Less than 1 week to vote

Yes, it’s come around very quickly, but there’s less than one week left in which to cast your votes for the winners of this year’s blawggies. So if you haven’t yet voted, please do so while there’s still time.  The poll will close on the evening of Friday 3rd September.

You can place your votes here

And just in case anyone gets carried away, it’s worth pointing out that the executive board Andro, Minxy and I do monitor the IP addresses of voters and look for suspicious patterns of votes. We would hate to have to disqualify anyone, so please don’t vote for your own blawg, or get friends, family or co-workers to place dozens of biased votes on your behalf.  You know the drill – keep it fair and honest. 

Oh, and for those of you getting sick of my interviews, don’t worry, the end is in sight. I’ve a handful more planned before I’ll be wrapping up this project. I think it’s been very insightful, though, and I’ve discovered a lot about my fellow blawgers that I wouldn’t have ordinarily got the chance to know. I hope you have too.

I’ve still got some big names to come, so, you know, stay tuned. 

A Law Actually Interview with… Travis the Trout

Next up is Travis – let’s dive straight in:

Travis the Trout is an unusual moniker – and perhaps not the most flattering out there. What’s the background story?
It was something my dad came up with back in 2000 when I was trying to think of a unique/quirky email address. He had been to Texas and bought a singing fish - which happened to be called travis the trout - he suggested it, the email address was available and the name kind of stuck. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3a-vLnzno)

So as you can see completely random, nothing relating to law and it makes everyone think I am a boy.

You’ve had a blog on both Blogspot and Wordpress. Which platform would you recommend for most UK blawgers and why?
Both Blogger and Wordpress were enjoyable to use. I started on blogspot because I originally had a foodie blog with blogger and i loved it. I changed over when I got restless, and wanted a new look. I don't really recommend one over the other, they are both straightforward to use for anyone new to Blawging and both have potential - after all it is the content which makes a blog so great rather than the platform. I know most UK blawgers tend to use blogger, but Wordpress has been great because I could simply set it up and leave it without wasting the time constantly tweaking it (not that you can't do that with blogger). Although the restless side of me is debating a change for my 2 year anniversary.

You recently announced that you’ve secured a training contract for a couple of years’ time. Congratulations! :-) But do you think this will change your approach to blawging or even make you pull an ASP Bites type move and throw in the towel completely?
I love blogging, so that is not going to change. I was gutted when Asp left us. With a severe lack of trainee blogs (although I can understand why) I think it is important that there is information (not firm sponsored) out there. Particularly as I am doing my TC at a smaller more niche firm (which will be a scary contrast to my current large full service firm) as I don't think that the smaller firms get much exposure. Obviously, I won't talk about work-specific things and I may end up taking a different approach when it comes down to it - but I am certainly not giving up without a fight.

You do an awful-lot of self-help type posts, largely centred around organisation and career-advancing topics. What is it about these subjects you find so stimulating?
After getting through a nightmare that my life was during my degree, it was great to start the LPC and work together as a team with the other students. We all helped each other which was a stark contrast to the competitiveness I experienced during my Undergraduate, where after a period of some time off, I struggled to catch up because everyone was so unhelpful and unwilling to share notes etc. And I don't believe that this is what being a law student/lawyer is about.

On the LPC we had a lot of fun, and we experienced everything as a close-knit group. Somehow I became the go-to girl. People would come to me for advice and tutoring (and they still do a whole year after completing the LPC). I realised that the little I did know could potentially help others.

I love the challenge of finding a better was of being more efficient and effective in what I do - particularly with regards to organisation - a form of personal development. As my family says - organisation has always been and will always be my first love. This has become significantly worse since being employed and I think this is noticeable in my writing. My writing is inspired by inspiring and helping others. For me, the actual process of writing it is the enjoyable/soothing experience for me, the content might as well benefit others.

Do you tend to look back through your old posts and reminisce or, once published, do you never revisit old content again?
I look back every once in a while - mainly to say OMG what was I thinking....

But generally speaking a don't look through it too much - my blog isn't really used as a journal but more of a companion for my personal development and challenges - which is a journey.

A Law Actually Interview with… Lost London Law Student

Lost London Law Student is next up to field the questions:

Where in your list of priorities does your blawg feature?
Somewhere in between getting a new job, finishing my dissertation and going out!

What’s your take on blawgs which spring up out of nowhere, blast us with x number of posts in quick succession and then disappear without trace?
I enjoy new blogs, much like I enjoy the smell of something that is new, such as getting into a brand new car for the first time. I don't know why these blogs disappear. Most of them have a lot of promise. The legal world is a small community, we all have made similar mistakes or hold similar gripes! We can all benefit from other bloggers remarks and postings. Perhaps these anon blogs were too scared about repercussions. I remember one blog that was taken down, due to something being posted about a fight and threats to sue!!

