Whose fault is it really?

I understand there is a significant amount of people who are unhappy with the current President. Additionally, based on the current divorce rate, there seems to be a significant amount of people who are unhappy with their current/ex spouse. I always find it interesting when those people (in either scenario) start passing around the blame for their current unhappy circumstances. Here is an interesting thought: you picked them. Does that make it your fault then if it doesn't work out? Or are you one of those people (I believe some would call you an "optimist") who really believes people will change? I understand that the correlation is a bit indirect in relation to the President, so let me explain. You chose to live in a democracy where the majority makes the decisions. The current majority selected the current President. Therefore, whether you voted for him or not, you still "chose" him, by living in a country that abides by such a process. For those of you that do not vote, again, that was your choice, and by making that choice, you implicitly agreed to accept the outcome based on those who did vote. So in essence, all of you who are unhappy with your choices in life (whether your spouse, President, or even a pet), maybe just look in the mirror next time you are looking for someone to blame.

Summer

So it is summer in Cleveland, and oddly enough, the hottest days on record this year all occurred in April. Perfect. The mayflies are in off the lake which makes walking around downtown a pleasant experience full of chances to inhale tasty little bugs. I have been spending a large amount of time at the Justice Center and have come to two realizations: (1) generally criminal defense attorneys do not make a great deal of money and (2) there is nothing like hearing the gavel hit the bench after being sentenced to prison for 21 to life. I watched a kid (yes, they sentence the young) walk out of the courtroom after being convicted for murder as his mother cried in the background. At first I felt sorry for the family and the defendant. That feeling was quickly replaced with, "what gives one the right to walk into a store and shoot two people?" I don't care what type of neighborhood you grew up in, you are not privileged to take the life of another. Maybe I should be at the prosecutor's office. Now I am going to floss the mayflies out of my teeth.

2 more to go

3 exams done, and 2 more to go. Still hard to believe that the first year of law school has been completed. So as I prepare to re-read my 27 page Contracts outline (while ignoring the urge to watch the NBA playoffs), I look back and am completely content with the decision to pursue this dream. Although there are more years to complete, and more experience to be gained, I am thoroughly enjoying the journey. My advice to you (faithful readers that you are) is this: Do not wait for your dreams to find you. If you are unhappy with the choices you have made at this point, stop complaining and start making different (and presumably better) choices. Go after the career you dream of. Get back in school (if that is required). Stop procrastinating and start living. Don't wait until you wake up one morning at 70 years old and regret everything you didn't do. And don't buy a red, convertible miata. That's just sad.

Nothing is more important than family

I know there are those of you out that that would disagree with me, but I have resolved myself to the idea that you will never be satisfied by anything anyway. For the rest of you, cherish your time with your loved ones. Forgive old grudges and realize we are here but for a moment, and those moments will go by much faster than you think they will. Where does this depth come from you ask? My family has been sequestered 2000 miles away for almost 6 weeks now, and it should be known that life is much more fulfilling with them around. Their absence has taught me the value of family, and that there is little that can replace them. So for those of you who heed this message, tell your loved ones how special they are and adjudicate your grievances among our family members (should you have any). And for those of you who (as usual) disagree with me, enjoy that half-empty glass.

Checkin in

I know I have not been around, but finals are coming up, I am writing motions, and trying to do all of that in between trips to the west coast (they have sunshine there). I did notice that North Korea has found the time to start firing rockets over Japan. Who says we can't have a global harmony?

You wish you had it this good...

Today, I watched the sun come up over the city of Cleveland. The seagulls were singing in the background as the new rays reflected off the glass dome of the law library. Breathtaking, majestic, a wonderful sight to behold. Then I went back down into the library basement to study for my 9am exam. I know you are jealous...

Nice work Wallstreet...

So much for it won't get any worse. I am starting to believe in pessimism. When will the bailout(s) start working? Anyone? anyone at all? Am I talking to myself here? I heard something interesting today. 15% of Americans are blaming Obama for the economic state today, and 15% are blaming Bush. It seems that 30% will never be able to separate politics from reality. At least there are still 70% of us that are normal (either that or don't seem to care). How do I deal with reality? Well, today as I was driving in rush hour it was snowing; so I turned up some Bob Marley and pretended I was actually on a beach somewhere. Try it sometime, you won't be disappointed (and remember not to spill the rum punch on your shirt).