Blog Update

This blog is undergoing an upgrade, but is up and available for feedback through the comments at the end of each post.

CLT

Category: Uncategorized

Signs of the Times.

–Freakonomics Blog reports that some European countries are tailoring traffic fines to the violator’s economic ability to pay. It seems that a fine of $100.00 is not worth slowing down to some.

-A Toronto Canada radio news report states that the venerable Canadian history magazine “Beaver” is changing its name. It seems that its email circulars are being routinely spammed by computer spam detectors.

-The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that historical museums are getting ready for the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. Can this be? I remember the Civil War centennial.

–AVVO has just added 9 new states to the 23 states plus the District of Columbia that it already covers. According to AVVO, lawyers in those states were clamoring for AVVO to include them.

–Kiplinger Magazine rates the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the best academic value for the tuition dollar. Other Southern State Universities have high rankings, too. Low tuition is only part of the equation. The article says, inter alia, that UNC has been a leader in finding innovative was to improve efficiency.

CLT

Category: Uncategorized

Speedy Trial Will Be a Key Issue for Terror Suspects.

SUMMARY: Terror defendants are asserting the Constitutional right to a speedy trial.

The New York Times has reported that the issue of whether Guantanamo detainees can be tried at all is presented in the trial of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, accused conspirator in the al Kaida bombing of two American embassies in East Africa. Ghailani was, among other things, a body guard of Osama Bin Laden. Ghailani has been in detention for over five years, during which time he has been under interrogation, sometimes intense, which has reportedly yielded much valuable intelligence. Part of the disincentive to rush to trial is that much if not most of the evidence is classified.

The same issue is expected to be raised when Khalid Sheik Mohammed, an alleged planner of the 9/11 attacks, is brought to trial. Look for the terrorist speedy trial issue to end up in the Supreme Court a few years from now, probably after these and other cases have been consolidated.

Category: Uncategorized

Be a Friend, Gain a Friend.

Recently, I’ve had the timely chance to help a stranger in an emergency. I didn’t expect anything in return, but as it turned out, I received more than I gave.

Shortly thereafter, when I needed help in an emergency, someone I didn’t know very well helped me in the same way. And then — this is the best part — I gained two new friends in the bargain.

What a deal! We all need help at times. And we all need all of the friends we can get.

CLT

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AVVO Answers

Here is a link to all of my AVVO Answers on the AVVO lawyer rating website.

Category: Uncategorized

2010: Observe, Listen, Learn.

In this new year, I resolve to observe more carefully what is going on around me, to listen quietly and patiently to others and learn.

CLT

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Certificate of Residence revised by Department of Real Estate in Allegheny County

The Department of Real Estate in Allegheny County is now requiring separate certifications of the “Tax Bill Address” and the Owner’s Mailing Address. Samples of the form are available at the recording desk, but it is really no mystery what is being required. Just tell them the address to send the tax bills and the address where the reassessment notice should be mailed.

Don’t forget to collect extra money for recording. Four page deeds and mortgages cost $78.50 now.

CLT

Category: Uncategorized

Julia and Julie: Mastering the Art of Blogging.

SUMMARY: The film “Julia and Julie” explored, among other things, the trials and tribulations of blogging.

Julie, the 21st century Julia Child wannabe, cooked the 500 plus dishes in Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” during the course of a year and wrote a blog about it. Then came the book which in turn became the movie.

Julie encountered every last frustration, disappointment and roadblock bloggers typically face and overcame them all. During that year, she conquered discouragement dished out by friends and family while steadily growing in knowledge, skill, fortitude and character. She managed to steel herself to work through tasks that had seemed insurmountable — like tossing live lobsters into boiling water. And there were more than a few failed attempts; some of them landing on the floor. And on the last day, when there could be no more procrastination, she overcame her greatest fear and deboned the dreaded duck. Somewhere along the way she had crossed over the mystical divide between amateur and professional — both as a chef and a writer.

Of course, audiences will remember this film for Streep’s flawless caricature of Julia’s well-known speech and mannerisms. Thats okay. It was a film for bloggers as well as for cooks.

CLT

Category: Uncategorized

Florida to Mediate Mortgage Foreclosures.

Posted by Cliff Tuttle

April Charney, a legal services lawyer in Jacksonville Florida who has been a leader in mortgage foreclosure defense, reported the following on a real estate listserve known as Dirt:

The attached Administrative Order was entered by the Florida Supreme
Court and is now online. In the order, which sets up mediation for
homestead (and other) foreclosures at no cost to borrowers, also
provides:

“Plaintiff’s Disclosure for Mediation. Within the time limit stated
below, prior to attending mediation the borrower may request any of the
following information and documents from the plaintiff:

Documentary evidence the plaintiff is the owner and holder in due course
of the note and mortgage sued upon. A history showing the application of
all payments by the borrower during the life of the loan.

A statement of the plaintiff’s position on the present net value of the
mortgage loan.

The most current appraisal of the property available to the plaintiff.

