Tomorrow We're Off
Friday, June 2.
Ed argued the Frierson case before the 9th Circuit in Pasadena. Ed did very well, but it's very hard to read the Court - time will tell, but it will break Ed's heart if they don't reverse on the death penalty issue, even if they don't order a new trial on the question of guilt, despite the fact that the lawyer representing the defendant was both incompetent and lazy - he appears to have done nothing at all. But I guess that after having reversed twice before (on the grounds of incompetency of counsel) the Court is reluctant to do so again, even though the lawyer in the third case was far worse than either of the first two. Now we just have to wait and see.
After the court appearance I dropped Ed off at his office while I ran some last minute errands. On the way back I stopped at the Ukraina Delicatessen on Wilshire and 12th and spoke with Natasha who came here from the Ukraine about 6 years ago. I tried to speak to her in Ukrainian but she didn't seem to understand me - I wonder why!!!! I told her that I was leaving tomorrow to spend a year in the Ukraine. She asked me why, and I told her, and she asked if we knew what city we would be going to. I told her that we would first go to Kharkiv and then to Kyiv. Her face said it all, but her words were to the point, and this is a direct quote: "Kharkiv is a bit of a shit hole, but Kyiv is better." She had lots of good advice, like "Don't speak English on the streets because the hoodlums will follow you and rob you." And "Leave your papers (passports, etc.) in the bank, not in your apartment because the doors are nothing and are easily kicked in." And "Tell your husband NEVER to put his wallet in his back pocket, and you should always hold your purse in front of you." She did say that it was much better in Kyiv and that we would love it there. She also told me that the food is fantastic - that I haven't really tasted borscht until I've had it in the Ukraine.
When we got home Jed and Jenny and Jackson came over so that Jed could pick up Ed's car (it's going to stay in Jed's driveway until we get back). They couldn't stay very long because they were wiped out - Jackson had a horrible night and kept them both up all night. It was so sad - Jenny and I both cried. I can't believe that we won't see them or Jackson for 6 months. I'm in complete denial about how much I'm going to miss my family, my friends and my home.
So tomorrow we're off - with our 6 gigantic suitcases, another big but not quite as gigantic suitcase, three 4.2 cubic foot cartons, two carry-on rollies, one other carry-on bag, Belle, and two briefcases!! We had to hire a van to take us to the airport - they will remove all the seats except one (for us) and put all our stuff in the rest of the van.
The adventure begins . . . .
Ed argued the Frierson case before the 9th Circuit in Pasadena. Ed did very well, but it's very hard to read the Court - time will tell, but it will break Ed's heart if they don't reverse on the death penalty issue, even if they don't order a new trial on the question of guilt, despite the fact that the lawyer representing the defendant was both incompetent and lazy - he appears to have done nothing at all. But I guess that after having reversed twice before (on the grounds of incompetency of counsel) the Court is reluctant to do so again, even though the lawyer in the third case was far worse than either of the first two. Now we just have to wait and see.
After the court appearance I dropped Ed off at his office while I ran some last minute errands. On the way back I stopped at the Ukraina Delicatessen on Wilshire and 12th and spoke with Natasha who came here from the Ukraine about 6 years ago. I tried to speak to her in Ukrainian but she didn't seem to understand me - I wonder why!!!! I told her that I was leaving tomorrow to spend a year in the Ukraine. She asked me why, and I told her, and she asked if we knew what city we would be going to. I told her that we would first go to Kharkiv and then to Kyiv. Her face said it all, but her words were to the point, and this is a direct quote: "Kharkiv is a bit of a shit hole, but Kyiv is better." She had lots of good advice, like "Don't speak English on the streets because the hoodlums will follow you and rob you." And "Leave your papers (passports, etc.) in the bank, not in your apartment because the doors are nothing and are easily kicked in." And "Tell your husband NEVER to put his wallet in his back pocket, and you should always hold your purse in front of you." She did say that it was much better in Kyiv and that we would love it there. She also told me that the food is fantastic - that I haven't really tasted borscht until I've had it in the Ukraine.
When we got home Jed and Jenny and Jackson came over so that Jed could pick up Ed's car (it's going to stay in Jed's driveway until we get back). They couldn't stay very long because they were wiped out - Jackson had a horrible night and kept them both up all night. It was so sad - Jenny and I both cried. I can't believe that we won't see them or Jackson for 6 months. I'm in complete denial about how much I'm going to miss my family, my friends and my home.
So tomorrow we're off - with our 6 gigantic suitcases, another big but not quite as gigantic suitcase, three 4.2 cubic foot cartons, two carry-on rollies, one other carry-on bag, Belle, and two briefcases!! We had to hire a van to take us to the airport - they will remove all the seats except one (for us) and put all our stuff in the rest of the van.
The adventure begins . . . .
posted by Susan Spivak at 6:48 AM
1 Comments:
Hi Susan,
Just got back from Pleasanton,CA, where our son and Family have moved to. I enjoyed reading your comments. Did you know you have a career as a writer ahead of you? Although you have had some starts and stops,I know you will both have a thrilling year. Chuck and I send you our very best. I know what you mean about about the internet and getting to see your grandsons. Before you know it they will be e-mailing you.
Hugs,
Shelly
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