What's a normal job like?

The other day I'm in court with a 17 year old with adult problems: Homeless, mental health problems that he self medicates with alcohol, lives in the woods. Last go-round he spent 30 days in the adult jail before someone figured out his real age. Two hours after his release he stepped out in front of a police car drunk and holding his inevitable can of Steel Reserve. Cop slammed on the brakes in time but arrested him.

Now, in court, he's not doing well. Tells me that he's going to kill someone if he's stuck in Juvenile with a bunch of kids. Tells the judge that he can't think straight because he's sober. Getting pretty agitated.

We eventually get him out of there without huge problems, but the prosecutor mentions that he noticed me edging away from the guy as I stood next to him at the lectern and other security staff moved up behind him. Of course I was; I don't need to be added to the long list of defense lawyers who've been punched out by their clients this year. If he does go off I'm the closest target, and while I'm bigger than average fighting inmates isn't in my contract.

So tell me again why I like dealing with this sort of thing? I never had to worry about bankers and insurance adjusters punching me out at my last job!

look around from work

Today I'm running from one courthouse to the other, usual busy day of too much to do and too many places to be. At one point, the highway crosses a creek at the point it empties into Puget Sound. I glance over and notice a lot of big, black birds with white heads standing around. This I gotta see: I pull off the road at the overlook. Sure enough, there's at least a dozen bald eagles out on the delta, feasting on the tail end of the chum salmon run.

I live in a place where whales and bald eagles are fairly common; one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I have to remember that as I scramble to keep up with my life.