A Horrible Experience with Chase Bank

Remember how I said my wallet was stolen? Remember how I said Chase was giving me the $600.00 back...well they did, and then they took it all away. Apparently, the transaction for my hamburger at the restaurant where my wallet was stolen posted to my account the day after the transaction for the ridiculous Macy's purchase, which I'll remind you some thief made! Thus, Chase thinks I went on a shopping spree and I am trying to hang them out to dry. 

As a result, Chase withdrew $636.18 from my bank account today plus the insufficient funds fees that had posted to my account from the July 28th transaction. So, right now I feel like it's me against the world.

Needless to say, I was less than happy today when I spoke with the Chase Bank Claims Department and was told that I needed to provide proof that my wallet was actually stolen. The lawyer in my suddenly rose from my fury and I said very catty, "Do you want signed affidavits? Because I work for a lawyer and I can get you those." 

The Chase representative explained, "No, no. I just need documentation." I said, "Oh, like my application for a new license? My receipts for new wallets? My claims I filed with the Chicago Transport Authority regarding my stolen wallet? The temporary Texas State Driver's License I was issued three days after my wallet was stolen? A representative from Wells Fargo who will also attest that one the same day (July 28, 2010) approximately five minutes after reporting my debit card stolen to Chase Bank, I also reported it stolen to Wells Fargo?" 

The Chase representative could sense my frustration and he sighed and said, "Yes, ma'am." 

I wanted to scream. I called Wells Fargo Bank, who I might add is looking like Mother Theresa compared to Chase Bank right now, who stated that they could provide me with a three-way dialogue whereby a Chase Bank representative would stay on the line while I telephoned a Wells Fargo representative who could attest that my debit cards was canceled on July 28, 2010, reported as stolen and a new cards were issued on the same date. 

I might add, when I found out my wallet was stolen I was devastated and I called Chase Bank crying. I spoke on the phone with them and I felt comforted because the person on the other line assured me I would get my $636.18 back. Talking on the phone to the Chase Bank representative who explained to me that the bank was denying my claim because the account activity on my card looked suspicious, made me want to cry all over again. Instead of feeling reassured I felt like they had branded the scarlet letter on my forehead and I felt like Chase was accusing me of stealing. 

As a law student and a future lawyer, my job is to provide my client's with justice. Sometimes justice means the client never goes to Court. In a lot of instances, the client just wants to be heard and acknowledged. 

I just want Chase Bank to acknowledge they are wrong. I will fax them an entire book with proof that my wallet is stolen to prove my innocence. Because at the end of the day, we're innocent until proven guilty in this country, UNLESS you bank with Chase Bank. 

Not to sound too much like a quote from the Salem Witch Trials, but... 

I will go down in flames before I let anyone tarnish my reputation and scorn my good name. 

The End in the Beginning

It's the last week of Fall Semester, so what does that mean? Finals.

I'm currently finishing up my paper on Online Contractual Agreements for my Cyberspace Law Class and preparing for my first ever take home law school final in Trademarks and Copyright. (will be in my inbox tomorrow morning!)

I feel like I should sum up this year in a few concise words, so here is my attempt...

I lost a near and dear friend to a power and force I cannot control. Now I know we are truly mortal but never really forgotten. We can and do endure with strong influence and an unbreakable spirit.

There have been a few stumbles and a few tears, but nothing a sweet melody or happy memory cannot bandage. I've learned so much about myself and I'm thankful for all the new and old friends I've made and maintained along the way. It's been a profound, endearing and thought provoking year.

Thank you to all those who made this year complete. To new friends, to old friends, to a brave new year!

The Digital Beyond

Rex, founder of Social Media Law Student, recently shared my post on Digital Life After Death with the founder of The Digital Beyond and he requested I write a guest post. So of course that means I have to give some recognition to The Digital Beyond.

Check out this little video they made to help users with their questionsa bout their digital rights after death. (Basically, they blew my SMLS Digital Life After Death article out of the water with their blog devoted to the topic.)



