Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)
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Three Interesting Facts From Our Strange World: Part 1
I consider myself to be a very curious person, one who loves to learn and discover new things. (And a person who frequently annoys my family and friends by whipping out my phone during a discussion to google a fact and then, not being content with just that one fact, will begin quoting the Wikipedia page to share all sorts of newly acquired trivia).
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in FYI
Released
“Sorry.” That is the last thing that the warden said to me as the prison m guards opened up the heavy iron doors that comprise the formidable gate to the state prison, setting me free at last from its impenetrable and soul crushing walls that have been my home for far too long. The system has finally acknowledged what I have known for almost two decades: I am innocent. I am not a murderer. Another man killed those people, not me.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in Fiction
Good Things Come in Surprise Packages
"I wonder what’s in it?” My best friend Sarah asked me for the seventeenth time. “I still have no clue,” I responded, “and before you ask me your next question, no, I haven’t figured out who sent it since you last asked me five minutes ago.”
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in Fiction
The curious case of Anthony Chebatoris
Since it became a state, Michigan has not carried out a single execution. Indeed, Michigan is only one of three states to have not carried out any executions since becoming a state, the other two being Alaska and Hawaii. Even before it became a state, there were only a handful of executions carried out in Michigan. In fact, not only was Michigan the first state to abolish the death penalty, having done so in 1846 for all crimes but treason (with it being completely abolished pursuant to Michigan's 1963 Constitution, which went into effect in 1964), but it was actually the first English-speaking territory on earth to abolish it.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in Criminal
Original Draft of "The 2010s and beyond"
Below is the complete and original draft of the article titled "The 2010s and beyond" that I wrote for the Michigan Bar Journal as part of a series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Michigan Bar Journal. I also wrote the accompanying timeline and the companion article titled "The continuing role of lawyers in today’s ever-changing world." All three pieces were subject to editorial changes, but this piece was subject to the most edits, mostly due to the length of the original draft. Below is my original version.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in FYI
The Story Behind My New Last Name
As many people have noticed, I recently legally changed my last name from Blessing to Blessing-Nelson. Since men don't ordinarily change their last names after getting married, I have been getting many questions from people who are curious about why I changed my name. The short answer to why my last name is now different is because I got married, and one of the many decisions you have to make when you get married is what your last name will be going forward. There are many options, and my wife and I chose to both hyphenate our names (we now both have the last name of Blessing-Nelson).
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)3 years ago in Families
Issues with App Games
Mobile app games can be a lot of fun and are a great way to blow off some steam and relax, even if just for a few minutes at a time. However, there are some increasingly common traits/features I have been noticing that take away from the experience. Everyone should be aware of these so that they can attempt to avoid them and even advocate against them.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)4 years ago in Gamers
History and Description of Vaccines and Herd Immunity
When discussing the history of vaccines, most people begin in 1796 with the invention of the direct predecessor to modern day vaccines.[1] However, the story actually “begins with the long history of infectious disease in humans, and in particular, with early uses of smallpox material to provide immunity to that disease.”[2] “Evidence exists that the Chinese employed smallpox inoculation (or variolation, as such use of smallpox material was called) as early as 1000 CE. It was practiced in Africa and Turkey as well, before it spread to Europe and the Americas.”[3]
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)4 years ago in Longevity
Port Huron Railroad Bridge
Locals of Port Huron, or indeed anyone who has ever been near the Port Huron Yacht Club, are undoubtedly familiar with the large, metal structure at the mouth of the Black River. But, even if you have seen it a million times, you might be wondering, what is it and what is its story?
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)4 years ago in FYI
Why do attorneys call themselves attorneys at law?. Top Story - January 2022.
Recently I saw some people on social media poking fun at attorneys for how they sometimes refer to themselves as “attorneys at law.” After all, isn’t that redundant and unnecessary? Aren’t all attorneys considered attorneys at law? If so, why bother saying "attorney at law" and not just "attorney"? As it turns out, while today it isn’t always necessary to specify “at law,” there is a reason for the practice.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)4 years ago in FYI
Five Serial Killers that Terrorized Michigan
When it comes to serial killers, a few key examples come to mind. However, the terrifying truth is that serial killers have always been around and there have been way more than just a few. Additionally, serial killers have affected every state. Michigan is certainly not an exception, as it has been terrorized by numerous serial killers throughout the years, including recently. Below is a brief discussion of five of the more notable serial killers that have terrorized my home state.
By Austin Blessing-Nelson (Blessing)4 years ago in Criminal
