"Gods of Mischief" - by George Rowe - REVIEW COMING SOON

 

 

GODS OF MISCHIEF: My Undercover Vendetta to Take Down the Vagos Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (Touchstone Hardcover / Simon & Schuster; February 12, 2013) by George Rowe is the high-octane, no-holds-barred telling of history’s first private citizen to voluntarily infiltrate an outlaw motorcycle gang for the U.S. government.

 

These tales of murder, mayhem, and incredibly heroic acts of a bad guy turned good, feel more like a season of Sons of Anarchy or Breaking Bad than someone’s actual life. But George Rowe lived it and is now telling his story for the first time in this gritty and harrowing memoir.

 

Rowe is currently living in an undisclosed location and a part of the U.S. Witness Security Program. If you are interested in receiving a finished copy of GODS OF MISCHIEF for review, please be in touch with your mailing address. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

CLICK HERE for the catalog page.

New Year - New Look (I Wish)

It's almost February and while I didn't make any "resolutions," per say, I really did promise myself that I was going to update my face.

If I can't get rid of the lines, but, at least I can do a better job of covering them.

I was looking at one of the young secretaries in my office the other day and I'm pretty sure she thought I was either crazy or trying to hit on her because of the look on my face.  What I wanted to say, but didn't, is "I sure do miss my youth."

Oh, I don't want to do the 20-something thing again.  I'm not going to lie, I wouldn't mind the 30s again, but what's done is done.  And the alternative to getting old, is well - let's not go there.

But, as long as Lady Clairol is alive, I'm going to fight the gray, well I'm trying to fight the gray, and at least put on a little, as my mother would say, "blush and lipstick."

But makeup has evolved to a whole lot more than blush and lipstick.  And while you can't believe everything you read, you sure as heck can give it the old college try.

That said, I wanted to forewarn you that, from time to time, I will digress from talking the latest in fonts and formatting and foray into the world of beauty.

I'm not an expert as my office-mates can attest, but I do enjoy trying new products.

First up - Dr. Hauschka's Moisturizing Day Cream.

The winter weather is really doing a number on your girl, and I thought that instead of buying my usual moisturizer, I would venture to try something different.  I love Dr. Hauschka's hand creams and bath oil, so I figured that the moisturizer would be good for me too.

I love the feel of the cream in my hands on on my face.  But check it out for yourself before you buy.  That's what I did.  I got a sample from the esthetician (about three days worth) and checked out the results before I purchased.

It's been almost two weeks and so far it's working. . .I'll let you updated.

If you have beauty tips, I'd love to hear them Email me

BULLIES IN THE LUNCH ROOM

You don’t have to be a kid to be a bully.  And you might not even realize you are a bully.  Let's just give people the benefit of the doubt.

However, I’ve noticed an alarming trend in ye ole local lunch room lately.  People are pairing up into groups.  Or cliques.  Or, you might call them “office gangs.”

We’re talking fully grown adults who will only eat with “certain” people.  In fact, it’s so bad, that if they walk in the lunchroom and their “buddies” aren’t there, they will turn around and leave.  But, what if you’re like me and don’t belong to a clique?

It’s bad enough that only the staff eats in the lunch room around here.  Attorneys wouldn’t be caught dead in there.  And, of course, people are always coming in for the leftovers from attorney meetings and such.  Basically, I’m telling you that the“gleaners” are discriminating against other “gleaners.”

Me, myself, I bring my own lunch or food that I’ve purchased.  I mean, I do have some pride.  However, as one of the newest people at this particular firm, it does make me stop and think, “Whatever happened to camaraderie, friendship among peers and plain old-fashioned manners?”

After all, it’s just a lunchroom:  a microwave, a few tables and a soda dispenser.  It’s not exactly “Mr. Chow.”

Come on people, can’t we just all get along?

JANUARY/FEBRUARY TRAINING FROM DAVIDSON STAFFING

January & February Webinars

  

Modifying Styles & Generating a Table of Contents 

in MS Word 2007 & 2010 - $49

Wed., Jan. 23, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:15 pm  REGISTER NOW

Learn how to format a pleading using Heading Styles and Multi-Level Numbering and to automatically generate a Table of Contents.

E-Filing in Federal Civil Court

 - $99 

1.0 MCLE Credit Offered

Wed., Feb. 13, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm  REGISTER NOW

This webinar introduces the CM/ECF ("e-file") program being used in the Federal Civil Courts. Topics include an overview of the system, variations in local rules, document preparation and tips on integrating e-filing and electronic document management into daily work responsibilities.
 

