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MAY 2025
When people hear “creativity,” famous musicians, painters, and authors often come to mind. But I don’t think creativity is just for those who’ve made a career from artistic pursuits. I’ve always enjoyed being creative. I play music as much as possible and even find time to sketch a little. I’ve also tried my hand at inventing. While I’m not a John Hiatt-level songwriter or the patent-holder for a life-changing invention, I’ve found that making room for creativity has numerous benefits. Strumming for the Soul Playing the guitar is one of my favorite activities outside of work. Strumming a song or two beats staring at the TV any day, and playing keeps my mind engaged. Most of what I play isn’t complicated, but there’s something very satisfying about learning a new song and refining my touch, even if I’m playing for nobody but myself. There may have been a time when I had big dreams of writing music and performing. Every time I wrote something, though, it would turn out suspiciously similar to a well-known song. One exception is a lullaby I wrote for my daughter when she was little. Finding Creativity in the Everyday THE POWER OF HOBBIES AND NEW IDEAS
I must have been having a good day when I wrote it because it wasn’t derivative at all. It was built around a simple melody but meant something special to me. Creating a song I could sing for my daughter at bedtime reminded me that creativity is not about perfection; it’s about expressing ourselves and finding connection and enjoyment in the everyday.
true value was in thinking creatively in the first place. That mindset — looking at a problem and thinking of a solution — has served me well in more ways than one. Creativity at Work and Home You might think there isn’t much creativity involved in law, but every case presents unique challenges requiring outside-of- the-box thinking. Applying knowledge in a way that best serves each client often means looking at a case from a new angle, identifying arguments others overlook, and crafting compelling narratives to strengthen a client’s position. Just like learning a new song or sketching a new idea, you need a creative mindset to problem-solve in law. Practicing creativity at home and work keeps my mind sharp and helps me see possibilities where others see obstacles. The great thing about creativity is that anyone can tap into it. Want to spark your creativity? Start small. Get out in nature, listen to great music, or start a new hobby for fun. The more you exercise your creative muscles, the stronger they become, and the benefits will go beyond the activity itself. For me, creativity is essential. It
Creativity in Everyday Problem-Solving
Creativity isn’t limited to music or art, either. We also tap into our creative side when we look at the world differently to develop new ideas. I’ve had plenty of “Aha!” moments when I was convinced that I’d thought of something original, only to find out later it already existed. One example is an invention I created for dog owners — a leashing system that came to me while I sat at the park and saw a leashed dog tangle itself around a tree. Watching the owner struggle got me thinking, “What if there was a way to secure a dog to a tree without the risk of the leash wrapping around it?” My answer was a loop system that attaches securely but allows the leash to move freely. It was a simple, effective setup, and I thought I struck gold. I was so confident that I considered pursuing a patent until I walked into a pet store and saw “my” invention on a shelf. That idea was someone else’s first. I was disappointed but quickly realized it didn’t matter if I was the first to think of it. The
makes life more interesting and shows me there’s always something new to discover. – Gary L. Medlin, Esq.
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Chords of New Wonder
our innovative collaboration with E Ink, we are providing artists a level of creativity that extends well beyond anything available in today’s market.” The Voltage DaVinci’s E Ink displays allow players to switch between seven styles and shades. Depending on a player’s specific needs, the guitar can be programmed to retain a static color or display various animated looks as desired. This option will appeal to performers who welcome the opportunity to alter the color of their guitar based on the mood or presentation of a particular song. Developed in the mid-1990s by scientists and engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), electronic ink has become a staple of mobile phones, electronic notebooks, and e-readers. With its colorful arrival in the music world, the possibilities for sonic and visual expression on stages worldwide have never been greater. The color-changing guitars are expected to be on the market by the end of 2025 and have an estimated price tag of $3,200. THE WORLD’S FIRST COLOR- CHANGING GUITAR
“We’re crazy. That’s the first thing you need to know.”
When Cream Guitars mastermind Luis Ortiz said those words in an interview with Premier Guitar on the floor of the 2024 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in California, he summed up his company’s awe-inspiring vision for the future of music performance. Through a partnership with the Boston-based electronic ink and ePaper technology company E Ink, Ortiz has developed Cream Guitars’ revolutionary Voltage DaVinci, a guitar that can change color on demand. As Ortiz explained to Premier Guitar, a player who delights churchgoers with their white guitar in the morning no longer has to switch to a black guitar when they hit the stage with their heavy metal band in the evening. “We had the idea to break all the rules of the traditional guitar,” he states in an E Ink press release. “We’ve redesigned every part of an electric guitar to broaden and enhance the playing experience. Through
Expunction vs. Nondisclosure WHICH OPTION IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
A criminal record can make many things more difficult. It can affect job prospects, housing applications, and even relationships. Fortunately, Texas offers two legal options that can help you minimize the long-term impact of past mistakes: expunction and nondisclosure. Both can clean up your criminal history, but the eligibility requirements and procedures differ. What is an expunction? Expunction, sometimes called expungement, completely erases records related to a criminal charge. This makes it appear as though an arrest or criminal charge never happened, but there are limitations to what qualifies for expunction. The option is generally available if your charges were dropped, dismissed, or resulted in a not-guilty verdict. Certain misdemeanor juvenile offenses and alcohol offenses may also qualify, but felony convictions that lead to a prison sentence or probation are not eligible for expunction under current Texas law. What is an order of nondisclosure? If you don’t qualify for expunction, nondisclosure may be your next best option. Although it doesn’t completely erase your record, an
order of nondisclosure seals it from public view. This means that certain private parties, such as potential employers and landlords, will not have access to your record. However, nondisclosure does not hide the records from law enforcement, government entities, and certain licensing agencies. To qualify for an order of non-disclosure, you must successfully complete deferred adjudication probation for certain eligible offenses and fulfill all other court requirements. There is also a statutory waiting period that varies depending on the charge. Which option is right for you? Deciding between expunction and nondisclosure depends on the details of your situation. An expunction is the best option if your record qualifies for full removal. If not, an order of nondisclosure can help you minimize the impact of your criminal record. Because eligibility depends on multiple factors and the process of clearing a record is complicated, you need the help of an experienced attorney. At The Medlin Law Firm, we can help you understand your options and determine the right legal path to give you a fresh start.
