Tuesday 26 May 2009

Escaping from the Code (of Conduct)...

...for a few minutes to read from my book of legal quotations, entitled 'The Law is a Ass' by Ronald Irving, I will leave you, dear www, with the following:

"The good lawyer is not the man who has an eye to every side and angle of contingency, and qualifies all his qualifications, but who throws himself on your part so heartily, that he can get you out of a scrape."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82),
The Conduct of Life (1860)

Well that made me blush a little folks...

CBC

xx

Edit: Thanks to Charon QC for the mention!

Monday 25 May 2009

Fatebook

Sometimes I truly despise facebook. In particular, my 'beef' is with the news feed when you log on so you see what everyone on your list has been up to; photos included. So casually CBC logs onto her facebook to see Mr Lit. cavorting about with a mystery woman in a boat. Cannot say that I am surprised but I cannot understand why it took me so long to realise that Mr Lit was not interested...really and would eventually move on to pastures new. It has been nearly a year since 'lipgate' after all.

However, I am an excellent jumper of conclusions so I may have my facts wrong and this may be his sister or aunt Trish, though my instincts tell me otherwise.

Nonetheless, ta ta Monsieur Lit...too much time I have wasted thinking about you.

CBC

xx

P.s. funny how this sort of thing/ revelation always occurs RIGHT BEFORE I have to take some form of examination. Is ignorance really bliss?

Thursday 21 May 2009

The black pepper in my soup

Hello there www. As I sit supping a mug of 'cuppa soup' laced with black pepper, (I use this analogy to replace the cliched, "Cherry on the top" or "Butter on my bread") I'm feeling all 'philosophical' again. This post however, will not necessarily be of a philosophical nature ...

Today I ventured out to pay some bills and get some exam supplies (highlighters and tabs; a law student's essentials!) and ended up spending more than I had intended. Do I really need another dress? I bought ANOTHER dress today. Now all I need, apart from a training contract, house, husband (+ 2.456 children sans ASBOs) and debt free life is somewhere to wear this new dress. Hmph.


I am being naughty yet again and will have to apologise to Salem* but I am going to have to miss going out for pizza and frolics in favour of studying. I have not got a lot of materials to study from for Professional Conduct BUT that said, it really is a touch and go thing. I could either understand why I can't give legal advice to Mr X because of the REALLY OBVIOUS conflict of interests or confidentiality issue OR I'll miss the point completely and go off on a tangent talking about the FSA and Scope rules. SO, I really need to stop procrastinating and get studying!


* Salem Salem Salem. *sigh*. Salem is a lovely chappie with whom I worked (temporarily) in the bookshop over Xmas 08. He is...an enigma in the truest sense of the word. Hmm.


On a side note, Mr Literary who I have not seen since 'lip gate', has bought a new shirt. A floral shirt. He has professed his 'love' for his shirt on Facebook.


Now for some Japanese tea and late- night revision...


CBC


xx


p.s. I love parentheses...as much as I love the word itself.

Wednesday 20 May 2009

Och...my internal Scot

I don't know whether it's to do with my surname, but I've always felt like there was a Scottish person inside of me, waiting to break out. I'm not alluding to some strange form of multiple personality disorder, I just sometimes think in different languages and dialects. Is that strange?

I just, after a period of revision of my Professional Conduct notes, got to thinking of affairs of the heart (again). No, I'm not about to start warbling on about Leo and his posh double- barrelled surname yet again; I was merely thinking back to a conversation I had with my friend Politics Girl (or PG for short) earlier during the week about the subject. Sometimes, I can't help but feel that relationships are so much more trouble than they are worth. I suppose maybe it's just that thus far I have been unlucky (or had a lucky escape depending on the way you look at it!) Though, I find myself harbouring that 'Disney-esque' view of love and life at times at other times I am a cynical cat lady without a cat. Pah!

Currently though, dear suitors, CBC is still holding a miniature torch for Mr Literary. Yes, she is. She also suspects that he is aware of this. Though she fears that irreparable damage hast already been done in this area.

But why - I imagine you ask. Why-est the torch CBC?

I wish I knew dear suitors and guests. I have never had a talent for falling for 'appropriate' gentlemen...so far.

For now anyway, the law is my other, better half!

CBC

xx

Bye Bye Mr Speaker

So long. Farewell. Auf Weidersen. Good bye...

Well I have just received a telephone call from a legal telephone advisory service (and provider of legal services and information to women) to which I had applied for an internship. I have been shortlisted for interview in two weeks.

Watch this space.

Excited? *frantic nodding*

CBC

xx

Tuesday 19 May 2009

"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining..."

...courtesy of Judge Judy during one of her verdicts. I do think this rather crude sounding phrase sums up how I feel about a lot of things; in other words, don't take me for a fool. Nuff said.

Had an interesting day yesterday helping a friend campaign at London Universities on behalf of a political party for the European elections. Surprisingly, I found myself really getting excited by politics of late. Hmm. I wonder whether a career as an MP is on the horizon...

*coughnewminicooperyippeecough*

"Mr Speaker, I beg to differ..."

Poor Mr Speaker...he couldn't even read his own statement without stumbling over his words. I'm not surprised with all the heckling going on round him.

Just for information, the party is called Libertas and is a relatively new party working towards a democratic, accountable and transparent Europe and you can find more information about the party here. Don't forget to register to vote on June 4th!

Now to commence revising for Professional Conduct on June 1st!

CBC

xx

Friday 15 May 2009

13 years today

...it only feels like yesterday and I love you no less.

