Turpis Causa

Nothing much to say...

2007-02-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

As someone pointed out today, I am now 1/3 of the way through my last semester of law school. Huh, really? I guess this means I'm almost done, is May that close? What have I done during the past 2 2/3 years? I up and moved 400 miles south, and it's still cold & snowy here, not Buffalo snow, but enough to make me wish I lived on a tropical island somewhere. I'm in a lot more debt now, that will have to be paid back, but for that I need a job, which this school thing is supposed to be helping me with - but since I've got a 1/3 of a school year left to figure that out those loan companies will have to wait a bit. I got a cat. He's cute, and fuzzy. Who knew unconditional love was so good for you? Other than that, I'm not sure what I've accomplished in this time. Heck, life is more interesting and almost easier here, but where does that get me? Posting on a blog at 9:30 on a Wednesday night. That's where.

A Moment of Silence Please

2006-09-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

The Crocodile Hunter has passed. Steve Irwin managed to have his heart pierced by a sting ray, which immediately precipitated his death. What a way to go!

And now that Labor Day has come and gone, we have to say good-bye to a few more things. White, linen, the casual dress code, the summer, and central air. It is nice to be able to sleep with my windows open for a change. Hopefully my electric bill feels the same way. All this talk of fall is making me think that I need to start planning for the holidays - like figuring out exactly where I will be for Thanksgiving, and when I need to go home for Christmas. Guess I should start investigating flights so I don't get totally hosed on my airfare.

Blech, all this means I have to start taking school seriously. Fun time is over, time to buckle down and be a law student. Only 2 semesters left. As long as complacency doesn't kick in hard I think I can make it. It will take a lot of coffee to get there, but May 20, 2007, here I come!

The South is Charming....

2006-08-28T20:57:00.000-05:00

I think. Nice place to vacation, but small town, fried food America is not a place I'd like to live. I survived a week at the beach in North Carolina with minimal sunburn and the most relaxation I've had in years. I did enjoy the fact that the hardest decision I had to make all week was what bathing suit to wear to the beach. Nothing like waking up insanely early only to realize (a) you don't have to get up; (b) you could get up and go to the beach; or (c) you could go back to sleep, the beach will be there later.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some country music, and some seafood, but by day 4 my body was craving Starbucks. Not just coffee, specifically Starbucks. No amount of breading on food can take the place of Starbucks. I have a serious chemical dependency and cold turkey is not the way to go about breaking it.

The beach was an absolutely wonderful place to vacation. Limited commercialism, limited hoochie mamas in bikinis, lots of ocean and sand and birds. Fun things to take pictures of. I got to read magazines all week instead of law books and rarely touched my lap top [yes, I still took it with me, I know it's pathetic].

I heartily recommend a week at the beach for everyone, it's restorative. I think I'm going to schedule a week at the beach every summer for myself. Anybody in for Beach Week '07?

"You Look Bored"

2006-07-30T18:27:00.000-05:00

"That's because I am."

This is how I met Steve, biomedical engineer, from - of all places - Binghampton. That's right. Somehow looking bored and stand-offish in bar attracted the attention of a guy from my neck of the woods, New York. Now mind you, I was bored and being my miserable, why the heck did I go out, self in Adams Morgan, so I responded to all his questions with one word answers. But that nice guy from Binghampton thing (or a lot of beer) made him persistent. It took him 5 minutes to extract from me that I was from Buffalo - that's a lot of questions with one word answers. Seriously, guys normally give up/take a hint by that point. In any event he wasn't too put off to ask that if I didn't feel it was too forward would I like to grab a drink next week. And at that point, he got brownie points for being from Binghampton and for not being sketchy - unlike the crazy guys standing 2 feet away from us the entire night. What's makes this funny though is the minute after we exchanged phone numbers, Steve turns around and starts groping the girl next to him! That's some game. Wonder if she was bored too?

ISO ... a birthday gift

2006-07-10T21:40:00.000-05:00

Sought:

Personal assistant with an umbrella and a cup of coffee ready at all times. Must be ready & willing to play backgammon at a moment's notice. Will need to wash & gas my car when needed. Should be familiar with technology and open-minded about music . Must be able to keep track of appointments and adept at scheduling time for the important things in life. No experience necessary.

* If I do actually get a personal assistant for my birthday I would love you forever!.

So that's what the handwriting on the wall says...

2006-07-03T16:29:00.000-05:00

In my quest for self-realization I took a handwriting analysis test. If you know me, this is creepy.

For a graphologist, the spacing on the page reflects the writer's attitude toward their own world and relationship to things in his or her own space. If the inputted data was correct Daughter of Shylock ("DoS") has no white space or margins on a typical sheet of paper. DoS fills up every last inch on the top, right, left, and bottom. Hmmm. If this is true, then DoS has a very aggressive personality toward others and quite frankly lacks a bit of respect for the space and property of other people. I would be surprised if DoS just comes into someone's home and helps herself to a drink in the refrigerator. This can be both an obnoxious personality trait and it can be assertive and effective in getting what you want. There isn't much fear of getting in trouble here, DoS finds plenty of reasons to break the rules and get in trouble. (Okay, perhaps when she was younger, not anymore?) Basically, people with no margins are a handful.

DoS has a very unusual lower zone y loop. If the data input is correct, DoS's y or g is large and opens up to the left side of the page. This is not a common trait, but the implications are very interesting. As you begin to study handwriting analysis, you will learn any loop indicates imagination. This lower loop indicates the amount of imagination DoS has regarding sex and physical things. So, her lower zone stroke is large, so her sexual imagination is large and open. Furthermore, because the loop is incomplete and extends to the left, this indicates a particular fascination with certain aspects of sexuality that have not been fulfilled, yet. In a nutshell, DoS is open to some very new ideas sexually and is willing to try anything once.

DoS has a healthy imagination and displays a fair amount of trust. She lets new people into her circle of friends. She uses her imagination to understand new ideas, things, and people.

DoS is sarcastic. This is a defense mechanism designed to protect her ego when she feels hurt. She pokes people harder than she gets poked. These sarcastic remarks can be very funny. They can also be harsh, bitter, and caustic at the same time.

DoS is a practical person whose goals are planned, practical, and down to earth. This is typical of people with normal healthy self-esteem. She needs to visualize the end of a project before she starts. She finds joy in anticipation and planning. Notice that I said she plans everything she is going to do, that doesn't necessarily mean things go as planned. DoS basically feels good about herself. She has a positive self-esteem which contributes to her success. She feels she has the ability to achieve anything she sets her mind to. However, she sets her goals using practicality-- not too "out of reach". She has enough self-confidence to leave a bad situation, yet, she will not take great risks, as they relate to her goals. A good esteem is one key to a happy life. Although there is room for improvement in the confidence catagery, her self-perception is better than average.

In reference to DoS's mental abilities, she has a very investigating and creating mind. She investigates projects rapidly because she is curious about many things. She gets involved in many projects that seem good at the beginning, but she soon must slow down and look at all the angles. She probably gets too many things going at once. When she slows down, then she becomes more creative than before. Since it takes time to be creative, she must slow down to do it. She then decides what projects she has time to finish. Thus she finishes at a slower pace than when she started the project. She has the best of two kinds of minds. One is the quick investigating mind. The other is the creative mind. Her mind thinks quick and rapidly in the investigative mode. She can learn quicker, investigate more, and think faster. DoS can then switch into her low gear. When she is in the slower mode, she can be creative, remember longer and stack facts in a logical manner. She is more logical this way and can climb mental mountains with a much better grip.

Diplomacy is one of DoS's best attributes. She has the ability to say what others want to hear. She can have tact with others. She has the ability to state things in such a way as to not offend someone else. DoS can disagree without being disagreeable.

DoS will be candid and direct when expressing her opinion. She will tell them what she thinks if they ask for it, whether they like it or not. So, if they don't really want her opinion, don't ask for it!

DoS will demand respect and will expect others to treat her with honor and dignity. DoS believes in her ideas and will expect other people to also respect them. She has a lot of pride.

DoS uses judgment to make decisions. She is ruled by her head, not her heart. She is a cool, collected person who is usually unexpressive emotionally. Some may see her as unemotional. She does have emotions but has no need to express them. She is withdrawn into herself and enjoys being alone. The circumstances when DoS does express emotions include: extreme anger, extreme passion, and tremendous stress. If someone gets her mad enough to tell her off, she will not be sorry about it later. She puts a mark in her mind when someone angers her. She keeps track of these marks and when she hits that last mark she will let them know they have gone too far. She is ruled somewhat by self-interest. All her conclusions are made without outside emotional influence. She is very level-headed and will remain calm in an emergency situation. In a situation where other people might get hysterical, she has poise. DoS will work more efficiently if given space and time to be alone. She would rather not be surrounded by people constantly. In a relationship, she will show her love by the things she does rather than by the things she says. Saying "I love you" is not a needed routine because she feels her mate should already know. The only exception to this is if she has logically concluded that it is best for her mate to hear her express her love verbally. DoS is not subject to emotional appeals. If someone is selling a product to her, they will need to present only the facts. They should present them from a standpoint of her sound judgment. She will not be taken in by an emotional story about someone else. She will meet emergencies without getting hysterical and she will always ask "Is this best for me?"

People that write their letters in an average height and average size are moderate in their ability to interact socially. According to the data input, DoS doesn't write too large or too small, indicating a balanced ability to be social and interact with others.

So according to this analysis: I am cold hearted , aggressive, practical, and have an interesting sex life. And - don't get on my bad side. Huh - who knew??? :)

You thought I was pissed off last week....

2006-07-01T00:11:00.000-05:00

OK there is a reason I don't talk to my exes. They're assholes. Case in point: the following letter I received today from Ex #3.

Dear Daughter of Shylock:

I'm sure you have chosen not to speak to me for some valid reason, and I can accept that. [Really? You think? Do you think it might have anything to do with the fact that you're a jerk? That you came between me & one of my close friends? That perhaps you've never grown up? I'm glad you can accept that, because I got over years ago, approximately 5 minutes after we broke up]
However, I feel the need to to have one-ended conversations with you on occasion in an attempt to keep in touch. [I'm happy to see your English skills haven't advanced any in 6 years and apparently you don't understand the concept of staying in touch, sad.]

We might not be part of each other's present or future lives, but we share a common past that directed us to the present. [Yes, I've learned that any guy who buys you a car muffler for Valentine's Day deserves to be punished, and will only disappoint you. Thank you for that, I'm glad we got to share that common past]

I have not a clue what you think of me anymore (if you think of me ever), and I have no idea who you have grown to be. [OK no, I don't think of you, I have a happily functional life without thinking of you. I'm not one to waste my time worrying about where idiots are now.]

I then got a "brief"update on his life that lasted another page and a half. WTF??? First of all, how did he get my address here? When I sent out change of address cards, he certainly was not on the list. Second, why the sudden need to include me in his still wasteful and incredibly trite life? I've got better things to do with 2 minutes of my life than read this ridiculous letter, which came folded up like the notes you pass in high school. Mature.

Despite the fact that I have ignored every form of communication he's sent me in the past few months, I have a feeling I might not be able to control myself this time. I feel a scathing letter about the state of his mind and manhood coming on. If you're going to try to keep the lines of communication open, be ready for the shit storm when you contact people who want nothing to do with you.

All of my other exes should take note, don't bother me. I don't have time for you, and you don't want to hear what I have to say about you - because it isn't nice.

The Next Round's On Me!!

2006-06-26T21:48:00.000-05:00

Today has been the best Monday.

It finally stopped raining in time for me to go to work, on my walk to the Metro some guy tried to give me his phone number and had crossed the street solely for that purpose. Despite the fact that an hour and a half after that I still hadn't made it to work because the Metro was flooded from the aforementioned non-stop rain, I was still in a good mood.

Then I get to work, I actually have work to do, which is shocking in and of itself, and sad that I enjoy actually having work to do. Then, my bosses' boss, the guy you want to sign the letter of recommendation because his title is important (a) tells me my legal writing is pretty good [which I think is a compliment] (b) offers me a job (c) if I don't want to work for him after school, he will get me interviews with firms that may hire me instead!

That's like the trifecta of good things when it comes to legal jobs. What more could I ask for? [Besides a magical summer subsidy that would appear in my hands tomorrow]

What am I going to do with my Tuesday now? Somehow the week has to get better, can it get better? I should buy a lottery ticket. It was that kinda Monday.

DAMMIT

2006-06-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Right now, I am angry. So angry in fact, that words simply cannot express the gut wrenching ball of emotion that will undoubtedly not allow me to sleep tonight. And for that simple reason, I felt the need to blog. Because obviously when you can’t find the words to express yourself, what else would you do besides try to put those words into print?

Adding to my intense feeling of hatred for life and its many twists is the aggravation that Blogger and the goddamn internet is giving me right now. As if I didn’t have enough problems right now, stupid technology has to complicate things.

I dare someone to call me right now, because man, would I pick a fight about nothing that would inevitably end up in me hanging up on you because you’re being ridiculous and for god’s sake, grow up and let’s discuss this like adults. If I was drunk I would totally call up an ex and rehash everything he did wrong in a relationship that was over years ago. I feel like this is an anger that can only be resolved by getting something tattooed. However, being 400 miles away from the tattoo artist I trust is only adding to my level of frustration.

Good thing I am not going to work tomorrow, because I will undoubtedly be in a really bad mood tomorrow too and I should really avoid all contact with people that I want to speak to later in my life. It’s probably a good thing that we don’t have any alcohol in the house right now either.

I really need to work on my anger management skills – this entire post sounds really unhealthy. But the first step is admitting you have a problem…. So here it goes. I AM ANGRY!

Life Lessons #7839

2006-06-13T22:18:00.000-05:00

I learned a bit about myself this past weekend and I know you're all dying to know, so I'm going to share.

I am not a keg party kinda girl. I can bullshit my way through any cocktail party, but take me out of my element and I'm back in 1st grade where I sat in the corner and was quiet so I didn't get in trouble. This was actually precipitated by getting detention my first day of first grade because I got tricked into swearing and was immediately told on. Funny how that lead to years of me being the quiet little girl in back row, swearing under my breath at the stupid teacher.

I am ready to be swept off my feet, and I'm not settling for anything less. I'm 25 dammit. After years of dating guys because it was fun to have a boyfriend, I'm ready to date someone I'm in love with. I don't have much patience for guys now. Either they get it or they don't. And I'm not waiting around for them to figure it out.

Despite my NY sensibility and deep rooted sense of self-assuredness, I do not like walking alone to find a cab at 1 AM. I also do not enjoy being shushed by a cab driver, that's just ridiculous. If you don't want me to tell you where I live, then you better have some extraordinary ESP skills. If not, you're not getting a tip for being rude to me.

I intensely dislike 1Ls. It was bound to happen, and dealing with a bunch of them as summer interns where I've already been interning for 6 months is starting to get on my nerves. By the end of the summer they better wisen up or I'm going to slap at least one of them.

I'm sure this will be a summer of revelations, so stayed tuned to me figuring out what you already know about me, and were just afraid to tell me. I promise I'll tone down the death stare, unless of course you're being stupid, in which case I'll just swear at you under my breath. I've gotten pretty good at it in the last 20 years!

The Fates Are Out to Get Me.

2006-06-08T20:46:00.000-05:00

Proof #1: We're out of liquor (see post below)

#2: I tried to fix that problem today, only the liquor store didn't have power, so I couldn't use my credit card. Who carries around enough cash to buy a bottle of vodka?

#3: I overslept by 2 hours today, because we lost power last night and my alarm clock didn't go off. Hence I was 2 hours late for work. [However, the Fates do have a sense of humor, nobody knew I was late, because my boss didn't show up to work until 3 today!]

#4: Myspace is broken. OK, it's not that important, but I have to find someway to amuse myself when I'm not at work. I mean, it's like a whole 4 hours a week, what am I going to do with all that free time?

#5: My free lunch plans for the day were cancelled and moved to tomorrow, which considering #3 means I had to shell out for lunch, since running out of the house in sheer panic doesn't leave you much time to pack a lunch.

#6: Not only do I have to work until 9 pm on a Friday night, I've got the same shitty shift on Saturday. This is cramping my plans to enjoy my summer.