I dig this video. I love the idea of a visual representation of your thoughts and ideas. In my opinion people get tired of reading and sometimes they just want a simple explanation in plain English as either a graphic or a video. I think the Digital Beyond does a great job of capturing that concept in this video.

Makes you think, right?

Look out for my next article on Social Media Law Student on Online Agreements (aka Browser Wrap, Click Wrap and Shrink Wrap Licenses) and the lack of a meeting of the minds.

Also, I highly encourage you to check out the Digital Beyond - you'd might be surpised how many things you forgot to think about!

Last, but not least, I am also currently writing for my law firm on Grandparent Vistiation Rights in Illinois. You're welcome to read those blog posts as well. I'll place a link up once those have been updated.

Happy Reading!

Too far? AMP Before You Score Pepsi App

I write this post with some hesitance. I say that for two reasons. One, because I find the new AMP Before You Score Pepsi App rather distasteful and offensive. Two, because SERIOUSLY!? Just watch this video.



Just the name of the application is disgusting! Before You Score!? Stereotyping women is pretty sleezy, but then keeping track of them on your "Brag List" is even sleezier. Ew.

Here's a quote from the different stereotypes and an explanation of the application. Jezebel's Post on the iPhone app.

Here's how it works:

1. Identify Her Type
Got your eye on a girl, and aren't sure how to get started? Pick out her profile, flip the card, and study up quick with a cheatsheet on the stuff she's into, with lists, links and some surefire opening lines. (Surefire to what, we won't say.)

2. Keep a List
Get lucky? Add her to your Brag List. You can include a name, date and whatever details you remember.

3. Brag
You got it? Flaunt it. Keep your buddies in the loop on email, Facebook or Twitter.***

Here's who you get:
Artist
Aspiring Actress
Athlete
Bookworm
Businesswoman
Celebrity
Cougar
Dancer
Foreign Exchange Student
Goth Girl
Indie Rock Girl
Married
Military Girl
Nerd
Out-Of-Your-League Girl
Political Girl
Princess
Punk Rock Girl
Rebound Girl
Sorority Girl
Treehugger
Trouble
Twins
Women's Studies Major

*** It's not clear from my experience with the application that it actually lets you post anything to Facebook or twitter. This could be a feature maybe integrated later? Which then could have very real and possible legal consequences.

I downloaded the application, because I don't believe in ranting about something unless you've used it. So here is my review:

• The graphics are cool.
• The application is smooth and easy to understand. (Small learning curve for small minded men.)
  
• The information on the flip side of each stereotype is creative. Ex: Business News on the flip side of the Business Woman Stereotype and Wikipedia Page describing Picasso and his work on the flip side of the Artist Stereotype. There's also a map feature to look up venues where the stereotyped woman and you might hang out. (I guess that's useful for date ideas)
• But my question is: Why are you dating someone you have nothing in common with in the first place?

The wisest of men would know and realize that no woman is so easily categorized. In fact, men who actually are the "cool guys" don't use applications like these to decode the female gender. They know that common interests mean more than reiterating random facts on Picasso's life found on Wikipedia page.

How pathetic are the men who download and use this application? Do you really an iPhone application to help you get a date? Is it really so difficult to find a woman who likes you for you? Is it so difficult that you have to try to illy stereotype every woman you meet and look up random facts just so you can hold a conversation with her? How sad is it that you have to hijack the interests of the girl you're hitting on and pretend your interests are the same as hers?

I guess there's no real legal harm in an application like this - it's just offensive and pretty pathetic. It's kind of disheartening. I've been racking my brain all night trying to think of a cause of action, but the only thing I can think of is if that Brag List became public. Even then, the only cause of action I can think of would be Libel/Slander or Defamation. However, the Brag List would have to be spread to the public (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, word of mouth, etc.)

As I noted above, my application doesn't have any functionality for syncing with Twitter or Facebook as suggested in the quoted material. So I can't see any legal claims if the names of individuals is stored in a list format on a phone and used solely for personal use. Any ideas for other legal claims I might have missed?

Needless to say, this application makes me seriously question the quality of men out there. If men have to resort to such low techniques to start up a conversation with a woman, then there really is no hope.

