Andrew Q Gordon

Even though I've spoken to you before, if you took the time to say 'Hi" I'll take the time to say 'Welcome' . Hope you're enjoying yourself.

Golly [trying to practice child friendly language] it's been over a year since I started this blog - a few of the posts were lost when yours truly had a bit of a snit of nothing - but I started to detail this last August I think. Well here we are, last entry in this phase. After this it will a new Category to detail life as a dad. Can't tell you how excited I am. Today my co-worker who had twins about 12 weeks ago, came in with the babies, she had a boy and a girl. Claire was quickly stuffed in my arms - maybe to see if I had what it takes. OMG - now I've held babies before - lots, but today felt a bit different, it was almost like a trial run. I'm happy to report that fussy baby started to coo and smile when I was holding her. Hopefully my daughter is just as happy to be around me. My status among the ladies in the office went up a few notches when they realized I wasn't going to drop my daughter and that I had in fact taken Newborn Infant Care classes and knew how properly to hold the child. Tuesday was the last OBGYN visit for Step [the surrogate sounds so impersonal]. Basically she's not dilating no clue why that's good or bad - but what I did understand was my daughter is in no rush to meet her daddies. So they are going to induce labor on Wednesday morning at 12:30 am Pacific standard time. Okay so twelve freaking thirty? what's up with that? They couldn't do it at a nice reasonable hour like 6 am? I mean it's not like we have days and days ahead of us to catch up on sleep. So in the infinite wisdom of hospitals, they are going to keep us up all night before she arrives, just so we can stay up all night for the next six weeks. Wonderful. So this weekend we're leaving for CA. My parents - over excited people that they are, have rented a condo on the beach for a month so they can 'host' us when she is released from the hospital while we give her a week to catch her breathe before we fly her home. I'm told the place is nice. Not sure I care, they are saving us a hotel cost for 8 or 9 days, it's perfect for us. Washer/dryer, kitchen, two bathrooms, mom to cook for us, how much better does it get? Okay so I plan to get a website up - yeah right - for pictures - I'm not much of a face book person - and I'll be sure to let folks who want to see know how to get there. Thanks for all the nice comments and support along the way. Spring Training is over, time for the season to begin in earnest Andy (Soon I can change my member title from baby daddy to be - to - Baby Daddy )

Welcome Stoney, yeah most folks are nice - I'm not and don't let anyone tell you I am cause it ain't true - but enjoy yourself. now if Only I could get my other half to join hmmmm

Well, I'm sorta sorry about the roller coaster affect - I mean I can't say I didn't mean to do it, cause I did. But I take comfort in the fact you enjoyed it [but for that small part]. As for real life, hmm, not really. I mean I played soccer and went to a small school, but aside from a few things - like my uber catholic mom [who was not Hurriciane Barbara by any means] there really isn't much that I would say is linked to real life or real people. Thanks again for reading and for the review. Andy

I agree - not sure about Karma either, but hate kills, it's not a cliche it's true. It's people from the inside out. Love or in this case doing right, can help make you and those around you better. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Andy

Clearly you've never tried the new dual packets if you had you'd never make such a ridiculous comment that those silly things are better - I mean what could possible be more amazing than a Ketchup packet that you can choose to squeeze out OR use to dunk your fries? All that for 50% more packaging - because we all know there isn't enough trash or plastic in the world. Disclaimer: The above comment that Graeme's remarks were ridiculous were entirely tongue in cheek, any resemblance to a personal attack was entirely unintended and definitely not the author's intention.

Eric, I agree with Rush and Owl, fast beats. I personally have a playlist for working out/running and most of it is from Punk Bands - Bad religion, Sum 41, Greenday, Blink, Rise Against - I'm missing a few but they all are up tempo, especially for running. Even my Personal Trainer who hates - or so he stated - Punk Rock hums along during our work outs so it can't be all bad - F' bombs aside.

I have to confess, I've always wanted to be that snarky to a lie sack of shit witness, so yeah I put it in there. I have followed the defendant's eyes to wherever he was looking but never commented on it. Before you pronounce Jordan dead in the water, wait. You haven't heard how Rankin spins it in his closing.

Never apologize for 'only' leaving one review - we - Anyta and I - appreciate you taking the time to tell us what you thought. Yeah he won the bet and the boy, so it was a good time all around Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed it.

