I Want to Go to There.

According to Wiki, 2004 was a leap year that started on a Thursday. It was the year that Ronald Reagan died, and the year that Facebook was started. It was the year that they manufactured the last Oldsmobile, and the year that Friends ended. It was also the year that I graduated from high school.

That's right, friends. I have been graduated from high school for five whole calendar years.

A few weeks ago, I received a Facebook invite to my class reunion. I didn't even know that they had five year reunions. I mean.... five years? Most of my class still sees each other every weekend, anyway.

As luck would have it, Steve and I both have the night off.... and we're going! Let's hope that I grew into the "cool, pretty crowd." Let's also hope that I don't find out that I was the mean, sarcastic girl. Let's just hope that my reunion goes better than Liz Lemon's. Wish me luck!

And because it's a funny episode... and it's back on Hulu for some reason this week..... enjoy!

R-O-O-D.

Sure! I'll use that in a sentence:
The words in the National Spelling Bee are rude.

Can you spell apodyterium?

What about herniorrhaphy?

Psittacosis?

Geusioleptic?

Conchyliated?

Passacaglia?

Acoirdupois?

Tagliatelle?

Omphaloskepsis?

Honestly, most of these aren't even showing up in the spell check.

Are these even words?!?!

A New Rule.

Dear Supreme Court,

I propose a new rule for judges/justices: If you are not writing the majority opinion of the Court, but want to write a concurrence or dissent, you are limited to one page.*

*because if your opinion mattered, you would have been on the winning side.

I am just tired of reading these court decisions with 1 page majority decisions and 5 page concurrences. The concurrence or dissent is not law and really doesn't matter (unless I get called on in class). You have one page... choose your words wisely. Learn to state your case efficiently.

Thank You,
Kathleen

An Unoriginal Thought.

One of many, I assure you. I have officially decided to put my paper (the one that I should have started 6 weeks ago) away for the night. I was at a point where I was really getting a good flow, and then I paused to print my outline and the fatigue set in. So, with 32.5 hours until due date, the substance of my paper is still in 4 pages of bullet points.

I have realized why some assignments are so difficult. I do not like writing when I am being forced to present an original argument. To be honest, I probably don't have too many original thoughts. I'm not an original person... someone surely has had every thought that runs through my head before I have. That was why my last semester of undergrad was so difficult. I was expected to write 20 pages full of original thoughts and new perspectives. I was supposed to declare a topic for my capstone paper in January... I didn't have a topic until mid-March. I was supposed to have an outline by mid-March... I didn't turn mine in until the beginning of April. And alas, my paper was turned in exactly when it was due... and not a minute earlier.

And why did it take me so long to come up with decently-original thoughts of my own? Because it took a long time for me to find a topic that made me want to have original thoughts. I skated past that class with a B+... feeling fantastic about life. I probably only passed because my professor had such an apathetic attitude toward grading.

And in 32.5 hours, I will turn in yet another paper that I put off until the last minute... because I assure you, a Motion in Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Suppress Evidence is not what drives me to have original thoughts.

The Friendliest Dentist on Earth.

In law school, we're taught that arguments should pass the "straight face test." As in... if you can't state your argument with a straight face, don't even bother. If you don't believe it, neither will the jury.

Either the attorney in this story never heard that theory, or he actually believes his argument (at which point the dentist could probably benefit from hiring smarter counsel). You decide.

Are You Hiring?

So, every day the career services office sends out emails with job postings that require impossible academic standards -or- being a member of a minority race. Obviously, I fit neither of these profiles. I put together a possible brief classified ad with hopes that an employer will be looking for someone just like me:

Are you looking to provide a summer law-related job or scholarship to someone not based on merit, but based on other distinguishing characteristics? I have just the candidate for you! Candidate is a 22 year old, female law student with mediocre grades whose extra-curricular activities include: sleeping, watching tv, and making out with her boyfriend. Candidate has an optimistic personality and is generally fun to be around. Candidate is willing to "work" on projects ranging from easy-to-mildly challenging. Employer must provide a comfortable working environment with fun co-workers. Must pay a minimum of $15 per hour and provide ample vacation time. Preferred working hours do not begin before 10 a.m.

