Aug 31 2006
steel reserve.
steel reserve.
Originally uploaded by Chip.otob.
Archive for August, 2006
Aug 31 2006
How to make the most of your newscast:
Here’s a hint: SHOW AIRPLANES ON FIRE!
IT seems that, no matter what, as long as there are airplanes on runways, and those airplanes are on fire, then you will get ratings ratings ratings.
OMG TERRAR!
(p.s. back in the real world, I hope no one was hurt by whatever it is they are showing on the news, but on the other hand, shouldn’t the news be covering the reduction of our Constitutional Freedoms by our so-called commander-in-chief?)
Aug 30 2006
New Fixture On my Desk
“Blacks Law Dictionary” is the new fixture on my desk. I use it every night. It has been extremely valuable. Zoinks.
Aug 29 2006
I am such a nerd.
To my contracts class: i’m sorry that I’m such a nerd and went ahead and did the optional, non required reading, and the optional, non required study question, and then posted my answer on the class website. I swear I’m not that much of a nerd, I just used to managed a bunch of commissioned sales guys and I thought the problem was interesting.
Besides, I sit in the back row, I can’t be that much of a nerd!
Aug 27 2006
Work…on the weekends?
It was bad enough I was studying on a Friday night. But working on the weekends, too? Sheesh!
I’m happy to say that I’ve gotten everything done for Tomorrow, and a majority of the reading done for Tuesday. So I am in good shape, although I can see just how easy it is to get behind. Losing ground for even a second, and it’s like a waterfall opening on your head. Or my head, for that matter. (one of my teachers is particularly picky about the accusatory “you” - he says “me?” in a shocked manner whenever anyone says anything like “if you go to the store…” etc. )
Things are going well. I’m giving myself an “A” for the first week, and I’m going to see if I can keep it up for a full 5 days this next week. Go me!
Aug 26 2006
It’s 2:41a.m., what is the competition doing?
I’ve survived my first week of law school.
Observations.
1. There is a significant difference between the preparedness and enthusiasm of those students coming directly out of undergrad, and those students (like myself) returning to full time academics from a full time work environment. While these older students tend to be more reserved, they are also better prepared and handling the stresses much better than the students coming to law school straight from undergrad.
2. The “competition” is already beginning. Tonight at happy hour, the first candidate for “class president” stepped up and put his cards on the table. Primarily with the bold assertation that “I want to be class president” but, additionally, with some remarkably candid discussion about the reality we are all aware of but failing to articulate presently: that his only real goal is to “beat” the other 259 of us. That is a broad statement. If we are to judge our value by our class rank, his only motivaiton is to rank higher than the rest of the students. That means everything he does - every move he makes - has to be calculated with respect to the value it adds (or detracts) from his class ranking.
3. I’m keeping my mouth shut a lot more than normal. I haven’t volunteered to speak in class yet. I haven’t been called on. I’m generally a “gunner” - someone always willing (more; desiring) to contribute. I’m also a very outgoing, socially adept individual. Lately I’ve been more shy, quiet, and reserved. Despite my general preparedness for the rigors of school, and my familiarity with my surroundings - I’m being careful to avoid seeming like I’ve got it all together. I know there are a number of people like our class president - performing the same competition calculus in their heads - and I want them to discount me. I want them to miss me and ignore me. This serves two purposes. If they don’t see me as competition, it is more like we will get along (there won’t be any “dirty tricks”). Second, it will make me more socially acceptable if people aren’t always feeling like I’m smarter than they are.
To answer the quesiton in the title of this post, to my fellow law students. At 2:49a.m. on Saturday morning, your competition is sitting in bed blogging. For the last 2.5 hours, he’s been working on assigned reading due *tuesday*. By the end of the weekend, he’ll have all of the work complete THROUGH tuesday, and he’ll have at least 1/3 of his work done for Wednesday. Will he understand the material any better than you? It depends on how critically he reads the cases. Regardless, he will not have the same anxiety about being behind that you might have. In addition, he’ll keep showing up at all the 1L events he can, to make it seem like he’s everywhere. If he’s everywhere, he can’t possibly be as prepared as you are, right? So he’s not likely to rank highly in class, right?
