Law Office Of Patrick Silva - December 2017

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SILVA & SILVA ATTORNEYS AT LAW

PATRICK SILVA DUIs

MEAGAN SILVA Living Trusts and Injury Cases www.willsandtrustlawyers.com

909-798-1500

www.beatmydui.com

December 2017

THE UNLUCKIEST DAY OF THE YEAR HOW FRIDAY THE 13TH ALMOST COST ME A 24-HOUR BIKE RACE

W hen you’re practicing law, everything runs on checklists and internal systems to ensure we don’t miss a beat when we’re in front of the courts. So, naturally, when I was prepping for the daunting “24 Hours of Halloween” mountain bike race in Los Olivos last October, I boiled the entire process down to a science. Little did I know that Friday the 13th had other plans for me. The event runs over an entire weekend, and includes all kinds of activities besides the grueling day-long race, so my family tagged along for the ride. To accommodate everybody, I picked up a small new motorhome the Thursday before the event. Friday the 13th was dedicated to packing and going down that vital checklist so I could be confident absolutely nothing had been left out. That night, we loaded everything up and headed out for the four- hour drive to Los Olivos. Once there, we did the obligatory check- ins and got to work on our campsite. Everything was in place by 5 p.m., leaving me little to do besides obsess about the ridiculously long bike ride I’d be taking the following day at 10 a.m. But I realized I had made a dire mistake, perfect for the unlucky Friday the 13th — my cleats were still sitting in the closet back home. Any mountain biker would tell you that these cleats, which clip in and attach your feet to the pedals of the bike, are absolutely instrumental for any race, especially one that goes a full day and night. What’s worse, I didn’t have any flat, ordinary pedals that would allow me to use my tennis shoes. In a panic, I went up to the race director to figure out what I should do. “Well,” he told me, “there’s a bike shop about 15 minutes up the road, if you wanted to check that out.” Almost before he finished the sentence, I was in the motorhome, speeding to the store to get there before it closed. Lo and behold, the 13th struck again. I had forgotten to buckle down the coffeepot, which was full to the brim. So, as I hit the first sharp turn, it flew off the shelf and shattered on the floor in a

million pieces, coffee everywhere. Still, I persevered and figured I’d clean it up after the cleats were securely in hand.

By some stroke of luck, the shop was open, and they had cleats that, while not exactly a great fit, would do fine. I bought them and headed back to the campsite, relieved. But the 13th wasn’t done with me yet. While we were walking my two shih tzu dogs that evening, my phone somehow escaped from my deep pockets and slammed onto ground. Somehow, thankfully, it didn’t break. I’m not a superstitious man, but at that point, it was getting ridiculous. The only saving grace I could think of was that these things tend to come in threes — misplaced cleats, shattered coffeepot, and dropped phone. Nothing else could go wrong. Well, I was right about that, except for the brutal calamity of the 24-hour journey I would be embarking on the next day, with ill- fitting shoes. But more on that next month. For now, I’m just here to tell you that, at least for me, the Friday the 13th curse is a little too real. Fingers crossed that I don’t get a court date the next time one rolls around.

–Patrick Silva

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TRY THIS MUST-DO RESOLUTION IS YOUR CALENDAR CHRONICALLY CRAMMED?

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 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.”

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“I went for a consultation with Patrick Silva, and I was very impressed. He had a ton of very helpful information and advice. I never once felt like he was out for my money like all of the other lawyers I spoke to. I definitely plan to work with him in the future.” –Eric “Patrick immediately made me feel taken care of as if I was family. He walked me through the process and helped me feel at ease through this stressful time in my life. Would recommend him and the firm to anyone and everyone!” –Martina “I trusted Attorney Silva with my legal issue, and his work was spectacular! Thank goodness, I found Mr. Silva. Without his help I don’t know where I would be. Give him a call if you want the best attorney to work on your case.” -Kyle 2 www.willsandtrustlawyers.com | www.beatmydui.com

SPARTAN RACES: I f you read this newsletter, you know I write a lot about the mountain bike races I compete in every few months. Initially, I had to train a lot for these grueling endurance tests — and honestly, I still do. But these days, I’m embarking on new races as often as I can. After years of less-engaging types of exercise, I find mountain biking refreshing. The tracks are variable, so the exercise is mental as well as physical, and you get to enjoy some beautiful scenery in almost every race. That’s part of why it’s become more popular recently. In addition to mountain biking, there’s a new kind of race motivating participants on a global scale: Spartan Races. Established by Joe De Sena in 2010 as a more accessible alternative to the brutal 48-hour “Death Race,” Spartan Races are intense obstacle courses, packed with different types of challenges. With competitors scaling featureless walls, clambering beneath a snare of barbed wire, or leaping over a pit of flames, Spartan Races are designed to confront participants with adversity, the likes of which they’ve never seen. Maybe because of our inherent, childlike love of conquering obstacle courses, or because of the raw thrill of surmounting seemingly-impossible tasks, the popularity of Spartan Races has exploded. In 2016 alone, organizers held 170 races in 25 countries, a number that’s only continued to climb.

Another Kind of Challenge

As competitors will tell you, Spartan Races can feel like more than a

sport when you’re “in the gauntlet.” Evangelists speak of the Spartan lifestyle, adopting a comprehensive nutrition program, reading all of De Sena’s books,

loading up on gear, and fully embedding themselves in the online community.

Whether it’s a sport or a way of life, it’s clear that Spartan Races are here to stay. If you’re interested, check out the organization at Spartan.com, and maybe sign up for one of the many races held right here, in California.

Star Cookies HOLIDAY

Have You Updated Your Trust Recently?

Recipe inspired by elanaspantry.com/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

• Need to replace your trustees? • Change percentages for beneficiaries? • New marriage? Recent divorce? • Have your children turned 18 years old? • Acquired new assets? • Just need a trust review? Give us a call today!

DIRECTIONS

6. Remove top piece of

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.

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.

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Is Friday the 13th the Unluckiest Day of the Year? 1 2 3 4 INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWYEAR’S CELEBRATIONS Go KonMari on Your Calendar Client Testimonials The Rise of Spartan Races Holiday Star Cookies New Year’s Around the World 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 4 www.willsandtrustlawyers.com | www.beatmydui.com 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.

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