A Lack of Youth Reaction to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win

When something newsworthy happens, Social Media outlets are a buzz with reactions, theories, explanations, stories, etc. Social Media is reflective of the culture it exists within. So it was no surprise that today's announcement resulted in a variety of opinions and thoughts flooding the Social Media outlets.

Just in case you aren't up to date, today President Barack Obama was awarded one of the highest honors in history, the Nobel Peace Prize.

I'm not here to discuss whether I think he "deserved" the win - which seems to be the most popular topic of conversation. I'm here to talk about young people's reaction to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win - or rather their lack of reaction.

I was surprised at how few of my friends on Facebook were talking about Obama's Nobel Prize Win. My Twitter account has been flooded all morning with tweets discussing the nomination.

For a very long time analysts have been asking themselves why young people seem so apathetic towards politics. My Facebook friends aren't apathetic towards Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win, but they are jaded by politics.

Young people are not engaged in politics because despite all the statements to the contrary, young people think their opinions don't matter and are jaded by the bickering, and the name calling and the finger pointing. At then end of the day, politics feels like a bureaucratic mess. It's easy to sit back and watch a bunch of old men fight over a law or social program. Said law or social program will probably be overturned or have the funding stripped from it anyway with the next president. Why work so hard for something that can be so easily lost? Young people are realists and they know better than to wear their hearts on their sleeves, hearts are fragile and easily broken. So are laws and social programs.

In the broader scope of things, young people care more about what's going on in pop culture than what's going on in the world.For example, in college I had a French professor from Mali. He asked the class, "How many of you know where my country is on this map of Africa?" The map was a lot like the one below - there were no country names, but lines were shown to indicate the borders of each country. Nobody could answer our professor. Nobody had any idea where Mali was on a map of Africa. Had my professor asked us where Borat was from, I'm sure we could have at least named the country and identified a general area on the continent of Asia where we believed the fictional country of Kazakhastan should be located.

Questions like those make me wonder how many young people know where Iraq and Afghanistan are located on a map of Asia. This isn't a criticism of young people, it's an explanation of why young people don't update their Facebook status expressing their opinions over Obama's Nobel Prize Win.

Young people don't care because it's not relevant to their lives. Most young people don't own any property, were given the vehicle they drive, work part-time as a babysitter, fast food employee or retail employee. The world matters in the context of the few events that affect their lives at that very moment. Why?

Because in young people's lives, their opinions don't matter - not at work, not at school, not even with their parents. Inevitably, young people do what they are told or they defy orders and face whatever consequences they receive as a result. After defiance, they are often told how they made poor decisions, were irresponsible or shouldn't defy authority. If the world shunned your opinions by punishing your actions, would you continue to express your opinions or would you just say "eff it" and let it be?

So when you read young people's Facebook status updates, don't be surprised if they don't seem to care much about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win. The only people I could find who cared and expressed their opinion about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win were both law students.

Either way, Social Media outlets like Facebook are a great place for young people to express their opinions on their daily lives or pop culture, but don't expect to see too many updates on politics. It would be very antisocial for a young person to post a news article on a serious topic on Facebook. Young people primarily use Facebook for it's social aspect, not for its informative value. (Unless of course the informative value is to see who is dating whom and what that cute guy from high school is doing now.)

Social Media is reflective of our culture. Therefore, if a few pieces of informative content get squished into some status updates and a few jaded young people become a little more informed, then maybe my law student friends who post informative articles on Facebook aren't updating their statuses in vain.

Adventures of UT Graduates

A very good friend of mine, Tressa, leaves for Rwanda and the Peace Corps on September 27th. Tressa, with her huge heart, love for Africa and very direct personality with never take no for an answer personality is going to land in Africa for the second time. (Her first trip to Africa was on a Fulbright Scholarship to Yoruba where she bestowed on me and everyone of our friends the great importance of Africa and Africans as a continent and as a people.

