Our Dumb Blog

Well, today was my first day of training for my new position. We went through all the open cases and discussed what stage they are in. I answered the phone a few times and was able to help one guy with answering his interrogatories presented by Respondents. I’ve pretty much done everything that I need to know how to do before once or twice, so we’re feeling confident that I’ll be just fine. We’re going to set a hearing date tomorrow, which I haven’t done here but have done at my previous job. Then we ran out of things for me to learn, so I went back and played with my files some more.

I have now been here a year. Tomorrow will by my first anniversary!

A company here in Colorado Springs has bought the company my dad works for, and today he accepted the new company’s offer to work for them…here! So he and mom are coming out here mid July to look for a house. Of course, they now have TWO houses to sell because they bought Nathan and Stephanie’s when they moved to Seattle. So we’ll have to see what happens.

The other big news is that my boss walked into my cubby today and said that the girl that had been hired right before me had just given her two week notice so she can go back to school. Fortunately, I’ve done almost everything she’s done so far except answer the phones, so it will be pretty easy to move from my hole in my rubber room to the front office area. I’ve really enjoyed my job so far of organizing files, and my new job as one of the regular paralegals will be far more stressful. But it’s kind of a promotion. And as long as I don’t majorly screw up, it’s good job security. We’re going to see how it goes on if we need to hire a new person. I will be doing all of Steven’s dictation (there’s quite a lot) and be the paralegal for one full-time attorney and one part-time one, plus helping Steven’s paralegal with his busy work. It’s actually the job I initially applied for. Fortunately, I’m at a good stopping point with my file organization. The office manager doesn’t want to stop that process, but I don’t see how I’ll have time to do much of that with everything else I’ll be doing. Overall, it’s a good change, though, I think.

Here’s to new beginnings!

Joanna apparently has company coming over tonight, but I’ll write more soon.

I’ve been walking during my lunch hour most days unless it’s raining. I often bring along a plastic bag or two. I walk from my office to America the Beautiful Park and then walk along one of the trails that extends from it.

Here’s a sign along the way. I’m not sure what it means. Caution, people in wheelchairs may suddenly roll out in front of you?

Here’s a sign in the park. Apparently, regular roller skating is okay.

The park abuts Fountain Creek, along which runs the Fountain Creek Trail (which becomes The New Santa Fe Trail further north). To the north of the park is footbridge that crosses the creek and becomes a trail heading parallel to westbound US 24. It’s called Midland Trail, and it apparently only goes as far as 21st Street. I found this wonderful junkyard along its route.

The other day I walked south along the trail by the power plant. The creek is lined by tall cottonwoods, and the trail is nicely shaded much of the way. I saw two great blue herons circling over the creek. I was also passed twice by an MMS security SUV driving slowly along the trail.

Today I walked south and then crossed a bridge onto the Bear Creek Trail. Much to my surprise, I came to the end of it before I had to turn around and walk back. I set the alarm on my phone to go off at 12:30 so I know to turn around. The trail only goes to 8th Street. Oddly, it goes under 8th Street and then circles up to the sidewalk on the west side. Here’s how it passes beneath the road.

When I walk, I often pick up trash along my route, though that means I can’t go as far. I can easily pick up two grocery bags or one kitchen bag full of trash on each outing. If I don’t, I can walk 2 to 3 miles. Today I didn’t pick up trash because my back was bothering me a little. I did find this, though.

Unfortunately, it’s starting to get hot, and I don’t think I’ll be wanting to walk as much when it’s sweltering.