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SFL Friday -- Too Much Monkey Business Edition

Hi kids, it's Friday!

Does it worry any of you that the FDIC -- which insures our bank deposits -- needs to extend its credit line with the Treasury from $30 billion to $500 billion? Bear in mind that the FDIC has never borrowed any money in the past and now may need a half-trillion by 2010.

Nahh, me neither -- it's Friday!

I really liked this article on why smart people have a tough time dating or staying in a relationship. The author makes a number of interesting points, but this one stuck out:

For most of their lives, smart people inhabit a seemingly meritocratic universe: if they work hard, they get good results (or, in the case of really smart folks, even if they don't work hard, they still get good results). Good results mean kudos, strokes, positive reinforcement, respect from peers, love from parents.

So it only makes sense that in the romantic arena, it should work the same way. Right? The more stuff I do, the more accomplishments and awards I have, the more girls (or boys) will like me. Right? Please say I'm right, because I've spent a LOT of time and energy accumulating this mental jewelry, and I'm going to be really bummed if you tell me it's not going to get me laid.

Well, it's not going to get you laid, brother (or sister). It may get you a first date, but it's probably not going to get you a second date. And it certainly won't bring you lasting love and fulfillment.

Here's the thing: your romantic success has nothing to do with your mental jewelry and everything to do with how you make the other person feel. And making someone feel a certain way is a somewhat nonlinear process that requires a different kind of mastery than that of calculus or Shakespeare.

In other words, you need to earn love (or at least lust). Sadly, no mom, dad or professor teaches us about the power of the well-placed compliment (or put-down), giving attention but not too much attention, being caring without being needy.

Boy, relationships are hard -- just ask these people.

Why can't I just practice law?

Just don't practice it like Colorado Springs attorney John Hemenway. How'd you like a federal judge writing this about one of your cases:

"This case, if it were allowed to proceed, would deserve mention in one of those books that seek to prove that the law is foolish or that America has too many lawyers with not enough to do," U.S. District Judge James Robertson said in his written opinion.

Oy. Maybe relationships aren't that hard after all.

So what are you doing this weekend? Me, I plan to get off the statins, contemplate Spring Break in Australia, and engage in some monkey business.

Hey, I'm serious about the last part!

Have a great weekend everybody.

Full post as published by South Florida Lawyers on March 06, 2009 (boomark / email).