Weekend, It's the Weekend...
Man, I love the weekend. We had four friends over for dinner last night: lots of laughs, eggplant parmagiano, several bottles of red wine, and Marie Calendar's pies. What more could I want?
I've got 2 LWR assignments, quite a bit of reading, outlining I should but probably won't do, and chores and working out that I probably will do. One of the chores, as I mentioned, is to go to Frys and leave with only a new cpu fan and a case fan. I can only hope that the recent addition of Simpson's Hit and Run to the household will keep the technology urges in check. I suppose we'll see. (Simpons Hit and Run rocks, by the way.)
As for school, it's slightly geared up, but still in an acceptably chill state. A 2L friend of mine tried to gently curb my enthusiasm the other day, "the last 4 weeks are going to be hell, just accept it." The 3L who heads the fundraising committee for the pro bono student group I joined had this to say while trying to schedule the event:
Well, we can't have it after Thanksgiving. A horrible exam-death descends on the campus after Thanksgiving and it's a terrible place. No one will be interested in attending a social event, even if it's for a good cause.
Rad...I can't wait.
October 18, 2003
October 17, 2003
Phew...
I'm pretty good about doing my reading before class. But yesterday, I was in such a hurry to leave school that I forgot to pack my books. At home, I felt like I was playing hooky. Reading my pleasure book, drinking wine, watching a movie, hanging out with E, and even eating the remainder of the leftover avocado soup all felt like guilty, dirty, cheating fun. Funny how stolen fruit tastes better.
The gods must not look too much down on my sins because my unpreparedness went unpunished--although my friend H, who sits next to me, was called on, and stumbled through the response from the book briefs. Book briefs... those things look pretty cool. May have to go get me some.
I'm pretty good about doing my reading before class. But yesterday, I was in such a hurry to leave school that I forgot to pack my books. At home, I felt like I was playing hooky. Reading my pleasure book, drinking wine, watching a movie, hanging out with E, and even eating the remainder of the leftover avocado soup all felt like guilty, dirty, cheating fun. Funny how stolen fruit tastes better.
The gods must not look too much down on my sins because my unpreparedness went unpunished--although my friend H, who sits next to me, was called on, and stumbled through the response from the book briefs. Book briefs... those things look pretty cool. May have to go get me some.
October 15, 2003
Technology, can't live with it...
My desktop hard drive is dying. Intermittently, it likes to crash. Horribly. As in "I can't find the kernel file, I can't boot" type crashing. Both Windows and Linux are dead when this happens. After it cools, it seems to work for a while. So, I took the side of the case off and am letting it breath easy in the end of its life. But, the functioning period is decreasing in average time--shortly it'll average 5 minutes, no doubt. So, cross your fingers for me and hope that I get my backups across the network before this functional period runs out.
I'm off to write a sample exam answer for professor rate. I also hope the computer doesn't crash before that's done and printed. Wish me luck.
P.S. Chilled avocado soup is the bomb.
My desktop hard drive is dying. Intermittently, it likes to crash. Horribly. As in "I can't find the kernel file, I can't boot" type crashing. Both Windows and Linux are dead when this happens. After it cools, it seems to work for a while. So, I took the side of the case off and am letting it breath easy in the end of its life. But, the functioning period is decreasing in average time--shortly it'll average 5 minutes, no doubt. So, cross your fingers for me and hope that I get my backups across the network before this functional period runs out.
I'm off to write a sample exam answer for professor rate. I also hope the computer doesn't crash before that's done and printed. Wish me luck.
P.S. Chilled avocado soup is the bomb.
October 14, 2003
Soup Season
8 weeks in. Fall, as much as it comes here, is on it's way. It's getting colder at night. The time for soup and big red wine is here. Mmmmm.....
Traditionally, I read more during the colder seasons. I hope this habit will serve me well this semester. Some concentrated reading and outlining is probably in order for the weekend but today is chores, and the rest of the week rolling along in the go to class, workout, read, research, and write mode. I'm keeping up, but feel like a bit of mid-semester consolidation would do wonders for keeping me relaxed and focused on the important things in life. Like soup.
Last night, E and I enjoyed green bean and parmesan soup--a much better use of green beans than as a side dish.
Sautee a few chopped garlic cloves in 2 T butter.
Throw in a hand full of green beans, with the ends chopped off.
After two minutes, add a can of chicken stock, salt, and pepper to taste.
Boil for 10-15 minutes until beans are tender.
Puree the beans and liquid 'til smooth and return to the pot.
Mix in a handful of parmesan cheese until melted.
Serve immediately.
Tonight: avocado soup.
8 weeks in. Fall, as much as it comes here, is on it's way. It's getting colder at night. The time for soup and big red wine is here. Mmmmm.....
Traditionally, I read more during the colder seasons. I hope this habit will serve me well this semester. Some concentrated reading and outlining is probably in order for the weekend but today is chores, and the rest of the week rolling along in the go to class, workout, read, research, and write mode. I'm keeping up, but feel like a bit of mid-semester consolidation would do wonders for keeping me relaxed and focused on the important things in life. Like soup.
Last night, E and I enjoyed green bean and parmesan soup--a much better use of green beans than as a side dish.
Sautee a few chopped garlic cloves in 2 T butter.
Throw in a hand full of green beans, with the ends chopped off.
After two minutes, add a can of chicken stock, salt, and pepper to taste.
Boil for 10-15 minutes until beans are tender.
Puree the beans and liquid 'til smooth and return to the pot.
Mix in a handful of parmesan cheese until melted.
Serve immediately.
Tonight: avocado soup.
October 11, 2003
October 10, 2003
What a Week!
The work load was particularly brutal this week. The final draft of our memo is due Monday, and several of my classes have hit topics that are more complex than anything we've covered up to this point. My workout schedule took quite a hit this week. But, thankfully, I was able to fit in a quick workout between classes today that let me join my classmates at the bar after school. Usually, I'm in a hurry to get away from school in order to fit in a workout and relax in the sanctuary of home. But, today, I was feeling social, and glad that I went. I learned at least 5 new names, which for me, is amazing. I met people I'd never seen, and most of 'em were cooler than the average stress cadet I encounter on a daily basis. Again, I suspect there is a positive correlation between law students' willingness to toss back a few drinks and my enjoyment of their company.
The work load was particularly brutal this week. The final draft of our memo is due Monday, and several of my classes have hit topics that are more complex than anything we've covered up to this point. My workout schedule took quite a hit this week. But, thankfully, I was able to fit in a quick workout between classes today that let me join my classmates at the bar after school. Usually, I'm in a hurry to get away from school in order to fit in a workout and relax in the sanctuary of home. But, today, I was feeling social, and glad that I went. I learned at least 5 new names, which for me, is amazing. I met people I'd never seen, and most of 'em were cooler than the average stress cadet I encounter on a daily basis. Again, I suspect there is a positive correlation between law students' willingness to toss back a few drinks and my enjoyment of their company.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Wednesday morning, I observed arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the human feces on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse steps, I couldn't believe how much the reality of the Court of Appeals matched my dreams for what it should be.
The courtroom was smaller than I expected, with seating for 50 people, two small tables for the attorneys, and the bench, which was flanked in the back by Grecian-looking female statues carrying a banner on their heads. I stood in the corner, near a floor-to-ceiling marble pillar, as the arguments for the next case began. The judges presiding over the arguments were: Procter Hug, Jr., Senior Circuit Judge, who was quick to smile and engage attorneys in humorous word-play; A. Wallace Tashima, Senior Circuit Judge, who spent much of his time examining documents, but when he did speak, it was apparent that he was listening very carefully to every word that was said despite his lack of eye contact; and Betty Binns Fletcher, Circuit Judge, who had a disarmingly soft-spoken voice that delivered the most critical comments of the three judges. All of the judges were plain-spoken, and appeared to know the law better than any of the attorneys before them.
Wednesday morning, I observed arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the human feces on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse steps, I couldn't believe how much the reality of the Court of Appeals matched my dreams for what it should be.
The courtroom was smaller than I expected, with seating for 50 people, two small tables for the attorneys, and the bench, which was flanked in the back by Grecian-looking female statues carrying a banner on their heads. I stood in the corner, near a floor-to-ceiling marble pillar, as the arguments for the next case began. The judges presiding over the arguments were: Procter Hug, Jr., Senior Circuit Judge, who was quick to smile and engage attorneys in humorous word-play; A. Wallace Tashima, Senior Circuit Judge, who spent much of his time examining documents, but when he did speak, it was apparent that he was listening very carefully to every word that was said despite his lack of eye contact; and Betty Binns Fletcher, Circuit Judge, who had a disarmingly soft-spoken voice that delivered the most critical comments of the three judges. All of the judges were plain-spoken, and appeared to know the law better than any of the attorneys before them.
October 7, 2003
Stuff Learned
As of this moment, the 5th Google hit for the purported future governor is for a weight loss supplement. Seems that the stereotype of shallow Californians may hold a bit of truth, no?
Sometimes (like last night), after finishing a ton of law school reading before bed, I sleep fitfully--tons of weird dreams about vaguely legal sh*t, but mainly just not restful sleep. Is this happening to any other law students? I wish we knew more about dreams. I've heard of the theory that REM is knowledge download and sorting, but it hasn't been proven yet, has it? Too bad, I'd really like to know more about my rabbit teeth dream, and what the hell I was downloading and sorting there...
Finally, the word of the day is:
propinquity.
pro·pin·qui·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-pngkw-t)
n.
1. Proximity; nearness.
2. Kinship.
3. Similarity in nature.
[Middle English propinquite, from Old French, from Latin propinquits, from propinquus, near. See per1 in Indo-European Roots.]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
As of this moment, the 5th Google hit for the purported future governor is for a weight loss supplement. Seems that the stereotype of shallow Californians may hold a bit of truth, no?
Sometimes (like last night), after finishing a ton of law school reading before bed, I sleep fitfully--tons of weird dreams about vaguely legal sh*t, but mainly just not restful sleep. Is this happening to any other law students? I wish we knew more about dreams. I've heard of the theory that REM is knowledge download and sorting, but it hasn't been proven yet, has it? Too bad, I'd really like to know more about my rabbit teeth dream, and what the hell I was downloading and sorting there...
Finally, the word of the day is:
propinquity.
pro·pin·qui·ty ( P ) Pronunciation Key (pr-pngkw-t)
n.
1. Proximity; nearness.
2. Kinship.
3. Similarity in nature.
[Middle English propinquite, from Old French, from Latin propinquits, from propinquus, near. See per1 in Indo-European Roots.]
Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
October 6, 2003
Loathing
Yup. I still hate LWR. Every minute of it. Today, I boiled at the lecture/reminder that any one absence without a hospital discharge or any missed assignment could equal 10 percent of our grade. What? When the instructor himself has had the TAs teach two of the classes, has rescheduled two classes to his office, and hasn't given us any feedback on a single piece of work. Mind you, it's the 7th week of a 15-week semester. He's batting less than 500 on teaching the lectures in their scheduled locations, and he's got a big fat goose egg of a percentage on actually grading or providing feedback for any of our assigned work product. Oh, and the lectures cover material that should be obvious to anyone who's taken more than 2 semesters of AP or college level English writing. So, yeah. I hate it--I don't deal well with inefficiency and waste, particularly when it's my time being wasted.
Today, I decided to channel my negative LWR energy to a good cause. First, I bought a bottle of Kettle One to add to the secret bar that some of my section mates and I are keeping in an abandoned locker. Second, I tried to meditate and count my breaths while being lectured in LWR. Guess what? I don't have that much Zen.
So, I settled for haiku, pulling words from the lecture and my thoughts:
He went to the bar
before class, were i did too
omit needless words
don't konw what to say
one idea paragraph
Strunk and White for you
blue sky fog approach
first sentence only matters
unhappy work--bad
cheating words added
poem, one good paragraph
one dish at a time
windows receding
architectural puzzle
stuck in my chair here
word coitus preferred
Tarzan verbs for each Jane noun
vary the music
edit the story
great narrative tradition
lawyers tell big ones
Yup. I still hate LWR. Every minute of it. Today, I boiled at the lecture/reminder that any one absence without a hospital discharge or any missed assignment could equal 10 percent of our grade. What? When the instructor himself has had the TAs teach two of the classes, has rescheduled two classes to his office, and hasn't given us any feedback on a single piece of work. Mind you, it's the 7th week of a 15-week semester. He's batting less than 500 on teaching the lectures in their scheduled locations, and he's got a big fat goose egg of a percentage on actually grading or providing feedback for any of our assigned work product. Oh, and the lectures cover material that should be obvious to anyone who's taken more than 2 semesters of AP or college level English writing. So, yeah. I hate it--I don't deal well with inefficiency and waste, particularly when it's my time being wasted.
Today, I decided to channel my negative LWR energy to a good cause. First, I bought a bottle of Kettle One to add to the secret bar that some of my section mates and I are keeping in an abandoned locker. Second, I tried to meditate and count my breaths while being lectured in LWR. Guess what? I don't have that much Zen.
So, I settled for haiku, pulling words from the lecture and my thoughts:
He went to the bar
before class, were i did too
omit needless words
don't konw what to say
one idea paragraph
Strunk and White for you
blue sky fog approach
first sentence only matters
unhappy work--bad
cheating words added
poem, one good paragraph
one dish at a time
windows receding
architectural puzzle
stuck in my chair here
word coitus preferred
Tarzan verbs for each Jane noun
vary the music
edit the story
great narrative tradition
lawyers tell big ones
Setting it straight
Saturday I read and highlighted 12 cases for my memo. Then I drove to my hometown to have dinner with friends and play with my niece until her bed time.
Sunday, the same friends and I drove to the harvest festival in Amador County. On the way there, we found ourselves waiting at a stop-sign to enter the two-lane highway. There was a parade of several hundred motorcycles, and no break in the traffic. We were all impatient. The firstcare car in the line missed several opportunities to go and we (the people in my car) were grumbling, "come on, you could have made it." The passengers in the second car actually threw their hands up in disgust when the first car refused to make a break for it in one of the traffic breaks.
After the first and second car finally got on the highway, the car in front of us jumped out when there was a break in the far lane. A 1/2-ton truck in the near lane slammed into the front of the sedan, causing it to spin two times. I held the streering wheel hoping it wouldn't spin a third time and hit us. When it stopped, we jumped out, called 911, and all offered what we could to help. One of my friends is an Athletic Trainer. She called the shots, ordering people to help until the paramedics, jaws of life, and fire department arrived. Even after all the professionals arrived, they handed her gloves and enlisted her help in getting the woman who was pinned out of the truck. The driver of the car that the truck hit was a young boy, probably 18. His passenger was his grandmother. They both appeared to be in excellent condition even though their American-made sedan was missing most of the engine block. The driver of the truck appeared to be fine. The passenger of the truck had a broken hand, a broken leg, a dislocated hip, head trauma from her head breaking the side window, and chest pain. Life changed for all of those people in half of a second. It almost changed for us. The car behind the truck was driven by a race car driver, who avoided the crash. Had he not, we probably would have been hit as well.
Be careful people. Slow down. Keep your priorities straight. I was glad that I had chosen to spend the weekend with family and friends instead of finishing my memo. That's what I'll be doing this morning. I have no problem trading a few LWR points for quality of life in a world where we can die at any moment.
Saturday I read and highlighted 12 cases for my memo. Then I drove to my hometown to have dinner with friends and play with my niece until her bed time.
Sunday, the same friends and I drove to the harvest festival in Amador County. On the way there, we found ourselves waiting at a stop-sign to enter the two-lane highway. There was a parade of several hundred motorcycles, and no break in the traffic. We were all impatient. The first
After the first and second car finally got on the highway, the car in front of us jumped out when there was a break in the far lane. A 1/2-ton truck in the near lane slammed into the front of the sedan, causing it to spin two times. I held the streering wheel hoping it wouldn't spin a third time and hit us. When it stopped, we jumped out, called 911, and all offered what we could to help. One of my friends is an Athletic Trainer. She called the shots, ordering people to help until the paramedics, jaws of life, and fire department arrived. Even after all the professionals arrived, they handed her gloves and enlisted her help in getting the woman who was pinned out of the truck. The driver of the car that the truck hit was a young boy, probably 18. His passenger was his grandmother. They both appeared to be in excellent condition even though their American-made sedan was missing most of the engine block. The driver of the truck appeared to be fine. The passenger of the truck had a broken hand, a broken leg, a dislocated hip, head trauma from her head breaking the side window, and chest pain. Life changed for all of those people in half of a second. It almost changed for us. The car behind the truck was driven by a race car driver, who avoided the crash. Had he not, we probably would have been hit as well.
Be careful people. Slow down. Keep your priorities straight. I was glad that I had chosen to spend the weekend with family and friends instead of finishing my memo. That's what I'll be doing this morning. I have no problem trading a few LWR points for quality of life in a world where we can die at any moment.
