i dislike "like"

Man, I cannot describe the boiling feeling inside of me when someone uses "like" every second word. I do not know how a teacher can stand hearing someone expound and have to sift through every "like" to get at the real words. Every time that happened in class, I wanted to scream out, "Stop saying like!"

That, and the fact the husband lambasted me almost as soon as he saw me, out on the street (the man couldn't wait for me to get inside the damn house because that bag damn heavy), were the only stains on a very good day. I'm trying to think about the good day.

So, Tort Law is something else, but I cannot describe how happy I am to be taking this class. I do not think any 1L prof is going to break down the thing quite like the prof did today. It is so much easier to approach a case actually knowing what the law is about.

Prof Tort described herself as not funny and lacking any sense of humor, but she managed to keep us laughing right through. Everyone in her hypotheticals died very dead and I wondered if I took a drink for every dead person...

While I was thinking that the defendants get the short end of the stick, I realized today that the onus is on the plaintiff to bring the proof out. Many times, the defendants win. Maybe that should be so because the world is pretty litigious as it is.

She really got me to think and, although I never actually got called on, it was a good feeling to see I was moving in the right directions in many cases. I used up almost my entire notepad b/w the case briefings and the notes from today. Thank goodness I left the undersides of the pages I wrote about the cases blank. It made it easier to take notes about them on the blank sides.

We were told that Prof Contracts cold-calls in class and we'd better be prepared. Naturally, Contracts is tomorrow and I managed to read 3 of the cases on the train ride home. And briefed none. You KNOW I'm getting called on tomorrow. And what am I doing now? That's right! Writing in my blog!

I'm still also reading "One-L" and that book is scary. The pressure these 1Ls put themselves under is overwhelming just to read about. I sat next to a fellow NYLS student and The Law Preview Dude had us go around the room saying what law school we are attending. When he came to us, he asked if we knew each other before and we said a little bit. He asked if it was a love match getting started and I held up my left hand over my head and pointed at my wedding band. The Dude said it wouldn't last beyond the first year. I laughed, but...

I read about Turow's marriage stress and wonder how we're going to get through it. We're already so separate in so many ways. Maybe that's a good thing. We don't rely on each other for friendship or doing things and one of us always has a Pie to contend with. When we do spend time together, just the two of us, it's nice, but we really don't count on it to fulfill us. At least, I no longer do. I used to hate not seeing John or not being alone with him. But I think that in preparing myself for the undertaking that is law school, I kind of let that go.

Le Pie wants his dinner.

the day before law preview

So this class starts at 7:30 in the morning. Which means I have to leave home by 6:30. I wake up at 6:40 usually. Now I have to wake up at 5:30. I also had to save up my birthday money to spend on breakfast and lunch next week b/c we just poured a set of money into the Jersey City place because of a bed bug infestation.

I've made up a lunch menu for John to help him out as he is on Pie duty all of next week. Mostly by himself. Pie has 2 major events in school that I am so disappointed to miss. Second grade opens up a "store" and sells stuff, as they have been learning about money all year. John went to last year's 2nd grade and had a good time. I was looking forward to seeing my son and I'm heartbroken and trying not to let him know.

On Friday is his school's annual Field and Family Day, and the last day of school. The school hits up a park and has a huge field to play and picnic on. I had to say all my goodbyes last Friday as I won't be seeing any of the teachers or parents this week.

I've also lagged in the reading I'm supposed to be doing to prepare for the course. They advised that we read up to Wednesday's class but I'm barely done with Monday's. Granted, it's quite a few cases and I'm trying to brief them all and forgetting almost as fast as I take notes. I'm hoping that the fact that left some for today means I will remember them tomorrow!

Torts is going to be trouble, I can see it. I also think the fact that I am already set on what I want to do is going to work against me. I'm going to have to motivate myself as far as Tort and Criminal Law goes. I need Property, Contracts and Civil Procedures to move into 2nd year IP courses. Plus, there's that whole top 15% Harlan Scholar thing and Law Review. Tort counts too!

Also, instead of case-briefing, I am distracted by
(1) popsicles
(2) "Avatar: The Last Airbender" marathon on Nick
(3) blogging

The good thing is that I have only 2 cases left to go. They are short, but that doesn't mean they are easy to grasp. Tort Law is very odd. Not only have ambulance-chasing lawyers given it a bad name, but sometimes I feel a bit sorry for the Big defendant. The plaintiff seems to be able to get away with a lot. Not that Big Tobacco didn't deserve it, but some of the defendants I'm reading about seem to be getting the short end of the stick. Of course, I am only reading the decision of the Appeal Court and it always sounds very reasonable. But reading between the lines a bit makes me wonder if giving the plaintiff such a wide berth to litigate is a good idea. Maybe it's just me and I'm not even in law school yet.

