words

[gurdonark]

Today went by with rocket speed. Pre-work work, work work, and a succulent if tiny steak at the bar association meeting, while the county-court-at-law judges spoke. As of November, I have been licensed to practice law some 22 years. It still seems fresh and new to me.

I spoke with a lawyer friend who also produces movies. I used to do some legal work for low-budget producers, which is a world unto itself. It's an interesting area, but not a big part of my practice anymore. I took away from it some great words of advice that I use in other situations, like "what you get up front is what you get".

I remember once a client I admired, who did documentaries, was killed in one of those senseless road tragedies. I remember his memorial service, and even, among many others, saying a few words, and always feeling, somehow, they were not the right words. They were appropriate and alive, but not, somehow, as effective as I hoped. I live in a world in which I am comfortable with words--they're my friends and constant allies. But sometimes they wander on me.

I look forward to tomorrow's chance to read and write more words. But I also look forward to wordless moments. Sometimes the best things about a sound is the silence which surrounds it.

Lately, I think that if I had not become a lawyer, I would have made a good high school science teacher. That's a wordy enough profession. But I think it's good to self-talk about being who one is, sometimes,and not merely who one might have been.

Comments

[ensenchiridion.livejournal.com]

i do think you'd have made a great teacher, but it would have changed who you are now. i don't recommend wishing to change who you are now. i'm glad we agree on that.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I think you're right--every choice brings on changes. That's what's so appealing about that alternate universe theory--that in some other reality every choice is played out, one way or another. But in my reality, I'll bear the brunt and joy of my choices without undue longing.

[charliebearnj.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on 22 years in law...
And more important, congratulations on still finding it fresh and new.

I'm very much with you on the joy of words, and the joy of wordlessness.

'nuf said.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the poem!

My work is stressful, but almost never boring. I think that's a good thing.

[laruth.livejournal.com]

Ditto to all of the above, put more elegantly than I could ever do :)

[mesawyou.livejournal.com]

I haven't even been a legal adult for 22 years. I feel like I should go change my diapers now.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

But you're at the fun part--getting started good, on the road and all that.

[mesawyou.livejournal.com]

Yeah getting started good. heh... scary..

[skygoodwill.livejournal.com]

Perhaps retirement will hold the time for teaching workshops on how to pursue being a lawyer or even making your own music, from bean shaker to using a mixer. I'd go see one of your lectures.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I think it would be fun to teach one of those one or two day extension courses in just such a thing.