Frequent Citations

Learning Something New

I'm in the midst of a massive editing job at the moment. I know, the Board turned over and I'm supposed to be done. Well not so fast--some jobs linger and I have a few projects to finish up and tie off with a pretty bow.

Part of this project includes reviewing someone else's work, who has left notes in the text explaining and commenting on various points. And I am continually astounded and aghast at the tone of the remarks. They are not just rude; they are snide, mean-spirited, almost shockingly disrespectful of the person's colleagues. Every time I come upon one that leaves me even more horrified than the one before, I ask myself if I have ever been so tone-deaf and cavalier about not only hurting someone else's feelings or deeply offending them, but ruining my own reputation with my peers.

Ironically, perhaps, I have complained to a few people about the quality of this work that I am dealing with--and now I wonder, searching my soul, if what I am condemning so harshly in this person is something I'm doing myself. I really, truly hope not. However angry and upset I am about the quality of the work I see, I never want to be the kind of careless, self-centered, cruel person I see coming through these comments.

I can be thoughtless, and quick-tempered. Being straightforward can turn into being too honest, into being harsh.

Someone I deeply respect told me, repeatedly, that a leopard doesn't change its spots. But I think we can, we must, have the capacity to improve ourselves. As I go through this job, regularly deleting the more inflammatory and outrageous remarks, I feel like I'm branding each one in my memory. Do not say this, do not convey this attitude. And I wonder, again, if I'm doing just that again without even realizing it or thinking about it.

So often I've said things I instantly regret, written things I wish I hadn't. I hope it's not a spot. I hope I can learn to bite my tongue, or have more confidence in my ability to be polite if not always kind. Because what I see here I absolutely do not want to be.

Triumph!

I had this little editing project I've been working on for a year. Yes, a year. And today, success! I'm very pleased, and it means that one of my favorite people in law school has triumphed too, so that makes me even more pleased.

It's nice when back-breaking labor pays dividends.

One Last Round

It's my last weekend of my last spring break--during which I, of course, got nowhere near enough done. Left unchecked on my to do list: write 4-page paper, start 10-page paper, fill out bar application, do six million loads of laundry, list a bunch of excess crap on Craig's list, and so much more. I did get our taxes done, though, and we ended up with a net refund, so that was a huge accomplishment. I guess the break wasn't entirely wasted.

Today we elect the new Board. I've gone over the applications and looked at the feedback and jotted down my thoughts about who might best fit which slots. My plan is to bribe people into agreeing with me by bringing Texas Sheet Cake. GirlChild suggested I let everyone have a small piece to start, and then withhold seconds until things go my way. Smart, isn't she? I suggested turning the whole thing into a drinking game, but I don't think that's going to happen. We're a serious crew when it comes right down to it. Pity.

Tomorrow my last quarter of law school starts. I have my Evidence outline sketched out and the first assignment done, but haven't read for Habeas yet. It's finally feeling like something I sort of know how to do some of this law school stuff, and it feels a little late to be getting the hang of it.

It's like raising kids. As soon as you figure out what's going on and how to handle it, everything changes again.

Who'd Have Thunk It?

I've been writing for a long time. My grandmothers were both English teachers. Sometimes I think I've forgotten more rules than some people ever learn. And still, sometimes, something new makes life interesting.

An issue came up recently, which prompted me to do some research. Lo, I discovered many details of which I was unaware--some of which sent a shiver of pure paranoia down my spine. This is me, people; I can be paranoid about anything up to and including the finer points of grammar. Anyway, I think it's that very paranoia that would have saved me from committing unpardonable error. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. Repeatedly.

In other news: if anyone has recommendations for a good Securities hornbook, please let me know. Or if you have suggestions for current, unresolved, First Amendment issues, I'd love to hear them.

And while you're handing out recommendations, know any good tax accountants?

I knew this year was going to bite us in the rear.

Researching A Research Paper

Let's say you're writing a paper in which you are to explain an area of law, describe an unresolved question relating to that area of law, and propose some sort of answer to that question. Let's say that each of those three components is important. Let's say I'm reading that paper and I have to google key terms and even legal doctrines because they are not explained anywhere in the paper.

Do you think I'm going to be happy about that? No, I am not.

I just saw a notice for a competition and I'm seriously tempted to enter a paper. It doesn't have to be heavily researched, it just needs to be beautifully written and well thought out. If I write on the subject I'm toying with, it would also serve another purpose in my school life. But if this idea hasn't already been taken, I'll be shocked unto death.

Being Irresponsible

Maybe it's being a 3L, maybe it's being so swamped there's no hope of recovery, maybe it's innate laziness. Whatever the cause, I am ditching my responsibilities and going to watch some swimming with LL and Squirmy!

And if that's not enough, I watched two movies this week: Stranger than Fiction (fantastic--something I never thought I'd say about a movie with Will Farrell in it) and Secondhand Lions.

I know, it's all wildly out of character. If it makes you feel any better, I've almost completed the enormous pile of reading I had to do for this weekend's LR event. Sadly, said event is at my house which means tomorrow is going to be one long cleaning and cooking frenzy--mostly cleaning. Ugh.

All Brunched Up

I had brunch two days in a row this weekend.

I love brunch. It's the perfect meal--you can have absolutely any food you want. And any beverage you want. You can even mix your uppers and downers.

Yesterday was brunch with friends, which was elegant and lovely and fun (and delicious, of course).

Today was a Law Review brunch--in other words, a working brunch. It was still elegant and delicious, but an entirely different sort of fun. It was work and lots of it, but highly rewarding. And it was loooong--as in, six hours plus.

But now, having had an involuntary nap and eaten a great dinner fixed by TFL (creamed chicken and biscuits! Oh, tasty!) it's time to tackle Tax and Securities. Try to contain your jealousy.

How To Make Law Review Board

Turn your work in on time. Return emails. Be thorough and competent.

That's about it. Don't be a cretin.

The primary characteristic of a Board member is dependability.Think about it.

The Entertaining Editrix

Overtaken by a fit of hospitality, I invited a few people over for dinner. Specifically, I invited nearly 20 Law Review types, and they're almost all coming. I am stunned, but delighted, by the acceptance rate.

And a small part of me wonders how many of the staffers think attendance is mandatory... Nevermind. They have to eat, and there will be some good food tonight.

The triple-chocolate brownies are already made, so the evening's success is pretty much assured, don't you think? We're stocked up on wine and beer, I'm throwing together a couple of pies this morning, and then this afternoon I'll start the sauce and dough for pizza. I have assorted toppings to go with the pizza, good ice cream to go with the desserts.

I've promised at least some non-law-school related conversation, though. That's going to be the really hard part of the evening. I'm relying heavily on TFL and GirlChild and the few significant others to help out in that regard, but maybe I should equip them with cattle prods so they can zap us when we slip into yet another conversation about class, or how far behind we are in the reading, or how brutal that one cite check was... Anyone with topic suggestions, feel free to chime in.

Excuse Me, Ma'am, Your Frustration Is Showing

Don't you hate it when you considerable effort into something and it gets ignored? Don't you hate it when you ask for One. Little. Thing. and nothing happens? Don't you hate it when you struggle for hours to write one paragraph and it refuses to come together for you?

No? Oh. Maybe it's just me, then. Me, feeling mighty frustrated.

In other news: I took some stuff into the frame shop today. Even with a hefty discount it set me back a shocking amount. It will be nice to have these things framed, though.

Also: anyone who speaks lightly of walking 4 long blocks down the midway has no understanding of what it's like when the wind starts to blow, and ice is hurtling into your face, and shelter is increasingly distant.