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Justice MONTHLY
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DECEMBER 2017
Since I was 3 years old, the Christmas season signaled the time for the whole family to go to Colorado for our annual ski trip. Either the week before or after the holiday, we’d all make the trip to Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge, or Snowmass Village to meander around the mountains together, enjoying the change of weather, the scenery, and of course, the slopes. I remember the first time we went there, when I was just a little tyke. My family put me in a ski school day care. When you’re that small, you don’t even get on the lifts, just ride a mat maybe 25 yards, and then ski down the bunny hill with your skis in the “pizza slice” position to slow down, or the “fries” position to go faster. Around age 5, I started skiing the easy runs with my family, but I was always terrified of the motorized snowcats that would cruise around the mountain. I’m not sure why — probably a taunt from my sister, let’s be honest — but I was convinced that they were trying to run me over. Once, while we were having hot chocolate in the lodge, my parents got one of the snowcat drivers to attempt to assuage my fears, but I wouldn’t buy it. Those snowcat drivers wanted to run me over for sure. Us kids always wanted a pair of poles like the older kids had, which my dad resisted as long as he could, knowing that the instant they were in our hands, we’d be battling it out as if they were swords. As we got older, he was proven right. It wasn’t too long before my sister and I had far surpassed the skills of our parents. At first, we’d stick with them on the green, and occasional blue, runs they preferred, but eventually, we were on the black diamonds when we felt bold. When big ski resorts began to allow snowboarding more often, I switched from skiing and never looked back. Pretty soon, I was flying down the double black diamonds in that sweet, unspoiled powder, thinking that their “dangerous” designation was just a strategy to keep the tourists off the good runs. Though my sister was probably the better skier, after I switched to snowboarding, it became one of my biggest passions, and I pushed my abilities further than the rest of my family. Eventually, I moved out to Summit County, Colorado, and started to ride every THE BEST SNOWBOARDER IN SOUTH GEORGIA
Reflecting On My Family’s Old Holiday Skiing Trips
day, turning into a true snow bum. I remember being aggravated when my dad would say, “Oh, look at Ashley — she can ski backwards!” when, meanwhile, I was doing 360-degree jumps while riding goofy foot. I used to joke that I was probably the best snowboarder in southern Georgia. It’s not exactly a common breed out here. It’s been a long time since we skied as a family, but I still make it out to the mountain every few years. It’s like riding a bike; it just takes a few runs to get the muscle memory
back and start speeding down the mountain, icy wind in my face, while I try not to get too distracted by the beautiful scenery. These days, I’m not in the shape I used to be. I’m not going to be going nonstop from dawn to dusk. Now it’s maybe three runs, and I’m ready for a break in the lodge. -William F. “Trey” Underwood, III
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In her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Marie Kondo gave us a transformative method for decluttering our homes. Based on feng shui principles and Kondo’s own study of organization, the KonMari Method has led thousands of devotees to new heights of tidiness. Kondo instructs participants to assess each of their possessions, item by item, category by category, and then dispose of those that do not provide joy. It’s touted as a simple, though not easy, guide to long-term organization. What would happen if this approach were applied to your calendar? Entrepreneur Christina Wallace calls her 10-month experiment in doing so an “unqualified success.” Most of us could benefit from trimming our jampacked schedules. Those various calendars synced to our phone, each emitting noisy reminders about the upcoming hour’s plans, aren’t exactly harbingers of harmony. Get a jump-start on your organization resolution by applying the KonMari Method to your calendar. Step 1: Assess First, envision the life you want to lead. Next, assess all the items listed on your calendar within a two-month period. Organize each commitment according to categories — social, work-related, doctor’s appointments, etc. Be thorough. Including each commitment, no matter how minor, is the key to this process. Step 2: Joy Test Do these commitments bring you joy? Are they part of your ideal life? When you look at “Lunch date Testimonials “I was involved in a lawsuit with a prominent supermarket chain. As I was in this grocery store to purchase needed items, I took a serious fall. I was injured to the point that I needed medical care. I took my case to Lawyer Underwood and he did an excellent job. In all needs of my care, he was courteous, hardworking, and determined to see that I was treated fairly. I am happy to say that with his hard work, my case was won. I would highly recommend that anyone who needs an attorney utilize Mr. Underwood for any legal needs.” –W.T. Is Your Calendar Chronically Crammed? TRY THIS MUST-DO RESOLUTION
with Margot” from last week, are you reminded of her unfriendly comments about your waiter and her negative attitude toward your renovation ideas? Consider each commitment and its impact on your joy. Of course, not all commitments will live up to the joy standard. You may not love your annual check-up, but it is important for your health. When you encounter non-negotiable items like these, consider the long-term impact they have on your well- being. Step 3: Discard Put an end to commitments that are not bringing you joy. This might mean having tough conversations with clients or friends. No one said the KonMari Method is easy. Decluttering entails getting rid of items that do not pass the joy test. Step 4: Apply! Follow through. Cancel commitments and long-standing obligations that are not benefiting your life. Have the difficult conversation. Apply the joy test as new commitments come up. By considering each commitment and its impact on your life, you will make room for those that bring you joy. To read more about the KonMari Method, check out Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” and its companion book, “Spark Joy.”