What’s your biggest regret about your blawg?
That I didn't blog as much as this year as I would have liked to. I made a few errors and some people cottoned on to who I was. The Bar is a very small world and everyone is inter-connected somehow, I didn't want anything I posted to somehow come back on me. A former lecturer once told to read out every sentence of an essay, and ask myself, would I be happy if the LCJ read it? I've taken a similar attitude towards blogging now.

I also had, (what I thought at the time as) a prestigious job, so I thought I would limit anything that I posted. However after being recently being made unemployed for the next year, perhaps I will find time to blog again!

I also remember being a lot feistier in the old days, my blog was for those that were "lost" and didn't quite know what to do with themselves. It was also an out pore for all the people I hated at university. The geeks and the swots who always ran up to speak to Professors right at the end of a lecture etc. It was when I realised sometime during my third year, that I had become one of these people ( I had to otherwise I wouldn't have got a decent reference!)

You tend to use your blawg as a bit of a sounding-board for your career plans.  Do you find the feedback and advice you receive useful?  Has it shaped your career path in any way?
The posts you mention, have highlighted why blawging is such a good idea. I have received many comments from anonymous people to regular bloggers. All of the feedback has helped me weigh up the different pros and cons of each decision. I am very indecisive when it comes to any particular career plan. Many other bloggers have been through similar experiences and more than happy to share their wisdom.

What are the 3 golden rules of blawging in your opinion?

1. Anonymity

- This isn't a problem for many, but if you wish to be a care free blogger, make sure you don't mention too much about yourself.

2. Keep it short.

I like to read blogs, but when a post takes me more than 3 minutes to get the gist of, I switch off and feel like I am reading a case!

3. Have fun

Blogging should be about having fun. Addressing your rant/quote/wisdom of the day. If only I had posted about my first year at Uni!!

It is also really valuable to have a personal account of what you were doing/feeling at the time, even if it is a bit cringeworthy!

A Law Actually Interview with… Little Tiny Pieces

Next up in the interview chair is Gemma from Little Tiny Pieces.

Little Tiny Pieces is an interesting name?  What it inspired it; does it have any hidden meanings?
I used to have an Etsy shop where I sold handmade craft supplies and the name fit my product range, which consisted of mini versions of things.  Although I am not updating my shop at present the name stuck and has now become my online identity. 

Unlike many blawgers in the ‘sphere, you tend to avoid blogging about legal subjects.  Do you think of Little Tiny Pieces as a blawg?  Is there a particular reason you tend to avoid legal topics?  Do you think that will change in the future - particularly given your plans to do  the GDL (and eventually the LPC)?
My blog tends to be my creative outlet as I have a mundane day job and I get incredibly frustrated without a form of creativity in my life.  I suppose Little Tiny Pieces isn't a "Blawg" in the more traditional sense however I anticipate it will become more law-related as I embark on the GDL/LPC.  At present I am in the process of transferring from ILEX to the GDL so there is an unusually quiet period in my life which allows me to focus on my creative pursuits and I think this is reflected in my choice of blogging subjects at the moment. 

What motivates you to update your blog?
I have had a blog of some description for about 6 years and my biggest motivation has always been to share things that I enjoy with my readers.  I love reading comments and building up relationships with my readers/subscribers.  I also find blogging is a form of therapy for me; a way to be creative, sound off, test out ideas or celebrate the things I love!

Your blog cuts a very artistic and creative style. Do you tend to play about with the layout and design a lot?
As I have mentioned, I have had a blog for about 6 years and I have switched hosts, tried out new layouts and designs numerous times.  I have now found a host and layout that works for me however I often"tweak" things, experiment with a new colour scheme or add new pages. 

If you had to describe your blog in 3 words, what would they be?
Visual, Quirky, Inspired

Let the voting commence!

Yes, after two long weeks of nominations, the shortlist for the 2010 Blawggies has been decided and voting for the awards can officially begin! The polls will remain open for 2 weeks.

You can place your votes here

The rules are simple enough: one vote for each of the 8 categories for the blawg you’d like to win.  As before, please don’t vote for your own blawg.

As democratically determined by the ‘sphere, the shortlist of nominees for each category consist of:

Best Newcomer'

All About Law

Badboybarrister

Garrulous Law

Govan Law Centre

Of interest to lawyers

The Justice of the Peace Blog

Ups and Gowns

Your Law Student

 

'Best Design'

Absolvitor

Aimless Wanderer

Android's Reminiscences

Barmaid

Law Actually

LawDent

Lawminx

Nearly Legal

 

'Best Blawging Regular'

Android’s Reminiscences

Charon QC*

Jack of Kent**

Law Actually

Landlord Law

The Magistrate’s Blog

Travis the Trout


'Best supporting role (i.e. commentators only)'

Anya

Beth

Legally Ginge

that famous commentator, Anonymous!


