Happy Days Are Here Again!

How Can You Not Love This?

Let me announce right here my retroactive holiday break.  It should have lasted about a week and a half.  

Okay, now that that's over, back to your regularly scheduled Running With Fireworks Content.  But before we speak of the future, let's speak of the past.  Here's what has happened to me in the past few days:

• I learned to drink my coffee black because I was too lazy to hunt down milk and sugar at my parents house, knowing that those two items are kept on opposite sides of the kitchen from the coffee pot.
• I wrote a final exam!  In two days!
• I went to two different Christmas celebrations.  Other people's family traditions are weird.  But then again, so are ours.
• I went to Cebolla's twice.  If you have ever been to Cebolla's in Fort Wayne, Indiana, you know this is cause for celebration.  However, I had to go to the Fernhill location, because they closed the bar for the night at the Dupont location.  What is UP with that?  Who goes to a Mexican restaurant where they will be denied tequila-laden beverages?
• I played with Loki-fur.  If you play dead in front of him, he tries to wake you up, and then when you stand up, he jumps around excitedly.  "Hey, I'm Jesus Dog!"
• My parents won a new Wii at the company Christmas party.  Realizing I wouldn't get the new one, I started dropping hints that I wanted the old one.  Then I pleaded.  Then I begged.  Then, not receiving an answer one way or the other, I just boxed it up and stole it.  New Wii for me!

Next up?  Headed back to Chicago tomorrow to celebrate 2011 and better days for all of us.  Also to kill myself finishing up my article.  Also to start my reading for my first classes.  Also to try to remember where and when I said I'd volunteer this semester.  I know I'm at Pritzker and doing DV work, but....yeah.  

Anyway, while I'm not one for New Years Resolutions, I thought I'd throw a couple out there just for the fun of seeing how long I have until I break them.

• Stay a week ahead in my reading.  I've done this before and it really helps me stay on top of things.
• Exercise at least 3 times every week.  The goal is every day (except one day on the weekend of my choice) but 3x a week is much more manageable.
• Go do something social once every month.  (I can hear you all saying, "Really?  That's it?" but that's pretty good for me.)
• Buy coffee no more than 2x per week.

Four is probably plenty, since my resolutions never last past February and because I've got all my bases (academic, physical, social, financial) covered.  But hey!  I'll keep track of how things work and let you know how long I can hold out for!!!

How was your break?  Any New Year's Eve plans that you'd like me to join you for?  Do you have any resolutions that you intend to leave behind in less than two weeks?  Let me (and everyone else) know in the comments!!

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

I tried to get a good picture but he's crazy this morning

First, let me just say Congrats!  To you, and you, and you, and me, but most especially to the first years.  Way to survive!  And you know what, exams get easier from here on out.  They're still just as difficult substantively, but you know exactly what they look like now.  No scary surprises to be had.

And with that being said, I'm assuming you're all at home now with your families.  I've been here since Wednesday, and let me say I know I'm home, since my mom just uttered the words, "You do all the baking, and..."  Yep, I'm home.

Now, I don't know about you, but I still need to write an exam and get some serious work done on my article.  So I've got quite a bit of writing to do.  But there are also cookies to make and a big white lab to love on who just came in from his morning walk, with the drool around his mouth frozen into icicles.

I guess what I'm saying is, enjoy your holiday and get some relaxation in.  You need it.  I would also recommend getting a giant 100 pound lab puppy to keep from getting on the kitchen counters with a resounding chorus of "Loki, NO!"  It keeps everyone occupied.

Look out!! It's A Linkstorm!!!

I have my last final today.  (Yay!)  Of course it's evidence.  And while I understand what conditional relevancy is, what the HELL does it look like on paper?  I find myself asking that for a lot of these topics.  "Well, sure, I know how it works, but I have no idea how I'm going to know what I'm looking at."  Of course, I just did 422 practice problems over the course of 2 days, and had a general 70% success rate.  That translates to B in law school world.  I can handle a B.  Which means I'm taking a study break to look at things on the INTERNETS.  And so should you.

So when you get a chance or need a 15-minute mental break, here are some fun things to go look at on the internets:

Law and Order fans should get a kick out of this one.  Don't feel obligated to look at everything, but you should definitely click through the coloring book and the Valentine's Day one.  http://brandonbird.com/artisticintent.html

Clearly Indiana lawyers suck at life since they are always getting disbarred for things like battery and prostitution.  I should probably be looking for jobs there, since there seem to be openings all the time.  http://abovethelaw.com/2010/12/another-lawyer-bites-the-dust-gets-caught-with-a-prostitute/

Good news, guys!  Lawyers didn't make this list!  (But we're probably number 11.)  http://gawker.com/5710624/the-10-most-depressing-jobs-in-america?skyline=true&s=i

Yes, I know this is sexist, but come on.  They compare Salma Hayek to International Shoe!  That is awesome!  http://abovethelaw.com/2010/12/fame-brief-salma-hayek-brings-heat-boobs-to-scotus-immigration-debate/#more-48073

Yes, I know that your ConLaw exam was difficult, but let's face it:  A world with no Constitution would be REALLY creepy:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a32OZe2pgnM

And as long as you're there.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VESzLBqx7KY

Scalia is the funniest SCOTUS justice!  And not because we all make fun of him!  (Also not because he is the funniest looking.)  http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/31/politics/31mirth.html?_r=2

And this, as a friend of mine said, is why you bring up cold feet BEFORE you cut the checks:  http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/12/jilted-bride-sues-ex-fiance-for-95k-for-cancelling-wedding.html

Sure, it's creepy.  But think of the hearsay implications!  http://www.abajournal.com/weekly/article/parrots_comments_aid_police_in_elder_abuse_case?utm_source=maestro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly_email

See!  I TOLD all of you that Hogwarts was a dangerous place to be!!  http://www.lawhaha.com/harmless_display.asp?RecNo=33

Law School Tip #7

Let's be honest guys:  There's really no 

such thing as hearsay.

