#miles might just be the nicest and friendliest person out there

[skylarbee]

miles and maxie posing with a fan 🥺

(via spencerhotchner's IG story, and thanks to @violetmoonlight 💜 14.12.2023)

[transcendingsky]

April 6 and 7, 2018

El Rancho and Zacapa, Guatemala.

These days were spent biking through the endless, expansive desert heat. It’s pretty evident from the photos what kind of territory we were dealing with. The railroad snaked through the middle of nowhere, often times miles from the highway and any sort of civilization. We had to be especially mindful of how far we could go with just 2 liters of water each. The third photo shows a lot of terrain that we biked through, just a dry dusty dirt path where the tracks used to run and lots of cacti.

We eventually made it to the town of El Rancho, a place we’d briefly been before, stuck in traffic on a trip to another part of the country. It was already late afternoon by the time we got there as we had spent some time checking out one of the bridges just a few kilometers nearby. As usual, once we got there we headed to check out the old train station, as you can see in the second photo. The atmosphere was quiet and there were just a couple of kids circling the area on their bikes.

After taking a couple of photos, an older man approached me to ask about what brought us to the area. I explained our bike trip and he began to fill with excitement as he told us about some of the history of the trains coming through, as he had been there to experience it when they were running. He brought us across the street to a building that served as a library and found an old book that was published about the area with photos of the old bridges and trains. He and his wife told us about another bridge nearby that we had apparently missed, that was one of the biggest ones around, Although the day was getting late, we knew we had to go back and check it out.

It took us a few minutes to decide how to get there, but I eventually suggested we leave our bikes and take a tuk-tuk due to the short amount of time we had. An older couple running a tienda nearby agreed to keep our bikes in their shop for us and we quickly found someone to drive us out to the bridge. Our driver was a younger guy and as we passed farther out of town we soon realized he wasn’t quite familiar with the bridge we wanted to go to. We knew how to get there but it would require walking a ways away from the road.

We tried to get the guy to either wait or come with us, but he wouldn’t be convinced. This was one of many instances where you could see the fear a lot of these people live in come to manifest. He was certain his tuk tuk would be stolen if he left it, or something would happen to us at the bridge. So he dropped us off and we headed on our way, uncertain of how exactly we would get back.

There wasn’t another person to be seen as we made our way up to the bridge. This one was pretty cool as it was fairly up high and had some nice views of the mountains in the area. Crossing the middle part was a bit sketchy as all of the wood ties were missing, but it wasn’t any worse than some other spots we had already been to. The first photo shows the bridge as I look across to the other side. Being up there was likely one of my favorite moments of the trip. All of our worries seemed to fade away, we didn’t have to haul our bikes up there and there was just some sense of serenity as dusk began to set us and Sarah and I could just absorb each other’s presence in a spot that felt uniquely ours. 

After a few moments of quiet and some photos, we made our way back to the road hoping to catch another tuk tuk that by chance would be going back to the town. After maybe twenty minutes of walking, hardly anybody passing by, and it already becoming dark we began to think we might be out of luck. Out of nowhere a minibus drove past and stopped, ushering us to come in and so we squeezed ourselves between twelve or so other people, reeling at the absurdity of how we had manifested the whole encounter. We got back to town, found a cheap room and had some of the nicest sleep of the whole ride (after a wonderfully prepared and cheap vegan meal by one of the friendliest restaurant owners).

The next day we made our way to Zacapa. The ride was filled with endless more desert. The photos shown here are the abandoned station which is one of the largest in the country. We got to explore quite a bit of it and there is a massive space filled with all kinds of old dilapidated trains. We had to sneak around a bit as technically the area is blocked off and we had to come in from way out of the way so that we wouldn’t be seen. The whole experience felt very video game-esque. I remember vividly thinking of Fallout with all the abandoned materials just frozen in time and having to avoid being seen. The place even had an old roundabout (I can’t remember the actual name) where they switch train cars. We climbed inside of a couple and grabbed photos before hurrying out of there. I remember vividly seeing a massive lizard crawl out of one of the trains, probably the biggest I’ve ever seen in the wild. 

[alanafsmith]

The law firms with the most approachable partners in Britain 2017-18

Love all round at these ten firms

Partners can make or break trainees’ and junior lawyers’ experience of a firm. We asked over 2,000 trainees and junior lawyers at the 60 leading corporate law firms in Britain for their thoughts on the partners that they spend a lifetime trying to impress — and it turns out the City isn’t such a dark scary place after all.