A final commentary: In CivPro today, when the first girl got cold-called, and we all laughed nervously, remember that response. In a few weeks it probably won’t be so funny. (for the record, I was called on - inadvertantly - as the professor meant to call on the gentleman opposite to my right.
Aug 23 2006
I’m still alive. But I’m really really tired.
I just wanted to stop in and let anyone who was following along know - I am still alive. I’m just really really tired. My first day of classes went very well. I think that this is going to be a neat experience. It will be a difficult adjustment, but I think I can do it. I just ahve to get my head to stop spinning first! Haha.
How can I best describe the experience? Imagine going from unemployment to a 60 hour a week job. You only see your boss about 10 hours per week, he is really big and scary and doesn’t tell you much about how you are supposed to do whatever it is you are supposed to do. you just know you have to get it done. Now pretend you are one of 86 other new hires, all equally suffering form system shock. Maybe add in the inability to read the language of the new place, and that pretty much covers it.
Aug 22 2006
Day 1: I survived!
I think “I Survived” actually conveys the wrong meaning. I felt like one of the most prepared students there. I didn’t meet everyone, so obviously that opinion is a bit skewed by the folks that I did meet. One of whom said she barely slept the night before, others acted like they didn’t have a clue.
The morning was interesting. I showed up at a bit before 9:30, and all of the tables in the luncheon hall were already full, and people were sitting on the floor. Punctuality counts in law school!
From there we moved to an auditorium, and had some “rah rah” type speeches, were introduced to some faculty and administrative staff, and so forth. For me, it was an enjoyable experience. Although I will admit as the day went on, I felt more and more ready to get down to business, and less inclined towards the faux-social aspect of some of the orientation events.
(and just a niggle with one of my professors: might = possibility. May = Permission. Stop using them interchangably if you are going to tell us about how important it is to be precise with our language.) I might stop paying attention to what you are telling us if you keep doing what you’re doing. 
After the speeches, and lunch, we had our first “class” - our legal analysis, research, and communication class. That prof will be tough, but I hope I can figure out what she wants to see in my work product - and provide it.
After that, we had a little SRO-type fair, and I signed up for a number of Student Organizations. I’m not sure I want to hold any leadership positions just yet, but it would be a nice way to meet some of my classmates, etc.
I’m just starting day 2, a comparitively shorter day. I’ve got a lot of studying to do tonight, but I’m looking forward to it. Weird, eh?
Summary: I was well prepared for day 1, and I am confident that will hold through at least day 2. The people are nice and I’m having a great experience. Remind me of this in about 3 weeks.
Aug 20 2006
So, It’s On!
Monday morning I start orientation for Law School. Two days of orientation followed by three days of classes this week. I’m as ready as I could be - based on the way the last month or two went. I think, had I made additional sacrificies in the name of “getting ready for school” that I would be in an even better position to succeed than I am now - but I’m pretty happy with my current stance. Further, I have a great companion supporting me. She’s my Gangster B.
Anyway, I’m going to call it a night. I’ll post more after my first day of orientation. If I can still see (and walk) straight. Heh.
Aug 16 2006
[ USA Underwater Hockey ] - Live Blogging (ish) Worlds 2006
Follow the above link to see the live blogs of my friends and former teammates competing in the 2006 World Championships of Underwater Hockey, hosted this year in Sheffield, England. Good luck, USA!
Aug 16 2006
the show with zefrank - DON’T BE AFRAID
This is something you should all watch, be aware of, and take to heart. And he’s right, Chrubito doesn’t have a clue.
Aug 14 2006
i never knew…
Comic Book Guy (from the Simpson’s) real name is Jack Albertson. Heh. The things you learn by procrastinating.