CBC

xx

Thursday 14 May 2009

Chain Emails

Today, I received a chain email about Baby Herbal Soup supposedly eaten in Canton, made from aborted foetuses and chicken. The email contained several large photographs of a 'baby' being prepared for this soup. I apologise for the gruesome nature of this post. I will NOT be posting these images or links to the images on this blog (view them at your own risk) *spits* However, the 'rationale' behind the preparation of this soup is that it allegedly improves 'health and sexual performance'. *spits*

Now I do not deny that somewhat 'strange' practices exist around the world; it's what makes the world go round. BUT, I refuse to circulate these emails with the message that, if you like eating Oriental food be careful as it may contain human meat. How offensive. Slander? Hmm. I don't buy it.

Maybe I'm a party pooper, but I've never really been into the whole 'chain email' phenomena. I've always been a sceptic...just as I am of this story. I am also glad that Ethical Martini has set the record straight or submitted the possibility that this might be a hoax. Not.That.Gullible...NEXT!

CBC

xx

p.s. Apologies for the spitting. And be careful of clicking on the links (particularly CharonBoat) in Ethical Martini's report; you just don't know what will pop up. You have been warned!

Wednesday 13 May 2009

Time

Time seems to be a big issue to and with me the older I get. Remember those early years when you'd play for hours in the dirt/sand with a stick, running round and round in circles until you got dizzy or got called in for dinner? Now, it's just about how little 'time' we have to do the things we need to do from day to day. However, how much 'time' do we actually waste? What constitutes a better use of time than another? This would then suggest that use of time is quite a subjective thing, so therefore what one person considers is a good use of time may not be to another.

Also, why is it that sometimes when you are ridiculously busy time seems to fly and then at other times when you are just as busy, it doesn't? Interesting phenomenon.

I don't know why I feel so philosophical today...

CBC

xx

Thursday 7 May 2009

On the up!

It seems my positivity is paying off a bit www as I have had quite an interesting day today. Firstly, I have passed my re-take LPC exams...HURRAH! That just leaves me with Professional Conduct and Financial Services to sit on June 1st! Also, my exam results spurring me on, I have made ...wait for it...12 applications and enquiries for legal jobs today and have a whole long list more to do tomorrow! Surely one of these must reply...right? AND, I have a day of girly catching up to look forward to with T tomorrow. All in all a successful day me thinks!

Purr

CBC

xx

Wednesday 6 May 2009

Light bulbs being phased out

Am I missing something here? I heard this story on the news a few days ago and was not so much incensed (as that would be too strong a word in this case) as amused. Still, anything which will have a positive impact on the environment can't be a bad thing but it does pose some practical problems. Like one antique shop owner being interviewed on the news alluded to, what is going to happen to those appliances which use 'old' bulbs and cannot accommodate all types of light bulb? Some experts even commented that 'so-called' energy efficient bulbs emit a certain level of mercury if broken by accident so are dangerous to an extent. This is NOT of course, a 'new' issue as you will see from the link to the article talking about the dangers of environmentally friendly, energy efficient bulbs.

Some dark times ahead it seems. Candles are cheap these days.

CBC

xx

Love, Actually...

So after having a cosy evening (alone) watching 'Love Actually' for the first time (sensing audible gasps here. Yes, it's the first time) on ITV2, I haven't been able to go to sleep so here I am bloggity blogging. I did cry a little at the end; I'm getting less embarrassed at this now!

There is a story in the media which has captured my interest over the past few days and I meant to blog about it yesterday but hey, no time like the present.

Pregnant Briton Samantha Orobator faces death penalty in Laos http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article6220226.ece

There are just so many 'annoying' (for lack of a better, less explicit word) issues I can see arising from this case:


  • The refusal of legal representation
  • The fact that she is reported to be five months pregnant BUT has been in prison for eight months
  • The severity of her proposed punishment; death
  • The question as to the 'fairness' of the impending trial
  • Her 'treatment' in prison
I suppose the main overriding issue here is that of human rights. I'm not sure whether it matters at this stage if she in fact was guilty of the offence she's been charged with. I think now it's gone beyond that. With Trisha Goddard in the background this morning, it got me thinking. Why is lie detection software not used in court? Or just generally...as normal as brushing one's teeth.

HER: "Does my bum look big in this darling?"

HIM: "No love. You look beautiful and I love you just the way you are."

HER: Well, let's just hook you up to the lie detector first dear..."

[BEEEEEEEEEEP]

Because it doesn't matter if the person on trial is actually guilty or not; it's their right to represent themselves in a positive light? Human Rights? It's all very mind- boggling to me.

Though, please don't misinterpret what I'm saying www. I am all for human rights and think that Orobator's reported treatment is disgusting to say the least. But I often cant help but think that things might be so much easier if criminals were just 'hooked up' to lie detectors.

"Did you steal that money?"
"Did you murder Mrs Bloggs?" (unfortunate name in the context)

Yes? No? Problem solved. NEXT!

However, it's the fact that the law isn't this black and white that gets me all...hot under the collar (!)

Till next time,

CBC

xx

(I realise of course that the suggestion to use lie detectors in law is just plain crazy but...actually no buts...it IS crazy so apologies!)

Monday 4 May 2009

Pride and Prejudice (and zombies too)

I haven't read Pride and Prejudice much to your incredulity www. No I have not. Yet I know about the existence of Mr Darcy *sigh*

(Does watching the film featuring Keira Knightley count?)

At work I've noticed there is now a zombies version! Zombies and Austen: A strange combination but one I'd quite like to 'give a go' so watch this space for a review.

http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=6586481

But I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed the Bank holiday www, as much as I have; yet another day dreaming of a legal career whilst devouring copious amounts of tea and cake...


Onto another evening of feline curiosity...

CBC

xx

P.s. Happy Birthday Salem*!