#7: It looks like North Carolina is going to win the Stanley Cup. I mean honestly, Edmonton really should win, they're Canadian after all. Even without their goalie they just deserve to win. I have a particular animus towards teams from the South winning the Cup. (See Buffalo v. Dallas, 1999). First North Carolina edges the Sabres out of the finals, and now they're practically assured the Cup. What is going on here?

#8: The song that just came on Pandora is "70's Porn Star" by the X-rated Cowboys. I mean really, I appreciate Honkytonkbadonkadonk, but this is a little much.

#9: It's 10 pm and I'm exhausted, despite getting almost 10 hours of sleep last night. This is a sign I'm old. This must mean it's time to settle down and resign myself to being an adult now. Damn is that depressing.

I'm going to have to turn my karma around somehow. Maybe I'll start giving my change to the economically challenged people by the Metro. Maybe I should start worshipping something, I mean, if I was to subscribe to a religion, it might change my future right? Maybe not, I have no plans of getting elected, I can stick with my current lack of faith. That just sounds like something else I'd have to fit in my schedule. However, if any of you out there feel like praying for my soul, I'll take all the help I can get.

There Should Be A Law...

2006-06-07T21:41:00.000-05:00

...against being out of vodka and rum at the same time. I mean, what are you people trying to tell me? I know we had two parties this past weekend, but by Wednesday, anything that was empty should be replaced, right? Isn't that how the system works? I don't think you all understand how important vodka tonics are to me.

For instance, after spending a bit of time second hand smoking a hookah tonight, I was craving a vodka tonic. I mean, it could be that, or the fact that this is the first night in almost a week I haven't worked until 9:30 or so. Or it could be in celebration of getting published twice in two weeks. Whatever excuse you like, it's definitely time for a drink!

That said, tomorrow, a bunch of liquor is going on my credit card. This "dry" spell at our place can't go on. It's just not healthy. You don't want to see me after 2 days in a row without a drink. It ain't pretty.

Ante Up...

2006-04-30T23:45:00.000-05:00

So this is the time of the year where I normally bore you with what I think I may have learned in the past year. However, since I still have 2 exams and at least one more opportunity to get trashed with a bunch of law school people, I think I'm going to hold off.

However, there is one issue we need to settle now. Pay up. I made it through the semester without having that nervous breakdown you all predicted. So those of you who placed bets on how long it would take should fork your money over to me, since technically I won. Ha, I may be exhausted and sleep deprived, but I did it. You owe me.

Convention Crashers....

2006-04-29T18:25:00.000-05:00

My recent experience crashing a medical school convention has taught me a few things:

Rule #1: Have a back story. This is important so that when asked where you go to school you don't turn to the person next to you (who doesn't go to medical school either) and say "uh" so that she must quickly fill in with a random school. Make sure you say you're with a group that's actually at the convention. See if you can score a name tag.

What to do if this happens: start rubbing your temples and say "it's been a long day." If you're crashing a convention it's always a good idea to pretend like you've attended the other scheduled activities.

Rule #2: Sit with the most exuberant table during the raffle. Most likely they are drunk and won't realize you're not actually part of the convention group. They'll be friendly too and share their raffle items with you.

Rule #3: Free swag, get it. You must feign interest in the exhibitors and whatever B.S. program they are trying to sell you. Ask key questions: where are you located? what kind of a time commitment is required? What do you look for in an applicant? How soon should I apply?

Rule #4: Go for quality, not quantity. Don't just pick up the free key chain because it's free. I mean what are you going to do with 10 key chains? T-shirts & pens are always good, unique items like dental floss are always good, and always pick up the coffee mugs. You can never have too many coffee mugs. See if you can swap unique or popular swag items, it's totally kosher.

Rule #5: They always give the microphone to at least one drunk person, laugh along, you'll seem like a good spirited person, getting yourself invited to whatever social event is occurring afterwards.

Rule #6: Take advantage of all free food and booze, in moderation. You can't get too drunk, you don't want to give yourself away, however, a slight buzz is always good for meeting people.

Rule #7: Eavesdrop, what functions are going on tomorrow? When? Now that you've already got yourself in, try to take advantage the next day too. You're practically part of the group, you've got face recognition now!

Rule #8: Close the deal, tell everyone it was so nice to meet them, isn't it great they have these conventions and that you hope to see them all next year!

Now that I know the rules, I think I've found a new full time occupation. Screw this law school crap, I can eat & drink for free, I'll never have to go close shopping again, and I'll always have a pen. What more do you need in life?

Summer '06 Here We Come

2006-04-23T23:20:00.000-05:00

This year, I'm getting t-shirts made and we're going to wear them everywhere! Here's the list of this summer's goals,** if you're interested in joining up, you know who to contact, expect a flurry of reply to all emails. Join now and receive a special bonus!*

See the Aquarium in Baltimore
Visit the National Cathedral
Make it to Eastern Market
Wander around Old Town
Go to the Zoo? (How did that make the list? Been there, done that)
Shakespeare in the Park, with better planning than last year
See a movie on the Mall
See a movie at the NGA
Taste of DC
Restaraunt Week, when everybody can make it
Dancing at the Kennedy Center, there will be a camera involved
Eat at the Rooftop Terrace at the Kennedy Center a la Rachel Ray
Go shopping at the Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Beach trip to North Carolina!!

Update #1: add to your schedules: horseback riding & country line dancing. You know you want to! [4/29/06]

*Special bonus offer to be determined by the Board of Directors of Summer '06 and is contingent on demand and supply. The Board reserves the right to substitute special bonuses of lesser value than the originally offered product or service.

** This list is subject to change at any time, at the discretion of the Board. Suggestions will be considered, and most likely rejected, but don't hesitate to send them in!

Baby don't you know I'm a real soul shaker?

2006-04-22T22:03:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought that your life would be much better if you were living in a country song?

For instance, right about now I could use a guy who's not too good at love out loud, but will do anything to see me smile, and who would go crazy without me, because he needs a woman's touch.

Every once in awhile he'll saddle up his horse & ride into the city, he'll make a lotta noise, cuz the girls they are so pretty, but when he comes home I'll say "cowboy, take me away." He'd comply because we need wide open spaces, if he's going to write my number on the 50 yard line. We would run away to somewhere between Texas and Mexico to trade 20 margaritas for some moonshine, even though Jose Cuervo's a friend of mine. Because there's no mystery about why he surrenders to me, I think his tractor's sexy (because I want to save a horse and ride a cowboy.)

He'd never be like Earl, you know I'd never lose any sleep at night if he was, 'cuz he ain't worth missin'. If he was a regular, original, know-it-all, it wouldn't impress me much.

But when the right cowboy came around, we'd talk about my heart, my brains and my smarts, because talking about me makes him grin. Occasionally we'd talk about him-him-him, even though he didn't even listen to a word I said. He's always looking for a little less talk and a lot more action.

I'd always love the way he loved me; he'd hate to see me go, but love to watch me leave, with that honkeytonkbadonkadonk. (Best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun!) I'd always come back though and swear to him that I'm going to wrap him up in love like a hurricane and blow him away. I ain't gonna be just another heart breaker, baby don't you know I'm a real soul shaker?

Protestors put me in a bad mood.

2006-04-10T17:17:00.000-05:00

I almost told someone on the Metro today to take the First Amendment and shove it. Then I looked at the very large flag on the very large pole he was carrying and I thought I should avoid a confrontation. I can't imagine getting beaten with a flag pole is an enjoyable experience.

First of all, who organizes a protest that lasts less than 2 hours? WTF? The immigration protest was supposed to start at 3:30 today and by the time I left work today people leaving the protest were flooding the Metro. To top this wonderful development off, Metro had turned the escalators off, so I had to pick my way veeeerrrryyy slowly down the stairs following children and old people who simply did not understand that this was rush hour and I needed to be somewhere. I don't know enough about the new immigration law to say anything thoughtful, but obviously it's not that big of a deal if the protest only lasts an hour and a half. They won't even get live coverage on the evening news!

Reassuringly however, there was a large security presence in the Metro station, which was nice to see since I've adopted an irrational distrust of everyone on the Metro this week. It's spring break and protest time so the Metro is filled with tourists and idealists. Neither of whom understand that people just trying to get back and forth to work take the Metro, that it isn't a tourist attraction, and we aren't amused by your children swinging around the poles and falling over.

Look at that, I've turned into a jaded Washingtonian! I'm going to take this new irritated, annoyed and better than you, what the hell are you doing on my Metro attitude with me everywhere I go this week just to see how many tourists I can convince that Washingtonians are rude.

Where Are You People?

2006-04-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

I am sitting in what is potentially the most boring class I have ever taken. And that's saying a lot since I've taken about 4 semesters of Constitutional Law. Nobody is on AIM, nobody's on Google Talk. I've read all my email, deleted all my spam. I've run out of things to do. Why do you all have better things to do besides be online and talk to me? It's totally unfair. I might start clicking on random links on Google's advertising. Or I could start Googling all of you. This is what you get for not being around when I'm bored. I'm going to start posting random mean things on your myspace pages. Hahahahaha.

SWF ISO SM...

2006-03-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

According to my count I have officially spent enough time being single. Since I broke up with the ex as a birthday gift to myself, I've spent a good enough time enjoying all those things that come with being single. Spending my weekends in my pajamas, drinking beer and playing video games, just because I can.

This said, summer is arriving soon and that seems to be just about the right time to be in a couple. I mean, it's always nice to have someone carry your beach towel for you right?

If you'd like to apply, I have a few disclaimers which you must read and accept before continuing through the process.

First, here's what a few online "personality tests" say about me, just so you know what you're getting into:

1. Myers-Briggs: I'm an INTJ, thus I am an "idea" person. Anything is possible; everything is negotiable. See full description here.

2. Starbucks Oracle: I am a Schmuck: "You work your ass off because you're obsessed with money and status. You're always lying about having powerful friends. You wouldn't mind sleeping your way to the top but would miss getting to backstab coworkers along the way. All porn stars drink venti skim vanilla latte. Also drinks: $15 martinis

3. Simpsons Character I'm Most Like: Lisa Simpson. No explanation needed.

4. Personality Defect Test: I am the Haughty Intellectual. You are a very rational person, emphasizing logic over emotion, and you are also rather arrogant and self-aggrandizing. You probably think of yourself as an intellectual, and you would like everyone to know it. Not only that, but you also tend to look down on others, thinking yourself better than them. You could possibly have an unhealthy obsession with yourself as well, thus causing everyone to hate you for being such an elitist twat. On top of all that, you are also introverted and gentle. This means that you are just a quiet thinker who wants fame and recognition, in all likelihood. Rather lacking in emotion, introspective, gentle, and arrogant, you are most certainly a Haughty Intellectual! And, most likely, you will never achieve the recognition or fame you so desire! Sweet!

Now, time for your requirements: you must be patient, intelligent, and love dogs. Punctuality is a plus, don't listen to GQ. I'm usually pretty picky, but right now I'm tired so I can't think of the rest of the things I'd like in a man. Maybe that's just a sign of desperation. Anyways, send in your apps, I promise to give them all a fair evaluation.

Brilliant, but not so Talented

2006-03-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

In my recent quest to update my music library I happened upon Panic! At the Disco's album: A Fever You Can't Sweat Out. While they sound like an updated version of the Bare Naked Ladies [not a compliment] I'm mentioning them for their sheer brilliance in song titles. For instance: "The Only Difference Between Suicide and Martyrdom is Press Coverage;" "I Write Sins Not Tragedies;" "There's a Reason the Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven't Thought of it Yet;""I Thank God Constantly for Esteban;" and my personal favorite "Build God, Then We'll Talk."

I'm intrigued by Napster's Personal Recommendations for me. Now y'all know my taste in music, so you'll find this list amusing: Some Hearts - Carrie Underwood; The Emancipation of Mimi - Mariah Carey; #1's - Destiny's Child; I Am Me - Ashley Simpson; The Best of Tha Del Funkee Homosapien - self explanatory; Enormous Members' Club - Brooks.

Apparently Napster thinks I like techno, reggae, and chicks. Boy are they ever wrong. Let's take a look at my list of recent downloads: Rain Fall Down - Rolling Stones; Soul Shaker - Big & Rich; Bom Bom Bom - The Living Things. If anything, Napster should be recommending a bunch of old fogey bands and country. They should hire Google to work on their recommendations. At least the ads I get with my email are slightly content based.

I heart Buffalo

2006-03-16T20:04:00.000-05:00

Do you know what I'm doing right now, as we speak? [as I type and you eventually later read] Eating Beef on Weck. That's right, true to life, down home Bufflao food. Thanks to my soon to be very successful friend over at Woman Speaks the Truth I am eating possibly the best food combination ever, beef, salty roll, horseradish and gravy. Now all we need is some hot wings, some sponge candy and loganberry pop. Hmm... this is something I can search for online during class next weekend when I am not paying attention. This could lead to a Buffalo night at my place... anybody up for it?

Reflections on Accomplishing Nothing

2006-03-11T22:37:00.000-05:00

Spring Break is over and what have I accomplished?

Let's review my goals:
Catch up on school work - not accomplished
Visit 3 art galleries - done!
See the baby panda at the zoo - not accomplished
Get a massage - not accomplished
Wander around Georgetown - not accomplished
Go to Eastern Market - not accomplished

Bottom Line: Spring Break was a bust. I spent a lot of the week in malls and hung over. Which I guess also means I spent a lot of time drinking too. Leading to a rumor that I am drunk 14 hours out of the day on a regular basis. Apparently I will be subjected to random sobriety tests when school starts again on Monday. Of course I did sleep a lot, which was necessary. Otherwise I might have had that nervous breakdown you're all taking bets on. Tomorrow I will study. I promise. There will be no leaving the house until I've caught up in at least 2 classes. [Unless of course, it's beautiful outside again and I have the urge to spend more money!]

Reason #7854 why I need to quit my weekend job

2006-03-07T20:48:00.000-05:00

Incompetent managers who think it's OK to show up to work 2 hours late without telling anyone because they had to go to church. For those of you in the know, on Sundays we don't open until noon. My first problem with a manager showing up at 1 p.m. on a Sunday? They're supposed to get there at 11 AM to get payroll done and open the store. My second problem? There are only 3 people scheduled to work on Sundays anyways, and really we need at least 4. For some reason, Sundays are busy days in the retail world. Third problem? It's incredibly inconsiderate to put two associates who you supervise in the position of being overworked and overwhelmed, and then not paid on time because you came in too late to get payroll done.

I completely respect people for having faith and I understand that some commitments come before work, but you can't tell me there isn't an early service or that you can't make Sunday one of your regular days off if you want to go to church. A retail job isn't that inflexible, I have set days off, I'm sure managers can too.

Needless to say I had an absolutely miserable Sunday since I spent an hour doing the work of 3 people, then spent the next 5 hours at work doing the work of 2 people since it was incredibly busy. Of course, to add insult to injury, my manager had the gall to ask me if I could stay late to help her clean up. At this point I lost it and went off on a rant about people coming in late and putting associates and our customers in a difficult situation. Then I got a lecture about what it means to go to church and that work isn't everything. Of course, this completely escalated the situation, since I am the last person who needs a lecture about work being the least important thing. I work 2 days a week at this job, but I have a better work ethic than someone who gets paid twice what I do to shuffle paper. Give me a break. At this point I threatened to quit if this was going to keep up, I don't need to pull the weight of 2 people during the weekends, it would be nice to have my weekends off. So I've got next weekend off [planned] we'll see how this works out in two weeks. Cross your fingers! Maybe I really will quit!!!

Spring Break is for?

2006-03-03T22:17:00.000-05:00

Relaxing right? That's good, because I'm pretty sure that's where my week is headed. So far during the first day of spring break, I've gone shopping because I thought my place needed a spring update and came home with 2 sweaters, placemats, candles, hangers, shelves, and Girl Scout cookies. I mean, what's spring without Girl Scout cookies??? I've got great plans for Spring Break, I'm going to hit up at least 3 art galleries and catch up on my "culture," I'm going to go to the Zoo to see the baby panda, I'm going to get a massage, I'm going to wander aimlessly around Georgetown just to see what's there, I'm going to go to Eastern Market. Long story short, I'm going to explore all the stuff in DC I haven't seen in the past year I've lived here.

