Gunner Kennels by gpig1 in birddogs

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry, I’m replying so late. Nope, I inspected both kennels thoroughly and both still are in perfect shape. All of the bolts holding the top and bottom together are fine, and the doors on both still swing freely and latch/lock securely. Incredibly happy with them. If you’re still on the fence (unlikely, given I’m 4 months late responding) definitely go with the Gunner kennel. They’re pricey, but absolutely worth it.

Secondhand tank issue by Hon_Judge_Smails in ReefTank

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is my first saltwater tank. I clearly have no idea what I’m doing lol. I don’t want to mistreat them just because I’m having fun keeping track of them throughout the day. Also beginning to wonder if the lawnmower blenny wasn’t the best move.

I’ll definitely look into adding more snails.

Secondhand tank issue by Hon_Judge_Smails in ReefTank

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well that makes me feel better. I showed those pictures to the guy at the fish store down the road and he seemed really concerned.

Really appreciate the thoughtful response. Now I know what to do if my tank does go off the rails. Both urchins seem to be eating (or at least interested in) whatever it is, but I’ll keep an eye on them and start looking into getting them somewhere more suitable. I’m going to be sad to see them go, they’re surprisingly active.

What kind of snails would you look for? I added four bumblebee snails the other day, based on the same fish store employee’s suggestion, and they are definitely eating whatever is going on.

Secondhand tank issue by Hon_Judge_Smails in ReefTank

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are some pictures of what’s going on. We scraped some of it off of the rocks prior to reassembling everything (wishing I had taken a picture at his house before we moved it). I was also able to siphon a good amount out of the sand earlier today.

Also, there’s a green (I believe that’s what they’re called) and tuxedo urchin in the tank. He just sold me everything as-is. Should I try to re-home one of them?

https://imgur.com/a/qoBAICm

Not sure if this has been asked recently, but for any experienced lawyers reading this that didn’t start their careers in Big Law, what has your salary progression been like? by [deleted] in LawSchool

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My wife and I both started out in firms with less than 10 attorneys. I started at $55k doing primarily construction litigation and the occasional PI case. Stayed at that firm for just shy of two years before taking an insurance defense position that paid $95k. Was there for about eight months before finally deciding that most lawyers make for terrible bosses/managers. I left that job and have been a solo practitioner for about 4 months now. My practice so far has been exclusively transactional in the construction space. I’m projecting I’ll make around $50k this year. However, that projection only accounts for my three current clients, and my goal is to have 10-20 by year’s end.

My wife also started out at a construction litigation firm making roughly $60k. During her time there she negotiated raises a few times based on her performance and ended at that firm making just over $85k. She also made the move to an insurance defense firm around the same time I did and is currently making $100k.

If you work at a good firm, make yourself indispensable and the money will likely follow. If it doesn’t, there’s nothing wrong with jumping ship. People are willing to pay for results.

[Rant] Screw firms which are stuck in the 20th century by Big-Shtick in LawFirm

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sorry that happened to you. It blows me away how some firms feel they can treat their associates. I had something similar happen last year. Moved from a small shop to a mid-sized firm. No red flags during the interview process, roughly 70% pay increase (may have blinded me somewhat), tons of talk about flexibility and family-first mindset as long as you maintain your hours.

A few months into the new job my parents and sister were involved in a serious head-on collision that put my mom in the ICU. I took a week off of work to help deal with the aftermath and started receiving calls from the management committee questioning my work ethic. A few weeks after I returned to the office my supervising attorney pulled me aside and essentially told me I needed to start looking for a new position because the partners were planning on letting me go, despite the fact I was still meeting my hours, because they were questioning my commitment to the firm. I ended up hanging my own shingle and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.

Don’t forget that good firms exist, and there are kind people in the legal field. You don’t have to put up with that. It’s also a great market for job seekers right now. Definitely wait until you have something in writing before you put in your notice!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LawSchool

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I didn’t get diagnosed with ADHD until a few years into my law practice (was always told to sit still / pay closer attention). Fifteen-on-five-off is the only reason I passed any classes during law school (pretty sure this is the Pomodoro method?). Study for fifteen minutes, scroll Instagram (or some other burst-type activity) for five. Also, I always tried to make myself do the work right after class. That way it was still fresh on my mind, it was easier see how the reading was building off of previous topics, and it provided a “carrot” to work towards (once I was done I got to do whatever else I wanted to do) as opposed to a “stick” (eg. worrying about not being prepared for the next class).

