Louis Berk PLLC - February 2022

Louis Berk PLLC - February 2022

www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 February 2022

Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death

A Little Bit, One Day at a Time The Art of Making Goals a Reality

Before we dive further into 2022, I’d like to take one more opportunity to look back at the holiday season. In the second week in December, the firm attended a holiday Christmas lighting community event in Kissimmee, Florida. Many attended, enjoyed great food, and listened to Puerto Rican artists play music. I do a lot of business in this area, and it was a great opportunity for me and my team to connect with the community. In the spirit of Christmas and giving, we raffled off a 50-inch television. The winner was Stephen Arroyo. One of the coolest things was that after the drawing, Stephen’s girlfriend told us that the television in their room had suddenly gone out and the timing could not have been more perfect! Feb. 1 is National Get Up Day. It’s a day intended to remind us to always get back up after we begin to stumble or have been knocked down. No matter how many times we feel like giving up, it’s important to always try again. Recently, my National Get Up Day started in January. My daughter finally started sleeping at night. My wife and I get 5–6-hour stretches before the baby wakes up for a feeding. One night, she even slept a whole 10 hours! Before this, since the baby was born, I hadn’t been to the gym. If you know anything about me, you know that working out is my decompression and mental health activity. It rejuvenates both my mind and body. Especially as we all set resolutions at the beginning of the year, it is important to make sure you’re always getting back up. I often find that sometimes, people can bite off more than they can chew. They may set out to achieve large goals,then become overwhelmed while trying to achieve them. It is important to keep the big picture and end goal in mind, but it’s also beneficial to break it up into smaller aspirations and take it one step at a time — one day at a time. Maybe you can’t fit an hourlong workout into your schedule, but you can always make room for 20 minutes. You likely won’t be able to read 100 books in two weeks, but if you break it up over a longer time period, you certainly can. I’ll never forget when I was

studying for the bar, it was a 12-week process consisting of 15- hour days, seven days a week. By the end of this time period, we were to have completed 100 essays and 12,000 questions. In the beginning, those numbers seemed intimidating, but the professor broke it down day by day, and by the end, we achieved it. This translates well to real life. When people start running full steam ahead with a large goal in mind, they usually get discouraged quickly, and instead of just doing a little bit, they don’t do anything at all. If you break it up, all you have to do is something right now. The next day, you can do a little bit then,

too. People say it takes 21 days to create a habit (others say it takes 66 days — but that’s an argument for another time). Once you start taking things one day at a time, before you know it, you’ve created a pattern. The key is to just start somewhere and to show up every single day.

-Louis Bernardo Berk

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Brock vs. Brock The Man Who Sued Himself

On July 1, 1993, Robert Lee Brock made a mistake. By his own account, he had a few too many alcoholic beverages that evening, and in his drunken state, he committed breaking and entering, as well as grand larceny. Brock was arrested, and the court sentenced him to 23 years behind bars at the Indian Creek Correctional Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. In 1995, Brock decided he deserved restitution. Reasoning that he had violated his own civil rights, he sued himself for $5 million. For his family’s pain and suffering, as well as his children’s college tuition, he requested $3 million. He also asked for $2 million to support his needs during his 23-year prison sentence. Central to Brock’s claim was that, due to his drinking, “I caused myself to violate my religious beliefs. This was done by my going out and getting arrested, which caused me to be in prison.” And since he was a ward of the state, he explained that Virginia should pay the $5 million on his behalf. After all, he was incarcerated and unable to work, and the state was responsible for his care. Plus, he promised to pay the money back after his release.

In a move that shocked no one (except, perhaps, Brock), Judge Rebecca Beach Smith dismissed his case. While she did call his claim “ludicrous,” she also praised his creativity, stating that he “presented an innovative approach to civil rights litigation.” Perhaps the lawsuit against himself wasn’t his first or last attempt at legal restitution. He once filed 29 complaints in a single year. Due to the repeated suits, the court removed his ability to file further litigation. “None of Brock’s allegations have ever been found by any court to have any merit,” the decision read. “Because Brock’s repeated, frivolous claims have placed a significant burden on this court, as well as on the district court ... we hereby impose sanctions upon Brock.” Brock’s case ranked No. 3 on Time Magazine’s list of Top 10 Outrageous Legal Battles. So, while he didn’t achieve wealth, he did gain fame. It was an impressive feat for a man who found a novel way to take personal responsibility for his actions.