October 3, 2003
Blogging in the real world
Thanks to Howard for the the link to the Glove Girl story. I hang around a lot of hard-core valley tech nerds who see blogging as yet another fad. But, no matter what people may think, blogging is affecting corporate America, and has come into its own. Where it goes from here remains to be seen. Obviously, those of us who commit our thoughts to the ether believe it's here to stay, but only time will tell.
Thanks to Howard for the the link to the Glove Girl story. I hang around a lot of hard-core valley tech nerds who see blogging as yet another fad. But, no matter what people may think, blogging is affecting corporate America, and has come into its own. Where it goes from here remains to be seen. Obviously, those of us who commit our thoughts to the ether believe it's here to stay, but only time will tell.
New Blogger
Public Defender Dude chronicles the life of a PD. It's a great perspective to have available. Check it out.
Public Defender Dude chronicles the life of a PD. It's a great perspective to have available. Check it out.
October 2, 2003
Teeth Dreams
I once had a roommate who had teeth dreams at least once a week. I now sort of understand just how disconcerting they may have been.
I had the oddest teeth dreams last night. I flossed my teeth and they became hollow. Then most of 'em fell out. Then, I opened my mouth wide and had a spare second set of teeth curled back into my mouth--long, and curved, like rabit teeth. I filed down the rabbit teeth and they were gorgeous--fully replacing the hollow teeth, which had disappeared.
Weird.
In other news, Rush Limbaugh may be in trouble. There are many people who would love to see the allegations of drug abuse be true. We'll see.
I once had a roommate who had teeth dreams at least once a week. I now sort of understand just how disconcerting they may have been.
I had the oddest teeth dreams last night. I flossed my teeth and they became hollow. Then most of 'em fell out. Then, I opened my mouth wide and had a spare second set of teeth curled back into my mouth--long, and curved, like rabit teeth. I filed down the rabbit teeth and they were gorgeous--fully replacing the hollow teeth, which had disappeared.
Weird.
In other news, Rush Limbaugh may be in trouble. There are many people who would love to see the allegations of drug abuse be true. We'll see.
October 1, 2003
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
With the first day of October comes the realization that there's only two months of classes left until classes are over and finals are here. Weird. 6 weeks in and 9 weeks left, including two graded LWR memos (the first of which is approaching rapidly, fun) and lots of outlining. That was fast. You'd think with 6 weeks down, Ken would have proven to actually be a nice guy (far from the truth), Ms. Cute-Loud would have shown up at least one day without the glam, professor rate would have evolved in her verbal tick, and I'd have more to report. But, I don't.
In fact, if anything Ken, is turning out to be a bigger a**hole than most of us imagined. Initially, I tried to defend his social idiocy when he wasn't around and people were talking sh*t. But then one day I, too, was attacked by him. And he just continued to make offensive comments and talk at people when they attempted to better understand his point. Sorry buddy, no more defense from me.
In other news, the word of the day is Contumacious. It's a pretty good word.
con·tu·ma·cious ( P ) Pronunciation Key (knt-mshs, -ty-)
adj.
Obstinately disobedient or rebellious; insubordinate.
contu·macious·ly adv.
contu·macious·ness n.
With the first day of October comes the realization that there's only two months of classes left until classes are over and finals are here. Weird. 6 weeks in and 9 weeks left, including two graded LWR memos (the first of which is approaching rapidly, fun) and lots of outlining. That was fast. You'd think with 6 weeks down, Ken would have proven to actually be a nice guy (far from the truth), Ms. Cute-Loud would have shown up at least one day without the glam, professor rate would have evolved in her verbal tick, and I'd have more to report. But, I don't.
In fact, if anything Ken, is turning out to be a bigger a**hole than most of us imagined. Initially, I tried to defend his social idiocy when he wasn't around and people were talking sh*t. But then one day I, too, was attacked by him. And he just continued to make offensive comments and talk at people when they attempted to better understand his point. Sorry buddy, no more defense from me.
In other news, the word of the day is Contumacious. It's a pretty good word.
con·tu·ma·cious ( P ) Pronunciation Key (knt-mshs, -ty-)
adj.
Obstinately disobedient or rebellious; insubordinate.
contu·macious·ly adv.
contu·macious·ness n.
September 30, 2003
Does this stuff actually work?
I received some great spam this morning. Who actually falls for these things? I like how email to excite is "secure".
David Taylor
11 Taylor close
Monrovia
Liberia.
My name is David Taylor brother to former Liberia president Charles
Taylor I seek your partnership in helping me invest the sum of 8.5million
US dollars on properties in your country This funds are proceeds from
sales of our country natural minerals resources to some companies in
Europe while my brother was still in office.
If you know that I can trust you with this funds and you have property
investment experience reply to this my secure email address -
dd11taylor@excite.com
I received some great spam this morning. Who actually falls for these things? I like how email to excite is "secure".
David Taylor
11 Taylor close
Monrovia
Liberia.
My name is David Taylor brother to former Liberia president Charles
Taylor I seek your partnership in helping me invest the sum of 8.5million
US dollars on properties in your country This funds are proceeds from
sales of our country natural minerals resources to some companies in
Europe while my brother was still in office.
If you know that I can trust you with this funds and you have property
investment experience reply to this my secure email address -
dd11taylor@excite.com
September 28, 2003
Student Life
I love school. Do you hear me? I'm going against all 1L trends and admitting it. How could I not?
I get to read hilarious cases infused with the language of erudite, pompous, muddled, and straightforward judges. I actually like the reading--you can feel the people behind it. I hear my fellow students complaining about how legal cases are dry, and I want to say, "try reading technical specifications." I'm telling you, cases are great.
I am required to attend 14 hours a week of class. Only I'm not really required. Of course, there's more to do if I'd like to go: discussion groups, student group meetings, group study and research sessions in the library. But really, the life of a law student is full of freedom. The freedom to not do your reading. The freedom to not go to class. The freedom to go out every night and party like a rock star before exercising the freedom of not going to class. I can only assume that students who complain about 1L don't like the side effects of exercising these freedoms. Or maybe they hate having the choice and making the one that seems less fun. I'm not certain.
This week was slow after the Wednesday from hell (first LWR assignment due, 9:30-6:30 at school). So, I haven't brought my school bag in the house since Wednesday. The next time I'll have to do so is Monday evening. To celebrate my freedom, I started 100 years of solitude, pushed the weekly total to 17.5 miles of running, and agreed to participate in a grueling weekend of chores and socializing that have nothing to do with law school. I'm starting to wonder if I could get up to 30 miles a week, which is baseline for a marathon. I never thought I'd want to do a marathon, but given how much time I'm finding in my schedule these days, if I was going to do one, this year would be a good time. *laugh* My guess is that idea will die a timely death sometime next week.
Why am I celebrating law school so loudly? I know it's not the style. I know it's not what 1Ls do. I know I'm supposed to lament how much work I'm doing and how concerned about my grades I am. But, I'm telling you--my quality of life hasn't been this good in years. It makes me so sad to see my fellow students stress themselves out and hate every minute of it. I hate to see them forego the fun and relaxation that is there for the taking, because most of us won't ever get this time back. We're all going back out into the real world--even those of us that avoid BIGLAW. We're still going to be on at least a 40-hour grind. Having just come off of the grind, I can only say, student life rocks--even the reading. Have some FUN people!
I love school. Do you hear me? I'm going against all 1L trends and admitting it. How could I not?
I get to read hilarious cases infused with the language of erudite, pompous, muddled, and straightforward judges. I actually like the reading--you can feel the people behind it. I hear my fellow students complaining about how legal cases are dry, and I want to say, "try reading technical specifications." I'm telling you, cases are great.
I am required to attend 14 hours a week of class. Only I'm not really required. Of course, there's more to do if I'd like to go: discussion groups, student group meetings, group study and research sessions in the library. But really, the life of a law student is full of freedom. The freedom to not do your reading. The freedom to not go to class. The freedom to go out every night and party like a rock star before exercising the freedom of not going to class. I can only assume that students who complain about 1L don't like the side effects of exercising these freedoms. Or maybe they hate having the choice and making the one that seems less fun. I'm not certain.
This week was slow after the Wednesday from hell (first LWR assignment due, 9:30-6:30 at school). So, I haven't brought my school bag in the house since Wednesday. The next time I'll have to do so is Monday evening. To celebrate my freedom, I started 100 years of solitude, pushed the weekly total to 17.5 miles of running, and agreed to participate in a grueling weekend of chores and socializing that have nothing to do with law school. I'm starting to wonder if I could get up to 30 miles a week, which is baseline for a marathon. I never thought I'd want to do a marathon, but given how much time I'm finding in my schedule these days, if I was going to do one, this year would be a good time. *laugh* My guess is that idea will die a timely death sometime next week.
Why am I celebrating law school so loudly? I know it's not the style. I know it's not what 1Ls do. I know I'm supposed to lament how much work I'm doing and how concerned about my grades I am. But, I'm telling you--my quality of life hasn't been this good in years. It makes me so sad to see my fellow students stress themselves out and hate every minute of it. I hate to see them forego the fun and relaxation that is there for the taking, because most of us won't ever get this time back. We're all going back out into the real world--even those of us that avoid BIGLAW. We're still going to be on at least a 40-hour grind. Having just come off of the grind, I can only say, student life rocks--even the reading. Have some FUN people!
Turmerik--Restaurant Review
Friday night, E and I took friends out for a delicious dinner at Turmerik--a restaurant billed as Indian fusion. The food from the dinner menu (as opposed to the snack-type menu) was some of the best Indian food I've had, with the lamb biryani, eggplant curry, and tandoori vegetables receiving good reviews from our group. The paneer spinach "meat"balls in a creamy yellow sauce won the award for the night. We never really found the fusion (although it did seem that one of the naan was made with buckwheat. Perhaps this is fusion? Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Indian food to say) since most of the ingredients and styles were vaguely familiar Indian food stuff. I'd say it's more like gourmet Indian, mainly northern. More expensive than most Indian restaurants, but also worth it. If you want a nice ambiance for sit down Indian, you now have an option. If you have vegetarians to feed, it's an even better option--plenty of stuff for them, with meat to keep the carnivores happy.
The wine list had a huge build up, but I wasn't that impressed. They have lots of expensive wine available, but if you aren't going to drop over $100 on a bottle of wine, the list becomes average. There was no agreement on red v. white. So we went with a half bottle of each.
The only half-bottle of white in our price range was Calera chardonnay. Kind of nice when the list forces you to pick something you'd never try otherwise. Even better when it's good. I've never heard of Calera, but it's just south of the valley (in an area I never really thought of making wine, much less good wine), so in theory, we could go visit. The chardonnay was one of the ways I like 'em: mellow, floral, and minerally--very Burgundy-like, which made sense when I went to the web site.
For red, we went with Alexander Valley Merlot. I haven't tried any of their wines in a while. I was pleasantly surprised--a reasonably-priced, good merlot from a well known vineyard? These things exist in California? God bless the grape glut.
Friday night, E and I took friends out for a delicious dinner at Turmerik--a restaurant billed as Indian fusion. The food from the dinner menu (as opposed to the snack-type menu) was some of the best Indian food I've had, with the lamb biryani, eggplant curry, and tandoori vegetables receiving good reviews from our group. The paneer spinach "meat"balls in a creamy yellow sauce won the award for the night. We never really found the fusion (although it did seem that one of the naan was made with buckwheat. Perhaps this is fusion? Unfortunately, I don't know enough about Indian food to say) since most of the ingredients and styles were vaguely familiar Indian food stuff. I'd say it's more like gourmet Indian, mainly northern. More expensive than most Indian restaurants, but also worth it. If you want a nice ambiance for sit down Indian, you now have an option. If you have vegetarians to feed, it's an even better option--plenty of stuff for them, with meat to keep the carnivores happy.
The wine list had a huge build up, but I wasn't that impressed. They have lots of expensive wine available, but if you aren't going to drop over $100 on a bottle of wine, the list becomes average. There was no agreement on red v. white. So we went with a half bottle of each.
The only half-bottle of white in our price range was Calera chardonnay. Kind of nice when the list forces you to pick something you'd never try otherwise. Even better when it's good. I've never heard of Calera, but it's just south of the valley (in an area I never really thought of making wine, much less good wine), so in theory, we could go visit. The chardonnay was one of the ways I like 'em: mellow, floral, and minerally--very Burgundy-like, which made sense when I went to the web site.
For red, we went with Alexander Valley Merlot. I haven't tried any of their wines in a while. I was pleasantly surprised--a reasonably-priced, good merlot from a well known vineyard? These things exist in California? God bless the grape glut.
September 26, 2003
Things in Tech
A paranoid, but scary, look at trusted computing
More on the EU patent debate, including a letter from Cox and Torvalds.
Kazaa fights back
And
One of the experts that bashed MS as a threat to national security was fired. Amazing how strong the MS monopoly is...
A paranoid, but scary, look at trusted computing
More on the EU patent debate, including a letter from Cox and Torvalds.
Kazaa fights back
And
One of the experts that bashed MS as a threat to national security was fired. Amazing how strong the MS monopoly is...
September 23, 2003
Now that's Important
One of my friends recently started dating one of my other friends. When I was younger that was the kind of thing that happened all the time. Incestuous friend relationships. Drama when they ended...ahh...youth. Now, I'm just happy for 'em to have found someone they like.
Last night, amidst the wine, the same friend mentioned that he's so much happier now, since he had been single for quite a while. We had a long talk about how many straight men in the valley are single. Men in the bay area outnumber the women, particularly at bars, and other pick-up joints. Women, on the other hand, or at least the ones I know, are more likely than not to be in long term relationships. I was surprised to find that many of my fellow students were hitched or involved in long-term relationships. Even some of the younger kids have significant others of several years.
So, I've got a lot of friends in software, and hence I know a ton of single men. And many of 'em are depressed about it. Most of 'em rarely mention it. And many of 'em are so cerebral that they think they shouldn't be depressed about it, because, how important can having a girl/woman/significant other in your life be when you have no other problems? Good job, money, friends, health. These are not the guys who complain that they can't get laid. I'm sure most of 'em wouldn't mind, but most of 'em would rather find a companion (who they could have sex with, as well), as cheesy as that sounds. But most of 'em don't ever admit it.
As I've aged, I've realized that very few things are more important in my life than E. I wouldn't want it any other way. What's gone wrong when people try to think their way out of millions of years of evolution that tells them they should find a mate? Perhaps if they acknowledged how depressed they were about the situation they would do something to change it. Or, maybe not. That's the sad fact. When the numbers are against 'em, maybe they are being smart by pretending it doesn't matter. I don't know. I just can't believe how lucky I am. This is the kind of thing that keeps me up late with wine instead of to bed early and to class on time.
One of my friends recently started dating one of my other friends. When I was younger that was the kind of thing that happened all the time. Incestuous friend relationships. Drama when they ended...ahh...youth. Now, I'm just happy for 'em to have found someone they like.
Last night, amidst the wine, the same friend mentioned that he's so much happier now, since he had been single for quite a while. We had a long talk about how many straight men in the valley are single. Men in the bay area outnumber the women, particularly at bars, and other pick-up joints. Women, on the other hand, or at least the ones I know, are more likely than not to be in long term relationships. I was surprised to find that many of my fellow students were hitched or involved in long-term relationships. Even some of the younger kids have significant others of several years.
So, I've got a lot of friends in software, and hence I know a ton of single men. And many of 'em are depressed about it. Most of 'em rarely mention it. And many of 'em are so cerebral that they think they shouldn't be depressed about it, because, how important can having a girl/woman/significant other in your life be when you have no other problems? Good job, money, friends, health. These are not the guys who complain that they can't get laid. I'm sure most of 'em wouldn't mind, but most of 'em would rather find a companion (who they could have sex with, as well), as cheesy as that sounds. But most of 'em don't ever admit it.
As I've aged, I've realized that very few things are more important in my life than E. I wouldn't want it any other way. What's gone wrong when people try to think their way out of millions of years of evolution that tells them they should find a mate? Perhaps if they acknowledged how depressed they were about the situation they would do something to change it. Or, maybe not. That's the sad fact. When the numbers are against 'em, maybe they are being smart by pretending it doesn't matter. I don't know. I just can't believe how lucky I am. This is the kind of thing that keeps me up late with wine instead of to bed early and to class on time.
Back to my old ways
Just like the California Recall Election, I'm back on (as in back on my game of slack).
Contrary to my oh-so-informed opinion after too many glasses of wine and a fabulous pepper-sausage risotto, apparently I could not properly set my alarm. So, this morning I woke very rested, but 30 minutes too late to finish the commute to my first class on time. Ahhh... fabulous wine. It seems that I successfully set the alarm, but didn't bother to check the volume of the radio.
After missing the first class of the day, I made the commute to sit through an hour of class, and then prompty drove to E's work, enjoyed lunch with E and a coworker, drove home, and repeated my Tuesday nap ritual. I spent much more time commuting than in school today. Oh well. Such is life.
What's left for today? Well, I've got to finish some work on a website I contracted to fix. Then, I get to trudge through several chapters of fun, all about legal citations, in order to finish my LWR memo for tomorrow's class. I have tons of reading I could do, but I'll probably only get through what is absolutely required for tomorrow. Because, hey, all of a sudden, I'm not stressed again.