'Best Legal Commentary'

Charon QC*

Head of Legal

Jack of Kent**

Jonathan Mitchell QC

The IPKat

Law Actually

Legal Costs Blog (by GWS)

Nearly Legal

Pink Tape

Scots Law Student

'Triumph over Adversity'

Aimless Wanderer

Lawminx

Travis the Trout

'Blawg of the Year'

Android's Reminiscences

BabyBarista

Charon QC*

Family Lore

Law Actually

The Magistrate’s Blog

Marilyn Stowe Family Law and Divorce Blog

Pupillage and how to get it

Will I Be Barred?


'Services to Blawging'

Android's Reminiscences

Charon QC*

Law Actually

---

*Attention all voters - Update to Blawggies 2010*

 

** Jack of Kent has requested that his blawg is removed from the short-list.

*Charon QC has asked for his blawg to be removed from the short-list, as he wishes to maintain a consistent stance in relation to all blawgging awards. Accordingly, this blawg no longer features in the short-list for the 2010 Blawggies and you can no longer vote for it.

Please note: if you have voted for Charon QC in any of the 4 categories he was nominated for, these votes will be omitted from the final count. However, the votes you may have cast at the same time for other blogs in other categories will still be counted.

A Law Actually Interview with… Paralegal Hell

Yes, it’s time for my first interview with a non-UK blawger.  Exciting stuff!  Let’s jump straight to the questions.

How did Paralegal Hell come about? 
I always enjoyed reading lawyer and law student blogs, especially the ones that have a sense of humor about themselves, but noticed that there were no Paralegal blogs written in the same humorous tone.  We have Paralegal blogs, but mostly they are how to make your job easier, or spotlight different Paralegals, which is great, but none that actually talked about our jobs on a day to day basis. 

Needing a place to vent, I started Paralegal Hell.   I'm all for tips, Paralegals in the news, etc, but it is a blog, not a staff meeting.

How much time and attention do you devote to blawgging?  Do you think about your blawg when you aren’t actively blawgging and plan ahead as to posting topics etc.? 
I have been on a roll since starting and have about two to three posts per day, but that is because the jokes come to me on a daily basis.  Whether it is sparring with Boss or taking a client phone call, the posts just write themselves.  I don't think about the blog unless I am posting and I don't plan topics.  Whatever I write is usually on the fly.

I do try to mix humor and serious topics, but as far as planning what I write, I usually just get into the office and start blogging when I get a free moment.

I'm sure everyone wants me to ask this one. Which is better, the UK or the US blawgosphere.  And why? 
You know, this is going to sound so PC, but both have their " different sense of style".  I do have to say that the UK blawgs have really embraced my writing, while it has taken some time to get other Paralegals in the US to actually comment on my site.  I still feel the cold shoulder from some US Paralegal sites.  Most read my blog, but there is not a chance in hell that they would let me link to their blog.  I wrote about this in a post called Hurt Feelings.

Do you actively explore the ‘sphere looking for new blawgs or do you prefer just letting others find you? 
I do both.  I look at blogs that I read, look at their blog rolls and see if there is anything that can make me laugh or if I click with someone's writing.  If that is the case, I usually send an email asking if I could link their site to my blog roll.  So far, the only "no's" have come from certain Paralegal sites in the US, two of which are my top readers, although I doubt they know I know that information.

If someone emails me and asks for a link, I always very flattered and usually say yes, unless it is a Paralegal school.

How do you see Paralegal Hell shaping up in the future?
I hope that I inspire more Paralegals to blog about their own day to day jobs.  I really would love to read more Paralegal blogs, but there are not many out there.  Of course, none can be as awesome as mine :)

A Law Actually Interview with… Ramblings of a Scottish Student

Next up to be interviewed is Alistair, over at Ramblings of a Scottish Student.

You recently broke cover and revealed your true identity to the 'sphere. How do you feel that has gone?  Any regrets?  Do you recommend it?
In all honesty not much has changed.  I do need to be a lot more careful about what I say now as everything can be attributed to me and that could cause problems.  To date though I have no regrets and I think it has gone okay personally.  As for whether I recommend it or not, I feel that it is a matter for the individual blawger. 

How do you balance law and other topics when posting?
No real science to it to be honest, I blog about what I want when I feel like it.

