Saturday Nine: Don’t Talk to Strangers

1. Tell us about a night that you spent with someone who was a stranger, yet by the end of the night you were very close.

In May 1985, I went on the official second date with BigBob. It was actually a double-date to celebrate the birthday of the woman whose boyfriend had set us up. He was BigBob’s ex-brother-in-law (the brother of BigBob’s ex-wife). The four of us went to Old Sacramento. That was the night that “sealed the deal.” I don’t remember many of the details except that BigBob and I somewhere ended up in the backseat of my car and the ex-brother-in-law drove us all back to Lodi. I hardly remember the other couple even being with us . . . BigBob and I spent the night dancing, talking, and getting to know each other better. As the saying goes, “the rest is history.”

2. When is the last time you rode the bus?

I believe that would have been in March 2007, during the tour of Manhattan. We had a wonderful tour guide named Phil — a native New Yorker.

3. Describe the last time you stood up for a cause.

I stand up for a cause every day of my professional life because I advocate for integrity, due process, and justice within the context of the cases I litigate. Prior to my current gig, I spent seven years with the nation’s largest state-run civil rights enforcement agency, working every day to eradicate discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of statutorily-protected characteristics in California workplaces and housing accommodations.

I advocated for the sanctity of human life in Conservatorship of Wendland and am proud to say that the legal precedent established in that case remains valid today.

4. What is something you would like to do, but you’re afraid of the risk(s)?

I would love to be able to again enjoy the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, as well as Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, and Space Mountain. Unfortunately, I am forever banned from roller coasters or any other activity that threatens my retinas. Before our last visit to Disneyland, I asked my retinal surgeon if there were any rides I should avoid. After he told me that I could ride virtually all of my favorites, I just looked at him for a moment. There was an uncomfortable silence between us while I absorbed his words. He finally said, “I’m sorry, but it would be just too risky.” I told him, “That’s ok, doc. I’m glad I asked. And it could be much worse. You could have told me never to eat chocolate again!”

5. What would you most like to accomplish before the year is over?

I plan to get more of the boxes stacked in my garage unpacked and their contents organized here in the new house.

6. Name something you’ll miss about 2009.

I look forward, not back.

7. If you could invent something, what would it be?

A cleaning product that would remove the water spots from my clear glass shower doors. I have tried everything, including professional strength cleaner purchased from the local glass company. Nothing removes all the spots. Lodi has very hard water and I am completely exasperated. After the holidays, I am going to explore either remodeling the bathroom and eliminating the shower doors — I would really like to have a doorless shower — or at least replacing the clear with frosted glass.

8. What first got you started blogging?

I began blogging in 2005 in response to the Terri Schindler-Schiavo debacle, and because a number of people urged me to write about my experiences litigating Conservatorship of Wendland.

9. How did you find this meme?

I found it via Mimi Writes.

Click here to see the list of other participants and links to their sites where you can read their responses.