In alphabetical order, the firms that scooped A* grades for partner approachability in the Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey 2017-2018 are…

Bird & Bird

There’s “no hierarchy here” a Bird & Bird insider tells us.

While partners at other firms are perhaps not typically known for their niceness, those at Bird & Bird are in particularly high spirits, and there’s maybe a reason for this — profit per equity partner (PEP) is up for a second year running, jumping by 11% to £503,000.

That could explain why Bird & Bird rookies tell us that most partners they’ve encountered at the firm “are very welcoming” and “happy to give time to aid your development”. A partner that has time? There’s a rare breed.

They’re also enjoying their shiny new London office, so, they might be the happiest they’ve ever been…

Read Bird & Bird’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Bristows

Trainees and partners bond well in the tight-knit community a single-office firm like Bristows fosters. As the IP-focused firm only recruits ten trainees a year, it’s easy to see why they get so much partner attention.

And having superiors who are approachable can seriously enhance your training experience. “I’ve never hesitated to ask my supervisors for advice or clarifications and I’ve never experienced anything but a helpful and understanding attitude from them,” an insider tells us.

While “some partners and senior associates can be a little more stand-offish, on the whole, the open door policy is a great way of helping to get your questions answered”. And if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Read Bristows’ full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Hill Dickinson

At Hill Dickinson, “there’s always someone you can go to”, a trainee tells us. Another says that “everyone I work with is lovely and supportive”. You know partners are friendly if you’re not afraid to signal SOS when you’re stuck.

But perhaps not when you’re completely clueless. “I wouldn’t go to them with questions I consider stupid or questions which I think they would consider stupid,” an insider says.

Of course there are the hyper-busy partners who “can come across as a bit harsh if you catch them on a bad day”. But we think the firm’s “awful coffee” might have something to do with it.

Still, “some superiors are extremely approachable”. Probably the ones who hop over to the local artisan cafe where they can find a proper cup of Joe…

Read Hill Dickinson’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Mills & Reeve

As a trainee at Mills & Reeve, “you are respected by everyone in the firm — both on a work and personal level”, a rookie reports. That’s surely music to any trainee’s ears.

M&R partners have scored well because they’re “approachable and friendly and willing to give up their time where needed”. They genuinely want you to do well. And it’s paying off — M&R’s financial results this year show a record turnover of £93.2 million.

Rookies also appreciate that there’s “no real sense of hierarchy” at the regional firm. “A lot of cross department working on transactions” is what helps integrate the old with the new. All in all, a community feel pervades the offices and trainees feel encouraged to mix and mingle with their superiors.

Read Mills & Reeve’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Osborne Clarke

Osborne Clarke is known as one of the most down-to-earth law firms in the City. Laidback and easy-going, the partners at OC make for a nice bunch to work with. Partner stress levels could be kept at bay thanks to the recent introduction of green tea to OC’s kitchens. Zen vibes like this seem to do the trick.

Superiors are “very approachable” reports one rookie, “both in a work context and socially”.

The open-plan offices no doubt let the good times roll, and facilitate A* working relationships. “In both seats I have sat within a couple of metres of my supervisor and partners” and “all are genuinely happy to help and support”, a trainee tells us.

Since trainees work in such close proximity to their superiors it’s just as well that the partners are “friendly”. In fact, “we can ask for training on pretty much anything we feel we need”, our spies report.

Read Osborne Clarke’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

RPC

There’s no backstabbing at RPC. The firm has long been among the top scorers for partner approachability. As one rookie puts it, “I have always felt extremely supported”.

The open-plan office and mixed pods system at RPC — which means the outfit can feel more tech company than City firm — “really helps” with partner approachability. One says it ensures that the firm’s 12 trainees a year get plenty of interaction with partners who “invite questions”. Another says the layout “means you sit with anyone from paralegals to partners (including the managing partner) and questions are positively encouraged”.

Expect a “flat hierarchy”, where everyone “is in there together” and “can see what everyone is doing at all levels in the firm”. It’s easy to approach anyone’s desk, since trainees can just casually “walk by” managing partners.

Read RPC’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

TLT

TLT also takes a piece of the partner crown.

Its partners are “the friendliest people in the world. It’s unnerving, actually”, one trainee tells us. Another admits they’d “happily spend time with them outside of work”.

The open plan office “lends itself well to this and creates a largely non-hierarchical working environment. It is easy to approach partners as you are usually sat next to them!” another trainee gushes.

Partners also go the extra mile to keep you happy: “All the partners I have worked with have been supportive and have gone out of their way to ensure my training has met all of my needs, which means I never feel uncomfortable approaching them,” a trainee tells us.