You're one of the few UK blawgers who have extended their reach into the 'sphere beyond conventional posting with your foray into podcasting.  Will they be making a reappearance at some point?  Do you see the conventional written blawg becoming less and less relevant (and popular) over time?
I'd like to go back to podcasting, but at the moment I don't have sufficient time.  This may change when I return to University in September, 

The second part of your questions is very interesting.  Social Media has changed drastically even in the last 18 months since I became involved in it.  Twitter and such like were only really beginning to take shape and spread.  I don't think that the conventional written blawg will become irrelevant, it's useful for exploring more complex issues and other platforms such as Twitter don't always give you sufficient room to express what you want to say.  The conventional blawg will still be around for the foreseeable future, but I suspect that it will be joined by other forms of social media.  There are exciting things happening within social media in the legal world. 

I expect that over the next few years we'll see social media being embraced more and more within the legal profession.  The current students and those who will be undertaking their LLB in the future will be more used to using social media and the latest technology and I don't think the profession will be able to resist its integration.

I know you had a run-in with a legal publication on your blawg last year, which resulted in them asking you to take certain content down.  Has that changed your approach to blawging at all?
My run in was actually with a very senior lawyer, rather than the publication.  They too were on the receiving end of this lawyer’s threats of legal action.  Blogging is dangerous, we are still accountable under the Law like another type of written publication, and as such defamation/libel laws still apply.  I'm slightly more cautious about what I write and more pro-active about contacting people for statements when blogging about potentially controversial issues.

Finally, how do you explore and consume content within the 'sphere?  (an RSS reader - if so, which one - or just through browsing around?)
I don’t use an RSS reader.  I have a list of blogs that I like to read (both legal and non-legal) saved in a favourites list and as and when I get the time I pay them a visit.  I discover new ones through those blogs and through Twitter.

A Law Actually Interview with… Andro

Yes, my interview adventures continue with Andro stepping up to face the questions.

You’ve designed some great looking blawgs for various members of the ‘sphere.  What makes a good blog design in your opinion and where do you get your inspiration from?
The main thing about a blog is content, so the design shouldn't interfere with it. The main thing for me is readability. No conflicting colours or too much contrast. No fancy fonts. The design needs to be unique and memorable.

I get my inspiration from the world around me! Sometimes I would see an interesting combination of colours on the street. Music plays a big part in the design process. I also get my inspiration from websites such as http://www.smashingmagazine.com/

You take a very open approach to your identity when blawgging and certainly don’t shy away from revealing who you are.  Do you ever regret that or ever feel sandboxed by what you can / cannot blawg about?
I don't feel sandboxed, because Android's Reminiscences is just one blog. Internet is a bottomless pit, so there's nothing stopping me from creating a new anonymous blog, should I feel the need to do so. But... now that I have a job that I care about, I am a bit more careful in what I blog about on A.R. I always think about the possibility of my colleagues or, God forbid, my boss finding it by accident (my readers will be aware that my blog came up on a pupillage interview once; awkward). I obviously try to avoid breaching client confidentiality or defaming my firm, but a little bitching about my boring job duties won't hurt, will it?

Could you imagine yourself suddenly not blawgging one day.  Why?
On days like that I feel like I have nothing to add to the blogosphere. I don't like blogging for the sake of it.

Where do you see the future of blawgging going?  Does it even have a future?  Will other forms of social media take over?
Because we are so busy nowadays, everyone has a shorter attention span, which is why twitter and facebook are gaining popularity over the traditional blogging. There's just too much reading and not enough interactivity. The blogs, with their once revolutionary rss feeds, are becoming too static and dull for the web 3.0 generation. I think that traditional blogging does have a future though. Firstly, the blog platforms are constantly being developed to keep up with the latest web-technology. Secondly, blogs seem to be replacing magazines and newspapers, and it's only the beginning. Thirdly, there will always be people who resist change.

If a new law student approached you for advice on starting a blawg, what would you say?
I would definitely recommend it, as long as it doesn't interfere with the studies. Ha! Just kidding. No, really - it's a great idea, if only to read it back in a few years and laugh at yourself.

A Law Actually Interview with… Pooni

My second interviewee is Pooni.  Let’s jump straight in with the questions. 

What’s your take on anonymity when it comes to blawging?

It definitely does not exist anymore, unless the profile you keep online is extremely unique and or kept under a different alias name

If the blawgosphere imploded tomorrow, what would you miss most?

The thing I'll miss the most is knowing that I have supporters in terms of view counts and commenters. I found it easier to deal with being jobless when I knew others were in the same situation (but twitter has taken over this part in a way now)

What’s the secret to a good blawg, do you think?

Up to date, interesting information. Always finding out something new and different helps too (as a reader)

What was your worst blawging experience?

