some news from Holland.... I'm finally a damn lawyer

[DJ76]

Greeting from The Hague, Netherlands.

As some of you know, I left the North American continent about 7 months ago to follow my dream. I came to work at the International criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and the least that I can say is that it was one enriching experience. After completing this internship 3 weeks ago, I was sworn in last week and, after having taken the long road, I'm finally a member of the Quebec Bar. Those who know me know how much of a hard time I had going through the Bar exams and that it took lots of energy and (mental) strength to go through them. In any case, the ceremony took place thursday night and it ended at 4:30 in the morning with a few of us dead drunk by the beach :D That's why I also had little smile when I saw Doug's post, starting law school and all.

We all know how God has a sense of humour. After being sworn in thursday night, my girlfriend and I were breaking up the next day! I guess that is a perfect example of life having its ups and downs. It's very unfortunate because she was a lovely girl, by far the nicest girl I was with in my life, but I'm taking it very philosophically. And the single malt is helping ;)

At the present time, I have a contract until the end of the summer to continue working for Defence at the Tribunal. I hope to say longer than that, but it depends of the situation of our case. Otherwise, I'll have to look for another position, perferably in the same field.

I've been enjoying myself eversince I'm here. Many elements of this internship made it even more interesting. I got to visit central Bosnia, where the alleged crimes took place. Visiting Sarajevo was an incredible experience, I picked up some bosnian (dobro dobro!!) much faster than dutch (my apologies to my dutch friends, I guess the fact that everyone here speaks english makes one VERY lazy.... but you can't try to get away with english in Sarajevo).

I have many pictures of Bosnia, I thought I'd send them to G-man, but I'm not sure it would be of much interest. Most of the pic show that after all these years, you still see many many scars of war. But Bosnia is a beautiful country. I'd love to go back. The good thing about visiting Sarajevo was that I finally met our client. He is in provisional release so for many months, I worked on the case without ever meeting him. I guess this human contact with him made me feel even more involved in the case. Working for Defence actually makes you see a whole other side of the story (ever seen "Shawshank Redemption"?) and how important it is to have a decent Defence for every accused. Unfortunately, the "innocent til proven guilty" is very often lost, specially when you have political pressure.

So there it is, a short review...
cheers.
Alex.

[TAC]

Congratulations bro. Just remember, the journey is just beginning.

Peace
TAC

[Ken1015]

Congratulations Alex! Good job. http://deephousepage.com/smilies/biggthumpup.gif

[Doug]

Mucho congrats Alex. Wishing you much success in the future. smile.gif

[imported_Gman]

Congratulations Alex graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[djklas]

graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/respekt.gif

[Leslie]

Fantastic news Alex. Please send the pictures I want to see them. My Big Brotha TAC is right...the journey is just begining....

[Bougie Soliterre]

when ya coming back to Montreal?

[daniel]

When can I file an injunction against your back hair?

[statuskuo]

graemlins/OLA.gif

[mhd]

Congrats Alex!! What a great accomplishment! Indeed, working for the defense can be a thrilling/challenging experience, it can also be very lucrative. I have found that about 50% of the people do it out of dedication and not out of personal economic gain. I urge you to try and perhaps latch on to some of the defense firms currently in place. You are doing some cutting-edge stuff and there appears to be more of that work in the future.

Good luck, Alex, I envy you to some extent, you are really starting your career off with a bang, Welcome to the Bar, peace, mark

[jurren]

congratulations!

eventhough were both in the netherlands, we haven't met so far, but that probably won't be forever. [rich medina next week?]

i'm sort of half way.
finished law school in januari, now looking for an office to spent my three year internship. currently doing a short internship at a small firm in amsterdam, and very much enjoying it, hope i can stay here.

good luck,

jurren

[Sazon]

Congrats 76!
Long time no talk.

While u been away, I've been keeping my contact in Montreal, so when u come back you'll be seeing lots more of me.

By the way, FIDO misses you!

looking forward to catching up soon

joe

[Discogoddess]

@DJ76: Congrats on your accomplishment! :D

[marc-andrew]

Congrats Alex...sounds like the hard work has paid off.

Excellent news!

take care.

[lyot]

damn, I should have become a lawyer too..Now it's too late for that.. :(

Anyway, congratulations Alex.. I hope you manage to work longer with the Tribunal in The Hague..it must be a fascinating job, without a doubt.I went to Bosnia too, and that was one of the most impressive journeys I've ever made..The journey from the airport to the centre is already something i will never forget..When I was in the town, my friend showed me all these war video footage ..I watched a BBC reportage about the war during 4 hours, and then went walking around in the city..When I think of it, my hairs are standing straight on my arms again.

Please post the pics if you can !

good luck..

[AD]

Congratulations! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[DJ76]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Yes, the journey is just starting. Eversince I arrived here, I repeat that I've been blessed to work here, but I had to pay my dues. Let's just say that a year ago, I was close to give up, really close. But the wind changed direction.

mhd, working for defence has really been a revelation for me. There are things that we don't see when we look at things only from the eye of a Prosecutor, and those were the eyes I was looking through eversince I started studying: catch the criminals, prosecute them and send them to jail. There's much more than that. Anyone who has even contested a parking ticket knows how important it is to have rights as an 'accused'.