At least I'm thinking about it, right. One good step alongside all the bad habits I'm struggling to break.

law school blogging

I've been so drippy about blogging lately. I feel like I've been haunted by my Journalspace posts: all the little things I posted about over the years that are now lost in cyberspace and my sons will never read.

I'm of two minds about law school blogging. I guess if I continue to post here, it will be a public blog. I've been burned by a public post just once, in a very early post, and although it didn't reach the dooced stage, I was hurt and hurt someone else. Funnily enough, I didn't care for the person I blogged about, just the person who was indirectly brought into it and I was incensed by the fact that someone I considered a friend decided to copy and paste my blog and send it to the person I blogged about. I stood by what I wrote, in that it was all true, but I took it down and only use people's names once I have their permission.

But if I decide to write about law school and join the hundreds or thousands of law school blogs out there, I have to decide how to share what I want to write about and with whom.

The two people who read this already know I'll be going to New York Law School and a simple Google search will probably get them the names of my professors once I start. I, on the other hand, will stick to Prof Civ Pro and Prof Contracts. Writing about classmates will be the diciest bit and since people tend to piss me off easily, so how can I write about people?

The other issue is will I have the time to post. I've been combing the law school blogs for over a year now and even some of people who have already graduated, reading through their archives when I can. If they had the time, why shouldn't I?

As for now, I've signed up for Law Preview. I know there are 2 schools of thought about pre-1L activities, but I've been home for nearly 5 years now. I can handle 6 days of Law Preview. Pie will be in school anyway, so it's not like I'm sucking up his time.

He seems to be better about me going to school. I took him to NY Law and he just loved the place. He went inside classrooms and saw the cafeteria and the terrace and cannot wait to go back. I really must find some time to take him in August, when I actually start.

I'm going to try to blog Law Preview as best as I can. I'd like my boys to read this one day and see their mum isn't some old lady who is trying to cramp their style.

choices

So I'm going to New York Law later this year.

I spent the day there on Monday. They are having a series of Admitted Students events for the next four or five weeks so their various action Centers can be explored. I initially could not find an Intellectual Property day, so I chose to go to the first event just so I could see the school and meet a couple of professors.

I took a tour of the school last year, before summer. They had not completed their new building, so I toured the old one. I did like it a lot, even then. But the new building is really blow-mind. It's all glass and the views of New York are fantastic. I have no idea how anyone studies when there is all that free gazing to be had. I can already see I have to spend a lot of time in the library!

I had a really good time on Monday. I came away thinking that I'd really like going to that school. I was truly torn between there and Cardozo. I was actually relieved I didn't have to make the decision and really stoked to be going there.

The people were awesome and everyone was very helpful. People there answer my emails in record time. That is always appreciated. I got to speak to a couple of students, who were great about answering my questions. I can't wait to do that for someone else next year.

The classrooms are huge, and I got to sit in a Con Law lecture. The library is several floors and there are lots of common areas to study.

I'm actually going back for another session, having discovered when I was there that there is a focus on IP day in April. Since I don't have to do the tour, I can spend some time with some professors and really get a feel for what's going on in the place.

Plus, I can't wait to buy my new computer!

lazy blogger

I used to update all the time when I was over on Journalspace. I guess because i had friends there, people read me and I truly enjoyed it. Now, maybe not so much.

I also don't care to post about a lot of the stuff that's been happening to me. Some of it I really want to keep away from the Innernets and some I am just too lazy to record. I screw around on FB and Twitter, but even that is in phases. I'll get into a posting frenzy and then not bother for weeks.

I've been reading a lot. A couple of times I ran away from home. Today, I might go to the zoo, even though it's snowing.

I've been checking out libraries in the City. That has been fun... until I borrow ten books and have to lug them home. Well, it's a small price to pay for the joy of curling up with one and reading it. I wish it was warmer so I can just go sit outside and read.

Law school is looming and, once again, sleep is elusive. I barely slept last night and am feeling sluggish this morning.

Pie has been loads of fun. He keeps me laughing and glad to be alive. He is so funny and he and his Daddy are like 2 little boys: LOUD!

So, this is essentially a post about nothing really. Or a little of everything?

so... um... maybe time's come to say something

It's been almost a whole week since I got my acceptance letter to New York Law. Barring acceptance from Cardozo, I'm going to accept the acceptance. I was pretty damn thrilled to get the letter and didn't sleep for almost 2 days. The day after it came, I spent at Harlem Academy, where everyone's first comment to me was, "You look so tired."

And I was. My head was racing so bad that I couldn't sleep. John and I spent some time in initial discussions about going to NY Law and a lot of decisions have to be made. I'm trying to fill out my FAFSA forms, only to be stonewalled by lack of income tax paperwork. Telling Pie was tough: he really wants none of this law school business.

I thought as he got older it would get easier, for both of us. But he is so great to be around, he makes me laugh and I love just chatting with him. I don't know how either of us is going to cope come August.

