Cousin Vinny lays a foundation.

Posted on March 27, 2008 by Robert Boggs

I attended a seminar yesterday and learned something interesting.  Professor John A. Strait of the Seattle University School of Law informed us that in the movie "My Cousin Vinny", Vinny (Joe Pesci) correctly lays the foundation required by ER 702 to quailify his fiancee Mona Lisa (Marisa Tomei) as an automovie expert.  I could not find the "transcript" of that part of the trial, but here is the District Attorney doing his best  to challenge her qualifications:

D.A. Jim Trotter: Now, uh, Ms. Vito, being an expert on general automotive knowledge, can you tell me... what would the correct ignition timing be on a 1955 Bel Air Chevrolet, with a 327 cubic-inch engine and a four-barrel carburetor?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bullshit question.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Does that mean that you can't answer it?
Mona Lisa Vito: It's a bullshit question, it's impossible to answer.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Impossible because you don't know the answer!
Mona Lisa Vito: Nobody could answer that question!
D.A. Jim Trotter: Your Honor, I move to disqualify Ms. Vito as a "expert witness"!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Can you answer the question?
Mona Lisa Vito: No, it is a trick question!
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Why is it a trick question?
Vinny Gambini: [to Bill] Watch this.
Mona Lisa Vito: 'Cause Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55, the 327 didn't come out till '62. And it wasn't offered in the Bel Air with a four-barrel carb till '64. However, in 1964, the correct ignition timing would be four degrees before top-dead-center.
D.A. Jim Trotter: Well... um... she's acceptable, Your Honor.

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Fell off the face of the earth.

Posted on March 26, 2008 by Robert Boggs

I have not posted for many months now.  My father, age 81, died suddenly in November from a heart attack.  We thought he was in good health so it came as a shock.  Even though you know at that age that you are going to get a phone call one of these days it still is hard to handle.  Remember life zips by so fast -- so cherish all your relationships, not your billable hours.

So for the last several months I embarked on what many a baby boomer my age will face sooner or later.  At the time he died I was in an arbitration and fortunately everyone involved agreed to continue it to another date.  I flew to Florida immediately. Besides the funeral and all, my sister and I knew we faced a problem with my mother who can not take care of herself due to physical ailments and what appears to be dementia or Alzheimers. I also had to take care of some legal matters, one of which was stressful, and not being admitted in Florida I hired an attorney.  When I left the attorney's office, in my mind, all he was doing was working and worrying about my case. Now I know how clients feel.

I drove a car back to Washington. I finished the arbitration and right after Christmas flew back to Florida.  Then I moved my mother to Texas to live in an assisted living facility a few miles from my sister's house.  It seems like overnight we went from being "the kids" to being totally responsible for our surviving parent.

So posting has not been a top priority for awhile.  Things are getting back to "normal" and I found that I have missed this old blog.  So back to it .....life does continue.

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