Palin for VP, I like it

It's a battle of the minorities, you gotta luv it. So if you are a Democratic woman (or Black Republican), who do you vote for? Everyone seems caught up in making history, but what is really best for the country? I happen to have a soft spot for children with disabilities from my days helping out in a school for children with disabilities, and Palin has a son with Down Syndrome. So as long as everyone is throwing their votes to the wind in the name of history, that is where I am throwing mine. McCain may be a bit liberal for my taste, but Palin is a mom, and everyone listens to mom. And hey, she's pro-life and that happens to agree with my Bible.

In case you didn't know, that is here now, and back in the 80's as a sportscaster. A sportscaster!!! I am telling you this woman is perfect for the White House.

Can One Read Too Much?

It has been a busy week, but things are progressing. My outlines for Property, Torts, Contracts and Civil Procedures are up to date. I have heard, " don't start your outlines yet because you will end up throwing them away and starting over in 4 weeks," but I figure at the very least it gives me practice and it breaks up the reading. My reading is somewhat caught up (if that can ever be true), I only have 8 more chapters to read for Legal Writing and then I will start reading for next week's classes. Is it bad that I have started reading Grisham's The Firm again?

I'm lovin it...

So yes, this is challenging, but I am relishing in the reading, research and writing. It could be the novelty (we'll have to compare this entry with those in the upcoming months), it could be the lack of sleep; we may never know. The fact is, I am enjoying myself. Breaking down cases, figuring out the rules and playing the ever-popular devil's advocate - right down my alley. This was a great move, and I am excited to see where it goes from here.

In case you are wondering, yes, I am in the library and I just finished reading for Contracts. Now it is back to the books to start work on another outline. Should I work on Torts or Civil Procedure?

Day 2 of Official Classes

wow. I am going to need to spend more time reading. For those of you that call yourselves my friends, I apologize. I promise we can hang out again in 2011. Also, you may have noticed a shift away from my usual political and social rants. That is because I have moved into the library and no longer am concerned about the world outside these walls. Let's face it, unless you are rich it doesn't really matter what you think when it comes to our country's policy (all you protesters out there, just keep on thinking you are making a difference). I did see a quick note regarding Obama's running mate, and I must express some disappointment. I doubt the man from Virginia is really about change (he is from the "Washington is broken" club, isn't he?). I was kinda of hoping Obama would keep it real and pick Jesse or Al. O well, back to my book on torts.

The World Is Ending!!! So where should I invest?

I read a terrifying article today (why do I do that?) from Jon Markman at MSN. I have included a live link if you would like to see the article. Unless you live underground, you know what's been going on in the U.S. markets and there has been a large amount of investors taking their capital overseas. Well, according to Jon, the run on the world market is over, and the U.S. is again the place to put your money. Let's face it, if Warren Buffet is no longer betting against the dollar, why should you? Here is a quick summary of the world markets:

• U.S. down 15% for the year
• Britain down 22%
• France down 22%
• Germany down 24%
• Spain down 23%
• Russia down 23% (not to mention they are always invading someone)
• China down 31% (How about those Asian markets?)
• Japan down 16%
• India down 43%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• The Latin American countries are hurting as well, but I am tired of typing in numbers.

Seriously though, where do we put our money (since I don't have any, this does not really effect me, so where do you put your money?)? Do you just leave the market alone for awhile and put your money in a bank account earning between 1% and 4%? How about this: "Chris Whalen, the managing director of Institutional Risk Analytics, has told Dow Jones Newswires that he expects 110 banks with $850 billion in assets to fail by next July, which is eight times the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.'s reserves." (Markman, MSN) So there goes your insurance when your bank closes down.

Maybe I will just start mining for gold. Where is my pick-axe and dynamite?

Orientation is Over, Now the real work begins

So orientation is over, and it has been an experience. Every day I come home with a headache. My brain is clearly not use to the work. This week I read 100 pages and briefed 5 cases, and class does not start until Monday. I love Orientation. Gone are the days of undergrad and team building at Camp Gideon. Now it's all about Legal Writing, appellate arguments and financial aid seminars. It's always fun meeting new people (including this guy, http://www.paralegalsblog.com/2008/08/paralegal-sets-sights-on-rising-lawyer.html ), and I am going to experiment with the study group idea and see what happens. My favorite part about law school so far is the automatic doors. They are not the kind you see at the grocery store, they open from farther away and make you feel important. All in all, a good week.

First Class

Well, I just completed my first class at law school, and I am still breathing (a good sign). It was a Legal Writing class and it looks like my hand may fall off. My pre-class assignment was the first 2 chapters from (one of) the book(s) and reading 4 additional cases. That resulted in 9+ pages of notes, a migraine and a carpal cramp. All in all, a good afternoon at the library. Now all I have to do is re-read the 2 chapters (want to make sure I understand all the gibberish), complete the exercises from the book and brief the 4 cases. Did I mention this is just orientation week? Yeah for law school.

Go America

So how about the Olympics? I have been one to watch the occasional event in the past (Carrie's ankle included), but I usually find something else to do with my time. This year, I can't turn my eyes away from the TV. The Redeem Team (basketball), Volleyball (indoor and out), gymnastics (there, I said it) and that freak they call Phelps (I mean that in the most respectful way, he is an amazing athlete). I am excited to tell my grandchildren about the man who won all those gold medals way back when. I wonder if they will even have the Olympics at that point, or if my grandchildren will look at me and wonder why I'm not in a strait jacket (Who knows? Maybe I will be). I found myself yelling with unbridled enthusiasm as the American relay team out swam those bastards from across the pond. There's something to be said for antagonizing the Americans (Russia, are you listening?). It has been fun to be patriotic these past few days, and I wonder how the rest of America feels. Are the games uniting us or are there those of you that hate it here (yes, you live here and you know who you are) so much, that you would rather burn the flag instead of fly it? O well, I guess that's your right.

I choose to believe in the unifying spirit of the games, and look toward a brighter tomorrow (would that be from global warming?).

Go America.

I'm Back

Sorry, it's been awhile. I was in Mexifornia for a couple of weeks, and I also moved to Cleveland. Mexifornia is an amazing state. First of all, if you remember a few weeks ago an illegal immigrant shot and killed a father and 2 sons in San Francisco. The reason is unclear, one thought was road rage, another was mistaken identity (the assailant thought they were rival gang members). One thing is clear, this killing could have been avoided if it were not for the sanctuary laws of San Fran. This guy had been in jail previously on felony charges, but local law enforcement is prohibited from cooperating with federal law enforcement. What is so wrong with deportation? Shouldn't these illegals have to go through the process like everyone else (including my great grandparents)? I have family in the California Highway Patrol, and they are discouraged from reporting illegals. Amazing. And to think, these immigrants get better health care than the poor Americans.

I had an exciting time in Mexifornia, so to recap:
I was bitten by fire ants in the desert, I went black widow spider hunting (I swear, one of these spiders had a face, and gave me the finger before my brother-in-law killed it with a blow torch), and survived an earthquake. I did enjoy a nice round of golf, and some of the best Mexican food ever (breakfast burritos from Del Taco).

Good Times.