More Than a Pinch of Salt 3 Ways to Reduce Your Sodium Intake

The average American adult eats 1,000 milligrams (mg) more than the recommended amount of sodium each day. Salt enhances flavor, is easy to add to food, and tastes pretty delicious. Unfortunately, too much of it is unhealthy and can cause high blood pressure or kidney damage. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your sodium intake without sacrificing flavor.

seasonings available to liven up your food. Experiment with new spices; the bolder the flavor, the less you’ll notice the reduced salt. Garlic is a popular choice, but check the nutrition information — salt is included in many spice blends.

Keep the shaker out of sight. If you want to reduce the amount of salt you use, try putting it away. Keeping

Read food labels. Processed foods tend to contain a lot of sodium, so it’s best to shop for fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. In particular, avoid premade sauces whenever possible. If you need to buy prepared meals, always read the label and look for items with less than 600 mg of sodium — the highest amount a meal can contain and still be labeled “healthy” by the FDA. Check serving sizes as well; 400 mg of sodium in one meal sounds good until you realize there are 2–3 servings in the package.

salt on the table increases the temptation to sprinkle a little bit more on your meal. You can still get up and get the salt out of the

cupboard if it’s really needed, but you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your actions and make a more conscious decision. It will also help kids, who may instinctively reach for the salt or copy their parents.

Cutting salt takes time, but the preference for salt is an acquired taste, and it can be unlearned. It may take several weeks or even a couple months to get used to the flavor of reduced salt, but those who successfully do often find salty foods they used to eat unpalatable. Once the extra sodium is gone from your diet, you probably won’t miss it — and your

Try other flavors. We have easy access to more types of salt than ever, but unfortunately, sea salt, Himalayan salt, and kosher salt don’t contain any less sodium than the table variety. Luckily, there are plenty of other

body will be a lot healthier for it.

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TAKE A BREAK

Roses, chocolate, and fancy restaurants are Valentine’s Day staples for a reason. They’re classic and timeless, but if you’ve done them year after year, they could also get a little bit boring. To wow your significant other this Feb. 14, think beyond the most famous ways to celebrate. They’ll probably appreciate a twist — and the time you spent making their day special. Get Creative This Valentine’s Day NOT ANOTHER CANDLELIT DINNER

Create a relationship scrapbook. Nothing says “I love you”

like a gift you’ve made with your own hands. By making a scrapbook of your favorite memories with your partner, you’ll also amaze them with your sensitivity and dedication. A scrapbook can consist of photographs, restaurant menus, movie tickets, wedding invitations,

This succulent chicken stuffed with cheese, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes is impressive on the plate but easy in the kitchen! MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST

vacation souvenirs, and some carefully chosen words about why you value the relationship. Don’t be afraid to get inventive with your decorations or scour the internet for tips and tricks. Go stargazing. What’s more romantic than staring up at the stars? Your first step will be to find a local spot that’s dark and secluded enough for a good view of the nighttime sky. Once you do, your next course of action will depend on the weather. If it’s temperate, get a picnic blanket and enjoy the outdoors. If it’s cold, stay in the car, turn off the headlights, and snuggle up. Don’t forget to bring wine and a romantic snack. If all goes well, you might end up watching the sunrise. Schedule a couples’ spa day. Forget what you think you know: Spa days are for everyone. Your other half will love the opportunity to experience a massage, sauna, and other assorted treatments. Plus, many spas offer romantic couples’ packages with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Once you’re both sufficiently relaxed and looking your best, you’ll likely feel closer than ever. Some spas also offer overnight stays so you can transition seamlessly into a romantic evening. All of these ideas will take a little bit of planning, so it’s time to start dreaming up your big surprise. When you see their reaction, your only concern will be how to top yourself next year.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts • 2 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed • 2 canned artichoke hearts, chopped • 4 tsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 10 large basil leaves, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 1/2 tsp curry powder • 1/2 tsp paprika • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 365 F. 2. Cut a slit lengthwise to create a pocket in the middle of each chicken breast. Place the breasts on a baking sheet. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, basil, and garlic. 4. Divide the mixture in half and stuff each chicken breast pocket. Using toothpicks, seal the edges of the pockets. 5. Season the chicken with curry, paprika, salt, and pepper, then bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 F. 6. Remove the toothpicks and serve with rice, potatoes, salad, or roasted vegetables!