Oh, and for those of you who were wondering whether my who cares attitude is working for me? I think the answer is probably not. I have an appointment to go to Professor Together's office hours tomorrow because I seem to read all of the adverse possession cases in the opposite manner than she would like me to do so. When I wrote a very logical email explaining why my position seems to make sense to me, she replied with something along the lines of, "that's nice, dear. But a real lawyer has to be able to see both sides of all issues, and in particular, these issues. Please read the cases again (4th time?) and then come see me in office hours." Rad. It's awesome to realize that what seems blindingly obvious to me is exactly the opposite of what I'm supposed to see. This should be fun.
Just like the California Recall Election, I'm back on (as in back on my game of slack).
Contrary to my oh-so-informed opinion after too many glasses of wine and a fabulous pepper-sausage risotto, apparently I could not properly set my alarm. So, this morning I woke very rested, but 30 minutes too late to finish the commute to my first class on time. Ahhh... fabulous wine. It seems that I successfully set the alarm, but didn't bother to check the volume of the radio.
After missing the first class of the day, I made the commute to sit through an hour of class, and then prompty drove to E's work, enjoyed lunch with E and a coworker, drove home, and repeated my Tuesday nap ritual. I spent much more time commuting than in school today. Oh well. Such is life.
What's left for today? Well, I've got to finish some work on a website I contracted to fix. Then, I get to trudge through several chapters of fun, all about legal citations, in order to finish my LWR memo for tomorrow's class. I have tons of reading I could do, but I'll probably only get through what is absolutely required for tomorrow. Because, hey, all of a sudden, I'm not stressed again.
Oh, and for those of you who were wondering whether my who cares attitude is working for me? I think the answer is probably not. I have an appointment to go to Professor Together's office hours tomorrow because I seem to read all of the adverse possession cases in the opposite manner than she would like me to do so. When I wrote a very logical email explaining why my position seems to make sense to me, she replied with something along the lines of, "that's nice, dear. But a real lawyer has to be able to see both sides of all issues, and in particular, these issues. Please read the cases again (4th time?) and then come see me in office hours." Rad. It's awesome to realize that what seems blindingly obvious to me is exactly the opposite of what I'm supposed to see. This should be fun.
September 21, 2003
One of them
Well, my dedication to chill wasn't as strong as my desire to do well. I spent several hours at work with E (project deadline coming up, so at least we're in the same boat), enjoying the silence and pounding my head against the rules of Civil Procedure. Why? Because I realized that most of my classes cover concepts. Big, amorphous, wrap your head around it and let it swim, concepts. Those don't require memorization. Or strict attention to detail. But, Civ Pro--oh, yeah--those rules are going to require memorization, at least the more important ones. So, I hunkered down with my books and my laptop and forced myself to learn all of the rules we have covered thus far. I feel much better about what I know. I feel slightly less cool about the reality of school encroaching on my weekends. They are sacred. Given that my memo for LWR isn't complete yet and it's due next week, I'll probably be doing law school stuff today, as well.
But, I suppose I did promise to give up one weekend per month. This week makes me think it may end up being more than that. Oh well. When in Rome...
In all fairness, I didn't actually give up my weekend. I've fit in a Friday night at home with E, consisting of a delicious homemade dinner, conversation, and cuddling while watching 2010: They Year We Make Contact (thank goodness E's a dork too!). In addition to the study session, yesterday included a Saturday morning run, dinner with friends, a party, and ending the night in a hot tub overlooking the San Francisco Bay from the serenity of the Oakland Hills. There's still an entire day left in my weekend for a bike ride, chores, and my LWR memo. So, I suppose I've done a good job of working my law school stuff into my existing life, but I REALLY prefer my weekends to be islands of fun and relaxation. Something to strive for, I guess.
Well, my dedication to chill wasn't as strong as my desire to do well. I spent several hours at work with E (project deadline coming up, so at least we're in the same boat), enjoying the silence and pounding my head against the rules of Civil Procedure. Why? Because I realized that most of my classes cover concepts. Big, amorphous, wrap your head around it and let it swim, concepts. Those don't require memorization. Or strict attention to detail. But, Civ Pro--oh, yeah--those rules are going to require memorization, at least the more important ones. So, I hunkered down with my books and my laptop and forced myself to learn all of the rules we have covered thus far. I feel much better about what I know. I feel slightly less cool about the reality of school encroaching on my weekends. They are sacred. Given that my memo for LWR isn't complete yet and it's due next week, I'll probably be doing law school stuff today, as well.
But, I suppose I did promise to give up one weekend per month. This week makes me think it may end up being more than that. Oh well. When in Rome...
In all fairness, I didn't actually give up my weekend. I've fit in a Friday night at home with E, consisting of a delicious homemade dinner, conversation, and cuddling while watching 2010: They Year We Make Contact (thank goodness E's a dork too!). In addition to the study session, yesterday included a Saturday morning run, dinner with friends, a party, and ending the night in a hot tub overlooking the San Francisco Bay from the serenity of the Oakland Hills. There's still an entire day left in my weekend for a bike ride, chores, and my LWR memo. So, I suppose I've done a good job of working my law school stuff into my existing life, but I REALLY prefer my weekends to be islands of fun and relaxation. Something to strive for, I guess.
September 19, 2003
Panic has set in
Not necessarily with me. Yet. But the 1Ls as a collective entity have whipped themselves into a much more competitive and paranoid frenzy than the already palpable mess we were in before. I'd estimate that on average, the change is from 4 highlighters to 7 highlighters. {bad joke, I know} It's not a fun environment.
All of my courses have associated discussion groups taught by 2Ls. That's almost an extra 30% of class-hours per week. Taught by people who barely finished learning the material themselves. I always thought of discussion groups as a second chance at a good professor. If your professor couldn't teach, maybe your discussion group leader could. Or, if you had a question and your professor wasn't approachable, ask in discussion. But, all of my professors are excellent teachers who keep begging us to stop by their office with our questions. Given that the professors seem to be doing the teaching just fine on their own, discussion groups at my school, apparently, are all about preparing you to take the exam. That's right, an hour a week, starting now, until the end of December, that is all about a 3 hour test. If that isn't designed to create a competitive environment, I don't know what is.
And then, there's the announcements/advertisements that are showing up all over campus for tutors, systems, programs, courses, lectures, study aids, and more. They all promise to teach you the one true thing you need to know in order to ace the exam. So, 1Ls are running around, asking each other what they are going to take out of the list of offerings, and discussing outlining (or rather begging anyone and everyone to tell them exactly what belongs on an outline), how much studying they did last week, exactly what position they took on their first memo and why, if you are lucky enough to have their topic, your position must be wrong. Most 1Ls seem to be convinced that there must be a way for them to win the grades competition. I see it in faces, people smell blood. I'm not excited about this. I'm competitive by nature, but try (and have succeeded) to keep my nature under control. I fear what this environment may do to me.
Unlike last week, where I felt like I had the swing of things, this week, I'm questioning myself. I feel as if the material is fairly straightforward. But everyone is freaking out. And my classmates are smart (although I have been surprised at some of the dumber ones, but that's another story). How can it be that I've got everything under control when there's discussion groups, study aids, programs, systems, and frenzy all around me? If everyone else is convinced they can't do it on their own, what makes me so arrogant that I think I don't need 'em. I've started to question myself and what I think I know. And it's definitely because of the environment. For now, I'm just going to try to avoid the freakers and stay on my path. Wish me luck.
Not necessarily with me. Yet. But the 1Ls as a collective entity have whipped themselves into a much more competitive and paranoid frenzy than the already palpable mess we were in before. I'd estimate that on average, the change is from 4 highlighters to 7 highlighters. {bad joke, I know} It's not a fun environment.
All of my courses have associated discussion groups taught by 2Ls. That's almost an extra 30% of class-hours per week. Taught by people who barely finished learning the material themselves. I always thought of discussion groups as a second chance at a good professor. If your professor couldn't teach, maybe your discussion group leader could. Or, if you had a question and your professor wasn't approachable, ask in discussion. But, all of my professors are excellent teachers who keep begging us to stop by their office with our questions. Given that the professors seem to be doing the teaching just fine on their own, discussion groups at my school, apparently, are all about preparing you to take the exam. That's right, an hour a week, starting now, until the end of December, that is all about a 3 hour test. If that isn't designed to create a competitive environment, I don't know what is.
And then, there's the announcements/advertisements that are showing up all over campus for tutors, systems, programs, courses, lectures, study aids, and more. They all promise to teach you the one true thing you need to know in order to ace the exam. So, 1Ls are running around, asking each other what they are going to take out of the list of offerings, and discussing outlining (or rather begging anyone and everyone to tell them exactly what belongs on an outline), how much studying they did last week, exactly what position they took on their first memo and why, if you are lucky enough to have their topic, your position must be wrong. Most 1Ls seem to be convinced that there must be a way for them to win the grades competition. I see it in faces, people smell blood. I'm not excited about this. I'm competitive by nature, but try (and have succeeded) to keep my nature under control. I fear what this environment may do to me.
Unlike last week, where I felt like I had the swing of things, this week, I'm questioning myself. I feel as if the material is fairly straightforward. But everyone is freaking out. And my classmates are smart (although I have been surprised at some of the dumber ones, but that's another story). How can it be that I've got everything under control when there's discussion groups, study aids, programs, systems, and frenzy all around me? If everyone else is convinced they can't do it on their own, what makes me so arrogant that I think I don't need 'em. I've started to question myself and what I think I know. And it's definitely because of the environment. For now, I'm just going to try to avoid the freakers and stay on my path. Wish me luck.
September 18, 2003
Nuggets of Wisdom
Professor Early: The rule is, don't be the twit in a discovery battle. Every judge will tell you, there is always a reasonable party and there's always a twit. Don't be the twit.
Professor Rate: Make sure your argument passes the laugh test. If it's hard to make the argument with a straight face, even if you have a great technical case, the court will find a way to make sure you are wrong.
Professor Together: The best rule of ethics is this, "If someone is going to go to jail, let it be the client."
Professor Early: The rule is, don't be the twit in a discovery battle. Every judge will tell you, there is always a reasonable party and there's always a twit. Don't be the twit.
Professor Rate: Make sure your argument passes the laugh test. If it's hard to make the argument with a straight face, even if you have a great technical case, the court will find a way to make sure you are wrong.
Professor Together: The best rule of ethics is this, "If someone is going to go to jail, let it be the client."
September 16, 2003
Oh What Fun It Is To Ride...
So, no doubt, you've all heard that the fun in California is up in the air. We have to see whether an appeal is given cert before the 9th circuit en banc, or the Supreme Court before it's certain, of course, but I'm concerned that some of my favorite would-be politicians (see Sunday's post) may lose their momentum if they have to wait 'til next March. Then again, perhaps they'd be allowed to submit entirely new statements for the new booklet. Here's to hoping it's more fun for all and not chaos gone wrong (instead of laughable chaos, which is what it's been so far).
Today, after my short day of classes, I had plans to run errands, eat lunch, hunker down with my torts reading, and just when my eyes are beginning to glaze, I planned to head off to the gym for a hard workout followed by a yoga class. But, something wasn't working for me. I was tired. I barely finished my errands before I realized the wonderful truth: I can take a nap before doing my reading. So, I did. No sense is living like a ball-and-chained employee when I'm not one. Here's to what may be a lovely precedent of productive Tuesdays that include a nap. Did I mention that school rocks?
So, no doubt, you've all heard that the fun in California is up in the air. We have to see whether an appeal is given cert before the 9th circuit en banc, or the Supreme Court before it's certain, of course, but I'm concerned that some of my favorite would-be politicians (see Sunday's post) may lose their momentum if they have to wait 'til next March. Then again, perhaps they'd be allowed to submit entirely new statements for the new booklet. Here's to hoping it's more fun for all and not chaos gone wrong (instead of laughable chaos, which is what it's been so far).
Today, after my short day of classes, I had plans to run errands, eat lunch, hunker down with my torts reading, and just when my eyes are beginning to glaze, I planned to head off to the gym for a hard workout followed by a yoga class. But, something wasn't working for me. I was tired. I barely finished my errands before I realized the wonderful truth: I can take a nap before doing my reading. So, I did. No sense is living like a ball-and-chained employee when I'm not one. Here's to what may be a lovely precedent of productive Tuesdays that include a nap. Did I mention that school rocks?
September 14, 2003
California at its best--I couldn't make this stuff up
I took the liberty of extracting the best lines from the California Statewide Special Election Pamphlet.
Arnold says nothing, neither does Gary Coleman.
Michael Cheli (Independent): My first task as Governor will be to reduce my own salary by 10%. (why do I think the govenernor's salary minus 10% is probably a huge raise for this guy?
D. Clements (The Ayn Rand Platform): I'm a long-shot candidate but like the horse Seabiscuit sometimes the long-shot can win. (I preserved his comma-less prose in its original form for effect...)
Warren Farrell (The Men Are Subjugated Platform): (paraphrased) Read my books. I'm a thought leader. Men have fallen from greatness. Somehow it's related to the budget crisis.
Larry Flynt (Democratic Party): California is the most progressive state in the union and I'm sure its citizens would welcome having a smut peddler who cares as their Governor.
Gene Forte (Republican Party): I am the AttorneyBuster, president/founder of AttorneyBusters.com. (I don't know if the AttorneyBuster has quite the same ring as the Terminator, but you can't fault him for trying...)
Gerald Lee Gormon (Democratic Party): (paraphrased) I'm your typical dot-com unemployed techie type. Somehow, I'm qualified...
Rich Gosse (Republic Party): Single adults are the Rodney Dangerfields of our society. They "can't get no respect." (???? Is it just me or do they get better tax breaks than married couples?)
Arianna Huffington (Independent): Corporate fat cats get away with paying less than their fair share of taxes (Oh, wait, so do I)
Trek Thunder Kelly (Independent): Dear Voters, Please vote for me, thus breaking the Seventh Seal and incurring Armageddon. (Wow!)
Leonard Padilla (Independent): As a professional bounty hunter for 28 years, I have had to make critical and unimaginable decisions... (Ummm....)
Charles "Chuck" Pineda Jr (Democratic Party): I continue to advocate: a 32 hour work week to deal with traffic congestion and employee productivity. (I like this plan too, but I'm not certain it helps the current budget crisis...)
Darin Price (Natural Law Party): The solution is always creativity (Look at the shiny things. Aren't they pretty. No problems over here. We creatively arted them away. With Unicorns!)
Bryan Quinn (Republican Party): Bankruptcy--use the courts to break up special interest groups & restore fiscal responsibility. (Huh???)
Kevin Richter (Republican Party): I breathe.
Kurt E. "Tachikaze" Rightmyer (Independent): As the leading middleweight of the 2003 California State Sumo Series and a serious, well-educated, nonpartisan candidate for governor, I will attack the 800-lb gorilla of big government... (I'd like to see that.)
Ned Roscoe (Libertarian): I am optimistic, with the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces. (Repeat after me California, you're smart, you're attractive, and gosh darn it, people like you!)
I took the liberty of extracting the best lines from the California Statewide Special Election Pamphlet.
Arnold says nothing, neither does Gary Coleman.
Michael Cheli (Independent): My first task as Governor will be to reduce my own salary by 10%. (why do I think the govenernor's salary minus 10% is probably a huge raise for this guy?
D. Clements (The Ayn Rand Platform): I'm a long-shot candidate but like the horse Seabiscuit sometimes the long-shot can win. (I preserved his comma-less prose in its original form for effect...)
Warren Farrell (The Men Are Subjugated Platform): (paraphrased) Read my books. I'm a thought leader. Men have fallen from greatness. Somehow it's related to the budget crisis.
Larry Flynt (Democratic Party): California is the most progressive state in the union and I'm sure its citizens would welcome having a smut peddler who cares as their Governor.
Gene Forte (Republican Party): I am the AttorneyBuster, president/founder of AttorneyBusters.com. (I don't know if the AttorneyBuster has quite the same ring as the Terminator, but you can't fault him for trying...)
Gerald Lee Gormon (Democratic Party): (paraphrased) I'm your typical dot-com unemployed techie type. Somehow, I'm qualified...
Rich Gosse (Republic Party): Single adults are the Rodney Dangerfields of our society. They "can't get no respect." (???? Is it just me or do they get better tax breaks than married couples?)
Arianna Huffington (Independent): Corporate fat cats get away with paying less than their fair share of taxes (Oh, wait, so do I)
Trek Thunder Kelly (Independent): Dear Voters, Please vote for me, thus breaking the Seventh Seal and incurring Armageddon. (Wow!)
Leonard Padilla (Independent): As a professional bounty hunter for 28 years, I have had to make critical and unimaginable decisions... (Ummm....)
Charles "Chuck" Pineda Jr (Democratic Party): I continue to advocate: a 32 hour work week to deal with traffic congestion and employee productivity. (I like this plan too, but I'm not certain it helps the current budget crisis...)