Lyot, we could talk about Bosnia if you wish, I'll send some pics to G-man later on today, I don't have too many pics of Sarajevo, but I got some nice panoramic pics from this area called Park Princeva which overlooks the whole city. Gorgeous. And I have many pics of Mostar and some pics of villages.

Jurren, I'm up for Rich Medina... hit me at dj76indamix@hotmail.com

Bettina, I plan on coming to Montreal at the end of August, but it all depends of my job situation. I really miss Montreal, big time.

Sazon! I'm sorry to say that I don't miss Fido that much ;) but stay in touch bro, we'll hook up on one of your escapades to Chez Paré :D

Everyone else, thanks for the kind words, daniel I'm working on the back hair, I think it will take more than an injunction. Perhaps a habeas corpus :eek:

[blackwax]

WELL DONE! graemlins/respekt.gif

[sammyrock]

Come to the south,get me outta jail please!........If not Ill have to wait for Doug Smith to get his....Illl be an old sack of shit by then.lol Congrats 76,I know deep in my heart you worked your arse off.Now back to the moo-sic. biggrinangel.gif smile.gif hail.gif

[Mah'chew]

That's really cool graemlins/respekt.gif

[uzibee]

I remember when you almost quit Alex (I almost quit too!)...What a journey/ride it has been!

[ June 10, 2003, 05:38 AM: Message edited by: uzibee ]

[DJ76]

Originally posted by uzibee:
I remember when you almost quit Alex...What a journey/ride it has been! but some people reminded me why I studied all these years. ;)

[Constantin]

congratulations alex and all the best for your future career.
your job sounds so fascinating, in fact it's the first time that i feel bad about quitting my law studies and dropping out of university ( for the music! :D )

constantin

[DJ76]

Originally posted by Constantin:
congratulations alex and all the best for your future career.
your job sounds so fascinating, in fact it's the first time that i feel bad about quitting my law studies and dropping out of university ( for the music! :D )

constantin You can do both, just not at the same time. Solidify one then enjoy doing the second one. Might not be easy if you have or plan on having a family ;)

[DJ Rated M]

congrats, Alex!!

[rob2601]

Congrats Alex!!! I know it's hard work and needs a lot of discipline and power to become a lawyer...

Respect and my best wishes for your future!!!

graemlins/thumbsup.gif

rob

[DJ76]

Thanks guys.

[Red D]

Still got august 9th in your agenda? Seems a good day to celebrate that with the united DHP-Belgium gang!

RD

[DJ76]

Originally posted by Red D:
Still got august 9th in your agenda? Seems a good day to celebrate that with the united DHP-Belgium gang!

RD yeah mon, putting a buck a day in my jar to pay that train ticket ;)
actually Den Haag - Brussels isn't that expensive, somewhere around 30 euros. Maybe if there's another interesting party b4 that date, I'll hook up. Just need a place to crash and I might be able to find some belgian good samaritan at the tribunal. he he.

[Randall Clobby]

Kongradulashuns, Alex. Now, about that Roach Motel 12"... ;)

[Red D]

Originally posted by DJ76:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Red D:
Still got august 9th in your agenda? Seems a good day to celebrate that with the united DHP-Belgium gang!

RD yeah mon, putting a buck a day in my jar to pay that train ticket ;)
actually Den Haag - Brussels isn't that expensive, somewhere around 30 euros. Maybe if there's another interesting party b4 that date, I'll hook up. Just need a place to crash and I might be able to find some belgian good samaritan at the tribunal. he he. </font>[/QUOTE]My place is notorious for being a crash-haven for house tourists :)

RD

[DJ76]

Originally posted by Randall Clobby:
Kongradulashuns, Alex. Now, about that Roach Motel 12"... ;) graemlins/rofl.gif

by the end of the summer, I promise.

[DJ76]

Originally posted by Red D:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by DJ76:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Red D:
Still got august 9th in your agenda? Seems a good day to celebrate that with the united DHP-Belgium gang!

RD yeah mon, putting a buck a day in my jar to pay that train ticket ;)
actually Den Haag - Brussels isn't that expensive, somewhere around 30 euros. Maybe if there's another interesting party b4 that date, I'll hook up. Just need a place to crash and I might be able to find some belgian good samaritan at the tribunal. he he. </font>[/QUOTE]My place is notorious for being a crash-haven for house tourists :)

RD </font>[/QUOTE]we shell speak.

other belgians: is this guy safe? :D

I went to London once, stayed at some freak's place and he has now changed the Kuo into cake-land.

[Mike Johnson]

Congrats! graemlins/beerchug.gif

[Dj Alex]

Hello Alex,

Damm bro I must say I was suprised but really happy for you . It really seems you have found what you are looking for . All the best with your career .

Peace Alex . ;)