Most probably the abuse you get from commenters who don't agree with the writer (the solicitor post I did got the most abuse) and knowing that some people no longer blog because of this (sorta relates to the anonymity of the writer being found out)

Do you see yourself in the blawgsphere in 5 years time?

Right now, no. I think blogging has always been a hobby and as I have free time I blog. I don't think I'll have enough time in the future but I would like to keep blogging about my career to help others as I never had the opportunity to see blogs etc about the legal profession when I was studying (yes I feel old now!)

A Law Actually Interview with… Aimless Wanderer

As part of my spread the blawgin’ lovin’ campaign, I’ve decided to conduct a few ‘remote interviews’ with key members of the blawgosphere.

The idea is to hopefully reveal a little more of the blawgers behind the blawgs which make up the ‘sphere.  I’m hoping it’ll prove an interesting way of exploring and understanding the glue that holds (sometimes a touch tenuously) the blawgosphere together.  It might also go some way in making blogging more accessible to newbies or encourage wannabee blawgers to have a go.  If nothing else, though, I hope it’ll provide some interesting insights into the fascinating personalities within the ‘sphere - which we might not have otherwise got.

My first interview is with Aimless Wanderer.

How did you  get into blawging?
My friend, CBC, first got me into blawging while I was still at University... but I deleted my blog within the year. I returned to blawging as an LPC student following my Dad's funeral. I felt extremely isolated at the time as it was difficult to talk to friends and some "friends" even started to avoid me. A few good friends kept me going but I felt guilty for unloading on them so much... felt really awful. I tried to keep a diary/journal but was too scared that someone in my family might read it and be upset by it. So I suppose, I started blawging again to be less of a burden on my friends and felt safe in the knowledge that my sisters and brother would never (and probably will never) come across my blog.

How do your friends / family view your blawging activities? 
My family are completely unaware that I am a blawgger but if they found out they might be upset at how open I've been - especially at me posting the euology (since those words weren't mine alone). My friends don't really know (apart from my good friend CBC and a joking barrister I trust). Theres one other that knows who I introduced to blawging while at university and she liked Andro's design! Oh and one other... I told a girl who became a friend of mine on the LPC (Greek Girl). Not sure if shes ever read it though. Couldn't ever tell Poppins who I met shortly after Dad became ill and who I trust with my life... she'd be shocked if she knew I'd managed to fall a little bit in love with my tutor! CBC thinks I'm brave while I think I'm slightly stupid for being so damn honest...

Where do you get your blawging inspiration from?
Nowhere really. My blog has ended up becoming an online journal... I don't think too much about what I write. I just write.

If you could change one thing about the blawgosphere, what would it be?
I hate questions like these and have no idea what I'd change. Sorry!

Are you hoping to continue blawging avidly during your New York adventures? If so, do you think you'll break into the US blawgosphere?
I do hope to continue blawging while I'm New York but once I leave the UK, my current blawg will be closed for the year and I hope my readers will follow my wanderings in the Big Apple via my new blawg. I have to buy a new laptop once I get there which may take some time (and of course there the whole settling in and making friends period) but once I have it expect lots of posts and there'll be lots of photos too as I'll be investing in a cheap but cheerful camera!! I'm not sure I'll manage to break into the US blawgosphere... unless they have a US version of you, Michael! Maybe someone will take me under their wing?!

Blogger’s brush with death

By way of introduction, I first discovered the social media sensation Caitlin Oppermann during the IT module on my LLM (ah - it’s always nice to hark back to those happy days!!) when she was interviewed for an article which appeared in NY Magazine about her rather avant-garde use of social media as a college student.  

She’s an interesting, quirky character (though I’m not sure how much I like her ‘new for 2011’ half shaved head, but hey-ho, each to their own).  She has a huge following and a refreshing ‘edge of your seat’ approach to social media and blogging. 

In short, I like her style (hair dos excluded) and I’ve always felt there need to be more bloggers like that. I think there’s a bunch of legal bloggers out there who can learn a lot from Caitlin.

Anyhow, I digress…

From Caitlin Oppermann’s tumblr blog 27/07/11:

A week ago tonight I was hit by a car while riding my bike.

When the car hit me, I went over the hood and hit the windshield and my bike was thrown away from the car. I didn’t hit my head hard (luckily I was wearing a helmet anyway) but my legs took the bulk of the impact.

When I rolled off of the car and into the street, the woman driving got out, quickly and absent-mindedly asked me if I was ok, and then ran across the street to frantically chase down witnesses to insure that she wouldn’t be liable.

Don’t ya just love what we’ve degenerated into?