Darin Price (Natural Law Party): The solution is always creativity (Look at the shiny things. Aren't they pretty. No problems over here. We creatively arted them away. With Unicorns!)
Bryan Quinn (Republican Party): Bankruptcy--use the courts to break up special interest groups & restore fiscal responsibility. (Huh???)
Kevin Richter (Republican Party): I breathe.
Kurt E. "Tachikaze" Rightmyer (Independent): As the leading middleweight of the 2003 California State Sumo Series and a serious, well-educated, nonpartisan candidate for governor, I will attack the 800-lb gorilla of big government... (I'd like to see that.)
Ned Roscoe (Libertarian): I am optimistic, with the calm confidence of a Christian with four aces. (Repeat after me California, you're smart, you're attractive, and gosh darn it, people like you!)
September 13, 2003
In the swing of things
Like Dylan, I too feel like I'm getting my head around how things are supposed to be. I've made several of the more feared mistakes already, including: showing up late for class, getting stuck in a seat at the absolute front of the class because I happened to show up late on pick-the-seating-chart day, raising my hand and speaking idiocy (and realizing it as the words fell from my lips), and not calculating enough time for traffic and showing up at school too late to attend my first class of the day (so I just sat outside and read).
Besides the above crap, every day has been an exercise in getting more comfortable with my new life. I think I've got a decent idea of which professors want what in terms of answers to questions (and more importantly, how each of them wants us to think about the issues--each one has a favorite approach, be it public policy, the underlying legal theory, the application of arcane rules in complex modern situations, or whatever). I've found that the reading takes me about 2 minutes per page, on average--which is a very useful thing to know when you are trying to figure out which heavy books to pull from the locker for the 67 minute reading break that you are facing. I've found that the people I clicked with on the first day are still the people I get along with best, and half of the ones that annoyed me from the start aren't as bad as they seemed.
I've been told that some of questions I asked on the required campus tour with our LWR section gave many people the impression that I was one of those scary politically bitter people. I've also been told that since that day, I have completely changed their opinion of me. In fact, one of the students commenting on my questions laughed and said, "It was just funny. You know. Here we are, the first week of classes and most of us are watching what we say and do very carefully. We want to make the correct impression for who we are. We all figured you were doing the same thing. So, we figured you were ready to fight and change the world into a more liberal place. It seemed like that was how you were defining yourself. D and I went out for drinks and discussed how it might be a little hard to swallow the endless stream of political cr*p that you were sure to spit out. Two days later, D and I went for drinks again and laughed about how wrong we were about you. Turns out, you are much more into the Simpsons and laughing about stupid sh*t than politics."
*laugh* So, hey, future 1L's--watch what you say during the first week because people really do make snap judgements about you. The good news is, apparently they are willing to get over the snap judgements if you aren't very good at keeping your mouth shut.
Perhaps the best thing about the 1L life is the freedom. Last week, I was able to fit in 13 miles of running, two hours of yoga and a trip to the gym. In addition to the new work out schedule (which my body desperately needs) I have done a fairly decent job of keeping my social life at its previous levels, and I've figured out how to finish the majority of my work before friday so that I can have my weekends off of school. One thing that will change, however, is that I'm fairly certain I will need to start donating one weekend a month to sorting and distilling the most recent material in each of my classes and making certain that I don't have any questions, confusion, etc. I'll probably also have to do a bit of weekend work on my LWR assignments when the final drafts come due--but there are only a few final drafts this semester, so it shouldn't be too bad. I figure one weekend in each of sept, oct, and nov should keep me on top of LWR and feeling prepared for finals studying. Conveniently, that small of a sacrifice should spare me from sadness at my lack of a social life.
So, yeah, all in all, I'm liking it. Friday ended with a bunch of people from my section going out for happy hour, and that was a nice way to end the week. The conversations revolved around TV shows, sex, relationships, sports, sexism, local culture, hometowns, and whatever else came up. Your typical pub fare, really. Somehow, there were two factions going to two separate bars, and I ended up at the snazzy downtown bar instead of the more rugged neighborhood haunt. I think I ended up with more of the pretty people, and also more of the younger ones (the two usually go together). It's a little weird to be at a bar with so many people who feel so much younger than me. The majority of my fellow students are still feeling out and defining things like their sexuality (not necessarily their orientation, but more how they assert it), their goals in life, their philosophy, and even their adult personality. I realize that everyone is constantly evolving, but there is a palpable fear of the unknown in many of my fellow students--many of them give off the air of never having handled a major problem or disaster--and it seems to fuel a strong effort in trying to be someone for most of 'em.
The comfort of a slightly rough childhood and some decent sized bumps in my mini-adulthood is wonderful. By no means am I free of insecurities, but I'm aware that I'm no longer trying to define myself. I am who I am. Perhaps that's why I didn't watch my mouth on the tour. *laugh* gimme a few weeks, though, most people claim that law school changes everyone, so perhaps I won't have a clue who I am come October.
Like Dylan, I too feel like I'm getting my head around how things are supposed to be. I've made several of the more feared mistakes already, including: showing up late for class, getting stuck in a seat at the absolute front of the class because I happened to show up late on pick-the-seating-chart day, raising my hand and speaking idiocy (and realizing it as the words fell from my lips), and not calculating enough time for traffic and showing up at school too late to attend my first class of the day (so I just sat outside and read).
Besides the above crap, every day has been an exercise in getting more comfortable with my new life. I think I've got a decent idea of which professors want what in terms of answers to questions (and more importantly, how each of them wants us to think about the issues--each one has a favorite approach, be it public policy, the underlying legal theory, the application of arcane rules in complex modern situations, or whatever). I've found that the reading takes me about 2 minutes per page, on average--which is a very useful thing to know when you are trying to figure out which heavy books to pull from the locker for the 67 minute reading break that you are facing. I've found that the people I clicked with on the first day are still the people I get along with best, and half of the ones that annoyed me from the start aren't as bad as they seemed.
I've been told that some of questions I asked on the required campus tour with our LWR section gave many people the impression that I was one of those scary politically bitter people. I've also been told that since that day, I have completely changed their opinion of me. In fact, one of the students commenting on my questions laughed and said, "It was just funny. You know. Here we are, the first week of classes and most of us are watching what we say and do very carefully. We want to make the correct impression for who we are. We all figured you were doing the same thing. So, we figured you were ready to fight and change the world into a more liberal place. It seemed like that was how you were defining yourself. D and I went out for drinks and discussed how it might be a little hard to swallow the endless stream of political cr*p that you were sure to spit out. Two days later, D and I went for drinks again and laughed about how wrong we were about you. Turns out, you are much more into the Simpsons and laughing about stupid sh*t than politics."
*laugh* So, hey, future 1L's--watch what you say during the first week because people really do make snap judgements about you. The good news is, apparently they are willing to get over the snap judgements if you aren't very good at keeping your mouth shut.
Perhaps the best thing about the 1L life is the freedom. Last week, I was able to fit in 13 miles of running, two hours of yoga and a trip to the gym. In addition to the new work out schedule (which my body desperately needs) I have done a fairly decent job of keeping my social life at its previous levels, and I've figured out how to finish the majority of my work before friday so that I can have my weekends off of school. One thing that will change, however, is that I'm fairly certain I will need to start donating one weekend a month to sorting and distilling the most recent material in each of my classes and making certain that I don't have any questions, confusion, etc. I'll probably also have to do a bit of weekend work on my LWR assignments when the final drafts come due--but there are only a few final drafts this semester, so it shouldn't be too bad. I figure one weekend in each of sept, oct, and nov should keep me on top of LWR and feeling prepared for finals studying. Conveniently, that small of a sacrifice should spare me from sadness at my lack of a social life.
So, yeah, all in all, I'm liking it. Friday ended with a bunch of people from my section going out for happy hour, and that was a nice way to end the week. The conversations revolved around TV shows, sex, relationships, sports, sexism, local culture, hometowns, and whatever else came up. Your typical pub fare, really. Somehow, there were two factions going to two separate bars, and I ended up at the snazzy downtown bar instead of the more rugged neighborhood haunt. I think I ended up with more of the pretty people, and also more of the younger ones (the two usually go together). It's a little weird to be at a bar with so many people who feel so much younger than me. The majority of my fellow students are still feeling out and defining things like their sexuality (not necessarily their orientation, but more how they assert it), their goals in life, their philosophy, and even their adult personality. I realize that everyone is constantly evolving, but there is a palpable fear of the unknown in many of my fellow students--many of them give off the air of never having handled a major problem or disaster--and it seems to fuel a strong effort in trying to be someone for most of 'em.
The comfort of a slightly rough childhood and some decent sized bumps in my mini-adulthood is wonderful. By no means am I free of insecurities, but I'm aware that I'm no longer trying to define myself. I am who I am. Perhaps that's why I didn't watch my mouth on the tour. *laugh* gimme a few weeks, though, most people claim that law school changes everyone, so perhaps I won't have a clue who I am come October.
Wonderful Wine
I love when I go to a restaurant with a reasonably priced wine list. It's even better when I try something cheap I've never heard of and it's awesome. That's the kind of thing that'll get me back to a restaurant every time. Sommelliers take note.
This week's happiness:
A light (but not watery) pinot from the elusive silver cove vineyards. Balanced fruit, hints of minerals on the nose, and only $28 at the restaurant. Just as good as its neighboring carneros pinots that go for $30-$50 at the vineyard and who knows what in restaurants. Given that restaurants have a 100-300% markup, I'm going to call and see if I can get myself a case...
An oaky zinfandel from Buehler Vineyards. Not a ridiculous cup full of jammy fruit, not overly tanniny, surprisingly sophisticated for a zin, and only $26 at the restaurant. I'm interested in trying the estate reserve zin, if the standard stuff is this good.
I hate wine tasting in the Napa Valley--crowded, traffic, high ratio of pretentious idiots to people who actually love wine, tasting fees at most vineyards (which are often staffed by unhelpful and snotty staff). But, lately I've been thinking that I should go during the week some time to avoid the crowds. That would solve most of my problems with the place. Silver Cove and Buehler are excellent reasons to go. Particularly since silver cove is impossible to find online (chances are, if I can taste there, it'll be me and the owner in a garage with the vats) and Buehler makes a white zin. How can I not wine taste at a napa winery that isn't scared to be labeled white trash?
I love when I go to a restaurant with a reasonably priced wine list. It's even better when I try something cheap I've never heard of and it's awesome. That's the kind of thing that'll get me back to a restaurant every time. Sommelliers take note.
This week's happiness:
A light (but not watery) pinot from the elusive silver cove vineyards. Balanced fruit, hints of minerals on the nose, and only $28 at the restaurant. Just as good as its neighboring carneros pinots that go for $30-$50 at the vineyard and who knows what in restaurants. Given that restaurants have a 100-300% markup, I'm going to call and see if I can get myself a case...
An oaky zinfandel from Buehler Vineyards. Not a ridiculous cup full of jammy fruit, not overly tanniny, surprisingly sophisticated for a zin, and only $26 at the restaurant. I'm interested in trying the estate reserve zin, if the standard stuff is this good.
I hate wine tasting in the Napa Valley--crowded, traffic, high ratio of pretentious idiots to people who actually love wine, tasting fees at most vineyards (which are often staffed by unhelpful and snotty staff). But, lately I've been thinking that I should go during the week some time to avoid the crowds. That would solve most of my problems with the place. Silver Cove and Buehler are excellent reasons to go. Particularly since silver cove is impossible to find online (chances are, if I can taste there, it'll be me and the owner in a garage with the vats) and Buehler makes a white zin. How can I not wine taste at a napa winery that isn't scared to be labeled white trash?
September 12, 2003
Quotes of the day
Professor Young
I'll say the equivalent of 'ask you mother', 'ask your torts professor'.
In order for Shaheen to collect damages under the theory of reliance he must show that his position was changed in the continuance of marital relations with his wife due to the promise of sterility.
Professor Young
I'll say the equivalent of 'ask you mother', 'ask your torts professor'.
In order for Shaheen to collect damages under the theory of reliance he must show that his position was changed in the continuance of marital relations with his wife due to the promise of sterility.
September 10, 2003
Extra-curriculars
So, I think I've decided on what other stuff I'm going to do during 1L. I also think I know why they give you so much seemingly free time. It's so that everyone and their brother can found at least one student organization and be a member of another half-dozen. So, following in that vein, I've decided to belong to three organizations:
1. A social club. Entirely social. I haven't locked in this one, but several exist, I figure I'll try a few and choose one. Probably one that involves wine. (As if that's a limiting issue for law students who socialize.)
2. A pro-bono, feel good, do something good with my free time to make me feel like a useful human being organization. This one requires a decent time commitment, but it'll be worth it.
3. The IP Organization.
I believe I can handle all of these as well as my coursework and my newfound commitment to working out. I'll let you know how it goes.
So, I think I've decided on what other stuff I'm going to do during 1L. I also think I know why they give you so much seemingly free time. It's so that everyone and their brother can found at least one student organization and be a member of another half-dozen. So, following in that vein, I've decided to belong to three organizations:
1. A social club. Entirely social. I haven't locked in this one, but several exist, I figure I'll try a few and choose one. Probably one that involves wine. (As if that's a limiting issue for law students who socialize.)
2. A pro-bono, feel good, do something good with my free time to make me feel like a useful human being organization. This one requires a decent time commitment, but it'll be worth it.
3. The IP Organization.
I believe I can handle all of these as well as my coursework and my newfound commitment to working out. I'll let you know how it goes.
Best News Link This Week
Bronx Man Mails Self To Dallas.
In other news, I found a law school friend with whom I can quote the the dude. School just got much better.
Bronx Man Mails Self To Dallas.
In other news, I found a law school friend with whom I can quote the the dude. School just got much better.
September 9, 2003
Dell's new click-through
Dude, you're getting screwed.
Note that if you wish to be honest you are precluded from using the technology in the manner in which you would like to use it. Ugggghhhh.... everyone should just lie and then we can all be criminals waiting to be prosecuted. Perhaps we could overpower 'em with our numbers. Awesome. I love the way things are going in this arena.
Dude, you're getting screwed.
Note that if you wish to be honest you are precluded from using the technology in the manner in which you would like to use it. Ugggghhhh.... everyone should just lie and then we can all be criminals waiting to be prosecuted. Perhaps we could overpower 'em with our numbers. Awesome. I love the way things are going in this arena.
September 8, 2003
Sobering Stuff
A few glasses deep into the Rosso (excellent bargain for wine geeks on a budget), I found my way to two things that cut through the buzz:
#1 - a classmate told me about the matrix defense. I almost didn't believe it. Apparently it's the real deal. Scary.
#2 - Kelly D. Talcott, aka Infringing Actions has a nice analysis of the RIAA's clean slate affidavit and, in my mind, a lovely bit of foreshadowing to a bunch of people who may get screwed. Hope I'm wrong.
A few glasses deep into the Rosso (excellent bargain for wine geeks on a budget), I found my way to two things that cut through the buzz:
#1 - a classmate told me about the matrix defense. I almost didn't believe it. Apparently it's the real deal. Scary.
#2 - Kelly D. Talcott, aka Infringing Actions has a nice analysis of the RIAA's clean slate affidavit and, in my mind, a lovely bit of foreshadowing to a bunch of people who may get screwed. Hope I'm wrong.
I'm not as bitter as I seem
Or, maybe I am. But, I swear, I'm quite pleasant when I make a sincere effort. Or so I like to believe.
LSR Rant No. Nove:
I've realized that in LWR, I'm quite negative. I just hate it. Those two hours kill me. Again, we did the "read one sentence per person until the fact pattern is finished" thing. It hurts me. I feel the LWR should be something like the basic English requirement in college. There should be a topic and a memo requirement given over the summer. If you wish, you can attempt it, and if you do reasonably well, you don't have to take the course. It's only if you fail miserably or choose not to undertake the memo that they subject you to the lectures, which, conveniently, wouldn't have to be altered, since they already pander to the student that has no exposure to legal research or writing.
The good news is, I'm practicing looking interested while actually being totally bored, which I hear will be a useful skill while sitting through depositions.
There's a Dilbert where Dilbert says something along the lines of "Our relationship is so much easier now that I've realized I can code in my head while you're talking," to his female counterpart. That's how I feel in LWR. Only I can't code in my head. Oh... how I wish I could.
Or, maybe I am. But, I swear, I'm quite pleasant when I make a sincere effort. Or so I like to believe.
LSR Rant No. Nove:
I've realized that in LWR, I'm quite negative. I just hate it. Those two hours kill me. Again, we did the "read one sentence per person until the fact pattern is finished" thing. It hurts me. I feel the LWR should be something like the basic English requirement in college. There should be a topic and a memo requirement given over the summer. If you wish, you can attempt it, and if you do reasonably well, you don't have to take the course. It's only if you fail miserably or choose not to undertake the memo that they subject you to the lectures, which, conveniently, wouldn't have to be altered, since they already pander to the student that has no exposure to legal research or writing.
The good news is, I'm practicing looking interested while actually being totally bored, which I hear will be a useful skill while sitting through depositions.