In fact, rookies feel like they can “talk with any of them, be it about work matters or the results from the football on a weekend”. Sounds like best friend material to us. Chances are that they’ll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour…

Read TLT’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Travers Smith

There’s “a genuine open door policy and most partners are approachable and happy to help” at Travers Smith. Trainees pretty much cohabit with their superiors as they share a room with a partner and an associate.

In a few cases the “conversation in the room sharing system can only happen when the partner wants to speak”. In general though, the partners are “closely involved in trainee supervision and take a keen interest in our career development”, another rookie tells us.

The recent dress code policy changes, which have seen the firm ditch the corporate suits in favour or tie-less “business-casual” attire when not on client floors, boost the partners’ approachability levels, too.

Read Travers Smith’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Trowers & Hamlins

Trowers & Hamlins is also hard to beat in the partner approachability department. As one rookie puts it:

“I have a phenomenal relationship with my supervisor on both a professional and friendly level. She has been a source of constant support throughout my seat in both work and general life matters.”

Life at Trowers doesn’t seem too taxing for a City firm, thanks to such a support network on standby. Senior partners are also “really easy to approach and I constantly approach them for help or when I encounter any difficulties”, a trainee says.

Partners are generous with their time, and their happy work/life balance must have a role to play in this. With an average leaving time of 6.31pm, Trowers hours are a City law dream.

Read Trowers & Hamlins’ full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson partners also don’t bite. In fact, some partners will even “give you a big smile when they see you”, a trainee tells us.

The firm’s intake of 30 trainees across nine offices means that trainees don’t have to elbow each other out of the way to get that precious partner attention. The vibe in Newcastle, Leeds and Bristol is said to be particularly welcoming, but even in London rookies suggest that this is one of the nicest firms.

Partners like to keep their doors “always open”, an insider tells us. Another says “I feel like I could go to anyone at the firm if needs be”. It’s good to know that the partners will have your back, especially when the tough gets going.

Since merging with US giant Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice in November, Womble Bond Dickinson now has more than 420 partners to its name globally. No doubt the new global giant will be working hard to maintain its friendly British culture.

Read Womble Bond Dickinson’s full firm profile, including The Legal Cheek View and Insider Scorecard.

For all the key info about the leading firms, including their Legal Cheek Trainee and Junior Lawyer Survey Scorecards, check out the Firms Most List.

The post The law firms with the most approachable partners in Britain 2017-18 appeared first on Legal Cheek.

from All About Law https://www.legalcheek.com/2017/12/the-law-firms-with-the-most-approachable-partners-in-britain-2017-18/

[statebystateadventure]

One of the tricky things about constantly traveling is picking what to do when we visit an area because there is so many family fun things to do.

No matter where you are in America, there is a plethora of things to do and places to see within an hour drive. If we did everything an area has to offer, we would soon be broke and our adventure would come to a screeching halt. So we have gotten good at mixing free attractions with paid ones to make a fun experience without breaking the bank. If you are budget minded like us, then here are six family fun things to do in Kentucky. Just know that there are about a hundred other things that could have made this list, but we chose those that mix education with fun.

1. Kentucky Science Center in Louisville

Louisville has so much to offer, that choosing what to do can be daunting. We chose to visit the Kentucky Science Center because we like incorporating education into our family fun things, plus it is on the ASTC reciprocal benefits list which gets us in for free.

The museum had multiple floors to explore and a wide range of displays. Some of it was very educational, like the Egyptian mummy with it’s displays and video. Other areas were just hands on fun for the kids like the shape market and the climbing structure. I liked that the museum had a mix of natural history, historic displays, and science. The kids all really enjoyed the hands on lab experiments they were able to preform with the staff. We spent a full day and brought a picnic lunch to eat. If you wanted to spend half a day and visit another place, it is located right near several other attractions.

Cost: $13 per adult and $11 per kid for the exhibits

Free if you have an ASTC membership and are traveling (see the ASTC reciprocal rules)

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2. Toyota Factory in Kentucky

When my youngest son asked to visit the Toyota Factory in Georgetown I was skeptical that they would allow minors on the factory tour. Most of the other manufacturing facilities we have looked into touring have had an age limit set too low for our family. Toyota doesn’t set the limit according to age and instead says that the child must be in first grade. Trip does first grade work and even though he is only five years old was an absolute angel while we toured the factory. The guide even thanked the kids for their good behavior afterward.