No Radio Silence Here

It's finally Friday!  And congratulations, you have survived a whole week of finals!  Just look at you go!  Soon you'll be home and your mom will be baking you cookies, and your family will be looking at you with that golden glow of "Well, at least we did one thing right.  This one's in law school."

Or at least that's what I imagine it's like for other people.  The second I get home I get handed a cookbook and get told to make cookies for other people while everyone else drinks spiked eggnog and mocks me.  (I love Christmas.)

Anyway, here at RWF, we like to celebrate those small moments, the ones that make you feel special and good about yourself.  That's why Friday posts are generally full of fun material that you didn't actually need but are a great way to procrastinate.

Actually, I'm lazy and have my last final on Monday.  My brain is fried from yesterday's final still.  So you get stuff that is not actually advice.   (People, I can't always be giving advice.  I am only human.  Maybe I would like someone to give me some pointers once in a while.  What do you think about THAT?)

Anyway, in the spirit of giving, I am going to gift you with a small sampling of the music that has been making me happy the last two weeks and keeping me from collapsing in my wooden chair at the library. I guess this could lead to advice.  Your advice?  Make a Pandora account like all the other normal people and listen to it for hours a week, until Pandora recommends that you just buy their full service since you've listened to over fifty hours that month.  Anyway, to the listing:

1.  Regina Spektor, Folding Chair:  Who doesn't love a song about pretending you're on a beach with your toes sinking into the sand instead of sitting by yourself in an empty room?  It makes me smile with my whole face.  Which has led to some weird looks as everyone wonders what you're so happy about.  This is not the official video, but it was the cutest one I could find.

2.  Kate Nash Doo Wah Do:  You know that one song that makes you think of that one person?  Yeah, this one is it.  And it's not very nice either.  And the non-radio edit version really does end in the word bitch. Which is so. much. better.  This time, official video yayness!

3.  Joy Williams, One of Those Days:  "It's all going just so perfectly wrong."  You sing it girl.  I have nothing more to say about this except seriously: have you EVER heard such a happy bad day song?  No.  You haven't.  Just own up and move on.

I'll stop there, but you get the idea.  What can I say?  I guess when the going gets tough, the tough get boppy?  I cannot help it.  Other things that have been on replay in quick list form?

The Weepies Be My Honeypie

Sara Bareilles Basketcase

Ben Folds You Don't Know Me At All

Julieta Venegas Bien o Mal

The White Stripes We're Going to Be Friends

Adele My Same

What's been getting you through your day?  Let everyone know below!

Also, today I messed with html for the first time in order to get these videos the right size.  I learned something new!  Now back to Evidence....

Loose Lips Sink Ships...and Other Things, I'm Sure....

Oh my, is it Wednesday already?  Guess it's that time again.  Time for me to pull forth some wisdom.  Here's a good one, said in my best ironically white girl voice, "Hataz gonna hate, yo."  (Actually, it's better if you imagine it in the "Bueller." voice.  Or possibly as Jack Donaghy.  And replace "yo" with "Lemon.")


Look, here's the deal:  Don't talk about the exam.  Don't talk about the exam.  Don't talk about the exam.*  Not with anybody.  Not for any reason.  And everyone is going to want to talk about it.  Politely decline.  And when you get badgered about it, decline more forcefully.  And when the other person won't let it go, find someone else to talk to.  In the words of far too many classic British novels, give them the "cut direct."

Why?  Because talking about the exam can only lead to one thing:  Panic.

They're going to tell you how they answered, you're going to tell them how you answered, they're going to attempt to convince you that they were right, you're going to battle your answer, and then you're going to start panicking.  "Is he right?  Did I completely misunderstand that question?  Dammit.  A had AIDS and didn't know it, and was shot by B, and began dripping blood into C's open wound..."**

Cut it out.  You already defended your answer.  FOR THREE HOURS.  To someone with a much higher degree than whoever you're talking to now.  For the love of God, it doesn't matter anymore!  It's over!  You're both going to get whatever you get!  Also, anyone who needs to defend their answer to YOU, another student, is really insecure about the answer they gave, so don't bother explaining yourself.  Just smile, nod, and give noncommittal answers.

When trying to explain to other people that I don't talk about tests in specifics, I've actually gotten the answer, "Well, it's the only thing that makes me feel better."  Unfortunately, "Good for you.  Shut up or go find someone else to talk to," is not an appropriate response in this situation.  I find that, "Oh, it just makes me feel sick," or "Yeah, I just hate doing that," and then changing the subject works unless you've got someone really persistent.

Of course, you can also handle this the immature way, as I have done and just start making things up.  If you can't stop the other person from talking, create rules in your head and just apply them.  Make the other person think they REALLY screwed it up, and then walk away saying, "Well, I'm sure you were right.  Everything will turn out the way it's supposed to.  Bye!"  Then go to lunch and have a beer with people who WON'T talk about the exam.

In other news, thanks to my friend Logan who goes to University of Cincinnati Law for sending a couple new people here!  I've known Logan since I was 11 years old and I have incriminating evidence about what color mythical creature*** he would like to be.  And yes, I have it in writing.

How did your first exams go?  Also, what kind of mythical creature would you like to be, whether cool or uncool?

______________________________
*With the exception of "It was good/bad; I feel confident/nervous; I hope grades post soon/never."
**That was actually part of a torts exam given a couple years ago.
***And NOT a badass mythical creature.

Law School Tip #6

Don't take three bar courses in one 

semester.  You will wish for death.