There's a Dilbert where Dilbert says something along the lines of "Our relationship is so much easier now that I've realized I can code in my head while you're talking," to his female counterpart. That's how I feel in LWR. Only I can't code in my head. Oh... how I wish I could.
September 6, 2003
Happy Things
Friday, I woke early to catch public transit so that I could finish my reading. The trip was roughly 80% longer than driving, but I did finish the reading, and made it to class unharmed by the experience.
After a short day of class, 5 section-mates and I went to lunch, had a few beers and talked. We also watched one of the many star wars boy clips. I had fleeting thoughts of my previous life (where my time was at a premium) where pints with lunch was an uncommon occurrence--only slightly less common than a good lunch with 6 interesting people. After the pints, our group joined forces to research our LWR memo. Everyone was helpful and the pervasive streak of competitiveness in my section that drives me insane was nowhere to be found. I will be spending more time with these people. I suspect that there is a linear correlation between thinking lunch with at least two pints on a friday is a good thing and not being possessed by the devil.
Unfortunately, my trek home on public transit took 2.2 times more time than driving. Given the fact that public transit is approximately 80% more expensive than gas and parking, and that I could have just left at the same time in the morning to arrive at school early and finish my reading, I think my desire to take public transit has died.
Even the argument that I can study the entire commute, instead of just during the saved time loses steam when I acknowledge that the quality of studying on trains/buses/streetcars is far worse than what I'd accomplish at home or in the library. Much like the hippy lawnmower escapade, I again have found that the environmentally friendly solution is too impractical to work. I'm sure someone would argue with me, "you think that's impractical, try not breathing." Yeah, they'd have a point. But, I've crossed the logical line where I can justify taking public transit.
I plan on finishing Monday's reading on Monday before class. So, if it continues as planned, this weekend will be nothing but a few chores, fun with friends, running, biking, a deliciously lazy lunch in the sun with E and a half-bottle of valpolicella, parties, barbeques and movies. Not bad.
Friday, I woke early to catch public transit so that I could finish my reading. The trip was roughly 80% longer than driving, but I did finish the reading, and made it to class unharmed by the experience.
After a short day of class, 5 section-mates and I went to lunch, had a few beers and talked. We also watched one of the many star wars boy clips. I had fleeting thoughts of my previous life (where my time was at a premium) where pints with lunch was an uncommon occurrence--only slightly less common than a good lunch with 6 interesting people. After the pints, our group joined forces to research our LWR memo. Everyone was helpful and the pervasive streak of competitiveness in my section that drives me insane was nowhere to be found. I will be spending more time with these people. I suspect that there is a linear correlation between thinking lunch with at least two pints on a friday is a good thing and not being possessed by the devil.
Unfortunately, my trek home on public transit took 2.2 times more time than driving. Given the fact that public transit is approximately 80% more expensive than gas and parking, and that I could have just left at the same time in the morning to arrive at school early and finish my reading, I think my desire to take public transit has died.
Even the argument that I can study the entire commute, instead of just during the saved time loses steam when I acknowledge that the quality of studying on trains/buses/streetcars is far worse than what I'd accomplish at home or in the library. Much like the hippy lawnmower escapade, I again have found that the environmentally friendly solution is too impractical to work. I'm sure someone would argue with me, "you think that's impractical, try not breathing." Yeah, they'd have a point. But, I've crossed the logical line where I can justify taking public transit.
I plan on finishing Monday's reading on Monday before class. So, if it continues as planned, this weekend will be nothing but a few chores, fun with friends, running, biking, a deliciously lazy lunch in the sun with E and a half-bottle of valpolicella, parties, barbeques and movies. Not bad.
September 4, 2003
Law School Rant Numero Ocho
Paternalism. Must they baby-step us through everything? Does LWR really need to walk us through a library orientation? An attendance is obligatory orientation? Do we honestly need someone to spoon-feed every little bit of information from the process of research? Did I really sit through the reading of a fact pattern sentence-by-sentence in a room full of ostensibly bright people, each of us taking turns like it was 5th grade reading class? Are they unaware that all of the reference books in the library have introductions that explain their use? Why isn't there any emphasis on figuring things out for yourself, with optional events for people who would like more instruction.
So, yeah, I'm hating the fixed schedule, the coddling, and the useless hours locked on campus. "Do your reading," people say. Umm... it's done. There isn't that much reading to do. Maybe I'm missing something, but it sure doesn't seem like it. I'm also starting to dislike many of my fellow students. Could they be any more annoying? It seems like there's a competition to see who can make the most ridiculous statement about how hard they are currently working, and what they've done in the past. Do I really care about your resume? Do I want to hear your uninformed opinion? Uggghhh.... I guess I'm just bitter right now--probably because I fear I'll get sucked into the culture and start spouting off my qualifications and uninformed opinions in order to shut others up. Because, I, like them, think I know more than anyone else. What a sick bunch of idiots we are. Thank goodness for the few normals I've found. Here's to hoping 2L provides me with a little bit of control over my own life. Note to people returning to law school after several years of having a career: I think the hardest thing for me right now is that I used to have a life where it was generally acknowledged that my time was worth something. I feel that law school is structured to strongly point out that my time is now worth nothing, and the school insists on making this point by forcing me to waste my time at their leisure. I'm paying for this privilege. Awesome
Despite what it sounds like, I'm actually enjoying my reading and classes. I like school. I also like the fact that I have a small goose-egg on my arm but absolutely no pain or bruises on my ass from Wednesday's fall (see "I couldn't have said it better: LSR No. Siete). I knew my fat ass would come in handy some day. That day has come (as has the end of this week). Halleluliah!
Paternalism. Must they baby-step us through everything? Does LWR really need to walk us through a library orientation? An attendance is obligatory orientation? Do we honestly need someone to spoon-feed every little bit of information from the process of research? Did I really sit through the reading of a fact pattern sentence-by-sentence in a room full of ostensibly bright people, each of us taking turns like it was 5th grade reading class? Are they unaware that all of the reference books in the library have introductions that explain their use? Why isn't there any emphasis on figuring things out for yourself, with optional events for people who would like more instruction.
So, yeah, I'm hating the fixed schedule, the coddling, and the useless hours locked on campus. "Do your reading," people say. Umm... it's done. There isn't that much reading to do. Maybe I'm missing something, but it sure doesn't seem like it. I'm also starting to dislike many of my fellow students. Could they be any more annoying? It seems like there's a competition to see who can make the most ridiculous statement about how hard they are currently working, and what they've done in the past. Do I really care about your resume? Do I want to hear your uninformed opinion? Uggghhh.... I guess I'm just bitter right now--probably because I fear I'll get sucked into the culture and start spouting off my qualifications and uninformed opinions in order to shut others up. Because, I, like them, think I know more than anyone else. What a sick bunch of idiots we are. Thank goodness for the few normals I've found. Here's to hoping 2L provides me with a little bit of control over my own life. Note to people returning to law school after several years of having a career: I think the hardest thing for me right now is that I used to have a life where it was generally acknowledged that my time was worth something. I feel that law school is structured to strongly point out that my time is now worth nothing, and the school insists on making this point by forcing me to waste my time at their leisure. I'm paying for this privilege. Awesome
Despite what it sounds like, I'm actually enjoying my reading and classes. I like school. I also like the fact that I have a small goose-egg on my arm but absolutely no pain or bruises on my ass from Wednesday's fall (see "I couldn't have said it better: LSR No. Siete). I knew my fat ass would come in handy some day. That day has come (as has the end of this week). Halleluliah!
September 3, 2003
On the patent bashing trail
Two interesting sites to check out (I mis-spelled it as "cites" the first time around. Law school is warping me):
1. Bust Patents dot-com, particularly, their invalid patent list.
2. CiteSeer, particularly their most commonly accessed document list
Two interesting sites to check out (I mis-spelled it as "cites" the first time around. Law school is warping me):
1. Bust Patents dot-com, particularly, their invalid patent list.
2. CiteSeer, particularly their most commonly accessed document list
I couldn't have said it better
These comments, and the post that inspired them sum it up. With that, DG, Beanie, and Sue become my latest favorite compadres.
As the 3 amigos above indicated, the miniature gap army is quite disconcerting. Especially when it comes to overworking. Why, oh why, did you do your reading 12 times? And why did you brief EVERY case, even the 1/2 paragraph excerpts? And why, oh why, do you insist on complaining to everyone about how much work you are doing and how you are confused by "the implications of this issue when considered in light of (insert some random-ass obscure thing that the professor doesn't want to touch)"? And really, must you go down to the front of the lecture hall after EVERY lecture. I mean, yes, your gap clothes do look nice, even in front of a crowd. But do you really think the kiss ass thing is going to help? Huh? If you thought it would help, wouldn't you just go to office hours and do the dirty deed in anonymity?
Thankfully, I went to a 1.5 hour lunch with a chill new friend from my section and he and I talked about sports, drug use in sports, roommates, girlfriends, food, life, and how annoying some of the one-dimensional delusionals in our section can be. It made my day. The huge break in the day was well spent. Even better than when my life wasn't captured by law school and I wasn't afforded 1.5 hour breaks for lunch. Don't let anyone fool you. Law school isn't too much work, it's too much control over your life. I have to be at place X at noon and place Y at 2:10. That's generally too large of a break to take a normal lunch with any local normal people you may know. So, either lunch quickly and then try to cram in a ridiculously short amount of studying, or study the entire period and skip food (yeah right), or just sit around after eating and wait breathlessly until the next school-sanctioned activity begins, or make friends you can enjoy and commiserate with during the given time. Stockholm syndrome is not efficient. I HATE inefficiency.
Law School Rant No. Siete:
Today, I tripped while carrying my heavy-ass rolling bag, newspaper and another book not in the bag (note, both arms are full in this scenario) and fell down several stairs, basically bouncing down on my ass. But no one saw it. Although, I do have a nice goose-egg on my forearm. My rant is this: as someone who attempts to navigate school with a rolling bag, I have nothing but sympathy for and anger on behalf of any wheelchair-bound students, visitors, or faculty at my school. I think it would be almost impossible to navigate my schedule, on time, with the amount of books required, for anyone with a physical disability. Interesting how my own clumsiness can make me consider this, no?
These comments, and the post that inspired them sum it up. With that, DG, Beanie, and Sue become my latest favorite compadres.
As the 3 amigos above indicated, the miniature gap army is quite disconcerting. Especially when it comes to overworking. Why, oh why, did you do your reading 12 times? And why did you brief EVERY case, even the 1/2 paragraph excerpts? And why, oh why, do you insist on complaining to everyone about how much work you are doing and how you are confused by "the implications of this issue when considered in light of (insert some random-ass obscure thing that the professor doesn't want to touch)"? And really, must you go down to the front of the lecture hall after EVERY lecture. I mean, yes, your gap clothes do look nice, even in front of a crowd. But do you really think the kiss ass thing is going to help? Huh? If you thought it would help, wouldn't you just go to office hours and do the dirty deed in anonymity?
Thankfully, I went to a 1.5 hour lunch with a chill new friend from my section and he and I talked about sports, drug use in sports, roommates, girlfriends, food, life, and how annoying some of the one-dimensional delusionals in our section can be. It made my day. The huge break in the day was well spent. Even better than when my life wasn't captured by law school and I wasn't afforded 1.5 hour breaks for lunch. Don't let anyone fool you. Law school isn't too much work, it's too much control over your life. I have to be at place X at noon and place Y at 2:10. That's generally too large of a break to take a normal lunch with any local normal people you may know. So, either lunch quickly and then try to cram in a ridiculously short amount of studying, or study the entire period and skip food (yeah right), or just sit around after eating and wait breathlessly until the next school-sanctioned activity begins, or make friends you can enjoy and commiserate with during the given time. Stockholm syndrome is not efficient. I HATE inefficiency.
Law School Rant No. Siete:
Today, I tripped while carrying my heavy-ass rolling bag, newspaper and another book not in the bag (note, both arms are full in this scenario) and fell down several stairs, basically bouncing down on my ass. But no one saw it. Although, I do have a nice goose-egg on my forearm. My rant is this: as someone who attempts to navigate school with a rolling bag, I have nothing but sympathy for and anger on behalf of any wheelchair-bound students, visitors, or faculty at my school. I think it would be almost impossible to navigate my schedule, on time, with the amount of books required, for anyone with a physical disability. Interesting how my own clumsiness can make me consider this, no?
September 1, 2003
Labor Day Rocks
So, I did take my law school books. But, I didn't read them at the lake, only on the plane. Instead of drudging through contracts, I spent my free time devouring Love in the Time of Cholera in both the sun and the drizzle and thunderstorms that came every afternoon. For those who are interested, Love in the Time of Cholera was excellent. I'm wondering when I'll get a chance to enjoy more of Marquez's work. I dream of writing stories with characters that live and breath as heavily as his do. Perhaps winter break will find me recovering from finals with One Hundred Years of Solitude.
On Saturday, E's family, friends and I rafted down the Chattooga, with each of us making the joke of whistling the theme from Deliverance at least once.
The rest of the time was spent relaxing on the dock, in the boat, in the screen porch, or one of eating, drinking, and sleeping. Not a bad way to bid the summer farewell.
So, now I have to hope that I did enough reading to keep ahead of my section--with my luck, I didn't and I'll get called on tomorrow. Oh, and one of the people who joined us this weekend is a 2L at UGA on moot court and law review. He asked in mock shock (and yet sort of serious at the same time), "You're not reading for pleasure are you? School's started, right?" Whatever...only time will tell how it all comes out in the wash, but so far, I think I've decided that the hardest part of law school is not turning into a stressed out maniac. Sua Sponte appears to have my back on this issue, but I'm not certain I buy her "you will do better on exams than I did" argument. I'm guessing that those 1Ls like myself who are (or at least give off the appearance of being) chill won't kick the gunners' butts, because we don't think it's worth it. Too much effort for not enough reward. I'd rather have free time, a life, and maybe make some contacts by being a nice, rational, respectable member of my community. I'll let you know how that works out for me. But my guess is that I won't be transferring up in the world, and it's too early to call the coin toss on law review. But hey, you never know. Stranger things have happened. I'm in law school, for example.
Speaking of law school and vacation, I need to work out...vacation is great for the soul, but not so much for the body. I think I solved the "huge breaks in the middle of my day" problem--I'll just work out during that time. Sure, I could study, if there was a place to do it. But even so, why would I work all day over books on someone else's schedule when I'm a student and my day is mine to schedule as I please. I might as well take advantage of the freedom while I have it. I know from experience that it won't last.
So, I did take my law school books. But, I didn't read them at the lake, only on the plane. Instead of drudging through contracts, I spent my free time devouring Love in the Time of Cholera in both the sun and the drizzle and thunderstorms that came every afternoon. For those who are interested, Love in the Time of Cholera was excellent. I'm wondering when I'll get a chance to enjoy more of Marquez's work. I dream of writing stories with characters that live and breath as heavily as his do. Perhaps winter break will find me recovering from finals with One Hundred Years of Solitude.
On Saturday, E's family, friends and I rafted down the Chattooga, with each of us making the joke of whistling the theme from Deliverance at least once.
The rest of the time was spent relaxing on the dock, in the boat, in the screen porch, or one of eating, drinking, and sleeping. Not a bad way to bid the summer farewell.
So, now I have to hope that I did enough reading to keep ahead of my section--with my luck, I didn't and I'll get called on tomorrow. Oh, and one of the people who joined us this weekend is a 2L at UGA on moot court and law review. He asked in mock shock (and yet sort of serious at the same time), "You're not reading for pleasure are you? School's started, right?" Whatever...only time will tell how it all comes out in the wash, but so far, I think I've decided that the hardest part of law school is not turning into a stressed out maniac. Sua Sponte appears to have my back on this issue, but I'm not certain I buy her "you will do better on exams than I did" argument. I'm guessing that those 1Ls like myself who are (or at least give off the appearance of being) chill won't kick the gunners' butts, because we don't think it's worth it. Too much effort for not enough reward. I'd rather have free time, a life, and maybe make some contacts by being a nice, rational, respectable member of my community. I'll let you know how that works out for me. But my guess is that I won't be transferring up in the world, and it's too early to call the coin toss on law review. But hey, you never know. Stranger things have happened. I'm in law school, for example.
Speaking of law school and vacation, I need to work out...vacation is great for the soul, but not so much for the body. I think I solved the "huge breaks in the middle of my day" problem--I'll just work out during that time. Sure, I could study, if there was a place to do it. But even so, why would I work all day over books on someone else's schedule when I'm a student and my day is mine to schedule as I please. I might as well take advantage of the freedom while I have it. I know from experience that it won't last.
August 28, 2003
Law School Rant Numeros Cinco y Seises
Before I go do my reading ahead of time like a good little A-type who expects to thoroughly enjoy vacation, I must rant.