I wish I could say my adventures as a law student have brought such good to the world, but honestly, they've brought more self-induced headaches than anything. haha. I get great satisfaction from seeing my friends become good people and do great things. Tressa has inspired me to look at my law degree as not just another set of letters behind my name but as a way of giving back in whatever way I can. I may love IT & Privacy Law and it may have very little to do with changing the world, but ultimately I am determined to find a way for technology to touch the lives of everyone. I really do believe it can and it will bridge the gaps between economic, cultural, communication and societal barriers. I know the "what" of my hopes and beliefs, I just wish I knew the "how".

Thank you Tressa for inspiring me to ask the right questions.

Positive Thought

I really believe in the power of positive thought to the extent that it can change attitudes. I don't really believe the world or anyone wants to tell an eager student with passion "No." When I read scholarship applications for the Academic Services Liberal Arts Scholarship, I remember the ones I found most inspiring were ones that had a truly positive outlook on the situation at hand. It's one thing to be down on your luck, it's another thing to be defeated.

I never thought my desire to learn would take me so far, but it has. I've found often that the more I research, the more I know and the more I know, the better opinions and thoughts I can form about the world around me. It's one thing to sit in a classroom and listen to a lecture, it's another to yearn for knowledge to the extent that you will explore it and live it. I've always been a visual learner who learned best when challenged with something physical through trial and error.

Life is a bit like trial and error. Sometimes you work so hard at something and it all falls apart. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, but inevitably learning from your mistakes is the key. With positive thought, you can take even the worst situations and find a way to turn them around, thus altering your outlook, your attitude and your feelings toward a situation.

Do I want to be a lawyer? Yes. Do I want to be employed when I graduate? Yes. How do I develop my skills to make sure I'm more desireable on paper than the next person? Stand out. How do you stand out? Be unique, think outside the box, develop skills you can use not only in your career but in your life. Stop waiting for opportunity to come knocking, find an open window and crawl through. Make friends and network - smile. Think positive.

Ok, that all seems very simple, but maybe that's just it. A good attitude, a better personality, and a smile can go a long way.

Growing Through Blogging

Now that law school is back in full fledged I have to admit I feel a lot more prepared for what's ahead of me as a 2L than a 1L. I have even found time to do some pleasure reading and some independent research on Copyrights and Privacy. I met with my friend and mentor, John Merritt, on Friday to discuss the law and social media. We talked for four hours in Caribou Coffee and I realized how he's a lot like my muse. He helps me organize my thoughts on law so that it's not boring or overly stuffy. He's helping me get ideas for my next blog posts on Social Media Law Student and relate the law back to the everyday business person, twitter follower, stay-at-home mom, etc.

The first and foremost thing when writing any blog post is to know your audience. It's one thing to do tons of research only to realize your audience can't relate and doesn't want to read your blog posts. For example, I began writing this blog to keep my friends and family informed on my daily life while in college. Now, I'm 22 and in law school and my focus of this blog has somewhat shifted. Instead of writing about friends I made and football games, I want to write about topics that make me think. This is both good and bad because my audience expects me to write about my daily happenings (funny people I met in line at the grocery store, riding around on the El and getting lost but finding my way), when I want to write about law, social media, people influencing the world and theories that shape my mind. So I think I am going to re-gear this blog towards both. A little bit of my daily life in Chicago and a little bit of my rants, raves, theories on life, law, social media, and the world we live in.

I have to admit, I love how this blog has evolved. I was looking back at some of my posts from my freshmen year of college and my senior year of high school and I realized how much I have grown, matured, and become a different person. I really love that I kept track of so much of my personal life on the pages of this blog because it reminds me of where I came from, who I am and what my goals are in life. If anyone doubts or wonders the kind my upbringing, who I am or where I come from - this is an open record of my life - the good, the bad and the hilarious.

I was reading back through my blog and groaned at some of the things I wrote about. I wondered if maybe I should delete those posts or make them private so nobody could read them again - or rather, nobody had to read them again. But then I realized deleting those posts would counteract my personal purpose for writing this blog - to learn from my mistakes, laugh at my trivial worries, and be proud of my triumphs. I'm not perfect and I don't claim to be, but I can, will and do learn from my mishaps, my encounters, the people who surround me and the life I lead.

[caption id="attachment_655" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Having fun at Plymouth Bar and Grill after the first week of 2L year"][/caption]