Adobe Acrobat X (10.0) Professional - $49

Wed., Feb. 20, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm  REGISTER NOW

Increase your efficiency in Adobe Acrobat X Professional. This webinar will show you how to convert PDFs to Word and/or Excel, create bookmarks, links, add headers/footers, combine PDF files, redact information and sequentially number documents with Bates Numbering.

Introduction to Legal Calendaring (CA State & Fed. Courts) - $99 1.0 MCLE Credit Offered

Wed., Feb. 27, 2013 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm  REGISTER NOW
Explore the structure, details and management of the litigation calendar. Topics include CCP and FRCP references, calculating due dates, dealing with conflicts and managing the master calendar.

  

VIEW 2013 WEBINAR SCHEDULE

Workplace Resolutions for the New Year

I have no idea what the statistics are, but many people make "resolutions" for the New Year.  

Personally, I stopped making resolutions years ago.  I would find myself so sad when I broke them.

So, now, I am just grateful for seeing another year and am aware of trying to do things a little differently.  

Not a resolution - but a "work in progress."

Some of the common workplace resolutions are:

1.  Find a new job

2.  Get to work on time

3.  Stop gossiping at work 

4.  Learn a new skill

5.  Dress better for work

6.  Be more time productive

7.  Get a promotion

8.  Network more


For me, I am praying to continue to be gainfully employed in 2013 and maintain a positive attitude, even when people around me are not necessarily positive. 

The first thing I'm planning to do is go out today and get new calendars for work and home.

I never buy calendars in advance because - well, because I'm just a wee bit superstitious.  So, now you know.

What about your resolutions for the New Year?  What's on your agenda?  I'd love to hear from you.

Here's to a wonderful, healthy, happy and successful 2013!

"Secret Santa" - Thank You? No, Thank You?

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  Or not.

I'm not a Scrooge. Really, I'm not.  But sometimes I could just do without all the office parties and "Secret Santa gift exchanges."  

And whoever thought "re-gifting" was appropriate?  And what about that stupid game where someone gets to "steal" the gift from the other person who just got the reindeer cork screw?

Honestly, it's enough to make me overdose on egg nog.

There are still some gift ideas that are "politically correct," and not such a piece of junk that they're downright insulting.  

Here are my top five ideas (in no particular order) for gifts under $10.

1.  Coffee gift card

2.  Panera gift card

3.  Desk Calendar (preferably not one with dirty jokes)

4.  Ink Pen

5. Mug (a decent mug - not the 99 cent store variety)

Here are my top five ideas (in no particular order) for gifts under $25

1.  Coffee gift card

2.  Movie tix (2)

3.  Bookstore Gift Card

4.  Nice stationery

5.  Collectible ornament

What are some of the favorite/least favorite gifts you've received at the office over the years?

I'd love to know.  

Fa-la-la-la-la!

Have a Seat. How About a New Chair for Christmas?

While sitting in my comfortable SOMA Ergo chair the other day at work, I started thinking about whether I would want a holiday bonus or a new chair, if given the choice.

While sitting in my office chair at home this morning, which is so NOT a SOMA Ergo chair, I was prompted to write this post.

We spend a lot of time in our chairs at work.  Especially if your boss is like mine who prefers his secretary be close-by at all times.  It's not an unreasonable request.  He's a busy guy and doesn't have time to field calls from salespeople who pretend they're close friends.  Not to mention the fact that I'm on company time.

That said, I realized just how much more comfortable I am at work now than when I had just a "standard-issue" secretary's chair.

I'm not so sure that companies give enough thought to the importance of a good chair.  The wrong chair can lead to serious consequences, including back and neck pain, which can result in less productivity and loss of time at work.

Now, here is a shameless plug for SOMA Ergo.  

Not only does SOMA offer a variety of chairs, including the "court reporter" chair, which I actually use, every chair is customized to suit your needs (height, weight, etc.).

This year, you might want to casually "hint" to the office manager that you'd love a new chair for the New Year.  In fact, it wouldn't hurt to casually send your boss the link below and while she's at it, she might want to get one for herself.

Life is short - we need to be comfortable in the chair we're in.

www.somaergo.com

(oh and the answer to the question - a bonus or a new chair?  I think if I had to pick one, I'd say the chair - it's the gift that keeps on giving)