#5:
The lack of a campus is going to really annoy me by the end of the semester. What am I talking about, forget December, it already annoys me. For a school of our size, the "campus" is severely lacking in locations to study with varying levels of noise. Actually, it's just severely lacking in real estate, period. Back to the study locale rant: I have tried several of the more chill study rooms, as my LWR TA referred to them. Trust me, the only thing chill is the apparent ice-cold personality of the silent students working dilligently in those rooms. I just want a place to plop down, eat my lunch, do some reading, maybe chat a bit... you know, a space to call my own for a few hours between class. In the study rooms, I feel as if I'd be drawn and quartered for chewing too loudly. And, I'm not that classy. I just might chew too loudly... you know?
If they didn't want me to kill time between classes at school, the least they could have done was place the classes sequentially in my day. Then I could read/study/what-not at home. But no.... they pick your schedule when you are a 1-L, and they force you to spend big chunks of time between classes with nothing to do except study. Presumably this is for the student who have negative will power. The campus is a great deterrent to negative will power: well... I could waste time, but then I'd have to look at the non-existant campus. Or, I could go outside to the dismal weather and unsavory neighborhood. I guess I could just do my reading. On the floor in the middle of this hallway, since there's no other free space where I can make any noise and study concurrently.
#6:
OCI is a great thing. I'm glad that 2Ls and 3Ls get to interview on campus. But when your school is dealing with the issue explained above, and the room for OCI contains one of the bathrooms that you regularly frequent... well, let's just say, it stinks of poor planning. How can they get away with cordoning off the bathrooms when they set the location for interviews? How is this legal?
Before I go do my reading ahead of time like a good little A-type who expects to thoroughly enjoy vacation, I must rant.
#5:
The lack of a campus is going to really annoy me by the end of the semester. What am I talking about, forget December, it already annoys me. For a school of our size, the "campus" is severely lacking in locations to study with varying levels of noise. Actually, it's just severely lacking in real estate, period. Back to the study locale rant: I have tried several of the more chill study rooms, as my LWR TA referred to them. Trust me, the only thing chill is the apparent ice-cold personality of the silent students working dilligently in those rooms. I just want a place to plop down, eat my lunch, do some reading, maybe chat a bit... you know, a space to call my own for a few hours between class. In the study rooms, I feel as if I'd be drawn and quartered for chewing too loudly. And, I'm not that classy. I just might chew too loudly... you know?
If they didn't want me to kill time between classes at school, the least they could have done was place the classes sequentially in my day. Then I could read/study/what-not at home. But no.... they pick your schedule when you are a 1-L, and they force you to spend big chunks of time between classes with nothing to do except study. Presumably this is for the student who have negative will power. The campus is a great deterrent to negative will power: well... I could waste time, but then I'd have to look at the non-existant campus. Or, I could go outside to the dismal weather and unsavory neighborhood. I guess I could just do my reading. On the floor in the middle of this hallway, since there's no other free space where I can make any noise and study concurrently.
#6:
OCI is a great thing. I'm glad that 2Ls and 3Ls get to interview on campus. But when your school is dealing with the issue explained above, and the room for OCI contains one of the bathrooms that you regularly frequent... well, let's just say, it stinks of poor planning. How can they get away with cordoning off the bathrooms when they set the location for interviews? How is this legal?
Black stilletto boots?
Ms. Cute Loud, your shoes are divine!
It was verified by a school-sanctioned publication of sorts that Professor Young is indeed a teaching virgin.
And, in other news, I must abscond to read ahead, for I plan on leaving for a holiday weekend on a lake with E's parents, and I don't intend on taking a single law school book with me. Just me, E, E's parents, a couple of E's friends, some good wine, good food, more good wine, a lake, the sun, and nothin' else. Ahhhh....
Ms. Cute Loud, your shoes are divine!
It was verified by a school-sanctioned publication of sorts that Professor Young is indeed a teaching virgin.
And, in other news, I must abscond to read ahead, for I plan on leaving for a holiday weekend on a lake with E's parents, and I don't intend on taking a single law school book with me. Just me, E, E's parents, a couple of E's friends, some good wine, good food, more good wine, a lake, the sun, and nothin' else. Ahhhh....
August 27, 2003
The Players
Mesdammes et Messieurs, the cast has been chosen. This semester's drama will play out with the following notable characters, among others:
[redacted]
Professor Early:
First class of the day, several days a week, and this professor is rip-roaring-ready-to-go. On Civil Procedure. Forgive me if this does not seem like the most exciting way to start my day. Forgive me as well if I'm not able to offer much in the way of character development on PE. I'm just not awake at that hour. I will say, however, that he does seem to like it when he can show off his spatial memory of the New York Times layout from the morning, and ask some eager student to read the article "second from the bottom right on the front page." An interesting teaching tool...
Professor Young:
We're convinced it's his first law school teaching gig. He's trying to be intimidating, but he's stumbling over his own words. He ambles around the point for the entire lecture without clearly pointing to it. This is a cause of much consternation amongst my section-mates. The general consensus is that this one's a loose cannon when it comes to grades and exams. How people can form opinions about cannons and their aim this early in the year is beyond me. But hey, I'm just documenting...
Professor Together:
More than anything, this woman just seems to have everything figured out. She's got the random number generator on her side for calling on people. She has already learned the names of some of the people in the section. She runs the lecture in a way that keeps people leaning forward to hear what she will say next (I'm not making this up). She's a snappy dresser. She's got the microphone on and without static before class starts. Her class, more than any other, is the one where I overhear people saying things like, "I think I may raise my hand next time," or, "I was going to volunteer to answer the hypo, but she didn't see me."
Fortunately, the majority of the other players are fun, nice, intelligent, and not annoying. This means that they don't get their own character descriptions, and will probably be referred to by "student a" and "student b." This is a good thing. I'm happy to have so many normal people to work with. Not a screenwriter's dream, but it definitely makes my experience more enjoyable.
Mesdammes et Messieurs, the cast has been chosen. This semester's drama will play out with the following notable characters, among others:
[redacted]
Professor Early:
First class of the day, several days a week, and this professor is rip-roaring-ready-to-go. On Civil Procedure. Forgive me if this does not seem like the most exciting way to start my day. Forgive me as well if I'm not able to offer much in the way of character development on PE. I'm just not awake at that hour. I will say, however, that he does seem to like it when he can show off his spatial memory of the New York Times layout from the morning, and ask some eager student to read the article "second from the bottom right on the front page." An interesting teaching tool...
Professor Young:
We're convinced it's his first law school teaching gig. He's trying to be intimidating, but he's stumbling over his own words. He ambles around the point for the entire lecture without clearly pointing to it. This is a cause of much consternation amongst my section-mates. The general consensus is that this one's a loose cannon when it comes to grades and exams. How people can form opinions about cannons and their aim this early in the year is beyond me. But hey, I'm just documenting...
Professor Together:
More than anything, this woman just seems to have everything figured out. She's got the random number generator on her side for calling on people. She has already learned the names of some of the people in the section. She runs the lecture in a way that keeps people leaning forward to hear what she will say next (I'm not making this up). She's a snappy dresser. She's got the microphone on and without static before class starts. Her class, more than any other, is the one where I overhear people saying things like, "I think I may raise my hand next time," or, "I was going to volunteer to answer the hypo, but she didn't see me."
Fortunately, the majority of the other players are fun, nice, intelligent, and not annoying. This means that they don't get their own character descriptions, and will probably be referred to by "student a" and "student b." This is a good thing. I'm happy to have so many normal people to work with. Not a screenwriter's dream, but it definitely makes my experience more enjoyable.
August 26, 2003
Best Referral, Hands Down
Ass Biting Fun
How I ended up as this search result, I'll never know. I thought I was going to great lengths to avoid using terms like "ass." Apparently, I was not vigilant enough. Oh well. Fuck it. I'm going to cuss like crazy.
Ass Biting Fun
How I ended up as this search result, I'll never know. I thought I was going to great lengths to avoid using terms like "ass." Apparently, I was not vigilant enough. Oh well. Fuck it. I'm going to cuss like crazy.
First of many misperceptions
So, the day with 2 hours of class, should, in theory be the easiest.
But what if the classes are early and you've gotten over the novelty of socratic classes. And, you have a problem with falling asleep in class. And, what if the day following the 2-hour class day you have many classes, so much of what appears to be your spare time for 2-hour day should actually be spent reading. Oh, and what if you assumed that after 2 hours of sleep-inducing class you could take a 2 hour lunch with a friend who works near school and follow it up with a leisurely walk down the embarcadero in the sun. (the sun, people. Perhaps you do not realize what a rarity a sunny and non-windy day is...) And then, what if, when you got home, you talked your love into going on a bike ride for an hour. And then of course, there was dinner, which you take quite seriously--you're not about to let anything distract you from good conversation and food for dinner.
Well, if all of the above things were true, you most certainly shouldn't be blogging right now. You have fallen into the oft-warned trap of not managing your time correctly. Duh... ain't school grand?
Tune in tomorrow for a full cast of characters. That's right, nick-named professors, obnoxious section-mates, comments on 2Ls and 3Ls, tricks to stay awake...
So, the day with 2 hours of class, should, in theory be the easiest.
But what if the classes are early and you've gotten over the novelty of socratic classes. And, you have a problem with falling asleep in class. And, what if the day following the 2-hour class day you have many classes, so much of what appears to be your spare time for 2-hour day should actually be spent reading. Oh, and what if you assumed that after 2 hours of sleep-inducing class you could take a 2 hour lunch with a friend who works near school and follow it up with a leisurely walk down the embarcadero in the sun. (the sun, people. Perhaps you do not realize what a rarity a sunny and non-windy day is...) And then, what if, when you got home, you talked your love into going on a bike ride for an hour. And then of course, there was dinner, which you take quite seriously--you're not about to let anything distract you from good conversation and food for dinner.
Well, if all of the above things were true, you most certainly shouldn't be blogging right now. You have fallen into the oft-warned trap of not managing your time correctly. Duh... ain't school grand?
Tune in tomorrow for a full cast of characters. That's right, nick-named professors, obnoxious section-mates, comments on 2Ls and 3Ls, tricks to stay awake...
August 25, 2003
Excellent start
It's Monday. At 6:30 AM, I arrived at the golf course (armed with bug repellant, a lesson learned from the last early morning game) played 9 holes and came home. I still have several hours before my first class today and I'm done with all of the reading that is due today. I think I'll take E to work in a few minutes and then head off to school (which is air-conditioned) in order to escape the heat at home. Oh, yeah, I'm also going to school early because I want to study (raaaiiiigghhhttt....).
I am happy to see that like me, Dylan plans on taking his SO more seriously than law school. I'm also happy to see the back up on this position from Beanie and JCA. I feel lucky to have my priorities straight enough to know that E is more important to me than my {gasp} career.
It's Monday. At 6:30 AM, I arrived at the golf course (armed with bug repellant, a lesson learned from the last early morning game) played 9 holes and came home. I still have several hours before my first class today and I'm done with all of the reading that is due today. I think I'll take E to work in a few minutes and then head off to school (which is air-conditioned) in order to escape the heat at home. Oh, yeah, I'm also going to school early because I want to study (raaaiiiigghhhttt....).
I am happy to see that like me, Dylan plans on taking his SO more seriously than law school. I'm also happy to see the back up on this position from Beanie and JCA. I feel lucky to have my priorities straight enough to know that E is more important to me than my {gasp} career.
August 23, 2003
The kids finally kissed and made up
The title of the article says it all: Germany and Italy--Friends Again.
The title of the article says it all: Germany and Italy--Friends Again.
Latest in the SCO debacle
Bruce Perens posted an analysis of SCO's power point presentation on the alleged "copied code" in Linux from System V Unix.
Looks like the case is pretty weak and SCO is out to repeat the AT&T-BSD battle. It's not even interesting unless you are a Unix historian...
Bruce Perens posted an analysis of SCO's power point presentation on the alleged "copied code" in Linux from System V Unix.
Looks like the case is pretty weak and SCO is out to repeat the AT&T-BSD battle. It's not even interesting unless you are a Unix historian...
Tech Update
Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that WIPO canceled a previously scheduled meeting on open source due to lobbying from the BSA and the USPTO. Particularly frustrating is this quote:
Lois Boland, director of international relations for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, said that open-source software runs counter to the mission of WIPO, which is to promote intellectual-property rights.
"To hold a meeting which has as its purpose to disclaim or waive such rights seems to us to be contrary to the goals of WIPO," she said.
It is unfortunate that we have reached a situation where philanthropy is not considered a use of rights and rather a disclaimer or waiver of rights. Donating to the public good with a requirement that the donation stay in the public good is protection of intellectual property rights. It's just not the kind of protection that makes the BSA or the USPTO any money.
Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that WIPO canceled a previously scheduled meeting on open source due to lobbying from the BSA and the USPTO. Particularly frustrating is this quote:
Lois Boland, director of international relations for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, said that open-source software runs counter to the mission of WIPO, which is to promote intellectual-property rights.
"To hold a meeting which has as its purpose to disclaim or waive such rights seems to us to be contrary to the goals of WIPO," she said.
It is unfortunate that we have reached a situation where philanthropy is not considered a use of rights and rather a disclaimer or waiver of rights. Donating to the public good with a requirement that the donation stay in the public good is protection of intellectual property rights. It's just not the kind of protection that makes the BSA or the USPTO any money.
August 21, 2003
First Day of School
Went how I expected. There were some classes. Some discussion of cases and philosophy. The professors seem smart and passionate. My fellow students seem to range from smart but freaked out into 14 colours of high-lighters to just plain high and relaxed. I'm somewhere in the middle. May I manage to stay there...
I made the mistake of trying to carry my rolling bag on my shoulders today after class, when I'd packed the books for all of my Friday classes due to the assigned reading. It hurt my neck and shoulders in a way that made me tempted to shrug, be tough, and keep it up. I suppose I bought the rolling bag for a reason--the reason being that I'm stupid about heavy sh*t. May I remember my stupidity and use the wheels...
Went how I expected. There were some classes. Some discussion of cases and philosophy. The professors seem smart and passionate. My fellow students seem to range from smart but freaked out into 14 colours of high-lighters to just plain high and relaxed. I'm somewhere in the middle. May I manage to stay there...
I made the mistake of trying to carry my rolling bag on my shoulders today after class, when I'd packed the books for all of my Friday classes due to the assigned reading. It hurt my neck and shoulders in a way that made me tempted to shrug, be tough, and keep it up. I suppose I bought the rolling bag for a reason--the reason being that I'm stupid about heavy sh*t. May I remember my stupidity and use the wheels...
August 20, 2003
Still Glowing
Yup. This law school thing seems to rock like crazy right now. The whole "Wednesday off" after Monday and Tuesday of orientation before classes on Thursday thing... yeah, it's treating me quite well. I drove E to work, drove to Costco, where they informed me that my lowly gold-star membership meant that I had to wait 'til after 11 AM to shop. So, I dropped off some of our stuff at the dry-cleaners, watched The Paper Chase, and finally returned to Costco, where they'd come to their senses and decided I could shop, so I stocked up. I also went shopping to buy new running shoes (the last pair had maybe 30 miles left in them), spent some time on my golf game (bought a new driver!), ate delicious south Indian fast food for lunch (delicious fast food, impossible, you say? Idly Podi from Madras Cafe, I say). I also read, highlighted, thought about, etc. the required reading for property, and prepared a delicious dinner of browned shallots and garlic over proscuitto-stuffed and proscuitto-wrapped basil-chicken (oh, yeah, points for me, and really, is there ever such a thing as too much prosciutto?). So, basically, I'm enjoying the life of a law student. I'm not complaining yet. So far, it's great.
Other than that, I have nothing to add except that I tried to babble to E. about the required case for property and, well, it wasn't very well received. Somehow, I think I'm going to have to keep my babbling about law to a minimum around the house. This is probably a good thing.
Yup. This law school thing seems to rock like crazy right now. The whole "Wednesday off" after Monday and Tuesday of orientation before classes on Thursday thing... yeah, it's treating me quite well. I drove E to work, drove to Costco, where they informed me that my lowly gold-star membership meant that I had to wait 'til after 11 AM to shop. So, I dropped off some of our stuff at the dry-cleaners, watched The Paper Chase, and finally returned to Costco, where they'd come to their senses and decided I could shop, so I stocked up. I also went shopping to buy new running shoes (the last pair had maybe 30 miles left in them), spent some time on my golf game (bought a new driver!), ate delicious south Indian fast food for lunch (delicious fast food, impossible, you say? Idly Podi from Madras Cafe, I say). I also read, highlighted, thought about, etc. the required reading for property, and prepared a delicious dinner of browned shallots and garlic over proscuitto-stuffed and proscuitto-wrapped basil-chicken (oh, yeah, points for me, and really, is there ever such a thing as too much prosciutto?). So, basically, I'm enjoying the life of a law student. I'm not complaining yet. So far, it's great.
Other than that, I have nothing to add except that I tried to babble to E. about the required case for property and, well, it wasn't very well received. Somehow, I think I'm going to have to keep my babbling about law to a minimum around the house. This is probably a good thing.