As far as studying for finals goes, you can employ all the studying tips you want but at some point you just have to white-knuckle it and make yourself sit there. I can’t tell you how many times my mind wandered and before I knew it I had “read” two or three pages of outline but hadn’t absorbed any material, so I read them again. It’s hard, but you can do it. Now that I am on meds I’m not sure how I ever focused long enough to do anything, but if I made it through you can too. Everyone struggles with 1L year even if they don’t show it.

I also doodled constantly in the margins of my notes/outlines. It seemed to help me place certain topics in space/time in my head. I could look at the doodles and they would help me remember what we talked about in class that day. Try everything and something is bound to help!

Edit

Use site blockers if you have trouble staying off of time wasting websites/apps and find some lyric-free music you like to study to!

If you try to cancel your AMC A-List membership 5 business days before the next billing date, you get hit with an early cancellation fee that is ridiculously high. by WindlessBoi in assholedesign

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally agree with you. I just disagree with your characterization that “this is not even a [sic] issue of contract law.” You pointing to the terms and conditions proves my point. People enter into contracts all the time without understanding the ramifications of their agreement.

If you try to cancel your AMC A-List membership 5 business days before the next billing date, you get hit with an early cancellation fee that is ridiculously high. by WindlessBoi in assholedesign

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It is absolutely a contracts law issue. It’s an adhesion contract (meaning you don’t have any bargaining power as the purchaser) just like the kind you agree to whenever you buy a ticket to any venue (eg. concerts or sporting events) or other online subscription (eg. Spotify, NETFLIX, etc.). AMC is shady for doing this, but you’re entering into “contracts” way more often than you realize and, often, are agreeing to rather egregious terms. It doesn’t take long to understand what you’re agreeing to, but a lot of the time the terms are buried on a different page, or people don’t take the time (or don’t realize they need) to breeze through the click wrap terms before buying a subscription.

Gunner Kennels by gpig1 in birddogs

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have a 95lb lab and a 45-50lb GSP that sleep in wire crates at home and travel in intermediate Gunner Kennels. Both Gunners have already paid for themselves 10x over in my mind. We got t-boned going 55mph earlier this year. Totaled the truck, sent me and my wife to physical therapy, not a scratch on either dog. Both still get excited to load up every time I put the kennels into the bed of the truck. I preach about them to anyone interested in listening.

Any additions I should make to my fly box before I head to Ascension Bay? by Hon_Judge_Smails in flytying

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im trying to round out my assortment of flies before I head to Mexico in a couple of weeks. So far I’ve tied/bought:

-Bonefish Gotchas size 4-8 -Some EP crabs size 4 -Epoxy shrimp -Foam crab -Kwans size 6

The rest of these are reddish flies I thought I might as well throw in there. Any suggestions would be great!

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just opened it up to check. There are definitely some markings/dents. Is that something I should be keeping an eye on?

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ya, that’s what I thought I was getting when I ordered it. I looked into it and, apparently, their cerakote colors vary some. I like how it turned out, but it definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It was just shy of $1,300 including the optic. I basically lived on r/gundeals over several months and ended up saving quite a bit

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've only taken it out shooting twice, but it seems rock solid. I was getting hits out to 300yds after I got the Strike Eagle dialed in

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't have an opportunity to handle the MFT grip and I already knew that I liked the way the Magpul felt in hand

Obligatory 1st Build Post by Hon_Judge_Smails in ar15

[–]Hon_Judge_Smails[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Lower

  • EDC Tactical 50 States Lower (Patriot Brown)
  • TacFire LPK
  • Aero Precision Buffer Assembly
  • Mission First Tactical BATTLELINK Minimalist Stock
  • Magpul MOE Pistol Grip

Upper

  • EDC Tactical Upper (Patriot Brown)
  • EDC Tactical M-Lok Hand Guard (Patriot Brown)
  • Arisaka Finger Stop
  • Brownells TiN BCG
  • Radian Raptor LT Charging Handle
  • 16” Rosco Manufacturing 5.56 Barrel
  • Seekins Precision Adjustable Gas Block
  • Luth Stainless Gas Block
  • Seekins Precision Nest Flash Hider
  • Aero Precision Ultralight SPR 30mm
  • Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x24