Now, do you think I did any of this today? When the sun was out and it was almost not miserable to walk around outside? Oh no, the sweet call of TV and video games kept me indoors after my shopping excursion. I made a very impulse purchase a couple weeks ago, the Atari Collection for PS2, when I walked past a Sam Goody store that was closing. After playing about 6 different games in 20 minutes I've decided I missed the Atari craze when I was little. I'm from the Super Mario Bros. generation. I must be spoiled, there are better graphics on my cell phone than there are on this Atari collection. I think that when I used to play Snood on my TI-83 in high school it looked better. Give me Tekken 4 any day of the week. The fake violence is calming and mindless. I miss the days when you could just sit in front of the TV and play video games until your eyes hurt. Admittedly this only occurred when I had a full-time job, not when I was in school. But now I've got a whole week to ruin my eyesight!

It's now 10:30 on the first night of my week off and I'm completely bored. Good thing I'm going to work tomorrow! That'll give me something to do! Wait you say, aren't you on spring break? Why yes, I am, but you know me, I am psychologically incapable of taking an entire week off from school and work. Thus I am working 4 out of the 10 days I don't have to be at school. That's not too bad is it? I mean, it's less than half of my break right? And right after that I'll get back to my cultural education!!

Conspiracy Theory #1: Starbucks Brewed Coffee

2006-02-16T11:30:00.000-05:00

It's terrible. Let's just start there. I'm convinced that Starbucks underprices it's brewed coffee because (a) it's awful (b) the minute you drink it you'll wish you spent the $4 on the latte (c) because it only cost you less than $2 you immediately throw it out and go order that $4 latte, hence Starbucks just made $6 off of you instead of the $4 they would've gotten if you hadn't been so cheap in the first place.

For those of you who are thinking about ordering a cup just to experience it yourself, let me save you the $2. First, it's always too hot. Coffee shouldn't be boiling, it should be just under boiling so that you can drink it without scorching your mouth and still be able to taste things for the rest of the day. Second, it's always too strong. The pure strength of the coffee cannot be diluted no matter how much half and half or sugar you put in it. That is a sign they've simply brewed it too strong or left it in the pot too long. Which could possibly be the origin of the too hot problem. This also makes it very acidic, so the minute you get your first non-boiling mouthful you gag and your stomach recoils, yet you swallow anyways because it contains that sweet, sweet, and much needed caffeine. By this point your taste buds have just given up and decided to take a 2 week vacation to recuperate, so you can drink at least half the cup without realizing that you're really just ingesting moist coffee beans. At this point, your stomach starts to protest the fact that you're pouring pure acid into it and you realize that you should stop drinking, but you don't. Caffeine is a strong addiction. Depending on what size you ordered, this could potentially lead to large health problems, as finishing that venti brewed coffee may just induce a stroke or a nervous tic you just can't get rid of.

It's not that hard to brew a strong, but pleasantly balanced cup of coffee with Starbucks beans or any other whole bean. It takes some experimentation with ground size and amount of water, but it can be acheived. You would think that with the years of experience Starbucks has in the industry they could get the formula just right. Or, maybe they purposely get it wrong every time so that you'll spend the $4 instead of $2. The markup on espresso drinks is much more inflated than brewed coffee. I have to say that the person who came up with the plan to always have bad brewed coffee is a genius and probably a very valued employee.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get a skim, no foam, double latte to make it through the rest of the day.

Spring has Sprung

2006-02-16T11:20:00.000-05:00

At least according to the girls wearing Ugs with a mini skirt, tank top, and bubble jacket. Nothing says spring is here like wearing half summer clothing and half winter clothing. Props to them just for wearing a mini skirt without tights and then deciding to throw on the Ugs. Nothing says you're on top of fashion trends like putting on a pair of expensive and ugly boots with the shortest skirt you own, so that the bottom half of your legs are warm and the top part is getting frost bitten. I'm waiting to see the corresponding fashion statement from the guys on campus, the polo shirt with the sleeves ripped off, popped collar, and sideways visor combined with your choice of baggy jeans, cargo shorts or warm up pants/shorts and always, always, worn with flip flops. When I see that Spring is officially here, no matter what PunxsutawneyPhil had to say.

Inflammatory?!? Who's inflammatory?

2006-02-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

NEWS FLASH!! Previously unreleased "inflammatory" pictures of more prisoner torture at Abu Ghraib prison surfaced today in an Australian newspaper. Hmm. If they were inflammatory a couple months ago, why aren't they inflammatory now? I mean, it's not like we don't have enough riots or deaths or protests right now.

I'm all over freedom of the press and for the role of the press as the Fourth Estate. I guess my ire lies with the overuse of "inflammatory." Really, let's focus on what's important here and not blow stupid things out of proportion. For instance, Dick Cheney's little shooting accident. Now, we all know that I am the last person in the world who would defend anyone in the Bush administration. With that said, the White House Press Corps has just turned rabid. Now they're so bored they're willing to take anything and make a big issue out of it. Nothing prevented any of them from following Cheney on his vacation and getting the scoop. They're just mad it got reported by some podunk local reporter first. It was disclosed, in an appropriate amount of time, get over it. I mean it's not like he killed anyone (yet).

Canadiens are so disappointing

2006-02-04T23:08:00.000-05:00

Hockey, with no winter jacket involved. In my wildest dreams I couldn't imagine such a thing existing. From pre-season to the playoffs in Buffalo you try to squeeze a jacket over your jersey when heading to a game. If you're hard core and you attend bar league hockey games, you tried to squeeze a jacket over the five layers of clothing you were wearing, because you know the overhead heaters in the spectator area were broken. Plus when the game lets out at 2 am it's about 10 below outside. Even if you were attending a little league or school hockey game, you still had on at least 3 layers of clothing and were searching for the hockey booster who brought the beer. This is not how hockey is done in the nation's capital.

Thanks to a brush with global warming, it's been practically spring like here for the past week or so. So when we headed out to the Capitals - Maple Leafs game on Friday there was no need to wear a jacket. Being from an old-skool hockey town, I was still wearing two shirts and a sweater under my jersey [yes, I wore a Buffalo jersey, only to get attention from potentially cute hockey lovin' guys, I mean really, I was wearing a jersey for a team that wasn't even playing. Of course, so were 4 out of 5 of our group, we even got noticed by the Capitals mascot for being slightly out of touch]. This of course was a poor choice considering the fact that it was still near 60 when I started walking to the Metro. 20 minutes and one rush hour trip on the Metro later I was regretting adding that extra layer. It is a very odd experience to sit and watch hockey without having to reach for your jacket or gloves halfway through the first period.

This said, Buffalonians are practically Maple Leafs fans, i.e. we'll cheer for them unless they're playing Buffalo, so I was practically foaming at the mouth waiting for the game to start so that people in DC could see how hockey should be played. Yeah, was I disappointed. Not only did the Maple Leafs not score during any power play, they had one goal the entire night. Pathetic, it was like they were already on the Olympic break. The shitty, lazy, sloppy, my 12 year old cousin can play better than that, Capitals actually won the game. WTF. Of course, the Capitals fans not knowing how to handle the situation could only muster up half hearted heckling of Eddie Belfour. Nothing compared to the decibels of heckling you'd hear at home. At home, where real hockey is played, you can't hear the announcment of who scored the goal because we're heckling Belfour so much. Plus it's practically mandatory that someone in every section has an air horn or one of those trumpet things.

I miss hockey, more precisely, I miss hockey in Buffalo. I miss the screen that goes all the way around the HSBC Arena, with the cool effects, I miss Sabretooth, the goofy mascot, I miss the steam coming out of the Buffalo's snout when we score a goal, I miss the people shooting the t-shirts off the zambonis in between periods, I miss Rick Jeanneret announcing the game. The only spark of light in all of this was the Sabres winning tonight, in a shoot out, Vanek beat Hasek. That's right, the traitor, Dominic Hasek. [That's a whole different post on goalies and American Express commercials.] I miss vodka tonics and beef on weck for less than $10. [Can you believe I paid $7 a beer for Yuenling? Me neither, what's even worse, is I spilled about $3 of it on my poor friend sitting next to me.] In Buffalo you can get good food at a decent price at the arena and the nice bar isn't limited to the people sitting in the club levels.

So now that you all know why hockey in Buffalo is the best anybody want to go to the Capitals Maple Leafs game in March? I know you can't wait to hear me expound the qualities of Buffalo again!

Seafood, the CFR & Abortion Protesters

2006-01-23T19:54:00.000-05:00

...all walk into a bar.

Ok, not really. But they could have, right? Wouldn't that be fun?

You know your "Great Idea" for a birthday gift has tanked when the response is "I got your seafood. Thanks. I could tell what it was from the box." Correct me if I'm wrong, but A. gift wrapping fresh crab cakes seems to defeat the purpose of the the freshness and B. crab cakes are pretty cool gift right?!? I mean, I live kinda near Maryland, where they have good crab and my mother does not. Hence sending her some was very thoughtful and unique right? I don't know about you , but I would love it if people sent me food, especially gourmet food. That said, I can't wait to hear what she thinks about the flowers I sent her. "I got your flowers" (once again, not mine really, I just ordered them) "I could tell it was flowers since the florist delivered them, thanks." Yup, I can see another akward phone call where as yet another gift goes unappreciated. This is where I start to remember that my mother always said give a gift because it's thoughtful, not because you want to be thanked. I think she's extended this lesson about 20 years past its usefulness.

The CFR is my new best friend and the reason I will be blind by the end of the semester. Leave it to the government to print rules they want the public to abide by in 8 point font in a book that's about 6" x 4".

Nothing makes your Monday as exciting as riding the Metro with a bunch of abortion protesters. Even better when they're from out of town and have no idea how the Metro system works so that when they ask you for directions you have to avoid staring at the picture of the half aborted fetus on their lapel pin. What's even more amusing is the nun who got stuck in the door of the metro, swears loudly (it hurts to get slammed by those doors) and then immediately bursts out into prayer to make up for it.

I can't wait to see what the evening news has to say about the protests today. Yesterday they managed to find some girl who's profound thought on the issue was "I just can't imagine if my mom did that to me, so I'm striving to live my life and acheive all the things they weren't able to." Really? Who is this "they?" What if they were mass murderers or serial rapists? What if they were the next Pope? That girl is going to have a lot of majors in college and she's going to have personality issues later in life.

Happy Anniversary Roe v. Wade! You've made my commute this week that much more interesting.

What's it Like to be a Government Employee? Part Deux

2006-01-18T10:18:00.000-05:00

Just in case you weren't paying attention the first time the federal government hired me, here's what happened the second time. I'm looking at it as proof that the government is slowly spiraling into the depths of hell the longer W is in office.

12:30: arrive at new federal “employer” sign in, get attractive red visitor badge, get scrutinized by security guard while going through the metal detector, wait for someone to escort me to where I need to be.
12:40: still waiting for someone to escort me.
12:45: someone shows up, immediately tells me I can’t get an ID badge or any passwords yet because it’s the lunch hour and the intern coordinator is out. Interestingly, my start date and time been set for over a month. Glad someone was paying attention.
12:50: get dumped off in the boss’ office, who thought I was starting yesterday, on a federal holiday, when he wasn’t even at work.
12:51: uncomfortable small talk ensues, it’s plain that despite the fact he thought I was starting yesterday they haven’t thought of anything for me to do yet. While he begins to print random manuals entitled "What Ever Attorney Should Know" I stealthily read a memo on his desk about how he needs more staff because they’re overloaded with work. Really? They couldn’t think of anything to give me?
1:00: I’m carrying my coat, bag, the aforementioned 106 page manual, 2 books of the CFR and a FCC rule book wandering my way to my luxury “office”, in the corner of the hallway. No cubicle for interns, they can't be trusted. Let's put them out in the hallway so we can make sure they're really working and not stealing anything.
1:05-1:15: watch as boss can’t figure out why I don’t have a working computer, phone or a chair.
1:20: a chair appears, phone & computer are still useless
1:21: boss gives up, tells me to start reading the manual and he’ll get someone to come by and fix everything else
1:22-2:15: read silently by myself, in the corner of the hallway periodically interrupted by people introducing themselves to me and fielding questions about why I’m sitting in the hall.
2:15: person in the cubicle closest to me comes back from lunch, takes me on a tour of the cafeteria.
2:30: back at my desk, telephone works now, I set up my voicemail
2:40: Attorney #1 stops by, tells me how to get to his office, tells me to stop by at my convenience to get some work to do.
2:42: I can finally go get my ID badge, take a terrible picture for said badge, person printing my badge has botched it, the ink hadn't dried yet, so I now have a large purple splotch over my face, but they're not going to redo it since I'm a temporary intern. Get a dorky lanyard complete with retractable key chain so I can look like an official employee. I'm informed that since they aren’t running a background check on me I can't be trusted, so I can't bring my laptop with me and I have to walk through the metal detectors every day.
3:00: back to my “desk” still no computer password. Wander off to Attorney #1's office, get assignments. Was offered a tangerine and when I declined he responded “I’m not going to offer you a treat every day, it’s not going to be like hey little girl do you want some fruit?” at which point I was very confused and tried to wrap up the conversation as quickly as possible.
3:20: back to my “desk” computer person has shown up, managed to spell my name wrong on everything, the network, email, pretty much anywhere your name appears on a computer.
3:30: on the phone with the “help desk” they’ll get back to me.
3:45-5:00: 6 phone calls and 10 emails later, name spelled right on the network, still wrong on email. Good thing no one has any work for me to do since I would never get an email about it. Guess I should be happy they got it right on my ID badge.
5:00: give up and head back to school hoping the Metro isn't too packed
5:20: pick up desperately needed Starbucks, only the people at Starbucks are idiots and it takes 10 minutes to get a latte and I have to tell the cashier how much change he owes me because he couldn't understand what the register was telling him.
5:30: walk to school, waste time wandering around, calling people and complaining about the government.
5:45: get to class, it doesn’t start for 15 minutes and some bitch is in my seat. So I sit next to her and proceed to have a conversation across her with my friend, who is now 2 seats away. Said bitch proceeds to ask me to throw out my snack because it has a strong smell. Because I pretty much ate an apple and a granola bar all day I rolled my eyes at her and told her I would dispose of it during the break. That should teach her to not sit in my seat next week.
6:00 – 8:00: sit bored in class and write this blog entry.

New Year's Revelations...

2006-01-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

That’s right, no resolutions here, only me sharing things I’ve learned with you so you don’t make the same mistakes!

1. Never believe that air travel will be cheap, convenient and stay that way. I mourn the “death” of Independence Air.

2. No matter what they say, your parents want you to get married. Now.

3. Sometimes 3 bottles of wine at dinner are good for you. It’s a very educational experience. You learn a lot about the people you’re having dinner with.

4. Being poor sucks. Make sure you steal enough in the future to always keep your bank account in the black.

5. I don’t read enough for fun, so that when I go on a reading binge you get tired of it very quickly because you just read 6 books in 4 days.

6. Sometimes, it’s OK to be selfish in the Secret Santa game.

7. Champagne and tequila do not mix well together when consumed within 4 hours of each other.

8. I have a very serious caffeine addiction, and I pretty much keep the local Starbucks in business.

9. Buying yourself one fun toy is necessary every year at Xmas. Go ahead splurge (but see #4, splurge responsibly)

10. There is no limit on the number of times I can watch a Star Wars movie. None.

11. The book is always better than the movie.

12. Play more video games, you’ll be better at text messaging. It’s all about thumb dexterity. My new theory is that it will prevent early onset Alzheimer’s too.

13. Dogs are really a person’s best friend.

14. Sleeping for 14 hours a day is fun, but not really productive when you do it 10 days in a row.

15. I should blog more and so should you. I promise I will have at least one totally boring class this semester during which I can expel my angst and ennui into cyberspace.

16. Sudoku is the way to go.

17. Target really is the best store in the world, besides Wegman’s.

18. Your grocery store says a lot about your quality of life.

19. Sex is a necessity. Humans shouldn’t be deprived of it for long periods.

20. Ex-boyfriends never go away. No matter how much of a bitch you are to them. They never get the point. It must be genetic.

