Happy New Year
“You can always begin again.”
Both Buddha and Bono said this so it must be true.
For the Lindquist family, it’s been a year of new beginnings, interesting firsts, and good stories. And, as I like to say, person who dies with the most stories wins.
New Puppy
Our first snow at Seabrook, our first trip to Disneyland, and our first puppy were among the firsts of 2022.
For more pictures from Seabrook, including the Great Snow, visit our Urban Ocean Instagram.
Many of you were aware of Sloane’s relentless puppy campaign. I suspect you’re not surprised she prevailed. His name is Biscuit Ferris Lindquist. I amuse myself by asking, “Where are Sloane and Ferris?” I rewatched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off for the eleventh time this year.
As the Assistant Director of Communications at Bates Technical College, Chelsea had a crazy busy year. Among other things, First Lady Jill Biden visited Bates, which was a massive undertaking for the college. Still, Chelsea has found time to coach Sloane on puppy care. Biscuit is growing on Chelsea. And on me, too.
I’ve been playing tennis with Sloane. She is on the verge of trouncing me. I’m continuing to educate her on the best bands, movies, and books before the bad influences of high school begin. She recently defended R.E.M. and Peter Buck when a schoolmate said the band was “lame.” I was proud. You have to stand up for what you believe in, especially when it comes to friends and favorite bands.
New Law Firm
Chelsea and I appreciate our many friends for the enthusiastic support of my new firm, thank you. We are also grateful to my clients for their continuing faith. After many years of incredible career experiences — writing and public service and an excellent firm — time came to form Mark Lindquist Law.
In December, all four TV stations showed up to cover my first lawsuit filed under the new firm banner, a wrongful death case against Seattle involving a botched “blacklist” used in 911 call responses. Dan Beekman at the Seattle Times followed up with an article highlighting the need for Seattle to update and change their process.
Part of what I love about my work is the opportunity to win justice for victims and their families and also accountability for corporations and governments engaged in bad conduct. This can lead to changes.
Speaking of corporate bad conduct, my case against Boeing for the crash of the Boeing 737 Max 8 in Ethiopia may finally be headed for trial in 2023. I’ll keep you posted on my firm website or firm Facebook page.
Meanwhile, we are adding a “testimonial” section to the website. I’d be honored if you would email me a testimonial from your perspective as a client, colleague, opposing counsel, community leader, or whomever you are. I’m grateful to all of you who have already sent one, thanks.
New Years Day
In the winter of 1983 I bought U2’s War on vinyl.
As I walked out of the store, I removed the LP from the bag for some reason. A stranger saw me staring at the cover art. Best album ever, he said. Or something like that. He was right.
To my mind. “New Years Day” and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” were the amazing songs promised by “I Will Follow” on their first album.
A few years later I was lucky enough to hang out with the band and see behind the curtain when my friend Phil Joanou was directing the U2 movie Rattle and Hum. Some of you have heard those stories. Now I’m listening to Bono’s book Surrender on Audible. Charlie Harger at KIRO radio deserves credit for advising me to listen to it rather than read it.
Here is Bono in a radio interview, “I have written that book that sits in front of you right there is because I wanted to explain, to myself and to my family and to my friends, what I’ve been doing…. And it wasn’t just, you know, being off – running away with the circus. It was other extracurricular activity – mission creep, you could call it. But … it was key values of U2 that were being worked out here.”
If you are trying to work out the key values of your life or work, this is a guidebook of sorts from an ambitious musician who has not worked it all out, but is having a grand time trying.
Still, my nod for best non-fiction book of 2022 goes to Discipline is Destiny by Ryan Holiday. “This means first, the discipline to step away and think: What am I doing? What are my priorities? What is the most important contribution I make — to my work, to my family, to the world?”
Chelsea, Sloane and I hope you begin again and start some new stories this year. We look forward to our paths and plot lines crossing.
Lately I’ve been writing more in my Mark Lindquist Law blog then in this author blog, so please connect with me there. Thanks for reading.