Inspired by DiabetesStrong.com

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1

National Get Up Day

The Man Who Sued Himself Reduce Your Sodium Intake With These 3 Tips

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Mediterranean Stuffed Chicken Breast Creative Valentine’s Day Ideas

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Clean Hydrogen Explained

Is Clean Hydrogen the Energy of the Future? What You Need to Know

The European Union has made substantial investments in clean hydrogen as a renewable energy source, hoping it can help reduce carbon emissions. With the infrastructure bill Congress passed in November, the U.S. is also looking to invest in new energy sources, including clean hydrogen. But what is clean hydrogen, and why has so much hope been placed on it? Hydrogen is already used today as an energy source, and while the hydrogen itself is clean, the process used to make it is not. The energy industry describes hydrogen using a color-coded system — hydrogen created with steam methane is gray, and hydrogen produced with fossil fuels is brown. Neither is considered clean energy.

hydrogen is produced with methane, but the carbon is captured instead of released into the environment. Detractors argue that blue hydrogen is not more environmentally friendly than other existing technologies and point to its high costs. Proponents, however, consider it a stepping stone to the cleanest form of hydrogen. Green hydrogen comes from electrolysis, a process that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. For the hydrogen to be green, the electricity used to create it must come from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower. The process almost completely eliminates emissions, and it’s the form of energy the EU is investing in the most. One day, it may even power cars. But clean hydrogen has its detractors. Some environmental activists argue that we need to move away from gas power

entirely and use less electricity overall. In the case of blue hydrogen, they also say that simply capturing the carbon is not enough to ward off climate change. Energy experts who otherwise support clean hydrogen also point out that it’s currently much more expensive than fossil fuel production. The U.S. has launched a plan to bring the cost of green hydrogen down significantly by 2030, but its use currently accounts for less than 1% of total annual hydrogen production worldwide. Before clean hydrogen can be a viable energy alternative, governments and industries need to deploy significant resources to develop infrastructure, expand production, and drive down costs. Whether clean hydrogen will be a major future energy source depends on how much the world is willing to invest in it.

Whether or not blue hydrogen is “clean” will depend on whom you ask. Blue

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www.LouisBerkLaw.com 407-906-0500 February 2022

Car Accidents | Truck Accidents | Pedestrian Accidents | Slip & Fall/Premises Liability | Wrongful Death

Un Poco, Un Día a la Vez El Arte de Hacer Realidad los Objetivos

alimentarse. Una noche, ¡incluso llegó a dormir 10 horas enteras! Antes de ello, desde que nació la bebé, no había ido al gimnasio. Si me conocen, saben que hacer ejercicio es mi actividad de descomprensión y salud mental. Rejuvenece mi cuerpo y mi mente. Especialmente porque todos nos fijamos objetivos a principios de año, es importante asegurarnos que siempre nos levantemos. A menudo observo que la gente quiere abarcar más de lo que puede. Puede que se propongan alcanzar grandes objetivos y luego se sientan abrumados mientras tratan de lograrlos. Es importante tener en cuenta el panorama general y el objetivo final, pero también es beneficioso dividirlo en pequeñas aspiraciones e ir paso a paso, un día a la vez. Quizás no puedas incluir toda una hora para hacer ejercicios en tu agenda, pero siempre puedes hacer espacio para 20 minutos. Es probable que no puedas leer 100 libros en dos semanas, pero si divides la lectura en un plazo más largo, sin duda lo lograrás. Nunca olvidaré cuando estaba estudiando para el examen del colegio de abogados. Fue un proceso de 12 semanas que consistía en jornadas de 15 horas, los siete días de la semana. Al final de este plazo, debíamos haber terminado 100 ensayos y 12 000 preguntas. Al inicio, esos números parecían intimidantes, pero el profesor los dividió día por día y, al final, lo logramos. Esto se aplica a la vida real. Cuando la gente comienza a operar a toda máquina con un gran objetivo en mente, suele desanimarse rápidamente y en lugar de hacer solo un poco, no hacen nada en absoluto. Si lo divides, todo lo que tienes que hacer es algo en este momento. El siguiente día, también puedes hacer otro poco. La gente dice que se necesitan 21 días para crear un hábito (otros dicen que se necesitan 66 días, pero esa es una discusión para otro momento).

Antes de que nos adentremos más en el año 2022, me gustaría tener otra oportunidad para repasar la temporada navideña. Durante la segunda semana de diciembre, la empresa asistió a un evento comunitario de iluminación navideña en Kissimmee, Florida. Hubo muchos asistentes quienes disfrutaron de buena comida y escucharon tocar música a artistas puertorriqueños. Hago muchos negocios en esta área y fue una excelente oportunidad para mí y para mi equipo para conectarnos con la comunidad. Con motivo de la Navidad y el Día de Acción de Gracias, sorteamos un televisor de 50 pulgadas. El ganador fue Stephen Arroyo. Una de las cosas más interesantes que sucedió fue que después del sorteo, la novia de Stephen nos contó que el televisor de su habitación se apagó súbitamente ¡así que el momento no podía ser más perfecto! Este mes, el 1 de febrero celebramos el Día Nacional del Resurgimiento. Este día tiene la intención de recordarnos que siempre debemos levantarnos después de que comenzamos a tropezar o hemos sido derrotados. Independientemente de la cantidad de veces que tengamos ganas de rendirnos, es importante siempre volver a intentarlo. Hace poco, mi Día Nacional del Resurgimiento comenzó en enero. Finalmente mi hija comenzó a dormir de noche. Mi esposa y yo dormimos entre 5 y 6 horas antes de que la bebé se despierte para