21. Law school is really just a form of torture you pay for, but it’s not fun, like hiring a dominatrix. At least you both get a kick out of that.

22. Buffalo will slowly sap any modicum of motivation out of you if you stay there too long. It’s a proven fact.

23. D.C. will slowly sap every last cent out of you the entire time you’re there. Also a proven fact.

24. I don’t believe in statistics, or proven facts.

25. You should always have more than a Frappuccino for lunch.

26. Taking down the Xmas tree is never as fun as putting it up.

27. If your friend emails you at least twice a week, you know you can count on them. Quantity of email is definitely a measurement of friendship.

28. You should always clean out your refrigerator & cupboard before going on vacation.

29. Smile when you don’t feel like. Sometimes it sticks.

30. No matter how tired you are don’t blow off breakfast with friends. It’s the most important meal of the day.

31. Take a lot of pictures whereever you go, it makes remembering things so much easier.

For A Good Time...

2005-12-20T23:13:00.000-05:00

Call on the guys from Jib Jab... gotta love their latest Bush cartoon.

On the other hand, I was pretty popular today, so maybe my number is on the inside of a bathroom stall somewhere. My phone rang incessantly today. Always Virginia numbers, but no one I know. On one instance, someone called, then 30 seconds later called again and left me a 5 minute long rambling message in Spanish. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that when you get my voicemail, it's pretty easy to tell I'm a white girl and do not speak a lick of Spanish.

If only these people were calling to offer me a ton of cash, or a job I could only dream of. That would really make my day. But random people calling and hanging up without leaving a voicemail? What's up with that? At least leave me a joke or a holiday message, make it worth your effort to dial, you can always brighten someone's day with a good joke.

Better late than never, or is it?

2005-12-18T22:01:00.000-05:00

"I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss -- and not one of those decisions has been taken lightly. I know this war is controversial -- yet being your president requires doing what I believe is right and accepting the consequences. "

"It is true that many nations believed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. But much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. And as your president, I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq."

- George W. Bush, December 18, 2005.

Really? Y'don't say. So essentially you decided to occupy another country based on a lot of bad intelligence. Only it's taken you how long to admit it? Over 2,000 people had to die before you would half-apologize? Didn't your mother teach you better than that? Oh, wait, I forgot... guess the Bush legacy marches on.

Seriously, bring Clinton back. Either one of them. Their apologies were about much more interesting things, and with much less of a morbid consequence.

It's the end of the world as we know it...

2005-12-18T00:48:00.000-05:00

and I feel fine. Mostly because another hellish semester of law school is over. I now have a complete 3 (gasp!) 3 whole weeks to make resolutions about how next time I won't leave all my studying and outlining to the last minute; how I will be a better law student and be nice to people in my classes; and to attend class, even when I don't feel like it. After those 30 seconds are up and completely disregarded as a hallucination I will promptly spend the next 3 weeks forgetting that I am a law student. This most likely involves reading books for fun, something I haven't done in a long time and watching a lot of TV, something I pretty much do already. If I'm a good student, I will endeavor to read trademark law while I'm home, so that when I skip class it's because I know more than the guy teaching it. Seriously, I'm going to be a good student next semester!

And yeah! Going home for the holidays! Nothing like heading up north for Xmas. Can't beat being snowed in, or the wind chill being negative 1,000. Of course, nothing could possibly be easy about going home for the holidays, since it seems that I am going to have to rearrange my flight back to Virginia since Independence Air is dropping its service to Buffalo the day before I'm supposed to fly back. This obviously involves a phone call to customer service tomorrow, which is going to put me in a great mood right before going to work. More to come on this...

I am... so... cold...

2005-12-14T17:47:00.000-05:00

Why the fuck is it 10 degrees in DC right now? Doesn't Mother Nature realize this is the South? And that it should be at least 40 all throughout December? Damn winter. It's finals time I can't deal with cold weather at the same time. I've got enough stress trying to learn what I've blown off since August. Yeah, I know, I'm a law student and I should know better. But we all know that's not going to happen. Since grades no longer matter (no more journal competition!) as long as I pass, I can handle it. Of course, walking into your exam with the 16 pages of notes you took and the 15 page outline you made of those notes is not always a good idea. Somehow I hope I wrote enough on today's exam to squeak out a B. Just a B that's all I ask. I know the kid who left at 4 today did not get a B.

Huh, I should stop drinking after exams, I seem to be a little less self-involved and whiny when I'm sober...

Only 24 Shopping Days Left Until Xmas!

2005-12-01T22:42:00.000-05:00

The madness of it all... Christmas is definitely going to get out of hand around here if one of my roomates doesn't stop me soon.

I was being a good law student, all studying and outlining and learning. But now it's gone to hell. We got a Xmas tree today, and now all I can think about it how many square inches of our townhouse I can cover in Xmas decorations. Tastefully of course.

I'm going to have to work on my self-restraint. My promise to stay away from Starbucks already got broken. I'm going to have to make up for that somehow. I'll punish myself tomorrow by devoting more time to outlining Admin Law. That's definitely a harsh punishment. Does anyone out there really care about how due process affects separation of powers and separation of functions within an administrative agency? I didn't think so. Me neither, which is making studying for this final very difficult. I can't wait until I get to patent. I'm f'd in that class. I'm going to have to console myself with a lot of spiked egg nog after that exam. But for now I just have the smell of fresh Xmas tree and some Xmas decoration to stare at every which way you turn. Ahh... the holidays.

The Sky Is Falling

2005-11-29T20:28:00.000-05:00

I forgot all about this! It's absolutely hilarious what people will say in DC about a "sign." My personal view is that it symbolizes the federal government's loss of authority & respect under W.

More from the Washington Post, at least it's not a comment about the snow in Buffalo! And yes, I have been to the World's Largest Disco, and there are pictures!

Are You On The List?

2005-11-29T20:10:00.000-05:00

Question: What is the etiquette or rule for keeping ex-boyfriend's information in your address book? While compiling my Xmas card list today I couldn't figure out who I should erase. Would I ever need to speak to them again? Should I keep their number in case the police need it in the future? What about numbers of their family members? Also useful in the future for the police, FBI, etc. This wouldn't be a problem if I had a little black book. Unfortunately I am limited to my general purpose address book, which is running out of room and I don't feel like buying extra address sheets, then I would have to erase & re-alphabatize everyone. Who knew a Xmas card list was so complicated? Along with the ex-boyfriend address dilema, I also can't decide who I should cut off my Xmas list. Is it enough that I didn't get a birthday card from them? Or should I go back to last Xmas? What if I sent a card, and they obviously sent one only in reply, not in the spirit of the season? [come to think of it, this covers a good third of my family, hmm...] Anyone with a Miss Manners rulebook please pass along the card etiquette portion.

Ambitious Goal: Did you know that this is my 78th post? What the heck? I really had that much to say? So my new goal is to get to 100 by the end of the year. Of course this means 22 more posts in the next 32 days. I'm going to have to get crackin' no slacking like I have been. Screw finals. It's all about the blog!

Buyer's Remorse: I bought the new Madonna CD in a fit of Black Friday frenzied shopping. Right now it's a coaster. I like Madonna, but the new CD is crap. All the songs sound the same and the music video for Hang On isn't inspiring at all. Madonna certainly gets props for appearing in a very 80's like pink leotard and leg warmers, but really, I liked her better angry and socially conscious. She's no Bono, but she is Madonna, and normally that's good enough for me.

What I should be doing right now instead of blogging: teaching myself copyright; outlining communications law; discovering the answer to all administrative law questions [I missed that day of class]; memorizing more Constitutional law [at this point, I'm more qualified than Harriet Meiers]; and finally figuring out what the heck patent law is about. But my readers are very important to me, so I blog on.

Why I Can't Accomplish Anything

2005-11-18T13:45:00.000-05:00

CNN Free Video is ruining my attempts at studying. But, I am certainly not wasting this time. It's very educational!

For instance, I've learned that not all Canadians are stupid (a stereotype I like to encourage); that South Park is the best show ever, and I need to start watching it again; a store in Nashville, TN sells hip hop t-shirts that encourage drug dealing with a picture of a snowman; and the founder of the Crips is a "changed man" so he no longer deserves the lethal injection scheduled for December 13, writing children's books while in prison absolves you from all responsibility for murdering four people, word.

For any of you out there who need to waste some time being educated in 2 minute clips, I highly suggest you browse CNN's video content. There are worse things you could do with your "free" time.

All I Want For Christmas...

2005-11-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

As previously promised here is my wish list for Xmas. Take note those of you who pull my name out of the Secret Santa bag... no Chia Pets accepted.

1. A pashmina, preferably in a turquoise or red
2. A Timolino travel mug, in any color but silver or navy blue
3. Napster gift certificates
4. Amazon.com or Half.com gift certificate (those textbooks are expensive)
5. Black leather tote with a zipper top
6. Set of silicone cooking utensils
7. Silicone basting brush & meat thermometer
8. Star Wars Episode 3 DVD
9. A mini herb garden
10. A tea ball
11. Apricot tea
12. Charcoal grey mid length pea coat, size 4
13. 2006 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet, Pewter Metallic
14. 1970 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, Fire Engine Red
15. A liberal (but not too liberal) Supreme Court nominee
16. Impeachment of President Bush
17. and Cheney
18. At least a B in Patent
19. A winning lottery ticket
20. Oh yeah, and world peace

A Lapse of Conviction

2005-11-10T11:19:00.000-05:00

Guess what I just remembered? I don’t celebrate Christmas. I mean, I personally don’t follow the belief behind the holiday, but since my family does, I participate in the purely secular side of it. Y’know the fun consumer oriented side! Right now I can hear at least two people calling me a hypocrite since I will be buying a Christmas tree and subjecting my roommates to my taste in holiday decorating. [Although, they will benefit from my penchant for holiday baking, that should make up for it] I don’t have a plausible explanation for it except that the commercialization of the holiday has allowed people of all beliefs to participate in the splendor of Christmas. It is completely possible to ignore the religious meaning behind the holiday. I’m not even going to pretend it’s a celebration of the winter solstice as other non-believers do. You can’t have Santa figurines everywhere if you’re celebrating the beginning of winter!

Right wing Christian groups, please direct all hate mail to: Heretic c/o Turpis Causa, PO Box 666, Depths of Hell, Texas 40670.

It Only Happens Once A Year

2005-11-10T09:52:00.000-05:00

Turpis Causa is happy to bring you the brand new holiday slogan from Starbucks. Along with this new witty slogan comes the red holiday cups and the holiday drinks: the Fantastic Gingerbread Latte; the Indulgent Eggnog Latte; the Succulent Peppermint Mocha; and a New Fabulous Drink just for Holiday ’05: the Chai Eggnog Latte! Can you taste Christmas yet?!?

Considering the fact that today is November 10 and Christmas is easily 6 weeks away, even though “It Only Happens Once A Year” it seems like it lasts for a substantial portion of the year. Doesn’t seem so special anymore does it? I will give props to Starbucks for waiting until the second week of November to declare that the Christmas season has started, unlike Target, who started before Halloween. I say this of course, as I sip a venti gingerbread latte….. mmmmm. [yes, my addiction is severe. When I saw someone on the Metro this morning with the red cup I knew the holiday drinks were here, because they didn’t have them yesterday when they were out of the magic ingredients that go into a Pumpkin Spice Latte. I need to make friends with a local Starbucks employee who can hook me up with advance notice of these important events, just leaving it to chance isn’t safe.]

Now that Starbucks has reminded me that I am about a month behind in preparing for Christmas I am soliciting wish lists from all those who wish to be graced by the most lovely gift I can find for $10. Being a poor law student and having spent a ton of money on plane tickets this last month has shrunk my Christmas budget to about $0. So I promise to whore myself out for the next month or so to earn some money to buy each of my faithful readers a lovely Turpis Causa inspired gift. This said, you better send me a wish list or you’re all getting Scooter Libby’s book, I’m sure I could get a discount from Amazon for ordering a case of them!

In return I will think long and hard about what I want that doesn’t cost $500+ and grace my readers with an easier shopping experience, since you won’t have to ask “What the heck should I buy? I have no idea what she wants!” I know you’re all anticipating hearing about my materialistic wishes and wants. I can see the anticipation….

Falling in Love is Hard on Your Knees

2005-11-03T11:34:00.000-05:00

Or Proof #652 that law school degrades your ability to function in the real world.

Being an adult is scary, you have all these unfounded and irrational reactions to things you would have brushed off as a kid. For instance, skinning your knees: as an adult, when you fall and skin your knees, you immediately look around to see who saw you, then you very loudly point out the existence of a hole or uneven ground. Next you try to blame someone else and threaten to sue the city. You then take yourself home, groan when you walk up the stairs, complain about how you’re going to have a scar, properly apply antibacterial everything and numerous BandAids, take some aspirin and use your wounds as an excuse to get out of all physical activities for the next week.

Subtract 15-20 years from your age. Remember when you were young and you would skin your knees, get up and keep playing until you were called home? At that point you only sniffled slightly when your mother used brute force to sanitize your bleeding knees, lamenting the fact that you won’t be able to wear a skirt to the family function this weekend. You were much happier when she made up for it with ice cream and BandAids with cartoon characters. You proudly pointed out your battle wounds to aunts & uncles with more ice cream at the family function where you wore a skirt anyways. Where have those days gone?

Not only has getting old taken a toll on my resiliency to skinned knees, but law school has addled my mind so that I am no longer capable of walking, talking and carrying things at the same time. The only good thing that resulted from throwing myself onto the street was that I now own a very trendy pair of ripped jeans. Thank goodness I gave up rollerblading years ago. There is no way I could venture something that dangerous these days. My head is now at least 6 feet away from the pavement in rollerblades. When you’re little the ground is much closer, and a lot less daunting.

As adults we should be able to pick ourselves up and keep on playing, but that’s not going to happen is it? We’re too concerned about what other people think, not about what is going to make us happy. Where have our inner children gone? Can we entice them back with ice cream?

2005-11-01T13:14:00.000-05:00

Where have I been, you ask? Why no witty posts and/or rambling discourses on the sad state of society? So many reasons come to mind, but none of them are even slightly amusing thus I won’t bore you with them. Needless to say the last three weeks have been trying, exhausting, stressful and only about 5% fun. But it is now November, I am officially writing off the month of October. So with the first day of November comes the first day of the rest of my life (and a promise that that is the last cliché in this post.)

Here follows a few random thoughts to catch you up on where my mind has been wandering lately:

1. Dear Cute Guy from Chloe:
You have my number, it’s only 10 digits long. Please dial. I promise I don’t bite.

2. Dear Family:
Why am I the only responsible one? At the risk of sounding self-centered, I am a very busy and very poor law student. I don’t have time to keep up with my current work much less take a week off and spend way too much money on a plane ticket to go home and take care of my mother. Dear Sister: you live at home, for free, how about chipping in once in awhile? Dear Aunts: you’re all retired and take a vacation about once a month, would it kill you to make a stop in Buffalo to check on your sister?

3. Dear Independence Air:
Despite the fact that you screwed me on my last plane ticket, I appreciate your effort to have a sale for December holiday travel. I have one little request though: please start serving coffee again or get rid of Richard Lewis on your safety talk. One or the other, I won’t be too demanding.

4. Dear Law School:
WTF with the schedule for next semester? I am paying too much money to this school to be forced to take 4 night classes to get enough credits to be full-time. Where can I lodge a complaint?

5. Dear Major League Baseball:
THANK YOU FOR THE END OF THE SEASON. I can finally get back to my fall TV schedule without dealing with repeats or cancellations because of some stupid event called the World Series.

6. Dear Harriet Miers:
Thank you for saving the status of the Supreme Court. Your graceful withdrawal has prevented the Supreme Court from becoming a laughingstock and saved you from countless years of late night humor.