Candidate is available to accept calls
from prospective employers
between the hours of noon-1am.

G-R-E... umm... A?

It's late. Maybe I'm just tired, but this is funny:

U.S. v. Brown, 500 F.3d 48

Pg. 52: "By prearrangement, two Portland police cruisers converged on the truck a short distance from the bus terminal. Officer Bickford directed the passenger to disembark, frisked him, and asked for his name and date of birth. The passenger identified himself as Anthony Green, gave a date of birth, and claimed to be from Boston. He appeared older than the proffered date of birth suggested. Moreover, he professed to have no identification and, when asked how to spell his name, he hesitated."

Oh, don't worry... it doesn't end there! A few paragraphs later...

"The officers... asserted that throughout this exchange Green was constantly looking around, as if looking for a way to escape. When asked a second time for identification, he tried to peer into Bickford's notebook, as if trying to recollect the name that he had given."

My Ticket to Hell.

I tried to avoid it, but I fear that I've gotten my mom's cold. Today, after leaving church early, I realized that I did not have one of the books that I needed for school. I decided to swing by school and grab it out of my locker (I know, right?? How middle school!). The traffic was bad, so I decided to go down a back alley/street only to find that there was a funeral at the funeral home in said alley/street... it must have been a viewing. So the crowd is pouring into the middle of this road. Two cars in front of me, the driver pulls on to the left side of the road to get around. The car in front of me decides that he's going to also pull onto the left side, but wait to see if any parking spots open in the funeral home's lot. He was then completely blocking any chance I had of getting around him. He was in my way and had no plans of moving, so I tapped my horn.

I honked my horn at a funeral-goer looking for a parking spot.

I'm sick and was in a cold-medicine induced fog. I just wanted to grab my Torts book and cuddle up in my bed. Given the circumstances, would you do the same thing or did I just book myself a one-way, non-stop ticket to hell?

Unconscionability.

Quick! What do you know about contracts??
I just keep reminding myself that in 4 hours...
my contracts exam will be over...
and my stress level will drastically reduce...
until my grade is posted...

I Procrastinate.

My bedroom and bathroom are clean.
My toes are freshly painted.
I talked to my mom on the phone... twice.
...and my sister.
I'm 100% caught up on gossip.
(Celeb & Facebook)
I read Glamour cover-to-cover.
I did some laundry.

Can you tell it's Finals Week?

Ok, your turn.......

I should be ___ but instead, I'm _____.

Middle School Memories

Remember this?
I bought one yesterday.
I didn't even know they still made them.
I just couldn't resist!

Dear Old Zanesville High.....

...that's the beginning of our Alma Mater. 30 Rock had me thinking about high school this week. About how I thought I was too cool for school and couldn't wait to get out of there! Looking back, what if I was like Liz Lemon? I mean, I don't think that I was a loser or anything like she did... but what if people just remember me making mean comments? I know that I made fun of people. My personality hasn't changed much in 4.5 years. Anyway... Nikki had a funny little questionnaire on her blog that I stole because, quite frankly, nothing exciting is going on in my life right now. This is going to be long. Feel free to steal it and fill in your own answers on your blog!! XOXO

Zanesville High School Class of 2004

Fill this out about your high school! The longer ago it was, the more fun the answers will be!! Re-post with the name of high school and graduating year.

1.Did you marry someone from your high school?
I'm single... but I can answer this in advance because there is no way that I would marry anyone that I went to high school with.

2.Did you car pool to school?
Umm... for the first 3 years... and then the last year I had my license (finally)!

3.What kind of car did you have?
'92 Oldsmobile Cutlass (bright red... named Dexter)

4. What kind of car do your drive now?
'09 Pontiac Vibe (black)

5.It's Friday night...where are YOU (then)?
Football or Basketball game then Adornetto's!

6.It's Friday night..where are you (now)?
Hanging out with Steve :)

7.What kind of job did you have in high school?
I worked at Domino's my junior year and then my stepdad's office my senior year.

