knowing exactly who to have on speed dial for those days when you just can't figure out how to weave your way through the CFR on a particular case. Oh and wilddog is right, we will probably all leave here with southerner on our personal speed dials. Get to know the instructors - they have a wealth of knowledge to share, both in and out of the classroom. Get to know your fellow classmates. No matter what horror story your personal relocation / new commute - you will find someone to sympathize with you and someone else whose story is worse. There is a lot to learn, to be sure - but your time here has not been wellspent if you don't leave with some lifelong friends among your new colleagues. |
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Post by lurker on Jul 29, 2008 16:26:07 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to training but I think I'll pass on the ethiopian food.  Other options abound. There is great Afghan food within walking distance. Closer to the hotel, but also up Charles St. is the Casbar (Turkish) and good Indian (I forget the name, but it's two doors down from Casbar). Some of my classmates are going for tapas and flamenco dancing tonight. Or walk to Little Italy and enjoy pasta at Amici's and dessert at Vaccaros. Or have seafood at Mo's and dessert at Vaccaro's. Or, eat the free food at the hotel's manager's reception and get dessert at Vaccaro's. For those of you who don't share my sweet tooth - I also recommend going to Federal Hill on a Monday night to enjoy beer and the $1 oysters at Ryleigh's. If you don't cotton to raw fish, try anything else on their menu. The small plates were fabulous and the entrees that some of the other judges at our table ate looked wonderful. When you go robe shopping at Cardinal Robe, make sure to plan for dinner at G&M's (or is it M&G's?) They have the best crabcakes we've found. The onion rings at Burke's are really good. The beer at Peter's is cheap and plentiful. And convenient. Explore the neighborhood. Ryleigh's was discovered by one of my fellow judges, who was out for a walk one evening. Oh, one more thing. For most of the training, you will be split into 2 different classrooms. Make it a point to meet and befriend the people in the other class. If your class is anything like ours, there is no one in either class who 1) does not deserve to be here and 2) isn't worth meeting and befriending. AAARRRGH! |
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Post by southerner on Jul 29, 2008 17:01:33 GMT -5
The pirate-theme of last week was especially fun for us on the wilder and less-inhibited--some might say smart-ass--half of the class. Plus, one of the pics was seen today and we look great!
AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
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Post by batboy on Jul 29, 2008 19:06:04 GMT -5
I'm reading this blog and I can't believe it. Are you all in this for the oysters and Afgan food? It's amazing.
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Post by lurker on Jul 29, 2008 20:56:16 GMT -5
I'm reading this blog and I can't believe it. Are you all in this for the oysters and Afgan food? It's amazing. We work really hard all day. We talk about what we are learning at meals, on the elevators, even at Orioles games. But there is a reason this training is done over 4 weeks in Baltimore, rather than by video at our individual computer monitors. This is your opportunity to meet your colleagues from across the country. There is a lot of wisdom in this class - from SSA staffers, former claimants reps, former state court or military judges and even those of us who come from the outside as practicing litigators. You are not going to learn everything in the classroom. Sharing oysters with one of the teaching ALJs or a beer with your new colleagues can be fun - but don't underestimate how much we are learning. We are also all away from our loved ones for 4 weeks and some of us are facing difficult commutes and/or extended separations from our spouses and families when we start in our new hearing offices. AFAIC, I'd rather be commiserating about these issues over a glass of wine at the Afghan restaurant than sitting in my hotel room by myself. YMMV. |
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Post by firsttimecaller on Jul 30, 2008 1:36:17 GMT -5
Now I'm getting excited.
AAARRRGH!
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Post by nonamouse on Jul 30, 2008 11:30:39 GMT -5
I'm reading this blog and I can't believe it. Are you all in this for the oysters and Afgan food? It's amazing. Try reading some of the other threads that cover more "serious" topics. Clearly rehashing the academic grind is not something most people will do when taking a break from their training schedule to post here. However, some very informative and lengthy posts discuss the serious topics elsewhere. |
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Post by govtattorney on Jul 30, 2008 11:34:08 GMT -5
this is a serious topic - what i have learned is to enjoy the learning process. you can be "serious" and "enjoy" at the same time. firsttimecaller is probably one of the pirate guys from this class and i have to say, they are all very committed to doing a good job. but why sacrifice fun?