7. Dear President Bush:
Are you kidding me? Do you really think you have the political clout to pull off Alito? C’mon, let’s refresh our memories: Libby got indicted; 2,000+ soldiers are now dead in Iraq; your first nomination to replace Sandy O’Connor was a joke; Alito is not a woman, nor a racial minority, stop insulting us; you haven’t held a coherent unstaged press conference in about 6 years; you recently, and rather hypocritically, urged Americans to conserve. I hope the Democrats filibuster Alito’s nomination. You deserve it. More importantly, O’Connor deserves a respectable nominee that isn’t an insult to her legacy. The faster you can come up with a reasonable nominee, the faster she can get back to taking care of her husband. Don’t you think you owe her an honest effort at nominating someone that can be confirmed? Tell Karl Rove to stick it and do the right thing.

I should probably get back to paying attention in Patent Law, so I’ll leave it here for now, but I’m sure I’ll be properly incensed enough this week to keep up the rambling!

Help Me! I'm Thinking Too Much!

2005-10-09T23:10:00.000-05:00

To distract myself from my real world troubles which threaten to overwhelm, or at least do me in for awhile, I am now devoting myself to figuring out where America's social compass (television) has gone wrong. That, and writing in only run-on sentences, which by the end of this post you will find very annoying, especially if you say, have a degree in English, or a high school education.

Why has television decided to annoy me this season? Or rather, why do I have enough free time to care? OK, the first question is more interesting, so we're going to answer that one first. Chances are I will run out of time, or brilliance before I get to the second question. Fresh off of my marathon brief writing [note 10 pages written in 8 hours, complete with Bluebooking and correct formatting... a new record] I feel compelled to give everything headings with affirmative statements.

I. The first female president as represented by Geena Davis is a sham.
Who came up with the idea that if a show was going to be about a female vice-president who was put on the ticket as a gimmick then becomes president that she would have to be masculine?
Example #1: Her name is Mackenzie and she is called "Mac" throughout the show.
Example #2: In one episode she leads while dancing at a reception at the White House, this clip is of course played over and over on promos.
Example #3: Geena Davis is six foot something and rather athletic. The show's creators are trying to work her athleticism into the show.

A. WTF.
There is no reason why the first (fictional) president has to be butch. Now mind you, I'm not saying she has to be a sorority girl or that strong women aren't (a) attractive or (b) fit to run the country. But let's be realistic. When is the last time you saw a female politician that looks like Geena Davis? A woman can be the commander in chief without taking on masculine characteristics. I find it insulting that the series felt it necessary to make her less feminine to attract audiences. Or perhaps I find it insulting that that's what audiences want... WTF America? Wake up and welcome to the 2000's! Hillary in '08!

II. Television characters always contemplate having an abortion, but never do.
In Sex in the City, Miranda contemplates having an abortion, but decides to keep the baby instead. We only learn that other characters have had abortions in the past through anectdotes.
In some show on the WB this season a girl contemplated having an abortion, instead she decides to go to college in London with her friend. Apparently being an unwed mother is better accepted in Britain. This week on Grey's Anatomy, Sandra Oh's character was going to have an abortion, but turns out she conveniently had an ectopic pregnancy and so she doesn't have to have the abortion, nature takes care of it for her. Why do networks shy away from actually having a character go through with it? They can talk about it and debate it and bring up the old "should I tell him" question a million times, but no one ever goes through with it. Roe v. Wade was decided 32 years ago. Abortions were performed for decades before that. You would think network television, or at least HBO, would catch up with society. Or you would think that society wouldn't be run by corporations afraid of legal medical procedures.

III. It takes me at least a week to figure out what's going on in Lost.
It took me until today to figure out that the girl on the last episode was the one in the bar hitting on Jack before the flight. So she really was on the plane and sitting in the back. Why can't I figure these things out when I'm watching that show? Has law school or my rampant alcoholism really killed that many brain cells?

IV. Why did they kill off Michael Vartan on Alias?
I know, that's not an affirmative statement, but sometimes questions keep your readers awake. I have lost respect for Jennifer Garner since she was involved in the reincarnation of Bennifer. Ben Affleck has no talent. In fact, I think he has negative talent. Michael Vartan was much better for her, on the show and in real life. Her career can only go downhill from here. It's a sad, sad world when Ben Affleck gets the girl.

V. The West Wing should end.
No one can be president besides Martin Sheen. And this season is boring. They already did a season about the presidential campaign, and they aren't doing a good job with this one. I think they could realistically end the season with the presidential elections being thrown off by a terrorist attack and Martin Sheen having to remain in office indefinitely to maintain the country's stability. Wait, that wouldn't really end the show would it? And it would pose an interesting constitutional question... how long could he remain president? When would the elections have to be held again? What if the country was under martial rule? No elections in a martial law country. Hmm... so many possibilities to avoid having Jimmy Smits become president.

Conclusion: Wasting time by watching television leads to as many questions floating around in my head as I had before. Only they aren't pushing out the old questions, only squishing them a little bit by taking up space. All this, and I'm still going to get no sleep tonight. Damn television.

So Easily Amused

2005-09-23T22:33:00.000-05:00

In order to keep my wandering mind from driving me nuts I have resorted to reading amusing legal opinions. I highly recommend the following: Pennsylvania v. Gosselin, 861 A. 2d 996 (P.A. Super. 2004). As just a tease here is my favorite part of the opinion:

"Dark clouds began to gather, however, in November, 2002, when Appellant's husband phoned the Pennsylvania Game Commission concerning a hunter whom he and Appellant believed was hunting near an area on their property where they had set out food for deer.... Appellant and her husband requested that the Game Officer further investigate the poaching of the deer. The Officer refused to do so, but when he spotted Nutkin in her room-sized enclosure, he advised Appellant that it was a violation of the law to keep Nutkin in this manner. The Game Officer acknowledged that the squirrel was too old and too tame to be released to the wild (A situation akin to that of an old appellate judge, like the undersigned, attempting to return to the boiling cauldron of the trial court after being tamed by years of peace and quiet above the fray. Chances of survival of both species are poor.)" Id. at 997-98.

It's worth your time to read the rest of it, besides don't you want those Westlaw Reward points? You only need 15,000 to get an IPod Nano!

Have You Ever Been So Tired That You Are Wide Awake?

2005-09-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

After spending 9 hours straight working on a brief I should be ready to go to bed. Unfortunately I have drunk so much coffee in the past three days to keep me awake for a week straight. Thus I am currently watching Lock, Stock & something.... I don't even know what the name of the movie is, but I'm pretty sure that all Guy Ritchie movies have the same premise. And the same actors. Mind you, I find a British accent attractive, but I could take all the characters in this movie and add a few plot twists and Brad Pitt and you end up with Snatch. I liked Snatch better. At least I understood most of what happened in Snatch. To understand Sting's role in this movie I had to watch the special features. And the makeup artist went a little crazy with everyone's makeup.

But now it is 11 o'clock and since it's pretty boring drinking by yourself I have run out of things to do to make myself go to sleep. Wonder if I have any Nyquill left? Or maybe I could just drink more coffee and stay up all night to catch up on all the reading I neglected to do this week since I've been working on this brief all week. Huh, that doesn't sound fun at all? What's a girl to do when she's sitting home alone on a Friday night?

Don't Get Your Emmys in a Bunch!!

2005-09-18T21:24:00.000-05:00

Note to self: while watching the Emmys with people who take awards shows seriously do not turn the volume way up on your computer when listening to new ring tones that you can download onto your cell phone, so that when aforementioned people call you will be amused. Apparently that's just not kosher. But it is totally acceptable to play fortune teller, where I am fortunate enough to learn that I will be dragged in the dirt by a black dog by my purple sock and I will be with a baby carriage.

There's this girl I know that can read futures from the bottom of soup cans, I wonder if she seems the same ominous signs in my near future.

Speaking of the future, I can't wait for Friday 8:01 p.m. At that time I will officially be done with one brief, one more to go. So actually I guess that I'm really looking forward to Friday in three weeks. Huh, that seems like a very long time. Guess I should quit complaining and just go write something related to a coherent legal brief.

OK I've learned my lesson, ashamed I go away to devote myself to being a good law student :(

Help Me!

2005-09-17T19:46:00.000-05:00

I've discovered I know nothing about the First Amendment and therefore am completely unprepared to write a 7-20 page brief about why subliminal messages are not protected by it. Any constitutional law scholars out there able to draw some analogies for me? Anybody? No?

Great. Guess I'm going to have to rely on the age old skill of bullshitting. It's gotten me this far in life, the charm couldn't have possibly worn off yet...

This Can't be Healthy...

2005-09-12T22:00:00.000-05:00

Being newly single has led me to realize what I didn't miss about being single: the constant pressure to not be single. Whether it's your friends or your mother or the random guy in a bar, everyone expects you to be with someone else. Apparently the world's harmony demands that we all be in a relationship.

I've thought of a great way to deflect the ever present questions about why I am single. I'm just going to start telling people that I'm in love with Ralph Fiennes and no man could ever compare to him. This will do one of two things: 1. convince the person I am talking to that I am a crazy stalker at which point they will politely turn away while I make a rude gesture behind their back or 2. inspire the recipient of this comment to enter into a debate with me about which movie star is more deserving of my obsessiveness. Hopefully most people chose number 1, because we all know I'm much better at making rude gestures than I am at figuring out actors. I'm proud of myself for actually seeing 4 movies in the past month. That's more than I usually see in a year!

The good thing about being single currently is that I have signed myself up to compete in the VanVleck Moot Court Competition. Obviously I had way too much free time on my hands and felt that cramming a lot of research and writing into the next 4 weeks would be a good idea. Paired with that brilliance was the earlier inspiration I had to sell all my research and writing books. That said, I don't have time to do my reading for class much less put in the incredible amount of work it takes to find a guy that meets my standards. [note: all comments about my past relationships and standards will be censored, the 1st Amendment doesn't apply in the realm of Turpis Causa]. I will say that if you are tall, handsome, have beautiful eyes, a tattoo or 2 [no more than 4], a nice car, appreciate fine dining, tolerate science fiction movies and feel like helping me write two 8-17 page briefs in the next month I promise I could put a really good effort into thinking about dating you. Journal or Moot Court Board membership strongly encouraged.

Dear Creative Friend (you know who you are!)

2005-09-03T19:35:00.000-05:00

I formally request more CDs. The Class of '98 and Disco CDs have gone over quite well. My lack of creativity has lead me to realize that I am not the music master that you are. Please send your future creative endeavors to my attention via the US Mail.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Daughter of Shylock

Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-03T19:13:00.000-05:00

Hurricane Katrina has hit the Gulf Coast pretty hard. While all of the news channels are letting you know what's going on, there is always another story. I have a close personal friend who's family has lost everything. They are safe, thank goodness and not in the SuperDome, even better, but everything they once owned is either under water or just completely gone. I can't even imagine not being able to return home or losing everything I own.

Of course insurance covers some things but insurance companies will not rebuild the cities destroyed in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Many of the people displaced by Katrina will never be able to return to the places their homes once stood.

This is potentially the worst natural disaster in the history of this country. We all have a duty to help our fellow citizens. Please donate money, donate blood, volunteer. Do something. Please make sure that if you aren't donating the through the Red Cross that your money is going directly to the survivors.

Please help our sister states rebuild. Remind America why this is the best place country to live and be a good neighbor.

Back to School...

2005-08-30T20:31:00.000-05:00

Ah, the first day of school. New books, new laptop, new professors and different people in every class! So exiciting! So far I have 100% attendance. Pretty good. Of course it was only the first day, but to be fair, I did have five classes today. If I was a weaker person I would have skipped one or at least napped through the three classes where the powerpoint slides will be posted online after every class.

I love powerpoint, or more accurately professors who use powerpoint. Nothing like being too lazy to switch up the syllabus now and then, why bother when you already have slides for every lecture? I wonder why the professors don't care that we now have a free pass to play solitaire or IM during class. They can't be naive enough to think that if we know the powerpoints are online that we will actually pay attention and/or take notes.

On a more personal note, while my schedule rocks due to some creative rearranging last semester, reading for 5 classes 3 nights a week does not. Either I will be at school late or become lazy and start driving to school so I can bring 5 books home. In any event, I am exhausted and it's only 9:30. I still have two more classes to read for!! Apparently I will be spending some time this weekend speed reading a week's worth of stuff for at least 3 classes. Brilliant.

Perhaps the best part of today was the professor who wore a seersucker suit with a red bowtie today. Very Tucker Carlson. This may just be me, but I think seersucker suits are only appropriate for gracefully aging men about 50 or so. They just look silly on anyone else, hence my 30 something professor looked very stuffy and uncomfortable. I hope he didn't spend a lot of time planning what he was going to wear today. I also can't believe that his wife let him out of the house looking like that. It will be interesting to see what he wears tomorrow. More importantly, what am I going to wear tomorrow?!? We're having some typical DC weather, hot and humid, very pleasant during the 15 minute walk uphill to the Metro. Of course school has decided that it needs to be 55 degrees inside since it's hot outside. Our lack of a properly working dryer is severely impairing my clothing options. I just don't have the patience to wait 5 hours for my jeans to dry. Wonder if I could pull off a formal dress at school? At least I know those are clean!

That said, now that school has started I will be back to blogging regularly instead of studying. I expect some comments people! Where's the love?

It's a Girl!

2005-08-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

Announcing the birth of Mya Nicole! Weighing in at 6lbs 10ozs Ms. Mya was born at 5:20 p.m. on Sunday August 14! Welcome beautiful baby!

It's so exiciting to be an "aunt"!

Like Cancun, only not as nice and in Maryland...

2005-08-14T21:51:00.000-05:00

But a mecca for tourists all the same! So Ocean City... fun place, if you're either 17 or 50. So being the ripe old age of 25 now it's lacking a little. I did pick up the mandatory shot glass and walked on the beach and went to some old people bars. Ocean City will forever be etched into my feet since I was silly and wore brand new shoes to walk around in, then took them off on the walk home, on the wooden boardwalk. Smart, huh? That said, been there done that, not sure I'd go back. I think I forgot that most beach towns were all cheesy tourist stores, umbrella rental stands and lots of little kids. I'm going to try to remember that in the future and lower my expectations, since I know I can't avoid the beach for the rest of my life!

Anywho, I should have some fun pictures soon to share, some of the very nice wedding we went to and some of a wooden ostrich... you had to be there.

A Trip Home…

2005-08-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

So what can you accomplish in a 4 ½ day trip to Buffalo you ask? Well, since the point of going home for most Buffalonians is to eat their way through this beautiful city, that’s what I set off to do. I ate wings, and beef on weck, I had some seafood, some cheesecake, a trip to Tim Horton’s, two trips to Anderson’s, some great Greek, Chiavetta’s chicken… listing all this is making me hungry again! I love the fact that when you ask for hot sauce in Buffalo they bring you a bottle of Frank’s, the hometown favorite instead of Tabasco. Also, no one will look at you weird when you ask for malt vinegar for your fries.

I also managed to sneak in a celebration for my birthday, small, the number of 4 legged guests equaled the number of people, but appropriately fueled with alcohol. I’m pretty sure I drank my way through about a bottle of wine each day I was home, and I have an obscenely large bottle of Pino Grigio in my carry-on to share with my white wine drinking friends courtesy of my mother’s bf who just happens to manage a liquor store.

I avoided all forced networking attempts by my mother’s friends who know someone who knows someone in DC.

I took a trip to my undergrad to catch up with a friend who just got a cushy job there, nice office, state employee benefits. Now all I have to do is convince her that she can use the ridiculous amount of vacation time she gets to come visit me!

I saw the nursery for my friend’s baby-to-come, nothing like a whole room decorated in baby Mickey & Minnie, complaints about swollen feet and finding out how they induce labor when you’re overdue, to convince me that I don’t want kids, at least not my own. I could see adoption, same benefit, less messiness in the beginning. Besides, there’s enough overpopulation in this world, why not give a kid out there a home instead of adding to the mess just because they’re your own DNA?? Genetics is overblown.

What have I learned this weekend? That no matter how clean and nice you think a break up is going to be, it never happens. Two adults simply cannot part ways maturely.

Who Elected This Guy?!?