August 19, 2003
Not Related to Law School (yet)
Word of the day (thanks to E--now I just have to think of the appropriate insult that recruits it): barratry.
bar·ra·try ( P ) Pronunciation Key (br-tr)
n. pl. bar·ra·tries
1. The offense of persistently instigating lawsuits, typically groundless ones.
2. An unlawful breach of duty on the part of a ship's master or crew resulting in injury to the ship's owner.
3. Sale or purchase of positions in church or state.
The L-dog posted a link to an interview about blogs with Joe Trippi, campaign advisor for Howard Dean. This quote hit home for me:
Our biggest hurdle is getting people over the disbelief that they can make a difference. And the one place where I think people are starting to get over that disbelief is on the Internet: because the sense of community they're getting when they go onto a blog, or when they participate in responding to something like the FCC, more and more people every day are starting to realize, "Hey wait a minute, we do have the power to do something here." They saw it with the FCC and how Congress reacted. I think people are seeing it in our campaign too.
Why did this hit home? Because I'm used to being on the fringes. I always write my congress-critters and senators about things that upset me. I think this may be one of the first times that I was part of a mass swelling of support for something that actually changed. Even though I heard about Congress's (do I really need that last s? Strunk and White says I do, who am I to argue?) position on Media consolidation, I assumed it was because it was good law. It never occurred to me that Congress took their position as a result of constituent feedback.
So maybe the hurdle is to make people realize they can make a difference. I'm proud that I did something that mattered this time around. May I continue to do so...
Word of the day (thanks to E--now I just have to think of the appropriate insult that recruits it): barratry.
bar·ra·try ( P ) Pronunciation Key (br-tr)
n. pl. bar·ra·tries
1. The offense of persistently instigating lawsuits, typically groundless ones.
2. An unlawful breach of duty on the part of a ship's master or crew resulting in injury to the ship's owner.
3. Sale or purchase of positions in church or state.
The L-dog posted a link to an interview about blogs with Joe Trippi, campaign advisor for Howard Dean. This quote hit home for me:
Our biggest hurdle is getting people over the disbelief that they can make a difference. And the one place where I think people are starting to get over that disbelief is on the Internet: because the sense of community they're getting when they go onto a blog, or when they participate in responding to something like the FCC, more and more people every day are starting to realize, "Hey wait a minute, we do have the power to do something here." They saw it with the FCC and how Congress reacted. I think people are seeing it in our campaign too.
Why did this hit home? Because I'm used to being on the fringes. I always write my congress-critters and senators about things that upset me. I think this may be one of the first times that I was part of a mass swelling of support for something that actually changed. Even though I heard about Congress's (do I really need that last s? Strunk and White says I do, who am I to argue?) position on Media consolidation, I assumed it was because it was good law. It never occurred to me that Congress took their position as a result of constituent feedback.
So maybe the hurdle is to make people realize they can make a difference. I'm proud that I did something that mattered this time around. May I continue to do so...
Brain Dump
So, first, happy 1-year birthday to effinchamp--his photos have made many of my days.
Second, I left orientation after two sessions today. I probably could have skipped the entire day. I don't do well with baby-steps. I also don't quite get the idea of a mock class... why wouldn't we just start real classes? I'm sure there are plenty of people who received quite a bit of useful information from the orientation sessions I missed, and I'm happy that they did because I was able to put that time to use by taking a gorgeous drive down highway 1, stopping at a small farm and buying fresh heirloom tomatoes, spending time at a beach for the second time this week, and then coming home in time to get in a 2-hour work out, all before 7 pm.
Third, at the risk of sounding spoiled, arrogant, and all the other negative adjectives usually attributed to law students, I'm not certain that I buy into the 1L-is-the-hardest-thing-you-will-ever-do dogma. Sure, classes haven't started, and I'm speaking way out of turn. Maybe the whole "learning to think like a lawyer" transformation will be painful as fsck. If and when I'm wrong, I'll take it back and let you know just how wrong I was. But, given the information that I have so far, I'd be withholding the truth if I didn't share that I'm not convinced that this year is going to be close to hell:
Even if the reading is increased 10-fold, it's still only 30 hours of reading in addition to class. That's plenty of spare time in my week for a social schedule, working on my golf game, and a good solid workout program. When discussing my confusion over the 1L hell with a friend (a brilliant engineer, who is disdainful of lawyers, and well, just about everyone else as well), he pointed out that the average law student probably needs 20 hours per week of reality TV, which can really cramp the studying schedule. I laughed. I also hope he's right. It would be wonderful if this year was actually easier than life on the outside as long as I'm as disciplined as I was in my career. Somehow, given the testimony of the people who've gone before me, I'm not certain I'll be so lucky. But, I can hope...
So, first, happy 1-year birthday to effinchamp--his photos have made many of my days.
Second, I left orientation after two sessions today. I probably could have skipped the entire day. I don't do well with baby-steps. I also don't quite get the idea of a mock class... why wouldn't we just start real classes? I'm sure there are plenty of people who received quite a bit of useful information from the orientation sessions I missed, and I'm happy that they did because I was able to put that time to use by taking a gorgeous drive down highway 1, stopping at a small farm and buying fresh heirloom tomatoes, spending time at a beach for the second time this week, and then coming home in time to get in a 2-hour work out, all before 7 pm.
Third, at the risk of sounding spoiled, arrogant, and all the other negative adjectives usually attributed to law students, I'm not certain that I buy into the 1L-is-the-hardest-thing-you-will-ever-do dogma. Sure, classes haven't started, and I'm speaking way out of turn. Maybe the whole "learning to think like a lawyer" transformation will be painful as fsck. If and when I'm wrong, I'll take it back and let you know just how wrong I was. But, given the information that I have so far, I'd be withholding the truth if I didn't share that I'm not convinced that this year is going to be close to hell:
- 14 hours a week of classes
- several tolerable (even pleasant) and non-competitive section-mates
- 62 pages of reading by friday
- professors who are better communicators than the majority of my engineering and science instructors
Even if the reading is increased 10-fold, it's still only 30 hours of reading in addition to class. That's plenty of spare time in my week for a social schedule, working on my golf game, and a good solid workout program. When discussing my confusion over the 1L hell with a friend (a brilliant engineer, who is disdainful of lawyers, and well, just about everyone else as well), he pointed out that the average law student probably needs 20 hours per week of reality TV, which can really cramp the studying schedule. I laughed. I also hope he's right. It would be wonderful if this year was actually easier than life on the outside as long as I'm as disciplined as I was in my career. Somehow, given the testimony of the people who've gone before me, I'm not certain I'll be so lucky. But, I can hope...
August 18, 2003
It started well
A sunny day. A rarity. An auspicious start, as one of the (seemingly infinite) speakers claimed. The sessions, as I previously mentioned, were mainly boring, long, and full of vocal repetition of the information contained in the handouts.
Quote of the day:
There is absolutely no reason why I need to be sober for this. - a sage in my section, on law school orientation
I made fast friends with at least two people in my section. Given my general people pickiness, I couldn't help but be impressed. Should be interesting to see how long the morning-after glow lasts. All in all, I came home quite happy (perhaps the champagne reception had something to do with that...) with the people and professors that will be taking up the majority of my time this year. I even managed to wait through the lines for ID card photos and books without any major mishaps or idiotic comments to post to the blog (bummer 'bout that...).
A sunny day. A rarity. An auspicious start, as one of the (seemingly infinite) speakers claimed. The sessions, as I previously mentioned, were mainly boring, long, and full of vocal repetition of the information contained in the handouts.
Quote of the day:
There is absolutely no reason why I need to be sober for this. - a sage in my section, on law school orientation
I made fast friends with at least two people in my section. Given my general people pickiness, I couldn't help but be impressed. Should be interesting to see how long the morning-after glow lasts. All in all, I came home quite happy (perhaps the champagne reception had something to do with that...) with the people and professors that will be taking up the majority of my time this year. I even managed to wait through the lines for ID card photos and books without any major mishaps or idiotic comments to post to the blog (bummer 'bout that...).
Whaa?
Lovely night for acid reflux. Woke up and now can't sleep. I'm fairly certain it has more to do with the wine and food than stress over orientation. At least I hope it's the food. I so don't want to be a stereotypical law student who's stressed before school even begins.
Either way, I should be back asleep in a few minutes after the Zantac kicks in. Lame.
Lovely night for acid reflux. Woke up and now can't sleep. I'm fairly certain it has more to do with the wine and food than stress over orientation. At least I hope it's the food. I so don't want to be a stereotypical law student who's stressed before school even begins.
Either way, I should be back asleep in a few minutes after the Zantac kicks in. Lame.
August 17, 2003
Gorgeous Weekend
Friday: wasting the day away in catch-up conversation with a good friend, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by a stay-at-home mom. I want a stay at home mom. Man, that dinner was good. And their house, it was so clean...
Saturday: lounging on the beach all day, reading, conversation, making new friends, frisbee with the dog, and a friend's party at night.
Sunday: wasting more time with a different friend, two movies, slow-roasted tomatoes (8 hours in the oven, E is a culinary genius!), a few chores, and a delicious dinner including prosciutto, romano, and basil stuffed chicken and a bottle of Diciannove (which is amazing, and reasonably priced, what's not to love?). Seriously, Diciannove it's easily one of the best value blends available in California today. If you find it, try it.
Tomorrow's the beginning of the law school thing, which is exciting, but I'm sure I'll sleep just fine after the meal and wine. Here's to hoping I wake up in time...
Friday: wasting the day away in catch-up conversation with a good friend, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by a stay-at-home mom. I want a stay at home mom. Man, that dinner was good. And their house, it was so clean...
Saturday: lounging on the beach all day, reading, conversation, making new friends, frisbee with the dog, and a friend's party at night.
Sunday: wasting more time with a different friend, two movies, slow-roasted tomatoes (8 hours in the oven, E is a culinary genius!), a few chores, and a delicious dinner including prosciutto, romano, and basil stuffed chicken and a bottle of Diciannove (which is amazing, and reasonably priced, what's not to love?). Seriously, Diciannove it's easily one of the best value blends available in California today. If you find it, try it.
Tomorrow's the beginning of the law school thing, which is exciting, but I'm sure I'll sleep just fine after the meal and wine. Here's to hoping I wake up in time...
August 15, 2003
The Next 5 Months
So, at the risk of being ridiculously wrong...I am going to go out on a limb and say,
"Woo Hoo!!!!"
"I am so in love with my school schedule."
14 hours of class:
Torts
Legal Writing and Research
Civ Pro
Property
Yes, a big chunk of information to learn. But, 14 hours of class? And nothing before 9:40 AM? My schedule is so open to my own implementation. The possibilities have me giddy. I'm sure the reality will be less wonderful. But, for tonight, I'm ecstatic. Compared to the 65-70 hours per week I was putting in at the end of my internship this summer, going to law school seems like a fabulous idea.
update: I forgot Cotnracts. But it's still only 14 hours per week.
So, at the risk of being ridiculously wrong...I am going to go out on a limb and say,
"Woo Hoo!!!!"
"I am so in love with my school schedule."
14 hours of class:
Torts
Legal Writing and Research
Civ Pro
Property
Yes, a big chunk of information to learn. But, 14 hours of class? And nothing before 9:40 AM? My schedule is so open to my own implementation. The possibilities have me giddy. I'm sure the reality will be less wonderful. But, for tonight, I'm ecstatic. Compared to the 65-70 hours per week I was putting in at the end of my internship this summer, going to law school seems like a fabulous idea.
update: I forgot Cotnracts. But it's still only 14 hours per week.
Last Day of Freedom
Slept in. Surfed the web. Now I'm off to the pool and then an afternoon and dinner with a friend I haven't seen in 6 months. Not a bad way to spend the day.
Oh, and the cold retreated.
Law School Rant No. Cuatro?
The web site. It appears that one of the faculty members secured their 5th grader a "Learn HTML in a summer" project, which became the school's web site. It doesn't work in most browsers, it's ugly, the menus often don't display. I'm certain the fifth grader is now a 7th grader with HTML experience and is ashamed of her work. I'm also certain that my school can no longer afford her going rate. So, IT maintains the site with an apathy that is palpable while surfing. I can only hope that they make good on their promise to post our section assignments and schedules today. You see... I'm very excited to start school. {laugh} Yup, I'm a geek. Always have been. At least I no longer have the HUGE coke-bottle glasses with large plastic rims that I was forced to wear when I was in 5th grade. Contacts are a good thing.
Slept in. Surfed the web. Now I'm off to the pool and then an afternoon and dinner with a friend I haven't seen in 6 months. Not a bad way to spend the day.
Oh, and the cold retreated.
Law School Rant No. Cuatro?
The web site. It appears that one of the faculty members secured their 5th grader a "Learn HTML in a summer" project, which became the school's web site. It doesn't work in most browsers, it's ugly, the menus often don't display. I'm certain the fifth grader is now a 7th grader with HTML experience and is ashamed of her work. I'm also certain that my school can no longer afford her going rate. So, IT maintains the site with an apathy that is palpable while surfing. I can only hope that they make good on their promise to post our section assignments and schedules today. You see... I'm very excited to start school. {laugh} Yup, I'm a geek. Always have been. At least I no longer have the HUGE coke-bottle glasses with large plastic rims that I was forced to wear when I was in 5th grade. Contacts are a good thing.
August 13, 2003
Latest SCO news
SCO has terminated Sequent's Unix License. I've never heard of anyone actually using Sequent Unix (Dynix/ptx). Doubt it's really a problem for IBM, they'll probably just brush it off like all of the other SCO annoyances.
SCO has terminated Sequent's Unix License. I've never heard of anyone actually using Sequent Unix (Dynix/ptx). Doubt it's really a problem for IBM, they'll probably just brush it off like all of the other SCO annoyances.
On the mend
Slowly. I don't want to make any sudden movements. In fact, I don't want to move at all.
Check out the Google logo today. It's Al's Birthday.
Slowly. I don't want to make any sudden movements. In fact, I don't want to move at all.
Check out the Google logo today. It's Al's Birthday.
August 12, 2003
Mutiny!
My body let the virii take over, or at least, I've lost control of my nose and head. I can only hope the rest of my body will fight back and eventually reclaim the vessel.
Last night, I was hot, cold, and full of snot--sometimes all at the same time. So, I couldn't get in bed until 2 AM, and then I just tossed and turned until I removed myself from the bed for E's sake. I watched the rest of Primary Colors at 4 AM when I moved to the couch for good. At 7 AM, I woke again, incapable of sleep, and watched The Accused. I fell back asleep at 9:00, to wake at 10:00, and watch Some Like It Hot. This is not exactly what I had planned for my week of blissful freedom. I only get 3 netflix at a time. Not to mention that this is particularly devastating to my ideal work out schedule. You know, that week of working out would have magically been able to transform my body into a lean, mean, law student machine--envy of all in my section. But, now that I'm just not healthy enough to pull it off...well, I might as well give up and stick to my existing wardrobe and body type. Too bad, the awe-inspiring physique would have been fun.
All in all, I suppose it's not that bad. Sure, I feel like a**, but 3 movies in 24 hours is pretty indulgent. And, I did manage to clear a few chores off the list yesterday before the assault was in full effect. Given that I HATE being sick when I should be working, I guess if I had to be sick, this is the best option. So, today will consist of me trying to take care of more chores, which require physical effort, and realizing that I am just too weak to handle them. At that point, I will curl up on the couch with The Left Hand of Darkness and finally finish making my way through The SFRA Science Fiction Short Story Anthology. It's not a bad way to spend a day at all... hiding from chores and devouring brain candy in preparation for the weeks of substance I'll be reading very shortly. It's almost nice to have an excuse to put off the chores. Of course, I think I'd rather my nose stop dripping and my head stopped pounding, but I suppose I can pound liquids and vitamins in hope of that for tomorrow.
Wish me a speedy recovery, I may not be so cheery 'bout this whole thing tomorrow.
My body let the virii take over, or at least, I've lost control of my nose and head. I can only hope the rest of my body will fight back and eventually reclaim the vessel.
Last night, I was hot, cold, and full of snot--sometimes all at the same time. So, I couldn't get in bed until 2 AM, and then I just tossed and turned until I removed myself from the bed for E's sake. I watched the rest of Primary Colors at 4 AM when I moved to the couch for good. At 7 AM, I woke again, incapable of sleep, and watched The Accused. I fell back asleep at 9:00, to wake at 10:00, and watch Some Like It Hot. This is not exactly what I had planned for my week of blissful freedom. I only get 3 netflix at a time. Not to mention that this is particularly devastating to my ideal work out schedule. You know, that week of working out would have magically been able to transform my body into a lean, mean, law student machine--envy of all in my section. But, now that I'm just not healthy enough to pull it off...well, I might as well give up and stick to my existing wardrobe and body type. Too bad, the awe-inspiring physique would have been fun.
All in all, I suppose it's not that bad. Sure, I feel like a**, but 3 movies in 24 hours is pretty indulgent. And, I did manage to clear a few chores off the list yesterday before the assault was in full effect. Given that I HATE being sick when I should be working, I guess if I had to be sick, this is the best option. So, today will consist of me trying to take care of more chores, which require physical effort, and realizing that I am just too weak to handle them. At that point, I will curl up on the couch with The Left Hand of Darkness and finally finish making my way through The SFRA Science Fiction Short Story Anthology. It's not a bad way to spend a day at all... hiding from chores and devouring brain candy in preparation for the weeks of substance I'll be reading very shortly. It's almost nice to have an excuse to put off the chores. Of course, I think I'd rather my nose stop dripping and my head stopped pounding, but I suppose I can pound liquids and vitamins in hope of that for tomorrow.