My bike was mangled, I was bleeding and swelling and I had no way to get home. I was too out of it to call an ambulance or even the police and somehow I let the lady (and her family, who were all in the car) drive me home with my mangled bike hanging out of the back of the trunk.

I got home, realized that my ankle was swelling and starting to throb as well, and went to the emergency room. I waited for 4 hours, didn’t see anyone, and went home.

The abridged version is that she’s OK, eventually got her wounds seen to and luckily suffered no broken bones.  Sadly, though, she’s been left as a semi nervous wreck with a fear of cycling.

Whoah!  As Crocodile Dundee might have said: now THAT’S a bruise.

(Btw, I wasn’t sure it seemed quite proper posting a picture of Caitlin’s inner thigh.  But hey, we’ve all got them and she was obviously comfortable posting the pictures on her blog in the first place).

I do hope this nasty incident doesn’t put Caitlin off cycling for life; coming from someone who was ran over by a post van as a child, I think it’s important to get back into the saddle as soon as possible. Literally.

Who will YOU nominate for the 2010 Blawggies?

Yes, brace yourselves everyone… the nominations have now opened for the illustrious Blawggies 2010!

Minxy, Andro and I have been hard at work to put together the first publicly-nominated awards for the UK blawgosphere.

We’ve settled on a number of awards which we’d ultimately like the distinguished members of the blawgosphere to vote on.  However, before that, we need to decide on the shortlist of nominees for each award.

The awards are:

Best Newcomer

Best Design

Best Blawging Regular

Best Supporting Role (i.e. commentators only).

Best Legal Commentary

Triumph over Adversity

Blawg of the Year

Services to Blawging Award

We’ve tried to keep the rules short and simple:

Please keep nominations relevant and please do NOT vote for your own blawg.

To help prevent a whitewash, please do NOT nominate the same blawg for more than 2 categories.

If you’re finding it tough to recall the blawging ‘newcomers’ (i.e. pretty much anyone who’s sprung up in the ‘sphere over the last 12 months), you can check out a couple of review posts I’ve done, here and here.

So, please head on over to our nominations survey when you can quickly and easily submit the names of blawgs you’d like to see in the running for a fabulous blawggie in next month’s ceremony.

The nominations survey will remain open for 2 weeks, closing on 12th August.

Calling all first year law students.... start a blawg!

Thrill us with your innocence of law school and your insatiable thirst for the excitement of your first year at uni. Let us reminisce with tales of your impropriety - comprising of drunken brawls, lascivious sex and those lectures you attended so hung over, your brain was more or less pickling itself inside your aching head.

Share with us your pernicious money-worries, self-loathing over the prospect of having to whore yourself out to pay your rent for the rest of the semester, spiteful drinking games that seemed such a good idea at the time, quirky student diets and those hideous do-or-die moments when it seems like everything in the world hinges on your getting that assignment in on time.

Remind us of the pain relating to that ever-growing pile of 'required reading', seemingly impossible deadlines and those crises of confidence leading you to question just how much of a great idea studying law actually was.

Let us feel your anguish in finding out that the lovely person you just ‘spent the night with’ is a notorious ‘regular’ at the local GUM clinic, as well as that awful period of waiting to see if your room in halls of residence will pass inspection, notwithstanding the fairly prominent vomit stain that now resides just inside the door.

Think of it as your duty to posterity to document the fledgling steps in your career in law.  It'll make a fascinating journal to look back on, will give us poor fools who have to work all week, a darned good laugh and will give the blawgosphere the shot in the arm it desperately needs.

So, please, soon-to-be law students - do your duty to the fraternity of law students out there and start a blawg today!

Spread the blawgin’ lovin’

Somewhat uncharacteristically, I’m intending to shrug off my negativity and accentuate the positive over the next few weeks with my new spread the blawgin’ lovin’ campaign. I know I’m often seen to bemoan the state of the blawgosphere – mostly with good reason – but I’m going to force myself to be chipper and perky, seeing only good in the world. Or something like that.

Also, summer tends to be a bit of a slow time in blogging circles so I feel we could all use whatever positive vibes we can lay our hands on.

So here’s the agenda:  I’ll be starting with a ‘call to arms’ for new legal bloggers to come forward and feel the blawgin’ love’, before progressing onto some probing interviews with key players in the ‘sphere today. The campaign will culminate sometime next month in the illustrious and sparkling Blawggies 2010, which, in Minxy’s (hopefully temporary) absence, Andro and I will be hosting. We’re still figuring out the details on that one, but we should be opening up the polls for nominations soon.

Stay tuned!

So, anyway, hopefully the overriding message is clear: it’s officially time to cut loose and celebrate all that’s great in and around the UK blawgosphere today.

Group hug anyone?