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Post by testtaker on Jul 30, 2008 22:58:12 GMT -5
When you go robe shopping at Cardinal Robe, make sure to plan for dinner at G&M's (or is it M&G's?) They have the best crabcakes we've found. Please tell me more about Cardinal Robe. I remember having read about a robe store near training or something like that. My office is a robe office (for hearings held on site), so I'd like to check out the robes. Unfortunately, I just can't order a ready made item. It would never fit right. I think I need a custom fit and i read on this board a while back about some place in Baltimore that sold robes and did custom fittings. Is this the place? How far is it? And is it G&Ms or M&Gs??? Must know! CAN'T WAIT TO MEET EVERYONE ON SUNDAY! |
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Post by southerner on Jul 31, 2008 14:17:44 GMT -5
One does not always need to be studious, thankfully.
Enjoy the camaraderie, the sights, the give-and-take, and the classes.
Peter's tonight after the wine-tasting at the hotel! Laissez les bon temps rouler!
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lee
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by lee on Jul 31, 2008 16:30:29 GMT -5
Our class will graduate tomorrow, and this training has been impressive. Good luck to the August class, and to those who are still waiting for an offer.
This has been a long process to get here, but it has been worth the effort.
lee
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Post by lurker on Jul 31, 2008 17:07:46 GMT -5
Please tell me more about Cardinal Robe. I remember having read about a robe store near training or something like that. My office is a robe office (for hearings held on site), so I'd like to check out the robes. Unfortunately, I just can't order a ready made item. It would never fit right. I think I need a custom fit and i read on this board a while back about some place in Baltimore that sold robes and did custom fittings. Is this the place? How far is it? And is it G&Ms or M&Gs??? Must know! CAN'T WAIT TO MEET EVERYONE ON SUNDAY! Terry and Kim, who will be your lifelines to most things practical and sane while at training, will be able to give you info re: the phone number and address of Cardinal Robe. It is in Linthicum, a short drive from the hotel. They will stay open in the evenings if you call in advance. They do prefer, if they are going to stay open, that you come in a group (3-5). They are, as wilddog reported, lovely people. They have a range of styles that you can buy off the rack, or, if you need / want a custom fitted robe, they can do that. They will ship your robe to your office. Prices are reasonable (and custom robes are in the same price range as off the rack). If you go in a group, they will treat you well and they will give you directions to G&Ms (M&Gs) which is just around the corner. The restaurant does a thriving business, so we suggest you put your name on the list, go over to Cardinal and pick up your robe, and then go back in time to be seated. YEEARRRGH! |
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Post by lawyer1 on Aug 1, 2008 12:44:13 GMT -5
So funny to see newalj's response. I gained about 8 pounds during the 4 weeks. But class was great and the classmates were even better.
Have fun!
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Post by nothingventured on Aug 1, 2008 13:50:42 GMT -5
Does anyone know what time the meet and greet is on Sunday? My letter from the COSS said 6-8:30 PM but in a phone call I was told 5 PM. And, if everyone leaves the hotel, would you please leave word at the front desk so that folks like me who are arriving later can find you?
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Post by testtaker on Aug 2, 2008 11:28:38 GMT -5
The Virgin Mobile Festival returns to Baltimore for a third year of great music at Pimlico Race Course on August 9 and 10. Headlining this year's show are The Foo Fighters, Kanye West, Bob Dylan, Nine Inch Nails, Jack Johnson, Stone Temple Pilots and many more. Tickets available now through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1.800.551.SEAT. Visit www.virginmobilefestival.com for more information. Just an idea ... ALJs in the moshpit? |
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Post by counselor95 on Aug 2, 2008 13:25:21 GMT -5
I got the name/address for Cardinal Robes from the Murphy Robe website on the page set up to locate the nearest store selling Murphy Robes. It is about 6-7 miles from the hotel, so you need a car or cab.
I second that the folks are very nice, and interested in getting you the right robe. You can choose from lightweight vs. heavier, and several sleeve designs, as well a numerous sizes. It seemed the prices at the store were the same as on Murphy Robe website, too. ;D
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