And now the real fun begins

Sorry I didn't write yesterday. I was quite busy, what with the fake exam at 8:30, joining the Public Interest Law Organization ($20 and I got a t-shirt), buying textbooks, trying to save 5% via my U card (and the machine wouldn't take the new, multi-colored twenties. Grand total: $435), trying to convince a professor to let me into a Academic Support Program, going to a wedding photographer ($600/hr), then to a spouse/family law school BBQ, doing some contracts homework for Tuesday (boring), and finally playing Maj Jongg with my fiancee's parents. Her dad got so tired that he fell asleep during his turn, so we stopped.

This morning they are going to two wedding cake shops and a musican's house (for the band at the wedding reception, of course). At one PM, my fiancee and I are going to a spouse program that will teach them what we law students are going through (she has to brief a case) and will give some general counciling for couples undergoing this process. Meanwhile, her parents (and brother) will go up to Park City for the afternoon.

So far I am feeling OK about law school. Or at least I was until I saw the actual assignments. Torts seems like it will be interesting but contracts, I just don't really care about. But I suppose it is a basic part of the law and I need to learn it if I want to be a hot shot or even to graduate, let alone pass the bar.

Anywho, I should get back to work since her family left me her because I told them I had to do my homework.

McGreeving over McGreevey

So DSCC chair Senator Jon Corzine has turned down running for governor since McGreevey said he won't resign until November 15 (to avoid a special election and basically appoint the NJ Senate President governor until 2005).

And now, SNL alum Joe Piscopo has, according to the New York Daily News, has confirmed that "some prominent business guys" are "trying to persuade him to run" for McGreevey's seat. Is that funny ha-ha? Is he a clown to you?

I will tell you what, the news makes me laugh, but he doesn't. Why can't The Boss run? If I was from New Jersey, I would vote for Springstein. Or even Jon Bon Jovi for that matter. If the GOP were smart, they would try to get Bruce, but I don't think he will say yes to them. Jovi has already been "outed" as a Democrat anyway.

And on a fun note here is the quote of the day:

"I gambled, drank alcohol, worked in a topless, bottomless club, smoked marijuana, drove hookers around in a 1971 green Ford Pinto, took hookers home and a host of other activities that I should not have done" -- NV 01 candidate Lewis Byer (R)

Look Ma, no wires

This is my first wireless posting. They finally got it all working all over the law school (or at least in the IL reading room and the classrooms) last night and so now I am very happy to get online anywhere without having to get out another thing for my laptop. Plus, I feel fancy. In fact, I am in the middle of class right now, but I feel like I am on top of this case we are discussing.

In current events news, a retiring Republican Congressman said that in 20/20 hindsight he wouldn't have voted for the war. Doug Bereuter of Nebraska went on to say

The cost in casualties is already large and growing, and the immediate and long-term financial costs are incredible.<> Our country's reputation around the world has never been lower and our alliances are weakened. Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world.

I like GOPers better already.

Only Tuesday?

I hate to whine but getting up this morning at 7:50 was really tough. I had gotten like zero sleep again, but this time it was due to my fiancee eating her peanut butter and jelly sandwich in bed and the humidity, on top of previous days sleep deprevation.

Boy I have become so intolerant of moisture now that I live in a desert. I am sure a couple months ago I would have gladly opened the window to enjoy the cool, dry air.

This morning's discussion didn't help any. I really don't need to know about programs and services that aren't possible for me to do until my second year spring semester at 8:30. The best part of the day to me was the law class. Professor Lund is very funny and very socratic.

Many upperclassmen and women have said he is super tough, but they loved his classes and learned so much. I can see why. He comes up with pretty amusing hypotheticals (which is like 90% of law school) and can really bour into students. The guy next to me really got rattled even though he was doing fine. I didn't see what the big deal was. It is perfectly OK to be wrong in this class and in any real law school class. I got some answers right and some I was a bit off but it doesn't count normally and certainly not now.

The lack of internet connection was really annoying me, however. They had this whole talk about how email and wireless internet would be all ready by today yesterday, but nothing worked. Even more annoying was that our voluntary lunch with upper classmen/women to bond and ask Q was a bust. Either 8 of us misheard the Deans or the 2L/3L never showed. Plus the A/C was on super high so that I froze my butt off. But hey, at least I got a free giant bag of chips (I had sun chips 3x the normal snack size) and soda out of it (I had iced tea, to make me feel slightly healthier).

Today 's oreintation sessions ended with a time-management /study lecture. It sounded so promising that, even though optional (we have to sign in on a sheet for the mandatory stuff) , most 1Ls were there. Too bad it was a rehash of the same old same old. The only advice I learned was that I have to shedule out my study and freetime as well as my classes.

By 5 PM, I was whiped out and stumbled home. Hopefully I can fall asleep tonight.

First day

Well I just awoke from a nap (4:30 MST) after my first day of law school. I wasn’t napping because today was particularly grueling; if anything I was bored into sleep. My upstairs neighbor in the apartment building has a knack of starting to make noise just when I am trying to get to sleep, whether it is 10 PM or 1 AM. He used to launder a million pairs of pants in the middle of the night (we are told he is a traveling pants salesman) until my fiancée gave him a stern talking to. For my part, I leaned against the doorframe menacingly with my arms crossed (I am shy). Next, he moved on to watching TV late at night. I am not sure whether it is the hardwood floor that amplifies his noise or just his general insensitivity, but it is annoying nonetheless whenever he walks on the balls of the feet.

I met some interesting fellows in my class of 135 people (demographics, 50-some odd women, 22 countries, and a whopping 13 minorities…which sadly enough is still better than the state average). At my table for lunch was a geneticist, a computer scientist, an economist, and myself, a political hack. They all seemed smart and nice enough. Oh a kid from my high school who was always a high-achiever (and high-stresser) in the class below me is now in my law school class. So there are two ivy leaguers in this class at least too (he went to Yale).

(9:18 MST) Sorry this post is so delayed. Right as I was writing this, my uncle informed me via email that my grandmother had fallen and fractured her shoulder. My fiancée and I naturally drove over there and helped her out with my parents who were fixing a “CostCo dinner” of roasted chicken, salad, and bread. Anyway, it was a free dinner and my parents were dying to hear about my first day of law school anyway. Since she is currently unemployed and gets along famously with my Grammy, my fiancée will be coming by tomorrow to take her back to the hospital and hang out with her. Both went to women’s colleges and are (correspondingly?) very tough, smart cookies. Very similar personalities.

Anyway, hope all is well in your world and in the one we all share.