Maybe it’s a cultural thing

Why is it half of US blawgers only seem to blawg about their kids?

Maybe it’s a cultural thing.  Or maybe I'm less sympathetic because I'm not a parent?  I don’t know and I don’t really care.

All I know is that reading about other people's kids bores me to tears.

And I’ve had enough; here comes a clear-out session of my RSS subscriptions!

Another July – Another Law Minx Bloggies?

Last July, the sphere’s inimitable Law Minx organised the first ‘bloggies’ ceremony, in which she awarded different awards to the blawgosphere’s more distinguished members for their ‘contributions to blawging’. Or something like that. Others prefer to think of it is as the blawgosphere’s answer to the Oscars. Whatever – we all got a badge and bunch of praise. Can’t be bad!

However, as everybody knows, Minxy has been largely absent over the last 10 months or so after fighting a long illness, though she made a much-welcomed return a couple of months ago. The question now, of course, is whether the bloggies will be held again this year.

It’d be nice to think there would be another bunch of awards for 2010. So,  Minxy – how about it?

Oh yeah, which reminds me, does anybody know what happened to Curious Black Cat?

 

The week my blog died

Don’t worry: it’s been resuscitated.

My traffic levels have dropped through the floor this past week - prompting a full scale inquiry. Ahem.

I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of exactly what happened (I can’t be bothered to, quite frankly) but let’s just say there was a fundamental problem with my blog template code which was producing a significant lag on loading and I lacked the knowledge, ability and patience to adequately fix it.

So, I’ve had to doctor one of blogger’s new rather awful looking templates.

I don’t know: the longer I stay with blogger the more disenchanted I become. I’m happy to move to another provider and pay for something decent and, with that in mind, reactivated my squarespace account which I see I opened in July 2008.

If and when I find a way of moving my blog over without my pagerank dropping off a cliff, I might just do it. Maybe I should finally move over to my custom domain (instead of just redirecting) and then export the whole thing over to squarespace. I see squarespace provides for SEO preservation of custom domain imports, though I’ve no idea how effective it is and I think there will be a fair amount of drop off. 

What I do know for certain is that blogger has given me the frickin’ squits these last few days and I don’t think I can forgive and forget.

Anyway, apologies for the rather sloppy new template but I’m stuck with it for now.  It’s very loosely based on a theme that I had planned to introduce this summer anyway but I was hoping to produce something half decent before letting it loose.

I’ll see how it goes over the next few weeks before making a final decision.  Let’s hope I don’t have to pull the plug entirely.  ;-)

Blogging Heaven: Live Writer - Wave 4 - Beta

Buckle your chin-straps.  Windows Live Writer 4 is here

Most members of the blawgosphere are more than familiar with the wonders of Windows Live Writer.  I've been dedicated Live Writer user since autumn 2007 and as far as I'm concerned, it made managing a blog a whole lot easier.  Wrestling with the online blogger posting tools proved troublesome as it often garbled the post's formatting with little obvious rhyme or reason.  While I appreciate that there are a lot of passionate fanatics of the downloadable Wordpress software, there’s no denying that WLW is a fantastic freebie.

With the release of the beta of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4, comes the latest version.   The quality is top-notch and it certainly doesn’t feel like a half-baked beta that's not ready for prime time.   Save for a rather wacky (and needless) UI change, this release is the real deal.

The big news, of course, is that Live Writer now sports the ribbon interface, first debuted in Office 2007 and then ported over to in-built apps in Windows 7.  While there'll always be a few sceptics as to the ribbon UI, they remain firmly in the minority.  The Writer version of ribbon works well and should be welcomed across the board.  Thankfully, the ribbon UI within WLW retains its ability to be auto-hidden, though I’m not sure how advantageous it is to have greater screen real estate available while composing a blog post.

What I really don't get is why the labels dropdown menu was moved to the top, just under the ribbon.   It's a frankly ridiculous decision; it feels unnatural in use and seems like change for change's sake. For me (and I suspect most users) assigning labels and, less frequently, the posting date are often the last things you'll do before publishing the post.  Convention dictates that you work from top to bottom, so logic says it should be in the lower portion of the window.  Often before posting, I'll hit the preview tab (which was and still is at the bottom) to make sure it fits well with my template before posting.  The fact that these tabs (edit, preview and source) have remained at the bottom whilst the labels and posting date menus have been bumped up to the top makes it all the more strange.

Still, focussing on more positive news, this latest version feels the snappiest ever.  I've often bemoaned the sluggish performance of Live Writer (even on high end machines) and resulted in me typing up posts in MS Word - something I still find myself doing today.