2005-08-03T21:59:00.000-05:00

So first he takes off on another vacation, the man has more time off than anyone I know, and he has one of the most important jobs... don't you think that being the president would mean that you would have less free time?? The man has taken more vacations than I ever hope to accrue in my lifetime! Perhaps if he spent more time actually working instead of running people over on his bike we'd see some real progress in this country, although progress to the right would be bad, so maybe we should take up a fund to send Bush on an extended vacation, hmm... maybe to the Sudan or Sierra Leone...

Then he opens his mouth and says "intelligent design", which to me is just creationism in disguise, should be taught to students. And leave it to a Democrat to come up with the best quote: "People might cite George Bush as proof that you can be totally impervious to the effects of Harvard and Yale education." said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.). Wonder what Larry Summers would say about that? Poor W, all that education and he still has to ask Karl Rove how to spell "leak."

What's a FIP?

2005-07-27T19:46:00.000-05:00

FIP... it's a law school's way of torturing its students during the summer when we're not paying to be tortured. Think of it as a 2 for 1 special. So I spent 4 hours today uploading resumes and writing cover letters and "bidding" on 16 firms so I might get an interview at the end of August, which may lead to a call back interview, which eventually has the possibility of turning into a job offer for next summer. It is the ultimate in pre-planning. Not only do I have any clue what I am doing this fall, I have no desire to decide now what I am doing next summer, 10 months away!

Hopefully I will get at least one interview and that will make all the time spent on this venture worth it. Of course instead of the hours spent sorting firms, researching firms, writing cover letters and reformatting that 5 point space in my resume I'm sure I could have done something more productive. Like blogging, since I've been quite a slacker about keeping up with this site lately. On a happier note, school starts in 4 weeks, so I'll be back to blogging regularly while waiting for a professor to say something interesting.

Different topic: the weather here sucks. Why is it always hot or raining? It seems like every time we have a thunderstorm we lose our power, so not only is it hot outside, it is hot inside since the A/C doesn't work! And then I have to reset all the clocks. That's asking a lot I think. Pepco needs to get its act together.

Topic #3: One week from now I will be sitting in a restaraunt, enjoying a price-fixe menu during Restaraunt Week! Very exciting! Then the next day I get to head home! Yeah Buffalo! I am seriously craving some decent wings and roast beef on weck. Hopefully while I'm home my friend will have her baby, she's due on my birthday, which I think would be pretty cool if I shared my birthday with somebody exactly 25 years younger than me. Besides, it'll just me a reason to spoil the kid!

That's all for now, I'm still waiting to see how the chips fall around John Roberts before making a decision about whether I like him or not. Give me a couple days to Google him and come up with something good or bad, then I'll get back to you!

Summer '05 Update

2005-07-08T21:31:00.000-05:00

So we made it to Mt. Vernon, and now a trip to Ocean City is in the works. Exciting!!! What else? Oh, I spent July 4th being a tourist, yes I went to the mall, yes there were a ton of people, yes it was hot. But now that I did it, I don't have to do it again! Happy! It's much better watching the concert at the Capitol on PBS, it's not so great in person. You can't channel surf when Barry Bostwick is saying something stupid or some actress is trying to dance like she's 20 years younger than she is when you're sitting on the steps of the Capitol.

So apparently Restaraunt Week is coming up, so I need to look into that and figure out where the heck we're going to enjoy that... maybe I can con someone else into that research project. The cruise director portion of my summer is becoming a little tiring. There are only so many things I can plan!! I enjoy planning things, but I may be in a little over my head soon!

That said... off to find more fun for Summer '05... I think I may need to start a Supreme Court pool.... anyone interested?

Tucker Carlson has Gotten Fat!

2005-07-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

In desperation looking for Friday night TV I stumbled upon Tucker Carlson's show on MSNBC. A morbid sense of curiousity overtook me and I watched just to see what the heck Tucker has done with himself since Crossfire was cancelled. Let me tell you, it's not pretty. The difference between the promo photo of Tucker and what he looks like now is vast. He's put on about 50 pounds and he needs a haircut. What happened to the scrawny bow-tie wearing dork? Has MSNBC fattened him up so he looks like the rest of the white Republican conservatives?? What was even worse was the fact that his guest was Pat Buchanan, who talked about the terrorist attacks in London and the possible retirement of Rehnquist all in the same breath. Wait, even worse than that: Tucker was broadcasting from London, where it's about 3 am, and all he could say about being in the city was that he was cold. Not that he felt the sadness or resilency of the British people, or any insightful observation about the effects of terrorism on the entire world. No, the man is cold and he needs to complain about it.

Tucker, Tucker, Tucker. You should call up James Carville. You were much better when he was belittling you. I'm not sure you can carry a news show by yourself.

Oh to be a pre-L again...

2005-06-29T21:17:00.000-05:00

This is very amusing. The incoming class for GW has made their own "alternative" portal. Instead of using the school created website, they've gone rogue. Too bad their alternative website is as boring as the school one. Don't any pre-Ls have any imagination? I guess I shouldn't say much since now I'm addicted to logging on to their site and taking them down a peg or two. Oh August is going to be so much fun!

The Supreme Court is on Crack....

2005-06-28T21:26:00.000-05:00

First they say cities can "take" your property if they decide a Pfizer plant is worth more to them than you are... (pre-Ls take notice, this will surely be on your Property exam next year)

Then they allow the 10 Commandments to be displayed in some government/public areas, but not in others... (separation of church and state? what was that?)

Next comes the decision saying it's OK for MGM to sue people who create file sharing software because the people using the software are infringing on some copyrights... (so software engineers who create something that can have legitimate uses can get sued when some people use it illegally? What MGM couldn't get enough money from the college students they sued?)

And just when you thought they were done, they decide to not take up the case of reporters who are being threatened with jail if they don't give up their sources... (1st Amendment? Did it get lost somewhere in the past 200 years?)

That's it... obviously someone needs to check out how many of the justices have Alzheimers...

I should be in bed...

2005-06-20T21:09:00.000-05:00

It's 10:00 p.m. I should be asleep. I have to get up early tomorrow. See what working for the government has done to me? I can only write sentences with less than 10 words and I'm crabby. This said, I only have 30 second blurbs of commentary today instead of my usually rambling dialogue, but you get the point...

I've gone from having no work to do for a month and now I have three projects, which have open deadlines, so of course I'm not actually doing anything to finish or even start them! I think I am a model government employee.

On a happier note I am heading up to the Great North this weekend for my friend's baby shower. I would like to note to all my friends who are planning on getting knocked up in the future, please please please find out the gender of your child, it makes shopping a lot easier for everyone involved. The suprise isn't worth it. You'll be suprised about enough things later in your child's life. Let's start out with a little certainty.

Why the heck is Jeb Bush getting involved in Terri Schiavo's case again? She's gone, the autopsy reports are out, what good is digging around in 20 years of medical records going to do? Doesn't Florida have better things to spend money on, like their foster care system which "loses" some children every year?

Heaven & Hell is officially the best club I've been to in DC. Side note, why is it that none of the hot guys hit on you at a club? Why is it the creepy touchy feely guys? Do all you hot guys think you're too good to hit on us? Or is it just a lack of confidence? It is NOT flattering to be groped by a bunch of creepy, greasy, non-English speaking guys. Blech.

Ah... Chuck Schumer. Chuck is a good man, nothing like taking on identity theft as an issue. He knows how to pick his issues. Obviously coming out against it and proposing sanctions against companies that lose information is a win-win situation. Now, can he beat back the lobbyists? My money's on Chuck, I think he can do it.

That's it, I give up on being coherent. Eventually I will get back to post again, when I find a day that I am not working 13 hours or exhausted. Ah... bed. You are my best friend!

I Hate the Metro

2005-06-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

So, for two days in a row I have been on a Metro train for over an hour on the way home. Now mind you, I don't have a short ride to begin with. It's about a 30 minute ride, but for some reason the Metro has been screwed up during rush hour the past two days, which does not make for a very happy commute; especially when you're packed on a train with a TON of people. Damn public transportation. I'm not a fan to begin with, I miss my car! Tomorrow better see some improvement or I just might flip out on the smelly guy next to me who keeps sniffling and stepping on my foot. Wow, I am turning into a disgruntled federal bureaucrat. Excellent...

What Can You Do When You Have Nothing To Do?

2005-06-08T20:46:00.000-05:00

So, my Monday thru Friday job is pretty boring. I am really convinced that the federal government doesn't do anything, they just talk about doing stuff, then write some memos about doing stuff, but they never get around to actually doing anything.

Since I have nothing to do I spend a lot of time surfing the web, which is why reading the news today has left me with many questions.

1. Who can explain this to me? Why is John Hinckley being allowed to go "home" for a week? Y'know if he had been tried and found guilty he would be in jail for the rest of his life, no happy visits with mom and dad. Just because he was let off for being insane doesn't mean he should get perks. Let him get the help he needs and pay his dues. He tried to kill the President to impress Jodi Foster! Somehow I don't think a trip to see mom & dad is an appropriate punishment.

2. Why is it that the government has up notices on its bulletin boards from 1997 & 2001? You would think that the person who posted the notice for the Expo in 2001 would have taken down the one about the workshop in 1997.

3. Why is the government lying about the environment? We all know it's fucked, it's not a big suprise. Don't they know that we still don't care? As long as the world doesn't explode while I'm still alive it's all good.

Wonder if I could answer these questions, or if the government propaganda I get over my work email every day means that federal employees are more in the dark than the general public?!?

Long Time No See...

2005-06-06T21:00:00.000-05:00

Oh blog, how I have missed you. But in the past two weeks I have been busy, I know it sounds like nothing but excuses... but really, I promise I was thinking about you!

So what's happened in two weeks you ask? Well, I moved, yes for almost two weeks. I have a lot of stuff! So that means numerous trips back and forth from one place to another, lots of moving boxes and crates.... it was fun. Especially since none of the people, except one, who told me they would help me move were actually here to help.

I worked, a lot. I am still working a lot, apparently Lenscrafters thinks they own me, so they can call me to work whenever, even though I've already worked 8 hours a day, apparently they think I need to work more.

I'm being stalked by a customer at Lenscrafters, not so much fun. It's kinda creepy. Good thing I'm only there on the weekends! [well, not really I guess, see above]. Hopefully he'll get the point when I tell him off the next time he calls, since I've been given permission by my managers to be mean to him, even though he's a customer.

We're having a party, so great, now we have a little more work to do.. but it's all in the goal of having fun, so it will work out.

For now, I really need to go to bed, so I can get up and go to another boring day of work for the Feds. Have I mentioned lately that my job is really boring? Really, really boring?? Well, it is. I have to give myself projects to do. That's kinda bad.

I promise that tomorrow I will have something witty and brilliant to say about the state of culture and the world. But for tonight I am giving up on being awake.

I Don't Have Time to Write This Post..

2005-05-23T19:43:00.000-05:00

but of course I am anyways. I feel the need to complain about the morons we are renting from. Apparently none of them took 1st grade math, nor do they understand student loans or real estate. I seriously doubt the intelligence level of everyone I've spoken to at this complex so far.

So why the heck are you renting from them, you ask? Well since it took them 2 weeks to approve us, we stopped looking at places and we need to be out of our apartment by the 5th. Hence the proverbial rock and a hard place.

What makes it even better is that they don't allow people to move in on holidays, so I have to take time off from a job I just started to move all my stuff in a half a day. This is going to be great! Have I mentioned how much I love moving? Or the fact that I own a lot [really a lot] of stuff?

This being said, anyone in the DC metro area with some free time on Friday, I could use some help moving. I promise to feed you, and not just cheap pizza!! Pretty please??

This is how liberty dies—with thunderous applause

2005-05-19T21:55:00.000-05:00

And so a movie is cursed with bad dialogue. The most glaring example of typical bad Star Wars dialogue:

Anakin "You're so beautiful"
Padme "That's because I am so in love"
Anakin "No, it's because I am so in love with you"
Padme "So, love has made you blind?"
Anakin "That's not what I meant"

Blech!!! Even a soap opera could have done better than that! I will say that the dialogue gets much better at the end when Obi Wan confronts Anakin. It's the most realistic in the entire movie.

Obviously the best part of the movie is the special effects, I am particularly fond of the Yoda fight scenes.

I need to see the movie again to do a more in depth anaylsis, but I have to scrounge up $10 first. So if anyone wants to help me out and find me a boot leg copy, I will love you for the rest of my life. [note: life estate]

Finally!

2005-05-19T21:11:00.000-05:00

It never fails that the night before I have to take a picture that will haunt me for the rest of my life that I go out too late and the resulting picture is less than pretty. But today was different! I showed up to work after getting 3 1/2 hours of sleep because we went to see Star Wars last night [I promise, review to follow]. So of course I was not expecting a great picture on my ID badge that I have to wear for the next three months. But my picture turned out nice! I'm actually not afraid to show my ID to people now! Go figure!

Look Out! It's the Feds!

2005-05-17T21:00:00.000-05:00

So after 2 days of serving time with my summer employer, the federal government, I would like to say 1. It is scary that I have to stare at George W. every morning when I walk through security. 2. Now I know why everything having to do with the government moves very slowly.

I spent 4 hours monday morning at "orientation" which was geared towards new employees, so I tuned out for about 3 1/2 hours, then I was fingerprinted and sheparded into more buildings with the same beautiful pictures of W. I then promptly experienced the "We don't have your paperwork, come back in 3 days" part of the government. So for now I am a visitor and have to be escorted into the building, it's fun let me tell you.

Since they don't have any work for me to do yet I am working my way through a six inch binder of "orientation materials." It's educational [boring]. Hopefully next week they'll have something for me to do so getting up at 7 a.m. is actually worth the sleep deprivation. [see thursday's post to find out whether or not I actually make it to work after seeing Star Wars tomorrow night.]

Kids These Days...

2005-05-17T20:31:00.000-05:00

What has happened to the world these days? There isn't any need for animosity on blogs! We're all good natured people, and as long as you have a sense of humor, no one gets hurt. We all poke fun at each other and respond in the like. Certain people shouldn't take our comments the wrong way or appoint themselves blog police. It's just wrong.

Only in Texas...

2005-05-15T21:07:00.000-05:00

Would a law against sexually suggestive cheerleading be proposed and then defeated. At least Texans know what they want. The best part was the state representative that said sexually suggestive cheerleading is a distraction that results in pregnancies, dropouts and the contraction of AIDS and herpes. I'd like to see the flow chart that explains that.

Cheerleading ---> pregnancy/AIDS/dropping out of school.

There seem to be a few steps missing. Like most Texans, the state legislature seems to be missing the analysis part of law making/declaring war etc.

I Love the Simpsons

2005-05-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

First we get a crack about middle school Medevial Fairs [been there done that]. Then a shot at Bush, and then the rest of the time is devoted to taking down Catholics and 80's hair bands. I love it! Once you go Vatican you can't go back again! Pious Riot! There is no better TV than the Simpsons. Sadly it was the season finale, and now I have to watch repeats and stupid Fox specials all summer. :(

The Family Guy could use a little help, so far the 5 minute long fight with a big yellow chicken is not so funny. The best part is they keep showing ads for the new Star Wars movie. 3 days left!!! Ooh, OK Family Guy got better when they added the Star Wars ceremony at the end. Just goes to show you. Star Wars makes everything better.

Summer '05 Booklist... TBA

2005-05-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I should keep my brain cells active during the summer, and since I will have a pretty long Metro ride every day to and from work I will have an opportunity to catch up on actually reading books for fun.

I'm trying to finish Bill Clinton's biography right now. Yes I have had it since it came out, the day it came out to be exact. And yes, I have only managed to read half of it in a year. It is a really long book!

After that I'm going to need to find something to take up my time until the new Harry Potter book comes out.

Anybody have any suggestions?

[side note, I spend too much time with my laptop. As I sit here I can tell that my wireless card is freaking out because I can hear it before the symbol on my desktop tells me the signal is out. That's sad]

Headbanger's Ball Sucks

2005-05-14T21:16:00.000-05:00

OK, being somewhat of a metal fan, I am highly disappointed by the "new & improved" Headbanger's Ball, which of course is on MTV2, which like MTV has stopped playing actual music videos 75% of the time.

