A Sad Day

March 31st, 2010 by Trent | Posted in Life | 1 Comment »

Last weekend, I was asked to take down the “Thomas table” from my son’s room.  When he was 4, I built him a table that was hinged to the wall and when it was let down, it provided a kid height surface onto which he could play with his Thomas the Tank Engine toys.  Over the years, Thomas saw less of the table, as he was replaced by Star Wars figures and Legos.

In the last year, the table was never brought off the wall, but was used, instead, as depository for my son’s surf sticker collection.  It was time to go.  He’s now 11.

With a heavy heart, I removed the screws.  I celebrated the craftsmanship and love that went into its creation, but lamented the fact that it was time to move on.  My son will forever be less entertained by small, inanimate objects, which do not have power cords.  That’s the way it is.  I just don’t like it.

What a Gift

June 17th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Life | 1 Comment »

For Father’s Day, I received a great gift from my son, Fischer.  He made me a wallet out of duct tape.  It had 5 slots for my cards and money.  As you can see, it is well made…and probably waterproof.  When asked, Fischer said that only took him 3 hours to make and it was pretty easy.  I am grateful.

Out in the field

June 4th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Life | No Comments »

“In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing.” - Norman Maclean, A River Runs Through It

For the next 5 days, I will be spending every minute of time, awake or not, thinking about fish.  My Dad, four brothers and I are headed to Montana to experience what God has presented…open rivers, picky trout, and a split second thrill when a fish surfaces to take your fly.

So, if you happen to be reading this entry between June 4 and June 8, don’t try calling the office.  You’ll get a polite and non-committing explanation why I couldn’t pick up the phone.  The truth is, I’ll be out in the field.

18…the big one-eight

May 29th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Law, Life | No Comments »

I used to joke that when someone turned 18, the best privilege was that they were able to buy lottery tickets. Now, I realize there is much more going on. If you are 18, or if you have a family member or friend who is turning 18, check out this great resource from the California Bar Association. I can guarantee you will learn something interesting and helpful.

For example, did you know that when you turn 18, that is the earliest you can enter into a legally binding contract? Did you know that you should prepare a will and powers of attorney when you turn 18?

Enjoy the information. Be sure to vote. Get your own credit card. Buy a lottery ticket.

My last 4 downloads from iTunes

April 23rd, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Lists | No Comments »

1. “Tune Out” by The Format
2. “London Rain” by We The Living
3. “Irish Blood, English Heart” by Morrissey
4. “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis

All are solid.  Get ‘em.

The Bird

April 23rd, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Life | No Comments »

When I was 10, a bird flew into the sliding glass door next our dining room, as my family and I were eating dinner. As we ran to see what had happened, we saw the poor thing sprawled out on the patio. My Mom suggested that we pray for it. We all closed an eye (guess where the other eyes were pointed?) and said a prayer. Within a few moments, the bird shook itself and flew away. What a lesson. I’ve been praying ever since.

Well, tonight my kids got to experience the same thing…

Only one of them saw the bird fly into our french door. But within seconds, all of them were peering through the glass at the wayward one. And I must admit, it looked pretty bad for the little guy. I almost hesitated in suggesting we pray. It was that bad.

But we did. And 45 minutes later, it got up. The kids saw it fly away. I must admit, it wasn’t the recovery of the bird that made me smile.

The Cleanse

March 20th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Life | No Comments »

3 weeks ago, I started a cleanse.  It wasn’t a diet.  It wasn’t a weight loss program.  What it was: a detoxifying of my insides and a re-adjustment of my fruit and vegetable eating habits.  I’m finished.

I became interested when the guys at the gym were talking about the “cleanse” and how great they felt.  Here’s the program…You drink 2 protein shakes (fruit smoothie) a day and you get to eat all the fruits and vegetables you want in addition to drinking lots of water.  That’s basically it.  It is very mild on your system.  I used the SP Cleanse products for supplements.

I did not track my weight loss, but my pants are now loose.  I haven’t had heartburn for 3 weeks.  I look forward to a plate of vegetables.  I have not needed an occasional nap.  I feel healthy and that feels good.

Starting a Business?

March 5th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Law | No Comments »

One of the greatest tools I’ve found for the Small Business Entrepreneur is CalGOLD.  After a few clicks, a user can figure out every permit and license that is needed to start a business in California.

Why I am not a Litigator

February 26th, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Law, Life | No Comments »

How long does a lawsuit take?  Consider the March 1989 crash of the Exxon Valdez oil tanker, which sent 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters of Prince William Sound, Alaska. The outrage was immediate, and five years later, a federal jury hit Exxon with an unprecedented $5 billion in punitive damages. At the time, it amounted to one year’s profits.  This award was to be split between the 33,000 people whose lives and livelihoods were damaged from the spill.

On Wednesday, 2/27/2008, the case of Baker v. Exxon Shipping will finally…after three trips through US District Courts and two stops in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals…land in the US Supreme Court. Nineteen years later, much has changed. More than 6,000 of the 33,000 original claimants are dead, and the $5 billion Exxon is fighting to protect is the value of three weeks of current profits. (from New Jersey Lawyer)

Ski Week with a C

February 21st, 2008 by Trent | Posted in Life | No Comments »

This week was SKI week for my kids’ school.  Instead it was SICK week at the Marcus house.  I spent a considerable amount of time pretending to be Florence Nightengale to my wife and three kids (pictured, left, in a delightful, not-sick, state).  We hit the mattresses pretty hard.  Each member of the family required a special diet and a special way of consuming it ( I need the orange straw!)  I rotated the patients through the stations…computer, TV 1, Playstation, TV 2 and kept a bowl nearby, in case of emergencies.  I charged Ipods, liberated remote controls, adjusted air flow, and administered syrups, elixirs, pills, tablets, and compresses.  Thankfully, nobody needed suppositories.

It got me thinking…what would have happened if we had planned to travel, like we have in years past?  Do airlines have a sick policy?  Leave a comment if you or your family have ever had to cancel an entire vacation on account of household sickness.  I can only imagine that it is doubly horrible.