Short? Wow, first time anyone's every accused me of being short. One thing I was/am trying to do is point out that big city/out county courthouses are very different. In most bigger cities, the courts are generally a bit more lax in holding defense counsel to the rules. They worry a ton about 'fairness' to the defendant. So big city lawyers tend to get away with a bit more. Then there is the I don't plan to be back here any time soon so I don't care if I burn a bridge or too. What does he have to lose? Why NOT try everything and see what works. To me as a prosecutor, I would much rather have him disclose his witness than see the judge have him by the short and curlies. I might enjoy the latter more, but the former is better for me to prepare my case. Good luck with the depo - and trust me, my life is not as eventful as this story either

No sarcasm intended - really Hope to see you back soon Andy

Yeah best not say anymore Kevin But I am glad to see you find what I'm doing realistic. It won't be quite the same as US Dist Court, but it should be generally the same. I'd say have fun but US Dist cases take a while so I'm sure you're not too happy about now. thanks for reading. Andy

Hey Wayne, I tried to balance things to keep it believable, because really those instances where the defendant takes the stand and is just ripped to shreds are rare. One maybe two ah ha moments and you're lucky. Especially for well heeled defendants who hire pricey lawyers. They are amazingly well coached/prepped for trial. So having Martin decimate Jordan on the stand didn't seem believable - to me at least - even if it would be entirely satisfying to everyone. BUt the old coach would be something he'd forget and the implication is he didn't tell his lawyer, so the lawyer couldn't prepare for it. Those are the most likely types of screw ups for defendants like Jordan - rich, smart, well represented. So that was his 'one' mistake for the trial.

Thanks Conner - since you were one of the two drivers to getting me to post this today and not later this week I'm glad it didn't disappoint. I'm not sure Milton would say quite as much if he were real, but some of the dialogue is to explain things most criminal lawyers would know to the readers who simply wouldn't. But, I think the tone of his message is about right given he is not known as an easy sentencing Judge and is prone to biting the head off of new attorney's. Not saying that is how I would be but . . .

Thanks Dave - but don't read too fast, there are probably only 2 chapters and an epilogue left [a real epilogue this time ] Thanks for leaving comments - you know what I a review whore I am

Dan smiled and put his file on the corner of Martin's desk. "I thought that went well." Martin nodded absently. Portman's redirect went well. The last thing the jury heard was him reaffirming Jordan's role as ringleader of the assault. "Certainly didn't hurt us." "Not in the least." Dan tugged at his tie and unbuttoned his collar. "His, 'I took responsibility and got a good plea offer,' really hit home. I can't believe Rankin fell for it." "Nice witness coaching." There was a hint o

Very nice - I remember the stories from my colleges days of Greek Mythology. All three of these spoke of love but also sorrow. I love your work - well done again. Andy

I send you my comments in an email, but just wanted to go down as having read it and had to stop for a moment.

Gotta say when I read this at first I did NOT see the ending coming - no clue. Very imaginative. even though I hate sad endings.

Howdy and welcome Sunshine, Sorgbarn [interesting name] and Sean. Have fun and enjoy.

Thank you for taking the time to tell me your thoughts. Someone else recently told me they had to stop reading for a bit - that makes me feel good and bad - good that I got the emotions right, bad that it upset folks. I will say that getting comments like yours and others made it worth the effort it took to write it. Thanks for sharing - I do really appreciate it. Andy

Thank you, Rad [Rad sounds better than D.R. ] Glad to see you decided to stick around - soon I'll get to read yours right ?

Wow I get to disagree with you in a public forum. Children making noise is a part of life - on the play ground, in their own house, in the park etc. On an airplane where people are forced by luck of the draw to sit near a loud - not crying but out of control child - in a restaurant where people go to enjoy dinner out, in a movie theatre to watch a movie - other than a kiddie movie - etc - no those places are not 'grow a little patience.' A loud child who runs around a restaurant or who kicks the back of the seat on a plane, or is brought to a movie and cant keep quiet, that should not be acceptible. The child and his family are NOT the ONLY ones in that space. They are guest, just as the other people are. There are rules of decorum that polite society abides by and teaches and expects their children to abide by. Children should be free to be kids and run and laugh and scream and play - but not anywhere they or their parents choose. Just as we set boundries for them - don't play with fire or knives, don't hit others, etc, we need to set boundaries on where certain behaviors are acceptable or not. If the kid can't behave, then we - me and the kid are leaving. [well on a plane that might be hard but I'll figure that out.]

Well it's too late for me to say if I want or don't want kids, as my daughter is due in two weeks. But to commento on what Matt and Canuk have said - I don't blame the kid and i don't think you should ban kids from flying. Parents who don't control their kids should be banned however. In addition to flights, what about restaurants where the kids are running around? My feeling is if we go out and the baby/child/children don't behave, get fussy, start to cry, we - Mike or I will have to take them outside so others can enjoy their dinner. If it's on a flight, you can be damn sure that if my kid did that to either of you, it wouldn't take you turning around to ask me to stop them. I'd be apologizing after the first time and making sure they didn't do it again. Manners and respect are not out fashion out of fashion or whatever. It is the parents job to teach that to the kids. Just my take on it. My poor daughter has no idea what she's in for does she? Andy

Yes Paya, two weeks early is today, but I'm not ready yet so it can't be today, besides, the office is having the baby shower today, I have to be here for the food As for pictures, I will post them, but no here. My plan is to create a secure place and then give whoever wants it the link. Probably not much privacy, but I figure it's better than making it public. Thanks for scaring me Andy