It's just wrong that a kid with a buzz cut so short he looks bald hosts Headbanger's Ball. If you can't headbang with the best of them, you shouldn't be the host. Granted, the original host, Ricky Somebody or Other didn't have long hair, but at least he had some hair! Plus most of the hour is commercials for cheesy metal CDs. It's pathetic.

What's bad is that a lot of metal they're showing is very pop. You shouldn't be able to understand the words of a Megadeath song. It should be screaming and growling and bass. WTF is going on with the Gods of Metal? Do I have to go get Ozzy to tell you how to do it right?

Summer '05: Things Accomplished

2005-05-12T19:50:00.000-05:00

Supreme Court.... check
Botanical Gardens.... check
Walk a mile.... check

Recap:
Supreme Court tour: kinda boring unless you're 10 and really interested in the Supreme Court. I could've used the law student version of the lecture instead of the "How many branches of the government are there and where are they located?" You didn't really learn anything you couldn't get from reading Closed Chambers or any of the other books written by former clerks. But all in all it was nice to at least see the courtroom and hear a little bit about the architecture. I wasn't too awed by the building, maybe it's just because we really didn't see much, you're limited to the courtroom and some hallways, no chambers or private areas. I'm sure it's more exciting when there are arguments going on. Maybe I'll have to go back on a monday when they release decisions, at least I'll get to see a justice or two then.

Botanical Gardens: pretty cool, they've got lots of fun plants and flowers, but most had bloomed already, I'm sure it was much nicer earlier in the spring, but it was interesting to see all the different plants and some rare species. Plus it smelled like lillies. Always a bonus.

Walking a mile: yeah, we walked a lot today, but it's good for you. Guess I'll have to try to get out during lunch and walk around the mall for some exercise since I'll be taking the Metro to work and it drops me off 2 blocks away. I'm also going to have to get used to being somewhere by 8:30 in the morning. That may be pretty hard, class didn't even start that early this year! But I will get some reading done, taking the Metro to work this week has gotten me further through Bill Clinton's biography than I've read since I got the book the day it came out! It's a really long book! Plus reading law books for hours on end makes you really not want to read anything else.

OK so what's next for Summer '05 you ask? Midnight showing of Star Wars. Yes, I waited until today to buy tickets, but I still got them and we're going. That's wednesday though, I'm sure we can find something to do before then. What d'ya say guys?

Protest Anyone?

2005-05-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

According to Wonkette, there will be a lovely protest against Tom DeLay on Thursday outside an event he will be attending. Here's the invite:

Lets Have Fun with Tom Delay's K Street Hilton Dinner on Thursday Night!
Please circulate to friends only!
no blogs - please!

Delay Protest 5/12/05 5:00pm 16th & K St, NW
Come in Carnival Outfit / Bring your own signs - help hand out soap for Delay supporters to clean up!

Sounds like fun! Anyone interested in dressing up like a clown and handing out soap? no? What else are you doing with your Thursday early evening!!!

Congrats to Uchenya & Joyce

2005-05-10T21:55:00.000-05:00

Yeah! Rob & Amber did NOT win the Amazing Race! I'm glad. They could've been a lot nicer to their competitors and still won. There was no need for Rob to be a jackass during the entire show. And.. Uchenya & Joyce made it to the end, didn't have enough money for their cab and they didn't just run in, claim their prize and screw the cab over, they stuck around and begged for money so they could pay the cab driver! That is so ridiculously nice of them. I would've just left the guy, he was mean to them and cabs are normally a rip off anyways. I hope that Uchenya & Joyce find happiness with their money, they deserve it. [On a side note, the hick couple from the South really need to break up, their relationship is not healthy] Another side note, why do we have to be subjected to Rob & Amber's wedding? Is this a consolation prize for not winning but still being a couple owned by CBS? Wouldn't better publicity be helping Uchenya & Joyce adopt a child? Why do Rob & Amber get all the press when they lost??

Now That School Is Over...

2005-05-09T20:53:00.000-05:00

.... I can't think straight. Silly me, I didn't follow my own advice and I had to write that last post twice because I figured I could just compose it in Blogger. Yeah, not so smart. Oh well, live and learn!

Where The Heck Have I Been???

2005-05-09T20:31:00.000-05:00

It’s Monday, this is the first day I’ve been sober and/or not hung over. It’s a good feeling. So what’s happened in the past week? Let me recap….

Wednesday: Studied, a lot. Discovered I didn’t learn a damn thing about civil procedure this semester. Tried to do a practice exam in a chat room, since we were all too lazy to move our asses from our apartments. Wouldn’t recommend this as a productive studying tool. I am lucky my friends are still talking to me after that incident.

Thursday: Studied s’more, took a test, failed same test. Went to drown my sorrows in a drink. This was accomplished through the good will of my friend who has an apartment in Dupont, so we started drinking there about 7, margaritas, champagne, some quesadillas and fondue. What a better way to start off? I met some cool people that Really Big in Europe knows [RBiE]. Promised I would cook for them. [yes I was drunk, but I will cook for them. I enjoy throwing a good dinner party] Anyways, this little shindig was followed up by a trip to the school sponsored bar night. Yeah, remind me why we go to these things? It was a bunch of people trying to hook up [yes I am talking about you!!] and then a few drunken guys from our class who wanted to make sure that I didn’t hate them and the RBiE doesn’t hate them. Now normally, this would be fine. I am a forgiving person, if not for Friday. [see below] Anyways, so while I was reassuring these morons that I didn’t hate them I was having fun, they seemed to be genuinely interested in making sure that we had no reason to ignore each other in August. We got invited to another party Friday night, sounded interesting, being a good person I agreed to go. I drank for free the entire night, we had fun. Thursday was a good day.

Friday: It was cold, the previously made plans to go shopping in Georgetown turned into lunch at Café Asia to send L off to Bolivia and then some shopping at the mall. I’m pretty sure I didn’t buy anything. I was wishy washy about going to the party we got invited to last night, a. because I didn’t receive an “official” invite and b. I was tired. But I figured it would be rude to say you would go and then just not show up. So I got changed, put some effort into not looking like I really just wanted to go to bed and headed off to the party and hour and a half after it started. Ha… I should’ve taken that nap. I get to the party, I am guest #3. Then a bunch of law school bimbos walk in and I am suddenly stuck in a circle of blondes talking about their classmates, who I don’t know. Of course, all the “gentlemen” I was talking to the night before didn’t say one word to me at this party and sequestered themselves on the balcony, like the little frat boys they are. Why didn’t I make the first move you ask? Well, here’s how I look at it, in my world that lives by the rules of Martha Stewart, when you are the host of a party, you say hello to your guests, make sure they have everything they need and that no one is left out. Apparently these rules do not apply to frat boys. I was confused, since there wasn’t a $5 fee and a plastic cup at the door, I thought that people would actually be social. Silly me.

Friday was rescued by RBiE & the anonymous person who picked the name of this website [btw, you need a better nickname than that, so pick one and let me know] when we went to another school sponsored boozefest. We met up with el Diablo & his fun friend who works at the Capitol, always a good time. We drank, partially for free, talked about how we hate people we go to school with and just chillaxed. And no one looked at me weird when I wanted to go home early [well, at least that I could see].

Saturday: yeah, work. I love work. I love the people that I work with. And I loooove crazy customers, the best are the ones that talk to themselves in a very redneck, hick accent. So of course, since I love work so much, the best way to cap off that day would be more drinking and the Kentucky Derby is the perfect excuse! Yeah, we missed the actual derby, but partaking in the aftermath was interesting enough. Aforementioned frat boys were present, still not a word out of their mouths, but at least the host of this party plays by the rules. He was nice and greeted everyone. I got to talk about Star Wars, eat some pecan pie and drink a lot of vodka tonics. Since the derby party was losing its appeal we went to meet up with RBiE’s friends in Adams Morgan, got lost on the way to the bar [I was NOT in charge of directions], found out where the zoo was while we we’re lost, finally found the bar, discovered I drank too much before we got there and once again, went home early. [yes, I am old] But, I would like to say that RBiE’s friend and her friend are fun, and I promise next time I will not drink before we go out and therefore will be more coherent and not whining about getting a cab the entire time we’re out. But I do promise to remain critical of 50 somethings wearing shirts that are only appropriate for 16 year olds to wear.

Sunday: Ok no drinking on Sunday, only some more work, even more fun involved, since I was pretty hung over. It’s a bad sign when you just decide to walk around without your glasses since they are giving you a headache and no matter how many lattes you drink you still can’t wake up. Some grocery shopping, a guilt laden phone call to mom, happy mother’s day, then some people came over to watch great Sunday night TV. Yeah for Family Guy. I approve.

That brings us to today, we finally found an apartment, hopefully. Went to lunch at a whorish hamburger joint to send some people on their way home, went shopping in Old Town, I love the Gap Outlet, I don’t love the walking involved. Next time I am being lazy and driving. Also, I am a moron, I have a Banana Republic gift card that I’ve had since Xmas, bought some stuff today at Banana Republic. Did I use the gift card that was sitting in my purse? Nope. Hope RBiE won’t mind a re-gifted gift card for her B-Day.

All in all, I have to say it was a fun time. I’ve learned a few lessons, like don’t waste my time, frat boys are only good for free drinks and cab rides, not for life long friends. I also learned that I have high expectations, which could be good or bad. And I learned that I have great friends! Yeah, we’re done with school and now we can have some fun! [although temporarily free fun, since going out this weekend has busted the bank and the paychecks haven’t started rolling in from work yet!]

Thank You...

2005-05-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

...to the tourist who gave me her leftover Metro ticket this morning with $9 still on it. You're making me re-think my opinion of tourists.

... to my crazy contracts professor for picking a problem that was neither clearly governed by the UCC or the common law, forcing me to make up an answer.

... to my lovely friends for going out and relaxing for a few minutes before the craziness begins again - which led to this list being created, an addition to the Summer '05 list, there may be some duplicates!

Taste of Arlington
Eat some crab in Maryland
Tour of the Supreme Court, Capitol, White House
Trip to the harbor in Baltimore
July 4th on the mall
Trip to Madrid
Trip to Las Vegas
Trip to Great Falls
Play Spin the Bottle
Wine Tasting
Dance Lessons
Movies on the mall
whitewater rafting on the Potomac
Watch Ravens football training
Baseball game
Spa day while drinking Mojitos
Really Big in Europe's birthday, complete with stand in for Really Big in Europe since she won't be here
Tour of a generic historic building
Eat chinese food in China Town
Hookah lounge
Eat ethnic food in Adams Morgan
Ghost tour
Go out on a boat
Eat fresh seafood

A Worrisome State of Affairs

2005-05-02T21:07:00.000-05:00

The Supreme Court has decided to hear the challenge to the Solomon Amendment. Why isn't that a good thing you ask?

Well, here's the problem, normally it would be great for the Supreme Court to hear this case [and strike down this ridiculous law] except for the fact that A. the Supreme Court is pretty conservative these days B. It's a time of war and do you really think the Court is going to decide against the military? C. Rehnquist is on his way out, in fact I'm willing to put money on a retirement announcement by the end of June. That gives W plenty of time to find some right wing wacko conservative to replace him.

So in this instance, it would've just been better if they had denied cert. Then the decision by the 3rd Circuit would stand and law schools could feel free to kick the military recruiters off campus and we wouldn't have to play nice with a bunch of bigots for federal funding.

To see why we should all be concerned about this, here is my very uneducated and uninformed synopsis of the Solomon Amendment:

Sec. 983(b) of the Solomon Amendment says that schools, or subunits of school (like law schools) who restrict military recruiters from campus or don't give students' personal information to military recruiters will not be given federal money, including student financial aid money, from the Departments of Defense, Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, or their related agencies. Fun thing is, even if the law school protested, the whole university would lose its federal funding, not just the law school.

The military has a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which effectively prevents gay, lesbian and bi-sexual citizens from serving our country.

The Association of American Law Schools requires that law schools have a non-discrimination policy which protects faculty, staff & students from discrimination based on sexual orientation.

This policy requires law schools to ensure that employers recruiting on campus abide by the same non-discrimination policy. It also requires the schools to investigate any complaints from students about employers who do not abide by the policy.

Obviously the Solomon Amendment and the AALS don't get along and it's putting law schools in a tough spot. My school is fighting the good fight, they joined the FAIR law suit challenging the act which resulted in the 3rd Circuit decision holding the amendment unconstitutional.

So now we wait for the proverbial game of chicken, what is the Supreme Court going to do?!?

Anticipatory Repudiation

2005-05-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

That's right folks, I am repudiating in anticipation. Anticipation of what you ask? I anticipate that I will fail my contracts exam tomorrow. After re-organizing, cross-referencing, tabbing and highlighting my 20 page outline I still don't know how I'm going to write about 1 freakin' question for an hour and a half tomorrow. Me, the queen of brevity. I am simply not able to write more than an hour's worth of garbage before I give up. At that point I normally take pity on the professor that has to read this crap and just start putting my answer into outline form. Why make them suffer? Wonder if I could convince my contracts professor that me just not showing up tomorrow is really an efficient breach and it would save both of us a lot of time.

Now civil procedure on Thursday is going to be a completely different story. I don't like that professor so I am going to ramble on and on about the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and about how not all of your Constitutional rights are absolute. It's just an illegal search, give me a break! Wonder how many thinly veiled insults I can work into a 3 hour exam?

The Most Unproductive Way to Spend Your Sunday...

2005-05-01T18:50:00.000-05:00

A. Go to work for 6 hours, do nothing but help people exchange or return stuff. [read: no commission]

B. While at work, inform your manager you found a job for the summer, so you're back to working just weekends, lose aforementioned promotion. :( [Note: this of course means that I am NOT losing the ridiculous amount of responsibility I was supposed to take on with that promotion, only the benefits.]

B. Load up on carbs for dinner [read: bread & pasta for dinner, with a "healthy" helping of cheese on both"]

C. Convincing yourself you should really drink that bottle of merlot in your wine rack, even though you don't like merlot, just so you don't have to move it in a month [Note: this kind of "convincing" will get me into trouble over the next week as I have a ton of junk food in my cupboards that it seems silly to move!]

D. Devoting your night to said bottle of merlot and Fox's animation extravaganza. [I'll have reviews later]

E. Resolving to pretend like you are not a student for one night, therefore the words Civ Pro, Contracts and outlines are forbidden. [Note: tomorrow is not going to be much fun]

Fear & Loathing in Washington DC

2005-04-29T20:45:00.000-05:00

As your attorney I advise you to watch Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas at least twice. It makes much more sense the second time. Of course, you can't really watch it sober. It's kinda boring sober, but when you're drunk it's funny as hell. Plus this movie would never make sense if you had no idea who Hunter Thompson was.

As your attorney I also would suggest this movie as a way to deter children from trying drugs. I'm not sure that anyone would want to try acid or LSD after watching this movie. It obviously was not the purpose of this movie since Hunter Thompson enjoyed an abundance of drugs throughout his life. Yet all the same it is a deterrent.

This movie does make me wonder what my mother lived through in the 60s & 70s. How many of my relatives have had psychedelic drug trips? Did everyone in the 70s act like this?

If for any reason this blog suddenly doesn't make any sense it's because I have a bad heart and need my medication right away!!

We're All Going to Hell

2005-04-29T12:32:00.000-05:00

Now, I've been saying for years that either I'm going to hell or the people around me are. Finally there is a test to prove it! Dante's Inferno Test will tell you what level of hell you are destined to be sent to. FYI, I am going to end up in Level 6, City of Dis. So are you sinners out there worse off than me? Take the test and find out if we're going to be neighbors in the after-life!

I Knew It Was Going to Come to This One Day...

2005-04-26T20:02:00.000-05:00

Law school has officially made me an alcoholic. Today I blasted through 3 hours of a Property exam and what did I want to do when I was done? Get a drink. I also wanted a drink yesterday when I was attempting to fall asleep last night and not worry about school, work, or my crazy family. [which by the way, always finds someway to add stress to my life when I need it the least. Honestly, can't you people screw up your lives in like 2 weeks when finals are over? Then I will be more adept at solving your problems. Just give me two weeks!]