The borrower must deliver a written request for such information to the
Program Manager in the format of Exhibit 6 attached no later than 25
days prior to the mediation session. The Program Manager shall promptly
electronically transmit the request for information to plaintiff’s
counsel.

Category: Uncategorized

Resolutions.

Posted by Cliff Tuttle, but…

Written by Jeffrey Gitomer, the great salesman’s salesman:

What does it take to commit? Can’t buckle my belt.

I’m too fat.

I found myself with an extra 20 pounds. It didn’t happen over night, it just crept up on me when I wasn’t looking. An ice cream cone here. Creme brulee there. Yeah, give me extra mashed potatoes with that! And before you know it, my trim 34-inch waist has become a spare tire at a tight 36. Rats.

In high school and college, at 6 feet and 150 pounds, my friends referred to me as “skinny.” When I was asked my weight for my first drivers license (1963), I put down 150 when it was actually 135. But three days ago, I tipped the scale at 201, and panic set in. I started to haunt myself with thoughts of fat. Fat arteries. Fat cholesterol. Fat stomach. And the ever popular…”Does this make my butt look big?”

I’ve had it. And I am about to take action. But before I do, I want to affirm my commitment. In order to achieve any worthwhile goal, you must make a commitment to yourself, and make an action plan for its achievement. I have done both. And telling you about it is not the important part. But it certainly will make me appear to be less of a person if I don’t achieve my goal. No pun intended – I am putting my ass on the line.

What does it take to make a commitment, and then follow through with actions that allow the goal to be achieved? Well, I don’t know that there is an actual formula, but let me share with you what has worked for me. Making the commitment is part one. Living up to it is part two through twelve point five.

Here are the 12.5 steps to getting past commitment to achievement:
1. Today, not tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes, especially where change or breaking a habit is concerned.
2. Develop a passion or an anger about your present situation. The only way to make the goal a reality is to get determined and create the inner energy.
3. Do it for the most important person in the world…YOU! Don’t do this for or against anyone but yourself. 4. Write down your exact plan. Detail both the actions you must take, and the rewards for achievement.
5. Set a time frame. The end is as important as the beginning.
6. Determine the daily dose. Just figure out what you need to achieve each day, and do that.
7. Look for substitutes (placebos or pacifiers). If you have to quit something, get a diversion to take your mind off of temptation.
8. Don’t quit just because you slip. If you fall off the (achievement) wagon, get back on.
9. Post your goals and achievements. Post-it note your goals on your bathroom mirror. After you achieve them, take them down and post them on your bedroom mirror. Look at your success every day.
10. It’s a day-by-day process. And if you do your daily bit-of-achievement, the passing weeks will bring you the prize.
11. Change other habits, so that one is not overpowering the other. Goals require change. Take the opportunity to make a few more. 12. Celebrate your victory. Ring bells, drink champagne from the winners cup, PARTY!
12.5 Grim reality is having a crisis occur that forces the commitment to be made. This can be anywhere from bombing the World Trade Center, to having a massive heart attack. Where crisis is not the best place to have commitment occur, it is certainly the best place to show how to take immediate action.

My personal goal is to be a svelte 179. I seek to achieve it in 90 days. All I need to do is lose a few ounces a day. I can do that. But ah, could you pass the bread, I’m starting tomorrow.

What are you looking to achieve? How angry or passionate are you about its achievement? How many times have you told yourself, “I can quit whenever I want to, I just don’t want to.” How many times are you justifying your lack of starting, with some excuse like: kids in school, kids not in school, before the holiday, after the holiday, after I graduate, before I start work. Who is kidding who?
Commitment is something to relearn every so often. And I have committed myself to student status, until I have achieved my goal of pants I can fit in to.
Happy healthy prosperous new year to all. Resolve to commit and achieve. I’ll be here to cheer you on.

Want some sales inspiration for the New Year – quotes and insights to help you achieve success? Go to www.gitomer.com and enter the words INSPIRE ME in the GitBit box.

Another approach to the same subject, habit building, was posted recently in the Motley Fool.

Happy 2010.

CLT

Category: Uncategorized

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Welcome

CLIFF TUTTLE has been a Pennsylvania lawyer for over 45 years and (inter alia) is a real estate litigator and legal writer. The posts in this blog are intended to provide general information about legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus. However, this information does not constitute legal advice and there is no lawyer-client relationship created when you read this blog. You are encouraged to leave comments but be aware that posted comments can be read by others. If you wish to contact me in privacy, please use the Contact Form located immediately below this message. I will reply promptly and in strict confidence.

Pittsburgh Legal Back Talk

Legal topics of interest to lawyers and consumers with a Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania focus.

1410 Posts and Counting

Categories

Blog Update

Signs of the Times.

Speedy Trial Will Be a Key Issue for Terror Suspects.

Be a Friend, Gain a Friend.

AVVO Answers

2010: Observe, Listen, Learn.

Certificate of Residence revised by Department of Real Estate in Allegheny County

Julia and Julie: Mastering the Art of Blogging.

Florida to Mediate Mortgage Foreclosures.

Resolutions.

Welcome

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