We are the Music Makers

I have a lot of clients with misplaced anger. From the client that's frustrated because we can't include new debts in her bankruptcy to the client who's upset because they filed a payday loan place in bankruptcy and that payday loan place will no longer cash checks for them. I try to be empathetic. I really do. But it's tough. On one hand these are people who have been knocked around their entire life. Their lives are first world hell. They can never get by, they can never get ahead, and they're just too dumb to ever live anything but a scavenging existence. I say this not to be cruel, but it's actually just very sad. On the other hand when those same people are attacking you and blaming you for their situation it's hard to remain empathetic. It's like if you were to hurt yourself, splintering your leg. You go to the surgeon and the surgeon does the surgery but there's years of physical therapy. And then you blame the surgeon because you can'

The partner today told me he wanted to appeal the new bankruptcy plan. Through hard work, hair loss, and just overall wearing myself out I’ve finally cultivated a good relationships between the firm and the Trustees. Now they want to f it all up. For God’s sake just be happy. When I asked why he told me it was because he wanted to make things easier for the firm and bring it all in line. He did notice I didn’t seem too happy about it which was plain to see. Stop fucking with things. Honestly. Just stop. Every time we get a system they push something else. And I get their mentality. Make the system work for you. But I’ve always found it better to work within the system and change some small stuff. Don’t try to upheave everything. I need a new job. Desperately. For multiple reasons.

My good friends are getting married in a matter of days and they asked me to officiate. I'm greatly honored, but at the same time incredibly worried. Other than being amazing friends of mine, they partially asked me, I believe, because they heard my wedding vows. Not to pat myself on the back too hard, but I am very proud of those vows. I wrote them from a place I very seldom reach into and shared those sentiments in a room full of people. Writing their ceremony has been difficult. Work has killed a large part of my optimism. The fact that my associate can not only say the things he says but be rewarded by the partners for them is unthinkable. The quote today was "Every group of pretty girls has one dull one. But I can put up with it for a night". Just... grotesque. But after many months I think I've created a passable ceremony for them: Thank you all for being here today. We are here today to celebrate Rochelle and Harrison. You fell in love by chance, bu

"It’s a remarkable trait of humans, refusing to ever believe we’re wrong. We’re pre-programmed to always blame someone, or something else — even when we clearly goofed. This natural proclivity was leveraged by some marketing genius, likely decades ago, who coined the phrase “the customer is always right.” That’s not some tacit omission of guilt but rather a recognition that people will ALWAYS blame someone else when they screw up, and this nature can be turned into a selling  point." Tuesday Conversations with Clients Client: Why did you screw up this motion? Me: I didn’t. It’s a claim and the creditor didn’t file it the right way. Client: Okay (no apology). I need you to call me when I get confused. Me: I have no way to knowing when you’re confused, but you can call me. Client: I don’t have time for that. I just got a raise. *Part of me dies inside* Client: Can my payroll fax you the paystubs. Me: Sure, but our phones are down right now. Can they e-mai