Wish me a speedy recovery, I may not be so cheery 'bout this whole thing tomorrow.
August 11, 2003
Ahhh...
The vacation consisted of 7 wineries and 2 days of nothing but good food, wine, gorgeous countryside and conversation with friends. I'm very relaxed.
If you ever happen to be looking for a restaurant in downtown Paso Robles (Say, for example, if you are taking the 101 from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Barbara), YOU MUST GO TO ALLORO. The food was superb. I decided not to have risotto ai frutti di mare (my standby) in favor of gnocchi piemontese, which was divine in two ways: one, the gnocchi was perfectly formed and consistently light; two, the sauce was a drool-inspiring balanced combination of strong mushrooms, tomatoes, cream, and several herbs. The risotto, ordered by one of my friends, came in a gargantuan dish, and it was just as good if not better than my gnocchi, both in al dente consistency and in balance of fresh seafood/shelfish with the lighter flavors of tomato, wine, and herbs. The two other diners in our party had homemade spinach ravioli and they raved as much as the rest of us. Tiramisu was excellent, as was the after diner coffee.
The food was amazing, but more importantly, this restaurant that we chose by rock-scissors-paper turned out to have a wine list that has received the "one of the best wine lists in the world" award from The Wine Spectator. Mind you, a good wine list in my estimation includes values--good wine that costs very little and is only appreciated by people who happen to be adventurous enough to try it despite its lack of prestige and popularity. So the best part about Alloro according to me? They had enough variety and quality on their wine list that I was able to order a bright and cheery Valpolicella from Veneto and a clean, fruity white Fruili (pinot grigio) for a total of $40. Two bottles of excellent wine, in California, at a nice restaurant, for under $40? I was in Heaven. Fruili, in particular is wine that I love to buy in Italy for EU 8-10. Several times, I have asked, where could find this value wine in the US. Always, the response was a laugh, and "Beviamo tutti qui, in Italia." (We drink it all here, in Italy) Apparently, a few bottles make it to Alloro. Go try some.
In blogland, blogger gave the archives back, so I guess I won't migrate to MT this week. I also managed to get comments up on the site, via Haloscan. Very easy instructions and script generator. If you're looking for a friendly comments host, I recommend 'em. If you're solvent, I recommend donating.
This week promises to be full of sleeping in, catching up with friends before I disappear into the black hole of school, working out, taking care of chores, more good food, drinking some of the wine from the trip, and, of course, more relaxing. Monday, my new life begins.
The vacation consisted of 7 wineries and 2 days of nothing but good food, wine, gorgeous countryside and conversation with friends. I'm very relaxed.
If you ever happen to be looking for a restaurant in downtown Paso Robles (Say, for example, if you are taking the 101 from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Barbara), YOU MUST GO TO ALLORO. The food was superb. I decided not to have risotto ai frutti di mare (my standby) in favor of gnocchi piemontese, which was divine in two ways: one, the gnocchi was perfectly formed and consistently light; two, the sauce was a drool-inspiring balanced combination of strong mushrooms, tomatoes, cream, and several herbs. The risotto, ordered by one of my friends, came in a gargantuan dish, and it was just as good if not better than my gnocchi, both in al dente consistency and in balance of fresh seafood/shelfish with the lighter flavors of tomato, wine, and herbs. The two other diners in our party had homemade spinach ravioli and they raved as much as the rest of us. Tiramisu was excellent, as was the after diner coffee.
The food was amazing, but more importantly, this restaurant that we chose by rock-scissors-paper turned out to have a wine list that has received the "one of the best wine lists in the world" award from The Wine Spectator. Mind you, a good wine list in my estimation includes values--good wine that costs very little and is only appreciated by people who happen to be adventurous enough to try it despite its lack of prestige and popularity. So the best part about Alloro according to me? They had enough variety and quality on their wine list that I was able to order a bright and cheery Valpolicella from Veneto and a clean, fruity white Fruili (pinot grigio) for a total of $40. Two bottles of excellent wine, in California, at a nice restaurant, for under $40? I was in Heaven. Fruili, in particular is wine that I love to buy in Italy for EU 8-10. Several times, I have asked, where could find this value wine in the US. Always, the response was a laugh, and "Beviamo tutti qui, in Italia." (We drink it all here, in Italy) Apparently, a few bottles make it to Alloro. Go try some.
In blogland, blogger gave the archives back, so I guess I won't migrate to MT this week. I also managed to get comments up on the site, via Haloscan. Very easy instructions and script generator. If you're looking for a friendly comments host, I recommend 'em. If you're solvent, I recommend donating.
This week promises to be full of sleeping in, catching up with friends before I disappear into the black hole of school, working out, taking care of chores, more good food, drinking some of the wine from the trip, and, of course, more relaxing. Monday, my new life begins.
August 8, 2003
Audi
So...almost...done. It's a fabulous feeling. I haven't had a vacation where I was honestly free from professional commitments for well over a year. And boy, am I looking forward to it.
I just want to leave and start my vacation immediately, but alas, I'm waiting on feedback and an IDS from my admin. I will be signing documents and sending them out the door on the very last minutes of my time here. At least I know I'm useful.
I think while I wait for stuff to come back to my desk, I'll go get my admin a thank you card.
So...almost...done. It's a fabulous feeling. I haven't had a vacation where I was honestly free from professional commitments for well over a year. And boy, am I looking forward to it.
I just want to leave and start my vacation immediately, but alas, I'm waiting on feedback and an IDS from my admin. I will be signing documents and sending them out the door on the very last minutes of my time here. At least I know I'm useful.
I think while I wait for stuff to come back to my desk, I'll go get my admin a thank you card.
Things are warming up
IBM and Novell finally got annoyed, grabbed arms, and started retorting their own version of "Red Rover, Red Rover, let SCO come on over."
Another article has this snippet, and I couldn't agree more.
Unlike SCO, IBM has been very careful not to make inflammatory statements. So when IBM fires a broadside it is a very carefully prepared action, which will be very carefully executed," said Gary Barnett, principal consultant at Ovum. "If SCO is wrong, IBM is absolutely right to ask for compensation."
"IBM has more patents than anyone, and more money and more lawyers than SCO. SCO will be bled dry before it can make its case," he added.
SCO seems quite like the spoiled schoolyard brats who whine and threaten when they aren't getting their way, but really, they don't have much in the way of toughness, so it's all idle threats. Good thing IBM is on the side of the GPL, I would not want the players to be reversed.
IBM and Novell finally got annoyed, grabbed arms, and started retorting their own version of "Red Rover, Red Rover, let SCO come on over."
Another article has this snippet, and I couldn't agree more.
Unlike SCO, IBM has been very careful not to make inflammatory statements. So when IBM fires a broadside it is a very carefully prepared action, which will be very carefully executed," said Gary Barnett, principal consultant at Ovum. "If SCO is wrong, IBM is absolutely right to ask for compensation."
"IBM has more patents than anyone, and more money and more lawyers than SCO. SCO will be bled dry before it can make its case," he added.
SCO seems quite like the spoiled schoolyard brats who whine and threaten when they aren't getting their way, but really, they don't have much in the way of toughness, so it's all idle threats. Good thing IBM is on the side of the GPL, I would not want the players to be reversed.
August 7, 2003
Will be Missed
RIP to the "other" sua sponte, antillico, learned foot, bloody nub, et. al. over at Open and Notorious.
I'm gonna miss 'em. Most of us law blogging types are just too damn boring, conservative, scared, or old-in-the-soul, to live and write with the flava of those chicks.
Here's to hoping their submit an honest review of your law school effort gains momentum. It's a much needed resource. I'll be posting one of these frustrated weeks in the near future, no doubt.
RIP to the "other" sua sponte, antillico, learned foot, bloody nub, et. al. over at Open and Notorious.
I'm gonna miss 'em. Most of us law blogging types are just too damn boring, conservative, scared, or old-in-the-soul, to live and write with the flava of those chicks.
Here's to hoping their submit an honest review of your law school effort gains momentum. It's a much needed resource. I'll be posting one of these frustrated weeks in the near future, no doubt.
Uggghhh...
Several months ago, I sent a letter to both of my Senators regarding Maher "Mike" Hawash, and his detainment as a material witness.
Yesterday, he plead guilty to one charge of conspiring to contribute services to the Taliban. His plea agreement details his actions.
I, like many people, am irate at the fact that Mr. Hawash, an American citizen, was held for 5 weeks, without charge. More information on the material witness statute and several other articles are available at the Free Mike Hawash Links Page.
What has me the most upset? The government has overstepped their bounds, but, they did it in the case of someone who plead quilty. I fear that his guilty plea will go far in silencing the people who should be arguing with the government's actions on principal.
I don't subscribe to the theories that he was coerced or tortured by the government. He plead guilty. But just because he plead guilty after the fact does not mean that he should have been denied his rights of habeus corpus beforehand.
I can only hope that this type of investigation and holding of American Citizens in direct opposition to the Constitution will be a checkered past we've overcome in the very near future.
Several months ago, I sent a letter to both of my Senators regarding Maher "Mike" Hawash, and his detainment as a material witness.
Yesterday, he plead guilty to one charge of conspiring to contribute services to the Taliban. His plea agreement details his actions.
I, like many people, am irate at the fact that Mr. Hawash, an American citizen, was held for 5 weeks, without charge. More information on the material witness statute and several other articles are available at the Free Mike Hawash Links Page.
What has me the most upset? The government has overstepped their bounds, but, they did it in the case of someone who plead quilty. I fear that his guilty plea will go far in silencing the people who should be arguing with the government's actions on principal.
I don't subscribe to the theories that he was coerced or tortured by the government. He plead guilty. But just because he plead guilty after the fact does not mean that he should have been denied his rights of habeus corpus beforehand.
I can only hope that this type of investigation and holding of American Citizens in direct opposition to the Constitution will be a checkered past we've overcome in the very near future.
August 6, 2003
Cartoon California
Wee....
How can you not feel a sense of childhood when confronted with a reality like this? (link to calblog--awesome coverage of the CA governor madness) The government system is NOT functioning according to plan. It's alice in wonderland time, kids.
And, as I said before, I'm not actually all that upset about the fact that Arnold'll most likely be governor of this fine, hilarious state at some point in my lifetime.
In fact, I think I may even vote for him.
Wee....
How can you not feel a sense of childhood when confronted with a reality like this? (link to calblog--awesome coverage of the CA governor madness) The government system is NOT functioning according to plan. It's alice in wonderland time, kids.
And, as I said before, I'm not actually all that upset about the fact that Arnold'll most likely be governor of this fine, hilarious state at some point in my lifetime.
In fact, I think I may even vote for him.
August 5, 2003
SCO's blackmail
Give us $699 now for a single processor machine and we won't sue you later. After October 15th, it'll be $1399.
SCO Group's contention is that it needs to collect fees from users for its intellectual property because vendors such as IBM and Red Hat Inc. don't indemnify their customers against intellectual-property infringements contained in the Linux kernel. "There's a shell game going on here about legal Linux liability," McBride said. "The rock is showing up under the shell of the end user. Vendors have shifted liability to their customers. IBM and Red Hat have painted a Linux liability target on the backs of their customers."
Or maybe, you can't win picking on people your own size, so you're picking on the little guy.
Obviously, the comments are raging on slashdot.
Give us $699 now for a single processor machine and we won't sue you later. After October 15th, it'll be $1399.
SCO Group's contention is that it needs to collect fees from users for its intellectual property because vendors such as IBM and Red Hat Inc. don't indemnify their customers against intellectual-property infringements contained in the Linux kernel. "There's a shell game going on here about legal Linux liability," McBride said. "The rock is showing up under the shell of the end user. Vendors have shifted liability to their customers. IBM and Red Hat have painted a Linux liability target on the backs of their customers."
Or maybe, you can't win picking on people your own size, so you're picking on the little guy.
Obviously, the comments are raging on slashdot.
Useful Patent Links
So, I've spent quite a bit of time on PAIR at the USPTO.
And, I've used IPDL at the World Intellectual Property Organization (note that both of the previous links have the cool country code of "int").
But, today, I discovered http://ep.espacenet.com/, which is a free search engine where I was able to find abstracts for my EP, GB, and WO patents all in one pop.
So, I've spent quite a bit of time on PAIR at the USPTO.
And, I've used IPDL at the World Intellectual Property Organization (note that both of the previous links have the cool country code of "int").
But, today, I discovered http://ep.espacenet.com/, which is a free search engine where I was able to find abstracts for my EP, GB, and WO patents all in one pop.
August 4, 2003
No time to talk
Finished the shots today (adult polio vaccine, apparently the childhood one doesn't count), so I suppose they have to let me show up now.
4 days of work left. Too much work to count.
Very much looking forward to my mini-vacation in central california wine country. But, that's not 'til Friday, after I've finished all my work (I hope, I hope, I hope). Back to my reading. Eyes front.
Finished the shots today (adult polio vaccine, apparently the childhood one doesn't count), so I suppose they have to let me show up now.
4 days of work left. Too much work to count.
Very much looking forward to my mini-vacation in central california wine country. But, that's not 'til Friday, after I've finished all my work (I hope, I hope, I hope). Back to my reading. Eyes front.
August 1, 2003
Poke, Poke
Law School Rant No. tres:
My law school wants records of my immunization since birth. And a physical. And a medical history.
But, I'm opting out of the school's insurance, I have my own doctor, and I don't want to give up any of my private medical information. Not to mention the fact that I wasn't too stoked to take my healthy self to the doctor for a cheesy check-up that required the following:
1. Breast/Prostate exam (Wha???? This is actually the main cause of this rant. I don't get it. Aren't most law students in their 20's? Aren't these tests for cancer? Why don't they require other cancer tests? You know, a head scan? Lung scan? I just don't get it.)
2. Immunization records for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (Fine, I think this is a bit silly for anyone born and educated in the US, since it was required in order to enter grade school, but fine. I can respect this one. It's just a pain to bother my mom and ask her to find the records.)
3. Hepatitis A and B immunization records? (Oh, so I don't accidentally donate or accept untested blood from a fellow student? Or perhaps they are going to post Hep A/B infection rates somewhere on campus so that if you want to hook up, you can check the list first. Of course, there's no other STDs on the list, so I'm not quite certain how useful this would be. What could possibly be the logic here?)
4. Tetanus booster within the last 10 years. (Okay, so this is a good idea for your health. But does the school have a habit of leaving rusty needles on the floor? Perhaps the desks bite gunners who move too quickly? I think I'm grumpy about this one because I hadn't had a booster in 10 years, so now I have a very sore left arm. Damn.)
5. 4 vials of blood drawn for various immunity tests and 1 sub-cutaneous injection for the TB test.
The arbitrary choice of immunization and infection tests gives credence to the often-cited theory that grades are just random. Sure, there's some stuff that makes sense, but at least half of it is absolutely silly.
Also, I can now say that the pain of law school has commenced. It is currently residing in 3 poked holes in my arms.
Law School Rant No. tres:
My law school wants records of my immunization since birth. And a physical. And a medical history.
But, I'm opting out of the school's insurance, I have my own doctor, and I don't want to give up any of my private medical information. Not to mention the fact that I wasn't too stoked to take my healthy self to the doctor for a cheesy check-up that required the following:
1. Breast/Prostate exam (Wha???? This is actually the main cause of this rant. I don't get it. Aren't most law students in their 20's? Aren't these tests for cancer? Why don't they require other cancer tests? You know, a head scan? Lung scan? I just don't get it.)
2. Immunization records for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (Fine, I think this is a bit silly for anyone born and educated in the US, since it was required in order to enter grade school, but fine. I can respect this one. It's just a pain to bother my mom and ask her to find the records.)
3. Hepatitis A and B immunization records? (Oh, so I don't accidentally donate or accept untested blood from a fellow student? Or perhaps they are going to post Hep A/B infection rates somewhere on campus so that if you want to hook up, you can check the list first. Of course, there's no other STDs on the list, so I'm not quite certain how useful this would be. What could possibly be the logic here?)
4. Tetanus booster within the last 10 years. (Okay, so this is a good idea for your health. But does the school have a habit of leaving rusty needles on the floor? Perhaps the desks bite gunners who move too quickly? I think I'm grumpy about this one because I hadn't had a booster in 10 years, so now I have a very sore left arm. Damn.)
5. 4 vials of blood drawn for various immunity tests and 1 sub-cutaneous injection for the TB test.
The arbitrary choice of immunization and infection tests gives credence to the often-cited theory that grades are just random. Sure, there's some stuff that makes sense, but at least half of it is absolutely silly.
Also, I can now say that the pain of law school has commenced. It is currently residing in 3 poked holes in my arms.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)