Its been a while but ....

Its been a while since I last posted on the blog, but I have had a number of emails asking about what I am doing, so without further ado, lets take it away.

I passed the QLTT and obtained a training contract with a large regional firm where I live, to commence 2009, If things work out for me then I will be more than happy to stay there for a while.

In the interim I decided to take the big IT consultant $$$ for the duration of the summer, so I am working in London during the day working for a Major retailer sorting out the mess that they call IT, however by night I am playing poker at the a number of London casinos. For those who enjoy a game of poker I play the 2-5 PLO and the 5-10 Texas Hold Em at the Vic, some of the people I played with last night include Neil Channing and Vicky Coren and I appear to be more than holding my own, without been specific I have managed to work my poker bank roll up to a five figure sum from a starting point of £4000. The best thing about poker is that the winnings are tax free :) Hopefully by the time I start the training contract my poker profits will go towards paying off most of my rather large mortgage.

On a personal front my little girl had a fifth birthday today, I just dont know where the time has gone, it seems like yesterday when she was a baby and i was juggling my time between the BVC and her needs.

The question that I am most often asked is "Should I become a Barrister?" and my answer is as follows "If you can accept the chance of sucess is slim and you feel you want to take a shot, go for it, but please take into account your personal circumstances, I risked my families financial security and on reflection, it was selfish and wrong, plus if you have 2:2 dont even bother harsh but true"

I dont know when I will update this blog again, so I just wanted to say thanks for reading and I hope you have all gained something from it.

Before I sign off can somebody ask LAWMINX to drop me a mail as she appears to have dropped off the face of the Earth.

Peace.

The QLTT revisited.

I attended Call at Lincolns Inn last night, as a very good friend of mine was getting called. During the final speech by the Treasurer, he said "pupillages are hard to find and the situation is getting worse but if you think outside the box and have determination you will suceed, he then mentioned becoming a Solicitor first, as this will make you attractive to chambers"

My good friend is doing the QLTT, she was speaking to Richard in the Records office of the BSB to request her certificate of good standing and was told by him that he is getting between 80-100 similar requests each month. Perhaps when I detailed this method on Simons Blog I should have cut a deal with one of the BPP providers to get some commission.

If anyone is considering doing the QLTT and has not yet registered, get in touch and lets see if we can negotiate some discount with some of the providers.

If anyone who reads this blog is doing the QLTT at the moment, let me know, as it may be worth while starting a private blog which contains hints, tips and job offerings.

No you cant have a study guide

I received a phone call from a very dear friend of mine ("Nice girl") who is doing her BVC course at the same place I did mine, although she is doing her course over two years part-time, as she is having to work to pay for the course.

Our conversation went as follows

NG "Hello Barrister2b"
B2B "Hello"
NG "Can I borrow your old advocacy study guides"
B2B "Why, have you left yours down the pub?"

NG "No - we have been told that we are not getting them as they are not really much good"
B2B "So - how are they teaching you advocacy?"
NG "In a master class with barrister who practice locally"
B2B "So - whats the problem?"
NG "We have only had two master classes and our exams are round the corner?"
B2B "Have you spoke to the course director?"
NG "We have a meeting with him next week?"
B2B "I represented the provider in my capacity as student at the course validation meeting and it was minuted that the part-time course would be provided with at least the same materials as the full time course"
NG - "Thanks B2B"
NG - "By the way the provider is providing yoga lessons free of charge to de-stress part time students"
B2B - "I am lost for words, so you cant have a study guide, but get a yoga lesson"
B2B - "You can have my old study guide if you want it"
NG - "Thanks B2B - Dinner on me then"

All good things come to end

Today has not been the best of days, as it appears my nice little earner at the Government quango where I have been working for the past nine months is finally coming to an end in just four weeks, this was expected but it always comes as a bit of a shock when you hear it from the horses mouth. I am not complaining it was the easiest ninety grand I have ever made plus it got me out of the financial ruin that was caused due to events that occurred on the BVC. The only reason that I mention the money is that the Government seems to have no problem in paying "Consultants" silly amounts of money for very little work but yet when it comes to important issues, such as legal aid there is no money.

However this time round I have saved up enough money to cover at least six months worth of living expenses including mortgage payments, school fees, etc, etc.

What next? Update the C.V and get myself a proper job :)

Its been a good week

On Wednesday night I won $8000 dollars playing poker, although I blew $350 dollars of this when in a later game when one of the players went all in with (6)(7) so I went all in with (J) (A), I hit my (A) but he hit (7)(7) so this was a really bad beat. The best part is I checked my bank balance today and my winnings have been credited. My other half drives a little C3, so we are going to part exchange it tomorrow for a Golf Plus, the best bit is that I can tell people that my poker paid for the car :)

It also transpires that a chambers where I know one of the tenants are offering pupillage, so without further ado I made sure that my application and covering letter were sent pronto and duly received a call from the senior clerk to confirm that they had been received.

This time last year I felt really ground down, but so far I feel in pretty good shape and am ready for the battles that lay ahead.