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Understanding Probation Violations in Texas CONSEQUENCES AND DEFENSE STRATEGIES
Defending Against Probation Violation Allegations Violating probation can lead to various consequences, ranging from a simple warning to probation extension and jail time. If you’re faced with these allegations, defense strategies exist to help you achieve the best outcome. Arguing that illness or events outside your control contributed to the violation may lead a court to consider leniency. You can also argue a lack of intent and show that you’re taking proactive steps toward rehabilitation.
Probation is an alternative to incarceration that allows those convicted of a crime to remain in their community as long as they adhere to court-ordered conditions. Typically, those on probation must meet regularly with a probation officer, maintain employment, abstain from drug and alcohol use, and avoid engaging in criminal behavior. For anyone under this type of supervision, it’s important to understand the consequences of violating these conditions and what defense strategies are available. Common Probation Violations Probation violations fall into two general categories: technical and substantive. Technical violations occur when a person fails to comply with specific conditions of their probation, such as meeting with their probation officer, paying court-ordered fines, or completing community service hours. Substantive violations are more severe and involve committing a new criminal offense. Both types are taken seriously, but substantive violations carry harsher penalties because they suggest a person is still engaged in criminal behavior.
Why You Need Legal Representation Regardless of the defense strategy, having legal representation is essential. You have the right to have an attorney represent you in court, and the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor, who must demonstrate by a “preponderance of the evidence” that a probation violation occurred. An attorney will evaluate the specifics of your case, help you prepare for your revocation hearing, and defend your rights. They can also negotiate with prosecutors to help minimize the consequences of the violation so that you can continue successfully reintegrating into your community.
Silky Chocolate Mousse
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream, divided • 1 cup milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips (6 oz) • Optional Garnish: Grated chocolate, crushed nuts, toffee, or brittle Ingredients
Directions
1. In a microwave-safe bowl, put 1/2 cup of cream in the microwave for 1 minute. 2. Stir in chocolate and let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until smooth. 3. In a separate bowl, beat the remaining 1 cup of cream with a hand mixer or whisk until soft peaks form. 4. Set aside 1/2 cup of whipped cream for topping, and continue whipping the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. 5. Gently fold whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture in batches, mixing until combined but still light and fluffy. 6. Spoon into four ramekins or glasses, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. 7. Top with reserved whipped cream and garnish if desired.
For resources, practice areas, and more, scan the QR code to visit our website, MedlinFirm.com.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Why Creative Thinking Matters
2. Meet the Voltage DaVinci
2 Paths to a Clean Slate
3.
What Happens After a Probation Violation
Silky Chocolate Mousse
4.
A Stray Dog Pulls Off the Ultimate Rescue Mission
Stray Dog Outsmarts Fate and Saves Her Puppy’s Life
When our furry friends get sick, it’s up to us to bring them in for a veterinary appointment. It’s part of the responsibility of being a pet owner, but stray animals have no owners. Who takes care of them when they most need it? Sadly, help is beyond their reach in many cases. However, some dogs won’t let anything stand in their way, especially if it’s a difference between life and death. In January 2025, a stray mother dog noticed her puppy stopped moving and jumped into action. Without an owner to guide her, the mother brought her baby to a local veterinarian clinic in Istanbul, Turkey. The staff saw the dog standing outside their door, so they checked on her and noticed the lifeless puppy. The pup was freezing cold, and the vet wasn’t even sure if it was still alive! The vet could not hear the puppy’s heartbeat with a stethoscope, so he checked it with a needle, which provided promising results! The dog was alive but had a very slow heartbeat. The vet used a blow dryer to warm the puppy up, and before long, it was awake and moving again. All the while, the mother was at the puppy’s side with her head perched on the examination table.
So, how did the puppy’s mother know where to take her baby? This wasn’t her first encounter with this vet clinic; the same doctor was already treating the puppy’s littermate after good Samaritans brought her to the same clinic a few days earlier. Both puppies have been reunited with their mother and are all under the close eye of the clinic.
Whether discussing humans or dogs, parents are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their children survive and thrive. However, dogs might have to be more creative with their efforts.
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