When opening previous posts, there are now far more options in choosing how many load at once under the 'Open' menu.  This is great for going back and making tweaks to the labels, content or formatting of previous posts - particularly those dating from way back.   What I'd really like to see, however, is a way to set the default number of posts which load.  (Feature for Wave 5 maybe?)

Another addition are big, cheesy emoticons.  I guess you either like emoticons or you don't. If you do, bigger and brighter is better.  And if you don't, tough luck.
 

Other things which caught my eye

There are a couple of needless functions such as the ability to insert a map directly from Live Writer.  I can't see this one getting a whole lot of use to be honest. 

Word count (including the ability for real-time word count to be displayed) is a neat feature and is another reason for me to consider writing up posts within Live Writer itself rather than doing my copy and paste trick from Word of which I'm so fond.

Bug fix?  In previous versions of Live Writer, there was an issue with the ability to highlight text, particularly after inserting pictures.  Infuriatingly, the text would not remain highlighted as soon as you let go of the mouse button.  This highlighting bug was one of my few bugbears about WLW and although definitely got better over several releases (in the sense that it happened less often) it was never rectified completely.  With the beta, it's been a case of so-far, so-good, but I'll reserve final judgement until I've used it a bit longer.

I’m also hoping that the ecosystem for WLW add-ons improves considerably going forward. There are a couple of nice ones which I’ve used for a while now but my experiences with the add-ons generally have been disappointing. For the few that there are available, they tend to be horribly buggy and often fail to work as advertised. Oh well.

No matter how you slice it, though, this is a decent upgrade and certainly the most significant since WLW first went public nearly 3 years ago.  Somewhat controversially, as with the rest of Windows Live Essentials Wave 4, it’ll only work on Windows Vista and 7 so XP users need not apply. My only reservation in respect of the application itself the re-positioning of the label and posting date menu and am hoping it'll be moved back down to the bottom (where it rightfully belongs) before the final version is released later this year.   

And yes, although this is only a beta, it’s as good as done to be honest, and most bloggers will want to upgrade sooner rather than later.   Go on… you know you want to!

Summer of Give

Seeing as it's in a good cause, I agreed to give a shout out for this one.  V, the youth volunteering charity, are giving away free summer festival tickets as part of their 'Summer of Give' campaign.

Essentially, V are looking for 18-25 year olds to volunteer both their time and talents in return for free tickets for 3 festivals this summer: T4 on the Beach at the Isle of Wight, Relentless Boardmasters in Newquay and Creamfields.

The idea is for volunteers to show off their talents to other festival goers, skills which I'm reliably informed can include music, dance, photography, writing or even fashion styling.  All talents will be required to pass a judging panel and just have to perform to the festival's crowds for 4 hours a day on the 'BigvBus'.  Given the public's passion for talent show and opportunities to perform, I'm sure it'll go down a storm.

I know there are a bunch of music lovers in the blawgosphere (and a number of philanthropists, too) so if this sounds like something you'd be up for, why not give it a whirl?  Applications can be made via their website at http://vinspired.com/summerofgive

The offer ends on 28th June so anyone who's keen should get their skates on.

Tiger bread and client care: what can law firms learn?

In case this one passed you by, here’s the abridged version. Wandering around Sainsbury’s one day, 3 and a half year old Lily was curious why tiger bread was not called giraffe bread. It’s a fair enough question from a perceptive child. So, thinking what the heck, she wrote Sainbsury’s a letter with her parents’ help.

Sainsbury’s wrote a very pleasant letter back, agreeing with Lily that the markings on tiger bread look more like those of a giraffe than those of a tiger, explained the background of the name and enclosed a gift card  for good measure.   It’s proven a pretty shrewd move on Sainsbury’s part as they’ve garnered no end of good PR from this story going viral.

So, Sainsbury’s deserve a good ol’ slap on the back for that one. 

But it got me thinking: what if the same thing had happened with a law firm. Would they have entertained a letter from a curious child so readily and warmly? I realise the customer bases are different (though not that different); both serve the public and need to create good PR wherever they can. Both want to be seen to be approachable, accommodating and take every opportunity to sow positive seeds in the minds of their next generation of potential clients.

I suspect most high street practices would have given such a letter a cursory glance before filing in the ‘out’ tray, earmarked for the shredder – (much the same way as most pupillage or training contract applications and enquiries about legal work experience then!).

Sadly, I’m too old and lack the perception of a child going through the ‘why, why, but why’ phase, but I should imagine there are a lot of questions they would want to ask lawyers.

‘Why do you guys wear such funny things on your heads in court’?

“Why do you charge so much”

“Why does my daddy say you’re as slippery as a snake?”

“This other girl pulled out in front of me in the playground without looking. I ran into her and now my neck feels a bit sore. Do I have a claim?