8.What do you do now?
Full-time Law Student

9.Were you a party animal?
Not at all. I made fun of those kids.

10.Were you considered a flirt?
No... not at all. I liked a lot of boys from afar. I know you can't believe it... but I was not very confident in high school!

11.Were you in band, orchestra, or choir?
Choir... Symphonic Chorale, to be exact. (Be impressed.)

12. Did you get suspended/expelled?
Never... I probably should have been suspended for forging notes a few times... but they never expect the good kid! I had detention quite a bit for tardies...

13. Can you sing the fight song?
Fight the team across the field, show them that Zanesville's here...

14.Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)?
Mr. Danneman, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Frey, Mr. Pascoe, Mr. & Mrs. Tysinger.

15. Where did you sit during lunch?
Wherever I wanted. I don't think that I had a "table" until I was a senior. Before that, I just sat with whomever I saw first at lunchtime.

16. What was your school's full name?
Zanesville High School

17. What was your school mascot?
Blue Devils

18.If you could go back and do it again, would you?
Only if I could go back the same person that I am now. If I were confident in high school, I think it would have been a lot of fun.

19. What do you remember most about graduation?
My step-dad surprised me and handed me my diploma. Ooh, and my awesome outfit.

20.Who did you take to prom Senior year?
Didn't go. I had my wisdom teeth taken out that week. I looked like a chipmunk & was hopped up on pain pills! Rented a movie with Brittany W. that night. I was so over high school.

21. Did you have fun at Prom?
I only went to one prom... my sophomore year... not even at my school. It was fun... but getting ready for prom was more fun than the actual dance!

22.Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with?
Nope... he didn't call me for almost 2 weeks after prom. I was over it. We're Facebook friends now. I never saw the pictures from that prom.

23.Are you planning on going to your 20 year reunion?
Of course... because I win. Already. Trust me.

24.Do you still talk to people from school?
Not really. Sometimes. Which is funny because according to facebook, they all still talk. I just think we've all grown in different ways. I'm not who I was in high school... and they all still are.

Two Weeks

From This:
(And the weather in yesterday's post)

To This:
(or something like it)

In: 12 days!
(I'm not counting or anything...)

Gee, Thanks!

So in my never-ending quest to try to figure out what's going on in the law, I decided to do a little extra reading on "Proximate Cause." My professor has 2 books on reserve. The first one only confused me more. Not helpful. The second one is written more for my level of reading comprehension. I was all set to learn more... until I got to the second paragraph:

A great deal of confusion persists about what the term "proximate cause" is meant to convey. Students find this very frustrating: Justifiably, you would like some answers, some solid ground on which to base an understanding of a difficult concept. Frankly, so would I; I have done my homework on this problem, read a lot of heady articles, sorted through the cases, but if I ever thought I could settle this problem, in my own mind or in yours, I was wrong.

Wow... that was helpful. Do you think I could write that on my exam?

Ooh, one of my weird FB friends had a cool idea on his status the other day. Grab the book closest to you, turn to page 56, and read the 5th full sentence on the page. Leave it as a comment!!
Mine: "Here, Hulk, for his own macho reasons, has invited his friends to try to knock him over."

UPDATE: Oh my gosh... how funny that Seriously, So Blessed had the same thing today. Embarrassing!

Argyle Monday!

So yesterday was our last class with one of our favorite professors. It was sad. We decided that in honor of him and his fabulous wardrobe, we would all wear our nicest argyle and/or sweater vests. About 30 people participated. At first we weren't sure if he noticed. We should have known better... he is super observant. We were broken up into small groups to discuss tests of the Actus Reus of Attempt. Once we were ready to discuss it as a class he said:

I walked around and I'm impressed with the discussion that I heard. I'm also impressed that you all seemed to close out any windows on your computer that were not class-related. I am somewhat concerned that many of you seem to have gotten dressed out of my closet this morning...

I really wish that we had Crim Law all year. Who needs to know Civil Procedure, anyway? Isn't that the paralegal's job? Haha.