So I resisted yesterday and today during dinner, although it was very tempting to try the "special lebanese wine." And now I am just a weak person, I gave in. I should be reading/outlining/reviewing Constitutional Law but instead I am watching TV and drinking away so I can hopefully fall asleep within the next hour. Apparently I am an alcoholic with self-restraint. We'll see how long that lasts.

At Least Someone Thinks I'm Smart

2005-04-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

So, today I was told that "you've got the brains for the job" as a way of bribing me into taking on more responsibility at my lovely retail job. So after some training and approval by someone I've never met, I may just be the next "Sales Supervisor." Isn't that exciting? Of course I only said I'd do it because it comes with a pay raise, which will mean that I may actually make more than a pizza delivery guy, unlike now.

So of course I have to be careful what I say on this blog now, since you can get fired for what you say on your blog about your employer!!

I Am Not Getting Enough for my $50,000 a Year

2005-04-22T17:54:00.000-05:00

Why is it that I have to learn about once in a lifetime opportunities that I've missed from MSNBC instead of from the law school that I pay entirely too much tuition for?

Three Supreme Court justices were at the National Archives last night and there was an audience. First, how in the world do I get invited to these things? Second, why isn't the law school doing a better job of getting us invited to these things? Have I mentioned that the Archives is exactly 20 minutes from where I live? Have I also mentioned that not once in almost a year of living here have I seen anyone famous besides Dick Gephardt? I am disappointed, it should be easier to go see a Supreme Court argument, or get to see one of them speak somewhere. I mean c'mon, Scalia & Breyer took a trip to American's law school. GW's campus is much closer! [and I'm paying a lot more money than the kids at American, have I mentioned that lately?]

So now it is my goal to see a Supreme Court justice sometime this summer. I'm going to have some free time, I'm just going to start stalking them. Who should I start with? Kennedy? Breyer? Scalia? I'm definitely not interested in Thomas or Ginsburg, too boring. And Rehnquist isn't much good to anyone these days. I'm not sure Stevens or O'Connor could say anything in less than 1,000 words. I know there's another guy on the bench... what the heck is his name? Guess he's not too important.

Save Phil!

2005-04-21T19:48:00.000-05:00

According to CNN, Republicans are out to get the fillibuster. The Democrats are wisely threatening to fillibuster two of the president's conservative choices for federal judge positions. Of course, now the Republicans are threatening to change the rules so that fillibusters can't be used to block judicial nominations, they want the nominations to be approved by a yes or no vote, which would let judicial nominees squeak through with a majority vote.

While I agree that a yes or no vote seems more civilized than reading the phone book for hours on end or standing at the podium attacking a judicial nominee on every little thing they've done, I think we should have some respect for a time honored tradition. The fillibuster is something every high schooler learns about and dreams of one day accomplishing. Just listening to yourself talk for hours on end, not letting anyone interrupt. A person could really get some ideas out there.

Besides, once the Republicans figure out they can change the rules don't you think that would lead to mass chaos? Pretty soon Tom DeLay's face will be stamped on our currency and Bill Frist's picture will be on every waiver you sign saying you can never sue a doctor. Then we'll have Alberto Gonzales personally review every immigration application so he can find the terrorists. Ah, the perfect world is so close, yet so far...

Tom DeLay is an Idiot

2005-04-20T22:00:00.000-05:00

Can you believe people like this run our country?

"Absolutely. We've got Justice Kennedy writing decisions based upon international law, not the Constitution of the United States? That's just outrageous," DeLay told Fox News Radio on Tuesday. "And not only that, but he said in session that he does his own research on the Internet? That is just incredibly outrageous."

What the heck is DeLay trying to say? Judges shouldn't do their own research? The internet is evil? Somehow what other countries do isn't relevant to the way our country runs?

It gets better: "The judiciary has become so activist and so isolated from the American people that it's our job to do that" [hold the judiciary responsible for their actions]

So, what you're saying is that Congress isn't isolated from the American people? What's even better is that DeLay wants to start impeaching justices & federal judges based on the "good behavior" clause.

Let's review Tom DeLay's "good behavior":

Travel with a lobbyist whose clients may have paid for the Texas Republican's foreign travel on several occasions.
The House ethics committee admonished DeLay last year on three separate issues but did not find that he violated House rules.
A district attorney in Texas is investigating potentially illegal corporate contributions to a Texas political committee started by DeLay.
On August 30, 2001, Tom DeLay, his wife, his staff and two Florida Republican House members arrived in Malaysia on what was billed as an educational trip. Problem is, no one can remember who paid for the trip, was it The Heritage Foundation? Or was it a for profit Hong Kong corporation?

Perhaps Tom DeLay should remember the cliche: Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Somehow I don't think that doing your own research and using international law rises to the level of impeachable behavior exhibited by DeLay on a daily basis. Maybe someone (besides the impotent House Ethics Committee) should check into whether DeLay is on "good behavior."

Last Day of School!!!

2005-04-20T21:30:00.000-05:00

So it's 4/20 and I'm not spending it celebrating National Pothead Day, but I am celebrating making it through 10 months of hell. Today was officially the last day of classes. So, I essentially made it through the first year of law school without any major scrapes or embarrassing moments. Now as long as I make it through the next two weeks of exams, I should be fine, right? Then I can just happily get on with my life, for 3 months until the torture starts all over again.

So what have I learned in a year? Let's recap:

Civil Procedure is boring, read the rules, you'll figure it out. Read the rules so you don't get sued for malpractice. Read the rules, that's what the exam is on. Read the rules.

Criminal Law was a waste of time. I learned more watching Law & Order.

Torts, what can I say about torts? Making us take that class with Banzhaf was a tort in itself, I think I have a valid claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and false imprisonment. What would my damages be? What would the COASE Theorem tell you about my claim?

Contracts is about Sponge Bob Square Pants and chicken. All contracts in every situation boil down to two issues, what cartoon character are the parties more like and what kind of chicken are you trying to push on me?

Property was useful, now I can tell my landlord to go screw themselves, I'm claiming constructive eviction, rent abatement and breach of implied warranty of habitability. I'm sure that if my landlord wasn't a faceless corporation, they would be scared of me now.

Constitutional Law, ah the great document that created our country and governs the way we live our lives. Too bad the interpretation of it has been left to a bunch of old white men who don't care about the impact of their selfishness on the rest of the country.

OK so that's what I think I learned in class, what have I learned about life?

Law school is like high school, it's a bunch of cliques, only with beer, therefore it's like high school with fraternities.

Grades don't matter, however sleeping with Skills Board Members will definitely get you a coveted spot on Moot Court or Mock Trial.

The people that you hated in high school and undergrad now go to law school, you will never escape from the jocks, the geeks or the princesses. They will haunt you for the rest of your life.

I guess that isn't so much about life than it is about law school, but you get the point, pathetically, law school is my life now. Help me.

Star Wars Episode III

2005-04-20T21:00:00.000-05:00

May 19, 2005 is exactly one month away and it is a very important day!!!

Not only because it is Really Big In Europe's birthday, but because the new Star Wars movie comes out! You can check out the excellent trailer here. I am only disappointed by one thing so far, I can't get Star Wars ring tones on my phone because I don't have Cingular. Other than that I am gearing up to wait in line for midnight showing tickets and to be a complete dork and see it about 10 times the first week it is out.

So all you other dorks out there, let me know when & where we want to go to see this movie. I'm ready! And May the Force be With You!

The Acting on Law & Order Sucks

2005-04-19T21:29:00.000-05:00

So here I am, happily outlining and watching Law & Order SVU, until I become so distracted by the bad acting that I have to tell someone. So far, in 30 minutes a cop was shot, accused of shooting a bystander, had surgery, had his name cleared, recovered from surgery, met his estranged son, is accused of being a dirty cop, finds a missing crack whore who turned in her boss, who then had her killed, lets the crack whore's mother know she's dead, mother still mad at him, turns out crack whore had a kid right before she died. Explain to me why so much has to be involved in one episode?? They could have developed each of these plot lines into one episode a piece. There's about 3 good episodes there with an opportunity for character development and real plot points. The amount of stuff that they crammed into one episode so far is absolutely ridiculous. Now they're talking about the history of Potter's Field. Give me a break. Now all the sudden they know that the kid is a boy... I am terribly confused. And if Ice Cube [Ice Tea? what ever the heck his name is] says "Moms" one more time I might puke. Oh and now... the dead girl's mother isn't mad at him anymore... he's going to find her grandson. Also, his acting has gone totally down the tubes, he hasn't said one sentence longer than 5 words.

I think I might have to write a letter to Law & Order and let them know they need to fire their writers. The TV viewing audience doesn't have that short of an attention span that you have to cram 5 episodes into one.

What Does Your T-Shirt Say About You?

2005-04-19T17:21:00.000-05:00

I will readily admit that I own a number of not so politically correct shirts and I will wear them in public. But the shirt that I saw today made me wonder what other people think of me when I wear them!

There was a woman on the Metro today wearing a black t-shirt that stated in bold white letters, I may not be Ms. Right, but I'll fuck you until she shows up.

Add to this picture the fact that the woman was about 40, wearing a very large gold cross on her necklace and carrying a single peach rose. I kid you not.

Of course, being the judgmental type of person I am I assumed she was wearing the shirt for shock value. Somehow it is difficult for me to reconcile her large display of faith and the philosophy being espoused by her shirt. She obviously was unaware of the conflict. This of course made me realize that other people must judge me when I wear t-shirts that state something like "I'm just one big fucking ray of sunshine aren't I?" or "We could mate, but then I'd have to kill you" [there's a picture of a black widow spider on that shirt, get it?]. What about "Kiss me, I'm tattooed"? or "I'm not ignoring you, you're just insignificant"?

As you can see from the short list above, I have a couple weeks of "fun" t-shirts, including many concert t-shirts that imply all types of things, as concert t-shirts are prone to do.

So I ask you, would you judge me or have you judged me in the past based on a brazen statement my t-shirt made?

So Much To Catch Up On!

2005-04-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I've slacked off and haven't posted in a week, but I have a really good reason or two! I promise!

Excuse #1: Mock Trial: Once again, I put a lot of time and effort into something related to law school and failed miserably. I have now officially learned my lesson, I will be happy just being a B student and I'm going to have a lot of fun in my free time since I won't have an extracurricular activities to worry about!

Excuse #2: Complications: The BF was here this weekend and he doesn't know about this blog! Shhh... it's a secret!

Excuse #3: My OCD: Failed attempts at studying all week just lead to my apartment getting really messy. Which led to me cleaning it, only to trash it again this weekend when I didn't have 30 seconds to think much less clean.

Excuse #4: Spring is here: The weather is beautiful, so I've been spending a lot of time outside, where there isn't any internet!

Excuse #5: Apartment hunting: After seeing the first place with a "little" water in the basement [read standing water, a puddle really] the place we saw today was really nice! I can have my grill, and do a little gardening. Ah the simple things in life.

Excuse #6: End of School: Finals are next week so I have started to buckle down, well really I've just been thinking about it and have decided that it might be a good idea if I got around to outlining and studying.

Excuse #7: Gift for our Dean's Fellow: Why am I always in charge of the group gift? Honestly, it never works out for the person who has to go get it, wrap it, and then present it. [P.S. You still owe me $10, you know who you are]

Excuse #8: Work: So, since I'm staying here for the summer, I need to work a lot to pay rent in the ridiculously overpriced city I live in. I have officially caved in and told my crappy retail job that I would work full time once finals were over. I am sure this will lead to many posts about how much I hate my job.

That's about it, I only have 8 excuses, I was going for 10, but I ran out! I'm sure there are s'more reasons why I can't get anything done, but obviously spending time blogging is one of them!

Summer '05

2005-04-11T21:25:00.000-05:00

Oh boy have we got plans!

Summer '05 is coming up and as soon as I find a place to live we are going out to have fun.

Here are some of my goals for Summer '05

Actually walk through Georgetown
Eat at Ben's Chili Bowl
Visit the National Gallery of Art, the Spy Museum and some other Smithsonian museums
Get to the top of the Washington Monument
Visit Mt. Vernon
Visit Monticello
Walk around Adams Morgan
Sit and people watch in Crystal City while I eat half priced hamburgers
Eat seafood on the waterfront
Go to Ocean City
Take a trip to Philadephia
Have a party, with margaritas

I know there's a ton more stuff to do here this summer... so I'm sure I will add to this as I think of it, but I plan on jumping on this list as soon as finals are over... did you hear that the rest of you involved in Summer '05? RIGHT AFTER FINALS ARE OVER!!

Today's Complaint...

2005-04-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

May it please the Court... go to hell. Warning! This post may sound very disgruntled and self promoting.

So Moot Court competition Round 2 today. Great fun, I was prepared, I got up early, I remembered to eat something this time. Then I got the judges from Looneyville. Everything went fine during my argument. Then it came to feedback time. Crazy judge #1 said I didn't refer to case law enough, apparently he didn't hear me say "The Supreme Court has held" about every other sentence. Then he didn't understand the point of my rebuttal, apparently "This case is about the constitutional right to a fair trial and the right to confrontation that is inextricably tied to that." wasn't very clear. Nor was I clear when I said" the government focuses on the jury being able to make a discriminating appraisal of the witnesses credibility, however, that simply is not the case. The jury in Ms. Sinclair's case was never able to make an educated decision about the witness' credibility or bias since cross-examination was limited." Even better, crazy judge #2 said I had good poise, and that it was amazing that I was calm, but I was too calm because during my rebuttal I had my hands clasped behind my back. That is too relaxed. Next time I will just talk with my hands and reach out and smack the judges when they ask stupid questions!!! Needless to say that after I waited around 2 1/2 hours I found out I didn't make it to Round #3. Oddly enough, I think getting booted in Round #2 is the worse. At least if you were out after Round #1 you had a free Sunday, getting booted after Round #3 wouldn't be bad either, at least you had a chance to make it to the end, you were in the top 20% of people competiting. Getting booted after Round #2 made me take a day off from work, waste more than half my day at school waiting for results on who moves on, then finding out that a bunch of people who I have no respect for made it to Round #3.

WTF is going on here? I would also like to note that when the list of people that make the Board comes out tomorrow I am going to be pissed. While I realize that making Moot Court is not the most important thing in the world, it is just about the only thing I have right now. I've got crappy grades, no summer job, no chance at getting on journal, and now no Moot Court. So all my hopes are hinging on Mock Trial next weekend, which should be fun, considering that I haven't taken evidence and I just wrote my questions tonight for cross-examination. Just give me something to put on a resume, or I'm going to have to start lying. I really may end up with a major in "Science" if it will help me get a job.

Also, congrats V on making it to Round 3, I know you will make it on the Board!!

Waiting Is So Much Fun....

2005-04-09T19:02:00.000-05:00

So here I am, patiently waiting to find out if I've made it to Round 2 of Moot Court Competition. Am I doing anything productive? Absolutely not. I've called and complained to two people about the ridiculous judges I had yesterday. Rationalized to myself that it doesn't really matter if I make it on the Moot Court Board or not. Left a message for a friend or two to call me back because I don't feel like studying. Checked for more available apartments [more about this later... word to the wise, DO NOT rent from Charles E. Smith]. Kinda cleaned my room, but not very well. Read the Washington Post online. Read the NY Times online. Read all the rules and grading sheets for Moot Court Competition. Thought about starting to work on Mock Trial, but I'm not really motivated to do that either.

And so, here I remain waiting.... with so many better things to do, just not enough ambition.

Stupid Moot Court...

2005-04-08T20:08:00.000-05:00

So, I argued the first round of Moot Court today. Great fun, let me tell you. The judges had no questions and had no idea about the facts of the cases. WTF is going on here?? They should at least know the basic facts of the case before they ask you the difference between the witness' and the defendant's credibility. {note: defendant did not testify, therefore no determination about her credibility could be made} Stupid judges. So essentially I finished my argument with 5 minutes to spare and my rebuttal with 1 minute to spare (it was only 2 minutes anyways). Stupid Moot Court.... who wants to be on it anyways? (me!!!) Also, the judges thought I was too quiet! Now, when have I ever been accused of being quiet? I am NOT a quiet person. You all know this and I know this. Maybe the judges just have hearing problems.