Una vez que comience a tomar las cosas un día a la vez, antes de que se dé cuenta, habrá creado un patrón. La clave es empezar por algún sitio y dar la cara cada día. -Louis Bernardo Berk

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Brock contra Brock

El hombre que se demandó a sí mismo

El primero de julio de 1993, Robert Lee Brock cometió un error. En sus propias palabras, se había pasado de bebidas alcohólicas esa noche y, en su estado de embriaguez, allanó una morada, además de incurrir en hurtos mayores. Brock fue arrestado y la corte lo sentenció a 23 años detrás de las rejas en el centro penitenciario Indian Creek en Chesapeake, Virginia. En 1995, Brock decidió que merecía un resarcimiento. Con la lógica de que había violado sus propios derechos civiles, se demandó a sí mismo por el valor de 5 millones de dólares. Por el dolor y sufrimiento de su familia, así como para la universidad de sus hijos, solicitó 3 millones de dólares. También pidió 2 millones para solventar sus necesidades durante el cumplimiento de su sentencia de 23 años. Fundamental para la demanda de Brock fue el hecho de que, debido a su problema con el alcohol, “Hice que yo mismo transgrediera mis creencias religiosas. Esto se produjo debido a que salí y me arrestaron, lo que me llevó a estar en prisión”. Y dado que se encontraba bajo la tutela del Estado, explicó que debería ser el estado de Virginia quien debiera pagar los 5 millones de dólares en su nombre. Después de todo, él estaba en la cárcel y estaba imposibilitado de trabajar, y el Estado era responsable de cuidar de él. Además, prometió devolver el dinero después de que lo liberaran.

En una resolución que no sorprendió a nadie (excepto, quizás, al propio Brock), la jueza Rebecca Beach Smith desestimó su caso. Aunque afirmó que el reclamo de Brock era “ridículo”, también elogió su creatividad al declarar que “Presentó un enfoque innovador para los litigios de derecho civil”. Es posible que el juicio contra sí mismo no fuera ni su primer ni su último intento de conseguir una compensación legal. Una vez presentó 29 denuncias en un solo año. Debido a las repetidas demandas, la corte le quitó la capacidad de presentar nuevos litigios. “Jamás hubo ninguna corte que hallara que alguna de las acusaciones de Brock tuviera algún tipo de mérito”, se afirmaba en la decisión. “Debido a que las repetidas y frívolas demandas de Brock han supuesto una carga significativa sobre esta corte, así como sobre la corte distrital... Por el presente acto imponemos sanciones sobre Brock”. El caso de Brock alcanzó el nro. 3 en la lista de “Top 10 de las batallas legales más estrafalarias” de la revista Times. Así que, si bien no logró ser rico, sí alcanzó la fama. Es una hazaña formidable para un hombre que descubrió una forma novedosa de responsabilizarse por sus actos.

• 2 pechugas de pollo • 55 gramos de mozzarella, en cubos • 2 corazones de alcachofa enlatados, picados • 4 cucharaditas de tomates disecados, picados • 10 hojas grandes de albahaca, picadas Ingredientes Instrucciones 1. Precalentar el horno a 185°C. 2. Realizar un corte longitudinal para crear un bolsillo en el centro de cada pechuga. Colocar las pechugas en una placa para horno. 3. En un recipiente mediano, combinar la mozzarella, los corazones de alcachofas, los tomates, la albahaca y el ajo. 4. Dividir la mezcla en dos y rellenar el bolsillo de cada pechuga. Utilizando mondadientes, sellar los bordes de los bolsillos. 5. Sazonar el pollo con curry, pimentón, sal y pimienta. Luego, hornear por 20 minutos o hasta que el pollo alcance los 75°C. 6. ¡Quitar los mondadientes y server con arroz, papas, ensalada o vegetales asados! PECHUGA DE POLLO CON RELLENO MEDITERRÁNEO • 2 dientes de ajo, picados • 1/2 cucharadita de curry en polvo • 1/2 cucharadita de pimentón • Sal y pimienta, a gusto

Inspirada por DiabetesStrong.com

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