If you are anywhere near the Toyota Factory it is worth taking the time to let them drive you around to see all the excellent work being done. Robots welding, humans working on this very advanced assembly line, a management that values its staff and allows them to help improve the manufacturing process are just some of what you will see. Pictures inside aren’t allowed, but you can take photos of the first car they ever made!

Cost: Free

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3. Kentucky State Capitol Tour

We love walking around in state capitol buildings and have been in over 30 of them now including the US Capitol building in D.C. I thought the pleasure of wandering around inside of these historic buildings would die down. Then we walked in to the Kentucky State Capitol and were wowed beyond belief because it could very well be the nicest Capitol building in America!

The people were friendly, the art was epic, the architecture was impressive, and they had some museum quality displays to check out. We really like the doll display with the dresses of all the first ladies. The kids said the color changing dome was the best though. If you were only going to visit a single Capitol building, then this would be the one to pick.

Cost: Free

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4. The Governors Mansion in Frankfort

We don’t visit the governors mansion in every state, but if it is convenient to the capitol we try to check it out. Well Kentucky’s governors mansion only does tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After touring the Capitol building on the weekend, we decided to come back during the week to see the mansion. I made a mistake and we showed up after all the tours had been completed! Luckily the volunteer working at The Governors Mansion was super nice and gave us a personal tour around the place.

The mansion has some very nice older furniture, a rotating display of art and lots of Kentucky history to learn about. Although the Governors Mansion doesn’t have hands on activities for kids, we still included it in our list of family fun things to see because it isn’t a huge tour. It was just long enough for everyone to learn something without the kids becoming bored.

Cost: Free

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5. Mammoth Cave National Park

Going down into a cave is fun no matter how old you are and there is something extra special about visiting the largest cave in the world. So the bad part about Mammoth Cave National Park is that you have to pay for a tour in order to gain any access into the caves. The guides are good though and our historic tour was a blast for the entire family. The ranger even turned off all the lights deep in the caves and then lit an oil lamp while he told stories about the historic guides. We were lucky and got to see a bat, a rare occurrence for the time of the year we visited. Although the cave system is the largest in the world, with over 400 miles of cave, you don’t have to walk that far as the tours are all under 2 miles.

If you have kids, talk with a ranger and get a free Junior Ranger book. It was one of the better books we have encountered and all our kids enjoyed filling it out. Don’t forget to hike around above ground too, which is free. We visited Cedar Sink Hole to see the effects of the caves and we even got to hike down into it.

Cost: From $7 per adult  and $5 per kid up to $16 per adult and $10 per youth or more

You can use some of the Special Access passes to get a reduced price (not the 4th grader pass though)

Free to hike above ground

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6. Lincolns Birthplace in Kentucky

There are two places to visit if you are interested about president Lincoln. The first is his birthplace, called The First Lincoln Memorial, and it has a monument, visitor center, and some trails. Kids can fill out a junior ranger book to receive a badge. There is a video at the visitor center that was educational and entertaining. It definitely has family fun things to do, with hands on activities for the kids.

Afterwards you can visit Lincoln’s boyhood home, where the kids can earn a patch for filling out a single page of activities. There is a reproduction of the cabin his parents would have built there. None of the original cabins survived, but they have reproductions at both the memorial and the boyhood site. Our kids liked being able to go inside this cabin to see what it would have been like when Lincoln lived there. Outside there are some hiking trails to explore and our kids liked visiting the river where he almost drown.

Cost: Free

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No matter what you decide to spend your time doing while in Kentucky, I am sure the people will be friendly.

After having visited so many places, we tend to notice what the general mood of the locals is and Kentucky was one of the friendliest places in America. Everywhere we visited to enjoy our family fun things everyone was warm and kind, it was super easy to start a conversation with people. It isn’t called the hospitality state for no reason and they have mastered the art of being nice to strangers. It was great getting to visit Kentucky and I am looking forward to going back again.

No matter where we go we usually bring along at least one hydration pack. If your packing a picnic, hiking in a National Park, or just visiting a museum a good hydration pack is a great thing for a family to bring. We like the Teton brand, but some people swear by Camelbak. Even if you prefer to lug a water bottle, just remember to stay hydrated. #AD amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "statebystat05-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "My Amazon Picks"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "96294e204f37f0549f27b6b4112825f7"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B006JYHFJA,B006JYHG3U,B00OXPC2N6,B00G46CY08";

We spent Halloween in Kentucky and the kids enjoyed trick or treating!

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  6 Family Fun Things To Do In Kentucky One of the tricky things about constantly traveling is picking what to do when we visit an area because there is so many family fun things to do.