I keep hoping for Cardozo, not just because I am in love with the place, but because the first year would be part-time and would make the transition easier for all of us. I worry about John having to drop Pie to school in the morning. Pickup is easier, but he sleeps a good hour extra in the morning when I take Pie. I feel terrible taking that away from him. Not to mention him having to get the kid breakfast and pack his lunch, which I supposed I can do the night before, but it's still a task to get mornings going.

Every so often, just because I can, I let Pie get away with murder in the morning. I get up a little earlier sometimes to make him a breakfast that doesn't involve cereal. Sometimes, I cook after he's gone to school and then drop off a hot lunch for him at noon. Sometimes, I go have lunch with him and we have an identical meal. He gets such a kick out of it. I cannot describe how much I am going to miss all of that.

I've also spent much of this academic year living at Harlem Academy. I volunteer for a lot of things because I know I won't be able to do much once school starts. Hell, even before school starts. I didn't realize I'd love it so much or that they would start giving me stuff to do. I told them about law school and getting accepted but it's going to be tough letting go of the greatest school on the planet.

But I am excited about starting. I'm dying to go laptop shopping with the husband. I am going the PC route and there's a cute Toshiba model I have my eye on, but I am keeping my Mac for as long as it lasts.

I'm dying to go to Staples and make my name with stationery. I'd like to go to the school and sit in a class. Kaplan also offers a 1L mock session, so I will be going to one of those. I'm making lists and taking names. I can't wait and I'm terrified as all hell!

sherlock holmes

One week, a few weeks ago, I had no new library books to read. I always have my quota of 10 books lined up in "Holds" but nothing new had come up. Rare.

I've read most everything I own several times, so I started to troll through some of John's books. He has a complete Sherlock Holmes so I thought I'd read them over. I read the introduction first, by a fella who is really into his Holmesian mythology. I was intrigued by some of the detail he pointed out so I went a-hunting for some info.

In my search, I discovered that there were several authors who picked up where Conan Doyle left off. I had already read Michael Chabon's "The Final Solution" and found to to be my favorite of the five books of his I read in a frenzy last year.

But there were so many more! Heady stuff.

I read Michael Dibdin's "The Last Case of Sherlock Holmes", which was a yawn. I really expected it to be more exciting as it dealt with Holmes investigating Jack the Ripper. Ripper winds up being Moriarty and he and Holmes do take that tumble off the Reichenbach Falls but it's his death with no resurrection. I thought that taking a great criminal mind and turning him into a butcher (with the excuse being that Moriarty needed to take this next step basically because he was bored) was dulling. I was hoping it would be Watson unmasked as the Ripper. Dibdin should ask for a do-over.

The re-mythology is far more interesting. Arthur Conan Doyle is a friend of Watson and, after much pleading, gets the doctor to persuade Holmes into letting ACD (how he is referred to in the book) publish one of his exploits using Watson's written recollections. All the "embellishments" that Holmes criticized Watson for in the actual stories is now laid at ACD's feet. It was pretty funny.

And, although Holmes dies at the end, it's ACD who "resurrects" him using cases from before his death. Watson mourns his friend until his own death many years' later. This story is only "uncovered" in the 1970 because Watson left instructions that it be opened 70 years after his death.

The novel promised far more than it delivered. I really wanted it to be Watson.

Then I moved on to Laurie King. What a difference. Technically, her series of books involving Holmes is "young adult fiction" and here's why.

In 1918, a retired and now beekeeper Holmes, literally stumbles over a 15-year-old Mary Russell. He has one conversation with her and discovers her gift for observation are as keen as his and he takes her under his wing. The obvious adventurous hi-jinks follow.

But it is a great read. I've read the first of the series, "The Beekeeper's Apprentice" and could not put it down. King also employs a wonderful device in which she, the author, writes in the introduction that she has received a huge package, sender unknown, containing many mysterious bits, bobs and trinkets, as well as pages and pages of some kind of manuscript. She has no idea why she was sent these items but realized the pages are recounts of exploits by Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. She does some cosmetic rewriting, puts sequences into chapters and sends it off to her publisher. Eight books follow.

I went into Barnes and Noble and had a looky at the nine books. To say I am intrigued is an understatement. Russell has her own backstory: she winds up Holmes' neck of Suffolk to recover from surgeries sustained from a car accident in which her parents and younger brother were killed. She believes she caused the accident and has nightmares about it. I discovered that more is revealed about her past in later books and I had to leave B&N because I couldn't buy them and I might have sat right there and read them all. Thank goodness of the New York Public Library!

And I also have Paul Gilbert's "The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes". He tries hard to copy Conan Doyle's style and, so far, brings nothing new to the table. Jeffery Deaver included a case in his "More Twisted" short story collection, told from the criminal's perspective. It is my favorite one so far.

I've also read that people wrote books where Holmes meets Dracula, Dr Jekyll and Mary Poppins. I think I'll be giving those a miss.