Monday Homework

Ok, everyone. We're going to play a game. One of my friends had THIS civics quiz posted on her Facebook status. According to the website, the average score for Americans who took the test was 49%. The average score for college educators was 55%. The average score for US elected officials was 44%. It's a tough little quiz. So take it and post your score as a comment. I mean... only smart people read my blog, so I'm sure you'll do well! Hahaha!

Oh, not to brag, but I got an 87.8%*.

*I have a BA in Political Science. I think they would ask for it back if I didn't do well on this quiz.

Happy Guessing!

Warning!

Why You Should Never Try to Steal a Law Student's Laptop

by Dan Reilly, posted Nov 14th 2008 at 2:41PM

A thief learned the mistake of trying to steal a law student's laptop last week after becoming a punching bag for an Arizona State student he tried to rip off. Armed with a baseball bat, the intruder, Gabriel Saucedo, allegedly climbed through an open window into Alex Botsios' apartment, waking the student and threatening to smash his head in.

Botsios was willing to let Saucedo take his wallet and guitars. Then the robber made the mistake that ultimately landed him in the hospital -- he went for the laptop. According to Botsios, he said "Dude, no -- please, no! I have all my case notes...that's four months of work!" Saucedo, obviously underestimating the fury of an overstressed, overworked first-year, was unsympathetic. That's when Botsios could take no more.

Wrestling Saucdeo to the floor, Botsios separated the bat from the thief and repeatedly punched him in the face. When it was all over, police had to get Saucedo stitched up before charging him with armed robbery and kidnapping, while Botsios only suffered some scrapes and a bruised knuckle. Most importantly, at least to the student, is that his laptop, which he called "his baby," escaped unharmed. Next time, Saucedo might want to try robbing a third-year student, as they're generally more docile.

Thanks to Dom for sending me this story! Don't try to steal my laptop. You've been warned.

Phenyl-what?

A typical afternoon of studying goes like this:

10 minutes of studying
Refill (water or Diet Coke)
10 minutes of studying
Potty Break
30 minutes of studying
Check Facebook
Refill (water or Diet Coke)
10 minutes of studying
Potty Break

You get the idea. It's not very productive. My excessive "study thirst" means that I am constantly either refilling my cup or using the bathroom. I just get soooo thirsty when I'm studying. It's a phenomenon that is worth a scientific study or two. Anyway, that's not my real story.

My real story is this: Diet Coke makes me happy. No, it's not just that I like it a lot. It actually makes me happy. Just now, on my walk back from the kitchen (where I grabbed a new can of DC), I read "Phenylketonurics: Contains Phenylalanine." What?! Are those even words? Yes, my friend. Wikipedia told me so! Phenylalanine is an amino acid found naturally in the breast milk of mammals and is rumored to have analgesic and antidepressant effects. It is manufactured for food and drink and also sold as a nutritional supplement.

There you have it.

What??

My mom called me last night just to "check in" on me. How nice. What she really called to say was that she had parent-teacher conferences for my sister yesterday. One teacher said that she wished that she could clone my sister. Another commended her for her always being well prepared. Her science teacher said that she got a 102% in her class this grading period.

102%
How is that even possible??

My mom pretty much should have just said that my other sister and I suck at life. That's what she meant anyway.

A New Low.

Creepy [kree-pee]; adjective.
1. Slang. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a person who is a creep; obnoxious; weird.
See Also: Kathleen.

Let me tell you the predicament in which I currently find myself. So, over the last month or so, I have made a lot of new friends. A LOT. Many of which I talk to on a fairly regular basis. Then there are those that I talk to almost daily (at least in passing) whose names I do not remember. This is a strange twist in the plot because I am usually the creepy girl who remembers everyone. So, instead of using names in these situations, I either say "Hey, You!" or I avoid it altogether. The other day I even said, "We should be Facebook friends! It's K-A-T-H-L-E-E-N! Add me!" And voila, I now know her name! Well, tonight I hit a new low in my quest to find out names. While I was looking for a classmate's email address, I came upon this handy photo student directory! Well, I went through all 20 pages. I paid special attention to the number of cute boys that I have not met (I'm going to need to fix that). I got through all 20 pages.... and I still do not know the names of the people I was actually looking for! Oh well, better luck next time!