“To anyone who is really looking for an awesome workers’ comp lawyer, William “Trey” Underwood is the man for you! Even though I gave him a hard time at times, he was still professional and understanding to all my needs and concerns. Things were so great and he really understood my situation. This has truly been an experience that I will never forget. Thank you for getting an amount that I am very grateful for. This will not go in vain! Thanks again, Mr. Underwood, for just being there!” –L.M.
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TWO MORE Wild Workers’ Comp Claims Usually, workers’ compensation claims are fairly straightforward. Maybe improper safety measures were put in place and an employee fell off a roof, or someone strained their back lifting a heavy load. But there are a few claims that are a little more unusual than your run-of-the-mill injuries. Pizza Delivery Man Slammed by Panhandler
Pizza delivery isn’t usually considered a hazardous enterprise. But when you factor in hours of driving, iffy neighborhoods, and sketchy customers, you realize the issues delivery people have to contend with. Still, assault isn’t usually a factor. That’s not so with this case, in which a pizza delivery man got into a fight with a panhandler, who’d been kicked out of the restaurant, as he returned from a delivery. The brawl resulted in a punctured lung for the employee. The restaurant tried to argue that it was their employee’s fault for provoking the fight, but the commissioner found the employee’s version of events more compelling, ruling in favor of compensation for the deliveryman. Drunk Longshoreman Tries to Argue His Injury Was Caused by Concrete, Not Intoxication When a severely intoxicated longshoreman was relieving himself over a railing during his workday, he fell six feet onto a concrete and steel ledge. He contended that, while the accident was
likely caused by his drunkenness, the actual injury was the result of the concrete slab onto which he fell. However, in court it was noted that his blood alcohol level was at a whopping 0.25 at the time of injury, and moreover, he had tested positive for cannabis ingestion. The injury was sustained by his ingestion of copious intoxicants. For this reason, compensation was denied; the employer couldn’t be expected to line the concrete with a comfortable couch for drunk workers to collapse onto.
Have a Laugh!
Holiday Star Cookies Looking for something a little lighter to eat during the holiday season? Try these paleo-friendly star cookies!
Ingredients •
• •
¼ cup coconut oil, melted 5 tablespoons agave nectar or honey 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2½ cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal) ½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions 1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon. 2. In a small bowl, mix coconut oil, agave, and vanilla. 3. Mix wet ingredients into dry. 4. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper until ¼ inch thick. 5. Refrigerate for 1 hour. • • •
•
6. Remove top piece of parchment paper and dust dough with almond flour. 7. Cut out cookies with a small star cutter. 8. Using a metal spatula, place stars on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 9. Bake at 350 F until edges are lightly browned, 5–8 minutes. Recipe courtesy of TwoPeasAndTheirPod.com
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inside Making Holiday Memories on the Mountain PAGE 1 Go KonMari on Your Calendar PAGE 2 Here’s What They’re Saying PAGE 2 Two More Wild Workers’ Comp Claims PAGE 3 Holiday Star Cookies PAGE 3 New Year’s Celebrations Around the World PAGE 4
New Year’s Celebrations From EVERY CORNER OF THE GLOBE city’s many rooftop and terrace bars. The grand finale? A stunning pyrotechnic dragon slithering across the sky. Berlin, Germany Celebrations in this capital begin with a wacky tradition: the Berliner Silvesterlauf. It’s a race where runners deck themselves out in their holiday best and flip pancakes as they run through the streets. When the sun sets, more than 1 million people gather at the Brandenburg Gate for a night of world-class bands and spectacular fireworks. Oh, and the after-parties last well into the morning. Reykjavik, Iceland This time of year, the world’s northernmost capital only gets four hours of sunlight, so residents love an excuse to go wild. Beginning around 4 p.m., bonfires light up the city, burning off the past year’s negative vibes. It only gets more festive from there. And there’s no better way to cure a New Year’s hangover than visiting one of Iceland’s picturesque hot springs. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Just before celebrations reach their apex in America, Brazil’s most famous city puts on a party like no other. Revelers dress up in white and go to Copacabana Beach for an all-night celebration. Boats filled with flowers are put out to sea to honor the oceanic goddess Yemanja. Music, dancing, fireworks, and an unrivaled atmosphere — Rio has it all. If you follow the new year from one end of the world to the other, you might be a little tired by the time 2018 hits our shores. Partying with the entire world, however, makes the effort worthwhile.
When you think of marquee New Year’s Eve parties, New York is probably what comes to mind. The Times Square ball drop has become an iconic moment that closes out the calendar, but it’s far from the only mega celebration. Let’s take a globe-trotting tour of some of the world’s biggest and best New Year’s Eve parties, time zone by time zone. Sydney, Australia Due to its location, Sydney is the first major city to close out one year and begin another. With this honor comes the dignified responsibility of getting the party started, and the city doesn’t hold back. The world’s largest fireworks display illuminates the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House, drawing over 1 million visitors every year. On Bondi Beach, there’s also a dance party that would make a music festival blush. Hong Kong, China China’s most cosmopolitan city recreates the famed ball drop in its own Times Square shopping mall. From there, locals go to Victoria Harbor, partying on boats and the
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